Experimental study of the induced flow birefringence of a suspension of rigid particles at the transition from Couette flow to Taylor vortex flow

The flow birefringence induced in solutions of rigid particles is studied experimentally in the region of the axisymmetrical Taylor vortex flow which arises once the velocity gradient G in the annular gap of a conventional Couette cell reaches a critical value G _c .The measurements are performed for several values of G > G _c and for 10 radial observation points in the annular gap. Solutions of two types of rigid particles are investigated: the first is a suspension of flattened clay particles like bentonite, while the second contains rod-like particles of tobacco mosaic virus (TMV). The variations of the birefringence intensity n and of the extinction angle measured in the domain of the axisymmetrical flow show a different behavior according to the shape of the particle in solution. This fact is confirmed theoretically with a good agreement for the measurements performed with solutions of flat particles.     

The effect of a coriolis force on Taylor-Couette flow

Taylor-Couette flow subject to a Coriolis force is studied experimentally and numerically. In the experiment, the Couette apparatus is mounted on a turntable with the axis of the cylinders orthogonal to the rotation vector of the turntable. The Coriolis force stabilizes the fluid against the onset of Taylor vortices and alters the velocity fields, both above and below the transition from the initial flow. At small dimensionless turntable frequencies, the transition yields time-independent Taylor vortices which are tilted with respect to the cylinder axis. At larger there is a direct transition to turbulence. We determine the first-order correction to the classical Couette initial flow, to account for the effects of the Coriolis force, by expanding in powers of. We present numerical results for the axial velocity (the only nonvanishing correction term to order) in the infinite-cylinder approximation.     

Sol-gel approach to in situ creation of high pH-resistant surface-bonded organic-inorganic hybrid zirconia coating for capillary microextraction (in-tube SPME)

A novel zirconia-based hybrid organic-inorganic sol-gel coating was developed for capillary microextraction (CME) (in-tube SPME). High degree of chemical inertness inherent in zirconia makes it very difficult to covalently bind a suitable organic ligand to its surface. In the present work, this problem was addressed from a sol-gel chemistry point of view. Principles of sol-gel chemistry were employed to chemically bind a hydroxy-terminated silicone polymer (polydimethyldiphenylsiloxane, PDMDPS) to a sol-gel zirconia network in the course of its evolution from a highly reactive alkoxide precursor undergoing controlled hydrolytic polycondensation reactions. A fused silica capillary was filled with a properly designed sol solution to allow for the sol-gel reactions to take place within the capillary for a predetermined period of time (typically 15-30 min). In the course of this process, a layer of the evolving hybrid organic-inorganic sol-gel polymer got chemically anchored to the silanol groups on the capillary inner walls via condensation reaction. At the end of this in-capillary residence time, the unbonded part of the sol solution was expelled from the capillary under helium pressure, leaving behind a chemically bonded sol-gel zirconia-PDMDPS coating on the inner walls. Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, ketones, and aldehydes were efficiently extracted and preconcentrated from dilute aqueous samples using sol-gel zirconia-PDMDPS coated capillaries followed by thermal desorption and GC analysis of the extracted solutes. The newly developed sol-gel hybrid zirconia coatings demonstrated excellent pH stability, and retained the extraction characteristics intact even after continuous rinsing with a 0.1 M NaOH solution for 24 h. To our knowledge, this is the first report on the use of a sol-gel zirconia-based hybrid organic-inorganic coating as an extraction medium in solid phase microextraction (SPME).     

Application of HPLC to measure vanadium in environmental,biological and clinical matrices

Vanadate and vanadium compounds exist in many environmental, biological and clinical matrices, and despite the need only limited progress has been made on the analysis of vanadium compounds. The vanadium coordination chemistry of different oxidation states is known, and the result of the characterization and speciation analysis depends on the subsequent chemistry and the methods of analysis. Many studies have used a range of methods for the characterization and determination of metal ions in a variety of materials. One successful technique is high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) that has been used mainly for measuring total vanadium level and metal speciation. Some cases have been reported where complexes of different oxidation states of vanadium have been separated by HPLC. Specifically reversed phase (RP) HPLC has frequently been used for the measurement of vanadium. Other HPLC methods such as normal phase, anion-exchange, cation-exchange, size exclusion and other RP-HPLC modes such as, ion-pair and micellar have been used to separate selected vanadium compounds. We will present a review that summarizes and critically analyzes the reported methods for analysis of vanadium salts and vanadium compounds in different sample matrices. We will compare various HPLC methods and modes including sample preparation, chelating reagents, mobile phase and detection methods. The comparison will allow us to identify the best analytical HPLC method and mode for measuring vanadium levels and what information such methods provide with regard to speciation and quantitation of the vanadium compounds.     

