scholarly journals Rapid Adsorption of Proinflammatory Cytokines by Graphene Nanoplatelets and Their Composites for Extracorporeal Detoxification

2018 ◽  
Vol 2018 ◽  
pp. 1-8 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yishan Zheng ◽  
Nicholas Pescatore ◽  
Yury Gogotsi ◽  
Boris Dyatkin ◽  
Ganesh Ingavle ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Low Cost ◽  
Surface Characteristics ◽  
Clinical Syndrome ◽  
Graphene Nanoplatelets ◽  
High Morbidity ◽  
Therapeutic Approaches ◽  
Management Options ◽  
Rapid Removal ◽  
Low Cytotoxicity ◽  
Potential Use

Sepsis is a complex clinical syndrome that features excessive release of cytokines and other inflammatory mediators that could lead to organ dysfunction. Despite different treatment and management options, sepsis associated high morbidity and mortality rates remain. This has prompted intensive research into alternative therapeutic approaches such as targeted removal of sepsis related molecules using extracorporeal hemoperfusion. In this study, we explore the use of graphene nanoplatelets (GNP) as low-cost alternative hemosorbents for rapid removal of a broad spectrum of proinflammatory cytokine markers. Firstly, the physical characteristics, cytotoxicity, and cytokine marker adsorption profile of GNP were assessed. The results not only confirmed the surface characteristics of GNP and their ability to rapidly remove cytokine markers, but also indicated a low cytotoxicity towards the hepatic cell line HepG2. GNP were then incorporated into a freestanding flexible GNP-poly(tetrafluoroethylene) film with preserved surface characteristics and cytokine adsorption profile for potential use in hemoperfusion applications.

scholarly journals Applicability of Cork as Novel Modifiers to Develop Electrochemical Sensor for Caffeine Determination

Materials ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 14 (1) ◽  
pp. 37
Author(s):  
Mayra K. S. Monteiro ◽  
Djalma R. Da Silva ◽  
Marco A. Quiroz ◽  
Vítor J. P. Vilar ◽  
Carlos A. Martínez-Huitle ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Electrochemical Sensor ◽  
Linear Response ◽  
High Performance ◽  
Low Cost ◽  
Pharmaceutical Formulations ◽  
Caffeine Concentration ◽  
Real Samples ◽  
Wide Range ◽  
Potential Use

This study aims to investigate the applicability of a hybrid electrochemical sensor composed of cork and graphite (Gr) for detecting caffeine in aqueous solutions. Raw cork (RAC) and regranulated cork (RGC, obtained by thermal treatment of RAC with steam at 380 °C) were tested as modifiers. The results clearly showed that the cork-graphite sensors, GrRAC and GrRGC, exhibited a linear response over a wide range of caffeine concentration (5–1000 µM), with R2 of 0.99 and 0.98, respectively. The limits of detection (LOD), estimated at 2.9 and 6.1 µM for GrRAC and GrRGC, suggest greater sensitivity and reproducibility than the unmodified conventional graphite sensor. The low-cost cork-graphite sensors were successfully applied in the determination of caffeine in soft drinks and pharmaceutical formulations, presenting well-defined current signals when analyzing real samples. When comparing electrochemical determinations and high performance liquid chromatography measurements, no significant differences were observed (mean accuracy 3.0%), highlighting the potential use of these sensors to determine caffeine in different samples.

scholarly journals Evaluation of a Low-Cost Commercial Actigraph and Its Potential Use in Detecting Cultural Variations in Physical Activity and Sleep

Sensors ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 21 (11) ◽  
pp. 3774
Author(s):  
Pavlos Topalidis ◽  
Cristina Florea ◽  
Esther-Sevil Eigl ◽  
Anton Kurapov ◽  
Carlos Alberto Beltran Leon ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Physical Activity ◽  
Low Income ◽  
Large Scale ◽  
Low Cost ◽  
Low Income Countries ◽  
Time Data ◽  
Cultural Variations ◽  
Step Counts ◽  
Scale Step ◽  
Potential Use

The purpose of the present study was to evaluate the performance of a low-cost commercial smartwatch, the Xiaomi Mi Band (MB), in extracting physical activity and sleep-related measures and show its potential use in addressing questions that require large-scale real-time data and/or intercultural data including low-income countries. We evaluated physical activity and sleep-related measures and discussed the potential application of such devices for large-scale step and sleep data acquisition. To that end, we conducted two separate studies. In Study 1, we evaluated the performance of MB by comparing it to the GT3X (ActiGraph, wGT3X-BT), a scientific actigraph used in research, as well as subjective sleep reports. In Study 2, we distributed the MB across four countries (Austria, Germany, Cuba, and Ukraine) and investigated physical activity and sleep among these countries. The results of Study 1 indicated that MB step counts correlated highly with the scientific GT3X device, but did display biases. In addition, the MB-derived wake-up and total-sleep-times showed high agreement with subjective reports, but partly deviated from GT3X predictions. Study 2 revealed similar MB step counts across countries, but significant later wake-up and bedtimes for Ukraine than the other countries. We hope that our studies will stimulate future large-scale sensor-based physical activity and sleep research studies, including various cultures.

