Studies on the thermal characteristics of polymer alloys

PVC: polystyrene alloys of varying compositions were prepared by the film casting technique. Thermogravimetric analysis of these materials showed that the decomposition patterns of the alloys are quite different from those of the constituent polymers. These results are explained in terms of polymer interaction phenomena.

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Zusammenfassung Mittels eines Feinfoliengiebverfahrens wurden PVC-Polystyrol-Mischungen verschiedener Zusammensetzung gefertigt. Eine thermogravimetrische Analyse dieser Stoffe zeigte, daß sich der Typ der Zersetzung der Mischungen vollständig von dem der reinen Komponenten unterscheidet. Diese Ergebnisse werden als Folge von Polymerwechselwirkungen interpretiert.

     

A simple graphical approach to predict local residue conformation using NMR chemical shifts and density functional theory

The dependency of amino acid chemical shifts on φ and ψ torsion angle is, independently, studied using a five‐residue fragment of ubiquitin and ONIOM(DFT:HF) approach. The variation of absolute deviation of ¹³C^α chemical shifts relative to φ dihedral angle is specifically dependent on secondary structure of protein not on amino acid type and fragment sequence. This dependency is observed neither on any of ¹³C^β, and ¹H^α chemical shifts nor on the variation of absolute deviation of ¹³C^α chemical shifts relative to ψ dihedral angle. The ¹³C^α absolute deviation chemical shifts (ADCC) plots are found as a suitable and simple tool to predict secondary structure of protein with no requirement of highly accurate calculations, priori knowledge of protein structure and structural refinement. Comparison of Full‐DFT and ONIOM(DFT:HF) approaches illustrates that the trend of ¹³C^α ADCC plots are independent of computational method but not of basis set valence shell type. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.     

Simultaneous Determination of Nickel and Cadmium by Adsorptive Stripping Voltammetry

A sensitive and fast method for the simultaneous determination of trace amounts of nickel and cadmium in real samples has been described using differential pulse adsorptive stripping voltammetry (DPASV) by adsorptive accumulation of the N,N′‐bis(salicylaldehydo)4‐carboxyphenylenediamine (BSCPDA)–complex on the hanging mercury drop electrode (HMDE). As supporting electrolyte 0.02 mol L^?1 ammonia buffers containing ligand has been used. Optimal analytical conditions were found to be: BSCPDA concentration of 42 μM, pH 9.6 and adsorption potential at ?50 mV versus Ag/AgCl. With an accumulation time of 20 s, the peaks current are proportional to the concentration of nickel and cadmium over the 1–180, and 0.5–200 ng mL^?1 with detection limits of 0.06 and 0.03 ng mL^?1 respectively. The sensitivity of method for determination of nickel and cadmium were obtained 0.54 and 0.98 nA mL ng^?1, respectively. The procedure was applied to simultaneous determination of nickel and cadmium in some real and synthetic artificial samples with satisfactory results.     

A Facile One‐Pot Synthesis and Anticancer Evaluation of Novel Substituted 1,2‐Dihydropyridine and 1,2,3,4‐Tetrahydropyrimidine Analogues

Current paper involves the one‐pot synthesis of various 1,2‐dihydropyridine and 1,2,3,4‐tetrahydropyrimidine analogues. The antitumor activity of the synthesized compounds has been carried out against various human cancer cell lines, and some of the analogues are found to be potent.     

Preparation and study of bi-supported Ziegler-Natta catalyst with nano graphene oxide and magnesium ethoxide supports for polymerization of polyethylene

In this study, we have reported the preparation of bi-supported Ziegler-Natta catalysts using magnesium ethoxide and graphene oxide as support. The polymerization process was carried out in slurry phase using triisobutylaluminum as a co-catalyst.The XRD analysis of TiCl₄/graphene oxide/Mg(OEt)₂ catalyst demonstrated that the space between the layers of graphene oxide had increased to 0.2 nm.The catalyst was characterized by XPS, BET, BJH, SEM, and TGA. The catalyst activity was studied for various Al/Ti molar ratios, and the catalyst activity was optimum at Al/Ti molar ratio of 315.     

