Novel Ca3(BTC)2 metal-organic frameworks with different sizes and shapes constructed by Ca2+ and trimesic acid as metal center and ligands respectively were synthesized by a surfactant-assisted method. The relationship between the quantity of surfactant and the particle morphology of the product have been further studied. The samples were characterized by scanning electron microscope, powder X-ray diffraction and Inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry. The results indicated that the size and shape of Ca3(BTC)2 could be regulated by changing the quantity of surfactant. Rod- and sheet-like Ca3(BTC)2 MOFs have been readily availabled. The removal kinetics of heavy metals of Pb(II) were also studied by rod-like Ca3(BTC)2. The results showed that as-synthesized Ca3(BTC)2 could effectively remove heavy metals of Pb(II) from the sewage.

This study presents the consecutive modification of orange peel (OP) by NaOH and sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS) for simultaneous elimination of basic dyes from the binary system and modeling the adsorption process using an intelligent tool. The natural and modified biosorbents were characterized by variety of analyses such as: field emission scanning electron microscopy with energy dispersive X-ray, N2 physisorption and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy techniques. The influence of various variables on dye removal like pH, the quantity of biosorbents, dyes concentration, contact time, and temperature in the binary system were investigated and optimized by an artificial neural network (ANN) model as an intelligent tool. The optimum quantity of the sorbent was found to be 0.30 g for orange peel (OP) and 0.25 g for NaOH-treated OP (NOP) and SDS-decorated NOP (SNOP) at pH = 7. The kinetics and thermodynamics investigations showed that the removal of dyes obeyed the pseudo-second-order kinetic model and were spontaneous and exothermic in nature. Moreover, in order to describe the mechanism of sorption process, desorption studies of dyes were carried out. The desorption percentages of methylene blue (MB) in water and HCl were found to be in the range of 1.93%–4.76% and 18.87%–28.76%, respectively; in addition, the desorption percentages of crystal violet (CV) in water and HCl were obtained to be in the range of 4.11%–7.41% and 32.84%–43.00%, respectively; which could be a recommendation ion exchange or electrostatic attachment of dyes onto biosorbents. The ANN predictions matched with the experimental data very well (0.95308 < R2 < 0.99191 and 0.98335 < R2 < 0.99773 for MB and CV, respectively) which indicated high accuracy of the ANN model. In addition, the relative importance of each parameter was calculated by Garson’s equation.

Wetting of the surface area of an electrode materials as complete as possible is desirable to achieve optimum specific capacity of an electrode material. Keeping this surface area utilized even at high current densities and even when inside of pores is required for high capacitance reten¬tion. The addition of surfactants at very small concentration to aqueous supercapacitor electro¬lyte solutions has been suggested as a way to improved performance in terms of capacitance, ca¬pacitance retention at increased current density and higher stability. Effects are pronounced with car¬bon materials used in electro-chemical double layer capacitors, they are also observed with re¬dox materials. Causes of the observed improvements and mode of operation of the added surfac¬tants seem to need further investigations; they are inconclusive beyond the obvious statement of in¬creased wetting. Reported examples and the current state of understanding are reviewed.

Surfactant proteins A and D (SP-A and SP-D) belong to the collectin subfamily of C-type oligomeric lectins. They are pattern-recognition molecules (PRM), able to recognise pathogen- or dan-ger-associated molecular patterns (PAMP, DAMP) in the presence of Ca2+ cations. That property enables opsonisation or agglutination of non-self or altered/abnormal self-cells, and contributes to their clearance. Like other collectins, SP-A and SP-D are characterised by the presence of four distinct domains: a cysteine-rich domain (at N-terminus), a collagen-like region, an α-helical neck domain and a globular carbohydrate-recognition domain (CRD) (at C-terminus). Pulmonary sur-factant is a lipoprotein complex, preventing alveolar collapse by reducing surface tension at the air-liquid interface. SP-A and SP-D, produced by type II alveolar epithelial cells, and Clara cells, are not only pattern-recognition molecules but also contribute to the surfactant structure and homeo-stasis. Moreover, they are expressed in a variety of extrapulmonary sites where they are involved in local immunity. The term “cancer” includes a variety of diseases: tumours start from uncontrolled growth of abnormal cells in any tissue which may further spread to other sites of the body. Many cancers are incurable, difficult to diagnose and often fatal. This short review summarises anti- and pro-tumourigenic associations of SP-A and SP-D as well as perspectives of their usefulness in cancer diagnosis and therapy.

Circular dichroism (CD) spectroscopy is a valuable tool in the pharmaceutical industry for determining the secondary and tertiary structure, folding, stability, and interactions of proteins in biosimilars. However, protein aggregation due to its interaction with surfactants can introduce variations in CD spectra, leading to false interpretations. To investigate this effect, we prepared aqueous solutions of α-chymotrypsin with the same amount of surfactant but at different solution preparation steps. Interestingly, the CD spectra of these solutions showed slight differences despite having the same surfactant concentration. This suggests that the order of surfactant addition can influence protein conformation. To address this issue, we propose a method for preparing aqueous protein solutions that yields reproducible CD spectra. This method is expected to benefit the pharmaceutical industry by improving the accuracy of CD spectroscopy for protein structural analysis and evaluation of protein functionality.

Surgical treatment of tuberculosis has been applied in the former Soviet Union more frequently than in other countries. On the contrary to the international practice, tuberculoma has been often operated. There has been a decreasing tendency since the last decades; but the surgery rate is still comparatively high. Surgeries were sometimes performed without preceding chemotherapy. Among others, an argument in favour of the early surgery was non-compliance increasing with time. Compulsory treatments of patients with Tb and/or alcoholism are discussed here. The factors predisposing to the use of invasive procedures with questionable indications included the partial isolation from international scientific community, insufficient consideration of the principles of informed consent, professional autonomy and scientific polemics, as well as paternalistic attitude to patients. The message of this preprint is that patients should not undergo operations to comply with doctrines. Evidence-based clinical indications must be determined individually.

