Structural,optical and electronic characteristics of Cu and Mg-doped nano MnS sample prepared by molten salt solid state reaction

Journal of Materials Science: Materials in Electronics - Nano Mn0.95M0.05S (M ≡ Cu, Mg) samples were produced using molten salt solid state reaction method. Rietveld analysis of X-ray...     

An epidemiologic, clinical, and therapeutic study of childhood Guillain-Barré syndrome in Kuwait: is it related to the oral polio vaccine?

We studied Guillain-Barré syndrome, affecting children 12 years old or less, throughout Kuwait, in the period between January 1, 1992, and March 31, 1997. Nineteen children had the diagnostic criteria of Guillain-Barré syndrome, with an overall annual incidence rate of 0.95/100,000 population at risk. Female patients outnumbered male patients with a sex ratio of 1.4:1. There was a clustering of cases in winter and spring and in the year 1996. The disease symptoms were relatively severe in our patients because only 16% (3 of 19) of them were able to walk at the height of their illness, whereas the rest were bed or chair bound or needed assisted ventilation. Two patients had the electrodiagnostic features of axonal neuropathy and both had residual deficits on follow-up, whereas the rest recovered fully. All the patients received intravenous immunoglobulin. The mean time to walk unaided was 23.5 days (range, 2-84 days) after intravenous immunoglobulin and excluding the two patients with axonal neuropathy, and full recovery was achieved in a mean time of 103 days (range, 30-300 days). Contrary to previous studies, we found no correlation between oral polio vaccine administration and Guillain-Barré syndrome in 2 successive years (1995 and 1996) during a nationwide campaign targeting children less than 5 years old.     

Optimization of a Reconstitutable Suspension of Rifampicin Using 24 Factorial Design

In this study 2⁴ factorial design associated with surface response methodology was used to develop and optimize a reconstitutable suspension of rifampicin. The study illustrated the effect of the percentage of each of sucrose, avicel RC-591, hydrophilic aerosil, and aerosol-OT on the flowability and the bulk density of the dry mixture as well as the viscosity, the sedimentation volume, and the redispersibility of the suspension. An empirical equation developed for each of the above responses was used with the aid of computer software to plot a contour map of the most significant effects and interactions. Five replicates at the center of the design were used to independently calculate the experimental error and to detect any curvature in the response surface. Three formulas which are not included in the design were prepared to check the validity of the model equation.     

The effect of absorber packing height on the performance of a hybrid liquid desiccant system

A hybrid system consisting of vapour compression unit, a liquid desiccant system, and a flat solar hot water collector were designed, fabricated and tested. This combination allowed for a separate control of humidity and temperature without energy penalty. Various packing heights of the absorber component were tested to determine the optimal performance of the combined unit. A 1000 mm packing height with cross-sectional area of 600×600 mm, proved to be the best height that gives promising improvements in the coefficient of performance of the vapour compression unit.     

Control of Corrosion-Induced Damage in Reinforced Concrete Beams Using Carbon Fiber-Reinforced Polymer Laminates

This paper presents the results of an experimental study conducted to investigate the effect of carbon fiber-reinforced polymer (CFRP) confinement on the cracking damage induced by impressed current-accelerated corrosion of reinforced concrete beams. The beams were 254?mm deep by 152?mm wide by 3,200?mm long. Two different corrosion configurations, namely uniform and shear-span corrosion, were investigated in eight specimens at three different degrees of corrosion (5, 10, and 15% theoretical mass loss). Uniform corrosion along the whole length of the beams (3,000?mm) and shear-span corrosion (900?mm from each beam end) were considered. The different degrees of corrosion were induced using an accelerated corrosion technique with an impressed current. Based on the results, it was concluded that CFRP laminate confinement reduces corrosion expansion by up to 70% and slows the rate of corrosion through decreasing the corrosion mass loss by up to 35%.     

