The extracellular serine protease from Staphylococcus epidermidis elicits a type 2-biased immune response in atopic dermatitis patients.

Background: Atopic dermatitis (AD) is a chronic, relapsing inflammatory skin disease with skin barrier defects and a misdirected type 2 immune response against harmless antigens. The skin microbiome in AD is characterized by a reduction in microbial diversity with a dominance of staphylococci, including Staphylococcus epidermidis (S. epidermidis). Objective: To assess whether S. epidermidis antigens play a role in AD, we screened for candidate allergens and studied the T cell and humoral immune response against the extracellular serine protease (Esp). Methods: To identify candidate allergens, we analyzed the binding of human serum IgG4, as a surrogate of IgE, to S. epidermidis extracellular proteins using 2-dimensional immunoblotting and mass spectrometry. We then measured serum IgE and IgG1 binding to recombinant Esp by ELISA in healthy and AD individuals. We also stimulated T cells from AD patients and control subjects with Esp and measured the secreted cytokines. Finally, we analyzed the proteolytic activity of Esp against IL-33 and determined the cleavage sites by mass spectrometry. Results: We identified Esp as the dominant candidate allergen of S. epidermidis. Esp-specific IgE was present in human serum; AD patients had higher concentrations than controls. T cells reacting to Esp were detectable in both AD patients and healthy controls. The T cell response in healthy adults was characterized by IL-17, IL-22, IFN-γ, and IL-10, whereas the AD patients' T cells lacked IL-17 production and released only low amounts of IL-22, IFN-γ, and IL-10. In contrast, Th2 cytokine release was higher in T cells from AD patients than from healthy controls. Mature Esp cleaved and activated the alarmin IL-33. Conclusion: The extracellular serine protease Esp of S. epidermidis can activate IL-33. As an antigen, Esp elicits a type 2-biased antibody and T cell response in AD patients. This suggests that S. epidermidis can aggravate AD through the allergenic properties of Esp.

A Critical Review of the Propagation Models Employed in LoRa Systems.

LoRa systems are emerging as a promising technology for wireless sensor networks due to their exceptional range and low power consumption. The successful deployment of LoRa networks relies on accurate propagation models to facilitate effective network planning. Therefore, this review explores the landscape of propagation models supporting LoRa networks. Specifically, we examine empirical propagation models commonly employed in communication systems, assessing their applicability across various environments such as outdoor, indoor, and within vegetation. Our investigation underscores the prevalence of logarithmic decay in most empirical models. In addition, we survey the relationship between model parameters and environmental factors, clearing their nuanced interplay. Analyzing published measurement results, we extract the log-distance model parameters to decipher environmental influences comprehensively. Drawing insights from published measurement results for LoRa, we compare them with the model's outcomes, highlighting successes and limitations. We additionally explore the application of multi-slope models to LoRa measurements to evaluate its effectiveness in enhancing the accuracy of path loss prediction. Finally, we propose new lines for future research in propagation modelling to improve empirical models.

Method to determine instantaneous transient responses in pressurized pipes from transfer functions and state space for evaluation of leak signals.

This article addresses the impact of transient pressure anomalies in hydraulic systems, triggered by the opening or closing of valves or pumps, instantly disturbing the line of hydraulic gradient (LGH). This variation in pressure has significant consequences both in hydraulic and structural terms for water networks. Most of the existing techniques to detect transients in water distribution systems use asynchronous methods, generating timeless information that limits the response capacity in critical situations. Therefore, an automatic transient detection system based on the Internet of Things (IoT) is proposed, capable of identifying overpressure or underpressure pulses in soft real-time, activating alarms to facilitate decision-making. This approach helps maintain the safety of the water distribution system and prevent leaks in the network. Furthermore, a model of the transient behavior of pressure and flow is presented by linearizing the water hammer equations from the Laplace transform, thus generating a transfer function that describes the algebraic relationship between the outlet and inlet of the hydraulic system.•The transient analysis of the hydraulic system prototype underscores its high sensitivity to initial conditions, attributed to turbulence. This observation suggests the possible presence of a dynamic strange attractor related to water hammer phenomena in pressure pipes.•The methodology involving transfer functions and state-space models enables the assessment of how leaks impact the transient responses of the system, including the magnitude, duration, and frequency of disturbances generated by them.•The proposed method introduces a dynamic transfer function capable of identifying instantaneous changes over time in terms of flow and pressure.

