IBS Therapeutic features Broad Array Antimicrobial Activity

Natural rubber (NR), with its excellent mechanical properties, has been attracting considerable scientific and technological attention. Through molecular dynamics (MD) simulations, the effects of key structural factors on tensile stress at the molecular level can be examined. However, this high-precision method is computationally inefficient and time-consuming, which limits its application. The combination of machine learning and MD is one of the most promising directions to speed up simulations and ensure the accuracy of results. In this work, a surrogate machine learning method trained with MD data is developed to predict not only the tensile stress of NR but also other mechanical behaviors. We propose a novel idea based on feature processing by combining our previous experience in performing predictions of small samples. The proposed ML method consists of (i) an extreme gradient boosting (XGB) model to predict the tensile stress of NR, and (ii) a data augmentation algorithm based on nearest-neighbor interpolation (NNI) and the synthetic minority oversampling technique (SMOTE) to maximize the use of limited training data. Among the data enhancement algorithms that we design, the NNI algorithm finally achieves the effect of approaching the original data sample distribution by interpolating at the neighborhood of the original sample, and the SMOTE algorithm is used to solve the problem of sample imbalance by interpolating at the clustering boundaries of minority samples. The augmented samples are used to establish the XGB prediction model. Finally, the robustness of the proposed models and their predictive ability are guaranteed by high performance values, which indicate that the obtained regression models have good internal and external predictive capacities.Plastic membranes containing deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) as an electroactive material were acting as Ca2+ selective sensors. Diethyl phthalate (DEP), dioctyl Phthalate (DOP), or nitrophenyl octyl ether (NPOE) were used as plasticizers and polyvinyl chloride (PVC) was the membrane matrix. A sensor with a membrane composition of 120 mg PVC, 60 mg DOP plasticizer, and 2 mg DNA ionophore (DNA DOP PVC, 1.029.20.1 mole) was found to have the best performance. The slope of the calibration graph was 30 mV decade-1. The optimum pH range was 5.7-9.5 for 0.01 M Ca2+. The sensor response time was fast (2-3 s) with a long working period (up to 3 weeks). Excellent selectivity for Ca2+ was indicated by the values of selectivity coefficients for different selected interference. The sensor was used effectively for the estimation of calcium in real samples (fruits, calcium syrup, milk, and dairy products).High thermostability of phase change materials is the critical factor for producing phase change thermoregulated fiber (PCTF) by melt spinning. To achieve the production of PCTF from melt spinning, a composite phase change material with high thermostability was developed, and a sheath-core structure of PCTF was also developed from bicomponent melt spinning. The sheath layer was polyamide 6, and the core layer was made from a composite of polyethylene and paraffin. The PCTF was characterized by scanning electron microscopy (SEM), thermal analysis (TG), Fourier Transform Infra-Red (FTIR), X-ray diffraction (XRD), differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) and fiber strength tester. The results showed that the core material had a very high thermostability at a volatilization temperature of 235 °C, the PCTF had an endothermic and exothermic process in the temperature range of 20-30 °C, and the maximum latent heat of the PCTF reached 20.11 J/g. The tenacity of the PCTF gradually decreased and then reached a stable state with the increase of temperature from -25 °C to 80 °C. The PCTF had a tenacity of 343.59 MPa at 0 °C, and of 254.63 MPa at 25 °C, which fully meets the application requirements of fiber in textiles.The aim of the present work is to evaluate the rate and mechanisms of the aerobic biodegradation of biopolymer blends under controlled composting conditions using the CO2 evolution respirometric method. The biopolymer blends of poly (butylene adipate terephthalate) (PBAT) blended with poly (lactic acid) (PLA), and PBAT blended with poly (butylene succinate) (PBS) by melt extrusion, were tested to evaluate the amount of carbon mineralized under home and industrial composting conditions. The changes in the structural, chemical, thermal and morphological characteristics of the biopolymer blends before and after biodegradation were investigated by FT-IR, DSC, TGA, XRD and SEM. Both blends showed higher degradation rates under industrial composting conditions, when compared to home composting conditions. This was confirmed by FT-IR analysis showing an increase in the intensity of hydroxyl and carbonyl absorption bands. SEM revealed that there was microbial colony formation and disintegration on the surfaces of the biopolymer blends. The obtained results suggest that industrial composting conditions are the most suitable for an enhanced biodegradation of the biopolymer blends viz PBAT-PBS and PBAT-PLA.Bistable morphing composites have shown promising applications in energy harvesting due to their capabilities to change their shape and maintain two different states without any external loading. In this review article, the application of these composites in energy harvesting is discussed. Actuating techniques used to change the shape of a composite structure from one state to another is discussed. Mathematical modeling of the dynamic behavior of these composite structures is explained. Finally, the applications of artificial-intelligence techniques to optimize the design of bistable structures and to predict their response under different actuating schemes are discussed.The purpose of this work is the synthesis of adipic acid ester and the