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Mineral Oil [MO] has significant importance because of its vast variety of applications in various arenas of manufacturing, technology, and industrial processes. The applications of the Mineral Oil [MO] are PVC production, polystyrene production, as a lubricating, cutting fluid, thermoplastics rubber production, glossing product, wood products, cleaning products, lamp oil, glues, toys, veterinary, cosmetics, food preparation, as a brake fluid in some cars, and so forth. Due to these applications of Mineral Oil [MO], in the existing work, the two-dimensional mixed convective flow of micropolar fluid with the applications of the aluminum oxide nanoparticles in a Mineral Oil [MO] base liquid is taken into consideration. The melting heat phenomenon is discussed for the interpretation of heat transmission. Further, the flow analysis is discussed through the impacts of inclined magnetic field, heat generation, Joule heating and thermal radiation. Mass diffusivity is deliberated through the implementation of homogenous and heterogeneous chemical reactions. Entropic behavior is analyzed for the discussion of irreversibility analysis. Suitable similarity transformations are employed to renovate modeled systems of the PDEs into ODEs. Analytical simulation of the proposed model has been accomplished with the utilization of the homotopy analysis technique. Some significant outcomes from the existing work are that the velocity outline is reduced but the energy curve is greater for the melting parameter. Nanofluid entropy generation is increased due to the improvement of the Brinkman parameter and material parameter. Heat transportation is augmented due to the amplification of the radiation parameter, and nanoparticle volume fraction. The present study is useful in different fields of industries, technological processes, mechanical processes, and electrical processes due to the applications of mineral oil. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In the present study, the algae biodiesel blend (B20) was used together with different proportions of alumina nanoparticles (AONP) as fuel. The performance and emission characteristics of the algae biodiesel blend (B20) are evaluated using different proportions of AONP nanoparticles. The ANOP concentration varied in increments of 30 ppm from 30 to 120 ppm, along with a B20 blend on a volume basis, where the B20 blend contains 80% diesel and 20% algae biodiesel. A common rail direct-injection engine was used, and various load conditions were studied. A mechanical homogenizer and an ultrasonic device were used to disperse the nanoparticles in the fuel. In the present study, the results at maximum load using the blended fuel with B20/AONP (120 ppm) showed a 21.33% reduction in specific fuel consumption compared to the base fuel, an 8.1% increase in BTE, a 25.14% reduction in HC emissions, a 22% reduction in smoke opacity, and a 27.78% reduction in CO emissions compared to the base fuel. Nitrogen oxide emissions increased by 6.3% compared to the base fuel. B20 with AONP 120 ppm gave the best results compared to all fuels with AONP addition. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Although aluminum oxide nanoparticles (Al2O3-NPs) are the most widely used nanomaterials, limited studies have been reported on their toxicology. Therefore, the present study aimed to investigate the potential toxicity of aluminum oxide (alumina) nanoparticles and the protective role of aqueous extract of wormwood plant on nanomaterial-induced disorders in the lung of rats. Material and Methods: Here, 36 male Wistar rats were randomly divided into six groups. Next, the rats were first exposed to 200 mg/kg of the aqueous extract of wormwood plant (by gavage) for 15 days and then received a dose of 30 mg/kg of aluminum oxide nanoparticles as an intraperitoneal injection for 14 days. Furthermore, various features of clinical signs, body weight, biochemical parameters, gene expression changes, lung weight ratio, histopathological observations, and metal content in lung tissue were evaluated during the experiment. Eventually, the ANOVA (Analysis of Variance) and Tukey’s range test were employed to analyze and compare the mean of the data. Results: The results revealed that aluminum oxide nanoparticles at a concentration of 30 mg/kg body weight led to changes in antioxidant enzyme activities, e.g., T-SOD, CAT, GPx, and TAC, lipid peroxidation, and iNOS for exposed rats. Also, the above biochemical disorders were associated with altered expression of oxidative stress-related genes (HO-1, MT-1) and histological changes in the lung tissue. On the other hand, simultaneous intake of aqueous extract of wormwood plant and aluminum oxide nanoparticles in rats significantly improved the studied parameters (p

