Synthesis, Evaluation, Modeling and Simulation of Nanopore NaA Zeolite Membranes for Application in Ethanol Separation

Zeolite membranes have uniform and molecular-sized pores that separate molecules based on the differences in the molecules’ adsorption and diffusion properties. Strong electrostatic interaction between ionic sites and water molecules (due to its highly polar nature) makes the zeolite NaA membrane very hydrophilic. Zeolite NaA membranes are thus well suited for the separation of liquid-phase mixtures by pervaporation. In this study, experiments were conducted with various ethanol–water mixtures (1–20 wt. %) at 25 °C. Total flux for ethanol–water mixtures was found to vary from 0.331 to 0.229 kg/m2.h with increasing thanol concentration from 1 to 20 wt.%. Ionic sites of the NaA zeolite matrix play a very important role in water transport through the membrane. These sites act both as water sorption and transport sites. Surface diffusion of water occurs in an activated fashion through these sites. The precise Nano-porous structure of the zeolite cage helps in a partial molecular sieving of the large solvent molecules leading to high separation factors. A comparison between experimental flux and calculated flux using Stephan Maxwell (S.M.) correlation was made and a linear trend was found to exist for water flux through the membrane with ethanol concentration. A comprehensive model also was proposed for the ethanol-water pervaporation by Finite Element Method (FEM). The 2D model was masterfully capable of predicting water concentration distribution within both the membrane and the feed side of the pervaporation membrane module. Keywords: nanopores, pervaporation, ethanol separation, zeolite NaA membrane, FEM simulatio

Imaging techniques for ocular neoplasia

Background: Novel ocular imaging modalities have greatly impacted the diagnosis and management of different types of ocular neoplasia. In this narrative review, we summarize the practical features of popular and novel imaging modalities for ocular tumors. Methods: Four databases, including PubMed/MEDLINE, Web of Science, Scopus, and Google Scholar, were searched from January 1, 2000 to August 31, 2022. Articles reporting different imaging modalities for diagnosing or monitoring treatment responses of ocular tumors were extracted using various combinations of the following keywords: ocular neoplasia, positron emission tomography or PET, single-photon emission computed tomography or SPECT, optical coherence tomography or OCT, OCT angiography or OCTA, computed tomography or CT, ultrasonography or US, ultrasound biomicroscopy or UBM, and magnetic resonance imaging or MRI. Results: Various ocular imaging modalities had different accuracies as adjunctive tools for detecting or managing ocular tumors. Anterior ultra-high-resolution optical coherence tomography (OCT) could be used to evaluate images with < 5-µm resolution. OCT angiography provided deeper insight into retinal vascular changes associated with the malignant transformation of choroidal melanoma. OCT in children altered the diagnosis of suspicious retinoblastoma in 3% of the cases and treatment plan in 11% of the cases. While positron-emission tomography (PET)/computed tomography (CT) allowed the detection of metastatic lesions of choroidal melanoma by full-body scanning, single-photon emission CT was more sensitive compared to PET in detecting choroidal melanoma. Ultrasound biomicroscopy, with an accuracy exceeding 92.5%, could detect retinal calcification in lesions measuring 2–3 mm. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) had better contrast compared to ultrasound biomicroscopy and higher sensitivity compared to CT in detecting post-laminar optic nerve invasion. However, MRI had a lower spatial resolution compared to OCT. Further development of imaging modalities and their application in drug development would improve the treatment of ocular tumors. Conclusions: Although diagnosing ocular tumors depend on clinical characteristics, innovations in ocular imaging have enabled early diagnosis and timely, appropriate management of ocular neoplasia, which are conducive to favorable visual outcomes and increased life expectancy. Further systematic reviews and meta-analyses of primary studies focusing on a specific imaging modality in ocular neoplasia could precisely determine the diagnostic accuracy of each imaging modality to better guide eye practitioners with efficient diagnostic or therapeutic approaches for these sight- or life-threatening entities. Imaging modalities may play a major role in drug development in the future

Lycopene and kidney; future potential application.

Lycopene is a lipid-soluble antioxidant and has been inversely associated with lipid peroxidation, including low-density lipoprotein oxidation and reduced oxidative stress and inflammation. In addition, lycopene has a variety of biological activities such as aging prevention, cancer prevention, anti inflammation, and oxidative. Many chronic diseases, such as cardiovas¬cular disease, cancer, diabetes and eye diseas¬es are the result of prolonged oxidative stress. Lycopene could be considered as the most effective antioxidant among the carotenoids. Lycopene is a potent antioxidant that offers protection for cellular damage due to reactive oxygen species. Introductio

Investigar las condiciones causales y subyacentes que afectan la prestación de servicios deportivos a espectadoras en Irán

