Factorial design model for proportioning self-consolidating concrete

A factorial design was carried out to model the influence of key mixture parameters on properties affecting the performance of self-consolidating concrete (SCC). Such responses included slump flow and rheological parameters, filling capacity and V-funnel flow to assess restrained deformability, surface settlement to evaluate stability after casting, and compressive strength. Thirty two mixtures were prepared to derive the statistical models and nine others to evaluate their accuracy. The models are valid for a wide range of mixture proportioning. The paper presents the derived models that unable the identification of underlying primary factors and thier interactions that influence the modelled responses of interest for self-consolidating concrete. Such parameters can be useful to reduce the test protocol needed for the proportioning of self-consolidating concrete. The use-fulness of the models to better understand trade-offs between mixture parameters and compare the responses obtained from various test methods are highlighted.     

Influnce of pH on the sorption of cadmium ions on calcium hydroxyapatite

Sorption of cadmium ions from aqueous solutions on calcium hydroxyapatite was studied as a function of pH. The concentration of cadmium, [Cd]_s, in the solid increases with pH. The total mean concentration of cations of the solid increases with pH even without cadmium, but this effect is increased in the presence of cadmium. The composition tends to the stoichiometric value of 20 eq. cations/mol apatite for the highest pH and [Cd]_s values. The sorption of cadium is therefore controlled by two processes: cationic exchange and protonation-deprotonation.     

Factorial design analysis and optimisation of chitosan‐based nanogels as controlled release system for gentamicin

The aim of this study was preparation and optimisation of a controlled‐release delivery system to decrease the dose‐dependent side effects of gentamicin. Hydrogel nanoparticles composed of a polycationic polymer (chitosan) and an inorganic polyanion (sodium tripolyphosphate) were fabricated in the presence of gentamicin. An experimental design was drawn upon to determine the optimum condition of nanoparticle preparation. Various features of the nanoparticles including drug loading parameters, particle size distribution, zeta potential and in vitro drug release profile were evaluated. Ultimately, the antimicrobial activity of the gentamicin‐loaded nanoparticles was analysed by determination of the minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) and the potency test. As a result, the nanocarriers with an average size of about 250 nm (unloaded) and 493 nm (gentamicin‐loaded) were obtained with unimodal distribution and a notable polydispersity index (≤0.3). The drug loading efficiency was between 28 and 32%. The gradual and sustained releases (∼90%) of gentamicin were achieved in 24 h. The MIC and potency test showed no significant decrease in the antibacterial activity of gentamicin‐loaded nanoparticles. The outcomes demonstrated that the optimised chitosan nanogels prepared in this study can be considered as a suitable carrier for a controlled release system.Inspec keywords: hydrogels, nanoparticles, drug delivery systems, particle size, electrokinetic effects, antibacterial activity, nanomedicineOther keywords: factorial design analysis, chitosan‐based nanogels, gentamicin, controlled‐release delivery system, hydrogel nanoparticles, polycationic polymer, inorganic polyanion, sodium tripolyphosphate, particle size distribution, drug loading parameters, zeta potential, in vitro drug release profile, antimicrobial activity, minimum inhibitory concentration, polydispersity index, drug loading efficiency, antibacterial activity     

Optimization of acyclovir oral tablets based on gastroretention technology: Factorial design analysis and physicochemical characterization studies

