Preliminary Evaluation of Supercritical Carbon Dioxide Extracted Dabai Pulp Oleoresin as a New Alternative Fat

There has been growing interest among food scientists in producing a toxin-free fat as an end product with varying physical or nutritional properties of interest to the food industry. Oleoresin is a rich source of bioactive compounds which consumers can easily add to a large variety of food. Dabai (Canarium odontophyllum) pulp oleoresin (DPL) was extracted using supercritical carbon dioxide (SC-CO₂) extraction, a green extraction technology. This study investigates the quality of SC-CO₂ extracted DPL in discovering its potential as a new alternative fat. The extraction experiment was carried out at a pressure of 40 MPa and a temperature of 40 °C. DPL is a saturated fatty acid (SFA)-rich fat due to its high SFA composition (47.72 ± 0.01%). In addition, the low content of peroxide value (PV) (5.60 ± 0.09 mEq/kg) and free fatty acids (FFA) (3.40 ± 0.03%) indicate the quality and stability of DPL for various applications besides food consumption. DPL also has a low slip melting point (SMP) (20.20 ± 0.03 °C), and HPLC-FID revealed that DPL contained 0.13 ± 0.02 mg/100 g of vitamin E (α-tocopherol), indicating its potential application as a solid fat with a bioactive compound. This present work demonstrates the possible prospect of DPL in the formulation of end products for food industries.     

Convergent synthesis of carbonic anhydrase inhibiting bi-heterocyclic benzamides: Structure–activity relationship and mechanistic explorations through enzyme inhibition,kinetics, and computational studies

By using a convergent methodology, a novel series of N-arylated 4-yl-benzamides containing a bi-heterocyclic thiazole–triazole core was synthesized, and the structures of these hybrid molecules, 9a–k , were corroborated through spectral analyses. The in vitro studies of these multifunctional molecules demonstrated their potent carbonic anhydrase inhibition relative to the standard used. The kinetics mechanism was exposed by Lineweaver–Burk plots, which revealed that 9j inhibited carbonic anhydrase non-competitively by forming an enzyme-inhibitor complex. The inhibition constants K_i calculated from Dixon plots for this compound was 1.2 μM. The computational study was also persuasive with the experimental results, and these molecules disclosed good results of all scoring functions and interactions, which suggested a good binding to carbonic anhydrase. So, it was predicted from the inferred results that these molecules might be considered as promising medicinal scaffolds for various diseases related to the uncontrolled production of this enzyme.     

Graphene and Carbon Nanotube-based Electrochemical Sensing Platforms for Dopamine

Dopamine (DA) is an important neurotransmitter, which is created and released from the central nervous system. It plays a crucial role in human activities, like cognition, emotions, and response to anything. Maladjustment of DA in human blood serum results in different neural diseases, like Parkinson's and Schizophrenia. Consequently, researchers have started working on DA detection in blood serum, which is undoubtedly a hot research area. Electrochemical sensing techniques are more promising to detect DA in real samples. However, utilizing conventional electrodes for selective determination of DA encounters numerous problems due to the coexistence of other materials, such as uric acid and ascorbic acid, which have an oxidation potential close to DA. To overcome such problems, researchers have put their focus on the modification of bare electrodes. The aim of this review is to present recent advances in modifications of most used bare electrodes with carbonaceous materials, especially graphene, its derivatives, and carbon nanotubes, for electrochemical detection of DA. A brief discussion about the mechanistic phenomena at the electrode interface has also been included in this review.     

2D MXenes Nanosheets for Advanced Energy Conversion and Storage Devices: Recent Advances and Future Prospects

Since the initial MXenes were discovered in 2011, several MXene compositions constructed using combinations of various transition metals have been developed. MXenes are ideal candidates for different applications in energy conversion and storage, because of their unique and interesting characteristics, which included good electrical conductivity, hydrophilicity, and simplicity of large-scale synthesis. Herein, we study the current developments in two-dimensional (2D) MXene nanosheets for energy storage and conversion technologies. First, we discuss the introduction to energy storage and conversion devices. Later, we emphasized on 2D MXenes and some specific properties of MXenes. Subsequently, research advances in MXene-based electrode materials for energy storage such as supercapacitors and rechargeable batteries is summarized. We provide the relevant energy storage processes, common challenges, and potential approaches to an acceptable solution for 2D MXene-based energy storage. In addition, recent advances for MXenes used in energy conversion devices like solar cells, fuel cells and catalysis is also summarized. Finally, the future prospective of growing MXene-based energy conversion and storage are highlighted.     

Nitazoxanide and azithromycin for the early treatment of COVID-19: A multi-spectroscopic,biochemical and computational drug–drug interaction study

Herein, we present an experimental and theoretical drug–drug interaction study between nitazoxanide (NTZ) and azithromycin (AZT) in an aqueous solution. Interaction was studied by using UV/Vis, fluorescence, attenuated total reflectance-fourier transform infrared (ATR-FTIR), and circular dichroism (CD) spectroscopy, while molecular docking studies were performed to establish the interaction computationally. A bright yellow color was observed when the two drugs interacted, giving a hyperchromic band at 420 nm. The rate of absorbance was linearly increased by increasing drug concentrations and in a time-dependent manner. Stability of the interaction complex (i.e., NTZ: AZT) was measured at variable temperatures (25–80°C), pH (5.0–10.0) and ionic strength (0.05–2.0 M NaCl), and not only proved stable but also retained antimicrobial potential with reduced cellular toxicity. Mole ratio and Job's method of continuous variations were used to establish the binding stoichiometry and found to be 2:1. The calculated binding constant (k_b = 8,400 M⁻¹) and Gibb's free energy (ΔG° = −22.4 KJ/mol) also suggested an energetically favorable interaction. FTIR spectra of NTZ: AZT complex in comparison with two drugs alone revealed significant interaction which was nicely complemented by molecular docking studies. Interaction was also successfully demonstrated in presence of carrier protein HSA and by spiking the two drugs in real samples of human plasma and urine.     

