Chemical composition and antioxidant activity of Borago officinalis L. leaf extract growing in Algeria

The aqueous and hydroalcoholic extracts of borage (Borago officinalis) leaves from Annaba region (Algeria) were preliminary analyzed for their phenolic profile (total phenolics, total flavonoids, total flavonols, total tannins and total anthocyanins). These extracts were evaluated for their antioxidant properties by different methods such as DPPH radical scavenging, test NBT and total antioxidant activity. The two extracts have exhibited a high antiradical capacity. Indeed, the ethanolic extract showed the lower IC50 values and the highest amount of phenolics (94.09 ± 1.72 mg gallic acid/g dry extract). Using LC-MS/MS analysis, it was possible to identify phenolic acids, flavonoids, sterol and for the first time oleuropein was identified in the aqueous extract of the plant. The obtained results have demonstrated that phenolic compounds are the major contributor to the antioxidant activity of plants.     

Analytical solution of a three-level atom coupled to four systems of N-two-level atoms

Optical Review - The analytical solution of a three-level atom interacting with four systems of N-two-level atoms is studied. The atomic inversion and the correlation function as applications of...     

Prediction of particle sticking efficiency for fly ash deposition at high temperatures

The tendency of ash particles to stick under high temperatures is dictated by the ash chemistry, particle physical properties, deposit surface properties and furnace operation conditions. A model has been developed in order to predict the particle sticking efficiency for fly ash deposition at high temperatures. The model incorporates the particle properties relevant to the ash chemistry, particle kinetic energy and furnace operation conditions and takes into consideration the partial sticking behaviour and the deposit layer. To test the model, the sticking behaviours of synthetic ash in a drop tube furnace are evaluated and the slagging formation from coal combustion in a down-fired furnace is modelled. Compared with the measurements, the proposed model presents reasonable prediction performance on the particle sticking behaviour and the ash deposition formation. Through a sensitivity analysis, furnace operation conditions (velocity and temperature), contact angle and particle size have been found to be the significant factors in controlling the sticking behaviours for the synthetic ash particles. The ash chemistry and furnace temperature dictate the wetting potential of the ash particles and the melting ability of the deposit surface; particle size and density not only control the particle kinetic energy, but also affect the particle temperature. The furnace velocity condition has been identified as being able to influence the selective deposition behaviour, where the maximum deposition efficiency moves to smaller particles when increasing the gas velocity. In addition, the thermophoresis effect on the arrival rate of the particles reduces with increasing the gas velocity. Further, increasing the melting degree of the deposit layer could greatly enhance the predicted deposition formation, in particular for the high furnace velocity condition.     

The fluorescence interference in Raman spectrum of raw coals and its application for evaluating coal property and combustion characteristics

Fluorescence interference in Raman spectrum is a big barrier for rapid and precise analysis of coal structures by Raman spectroscopy. Dealing with fluorescence interference suitably is one of the key tasks before efficient application of Raman spectroscopy in coal assessment. In this study, Raman spectra and coal combustion characteristics of 32 kinds of Chinese coals were respectively obtained in a micro-Raman spectrometer and Thermal Gravimetric Analyzer. The degree of fluorescence interference in Raman spectrum was firstly defined and quantified as the drift coefficient α using a simple method without curve-fitting the spectrum. The correlations between the degree of fluorescence interference and coal property, coal combustion characteristics were set up and multivariable analysis was done. The results indicate that the degree of fluorescence interference is well related to the coal structures, and it is synthetically determined by volatile, moisture and ash content in coal. With the increase of volatile, moisture content in coal, the fluorescence interference increases continuously, and it can be reduced but not eliminated by drying the moisture in coals. Significant mathematical relations between the drift coefficient α and volatile, moisture content, coal combustion characteristic temperatures have been found. Coal with more evident fluorescence interference in Raman spectrum usually has lower degree of coalification, more polar functional groups, and burns at a lower temperature. The drift coefficient α can act as an efficient probe for coal property and coal combustion characteristics. This study provided a new and simple approach for evaluating coal property and coal combustion characteristics by fluorescence interference in Raman spectrum.     

Stability analysis of internally damped rotating composite shafts using a finite element formulation

This paper deals with the stability analysis of internally damped rotating composite shafts. An Euler–Bernoulli shaft finite element formulation based on Equivalent Single Layer Theory (ESLT), including the hysteretic internal damping of composite material and transverse shear effects, is introduced and then used to evaluate the influence of various parameters: stacking sequences, fiber orientations and bearing properties on natural frequencies, critical speeds, and instability thresholds. The obtained results are compared with those available in the literature using different theories. The agreement in the obtained results show that the developed Euler–Bernoulli finite element based on ESLT including hysteretic internal damping and shear transverse effects can be effectively used for the stability analysis of internally damped rotating composite shafts. Furthermore, the results revealed that rotor stability is sensitive to the laminate parameters and to the properties of the bearings.     

Energy harvesting in a Mathieu–van der Pol–Duffing MEMS device using time delay

This paper investigates quasi-periodic vibration-based energy harvesting in a delayed nonlinear MEMS device consisting of a delayed Mathieu–van der Pol–Duffing type oscillator coupled to a delayed piezoelectric coupling mechanism. We use the multiple scales method to approximate the quasi-periodic response and the related power output near the principal parametric resonance. The effect of time delay on the energy harvesting performance is studied. It is shown that for appropriate combination of time delay parameters, there exists an optimum range of excitation frequency beyond the resonance where quasi-periodic vibration-based energy harvesting is maximum. Numerical simulations are performed to confirm the analytical predictions.     

