Evaluation of a Smectite Adsorption-Based Electrostatic System to Decontaminate F− Rich Thermal Waters

Several studies have shown the presence of fluoride levels much higher than the 1.5 mg/L threshold concentration recommended by WHO in the spring waters and wells of the Ethiopian Rift Valley. Available defluoridation techniques can be costly, present complicated technical aspects, and show limited effectiveness. Therefore, it is necessary to devise innovative, sustainable, and effective solutions. This study proposes an alternative method of intervention to the known techniques for removing fluoride from water, particularly suitable for smaller rural communities. In particular, in this work, the possibility to use electromagnetic fields as a physical method for removing the excess fluoride was investigated. The study was carried out by developing a multiphysics model used for studying and envisaging the design of a device. In this framework, the combination of this approach with the use of highly reactive smectite clay was numerically studied. The results obtained, although preliminary, indicate that the proposed system could significantly impoverish the waters of the Rift Valley from fluoride, with the consequence of obtaining a resource suitable for human consumption, in particular for rural communities. However, further theoretical investigations and experimental phases will be necessary to achieve the desired results.

Architecture engineering of nanostructured catalyst via layer-by-layer adornment of multiple nanocatalysts on silica nanorod arrays for hydrogenation of nitroarenes

Direct consideration for both, the catalytically active species and the host materials provides highly efficient strategies for the architecture design of nanostructured catalysts. The conventional wet chemical methods have limitations in achieving such unique layer-by-layer design possessing one body framework with many catalyst parts. Herein, an innovative physical method is presented that allows the well-regulated architecture design for an array of functional nanocatalysts as exemplified by layer-by-layer adornment of Pd nanoparticles (NPs) on the highly arrayed silica nanorods. This spatially confined catalyst exhibits excellent efficiency for the hydrogenation of nitroarenes and widely deployed Suzuki cross-coupling reactions; their facile separation from the reaction mixtures is easily accomplished due to the monolithic structure. The generality of this method for the introduction of other metal source has also been demonstrated with Au NPs. This pioneering effort highlights the feasibility of physically controlled architecture design of nanostructured catalysts which may stimulate further studies in the general domain of the heterogeneous catalytic transformations.

The Process of Pasting and Gelling Modified Potato Starch with LF-NMR

Currently, society expects convenience food, which is healthy, safe, and easy to prepare and eat in all conditions. On account of the increasing popularity of modified potato starch in food industry and its increasing scope of use, this study focused on improving the physical modification of native starch with temperature changes. As a result, it was found that the suggested method of starch modification with the use of microwave power of 150 W/h had an impact on the change in starch granules. The LF-NMR method determined the whole range of temperatures in which the creation of a starch polymer network occurs. Therefore, the applied LF-NMR technique is a highly promising, noninvasive physical method, which allows obtaining a better-quality structure of potato starch gels.

Transient nuclear lamin A/C accretion aids in recovery from vapor nanobubble-induced permeabilisation of the plasma membrane

Vapor nanobubble (VNB) photoporation is a physical method for intracellular delivery that has gained significant interest in the past decade. It has successfully been used to introduce molecular cargo of diverse nature into different cell types with high throughput and minimal cytotoxicity. For translational purposes, it is important to understand whether and how photoporation affects cell homeostasis. To obtain a comprehensive view on the transcriptional rewiring that takes place after VNB photoporation, we performed a longitudinal shotgun RNA-sequencing experiment. Six hours after photoporation, we found a marked upregulation of LMNA transcripts as well as their protein products, the A-type lamins. At the same time point, we observed a significant increase in several heterochromatin marks, suggesting a global stiffening of the nucleus. These molecular features vanished 24 h after photoporation. Since VNB-induced chromatin condensation was prolonged in LMNA knockout cells, A-type lamins may be required for restoring the nucleus to its original state. Selective depletion of A-type lamins reduced cell viability after VNB photoporation, while pharmacological stimulation of LMNA transcription increased the percentage of successfully transfected cells that survived after photoporation. Therefore, our results suggest that cells respond to VNB photoporation by temporary upregulation of A-type lamins to facilitate their recovery.

Probable maximum precipitation for the catchment of Koyna dam

Estimates of Probable Maximum Precipitation (PMP) for different durations were made for the catchment above Koyna dam on the Koyna river. The catchment spans an area of 892 km2 and the PMP estimates were made for a range of durations of 1 to 3 days. The PMP estimates for Koyna dam were found to be 48, 87 and 117 cm by the physical method and 54, 89 and 124 cm by statistical method for 1, 2 and 3 day respectively. These estimates can be used to check the existing spillway design flood of Koyna dam.

Impact of Ocular Residual Astigmatism On Anterior Corneal Astigmatism In Children With Low And Moderate Myopia

Background: To assess the influence of ocular residual astigmatism to anterior corneal astigmatism in children with low and moderate myopia.Methods: Refractive astigmatism was obtained by subjective manifest refraction. Anterior corneal astigmatism was obtained by IOL Master. Using Thibos vector analysis to calculate ocular residual astigmatism. Correlation analysis was used to assess the relationship between the magnitude of ocular residual astigmatism and anterior corneal astigmatism. The influence of ocular residual astigmatism to anterior corneal astigmatism was evaluated by Physical method.Results: The study analyzed 241 right eyes of 241 children aged 8 to 18 years old. In this study, the median magnitude of ocular residual astigmatism was 1.02 D, with interquartile range was 0.58 D. Against-the-rule ocular residual astigmatism was seen in 232 eyes (96.3%). There was a significant and moderate correlation between ocular residual astigmatism and anterior corneal astigmatism (r = 0.50, P < 0.001). The ocular residual astigmatism in 240 eyes (99.6%) had a compensatory effects on anterior corneal astigmatism. The mean compensation value was 1.00 ± 0.41 D (rang 0.02 D to 2.34 D). Based on this effect, 37 eyes had different axial classification of anterior corneal astigmatism and refractive astigmatism. By contrast, one eye (0.4%) had oblique ocular residual astigmatism and superimposed with-the-rule anterior corneal astigmatism.Conclusions: The magnitude of ocular residual astigmatism was relatively huge in myopia children and predominantly compensated anterior corneal astigmatism. The ocular residual astigmatism should be assessed first before fitting orthokeratology.

A Magnetic Field Prevents Alcoholic Liver Disease by Reducing Oxidative Stress

The radical-pair recombination change will affect the generation of free radicals, which can be regulated by static magnetic fields (SMFs) in a SMF setting dependent way. It is well known that alcohol consumption leads to significantly increased free radical levels and health risks, which lacks effective treatment method besides alcohol abstinence. Here we compared different SMF settings and found that a downward SMF of ∼0.1 T with magnetic flux of ∼4.5×10−3 Wb could effectively alleviate alcohol-induced liver damage and lipid accumulation, and improve liver function. The inflammation, reactive oxygen species (ROS) level and oxidative stress were significantly reduced. EPR (electron paramagnetic resonance) experiments also confirmed the reduced amount of free radical by SMF treatment. Moreover, the lifespan of heavy alcohol drinking mice was also significantly changed due to the SMF effects on liver cell ROS level, DNA synthesis and liver cell regeneration. Our study shows that moderate SMFs with specific parameters have great promises to be developed into a physical method to reduce alcohol-induced liver damage in the future.