CdIn2Se4@chitosan heterojunction nanocomposite with ultrahigh photocatalytic activity under sunlight driven photodegradation of organic pollutants.

This research focused on synthesizing a CdIn2Se4@Ch nanocomposite by doping CdIn2Se4 into chitosan using a photolysis assisted ultrasonic process. The aim was to enhance the photodegradation efficiency of ofloxacin and 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid under sunlight. The synthesized CdIn2Se4@Ch nanocomposite was investigated via different techniques, including XRD, XPS, FTIR, TEM, DSC, TGA, UV-Vis and PL. The study also investigated the influence of various reaction parameters, including the effects of inorganic and organic ions. The synthesized nanocomposite demonstrated exceptional efficiency, achieving 86 % and 95 % removal rates, with corresponding rate constants of 0.025 and 0.047 min-1. This performance surpasses that of CdIn2Se4 by approximately 1.35 and 2.25 times, respectively. The values of COD were decreased to 78 and 86 % for ofloxacin and 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic, while the TOC values decreased to 71 and 84 %, respectively, from their premier values. The improvement in performance is associated with the introduction of CdIn2Se4 into chitosan, resulting in the self-integration of Cd into the catalyst. This creates a localized accumulation point for electrons, enhancing the efficiency of charge separation and further reducing the surface charge of chitosan. Experimental evidence suggests that superoxide and hydroxyl radicals play a significant role in the photodegradation of pollutants. Additionally, the nanocomposite exhibits excellent stability and can be reused up to five times, indicating remarkable stability and reusability of the developed photocatalyst.

Integrating of analytical techniques with enzyme-mimicking nanomaterials for the fabrication of microfluidic systems for biomedical analysis.

Bioanalysis faces challenges in achieving fast, reliable, and point-of-care (POC) determination methods for timely diagnosis and prognosis of diseases. POC devices often display lower sensitivity compared to laboratory-based methods, limiting their ability to quantify low concentrations of target analytes. To enhance sensitivity, the synthesis of new materials and improvement of the efficiency of the analytical strategies are necessary. Enzyme-mimicking materials have revolutionized the field of the fabrication of new high-throughput sensing devices. The integration of microfluidic chips with analytical techniques offers several benefits, such as easy miniaturization, need for low biological sample volume, etc., while also enhancing the sensitivity of the probe. The use enzyme-like nanomaterials in microfluidic systems can offer portable strategies for real-time and reliable detection of biological agents. Colorimetry and electrochemical methods are commonly utilized in the fabrication of nanozyme-based microfluidic systems. The review summarizes recent developments in enzyme-mimicking materials-integrated microfluidic analytical methods in biomedical analysis and discusses the current challenges, advantages, and potential future directions.

Functionalization of porous silica with graphene oxide and polyethyleneimine, containing zinc copper ferrite nanoparticles for water treatment and antibacterial application.

The article discusses the removal of methylene blue (MB) dye, a common cationic dye used in the textile industry, from aqueous solutions through an adsorption process. The use of porous components as adsorbents are shown to facilitate complete separation after the process is completed. The substrate was synthesized by connecting zinc copper ferrite (ZnCuFe2O4), polyethyleneimine (PEI), and Graphene Oxide (GO) sheets to MCM-48, which is a mesoporous material. The surface of MCM-48 was modified using CPTMS, which created an O-Si-Cl bridge, thereby improving the adsorption rate. The substrate was shown to have suitable sites for electrostatic interactions and creating hydrogen bonds with MB. The adsorption process from the Freundlich isotherm (R2 = 0.9224) and the pseudo-second-order diagram (R2 = 0.9927) demonstrates the adsorption of several layers of dye on the heterogeneous surface of the substrate. The synthesized substrate was also shown to have good bactericidal activity against E. coli and S. aureus bacterial strain. Furthermore, the substrate maintained its initial ability to adsorb MB dye for four consecutive cycles. The research resulted that ZnCuFe2O4@MCM-48/PEI-GO substrate has the potential for efficient and economical removal of MB dye from aqueous solutions (R = 88.82%) (qmax = 294.1176 mg. g-1), making it a promising solution for the disposal of harmful industrial waste.

