Schwarz method justification of a coupling between finite elements and integral representation for Maxwell exterior problem

We are interested in the resolution of an exterior Maxwell problem in 3D using a coupling between finite elements and integral representation. This strategy is interpreted as a Schwarz method which suggests a preconditioner for Krylov solvers. Numerical results confirm the relevance of the resolution scheme.     

Evaluation of Antimicrobial Activity of Some Newly Synthesized 4‐Thiazolidinones

The antimicrobial activity of thirteen newly synthesized 4‐thiazolidinones (TZONs) and four dithiolane derivatives was assessed against susceptible and resistant bacteria, including MRSA, as well as Candida albicans. The structure‐activity relationships revealed that 4‐Thiazolidinone derivatives harboring p‐chlorophenyl and dicarboxyethyl at the 2‐ethenyl and 5‐arylidine positions of the thiazolidinone ring display considerable antibacterial properties. No antifungal activity was recorded by all tested compounds against Candida albicans. The possible potentiative (synergistic) effect of the most active compounds to a few commercial antibiotics was also investigated.     

Evaluation of Antifungal and Antioxidant Activity of Newly Synthesized 4‐Thiazolidinones

The antifungal and antioxidant activities of thirty newly synthesized 4‐thiazolidinone (TZON) derivatives were assessed against some fungal species including Candida albicans and Aspergillus niger. The introduction of different arylidene moieties at 5‐positions of the thiazolidinone ring successfully enhanced its biological activity. The structure–activity relationships revealed that 4‐thiazolidinone derivatives harboring dicarboxyethyl (at the 2‐ethenyl) and p‐nitrophenylhydrazyl arm (at the 5‐arylidine positions of the thiazolidinone ring) display considerable antifungal and antioxidant properties.     

Micellar Effects on Alkaline Hydrolysis of 3,5-Dinitro-2-chloro Benzotriflouride and 2,4-Dinitrochloro Benzene in Aqueous-Acetonitrile Mixtures

Reaction rate for alkaline hydrolysis of the substrates 3,5-dinitro-2-chloro benzotriflouride (DNCBTF) (1) at 30°C and 2,4-dinitrochloro benzene (DNCB) (2) at 50°C separetely with NaOH as nucleophile is carried out spectrophotometrically in mixed aqueous-acetonitrile solvents. In each system, cationic surfactant as dodecyltrimethyl ammonium bromide (DoTAB), or anionic one as sodium dodecyle sulfate (SDS) is used in wide range of concentrations to study the effect of micelle on the reaction rate. The micellar effect is explained in term of modified pseudo phase ion exchange model. Pseudo first order rate constant, k_obs is obtained for each of the nucleophile and for both substrates 1 and 2 at all range of X_AN · k_obs at given [OH^?] and in presence of any substrate is found to increase with the increase of DoTAB,while decrease with the increase of SDS as micellar phases. Critical micelle concentrations (CMCs) in similar trend are observed to increase in DoTAB while decrease in SDS systems by increasing acetonitrile (AN) content. Micellar binding constant (K_S) between any type of given substrate and the formed micelle, is found to decrease in presence of DoTAB and increase in SDS micellar phases by increasing AN content. Finally, the ratios between pseudo first order rate constants for hydrolysis in micellar phase k_M to that in the bulk phase k_w for DoTAB and SDS systems are found to be greater than and smaller than unity respectively at any given X_AN where the data indicated for (1) is always higher than those for (2). The results concluded that micelle DoTAB is working as a catalyst for the reaction rate, while that for SDS is considered as an inhibitor.     

Solid‐based disperser liquid–liquid microextraction for the preconcentration of phthalate esters and di‐(2‐ethylhexyl) adipate followed by gas chromatography with flame ionization detection or mass spectrometry

A new approach for the development of a dispersive liquid–liquid microextraction followed by GC with flame ionization detection was proposed for the determination of phthalate esters and di‐(2‐ethylhexyl) adipate in aqueous samples. In the proposed method, solid and liquid phases were used as the disperser and extractant, respectively, providing a simple and fast mode for the extraction of the analytes into a small volume of an organic solvent. In this method, microliter levels of an extraction solvent was added onto a sugar cube and it was transferred into the aqueous phase containing the analytes. By manual shaking, the sugar was dissolved and the extractant was released into the aqueous phase as very tiny droplets to provide a cloudy solution. Under optimized conditions, the proposed method showed good precision (RSD less than 5.2%), high enrichment factors (266–556), and low LODs (0.09–0.25 μg/L). The method was successfully applied for the determination of the target analytes in different samples, and good recoveries (71–103%) were achieved for the spiked samples. No need for a disperser solvent and higher enrichment factors compared with conventional dispersive liquid–liquid microextraction and low cost and short sample preparation time are other advantages of the method.     

Late-Stage Modification of Aminoglycoside Antibiotics Overcomes Bacterial Resistance Mediated by APH(3’) Kinases

The continuous emergence of antimicrobial resistance is causing a threat to patients infected by multidrug-resistant pathogens. In particular, the clinical use of aminoglycoside antibiotics, broad-spectrum antibacterials of last resort, is limited due to rising bacterial resistance. One of the major resistance mechanisms in Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria is phosphorylation of these amino sugars at the 3’-position by O-phosphotransferases [APH(3’)s]. Structural alteration of these antibiotics at the 3’-position would be an obvious strategy to tackle this resistance mechanism. However, the access to such derivatives requires cumbersome multi-step synthesis, which is not appealing for pharma industry in this low-return-on-investment market. To overcome this obstacle and combat bacterial resistance mediated by APH(3’)s, we introduce a novel regioselective modification of aminoglycosides in the 3’-position via palladium-catalyzed oxidation. To underline the effectiveness of our method for structural modification of aminoglycosides, we have developed two novel antibiotic candidates overcoming APH(3’)s-mediated resistance employing only four synthetic steps.     

Ultrasound as a Promising Tool for the Green Extraction of Specialized Metabolites from Some Culinary Spices

Spices are a popular food of plant origin, rich in various phytochemicals and recognized for their numerous properties. The aim of the study was to evaluate the antioxidant and antimicrobial activity, as well as the content of specialized metabolites, of aqueous extracts of three spice species––garlic (Allium sativum L.), ginger (Zingiber officinalle L.) and turmeric (Curcuma longa L.)––prepared by green extraction methods. Ultrasound treatment increased the chromaticity parameter b value of turmeric and ginger extracts, thus indicating a higher yellow color predominantly due to curcuminoids characteristic of these species. Ultrasound-assisted extraction significantly increased the content of total soluble solids, phenolic compounds, total carotenoids and vitamin C. The temperature of the system was also an important factor, with the highest (70 °C) conditions in ultrasound-assisted extraction having a positive effect on thermolabile compounds (vitamin C, phenolics, total carotenoids). For example, turmeric extract treated with ultrasound at 70 °C had up to a 67% higher vitamin C content and a 69.4% higher total carotenoid content compared to samples treated conventionally at the same temperature, while ginger extracts had up to 40% higher total phenols. All different concentrations of spice extracts were not sufficient for complete inhibition of pathogenic bacterial strains of Salmonella, L. monocytogenes and S. aureus; however, only garlic extracts had an effect on slowing down the growth and number of L. monocytogenes colonies. Spice extracts obtained by ultrasonic treatment contained a significantly higher level of bioactive compounds and antioxidant capacity, suggesting that the extracts obtained have significant nutritional potential and thus a significant possibility for phytotherapeutic uses.