Zinc Oxide Nanowire Decorated Single‐Use Electrodes for Electrochemical DNA Detection

The surfaces of pencil graphite electrodes (PGEs) were decorated with zinc oxide nanowires (ZnO NWs) for the electrochemical detection of nucleic acids. ZnO NWs were synthesized through simple hydrothermal method. PGEs decorated with ZnO NWs (ZnO NW/PGEs) were electrochemically characterized through cyclic voltammetry (CV) and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) following morphological characterization through transmission (TEM) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Enhanced sensor response obtained using ZnO NW/PGEs contrary to the bare PGE (control) samples. Our preliminary results simply reveal the potential of combining ZnO NWs with disposable sensor technology for the electrochemical detection of DNA.     

Organic solvent absorbents based on linear diol

Cross‐linked poly(orthocarbonate)s were prepared by condensation of the tetraethyl orthocarbonate with different length of aliphatic diols. The synthesized polymers have been characterized by Fourier‐transform infrared spectroscopy, solid‐state ¹³C cross‐polarization magic angle spinning (CPMAS) nuclear magnetic resonance, thermal gravimetric analysis, and elemental analysis. The cross‐linked polymers were evaluated for organic solvent absorbency application. The effect of diol type on swelling properties of cross‐linked polymers was studied through the solvent absorption tests. The swelling parameters such as maximum solvent absorbency, saturation time, and retention of the solvent were evaluated for the synthesized sorbents. All of the cross‐linked polymers had moderate thermal stability and good regenerable solvent uptake abilities. POLYM. ENG. SCI., 53:2102–2108, 2013. © 2013 Society of Plastics Engineers     

New perylene derivative dyes for dye-sensitized solar cells

We have studied the influence of the spacer alkyl chain length of perylenemonoimide (PMI) dyes on the device performance in dye-sensitized solar cells (DSSCs). We observed that the dyes with longer and brunched alkyl chains exhibit higher efficiencies in DSSCs. In line with these statements we now report the highest efficiency obtained under standard conditions for a perylene imide derivative with PMI-DA1 that performs 300 mV open circuit voltage, 9.79 mA/cm² short-circuit current and 1.61% overall conversion efficiency.     

Aflatoxin M1 levels of Turkish white brined cheese

This study was undertaken to determine the presence and levels of aflatoxin M₁ (AFM₁) in Turkish white brined cheese consumed in the province of Erzurum, Turkey. For this purpose, a total of 193 cheese samples were randomly obtained from retail outlets and Enzyme Linked Immunosorbent Assay (ELISA) technique was used to determine the presence and levels of AFM₁. AFM₁ at detectable level (50 ng/kg) was found in 82.4% of the samples. The concentration of AFM₁ in samples ranged from 52 to 860 ng/kg. Of the samples, 26.4% exceed the legal limit of 250 ng/kg established by Turkish Food Codex. It was concluded that widespread occurrence of AFM₁ in Turkish white brined cheese samples were considered to be possible hazards for public health especially children.     

Managerial Competencies of Female and Male Construction Managers

Women hold relatively few project management positions in the construction industry. Most studies conclude that women’s exclusion from the industry is mostly due to the industry’s male-dominated culture, but no study ever attempted to find out whether women are excluded from project management positions in construction because they are deficient in managerial competencies. This study evaluates the managerial competencies of female project managers by administering a competency assessment test and comparing the results with the managerial competencies of male project managers. The management development questionnaire was used, where competency is defined by subjective comparison. All respondents occupied project management positions and were assessed in 20 different competencies. The study concluded that female project managers do not differ much from male project managers in terms of their managerial behaviors but perform better in “sensitivity,” “costumer focus,” and “authority and presence.”     

Purification and characterization of an alkaline pectin lyase produced by a newly isolated Brevibacillus borstelensis (P35) and its applications in fruit juice and oil extraction

An alkaline pectin lyase (PNL) (EC 4.2.2.10) secreted by Brevibacillus borstelensis P35 (GenBank Number: FJ417406) was purified using ammonium sulfate fractionation, anion exchange chromatography on DEAE-cellulose and gel filtration chromatography on Sephadex G-150. The pH and temperature optima of the enzyme were found to be 8.0 and 60 °C. The enzyme does not loose activity up to 60 °C if exposed for 1 h. The values of K _m and V _max of the enzyme were 0.625 mg/mL and 126.32 s^?1, respectively. The molecular weight was found to be 36 ± 01 kDa. The presence of 10 mM concentration of Ca²⁺, Cu²⁺, Mn²⁺, Mg²⁺, Zn²⁺, Hg²⁺, Fe²⁺ and EDTA, l-cystein, ascorbic acid significantly enhanced the PNL of the purified enzyme. In the course of the laboratory trials, it was demonstrated that PNL from B. borstelensis (P35) could be successfully applied to the production and clarification of fruit juice and oil extraction.     

Preparation of cerium oxide–MWCNTs nanocomposite bulk modified carbon ceramic electrode: a sensitive sensor for tamoxifen determination in human serum samples

In this study, cerium oxide and multi-walled carbon nanotubes nanocomposite were incorporated into the carbon ceramic electrode (CeO₂–MWCNTs/CCE) as a renewable electrode for the electrocatalytic purposes. To demonstrate capability of the fabricated electrode, determination of tamoxifen as an important anticancer drug with differential pulse voltammetry technique was evaluated in details. Linear range, limit of detection and sensitivity of the developed sensor were found to be 0.2–40 nM, 0.132 nM and 1.478 µA nM^?1 cm^?2, respectively. Ease of production, low cost and high electron transfer rate of the CeO₂–MWCNTs/CCE promises it as a novel electro-analytical tool for determination of important species in real samples.