Explore the vast range of titles available.

The aim of this work is to fabricate supercapacitor electrode based on poly (3-hexyl-thiophene-2, 5-diyl) (P3HT) and single-walled carbon nanotubes (SWCNTs) nanocomposites with different ratios onto a graphite sheet as a substrate with a wide voltage window in nonaqueous electrolyte. Structural, morphological and electrochemical properties of the prepared nanocomposites of P3HT/SWCNTs were studied and discussed. The electrochemical properties included cyclic voltammetry (CV), galvanostatic charging-discharging (GCD), and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) were investigated. The obtained results indicated that P3HT/SWCNTs nanocomposite possesses higher specific capacitance than that present in its individual component. The high electrochemical performance of the nanocomposite was due to formation of microporous structure which facilitates ions diffusion and electrolyte penetration in these pores. The morphological micrographs of the purified SWCNTs had buckypaper structure while the photomicrographs of P3HT/SWCNTs showed that SWCNTs appear behind and front of the P3HT nanospheres. The specific capacitance of 50% SWCNTs at 0.5 Ag −1 was found to be 245.8 Fg −1 compared with that of pure P3HT of 160.5 Fg −1 .

Nanotoxicology is argued and considered one of the emerging topics. In this study, polyaniline (PANI)/2-acrylamido-2-methylpropanesulfonic acid (AMPSA) capped silver nanoparticles (NPs)/graphene oxide (GO) quantum dots (QDs) nanocomposite (PANI/Ag (AMPSA)/GO QDs NC) as a nanoadsorbent has a potential for removal of toxic hexavalent chromium (Cr(VI)) ions from water. The acute toxicity of this NC was evaluated on Artemia salina and freshwater Ostracods ( Cypridopsis vidua) larvae for 48 h. The measurements were made at 24 and 48 h with 3 repetitions. The 50% effective concentration (EC 50 ) values of the NC were determined after the exposure of these organisms. According to the results of the optical microscope, it was found that both experimental organisms intake the NC. In the toxicity results of Ostracods , the NC had a highly toxic effect only at 250 mg/L after 48 h and the EC 50 value was 157.6 ± 6.4 mg/L. For Artemia salina individuals, it was noted that they were less sensitive than the Ostracods and EC 50 value was 476 ± 25.1 mg/L after 48 h. These results indicated that PANI/Ag (AMPSA)/GO QDs NC has low toxicity towards both investigated organisms.

Mixed matrix membranes (MMMs) for reverse osmosis (RO) have become a significant target in various research. Herein, cellulose acetate membranes (CA) with Linde Type A (LTA) Zeolite Nanoparticles (ZNPs) were investigated as MMMs using the dry–wet phase inversion technique. Different percentages of LTA ZNPs were added to study their effect on the prepared MMMs. The hydrophilicity was studied by contact angle measurement. In addition, the performance of the MMMs was investigated through the RO unit cell using 10,000 ppm NaCl solution. It was shown that the salt rejection was found to be 86.8%, with a permeate water flux of 1.78 L/m2 h at 10 bar with 0.09 g of ZNPs compared with the pristine CA membrane which had a 96.5% salt rejection with a permeate water flux of 1 L/m2 h. On the other hand, the highest salt rejection obtained by this nanocomposite was 95.5% with 0.07 g ZNPs and permeate water flux of 1.3 L/m2 h.

An electrochemical deposition technique was used to fabricate polypyrrole (Ppy)/NiO nanocomposite electrodes for supercapacitors. The nanocomposite electrodes were characterized and investigated by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), X-ray Diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), cyclic voltammetry (CV), galvanostatic charge–discharge (GCD) and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS). The performance of supercapacitor electrodes of Ppy/NiO nanocomposite was enhanced compared with pristine Ppy electrode. It was found that the Ppy/NiO electrode electrodeposited at 4 A/cm −2 demonstrated the highest specific capacitance of 679 Fg −1 at 1 Ag −1 with an energy density of 94.4 Wh kg −1 and power density of 500.74 W kg −1 . Capacitance retention of 83.9% of its initial capacitance after 1000 cycles at 1 Ag −1 was obtained. The high electrochemical performance of Ppy/NiO was due to the synergistic effect of NiO and Ppy, where a rich pores network-like structure made the electrolyte ions more easily accessible for Faradic reactions. This work provided a simple approach for preparing organic–inorganic composite materials as high-performance electrode materials for electrochemical supercapacitors.

