Plant‐supported silver nanoparticles: Efficient,economically viable and easily recoverable catalyst for the reduction of organic pollutants

Ginger rhizome powder was used for the synthesis of supported metallic nanoparticle catalysts. A simple and novel adsorption method was used for the synthesis of silver nanoparticles loaded on ginger powder (Ag/GP), copper on ginger powder (Cu/GP) and nickel on ginger powder (Ni/GP). Among these, Ag/GP showed selective reduction of methyl orange and was used for further reactions. The prepared nanomaterials were characterized through X‐ray diffraction, transmission electron microscopy, field emission scanning electron microscopy, fourier transform infrared spectroscopy and energy‐dispersive X‐ray spectroscopy. The prepared Ag/GP catalyst was employed in the catalytic reduction of 4‐nitrophenol (4‐NP), 2‐nitrophenol (2‐NP), rhodamine B, methyl red and congo red. Ag/GP showed excellent catalytic reduction activity, the rate constants being 1.26 × 10^?3 and 2.38 × 10^?3 s^?1 for 2‐NP and 4‐NP, respectively. The turnover frequency reached 1.06 min^?1 for 2‐NP and 1.16 min^?1 for 4‐NP when using the Ag/GP catalyst. The prepared Ag/GP catalyst demonstrated outstanding activity for the degradation of a mixed solution of dyes. Also, stability and reusability of the prepared catalyst were investigated, which showed outstanding reusability up to five times and was stable up to five days.     

Enzyme inhibiting lignans from Vitex negundo

Two new lignans trivially named negundins A (1) and B (2), were isolated along with (+)-diasyringaresinol (3), (+)-lyoniresinol (4), vitrofolal E (5) and vitrofolal F (6), reported for the first time from this species. The structures of the new compounds were established through spectral studies. Compound 2 showed potent inhibitory activity against lipoxygenase enzyme, while 5 showed moderate activity against butyryl-cholinesterase.     

SOLVENT QUALITY AND SOLUTION BEHAVIOR OF NYLON 12

The refractive index increment,dynamic and static laser light scattering,intrinsic viscosity[η]and Huggins constant(K_H)of nylon 12 have been measured in m-cresol and sulphuric acid/water system at 10-60℃.The intrinsic viscosity,R_H,R_g,A_2,and(~2)~(1/2)(calculated from viscosity data)and"a"values of nylon 12 are found to be higher in m-cresol than in sulphuric acid.All these parameters decrease with the increase in water contents in sulphuric acid.The refractive index increment,K_H and activation energy show an opposite trend to that of[η].The intrinsic viscosity,R_H,R_g,A_2, and(~2)~(1/2) have maximum values around 30-40℃in sulphuric acid/water system,whereas in m-cresol they fall at about 20℃.It has been concluded that the variation in size,interaction parameter(second virial coefficient),[η]and K_H of the polymer solutions with the alteration in solvent composition and temperature are the out come of change in thermodynamic quality of solvents,selective adsorption,hydrogen bonding and conformational transitions.It has also been concluded that the increase in temperature first enhances the quality of the solvent,encourages hydrogen bonding and specific adsorption, and then deteriorates,bringing conformational transitions in the polymer molecules.However,the addition of water to sulphuric acid continuously deteriorates the solvent quality.This characteristic of the solvent system brings conformational changes in the polymer especially at low temperatures.     

Implementing Problem-Based Learning in Science Classrooms

Many new curricular and instructional models must be developed or adapted as the nation moves towards educational reform in science classrooms. This article describes how problem-based learning, an innovative curricular and instructional model developed in medical graduate school programs, has been adapted for use in elementary and high school settings. Included in the integration of problem-based learning and science are components of all problem-based episodes including initiating learning with an ill-structured problem, using the problem to structure the learning agenda, and teacher as metacognitive coach, with important goals of a reformed science curriculum such as learning based on concepts of significance, student-designed experiments, and development of scientific reasoning skills.     

Maximum temperature analysis in a Li-ion battery pack cooled by different fluids

Journal of Thermal Analysis and Calorimetry - The use of Li-ion battery in electric vehicles is becoming extensive in the modern-day world owing to their high energy density and longer life. But...     

Development of a system of plane radial cracks during explosion of linear blasthole and borehole charges

Numerical algorithms have been developed to determine the shape and dimensions of radial cracks formed during confined explosions of linear charges in a monolithic rock massif at a great depth and near its surface. The influence of the charge length on the dimensions of radial cracks in a confined explosion has been studied. The burial depth of a borehole or blast charge for which the area of radial cracks is maximal is determined.     

Hydroxypropylcellulose-aceclofenac conjugates: high covalent loading design, structure characterization, nano-assemblies and thermal kinetics

This article presents synthesis of novel macromolecular prodrugs of aceclofenac (an anti-inflammatory drug) onto hydroxypropylcellulose (HPC). The HPC-aceclofenac conjugates were prepared using an acylating agent 1,1′-carbonyldiimidazole (CDI) under homogenous reaction conditions. Aceclofenac was first activated by using CDI to form its N-acylimidazole. The N-acylimidazole of aceclofenac was then reacted with HPC polymer at 80 °C for 24 h. Highly pure prodrugs of aceclofenac were synthesized with a wide range of moderate to high degree of substitution (DS 0.41–2.12) as calculated by ¹H NMR spectroscopy. The UV spectroscopic analysis has also revealed that the active drug aceclofenac was found in different conjugates from 28 to 67 mg/100 mg of HPC-aceclofenac conjugates which are in good agreement with DS calculated by ¹H NMR spectroscopy. The gel permeation chromatography showed unimodal absorption that indicates no significant degradation in polymer chains during the reaction. The macromolecular prodrugs of aceclofenac were characterized using different spectroscopic and chromatographic techniques. The thermal analysis has revealed that HPC-aceclofenac conjugates (prodrugs) are 92 and 96 °C more stable than pure aceclofenac regarding their initial (Tdi) and maximum degradation temperatures (Tdm), respectively. The activation energy (Ea) and frequency factor (Z) of the degradation reactions were evaluated using Friedman, Broido and Chang methods. Degradation followed first order (n) kinetics. Transmission electron microscopy has revealed the formation of sponge like nano aggregates with population size distribution of around 80–150 nm.