Multivariate-Assisted Solid Phase Extraction Procedure for Simultaneous Preconcentration and Assessment of UV-Filters in Wastewater Prior to UV-Vis Spectrophotometric Determination

Determination of emerging pollutants such as UV-filters in environmental samples is very important because they have been proven to have harmful effects on human and aquatic life. In this study, a simple, fast and inexpensive method combining solid phase extraction (SPE) and UV spectrophotometry was developed for simultaneous preconcentration and determination of benzophenone and sulisobenzone in wastewater samples. The effect of factors affecting the preconcentration of UV-filters was optimized using univariate and multivariate approach. Under optimized conditions, the limits of detection (LOD), limits of quantification (LOQ) and preconcetration factors were in the range of 0.15–0.28 and 0.50–0.93 μg L−1, 50–55, respectively. The dynamic linear range was up to 250 μg L−1 for benzophenone and sulisobenzone. In addition, the intra- and inter-day precisions were 3.1–3.3 and 4.5–5.2%, respectively. The developed method was successfully applied to determine UV filters in wastewater samples attaining satisfactory recoveries over the range of 99.3–100.7%. The concentration of the target pollutants in wastewater samples ranged from 6.83 to 85.67 μg L−1

Ultrasound Assisted-Homogeneous Liquid-Liquid Phase Microextraction based on Deep Eutectic Solvents and Ethyl Acetate for Preconcentration of Selected Organochlorine Pesticides in Water Samples

Abstract: A novel and greener methodology for the simultaneous preconcentration of organochlorine pesticides in water samples based on ultrasound assisted-homogeneous liquid-liquid phase microextraction (UA-HLLME) has been developed. Gas chromatography-time of flight mass spectrometry was used for quantification of OCPS in water samples. In this method, choline-chloride-ethylene glycol deep eutectic solvent and ethyl acetate were used as the disperser solvent and extraction solvent, respectively. Univariate and multivariate approaches were used for optimization of the influential parameters that affect the extraction efficiency of the UA-HLLME method. Under the optimum conditions, enrichment factors ranging from 152 to 403 with acceptable recoveries of 85-100% were obtained. The dynamic linear ranges were obtained in the concentration range 0.015–1000 μg L−1 with correlation coefficients ranging 0.9952–0.9995. The limits of detection and quantification of the developed UA-HLLME method were in the range 1.9-8.6 ng L−1 and 5.9-26 ng L−1, respectively. The intra-day and inter-day precision expressed in terms of relative standard deviation (%RSD) ranged from 2.1-4.5% and 3.9-7.3%, respectively. The developed method was successfully applied for the preconcentration and determination of the selected OCPs from 3 different river water samples. The developed procedure displayed simplicity, environmental friendliness, relatively high extraction efficiency, short analysis time and relatively low detection limits

Near-Infrared Spectroscopy Combined with Multivariate Tools for Analysis of Trace Metals in Environmental Matrices

Environmental contamination by trace elements is becoming increasingly important problem worldwide. Trace metals such as cadmium, copper, lead, chromium, and mercury are major environmental pollutants that are predominantly found in areas with high anthropogenic activities. Therefore, there is a need for rapid and reliable tools to assess and monitor the concentration of heavy metal in environmental matrices. A nondestructive, cost-effective, and environmentally friendly procedure based on near-infrared reflectance spectroscopy (NIRS) and chemometric tools has been used as alternative technique for the simultaneous estimation of various heavy metal concentrations in environmental sample. The metal content is estimated by assigning the absorption features of metals associated with molecular vibrations of organic and inorganic functional groups in organic matter, silicates, carbonates, and water at 780–2500 nm in the near-infrared region. This chapter, reviewed the application of NIRS combined with chemometric tools such as multiple linear regression (MLR), principal component regression (PCR), and partial least squares (PLS) regression. The disadvantages and advantages of each chemometric tool are discussed briefly

