Evolutionary Computing for the Radiative-Convective Heat Transfer of a Wetted Wavy Fin Using a Genetic Algorithm-Based Neural Network.

Evolutionary algorithms are a large class of optimization techniques inspired by the ideas of natural selection, and can be employed to address challenging problems. These algorithms iteratively evolve populations using crossover, which combines genetic information from two parent solutions, and mutation, which adds random changes. This iterative process tends to produce effective solutions. Inspired by this, the current study presents the results of thermal variation on the surface of a wetted wavy fin using a genetic algorithm in the context of parameter estimation for artificial neural network models. The physical features of convective and radiative heat transfer during wet surface conditions are also considered to develop the model. The highly nonlinear governing ordinary differential equation of the proposed fin problem is transmuted into a dimensionless equation. The graphical outcomes of the aspects of the thermal profile are demonstrated for specific non-dimensional variables. The primary observation of the current study is a decrease in temperature profile with a rise in wet parameters and convective-conductive parameters. The implemented genetic algorithm offers a powerful optimization technique that can effectively tune the parameters of the artificial neural network, leading to an enhanced predictive accuracy and convergence with the numerically obtained solution.

Thermal performance of Fe3O4, SWCNT, MWCNT and H2O based on magnetohydrodynamic nanofluid flow across a wedge with significant impacts of Soret and Dufour.

The Soret and Dufour effects have significant importance in several practical scenarios, especially in the domain of fluidic mass and temperature transfer. Nanofluidics, biological systems, and combustion processes are all areas where these consequences are crucial. Because of its distinct geometry, a wedge-shaped structure has aerodynamics, production, and engineering applications. Wedge shapes are used in aerodynamics for analyzing and improving airflow across various objects. Nanofluids increase thermal conductivity over traditional fluids making them ideal for cooling high-power electronics, boosting temperature transfer efficiencies, and boosting the solar energy system output. This work is of critical importance since it examines the consequences of a heat source/sink, the Soret impact and the Dufour impact, on the movement of a ternary nanofluid over a wedge. This work uses appropriate similarity constraints to reduce the complexity of the underlying governing equations, allowing for fast computational solutions with the Runge-Kutta-Fehlberg 4-5th order method (RKF-45). Analysis of these phenomena helps determine their possible real-world applications across various engineering fields, by presenting numerical results through plots. The results reveal that adjusting the moving wedge factor lessens the temperature profile, improving the magnetic constraint increases the velocity, and modifying the heat source/sink, Dufour, and Soret factors increases the temperature and concentration profiles. Dufour and heat source/sink constraints speed-up the heat transmission rate. In all cases, ternary nano liquids show significant performance over hybrid nano liquids.

Heat and mass transfer analysis of assisting and opposing radiative flow conveying ternary hybrid nanofluid over an exponentially stretching surface.

Access to dependable and environmentally friendly energy sources is critical to a country's economic growth and long-term development. As countries seek greener energy alternatives, the interaction of environmental elements, temperature, and sunlight becomes more critical in utilizing renewable energy sources such as wind and bioenergy. Solar power has received much attention due to extraordinary efficiency advances. under this context, the present work focus on solar radiation and chemical processes in the presence of modified ternary hybrid nanofluids (THNFs) circulating over an exponentially stretched surface in both aiding flow (A-F) and opposing flow (O-F) circumstances. The primary objective of this investigation is to dive into the complicated dynamics of these structures, which are distinguished by complex interactions involving radiation, chemical reactions, and the movement of fluids. We construct reduced ordinary differential equations from the governing equations using suitable similarity transformations, which allows for a more in-depth examination of the liquid's behavior. Numerical simulations using the Runge-Kutta Fehlberg (RKF) approach and shooting techniques are used to understand the underlying difficulties of these reduced equations. The results show that thermal radiation improves heat transmission substantially under O-F circumstances in contrast to A-F conditions. Furthermore, the reaction rate parameter has an exciting connection with concentration levels, with greater rates corresponding to lower concentrations. Furthermore, compared to the O-F scenario, the A-F scenario promotes higher heat transfer in the context of a modified nanofluid. Rising reaction rate and solid fraction volume enhanced mass transfer rate. The rate of thermal distribution in THNFs improves from 0.13 to 20.4% in A-F and 0.16 to 15.06% in O-F case when compared to HNFs. This study has real-world implications in several fields, including developing more efficient solar water heaters, solar thermal generating plants, and energy-saving air conditioners.

