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Introduction: There is an unmet need for effective topical therapies for patients with uremic xerosis and chronic kidney disease-associated pruritus (CKD-aP). The long-term efficacy and tolerability of an emollient containing glycerol 15% and paraffin 10% (V0034CR) was evaluated in a phase 3 study. Methods: In this randomized, double-blind, two-parallel group, vehicle-controlled study, patients with moderate-to-severe uremic xerosis were randomized to once-daily application of V0034CR or vehicle control for 28 days (period I). This was followed by a treatment-free period of ≤ 21 days (period II), then all patients received open-label treatment with V0034CR for ≥ 84 days (period III). Outcomes included treatment response at the end of period I (El Gammal's xerosis severity score), instrumental measures of scaling (D-Squame technique), time to relapse during period II, rate of recurrence during period III, pruritus severity over time, patient acceptability, and adverse events (AEs). Results: The intent-to-treat population comprised 235 patients randomized to V0034CR (n = 118) or vehicle control (n = 117) during period I. Treatment response at the end of period I was achieved by 71 patients (60.2%) in the V0034CR group versus 48 (41.0%) with vehicle control (p = 0.0041). This coincided with greater reductions in the total surface area of squames (p = 0.001 vs vehicle control). Xerosis relapsed progressively without treatment in period II; however, remission was durable under maintenance therapy in period III. Improvements in pruritus severity were comparable between V0034CR and vehicle control, suggesting that the antipruritic effect of V0034CR was mainly exerted by its oil-in-water emulsion base. V0034CR had high patient acceptability and was well tolerated; the most common treatment-related AEs were irritation or erythema (2.1%), exacerbated pruritus (1.3%), and vesicles at the application site (0.9%). Conclusion: These data support the use of V0034CR, with its hydrating and occlusive properties, for the long-term management of patients with moderate-to-severe uremic xerosis and CKD-aP. Trial Registration: ClinicalTrials.gov identifier NCT01084148; EudraCT number 2006-002201-31. Plain Language Summary: People on dialysis often experience dry and itchy skin that is hard to treat. This study tested the effectiveness of a new moisturizing cream (called V0034CR) in people with dry skin caused by dialysis (also known as uremic xerosis). In this study, 235 people with moderate or severe uremic xerosis were randomly split into two groups. One group (118 people) was given V0034CR cream, which contains glycerol and paraffin as its "active" ingredients. The other group (117 people) was given a "control" cream, which contains the same ingredients as V0034CR cream but without glycerol and paraffin. Both groups applied their assigned cream to their skin once a day for 4 weeks. If a person's dry skin had improved after 4 weeks, then they could stop using the cream for up to 3 weeks, and then switch to V0034CR cream from week 7 until the end of the study (19 weeks). If a person's dry skin had not improved after 4 weeks, or if their dry skin returned after stopping the cream, then they could start using V0034CR cream early and for the rest of the study. The study found that using V0034CR cream improved the signs and symptoms of dry skin more than the control cream. Most people in the study said that V0034CR cream was effective and easy to use, and no serious side effects were reported. The results of this study suggest that V0034CR cream is an effective treatment for people with dry skin caused by dialysis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

