Self-adaptive methods for mixed quasi-variational inequalities

It is well known that the variational inequalities involving the nonlinear term φ are equivalent to the fixed-point problems and the resolvent equations. In this paper, we use these alternative equivalent formulations to suggest and analyze some new self-adaptive iterative methods for solving mixed quasi-variational inequalities. Our results can be viewed as significant extensions of the previously known results for mixed quasi-variational inequalities. An example is given to illustrate the efficiency of the proposed method.     

Coagulation-crossflow microfiltration of domestic wastewater

The effect of using alum, polyaluminum silicate sulfate (PASS), and lime as coagulants on the performance of crossflow microfiltration of domestic wastewater was investigated. The primary membrane used throughout the study was made of woven polyester, while the dynamic membrane was formed by circulating MnO₂ precipitate. Slug doses of the coagulants were added to the circulation tank of the experimental setup at the beginning of each run. Doses of 20 to 120 mg/l of alum were investigated at pH of 7. The results showed an improvement in flux values with the increase in alum dose until an optimum dose beyond which no significant improvement was seen. Flux improvement was attributed to the agglomeration of particles which can be easily swept away by the shearing actions created by the crossflow velocity. Permeate quality was not found to be significantly affected by the increase in alum dose. PASS, which is an aluminum salt, was seen to behave in the same manner as alum when used as a coagulant. Lime was not found to be a suitable coagulant under these conditions.     

Antiviral phytochemicals identification from Azadirachta indica leaves against HCV NS3 protease: an in silico approach

Hepatitis C virus (HCV) is a major health problem across the world affecting the people of all age groups. It is the main cause of hepatitis and at chronic stage causes liver cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma. Various therapeutics are made against HCV but still there is a need to find out potential therapeutics to combat the virus. The goal of this study is to identify the phytochemicals of Azadirachta indica leaves having antiviral activity against HCV NS3 protease through molecular docking and simulation approach. Results show that the compound 3-Deacetyl-3-cinnamoyl-azadirachtin possesses good binding properties with HCV NS3/4A protease. It can be concluded from this study that Deacetyl-3-cinnamoyl-azadirachtin may serve as a potential inhibitor against NS3/4A protease.     

Some aromatic polyimides based on diamines containing hydrazo group and ether linkages

Three new hydrazo-bridged diamines, 4,4′-bis [4-(4-aminophenyloxy) phenylhydrazyl] biphenyl (BPD-2), 4,4′-bis [4-(4-aminophenyloxy) phenylhydrazyl] biphenyl ether (SPD-2) and 4,4-bis [4-(4-aminophenyloxy) phenyl] hydrazine (APD-2), were synthesized by the reduction of three azo-diols, 4,4′-bis (4-azo-1-hydroxyphenyl) biphenyl (BPD), 4,4′-bis (4-azo-1-hydroxyphenyl) biphenyl ether (SPD) and azo-4-hydroxybenzene (APD), and polymerized with pyromellitic dianhydride (PM), 3,3′,4,4′-benzophenone tetracarboxylic acid dianhydride (BP) and 3,4,9,10-perylenetetracarboxylic acid dianhydride (PR) either by one-step solution polymerization or by two-step procedure which includes ring-opening polyaddition to give poly(amic acid) followed by cyclic dehydration to polyimide. The monomers and polyimides were characterized by their elemental analyses, FTIR and ¹H NMR spectroscopy. Glass transition temperatures of the polymers are quite high (175-310 °C), characteristic of polyimides. The decomposition temperatures for 10% weight loss fall in the range of 280-575 °C in nitrogen. Activation energies of pyrolysis for each of the polymers calculated from Horowitz and Metzger's method are also high (52.54-95.28 kJ mol⁻¹). The inherent viscosities of the polyimides at a concentration of 0.5 g/dl in DMF range from 0.94 to 1.93 dl/g.     

Miscibility studies of PVC/Aramid blends

Blends containing PVC and aramid (Ar) matrices were probed for their miscibility. In this respect, Ar chains were synthesized by aromatic diamine and diacid chloride in amide solvent. The Ar thus synthesized was characterized through Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy and molecular weight determination. Blend system Ar/PVC was investigated over a range of Ar/PVC ratios. Their mechanical profiles in terms of maximum stress, maximum strain, toughness, and initial moduli have been explored. Thermal properties and morphology of the blends were estimated using thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). A good correlation was observed between thermal, mechanical, and morphological properties of the blends. The presence of hydrogen bonding among polymers was evaluated through FTIR spectroscopy, which is believed to be responsible for the blend miscibility. Optimal thermal and mechanical profiles were depicted by the blend containing 40-wt% PVC in the Ar matrix.     

A new simple sensitive differential pulse polarographic method for the determination of acrylamide in aqueous solution

A new simple sensitive differential pulse polarographic (DPP) method was investigated for the determination of acrylamide (AA) directly in a neutral aqueous solution. The AA showed a well-defined and well-resolved peak in pure aqueous LiCl at −1.84 V in the potential range from −1.6 V to −1.97 V at nitrogen pressure of 0.5 kg cm⁻². Among the various electrolytes studied, the AA showed good DPP response in the presence of LiCl and tetra methyl ammonium iodide, while it showed poor response in the presence of tetra butyl ammonium hydroxide and tetra butyl ammonium bromide due to their strong adsorption on the surface of electrode which hindered its reduction. The effect of LiCl concentration, the cyclic voltammetric response and the drop time study showed that AA exhibited an irreversible adsorptive electrochemical behavior. The good electrochemical response in pure aqueous medium suggested that hydrogen bonding might be involved which may favor the electrode reaction. Under optimized conditions, the peak current was linear in the entire concentration range from 0.2 mg L⁻¹ to 20 mg L⁻¹ with the correlation coefficient of R² = 0.9998. The method showed good reproducible results with R.S.D. of 0.3% (n = 16). The detection limit (LOD) was 27 μg L⁻¹. The influence of various interfering agents was also studied. The method was applied successfully for the quantification of AA in water samples without any interference effect from alkali metals.     

Synthesis of functionalized diaryl sulfides based on regioselective one-pot cyclizations of 1,3-bis(trimethylsilyloxy)-1,3-butadienes

Functionalized diaryl sulfides were prepared based on one-pot cyclizations of 1,3-bis(trimethylsilyloxy)-1,3-butadienes.     

Expression of Recombinant Human Epidermal Growth Factor in Escherichia coli and Characterization of its Biological Activity

Recombinant human epidermal growth factor (EGF) was successfully expressed as a fusion protein in Escherichia coli system. This system was used OmpA signal sequence to produce soluble protein into the periplasm of E. coli. Human EGF (hEGF) synthesized in bacterial cell was found to be similar in size with the original protein and molecular weight approximately at 6.8 kDa. Cell proliferation assay was conducted to characterize the biological activity of hEGF on human dermal fibroblasts. The synthesized hEGF was found to be functional as compared with authentic hEGF in stimulating cell proliferation and promoting growth of cell. In comparison of biological activity between synthesized and commercial hEGF on cell proliferation, the results showed there was no significant different. This finding indicates the synthesized hEGF in E. coli system is fully bioactive in vitro.