Investigation of damaged interior walls using synchrotron‐based XPS and XANES

Evidence of internal sulfate attack in field exposure was demonstrated by the damaged interior wall of a three‐year‐old house situated in Nakhon Ratchasima Province, Thailand. Partial distension of the mortar was clearly observed together with an expansion of a black substance. Removal of the black substance revealed a dense black layer. This layer was only found in the vicinity of the damaged area, suggesting that this black material is possibly involved in the wall cracking. By employing synchrotron‐based X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) and X‐ray absorption near‐edge structure (XANES) techniques, the unknown sample was chemically identified. The S 2p and O 1s XPS results mutually indicated the existence of sulfate species in the materials collected from the damaged area. The XANES results indicated the presence of ferrous (II) sulfate, confirming sulfate‐induced expansion and cracking. The sulfate attack in the present case appeared to physically affect the structure whereas the chemical integrity at the molecular level of the calcium silicate hydrate phase was retained since there was a lack of spectroscopic evidence for calcium sulfate. It was speculated that internal sulfate probably originated from the contaminated aggregates used during the construction. The current findings would be beneficial for understanding the sulfate‐attack mechanism as well as for future prevention against sulfate attack during construction.     

<Emphasis Type="Italic">seco</Emphasis>-Kaurane skeleton diterpenoids from <Emphasis Type="Italic">Croton oblongifolius</Emphasis>

A new seco-kaurane type diterpenoid, ent-3,4-seco-17-oxo-kaur-4(19),15(16)-dien-3-oic acid, and a known compound, ent-3,4-seco-kaur-4(19),16(17)-dien-3-oic acid, were isolated from the stem bark of Croton oblongifolius. The structures of these compounds were established on the basis of spectroscopic data.     

An Integrated Proteomics and Bioinformatics Analysis of the Anticancer Properties of RT2 Antimicrobial Peptide on Human Colon Cancer (Caco-2) Cells

New selective, efficacious chemotherapy agents are in demand as traditional drugs display side effects and face growing resistance upon continued administration. To this end, bioactive molecules such as peptides are attracting interest. RT2 is a cationic peptide that was used as an antimicrobial but is being repurposed for targeting cancer. In this work, we investigate the mechanism by which this peptide targets Caco-2 human colon cancer cells, one of the most prevalent and metastatic cancers. Combining label-free proteomics with bioinformatics data, our data explore over 1000 proteins to identify 133 proteins that are downregulated and 79 proteins that are upregulated upon treatment with RT2. These changes occur in a dose-dependent manner and suggest the former group are related to anticancer cell proliferation; the latter group is closely related to apoptosis levels. The mRNA levels of several genes (FGF8, PAPSS2, CDK12, LDHA, PRKCSH, CSE1L, STARD13, TLE3, and OGDHL) were quantified using RT-qPCR and were found to be in agreement with proteomic results. Collectively, the global change in Caco-2 cell protein abundance suggests that RT2 triggers multiple mechanisms, including cell proliferation reduction, apoptosis activation, and alteration of cancerous cell metabolism.     

Selective conversion of fructose into 5-ethoxymethylfurfural over green catalyst

Research on Chemical Intermediates - In this study, selective formation of 5-ethoxymethylfurfural (EMF) from one-pot conversion of fructose in a co-solvent of ethanol with tetrahydrofuran over...     

Diaporthichalasin, a novel CYP3A4 inhibitor from an endophytic Diaporthe sp.

A novel CYP3A4 inhibitor, diaporthichalasin, together with pycnidione were isolated from an endophytic fungus, Diaporthe sp. Their structures were elucidated on the basis of spectral data and the structure of diaporthichalasin was confirmed by X-ray crystallographic analysis. Diaporthichalasin exhibited significantly potent inhibition of CYP3A4 with an IC₅₀ value of 0.626 μM, while the IC₅₀ value of pycnidione was 465 μM.     

Decarboxylative elimination: A new method for the synthesis of α,β-unsaturated ketones

An efficient one-pot synthesis of α,β-unsaturated ketones via the decarboxylative elimination of sodium glycidates with lead tetraacetate is described.     

Characterization and Optimization of Polymeric Bispicolamine Chelating Resin: Performance Evaluation via RSM Using Copper in Acid Liquors as a Model Substrate through Ion Exchange Method

Advanced technologies of electronics industries have led to environmental contamination concerns, especially waste print circuit boards containing a very high concentration of copper (II) ions, which can be discharged in wastewater containing many contaminated metals. A low pH is a necessity for treating industrial wastewater containing heavy metals to meet engineering process design. A novel polymeric bispicolamine chelating resin, Dowex-M4195, was applied as an alternative for investigating the behavior of copper (II) in acidic solution via an ion exchange method in a batch experiment system. Characterization of physical and chemical properties before and after ion exchange were also explored through BET, SEM-EDX, FTIR and XRD. Response surface methodology was also applied for optimization of copper (II) removal capacity using design of experiment for selective chelating resin at a low pH. The results indicate that H⁺ Dowex-M4195 chelating resin had a high-carbon content and specific surface area of >64% and 26.5060 m²/g, respectively. It was predominantly macropore porous in nature due to the N₂ gas adsorption isotherm and exhibited type IV with insignificant desorption hysteresis loop of H1-type. It was spherical and cylindrical. After the ion exchange process of copper (II)-loaded H⁺ Dowex-M4195, the specific surface area and total pore volume decreased by about 17.82% and 5.39%, respectively, as compared to H⁺ Dowex-M4195. Hysteresis loop, isotherm and pore size distribution were also similar. Regarding the functional group, the surface morphology and crystalline structures of H⁺ Dowex-M4195 showed copper (II) compound based on the structure of chelating resin that confirmed effective ion exchange behavior. The design of optimization indicated that copper (II) removal capacity of about 31.33 mg/g was achieved, which could be obtained at 6.96 h, pH of 2 (a desirable low pH), dose of 124.13 mg and concentration of 525.15 mg/L. The study indicated that the H⁺ Dowex-M4195 (which is commercially available on the market) can successfully be applied as an alternative precursor through the ion exchange method for further reuse and regeneration of the copper (II) in the electronic waste industries and other wastewater applications needed to respond the policy of biocircular green economy in Thailand.     

固定化Sn/氯化胆硷络合物制备Sn-β分子筛催化剂用于葡萄糖-果糖异构化反应

在水溶液中锡盐与β分子筛金属化过程中很容易水解为氢氧化物,因此,制备高度分散的、以孤立形式存在的锡物种非常具有挑战性.我们先采用SnCl2/氯化胆硷(ChCl)络合物将锡物种固定在高硅的商品化的β分子筛上,然后焙烧就可很方便地在水溶液条件下制得了高度分散于β分子筛上的锡物种.电镜照片、紫外-可见光光谱和X射线衍射结果证实了这一点.ChCl的存在促进了锡物种与分子筛的结合.担载(1-2)wt%Sn的β分子筛在葡萄糖-果糖异构化反应中表现出较高的催化活性和选择性.     

Adsorption behavior of As(V) from aqueous solution by using Fe3+–MnO4−-modified activated carbon (Leucaena leucocephala (Lam) de Wit)

Research on Chemical Intermediates - The objective of this work was to prepare a highly efficient adsorbent from Leucaena leucocephala (Lam) de Wit via pyrolysis and chemical activation (H3PO4)...