Isolation, Characterization, and Drug Sensitivity of Mycobacterium tuberculosis in Captive Sloth Bears (Melursus ursinus): Unnatural Habitat With Human Environment May Predispose Sloth Bears to Tuberculosis.

We describe the isolation, molecular characterization, and drug sensitivity of Mycobacterium tuberculosis recovered from lung tissues of four rescued captive sloth bears (Melursus ursinus) at Bannerghatta Biological Park (BBP), Bangalore, India. These bears had lived most of their life with humans in circus companies. They were rescued and housed in the Bear Rescue Center (BRC) of BBP. Upon rescue, they showed signs of unthriftiness, chronic debility, and failed to respond to symptomatic treatments. Over the period of the next 12-14 months, the four sloth bears died and the post-mortem examination revealed nodular lesions in the lungs that showed the presence of acid-fast bacilli. Polymerase chain reaction (PCR), culture, and nucleotide sequencing confirmed the bacilli as Mycobacterium tuberculosis. Histopathology of the lungs revealed characteristic granulomatous reaction with caseation. We determined the sensitivity of these isolates to rifampicin and isoniazid drugs by a WHO approved test, Line Probe Assay (LPA) using Genotype MTBDRplus VER 2.0. We discuss the role of unnatural habitat with the human environment in predisposing captive sloth bears for tuberculosis (TB). In the absence of any other reliable ante-mortem diagnostic test, this study recommends the use of LPA for early detection of TB in captive wild animals, which will help in taking necessary steps to prevent its further spread to animal caretakers and other susceptible animals in captivity.

Impact of Ag on the Limit of Detection towards NH3-Sensing in Spray-Coated WO3 Thin-Films.

Ag-doped WO3 (Ag-WO3) films were deposited on a soda-lime glass substrate via a facile spray pyrolysis technique. The surface roughness of the films varied between 0.6 nm and 4.3 nm, as verified by the Atomic Force Microscopy (AFM) studies. Ammonia (NH3)-sensing measurements of the films were performed for various concentrations at an optimum sensor working temperature of 200 °C. Enrichment of oxygen vacancies confirmed by X-ray Photoelectron Spectroscopy (XPS) in 1% Ag-WO3 enhanced the sensor response from 1.06 to 3.29, approximately 3 times higher than that of undoped WO3. Limit of detection (LOD) up to 500 ppb is achieved for 1% Ag-WO3, substantiating the role of Ag in improving sensor performance.

An 8 MeV Electron Beam Modified In:ZnO Thin Films for CO Gas Sensing towards Low Concentration.

In the present investigation, electron beam-influenced modifications on the CO gas sensing properties of indium doped ZnO (IZO) thin films were reported. Dose rates of 5, 10, and 15 kGy were irradiated to the IZO nano films while maintaining the In doping concentration to be 15 wt%. The wurtzite structure of IZO films is observed from XRD studies post electron beam irradiation, confirming structural stability, even in the intense radiation environment. The surface morphological studies by SEM confirms the granular structure with distinct and sharp grain boundaries for 5 kGy and 10 kGy irradiated films whereas the IZO film irradiated at 15 kGy shows the deterioration of defined grains. The presence of defects viz oxygen vacancies, interstitials are recorded from room temperature photoluminescence (RTPL) studies. The CO gas sensing estimations were executed at an optimized operating temperature of 300 °C for 1 ppm, 2 ppm, 3 ppm, 4 ppm, and 5 ppm. The 10 kGy treated IZO film displayed an enhanced sensor response of 2.61 towards low concentrations of 1 ppm and 4.35 towards 5 ppm. The enhancement in sensor response after irradiation is assigned to the growth in oxygen vacancies and well-defined grain boundaries since the former and latter act as vital adsorption locations for the CO gas.

