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This study introduces an automated test bench designed to optimize flocculation-thickening processes in the wastewater treatment industry. Addressing current challenges in operational efficiency and cost reduction, the test bench employs Model-Based Systems Engineering (MBSE) principles, leveraging SysML modeling within the CESAM framework. By integrating advanced technologies, including PLC programming and a closed-loop control system, this bench provides precise and efficient testing under varying operational conditions. Economic implications are explored, demonstrating the cost-effectiveness of optimized flocculation processes, which reduce chemical use and operational expenditures while enhancing water clarity and sludge management. The system's 3D modeling enables detailed simulations, aiding in both research and pedagogical applications. This platform highlights the potential of MBSE in creating scalable, robust solutions that contribute to sustainable water management. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Sludge thickening is a fundamental stage of treatment. This study investigated the application, in continuous treatment, of polymeric bubbles produced with cationic polymer P2900 and cocamidopropyl betaine (CAPB), a zwitterionic surfactant. The proposed reagent combination aims to form aerated flakes, solid waste structures, and rapidly rising air bubbles, ideal for treatments in compact units. Using this combination, it was possible to achieve a total solids concentration of 45% with the modified bubbles and 25% with the conventional water treatment. This level of thickening occurred under the following operating conditions: initial total solids (TS) concentration of 10 g L−1, a flow rate of 5 L min−1, saturation pressure (psat) of 3 atm, and polymer dosage of 10 mg (gTS)−1. The suggested mechanism of action involves the adhesion of P2900 molecules to CAPB at the air/water interface, forming a lining on the bubble surface. Additionally, polymerized species form due to the residual aluminum (Al) in the sludge, which would occur during flocculation in the helical tubular flocculator (HTF), adsorbing the micelles and bubbles of CAPB. The critical micellar concentration (CMC) of CAPB was 0.26 mmol L−1. Polymeric bubble technology can provide an efficient and cost-effective approach to sludge thickening in continuous treatment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Liquid modification is a widely established strategy of treatment for patients with dysphagia. The modification of liquid particularly by thickening or carbonation is a common approach to promote safe swallowing. Objective: This study sought to investigate how carbonated and/or thickened water modulates swallowing behaviours during swallowing in healthy young individuals. Methods: Thirty‐one healthy volunteers (9 men, 22 women; mean age ± standard deviation [SD], 25.7 ± 6.2 years) were instructed to swallow 20 mL of water, carbonated water and carbonated juice with and without added thickening agent. Electromyograms (EMGs) of the suprahyoid (S‐hyo) muscles were recorded to evaluate swallowing behaviours. Obtained S‐hyo EMG bursts was analysed using the following outcome parameters: onset latency, the time between swallowing que to onset of EMG burst; rising time and falling time, defined as the time between onset and peak, and between peak and offset, respectively; duration, defined as the time between onset and offset of EMG burst; and area integral value under the waveform. Results: Effects of thickening demonstrated the extended onset latency, EMG burst duration including falling time and the larger area of EMG in thickened liquid compared to thin liquid, but there was not much difference between thin and thickened carbonated liquids. Carbonation significantly decreased the duration including falling time for thickened but not for thin liquids. Conclusion: Patients with dysphagia can benefit from use of carbonated or thickened water while the effects on swallowing physiology may differ between carbonation and thickening. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

An apparatus simulating the swallowing process of liquid foods was constructed using a flow channel. In the channel, a circular cylindrical obstruction was fixed to serve as an epiglottis in the mesopharynx. The apparatus was designed with an adjustable gate for flow control to represent the processes of healthy swallowing and dysphagia. The parameters considered were the holding time and flow resistance controlled by the gate, which were assumed to indicate the swallowing reflex and power, respectively. When a Newtonian liquid with relatively low viscosity was used, the flow experiment performed using the apparatus under conditions of shorter holding time and larger flow resistance successfully reproduced a phenomenon similar to aspiration in a patient with dysphagia. In addition to a Newtonian liquid with high viscosity, non-Newtonian liquids thickened to various concentrations using commercially available thickeners were used. In flow experiments with these test liquids, the efficacy for aspiration prevention was inferred based not only on the viscosity of the liquid but also its elasticity, depending on its viscosity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The negative consequences of fast fashion have heightened concerns about the fashion industry's sustainability. Bacterial Cellulose (BC) has emerged as a promising biomaterial for sustainable applications in textiles and leather. However, dehydrated BC's low thickness and high stiffness pose limitations, reducing its appeal in diverse fields, including fashion, healthcare, etc. To address this challenge, a Plasticized BC-based interpenetrating polymer network (IPN) leatherette is investigated using an innovative 2-in-1 thickening process and a following softening step using Glycerol. The thickening process involves a novel "self-thickening" technique based on cellulosic mercerization and a formation of interpenetrating polymer network structure using BC and Silica skeleton. The fabricated BC-based material exhibits unique IPN structure and significant increase in BC thickness to 1.83±0.10 mm (≈ 16.64 times thicker), areal density to 2034.46±37.58 g/m 2 (≈ 16.33 times denser), moisture content of 31.09±0.48%, moisture regain of 45.12±1.01%, flexural rigidity of 3291.29±100.88 μ Nm, and improved bending modulus of 6.48±0.20 MPa (≈ 1035.27 times lower) compared to those of untreated BC. Furthermore, the durability of the Plasticized BC-based IPN leatherette is evaluated through five washing cycles, with the material retaining approximately 75.96%, 66.61%, 82.98%, and 77.39% of its unwashed thickness, areal density, moisture content, and regain, respectively. This study contributes to the value of BC-based materials in the textile and leather industries, offering a sustainable alternative to existing materials and production processes. Moreover, developing this novel 2-in-1 thickening process establishes a foundation for future research on BC functionalization in various applications, thereby contributing to sustainable development. