Hyperthermia of Magnetically Soft-Soft Core-Shell Ferrite Nanoparticles

Magnetically soft-soft MnFe₂O₄-Fe₃O₄ core-shell nanoparticles were synthesized through a seed-mediated method using the organometallic decomposition of metal acetyl acetonates. Two sets of core-shell nanoparticles (S1 and S2) of similar core sizes of 5.0 nm and different shell thicknesses (4.1 nm for S1 and 5.7 nm for S2) were obtained by changing the number of nucleating sites. Magnetic measurements were conducted on the nanoparticles at low and room temperatures to study the shell thickness and temperature dependence of the magnetic properties. Interestingly, both core-shell nanoparticles showed similar saturation magnetization, revealing the ineffective role of the shell thickness. In addition, the coercivity in both samples displayed similar temperature dependencies and magnitudes. Signatures of spin glass (SG) like behavior were observed from the field-cooled temperature-dependent magnetization measurements. It was suggested to be due to interface spin freezing. We observed a slight and non-monotonic temperature-dependent exchange bias in both samples with slightly higher values for S2. The effective magnetic anisotropy constant was calculated to be slightly larger in S2 than that in S1. The magnetothermal efficiency of the chitosan-coated nanoparticles was determined by measuring the specific absorption rate (SAR) under an alternating magnetic field (AMF) at 200–350 G field strengths and frequencies (495.25–167.30 kHz). The S2 nanoparticles displayed larger SAR values than the S1 nanoparticles at all field parameters. A maximum SAR value of 356.5 W/g was obtained for S2 at 495.25 kHz and 350 G for the 1 mg/mL nanoparticle concentration of ferrogel. We attributed this behavior to the larger interface SG regions in S2, which mediated the interaction between the core and shell and thus provided indirect exchange coupling between the core and shell phases. The SAR values of the core-shell nanoparticles roughly agreed with the predictions of the linear response theory. The concentration of the nanoparticles was found to affect heat conversion to a great extent. The in vitro treatment of the MDA-MB-231 human breast cancer cell line and HT-29 human colorectal cancer cell was conducted at selected frequencies and field strengths to evaluate the efficiency of the nanoparticles in killing cancer cells. The cellular cytotoxicity was estimated using flow cytometry and an MTT assay at 0 and 24 h after treatment with the AMF. The cells subjected to a 45 min treatment of the AMF (384.50 kHz and 350 G) showed a remarkable decrease in cell viability. The enhanced SAR values of the core-shell nanoparticles compared to the seeds with the most enhancement in S2 is an indication of the potential for tailoring nanoparticle structures and hence their magnetic properties for effective heat generation.     

Uniformly dispersed FeO<Subscript><Emphasis Type="Italic">x</Emphasis></Subscript> atomic clusters by pulsed arc plasma deposition: An efficient electrocatalyst for improving the performance of Li–O<Subscript>2</Subscript> battery

The present study explored a new method to improve the catalytic activity of non-precious metals, especially in electrochemical reactions. Highly ionized Fe plasma produced by arc discharge was uniformly deposited on a porous carbon substrate and formed atomic clusters on the carbon surface. The as-prepared FeO _x /C material was tested as a cathode material in a rechargeable Li–O₂ battery under different current rates. The results showed significant improvement in battery performance in terms of both cycle life and reaction rate. Furthermore, X-ray diffraction (XRD) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) results showed that the as-prepared cathode material stabilized the cathode and reduced side reactions and that the current rate was a critical factor in the nucleation of the discharge products.