An insulin-like signalling pathway model for Fasciola gigantica.

BACKGROUND: The insulin/insulin-like signalling (IIS) pathway is common in mammals and invertebrates, and the IIS pathway is unknown in Fasciola gigantica. In the present study, the IIS pathway was reconstructed in F. gigantica. We defined the components involved in the IIS pathway and investigated the transcription profiles of these genes for all developmental stages of F. gigantica. In addition, the presence of these components in excretory and secretory products (ESPs) was predicted via signal peptide annotation. RESULTS: The core components of the IIS pathway were detected in F. gigantica. Among these proteins, one ligand (FgILP) and one insulin-like molecule binding protein (FgIGFBP) were analysed. Interestingly, three receptors (FgIR-1/FgIR-2/FgIR-3) were detected, and a novel receptor, FgIR-3, was screened, suggesting novel functions. Fg14-3-3ζ, Fgirs, and Fgpp2a exhibited increased transcription in 42-day-old juveniles and 70-day-old juveniles, while Fgilp, Fgigfb, Fgsgk-1, Fgakt-1, Fgir-3, Fgpten, and Fgaap-1 exhibited increased transcription in metacercariae. FgILP, FgIGFBP, FgIR-2, FgIR-3, and two transcription factors (FgHSF-1 and FgSKN-1) were predicted to be present in FgESPs, indicating their exogenous roles. CONCLUSIONS: This study helps to elucidate the signal transduction pathway of IIS in F. gigantica, which will aid in understanding the interaction between flukes and hosts, as well as in understanding fluke developmental regulation, and will also lay a foundation for further characterisation of the IIS pathways of trematodes.

Efficacy of Erector Spinae Plane (ESP) Block for Non-cardiac Thoracic and Upper Abdominal Surgery: A Single Institute Comparative Retrospective Case Series.

Introduction Erector spinae plane (ESP) block was first introduced for the management of thoracic pain but has become increasingly popular for the treatment of abdominal surgical pain. Previous studies have shown the ESP block can be easily adapted to abdominal procedures at the corresponding dermatome level and provide postoperative analgesia. Though the versatility, simplicity, and safety of the ESP block have been demonstrated, there is a gap in the literature regarding its comparison between thoracic and abdominal surgeries. This study aims to evaluate the efficacy of the ESP block in treating acute postoperative pain in patients undergoing thoracic and abdominal surgeries. Methods This retrospective study included 50 patients in the non-cardiac thoracic surgery group (bilateral breast mastectomy with reconstruction) and 50 patients in the abdominal surgery group (robotic or laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy). Data was obtained via the acute pain service records at a tertiary care center from 2018 to 2022. All patients received bilateral ESP blocks, performed under ultrasound guidance. Various parameters were evaluated including oral morphine equivalents (OMEs) and visual analog scale (VAS) scores during post-anesthesia care unit (PACU), 6, 12, and 24 hours postop. The use of abortive antiemetic medications within 24 hours was also measured to evaluate the incidence of nausea and vomiting. The results were analyzed and compared. No control group is included, as all patients at our institution receive a peripheral nerve block as a part of the institution's enhanced recovery pathway (ERP). Results This retrospective study included 50 patients in the non-cardiac thoracic surgery group (bilateral breast mastectomy with reconstruction) and 50 patients in the abdominal surgery group (robotic or laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy). Compared to the thoracic group, the abdominal group had a statistically higher VAS score in PACU with mean difference (MD) 1.3 VAS, 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.03-2.56, p-value 0.0443, statistically higher OME consumption in the PACU (difference 13.35 OME, 95% CI 4.97-21.73, p-value 0.0003), and required significantly more antiemetic pharmacotherapy (mean 1.4 antiemetics administered, 95% CI 0.84-2.04, p-value <0.0001). Despite the abdominal group having more OME utilization in the PACU, there was no difference in cumulative OME use in the first 24 hours (95% CI -9.745-24.10, p-value 0.4021). Conclusion In this study, we demonstrated that ESP blocks are an effective regional anesthesia technique to reduce postoperative pain and opioid consumption. The ESP block can serve as a useful and safe alternative to either thoracic epidural or paravertebral block techniques in thoracic and upper abdominal surgeries for perioperative pain management.

