In this study, we aimed at investigating the catalytic oxidative desulfurization (CODS) of the model diesel oil and real diesel oil using the vanadium-substituted Dawson-type emulsion catalyst ([cetrimonium]6+x P2W18–x V x O62 (x = 1, 3, 5)). Among all prepared samples, [cetrimonium]11P2W13V5O64 showed the best results in CODS of model diesel oil under determined conditions (10 g/L catalyst and O/S mole ratio = 4). The Taguchi method was then applied to optimize the catalyst dosage, hydrogen peroxide dosage, and the reaction temperature in CODS using the best emulsion catalyst. Then formic acid and acetic acid were used as a co-oxidant to improve the oxidation ability. Under optimum conditions, a mixture of H2O2/formic acid (1:1), in the presence of [cetrimonium]11P2W13V5O62 could remove 98% of dibenzothiophene and 82% of benzothiophene. Finally, under optimum conditions of CODS, 90% of total sulfur was removed from a real diesel sample. It is worth mentioning that we could recycle [cetrimonium]11P2W13V5O64, eight times without a significant decrease in catalyst activity.

The aim of this article is to study the extractive-catalytic oxidative desulfurization (ECODS) of the model oil containing several model S-containing compounds as well as N-containing compound using a heterogeneous vanadium substituted Dawson-type polyoxometalate catalyst under atmospheric pressure and temperature lower than 100 o C. The catalyst was prepared by ion exchange with alkyl ammonium derivatives covalently anchored to silica gel.The potential of this methodology was illustrated by oxidation of 100% quinoline and 80% of total sulfur in model oil containing 500 ppmw sulfur and 70% of total sulfur in model oil 1500 ppmw in less than 30 minutes of reaction, in the absence of solvent. However, when acetonitrile was employed as an extractive solvent, the desulfurization was increased considerably. Under the reaction conditions, activated catalyst and acetonitrile, solvent to oil ratio 1:6, could remove approximately 100% of quinoline, 95% of sulfur from 500-ppmw model oil, 87% of sulfur from 1500-ppmw model oil in less than 30 min. The catalyst is very active in ECODS and can be reused fifth times from 500-ppmw model oil and third times from 1500-ppmw model oil without an important decrease in activity. The ECODS could remove 83% of total sulfur from 1235-ppmw-S real diesel.

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The heart and the respiratory system are closely connected in such a way that disorders of one system would influence the function of the other. This unique case of silicosis complicated by corpulmonale associated with pericardial plaque formation in a young adult male is reported here due to an unknown complication of silicosis.

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Purpose Removing the bone flap is a compulsory step in open skull surgeries and is very cumbersome and time-consuming. Exerting large forces during the milling and cutting of the skull renders the surgeon exhausted and consequently increases probable errors in further task of manipulating the sensitive brain tissue. This paper aims to present the development of a robotic system capable of perforating and cutting the required bone flap without restraining the surgeon. Design/methodology/approach For the purpose of optimization, the target workspace is estimated by 3D modeling of the sample skull and bone flaps of targeted surgeries. The optimization considers kinematic performance matrices and the extracted workspace requirements by assigning scores to each possible design and finally selects the design with highest score. Findings The design utilizes a parallel remote center of motion mechanism. Coordinating the remote center of motion (RCM) of the mechanism with the center of a sphere which circumscribes the skull, the milling tool is always nearly perpendicular to the skull bone. The paper presents the concept design, optimization criteria and finally the optimal design of the robot and the fabricated prototype. Tests indicate that the prototype is able to sweep the target workspace and to exert the required forces for bone milling. Originality value The workspace requirements of the craniotomy/craniectomy surgeries are investigated and converted into one quantitative target workspace. An optimized design for a surgical robot is developed which satisfies the workspace requirements of the targeted surgeries.

ImportanceThe protein-based SARS-CoV-2 vaccines FINLAY-FR-2 (Soberana 02) and FINLAY-FR-1A (Soberana Plus) showed good safety and immunogenicity in phase 1 and 2 trials, but the clinical efficacy of the vaccine remains unknown.ObjectiveTo evaluate the efficacy and safety of a 2-dose regimen of FINLAY-FR-2 (cohort 1) and a 3-dose regimen of FINLAY-FR-2 with FINLAY-FR-1A (cohort 2) in Iranian adults.Design, Setting, and ParticipantsA multicenter, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, phase 3 trial was conducted at 6 cities in cohort 1 and 2 cities in cohort 2. Participants included individuals aged 18 to 80 years without uncontrolled comorbidities, coagulation disorders, pregnancy or breastfeeding, recent immunoglobulin or immunosuppressive therapy, and clinical presentation or laboratory-confirmed COVID-19 on enrollment. The study was conducted from April 26 to September 25, 2021.InterventionsIn cohort 1, 2 doses of FINLAY-FR-2 (n = 13 857) or placebo (n = 3462) were administered 28 days apart. In cohort 2, 2 doses of FINLAY-FR-2 plus 1 dose of FINLAY-FR-1A (n = 4340) or 3 placebo doses (n = 1081) were administered 28 days apart. Vaccinations were administered via intramuscular injection.Main Outcomes and MeasuresThe primary outcome was polymerase chain reaction–confirmed symptomatic COVID-19 infection at least 14 days after vaccination completion. Other outcomes were adverse events and severe COVID-19. Intention-to-treat analysis was performed.ResultsIn cohort 1 a total 17 319 individuals received 2 doses and in cohort 2 5521 received 3 doses of the vaccine or placebo. Cohort 1 comprised 60.1% men in the vaccine group and 59.1% men in the placebo group; cohort 2 included 59.8% men in the vaccine group and 59.9% in the placebo group. The mean (SD) age was 39.3 (11.9) years in cohort 1 and 39.7 (12.0) years in cohort 2, with no significant difference between the vaccine and placebo groups. The median follow-up time in cohort 1 was 100 (IQR, 96-106) days and, in cohort 2, 142 (137-148) days. In cohort 1, 461 (3.2%) cases of COVID-19 occurred in the vaccine group and 221 (6.1%) in the placebo group (vaccine efficacy: 49.7%; 95% CI, 40.8%-57.3%) vs 75 (1.6%) and 51 (4.3%) in cohort 2 (vaccine efficacy: 64.9%; 95% CI, 49.7%-59.5%). The incidence of serious adverse events was lower than 0.1%, with no vaccine-related deaths.Conclusions and RelevanceIn this multicenter, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, phase 3 trial of the efficacy and safety of FINLAY-FR-2 and FINLAY-FR-1A, 2 doses of FINLAY-FR-2 plus the third dose of FINLAY-FR-1A showed acceptable vaccine efficacy against symptomatic COVID-19 as well as COVID-19–related severe infections. Vaccination was generally safe and well tolerated. Therefore, Soberana may have utility as an option for mass vaccination of the population, especially in resource-limited settings, because of its storage condition and affordable price.Trial Registrationisrctn.org Identifier: IRCT20210303050558N1