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Study Design. Experimental study. Objective. We sought to elucidate the association between ligamentum flavum thickening and tissue buckling, and the clinical and imaging factors related to buckling by comparing the ligamentum flavum thickness on MRI images and within the actual tissue. Summary of Background Data. Ligamentum flavum thickening is a main contributor to lumbar spinal canal stenosis. Buckling of the tissue may contribute to ligamentum flavum thickening along with tissue hypertrophy; however, this association has not been established conclusively. Materials and Methods. Ligamentum flavum samples (135 ligament samples) from 70 patients with lumbar spinal canal stenosis were evaluated. The ligamentum flavum thicknesses on magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and in the tissue samples were compared to assess for the presence of buckling. The ligamentum flavum samples were divided into groups with or without buckling based on the difference between their thicknesses on MRI and in the tissues. The Pearson correlation coefficient test was used to assess the relationships between the LF thicknesses on MRI and in the tissues, MRI-tissue difference and LF thickness in the tissues, and MRI-tissue difference and LF thickness on MRI. Further, differences between the buckling+ and buckling-groups were compared using the unpaired t-test (LF thickness on MRI, LF thickness in the tissues, age, disc angle, and disc height) and χ² (disc level, disc degeneration, and receival/nonreceival of dialysis) test. Results. The ligamentum flavum thickness on MRI and in the tissues had a positive linear relationship, although the thickness was estimated to be significantly larger on MRI than in the tissues themselves. The ligamentum flavum with buckling had a larger thickness on MRI, less tissue hypertrophy, more severe disc degeneration, and was present in patients with a higher rate of dialysis. There were no differences in age and disc height, angle, or level between the two groups. Conclusions. Buckling of the ligamentum flavum coexists with tissue hypertrophy and contributes to perceived ligamentum thickening on imaging. Buckling of the ligamentum flavum tends to occur in less hypertrophied tissues and is associated with the grade of disc degeneration and the presence of other characteristics associated with spinal degeneration. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Studies conducted in interstitial lung disease (ILD) patients to assess diaphragmatic excursion and thickening fraction suggest a weak to strong correlation with pulmonary function parameters. However, diaphragmatic excursion velocity, a novel imaging marker, has not been correlated with pulmonary function and high-resolution computed tomography (HRCT) fibrosis score in ILD patients previously. Methods: We conducted a cross-sectional analytical study in 40 ILD patients during quiet (QB) and deep breathing (DB) to measure diaphragmatic thickening, excursion and excursion velocity using transthoracic ultrasound and correlated them with pulmonary function parameters and HRCT fibrosis score. Results: Most diaphragm parameters in DB correlated more strongly with lung function parameters compared to quiet breathing. Right diaphragmatic excursion, during QB and DB, showed positive correlations with forced vital capacity (FVC) z-score (r = 0.591, 0.676) and diffusion capacity of the lung for carbon monoxide (DLCO) z-score (r = 0.437, 0.438), and negative correlations with HRCT fibrosis score (r = -0.439, -0.425), respectively. In addition, right diaphragmatic velocity exhibited positive correlations with FVC z-score (r = 0.388, 0.667) and DLCO z-score (r = 0.139, 0.412), and negative correlations with HRCT fibrosis score (r = -0.454, -0.445). Right diaphragm thickening fraction showed positive correlations with FVC z-score (r = 0.330, 0.460) and DLCO z-score (r = 0.400, 0.426), and negative correlations with HRCT fibrosis score (r = -0.199, -0.237). Similarly, right diaphragmatic thickness indicated positive correlations with FVC z-score (r = 0.526, 0.614) and DLCO z-score (r = 0.298, 0.298), and negative correlations with HRCT fibrosis score (r = -0.398, -0.401). Conclusion: Diaphragmatic excursion velocity during DB showed a weak to moderate correlation with pulmonary function parameters and HRCT fibrosis score and may be utilized as a surrogate marker in ILD patients unable to perform pulmonary function tests or undergo sequential HRCT thorax in follow-up. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Currently, thickeners are frequently added to foods to ensure safe diets for dysphagia patients. Konjac glucomannan (KGM) is a commonly used food thickener with health benefits as an excellent dietary fiber, but its rheological properties, such as no yield stress and poor gelling, prevent its direct use as a dysphagia thickener. This study exploited the potential of KGM as a dysphagia thickener through its synergistic interaction with xanthan gum (XG) and investigated the effects of dispersion media (water, juice, and soy milk) on the rheological properties and oral tribology of the KGM-XG thickener. The KGM-XG thickener (15:5 mass ratio of KGM to XG) was added to the dispersion media in an amount of 0.3–0.9% (w/w). The results showed the thickener had the strongest pseudoplasticity and apparent viscosity in water, exhibiting weak gel properties and yield behavior; whereas in juice and soy milk, apparent viscosity decreased due to the medium components interfering with KGM and XG synergistic interaction, and weak gel properties and yield behavior were only exhibited at higher levels (> 0.3%, w/w). The thickener had better ability to resist deformation and recovery in water than in juice and soy milk. The Stribeck curves effectively reflected the oral tribological behavior of the thickened systems, and the addition of the thickener reduced the friction coefficients of water and juice but had no significant effect on soy milk. Overall, KGM-XG is a promising thickener for dysphagia diets and offers a viable strategy for adding more dietary fiber to dietary formulations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study introduces a new rotary draw bending method that utilizes a variable curvature bending die. Unlike traditional methods that bend tubes with a fixed radius, this method gradually deforms the tube from a large to a small radius. The curvature of the bending die is determined by using an involute curve as the equation for the geometric location of the variable curvature. Hydroforming technology, utilizing fluid under pressure, replaces the mandrel in the rotational tensile bending process. The research was conducted using a thin-walled AA6063 tube with a 13.88 diameter-to-thickness ratio. The bending process was examined at critical bending ratios of 1 and 1.6 times the diameter, with a 90° bending angle. The maximum pressure that can be applied in any bend radius ratio was predicted using the necking criterion. The simulation and experimental tests analyzed the effects of internal fluid pressure and bend die curvature on defects such as wall thinning in the outer curvature of the bend, thickening of the wall in the inner curvature of the bend, and cross-section non-roundness. The results indicate that, at constant pressure, the amount of thinning and thickening of the bent tube is significantly improved when using the variable radius bending die compared to the fixed radius die.