Novel anti-inflammatory and wound healing controlled released LDH-Curcumin nanocomposite via intramuscular implantation,in-vivo study

One of the most common problems in wounds is delayed healing and complications such as infection. Therefore, the need for novel materials accelerates the healing of wounds especially abdominal wounds after surgery besides high efficiency and safety is mandatory. The rate of wound healing, anti-inflammatory and biocompatibility of Zn-Al LDH (Zn-Al layer double hydroxide) alone and loaded with Curcumin (Zn-Al LDH/Curcumin) was screened via in-vivo assays through intramuscular implantation in rat abdominal wall with intact peritoneum cavity. The implanted drugs were formed through Curcumin loaded into LDH of Zn-Al with drug release of 56.78 ± 1.51% within 24 h. The synthesized nanocomposite was characterized by (TGA/DTA) thermal analysis, (XRD) X-ray diffraction, (FESEM) Field emission scanning electron microscopy, (HRTEM) high resolution transmission electron microscope, energy dispersive X-ray (EDX) and low-temperature N₂ adsorption, pore volume and average pore size distribution. The integrity of blood circulation, inflammatory signs, wound healing rate, capacity of tissue integration, antigenicity and composite biocompatibility, auto fluorescence ability of collagen bundles and the tensile strength of the muscle were assessed histopathologically after 7 and 30 days’ post-implantation. Excellent wound healing ability was achieved with shortest length between the wound gap edges and higher tensile strength of the muscle. Besides emit florescence very well followed by good healing and tensile muscles strength in Curcumin while very low strength with scar formation in Zn-Al LDH/Curcumin in both acute and chronic wound. No signs of inflammation in Curcumin & Zn-Al LDH. No vessels obstruction or bleeding observed in both Zn-Al LDH and Curcumin more than Zn-Al LDH/Curcumin and control which examined through candling. Good healing & infiltrated immune cells in same groups through histopathological examination. This work supports the anti-inflammatory, wound healing and biocompatibility of both LDH and Curcumin with living matter, increasing their biomedical applications in this era with safety and increasing efficacy with prolonged drug release.     

Determination of proteins with Alizarin Red S by Rayleigh light scattering technique

A new protein determination method by enhanced Rayleigh light scattering (RLS) technique has been developed. In acid condition (pH=3.60), RLS of 1,2-dihydroxyanthraquinone-3-sulfonate (Alizarin Red S) can be greatly enhanced by addition of proteins, resulting in two characteristic peaks, 360 and 505 nm, respectively. The new protein assay is based on the RLS enhancement and spectrum change. The optimum condition for the reaction was investigated. The linear range is 0.20-24.9 μg ml⁻¹ for BSA and 0.20-15.5 μg ml⁻¹ for HSA. The detection limits (S/N=3) are 9.59 ng ml⁻¹ for BSA and 9.51 ng ml⁻¹ for HSA. The results of determination for human serum samples were comparable to those obtained by Bradford method. The binding stoichiometry was determined.     

Quantitative analysis of delta9-tetrahydrocannabinol in preserved oral fluid by liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry

A rapid and sensitive method for the analysis of delta9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) in preserved oral fluid was developed and fully validated. Oral fluid was collected with the Intercept, a Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved sampling device that is used on a large scale in the U.S. for workplace drug testing. The method comprised a simple liquid-liquid extraction with hexane, followed by liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS-MS) analysis. Chromatographic separation was achieved using a XTerra MS C18 column, eluted isocratically with 1 mM ammonium formate-methanol (10:90, v/v). Selectivity of the method was achieved by a combination of retention time, and two precursor-product ion transitions. The use of the liquid-liquid extraction was demonstrated to be highly effective and led to significant decreases in the interferences present in the matrix. Validation of the method was performed using both 100 and 500 MicroL of oral fluid. The method was linear over the range investigated (0.5-100 ng/mL and 0. 1-10 ng/mL when 100 and 500 microL, respectively, of oral fluid were used) with an excellent intra-assay and inter-assay precision (relative standard deviations, RSD <6%) for quality control samples spiked at a concentration of 2.5 and 25 ng/mL and 0.5 and 2.5 ng/mL, respectively. Limits of quantification were 0.5 and 0.1 ng/mL when using 100 and 500 microL, respectively. In contrast to existing GC-MS methods, no extensive sample clean-up and time-consuming derivatisation steps were needed. The method was subsequently applied to Intercept samples collected at the roadside and collected during a controlled study with cannabis.     

FRICTIONAL DISSIPATION AND NONLINEAR BAROTROPIC INSTABILITY

Based on the nonlinear quasi-geostrophic barotropic vorticity equation with Ekman friction, the criteria for nonlinear barotropic stability of the zonal basic flows are derived using Serrin-Joseph energy approach and through total energy, total enstrophy and their linear combination, separately, in terms of variational principle. Since the new transformation for Euler equation is utilized, the estimation of eigenvalue is more accurate, and the previous results of the author are improved very well.     

Resonance Rayleigh scattering, frequency doubling scattering and second-order scattering spectra of the heparin-crystal violet system and their analytical application

In pH 6.0-11.2 Britton-Robinson buffer solution, binding of heparin with crystal violet (CV) can result in a significant enhancement of resonance Rayleigh scattering (RRS) and resonance non-linear scattering, such as frequency doubling scattering (FDS) and second-order scattering (SOS). Their maximum scattering wavelengths, λ_ex/λ_em, appear at 492 nm/492 nm for RRS, 984 nm/492 nm for FDS and 492 nm/984 nm for SOS, respectively. The optimum conditions of the reaction, the influencing factors and the relationship between the three scattering intensities and the concentration of heparin have been investigated. New methods for the determination of trace amounts of heparin based on the RRS, FDS and SOS methods have been developed. The methods exhibit high sensitivities, the detection limit for heparin is 2.9 ng ml⁻¹ for the RRS method, 3.5 ng ml⁻¹ for the FDS method and 3.3 ng ml⁻¹ for the SOS method. The methods have good selectivity and were applied to the determination of heparin in heparin sodium injection samples with satisfactory results.