Evaluation on Effectiveness of a New System as well as Analysis on Optimal Horizontal Eye Position for Vertical Video Head Impulse Test.

OBJECTIVE: To compare the performances among three different systems for video head impulse test (vHIT), and to identify an optimal target angle for precisely evaluating the function of vertical semicircular canals in vHIT. METHODS: A two-center prospective study was done. Participants were sit 1.2 m away from the wall in a noise-proved room that dedicated for vHIT experiments. During the comparison experiments, similar settings were ensured in both hospitals, with the same distance to wall and angle of staring. For each equipment, the procedures followed the developers' recommendations. The same examiner performed the comparison between two systems in one location. For the eye-position projects, targets were placed on the wall sequentially at the pre-marked lines for different angles. For the comparison projects, 9 and 13 participants were recruited, respectively. Any participant with otologic or vestibular disorders was excluded. A total of 26 healthy participants were recruited in the eye-position experiments, 16 of which were further involved in inter-examiner tests. RESULTS: Our evaluations of three different systems showed that a new vHIT system, VertiGoggles® ZT-VNG-I (VG) performed as good as the long-tested Otometrics® ICS impulse (Oto) and EyeSeeCam® (ESC). During the comparison, we validated 25-degree, instead of right ahead at 0 degree, is a better place to set the targets when torsion was applied at vertical semicircular canal planes. CONCLUSION: The new VG system is good for clinical practices. Furthermore, we proposed a new protocol to set the targets 25 degrees from right ahead after tilting head 45 degrees to evaluate vertical canals during vHIT.

[Effects of imidazolium chloride ionic liquids on the acute toxicity and weight of earthworm].

Standard contact filter paper test of OECD and artificial soil test were used to study the acute lethal effect of three imidazolium chloride ionic liquids, 1-butyl- 3-methylimidazolium chloride ([Bmim] Cl), 1-hexyl- 3-methylimidazolium chloride ([Hmim] Cl), and 1-octyl- 3-methylimidazolium chloride ([Omim] Cl) on earthworm (Eisenia fetida), and the weight of the earthworms was measured after subtle exposure. The 24 h-LC50 values of [Bmim] Cl, [Hmim] Cl and [Omim] Cl using the contact filter paper method were 109.60, 50.38 and 7.94 microg x cm(-2), respectively. The 48 h-LC50 values were 98.52, 39.14 and 3.61 microg x cm(-2), respectively. Using the artificial soil method, the 7 d-LC50 values of [Bmim] Cl, [Hmim] Cl and [Omim] Cl were 447.78, 245.56 and 180.51 mg x kg(-1), respectively, and the 14 d-LC50 values were 288.42, 179.75, 150.35 mg x kg(-1), respectively. There were differences in poisoning symptoms of the three ionic liquids on earthworms. The growth of Eisenia fetida was inhibited and declined with increasing ionic liquid concentration. The toxicity of ionic liquids on Eisenia fetida increased with the length of carbon chain.

[Mechanism and kinetics of phenol degradation by TiO2 photocatalytic combined technologies].

The combination H2O2, or electrical catalytic (EC) system with TiO2 photbcatalytic system for phenol degradation was investigated. The catalytic systems of TiO2/UV, H2O2/UV, TiO2/UV/H2O2 and TiO2/UV/EC were compared to investigate the phenol degradation mechanism and kinetic model. The degradation of phenol in TiO2/UV/H2O2 and TiO2/UV/EC system is more effective than that in TiO2/UV system. With the solution pH of 6, TiO, concentration of 0.2 g.L-1, UV illumination of 2 h, the photocatalysis removal efficiency of phenol reaches to 86%, if the current density of 12 mA.cm-2 is added, the removal efficiency of phenol could reach to 100%. The energy utilization in different catalytic systems was also compared. When phenol is degraded in 15 min, in TiO2/UV/EC system the energy utilization is the highest of 0.0306 g.(kW. h)-1 with the energy consumption of 0.0640 kW.h-1. It indicates that much more energy is used in TiO2/UV/EC system for phenol degradation. During the analysis of intermediate products in different catalysis systems, the first-order kinetic model of phenol degradation and intermediate products such as hydroquinone, catechol and benzoquinone formation were established. The kinetic model is validated the phenol degradation pathway in different catalysis systems, and also indicates the TiO2/UV/EC system could enhance phenol and intermediate products degradation.