Polyaniline matrix containing nickel ferromagnet

Metallic nickel (Ni) was successfully dispersed onto a polyaniline (PANI) matrix by a simple one‐step electrochemical method. Ni particles as deposited onto the polymer seemed to be much smaller compared to those deposited onto bare Pt. The size of the Ni deposits was found to be influenced by the electrolytic bath composition and potential sweep rate. The PANI matrix thus dispersed with Ni particles exhibited ferromagnetic behavior and a lower electrical conductance. The decrease in conductivity may be attributed to the partial blockage of the conductive path by the Ni particles thus embedded in the polymer matrix. © 2006 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 103: 321–327, 2006     

The supportive care needs of newly diagnosed cancer patients attending a regional cancer center

BACKGROUND: The objective of this study was to examine the physical and emotional health status, self-perceived problems, and needs of newly diagnosed cancer patients to determine and plan supportive care strategies. METHODS: A cross-sectional survey of newly diagnosed cancer patients attending a regional cancer center during a 6-month period was performed. Patients with breast, colorectal, head and neck, lung, and prostate carcinoma as well as nonmelanoma of the skin were selected randomly. Patients were interviewed prior to their first appointment at the clinic. Physical health status was assessed using the Symptom Distress Scale, psychologic health status was assessed with the General Health Questionnaire (GHQ), day-to-day functioning with the Rapid Disability Scale, and social support with the modified Sarason's Social Support Scale. Perceived needs were assessed in a number of ways, including identification of patients' specific social concerns and informational needs, and by asking them to list their current problems or concerns. RESULTS: Of 156 eligible patients, 134 completed the interview. One hundred and twenty-nine patients (96%) reported current symptoms that included fatigue (66%), worried outlook (61%), difficulty sleeping (48%), and pain (42%). Forty-four patients (33%) were identified as psychologically distressed with a GHQ score of > or = 6. One hundred and fourteen patients (85%) had informational needs, 89 (66%) indicated > or = 1 social concerns, and 55 (41%) reported a need for assistance with day-to-day living. CONCLUSIONS: Patients with newly diagnosed cancer commonly report symptoms related to fatigue, pain, and psychologic distress. Other frequently reported issues relate to the need for information and social concerns regarding the patients' ability to take care of their home and maintain family and other relationships. Awareness of these issues is important for planning supportive care interventions for newly diagnosed cancer patients.     

Partial replacement of NR by GTR in thermoplastic elastomer based on LLDPE/NR through using reactive blending: Its effects on morphology,rheological, and mechanical properties

Attempts have been made to use different amount of ground tire rubber (GTR) powder as a partial substitute for natural rubber (NR) in thermoplastic elastomer based on linear low‐density polyethylene (LLDPE, 60 wt%) and NR (40wt%). Maleic anhydride (MA) and dicumyl peroxide (DCP) were used, during melt mixing of the compound, to modify GTR and vulcanize the rubber phases of the blends. Morphology of the blends was studied by scanning electron microscopy and rheological behavior investigated through rheomechanical spectroscopy. Mechanical properties of the blends were also measured, and the effect of GTR concentration on properties was evaluated. Obtained results showed that modification of GTR with MA and using DCP in the blends containing GTR improves the bonding between GTR and matrix. This leads to a distinctive rheological behavior and enhances tensile strength and elongation at break compared to its corresponding simple blend. It can be said that using of MA and DCP during melt mixing of thermoplastic elastomers based on LLDPE/NR containing GTR, concludes to a better dispersion of GTR and formation of morphology similar to that of a dynamic vulcanized thermoplastic elastomer, which improves interfacial bonding between phases and causes a dramatically increase in mechanical properties. © 2009 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2010     

Incremental augmented complex adaptive IIR algorithm for training widely linear ARMA model

In this paper, we propose a distributed adaptive learning algorithm to train the coefficients of a widely linear autoregressive moving average model by measurements collected by the nodes of a network. We assume that each node uses the augmented complex adaptive infinite impulse response (ACA-IIR) filter as the learning rule, and nodes interact with each other under an incremental mode of cooperation. To derive the proposed algorithm, called the incremental ACAIIR (IACA-IIR), we firstly formulate the distributed adaptive learning problem as an unconstrained minimization problem. Then, we apply stochastic gradient optimization argument to solve it and derive the proposed algorithm. We further find the step size range where the stability of the proposed algorithm is guaranteed. We also introduce a reduced-complexity version of the IACA-IIR algorithm. Since the proposed algorithm relies on the augmented complex statistics, it can be used to model both types of complex-valued signals (proper and improper signals). To evaluate the performance of the proposed algorithm, we use both synthetic and real-world complex signals in our simulations. The results exhibit superior performance of the proposed algorithm over the non-cooperative ACA-IIR algorithm.     