Abstract Background Alumina nanoparticles (aluminaNPs), which are widely used in a range of daily and medical fields, have been shown to penetrate blood-brain barrier, and distribute and accumulate in different brain areas. Although oral treatment of aluminaNPs induces hippocampus-dependent learning and memory impairments, characteristic effects and exact mechanisms have not been fully elucidated. Here, male adult rats received a single bilateral infusion of aluminaNPs (10 or 20 µg/kg of body weight) into the hippocampal region, and their behavioral performance and neural function were assessed. Results The results indicated that the intra-hippocampus infusions at both doses of aluminaNPs did not cause spatial learning inability but memory deficit in the water maze task. This impairment was attributed to the effects of aluminaNP on memory consolidation phase through activation of proBDNF/RhoA pathway. Inhibition of the increased proBDNF by hippocampal infusions of p75NTR antagonist could effectively rescue the memory impairment. Incubation of aluminaNPs exaggerated GluN2B-dependent LTD induction with no effects on LTD expression in hippocampal slices. AluminaNP could also depress the amplitude of NMDA-GluN2B EPSCs. Meanwhile, increased reactive oxygen specie production was reduced by blocking proBDNF-p75NTR pathway in the hippocampal homogenates. Furthermore, the neuronal correlate of memory behavior was drastically weakened in the aluminaNP-infused groups. The dysfunction of synaptic and neuronal could be obviously mitigated by blocking proBDNF receptor p75NTR, implying the involvement of proBDNF signaling in aluminaNP-impaired memory process. Conclusions Taken together, our findings provide the first evidence that the accumulation of aluminaNPs in the hippocampus exaggeratedly activates proBDNF signaling, which leads to neural and memory impairments.

Conventional bentonite-based drilling fluids have associated problems while drilling troublesome or high-temperature zone due to degradation of rheological properties and excessive fluid loss. Clay particles present in the drilling fluid tend to block the pore throats and cause blockage to hydrocarbon flow. Similarly, polymers along with the filtrate loss, in the invaded zone, alter the wettability due to which there is a reduction in relative permeability to oil. All of these factors collectively cause a fall in production rates and demand stimulation jobs. The use of nondamaging drilling fluids, a particle-free salt-polymer-based drilling fluid, has addressed these problems by yielding a substantially less filtrate loss. However, at moderately high depths with high temperatures, this drilling fluid fails to maintain rheological properties and hence sagging, carrying, and fluid loss problems remerge. Sagging increases the equivalent circulation density which eventually decreases rate of penetration and induces formation damages. Hence, a need to further improve its properties is much required. This study has investigated the effect of aluminum oxide nanoparticles (Al2O3 NP) on these salt-polymer-based drilling fluids. A significant change was observed in rheological and fluid loss properties of drilling fluid (DF) when doped with different concentrations (0.5%, 0.8%, and 1%) of Al2O3 NP compared to the Base DF. Steady shear (rotational) tests were conducted to study the degree of shear thinning behavior of all the drilling fluids. It was observed that shear thinning behavior of the DF was increased with the addition of Al2O3 NP. Rotational measurements at 30°C showed a decrease in viscosity and shear stress of Al2O3 NP DF with an increase in concentration. However, at elevated temperatures of 60°C and 80°C, the reduction in viscosity of Al2O3 NP DF was substantially less than Base DF. One percent Al2O3 NP DF showed higher viscosity as compared to 0.5%, 0.8% Al2O3 NP, and Base DF at these conditions. To investigate the viscoelastic properties, oscillation tests were performed. Amplitude sweep tests showed an increase in storage modulus (G') with an increase in Al2O3 NP concentration. While Base and 0.5% Al2O3 NP DF showed viscoelastic liquid in nature, 0.8% and 1% Al2O3 NP DF showed dominant storage properties indicating its viscoelastic solid nature at 30°C, 60°C, and 80°C. From the frequency sweep tests at higher temperatures, 0.8% and 1% Al2O3 NP DF, unlike Base and 0.5% Al2O3 NP DF, showed increase in complex viscosity at lower frequencies indicating structural build-up. Both rotational and thixotropic tests showed less structural regain time for 1% Al2O3 NP DF compared to other drilling fluid. Lastly, fluid loss control property of all the drilling fluids was investigated by measuring the filtrate loss volume in an API filter press apparatus. One percent Al2O3 NP DF showed a greater reduction in filtrate volume with Base DF showing the highest. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aluminum oxide nanoparticles (Al2O3 NPs) were synthesized using a simple, eco-friendly green synthesis approach in an alkaline medium from the extract of grapefruit peel waste. The pre-synthesized, nano-crystalline Al2O3 NPs were characterized by using spectroscopic (UV–vis, FTIR, XRD, and EDX) and microscopic (SEM and TEM) techniques. The formed Al2O3 NPs exhibited a pronounced absorption peak at 278 nm in the UV–vis spectrum. The average particle size of the as-prepared Al2O3 NPs was evaluated to be 57.34 nm, and the atomic percentages of O and Al were found to be 54.58 and 45.54, respectively. The fabricated Al2O3 NPs were evaluated for antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and immunomodulatory properties. The Al2O3 NPs showed strong antioxidant potential towards all the four tested assays. The anti-inflammatory and immunomodulatory potential of Al2O3 NPs was investigated by measuring the production of nitric oxide and superoxide anion (O2•−), as well as proinflammatory cytokines tumour necrosis factor (TNF-α, IL-6) and inhibition of nuclear factor kappa B (NF- κB). The results revealed that Al2O3 NPs inhibited the production of O2•− (99.4%) at 100 μg mL−1 concentrations and intracellular NO•− (55%), proinflammatory cytokines IL-6 (83.3%), and TNF-α (87.9%) at 50 μg mL−1 concentrations, respectively. Additionally, the Al2O3 NPs inhibited 41.8% of nuclear factor kappa B at 20 μg mL−1 concentrations. Overall, the outcomes of current research studies indicated that Al2O3 NPs possess anti-inflammatory and immunomodulatory properties and could be used to treat chronic and acute anti-inflammatory conditions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Alumina nanoparticles (aluminaNPs), which are widely used in a range of daily and medical fields, have been shown to penetrate blood-brain barrier, and distribute and accumulate in different brain areas. Although oral treatment of aluminaNPs induces hippocampus-dependent learning and memory impairments, characteristic effects and exact mechanisms have not been fully elucidated. Here, male adult rats received a single bilateral infusion of aluminaNPs (10 or 20 µg/kg of body weight) into the hippocampal region, and their behavioral performance and neural function were assessed. Results: The results indicated that the intra-hippocampus infusions at both doses of aluminaNPs did not cause spatial learning inability but memory deficit in the water maze task. This impairment was attributed to the effects of aluminaNP on memory consolidation phase through activation of proBDNF/RhoA pathway. Inhibition of the increased proBDNF by hippocampal infusions of p75NTR antagonist could effectively rescue the memory impairment. Incubation of aluminaNPs exaggerated GluN2B-dependent LTD induction with no effects on LTD expression in hippocampal slices. AluminaNP could also depress the amplitude of NMDA-GluN2B EPSCs. Meanwhile, increased reactive oxygen specie production was reduced by blocking proBDNF-p75NTR pathway in the hippocampal homogenates. Furthermore, the neuronal correlate of memory behavior was drastically weakened in the aluminaNP-infused groups. The dysfunction of synaptic and neuronal could be obviously mitigated by blocking proBDNF receptor p75NTR, implying the involvement of proBDNF signaling in aluminaNP-impaired memory process. Conclusions: Taken together, our findings provide the first evidence that the accumulation of aluminaNPs in the hippocampus exaggeratedly activates proBDNF signaling, which leads to neural and memory impairments. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The present work intends to know the nanoparticle stability in biodiesel blend (B20) and the combustion analysis of direct injection, single-cylinder, diesel engine. The aluminum oxide (Al2O3) nanoparticle additive with QPAN 80 dispersant (DSP) was mixed in B20. The nanoparticle was added in B20 at a proportion of 50 ppm together with 100 ppm dispersant. The test fuels considered were as follows: D100 (pure diesel), B20, B20Al2O350, and B20Al2O350DSP100. The combustion parameters, namely, cylinder pressure, net heat release rate, and mean gas temperature, were assessed. The fine improvement in the combustion characteristics was observed upon nanoparticle (50 ppm) addition to B20. However, the dispersant (QPAN 80)-mixed nanoparticle in B20 revealed tremendous enhancement than base nanoparticle addition. The maximum improvement of cylinder pressure, net heat release rate, and mean gas temperature was noticed as 15.16 %, 17.87 %, and 21.5 %, respectively, for B20Al2O350DSP100. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In the present work, an experimental investigation was conducted to study the influence of adding aluminum oxide nanoparticles (Al2O3) with different average particle sizes as additive to blends of diesel and waste plastic oil (WPO) on performance, emission, and combustion attributes of single-cylinder diesel engine operated at a constant speed. Two samples of Al2O3 nanoparticle with average particle sizes of 20 and 100 nm were dispersed into a WPO20 blend containing 20% of WPO and 80% of diesel in the mass fractions of 10 and 20 ppm using ultrasonic stabilization. The experimental recordings revealed a decrease in engine performance and increase in all emission constituents while replacing diesel with WPO20. However, the addition of both 20- and 100-nm-sized Al2O3 nanoparticles into WPO20 was found to enhance the brake thermal efficiency (BTHE) by 12.2 and 8.9% respectively and decrease the brake-specific fuel consumption (BSFC) by 11 and 8% respectively. The emission constituents such as carbon monoxide (CO), hydrocarbons (HC), nitric oxide (NO), and smoke opacity were minimized by the addition of both 20- and 100-nm-sized nanoparticles into WPO20 blend. However, the reduction of emissions was better for 20-nm-sized particles compared with that of 100-nm-sized particles. The combustion attributes such as cylinder pressure, heat release rate (HRR), and rate of pressure rise (RPR) were raised with shortened ignition delay (ID) by the addition of both sized nanoparticles. Overall, the inclusion of 20-nm-sized nanoparticles performs better catalytic activity to enhance the engine output characteristics along with minimum exhaust emissions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this paper, aluminum oxide nanoparticles as added with pongamaia biodiesel. Experimental study is focussed the performance and emission characteristics of a compression ignition diesel engine using biodiesel and biodiesel mixed with aluminum oxide nanoparticles as an additive in different proportions. The aluminum oxide nanoparticles promote complete combustion in the diesel engine. The experiments were conducted using biodiesel (B100) with aluminum oxide nanoparticles additive in proportions of BN100, BN200, BN300, BN400 and BN500 ppm at different brake power. Results were analyzed and compared with diesel, biodiesel, biodiesel with addition of aluminum oxide nanoparticles. Gas analyzer was used to measure the various gas pollutants. The test results showed that the addition of aluminum oxide nanoparticles with biodiesel has improved complete combustion of the fuel leading to better performance and reduced exhaust emissions like CO, HC, smoke and NOx when compared to diesel fuel. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aluminum oxide nanoparticles (Al 2 O 3 NPs) have recently been reported to cause an inflammatory response in the lungs, and studies are being conducted on their adverse effects, especially in patients with underlying lung diseases such as asthma. However, the underlying mechanism of asthma aggravation caused by Al 2 O 3 NPs remains unclear. This study investigated whether Al 2 O 3 NPs exacerbate ovalbumin (OVA)-induced asthma and focused on the correlation between toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4) signaling and Al 2 O 3 NP-induced asthma exacerbation. Al 2 O 3 NP exposure in asthmatic mice resulted in increased inflammatory cell counts in the lungs, airway hyperresponsiveness, and increased levels of inflammatory cytokines compared with only OVA-induced mice, and excessive secretion of mucus was observed in the airways. Moreover, Al 2 O 3 NP exposure in OVA-induced mice increased the expression levels of TLR4, phospho-nuclear transcription factor-kappa B (p-NFκB), myeloid differentiation factor 88 (MyD88), and phospho-NF kappa B inhibitor alpha (p-IκBα). Furthermore, in the lungs of TLR4 knockout mice exposed to Al 2 O 3 NPs and in a human airway epithelial cell line with down regulated TLR4, the expression levels of MyD88, p-NFκB, and p-IκBα were decreased, and asthma-related allergic responses were reduced. Therefore, we demonstrated that TLR4 is important for aggravation of asthma induced by Al 2 O 3 NPs, and this study provides useful information regarding as yet undiscovered novel target signaling. [Display omitted] • Aluminum oxide nanoparticles (Al 2 O 3 NPs) exacerbated ovalbumin-induced asthma. • Al 2 O 3 NP exposure in the lungs increased the expressions of TLR4 and p-NFκB. • Deletion of TLR4 attenuated the inflammatory response associated with Al 2 O 3 NPs. • TLR4 plays a key role in the aggravation of asthma associated with Al 2 O 3 NPs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Gene expression profiling has developed rapidly in recent years and it can predict and define mechanisms underlying chemical toxicity. Here, RNA microarray and computational technology were used to show that aluminum oxide nanoparticles (Al2O3 NPs) were capable of triggering up-regulation of genes related to the cell cycle and cell death in a human A549 lung adenocarcinoma cell line. Gene expression levels were validated in Al2O3 NPs exposed A549 cells and mice lung tissues, most of which showed consistent trends in regulation. Genetranscription factor network analysis coupled with cell- and animal-based assays demonstrated that the genes encoding PTPN6, RTN4, BAX and IER play a role in the biological responses induced by the nanoparticle exposure, which caused cell death and cell cycle arrest in the G2/S phase. Further, down-regulated PTPN6 expression demonstrated a core role in the network, thus expression level of PTPN6 was rescued by plasmid transfection, which showed ameliorative effects of A549 cells against cell death and cell cycle arrest. These results demonstrate the feasibility of using gene expression profiling to predict cellular responses induced by nanomaterials, which could be used to develop a comprehensive knowledge of nanotoxicity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The biological responses of aluminum oxide (Al2O3) nanoparticles (NPs) and nanowires (NWs) in cultured fibroblasts (L929) and macrophages (RAW264) were evaluated from their cytotoxicities and micromorphologic properties. Cultured cells were exposed to Al2O3NPs (13 nm diameter) and Al2O3NWs (2-6 × 200-400 nm). Cytotoxicity and genotoxicity were examined by immunostaining with fluorescence microscopy, and nanomaterial localization was studied by using scanning electron microscopy and transmission electron microscopy. The NPs were cytotoxic and genotoxic, whereas the NWs were not. The scanning electron microscopy images showed that the NPs aggregate more on the cell surface than do the NWs. The transmission electron microscopy images showed that the NPs were internalized into the vesicle and nuclei, for both cell types. In contrast, numerous solid NWs were observed as large aggregates in vesicles, but not in nuclei. Nuclear damage was confirmed by measuring cell viability and by immunostaining for NPs. The chemical changes induced by the NPs in the vesicles or cells may cause cell damage because of their large surface area per volume. The extent of NW entrapment was not sufficient to lower the viability of either cell type. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Biomed Mater Res Part B: Appl Biomater, 104B: 241-252, 2016. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Nanoparticles are inevitable byproducts of modern industry. However, the environmental impacts arising from industrial applications of nanoparticles are largely under-reported. This study evaluated the ecotoxicological effects of aluminum oxide nanoparticles (Al 2 O 3 NP) and its influence on sulfacetamide (SA) biodegradation by a freshwater microalga, Scenedesmus obliquus. Although Al 2 O 3 NP showed limited toxicity effect on S. obliquus , we observed the toxicity attenuation aspect of Al 2 O 3 NP in a mixture of sulfacetamide on microalgae. The addition of 100 mg L−1 of Al 2 O 3 NP and 1 mg L−1 of SA reduced total chlorophyll by 23.3% and carotenoids by 21.6% in microalgal compared to control. The gene expression study demonstrated that ATPF0C, Lhcb1, HydA, and psbA genes responsible for ATP synthesis and the photosynthetic system were significantly downregulated, while the Tas gene, which plays a major role in biodegradation of organic xenobiotic chemicals, was significantly