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Journal of Colloid and Interface Science Jul 2024Electronic paper displays rely on electrokinetic effects in nonpolar solvents to drive the displacement of colloidal particles within a fluidic cell. While...
HYPOTHESIS
Electronic paper displays rely on electrokinetic effects in nonpolar solvents to drive the displacement of colloidal particles within a fluidic cell. While Electrophoresis (EP) is a well-established and frequently employed phenomenon, electro-osmosis (EO), which drives fluid flow along charged solid surfaces, has not been studied as extensively. We hypothesize that by exploiting the interplay between these effects, an enhanced particle transport can be achieved.
EXPERIMENTS
In this study, we experimentally investigate the combined effects of EP and EO for colloidal particles in non-polar solvents, driven by an electric field. We use astigmatism micro-particle tracking velocimetry (A-μPTV) to measure the motion of charged particles within model fluidic cells. Using a simple approach that relies on basic fluid flow properties we extract the contributions due to EP and EO, finding that EO contributes significantly to particle transport. The validity of our approach is confirmed by measurements on particles with different magnitudes of charge, and by comparison to numerical simulations.
FINDINGS
We find that EO flows can play a dominant role in the transport of particles in electrokinetic display devices. This can be exploited to speed up particle transport, potentially yielding displays with significantly faster switching times.
PubMed: 38485631
DOI: 10.1016/j.jcis.2024.02.194 -
Foods (Basel, Switzerland) Feb 2024Sheep's second cheese whey (SCW), the by-product resulting from whey cheese production, was used as a component of cheese coatings containing oregano () and clary sage...
Sheep's second cheese whey (SCW), the by-product resulting from whey cheese production, was used as a component of cheese coatings containing oregano () and clary sage () essential oils (EOs). SCW powder was obtained by the ultrafiltration/diafiltration of SCW followed by reverse osmosis and freeze drying. The coatings were produced with a mixture of SCW and whey protein isolate (WPI) using glycerol as plasticizer. Model cheeses were produced with cow´s milk and those containing SCW:WPI coatings; those with and without EOs were compared to controls without coating and with a commercial coating containing natamycin. At the end of ripening (28 days), the cheeses containing EOs presented higher water activity ( 0.930) and moisture content, as well as lower titratable acidity. Concerning color parameters, significant differences were also observed between products and as a result of ripening time. However, the use of SCW:WPI coatings did not significantly influence the color parameters at the end of ripening. Regarding texture parameters, the cheeses containing SCW:WPI coatings presented significantly lower values for hardness, chewiness, and gumminess. Significant differences were also observed for all microbial groups evaluated either between products and as a result of ripening time. In all cases, lactobacilli and lactococci counts surpassed log 7-8 CFU/g, while the counts of yeasts and molds increased steadily from ca. log 3 to log 6 CFU/g. The lowest counts of yeasts and molds were observed in the samples containing natamycin, but nonsignificant differences between products were observed. In conclusion, SCW:WPI cheese coatings can successfully substitute commercial coatings with the advantage of being edible packaging materials manufactured with by-products.
PubMed: 38472787
DOI: 10.3390/foods13050674 -
BMC Nephrology Mar 2024We assessed the possible impact of provision of reverse osmosis (RO) water on the incidence of hospital diagnosed CKD/CKDu in North Central Province (NCP) of Sri Lanka.
BACKGROUND
We assessed the possible impact of provision of reverse osmosis (RO) water on the incidence of hospital diagnosed CKD/CKDu in North Central Province (NCP) of Sri Lanka.
METHODS
An ecological study was conducted on data from 2010-2020 on the incidence of hospital diagnosed CKD/CKDu, CKD/CKDu screening and provision of drinking water RO plants in NCP. Analysis was conducted using descriptive statistics, ANOVA and chi-square test.
RESULTS
The annual incidence of hospital diagnosed CKD/CKDu (per 100 000 population) in 2010-2013, 2014-2016 and 2017-2020 periods in Anuradhapura district were 129.07, 331.06 and 185.57 (p = 0.002) while in Polonnaruwa district these were 149.29, 326.12 and 296.73 (p = 0.04) respectively. In NCP provision of RO plants commenced after 2011 and the decline in the incidence of hospital diagnosed CKD/CKDu was seen in 25 of the 29 Divisional Secretary Divisions when more than 20% of the families received access to drinking RO water projects.
CONCLUSIONS
The annual incidence of hospital diagnosed CKD/CKDu increased in NCP from 2010 to 2016 and continuously decreased thereafter. Continuous declining of CKD/CKDu incidence was seen after more than 20% of the families received access to drinking water RO plants.
