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This work reports the use of M-BDC (M = Cu, Mn, Ni, and Zr) MOFs for glucose sensing by surface plasmon resonance (SPR) methods. The sensitivity is in the order of Zr-BDC > Cu-BDC > Mn-BDC > Ni-BDC > bare Au chip.

The photocatalytic activity of holey ZnO nanosheets was observed using time-dependent photoluminescence (PL) spectroscopy with photodegradation kinetic determined from the PL intensity decay follows the first-order reaction kinetic.

Enlargement of micropores in zeolitic imidazolate framework particles into mesopores is achieved via an ethylene glycol-assisted aqueous etching method. The etched carbon shows a higher specific capacitance than unetched one at high scan rates.

Bangladesh is home to one of the world's leading ship breaking and recycling industries. Whilst these industries are booming in Bangladesh, it is not safe for workers or the environment. According to International Maritime Organization's (IMO) regulations, Bangladesh is lacking in a number of areas such as having a safe recycling plan and environmental protections reviewed by a competent authority. There is a need to develop safer working conditions, more stringent regulation and corporate responsibility programmes towards protecting human health and the environment. Possible solutions require stakeholders (industry, governments and the IMO) to work together in order to develop sustainable practice. This research contributes by taking a step forward by focussing on the implementation of sustainable practices in the supply chain of global shipping industries in a developing country. Using stakeholder theory, this research offers insight into the need and barriers to implementing social sustainable initiatives.

Dendrimers are well-defined, highly branched, multivalent and monodisperse molecules which host a range of attractive, yet functional, chemical and biological characteristics. A dendrimers accessible surface groups enable coupling to different functional moieties (e.g., antibodies, peptides, proteins, etc), which is further assisted by the dendrimers tailored size and surface charge. This adaptability allows for the preparation of molecularly precise vaccines with highly specific and predictable properties, and in conjunction with a dendrimers immune stimulating (adjuvanting) property, makes dendrimers attractive substrates for biomedical applications, including vaccines. This review highlights the structural and synthetic evolution of dendrimers throughout history, detailing the dendrimers role as both an adjuvant and carrier system for vaccine antigens, in addition to reviewing the development of commercially available vaccines for use in humans.

In this article, we have studied the process of silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) aggregation and to stop aggregation 0.3% Polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP) was used. Aggregation study carried out via UV-vis spectroscopy and it is reported that the absorption spectrum of spherical silver nanoparticles were found a maximum peak at 420 nm wavelength. Furthermore, Transmission Electron Microscopy (TEM) were used to characterized the size and shape of AgNPs, where the average particle size is around 10 to 25 nm in diameter and the AgNPs shape is spherical. Next, Dynamic Light Scattering (DLS) were used, owing to observed size distribution and self-correlation of AgNPs.

Fungi are not classified as plants or animals. They resemble plants in many ways but do not produce chlorophyll or make their own food photosynthetically like plants. Fungi are useful for the production of beer, bread, medicine, etc. More complex than viruses or bacteria; fungi can be destructive human pathogens responsible for various diseases in humans. Most people have a strong natural immunity against fungal infection. However, fungi can cause diseases when this immunity breaks down. In the last few years, fungal infection has increased strikingly and has been accompanied by a rise in the number of deaths of cancer patients, transplant recipients, and acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) patients owing to fungal infections. The growth rate of fungi is very slow and quite difficult to identify. A series of molecules with antifungal activity against different strains of fungi have been found in insects, which can be of great importance to tackle human diseases. Insects secrete such compounds, which can be peptides, as a part of their immune defense reactions. Active antifungal peptides developed by insects to rapidly eliminate infectious pathogens are considered a component of the defense munitions. This review focuses on naturally occurring antifungal peptides from insects and their challenges to be used as armaments against human diseases.