Thickening of the ligamentum flavum is the main factor in the development of lumbar spinal canal stenosis (LSCS). Although previous studies have reported factors related to ligamentum flavum thickening, its etiology has not been clarified. Furthermore, it is often difficult to set proper controls to investigate the pathologies of thickening due to differences in patient characteristics, such as age, sex, obesity, and comorbidities. This study aimed to elucidate the pathologies of ligamentum flavum thickening by comparing the dural and dorsal sides of the thickened ligamentum flavum in patients with LSCS. Ligamentum flavum samples were collected from 19 patients with LSCS. The samples were divided into the dural and dorsal sides. The dural side was used as a control to assess the pathologies occurring on the dorsal side. Elastic Masson staining was used to assess the elastic fibres. Gene expression levels were comprehensively assessed using quantitative reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction and DNA microarray analyses. Gene ontology analysis was used to identify biological processes associated with differentially expressed genes. The elastic fibres were significantly decreased on the dorsal side of the thickened ligamentum flavum. Genes related to fibrosis, inflammation, tissue repair, remodeling, and chondrometaplasia, such as COL1A2, COL3A1, COL5A1, TGFB1, VEGFA, TNFA, MMP2, COL10A1, and ADAMTS4, were highly expressed on the dorsal side of the thickened ligamentum flavum. The biological processes occurring on the dorsal side of the thickened ligamentum flavum were extracellular matrix organization, cell adhesion, extracellular matrix disassembly, and proteolysis. These are considered important pathologies of ligamentum flavum thickening. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study introduces a new rotary draw bending method that utilizes a variable curvature bending die. Unlike traditional methods that bend tubes with a fixed radius, this method gradually deforms the tube from a large to a small radius. The curvature of the bending die is determined by using an involute curve as the equation for the geometric location of the variable curvature. Hydroforming technology, utilizing fluid under pressure, replaces the mandrel in the rotational tensile bending process. The research was conducted using a thin-walled AA6063 tube with a 13.88 diameter-to-thickness ratio. The bending process was examined at critical bending ratios of 1 and 1.6 times the diameter, with a 90° bending angle. The maximum pressure that can be applied in any bend radius ratio was predicted using the necking criterion. The simulation and experimental tests analyzed the effects of internal fluid pressure and bend die curvature on defects such as wall thinning in the outer curvature of the bend, thickening of the wall in the inner curvature of the bend, and cross-section non-roundness. The results indicate that, at constant pressure, the amount of thinning and thickening of the bent tube is significantly improved when using the variable radius bending die compared to the fixed radius die. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study demonstrates the potential of an innovative anaerobic treatment technology for municipal biosolids (IntensiCarb), which relies on vacuum evaporation to decouple solids and hydraulic retention times (SRT and HRT). We present proof-of-concept experiments using primary sludge and thickened waste activated sludge (50-50 v/v mixture) as feed for fermentation and carbon upgrading with the IntensiCarb unit. IntensiCarb fully decoupled the HRT and SRT in continuously stirred anaerobic reactors (CSAR) to achieve two intensification factors, that is, 1.3 and 2, while keeping the SRT constant at 3 days (including in the control fermenter). The intensified CSARs were compared to a conventional control system to determine the yields of particulate hydrolysis, VFA production, and nitrogen partitioning between fermentate and condensate. The intensified CSAR operating at an intensification factor 2 achieved a 65% improvement in particulate solubilization. Almost 50% of total ammonia was extracted without pH adjustment, while carbon was retained in the fermentate. Based on these results, the IntensiCarb technology allows water resource recovery facilities to achieve a high degree of plant-wide intensification while partitioning nutrients into different streams and thickening solids. PRACTITIONER POINTS: The IntensiCarb reactor can decouple hydraulic (HRT) and solids (SRT) retention times in anaerobic systems while also increasing particulate hydrolysis and overall plant capacity. Using vacuum as driving force of the IntensiCarb technology, the system could achieve thickening, digestion, and partial dewatering in the same unit-thus eliminating the complexity of multi-stage biosolids treatment lines. The ability to partition nutrients between particulate, fermentate, and condensate assigns to the IntensiCarb unit a key role in recovery strategies for value-added products such as nitrogen, phosphorus, and carbon, which can be recovered separately and independently.

Background. The visceral adipose tissue has the greatest influence on disorders of the structure and function of the heart. Discrepancies in studies assessing the impact of obesity on the structure and function of the heart are apparently related to the heterogeneity of obesity and the fact that patients with varying degrees of visceral obesity were included and compared in the study. The effect of obesity on the heart in most cases is associated with thickening of the LV myocardial wall due to lipid infiltration and mild cardiomyocyte hypertrophy. In addition to fat infiltration of the intercellular space of the myocardium, with visceral obesity, intracellular accumulation of fatty acids occurs, which combine into triglycerides, which leads to steatosis of the heart. Intracellular accumulation of lipids, which in publications is called myocardial fat, ultimately leads to the death of a cardiomyocyte (lipotoxicity). These changes further lead to diastolic dysfunction with the possible subsequent development of heart failure, regardless of the influence of concomitant diseases such as arterial hypertension, diabetes and coronary heart disease. In a smaller number of cases, the predominance of LV dilation over wall thickening contributes to the development of systolic dysfunction. In the presence of diastolic dysfunction, subclinically pronounced systolic dysfunction may also be present. The presence of concomitant diseases repeatedly accelerates and aggravates the heart damage that occurs in obesity up to the development of dilated cardiopathy and severe heart failure, which should be called fatty cardiopathy. Thanks to a better understanding of the mechanisms of the development of fatty cardiopathy, it became obvious that this is a preventable and potentially reversible process associated with overweight, but more pronounced in people with severe obesity and the presence of concomitant diseases.Conclusion. Given the reversibility of heart changes in obesity, it is necessary to detect and combat visceral obesity and concomitant diseases as early as possible.

