Conductivity relaxation in Ag+ ion conducting PEO–PMMA–PEG polymer blends

In this paper, the electrical conductivity and relaxation studies in two different temperature regions (T?<?T _m and T?>?T _m) on plasticized PEO–PMMA blend polymer electrolyte system with AgNO₃ salt are reported. The polymer electrolyte system has been prepared by solution cast technique and characterized by X-ray diffraction and differential scanning calorimetry. The conduction and relaxation processes at various temperatures have been investigated in the framework of modulus formalism. The distribution of relaxation times is discussed using Argand plot. Variation in ionic conductivity of polymer blends is discussed with the increase of PEO as well as with temperature.     

Evidence of Dynamical Fluctuation of Target Residues in Relativistic Nuclear Interaction at 14.5 AGeV

An analysis of data of target fragments of ²⁸Si-AgBr (at 14.5 AGeV) reveals the existence of emission asymmetry in the azimuthal plane, which is found to depend on the number of target fragments. The comparison with the data of ³²S-AgBr (at 200 AGeV) and ¹⁶O-AgBr (at 60 AGeV) interactions indicates that emission asymmetry depends on the projectile mass and energy.     

Sensitive and selective methods for determination of antipsychotic drug olanzapine in pharmaceuticals

Two simple and sensitive spectrophotometric methods have been developed for analysis of the antipsychotic drug olanzapine in pharmaceuticals. Method A is based on liberation of iodine by reaction between the drug and potassium iodate, followed by reaction with leuco crystal violet (LCV), the color of oxidized LCV being measured at 598 nm. Method B is based on oxidation of olanzapine with chloramine-T (CAT) in acidic medium, the unconsumed CAT being determined with rhodamine B, measuring the absorbance at 550 nm. Calibration graphs were linear over the ranges of 0.05–2.0 and 0.1–1.6 μg mL^?1 olanzapine for method A and B, respectively. The molar absorptivity, Sandell’s sensitivity, detection limit, and quantitation limit were found to be 1.59 × 10⁵, 0.00132, 0.038, and 0.117, respectively, for method A and 0.953 × 10⁵, 0.00221, 0.064, and 0.192, respectively, for method B. The optimum conditions and other analytical parameters were evaluated. The proposed methods have been applied successfully for analysis of olanzapine in pure form and its dosage forms, and no interference was observed from common excipients present in pharmaceutical formulations.     

Spectrophotometric analysis of trichloroethylene in various environmental and biological samples

A simple sensitive extractive spectrophotometric method for determination of trichloroethylene is proposed. Trichloroethylene is treated with pyridine to form glutaconic aldehyde by heterolytic cleavage of the pyridine ring. Glutaconic aldehyde is further coupled with 4-aminoacetanilide to form an orange–red dye which is extractable in 3-methyl-1-butanol. The extracted dye shows absorption maximum at 520 nm. The system obeys Beer’s law in the range of 0.05–0.8 μg mL^?1. Important analytical parameters such as time, temperature, reagent concentration, acidity etc. have been optimized for complete colour reaction. Sandell’s sensitivity and molar absorptivity for the system were found to be 0.001 μg cm^?2 and 1.2 × 10⁵ L mol^?1 cm^?1, respectively. The proposed method is satisfactorily applied to micro-level determination of trichloroethylene in various environmental and biological samples.     

Development of a direct radioimmunoassay for serum progesterone

A direct radioimmunoassay for the measurement of progesterone in human serum is described. Progesterone 11-hemisuccinate was conjugated to tyrosine methyl ester (TME) by the mix anhydride method and then iodinated using chloramine-T. The radiochemical purity of different batches of¹²⁵I-progesterone was greater than 95% and showed 70–75% binding with excess antibody. Progesterone 11-hemisuccinate was coupled with BSA and injected to rabits. Antisera collected after three booster injections and having aK value of 1·10⁹1/M was selected for the assay. Significant reduction in binding with antibody was seen when hormone free serum was used in the assay system. Various blocking agents were tried to reduce the serum effects and none of them were found satisfactory. From a series of optimization experiments, an assay was developed without the use of blocking agents. This assay used a much higher concentration of antibody along with lower amount of serum sample (50 l). The optimized assay has a sensitivity of 0.5 nj/ml and a working range of 0.5 to 100 ng/ml. Serum samples were analyzed analysis showed good correlation between the results obtained from the present system and the DPC kit. (Y=0.93X+0.5,r=0.93, forn=25).     