The purpose of this research was to prepare a floating drug delivery system of acyclovir. Floating matrix tablets of acyclovir were developed to prolong gastric residence time and increase its bioavailability. The tablets were prepared by direct compression technique, using polymers such as hydroxypropylmethylcellulose 4000, Compritol 888. Sodium bicarbonate was used as a gas-generating agent. A 3² factorial design using the Design Expert Software (version 7.1.6) was applied to optimize the drug release profile systematically. The amounts of hydroxypropylmethylcellulose 4000 (X₁) and Compritol 888 (X₂) were selected as independent variables and the percentage drug released in 1 (Q₁), 6 (Q₆), and 12 (Q₁₂) h as dependent variables. The results of factorial design indicated that a high level of both hydroxypropylmethylcellulose 4000 (X₁) and Compritol 888 (X₂) favors the preparation of floating controlled-release of acyclovir tablets. Also, a good correlation was observed between predicted and actual values of the dependent variables chosen for the study. By fitting the data into zero-order, first-order, and Higuchi models, we concluded that the release followed Higuchi diffusion kinetics. Storage of the prepared formulations at 40°C/75% relative humidity for 3 months showed no significant change in drug release profiles and buoyancy of the floating tablets. We can conclude that a combination of hydroxypropylmethylcellulose 4000, Compritol 888, and sodium bicarbonate can be used to increase the gastric residence time of the dosage form up to 12?h. These floating tablets seem to be a promising gastroretentive drug delivery system.     

Fine structure study on low concentration zinc substituted hydroxyapatite nanoparticles

The fine structure of zinc substituted hydroxyapatite was studied using experimental analysis and first-principles calculations. The synthetic hydroxyapatite nanoparticles containing low Zn concentration show rod-like morphology. The crystallite sizes and unit-cell volumes tended to decrease with the increased Zn concentration according to X-ray diffraction patterns. The Zn K-edge X-ray absorption spectra and fitting results suggest that the hydroxyapatite doped with 0.1 mole% zinc is different in the zinc coordination environments compared with that containing more zinc. The density function theory calculations were performed on zinc substituted hydroxyapatite. Two mechanisms included replacing calcium by zinc and inserting zinc along the hydroxyl column and were investigated, and the related substitution energies were calculated separately. It is found that the substitution energies are negative and lowest for inserting zinc between the two oxygen atoms along the hydroxyl column (c-axis). Combined with the spectral analysis, it is suggested that the inserting mechanism is favored for low concentration zinc substituted hydroxyapatite.     

Factorial design,processing, characterization and microstructure analysis of PIP-based C/SiC composites

Polymer impregnation and pyrolysis (PIP) process-based C/SiC composites are fabricated using the in-house synthesized methyl-polycarbosilane (PCS). Two-level factorial design matrix is employed to carry out experiments to study the effect of four factors on flexural strength of the composite. Total sixteen sets of composite samples are fabricated. Response table, normal probability plot, ANOVA and regression analysis are carried out to determine the statistical significant factors. Composite density (\(\rho \)), fibre volume fraction (\(V_{\mathrm{f}}\)) and pyrolysis temperature (T) are found to be statistically significant, while softening point (SP) of the PCS and interaction of these four factors are found insignificant. Higher levels of the density and \(V_{\mathrm{f} }\) have shown positive effect, while the pyrolysis temperature has negative effect on the flexural strength of the composites. Flexural strength was found to be in the range of 374–592 MPa depending on the process parameters. The mechanical behaviour of the composites at different process conditions was explained with the help of their microstructures.     

Factorial experimental design for recovering heavy metals from sludge with ion-exchange resin

Wastewaters containing heavy metals are usually treated by chemical precipitation method in Taiwan. This method can remove heavy metals form wastewaters efficiently, but the resultant heavy metal sludge is classified as hazardous solid waste and becomes another environmental problem. If we can remove heavy metals from sludge, it becomes non-hazardous waste and the treatment cost can be greatly reduced. This study aims at using ion-exchange resin to remove heavy metals such as copper, zinc, cadmium, and chromium from sludge generated by a PCB manufacturing plant. Factorial experimental design methodology was used to study the heavy metal removal efficiency. The total metal concentrations in the sludge, resin, and solution phases were measured respectively after 30 min reaction with varying leaching agents (citric acid and nitric acid); ion-exchange resins (Amberlite IRC-718 and IR-120), and temperatures (50 and 70 degrees C). The experimental results and statistical analysis show that a stronger leaching acid and a higher temperature both favor lower heavy metal residues in the sludge. Two-factors and even three-factor interaction effects on the heavy metal sorption in the resin phase are not negligible. The ion-exchange resin plays an important role in the sludge extraction or metal recovery. Empirical regression models were also obtained and used to predict the heavy metal profiles with satisfactory results.     

