On self-reciprocal polynomials

In this paper we establish a sharp result concerning integral mean estimates for self-reciprocal polynomials.     

Square Wave Voltammetric-Thermodynamic Study of the Interaction Between Heavy Metal Ions and Some Macrocyclic Ligands in Water*

The interaction between Cd²⁺ and Pb²⁺ ions and 18-crown-6 (18C6), 1,10-diaza-18-crown-6 (C22) and 1,7-diaza-15-crown-5 (C21) were studied in water solvent at 25, 35, 45 and 55° using square wave voltammetric technique. The stoichiometry and stability of the complexes were determined by monitoring the shift in half-wave or peak potential of the polarographic waves of metal against the ligand concentration. Thermodynamic parameters such as G, H and S were obtained by using a polarographic double wall cell in which the temperature could be fixed to ±0.1°C. The results of all experiments show 1 : 1 complexes, but in addition to 1 : 1 ratio, a 2 : 1 ratio of ligand to cation is also obtained for C22–Pb²⁺ complex. The selectivity order for 18C6 and C22 is Pb²⁺ > Cd²⁺. The thermodynamic data G, H and S values show that the complexes are stabilized by both the enthalpy and entropy terms, but C22–Pb²⁺ complex is stabilized by only enthalpy term.     

On the zeros of polynomials

In this paper we extend a classical result due to Cauchy and its improvement due to Datt and Govil to a class of lacunary type polynomials.     

Partially resorbable composite bone plate with controlled degradation rate, desired mechanical properties and bioactivity

Rate of polymer degradation is very important for implantable biomaterials since controlling the degradation rate may complement the biological response and affected mechanical property requirements. In spite of numerous publications on the potential use of combinations of poly lactic acid/bioactive glass fillers for degradable bone plate, little information exists on the controlling degradation rate and its effects on the other aspects such as biomechanical compatibility, bioactivity, etc. Our previous study revealed that a composite bone plate consist of poly l-lactic acid/braided bioactive glass fibers has the initial mechanical properties near to cortical bone. In this study, degradation rate and mechanical behavior of the composite bone plate were assessed, and also degradation rate was controlled by using proper manufacturing process and improving bonding between matrix and reinforcement. Moreover, bioactivity of the composite was considered before and after controlling degradation rate, because of the important role of bioactivity and ion release in healing acceleration. Results showed that degradation process of the composite could be controlled properly. Strength of the treated composite decreased only about 5% through 2 weeks and about 35% after 8 weeks while, the strength loss for the untreated composites was about 50 and 70 percent after 2 weeks and 8 weeks of degradation respectively. Although calcium-phosphate formation on the surface of the composite was postponed in the treated samples, the bioactivity of the composite remained unchanged and bone-like apatite was formed on the composite surface which is important for the application of the composite in bone tissue environment.     

Synthesis of an ion-imprinted sorbent by surface imprinting of magnetized carbon nanotubes for determination of trace amounts of cadmium ions

Microchimica Acta - The authors report on the preparation of sol-gel coated magnetized carbon nanotubes whose surface were imprinted with Cd2+ ions and the application of these materials on...     

Population Structure Analysis and Selection of Core Set among Common Bean Genotypes from Jammu and Kashmir,India

Understanding the genetic diversity of a crop is useful for its effective utilization in breeding programmes. For better understanding of the genetic variability in common bean, the first and foremost step is to study its genetic diversity. In the present investigation, 138 genotypes of common bean collected from various regions of Jammu and Kashmir, India, representing major common bean growing areas of this region, were evaluated using 23 SSRs. These SSRs were found highly polymorphic and possess high values for various parameters indicating their high discriminatory power. The average PIC value observed was 0.692, with 0.730 as average gene diversity value, and 0.267 as heterozygosity. Twenty-three SSRs produced a total of 251 alleles. The dendrogram generated with un-weighted neighbour joining cluster analysis grouped genotypes into three main clusters with various degrees of sub-clustering within the clusters. The model-based STRUCTURE analysis using 23 SSR markers identified a population with 3 sub-populations which corresponds to distance-based groupings with average F _ST value and expected heterozygosity of 0.1497 and 0.6696, respectively, within the sub-population, as such high level of genetic diversity was observed within the population. Further, Core Hunter II was used to identify a core set of 96 diverse genotypes. This core set of diverse 96 genotypes is a potential resource for association mapping studies and can be used by breeders as a material to make desirable genetic crosses to generate elite varieties for the fulfilling global market needs. These findings have further implications in common bean breeding as well as conservation programs.     

An innovative technique to simply fabricate ZrO₂-HA-TiO₂ nanostructured layers

For the first time, ZrO?-HA-TiO? layers were synthesized through EPD-Enhanced MAO (EEMAO) technique in only one step where no supplementary treatment was required. SEM, XRD, EDX, and XPS techniques were employed to propose a correlation between the growth parameters and the physical and chemical properties of the layers. The layers revealed a porous structure where applying higher voltages and/or utilizing higher concentrated electrolytes resulted in formation of wider pores and increasing the zirconium concentration in the layers; meanwhile, prolonging the growth time had the same effects. The layers mainly consisted of anatase, hydroxyapatite, monoclinic ZrO?, and tetragonal ZrO? phases. Increasing the voltage, electrolyte concentration, and time, hydroxyapatite as well as tetragonal ZrO? was decomposed to α-TCP, monoclinic ZrO?, and ZrO. The nanosized zirconia particles (d = 20-60 nm) were further accumulated on the vicinity of the layers when thicker electrolytes were utilized or higher voltages were applied. Emphasizing on the chemical and electrochemical foundations, a probable formation mechanism was finally put forward.