Background and Objectives: The purpose of this study was to investigate whether early surfactant administration affects the status of ductus arteriosus (DA) in preterm infants ≤32 weeks of gestational age (GA) within 24 hours of birth. Materials and Methods: It is a prospective study conducted from March 15, 2022, to November 15, 2023, in a tertiary academic center. In-born infants ≤ 32 weeks of gestation (n = 88) were enrolled. The study group was further divided into surfactant (n=44) and non-surfactant (n=44) subgroups. Results: 76% of the preterm infants who received surfactant therapy (RRR = 0.839) recorded an increase in Kindler Score at 24 hours of life (1-RR = 1-0.24 = 76%). Surfactant administration was significantly associated with decreased pre-ductal diastolic pressure (29.9 mmHg vs. 34.8 mmHg, p=0.0231), post-ductal diastolic pressure (28.7 mmHg vs. 32.2 mmHg, p=0.0178) pre-ductal MAP (41.6 mmHg vs. 46.5 mmHg, p=0.0210) post-ductal MAP (41.0 mmHg vs. 45.3 mmHg, p=0.0336). There were no significant changes in ductus arteriosus parameters at 24 hours of life. Conclusions: Early surfactant administration does not affect the status of ductus arteriosus in preterm infants ≤32 weeks of gestational age at 24 hours of life.

Manufactured nanoplastic particles (NPs) are indispensable for in vitro and in vivo testing and health risk assessment of this emerging environmental contaminant. High surface area and inherent hydrophobicity of plastic material, makes production of NPs devoid of any contaminants very challenging. In this study we produced nanoprecipitated polyethylene terephthalate (PET) NPs (300 nm hydrodynamic diameter) and characterized presence of ionic surfactant sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS) by 1H NMR. Relative ratio of NP/surfactant was monitored on the basis of chemical shifts characteristic for PET and SDS. For a wide range of surfactant/NP ratio (1:17 to 1:1.2), measured zeta potential changed from -42.10 to -34.93 mV, but no clear differences were observed in cellular assays performed in protein-rich media on primary human cells. The remaining impurities contributed to the outcome of biological assays applied in protein-free buffers, such as human red blood cells hemolysis. As size, shape, zeta potential and contaminants of NPs may all be relevant parameters for biological effects of NPs, relative quantification of impurities exemplified in our work by application of 1H NMR for PET NPs and ionic surfactant SDS could be a valuable auxiliary method in quality control of manufactured NPs.

The natural forests of Northern Thailand are the mother source of many utilisable natural products because of their diverse flora and fauna. Among many plant species found within Northern Thai forests, detergent plants are known for its distinctive cleansing properties. Several local species of detergent plants in Thailand are traditionally used by the locals and indigenous people. However, these plants may become extinct because their habitats have been replaced by industrial agriculture, and their uses have been replaced by chemically synthesised detergents. Researchers need to study and communicate the biology, phytochemistry, and the importance of these plants to conserve natural biodiversity of Northern Thailand. Of many utilisable detergent phytochemicals, natural saponins are known as bio-surfactant and foaming agents. Their physiochemical and biological properties feature structural diversity, which leads to many industrial applications. In this review, we explained the term “detergent” from the physiological mechanism perspective and the detergent effects of saponin. We also compiled a list of Thai local plants with cleansing properties focusing on the saponin-containing plants. Future studies should investigate information relative to plant environment, ethnobotanical data and bioactive compound content of these plants. The knowledge acquired from this study will promote the maintenance of the local biodiversity and the conservation of the detergent plant species found in Thailand.

Respiratory distress syndrome (RDS) is a major respiratory morbidity associated with prematurity. In this case-control study, we prospectively evaluated whether targeted metabolomic analysis (gas chromatography–mass spectrometry) of the gastric fluid obtained from very preterm neonates (< 32 weeks’ gestation) during the first hour after birth could predict the need for exogenous surfactant for the treatment of RDS. 43 infants with RDS necessitating surfactant (cases) were compared with 30 infants with mild or no RDS (controls) who were not treated with surfactant. Perinatal and neonatal characteristics were recorded. Univariate analysis showed significant differences between the two groups in gastric fluid metabolites (L-glycine and acetyl-L-serine) and clinical parameters (gestational age, 1- and 5-minute Apgar scores, and intubation in the delivery room). Moreover, multivariate analysis revealed intubation in the delivery room as the most potent clinical predictor of surfactant administration [AUC of 0.69 (95% CI 0.57-0.81)]. The combination of metabolomic and clinical data allowed for the construction of a model with good accuracy [AUC 0.76 (95% CI 0.64-0.86)] in predicting surfactant replacement therapy. Further research is required to explore the role of gastric fluid metabolomics in the prediction of RDS and other neonatal outcomes.

Plant probiotic bacteria are being increasingly used to maximize productivity and quality of field crops. Pseudomonas chlororaphis O6 (PcO6) is a plant root colonizer with probiotic activities that produces metabolites such as phenazines functional in plant protection. This work reports responses of PcO6 to a non-ionic, triblock copolymer surfactant, Pluronic F68. This Pluronic exhibits membrane “healing” activity and improves cryopreservation recovery in eukaryotic cells. The product is FDA approved and is applied as an adjuvant in formulations used in agriculture, medicine, and biotechnology. Growth of PcO6 on Luria broth at 25°C was unhindered by 0.1 and 1.0 g/L F68, reduced at 10 g/L, with more inhibition at 100 g/L F68; micelle formation could account for inhibited growth at higher doses. Phenazine production was not changed by F68, whereas an F68 dose-dependent, surfactant-induced spread of bacterial colonization on 0.5% agar was observed. Exposure of cells to fluorescently labelled F68 resulted in intense fluorescence, stable to washing, showing a direct association of the Pluronic with the bacterium. However, neither protection nor harm was found for PcO6 cells undergoing repetitive freeze (-20 °C)/thaw cycles with 0.1% or 1% F68. These findings suggest F68 could be compatible for use in agricultural formulations with little effect on probiotics such as PcO6.

