31 research outputs found
Development of novel adsorbent for industrial wastewater treatment
The main objective of this research project is to perform some experimental procedures to inform the ability of the novel adsorbent used in this project. The chemical modification of the adsorbent is the chemical oxidation of pure powder chitosan using some specific redox pairs which are potassium dichromate and sodium bisulphite. After preparing the modified chitosan, there are some parameters that must be discussed during the adsorption process. The first parameter is the time parameter, showing experimentally the optimum time for adsorption under certain conditions by collecting values of absorbance and concentration of thymol blue adsorbed after the process from the spectrophotometer showing that the optimum time is 120 minutes. While for the optimum pH experiment, it is shown that optimum pH is 4, 0.5% v/v is optimum concentration, and 0.05 grams is the optimum dose for the adsorbent. Then after computing these conditions and values of absorbance, some calculations and classifications are done to show the reaction kinetics and isotherm classification of the process. By performing some equations using mathematical rules it is provided that the reaction is not a first order reaction, showing by calculations and graphs that the reaction is a second order reaction. Also, to know the classification of the process other mathematical relations are done calculating slope and R2 to show whether the process reaction is a Langumir or Frendulish, showing that the reaction process is a Frendulish process having a greater value of R2
Novel Adsorbent For Industrial Wastewater Treatment Applications
In this study, the hydroxyapatite powder is investigated for both of methylene blue and thymol blue in aqueous solution. The physical and chemical properties of the adsorbent were evaluated systematically using the different techniques including Microsoft Excel programming, linear regression model and also the coefficient of determination. Batch adsorption experiments were conducted to determine the effect of contact time, solution pH, initial dye concentrations, and also the adsorbent dosage on adsorption. The adsorption kinetic parameters confirmed the better fitting of pseudo-second order kinetic model for both of methylene blue and thymol blue. The isotherm data of methylene blue and thymol blue could be well described by the Freundlich isotherm model which means the adsorption is multilayer adsorption with non-uniform distribution of adsorption heat and affinities over the heterogeneous surface. The maximum adsorption capacity (KF) of methylene blue and thymol blue is found to be 0.2736 (L/mg) and 11.18407 (L/mg) respectively. The high specific surface area and the porous structure with some acidic functional groups on the surface were obviously responsible for high dyes adsorption onto hydroxyapatite (HA). Adsorption kinetics data were modeled with the application of Pseudo first order, Pseudo second order and Intraparticle diffusion models. The results revealed that the Pseudo second order model was the best fitting model. Which means that, the adsorption mechanism followed two stages in which the first one was fast and the other was slower step. Which means the adsorption of dye molecules was limited by intra particle diffusion and film diffusion, as well as the adsorption rate in both of adsorption system are depends only on the slower step. The Boyd plot exposed that the intra-particle diffusion was the rate controlling step of the adsorption process of both of methylene blue and thymol blue molecules by HA powder. However, the adsorption of methylene blue molecules (basic solution) using of HA as adsorbent particles is found to be extremely preferable than thymol blue molecules
Intelligent image-based colourimetric tests using machine learning framework for lateral flow assays
This paper aims to deliberately examine the scope of an intelligent colourimetric test that fulfils ASSURED criteria (Affordable, Sensitive, Specific, User-friendly, Rapid and robust, Equipment-free, and Deliverable) and demonstrate the claim as well. This paper presents an investigation into an intelligent image-based system to perform automatic paper-based colourimetric tests in real-time to provide a proof-of-concept for a dry-chemical based or microfluidic, stable and semi-quantitative assay using a larger dataset with diverse conditions. The universal pH indicator papers were utilised as a case study. Unlike the works done in the literature, this work performs multiclass colourimetric tests using histogram based image processing and machine learning algorithm without any user intervention. The proposed image processing framework is based on colour channel separation, global thresholding, morphological operation and object detection. We have also deployed a server based convolutional neural network framework for image classification using inductive transfer learning on a mobile platform. The results obtained by both traditional machine learning and pre-trained model-based deep learning were critically analysed with the set evaluation criteria (ASSURED criteria). The features were optimised using univariate analysis and exploratory data analysis to improve the performance. The image processing algorithm showed >98% accuracy while the classification accuracy by Least Squares Support Vector Machine (LS- SVM) was 100%. On the other hand, the deep learning technique provided >86% accuracy, which could be further improved with a large amount of data. The k-fold cross validated LS- SVM based final system, examined on different datasets, confirmed the robustness and reliability of the presented approach, which was further validated using statistical analysis. The understaffed and resource limited healthcare system can benefit from such an easy-to-use technology to support remote aid workers, assist in elderly care and promote personalised healthcare by eliminating the subjectivity of interpretation
