Effect of ‘Zn’ substitution on structural,morphological, magnetic and optical properties of Co–Zn ferrite nanoparticles for ferrofluid application

Journal of Materials Science: Materials in Electronics - The Co1?xZnxFe2O4 (Co–Zn) ferrite nanoparticles with x varying from 0.0 to 0.4 have been manufactured by facile chemical...     

Application of electromagnetic impact technique for welding copper-to-stainless steel sheets

The ability to manufacture a product using different metal combinations greatly increases flexibility in design and production. Joining of dissimilar metal combinations like Copper-to-Stainless Steel (Cu-to-SS) is, however, a challenging task owing to the large differences in physical and chemical properties. The application of electromagnetic (EM) impact technique is demonstrated for welding copper (Cu) to stainless steel (SS) sheets. The welding Cu-to-SS is accomplished by using Al drivers to accelerate Cu and SS work sheets. The tensile shear strength test and the metallographic studies are carried out for Cu-to-SS EM welds.     

Extraction of iridium(III) by ion-pair formation with 2-octylaminopyridine in weak organic acid media

To extract iridium(III), various physicochemical parameters were studied. 2-Octylaminopyridine was used for the extraction of iridium(III) from acetate medium at 8.5 pH. Quantitative extraction of iridium(III) was achieved via ion-pair formation of cation [2-OAPH⁺] and anion [Ir(CH₃COO)₄]^?. The stripping of iridium(III)-laden organic phase was carried out 2 M HCl (3 × 10 mL) . The stoichiometry of the extracted ion–pair complex was found to be 1:4:1 (metal: acetate: extractant). The extracted species [2-OAPH⁺. Ir(CH₃COO)₄^?] is assumed to be an ion association product of [Ir(CH₃COO)₄] ^? and [2-OAPH]⁺. The proposed method was successfully used in the separation of iridium(III) from binary and ternary mixtures. Analysis of various alloy samples was also carried out.     

Recent developments in the hammerhead ribozyme field

Developments in the hammerhead ribozyme field during the last two years are reviewed here. New results on the specificity of this ribozyme, the mechanism of its action and on the question of metal ion involvement in the cleavage reaction are discussed. To demonstrate the potential of ribozyme technology examples of the application of this ribozyme for the inhibition of gene expression in cell culture, in animals, as well as in plant models are presented. Particular emphasis is given to critical steps in the approach, including RNA site selection, delivery, vector development and cassette construction.     

Ionic-liquid-assisted mixed alkali system for reactive dye fixation in a batch process – optimisation through response surface methodology

An ionic liquid, choline hydroxide, was synthesised and used in a mixed alkali system for fixation of homobifunctional reactive dyes. Its molecular structure was confirmed using FTIR, ¹H NMR, and ¹³C NMR spectroscopy. Response surface methodology was employed to optimise the dyeing conditions for reactive dyes using a sodium carbonate–choline hydroxide mixed alkali system. A Box–Behnken design with three variables, namely sodium carbonate concentration, choline hydroxide concentration, and fixation time, was used to design the experimental runs. Analysis of variance was used to estimate the statistical parameters and to evaluate the quality of the statistical model fit. The quality and model terms were evaluated using Fisher's F-test, the coefficient of determination, and probability values. The interactive effect of operating variables on the response (K/S) was studied using three-dimensional response surface plots. The results obtained from the solutions of highest desirability were found to be comparable with conventionally used alkali systems, namely sodium carbonate alone and sodium carbonate–sodium hydroxide mixed alkali. The ionic liquid choline hydroxide could be effectively used along with sodium carbonate for fixation of reactive dyes, with the advantage of reductions in pollution load, total dissolved solids, and chemical oxygen demand.     

Identification of some Slovakian and European wines origin by the use of factor analysis of elemental data

A model for traceability of Slovakian wines according to affiliation to vineyard regions and differentiation from imported wines was proposed using the elemental markers of origin determined by atomic absorption spectrometry (AAS). Principal component analysis (PCA) and factoring (PCF) were used for elements variability determination and visualization of data. For the regional segregation of Slovakian wines according the vineyard production areas the Ca, Mg, Rb, Sr, Ba, and V were selected as some crucial specific markers of origin. Principal component factoring using Ba, Ca, Co, Cr, Li, Mg, Rb, Sr, and V markers resulted in a very efficient differentiation of Slovakian wines from many European ones. According to this model the European wines differ in content mainly of Ca, Mg, Rb, and Sr and the best discrimination for Portugal, Italian, Spain, and partially for French wines was achieved. For the geographical authentication factor analysis of multielemental composition data was more effective tool than generally used PCA statistics.     

Evaluation of alternative cereal sources in dog diets: effect on nutrient utilisation and hindgut fermentation characteristics

BACKGROUND: Rice is one of the most commonly used cereal grains in pet foods. However, other cereals such as pearl millet, sorghum and maize have good amino acid profiles and could be used as alternatives to rice in the diet of dogs, thus sparing rice for human consumption. The aim of this study was to evaluate the nutritional worth of these cereals for pet dogs. RESULTS: Eight adult Spitz dogs (age ～10 months, average body weight 6.14 ± 0.58 kg) were used in a 4 × 4 replicated Latin square design to compare the effects of dietary inclusion of four cereals, namely rice, maize, pearl millet and sorghum, on digestibility and hindgut fermentation characteristics. The digestibility of dry matter (DM) was significantly (P < 0.01) reduced when rice was replaced by the alternative cereals. Additionally, the digestibilities of protein, fat and total dietary fibre decreased (P < 0.01) in dogs fed the pearl millet‐based diet. The DM voided in faeces increased (P < 0.05) when rice was replaced by the alternative cereals. Faecal ammonia concentration was higher (P < 0.05) on the rice‐based diet, while faecal lactate concentration was reduced (P < 0.01) on the pearl millet‐ and sorghum‐based diets. CONCLUSION: The results suggest that maize, pearl millet and sorghum are not as effectively utilised as rice as cereal source in the diet of dogs. Copyright © 2009 Society of Chemical Industry     

Effect of process parameters on electromagnetic impact welding of aluminum sheets

Electromagnetic forming of aluminum sheets has been studied in detail by many researchers due to its advantages of increased formability and reduced springback. The feasibility of electromagnetic impact welding of aluminum sheets has been established, but the effect of process parameters on the weld strength has not been reported. The present study investigates the effect of parameters such as energy, standoff distance and coil geometry on the shearing strength and the width of the weld achieved by electromagnetic impact welding of aluminum sheets. A study has been carried out to characterize the effectiveness of the process of welding two aluminum sheets of same chemical composition and of 1 mm thickness. The results of the microstructure and shearing strength tests are reported in this paper. The shearing strength and the width of the weld are found to increase with an increase in discharge energy. Further, when the geometry of the coil is changed from rectangular shape to tapered shape, it gives higher shearing strength. The standoff distance has an optimum value that gives maximum shearing strength and width of the weld. If the standoff distance is varied on either side of its optimum value the shearing strength and the width of the weld reduce.     

Sequence specificity of the hammerhead ribozyme revisited; the NHH rule

The sequence specificity of hammerhead ribozyme cleavage has been re-evaluated with respect to the NUH rule. Contrary to previous reports it was found that substrates with GAC triplets were also cleaved. This was established in three different sequence contexts. The rate of cleavage under single turnover conditions was between 3 and 7% that of cleavage 3' of GUC. Specificity of cleavage of substrates containing a central A in the cleavable triplet can be described as NAH, where N can be any nucleotide and H any nucleotide but G. As cleavage 3' of NCH triplets has recently been described, the NUH rule can be reformulated to NHH.