Gel Precipitation Research Articles

Detection of Edwardsiella tarda From African Catfish (Clarias garipienus) by Agar Gel Precipitation (AGP) Method in jambi

For the past few years, Edwardsiella tarda has become major problem in African catfish culture in Jambi. Detection by biochemical characteristic can lead to inaccurate result and there is a necessity to develop more specific and accurate method, one of which is Agar Gel Precipitation (AGP) method. Six samples each were collected from two African catfish farm located in District Sungai Gelam and Telanai Pura in Jambi, which was showed clinical signs of E. tarda outbreak with more than fifty percent mortality rate. Heat stable soluble antigen was prepared from 2 groups of pure culture isolated from sample for AGP test. Antiserum for test wells was antiserum of E. tarda (ATCC 15947) that have been produced by inoculating whole-cell antigen (heat-stable) and flagellar antigen (formalin-killed) in rabbit. For control positive, soluble antigen prepared from E. tarda (ATCC 15947), and control negative from Aeromonas hydophila (ATCC 35654) and Edwardsiella ictaluri (NCIMB 13272). Both antiserums were able to show positive reaction visible by the formation of specific precipitin lines between antiserum and antigen wells, and there was no precipitin reaction for negative control. In conclusion AGP method is a one of reliable technique to identify E. tarda.

Produksi IgY Spesifik Staphylococcus aureus dari Isolat Asal Kasus Staphylococcosis pada Kelinci

This experiment aims to produce immunoglobulin Y (Ig-Y) Staphylococcus aureus isolates origin staphylococcosis case in rabbits. Vaccination is done several times using Staphylococcus aureus active in 109 cfu/ml. Injecting the chicken is done four weeks in a row, the first week is done by intravenous injection of S. aureus antigens, the second week of the injection sub cutan S. aureus emulsified with Freund's complete adjuvant, followed by the third and fourth week of the injection of S. aureus antigen emulsified with incomplete Freund's adjuvant. Egg samples were taken after four weeks of the last injection for identification, purification, and determination of specific IgY against S. aureus in egg yolk. IgY specificity qualitatively tests performed by the AGP test (To Gel Precipitation). IgY extraction is done using PEG - Ammonium sulfate, purified IgY concentration calculated by the method of Bradford. The results showed that IgY began to be detected in egg yolk at week six after immunization, with the average levels of IgY is 1.7 mg/ml.

TiO2/ZnO Supported on Sepiolite: Preparation, Structural Characterization, and Photocatalytic Degradation of Flumequine Antibiotic in Aqueous Solution

In this study, TiO2, ZnO, TiO2/ZnO (Ti/Zn), and TiO2/ZnO/Sep (Ti/Zn/Sep) catalysts have been synthesized using sol–gel and chemical precipitation method. Their photocatalytic performances have been compared using Flumequine (FLQ) antibiotic. X-ray diffraction (XRD), Fourier transform infrared spectra (FTIR), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), N2-adsorption, and the determination of a zero point charge has been used to characterize the synthesized catalysts. The degradation studies showed that the catalytic efficiency of Ti/Zn/Sep is higher than that for other catalysts. The operational parameters such as pH, initial FLQ concentration, and catalyst dosage were evaluated. UV–vis and high-resolution mass spectroscopy (HRMS) analyses were used to determine the degradation efficiency and products. ZnO played a major role in the FLQ degradation process, and sepiolite contributed to adsorption of FLQ on the catalyst surface enormously. The catalysts exhibited 11%, 23%, 63%, and 85% degradation efficiency for ZnO, TiO2, Ti/Zn, and Ti/Zn/Sep in the decomposition of FLQ, respectively.

