High Precision Half‑Life Measurement of the Extinct Radio‑Lanthanide Dysprosium-154

Sixty years after the discovery of 154Dy, the half-life of this pure alpha-emitter was re-measured. 154Dy was radiochemically separated from proton-irradiated tantalum samples. Sector field- and multicollector-inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry were used to determine the amount of 154Dy retrieved. The disintegration rate of the radio-lanthanide was measured by means of α-spectrometry. The half-life value was determined as (1.33 ± 0.07)∙106 y, with an uncertainty reduced by a factor of ~10 compared to the currently adopted value of (3.0 ± 1.5)∙106 y. This precise half-life value is crucial for the correct estimation of p-process nucleosynthetic reactions in the lanthanide region, as well as for the safe disposal of irradiated target material from spallation facilities. As a first application of the half-life value found in this work, the excitation functions for the production of 154Dy in proton-irradiated Ta, Pb, and W targets were re-evaluated, which found to be in agreement with theoretical calculations.

Assessment of Dimensional Stability, Biodegradability, and Fracture Energy of Bio-Composites Reinforced with Novel Pine Cone

In this investigation, biodegradable composites were fabricated with polycaprolactone (PCL) matrix reinforced with pine cone powder (15%, 30%, and 45% by weight) and compatibilized with graphite powder (0%, 5%, 10%, and 15% by weight) in polycaprolactone matrix by compression molding technique. The samples were prepared as per ASTM standard and tested for dimensional stability, biodegradability, and fracture energy with scanning electron micrographs. Water-absorption and thickness-swelling were performed to examine the dimensional stability and tests were performed at 23 °C and 50% humidity. Results revealed that the composites with 15 wt % of pine cone powder (PCP) have shown higher dimensional stability as compared to other composites. Bio-composites containing 15–45 wt % of PCP with low graphite content have shown higher disintegration rate than neat PCL. Fracture energy for crack initiation in bio-composites was increased by 68% with 30% PCP. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) of the composites have shown evenly-distributed PCP particles throughout PCL-matrix at significantly high-degrees or quantities of reinforcing.

FORMULATION AND EVALUATION OF VALSARTAN CONTAINING SURFACE SOLID DISPERSIONS FOR THE DEVELOPMENT OF ORODISPERSIBLE TABLET

In this postulations we think about Surface Solid Dispersion and Oro dispersible tablet for upgrade of disintegration rate of valsartan. The medications having low solvency, the disintegration of these medications is rate constraining advance in their bioavailability in oral measurements frames. To defeat this number of innovations are accessible. Among them surface solid dispersion and oro dispersible tablets are two promising systems. Surface solid dispersion is a method for scattering at least one xing on a water solvent transporter of to a great degree high surface territory to accomplish expanded bioavailability and disintegration rates of insoluble medications, and oro dispersible tablets are one of the novel oral medication conveyance framework that break down or scatter rapidly in almost no time after situation in month without water.

Contribution to a Circular Economy Model: From Lignocellulosic Wastes from the Extraction of Vegetable Oils to the Development of a New Composite

The present works focuses on the development of a novel fully bio-based composite using a bio-based high-density polyethylene (Bio-HDPE) obtained from sugar cane as matrix and a by-product of extraction of chia seed oil (CO) as filler, with the objective of achieving a circular economy model. The research aims to revalorize an ever-increasing waste stream produced by the growing interest in vegetable oils. From the technical point of view, the chia seed flour (CSF) was chemically modified using a silane treatment. This treatment provides a better interfacial adhesion as was evidenced by the mechanical and thermal properties as well as field emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM). The effect of silane treatment on water uptake and disintegration rate was also studied. On the other hand, in a second stage, an optimization of the percentage of treated CSF used as filler was carried out by a complete series of mechanical, thermal, morphological, colour, water absorption and disintegration tests with the aim to evaluate the new composite developed using chia by-products. It is noteworthy as the disintegration rate increased with the addition of CSF filler, which leads to obtain a partially biodegradable wood plastic composite (WPC) and therefore, becoming more environmentally friendly.

Newly designed solid coupling medium for reducing trapped air pockets during extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy_ a phantom study

