An electrochemical sensor based on molecular imprinted polymer (MIP) to detect ceftizoxime (CFX) with high sensitivity and selectivity is demonstrated. MIP was synthesized by electropolymerization of ...poly-cysteine (P-Cys) on a multi-walled carbon nanotube (MWCNT) modified glassy carbon electrode (GCE). A targeted drug was used as a template molecule during the polymerization process. The bare GCE was coated with a layer of MWCNT before the synthesis of MIP to improve the sensor sensitivity. Experimental parameters such as polymerization conditions, the influence of pH, molar ratio of the template molecules and the monomer molecules were all optimized. The peak potential exhibited linearity with CFX concentration in the ranges of 1
×
10
-
9
–1×
10
-
7
molL
−1
(
R
2
= 0.9904) and 2×
10
-
7
–1×
10
-
4
molL
−1
(
R
2
= 0.9949). The LOD of the MIP sensor was found to be
1
×
10
-
10
molL
−1
under optimal conditions using a differential pulse voltammetry (DPV). The proposed sensor was tested on real samples, and good recovery results were obtained.
While the functionality and healthy food value of red rice have increased its popularity, such that market demand for it is expected to rise, most strains suffer from low grain yield. To perform ...diversity and population structure analyses of red rice germplasm, therefore, becomes essential for improving yields for commercial production. In this study, fifty red rice germplasm from the Bangladesh Rice Research Institute (BRRI) genebank were characterized both morphologically and genetically using fifty simple sequence repeat (SSR) markers. Overall, 162 alleles were detected by the markers with the detected allele number varying from two to seven. Additionally, 22 unique alleles were identified for use as a germplasm diagnostic tool. The highest and lowest polymorphic information content (PIC) indices were 0.75 and 0.04 found in markers RM282 and RM304, respectively, and genetic diversity was moderate, varying from 0.05 to 0.78 (average: 0.35). While phylogenetic cluster analysis of the fifteen distance-based agro-morphological traits divided the germplasm into five clusters (I, II, III, IV and V), a similar SSR analysis yielded only three major groups (I, II, and III), and a model-based population structure analysis yielded four (A, B, C and D). Both principal component and neighbors joining tree analysis from the population structure method showed the tested germplasm as highly diverse in structure. Moreover, an analysis of molecular variance (AMOVA), as well as a pairwise FST analysis, both indicated significant differentiation (ranging from 0.108 to 0.207) among all pairs of populations, suggesting that all four population structure groups differed significantly. Populations A and D were the most differentiated from each other by FST. Findings from this study suggest that the diverse germplasm and polymorphic trait-linked SSR markers of red rice are suitable for the detection of economically desirable trait loci/genes for use in future molecular breeding programs.
Celotno besedilo
Dostopno za:
DOBA, IZUM, KILJ, NUK, PILJ, PNG, SAZU, SIK, UILJ, UKNU, UL, UM, UPUK
Aims/hypothesis
This study reports the results of the first phase of a national study to determine the prevalence of diabetes and prediabetes (impaired fasting glucose and/or impaired glucose ...tolerance) in India.
Methods
A total of 363 primary sampling units (188 urban, 175 rural), in three states (Tamilnadu, Maharashtra and Jharkhand) and one union territory (Chandigarh) of India were sampled using a stratified multistage sampling design to survey individuals aged ≥20 years. The prevalence rates of diabetes and prediabetes were assessed by measurement of fasting and 2 h post glucose load capillary blood glucose.
Results
Of the 16,607 individuals selected for the study, 14,277 (86%) participated, of whom 13,055 gave blood samples. The weighted prevalence of diabetes (both known and newly diagnosed) was 10.4% in Tamilnadu, 8.4% in Maharashtra, 5.3% in Jharkhand, and 13.6% in Chandigarh. The prevalences of prediabetes (impaired fasting glucose and/or impaired glucose tolerance) were 8.3%, 12.8%, 8.1% and 14.6% respectively. Multiple logistic regression analysis showed that age, male sex, family history of diabetes, urban residence, abdominal obesity, generalised obesity, hypertension and income status were significantly associated with diabetes. Significant risk factors for prediabetes were age, family history of diabetes, abdominal obesity, hypertension and income status.
