Biofabricated copper ferrite nanoparticles: a potential nanosorbent for the removal of Pb (II) ions from aqueous media.

In the present study, we describe a facile strategy for the easy removal of the heavy metal ion, Pb (II) using biosynthesized copper ferrite (CuFeO) Nanoparticles (Nps) prepared via a cost-effective and eco-friendly method usingleaf extract. The structural characterization was performed using UV-Visible, FT-IR, XRD, XPS, TG, SEM - EDS and TEM techniques. Various characterization techniques showed that the biosynthesized CuFeOnanoparticles have spherical shape with minimum aggregation and possess a size range between 7 and 16 nm.

Humification evaluation and carbon recalcitrance of a rapid thermochemical digestate fertiliser from degradable solid waste for climate change mitigation in the tropics.

Indiscriminate, unhygienic and unscientific disposal of solid wastes poses significant risks leading to soil, water and air pollution. Abiotic and nonenzymatic rapid thermochemical processing technology provides a solution for the management of degradable solid waste at the source, converting it to organic digestate fertiliser within a day, thus overcoming the main drawback of the long time span required for composting. A study was performed to evaluate the maturity parameters and the extent of humification of the thermochemical digestate fertiliser and the raw biowaste substrate.

Biocidal Polymers: Synthesis, Characterization and Antimicrobial Activity of Bis-Quaternary Onium Salts of Poly(aspartate--succinimide).

Microbial multidrug resistance presents a real problem to human health. Therefore, water-soluble polymers based on poly(aspartate--succinimide) were synthesized via reaction of poly(aspartate--succinimide) with bis-quaternary ammonium or quaternary salts. The resultant copolymers were characterized by various techniques such as FTIR, TGA, HNMR, CNMR and elemental microanalysis.

A direct SAXS approach for the determination of specific surface area of clay in polymer-layered silicate nanocomposites.

The interfacial area between the matrix and the filler is a key parameter which shapes the performance of polymer-based composites and nanocomposites, even though it is difficult to quantify. A very easy SAXS method, based on the Porod equation, is proposed for measuring the specific surface area of nanofillers embedded in a polymer matrix. In order to assess its reliability, this approach was applied to natural rubber- or styrene butadiene-based samples containing different types of montmorillonite clay.

Pain and Opioid Dependence: Is it a Matter of Concern.

Opioids are extremely effective in managing cancer pain, and now are utilized for longer periods of time in cancer patients as the treatment for malignancies has become more successful.[1] The goals in cancer pain treatment includes maintaining function in patients with cancer pain (especially in earlier stage disease), and palliation in advanced disease.[1] The perception of the lay public and inexperienced clinicians that addiction is inevitable, often leads to an inappropriate fear to utilize opioids to appropriately manage pain; resulting in persistent under-treatment of cancer pain internationally.