Wastewater Treatment Using Membrane Technology

Water contamination by heavy metals, cyanides and dyes is increasing globally and needs to be addressed as this will lead to water scarcity as well as water quality. Different techniques have been used to clean and renew water for human consumption and agricultural purposes but they each have limitations. Among those techniques, membrane technology is promising to solve the issues. Nanotechnology present a great potential in wastewater treatment to improve treatment efficiency of wastewater treatment plants. In addition, nanotechnology supplement water supply through safe use of modern water sources. This chapter reviews recent development in membrane technology for wastewater treatment. Different types of membrane technologies, their properties, mechanisms advantages, limitations and promising solutions have been discussed

REALTIME FRAUD DETECTION IN THE BANKING SECTOR USING DATA MINING TECHNIQUES/ALGORITHM

Abstract—The banking sector is a very important sector in our present day generation where almost every human has to deal with the bank either physically or online. In dealing with the banks, the customers and the banks face the chances of been trapped by fraudsters. Examples of fraud include insurance fraud, credit card fraud, accounting fraud, etc. Detection of fraudulent activity is thus critical to control these costs. This paper hereby addresses bank fraud detection via the use of data-mining techniques; association, clustering, forecasting, and classification to analyze the customer data in order to identify the patterns that can lead to frauds. Upon identification of the patterns, adding a higher level of verification/authentication to banking processes can be added Keywords: Data mining techniques, banking sector, fraud, and authentication

Effect of Plant Spacing on the Growth and Yield of Forage Plant, Maize, Intercropped with Cowpea (\u3cem\u3eVigna unguiculata\u3c/em\u3e sub spp. \u3cem\u3esesquipedalis\u3c/em\u3e)

Feed constraint is the most important impediment to improved livestock production in the Sub-Saharan African (SSA) countries (Agyemang 2003), as a result of seasonal shortages in the quantity and quality of forage from natural pastures that supply most of the feed for animals due to the prolonged annual dry season. Appropriate technologies to improve the performance of the local animal breeds and feed resources under the traditional system are generally lacking. Maize forms a major part of the cereal crops consumed by man and the residues serve as a source of fodder for livestock (Asawalam and Adesiyan 2001). Demand for maize has led farmers to reduce planting spacing. When crops are grown sole, spacing and planting pattern differ from when intercropped. Maize is known to be a very heavy soil nutrient utiliser and usually produces low yield in situations of low soil fertility and poor agronomic practices. Intercropping maize with legumes has shown prospects for improving maize crop yield and this would result in a reduction in the use of high cost synthetic fertilizers. The cowpea is an example of such legume and little work has been done on plant spacing for this crop in an intercropping system with maize. Plant spacing is an important agronomic attribute as it has effects on light interception which is the energy manufacturing medium of green parts of the plant (Ibeawuchi, et al. 2008)

Amaranthus viridis improves relative anxiety behaviour and cognitive deficit in rotenone induced Parkinsonism in albino rats

Background: Parkinson’s disease (PD) is typically characterised by motor shortfalls. However, non-motor symptoms like mood disorders (anxiety, depression) and impaired cognition are also associated features. Previous studies have demonstrated a neuroprotective effect a plant against a disease. Consequently, this current study was focused on assessing its efficacy in extenuating non-motor shortfalls such as anxiety-like behaviour and impaired cognition induced by rotenone. Methods: PD was induced in rats by administering rotenone (10 mg/kg BW orally) for 28 days. The vehicle and the test drug were given orally daily for one hour prior to rotenone administration. The protective effect of methanol extract of A. viridis (500 mg/kg BW) was assessed through an array of tests; elevated plus maze test, Morris water maze test, and novel object recognition test. The rats were sacrificed on day 28th and neurobiochemical analyses of the hippocampus were performed using HPLC. Results: The findings of this study showed that co-administration of A. viridis reversed the rotenone-induced anxiety-like behaviour and cognitive shortfalls to a significant extent (p<0.001).  It also restored the hippocampal neurotransmitters [(5-hydroxytryptamine (5-HT), 5-hydroxy indole acetic acid (5-HIAA), and dopamine (Da)] significantly (p<0.001). Conclusions: Amaranthus viridis offered neuroprotective effects that ameliorate non-motor symptoms in PD. This could be a novel insight into the therapy of PD. This study provides scientific evidence that A. viridis attenuates non-motor symptoms like anxiety-like behaviour and cognitive deficits in Parkinsonism. This extract can be a potential candidate in herbal formulations as a neuroprotectant against PD