Ultrasound-Guided Regional Anesthesia Using a Mixture of Dexamethasone, Dexmedetomidine, and 0.2% Levobupivacaine for Bilateral Breast Cancer Surgery Under a Spontaneous Breathing Opioid-Free Anesthesia: A Case Report.

Breast cancer is unfortunately the most common cancer in women, although survival rates have greatly increased in recent years. Breast surgery can be very aggressive and therefore highly painful, leading to high rates of acute postsurgical pain and chronic pain. In addition to general anesthesia (GA), ultrasound-guided regional anesthesia (RA) is sometimes performed to help reduce acute postoperative pain and consumption of opioids. Although effective, the main limitation of fascial plane blocks is that they require high volumes of local anesthetics, carrying the risk of local anesthetic systemic toxicity. In this article, we present the case of a 41-year-old woman, who refused GA and was successfully operated on for bilateral breast cancer, under a spontaneous breathing opioid-free sedation and ultrasound-guided RA, based on only 0.2% levobupivacaine with the addition of dexamethasone and dexmedetomidine as adjuvants. Despite this, postoperative analgesia lasted for more than 48 hours, and the patient did not require additional analgesia or opioids.

Unique solvation structure induced by anionic Cl in aqueous zinc ion batteries.

Aqueous zinc ion batteries (AZIBs) have garnered significant attention in large-scale static energy storage battery systems due to their low cost, high safety and environmental friendliness. However, it has some inherent problems during operation, such as the occurrence of side reactions (hydrogen evolution reaction, HER) and anode corrosion, formation of by-products and growth of metal dendrites. To analyze the mechanism of generation from aspect of the electrolyte solvation structure and make cell efficiency further improvements based on it, so we use DFT calculations to find the most stable solvation structure in AZIBs with ZnCl2 as the electrolyte and analyze it. We define the relative concentration Cr, and calculate different groups metal cation cluster structures such as [Zn(H2O)n]2+, [ZnCl(H2O)n]+, [ZnCl2(H2O)n] and [ZnCl3(H2O)n]- that exist at different Cr. We discuss the effect of different clusters formed due to the Cr variations on the battery performance in terms of three aspects: the structural conformation, the cluster characteristics (including the hydrogen bonding network, bond lengths, bond angles, as well as the electrostatic potential ESP) and the cluster performance (including the adsorption energy Ea, binding energy Eb, and desolvation energy Edes). The results shows that the electrolyte metal cation Zn2+ can be coordinated with up to six H2O molecules in first shell, and this metal cation solvation structure contributes to the occurrence and formation of side reactions and by-products, which reduces the battery efficiency. Increasing the electrolyte anion Cl- concentration by appropriately increasing the Cr helps to desolvate the metal cation cluster structure, which greatly improves the battery efficiency and suppresses the side reactions and by-products. Yet the improvement effect was not obviously further improved by further increasing the Cl- concentration.

Comparison of analgesic efficacy of ultrasound-guided quadratus lumborum block versus erector spinae plane block in children undergoing elective open pyeloplasty - A randomized, double-blinded, controlled study.