Purpose: Previous studies have confirmed that Achilles tendon occurs Achilles thickening after repair surgery of the rupture. Although this mechanism has been elucidated in the laboratory, there are few reports on its impact on clinical function. We designed a retrospective study to investigate the Achilles thickening after Achilles tendon rupture repair and its correlation between the elasticity and postoperative function. Methods: In this retrospective analysis, patients who underwent surgical treatment for acute Achilles tendon rupture from April 2016 to April 2020 were included. All the patients were regularly followed up at 3 months, 1 year, and 2 years after surgery. American Orthopaedic Foot Ankle Surgeon (AOFAS) scale and Leppilahti score were used to evaluate functional outcomes. Achilles elasticity was measured by ultrasound shear wave of elasticity. Achilles thickening was calculated as maximal transverse and longitudinal diameter in cross-sectional plane of magnetic resonance scan. Sample t-tests was used for different follow-up periods. Correlation between Achilles thickening and other factors were analyzed using Pearson's method. p 0.05) in every follow-up period. Conclusion: Achilles tendon thickens after surgery in the 1st year, but begins to gradually return to thinning about 2 years after surgery. There was no significant correlation between the increase and decrease of thickening and the patients' clinical function scores, Achilles elasticity, and bilateral ankle dorsiflexion difference.

Copyright of Oilfield Chemistry is the property of Sichuan University, Oilfield Chemistry Editorial Office and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

A salt-tolerant polymer based on hydrophobically associating water-soluble polymers of 1-vinyl-2-pyrrolidone, allyl polyethylene glycol, acrylamide, and N,N′-dimethyl octadecyl allyl ammonium chloride has been synthesized. Salt thickening and rheological performance of the polymer solutions have been studied. Polymer solutions have demonstrated an excellent uninterruptedly thickening ability within a wide range of salt concentrations. When concentrations of NaCl and CaCl2 reached 19.9 and 19.3%, the apparent viscosity of a 1% polymer solution increased to 660 and 330 mPa s, respectively. Meanwhile, polymer solutions containing high NaCl or CaCl2 concentrations showed good viscoelasticity, shear resistance, and temperature resistance. A scanning electron microscopy showed that increase in a salt concentration enhanced the hydrophobic association strength of polymer solutions and increased the density of the formed network structure, which was macroscopically manifested as a viscosity increase. The results of this study may promote the research and development of polymers resistant to extreme salt concentrations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) is a clear example of an “organized anarchy” within agenda setting literature; meaning that ASEAN has problematic preferences due to its multiple conflicting goals, relies on unclear methods to accomplish those goals, and experiences fluid participation of its members and leaders. This leaves the organization a case study in the path dependency of norms, as ASEAN typically defaults to its founding principles of non-interference, economic inter-connectivity, and regional “centrality” during crises. The research question was on the examples of variation when ASEAN broadens the scope of its mission. The research aimed to answer by framing ASEAN as a subsystem of Southeast Asian regionalism and conducting a comparative historical analysis of three case study periods: the creation of the ASEAN Regional Forum (ARF), the failure to reach a joint communique in 2012 over tensions in the South China Sea, and the ongoing crisis of human rights and governance in Myanmar. The case studies demonstrate that the most effective broadening forces for ASEAN are exogenous. The conclusion argues that this is a problematic status quo for a regional organization that seeks to promote its centrality to counter interference from outside powers.

The polymer flocculants applied to mineral tailings suspensions to aggregate fine particles and thereby enhance solid-liquid separation are also used in a range of other industrial applications. As a consequence, their synthesis, degradation and general solution properties have been extensively reviewed. The polymer's state in solution can vary substantially, and given flocculation activity is closely related to this property, it is surprising there is no systematic review of the many factors at play in maximising flocculant solution activity in tailings applications. At the simplest level these factors influence applied dosages and thereby reagent consumption, but sub-optimal activity can impose performance limits on solid-liquid separation unit operations, with potential adverse effects on downstream tailings properties and both the volume and quality of returned process water. All aspects impacting upon likely polymer flocculant activity are considered, including physical forms, stock solution preparation (dissolution and ageing), water chemistry, mechanical forces in mixing and transport, dilution prior to dosing, temperature effects and dosing locations. Special attention is given to insights gained from studies on industrial tailings suspensions, noting how these may vary due to different operational priorities and conditions. Finally, potential opportunities for research that could contribute to more effective flocculant utilization are discussed. [Display omitted] • Polymer flocculants aggregate fine particles within mineral tailings suspensions. • Aggregation is essential to achieve high throughputs from solid-liquid separation. • Flocculant activity is sensitive to solution make-up, handling and dosing conditions. • Studies on flocculant activity and the factors affecting it are critically reviewed. • Practical strategies to maximise flocculant solution activity are outlined. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Previous studies have confirmed that Achilles tendon occurs Achilles thickening after repair surgery of the rupture. Although this mechanism has been elucidated in the laboratory, there are few reports on its impact on clinical function. We designed a retrospective study to investigate the Achilles thickening after Achilles tendon rupture repair and its correlation between the elasticity and postoperative function. In this retrospective analysis, patients who underwent surgical treatment for acute Achilles tendon rupture from April 2016 to April 2020 were included. All the patients were regularly followed up at 3 months, 1 year, and 2 years after surgery. American Orthopaedic Foot Ankle Surgeon (AOFAS) scale and Leppilahti score were used to evaluate functional outcomes. Achilles elasticity was measured by ultrasound shear wave of elasticity. Achilles thickening was calculated as maximal transverse and longitudinal diameter in cross-sectional plane of magnetic resonance scan. Sample t -tests was used for different follow-up periods. Correlation