scholarly journals The use of solar energy for the curing of ferrogeopolymer elements in the semiarid region

2019 ◽  
Vol 276 ◽  
pp. 01031 ◽  
Author(s):  
Partogi H Simatupang ◽  
Petrus Lubalu ◽  
Herry L Sianturi ◽  
Wilhelmus Bunganaen
Keyword(s):  
Solar Energy ◽  
Low Cost ◽  
Glass Plate ◽  
Energy Resource ◽  
Semiarid Region ◽  
Collector System ◽  
Good Potential ◽  
Dry Seasons ◽  
Wire Meshes ◽  
Potential Use

Kupang City in Timor Island of Indonesia, as a semiarid area, has abundant solar energy sources. Based on climatology data of Kupang City in 2013-2015, the minimum and maximum average temperatures in Kupang City range from 19.3-34.8oC. Besides, dry seasons last for about 8 months (April-November). This abundance of solar energy is a potential energy resource for the manufacturing of environmentally friendly ferrogeopolymer elements. Based on previous research, the production of geopolymer material can be done optimally with dry curing treatment at 60-80oC for less than 48 hours. Therefore, in this paper, a low-cost, energy efficient oven operated by a solar energy collector was developed. This paper describes a feasibility study of the use of solar energy for curing ferro-geopolymer elements. The ferro-geopolymer elements made were beams with length 600 mm, width 100 mm and height 100 mm. Wire meshes with 6x6mm of opening were used in 5 layers. The solar energy collector system used as an oven was a zinc coated drum which was painted black outwardly and was covered by a glass plate. Using this oven, it was possible to increase the ambient temperature by 1.62 to 2,37 times. Furthermore, this oven can also increase the flexure strength of ferrogeopolymer elements about ± 25.34%. This paper shows good potential use of solar energy in the manufacturing of ferro-geopolymer elements in the semiarid region.

scholarly journals Rapid removal of heavy metal ions from aqueous solutions by low cost adsorbents

2012 ◽  
Vol 12 (2/3/4) ◽  
pp. 318 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ali Ahmadpour ◽  
Tahereh Rohani Bastami ◽  
Masumeh Tahmasbi ◽  
Mohammad Zabihi
Keyword(s):  
Heavy Metal ◽  
Aqueous Solutions ◽  
Metal Ions ◽  
Heavy Metal Ions ◽  
Low Cost ◽  
Rapid Removal

Micro- and Nano-Fabrication of Polymer Based Microfluidic Platforms for BioMEMS Applications

2002 ◽  
Vol 729 ◽  
Author(s):  
Siyi Lai ◽  
L. James Lee ◽  
Liyong Yu ◽  
Kurt W. Koelling ◽  
Marc J. Madou
Keyword(s):  
Low Cost ◽  
Gas Injection ◽  
Surface Characteristics ◽  
Tissue Growth ◽  
Thin Layers ◽  
Microfluidic Platforms ◽  
Precision Motion Control ◽  
Nano Fabrication ◽  
Local Modification ◽  
Precision Motion

AbstractIn this paper, we review the approaches developed in our laboratory for polymer-based micro/nanofabrication. For fabrication of microscale features, UV-LIGA (UV-lithography, electroplating, and molding) technology was applied for low-cost mass production. For fabrication of sub-micron or nanoscale features, a novel nano-manufacturing protocol is being developed. The protocol applies a novel nano-lithography imprinting process on an ultra-precision motion-control station. It is capable of economically producing well-defined pores or channels at the nanometer scale on thin polymer layers. The formed thin layers can be used as nano-filters for chemical or bio-separation. They can also be integrated into miniaturized devices for cell immunoprotection or tissue growth. For bonding of polymer-based microfluidic platforms, a novel resin-gas injection-assisted technique has been developed that achieves both bonding and surface modification. This new approach can easily seal microfluidic devices with micron and sub-micron sized channels without blocking the flow path. It can also be used to modify the channel shape, size, and surface characteristics (e.g., hydrophilicity, degree of protein adsorption). By applying the masking technique, local modification of the channel surface can be achieved through cascade resin-gas injection.

