Diphenylphosphorylated PEG (DPPPEG) as a new support for generation of nano-Pd(0) as catalyst for carbon–carbon bond formation via copper-free Sonogashira and homocoupling reactions of aryl halides in PEG

In this study, synthesis and application of diphenylphosphorylated PEG₂₀₀ (DPPPEG₂₀₀) are described. Herein, we report a very simple procedure for the preparation of DPPPEG₂₀₀ as a stable solid through the reaction of PEG₂₀₀ with ClPPh₂. This compound was used as a very suitable ligand for the in situ generation of nano-Pd(0) particles through its reaction with PdCl₂ as a pre-catalyst. Isolation of this catalyst is very simple through addition of diethyl ether to the reaction mixture and centrifugations. Full characterization of the nano-Pd(0)/DPPPEG200 was performed by XRD spectra, UV–Vis spectra, and also by TEM image. This nano-complex was used as an efficient catalyst for copper-free Sonogashira and homocoupling reactions of aryl halides. The sonogashira reaction of aryl halides was conducted at 80 °C in PEG. However, the homocoupling reaction was performed at 100 °C for aryl iodides and activated aryl bromides and at 130 °C for deactivated aryl bromides and aryl chlorides in PEG. The catalyst was recovered and recycled for four consecutive runs.     

Nifuroxazide Mitigates Angiogenesis in Ehlrich’s Solid Carcinoma: Molecular Docking,Bioinformatic and Experimental Studies on Inhibition of Il-6/Jak2/Stat3 Signaling

Nifuroxazide is an antidiarrheal medication that has promising anticancer activity against diverse types of tumors. The present study tested the anticancer activity of nifuroxazide against Ehrlich’s mammary carcinoma grown in vivo. Furthermore, we investigated the effect of nifuroxazide on IL-6/jak2/STAT3 signaling and the possible impact on tumor angiogenesis. The biological study was supported by molecular docking and bioinformatic predictions for the possible effect of nifuroxazide on this signaling pathway. Female albino mice were injected with Ehrlich carcinoma cells to produce Ehrlich’s solid tumors (ESTs). The experimental groups were as follows: EST control, EST + nifuroxazide (5 mg/kg), and EST + nifuroxazide (10 mg/kg). Nifuroxazide was found to reduce tumor masses (730.83 ± 73.19 and 381.42 ± 109.69 mg vs. 1099.5 ± 310.83) and lessen tumor pathologies. Furthermore, nifuroxazide downregulated IL-6, TNF-α, NFk-β, angiostatin, and Jak2 proteins, and it also reduced tumoral VEGF, as indicated by ELISA and immunohistochemical analysis. Furthermore, nifuroxazide dose-dependently downregulated STAT3 phosphorylation (60% and 30% reductions, respectively). Collectively, the current experiment shed light on the antitumor activity of nifuroxazide against mammary solid carcinoma grown in vivo. The antitumor activity was at least partly mediated by inhibition of IL-6/Jak2/STAT3 signaling that affected angiogenesis (low VEGF and high angiostatin) in the EST. Therefore, nifuroxazide might be a promising antitumor medication if appropriate human studies will be conducted.     

Design,synthesis and liquid crystalline behavior of ethyl 4-((4-alkoxyphenyl)diazenyl)benzoates

A series of ethyl 4-((4-alkoxyphenyl)diazenyl)benzoate is synthesized and the liquid crystalline behavior studied. Synthesized compounds are characterized by FTIR, ¹H-NMR, Mass and single crystal XRD. Differential scanning calorimetry was carried out to study the phase transitions and enthalpy changes. Polarizing optical microscopy revealed the mesogenic properties. These techniques revealed that three compounds (2a, 2b, 2f) exhibit liquid crystalline properties in the range of 80–104°C. POM exhibiting focal conical fan like texture which revealed the presence of smectic phases suggestive of their use in LCD and temperature sensing devices, besides 2c can be used as green emitter in OLEDs.     

Forensic Analysis of Textile Synthetic Fibers Using a FT-IR Spectroscopy Approach

Synthetic fibers are one of the most valuable trace lines of evidence that can be found in crime scenes. When textile fibers are analyzed properly, they can help in finding a linkage between suspect, victim, and the scene of the crime. Various analytical techniques are used in the examination of samples to determine relationships between different fabric fragments. In this exploratory study, multivariate statistical methods were investigated in combination with machine learning classification models as a method for classifying 138 synthetic textile fibers using Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, FT-IR. The data were first subjected to preprocessing techniques including the Savitzky–Golay first derivative method and Standard Normal Variate (SNV) method to smooth the spectra and minimize the scattering effects. Principal Component Analysis (PCA) was built to observe unique patterns and to cluster the samples. The classification model in this study, Soft Independent Modeling by Class Analogy (SIMCA), showed correct classification and separation distances between the analyzed synthetic fiber types. At a significance level of 5%, 97.1% of test samples were correctly classified.     

