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Photo-induced deflection of circular glassy nematic discs with different spiral director fields is studied by extending the Foppl–von Karman plate theory, and the objective is to examine the effects of director distribution and photo-attenuation across the thickness. The analytical solutions are obtained for axisymmetric deformations via the perturbation technique, and the predicted disc shapes are in qualitative consistency with some existing experimental observations. The analysis indicates that the photo-attenuation breaks up–down symmetry of deformation, causing the disc to bend out of plane in a definite direction without an intensity threshold of the incidental light. In addition, it is shown that the deflection can be maximized by optimizing the ratio of the disc thickness to the characteristic length of light attenuation. These results are expected helpful to the design of photo-activated glassy nematic devices.

The purpose of this study was to investigate the antitumor mechanisms of n-butylidenephthalide (BP) and to further examine the delivery efficacy of polycationic liposome containing PEI and polyethylene glycol complex (LPPC)-encapsulated BP in leukemia cells.MTS, flow cytometric and TUNEL assays were performed to assess cell viability and apoptosis. BP and BP/LPPC complex delivery efficiency was analyzed by full-wavelength fluorescent scanner and fluorescence microscope. The expressions of cell cycle- and apoptosis-related proteins were conducted by Western blotting.The results showed that BP inhibited leukemia cell growth by inducing cell cycle arrest and cell apoptosis. LPPC-encapsulated BP rapidly induced endocytic pathway activation, resulting in the internalization of BP into leukemia cells, causing cell apoptosis within 1 h.LPPC encapsulation enhanced the cytotoxic activity of BP and did not influence the effects of BP induction that suggested LPPC-encapsulated BP might be developed as anti-leukemia drugs in future.

Ion implanter is critical to modern integrated-circuit (IC) manufacturing. Ion implanter requires a long process due to low acceleration and high concentration process, which results in low productivity and becomes a bottleneck in the semiconductor fabrication. Furthermore, the wafer is not re-workable if existing error operation either caused by the operator or the machine. Therefore, it is important to develop a real-time fault detection system to minimize the probable down time of the ion implanter. In this work, a real-time fault detection system, which is based on the Fuzzy Tree Classification Systems (FTCS), is proposed to monitor the operation of the Eaton NV6200A/AV ion implanter. Two datasets, the 26-recipe and the 42- recipe cases, provided by a renowned wafer foundry in Taiwan were used to test the performance of the proposed FTCS. The datasets were obtained through the SECS-II interface. Test results demonstrate that the proposed FTCS can work real-time for fault detection of the Eaton NV6200A/AV ion implanter.

Wound healing is an important physiological process and several natural and synthetic drugs are being tested to speed up the process to avoid infection and other undesirable pathological events. Although andrographolide has been reported to be an excellent bioactive compound that can influence multiple pathways in the cells, its wound healing property has not been widely appreciated. In this study, we wanted to exhibit the improvement in the pathological events concerning wound healing process by injecting andro in a surgical wound model in rats. The right paw of female SD rats was operated and after 5 days, pathological events in the operated right paw was observed by staining the sections using hematoxylin & eosin dyes to elucidate the dermal and epidermal changes, while Mason’s trichrome staining was performed on the sections to show the granulation layer formation and provide supporting evidence for angiogenesis and ECM deposition. Pathological score was given to the sections according to the extent of the changes observed and the results suggested that epidermal changes were scored almost similar in both saline and andro injected rats (2-3), while angiogenesis and inflammation were moderately improved in favor of wound healing in the andro injected rats (2.5 & 3.7 respectively) compared to saline-injected rats (3 & 4 respectively). The results clearly suggested that, though the improvement due to andro injection was moderate, these observations might create an awareness regarding the wound healing property of andro. Further studies are required to optimize the dosage of andro to influence the molecular pathways in order to show a better wound healing activity.