Topics: Humans; Drinking Water; Sri Lanka; Incidence; Renal Insufficiency, Chronic; Hospitals; Osmosis
PubMed: 38468233
DOI: 10.1186/s12882-024-03534-w -
Environmental Science and Pollution... Apr 2024Thin-film nanocomposite (TFN) forward osmosis (FO) membranes have attracted significant attention due to their potential for solving global water scarcity problems. In...
Thin-film nanocomposite (TFN) forward osmosis (FO) membranes have attracted significant attention due to their potential for solving global water scarcity problems. In this study, we investigate the impact of titanium oxide (TiO) and titanium oxide/reduced graphene (TiO/rGO) additions on the performance of TFN-FO membranes, specifically focusing on water flux and reverse salt diffusion. Membranes with varying concentrations of TiO and TiO/rGO were fabricated as interfacial polymerizing M-phenylenediamine (MPD) and benzenetricarbonyl tricholoride (TMC) monomers with TiO and its reduced graphene composites (TiO/rGO). The TMC solution was supplemented with TiO and its reduced graphene composites (TiO/rGO) to enhance FO performance and reverse solute flux. All MPD/TMC polyamide membranes are characterized using various techniques such as scanning electron microscopy (SEM), atomic force microscopy (AFM), and contact angle measurements. The results demonstrate that incorporating TiO/rGO into the membrane thin layer improves water flux and reduces reverse salt diffusion. In contrast to the TFC membrane (10.24 L mh and 6.53 g/m h), higher water flux and higher reverse solute flux were detected in the case of TiOand TiO/rGO-merged TFC skin membranes (18.81 and 24.52 L mh and 2.74 and 2.15 g/m h, respectively). The effects of TiO and TiO/rGO stacking on the skin membrane and the performance of TiO and TiO/rGO skin membranes have been thoroughly studied. Additionally, being investigated is the impact of draw solution concentration.
Topics: Water; Graphite; Membranes, Artificial; Osmosis; Nanocomposites; Sodium Chloride; Sodium Chloride, Dietary; Titanium
PubMed: 38448772
DOI: 10.1007/s11356-024-32500-0 -
The Science of the Total Environment May 2024The European Union (EU) identified a list of Critical Raw Materials (CRMs) crucial for its economy, aiming to find alternative sources. Seawater is a promising option as...
The European Union (EU) identified a list of Critical Raw Materials (CRMs) crucial for its economy, aiming to find alternative sources. Seawater is a promising option as it contains almost all elements, although most at low concentrations. However, to the present, the CRMs' recovery from seawater is technically and economically unfeasible. Other alternatives to implement sea mining might be preferred, such as reverse osmosis brines or saltworks bitterns (after sodium chloride crystallisation). The CRMs' extraction in a selective way can be achieved using highly selective recovery processes, such as chelating sorbents. This study focuses on extracting Trace Elements (TEs) from solar saltworks brines, including boron, cobalt, gallium and germanium, using commercial N-methylglucamine sorbents (S108, CRB03, CRB05). The application of these sorbents has shown potential for boron recovery, but their selectivity for cobalt, gallium, and germanium requires further investigation. This research aims to assess these sorbents' kinetics and column mode performance for TEs recovery from synthetic bitterns. Boron and germanium were rapidly sorbed, reaching equilibrium (>90 %) within 1 h, except for S108, which took 2 h. In column mode, 20-25 pore volumes of bittern were treated to remove boron and germanium, but competition from other elements reduced treatment capacity. An acidic elution (1 M hydrochloric acid) allowed to elute them (>90 %), reaching concentration factors for germanium and boron of 35 and 11, respectively, while cobalt and gallium had less affinity for the sorbents. In addition, the experiments performed were fitted by a mass transfer model to determine the equilibrium constants and selectivities. Therefore, bittern mining has been proven as a secondary/alternative source to obtain CRMs, which can lead the EU to a position in which its dependence on other countries to obtain these raw materials would be decreased.
PubMed: 38438050
DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2024.171438 -
The Canadian Journal of Cardiology Feb 2024
PubMed: 38428521
DOI: 10.1016/j.cjca.2024.02.018 -
PeerJ 2024Monitoring cellular processes across different levels of complexity, from the cellular to the tissue scale, is important for understanding tissue structure and function....
BACKGROUND
Monitoring cellular processes across different levels of complexity, from the cellular to the tissue scale, is important for understanding tissue structure and function. However, it is challenging to monitor and estimate these structural and dynamic interactions within three-dimensional (3D) tissue models.
