Radiation synthesis and characterization of poly(vinyl alcohol)/poly(N-vinyl-2-pyrrolidone) based hydrogels containing silver nanoparticles

A series of PVA/PVP based hydrogels at different compositions were prepared by gamma irradiation. The gel fraction degree of swelling were investigated. Highly stable and uniformly distributed silver nanoparticles have been obtained onto hydrogel networks. The morphology and structure of (PVA/PVP) hydrogel and dispersion of the silver nanoparticles in the polymeric matrix were examined by scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR), respectively. The formation of silver nanoparticles has been confirmed by ultraviolet visible (UV–vis) spectroscopy. A strong characteristic absorption peak was found to be around 420 nm for the silver nanoparticles in the hydrogel nanocomposite. The X-ray diffraction pattern confirmed the formation of silver nanoparticles with average particle size of 12 nm. The diameter distribution of silver nanoparticles was determined by dynamic light scattering DLS. Transmission electron microscope (TEM) showed almost spherical and uniform distribution of silver nanoparticles through the hydrogel network and the mean size of silver nanoparticles ranging is 23 nm. The good swelling properties and antibacterial of PVA/PVP-Ag hydrogel suggest that it can be a good candidate as wound dressing.     

Experimentally validated analytical modeling of diesel engine power and in-cylinder gas speed dynamics

Supercharged diesel engines are a key element in diesel powertrains that have been extensively modelled yet often without explainable mathematical trends. The present paper demonstrates the analytical modelling of in-cylinder gas speed dynamics and engine brake power. These analytical models provide explainable mathematical trends. In addition, they provide gear-shifting-based modeling because the model parameters can be adjusted to reflect different driving conditions without the need for gathering field data. An unprecedented sensitivity analysis was conducted on these developed models for simplifying them. They were validated using experimental data and the relative error of the developed model of the in-cylinder gas speed dynamics was 9.8%. The study demonstrates with 73% coefficient of determination that the average percentage of deviation of the simulated results from the corresponding field data on the engine brake power is 6.9%. The relative error of the developed model of the engine brake power is 7%. These values of relative error are an order of magnitude of deviation that is less than that of widely recognized models in the field of vehicle powertrain modeling such as the CMEM and GT-Power. These analytically developed models serve as widely valid models. Having addressed and corrected flaws in the corresponding models, such as the model of the in-cylinder gas speed dynamics presented in a key reference in this research area, these developed models can help in better analyzing and assessing the performance of diesel engines.

     

An Eco-Friendly Approach to the Control of Pathogenic Microbes and Anopheles stephensi Malarial Vector Using Magnesium Oxide Nanoparticles (Mg-NPs) Fabricated by Penicillium chrysogenum

The discovery of eco-friendly, rapid, and cost-effective compounds to control diseases caused by microbes and insects are the main challenges. Herein, the magnesium oxide nanoparticles (MgO-NPs) are successfully fabricated by harnessing the metabolites secreted by Penicillium chrysogenum. The fabricated MgO-NPs were characterized using UV-Vis, XRD, TEM, DLS, EDX, FT-IR, and XPS analyses. Data showed the successful formation of crystallographic, spherical, well-dispersed MgO-NPs with sizes of 7–40 nm at a maximum wavelength of 250 nm. The EDX analysis confirms the presence of Mg and O ions as the main components with weight percentages of 13.62% and 7.76%, respectively. The activity of MgO-NPs as an antimicrobial agent was investigated against pathogens Staphylococcus aureus, Bacillus subtilis, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Escherichia coli, and Candida albicans, and exhibited zone of inhibitions of 12.0 ± 0.0, 12.7 ± 0.9, 23.3 ± 0.8, 17.7 ± 1.6, and 14.7 ± 0.6 mm respectively, at 200 µg mL⁻¹. The activity is decreased by decreasing the MgO-NPs concentration. The biogenic MgO-NPs exhibit high efficacy against different larvae instar and pupa of Anopheles stephensi, with LC50 values of 12.5–15.5 ppm for I–IV larvae instar and 16.5 ppm for the pupa. Additionally, 5 mg/cm² of MgO-NPs showed the highest protection percentages against adults of Anopheles stephensi, with values of 100% for 150 min and 67.6% ± 1.4% for 210 min.     

X-ray Fluorescence Uptake Measurement of Functionalized Gold Nanoparticles in Tumor Cell Microsamples

Quantitative cellular in vitro nanoparticle uptake measurements are possible with a large number of different techniques, however, all have their respective restrictions. Here, we demonstrate the application of synchrotron-based X-ray fluorescence imaging (XFI) on prostate tumor cells, which have internalized differently functionalized gold nanoparticles. Total nanoparticle uptake on the order of a few hundred picograms could be conveniently observed with microsamples consisting of only a few hundreds of cells. A comparison with mass spectroscopy quantification is provided, experimental results are both supported and sensitivity limits of this XFI approach extrapolated by Monte-Carlo simulations, yielding a minimum detectable nanoparticle mass of just 5 pg. This study demonstrates the high sensitivity level of XFI, allowing non-destructive uptake measurements with very small microsamples within just seconds of irradiation time.     

Prediction and optimization of electroplated Ni-based coating composition and thickness using central composite design and artificial neural network

Journal of Applied Electrochemistry - The choice of the electroplating conditions of Ni-based alloys has always been a serious research question. In this study, an artificial neural network based...     

