Importance of nanostructured vanadia for selective oxidation of propane to acrylic acid

Highly dispersed nanostructured vanadia supported on mesoporous silica SBA-15, prepared by controlled grafting/ion-exchange, has been found to exhibit high selectivities in propane partial oxidation to acrylic acid demonstrating its unique potential for mixed metal oxide catalyst development.     

3D graphical representation of protein sequences and their statistical characterization

Based on three physicochemical properties of amino acid side chains, we proposed a novel unique 3D graphical representation of protein sequences. Then, we constructed two vectors of three components as mathematical objects to characterize protein sequences numerically. The similarity/dissimilarity analysis among nine ND5 protein sequences proved the utility of our approach. A correlation and significance analysis have been provided to compare our results and the sequence homology.     

Changes in the haemocytes of Agrotis ipsilon larvae (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) in relation to dimilin and Bacillus thuringiensis infections

Five types of haemocytes are observed in the fourth larval instar of the black cutworm, Agrotis ipsilon: prohaemocytes (PRs), plasmatocytes (PLs), granulocytes (GRs), spherule cells (SPs) and adipohaemocytes (ADs). Infection of A. ipsilon fourth larval instar with Bacillus thuringiensis and dimilin resulted in a reduction of the total haemocyte count. Changes in the differential haemocyte population during bacterial and dimilin infections have been assessed. The PRs % decreased significantly while SPs, PLs, and GRs % increased significantly after the application of the two insecticides at 12 and 24 h. Ultrastructural alternations and malformations have been observed in circulating haemocytes of A. ipsilon larvae treated with dimilin and B. thuringiensis.     

Nonlinear stability of an axial electric field: Effect of interfacial charge relaxation

We introduce a nonlinear perturbation technique to third order, to study the stability between two cylindrical inviscid fluids, subjected to an axial electric field. The study takes into account the relaxation of electrical charges at the interface between the two fluids. At first order, a linear dispersion relation is obtained. Analytical and numerical results for the overstability and incipient instability conditions are given. For perfect dielectric fluids, the electric field has a stabilizing influence, while for leaky dielectric fluids, the electric field can have either a stabilizing or a destabilizing influence depending on the conductivity and permittivity ratios of the two fluids. At higher order, a nonlinear dispersion relation (nonlinear Ginzburg–Landau equation) is derived, describing the evolution of wave packets of the problem. For leaky dielectric fluids near the marginal state, a nonlinear diffusion equation (nonlinear incipient instability) is obtained. For perfect dielectric fluids, two cubic nonlinear Schrödinger equations are obtained. One of these equations to determine a nonlinear cutoff electric field separating stable and unstable disturbance, whereas the other is used to analyze the stability of the system. It is found that the nonlinear stability criterion depending on the ratio of permittivity, Such effects can only be explained successfully in the nonlinear sense, as the linear analysis unsuccessful to inform about them.     

Radiation-induced synthesis of RuO2 nanoparticles by thermal decomposition of Ru-tris-acetylacetonate

Pure-phase RuO₂ nanoparticles were obtained by thermal decomposition of unirradiated and γ-irradiated Ru-tris-acetylacetonate precursors. Several influencing factors including absorbed dose, calcination times and temperatures and addition of surfactants were thoroughly investigated. The newly synthesized RuO₂ nanoparticles were characterized by X-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM) techniques. The results showed that the best conditions for the preparation of mono-dispersed RuO₂ nanoparticles were achieved by calcinations of unirradiated Ru-tris-acetylacetonate for 6 h at 600°C. For γ-irradiated Ru-tris-acetylacetonate with 10² Gy total γ-ray doses, the optimal conditions for RuO₂ preparation were calcination for 2 h at 200°C. Thermal stability of RuO₂ nanoparticles was studied using thermogravimetric (TG) and differential thermal analysis (DTA) techniques, and the results were evaluated and discussed.     

Thermal conductivity of Zn doped CoFe2O4 ferrites

A series of samples of the type Co_1-xZn_xFe₂O₄ (x = 0.0, 0.2, 0.3, 0.4, 0.5, 0.6, 0.8 and 1.0) was prepared as ceramics. The existence of a single phase was confirmed by x-ray studies. The thermal conductivity and specific heat were measured at temperatures ranging from 100°C to 200°C. The thermal conductivity had a minimum value at x = 0.4, caused by maximum scattering of thermal phonons which arose from the change of crystal size and excess of lattice vacancies. The phonon frequency was estimated to have an optimum value at x = 0.4, resulting from maximum porosity which disturbs the propagation of the thermal waves.     

Recent synthetic methodologies for pyrazolo[1,5-a]pyrimidine

The development of new synthetic routes towards pyrazolo[1,5-a]pyrimidines for their biological and medicinal exploration is an attractive area for researchers. This review focuses on various synthetic routes developed in the last decade for the synthesis of differently substituted pyrazolo[1,5-a]pyrimidines by a broad range of organic reactions by means of 5-aminopyrazole as a precursor.     

Selective uranium adsorption using modified acrylamide resins

Polymeric matrices composed of N,N′-Methylenebis(acrylamide)/glycidyl methacrylate was prepared and modified producing two resins (GMA/MBA/OH and GMA/MBA/SO₃H). The adsorption of U(VI) ions onto the modified acrylamide resins was studied from synthetic and granite samples. For better understanding around the uranium mineralization and the rock-forming minerals of the hosted granitic rocks, to facilitate the choice of the appropriate ore-processing techniques, it was necessary to identify the mineral composition and the radiometric specifications of the used granitic rock. The synthesized adsorbents revealed a promising selective adsorption toward the U(VI) ions from its bearing solutions even with the competence of other cations.

     

Pyrazoles and Isoxazoles Based Sulfanilamide and Phenazone as Antimicrobial Agents: Synthesis and Biological Activity

New pyrazole and pyridine derivatives have been synthesized from sulfanilamide and phenazone via diazotization and coupling with a wide range of α-CH acids followed by heterocyclization with hydrazine derivative, hydroxylamine and cyanoacetamide. The antimicrobial tests of the products demonstrate high to moderate activity against Gram (?ve) bacteria and the tested fungi. No positive action of the products is observed against Gram (+ve) bacteria.

     

Co-pyrolysis of macroalgae and lignocellulosic biomass

Synergistic effect of co-pyrolysis of macroalgae [Enteromorpha prolifera (EP)] and lignocellulosic biomass [rice husk (RH)] in a fixed bed reactor for maximum and enhanced biofuels yield has been investigated. The main and interaction effects of three effective co-pyrolysis parameters (pyrolysis temperature, feedstock blending ratio, and heating rate) were also modeled and simulated to determine the yield rates of bio-oil and bio-char, respectively. Optimization studies were, then, performed to predict the optimal conditions for maximum yields using the central composite circumscribed experimental design in Design Expert^® software 8.0.6. Analysis of variance was carried out to determine whether the fit of the multiple regressions is significant for the second-order model. Normal pyrolysis oils from EP, RH, and co-pyrolysis oils obtained from different feedstock blending ratios were examined using the gas chromatography-mass spectrometry to identify their compositions. Some vital properties of oils and bio-chars such as the heating value, water content, elemental compositions, and specific gravity were also determined, which unveiled that synergistic effect exists between EP and RH during co-pyrolysis, and this led to increase in products’ yields and improved co-pyrolysis products’ quality.