between Achilles thickening and other factors were analyzed using Pearson's method. p < 0.05 indicates a statistically significant difference. AOFAS scale and Leppilahti score at 1 year were significantly higher than at 3 months postoperatively (both p < 0.001). These functional scales were also improved at 2-year follow-up significantly (both p < 0.001). The dorsiflexion difference showed gradually recovery in each follow-up period (t = −17.907, p < 0.001). The elasticity of the Achilles appeared to continuously decreases during the postoperative follow-up period in all position sets (p < 0.001). In thickening evaluation, the cross-sectional area of the thickest plane of Achilles was significantly higher at 1 year postoperatively (310.5 ± 25.2) mm2 than that at 3 months postoperatively ((278.0 ± 26.2) mm2, t = −8.219, p < 0.001) and became thinner in 2-year magnetic resonance scan ((256.1 ± 15.1) mm2, t = 16.769, p < 0.001). The correlations between Achilles thickening, elasticity, and functional outcome did not show statistical significance (p > 0.05) in every follow-up period. Achilles tendon thickens after surgery in the 1st year, but begins to gradually return to thinning about 2 years after surgery. There was no significant correlation between the increase and decrease of thickening and the patients' clinical function scores, Achilles elasticity, and bilateral ankle dorsiflexion difference. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article presents the laboratory-scale studies on processibility of fine-grained old tailings at Kovdor GOK. Effect of collecting agents represented by fat tall oil acids (FTOA) is investigated. The froth flotation tests show high selectivity of agent Berol-2015 relative to apatite. From the lab-scale tests, it is found that with collector FTOA, the P2O5 content of concentrate is not higher than 24.4% despite a high degree of desliming of flotation feed ( %). With collector Berol-2015, the concentrate content of P2O5 reaches 35.0–37.7% without preliminary desliming. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The mine tailings filling slurry material is composed of a tailing mortar body, cementing agent, and concentrated water. The stability of the mass concentration of tail mortar is related to the stability of the mass concentration of filling slurry preparation, and at the same time, it determines the highest mass concentration of filling slurry preparation, which is the core element of filling slurry preparation, and also the key to filling cost and quality control. The warehouse thickening equipment in the field of mine tailings filling mainly includes sand silo, deep cone thickener, deep cone thickener and sand silo combination dense, and paste storage thickener. The paste storage thickener has no rake system, and the paste storage thickener can reliably store high-concentration tail mortar for a long time, to solve the outstanding space-time contradiction relationship of "mining-beneficiation-filling" in mines, and can be applied to mines of various sizes through a series combination, and has been widely used in recent years. In a gold mine, the industrial application of paste storage thickener technology was carried out, tailings-0. 038 mm accounted for 66. 52 %, the solids content of thickener overflow water was less than 200×10-6, the mass concentration of the underflow tail mortar of the thickener reached 56 %, the fluctuation in the process was ＜1 %, the sand concentration was stable, the mass concentration of filling slurry was 59 %-61 %, and the volume water secretion rate of filling slurry was ＜3 %. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Little is known about the evolution of diaphragmatic function in the early post-cardiac surgery period. The main purpose of this work is to describe its evolution using ultrasound measurements of muscular excursion and thickening fraction (TF). Single-center prospective study of 79 consecutive uncomplicated elective cardiac surgery patients, using motion-mode during quiet unassisted breathing. Excursion and TF were measured sequentially for each patient [pre-operative (D1), 1 day (D2) and 5 days (D3) after surgery]. Pre-operative median for right and left hemidiaphragmatic excursions were 1.8 (IQR 1.6 to 2.1) cm and 1.7 (1.4 to 2.0) cm, respectively. Pre-operative median right and left thickening fractions were 28 (19 to 36) % and 33 (22 to 51) %, respectively. At D2, there was a reduction in both excursion (right: 1.5 (1.1 to 1.8) cm, p

The pathogenesis of primary glenohumeral arthritis (GHOA) is mediated by a complex interaction between osseous anatomy and the surrounding soft tissues. Recently, there has been growing interest in characterizing the association between the anterior shoulder joint capsule and primary GHOA because of the potential for targeted treatment interventions. Emerging evidence has shown substantial synovitis, fibrosis, and mixed inflammatory cell infiltrate in the anterior capsule of osteoarthritic shoulders. In addition, increased thickening of the anterior shoulder joint capsule has been associated with greater posterior glenoid wear and humeral head subluxation. While these findings suggest that anterior capsular disease may play a causative role in the etiology and progression of eccentric GHOA, further studies are needed to support this association. The purpose of this article is to review the pathogenesis of primary GHOA, contextualize current hypotheses regarding the role of the anterior capsule in the disease process, and provide directions for future research.

Thickness thinning is one of the processing defects that tend to occur in traditional stamping or mechanical bending of plate (tube). In the field of high mechanical performance requirements (such as pressure vessel), the thinning phenomenon can not be ignored. Thermal stress forming has excellent characteristics of forming without thinning, but the forming angle of the method is small, thus limiting the promotion and application of the process in the field of forming. To solve the problem, an applying baffles method (ABM) to both ends of workpiece based on thermal stress forming is proposed. A coupled thermodynamic model about ABM is developed, and the bending angle and deformation mechanism are investigated. Finally, the grain size and thickness of the deformed region are observed. The results show that ABM can increase the bending angle by 14.26 times compared with the traditional method. The bending angle of ABM is determined by both the temperature difference and the baffle, and the baffle plays a major role. Compared with the traditional method, ABM can obtain smaller grain size and increase the microhardness by 1.39 times. ABM can increase the thickness of the upper surface by 121 μm and the thickness of the lower surface by 47 μm. For upper surface thickening, ABM is 9.31 times greater than the traditional method. This thickening will effectively avoid thinning problems in stamping (mechanical bending). This method can make thermal stress forming a high-quality process in the forming field.

