Synthesis and characterization of Zr4+, La3+ and Ce3+ doped mesoporous TiO2: evaluation of their photocatalytic activity

Sol-gel method was used to synthesize Zr(4+), La(3+) and Ce(3+) doped mesoporous TiO(2) materials with different weight percentage (0.5, 1.0, 2.0 and 3.0 wt%) using triblock copolymer as the structure directing template in ethanol/water medium. Characterization revealed the isomorphic substitution of Zr(4+) ion into the lattice of TiO(2), and surface binding nature of La(3+) and Ce(3+) ions on mesoporous TiO(2). Microscopic examination confirmed the surface adsorption of foreign ion which could alter the particle morphology. The size of the particles was less than 20 nm. Photocatalytic activity of metal ions doped mesoporous TiO(2) was evaluated using aqueous alachlor as a model pollutant. It was found that 1 wt% Ce(3+) doped mesoporous TiO(2) exhibited higher activity than pure and other metal ions doped mesoporous TiO(2). The change of oxidation state of Ce(3+) is suggested to be the cause for enhanced photocatalytic activity.     

Properties and applications of α-galactosidase in agricultural waste processing and secondary agricultural process industries

Agriculture products form the foundation building blocks of our daily lives. Although they have been claimed to be renewable resources with a low carbon footprint, the agricultural community is constantly challenged to overcome two post-harvest bottlenecks: first, farm bio-waste, a substantial economic and environmental burden to the farming sector, and second, an inefficient agricultural processing sector, plagued by the need for significant energy input to generate the products. Both these sectors require extensive processing technologies that are demanding in their energy requirements and expensive. To address these issues, an enzyme(s)-based green chemistry is available to break down complex structures into bio-degradable compounds that source alternate energy with valuable by-products and co-products. α-Galactosidase is a widespread class of glycoside hydroxylases that hydrolyzes α-galactosyl moieties in simple and complex oligo and polysaccharides, glycolipids, and glycoproteins. As a result of its growing importance, in this review we discuss the source of the enzyme, production and purification systems, and enzyme properties. We also elaborate on the enzyme's potential in agricultural bio-waste management, secondary agricultural industries like sugar refining, soymilk derivatives, food and confectionery, and animal feed processing. Insight into this vital enzyme will provide new avenues for less expensive green chemistry-based secondary agricultural processing and agricultural sustainability. © 2023 Society of Chemical Industry.     

Localization of a domain in the FimH adhesin of Escherichia coli type 1 fimbriae capable of receptor recognition and use of a domain-specific antibody to confer protection against experimental urinary tract infection

The FimH subunit of type 1-fimbriated Escherichia coli has been implicated as an important determinant of bacterial adherence and colonization of the urinary tract. Here, we sought to localize the functionally important domain(s) within the FimH molecule and to determine if antibodies against this domain would block adherence of type 1-fimbriated E. coli to the bladder mucosa in situ and in vivo in an established mouse model of cystitis. We generated translational fusion proteins of disparate regions of the FimH molecule with an affinity tag MalE, and tested each of the fusion products in vitro for functional activity. The minimum region responsible for binding mouse bladder epithelial cells and a soluble mannoprotein, horseradish peroxidase, was contained within residues 1-100 of the FimH molecule. We validated and extended these findings by demonstrating that antibodies directed at the putative binding region of FimH or at synthetic peptides corresponding to epitopes within the binding domain could specifically block type 1 fimbriae-mediated bacterial adherence to bladder epithelial cells in situ and yeast cells in vitro. Next, we compared the ability of mice passively immunized intraperitoneally with antisera raised against residues 1-25 and 253-264 of FimH or 1-13 of FimA to resist bladder colonization in vivo after intravesicular challenge with type 1-fimbriated E. coli. Only the antibody directed at the putative binding region of FimH (anti- s-FimH1-25) significantly reduced E. coli bladder infections in the experimental mouse model of urinary tract infections. Similar results were obtained when the mice were actively immunized with synthetic peptides corresponding to residues 1-25 and 253-264 of FimH or 1-13 of FimA. The mechanism of protection was attributed, at least in part, to inhibition of bacterial adherence to the bladder surface by s-FimH1-25-specific antibody molecules that had filtered through the kidneys into the urine. The level of FimH antibodies entering the bladder from the circulatory system of the immunized mice was found to be markedly enhanced upon bacterial challenge. The potential broad spectrum activity of the protective FimH antibody was indicated from its serologic cross-reactivity with various urinary tract bacterial isolates bearing type 1 fimbriae. These findings could be relevant in the design of an efficacious and broadly reactive FimH vaccine against urinary tract infections.     