Magnetic nanocomposite based on chitosan-gelatin hydrogel embedded with copper oxide nanoparticles: A novel and promising catalyst for the synthesis of polyhydroquinoline derivatives.

Nanocatalysts are vital in several domains, such as chemical processes, energy generation, energy preservation, and environmental pollution mitigation. An experimental study was conducted at room temperature to evaluate the catalytic activity of the new gelatin-chitosan hydrogel/CuO/Fe3O4 nanocomposite in the asymmetric Hantzsch reaction. All components of the nanocomposite exhibit a synergistic effect as a Lewis acid, promote the reaction. Dimedone, ammonium acetate, ethyl acetoacetate, and other substituted aldehydes were used to synthesize diverse polyhydroquinoline derivatives. The nanocomposite exhibited exceptional efficacy (over 90 %) and durability (retaining 80 % of its original capacity after 5 cycles) as a catalyst in the one-pot asymmetric synthesis of polyhydroquinoline derivatives. Also, turnover numbers (TON) and turnover frequency (TOF) have been checked for catalyst (TON and TOF = 50,261 and 100,524 h-1) and products. The experiment demonstrated several benefits, such as exceptional product efficacy, rapid reaction time, functioning at ambient temperature without specific requirements, and effortless separation by the use of an external magnet after the reaction is finished. The results suggest the development of a magnetic nanocatalyst with exceptional performance. The composition of the Ge-CS hydrogel/CuO/Fe3O4 nanocomposite was thoroughly analyzed using several methods including FT-IR, XRD, FE-SEM, EDX, VSM, BET, and TGA. These analyses yielded useful information into the composition and characteristics of the nanocomposite, hence further enhancing the knowledge of its possible uses.

Utilization of discarded face masks in combination with recycled concrete aggregate and silica fume for sustainable civil construction projects.

The coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic has not only had a severe impact on global health but also poses a threat to the environment. This research aims to explore an innovative approach to address the issue of increased waste generated by the pandemic. Specifically, the study investigates the utilization of discarded face masks in combination with recycled concrete aggregate (RCA) and Silica Fume (SFM) in civil construction projects. The disposable face masks were processed by removing the ear loops and nose strips, and then cutting them into small fibers measuring 20 mm in length, 5 mm in width, and 0.46 mm in thickness, resulting in an aspect ratio of 24. Various proportions of SFM and RCA were incorporated into the concrete mix, with a focus on evaluating the compressive strength, split tensile strength, and durability of the resulting material. The findings indicate that the addition of SFM led to improvements in both compressive and split tensile strength, while no significant impact on durability was observed.

A versatile magnetic nanocomposite based on cellulose-cyclodextrin hydrogel embedded with graphene oxide and Cu2O nanoparticles for catalytic application.

The study focused on creating a novel and environmentally friendly nanocatalyst using cellulose (Cell), ß-Cyclodextrin (BCD), graphene oxide (GO), Cu2O, and Fe3O4.The nanocatalyst was prepared by embedding GO and Cu2O into Cell-BCD hydrogel, followed by the in-situ preparation of Fe3O4 magnetic nanoparticles to magnetize the nanocomposite. The effectiveness of this nanocatalyst was evaluated in the one-pot, three-component symmetric Hantzsch reaction for synthesizing 1,4-dihydropyridine derivatives with high yield under mild conditions. This novel nanocatalyst has the potential for broad application in various organic transformations due to its effective catalytic activity, eco-friendly nature, and ease of recovery.

Pharmacogenetic markers of development of angioneurotic edema as a secondary side effect to enalapril in patients with essential arterial hypertension.