Failure Analysis of Cementless Hip Joint Prosthesis

2013 ◽  
Vol 845 ◽  
pp. 403-407
Author(s):  
Natesan Dhandapani ◽  
A. Gnanavelbabu ◽  
M. Sivasankar
Keyword(s):  
Hip Joint ◽  
Low Cost ◽  
Three Dimensional ◽  
Surface Characteristics ◽  
Element Model ◽  
Von Mises Stress ◽  
Surface Model ◽  
Joint Prosthesis ◽  
Replacement Technique ◽  
Von Mises

In this changing global scenario, modification, transplantation, and replacement can be the eternal solution for most of the problems in the medical field. Hence replacement technique finds a very prominent place in medicine as a remedy having closely tied up with biomechanics. One of the most important joints in the human body is the hip joint, the big and complex joint. Many researches were conducted and many are in progress, but most of these works use simplified models with either 2D or 3D approaches. The hip joint is formed by four components like femoral head cortical bone, stem, and neck. In this system we can find orthotropic and isotropic materials working together. The main objective of this research is to develop a three dimensional surface and solid finite element model of the hip joint to predict stresses in its individual components. This model is a geometric non-linear model, which helps us understand its structural mechanical behavior, seeming to suggest with advanced research in the future new hip joint prosthesis, as well as to prove the prosthesis joint interaction before being implanted in the patient. This research explains a complete human hip joint model without cartilaginous tissue, using ANSYS 10.0 Multiphysics Analysis for nine different postures in hip joint using three different materials (CoCr, Ti6Al4V, and UHMWPE) to calculate fatigue life. The result obtained from the analysis of surface model and solid model serve to help in predicting the life cycle, surface characteristics, shear stress in XY plane, stress concentration and areas that are prone to failure. Von Mises stress on the surface of our model facilitates us to equip and design an optimized prosthesis device having unique materials composition , with a highly bio-compatible and durable alloy at a low cost could be produced. In this way, a first important step towards the structural characterization of human hip joint has been developed.

Potential use of waste from tree pruning and recovered plastic to obtain a building material: Case study of Merida, Mexico

2020 ◽  
Vol 38 (11) ◽  
pp. 1222-1230
Author(s):  
Ricardo Herbé Cruz-Estrada ◽  
Javier Guillén-Mallette ◽  
Carlos Vidal Cupul-Manzano ◽  
Josué Iván Balam-Hernández
Keyword(s):  
Building Material ◽  
Mechanical Performance ◽  
Low Cost ◽  
Weight Ratio ◽  
Plastic Composite ◽  
Trees And Shrubs ◽  
Tree Pruning ◽  
Potential Use ◽  
Better Than

This work presents a study on the use of wood and plastic wastes generated in abundance in Merida, Mexico, to help to reduce them in order to mitigate environmental deterioration. The use of these wastes is proposed to obtain a low-cost building material. So, the escalation process (i.e., extrusion) at the pilot level to obtain a prototype of a wood–plastic composite (WPC) corrugated sheet to evaluate the technical feasibility to make a low-cost product is reported. A corrugated sheet with recycled high-density polyethylene (R-HDPE) was produced. The R-HDPE was collected from Merida’s Separation Plant. The wood came from the trimmings of different varieties of trees and shrubs that are periodically pruned. WPC sheets with virgin HDPE were prepared to assess its effect on the materials’ mechanical performance. The wood/HDPE weight ratio was 40/60. The performance of the WPC sheets was compared with that of commercial products with similar characteristics, namely acrylic and polyester sheets reinforced with fibreglass, and black asphalt-saturated cardboard sheets. Thus, the effect of natural weathering on the maximum tensile tearing force and on the maximum flexural load of the different types of sheets was evaluated. Although the mechanical performance of the WPC sheets was lower than that of the acrylic and polyacrylic sheets, their performance was much better than that of the cheap black asphalt-saturated cardboard sheets. So, they are a good option to be used as low-cost temporary roofing.

scholarly journals AUTUMN AND WINTER LAMBING STRATEGIES IN NORTHLAND

1986 ◽  
pp. 81-87
Author(s):  
W.G.K. Andrewes ◽  
A.O. Taylor
Keyword(s):  
Low Cost ◽  
Breeding Programme ◽  
Management Options ◽  
Mating Ability ◽  
Ewe Lambs ◽  
Sheep Production ◽  
Autumn And Winter

Progress in the development of autumn and winter lambing systems in Northland is described. Both involve split flock lambing in which 30 or 15% of ewes lamb in autumn or winter respectivelv, the remainder in spring. Using progesterone priming, a high ram to ewe ratio (10%) and ram management, 80.90% of ewes joined lamb over 2 cycles. Winter lambing using cull ewes is simple and does not require a breeding programme. Ewes and their lambs can be sent to the meat works from September. For low cost lamb production with present breeds, autumn lambing requires a breeding programme to develop spring mating ability. Heavyweight(18kg)carcasses can be produced early in the killing season. Autumn born replacement ewe lambs consistently averaged 40kg before their first summer. Both systems offer more flexibility in sheep production on farms and in processing and marketing. Keywords: Autumn lambing, winter lambing, split lambing, management options, extending killing season, heavyweight lambs production

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