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Scientific Reports Aug 2023Colloidal silica grouting is a ground improvement technique capable of stabilizing weak problematic soils and achieving large reductions in soil hydraulic conductivities...
Colloidal silica grouting is a ground improvement technique capable of stabilizing weak problematic soils and achieving large reductions in soil hydraulic conductivities for applications including earthquake-induced liquefaction mitigation and groundwater flow control. In the conventional approach, chemical accelerants are added to colloidal silica suspensions that are introduced into soils targeted for improvement and the formation of a semi-solid silica gel occurs over time at a rate controlled by suspension chemistry and in situ geochemical conditions. Although the process has been extensively investigated, controlling the rate of gel formation in the presence of varying subsurface conditions and the limited ability of conventional methods to effectively monitor the gel formation process has posed practical challenges. In this study, a biomediated soil improvement process is proposed which utilizes enriched fermentative microorganisms to control the gelation of colloidal silica grouts through solution pH reductions and ionic strength increases. Four series of batch experiments were performed to investigate the ability of glucose fermenting microorganisms to be enriched in natural sands to induce geochemical changes capable of mediating silica gel formation and assess the effect of treatment solution composition on pH reduction behaviors. Complementary batch and soil column experiments were subsequently performed to upscale the process and explore the effectiveness of chemical, hydraulic, and geophysical methods to monitor microbial activity, gel formation, and engineering improvements. Results demonstrate that fermentative microorganisms can be successfully enriched and mediate gel formation in suspensions that would otherwise remain highly stable, thereby forgoing the need for chemical accelerants, increasing the reliability and control of colloidal silica grouting, enabling new monitoring approaches, and affording engineering enhancements comparable to conventional colloidal silica grouts.
Topics: Fermentation; Reproducibility of Results; Silica Gel; Suspensions; Soil
PubMed: 37648736
DOI: 10.1038/s41598-023-41402-z -
Viruses Feb 2022is the sole vector for various mosquito-borne viruses, including dengue, chikungunya, and Zika. Ecofriendly biological agents are required to reduce the spread of these...
is the sole vector for various mosquito-borne viruses, including dengue, chikungunya, and Zika. Ecofriendly biological agents are required to reduce the spread of these mosquito-borne infections. Mosquito densoviruses (MDVs) are entomopathogenic mosquito-specific viruses, which can reduce the capacity of isolated vectors and decrease mosquito-borne viral disease transmission. However, their variable pathogenicity restricts their commercial use. In the present study, we developed a series of novel larvicide oil suspensions (denoted () oil, densovirus (AalDV-5) oil, and a mixture of AalDV-5+ oil), which were tested against larvae under experimental semi-field and open-field conditions. The effect of AalDV-5 on non-target species was also evaluated. The combined effect of AalDV-5+ was greater than that of individual toxins and was longer lasting and more persistent compared with the laboratory AalDV-5 virus strain. The virus was quantified on a weekly basis by quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR) and was persistently detected in rearing water as well as in dead larvae. Wildtype densovirus is not pathogenic to non-target organisms. The present findings confirm the improved effect of a mixed microbial suspension (AalDV-5+ oil) larvicide against . The development and testing of these products will enable better control of the vector mosquitoes.
Topics: Aedes; Animals; Densovirus; Larva; Mosquito Control; Mosquito Vectors; Suspensions; Zika Virus; Zika Virus Infection
PubMed: 35336882
DOI: 10.3390/v14030475 -
Antimicrobial Agents and Chemotherapy Oct 2018Posaconazole is used for prophylaxis for invasive fungal infections (IFIs) among patients with hematologic malignancies. We compared the incidence of breakthrough IFIs...
