Identification and characterization of Clostridium perfringens using single target DNA microarray chip

A DNA microarray method was developed to identify the presence of toxin genes: encoding beta toxin (cpb), epsilon toxin (etx), enterotoxin (cpe), alpha toxin (cpa), and iota toxin (iA) in Clostridium perfringens. To build the DNA chip, each gene sequence was represented by one approximately 22-bp amino-modified oligonucleotide printed twice on aldehyde-coated slides. Multiplex PCR with Cy3 and Cy5-dCTP derivatized fluorescent nucleotides was used to label five genes and fluorescent probes were prepared. The PCR probes were denatured and single-strand-labeled DNAs were separated and purified using magnetic beads. The presence of toxin genes in C. perfringens was detected by hybridization of amplified ssDNA probes to oligonucleotides on the chip representing one target sequence of each toxin gene. The DNA chip was able to identify eight strains of C. perfringens.     

Agile supply chain strategy and supply chain performance: complementary roles of supply chain practices and information systems capability for agility

The paper examines the mediating effect of supply chain (SC) practices on the relationship between agile supply chain (ASC) strategy and SC performance. It further examines the moderating effect of information systems (IS) capability for agility on this mediated relationship. Using the theoretical lenses of complementarity and the information processing view of the supply chain, we hypothesise that strategic supplier partnership, customer relationship, postponement and lean practices, mediate the relationship between ASC strategy and SC performance. We further hypothesise that IS capability for agility moderates each of these mediated relationships. We empirically test the hypotheses using survey data from members of senior and executive management in the logistics/supply chain functions of 205 firms. The paper contributes to the literature on ASCs by theoretically explaining and empirically demonstrating how SC practices and IS capability for agility act together to effect a positive relationship between ASC strategy and supply chain performance.     

Organizing drug injectors against AIDS: Preliminary data on behavioral outcomes.

Describes a project based on organizing drug injectors to change their subculture in ways that promote lower risk behaviors. Initial and follow-up interviews were conducted with 368 Ss. Findings indicate a decline in high-risk behaviors such as renting or borrowing used syringes and an increase in risk-reducing behaviors such as using new syringes and condoms. Almost half the Ss entered drug abuse treatment during the follow-up period; 60% taught others to use bleach to decontaminate injecting equipment. Risk reduction was greater among Ss who attended group meetings. Thus, organizing drug injectors is a feasible intervention that should be adopted elsewhere. Drug injectors can take on responsibility in combating AIDS. All evaluations of interventions should measure Ss' efforts to spread the message to others. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

A review of hydrotalcite based catalysts for hydrogen production systems

Hydrotalcite is a double layered lamellar clay and is used as a catalyst precursor due to its structural properties. Hydrotalcite derived catalysts for hydrogen production through different processes have been reviewed. Recent developments of catalysts for hydrogen production are discussed accordingly. A brief introduction to structure and different synthesis routes of hydrotalcite based catalysts is also included. Article is focused on hydrotalcite derived catalysts consisting of different metals like Fe, Ni, Cu, Pt etc. and their performances in hydrogen production at different conditions. Use of such catalysts in hydrogen production process like steam reforming, sorption enhanced based generation, and various other applications is reviewed critically. Pros and cons of catalysts are discussed in detail. The scope and challenges in development of the hydrogen production process have been detailed out focusing modified hydrotalcite derived catalyst and process conditions.     

Entropy generation in hydrodynamic slip flow over a vertical plate with convective boundary

The present article aims to report the effects of hydrodynamic slip on entropy generation in the boundary layer flow over a vertical surface with convective boundary condition. Suitable similarity transformations are used to transform the fundamental equations of hydrodynamic and thermal boundary layer flow into ordinary differential equations. The governing equations are then solved numerically using the shooting method and the velocity and the temperature profiles are obtained for various values of parameters involved in the governing equations. The expressions for the entropy generation number and the Bejan number are presented and the results are discussed graphically and quantitatively for the slip parameter, the local Grashof number, the Prandtl number, the local convective heat transfer parameter, the group parameter and the local Reynolds number. It is observed that due to the presence of slip, entropy production in a thermal system can be controlled and reduced.     

