•Adsorption performance of natural and modified clays for organics are evaluated.•The effect of pH, Ci, surfactant loading on the adsorption capacity is appraised.•Langmuir and Freundlich are the ...most fitted models in the clays adsorption data.•Clay adsorption kinetics is predominantly based on the pseudo-second-order model.
Adsorption process has been widely used for treatment of wastewaters due to its simplicity and lower costs as compared to other traditional technologies. Among the alternative sorbent materials, the use of abundantly available clays for adsorption of organic pollutants has garnered increasing attention worldwide. Clays, in its natural and modified forms, have been extensively employed for the removal of organic contaminants from different wastewaters. The current review appraises the sorption performance of natural and modified clays for environmental remediation applications. The adsorption capacity of phenolic compounds, aromatic compounds, pesticides and herbicides, and other organic contaminants are comprehensively reviewed. The effect of the experimental conditions (pH, initial concentration (Co), surfactant loading, etc.) on the adsorption capacity is also appraised. Furthermore, the adsorption mechanisms, structures, and adsorptive characteristics of natural and modified clay sorbents are included. A statistical analysis of the adsorption isotherms reveals that Langmuir and Freundlich are the most examined models in fitting the experimental adsorption data. In addition, the adsorption kinetics is predominantly based on the pseudo-second-order model. The current review is an attempt to draw a prior knowledge about the technical viability of clay sorption process by assessing outcomes of the studies published between 2000 and 2018.
Recently, functional network connectivity (FNC, defined as the temporal correlation among spatially distant brain networks) has been used to examine the functional organization of brain networks in ...various psychiatric illnesses. Dynamic FNC is a recent extension of the conventional FNC analysis that takes into account FNC changes over short periods of time. While such dynamic FNC measures may be more informative about various aspects of connectivity, there has been no detailed head-to-head comparison of the ability of static and dynamic FNC to perform classification in complex mental illnesses. This paper proposes a framework for automatic classification of schizophrenia, bipolar and healthy subjects based on their static and dynamic FNC features. Also, we compare cross-validated classification performance between static and dynamic FNC. Results show that the dynamic FNC significantly outperforms the static FNC in terms of predictive accuracy, indicating that features from dynamic FNC have distinct advantages over static FNC for classification purposes. Moreover, combining static and dynamic FNC features does not significantly improve the classification performance over the dynamic FNC features alone, suggesting that static FNC does not add any significant information when combined with dynamic FNC for classification purposes. A three-way classification methodology based on static and dynamic FNC features discriminates individual subjects into appropriate diagnostic groups with high accuracy. Our proposed classification framework is potentially applicable to additional mental disorders.
•Performed classification using static and dynamic connectivity features in schizophrenia and bipolar disorder during rest.•Classification using connectivity features discriminates subjects into appropriate diagnostic groups with high accuracy.•Classification using dynamic connectivity features has significantly higher predictive accuracy than static FNC.•Combining both connectivity features does not add significant information for classification purposes.
A general and direct synthesis of <inline-formula> <tex-math notation="LaTeX">N_{p}</tex-math> </inline-formula> poles pseudo-elliptic inline filters having <inline-formula> <tex-math ...notation="LaTeX">N_{p}</tex-math> </inline-formula> purely real and/or imaginary frequency transmission zeros is presented. Using an appropriate model of the resonators (bandpass distributed or lumped element) and shifting the reference planes at the input and output of the filter network, a novel direct synthesis and realization of filters based on frequency variant coupling (inductive or capacitive) in the distributed domain is demonstrated for accurate modeling of narrow and broadband filters. First, a complete general synthesis procedure is described that allows for flexible or mixed topologies realizing transmission zeros anywhere on the frequency plane (including complex and infinite frequencies). Furthermore, by exploiting the power of modular design, a synthesis procedure that enables simultaneous extraction of reflection zero (a pole) and a transmission zero in the form of a symmetrical and physically realizable singlet as an elementary unit is showcased. The physical dimensions of the extracted singlets are independently determined in any chosen technology, and the overall filter is obtained by directly cascading the physical singlets. To validate this novel synthesis technique, three design examples are shown: a narrowband four-pole, four transmission zeros (fully canonical) filter from literature is synthesized and physically dimensioned, a wideband three-pole, three transmission zero (fully canonical) filter, and a broadband three-pole, one transmission zero, filter. In the first two examples, each of the singlet blocks was implemented in an overmoded rectangular waveguide cavity operating at the TE<inline-formula> <tex-math notation="LaTeX">_{201}</tex-math> </inline-formula> mode coupled at the input and output to the fundamental nonresonating TE<inline-formula> <tex-math notation="LaTeX">_{10}</tex-math> </inline-formula> mode. The third example was implemented in a re-entrant coaxial resonator operating at the fundamental mode. The simulation of the electromagnetic (EM) high-frequency structure simulator (HFSS) models of the overall example filters was in excellent agreement with the synthesized models, thereby validating the effectiveness of the proposed synthesis technique. Furthermore, the measured results of the fabricated wide bandpass filter showed close agreement with synthesis and EM model.
