Wettability and corrosion of [NTf2] anion-based ionic liquids on steel and PVD (TiN, CrN, ZrN) coatings

Thewetting and corrosion behavior of three bis(trifluoromethylsulfonyl)imide-based ionic liquids: 1-Dodecyl-3- methylimidazolium bis(trifluoromethylsulfonyl)imide [C12MIM][NTf2], tributylmethylammonium bis(trifluoromethylsulfonyl)imide [N4441][NTf2] and methyltrioctylammonium bis(trifluoromethylsulfonyl)imide [N1888][NTf2] are tested in this research. The surface tension was measured for temperatures of 293–353 K resulting in the expected linearly decreasing behavior with temperature increase. In addition, contact angle measurements were made on AISI 52100 steel and three coatings (TiN, CrN and ZrN) obtained by PVD technique, finding the regular behavior in hydrophobic (non-polar) systems: high contact angles led to high surface tensions. Complementary parameters like spreading parameter and polarity fraction were calculated to enhance the wetting evaluation of these ionic liquids. [N1888][NTf2]/TiN resulted as the best IL-surface combination for a good wettability, due to the higher dispersion of the charge on the large size cation in this IL and the higher values of total and polar component of the surface free energy for this coating. Finally, SEM-EDS analysis determined that [N1888][NTf2]/ZrN was the best option in order to avoid corrosion problems. The evaporation of water, present as impurity in the ionic liquids, was found the main reason because of corrosion did not occur in the tests carried out at 100 °C

Genome-Wide Association Study in BRCA1 Mutation Carriers Identifies Novel Loci Associated with Breast and Ovarian Cancer Risk

BRCA1-associated breast and ovarian cancer risks can be modified by common genetic variants. To identify further cancer risk-modifying loci, we performed a multi-stage GWAS of 11,705 BRCA1 carriers (of whom 5,920 were diagnosed with breast and 1,839 were diagnosed with ovarian cancer), with a further replication in an additional sample of 2,646 BRCA1 carriers. We identified a novel breast cancer risk modifier locus at 1q32 for BRCA1 carriers (rs2290854, P = 2.7×10-8, HR = 1.14, 95% CI: 1.09-1.20). In addition, we identified two novel ovarian cancer risk modifier loci: 17q21.31 (rs17631303, P = 1.4×10-8, HR = 1.27, 95% CI: 1.17-1.38) and 4q32.3 (rs4691139, P = 3.4×10-8, HR = 1.20, 95% CI: 1.17-1.38). The 4q32.3 locus was not associated with ovarian cancer risk in the general population or BRCA2 carriers, suggesting a BRCA1-specific associat

Reducing the environmental impact of surgery on a global scale: systematic review and co-prioritization with healthcare workers in 132 countries

Background Healthcare cannot achieve net-zero carbon without addressing operating theatres. The aim of this study was to prioritize feasible interventions to reduce the environmental impact of operating theatres. Methods This study adopted a four-phase Delphi consensus co-prioritization methodology. In phase 1, a systematic review of published interventions and global consultation of perioperative healthcare professionals were used to longlist interventions. In phase 2, iterative thematic analysis consolidated comparable interventions into a shortlist. In phase 3, the shortlist was co-prioritized based on patient and clinician views on acceptability, feasibility, and safety. In phase 4, ranked lists of interventions were presented by their relevance to high-income countries and low–middle-income countries. Results In phase 1, 43 interventions were identified, which had low uptake in practice according to 3042 professionals globally. In phase 2, a shortlist of 15 intervention domains was generated. In phase 3, interventions were deemed acceptable for more than 90 per cent of patients except for reducing general anaesthesia (84 per cent) and re-sterilization of ‘single-use’ consumables (86 per cent). In phase 4, the top three shortlisted interventions for high-income countries were: introducing recycling; reducing use of anaesthetic gases; and appropriate clinical waste processing. In phase 4, the top three shortlisted interventions for low–middle-income countries were: introducing reusable surgical devices; reducing use of consumables; and reducing the use of general anaesthesia. Conclusion This is a step toward environmentally sustainable operating environments with actionable interventions applicable to both high– and low–middle–income countries

