Viable Candidate For Use Research Articles

Concurrent removal of Fe(II), Cu(II), and Zn(II) cations from acid mine drainage by an industrial solid waste - steel slag: Behaviors and mechanisms

Acid mine drainage (AMD) contamination poses a severe environmental threat and is a significant risk to human health. There is an urgent need to develop environmentally sustainable and technically viable solutions for water contamination caused by heavy metals. In this study, steel slag (SS) was used as a secondary resource to concurrently remove Fe(II), Cu(II), and Zn(II) from AMD. Because of the loose and porous structure, abundant functional groups, fast sedimentation velocity, and excellent solid-liquid separation, SS showed exceptional removal performance for heavy metal ions. The adsorption kinetic data of Fe(II), Cu(II), and Zn(II) showed good regression with the pseudo-second-order model. Besides, the adsorption of Fe(II) by SS conformed to the Freundlich model, whereas the adsorption of Cu(II) and Zn(II) followed the Langmuir model, with the maximum adsorption amounts of Cu(II) and Zn(II) being 170.69 and 155.98 mg/g. Furthermore, competitive adsorption was observed among Fe (II), Cu (II), and Zn (II) in a multi-component system, with the adsorption priority being Fe (II) > Cu (II) > Zn (II). The removal mechanism of Fe(II), Cu(II), and Zn(II) in AMD by SS mainly includes electrostatic attraction, chemical precipitation, and surface complexation. Interestingly, the leached concentrations of Fe(II), Cu(II), and Zn(II) from the spent slag after calcination were all within the detection limit of the Chinese emission standard, demonstrating excellent environmental stability. Theoretically, this renders it a viable candidate for use as an additive in construction materials. Meaningfully, the work offers a practical approach for energy-efficient and eco-friendly heavy metal ions adsorption, and the secondary utilization of SS also contributes to the sustainable development of the steel industry. It is beneficial to implement the development concepts of clean production and efficient utilization of industrial solid waste.

Design plasmonic nanostructure of silicon dioxide and titanium dioxide loaded on a nano surface for clean water production through photocatalysis and electrochemical techniques

The work is targeted to rebuild the framework of a nanocatalyst (NCat) that depends on the n/p-type heterojunction through the plasmonic structure of reduced graphene oxide (rGO), silicon oxide nanoparticles (SiO2 NPs), polyvinyl alcohol (PVA NPs), and titanium dioxide (TiO2 NPs). The removal of medical and organic contaminants occurs via photocatalysis operation which follows through the electrochemical technique and UV-spectrophotometer under visible light with nanocatalyst (rGO@SiO2@PVA@TiO2) for clean water and a safe medical environment. The Z-Scheme mechanism explains the development of electron maps in fabricated nanocatalyst engineering to increase the efficiency of the photocatalytic activity. The high activity of the NCat appeared, after 160 min, and the photocatalytic efficiency for methylene blue (MB), methyl orange (MO), rhodamine B (RhB), moxifloxacin (MFX), and colchicine, was 90 %, 76 %, 88 %, 84 %, and 91 % respectively. The stability of NCat was confirmed via the recyclability process, with the efficiency at 58 % after the fifth cycle. The high stability of NCat was proved by the electrochemical technique performed after 100 cycles. The safety of the NCat for the generation of clean water was highlighted by the cytotoxicity test using normal mouse liver cells. It is suggested to use the new NCat design because of its distinctive optical characteristics, which make it a viable candidate for use as a revolutionary nanomaterial with high efficiency and safety for clean water and removal of medical contaminants.

Wound Dressing Based on Cassava Silk-Chitosan.

The application prospects of composite sponges with antibacterial and drug-carrying functions in the field of medical tissue engineering are extensive. A solution of cassava silk fibroin (CSF) was prepared with Ca(NO3)2 as a solvent, which was then combined with chitosan (CS) to create a sponge-porous material by freeze-drying. The CSF-CS composite sponge with a mesh structure was successfully fabricated through hydrogen bonding. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM), Fourier transform infrared absorption (FTIR) and X-ray diffraction (XRD) were employed to investigate the appearance and structure of the cassava silk's fibroin materials, specifically examining the impact of different mass percentages of CS on the sponge's structure. The swelling rate and mechanical properties of the CSF-CS sponge were analyzed, along with its antibacterial properties. Furthermore, by incorporating ibuprofen as a model drug into these loaded sponges, their potential efficacy as efficient drug delivery systems was demonstrated. The results indicate that the CSF-CS sponge possesses a three-dimensional porous structure with over 70% porosity and an expansion rate exceeding 400% while also exhibiting good resistance against pressure. Moreover, it exhibits excellent drug-carrying ability and exerts significant bacteriostatic effects on Escherichia coli. Overall, these findings support considering the CSF-CS composite sponge as a viable candidate for use in drug delivery systems or wound dressings.

