Evaluation of sorption affinity of cadmium(II) on Haro river sand from aqueous solutions

The sorption of Cd(II) on Haro river sand from deionized water is reported. The sorption system obeyed according to the Freundlich and Dubinin–Radushkevich (D-R) isotherms. The Freundlich parameters 1/n = 0.67±0.05 and of A = 1.38±1.14 mmole·g^-1 have been ascertained. D-R isotherm yields the values of = -0.003741±0.000321 kJ²·mole^-2, X _m = 0.23±0.21 mole·g^-1 and of E = 11.6±0.5 kJ·mole^-1. The influence of common anions and cations on the sorption was examined. Trivalent Bi enhances the sorption whereas Fe, Cr, Al and chromate ions reduce the sorption significantly. Hf(IV) and Ag(I) indicate substantial sorption (61–98%) whereas Gd(III), Re(VII) and Sc(III) show low sorption (<5%). The elements having low sorption can be separated from elements indicating higher sorption using Haro river sand column.     

FNDC5/Irisin: Physiology and Pathophysiology

A sedentary lifestyle or lack of physical activity increases the risk of different diseases, including obesity, diabetes, heart diseases, certain types of cancers, and some neurological diseases. Physical exercise helps improve quality of life and reduces the risk of many diseases. Irisin, a hormone induced by exercise, is a fragmented product of FNDC5 (a cell membrane protein) and acts as a linkage between muscles and other tissues. Over the past decade, it has become clear that irisin is a molecular mimic of exercise and shows various beneficial effects, such as browning of adipocytes, modulation of metabolic processes, regulation of bone metabolism, and functioning of the nervous system. Irisin has a role in carcinogenesis; numerous studies have shown its impact on migration, invasion, and proliferation of cancer cells. The receptor of irisin is not completely known; however, in some tissues it probably acts via a specific class of integrin receptors. Here, we review research from the past decade that has identified irisin as a potential therapeutic agent in the prevention or treatment of various metabolic-related and other diseases. This article delineates structural and biochemical aspects of irisin and provides an insight into the role of irisin in different pathological conditions.     

Tunable near-infrared radiation by difference frequency mixing in a lithium tetraborate crystal

Non-collinear difference frequency mixing is reported for the first time in a lithium tetraborate (Li₂B₄O₇) crystal, and is used to generate near-infrared radiation in the range 1700–2300 nm. Received: 13 July 2000 / Published online: 10 January 2001     

Understanding amylose crystallinity in starch–clay nanocomposites

The amylose–water interaction is part of an important equilibrating process within the starch matrix leading to slow recrystallization of amylose chains and growth of anisotropic properties in the starch matrix. This article highlights the influence of nanoclay on (a) the structural development of amylose crystallinity and (b) the rate of water loss from the starch matrix. By varying the nanocomposites level (1.5–4 wt %), a unique microstructure is obtained that “locks” moisture and it was found that on a per unit weight basis of the starch matrix, addition of 4 wt % nanoclay resulted in additional 8.5% water in the matrix. Also, it was found that increasing the nanoclay from 2 to 4% by weight, the composite modulus jumped by 100% indicating excellent interaction between clay nanocomposites and starch polymer. Analysis of the starch crystallinity data indicates that nanocomposites retard the mobility of the starch molecules (specially the long chain amylose component) to restrict the movement of “associated” water around starch and this increases the “locked” water by ～10%. The results strongly suggest that a new structural unit may be formed by amylose–water–clay interaction which enhances the composites properties. © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part B: Polym Phys 46: 979–987, 2008     

Measurement of effective specific heat of packed bed materials by the continuous flow electrical method

The theory of the continuous flow electrical method for the determination of specific heat of liquids has been extended to the measurements of effective specific heat of packed bed materials consisting of solid-liquid phase systems. Experimental data are reported showing the variation of effective specific heat with mass porosity and saturating liquid specific heat. The weighted arithmetic mean equation of constituent specific heats is in fair agreement with the measured values.     

Dienecobalt tricarbonyl cations

Oxidation of dienedicarbonylcobalt dimers has yielded the novel dienetricarbonylcobalt cations, or, in presence of phosphine, the corresponding mono- and di-substituted salts.     

Generation of ultraviolet radiation with wide angular tolerance in cesium lithium borate crystal

Tangential phase-matching has been realised in cesium lithium borate (CLBO) crystal for the first time for the generation of fourth harmonic (266 nm) of Nd:YAG and third harmonic (226.7 nm) of a dye laser radiation by second harmonic generation and sum-frequency mixing with the angular tolerance as large as 22 mrad and 21 mrad respectively, over one of the interacting beams. An energy conversion efficiency of 15% for fourth harmonic generation is obtained with a 5.5 mm thick crystal and with the average pump powers only 170 and 70 mW. A set of Sellmeier dispersion equations for the CLBO crystal have also been formulated.