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Measurement of the composition and properties of biodiesel derived from waste frying oil (B100 WFO) demonstrated the impacts of antioxidant (AO) concentration on oxidative stability. The B100 WFO was found to have similar physicochemical properties to B100 derived from waste cooking oil and catfish oil but it possessed better oxidation stability owing to AO added to the waste frying oil (WFO) and because of the lower content of polyunsaturated fatty acid methyl esters (FAMEs). A modified American Society for Testing and Materials D525 method was employed to study the impacts of oxidation on B100 WFO containing 0–0.24% v/v commercial BioExtend 30 AO and its fuel properties. BioExtend 30 protected B100 WFO from both degradation and polymerization reactions and a higher concentration of AO was found to prolong the shelf life of biodiesel linearly. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Although appendicitis is the most common pediatric surgical emergency, the path to diagnosis remains equivocal, with utilization of imaging modalities largely institution dependent. Our objective was to compare imaging practices and negative appendectomy rates between patients transferred from nonpediatric hospitals to our pediatric hospital and primary patients presenting directly to our institution. We retrospectively reviewed all laparoscopic appendectomy cases performed at our pediatric hospital in 2017 for imaging and histopathologic results. Two-sample z -test was used to examine negative appendectomy rates between transfer and primary patients. The negative appendectomy rates of patients who received different imaging modalities were analyzed using the Fisher's exact test. Of 626 patients, 321 (51%) were transferred from nonpediatric hospitals. The negative appendectomy rate for transfer patients was 6.5% and 6.6% for primary patients (p = 0.99). Ultrasound (US) was the only imaging obtained in 31% of transfer and 82% of primary patients. The negative appendectomy rate of US performed at transfer hospitals compared with our pediatric institution was not significantly different (11% vs. 5%, p = 0.06). Computed tomography (CT) was the only imaging obtained in 34% of transfer and 5% of primary patients. Both US and CT were completed for 17% of transfer and 19% of primary patients. The negative appendectomy rates of transfer and primary patients were not significantly different despite more frequent CT use at nonpediatric facilities. It may be valuable to encourage US utilization at adult facilities given the potential to safely reduce CT use in the evaluation of suspected pediatric appendicitis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The magnetic diagnostics across TAE Technologies' compact toroid fusion device include 28 internal and 45 external flux loops that measure poloidal flux and axial field strength, 64 three-axis (radial, toroidal, and axial) Mirnov probes, and 22 internal and external, axial-only Mirnov probes. Imperfect construction, installation, and physical constraints required a Bayesian approach for the calibration process to best account for errors in signals. These errors included flux loops not fitted to a perfect circle due to spatial constraints, Mirnov probes not perfectly aligned against their respective axes, and flux pickup that occurred within the insert (feedthrough) of the Mirnov probes. Our model-based calibration is derived from magnetostatic theory and the circuitry of the sensors. These models predicted outputs that were compared against experimental data. Using a simple least-squares optimization, we were able to predict flux loop data within 1% of relative error. For the Mirnov probes, we utilized Bayesian inference to determine three rotation angles and three amplifier gains. The results of this work not only gave our diagnostic measurements physical meaning, but also act as a safeguard to spot when instruments have malfunctioned, or when there is an error in database maintenance. This paper will go into the details of our calibration procedure, our Bayesian modeling, and the accuracy of our results compared to experimental data. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper attempts to develop an application that converts Tamil and Vietnamese speech to text, with a view to encourage usage and indirectly ensure linguistic preservation of a classical language. The application converts spoken Tamil and Vietnamese to text without auto-correction, code-mixing or code-switching. This paper proposed a complete web application, which, when perfected, could be used to act as a teaching tool to encourage correct pronunciation of syllables and words for native and non-native Tamil and Vietnamese speakers. The paper further explores similarities and differences in the two contexts. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In the biomedical domain, diagrammatical models have been extensively used to describe and understand the behaviour of biological organisms (biological agents) for decades. Although these models are simple and comprehensive, they can only offer a static picture of the corresponding biological systems with limited scalability. As a result, there is an increasing demand to integrate formalism into more dynamic forms that can be more scalable and can capture complex time-dependent processes. Stream X-Machine (SXM) is such a powerful formal method with a memory (data) structure and function-labelled transitions. One of the main strengths of the SXM is its associated testing strategy which ensures that, under well-defined conditions, all functional inconsistencies between the system under test and the model are revealed. In this paper, we adopt the concept of SXM to develop a tool known as T-SXM, which has the capabilities of modelling real world problems and generating test cases automatically based on the state-counting approach. The Type II diabetes case study has been used to demonstrate the abilities of the proposed tool. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In the biomedical domain, diagrammatical models have been extensively used to describe and understand the behaviour of biological organisms (biological agents) for decades. Although these models are simple and comprehensive, they can only offer a static picture of the corresponding biological systems with limited scalability. As a result, there is an increasing demand to integrate formalism into more dynamic forms that can be more scalable and can capture complex time-dependent processes. Stream X-Machine (SXM) is such a powerful formal method with a memory (data) structure and function-labelled transitions. One of the main strengths of the SXM is its associated testing strategy which ensures that, under well-defined conditions, all functional inconsistencies between the system under test and the model are revealed. In this paper, we adopt the concept of SXM to develop a tool known as T-SXM, which has the capabilities of modelling real world problems and generating test cases automatically based on the state-counting approach. The Type II diabetes case study has been used to demonstrate the abilities of the proposed tool. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper attempts to develop an application that converts Tamil and Vietnamese speech to text, with a view to encourage usage and indirectly ensure linguistic preservation of a classical language. The application converts spoken Tamil and Vietnamese to text without auto-correction, code-mixing or code-switching. This paper proposed a complete web application, which, when perfected, could be used to act as a teaching tool to encourage correct pronunciation of syllables and words for native and non-native Tamil and Vietnamese speakers. The paper further explores similarities and differences in the two contexts. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Ultrasound (US) is the preferred method of initial evaluation for appendicitis in pediatrics. However, limited accuracy of US for appendicitis is an obstacle to implementation of US-first protocols at facilities less experienced with US.Objectives: The primary objective was to demonstrate changes in diagnostic accuracy of US for appendicitis over time, after implementation of an US-first protocol. Secondary objectives included evaluating trends in utilization and factors associated with accuracy of US.Methods: We reviewed 5 years of pediatric emergency department encounters that included US evaluations for appendicitis. The primary outcome was conclusive US (fully visualized normal appendix or unequivocal appendicitis) vs. equivocal US (partially visualized or nonvisualized appendix). We also analyzed rates of conclusive US over time; accuracy, sensitivity, and specificity of US for appendicitis; and associations of US accuracy with patient gender, body mass index, and ultrasonographer's experience.Results: A conclusive US report was found in 267 of 1058 encounters (25.2%); overall accuracy rate was 24.5%. Over 5 years, the diagnostic accuracy of US for appendicitis improved significantly from 13.9% to 31.5% (p = 0.001). Overall sensitivity was 80.7% and specificity was 77.6%. Male gender and dedicated US of the appendix were significantly associated with conclusive US (ps < 0.001). Higher body mass index was significantly associated with equivocal US (p < 0.001). Ultrasonographer experience was not significantly associated with conclusive US (p = 0.22).Conclusions: An US-first imaging protocol for appendicitis in children shows chronologic improvement in diagnostic accuracy. This may provide encouragement to facilities using computed tomography-based diagnostic protocols to implement US-first protocols to reduce childhood radiation exposure. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

[Display omitted] • Gasification was able to recover 35.2 % to 65.3 % of aluminum. • At 700 °C and ER = 0.4 provide the largest volume of syngas about 69.42 %. • The majority of aluminum products after gasification include Al 2 O 3 (s) and AlCl 2 (g). • Al in syngas was presented as AlCl 2 (g), AlH(g), and Al 2 O(g). • As ER is increased, more Al 2 O 3 was formed thus Al recovery efficiency goes up. The standing pouch, a packaging material made of multiple layers of plastic and metal, presents a significant challenge for full recycling. Gasification shows promise as a method to recover aluminum from this type of waste and convert it into energy. This study aims to evaluate the efficiency of gasification in treating aluminum-containing plastic packages, and recovering aluminum while identifying the optimal combinations of temperature and equivalence ratio (ER) to achieve the best outcomes. The study achieved a conversion rate of 43.06 wt% to 69.42 wt% of the original waste mass into syngas, with aluminum recovery rates ranging from 35.2 % to 65.3 %. Temperature and ER alterations affected the product distribution, aluminum recovery rate, and aluminum partitioning in the products. The results indicated that the combination of 700 °C, ER = 0.4 would provide the largest amount of syngas about 69.42 %, which is the main product of the gasification process, and therefore, this combination is the most optimal for syngas-yielding purposes. Under the reclaiming aluminum is more prioritized, the combination of 800 °C, ER = 0.6 would be the most optimal condition, the majority of Al in fuel was found in char and fly ash were 67.5 % and 4.81 %, respectively. The study focused on the partitioning of aluminum during the gasification process, which was observed to mainly exist in the form of Al 2 O 3 (s), with gaseous species including AlCl 3 (g), AlH(g), and Al 2 O(g) due to their medium volatility. As the ER increased, the amount of O 2 also increased, leading to more Al 2 O 3 (s) formation. In conclusion, this research provides a foundation for further exploration of gasification as a means of energy conversion and metal recovery. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: To measure parent activation and test for its associations with sociodemographics, clinical factors, and short-term outcomes.Methods: By convenience sampling, 246 parents of children treated in an emergency department (ED) of a children's hospital completed the Parent-Patient Activation Measure (P-PAM) and answered sociodemographic questions. Clinical information was abstracted from medical records. Phone calls to parents and primary care physician offices were conducted within one-month post-ED visit for information about short-term outcomes.Results: We discovered higher than expected activation among our sample (mean = 73), higher activation scores by Spanish language and child chronic illness status, and associations between activation scores and ED visit and discharge instruction comprehension and filling prescriptions (short-term outcomes). However, the theory of parent activation did not adequately fit the data.Conclusion: Before the P-PAM in pediatric clinical care becomes widespread, further research is necessary to better understand parent activation and its associations with pediatric outcomes.Practice Implications: Although the PAM has shown promise in accurately measuring patient activation across various populations and disease processes, the same is not yet true of the P-PAM. To date, pediatric studies using the P-PAM have called its psychometric properties into question. Further research is needed to understand and measure parent activation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Amidst the global concerns in sustainable development and climate change mitigation, the demand for heat-insulating materials has been increasing in which the research objects mostly attracting attention are those from agricultural and industrial wastes due to their abundance. Aerogels have been studied for practical applications in construction because of their lightweight and super-porous properties as well as remarkable thermal insulation. An attempt has been made to create novel silica aerogel composites via in situ synthesis of rice husk ash-derived silica aerogels on the recycled polyethylene terephthalate (rPET) fiber framework and cost-effective ambient drying. Replacing expensive and toxic organosiloxane precursors with low-cost waste materials to synthesize the aerogel composites is a more economical, feasible, and user-friendly approach compared with the previous works. The fabricated aerogel composites exhibit characteristic features of aerogels, the low thermal conductivity of 0.040–0.056 W/(m·K), and a flame propagation speed of approx. 0.27 mm/s due to the adhesion of silica aerogels on the rPET fibers. The durability of the silica aerogel composites is enhanced with a structure of 4 layers of rPET fibers stacked on top of each other and alternating layers of silica aerogels, thus the as-fabricated aerogel composites show a high Young's modulus of 84.099 kPa and can withstand 695 times their weight. The as-fabricated silica aerogel composites having both thermal insulation and flame retardancy exhibit great potential in eco-friendly and energy-efficient design for construction purposes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Classical granulation theory recognises wetting and nucleation, consolidation and growth, and breakage and attrition as mechanisms that contribute to the formation of granules during high shear granulation. Each of these mechanisms may become dominant at different times in the granulation, and may have a strong impact on the evolution of granule structure and properties. This work has been conducted to investigate these mechanisms on a microscopic, single granule scale, and their effect on the uniformity of granule structure, binder content, porosity, dissolution rate and granule strength. It was found that significant inhomogeneity existed in granule properties, even for granules of the same size taken from the same batch at the same sampling time. This led to the conclusion that granule formation takes place through concurrent competing mechanisms. It was found that some granules form through coalescence resulting in “Coalescence Granules” that are more porous, weaker, have lower binder content and dissolve fast. Similarly sized granules also form through consolidation resulting in “Consolidation Granules” that are less porous and dissolve more slowly. It is important that this source of inhomogeneity of granule properties should be considered during process development, endpoint determination and process control of high shear granulation. This work therefore highlights the importance of understanding the individual rates of granule coalescence, consolidation and breakage and their individual impact on granule properties, if classical granulation theory is to be successfully translated into common industrial practice. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We prove the approximate controllability for the heat equation with potential with a cost of order ec/#x03B5; when the target is in H01(Ω) with a precision in L2(Ω) norm. Also a quantification estimate of the unique continuation for initial data in L2(Ω) of the heat equation with potential is established. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

