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Polymers Apr 2024A passive cooling method with great potential to lower space-cooling costs, counteract the urban heat island effect, and slow down worldwide warming is radiant cooling....
A passive cooling method with great potential to lower space-cooling costs, counteract the urban heat island effect, and slow down worldwide warming is radiant cooling. The solutions available frequently require complex layered structures, costly products, or a reflective layer of metal to accomplish daytime radiative cooling, which restricts their applications in many avenues. Furthermore, single-layer paints have been used in attempts to accomplish passive daytime radiative cooling, but these usually require a compact coating or only exhibit limited cooling in daytime. In our study, we investigated and evaluated in daytime the surrounding cooling outcome with aid of one layer coating composed of BaSO/TiO microparticles in various concentrations implanted in the PVDF-HF polymers on a concrete substrate. The 30% BaSO/TiO microparticle in the PVDF-HF coating shows less solar absorbance and excessive emissivity. The value of solar reflectance is improved by employing micro-pores in the structure of PVDF polymers without noticeable effect on thermal emissivity. The 30% BaSO/TiO/PVDF coating is accountable for the hydrophobicity and proportionate solar reflection in the UV band, resulting in efficient solar reflectivity of about 95.0%, with emissivity of 95.1% and hydrophobicity exhibiting a 117.1° water contact angle. Also, the developed coating could cool to about 5.1 °C and 3.9 °C below the surrounding temperature beneath the average solar irradiance of 900 W/m. Finally, the results demonstrate that the 30% BaSO/TiO/PVDF-HF microparticle coating illustrates a typical figure of merit of 0.60 and is also capable of delivering outstanding dependability and harmony with the manufacturing process.
PubMed: 38732670
DOI: 10.3390/polym16091201 -
Foods (Basel, Switzerland) Apr 2024An experimental study is presented on the possibility of using the fluorescence from organic dyes as a broadband light source together with a monochromator for...
An experimental study is presented on the possibility of using the fluorescence from organic dyes as a broadband light source together with a monochromator for applications in excitation-emission matrix (EEM) fluorescence spectroscopy. A high-power single-chip light-emitting diode (LED) was chosen as an excitation source with a central output wavelength at 365 nm to excite a fluorescent solution of Coumarin 1 dye dissolved in ethanol. Two excitation configurations were investigated: direct excitation from the LED and excitation through an optical-fiber-coupled LED. A Czerny-Turner monochromator with a diffraction grating was used for the spectral tuning of the fluorescence. A simple method was investigated for increasing the efficiency of the excitation as well as the fluorescence signal collection by using a diffuse reflector composed of barium sulfate (BaSO) and polyvinyl alcohol (PVA). As research objects, extra-virgin olive oil (EVOO), Coumarin 6 dye, and Perylene, a polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon (PAH), were used. The results showed that the light-emitting-diode-induced fluorescence was sufficient to cover the losses on the optical path to the monochromator output, where a detectable signal could be obtained. The obtained results reveal the practical possibility of applying the fluorescence from dyes as a light source for food system analysis by EEM fluorescence spectroscopy.
PubMed: 38731700
DOI: 10.3390/foods13091329 -
Medicine Apr 2024Barium peritonitis is an inflammatory response that occurs when barium accidentally enters the abdominal cavity during a barium test. In extreme circumstances, it has...
RATIONALE
Barium peritonitis is an inflammatory response that occurs when barium accidentally enters the abdominal cavity during a barium test. In extreme circumstances, it has the potential to harm various organs and even result in death.
PATIENT CONCERNS
A 3-month-old infant was diagnosed with multiple organ failure after severe barium peritonitis.
DIAGNOSIS
Multiple organ dysfunction is associated with barium peritonitis.
INTERVENTIONS
The infant underwent surgical intervention and received ventilator support, anti-infection therapy, myocardial nutrition, liver and kidney protection, rehydration, circulation stabilization, and other symptomatic supportive care.