Posaconazole is used for prophylaxis for invasive fungal infections (IFIs) among patients with hematologic malignancies. We compared the incidence of breakthrough IFIs and early discontinuation between patients receiving delayed-release tablet and oral suspension formulations of posaconazole. This was a retrospective cohort study of patients receiving posaconazole between 1 January 2010 and 30 June 2016. We defined probable or proven breakthrough IFIs using the European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer (EORTC) criteria. Overall, 547 patients received 860 courses of posaconazole (53% received the oral suspension and 48% received the tablet); primary indications for prophylaxis were acute myeloid leukemia (69%), graft-versus-host disease (18%), and myelodysplastic syndrome (3%). There were no significant differences in demographics or indications between patients receiving the different formulations. The incidence and incidence rate of probable or proven IFIs were 1.6% and 3.2 per 10,000 posaconazole days, respectively. There was no significant difference in the rate of IFIs between suspension courses (2.8 per 10,000 posaconazole days) and tablet courses (3.7 per 10,000 posaconazole days) (rate ratio = 0.8, 95% confidence interval [CI] = 0.3 to 2.3). Of the 14 proven or probable cases of IFI, 8/14 had posaconazole serum concentrations measured, and the concentrations in 7/8 were above 0.7 μg/ml. Posaconazole was discontinued early in 15.5% of courses; however, the frequency of discontinuation was also not significantly different between the tablet (16.5%) and oral suspension (14.6%) formulations (95% CI for difference = -0.13 to 0.06). In conclusion, the incidence of breakthrough IFIs was low among patients receiving posaconazole prophylaxis and not significantly different between patients receiving the tablet formulation and those receiving the oral suspension formulation.
Topics: Administration, Oral; Aged; Antifungal Agents; Female; Humans; Invasive Fungal Infections; Male; Middle Aged; Retrospective Studies; Suspensions; Triazoles
PubMed: 30012757
DOI: 10.1128/AAC.00893-18 -
Soft Matter May 2021Neonatal respiratory distress syndrome (NRDS) is treated by intratracheal delivery of suspensions of animal-derived lung surfactant in saline. Lung surfactants are...
Neonatal respiratory distress syndrome (NRDS) is treated by intratracheal delivery of suspensions of animal-derived lung surfactant in saline. Lung surfactants are extracted via organic solvents from animal lung lavage, followed by solvent removal and surfactant re-hydration to form multi-bilayer particles suspended in saline. Following intra-tracheal administration, the surfactant suspension spreads throughout the lungs by surface tension gradient induced flow; the spreading rate is limited by suspension viscoelasticity. Here we examine the rheology of three clinical lung surfactant suspensions: Survanta (bovine lung), Curosurf (porcine lung), and Infasurf (calf lung). These surfactants have widely different rheological properties that depend on the lipid composition and bilayer organization. The steady shear viscosity is related to the bilayer particle volume fraction as for a suspension of hard spheres, but the lipid volume fraction is not simply related to the mass loading. Optical and electron microscopy and small angle X-ray scattering show that the viscosity variation is due to the temperature and composition dependent bilayer aggregate shapes and internal particle organization. Survanta forms crystalline bilayers at 37 °C, resulting in high aspect ratio asymmetric particles. Infasurf forms aggregates of unilamellar vesicles containing water pockets, while Curosurf forms onion-like multi-layered liposomes. While the mass loading of the three clinical surfactants is different, the different bilayer organization causes the particle volume fractions to be similar. Adding polyethylene glycol dehydrates and partially flocculates the bilayer aggregates in all suspensions, leading to smaller particle volume fractions and a reduced suspension viscosity even though the solvent viscosity increases almost six-fold.
Topics: Animals; Cattle; Lung; Pulmonary Surfactants; Surface-Active Agents; Suspensions; Swine; Viscosity
PubMed: 33929473
DOI: 10.1039/d1sm00337b -
Methods in Molecular Biology (Clifton,... 2022Membrane proteins are favored drug targets and antibody therapeutics represent the fastest-growing category of pharmaceuticals. However, there remains a need for rapid...
Membrane proteins are favored drug targets and antibody therapeutics represent the fastest-growing category of pharmaceuticals. However, there remains a need for rapid and effective approaches for the discovery of antibodies that recognize membrane proteins to develop a robust clinical pipeline for targeted therapeutics. The challenges associated with recombinant expression of membrane proteins make whole cell screening techniques desirable, as these strategies allow presentation of the target membrane proteins in their native conformations. Here, we describe a workflow that employs both adherent cell-based and suspension cell-based whole cell panning methodologies to enrich for specific binders within a yeast-displayed antibody library. The first round of selection consists of an adherent cell-based approach, wherein a diverse library is panned over target-expressing mammalian cell monolayers in order to debulk the naïve library. Subsequent rounds involve the use of suspension cell-based approaches, facilitated with magnetic-activated cell sorting (MACS) or fluorescence-activated cell sorting (FACS), to achieve further library enrichment. Finally, we describe a high-throughput approach to screen target binding and specificity of individual clones isolated from selection campaigns.