Pullorum Disease: Evolution of the Eradication Strategy.

The history of pullorum disease is closely intertwined with the history of avian health research and that of the poultry industry. The seriousness of the disease galvanized the attention and brought together, for the first time, the pioneers of poultry health research to work cooperatively on different aspects of the disease. Control of the disease made it possible for intensive poultry production to develop as the basis for the modern poultry industry. During the early 1900s, bacillary white diarrhea (BWD) was a devastating disease of young chickens threatening the developing poultry industry. Dr. Leo F. Rettger isolated and described the bacterial pathogen, Salmonella enterica serotype Pullorum, for the first time in 1900. BWD was renamed pullorum disease in 1929. In subsequent years, Rettger and coworkers were able to reproduce the disease and fulfill Koch's postulates. Rettger et al. also showed that Salmonella Pullorum was vertically transmitted, which was the first time that a pathogen was shown to be vertically transmitted. The development of serologic tests was of crucial importance because it led to the development of effective eradication methods to identify carrier birds and to exclude these birds from the breeder flocks. The negative impact of pullorum disease on the poultry industry ultimately was one of the major reasons that the National Poultry Improvement Plan (NPIP) was developed by scientists, the poultry industry, and the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA). Needless to say, the work of the pioneering researchers formed the basis for the control of the disease. The NPIP started in 1935, with 34 states participating in testing 4 million birds representing 58.2% of the birds hatched. The program rapidly expanded to 47 states by 1948 and tested more than 30 million birds. In 1967, all commercial chicken hatcheries participating in the NPIP were 100% free of pullorum and typhoid disease caused by Salmonella enterica serotype Gallinarum. This historical overview of pullorum disease describes in some detail the progress made, especially during the early years, toward controlling this disease using methodologies that were often very basic but nonetheless effective. One has to admire the ingenuity and persistence of the early researchers leading to their achievements considering the research tools that were available at the time.

Artículo histórico­Pulorosis: Evolución de las estrategias de erradicación La historia de la pulorosis está estrechamente relacionada con la historia de la investigación en salud aviar y de la industria avícola. La severidad de la enfermedad despertó la atención y reunió, por primera vez a los pioneros de la investigación en salud avícola para trabajar de manera cooperativa en diferentes aspectos de la enfermedad. El control de la enfermedad hizo posible que la producción avícola intensiva se desarrollara como base de la industria avícola moderna. A principios de la década de los 1900, la diarrea blanca bacilar (con las siglas en inglés BWD) era una enfermedad devastadora de pollos jóvenes que amenazaba la industria avícola en desarrollo. El Dr. Leo F. Rettger aisló y describió el patógeno bacteriano, Salmonella enterica serotipo Pullorum, por primera vez en 1900. La diarrea blanca bacilar pasó a llamarse pulorosis (pullorum disease) en 1929. En los años siguientes, Rettger y sus colaboradores pudieron reproducir la enfermedad y cumplir los postulados de Koch. Rettger y col. también mostraron que Salmonella Pullorum se transmitía verticalmente, y fue la primera vez que se demostró que un patógeno se transmitía verticalmente. El desarrollo de pruebas serológicas fue de crucial importancia porque condujo al desarrollo de métodos de erradicación efectivos para identificar aves portadoras y eliminar a estas aves de las parvadas reproductoras. El impacto negativo de la pulorosis en la industria avícola fue, en última instancia, una de las principales razones por las que los científicos, la industria avícola y el Departamento de Agricultura de los Estados Unidos (USDA) desarrollaron el Plan Nacional de Mejoramiento Avícola (NPIP). Es importante decir que el trabajo de los investigadores pioneros formó la base para el control de la enfermedad. El Plan Nacional de Mejoramiento Avícola comenzó en año 1935, con 34 estados participando en el análisis de 4 millones de aves que representaban el 58.2% de las aves producidas. El programa se expandió rápidamente a 47 estados en 1948 y evaluó a más de 30 millones de aves. En 1967, todas las plantas incubadoras de pollos comerciales que participaban en el Plan Nacional de Mejoramiento Avícola estaban 100% libres de pulorosis y tifoidea aviar causada por Salmonella enterica serotipo Gallinarum. Esta reseña histórica de la pulorosis describe con cierto detalle el progreso realizado, especialmente durante los primeros años, hacia el control de esta enfermedad utilizando metodologías que a menudo eran muy básicas no obstante efectivas. Es admirable el ingenio y la persistencia de los primeros investigadores que los llevaron a sus logros considerando las herramientas de investigación que estaban disponibles en ese momento.