Advances on Therapeutic Strategies for Alzheimer’s Disease: From Medicinal Plant to Nanotechnology

Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is a chronic dysfunction of neurons in the brain leading to dementia. It is characterized by gradual mental failure, abnormal cognitive functioning, personality changes, diminished verbal fluency, and speech impairment. It is caused by neuronal injury in the cerebral cortex and hippocampal area of the brain. The number of individuals with AD is growing at a quick rate. The pathology behind AD is the progress of intraneuronal fibrillary tangles, accumulation of amyloid plaque, loss of cholinergic neurons, and decrease in choline acetyltransferase. Unfortunately, AD cannot be cured, but its progression can be delayed. Various FDA-approved inhibitors of cholinesterase enzyme such as rivastigmine, galantamine, donepezil, and NDMA receptor inhibitors (memantine), are available to manage the symptoms of AD. An exhaustive literature survey was carried out using SciFinder’s reports from Alzheimer’s Association, PubMed, and Clinical Trials.org. The literature was explored thoroughly to obtain information on the various available strategies to prevent AD. In the context of the present scenario, several strategies are being tried including the clinical trials for the treatment of AD. We have discussed pathophysiology, various targets, FDA-approved drugs, and various drugs in clinical trials against AD. The goal of this study is to shed light on current developments and treatment options, utilizing phytopharmaceuticals, nanomedicines, nutraceuticals, and gene therapy.     

Photocatalytic degradation of benzothiophene by a novel photocatalyst,removal of decomposition fragments by MCM-41 sorbent

Research on Chemical Intermediates - In this study, a catalyst was synthesized by introduction of ZnO onto the surface of FSM-16 catalyst support (ZnO/FSM-16). Impregnation of catalyst support by...     

Asymptotic Behavior of Eigenvalues of Variance-Covariance Matrix of a High-Dimensional Heavy-Tailed Lévy Process

Methodology and Computing in Applied Probability - In this paper, we study the limiting behavior of eigenvalues of the variance-covariance matrix of a random sample from a multivariate subordinator...     

Including sustainability criteria into inventory models

Research on sustainability performance has considerably enriched operations management literature in recent years. However, work with quantitative models is still scarce. This paper contributes by revisiting classical inventory methods taking sustainability concerns into account. We believe that reducing all aspects of sustainable development to a single objective is not desirable. We thus reformulate the classical economic order quantity model as a multiobjective problem. We refer to this model as the sustainable order quantity model. Then, a multi-echelon extension of the sustainable order quantity model is studied. For both models, the set of efficient solutions (Pareto optimal solutions) is analytically characterized. These results are used to provide some insights about the effectiveness of different regulatory policies to control carbon emissions. We also use an interactive procedure that allows the decision maker to quickly identify the best option among these solutions. The proposed interactive procedure is a new combination of multi-criteria decision analysis techniques.     

The equilibrium and kinetics of intermolecular hydrogen bonding in nitroarene anion radical–alcohol system: 1,3‐dinitro‐benzene anion radical – R–OH (R═CH3–, C2H5–, (CH3)2 CH–)

To explore the possibility of hydrogen bonding of a stable anion radical with DNA – component sugar, hormones, steroid, and so on (through hydroxyl group), as a first step, the possibility of hydrogen bonding of 1,3‐dinitrobenzene anion radical (1,3‐DNB^??) with aliphatic alcohols was studied. It was found that 1,3‐DNB^?? anion radical undergoes hydrogen bonding with alcohols: methanol, ethanol, and 2‐proponal. The hydrogen‐bonding equilibrium constant K_eq and the (hydrogen‐bonding) rate constants k₂ were evaluated through the use of linear scan and cyclic voltammetry theory and techniques. The K_eq was found to be in the range of 1.4–6.0 m ^?1, whereas the rate constants k₂ were found to be in the range of 1.5–3.6 m ^?1 s^?1, depending upon the hydrogen‐bonding agent and the equation used for the calculation of the rate constants. The hydrogen‐bonding number n was found to be around 0.5 or 1.0. The implication of this study in, for example, the replication of DNA, the prevention of the formation of super oxide, and so on is discussed. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.