English

Aim: To determine seroprevalence and haematological parameters of some wild and semidomesticated birds naturally infected with avian pox virus (APV). Methods: A total of 160 birds belonging to 12 species were used for the study. Serum samples obtained from these birds were analyzed for antibodies to Avian Pox Virus (APV) using agar gel precipitation test. Natt-Herricks methods and thin blood smear technique were used for the haematological analysis. Results: APV serum antibody positivity was 90%, 100%, 80%, 100%, 70%, 80%, 90%, 70%, 100%, 90%, 80% and 80% for Speckled pigeons, domestic pigeons and Mourning collar dove, Laughing dove, Village weaver, Cut throat fire finch, Cattle egret, Helmeted guinea fowl, Rose-ringed parakeets, African silver billed, Senegal parrots and Red-billed quelea, respectively. The highest PCV of 51.0±4.0%, Hb concentration of 16.7 ± 0.8 g/dl and T.P (5.3 ± 0.2 g/dl) were obtained from Rose-ringed parakeet, African silver billed and Laughing dove respectively. The mean range values for PCV, Hb, MCV, MCH, MCHC and TP of all the birds in this study were between 28.0 ± 2.3 to 51.0 ± 4.0 %, 3.8 ± 0.4 to 16.4 ± 0.8 g/dl and 2.07 ± 2.02 to 5.3 ± 0.2 g/dl respectively. Also, the mean range values for mean corpuscular volume (MCV),mean corpuscular haemoglobin (MCH) and mean corpuscular haemoglobin concentration (MCHC) of all the birds were between 78.9 ± 4.2 to 138.0 ± 22.3 fl, 28.2 ± 2.5 to 49.1 ± 7.9 pg, 78.9 ± 4.2 to 138.0 ± 22.3 fl, 28.2 ± 2.5 to 49.1 ± 7.9 pg and 31. 6 ± 1.19 to 37.7 ± 1.7 g/dl and 31. 6 ± 1.19 to 37.7 ± 1.7 g/dl, respectively. Conclusion: Avian pox virus is present in some wild and semi-domesticated birds in Zaria and could spread to commercial poultry. Key words: Seroprevalence, Haematology, Wild birds.

Reactive transport modelling of a high-pH infiltration test in concrete

A laboratory-scale tracer test was carried out to characterize the transport properties of concrete from the Radioactive Waste Disposal Facility at El Cabril (Spain). A hyperalkaline solution (K-Ca-OH, pH = 13.2) was injected into a concrete sample under a high entry pressure in order to perform the experiment within a reasonable time span, obtaining a decrease of permeability by a factor of 1000. The concentrations of the tracers, major elements (Ca2+, SO42−, K+ and Na+) and pH were measured at the outlet of the concrete sample. A reactive transport model was built based on a double porosity conceptual model, which considers diffusion between a mobile zone, where water can flow, and an immobile zone without any advective transport. The numerical model assumed that all reactions took place in the immobile zone. The cement paste consists of C-S-H gel, portlandite, ettringite, calcite and gypsum, together with residual alite and belite. Two different models were compared, one with portlandite in equilibrium (high initial surface area) and another one with portlandite reaction controlled by kinetics (low initial surface area). Overall the results show dissolution of alite, belite, gypsum, quartz, C-S-H gel and ettringite and precipitation of portlandite and calcite. Permeability could have decreased due to mineral precipitation.

Crystallization of Calcium Phosphate in Agar Hydrogels in the Presence of Polyacrylic Acid under Double Diffusion Conditions

We studied the precipitation of calcium phosphate (CaP) in the presence or absence of polyacrylic acid (PAA) under double diffusion conditions in agar hydrogels. Waiting times and first precipitation positions were measured to analyze the CaP crystallization behavior, with the equivalency rule governing the precipitation in gel for a double diffusion process. We speculated that amorphous dicalcium phosphate (ADCP, CaHPO4·nH2O) nucleates at the first precipitation position via the reaction that the Ca2+ ion interacts with the HPO42– ion, subsequently transforming into octacalcium phosphate (OCP) according to the Ostwald rule of stages and finally being converted to the thermodynamically more stable hydroxyapatite (HAp) via dissolution. The irregularly shaped aggregates formed at an early stage of crystallization were a mixture of OCP and HAp. In the later stage, spherulites with a hierarchical structure precipitated, with their inner part composed of OCP crystals and the outer part composed of HAp crystals...

A comparative study on H2S removal using Mg–Al spinel (MgAl2O4) and MgO/Al2O3 nanocomposites

Abstract In this work MgO/Al 2 O 3 nanocomposites with weight ratios from 5% to 25% were synthesized by precipitation-impregnation method and their structural properties were characterized. In the next step, the capability of the nanocomposites in H 2 S removal compared to Mg–Al spinel (MgAl 2 O 4 ), synthesized through ion-pair complex precursor route and alumina samples, prepared via sol–gel precipitation methods, was investigated. The results indicated that among the studied sorbents Mg–Al spinel presents a distinctly higher H 2 S removal. In addition, the MgO/Al 2 O 3 nanocomposites compared to the alumina sorbents, exhibited much better performance in H 2 S removal. Also CO 2 -TPD analysis reveals higher amounts of basic sites for Mg–Al spinel compared to 25 wt% MgO/75 wt% Al 2 O 3 nanocomposite.

