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JAAD Case Reports Jan 2024
PubMed: 38223365
DOI: 10.1016/j.jdcr.2023.11.016 -
ACS Omega Jan 2024Adsorption heat conversion systems can provide heating and cooling across time and space in a more environmentally friendly way. Porous materials are potential...
Adsorption heat conversion systems can provide heating and cooling across time and space in a more environmentally friendly way. Porous materials are potential candidates for water-based adsorption thermal conversion, in which a metal-organic framework (MOF) has a larger specific surface area and porosity than other porous matrices. However, many MOFs with high saturated adsorption capacity have great deficiencies in performance at low water vapor partial pressure, which hinder their application in adsorption thermal conversion. To improve the water vapor adsorption performance of MIL-101 (Cr), different contents of magnesium chloride, lithium chloride, and lanthanum chloride are mixed into MIL-101 (Cr) by an impregnation method. The properties and structures of the materials are characterized by XRD, SEM, nitrogen adsorption tests, water vapor adsorption tests, TG, FTIR, and so on. The results show that the saturated water vapor adsorption capacity of the sample impregnated with salt increases by 1.5-2.3 times, up to 2.24 g/g, compared with that of the unimpregnated sample. When the partial pressure of water vapor is 0.3, the adsorption capacity increases by 5.3-7.5 times and reaches 0.68 g/g at most. The maximum heat storage density of impregnated samples can be increased by 866 J/g. Impregnated MgCl can greatly improve the adsorption and thermal conversion performance of MOF, and impregnated MgCl and the proper amount of LiCl can further improve the performance of the material system. Our experiments show that the composite impregnation of magnesium chloride and the proper amount of lithium chloride can improve the application performance of the MOF materials in the adsorption thermal conversion process.
PubMed: 38222531
DOI: 10.1021/acsomega.3c06004 -
Scientific Reports Jan 2024The direct red 28 (DR28) dye contamination in wastewater blocks the transmission of light into the water body resulting in the inability to photosynthesize by aquatic...
The direct red 28 (DR28) dye contamination in wastewater blocks the transmission of light into the water body resulting in the inability to photosynthesize by aquatic life. In addition, it is difficult to break down and persist in the environment, and it is also harmful to aquatic life and water quality because of its aromatic structure. Thus, wastewater contaminated with dyes is required to treat before releasing into the water body. Sugarcane bagasse beads (SBB), sugarcane bagasse modified with titanium dioxide beads (SBBT), sugarcane bagasse modified with magnesium oxide beads (SBBM), sugarcane bagasse modified with aluminum oxide beads (SBBA), and sugarcane bagasse modified with zinc oxide beads (SBBZ) for DR28 dye removal in aqueous solution, and they were characterized with several techniques of BET, FESEM-FIB, EDX, FT-IR, and the point of zero charges (pH). Their DR28 dye removal efficiencies were examined through batch tests, adsorption isotherms, and kinetics. SBBM had the highest specific surface area and pore volume, whereas its pore size was the smallest among other materials. The surfaces of SBB, SBBM, SBBT, and SBBA were scaly sheet surfaces with an irregular shape, whereas SBBZ was a coarse surface. Oxygen, carbon, calcium, chloride, sodium, O-H, C-H, C=O, C=C, and C-O-C were found in all materials. The pH of SBB, SBBT, SBBM, SBBA, and SBBZ were 6.57, 7.31, 10.11, 7.25, and 7.77. All materials could adsorb DR28 dye at 50 mg/L by more than 81%, and SBBM had the highest DR28 dye removal efficiency of 94.27%. Langmuir model was an appropriate model for SBB, whereas Freundlich model was a suitable model for other materials. A pseudo-second-order kinetic model well described their adsorption mechanisms. Their adsorptions of the DR28 dye were endothermic and spontaneous. Therefore, they were potential materials for adsorbing DR28 dye, especially SBBM.
PubMed: 38218972
DOI: 10.1038/s41598-024-51934-7 -
Materials (Basel, Switzerland) Dec 2023Recycled aggregate concrete (RAC) exhibits inferior mechanical and durability properties owing to the deterioration of the recycled coarse aggregate (RCA) surface...
