Recent Trends in Fascinating Applications of Nanotechnology in Allied Health Sciences

The increased advancement in nanosciences in recent times has led to fascinating innovations. It has potential applications for altering the structural, surface, and physicochemical properties of nano-ranged metamaterials. The adaptable optical, structural, and surface characteristics of the nanoscopic regimes enhance the quality of integrated nanodevices and sensors. These are further used in optoelectronics, biomedicines, and catalysis. The use of nanomaterials for constructing nano-biosensors and various other organic and inorganic functional nanomaterials is quite promising. They have excellent electronic and surface-to-volume reactivity. Their various applications include metal and metal-oxides-based nanoparticles, clusters, wires, and 2D nanosheets as carbon nanotubes. More recently, hybrid nanomaterials are being developed to regulate sensing functionalities in the field of nanomedicine and the pharmaceutical industry. They are used as nano-markers, templates, and targeted agents. Moreover, the mechanical strength, chemical stability, durability, and flexibility of the hybrid nanomaterials make them appropriate for developing a healthy life for humans. This consists of a variety of applications, such as drug delivery, antimicrobial impacts, nutrition, orthopedics, dentistry, and fluorescence fabrics. This review article caters to the essential importance of nanoscience for biomedical applications and information for health science and research. The fundamental characteristics and functionalities of nanomaterials for particular biomedical uses are specifically addressed here.

Thermal resistance of building envelopes with heat-conducting elements in summer period

The analysis of the current methods and techniques of solving the problem of heat resistance of building envelopes with heat-conducting elements shows the solution of a onedimensional problem of heat resistance. One of the possible methods for determining the temperature fluctuation amplitude on the inner surface of the building envelopes with heatconducting elements is the modeling of non-stationary temperature conditions in the computer program. However, this solution causes great difficulties, as it transfers the specified calculation from engineering to scientific and cannot be recommended for practical application. The second method of solving this problem is the application of the convergence coefficient, which can be obtained empirically. The selection of the convergence coefficient allows for the influence of the heat-conducting elements on the weighted average surface temperature depending on the envelope configuration.The structural analysis of the building envelopes and their impact on the averaged amplitude of oscillations on the inner surface are conducted. The arrangement of heat-conducting elements at the outer edge is characterized by a negligible influence of the vibration amplitude on the averaged amplitude over the structural surface. The arrangement of heat-conducting elements greatly affects the heat-conducting elements. According to the comparative analysis, the convergence coefficient is preferable in harmonics of the average temperature fluctuations on the inner surface.

Seepage Damage Statistical Model of Filled Fractured Rock considering Structural Surface and Failure Characteristic

Damage theory studies the whole process of initiation, propagation, and instability of microcracks in materials and provides an important basis for the estimation of the risk of materials. Therefore, it is assumed that the rock microunit strength is the damage variable of the medium and obeys the Weibull distribution. According to the tensile failure characteristics of filled fractured rock under the action of seepage stress, the maximum tensile strain criterion is used to define the rock microunit strength parameters, and the equivalent elastic modulus of the fractured rock is used to establish a new damage statistical model. This paper mainly studies the rationality and feasibility of using this new constitutive model to describe the seepage failure process and damage characteristics of filled fractured rock. The results indicate that (1) the accuracy of the equivalent elastic modulus is affected by the confining pressure and the characteristics of the structural surface. In the elastic phase, using the equivalent elastic modulus, E V R H has better fit. In the plastic phase, it is better to use the E V parameter. (2) The established Weibull distribution statistical model can better calculate the stress-strain curve of fractured rocks with weak and soluble fillings. (3) The rock strength characteristics affected by different stress conditions and different filling fracture states calculated by the model are the same as the experimental data. (4) The model using equivalent elastic modulus parameters reflects the threshold characteristics of rock failure and the damage evolution process. After comparison, it is found that the model can accurately calculate the final damage value of the fractured rock with weak and soluble filling. However, the final damage value used to calculate the fractured rock of the hydraulic material filling is much higher and inaccurate.

Research on strengthening stone arch bridge with CFRP rebars

PurposeThis paper aims to describe carbon fiber reinforced plastics (CFRP) bars as a way to strengthen a 40-year-old stone arch bridge. To investigate effectiveness of the strengthening method, fielding-load tests were carried out before and after strengthening.Design/methodology/approachHigh-strength CFRP bars with minor radius, high tensile strain and good corrosion resistance were used in this reinforcement. The construction process for strengthening with CFRP bars – including CFRP bars cutting, crack grouting, original structural surface treatment, implant drilling, CFRP bars installation and pouring mortar – was described. Ultimate bearing capacity of the bridge after strengthening was discussed.FindingsThe results of concrete stress and deflection show that the strength and stiffness of the strengthened bridge are improved. The strengthened way with CFRP bars is feasible and effective.Originality/valueThis paper describes CFRP bars as a way to strengthen a 40-year-old stone arch bridge.

Leaf Surface Reflectance Does Not Affect Biophysical Traits Modelling from VIS-NIR Spectra in Plants with Sparsely Distributed Trichomes

In this study, we examine leaf reflectance as the main optical property used in remote sensing of vegetation. The total leaf reflectance consists of two main components: a diffuse component, originating from the leaf interior, and a component reflected directly from the leaf surface. The latter contains specular (mirror-like) reflectance (SR) and surface particle scattering, driven by the surface roughness. Our study aimed to (1) reveal the effects of key leaf structural traits on SR in 400–2500 nm, and (2) compare the performance of PLSR models of leaf biophysical properties based on the total reflectance and SR removal reflectance. Four Arabidopsis thaliana structural surface mutants and six Hieracium species differing in trichome properties were studied. PCA did not reveal any systematic effect of trichome density, length, and morphology on SR. Therefore, the results do not support the hypothesis that leaves with denser and longer trichomes have lower SR and higher total reflectance than the smooth leaves. SR removal did not remarkably improve PLSR models of biophysical traits (up to 2% of RMSE). Thus, in herbaceous dorsiventral leaves with relatively sparse trichomes of various morphology and without apparent waxy surface, we cannot confirm that SR removal significantly improves biophysical trait prediction.

Geological modeling of a hydrocarbon reservoir in the northeastern Llanos Orientales basin of Colombia

An hydrocarbon reservoir was characterized via a detailed geologic model, which allowed estimation of the original oil in place. The study characterizes a hydrocarbon reservoir of two fields of unit C7 of the Carbonera Formation within the Llanos Orientales basin of Colombia. This was done using well logs, the structural surface of the regional datum of the area, segments of the Yuca fault and a local fault of the reservoir, the permeability equation, and J functions of the reservoir provided by the operating company. With this information, a two-fault model and a grid with 3D cells was created. Each cell was assigned with a value of facies and petrophysical properties: porosity, permeability, and water saturation, to obtain a 3D model of facies and petrophysical properties. Subsequently, we used the constructed models and oil-water contacts to calculate the original oil in place for each field. Field 1 has a volume of six million barrels of oil and field 2 has 9 million barrels.