Although a number of recent studies have examined functional connectivity at rest, few have assessed differences between connectivity both during rest and across active task paradigms. Therefore, the ...question of whether cortical connectivity patterns remain stable or change with task engagement continues to be unaddressed. We collected multi-scan fMRI data on healthy controls (N=53) and schizophrenia patients (N=42) during rest and across paradigms arranged hierarchically by sensory load. We measured functional network connectivity among 45 non-artifactual distinct brain networks. Then, we applied a novel analysis to assess cross paradigm connectivity patterns applied to healthy controls and patients with schizophrenia. To detect these patterns, we fit a group by task full factorial ANOVA model to the group average functional network connectivity values. Our approach identified both stable (static effects) and state-based differences (dynamic effects) in brain connectivity providing a better understanding of how individuals' reactions to simple sensory stimuli are conditioned by the context within which they are presented. Our findings suggest that not all group differences observed during rest are detectable in other cognitive states. In addition, the stable differences of heightened connectivity between multiple brain areas with thalamus across tasks underscore the importance of the thalamus as a gateway to sensory input and provide new insight into schizophrenia.
•Questioned whether cortical connectivity patterns remain stable or task-dependent.•A novel analysis was applied to assess cross paradigm connectivity patterns.•Stable abnormalities and task-dependent effects exist.•Not all differences observed during rest are detectable in other cognitive states.
Adenosine is an ubiquitous extracellular signaling molecule and plays a fundamental role in the regulation of coronary microcirculation through activation of adenosine receptors (ARs). Adenosine is ...regulated by various enzymes and nucleoside transporters for its balance between intra- and extracellular compartments. Adenosine-mediated coronary microvascular tone and reactive hyperemia are through receptors mainly involving A
2A
R activation on both endothelial and smooth muscle cells, but also involving interaction among other ARs. Activation of ARs further stimulates downstream targets of H
2
O
2
, K
ATP
, K
V
and K
Ca2+
channels leading to coronary vasodilation. An altered adenosine-ARs signaling in coronary microcirculation has been observed in several cardiovascular diseases including hypertension, diabetes, atherosclerosis and ischemic heart disease. Adenosine as a metabolite and its receptors have been studied for its both therapeutic and diagnostic abilities. The present review summarizes important aspects of adenosine metabolism and AR-mediated actions in the coronary microcirculation.
This review describes new strategies for the non-covalent functionalization and dispersion of CNT using small molecules, such as commercial bile acid salts (BAS) and organic dyes. Efficient CNT ...dispersion was achieved due to the small size, charge and unique adsorption properties of BAS and dyes, which facilitated the bundle “unzipping” mechanism. The discovery of interesting electrochemical and film-forming properties of BAS and organic dyes allowed electrophoretic deposition (EPD) of CNT films by cathodic or anodic methods. Of particular importance is the efficiency of BAS dispersants in the sorting of CNT by diameter, chirality and length. These studies allowed for the efficient separation of SWCNT by electronic type and size, which addressed the urgent needs for many advanced applications. New dispersants allowed the fabrication of functional polymer coated CNT and development of advanced techniques for the fabrication of composites. Chelating dyes were used as co-dispersants for CNT and inorganic nanoparticles. The use of BAS and organic dyes for CNT dispersion has driven the development of advanced composites, films, aerogels for electrochemical, electronic, energy generation and storage, biomedical, sensor and other applications. Colloidal and interface chemistry of new dispersing agents is emerging as a new area of technological and scientific interest.
