The synthesis and evaluation of unsymmetrical dimeric X-ray contrast agents

Novel dimeric iodinated contrast agents with low osmolality have been prepared and evaluated with the aim of improving the already good safety profile of such agents. The aim of low osmolality was achieved, and the viscosity of these dimeric agents was also found to be beneficially lower than current dimeric agents in clinical use.     

Effect of melt viscosity on the crystallization kinetics of pre-sheared metallocene polyethylene melts

This work aims to verify the impossibility mentioned in the literature of saturating the crystallization kinetics of pre-sheared metallocene polyethylene melts. Similarly to results reported for other materials, and contrary to other published works, an acceleration of crystallization kinetics with the increase of shear strain and its saturation at large strain values was found. Similar strain values, with the same temperature variation, were evaluated with independent experiments using different devices, which allowed us to identify the steady state as the melt state responsible for the saturation of crystallization kinetics. Since this is a partially disentangled melt state, with viscosity lower than that of fully entangled (relaxed) melts, we assign the acceleration of crystallization kinetics by application of shear, and its saturation, mainly to the facilitated diffusion of chain segments to the lamellae growth front. This conclusion is supported additionally with the experimental results of other authors.     

On a subclass of close-to-convex functions

We consider a subclass of the class of close-to-convex functions. We show the relationship between our class and the appropriate subordination. Moreover, we give the coefficient estimates and a sufficient condition for functions to belong to the class investigated. Finally, we obtain the distortion and the growth theorems. The results presented are a generalization of the results obtained by Gao and Zhou.     

The use of DSC and FT-IR spectroscopy for evaluation of oxidative stability of interesterified fats

The aim of this paper was to assess the oxidative stability of structured lipids synthesized by enzymatic interesterification of a blend of lard and rapeseed oil with concentrates of n ? 3 fatty acids. Differential scanning calorimetry was used to evaluate the oxidation induction time of interesterified fats as a parameter assessing resistance of tested fats to their thermal-oxidative decomposition. Moreover, the IR spectra registered in the classic spectral range (4000–400 cm^?1) were used to differentiate the samples of interesterified fats. The results show that the interesterification process decreased the induction time. Increased content polar fraction in the interesterified fatty product can reduce its resistance to oxidation. FT-IR data of selected spectral ranges correlate with the value of induction time at a statistically significant level. This is a proof that chemical changes occurring during different treatments of the starting mixture can be monitored by FT-IR spectroscopy. Moreover, obtained correlations can be used for the evaluation of an induction value of an unknown oil sample.     

Tripodal Thiols as Ligands for Molecular Magnets: Very Strong Antiferromagnetic Exchange Interactions in Vanadium(III) Clusters

The synthesis, structural and magnetic characterisation of [V^III₃O(tmme)₂(diimine)₂Cl] [diimine=2,2′‐bipyridine ( 1 ) or 1,10‐phenanthroline ( 2 )] and (HNEt₃)₂[V^III₄O(tmme)₄] ( 3 ) is reported, in which H₃tmme is tris(mercaptomethyl)ethane, MeC(CH₂SH)₃, the thiol analogue of the famous tripodal alcohol ligands typified by H₃thme [tris(hydroxymethyl)ethane, MeC(CH₂OH)₃]. Complexes 1 and 3 have “T‐shaped” and square topologies, respectively, and the latter is centred on a rare example of a square‐planar oxide. The tri‐thiolate ligands bind the periphery of the clusters and provide such strong antiferromagnetic exchange pathways that in both cases only a single total spin state is occupied up to room temperature, in the absence of metal–metal bonding. Magnetic data, electronic structure calculations and electrochemical data are reported.     

Stereocontrolled Synthesis of Chiral Heteroaromatic Propellers with Small Optical Bandgaps

Chiral heteroaromatic propellers based on radially π‐extended hexapyrrolohexaazacoronenes were obtained in a concise synthesis from suitably functionalized donor–acceptor monopyrroles. To overcome steric hindrance, a new cyclodehydrogenation method was developed, and it uses bromine electrophiles as oxidative coupling agents instead of the commonly employed high‐potential oxidants. The new reaction offers high yields of propeller‐shaped targets, even for electron‐deficient precursors, and shows electrophile‐dependent stereoselectivity, with N‐bromosuccinimide and dibromine yielding, respectively D₆‐ and C₂‐symmetric products. The propeller azacoronenes are chiral and can be separated into configurationally stable enantiomers. In addition to providing steric bulk, peripheral functionalization considerably affects the electronic properties of the propellers, which exhibit reduced optical and electrochemical band gaps, and a more clearly defined electroreduction behavior.     

Simultaneous Production of Lipids and Carotenoids by the Red Yeast Rhodotorula from Waste Glycerol Fraction and Potato Wastewater

Applied Biochemistry and Biotechnology - Abstract The objective of this study was to determine the possibility of simultaneous biosynthesis of lipids and carotenoids by the Rhodotorula yeast...