The rapid and simple detection of bisphenol A is very important for the safety and reproduction of organisms. Here, a sensitive and reliable electrochemical sensor was established for bisphenol A detection based on the high amplification effect of copper sulfide-multi-walled carbon nanotube (CuS–MWCNT) nanocomposites. The flower-like CuS–MWCNT were successfully synthesized by a simple hydrothermal method accompanied by polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP). Compared with bare glassy carbon electrode (GCE), CuS–MWCNT modified GCE could amplify the electrochemical signals in about ten times, which was attributed to the synergistic effect of CuS and MWCNT. The MWCNT could increase the specific surface area of electrodes and improve the electrode activity. The integration of CuS could further enhance the electrode conductivity as well as accelerate the electron transfer rate. Raman spectra and transmission electron microscope (TEM) were used to characterize the successful fabrication of CuS–MWCNT nanocomposites and its uniform and monodispersed morphology. Under optimizing conditions, the oxidation currents of bisphenol A via the differential pulse voltammetric (DPV) showed a good linear relationship with its concentration in a wide range of 0.5–100 μM, with a detection limit of 50 nM. This electrochemical sensor of bisphenol A provided a convenient and economical platform with high sensitivity and reproducibility, which had great potential in environmental monitoring.

Background Angiotensin-neprilysin inhibition compared to angiotensin inhibition decreased sudden cardiac death in patients with reduced ejection fraction heart failure. The protective effect from ventricular arrhythmia in diastolic heart failure (DHF) remains unknown. Methods The spontaneous hypertensive rat (SHR) has been well established as a suitable model for studies of DHF. A total of 18 10-week-old male SHR were divided into three groups: sacubitril/valsartan, valsartan and saline (0.9%) (n=6 in each group). Eighteen 10-week-old male Wistar-Kyoto rats (WKY) were served as the control group. After two weeks feeding with sacubitril/valsartan, valsartan and saline in SHR and WKY. Optical mapping was performed to measure the electrical dynamic of cardiac ventricle and the maximal slope of action potential duration restitution was calculated. An S1–S2 pacing protocol was applied at the right ventricle to determine inducibility of ventricular tachycardia and fibrillation (VT/VF). Results SHR revealed increased LV mass than those treated with sacubitril/valsartan, and valsartan. Compared with WKY, SHR had significantly higher max slope (1.32±0.12 vs. 0.28±0.08, p2 second) was significant higher in SHR compared with WKY (18±11.1% vs. 0%, p Conclusions Angiotensin-neprilysin inhibition could provide better protection from ventricular arrhythmia than valsartan in SHR, warranting the further investigation of angiotensin-neprilysin inhibition in DHF patients.

The effects of salinity on the photodegradation and mineralization of sulfonamides in the UV/TiO

Objectives Infectious Zika viral particles were detected in human milk; however, whether they can be transmitted via breastfeeding remains unknown, so our objective was to clarify this. Methods Here, in a natural breastfeeding model, wild-type (C57Bl/6; WT) or interferon α/β (IFNα/β) receptor-deficient (A129; KO) murine dams on day 1 post-delivery were infected with Zika virus (ZIKV) intraperitoneally, and the neonates were suckled. In a novel artificial feeding model, WT suckling mice at 1 day old were fed with ZIKV alone or ZIKV and human breast milk mixtures. Thereafter, the virus distribution, clinical progression and neuropathology in the WT or KO neonates were characterized to evaluate the risk of ZIKV transmission through breast milk. Results In natural breastfeeding, viral RNAs (8/8) and infectious viral particles (7/8) were extensively present in the mammary glands of KO dams. All tested KO neonates (5/5), and none of WT neonates (0/9), were infected with ZIKV. In artificial feeding, 100% of the WT neonates (two groups, 12/12 and 16/16) were infected and developed some signs of neurodegeneration. ZIKV tended to seed and accumulate in the lungs and were subsequently disseminated to other tissues in both 16 naturally suckled and 19 artificially fed infected neonates. As human breast milk was mixed with ZIKV and fed to WT neonates, 45% individuals (9/20) were infected; in the infected neonates, the viral spread to the brain was delayed, and the clinical outcomes were alleviated. Conclusions These results demonstrated that suckling mice can be infected with ZIKV through suckling, and breast milk has potential antiviral activity, inhibiting ZIKV infection.