BACKGROUND: Angioneurotic edema is the most dangerous complication in angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors (ACEIs) therapy. Based on the current data, the clinical and genetic predictors of angioedema development are still understudied, which demonstrates the relevance of this study. OBJECTIVE: To reveal the pharmacogenetic predictors of the angioedema as a secondary side effect to enalapril in patients with essential arterial hypertension. METHODS: The study enrolled 111 subjects randomized into two groups: study group, patients with the angioedema as a secondary side effect to enalapril; and control group, patients without adverse drug reaction. All patients underwent pharmacogenetic testing. RESULTS: An association between the development of the angioneurotic edema and the genotypes AA rs2306283 of gene SLCO1B1, TT rs4459610 of gene ACE, and CC rs1799722 of gene BDKRB2 in patients was revealed. CONCLUSION: The findings justify further investigations of the revealed genetic predictors of angioedema with larger-size patient populations.

Study of the kinetic, equilibrium, and thermodynamic aspects of the removal and recovery of divalent lead heavy metal ions from industrial wastewaters contaminated by vesavin-enriched XAD-11600 amberlite resin.

In this study, we developed a unique adsorbent known as extractant-impregnated resin (EIR) by surface impregnation of XAD-11600 amberlite resin with the Vesavin ligand. This resin demonstrated exceptional selectivity for the absorption of lead (Pb2+) ions from aqueous solutions. The ability of EIR to remove lead from polluted water was studied as a function of experimental parameters, including the kinetics, equilibrium, and thermodynamics of the adsorption process. The experimental results provided the basis for the fitting of equilibrium adsorption isotherms with the Langmuir model, and the maximum adsorption capacity of EIR for Pb(II) ions was determined to be approximately 1662 mg/g. Kinetic and thermodynamic studies were also conducted to gain insight into the behavior of the adsorption process. It was found that the rate of penetration of lead ions into the particle was the primary factor controlling the absorption process of lead on the surface of the porous adsorbent. Additionally, the studies demonstrated that the EIR can be utilized for multiple absorption and desorption cycles.

Enhanced electrical and magnetic properties of (Co, Yb) co-doped ZnO memristor for neuromorphic computing.

We investigate the morphological, electrical, magnetic, and resistive switching properties of (Co, Yb) co-ZnO for neuromorphic computing. By using hydrothermal synthesized nanoparticles and their corresponding sputtering target, we introduce Co and Yb into the ZnO structure, leading to increased oxygen vacancies and grain volume, indicating grain growth. This growth reduces grain boundaries, enhancing electrical conductivity and room-temperature ferromagnetism in Co and Yb-doped ZnO nanoparticles. We present a sputter-grown memristor with a (Co, Yb) co-ZnO layer between Au electrodes. Characterization confirms the ZnO layer's presence and 100 nm-thick Au electrodes. The memristor exhibits repeatable analog resistance switching, allowing manipulation of conductance between low and high resistance states. Statistical endurance tests show stable resistive switching with minimal dispersion over 100 pulse cycles at room temperature. Retention properties of the current states are maintained for up to 1000 seconds, demonstrating excellent thermal stability. A physical model explains the switching mechanism, involving Au ion migration during "set" and filament disruption during "reset." Current-voltage curves suggest space-charge limited current, emphasizing conductive filament formation. All these results shows good electronic devices and systems towards neuromorphic computing.

Magnetohydrodynamics and viscosity variation in couple stress squeeze film lubrication between rough flat and curved circular plates.

A simplified mathematical model has been developed for understanding combined effects of surface roughness, viscosity variation and couple stresses on the squeeze film behaviour of a flat and a curved circular plate in the presence of transverse magnetic field. The Stokes (1966) couple stress fluid model is included to account for the couple stresses arising due to the presence of microstructure additives in the lubricant. In the context of Christensen's (1969) stochastic theory for the lubrication of rough surfaces, two types of one-dimensional roughness patterns (radial and azimuthal) are considered. The governing modified stochastic Reynolds type equations are derived for these roughness patterns. Expressions for the mean squeeze film characteristics are obtained. Numerical computations of the results show that the azimuthal roughness pattern on the curved circular and flat plate results in more pressure buildup whereas performance of the squeeze film suffers due to the radial roughness pattern. Further the Lorentz force characterized by the Hartmann number, couple stress parameter and viscosity variation parameter improve the performance of the squeeze film lubrication as compared to the classical case (Non-magnetic, Newtonian case and non-viscous case).

