Simple method to determine the concentration and incorporation ratio of ruthenium-labeled antibodies

Aim: Ruthenium-labeled antibodies are commonly used detection reagents in bioanalysis assays and must be characterized to ensure quality. The aim of this work was to develop a method to determine the concentration and incorporation ratio (the degree of labeling [DOL]) of ruthenium-labeled antibodies by UV/VIS spectroscopy. Materials & methods: Free SULFO-TAG compound was scanned using UV/VIS and showed an absorbance peak at 292 nm. In contrast, antibodies demonstrate UV absorbance at 280 nm. After experimentally determining the extinction coefficients at 280 and 292 nm of free ruthenium and antibody, we generated a formula based on the Beer–Lambert law that calculates both concentration and DOL of these ruthenium-labeled antibodies. Conclusion: The concentration and DOL values determined by our method were comparable to those determined from bicinchoninic acid and LC/MS for the same reagents. This method creates a faster and more accessible reagent characterization process that uses far less reagent than the more traditional alternatives.

Assessing the Effects of Steelmaking Slag Powder on the Pore Structure and Durability of Concrete

This study analyzes the pore structure and durability of concrete according to four different ratios of steelmaking slag powder (SSP). Concrete containing SSP increased the formation of gel and capillary pores due to delayed hydration, and the largest cumulative pore volume was observed when the incorporation ratio was 20%. In terms of durability, the incorporation of SSP had decreased performance compared to concrete without SSP (NN), which was due to changes in the pore structure caused by incorporating SSP. In the case of the freezing and thawing resistance, concrete containing 10% SSP showed a remarkable relative dynamic elastic modulus of more than 80%, and a similar carbonation depth was predicted within 15% of SSP. In addition, the resistance performance of chloride ion migration in concrete with SSP was excellent. Accordingly, it can be utilized as a supplementary cementitious material if the freezing and thawing resistance of concrete containing 15% SSP is secured.

Statistical Approach for the Design of Structural Self-Compacting Concrete with Fine Recycled Concrete Aggregate

The compressive strength of recycled concrete is acknowledged to be largely conditioned by the incorporation ratio of Recycled Concrete Aggregate (RCA), although that ratio needs to be carefully assessed to optimize the design of structural applications. In this study, Self-Compacting Concrete (SCC) mixes containing 100% coarse RCA and variable amounts, between 0% and 100%, of fine RCA were manufactured and their compressive strengths were tested in the laboratory for a statistical analysis of their strength variations, which exhibited robustness and normality according to the common statistical procedures. The results of the confidence intervals, the one-factor ANalysis Of VAriance (ANOVA), and the Kruskal–Wallis test showed that an increase in fine RCA content did not necessarily result in a significant decrease in strength, although the addition of fine RCA delayed the development of the final strength. The statistical models presented in this research can be used to define the optimum incorporation ratio that would produce the highest compressive strength. Furthermore, the multiple regression models offered accurate estimations of compressive strength, considering the interaction between the incorporation ratio of fine RCA and the curing age of concrete that the two-factor ANOVA revealed. Lastly, the probability distribution predictions, obtained through a log-likelihood analysis, fitted the results better than the predictions based on current standards, which clearly underestimated the compressive strength of SCC manufactured with fine RCA and require adjustment to take full advantage of these recycled materials. This analysis could be carried out on any type of waste and concrete, which would allow one to evaluate the same aspects as in this research and ensure that the use of recycled concrete maximizes both sustainability and strength.

Appropriate Ratio Of Wild Yam (D. praehensilis) Flour To Add To Wheat Flour For Breadmaking Process

The objective of this work was to find the suitable incorporation ratio of D. praehensilis flour into wheat flour in order to obtain appropriate bread. All incorporation reduced bread making potential as wet gluten, dry gluten, gluten index and gluten water binding capacity. These values decrease significantly from (28.4 % to 21.7 %), (10.3 % to 7.54 %), (95 to 88 %) and (18.1 to 14.16 %) respectively for wet gluten, dry gluten, gluten index and gluten water binding capacity. The yam flour incorporation reduced the dough rising potential and the final bread volume. The specific volume decreased from 3.26 to 1.37 cm3/g. During dough fermentation, highest volume values were ranged from 135.45 cm3 to 100.06 cm3, respectively from control (WF) to WYF-25 flours. Flours damaged starch content increasing from 21.8 % to 28.9 %, was responsible of the Hagberg Falling Number reduction related to increase of amylase’s activities. The Falling Number of composite flours was ranged from 327s to 357s, compared to control flour dough (362s). This induced the increasing of dough hydration from 62 % to 82 %. Increase in dough Tenacity (from 103 to 222 mmH2O) and P/L configuration ratio (from 0.93 to 7.93) were noticed. The sensory evaluation showed that below 10 % of yam flour substitution to wheat flour the final bread crumb colour, aroma, taste, and overall are acceptable by consumers.

Synthesis of Brominated Polyethylene by Copolymerization of Ethylene with ω–bromoalkene Catalyzed by a Metallocene and Methylaluminoxane System

The metallocene-catalyzed copolymerization of ethylene and 11–bromo–1–undecene was carried out to synthesize brominated polyethylene (PE). A modified methylaluminoxane (MMAO) solution was used as a cocatalyst and rac–Et(H4Ind)2ZrCl2 as a catalyst. The copolymerization showed a high activity and afforded the copolymer with a 11-bromo-1-undecene incorporation ranging from 1.0 to 4.3 mol%. When using a dried methylaluminoxane (dMAO) as a cocatalyst, the incorporation ratio of 11-bromo-1-undecene increased remarkably to 25.2 mol%. It was demonstrated that the type of MAO used as a cocatalyst affects the composition of the ethylene/11-bromo-1-undecene copolymer without changing the structure of the catalytic complex.

Preparation, Cross-Linking and Characterization of Novel Benzocyclobutene-Siloxane Polymers with Polysiloxane Mainchain and Silylbenzocyclobutene Pendant Groups

A series of BCB-siloxane polymers with benzocyclobutene (BCB) pendant groups and polysiloxane mainchain was prepared by the hydrosilylation reaction between 4-(1,1-di-methyl-1-vinyl) silylbenzocyclobutene (4-DMVSBCB) and poly (methylhydrosiloxane) (PHMS) employing Pt/C as catalyst. Upon heating the BCB-siloxane polymers, the cross-linking occurred via ring-opening of benzocyclobutene as evidenced by on-line FT-IR, 1H NMR and 13C NMR. TGA examination indicates that the thermal stability was enhanced with increasing the incorporation ratio of BCB. Most importantly, the initial decomposition temperature of crosslinked BCB-siloxane resins is as high as 429 oC, showing a superior thermal resistance over most other BCB resins.

ADVANCED NANOHYBRID FORMULATION OF THE SPARINGLY SOLUBLE DRUG SULINDAC FOR CONTROLLED RELEASE STUDIES

We offered an advanced nanohybrid formulation system of Sulindac (SUL) based on layered double hydroxide (LDH) nanoparticles. The formulated materials were characterized by X-rays, Infrared and SEM techniques to confirm the nanohybrid structure. The drug incorporation ratio was determined to be 45%. The drug solubility was improved after the LDH nanohybrid formation. The anion-exchange mechanism of LDH supported the dissolution process for the intercalated SUL.