Preparation and characterization of a novel polyethersulfone nanofiltration membrane modified with Bi2O3 nanoparticles for enhanced separation performance and antifouling properties

Mahsa Khorram,Farideh Nabizadeh Chianeh,Mozhgan Shamsodin 한국공업화학회 2022 Journal of Industrial and Engineering Chemistry Vol.114 No.-

The nanofiltration membranes were prepared based on Poly Ether Sulfone (PES) via the phase inversionmethod in the study. The membranes were subsequently fabricated through interfacial polymerizationbetween Piperazine (PIP) and Trimesoyl Chloride (TMC) monomers. Consequently, the fabricated membraneswere modified using Bismuth Oxide (Bi2O3) nanoparticles. Bi2O3 nanoparticles were dispersedin PIP aqueous solution (Nano Bi2O3-TFCaq) and in TMC organic solution (Nano Bi2O3-TFCorg) by two differentprocedures to investigate the effect of nanoparticles and the manufacturing process on membraneproperties. The prepared membranes were characterized via Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR),scanning electron microscopy (SEM) analysis, atomic force microscopy (AFM), tensile strength, andzeta potential analysis. The tests were performed to check the surface structure, chemical composition,and hydrophilicity of the modified membrane. Also, the salt and BSA rejection rate of the membraneswere investigated. Besides, both modified membranes were used to remove Hydrochlorothiazide(HCTZ) drug as the target pollutant. Eventually, it was concluded that the novel Nano Bi2O3-TFC membranescould be so useful in wastewater treatment.

A Cross Decomposition Approach for the Optimization of the Petroleum Product Supply Chain

Hadi Mohammadi,Esmaile Khorram 대한산업공학회 2019 Industrial Engineeering & Management Systems Vol.18 No.1

This paper addresses the solution of a two-stage stochastic mixed integer programming model for an investment of planning problems applied to the petroleum products supply chain. In this context, we present the development of decomposition techniques for the stochastic Benders decomposition and Lagrangian relaxation methods. The combinational technique of cross decomposition is a suitable one for exact solution of the mixed integer programming problems which uses simultaneously the advantages of Lagrangian relaxation and Benders decomposition methods that each reinforces one another. The basic idea for this technique is the generation of suitable upper and lower bounds for the optimal value of the original problem at each iteration. In this paper, as far as cross decomposition algorithm is concerned, we present a new hybrid Lagrangian relaxation algorithm for updating the Lagrangian multiplier set, based on the combination of cutting-plane, sub-gradient and trust-region strategies. The convergence of this technique regarding the convergence of Benders decomposition method in finite iteration numbers has been guaranteed. Results suggest that the proposed approach is able to efficiently solve the problem under consideration, achieving better performance in terms of computational times as compared to other techniques.

Dynamics and Stable Gait Planning of a Quadruped Robot

Ali Zamani,Mahdi Khorram,S. Ali A. Moosavian 제어로봇시스템학회 2011 제어로봇시스템학회 국제학술대회 논문집 Vol.2011 No.10

In this paper, dynamics and gait planning of a quadruped robot is discussed. To this end, using Lagrangian method the equations of motion are first derived. Then, an approach is proposed to eliminate the terms corresponding to the constraints caused by the feet on the ground. The obtained dynamics model is validated using Matlab SimMechanics. Finally, gait planning of the robot is developed such that the robot can walk with a given speed over a flat terrain while the robot center of mass remains inside the support polygon. Obtained results reveal stable walking of a quadruped robot based on the proposed approach.

Electrophysiology of Human Gametes: A Systematic Review

Darbandi Sara,Darbandi Mahsa,Khorram Khorshid Hamid Reza,Sengupta Pallav 대한남성과학회 2022 The World Journal of Men's Health Vol.40 No.3

Purpose: Oocytes and spermatozoa are electrogenic cells with the ability to respond to electrical stimuli and modulate their electrical properties accordingly. Determination of the ionic events during the gamete maturation helps to design suitable culture media for gametes in assisted reproductive technology (ART). The present systematic review focuses on the electrophysiology of human gametes during different stages of maturation and also during fertilization. Materials and Methods: The reports published in the English language between January 2000 and July 2021 were extracted from various electronic scientific databases following the PRISMA checklist using specific MeSH keywords. Results: Subsequent to the screening process with defined inclusion and exclusion criteria, 60 articles have been included in this review. Among them, 11 articles were directly related to the electrophysiology of human oocytes and 49 physiology department to the electrophysiology of human spermatozoa. Conclusions: Gametes generate electrical currents by ionic exchange, particularly Na+, K+, Cl-, H+, Zn2+, Cu2+, Se2+, Mg2+, HCO3 -, and Ca2+ through specific ion channels in different stages of gamete maturation. The ionic concentrations, pH, and other physicochemical variables are modulated during the gametogenesis, maturation, activation, and the fertilization process following gamete function and metabolism. The electrical properties of human gametes change during different stages of maturation. Although it is demonstrated that the electrical properties are significant regulators of cell signaling and are fundamental to gamete maturation and fertilization, their exact roles in these processes are still poorly understood. Further research is required to unveil the intricate electrophysiological processes of human gamete maturation.