Performance assessment of hybrid PEMFC-solar energy integrated hybrid multi-generation system for energy production sport buildings.

Polymer membrane electrolyzers are a useful tool for producing hydrogen, which is a renewable energy source. Unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) fuel cells can be powered by the hydrogen and oxygen produced by the electrolyzer. The primary losses of polymer membrane electrolyzers must therefore be identified in order to maximize their performance. A renewable-based multi-energy system considers power, cooling, heating, and hydrogen energy as utility systems for integrated sport buildings. In this study, we investigate the effect of radiation intensity, current density, and other performance factors on the rate of hydrogen production in water electrolysis using a polymer membrane electrolyzer in combination with a solar concentrator. The findings showed that a rise in hydrogen generation led to an increase in current density, which increased the electrolyzer's voltage and decreased its energy and exergy efficiencies. The voltage was also increased, and the electrolyzer's efficiency was enhanced by a rise in temperature, a decrease in pressure, and a reduction in the thickness of the nafion membrane. Additionally, with a 145% increase in radiation intensity, hydrogen production increased by 110% while the electrolyzer's energy and exergy efficiencies decreased by 13.8% as a result of the electrolyzer's high input electric current to hydrogen output ratio.

Empirical models for compressive and tensile strength of basalt fiber reinforced concrete.

When molten magma solidifies, basalt fiber (BF) is produced as a byproduct. Due to its remaining pollutants that could affect the environment, it is regarded as a waste product. To determine the compressive strength (CS) and tensile strength (TS) of basalt fiber reinforced concrete (BFRC), this study will develop empirical models using gene expression programming (GEP), Artificial Neural Network (ANN) and Extreme Gradient Boosting (XG Boost). A thorough search of the literature was done to compile a variety of information on the CS and TS of BFRC. 153 CS findings and 127 TS outcomes were included in the review. The water-to-cement, BF, fiber length (FL), and coarse aggregates ratios were the influential characteristics found. The outcomes showed that GEP can accurately forecast the CS and TS of BFRC as compared to ANN and XG Boost. Efficiency of GEP was validated by comparing Regression (R2) value of all three models. It was shown that the CS and TS of BFRC increased initially up to a certain limit and then started decreasing as the BF % and FL increased. The ideal BF content for industrial-scale BF reinforcement of concrete was investigated in this study which could be an economical solution for production of BFRC on industrial scale.

Rheological study of Hall current and slip boundary conditions on fluid-nanoparticle phases in a convergent channel.

Purpose: the purpose of this theoretical study was to analyze the heat transfer in the fluid-particle suspension model under the effects of a porous medium, magnetic field, Hall effects, and slip boundary conditions in a convergent channel with the addition of electrokinetic phenomena. The Darcy-Brinkman (non-Darcy porous medium) model was used to assess the effects of the porous medium. Methodology: the rheological equations of both models were transformed into a dimensionless form to obtain the exact solutions of the fluid and particle phase velocities, pressure gradient, volumetric flow rate, stream function, temperature distribution, and heat-transfer rate. To obtain an exact solution to the models, the physical aspects of the parameters are discussed, analyzed, and reported through graphs, contour plots, and in tabular form. Findings: mixing in hafnium particles in a viscous fluid provide 1.2% more cooling compared to with a regular fluid. A reduction of the streamlines was observed with the contribution of the slip condition. The utilization of the Darcy parameters upgraded both the fluid flow and temperature profiles, while the heat-transfer rate decreased by up to 3.3% and 1.7% with the addition of a magnetic field and porous medium, respectively. Originality: the current study is an original work of the authors and has not been submitted nor published elsewhere.

An efficient magnetic nanoadsorbent based on functionalized graphene oxide with gellan gum hydrogel embedded with MnFe layered double hydroxide for adsorption of Indigo carmine from water.