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The Diagnostic Performance of Ultrasonography in the Evaluation of Extrathyroidal Extension in Papillary Thyroid Carcinoma: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

Extrathyroidal extension (ETE) in patients with papillary thyroid carcinoma (PTC) is an indication of disease progression and can influence treatment aggressiveness. This meta-analysis assesses the diagnostic accuracy of ultrasonography (US) in detecting ETE. A systematic review and meta-analysis were performed by searching PubMed, Embase, and Cochrane for studies published up to April 2022. The pooled sensitivity, specificity, and diagnostic odds ratio (DOR) were calculated. The areas under the curve (AUC) for summary receiver operating curves were compared. A total of 11 studies analyzed ETE in 3795 patients with PTC. The sensitivity of ETE detection was 76% (95%CI = 74–78%). The specificity of ETE detection was 51% (95%CI = 49–54%). The DOR of detecting ETE by US was 5.32 (95%CI = 2.54–11.14). The AUC of ETE detection was determined to be 0.6874 ± 0.0841. We report an up-to-date analysis elucidating the diagnostic accuracy of ETE detection by US. Our work suggests the diagnostic accuracy of US in detecting ETE is adequate. Considering the importance of ETE detection on preoperative assessment, ancillary studies such as adjunct imaging studies and genetic testing should be considered.     

Entanglement and Sudden Death for a Two-Mode Radiation Field Two Atoms

The effect of the field–field interaction on a cavity containing two qubit (TQ) interacting with a two mode of electromagnetic field as parametric amplifier type is investigated. After performing an appropriate transformation, the constants of motion are calculated. Using the Schrödinger differential equation a system of differential equations was obtained, and the general solution was obtained in the case of exact resonance. Some statistical quantities were calculated and discussed in detail to describe the features of this system. The collapses and revivals phenomena have been discussed in details. The Shannon information entropy has been applied for measuring the degree of entanglement (DE) between the qubits and the electromagnetic field. The normal squeezing for some values of the parameter of the field–field interaction is studied. The results showed that the collapses disappeared after the field–field terms were added and the maximum values of normal squeezing decrease when increasing of the field–field interaction parameter. While the revivals and amplitudes of the oscillations increase when the parameter of the field–field interaction increases. Degree of entanglement is partially more entangled with increasing of the field-field interaction parameter. The relationship between revivals, collapses and the degree of entanglement (Shannon information entropy) was monitored and discussed in the presence and absence of the field–field interaction.     

Fire Detection Using Multi Color Space and Background Modeling

Fire Technology - Emergency incidents and events of fires can be dangerous and required quick and accurate decision-making need quick and correct decision-making. The use of computer vision for...     

A comprehensive study on copper incorporated bio-glass matrix for its potential antimicrobial applications

In this study, sol-gel derived Cu substituted 70S bioglass (70SiO2-(20-x) CaO–10P2O5-xCuO; where x = 0, 0.5, 1, 1.5) were synthesized as a new multifunctional bioactive glasses (BGs). The effect of Cu substitution in the bio-glass matrix was evaluated for its impact on pathogen (Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aurous). Fourier Transform Infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR), Thermogravimetric Analysis (TGA), X-Ray Diffraction (XRD), Inductively Coupled Plasma spectroscopy (ICP) and Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) revealed that the obtained powders are amorphous silicate glass. The substituted element is present in the desired molar concentration. In vitro bioactivity test was performed in SBF solution by immersion of bioglass pellets. Antibacterial test was carried out against Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus. The results showed that the prepared BGs have a high acellular bioactivity observed by a fast formation of thick and continuous layer of carbonated hydroxyapatite (CHA). The antibacterial properties of the substituted bio-glass matrix was indicated by the growth inhibition of bacterial colonies. The obtained results showed that copper substituted bio-glass is having potential to avoid post-surgical infections and it also represents the capability of hard tissue regeneration.     

