Operation of a coplanar-electrode plasma display panel cell

Plasma display panels (PDPs) are composed of miniature gas discharge devices sustained in noble gas mixtures. In this paper, the dynamics of a coplanar-electrode PDP cell are described using results from a two-dimensional computer simulation. During the first voltage pulse, the discharge takes place between the top and bottom electrodes. Due to charging of the bottom dielectric during the first discharge pulse, a surface discharge takes place between the top coplanar electrodes on successive pulses     

Recent Development of Electrolytes for Aqueous Organic Redox Flow Batteries (Aorfbs): Current Status,Challenges, and Prospects

In recent years, aqueous organic redox flow batteries (AORFBs) have attracted considerable attention due to advancements in grid-level energy storage capacity research. These batteries offer remarkable benefits, including outstanding capacity retention, excellent cell performance, high energy density, and cost-effectiveness. The organic electrolytes in AORFBs exhibit adjustable redox potentials and tunable solubilities in water. Previously, various types of organic electrolytes, such as quinones, organometallic complexes, viologens, redox-active polymers, and organic salts, were extensively investigated for their electrochemical performance and stability. This study presents an overview of recently published novel organic electrolytes for AORFBs in acidic, alkaline, and neutral environments. Furthermore, it delves into the current status, challenges, and prospects of AORFBs, highlighting different strategies to overcome these challenges, with special emphasis placed on their design, composition, functionalities, and cost. A brief techno-economic analysis of various aqueous RFBs is also outlined, considering their potential scalability and integration with renewable energy systems.     

Berberine as a Potential Anticancer Agent: A Comprehensive Review

Berberine (BBR), a potential bioactive agent, has remarkable health benefits. A substantial amount of research has been conducted to date to establish the anticancer potential of BBR. The present review consolidates salient information concerning the promising anticancer activity of this compound. The therapeutic efficacy of BBR has been reported in several studies regarding colon, breast, pancreatic, liver, oral, bone, cutaneous, prostate, intestine, and thyroid cancers. BBR prevents cancer cell proliferation by inducing apoptosis and controlling the cell cycle as well as autophagy. BBR also hinders tumor cell invasion and metastasis by down-regulating metastasis-related proteins. Moreover, BBR is also beneficial in the early stages of cancer development by lowering epithelial–mesenchymal transition protein expression. Despite its significance as a potentially promising drug candidate, there are currently no pure berberine preparations approved to treat specific ailments. Hence, this review highlights our current comprehensive knowledge of sources, extraction methods, pharmacokinetic, and pharmacodynamic profiles of berberine, as well as the proposed mechanisms of action associated with its anticancer potential. The information presented here will help provide a baseline for researchers, scientists, and drug developers regarding the use of berberine as a promising candidate in treating different types of cancers.     

Correction to: An efficient protocol for the synthesis of highly sensitive indole imines utilizing green chemistry: optimization of reaction conditions

Molecular Diversity - In the original publication, one of the co-authors name Sana Jamshaid was missed out. The correct authors’ group is updated in this correction.     

Double-diffusive Cattaneo–Christov squeezing flow of micropolar fluid

Journal of Thermal Analysis and Calorimetry - An incompressible magnetized flow of micropolar fluid is confined between two disks. The lower disk is stationary, while the upper disk moves in upward...     

Pistagremic acid,a novel β-secretase enzyme (BACE1) inhibitor from Pistacia integerrima Stewart

A new triterpenic compound named pistagremic acid (PA) was once again isolated from Pistaciaintegerrima. The β-secretase inhibition study was carried out. Compound PA was found significantly active against β-secretase enzyme (BACE1) with IC₅₀ value of 350 ± 2 nM in comparison to the standard inhibitors [Asn670, Sta671, Val672]-amyloid-β/A4 precursor protein 770 fragment 662–675 (IC₅₀ = 290.71 ± 1 nM). The selectivity of this compound was also evaluated against the acetylcholinesterase and butyrylcholinesterase enzymes. Interestingly compound PA was found to be inactive against them and showed selectivity towards β-secretase enzyme (BACE1).     

Synthesis of hexacyclic fused isocoumarin framework through selective domino multicyclizations under catalyst and solvent free conditions

A novel fused isocoumarin skeleton has been synthesized through selective domino multicyclizations by mixing homothallic acid and 2,3-diphenylacryloyl chloride at 200℃ under catalyst and solvent free reaction conditions. Six fused rings with two stereogenic centers were assembled in a convenient onepot operation in good yield. The resulting hexacyclic fused isocoumarin skeleton and its stereochemistry was fully characterized and unambiguously confirmed by X-ray diffraction analysis.     

Bioassay-guided isolation of antibacterial constituents from Diospyros lotus roots

The aim of this study was to explore the extract/fractions and compounds of Diospyros lotus against various Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria strain. The results showed marked susceptibility of extract and its fractions against test pathogens. Among them, chloroform fraction was most dominant and effective against all tested bacteria. The chloroform fraction was subjected to column chromatography which led to the isolation of lupeol (1), 7-methyljuglone (2), β-sitosterol (3), stigmasterol (4), betulinic acid (5), diospyrin (6) and 8-hydroxyisodiospyrin (7). Among the isolated compounds, betulinic acid (5) showed significant activity against most of the tested pathogen. In conclusion, our study validated the traditional uses of the plant in the treatment of infectious diseases which was also strongly supported by the isolated compound, betulinic acid (5).