The effect of co-administration of interferon (IFN)-γ in pigs undergoing vaccination with an attenuated strain (LPC) of classical swine fever virus (CSFV) was investigated. Unvaccinated pigs demonstrated pyrexia and died 7-9 days after challenge with virulent CSFV. Pigs receiving the attenuated vaccine remained healthy after virus challenge, except for mild, transient pyrexia, whereas pigs receiving IFN-γ simultaneously with the vaccine demonstrated normal body temperatures after virus challenge. Examination by nested RT-PCR revealed greater viral load in the spleens of the pigs vaccinated with the attenuated CSFV, compared with those that had additionally received IFN-γ. Expression of major histocompatibility complex (MHC) class I and MHC class II molecules was upregulated in the spleens of the IFN-γ treated vaccinated pigs, demonstrated by immunohistochemistry. Based on Western blot analysis, anti-CSFV IgG2 antibodies were elevated in vaccinated pigs by co-administration of IFN-γ (IFN-γ(Hi): P

Background/purpose Diffuse reflectance spectroscopy (DRS) is a noninvasive optical technology characterized by relatively low system cost and high efficiency. In our previous study, we quantified the relative concentration of collagen for the individual keloid patient. However, no actual value of collagen concentration can prove the reliability of collagen detection by our DRS system. Methods Skin-mimicking phantoms were prepared using different collagen and coffee concentrations, and their chromophore concentrations were quantified using the DRS system to analyze the influence of collagen and other chromophores. Moreover, we used the animal study to compare the DRS system with the collagen evaluation of biopsy section by second-harmonic generation (SHG) microscopy at four different skin parts. Results In the phantom study, the result showed that coffee chromophore did not severely interfere with collagen concentration recovery. In the animal study, a positive correlation (r=.902) between the DRS system and collagen evaluation with SHG microscopy was found. Conclusions We have demonstrated that the DRS system can quantify the actual values of collagen concentration and excluded the interference of other chromophores in skin-mimicking phantoms. Furthermore, a high positive correlation was found in the animal study with SHG microscopy. We consider that the DRS is a potential technique and can evaluate skin condition objectively.

Ex situ and in situ doping processes of refractory Ta were accomplished by pulsed laser ablation of bulk Ta in vacuum with C–O–H supply from C-coated collodion film and within tetraethyl orthosilicate (TEOS), respectively. Analytical electron microscopic observations of the resultant particulates and condensates indicated that the former process involved interdiffusion in the condensed state to form two kinds of core–shell structures, i.e., C–O–H doped Ta with α-type (bcc) core and lamellar shell and O–H doped γ-TaC1−x with amorphous Ta–C–O–H surrounding, respectively, for potential wear and lubrication applications at high temperatures. In situ TEOS mediation, however, enhanced solute trapping to form Si–C–O–H overdoped α-Ta with significant tetragonality (c/a ratio up to 1.27) and Si–O–H doped γ-TaC1−x with {111}γ twin/fault and occasional epitaxial relationship [ $$ \overline{1} $$ 23]α//[ $$ \overline{1} $$ 12]γ; (121)α//( $$ \overline{1} $$ 1 $$ \overline{1} $$ )γ due to particle coalescence. Such Si–C–O–H mediated Ta particles may have potential optocatalytic applications.

This study reports semi-metal/semi-conductor composites with enhanced thermoelectric performance that results from interface effects between Sb clusters and the Bi0.5Sb1.5Te3 matrix. The Sb clusters were dispersed on the surface of Bi0.5Sb1.5Te3 powders by electroless plating and then the powders were rapidly compacted by spark plasma sintering at 673 K and 50 MPa. The thermoelectric properties for Bi0.5Sb1.5Te3 and Bi0.5Sb1.5Te3/Sb bulk samples were measured in the temperature range of 300 K to 500 K. The electrical conductivity of Bi0.5Sb1.5Te3/Sb composites was enhanced at room temperature due to the increase in carrier concentration with increasing Sb content. The enhancement in the power factor of Bi0.5Sb1.5Te3/Sb composites was due to a high Seebeck coefficient at high measured temperature. Moreover, the Sb clusters acted as effective phonon scattering centers, which decreased the lattice thermal conductivity at high temperature. In comparison with Bi0.5Sb1.5Te3, the maximum value of ZT for Bi0.5Sb1.5Te3/Sb (2.8 wt.%) samples was enhanced from 0.21 to 0.54 at 500 K. Consequently, the optimal operation temperature of Bi0.5Sb1.5Te3/Sb composites shifted to higher temperature compared to that for Bi0.5Sb1.5Te3 bulk.

