scholarly journals Enhanced tenacity of mycobacterial aerosols from necrotic neutrophils

2020 ◽  
Vol 10 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
E. Pfrommer ◽  
C. Dreier ◽  
G. Gabriel ◽  
T. Dallenga ◽  
R. Reimer ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Particle Size ◽  
Mycobacterium Tuberculosis ◽  
Relative Humidity ◽  
Short Distance ◽  
Mass Density ◽  
Aerosol Particles ◽  
Particle Sizes ◽  
Aerodynamic Diameter ◽  
Aerosol Formation ◽  
Close Contacts

Abstract The tuberculosis agent Mycobacterium tuberculosis is primarily transmitted through air, but little is known about the tenacity of mycobacterium-containing aerosols derived from either suspensions or infected neutrophils. Analysis of mycobacterial aerosol particles generated from bacterial suspensions revealed an average aerodynamic diameter and mass density that may allow distant airborne transmission. The volume and mass of mycobacterial aerosol particles increased with elevated relative humidity. To more closely mimic aerosol formation that occurs in active TB patients, aerosols from mycobacterium-infected neutrophils were analysed. Mycobacterium-infected intact neutrophils showed a smaller particle size distribution and lower viability than free mycobacteria. In contrast, mycobacterium-infected necrotic neutrophils, predominant in M. tuberculosis infection, revealed particle sizes and viability rates similar to those found for free mycobacteria, but in addition, larger aggregates of viable mycobacteria were observed. Therefore, mycobacteria are shielded from environmental stresses in multibacillary aggregates generated from necrotic neutrophils, which allows improved tenacity but emphasizes short distance transmission between close contacts.

scholarly journals COVID-19 in the Clinic: Human Testing of an Aerosol Containment Mask for Endoscopic Clinic Procedures

2021 ◽  
pp. 019459982110291
Author(s):  
Elisabeth H. Ference ◽  
Wihan Kim ◽  
John S. Oghalai ◽  
Clayton B. Walker ◽  
Jee-Hong Kim ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Particle Size ◽  
Health Care Workers ◽  
Aerosol Particles ◽  
Random Fluctuation ◽  
Particle Sizes ◽  
Level Of Evidence ◽  
Normal Breathing ◽  
Care Workers ◽  
3D Printed ◽  
Particle Counts

Objective To create an aerosol containment mask (ACM) for common otolaryngologic endoscopic procedures that also provides nanoparticle-level protection to patients. Study Design Prospective feasibility study . Setting In-person testing with a novel ACM. Methods The mask was designed in Solidworks and 3D printed. Measurements were made on 10 healthy volunteers who wore the ACM while reading the Rainbow Passage repeatedly and performing a forced cough or sneeze at 5-second intervals over 1 minute with an endoscope in place. Results There was a large variation in the number of aerosol particles generated among the volunteers. Only the sneeze task showed a significant increase compared with normal breathing in the 0.3-µm particle size when compared with a 1-tailed t test ( P = .013). Both the 0.5-µm and 2.5-µm particle sizes showed significant increases for all tasks, while the 2 largest particle sizes, 5 and 10 µm, showed no significant increase (both P < .01). With the suction off, 3 of 30 events (2 sneeze events and 1 cough event) had increases in particle counts, both inside and outside the mask. With the suction on, 2 of 30 events had an increase in particle counts outside the mask without a corresponding increase in particle counts inside the mask. Therefore, these fluctuations in particle counts were determined to be due to random fluctuation in room particle levels. Conclusion ACM will accommodate rigid and flexible endoscopes plus instruments and may prevent the leakage of patient-generated aerosols, thus avoiding contamination of the room and protecting health care workers from airborne contagions. Level of evidence 2

scholarly journals Measurement of relative humidity dependent light scattering of aerosols

2009 ◽  
Vol 2 (5) ◽  
pp. 2161-2190 ◽  
Author(s):  
R. Fierz-Schmidhauser ◽  
P. Zieger ◽  
G. Wehrle ◽  
A. Jefferson ◽  
J. A. Ogren ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Light Scattering ◽  
Relative Humidity ◽  
Aerosol Particles ◽  
Climate Forcing ◽  
Rural Site ◽  
Particle Sizes ◽  
Black Forest ◽  
Detailed Characterization ◽  
Hysteresis Behavior ◽  
Set Up