Water-soluble nonionic surfactant, pentaethylene glycol monododecyl ether, C12E5, spontaneously blooms to the surface of spin-cast hydrophobic polyiso-prenes, generating hydrophilic surfaces. This system represents a simple model for hydrophilic chemical modification of rubbery polymers yet demonstrates surprisingly rich, complex and unexpected behaviour. The ver-tical depth profiles were quantified using neutron reflectometry (NR) and deuterated surfactant, and the surface properties were characterized using con-tact angle analysis and atomic force microscopy (AFM). Despite the low surface tension of the toluene solvent used in film preparation and the low surface en-ergy of the PI matrix, NR depth profiles revealed clear evidence of surfactant segregation. This surface layer was typically thicker than a monolayer, but incomplete, yet was remarkably stable with respect to dissolution, even when exposed to hundreds of thousands of times the volume of water required to dissolve all the surfactant on the surface. Despite the apparent resistance to removal from the surface, water exposure does alter the subsequent wettabil-ity of the surface, with a hydrophilic-to-hydrophobic transition occurring after rinsing. Complementary AFM images of these C12E5 / cis-PI films showed unexpected strand-like features on the surface of the film, which we attribute to a non-uniform lateral distribution of some of the surfactant. This surface structure becomes more evident after rinsing, and it appears that there are two distinct populations of surfactant on the PI film surface. We conclude that some of the bloomed surfactant exists as layers, which are relatively inert with respect to rinsing or surface modification, and some is laterally inhomogene-ous. This latter population is primarily responsible for surface wetting be-havior, but is not detected by specular NR.

We have successfully developed curcumin nanosuspension aimed for oral delivery. The main purpose is to improve bioavailability through enhancing its solubility. The nanoparticles were stabilized using various stabilizers including polyvinyl pyrrolidone (PVP), polyvinyl alcohol (PVA), sodium carboxymethylcellulose (Na-CMC), d-alpha tocopheryl polyethylene glycol 1000 succinate (TPGS), and sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS). The average diameter of particles, microscopic appearance, and sedimentation of each preparation was observed and compared. Each stabilizer demonstrated different degree of inhibition of particle aggregation under electrolyte-containing simulated gastrointestinal (GIT) fluid. Non-ionic stabilizers (PVA, PVP, and TPGS) has shown to preserve the nanosuspension stability against electrolytes. In contrast, strong ionic surfactants such as SDS were found to be very sensitive to electrolytes. The results can provide useful information for the formulators to choose the most suitable stabilizers by considering the nature of stabilizers and physiological characteristics of target site of the drug.

Elemental sulfur, commonly known for its wide range of biological activity, has a long history of being used to protect all garden and vegetable crops from a range of pests and diseases, including powdery mildew, ascochyta blight, clubroot, plant mites, oidium, anthracnose, and scab. In the present study, a quick and environmentally friendly approach has been developed for the synthesis of sulfur nanoparticles with antibacterial activity. Sulfur nanoparticles (SNPs) were prepared by modifying the surface of elemental sulfur using various polyelectrolyte-surfactant mixtures (PSM) including NaCMC-SDBS and PHMG-CTAB. The SNPs were characterized by UV–visible spectrophotometry, X-ray diffraction (XRD), and thermogravimetric analysis (TG/DSC), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), with the SNPs showing an almost spherical shape with an average size in the range of 150-200 nm. The antibacterial activity of the sulfur nanoparticles was tested using against gram-positive S. aureus and E. faecium and gram-negative E. coli and P. aeruginosa bacteria. From this, it could be seen that SNPs exhibited significant antimicrobial activity against gram-positive bacteria, i.e., S. aureus and E. faecium. The in vitro cytotoxicity of the SNPs-1 and SNPs-2 studied to normal (MeT-5A) and tumorous (MCF-7) human cell lines was assessed in the concentration range from 500 μg/ml to 0.12 mg/ml, from which it was determined as being non-cytotoxic. The received products can be considered for potential application in agriculture and medicine.

Abstract: Using adjuvants to optimize and increase the efficacy of herbicides is an acceptable manner to reduce herbicides undesirable impact on the environment in sustainable agriculture. In this study, it was demonstrated that the application of 0.1% of the non-ionic surfactant (NIS, Contact) and 0.5 L ha-1 of a crop oil concentrate (COC, Renol) did not improve the efficacy of rimsulfuron on Amaranthus retroflexus. In contrast, the same treatments enhanced performance and rainfastnes of rimsulfuron in Chenopodium album in pot expriments. Increasing non-ionic surfactant concentration to 1 L ha-1 increased rimsulfuron performance around 11-fold for Amaranthus retroflexus compared to around 3-fold for Chenopodium album. The same treatment, also reduced the rainfastness of rimsulfuron on Amaranthus retroflexus while improving the rainfastness of rimsulfuron on Chenopodium album. Measured ED50 and ED90 values of rimsulfuron indicated that the addition of the 0.2 L ha-1 of NIS improved the recommended (60 g ai. ha-1) and the reduced (30 g ai. ha-1) of rimsulfurom in field. The highest potato yield measured (60 tons per ha) when 60 g ai. ha-1 rimsulfuron was applied at three stages (S1, S4, and S7) without using a NIS; not significant differences were measured when the same dose of rimsulfuron was applied at the three (S1, S4, and S7) and two (S1, S4) stages with NIS.