Thin film composite (TFC) polyamide membranes are crucial for efficient reverse osmosis (RO) desalination, offering high selectivity and permeability. This study investigates the fabrication and optimization of TFC membranes on polysulfone supports, focusing on their structural, morphological, and performance properties for enhanced desalination efficiency using the phase inversion technique, a method that enables precise control over membrane structure. Key fabrication parameters including the concentrations of m-phenylene diamine (MPD) and trimesoyl chloride (TMC), and the immersion times for both monomers were systematically varied to investigate their impact on membrane hydrophilicity, morphology, and structure. Hydrophilicity was assessed via contact angle measurements, Scanning electron microscopy was used to characterize the morphology (SEM), and structural properties were analyzed by Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR). The RO membranes’ desalination performance was evaluated by measuring water flux and salt rejection in a cross-flow setup with saline water (10,000 ppm) under controlled processing conditions. Results indicated that variations in MPD and TMC concentrations, as well as immersion times, significantly influenced membrane hydrophilicity and pore structure, affecting water flux and salt rejection. The maximum salt rejection and water flux for the prepared thin film composite reverse osmosis membrane were 98.6% and 19.1 L/m 2  h, respectively obtained at m-phenylenediamine concentration of 2 wt% and tri mesoyl chloride concentration of 0.1 wt/v reacted for 1 min. The study provides insights into optimizing TFC-RO membrane fabrication parameters to enhance desalination efficiency, highlighting the potential of these membranes for high-performance RO desalination applications.

Background Given the suffering experienced by cancer patients, effective solutions must be found to prevent painful and debilitating side effects of anti-cancer treatment. This trial aims to study the effect of preconditioning with photobiomodulation in preventing oral mucositis and xerostomia in cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy alone for the first time, and to examine its role in improving patients’ quality of life. Materials and methods This is a prospective, randomized, double-blind clinical trial including 45 patients divided into three age- and sex-matched groups. Group 1 received basic oral care instructions before undergoing chemotherapy. Group 2 received basic oral care instructions plus photobiomodulation using an intraoral 650 nm diode laser. Group 3 received basic oral care instructions plus photobiomodulation using a 650 nm diode laser intraorally and a 980 nm diode laser extraorally. Results After one week of follow-up, 73.3% of patients in Group 2 and 80% in Group 3 did not develop oral mucositis. The remaining patients in both groups experienced only mild erythema. In contrast, all patients in Group 1 developed oral mucositis, ranging from mild erythema to ulceration greater than 3 cm². After two weeks of follow-up, 80% of patients in Group 2 and 86.7% in Group 3 remained free of oral mucositis. The remaining patients in both groups experienced only mild erythema. In contrast, 93.3% of patients in Group 1 developed oral mucositis, with cases ranging from mild erythema to ulcers larger than 3 cm². There were statistically significant differences between the three groups in oral mucositis assessment scale after one week and after two weeks ( p  < 0.001). Specifically, ulcerative mucositis was not observed in both laser groups, while it was observed in 13.3% of patients in Group 1. However, these differences were not statistically significant ( p  = 0.129). Regarding Late Effects in Normal Tissue (LENT-SOMA) scale, there was a statistically significant difference between the three groups studied ( p  = 0.037). There was also a statistically significant difference in the Oral Health Impact Profile (OHIP-14) between the three groups studied ( p  = 0.003 after one week, p  = 0.023 after two weeks). Conclusion Preconditioning before starting chemotherapy, whether with the intraoral red laser alone or in combination with the extraoral infrared laser, has shown significant results in preventing oral mucositis and dry mouth, and it has also played a major role in improving patients’ quality of life. Trial registration This trial was registered in ISRCTN registry under no ISRCTN70634383 ( https://doi.org/10.1186/ISRCTN70634383 ) on 24/07/2023.

Oily water contamination has been sighted as one of the most global environmental pollution. Herein, copper hydroxide nanorods layer was constructed onto cellulosic filter paper surface cured with polydopamine, Ag nanoparticles, and Cu NPs through immersion method. This work has been aimed to produce a superhydrophobic and superoleophilic cellulosic filter paper. The structure, crystalline, and morphological properties of these modified cellulosic filter paper were investigated. Scanning electron microscope images confirmed that the modified surface was rougher compared with the pristine surface. The contact angle measurement confirmed the hydrophobic nature of these modified surfaces with a water contact angle of 169.7°. The absorption capacity was 8.2 g/g for diesel oil and the separation efficiency was higher than 99%. It was noted that the flux in the case of low viscosity solvent as n-hexane was 9663.5 Lm −2  h −1 , while for the viscous oil as diesel was 1452.7 Lm −2  h −1 .

