Effects of milling and annealing on formation and structural characterization of nanocrystalline intermetallic compounds from Ni-Ti elemental powders

Nickel and Titanium elemental powders with a nominal composition Ni-50 at.%Ti were mechanical alloyed in a planetary high-energy ball mill in different milling conditions (5, 10, 20, 40 and 60 h). The investigation revealed that increasing milling time leads to a reduction in crystallite size, and after 60 h of milling, the Ti dissolved in Ni lattice and NiTi (B2) phase was obtained. With milling time, morphology of pre-alloyed powders changed from lamella to globular. Annealing of as-milled powders at 1173 K for 900 s led to formation of nanocrystalline NiTi (B19′), grain growth and release of internal strain. The results indicated that this technique is a powerful and high productive process for preparing NiTi intermetallic compound with nanocrystalline structure and appropriate morphology. © 2012 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved

Efficiency comparison of alum and ferric chloride coagulants in removal of dye and organic material from industrial wastewater - A case study

Coagulation and flocculation are most widely methods used for dye and pollution removal from various wastewaters. The aim of this study is efficiency comparison of inorganic coagulant (Alum and Ferric Cchloride) for treatment of textile factory wastewater. The appropriate coagulant was selected at optimum condition for treatment of textile's factory wastewater by measuring of dye, COD, BOD5 and TSS parameters. The different pH (4, 5, 6, 7, 8 and 9) was used for determine the optimum pH. Totally, 240 samples were collected and exanimated according the standard methods of wastewater and water tests. Results showed that the ferric chloride has more removal efficiency than alum in removal of COD, TSS and dye. The most removal of COD, TSS and dye using alum was obtained 36, 19 and 68.8 while for ferric chloride was obtained 72, 60 and 98 respectively. The optimum pH 7 and 5 were obtained for alum and ferric chloride respectively. Based on the results, it can be concluded that COD, TSS and dye removal using ferric chloride has higher efficiency than alum. Therefore, application of ferric chloride in the same conditions is preferred than alum. © 2015 Bulgarian Academy of Sciences, Union of Chemists in Bulgaria

Atomic layer deposition synthesized TiOx thin films and their application as microbolometer active materials

This paper demonstrates the possible usage of TiOx thin films synthesized by atomic layer deposition as a microbolometer active material. Thin film electrical resistance is investigated as a function of thermal annealing. It is found that the temperature coefficient of resistance values can be controlled by coating/annealing processes, and the value as high as -9%/K near room temperature is obtained. The noise properties of TiOx films are characterized. It is shown that TiOx films grown by atomic layer deposition technique could have a significant potential to be used as a new active material for microbolometer-based applications. © 2016 American Vacuum Society

Pattern of disinfectants use and their adverse effects on the consumers after COVID-19 outbreak

Background and objective: The aim of this study was to investigate the pattern of disinfectants use within outbreak of COVID-19 and estimate their adverse effects on the consumer�s health. Methods: In this descriptive-analytical study, 1090 participants were entered into the study without age and gender limitations. A researcher-made electronic checklist containing 43 questions was applied to collect data. The checklist included three sections: demographic characteristics (8 questions), disinfection of body and non-living surfaces (21 questions), and adverse effects of disinfectants on health (15 questions). Results: 87 of participants used the incorrect proportions of water and alcohol to make this disinfectant available at home. The percentage of people with wrong proportion of sodium hypochlorite was 74.2. Approximately 42 of participants experienced at least one disorder on their hands, feet, eyes, respiratory or gastrointestinal systems after sequential uses of disinfectants. The most common disorders among the participants were found to be skin dryness (76.3), obsession (42.2), skin itching (41.2), coughing (41.1), and eyes irritation (39.5). The mean frequency of hand washing and hand disinfecting were 15.28 and 10.74 times per a day, respectively, and the clean-up in case of surfaces was 2.99 times a day. The frequency of hand washing and disinfecting in women group (16.4 and 11.2 times a day) were higher than in men (14.0 and 10.3 times a day) group. In addition, these self-care actions in married people (15.6 and 11.0 times a day) were higher compared to those in single people (14.0 and 10.6 times a day). Conclusion: Being unaware of participants with instruction for preparation and use disinfectants may harm their health. Therefore, it is suggested that the authorities provide the necessary training program for public through official media. © 2020, Springer Nature Switzerland AG