Background-Bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD) is a condition of poor alveolar formation that causes chronic breathing impairment in infants born prematurely. Preterm lungs lack surfactant and are vulnerable to oxidative injuries driving the development of BPD. Our recent studies reported that surfactant protein A (SP-A) genetic variants influence susceptibility to neonatal lung disease. SP-A modulates activation of alveolar macrophages and parturition onset in late gestation. We asked whether a lack of SP-A alters alveolarization in a mouse model of hyperoxia-induced BPD. Methods- SP-A-deficient and control newborn mice were exposed to either clinically relevant 60% O2 hyperoxia or normoxia for 5-7 days. Alveolar formation was then assessed by mean linear intercept (MLI) and radial alveolar count (RAC) measurements in lung tissue sections. Results- We report that the combination of SP-A deficiency and hyperoxia reduces alveolar growth compared to WT mice. The morphometric analysis of normoxic SP-A-deficient lungs showed lower RAC compared to controls, indicating reduced alveolar number. In the presence of hyperoxia, MLI was higher in SP-A-deficient lungs compared to controls. Differences were statistically significant for female pups. Spatial proteomic profiling of lung tissue sections showed that hyperoxia caused a 4-fold increase in the DNA damage marker gammaH2Ax in macrophages of SP-A-deficient lungs compared to normoxia. Conclusions- Our short report suggests an important role for SP-A in perinatal lung development and in protecting lung macrophages from oxidant injury. These studies warrant future investigation to discern the temporal interaction of SP-A, gender, oxidant injury, and lung macrophages in perinatal alveolar formation and development of BPD.

Background: given the various clinical manifestations that characterize coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), the scientific community is constantly searching for biomarkers with prognostic value. Surfactant protein A (SP-A) and D (SP-D) play a crucial role in ensuring proper alveolar function and an alteration of their serum levels have been reported in several pulmonary diseases characterized by acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) and pulmonary fibrosis. Consid-ering that such clinical manifestations can also occur during severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection, we wondered if these collectins could act as prognostic markers. Methods: in this regard, serum levels of SP-A and SP-D were measured by enzyme immunoassay in patients with SARS-CoV-2 infection (n=51) at admission (T0) and after 7 days (T1) and compared with healthy donors (n=11). Results: SP-D increased in COVID-19 patients com-pared to healthy controls during the early phases of infection, while a significant reduction was observed at T1. Stratifying SARS-CoV-2 patients according to disease severity, increased serum SP-D levels were observed in severe compared to mild patients. Conclusions: In the light of these results SP-D, but not SP-A, seems to be an eligible marker of COVID-19 pneumonia and the early detection of SP-D serum levels could be crucial for a preventive clinical management.

Optimum selectivity of enhanced oil recovery techniques would play a substantial role in the economic prosperity of petroleum industries which might be virtually eliminated unnecessary expenditures. In this paper, the simultaneous utilization of foaming agent, surfactant polymer (SP), and supercritical carbon dioxide were taken into the investigation under the miscible condition to evaluate the efficiency of each scenario on the cumulative recovery factor, water cut and pressure drop. According to the results of this experimental evaluation, SP-foam flooding had witnessed the highest blockage which is caused to have the maximum recovery factor due to the mobilization of more oil volume in the low permeable pores and cracks. Furthermore, the utilization of surfactant with supercritical carbon dioxide had experienced the least recovery factor regarding the insufficient foam generation which is led to less mobilization of oil phase in the pore throats.

Surfactants are widely used in the synthesis of nanoparticles, as they have a remarkable ability to direct their growth to obtain well-defined shapes and sizes. However, their post-synthesis removal is a challenge, and the methods used often result in morphological changes that defeat the purpose of the initial controlled growth. The cleaning methods could be classified as thermal or non-thermal. In general, the structure of materials can be better preserved by non-thermal treatments. After the removal of surfactants, the highly active surfaces of nanomaterials may undergo structural reconstruction by exposure to a different environment. Thus, ex situ characterization after air exposure may not reflect the effect of the cleaning methods. In situ characterization is required to better understand the impact of various cleaning procedures. Combining X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, in situ infrared reflection absorption spectroscopy, and environmental transmission electron microscopy measurements with CO probe experiments, we investigated different surfactant-removal methods to produce clean metallic Pt nanoparticles from surfactant-encapsulated ones. Non-thermal plasmas show the best results. It was demonstrated that both UV-ozone treatment and room temperature O2 plasma treatment lead to the formation of Pt oxides on the surface after the removal of the surfactant. These oxides are reduced to metallic Pt during in situ CO probe experiments. On the other hand, when H2 was used for plasma treatment, the Pt0 oxidation state and nanoparticle size distribution were preserved. In addition, H2 plasma treatment can reduce Pt oxides after O2-based treatments, resulting in metallic nanoparticles with clean surfaces. Thermal reduction in hydrogen leads to carbon species emerging onto nanoparticle surfaces after heating and agglomeration of Pt nanoparticles. Particularly, O2-based thermal treatments result in the formation of aggregates consisting of small nanoparticles. These findings provide a better understanding of the various options for surfactant removal from metal nanoparticles and point toward non-thermal plasmas as the best route if the integrity of the nanoparticle needs to be preserved.

This work presents the production and incorporation of calcium hydrolyzed nano-solutions at three concentrations (1, 2, and 3 wt.%) in alkali-activated gold mine tailings (MTs) from Arequipa, Perú. A first activator solution of sodium hydroxide (NaOH) at 10M was used. The calcium hy-drolyzed nano-solutions acted as a secondary activator and as additional calcium resource for the alkali-activated materials (AAMs) based on the low-calcium gold MTs. High-resolution trans-mission electron microscopy/energy-dispersive x-ray spectroscopy (HR-TEM/EDS) analyses were carried out to characterize the morphology, size, and structures of the calcium hydrolyzed na-noparticles. Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) analyses then were used to understand the chemical bonding interactions in the calcium hydrolyzed nanoparticles and in the AAMs. Scanning electron microscopy/energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (SEM/EDS) and Quantitative X-ray diffraction (QXRD) were performed to study the structural, chemical, and phase compositions of the AAMs; uniaxial compressive tests evaluated the compressive strength of the reacted AAMs; and Nitrogen adsorption-desorption analyses measured the porosity changes at nanostructure level in the AAMs. The results indicate that each increase in the concentration of the calcium hydrolyzed nano-solution had a direct/proportional effect on the mechanical properties of the AAMs samples. The AAMs with 3 wt.% calcium-hydrolyzed nano-solution had the highest compressive strength value of 15.16 MPa, which represented an increase of 62% compared to the original system without nanoparticles and aged under the same conditions of 70°C for seven days. These results provide useful information about the positive effect of calcium-hydrolyzed nanoparticles on gold MTs and their conversion into sustainable building materials through alkali activation.

