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Wireless sensor networks (WSNs) are extensively adopted for remote monitoring and tracking scenarios, such as battlefield surveillance, target detection and tracking, traffic condition detection, p...

The interaction of an amino-functionalized ionic liquid, 1-(2-aminoethyl)-3-butylimidazolium bromide ([NH2C2C4im]Br), with cytochrome c (cyt c) at pH 7.4 was investigated using fluorescence and UV-Vis absorption spectroscopic techniques. From the experimental results, it is found that cyt c has a strong ability to quench the intrinsic fluorescence of [NH2C2C4im]Br and the quenching mechanism is considered as a static quenching process. The binding constants and the number of binding sites (n) were calculated at different temperatures. The thermodynamic parameters such as free energy change (ΔG), enthalpy change (ΔH), and entropy change (ΔS) were calculated by thermodynamic equations. According to the results, the values of ΔG, ΔH, and ΔS are all negative, suggesting that interaction between [NH2C2C4im]Br and cyt c is spontaneous and mainly driven by hydrogen bonding and van der Waals forces.

The present study examined genetic variability among Clonorchis sinensis isolates from four different geographical localities (Guangzhou, Nanning, Jiamusi and Daqing) and host species (cats, dogs, human and rabbits) in Mainland China by sequence analyses of two mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) genes, namely NADH dehydrogenase subunits 2, 5 (nad2 and nad5) and ribosomal internal transcribed spacer 1 (ITS1). A portion of the ITS1, nad2 (pnad2) and nad5 (pnad5) was amplified by polymerase chain reaction separately from adult C. sinensis individuals and the amplicons were subjected to sequencing from both directions. The length of the sequences of ITS1, pnad2 and pnad5 was 643, 666 and 771 bp, respectively. The intraspecific sequence variations within C. sinensis were 0-1.7% for ITS1, 0-1.4% for pnad2 and 0-0.9% for pnad5. The interspecific sequence variations within other zoonotic trematodes, which were published previously, were 4.5-84.9% for ITS1, 21.9-43.6% for pnad2 and 19.2-48.9% for pnad5. The A+T contents of the sequences were 45.26-45.88% (ITS1), 62.91-63.51% (pnad2) and 58.24-58.63% (pnad5). Phylogenetic analyses using ribosomal and mitochondrial sequence data set, with three different computational algorithms (Bayesian inference, maximum parsimony and maximum likelihood), all revealed distinct groups with high statistical support. These findings demonstrated the existence of low-level intraspecific variations in ribosomal DNA (rDNA) and mtDNA sequences among C. sinensis isolates from four different regions and hosts in China and elucidated that mtDNA sequences and rDNA sequences provided reliable genetic markers for phylogenetic studies of zoonotic trematodes.

Assembly system with MCM-41 as a host and TAP (Tb(aspirin)3phen) as an active optical guest was synthesized at room temperature, and the interrelated products of MCM-41 and TAP systems were examined for comparison. The structures and the physical properties of the samples were characterized by a combination of techniques, such as XRD and N2 adsorption–desorption. Excitation and emission spectra were carried out to explore the photoluminescence (PL) properties of the samples and the relationships between the optical guest and the inorganic host. The results from these characterizations showed that the TAP is incorporated into the channels of MCM-41 and can increase the framework order of MCM-41. The reduction in the specific surface area of TAPMA (Tb(aspirin)3phen-MCM-41A) compared with that of MA (MCM-41A) imply that the TAP is confined inside the channels of MA. Based on the analyses of the excitation spectra, we suggested that the surface environment of MCM-41 affects the energy absorption of the organi...

Non-linear partial differential equations are presented for two dimensional heat and mass transfer within a single grain kernel during drying. In this model, the moisture evaporation inside the kernel is considered. The moisture is assumed to diffuse to the outer boundary of the kernel in liquid form and evaporate on the surface of the kernel. The influence of temperature and moisture content on grain properties is also considered in the simulation. The Non-linear partial differential equations are solved using the finite element method and simulation data is verified on a thin layer dryer for wheat kernels. The comparison shows that the simulated results have a high accuracy with average relative error of about 5%. The results of the finite element analysis can be used for grain quality evaluation, drying simulation studies and stress analysis of grain kernel.

Thermal stress and hydro stress within a single com kernel during drying are analysed with the mechanics of elasticity and material. The mathematical model of the stress within a single com kernel during drying is given. A finite element method is developed in details to simulate the maximum principal stress and shear stress within a single com at 75°C and 50°C drying air temperatures. The locations of the predicted maximum stresses are described and stress fields at different drying time are obtained. The result shows that the predicted locations of the maximum stresses agree with published materials on stress-crack or burst of com kernels.

An once-a-week transdermal (monophasic) contraceptive delivery system (TCDS), intended to be marketed in Asian countries, was developed at the Controlled Drug-Delivery Research Center, Rutgers, College of Pharmacy under the sponsorship of Sintong Chemical Industrial Co. Ltd. in Taiwan. This TCDS was designed to simultaneously deliver a low dose combination of levonorgestrel (LNG) and 17B-estradiol (E2) through the skin for the fertility regulation in female. In-vitro permeation study using human cadaver skin shows that 60.0 ± 9.42 mcg/day/10 cm2 of LNG and 28.8 ± 4.96 mcg/day/10 cm2 of E2 can be delivered from this system. The result of the one-week dermal toxicity study on 6 rabbits indicated the minimal potential of this TCDS to cause skin irritation. Histopathological examination revealed that this system causes only mild to moderate inflammation to the test animal which also showed no significant body weight change and sign of toxicity.A phase I bioavailability-dose proportionality clinical st...

The likelihood of erroneous results is very high when a single dose of ligand (e.g. dihydrotestosterone) is employed in the assay of sex hormone binding globulin (SHBG) using precipitation with ammonium sulfate. However, correct results will be obtained if several ligand doses are used and the calculations are based on a Scatchard plot from which non-specific binding has been eliminated. The reliability of such a multiple-dose SHBG assay was tested. As established by an analysis of variance, the results of the measurements were independent of the volume assayed. Furthermore, by assaying 25 plasma sample in duplicate, an average within-assay coefficient of variation of 5.5% was obtained. The assay of the same samples on different occasions gave an estimate of between-assay variation ranging from 3.5% to 8.9% for various types of plasma. Moreover, the results of the assay of 170 plasma samples were well correlated (r = 0.8) with those obtained by a steady state electrophoresis. Thus the multiple-do...