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Patients with chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) experience hypogammaglobinemia and non-neutropenic infections. In this exploratory proof of concept study, our objective was to determine the ...prevalence of humoral immunodeficiency in patients with CLL and serum IgG ≥ 400 mg/dL, and to evaluate the efficacy of subcutaneous immunoglobulin (SCIG) in this population.
Patients with CLL with serum IgG ≥ 400 mg/dL were evaluated for serum IgG, IgM, IgA, along with pre/post vaccine IgG titers to diphtheria, tetanus, and Streptococcus pneumoniae. Patients with evidence of humoral dysfunction were treated with SCIG with Hizentra every 7±2 days for 24 weeks.
Fifteen patients enrolled with median IgG = 782 mg/dL IQR: 570 to 827, and 6/15 (40%) responded to vaccination with Td, while 5/15 (33%) responded to vaccination with PPV23. 14/15 (93.3%) demonstrated humoral immunodeficiency as evidenced by suboptimal vaccine responses, and were treated with SCIG. In patients treated with SCIG, serum IgG increased from 670 mg/dL IQR: 565 to 819 to 1054 mg/dL IQR: 1040 to 1166 after 24 weeks (95% CI: 271-540). For streptococcus pneumoniae, the median protective serotypes at baseline was 8 IQR: 4 to 9 and increased to 17 IQR: 17 to 19 after 24 weeks (95% CI: 6.93-13.72). Non-neutropenic infections (NNI) decreased from 14 to 5 during treatment with SCIG.
Patients with CLL demonstrate humoral immunodeficiency despite IgG > 400 mg/dL. For these patients, SCIG is well tolerated and efficacious in improving serum IgG, specific IgG to streptococcus pneumoniae, and may decrease reliance on antibiotics for the treatment of NNIs.
NCT03730129.
Celotno besedilo
Dostopno za:
DOBA, IZUM, KILJ, NUK, PILJ, PNG, SAZU, SIK, UILJ, UKNU, UL, UM, UPUK
The use of bio-inspired polydopamine (PDA) chemistry for membrane development has attracted increasing interest in recent years. This paper reports on the fabrication of new nanofiltration (NF) ...membrane with a robust and permeable barrier layer based on dopamine assisted co-deposition strategy. Hydrophilic and hydroxyl-rich polymer poly(vinyl alcohol) (PVA) was used as the key building block for co-deposition, successfully entrapping it within the self-polymerized polydopamine (PDA) matrix with stabilization through intermolecular hydrogen bonding between PVA and PDA moieties. As a result, visibly denser, thicker and more hydrophilic co-deposited layers were formed on polysulfone (PSf) substrates compared to the pure PDA layer. The surface properties of the co-deposited layers were found to be sensitive to the amount of PVA incorporated within the coating layers, while the latter positively correlated with the content of PVA in dopamine coating solution. Further crosslinking with highly electrophilic trimesoyl chloride (TMC) as a covalent linker effectively tightened the co-deposited layers, yielding NF characteristics for the crosslinked membranes with negatively charged features. The NF membranes had notably higher water permeabilities with comparable Na2SO4 rejections at low operation pressures of 2 bar when compared with commercial and several lab-fabricated NF membranes. Furthermore, the NF membrane based on high PVA content of 10 mg mL−1 showed good protein fouling resistance and long-term performance stability.
•Co-deposition of polydopamine with PVA was used to prepare NF membranes.•Dense and hydrophilic co-deposited layers were formed by hydrogen bonding.•Crosslinking greatly tightened the co-deposited layers with high permeabilities.•Anti-protein fouling properties of the NF membranes were studied.•NF membrane exhibited good long-term performance stability.
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