An Ultra-Sensitive Molecularly Imprinted Poly(Aniline) Based Electrochemical Sensor for the Determination of Bisphenol A in Synthetic Human Serum Specimen and Plastic Bottled Water Samples

We explain the development of an ultra-sensitive molecularly imprinted polymer-based electrochemical sensor for rapid and selective determination of bisphenol A (BPA) in human serum and water samples. Electropolymerization of functional monomer aniline was performed in the presence of BPA by cyclic voltammetry (CV) to prepare a molecularly imprinted poly(aniline) based GCE sensor (MIP(ANI)/GCE). The developed MIP surface was characterized using Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy, Raman spectrometry, scanning electron microscopy, contact angle measurements, CV, and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy. The MIP(ANI)/GCE sensor showed a highly sensitive performance with a linear range of 1.0 and 8.0×10−15 M. The limit of detection (LOD) and limit of quantification (LOQ) values were 0.193 and 0.643 fM, respectively. The applicability of the MIP(ANI)/GCE was assessed by applying it to human serum and plastic bottled water samples. The LOD and LOQ values were calculated as 0.257 and 0.856 fM for the serum sample. Imprinting factor and interference studies were also carried out using similarly structured compounds and the most common interfering agents showing the selectivity of the MIP(ANI)/GCE sensor. Finally, the non-imprinted polymer (NIP)-based sensor was prepared to control the MIP(ANI)/GCE performance.

How to manage the Value of Drinking water by using Extension on the Contingent Valuation Method

This paper examines an explanatory policy in the management of drinking water in Tunisia. Indeed, the price variable, while is considered, in general way, as a confident indicator in the regulation of drinking water consumption, it seems to be insufficient since the management of drinking water is influenced by other set of variables such as: the revenue level of households, the consumption of bottled water, the alternative sources, the household size and, above all, the quality variable, which presents an enormous variability inter- and intra-regions. Through our study, we have shown, that the variation in willingness to pay (WTP) is essentially due to psychological and subjective consideration (the degree of importance of these variables in the scale of preferences of consumers).

Analisis Ekuitas Merek Aqua Berdasarkan Persepsi Kualitas Merek (Brand Perceived Quality) Pada Pengguna Media Sosial Instagram

PT AQUA Golden Mississippi, Tbk is one of the many brands thatproduce mineral water with various packaging needed. AQUA asthe market leader in the bottled water product category, has a strongbrand equity. In addition, AQUA increases the perceived quality inthe eyes of consumers by adding a variety of choices of bottleddrinking water of various sizes. In general, the purpose of this studyis to get an overview of AQUA's brand equity, while in more detailthe purpose of this study is to analyze the perception of brand qualityin drinking water in the AQUA brand packaging among the socialmedia users of Instagram. This research is a type of survey research,where the research aims to find out about the measurement of brandequity based on brand perceived quality elements in AQUA brandbeverage products. The number of samples in this study were 374samples, namely 365 women and 9 men. Based on the results of thestudy, it can be concluded from the percentage of 97.9% who chosestrongly agree and agree, that respondents believe in the qualitygiven that AQUA has clear water in the eyes of consumers, 93.3%who voted strongly agree and agree, that the bottled water producedby the AQUA brand does not have a smell or smell in the eyes ofconsumers, 68.2% of AQUA consumers choose strongly agree andagree it is proven that the quality of AQUA is very good, 90.7% whochoose strongly agree and agree, that AQUA is believed to be ahygienic product in the eyes of consumers, 96% who voted stronglyagree and agree, that AQUA can make it easier to consume drinkingwater in the eyes of consumers, 96.3% who choose strongly agreeand agree, that AQUA has an easy logo recognized and rememberedin the eyes of consumers, 96.3% who voted strongly agree and agree,that AQUA has good packaging in the eyes of consumers, 79% whochose strongly agree and agree, that AQUA has the same qualityfrom time to time in the eyes of consumers, 89, 3% who votedstrongly agree and agree that AQUA has a price that is in accordancewith the volume/size in the eyes of consumers

What it costs to make Ourselves happy instant heroes

Humanitarian campaigns are proposing fun and simpler ways to support their causes with the help of advanced communication technologies and corporate sponsorships. It has become common to do good by shopping, running, texting and playing games. Despite some criticisms, such campaigns proposing simple and fun actions are becoming more dominant in the development and aid sector because of their ability to engage a wider public. This study aims to problematise the increasing role of corporations as moral educators and in the entertaining humanitarian campaigns focused on the Self at the expense of suppressing the Other. It focuses on the potentially destructive aspects of seemingly creative and entertaining humanitarian appeals supported by commercial forces by investigating the case of Barcodrop – an ethically packaged bottled water brand. This study begins by reviewing the relevant literature on post-humanitarianism, corporate social responsibility, contemporary consumer culture and bottled water. It then moves on to examine three research questions: What types of relationships are mediated and reproduced through the campaign? How does the campaign shape certain social practices and norms? How does this newly emerged post-humanitarian style work to mask political issues and serve particular ideologies? This is achieved by taking a case-study approach involving two qualitative analysis techniques social semiotics and critical discourse analysis. The combined approach illuminates opaque power relations and the ideology embedded in a stylish campaign. Based on the analysis, the study suggests that the unequal relationship of the heroic Self and the vulnerable Other is reproduced through the campaign. The promotion of simple and fun reinforces the narcissistic nature of contemporary consumers, which requires subordination of others. In addition, the Barcodrop campaign appears to normalise the consumer choice as an ethical practice by explicitly linking scanning and sharing. It also transforms the act of altruism to a playful activity of consumers while excluding distant sufferers, which makes participants loyal mediator of the brand. Furthermore, post-humanitarian aesthetic techniques effectively prevent the audience from understanding the complexities that surround water issues and legitimatise corporate ideology at the expense of solidarity.