Evaluation of <Superscript>40</Superscript>K in vegetables collected Malaysia by determination total potassium using neutron activation analysis

Some vegetables of important nutritive requirements have been collected from Kuala Lumpur region capital of Malaysia. The vegetables were analyzed in order to determine activity concentration level of potassium using neutron activation analysis (NAA). The NAA results obtained showed the activity concentration of ⁴⁰K varied from 379 Bq/kg (Egg-plant) to 1585 Bq/kg (Spinach Red). These results are compared to other researches and are clear that the concentrations of K are relatively high in the Malaysia in compared to rather than vegetables of Pakistan and Jamaican. However, they are seen not to pose any serious internal health burden due to ingestion given the realities of vegetables choice by individuals in the study area.     

Modeling the effects of ore properties on water recovery in the thickening process

A better understanding of solid-liquid separation would assist in improving the thickening performance and perhaps water recovery as well. The present work aimed to develop an empirical model to study the effects of ore properties on the thickening process based on pilot tests using a column. A hydro-cyclone was used to prepare the required samples for the experiments. The model significantly predicted the experimental underflow solid content using a regression equation at a given solid flux and bed level for different samples, indicating that ore properties are the effective parameters in the thickening process. This work confirmed that the water recovery would be increased about 5% by separating the feed into two parts, overflow and underflow, and introducing two different thickeners into them separately. This is duo to the fact that thickeners are limited by permeability and compressibility in operating conditions.     

Dual effects of sodium sulfide on the flotation behavior of chalcopyrite: I. Effect of pulp potential

This study explores the flotation behavior of chalcopyrite in the presence of different concentrations of sodium sulfide (Na₂S·9H₂O) at pH 12 under controlled potential conditions. It was observed that the flotation of chalcopyrite is not depressed completely when the pulp potential is low, even at high concentrations of sodium sulfide, i.e., 10?1–10?2 mol/L. However, a partial and controlled oxidation of pulp does enhance the effectiveness of sodium sulfide on the depression of chalcopyrite. Characterization of the chalcopyrite particle surface by X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy allowed the identification of hydrophilic and hydrophobic surface species, which are responsible for the depression and flotation of chalcopyrite. Changes in pulp potential were found to be an effective float controlling parameter, by which Na2S can be used to initiate or depress the flotation behavior of chalcopyrite.     

Liquid crystal binary mixtures of 8OCB + 10OCB. Evidence for a smectic A-to-nematic tricritical point

The two-component system octyloxycyanobiphenyl (8OCB) + decyloxycyanobiphenil (10OCB) has been studied by means of modulated differential scanning calorimetry as well as optical microscopy. The general trends of the phase diagram are similar to the two-component system octylcyanobiphenyl (8CB) + decylcyanobiphenil (10CB), previously published. Evidence for the existence of a TCP have been reported, the molar composition being about 0.33 of 10OCB. Additionally, the smectic mesophase of the 8OCB + 10OCB mixtures has been unmistakably characterized through optical measurements as smectic A for the whole composition range.     

Synthesis and Crystal Structures of Octahedral Metal Complexes containing the New Dianion [PhP(Se,O)Se‐Se(O,Se)PPh]2−

The synthesis and structures of three new compounds are reported. [Mg₂{PhP(Se,O)Se‐Se(O,Se)PPh}₂(thf)₇(H₂O)₃] ( 1 ), [Mg{PhP(Se,O)Se‐Se(O,Se)PPh}(thf)₃(H₂O)] ( 2 ), and [Mn{PhP(Se,O)Se‐Se(O,Se)PPh}(thf)₃(H₂O)] ( 3 ) were prepared by treatment of Woollins' reagent [PhP(Se)(μ‐Se)]₂ with the corresponding hydrated metal acetates.     

Synthesen und Strukturen von Übergangsmetall‐Komplexen mit Dithiophosphinato‐ und Trithiophosphonato‐Liganden

