Search

Monolayer indium selenide (InSe), a two-dimensional material, exhibits exceptional electronic and optical properties that can be significantly modulated via strain engineering. This study employed density functional theory to examine the structural and vibrational properties of monolayer InSe under varying biaxial strains. Phonon dispersion analysis confirmed the stability of monolayer InSe, as indicated by the absence of imaginary frequencies. The study extensively detailed how Raman and infrared spectra adjust under strain, showing shifts in peak positions and variations in intensity that reflect changes in lattice symmetry and electronic structures. Specific findings include the stiffening of the A′1 mode and the increased intensity of E″ and E′ modes under strain, suggesting enhanced polarizability and asymmetric vibrations. Moreover, the Raman intensity for the E′ mode at 167.3 cm−1 increased under both tensile and compressive strain due to enhanced polarizability and symmetry disruption, while the IR intensity for the A″2 mode at 192.1 cm−1 decreased, likely from diminished dipole moment changes. In contrast, the low-frequency modes, such as E″ at 36.8 cm−1, demonstrated insensitivity to strain, implying a minimal impact on heavier atoms within these modes. Overall, this study highlights the sensitivity of vibrational modes to strain-induced changes, providing valuable insights into the behavior of monolayer InSe under mechanical stress. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

CYSZ (CeO 2 -Y 2 O 3 -ZrO 2) coatings were prepared via PS-PVD (plasma spray physical vapor deposition) using untreated YSZ and CeO 2 blend powders instead of commercially CYSZ powders. 8YSZ was mixed with different proportions of CeO 2 (10, 20and 30 wt%). CYSZ agglomerated composite powders were then produced via spray drying and CYSZ coatings were deposited through PS-PVD spraying. Microstructures of composite powders and coatings were observed using SEM and EDS, and characterization of powders and coatings were evaluated via XRD, laser particle size measurement and XPS. Results showed agglomerated composite powders possessed high percentages of particles with optimum size and were suitable for subsequent PS-PVD process. The coatings prepared with reactive deposition had a typical columnar structure as current coating method. The coatings exhibited uniform distribution of all elements and consisted mainly of the t-ZrO 2 phase. Crystal structure and properties of coatings were identical to coating deposited via solid phase reactive powder. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

An innovative concept of metabarrier is presented for seismic Rayleigh wave attenuation, which consists of a periodic array of cylindrical water tanks acting as resonant units above the soil surface. A pertinent theoretical framework is developed and implemented in COMSOL Multiphysics. The framework treats the dynamics of the water tank by a well-established three-dimensional linear, pressure-based model for fluid-structure interaction under earthquake excitation, accounting for the flexibility of the tank wall; furthermore, the soil is idealized as a homogeneous and isotropic medium. Floquet-Bloch dispersion analysis of the unit cell demonstrates the presence of relevant band gaps in the low-frequency range below 20 Hz and in the higher frequency range as well. The dispersion analysis is validated by comparison with the frequency-domain analysis of a soil domain with a finite array of water tanks. The band gaps are of interest to attenuate seismic Rayleigh waves and, more generally, Rayleigh waves caused by other ground vibration sources such as road or railway traffic. The water-tank resonant units are readily tunable by varying the water level, which allows changing opening frequencies/widths of the wave attenuation zones. This is a remarkable advantage over alternative seismic metamaterials that, in general, are not designed to be tunable. This article is part of the theme issue 'Current developments in elastic and acoustic metamaterials science (Part 2)'. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In the present study, a phenolic extract derived from the Pimpinella affinis plant underwent nanoencapsulation. The nanoencapsulation process employed chitosan, Salvia macrosiphon gum (SMG), and a chitosan–SMG complex (1:1) (CCS) as coating agents. The evaluation of nanoemulsions encompassed measurements of particle size, polydispersity index (PDI), ζ‐potential, encapsulation efficiency, and intensity distribution parameters. The overall results of these assessments indicated that the nanoemulsion coated with CCS exhibited the most favorable characteristics when compared to other treatments. Subsequently, this specific nanoencapsulated sample was utilized to enhance the oxidative stability of canola oil at concentrations of 100, 200, and 300 ppm (parts per million). Oxidative stability tests, assessed through the total oxidation value (TOTOX) index, highlighted the superior performance of the nanoencapsulated extract, particularly at a concentration of 300 ppm. This enhancement can be attributed to the increased release of phenolic compounds from the CCS coating into the canola oil. The findings illustrate that the nanoencapsulation process can significantly enhance the efficacy of P. affinis extract in improving the oxidative stability of canola oil. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The construction of tunnels in conditions of dense urban development affects buildings, structures, and engineering communications located at the surface. In this work, through dispersion analysis, factors influencing the settlement of the earth's surface and buildings during tunneling were selected. Subsequently, a model based on statistically significant parameters that can predict deformations at the pre-design stage was created. This research was conducted using data from geotechnical monitoring obtained during the construction of underground structures, with information about the technological parameters of shield tunneling in the construction of the single-track lines of the Moscow Metro using TBM with face-support pressure and engineering–geological conditions. In the obtained model, there is a clear dependency between the additional displacement of the monitoring object located above the projected tunnel and the average face-support pressure causing the mentioned deformations. The response is also affected by the soil deformation model at the tunnel face, the depth of the tunnel, and the soil excavation for the installation of one ring. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Soft tissues, such as muscle could autonomously grow through re‐alignment and/or ‐combination of collagen nanofibrils upon the mechanical training. This adaptive capability is highly expected in artificial materials, particularly in hydrogel actuator. In order to avoid the failure for devices by suffering from the accumulated mechanical loading, in this work, a double layered thermo‐responsive hydrogel actuator capable of self‐strengthening was successfully prepared. In the bilayer, PVA nanocrystals with different particle sizes were uniformly distributed in each monolayer matrix, giving rise to the asymmetric structure and the resultant differentiated de‐swelling behaviors. Thus, the obtained hydrogel actuator with the semi‐interpenetrating network of P(NIPAM‐co‐NMA) can display diverse programmable transformations by varying the temperatures. The existence of PVA nanocrystals in both layers not only can enhance the mechanical strength, dramatically minimizing the collapse of hydrogel actuator in service due to the imbalance of the mechanical properties for bilayer structure, but also was greatly involved in the self‐reinforcing behavior. After repetitive tensile training with 80% strain, the tensile strength and fracture strain increased from 29.6 to 45.8 kPa and 95% to 104%, respectively. The experimental results indicated that the anisotropic orientation and strain‐induced‐crystallization for PVA crystalline domains readily occurred along the tensile direction, finally leading to the synchronous enhancement in mechanical strength for both layers. This work provides a new strategy for designing smart and robust biomimetic hydrogel systems that can be further used as the intelligent soft robotics in various fields. