Fabrication of mixed phase TiO2 heterojunction nanorods and their enhanced photoactivities.

Substantial efforts have been made in recent times in solving the major limiting factors affecting the efficiency of a photocatalyst. The fabrication of efficient junction architectures is one of the viable approaches to resolve this setback. We have developed a facile and systematic approach for the synthesis of anatase TiO2 () nanoparticles and 1-D anatase and rutile TiO2 () heterojunction nanorods to enhance the interfacial contact area by adjusting the titanium(iv) butoxide (TBOT) to titanium chloride (TiCl4) volume ratio.

A multiple gap plasma cathode electron gun and its electron beam analysis in self and trigger breakdown modes.

In the present paper, a pseudospark discharge based multiple gap plasma cathode electron gun is reported which has been operated separately in self and trigger breakdown modes using two different gases, namely, argon and hydrogen. The beam current and beam energy have been analyzed using a concentric ring diagnostic arrangement. Two distinct electron beams are clearly seen with hollow cathode and conductive phases.

Molecular Details of Acetate Binding to a New Diamine Receptor by NMR and FT-IR Analyses.

Acetate anion plays an important role in several biochemical functions such as enzyme reaction, antibody response, and action of receptor molecules. This investigation reports the synthesis and molecular details of a unique receptor, 2-amino-N-(2-amino-benzyl)-benzamide (R) that senses selectively acetate via simultaneous involvement of one aromatic amine group and an amide proton of the receptor molecule. Solution-state NMR, steady-state fluorescence, and FT-IR examinations established that the acetate anion binds to the receptor with 1:1 ratio with high specificity.

Synthesis of MOF templated Cu/CuO@TiO2 nanocomposites for synergistic hydrogen production.

A copper metal-organic framework (Cu-MOF) provides access to Cu/CuO@TiO2 hybrid nanocomposites with highly dispersive copper species adsorbed on a TiO2 semiconducting system. This novel nanostructure exhibits efficient hydrogen evolution performance under solar illumination of intensity ∼1 Sun. The rate of H2 production was systematically optimized under different operational parameters.

Modulated Binary-Ternary Dual Semiconductor Heterostructures.

A generic modular synthetic strategy for the fabrication of a series of binary-ternary group II-VI and group I-III-VI coupled semiconductor nano-heterostructures is reported. Using Ag2 Se nanocrystals first as a catalyst and then as sacrificial seeds, four dual semiconductor heterostructures were designed with similar shapes: CdSe-AgInSe2 , CdSe-AgGaSe2 , ZnSe-AgInSe2 , and ZnSe-AgGaSe2 . Among these, dispersive type-II heterostructures are further explored for photocatalytic hydrogen evolution from water and these are observed to be superior catalysts than the binary or ternary semi-conductors.

A Borrelia burgdorferi Surface-Exposed Transmembrane Protein Lacking Detectable Immune Responses Supports Pathogen Persistence and Constitutes a Vaccine Target.

Borrelia burgdorferi harbors a limited set of transmembrane surface proteins, most of which constitute key targets of humoral immune responses. Here we show that BB0405, a conserved membrane-spanning protein of unknown function, fails to evoke detectable antibody responses despite its extracellular exposure. bb0405 is a member of an operon and ubiquitously expressed throughout the rodent-tick infection cycle.

Molecular concept in human oral cancer.

The incidence of oral cancer remains high in both Asian and Western countries. Several risk factors associated with development of oral cancer are now well-known, including tobacco chewing, smoking, and alcohol consumption. Cancerous risk factors may cause many genetic events through chromosomal alteration or mutations in genetic material and lead to progression and development of oral cancer through histological progress, carcinogenesis.

Distribution of Plasmids in Distinct Leptospira Pathogenic Species.

Leptospirosis, caused by pathogenic Leptospira, is a worldwide zoonotic infection. The genus Leptospira includes at least 21 species clustered into three groups--pathogens, non-pathogens, and intermediates--based on 16S rRNA phylogeny. Research on Leptospira is difficult due to slow growth and poor transformability of the pathogens.

Investigations of a high current linear aperture radial multichannel pseudospark switch.