Production of a Health-Beneficial Food Emulsifier by Enzymatic Partial Hydrolysis of Phospholipids Obtained from the Head of Autumn Chum Salmon.

Phospholipids and their partial hydrolysates, namely lysophospholipids (LPLs), have been widely used in food, pharmaceutical, and cosmetic products as highly efficient emulsifiers. This study was conducted to produce docosahexaenoic acid (DHA)-esterified LPLs by enzymatic modification of phospholipids obtained from the head of autumn chum salmon (Oncorhynchus keta). The emulsifying properties of the obtained LPLs were also evaluated. Two different types of substrates of salmon head phospholipids were prepared via silica gel and cold acetone precipitation. Enzymatic partial hydrolysis was carried out using immobilized phospholipase A1 (PLA1) and Lipozyme RM IM. Results showed that the increase in DHA in the LPLs was much higher in the silica-separated phospholipids than in the acetone-precipitated phospholipids. When silica-separated phospholipids were used as the substrate, the DHA content of the LPLs increased from 23.1% to 40.6% and 42.6% after 8 h of partial hydrolysis with Lipozyme RM IM and immobilized PLA1, respectively. The yield of the LPLs was comparatively higher in the Lipozyme RM IM than in the immobilized PLA1 hydrolysis reaction. The critical micelle concentration values of the LPLs and purified lysophosphatidylcholine (LPC) were 100 mg/L and 5 mg/L, respectively. The surface tension values of the LPLs and LPC were reduced to 30.0 mN/m and 30.5 mN/m, respectively. The hydrophilic-lipophilic balance of the LPLs and LPC were 6.0 and 9.4, respectively. Based on the emulsifying properties observed, we conclude that LPLs derived from the phospholipids of salmon head lipids could be used as a health-beneficial emulsifier in the food industry.

Production of Camel Pox Vaccine in the Sudan

Camels are important animals adapted to hot and arid environments, they represent an income to owner in rural areas hence, helping to upgrade the livelihood and alleviate poverty among people in these areas. Sudan ranks number two in camel’s population in the world, with more than 4 million heads of camel. The camel pox disease causes high morbidity (100%) and high mortality (10%-50%), especially in young animals. Effective control programs such as sanitary measures, quarantine of infected areas, restriction of camel movement, provision of clean drinking water and avoidance of skin abrasions are effective control measurements, unfortunately these methods are not applicable in Sudan owing to the migratory pattern of camel breeding in the country and difficulty to reach camels in remote area especially during the rainy season. In addition there is no treatment for camel pox disease, therefore, vaccination is regarded as the most effective tool for disease prevention. Few camel poxes both inactivated and live-attenuated vaccines are available in a few countries. Live vaccines are the best method as they provide long-lasting immunity. In the present study camel pox vaccine seed virus was obtained from African Union- Pan African Veterinary Vaccine Centre (AU.PANVAC) and successfully reproduced and evaluated in local lab condition and experimentally investigated in local host animals and environment. The vaccine was produced according to OIE manual and subjected for identity, safety, potency, efficacy and immunogenicity tests. The identity test for the vaccine master seeds was fulfilled as the first step using Varity of identification methods, Agar Gel Precipitation Test (AGPT), Virus Neutralization Test (VNT) and Polymarise Chain Reaction (PCR) tests. Moreover, sterility test was carried out for bacterial and fungal contaminations. The vaccine was produced using seed lot system i.e. Master Seed (MS) was used to produce the Working Seed Bank (WSB) from which an experimental batch was produced. All the production processes were carried out in an aseptic conditions using continuous cell line of African Green Monkey kidney cells (VERO). The safety profile for working seed lot was evaluated in host animal by inoculation of 10 camels obtained from local market with different age groups, animals were inoculated subcutaneously with 10 times the recommended field dose i.e.104 Tissue culture Infected Dose of fifty (TCID50) (OIE,2014). The immunogenicity of candidate vaccine was assessed in 20 healthy camels consequently, 14 camels were vaccinated by 103 TCID50 by S/C(OIE,2014) route and 6 were inoculated by phosphate buffer saline (PBS) and kept as un vaccinated control. The vaccine was safe and the inoculated animals remained healthy without any adverse reactions, neither signs of illness nor a rise in rectal temperature were recorded for up to 6 weeks post vaccination. The Abs mediated immune response i.e. immunogenicity was measured by serum neutralization test, the vaccinated camels demonstrated protective level of 5 (log2) Abs after 4 weeks post vaccination. While, no production of antibodies detected in the sera of the control group. After 4 weeks post vaccination all the vaccinated and control groups were challenged subcutaneously by local isolate of camel pox using 105.6 TClD50 / animal. Only the unvaccinated control group developed very severe clinical signs and fever reached 40oc with generalized and localized camel pox lesions, while the vaccinated groups withstood the test without death or clinical signs.

