Polyvinylbenzyl Tris-Aminodicarboxylate Microspheres for the Optical Sensing of Cu2+ Ions

In this work, a tris(2-aminoethyl)aminodicaboxylate functionality was substituted for the chloride of polyvinyl- benzyl chloride (PVBC) which was lightly cross-linked (2%) with divinyl benzene. The resulting derivatized po- lymer microspheres were embedded in a hydrogel matrix of poly vinyl alcohol cross-linked with glutaraldehyde to produce a sensing membrane. The latter responded selectively to Cu2+ solutions of different concentration ranges (1 × 10−4 M to 1 × 10−6 M). The response is based on the interaction between the metal cations and the negatively charged deprotonated dicarboxylate functional group, which led to neutralization of the charges. As a result, an increase in the turbidity of the sensing membrane occurred which is attributed to a change in the re- fractive index of the derivatized polymer microspheres relative to that of the hydrogel. The change in the turbid- ity of the sensing membrane was measured as absorbance using a conventional spectrophotometer. It was found that Cu2+ ions bind to the aminodicarboxylated-polymer with a formation constant, Kf, of 1 × 105 M−1. SEM, Eds and IR analyses were performed on the aminodicarboxylated microspheres and their Cu2+ complex.We are grateful to Professor W. R. Seitz and his research group, at the University of New Hampshire (USA) for their fruitful comments and for supplying us with the polyvinylbenzyl chloride microspheres. We are also grateful to the staff at the department of chemistry of An-Najah National University (PA), for their technical assistance

Spectrophotometric Determination of Cu2+ Metal Ions via Complex Formation with Carboxylated Tris(2-aminoethyl)amine

An aminopolycarboxylic acid chelating agent; tris(2-aminoethyl)aminehexaacetic acid (TAHA) was prepared and characterized. TAHA formed stable complexes with Cu(II) ions and other metal ions at pH 10. The complexation behavior was studied by spectrophotometry at the complex maximum wavelength. Mixtures of Cu(II) and other metal ions (M2+; Ca2+, Co2+, Ni2+, Cd2+)were titrated with TAHA at pH 10. The stoichiometry of ligand - to - metal was found to be 1:1. The stability constant of Cu(II)–TAHA complex was determined to be 1.86×105 by using the continuous variation method. Beer’s law was obeyed over the concentration range 3.0×10–4 M – 1.2×10–2 M for Cu(II) solution. The results of the quantitative determination of Cu(II) gave LOD and LOQ values of 7.285×10–6 M and 2.428×10–5 M respectively. The percent relative standard deviation (%RSD) for five replicate samples was found to be 1.088% and 4.804% for Cu(II) concentrations of 1.2×10–2 M and 3.0×10–4 M respectively

Spectrophotometric Determination of Cu2+ Metal Ions via Complex Formation with Carboxylated Tris(2-aminoethyl)amine

An aminopolycarboxylic acid chelating agent; tris(2-aminoethyl)aminehexaacetic acid (TAHA) was prepared and characterized. TAHA formed stable complexes with Cu(II) ions and other metal ions at pH 10. The complexation behavior was studied by spectrophotometry at the complex maximum wavelength. Mixtures of Cu(II) and other metal ions (M2+; Ca2+, Co2+, Ni2+, Cd2+)were titrated with TAHA at pH 10. The stoichiometry of ligand - to - metal was found to be 1:1. The stability constant of Cu(II)–TAHA complex was determined to be 1.86×105 by using the continuous variation method. Beer’s law was obeyed over the concentration range 3.0×10–4 M – 1.2×10–2 M for Cu(II) solution. The results of the quantitative determination of Cu(II) gave LOD and LOQ values of 7.285×10–6 M and 2.428×10–5 M respectively. The percent relative standard deviation (%RSD) for five replicate samples was found to be 1.088% and 4.804% for Cu(II) concentrations of 1.2×10–2 M and 3.0×10–4 M respectively

Spectrophotometric Determination of Cu2+ Metal Ions via Complex Formation with Carboxylated Tris(2-aminoethyl)amine