Electronic Property Modification of Single‐Walled Carbon Nanotubes by Encapsulation of Sulfur‐Terminated Graphene Nanoribbons

The use of carbon nanotubes (CNTs) as cylindrical reactor vessels has become a viable means for synthesizing graphene nanoribbons (GNRs). While previous studies demonstrated that the size and edge structure of the as‐produced GNRs are strongly dependent on the diameter of the tubes and the nature of the precursor, the atomic interactions between GNRs and surrounding CNTs and their effect on the electronic properties of the overall system are not well understood. Here, it is shown that the functional terminations of the GNR edges can have a strong influence on the electronic structure of the system. Analysis of SWCNTs before and after the insertion of sulfur‐terminated GNRs suggests a metallization of the majority of semiconducting SWCNTs. This is indicated by changes in the radial breathing modes and the D and G band Raman features, as well as UV–vis–NIR absorption spectra. The variation in resonance conditions of the nanotubes following GNR insertion make direct (n,m) assignment by Raman spectroscopy difficult. Thus, density functional theory calculations of representative GNR/SWCNT systems are performed. The results confirm significant changes in the band structure, including the development of a metallic state in the semiconducting SWCNTs due to sulfur/tube interactions. The GNR‐induced metallization of semiconducting SWCNTs may offer a means of controlling the electronic properties of bulk CNT samples and eliminate the need for a physical separation of semiconducting and metallic tubes.     

Iron content of teff (Eragrostis abyssinica)

The iron content of locally purchased teff has been determined before treatment (0.05% mean), and after repeated sequential washing with n/10 hydrochloric acid and water (0.0033% mean).     

Enhanced hydrogen production over incorporated Cu and Ni into titania photocatalyst in glycerol-based photoelectrochemical cell: Effect of total metal loading and calcination temperature

The solar driven hydrogen production was successfully investigated in a glycerol-based photoelectrochemical cell (PEC) over nanostructured TiO₂ supported bimetallic Cu and Ni by adjusting total metal loading (5, 10, and 15 mol%) and calcination temperature (400, 450, 500, and 600 °C). The effects of the mentioned parameters on physicochemical and photoelectrochemical properties of prepared Cu–Ni/TiO₂ photoanodes were explored by using different characterization techniques. The hydrogen evolution was experimentally found to be affected total metal loading and calcination temperature. The calcined photocatalyst with the total metal loading of 5 mol% at 450 °C was identified as the most efficient photocatalyst by producing maximum accumulative hydrogen of 694.84 μmol. A high performance of this photocatalyst is mainly attributed to its proper particle size and great ratio of Ti³⁺:Ti⁴⁺ and Cu⁺:Cu²⁺ in TiO₂ matrix. These better physicochemical properties enhanced charge carrier separation, which retarded the charge recombination and enhanced the transportation of photo-induced electrons at the photoelectrode/electrolyte interface. The intermediates from photooxidation of glycerol were verified using high performance liquid chromatography, indicating a partial oxidation of glycerol with selective pathway in KOH (1 M) solution. This work demonstrates that optimization Cu–Ni/TiO₂ photoanode has the practical potential in PEC cell to generate hydrogen from solar and biomass energy.     

Ion beam mixing of silicon-germanium thin films

An overview of processing silicon-germanium (Si-Ge) alloys for various applications is presented here. Several methods of formation are briefly summarized. In particular, results of preliminary experiments on ion-beam mixing of Si-Ge layered structures deposited by physical vapor deposition and subsequently ion implanted with varying doses of argon are presented. Different layered structures have been designed and mixed to obtain optimal process conditions. The ion beam mixing process yields films with a gradual band-gap variation from 1.12 eV to 0.85 eV, thus allowing quite a wider spectrum of wavelengths to be absorbed. Rutherford backscattering spectrometry (RBS) has been used to characterize the nature and extent of the mixing of as-deposited and irradiated films.