The primary objective of this investigation was to synthesize a novel antibacterial nanocomposite consisting of natural gellan gum (GG) hydrogel, MnFe LDH, GO, and Fe3O4 nanoparticle, which was developed to adsorb Indigo carmine (IC). The GG hydrogel/MnFe LDH/GO/Fe3O4 nanocomposite was characterized through different analytical, microscopic, and biological methods. The results of adsorption experiments reveal that 0.004 g of the nanocomposite can remove 98.38 % of IC from a solution with an initial concentration of 100 mg/L, within 1 h at room temperature and under acidic pH conditions. Moreover, the nanocomposite material effectively suppressed the in vitro growth of both E. coli and S. aureus strains, with inhibitory rates of 62.33 % and 53.82 %, respectively. The isotherm data obtained in this investigation were fitted by linear and non-linear forms of Langmuir, Freundlich, and Dubinin-Radushkevich (D-R) isotherms equations. The results of the adsorption kinetics study indicated that the pseudo-second-order model best described the experimental data. The findings of this study suggest that the synthesized nanocomposites hold great potential as effective adsorbents for removing IC and bacteria from aqueous solutions.

Synthesis of novel antibacterial and biocompatible polymer nanocomposite based on polysaccharide gum hydrogels.

According to recent studies on the benefits of natural polymer-based hydrogels in biomedical applications, gellan gum (GG)/acacia gum (AG) hydrogel was prepared in this study. In order to regulate the mechanical behavior of the hydrogel, graphite carbon nitride (g-C3N4) was included in the hydrogel matrix. In addition, metal oxide nanoparticles ZnCuFe2O4 were added to the composite for antibacterial activity. The prepared GG-AG hydrogel/g-C3N4/ZnCuFe2O4 nanobiocomposite was characterized by using FE-SEM, FTIR, EDX, XRD and TGA. The nanobiocomposite exhibited spherical morphology, which was related to the incorporation of the metal oxide nanoparticles. GG-AG hydrogel/g-C3N4/ZnCuFe2O4 nanobiocomposite showed 95.11%, 92.73% and 88.97% biocompatibility toward HEK293T cell lines within 24 h, 48 h and 72 h incubation, respectively, which indicates that this nanobiocomposite is completely biocompatible with healthy cells. Also, the nanobiocomposite was able to inhibit Pseudomonas aeruginosa biofilm growth on its surface up to 87%. Rheological studies showed that the nanobiocomposite has a viscoelastic structure and has a water uptake ratio of 93.2%. In comparison with other similar studies, this nanobiocomposite has exhibited superior antibacterial activity complete biocompatibility and proper mechanical properties, high swelling and water absorption capability. These results indicate that GG-AG hydrogel/g-C3N4/ZnCuFe2O4 nanocomposite can be considered as a potential candidate for biomedical applications such as tissue engineering and wound healing.

Effects of CYP2D6 allelic variants on therapy with tamsulosin in patients with benign prostatic hyperplasia.

OBJECTIVES: Tamsulosin is a first-line drug for the treatment of lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS) associated with benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH). Despite its high ratings for efficacy and safety, these parameters may vary due to genetic polymorphisms of CYP2D6 enzyme, which is involved in the metabolism of the drug. This variability may have great impact on the therapy of LUTS associated with BPH and may require an individualized approach to drug selection. The aim of the study was to assess the impact of genetic polymorphisms in CYP2D6 on the efficacy and safety of tamsulosin therapy in patients with LUTS associated with BPH. METHODS: The study included 106 patients with LUTS/BPH (N40 according to ICD-10). All patients received monotherapy with tamsulosin 0.4 mg/day for at least 8 weeks. Depending on the severity of symptoms, all patients were divided into 2 groups based on the IPSS score: the first group of patients had moderate symptoms (n=57), and the second group of patients had severe symptoms (n=49). The results of treatment were assessed using the IPSS questionnaire with determination of quality of life (QoL), transrectal ultrasound of the prostate with determination of prostate volume and postvoid residual urine volume, and uroflowmetry. The carriage of allelic variants of CYP2D6 (*3, *4, *9, *10, and *41) were determined by polymerase chain reaction in all patients. RESULTS: In patients with moderate symptoms who was classified as «intermediate¼ metabolizers by CYP2D6, a statistically significant greater reduction in symptoms according to the overall IPSS scale at 8 weeks (p=0.046) and the obstructive symptom subscale starting from 4 weeks of treatment (p<0.05) was shown. Allelic variants of the CYP2D6 gene did not affect the frequency of adverse reactions to tamsulosin. CONCLUSIONS: The results of the study show that in patients with moderate LUTS associated with BPH who are «intermediate¼ metabolizers by CYP2D6, there is a better therapeutic effect of tamsulosin.