(Triazinediyl)bis sulfamic acid-functionalized silica-coated magnetite nanoparticles: Preparation,characterization and application as an efficient catalyst for synthesis of mono-, bis-, tris- and spiro-perimidines

(Triazinediyl)bis sulfamic acid-functionalized silica-coated magnetite nanoparticles have been prepared and applicated as an efficient catalyst for synthesis of mono-, bis-, tris- and spiro-perimidines. The desired products have been synthesized in high purity and good yields. The workup procedure of reaction is simple. The catalyst was easily separated from the reaction mixture with the assistance of an external magnetic field and reused for several runs without deterioration in catalytic activity. The core/shell nanoparticles were characterized by transmission electron microscopy, scanning electron microscope, powder X-ray diffraction, energy dispersive spectrometer, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy and vibrating sample magnetometer.     

Magnetic nanoparticles grafted <Emphasis Type="SmallCaps">l</Emphasis>-carnosine dipeptide: remarkable catalytic activity in water at room temperature

Modification of magnetic nanoparticle surface with l-carnosine dipeptide was developed using a simple chemical process. In order to synthesize this catalyst system, first, magnetic nanoparticles were modified with vinyl groups using trimethoxy(vinyl)silane. Next, the vinyl groups were oxidized with H₂O₂ to give the epoxy-functionalized MNPs. Reaction of l-carnosine with epoxide rings via amino group resulted in the functionalization of MNPs surface with l-carnosine, covalently. To explore high catalytic activity of this material, l-carnosine grafted on magnetic nanoparticles (Fe₃O₄@SiO₂@LCar; l-CarMNP) was used as a highly efficient heterogeneous nano-organocatalyst in a multicomponent reaction in aqueous medium at room temperature. It was reusable at least for eight times without a significant decrease in its catalytic activity. The catalytic activity of l-CarMNP was compared with other magnetic nano-organocatalyst, and results demonstrate that l-CarMNP has high catalytic activity related to others tested.     

Thermodynamic properties of ibuprofen sodium salt in aqueous/urea micellar solutions at 298.15 K

Thermodynamic, surface and micellar properties of anti-inflammatory drug sodium 2-(4-isobutylphenyl) propionate (sodium salt of ibuprofen (NaIBF)) in aqueous/urea solution were studied by surface tension measurements at 298.15 K in the presence of anionic surfactant sodium dodecylsulfate (SDS). Critical micelle concentration (cmc), surface tension at cmc (γcmc), maximum Gibbs surface excess (Γ_max), minimum surface area per surfactant molecule at the air/water interface (A _min) etc. were determined in pure water as well as in aqueous urea solution. The theories of Clint, Rosen and Rubingh have been applied to describe the interactions between these amphiphiles at the interface and in the micellar solution. Various thermodynamic parameters have been calculated and discussed in detail.     

Selection and characterization of DNA aptamers against the steroid testosterone

Anabolic androgenic steroids (AAS) are frequently abused in human and animal sports as performance-enhancing drugs, and consequently their use is controlled by international sports authorities. Testosterone is one of the most frequently used AAS, and therefore the accurate determination of its levels in biological fluids is very important. The authors describe the selection of testosterone-binding aptamers performed using a classic SELEX approach with the target immobilized on magnetic beads. Counter selections with structurally similar steroids were implemented at different stages. Pools from different selection rounds were sequenced with Next Generation Sequencing and ten aptamer candidates were selected for further characterization. Low nanomolar range dissociation constants were calculated by a bead-based PCR assay and verified by microscale thermophoresis. Future work will focus on the development of aptamer-based platforms for the sensitive detection of testosterone in biological samples and the validation of these assays for the rapid screening of suspicious samples.

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Graphical abstract The selection of testosterone-binding aptamers is described via classic SELEX using the target immobilized on magnetic beads combined with Next Generation Sequencing. The process let to the identification of several unique aptamer candidates which were characterized and their binding to testosterone was evaluated.

     

Temperature-dependent relaxation study of tertiary butyl alcohol–water mixtures using TDR technique

Using time-domain reflectometry (TDR) technique, we have measured the complex permittivity of tertiary butyl alcohol (TBA)–water mixtures in the frequency range of 10 MHz–30GHz, at temperatures 15°C, 20°C and 25°C. The complex permittivity of TBA–water mixture shows Debye-type behaviour. The dielectric parameters such as dielectric constant and relaxation time were obtained from the complex permittivity spectra. The Kirkwood correlation factor and Bruggeman factor have also been determined to investigate inter- and intramolecular interaction among associating liquids.