A new sensor for the simultaneous determination of paracetamol and mefenamic acid in a pharmaceutical preparation and biological samples using copper(II) doped zeolite modified carbon paste electrode

A new chemically modified electrode is constructed based on a copper(II) doped zeolite modified carbon paste electrode (Cu²⁺Y/ZMCPE). It is demonstrated that this novel sensor could be used for the simultaneous determination of the pharmaceutically important compounds paracetamol (PAR) and mefenamic acid (MEF). The measurements were carried out using the differential pulse voltammetry (DPV) method. The prepared modified electrode shows voltammetric responses of high sensitivity, selectivity and stability for PAR and MEF under optimal conditions, which makes it a suitable sensor for simultaneous submicromolar detection of PAR and MEF in solution. The oxidation peak current for PAR in Briton Robinson buffer (pH = 10) was measured at various concentrations between 0.25 and 900 μM. (The detection limit was 0.1 μM and S/N was 3.) It proved linear (the correlation coefficient was 0.9987). For the MEF a linear correlation between oxidation peak current and concentration of MEF over the range 0.3–100 μM, with a correlation coefficient of 0.9991 and a detection limit of 0.04 μM, was obtained. The analytical performance of this sensor has been evaluated for the detection of PAR and MEF in human serum, human urine and a pharmaceutical preparation.     

Estimating process capability indices of multivariate nonnormal processes

The capability analysis of production processes where there are more than one correlated quality variables is a complicated task. The problem becomes even more difficult when these variables exhibit nonnormal characteristics. In this paper, a new methodology is proposed to estimate process capability indices (PCIs) of multivariate nonnormal processes. In the proposed methodology, the skewness of the marginal probability distributions of the variables is first diminished by a root transformation technique. Then, a Monte Carlo simulation method is employed to estimate the process proportion of nonconformities (PNC). Next, the relationship between PNC and PCI is found, and finally, PCI is estimated using PNC. Several multivariate nonnormal distributions such as Beta, Weibull, and Gamma are taken into account in simulation experiments. A real-world problem is also given to demonstrate the application of the proposed procedure. The results obtained from both the simulation studies and the real-world problem show that the proposed method performs well and is able to estimate PCI properly.     

A solidification model for prediction of castability in the precipitation-strengthened nickel-based superalloys

The Scheil equation was used to model the solidification path, microsegregation of alloying elements in the interdendritic regions, solidification temperature ranges, and to predict the formation of secondary structures and the castability behavior of as-cast superalloys. 4 experimental alloys with pre-specified γ-Ti,Nb,Al,Mo composition containing different Nb, Ti and Al contents were designed using vacuum induction melting furnace. The produced as-cast superalloys were characterized using optical and scanning electron microscopy equipped with energy dispersive X-ray spectrometer and TG–DSC analysis. The experiments showed logic conformity to the modeling results. The model and experiment confirmed the highest segregation behavior for Ti and Nb. All the experimental superalloys indicated the remarkable tendency to form secondary eutectic structures at the last stages of solidification. Superalloy with chemical composition of γ-3.5%Mo,1.8%Al,4%Ti,2.9%Nb showed the shorter solidification temperature range and the best castability.     

Characterization of High-k Gate Dielectric with Amorphous Nanostructure

In the present study, Zr _x La_1?x O _y amorphous nanostructures were prepared by the sol–gel method such that the Zr atomic fraction (x) ranged from 0% to 70%. An analytical model is described for the dielectric constant (k) of Zr _x La_1?x O _y nanostructures in a metal–oxide–semiconductor (MOS) device. The structure and morphology of Zr _x La_1?x O _y film was studied using x-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy, atomic force microscopy, and transmission electron microscopy. Elemental qualitative analysis was performed using energy-dispersive x-ray spectra and a map that confirmed the findings. Preliminary information on the influence of thermal annealing on the morphological control of Zr _x La_1?x O _y amorphous nanostructures is presented. The dielectric constant of the crystalline Zr_0.5La_0.5O _y thin film is about 36. Electrical property characterization was performed using a metal–dielectric–semiconductor structure via capacitance–voltage and current density–voltage measurements.     

Development of efficient photoreactors for solar hydrogen production

The rate of hydrogen evolution from a photocatalytic process depends not only on the activity of a photocatalyst, but also on photoreactor design. Ideally, a photoreactor should be able to absorb the incident light, promoting photocatalytic reactions in an effective manner with minimal photonic losses. There are numerous technical challenges and cost related issues when designing a large-scale photoreactor for hydrogen production. Active stirring of the photocatalyst slurry within a photoreactor is not practical in large-scale applications due to cost related issues. Rather, the design should allow facile self-mixing of the flow field within the photoreactor. In this paper two types of photocatalytic reactor configurations are studied: a batch type design and another involving passive self-mixing of the photolyte. Results show that energy loss from a properly designed photoreactor is mainly due to reflection losses from the photoreactor window. We describe the interplay between the reaction and the photoreactor design parameters as well as effects on the rate of hydrogen evolution. We found that a passive self-mixing of the photolyte is possible. Furthermore, the use of certain engineering polymer films as photoreactor window materials has the potential for substantial cost savings in large-scale applications, with minimal reduction of photon energy utilization efficiency. Eight window materials were tested and the results indicate that Aclar™ polymer film used as the photoreactor window provides a substantial cost saving over other engineering polymers, especially with respect to fused silica glass at modest hydrogen evolution rates.     