Antimicrobial and antitumor activities of 1,2,4‐triazoles/polypyrrole chitosan core shell nanoparticles

Combination of natural biodegradable polymer with a synthetic polymer offers excellent properties for the support in drug delivery system. For this purpose, biodegradable conductive nanoparticle polypyrrole based on chitosan (PPC) has been prepared via oxidative polymerization of pyrrole in presence of chitosan using FeCl₃ as oxidant in acidic medium and used as a carrier for 1,2,4‐triazoles. The resultant nanoparticles were characterized by X‐ray diffraction, Fourier transform infrared analysis, transmission electron microscopy, scanning electron microscopy, and thermal gravimetric analysis. The results indicate that spherical nanoparticle of average diameter 52 ± 8 nm was successfully prepared. The spherical particles were composed of dark sphere surrounded by grey shell. A circumferential dark ring is observed in the shell after loading 1,2,4‐triazoles into PPC nanoparticles. The loaded triazoles were released almost linearly against time in a sustained fashion into different pH media. The mechanism of triazoles release was determined using different kinetics equations. The antibacterial activities against the gram‐negative and gram‐positive bacteria were examined. Furthermore, the antitumor activity of PPC nanoparticles loaded 1,2,4‐triazoles was also examined against Ehrlich ascites carcinoma cells and breast cancer cell line (MCF7). Polypyrrole chitosan loaded nanoparticles exhibited higher antitumor activity than 1,2,4‐triazoles.     

Functionalization of Macroporous Organic Polymer Monolith Based on Succinimide Ester Reactivity for Chiral Capillary Chromatography: A Cyclodextrin Click Approach

Macroporous cross‐linked organic polymer based on N‐acryloxysuccinimide (NAS) and ethylene dimethacrylate (EDMA) was prepared inside 75 µm id fused silica capillary as a functionalizable monolithic stationary phase for chromatographic applications. Succinimide groups on the monolith surface provide reactive sites able to react readily through standard electrophile–nucleophile chemistry. Propargylamine was used to prepare alkyne functionalized poly(NAS‐co‐EDMA). Onto this azido‐reactive polymer surface was grafted β‐cyclodextrin (CD) via a triazole ring utilizing the copper(I)‐catalyzed 1,3‐dipolar cyclo‐addition reaction. Chemical characterization was performed in situ after each synthetic step by means of Raman spectroscopy. Good enantioseparations of flavanone enantiomers, chosen as test chiral compound, were achieved under reversed phase conditions by both capillary electrochromatography and nano‐liquid chromatography (nano‐LC) techniques. These results demonstrate the potentiality and usefulness of click chemistry in the preparation of β‐CD containing chiral organic polymer monolith.

     

Magnetocaloric properties in the Cr-doped La0.7Sr0.3MnO3 manganites

Single-phase polycrystalline samples of La_0.7Sr_0.3Mn_1-xCr_xO₃ with nominal composition of x=0.00, 0.20, 0.40 and 0.50 were prepared by a conventional solid-state reaction method in air. Investigations of magnetization were carried out in the temperature range 5-400 K and magnetic field range 0-8 T. It was found that the Curie temperature T_C decreases with increasing x and the maximum magnetic entropy change (−ΔS_M) for x=0.20 is ∼1.203 and ∼2.653 J/kg K, respectively for 2 and 6 T magnetic field near the temperature of 280 K.     

The Nephroprotective Effect of Zizyphus lotus L. (Desf.) Fruits in a Gentamicin-Induced Acute Kidney Injury Model in Rats: A Biochemical and Histopathological Investigation

Zizyphus lotus L. (Desf.) (Z. lotus) is a medicinal plant largely distributed all over the Mediterranean basin and is traditionally used by Moroccan people to treat many illnesses, including kidney failure. The nephrotoxicity of gentamicin (GM) has been well documented in humans and animals, although the preventive strategies against it remain to be studied. In this investigation, we explore whether the extract of Zizyphus lotus L. (Desf.) Fruit (ZLF) exhibits a protective effect against renal damage produced by GM. Indeed, twenty-four Wistar rats were separated into four equal groups of six each (♂/♀ = 1). The control group was treated orally with distilled water (10 mL/kg); the GM treated group received distilled water (10 mL/kg) and an intraperitoneal injection of GM (80 mg/kg) 3 h after; and the treated groups received ZLF extract orally at the doses 200 or 400 mg/kg and injected intraperitoneally with the GM. All treatments were given daily for 14 days. At the end of the experiment, the biochemical parameters and the histological observation related the kidney function was explored. ZLF treatment has significantly attenuated the nephrotoxicity induced by the GM. This effect was indicated by its capacity to decrease significantly the serum creatinine, uric acid, urea, alkaline phosphatase, gamma-glutamyl-transpeptidase, albumin, calcium, sodium amounts, water intake, urinary volume, and relative kidney weight. In addition, this effect was also shown by the increase in the creatinine clearance, urinary creatinine, uric acid, and urea levels, weight gain, compared to the rats treated only with the GM. The hemostasis of oxidants/antioxidants has been significantly improved with the treatment of ZLF extract, which was shown by a significant reduction in malondialdehydes levels. Histopathological analysis of renal tissue was correlated with biochemical observation. Chemical analysis by HPLC-DAD showed that the aqueous extract of ZLF is rich in phenolic compounds such as 3-hydroxycinnamic acid, catechin, ferulic acid, gallic acid, hydroxytyrosol, naringenin, p- coumaric Acid, quercetin, rutin, and vanillic acid. In conclusion, ZLF extract improved the nephrotoxicity induced by GM, through the improvement of the biochemical and histological parameters and thus validates its ethnomedicinal use.