Copyright of Journal of Scientific Development for Studies & Research (JSD) is the property of Journal of Scientific Development for Studies & Research (JSD) and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Tailings disposal in the form of diluted slurries has a tendency for particle size segregation, where coarse particles settle near the discharge point, and finer particles are carried by the water flux to more distant regions. This causes a loss of reservoir capacity due to voids between the coarser particles and increased water content in the deposit. This work aimed to evaluate the feasibility of reaching non-segregable high-density slurries with fine tailings from the niobium oreflotation process and measure its disposal parameters. The innovation is to achieve increased solids percentage in the settled deposit and to avoid particle size segregation along the slurry path with niobium tailings. The study involved physical, chemical, and mineralogical characterization and semi-pilot thickening tests to produce enough volume of underflow with different bed heights and solids flux rates. Slump, rheology, and flume tests were performed to evaluate underflow disposal characteristics. The results indicated that the thickener bed height did not significantly influence the underflow solids content, yield stress, or slump. The solids flux rate, on the other side, had a greater influence—the higher it was, the lower the solids content, yield stress, and disposal angle, along with a higher slump. In flume tests, a high density of non-segregable tailings slurry was achieved with 1.96 t/m3, corresponding to an underflow with 66.8% solids, 43.9 Pa of yield stress with 0.5 (t/h)/m2, and 0.5 m of bed height. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this paper, an adaptive approach has been developed for automatic initialization of the thickening curve using machine vision technology, which makes it possible to determine with high accuracy the material parameters necessary for the design of thickening and clarification apparatuses. Software has been developed that made it possible to search for the coordinates of the condensation critical point in automatic mode. Studies on two samples of materials (tailings of apatite-containing ores and gold-bearing concentrate) were carried out and made it possible to statistically prove the reproducibility of the results obtained using the parametric criteria of Fisher and Bartlett. It has been established that the deposition curves are approximated with high accuracy by the Weibull model, which, together with the piecewise linear approximation, makes it possible to formalize the method for determining the critical point coordinates. The empirical coefficients of the Weibull model for two samples are found, and the final liquefaction and settling rates of the studied materials are determined.

Natural graphite ores are usually upgraded by froth flotation. However, complex processes with multistage grinding and flotation are required to achieve decent liberation and separation of graphite and gangue minerals. This study reports a short and improved flotation process for fine flake graphite ore by employing a thickening stage. The results indicated that increasing the regrinding concentration via thickening can improve the grinding efficiency and, thus, shorten the separation process. With thickening, a high-grade intermediate concentrate of 96.01% was obtained after three steps of cleaner flotation, which is close to the final concentrate after five steps. Particle size distribution analysis and FIB-SEM-EDS studies suggested that the main contribution of thickening–regrinding was to achieve better abrasion rather than attrition of the graphite flakes, thus liberating the interlayer impurities without reducing the size of the graphite flakes. This study offers a more cost-effective pathway for the simplified flotation of natural graphite ores. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Flocculants play an important role in the solid-liquid separation of tailings slurry, and its dosage directly impacts on the dewatering efficiency of tailings. Herein, the influence of ultrasonication on flocculant dosage in dehydration process of unclassified tailings was studied. The effects of flocculant dosage on initial settling rate (ISR), underflow concentration, and effective settling time in the process were investigated in detail. The directivity characteristics of ultrasound transducers with different frequencies in unclassified tailings slurry was simulated by MATLAB. The morphologies of underflow tailings at different flocculant dosages were detected by environmental scanning electron microscope (E-SEM). The relationship between flocculant dosage and fractal dimension (DF) was quantitatively analyzed based on fractal theory. The influence mechanism of flocculant on the settling and thickening of unclassified tailings was revealed. The results show that the optimum flocculant dosage for the ultrasonically treated tailings slurry is 40 g/t, at which the ISR reach a maximum value of 0.262 cm/min and the final underflow concentration (FUC) reach a maximum value in 60 min. Compared with settling without ultrasonication, the optimum flocculant dosage is reduced by 10 g/t, the ISR increases by 10.45%, the effective settling time is reduced by 50 min, and the FUC increases by 1.65%. The fractal dimension of underflow tailings first increases and then decreases with the increase in flocculant dosage, the relationship of which is in accordance with Lorentz model. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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Sedimentation of ultrafine silica particles that exist in acid leaching pulp and their separation from Pregnant Leach Solution largely determines the efficiency of a hydrometallurgical process utilizing copper oxide ore. Thickener on a larger scale can allow longer sedimentation, generating low overflow turbidity but high economic input. In this paper, the flocculation behavior of quartz particles in sulfuric acid solution using nonionic flocculants polyethylene oxide (PEO) and polyacrylamide (PAM), as well as ionic cofactor montmorillonite (MMT) and nonionic cofactor tannic acid (TA), were investigated, with the dynamic size of flocs and counts of fines being monitored using an in situ particle size measurement technique, namely the focused beam reflectance measurement (FBRM), under turbulent conditions. Attention was paid to variables affecting quartz flocculation properties from both physicochemical and hydrodynamic aspects such as shear intensity. The flocculation mechanism was investigated using zeta potential and dynamic light scattering measurements. It was found that the TA promotes the bridging flocculation of PEO-quartz by forming associative complexes with larger clusters in solution, while MMT electrostatically adsorbs on the quartz surface, enhancing its bridging with PAM. Low turbidity benefited from the higher shear resistance of the compact flocs structure provided by PEO/PEO + TA/PAM + MMT. Efficient solid–liquid separation was achieved by using the synergistic flocculation of small molecule cofactors and polymer flocculants. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective Aiming at the situation that single-function fracturing fluid is difficult to meet the demand of shale oil and gas exploitation, a multifunctional polymer features drag reduction and thickening properties were compounded to realize one agent for multiple purposes. Methods A ternary hydrophobic association polymer PAAD-18 was synthesized by acrylamide (AM), 2-acrylamide-2-methylpropanesulfonic acid (AMPS) and octadecyl dimethyl allyl ammonium chloride (DMAAC-18) via free radical aqueous solution polymerization. The optimal reaction conditions were determined by single factor experiment. Then the structure characterization and performance testing were carried out. Results When the concentration of PAAD-18 is 0.1 wt%, the drag reduction rate is 71%, and the drag reduction rate remains above 70% at 10 m/s flow rate shearing for 10 min. When the concentration is 0.5 wt%, the apparent viscosity is 106.5 mPa · s, the viscosity retention reaches 74.6% at 90 ℃, over 52.1% in salt water. Conclusions Attributing to the significant temperature resistance, salt resistance and shear resistance, PAAD-18 is a multifunctional polymer for volume fracturing, which can be used as drag reducer at low concentration and thickener at high concentration. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• A series of thickening copolymers is synthesized via inverse emulsion polymerization, offering ease of handling and promising application prospect. • The copolymer exhibits superior surface and interfacial activity, thickening, thixotropy, temperature and shear resistance, and viscoelasticity. • Application tests indicate that the copolymer's effectiveness in gel-breaking, sand suspension, wettability and oil displacement, making it suitable for integrated fracturing and oil flooding in low permeability reservoirs. Polymer is an essential type of fracturing fluid. Nevertheless, issues such as slow dissolution, high initial viscosity, and challenges in storage, transportation and operation limit its application. To address these issues, a thickened copolymer P(AA-AMPS) was synthesized by inverse emulsion polymerization using acrylic acid (AA) and 2-acrylamide-2-methylpropanesulfonic acid (AMPS) as the monomers. Three P(AA-AMPS) copolymers were obtained by changing the weight ratio of AA and AMPS monomers. When the weight ratio of AA to AMPS monomers was 8.2:1.8, the P(AA-AMPS) copolymer solution exhibited the best interfacial activity, reducing the oil–water interfacial tension to 3.95 mN m−1. The initial viscosity of the copolymer was only 66 mPa s, but its solution could reach a high viscosity of up to 817 mPa s. P(AA-AMPS) copolymers demonstrated good resistance for temperature and shear. For instance, the viscosity of copolymer solution still remained 300 mPa s with a shear rate of 170 s−1 at 90 °C. Furthermore, P(AA-AMPS) copolymers had excellent gel-breaking capacity, sand suspension stability, wettability and oil displacement ability. Therefore, the integration of fracturing and oil flooding can be realized for the development of low permeability reservoirs by selecting appropriate copolymers. P(AA-AMPS) copolymers would play an important role due to their significant viscosity differences and easy operation on storage, transportation and application. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: The association between physician-reported and patient-reported outcomes in patients with psoriasis is not adequately explored. Trends in PASI scores across body regions and the descriptive correspondence between physician-reported PASI components and patient-reported Psoriasis Symptom Diary are reported here. Methods: PURE is a prospective observational study in adult patients from Canada and Latin America with moderate-to-severe chronic plaque psoriasis. The study enrolled 2362 adult patients treated with secukinumab versus other approved therapies (1:1 ratio). The PASI total score, PASI sub-scores for erythema, thickening, and scaling, and PASI scores for each body region were evaluated and further correlated with disease impact using the Psoriasis Symptom Diary. Results: Secukinumab treatment showed early reduction in the PASI total score (mean ± SD) from 13.3 ± 9.02 at baseline to 2.3 ± 3.99 at 3 months; a similar trend was observed for PASI sub-scores for erythema (4.8 ± 3.21 to 0.9 ± 1.44), thickening (4.3 ± 3.00 to 0.7 ± 1.33) and scaling (4.2 ± 3.04 to 0.7 ± 1.30). The reduction in PASI total and sub-scores were sustained up to 36 months. Psoriasis Symptom Diary component scores related to redness, cracking, and scaling showed a similar reduction from baseline at 3 months that was also sustained up to 36 months. PASI regional scores for each body region showed reduction at 3 months with disease in the lower limbs being more treatment resistant. Safety profile of secukinumab was consistent with its established safety profile without any new or unexpected signals. Conclusions: Overall, an early and sustained resolution of erythema, thickening, and scaling was observed. Improvements were evident across all body regions, with the most persistent disease seen in the lower limbs. Trends in disease severity, as assessed by physicians using PASI, broadly reflected the trend in the comparable questions of the Psoriasis Symptom Diary assessed by patients. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: Ultrasound (US) is increasingly used to evaluate enthesitis. One of the US features of enthesitis is thickening. However, there is no consensus on how the entheseal thickening needs to be defined, and existing cut-off levels have been criticized for being frequently positive in healthy controls (HCs). Our objective was to determine the frequency of thickening of entheses on US using the existing cut-off values in HCs and in patients with axial spondyloarthritis (axSpA) and propose new values to improve discriminative value.Methods: Eighty HCs and 100 patients with axSpA had US scans of 2160 entheses. Sensitivity, specificity, odds ratio (OR), and accuracy were calculated according to accepted cut-off levels from the literature and proposed cut-offs were calculated as the mean ± 2 SD.Results: Thickening according to current cut-off levels was found in 20.4% (196/960) of healthy participants' entheses and 33% (396/1200) of entheses of patients with axSpA. Thickening according to proposed cut-off levels decreased frequency of thickening in both groups, and therefore increased specificity at the cost of decreasing sensitivity. The only anatomical site where the thickness had a value to discriminate disease from health was seen at the triceps tendon enthesis with an OR of 13.4 (95% CI 4.0-44.8) according to the current cut-offs compared to 10.3 (95% CI 4.0-26.6) with the proposed cut-off levels.Conclusion: Although using cut-offs appears to be an appealing method to evaluate entheseal thickness, the measurements may be affected by several confounding factors, leading to a low discriminative value, except for at the triceps tendon enthesis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Wastewater from industrial enterprises of the phosphorus sub-industry creates environmental risks on a regional scale. Based on the results of industrial monitoring of the production of extraction of phosphoric acid and mineral fertilizers, the operating range of concentrations of fluorine ions (0.6–4.0 g/dm3) and phosphorus in terms of P2O5 (10–15 g/dm3) in industrial effluents was obtained. The change in the controlled components is due to seasonal phenomena, the technology used for processing raw materials, fluctuations in the total volume of wastewater. In laboratory conditions, an installation has been created that simulates the process of cleaning acidic wastewater by neutralization, as a result of which products are formed – poorly soluble compounds of hazard class 3–4. The difference between the laboratory and the industrial scheme is the recycling of part of the resulting sludge. The latter initiates the deposition process and reduces the sedimentation time. The recirculation coefficient of the precipitationd sludge, which is the mass ratio of the amount of solid phase introduced during the neutralization process to the mass of the solid phase formed as a result of the reaction, varied from 1 to 8. The recirculation coefficient was determined based on the ratio of the concentration of the solid phase formed as a result of the reaction (20 g/dm3) to the concentration of the solid phase after thickening of the suspension (100 g/dm3). It has been experimentally established that with a multiplicity of sludge circulation equal to three, higher indicators of the wastewater neutralization process are provided: a decrease in the consumption of alkaline reagent and pH from 10–11 to 7–8, an increase in the degree of extraction of phosphorus and fluorine compounds, a decrease in their concentration in purified water to regulated values (fluorine ions less than 0.05 mg/dm3 and phosphate-ions less than 0.2 mg/dm3) and a more advanced water circulation system at the enterprise. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Thickening of the ligamentum flavum is considered to be the main factor for lumbar spinal canal stenosis (LSCS). Although some mechanisms have been speculated in the thickening of the ligamentum flavum, there are only a few comprehensive approaches to investigate its pathology. The objective of this study was to investigate the pathology of thickened ligamentum flavum in patients with LSCS based on protein expression levels using shotgun proteome analysis. Methods: Ligamentum flavum samples were collected from four patients with LSCS (LSCS group) and four patients with lumbar disc herniation (LDH) as controls (LDH group). Protein mixtures were digested and analyzed by liquid chromatography/mass spectrometry analysis. To compare protein expression levels between the LSCS and LDH groups, the mean Mascot score was compared. Biological processes were assessed using Gene Ontology analysis. Results: A total of 1151 proteins were identified in some samples of ligamentum flavum. Among these, 145 proteins were detected only in the LSCS group, 315 in the LDH group, and 691 in both groups. The demonstrated biological processes occurring in the LSCS group included: extracellular matrix organization, regulation of peptidase activity, extracellular matrix disassembly, and negative regulation of cell growth. Proteins related to fibrosis, chondrometaplasia, and amyloid deposition were found highly expressed in the LSCS group compared with those in the LDH group. Conclusions: Tissue repair via fibrosis, chondrometaplasia, and amyloid deposits may be important pathologies that occur in the thickened ligamentum flavum of patients with LSCS. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aircraft joystick pipe is the key part of aircraft hard control system. In this paper, a hollow necking rod pipe made of aluminum alloy 2A12 is taken as the research object. The tapered roller with extrusion cone on one side of the roller surface is designed. Simufact.Forming14.0 was used to analyze. It was found that the radial rolling force at the end of the thickening section in the second pass increased sharply. At this time, the retaining part inhibited the axial extension of the metal and realized the accumulation in the thickness direction. The thickening rate and effect were favorable at 120 rpm, which provide a theoretical basis to realize integrated forming of aeronautical thin-walled aluminum alloy tube.

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[Display omitted] • Increasing the fluid's viscosity up to 55.4 cP reduces the Euler number by 12%. • If the viscosity is over 55.4 cP the concentration ratio could be reduced by 85%. • The efficiency is reduced by 37% if the fluid's viscosity is over 55.4 cP. • Thickening does not occur if the fluid's viscosity surpasses 38.2 cP. The employment of hydrocyclones in thickening operations is an attractive option when compared to centrifuges and filters due to their low operating, maintenance, and acquisition costs. However, the performance of hydrocyclone separation is impaired as the concentration of solids and the viscosity of the suspension increases. Using geometric optimization techniques, the Federal University of Uberlândia developed one concentrator hydrocyclone named HC. When working with diluted and Newtonian slurries, the HC could generate a stream 45 times more concentrated than the one fed into it. In this study, the HC performance was evaluated when operating pseudoplastic fluids containing up to 10% solids by volume. The combination of the underflow diameter and vortex finder length with an adequate supply of pressure energy maintained the thickening potential of the HC even when the rheology of the fluid was changed. For different working suspensions, the HC hydrocyclone achieved a minimum water split to underflow of 5%, a maximum concentration ratio of 7.0, and a maximum efficiency of 49%. The encouraging results obtained by the HC validated the benefits of the geometric optimization, as they point to a significant advance in the thickening operation of non–Newtonian sludges with a flow behavior index greater than 0.5. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Applications for bowel US in children have been well described; however, less focus has been placed on patterns of bowel wall architectural change in specific disease states. This pictorial essay reviews normal bowel wall architecture and covers a variety of inflammatory, infectious, vascular and neoplastic disorders outside the neonatal period as seen on US, with illustrative pathological correlation. A thorough understanding of normal and abnormal bowel wall architecture can enrich sonographic interpretation and provide a valuable adjunct to appropriate clinical investigation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aircraft joystick pipe is the key part of aircraft hard control system. In this paper, a hollow necking rod pipe made of aluminum alloy 2A12 is taken as the research object. The tapered roller with extrusion cone on one side of the roller surface is designed. Simufact. Forming14.0 was used to analyze. It was found that the radial rolling force at the end of the thickening section in the second pass increased sharply. At this time, the retaining part inhibited the axial extension of the metal and realized the accumulation in the thickness direction. The thickening rate and effect were favorable at 120 rpm, which provide a theoretical basis to realize integrated forming of aeronautical thin-walled aluminum alloy tube. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]