Impact of γ‐irradiation and thermal processing on the antigenicity of almond,cashew nut and walnut proteins

Whole unprocessed almonds, cashew nuts and walnuts were each subjected to γ‐irradiation (1, 5, 10 and 25 kGy) followed by heat processing including autoclaving (121 °C, 15 psi for 15 and 30 min), dry roasting (138 and 160 °C for 30 min each, 168 and 177 °C for 12 min each), blanching (100 °C for 5 and 10 min), oil roasting (191 °C, 1 min) and microwave heating (500 W for 1 and 3 min). Rabbit polyclonal antibodies were raised against each major protein isolated from defatted, but not subjected to γ‐irradiation and/or any thermal processing, almond, cashew nut and walnut flours. Immunoreactivity of almond, cashew nut and walnut proteins soluble in borate saline buffer, normalised to 1 mg protein ml^?1 for all samples, was determined by inhibition enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) and Western blotting. ELISAs and Western blotting experiments indicated that almond, cashew nut and walnut proteins exposed to γ‐irradiation alone or followed by various thermal treatments remained antigenically stable. Copyright © 2004 Society of Chemical Industry     

Novel thin‐film reactor for photocatalytic degradation of pesticides in an aqueous solution

A thin‐film reactor was fabricated with immobilised TiO₂ and this reactor was used for photocatalytic mineralisation of common pesticides, 2,4‐dichlorophenoxyacetic acid (DPA) and monocrotophos (MCP), and their commercially formulated products in an aqueous solution. Zeolites HY and Hβ with different physico‐chemical properties were chosen as support material. The supported TiO₂ was used for the degradation and mineralisation studies. TiO₂/zeolite‐supported photocatalyst showed enhanced degradation efficiency compared with bare TiO₂ for both DPA and MCP. Formulated pesticides were mineralised at shorter irradiation times than technical grade pesticides. The results clearly demonstrated that the good adsorption capacity of the support, and the effective light utilisation by TiO₂, improved the photocatalytic activity of supported TiO₂. Reusability studies have also shown the stability of supported photocatalysts. Copyright © 2004 Society of Chemical Industry     

DC electrical conduction in heat-treated poly nickel phthalocyanine

Heat treatment of poly nickel phthalocyanine leads to a charge transfer and hence there is an improvement in conductivity by 5 orders of magnitude. DC electrical conductivity measurements have been carried out in the heat-treated samples in the temperature range 270 K-10 K. Mott’s variable range hopping conduction in one dimension is observed in the temperature range 270K-77K and the conductivity remains constant in the temperature range 77K-10K.     

E-banking and customer preferences in Malaysia: An empirical investigation

This paper examines the current trends in the e-commerce revolution that has set in motion in the Malaysian banking sector and reports on an empirical research that was carried out in Malaysia to study the customers’ preference for electronic banking and the factors, which they considered influenced the adoption of electronic banking. Results based on the analysis of data relating to 300 respondents indicate that while there is no significant differences between the age and educational qualifications of the electronic and conventional banking users, some differences exists on other demographic variables. Analysis further reveals that accessibility of Internet, a wareness of e-banking, and customers’ reluctance to change are the factors that significantly affected the usage of e-banking in Malaysia. The paper discusses on the implications of these. Limitations of the study are highlighted and further research directions are suggested.     

Studies on the anodic dissolution of copper matte

Anodic polarisation studies on copper matte revealed that a copper matte electrode polariess abruptly in H,SO, solution but not in HCl solution. Anodic dissolution of copper matte was studied at various anodic potentials in 2 N solutions of HCl and H,SO,. It was found that at lower anodic potential (around 0.4 volt vs. saturated calomel electrode) copper dissolves preferentially (at 90% current efficiency) over iron (8–10% C.E.), in both the acid solutions. It was further observed that this preferential dissolution of copper takes place over a longer period (about 6 h) in HCl than in H₂SO₄ solution (about 3 h). Preferential dissolution of copper from copper matte was found to be independent of HCl concentration (0.5 N to 4 N). From the X-ray diffraction analysis of the original copper matte and electrolysed copper matte, it was established that digenite and bornite phases of copper matte dissolved causing preferential dissolution of copper.     

