Investigation of the Mechanical and Liquid Absorption Properties of a Rice Straw-Based Composite for Ayurvedic Treatment Tables

Managing rice crop stubble is one of the major challenges witnessed in the agricultural sector. This work attempts to investigate the physical, mechanical, and liquid absorption properties of rice straw (RS)-reinforced polymer composite for assessing its suitability to use as an ayurvedic treatment table. This material is expected to be an alternative for wooden-based ayurvedic treatment tables. The results showed that the addition of rice straw particles (RSp) up to 60% volume in epoxy reduced the density of the composite material by 46.20% and the hardness by 15.69%. The maximum tensile and flexural strength of the RSp composite was 17.53 MPa and 43.23 MPa, respectively. The scanning electron microscopy (SEM) analysis showed deposits of silica in the form of phytoliths in various size and shapes on the outer surface of RS. The study also revealed that the water absorption rate (WA) was less than 7.8% for the test samples with 45% volume of RSp. Interestingly the test samples showed greater resistance to the absorption of Kottakal Dhanvantaram Thailam (<2%). In addition, the developed samples showed resistance towards bacterial and fungal growth under the exposure of treatment oils and water.

Mussel-inspired Coating of α-AlH3: A Compact Structure with Highly Enhanced Stability

we present a novel surfacing coating to resolve the stability of α-AlH3. Inspired by the strong chemical adhesion of mussels, the polymerization of dopamine was first introduced to coat α-AlH3 through a simple situ polymerization. The α-AlH3 was used as a substrate. In-depth characterizations confirmed compact formation with PDA on α-AlH3 surface. The coated α-AlH3 sample was characterized by XRD XPS and SEM . The results show that a strong PDA film is formed on the surface of α-AlH3, the PDA@α-AlH3 retained primary morphology. The crystal form of α-AlH3 does not change after coated by PDA. The results of XPS analysis show that N1s appears on the material after coated by PDA, indicating that polydopamine is formed on the surface of α-AlH3. The moisture absorption tests show that the moisture absorption rate of α-AlH3 is greatly reduced after being coated with PDA. The excellent intact ability of PDA prevent α-AlH3 reacting with watered in the air. The thermal stability of α-AlH3 before and after coating was analyzed by DSC. This work demonstrates the successful applications of dopamine chemistry to α-AlH3, thereby providing a potential method for the metastable materials.

Modeling of Interstitial Microwave Hyperthermia for Hepatic Tumors Using Floating Sleeve Antenna

PurposeMicrowave hyperthermia is a treatment modality that uses microwaves to destroy cancer cells by increasing their temperature to 41- 45°C. This study aims to design, modeling, and simulation of a microwave sleeve antenna for hepatic (liver) hyperthermia. MethodThe designed antenna resonated at 2.45 GHz. The antenna was tested in six different 3D liver models: Model A: without a tumor and blood vessels; Model B: with a realistic tumor (2x3 cm) and without blood vessels; Model C: created by adding blood vessels to model B; Model D: created by adding a small tumor (1.5x1.5 cm) to model C and changed its location; Model E: same as model C with a different tumor size; Model F: model with a simple spherical tumor (1.5x1.5 cm).ResultsThe return loss of the antenna varied from -45 dB to -25 dB for the 6 models. The Specific Absorption Rate (SAR) was between 29 W/kg to 30W/kg in the tumors and below 24 W/Kg in the surrounding tissues. The tumors’ temperature elevated to 43- 45°C, while the temperature of the surrounding tissues was below 41°C.ConclusionsThe results showed the capability of the designed antenna to raise the temperature of hepatic tumors to the therapeutic ranges of hyperthermia.

Role of Insulin: Perspectives

The pancreas in a non-diabetic patient invariably produces a lesser quantum of insulin (basal production). Insulin furnishes glucose homeostasis by keeping the plasma glucose worth in an optimum class throughout the day. It assists transport blood glucose into the body cells where the glucose is metabolized to generate energy. Regular insulin is inserted pre-meal to abrupt the postprandial ascend in glucose levels. It figures hexamers after insertion into the subcutaneous space sluggishing its absorption. Ultra-fast acting commences to act 4-7 minutes before regular apidra and lasts for around 3 hours. The absorption rate of lente insulin is downgraded by the extension of zinc to the insulin preparation. Long-acting insulins furnish basal insulin coverage. Atrophy of subcutaneous fat owing to applicability of further greater accumulated insulin preparations of neutral potenz hydrogen.

