Application of hollow fiber liquid phase microextraction for pinic acid and pinonic acid analysis from organic aerosols

A method based on hollow fiber liquid phase microextraction (HF-LPME) for analysis of pinic acid and pinonic acid was developed and for the first time successfully applied to ambient aerosol samples. In this method, the aerosol samples were dissolved in 0.05 M H₂SO₄ and the solution was extracted using three-phase HF-LPME where donor phase was 0.1 M (NH₄)₂CO₃. Different parameters like type of organic solvent for membrane phase, extraction time and stirring speed etc. were optimized. Optimum extraction time was 4.5 h and optimum-stirring speed was found to be 900 rpm. We used 6-undecanone as organic phase along with tri-n-octylphosphine oxide (optimum TOPO contents was 15% w/v), which gave an enormous enrichment for both pinic and pinonic acid. Enrichment factors of 28,050 and 27,400 times were obtained for pinonic acid and pinic acid, respectively, that are the highest ever published. The extraction efficiency for pinic acid and pinonic acid were 68.5% and 70.1%, respectively. Very low limits of detection were obtained. Values of 1.0 ng L^?1 and 0.5 ng L^?1 in aqueous solutions, corresponding to 24 pg m^?3 and 12 pg m^?3 in aerosol samples were the limits of detections for pinonic acid and pinic acid, respectively. Both pinonic acid and pinic acid were found in all aerosol samples analyzed.     

Physicochemical Properties of Amino Acids in AqueousCaffeine Solution at 25, 30, 35 and 40 ℃

Density, viscosity, and refractive index, for glycine, DL-alanine, L-serine and DL-valine have been determined in aqueous solution of 0.05 mol/kg caffeine as a function of amino acid （AA） concentration at 25, 30, 35, and 40 ℃ The density data have been used to compute apparent molar volume. The partial molar volume （limiting apparent molar volume） was obtained by applying the Masson＇s equation. The viscosity data have been analyzed by means of Jones-Dole equation. The values of Falkenhagen coefficient and Jones-Dole coefficient thus obtained are used to interpret the solute-solute and solute-solvent interactions, respectively. Hydration number was also computed. The transition-state theory was applied to obtain the activation parameters of viscous flow, i.e., free energy of activation per mole of solvent, and solute. The enthalpy and entropy of activation of viscous flow were computed for the system. Refractive index was used to calculate molar refractivity of the mixtures. The results have been interpreted in the light of various interactions occurring between the components of the mixtures under applied experimental conditions.     

Some accelerated flows of generalized Oldroyd-B fluid between two side walls perpendicular to the plate

This paper deals with some accelerated flows of generalized Oldroyd-B fluid between two side walls perpendicular to the plate. The fractional calculus approach is used in the constitutive relationship of the Oldroyd-B fluid. The exact analytic solution is obtained by means of mixed Fourier sine transform and discrete Laplace transform for fractional derivative.     

Hydrogel Nanocomposite as a Synthetic Intra-Ocular Lens Capable of Accommodation

A hydrogel nanocomposite was designed, synthesized, and evaluated for use as an auto-focusing intra-ocular lens. The hydrogel scaffold was composed of a monomer-free, thiol that contained polyacrylamide (5%), which was allowed to gel in the presence of nanoparticles at pH 7.4, 25°C. The nanoparticles consisted of a proteo-mimetic polyacrylamide nanogel (∼42 nm), bovine serum albumin (BSA) (∼6 nm), and hydrophilized silica (∼3 nm). The extent of nanoparticle loading increased with decreasing particle size. The elastic modulus increased with increasing loading of the proteo-mimetic nanogels and BSA, and it decreased with hydrophilized silica. In this investigation, the hydrogel that contained silica was the most promising class of nanocomposite hydrogels with properties comparable to that of a young porcine lens. A nanocomposite that consisted of 10% hydrogel scaffold and 24% hydrophilized silica (elastic [E] modulus of ∼1.0 kPa and refractive index [RI] of 1.42) was injected into a pre-evacuated porcine lens capsular bag. The composite lens was evaluated in a custom-designed four-arm radial stretcher, and its force-time spectrum was characterized by time constants of 60 ± 8.9 and 800 ± 32 ms. These results were comparable to a young porcine lens (E Modulus of 1.2 kPa; RI of 1.4105; time constants of 48.3 ± 0.58 and 668 ± 24.6 ms, respectively)     

Flexural motion in laser evaporative heated cantilever workpiece: Three-dimensional analysis

Laser evaporative heating of metallic surfaces generates a recoil pressure at liquid–vapor interface. Since the magnitude of recoil pressure is considerably high, despite the small evaporative area, the pressure force generated normal to the workpiece surface is considerably high. Consequently, pressure force initiates a flexural motion of the workpiece subjected to a laser evaporative heating. In the present study, flexural motion of a steel plate, with a cantilever arrangement, due to laser evaporative heating is considered. Stress field in the workpiece is also taken into account. Three-dimensional motion of the workpiece is modeled and governing equations of motion and stress field are solved numerically using the finite element method. It is found that surface displacement in the order of 20 m is predicted and the maximum equivalent stress in the order of 700 kPa is obtained. Additional copper element in the workpiece alters the temporal variation of stress levels.     