Topics: Animals; Antibodies; Flow Cytometry; Immunologic Tests; Mammals; Membrane Proteins; Peptide Library; Suspensions
PubMed: 35482192
DOI: 10.1007/978-1-0716-2285-8_11 -
Computational Intelligence and... 2021Intelligent methods and algorithms have promoted the development of the intelligent transportation system in many ways. In the rail transportation, the vertical...
Intelligent methods and algorithms have promoted the development of the intelligent transportation system in many ways. In the rail transportation, the vertical performance of a high-speed train suspension system has a great impact on the riding comfort of the train. Based on the intelligent optimization method of particle swarm optimization (PSO) algorithm, different inerter-spring-damper (ISD) suspension layouts are proposed for better riding comfort. A 10-degree-of-freedom (10-DOF) vertical dynamic model of a high-speed train is established, and the new suspension layouts are applied to the primary and secondary suspension of the train at the same time. Optimizations are carried out for the suspension parameters of the high-speed train. Performances of different suspension layouts at different running speeds are analysed and compared. The best layout for suspension is concluded. What is more, the virtual prototype simulation and analysis of a high-speed train with consideration of nonlinear inerters are carried out. Friction of a rack-pinion inerter is simulated in the virtual prototype simulation. And the influence of nonlinearity is discussed compared with the ideal suspensions. All the results can represent a guidance for future train suspension design and help the intelligent rail transportation system to be more comfortable.
Topics: Algorithms; Computer Simulation; Suspensions; Transportation
PubMed: 34721561
DOI: 10.1155/2021/1526792 -
Archives of Physiology and Biochemistry Oct 2012The Bio-Plex(®) system utilizes xMAP technology to permit the multiplexing of up to 100 different analytes. Multiplex analysis gives researchers the ability to look at... (Review)
Review
The Bio-Plex(®) system utilizes xMAP technology to permit the multiplexing of up to 100 different analytes. Multiplex analysis gives researchers the ability to look at analytes simultaneously providing more information from less sample volume in less time than traditional immunoassay methods. Similar to ELISA, xMAP utilizes an antibody sandwich for detection but differs from ELISA in capture substrate and detection method. Rather than a flat surface, Bio-Plex(®) assays make use of differentially detectable bead sets as a substrate capturing analytes in solution and employs fluorescent methods for detection. These bead sets identify the analytes and detection antibodies are used to measure the quantity of analyte. The use of differentially detectable beads enables the simultaneous identification and quantification of many analytes in the same sample.
Topics: Animals; COS Cells; Chlorocebus aethiops; Humans; Immunoassay; Microspheres; Suspensions
PubMed: 22852821
DOI: 10.3109/13813455.2012.705301 -
Scientific Reports Dec 2022Inclusion of nanoparticles boosts thermal performance and is essential for thermal transport. The current investigation has been made to conduct research on heat mass...
Inclusion of nanoparticles boosts thermal performance and is essential for thermal transport. The current investigation has been made to conduct research on heat mass transport in synovial material with the mixing of hybrid and tri-hybrid comprising variable viscosity past over a heated surface having constant density and a steady environment. The conservation laws have been considered in the presence of Lorentz force, heat generation/absorption, modified heat and mass fluxes together with chemical reaction. The mathematical model is developed in Cartesian coordinate in the form of coupled partial differential equation (PDEs). The derived PDEs are simplified by a boundary layer approach (BLA) and reduced PDEs have been converted into ordinary differential equation (ODEs) using scaling group Similarity transformation. The converted ODEs are highly nonlinear and have been solved numerically by finite elements scheme (FES). The used scheme is effective for nonlinear problem and can be frequently utilized to tackle nonlinear problems arising in mathematical physics.
Topics: Viscosity; Synovial Fluid; Finite Element Analysis; Suspensions; Nanostructures
PubMed: 36517500
DOI: 10.1038/s41598-022-23271-0 -
Sensors (Basel, Switzerland) Jun 2023This paper presents a method for the identification of control-related signal paths dedicated to a semi-active suspension with MR (magnetorheological) dampers, which are...
