The sensitivity of some chromatographic sprays

The limits of identification of twenty six common cations, with a selected number of spray reagents used in paper chromatography, have been determined. A table of the most sensitive tests is given.     

On not storing the path of a random walk

We describe a novel form of Monte Carlo method with which to study self-avoiding random walks; we do not (in any sense) store the path of the walk being considered. As we show, the problem is related to that of devising a random-number generator which can produce itsnth number on request, without running through its sequence up to this point.     

Finite volume methods for laminar and turbulent flows using a penalty function approach

A penalty function, finite volume method is described for two-dimensional laminar and turbulent flows. Turbulence is modelled using the k-? model. The governing equations are discretized and the resulting algebraic equations are solved using both sequential and coupled methods. The performance of these methods is gauged with reference to a tuned SIMPLE-C algorithm. Flows considered are a square cavity with a sliding top, a plane channel flow, a plane jet impingement and a plane channel with a sudden expansion. A sequential method is employed, which uses a variety of dicretization practices, but is found to be extremely slow to converge; a coupled method, evaluated using a variety of matrix solvers, converges rapidly but, relative to the sequential approach, requires larger memory.     

A simple method for extracting both active oily and water soluble extract (WSE) from Nigella sativa (L.) seeds using a single solvent system

The current study provides a way of extraction for both active NSO and WSE from Nigella sativa seeds using 98% methanol. About 1?kg of ground seeds was macerated by 1:2.5 w/v (g/mL) for 72?hours. After rotary evaporation and 7 days of continuous drying and chilling at 50 and 4?°C, NSO and WSE were obtained at the same instant. Solubility tests of 24 solvents and 11 thin layer chromatographic analyses while 2, 2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl free radical scavenging assay of NSO (73.66) , WSE (33.32) and NSO?+?WSE (78.22) against ascorbic acid (IC50?=?4.28?mg/mL) was performed. WSE was found to be highly soluble in water and 5% NaOH exhibiting the same Rf value of 0.95 for EtOH:DMSO (9:1) against the honey. WSE has revealed more than twofold higher anti-oxidant activity than others. Formulation of WSE with Tualang honey may provide better targeted hydrophilic drug delivery systems.     

A Fluorescent Activatable AND‐Gate Chemokine CCL2 Enables In Vivo Detection of Metastasis‐Associated Macrophages

We report the novel chemical design of fluorescent activatable chemokines as highly specific functional probes for imaging subpopulations of immune cells in live tumours. Activatable chemokines behave as AND‐gates since they emit only after receptor binding and intracellular activation, showing enhanced selectivity over existing agents. We have applied this strategy to produce mCCL2‐MAF as the first probe for in vivo detection of metastasis‐associated macrophages in a preclinical model of lung metastasis. This strategy will accelerate the preparation of new chemokine‐based probes for imaging immune cell function in tumours.