Identification of phytocompounds from Houttuynia cordata Thunb. as potential inhibitors for SARS-CoV-2 replication proteins through GC–MS/LC–MS characterization,molecular docking and molecular dynamics simulation

The COVID-19 pandemic caused by Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) is a massive viral disease outbreak of international concerns. The present study is mainly intended to identify the bioactive phytocompounds from traditional antiviral herb Houttuynia cordata Thunb. as potential inhibitors for three main replication proteins of SARS-CoV-2, namely Main protease (Mpro), Papain-Like protease (PLpro) and ADP ribose phosphatase (ADRP) which control the replication process. A total of 177 phytocompounds were characterized from H. cordata using GC–MS/LC–MS and they were docked against three SARS-CoV-2 proteins (receptors), namely Mpro, PLpro and ADRP using Epic, LigPrep and Glide module of Schrödinger suite 2020-3. During docking studies, phytocompounds (ligand) 6-Hydroxyondansetron (A104) have demonstrated strong binding affinity toward receptors Mpro (PDB ID 6LU7) and PLpro (PDB ID 7JRN) with G-score of???7.274 and???5.672, respectively, while Quercitrin (A166) also showed strong binding affinity toward ADRP (PDB ID 6W02) with G-score -6.788. Molecular Dynamics Simulation (MDS) performed using Desmond module of Schrödinger suite 2020–3 has demonstrated better stability in the ligand–receptor complexes A104-6LU7 and A166-6W02 within 100 ns than the A104-7JRN complex. The ADME-Tox study performed using SwissADMEserver for pharmacokinetics of the selected phytocompounds 6-Hydroxyondansetron (A104) and Quercitrin (A166) demonstrated that 6-Hydroxyondansetron passes all the required drug discovery rules which can potentially inhibit Mpro and PLpro of SARS-CoV-2 without causing toxicity while Quercitrin demonstrated less drug-like properties but also demonstrated as potential inhibitor for ADRP. Present findings confer opportunities for 6-Hydroxyondansetron and Quercitrin to be developed as new therapeutic drug against COVID-19.

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Nordström's theory in the light of the dualistic gravitation theory

It is shown that the recent dualistic theory of gravitation of the author can be regarded as equivalent to the Nordström theory (1913) supplemented by additional field variables. Such a point of view not only removes certain theoretical shortcomings of the Nordström theory, but also clarifies the relationship between this theory and the Einstein theory.     

Fuzzy guaranteed cost controller for trajectory tracking in nonlinear systems

In this paper, we propose a fuzzy logic based guaranteed cost controller for trajectory tracking in nonlinear systems. Takagi–Sugeno (T–S) fuzzy model is used to represent the dynamics of a nonlinear system and the controller design is carried out using this fuzzy model. State feedback law is used for building the fuzzy controller whose performance is evaluated using a quadratic cost function. For designing the fuzzy logic based controller which satisfies guaranteed performance, linear matrix inequality (LMI) approach is used. Sufficient conditions are derived in terms of matrix inequalities for minimizing the performance function of the controller. The performance function minimization problem with polynomial matrix inequalities is then transformed into a problem of minimizing a convex performance function involving standard LMIs. This minimization problem can be solved easily and efficiently using the LMI optimization techniques. Our controller design method also ensures that the closed-loop system is asymptotically stable. Simulation study is carried out on a two-link robotic manipulator tracking a reference trajectory. From the results of the simulation study, it is observed that our proposed controller tracks the reference trajectory closely while maintaining a guaranteed minimum cost.     

Study of proteinous and micellar microenvironment using donor acceptor charge transfer fluorosensor N,N-dimethylaminonaphthyl-(acrylo)-nitrile

Interaction of charge transfer fluorophore N,N-dimethylaminonaphthyl-(acrylo)-nitrile (DMANAN) with globular proteins Human Serum Albumin (HSA) and Bovine Serum Albumin (BSA) brings forth a marked change in the position and intensity of band maxima both in case of absorption and fluorescence spectra. Spectroscopic approach has been elaborately implemented to explore the binding phenomena of the probe with HSA and BSA and it is found that the extent of binding of the probe to both serum albumins is similar in nature. Steady state fluorescence anisotropy values, fluorescence quenching study using acrylamide quencher and Red Edge Excitation Shift (REES) help in drawing reliable conclusions regarding the location of the probe molecule within the hydrophobic cavity of the proteins. An increase in fluorescence lifetime of the probe molecule solubilized in both the proteinous media also indicate that the probe is located at the motionally restricted environment inside the hydrophobic cavity of proteins and hence non-radiative channels are less operative than in the bulk water. Similarly, the variation of position and intensity of the emission maxima of DMANAN solubilized in micellar medium of Sodium Dodecyl Sulphate (SDS) also predicts well the critical micellar concentration (CMC) and polarity of micellar microenvironment.     

On a class of difference sequences related to the ℓ<Superscript>p</Superscript> space defined by Orlicz functions

In this article we introduce the difference sequence space m(M, Δ, φ) using the Orlicz function. We study its different properties like solidity, completeness etc. Also we obtain some inclusion relations involving the space m(M, Δ, φ).      

Strings in some Bianchi type cosmologies

Some Bianchi type cosmological models-two in four and one in higher dimensions-are here studied in the context of cosmic strings. The physical implications of the models are briefly discussed. It is interesting to note that cosmic strings do not occur in Bianchi type V cosmology.     

Meso-diacylated calix[4]pyrrole: structural diversities and enhanced binding towards dihydrogenphosphate ion

Meso-diacylated calix[4]pyrrole was obtained via acid catalysed condensation of meso-acylated dipyrromethane with acetone. Selective presence of flexible substituents at the calix[4]pyrrole periphery led to interesting structural motifs in the solid state along with enhanced binding towards anions, especially dihydrogenphosphate ion via anchoring.     

Study of non-validity of mixture rule near K-absorption edges by X-ray spectrometric technique

X-ray spectrometric technique has been described to determine the X-ray mass attenuation coefficient, μ/ρ, of X-rays employing HPGe X-ray detector and radioactive sources. The photon intensity is measured by gating the channel of the spectrometer at FWHM/photo peak. Using the technique the “best value” values of μ/ρ were obtained for those thicknesses which lie in the transmission (T) range 0.5 ≥ T ≥ 0.02. Total attenuation cross sections for other elements and lead compounds were measured at photon energies from 17 to 88 keV to study the Bragg’s additivity law near the absorption edge of the lead. The measured values of mass attenuation coefficient values are compared with theoretical values obtained using Winxcom (programme). This study suggests that measured mass attenuation coefficient values at and near absorption edges differ from the theoretical value by about 17–23%.     

Adsorption of sulfonated dyes by polyaniline emeraldine salt and its kinetics

A method for the removal of anionic (sulfonated) dyes from aqueous dye solutions using the chemical interaction of dye molecules with polyaniline is reported. Polyaniline (PANI) emeraldine salt was synthesized by chemical oxidation. Sulfonated dyes undergo chemical interactions with the charged backbone of PANI, leading to significant adsorption of the dyes. This phenomenon of selective adsorption of the dyes by PANI is reported for the first time and promises a green method for removal of sulfonated organics from wastewater. The experimental observations from UV-vis spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction, and conductivity measurements rule out the possibility of secondary doping of polyaniline salt by sulfonated dye molecules. A possible mechanism for the chemical interaction between the polymer and the sulfonated dye molecules is proposed. The kinetic parameters for the adsorption of sulfonated dyes on PANI are also reported.