Abstract. Relative humidity (RH) influences the water content of aerosol particles and therefore has an important impact on the particles' ability to scatter visible light. The RH dependence of the particle light scattering coefficient (σsp) is therefore an important measure for climate forcing calculations. We built a humidification system for a nephelometer which allows the measurement of σsp at a defined RH in the range of 40–90%. This RH conditioner consists of a humidifier followed by a dryer, which enables us to measure the hysteresis behavior of deliquescent aerosol particles. In this paper we present the set-up of a new humidified nephelometer, a detailed characterization with well defined laboratory generated aerosols, and a first application in the field by comparing our instrument to another humidified nephelometer. Monodisperse ammonium sulfate and sodium chloride particles were measured at four different dry particle sizes. Agreement between measurement and prediction based on Mie theory was found for both σsp and f(RH)=σsp(RH)/σsp(dry) within the range of uncertainty. The two humidified nephelometers measuring at a rural site in the Black Forest (Germany) often detected different f(RH), probably caused by the aerosol hysteresis behavior: when the aerosol was metastable, therefore was scattering more light, only one instrument detected the higher f(RH).

scholarly journals Measurement of relative humidity dependent light scattering of aerosols

2010 ◽  
Vol 3 (1) ◽  
pp. 39-50 ◽  
Author(s):  
R. Fierz-Schmidhauser ◽  
P. Zieger ◽  
G. Wehrle ◽  
A. Jefferson ◽  
J. A. Ogren ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Light Scattering ◽  
Relative Humidity ◽  
Aerosol Particles ◽  
Climate Forcing ◽  
Rural Site ◽  
Particle Sizes ◽  
Black Forest ◽  
Detailed Characterization ◽  
Hysteresis Behavior ◽  
Set Up

Abstract. Relative humidity (RH) influences the water content of aerosol particles and therefore has an important impact on the particles' ability to scatter visible light. The RH dependence of the particle light scattering coefficient (σsp is therefore an important measure for climate forcing calculations. We built a humidification system for a nephelometer which allows the measurement of σsp at a defined RH in the range of 40–90%. This RH conditioner consists of a humidifier followed by a dryer, which enables us to measure the hysteresis behavior of deliquescent aerosol particles. In this paper we present the set-up of a new humidified nephelometer, a detailed characterization with well defined laboratory generated aerosols, and a first application in the field by comparing our instrument to another humidified nephelometer. Monodisperse ammonium sulfate and sodium chloride particles were measured at four different dry particle sizes. Agreement between measurement and prediction based on Mie theory was found for both σsp and f(RH)=σsp(RH)/σsp(dry) within the range of uncertainty. The two humidified nephelometers measuring at a rural site in the Black Forest (Germany) often detected different f(RH), probably caused by the aerosol hysteresis behavior: when the aerosol was metastable, therefore was scattering more light, only one instrument detected the higher f(RH).

scholarly journals Competition between water uptake and ice nucleation by glassy organic aerosol particles

2014 ◽  
Vol 14 (22) ◽  
pp. 12513-12531 ◽  
Author(s):  
T. Berkemeier ◽  
M. Shiraiwa ◽  
U. Pöschl ◽  
T. Koop
Keyword(s):  
Particle Size ◽  
Relative Humidity ◽  
Molecular Diffusion ◽  
Aerosol Particles ◽  
Liquid Core ◽  
Organic Aerosol ◽  
Ice Nucleation ◽  
Water Diffusion ◽  
Cloud Formation ◽  
Atmospheric Conditions

Abstract. Organic aerosol particles play a key role in climate by serving as nuclei for clouds and precipitation. Their sources and composition are highly variable, and their phase state ranges from liquid to solid under atmospheric conditions, affecting the pathway of activation to cloud droplets and ice crystals. Due to slow diffusion of water in the particle phase, organic particles may deviate in phase and morphology from their thermodynamic equilibrium state, hampering the prediction of their influence on cloud formation. We overcome this problem by combining a novel semi-empirical method for estimation of water diffusivity with a kinetic flux model that explicitly treats water diffusion. We estimate timescales for particle deliquescence as well as various ice nucleation pathways for a wide variety of organic substances, including secondary organic aerosol (SOA) from the oxidation of isoprene, α-pinene, naphthalene, and dodecane. The simulations show that, in typical atmospheric updrafts, glassy states and solid/liquid core-shell morphologies can persist for long enough that heterogeneous ice nucleation in the deposition and immersion mode can dominate over homogeneous ice nucleation. Such competition depends strongly on ambient temperature and relative humidity as well as humidification rate and particle size. Due to differences in glass transition temperature, hygroscopicity and atomic O / C ratio of the different SOA, naphthalene SOA particles have the highest potential to act as heterogeneous ice nuclei. Our findings demonstrate that kinetic limitations of water diffusion into organic aerosol particles are likely to be encountered under atmospheric conditions and can strongly affect ice nucleation pathways. For the incorporation of ice nucleation by organic aerosol particles into atmospheric models, our results demonstrate a demand for model formalisms that account for the effects of molecular diffusion and not only describe ice nucleation onsets as a function of temperature and relative humidity but also include updraft velocity, particle size and composition.

