Permeability of Ibuprofen in the Form of Free Acid and Salts of L-Valine Alkyl Esters from a Hydrogel Formulation through Strat-M™ Membrane and Human Skin

This paper aimed to evaluate the effect of vehicle and chemical modifications of the structure of active compounds on the skin permeation and accumulation of ibuprofen [IBU]. In vitro permeation experiments were performed using human abdominal skin and Strat-M™ membrane. The HPLC method was used for quantitative determinations. The formulations tested were hydrogels containing IBU and its derivatives and commercial gel with ibuprofen. The results obtained indicate that Celugel® had an enhancing effect on the skin penetration of IBU. The average cumulative mass of [IBU] after 24 h permeation test from Celugel® formulation through human skin was over 3 times higher than for the commercial product. Three ibuprofen derivatives containing [ValOiPr][IBU], [ValOPr][IBU], and [ValOBu][IBU] cation were evaluated as chemical penetration enhancers. The cumulative mass after 24 h of penetration was 790.526 ± 41.426, 682.201 ± 29.910, and 684.538 ± 5.599 μg IBU cm−2, respectively, compared to the formulation containing unmodified IBU-429.672 ± 60.151 μg IBU cm−2. This study demonstrates the perspective of the transdermal hydrogel vehicle in conjunction with the modification of the drug as a potential faster drug delivery system.

Impact of temperature on the leaching of sulphate, Co, Fe, Mn, Ni and Zn from the Ballangen tailings deposit, Norway: a laboratory column experiment

Temperature is an important factor affecting the leaching of contaminants from waste deposits, especially in the Nordic region where temperature change is more drastic than other areas. In this study, the impact of temperature variation in the leaching of sulphate, Co, Fe, Mn, Ni and Zn from the Ballangen tailings deposit, northern Norway, was investigated using a column leaching experiment. Unoxidized tailings were fed into four columns, which were subsequently put into four wine fridges set at 5, 10, 14 and 18 °C, respectively. The columns were filled with 600 ml of deionized water from the top every second week. Leachate was collected at the bottom and tested for pH, conductivity and concentrations of , Co, Fe, Mn, Ni and Zn. The saturation index for ferrihydrite and the activity of Fe2+ in the leachate were calculated with PHREEQC. The results showed that the conductivity and leachate concentrations of , Co, Fe, Mn and Ni were highest at 14 and 18 °C, and lowest at 5 °C, which showed high tailings oxidation and subsequent leaching of contaminants at higher temperatures. X-ray photoelectron spectroscopic (XPS) analysis of the residual material confirmed the oxidation of sulphides and leaching of many elements. Ferrihydrite was supersaturated in the leachate from the 14 and 18 °C columns, which showed the oxidation of pyrrhotite and olivine and the precipitation of ferrihydrite. The cumulative mass of Zn leached out was highest at 10 °C, which might be the threshold temperature for the leaching of Zn.

Cyclic drying and wetting tests on combined remediation of chromium-contaminated soil by calcium polysulfide, synthetic zeolite and cement

Using calcium polysulfide as the reducing agent, synthetic zeolite as the adsorbent, and cement as the curing agent, the dual-index orthogonal test method was used to determine the best remediation dosage of chromium-contaminated soil. On this basis, through the dry–wet cycle test, the durability of the chromium-contaminated soil after repair is analyzed from the perspectives of unconfined compressive strength, toxic leaching concentration, quality loss, and microscopic characterization. Test results showed that the optimal ratio for the joint repair of chromium-contaminated soil was 3 times the amount of CaS5, 15% synthetic zeolite, and 20% cement. With the increase in the number of wet–dry cycles, the unconfined compressive strength of the composite preparation combined to repair chromium-contaminated soil was first increased and then reduced, and the concentration of Cr(VI) and total chromium in the leachate was first decreased and then increased. The higher the chromium content of the contaminated soil was, the lower the unconfined compressive strength, and the higher the leaching concentration of Cr(VI) and total chromium were. With the increase in cycle times, the cumulative mass-loss rate of composite preparations for repairing chromium-contaminated soil gradually increased, and the higher the chromium content was, the higher the cumulative mass-loss rate, which was less than 2%, reflecting the combination of composite preparations for repairing chromium-contaminated soil to have good durability. Microscopic and macroscopic results are consistent with each other.

Integrating sociotechnical factors to assess efficacy of PV recycling and reuse interventions

By 2050, the cumulative mass of end-of-life photovoltaic (PV) modules may reach 80 million metric tons globally. The impacts could be mitigated by circular economy (CE) strategies including module recycling, repair, and reuse. However, previous studies of PV circularity omit consideration of critical social factors. We use a novel agent-based model to integrate social aspects with techno-economic, factors—providing a more realistic assessment of circularity potential for previously studied CE interventions and assessing additional interventions that cannot be analyzed using techno-economic analysis alone. We also performed a global sensitivity analysis using a machine-learning metamodel. We show that excluding social factors underestimates the effect of lower recycling prices on PV material circularity. Interventions aimed at changing customer attitudes about used PV boost module reuse, although used modules can only satisfy a third of US demand during 2020–2050, suggesting that reuse should be complemented by recycling.