OUTCOMES
The patient experienced clinical death after treatment and resuscitation was unsuccessful.
LESSONS
Barium enema perforation complications are uncommon, but can lead to fatal injuries with a high mortality rate. This case highlights the importance of raising awareness among clinicians about the risks of gastroenterography in infants and children and actively preventing and avoiding similar serious complications. The mortality rate can be reduced by timely multidisciplinary consultation and joint management once a perforation occurs.
Topics: Humans; Infant; Intestinal Perforation; Multiple Organ Failure; Fatal Outcome; Peritonitis; Male; Barium Enema; Barium Sulfate; Contrast Media
PubMed: 38669395
DOI: 10.1097/MD.0000000000037926 -
Clinical Oral Investigations Apr 2024To evaluate the influence of collateral vascularization on surgical cleft palate closure and deformities.
OBJECTIVES
To evaluate the influence of collateral vascularization on surgical cleft palate closure and deformities.
MATERIALS AND METHODS
Corrosion casting was performed using red-colored acrylic resin in twelve fresh adult cadavers with a normal hard palate. Additionally, white-colored barium sulfate was injected into a fetus with a unilateral complete cleft palate, and layer-by-layer tissue dissection was performed. Both substances were injected into the external carotid arteries. Corrosion casting involved dissolving the soft and hard tissues of the orofacial area utilizing an enzymatic solution.
RESULTS
In normal palates, bilateral intraosseous infraorbital arteries formed a network in the premaxilla with the intraosseous nasopalatine- and greater palatine arteries (GPAs). The perforating GPAs anastomosed with the sphenopalatine artery sub-branches. Bilateral extraosseous GPA anastomoses penetrated the median palatine suture. Complex vascularization in the retrotuberal area was detected. In the cleft zone, anastomoses were omitted, whereas in the non-cleft zone, enlarged GPAs were distributed along the cleft edges and followed the anatomical course anteriorly to initiate the network with facial artery sub-branches.
CONCLUSIONS
The anatomical subunits of the palate exhibited distinct anastomosis patterns. Despite omitted anastomoses with collateral circulation in the cleft zone, arteries maintained their anatomical pattern as seen in the normal specimen in the non-cleft zone.
CLINICAL RELEVANCE
Based on the findings in normal- and cleft palates, surgeons may expect developed anastomosis patterns in the non-cleft zone. Due to the lack of microcirculation in the cleft zone, the existent anastomoses should be maintained as much as possible by the surgical technique. This applies anteriorly in the incisive canal territory, alveolar ridges, and posteriorly in the retrotuberal area.
Topics: Humans; Cleft Palate; Collateral Circulation; Cadaver; Palate, Hard; Corrosion Casting; Female; Male; Barium Sulfate; Adult; Fetus
PubMed: 38668852
DOI: 10.1007/s00784-024-05627-0 -
MethodsX Jun 2024Sulfate is the fourth most abundant anion in circulation. Despite being an essential nutrient for healthy growth and development, sulfate is not routinely measured in...
Sulfate is the fourth most abundant anion in circulation. Despite being an essential nutrient for healthy growth and development, sulfate is not routinely measured in clinical settings. In research settings, animal studies have shown that hyposulfatemia and hypersulfaturia are associated with adverse developmental outcomes. Those findings have increased interest in measuring plasma and urine sulfate levels. In this study, we describe a modified assay to measure sulfate in low volumes of plasma and urine. •A streamlined microassay to measure sulfate levels using a microtiter plate format was developed.•To determine the robustness of the assay, this method assessed reagent stability and concentrations, as well as absorbance at different wavelengths and following a range of incubation times.•The optimized microassay was used to measure sulfate level in pig plasma and urine samples, which were compared to a validated ion chromatography method.
