Drugs in ultra-high dilution induce changes in the enthalpy associated with loss of crystallization water in lactose

Drugs in ultra-high dilution (UHD) are used in homeopathy. Lactose is used as a binding medium for UHD drugs. FTIR and Raman spectroscopy revealed that although devoid of molecules of the starting substance, different UHD drugs exhibit different amounts of free water molecules and variation in hydrogen bond strength. The aim of the present study was to establish whether specific water structures in UHD could specifically modify the water structure in lactose, particularly the water of crystallization. 3 UHD’s (potencies), 30cH, 200cH and 1000cH, of 2 drugs, Natrum muriaticum and Sulphur were mixed to lactose samples separately. Differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) of the samples was measured. The thermograms of potencies mixed to lactose differed from each other with respect to temperature and enthalpy associated with the removal of water of crystallization from lactose. We believe that the tested UHD modified the water structure in lactose thereby changing the enthalpy for the removal of water of crystallization. Different levels of thermal energy are needed to remove both free water molecules and water of crystallization from lactose. UHD’s also contributed to the change in enthalpy associated with the removal of water of crystallization from lactose. The tested UHD might have modified the number and strength of hydrogen bonds in the crystal structure of lactose. Specific water structures in liquid aqueous ethanol medium are transferable to the solid medium(lactose).

Influence of Aggressivity of Water on the Long Term Sustainability of Hydro Power Structures – A Review

To fulfil country’s irrigation and power requirements various large capacity dams have been constructed on major rivers in last 50 years. The long term sustainability of these structures is largely dependent on hydro-environment and the capacity of these structures to resist weathering action, chemical attack, abrasion, or any other process of deterioration. The concrete deterioration is directly influenced by various geographical, climatic and ecological conditions. The chemical reactions between cement and water enable the setting and hardening of cement, resulting in a binding medium for the aggregates and development of strength. Quality of water plays an important role in the production of concrete. There are some chemical environments under which the useful life of even the best concrete will be affected adversely. The aggressiveness of water is dependent on the pH value, the total dissolved salts, the degree of hardness, soluble chlorides, sulphates, carbonation, temperature and alkalinity etc. Understanding these conditions permit measures to be taken to prevent or reduce deterioration.

Biomimetic properties and estimated in vivo distribution of chloroquine and hydroxy-chloroquine enantiomers

Chloroquine and hydroxy-chloroquine already established as anti-malarial and lupus drugs have recently gained renewed attention in the fight against the Covid-19 pandemic. Bio-mimetic HPLC methods have been used to measure the protein and phospholipid binding of the racemic mixtures of the drugs. The tissue binding and volume of distribution of the enantiomers have been estimated. The enantiomers can be separated using Chiralpak AGP HPLC columns. From the α-1-acid-glycoprotein (AGP) binding, the lung tissue binding can be estimated for the enantiomers. The drugs have a large volume of distribution, showed strong and stereoselective glycoprotein binding, medium-strong phospholipid-binding indicating only moderate phospholipidotic potential, hERG inhibition and promiscuous binding. The drug efficiency of the compounds was estimated to be greater than 2 % which indicates a high level of free biophase concentration relative to dose. The biomimetic properties of the compounds support the well-known tolerability of the drugs.

Experimental Study on the Link between Optical Emission, Crystal Defects and Photocatalytic Activity of Artist Pigments Based on Zinc Oxide

The historical knowledge inherited from house paint documents and the experimental research on synthetic pigments show that production methods have an important role in the performance of paint. In this regard, this work investigates the links existing between the optical emission, crystal defects and photocatalytic activity of zinc white pigment from different contemporary factories, with the aim of elucidating the effects of these characteristics onto the tendency of the pigment to induce paint failures. The analysed samples display highly similar crystallite structure, domain size, and specific surface area, whilst white pigments differ from pure ZnO in regards to the presence of zinc carbonate hydrate that is found as a foreign compound. In contrast, the photoluminescence measurements categorize the analysed samples into two groups, which display different trap-assisted emissions ascribed to point crystal defects introduced during the synthesis process, and associated to Zn or O displacement. The photocatalytic degradation tests infer that the emerged defective structure and specific surface area of ZnO-based samples influence their tendency to oxidize organic molecules under light irradiation. In particular, the results indicate that the zinc interstitial defects may be able to promote the photogenerated electron-hole couples separation with a consequent increase of the overall ZnO photocatalytic activity, negatively affecting the binding medium stability. This groundwork paves the way for further studies on the link between the photoluminescence emission of the zinc white pigment and its tendency to decompose organic components contained in the binding medium.