In this paper, a high current linear aperture radial multichannel Pseudospark switch (LARM-PSS) is reported which has been analyzed for its high current characteristics. In order to enhance hold-off voltage and support hollow cathode effect for the ignition of the discharge in this configuration, the field penetration analysis through circular and linear apertures of the electrodes has been carried out. The linear apertures in the electrodes increase the current handling capacity than that of circular aperture electrodes without significant compromise of the hold-off capacity.

Binding interaction of a novel fluorophore with serum albumins: steady state fluorescence perturbation and molecular modeling analysis.

Fluorescence emission and anisotropy are widely used to measure the binding parameters and kinetic behavior of reactions that cause a change in the rotational time of a fluorescent molecule. We report here fluorescence emission and anisotropy behavior of a newly synthesized novel naphthalene base fluorophore (methyl 3-[(6-{[2-(tert-butoxy)-2-oxoethyl] (4-methoxyphenyl)amino}naphthalen-2-yl)formamido]propanoate) in several solution conditions including its binding to human and bovine serum albumin proteins both in their native and denatured states. The fluorescence yield of the compound substantially increased inside hydrophobic protein surface and ~30 nm decrease in Stokes' shift, compared to aqueous solution, was observed.

First Study on Phosphonite-Coordinated Ruthenium Sensitizers for Efficient Photocatalytic Hydrogen Evolution.

For the first time we report the design and syntheses of phosphonite coordinated ruthenium(II) sensitizers bearing ĈN̂N ligand and/or terpyridine derivatives carboxylate anchor (GS11, GS12. and GS13) and its application for hydrogen production over Pt-TiO2 system. These heteroleptic complexes exhibit broad metal-to-ligand charge transfer transition band over the whole visible regime extending up to 900 nm.

Middle region of the Borrelia burgdorferi surface-located protein 1 (Lmp1) interacts with host chondroitin-6-sulfate and independently facilitates infection.

Borrelia burgdorferi surface-located membrane protein 1, also known as Lmp1, has been shown to play critical roles in pathogen evasion of host-acquired immune defences, thereby facilitating persistent infection. Lmp1 possesses three regions representing potentially discrete domains: Lmp1N, Lmp1M and Lmp1C. Because of its insignificant homology to known proteins, how Lmp1 or its specific regions contribute to microbial biology and infection remains enigmatic.

Fabrication of hierarchical ZnO/CdS heterostructured nanocomposites for enhanced hydrogen evolution from solar water splitting.

ZnO/CdS heterostructured nanocomposites were fabricated with enhanced light harvesting capability and photostability using sequential sonochemical and hydrothermal methods from ZnO rods and particles. Interestingly, in the composite made up of CdS sensitized ZnO rods, both ZnO and CdS exist in the hexagonal wurtzite form with different morphologies. On the other hand, in the composite made up of CdS sensitized ZnO particles, ZnO exists in the hexagonal wurtzite form, whereas CdS in the cubic form but with a similar morphology.

Effect of refining on quality and composition of sunflower oil.

An experimental oil refining unit has been developed and tested for sunflower oil. Crude pressed sunflower oil obtained from a local oil mill was refined using chemical method by degumming, neutralization, bleaching and dewaxing. The quality and composition of crude and refined oil were analysed compared.

The structure and interaction mechanism of a polyelectrolyte complex: a dissipative particle dynamics study.

The mechanism of complex formation of two oppositely charged linear polyelectrolytes dispersed in a solvent is investigated by using dissipative particle dynamics (DPD) simulation. In the polyelectrolyte solution, the size of the cationic polyelectrolyte remains constant while the size of the anionic chain increases. We analyze the influence of the anionic polyelectrolyte size and salt effect (ionic strength) on the conformational changes of the chains during complex formation.

Efficient Detection of Pathogenic Leptospires Using 16S Ribosomal RNA.

Pathogenic Leptospira species cause a prevalent yet neglected zoonotic disease with mild to life-threatening complications in a variety of susceptible animals and humans. Diagnosis of leptospirosis, which primarily relies on antiquated serotyping methods, is particularly challenging due to presentation of non-specific symptoms shared by other febrile illnesses, often leading to misdiagnosis. Initiation of antimicrobial therapy during early infection to prevent more serious complications of disseminated infection is often not performed because of a lack of efficient diagnostic tests.

