Deep Learning based Early Prediction Scheme for Breast Cancer

Wireless Personal Communications - Breast cancer is one of the rapid spreading diseases resulting in the death of younger age group of women. Unfortunately, as the detection of cancer is at later...     

Rheological and thermal properties of saponified cassava starch‐g‐poly(acrylamide) superabsorbent polymers varying in grafting parameters and absorbency

Cassava starch‐graft‐poly(acrylamide) superabsorbent polymers (SAPs) with varying absorbencies were synthesized. Weight average molecular weight (M_w) of the hydrolyzed starch‐graft‐copolymers ranged from 1.6 × 10⁶ to 2.8 × 10⁶ g/mol, the largest being shown by the sample with highest percentage grafting. The storage (G′) and loss modulus (G″) of hydrogels were determined as a function of frequency. G″ was larger than G′ for the hydrogels with higher absorbencies and exhibited a liquid‐like behavior. However, hydrogels with lower absorbencies showed a reverse viscoelastic behavior. The viscosity of hydrogels determined using a Brookfield viscometer at different shear rates was found to be larger for the hydrogels with higher absorbencies. The melting temperature (T_m) and enthalpy change of fusion (ΔH_f) of the SAPs ranged from 149.7 to 177.7°C and 65 to 494.9 J/g, respectively and showed a positive correlation with grafting parameters and M_w. Heavy metal ion removal capacity of hydrogel followed the order Cu²⁺ > Pb²⁺ > Zn²⁺. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2014 , 131, 40368.     

Development and optimization of fish‐fortified instant noodles using response surface methodology

Proper and sensible formulation of ingredients in noodles facilitates its calorie cut down thus making it healthier. Fish being a source of cheap and quality protein can serve in the fortification of noodles. Hence, a study was done to formulate and develop fish noodles from Nemipterus japonicus. D‐optimal mixture experimental design with 15 runs was formulated to optimise the different levels of ingredients for noodles. Influence of different ingredients, viz. fish mince, wheat and refined wheat flour (maida) and potato starch, on the physical, cooking and sensory properties of fish noodles was evaluated. The protein content of noodles increased with increase in the fish mince incorporation. Water absorption capacity (WAC) was found to be directly related to the potato starch concentration. Positive correlation was observed between noodle protein content and cooking time. Desirability function scores revealed a noodle combination of 45% fish mince, 47% wheat: maida (1:1) mix and 8% potato starch as optimum.     

Growth and Optical Properties of Quantized CdS Crystallites in TEOS Silica Xerogels

Quantized CdS crystallite-doped tetraethylorthosilicate (TEOS) silica xerogels are prepared by the sol-gel method. In this method, cadmium acetate [Cd(CH₃COO)₂2H₂O]-doped TEOS alcogel is formed by the hydrolysis and polycondensation of ethanolic TEOS in the presence of hydrochloric acid (HCl) and ammonium hydroxide (NH₄OH) catalysts and Cd(CH₃COO)₂.2H₂O. The CdS crystallites are formed in the alcogel by the reaction of Cd(CH₃COO)₂.2H₂O present in the gel and methanolic sodium sulfide (Na₂S), which is added over the alcogel. The effect of CdS/TEOS, EtOH/TEOS, S/Cd molar ratios, and temperature on the optical properties and CdS crystallite sizes in the xerogels are studied. A blue shift is observed in optical absorption spectra by decreasing the CdS/TEOS molar ratio from 2 × 10^–2 to 1 × 10^–4. It is observed that the crystallite size is increased from 1.6 to 3.4 nm by increasing the EtOH/TEOS molar ratio from 2 to 20, respectively, for a constant CdS/TEOS molar ratio of 5 × 10^–4. Emission spectra of xerogels are measured and found that the emission peak maxima shifted toward lower energies (higher wavelengths) by increasing the CdS/TEOS molar ratio in the xerogels. It is known from the X-ray diffraction (XRD) measurements of CdS-doped xerogels that the CdS crystallite structure in the xerogels is hexagonal wurtzite. The crystallite sizes were calculated from the XRD patterns and tight bonding calculations. There is a significant change in the color and size of CdS crystallite in the xerogels with a variation in temperature from 200 to 400°C.     

Curcumin–amino acid conjugates: Synthesis,antioxidant and antimutagenic attributes

Curcumin, a natural yellow colourant from turmeric, is insoluble in water. It has been rendered water-soluble by preparation of suitable amino acid derivatives. Several amino acid conjugates of curcumin were synthesised in high yields (45–76%). These curcumin derivatives were soluble in water at 1–10 mg/ml concentrations. Derivatives of curcumin with alkyl-substituted amino acids, such as alanine, valine, serine and cysteine, exhibited smaller IC₅₀ values (∼50%) than did curcumin in antioxidant assays. With respect to antimutagenicity against Salmonella typhimurium TA 98 and TA 1531, the derivatives showed an effect stronger than or, in a few cases, similar to curcumin. These results clearly demonstrated that the conjugation of curcumin at the phenolic position with amino acids, while rendering the molecule water-soluble, led to the improvement of several of its in vitro biological attributes, the effect being more pronounced in the case of specific alkyl-substituted amino acids.     

