Optimization of MnO2-Graphene/polythioaniline (MnO2-G/PTA) hybrid nanocomposite for the application of biofuel cell bioanode

This study reports the synthesis of a nanocomposite comprised of graphene (G) supported manganese dioxide (MnO₂) incorporated into the network of polythioaniline (MnO₂-G/PTA). The hybrid composite was applied as an electrode material for the development of a bioanode. The bioanode was fabricated by the electrochemical entrapment of ferritin (Frt) as mediator and glucose oxidase (GOx) enzyme in the matrix of the as-synthesized MnO₂-G/PTA deposited on glassy carbon electrode (GCE) surface. The structural features and electrochemical behaviour of the modified electrodes were investigated by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), cyclic voltammetry (CV), linear sweep voltammetry (LSV) and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS). The results unfolded that the hybrid electroactive support (MnO₂-G/PTA) employed for the immobilization of the enzyme (GOx) established an appropriate electrical cabling between the redox enzyme (GOx) and the electrode surface with the assistance provided by the biocompatible mediator (Frt) working to enhance the electrical signals. The developed GCE/MnO₂-G/PTA/Frt/GOx bioanode attained a maximum current density of 3.68 mAcm^?2 at 35 mM glucose concentration at a scan rate of 100 mVs^?1. Thus, the MnO₂-G/PTA/Frt/GOx modified electrode possesses high potential and good biocompatibility for bio-electricity production from glucose.     

Inhibition of Shigella sonnei and Shigella flexneri in Hummus Using Citric Acid and Garlic Extract

Hummus (chickpea dip) is a ready‐to‐eat product that may pose a significant risk to human if pathogens are present. Several organisms including Shigella spp. have been isolated from hummus. However, studies on the survival and inhibition of Shigella spp. in food are scarce. This study investigated the growth pattern of Sh. sonnei and Sh. flexneri in hummus at different temperatures (4, 10, and 24 °C). Additionally, the inhibitory activity of different concentrations of citric acid (CA) (0.5%, 1.0%, and 2.0%) and garlic extract (GE) (1.0%, 2.0%, and 3.0%) against Sh. sonnei and Sh. flexneri inoculated into hummus and stored at 4 and 10 °C was investigated. Both Shigella spp. survived well at 4 °C, while both grew to >7.0 log₁₀ after 4 d at 10 °C or 1 d at 24 °C. At 4 °C, CA at 0.5% and 1.0% resulted in a slight reduction in the count (approximately 1.0 log₁₀); a complete elimination of Sh. sonnei was attained by using 2.0% CA. However, approximately 3.0 log₁₀ reduction in Sh. sonnei was obtained at 10 °C. For Sh. flexneri, CA at 0.5% and 1.0% resulted in a bacteriostatic inhibition. GE at 1.0% and 2.0% resulted in approximately 1.0 to 2.0 log₁₀ reduction in Sh. sonnei count at 4 °C, while at 3.0% GE, approximately 4.0 and 3.0 log₁₀ reductions were obtained at 4 and 10 °C, respectively. In comparison, the 2.0% and 3.0% GE resulted in a bacteriostatic effect against Sh. flexneri at 4 and 10 °C.     

Radioactivity risk associated with the handling of compact fluorescent lamps

The objective of this work is focused in measuring the level of naturally occurring radionuclides in compact fluorescent lamps commonly used in Egypt. The activity concentration of radionuclides in the (238)U and (232)Th decay chains and from (40)K were determined through gamma-ray spectrometry measurements using high-purity germanium in a low-background configuration. It was found that the activity concentrations ranged from 45 to 198 Bq kg(-1) for (238)U, from 30 to 191 Bqkg(-1) for (232)Th and from 419 to 935 Bq kg(-1) for (40)K.     

Synthesis,characterization and application of nano-sized Co2CrO4 spinel catalyst for selective oxidation of sulfides to sulfoxides

The nano-sized Co₂CrO₄ spinel was produced for the first time by thermal decomposition of Cr–Co gel prepared by sol–gel method. It was shown that well-crystallized spinel structure is formed after calcination at 450 °C. The usual characterizations were performed and the results showed the particle size of the prepared spinel is 9 nm. Moreover, the prepared nano-sized Co₂CrO₄ spinel was applied in a simple, efficient and recyclable method for selective oxidation of sulfides to their corresponding sulfoxides with aqueous hydrogen peroxide in tert-butanol.     

Tropical wood polymer nanocomposite (WPNC): The impact of nanoclay on dynamic mechanical thermal properties

In this study, wood polymer nanocomposites (WPNCS) were manufactured from five Malaysian tropical wood species by vacuum-impregnation attended by in situ polymerization using phenol–formaldehyde resin and montmorillomite nanoclay. Percentage weight gain and density of wood polymer nanocomposites depended on wood species. Thermo-mechanical properties of wood samples were investigated by the dynamic mechanical thermal analysis (DMTA) over the temperature range of −100 °C to 200 °C. The intrinsic properties of the components, morphology of the system and the nature of interface between the phases were also determined through DMTA test. Storage modulus (E′) of WPNC samples exhibited significant improvement over the temperature range, in both glassy region and rubbery plateau in relation to their corresponding raw wood samples and wood polymer composites (WPCs). Furthermore, damping (loss tan δ) peaks of all wood species were lowered by PF-Nanoclay system treatment, an indication of improved surface interphase of wood. Dynamic Young’s modulus (E_d) of wood was also calculated using free–free vibration testing. A significant increment was obtained for the PF-Nanoclay impregnated WPNC samples.     