PubMed: 38660038
DOI: 10.1016/j.mex.2024.102712 -
Quantitative Imaging in Medicine and... Mar 2024Microvascular visualization is crucial in understanding the mechanisms of several pathologies. For instance, visualization of the tumor microenvironment is important in...
BACKGROUND
Microvascular visualization is crucial in understanding the mechanisms of several pathologies. For instance, visualization of the tumor microenvironment is important in understanding angiogenesis and role in cancer progression. Visualization would provide insights to cancer diagnosis, predicting metastatic growth, and evaluating therapeutic protocols. Similarly, understanding the microvascular network could be beneficial for study of degenerative diseases and tissue repair. The use of microscale computed tomography (micro-CT) and vascular casting agents provides high-resolution images of tissue vasculature in volumetric space. The purpose of this research was to compare a selection of commercially available contrast agents to determine the optimal solution for vascular visualization.
METHODS
A population of 16 female nude athymic mice (Charles Rivers Laboratories) were implanted with MDA-MB-231 breast cancer cells (ATCC) orthotopically in the lower left mammary fat pad to investigate the tumor microenvironment. Once tumors reach sufficient size, animals were equally divided into four groups based on the micro-CT agent to be administered, namely, control (no contrast agent), barium sulfate (BaSO), Vascupaint, or Microfil. Animals were anesthetized prior to transcarotid micro-cannulation to infuse 2 mL of the specific contrast agent for intravascular distribution throughout the animal. The jugular vein on the other side of the carotid artery was opened to drain blood flow. Following successful perfusion, animals and extracted organs underwent high-resolution micro-CT scanning (OI/CT, MILabs). Images were reconstructed and analyzed using analysis software to extract mean intensity signals.
RESULTS
Preliminary post-mortem micro-CT results reveal Vascupaint and BaSO are useful for microvascular visualization. Both Vascupaint and BaSO produced significant contrast-enhanced micro-CT image enhancement in the brain (3.39±0.93 and 6.27±3.78, respectively) and kidney (12.85±1.98 and 32.87±10.03, respectively) as compared to Microfil (0.22±0.07 and 0.91±0.63, respectively; P<0.05). For the various contrast agents, there were no differences in image enhancement from the liver, spleen, or tumor tissue (P>0.21). Moreover, use of Vascupaint and BaSO allowed for visualization of smaller microvascular structures with average diameters of 20.54±4.15 and 25.82±3.75 µm, which were smaller compared to the 91.66±24.91 µm measurements from Microfil-enhanced micro-CT images (P<0.004).
CONCLUSIONS
Our study suggests that the use of Vascupaint and BaSO is more than sufficient for visualization of microvascular structures with contrast-enhanced micro-CT imaging as these contrast agents more effectively perfused smaller blood vessels.
PubMed: 38545055
DOI: 10.21037/qims-23-901 -
Scientific Reports Mar 2024This work discusses selecting optimal brake friction composite alternatives based on an integrated MABAC (multi-attributive border approximation area comparison) and AHP...
This work discusses selecting optimal brake friction composite alternatives based on an integrated MABAC (multi-attributive border approximation area comparison) and AHP (analytic hierarchy process) approach. Therefore, non-asbestos automotive brake friction composites containing varying proportions of cement dust (50 to 0 wt%) and barium sulfate (0 to 50 wt%) were developed and tribo-evaluated on a Krauss machine following European regulations. Composite made up of 30 wt% cement dust and 20 wt% barium sulfate had the highest friction coefficient (0.361), lowest variability coefficient (0.598), and maximum recovery (123.27%). The composite with the least fading (15.36%) included 50 wt% cement dust, whereas the composite with the lowest wear (9.10 g) and the least frictional fluctuations (0.271) contained 50 wt% barium sulfate. By AHP, the friction coefficient (0.1989), fade (0.1696), recovery (0.1551), and wear (0.1412) were selected as the essential criteria in the performance assessment. Based on the MABAC ranking evaluation, the composite comprises 20 wt% barium sulfate and 30 wt% cement dust has the best tribological profile, whereas the composites of solely cement dust or barium sulfate have the poorest tribological profile. The acquired ranking results were confirmed using other decision-making models and subjected to sensitivity analysis to demonstrate their robustness.