Cell-penetrating peptides with nanoparticles hybrid delivery vectors and their uptake pathways

Cell-penetrating peptides (CPPs) are molecules that improve the cellular uptake of various molecular payloads that do not easily traverse the cellular membrane. CPPs can be found in pharmaceutical and medical products. The vast majority of cell-penetrating chemicals that are discussed in published research are peptide based. The paper also delves into the various applications of hybrid vectors. Because CPPs are able to carry cargo across the cellular membrane, they are a viable candidate for use as a suitable carrier for a wide variety of cargoes, such as siRNA, nanoparticles, and others. In which we discuss the CPPs, their classification, uptake mechanisms, hybrid vector systems, nanoparticles and their uptake mechanisms, etc. Further in this paper, we discuss CPPs conjugated to Nanoparticles, Combining CPPs with lipids and polymeric Nanoparticles in A Conjugated System, CPPs conjugated to nanoparticles for therapeutic purposes, and potential therapeutic uses of CPPs as delivery molecules. Also discussed the preclinical and clinical use of CPPS, intracellular trafficking of nanoparticles, and activatable and bioconjugated CPPs.

Hydrothermal fabrication of two-dimensional indium oxide nanosheets for high-performance supercapacitors

In this research, we synthesized Indium oxide nanosheets (In2O3-NS) using an easy, cost-effective, and hydrothermal approach. The In2O3 NS modified electrode achieved the highest specific capacitance value of 927.24 F g−1 at 0.5 A g−1 current density in a 2 M KOH electrolyte solution. The electrochemical results indicate that the stability of the In2O3 NS is much greater compared to other reported indium oxide-based nanostructure electrodes. This enhanced cycle stability was seen for a duration of 8,000 cycles at a current density of 1.0 A g−1. In2O3-NS exhibits favourable characteristics that makes it a viable candidate for use as an electrode material in energy storage for supercapacitor applications.

Ultrabroadband vernier cascaded microring filters based on dispersive Si3N4 waveguides

A viable candidate for use in silicon photonics and microwave photonics is the hybrid external cavity laser (ECL) chip, which offers a high extinction ratio, ultrabroadband mode-hopping-free tuning range, and small linewidth. It requires a photonic filter device with an ultrabroadband operating bandwidth and adjustable frequency selection capability. The Vernier cascaded microring filter is a prevailing filter technique that usually ignores chromatic dispersion and will result in noticeable frequency variations, particularly over a large frequency range. Based on dispersive Si3N4 waveguides, we develop ultrabroadband Vernier cascaded microring filters and examine the impact of chromatic dispersion. For the same waveguide geometry, the filter’s effective free spectral range (FSR) varies by more than 400 GHz with and without the dispersion. Furthermore, these Vernier filters, which are made of anomalous and normal dispersive waveguides respectively, exhibit mode hopping at the opposite frequency side. It leads to a sudden mode number leap and, consequently, a diversified dispersion condition for the convoluted filtering frequency. We show that this phenomenon is caused by the interplay between half of the FSR difference, and the accumulated frequency difference caused by the chromatic dispersion. Finally, the use of thermal-optical tuning enables accurate frequency tuning. Our findings offer a valuable resource for the engineering of hybrid ECLs at the chip scale.

Ab initio study of pesticides interacting with graphene layer

Pesticides are extensively employed worldwide, particularly in less developed countries. This study shows that graphene is a viable candidate for use as a filter for the pesticides.

Growth and Characterization of Sputtered InAlN Nanorods on Sapphire Substrates for Acetone Gas Sensing.