Determination of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) from organic aerosols using hollow fiber micro-porous membrane liquid-liquid extraction (HF-MMLLE) followed by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry analysis

A method for determination of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) from aerosols was developed. Instead of conventionally used non-polar or slightly polar phenylmethylpolysiloxane column a highly polar, highly substituted, cyanopropyl column (VF-23 MS) was used for separation of PAHs. Based on hollow fiber micro-porous membrane liquid-liquid extraction (HF-MMLLE) a method was developed for sample clean up and pretreatment. An enrichment factor of 617-1022 was obtained with extraction efficiency 10.2-18.9% for different PAHs analyzed in this study. The optimized method was successfully applied to aerosol samples and limits of detection between 1.2 pg m⁻³ and 180 pg m⁻³ was obtained. Almost all PAHs were found in most of the aerosol samples.     

Pervaporation dehydration of ethylene glycol with chitosan–poly(vinyl alcohol) blend membranes: Effect of CS–PVA blending ratios

Chitosan–poly(vinyl alcohol), CS–PVA, blended membranes were prepared by solution casting of varying proportions of CS and PVA. The blend membranes were then crosslinked interfacially with trimesoyl chloride (TMC)/hexane. The physiochemical properties of the blend membranes were determined using Attenuated Total Reflection-Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (ATR-FTIR), X-ray diffraction (XRD), differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), tensile test and contact angle measurements. Results from ATR-FTIR show that TMC has crosslinked the blend membranes successfully, and results of XRD and DSC show a corresponding decrease in crystallinity and increase in melting point, respectively. The crosslinked CS–PVA blend membranes also show improved mechanical strength but lower flexibility in tensile testing as compared to uncrosslinked membranes. Contact angle results show that crosslinking has decreased the surface hydrophilicity of the blend membranes. The blend membrane properties, including contact angle, melting point and tensile strength, change with a variation in the blending ratio. They appear to reach a maximum when the CS content is at 75 wt%. In general, the crosslinked blend membranes show excellent stability during the pervaporation (PV) dehydration of ethylene glycol–water mixtures (10–90 wt% EG) at different temperatures (25–70 °C). At 70 °C, for 90 wt% EG in the feed mixture, the crosslinked blend membrane with 75 wt% CS shows the highest total flux of 0.46 kg/(m² h) and best selectivity of 986. The blending ratio of 75 wt% CS is recommended as the optimized ratio in the preparation of CS–PVA blend membranes for pervaporation dehydration of ethylene glycol.     

Nanodiamonds: A Cutting-Edge Approach to Enhancing Biomedical Therapies and Diagnostics in Biosensing

Nanodiamonds (NDs) have garnered attention in the field of nanomedicine due to their unique properties. This review offers a comprehensive overview of NDs synthesis methods, properties, and their uses in biomedical applications. Various synthesis techniques, such as detonation, high-pressure, high-temperature, and chemical vapor deposition, offer distinct advantages in tailoring NDs′ size, shape, and surface properties. Surface modification methods further enhance NDs′ biocompatibility and enable the attachment of bioactive molecules, expanding their applicability in biological systems. NDs serve as promising nanocarriers for drug delivery, showcasing biocompatibility and the ability to encapsulate therapeutic agents for targeted delivery. Additionally, NDs demonstrate potential in cancer treatment through hyperthermic therapy and vaccine enhancement for improved immune responses. Functionalization of NDs facilitates their utilization in biosensors for sensitive biomolecule detection, aiding in precise diagnostics and rapid detection of infectious diseases. This review underscores the multifaceted role of NDs in advancing biomedical applications. By synthesizing NDs through various methods and modifying their surfaces, researchers can tailor their properties for specific biomedical needs. The ability of NDs to serve as efficient drug delivery vehicles holds promise for targeted therapy, while their applications in hyperthermic therapy and vaccine enhancement offer innovative approaches to cancer treatment and immunization. Furthermore, the integration of NDs into biosensors enhances diagnostic capabilities, enabling rapid and sensitive detection of biomolecules and infectious diseases. Overall, the diverse functionalities of NDs underscore their potential as valuable tools in nanomedicine, paving the way for advancements in healthcare and biotechnology.     

Molecular Interactions in Formamide + Isomeric Butanols: An Ultrasonic and Volumetric Study

Densities, , ultrasonic speeds, u and viscosities, of the binary mixtures of formamide (FA) with 1-butanol, 2-methyl-1-propanol, and 2-methyl-2-propanol, including those of pure liquids, were measured over the whole composition range at 35°C. Using the experimental values of , u and , the deviations in isentropic compressibility, _s , excess volume, V ^E, viscosity, , and excess Gibbs energy of activation of viscous flow, G* ^E , were calculated from the linear dependence of these parameters on composition of mixtures. The apparent molar isentropic compressibility, K _,2 and apparent molar volume, V ^,2 of alcohols in FA were also calculated. The variations of these parameters with composition are discussed from the point of view of intermolecular interactions in these mixtures. The V ^E data have also been analyzed using Prigogine–Flory–Patterson theory. An analysis of each of the three contributions, viz., interactional, free volume, and P* effect to V ^E shows that P*, the internal pressure parameter of the theory, plays a dominant role in deciding the sign and magnitude of V ^E.