39 research outputs found
Phase evolution during the low temperature formation of stoichiometric hydroxyapatite-gypsum composites
No full textPhase evolution during the low temperature formation of calcium-deficient hydroxyapatite–gypsum composites
No full textMOF-Based Biosensors for the Detection of Carcinoembryonic Antigen: A Concise Review
No full textCancer has been considered one of the most serious diseases in recent decades. Early diagnosis of cancer is a crucial step for expedited treatment. Ideally, detection of cancer biomarkers, which are usually elevated because of cancer, is the most straightforward approach to detecting cancer. Among these biomarkers, the carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) is considered one of the most important tumor markers for colorectal cancer. The CEA has also been recognized as a biomarker for other types of cancers, including breast, gastric, ovarian, pancreatic, and lung cancers. Typically, conventional CEA testing depends on immunoassay approaches, which are known to be complex, highly expensive, and time consuming. Accordingly, various types of biosensors have been designed for the detection of cancer biomarkers. The main prerequisites of these biosensors are high sensitivity, fast response, and low cost. Many nanostructures have been involved in the design of biosensors, such as nanoparticles of certain metals and metal oxides that are further functionalized to contribute to the sensing of the biomarkers. Alternatively, metal organic frameworks (MOFs), which are extended crystalline structures comprising metal clusters surrounded by organic linkers, have been shown to be highly promising for the development of biosensors. The 3D structure of MOFs results in a combination of high surface area and high interconnected porosity, which are believed to facilitate their function in the design of a biosensor. This review briefly classifies and describes MOF-based biosensor trials that have been published recently for the aim of detecting CEA
Preparation, Structural Characterization, and Biomedical Applications of Gypsum-Based Nanocomposite Bone Cements
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Enhancing the Stability of Cu‐BTC Metal‐Organic Framework via the Formation of Cu‐BTC@Cu3(PO4)2 MOF Core‐Shell Nanoflower Hierarchical Hybrid Composites
No full textAbstract Hybrid organic‐inorganic nanoflowers (NFs) have recently emerged as a critical tool in enhancing the stability and activity of biomolecules due to their expansive surface area and porosity. The delicate petal‐like features of NFs offer innumerable sites for biomolecule adsorption, including but not limited to proteins, amino acids, and enzymes. Cu‐BTC, a copper‐based Metal‐Organic Framework (MOF) has been hindered in its potential for diverse applications by its instability in humid and aqueous conditions. To overcome this limitation, this study explores the stabilization of Cu‐BTC via the mineralization of its surface with the formation of copper phosphate nanoflowers (NFs). To initiate the mineralization process and provide a template for the growth of the NFs, a physiologically rich amino acid medium is employed. The inclusion of amino acids in the RPMI medium played a crucial role in the preservation of the Cu‐BTC hierarchical structure by facilitating the self‐assembly of copper phosphate nanoflowers on its surface, thereby producing a Cu‐BTC@Cu3(PO4)2 core‐shell structure. The innovative mechanism behind the formation of copper phosphate nanoflowers in this study and its consequential stabilization of the Cu‐BTC MOF structure underscore its novel nature
Podcasting as an Effective Pedagogy for Teaching Chemistry During the COVID-19 Pandemic and Beyond
No full textThe COVID-19 pandemic has forced all educational institutions worldwide to switch their active routine to ONLINE. With students attending classes virtually, a number of problems arose including the absence of social interaction and the imposed difficulty of digesting the materials of different courses, especially for those with a scientific background. General chemistry (GC), as an introductory course, is usually registered by students from different backgrounds, including Science, Engineering, and Agriculture. At the United Arab Emirates University, the second level of GC (GCII) is more focused on problem-solving as related to various topics. With the absence of face-to-face experience because of the COVID-19 circumstances, students’ understanding of the chemical concepts and implementing that in problem-solving has become a challenge. The current work investigates the effect of using professionally-made podcasts of GCII on the extent of understanding of students registered for this course during the period of 2020-2020 over a course of four semesters. The results of surveying the usage and feedback of students engaged in this experiment are outlined. Conclusively, this pedagogy is fully supported by most of the students who regard it as a suitable alternative to face-to-face settings
Polyethylene and Polyvinyl Chloride-Blended Polystyrene Nanofibrous Sorbents and Their Application in the Removal of Various Oil Spills
No full textPolymers provide a wide range of properties, and these properties can be greatly enhanced and modified through polymer blending. Polymer blending combines the properties and advantages of their original polymers. This paper showcases hydrophobic polymers prepared through polymer blending; these blends are characterized and evaluated for their efficiency in the removal of crude oil spills from aqueous media. The application of these blends holds a great deal of importance in preserving the environment and the recovery of lost oil in spills. The blends are produced using polystyrene (PS) as the matrix polymer and individually blending poly(vinyl chloride) (PVC) and polyethylene (PE) with the PS consisting of proportions of 5–20 wt.% each. The blends are then electrospun into bead-free microfibers with interconnected porosities as shown by their respective scanned electron micrographs. All fibrous sorbents showed a high affinity towards the removal of crude oil, motor oil, and diesel spills. The highly viscous motor spill showed a different pattern of sorption onto fibers than that of crude oil and diesel spills. Upon comparing all the studied electrospun fibers to commercially available polypropylene fibrous sorbents, results show that the sorption efficiency of the electrospun fibers is superior. Most notably, both PS-PE5 and PS-PVC5 fibers showed to be highly more effective than commercially available polypropylene (PP) sorbents towards all types of oil spills
evaluation of a zinc polycarboxylate cement reinforced with neat and acid‐treated wollastonite fibers
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