Isolation and Identification of Camel Pox Virus from naturally infected camels in Elgadaref State, Sudan

Sudan ranks number two in world’s camel population. Camel pox is endemic in the Sudan and it assumes great importance, especially with regard to camels export. Six camel pox virus (CPVs) isolates were isolated from camels demonstrating camel pox skin lesions. The isolation was carried out in embryonated chicken eggs chorioallantoic membrane (CAM) , and Vero cells then they were identified by Agar Gel Precipitation Test (AGPT) ; Virus neutralization test and Polymerase Chain Reaction(PCR).

The potency of chicken egg yolk immunoglobulin (IgY) specific as immunotherapy to Mycobacterium tuberculosis infection.

The aim of this study was to characterize of chicken egg yolk immunoglobulins (IgYs) specific as immunotherapy to Mycobacterium tuberculosis complex (MTBC) infection. Lohmann laying hens were immunized intramuscularly with antigenic of MTBC. Egg yolk was separated from egg white, and IgY antibody was then purified by multiple polyethylene glycols 6000 extraction and ammonium sulfate purification steps. The IgY anti-MTBC concentration in egg yolk increased at 2 weeks and it reached a maximum at 4 weeks after immunization. After 6 weeks, the levels of IgY anti-MTBC decreased gradually. The antibody of MTBC was detected and produces a specific line of precipitation in agar gel precipitation test beginning the week 2 after the first immunization. Analysis of results obtained with ELISA showed a significant increase in the MTBC specific antibodies after 2 weeks and reached a plateau at 4 weeks from the booster immunization. Sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis revealed the IgY preparation to be pure and dissociated into protein bands with molecular weights of 112, 78, 69, 49, and 28 kDa and Western blot analysis shown the presence of anti-MTBC IgY in egg yolks, with molecular weights of approximately 78 kDa. These results suggested that egg yolk could be a practical strategy in large-scale production of specific anti-MTBC IgY for immunotherapy of TBC.

Marek's disease outbreak in poultry population of Mizoram, India

A study was undertaken to survey the prevalence of viral diseases of Poultry in Mizoram during March, 2013 to February, 2014. Marek's disease was diagnosed in 34(7.14%) cases of 476 poultry carcasses examined,based on clinical history, gross, microscopic changes and confirmatory diagnosis by Agar gel precipitation test (AGPT). The disease affected mostly the birds of 6–9 weeks of age (82.35%) followed by 9–12 weeks of age (17.64%) with morbidity and mortality being 5–10% and 0.5–2%, respectively. Clinical signs included emaciation, ruffled feathers, whitish-yellow diarrhea, ataxia in some birds, paralysis of legs, wings, neck and subsequent unilateral paralysis of extremities resulting in typical posture of cross-stretched legs. Grossly, liver and spleen was enlarged with whitish spots and nodular appearance. The sciatic nerves were pale or greyish in colour enlarged two to three times than normal size and lost crossstriations. Microscopically, liver, spleen, kidney and lungs revealed infiltrative agregates of pleomorphic lymphoid cells. Virus detection was confirmed by AGPT. Out of 89 samples 34 samples were found positive for MDV antigen.

Synthesis of nano zinc hydroxide via sol–gel method on silica surface and its potential application in the reduction of cure activator level in the vulcanization of natural rubber

In this article, we have described the synthesis of nano zinc hydroxide on the surface of precipitated silica via the sol–gel precipitation method. The studied zinc hydroxides have been tested as novel cure activators on the vulcanization of natural rubber. The aim of this paper was to reduce the cure activator level in the vulcanization of natural rubber. Synthesized zinc hydroxides were characterized by Fourier transform infrared spectroscope, X-ray diffraction, and field-emission scanning electron microscope, and the results clearly indicate the formation of nano zinc hydroxide with a plate-like structure on the surface of silica. Curing and tensile properties in the presence of synthesized zinc hydroxides as cure activator were compared with those of conventional zinc oxide as a cure activator on the vulcanization of natural rubber. The curing study indicated that lowering the concentration of zinc hydroxide on the silica surface improves the cure rate index to a large extent and it is greater than 360 % for 0.18 g of zinc hydroxide per gram of silica-accelerated vulcanizates compared with that of conventional 5 g zinc oxide-accelerated vulcanizates. However, lower concentrations of zinc hydroxide form fewer number of cross-links, which merely affects the tensile strength. Considering both curing and mechanical properties, 0.5 g of zinc hydroxide per gram of silica, which was synthesized in this experiment, is the suitable choice for activator for the vulcanization of natural rubber.

