Development of a combined solution of pyrimidine nucleotides with vitamin B6

Pyrimidine nucleotides, namely uridine monophosphate and cytidine monophosphate, play an important role in the cellular metabolism of nerve fibers. The combination of these nucleotides with pyridoxine hydrochloride (vitamin В6) in one dosage form will allow us to fully implement the strategy of the complex neurotropic pharmacotherapy in neuropathies of various origins. To develop a stable solution, an important step at the stage of the composition development is to study the compatibility of active substances (active pharmaceutical ingredients - APIs) in solution. Samples of binary solutions and solutions containing all active substances were prepared and examined. The API interaction was determined by various parameters – changes in color, transparency, рН, the total impurity content, etc. Based on a comprehensive study of the processes of the API dissolution the optimal pH limits of the solution required for the stable existence of a combination of substances with different pH values of the medium have been substantiated and experimentally confirmed. As a result of the research, the optimal pH value of the solution recommended is 4.0-4.8. In the composition of substances the amount of water can be in an adsorbed or crystallized, or combined form. This fact should be taken into account in order to correctly calculate the actual amounts of initial ingredients when preparing the solution. The nature of the water component of APIs was clarified when studying the phase composition of samples on a powder diffractometer. The studies conducted have allowed us to determine the directions of further research for developing the composition of an injection drug. This research is in choosing the optimal buffer system and excipients-antioxidants.

Development of Novel Shale Swelling Inhibitors Using Hydrophobic Ionic Liquids and Gemini Surfactants for Water-Based Drilling Fluids

In the last decade, hydrophilic Ionic liquids have been emerged as an additive in drilling fluids for clay swelling inhibition. However, the application of hydrophobic Ionic liquids as a clay swelling inhibitor have not been investigated. In this study, the combination of hydrophobic Ionic liquids and Gemini surfactant were studied to evaluate the inhibition performance. The novel combination of hydrophobic ionic liquid (Trihexyltetradecyl phosphonium bis(2,4,4-trimethyl pentyl) phosphinate) and cationic gemini surfactant (GB) was prepared by mixing various concentrations of both chemicals and then preparing water based drilling fluid using other drilling fluid additives such as rheological modifier, filtration control agent, and pH control agent. The wettability of sodium bentonite was determined by contact angle with different concentrations of combined solution. Some other experiments such as linear swelling, capillary suction test (CST) and bentonite swell index were performed to study the inhibition performance of ionic liquid. Different concentrations of novel combined ionic liquid and gemini surfactant were used to prepare the drilling fluids ranging from (0.1 to 0.5 wt.%), and their performances were compared with the base drilling fluid. The wettability results showed that novel drilling fluid having 0.1% Tpb-P - 0.5% GB wt.% concentration has a maximum contact angle indicating the highly hydrophobic surface. The linear swelling was evaluated over the time of 24 hours, and least swelling of bentonite was noticed with 0.1% Tpb-P - 0.5% GB wt.% combined solution compared to linear swelling in deionized water. Furthermore, the results of CST also suggested the improved performance of novel solution at 0.1% Tpb-P - 0.1% GB concentration. The novel combination The novel combination of hydrophobic ionic liquids and gemini surfactant has been used to formulate the drilling fluid for high temperature applications to modify the wettability and hydration properties of clay. The use of novel combined ionic liquid and gemini surfactant improves the borehole stability by adjusting the clay surface and resulted in upgraded wellbore stability.

A Paradigm Shift in Monitoring Pipeline Leaks - Combining Sensorless NPW with RTTM

Leak detection solutions in pipelines use several known methods and technologies. However, each method and its underlying technology has their benefits and drawbacks. This article will present and evaluate a hybrid solution that combines two methods based on different physical measurements and quantities to ensure a superior detection probability, short detection time, accurate localization of faults, and minimal false alarm rates. In addition, this solution also features preventive capabilities by pointing out problematic areas in a pipeline that may need more attention. The article presents a novel approach for pipeline monitoring using a combined solution with the strengths of real-time transient model (RTTM) technology and the power of next-generation fiber sensing geared towards leak detection. On top of acoustic sensing for leaks, it features continuous pipeline integrity monitoring where, using subtle characteristics of propagating negative pressure waves (NPW), pipeline sections signatures are tracked, aiming to detect changes that might expose pipeline integrity issues that can enable the operator to take preventive measures and plan maintenance events. Such a hybrid solution, from AVEVA™ (RTTM) and Prisma Photonics (fiber sensing), will obtain higher levels of performance and reliability. In addition, such a hybrid approach responds to the increasing regulatory demand to have two continuously working solutions based on different physical measures to ensure leak detection and prevention of substance spillage. This article intends to introduce such a hybrid solution with new applications in predictive maintenance for pipeline operators and shed more light on the benefits of such a solution facing further regulatory demands.

