Vibrational spectroscopic studies of 4,4′-bipyridyl metal(II) tetracyanonickelate complexes and their clathrates

The infrared spectra of M(4,4-bipyridyl)Ni(CN)₄ complexes (M=Ni or Cd) and their dioxane, benzene, toluene, aniline andN,N-dimethylaniline clathrates are reported. Additional information regarding the structure of the host lattice is obtained from the Raman spectra of the M=Cd complex. It is shown that the structure of the host lattice consists of infinite polymeric layers of {M-Ni(CN)₄} analogous to those of Hofmann type clathrates that have tetragonal symmetry. Bidentate 4,4-bipyridyl molecules form bridges between the metal atoms {M} in the adjacent {M-Ni(CN)₄} layers. It is found that the 4,4-bipyridyl molecules are centrosymmetric in this structure.Presented at the Fourth International Symposium on Inclusion Phenomena and the Third International Symposium on Cyclodextrins, Lancaster, U.K., 20–25 July 1986     

Effects of solvent casted poly (lactic acid)/poly(ethylene glycol)/paraben derivative triazine films on antibacterial performance and cytotoxicity

A series of poly(lactic acid) (PLA) films that including fully paraben substituted triazine derivatives having anti-bacterial properties have been prepared by utilizing the solvent-casting method. PLA as biodegradable polymer, poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG) as a plasticizing agent and s-triazine molecules (TA01, TA02, TA03, TA04, and TA05) behaving as an anti-bacterial component have been utilized in the experiments. The influence of TA compounds on the antibacterial performance of PLA/PEG films was investigated for the first time against Gram-negative Escherichia coli (E. coli) and Gram-positive Staphylococcus aureus (S. aureus) bacteria via the contact active method. TA01-03-05 incorporated PLA/PEG films gave the best results against E.coli bacteria and log10 reductions of these films were 0.78, 0.64, and 0.65 respectively. The effect of TA compounds on the cell viability was investigated against cancer and non-cancerous cell lines using an MTS assay. The results showed that TA compounds had a positive effect on cell growth in non-cancerous cells, while they had a negative effect on cell growth in cancer cells. Furthermore, the addition of TA considerably increased the decomposition temperatures from 349° to 361° and char yield from 0.65 for PLA/PEG film to 2.3 for PLA/PEG/TA05. All of the films had good transparency and low opacity which was 7.2 for pure PLA used for control and the maximum opacity value was 11.2 observed for PLA/PEG/01. TA03 and TA04 caused a decrement of water vapor permission when compared to PLA/PEG films from 1439 to 749 and 664. It was also observed that pure PLA/PEG film lost weight rapidly over time during degradation tests. On the other hand, weight loss wasn't observed in PLA/PEG/TA films. This study focused on demonstrating the use of our new, flexible PLA/PEG derivatives in food and medical packaging.     

Preparation and evaluation of topical microemulsion system containing metronidazole for remission in rosacea

The aim of this study was to prepare a topical water-in-oil type microemulsion containing metronidazole and to compare its effectiveness with a commercial gel product in the treatment of rosacea. A pseudo-ternary phase diagram (K(m)=2:1) was constructed using lecithin/butanol/isopropyl myristate/water. The microemulsion was chosen from the microemulsion region in the phase diagram. The formulation was a water-in-oil type microemulsion (droplet size: 11.6 nm, viscosity: 457.3 mPa·s, conductivity: 1.5 μs/cm, turbidity: 6.89 NTU) and the addition of the metronidazole did not alter the properties of the system. The release experiment showed that the release rate of metronidazole from the commercial gel product was higher than that of the microemulsion. Stability experiments showed that the metronidazole microemulsion remained stable for at least 6 months; none of the characteristic properties of the microemulsion had changed, the system retained its clarity and there was no sign that crystallization of metronidazole has occurred. Microemulsion was compared to a gel product in a randomized, double-blind, baseline-controlled, split-face clinical trial for the treatment of patients. After the 6-week treatment period there was a statistically significant difference in reduction of the main symptoms of rosacea. Of the patients treated with the microemulsion, 17% experienced complete relief from inflammatory lesions, and 50% from erythema. The microemulsion resulted in complete relief in 38% of the patients with telangiectasia while the commercial product did not provide any relief of telangiectasia symptoms. In conclusion, the microemulsion containing metronidazole was found to be more effective in reducing the symptoms of rosacea compared to the commercial gel product.     

Optimization of heat pump using fuzzy logic and genetic algorithm

Heat pumps offer economical alternatives of recovering heat from different sources for use in various industrial, commercial and residential applications. In this study, single-stage air-source vapor compression heat pump system has been optimized using genetic algorithm (GA) and fuzzy logic (FL). The necessary thermodynamic properties for optimization were calculated by FL. Thermodynamic properties obtained with FL were compared with actual results. Then, the optimum working conditions of heat pump system were determined by the GA.     

L-proline derivatives based on a calix[4]arene scaffold as chiral organocatalysts for the direct asymmetric aldol reaction in water

Abstract

A new series of water-compatible proline catalysts (4–6) derived from calixarene bearing a hydrophobic nature have been synthesised. It was found that the compound 4 was a highly efficient organocatalyst for aldol reactions occurred in the water. Under optimised reaction conditions, high yields (up to 82%), good enantioselectivities (ee up to 81%) and high diastereoselectivities (dr up to 91:9) were obtained.     

Superparamagnetic nanotraps containing MIP based mimic lipase for biotransformations uses

The nanoparticle comprises a superparamagnetic iron oxide nanoparticle core conjugated with trimethoxylsilyl propylmethacrylate (TMSPM) and methacryloylamido serine (MASE), methacryloylamido histidine (MAH), methacryloylamido glutamic acid (MAGA) monomers, and p-nitrophenyl palmitate (p-NPP) which is a substrate of lipase as a template molecule, which enables the creation of lipase active region. The resulting hybrid superparamagnetic nanotraps are magnetically separable, highly active, and stable under harsh conditions. In this study, the advantages of high selectivity of molecular imprinting technique have used to get mimic lipase for the synthesis of methyl jasmonate and methyl oleate.     

Functionalization of Hydride‐Terminated Photoluminescent Silicon Nanocrystals with Organolithium Reagents

Hydride‐terminated photoluminescent silicon nanocrystals (SiNCs) were functionalized with organolithium compounds. The reaction is proposed to proceed through cleavage of Si?Si bonds and formation of a Si?Li surface species. The method yields colloidally stabilized SiNCs at room temperature with short reaction times. SiNCs with mixed surface functionalities can be prepared in an easy two‐step reaction by this method by quenching of the Si?Li group with electrophiles or by addressing free Si?H groups on the surface with a hydrosilylation reaction.     

Estimation and optimization of thermal performance of evacuated tube solar collector system

In this study, artificial neural networks (ANNs) and adaptive neuro-fuzzy (ANFIS) in order to predict the thermal performance of evacuated tube solar collector system have been used. The experimental data for the training and testing of the networks were used. The results of ANN are compared with ANFIS in which the same data sets are used. The R²-value for the thermal performance values of collector is 0.811914 which can be considered as satisfactory. The results obtained when unknown data were presented to the networks are satisfactory and indicate that the proposed method can successfully be used for the prediction of the thermal performance of evacuated tube solar collectors. In addition, new formulations obtained from ANN are presented for the calculation of the thermal performance. The advantages of this approaches compared to the conventional methods are speed, simplicity, and the capacity of the network to learn from examples. In addition, genetic algorithm (GA) was used to maximize the thermal performance of the system. The optimum working conditions of the system were determined by the GA.