The demand for highly sensitive and selective gas sensors has been steadily increasing, driven by applications in various fields such as environmental monitoring, healthcare, and industrial safety. In this context, ternary alloy indium aluminum nitride (InAlN) semiconductors have emerged as a promising material for gas sensing due to their unique properties and tunable material characteristics. This work focuses on the fabrication and characterization of InAlN nanorods grown on sapphire substrates using an ultra-high vacuum magnetron sputter epitaxy with precise control over indium composition and explores their potential for acetone-gas-sensing applications. Various characterization techniques, including XRD, SEM, and TEM, demonstrate the structural and morphological insights of InAlN nanorods, making them suitable for gas-sensing applications. To evaluate the gas-sensing performance of the InAlN nanorods, acetone was chosen as a target analyte due to its relevance in medical diagnostics and industrial processes. The results reveal that the InAlN nanorods exhibit a remarkable sensor response of 2.33% at 600 ppm acetone gas concentration at an operating temperature of 350 °C, with a rapid response time of 18 s. Their high sensor response and rapid response make InAlN a viable candidate for use in medical diagnostics, industrial safety, and environmental monitoring.

Photocatalytic activity of non-oxides materials TiB2, TiC, and TiN

This study aims to explore, for the first time, the effect of the anion species on the photocatalytic activity of the compounds TiB2, TiC, and TiN for H2 production. Therefore, non-oxide titanium compounds have been investigated as alternative semiconductor materials to replace TiO2. In this case, these non-oxide materials were evaluated as photocatalysts for the production of hydrogen due to their negative conduction band energies, which facilitate the accumulation of electrons on the surface and promote the water-splitting reaction. Specifically, TiN exhibits the lowest electron-hole recombination, favoring the generation of hydrogen because more electrons are transferred in this material compared to TiB2 and TiC (2- and 3-fold higher amounts of H2, respectively). Photoluminescence (PL) analysis revealed that TiN spectra showed the lowest emission, indicating a lower concentration of recombination sites, attributed to the presence of Ti-3d orbitals, resulting in improved electrical conductivity and enhanced charge transfer during the reaction. However, in the case of TiC, some of the Ti-3d orbitals are not occupied by free electrons, resulting in partial oxidation, this leads to a higher resistance to charge transfer, promoting electron-hole recombination, which in turn affects the activity of hydrogen generation. Therefore, commercial TiN can be considered a viable candidate for use in photocatalytic systems.

Topical, contact, and oral susceptibility of adult Culicoides biting midges (Diptera: Ceratopogonidae) to fluralaner

BackgroundCulicoides biting midges (Diptera: Ceratopogonidae) are economically important blood-feeding pests closely associated with livestock production. They are the principal vectors of two hemorrhagic disease viruses affecting both wild and domestic ruminants within the US: bluetongue virus (BTV) and epizootic hemorrhagic disease virus (EHDV). BTV impacts the US agriculture sector through direct commodity loss and strict international livestock trade restrictions. Yet, despite posing a considerable threat to US livestock, Culicoides are understudied, and management strategies are lacking. Current control tools for Culicoides are limited to synthetic chemicals, predominantly pyrethroids. With limited products available for livestock producers, proper pesticide rotation is difficult. The present study investigates the efficacy of fluralaner, an isoxazoline insecticide, beyond its current labeled use as an ectoparasiticide in anticipation of adding a new class of pesticides into rotation for use against biting midges.MethodsThe efficacy of fluralaner was evaluated by conducting contact, topical, and oral toxicity bioassays on adult female Culicoides sonorensis. Contact toxicity was assessed by using a modified WHO cone assay, which simulates exposure through landing on an insecticide-treated surface. A modified WHO topical toxicity assay, in which fluralaner dilutions were administered to the lateral thorax, was used to assess topical toxicity. For evaluation of oral toxicity, females were offered a blood meal spiked with fluralaner in an artificial membrane feeding system to simulate a systemic insecticide.ResultsContact exposure of fluralaner did not cause extensive or consistent mortality. Even the highest concentration tested (100 mg/ml) resulted in an average of only 24.3% mortality at 24 h, and mortality did not significantly differ between exposed and control midges at any concentration. One hundred percent mortality was consistently achieved at concentrations of 1 mg/ml when fluralaner was applied topically. The LC50 for topical exposure to fluralaner at 24 h was estimated to be 0.011 mg/ml. Oral exposure to fluralaner through ingestion of a spiked blood meal proved to be the most effective exposure method, significantly increasing mortality in a dose-dependent manner at 1 h post-exposure. The LC50 at 24 h following ingestion was 14.42 ng/ml.ConclusionOur results suggest that fluralaner is a viable candidate for use as an insecticide against adult biting midges if exposed orally, such as in a systemic given to livestock. As withdrawal period requirements for meat animals present unique yet definitive challenges, pharmacokinetic studies of isoxazoline drugs need to be pursued and finalized for livestock before fluralaner may be used as a management strategy in this manner. Alternatively, livestock not raised for consumption, such as hair sheep, would directly benefit from administering oral fluralaner as a component of a BTV disease management program.Graphical abstract