PbTe/Ag composite powders were synthesized by a chemical plating method and then compacted by spark plasma sintering (SPS) at 573 K to 673 K and 50 MPa. The effects of the sintering temperature on the thermoelectric properties of PbTe and the PbTe/Ag composites were investigated. The thermoelectric properties of PbTe and PbTe/Ag bulk samples were measured in the temperature range from 300 K to 700 K. PbTe/Ag bulk samples changed electrical transport behavior from p-type to n-type at room temperature. The SPS temperature not only changed the lattice parameter but also affected the conduction behavior of PbTe/Ag composites. The variation in the carrier concentration was determined by the role of the Ag dopant for different SPS temperatures. Moreover, the conduction of the PbTe/Ag samples changed from metallic to semiconducting in the measured temperature range from 300 K to 700 K as the sintering temperature increased. For the PbTe/Ag bulk materials subjected to SPS at 573 K and 673 K, the values of the power factor were 0.38 mW/m K2 and 1.31 mW/m K2 at 700 K, respectively.

The Alpha Magnetic Spectrometer AMS-02 [1]?[4] is an astro particle physics experiment running on the International Space Station (ISS; see Figure 1) since May 19, 2011. Its missions include the search for antimatter and the identifcation of the nature of dark matter. The AMS silicon tracker is the only subdetector inside the AMS permanent magnet that can detect the charge of a moving particle to distinguish an anti-particle from particle (see Table 1 for nomenclature).

Geogrid with strengthened nodes (GSN) is a new reinforcement system that is formed by attaching blocks of a certain thickness to the joints of the longitudinal and transverse ribs of an ordinary biaxial geogrid to form strengthened nodes. A series of discrete element method (DEM) simulations were performed to investigate the dynamic response of GSN-reinforced embankment at various vibration frequencies and compare the reinforcing effect of GSN with that of the ordinary geogrid. It was concluded that the settlement ratio of the loading platen at the top of the unreinforced and reinforced embankment decreases with the increase of the vibration frequency. As the frequency increases, the difference between the settlement ratios decreases, which is especially evident in the reinforced embankment. At the same frequency, GSN performs better in restricting the settlement ratio than the ordinary geogrid, and as the frequency increases, the reinforcing effects of both the ordinary geogrid and GSN decrease. The displacement fields of the simulated embankments were analyzed. It was found that the movement of soil particles below the loading platen is restricted due to the presence of the geogrid, resulting in less settlement of the loading platen and smaller lateral deformation of the embankment slope, compared with the unreinforced embankment. As for the GSN-reinforced embankment, the strengthened nodes provide resistance to soil particles, leading to a more effective reinforcing effect, so that the displacement vectors are even smaller.

Poly(l-lactide-co-glycolide) (PLGA) scaffold with hydroxyapatite (HA) nanoparticles on the pore wall was prepared by porogen leaching method using HA coated gelatine particles as porogens. For comparison, PLGA scaffold was prepared by the same method using gelatine particles as porogens. All the scaffolds had the same pore size (280–450 μm) and similar porosity (92–94%). Although only 3·6 wt-%HA particles was loaded, more apatite deposited on the PLGA/HA scaffold after incubation in simulated body fluid for 14 days, without compromising the pore interconnectivity. In vitro culture of rabbit bone marrow stem cells revealed that the cell morphology and viability were similar on all the scaffolds. However, the alkaline phosphatase activity was significantly improved for the cells cultured on the PLGA/HA composite scaffolds. Therefore, the method for fabricating scaffolds with HA nanoparticles provides a new way to obtain the bioactive scaffolds for bone tissue engineering.