An aminopolycarboxylic acid chelating agent; tris(2-aminoethyl)aminehexaacetic acid (TAHA) was prepared and characterized. TAHA formed stable complexes with Cu(II) ions and other metal ions at pH 10. The complexation behavior was studied by spectrophotometry at the complex maximum wavelength. Mixtures of Cu(II) and other metal ions (M2+; Ca2+, Co2+, Ni2+, Cd2+) were titrated with TAHA at pH 10. The stoichiometry of ligand - to - metal was found to be 1:1. The stability constant of Cu(II)–TAHA complex was determined to be 1.86×105 by using the continuous variation method. Beer’s law was obeyed over the concentration range 3.0×10–4 M – 1.2×10–2 M for Cu(II) solution. The results of the quantitative determination of Cu(II) gave LOD and LOQ values of 7.285×10–6 M and 2.428×10–5 M respectively. The percent relative standard deviation (%RSD) for five replicate samples was found to be 1.088% and 4.804% for Cu(II) concentrations of 1.2×10–2 M and 3.0×10–4 M respectively

Approximation of the critical buckling factor for composite panels

This article is concerned with the approximation of the critical buckling factor for thin composite plates. A new method to improve the approximation of this critical factor is applied based on its behavior with respect to lamination parameters and loading conditions. This method allows accurate approximation of the critical buckling factor for non-orthotropic laminates under complex combined loadings (including shear loading). The influence of the stacking sequence and loading conditions is extensively studied as well as properties of the critical buckling factor behavior (e.g concavity over tensor D or out-of-plane lamination parameters). Moreover, the critical buckling factor is numerically shown to be piecewise linear for orthotropic laminates under combined loading whenever shear remains low and it is also shown to be piecewise continuous in the general case. Based on the numerically observed behavior, a new scheme for the approximation is applied that separates each buckling mode and builds linear, polynomial or rational regressions for each mode. Results of this approach and applications to structural optimization are presented

Narghile (water pipe) smoking among university students in Jordan: prevalence, pattern and beliefs

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background and objectives</p> <p>Narghile is becoming the favorite form of tobacco use by youth globally. This problem has received more attention in recent years. The aim of this study was to investigate the prevalence and pattern of narghile use among students in three public Jordanian universities; to assess their beliefs about narghile's adverse health consequences; and to evaluate their awareness of oral health and oral hygiene.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>The study was a cross-sectional survey of university students. A self-administered, anonymous questionnaire was distributed randomly to university students in three public Jordanian universities during December, 2008. The questionnaire was designed to ask specific questions that are related to smoking in general, and to narghile smoking in specific. There were also questions about oral health awareness and oral hygiene practices.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>36.8% of the surveyed sample indicated they were smokers comprising 61.9% of the male students and 10.7% of the female students in the study sample. Cigarettes and narghile were the preferred smoking methods among male students (42%). On the other hand, female students preferred narghile only (53%). Parental smoking status but not their educational level was associated with the students smoking status. Smokers had also significantly poor dental attendance and poor oral hygiene habits.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>This study confirmed the spreading narghile epidemic among young people in Jordan like the neighboring countries of the Eastern Mediterranean region. Alarming signs were the poor oral health awareness among students particularly smokers.</p

Lessons learned from COVID-19 Lockdown: An ASPED/MENA Study on Lifestyle Changes and Quality of Life during Ramadan Fasting in Children and Adolescents living with Type 1 Diabetes

Background: Lockdown was a unique experience that affected many aspects of life, particularly during the challenge of Ramadan fasting (RF). Studying this can increase understanding of the effects of lifestyle changes on quality of life (QoL) for children with type 1 diabetes (T1D) during RF. Methods: A cross-sectional study that assessed the effect of lockdown on lifestyle and QoL on fasting children living with T1D during Ramadan in the Middle East and North Africa region (2020-2021). We compared the child (self) and parent (proxy) reports using PEDQoL v3.0 disease specific questionnaire during lockdown and non-lockdown periods, and assessed correlations with lifestyle changes using regression and gap analyses. Results: A total of 998 reports from 499 children with T1D aged 8-18 years (study=276, control=223), and their parents during RF in lockdown and non-lockdown periods. Fathers were more involved in their children’s care during lockdown (p=0.019). Patients had better compliance with treatment (p= 0.002), a reversed sleep pattern (p= 0.033), increased food intake (p=<0.001) and less exercise (p<0.001). Children and parents perceived better QoL during lockdown (p=<0.001) with no differences between their reports in “Diabetes Symptoms”, “Treatment Adherence” and “Communication” domains. Self and proxy reports were different in all domains during non-lockdown (p-values <0.001- 0.009). In gap analysis, although not statistically significant, the gap was approximated between children’s and parents’ perceptions in all domains during lockdown. Conclusion: COVID-19 lockdown had a positive impact on QoL of children living with T1D during RF, possibly due to lifestyle changes and superior psychosocial family dynamics