Portable single-sided NMR measurements at variable temperatures: Implementation of a thermo-controlled device and application to the heating of bread dough

A temperature control unit was implemented to vary the temperature of samples studied on a commercial Mobile Universal Surface Explorer nuclear magnetic resonance (MOUSE-NMR) apparatus. The device was miniaturized to fit the maximum MOUSE sampling depth (25 mm). It was constituted by a sample holder sandwiched between two heat exchangers placed below and above the sample. Air was chosen as the fluid to control the temperature at the bottom of the sample, at the interface between the NMR probe and the sample holder, in order to gain space. The upper surface of the sample was regulated by the circulation of water inside a second heat exchanger placed above the sample holder. The feasibility of using such a device was demonstrated first on pure water and then on several samples of bread dough with different water contents. For this, T1 relaxation times were measured at various temperatures and depths and were then compared with those acquired with a conventional compact closed-magnet spectrometer. Discussion of results was based on biochemical transformations in bread dough (starch gelatinization and gluten heat denaturation). It was demonstrated that, within a certain water level range, and because of the low magnetic field strength of the MOUSE, a linear relationship could be established between T1 relaxation times and the local temperature in the dough sample.     

Nanofluids thermal performance in the horizontal annular passages: a recent comprehensive review

Journal of Thermal Analysis and Calorimetry - Nanofluids are prepared to enrich thermo-physical and convective heat transfer properties by suspending nanometer particles in a base fluid. For...     

Effects of polyvinylpyrrolidone on structural and optical properties of willemite semiconductor nanoparticles by polymer thermal treatment method

Journal of Thermal Analysis and Calorimetry - Willemite is an inorganic semiconductor material used for optoelectronic applications. The present study purposes a new polymer thermal treatment...     

Dinuclear gold (I)-di-N-heterocyclic carbene complexes: syntheses,structure, density functional theory calculation and photoluminescence study

The synthesis and characterizations for a series of dinuclear gold (I)-di-NHC complexes, 1–8 through the trans-metalation method of their respective silver (I)-di-NHC complexes, i–viii are reported (where NHC = N-heterocyclic carbene). The successful complexation of a series of unusual non-symmetrical and symmetrical di-NHC ligands, 3,3'-(ethane-1,2-diyl)-1-alkylbenzimidazolium-1'-butylbenzimidazolium (with alkyl = methyl, ethyl, propyl, butyl, pentyl, hexyl, heptyl, benzyl) with the gold (I) ions are suggested by elemental analysis, Fourier transform-infrared, ¹H- and ¹³C-NMR data. The ¹³C-NMR spectra of 1–8 show a singlet sharp peak in the range of 190.00–192.00 ppm, indicating the presence of a carbene carbon that bonded to the gold (I) ion. From single crystal X-ray diffraction data, the structure of complex 6 with the formula of [di-NHC-Au (I)]₂·2PF₆ is obtained [where NHC = 3,3'-(ethane-1,2-diyl)-1-hexylbenzimidazolium-1'-butylbenzimidazolium]. The photophysical study in solid state of 6 displays an intense photoluminescence with a strong emission maxima, λ_em = 480 nm, upon excitation at 340 nm at room temperature. Interestingly, the emission maximum at 77 K shows a structural character with a strong peak at 410 nm, a medium at 433 nm and a weak at 387 nm, accompanied by a tail band to about 500 nm.     

Validated LC–MS/MS method for quantitation of a selective JAK1 inhibitor,filgotinib in rat plasma,and its application to a pharmacokinetic study in rats

Filgotinib is a selective JAK1 (Janus kinase) inhibitor, filed in Japan for the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis. In this paper, we report a validated liquid chromatography coupled with tandem mass spectrometry for the quantification of filgotinib in rat plasma using tofacitinib as an internal standard (IS) as per the Food and Drug Administration regulatory guidelines. Filgotinib and the IS were extracted from rat plasma using ethyl acetate as an extraction solvent and chromatographed using an isocratic mobile phase (0.2% formic acid:acetonitrile; 20:80, v/v) at a flow rate of 0.9 mL/min on a Gemini C₁₈ column. Filgotinib and the IS were eluted at ~1.31 and 0.89 min, respectively. The MS/MS ion transitions monitored were m/z 426.3 → 291.3 and m/z 313.2 → 149.2 for filgotinib and the IS, respectively. The calibration range was 0.78–1924 ng/mL. No matrix effect and carryover were observed. Intra- and inter-day accuracies and precisions were within the acceptance range. Filgotinib was stable for three freeze–thaw cycles: on bench-top up to 6 h, in an autosampler up to 21 h, and at −80 ° C for 1 month. This novel method has been applied to a pharmacokinetic study in rats.     