3D Printable Geopolymer Composites Reinforced with Carbon-Based Nanomaterials – A Review

Three-dimensional (3D) geopolymer printing (3DGP) technology is a rapidly evolving digital fabrication method used in the construction industry. This technology offers significant benefits over 3D concrete printing in terms of energy saving and reduced carbon emissions, thus promoting sustainability. 3DGP technology is still evolving, and researchers are striving to develop high-performance printable materials and different methods to improve its robustness and efficiency. Carbon-based nanomaterials (CBNs) with beneficial properties have a wide range of applications in various fields, including as concrete/geopolymer systems in construction. This paper comprehensively reviews the research progress on carbon-based nanomaterials (CBNs) used to develop extrusion-based 3D geopolymer printing (3DGP) technology, including dispersion techniques, mixing methods, and the materials′ performance. The rheological, mechanical, durability, and other characteristics of these materials are also examined. Furthermore, the existing research limitations and the prospects of using 3DGP technology to produce high-quality composite mixtures are critically evaluated.     

Xanthene-Based Nitric Oxide-Responsive Nanosensor for Photoacoustic Imaging in the SWIR Window

Shortwave infrared (SWIR) dyes are characterized by their ability to absorb light from 900 to 1400 nm, which is ideal for deep tissue imaging owing to minimized light scattering and interference from endogenous pigments. An approach to access such molecules is to tune the photophysical properties of known near-infrared dyes. Herein, we report the development of a series of easily accessible (three steps) SWIR xanthene dyes based on a dibenzazepine donor conjugated to thiophene ( SCR-1 ), thienothiophene ( SCR-2 ), or bithiophene ( SCR-3 ). We leverage the fact that SCR-1 undergoes a bathochromic shift when aggregated for in vivo studies by developing a ratiometric nanoparticle for NO ( rNP-NO ), which we employed to successfully visualize pathological levels of nitric oxide in a drug-induced liver injury model via deep tissue SWIR photoacoustic (PA) imaging. Our work demonstrates how easily this dye series can be utilized as a component in nanosensor designs for imaging studies.     

Cement Composites with Carbon-Based Nanomaterials for 3D Concrete Printing Applications – A Review

3D concrete printing (3DCP) is an emerging additive manufacturing technology in the construction industry. Its challenges lie in the development of high-performance printable materials and printing processes. Recently developed carbon-based nanomaterials (CBNs) such as graphene, graphene oxide, graphene nanoplatelets, and carbon nanotubes, have various applications due to their exceptional mechanical, chemical, thermal, and electrical characteristics. CBNs also have found potential applications as a concrete ingredient as they enhance the microstructure and modify concrete properties at the molecular level. This paper focuses on state-of-the-art studies on CBNs, 3DCP technology, and CBNs in conventional and 3D printable cement-based composites including CBN dispersion techniques, concrete mixing methods, and fresh and hardened properties of concrete. Furthermore, the current limitations and future perspectives of 3DCP using CBNs to produce high-quality composite mixtures are discussed.     

A Characterization of Generalized Derivations on Prime Rings

Let R be a noncommutative prime ring, U be the left Utumi quotient ring of R, and k, m, n, r be fixed positive integers. If there exist a generalized derivation G and a derivation g (which is independent of G) of R such that [G(x^m)xⁿ + xⁿg(x^m), x^r]_k = 0, for all x ∈ R, then there exists a ∈ U such that G(x) = ax, for all x ∈ R. As a consequence of the result in the present article, one may obtain Theorem 1 in Demir and Argaç [10 Demir, Ç., Argaç, N. (2010). A result on generalized derivations with Engel conditions on one-sided ideals. J. Korean Math. Soc. 47(3):483–494.[Crossref], [Web of Science ®] , [Google Scholar]].     

Approximating the relationship among the degree of the reaction forces and the nodes on footprint during a stance phase

This study examined the foot biomechanics that are utilized when foot is in contact with the ground during a stance phase. The purpose of the study was to investigate the normalized ground reaction forces that impacted certain sections and points on the footprint, and to identify patterns in the degrees to which these forces occurred. Foot was modeled in such a manner that a vertex represented a bone and an edge represented a joint, and a graph that depicted the foot was created. Twelve nodes were marked on the footprint and these were linked together to create a gait path. By fusing the graph and the gait path and by manipulating the mathematical models, a profile for an ideal bipedal walking locomotion was developed. A male subject performed bipedal walking through a force plate system in order to obtain the profile that reflected actual bipedal walking. The actual and the proposed profiles were compared and there were significant similarities between the two profiles, with both exhibiting an double-bump pattern. It is therefore viable that the approximation techniques proposed in this work may provide an alternative means over the application of a force plate system to generate a profile for bipedal walking. However, the accuracy and reliability of the results yielded from this technique need further investigation.