Background Few treatments with a distinct mechanism of action are available for patients with platinum-refractory advanced or metastatic urothelial carcinoma. We assessed the efficacy and safety of treatment with docetaxel plus either ramucirumab—a human IgG1 VEGFR-2 antagonist—or placebo in this patient population. Methods We did a randomised, double-blind, phase 3 trial in patients with advanced or metastatic urothelial carcinoma who progressed during or after platinum-based chemotherapy. Patients were enrolled from 124 sites in 23 countries. Previous treatment with one immune-checkpoint inhibitor was permitted. Patients were randomised (1:1) using an interactive web response system to receive intravenous docetaxel 75 mg/m2 plus either intravenous ramucirumab 10 mg/kg or matching placebo on day 1 of repeating 21-day cycles, until disease progression or other discontinuation criteria were met. The primary endpoint was investigator-assessed progression-free survival, analysed by intention-to-treat in the first 437 randomised patients. This study is registered with ClinicalTrials.gov, number NCT02426125. Findings Between July, 2015, and April, 2017, 530 patients were randomly allocated either ramucirumab plus docetaxel (n=263) or placebo plus docetaxel (n=267). Progression-free survival was prolonged significantly in patients allocated ramucirumab plus docetaxel versus placebo plus docetaxel (median 4·07 months [95% CI 2·96–4·47] vs 2·76 months [2·60–2·96]; hazard ratio [HR] 0·757, 95% CI 0·607–0·943; p=0·0118). A blinded independent central analysis was consistent with these results. An objective response was achieved by 53 (24·5%, 95% CI 18·8–30·3) of 216 patients allocated ramucirumab and 31 (14·0%, 9·4–18·6) of 221 assigned placebo. The most frequently reported treatment-emergent adverse events, regardless of causality, in either treatment group (any grade) were fatigue, alopecia, diarrhoea, decreased appetite, and nausea. These events occurred predominantly at grade 1–2 severity. The frequency of grade 3 or worse adverse events was similar for patients allocated ramucirumab and placebo (156 [60%] of 258 vs 163 [62%] of 265 had an adverse event), with no unexpected toxic effects. 63 (24%) of 258 patients allocated ramucirumab and 54 (20%) of 265 assigned placebo had a serious adverse event that was judged by the investigator to be related to treatment. 38 (15%) of 258 patients allocated ramucirumab and 43 (16%) of 265 assigned placebo died on treatment or within 30 days of discontinuation, of which eight (3%) and five (2%) deaths were deemed related to treatment by the investigator. Sepsis was the most common adverse event leading to death on treatment (four [2%] vs none [0%]). One fatal event of neutropenic sepsis was reported in a patient allocated ramucirumab. Interpretation To the best of our knowledge, ramucirumab plus docetaxel is the first regimen in a phase 3 study to show superior progression-free survival over chemotherapy in patients with platinum-refractory advanced urothelial carcinoma. These data validate inhibition of VEGFR-2 signalling as a potential new therapeutic treatment option for patients with urothelial carcinoma. Funding Eli Lilly and Company. © 2017 Elsevier Ltd

In this paper, a high band-isolation diplexer based on two bandpass filters (BPFs) formed using asymmetric stepped-impedance resonators is presented. The passbands of the diplexer are operated at 1.8 GHz for global system for mobile communications (GSM) and 2.4 GHz for wireless local area network (WLAN). Side-coupling structure is adopted in BPFs to create two additional transmission zeros, thus enhancing the band isolation and stopband region. The measured results of the proposed diplexer show the passband at 1.8 GHz with a low insertion loss of 1.09 dB, a 3 dB fractional bandwidth (FBW) of 9.4% in the first channel and a passband at 2.4 GHz with an insertion loss of 2.6 dB, a 3 dB FBW of 6.2% in the second channel. The measured results of the fabricated diplexer also show a good agreement with the simulated ones.

In this paper, a compact and sharp-rejection low-pass filter is proposed and analyzed. By combining a stepped-impedance shunt open stub and two additional shunt open stubs, a compact low-pass filter with wide upper stopband and very high passband selectivity is realized. Wide stopband and sharp rejection characteristics are achieved by realizing three transmission zeros near the passband edges. This filter demonstrated very good measured characteristics at cut-off frequency ( of 2.49 GHz, including a low insertion loss of dB, a wide stopband from 2.8 to 7 GHz and an attenuation slope of 49 dB/GHz. Experimental results also show a good agreement with the predicted results.

This study applies data envelopment analysis (DEA) to compute the efficient energy-saving ratios for 23 administrative regions in Taiwan from 1999–2005. One output (total income) and seven inputs (local government expenditure, employment, processed trash, household and commercial electricity consumption, industrial electricity consumption, gasoline sales volume, and diesel sales volume) are considered in the DEA models. It is found that most of the 23 administrative regions do not efficiently use household and commercial electricity, industrial electricity, gasoline, and diesel, even with respect to Taiwan's own efficiency frontier. Our results suggest that improving energy efficiency in household and commercial electricity use is a priority for non-metropolitan regions. There is still much room to improve the efficiency of electricity use for industries, especially for regions where manufacturing and high-tech industries concentrate, by means of cleaner production, energy-saving technology and e...

