CHEMICAL SPECIATION OF Pb(II), Cd(II), Hg(II), Co(II), Ni(II), Cu(II) AND Zn(II) BINARY COMPLEXES OF L-METHIONINE IN 1,2-PROPANEDIOL–WATER MIXTURES

Chemical speciation of Pb(II), Cd(II), Hg(II), Co(II), Ni(II), Cu(II) and Zn(II) complexes of L-methionine in 0.0-60 % v/v 1,2-propanediol-water mixtures maintaining an ionic strength of 0.16 M at 303 K has been studied pH metrically. The active forms of ligand are LH2+, LH and L-. The predominant species detected are ML, MLH, ML2, ML2H, ML2H2 and MLOH. Models containing different numbers of species were refined by using the computer program MINIQUAD 75. The best-fit chemical models were arrived at based on statistical parameters. The trend in variation of complex stability constants with change in the dielectric constant of the medium is explained on the basis of electrostatic and non-electrostatic forces. KEY WORDS: Complex equilibria, Chemical speciation, L-Methionine, 1,2-Propanediol, Metals Bull. Chem. Soc. Ethiop. 2007, 21(3), 363-372

Removal of lead(II) ions from aqueous solutions using activated carbon from Militia ferruginea plant leaves

The adsorption of lead(II) on to activated carbon developed from an indigenous Ethiopian medicinal plant leaves namely Birbira (Militia ferruginea) was investigated to assess the possible use of this adsorbent. The influences of contact time, adsorbent dose, Pb(II) concentration, pH and temperature on adsorption were investigated. The maximum adsorption took place at 3 h. at a dose of 4.0 g of adsorbent, and 97.3 % of Pb2+ adsorption at pH of 4.0. The amount of lead ion adsorbed per gram of the adsorbent increased with decreasing concentration of Pb2+. The percentage of adsorption had increased with the increasing temperature. The positive value of ∆H indicated that the adsorption of lead ions on the adsorbent was an endothermic process. The values of free energy (∆G) were negative as expected for a spontaneous process. The decrease in ∆G value with increasing temperature revealed that adsorption of the ion on the adsorbent became favorable at a higher temperature. The calculated value of ∆H was 25.05 kJ mol–1, ∆S was 135.48 JK-1 mol-1 and ∆G was also calculated for each temperature. The two theoretical adsorption isotherms, namely, Langmuir and Freundlich were used to describe the experimental results. The Freundlich adsorption isotherm best fits and adsorption capacity was calculated to be 3.3 mg of Pb(II) per g of adsorbent. The adsorption followed the first order kinetics and was found to be pH dependent being maximum at pH 4.0. The pH effect and desorption studies showed that ion exchange mechanism might be involved in the adsorption process. Reuse of the desorbed bio-adsorbent is possible. The effect of foreign ions on the removal of Pb(II) has been investigated. The removal of Pb(II) from industrial wastewater sample was also tested and showed that more than 97 % removal was possible. The results showed that activated carbon prepared from Birbira (Militia ferruginea) leaves could be used for the removal of Pb(II) from wastewater. KEY WORDS: Industrial wastewater, Lead removal, Adsorbent, Militia ferruginea  Bull. Chem. Soc. Ethiop. 2008, 22(3), 349-360

Effect of Potting Media on Growth and Quality in Aglaonema

Effect of potting media on growth and quality of ornamental foliage plant, aglaonema cv. Ernesto's Favourite, was evaluated. Soil, cocopeat and sphagnum peat, in combination with sand, FYM and vermicompost in various proportions, were used as potting media. Maximum plant height (71.36cm), number of leaves (16.00), leaf length (60.39cm), leaf width (10.13cm), leaf area (208.36cm2), plant growth index (63.37cm), fresh weight of root (45.00g), dry weight of root (8.53g), visual plant grade (4.50), colour grade (4.58), root grade (4.45), and, N (3.46 %), P (0.95 %) and K content in leaf (1.91%) were recorded with the medium containing cocopeat + sand + vermicompost in 2:1:1, (v/v) combination at 150 DAP. Medium containing cocopeat + sand + FYM + vermicompost in 2:1:1:0.5 ratio, (v/v) was found to be on par with cocopeat + sand + vermicompost in 2:1:1, (v/v) combination with respect to leaf width, dry weight of root, visual plant grade, colour grade, root grade and K content

Redox-regulated chaperone function and conformational changes of Escherichia coli Hsp33