Factorial design preparation of transparent conducting oxide thin films

Transparent and conducting properties of Cd₂SnO₄ films deposited onto glass substrates by the dip coating technique have been obtained using a 2⁴ factorial design. All films were well adhered onto their substrates, presented porous morphology and inverse spinel structure. Statistical factorial design analysis showed that only substrate withdrawal rate and precursor solution concentration had significant effects on average transmission of the films. Cumulative probability graphs of factorial design model coefficients showed that none of the factor levels have significant effects on resistivity. However the films presented significantly higher resistivities using low withdrawal rates and low concentration levels. This indicates resistivity is a more complex function of the factor variables than transmission. From the factorial design experiments and statistical analysis of their results a highest average transmission of 88% and lowest resistivity of 2.43 × 10^− 4 Ω m were found.     

Gamma radiation induced preparation of organic-inorganic composite material for sorption of cesium and zinc

A novel composite material, poly(acrylamide-acrylic acid-acrylonitrile)-N,N′-methylenediacrylamide/silicon oxide-zirconium oxide [P(AM-AA-AN)-DAM/SiO₂-ZrO₂], was prepared by γ-radiationinduced template copolymerization of acrylic acid (AA) with acrylonitrile (AN) on polyacrylamide P(AM) as a template polymer in presence of N,N′-methylenediacrylamide (DAM) as cross-linker in aqueous solution with water-insoluble mixed oxide of silicon and zirconium. The composite material was characterized by Fourier transform IR spectroscopy and by thermal analysis (synchronized TGA-DTA). The sorption of ¹³⁴Cs and ⁶⁵Zn(II) onto the prepared composite material was investigated using batch equilibrium technique with variation of pH, adsorbent weight, initial sorbate concentration, contact time, and temperature. The sorption equilibrium data were fitted with the Langmuir and Freundlich isotherm models. The isotherm is successfully fitted by the Langmuir equation over the entire concentration range studied. Lagergren pseudo-first- and pseudo-secondorder kinetic models were tested to describe the reaction mechanism. The experimental data are fitted well the pseudo-second-order model. The thermodynamic functions (free energy ΔG ⁰, enthalpy ΔH ⁰, entropy ΔS ⁰) of the sorption were calculated. These quantities show that the sorption of ¹³⁴Cs and ⁶⁵Zn onto the composite material is spontaneous and endothermic.     

Factorial electrochemical design for tailoring of morphological and optical properties of Cu2O

The electrodeposition of cuprous oxide (Cu₂O) onto FTO-coated glass substrate was studied by using a statistical approach in order to control the Cu₂O morphology and optical properties. The factorial design considered four electrodeposition conditions at two representative levels as input variables (electrolyte temperature and pH, deposition potential and duration) and the deposition charge and morphology of obtained Cu₂O as the output variables. The morphology analysis showed the highest influence on crystal shape was exhibited by electrolyte temperature and pH, reaching significance levels of 95 and 98%, respectively. Temperature as low as 35°C and pH 12.2 results in cubic morphology, while other parameters result in octahedron shape. The highest absorbance was exhibited by the Cu₂O with cubic morphology.     

喷水室净化PM10的析因实验分析

介绍了析因实验和喷水室实验台,设计了析因实验方案,通过双因子析因实验分析,结果表明风速和喷水压力对喷水室去除PM10的效率有特别显著的影响.     

Removal of zinc ion from water by sorption onto iron-based nanoadsorbent

Batch and column experiments were conducted to investigate zinc removal from dilute aqueous solution (i.e. effluent) by sorption onto synthetic nanocrystalline akaganéite. Due to favorite characteristics, this material was shown to be a promising inorganic adsorbent prepared in the laboratory, following a new method of synthesis-previously published. The effects of adsorbent amount, zinc concentration, solution pH value, ionic strength and temperature variation on the treatment process were mainly investigated during this study. Typical adsorption models were determined searching the mechanism of sorption while the bed depth-service time model was applied to column (with granular material) experiments.     