Background and Aims: Comparison of analgesic efficacy of ultrasound-guided transmuscular quadratus lumborum block (QL-3) and erector spinae block (ESP) in children undergoing open pyeloplasty was done in this study. Material and Methods: This was a randomized, double-blinded, controlled study conducted in a tertiary care center, operating rooms, post-anesthesia care unit (PACU), and paediatric surgical ward. Sixty children of age 1-6 years, with American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA) status I or II, undergoing elective open pyeloplasty were included in the study. Patients were randomized into two groups: group I (QL block-3) and group II (ESP). Both blocks were performed under USG guidance using 0.5 ml/kg of 0.25% ropivacaine after induction of general anesthesia. Postoperative Modified Objective Pain Score (MOPS), perioperative hemodynamic parameters, perioperative time for first rescue analgesia, total rescue analgesia, and incidence of complications were recorded. Statistical tests were applied as follows: (i) quantitative variables were compared using independent t-test/Mann-Whitney test (when the data sets were not normally distributed) between the two groups, and repeated measure analysis of variance (ANOVA)/Friedman test was used for comparison between different time intervals within the same group and (ii) qualitative variables were correlated using the Chi-square test/Fisher's exact test. A P value of <0.05 was considered statistically significant. Results: Pain was assessed using MOPS in the postoperative period at 0, 30 min, 1, 2, 4, 6, 12, and 24 h. Overall, the pain scores were low and showed a decreasing trend toward baseline as time progressed. Group I showed lower score, but was statistically significant only at the sixth hour. Highest mean score was 2.4 ± 2.01 in group I and 2.67 ± 2.32 in group II. Perioperative hemodynamic parameters were comparable. Total rescue analgesia during the perioperative period was not statistically significant (intraoperative P = 0.075 and postoperative P = 0.928). Also, 63.33% patients in group I and 63% patients in group II required rescue analgesia in the postoperative period and were comparable. Mean ± standard deviation (SD) for first rescue analgesia time was 6.32 ± 12.57 in group I and 16.67 ± 31.25 in group II, but not significant. The distribution in group II was skewed, hence the larger value for group II, but when compared to group I, this was statistically not significant. Conclusion: Both ultrasound-guided ESP block and QL block using 0.25% ropivacaine 0.5 ml/kg provided adequate analgesia during the first 24 h post-surgery in children undergoing open pyeloplasty. The fentanyl requirement during the first 24-h postoperative period was also decreased.

A low-cost wireless extension for object detection and data logging for educational robotics using the ESP-NOW protocol.

In recent years, inexpensive and easy to use robotics platforms have been incorporated into middle school, high school, and college educational curricula and competitions all over the world. Students have access to advanced microprocessors and sensor systems that engage, educate, and encourage their creativity. In this study, the capabilities of the widely available VEX Robotics System are extended using the wireless ESP-NOW protocol to allow for real-time data logging and to extend the computational capabilities of the system. Specifically, this study presents an open source system that interfaces a VEX V5 microprocessor, an OpenMV camera, and a computer. Images from OpenMV are sent to a computer where object detection algorithms can be run and instructions sent to the VEX V5 microprocessor while system data and sensor readings are sent from the VEX V5 microprocessor to the computer. System performance was evaluated as a function of distance between transmitter and receiver, data packet round trip timing, and object detection using YoloV8. Three sample applications are detailed including the evaluation of a vision-based object sorting machine, a drivetrain trajectory analysis, and a proportional-integral-derivative (PID) control algorithm tuning experiment. It was concluded that the system is well suited for real time object detection tasks and could play an important role in improving robotics education.

Antimicrobial resistance patterns, virulence genes, and biofilm formation in enterococci strains collected from different sources.