Association Between the Risk of Multiple Sclerosis and Dietary Proinflammatory/Anti-Inflammatory Food Intake and Dietary Diversity: A Case-Control Study

Alireza Hatami,Maryam Ahmadi-khorram,Fatemeh Keykhaei,Ali Jafarzadeh Esfehani,Mohsen Nematy 한국임상영양학회 2024 Clinical Nutrition Research Vol.13 No.1

A diet rich in proinflammatory components and inflammation are suggested to be significant risk factors for multiple sclerosis (MS). This study aimed to investigate the association between the risk of MS and the inflammatory potential of an individual’s diet and dietary diversity through pro-inflammatory/anti-inflammatory food intake score (PAIFIS) and dietary diversity score (DDS). In a hospital-based case–control study, 397 participants, including 197 patients with MS and 200 healthy participants aged over 18 years, were evaluated. The history of smoking, dietary intake, and anthropometric characteristics, including body mass index, waist circumference, total body fat, and fat-free mass were assessed. A validated 160- item semiquantitative food frequency questionnaire was used to calculate the PAIFIS and DDS scores. The mean age of the participants was 32.45 ± 8.66 years, and most were females (274, 79.4%). The PAIFIS score was significantly higher among MS patients than healthy participants (p = 0.001). Between PAIFIS and DDS, only PAFIS was significantly related to MS risk (odds ratio, 1.002; 95% confidence interval, 1.001–1.004; p = 0.001). PAIFIS, as an index of dietary inflammation, can predict MS. Further studies are needed to document these findings.

Investigating the Cold Plasma Surface Modification of Kaolin- and Attapulgite-Bound Zeolite A

Mahboobeh Ejtemaei,Sepehr Sadighi,Mehdi Rashidzadeh,Sirous Khorram,Jan O. Back,Simon Penner,Michael F. Noisternig,Dariush Salari,Aligholi Niaei 한국공업화학회 2022 Journal of Industrial and Engineering Chemistry Vol.106 No.-

Hydrophilic zeolites with low catalytic activity are considered as suitable adsorbents for drying gasstreams containing olefinic compounds. In this contribution, the surface treatment of kaolin and attapulgite/zeolite A extrudates is investigated using argon glow discharge plasma. The zeolite is synthesizedfrom kaolin using the hydrothermal method. Surface and bulk characterization is performed using X-raydiffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), N2 physisorption, Fourier-transform infrared (FTIR)spectroscopy, temperature-programmed-desorption (TPD) of NH3 and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy(XPS) techniques. Plasma treatment increases surface area and pore volume, but it decreasesthe weak acidic site density of the extrudates. The obtained results show that attapulgite/zeolite extrudatesare more affected by plasma treatment than kaolin/zeolite extrudates. The catalytic activity ofuntreated and plasma-treated extrudates are compared with respect to coke formation resulting from1-butene and 1,3-butadiene. The plasma-treated sample is more resistant to coke formation (35%decrease compared to untreated one). The potassium contents of extrudates decreased as a result of sputteringloosely bound potassium cations on the crystal surface by argon ions, which led to a decrease inwater sorption capacity (by 15% of the initial sorption capacity).

Characterization of the produced electrospun fish gelatin nanofiber containing fucoxanthin

Aida Azarshah,Marzieh Moosavi-Nasab,Mohammad Khorram,Sedigheh Babaei,Najmeh Oliyaei 한국식품과학회 2023 Food Science and Biotechnology Vol.32 No.3

This study aims to prepare fish gelatin nanofibers extracted from fish waste by using electrospinning method and its encapsulation with fucoxanthin extracted from macroalgae Sargassum angustifolium. Four concentrations of gelatin and two concentrations of fucoxanthin were used under different voltage for preparing the nanofibers. The optimal conditions for producing the nanofibers were considered as 30%, 10 cm, 12 kV, and 5% for fish gelatin concentration, distance, voltage, and fucoxanthin, respectively. The average thickness of nanofibers was estimated 198 ± 0.073 nm. The FTIR results confirmed the presence of functional groups between fucoxanthin and gelatin. The loading efficiency of fucoxanthin in nanofibers and the free radical scavenging of DPPH were calculated 91% and 62%, respectively. Further, these nanofibers showed the antibacterial properties against bacteria. Based on the results, the fish gelatin nanofibers containing fucoxanthin can be proposed as a suitable coating for using in the food packaging industry.