Complex Processing of Adsorbent Used in the Purification of Hydrogen-Containing Gas

The problems of processing spent adsorbents with a high concentration of chemisorbed chlorine-containing compounds for their reuse are studied in this article. The genesis of the phase composition and morphology at all technological stages of thermochemical regeneration of the spent adsorbent - Axstrap-860 by means of alkaline modification with a combined solution of sodium and potassium hydroxides has been tested by diffractometry and elemental analysis. The results show that the formation of a layer with an increased concentration of alkali metals in the form of the corresponding carbonates and NaOH on the surface of the granules and in the volume of sodium and potassium aluminates provides adsorption of HCl, which are slightly inferior to the fresh adsorbent. The conditions for the removal of halogen-containing substances from technogenic raw materials with the subsequent isolation of useful products have been optimized: (1) crystalline NaCl intended for the preparation of electrolyte for electrode boilers and steam generators; (2) a mixture of chlorides and hydroxochlorides of aluminum tested in the process of coagulation purification of turbid natural and waste waters; (3) pseudoboehmite for the production of an adsorbent-desiccant and the synthesis of magnesium-aluminum spinel using the technology of destruction-epitaxial transformation, and a promising carrier for catalysts for steam reforming of hydrocarbons. Copyright © 2021 by Authors, Published by BCREC Group. This is an open access article under the CC BY-SA License (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0).

Intervention Effect of the Video Health Education Model Based on Solution-Focused Theory on Adolescents’ Mental Health dur-ing the COVID-19 Pandemic

Background: Given the long-term impact of public health emergencies on adolescents’ mental health, extensive effort should be exerted in the psychological intervention of adolescents during the COVID-19 pandemic. This study combined solution-focused theory and video health education to explore the intervention effect of this model on adolescents’ mental health. Methods: Overall, 126 volunteers with anxiety symptoms from four communities in 2021 in Anhui Province, China were randomly divided into the intervention and control groups (63 members in each group). The control group only received health education popularized in the community. By contrast, the intervention group was given the same health education and provided with solution-focused psychological counseling and short video health education related to the pandemic. Results: Results after the intervention were as follows: 1) The Self-rating Anxiety Scale scores of both groups were low, but the effect on the intervention group was better than the control group (P < 0.05). 2) Both groups’ positive and negative affect scores were higher and lower than those before the intervention were, but changes in the scores of the intervention group were greater than that of the control group (P < 0.05). Conclusion: The group intervention of solution-focused theory combined with video health education can improve the mental health level of adolescents, effectively alleviate their anxiety and negative emotions, and improve their positive emotions.

Iodine-Loaded Calcium Titanate for Bone Repair with Sustainable Antibacterial Activity Prepared by Solution and Heat Treatment

In the orthopedic and dental fields, simultaneously conferring titanium (Ti) and its alloy implants with antibacterial and bone-bonding capabilities is an outstanding challenge. In the present study, we developed a novel combined solution and heat treatment that controllably incorporates 0.7% to 10.5% of iodine into Ti and its alloys by ion exchange with calcium ions in a bioactive calcium titanate. The treated metals formed iodine-containing calcium-deficient calcium titanate with abundant Ti-OH groups on their surfaces. High-resolution XPS analysis revealed that the incorporated iodine ions were mainly positively charged. The surface treatment also induced a shift in the isoelectric point toward a higher pH, which indicated a prevalence of basic surface functionalities. The Ti loaded with 8.6% iodine slowly released 5.6 ppm of iodine over 90 days and exhibited strong antibacterial activity (reduction rate >99%) against methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA), S. aureus, Escherichia coli, and S. epidermidis. A long-term stability test of the antibacterial activity on MRSA showed that the treated Ti maintained a >99% reduction until 3 months, and then it gradually decreased after 6 months (to a 97.3% reduction). There was no cytotoxicity in MC3T3-E1 or L929 cells, whereas apatite formed on the treated metal in a simulated body fluid within 3 days. It is expected that the iodine-carrying Ti and its alloys will be particularly useful for orthopedic and dental implants since they reliably bond to bone and prevent infection owing to their apatite formation, cytocompatibility, and sustainable antibacterial activity.

PERFORMANCE ANALYSIS OF THE IOPES SEAMLESS INDOOR-OUTDOOR POSITIONING APPROACH

Tracking the members of civil protection or emergency teams is still an open issue. Although outdoors tracking is routinely performed using well-seasoned techniques such as GNSS, this same problem must be still solved for indoors situations. There exist several approaches for indoor positioning, but these are not appropriate for tracking emergency staff in real-time: some of these approaches rely on existing infrastructures; others have not been tested in light devices in real-time; none offers a combined solution. The IOPES project seeks to solve or at least alleviate this problem by building a portable, unobtrusive, lightweight device combining GNSS for outdoor positioning and visual-inertial odometry / SLAM for the indoors case. This work, the third of the IOPES series, presents the analysis of the performance results obtained after developing and testing the first IOPES prototype. To do it, the operational aspects of the prototype, the real-life scenarios where the tests took place and the actual results thus obtained are described.

