Optimization of the extraction of paclitaxel from Taxus baccata L. by the use of microwave energy

A simple and rapid microwave-assisted extraction (MAE) procedure was developed and optimized for the extraction of paclitaxel (Taxol) from the needles of yew trees Taxus baccata L. grown in Iranian habitats. The samples, immersed in a methanol-water mixture, were irradiated with microwaves in a closed-vessel system. The method was evaluated using a factorial design approach based on parameters such as extraction time, temperature, methanol concentration in water (v/v), and the ratio of grams of sample to 10 mL of solvent. Statistical treatment of the results revealed that the selected parameters were all significant except the extraction time. Optimum conditions would be 1.5 g samples in 10 mL solvent (90% methanol), an extraction temperature of 95 degrees C, and an extraction time of 7 min. The extracts has been analyzed by reverse-phase high-performance liquid chromatography with UV detection (LC/UV) at 227 nm for quantification. Liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) was used for confirmation. The main advantage of the proposed MAE method versus conventional solvent extraction (CSE) are the considerable reductions in time (7 min versus 16 h) and in solvent consumption (20 mL versus 150 mL). The MAE procedure yielded extracts that could be analyzed directly without any preliminary clean-up or solvent exchange steps. Both extraction methods show RSDs lower than 10% and lead to comparable recoveries of paclitaxel (87-92%).     

Thermodynamic Study of the Extraction of Inorganic Mercury Compounds in Fish Species of the International Anzali Wetland,Iran

Inorganic mercury concentration was measured in the muscle tissues of four types of fish in the aquatic international Anzali Wetland ecosystem in Guilan. In the same ecosystem, the northern pike is able to concentrate inorganic mercury in its body more than other fish. In each species, a fish with the highest amount of inorganic mercury was selected for determination of thermodynamic parameters of inorganic mercury extraction using calculation of the equilibrium constant and fitting of ln K_c versus inverse temperature at the atmospheric pressure. The origins of thermodynamic parameters were discussed. The extraction processes were done in the range of temperatures from 331.15 to 365.15 K and at atmospheric pressure. Results show that the extraction of mercury compounds from SH groups of sulfhydryl proteins in fish muscle tissue is an endothermic process with a positive value for entropy and Gibbs free energy changes at room temperature.     

Evaluation of single virus detection through optical biosensor based on microsphere resonator

Shift of resonance frequency in microsphere optical resonator due to attachment of a desirable particle is obtained. Our 3-D finite element numerical method (FEM) simulations’ results show the path of light through microsphere and its variation due to attachment of particle. It is apparent that after attachment of particle to microsphere's surface, light is inclined to pass through the particle. Subsequently, the path of light becomes longer than previous. Because of this phenomenon, the resonance wavelength shifts to longer wavelengths. It is shown that microsphere optical resonator is a prominent biosensor for single virus detection since we applied characteristics of virus for particle in our simulations. Response of this biosensor depends on the characteristics of particle like its radius as we show in this article. Transmission spectrum of fiber which reveals a selected resonance frequency, have been studied in the frequency range of 106.3 to 107 THz under three different sizes of particles. The results show that the amount of frequency shift rises by enhancement of particle's size.     

Nb2O5 as a new electron transport layer for double junction polymer solar cells

Nb(2)O(5) as a new electron transport layer (ETL) was used for double junction polymer solar cells. The Nb(2)O(5) ETL was prepared by spin coating a Nb(2)O(5) sol-gel solution onto the active layer of the optical front subcell. The double junction devices using Nb(2)O(5) ETL exhibit an open circuit voltage (V(oc)) of 1.30 V, which is close to the sum of the s of the individual subcells. The current density-voltage (J-V) simulation showed that the double junction device performance using Nb(2)O(5) as ETL could be significantly increased by reducing the series resistance (R(se)) and matching the current densities of the individual subcells.     

Design and simulation of nano-antenna with tunable direction of radiation

A new concept for tuning direction of radiation in nano-antenna with negative and positive polarizability is introduced and evaluated by numerical simulation. It has shown that such a configuration consisted of an array of nanoparticles can tune the direction of radiation pattern successfully. Increasing the number of nanoparticles exhibits more directivity at special direction. Variation in position of nanoparticles is used to tune the angle of maximum radiation. The maximum tunability for special geometry of three particles is about 40°. Angle of maximum radiation pattern for four particles is shifted from interval 150–180° to 0–30°.     

Crystal structure of N,N-disalicylidene-(R,S)(S,R)-1,2-ethanediamine

N,N-disalicylidene-(R,S)(S,R)-1,2-ethanediamine crystallizes in orthorhombic space group Pbca with a = 9.5634(6), b = 14.2917(9), c = 16.9181(8) Å and Z = 4. The crystal structure was solved by direct methods and refined by full-matrix least squares to final values R1 = 0.0 + 399 and wR2 = 0.1004 with 2755 reflections (I > 2σ(I)). The N,N-disalicylidene-(R,S)(S,R)-1,2-ethanediamine molecules exhibit intramolecular N-H...O and are connected by C-H...O and C-H...π interactions to form a 2D supramolecular network.     

Optimization of power conversion efficiency in multi-band solar cells (theoretical investigation using GA optimization)

Optical and Quantum Electronics - A plasmonic refractive index nanosensor based on Fano resonance was designed, the excellent performance of the structure was numerically achieved. The system...