[Display omitted] Phase change materials (PCMs) can store and release latent heat under the designed phased change temperature and have received substantial interest for energy conservation and thermal control purposes. The use of PCMs in the construction of constant temperature buildings can improve the comfortable environment and save more energy. However, the leakage of PCMs during phase change process limits the application of PCMs. In this paper, a series of PCMs microcapsules with controllable core numbers is synthesized with paraffin (37 ℃) as the core and cross-linked chitosan as the wall. The single-core phase-change microcapsules (S−PCM) and multicore phase-change microcapsules (M−PCM) were prepared by adjusting the preparation condition. The latent heat of S−PCM and M−PCM are 61.4 mJ mg−1 and 50.1 mJ mg−1, respectively. The S-PCM and M−PCM display good stability without paraffin leakage. In addition, the composite blocks of gypsum and S−PCM (GSCM) and M−PCM (GMCM) were prepared and the thermoregulatory effection was investigated, where the surface temperature of GSCM was 5–10 ℃ lower than that of pure gypsum block. PCMs may also have broad application space in electronics, cold chain, and other industries. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Photocatalytic reduction of CO2 into C2,3 hydrocarbons completes a C‐neutral cycle. The reaction pathways of photocatalytic generation of C2,3 paraffin and C2H4 from CO2 are mostly unclear. Herein, a Co0−ZrO2 photocatalyst converted CO2 into C1–3 paraffin, while selectively converting CO into C2H4 and C3H6 (6.0±0.6 μmol h−1 gcat−1, 70 mol %) only under UV/Visible light. The photocatalytic cycle was conducted under 13CO and H2, with subsequent evacuation and flushing with CO. This iterative process led to an increase in the population of C2H4 and C3H6 up to 61–87 mol %, attributed to the accumulation of CH2 species at the interface between Co0 nanoparticles and the ZrO2 surface. CO2 adsorbed onto the O vacancies of the ZrO2 surface, with resulting COH species undergoing hydrogenation on the Co0 surface to yield C1–3 paraffin using either H2 or H2O (g, l) as the reductant. In contrast, CO adsorbed on the Co0 surface, converted to HCOH species, and then split into CH and OH species at the Co and O vacancy sites on ZrO2, respectively. This comprehensive study elucidates intricate photocatalytic pathways governing the transformation of CO2 into paraffin and CO to olefins. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Barocaloric cooling as an emerging cooling technology offers an eco‐friendly alternative to traditional vapor compression refrigeration. Research on barocaloric materials primarily concentrates on solid–solid phase change materials (PCMs), among which plastic crystals exhibit colossal barocaloric effect. Solid‐liquid PCMs such as paraffin also exhibit giant barocaloric effect, however, their potential is often overshadowed by leakage issues. In this work, a strategy is demonstrated by encapsulating solid‐liquid PCMs into porous carbon matrixes to generate a large family of colossal barocaloric materials. In practice, by orthogonally combining paraffins with encapsulation matrixes like graphene foam, carbon nanotube foam, and carbon foam, it can be obtained composites that work without leakage issues. The significant advantage is their colossal barocaloric effect with the highest entropy value up to 570 J K−1 kg−1 in paraffin‐20@graphene foam. Moreover, the composites possess thermal conductivity up to 89.9 W m−1 K−1 in paraffin‐20@carbon foam, and tunable working temperature in the range of 270—330 K. Most importantly, this strategy, demonstrated with 5 solid‐liquid PCMs and 3 encapsulation matrixes in this work, is just the beginning. Further exploration with more materials can develop a huge family of encapsulated solid‐liquid PCMs with colossal barocaloric performance for modern cooling technology. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The adulteration of wax foundation is, for many reasons, a growing problem of modern beekeeping not only in Europe but also around the world. Wax foundation contaminated with stearin addition leads to a brood die-off, while paraffin addition negatively affects the strength of combs. It is tenable that such adulterated wax foundation reduces bees' immunity. The aim of the study was to determine the activities of two bee immune enzymes, lysozyme and phenoloxidase, in the haemolymph of worker bees which had emerged from combs with wax foundations contaminated with stearin or paraffin. Combs built with stearin- or paraffin-adulterated wax (both adulterants at concentrations of 10%, 30% or 50%) or pure wax (0% adulterated) foundations were placed in the colonies, one for each adulterant and percentage. The workers were marked upon emergence from these combs and those bees were introduced into one strong colony per adulterant and percentage. Phenoloxidase and lysozyme activities were determined in the haemolymph of 1-, 7- and 14-day-old workers. The higher the concentrations of stearin and paraffin in the wax foundation, the lower the phenoloxidase activities were. These activities increased with the bee age. In contrast, the trends in lysozymes were opposite. Paraffin seems to be less toxic than stearin. Adulteration of wax foundation with even a small amount of stearin or paraffin has negative effects on the functioning of the bee. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract Introduction There is an unmet need for effective topical therapies for patients with uremic xerosis and chronic kidney disease-associated pruritus (CKD-aP). The long-term efficacy and tolerability of an emollient containing glycerol 15% and paraffin 10% (V0034CR) was evaluated in a phase 3 study. Methods In this randomized, double-blind, two-parallel group, vehicle-controlled study, patients with moderate-to-severe uremic xerosis were randomized to once-daily application of V0034CR or vehicle control for 28 days (period I). This was followed by a treatment-free period of ≤ 21 days (period II), then all patients received open-label treatment with V0034CR for ≥ 84 days (period III). Outcomes included treatment response at the end of period I (El Gammal’s xerosis severity score), instrumental measures of scaling (D-Squame technique), time to relapse during period II, rate of recurrence during period III, pruritus severity over time, patient acceptability, and adverse events (AEs). Results The intent-to-treat population comprised 235 patients randomized to V0034CR (n = 118) or vehicle control (n = 117) during period I. Treatment response at the end of period I was achieved by 71 patients (60.2%) in the V0034CR group versus 48 (41.0%) with vehicle control (p = 0.0041). This coincided with greater reductions in the total surface area of squames (p = 0.001 vs vehicle control). Xerosis relapsed progressively without treatment in period II; however, remission was durable under maintenance therapy in period III. Improvements in pruritus severity were comparable between V0034CR and vehicle control, suggesting that the antipruritic effect of V0034CR was mainly exerted by its oil-in-water emulsion base. V0034CR had high patient acceptability and was well tolerated; the most common treatment-related AEs were irritation or erythema (2.1%), exacerbated pruritus (1.3%), and vesicles at the application site (0.9%). Conclusion These data support the use of V0034CR, with its hydrating and occlusive properties, for the long-term management of patients with moderate-to-severe uremic xerosis and CKD-aP. Trial Registration ClinicalTrials.gov identifier NCT01084148; EudraCT number 2006-002201-31.

The article is devoted to the problem of predicting the viscosity of an oil mixture. Viscosity is an important characteristic of oil when calculating pressure losses due to friction when moving in a well, through field pipelines, through a network of main oil pipelines. In the presence of a complex branched network of pipelines and the flow of oil from various wells and fields in the condition of constantly changing production flow rates, a large number of mixture variants can be formed. Laboratory determination of viscosity for each theoretically possible mixture is practically difficult to implement, therefore, it is promising to determine the viscosity of the mixture by a computational method based on parameters amenable to additivity. Such parameters can be density, component composition and its derivatives, such as the content of paraffins, resins, asphaltenes, and fractional composition. The article analyzes various regressions of the first and second kind to obtain equations for determining viscosity depending on the mentioned parameters. A model is being developed to predict the viscosity-temperature dependence of an oil mixture based on information on density, paraffin content, resins, asphaltenes and fractional composition. The results can be applied to the calculation of field and trunk oil pipeline networks.

Abstract Background Injury due to ingestion of harmful chemicals has become an area of concern globally. In South Africa, paraffin has been widely implicated in multiple health outcomes, including severe ingestion injuries. A specific category of such injuries is those that are self-inflicted. A significant proportion of self-inflicted ingestion is reported to be intentional, although intentionality for self-infliction may be difficult to determine. Nonetheless, the identification of key explanatory risks and demographic factors of self-inflicted ingestion may contribute towards a better understanding of self-inflicted and harmful chemical ingestion injuries. Methods This study used secondary data that had been collected on burn injuries of all causes, including those due to the ingestion of harmful chemicals, from a sample of South Africans from low-income communities close to major metropolitan centres. The current analysis focused on the risks for self-inflicted ingestion injuries and used logistic regression to determine risks for self-inflicted ingestion as differentiated from ingestion due to the actions of another person (other-inflicted ingestion) by sex and age cohort of the victim, and the presence of alcohol, by examining paraffin ingestion versus that of other chemicals. Results The overwhelming majority of ingestion injuries (92.1%) were self-inflicted. The current findings indicate that sex (with females almost twice as likely to present with self-inflicted ingestion), age cohort (with those aged 18–29 and 30–44 years old four times more likely affected than older adults), presence of alcohol (twice as likely present than amongst individuals reporting ingestion injuries inflicted by others), and chemicals other than paraffin (three times more likely) are key explanatory factors for an increased risk for self-inflicted ingestion of harmful chemicals. Conclusions The study empirically confirms the role of several key risk factors in what remains a relatively unreported and understudied phenomenon, but which appears to align with the demographic and risk profile reported for suicidal injuries through chemical ingestion, i.e. intentional self-inflicted ingestion. The findings may contribute towards improved safety policies on the availability and sale of chemical products and more focussed community interventions for at-risk individuals such as females and young people. It also flags the importance of assessing for alcohol use and alcohol use disorders at hospital admission of self-ingestion injuries.