GEODESY, CARTOGRAPHY, AND AERIAL PHOTOGRAPHY

The emergence of satellite observations was marked by their widespread use to determine the velocities and direction of horizontal motions of lithosphere plates (modern kinematics of lithosphere plates), which allowed to research the deformation processes at the global and regional levels. Today, permanent GNSS stations cover a large part of the land area. Since many of these stations have accumulated a large amount of daily observation over 20 years, it is possible to trace the deformation processes of certain areas. There is the problem of correct identification of observations of the true parameters of the deformation process. This issue requires the joint work of geophysicists and geodesists. But high-precision time series and values of GNSS station velocities are important and perspective data for the interpretation of geodynamic processes, which are much easier to obtain than geophysical or geological data, do not require special costs and should take into account their active development, the number of such stations is growing rapidly. Today, according to unofficial data, more than 300 reference stations operate in Ukraine. The aim of this work is to detect deformations of the Earth's crust in the Carpathian folded system using GNSS technology. The input data for the research were the observations over eight years (2013-2020) at reference stations in Ukraine (ZAKPOS network). From these observations, the combined solution (coordinates time series and velocities) was calculated using the scientific software GAMIT / GLOBK. According to the obtained data, the horizontal displacements vectors of GNSS stations were also constructed, and the deformations of the Earth's crust were calculated by the method of triangles, the vertices of which are GNSS stations, using the GPS Triangle Strain Calculator software. The calculated values of deformations showed a different geodynamic value, depending on the location of the triangles. In particular, the active zones of stretching (Rakhiv-Verkhovyna and Syanok-Ustryky-Dolishni) and compression (Rakhiv-Khust-Mukachevo) were identified. The research results make it possible to establish the features of the spatial distribution of crustal movement in the Carpathian region and in the future in a joint interpretation with geophysical data to create a regional geodynamic model of the Carpathian folded system.

Effect of Topical Products Extracted from Essential Oils of Capsicum, Apium graveolens and Mentha Plants on the Pain Intensity in Patients with Inflammatory Pain

Background: Inflammatory pain is the spontaneous hypersensitivity to pain that occurs in response to tissue damage and inflammation. Recently herbal remedies have been considered for less complications. The two topical products of Capsicum (Capex Topical cream) Apium graveolens and Mentha (CM lotion) can reduce the inflammatory. Since Capex Topical cream causes skin irritation, it seems that its composition with the other product could probably reduce this complication. Methods: This experimental study was performed on 60 patients referred to orthopedic clinic of Shahid Yahyanejad Hospital, Babol in 2018. Patients were randomly divided into three treatment groups. Data collection was done by a researcher-made questionnaire, which included two parts of individual characteristics and the severity of pain. The severity of pain was measured by visual analogue scale (VAS) before intervention and two and four weeks after the intervention. Data were analyzed using SPSS-16 software and P < 0.05 was considered as significant. Results: The results showed that the intensity of pain after use of each of the products decreased in all three groups. In addition, our results demonstrated that application of Capex Topical Cream was more effective that use of CM lotion in decreasing the pain intensity (P < 0.05). Moreover, the intensity of pain after topical application of the combined lotion of CM and Capex Topical cream significantly decreased (P < 0.05), however the decrease in pain intensity using combined solution was not significant compared to application of Capex Topical cream or CM lotion alone. Conclusions: The present study showed that the use of all topical products reduces the severity of pain and due to the less side effects and complications such as skin irritation in application of combined solution and better acceptance by patients, it could be suggested the use of combined solution as a better alternative to reduce inflammatory pains.

Space Debris Removal under Spatial Grasp Technology

The threats of space debris are enormously high, which are increasing due to launch of multi-satellite constellations, especially in low-Earth orbit, with millions of pieces of junk there. Different passive and active debris removal methods are being developed like self-deorbiting of used satellites, drag sails, mechanical grasps, tethers and nets, also directed energy, lasers including. Space junk is the responsibility of the whole mankind, and&nbsp;the problem of managing space debris is both the international challenge and the opportunity to preserve the space environment for future space exploration missions. The paper shows how self-organized constellation networks of deorbiting satellites can organize multiple cleaning operations autonomously under the developed Spatial Grasp Technology (SGT), with cooperative involvement of the whole network and minimum interaction with costly ground antennas and stations. It also offers a unique solution where most dangerous junk items can themselves be treated as active virtual-physical items freely moving through terrestrial and celestial environments and ultimately finding, by their own initiative, the proper cleaning satellites. This can effectively organize the global junk management and removal problem, where the active junk items can keep initiative of self-removal for any time needed and using any distributed resources. A combined solution is also offered with initial global search for approximate satellite-debris matching, after which the junk is delegated its own initiative to find the absolute match by traveling around the globe as far and as long as required. The paper shows and explains different practical cleaning scenarios in the high-level Spatial Grasp Language (as key element of SGT) and possibilities of quick implementation of the approach.