Optimal sizing of autonomous hybrid energy system using supply‐demand‐based optimization algorithm

Hybrid energy systems (HESs) comprising photovoltaic (PV) arrays and wind turbines (WTs) are remarkable solutions for electrifying remote areas. These areas commonly fulfil their energy demands by means of a diesel genset (DGS). In the present study, a novel computational intelligence algorithm called supply‐demand‐based optimization (SDO) is applied to the HES sizing problem based on long‐term cost analysis. The effectiveness of SDO is investigated, and its performance is compared with that of the genetic algorithm (GA), particle swarm optimization (PSO), gray wolf optimizer (GWO), grasshopper optimization algorithm (GOA), flower pollination algorithm (FPA), and big‐bang‐big‐crunch (BBBC) algorithm. Three HES scenarios are implemented using measured solar radiation, wind speed, and load profile data to electrify an isolated village located in the northern region of Saudi Arabia. The optimal design is evaluated on the basis of technical (loss of power supply probability [LPSP]) and economic (annualized system cost [ASC]) criteria. The evaluation addresses two performance indicators: surplus energy and the renewable energy fraction (REF). The results reveal the validity and superiority of SDO in determining the optimal sizing of an HES with a higher convergence rate, lower ASC, lower LPSP, and higher REF than that of the GA, PSO, GWO, GOA, FPA, and BBBC algorithms. The performance analysis also reveals that an HES comprising PV arrays, WTs, battery banks, and DGS provides the best results: 238.7 kW from PV arrays, 231.6 kW from WTs, 192.5 kWh from battery banks, and 267.6 kW from the DGS. The optimal HES exhibits a high REF (66.4%) and is economically feasible ($104 323.10/year) and environmentally friendly. The entire load demand of the area under study is met without power loss (LPSP = 0%).     

Enhancement of basic properties of polysaccharide-based composites with organic and inorganic fillers: A review

The global shift towards biodegradable composite has made polysaccharides a green alternative to synthetic polymers owing to their biocompatibility, sustainability, and ecofriendly biomaterials. Despite the limitations in their applications, many studies have validated the effectiveness of using organic or inorganic fillers to ameliorate their mechanical and barrier properties. However, the understanding of how polysaccharides matrix is enhanced by fillers is still inexplicit. Hence, it is imperative to review the effects of using inorganic and organic fillers in some prominent polysaccharides in terms of mechanical and water barrier properties while taking into account the function of filler morphology, size and loading. Although it is intricate to indicate the best filler used for each of the polysaccharides matrices, this review served as a “food for thought” on the established works of enhanced-matrix filler combinations aimed at improving the mechanical and barrier properties of biodegradable films based on neutral or negatively charged polysaccharides-based composite films for potential application in food packaging, agriculture, biomedicine and constructions sector. © 2018 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2019 , 136, 47251.     

Selective adsorption of ketoconazole from aqueous solutions using a new molecularly imprinted polyurethane coated magnetic multiwall carbon nanotubes

New magnetic molecularly imprinted polyurethanes based on magnetic multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MMWNTs-MIPUs) were synthesized with specific selectivity toward ketoconazole (KTZ) as an anti-fungal drug. First, novel N-(4-carboxyphenyl) trimellitimide diisocyanate (NTDIS) was prepared from the reaction of trimellitic anhydride and 4-amino benzoic acid in two steps. Then, NTDIS was functionalized by β-cyclodextrin and methacrylic acid (MAA-NTDIS-β-CD). MAA-NTDIS-β-CD was used as a functional monomer, KTZ as a template, ethylene glycol dimethacrylate (EGDMA) as a cross-linking agent and 2,2′-azobisisobutyronitrile (AIBN) as initiator. Structure and properties of the prepared compounds were characterized by FTIR, ¹H NMR, FESEM, XRD, VSM, BET, and EDX. The influence of parameters such as solution pH, contact time, temperature, and initial concentrations in controlled absorption of KTZ using MMWCNTs-MIPU and MMWCNTs-NIPU were evaluated. The kinetic data were measured using the pseudo-first-order and pseudo-second-order equation. The pseudo-second-order equation displayed the best fit for the kinetic studies (R² 0.9958). The adsorption equilibrium of KTZ using MMWCNTs-MIPU could be well-defined with the Langmuir isotherm model, and the maximum adsorption capacity was calculated as 52.35 mg g^–1. The prepared MMWCNTs-MIPU can be simply separated by an external magnetic field and, MMWCNTs-MIPU can be used after six filtration-regeneration cycles.