Surface energy of cellulosic materials: The effect of particle morphology, particle size, and hydroxyl number

TAPPI Journal ◽  
2015 ◽  
Vol 14 (9) ◽  
pp. 565-576 ◽  
Author(s):  
YUCHENG PENG ◽  
DOUGLAS J. GARDNER
Keyword(s):  
Particle Size ◽  
Surface Energy ◽  
Particle Morphology ◽  
Nanofibrillated Cellulose ◽  
Particle Sizes ◽  
Hydroxyl Number ◽  
Small Individual ◽  
Dispersion Component ◽  
Commercial Applications ◽  
Lower Temperature

Understanding the surface properties of cellulose materials is important for proper commercial applications. The effect of particle size, particle morphology, and hydroxyl number on the surface energy of three microcrystalline cellulose (MCC) preparations and one nanofibrillated cellulose (NFC) preparation were investigated using inverse gas chromatography at column temperatures ranging from 30ºC to 60ºC. The mean particle sizes for the three MCC samples and the NFC sample were 120.1, 62.3, 13.9, and 9.3 μm. The corresponding dispersion components of surface energy at 30°C were 55.7 ± 0.1, 59.7 ± 1.3, 71.7 ± 1.0, and 57.4 ± 0.3 mJ/m2. MCC samples are agglomerates of small individual cellulose particles. The different particle sizes and morphologies of the three MCC samples resulted in various hydroxyl numbers, which in turn affected their dispersion component of surface energy. Cellulose samples exhibiting a higher hydroxyl number have a higher dispersion component of surface energy. The dispersion component of surface energy of all the cellulose samples decreased linearly with increasing temperature. MCC samples with larger agglomerates had a lower temperature coefficient of dispersion component of surface energy.

scholarly journals Effect of particle size on phytochemical composition and antioxidant properties of Sargassum cristaefolium ethanol extract

2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
E. S. Prasedya ◽  
A. Frediansyah ◽  
N. W. R. Martyasari ◽  
B. K. Ilhami ◽  
A. S. Abidin ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Antioxidant Activity ◽  
Particle Size ◽  
Antioxidant Activities ◽  
Antioxidant Properties ◽  
Ethanol Extract ◽  
Total Phenolic ◽  
Particle Sizes ◽  
Epicatechin Gallate ◽  
Particle Size Reduction ◽  
Phytochemical Composition

AbstractSample particle size is an important parameter in the solid–liquid extraction system of natural products for obtaining their bioactive compounds. This study evaluates the effect of sample particle size on the phytochemical composition and antioxidant activity of brown macroalgae Sargassum cristaefolium. The crude ethanol extract was extracted from dried powders of S.cristeafolium with various particle sizes (> 4000 µm, > 250 µm, > 125 µm, > 45 µm, and < 45 µm). The ethanolic extracts of S.cristaefolium were analysed for Total Phenolic Content (TPC), Total Flavonoid Content (TFC), phenolic compound concentration and antioxidant activities. The extract yield and phytochemical composition were more abundant in smaller particle sizes. Furthermore, the TPC (14.19 ± 2.08 mg GAE/g extract to 43.27 ± 2.56 mg GAE/g extract) and TFC (9.6 ± 1.8 mg QE/g extract to 70.27 ± 3.59 mg QE/g extract) values also significantly increased as particle sizes decreased. In addition, phenolic compounds epicatechin (EC), epicatechin gallate (ECG), epigallocatechin (EGC), and Epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG) concentration were frequently increased in samples of smaller particle sizes based on two-way ANOVA and Tukey’s multiple comparison analysis. These results correlate with the significantly stronger antioxidant activity in samples with smaller particle sizes. The smallest particle size (< 45 µm) demonstrated the strongest antioxidant activity based on DPPH, ABTS, hydroxyl assay and FRAP. In addition, ramp function graph evaluates the desired particle size for maximum phytochemical composition and antioxidant activity is 44 µm. In conclusion, current results show the importance of particle size reduction of macroalgae samples to increase the effectivity of its biological activity.