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper presents the synthesis and characterization of graphene–polymer composites, focusing on their mechanical and antibacterial properties. Graphene flakes were obtained via an electrochemical method and integrated into polyamide 6 (PA6) matrices using melt intercalation. Various characterization techniques confirmed the quality of the graphene flakes, including X-ray diffraction (XRD), Raman spectroscopy, and infrared (IR) spectroscopy, as well as scanning and transmission electron microscopy (SEM and TEM) imaging. Mechanical tests showed an increase in the elastic modulus with graphene incorporation, while the impact strength decreased. The SEM analysis highlighted the dispersion of the graphene flakes within the composites and their impact on fracture behavior. Antimicrobial tests demonstrated significant antibacterial properties of the composites, attributed to both oxidative stress and mechanical damage induced by the graphene flakes. The results suggest promising applications for graphene–polymer composites in advanced antimicrobial materials. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Developing synthetic strategies for smart materials for the adsorption and separation of toxic chemicals is of great importance. Metal–organic frameworks (MOFs) have been proven to be outstanding adsorbent materials that possess excellent pollutant removal performances in wastewater treatment, including dye recycling. In this work, a neutral Cd(II) based 2D framework with a dual ligand strategy involving –OH functionalized 5-hydroxyisophthalic acid (5-OH-H2IPA) and the amide decorated Schiff base ligand (E)-N′-(pyridin-4-ylmethylene)isonicotinohydrazide (L) has been synthesized by different synthetic routes and characterized by various analytical methods. Thus, crystals of {[Cd(5-OH-IPA)(L)]·CH3OH}n synthesized via diffusion (ADES-7D) and the phase pure bulk product synthesized by conventional reflux (ADES-7C) and the mechanochemical grinding method (ADES-7M) have been established using PXRD data of the respective product showing identical simulated SXRD data to those of ADES-7D. The mechanochemically synthesized ADES-7M possesses a better surface area and CO2 adsorption capability compared to ADES-7C, which is also supported by electron microscopy and particle size measurements. Furthermore, ADES-7 can be used as an efficient adsorbent material for the reversible, selective adsorption (42–99%) and separation of the cationic dyes malachite green (MG), methyl violet (MV), methylene blue (MB), and rhodamine B (RhB) from the mixture of cationic/anionic dyes (methyl orange (MO) and bromocresol green (BCG)) in the aqueous phase. Specifically, ADES-7M possesses better dye capture capability compared to ADES-7C, even in the case of the bigger dye RhB with adsorption differences of 2.38 to 1.01 mg g−1, respectively. The dye adsorption kinetics follows pseudo-second-order kinetics, and the dye adsorption isotherm fits well with the Langmuir/Freundlich adsorption isotherm models. The probable mechanism of adsorption involving the supramolecular interaction between the host MOF and the guest dye has also been proposed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Mu Us Sandy Land is a region characterized by wind-blown sand and soil erosion in northern China. To enhance the soil quality of this area, various organic materials were incorporated into the mixed soil at a volume ratio of 1:2 for feldspathic sandstone to sand. Culture was conducted in the field and under constant temperature conditions in laboratory culture chambers. Four treatments were established in the experiment, each calculated based on weight ratio and controlled (with no organic material added, CK); single application of straw (5% straw, P1); single application of biochar (5% biochar, P2); combined application of biochar and straw (5% biochar + 5% straw, P3). After 90 days of culture, soil samples were collected for analysis of various indicators such as soil aggregate particle size distribution, water stability of soil aggregates, mean weight diameter, mean geometric diameter, and fractal dimension using dry sieving and wet sieving methods. The objective is to establish a scientific basis and provide technical support for addressing the challenges associated with compound soil and implementing rational fertilization measures. The research results indicate that: (1) The quantity of aggregates > 0.25 mm under different treatments follows the order CK < P1 < P2 < P3, and the differences between treatments are significant (P < 0.05); (2) Soil water stability, mean weight diameter (MWD), mean geometric diameter (GMD), and fractal dimension of soil aggregates in compound soil with different organic material additions are superior to the control, and the effect of biochar on improving soil aggregates is better than that of corn straw. The combined application of both significantly improves the effect compared to single applications. In both culture modes, under wet sieving, the P3 treatment shows the highest MWD and GMD of soil aggregates, with an increase ranging from 3.45% to 85% and 4.55% to 38.46%, respectively, compared to other treatments. (3) The trend of fractal dimension among treatments is consistent: P3 < P2 < P1 < CK, and the differences between treatments are significant (P < 0.05). Moreover, there is a good negative correlation linear equation relationship between the fractal dimension (y) and WR > 0.25 (x) of compound soil, with a correlation coefficient of up to 0.9851. In conclusion, the incorporation of organic materials can effectively enhance the proportion of macroaggregates in compound soil consisting of Feldspathic sandstone and sand, thereby improving soil stability and erosion resistance. The optimal outcome is achieved through the combined application of biochar and straw. Indoor culture proves to be more effective than field culture, while wet sieving accurately reflects the structural characteristics of compound soil under both dry and wet sieving treatments. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Measuring the size of suspended particles in water is crucial in related fields such as environmental engineering, marine engineering, and hydraulic engineering. Considering the size distribution of suspended particles in real rivers, the amplitude (Amp) of the backscattering of particles with sizes ranging from 0.006 mm to 0.030 mm was analysed in this research using a lightweight ultrasonic meter developed by the authors and four probes with bandwidths ranging from 3.0 MHz to 30.0 MHz. In the analysis of Amp measurements for different particle sizes, using 0.008 mm as the reference particle size and converting to the rest of the particle sizes, if the Rayleigh scattering condition is satisfied between the particle sizes and the probe frequency, the conversion error value will be between −10% and 10%. This verifies the correctness of the theoretically derived particle size-Amp theory (the positive power relationship between the particle sizes and the Amp) and reflects the validity constraints of designing this experimental setup. The measurement method based on particle backscattering Amp analysis utilised in this study will help to achieve real-time measurements of suspended particles at river sites. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Particulate and gaseous emissions were studied from a large two-stroke slow-speed diesel engine equipped with an open-loop scrubber, installed on a 78,200 metric tonnes (deadweight) containership, under real operation. This paper presents the on-board emission measurements conducted upstream and downstream of the scrubber with heavy fuel oil (HFO) and ultra-low sulfur fuel oil (ULSFO). Particle emissions were examined under various dilution ratios and temperature conditions, and with two thermal treatment setups, involving a thermodenuder (TD) and a catalytic stripper (CS). Our results show a 75% SO2 reduction downstream of the scrubber with the HFO to emission-compliant levels, while the use of the ULSFO further decreased SO2 levels. The operation of the scrubber produced higher particle number levels compared to engine-out, attributed to the condensational growth of nanometer particle cores, salt and the formation of sulfuric acid particles in the smaller size range, induced by the scrubber. The use of a TD and a CS eliminates volatiles but can generate new particles when used in high-sulfur conditions. The results of this study contribute to the generally limited understanding of the particulate and gaseous emission performance of open-loop scrubbers in ships and could feed into emission and air quality models for estimating marine pollution impacts. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Ultrasonic wave propagates with strong penetration, high stability, and has non-contact nature, therefore it is widely used in the petroleum industry. As an application example, an ultrasonic flowmeter can accurately measure the annular flow rate of water-based drilling fluid. According to the outlet flow rate, it can be noticed if there is an abnormal situation in the well to avoid accidents such as well kick and blowout. However, due to the attenuation of ultrasonic wave in the drilling fluid, the relevant research results are not reliable. Herein, based on the theory of acoustics, the influences of water-based drilling fluid density, solid particle size and solid particle number on the ultrasonic attenuation characteristics under different frequencies are studied by numerical simulation. First, the propagation characteristics of ultrasonic wave in water-based drilling fluid are systematically analyzed, then the accuracy of the above results is verified by laboratory tests. The results show that the ultrasonic attenuation rate is positively correlated with the solid particle size, solid particle number and ultrasonic frequency in water-based drilling fluid, while it is negatively correlated with the density of water-based drilling fluid. Furthermore, it is established that the ultrasonic energy decreases with increasing propagation distance. The results of this study can provide a theoretical basis and practical guidance for using an ultrasonic flowmeter to accurately measure the annulus return flow rate of drilling fluid and develop an intelligent drilling system, so as to improve the efficiency of field operation and drilling success rate. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Doping of Hydroxyapatite (HA) with foreign ions is known as a chemical approach to improve its physicochemical characteristics and expand its biomedical applications. In the current paper, Pt-doped HA (Pt-HA) was synthesized by the co-precipitation method, and the product was characterized using conventional techniques. The XRD analysis results show that the as-synthesized Pt-HA powder exhibits apatite characteristics with lower degrees of crystallinity compared to pure hydroxyapatite, and no new phase or impurity is found. The SEM observations suggest the plate-shaped particles with homogeneous surfaces in which doping of hydroxyapatite with Pt ions led to a decrease in the length of HA particles. The EDS analysis highlighted the purity of the samples and confirmed the presence of Ca, P, O, and Pt elements in the Pt-HA sample. FTIR spectroscopy revealed the presence of the various vibrational modes corresponding to PO43−, OH− and CO32− functional groups. The mean particle size measurement of the as-prepared HA and Pt-HA samples, using the dynamic Light Scattering (DLS) analysis confirmed a decrease in particle size in the Pt-doped HA sample compared to pure HA. TGA results indicated that the prepared Pt-doped HA sample has good thermal stability. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Cow milk allergy is a common phenomenon experienced in early childhood (<5 yr of age) with an average occurrence rate of roughly 2.5%. The most prevalent allergen in cow milk is believed to be β-LG. The objective of this study was to evaluate the use of hydrophobic supercritical CO 2 (ScCO 2) to modify the chemical structure β-LG, thus impairing its recognition by antibodies. Whole milk powder (WMP) was selected because of its closest compositional resemblance to bovine fluid milk and its applications in reconstitution and in the beverage (infant, toddler, and adult), confectionary, bakery, and meat industries. For this study, WMP was treated with food-grade CO 2 at temperatures of 50, 63, and 75 ° C under operating pressures of 100, 150, 200, 250, and 300 bar. Proteins in WMP were examined using SDS-PAGE, western blot, and ELISA. Orbitrap Fusion liquid chromatography-tandem MS (LC-MS/MS) and periodic staining was performed to confirm post-translational modifications in β-LG. Functional properties of WMP before and after treatment were assessed by its solubility index, oil holding capacity, emulsion capacity and stability, zeta potential, particle size, and color analysis. SDS-PAGE of treated samples yielded fuzzy bands (variable mobility of molecules due to different molecular weights results in ill-defined bands) indicative of an increase in molecular weight, presumably due to chemical change in the protein, and demonstrated a maximum of 71.13 ± 0.29% decrease in the band intensity of β-LG under treatment conditions of 75 ° C/300 bar for 30 min. These changes were small with samples treated with heat only. Lighter, diffused bands were observed using western blot analysis. The ELISA tests proved that ScCO 2 treatment specifically and significantly affected the antigenicity of β-LG with a reduction of 42.9 ± 2.83% and 54.75 ± 2.43% at 63 ° C/200 bar and 75 ° C/300 bar, respectively. Orbitrap fusion detected the presence of fatty acids and sugar moieties bound to β-LG and the latter was confirmed by periodic staining. Functional properties of ScCO 2 -treated milk powder yielded a decrease in solubility index and an increase in emulsion capacity of WMP was observed under ScCO 2 treatment at 75 ° C/300 bar, with small and insignificant changes at other treatments producing a decrease in antigenicity. Color changes were small for most samples, except at 63 ° C/200 bar, where a significant increase in yellowness was observed. Zeta potential and particle size measurements indicated that most changes were temperature driven. This study demonstrates 2 approaches to mitigate β-LG antigenicity via fatty acid binding and lactosylation using hydrophobic ScCO 2. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To reduce the risk of the adsorption of granular activated carbon in the gastrointestinal tract, we successfully produced a hollow-type spherical bacterial cellulose (HSBC) gel containing activated carbon with a particle size of 6 μm. In this study, the aim of which was to develop an effective formulation, we evaluated the stability of activated-carbon-encapsulating HSBC gels under various pH conditions. Activated-carbon-encapsulating HSBC gels (ACEGs) retained the activated carbon without leaking when subjected to agitation in acidic or basic environments. The saturated adsorption amount, calculated using the Langmuir adsorption isotherm, was affected by the target adsorbate and pH conditions. These results indicate that ACEGs can adsorb uremic toxins and their precursors similarly to conventional uremic toxin adsorbents while preventing direct contact between the encapsulated activated carbon and the gastrointestinal tract. Compared to powdered activated carbon, the ACEG is less likely to be adsorbed in the gastrointestinal tract. Therefore, the proposed ACEG is a promising new formulation that will contribute to the treatment of renal failure and improve patients' compliance with medication. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Felbamate nanosuspension formulation was prepared by using the anti-solvent precipitation and ultrasonic method. In this work the polymers like HPMC K4M, Poloxamer 188.Polyvinyl alcohol, Polyethylene Glycol 400, as anti-solvent acetone was used. total eight formulations were prepared by using different composition of the polymers based on the prepared formulations (F1 – F8) were evaluated for Drug content, Solubility determination, In vitro drug release study, ATR-FTIR spectroscopy, Particle size determination and poly dispersity index, Zeta potential determination and Morphology characterization by scanning electron microscopy. All the formulations were evaluated for drug content which was in the range 90.15 & to 98.95 %The solubility determination of all formulations in phosphate buffer pH 6.8 was found to be in the range of 0.0156 mg/ml to 0.0375 mg/ml. The results showed that the solubility of formulation was found to be higher in F1 (0.031 mg/ml) compared with other formulations. The solubility of all formulations improved (from insoluble to slightly soluble) compared to pure drug of Felbamate. The in vitro release was carried out for all formulations. The results showed that as the concentration of polymer was increased, the percentage drug release was decreased. Optimized formulations showed 98.69% and 96.49% drug release within 120 minutes, but pure drug released upto 22.46% only. The release rate kinetic data for the best as a F1 formulation showed that the formulation provided good linearity was observed with the zero order (R2 = 0.9), the zero-order kinetics explains the good release of the prepared nanosuspension over the period of 120 minutes. The data were fitted into the Korsmeyer-Peppas equation which showed good linearity and the slope of the Korsmeyer-Peppas plot (n= 0.969) were found to be more than 0.45 indicating the diffusion mechanism is Case II transport. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The large water demand, insufficient deposition on the back of the leaf and the uneven distribution of droplets are the problems of traditional agricultural ground plant protection machinery, which leads to low agricultural control efficiency. Combined with the advantages of electrostatic spray technology and the characteristics of high working efficiency and low probability of droplets drift of ground sprayer, an inductive electrostatic boom spray system based on embedded electrode structure is designed and mounted on a large self-propelled boom sprayer for field testing. Based on the working characteristics of the fan nozzle and the analysis of the theory of charge, the inductive electrostatic spray device is designed. The performance of the device is tested and the rationality of the system design is verified by COMSOL numerical simulations, charge-to-mass ratio, and particle size distribution measurements. The spray deposition scanning software and the BoxBehnken experimental design method are used to analyze the spray droplet deposition rate and coverage density of the sprayer on the front and back of the target leaves. The results show that the embedded closed electrode structure designed in this paper can avoid the problem of electrode wetting, and the electric field generated by it is mainly concentrated in the spray liquid film area, and the intensity reaches 6~7 V/m. At the conventional application height (500 mm), the maximum charge-to-mass ratio is 2.91 mC/kg, and the average particle size is 168.22 mm, which is 12.87% lower than that of ordinary spray, when the spray pressure is 0.3 MPa and the electrostatic voltage is 12 kV. The results of field experiments show that the optimum combination of the working parameters with the spray speed is 8.40 m/s, the spray pressure is 0.35 MPa, the charging voltage is 11.50 kV, the amount of droplet deposition in the lower dorsal area of the blade is 1.44 µL·cm-2. This study can provide a certain basis for the application of electrostatic spray technology in ground sprayers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The leaf‐cutter ant Atta sexdens is crucial in ecological balance and economic activities, due to its contribution to the aeration and accumulation of organic matter in the soil, but it may also be an agricultural pest when it defoliates plants for the fungus growth used as a food source. This leaf‐cutter ant exhibits a polymorphic worker caste system with distinct activities in the colony. These functions are performed by workers classified into subcastes, including gardeners, which are responsible for the fungus and brood care; cleaners (waste removers), which remove wastes; foragers, which collect and transport plant parts to the nest; and soldiers, which are responsible for colony defence and the support of foraging activities. In our previous work, we showed that A. sexdens has five types of circulating haemocytes in the haemolymph, which play a vital role in immune defence. Herein, we further investigated the population profile of circulating haemocytes in the haemolymph of different worker subcastes of A. sexdens using flow cytometry. Each subcaste exhibited a single population of haemocytes in the haemolymph. However, a detailed 3D dispersion analysis uncovered five distinct haemocyte subpopulations, two of which presented higher quantities. The soldier displayed haemocytes with high fluorescence intensity, compared with the gardener, waste remover, and forager, along with increased complexity, compared with the gardener subcaste. These results suggest that these cells may be granulocytes and plasmatocytes, which are known for their role in insect immune defence. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The improvement in flowability and adhesion of starch powder (SP) is essential for using starch as an excipient for lactose intolerant patients. In this study, we attempted to evaluate the usefulness of hydroxypropylcellulose with molecular weight 80,000 (HPC-80) in the preparation of the starch granules (SG) as a substitute for excipient lactose. Methods: Hydroxypropylcellulose with molecular weight 30,000 (HPC-30) and HPC-80 were used as binders to prepare the SG, and defined as HPC-30-SG and HPC-80-SG, respectively. Mean particle size (D50) was measured according to the Method, Optical Microscopy of Particle Size Determination in Japanese Pharmacopoeia, Eighteenth Edition, and storage stability were evaluated by measuring of the physical properties after vortexing the granules for 180 s (physical impact). The product loss rate was calculated from the weight change of the various excipients before and after the one dose packaging (ODP). Results: The D50 of SP (30 µm) was smaller than that of the lactose powder (115 µm). The granulation with 0.75–3% HPC-30 and HPC-80 increased the particle size of SP, and the D50 in 1.5% HPC-30-SG (255 µm) and HPC-80-SG (220 µm) were higher than that of lactose. The excipient was removed from the heat seal of the ODP, and upon visual inspection, a large amount of starchy material was observed to be adhering to the paper in the SP. On the other hand, the low recovery rate in SP was attenuated by the granulation with HPC-30 and HPC-80. In the both HPC-30 and HPC-80, the improvement in recovery rate reached a plateau at 1.5%, and the levels of recovery rate was similar to that of lactose. The recovery rate in the 0.75–3% HPC-30-SG and 0.75% HPC-80-SG were decreased by the physical impact, however, the recovery rate and amount of 1.5% and 3% HPC-80-SG were not affected by the physical impact, and these levels were similar to that of lactose. Conclusions: The use of HPC-80 as a binder of SG was found to produce a higher quality granule product than conventional HPC-based SG. This finding is useful in streamlining the preparation of starch-based powdered medicine in clinical applications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The misuse of antibiotics has led to antibiotic‐resistant "superbugs," prompting the exploration of alternative antibacterial strategies. This study focuses on the promising avenue of photothermal therapy (PTT). Despite numerous advantages, the clinical applicability of PTT as a sole sterilization strategy is hindered by the necessity for higher temperatures, potentially causing harm to healthy tissues. To overcome this challenge, this study introduces antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) to modify the surface of gallium‐based liquid metal (LM) nano‐antimicrobial agents, thereby enhancing their photothermal antibacterial effects within a lower temperature range. First, a novel LM composite nanomaterial, LM@AMP nanoparticles, is synthesized through a sonication process involving 1,2‐distearoyl‐sn‐glycero‐3‐phosphoethanolamine‐N‐[carboxy(polyethylene glycol)], AMP, and LM