High operating temperatures adversely affect photovoltaic (PV) efficiency, motivating research into cooling techniques. This study experimentally investigates using phase change materials (PCMs) to passively absorb excess heat from PV panels. Paraffin wax with a 42 °C melting point was selected as the PCM and integrated in a 4-cm-thick layer on the back of a crystalline silicon PV panel. Temperatures were monitored within the PCM layer and PV back surface using thermocouples. A reference PV panel lacking PCM was tested under identical conditions. During peak irradiance, the PCM reduced the PV back temperature by 5–8 °C versus the reference. This cooling boosted electrical efficiency of the PCM–PV panel to 12.5–19.66%, while the reference panel ranged from 11.32 to 18.23%. The substantial efficiency improvements demonstrate the promise of PCM thermal management for mitigating temperature-related losses. This study provides initial experimental evidence that PCM integration represents a viable passive cooling approach for enhancing PV performance in hot climates. Ongoing work is needed to optimize PCM selection and fully assess benefits. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A unique substance or material that releases or absorbs enough energy during a phase shift is known as a phase change material (PCM). Usually, one of the first two fundamental states of matter—solid or liquid—will change into the other. Phase change materials for thermal energy storage (TES) have excellent capability for providing thermal comfort in building's occupant by decreasing heating and cooling energy demands. Because of its latent heat property, a PCM has a high energy density. The building uses PCMs mainly for space heating or cooling, control of building material temperature and increase in building durability, solar water heating, and waste heat recovery from high heat loss locations. Phase change materials for thermal energy storage has been proven to be useful for reducing peak electricity demand or increasing energy efficiency in heating, ventilation, and air-conditioning systems. The primary grid benefit of PCM based thermal energy storage system is load shifting and shedding, which is accomplished by recharging the storage system during off-peak times and substituting heating, ventilation, and air-conditioning system operation during peak times. This study examines PCM based thermal energy storage systems in building applications and benefits, focusing on their substantial limitations, and closes with recommendations for further improvement of design for use. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study aimed to enhance the physical properties and the weak heat transmission of the core layer, which are the weak points of particleboard produced using melamine-impregnated paper waste (MIPW) as an adhesive. Alkyl-ketene dimer (AKD) and paraffin were used as water-repellent chemicals. MIPW was used as an adhesive, and no additional resin was used. As a result of this study, the samples' physical properties improved with AKD and paraffin's existence. Moreover, it has been approved that AKD is more effective than paraffin in improving the physical properties of the particleboard because AKD improves ester bonding with hydroxyl groups of cellulose fibers. The usage of water repellents resulted in the improvement of internal bond (IB) properties. It was determined that the type and amount of water-repellent chemicals significantly affected the mechanical and physical properties and formaldehyde content of the produced particleboards, except for bending properties. Just the chemical type was found to be significantly effective on bending strength (BS) and modulus of elasticity (MOE) properties. Overall, the study findings suggested that AKD might be successfully utilized as a water-repellent chemical in particleboard manufacturing, while MIPWs used as an adhesive. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Incorporating nano phase change materials (NPCMs) into the basin material helps improve the productivity and the evaporation rate in a solar still. Setting heat extraction rate as a standard, a comparative study was made with the yield of a single basin solar still by a phase change material (PCM) and NPCM. To counteract the low thermal conductivity of paraffin wax, metallic nanoparticles of cobalt oxide (CoO) were added. These CoO nanoparticles were found to be attractive for mixing with PCM to increase thermal conductivity. The impact of heat flux, flow rate and metal oxide particles on the flow and heat transfer behaviour of slurries was investigated. The X-ray diffraction (XRD) analysis showed the predominant peak (200) of CoO at 42.3°, with an average CoO nanoparticle size of 6 nm. The FESEM analysis revealed homogeneously aggregated spherical/platelet-shaped CoO nanoparticles ranging within 5–30 nm in size. Solar radiation increases linearly with time, reaching its maximum between 12:00 and 2:00 p.m. The use of NPCM increases the efficiency (12–25%) of the basin material due to its thermal properties and also the water output with an average yield rate of 3.5 L. Finally, the results indicate that the incorporation of CoO nanoparticles into paraffin wax increases the performance of the solar still and improves the water quality parameters. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

H vessels are an essential link in angiogenic-osteogenic coupling and orchestrate the process of bone healing. H vessels are critically deficient in the setting of radiation-induced fractures, which have been reported to occur in up to 25% of patients undergoing radiotherapy. By increasing H-vessel proliferation, Deferoxamine (DFO) revitalizes the physiologic response to skeletal injury and accelerates irradiated fracture repair. H-vessel quantification is therefore an important outcome measure in histologic analysis of bone healing. However, an optimized protocol for staining H vessels in formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded (FFPE) tissue sections has not been reported. With this protocol, we describe a method of staining FFPE bone samples with minimal background fluorescence and high signal-to-noise ratio. We examined mandibular specimens in a rat model of bone healing from a range of fracture conditions, including healthy bone (Fx), irradiated bone (XFx), and irradiated bone with DFO treatment (XFx-DFO). Quantitative analysis revealed a significant increase of H vessels in the XFxDFO group compared to both the Fx and XFx groups. By optimizing immunofluorescent staining of H vessels in FFPE samples across a range of fracture conditions, we offer investigators an efficacious means of producing reliable imaging for quantitative analysis of H vessels in an irradiated fracture callus. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Injury due to ingestion of harmful chemicals has become an area of concern globally. In South Africa, paraffin has been widely implicated in multiple health outcomes, including severe ingestion injuries. A specific category of such injuries is those that are self-inflicted. A significant proportion of self-inflicted ingestion is reported to be intentional, although intentionality for self-infliction may be difficult to determine. Nonetheless, the identification of key explanatory risks and demographic factors of self-inflicted ingestion may contribute towards a better understanding of self-inflicted and harmful chemical ingestion injuries. Methods: This study used secondary data that had been collected on burn injuries of all causes, including those due to the ingestion of harmful chemicals, from a sample of South Africans from low-income communities close to major metropolitan centres. The current analysis focused on the risks for self-inflicted ingestion injuries and used logistic regression to determine risks for self-inflicted ingestion as differentiated from ingestion due to the actions of another person (other-inflicted ingestion) by sex and age cohort of the victim, and the presence of alcohol, by examining paraffin ingestion versus that of other chemicals. Results: The overwhelming majority of ingestion injuries (92.1%) were self-inflicted. The current findings indicate that sex (with females almost twice as likely to present with self-inflicted ingestion), age cohort (with those aged 18–29 and 30–44 years old four times more likely affected than older adults), presence of alcohol (twice as likely present than amongst individuals reporting ingestion injuries inflicted by others), and chemicals other than paraffin (three times more likely) are key explanatory factors for an increased risk for self-inflicted ingestion of harmful chemicals. Conclusions: The study empirically confirms the role of several key risk factors in what remains a relatively unreported and understudied phenomenon, but which appears to align with the demographic and risk profile reported for suicidal injuries through chemical ingestion, i.e. intentional self-inflicted ingestion. The findings may contribute towards improved safety policies on the availability and sale of chemical products and more focussed community interventions for at-risk individuals such as females and young people. It also flags the importance of assessing for alcohol use and alcohol use disorders at hospital admission of self-ingestion injuries. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Among the different types of phase change materials, paraffin is known to be the most widely used type due to its advantages. However, paraffin's low thermal conductivity, its limited operating temperature range, and leakage and stabilization problems are the main barriers to its use in applications. In this research, a thermal energy storage unit (TESU) was designed using a cylindrical macroencapsulation technique to minimize these problems. Experimental and numerical analyses of the storage unit using a tubular heat exchanger were carried out. The Ansys 18.2-Fluent software was used for the numerical analysis. Two types of paraffins with different thermophysical properties were used in the TESU, including both encapsulated and non-encapsulated forms, and their thermal energy storage performances were compared. The influence of the heat transfer fluid (HTF) inlet conditions on the charging performance (melting) was investigated. The findings demonstrated that the heat transfer rate is highly influenced by the HTF intake temperature. When the effect of paraffin encapsulation on heat transfer was examined, a significant decrease in the total melting time was observed as the heat transfer surface and thermal conductivity increased. Therefore, the energy stored simultaneously increased by 60.5% with the encapsulation of paraffin-1 (melting temperature range of 52.9–60.4 °C) and by 50.7% with the encapsulation of paraffin-2 (melting temperature range of 32.2–46.1 °C), thus increasing the charging rate. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Polymer Materials Science & Engineering is the property of Sichuan University, Polymer Research Institute 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 Düzce University Journal of Forestry / Düzce Üniversitesi Orman Fakültesi Ormancılık Dergisi is the property of Duzce University 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.)