scholarly journals Experimental Analysis of the Mechanical Properties and Resistivity of Tectonic Coal Samples with Different Particle Sizes

Energies ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 14 (8) ◽  
pp. 2303
Author(s):  
Congyu Zhong ◽  
Liwen Cao ◽  
Jishi Geng ◽  
Zhihao Jiang ◽  
Shuai Zhang
Keyword(s):  
Mechanical Properties ◽  
Particle Size ◽  
Compressive Strength ◽  
Elastic Modulus ◽  
Uniaxial Compressive Strength ◽  
Coalbed Methane ◽  
Coal Sample ◽  
Fine Particles ◽  
Particle Sizes ◽  
Tectonic Coal

Because of its weak cementation and abundant pores and cracks, it is difficult to obtain suitable samples of tectonic coal to test its mechanical properties. Therefore, the research and development of coalbed methane drilling and mining technology are restricted. In this study, tectonic coal samples are remodeled with different particle sizes to test the mechanical parameters and loading resistivity. The research results show that the particle size and gradation of tectonic coal significantly impact its uniaxial compressive strength and elastic modulus and affect changes in resistivity. As the converted particle size increases, the uniaxial compressive strength and elastic modulus decrease first and then tend to remain unchanged. The strength of the single-particle gradation coal sample decreases from 0.867 to 0.433 MPa and the elastic modulus decreases from 59.28 to 41.63 MPa with increasing particle size. The change in resistivity of the coal sample increases with increasing particle size, and the degree of resistivity variation decreases during the coal sample failure stage. In composite-particle gradation, the proportion of fine particles in the tectonic coal sample increases from 33% to 80%. Its strength and elastic modulus increase from 0.996 to 1.31 MPa and 83.96 to 125.4 MPa, respectively, and the resistivity change degree decreases. The proportion of medium particles or coarse particles increases, and the sample strength, elastic modulus, and resistivity changes all decrease.

scholarly journals Investigation of the kinetics of spontaneous combustion of the major coal seam in Dahuangshan mining area of the Southern Junggar coalfield, Xinjiang, China

2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Li Shen ◽  
Qiang Zeng
Keyword(s):  
Particle Size ◽  
High Temperature ◽  
Coal Seam ◽  
Spontaneous Combustion ◽  
Heating Temperature ◽  
Characteristic Temperature ◽  
Mining Area ◽  
Particle Sizes ◽  
Coal Oxidation ◽  
Increasing Temperature

AbstractIn the present paper, with using diverse methods (including the SEM, the XRD, the TPO, the FTIR, and the TGA) , the authors analysed samples of the major coal seam in Dahuangshan Mining area with different particle sizes and with different heated temperatures (from 50 to 800 °C at regular intervals of 50 °C). The results from SEM and XRD showed that high temperature and high number of pores, fissures, and hierarchical structures in the coal samples could facilitate oxidation reactions and spontaneous combustion. A higher degree of graphitization and much greater number of aromatic microcrystalline structures facilitated spontaneous combustion. The results from TPO showed that the oxygen consumption rate of the coal samples increased exponentially with increasing temperature. The generation rates of different gases indicated that temperatures of 90 °C or 130 °C could accelerate coal oxidation. With increasing temperature, the coal oxidation rate increased, and the release of gaseous products was accelerated. The FTIR results showed that the amount of hydroxide radicals and oxygen-containing functional groups increased with the decline in particle size, indicating that a smaller particle size may facilitate the oxidation reaction and spontaneous combustion of coal. The absorbance and the functional group areas at different particle sizes were consistent with those of the heated coal samples, which decreased as the temperature rose. The results from TGA showed that the characteristic temperature T3 declined with decreasing particle size. After the sample with 0.15–0.18 mm particle size was heated, its carbon content decreased, and its mineral content increased, inhibiting coal oxidation. This result also shows that the activation energy of the heated samples tended to increase at the stage of high-temperature combustion with increasing heating temperature.