Syntheses and Structures of Transition Metal Complexes with Dithiophosphinato and Trithiophosphinato Ligands The reactions of MnCl₂ with Ph₂P(S)(SSiMe₃) produced [Mn(S₂PPh₂)₂(thf)₂] ( 1 ) and [Mn(S₂PPh₂)₂(dme)] ( 2 ) (DME = 1,2‐Dimethoxyethane). The compounds [Co₆(S₃PPh)₂(μ⁴‐S)₂(μ³‐S)₂(PPh₃)₄] ( 3 ), [Co₂(S₃PPh)₂(PPh₃)₂] ( 4 ), [Ni(S₂PPh)(PPhEt₂)₂] ( 5 ), [Ni(S₃PPh)(PPhEt₂)₂] ( 6 ) and [Cu₄(S₃PPh)₂(dppp)₂] ( 8 ) [dppp = 1,3‐Bis(diphenylphosphanyl)propane] were obtained from reactions of first‐row transition metal halides with PhP(S)(SSiMe₃)₂ in the presence of tertiary phosphines. In a reaction of PhP(S)(SSiMe₃)₂ with PhPEt₂ PhPEt₂PS₂Ph ( 7 ) was isolated. All compounds were characterized by X‐ray crystallography.     

Shear-induced transitions between a planar lamellar phase and multilamellar vesicles: continuous versus discontinuous transformation

The shear-induced transitions between an oriented lamellar phase and shear-induced multilamellar vesicles (MLVs) in a nonionic surfactant system were studied by deuterium rheo-NMR spectroscopy as a function of time in start-up experiments at several temperatures and shear rates. By starting from an initial state of oriented lamellae and observing the transformation to the final steady state of MLVs and vice-versa, two different mechanisms were found, depending on the direction of the transition and the initial state. The transition is continuous when MLVs are formed, starting from the oriented lamellar phase. On the other hand, a discontinuous nucleation-and-growth process with a coexistence region is observed when transforming MLVs into an oriented lamellar phase.     

Distribution of trace elements in the marine sediments along the South China Sea,Malaysia

In order to complete having data base of elemental assessment of the east coast of Peninsular Malaysia marine sediments along the South China Sea coasts, trace elements are analyzed and their distribution in marine sediments is undertaken. The present study is done parallel with pervious study on elemental assessment of heavy metals, rare earth elements and actinides in the marine sediments of the east coast of Peninsular Malaysia. Thirty surface sediment samples were collected in this area, including regions of Kelantan, Terengganu, Pahang, Rompin and Johor Baharu. Multielemental analysis was carried out by instrumental neutron activation analysis and inductively coupled plasma atomic emission spectroscopy. In both cases methodology validation was performed by certified reference material analyses. For the surface elemental distributions the enrichment factor values, average I _geo and mC _d values indicate that the trace elements of the surface sediments are uncontaminated in all sampling stations that are consistent with previous studies results of heavy metals, rare earth elements and actinides.     

Simultaneous quantitative analysis of polyphenolic compounds in human plasma by liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry

A diet rich in polyphenolic compounds has recognized health benefits, and as such is routinely monitored as part of dietary intervention studies. A method for the simultaneous determination of 36 phenolic compounds, including phenolic acids and flavonoids, using liquid chromatography and tandem mass spectrometry is described here. The target analytes were quantified based on their specific mass spectral fragments using a selected reaction monitoring approach. A C18 column with embedded aromatic functionality ensured separation of all phenolic compounds studied which included several pairs of isomers. Sample preparation involved the use of β‐glucuronidase to release the phenolic compounds from their conjugated forms. The intra‐day and inter‐day precision and accuracy was less than 7% for all phenolic compounds studied. Recoveries, where plasma was spiked with three different concentrations of the analytes, ranged from 95–115%. The limits of detection and quantification were 0.23–3.89 and 1.15–7.79 nM, respectively. The method was successfully applied to real samples and the range reported for each phenolic compound, with the exception of hydroferulic acid, nordihydroguaiaretic acid, methylgallate, and m‐coumaric acid, was at least an order of magnitude higher than the limit of quantification for the method.     

Prediction of retinopathy in diabetic patients using type-2 fuzzy regression model

Due to the small sample size of data available in medical research and the levels of uncertainty and ambiguity associated with medical data, some researchers have employed fuzzy regression models to find the relationship between outcomes and explanatory variables in medical decision-making. The advantages of regression models are their ability to handle small sample sizes while fuzzy logic can model vagueness, thus making fuzzy regression a popular model among researchers. In addition, the high levels of uncertainty in medical data encourage the use of type-2 fuzzy which is capable of handling such uncertainty. The current paper proposes an interval type-2 fuzzy regression model for predicting retinopathy in diabetic patients. The results of the present work shall prevent unnecessary testing of diabetic patient. This study also aims to assist patients and the healthcare community to reduce the cost of diabetes control and treatment by optimizing the number of check-ups.