upregulated at 1 and 100 mg L−1 of Al 2 O 3 NP. The S. obliquus removed 16.8% of SA at 15 mg L−1 in 14 days. However, the removal was slightly enhanced (18.8%) at same concentration of SA in the presence of 50 mg L−1 Al 2 O 3 NP. This result proves the stability of sulfacetamide biodegradation capacity of S. obliquus in the presence of Al 2 O 3 NP co-contamination. The metabolic analysis showed that SA was degraded into simpler byproducts such as sulfacarbamide, sulfaguanidine, sulfanilamide, 4-(methyl sulfonyl)aniline, and N-hydroxy-benzenamine which have lower ecotoxicity than SA, demonstrating that the ecotoxicity of sulfacetamide has significantly decreased after the microalgal degradation, suggesting the environmental feasibility of microalgae-mediated wastewater technology. This study provides a deeper understanding of the impact of nanoparticles such as Al 2 O 3 NP on aquatic ecosystems. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Highlights: [•] PVC/Al2O3 nanoparticles mixed matrix cation exchange membranes were prepared. [•] Selectivity was improved by Al2O3 nanoparticles increasing and then decreased. [•] Ionic flux was declined by Al2O3 nanoparticles increasing and then enhanced. [•] Membranes exhibited lower selectivity for Ba2+ ions compared to Na+ ions. [•] Electrical resistance was decreased sharply by Al2O3 nanoparticles increasing. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Nanotechnology is a rapidly growing industry that has elicited much concern due to the lack of available toxicity data. Aluminum oxide nanoparticles (AlNP) were listed as a high-priority group in the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) Steering Group for Test Guidelines. In this study, AlNP 35 ± 18.8 nm in size were administered daily at doses of 15, 30, or 60 mg k-1 for 28 days. A significant decrease in white blood cells (WBC), neutrophils, lymphocytes, and monocytes was observed in the group treated with 60 mg kg-1 of AlNP, accompanied by a significant increase in platelets. The concentration of aluminum (Al) rose significantly in the thymus, lung, and brain of the group treated with 60 mg kg-1 of AlNP. However, no significant changes in histopathology were observed. The expression for feeding behavior, energy expenditure, and neurodegeneration-related genes were up-regulated more than twofold by 60 mg kg-1 AlNP. Consequently, data suggest that exposure to AlNP may result in adverse health effects, including but not limited to growth inhibition, immunosuppression, and neurodegeneration. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Exposure to Aluminum oxide nanoparticles (Al 2 O 3 NPs) has been associated with pulmonary inflammation in recent years; however, the underlying mechanism that causes adverse effects remains unclear. In the present study, we characterized microRNA (miRNA) expression profiling in human bronchial epithelial (HBE) cells exposed to Al 2 O 3 NPs by miRNA microarray. Among the differentially expressed miRNAs, miR-297, a homologous miRNA in Homo sapiens and Mus musculus , was significantly up-regulated following exposure to Al 2 O 3 NPs, compared with that in control. On combined bioinformatic analysis, proteomics analysis, and mRNA microarray, NF-κB-activating protein (NKAP) was found to be a target gene of miR-297 and it was significantly down-regulated in Al 2 O 3 NPs-exposed HBE cells and murine lungs, compared with that in control. Meanwhile, inflammatory cytokines, including IL-1β and TNF-α, were significantly increased in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) from mice exposed to Al 2 O 3 NPs. Then we set up a mouse model with intranasal instillation of antagomiR-297 to further confirm that inhibition of miR-297 expression can rescue pulmonary inflammation via Notch pathway suppression. Collectively, our findings suggested that up-regulation of miR-297 expression was an upstream driver of Notch pathway activation, which might be the underlying mechanism involved in lung inflammation induced by exposure to Al 2 O 3 NPs. Image 1 • Up-regulation of miR-297 induced by Al 2 O 3 NPs suppressed expression level of NKAP. • Suppression of NKAP triggered activation of Notch pathway in pulmonary inflammation. • AntagomiR-297 can specifically target lung via intratracheal instillation. • Inhibition of miR-297 in lung rescued pulmonary inflammation induced by Al 2 O 3 NPs. Up-regulation of miR-297 mediates Al 2 O 3 NPs-induced lung inflammation through activation of Notch pathway. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]