Styrene N-vinylpyrrolidone metal-nanocomposites as antibacterial coatings against Sulfate Reducing Bacteria

Copolymer of styrene, and vinylpyrrolidone was prepared by various techniques. Different nanometals and nanometal oxides were added into the copolymer as antimicrobial agents against Sulfate Reducing Bacteria (SRB). The nanocomposite chemical structure was confirmed by using FTIR, ¹H NMR spectroscopy and thermogravimetric analysis (TGA). The biocidal action of these nanocomposites against the SRB was detected using sulfide determination method in Postgate medium B. The data indicated that the nanocomposites had an inhibitory effect on the growth of SRB and reduced the bacterial corrosion rate of mild steel coupons. The prepared nanocomposites have high inhibition efficiency when applied as coatings and show less efficiency when applied as solids or solution into SRB medium. The copolymer and its nanocomposites effectively reduced the total corrosion rate as determined by total weight loss method.     

Fate of Triton X-100 Applications on Water and Soil Environments: A Review

Triton X-100 applications as surfactant raises concern on water and soil environment due to its non-biodegradability and inhibition effect. This paper aims at reviewing Triton X-100 biodegradability and inhibition literature. It shows Triton X-100 is biodegradable by aerobic and anaerobic municipal wastewater sludge and Vibrio cyclitrophicus-sp-Nov organism. Adsorption and biodegradation are mechanisms of Triton removal. Triton inhibits anaerobic sludge organisms and some single aerobic organisms. Inhibition mechanisms are substrate shortage, physiological membrane-damaging and/or alteration in organism cell membrane. Thus Triton X-100 fate in the environment and its sustainable application can be controlled via proper selection of organism type, Triton concentration, and substrate.     

Synthesis and Characterization of Cationic Surfactants Based on N‐Hexamethylenetetramine as Active Microfouling Agents

Four cationic surfactants of quaternary hexammonium silane chloride based on hexamethylenetetramine and alkyl chloride were synthesized. The chemical structures of the prepared cationic surfactants were elucidated using Fourier transform infrared (FT‐IR) spectroscopy and mass spectrometry analysis. The surface and thermodynamic properties of the prepared surfactants were also studied. The performance of these cationic surfactants as microfouling agents against two strains of Gram‐negative bacteria, namely, Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Escherichia coli, and two strains of Gram‐positive bacteria, namely, Staphylococcus aureus and Bacillus subtilis, were evaluated as antimicrobial agents. The results showed that the maximum antimicrobial activity was detected for N‐hexamethylenetetramine‐N‐ethyl silane ammonium trichloride (Ah). The maximum and minimum antimicrobial activities were 73 and 60 % against S. aureus and E. coli, respectively, at a concentration of 5 mg/l, pH 7, and 37 °C.     

Synthesis of novel poly 2‐vinylpyridine‐mixed metal complexes and studying their effect as antitumor chemotherapeutic agents,part 2

The poly2‐vinylpyridine and cationic polymer‐mixed metal complexes (P2VPMC) have been prepared and characterized by analytical measurement such as: molecular weight, elemental analysis, IR‐spectroscopy, NMR‐spectroscopy, XRD, and UV. The degree of N‐alkylation of poly vinyl pyridine (P‐2VP) was 10% determined by chlorine content according to elemental microanalysis. Through ICP instrument the complexation between P‐2VPC and the mixed metal chlorides was proven. The structure of the samples was characterized using X‐ray diffraction. It was found that the complexes have amorphous properties. The antitumor activity of this compound was examined in vitro on cell lines. The results reflect pronounced cytotoxicity of P‐2VPMC against animal experimental EAC cells line, and human, HeLa, HCT116 and Hep‐G2, cell lines. Antitumor activity of the novel compound as applied on mice bearing Ehrlich solid carcinoma, revealed delays tumor growth compared with untreated animals and decreases tumor volume. The antitumor activity of the P2VPMC might be due to its ability to pass through the membrane and interact with, DNA causing cross‐linking action which might be the key factor for great antitumor activity of the P2VPMC compound. © 2010 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2010