Multidisiplinary design optimization of a power generation system based on waste energy recovery from an internal combustion engine using organic Rankine cycle and thermoelectric generator.

The research paper mainly deals with waste heat recovery from internal combustion engines (ICE) using the organic Rankine cycle (ORC) and Thermoelectric generator (TEG). Simultaneously recovering the wasted heat of both exhaust gases and coolant, a novel configuration named two-stage is proposed. Then a comprehensive thermo-economic analysis and optimization are conducted. Produced power and total cost rate are selected as the objective function of the optimization. Also, the first and second stage pressures of the ORC system are considered as decision variables. Finally, a sensitivity analysis is performed to study the effect of expander inlet temperature, pumps isentropic efficiency, and expander isentropic efficiency on the objective function.

Entropy optimized flow of Sutterby nanomaterial subject to porous medium: Buongiorno nanofluid model.

Owing to enhanced thermal impact of nanomaterials, different applications are suggested in engineering and industrial systems like heat transfer devices, energy generation, extrusion processes, engine cooling, thermal systems, heat exchanger, chemical processes, manufacturing systems, hybrid-powered plants etc. The current communication concerns the optimized flow of Sutterby nanofluid due to stretched surface in view of different thermal sources. The investigation is supported with the applications of external heat source, magnetic force and radiative phenomenon. The irreversibility investigation is deliberated with implementation of thermodynamics second law. The thermophoresis and random movement characteristics are also studied. Additionally, first order binary reaction is also examined. The nonlinear system of the governing problem is obtained which are numerically computed by s method. The physical aspects of prominent flow parameters are attributed graphically. Further, the analysis for entropy generation and Bejan number is focused. It is observed that the velocity profile increases due to Reynolds number and Deborah number. Larger Schmidt number reduces the concentration distribution. Further, the entropy generation is improved against Reynolds number and Brinkman parameter.

Exergy and environmental analysis of a novel turbine inlet air cooling technique for power augmentation in a CCPP based on waste energy.

Combined cycle power plant (CCPP) play a crucial role in providing electricity worldwide. Therefore, researchers and industrialists always focus on developing and improving its performance. One of the factors that affect the performance of CCPPs is weather conditions. As weather conditions change, the air density of the environment changes, which ultimately affects the production power of the gas turbine (GT) and consequently the CCPP. To mitigate the effects of weather on CCPPs' performance, power augmentation methods are developed. In the present research, a novel technique is proposed to reduce the air temperature entering the GT by recovering waste heat from the exhaust gas. The heat content of the exhaust gas is used as the heat source of an ejector refrigeration cycle (ERC), and the produced cooling capacity is used to cool down the air entering the GT. Exergy and environmental analyses are performed to investigate the proposed method's effect on exergy efficiency, environmental factors, and sustainability index. The results indicate that by the proposed method the power production of the CCPP is increased 6.26%.

Thermal and environmental optimization of an intercooled gas turbine toward a sustainable environment.

In this article, in order to achieve a sustainable environment, the optimization of a GT equipped with intercooling of the compression process is discussed. To limit the exergy destruction in intercooling cooling process and also to reduce the heat dissipation in the environment, an ORC system is applied for heat recovery and more power generation. Decision variables include CPR, first stage CPR, TIT, intercooler effectiveness, HRVG pressure, and superheating degree. During a parametric study, the effect of decision variables on operating factors including exergy efficiency, TCR, and the normalized emission rate of environmental pollutants are investigated. Finally, by performing bi-objective optimization and considering exergy efficiency and TCR as OFs, optimal performance conditions are determined. Finally, it is observed that in optimum conditions, exergy efficiency is 33% and TCR is 0.9 $/s.