Crystal structure, spectral investigations, DFT and antimicrobial activity of brucinium benzilate (BBA).

The unreported brucinium benzilate (BBA) crystal and Hirshfeld surface analysis indicated the influence of intramolecular hydrogen bonding network on the crystal structure. Protonation occurs at the tertiary nitrogen as it is the most basic site. The protonated N-H+ proton was observed at 7.08 ppm and the benzilate carbon COO- at 178.41 ppm. Molecular electrostatic potential (MEP) studies showed the electron-rich and electron-deficient sites in the molecule for understanding BBA interaction with an enzyme. Frontier molecular orbital (FMO) studies indicated that BBA molecule is thermodynamically stable and the HOMO-LUMO energy gap was found to be 4.454 eV. The highest interaction has the energy (322.86 kcal/mol) between tertiary ammonium N(LP) and H+. Inhibition tests showed that brucinium benzilate inhibits Bacillus cereus and Salmonella typhimurium bacteria. ADMET properties indicated that BBA has drug characteristics in binding plasma protein.

Experimental infection and pathology of two highly pathogenic avian influenza H5N1 viruses isolated from crow and chicken in house crows (Corvus splendens).

We investigated the experimental infection of two highly pathogenic avian influenza H5N1 viruses isolated from crow (A/crow/Assam/142119/2008) and chicken (A/chicken/Sikkim/151466/2009) in house crows (Corvus splendens). Both viruses caused infection in crows, where four out of six and three out of six crows succumbed to H5N1 infection within 11 days post challenge by crow and chicken viruses, respectively. The major clinical signs in crows were wing paralysis, circling and torticollis. The virus shedding detected from swabs was not persistent in both crow nor chicken viruses. Both viruses were isolated more frequently from oral swabs than from cloacal swabs. Both virus strains were isolated from brain, lungs, heart, liver, pancreas, spleen, large intestines of crows that succumbed to H5N1 infection. The surviving birds seroconverted in response to H5N1 virus infection. Microscopically, both viruses caused coagulative necrosis in pancreas and kidneys. Brain showed gliosis and neuronal degeneration. This experimental study highlights that crows could be infected with H5N1 viruses from different hosts with minor differences in pathogenicity. Therefore, it is imperative to carry out surveillance of highly pathogenic avian influenza H5N1 virus in synanthropic birds along with biosecurity measures to mitigate the H5N1 spread in poultry population. Keywords: chicken virus; crow virus; highly pathogenic avian influenza; house crows.

Synthesis, Characterization and Humidity Sensing Properties of Nanocrystalline Composites of Sr1-xCoxMoO4 (x = 0, 0.3, 0.5, 0.7, 1).

