Quantum dot assisted precise and sensitive fluorescence-based formaldehyde detection in food samples.

Formaldehyde has an extremely reactive carbonyl group, commonly used as an antibacterial agent to sterilize and prevent food to spoil. This article describes an efficient and rapid detection method of formaldehyde from an aqueous solution by synthesizing 3-Aminopropyltriethoxysilane (APTES) quantum dots (Nano A) which react with formaldehyde to generate a Schiff base reaction. The photoinduced electron transfer produced by the quantum dots themselves results in fluorescence quenching to detect formaldehyde.

Detecting the release of plastic particles in packaged drinking water under simulated light irradiation using surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy.

Plastic cups and bottles used for mineral water packaging may release plastic particles during continuous exposure to heat, light, or unfavorable chemical environments during transportation and storage. Surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy (SERS) can be used to detect and analyze these plastic particles in a highly sensitive and quantitative manner. In this study, we used copper oxide/silver nanoparticles (CuO/Ag NPs) as the SERS substrate to monitor the release of plastic particles in packaged mineral water samples under irradiation as a function of exposure time.

Engineered mesoporous biochar derived from rice husk for efficient removal of malachite green from wastewaters.

Extremely soluble Malachite green (MG) acts as potential carcinogen for aquatic life in polluted aqueous environments. Current study aims to modify rice husk derived biochar to improve its removal efficiency for MG from MG-containing wastewaters. The hydrothermal alkali activation was effective for preparing modified biochar (RHMB) from native biochar (RHB) derived from rice husk.

CaO recovered from eggshell waste as a potential adsorbent for greenhouse gas CO.

The growing number of industrial carbon emissions have resulted in a significant increase in the greenhouse gas carbon dioxide (CO), which, in turn, will have a major impact on climate change. Therefore, the reduction, storage, and reuse of CO is an important concern in modern society. Calcium oxide (CaO) is known to be an excellent adsorbent of CO in a high-temperature environment.

Utilizing Edible Agar as a Carrier for Dual Functional Doxorubicin-FeO Nanotherapy Drugs.

The purpose of this study was to use agar as a multifunctional encapsulating material to allow drug and ferromagnetism to be jointly delivered in one nanoparticle. We successfully encapsulated both FeO and doxorubicin (DOX) with agar as the drug carrier to obtain DOX-FeO@agar. The iron oxide nanoparticles encapsulated in the carrier maintained good saturation of magnetization (41.

Surface degradation effects of carbonated soft drink on a resin based dental compound.

Dental compounds and restorative materials undergo surface degradation and erosion from exposure to a variety of dietary substances. In this study we investigated changes in the surface properties of Rebaron, a hard denture reline material (HDRM), following timed immersion in carbonated soft drinks to determine its durability in a common acidic environment. Samples were prepared and immersed in a carbonated soft drink (or its components) for 6, 12, or 24 h.

Polydopamine Ultrathin Film Growth on Mica via In-Situ Polymerization of Dopamine with Applications for Silver-Based Antimicrobial Coatings.

The development of polydopamine (PDA) coatings with a nanometer-scale thickness on surfaces is highly desirable for exploiting the novel features arising from the specific structure on the molecular level. Exploring the mechanisms of thin-film growth is helpful for attaining desirable control over the useful properties of materials. We present a systematic study demonstrating the growth of a PDA thin film on the surface of mica in consecutive short deposition time intervals.

Prevalence of tuberculous infection among school children in Kerala.

Background: There is paucity of information on epidemiological situation of Tuberculosis (TB) in the State of Kerala. The DOTS strategy under the Revised National Tuberculosis Control Programme (RNTCP) was introduced in the year 1998 to cover the entire State by 2002.

Objective: To estimate the prevalence of tuberculous infection among children attending 1-4th standard in a sample of selected schools in Kerala.

Change in the risk of tuberculous infection over an 8-year period among schoolchildren in Bangalore City.

Setting: Bangalore City, South India.

Objective: To estimate the trends in transmission of tuberculous infection.

Methods: Two tuberculin surveys were carried out among children attending grades 1 and 2 of 60 selected schools at an interval of 8.