This paper presents a method for the identification of control-related signal paths dedicated to a semi-active suspension with MR (magnetorheological) dampers, which are installed in place of standard shock absorbers. The main challenge comes from the fact that the semi-active suspension needs to be simultaneously subjected to road-induced excitation and electric currents supplied to the suspension MR dampers, while a response signal needs to be decomposed into road-related and control-related components. During experiments, the front wheels of an all-terrain vehicle were subjected to sinusoidal vibration excitation at a frequency equal to 12 Hz using a dedicated diagnostic station and specialised mechanical exciters. The harmonic type of road-related excitation allowed for its straightforward filtering from identification signals. Additionally, front suspension MR dampers were controlled using a wideband random signal with a 25 Hz bandwidth, different realisations, and several configurations, which differed in the average values and deviations of control currents. The simultaneous control of the right and left suspension MR dampers made it necessary to decompose the vehicle vibration response, i.e., the front vehicle body acceleration signal, into components related to the forces generated by different MR dampers. Measurement signals used for identification were taken from numerous sensors available in the vehicle, e.g., accelerometers, suspension force and deflection sensors, and sensors of electric currents, which control the instantaneous damping parameters of MR dampers. The final identification was carried out for control-related models evaluated in the frequency domain and revealed several resonances of the vehicle response and their dependence on the configurations of control currents. In addition, the parameters of the vehicle model with MR dampers and the diagnostic station were estimated based on the identification results. The analysis of the simulation results of the implemented vehicle model carried out in the frequency domain showed the influence of the vehicle load on the absolute values and phase shifts of control-related signal paths. The potential future application of the identified models lies in the synthesis and implementation of adaptive suspension control algorithms such as FxLMS (filtered-x least mean square). Adaptive vehicle suspensions are especially preferred for their ability to quickly adapt to varying road conditions and vehicle parameters.
Topics: Suspensions; Algorithms; Computer Simulation; Vibration
PubMed: 37420933
DOI: 10.3390/s23125770 -
MSphere Apr 2022Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection (COVID-19) is an acute respiratory infection transmitted by droplets, aerosols, and contact....
Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection (COVID-19) is an acute respiratory infection transmitted by droplets, aerosols, and contact. Controlling the spread of COVID-19 and developing effective decontamination options are urgent issues for the international community. Here, we report the quantitative inactivation of SARS-CoV-2 in liquid and aerosolized samples by a state-of-the-art, high-power, AlGaN-based, single-chip compact deep-UV (DUV) light-emitting diode (LED) that produces a record continuous-wave output power of 500 mW at its peak emission wavelength of 265 nm. Using this DUV-LED, we observed a greater-than-5-log reduction in infectious SARS-CoV-2 in liquid samples within very short irradiation times (<0.4 s). When we quantified the efficacy of the 265-nm DUV-LED in inactivating SARS-CoV-2, we found that DUV-LED inactivation of aerosolized SARS-CoV-2 was approximately nine times greater than that of SARS-CoV-2 suspension. Our data demonstrate that this newly developed, compact, high-power 265-nm DUV-LED irradiation system with remarkably high inactivation efficiency for aerosolized SARS-CoV-2 could be an effective and practical tool for controlling SARS-CoV-2 spread. We developed a 265-nm high-power DUV-LED irradiation system and quantitatively demonstrated that the DUV-LED can inactivate SARS-CoV-2 in suspensions and aerosols within very short irradiation times. We also found that the inactivation effect was about nine times greater against aerosolized SARS-CoV-2 than against SARS-CoV-2 suspensions. The DUV-LED has several advantages over conventional LEDs and mercury lamps, including high power, compactness, and environmental friendliness; its rapid inactivation of aerosolized SARS-CoV-2 opens up new possibilities for the practical application of DUV-LEDs in high-efficiency air purification systems to control airborne transmission of SARS-CoV-2.
Topics: Aerosols; COVID-19; Humans; SARS-CoV-2; Suspensions; Ultraviolet Rays
PubMed: 35475734
DOI: 10.1128/msphere.00941-21