Negative refractions by triangular lattice sonic crystals in partial band gaps

This study numerically demonstrates the effects of partial band gaps on the negative refraction properties of sonic crystal. The partial band gap appearing at the second band edge leads to the efficient transmissions of scattered wave envelopes in the transverse directions inside triangular lattice sonic crystal, and therefore enhances the refraction property of sonic crystal. Numerical simulation results indicate a diagonal guidance of coupled scattered wave envelopes inside crystal structure at the partial band gap frequencies and then output waves are restored in the vicinity of the output interface of sonic crystal by combining phase coherent scattered waves according to Huygens' principles. This mechanism leads to two operations for wavefront engineering: one is spatial wavefront shifting operation and the other is convex–concave wavefront inversion operation. The effects of this mechanism on the negative refraction and wave focalization are investigated by using the finite difference time domain(FDTD) simulations. This study contributes to a better understanding of negative refraction and wave focusing mechanisms at the band edge frequencies, and shows the applications of the slab corner beam splitting and SC-air multilayer acoustic system.     

Underwater current distribution induced by spark discharge on a water surface

Discharge current distributions generated underwater by spark discharges from the atmosphere to free water surfaces with conductivities in the range 0.07–10.0 S/m were investigated using a laboratory-scale electrode system consists of a discharge electrode and nine underwater grounding electrodes. Discharge emission on the water surface, which shows significant change with slight increase in conductivity, affects the current distribution in the water. The electric potential of the water surface also changes significantly with slight increase in conductivity. Results of numerical calculations of the underwater discharge current based on the water surface potential agree with the experimental results.     

Comparison of relative INAA and k0-INAA using proficiency test materials at ITU TRIGA Mark II research reactor

Journal of Radioanalytical and Nuclear Chemistry - Proficiency testing is an important way of evaluating the analytical method used in the laboratory. In recent years, neutron activation analysis...     

Immobilization of β-galactosidase on Polystyrene Microspheres Attached L-Alanine

This study investigated the properties of immobilized β-galactosidase on polymeric beads having Schiff base. Polystyrene microspheres attached L-Alanine (FMPS-Ala) was synthesized from (4-formyl-3-methoxyphenoxymethyl)polystyrene (FMPS) and L-alanine by condensation. A coordinasyon polymer involving Ni²⁺(FMPS-Ala-Ni) was produced with the template method and characterized. β-galactosidase was immobilized onto the (FMPS), (FMPS-Ala) and (FMPS-Ala-Ni) complexes via covalent bonds. The Km/Vmax values were calculated as 0.343 mM/0.0259 mM min^?1for free β-galactosidase and 0.104 mM/0.0126 mM min^?1, 0.0617 mM/0.0417 mM min^?1and 0.210 mM/0.0287 mM min^?1for β-galactosidase immobilized to the (FMPS), (FMPS-Ala) and (FMPS-Ala-Ni) supports, respectively. The storage stability of (FMPS-Ala-Ni) was determined to be higher than that of the (FMPS) and (FMPS-Ala) polymers.     

Preconcentration and electroanalysis of silver at pt electrode modified with poly(2-aminothiazole)

Conducting poly(2-aminothiazole) (PAT) films were electrodeposited on a platinum disc electrode surface by constant potential electrolysis of 2-aminothiazole (AT) for the stripping voltammetric determination of Ag(I). Ag(I) was preconcentrated on the polymer matrix by dipping the modified Pt electrode (PAT-Pt electrode) into Ag(I)(aq) solution. Effects of the film thickness, reduction potential, pH, preconcentration time, Ag(I) concentration and the interference of some other metal ions on the oxidation peak current of silver were studied. Cu(II) interference observed to be significant for the stripping voltammetric determination of Ag(I). The detection limit was calculated on the basis of signal to noise ratio of 3 as 2 × 10^?7 mol L^?1.     