The nanocrystalline strontium cobalt molybdate composites of Sr1-xCoxMoO4 (x = 0, 0.3, 0.5, 0.7, 1) were prepared by mixing various mole ratios (SrM-1, SrCM-2, SrCM-3, SrCM-4 and CoM-5) and investigated for their humidity sensing properties. The composites were characterized by thermal analysis (TG/DTA), X-ray powder diffraction (XRD), Fourier Transform-Infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR), Fourier Transform Raman (FT-Raman) spectroscopy, Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM/EDAX), Transmission Electron Microscopy (TEM) and UV-Visible absorption spectroscopy. The composites were subjected to dc electrical conductivity based humidity sensing studies at room temperature. The resistance measurements as a function of relative humidity (RH) in the range of 5-98% were carried out and the sensitivity factor (Sf) were calculated. The SrM-1 is found to possess with the highest Sf of 33014 ± 660 and CoM-5 is found to possess a low Sf of 868 ± 43. The SrCM-2, SrCM-3 and SrCM-4 possessed the sensitivity factors (Sf) of 915 ± 45, 3713 ± 185 and 3390 ± 102 respectively.

Fabrication and performance evaluation of hybrid supercapacitor electrodes based on carbon nanotubes and sputtered TiO2.

We report a simple and eco-friendly method for the fabrication of a titanium dioxide/functionalized multiwalled carbon nanotube (TiO2/FMWCNT) composite electrode for use in supercapacitors. The nanocomposite electrodes were formed by depositing titanium dioxide onto FMWCNTs using reactive magnetron sputtering, thus providing a green roue for the formation of the binder-free composite electrode. It is shown that the electrochemical performance of the fabricated electrodes can be altered by tuning the thickness of the titanium dioxide overlayer. The integrated nanocomposite electrode showed an improved specific capacitance of 90 Fg(-1) in two-electrode configuration.

Serosurveillance of foot and mouth disease in Karnataka state, India: a 3 years study.

A prospective serological investigation was conducted to determine the prevalence and distribution of foot-and-mouth disease (FMD), as well as to monitor the effectiveness of the FMD control programme (FMD-CP) through vaccination in Karnataka, India. Random serum samples were collected every year between May and August before the start of vaccination in 2011, and subsequently following two phases of vaccination in 2012 and 2013. Infection status (seroprevalence) was inferred by subjecting the sera to indirect r3AB3 non-structural protein-ELISA, using kits developed by the Project Directorate on FMD, India. The seromonitoring of FMD-CP was carried out by detecting antibodies deemed to be protective in the pre- and post-vaccinal sera, using liquid-phase blocking-ELISA for structural proteins. The results revealed significant decrease in seroprevalence from 58 to 21 %, providing more definitive data supporting our earlier findings obtained through clinical observations (Hegde et al. in Virusdisease 25:504-509, 2014), and detecting active infection in some of the populations which were considered to be free based on passive surveillance. On the other hand, after four rounds of vaccination, a gradual and significant increase from 4.5 to 59 % of animals carrying antibody levels deemed to be protective was observed against all the three serotypes. The findings of this study could be useful for further strategizing to strengthen the ongoing FMD-CP in Karnataka State, India.

Synthesis, growth, structural and optical studies of organic nonlinear optical material--piperazine-1,4-diium bis 2,4,6-trinitrophenolate.

Piperazine-1,4-diium bis 2,4,6-trinitrophenolate is one of the useful organic materials with nonlinear optical (NLO) and pharmaceutical applications. The material was grown by slow evaporation solution growth method at room temperature. The crystal system and lattice parameters were identified by single crystal XRD analysis. The grown material crystallizes in monoclinic system with P21/n space group. The main functional groups NH2, NO2, CN, CC, and phenolic 'O' atom were identified using FTIR analysis. The protons and carbons of grown crystal with various chemical environments were studied by 1H and 13C NMR spectroscopy to confirm the molecular structure. The optical properties of the crystal were studied by UV-vis-NIR spectroscopy and the transmission 100% range starts from 532 nm onwards. The optical band gap was measured as 2.63 eV from the plot of (αhν)2 versus hν. The thermal stability was detected at 304.1°C using TG-DTA analysis. The dielectric studies of the sample were carried out at different temperatures in the frequency range from 50 Hz to 5 MHz to establish the dielectric nature of the crystal. Photoconductivity measurements were carried out on the grown crystal. The Second Harmonic Generation (SHG) of the crystal was tested to confirm the nonlinear optical property.