Comparative analyses of alternative breakthrough curves from cumulative mass column testing of soil–bentonite backfills

The results of eight cumulative mass column tests were analyzed via several different methods to evaluate the dispersion coefficient, D, and the retardation factor, Rd, governing the migration of chloride (Cl−), potassium (K), and zinc (Zn) through soil–bentonite backfills for vertical cutoff walls. Regression of the measured relative (effluent) concentration (RC) breakthrough curves (BTCs) resulted in relatively accurate determinations of Rd, but relatively inaccurate determinations of D for all three solutes. Values of Rd based on dimensionless time, T, corresponding to an RC of 0.5 were underestimated for all three solutes due to the significance of diffusion on solute transport. With a few exceptions, Rd for K and Zn based on analyses of the steady-state portions of measured cumulative mass ratio (CMR) BTCs and T – CMR BTCs were relatively accurate, whereas analysis of measured T – CMR BTCs was more accurate for determining Rd of Cl−. Overall, there is no advantage to analyzing the results of cumulative mass column tests in the form of RC BTCs, whereas the CMR and T – CMR BTCs offer the advantage of determining Rd based on simple linear regressions of the steady-state portions of the BTCs, i.e., provided steady-state solute transport has been established.

Predicting rut depth induced by an 8-wheeled forwarder in fine-grained boreal forest soils

Key message Rut depth in fine-grained boreal soils induced by an 8-wheeled forwarder is best predicted with soil moisture content, cumulative mass of machine passes, bulk density and thickness of the humus layer. Context Forest machines are today very heavy and will cause serious damage to soil and prevent future growth if forest operations are carried out at the wrong time of the year. Forest operations performed during the wettest season should therefore be directed at coarse-grained soils that are not as prone to soil damage. Aims The study aimed at investigating the significance of the most important soil characteristics on rutting and developing models that can be utilized in predicting rutting prior to forest operations. Methods A set of wheeling tests on two fine-grained mineral soil stands in Southern Finland were performed. The wheeling experiments were conducted in three different periods of autumn in order to get the largest possible variation in moisture content. The test drives were carried out with an 8-wheeled forwarder. Results Soil moisture content is the most important factor affecting rut depth. Rut depth of an 8-wheeled forwarder in fine-grained boreal soil is best predicted with soil moisture content, cumulative mass of machine passes, bulk density and thickness of the humus layer. Conclusion The results emphasize the importance of moisture content on the risk of rutting in fine-grained mineral soils, especially with high moisture content values when soil saturation reaches 80%. The results indicate that it is of high importance that soil type and soil wetness can be predicted prior to forest operations.

Explaining mass balance and retreat dichotomies at Taku and Lemon Creek Glaciers, Alaska

We reanalyzed mass balance records at Taku and Lemon Creek Glaciers to better understand the relative roles of hypsometry, local climate and dynamics as mass balance drivers. Over the 1946–2018 period, the cumulative mass balances diverged. Tidewater Taku Glacier advanced and gained mass at an average rate of +0.25 ± 0.28 m w.e. a–1, contrasting with retreat and mass loss of −0.60 ± 0.15 m w.e. a−1 at land-terminating Lemon Creek Glacier. The uniform influence of regional climate is demonstrated by strong correlations among annual mass balance and climate data. Regional warming trends forced similar statistically significant decreases in surface mass balance after 1989: −0.83 m w.e. a–1 at Taku Glacier and −0.81 m w.e. a–1 at Lemon Creek Glacier. Divergence in cumulative mass balance arises from differences in glacier hypsometry and local climate. Since 2013 negative mass balance and glacier-wide thinning prevailed at Taku Glacier. These changes initiated terminus retreat, which could increase dramatically if calving begins. The future mass balance trajectory of Taku Glacier hinges on dynamics, likely ending the historic dichotomy between these glaciers.

Comparative investigation of ultrasonic cavitation erosion for three materials in deionized water

To investigate the response of material to cavitation erosion, a comparative work was carried out on three materials, aluminum, copper alloy and titanium. Ultrasonic cavitation erosion was produced as the specimen was submerged in the deionized water. Within a cavitation erosion period of 120 min, the cumulative mass loss was measured at certain time intervals. Surface structure and cavitation damage patterns were observed for the three materials. Microhardness was measured and compared. The results indicate that the cumulative mass loss of aluminum is the highest among the three materials, while the slightest material removal is associated with titanium, which is still in the initial stage of cavitation erosion after 120 min of cavitation erosion. The surface of the aluminum specimen is eroded rapidly after the cavitation erosion commences. Large erosion pits dominate the eroded surface as the cavitation erosion progresses. The surface of the titanium specimen manifests needle-like erosion pits and cleavage cracks. Even at the later stage of the cavitation erosion, non-eroded surface elements are identifiable. The cavitation erosion pattern on the copper alloy specimen surface is related to the twin-phase crystal structure and large erosion pits are produced at the later stage of cavitation erosion. The highest resistance to the cavitation erosion of titanium is related to the close-packed hexagonal structure and the weak slip effect associated.