Synthesis,characterization and modelling of zinc and silicate co-substituted hydroxyapatite

Experimental chemistry and atomic modelling studies were performed here to investigate a novel ionic co-substitution in hydroxyapatite (HA). Zinc, silicate co-substituted HA (ZnSiHA) remained phase pure after heating to 1100°C with Zn and Si amounts of 0.6 wt% and 1.2 wt%, respectively. Unique lattice expansions in ZnSiHA, silicate Fourier transform infrared peaks and changes to the hydroxyl IR stretching region suggested Zn and silicate co-substitution in ZnSiHA. Zn and silicate insertion into HA was modelled using density functional theory (DFT). Different scenarios were considered where Zn substituted for different calcium sites or at a 2b site along the c-axis, which was suspected in singly substituted ZnHA. The most energetically favourable site in ZnSiHA was Zn positioned at a previously unreported interstitial site just off the c-axis near a silicate tetrahedron sitting on a phosphate site. A combination of experimental chemistry and DFT modelling provided insight into these complex co-substituted calcium phosphates that could find biomedical application as a synthetic bone mineral substitute.     

Nanocrystalline hydroxyapatite doped with magnesium and zinc: Synthesis and characterization

During recent years, there have been efforts in developing nanocrystalline bioceramics, to enhance their mechanical and biological properties for use in tissue engineering applications. In this research, we made an attempt to synthesize nanocrystalline bioactive hydroxyapatite (Ca₁₀(PO₄)₆(OH)₂, HAp) ceramic powder in the lower-end of nano-range (2–10 nm), using a simple low-temperature sol–gel technique and studied its densification behavior. We further studied the effects of metal ion dopants during synthesis on powder morphology, and the properties of the sintered structures. Calcium nitrate and triethyl phosphite were used as precursors for calcium and phosphorous, respectively, for sol–gel synthesis. Calculated quantities of magnesium oxide and zinc oxide were incorporated as dopants into amorphous dried powder, prior to calcination at 250–550 °C. The synthesized powders were analyzed for their phases using X-ray diffraction technique and characterized for powder morphology and particle size using transmission electron microscopy (TEM). TEM analysis showed that the average particle size of the synthesized powders were in the range of 2–10 nm. The synthesized nano-powders were uniaxially compacted and then sintered at 1250 °C and 1300 °C for 6 h, separately, in air. A maximum average sintered density of 3.29 g/cm³ was achieved in structures sintered at 1300 °C, developed from nano-powder doped with magnesium. Vickers hardness testing was performed to determine the hardness of the sintered structures. Uniaxial compression tests were performed to evaluate the mechanical properties. Bioactivity and biodegradation behavior of the sintered structures were assessed in simulated body fluid (SBF) and maintained in a dynamic state.     

Impact of plate design on the performance of welded type plate heat exchangers for sorption cycles

Numerical and experimental analysis was carried out to examine the heat transfer and pressure drop characteristics of welded type plate heat exchangers for absorption application using Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) technique. The simulation results based on CFD are compared with experimental results. A commercial CFD software package (FLUENT) has been used to predict the characteristics of heat transfer, pressure drop and flow distribution within the plate heat exchangers. In this paper, a welded plate heat exchanger with a plate of chevron embossing type was tested by controlling mass flow rate, solution concentration, and inlet/outlet temperatures. The working fluid is H₂O/LiBr solution with the LiBr concentration of 54–62% in mass. The numerical simulation examines the internal flow patterns, temperature distribution and the pressure distribution within the channel of the plate heat exchanger. Three plates of embossing types; chevron embossing, elliptic and round, are proposed and simulated in this paper. The simulation results show reasonably good agreement with the experimental results. Also, the numerical results show that the plate with the elliptical shape gives better performance than the plate of the chevron shape from the viewpoints of heat transfer and pressure drop.     