Effect of preparation method, loading of Co3O4 and calcination temperature on the physicochemical and catalytic properties of Co3O4/ZnO nanomaterials

ZnO nanomaterials (ZnOT, ZnOS and ZnOP) were successfully synthesized by thermal decomposition, sol–gel auto combustion and precipitation methods, respectively. Co3O4/ZnO catalysts were synthesized by impregnation method, nominated as CoZnOT, CoZnOS and CoZnOP, respectively. The as-prepared catalysts were characterized by XRD, N2 adsorption–desorption isotherms, HR-TEM and FT-IR techniques. The SBET of CoZnO nanomaterials were significantly higher than those of the pure oxides. Further, the Co3O4/ZnO sample in which ZnO synthesized via sol–gel combustion using citric acid (CoZnOSCI) showed the largest surface area while CoZnOP sample showed the smallest value. The HR-TEM images showed that addition of Co3O4 to ZnO catalyst and the calcination temperature affected the morphology. The catalytic decomposition of H2O2 of the Co3O4/ZnO catalysts is higher than that of the pure oxides. The most catalytically active sample is Co3O4/ZnO in which ZnO synthesized via thermal decomposition of zinc carbonate (CoZnOTC) while CoZnOSCI catalyst being the less active one.

Raising of Hyper-Immune Serum Against FMD Virus Type “O” Prevailing in Punjab, Pakistan

Introduction: Foot and mouth disease (FMD) is supposed to be an imperative disease of domestic and wild ruminants which is a vast reason of high mortality in young animals and production losses in adults. The supreme prevailing stains of FMD in Asia are “O”, “A “and “Asia-I”, which are supposed to be a big threat to economy and commonly not properly diagnosed. For appropriate diagnoses, hyper-immune serum is required. Methods: A study was conducted to produce hyper-immune serum in rabbits which were divided into three groups including Group-I, Group-II and a control group. Results: First two groups were weekly inoculated with FMD virus Serotype “O” for six weeks and confirmation of the infection was done with the help of compliment fixation test (CFT), while antibody titer was measured by using ager gel precipitation test (AGPT). Group-II consisting of female rabbits showed earlier and higher titer (Log27) than group-I (Male rabbits) having lower titer (Log25). Conclusion: The study recommended the use of females rabbits to raise hyper-immune serum to attain higher titer.

Application of quercetin and its bio-inspired nanoparticles as anti-adhesive agents against Bacillus subtilis attachment to surface

The aim of this study was directed to reveal the repulsive effect of coated glass slides by quercetin and its bio-inspired titanium oxide and tungsten oxide nanoparticles on physical surface attachment of Bacillus subtilis as an ab-initio step of biofilm formation. Nanoparticles were successfully synthesized using sol–gel and acid precipitation methods for titanium oxide and tungsten oxide, respectively (in the absence or presence of quercetin). The anti-adhesive impact of the coated-slides was tested through the physical attachment of B. subtilis after 24h using Confocal Laser Scanning Microscopy (CLSM). Here, quercetin was presented as a bio-route for the synthesis of tungsten mixed oxides nano-plates at room temperature. In addition, quercetin had an impact on zeta potential and adsorption capacity of both bio-inspired amorphous titanium oxide and tungsten oxide nano-plates. Interestingly, our experiments indicated a contrary effect of quercetin as an anti-adhesive agent than previously reported. However, its bio-inspired metal oxide proved their repulsive efficiency. In addition, quercetin-mediated nano-tungsten and quercetin-mediated amorphous titanium showed anti-adhesive activity against B. subtilis biofilm.