in an aqueous solution. Herein, AMPs not only contribute to the structural stability of LM nanoparticles but also enhance their selective interaction with bacterial cell membranes. Then, a thorough characterization of LM@AMP nanoparticles is performed, encompassing analyses through electron microscopy, determination of particle size, and assessment of zeta potential. Moreover, the exceptional photothermal properties exhibited by these nanoparticles are validated. Finally, this investigation demonstrates that LM@AMP nanoparticles selectively target bacterial cell membranes, showcasing efficient bactericidal effects (near 100%) at relatively low temperatures under near‐infrared irradiation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The time and temperature of the dispersive shear process of catalyst inks have a great influence on the agglomerate structure of the ink and the rheological properties of the ink. In this paper, three different catalyst inks were prepared at 20 °C, 30 °C and 40 °C, and tested using characterization such as rheological techniques, zeta (ξ) potential, and particle size measurements. As the temperature rises, the median particle size inside the ink at the end of shear was 400, 308.05 and 157.3 nm, and the zeta potential was −37, −33 and −25 mV, with a decrease in viscosity and a deterioration in thixotropy. The catalyst layers prepared from inks dispersed at different temperatures had the smallest cracks and the flattest surface at 30 °C, and the largest cracks, the largest contact angle, the roughest surface, and the poorest polarization properties at 40 °C. Through the comprehensive analysis of the experimental data, the fragmentation and reorganization processes of agglomerates during the internal dispersion of catalyst ink were revealed from the perspectives of time scale and temperature variation, respectively. This study provides an experimental basis for a deeper understanding of the dispersion performance of catalyst ink at different temperatures. • The variation of internal temperature of catalyst ink with shear time was studied. • The effect of shear time on catalyst inks was studied. • The effect of dispersion temperature on catalyst inks was investigated. • The relationship between rheology and catalyst layer structure was proved. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Nowadays, emulsion plays a significant role in encapsulating nutrients and volatile essences. One of the new methods for emulsion production involves the use of nanoparticles. A novel approach in producing nanoparticles is through the utilization of spray drying nanoencapsulation. In this study, thyme emulsion produced by three methods (rotary, spray drying, and Tween 80) was investigated. The results of morphological analysis of chitosan-zein particles (produced by rotary and spray drying) using scanning electron microscopy (SEM) revealed that the powder obtained from spray drying exhibited some agglomerated and clumpy regions, while the image of the powder obtained from the rotary method showed a more homogeneous and uniform structure. Particle size measurements indicated that the largest particle size was observed in the emulsion produced using the nano spray drying nanoencapsulation device. The rheological behavior of the emulsions demonstrated an increase in shear stress with an increase in shear rate for all samples in this research. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The synergistic effect of sodium dodecyl benzene sulfonate (SDBS) on the flotation separation of magnesite and dolomite using sodium oleate (NaOL) as a collector has been studied through flotation experiments, zeta potential measurements, contact angle measurements, Fourier transformation infrared spectroscopy analysis (FT-IR), particle size measurements and transmittance measurements. The flotation experiments show that when the synergist, SDBS, is added to the collector, NaOL, the collecting ability and ion resistance of NaOL can be improved so that the flotation separation of magnesite and dolomite can be realized. Zeta potential measurements, contact angle measurements and FT-IR analysis indicate that SDBS and NaOL can co-adsorb on the surface of magnesite. Particle size measurements and transmittance measurements show that SDBS can also improve the dispersion and solubility of NaOL in an aqueous solution, so as to achieve a synergistic effect. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Dispersion analysis of acoustic guided waves, propagating in a stratified medium, containing an internal sandy layer in contact with the isotropic elastic substrate and the upper elastic isotropic layer, is developed by applying the modified Cauchy formalism coupled with the exponential fundamental matrices and the Thomson–Haskell transfer matrix method. The developed approach is suitable for analyzing dispersion properties of guided waves at the broad variation of the sandy parameter. Several phenomena, concerning anomalous dispersion of guided waves at varying sandy parameter, are observed, revealing the possibility of nondestructive evaluation of sandy layers within the upper crust. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study investigated the characteristic and foaming properties of microgels derived from aquafaba, a byproduct generated during chickpea cooking processes. Two distinct approaches were employed for microgel production: a top-down method involving the mechanical disintegration of aquafaba gels through household blending and subsequent high-pressure homogenization and a bottom-up method incorporating an additional shearing step during the gelation of aquafaba. The resulting microgels, when spray-dried, exhibited a raisin-like morphology. Upon rehydration, particle size measurements indicated a prevalence of large microgel particles (D[4,3] values of 16, 10 ± 1, 27 and 13, 70 ± 3, 96 µm for top-down and bottom-up methods, respectively). Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy analysis revealed increased starch crystallinity in microgels produced via the top-down method. At the same time, no significant differences in protein secondary structures were observed between aquafaba powder and microgels. Despite similar particle sizes and structural changes, the impact of the foaming agent type (aquafaba powder vs. microgels) and whipping time on foam properties were demonstrated. Notably, aquafaba microgels resulted in higher foam overrun values (between 709.40 and 962.90%) than those reported in the literature, surpassing traditional protein sources such as egg white and whey protein. However, regarding foam stability, aquafaba powder samples outperformed microgels produced through both top-down and bottom-up methods, regardless of whipping time. The introduction of an ultrasonic bath treatment was found to be necessary to enhance the foam stability of microgel suspensions. To further optimize foaming properties and justify the additional cost associated with microgel production, future research should focus on understanding the adsorption mechanisms of aquafaba microgels at the air–water interface. This investigation will contribute valuable insights into improving foaming characteristics, making aquafaba microgels a promising alternative for various food applications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The analysis of dispersion portraits of Lamb waves propagating in stratified plates satisfying the orthogonal Wiechert condition reveals the crossing of fundamental Lamb modes, leading to a state of possible wave bifurcation, when the wave energy can transfer between fundamental symmetric and asymmetric modes, which results in wave instability. The analysis is based on the combination of Cauchy sextic formalism and the exponential fundamental matrix method. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this study, seawater bittern, a by-product of sea salt production containing a concentrated inorganic substance, was used to recover magnesium in the form of nanostructured magnesium hydroxide/oxide. Mg(OH)2/MgO nanostructures from seawater bittern were synthesized by a precipitation method with different addition of PVA surfactants. The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of PVA surfactant on the morpho-structural properties and thermal behavior of MgO nanostructures. Simple control of the morphology and particle size of MgO nanostructures obtained by the addition of PVA was performed during synthesis. XRD structural analysis showed that the synthesized MgO samples have good crystalline nature. The average crystallite size of the samples is 26 nm, 26 nm, 23 nm, 24 nm, 23 nm and 23 nm, respectively, which decreases with increasing PVA content. Based on the average particle size, the optimum addition of poly(vinyl alcohol) is at a mass ratio of 1:1.5, since the smallest particles are obtained and have a uniform distribution. The SEM and TEM observations show an improvement in the agglomeration behavior of MgO nanoparticles by increasing the PVA content. The constituents of the samples were confirmed by XRF and EDS analysis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Rapid urbanisation has led to a remarkable increase in travel demand as well as the number of vehicles globally. Inadequate road networks, especially in developing countries fail to serve this increasing vehicle population resulting in frequent traffic congestion. Proportional vehicular emissions are found to be responsible for serious consequences on human health and the environment. The nature and impact of these emissions depend on the traffic, environmental and meteorological factors. The present study focuses on vehicular emissions in a typical identified urban road stretch. The dispersion of vehicular pollutants in the selected urban stretch was studied using Fluidyn PANACHE version 5.2.6 software. The analysis of dispersion revealed that the highest concentration of pollutants is observed along the road sections, with a gradual decrease in concentration as you move away from the streets in both directions. From the vertical profile plotted, the maximum concentration is found to be on the ground and decreases as the height increases, which reveals the influence of meteorological parameters on urban air quality. These results indicate the significant influence of vehicular emissions and meteorological characteristics on ambient air quality. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Journal of University of Anbar for Pure Science is the property of Republic of Iraq Ministry of Higher Education & Scientific Research (MOHESR) and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Copyright of Transactions of Nanjing University of Aeronautics & Astronautics is the property of Editorial Department of Journal of Nanjing University of Aeronautics & Astronautics and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Micro-particles transportation in microfluidics devices is of interest for processing suspensions such as drug delivery, pharmaceutics, and food. Analytical and experimental studies have been conducted to investigate the velocity domain of micro-particles in Low-Reynolds-number Poiseuille flow in a rectangular microchannel. The results are compared with the existing methodologies such as Lattice-Boltzmann simulation and show good agreement. Compared with similar studies, the comparison between the experimental and analytical results provides broader insight into the effects of walls on the hydrodynamic behavior of micro-particles in microchannels. The comparative results show that the velocity domain of the dispersed phase is affected by the particles-fluid hydrodynamic coupling and particles-wall interactions. Also, particles slip velocities can be significant with the increase of particles sizes and proximity to nearby walls. Furthermore, the distance from the walls in which the particle-wall interaction is quite considerable is determined, which is about the order of particles diameter. Also, the number of particles observed near the bottom wall in all particle sizes was approximately 10% to 20% more than the number of particles found near the top wall, indicating the tendency of particles to sedimentation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The objective of this paper is to evaluate the dynamic stress intensity factors (DSIFs) of a cracked body using the bond-based peridynamics (BBPD) formulation. The peridynamics theory offers advantages over the classical continuum theory for solving partial differential equations in fracture mechanics. Nevertheless, some problems remain, such as its dispersion characteristics and constant micromodulus used in the classical BBPD. In this study, a Gaussian function is used to define the non-constant micromodulus. A wave dispersion analysis for a 1D problem was carried out and the influence of the horizon, mesh size and the kernel function on the dispersion properties were analyzed. On the other hand, a new approach to evaluate the DSIFs of a cracked body using the BBPD coupled with the displacement extrapolation technique is presented. Parameters that reduced the wave dispersion were kept for the DSIFs estimation. The proposed method is applied to analyze some benchmark examples. The obtained results are compared with the exact ones and they showed that the proposed approach can be used as an alternative method to evaluate DSIFs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Journal of Kirkuk University for Agricultural Sciences is the property of Republic of Iraq Ministry of Higher Education & Scientific Research (MOHESR) and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

A parametric analysis of glue spall stress (concrete surface tensile stress at ice-discontinuities by differential thermal expansion ice-concrete) as affected by internal cracking in concrete in the CEN/TS 12390-9 salt-frost slab-test was made. Increasing differential thermal expansion ice-concrete (∆α) and reduced E-modulus and Poisson ratio (ν) due to internal cracking were used based on data from Part 1 of this study. For the concrete specimens in Part 1 of this study [1] glue spall stress increased by 14 % due to internal cracking whereas reduced ice thickness of 1 – 2 mm due to accelerated Liquid Uptake (LU) in wet freeze/thaw reduced glue spall stress by 34 to 65 %. LU should hence be accounted for in modelling scaling, both due to reduced ice thickness and increased ∆α due to internal cracking. Increased crack penetration depth and its effect on scaled particle size due to internal cracking were also analyzed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

[Objective] Non-pressurized mesh filters are often installed in front of pumps to filter sediments and debris. In this paper, we study the influence of different irrigation water sources and backwash device parameters on hydraulic performance of a new network filter. [Method] The water flow rate in the experiment ranged from 120 to 160 m3/h, and the sediment concentration in the water varied from 0.2 to 0.8 g/L. The backwash varied from 1 to 20 m3/h, and the velocity gradient in the filter box changed from 1 to 4 r/min. A multi factor dispersion analysis method was used to analyze the experimental results. [Result] ① The initial sediment concentration had minimal impact on hydraulic performance of the mesh filter, contributing only 0.010 8 to the overall effect. However, the influence of water flow duration on the initial sediment concentration was significant, exceeding 159%. ② The fourth model provided the best fit for the overall regression analysis, with a residual value of 0.804 4, significantly higher than other models; its coefficient of determination R² was 0.986 1. ③ the optimal performance was achieved when flow rate was 120.198 m3/h, velocity was 1.112 r/min, and self-cleaning flow rate was 19.934 m3/h. The associated a minimum energy loss was 16.024 kPa. [Conclusion] The model we proposed can accurately predict the impact of operation conditions and sediment concentration in the water on the performance of the non-pressurized mesh filters. Selecting optimal operation conditions can minimize the energy loss across the filter. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Fast-Field-Cycling (FFC) Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (NMR) relaxometry is a powerful, non-destructive magnetic resonance technique that enables, among other things, the investigation of slow molecular dynamics at low magnetic field intensities. FFC-NMR relaxometry measurements provide insight into molecular motion across various timescales within a single experiment. This study focuses on a model-free approach, representing the NMRD profile R 1 as a linear combination of Lorentzian functions, thereby addressing the challenges of fitting data within an ill-conditioned linear least-squares framework. Tackling this problem, we present a comprehensive review and experimental validation of three regularization approaches to implement the model-free approach to analyzing NMRD profiles. These include (1) MF-UPen, utilizing locally adapted L 2 regularization; (2) MF-L1, based on L 1 penalties; and (3) a hybrid approach combining locally adapted L 2 and global L 1 penalties. Each method's regularization parameters are determined automatically according to the Balancing and Uniform Penalty principles. Our contributions include the implementation and experimental validation of the MF-UPen and MF-MUPen algorithms, and the development of a "dispersion analysis" technique to assess the existence range of the estimated parameters. The objective of this work is to delineate the variance in fit quality and correlation time distribution yielded by each algorithm, thus broadening the set of software tools for the analysis of sample structures in FFC-NMR studies. The findings underline the efficacy and applicability of these algorithms in the analysis of NMRD profiles from samples representing different potential scenarios. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The solid volume fraction of a slurry requiring solid–liquid separation often fluctuates in industrial cake filtration processes. For low solid volume fractions, particle segregation arises, resulting in an inhomogeneous filter cake structure. Particle segregation has significant impacts on cake formation such as a longer cake formation time compared to homogeneous cakes. This work addresses the impact of this effect on vibration compaction, which is an alternative deliquoring method applying oscillatory shears to the filter cake. The dewatering results of homogeneous and segregated cakes made of the same material with a broad particle size distribution are compared. Although cake deliquoring is achievable despite particle segregation, vibration compaction is more effective for homogeneous cakes. The reason is that no particle size homogenization within segregated cakes occurs due to oscillatory shear, as particle size analyses indicate. The particle size measurements of cakes before and after vibration compaction reveal that the material's particle size distribution is preserved despite vibration application. Vibration compaction achieves higher deliquoring than the common compaction method by squeezing, as elastic recovery effects after squeezing lead to the reabsorbing of liquid, already expressed and stored in the filter cloth. This demonstrates that vibration compaction is a real alternative for cake deliquoring. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Proteins that are amphiphilic and have low water solubility can self-assemble into nanoparticles useful in food science, pharmaceutical science, or biotechnology. However, protein nanoparticles exhibit drawbacks such as low stability unless the particles are coated. In the current study, tannic acid is the coating agent for nanoparticles synthesized from the protein zein. Tannic acid is a hydrolyzable tannin comprising a polyol esterified with galloyl residues. The nominal molecular formula of tannic acid (C76H52O46) suggests the material is decagalloyl glucose, obscuring its complex composition as a mixture of galloyl esters of glucose. We prepared hollow zein nanoparticles and coated them with tannic acid preparations that had short or long galloyl ester chains. The % α-helix of zein in nanoparticles is lower than in native zein but there is no effect of coating the particles with tannic acid. Interactions between the tannic acid and the zein slightly perturb the IR spectrum of the protein but there is no effect of galloyl chain length. We confirmed that tannic acid-coated particles have a more negative zeta potential, suggesting greater stability compared to uncoated particles. Coating with longer chain length tannic acid reduces particle diameter and tends to decrease polydispersity but does not change particle digestibility. Coating with shorter galloyl chain length tannic acid tends not to change particle diameter, reduces polydispersity of the particles, and stabilizes particles to enzymatic digestion. Tannic acid is a naturally occurring tunable coating for nanoparticles that can be used to adjust properties such as particle size, polydispersity, and digestibility for specific purposes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article provides a summary of various technologies and products that will be showcased at an upcoming exhibition. These include fluidized-bed technology, dewatering and drying solutions, smart actuators, water-treatment technology, new filtration products, more efficient processes, ultrafine grinding, continuous tablet production, a new peeler centrifuge, and solutions for a sustainable process industry. Each company highlights the features and benefits of their respective products and technologies. Additionally, the article mentions other products such as IR fusion machines, process refractometers, gear pumps, film-casting systems, laboratory mixers, particle measurement devices, blenders, respirable-dust measuring devices, vacuum pumps, multi-application couplers, safety-related automation solutions, flow control samplers, and air quality analyzers. These products cater to specific applications in industries such as chemical processing, microelectronics, and water treatment. [Extracted from the article]

Wave propagation in elastic solids is analyzed by a space-time discontinuous Galerkin quadrature element method. First, the space-time quadrature element is conveniently formulated based on the space-time discontinuous Galerkin formulation. This method treats both the spatial and temporal domains in a unified manner, enabling it to handle not only structured space-time meshes but also unstructured ones. It effectively captures discontinuities or sharp gradients in the solution. To transform the formulation into a system of algebraic equations, the Gauss-Lobatto quadrature rule and the differential quadrature analog are utilized. High-order elements are constructed simply by increasing the order of integration and differentiation without the laborious construction of shape functions. Then, dispersion analysis is conducted for one- and two-dimensional elements. The analysis reveals that as the Courant number decreases, the total dispersion error monotonically converges to the spatial dispersion error, which can be reduced by increasing the element order. Additionally, high-order elements nearly eliminate numerical anisotropy in different directions. Finally, several numerical examples of elastic wave propagation validate the method's effectiveness and high accuracy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

State-of-the-art numerical models describing the kinetics of aerosol particle nucleation and growth from a cooling vapor primarily use a nodal method, in which particles that are smaller than the critical size are omitted from consideration because they are thermodynamically unfavorable. This omission is based on the assumption that most newly formed particles are above the critical size, so that subcritical-size particles are not important to take into account. Due to the nature of the nodal method, it suffers from numerical diffusion, which can cause an artificial broadening of the cluster size distribution leading to a significant overestimation of the number of large-size particles. To address these issues, we propose a more accurate numerical method that explicitly models particles of all sizes, and uses a special numerical scheme that substantially reduces the numerical diffusion and provides high solution accuracy and numerical stability. We extensively compare this novel method to the commonly used nodal solver of the general dynamic equation (GDE) for particle growth and demonstrate that it offers GDE solutions with higher accuracy with low numerical diffusion. Incorporating small subcritical clusters into the solution is crucial for: 1) more precise determination of the entire particle size distribution function and 2) wider applicability of the model to experimental studies with non-monotonic temperature variations leading to particle evaporation. The computational code implementing this numerical method in Python is available upon request. Copyright © 2024 American Association for Aerosol Research [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