Recycled aggregate concrete (RAC) exhibits inferior mechanical and durability properties owing to the deterioration of the recycled coarse aggregate (RCA) surface quality. To improve the surface properties of RCA, the reinforcement efficiency of RAC, and the maneuverability of the surface treatment method, this study used magnesium phosphate cement (MPC), a clinker-free low-carbon cement with excellent bonding properties, to precoat RCA under three-day pre-conditioning. Moreover, variable amounts of fly ash (FA) or granulated blast furnace slag (GBFS) were utilized to partly substitute MPC to enhance the compressive strength and chloride ion penetration resistance. Subsequently, FA-MPC and GBFS-MPC hybrid slurries with the best comprehensive performance were selected to coat the RCA for optimal reinforcement. The crushing value and water absorption of RCA, as well as the mechanical strengths and durability of RAC, were investigated, and microstructures around interfaces were studied via BSE-EDS and microhardness analysis to reveal the strengthening mechanism. The results indicated that the comprehensive property of strengthening paste was enhanced significantly through substituting MPC with 10% FA or GBFS. Surface coating resulted in a maximum reduction of 8.15% in the crushing value, while the water absorption barely changed. In addition, modified RAC outperformed untreated RAC regarding compressive strength, splitting tensile strength, and chloride ion penetration resistance with maximum optimization efficiencies of 31.58%, 49.75%, and 43.11%, respectively. It was also evidenced that the improved MPC paste properties enhanced the performance of modified RAC. Microanalysis revealed that MPC pastes exhibited an excellent bond with RCA or new mortar, and the newly formed interfacial transition zone between MPC and the fresh mortar exhibited a dense microstructure and outstanding micro-mechanical properties supported with an increase in the average microhardness value of 30.2-33.4%. Therefore, MPC pastes incorporating an appropriate mineral admixture have enormous potential to be utilized as effective RCA surface treatment materials and improve the operability of RCA application in practice.
PubMed: 38203976
DOI: 10.3390/ma17010122 -
Plants (Basel, Switzerland) Dec 2023The application of foliar sprays of suspensions of relatively insoluble essential element salts is gradually becoming common, chiefly with the introduction of...
The application of foliar sprays of suspensions of relatively insoluble essential element salts is gradually becoming common, chiefly with the introduction of nano-technology approaches in agriculture. However, there is controversy about the effectiveness of such sparingly soluble nutrient sources as foliar fertilizers. In this work, we focussed on analysing the effect of adding Ca-carbonate (calcite, CaCO) micro- and nano-particles as model sparingly soluble mineral compounds to foliar fertilizer formulations in terms of increasing the rate of foliar absorption. For these purposes, we carried out short-term foliar application experiments by treating leaves of species with variable surface features and wettability rates. The leaf absorption efficacy of foliar formulations containing a surfactant and model soluble nutrient sources, namely Ca-chloride (CaCl), magnesium sulphate (MgSO), potassium nitrate (KNO), or zinc sulphate (ZnSO), was evaluated alone or after addition of calcite particles. In general, the combination of the Ca-carbonate particles with an essential element salt had a synergistic effect and improved the absorption of Ca and the nutrient element provided. In light of the positive effects of using calcite particles as foliar formulation adjuvants, dolomite nano- and micro-particles were also tested as foliar formulation additives, and the results were also positive in terms of increasing foliar uptake. The observed nutrient element foliar absorption efficacy can be partially explained by geochemical modelling, which enabled us to predict how these formulations will perform at least in chemical terms. Our results show the major potential of adding mineral particles as foliar formulation additives, but the associated mechanisms of action and possible additional benefits to plants should be characterised in future investigations.
PubMed: 38202379
DOI: 10.3390/plants13010071 -
Nutrients Dec 2023Adequate water intake and optimal hydration status during pregnancy are crucial for maternal and infant health. However, research on water intake by pregnant women in...