Experimental Investigation of Two-Phase Pressure Drop in a Microchannel

Experimental results of two-phase pressure drop in a horizontal circular microchannel are reported in this paper. A test tube was made of fused silica having an internal diameter of 781 μm with a total length of 261 mm and a heated length of 191 mm. The outer surface of the test tube was coated with an electrically conductive thin layer of ITO (indium tin oxide) for direct heating of the test section. Refrigerants R134a and R245fa were used as the working fluids, and mass flux during the experiments was varied between 100 and 650 kg/m²-s. Experiments were performed at two different system pressures corresponding to saturation temperatures of 25°C and 30°C for R134a and at three different system pressures corresponding to saturation temperatures of 30°C, 35°C, and 40°C for R245fa. Two-phase frictional pressure drop characteristics with variation of mass flux, vapor fraction, saturation temperature, and heat flux were explored in detail. Finally, the prediction capability of some well-known correlations available in the literature, some developed for macrochannels and others especially developed for microchannels, was assessed.     

Phenols,Flavonoids, and Antioxidant and Antibacterial Activity of Leaves and Stem Bark of Morus Species

Leaves and stem bark composition from Morus species (M. alba var. alba, M. alba var. rosa and M. rubra) was evaluated for its antioxidant and antimicrobial activities in order to enhance its therapeutic uses. Total phenolics and flavonoids contents were estimated in hydromethanolic and aqueous extracts. Results showed highest content in M. rubra leaves aqueous extract (1129 mg gallic acid equivalent/100 g dry weight and 816 mg gallic acid equivalent/100 g dry weight, respectively). Using 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl assay, the highest antioxidant activity was obtained in aqueous stem barks extracts. M. alba var. alba has an IC₅₀ of 2.84 mg/ml and the IC₅₀ value of M. rubra was the highest (4.78 mg/ml). ABTS^.+ (2,2'-azinobis-(3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonic acid)) method and reducing power assay were used to confirm the results from the 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl test. All extracts expressed considerable free radical-scavenging properties. Hydromethanolic and aqueous extracts were tested against Staphylococcus aureus, Enterococcus feacalis, Staphylococcus epidermis, Escherichia coli, and Salmonella Typhimurium bacteria. Hydromethanolic stem bark extracts have the highest antimicrobial activities, and it may be a good antimicrobial agent for human gastrointestinal infections. This plant could be used as an additive to foods and also as a possible source to obtain new and effective herbal medicines to treat infections of multi-drug resistant strains of microorganisms.     

CO2 emissions,energy consumption and economic growth in Turkey

This paper examines the long run and causal relationship issues between economic growth, carbon emissions, energy consumption and employment ratio in Turkey by using autoregressive distributed lag bounds testing approach of cointegration. Empirical results for Turkey over the period 1968–2005 suggest an evidence of a long-run relationship between the variables at 5% significance level in Turkey. The estimated income elasticity of carbon emissions per capita is ?0.606 and the income elasticity of energy consumption per capita is 1.375. Results for the existence and direction of Granger causality show that neither carbon emissions per capita nor energy consumption per capita cause real GDP per capita, but employment ratio causes real GDP per capita in the short run. In addition, EKC hypothesis at causal framework by using a linear logarithmic model is not valid in Turkish case. The overall results indicates that energy conservation policies, such as rationing energy consumption and controlling carbon dioxide emissions, are likely to have no adverse effect on the real output growth of Turkey.     

Optimization and life-cycle cost of health clinic PV system for a rural area in southern Iraq using HOMER software

This paper addresses the need for electricity of rural areas in southern Iraq and proposes a photovoltaic (PV) solar system to power a health clinic in that region. The total daily health clinic load is 31.6 kW h and detailed loads are listed. The National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) optimization computer model for distributed power, “HOMER,” is used to estimate the system size and its life-cycle cost. The analysis shows that the optimal system’s initial cost, net present cost, and electricity cost is US$ 50,700, US$ 60,375, and US$ 0.238/kW h, respectively. These values for the PV system are compared with those of a generator alone used to supply the load. We found that the initial cost, net present cost of the generator system, and electricity cost are US$ 4500, US$ 352,303, and US$ 1.332/kW h, respectively. We conclude that using the PV system is justified on humanitarian, technical, and economic grounds.