PubMed: 38514706
DOI: 10.1038/s41598-023-46385-5 -
Arquivos de Gastroenterologia 2024People recurrently have difficulties swallowing solid medications, which can be associated with the size of the medication and the age and gender of individuals.
BACKGROUND
People recurrently have difficulties swallowing solid medications, which can be associated with the size of the medication and the age and gender of individuals.
OBJECTIVE
To evaluate the impact of capsule size and adults' age and gender on oral and pharyngeal capsule transit during capsule swallows.
METHODS
Videofluoroscopy was used to measure capsule oral and pharyngeal transit during swallows in 49 healthy individuals (17 men and 32 women), with a mean age of 46 years (ranging from 23 to 88 years). Smaller capsules were filled with 0.50 mL of barium sulfate, and larger capsules were filled with 0.95 mL of barium sulfate; the volume of liquid ingested with the capsules was also quantified in each ingestion. The measurements included the oral preparation time, oral transit time, swallowing reaction time, time to laryngeal vestibule closure, laryngeal vestibule closure duration, pharyngeal transit time, and upper esophageal sphincter opening duration.
RESULTS
The capsule size did not influence either the oral or pharyngeal transit time. Increased liquid volume was ingested with larger capsules and by people older than 40 years. The oral transit time was shorter in older adults (60-88 years), and the time to laryngeal vestibule closure was longer in women.
CONCLUSION
The size of large capsules did not make a difference in oral or pharyngeal transit when compared with smaller capsules. The capsule size and the participant's age influenced the volume of liquid ingested - larger capsules and older individuals required a larger volume. The capsule oral transit was faster in individuals older than 60 years.
BACKGROUND
•Swallowing is influenced by the characteristics of what is being swallowed.
BACKGROUND
•There was no difference in swallowing capsules containing 0.50 mL or 0.95 mL.
BACKGROUND
•Larger capsules need more liquid ingestion to make swallowing easier.
BACKGROUND
•Individuals older than 40 years need a greater volume of liquid to swallow capsules than younger adults.
Topics: Male; Humans; Female; Aged; Middle Aged; Deglutition; Barium Sulfate; Deglutition Disorders; Larynx; Pharynx; Fluoroscopy
PubMed: 38511792
DOI: 10.1590/S0004-2803.246102023-92 -
PloS One 2024High-density waste drilling fluid contains an abundance of recyclable weighting reagents, direct disposal can pollute the environment. In this paper, the primary mineral...
High-density waste drilling fluid contains an abundance of recyclable weighting reagents, direct disposal can pollute the environment. In this paper, the primary mineral composition of a high-density waste drilling fluid from a well in the southwest oil and gas field was analyzed. This paper proposes β-cyclodextrin (β-CD) as a depressant for the recovery of barite from waste drilling fluid. The recovery process was investigated through inverse flotation experiments, and the mechanism was analyzed using zeta potential, contact angle analysis, and FTIR. The flotation experiments showed that under the SDS flotation system, when the pH was 9.0 and the amount of depressant β-CD was 900 g/t, the barite recovery and density reached the highest values, which were 87.41% and 4.042 g/cm3, respectively. Zeta potential experiments, contact angle analysis, and FTIR analysis indicate that β-CD adsorbed onto barite through enhancing the hydrophilicity of barite, electrostatic force adsorption, and strong adsorption, which could not be displayed by SDS through competitive adsorption. Furthermore, β-CD exhibited a selective inhibitory effect on barite and enabled reverse flotation. The mechanism model of the flotation separation process was established.
Topics: Barium Sulfate; Adsorption
PubMed: 38483928
DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0298626