An updated version of the Particle Analysis by Laser Mass Spectrometry (PALMS) instrument, termed PALMS-NG (-Next Generation), has been designed to characterize particles in the troposphere and stratosphere. Two PALMS-NG instruments have been built: a Purdue University version, which has flown on the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) ER-2 and DC-8, and a National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) version, which has flown on the NASA WB-57F. The general design and construction are nearly identical. New features and construction techniques are described here. These include a new inlet, optics for an extended size range of particle measurement, and a unique bipolar s-shaped mass spectrometer with higher resolution. These make the -NG instrument a significant improvement over the original flight PALMS which was first flown 25 years ago. Copyright © 2024 American Association for Aerosol Research [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Understanding aerosol‐cloud interactions under pristine atmospheric conditions is crucial for meaningful global climate change predictions. However, ability of aerosol particles to act as cloud condensation nuclei (CCN) activity of aerosols in pristine atmosphere remains limited, mainly because of the difficulty of measuring it in pristine environments. Given the extremely low CCN number concentration under low supersaturations (SSs) and the complex impact of the kinetic limitation in CCN measurements, size‐resolved CCN activity measurements at low SSs cannot be achieved with traditional methods using differential mobility analyzers and a CCN counter (CCNC) because of the low sample efficiency and the impact of particles with multiple charges. To overcome this difficulty, we propose a new method for measuring size‐resolved CCN activity at low aerosol number concentrations. The new method is based on a combined system comprising an aerodynamic aerosol classifier (AAC) and a CCNC (AAC‐CCNC system). A control program was developed to achieve high‐resolution scans of the SS and particle size within a reasonable time frame. A data inversion scheme, including corrections for the transfer function and kinetic limitation, was developed to obtain accurate size‐resolved CCN activity. In July‐August 2022, the new method was used to measure the size‐resolved CCN activity on the Tibetan Plateau. This new method can advance the size‐resolved CCN measurements, thereby enhancing our understanding of aerosol‐cloud interactions in pristine atmosphere. Plain Language Summary: Cloud condensation nuclei (CCN) are the aerosols which can form cloud droplets. Assessing the ability of aerosols to serve as CCN (CCN activity) is fundamental for understanding the interactions between aerosol and clouds and their impacts on climate and precipitation. Particularly in regions with minimal human influence, such as polar areas and the Tibetan Plateau, the low aerosol concentration makes aerosol‐cloud interaction and its climate impact highly sensitive to aerosol CCN activity. However, traditional CCN activity measurement techniques are not applicable at conditions of extremely low aerosol concentrations, restricting the understanding of aerosol‐cloud interactions and their impacts in those regions. In this study, we developed a new system for CCN activity measurements at low aerosol concentration and corresponding data processing algorithm based on a particle size selection technique distinct from that used in traditional systems. The new system was successfully deployed in a field experiment conducted in Qinghai‐Tibet Plateau in summer 2022. Comparison with CCN concentration measurement indicates that the uncertainty of the CCN activity measurement is within a reasonable range. Notably, this marks the first instance of online measurement of particle size‐resolved CCN activity in the hinterland of the Qinghai‐Tibet Plateau. Key Points: A new aerodynamic aerosol classifier‐cloud condensation nuclei counter (AAC‐CCNC) system is developed for measureing size‐resolved cloud condensation nuclei (CCN) activity under low supersaturated conditions in pristine atmospheresUncertainty correction relating to the impact of kinetic limitations in the CCN counter and the transfer function of the AAC is developedThe AAC‐CCNC system is successfully deployed for size‐resolved CCN activity measurements in the Tibetan Plateau [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A hybrid synthetic-natural, thermoresponsive graft copolymer composed of poly(N-isopropyl acrylamide) (PNIPAM) side chains, prepared via RAFT polymerization, and a chitosan (Chit) polysaccharide backbone, was synthesized via radical addition-fragmentation reactions using the "grafting to" technique, in aqueous solution. ATR-FTIR, TGA, polyelectrolyte titrations and 1H NMR spectroscopy were employed in order to validate the Chit-g-PNIPAM copolymer chemical structure. Additionally, 1H NMR spectra and back conductometric titration were utilized to quantify the content of grafted PNIPAM side chains. The resulting graft copolymer contains dual functionality, namely both pH responsive free amino groups, with electrostatic complexation/coordination properties, and thermoresponsive PNIPAM side chains. Particle size measurements via dynamic light scattering (DLS) were used to study the thermoresponsive behavior of the Chit-g-PNIPAM copolymer. Thermal properties examined by TGA showed that, by the grafting modification with PNIPAM, the Chit structure became more thermally stable. The lower critical solution temperature (LCST) of the copolymer solution was determined by DLS measurements at 25–45 °C. Furthermore, dynamic and electrophoretic light scattering measurements demonstrated that the Chit-g-PNIPAM thermoresponsive copolymer is suitable of binding DNA molecules and forms nanosized polyplexes at different amino to phosphate groups ratios, with potential application as gene delivery systems. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The diverse and changing pigmentation of the skin allows fish to adapt to environmental conditions for survival and communication with conspecifics. However, various physical and chemical environmental factors, including pollutants, affect fish coloration. Therefore, the implementation of an analysis of skin pigmentation has been considered in fish well-being and ecotoxicological studies. A physiological color change is achieved by the motility of melanincontaining organelles: they aggregate into the perikaryon or disperse throughout the cytoplasm of melanophores in response to various stimuli. In our study, we addressed the issue of implementing the analysis of pigment dispersion in melanophores in stickleback skin to assess the response of fish to oxidative stress. We examined pigment dispersion in day and night skin samples collected from the dorsal, lateral and ventral regions. The degree of pigment dispersion we assessed by the melanophore index. The total number of melanophores counted in the defined skin area was significantly higher in the night samples than in the day samples. Only in day samples of dorsal skinwe observed the significant changes in pigment dispersion after exposure to stress: melanin was predominantly in the aggregated state. In the night samples, we did not report any response to stress in any part of the skin. Examination of pigment dispersion in melanophores in stickleback skin can be useful for assessing the welfare of fish and detecting toxic agents in the environment, but under specified conditions: in sticklebacks, it is analysis of dorsal skin during the day. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]