BACKGROUND: Currently, antibiotic-resistant strains of Enterococcus are considered to be one of the critical health challenges globally. This study aimed to investigate the antibiotic susceptibility pattern, biofilm formation capacity, and virulence genes of enterococci isolated from different sources. METHODS: In this cross-sectional study, environmental and fecal samples were collected from the hospital environment, volunteers, and hospital staff from October 2018 to August 2019. The isolates were identified by morphological and biochemical tests (gram staining, catalase, bile resistance, esculin hydrolysis, carbohydrate fermentation, growth in 6.5% NaCl, Pyrrolidonyl arylamidase, arginine dehydrolase), and PCR for ddl gene. An antimicrobial susceptibility test was performed by the standard disk agar diffusion method according to the Clinical and Laboratory Standards Institute (CLSI) guidelines. Quantitative microplate assays were used to assess biofilm production. The bacterial DNAs were extracted by alkaline lysis method and polymerase chain reaction technique was used detect the esp, ace, and efaA virulence genes. RESULTS: Out of 145 isolates, 84 (57.9%) were identified as E. faecalis and 61 (42.1%) as E. faecium. Resistance to kanamycin and quinupristin-dalfopristin was 82.1% (69/84) and 85.7% (72/84), respectively, in E. faecalis isolates. Out of 61 E. faecalis isolates, 38 (62.4%) were resistant to kanamycin. Among the E. faecalis isolates, esp was the most dominant virulence gene (73.80%), followed by efaA, and ace, which were detected in 60.71%, and 30.95% isolates, respectively. In total, 68.27% of the strains were biofilm producers. Further, esp and efaA genes were more frequently found among E. faecalis strains with moderate and strong biofilm biomass. CONCLUSIONS: According to the findings of our study, enterococci strains isolated from different samples possess distinctive patterns of virulence genes. The esp, ace, and efaA genes were more prevalent among E. faecalis than E. faecium. Besides, the high level antibiotic resistance of normal flora and environmental enterococci strains is alarming the researchers.

X-rays, electrons, and neutrons as probes of atomic matter.

X-rays, electrons, and neutrons probe different properties of matter. X-rays feel electron density (ED). Electrons sense the electrostatic potential (ESP) of electrons and nuclei. Neutrons are sensitive to nuclear coherent scattering length (NCSL). While NCSL maps are widely understood to be different, ED and ESP maps are tacitly assumed to be similar. Here, I show that the belief in ED and ESP map equivalence is mistaken, but contains a grain of truth. Using density functional theory (DFT), the Bethe-Mott (BM) relation, and the Thomas-Fermi (TF) and Cromer-Mann (CM) atomic models, I show that ED and ESP maps are indeed more similar to each other than to NCSL maps. Nevertheless, peak and integrated map values depend differently on the atomic order number and on the contributions from electrons in the inner and outer CM shells. ED and ESP maps also differ in the sign and relative magnitude of excess charge effects.

Eco-friendly and sustainable process for recovery of sulfate from paper mill mixed salt: Recycling of sulfate for dye fixation process.

Paper mill Electrostatic Precipitator (ESP) ash contains a mixture of alkali metal chloride (34.2 %) and sulfate (84.2 %) which has serious negative effects on the environment and makes it more expensive and constrained to dispose ESP ash. Therefore, handling and recycling ESP ash demands extra thought when disposing of it. Present study, aimed to separate chloride and sulfate from ESP ash using electrochemical membrane technology. Three different concentrations of ESP ash solution such as 200 g L-1, 320 g L-1 and 450 g L-1 were used as the electrolyte. Ti/TiO2-IrO2-RuO2 and titanium (Ti) are used as anode and cathode respectively. Caustic and sulfate solutions were recovered at the respective compartments. The collected sulfate solution was dried by solar light to convert 99 % sulfate salts as confirmed by Energy-dispersive X-ray analysis (EDAX) analysis. Recovered sulfate salt was used for the dye fixing process, in which the colour fixing difference of ΔE value was about 2.10 and the strength of the dye was about 86.72 %. Therefore, the textile industry can repurpose the recovered sulfate salt for the dye fixing process.