Towards an integrated neonatal brain and cardiac examination capability at 7 T: electromagnetic field simulations and early phantom experiments using an 8-channel dipole array

Objective Neonatal brain and cardiac imaging would benefit from the increased signal-to-noise ratio levels at 7 T compared to lower field. Optimal performance might be achieved using purpose designed RF coil arrays. In this study, we introduce an 8-channel dipole array and investigate, using simulations, its RF performances for neonatal applications at 7 T. Methods The 8-channel dipole array was designed and evaluated for neonatal brain/cardiac configurations in terms of SAR efficiency (ratio between transmit-field and maximum specific-absorption-rate level) using adjusted dielectric properties for neonate. A birdcage coil operating in circularly polarized mode was simulated for comparison. Validation of the simulation model was performed on phantom for the coil array. Results The 8-channel dipole array demonstrated up to 46% higher SAR efficiency levels compared to the birdcage coil in neonatal configurations, as the specific-absorption-rate levels were alleviated. An averaged normalized root-mean-square-error of 6.7% was found between measured and simulated transmit field maps on phantom. Conclusion The 8-channel dipole array design integrated for neonatal brain and cardiac MR was successfully demonstrated, in simulation with coverage of the baby and increased SAR efficiency levels compared to the birdcage. We conclude that the 8Tx-dipole array promises safe operating procedures for MR imaging of neonatal brain and heart at 7 T.

Physical and mechanical properties of mortars containing date palm fibers

This paper presents the results of a study conducted to investigate the effects of incorporating Sefri Date Palm Leave Fibers (SDPLF) into the mortar. A total of seven mixtures were prepared and tested. SDPLF were collected from local farms. The fibers were then cleaned, dried, and cut to different sizes of 10 mm, 20 mm, and 50 mm, maintaining the same individual fiber width of approximately 5±2 mm. The content of SDPLF in mortars was kept to 1% and 3% by mass. The physical and mechanical properties of SDPLF fibers and SDPLF mortars were investigated. The compressive strength at 7, 14, and 28 days was determined. The water absorption rate test was carried out on mortars containing 1% SDPLF fibers. The results showed that mortars with SDPLF have lower workability, lower density, and lower compressive strength as compared to control mortars. However, they are still acceptable for use in construction works. Mortars containing 10 mm and 20 mm SDPLF fibers by mass showed significant improvement in terms of water absorption rate as compared to the control mortar.

Design of ultra-compact ISM band implantable patch antenna for bio-medical applications

In this paper, an ultra-compact implantable antenna for biomedical applications is proposed. The proposed implanted meandered compact patch antenna is implanted inside the body at a depth of 2 mm. The proposed antenna was designed with Roger RO3003 (ɛr = 3) as substrate with an overall size of dimensions 5 × 5 × 0.26 mm3. The radiating element is a square patch antenna with different size rectangular slots and coaxial feeding. The proposed implantable antenna resonates at 2.45 GHz (from 2.26 to 2.72 GHz) frequency with a bandwidth of 460 MHz and a gain of −22.6 dB. The specific absorption rate has been considered for health care considerations, and the result is within the limits of the federal communication commission. The measured and simulated scattering parameters are compared, and good agreements are achieved. The proposed antenna is simulated and investigated for biomedical applications suitability.

Effects of Composition on the Electromagnetic Wave Shielding/Absorption and Corrosion in Zn-Ni Alloy Thin Film

In the Fourth industrial age, there is increasing use of electronic devices with high frequency (GHz) operating circuits for radio wave transmission/reception. This can lead to electromagnetic noise, and malfunctions in nearby devices. Electromagnetic shielding technology has emerged as an important way of preventing device malfunctions due to noise, and interest in shielding materials for electromagnetic waves has also increased. To allow compact integration and light weight electronic devices, highly efficient, thin and multifunctional film materials are required. This study selected the Zn-Ni alloy, which has adequate corrosion resistance, to protect the metal parent material of electronic components. Various compositions of the alloy were deposited using magnetron sputtering. Phase formation and composition were confirmed through XRD and SEM and EDS. The surface resistance of the thin films was measured using the 4point probe method, to calculate the shielding rate of the thin films. The electromagnetic wave shielding/absorption rate then measured according to frequency and the results compared with the calculated values. Corrosion resistance was evaluated with a polarization test. The far field electromagnetic shielding/absorption rate increased as the Zn content increased, up to 52 dB in a film with 70 at% of Zn. Corrosion resistivity behavior was the opposite. However, the Ni5Zn21 phase formation, which occurred in films with lower Zn composition, helped to improve electromagnetic absorption in the near field as well as corrosion resistivity. Therefore, the optimum composition of the Zn-Ni films was provisionally determined to be around Ni: Zn = 43:57 for electronic devices using electromagnetic waves in the near field range.

Tunable dual plasmon-induced transparency and slow-light analysis based on monolayer patterned graphene metamaterial

We propose a novel terahertz metamaterial structure based on patterned monolayer graphene. This structure produces an evident dual plasmon-induced transparency (PIT) phenomenon due to destructive interference between bright and dark modes. Since the Fermi level of graphene can be adjusted by an external bias voltage, the PIT phenomenon can be tuned by adjusting the voltage. Then the coupled-mode theory (CMT) is introduced to explore the internal mechanism of the PIT. After that, we investigate the variation of absorption rate at different graphene carrier mobilities, and it shows that the absorption rate of this structure can reach 50%, which is a guideline for the realization of graphene terahertz absorption devices. In addition, through the study of the slow-light performance for this structure, it is found that its group index is as high as 928, which provides a specific theoretical basis for the study of graphene slow-light devices.