Metallic silver (Ag) and some Ag compounds have long being used to fight microbial infection even before the emergence of antibiotics in the form of drugs. But lately, one of the problems facing the medical world is the occurrence of drug resistance microbes. Therefore, actions must be taken to overcome the problem, one of which is to continue studies to develop new drugs, either synthetic or natural. The ultimate goal is to offer appropriate and efficient antimicrobial drugs to patients. In this regard, with the advent of nanotechnology, it is now possible to synthesize nano scale Ag which can be used in diverse medical applications. The aim of this study is to investigate the effect of some important parameters towards the production of high yield Ag nanoparticles (AgNPs) from silver salts by making use of reducing agent. One-Factor-at-a-Time (OFAT) design of experiment was conducted, involving five important synthesis parameters. Based on the analyses of its yellow color, absorption by UV-vis in the range of 350 to 420 nm wavelength and surface plasmon resonance (SPR) at 420 nm, AgNPs produced were estimated to be in the range of 5 to 50 nm in diameter. Out of the five parameters tested, such as the concentration of silver nitrate (AgNO3), the initial pH of AgNO3 solution, the concentration of tri-sodium citrate (TSC), the reaction time between AgNO3 and TSC and stirring time (after reduction process), results showed that all factors except stirring time affect the production. Characterization of AgNPs, carried out using Transmission Electron Microscope (TEM), showed that the synthesized AgNPs were spherical with diameters less than 15 nm. Antimicrobial activity assays of AgNPs, carried out against selected microbes, namely Aspergillus niger, Microsporum canis and Staphylococcus aureus showed various degree of potencies.

In recent decades, nanoparticles research has garnered a lot of interest, especially in finding more effective ways for their synthesis. This study aims to investigate the chemical mediated synthesis of silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) using silver salt and tri-sodium citrate as the reducing agent. Processing parameters were statistically optimized in order to produce high yield AgNPs and optimization were analyzed using Response Surface Methodology (RSM). Based on AgNPs yield production, analyzed using UV-vis spectrophotometer in the range of 350 to 420nm, results show that out of the three parameters tested (AgNO3 and tri-sodium citrate concentrations and stirring time), all factors except stirring time contributed significantly to the production. Synthesized AgNPs at optimized condition (absorbance 0.9 AU at 420nm wavelength) were then characterized using TEM and UV-vis analysis.

Cancer is a complicated disease for which finding a cure presents challenges. In recent decades, new ways to treat cancer are being sought; one being nanomedicine, which manipulates nanoparticles to target a cancer and release drugs directly to the cancer cells. A number of cancer treatments based on nanomedicine are under way and mostly are in preclinical trials owing to challenges in administration, safety, and effectiveness. One alternative method for drug delivery is the use of photovoltaic nanoparticles, which has the potential to deliver drugs via light activation. The concepts are based on standard photovoltaic cell that holds opposite charges on its surfaces and releases drugs when charge intensity or polarity changes upon photo-stimulation such as from a laser source or sunlight. This review will cover some recent progress in cancer treatment using nanoparticles, including photovoltaic nanoparticles.

Much has been written about the behaviour of muntinational corporations (MNCs) and their relations with the nation state. However, there seems room for closer examination of the dynamics of such relations between developing economies and MNCs operating in sectors of strategic importance to the developing economy. The research reported here examines relations between international shipping companies and Bangladesh. The paper starts by reflecting on the growth and influence of the MNC, and the varied ways that such influence is manifest. This provides a backdrop against which to examine relations between shipping MNCs and Bangladesh. Following this review, the research design is sketched out, as a study of relations between Bangladesh as an emerging economy and shipping MNCs in pursuit of their business objectives. The study finds that regardless of political ambitions by the host economy, and regardless of the ethical proclamations of MNCs, it is the everyday challenges and opportunities of doing business that shapes ethical practices. Corporate officers, in dealing with local officials, take a pragmatic approach to achieving business objectives, while being fully aware that such pragmatism is often at odds with corporate moral intention. The study also finds that what counts as corporate socially responsible behaviour is politically defined.