Chromatic reintegration in contemporary monochromatic unvarnished paintings: a case study based on artwork from Jorge Martins

The choice of chromatic reintegration materials for contemporary monochromatic oil and acrylic emulsion unvarnished paints is usually a problem before treatment. This kind of paintings maybe subject to abrasions, especially on the edges, fingerprints and smudges, mainly caused during handling. Being unvarnished works, chromatic reintegration becomes a more complex process as no protective layer exist over the paint. The aim of this work was to assess the materials that over performed in the reintegration of paintings from the Portuguese painter Jorge Martins. Representative mock-ups made with the artist and using his materials and techniques were artificially aged. Different types of materials, aqueous and non-aqueous, were then tested to assess the best ones. It was found that the best results were obtained with Ferrario® pigment dispersed in the Tri-Funori® binding medium and with Winsor & Newton® Designers Gouache, both aqueous and non-toxic.

Electrochemical assessment of pigments-binding medium interactions in oil paint deterioration: a case study on indigo and Prussian blue

The degradation of laboratory oil paint film specimens containing indigo and Prussian blue pigments and pictorial samples from the Sant Francesc de Paula painting exhibited in the Tomàs Balvey Arxiu Museum (Cardedeu (Catalonia), Spain) has been studied by voltammetry of immobilized particles. This technique, combined with light microscopy, scanning electron microscopy-energy dispersive X-ray analysis, nanoindentation-atomic force microscopy, attenuated total reflectance-Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy and gas chromatography-mass spectroscopy techniques permits the proposal of a dual scheme for the degradation of the pigments when naturally aged and submitted to accelerated UVA aging. Under conditions of moderate temperature, humidity and natural illumination, and low gradients of these parameters, Prussian blue acts as a radical scavenger moderating the production of reactive oxygen species produced in the oil binding medium by the action of ultraviolet radiation, resulting in the formation, in the solid state, of the solid-solution, {KFeIII[FeII(CN)6]}x{FeIII[FeIII(CN)6]}1–x, known as Berlin green, which then promotes the formation of indigo adducts with radicals. In several localized areas of the Sant Francesc de Paula paint showing strong degradation, Prussian blue acts as a promoter of the indigo oxidation to isatin, thus resulting in a considerable chromatic shift.

Electrochemical assessment of pigments-binding media interactions in oil paint deterioration: a case study on indigo and Prussian blue

The degradation of laboratory oil paint film specimens containing indigo and Prussian blue pigments and pictorial samples from the Sant Francesc de Paula painting exhibited in the Tomàs Balvey Arxiu Museum (Cardedeu (Catalonia), Spain) has been studied by voltammetry of immobilized particles. This technique, combined with light microscopy, scanning electron microscopy-energy dispersive X-ray analysis, nanoindentation-atomic force microscopy, attenuated total reflectance-Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy and gas chromatography-mass spectroscopy techniques permits one to propose a dual scheme for the degradation of the pigments when naturally aged and submitted to accelerated UVA aging. Under conditions of moderate temperature, humidity and natural illumination, and low gradients of these parameters, Prussian blue acts as a radical scavenger moderating the production of reactive oxygen species produced in the oil binding medium by the action of ultraviolet radiation, resulting in the formation, in the solid state, of the solid-solution, {KFeIII[FeII(CN)6]}x{FeIII[FeIII(CN)6]}1–x, known as Berlin green, which then promotes the formation of indigo adducts with radicals. In the case of localized areas of the Sant Francesc de Paula paint, strong degradation occurs where Prussian blue acts as a promoter of the indigo oxidation to isatin, thus resulting in a considerable chromatic shift.

Experimental Research on Flexural Behaviour of Filler Slab with Activated Carbon

Concrete is most frequently used composite material. Concrete is the combination of M-Sand, coarse aggregate and binding medium of concrete paste. Next to the water demand which is increased in concrete day by day, in this project we incorporate Activated carbon in Filler slabs. Filler slab is the sustainable concept which reduces unwanted concrete in the tension zone. The main perspective of this project is to study the characteristic behaviour of concrete with activated carbon. Also, to maximize the rate of Compressive strength of the concrete and to Filter air pollutants and to investigate the flexural behaviour of filler slab with activated carbon. Filler slab with Activated carbon in cement greatly increases the sustainability. Compression test and Flexural test were carried out by three different proportion of Activated carbon in cement from these mixes results are obtained. Further morphological arrangements are to be carried out