Preparation of CdS<Subscript><Emphasis Type="Italic">x</Emphasis></Subscript>Se<Subscript>1−<Emphasis Type="Italic">x</Emphasis></Subscript> films by brush plating technique and their characteristics

CdS _x Se_1−x films were deposited for the first time by the brush plating technique from aqueous precursors. X-ray diffraction patterns of the films indicated polycrystalline structure with peaks corresponding to the hexagonal phase. Optical absorption measurements indicated the band gap to shift from 1.68 to 2.39 eV as the value of x is increased. XPS spectra indicated the peaks corresponding to Cd (3d_5/2 and 3d_3/2), Se (3d_5/2 and 3d_3/2) and S (3d_5/2 and 3d_3/2) levels. Surface morphology studies indicated the grain size to increase with increase of selenium concentration. The resistivity of the films changed from 20 ohm cm to 250 ohm cm as the sulphur content increased.     

Palladium‐Catalyzed and Hybrid Acids‐Assisted Synthesis of [60]Fulleroazepines in One Pot under Mild Conditions: Annulation of N‐Sulfonyl‐2‐aminobiaryls with [60]Fullerene through Sequential C‐H Bond Activation,C‐C and C‐N Bond Formation

An extraordinarily efficient hybrid acids‐assisted, palladium‐catalyzed and chelating‐group‐assisted C H bond activation of N‐sulfonyl‐2‐aminobiaryls and their annulations with [60]fullerene via sequential C C and C N bond formation at room temperature to afford [60]fulleroazepines is demonstrated. The formation of [60]fulleroazepines is highly regioselective and tolerant to both electron‐withdrawing and electron‐donating groups on the aryl moiety and the reaction gives monofunctionalized fullerenes in good yields (up to 54% isolated yield and 92% based on converted C₆₀).     

Stable Tin Chloride Perovskite Sensitized Silver Doped Titania Nanosticks Photoanode Solar Cells with Different Hole Transport Materials

Perovskite sensitized solar cells (PSSCs) have recently been catapulted to the cutting edge of thin-film photovoltaic research and development because of their promise for higher power conversion efficiencies and ease of fabrication. In this work, an attempt has been made to fabricate CH₃NH₃SnCl₃ perovskite sensitized silver doped titania nanosticks photoanode solar cells with an efficient hole transport material (HTM), spiro-MeOTAD, poly(3-hexylthiophene-2,5-diyl) (PTTA) and CuI and attained light to electricity power conversion efficiency (PCE) of 10.46, 7.89 and 6.05 % respectively, under AM 1.5G illumination of 100 mW/cm² intensity. As well, PSSCs made with redox couple electrolytes namely quasi-solid state electrolyte (QSSE) and ionic liquid (IL) electrolyte exhibited the PCE of 4.92 and 3.20 % respectively. A metal oxide (HfO₂) layer is coated on the perovskite sensitized photoanode, which could increase the stability of PSSCs. The current density (Jsc)–open circuit voltage (Voc) study shows that PSSCs made with HTMs exhibited better fill factor and PCE. The electron impedance spectroscopy revealed that the electron lifetime (τ_n), electron mobility (µ) and charge collection efficiency (η_cc)in the PSSCs are in the order spiro-MeOTAD > PTTA > CuI > QSSE > IL. This work expresses that the nature of the HTM is essential for charge recombination and elucidates that finding an optimal HTM for the perovskite solar cell includes controlling the perovskite/HTM interaction.     

Characterization of nanocrystalline indium tin oxide thin films prepared by ion beam sputter deposition method

Indium tin oxide (ITO) thin films were deposited on glass substrates by ion beam sputter deposition method in three different deposition conditions [(i) oxygen (O₂) flow rate varied from 0.05 to 0.20 sccm at a fixed argon (1.65 sccm) flow rate, (ii) Ar flow rate changed from 1.00 to 1.65 sccm at a fixed O₂ (0.05 sccm) flow rate, and (iii) the variable parameter was the deposition time at fixed Ar (1.65 sccm) and O₂ (0.05 sccm) flow rates]. (i) The X-ray diffraction (XRD) patterns show that the ITO films have a preferred orientation along (400) plane; the orientation of ITO film changes from (400) to (222) direction as the O₂ flow rate is increased from 0.05 to 0.20 sccm. The optical transmittance in the visible region increases with increasing O₂ flow rate. The sheet resistance (R_s) of ITO films also increases with increasing O₂ flow rate; it is attributed to the decrease of oxygen vacancies in the ITO film. (ii) The XRD patterns show that the ITO film has a strong preferred orientation along (222) direction. The optical transmittance in the visible spectral region increases with an increase in Ar flow rate. The R_s of ITO films increases with increasing Ar flow rate; it is attributed to the decrease of grain size in the films. (iii) A change in the preferred orientations of ITO films from (400) to (222) was observed with increasing film thickness from 314 to 661 nm. The optical transmittance in the visible spectral region increases after annealing at 200 °C. The R_s of ITO film decreases with the increase of film thickness.