The study of interactions between polyelectrolytes (PE) and surfactants is of great interest for both fundamental and applied research. These mixtures can represent, for example, models of self-assembly and molecular organization in biological systems, but they are also relevant in industrial applications. Amphiphilic block polyelectrolytes represent an interesting class of PE, but their interactions with surfactants have not been extensively explored so far, most studies being restricted to non-associating PE. In this work, interactions between an anionic amphiphilic triblock polyelectrolyte and different types of surfactants bearing respectively negative, positive and no charge, are investigated via surface tension and solution rheology measurements for the first time. It is evidenced that the surfactants have different effects on viscosity and surface tension, depending on their charge type. Micellization of the surfactant is affected by the presence of the polymer in all cases; shear viscosity of polymer solutions decreases in presence of same charge or nonionic surfactants, while the opposite charge surfactant cause precipitation. This study highlights the importance of the charge type, and the role of the associating hydrophobic block in the PE structure, on the solution behavior of the mixtures. Moreover, a possible interaction model is proposed, based on the obtained data.

This paper investigates the improvement in solar energy collection and conversion using Al₂O₃-Water nanofluids in a solar flat plate collector (SFPC). The efficiency of a solar flat plate collector using water as the fluid medium is analyzed experimentally and theoretically. For theoretical analysis, a mathematical model in MATLAB is used to simulate and is validated by the experimental results. To enhance the solar energy collection and conversion efficiency of the SFPC, Al₂O₃-Water nanofluid was selected as the fluid medium. The nanofluid properties like density, specific heat capacity, thermal conductivity and viscosity are analyzed and compared for several models of Al₂O₃-Water nanofluids and the best model was selected to modify the simulation. Effect of particle diameter in the nanofluid was found to be marginal on the nanofluid properties. The optimum volume concentration of the nanofluid was found to be 4% giving an efficiency increase of 7.78% in the SFPC over the use of water. This reduces the area of the SFPC by 10.5%.

The goal of this work was to develop the acrylonitrile-butadiene (NBR) elastomer composites filled with hydroxyapatite (HAP), which were characterized with improved cure characteristics and burning resistance. Silane, i.e., (3-aminopropyl)-triethoxysilane, ionic liquid, i.e., 1-decyl-3-methylimidazolium bromide and surfactant, i.e., cetyltrimethylammonium bromide, were used to improve the filler’s dispersibility in the elastomer matrix and to reduce the time and temperature of vulcanization. The effect of HAP and dispersants on the cure characteristics, crosslink density and physico-chemical properties of NBR composites was explored. The additives used, especially the ionic liquid and surfactant, effectively improved the dispersion of HAP in NBR matrix. The amount of HAP and the dispersant used strongly affected the cure characteristics and crosslink density of NBR. The optimal vulcanization time significantly increased with HAP content and was pronouncedly reduced when ionic liquid and surfactant were applied. In addition, ionic liquid and surfactant significantly lowered the onset vulcanization temperature, improved the crosslink density and hardness of the vulcanizates, while impairing their elasticity. HAP and dispersants did not significantly affect the damping properties and chemical resistance of NBR vulcanizates. Above all, application of HAP considerably enhanced the resistance of vulcanizates to thermo-oxidative aging and reduced their flammability compared to the unfilled NBR.

Chemical flooding methods are used to recover the remaining oil after water flooding, and surfactant-polymer (SP) flooding is an important chemical flooding technology. It is of great significance to design and screen high-performance oil displacement agents in order to overcome the increasingly challenging high temperature (&gt;70 ℃) and high salinity (>10,000 mg/L) reservoirs. Based on the characteristics of high temperature (70 ℃) and high salinity (151,000 mg/L) in the Qinghai Gasi reservoir, the performance of the SP flooding system was studied. This study considered interfacial tension, emulsification, viscosity, compatibility, and oil displacement efficiency. The selected formula demonstrated high resistance to both salinity (151,000 mg/L) and temperature (70 ℃), characterized by a low oil-water interfacial tension (10-2 mN/m) and high viscosity (18.13 mPa.s). After water flooding achieved an oil recovery rate of 64.64%, the subsequent replacement rate of crude oil increased by 26.95%, confirming that SP flooding can be used as a technology for enhancing oil recovery in high-temperature, high-salinity reservoirs represented by Qinghai Gasi reservoirs.

This study aimed evaluating 7 years’ outcome in 118 very preterm newborn (VPN, gestational age=26±1.4wks) involved in a randomized controlled trial. They presented neonatal respiratory distress (RDS) requiring ventilation for 14±2 days post-natal age (PNA). Repeated instillation of 200mg/kg Poractant alfa (SURF) did not improve early bronchopulmonary dysplasia, but SURF infants needed less re-hospitalization than controls for respiratory problem at 1- and 2-years PNA. There was no growth difference at 7.1±0.3 years for 41 SURF vs. 36 controls (80% eligible children); 7.9% SURF vs. 28.6% controls presented asthma (p=0.021). Children underwent cogni-tive assessment (WISC IV) and pulmonary function testing (PFT) measuring spirometry, lung volumes and airway resistance. Spirometry showed differences (p<0.05) between SURF and con-trols (mean±standard deviation (median z-score)) for FEV1 (L/s) (1.188±0.690(-0.803) vs. 1.080±0.243(-1.446)); FEV1 after betamimetics (1.244±0.183(-0.525) vs. 1.091±0.209(-1.342)); FVC (L) (1.402±0.217 (-0.406) vs. 1.265±0.267(-1.141)), and FVC after betamimetics 1.452±0.237 (-0.241) vs. 1.279±0.264(-1.020)). PFT showed no difference in volumes or airway resistance. Global IQ median [Inter-quartile Range] was 89[82:99] vs. 89[76:98] with 61% children >85 in both groups. Former VPN presenting severe neonatal RDS treated with repeated Surfactant have improved lung function and less asthma at 7 years PNA. There were no differences in neurodevelopmental outcome