The rise in energy consumption and the increase in the use of bio-based materials in the building sector, has led to the need to investigate the possibilities to use wood as a porous support material for phase change materials (PCMs), and thereby creating a thermal regulative wood-based product. This study investigated the influence of Kraft lignin-glyoxal prepolymer on the thermal-energy storage properties of wood modified with paraffin-type of PCM. The implementation of the modified wood involves preparing PCM emulsions, synthesising lignin-glyoxal prepolymer, and modifying wood with the PCM-Kraft lignin-glyoxal emulsion through vacuum-pressure impregnation. The infrared imaging suggested the ability of PCM-modified wood to delay the temperature changes, even with the introduction of Kraft lignin-glyoxal prepolymer. In conclusion, it is feasible to introduce thermal-energy storage property into wood with the addition of Kraft lignin-glyoxal prepolymer. Further studies will focus on the long-term thermal storage performance properties when this PCM system is subjected to repeated heating/cooling cycles. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The extraction, processing, and utilization of petroleum often results in the release of diverse hydrocarbon pollutants into the environment, leading to severe ecological and health implications. Herein, the adsorption and separation of ethane (EAN), ethene (EEN), ethyne (EYN), and benzene (BZN) fractions of paraffin, olefin, acetylene, and aromatic petroleum hydrocarbons were investigated via the catalytically engineered nickel group transition metals; nickel (Ni), palladium (Pd), and platinum (Pt). These transition metals were coordinated on Germanium-doped graphitic carbon nitride (Ge@g-C3N4) nanostructures, and the behavior of the systems was studied through Kohn–Sham density functional theory (KS-DFT) with the B3LYP–D3(BJ)/Def2-SVP computational method. The adsorption of petroleum hydrocarbons decreased in the order Ge_Ni@C3N4 > Ge_Pd@C3N4 > Ge_Pt@C3N4>Ge_Pt@C3N4. These results showed that the coordination of Ni, Pd, and Pt within Ge@C3N4 improved the separation of petroleum hydrocarbons.

Ternary hybrid nanofluids possess improved thermal characteristics, enhanced stability, better physical strength, and multi-functionality as compared to hybrid or usual nanofluids. The aim of the ongoing study is to explore the novel thermal attributes of hybrid and trihybrid nanofluids through a porous medium. Whereas the nano-composition of cobalt (Co), gold (Au), and zirconium oxide (ZrO2) make amalgamation in the paraffin (Pfin) which is a base fluid. This nano-composition of the proposed nanoparticles, specifically, subject to the base fluid Pfin has not been interpreted before. The analysis not only covers the features of trihybrid nanofluids (Co–Au–ZrO2–Pfin) but it also describes the characteristics of hybrid (Co–Au–Pfin) as well as pure nanofluids (Co–Pfin). An efficient numerical algorithm is developed for which the numerical simulations are carried out. The approximations are performed in MATLAB software using “Successive under Relaxation (SUR)” technique. A comparison, under certain limiting conditions, with the established results appraises the efficiency of the numerical code. The outcomes evidently designate that temperature raises with the change in thermal radiation and volume fraction of gold and zirconium oxide in either case of pure, hybrid, or ternary nanofluids. The concentration ϕ3{\phi }_{3} of ZrO2 has a significant impact on Nusselt number rather than the concentration ϕ1{\phi }_{1} of cobalt and ϕ2{\phi }_{2} of gold. It has been comparatively noticed that the ternary nanofluids (Co–Au–ZrO2–Pfin) portray embellished and improvised thermal characteristics as compared to the other two cases.

Solid-liquid phase-change materials (PCMs) offer exciting prospects for thermal energy conservation, whose performance is greatly affected by the carrier materials. Using expanded vermiculite (EV) as frameworks, carbon nanotube arrays (CNTs) were grown between EV layers by chemical vapor deposition (CVD). Then, the paraffin (PA) was loaded on the EV@CNTs composite by vacuum impregnation to prepare composite PCMs (PA/EV@CNTs), where the PA is organic carrier and the EV@CNTs acts as porous supports with high structural strength. The loading capacity of PA is further regulated by the hydrotropism of CNTs which effectively prevents the leakage of molten PA. The in-situ grown CNTs significantly improves the thermal conductivity of PCMs, improving the efficiency of energy conversion. With maximum PA loading capacity of 95 wt%, the thermal conductivity of PA/EV@CNTs-95% reaching 0.7176 W/mK, which was 1.73 and 2.96 times higher than that of pristine EV and PA. The phase change latent heat of PA/EV@CNTs-95% was measured to be 168.54 J/g, which is 1.48 times higher than that of PA/EV. After 100 cycles, the PA/EV@CNTs still maintains excellent thermal stability, and the enthalpy retention rate is 98.73%. The incorporation of high thermal conductivity amphipathicity CNTs in these PCMs makes them promising candidate for various applications such as energy-efficient buildings, thermal management in electronic devices, and self-cleaning materials.

