Binder-less and free-standing Co–Fe metal nanoparticles-decorated PVdF-HFP nanofiber membrane as an electrochemical probe for enzyme-less glucose sensors

Co–Fe bimetallic nanoparticles-affixed polyvinylidene fluoride-co-hexafluoropropylene (PVdF-HFP) nanofiber membrane is fabricated using the electrospinning and chemical reduction techniques. The semicrystalline polymeric backbone decorated with the highly crystalline Co–Fe bimetallic nanoparticles enunciates the mechanical integrity, while the incessant and swift electron mobility is articulated with the consistent dissemination of bimetallic nanoparticles on the intersected and multi-layered polymeric nanofibers. The diffusion and adsorption of glucose are expedited in the extended cavities and porosities of as-formulated polymeric nanofibers, maximizing the glucose utilization efficacy, while the uniformly implanted Co⁴⁺/Fe³⁺ active centers on PVdF-HFP nanofibers maximize the electrocatalytic activity toward glucose oxidation under alkaline regimes. Thus, the combinative sorts including nanofiber and nanocomposite strategies of PVdF-HFP/Co–Fe membrane assimilate the enzyme-less electrochemical glucose detection concerts of high sensitivity (375.01 μA mM^?1 cm^?2), low limit of detection (0.65 μm), and wide linear range (0.001 to 8 mM), outfitting the erstwhile enzyme-less glucose detection reports. Additionally, the endowments of high selectivity and real sample glucose-sensing analyses of PVdF-HFP/Co–Fe along with the binder-less and free-standing characteristics construct the state-of-the-art paradigm for the evolution of affordable enzyme-less electrochemical glucose sensors.

     

Comparative analysis of refrigerant performance between LPG and R134a under subtropical climate

Journal of Thermal Analysis and Calorimetry - In this investigation, a series of experiments were conducted to explore the effects of liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) mixture of 60% propane and 40%...     

Multifunctional mesoporous silica nanoparticles in poly(ethylene‐co‐vinyl acetate) for transparent heat retention films

Transparent inorganic‐polymer nanocomposite films are of tremendous current interest inemerging solar coverings including photovoltaic encapsulants and commercial greenhouse plastics, but suffer from significant radiative heat loss. This work provides a new and simple approach for controlling this heat loss by using mesoporous silica/quantum dot nanoparticles in poly(ethylene‐co‐vinyl acetate) (EVA) films. Mesoporous silica shells were grown on CdS‐ZnS quantum dot (QDs) cores using a reverse microemulsion technique, controlling the shell thickness. These mesoporous silica nanoparticles (MSNs) were then melt‐mixed with EVA pellets using a mini twin‐screw extruder and pressed into thin films of concentration variable controlled thickness. The results demonstrate that the experimental MSNs showed improved infrared and thermal wavebands retention in the EVA transparent films compared to commercial silica additives, even at lower concentrations. It was also found MSNs enhanced the quantum yield and photostability of the QDs, providing high visible light transmission and blocking of UV transmission of interest for next generation solar coatings. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Polym. Sci., Part B: Polym. Phys. 2015 , 53, 851–859     

Medicinal Potential of Isoflavonoids: Polyphenols That May Cure Diabetes

In recent years, there is emerging evidence that isoflavonoids, either dietary or obtained from traditional medicinal plants, could play an important role as a supplementary drug in the management of type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) due to their reported pronounced biological effects in relation to multiple metabolic factors associated with diabetes. Hence, in this regard, we have comprehensively reviewed the potential biological effects of isoflavonoids, particularly biochanin A, genistein, daidzein, glycitein, and formononetin on metabolic disorders and long-term complications induced by T2DM in order to understand whether they can be future candidates as a safe antidiabetic agent. Based on in-depth in vitro and in vivo studies evaluations, isoflavonoids have been found to activate gene expression through the stimulation of peroxisome proliferator-activated receptors (PPARs) (α, γ), modulate carbohydrate metabolism, regulate hyperglycemia, induce dyslipidemia, lessen insulin resistance, and modify adipocyte differentiation and tissue metabolism. Moreover, these natural compounds have also been found to attenuate oxidative stress through the oxidative signaling process and inflammatory mechanism. Hence, isoflavonoids have been envisioned to be able to prevent and slow down the progression of long-term diabetes complications including cardiovascular disease, nephropathy, neuropathy, and retinopathy. Further thoroughgoing investigations in human clinical studies are strongly recommended to obtain the optimum and specific dose and regimen required for supplementation with isoflavonoids and derivatives in diabetic patients.     

Non‐vacuum field desorption ion source implemented under super‐atmospheric pressure

Standard field desorption (FD) ionization is implemented under high vacuum condition. In this paper, non‐vacuum FD is performed under a super‐atmospheric pressure environment using untreated tungsten wires as FD emitter, and the ion source was coupled to a commercial linear ion trap mass spectrometer. The operating pressure of the ion source was 6 bars which was high enough to provide sufficient dielectric strength to the working gas so that the high voltage that was required for FD could be applied to the emitter without occurrence of electrical discharge. Non‐volatile sample deposited on the bare tungsten wire FD emitter was heated by flowing direct current through the emitter. Similar to vacuum FD, the formation of conical protrusion of the liquefied sample layer under the strong electric field was also observed. Using the present ion source, high pressure field‐desorption of polar neutral compounds, organic salts and ionic liquids is demonstrated. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Analytical studies on the Benney–Luke equation in mathematical physics

The enhanced (G′/G)-expansion method presents wide applicability to handling nonlinear wave equations. In this article, we find the new exact traveling wave solutions of the Benney–Luke equation by using the enhanced (G′/G)-expansion method. This method is a useful, reliable, and concise method to easily solve the nonlinear evaluation equations (NLEEs). The traveling wave solutions have expressed in term of the hyperbolic and trigonometric functions. We also have plotted the 2D and 3D graphics of some analytical solutions obtained in this paper.