A review on oil palm empty fruit bunch fiber‐reinforced polymer composite materials

Natural fiber‐reinforced polymer composite materials have emerged in a wide spectrum of area of the polymer science. The composite produced from these types of materials are low density, low cost, comparable specific properties, and most importantly they are environmental friendly. The composite materials produced from oil palm fibers and commercially available polymers have offered some specific properties that can be comparable to conventional synthetic fiber composite materials. However, these properties are greatly dependent on the compatibility of oil palm fibers and matrix phase with moisture absorption as one of the critical issues that becomes the drawbacks of the oil palm fiber polymer composite materials. Apparently, it greatly affects the physical as well as mechanical properties of the composite materials. The present review reports the work on oil palm empty fruit bunch (OPEFB) fiber‐reinforced polymer composites with some interest on the OPEFB physical structure, and chemical compositions. Finally, the incorporation of OPEFB into polymeric materials leads to several interesting consequences on the water absorption characteristics and the mechanical properties, which have been reviewed. POLYM. COMPOS., 31:2079–2101, 2010. © 2010 Society of Plastics Engineers     

Quantitative metabolic profiles of 2nd and 3rd trimester human amniotic fluid using 1H HR-MAS spectroscopy

Object

To establish and compare normative metabolite concentrations in 2nd and 3rd trimester human amniotic fluid samples in an effort to reveal metabolic biomarkers of fetal health and development.

Materials and methods

Twenty-one metabolite concentrations were compared between 2nd (15–27 weeks gestation, N = 23) and 3rd (29–39 weeks gestation, N = 27) trimester amniotic fluid samples using ¹H high resolution magic angle spinning (HR-MAS) spectroscopy. Data were acquired using the electronic reference to access in vivo concentrations method and quantified using a modified semi-parametric quantum estimation algorithm modified for high-resolution ex vivo data.

Results

Sixteen of 21 metabolite concentrations differed significantly between 2nd and 3rd trimester groups. Betaine (0.00846±0.00206 mmol/kg vs. 0.0133±0.0058 mmol/kg, P < 0.002) and creatinine (0.0124±0.0058 mmol/kg vs. 0.247±0.011 mmol/kg, P < 0.001) concentrations increased significantly, while glucose (5.96±1.66 mmol/kg vs. 2.41±1.69 mmol/kg, P < 0.001), citrate (0.740±0.217 mmol/kg vs. 0.399±0.137 mmol/kg, P < 0.001), pyruvate (0.0659±0.0103 mmol/kg vs. 0.0299±0.286 mmol/kg, P < 0.001), and numerous amino acid (e.g. alanine, glutamate, isoleucine, leucine, lysine, and valine) concentrations decreased significantly with advancing gestation. A stepwise multiple linear regression model applied to 50 samples showed that gestational age can be accurately predicted using combinations of alanine, glucose and creatinine concentrations.

Conclusion

These results provide key normative data for 2nd and 3rd trimester amniotic fluid metabolite concentrations and provide the foundation for future development of magnetic resonance spectroscopy (MRS) biomarkers to evaluate fetal health and development.     

The effect of rapid solidification on the structure, decomposition behavior, electrical and mechanical properties of the Sn–Cd binary alloys

A group of rapidly solidified Sn–Cd alloys has been prepared by a melt-spinning technique. X-ray diffraction, microstructure, and differential thermal analysis have been carried out. Youngs modulus and internal friction have been measured, and the temperature dependence of resistivity has been evaluated. The results show a modification in both the microstructure and decomposition behavior. Also, an interesting connection between Youngs modulus and the axial ratio (c/a) of the unit cell of the -Sn was found in which Youngs modulus increases by increasing the axial ratio (c/a). It was found also that the internal friction increases on increasing the Cd concentration.     

The Dual-Phase-Lag Heat Conduction Model in Thin Slabs Under a Fluctuating Volumetric Thermal Disturbance

In the present work, the thermal behavior of a thin slab, under the effect of a fluctuating volumetric thermal disturbance described by the dual-phase-lag heat conduction model is investigated. It is found that the use of the dual-phase-lag heat conduction model is essential at large frequencies of the volumetric disturbance. It is found that the hyperbolic wave model deviates from the diffusion model when and the dual-phase-lag model deviates from the diffusion model when . where is the angular velocity of the fluctuating wall temperature, is the phase-lag in the heat flux vector and is the phase-lag in the temperature gradient vector.