Microwave assisted rapid synthesis and biological evaluation of stable copper nanoparticles using T. arjuna bark extract.

Terminalia arjuna (T. arjuna) bark extract is used to reduce Cu(2+)→Cu(0) under microwave irradiation. The formation of copper nanoparticles (CuNPs) is monitored by recording the UV-Vis absorption spectra for surface plasmon resonance (SPR) peak, ~535 nm. The intensity of SPR increased linearly with increasing temperature of the reaction mixture. The formation mechanism of CuNPs is supported by the observed marginal decrease in pH and an increase in solution potential (E) of the reaction mixture. X-ray diffraction (XRD) pattern of the CuNPs agrees with the reported data for Cu metal and the crystallite size is ~23 nm. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR) and solid-state (13)C NMR shows the presence of plant residues on the CuNPs, i.e., in situ bio-capping is possible by this method. Thermo gravimetric (TG) analysis shows the thermal degradation of plant residue and the conversion of Cu to CuO. Field emission electron microscopic (FESEM) image shows uniform spherical particles obtained here. Elemental analysis by energy dispersive X-ray (EDX) analysis confirms the presence of Cu alone, as expected. The in vitro antimicrobial activity is found to be effective for CuNPs dried at RT when compared to CuNPs dried at 70 °C. In addition, CuNPs shows very good antioxidant property.

Indoor (222)Rn and (220)Rn concentrations and doses in Bangalore, India.

(222)Rn and (220)Rn levels have been measured using passive detector technique by employing time integrated solid-state nuclear track detector-based dosemeters in various types of houses at 10 different locations in and around Bangalore Metropolitan, India. The measured geometric mean concentration values of (222)Rn and (220)Rn levels in 200 dwellings of different types of construction were found to be 32.2±1.6 and 21.4±1.0 Bq m(-3), respectively. The dose rate received by the population of Bangalore ranged between 0.2 and 3.5 mSv y(-1) with an average and the geometric mean of 1.14±0.05 and 1.06 mSv y(-1), respectively. Overall, the result does not show much significant radiological risk for the inhabitants and the (222)Rn levels are well within the limits of global average concentration of 40 Bq m(-3). However, the (220)Rn levels observed were found to be higher than the global average of 10 Bq m(-3).

Relevance of thermodynamic and kinetic parameters of chemical vapor deposition precursors.

We have studied various metallorganic and organometallic compounds by simultaneous nonisothermal thermogravimetric and differential thermogravimetric analyses to confirm their volatility and thermal stability. The equilibrium vapor pressures of the metallorganic and organometallic compounds were determined by horizontal dual arm single furnace thermoanalyzer as transpiration apparatus. Antoine coefficients were calculated from the temperature dependence equilibrium vapor pressure data. The model-fitting solid-state kinetic analyses of Al(acac)3, (acac = acetylacetonato), Cr(CO)6, Fe(Cp)2, (Cp-cyclopentadienyl), Ga(acac)3, Mn(tmhd)3, and Y(tmhd)3 (tmhd = 2,2,6,6,-tetramethyl-3,5-heptanedionato) revealed that the processes follow diffusion controlled, contracting area and zero order model sublimation or evaporation kinetics. The activation energy for the sublimation/evaporation processes were calculated by model-free kinetic methods. Thin films of nickel and lanthanum-strontium-manganite (LSM) are grown on silicon substrate at 573 K using selected metallorganic complexes of Ni[(acac)2en], La(tmhd)3, Sr(tmhd)2 and Mn(tmhd)3 as precursors by plasma assisted liquid injection chemical vapor deposition (PA-LICVD). The deposited films were characterized by scanning electron microscopy and energy dispersive X-ray analysis for their composition and morphology.

Spectrophotometric determination of hydrazine.

