Analysis of two stacked cylindrical dielectric resonators in a TE₁₀₂ microwave cavity for magnetic resonance spectroscopy

The frequency, field distributions and filling factors of a DR/TE??? probe, consisting of two cylindrical dielectric resonators (DR1 and DR2) in a rectangular TE??? cavity, are simulated and analyzed by finite element methods. The TE(+++) mode formed by the in-phase coupling of the TE??(δ)(DR1), TE??(δ)(DR2) and TE??? basic modes, is the most appropriate mode for X-band EPR experiments. The corresponding simulated B(+++) fields of the TE(+++) mode have significant amplitudes at DR1, DR2 and the cavity's iris resulting in efficient coupling between the DR/TE??? probe and the microwave bridge. At the experimental configuration, B(+++) in the vicinity of DR2 is much larger than that around DR1 indicating that DR1 mainly acts as a frequency tuner. In contrast to a simple microwave shield, the resonant cavity is an essential component of the probe that affects its frequency. The two dielectric resonators are always coupled and this is enhanced by the cavity. When DR1 and DR2 are close to the cavity walls, the TE(+++) frequency and B(+++) distribution are very similar to that of the empty TE??? cavity. When all the experimental details are taken into account, the agreement between the experimental and simulated TE(+++) frequencies is excellent. This confirms that the resonating mode of the spectrometer's DR/TE??? probe is the TE(+++) mode. Additional proof is obtained from B?(x), which is the calculated maximum x component of B(+++). It is predominantly due to DR2 and is approximately 4.4 G. The B?(x) maximum value of the DR/TE??? probe is found to be slightly larger than that for a single resonator in a cavity because DR1 further concentrates the cavity's magnetic field along its x axis. Even though DR1 slightly enhances the performance of the DR/TE??? probe its main benefit is to act as a frequency tuner. A waveguide iris can be used to over-couple the DR/TE??? probe and lower its Q to ≈150. Under these conditions, the probe has a short dead time and a large bandwidth. The DR/TE??? probe's calculated conversion factor is approximately three times that of a regular cavity making it a good candidate for pulsed EPR experiments.     

Selective chemiluminescence method for monitoring of vitamin K homologues in rheumatoid arthritis patients

Vitamin K is a fat-soluble vitamin involved in blood coagulation and bone metabolism. The detection and monitoring of vitamin K homologues in rheumatoid arthritis (RA) patients is a challenging problem due to the smaller concentrations of vitamin K and the presence of several interfering medications. Therefore, this study aimed to develop a new highly sensitive and selective chemiluminescence (CL) method designated to quantify vitamin K homologues in plasma of RA patients including phylloquinone (PK, vitamin K₁), menaquinone-4 (MK-4, vitamin K₂) and menaquinone-7 (MK-7, vitamin K₂). The method was based on the unique photochemical properties of vitamin K homologues that were exploited for selective luminol CL reaction. The correlation coefficients of 0.998 or more were obtained in the concentration ranges of 0.1-100 ng mL⁻¹ vitamin K homologues. The detection limits were 0.03-0.1 ng mL⁻¹ in human plasma for vitamin K homologues. The developed HPLC-CL system was successfully applied for selective determination of vitamin K homologues in plasma of RA patients. The developed method may provide a useful tool for monitoring vitamin K homologues in different clinical studies such as RA, osteoporosis and hepatocellular carcinoma in which vitamin K is intervented.     

Simultaneous sample washing and concentration using a "trapping-and-releasing" mechanism of magnetic beads on a microfluidic chip

Simultaneous washing and concentration of functionalized magnetic beads in a complex sample solution were demonstrated by applying a rotational magnetic actuation system to a microfluidic chip under continuous flow conditions. The rotation of periodically arranged small permanent magnets close to the fluidic channel carrying a magnetic bead suspension allows trapping and releasing of the beads along the fluidic channel in a periodical manner. Each trapping and releasing event resembles one washing cycle. A purification efficiency of magnetic beads out of a mixed magnetic and non-magnetic bead sample solution of 83±4% at a flow rate of 0.5 μL min(-1), and a magnetic bead recovery or concentration efficiency of 91±5% were achieved using a flow rate of 0.2 μL min(-1). The detection performance of the device was experimentally evaluated with two different bioassays, using either streptavidin-coated magnetic beads in combination with biotinylated fluorescent isothiocyanate (FITC), or a mouse antigen (Ag)-antibody (Ab) system.     