Introduction: Urinary bladder cancer is the 10th most common cancer worldwide. Cystoscopy and biopsy/Transurethral Resection of Bladder Tumour (TURBT) are the best techniques for diagnosing and staging urinary bladder cancers. Urothelial Carcinomas (UC), particularly in transurethral resection biopsies, can pose diagnostic difficulties due to limited material. Immunohistochemistry (IHC) plays a valuable role in these settings, and many immunostains are being utilised for diagnostic evaluation. However, the relationship of these immunomarkers with histological grade and their prognostic utility has not been adequately explored. Aim: To analyse expression of Her2Neu, E-cadherin, p63, and GATA3 in UC and its relation with histological grading and prognosis. Materials and Methods: This was an observational cross-sectional study conducted in the Pathology Department of IPGMER and SSKM Hospital, Kolkata, West Bengal, India over two years (November 2020-October 2022). Samples of 100 bladder carcinoma patients with predominant TURBT specimens were included in the study. The histopathological reports and tumour grading were done according to the World Health Organisation (WHO) classification of urinary bladder tumours. The Formalin Fixed Paraffin-embedded (FFPE) sections of the tumour blocks were subjected to IHC staining, and the results were interpreted accordingly. Statistical analysis was performed with the help of the Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS), IBM (version 25.0). Unpaired t-test and Z-test (Standard Normal Deviate) were used to test the significant difference between two proportions. Results: The mean age of the study population was 59.69±14.53 years, and there was a male preponderance (male: female=3.54:1). Histopathological examination revealed 55% to be of low-grade morphology. Overall, 53% of cases were in T1 stage, and the rest were in T2 stage. On IHC analysis, E-cadherin showed a statistically significant decrease in intensity with increasing grade (p-value

Introduction. 3D printing is a promising technology to improve the efficiency of construction. At the present time, one of the main disadvantages of this technology remains the low functionality of printed products, in particular, traditional methods are used for thermal insulation and conditioning of printed buildings, which reduces the productivity of the technology. In this regard, the use of thermal accumulative materials (TAM) with phase transition function in building 3D printing to ensure a constant comfortable temperature in the building seems promising. A paraffin-based composite TAM has been investigated for the development of “smart” construction “ink” that will provide printed buildings operating in a temperate climate zone with a passive thermoregulation function.Materials and methods. Differential scanning calorimetry method was used to study the thermal effects of phase transitions of composite TAM consisting of paraffin, paraffin oil and petroleum jelly.Results. A decrease in the peak temperatures of TAM phase transitions was recorded from 53.8 to 32 °C during melting and from 47.6 to 32.6 °C during crystallization. For the two-component composition, the maximum enthalpy reduction was from 102.4 to 27.0 J/g during melting and from 47.7 to 8.5 J/g during crystallization; for the three-component composition, the enthalpy was 60.6 J/g during melting and 20.6 J/g during crystallization. The peak melting temperature for mixtures with 60 and 40 % paraffin is 39.4 and 39.9 °C, the peak crystallization temperature is 43.5 and 33.8 °C, respectively.Conclusions. The conducted studies have shown that the use of paraffin oil and petroleum jelly allows to shift the temperature boundaries of thermal effects of paraffin-based TAM towards lower values. At the same time, a decrease in the intensity of the corresponding peaks on thermograms is recorded, which indicates a decrease in the enthalpy of phase transition processes. Obtaining three-component TAM makes it possible to maintain a higher enthalpy by providing a sequential phase transformation of each of them.

A series of related experiments were carried out based on prepared hydrocracking catalyst, Catalyst-HC. Ni & W and USY molecular sieve were selected as the hydrogenation active component and the cracking component of Catalyst-HC, respectively. Meanwhile, a kinetic model for paraffin conversion was constructed based on paraffin conversion law. Results obtained through this work indicate that the impact of H2-pressure is relatively complex. As the H2-pressure changes, the degree of hydrocracking reaction may be influenced by both hydrogen supply capacity and hydrogen proton concentration. Obtained conversion priority for three types of hydrocarbons on USY molecular sieve is as follows, aromatic ≫ cycloalkane > paraffin. Aromatic content in SRGO can affect its paraffin-retention in Hydro-D. Compared with the hydrotreating of SRGO with low aromatic content, when SRGO with relatively higher aromatic content is hydrotreated, its paraffin-retention is higher and its paraffin loss is also relatively smaller. Base on constructed model, the calculated values of SRGO-BJ conversion rate and paraffin-retention in Hydro-D are within ±10 % and ±5 % error lines, respectively. Thus, model schematic diagram is reasonable and can provide modeling reference for relevant model research.

ObjectiveTo evaluate the safety and biocompatibility of bone wax as an implant material for medialisation laryngoplasty in a large animal model.MethodsThree Dorper-cross ewes underwent type I thyroplasty of the right vocal fold with bone wax. The animals were monitored for four weeks for general wellbeing. The animals were euthanised and the larynges harvested. Histological evaluation was performed to assess for adverse tissue reaction and biocompatibility.ResultsThe mean (± standard deviation) amount of bone wax implanted was 0.49 g (± 0.12 g). No adverse events were reported. Ex vivo vibration was present on high-speed imaging for all medialised vocal folds. Histology demonstrated implanted paraffin embedded within the thyroarytenoid muscle with no evidence of resorption, a minimal inflammatory infiltrate, and a thin fibrotic capsule.ConclusionThe results of this investigation suggest that bone wax may be a safe and efficacious implant material for medialisation laryngoplasty. Further studies are necessary to assess its long-term safety and efficacy.