study of the possibility of its use as a PVC plasticizer. The resulting butyl phenoxyethyl adipate was characterized by Fourier-transform infrared spectrometry, thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) and differential scanning calorimetry (DSC). The compatibility, effectiveness and plasticizing effect of butyl phenoxyethyl adipate in comparison with dioctylphthalate (DOP) were determined. The new environmentally friendly plasticizer has good compatibility with PVC and high thermal stability. The effectiveness of the plasticizing action of adipate based on the glass-transition temperature was 132.2 °C in relation to pure PVC and 7.7 °C in comparison to compounds based on DOP. An increase in the fluidity of the melt of polyvinyl chloride (PVC) compounds in the temperature range of 160-205 °C by 19-50% confirms a decrease in the energy intensity of the processes of manufacturing and the processing of polymer materials containing a new additive.We propose an environmentally friendly liquid exfoliation approach and subsequent freeze-drying process for constructing a three-dimensional (3D) carbon-based network by using few-layer graphene (FLG) and carbon nanotubes (CNTs) for electromagnetic interference (EMI) shielding applications. Systematic characterizations-such as X-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy, and transmission electron microscopy-as well as Raman characterization and EMI shielding tests were performed. The results indicated that the as-synthesized 3D-FLG/CNT composite obtained through the freeze-drying process exhibited excellent electromagnetic interference shielding. The shielding effect of FLG could be improved from 15 to 22 dB by introducing CNTs. The CNTs inhibited restacking of FLG in the structure. We also compared two drying processes oven drying and freeze-drying. The freeze-drying technique markedly improved the shielding effect of FLG/CNTs from 22 to 36 dB. The composition-optimized 3D-FLG/CNT composite could be a candidate material for use in EMI shielding.Herein, this work aims to fabricate well-ordered nanonetwork epoxy resin modified with poly(butyl acrylate)-b-poly(methyl methacrylate) (PBA-b-PMMA) block copolymer (BCP) for enhanced energy dissipation using a self-assembled diblock copolymer of polystyrene-b-poly(dimethylsiloxane) (PS-b-PDMS) with gyroid and diamond structures as templates. A systematic study of mechanical properties using nanoindentation of epoxy resin with gyroid- and diamond-structures after modification revealed significant enhancement in energy dissipation, with the values of 0.36 ± 0.02 nJ (gyroid) and 0.43 ± 0.03 nJ (diamond), respectively, when compared to intrinsic epoxy resin (approximately 0.02 ± 0.002 nJ) with brittle characteristics. This enhanced property is attributed to the synergic effect of the deliberate structure with well-ordered nanonetwork texture and the toughening of BCP-based modifiers at the molecular level. In addition to the deliberate structural effect from the nanonetwork texture, the BCP modifier composed of epoxy-philic hard segment and epoxy-phobic soft segment led to dispersed soft-segment domains in the nanonetwork-structured epoxy matrix with superior interfacial strength for the enhancement of applied energy dissipation.This review addresses polymer microspheres used as adsorbent for wastewater treatment. The removal of various pollutants (including dyes, heavy metal ions, and organic pollutants) is a prominent issue, as they can cause severe health problems. this website Porous microspheres can provide large specific area and active sites for adsorption or photo degradation. Enhancement in performance is achieved by various modifications, such as the introduction of nanoparticles, magnetic particles, and ZIF-8. Some microspheres were synthesized from synthetic polymers such as vinylic polymer and polydopamine (PDA) through a facile fabrication process. Natural polymers (such as cellulose, alginate, and chitosan) that are biodegradable and eco-friendly are also used. The adsorbents used in industrial application require high adsorption capacity, thermal stability, and recyclability. Batch adsorption experiments were conducted to investigate the optimal conditions, influence of related factors, and adsorption capacities. Insights regarding the adsorption mechanisms were given from the kinetic model, isotherm model, and various characterization methods. The recyclability is investigated through regeneration ratio, or their maintenance of their capability through repeated adsorption-desorption cycles. The high potential of polymer microsphere for the removal of pollutants from wastewater is shown through the high adsorption capacities, environmentally friendliness, and high stability.Intermediate crack (IC) debonding and concrete cover separation (CCS) are common types of debonding failures in concrete beams flexurally strengthened with fiber-reinforced polymer (FRP) composites. In this paper, a three-dimensional finite element (FE) model was developed to simulate the flexural behavior and predict the critical debonding failure in FRP-strengthened beams. The two critical debonding failures were considered in the FE model by implementing a cohesive zone model based on fracture mechanics considering the effect of the related parameters. The input values used for the cohesive zone model are modified in this study to obtain accurate and consistent predictions. The FE model was validated by comparison with experimental results tested by the authors for beams particularly prone to fail by either of the two critical debonding failures. The results obtained from the FE model agree well with the experimental results for both of the debonding failures and the corresponding capacities at failure. In general, the ratio of the experimental to numerical ultimate capacities was within 5%, and so was the ratio of the experimental to numerical mid-span deflections at debonding failures.