Hydrazine is determined spectrophotometrically by forming the derivative 2,4-dinitrophenylhydrazine from 2,4-dinitrochlorobenzene. The formed dinitro derivative undergoes condensation reaction to form the hydrazone with p-dimethylaminobenzaldehyde (p-DAB). The resulting yellow colored product is stable in acidic medium and has a maximum absorption at 458 nm. The colour system obeys Beer's law in the range 0-7 microg of hydrazine in an overall volume of 25 mL. The molar absorptivity is calculated to be 8.1 x 10(4) L mol(-1)cm(-1) with a correlation coefficient of 0.998. The relative standard deviation is 1.7% (n=10) at 6 microg of hydrazine. Interferences due to foreign ions have been studied and the method has been applied for the determination of hydrazine in boiler feed water.

3-[(3-Hydroxypropyl)amino]-1-phenyl-but-2-en-1-one.

The title compound, C(13)H(17)NO(2), has an intra-molecular N-H⋯O hydrogen bond, forming a planar six-membered ring with a mean deviation of 0.015 (5) Šfrom the plane. This plane makes a dihedral angle of 7.19 (8)° with the adjacent phenyl ring. Through an inter-molecular O-H⋯O hydrogen bond, the mol-ecules with their 2(1) screw and b-translation equivalents form a helical chain running parallel to the b axis.

Utilization of strontium added NiAl(2)O(4) composites for the detection of methanol vapors.

Strontium added NiAl(2)O(4) composites prepared by sol-gel technique was utilized for the detection of methanol vapors. X-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy (SEM), FT-IR spectroscopy and nitrogen adsorption/desorption isotherm at 77K was employed respectively to identify the structural phases, surface morphology, vibrational stretching frequencies and BET surface area of the composites. The composites were prepared with the molar ratios of Ni:Sr as (1.0:0.0, 0.8:0.2, 0.6:0.4, 0.4:0.6, 0.2:0.8, 0.0:1.0) keeping the aluminum molar ratio as constant for all the compositions and were labeled as NiSA1, NiSA2, NiSA3, NiSA4, NiSA5 and NiSA6, respectively. The samples sintered at 900 degrees C for 5 h were subjected to dc resistance measurements in the temperature range of 30-250 degrees C to study the methanol vapor detection characteristics. The results revealed that the sensitivity in detecting methanol vapor increased with increase in temperature up to 175 degrees C for the composites NiSA1 and NiSA6 while for the other composites up to 150 degrees C and thereafter decreased. The sensitivity increased with increase in methanol concentration from 100 to 5000 ppm at 150 degrees C. Among the different composites NiSA5 showed the best sensitivity to methanol detection at an operating temperature of 150 degrees C.

The cobalt-albumin binding assay: insights into its mode of action.

BACKGROUND: We previously hypothesized that the N-terminus of human serum albumin (HSA) is altered during ischemic events, thus establishing the foundation for the cobalt-HSA binding assay phenomenon. In this investigation, we attempt to clarify the mode of action of the cobalt-HSA binding assay by direct observations of cobalt binding to HSA. METHODS: High pressure liquid chromatography coupled to positive electrospray ionization mass spectrometry (HPLC/MS) was used to study cobalt binding to HSA in the plasma of patients with and without evidence of myocardial ischemia. RESULTS: Strong binding of cobalt to the N-terminus of HSA occurs at pH>7.0. No differences in cobalt binding to the N-terminus of HSA are observed in ischemic versus non-ischemic patients' plasma despite differences in the cobalt-HSA binding assay. Plasma free cysteine/cystine ratio appears to play a role in the quantitative response of the cobalt-HSA binding assay. CONCLUSIONS: The main determinants of the cobalt-HSA binding assay mechanism of action include but are not limited to: the proportion of intact N-terminus of HSA, HSA concentration, plasma cysteine/cystine ratio, plasma pH, and the state of oxidation of cys34 of HSA. Assay improvements that consider and take these factors into account could lead to an improved cobalt-HSA binding assay with greater clinical utility.