Preparation and Characterisation of Sr2CeO4:Eu3+ Rare Earth Luminescent Material by High Temperature Mechano-Chemical Method

A novel, high-temperature, mechano-chemical (HTMC) method was developed to synthesise single-phase Sr2CeO4:Eu3+ phosphor. Phosphors were characterised by X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and luminescence spectra. Compared with phosphors prepared by the traditional high-temperature solid state method and citric acid gel method, single-phase Sr2CeO4:Eu3+ powders by using the HTMC method, with small average particle sizes of about 5 µm, a narrow size distribution range and uniform dispersion, were prepared at 800 °C, and reached their maximum luminescent intensity at 900 °C. Under ultraviolet excitation at 298 nm, the sample showed good luminescence with the strongest red light of 616 nm. However, Sr2CeO4:Eu3+ was prepared at the higher temperature of 1100 °C by solid state method and citric acid gel method. The particle size was too large and uneven with phosphor agglomeration by high-temperature solid state method. The luminescent intensity reached a maximum for Sr2CeO4:Eu3+ phosphor at a synthesis temperature of 1100 °C by using the high-temperature solid state method, and at 1200 °C by both citric acid gel and chemical precipitation methods. Furthermore, the advantages of the Sr2CeO4:Eu3+ powder prepared by HTMC method were discussed compared with that prepared using traditional high-temperature solid state and citric acid gel methods.

Preparation and performance of 99Mo/99mTc chromatographic column generator based on zirconium molybdosilicate

Abstract Zirconium molybdosilicate (ZrMoSi) gel prepared using 99Mo radiotracer via peroxo route was used as a base material for 99Mo/99mTc column generator. The 99mTc elution yield and 99Mo breakthrough in the eluate were studied as a function of the pH-value of gel precipitation, gel drying temperature and Zr:Mo:Si molar ratio. Precipitation pH-value of 2, drying temperature of 100 ℃ and Zr:Mo:Si molar ratio of 0.5:0.5:1 were found to be the optimum conditions achieving 99mTc elution yield of 82% and 99Mo breakthrough of 1.0E-3%. The gel prepared with the optimum conditions was characterized by BET surface area and pore size analyzer, IR spectroscopy, thermal analysis (TGA and DTA), XRD, XRF and FESEM. Technetium-99m eluted from the optimum ZrMoSi 99Mo/99mTc generator was found to have a high radiochemical purity (98% as 99mTcO4 – ) and chemical purity meeting criteria of clinical grade.

Synthesis of Polyclonal Antibodies against Aflatoxin B1

Polyclonal antibodies of aflatoxin B1 were successfully produced from New Zealand White female rabbits after immunization by the hapten of aflatoxin B1-carboxymethyl hydroxylamine hemihydrochloride (AFB1-CMO) conjugated with bovine serum albumin (BSA) as the antigen. The hapten was synthesized using the carbodiimide method with CMO as a linker. Absorption peaks at 362, 264, and 218 nm were observed as a result of characterization with UV-Vis spectroscopy, while IR spectroscopy showed peaks at 3448 cm -1 and 1642 cm -1 attributable to the hydroxyl and nitrile groups, respectively. Furthermore, mass spectrometry showed fragmentation at the m/z of 386, 368.2, and 310, which confirms that the hapten of AFB1-CMO was successfully synthesized. The hapten was then conjugated with BSA to serve as an antigen of AFB1 when it was injected into the rabbits. The specificity of the antigen towards its antibody and the confirmation of hapten-BSA conjugation were characterized using the dot blot immunoassay, which showed a BSA concentration of 1.74 mg/mL. Two weeks after the primary immunization by its antigen, agar gel precipitation testing showed that the rabbit blood serum had positive results for polyclonal antibodiest against AFB1 with the highest concentration of antibodiest of 2.19 mg/mL.

Enhanced extrinsic dielectric response of TiO2 modified CaCu3Ti4O12 ceramics

TiO2 modified CaCu3Ti4O12 (CCTO) has been synthesized via a facile sol–gel precipitation process followed by solid state sintering. The influence of the precipitated TiO2 crystallites on the microstructure, phase composition, and dielectric properties of CCTO has been investigated. The morphology and chemistry of grain boundaries in CCTO ceramics can be significantly tailored by the initial TiO2 crystallites, which results in enhanced barrier layer capacitor structures. The formation mechanism of barrier layers based on the instability of Cu ions has been discussed. A new bimodal brick layer mechanism has been proposed to explain the effect of TiO2 modification. The optimized TiO2 modified CCTO sample exhibits stable dielectric permittivity which is twice as high as the unmodified one, and shows relatively low dielectric loss over the frequency range from 102 to 105Hz. Such enhancement is deemed to arise from the modified and bimodal internal barrier layer capacitor effect.