Cryptolepis sanguinolenta Root Tablets: Effect of Binder Type and Concentration on the Tablet Properties

ABSTRACT The objectives of the study were to formulate Cryptolepis sanguinolenta root powder into tablets and to evaluate the effect of different binders and binder concentrations on the properties of tablets. The tablets were formulated by the wet granulation method using gelatin and sodium carboxymethyl cellulose (SCMC) as binders at concentrations of 2%, 4%, 6% and 8%w/w. The tablets were evaluated using the relevant official and unofficial tests. Also the phytochemistry of the powdered root extract of C. sanguinolenta was evaluated. Phytochemical analysis showed that C. sanguinolenta root contains alkaloids, terpenoids, steroids, proteins, carbohydrate, resins, reducing sugars and glycosides. Tablets formulated with SCMC significantly exhibited higher disintegration times than those formulated with gelatin (p<0.05).Tablets hardness ranged from 3.51 ± 0.12 to 5.02 ± 0.10 kgf for A1 and A4 tablets formulated with 2 and 8% gelatin and 2.00 ± 0.11 to 5.00 ± 0.17 kgf for B1 and B4 tablets formulated with 2 and 8% SCMC. All the tablet batches exhibited friability of < 1% (p<0.05). Therefore the powdered root of C. sanguinolenta could be formulated as normal release tablets using gelatin and SCMC in order to standardize the preparation and also enhance patient's compliance

MYC Overexpression Induces Prostatic Intraepithelial Neoplasia and Loss of Nkx3.1 in Mouse Luminal Epithelial Cells

Lo-MYC and Hi-MYC mice develop prostatic intraepithelial neoplasia (PIN) and prostatic adenocarcinoma as a result of MYC overexpression in the mouse prostate[1]. However, prior studies have not determined precisely when, and in which cell types, MYC is induced. Using immunohistochemistry (IHC) to localize MYC expression in Lo-MYC transgenic mice, we show that morphological and molecular alterations characteristic of high grade PIN arise in luminal epithelial cells as soon as MYC overexpression is detected. These changes include increased nuclear and nucleolar size and large scale chromatin remodeling. Mouse PIN cells retained a columnar architecture and abundant cytoplasm and appeared as either a single layer of neoplastic cells or as pseudo-stratified/multilayered structures with open glandular lumina—features highly analogous to human high grade PIN. Also using IHC, we show that the onset of MYC overexpression and PIN development coincided precisely with decreased expression of the homeodomain transcription factor and tumor suppressor, Nkx3.1. Virtually all normal appearing prostate luminal cells expressed high levels of Nkx3.1, but all cells expressing MYC in PIN lesions showed marked reductions in Nkx3.1, implicating MYC as a key factor that represses Nkx3.1 in PIN lesions. To determine the effects of less pronounced overexpression of MYC we generated a new line of mice expressing MYC in the prostate under the transcriptional control of the mouse Nkx3.1 control region. These “Super-Lo-MYC” mice also developed PIN, albeit a less aggressive form. We also identified a histologically defined intermediate step in the progression of mouse PIN into invasive adenocarcinoma. These lesions are characterized by a loss of cell polarity, multi-layering, and cribriform formation, and by a “paradoxical” increase in Nkx3.1 protein. Similar histopathological changes occurred in Hi-MYC mice, albeit with accelerated kinetics. Our results using IHC provide novel insights that support the contention that MYC overexpression is sufficient to transform prostate luminal epithelial cells into PIN cells in vivo. We also identified a novel histopathologically identifiable intermediate step prior to invasion that should facilitate studies of molecular pathway alterations occurring during early progression of prostatic adenocarcinomas