Artificial neural network‐based modeling of snow properties using field data and hyperspectral imagery

This study attempts to model snow wetness and snow density of Himalayan snow cover using a combination of Hyperspectral image processing and Artificial Neural Network (ANN). Initially, a total of 300 spectral signature measurements, synchronized with snow wetness and snow density, were collected in the field. The spectral reflectance of snow was then modeled as a function of snow properties using ANN. Four snow wetness and three snow density models were developed. A strong correlation was observed in near‐infrared and shortwave‐infrared region. The correlation analysis of ANN modeled snow density and snow wetness showed a strong linear relationship with field‐based data values ranging from 0.87–0.90 and 0.88–0.91, respectively. Our results indicate that an Artificial Intelligence (AI) approach, using a combination of Hyperspectral image processing and ANN, can be efficiently used to predict snow properties (wetness and density) in the Himalayan region. Recommendations for resource managers

• Snow properties, such as snow wetness and snow density are mainly investigated through field‐based survey but rugged terrains, difficult weather conditions, and logistics management issues establish remote sensing as an efficient alternative to monitor snow properties, especially in the mountain environment.
• Although Hyperspectral remote sensing is a powerful tool to conduct the quantitative analysis of the physical properties of snow, only a few studies have used hyperspectral data for the estimation of snow density and wetness in the Himalayan region. This could be because of the lack of synchronized snow properties data with field‐based spectral acquisitions.
• In combination with Hyperspectral image processing, Artificial Neural Network (ANN) can be a useful tool for effective snow modeling because of its ability to capture and represent complex input‐output relationships.
• Further research into understanding the applicability of neural networks to determine snow properties is required to obtain results from large snow cover areas of the Himalayan region.

     

Medicinal Potential of Isoflavonoids: Polyphenols That May Cure Diabetes

In recent years, there is emerging evidence that isoflavonoids, either dietary or obtained from traditional medicinal plants, could play an important role as a supplementary drug in the management of type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) due to their reported pronounced biological effects in relation to multiple metabolic factors associated with diabetes. Hence, in this regard, we have comprehensively reviewed the potential biological effects of isoflavonoids, particularly biochanin A, genistein, daidzein, glycitein, and formononetin on metabolic disorders and long-term complications induced by T2DM in order to understand whether they can be future candidates as a safe antidiabetic agent. Based on in-depth in vitro and in vivo studies evaluations, isoflavonoids have been found to activate gene expression through the stimulation of peroxisome proliferator-activated receptors (PPARs) (α, γ), modulate carbohydrate metabolism, regulate hyperglycemia, induce dyslipidemia, lessen insulin resistance, and modify adipocyte differentiation and tissue metabolism. Moreover, these natural compounds have also been found to attenuate oxidative stress through the oxidative signaling process and inflammatory mechanism. Hence, isoflavonoids have been envisioned to be able to prevent and slow down the progression of long-term diabetes complications including cardiovascular disease, nephropathy, neuropathy, and retinopathy. Further thoroughgoing investigations in human clinical studies are strongly recommended to obtain the optimum and specific dose and regimen required for supplementation with isoflavonoids and derivatives in diabetic patients.     

Experimental investigation and optimization of loop heat pipe performance with nanofluids

Journal of Thermal Analysis and Calorimetry - High heat generation from electronic devices needs to cool down properly to prevent overheating. Loop heat pipe (LHP) is one of the excellent cooling...     

Sonochemical Synthesis of Gold Nanoparticles by Using High Intensity Focused Ultrasound

The sonochemical synthesis of gold nanoparticles (GNPs) with different shapes and size distributions by using high‐intensity focused ultrasound (HIFU) operating at 463 kHz is reported. GNP formation proceeds through the reduction of Au³⁺ to Au⁰ by radicals generated by acoustic cavitation. TEM images reveal that GNPs show irregular shapes at 30 W, are primarily icosahedral at 50 W and form a significant amount of nanorods at 70 W. The size of GNPs decreases with increasing acoustic power with a narrower size distribution. Sonochemiluminescence images help in the understanding of the effect of HIFU in controlling the size and shapes of GNPs. The number of radicals that form and the mechanical forces that are generated control the shape and size of the GNPs. UV/Vis spectra and TEM images are used to propose a possible mechanism for the observed effects. The results presented demonstrate, for the first time, that the HIFU system can be used to synthesise size‐ and shape‐controlled metal nanoparticles.