Evaluation of radon induced lung cancer risk in occupants of the old and new dwellings of the Dera Ismail Khan City,Pakistan

In order to carry out indoor radon measurement in new and old buildings of the Dera Ismail Khan city, CR-39 based radon detectors were installed in bed rooms and sitting rooms/TV lounges in 25 (each) old and new houses and were exposed to indoor radon for 90 days. After processing, mean weighted average indoor radon concentrations in old and new houses were found to be 275 ± 33 and 86 ± 18 Bq m^?3 whereas mean annual effective doses expected to be received by the occupants were 6.86 ± 0.79 and 2.1 ± 0.43 mSv year^?1, respectively. From the measured weighted average indoor radon concentration, excess relative risk factor was calculated using the risk model of BEIR VI for the age group of 35 and 55 years. Average excess lung cancer risk was found to be 1.63 ± 0.19 and 1.35 ± 0.16 and 0.5 ± 0.10 and 0.4 ± 0.08 for old and new houses, respectively.     

Regioselective synthesis of functionalized 2-(phenylthio)benzoates by ‘[3+3] cyclization/homo-Michael’ reactions of 1-methoxy-1-trimethylsilyloxy-3-phenylthio-1,3-butadienes with 1,1-diacylcyclopropanes

2-(Phenylthio)benzoates containing a remote halide function are regioselectively prepared by ‘[3+3] cyclization/homo-Michael’ reactions of 1-methoxy-1-trimethylsilyloxy-3-phenylthio-1,3-butadienes with 1,1-diacylcyclopropanes.     

Operational aspect of the policy coordination for financial stability: role of Jeffreys–Lindley’s paradox in operations research

This study analyses the implications of Jeffery–Lindley’s paradox and Global Financial Crisis (GFC) for the operational aspect of macroeconomic policy coordination for financial stability. Using a Bayesian Vector Auto-regressive model and data from Jan 1985 to June 2016, our key findings suggest that the claim of macroeconomic policy interaction, interdependence and significance of coordinated policy operations for the financial stability holds its ground. The argument in the support for policy coordination for financial stability was found to be robust against the Jeffreys–Lindley’s paradox and in the Post-GFC era. A profound practical, operational and philosophical implication of this study is the positive aspects of Jeffreys–Lindley’s paradox and the possibility of employing the Frequentist and Bayesian estimation techniques as complementing rather competing frameworks.

     

Stereo- and regio-selective one-pot synthesis of triazole-based unnatural amino acids and β-amino triazoles

Synthesis of triazole based unnatural amino acids and β-amino triazoles has been described via a stereo and regioselective one-pot multi-component reaction of sulfamidates, sodium azide, and alkynes under MW conditions. The developed method is applicable to a broad substrate scope and has significant potential for the synthesis of unnatural amino acids with a triazole side chain.     

A highly active and magnetically retrievable nanoferrite-DOPA-copper catalyst for the coupling of thiophenols with aryl halides

Diaryl sulfides were synthesized using a magnetically recoverable heterogeneous Cu catalyst via one-pot multi component reaction using MW irradiation; the use of isopropanol as a benign reaction medium, easy recovery of the catalyst using an external magnet, efficient recycling, and the high stability of the catalyst render the protocol economic and sustainable.     

Hydrodynamic focusing—a versatile tool

The control of hydrodynamic focusing in a microchannel has inspired new approaches for microfluidic mixing, separations, sensors, cell analysis, and microfabrication. Achieving a flat interface between the focusing and focused fluids is dependent on Reynolds number and device geometry, and many hydrodynamic focusing systems can benefit from this understanding. For applications where a specific cross-sectional shape is desired for the focused flow, advection generated by grooved structures in the channel walls can be used to define the shape of the focused flow. Relative flow rates of the focused flow and focusing streams can be manipulated to control the cross-sectional area of the focused flows. This paper discusses the principles for defining the shape of the interface between the focused and focusing fluids and provides examples from our lab that use hydrodynamic focusing for impedance-based sensors, flow cytometry, and microfabrication to illustrate the breadth of opportunities for introducing new capabilities into microfluidic systems. We evaluate each example for the advantages and limitations integral to utilization of hydrodynamic focusing for that particular application.     