Biodegradation has become the most preferred and sustainable mean of reducing paraffin wax, removing paraffin deposition in pipelines and improving the flow of petroleum products. The current study focuses on the isolation of bacteria that has the capability to utilize paraffin as a sole carbon source and has been screened using 2,6-dichlorophenol indophenol (DCPIP) dye as redox indicator. The bacterium was identified as Bacillus sp. SASH according to its 16S rRNA gene sequence analysis. It is a moderate halophile that can grow in seawater at pH 7 and 37 °C. Bacillus sp. SASH was able to degrade various paraffinic products such as paraffin wax, heavy wax distillates, and liquid paraffin and it showed up to 84% paraffin wax degradation. Gas chromatography–mass spectrometry analysis revealed that higher carbon chains after retention time of 18 min were removed after treatment of the wax with the bacterium. Bacillus sp. SASH enhanced the flow of different petroleum products by reducing their viscosity and pour point values. It was also able to reduce the viscosity and improve the flow of crude oil by 60%. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The data referring to the value of direct immunofluorescence on formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded tissue (IF-Paraffin) in the diagnosis of renal diseases is controversial. The aim of this study was to investigate whether renal biopsies evaluated by routine immunofluorescence on frozen tissue (IF-Frozen) would yield adequate findings to confirm diagnoses when the IF-Paraffin technique was applied. To show immunoglobulins, complement components, and light chains, 55 native renal biopsies were subjected to IF-Paraffin and IF-Frozen staining techniques. The intensity of the staining was compared, and the sensitivity and specificity were calculated. The IF-Paraffin technique showed a sensitivity of 89%, 81%, 86%, 30%, 71%, 60%, and 77% for IgG, IgM, IgA, C1q, C3, κ, and λ, respectively, whereas specificity was 91%, 100%, 100%, 96%, 94%, 98%, and 100%. It showed diagnostic findings in 87% of cases. Compared to cases that had both IF-Paraffin and IF-Frozen staining techniques, 43 of 55 showed either equal intensity for the diagnostic immunoglobulin/complement or a little difference. Direct immunofluorescence on formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded sections cannot replace immunofluorescence on frozen sections in the assessment of renal biopsies, but may be a "salvage technique" when frozen tissue is insufficient or unavailable and must be interpreted with great caution. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background Helicobacter pylori is an important public health concern due to its status as a carcinogenic bacterium. Well adapted to the acidic environment of the human stomach, the variety of strains and virulence factors of the organism when interacting with the host immune system creates an individualistic response. Although estimates suggest that approximately half of the global population is infected with H pylori , the majority of infected persons remain asymptomatic while harboring an increased risk of intestinal metaplasia and gastric cancers. Therefore, appropriate diagnostic testing protocols are imperative. Methods This study compared labeling methodologies, including Wright stain, alcian yellow toluidine blue (AYTB), and immunohistochemistry (IHC) on formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded stomach resections from sleeve gastrectomy patients, to detect H pylori infection. Results Although all 3 labeling methods evidenced similar specificity in H pylori detection, the IHC method was significantly more sensitive. However, the IHC cost per test was approximately 5-fold higher than that of the Wright or AYTB stains, and the technical time required per test was at least 6-fold that of Wright or AYTB. Conclusion Despite the higher cost per test, IHC is the most sensitive and preferred method for determination of H pylori infection. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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Copyright of Inorganic Chemicals Industry is the property of Editorial Office of Inorganic Chemicals Industry 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.)

