Amine-functionalized reduced graphene oxide-supported silver nanoparticles for superior catalytic reduction of organic pollutants.

In this work, a simple and environmentally friendly approach has been followed to synthesize amine-functionalized reduced graphene oxide (RGO)-supported silver nanoparticle (AgNPs) having superior catalytic efficiency towards the reduction of organic pollutants. RGO/AgNPs nanohybrid was synthesized by a one-pot hydrothermal reduction of silver nitrate in the presence of amino-propyl trimethoxy silane (APTMS)-functionalized graphene oxide (GO) nanosheets. The structural and morphological characterization of as-synthesized RGO/AgNPs nanohybrid was done by using XRD, SEM, TEM, FT-IR, and Raman spectroscopy techniques. APTMS plays an important role in controlling the size of anchored AgNPs on the nanohybrid in the present study. The -NH2 groups on the surface of APTMS-modified GO function as effective and well-organized nucleation centers facilitating uniform growth of discrete and smaller-sized spherical AgNPs on the surface of RGO nanosheets. In the absence of APTMS, the nanohybrid comprised of bigger-sized AgNPs with few hundred of nanometers in dimension. The catalytic efficiency of RGO/AgNPs nanohybrid was evaluated for the reduction of two model organic pollutants: 4-nitrophenol (4-NP) and methylene blue (MB). Due to the synergistic effects of RGO, APTMS, and Ag components, RGO/AgNPs nanohybrid developed in the present study exhibited superior catalytic activity towards the reduction of 4-NP and MB in comparison with previously reported graphene/graphene oxide/reduced graphene oxide-supported AgNPs catalysts. The catalytic reduction of 4-NP and MB followed pseudo-unimolecular kinetics and the rate constants were found to be 18.83 × 10-3 s-1 and 131.5 ×10-3 s-1 respectively for 4-NP and MB. Furthermore, RGO/AgNPs nanohybrid showed admirable recyclability with negligible loss in its activity until five recycle runs. The superior catalytic activity, favorable kinetic parameters, and sustained catalytic efficiency after recycling make RGO/AgNPs nanohybrid a promising catalyst for the reduction of organic pollutants in environmental remediation.

A millifluidic study of cell-to-cell heterogeneity in growth-rate and cell-division capability in populations of isogenic cells of Chlamydomonas reinhardtii.

To address possible cell-to-cell heterogeneity in growth dynamics of isogenic cell populations of Chlamydomonas reinhardtii, we developed a millifluidic drop-based device that not only allows the analysis of populations grown from single cells over periods of a week, but is also able to sort and collect drops of interest, containing viable and healthy cells, which can be used for further experimentation. In this study, we used isogenic algal cells that were first synchronized in mixotrophic growth conditions. We show that these synchronized cells, when placed in droplets and kept in mixotrophic growth conditions, exhibit mostly homogeneous growth statistics, but with two distinct subpopulations: a major population with a short doubling-time (fast-growers) and a significant subpopulation of slowly dividing cells (slow-growers). These observations suggest that algal cells from an isogenic population may be present in either of two states, a state of restricted division and a state of active division. When isogenic cells were allowed to propagate for about 1000 generations on solid agar plates, they displayed an increased heterogeneity in their growth dynamics. Although we could still identify the original populations of slow- and fast-growers, drops inoculated with a single progenitor cell now displayed a wider diversity of doubling-times. Moreover, populations dividing with the same growth-rate often reached different cell numbers in stationary phase, suggesting that the progenitor cells differed in the number of cell divisions they could undertake. We discuss possible explanations for these cell-to-cell heterogeneities in growth dynamics, such as mutations, differential aging or stochastic variations in metabolites and macromolecules yielding molecular switches, in the light of single-cell heterogeneities that have been reported among isogenic populations of other eu- and prokaryotes.

Thermal properties of nanofluids.

Colloidal suspensions of fine nanomaterials in the size range of 1-100 nm in carrier fluids are known as nanofluids. For the last one decade, nanofluids have been a topic of intense research due to their enhanced thermal properties and possible heat transfer applications. Miniaturization and increased operating speeds of gadgets warranted the need for new and innovative cooling concepts for better performance. The low thermal conductivity of conventional heat transfer fluid has been a serious impediment for improving the performance and compactness of engineering equipments. Initial studies on thermal conductivity of suspensions with micrometer-sized particles encountered problems of rapid settling of particles, clogging of flow channels and increased pressure drop in the fluid. These problems are resolved by using dispersions of fine nanometer-sized particles. Despite numerous experimental and theoretical studies, it is still unclear whether the thermal conductivity enhancement in nanofluids is anomalous or within the predictions of effective medium theory. Further, many reports on thermal conductivity of nanofluids are conflicting due to the complex issues associated with the surface chemistry of nanofluids. This review provides an overview of recent advances in the field of nanofluids, especially the important material properties that affect the thermal properties of nanofluids and novel approaches to achieve extremely high thermal conductivities. The background information is also provided for beginners to better understand the subject.