Digital processing of mechanical transient response signals—Digital filter approach

The primary aim of this paper is to bring to the attention of shock and vibration engineers the advantages of using digital filters for processing transient response signals. Specifically, the development of reliable high pass digital filters to remove the low frequency components in the acquired acceleration signals so as to obtain valid velocity and displacement-time records, is presented. It is concluded that the non-recursive filters are well suited for mechanical engineering transient response applications. The viability of the non-recursive digital filters for the intended application is established with the use of acceleration signals obtained from a laboratory shock test. Also as a part of this investigation, a set of user-friendly, computer programs for filter design and filtering are developed and implemented.     

Immunosuppressive therapy with microemulsion cyclosporine A shortens the hospitalization of pediatric liver transplant recipients

Lipopolysaccharide (LPS) from S. typhimurium on exposure to gamma-radiation resulted in decrease in toxicity and was less mitogenic, Silver stained profiles of irradiated LPS on polyacrylamide gels revealed complete loss of its heteropolysaccharides which was confirmed further by analysing lipid A and LPS from Salmonella minnesota Re mutants on SDS-PAGE. Glucosamine and 2-keto 3-deoxy-octonate(Kdo) contents were significantly decreased on treatment. Lipid A obtained by removal of heteropolysaccharides from LPS was less toxic on exposure to gamma radiations.     

Use of paired, bonded NdFeB magnets in redox magnetohydrodynamics

Bonded neodymium-iron-boron (NdFeB) permanent magnets in a paired configuration were successfully used to control mass transport in redox-based, magnetohydrodynamics (MHD). Control of fluid flow based on magnetic fields has potential for use in portable lab-on-a-chip (LOAC) and analytical devices. Bonded magnets, composed of magnetic powder and organic binder materials, are less expensive and easier to fabricate and pattern than electromagnets and sintered permanent magnets, which have been previously used in MHD studies on electrochemical systems. The ability to pattern bonded magnets near and around the electrodes is expected to allow for better control over the magnetic field distribution and solution flow. Current was generated at an 800-microm-radius platinum disk electrode in a solution of 0.06 M nitrobenzene and 0.5 M tetra-n-butylammonium hexafluorophosphate in acetonitrile. Increases in limiting current in the presence of the magnetic field, which indicate enhancement in mass transport, for sintered (210+/-14%, N = 4, where B(r) = 1.23 T and magnetic field strength is 0.55 T) and bonded (94+/-8%, N = 4, where B(r) = 0.41 T and magnetic field strength is 0.20 T) magnets, were similar to those obtained using an electromagnet with the same magnetic flux densities. The magnetic field strength and not the magnet type is important in controlling fluid flow, which is encouraging for integration of bonded permanent magnets into LOAC devices.     

Simple method for quantifying microbiologically assisted chloramine decay in drinking water

In a chloraminated drinking water distribution system, monochloramine decays due to chemical and microbiological reactions. For modeling and operational control purposes, it is necessary to know the relative contribution of each type of reaction, but there was no method to quantify these contributions separately. A simple method was developed to do so. It compares monochloramine decay rates of processed (0.2 microm filtered or microbiologically inhibited by adding 100 microg of silver/L as silver nitrate) and unprocessed samples under controlled temperature conditions. The term microbial decay factor (Fm) was defined and derived from this method, to characterize the relative contribution of microbiologically assisted monochloramine decay to the total monochloramine decay observed in bulk water. Fm is the ratio between microbiologically assisted monochloramine decay and chemical decay of a given water sample measured at 20 degrees C. One possible use of the method is illustrated, where a service reservoir's bulk and inlet waters were sampled twice and analyzed for both the traditional indicators and the microbial decay factor. The microbial decay factor values alone indicated that more microbiologically assisted monochloramine decay was occurring in one bulk water than the other. In contrast, traditional nitrification indicators failed to show any difference. Further analysis showed that the microbial decay factor is more sensitive and that it alone can provide an early warning.     