Aromaticity of six-membered nitro energetic compounds through molecular electrostatic potential, magnetic, electronic delocalization and reactivity-based indices.

The electron density depletion associated with π-hole at the ring center typical of energetic compounds was clearly revealed by the molecular electrostatic potential (ESP). In addition, the spatial arrangement of NO2 groups appears to affect the ESP value in the ring center, and therefore sensitivity to detonation. Indeed, for monocyclic nitrobenzene compounds with the same number of NO2 groups, the ESP value in the ring center decreases as the NO2 groups are more closely spaced. As expected, the central rings become less aromatic as NO2 groups are added. The MCI, PDI, PLR, NICSzz(1), FLU indices are all strongly correlated with the ESP values observed in the ring center of the set of nitrobenzenes. Aromaticity indices based on electron delocalization criteria appear to be very sensitive to small variations in aromaticity. Among magnetic-based indices, only NICSzz(1) is capable to predict small changes in aromaticity. The PLR index derived from conceptual DFT is quite relevant for predicting small variations in aromaticity. According to our results, the most suitable aromaticity index is not based on a single criterion, and that selecting it is more subtle. Therefore, it is important to combine information from several criteria to obtain a more complete description of the aromaticity of the studied compounds.

A comparison of the effects of thoracolumbar interfascial plane (TLIP) block and erector spinae plane (ESP) block in postoperative acute pain in spinal surgery.

PURPOSE: Spinal surgeries are a very painful procedure. New regional techniques for postoperative pain management are being considered. The present study aimed to evaluate the hypothesis that the ultrasound-guided erector spinae plane (ESP) block would lead to lower opioid consumption compared to the thoracolumbar interfascial plane (TLIP) block after lumbar disk surgery. The study's primary objective was to compare postoperative total opioid consumption, and the secondary objective was to assess postoperative pain scores. METHODS: Sixty-eight patients who underwent elective lumbar disk surgery were randomly assigned to either the ESP block group or the TLIP block group. The current pain status of the patients in both the ESP and TLIP block groups was assessed using the Numerical Rating Scale (NRS) at specific time intervals (30 min, 1, 6, 12 and 24 h) during the postoperative period. The number of times patients administered a bolus dose of patient-controlled analgesia, (PCA) within the first 24 h was recorded. RESULTS: In the ESP group, the total opioid consumption in terms of morphine equivalents was found to be significantly lower (ESP group: 7.7 ± 7.0; TLIP group: 13.0 ± 10.1; p < 0.05). The NRS scores were similar between the groups at 30 min, 1, 6, and 12 h, but at 24 h, they were significantly lower in the ESP group. Moreover, the groups had no significant difference regarding observed side effects. CONCLUSION: This study demonstrated the analgesic efficacy of both techniques, revealing that the ESP block provides more effective analgesia in patients undergoing lumbar disk surgery.

Erector Spinae Plane Block versus Transversus Abdominis Plane Block for Robotic Inguinal Hernia Repair: A Blinded, Active-Controlled, Randomized Trial.