Adequate water intake and optimal hydration status during pregnancy are crucial for maternal and infant health. However, research on water intake by pregnant women in China is very limited. This study mainly aimed to observe the daily total water intake (TWI) of pregnant women and its different sources and to investigate the relationship between their water intake and hydration biomarkers. From October to November 2020, a convenience sample of pregnant women in the second trimester ( = 21) was recruited. Under conditions close to daily life, they undertook a 3-day metabolic trial. Each participant was provided with sufficient bottled water, and the weight of what they drank each time was measured. The intake of other beverages and foods was measured using a combination of weighing and duplicate portion method. Fasting venous blood and 24 h urine samples were collected and analyzed for the hydration biomarkers, including the serum/urine osmolality, urine pH, urine specific gravity, and the concentrations of major electrolytes in urine and serum. The results showed that the mean daily TWI was 3151 mL, of which water from beverages and foods accounted for 60.1% and 39.9%, respectively. The mean total fluid intake (TFI) was 1970 mL, with plain water being the primary contributor (68.7%, = 0.896). Among the participants, 66.7% ( = 14, Group 1) met the TWI recommendation set by the Chinese Nutrition Society. Further analysis revealed that the TFI, water from beverages and foods, plain water, and milk and milk derivatives (MMDs) were significantly higher in Group 1 than those who did not reach the adequate intake value (Group 2) ( < 0.05). The results of hydration biomarkers showed that the mean 24 h urine volume in Group 1 was significantly higher than that in Group 2 ( < 0.05), while the 24 h urine osmolality, sodium, magnesium, phosphorus, chloride, and creatinine concentrations in Group 1 were significantly lower than those in Group 2 ( < 0.05). However, no significant differences were observed in serum biomarkers. Partial correlation analysis showed that TWI was moderately positively correlated with 24 h urine volume ( 0.675) and negatively correlated with urine osmolality, sodium, potassium, magnesium, calcium, phosphorus, and chloride concentrations ( = from-0.505 to -0.769), but it was not significantly correlated with serum biomarkers. Therefore, under free-living conditions, increasing the daily intake of plain water and MMDs is beneficial for pregnant women to maintain optimal hydration. The hydration biomarkers in urine are more accurate indicators of water intake and exhibit greater sensitivity compared to serum biomarkers. These findings provide a scientific basis for establishing appropriate water intake and hydration status for pregnant women in China.
Topics: Pregnancy; Infant; Humans; Female; Animals; Pregnancy Trimester, Second; Pregnant Women; Chlorides; Drinking; Magnesium; China; Milk; Biomarkers; Phosphorus; Sodium; Water
PubMed: 38201946
DOI: 10.3390/nu16010116 -
Biology of Sport Jan 2024Exercise-induced metabolic processes induce muscle acidification which contributes to a reduction in the ability to perform repeated efforts. Alkalizing agents such as...
Does sodium bicarbonate based extra-cellular buffering support reduce high intensity exercise-induced fatigue and enhance short-term recovery assessed by selected blood biochemical indices?
Exercise-induced metabolic processes induce muscle acidification which contributes to a reduction in the ability to perform repeated efforts. Alkalizing agents such as sodium bicarbonate (NaHCO) prevent large blood pH changes, however, there is no evidence on whether regulation of acid-base balance may also support whole body homeostasis monitored through heamatological and biochemical blood markers in a dose-dependent manner. Thirty Cross-Fit-trained participants were studied in a randomized, multi cross-over, placebo (PLA)-controlled double-blind manner in which they performed a control session (CTRL, without supplementation), three NaHCO visits (three different doses) and PLA (sodium chloride in an equimolar amount of sodium as NaHCO). Each visit consisted of two 30-s Wingate tests separated by CrossFit-specific benchmarks (Wall Balls and Burpees - both performed for 3 min). Blood samples were collected at rest, immediately post-exercise and after 45 min recovery. Significant differences between visits appeared for blood pH, percentage of lymphocytes and granulocytes, red blood cells count and haemoglobin concentration at post-exercise and 45-min recovery, and for white blood cells count, percentage of monocytes, concentration of magnesium and creatinine at 45-min recovery. Most of the observed differences for heamatological and biochemical markers were significant compared to CTRL, but not different after PLA. NaHCO supplementation compared to PLA did not significantly affect exercise or recovery shifts in studied blood indicators. However, the changes in these markers after NaHCO and PLA in relation to CTRL indicate a possible role of sodium.
PubMed: 38188117
DOI: 10.5114/biolsport.2024.125591 -
Scientific Reports Jan 2024Silica nanoparticles (SiO NPs) have garnered substantial attention as versatile additives in saline fluids, finding application in areas like environmental remediation,...
Silica nanoparticles (SiO NPs) have garnered substantial attention as versatile additives in saline fluids, finding application in areas like environmental remediation, wastewater treatment, enhanced oil recovery, and carbon geo-sequestration. Despite their potential, the intricate interaction between electrolyzed nanoparticles and porous media remains inadequately researched in these contexts. This study delves into the pivotal yet underexplored aspect of silica nanoparticle absorption behavior within porous media, a key determinant of their practical effectiveness. The research focuses on silica particles with dimensions of 10 nm and 50 nm, synthesized via hydrolysis and condensation of tetraethyl orthosilicate (TEOS) in methanol. Employing packed glass bead columns as a surrogate for porous media, the study unravels the complex mechanisms governing nanoparticle transport and deposition. Comprehensive investigations encompass variations in particle sizes, ionic strength, and ionic species, resulting in the examination of 48 distinct flooding scenarios. UV/Vis spectrophotometry is used to quantify nanoparticle concentrations in effluents, elucidating their transport behavior within the porous media. Concurrently, pressure drop alterations across the media serve as indicators of particle plugging and changes in permeability. Intriguingly, specific conditions involving a nanofluid comprising 50 nm silica nanoparticles and 10,000 ppm of magnesium chloride exhibit pronounced permeability reduction, offering potential insights for optimizing applications. Particularly noteworthy is the unique reduction in silica particle retention on glass bead surfaces as salinity increases, especially in the presence of magnesium sulfate. A concentration of 5000 ppm magnesium sulfate induces a log-jamming mechanism, resulting in an amplified final-to-intermediate permeability ratio. Experimental outcomes align with observations from scanning electron microscopy, improving understanding of porous media retention mechanisms. This study contributes to a deeper understanding of interactions between nanoparticles and porous media, paving the way for enhanced application strategies.