Conclusions/interpretations
We estimate that, in 2011, Maharashtra will have 6 million individuals with diabetes and 9.2 million with prediabetes, Tamilnadu will have 4.8 million with diabetes and 3.9 million with prediabetes, Jharkhand will have 0.96 million with diabetes and 1.5 million with prediabetes, and Chandigarh will have 0.12 million with diabetes and 0.13 million with prediabetes. Projections for the whole of India would be 62.4 million people with diabetes and 77.2 million people with prediabetes.
Silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) are of great interest due to their unique and controllable characteristics. Different synthesis methods have been proposed to produce these nanoparticles, which often ...require elevated temperatures/pressures or toxic solvents. Thus, green synthesis could be a replacement option as a simple, economically viable and environmentally friendly alternative approach for the synthesis of silver nanoparticles.
Here, the potential of the walnut green husk was investigated in the production of silver nanoparticles. An aqueous solution extracted from walnut green husk was used as a reducing agent as well as a stabilizing agent. Then, the synthesized nanoparticles were characterized with respect of their anticancer, antioxidant, and antimicrobial properties.
Results showed that the synthesized nanoparticles possessed an average size of 31.4 nm with a Zeta potential of -33.8 mV, indicating high stability. A significant improvement in the cytotoxicity and antioxidant characteristics of the green synthesized Ag nanoparticles against a cancerous cell line was observed in comparison with the walnut green husk extract and a commercial silver nanoparticle (CSN). This could be due to a synergistic effect of the synthesized silver nanoparticles and their biological coating. AgNPs and the extract exhibited 70% and 40% cytotoxicity against MCF-7 cancerous cells, respectively, while CSN caused 56% cell death (at the concentration of 60 µg/mL). It was observed that AgNPs were much less cytotoxic when tested against a noncancerous cell line (L-929) in comparison with the control material (CSN). The free radical scavenging analysis demonstrated profound anti-oxidant activity for the synthesized nanoparticles in comparison with the extract and CSN. It was also detected that the synthesized AgNPs possess antibacterial activity against nosocomial and standard strains of both Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria (minimum inhibitory concentration =5-30 µg/mL).
These findings imply that the synthesized nanoparticles using green nanotechnology could be an ideal strategy to combat cancer and infectious diseases.
This work demonstrates a simple and inexpensive electrochemical biosensing pathway for selective and sensitive recognition of 17β-estradiol (E2) in environmental and food samples. The biosensing ...system is based on graphitic carbon nitride (g-C
3
N
4
) and a conductive polymer 3-aminopropyltriethoxysilane (APTES). The proposed biosensor shows the ability to detect E2 in attomolar levels within a wide linear logarithm concentration range of 1 × 10
−6
to 1 × 10
−18
mol L
−1
with a limit of detection (LOD) of 9.9 × 10
−19
mol L
−1
. The selectivity of the developed biosensor was confirmed by conducting the DPV of similarly structured hormones and naturally occurring substances. The proposed biosensor is highly stable and applicable to detect E2 in the presence of spiked food and environmental samples with satisfactory recoveries ranging from 95.1 to 104.8%. So, the designed electrochemical biosensor might be an effective alternative tool for the detection of E2 and other endogenous substances to attain food safety.
This work demonstrates a simple and inexpensive electrochemical biosensing pathway for selective and sensitive recognition of 17β-estradiol (E2) in environmental and food samples.
Abstract
Achieving the broadband response of metamaterial absorbers has been quite challenging due to the inherent bandwidth limitations. Herein, the investigation was made of a unique kind of ...visible light metamaterial absorber comprising elliptical rings-shaped fractal metasurface using tungsten metal. It was found that the proposed absorber exhibits average absorption of over 90% in the visible wavelength span of 400–750 nm. The features of perfect absorption could be observed because of the localized surface plasmon resonance that causes impedance matching. Moreover, in the context of optoelectronic applications, the absorber yields absorbance up to ~ 70% even with the incidence obliquity in the range of 0°–60° for transverse electric polarization. The theory of multiple reflections was employed to further verify the performance of the absorber. The obtained theoretical results were found to be in close agreement with the simulation results. In order to optimize the results, the performance was analyzed in terms of the figure of merit and operating bandwidth. Significant amount of absorption in the entire visible span, wide-angle stability, and utilization of low-cost metal make the proposed absorber suitable in varieties of photonics applications, in particular photovoltaics, thermal emitters and sensors.