Titanium(IV) Complexes of Unsymmetrical Schiff Bases Derived from Ethylenediamine and o‐Hydroxyaldehyde/Ketone and Their Anti‐microbial Evaluation

The titanium(IV) complexes of the unsymmetrical Schiff base ligands (L) of ethylenediamine and salicylaldehyde, o‐hydroxyacetophenone, o‐hydroxynapthaldehyde have been prepared and characterized when unsymmetrical ligands are synthesized through in situ partial displacement of the symmetrical bis‐Schiff bases. Compounds have been characterized by elemental analysis, electronic, (Infra‐red) IR, 1H NMR spectral data, magnetic susceptibility measurement and molar conductance and eight coordinated geometry of the complexes was proposed. The complexes have been found to posses 1:2:1 (M:L:B) stoichiometry (B is the secondary ligand). The bio‐efficacy of the prepared complexes has been examined against the growth of bacteria and fungi in vitro to evaluate their anti‐microbial potential.     

Synthesis and Characterization of Dihydrouracil Analogs Utilizing Biginelli Hybrids

Dihydrouracil presents a crucial intermediate in the catabolism of uracil. The vital importance of uracil and its nucleoside, uridine, encourages scientists to synthesize novel dihydrouracils. In this paper, we present an innovative, fast, and effective method for the synthesis of dihydrouracils. Hence, under mild conditions, 3-chloroperbenzoic acid was used to cleave the carbon–sulfur bond of the Biginelli hybrids 5,6-dihydropyrimidin-4(3H)-ones. This approach led to thirteen novel dihydrouracils synthesized in moderate-to-high yields (32–99%).     

Effects of pH and Ionic Salts on the Emulsifying and Rheological Properties of Acorn Protein Isolate

This study was designed to evaluate the emulsifying and rheological properties of acorn protein isolate (API) in different pH mediums (pH 3, 7 and 9) and in the presence of ionic salts (1 M NaCl and 1 M CaCl₂). API shows higher solubility in distilled water at pH 7, while at the same pH, a decrease in solubility was observed for API in the presence of CaCl₂ (61.30%). A lower emulsifying activity index (EAI), lower stability index (ESI), larger droplet sizes and slight flocculation were observed for API in the presence of salts at different pHs. Importantly, CaCl₂ treated samples showed relevantly higher EAI (252.67 m²/g) and ESI (152.67 min) values at all pH as compared to NaCl (221.76 m²/g), (111.82 min), respectively. A significant increase in interfacial protein concentration (4.61 mg/m²) was observed for emulsion at pH 9 with CaCl₂, while the major fractions of API were observed in an interfacial layer after SDS-PAGE analysis. All of the emulsion shows shear thinning behavior (τ_c > 0 and n < 1), while the highest viscosity was observed for emulsion prepared with CaCl₂ at pH 3 (11.03 ± 1.62). In conclusion, API, in the presence of ionic salts at acidic, neutral and basic pH, can produce natural emulsions, which could be substitutes for synthetic surfactants for such formulations.     

A correlation of conductivity medium and bioparticle viability on dielectrophoresis-based biomedical applications

Dielectrophoresis (DEP) bioparticle research has progressed from micro to nano levels. It has proven to be a promising and powerful cell manipulation method with an accurate, quick, inexpensive, and label-free technique for therapeutic purposes. DEP, an electrokinetic phenomenon, induces particle movement as a result of polarization effects in a nonuniform electrical field. This review focuses on current research in the biomedical field that demonstrates a practical approach to DEP in terms of cell separation, trapping, discrimination, and enrichment under the influence of the conductive medium in correlation with bioparticle viability. The current review aims to provide readers with an in-depth knowledge of the fundamental theory and principles of the DEP technique, which is influenced by conductive medium and to identify and demonstrate the biomedical application areas. The high conductivity of physiological fluids presents obstacles and opportunities, followed by bioparticle viability in an electric field elaborated in detail. Finally, the drawbacks of DEP-based systems and the outlook for the future are addressed. This article will aid in advancing technology by bridging the gap between bioscience and engineering. We hope the insights presented in this review will improve cell suspension medium and promote DEP-viable bioparticle manipulation for health-care diagnostics and therapeutics.