Comparison of BMIPP-SPECT/CT to 18FDG-PET/CT for Imaging Brown or Browning Fat in a Preclinical Model

Obesity is a leading cause of preventable death and morbidity. To elucidate the mechanisms connecting metabolically active brown adipose tissue (BAT) and metabolic health may provide insights into methods of treatment for obesity-related conditions. ¹⁸F-fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography/computed tomography (¹⁸FDG-PET/CT) is traditionally used to image human BAT activity. However, the primary energy source of BAT is derived from intracellular fatty acids and not glucose. Beta-methyl-p-iodophenylpentadecanoic acid (BMIPP) is a fatty acid analogue amenable to in vivo imaging by single photon emission computed tomography/CT (SPECT/CT) when radiolabeled with iodine isotopes. In this study, we compare the use of ¹⁸FDG-PET/CT and ¹²⁵I-BMIPP-SPECT/CT for fat imaging to ascertain whether BMIPP is a more robust candidate for the non-invasive evaluation of metabolically active adipose depots. Interscapular BAT, inguinal white adipose tissue (iWAT), and gonadal white adipose tissue (gWAT) uptake of ¹⁸FDG and ¹²⁵I-BMIPP was quantified in mice following treatment with the BAT-stimulating drug CL-316,243 or saline vehicle control. After CL-316,243 treatment, uptake of both radiotracers increased in BAT and iWAT. The standard uptake value (SUV_mean) for ¹⁸FDG and ¹²⁵I-BMIPP significantly correlated in these depots, although uptake of ¹²⁵I-BMIPP in BAT and iWAT more closely mimicked the fold-change in metabolic rate as measured by an extracellular flux analyzer. Herein, we find that imaging BAT with the radioiodinated fatty acid analogue BMIPP yields more physiologically relevant data than ¹⁸FDG-PET/CT, and its conventional use may be a pivotal tool for evaluating BAT in both mice and humans.     

Thermo-luminescence Based Computed Radiography (TLCR)

Computed radiography (CR) is an X-ray imaging technique that was developed as early as the 1980s but its acceptance in the real-world NDE has been more recent (in the last decade). Although there are many players in the market, every system is based on more or less similar technology. The technology involves storing the X-ray information, during X-ray exposure, in materials known as storage phosphors. The information is stored in a latent form and then later (at a desired time), this information is released to create an image using an external stimulation mechanism such as light. The work described in this paper assesses the feasibility of an alternate stimulation mechanism, namely heat, to release the trapped energy from the phosphors. This essentially enables one to move away from a point-by-point/ line-by-line scanning technique to an area read-out system. The paper further discusses a simple lens-camera read-out system to generate the X-ray image. The paper also evaluates the performance of such a system comparing it to existing CR systems and explores different mechanisms to improve its limitations.     

X-ray photoelectron spectroscopic studies of sprayed CdS films

The chemical composition of sprayed CdS films has been evaluated using X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy. The general impurity content in the film is discussed, throwing light on the pyrolysis reaction involved in CdS deposition. Further, the stoichiometry of these films is studied as a function of process parameters such as pyrolysis temperature, Cd/S ratio in the solution, deposition rate and film thickness. A definite correlation is observed between composition and process parameters. The compositional variation appears to be related to the structure of CdS films as well as the growth mechanism. The effects induced by annealing in nitrogen, hydrogen and ambient air are also discussed. Hydrogen and nitrogen annealing is responsible for oxygen desorption from CdS. On the other hand air annealing induces stoichiometric variations along with oxygen intake in the films.     