Power quality concerns of unit commitment of main transformers for DC electrified urban railway systems

The power quality problems of DC electrified urban railway systems are discussed for the unit commitment situations on the main transformers of the traction substations. Utilizing unit commitment and the transformer planning procedure for an electrified traction system which is applied to derive the optimal transformer capacity to meet the annual peak demand and provide reserve for service reliability, minimizes the overall cost of main transformers over the life cycle. On the other hand, some power quality problems are caused or even emphasized due to the natural characteristics of the traction system. The dynamic programming method of unit commitment is done in MATLAB where its results are the input data for the rest of our power quality investigation procedure. The power quality characteristics of the traction system are then studied and verified through the simulation results done with PSCAD/EMTDC software

Insulation effects and characteristics of XLPE covered overhead conductors in low and medium voltage power distribution systems in Iran

Advantages of XLPE covered conductors in comparison with bare conductors of low voltage and medium voltage power distribution networks are introduced. The configuration, production and application of these conductors in Iran are discussed and the electromagnetic effects of them are studied through the simulation results carried out by finite element methods

Rancang Bangun Pembangkitan Tegangan Tinggi Pada Alat Sterilisasi Susu Sapi untuk Proses Ozonisasi

Susu sapi merupakan nutrisi yang sangat baik dikonsumsi oleh manusia. Susu sapi memiliki nutrisi yang sangat kompleks. Susu sapi yang baru diperah menjadi media dari bakteri-bakteri yang berkembang baik sehingga susu yang baru diperah tidak boleh langsung diminum harus melewati sterilisasi agar aman untuk dikonsumsi oleh manusia. Maka dibuatlah alat sterilisasi susu sapi yang memanfaatkan medan listrik tinggi untuk mengubah oksigen menjadi gas ozon yang dapat membutuh bakteri. Pada alat sterilisasi tersebut membutuhkan adanya keluaran dalam orde kilovolt dan juga frekuensi dalam orde kilo hertz, sehingga pembangkitan tegangan tinggi harus sesuai dari kebutuhan tersebut. Penelitian ini bertujuan untuk merancang pembangkitan tegangan tinggi dengan keluaran kilo volt dan frekuensi kilo hertz. Menyesuaikan kebutuhan tersebut sehingga menggunakan transformator flyback sebagai pembangkitkan tegangan tinggi pada alat sterilisasi. Transformator flyback yang digunakan dengan seri BSC 25-0231 transformator ini digunakan pada televisi dengan inti ferit didalamnya. Pada trafo flyback sisi primer menggunakan pin 1 dan 4 sedangkan untuk sisi sekunder menggunakan keluaran HV dan pin 7. Penelitian ini dilakukan pada Laboratorium Tegangan Tinggi Universitas Brawijaya dengan membuat transformator yang telah disesuaikan dengan alat sterilisasi susu sapi untuk proses ozonisasi. Pengujian dari penelitian ini adalah mengukur tegangan maksimal pada keluaran transformator flyback, lalu hubung terbuka serta hubung singkat pada sekunder transformator, menganalisis gelombang masukan dan juga uji sample susu sapi menggunakan alat sterilisasi susu sapi. Tegangan maksimal diketahui dari pengujian dengan sela bola lalu hubung terbuka dan hubung singkat untuk mengetahui rugi rugi inti dan juga tembaga trafo, sedangkan untuk gelombang masukan akan dianalisis menggunakan deret fourier, dan uji sample susu sapi untuk mengetahui perubahan mikroba didalamnya

Optimization of pre-transplantation conditions to enhance the efficacy of mesenchymal stem cells

Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) are considered a potential tool for cell based regenerative therapy due to their immunomodulatory property, differentiation potentials, trophic activity as well as large donor pool. Poor engraftment and short term survival of transplanted MSCs are recognized as major limitations which were linked to early cellular ageing, loss of chemokine markers during ex vivo expansion, and hyper-immunogenicity to xeno-contaminated MSCs. These problems can be minimized by ex vivo expansion of MSCs in hypoxic culture condition using well defined or xeno-free media i.e., media supplemented with growth factors, human serum or platelet lysate. In addition to ex vivo expansion in hypoxic culture condition using well defined media, this review article describes the potentials of transient adaptation of expanded MSCs in autologous serum supplemented medium prior to transplantation for long term regenerative benefits. Such transient adaptation in autologous serum supplemented medium may help to increase chemokine receptor expression and tissue specific differentiation of ex vivo expanded MSCs, thus would provide long term regenerative benefits

Autologous serum supplement favours in vitro regenerative paracrine factors synthesis

Objectives: Foetal bovine serum (FBS) is often the serum supplement of choice for in vitro human cell culture. This study compares the effect of FBS and autologous human serum (AuHS) supplement in human peripheral blood mononuclear cell (PBMC) culture to prepare secretome. Materials and methods: The PBMC (n = 7) were cultured either in RPMI-1640 containing L-glutamine and 50 units/ml Penicillin-Streptomycin (BM) or in BM with either AuHS or FBS. Viability, proliferation and differentiation of PBMC were evaluated. Paracrine factors present in the secretomes (n = 6) were analysed using ProcartaPlex Human Cytokine panel (17 plex). Ingenuity Pathway Analysis (IPA) was performed to predict activation or inhibition of biological functions related to tissue regeneration. Results: The viability of PBMC that were cultured with FBS supplement was significantly reduced at 96 h compared to those at 0 and 24 h (P < .05). While the reduction of the viability of PBMC that were cultured with AuHS supplement was not significantly different compared to those at 0 and 24 h. The FBS secretomes prepared at 24 h was found to contain significantly higher amount of EGF (P < .05) compared to that in AuHS or BM secretome. The AuHS secretomes contained significantly higher amount of HGF at 24 (P < .05) and 96 h (P < .01), and VEGF-A at 24 h (P < .05) compared to those in the FBS secretomes. SDF-1 was not detected in the FBS secretomes prepared at either 24 or 96 hours. Double immunocytochemical staining revealed a marked increase in co-localization of SDF-1 and its receptor in PBMC that were cultured with AuHS supplement compared to that cultured with FBS supplement. Conclusion: In secretome preparation, AuHS supplement favours synthesis of paracrine factors that are needed for regenerative therapy

IDENTIFICATION OF SUITABLE MEDIA BASED ON HYDROPONIC CULTURE FOR PRODUCTION OF ZUCCHINI SQUASH

An experiment was conducted to identify the hydroponic culture based suitable media for the production of Zucchini Squash in the Biochemistry Laboratory, Patuakhali Science and Technology University, Dumki, Patuakhali, Bangladesh during 2014. Zucchini plant (Cucurbita pepo L.) were grown in closed soilless systems to determine the effect of four different hydroponics media on plant growth, yield and nutrient contents (fruit moisture content, ascorbic acid content on fruit, fruit protein content, protein content in leaves). Three types of substrates (coconut husk, jute, cotton) along with Hoagland solution were used in this experiment. Result revealed that media using Jute fiber showed significant effect on plant growth and nutritional values than the other media (media of cotton with Hoagland solution, coconut husk with Hoagland solution and only Hoagland solution). The plant grown using jute media showed the highest plant height (60.33 cm), number of leaves (17.33), yield (1.5 kg plant-1), fruit moisture content (97.33%), Ascorbic acid content in fruit (28.73 mg 100g-1), protein percentage in fruit (1.406%) and percentage (1.326%) in leaves than the other media. Therefore, with the controlled nutrient supply, less expense, less labor, no use of pesticides or fertilizer with controlled environment the use of jute fiber as a substrate with Hoagland solution can be an effective one