Introduction Air pockets between the lithotripter head and body surface are almost inevitably generated when applying a handful of gel onto the contact portion of the treatment head and that on the patient’s skin during coupling procedure. These air pockets can compromise the transmission of acoustic energy of shock wave and may significantly affect efficacy of stone disintegration. Comparing to conventional gel, this study aims to investigate efficacy of stone disintegration by using a proprietary isolation-coupling pad (“icPad”) as the coupling medium to reduce trapped air pockets during ESWL procedure. Method In this phantom study, Dornier lithotripter (Delta-2 RC, Dornier MedTech Europe GmbH Co., Germany) was used with a proprietary gel pads (icPad, Diameter = 150 mm, Thickness = 4 mm and 8 mm). The lithotripter was equipped with inline camera to observe the trapped air pockets between the contact surface of the lithotripter head. A testing and measuring device were used to observe experimental stone disintegration using icPad and semi-liquid gel. The conventional semi-liquid gel was used as control for result comparison. Results The stone disintegration rate of icPad 4 mm and 8 mm after 200 shocks of energy at level 2 were significantly higher than that of the semi-liquid gel (disintegration rate 92.3%, 85.0% vs. 45.5%, respectively, p < 0.001). The number of shocks for complete stone disintegration by icPad of 4 mm and 8 mm at the same energy level 2 were significantly lower than that of the semi-liquid gel (the number of shocks 242.0 ± 13.8, 248.7 ± 6.3 vs. 351.0 ± 54.6, respectively, p = 0.011). Furthermore, quantitative comparison of observed air pockets under Optical Coupling Control (OCC) system showed that the area of air pockets in semi-liquid group was significantly larger than that of the group using icPad (8 mm) and that of the group using icPad (8 mm) after sliding (332.7 ± 91.2 vs. 50.3 ± 31.9, 120.3 ± 21.5, respectively, p < 0.05). Conclusion The advantages of icPad includes: (1) reduced the numbers of shock wave and increased stone disintegration rate due to icPad’s superior efficacy; (2) significantly reduce trapped air pockets in ESWL coupling. Due to the study limitation, more data are needed to confirm our observations before human trials.

Effect of Dry-Wet Cycles and Freeze-Thaw Cycles on the Antierosion Ability of Fiber-Reinforced Loess

Compared with plain soil, polypropylene (PP) fiber-reinforced soil has markedly improved mechanical properties and can be used in slope protection projects. To investigate the reduction law of the antierosion ability parameters of PP fiber-reinforced loess under dry-wet (D-W) cycles and freeze-thaw (F-T) cycles, we took loess from Yan’an, China, mixed them with PP fiber, and did shear strength tests, disintegration tests, and permeability tests under D-W cycles and F-T cycles. The experimental results show that D-W cycles or F-T cycles had a less deteriorating effect on the cohesion, disintegration rate, and permeability coefficient of the fiber-reinforced samples than on plain loess; however, the reduction in their internal friction angle was more obvious. Under D-W cycles or F-T cycles, the cohesion and internal friction angle of the reinforced soil decreased as the number of cycles increased, while the disintegration rate and permeability coefficient increased as the number of cycles increased. The relation between the reduction in the antierosion ability parameters of reinforced soil and the number of D-W cycles or F-T cycles accorded with the hyperbolic function fitting results. The most obvious reduction effect the D-W cycles had on the reinforced soil was on the disintegration rate, followed by cohesion, internal friction angle, and permeability coefficient. The most obvious effect of F-T cycles was also on the disintegration rate, followed by cohesion, permeability coefficient, and internal friction angle. Compared with D-W cycles, F-T cycles had a stronger effect on the reduction in the cohesion, disintegration rate, and permeability coefficient of reinforced soil, but the reduction in the friction angle was greater in D-W cycles.

Comparison of ultrasound-assisted and pure fluoroscopy-guided extracorporeal shockwave lithotripsy for renal stones

Background In this study, we aimed to compare the efficacy and clinical outcomes of shock wave lithotripsy (SWL) for patients with renal stones using pure fluoroscopy (FS) or ultrasound-assisted (USa) localization with two lithotripters. Methods We retrospectively identified 425 patients with renal calculi who underwent SWL with either a LiteMed LM-9200 ELMA lithotripter (209 cases), which combined ultrasound and fluoroscopic stone targeting or a Medispec EM-1000 lithotripter machine (216 cases), which used fluoroscopy for stone localization and tracking. The patient demographic data, stone-free rates, stone disintegration rates, retreatment rates and complication rates were analyzed. Results The USa group had a significantly higher overall stone-free rate (43.6 vs. 28.2%, p < 0.001) and stone disintegration rate (85.6 vs. 64.3%, p < 0.001), as well as a significantly lower retreatment rate (14.8 vs. 35.6%, p < 0.001) and complication rate (1.9 vs. 5.5%, p = 0.031) compared with the FS group. This superiority remained significant in the stone size < 1 cm stratified group. In the stone size > 1 cm group, the stone-free rate (32.4 vs. 17.8%, p = 0.028), disintegration rate (89.2 vs. 54.8%, p = 0.031) and retreatment rate (21.6 vs. 53.4%, p < 0.001) were still significantly better in the USa group, however there was no significant difference in the complication rate. The most common complication was post-SWL-related flank pain. Conclusion SWL is a safe and non-invasive way of treating renal stones. This study compared two electromagnetic shock wave machines with different stone tracking systems. LiteMed LM-9200 ELMA lithotripter, which combined ultrasound and fluoroscopic stone targeting outperformed Medispec EM-1000 lithotripter, which used fluoroscopy for stone localization and tracking, with better stone-free rates and disintegration rates, as well as lower retreatment rates and complications with possible reduced radiation exposure.