ANSYS Fluent is used to simulate battery thermal management (BTM). A new concept design of cooling techniques with encapsulated phase‐change material (PCM) and internal coolant channels is proposed. In this study, the passive mode of cooling (MODEL‐A: without internal cooling) and proposed design incorporating with internal liquid channels (MODEL‐B, MODEL‐C, MODEL‐D, MODEL‐E, and MODEL‐F) are considered. The upper section of the chamber is the starting point for the melting progression, which then moves toward the downward lower section of the chamber. Two design concept cooling techniques are used: straight and spiral coolant channels. At the point 15 mm, the PCM gets initiated melting at 1000 s for MODEL‐A (no coolant channels), and only a heating up of PCM is observed for MODEL‐B and MODEL‐C. Faster initiation of melting period over and above 35 mm position and at higher position point 55 mm, which reaches a liquidus temperature 328.6 K at below 2000 and 1000 s, respectively. MODEL‐D, MODEL‐E, and MODEL‐F show the PCM temperature reduction across the axial length due to the presence of coolant channels. The spiral channels can maintain the liquid fraction for longer periods, which allows liquid to contribute to the sustainability of a longer‐lasting thermal storage system. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Iso-amyl ester rosin was synthesized and investigated for its potential utilization in medium density fiberboard (MDF) production. The isoamyl alcohol, the main starting material for the synthesis of isoamyl ester rosin, was obtained through the fractional distillation of fusel oil, a byproduct of bioethanol production. The optimum condition for the iso-amyl ester rosin synthesis was determined as: rosin (165 mmol), isoamyl alcohol (413 mmol), P-TSA/rosin 1.5% (w/w), and commercial additive/rosin 0.15% (w/w). The esterification reaction was followed by FT-IR and mass analysis. For MDF production, a water-repellent material, commercial paraffin (1.5% w/w relative to the dry fiber weight), iso-amyl ester rosin (1.5% and 2.0%; w/w), and unmodified rosin (1.5% and 2.0% w/w) were separately used. In addition, fresh wood fibers, 10% w/w urea formaldehyde (UF) adhesive (relative to the total dry fiber weight), and a 25% aqueous solution of ammonium chloride (as the hardening agent for the UF adhesive, at 0.5% w/w based on the solid adhesive content) were used. MDFs underwent various physical and mechanical tests. Isoamyl ester rosin showed promising results based on the analysis. The results showed that the isoamyl ester rosin can be considered as an alternative to paraffin in sustainable and environmentally friendly MDF production. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article presents the results of phase transition studies in which the following substances and their mixtures were tested: 100% palm oil, 100% paraffin, 100% hydrogenated palm oil, 50% palm oil + 50% paraffin, 50% hydrogenated palm oil + 50% palm oil, 33% hydrogenated palm oil + 33% palm oil + 33% soft paraffin, 20% hydrogenated palm oil + 30% palm oil + 50% soft paraffin, 50% hydrogenated palm oil + 50% palm oil + copper, and 50% hydrogenated palm oil + 50% palm oil + iron. The measurements were carried out on a station for testing phase-change materials (PCMs) designed specifically for the analysis of phase changes. Viscosity values were also determined for the tested materials, and their potential impact on heat accumulation was assessed. The primary goal of the experiment was to determine some key thermodynamic parameters, including transition time, transition heat, specific heat, and dynamic viscosity at 58 °C. A one-way ANOVA test confirmed the statistical significance of minimum transition temperature, maximum transition temperature, and phase transition time, validating the reliability and utility of the results. The melting point, crucial for applications involving phase changes, was identified as an important factor. The careful selection of components allows for the customization of properties tailored to specific applications. A significant result is that the analyzed substances with higher specific heat values tend to have a higher average dynamic viscosity. The Pearson correlation coefficient of 0.82 indicated a strong positive association between the average dynamic viscosity and the heat of fusion of the substances examined. This suggests that changes in the heat of fusion significantly influence alterations in dynamic viscosity. Substances with higher specific heat values tend to exhibit higher average dynamic viscosity, emphasizing the direct impact of composition on viscosity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Urinary bladder cancer is the 10th most common cancer worldwide. Cystoscopy and biopsy/Transurethral Resection of Bladder Tumour (TURBT) are the best techniques for diagnosing and staging urinary bladder cancers. Urothelial Carcinomas (UC), particularly in transurethral resection biopsies, can pose diagnostic difficulties due to limited material. Immunohistochemistry (IHC) plays a valuable role in these settings, and many immunostains are being utilised for diagnostic evaluation. However, the relationship of these immunomarkers with histological grade and their prognostic utility has not been adequately explored. Aim: To analyse expression of Her2Neu, E-cadherin, p63, and GATA3 in UC and its relation with histological grading and prognosis. Materials and Methods: This was an observational cross-sectional study conducted in the Pathology Department of IPGMER and SSKM Hospital, Kolkata, West Bengal, India over two years (November 2020-October 2022). Samples of 100 bladder carcinoma patients with predominant TURBT specimens were included in the study. The histopathological reports and tumour grading were done according to the World Health Organisation (WHO) classification of urinary bladder tumours. The Formalin Fixed Paraffin-embedded (FFPE) sections of the tumour blocks were subjected to IHC staining, and the results were interpreted accordingly. Statistical analysis was performed with the help of the Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS), IBM (version 25.0). Unpaired t-test and Z-test (Standard Normal Deviate) were used to test the significant difference between two proportions. Results: The mean age of the study population was 59.69±14.53 years, and there was a male preponderance (male: female=3.54:1). Histopathological examination revealed 55% to be of low-grade morphology. Overall, 53% of cases were in T1 stage, and the rest were in T2 stage. On IHC analysis, E-cadherin showed a statistically significant decrease in intensity with increasing grade (p-value <0.001) and T stage of UC (p-value <0.001), but there was no statistically significant relationship between Her2Neu expression and tumour grade/stage (p-value 0.5764 and 0.5663, respectively). A statistically significant relationship was observed between GATA3 and p63 scores with the grade and T stage of the tumour, i.e., GATA3 positivity increased with increasing grade and T stage of the tumour (p-value <0.001 in both), and there was a loss of p63 with advancing grade and stage of the tumour (p-value <0.001 in both). Conclusion: GATA3, p63, and E-cadherin can be used as prognostic markers in UCs. No significant relationship was found between Her2Neu expression and tumour grade in UC. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study focuses on an innovative green propellant based on paraffin, stearic acid, and coal, used in hybrid rocket engines. Additionally, lab-scale firing tests were conducted using a hybrid rocket motor with gaseous oxygen as the oxidizer, utilizing paraffin-based fuels containing stearic acid and coal. The mechanical performance results revealed that the addition of stearic acid and coal improved the mechanical properties of paraffin-based fuel, including tensile, compression, and flexural strength, under both ambient and sub-zero temperatures (−21 °C). Macrostructural and microstructural examinations, conducted through optical and scanning electron microscopy (SEM), highlighted its resilience, despite minimal imperfections such as impurities and micro-voids. These characteristics could be attributed to factors such as raw material composition and the manufacturing process. Following the mechanical tests, the second stage involved conducting a firing test on a hybrid rocket motor using the new propellant and gaseous oxygen. A numerical simulation was carried out using ProPEP software to identify the optimal oxidant-to-fuel ratio for the maximum specific impulse. Following simulations, it was observed that the specific impulse for the paraffin and for the new propellant differs very little at each oxidant-to-fuel (O/F) ratio. It is noticeable that the maximum specific impulse is achieved for both propellants around the O/F value of 2.2. It was observed that no hazardous substances were present, unlike in traditional solid propellants based on ammonium perchlorate or aluminum. Consequently, there are no traces of chlorine, ammonia, or aluminum-based compounds after combustion. The resulting components for the simulated motor include H2, H2O, O2, CO2, CO, and other combinations in insignificant percentages. It is worth noting that the CO concentration decreases with an increase in the O/F ratio for both propellants, and the differences between concentrations are negligible. Additionally, the CO2 concentration peaks at an O/F ratio of around 4.7. The test proceeded under normal conditions, without compromising the integrity of the test stand and the motor. These findings position the developed propellant as a promising candidate for applications in low-temperature hybrid rocket technology and pave the way for future advancements. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