PubMed: 38182781
DOI: 10.1038/s41598-023-51119-8 -
Scientific Reports Jan 2024In this study, the deoxidation process for off-grade titanium (Ti) sponge using magnesium (Mg) metal with a wire mesh strainer type of crucible was developed. Ti hydride...
In this study, the deoxidation process for off-grade titanium (Ti) sponge using magnesium (Mg) metal with a wire mesh strainer type of crucible was developed. Ti hydride (TiH) feedstock, which was prepared by hydrogenating off-grade Ti sponge, was deoxidized using Mg in a molten magnesium chloride-potassium chloride salt at 933 K under an argon and 20% hydrogen (H) mixed gas atmosphere. After deoxidation, the residual Mg-containing salt was separated in situ from the crucible to investigate the feasibility of minimizing salt loss during the leaching and production of pure TiH. The results showed that the presence of residual Mg-containing salt inside the crucible strongly influenced whether a mixture of Ti and TiH or pure TiH was produced. When the salt was not sufficiently separated, a mixture of Ti and TiH was obtained and its oxygen (O) concentration was 0.121 mass% under certain conditions. Meanwhile, pure TiH was obtained by increasing the H gas flow rate during deoxidation. Therefore, these results demonstrate that the decrease of O concentration to below 0.180 mass% and the minimal loss of the salt are feasible.
PubMed: 38177401
DOI: 10.1038/s41598-023-50765-2 -
Frontiers in Veterinary Science 2023A dipotassium phosphate bolus (K Phos-Boost) has been developed to treat both hypophosphatemia and hypokalemia, as the clinical signs of both conditions are similar and...
A dipotassium phosphate bolus (K Phos-Boost) has been developed to treat both hypophosphatemia and hypokalemia, as the clinical signs of both conditions are similar and occur in the early post-partum period. The objective of this research was to evaluate the efficacy and application of the bolus for prevention and treatment of metabolic diseases that are common in dairy production systems. : Healthy post-partum cows were either untreated or received two K Phos-Boost boluses at times 0, 24, and 48 h. Blood was taken at = 0, 2-, 4-, 6-, 8-, 10-, 24-, and 52-h post-treatment for analysis of total serum minerals. There was an increase in serum phosphorous to normal levels within 2 h of treatment with the bolus, but control cows remained hypophosphatemic. Serum potassium was significantly elevated 2 h after bolus administration relative to control, while calcium, magnesium, sodium, and chloride levels were not affected by the K Phos-Boost bolus. : K Phos-Boost boluses were provided to cows that were unresponsive to intravenous calcium therapy and had been unable to stand for over 24 h ("downer cows"). Most cows (16 of 19) treated with two boluses were standing without assistance between 1 and 24 h after treatment and the serum phosphorous was increased to normal levels in five of five tested animals. : cows with clinical ketosis were provided with propylene glycol and K Phos-Boost boluses ( = 29) or only propylene glycol ( = 23). Cows treated with the K Phos-Boost bolus showed a more rapid recovery by increased milk production (3.9 kg/day) and rumination rate (97 min/day). : cows in herds with >40% post-partum hypophosphatemia received K Phos-Boost boluses ( = 130) or no treatment ( = 146) following calving. There was a trend for treated 2-lactation animals to have higher milk production after 30 DIM (49.1 vs. 46.2 kg/day; = 0.09). There were no significant differences between control and bolus treated animals in the incidence of subclinical ketosis, post-calving total health events, or culling rates. The K Phos-Boost bolus is a novel product and has the potential to treat and prevent several important metabolic diseases in dairy cattle. The studies described in this paper are early investigations and further research should be conducted to demonstrate the applications of a dipotassium phosphate bolus in dairy cows.
PubMed: 38144470
DOI: 10.3389/fvets.2023.1274183