Effect of solvents and catalysts on monolithicity and physical properties of silica aerogels

The effect of various solvents and catalysts on the monolithicity and physical properties of silica aerogels is reported. The aerogels were prepared by hydrolysis and polycondensation of tetramethoxysilane, followed by hypercritical drying, using 6 solvents of different chain lengths, and 17 catalysts consisting of strong and weak acids, bases and their mixtures. It was found that solvents of longer chain lengths and strong basic catalysts resulted in semitransparent to opaque aerogels, whereas strong acids and their combinations with a weak basic catalyst produced transparent but cracked aerogels. While weak acids and their combinations with a weak base were found to produce shrunk and semitransparent (opaque for CH₃COOH + NH₄OH) aerogels, the best quality transparent, monolithic, low-density and refractive index, and large surface area aerogels were obtained for a combination of weak basic catalysts and solvents of shorter branching and chain lengths. The physical properties of the aerogels were studied by BET analysis, porosity, density, refractive index and optical transmission measurements.     

Electrochemical pretreatment of textile effluents and effect of electrode materials on the removal of organics

The aquatic environment around the textile industries in India was severely affected due to continuous discharge of effluents. In order to avoid further deterioration, the pollution control board of Tamil Nadu, India has enforced zero discharge concepts throughout the state. Consequently, most of the industries have opted membrane technology to recover water. The present study was aimed to find out the efficacy of electrochemical techniques as pretreatment methods to reverse osmosis (RO). The textile wastewater was initially treated by electrocoagulation to remove the suspended solids. After the electrocoagulation, the wastewater was further treated by electrooxidation for COD removal. Mild steel as anode was found to be effective for coagulation of suspended solids. For electrooxidation, graphite and RuO₂/IrO₂/TaO₂ coated titanium were used as electrodes. The efficiency of these electrode materials was evaluated in terms of chemical oxygen demand (COD) removal, instantaneous current efficiency (ICE) and electrooxidation index (EOI). The COD was removed to the extent of 90-93% using graphite and 54% with RuO₂/IrO₂/TaO₂ coated titanium electrodes. The current efficiency of 40% and 11% was achieved with graphite and RuO₂/IrO₂/TaO₂ coated titanium respectively. The degradation of organics was followed using GC-MS and the reason for incomplete degradation of organics in the presence of RuO₂/IrO₂/TaO₂ coated titanium was discussed.     

A new route for preparation of sodium-silicate-based hydrophobic silica aerogels via ambient-pressure drying

An in-depth investigation into the synthesis of hydrophobic silica aerogels prepared by the surface derivatization of wet gels followed by subsequent drying at ambient pressure is reported. The following sol–gel parameters were examined for their effect on the physical properties of the derived aerogels: number of gel washings with water, percentage of hexane or methanol in silylating mixture, molar ratio of tartaric acid: Na₂SiO₃, gel aging period, weight% of silica, trimethylchlorosilane (TMCS) percentage, and silylation period. These parameters were varied from 1 to 4, 0 to 100%, 0.27 to 1.2, 0 to 4 h, 1.5 to 8 wt.%, 20 to 40% and 6 to 24 h, respectively. The properties of hydrophobic silica aerogels synthesized by this new route were investigated in terms of bulk density, percentage volume shrinkage, percentage porosity, thermal conductivity and contact angle with water, and by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR). The as-prepared hydrophobic silica aerogels exhibited high temperature stability (up to approximately 435 °C) as measured by thermogravimetric/differential thermal analysis (TGA-DTA). The optimal sol-gel parameters were found to be a molar ratio of Na₂SiO₃:H₂O : tartaric acid : TMCS of 1 : 146.67 : 0.86 : 9.46, an aging period of 3 h, four washings with water in 24 h and the use of a 50% hexane- or methanol-based silylating mixture. Aerogels prepared with these optimal parameters were found to exhibit 50% optical transparency in the visible range, 84 kg m⁻³ density, 0.090 W mK⁻¹ thermal conductivity, 95% porosity and a contact angle of 146° with water.     

Galactomannan esters—A simple, cost-effective method of preparation and characterization

Acetate, succinate and octenylsuccinate derivatives of galactomannans were prepared in anhydrous reaction conditions carried out at slightly elevated temperature (40–60 °C) using solid NaHCO₃ as a mild base catalyst. Prior surface wetting of the reactants with 5% absolute ethyl alcohol gave derivatives with a higher degree of substitution, although it decreased the slurry viscosity. Use of NaHCO₃ significantly minimized high pH-induced degradative reactions, and its quantitative removal later was easily accomplished by repeated washings with aqueous ethyl alcohol. FT-IR, ¹³C-NMR, HPSEC and SEM data provided additional structural information. These derivatives are useful as functional food ingredients.     

Size controlled synthesis of biocompatible gold nanoparticles and their activity in the oxidation of NADH

Size and shape controlled synthesis remains a major bottleneck in the research on nanoparticles even after the development of different methods for their preparation. By tuning the size and shape of a nanoparticle, the intrinsic properties of the nanoparticle can be controlled leading tremendous potential applications in different fields of science and technology. We describe a facile route for the one pot synthesis of gold nanoparticles in water using monosodium glutamate as the reducing and stabilizing agent in the absence of seed particles. The particle diameter can be easily controlled by varying the pH of the reaction medium. Nanoparticles were characterized using scanning electron microscopy, UV-vis absorption spectroscopy, cyclic voltammetry, and dynamic light scattering. Zeta potential measurements were made to compare the stability of the different nanoparticles. The results suggest that lower pH favours a nucleation rate giving rise to smaller particles and higher pH favours a growth rate leading to the formation of larger particles. The synthesized nanoparticles are found to be stable and biocompatible. The nanoparticles synthesized at high pH exhibited a good electrocatalytic activity towards oxidation of nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NADH).