OBJECTIVE
The aim of this study was to design a method for imaging, tracking, and quantifying 3D changes in cell morphology (shape and size) within liver tissue, specifically a precision-cut liver slice (PCLS). A PCLS is a 3D model of the liver that allows the study of the structure and function of liver cells in their native microenvironment.
METHODS
Here, we present a method for imaging liver tissue during anisosmotic exposure in a multispectral four-dimensional manner. Three metrics of tissue morphology were measured to quantify the effects of osmotic stress on liver tissue. We estimated the changes in the volume of whole precision cut liver slices, quantified the changes in nuclei position, and calculated the changes in volumetric responses of tissue-embedded cells.
RESULTS
During equilibration with cell-membrane-permeating and non-permeating solutes, the whole tissue experiences shrinkage and expansion. As nuclei showed a change in position and directional displacement under osmotic stress, we demonstrate that nuclei could be used as a probe to measure local osmotic and mechanical stress. Moreover, we demonstrate that cells change their volume within tissue slices as a result of osmotic perturbation and that this change in volume is dependent on the position of the cell within the tissue and the duration of the exposure.
CONCLUSION
The results of this study have implications for a better understanding of multiscale transport, mechanobiology, and triggered biological responses within complex biological structures.
Topics: Rats; Animals; Rats, Wistar; Time-Lapse Imaging; Liver; Osmosis; Osmotic Pressure
PubMed: 38426134
DOI: 10.7717/peerj.16994 -
Frontiers in Microbiology 2024Pharmaceuticals, recognized for their life-saving potential, have emerged as a concerning class of micropollutants in the environment. Even at minute concentrations,... (Review)
Review
Pharmaceuticals, recognized for their life-saving potential, have emerged as a concerning class of micropollutants in the environment. Even at minute concentrations, chronic exposure poses a significant threat to ecosystems. Various pharmaceutically active micropollutants (PhAMP), including antibiotics, analgesics, and hormones, have been detected in underground waters, surface waters, seawater, sewage treatment plants, soils, and activated sludges due to the absence of standardized regulations on pharmaceutical discharge. Prolonged exposureof hospital waste and sewage treatment facilities is linked to the presence of antibiotic-resistant bacteria. Conventional water treatment methods prove ineffective, prompting the use of alternative techniques like photolysis, reverse osmosis, UV-degradation, bio-degradation, and nano-filtration. However, commercial implementation faces challenges such as incomplete removal, toxic sludge generation, high costs, and the need for skilled personnel. Research gaps include the need to comprehensively identify and understand various types of pharmaceutically active micropollutants, investigate their long-term ecological impact, develop more sensitive monitoring techniques, and explore integrated treatment approaches. Additionally, there is a gap in understanding the socio-economic implications of pharmaceutical pollution and the efficacy of public awareness campaigns. Future research should delve into alternative strategies like phagotherapy, vaccines, and natural substance substitutes to address the escalating threat of pharmaceutical pollution.
PubMed: 38419628
DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2024.1339469 -
Magnesium Ion Gated Ion Rejection through Carboxylated Graphene Oxide Nanopore: A Theoretical Study.Molecules (Basel, Switzerland) Feb 2024While nanoporous graphene oxide (GO) is recognized as one of the most promising reverse osmosis desalination membranes, limited attention has been paid to controlling...
While nanoporous graphene oxide (GO) is recognized as one of the most promising reverse osmosis desalination membranes, limited attention has been paid to controlling desalination performance through the large GO pores, primarily due to significant ion leakage resulting in the suboptimal performance of these pores. In this study, we employed a molecular dynamics simulation approach to demonstrate that Mg ions, adhered to carboxylated GO nanopores, can function as gates, regulating the transport of ions (Na and Cl) through the porous GO membrane. Specifically, the presence of divalent cations near a nanopore reduces the concentration of salt ions in the vicinity of the pore and prolongs their permeation time across the pore. This subsequently leads to a notable enhancement in salt rejection rates. Additionally, the ion rejection rate increases with more adsorbed Mg ions. However, the presence of the adsorbed Mg ions compromises water transport. Here, we also elucidate the impact of graphene oxidation degree on desalination. Furthermore, we design an optimal combination of adsorbed Mg ion quantity and oxidation degree to achieve high water flux and salt rejection rates. This work provides valuable insights for developing new nanoporous graphene oxide membranes for controlled water desalination.
PubMed: 38398579
DOI: 10.3390/molecules29040827