Biomimetic design of a bacterial cellulose/hydroxyapatite nanocomposite for bone healing applications

This study describes the design and synthesis of bacterial cellulose/hydroxyapatite nanocomposites for bone healing applications using a biomimetic approach. Bacterial cellulose (BC) with various surface morphologies (pellicles and tubes) was negatively charged by the adsorption of carboxymethyl cellulose (CMC) to initiate nucleation of calcium-deficient hydroxyapatite (cdHAp). The cdHAp was grown in vitro via dynamic simulated body fluid (SBF) treatments over a one week period. Characterization of the mineralized samples was done with X-ray Photoelectron Spectroscopy (XPS) and Field Emission Scanning Electron Microscopy (FESEM) with Energy Dispersive Spectroscopy (EDS). The amount of cdHAp observed varied among different samples. XPS demonstrated that the atomic presence of calcium and phosphorus ranged from 0.44 at.% to 7.71 at.% Ca and 0.27 at.% to 11.18 at.% P. The Ca/P overall ratio ranged from 1.22 to 1.92. FESEM images showed that the cdHAp crystal size increased with increasing nanocellulose fibril density. To determine the viability of the scaffolds in vitro, the morphology and differentiation of osteoprogenitor cells was analyzed using fluorescence microscopy and alkaline phosphatase gene expression. The presence of cdHAp crystals on BC surfaces resulted in increased cell attachment.     

Factorial design used to model the compressive strength of mortars containing recycled rubber

This paper presents results from an investigation on the potential use of waste vulcanized rubber scrap (WRS) particles as aggregate in construction mortars. The investigation was carried out using a 3² factorial design of experiments and the response surface methodology. Mortar mixtures were prepared using WRS as fine aggregate (10, 20 and 30 vol.%) with water/cement ratios of 0.52, 0.55 and 0.60. Fresh mortar consistency index and hardened mortar 28-day compressive strength were evaluated. The influence of the WRS content on the physical and mechanical properties was established, and the suitability of WRS use in a mortar application was demonstrated.     

Conditions of sorption equilibrium and their analysis

On the basis of the conditions of minimum Gibbs energy, relations are obtained for capillary-porous and colloidal capillary-porous bodies describing sorption equilibrium. An analysis of these relationships is given.Translated from Inzhenerno-Fizicheskii Zhurnal, Vol. 37, No. 3, pp. 456–464, September, 1979.     

A novel snail-inspired bionic design of titanium with strontium-substituted hydroxyapatite coating for promoting osseointegration

As the population ages,more and more people are suffering from osteoarthritis (OA),resulting in an increasing requirement for joint implants.Surface modification to improve the topology and compo-sition of the implants has been proved to be an effective way to improve the primary stability and long-term success rate of joint implants.In this work,a bionic micro/nano-structure accompanied with a strontium-substituted hydroxyapatite (SrHA) coating was fabricated on titanium (Ti) surface via elec-trochemical corrosion,ultrasonic treatment,and hydrothermal deposition methods.The in vitro study demonstrated that the bionic structure and the bioactive apatite could synergistically increase the expres-sions of integrin-related gene (ITG α5β1) and osteoblastic genes (Col-I and OCN),and thus promote osteoblast growth.In addition,owing to the anti-bone resorption property of Sr2+,the coating could effectively inhibit osteoclast differentiation and proliferation.In a word,the prepared samples not only promoted osteogenesis but also inhibited osteoclastogenesis.The in vivo experiment via a rabbit model found that the bionic structured surface provided the pore for new bone ingrowth,which was beneficial to the mechanical interlocking between the implant and bone.Moreover,the bionic structure and bioactive SrHA coating had a synergistic effect on promoting bone formation,osseointegration,and bone-implant bonding strength.This study therefore presented a new strategy to fabricate bio-functionalized Ti-based implants for potential application in orthopedics field.