Controllable assessment of quantum rods with polarized emission for display applications

Semiconductor quantum rods (QRs) emit polarized light, which shows great promise in the development of modern display devices with regard to energy efficiency and color enhancement. Here we demonstrate stretching of an aligned QR polarized film for brightness enhancement and optical efficiency improvement of current quantum-dot based displays. Study of the relationship between the QR material, stretching ratio and degree of alignment provides a guide for the fabrication of highly polarized QR film. A large-area film with a high degree of alignment of 0.635 and more than 1.6-fold enhancement of brightness and transmittance compared with the traditional structure was achieved, making the film a viable candidate for use in various energy-saving display devices.

Magnetic chitosan nanoparticles loaded with Amphotericin B: Synthesis, properties and potentiation of antifungal activity against common human pathogenic fungal strains

Amphotericin B has long been regarded as the gold standard for treating invasive fungal infections despite its toxic potential. The main objective of this research was to develop a novel IONPs@CS-AmB formulation in a cost-effective manner in order to enhance AmB delivery performance, with lowering the drug's dose and adverse effects. The chitosan-coated iron oxide nanoparticles (IONPs@CS) were synthesized afterward, AmB-loaded IONPs@CS (IONPs@CS-AmB) prepared and characterized by AFM, FT-IR, SEM, EDX, and XRD. Biological activity of the synthesized NPs determined and the cytotoxicity of IONPs@CS-AmB evaluated using the MTT and in vitro hemolysis tests. The IONPs@CS-AmB was synthesized using the coprecipitation method with core-shell structure in size range of 27.70 to ∼70 nm. The FT-IR, XRD and EDX pattern confirmed the successful synthesis of IONPs @CS-AmB. The IONPs@CS-AmB exhibited significant antifungal activity and inhibited the metabolic activity of Candida albicans biofilms. The hemolysis and MTT assays showed that IONPs@CS-AmB is biocompatible with high cell viability when compared to plain AmB and fungizone. The IONPs@CS-AmB is more effective, less toxic and may be a suitable alternative to conventional drug delivery. IONPs@CS-AmB may be a viable candidate for use as a microbial-resistant coating on the surfaces of biomedical devices.

Influence of deposition time on the supercapacitive performance of electrodeposited interconnected Co(OH)2 nanoflakes

In the electrodeposition process, the deposition time directly influences electrodes surface morphology and electrochemical performance. Cobalt hydroxide Co(OH)2 nanoflakes were produced potentiostatically on stainless steel at various deposition times (1, 2, 3, 4, 5 min) in this research work. The Co(OH)2 nanoflakes, could be a viable candidate for use as an electrode material in supercapacitor applications due to their innovative manufacturing and high capacitance. X-ray diffraction and field emission scanning electron microscopy were used to investigate the structural and morphological features of prepared nanoflakes. The supercapacitive performance was studied using cyclic voltammetry, galvanostatic charge–discharge, and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy techniques. The study reveals that deposition time and potential have an impact on the morphology of deposited material, and that morphology has an impact on electrochemical characteristics.In 1 M KOH, as prepared Co(OH)2 nanoflakes reveals a specific capacitance of 480F g−1 for 1 mAcm−1. The Co(OH)2 electrode retained 79 % capacitance after 1000 cycles.

A new phosphorene allotrope: the assembly of phosphorene nanoribbons and chains.

