Stereochemical control in the structures of linear δ,α‐hybrid tripeptides containing tetrahydrofuran amino acids

Structural and electronic properties of diastereomers of tetrahydrofuran amino acids (TAA) derived tripeptide, Boc‐TAA‐Leu‐Val‐OMe, are studied using density functional theory. Predicted secondary folding patterns with hydrogen bonded pseudocycles of different sizes in peptides containing (2R,5S)‐cis‐TAA and (2S,5R)‐cis‐TAA are confirmed by detailed NMR studies of both, and single crystal X‐ray analysis of the former. A novel unusual folding pattern emanating from three‐centered hydrogen bond is found in peptide with (2R,5S)‐cis relationship. Stereochemical control on the orientation of interacting sites is substantiated by structural analysis of the peptides. Using natural bonding orbital and atoms in molecules analyses, charge transfer interactions are analyzed. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Evaluation of the Free Radical Scavenging Activities of Ellagic Acid and Ellagic Acid Peracetate by EPR Spectrometry

The purpose of this study was to examine the free radical scavenging and antioxidant activities of ellagic acid (EA) and ellagic acid peracetate (EAPA) by measuring their reactions with the radicals, 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl and galvinoxyl using EPR spectroscopy. We have also evaluated the influence of EA and EAPA on the ROS production in L-6 myoblasts and rat liver microsomal lipid peroxidation catalyzed by NADPH. The results obtained clearly indicated that EA has tremendous ability to scavenge free radicals, even at concentration of 1 µM. Interestingly even in the absence of esterase, EAPA, the acetylated product of EA, was also found to be a good scavenger but at a relatively slower rate. Kinetic studies revealed that both EA and EAPA have ability to scavenge free radicals at the concentrations of 1 µM over extended periods of time. In cellular systems, EA and EAPA were found to have similar potentials for the inhibition of ROS production in L-6 myoblasts and NADPH-dependent catalyzed microsomal lipid peroxidation.     

Cycles of even lengths modulo k

Thomassen [J Graph Theory 7 (1983), 261–271] conjectured that for all positive integers k and m, every graph of minimum degree at least k+1 contains a cycle of length congruent to 2m modulo k. We prove that this is true for k?2 if the minimum degree is at least 2k?1, which improves the previously known bound of 3k?2. We also show that Thomassen's conjecture is true for m = 2. © 2010 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Graph Theory 65: 246–252, 2010     

Chiratenol, a novel rearranged hopane triterpenoid fromswertia chirata

The structure of chiratenol (2), the first representative of a new triterpenoid skeletal type, has been established on the basis of 1D and 2D NMR spectroscopy.     

Nonlinear analysis of skewed sandwich plates

Nonlinear static and dynamic behaviours of freely supported Rhombic sandwich plates have been studied following Banerjee's hypothesis. Numerical results for 0° skew angle are compared with other known results. Results for other skew angles are believed to be new.

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Sommario Si studia, seguendo l'ipotesi di Banerjee, il comportamento nonlineare statico e dinamico di piastre rombiche semplicemente appoggiate. Si presentano risultati numerici relativi a piastre rombiche e rettangolari: questi ultimi vengono paragonati a risultati già noti, mentre i primi si ritengono nuovi.

     

Carbon-13 NMR spectra of some phenanthrene derivatives from Aristolochia indica and their analogues

¹³C NMR spectra of compounds related to aristolochic acid and aristololactam, the constituents of Aristolochia indica, have been studied to determine the chemical shifts and coupling constants of polysubstituted phenanthrenes. Selective ¹H decoupling and long-range couplings were utilized for the assignments. Substituent-induced chemical shifts and also the effects on coupling constants could be deduced in some cases. Anion formation was found to be particularly helpful in the interpretation of the spectra of carboxylic compounds. Shift assignments of some structurally related compounds could also be made.     

Sputter‐deposited Ni/Ti double‐bilayer thin film and the effect of intermetallics during annealing

In the present study, a double bilayer of a Ni/Ti thin film was investigated. A nanoscale NiTi thin film is deposited in a Ni–Ti–Ni–Ti manner to form a double‐bilayer structure on a Si(100) substrate. Ni and Ti depositions were carried out by using d.c. and r.f. power, respectively, in a magnetron sputtering chamber. Four types of bilayers are formed by varying the deposition time of each layer (i.e. 15, 20, 25, and 30 min). The as‐deposited amorphous thin films were annealed at 300, 400, 500, and 600 °C for 1 h to achieve the diffusion in between the layers. Microstructures were analyzed using field‐emission scanning electron microscope and high‐resolution transmission electron microscope. It was found that, with the increase in annealing temperature from 300 to 600 °C, the diffusion at the interface and atomic migration on the surface increase. Cross‐sectional micrographs exhibited the interdiffusion between the two‐layer constituents, especially at higher temperatures, which resulted in diffusion patches along the interface. Phase analyses, performed by grazing incidence X‐ray diffraction, showed the formation of intermetallic compounds with some silicide phases that enhance the mechanical properties. Nanoindentation and atomic force microscopy were carried out to know the mechanical properties and surface profiles of the films. The surface finish is better at higher annealing temperatures. It was found that for annealing temperatures varying from 300 to 600 °C, the increase in annealing temperature resulted in a gradual increase in atomic‐cluster coarsening with improved adatom mobility. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.