Preparation of Anatase Hollow TiO2 Spheres and Their Photocatalytic Activity in the Photodegradation of Chlorpyrifos

Hollow anatase titania (TiO₂) spheres were synthesized using fructose and tetrabutyl titanate (Ti(OC₄H₉)₄, TBT) as the precursors via the conventional hard template method. The morphological, structural and thermal properties of the products were characterized using scanning electron microscopy (SEM), field emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy, X‐ray diffraction (XRD), thermogravimetric and differential thermal analysis (TG‐DTA), Brunauer? Emmett? Teller (BET) surface area analysis and diffuse reflectance ultraviolet visible (DR UV? Vis) spectroscopy. XRD revealed that the hollow TiO₂ prepared was in the anatase phase and the BET surface area measured was about 22 m² g^?1. The photocatalytic activity of the synthesized hollow anatase TiO₂ in the photodecomposition of chlorpyrifos was 18.67 % higher than that obtained using commercial TiO₂.     

New N‐(Aryl)‐5‐((quinolin‐8‐yloxy)methyl)‐1,3,4‐oxa/Thiadiazol‐2‐amines and 4‐Aryl‐5‐((quinolin‐8‐yloxy)methyl)‐2H‐1,2,4‐triazole‐3(4H)‐thiones,Synthesis and Characterization

In this study, methyl 2‐(quinolin‐8‐yloxy) acetate ( 2 ) obtained by reaction of 8‐hydroxyquinoline ( 1 ) with methyl chloroacetate was condensed with hydrazine hydrate to afford the carbohydrazide ( 3 ). Thio/semicarbazide derivatives ( 4a , 4b , 4c , 4d , 4e , 4f , 4g ) were obtained by treatment of the 3 with substituted phenyl iso/thioisocyanates. The 4a , 4b , 4c , 4d , 4e , 4f , 4g on acidic and basic intramolecular cyclization led to N‐(aryl)‐5‐((quinolin‐8‐yloxy)methyl)‐1,3,4‐oxa/thiadiazol‐2‐amines ( 5a , 5b , 5c , 5d , 5e , 5f , 5g ) and 4‐aryl‐5‐((quinolin‐8‐yloxy)methyl)‐2H‐1,2,4‐triazole‐3(4H)‐thiones ( 6a , 6b , 6c , 6d , 6e , 6f , 6g ), respectively. All the synthesized compounds were characterized by spectroscopic techniques and elemental analyses. The thiosemicarbazide ( 4c ) was also confirmed by X‐ray crystallography.     

Methanolic Extract of Piper sarmentosum Attenuates Obesity and Hyperlipidemia in Fructose-Induced Metabolic Syndrome Rats

Obesity and hyperlipidemia are metabolic dysregulations that arise from poor lifestyle and unhealthy dietary intakes. These co-morbidity conditions are risk factors for vascular diseases. Piper sarmentosum (PS) is a nutritious plant that has been shown to pose various phytochemicals and pharmacological actions. This study aimed to investigate the effect of PS on obesity and hyperlipidemia in an animal model. Forty male Wistar rats were randomly divided into five experimental groups. The groups were as follows: UG—Untreated group; CTRL—control; FDW—olive oil + 20% fructose; FDW-PS—PS (125 mg/kg) + 20% fructose; FDW-NGN—naringin (100 mg/kg) + 20% fructose. Fructose drinking water was administered daily for 12 weeks ad libitum to induce metabolic abnormality. Treatment was administered at week 8 for four weeks via oral gavage. The rats were sacrificed with anesthesia at the end of the experimental period. Blood, liver, and visceral fat were collected for further analysis. The consumption of 20% fructose water by Wistar rats for eight weeks displayed a tremendous increment in body weight, fat mass, percentage fat, LDL, TG, TC, HMG-CoA reductase, leptin, and reduced the levels of HDL and adiponectin as well as adipocyte hypertrophy. Following the treatment period, FDW-PS and FDW-NGN showed a significant reduction in body weight, fat mass, percentage fat, LDL, TG, TC, HMG-CoA reductase, and leptin with an increment in the levels of HDL and adiponectin compared to the FDW group. FDW-PS and FDW-NGN also showed adipocyte hypotrophy compared to the FDW group. In conclusion, oral administration of 125 mg/kg PS methanolic extract to fructose-induced obese rats led to significant amelioration of obesity and hyperlipidemia through suppressing the adipocytes and inhibiting HMG-CoA reductase. PS has the potential to be used as an alternative or adjunct therapy for obesity and hyperlipidemia.