Effects of Particles Size of Nanosilica on Properties of Polybenzoxazine Nanocomposites

2015 ◽  
Vol 659 ◽  
pp. 394-398 ◽  
Author(s):  
Nutthaphon Liawthanyarat ◽  
Sarawut Rimdusit
Keyword(s):  
Particle Size ◽  
Silica Nanoparticles ◽  
Primary Particle ◽  
Mechanical And Thermal Properties ◽  
Particle Sizes ◽  
Barrier Effect ◽  
Degradation Temperature ◽  
Maximum Value ◽  
Wetting Behaviors ◽  
Composite Samples

Polybenzoxazine nanocomposites filled with three different sizes of silica nanoparticles are investigated for their mechanical and thermal properties. In this research, silica nanoparticles with primary particle sizes of 7, 14 and 40 nm were incorporated in polybenzoxazine matrix at a fixed content of 3% by weight. From the experimental results, the storage modulus of the polybenzoxazine nanocomposite was found to systematically increase with decreasing the particle sizes of nanosilica suggesting better reinforcement of the smaller particles. Glass transition temperature was found to slightly increase with the addition of the silica nanoparticles. The uniformity of the composite samples were also evaluated by thermogravimetric analysis to show good dispersion of the silica nanoparticles in the composite samples as a result of high processability of the benzoxazine resin used i.e. low A-stage viscosity with good wetting behaviors. Degradation temperature at 5% weight loss (Td,5) of polybenzoxazine nanocomposites filled with different particle sizes of silica nanoparticles was found to increase from the value of 325 °C of the neat polybenzoxazine to the maximum value of about 340 °C with an addition of the nanosilica of the smallest particle size used. Finally, the smaller nanosilica particle size was also found to show more pronounced effect on Td,5enhancement of the composite samples as a result of greater barrier effect from larger surface area of the smaller particles.

Effect of Particle Size on the Oil Yield and Catechin Compound Using Accelerated Solvent Extraction

2013 ◽  
Vol 60 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Mohd Azizi Che Yunus ◽  
Manzurudin Hasan ◽  
Norasikin Othman ◽  
Siti Hamidah Mohd-Setapar ◽  
Liza Md.-Salleh ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Particle Size ◽  
Solvent Extraction ◽  
Accelerated Solvent Extraction ◽  
Extraction Time ◽  
Oil Yield ◽  
Particle Sizes ◽  
Experimental Range ◽  
Areca Catechu ◽  
Effect Of Particle Size ◽  
Extraction Cycle

Kajian ini bertujuan untuk mengkaji kesan saiz zarah ke atas pengekstrakan sebatian catechin daripada biji Areca catechu L. dengan menggunakan Pengekstrakan Pelarut Terpecut (PPT). Saiz zarah biji Areca catechu dipelbagaikan dari 75 μm sehingga 500 μm. Pengekstrakan telah dijalankan padaparameter tetap iaitu suhu (140oC), tekanan (1500 psi), masa (10 minit), isipadu semburan (60%) dan satu kitaran pengekstrakan, masing-masing. Hasil minyak peratusan yang lebih tinggi adalah 300 mg minyak / gram sampel (30.00% pati minyak) ditemui pada 125 μm. Walaubagaimanapun, kandungan catechin dalam pati minyak hanya 0.0375 mg catechin / gram sampel. Saiz zarah yang terbaik dalam julat uji kaji ini telah dikenal pasti pada 500 μm yang memberikan kandungan catechin yang tinggi iaitu 0.0515 mg catechin / gram sampel dari 247.5 mg minyak / gram sampel (24.75% pati minyak). Kata kunci: Saiz zarah; catechin; LC-MS-TOF; pengekstrakan pelarut terpecut The purpose of this work is to investigate the effects of particle size on the extraction of catechincompound from Areca catechu L. seeds by using Accelerated Solvent Extraction (ASE). The particle sizes of Areca catechu L. seeds are varied from 75 µm until 500 µm. The extraction is conducted at fixed parameters which are temperature (140oC), pressure (1500 psi), extraction time (10 minutes), flush volume (60%) and the static cycle is done for 1 extraction cycle respectively. Higher percentage oil yield of 300mg oil/gram of sample (30.00% oil yield) is found at 125 µm. However, the amount of catechin in oil yields is only 0.0375 mg of catechin/gram of sample. The best of particle size within the experimental range has been identified at 500 µm which gives a high content of catechin with 0.0515 mg Catechin/gram of sample from 247.5 mg oil/gram of sample (24.75% oil yield). Keywords: Particle size; catechin; LC-MS-TOF; accelerated solvent extraction

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