Osteosynthesis of ankle fractures: Problems and solutions
A topical problem in traumatology is the choice of treatment methods for ankle fractures. The consideration of the anatomical and functional features of the ankle, condition of soft tissues in the area of fractures and the degree of edema in the ankle region is of great importance when choosing a particular treatment method. Therefore, reducing the degree of surgical aggression during surgical treatment of these injuries is an important task.. The aim of this study was to examine the possibilities of improving the results of surgical treatment of patients with ankle fractures with minimally invasive osteosynthesis technologies. This study presents the experience of treating 62 patients with fractures of the ankle joint. Two statistically homogeneous groups of patients with ankle fractures were identified. In one group, osteosynthesis with minimally invasive osteosynthesis techniques was used in 34 patients; in the other, osteosynthesis was performed in a conventional manner in 28 patients. A comparative analysis of the immediate and long-term results of treatment of patients in the study groups was carried out. The advantage of closed technology of osteosynthesis was proved. The preservation of the blood supply to the surrounding soft tissues with closed osteosynthesis provides a greater likelihood of fracture fusion, therefore the only condition in such cases is to eliminate the interposition of soft tissues in the area of lateral and medial ankle fractures.. The analysis of the obtained immediate and remote results of osteosynthesis in the two groups showed the best efficiency when using minimally invasive closed metal implantationtechnologies, especially when there are skin problems in the area of the injured ankle joint. © 2019, Advanced Scientific Research. All rights reserved
Facile Synthesis of a Tailored-Designed Au/Pt Nanoanode for Enhanced Formic Acid, Methanol, and Ethylene Glycol Electrooxidation
The recent revolution in nanoscience and global energy demand have motivated research in liquid fuel cells (LFCs) due to their enhanced efficiency, moving flexibility, and reduced contamination. In line with this advancement, a glassy carbon (GC) electrode was modified with platinum (PtNPs) and gold (AuNPs) nanoparticles to fabricate a nanosized anode for formic acid, methanol, and ethylene glycol electrooxidation (abbreviated, respectively, to FAO, MO, and EGO), of the key anodic reactions of LFCs. The deposition sequence of the catalyst’s layers was important where the Au/Pt/GC electrode (in which PtNPs were directly deposited onto the GC surface followed by AuNPs—surface coverage ≈ 32%) exhibited the best catalytic performance. The catalytic performance of the Au/Pt/GC anode excelled (at least threefold) its value obtained at the Pt/GC anode with regard to FAO and EGO, if the oxidation peak currents were compared. This enhancement got reduced to 1.4 times in the case of MO, but the large decrease (− 220 mV) in the onset potential of MO provided compensation. The role of AuNPs in the Au/Pt/GC catalyst was principal in boosting its catalytic performance as it immunized the underlying PtNPs against CO poisoning which is associated with the release of CO as an intermediate during the oxidation. Interestingly, AuNPs succeeded in interrupting the contiguity of the Pt surface sites required for CO adsorption during FAO, MO, and EGO and, thus, presage preventing the deterioration of the catalytic performance of their corresponding LFCs
Port-Site Metastasis after Laparoscopic Surgery for Urological Malignancy: Forgotten or Missed
Purpose. Port-site metastasis has been a concern with the common use of laparoscopy in urologic oncology. We conducted this study to provide a review of port-site metastases reported after the laparoscopy in managing urologic malignancies, possible contributing factors and preventative measures. Materials and Methods. An electronic search of MEDLINE using the combined MESH key words “port-site metastasis” and “Urology”. Results. 51 articles addressing port-site metastasis after laparoscopic surgery for urolo¬gical malignancy were identified. Conclusion. Port-site metastasis after laparoscopic surgery for urolo¬gical malignancy is rare. The incidence is comparable to the rate for surgical wound metastases
New approaches to osteosynthesis of ankle fractures
The results of treatment of 71 patients with ankle fractures are presented. The comparison group consisted of 32 patients whose operations were performed after edema reduction according to the AO / ASIF technique. Thirty-nine patients of the main group were operated according to our minimally invasive technique using Vshaped pins and a pin with a thread the day after hospitalization, regardless of the presence of edema in the ankle joint. All patients were operated on within 1 to 3 weeks from the moment of injury. The period of inpatient treatment of patients in the comparison group averaged 16 days, the main group-10 days, the restoration period of ankle function-6 and 2 weeks, respectively. Complications were diagnosed only in the comparison group: marginal skin necrosis in 14 (22.5%) operated, inflammatory complications in 6 (9%), metal fixation migration in 1 (1.6%), fracture failure in 4 (6.4%). The results were evaluated using the AOFAS AnkleHindfoot scale. The average score in the main group was 90.3, in the comparison group-88.6. In the experimental part of the study, the strength (tensile and shear loads) of three types of osteosynthesis of internal ankle fractures was compared: using two cannulated screws, a V-shaped pin, and two biodegradable screws made of glycosylated lactic acid. Despite the fact that the osteosynthesis of the inner ankle, the Vshaped pin was the least durable, it met all the requirements for submersible osteosynthesis. © 2020, Advanced Scientific Research. All rights reserved