Simultaneous extraction of trypsin inhibitors and soy isoflavones from soybean meal was investigated using the non-destructive phytochemical extraction process, namely aqueous micellar system. The ethoxylated aliphatic alcohols Genapol X-080, Tergitol 15-S-7, and Tergitol 15-S-9, all non-toxic and biodegradable surfactants, were assessed as potential extractants. A Box-Behnken multifactorial design with the application of the Derringer desirability was used to determine the conditions that maximized the trypsin inhibitors and isoflavone extraction while minimizing the protein extraction. The optimum condition of 5% m/m of surfactant in 50 mM aqueous sodium citrate solution pH 4.5, at 45 °C for 45 min, was established for the three surfactants. The novel methodology would allow the extraction of the main soybean antinutritional factors, trypsin inhibitors, and the valuable isoflavones, preserving the nutritional quality of the treated material. This represents a sustainable alternative methodology for industrial purposes due to its low cost, biodegradability, non-toxicity, and easy scaling up.

Formulation is an ancient concept, although the word has been used only recently. The first formulations made our civilization advance by inventing bronze, steel, and gunpowder; then, it was used in medieval alchemy. When chemistry became a science and with the golden age of organic synthesis, the second formulation period began. This made it possible to create new chemical species and new combinations “à la carte.” However, the research and developments were still carried out by trial and error. Finally, the third period of formulation history began after World War II, when the properties of a system were associated with its ingredients and the way they were assembled or combined. Therefore, the formulation and the systems’ phenomenology were related to the generation of some synergy to obtain a commercial product. Winsor’s formulation studies in the 1950s were enlightening for academy and industries that were studying empirically surfactant-oil-water (SOW) systems. One of its key characteristics was how the interfacial interaction of the adsorbed surfactant with oil and water phases could be equal by varying the physicochemical formulation of the system. Then, Hansen’s solubility parameter in the 1960s helped to reach a further understanding of the affinity of some substances to make them suitable to oil and water phases. In the 1970s, researchers such as Shinoda and Kunieda, and different groups working in Enhanced Oil Recovery (EOR), among them Schechter and Wade’s group at the University of Texas, made formulation become a science by using semiquantitative correlations to attain specific characteristics in a system (e.g., low oil-water interfacial tension, formulation of a stable O/W or W/O emulsion, or high-performance solubilization in a bicontinuous microemulsion system at the so-called optimum formulation). Nowadays, over 40 years of studies with the hydrophilic-lipophilic deviation equation (HLD) have made it feasible for formulators to improve products in many different applications using surfactants to attain a target system using HLD in its original or its normalized form, i.e., HLDN. Thus, it can be said that there is still current progress being made towards an interdisciplinary applied science with numerical guidelines. In the present work, the state-of-the-art of formulation in multiphase systems containing two immiscible phases like oil and water, and therefore systems with heterogeneous or micro-heterogeneous interfaces, is discussed. Surfactants, from simple to complex or polymeric, are generally present in such systems to solve a wide variety of problems in many areas. Some significant cases are presented here as examples dealing with petroleum, foods, pharmaceutics, cosmetics, detergency, and other products occurring as dispersions, emulsions, or foams, that we find in our everyday lives.

This study aims to investigate the interfacial tension, emulsion stability, and the impact on oil displacement effectiveness of mixed systems containing nonionic surfactants and amphoteric surfactants at different ratios. To achieve this, three different emulsion stability formulations were prepared by mixing betaine and nonionic surfactants in ratios of 1:1, 3:2, and 3:1 respectively. By adjusting the proportions of betaine and nonionic surfactants, variations in interfacial tension and emulsion formation among the three mixed systems were studied to analyze the mechanism of interaction between betaine and nonionic surfactants and evaluate their effects on crude oil displacement and enhanced oil recovery in reservoirs. Subsequently, microscopic and macroscopic oil displacement experiments were conducted on the three mixed systems, along with experiments on emulsion flow resistance. The aim was to verify the oil displacement effectiveness of different mixed systems and further understand their potential applications in reservoirs. By comprehensively analyzing the experimental results, optimal ratios and conditions for the mixed systems were determined. The experimental results indicate that the emulsification system formed by mixing betaine and nonionic surfactants at a ratio of 3:1 achieves molecular synergies through electrostatic interactions and mixed adsorption with betaine, resulting in a compact arrangement of interface membranes and demonstrating a synergistic effect in reducing interfacial tension to an ultra-low value of 10 -4 mN/m. Additionally, as the proportion of betaine surfactant increases, the viscosity of the aqueous phase liquid film increases, the rate of thinning of the liquid film slows down, the rate of water release slows down, and the stability of the emulsion increases. Microscopic oil displacement experiments verified that the three mixed systems increase oil washing efficiency through low interfacial tension and emulsification stripping action, thereby increasing the oil displacement mechanism's coefficient. Emulsion flow resistance experiments demonstrated that as the proportion of betaine surfactant increases, the system exhibits better plugging ability. However, macroscopic oil displacement experiments revealed differences in compatibility between different emulsion stability solutions and rocks with different permeabilities. The mixed system of betaine and nonionic surfactants at a ratio of 3:1 exhibits the best emulsification plugging ability in rocks with a permeability of 109mD, while the 1:1 mixed system performs best in rocks with a permeability of 12mD. This holds significant theoretical and practical significance for reservoir development and enhanced production.