We have studied the chaperone activity and conformation of Escherichia coli heat shock protein (Hsp)33, whose activity is known to be switched on by oxidative conditions. While oxidized Hsp33 completely prevents the heat-induced aggregation of ζ-crystallin at 42°C at a ratio of 1:1 (w/w), the reduced form exhibits only a marginal effect on the aggregation. Far UV–circular dichroism (CD) spectra show that reduced Hsp33 contains a significant α-helical component. Oxidation results in significant changes in the far UV–CD spectrum. Near UV–CD spectra show changes in tertiary structural packing upon oxidation. Polarity-sensitive fluorescent probes report enhanced hydrophobic surfaces in the oxidized Hsp33. Our studies show that the oxidative activation of the chaperone function of Hsp33 involves observable conformational changes accompanying increased exposure of hydrophobic pockets

Dynamic hip screw technique in the management of trochanteric fracture

Background: Study was conducted to find the results of dynamic hip screw in the management of trochanteric fracture by analyzing the factors which influence post-operative mobility.Methods: Study was conducted in the department of orthopedics, GSL Medical College. Individuals >18 years, both genders who were diagnosed having trochanteric type I and II Boyd and Griffin stable fractures were included in the study. All surgeries were performed under spinal anesthesia, internal fixation with dynamic hip screw and 135o angled blade plate. Injectable third generation cephalosporins were used 24 hours preoperatively, intra- operatively and 5 days post-operatively, and oral antibiotics till suture removal. Patients allowed to sit on bed on 2nd and 3rd day and static quadriceps exercises were started from 2nd day onwards, hip and knee flexion exercises from 6 or 7th day and weight bearing walking form 10th day.Results: The average age was of the participants was 61.53 years, ranged between 41 to 80 years; 65% were female participants and 35% were male patients. In the study, 20 (50%) patients had right side fracture and left sided affection of trochanteric fracture to the remaining 50%. Most of the patients (67.5%) in this study were classified as type II Boyd and Griffin criteria, and 32.5% were type I. The clinical and functional outcome was calculated using the Kyle's criteria; 25% (10) showed excellent response, followed by good (50%), fair (15%) and poor (10%) results.Conclusions: Dynamic hip screw is the operative treatment of choice for stable trochanteric fractures. However, studies on large sample for long time are recommended

A Tri-Band Heart Shaped Microstrip Patch Antenna

In this paper a tri-band heart shaped Microstrip patch antenna is presented for Bluetooth and C-band applications. The proposed antenna has symmetrical properties and has been designed by etching heart shaped structure on FR-4 substrate with coaxially fed input. It radiates for Bluetooth, WLAN and WIMAX Frequency bands. The gain at 2.4 GHz, 5.4 GHz, and 7.6 GHz respectively is obtained. The proposed antenna can be widely used for Bluetooth, WLAN applications. DOI: 10.17762/ijritcc2321-8169.15033

Kurosh-Amitsur Right Jacobson Radical of Type 0 for Right Near-Rings

By a near-ring we mean a right near-ring. J0r, the right Jacobson radical of type 0, was introduced for near-rings by the first and second authors. In this paper properties of the radical J0r are studied. It is shown that J0r is a Kurosh-Amitsur radical (KA-radical) in the variety of all near-rings R, in which the constant part Rc of R is an ideal of R. So unlike the left Jacobson radicals of types 0 and 1 of near-rings, J0r is a KA-radical in the class of all zero-symmetric near-rings. J0r is not s-hereditary and hence not an ideal-hereditary radical in the class of all zero-symmetric near-rings

A case series of sarcomatoid transitional cell carcinoma of renal pelvis and collecting duct carcinoma of kidney

Sarcomatoid transitional cell carcinoma (TCC) of the renal pelvis and collecting duct carcinoma (CDC) of the kidney are rare types of malignant renal tumors with aggressive behavior. Here, we report a case series of these tumors, in males of age 65 years and 72 years, respectively. In both the cases, the left kidney was affected and they underwent the left-sided radical nephroureterectomy. Histologically, sarcomatoid TCC showed two components with invasive TCC and areas with spindle cells and osteoclastic type of giant cells. The immunohistochemistry showed diffuse positivity for CK7 and negativity for CK20 and p63 in both the components. CDC showed tubule-papillary patterns with marked desmoplasia. The patients were disease free after a follow-up of 12 months and 2½ years, respectively, without any adjuvant therapy