Phosphorene allotrope monolayers such as blue and red phosphorus are being designed and synthesized to be used in the optoelectronics field due to their tunable bandgap and high mobility. Using the organic molecule self-assembly method similar to the synthesis of graphene allotropes, a novel phosphorene allotrope, P567 monolayer, with five-, six-, and seven-membered rings is designed through the assembly of black phosphorus chains and blue phosphorene nanoribbons. Ab initio molecular dynamics, phonon dispersion, and elastic constants demonstrate the dynamic, thermal, and mechanical stability of the P567 monolayer. Additionally, the first-principles calculations show that the P567 monolayer is an indirect bandgap semiconductor with moderate bandgap and high anisotropic mobility (4.47 × 103 cm2 V-1 s-1). Compared with black phosphorene, the suitable band edge position and higher optical absorption coefficient (105 cm-1) make the P567 monolayer more likely to be used as a photocatalytic hydrolysis material. The P567 monolayer is a viable candidate for use in innovative optoelectronic devices and the assembly method provides a rational approach to designing phosphorus allotropes with high photocatalytic efficiency.

PMMA-LiTFSI based gel polymer electrolyte for lithium-oxygen cell application

In this work, poly (methyl methacrylate), PMMA based gel polymer electrolytes (GPEs) have been studied. Lithium bis(trifluoromethanesulfonyl)imide (LiTFSI) was selected as lithium-ion donor and tetraethylene glycol dimethyl ether (TEGDME) as a solvent. The highest conducting sample was obtained at 25 wt% LiTFSI with ionic conductivity value of 2.80 mS cm −1 . The dielectric constant of GPEs sample follows the conductivity trend. The percentage of free ions is observed to increase up to electrolyte containing 25 wt% LiTFSI salt. Beyond that, the free ions percentage decreased. Lithium-ion transference number for the highest conducting sample is 0.47. The highest ionic conducting sample show good electrode-electrolyte interfacial stability and is suggested suitable in lithium-oxygen batteries. The charge and discharge capacities in the first cycle were 0.87 and 1.23 mAh cm −2 , respectively. Formation of Li 2 O 2 can be observed by XRD pattern of the air cathode during the discharge. • Large anion size contributes to enhance the ionic conductivity and lithium transference number. • A gel polymer electrolyte based on PMMA is a viable candidate for use as the electrolyte in a lithium-oxygen battery. • The discharge capacity retention of lithium-oxygen cell is 26 % after five cycles.

Preparation and evaluation of dabrafenib-loaded, CD47-conjugated human serum albumin-based nanoconstructs for chemoimmunomodulation

The transmembrane proteins, CD47 and signal-regulatory protein α are overexpressed in cancer cells and macrophages, respectively, and facilitate the escape of cancer cells from macrophage-mediated phagocytosis. The immunomodulatory and targeting properties of CD47, the chemotherapeutic effects of dabrafenib (D), and the anti-programmed death-1 antibodies (PD-1) pave the way for effective chemoimmunomodulation-mediated anticancer combination therapy. In this study, CD47-conjugated, D-loaded human serum albumin (HSA) nanosystems were fabricated by modified nanoparticle albumin-bound technology. Cis-aconityl-PEG-maleimide (CA), an acid-labile linker, was used to conjugate D@HSA and CD47; the resultant CD47-CA@D@HSA exhibited tumor-specificity through receptor targeting, as well as preferential cleavage and drug release in the acidic tumor microenvironment (pH 5) compared to normal physiological pH conditions (pH 6.5, 7.4). The successful preparation of nanosized (∼220 nm), narrowly dispersed (∼0.13) CD47-CA@D@HSA was proven by physicochemical characterization. In vitro and in vivo internalization, accumulation, cytotoxicity, and apoptosis were observed to be higher with CD47-conjugated nanoconstructs, than with free D or non-targeted nanoconstructs. CD47-CA@D@HSA was found to promote the infiltration of cytotoxic T cells and tumor-associated macrophages into tumors and improve in vivo tumor inhibition. Administration in combination with PD-1 further improved antitumor efficacy by promoting immune responses that blocked the immune checkpoint. No signs of toxicity were seen in mice treated with the nanoconstructs; the formulation was, therefore, thought to be biocompatible and as having potential for clinical use. The targeted chemoimmunomodulation achieved by this combination therapy was found to combat major immunosuppressive facets, making it a viable candidate for use in the treatment of cancer.

