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The chemical method is one of the treatment techniques for the separation of oil–water emulsion systems. The selection of appropriate demulsifiers for each emulsion system is the most challenging issue. Hydrophilic-lipophilic-deviation (HLD) is a powerful semi-empirical model, providing predictive tools to formulate the emulsion and microemulsion systems. This work aims to apply HLD to obtain an optimal condition for demulsification of oil-in-water emulsion system—real industrial wastewater—with different water in oil ratios (WOR). Therefore, the oil parameter of the contaminant oil and surfactant parameter for three types of commercial surfactants were calculated by performing salinity scans. Furthermore, the net-average-curvature (NAC) framework coupled with HLD was used to predict the phase behavior of the synthetic microemulsion systems, incorporating solubilization properties, the shape of droplets, and quality of optimum formulation. The geometrical sizes of non-spherical droplets ( L d , R d )—as an indicator of how droplet sizes are changing with HLD—were consistent with the separation results. Correlating L d /R d at phase transition points with bottle test results validates the hypothesis that NAC-predicted geometries and demulsification behavior are interconnected. Finally, the effect of sec-butanol was examined on both synthetic and real systems, providing reliable insights in terms of the effect of alcohol for WOR ≠ 1.

Electrolytes have a wide range of technological applications. Despite the recent improvements in characterizing and predicting the phase behavior of microemulsion systems by hydrophilic-lipophilic deviation (HLD) and net-average curvature (NAC) frameworks, they are ineffective in the presence of different salts. This work seeks to bridge this gap by investigating the influence of salt nature on the microemulsion phase formulation. First, a one-dimensional salinity scan on different microemulsion systems consisting of sodium dodecyl benzene sulfonate as a surfactant, hexane as an oil and, several brines was carried out, and the effect of each salt on the phase behavior were precisely evaluated. The results for optimum salinity and solubilization parameter of different salts were consistent with the Hofmeister series. In addition, multiple linear regression model is presented to accurately predicting the optimum salinity of different salts using this research data and all the available experimental data. The results revealed that the values estimated by this model is in significant consistency with the experimental data by correlation coefficient of 0.92. Finally, the effect of salt type on the NAC parameters (length parameter, and characteristic length ) were evaluated to improve the predicting ability of this equation of state in the presence of various salts. We found that salt nature has a significant impact on both these parameters. It was found that the length parameter is linearly dependent on the optimum ionic strength of salts while the salting-out capacity of each salt was predominant factor affecting the characteristic length.

The study investigates the utilization of okra mucilage as an encapsulating agent for the development of magnesium hydroxide nano-capsules for oral drug delivery systems. Given the advancements in drug delivery systems (DDSs) and the emerging interest in nanostructured drug delivery systems (NDDSs), the potential of okra mucilage for nanoencapsulation is explored. NDDSs hold promise for enhancing therapeutic efficacy while minimizing adverse effects. Okra mucilage is known for its biodegradability, non-toxicity, and cost-effectiveness, making it a suitable candidate for encapsulation processes. The sol–gel encapsulation method is employed to fabricate the encapsulated magnesium hydroxide particles (EMgPs). The EMgPs were characterized using XRD, FT-IR, Raman spectroscopy, and FESEM/EDS, confirming the successful encapsulation of magnesium hydroxide within the okra mucilage. The hydrophilic properties of the EMgPs were also assessed through contact angle measurements, revealing promising wettability for efficient drug release in the digestive system. Release tests in a simulated digestive system environment demonstrated a controlled and sustained release profile (zero-order release) of magnesium hydroxide from the EMgPs with a rate constant of 0.75 and 0.2894 mg mL −1  h −1 in gastric phase and intestinal phase, respectively. The findings highlight the potential of okra mucilage as an encapsulating agent in oral drug delivery systems and provide insights for further research in the field of nanomedicine.

