8 research outputs found
Transitioning of localized renewable energy system towards sustainable hydrogen development planning: P-graph approach
Improving Dispersion and Barrier Properties of Polyketone/Graphene Nanoplatelet Composites via Noncovalent Functionalization Using Aminopyrene
A series of polyketone
(PK) nanocomposite films with varying content of noncovalently functionalized
graphene nanoplatelet with 1-aminopyrene (GNP/APy) is prepared by
solution blending with a solvent of hexafluoro-2-propanol. GNP/APy,
prepared by a facile method, can effectively induce specific interaction
such as hydrogen bonding between the amine functional group of GNP/APy
and the carbonyl functional group of the PK matrix. With comparison
of GNP and GNP/Py as reference materials, intensive investigation
on filler–matrix interaction is achieved. In addition, the
dispersion state of the functionalized GNP (f-GNPs; GNP/Py and GNP/APy)
in the PK matrix is analyzed by three-dimensional nondestructive X-ray
microcomputed tomography, and the increased dispersion state of those
fillers results in significant improvement in the water vapor transmission
rate (WVTR). The enhancement in WVTR of the PK/GNP/APy nanocomposite
film at 1 wt % loading of filler leads to a barrier performance approximately
2 times larger compared to that of PK/GNP nanocomposite film and an
approximately 92% reduction in WVTR compared to the case of pristine
PK film. We expect that this facile method of graphene functionalization
to enhance graphene dispersibility as well as interfacial interaction
with the polymer matrix will be widely utilized to expand the potential
of graphene materials to barrier film applications
Effect of dexamethasone gargle, intravenous dexamethasone, and their combination on postoperative sore throat: a randomized controlled trial
Background Postoperative sore throat (POST) is a complication that decreases patient satisfaction and increases postoperative complaints. The present study was conducted to investigate effects of gargling with dexamethasone, intravenous dexamethasone injection and the combination of the two on the incidence and severity of POST. Methods Study participants were 96 patients who had undergone laparoscopic cholecystectomy, randomly allocated into three groups. Group G gargled with 0.05% dexamethasone solution and were infused intravenous 0.9% normal saline before general anesthesia; group I gargled with 0.9% normal saline and were infused intravenous 0.1 mg/kg dexamethasone; group GI gargled with 0.05% dexamethasone solution and were infused intravenous 0.1 mg/kg dexamethasone. The incidence and severity of POST, hoarseness and cough were evaluated and recorded at 1, 6, and 24 h after the surgery. Results There were no significant differences in the total incidence of POST up to 24 postoperative hours among Group G, Group I and Group GI (P = 0.367, Group G incidence = 34.38%, [95% confidence interval, 95% CI = 17.92–50.83], Group I incidence = 18.75%, [95% CI = 5.23–32.27], Group GI incidence = 28.13%, [95% CI = 12.55–43.70]). The other outcomes were comparable among the groups. Conclusions In patients who had undergone laparoscopic cholecystectomy, gargling with 0.05% dexamethasone solution demonstrated the same POST prevention effect as intravenous injection of 0.1 mg/kg dexamethasone. The incidence and severity of POST were not significantly different between the combination of gargling with 0.05% dexamethasone solution and intravenous injection of 0.1 mg/kg dexamethasone and use of each of the preventive methods alone