The viability of the frequency following response characteristics for use as biomarkers of cognitive therapeutics in schizophrenia

Deficits in early auditory information processing contribute to cognitive and psychosocial disability; this has prompted development of interventions that target low-level auditory processing, which may alleviate these disabilities. The frequency following response (FFR) is a constellation of event-related potential and frequency characteristics that reflect the processing of acoustic stimuli at the level of the brainstem and ascending portions of the auditory pathway. While FFR is a promising candidate biomarker of response to auditory-based cognitive training interventions, the psychometric properties of FFR in schizophrenia patients have not been studied. Here we assessed the psychometric reliability and magnitude of group differences across 18 different FFR parameters to determine which of these parameters demonstrate adequate internal consistency. Electroencephalography from 40 schizophrenia patients and 40 nonpsychiatric comparison subjects was recorded during rapid presentation of an auditory speech stimulus (6000 trials). Patients showed normal response amplitudes but longer latencies for most FFR peaks and lower signal-to-noise ratios (SNRs) than healthy subjects. Analysis of amplitude and latency estimates of peaks, however, indicated a need for a substantial increase in task length to obtain internal consistency estimates above 0.80. In contrast, excellent internal consistency (>0.95) was shown for FFR sustained responses. Only SNR scores reflecting the FFR sustained response yielded significant group differences and excellent internal consistency, suggesting that this measure is a viable candidate for use in clinical treatment studies. The present study highlights the use of internal consistency estimates to select FFR characteristics for use in future intervention studies interested in individual differences among patients.

Dynamic Range Expansion of the C-Reactive Protein Quantification with a Tandem Giant Magnetoresistance Biosensor.

In this study, we report a convenient analytical method for a full-range quantification of the C-reactive protein (CRP), a blood biomarker of infection and cardiovascular events. We determine CRP over the entire diagnostically relevant concentration range in undiluted human blood serum in a single test, using a tandem giant magnetoresistance (GMR) sensor. The tandem principle combines a sandwich assay and a competitive assay, which allows for the discrimination of the concentration values resulting from the multivalued dose–response curve (“Hook” effect), which characterizes the one-step sandwich assay at high CRP concentrations. The sensor covers a linear detection range for CRP concentration from 3 ng/mL to 350 μg/mL, the detection limit (s/n = 3) is 1 ng/mL. The prominent features of the chip-based method are its expanded dynamic range and low sample volume (50 μL), and the need for a short measurement time of 15 min. These figures of merit, in addition to the low detection limit equal to the established assay instrumentation, make it a viable candidate for use in point-of-care diagnostics.

Sequential high power laser amplifiers for gravitational wave detection.

Advanced gravitational wave detectors require highly stable, single mode, single frequency and linear polarized laser systems. They have to deliver an output power of ∼200W and need to provide suitable actuators for further stabilization via fast, low noise feedback control systems. We present such a laser system based on sequential Nd:YVO4 amplifiers and its integration into a typical laser stabilization environment. We demonstrate robust low noise operation of the stabilized amplifier system at 195 W, which makes it a viable candidate for use in gravitational wave detectors.

Onion Epithelial Membrane Scaffolds Transfer Corneal Epithelial Layers in Reconstruction Surgery.

Plants and their extracts have been used especially in China for more than ten centuries for preventing and treating disease. However, there are only few reports describing their use in animal cell culture and tissue transplantation. In this study, onion epithelial membranes (OEM) is used as scaffolds to support cultures of a variety of cells such as fibroblasts and epithelial cells notably; they maintain the phenotypic characteristics of corneal epithelial cells. This improvement includes preservation of the proliferative potential and stemness of rabbit corneal epithelial cells (RCECs). Such an outcome suggests that this cost-effective technology warrants further evaluation to determine if OEM is a viable candidate for use as scaffolds in corneal epithelial transplantation surgery. To test this possibility, rabbit corneal epithelial cells expanded on OEM are transplanted to treat corneal epithelial defects in limbal stem cell deficient rabbits. This procedure is successful because it shortens the time required for wound healing to restore losses in corneal epithelial integrity, and forms a more compact and stratified epithelium framework than the untreated group. Ultimately, should they be proven to be effective in other relevant animal model systems, their usefulness for treating wounds in a clinical setting warrants consideration.