This research aims to deepen the understanding of the relationship between conductivity and morphology in polypyrrole (PPy) via a comparison of the bipolaron to polaron ratios with a focus on the C-H deformation area. PPy samples were synthesized with different surfactants: sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS), cetyltrimethylammonium bromide (CTAB), and tween 80 (TW). The study revealed that SDS significantly altered the bipolaron and polaron in C-H deformation region and showed higher conductivity than other surfactants. Notably, the morphological shifts to a sheet-like structure when using ammonium sulfate (APS) contrasted with the particle-like form observed with ferric chloride (FeCl3). These results showed that if the oxidant changed, the bi-polaron and polaron ratios in C-H deformation were unrelated to PPy morphology. However, this work showed a consistent relationship between SDS use, the bipolaron and polaron ratios in the C-H deformation, and the conductivity properties. Moreover, the natural positive charge of PPy and negatively charged SDS molecules may lead to an electrostatic interaction between PPy and SDS. This work assumes that this interaction might cause the transformation of polaron to bipolaron in the C-H deformation region, resulting in improved conductivity of PPy. This work offers more support for the future investigation of PPy characteristics.

This study aimed to elucidate the similarities and differences between amyloid-forming corpora amylacea (CA) in the prostate and lung, examine the nature of CAs in cystic tumors of the atrioventricular node (CTAVN), and clarify the distinctions between amyloid-forming CA and spheroid-type amyloid deposition. We conducted proteomics analyses using liquid chromatography–tandem mass spectrometry with laser microdissection and immunohistochemistry to validate the characteristics of CAs in the lung and prostate. Our findings revealed that CAs in these organs primarily consist of common proteins (β2-microglobulin and lysozyme) and locally produced proteins. Moreover, we observed a discrepancy between the histopathological and proteomic analysis results in CTAVN-associated CAs. In addition, while the histopathological appearance of amyloid-forming CAs and spheroid-type amyloid deposits were nearly identical, the latter deposition lacked β2-microglobulin and lysozyme, and exhibited evident destruction of surrounding tissue. A literature review further supported these findings. These results suggest that amyloid-forming CAs in the lung and prostate are formed through a shared mechanism, serving as waste containers (wasteosomes) and/or storage for excess proteins (functional amyloids). In contrast, we hypothesize that while amyloid-forming CA and spheroid-type amyloid deposits are formed, in part, through common mechanisms, the latter are pathological.

There is a strong global demand for sulfate- free personal cleansing products. The objective of sulfate-free personal cleansing technology should not be aimed at the absence of “sulfate” wording in the ingredient listing, but on the true benefits to both people and the planet, including but not limited to safety, mildness, and sensory for the people perspective and renewability, low carbon footprint, low water footprint, biodegradability &amp; sustainability for the planet perspective. In addition, some surfactants or their precursors contain 1,4-dioxane as a by-product in their manufacturing, which is a major safety concern. In this paper, several commonly used sulfate-free surfactants are compared based on a variety of desirable criteria from both the people and the planet perspective. There is also an important trend promoting green manufacturing processes using natural, renewable, safe, biodegradable &amp; sustainable feedstocks to mitigate the challenges presented by climate change. It is concluded that the best options for the sulfate-free personal cleansing products of the future are glutamates for skin cleansing and alaninates for hair cleansing.

A predictive approach to the phase behavior of four-component poly-mer-water-surfactant-electrolyte systems is formulated, by viewing the four-component system as a binary polymer-pseudosolvent system, with the pseudosolvent representing water, surfactant, and the electrolyte. The phase stability of this binary system is examined using the framework of the lattice fluid model of Sanchez and Lacombe. In the lattice fluid model, a pure component is represented by three equation of state parameters, the hard-core volume of a lattice site ( ), the number of lattice sites occupied by the component (r) and its characteristic energy ( ). We in-troduce the extra thermodynamic postulate that r and for the pseudosolvent are the same as for water and all surfactant-electrolyte composition dependent characteristics of the pseudosolvent can be represented solely through its characteristic energy parameter. The key implication of the postulate is that the phase behavior of polymer-pseudosolvent systems will be identical for all pseudosolvents with equal values of the characteristic energy, despite their varying real compo-sitions. Based on the pseudosolvent model, illustrative phase diagrams have been computed for several four-component systems containing alkyl sulfonate/sulfate surfactants, electrolytes and anionic or nonionic polymers. The pseudosolvent model is shown to describe all important trends in experimentally observed phase behavior, pertaining to polymer and surfactant molecular characteristics. Most importantly, the pseudosolvent model allows one to construct a priori phase diagrams for any polymer-surfactant-electrolyte system, knowing just one experimental com-position data for a system at the phase boundary, using available thermodynamic data on sur-factants and electrolytes and without requiring any information on the polymer.

The Landau damping effect was observed in collisionless plasma, as a microscopic resonant mechanism between electromagnetic radiation and the collective modes. In this paper we demonstrate the occurrence of the Landau damping at macroscopic scale in the interaction between water waves and anharmonic lattice of magnetic buoys. By coupling the Navier-Stokes equations for incompressible fluid with the nonlinear dynamics of an anharmonic magnetic lattice we obtain a resonant transfer of momentum and energy between the two systems. The velocity of the flow is obtained in the Stokes approximation with Basset type of drag force. The dynamics of the buoys is calculated in the surfactant approximation for a specific frequency, then we use Fourier analysis to obtain the general time variable interaction. After involving an integral Dirichlet transform we obtain the time dependent expression of the drag force, the interaction waves-lattice with a new term in the form of a Caputo fractional derivative. We compare the results of the model with experiments performed in a wave tank with free floating magnetic buoys under the action of small amplitude gravitational waves. This configuration can be applied in studies for the attenuation with resonant damping of rogue waves, storms or tsunamis.

