Implementation of batchwise bioscouring of cotton knits

The examination of critical factors determining the performance of bioscouring showed that a short treatment of the fabric at greater than 80°C after pectinase treatment at 60°C was essential for removal of waxes from the fabric as demonstrated by diminished intensities of methylene peaks in FT-IR measurements. Batch-wise bioscouring of cotton knits was carried out several times with post-treatment at 80°C using a rapid dyeing machine. The dye-ability of bioscoured knits was as good as the company's alkaline scoured ones with slightly higher K/S values. Water pollution caused by effluents of bioscouring and alkaline processes were estimated, as well as that due to the input of chemicals and enzymes. Higher BOD:CODCr ratios for enzymes indicated their biodegradable character. After calculation of energy consumption using a simulation program, an economic evaluation of the two processes was done on the basis of one ton production by considering the costs of chemicals and enzyme, water usage, energy consumption and waste water treatment charge

Electrical energy generated by silicone elastomers filled with nanospring- carbon- nanotubes

Dielectric elastomer generators (DEGs) are flexible capacitors that convert mechanical into electrical energy. They rely on an external voltage source to charge the capacitor during each operation cycle. An alternative to this is an autonomous DEG which operates with an electret as integrated voltage source. To increase the amount of energy generated per cycle, elastomers with increased permittivity, low viscoelastic losses and high strain at break are of advantage. Here, we report the synthesis of elastic materials with increased permittivity by blending different silicone matrices with nanospring carbon-nanotubes (NS-CNTs) particles and their performance as dielectric in electret DEGs. The best material developed has a dielectric permittivity of epsilon = 4.6, a mechanical loss factor of 0.03 and a strain at break of 270%. The output voltage of the DEG constructed using this composite increases from 8.8 V to 14.5 V, when the strain increases from 33% to 66%, respectively. Additionally, the output voltage increases with the rise in permittivity, from 9.3 V for a regular polydimethylsiloxane elastomer (epsilon = 2.9) to 14.5 for the best composite (epsilon = 4.6)

Coronary Artery Calcification Score and the Progression of Chronic Kidney Disease

© 2022 American Society of Nephrology. All rights reserved.Background Elevated coronary artery calcification scores (CACS) are associated with increased cardiovascular disease risk in patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD). However, the relationship between CACS and CKD progression has not been elucidated. Methods We studied 1936 participants with CKD (stages G1–G5 without kidney replacement therapy) enrolled in the KoreaN Cohort Study for Outcome in Patients With CKD. The main predictor was Agatston CACS categories at baseline (0 AU, 1–100 AU, and >100 AU). The primary outcome was CKD progression, defined as a ≥50% decline in eGFR or the onset of kidney failure with replacement therapy. Results During 8130 person-years of follow-up, the primary outcome occurred in 584 (30.2%) patients. In the adjusted cause-specific hazard model, CACS of 1–100 AU (hazard ratio [HR], 1.29; 95% confidence interval [95% CI], 1.04 to 1.61) and CACS >100 AU (HR, 1.42; 95% CI, 1.10 to 1.82) were associated with a significantly higher risk of the primary outcome. The HR associated with per 1-SD log of CACS was 1.13 (95% CI, 1.03 to 1.24). When nonfatal cardiovascular events were treated as a time-varying covariate, CACS of 1–100 AU (HR, 1.31; 95% CI, 1.07 to 1.60) and CACS >100 AU (HR, 1.46; 95% CI, 1.16 to 1.85) were also associated with a higher risk of CKD progression. The association was stronger in older patients, in those with type 2 diabetes, and in those not using antiplatelet drugs. Furthermore, patients with higher CACS had a significantly larger eGFR decline rate. Conclusion Our findings suggest that a high CACS is associated with significantly increased risk of adverse kidney outcomes and CKD progression.N

Comparison of oncologic outcomes between open and laparoscopic distal pancreatectomy for pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma using data from the KOTUS-BP national database: overcoming selection bias and the necessity of definite indications

Background: Despite the lack of high-level evidence, laparoscopic distal pancreatectomy (LDP) is frequently performed in patients with pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) owing to advancements in surgical techniques. The aim of this study was to investigate the long-term oncologic outcomes of LDP in patients with PDAC via propensity score matching (PSM) analysis using data from a large-scale na-tional database. Methods: A total of 1202 patients who were treated for PDAC via distal pancreatectomy across 16 hospitals were included in the Korean Tumor Registry System-Biliary Pancreas. The 5-year overall (5YOSR) and disease-free (5YDFSR) survival rates were compared between LDP and open DP (ODP). Results: ODP and LDP were performed in 846 and 356 patients, respectively. The ODP group included more aggressive surgeries with higher pathologic stage, R0 resection rate, and number of retrieved lymph nodes. After PSM, the 5YOSRs for ODP and LDP were 37.3% and 41.4% (p = 0.150), while the 5YDFSRs were 23.4% and 27.2% (p = 0.332), respectively. Prognostic factors for 5YOSR included R status, T stage, N stage, differentiation, and lymphovascular invasion. Conclusion: LDP was performed in a selected group of patients with PDAC. Within this group, long-term oncologic outcomes were comparable to those observed following ODP.N