PCMs are an ideal energy storage material, widely used in construction and have gradually become a hot spot for research. To address the shortcomings and deficiencies of single PCM, this paper combined myristic acid (MA), palmitic acid (PA) and paraffin slice (48#, PS) to prepare a ternary system of PCM by using a melt blending method. The study found that the lowest eutectic point is reached when MA : PA : PS=43.4 : 18.6 : 38, with phase change temperature and enthalpy of phase change of 39.28 °C and 135.83 J/g, respectively, showing better superiority. Moreover, FT‐IR and XRD also indicated that no new functional groups appeared in this ternary PCM, no new substances were produced, and all were simple physical bonding. TG showed that MA‐PA‐PS does not decompose below 127.95 °C and has good thermal stability. Finally, it was indicated that its thermal reliability is good after 500 thermal cycles of MA‐PA‐PS. Therefore, as a new type of energy‐saving material, this ternary PCM has good reliability and superiority, and has good application prospects. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Hybrid and ramjet engines became now effective propulsion systems with great development potential in different fields. They require using proper high-energy components. At high-speed blowing conditions conventional polymer fuels exhibit relatively low regression rate. As an alternative, it is proposed to use paraffin and based on it compositions. Paraffin is high-energy hydrocarbon with a low melting point leading to a high regression rate in high-speed blowing conditions. The results of experimental study of regression behavior of paraffin mixtures with various additives under intensive hot air blowing at 1 MPa pressure are presented. Stearic acid, nanoaluminum Alex, aluminum hydride AlH 3 , B and mechanoactivated aluminum boride AlB 2 were used as 10 % by mass additives. Experiments were conducted on cylindrical perforated samples. Using original design microwave gauge the current diameter of a sample bore was measured during experiment with subsequent calculation of regression rate. Based on experimental data and the results of heat balance calculation, the temperature on the gasified surface of paraffin fuel was estimated. • Paraffin based mixtures regression rate was studied under hot air blowing at 1 MPa. • Original microwave gauge was used to record permanently paraffin regression rate. • Additives of B, AlH 3 and AlB 2 essentially increased the paraffin regression rate. • Additive of Alex practically did not change the paraffin regression rate level. • Need to refine heat transfer coefficient for a liquid collapsing layer is formulated. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The expanded graphite-paraffin composite phase change energy storage material was prepared by vacuum impregnation method, with expanded graphite as the main thermal material and paraffin as the phase change heat storage material. The effect of paraffin mass fraction on the microstructure, phase structure, and thermal performance of composite phase change energy storage materials were studied. The results indicate that the composite phase change energy storage material generated by the reaction of expanded graphite and paraffin mainly relies on physical adsorption and binding, and paraffin evenly covers the surface and pores of expanded graphite. When the mass fraction of paraffin is 91 %, the sealing and structural density of the composite phase change energy storage material are the best, with almost no leakage. As the mass fraction of paraffin increases, the melting point of composite phase change energy storage materials gradually increases, and the thermal decomposition temperature gradually increases. The thermal decomposition temperature of composite phase change energy storage materials with 91 % paraffin mass fraction is about 1 5 °C higher than that of phase change materials with 85% paraffin mass fraction. As the mass fraction of paraffin increases, the thermal conductivity and thermal diffusion coefficient of composite phase change energy storage materials continue to decrease, the density first decreases and then increases, and the specific heat continues to increase. When the mass fraction of paraffin is 91 %, the density of the composite phase change energy storage material is the minimum value of ()• 794 g/cm³, corresponding to a specific heat of 5.462 J/(g • K). Analysis shows that the composite phase change energy storage material with a paraffin mass fraction of 91 % has the best comprehensive performance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

As an inexpensive and easily available organic phase change material (PCM), paraffin has good energy storage effect and can realize efficient energy storage and utilization. In this work, paraffin section–lauric acid (PS–LA) and paraffin section–myristic acid (PS–MA) were prepared by melting blending paraffin section (48–50 °C) with fatty acids to overcome the limitation of phase change temperature of paraffin section (PS). The phase change temperatures of PS–LA and PS–MA were 36.88 and 42.17 °C, and the phase change latent heats were 174.55 and 184.53 J/g, respectively. Thermal cycle treatment and performance analysis shown PS–LA has better thermal reliability, and the mixing process of PS and LA has no chemical reaction. The phase change sunshade made of PS–LA was placed on the outer side of the glass window, which could reduce the central peak temperature of the model by 4.893 °C, playing an excellent role in delaying and reducing the peak temperature. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This investigation examined the thermophysical properties of emulsions comprising paraffin 56/58 phase change material (PCM) dispersed in water and ethylene glycol (60 wt%) aqueous solution to optimize energy storage density for low-temperature thermal applications. Dynamic Light Scattering analysis revealed a uniform dispersion of paraffin 56/58 PCM droplets in the basefluids, with an average diameter of approximately 150 nm achieved by incorporating sodium dodecyl sulfate surfactant. The latent heat of fusion for emulsions containing paraffin 56/58 PCM in ethylene glycol (60 wt%) exhibited values of 37.5/41.7, 58.5/63.9, 73.8/75.43, and 93/90.25 J/g for concentrations of 20, 30, 40, and 50 wt%, respectively, during melting/solidification phases. Furthermore, the highest energy storage densities of 306.95 and 361.3 kJ/kg were attained at a PCM concentration of 50 wt% in ethylene glycol (60 wt%) and water-based emulsions, respectively, surpassing those of similar working fluids. It is also indicated that water-based paraffin 56/58 PCMs offer superior energy storage density. However, under severe operating conditions such as extreme temperatures, ethylene glycol (60 wt%) based paraffin 56/58 emulsions demonstrate greater suitability, as the evaporation and freezing points of the basefluid can be adjusted by modulating the ethylene glycol concentration ratio.

Iso-amyl ester rosin was synthesized and investigated for its potential utilization in medium density fiberboard (MDF) production. The isoamyl alcohol, the main starting material for the synthesis of isoamyl ester rosin, was obtained through the fractional distillation of fusel oil, a byproduct of bioethanol production. The optimum condition for the iso-amyl ester rosin synthesis was determined as: rosin (165 mmol), isoamyl alcohol (413 mmol), P-TSA/rosin 1.5% (w/w), and commercial additive/rosin 0.15% (w/w). The esterification reaction was followed by FT-IR and mass analysis. For MDF production, a water-repellent material, commercial paraffin (1.5% w/w relative to the dry fiber weight), iso-amyl ester rosin (1.5% and 2.0%; w/w), and unmodified rosin (1.5% and 2.0% w/w) were separately used. In addition, fresh wood fibers, 10% w/w urea formaldehyde (UF) adhesive (relative to the total dry fiber weight), and a 25% aqueous solution of ammonium chloride (as the hardening agent for the UF adhesive, at 0.5% w/w based on the solid adhesive content) were used. MDFs underwent various physical and mechanical tests. Isoamyl ester rosin showed promising results based on the analysis. The results showed that the isoamyl ester rosin can be considered as an alternative to paraffin in sustainable and environmentally friendly MDF production.

Researchers worldwide are studying thermal energy storage with phase change materials because of their substantial benefits in the enhancement of energy efficiency of thermal drying systems. A two-stage convective-vacuum impulsive drying plant is a technology for the manufacturing of chemical and food products with high quality and low energy costs. Energy consumption during the drying process is the main indicator in terms of economy. In this paper, a brief and focused review of the peculiarities of TEAs with PPCMs and opportunities of their application in such drying systems is done and discussed. The paper described the mentioned manufacturing system. The advantages of paraffin wax and thermal conductivity improvement techniques were demonstrated for their use as heat storage materials in CVID drying units. The results of similar previous studies were presented. The results of the experimental studies conducted by the researchers proved that the use of heat accumulators with PCMs increased the overall energy efficiency of drying systems. Finally, integration of TEAs based on modified PPCMs in the CVID system was recommended to intensify thermal energy, reduce thermal influence on the main indicators of the vacuum pump during the evacuation process, and decrease production costs.