Multi-Directional Maximum-Entropy Approach to the Evolutionary Design Optimization of Water Distribution Systems

A new multi-directional search approach that aims at maximizing the flow entropy of water distribution systems is investigated. The aim is to develop an efficient and practical maximum entropy based approach. The resulting optimization problem has four objectives, and the merits of objective reduction in the computational solution of the problem are investigated also. The relationship between statistical flow entropy and hydraulic reliability/failure tolerance is not monotonic. Consequently, a large number of maximum flow entropy solutions must be investigated to strike a balance between cost and hydraulic reliability. A multi-objective evolutionary optimization model is developed that generates simultaneously a wide range of maximum entropy values along with clusters of maximum and near-maximum entropy solutions. Results for a benchmark network and a real network in the literature are included that demonstrate the effectiveness of the procedure.     

Catalytic performance of organically templated nano nickel incorporated-rice husk silica in hydroconversion of cyclohexene and dehydrogenation of ethanol

Rice husk silica (RHS) was extracted from local rice husk by acid digestion and burning at 650 °C. RHS-Ni catalyst was prepared by dissolving RHS in 1 N NaOH and titrating with 3 N HNO₃ containing 10 wt.% Ni²⁺. The organic modifiers, either p-amino benzoic acid (A) or p-phenylenediamine (PDA) were incorporated in 5 wt.% and reduced in H₂ flow. Investigation of the three catalysts, (RHS-Ni)_R350, (RHS-Ni–A)_R350 and (RHS-Ni–PDA)_R350, confirmed good dispersion of Ni nanoparticles; all catalysts were amorphous. The BET surface areas increased in the order: (RHS-Ni)_R350 < (RHS-Ni–A)_R350 < (RHS-Ni–PDA)_R350 with controlled pore sizes. The as-prepared catalysts were applied for both hydroconversion of cyclohexene with molecular H₂ and ethanol dehydrogenation, using a flow-type reactor, at different temperatures. The activity in cyclohexene hydroconversion and selectivity to cyclohexane depended upon the reaction temperature; at t < 150 °C, the increased hydrogenation activity was referred to the formed SiO₂–Ni–amine complex, pore regulation as a prime requirement for H₂ storage and homogeneous distribution of incorporated Ni nanoparticles. At t > 150 °C, the backward dehydrogenation pathway was more favored, due to unavailability of H₂; the process became structure-sensitive. In ethanol conversion, the prevailing dehydrogenation activity of organically modified catalyst samples was encouraged by improved homogeneous distribution of Ni nanoparticles and created micropre system.     

Novel fire-retardant bagasse papers using talc/cyclodiphosphazane and nanocellulose as packaging materials

This paper aimed to modify the ignitability of the bagasse paper by using talc powder, 1,3-di-aniline-2,2,2,4,4,4-hexachlorocyclodiphosph(V)azane, and nanocellulose crystal. The formation of cellulose nanocrystals (CNCs) was detected using transmission electron microscopy (TEM), X-ray diffraction (XRD). Thermal analysis as thermal gravimetric analysis (TGA) of the specimens recorded the improvement of the highest % of ash residue at 750 °C compared to the untreated one. The shape of the flame spread was studied. The ignition properties were studied for the untreated and treated specimens by limiting oxygen index (LOI) and flame chamber (UL/94), which recorded enhancing compared to the untreated specimen. This improvement was recorded either by measuring the mechanical properties (tensile strength, burst strength, elongation, and elasticity) of the specimens. The current article showed that the treated specimen was recorded the highest values compared to the untreated one in all physical, mechanical, and ignition properties, so these treatment paper sheets may be used as fire-retardant packaging materials.     

Compositional characteristics and aromatic profile of date palm seeds from seven varieties grown in Tunisia

This paper reports a discrimination study based on the physico‐chemical characteristics, fatty acids and profile of volatile compounds of the seeds from seven date palm varieties (Phoenix dactylifera L.) grown in Tunisia. Date seeds contained 10.49–14.76% moisture; 6.28–11.2% fat (on a dry weight basis); 2.67–12.85% protein; 0.91–6.06% reducing sugar; 0.61–2.98% sucrose and 0.97–1.17% ash. Gas liquid chromatography revealed that the oil fraction of the date palm seeds contained eighteen fatty acids, with oleic acid (30.77–42.50%) and lauric acid (18.51–27.48%) as the main unsaturated and saturated ones. Volatile profile showed differences among varieties. In total, forty‐five compounds were identified, mainly alcohols, aldehydes and unsaturated hydrocarbons ones. This study provides evidence that the seeds of date may be a potential source of valuable nutrients with interesting functionality.     

Physicochemical Properties of Different Types of Starch Phosphate Monoesters

Different types of starch were phosphorylated to different degrees of substitution using monosodium and disodium hydrogen orthophosphate at 160 °C under vacuum. Generally, phosphation enhanced the physicochemical properties of the modified starches compared to their native counterparts. Solubility and swelling power greatly increase when phosphorylation was carried out to a low degree of substitution, while the solubility and swelling power decreased gradually by increasing the degree of substitution. However, the values of the monoesters were still higher than those of the corresponding native polysaccharides. Viscosities of different starch types except corn amylose showed the highest values at the lowest degree of substitution, when the degree of phosphation increased the viscosity values decreased. Native potato starch formed a clear paste (96% transmittance) due to the presence of phosphate groups while the paste clarity of potato starch decreased gradually by increasing the degree of phosphation. Generally, phosphorylation increased the light transmittance of the other starches investigated at the lowest degree of substitution but the clarity decreased by increasing the degree of substitution.