Disintegration characteristics in granite residual soil and their relationship with the collapsing gully in South China

The climate is a significant factor affecting the collapsing gully in weathered granite areas, and most of the surface layers of the collapsed area comprise granite residual soil. Granite residual soil has complex disintegration characteristics under different initial water content conditions. Besides, its disintegration characteristic is an essential factor for collapsing gully. Therefore, disintegration tests, triaxial shear tests, nuclear magnetic resonance tests, and hydraulic conductivity tests are conducted under torridity and rainstorm conditions in order to study the disintegration characteristics of granite residual soil. The results of disintegration test showed that the initial disintegration rate of granite residual soil increased rapidly with the decrease in water content, while the relationship between disintegration rate and water content in the later stage of disintegration is unclear. When soaked, the maximum decrease in cohesion was 44.48%, the hydraulic conductivity became six times larger, and the amplitude of the T2 curve increased by about 40%, which reduced the strength of the soil and provided better access for rainwater infiltration to deeper stratum. The results show that the microstructure of granite residual soil would be damaged and the disintegration would occur after a rainstorm at low water content. Micropores would be formed inside the sample after soaking, resulting in destroying the continuity of the material.

Comparison of Ultrasound-assisted and Pure Fluoroscopy-guided Extracorporeal Shockwave Lithotripsy for Renal Stones

Background: In this study, we aimed to compare the efficacy and clinical outcomes of shock wave lithotripsy (SWL) for patients with renal stones using pure fluoroscopy (FS) or ultrasound-assisted (USa) localization with two lithotripters.Methods: We retrospectively identified 425 patients with renal calculi who underwent SWL with either a LiteMed LM-9200 ELMA lithotripter (209 cases), which combined ultrasound and fluoroscopic stone targeting or a Medispec EM-1000 lithotripter machine (216 cases), which used fluoroscopy for stone localization and tracking. The patient demographic data, stone-free rates, stone disintegration rates, retreatment rates and complication rates were analyzed.Results: The USa group had a significantly higher overall stone-free rate (43.6 vs. 28.2%, p<0.001) and stone disintegration rate (85.6 vs. 64.3%, p<0.001), as well as a significantly lower retreatment rate (14.8 vs. 35.6%, p<0.001) and complication rate (1.9 vs. 5.5%, p=0.031) compared with the FS group. This superiority remained significant in the stone size <1cm stratified group. In the stone size >1cm group, the stone-free rate (32.4 vs. 17.8%, p=0.028), disintegration rate (89.2 vs. 54.8%, p=0.031) and retreatment rate (21.6 vs. 53.4%, p<0.001) were still significantly better in the USa group, however there was no significant difference in the complication rate. The most common complication was post-SWL-related flank pain.Conclusion: SWL is a safe and non-invasive way of treating renal stones. this study compared two electromagnetic shock wave machines with different stone tracking systems. LiteMed LM-9200 ELMA lithotripter, which combined ultrasound and fluoroscopic stone targeting outperformed Medispec EM-1000 lithotripter, which used fluoroscopy for stone localization and tracking, with better stone-free rates and disintegration rates, as well as lower retreatment rates and complications with possible reduced radiation exposure.

Comparison of Ultrasound-assisted and Pure Fluoroscopy-guided Extracorporeal Shockwave Lithotripsy for Renal Stones

Background: In this study, we aimed to compare the efficacy and clinical outcomes of shock wave lithotripsy (SWL) for patients with renal stones using pure fluoroscopy (FS) or ultrasound-assisted (USa) localization with two lithotripters.Methods: We retrospectively identified 425 patients with renal calculi who underwent SWL with either a LiteMed LM-9200 ELMA lithotripter (209 cases), which combined ultrasound and fluoroscopic stone targeting or a Medispec EM-1000 lithotripter machine (216 cases), which used fluoroscopy for stone localization and tracking. The patient demographic data, stone-free rates, stone disintegration rates, retreatment rates and complication rates were analyzed.Results: The USa group had a significantly higher overall stone-free rate (43.6 vs. 28.2%, p<0.001) and stone disintegration rate (85.6 vs. 64.3%, p<0.001), as well as a significantly lower retreatment rate (14.8 vs. 35.6%, p<0.001) and complication rate (1.9 vs. 5.5%, p=0.031) compared with the FS group. This superiority remained significant in the stone size <1cm stratified group. In the stone size >1cm group, the stone-free rate (32.4 vs. 17.8%, p=0.028), disintegration rate (89.2 vs. 54.8%, p=0.031) and retreatment rate (21.6 vs. 53.4%, p<0.001) were still significantly better in the USa group, however there was no significant difference in the complication rate. The most common complication was post-SWL-related flank pain.Conclusion: Extracorporeal SWL using ultrasound combined with fluoroscopy for stone localization and real-time tracking, provides higher stone-free rates and stone disintegration rates, as well as lower retreatment rates and fewer complications.