We extend the result of the null controllability property of the heat equation, obtained as limit, when ε tends to zero, of the exact controllability of a singularly perturbed damped wave equation depending on a parameter ε > 0, described in [1], to bounded domains which satisfy the Bardos-Lebeau-Rauch geometric control condition [2]. We add to the method of Lopez, Zhang and Zuazua in [1] an explicit in ε > 0 observability estimate for the singularly perturbed damped wave equation under the Bardos-Lebeau-Rauch geometric control condition. Here the geometric conditions are more optimal than in [1] and the proof is simpler than in [1]. Instead of using global Carleman inequalities as in [1], we apply an integral representation formula. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

• Three parent groups completed a semi-structured interview and validated survey tool. • Hispanic/Latinx parental groups had higher COVID-19 vaccine hesitancy. • Hypothetical parental willingness to vaccinate children was similar across groups. • Reasons for hesitancy fell most under Confidence, followed by Complacency. • Targeted COVID-19 vaccine education to different populations should be considered. COVID-19 vaccinations are now recommended in the United States (U.S.) for children ≥ 6 months old. However, pediatric vaccination rates remain low, particularly in the Hispanic/Latinx population. Using the 4C vaccine hesitancy framework (calculation, complacency, confidence, convenience), we examined parental attitudes in the emergency department (ED) towards COVID-19 vaccination, identified dimensions of parental vaccine hesitancy, and assessed parental willingness to have their child receive the COVID-19 vaccine. As part of a larger multi-methods study examining influenza vaccine hesitancy, we conducted interviews that included questions about COVID-19 vaccine authorization for children. We used directed content analysis to extract qualitative themes from 3 groups of parents in the ED: Hispanic/Latinx Spanish speaking (HS), Hispanic/Latinx English speaking (HE), non-Hispanic/non-Latinx White English speaking (WE). Themes were triangulated with the Parent Attitudes about Childhood Vaccines (PACV) survey, where higher scores indicate increased vaccine hesitancy. Factors influencing vaccine hesitancy were mapped to the 4C framework from 58 sets of interviews and PACVs. HE and HS parents, compared to WE parents, had less knowledge about COVID-19 and its vaccine, and more beliefs in COVID-19 vaccine myths. However, both HS and HE parent groups were more inclined to endorse COVID-19 vaccine effectiveness as a reason to have their children vaccinated. HS parents felt that COVID-19 increased their fear of illnesses in general and were worried about confusing COVID-19 with other infections. Median PACV scores of HS (Mdn = 20) and HE (Mdn = 20) parent groups were higher than of WE parents (Mdn = 10), but parental willingness to have their child receive COVID-19 vaccination was similar across groups. Higher COVID-19 vaccine hesitancy among HS and HE parents compared to WE parents may be attributed to insufficient knowledge about COVID-19, its vaccine, along with COVID-19 vaccine myths. Efforts to provide targeted vaccine education to different populations is warranted. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Biomass-based aerogels are of interest due to their abundant precursors, ease of functionalization, eco-friendliness, low cost, and effectiveness in dye-contaminated water treatment. Coconut pith (CP) known as a by-product after coconut processing is a sponge-like and lightweight material discarded in large volumes. For the first time, carbon micro-particles resulting from two-step treatment and pyrolysis of CP have been successfully incorporated with chitosan to produce aerogel composites by high-speed homogenization and freeze-drying. After pretreatment, holocellulose content and crystallinity index of the recovered CP pulp are respectively 75.4 and 58.6 % along with a solid recovery rate of 27.5 %. Characteristic properties of the aerogel composites are featured by their density as low as 15.23–28.17 mg/cm3, remarkably high porosity of 98.17–99.05 %, and Young's modulus of 1.64–12.23 kPa. Synergistic effects of the porous network, electrostatic interactions between both amine groups in chitosan and carbon surface with methyl orange (MO) cause the as-fabricated aerogel composites to achieve an extremely high adsorption capacity of 454.13 mg/g and removal efficiency of 92.32 % at initial MO concentration of 500 mg/L. Therefore, the CP-derived carbon/chitosan aerogel composites synthesized from a feasible procedure exhibit their great potential in enhancing the value of coconut waste and dealing with dye-contaminated water pollution by simple and economical adsorption. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A previously unreported rotenoid derivative, boeractanone (1), along with four known compounds, isobavachalcone (2), syringaresinol (3), 4-hydroxy-3-methoxybenzoic acid (4), and 3,4-dihydroxybenzoic acid (5), was isolated from the aerial part of Boerhavia erecta L. Their structures were elucidated by spectroscopic data analysis (1D and 2D NMR and HR-ESI-MS) and comparison with published NMR data. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Academic emergency medicine is a constant balance between efficiency and education. We developed a new model called swarming, where the bedside nurse, resident, and attending/fellow simultaneously evaluate the patient, including initial vital signs, bedside triage, focused history and physical examination, and discussion of the treatment plan, thus creating a shared mental model. Objectives: To combine perceptions from trainee physicians, supervising physicians, nurses, and families with in vivo measurements of emergency department swarms to better conceptualize the swarming model. Methods: This mixed methods study was conducted using a convergent design. Qualitative data from focus groups with nurses, residents, and attendings/fellows were analyzed using directed content analysis. Swarming encounters were observed in real time; durations of key aspects and family satisfaction scores were analyzed using descriptive statistics. The qualitative and quantitative findings were integrated a posteriori. Results: From the focus group data, 54 unique codes were identified, which were grouped together into five larger themes. From 39 swarms, mean (±SD) time (minutes) spent in patient rooms: nurses = 6.8 (±3.0), residents = 10.4 (±4.1), and attendings/fellows = 9.4 (±4.3). Electronic documentation was included in 67% of swarms, and 39% included orders initiated at the bedside. Mean (±SD) family satisfaction was 4.8 (±0.7; Likert scale 1–5). Conclusions: Swarming is currently implemented with significant variability but results in high provider and family satisfaction. There is also consensus among physicians that swarming improves trainee education in the emergency setting. The benefits and barriers to swarming are underscored by the unpredictable nature of the ED and the observed variability in implementation. Our findings provide a critical foundation for our efforts to refine, standardize, and appraise our swarming model. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Researchers have grown increasingly interested in studying the effects of purpose and in cultivating purpose among lay people. However, little is known about how people discuss purpose in their daily lives; understanding this would be useful to mental health professionals and purpose-fostering programs trying to help people cultivate purpose. Using key words and phrases generated through natural language processing, we identified 2,000 Tweets referencing purpose and used them to conduct three thematic analyses. Findings suggest that people regard the pursuit of purpose as a socially desirable aim, that they find the search for purpose to be anxiety-provoking, and that they believe purposes can be cultivated even if they are not necessarily sure how to go about doing so. This study highlights a novel and potentially useful method for studying lay conceptions of positive psychological constructs, and it outlines implications of our findings for the study and support of purpose. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Open wounds present a significant challenge in healthcare, requiring careful management to prevent infection and promote wound healing. Advanced wound dressings are critical need to enhance their hemostatic capabilities, antimicrobial properties, and ability to support angiogenesis and sustained moisture for optimal healing. This study introduces a flexible hemostatic dressing designed for open wounds, integrating chitosan (CS) for hemostasis and biocompatibility, silk fibroin (SF) for mechanical strength, and montmorillonite (MMT) for enhanced drug transport. The CSSF@MMT dressings showed promising mechanical strength and swift hemostasis. The CIP-loaded CSSF@MMT demonstrated sustained release for up to one week, exhibiting antibacterial properties against both Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria. In vitro cell migration assay demonstrated that erythropoietin-loaded CSSF@MMT dressings promoted the proliferation and migration of endothelial cells. Similarly, the chick embryo chorioallantoic membrane study indicated the same dressings exhibited a significant increase in vascular regeneration. This research suggests that the CSSF@MMT sponge dressing, incorporated with CIP and erythropoietin, holds promise in effectively halting bleeding, creating a protective environment, diminishing inflammation, and fostering wound tissue regeneration. This potential makes it a significant advancement in open wound care, potentially lowering the need for limb amputation and decreasing wound care burden worldwide. [Display omitted] [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In assessing the feasibility of carbonization for the treatment of durian shell, a large-scale (10 T) fuel briquette manufacturing line is evaluated, taking into consideration the actual processing time and the effect of the biomass high moisture content on overall efficiency. The fuel product exhibits a high higher heating value (HHV) (33.21 MJ/kg) but with a low production efficiency (10 %) and a high cost of production (0.55 USD/kg briquette). One alternate biorefinery process was proposed to turn durian shells into much higher value materials, including high-methoxyl pectin (DE > 90 %), high surface area activated carbon (>300 m2/g) and mineral-rich biochar, with higher recovery efficiency and selling prices, most notably pectin at 40 USD/kg. The results from this study are then used to provide recommendations for feasible treatment, not only for durian shells but also for a variety of different complex and highly recalcitrant biomass in pursuit of a more sustainable agricultural production. [Display omitted] • High pectin and moisture contents of durian shells affect the processing efficiency. • Transportation cost and actual processing time must be considered in manufacturing. • A cascading approach for high-value products like pectin can be beneficial. • Novel technologies for preservation, pretreatment and processing are provided. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Centella asiatica (C. asiatica) possesses various skin-beneficial properties such as antioxidants, anti-inflammatory, antibacterial, and wound healing activities. In this study, a novel approach has been conducted for the first time by incorporating C. asiatica extract into a peel-off gel of chitosan (CS) and polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) via a straightforward and eco-friendly blending process. This method reveals several advantages, including the simplicity of the formulation, the utilization of biodegradable ingredients, good gel stability, and ease of production. The total extraction yield of the C. asiatica extract is in the range of 22.5 ± 0.69%–33.5 ± 1.02%, along with total phenolic content (133.2 ± 4.1–221.0 ± 7.6 mg gallic acid/g extract), total flavonoid content (371.7 ± 3.6–423.5 ± 15.1 mg rutin/g extract), and total triterpenoid content (562.0 ± 23.5–869.5 ± 47.6 mg ursolic acid/g extract). Moreover, the C. asiatica extracts show moderate antibacterial activity against Cutibacterium acnes, Staphylococcus epidermidis, and Escherichia coli, but an effective antioxidant ability with an EC50 value of 12.74 ± 0.13 (μg/mL) which is approx. 2.45 times lower than that of the extract obtained in the previous work. Regarding the synthesis of CS/PVA gel encapsulated in the extract, the formulation using 20% ethanol shows a smooth-surfaced and uniformly structure, natural hydrophilicity, a drying time within 25–30 min, a spreadability of 47.6–58.5 mm, and excellent swelling ratio of up to 4200%. The mechanical properties of the dried CS/PVA/extract gels, including elongation (100–199%), tensile strength (13–19.9 N/mm2), and folding endurance (more than 250 times), indicate that the developed gels own favorable qualities for facial mask applications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

For the first time, ultrasonic emulsification was studied for cinnamon essential oil (CEO) Pickering emulsion, stabilized by cellulose nanocrystal (CNC) from rice straw. Sonication proved to be an effective method for emulsifying CEO, creating small emulsion droplets around 700 nm in size, with an even dispersion characterized through a low polydispersity index. The biomass-derived CNC exhibits high encapsulation efficiency (> 95 %) with varying CEO concentration (5–25 vol%), creating droplets with negative surface charge with limited aggregation of emulsions. Optimization through the Box Behnken design using response surface methodology provides a model for the interaction and effects of variables towards the formulation. Optimal condition was concluded to be at 11.47 vol% CEO, 0.84 wt/vol% CNC and at 6 sonication cycles. The optimized Pickering emulsions retain the antimicrobial properties of CEO, with a large inhibition zone and low MIC value of around 0.048 vol% CEO. DPPH inhibition assay indicates that the emulsification process enhances the antioxidation properties of cinnamon essential oil, expressed through a lower IC 50 of 0.90 vol% CEO, in comparison to pure essential oil at 1.33 vol% CEO. Overall, this research proposes a novel approach towards using nanocellulose as carriers for essential oil with potential in a large variety of applications. [Display omitted] • Achieved encapsulation efficiency exceeding 95 % across all samples. • PE-CEO demonstrated low MICs (0.048 vol%) against different bacteria and fungi. • Utilized Box-Behnken design for optimizing ultrasonic emulsification. • Employed freeze-drying technique for the recovery of dried essential oil powder. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Chitosan hydrogel is a smart and highly applicable drug delivery carrier because of its nature, biocompatibility, biodegradability, and ability to encapsulate, carry and release the drug to the desired target flexibly depending on the conditions of the patient. Not only developing delivery systems but natural compounds are also increasingly being studied in supporting the treatment of diseases. However, the physicochemical and pharmacokinetic issues of the phytochemicals are remaining. This review summarizes the remarkable properties of chitosan hydrogel; approaches to loading natural extracts on the hydrogels to overcome the susceptibility of the phytochemicals to degradation; and their applications in biomedical fields. The drug loading efficiency, release profile, in vitro and in vivo results of the chitosan hydrogels carrying natural compounds are discussed to point out the remaining challenges of combining the extracts with chitosan hydrogels and controlling the release of the carried substances. [Display omitted] [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: Acupuncture has been shown to treat various medical conditions, including acute and chronic pain, and there is limited evidence that acupuncture produces anti-inflammatory effects. This pilot study evaluated the use of acupuncture to treat pain and determine if acupuncture can reduce the inflammatory response in pediatric patients diagnosed with acute appendicitis. Design: This pilot study used convenience sampling and was conducted in the Pediatric Emergency Department (PED) of an urban tertiary care children's hospital. Patients conventionally evaluated and definitively diagnosed with appendicitis were eligible to voluntarily participate. Intervention: The diagnostic homogeneity of the target population allowed for a standardized intervention protocol. A licensed acupuncturist performed a specific form of Japanese acupuncture known as the Kiiko Matsumoto Style on all study patients. Outcome measures: Subjective pain was assessed immediately before the intervention and 20 minutes postintervention, using 3 measures: Faces Pain Scale-Revised (FPS-R), colored analog scale (CAS), and visual analog scale (VAS). Evidence of inflammation was assessed using two biomarkers: white blood cell (WBC) count and C-reactive protein (CRP). WBC and CRP were drawn and recorded 3 times: before the intervention, 2 minutes before removal of needles, and 30 minutes after needling. Results: Six Latino/Hispanic patients (4 males, 2 females, median age=15 years) with no previous acupuncture experience participated in the study. Median pre/postacupuncture pain scores were as follows: FPS-R, 5 vs. 4; CAS, 6.1 vs. 4.8; VAS, 46 vs. 32. Median WBC (103/μL) and CRP (mg/dL) across time were as follows: WBC, 13.2, 11.8, and 11.4; CRP, 4.5, 4.9, and 5.1. Median acupuncture duration was 28.5 minutes (range 22-32) and no complications were observed. Conclusions: Pilot data suggest that acupuncture may be a feasible and effective treatment modality for decreasing subjective pain and inflammation as measured by WBC. Acupuncture may be a useful nonpharmacological PED intervention for treating patients with acute appendicitis pain. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Pineapple leaves are one of the most abundant agricultural residues that are wasted either by burning them on-site or utilized for low-value engineering applications such as fabrics, animal feed, and vermicompost. In this work, pineapple leaves with a cellulose content of over 40% are alkaline pre-treated with sodium hydroxide, followed by bleaching with hydrogen peroxide to produce cellulose with a high purity of 79.72% and extraction efficiency of 41.56%. The cellulose microfibers are generated by disintegrating the obtained cellulose-based fibers via a stepwise combination of ball milling and high-speed rotor–stator homogenization. The independent effects of ball milling and homogenization in terms of processing time, and when combining the two grinding methods on final product size, fiber morphology, thermal stability, and chemical structure are investigated comprehensively by Laser Diffraction Spectrometry, Scanning Electron Microscopy, Thermogravimetric Analysis, and Fourier-transform Infrared Spectroscopy. The operating condition when conducting step-by-step ball milling and homogenization with the time of 9 h and 1 h, respectively, results in the smallest fiber size of 8.15 µm. The calculation results show that the size of microfibers fabricated via the developed method in this study has been reduced by 91.24% compared to the previous one, demonstrating the substantial effect when combining ball milling and homogenization. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This method note presents Q methodology as a useful tool for evaluators to add to their practice toolbox. Q methodology, which involves both quantitative and qualitative techniques, can help researchers and evaluators systematically understand subjectivity and the communicability of opinions and perspectives. We first provide an overview of Q methodology, followed by a brief summary of how evaluators are using Q, and an explanation of the steps for implementing Q methodology. Either by itself or with other methods, the potential uses of Q methodology in evaluation are diverse. For practical demonstration, we describe how Q methodology was used in a recent evaluation in the UK to understand stakeholder subjectivity within the program. We then reflect upon the pros and cons of using Q in program evaluation, concluding that it constitutes a worthwhile tool for evaluating complex programs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Difficulties in the production of lignin from rice straw because of high silica content in the recovered lignin reduce its recovery yield and applications as bio-fuel and aromatic chemicals. Therefore, the objective of this study is to develop a novel method to reduce the silica content in lignin from rice straw more effectively and selectively. The method is established by monitoring the precipitation behavior as well as the chemical structure of precipitate by single-stage acidification at different pH values of black liquor collected from the alkaline treatment of rice straw. The result illustrates the significant influence of pH on the physical and chemical properties of the precipitate and the supernatant. The simple two-step acidification of the black liquor at pilot-scale by sulfuric acid 20w/v% is applied to recover lignin at pH 9 and pH 3 and gives a percentage of silica removal as high as 94.38%. Following the developed process, the high-quality lignin could be produced from abundant rice straw at the industrial-scale. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Over twenty million tons of pineapples have been produced annually worldwide, but their waste is mostly discarded or burnt after harvesting. In this work, the high-value added aerogels from the pineapple leaf waste are developed for the first time by using polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) cross-linkers and a cost-effective freeze drying process. The pineapple fibre (PF) aerogels have highly porous structures with the porosities of 96.98–98.85%, ultra-low densities of 0.013–0.033 g/cm3, and hydrophobicity with water contact angles of approximately 140°, after a surface modification with methyltrimethoxysilane (MTMS). The effects of PF concentrations (0.5–2.0 wt.%) on oil and organic solvent adsorption are investigated comprehensively. Experimental results indicate that the hydrophobic PF aerogels can adsorb motor oil up to 37.9 g/g, approximately two times greater than commercial polypropylene and polyurethane sorbents. The pseudo-second order model can provide a good fit for the oild adsorption kinetics of the developed aerogels. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Food spoilage is a remarkable issue caused by pathogenic infections like bacteria, yeasts, molds, and the oxidation of environmental factors that result in serious problems such as food poisoning, economic loss, and food waste. Natural extracts are trending as food preservatives to prevent microbial growth and prolong the shelf life of products, which is an alternative to chemical substances. Betel leaves have long been used in pharmaceuticals as a natural source of medicinal herbs because of their high content of bioactive compounds, such as polyphenols, flavonoids, alkaloids, eugenol, carvacrol, and chavicol. Betel leaf extracts and essential oils exhibit strong antibacterial, antifungal, anti-inflammatory, and antioxidant properties for various applications, especially food preservation. Many recent studies have shown that betel leaf compounds inhibit the growth of microorganisms, including gram-positive, gram-negative bacteria, drug-resistant bacteria, and fungi, which cause severe infectious diseases. This study provides an overview of food spoilage, popular synthetic and natural food preservatives, and bioactive compounds of betel leaves that have recently been used as substitutes for these chemicals. The extraction methods and phytochemicals of the betel leaves are summarized to elucidate their characterization. The antimicrobial activity of the major constituents of this leaf, such as hydroxychavicol, eugenol, chavibetol, and chavicol, is also mentioned for microbial strains. Finally, the prospects of betel leaves in the food industry highlight their potential for the future and the development of related technologies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Recent studies have developed varied delivery systems incorporating natural compounds to improve the limitations of plant extracts for clinical use while enabling their controlled release at treatment sites. For the first time, ethanolic limeberry extract (Triphasia trifolia) has been successfully encapsulated in thermo-sensitive chitosan hydrogels by a facile in situ loading. The extract-incorporated chitosan hydrogels have a pH value of nearly 7.00, gelation temperatures in the range of 37–38 °C, and exhibit an open-cell porous structure, thus allowing them to absorb and retain 756 % of their mass in water. The in vitro extract release from the hydrogels is driven by both temperature and pH, resulting in more than 70 % of the initial extract being released within the first 24 h. Although the release half-life of hydrogels at pH 7.4 is longer, their release capacity is higher than that at pH 6.5. Upon a 2 °C increase in temperature, the time to release 50 % initial extract is sharply reduced by 20–40 %. The release kinetics from the hydrogels mathematically demonstrated that diffusion is a prominent driving force over chitosan relaxation. Consequently, the developed hydrogels encapsulating the limeberry extract show their heat and pH sensitivity in controlled release for treating chronic wounds. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: This review summarizes the conclusions and recommendations of the new National Council on Radiation Protection and Measurements (NCRP) Commentary No. 26 guidance on radiation dose limits for the lens of the eye. The NCRP addressed radiation protection principles in respect to the lens of the eye, discussed the current understanding of eye biology and lens effects, reviewed and evaluated epidemiology, and assessed exposed populations with the potential for significant radiation exposures to the lens while suggesting monitoring and protection practices. Conclusions: Radiation-induced damage to the lens of the eye can include the loss of clarity resulting in opacification or clouding several years after exposure. The impact is highly dependent on the type of radiation, how the exposure of the lens was delivered, the genetic susceptibilities of the individual exposed, and the location of the opacity relative to the visual axis of the individual. The preponderance of epidemiological evidence suggests that lens damage could occur at lower doses than previously considered and the NCRP has determined that it is prudent to reduce the recommended annual lens of the eye occupational dose limit from an equivalent dose of 150 mSv to an absorbed dose of 50mGy. Significant additional research is still needed in the following areas: comprehensive evaluation of the overall effects of ionizing radiation on the eye, dosimetry methodology and dose-sparing optimization techniques, additional high quality epidemiology studies, and a basic understanding of the mechanisms of cataract development. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The global trend of increasing energy demand along the large volume of wastewater generated annually from the paper pulping and cellulose production industries are considered as serious dilemma that may need to be solved within these current decades. Within this discipline, lignin, silica or lignin-silica hybrids attained from biomass material have been considered as prospective candidates for the synthesis of advanced materials. In this study, the roles and linking mechanism between lignin and silica in plants were studied and evaluated. The effects of the extraction method on the quality of the obtained material were summarized to show that depending on the biomass feedstocks, different retrieval processes should be considered. The combination of alkaline treatment and acidic pH adjustment is proposed as an effective method to recover lignin-silica with high applicability for various types of raw materials. From considerations of the advanced applications of lignin and silica materials in environmental remediation, electronic devices and rubber fillers future valorizations hold potential in conductive materials and electrochemistry. Along with further studies, this research could not only contribute to the development of zero-waste manufacturing processes but also propose a solution for the fully exploiting of by-products from agricultural production. • Lignin-silica hybrids can be easily obtained from biomass sources by combining alkaline fractionation and pH adjustment. • A naturally occuring bonding mechanism between lignin and silica is mentioned. • Applications of lignin-silica hybrids include biotechnology, energy storage, environmental remediation, and more. • Pyrolyzing the hybrid under inert gas condition can create a carbon-silica material with various applications. • Recommendations are made on advanced valorizations and approaches towards large-scale recovery. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

[Display omitted] • The ultra-lightweight aerogel composites are synthesized straightforwardly by blending pineapple leaf pulps and chitosan. • The aerogel composites are durable (Young's modulus of 1.8–11.7 kPa) and strongly acid resistant (below 12% of weight loss at pH 3). • The directional freezing technique is ineffective with non-nano starting materials. • The theoretical maximum Cr(VI) uptake of the aerogel composites is as high as 210.6–211.4 mg/g. • After 6 cycles, the aerogel composites maintain Cr(VI) removal efficiency of above 75%. Chromium (VI) oxyanion is one of the most toxic contaminants in water which causes cancer and genetic mutations in humans. In this work, the bio-based aerogels are successfully synthesized from pineapple leaves (PLs) and chitosan (CS) by an effective and eco-friendly method (including homogenizing, mixing, and freeze-drying) that is feasible for mass production to manage Cr(VI) pollution. The influences of different freezing approaches (refrigerator, isotropic and anisotropic freezing), solid concentrations, and weight ratios of cellulose to chitosan on the morphology, physical parameters, and Cr(VI) adsorption of the aerogels are comprehensively investigated. The fabricated aerogels are ultra-lightweight (20–30 mg/cm3), highly porous (above 97.5%), durable (Young's modulus of 1.8–11.7 kPa), and strongly acid resistant (below 12% of weight loss at pH 3). The difference in pore size among freezing techniques is clarified by scanning electron microscopy, suggesting that anisotropic freezing is ineffective for non-nanoprecursors. The findings show the strong influence of chitosan content and pH of the medium on Cr(VI) adsorption of the PL/CS aerogels due to the electrostatic attraction between Cr(VI) oxyanions and protonated amine groups. The theoretical Langmuir maximum Cr(VI) uptake is up to 210.6–211.4 mg/g, which is generally comparable to carbon-based and costly metal-organic framework materials. The adsorption isotherm and kinetics of the samples are appropriate to the Langmuir model and the pseudo-second-order model, respectively. Furthermore, the Cr-absorption capacity retention rates of prepared aerogel are above 75% after 6 absorbing cycles by NaOH solution. Based on the results, the product cellulose/chitosan aerogel can be considered a potential adsorbent for Cr(VI) removal. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Lightweight, high energy reservation and excellent functional performance are the main benefits of cellular concrete. Its properties mainly depends on the pore characteristics, governed by different factors. With an attempt to further expand the current body of knowledge in the field of lightweight concrete, this review paper presents state-of-the-art techniques in foam stabilisation for maximising the performance of foam concrete. The kinetics of foam degradation, current progress, trending applications in building and construction sectors, as well as potential challenges encountered in developing foam concrete were also elaborated. Overall, the current state of strategies for high foam stability involves the optimal selection of binder combination, aggregate substitution, internal reinforcement, curing regime, treatment methods, gas-liquid interface modified by nanomaterials, polymer chains and surfactant monomers. The breakthrough in current 3D printable foam concrete technology and the main challenges with mixing protocols, long-term durability, technological development, energy efficiency and economic feasibility were discussed. These provide a holistic approach for future research and development in manufacturing novel foam concrete. [Display omitted] • High fineness of fillers correlates to the increase of yield stress and pore refinement. • Nanomaterials and thickening agents as stabilisers provide excellent foam stability. • Foaming surfactant concentration and type of charge determine the fresh foam stability. • pH, impurity and salinity of solutions are critical for foam stabilisation. • Pore refinement is pronounced by introducing hydrophilic and micro-sized fibres. • A combination of techniques exhibits greater efficiency on foam stabilisation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background Anxiety among patients in a pediatric emergency department (PED) can be significant, but often goes unaddressed. Objective Our aim was to determine whether exposure to Child Life (CL) or hospital clowning (HC) can reduce anxiety in children presenting to a PED. Methods Patients were randomized to CL, HC, or control and assessed upon entry to examination room (T1), before physician arrival (T2), and during physician examination (T3), using the modified Yale Preoperative Anxiety Scale (m-YPAS). CL and HC interventions occurred for 5 to 10 min before physician entry. Effects were analyzed using mixed analysis of variance. Results m-YPAS scores ranged from 23 to 59, with a higher score indicating increased anxiety. Mixed analysis of variance on the study sample (n = 113) showed a significant interaction between groups (CL, HC, control) and time ( p = 0.02). Additional analyses indicated effect of group only at T2 (CL: mean = 23.8; 95% confidence interval [CI] 23.2–24.5; HC: mean 25.2; 95% CI 24.2–26.2; control: mean = 26.1; 95% CI 24.2–27.9; p = .02). Subanalysis of patients with T1 m-YPAS score ≥ 28 (n = 56) showed a significant interaction between group and time ( p = 0.01). Additional analysis showed effect of group only at T2 (CL: mean 24.4; 95% CI 23.3–25.6; HC: mean 27.0; 95% CI 25.2–28.7; control: mean 29.2; 95% CI 25.6–32.7; p = 0.003). Conclusions CL services can reduce state anxiety for patients presenting to a PED with heightened anxiety at baseline. This reduction occurred immediately after CL intervention, but was not observed in patients exposed to HC or during physician examination. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Improvement of biomass utilization productivity following cascading strategy is a priority for the biorefinery-based circular bioeconomy. In recent years, the field of energy research has seen an increasing interest in bio-products from paddy-based biorefinery, but the utilization of the entire value of paddy biomass to guide the commercial viability of its products has not been got feasible outcomes. Here we propose a potential pathway for a conceptual paddy biorefinery framework by addressing wastes for producing more products. The feasibility of the integrated biorefinery was demonstrated by the conversion of wastes into value-added products such as nano-silica and lignin. In particular, this is the first time that silica recovered from bioethanol system was continued to be reused to produce ZSM-5 and Ni/ZSM-5 as catalysts of rice straw lignin depolymerization achieving high conversion of lignin up to 95% and fair yield of phenolic products up to 41%. Material flow of an integrated biorefinery model was reported to give a future outlook for making most of the processing routes of rice residues. We also established a life cycle that follows the circular bioeconomy concept and discussed the relationship between each of potential bioproducts and their market opportunities. [Display omitted] • A sustainability framework for paddy-based biorefinery toward circular bioeconomy. • The CBE of the paddy based biorefinery has been fully report for the first time. • Maximize the use of biorefinery in CBE by recycling waste. • Paddy residues as a potential feedstock for biomaterial and biofuel. • Depolymerization rice straw lignin with Ni/ZSM-5 gives high phenolic content. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• An effective pineapple leaf pulp extraction with a cellulose content of 91.66%. • TEMPO-oxidized pulp/chitosan aerogels prepared by self-crosslinking. • The ultra-lightweight composite aerogel shows a density of 8.46 mg/cm3 and porosity of 99.36%. • An exponential increase in Young's modulus of composite aerogels reinforced by chitosan. • The methyl orange adsorption uptake of 136.64 mg/g in 6 min by hybrid aerogels. Recycling agricultural and aquacultural by-products into high-value engineering aerogels is a sustainable solution to minimize the negative impacts of these wastes on the environment in case of improper treatment. For the first time, discarded pineapple leaves are processed by a novel two-step procedure involving strong alkali and alkali/hydrogen peroxide treatments to generate cellulose-rich pulp containing 91.66 wt% cellulose. The mediated oxidation catalyzed by 2,2,6,6-tetramethylpiperidinyloxy is performed to introduce more carboxylate groups in the pulp for further physically interacting with amino groups on shrimp-based chitosan to synthesize unique composite aerogels without consuming any crosslinkers. The composite aerogels are ultra-lightweight and exhibit a significant rise in their compressive modulus from 2.46 to 27.25 kPa due to the chitosan addition. At the same initial dye concentration of 300 mg/L, the composite aerogels composed of 0.6 wt% chitosan achieve the equilibrium methyl orange adsorption capacity of 136.64 mg/g in only 6 min, while the highest equilibrium methylene blue adsorption uptake of 31.56 mg/g is witnessed in the samples having the lowest chitosan content (0.2 wt%). The developed composite aerogels display the notable porous structure, remarkable mechanical properties, and high removal efficiency for the two typical dyes, demonstrating the effectiveness of combining the world's two largest natural sources by a simple and green fabrication. The approach in this study is directed towards multiple goals such as addressing the accumulation and underutilization of solid waste, dealing with water pollution caused by harmful dyes in many developing countries, and providing another solution for the cleaner production of renewable materials. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A nanoporous rubber aerogel (NRA) is fabricated successfully using recycled textile fibers (RTFs) from car tire wastes, polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) via freeze-drying. The NRA exhibits a low density (down to 0.025 g/cm3), a high porosity (up to 98%), a robust mechanical property with the compressive resistance at 10% deformation above 20 kPa, a high oil-absorption capacity (up to 18 g/g), low thermal conductivity (down to 35 mW/m-K), and a high noise reduction coefficient (NRC value of up to 0.55). In our study, the production time is reduced significantly from 48 h to 17 h compared to previous works. More importantly, the central composite design and response surface methodology are applied to investigate the effect of the RTFs and PVA contents on the volume shrinkage, density, porosity, compressive resistance, oil absorption capacity, and thermal conductivity. As a result, it is found that the contents of RTFs and PVA should be in the range of high-level (4.0–5.0 wt%) and low-level (1.0–1.5 wt%), respectively. In addition, the effect of thicknesses and compositions on the sound absorption property of the NRA is further discussed using the analysis of variance (ANOVA). A higher noise reduction coefficient (NRC) is attained at a large thickness for compositions 1 (5.0 wt% RTFs, 1 wt% PVA). The sound absorption coefficient of the NRA in the high frequencies (1000–6000 Hz) is relatively high, and for the low- and medium frequencies (125–1000 Hz) relatively low. As a result, the NRA can be a potential candidate for oil-spill cleaning, heat-insulating and sound absorbing applications. [Display omitted] • NRA is fabricated successfully aerogel via a time-saving method. • NRA has an ultra-low density, a high porosity, and a robust mechanical properties. • NRA can be a potential material for oil absorption applications. • NRA can be a potential material for thermal insulation applications. • NRA can be a potential material for sound absorption applications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Fly ash is waste from thermal power plants that not only has a serious impact on soil and water but also accumulates in landfills and must be treated properly. In addition, plastic waste, especially polyethylene terephthalate bottles, deteriorates for a long time, so there is an urgent need to recycle them into valuable products. To solve the environmental pollution mentioned above, a feasible zero-waste method has been developed that converts 100% of fly ash into a lightweight composite aerogel reinforced with recycled polyethylene terephthalate fiber. In this study, raw fly ash is bound to the skeleton of the fibers by a non-toxic, biodegradable xanthan gum solution as a binder, which is then lyophilized, leaving a hollow porous structure. The obtained composite aerogels display extremely low density of 0.026–0.062 g/cm3, high porosity of 96.59–98.42%, low thermal conductivity of 34–39 mW/(m·K), flexibility with Young's modulus of 3.98–20.61 kPa, and noise reduction coefficient of 0.18–0.31. Adding fly ash to the fiber framework results in a lightweight composite aerogel with higher porosity, heat, and acoustic insulation, as well as impressive compressive modulus, compared to the fly ash-free aerogels. This study provides a safe, environmentally friendly, and cost-effective solution for recycling fly ash into high-value engineering materials. [Display omitted] • Zero waste procedures have been developed to completely recycle FA into composite aerogels. • The combination of FA and rPET fibers increases the flexibility of the aerogel. • The fabricated composite aerogel is lightweight and has a porosity of over 96%. • The compressive strength of composite aerogel is 20 times higher than that of FA-free aerogel. • Composite aerogels exhibit both excellent thermal and acoustic insulation without any required modification. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole (TMP-SMX) is widely used for Pneumocystis carinii pneumonia prophylaxis in human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-infected patients, but little is known about the effects of this practice on the emergence of TMP-SMX-resistant bacteria. A serial cross-sectional study of resistance to TMP-SMX among all clinical isolates of Staphylococcus aureus and 7 genera of Enterobacteriaceae was performed at San Francisco General Hospital. Resistance among all isolates was <5.5% from 1979 to 1986 but then markedly increased, reaching 20.4% in 1995. This was most prominent in HIV-infected patients: resistance increased from 6.3% in 1988 to 53% in 1995. The largest increases in resistance were in Escherichia coli (24% in 1988 to 74% in 1995) and S. aureus (0% to 48%) obtained from HIV-infected patients. A rapid increase in the use of prophylactic TMP-SMX in HIV disease was also observed during this time in San Francisco and is likely responsible for the increase in TMP-SMX resistance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Given the harmful effects of agricultural waste residues on the environment and the abundance of pineapple byproducts after harvest, converting pineapple waste into a high-engineering value product for practical applications is one of the solutions toward sustainable development in developing countries. For the first time, flexible cellulose aerogels from raw pineapple-leave fibers (PALF) are developed successfully by using an adhesive agent, polyvinyl alcohol (PVA), and deionized (DI) water as a solvent, followed by a freeze-drying process. The effects of the pineapple fiber (PF) concentration on the heat and acoustic insulation properties are also investigated. The PF aerogels show high porosities of nearly 99%, ultra-low densities of (0.013–0.033) g/cm3, and a microporous structure which are determined by FE-SEM, BET and XRD analysis. They have very low thermal conductivities of (0.030–0.034) W/mK, indicating their excellent suitability for heat insulation applications. Indeed, the thermal jacket using a PF aerogel as filler wrapped around a water bottle can maintain the water temperature below 0 °C for 6 h (initial temperature of −3 °C), and above 40 °C for 2.5 h (initial temperature of 90 °C). The heat insulation capacity of the thermal jacket is about three times better than that of a commercially available product. With the same thickness, the noise reduction coefficient of 2.0 wt% PF aerogel samples is greater than that of a commercial absorber Basmel, which demonstrates their potential in acoustic insulation applications. • Ultra-lightweight and highly porous pineapple fiber (PF) aerogels are developed successfully for the first time. • The PF aerogels exhibit great thermal and acoustic insulation properties. • The thermal jacket made of PF aerogels can keep water chilled within 4.5 h. • The flexibility of PF aerogels is demonstrated with low compressive moduli. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• A green and cost-effective method to convert sugarcane bagasse into aerogel has been developed. • Sugarcane bagasse aerogel is a promising candidate for heat insulation applications. • Sugarcane bagasse aerogel is a promising candidate for oil-spill cleaning applications. • Sugarcane bagasse aerogel is highly flexible, and can be bent without breaking. A promising and economic material for various applications, such as thermal insulation in construction building and oil clean-up in marine ecosystems, is successfully developed from the by-product of the sugarcane industry. Biodegradable sugarcane bagasse aerogels are produced using polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) binder, followed by a freeze-drying method. This environmental-friendly recycled aerogel has an ultra-low density ([0.016-0.112] g/cm3), a high porosity ([91.9–98.9]%), and a very low thermal conductivity ([0.031-0.042] W/mK). Its superhydrophobicity properties and its maximum oil absorption capacity (up to 25 g/g) are measured after coating aerogel samples with methyltrimethoxysilane (MTMS). The biodegradable aerogel has a Young's modulus of 88 K Pa and can be bent without breaking, demonstrating its high flexibility. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]