Reactions of cyclopalladated azobenzenes with xanthates and dithiocarbamates. Spectral characterisation and electrochemical studies of the products

Binuclear chloro-bridged cyclopalladated azobenzenes [Pd(A)Cl]₂ (A = ortho-metallated azobenzene or its derivatives) have been reacted with aqueous AgNO₃ to yield aquo-derivatives followed by the addition of xanthates, or dithiocarbamates (RCS₂ ^–) to synthesise ternary complexes, [Pd(A)(RCS₂)]. These complexes occur as configurational isomers and their compositions have been established by ¹H-n.m.r. spectroscopy. Cyclic voltammetric studies show azo reduction at negative and thiol oxidation at positive potentials relative to s.c.e., respectively. Dissociation of RCS₂ ^– under the electrode field is chemically supported by using a sulfide extractor, HgCl₂, Hg(OAc)₂, or AgOAc, to precipitate out the binuclear [Pd(A)Cl]₂/[Pd(A)(OAc)]₂ complexes.     

Determination of organophosphate pesticides at a carbon nanotube/organophosphorus hydrolase electrochemical biosensor

An amperometric biosensor for oganophosphorus (OP) pesticides based on a carbon nanotube (CNT)-modified transducer and an organophosphorus hydrolase (OPH) biocatalyst is described. A bilayer approach with the OPH layer atop of the CNT film was used for preparing the CNT/OPH biosensor. The CNT layer leads to a greatly improved anodic detection of the enzymatically generated p-nitrophenol product, including higher sensitivity and stability. The sensor performance was optimized with respect to the surface modification and operating conditions. Under the optimal conditions the biosensor was used to measure as low as 0.15 μM paraoxon and 0.8 μM methyl parathion with sensitivities of 25 and 6 nA/μM, respectively.     

Conifers Phytochemicals: A Valuable Forest with Therapeutic Potential

Conifers have long been recognized for their therapeutic potential in different disorders. Alkaloids, terpenes and polyphenols are the most abundant naturally occurring phytochemicals in these plants. Here, we provide an overview of the phytochemistry and related commercial products obtained from conifers. The pharmacological actions of different phytochemicals present in conifers against bacterial and fungal infections, cancer, diabetes and cardiovascular diseases are also reviewed. Data obtained from experimental and clinical studies performed to date clearly underline that such compounds exert promising antioxidant effects, being able to inhibit cell damage, cancer growth, inflammation and the onset of neurodegenerative diseases. Therefore, an attempt has been made with the intent to highlight the importance of conifer-derived extracts for pharmacological purposes, with the support of relevant in vitro and in vivo experimental data. In short, this review comprehends the information published to date related to conifers’ phytochemicals and illustrates their potential role as drugs.     

Applications of Fruit Polyphenols and Their Functionalized Nanoparticles Against Foodborne Bacteria: A Mini Review

The ingestion of contaminated water and food is known to cause food illness. Moreover, on assessing the patients suffering from foodborne disease has revealed the role of microbes in such diseases. Concerning which different methods have been developed for protecting food from microbes, the treatment of food with chemicals has been reported to exhibit an unwanted organoleptic effect while also affecting the nutritional value of food. Owing to these challenges, the demand for natural food preservatives has substantially increased. Therefore, the interest of researchers and food industries has shifted towards fruit polyphenols as potent inhibitors of foodborne bacteria. Recently, numerous fruit polyphenols have been acclaimed for their ability to avert toxin production and biofilm formation. Furthermore, various studies have recommended using fruit polyphenols solely or in combination with chemical disinfectants and food preservatives. Currently, different nanoparticles have been synthesized using fruit polyphenols to curb the growth of pathogenic microbes. Hence, this review intends to summarize the current knowledge about fruit polyphenols as antibacterial agents against foodborne pathogens. Additionally, the application of different fruit extracts in synthesizing functionalized nanoparticles has also been discussed.     

Biomolecules-carbon nanotubes doped conducting polymer nanocomposites and their sensor application

A simple method for preparing bio-functionalized soluble single-walled carbon nanotubes (SWNTs) is described. Different proteins such as bovine serum albumin (BSA), cytochrome c and horseradish peroxidase (HRP) were used to solubilize low functionality SWNTs in water aided by sonication. The unbound proteins were removed by column chromatography and the SWNT-protein conjugate was used as the sole anionic dopant in electropolymerization of polypyrrole from polymerization solution at pH above the isoelectric point of the protein to provide a negative charge. The morphology of the polypyrrole with SWNT-protein dopant was found to be three-dimensional and fibrous with wide open interlocking pores in contrast to smooth and cauliflower-like for chloride doped polypyrrole. Enhanced sensor performance was demonstrated for hydrogen peroxide detection on polypyrrole/SWCNT-HRP nanocomposites modified electrode. Such nanocomposites can be potentially applied for other biosensor and bio-fuel cell applications.