Fabrication of high-aspect-ratio polymer microstructures and hierarchical textures using carbon nanotube composite master molds

Scalable and cost effective patterning of polymer structures and their surface textures is essential to engineer material properties such as liquid wetting and dry adhesion, and to design artificial biological interfaces. Further, fabrication of high-aspect-ratio microstructures often requires controlled deep-etching methods or high-intensity exposure. We demonstrate that carbon nanotube (CNT) composites can be used as master molds for fabrication of high-aspect-ratio polymer microstructures having anisotropic nanoscale textures. The master molds are made by growth of vertically aligned CNT patterns, capillary densification of the CNTs using organic solvents, and capillary-driven infiltration of the CNT structures with SU-8. The composite master structures are then replicated in SU-8 using standard PDMS transfer molding methods. By this process, we fabricated a library of replicas including vertical micro-pillars, honeycomb lattices with sub-micron wall thickness and aspect ratios exceeding 50:1, and microwells with sloped sidewalls. This process enables batch manufacturing of polymer features that capture complex nanoscale shapes and textures, while requiring only optical lithography and conventional thermal processing.     

Non-Darcian natural convection of a nanofluid due to triangular fins within trapezoidal enclosures partially filled with a thermal non-equilibrium porous layer

Journal of Thermal Analysis and Calorimetry - Numerical simulations for the convective transport due to triangular fins within an inclined trapezoidal enclosure that is filled by a nanofluid layer...     

Quantitative Evaluation of Generic Glyphosate Using Carbon Paste Electrode Electrochemically Modified with Copper Ions

Russian Journal of Electrochemistry - Generic products are not identical to their branded equivalents. They are typically off-patent. Therefore, this paper suggests a selective, reliable, and...     

BiVO4/TiO2 heterojunction with rich oxygen vacancies for enhanced electrocatalytic nitrogen reduction reaction

The large-scale production of ammonia mainly depends on the Haber–Bosch process, which will lead to the problems of high energy consumption and carbon dioxide emission. Electrochemical nitrogen fixation is considered to be an environmental friendly and sustainable process, but its efficiency largely depends on the activity and stability of the catalyst. Therefore, it is imperative to develop highefficient electrocatalysts in the field of nitrogen reduction reaction (NRR). In this paper, we developed a BiVO₄/TiO₂ nanotube (BiVO₄/TNT) heterojunction composite with rich oxygen vacancies as an electrocatalytic NRR catalyst. The heterojunction interface and oxygen vacancy of BiVO₄/TNT can be the active site of N₂ dynamic activation and proton transition. The synergistic effect of TiO₂ and BiVO₄ shortens the proton transport path and reduces the over potential of chemical reaction. BiVO₄/TNT has high ammonia yield of 8.54 μg·h⁻¹·cm⁻² and high Faraday efficiency of 7.70% in −0.8 V vs. RHE in 0.1 M Na₂SO₄ solution.     

Pesticide Residues in Vegetables and Fruits from Farmer Markets and Associated Dietary Risks

The use of pesticides leads to an increase in agricultural production but also causes harmful effects on human health when excessively used. For safe consumption, pesticide residues should be below the maximum residual limits (MRLs). In this study, the residual levels of pesticides in vegetables and fruits collected from farmers’ markets in Sharkia Governorate, Egypt were investigated using LC-MS/MS and GC-MS/MS. A total number of 40 pesticides were detected in the tested vegetable and fruit samples. Insecticides were the highest group in detection frequency with 85% and 69% appearance in vegetables and fruits, respectively. Cucumber and apple samples were found to have the highest number of pesticide residues. The mean residue levels ranged from 7 to 951 µg kg⁻¹ (in vegetable samples) and from 8 to 775 µg kg⁻¹ (in fruit samples). It was found that 35 (40.7%) out of 86 pesticide residues detected in vegetables and 35 (38.9%) out of 90 pesticide residues detected in fruits exceeded MRLs. Results for lambda-cyhalothrin, fipronil, dimothoate, and omethoate in spinach, zucchini, kaki, and strawberry, respectively, can cause acute or chronic risks when consumed at 0.1 and 0.2 kg day⁻¹. Therefore, it is necessary for food safety and security to continuously monitor pesticide residues in fruits and vegetables in markets.     

Design and Synthesis of Coumarin Derivatives as Cytotoxic Agents through PI3K/AKT Signaling Pathway Inhibition in HL60 and HepG2 Cancer Cells

In this study, a series of coumarin derivatives, either alone or as hybrids with cinnamic acid, were synthesized and evaluated for their cytotoxicity against a panel of cancer cells using the MTT assay. Then, the most active compounds were inspected for their mechanism of cytotoxicity by cell-cycle analysis, RT-PCR, DNA fragmentation, and Western blotting techniques. Cytotoxic results showed that compound (4) had a significant cytotoxic effect against HL60 cells (IC₅₀ = 8.09 µM), while compound (8b) had a noticeable activity against HepG2 cells (IC₅₀ = 13.14 µM). Compounds (4) and (8b) mediated their cytotoxicity via PI3K/AKT pathway inhibition. These results were assured by molecular docking studies. These results support further exploratory research focusing on the therapeutic activity of coumarin derivatives as cytotoxic agents.