Surgical site infections (SSIs) are a critical concern in ophthalmic surgical settings, where rigorous hand hygiene is essential to prevent postoperative complications. This study aimed to compare the efficacy of two antiseptic agents, Septicidine and Betadine, in reducing bacterial contamination on the hands of surgical staff. Thirty ophthalmic surgeons and operating room personnel participated in the study. The participants scrubbed their hands with either Septicidine (alcohol-based antiseptic) or Betadine (iodine-based antiseptic). Bacterial cultures were obtained before and after hand scrubbing. The presence of bacteria, including antibiotic-resistant strains, was assessed and compared between the two groups over a four-month period at Sina Hospital in Hamadan. A total of 120 hand culture samples were collected. Both antiseptics significantly reduced bacterial contamination. However, residual bacterial growth was observed in 8 out of 120 Septicidine samples and 10 out of 120 Betadine samples. Although Septicidine showed a slightly lower rate of residual contamination, the difference was not statistically significant (P = 0.624). The most commonly isolated organisms were Staphylococcus species, some of which exhibited resistance to antibiotics such as cotrimoxazole, clindamycin, and vancomycin. Both Septicidine and Betadine were effective in reducing hand bacterial load, although neither achieved complete sterilization. Alcohol-based solutions such as Septicidine may offer benefits in terms of ease of use and skin compatibility. Improving iodine-based solutions such as Betadine application techniques may enhance its efficacy. Further research is warranted to optimize hand hygiene protocols in surgical environments.

In the presence of gravity or other external fields, liquid surface curvature deviates from a spherical shape and the surface configuration can be found by numerical integration of the Young–Laplace equation and the typical initial point for integration is the apex of the interface. The meniscus shape in large Bond number systems, which have the central portion of the interface flattened, cannot be determined with the apex as the initial point for integration. Here we find the depth of capillary menisci by considering an initial point for integration to be at the three-phase-contact-line ( TPCL ) and evaluate the curvature at the TPCL by free energy analysis and inspect the effect of different parameters on the interface shape. A new parameter—which is the deviation of equilibrium curvature at the TPCL from the spherical shape (SR)—is introduced and inspected and it was found that at a Bond number of 13 the maximum deviation, approximately 0.8 of spherical curvature, takes place while for large enough Bond numbers the curvature at the three-phase contact line is near the spherical shape (0.95 < SR < 1). A potential application of this approach is to measure the capillary rise at the TPCL to find the surface tension in high Bond number systems such as those with low surface/interfacial tensions.

Background A significant percentage of head and neck cancer (HNCs) patients receiving RT experience oral mucositis (OM). This study aimed to evaluate the effect of the polyherbal (containing chamomile, peppermint oil, Aloe vera , and honey) and zinc mouthwashes in comparison to the control (chlorhexidine) and placebo groups for prevention of radiation-induced OM. Methods This study was a double-blinded randomized clinical trial, conducted on 67 patients with HNCs undergoing radiotherapy. The eligible participants were randomized to receive either one of the following; zinc sulfate, polyherbal, chlorhexidine (Vi-one 0.2% CHX), or placebo mouthwash for 6 weeks. Follow-up evaluation of oral hygiene and the checklists of OM and the intensity of pain were filled out according to WHO assessment tool, Oral Mucositis Assessment Scale (OMAS), and Visual Analog Scale (VAS) in all the participants weekly for seven consecutive weeks. Results The results of present clinical trial demonstrated that the use of either zinc sulfate or polyherbal mouthwash significantly reduced the scores of OM and the severity of pain during weeks 2 to 7 after consumption compared with the CHX or placebo mouthwashes ( P  < 0.05). According to the post hoc analysis and compared with the placebo, a significantly better result was reported for zinc sulfate and polyherbal mouthwashes at weeks 2 to 7, but not for the CHX mouthwash. Conclusion This study showed that the use of zinc sulfate or polyherbal mouthwashes is effective in prevention of both OM severity scores and pain related to OM intensity at weeks 2 to 7 following consumption in HNCs patients. Trial registration IRCT20190123042475N1 and IRCT20190123042475N2. Registration date: 2019-06-09, 2019-07-26.

Lignocellulosic materials are a mixture of natural polymers which can be considered a great alternative source of chemical products and energy. Hence, pinewood, poplar wood, and rice straw, as representatives of different types of lignocelluloses, were subjected to several pretreatment types in order to increase ethanol production yield. All pretreatments increased enzymatic hydrolysis and ethanol yield, specifically pretreatment with phosphoric acid. This pretreatment increased ethanol yields by 304.6% and 273.61% for poplar wood and pinewood, respectively, compared to untreated substrates. In addition, a number of analyses, including a BET test, buffering capacity, crystallinity, accessible surface area, and composition measurement, were conducted on the pretreated substrates to investigate their structural modifications in detail. Accessible surface area, as one of the most important parameters for performance of enzymes and microorganisms in the fermentation process, was examined by the water retention value test. The results of this method (using centrifuge) showed that the maximum accessible surface area was related to the pretreated samples with phosphoric acid so that it increased WRV to 132.19%, 149.41%, and 68.44% for poplar wood, pinewood, and rice straw, respectively, as compared to untreated substrates. On the whole, pretreatments restructured and opened up the tangled structure of lignocelluloses, resulting in a considerable increase in ethanol yields. Moreover, in this study, for the first time, a new correlation was presented for each substrate which indicates the relationship between ethanol yield and structural features of the lignocellulosic substrate.