In this paper, we give a precise description of the rescaling behaviours of global strong polynomial solutions to the reformulation of zero surface tension Hele-Shaw problem driven by injection, the Polubarinova-Galin equation, in terms of Richardson complex moments. From past results, we know that this set of solutions is large. This method can also be applied to zero surface tension Stokes flow driven by injection and a rescaling behaviour is given in terms of many conserved quantities as well.

Somatic embryogenesis system in longan can serve as a model experimental system of woody plants. Since 2000, on the basis of histological and cytological observations, determination of endogenous hormones and polyamines (PAs), the changes of isozymes and proteins by PAGE, IEF and SDS- PAGE analysis during longan somatic embryogenesis proteomics and molecular biology during longan somatic embryogenesis have been carried out by mRNA differential display, homologous cloning, fluorescence quantitative PCR, 2-DE and bio-mass spectrometry (MALDI-TOF or Q-TOF2) technique, to uncover the molecular mechanism of longan somatic embryo- genesis, and provide scientific evidence for regulating longan embryo development.

The embryogenic cultures at different developmental stages treated with different temperatures were used as materials for analysis on activities and isozymatic patterns of SOD during early somatic embryogenesis in longan. The results showed that during the successive stages of early somatic embryogensis under different temperatures increased SOD activities were detected; it showed temperature treatments had great effects on the SOD activities, and had a great impact on the numbers, the depth and the color of SOD isozyme bands .It might be concluded that SOD plays a key role in the division of early somatic embryogenesis, the removal of reactive oxygen species and facilitating the development of somatic embryogenesis in longan.

Natural water purification systems including oxidation ponds and surface flow wetlands are commonly used to treat wastewater in tropic regions, however, the water quality of the effluent fluctuated and often failed to comply with regulatory water criteria due to algae bloom. Separation of algae is inevitable to produce high effluent quality and to comply with local effluent standards. Algal growth control measures including emergent and floating macrophytes as well as back cloth physical light shading and algaecide application were studied and were aimed to reuse the effluent for water resource conservation and groundwater recharge. The results demonstrated that emergent and free-floating macrophytes light shading on algal growth control were viable in both batch experiments and field-scale hybrid natural water purification systems such as surface flow wetlands. Water quality parameters including COD, turbidity, SS were positively correlated with the algal concentrations and could be used as indictors of the trophic status of aquatic systems. Emergent macrophytes assisted control algal growth by preventing sunlight from reaching the water column in surface flow wetlands. Results of this study can be used by similar hybrid natural water purification systems to control algal activity and to prevent effluent deterioration.

This paper presents a dual-mode ultra-wideband bandpass filter with two transmission zeros and a low insertion-loss on ultra thin (100 μm) liquid crystal polymer (LCP) substrate. The UWB BPF mainly comprises one wavelength (λg) square ring resonator with two orthogonally separated I/O ports that are direct-taped to feed electromagnetic (EM) energy. By tuning the sizes of apertures of the ring-like perturbation element attached at the corner of the ring resonator, the even and the mode EM energies are excited to produce a wideband performance. Additionally, a pair of transmission zeros are generated to improve the selectivity of the proposed BPF. The designed BPF was fabricated on a 100 μm thick LCP substrate and measured by using probe and vector network analyzer. Measurement results show that the fabricated filter exhibits an ultra wide passband from 3 GHz to 5.08 GHz and a low insertion loss of 1.6 dB over the passband. Good agreement between simulation and measurement results is presented.

To develop a new simultaneous infrared dry blanching and dehydration process for producing high-quality blanched and partially dehydrated products, apple slices with three different thicknesses, 5, 9, and 13 mm, were heated using infrared for up to 10 min at 4000 W/m2 IR intensity. The surface and center temperatures, moisture change, and enzymatic activities of polyphenol oxidase (PPO) and peroxidase (POD) of apple slices were determined. The models of heat and mass transfer and enzyme inactivation were developed for predicting the blanching and dehydration performance. In the model development, the apple slices were assumed as one dimensional with heat and mass transfer only occurring in one direction. The enzyme inactivation followed first-order kinetics. The models were solved using a finite element method. The predicted temperature and moisture profiles and inactivation rate of enzymes were found to be in good agreement with the experimental data. This indicated that the process of simultaneous dry b...