Uniqueness for an elliptic-parabolic problem with Neumann boundary condition

We consider the problem in a smooth boundary domain , as well as the corresponding evolution equation . For the stationary equation we show existence results, then we adapt the techniques of doubling of variables to the case of the homogeneous Neumann boundary conditions and obtain the appropriate L ¹ -contraction principle and uniqueness. Subsequently, we are able to apply the nonlinear semigroup theory and prove the L ¹ -contraction principle for the associated evolution equation.     

Biodegradation study of plasticised corn flour/poly(butylene succinate-co-butylene adipate) blends

Plasticised corn flour/poly(butylene succinate-co-butylene adipate) (PBSA) materials were prepared by extrusion and injection in order to study the impact of PBSA ratio on their physicochemical properties and biodegradability. Scanning electron microscopy observations showed that corn flour and PBSA are incompatible. Three types of morphology have been observed: (i) starch dispersed in a PBSA matrix, (ii) a “co-continuous-like” morphology of starch and PBSA, and (iii) PBSA dispersed in a starch matrix. As expected, the extent of plasticised corn flour starch hydrolysis by amylolytic enzymes decreased when the amount of PBSA increased. Addition of a lipase to hydrolyse PBSA ester bonds enhanced enzymatic hydrolysis of starch by amylolytic enzymes in materials where PBSA formed a continuous phase. This suggests that PBSA formed a barrier restricting the access of amylolytic enzymes to starch. This was consistent with aerobic and anaerobic biodegradation assays, which also showed lower biodegradability of materials containing a majority of PBSA.     

Isolation and structure determination of two new constituents from the fruits of Morinda citrifolia Linn

Studies on the chemical constituents of the fruits of Morinda citrifolia Linn. have led to the isolation of two new compounds, morinaphthalene (=1,3,6,7-tetrahydroxy-2-hydroxymethyl-1,2,3,4-tetrahydronaphthalene, (1); and morindafurone (=5-hydroxy-1,10b-dihydro-6H-anthra [1,9-bc] furan-6-one, (2); as well as two known constituents, 1,8-dihydroxy-6-methoxy-3-methyl-9-anthrone (3) and 2,4-dimethoxy-9-anthrone (4). Their structures were elucidated by spectral analysis including 2D NMR techniques.     

Synthesis of novel 5,7‐disubstituted 8‐hydroxyquinolines

Seven new 5,7‐disubstituted oxine derivatives have been synthesized via a Mannich reaction between a sec. amine (e.g. piperidine, pyrrolidine, morpholine, or dibenzylamine,) and 5‐cyano or 5‐azidomethyl‐8‐hydroxyquinoline, which were respectively obtained by nucleophilic displacement of 5‐chloromethyl‐8‐hydroxyquinoline by cyanide or azide anions. In all cases, a single product was isolated in medium to fair yield and characterized on the basis of ¹H and ¹³C‐NMR, MS and IR spectrometric data. The X‐ray structure of the product obtained from 5‐cyanomethyl‐8‐hydroxyquinoline and piperidine is also reported.     

Flavonoid-DNA binding studies and thermodynamic parameters

Interactional studies of new flavonoid derivatives (Fl) with chicken blood ds.DNA were investigated spectrophotometrically in DMSO-H2O (9:1 v/v) at various temperatures. Spectral parameters suggest considerable binding between the flavonoid derivatives studied and ds.DNA. The binding constant values lie in the enhanced-binding range. Thermodynamic parameters obtained from UV studies also point to strong spontaneous binding of Fl with ds.DNA. Viscometric studies complimented the UV results where a small linear increase in relative viscosity of the DNA solution was observed with added optimal flavonoid concentration. An overall mixed mode of interaction (intercalative plus groove binding) is proposed between DNA and flavonoids. Conclusively, investigated flavonoid derivatives are found to be strong DNA binders and seem to be promising drug candidates like their natural analogues.     