BACKGROUND: Regional anesthetic nerve blocks are widely used in the treatment of pain after outpatient surgery to reduce opioid consumption. Erector spinae plane (ESP) block is a recently described technique with promising results in different scenarios. OBJECTIVES: To compare ESP block efficacy with the commonly used transversus abdominis plane (TAP) block in patients undergoing robot-assisted inguinal hernia repair. STUDY DESIGN: This was a randomized, blinded, active controlled, superiority trial with 2 parallel groups. The study was approved by the local ethics committee. Registration took place on; www. CLINICALTRIALS: gov with the identifier NCT04750512. SETTING: Adults undergoing robotic inguinal hernia repair were recruited between January 2021 and April 2022 in a single referral center of southern Switzerland. METHODS: To ensure blinding, the study employed a "double dummy" design, where all patients underwent both TAP and ESP blocks, but only one block was therapeutically active. The therapeutic block contained ropivacaine 0.2%, while the other infiltration contained placebo. The therapeutic intervention varied between groups, with one group receiving the TAP block as the active treatment and the other group receiving the ESP block as the active treatment. Computer generated 1:1 randomization determined allocation, which took place immediately prior to the intervention. As a result, blinding included patients, anesthesia, and surgery providers, outcome assessors and statistical analysts. The main outcome measure was the highest reported pain score on a Visual Analog Scale (VAS) during the 6 hours following the end of general anesthesia. Secondary outcomes included pain scores at set intervals, analgesic consumption, and complications. RESULTS: A total of 50 patients (25 per arm) were enrolled and included in the analysis. The study found no significant difference in the mean maximal VAS scores between the 2 groups (TAP block 22.2, ESP block 20, difference 2.2, 95% CI is -12.1 to 16.5). Secondary endpoints, including VAS pain scores at different time points, use of rescue analgesics, time to first walk, duration of stay, and frequency of adverse events, did not show any significant differences between the 2 groups. However, post-hoc analysis suggested a more stable effect over time for the ESP block compared to the TAP block. LIMITATIONS: The main limitation is a higher variance in VAS scores than expected in the power calculations. CONCLUSIONS: ESP block was not superior to TAP block in the treatment of post-operative pain among patients undergoing robotic inguinal hernia repair.

Emission characteristics and removal of heavy metals in flue gas: a case study in waste incineration and coal-fired power plants.

Heavy metal pollutants such as Hg, As, Pb, Cr, and Cd emitted from coal and waste combustion have received widespread attention. In this study, we systematically investigated the emission characteristics of heavy metals in waste incineration and coal-fired flue gases, focused on testing the removal effect of self-made cold electrode electrostatic precipitator (CE-ESP) on heavy metals in flue gas, and made a comparative analysis with the existing air pollution control devices (APCDs). Test results from waste incineration power plant showed that each APCD showed a certain effect on the removal of heavy metals in condensable particulate matter (CPM), with an average removal efficiency of bag filter was 86%, but its effect on Hg removal was slightly worse. Under the coupled field with electrified cold electrode plate operation mode, the average removal efficiency of CE-ESP on heavy metals in CPM was as high as 93%, including 76% for Hg. The removal efficiency of heavy metals (especially Hg) in CPM increased with the increase of flue gas temperature difference between inlet and outlet of CE-ESP. Test results from this coal-fired power plant showed that heavy metals were enriched in fly ash to a higher degree than in slag, the synergistic control of heavy metals in submicron particulate matter by the dust remover was not obvious, and there was a significant correlation between each heavy metal emission factor and its content in coal. Under the temperature field with non-electric cold electrode plate operation mode, the overall effect of CE-ESP on the removal of gaseous heavy metals was better than that of particulate heavy metals. Under the conventional electric field operation mode, CE-ESP was less effective in removing particulate Cr and gaseous Hg0. Under the coupled field with electrified cold electrode plate operation mode, the average removal efficiencies of CE-ESP for particulate and gaseous heavy metals were 82.37% and 76.16%, respectively.

Design a New D-π-A Formation Dyes as Dye-sensitized Solar Cells Applications/ a DFT and TD-DFT Study.