Assessment of reservoir temperatures of thermal springs of the northern areas of Pakistan by chemical and isotope geothermometry

Chemical and isotope geothermometers, i.e. the Na–K, K–Mg, quartz and δ¹⁸O(SO₄–H₂O), have been applied to estimate the reservoir temperature of the thermal springs in the northern areas of Pakistan. The chemical types of the thermal waters and the effects of mixing of shallow cold water with the thermal end-members are discussed. These waters are neutral to slightly alkaline and have low dissolved contents. Sodium is the dominant cation in almost all the cases. In terms of anions, the hot waters of Budelas are of the SO₄ type, those of Tatta Pani are of mixed character (SO₄ and HCO₃), and the waters from the remaining areas show HCO₃ domination. An absence of tritium in Tatta Pani and Tato thermal springs indicates that they do not have any contribution of shallow young water. In the case of the Murtazabad springs, the wide range of tritium concentrations, negative correlations with surface temperature and Cl, and positive correlation between Na and Cl show that the shallow cold groundwater is mixing with thermal water in different proportions. For the mixed water of Murtazabad thermal springs, ‘isochemical modelling’ using the Na–K, K–Mg and quartz geothermometers indicates an equilibrium temperature in the range 185–200 °C. The δ¹⁸O(SO₄–H₂O) geothermometer gives relatively low temperatures for three springs, whereas two samples are close to the 185–200 °C temperature interval. The reservoir temperatures of Tatta Pani springs (100–120 °C), determined by Na–K and quartz geothermometers, are in good agreement. The δ¹⁸O(SO₄–H₂O) geothermometer gives a relatively higher range (140–150 °C) for most of the Tatta Pani springs. For Tato spring, the isotope and chemical geothermometers (except for the K–Mg) agree on an equilibrium temperature of about 170 °C. Reservoir temperatures of the remaining minor fields are not conclusive due to the lack of sufficient data.     

Terpenoids as Human Neutrophil Elastase (HNE) Inhibitors: A Comprehensive Review of Natural Anti-inflammatory Isoprenoids

Human neutrophil elastase (HNE) is an enzyme that plays a key role in the body‘s inflammatory response. It has been linked to several diseases such as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), emphysema, and cystic fibrosis. As potential treatments for these diseases, HNE inhibitors are of great interest. Metabolites derived from plants, particularly terpenoids such as β-caryophyllene found in black pepper and other plants, and geraniol present in several essential oils, are recognized as significant sources of inhibitors for HNE. Because of their ability to inhibit HNE, terpenoids are considered promising candidates for developing novel therapies to treat inflammatory conditions such as COPD and emphysema. Furthermore, nature can serve as an excellent designer, and it may offer a safer drug candidate for inhibiting HNE production and activity in the future. The Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses were searched to get relevant and up-to-date literature on terpenoids as human neutrophil elastase inhibitors. This review focuses on the isolation, chemical diversity, and inhibition of human neutrophil elastase (HNE) of various terpenoids reported from natural sources up to 2022. A total of 251 compounds from various terpenoids classes have been reported. Further, it also provides a summary of HNE inhibitors and includes a thorough discussion on the structure-activity relationship.     

Carrier Transport Enhancement Mechanism in Highly Efficient Antimony Selenide Thin-Film Solar Cell

Exhibiting outstanding optoelectronic properties, antimony selenide (Sb₂Se₃) has attracted considerable interest and has been developed as a light absorber layer for thin-film solar cells over the decade. However, current state-of-the-art Sb₂Se₃ devices suffer from unsatisfactory “cliff-like” band alignment and severe interface recombination loss, which deteriorates device performance. In this study, the heterojunction interface of an Sb₂Se₃ solar cell is improved by introducing effective aluminum (Al³⁺) cation into the CdS buffer layer. Then, the energy band alignment of Sb₂Se₃/CdS:Al heterojunction is modified from a “cliff-like” structure to a “spike-like” structure. Finally, heterojunction interface engineering suppresses recombination losses and strengthens carrier transport, resulting in a high efficiency of 8.41% for the substrate-structured Sb₂Se₃ solar cell. This study proposes a facile strategy for interfacial treatment and elucidates the related carrier transport enhancement mechanism, paving a bright avenue to overcome the efficiency bottleneck of Sb₂Se₃ thin-film solar cells.