The global burden of cancer attributable to risk factors, 2010–19: a systematic analysis for the Global Burden of Disease Study 2019

BACKGROUND: Understanding the magnitude of cancer burden attributable to potentially modifiable risk factors is crucial for development of effective prevention and mitigation strategies. We analysed results from the Global Burden of Diseases, Injuries, and Risk Factors Study (GBD) 2019 to inform cancer control planning efforts globally. METHODS: The GBD 2019 comparative risk assessment framework was used to estimate cancer burden attributable to behavioural, environmental and occupational, and metabolic risk factors. A total of 82 risk–outcome pairs were included on the basis of the World Cancer Research Fund criteria. Estimated cancer deaths and disability-adjusted life-years (DALYs) in 2019 and change in these measures between 2010 and 2019 are presented. FINDINGS: Globally, in 2019, the risk factors included in this analysis accounted for 4·45 million (95% uncertainty interval 4·01–4·94) deaths and 105 million (95·0–116) DALYs for both sexes combined, representing 44·4% (41·3–48·4) of all cancer deaths and 42·0% (39·1–45·6) of all DALYs. There were 2·88 million (2·60–3·18) risk-attributable cancer deaths in males (50·6% [47·8–54·1] of all male cancer deaths) and 1·58 million (1·36–1·84) risk-attributable cancer deaths in females (36·3% [32·5–41·3] of all female cancer deaths). The leading risk factors at the most detailed level globally for risk-attributable cancer deaths and DALYs in 2019 for both sexes combined were smoking, followed by alcohol use and high BMI. Risk-attributable cancer burden varied by world region and Socio-demographic Index (SDI), with smoking, unsafe sex, and alcohol use being the three leading risk factors for risk-attributable cancer DALYs in low SDI locations in 2019, whereas DALYs in high SDI locations mirrored the top three global risk factor rankings. From 2010 to 2019, global risk-attributable cancer deaths increased by 20·4% (12·6–28·4) and DALYs by 16·8% (8·8–25·0), with the greatest percentage increase in metabolic risks (34·7% [27·9–42·8] and 33·3% [25·8–42·0]). INTERPRETATION: The leading risk factors contributing to global cancer burden in 2019 were behavioural, whereas metabolic risk factors saw the largest increases between 2010 and 2019. Reducing exposure to these modifiable risk factors would decrease cancer mortality and DALY rates worldwide, and policies should be tailored appropriately to local cancer risk factor burden

Discriminative factors for post-stroke depression

Background: Depression is the most common mood disorder following stroke. It can negatively affects different domains of patient's life. The present study aimed to explore demographic and clinical predictors of post stroke depression and determine discriminative cognitive, motor, and functional factors in stroke patients with and without depression. Methods: In a cross sectional study, 100 patients with stroke were investigated. Measurements consisted of Beck Depression Inventory-II, Trail Making Test A & B, Digit Span Subtest of Wechsler Memory Scale, Motricity Index (arm and leg motor), Trunk Control Test, Barthel Index, and Lawton Instrumental Activities of Daily Living. Demographics and clinical data including educational level, marital status, limb affected, cigarette smoking habits, diabetes mellitus, cardiac diseases, and blood pressure were also collected. Results: Multivariate logistic regression revealed that college level of education (OR = 8.78, 95 CI: 2.65�29.11, P < 0.001) and cardiac diseases (OR = 3.11, 95 CI: 1.19�8.13, P < 0.001) were significant demographic and clinical predictors of post stroke depression. Using stepwise discriminant function analysis, basic activities of daily living and trunk control with 88.0 classification accuracy, 81.1 sensitivity, and 95.7 specificity were as the best discriminators of post stroke depression. Conclusions: Rehabilitation experts working with patients with stroke should pay special attention to trunk control and basic activities of daily living for preventing consequences of PSD particularly in those with higher educational level and cardiac diseases. © 201