Serum leptin and IGF-I levels in cystic fibrosis

(3S,4R)-4-(4-Fluorophenyl)-3-[[3,4-(methylenedioxy)phenoxy]methyl] piperidine [(3S,9R)-3, paroxetine] is a selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI) used as an antidepressant in humans. In previous studies, we reported that certain (1R)-3 beta-(substituted phenyl)nortropane-2 beta-carboxylic acid methyl esters (2a) exhibited high affinity and reasonable selectivity for the serotonin transporter (5-HTT). The major structural differences between 2a and (3S,4R)-3 are that 2a possesses a different absolute stereochemistry and has an ethylene bridge not present in 3. In addition, 2a possesses a carbomethoxy substituent adjacent to the aryl ring, whereas (3S,4R)-3 contains a [3,4-(methylenedioxy)phenoxy]methyl group. In this study, we present the synthesis and biological evaluations of six of the possible eight isomers of 3-(4-fluorophenyl)-2-[[3,4-(methylenedioxy)phenoxy]methyl]nortropane+ ++ (4). The data for inhibition of [3H]paroxetine binding show that (1R)-2 beta, 3 alpha-4c, which has the same stereochemistry as paroxetine, has the highest affinity at the 5-HTT. Strikingly, the most potent compounds for inhibition of [3H]WIN-35,428 binding were not the (1R)-2 beta, 3 beta-isomers but rather (1R)-2 beta, 3 alpha-4c and (1S)-2 beta, 3 alpha-4f. Conformational analyses show that these isomers exist in a flattened boat conformation with pseudoequatorial substituents. Thus, the binding data show that this conformation is recognized by the DAT-associated binding site and also suggest that this conformation of paroxetine is recognized by the 5-HTT-associated binding site.     

Progressive chorion morphology during egg development in Samia ricini (Donovan)

The egg of Samia ricini (Donovan), is oval or laterally flattened ellipsoid, freshly laid eggs are candid white while the chorion is colorless and semi‐transparent. The surface of the chorion is covered with network patterns of polygons and their shapes are common in the whole surface region. The boundaries between polygons made ridges had distinct acropyles at three‐cell junctions. The numbers of aeropyles are variable according to their structures both in the lateral flat and marginal regions. During the course of egg development, no significant structural changes were observed in either the polygonal structures or the overall morphology of the egg. However, the size of the aeropyles kept on changing as the egg matures. The aeropyle increases initially upto day‐9 of egg development and then decreases as it approach hatching. Lines of weaknesses were not observed at time of hatching or close to it. Hatching process of the newly emerge larvae are through gnawing. The larva eats their way out through the chorion membrane mostly from the anterior region. Egg buster or spine which aid in hatching are not present in the newly emerge larvae. This article was published online on 25 September 2009. An error was subsequently identified. This notice is included in the online and print versions to indicate that both have been corrected 6 January 2010. Microsc. Res. Tech., 2010. © 2009 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.     

Comparison of the Effects of an Ionic Liquid and Other Salts on the Properties of Electrospun Fibers, 2 – Poly(vinyl alcohol)

Understanding the effect of conductivity in electrospinning solutions is crucial in order to improve or control the electrospinning process. In this paper the effect of adding small amounts (0.039–0.259 mol · kg^?1) of three different conductive additives to aqueous solutions of polyvinyl alcohol has been investigated. The salts were HMICl (a room temperature ionic liquid), TEBAC (a quaternary ammonium salt) and KCl. Addition of these salts caused a steady increase in the solution conductivity but the fiber diameter was typically greater than that of PVA alone, and exhibited an oscillatory trend. The oscillatory trend on the fiber diameter is attributed to fiber backbuilding and fusion that occurs prior to deposition on the collector.