Fabrication of Fe3O4@mSiO2 Core-Shell Composite Nanoparticles for Drug Delivery Applications.

We report the synthesis of Fe3O4@mSiO2 nanostructures of different meso-silica (mSiO2) shell thickness, their biocompatibility and behaviors for loading and release of a model drug ibuprofen. The composite nanostructures have superparamagnetic magnetite cores of 208 nm average size and meso-silica shells of 15 to 40 nm thickness. A modified Stöber method was used to grow the meso-silica shells over the hydrothermally grown monodispersed magnetite particles.

Erratum to: Nasotracheal Fiberoptic Intubation: Patient Comfort, Intubating Conditions and Hemodynamic Stability During Conscious Sedation with Different Doses of Dexmedetomidine.

[This corrects the article DOI: 10.1007/s12663-012-0469-0.].

Nebulisation Versus Spray-as-You-Go Airway Topical Anaesthesia in Patients with Temporomandibular Joint Ankylosis using 2 % Lignocaine.

Study Design: This randomized, comparative clinical study was designed to compare 2 % lignocaine nebulization and 2 % lignocaine via spray-as-you-go technique for topical airway anaesthesia during or awake flexible fiberoptic intubation (AFOI) in temporomandibular joint (TMJ) ankylosis patients.

Methods: Sixty adult patients with TMJ ankylosis were randomly assigned to the following study groups using a computer generated random number table 2 % lignocaine nebulised (group A) and 2 % lignocaine via spray-as-you-go technique (group B). After airway anaesthesia, awake flexible fiberoptic nasotracheal intubation was performed.

Dithiafulvalene functionalized diketopyrrolopyrrole based sensitizers for efficient hydrogen production.

We have designed and synthesized two new diketopyrrolopyrrole (DPP) based organic sensitizers (DPPCA and DPPCN) with the dithiafulvalene (DTF) unit as donor and cyanoacrylic acid/malononitrile as acceptor moieties. These dyes showed excellent efficiency of photocatalytic hydrogen production over a Pt-TiO2 composite via solar-induced water splitting. The sensitizers showed broad absorptions over the wide visible regime (500-800 nm).

Efficacy of leaves (drumstick, mint and curry leaves) powder as natural preservatives in restructured chicken block.

The use of natural preservatives to increase the shelf-life of meat products is promising as they possess antioxidant and antimicrobial properties. Earlier, a highly acceptable restructured chicken slice without the addition of extra fat was developed in the same laboratory which was acceptable up to 10th day of storage under refrigeration and spoilage was mainly due to oxidation. Hence, the present study was planned to determine the efficacy of certain plant leaves' (drumstick, mint and curry leaves) powder at 1 % level as natural preservatives to enhance the shelf life of restructured chicken slices under refrigerated storage.

Impact of Pretreatment and Drying Methods on Quality Attributes of Onion Shreds.

Experiments were conducted on dry untreated onion shreds (2 mm thickness) or treated with salt (5% solution) and potassium metabisulphite (0.5% solution) in convective drier at 50 °C ((46±4) % relative humidity (RH)), 55 °C ((35±4) % RH), 60 °C ((28±4) % RH) and 65 °C ((20±4) % RH), heat pump-assisted convective drier at 35 °C ((32±2) % RH), 40 °C ((26±2) % RH), 45 °C ((19±2) % RH) and 50 °C ((15±2) % RH) and microwave-assisted convective drier at four microwave power levels, 120, 240, 360 and 480 W. The quality parameters of the dried onion shreds, namely rehydration ratio, colour difference, pyruvic and ascorbic acid contents and sensory scores were evaluated.

Biodiesel production from waste frying oil using waste animal bone and solar heat.

A two-step catalytic process for the production of biodiesel from waste frying oil (WFO) at low cost, utilizing waste animal-bone as catalyst and solar radiation as heat source is reported in this work. In the first step, the free fatty acids (FFA) in WFO were esterified with methanol by a catalytic process using calcined waste animal-bone as catalyst, which remains active even after 10 esterification runs. The trans-esterification step was catalyzed by NaOH through thermal activation process.