A Comparative Study On Arsenic (III) Removal From Aqueous Solution Using Nano And Micro Sized Zero-Valent Iron

The present study was conducted for Arsenic (III) removal, one of the most poisonous groundwater pollutants, by synthetic nano and micro size zerovalent iron (n-mZVI). Batch experiments were performed to investigate the influence of As (III), nZVI and mZVI concentration, pH of solution and reaction time on the efficiency of As (III) removal by Fe0 particles. Nano ZVI was synthesized by reduction of ferric chloride by sodium borohydrid. Scanning Electron microscope and X-Ray diffraction were used to determine particle size and characterization of produced nanoparticles. Results showed up to 99.9% removal efficiency for arsenic (III) that was obtained by nZVI dosage of 1 g/L at equal time of 10 min and pH=7. The maximum removal efficiency by mZVI obtained in initial arsenic concentration of 1 mg/L and mZVI dosage of 10 g/L after 120 min. and pH=7. It could be concluded that the removal efficiency was enhanced with increasing n-mZVI dosage and reaction time, but decreased with increasing of arsenic concentration and pH for both nano and micro sized ZVI. Nano ZVI presented an outstanding ability to remove As (III) due to not only a high surface area and low particle size but also to high inherent activity

Application of response surface methodology for efficiency analysis of strong non-selective ion exchange resin column (A 400 e) in nitrate removal from groundwater

Ion exchange process is the common and effective method in removing of nitrate from groundwater that different types of resins used for this purpose. This study was to evaluate the loading rate, resin height and volume of water passing effects on performance of down � flow strong non-selective ion exchange resin column (A 400 E) in terms of nitrate removal from groundwater. In present study was used the strong anionic resin A400E with non-selective properties for nitrate removal (Manufacture purolite UK). To effect study of height resin factor, three collection valves were mounted in the same spacing (30, 60 and 90 cm) on the column. Nitrate removal was studied in the three different load rate (10, 25 and 40 Bv/h), and five volume of water passing (40, 100, 160, 220 and 280). Totally 135 samples were taken. Nitrate measurement conducted based on standard test method for water and wastewater. Design of Expert (Ver.7) software was used for data analysis and charts draw. Results showed that with increasing of volume of water passing and loading rate, the efficiency removing of nitrate decreased, while the efficiency gradually decreased by increasing the height of resin up to 60 cm and system efficiency increased in height of 60 to 90 cm. Based on the influencing factors of studied parameters in the obtained model, the impact rate of operational parameters were evaluated on the performance of resin, �The volume of water passing�, �resin height� and �loading rate� respectively. It is necessary to consider that the height resin and flow rate given the cost effectiveness of system, to achieve the water quality with nitrate standard (less than 50 mg/L). © 2016, International Journal of Pharmacy and Technology. All rights reserved

A review on the application of 3d printing technology in radiotherapy for breast cancer

Breast cancer is considered as one of the main causes of cancer death in women. Early diagnosis and treatment, especially by modern technologies play major roles in management of breast cancer. Radiation therapy is known as one of the main treatment options for breast cancer. Nowadays, 3D printing technology is also used to rapidly construct objects with high quality. Many studies have shown the positive effects of this technology on the results of cancer radiation therapy. The aim of this study was to review the application of 3D printing technology in treatment of breast cancer by mega voltage electron and photon beams, including bolus, applicators, immobilizer devices, and compensators. Creating personalized treatment devices by 3D printing technology reduces treatment errors, therefore, the prescribed dose is increased in the treatment area and subsequently improves treatment outcomes. In spite of the valuable benefits of this technology, there are some disadvantages such as size limitations and the number of materials used for printing. Indeed, recent studies are trying to fix the shortcomings of 3D printing technologies in clinical applications. © 2020, Mazandaran University of Medical Sciences. All rights reserved