Identification of metabolites during biodegradation of pendimethalin in bioslurry reactor

Bioslurry phase reactor was used for the degradation of pendimethalin, a pre-emergence herbicide in the contaminated soil under aerobic environment. More than 91% degradation of pendimethalin was observed for 5 days of reactor operation augmented with sewage from effluent treatment plant (ETP). The performance of the reactor was monitored regularly by measuring pH and colony forming units (CFU). The metabolites of pendimethalin formed during degradation were identified using various analytical techniques, viz., thin layer chromatography (TLC), high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) and liquid chromatography-mass spectroscopy (LC-MS/MS). Four metabolites were formed and identified as N-(1-ethylpropyl)-3,4-dicarboxy 2,6-dinitrobenzenamine-N-oxide, N-(1-ethylpropyl)-3,4-dimethoxy-2,6-dinitrobenzenamine and benezimadazole-7-carboxyaldehyde. The reactions involved were monohydrolysis of 2-methyl groups followed by dihydrolysis. Further oxidation of amine groups and hydroxylation of propyl groups produced the above said metabolites. Degradation pathway of pendimethalin has been proposed in the bioslurry phase reactor.     

Nanohexaconazole: synthesis,characterisation and efficacy of a novel fungicidal nanodispersion

Here, the authors describe a simple method to formulate the nanodispersion of hexaconazole (hexa); henceforth, referred to as nanohexaconazole (N‐hexa) that is water soluble and effective against several species of Aspergillus. Size and shape of the prepared nanocomposite was determined with high‐resolution transmission electron microscopy and field‐emission scanning electron microscopy. Nanohexaconazole structure was further confirmed by Fourier‐transform infrared spectroscopy and gas chromatography–mass spectrometry. The antifungal efficacy of nanohexaconazole (N‐hexa) was studied in vitro, compared with micronised hexaconazole (M‐hexa) at different doses (5 ppm, 10 ppm and control) against two food pathogenic fungi: Aspergillus niger (MTCC 282, MTCC 2196 and BDS 113) and Aspergillus fumigatus through poisoned food technique. A dose‐dependent significant growth inhibition was observed in nanohexaconazole (N‐hexa) treated fungal sample compared with that of micronised hexaconazole (M‐hexa). Micrographic studies for the morphological analysis of control and nanohexaconazole (N‐hexa) treated fungal samples were done, exhibited an alternation in fungal morphology. Results showed that nanohexaconazole (N‐hexa) is more efficacious than commercially available micronised hexaconazole (M‐hexa). In future nanohexaconazole (N‐hexa) could be a possible candidate for modern medical science and also reduce damage to the environment from injudicious use of pesticides.Inspec keywords: nanocomposites, nanosensors, transmission electron microscopy, field emission scanning electron microscopy, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, chromatography, mass spectra, chemical variables measurement, chemical sensorsOther keywords: fungicidal nanodispersion, N‐hexa structure, nanocomposite, high‐resolution transmission electron microscopy, field‐emission scanning electron microscopy, nanohexaconazole structure, Fourier‐transform infrared spectroscopy, gas chromatography, mass spectrometry, micronised hexaconazole, M‐hexa, food pathogenic fungi, Aspergillus niger, MTCC 282, MTCC 2196, BDS 113, Aspergillus fumigatus, poisoned food technique, pesticides     

Self‐Powered Sensors Enabled by Wide‐Bandgap Perovskite Indoor Photovoltaic Cells

A new approach to ubiquitous sensing for indoor applications is presented, using low‐cost indoor perovskite photovoltaic cells as external power sources for backscatter sensors. Wide‐bandgap perovskite photovoltaic cells for indoor light energy harvesting are presented with the 1.63 and 1.84 eV devices that demonstrate efficiencies of 21% and 18.5%, respectively, under indoor compact fluorescent lighting, with a champion open‐circuit voltage of 0.95 V in a 1.84 eV cell under a light intensity of 0.16 mW cm^?2. Subsequently, a wireless temperature sensor self‐powered by a perovskite indoor light‐harvesting module is demonstrated. Three perovskite photovoltaic cells are connected in series to create a module that produces 14.5 µW output power under 0.16 mW cm^?2 of compact fluorescent illumination with an efficiency of 13.2%. This module is used as an external power source for a battery‐assisted radio‐frequency identification temperature sensor and demonstrates a read range by of 5.1 m while maintaining very high frequency measurements every 1.24 s. The combined indoor perovskite photovoltaic modules and backscatter radio‐frequency sensors are further discussed as a route to ubiquitous sensing in buildings given their potential to be manufactured in an integrated manner at very low cost, their lack of a need for battery replacement, and the high frequency data collection possible.     