The six-minute walk test and body weight-walk distance product in healthy Brazilian subjects

We assessed the 6-min walk distance (6MWD) and body weight x distance product (6MWw) in healthy Brazilian subjects and compared measured 6MWD with values predicted in five reference equations developed for other populations. Anthropometry, spirometry, reported physical activity, and two walk tests in a 30-m corridor were evaluated in 134 subjects (73 females, 13-84 years). Mean 6MWD and 6MWw were significantly greater in males than in females (622 ± 80 m, 46,322 ± 10,539 kg.m vs 551 ± 71 m, 36,356 ± 8,289 kg.m, P < 0.05). Four equations significantly overestimated measured 6MWD (range, 32 ± 71 to 137 ± 74 m; P < 0.001), and one significantly underestimated it (-36 ± 86 m; P < 0.001). 6MWD significantly correlated with age (r = -0.39), height (r = 0.44), body mass index (r = -0.24), and reported physical activity (r = 0.25). 6MWw significantly correlated with age (r = -0.21), height (r = 0.66) and reported physical activity (r = 0.25). The reference equation devised for walk distance was 6MWDm = 622.461 - (1.846 x Ageyears) + (61.503 x Gendermales = 1; females = 0); r2 = 0.300. In an additional group of 85 subjects prospectively studied, the difference between measured and the 6MWD predicted with the equation proposed here was not significant (-3 ± 68 m; P = 0.938). The measured 6MWD represented 99.6 ± 11.9 percent of the predicted value. We conclude that 6MWD and 6MWw variances were adequately explained by demographic and anthropometric attributes. This reference equation is probably most appropriate for evaluating the exercise capacity of Brazilian patients with chronic diseases.

The six-minute walk test and body weight-walk distance product in healthy Brazilian subjects.

We assessed the 6-min walk distance (6MWD) and body weight x distance product (6MWw) in healthy Brazilian subjects and compared measured 6MWD with values predicted in five reference equations developed for other populations. Anthropometry, spirometry, reported physical activity, and two walk tests in a 30-m corridor were evaluated in 134 subjects (73 females, 13-84 years). Mean 6MWD and 6MWw were significantly greater in males than in females (622 +/- 80 m, 46,322 +/- 10,539 kg.m vs 551 +/- 71 m, 36,356 +/- 8,289 kg.m, P < 0.05). Four equations significantly overestimated measured 6MWD (range, 32 +/- 71 to 137 +/- 74 m; P < 0.001), and one significantly underestimated it (-36 +/- 86 m; P < 0.001). 6MWD significantly correlated with age (r = -0.39), height (r = 0.44), body mass index (r = -0.24), and reported physical activity (r = 0.25). 6MWw significantly correlated with age (r = -0.21), height (r = 0.66) and reported physical activity (r = 0.25). The reference equation devised for walk distance was 6MWDm = 622.461 - (1.846 x Ageyears) + (61.503 x Gendermales = 1; females = 0); r2 = 0.300. In an additional group of 85 subjects prospectively studied, the difference between measured and the 6MWD predicted with the equation proposed here was not significant (-3 +/- 68 m; P = 0.938). The measured 6MWD represented 99.6 +/- 11.9% of the predicted value. We conclude that 6MWD and 6MWw variances were adequately explained by demographic and anthropometric attributes. This reference equation is probably most appropriate for evaluating the exercise capacity of Brazilian patients with chronic diseases.

Evidence for enhanced thermal conduction through percolating structures in nanofluids.

The unusually large enhancement of thermal conductivity (k/k(f)∼4.0, where k and k(f) are the thermal conductivities of the nanofluid and the base fluid, respectively) observed in a nanofluid containing linear chain-like aggregates provides direct evidence for efficient transport of heat through percolating paths. The nanofluid used was a stable colloidal suspension of magnetite (Fe(3)O(4)) nanoparticles of average diameter 6.7 nm, coated with oleic acid and dispersed in kerosene. The maximum enhancement under magnetic field was about 48φ (where φ is the volume fraction). The maximum enhancement is observed when chain-like aggregates are uniformly dispersed without clumping. These results also suggest that nanofluids containing well-dispersed nanoparticles (without aggregates) do not exhibit significant enhancement of thermal conductivity. Our findings offer promising applications for developing a new generation of nanofluids with tunable thermal conductivity.