The present study aimed to investigate the causal and underlying conditions affecting the provision of sports services to female spectators in Iran. The qualitative research method was applied in this study. The statistical population included the chief executive officers and the board of directors of the league and federations of football, volleyball, and basketball, senior managers of sports stadiums, female spectators attending the official women’s competitions, female spectators having a history of attending the stadiums and sports halls during the official male competitions, and academic experts in field of sports management who were familiar with the sports events; the theoretical sampling method was used in this research. In this study, 32 elite individuals were interviewed through 32 semi-structured interviews until achieving the theoretical saturation. Data collection tool included the semi-structured interviews. The results indicated 7 main causal conditions including the financial support, facilities, cultural issues, management resources, management approaches, benefits of the provision of services to female spectators, and social issues. Also, based on the results, the underlying conditions were classified into the 2 categories of the nature of spectators’ presence and the nature of sport.El presente estudio tuvo como objetivo investigar las condiciones causales y subyacentes que afectan la prestación de servicios deportivos a las espectadoras en Irán. El método de investigación cualitativa se aplicó en este estudio. La población estadística incluía a los directores ejecutivos y la junta directiva de la liga y las federaciones de fútbol, ​​voleibol y baloncesto, gerentes superiores de estadios deportivos, espectadoras que asistían a las competiciones oficiales de mujeres, espectadoras que tenían un historial de asistencia a los estadios y pabellones deportivos durante las competiciones masculinas oficiales y expertos académicos en el campo de la gestión deportiva que estaban familiarizados con los eventos deportivos; El método de muestreo teórico se utilizó en esta investigación. En este estudio, 32 individuos de élite fueron entrevistados a través de 32 entrevistas semiestructuradas hasta lograr la saturación teórica. La herramienta de recolección de datos incluyó las entrevistas semiestructuradas. Los resultados indicaron 7 condiciones causales principales que incluyen el apoyo financiero, las instalaciones, los problemas culturales, los recursos de gestión, los enfoques de gestión, los beneficios de la prestación de servicios a las espectadoras y los problemas sociales. Además, según los resultados, las condiciones subyacentes se clasificaron en las 2 categorías de la naturaleza de la presencia de los espectadores y la naturaleza del deporte

Reference Database of CrossLaps and Osteocalcin for a Healthy Iranian Population

Markers of bone turnover are becoming an important tool for practitioners in the management of osteoporosis. Therefore, it is essential to establish a reference database of the markers before using them in various clinical settings. A total of 785 individuals (37% males, 63% females) without apparent or suggested abnormalities affecting bone mass were randomly selected from 13 clusters in Bushehr Port in southern Iran. The serum CrossLaps ELISA and the N-MID Osteocalcin ELISA were used for the quantitative measurement of CrossLaps and osteocalcin in sera. Bone mineral density was determined for the lumbar spines (L2-L4), proximal femur (neck), and forearm (the distal part) using dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry. Men had higher biochemical serum bone markers (P60 years. In men, serum CrossLaps levels were decreased progressively by increases in age, with the peak at 20 – 29 years. In women, there was a significant decrease in serum osteocalcin from 20 – 29 years to 30–49 years, followed by a progressive increases during 50 – 59 years, with the peak at >60 years. In men, the highest concentrations for serum osteocalcin occurred at 20 – 29 years. At all sites checked for bone mineral densitys, women in the high osteocalcin quartile had the lowest mean bone mineral densitys values, but women in the high CrossLaps quartile had the lowest mean bone mineral densitys at lumbar and radial sites. However, in men, bone mineral densitys values at neither site differed between the lowest and the highest quartiles of serum biochemical bone markers. We presented a five- year age-specific mean values of bone markers in a general healthy Iranian population. Only women in the high osteocalcin and CrossLaps quartiles had the lowest mean bone mineral densitys values at the lumbar and radial sites. Our results suggest that the significance of osteoclastic bone resorption or bone formation as a determinant of bone mineral densitys may depend on sex

effect of laser irradiation on bond strength of zirconia ceramic to self adhesive resin cement

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Reference Database of CrossLaps and Osteocalcin for a Healthy Iranian Population

Markers of bone turnover are becoming an important tool for practitioners in the management of osteoporosis. Therefore, it is essential to establish a reference database of the markers before using them in various clinical settings. A total of 785 individuals (37% males, 63% females) without apparent or suggested abnormalities affecting bone mass were randomly selected from 13 clusters in Bushehr Port in southern Iran. The serum CrossLaps ELISA and the N-MID Osteocalcin ELISA were used for the quantitative measurement of CrossLaps and osteocalcin in sera. Bone mineral density was determined for the lumbar spines (L2-L4), proximal femur (neck), and forearm (the distal part) using dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry. Men had higher biochemical serum bone markers (P<0.0001). In women, there were progressive increases in serum CrossLaps after 30 years of age, peaking at >60 years. In men, serum CrossLaps levels were decreased progressively by increases in age, with the peak at 20 – 29 years. In women, there was a significant decrease in serum osteocalcin from 20 – 29 years to 30–49 years, followed by a progressive increases during 50 – 59 years, with the peak at >60 years. In men, the highest concentrations for serum osteocalcin occurred at 20 – 29 years. At all sites checked for bone mineral densitys, women in the high osteocalcin quartile had the lowest mean bone mineral densitys values, but women in the high CrossLaps quartile had the lowest mean bone mineral densitys at lumbar and radial sites. However, in men, bone mineral densitys values at neither site differed between the lowest and the highest quartiles of serum biochemical bone markers. We presented a five- year age-specific mean values of bone markers in a general healthy Iranian population. Only women in the high osteocalcin and CrossLaps quartiles had the lowest mean bone mineral densitys values at the lumbar and radial sites. Our results suggest that the significance of osteoclastic bone resorption or bone formation as a determinant of bone mineral densitys may depend on sex. Archives of Iranian Medicine, Volum