Dye-sensitized solar cells (DSSCs) have garnered significant interest among researchers in the field of photovoltaics due to their promising performance, low cost and easy process of fabrication. In this study, we have designed new D-π-A systems as derivatives of the reference (Ref. A) D-A-D scaffold, incorporating different π-bridges to enhance and optimize their efficiency as sensitizing dyes for DSSCs applications. Density functional theory (DFT) and time-dependent DFT (TD-DFT) methods were employed to investigate the geometrical and electronic structures, chemical reactivity indices, optical properties, exciton binding energy, and electrochemical properties of these dyes. We also examined the preferred adsorption process of the two selected dyes on a (TiO2)15 cluster model. The results demonstrate that all the dyes exhibit improved open-circuit photovoltage, enhanced light-harvesting efficiencies, higher electron injection efficiency, and excellent photovoltaic efficiency. Moreover, there is evidence of electron injection occurring from each studied dye to the conduction band of TiO2, followed by efficient regeneration. The introduced bridges in the molecular systems play a crucial role in facilitating electron transfer from the donor to the acceptor region. Comparatively, the D-π-D systems exhibit superior performance in DSSCs compared to Ref. A, which can be attributed to their higher energy levels of the lowest unoccupied molecular orbital and larger oscillator strengths for the most excited states involving intramolecular electron transfer and the electron injection process occurring from each examined molecule to the conduction band of TiO2, followed by subsequent regeneration. Overall, the results of our study highlight the potential of all the D-π-A systems as promising sensitizers for DSSCs applications, owing to their favorable optical and electronic properties and impressive photovoltaic parameters.

The effect of {O,N}=X⋯M={Ti,Zr,Hf} interactions on the sensitivity of CNO2 trigger bonds in FOX-7: Approach based on the QTAIM/EDA-NOCV analysis.

The local chemical reactivity of FOX-7 (1,1-diamino-2,2-nitroethylene, also known as DADNE from DiAminoDiNitroEthylene) was elucidated through a quantitative study of the electrostatic potential on the molecular surface, topological analysis based on Bader's theory, and the EDA-NOCV method. Unlike (O2N)2CC(NH2)H2N⋯Cp2MCH3+ complexes, which exhibit both σ-donor and π-acceptor features, the situation is different concerning the (H2N)2CC(NO2)(O)NO⋯Cp2MCH3+ complexes, where both charge transfers correspond to the σ-donation. The two charge transfers reinforce each other, resulting in increased stability for (H2N)2CC(NO2)(O)NO⋯Cp2MCH3+. This seems to strengthen the (H2N)2CC(NO2)(O)NO⋯M={Ti,Zr,Hf} bond, which may explain the high stability of (H2N)2CC(NO2)(O)NO⋯Cp2MCH3+ compared to (O2N)2CC(NH2)-H2N⋯Cp2MCH3+. Results from topological analysis revealed that the decreased sensitivity to decomposition of CNO2 bonds depends on the chemical nature of the interacting metal, and the best achievements are obtained for the Hf-based complex. Our results demonstrate that the interaction of M={Ti,Zr,Hf} with CNO2 is more favourable than that with CNH2, this specific action on the trigger bond may support the use of Metallocene Methyl Cations (MMC) as possible neutralisers.

SMART GROW - Low-cost automated hydroponic system for urban farming.

Urban farming has gained popularity in recent years, as more people have become interested in locally grown food and reducing their carbon footprint. Smart hydroponic systems can be an important tool for urban farming as they allow for precise control over plant growth and require less space and resources than traditional farming methods. Urban areas often lack access to land suitable for farming, making hydroponic systems a viable option for growing crops in limited space. Readily available hydroponic systems in the market are costly and not cost effective, thus hydroponic systems are usually only installed in larger scale farming. The challenge here is to connect multiple low-cost sensors to microcontrollers and to any store-bought hydroponic set. This paper describes the development of smart Internet of Things (IoT) hydroponic system integrated with an Android mobile application for small scale urban farming. The new set up of IoT hydroponic set, coined as SMART GROW, is used to monitor and control various aspects of the system based on the basic parameters important in growing a healthy plant. The challenges faced during this build were irregular reading of the analog sensor when connected to a single board microcontroller (ESP32). This issue was resolved. SMART GROW currently is capable of monitoring basic parameters such as pH, EC and water level and can cater to additional sensors for monitoring other parameters if required. SMART GROW can easily be replicated and built at home and customized to the needs of the plant's requirement. SMART GROW is versatile as it can be used to grow a wide variety of plants, including herbs, vegetables, and fruits, and offers several benefits over traditional soil-based growing methods such as automated regulation of the water level.