This study is the first to use photodynamic therapy (PDT) mediated by curcumin and blue light for the treatment of recurrent herpes labialis. According to our study, PDT effectively accelerated lesion healing and reduced its recurrence. PDT may represent a promising, safe, and cost‐effective treatment option for this challenging disease.

Background Although dental implants have demonstrated very high success rates, they are susceptible to complications such as peri-implantitis that can lead to failure. Methods Twenty implants with surfaces grit-blasted using hydroxyapatite and acid-etched were randomly divided into four groups (five in each group). Three groups were assigned to laser treatments: Group I (erbium, chromium-doped: yttrium, scandium, gallium, and garnet (Er,Cr:YSGG) laser), Group II (650-nm diode laser), and Group III (808-nm diode), and one control group, Group IV. The surface roughness parameters (roughness average(Ra) and root mean square roughness(Rq)) were measured using a non-contact optical profilometer and scanning electron microscope to evaluate the surface topography after the laser treatments. Results Significant differences were observed between the laser groups regarding the surface roughness Ra (3.56±0.26, 3.45±0.19, 3.77±0.42, p =0.0004, p =0.0002, p =0.001) and Rq values (4.49±0.34, 4.35±0.26, 4.72±0.56, p =0.0007, p =0.0006, p =0.002) and the control group (2.81±0.10; 3.57±0.19). However, no significant difference was observed between the different laser treatment modalities. The scanning electron microscope images revealed some morphological changes on the implant surfaces following laser treatment, but no melted morphology was observed. Conclusions The application of Er,Cr:YSGG, 650-nm diode laser, and 808-nm diode did not show melting changes on implant topography. However, some increase in surface roughness was detected. Further studies are recommended to assess the effectiveness of these laser settings on bacterial reduction and osseointegration.

Background Odontogenic maxillary sinusitis arises mainly from dental origins, emphasizing the connection between dental health and sinus issues. Understanding these relationships is crucial for implant planning, sinus augmentation procedures, and managing post-extraction complications. This knowledge can help clinicians make informed decisions about treatment timing and approach. In this study, the influence of tooth periapical and periodontal conditions on maxillary sinus mucous membrane thickening using cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT) imaging was evaluated. Methods In this retrospective cross-sectional study, 124 patients who underwent CBCT for dental treatment covering 248 maxillary sinuses and 992 teeth were examined. Coronal and sagittal sections were examined to assess the maxillary sinus mucosal thickening (MT), the periodontal bone loss for maxillary posterior teeth, and their proximity to the maxillary sinus (RPMS). The mean ± standard deviation of quantitative variables was compared using a one-way ANOVA test. Multivariable logistic regression analysis was used to assess the relation between the different independent variables and MT of the maxillary sinus. P < 0.05 was considered to be statistically significant. Results MT was detected in 90 (72.6%) patients. We found 42 (33.9%) patients bilaterally. Grade 1 mucosal thickness was the most prevalent grade (72.5%), followed by Grade 2 (19.2%). Almost half the teeth examined were not in contact with the cortical borders of the sinus (56.0%). Most of the teeth showed mild to moderate periodontal bone loss (80.2%). Logistic regression analysis showed that the variables significantly associated with higher odds of MT of maxillary sinus occurrence were tooth location (second molar vs. first premolar AOR = 2.30, 95% CI: 1.29-2.79, first molar vs. first premolar AOR = 3.79, 95% CI: 1.82- 3.10, and second premolar vs. first premolar AOR = 1.57, 95% CI: 1.27-2.84), the relation of roots of posterior maxillary teeth to the sinus floor (Type 2 vs. Type 0 AOR = 2.27, 95% CI: 1.38-3.34, and Type 1 vs. Type 0 AOR = 2.24, 95% CI: 1.54-3.26), periodontal bone loss (severe vs. non-periodontitis AOR = 2.75, 95%CI: 1.29-5.86, and mild-moderate periodontitis vs. non-periodontitis AOR = 1.68, 95%CI: 1.19-4.93), and periapical and periodontal tooth condition (periapical lesion vs. extracted AOR = 32.7, 95% CI: 4.53-83.61, and no periapical lesion vs. extracted AOR = 19.8, 95% CI: 8.18-74.23). Conclusions Second molars, severe periodontal bone loss, and periapical lesions were associated with increased sinus MT risk, highlighting the need for dental health consideration in maxillary sinus management.