Liquid manipulation by photoisomerization attracts recent attentions as a new active droplet control method for micro-chemical analysis. Such a non-inverse manipulation can be realized by a use of solution liquid of surfactant that exhibits the \emph{cis}-\emph{trans} isomerization triggered by light irradiation with a specific wavelength such as ultraviolet light. Since the isomerization is accompanied by changes in fluid properties, a light irradiation on one of liquid-air interfaces of a liquid column in a tube would generate differences in the wettability accompanied between the both sides of the finite liquid column. Although this technique has been demonstrated experimentally by Muto et al. (\emph{Euro.~Phys.~J.~Special Topics}, {\bf 226}, 2016, 1199--1205), its dynamics and developments of each isomer distribution are not understood. In order to reveal the liquid-column migration phenomenon, we have performed numerical simulations of air-liquid two-phase flows and its scalar transport of the isomer, using the Volume-of-Fluid method in conjunction with the Continuum-Surface-Force model and Continuous-Species-Transfer method. We validated present results by comparison with experimental result in terms of the migration distance of the liquid column. We confirmed a termination of the liquid-column migration occurs when the \emph{cis} isomer distribution reaches the non-irradiated region. The migration speed was less dependent on the liquid-column length and was proportional to the tube diameter.

Sedimentation is an undesirable phenomenon that complicates the design of microsystems that exploit dense microparticles as delivery tools, especially in biotechnological applications. It often informs the integration of continuous mixing modules, consequently impacting system footprint, cost, and complexity. The impact of sedimentation is significantly worse in systems designed with the intent of particle metering or binary encapsulation in droplets. Circumventing this problem involves the unsatisfactory adoption of gel microparticles as an alternative. This paper presents two solutions – a hydrodynamic solution that changes the particle sedimentation trajectory relative to a flow-rate dependent resultant force; and induced hindered settling (i-HS), which exploits Richardson-Zaki (RZ) corrections of Stokes’ law. The hydrodynamic solution was validated using a multi-well fluidic multiplexing and particle metering manifold. Computational image analysis of multiplex metering efficiency using this method showed an average reduction in well-to-well variation in particle concentration from 45% (Q = 1 mL/min, n = 32 total wells) to 17% (Q = 10 mL/ min, n = 48 total wells). By exploiting a physical property (cloud point) of surfactants in the bead suspension in vials, the i-HS achieved 58% reduction in the sedimentation rate. This effect results from surfactant phase change, which increases the turbidity (transient increase in particle concentration), thereby exploitingthe RZ theories. Both methods can be used independently or synergistically to eliminate bead settling in microsystems or minimize particle sedimentation.

Understanding surfactant self-assembly in deep eutectic solvents (DES) is important to their potential use in industrial formulations. We have recently reported the formation of a fracto-eutectogel comprising SDS fractal aggregates at a concentration as low as 1.6 wt% in glyceline (a DES comprising glycerol and choline chloride) at room temperature. The building units of the fractals consisted of multilayers of self-assembled SDS lamellae arranged in a dendritic pattern. Here we report that this fractal phase transitions into a fluid phase above a critical gelation temperature, TCG ~ 45 oC, evident from polarized light microscopy (PLM) observations. Small-angle neutron scattering (SANS) reveals that this phase transition is underpinned by the nanoscopic morphological transformation of the SDS lamellae into cylindrical micelles at T &gt; TGC. Fitting SANS profiles confirms that the morphology of the micelles is SDS-concentration (cSDS) dependent at T &gt; TGC: cylindrical at cSDS &gt; 0.6 wt% and spherical at cSDS = 0.6 wt%. At cSDS &lt; 0.6 wt%, only isotropic scattering was observed in the SANS profiles. Such SDS self-assembly behaviors contrast with those we have previously observed in glycerol, which we attribute to the presence of ions (i.e. choline chloride) in glyceline. Our findings have general implications to surfactant self-assembly in DES, solvents that are rich in hydrogen bonding and ions.

RLF-100 (Aviptadil), a synthetic form of Vasoactive Intestinal Peptide (VIP) is shown to block replication of the SARS-CoV-2 virus and has been granted Fast Track Designation by the US FDA for the treatment of Critical COVID-19 with Respiratory Failure. We describe the clinical course of the first patient treated with this investigational medication in an open label manner -- a 54 year old patient suffering antibody-mediated rejection of his double lung transplant who contracted COVID-19 with respiratory failure refractory to all currently available therapies. He received three infusions of RLF-100 under an FDA-approved emergency use IND. Within 24 hours of the third infusion, substantial improvement in oxygen saturation and radiographic improvement in characteristic COVID-19 pneumonitis was noted. He was discharged from intensive care at that point and scheduled for discharge to home at 1 week on room air. Despite an intervening hospitalization for trauma, he remains alive and free of respiratory failure at 28 days post treatment.

Reverse osmosis (RO) and nanofiltration (NF) are ubiquitous technologies in modern water treatment, finding applications across various sectors. However, the availability of high-quality water suitable for RO/NF feed is diminishing due to droughts caused by global warming, increasing demand, and water pollution. As concerns grow over the depletion of precious freshwater resources, a global movement is gaining momentum to utilize previously overlooked or challenging water sources, collectively known as “marginal water.” Fouling is a serious concern when treating marginal water. In RO/NF, biofouling, organic and colloidal fouling, and scaling are particularly problematic. Of these, organic fouling, along with biofouling, has been considered difficult to manage. The major organic foulants studied are natural organic matter (NOM) for surface water and groundwater and effluent organic matter (EfOM) for municipal wastewater reuse. Polymeric substances such as sodium alginate, humic acid, and proteins have been used as model substances of EfOM. Fouling by low molecular weight organic compounds (LMWOCs) such as surfactants, phenolics, and plasticizers is known, but there have been few comprehensive reports. This review aims to shed light on fouling behavior by LMWOCs and its mechanism. LMWOC foulants reported so far are summarized, and the role of LMWOCs is also outlined for other polymeric membranes, e.g., UF, gas separation membranes, etc. Regarding the mechanism of fouling, it is explained that the fouling is caused by the strong interaction between LMWOC and the membrane, which causes the water permeation to be hindered by LMWOCs adsorbed on the membrane surface (surface fouling) and sorbed inside the membrane pores (internal fouling). Adsorption amounts and flow loss caused by the LMWOC fouling were well correlated with the octanol-water partition coefficient (log P). In part 2, countermeasures to solve this problem and applications using the LMWOCs will be outlined.