Preparation of nanostructured pyrite with N₂ glow discharge plasma and the study of its catalytic performance in the heterogeneous Fenton process

Khataee, Alireza,Gholami, Peyman,Sheydaei, Mohsen,Khorram, Sirous,Joo, Sang Woo CNRS 2016 NEW JOURNAL OF CHEMISTRY Vol.40 No.6

<P>Pyrite nanostructures were prepared from pyrite ore particles using a simple and practical plasma treatment process based on the N-2 sputtering technique. The nanostructures were characterized using different techniques, such as XRD, FT-IR, SEM, EDX, XPS, and BET analysis. The performance of the plasma-treated pyrite (PTP) was investigated as a new efficient catalyst for the decolorization of reactive orange 29 (RO29) by the heterogeneous Fenton process in a batch system. 97.6% decolorization was observed in the PTP/H2O2 process, which was higher than the 38.4% decolorization efficiency of the untreated pyrite/H2O2 process. The effects of the operational parameters on the decolorization efficiency were examined, and the 97.6% decolorization efficiency was obtained with an initial RO29 concentration of 20 mg L-1, H2O2 concentration of 3 mM, catalyst dosage of 2 g L-1, pH 5, and reaction time of 90 min. The result obtained from the successive application of PTP in the heterogeneous Fenton processes improved the stability of the catalyst in long-term applications. A plausible degradation pathway of RO29 is proposed based on gas chromatography-mass spectroscopy analysis to explain the improved degradation of RO29 through the PTP/H2O2 process.</P>

Compression Properties of Weft Knitted Fabrics Consisting of Shrinkable and Non-Shrinkable Acrylic Fibers

Bakhtiari M.,Najar S. Shaikhzadeh,Etrati S. M.,Toosi Z. Khorram The Korean Fiber Society 2006 Fibers and polymers Vol.7 No.3

High-bulk worsted yams with different shrinkable and non-shrinkable acrylic fibers blend ratios are produced and then single jersey weft knitted fabrics with three different structures and loop lengths are constructed. The physical properties of produced yams and compression properties of produced fabrics at eight pressure values (50, 100, 200, 500, 1000, 1500 and $2000 g/cm^2$) were measured using a conventional fabric thickness tester. Then, weft-knitted fabric compression behavior was analyzed using a two parameters model. It is found that at 40 % shrinkable fibre blending ratio the maximum yam bulk, shrinkage, abrasion resistance and minimum yarn strength are obtained. It is also shown that high-bulk acrylic yarn has the highest elongation at 20 % shrinkable fibre blend ratio. The statistical regression analysis revealed that the compression behavior of acrylic weft-knitted fabrics is highly closed to two parameter model proposed for woven fabrics. It is also shown that for weft-knitted structure, there is an incompressible layer (V') which resists against high compression load. Acrylic weft-knitted fabrics with knit-tuck structure exhibit higher compression rigidity and lower softness than the plain and knit-miss structures. In addition, at 20 % shrinkable fibre blend ratio, the high-bulk acrylic weft-knitted fabrics are highly compressible.

Intrinsic kinetics of the Fischer-Tropsch synthesis over an impregnated cobalt-potassium catalyst

Hossein Atashi,Mohsen Mansouri,Seyyed Hossein Hosseini,Mohammad Khorram,Ali Akbar Mirzaei,Masoud Karimi,Ghobad Mansouri 한국화학공학회 2012 Korean Journal of Chemical Engineering Vol.29 No.3

The optimal amount of 15 wt%Co/10 wt%K/Al2O3 catalyst was prepared using the impregnation technique in order to study the kinetics of the Fischer-Tropsch synthesis. The rate of synthesis was measured in a fixed-bed micro reactor with H2/CO feed ratio of 1-3 and space velocity in the range of 2,700-5,200 h−1 under reactor pressure of 8 bar and a temperature range of 210-240 oC. The experimental data were best fitted by a Langmuir-Hinshelwood-Hougen-Watson (LHHW) approach rate in the form of −rCO=(k2K1PCOPH2)/(1+K1PCO). Furthermore, the data were fitted fairly well by a power law equation in the form of −rCO=kPCO 1.32PH21.42. The activation energies for LHHW approach model and power law equation were obtained as 138.5 kJ/mol and 87.39 kJ/mol, respectively.