In this work, established treatment processes for microplastics (MPs) and nanoplastics (NPs) in water as well as developed analytical techniques for evaluation of the operation of these processes ...were reviewed. In this regard, the strengths and limitations of different qualitative and quantitative techniques for the analysis of MPs and NPs in water treatment processes were first discussed. Afterward, the MPs and NPs treatment processes were categorized into the separation and degradation processes and the challenges and opportunities in their performance were analyzed. The evaluation of these processes revealed that the MPs or NPs removal efficiency of the separation and degradation processes could reach up to 99% and 90%, respectively. It can be concluded from this work that the combination of separation and degradation processes could be a promising approach to mineralize MPs and NPs in water with high efficiency.
Display omitted
•Analysis techniques of MPs and NPs in water treatment processes were discussed.•Different processes are studied for the removal of MPs and NPs from waters.•The removal processes are classified into separation and degradation processes.•Up to 99% and 90% removal could be obtained by separation and degradation processes.•Hybrid separation and degradation process could be a promising alternative.
In this study, acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS) and graphite powder—a solid lubricant—were filled and characterized for friction and wear responses. The fused deposition modeling (FDM) technique ...was utilized to synthesize ABS–graphite composites. A twin-screw extrusion approach was employed to create the composite filament of graphite–ABS that is suitable for the FDM process. Three graphite particle ratios ranging from 0% to 5% were explored in the ABS matrix. The wear and friction properties of ABS composites were examined using a pin on disc tribometer at varied sliding velocities and weights. As a result of the graphite addition in the ABS matrix, weight losses for FDM components as well as a decreased coefficient of friction were demonstrated. Furthermore, as the graphite weight percentage in the ABS matrix grows the value of friction and wear loss decreases. The wear mechanisms in graphite filled ABS composites and ABS were extensively examined using scanning electron microscopy and confocal microscopy.
Despite growing urban electricity consumption, information on actual energy use in the household sector is still limited and causal factors leading to electricity consumption remain speculative due ...to urban expansion and its growing complexity, particularly in developing countries such as Malaysia. This study aims to examine the critical determinants of household electricity consumption by evaluating the patterns and flows of consumption and analysing relationships and their effects on electricity usage among 620 urban households in Seremban, Malaysia. Results suggest that the average urban household electricity consumption is 648.31 kWh/month; this value continues to grow with the increase in the household monthly income (r = 0.360; p < 0.01) and number of rooms (r = 0.360; p < 0.01) as quality of life improves. A large portion of electricity is allocated for kitchen/home consumption, followed by cooling and lighting. Multiple linear regressions revealed that married households with a high monthly income and living in spacious houses together with three to five people are important predictors of electricity consumption in Seremban. This study empirically identified that the number of rooms is the most critical factor of electricity consumption and strategies to increase energy efficiency, maintain resource sustainability and minimise greenhouse gas threat on the urban ecosystem are vital. Therefore, promoting low carbon initiatives for energy conservation and technology improvement and implementing policies in the domestic sector are essential to achieve the greatest potential energy consumption reduction in urban regions.
In this experiment, a highly effective electrochemical sensor based on a molecularly imprinted polymer has been developed for ultrasensitive detection of dimetridazole. The sensor was made by ...incorporating of dimetridazole as a template molecule during the electropolymerization of poly-arginine on a glassy carbon electrode. The modified electrode GCE/P-Arg@MIP was characterized by voltammetric and microscopic techniques. Differential pulse voltammetry method was used to detect target analyte under the optimum condition. The DPV response to dimetridazole was linear at 0.1 × 10−9 to 10 × 10−6 mol L−1 (R2 = 0.996), with a method detection limit (S/N = 3) of 0.1 × 10−9 mol L−1. Moreover, the proposed sensor shows satisfactory recovery ranges for the determination dimetridazole in commercially available egg, milk and honey samples.
Display omitted
•Highly effective electrochemical MIP sensor developed for ultrasensitive detection of dimetridazole.•GCE/P-Arg@MIP electrode was fabricated via electrochemical deposition technique.•The proposed sensor exhibited a wide linear detection range with an LOD of 0.1 nM.•The GCE/P-Arg@MIP sensor was applied to detect analyte in egg, milk and honey.
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