Investigations on Anticancer Potentials by DNA Binding and Cytotoxicity Studies for Newly Synthesized and Characterized Imidazolidine and Thiazolidine-Based Isatin Derivatives

Imidazolidine and thiazolidine-based isatin derivatives (IST-01–04) were synthesized, characterized, and tested for their interactions with ds-DNA. Theoretical and experimental findings showed good compatibility and indicated compound–DNA binding by mixed mode of interactions. The evaluated binding parameters, i.e., binding constant (K_b), free energy change (ΔG), and binding site sizes (n), inferred comparatively greater and more spontaneous binding interactions of IST-02 and then IST-04 with the DNA, among all compounds tested under physiological pH and temperature (7.4, 37 °C). The cytotoxic activity of all compounds was assessed against HeLa (cervical carcinoma), MCF-7 (breast carcinoma), and HuH-7 (liver carcinoma), as well as normal HEK-293 (human embryonic kidney) cell lines. Among all compounds, IST-02 and 04 were found to be cytotoxic against HuH-7 cell lines with percentage cell toxicity of 75% and 66%, respectively, at 500 ng/µL dosage. Moreover, HEK-293 cells exhibit tolerance to the increasing drug concentration, suggesting these two compounds are less cytotoxic against normal cell lines compared to cancer cell lines. Hence, both DNA binding and cytotoxicity studies proved imidazolidine (IST-02) and thiazolidine (IST-04)-based isatin derivatives as potent anticancer drug candidates among which imidazolidine (IST-02) is comparatively the more promising.     

Ammoxidation of toluene on vanadyl polyphosphates-VO(PO3)2, 1. synthesis and characterization of the parent samples

Vanadyl polyphosphates with a P/V ratio=2 (crystalline α-VO(PO₃)₂ and β-VO(PO₃)₂ as well as amorphous VO(PO₃)₂) were synthesized, starting from usually prepared precursor VO(H₂PO₄)₂ but pursuing new methods using V₂O₅/H₃PO₄ as well as VOHPO₄·1/2 H₂O/H₃PO₄, too. The products were characterized by chemical analysis and X-ray diffractometry.In situ ESR spectroscopy was used as a tool to predict their catalytic activity in the ammoxidation reaction.     

Insecticidal amides from fruits of Piper nigrum Linn

The petroleum ether and ethyl acetate fractions of dried ground seeds of Piper nigrum Linn. afforded sixteen compounds (1-16) including one new insecticidal amide, pipwaqarine (1) and six constituents (3,4,6,7,11,15) previously unreported from this plant. The structure of (1) has been elucidated through extensive 1D-, 2D-NMR spectral studies as, 1-[13-(3',4'-methylenedioxyphenyl)-2E,4E,12E-tridecatrienoyl]-N-isopentylamide, while those of known constituents through comparison of spectral data. 1 exhibited toxicity of 30ppm against fourth instar larvae of Aedes aegypti Liston determined by WHO method. A portion of petroleum ether fraction was also subjected to GC and GC-MS analysis resulting in the identification of three compounds (17-19) using the NIST Mass spectral search program 1998 and Kovat's retention indices. Two of these compounds, 17 and 18, are reported for the first time from this plant.     

Influence of Rare-Earth Substitution for Iron in FeCrMoCB Bulk Metallic Glasses

The effects of rare earth addition on the glass forming ability of Fe50-xCr15Mo14C15B6Mx （x =0, 2 and M=Y, Gd） bulks and ribbons are studied. The thermal and structural properties of the samples are measured by a combination of differential scanning calorimetry （DSC）, x-ray diffraction and scanning electron microscopy. Chemical compositions are checked by energy dispersive spectroscopy analysis. The copper mold casting technique leads to a fully amorphous structure up to 2mm only for compositions containing Y or Gd. In the case of ribbons, a fully amorphous phase is observed for all the compositions. The roles of Y and Gd are discussed on the basis of melting behavior analyzed by high-temperature DSC. Such elements act as oxygen scavengers, avoiding heterogeneous nucleation.     

Order of convergence for polynomial and analytical nodal methods

In [6] we analyzed the direct analytical nodal methods (ANM) of indexl and show that the corresponding mathematical methods are equivalent to the physical ones when the components of the matrices are calculated by generalized Radau reduced integration. In this article we extend the theorem 8 of [7] to the polynomial nodal methods (PNM) (exact calculation of moments) which are thus the order ofO(h ^l+3?δ _l0. We also show that the analytical nodal methods are only the order ofO(h ^l+2). Forl = 0 our numerical results confirm our theoretical results.