Background Water-pipe smoking is the most common type of tobacco used among Iranian women. The aim of this study was to explain women’s perceptions of their intention for quitting water-pipe smoking based on the theory of planned behavior. Methods The study was a qualitative content analysis which was carried out over 4 months in 2016 in Tehran-Iran. The participants were 26 women ages 18 to 45-years-old who smoked water-pipe and were selected through snowball sampling. The study was performed in hookah cafes, parks, and homes. The data were collected through individual interviews. The interviews were open-ended questions based on the theory of planned behavior. Directed content analysis was used to analyze the data. Results Findings showed that women did not intend to quit water-pipe in that time. Main contributing factors influencing not having intention of cessation were positive attitude and false beliefs toward hookah smoking, as well as having peers and family members who smoked water-pipe or approved its use. Although most females realized the obstacles associated with hookah cessation, they believed that quitting water-pipe smoking was up to them and could control more barriers. Conclusion Social pressure, positive attitude and false beliefs towards hookah smoking, as well as external and internal obstacles diminished women ‘s intention for cessation. Therefore, it is recommended to apply the theory of planned behavior into behavior change interventions in order to increase the intention to quit water-pipe smoking.

Groundwater samples were collected from 105 wells in the Jiroft aquifer in southeastern Iran in 2017 to assess the suitability of the groundwater for potable use using water quality indices including the Canadian Council of Ministers of the Environment water quality index (CCMEWQI) and the modified drinking water quality index (MDWQI). Groundwater quality was also assessed by a number of statistical methods and the use of piper diagrams. The assessment of the groundwater quality using the CCMEWQI indicated that 79% of the groundwater samples fell in the “excellent” class for drinking usage. The results of the assessment with the MDWQI indicated that all samples could be categorized as having an “excellent” quality for potable use. An assessment of the groundwater data with principal component analysis produced two principal components that accounted for 86.88% of the variance of the data. Factor 1 had strong positive loadings for Na+, Ca2+, Cl−, SO42−, TH and TDS. This factor is likely to be linked to the combined effects of aquifer mineral–groundwater reactions and the result of evaporative concentration. Factor 2 had a strong positive loading for HCO3−. HCO3− is likely to have originated from carbonate dissolution and the microbial respiration of organic carbon in the soil profile. About of 80% of the water wells that were categorized in cluster 1 were found to be suitable for drinking water usage. A piper diagram indicated that Ca2+, Na+, HCO3−+CO32− and SO42− were the dominant ions in samples that were categorized as belonging to cluster 1. In cluster 2, Na+, SO42− and Cl− were the dominant ions.

Surgical site infections (SSIs) are a critical concern in ophthalmic surgical settings, where rigorous hand hygiene is essential to prevent postoperative complications. This study aimed to compare the efficacy of two antiseptic agents, Septicidine and Betadine, in reducing bacterial contamination on the hands of surgical staff. Thirty ophthalmic surgeons and operating room personnel participated in the study. The participants scrubbed their hands with either Septicidine (alcohol-based antiseptic) or Betadine (iodine-based antiseptic). Bacterial cultures were obtained before and after hand scrubbing. The presence of bacteria, including antibiotic-resistant strains, was assessed and compared between the two groups over a four-month period at Sina Hospital in Hamadan. A total of 120 hand culture samples were collected. Both antiseptics significantly reduced bacterial contamination. However, residual bacterial growth was observed in 8 out of 120 Septicidine samples and 10 out of 120 Betadine samples. Although Septicidine showed a slightly lower rate of residual contamination, the difference was not statistically significant (P = 0.624). The most commonly isolated organisms were Staphylococcus species, some of which exhibited resistance to antibiotics such as cotrimoxazole, clindamycin, and vancomycin. Both Septicidine and Betadine were effective in reducing hand bacterial load, although neither achieved complete sterilization. Alcohol-based solutions such as Septicidine may offer benefits in terms of ease of use and skin compatibility. Improving iodine-based solutions such as Betadine application techniques may enhance its efficacy. Further research is warranted to optimize hand hygiene protocols in surgical environments.