Separation and preconcentration of trace quantities of copper ion using modified alumina nanoparticles, and its determination by flame atomic absorption spectrometry

We report on a sensitive, reliable and relatively fast method for separation, preconcentration and determination of trace quantities of copper(II) ion. It is making use of nanometer-sized γ-alumina nanoparticles modified with sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS). The adsorptive potential was assessed via a Langmuir isotherm and the maximal sorption capacity was found to be 138 mg g^-1. The effects of pH values, amount of ligand, flow rate, type of eluting agent, volume of eluent, and the volume of sample were examined. The effects of interfering ions on the recovery of the analyte were also investigated. Copper ion was then determined by flame atomic absorption spectrometry. The relative standard deviation for five replicate determinations (at 50 μg L^?1 of copper) is 3.3%. The detection limit (at 3 s) is 2.5 μg L^?1. This method was validated with a certified reference material of oyster tissue (NIST SRM 1566b) and the results coincided well with the certified values. The procedure was successfully applied to the determination of Cu in water and food samples.

Synthesis of MnAl2O4 nanocrystallites by Pechini and sequential homogenous precipitation methods: characterization, product comparison, photocatalytic effect, and Taguchi optimization

Nanocrystalline manganese aluminate (MnAl₂O₄) has been synthesized by Pechini and sequential homogenous precipitation methods and the results have been compared. The Taguchi L₄ statistical design was utilized to optimize the production of MnAl₂O₄ nanoparticles by Pechini method. The MnAl₂O₄ nanocrystallites obtained by Pechini and sequential homogenous precipitation methods had the average particle size of 26.5 and 49.5 nm, respectively. The products were characterized with X-ray diffraction, laser light scattering, thermogravimetry analysis, Fourier transform infrared, UV–visible, energy dispersive X-ray, scanning electron microscope and inductively coupled plasma analyses. The photocatalytic activities of MnAl₂O₄ nanoparticles synthesized by two methods were investigated using aqueous solution of methylene blue under irradiation of visible light.     

Convenient synthesis of alkyl thioacetate from alkyl halide using a polymer-supported sodium thioacetate

Alkyl halides are efficiently converted to their corresponding S-alkyl thioacetates under mild and nonaqueous conditions, using polymer-supported sodium thioacetate as a new polymeric reagent at room temperature in high yields and purity. The spent polymeric reagent can be removed quantitatively by filtration and pure products can be obtained by evaporation of the solvent. The spent polymeric reagent can be regenerated and reused several times without its activity changing appreciably.     

Thermal conductivity modeling of MgO/EG nanofluids using experimental data and artificial neural network

The application of nanofluids in energy systems is developing day by day. Before using a nanofluid in an energy system, it is necessary to measure the properties of nanofluids. In this paper, first the results of experiments on the thermal conductivity of MgO/ethylene glycol (EG) nanofluids in a temperature range of 25–55 °C and volume concentrations up to 5 % are presented. Different sizes of MgO nanoparticles are selected to disperse in EG, including 20, 40, 50, and 60 nm. Based on the results, an empirical correlation is presented as a function of temperature, volume fraction, and nanoparticle size. Next, the model of thermal conductivity enhancement in terms of volume fraction, particle size, and temperature was developed via neural network based on the measured data. It is observed that neural network can be used as a powerful tool to predict the thermal conductivity of nanofluids.     

Insulin Resistance Associated Genes and miRNAs

Type 2 diabetes mellitus is the result of resistance to insulin function along with inadequate insulin secretion, leading to a number of dysfunctions characterized by hyperglycemia, and it is associated with microvascular, macrovascular, and neuropathic complications. There is compelling evidence that the decline in both insulin sensitivity and insulin secretion has a genetic component. In addition, increasing evidence suggests that microRNAs (miRNAs) as key regulators of gene expression play significant roles in insulin production, secretion, and function that regulate the function of insulin-target tissues. The current review demonstrates the candidate genes and the related miRNAs involved in molecular pathogenesis of insulin resistance in type 2 diabetes mellitus. In doing so, it provides an opportunity for more focused investigations that may identify the genes and miRNAs with a role in the pathogenesis of type 2 diabetes mellitus and its treatment.     

Cr(VI) ion removal from artificial waste water using supported liquid membrane

In this study, a novel flat-type synergic-supported liquid membrane was evaluated with a mixture of N-methyl-N,N,N-trioctylammonium chloride (Aliquat 336) and tributyl phosphate (TBP) as the carrier and kerosene as the diluent to remove Cr(VI) from synthetic waste water. The main parameters involved in the process were identified and optimised. The parameters were divided into two groups, those that were independent and those having an interaction. The parameters of the carrier/kerosene volumetric proportion and stirring rate were optimised individually due to their nature. The optimal values of these parameters were 0.5 and 500 min^?1, respectively, for a constant carrier/kerosene ratio and stirring rate in the designed experiments using the response surface method (RSM). The four parameters of TBP/Aliquat 336, chromium concentration in the feed phase, feed and product pH were optimised using RSM; it was observed that the TBP/Aliquat 336 ratio, feed pH, pH of the stripping phase and interaction of this parameter with feed concentration have the most important effects on the removal of Cr(VI). The optimal levels of these parameters were 0.61, 71.75 mg L^?1, 3.5 and 12.66 for the ratio of TBP/Aliquat 336, feed chromium concentration, pH of the feed and pH of the product, respectively. An experimental removal rate of 94.63 % at the optimized levels was obtained.     

电氧化异丙肾上腺素的纳米复合电催化剂：用作传感器

在金纳米粒子(AuNPs)上经苯硫酚衍生物(3,4二羟基苯基-偶氮-苯硫酚, DAT)自组装制得了一种新型纳米复合物,用于修饰玻璃碳电极(GCE/AuNP-DAT).采用循环伏安法研究了该新型电极的性质,并将其用作异丙肾上腺素(IP)电催化剂,考察了该纳米复合物的电催化活性,从而得到反应机理和催化反应速率常数.由于GCE/AuNP-DAT电极对尿酸氧化没有电催化活性,因此可将IP的氧化信号从该改进电极中分离出来,从而排除了尿酸对IP测定的干扰.该电极可作为传感器,当用于差动脉冲伏安法测定IP时,线性动态范围为1.0–1500.0μmol/L,检测极限为0.46μmol/L.