Kinetic modeling of Pt/C catalyzed aqueous phase glycerol conversion with in situ formed hydrogen

Detailed kinetic modeling of Pt/C catalyzed conversion of glycerol to lactic acid, glycols, and alcohols with in situ formed hydrogen is reported. Experimental concentration‐time profiles were obtained in a batch slurry reactor at different glycerol concentrations, nitrogen partial pressures, and NaOH concentrations in a temperature range of 130–160°C. Six different kinetic models were evaluated to describe the competing dehydrogenation, hydrogenolysis, dehydration, and C?C cleavage reactions, and discriminated to fit the experimental data. It is found that a “dual‐similar‐site” mechanism involving alkali promoted dehydrogenation, on two adjacent Pt sites to affect C?C and C?O cleavage best describes the experimental data. The dehydrogenation reaction proceeds with a significantly lower activation barrier (E_a = 53 kJ/mol) compared with the noncatalytic hydrothermal conversion (E_a = 128 kJ/mol). The activation energy for glycerol hydrogenolysis on Pt/C catalyst without adding hydrogen is estimated to be 64 kJ/mol. © 2015 American Institute of Chemical Engineers AIChE J, 62: 1162–1173, 2016     

FP-LAPW study of energy bands and optical properties of the filled skutterudite $$\hbox {CeRu}_{4}\hbox {As}_{12}$$ with spin–orbit coupling

The density functional theory (DFT)-based fully relativistic version of the full-potential linearized augmented plane wave method with spin–orbit coupling (SOC) has been used to study the electronic and optical properties of the filled skutterudite \(\hbox {CeRu}_{4}\hbox {As}_{12}\). The exchange and correlation potential has been treated with the local density approximation (LDA). The analysis of the density of states and energy bands in the vicinity of the Fermi energy level suggests the semiconducting nature of the material with narrow indirect energy band gap of 0.11 eV; however, the gap value increases to 0.17 eV for without SOC calculation. Additionally, the modified Becke–Johnson (mBJ) potential has been utilized along with the LDA approach to estimate the precise value of the energy band gap of the material. The mBJ treatment enhances the energy band gap to ?0.2 eV. In order to understand the structural and mechanical properties of the sample material, the elastic constants are also estimated at ambient conditions. The analysis of the elastic constants suggests the brittle nature of the material whose stiffness is comparable with that of \(\hbox {CeOs}_{4}\hbox {Sb}_{12}\) and the covalent contribution is expected in the bonding. The optical response of the material has been studied from the energy bands, which reflects the metallic behavior of the material in the infrared region of frequency radiation and turns to act as opaque material with superluminal behavior at ultraviolet frequency radiation. The inclusion of the hybrid functional in the calculation suggests the metallic nature of the material.     

Development of a Seedless Floating Growth Process in Solution for Synthesis of Crystalline ZnO Micro/Nanowire Arrays on Graphene: Towards High‐Performance Nanohybrid Ultraviolet Photodetectors

A seedless solution process is developed for controllable growth of crystalline ZnO micro/nanowire arrays directly on single‐layer graphene sheets made in chemical vapor deposition (CVD). In particular, the alignment of the ZnO micro/nanowires correlates well with the density of the wires, which is determined by both the sample configuration in solution and the graphene surface cleaning. With increasing wire density, the ZnO micro/nanowire array alignment may be varied from horizontal to vertical by increasing the physical confinement. Ultraviolet photodetectors based on the vertically aligned ZnO micro/nanowires on graphene show high responsivity of 1.62 A W^?1 per volt, a 500% improvement over epitxial ZnO sensors, a 300% improvement over ZnO nanoparticle sensors, and a 40% improvement over the previous best results for nanowire/graphene hybrid sensors. This seedless, floating growth process could be scaled up for large scale growth of oriented ZnO micro/nanowires on graphene at low costs.