Complete caps in projective spaces PG (n, q)

A computer search in the finite projective spaces PG(n, q) for the spectrum of possible sizes k of complete k-caps is done. Randomized greedy algorithms are applied. New upper bounds on the smallest size of a complete cap are given for many values of n and q. Many new sizes of complete caps are obtained.     

A class of completek-caps inPG(3,q) forq an odd prime

The main problem on caps, posed originally by Segre in the fifties, is to determine the values of k for which there exists a complete k-cap. Very few results on this problem are known. The cardinality of the largest cap(s) and the smallest complete cap(s) are crucial. In this paper it is shown that there exist complete k-caps in PG(3, q), q an odd prime 5 or q = 9, such that k = (q² + q + 6)/3 or k = (q² + 2q + 6)/3. These complete caps are smaller than those currently known for q odd.In memoriam Giuseppe Tallini     

DISTRIBUTION OF PORPHYRINS IN THE VARIOUS COMPARTMENTS OF UNILAMELLAR LIPOSOMES OF DIPALMITOYL-PHOSPHATIDYLCHOLINE AS PROBED BY FLUORESCENCE SPECTROSCOPY

Abstract— The spectroscopic properties of hematoporphyrin, hematoporphyrin-dimethyl ester, uroporphyrin and uroporphyrinoctamethyl ester, incorporated into unilamellar liposomes of dipalmitoylphos-phatidylcholine, have been studied with the aim to assess the distribution of porphyrins within the various liposomal compartments.
The results obtained indicate that the highly hydrosoluble uroporphyrin is partitioned in the endoliposomal aqueous pool while its octamethylester is homogeneously distributed in the inner lipid monolayer. Hematoporphyrin and its dimethylester show an heterogeneous distribution within the phospholipid bilayer. At T = 25°C these porphyrins are preferentially located in the outer phospholipid monolayer.
Detailed studies on hematoporphyrin indicate that the distribution between the inner and outer phospholipid monolayer is a function of temperature and liposome dimensions. In particular, the increase of temperature above the critical temperature for the liquid-gel phase transition of the liposomes causes a partial shift of the porphyrin molecules toward the inner phospholipid monolayer. Moreover, the increase of liposome dimensions leads to a greater accessibility of porphyrin to the external medium.     

Efficient synthesis of 3H-imidazo[4,5-b]pyridines from malononitrile and 5-amino-4-(cyanoformimidoyl)imidazoles

1-Aryl-5-amino-4-(cyanoformimidoyl)imidazoles 2 were reacted with malononitrile under mild experimental conditions and led to 3-aryl-5,7-diamino-6-cyano-3H-imidazo[4,5-b]pyridines 5, when the reaction was carried out in the presence of DBU, or to 3-aryl-5-amino-6,7-dicyano-3H-imidazo[4,5-b]pyridines 3, in its absence. Both reactions evolved from the adduct formed by nucleophilic attack of the malononitrile anion to the carbon of the cyanoformimidoyl substituent. A 5-amino-1-aryl-4-(1-amino-2,2-dicyanovinyl)imidazole 4 was isolated when this reaction was carried out in the presence of DBU. The structure of compound 4 was confirmed by spectroscopic methods and by reaction with triethyl orthoformate and with acetic anhydride, leading respectively to 9-aryl-6-(cyanomethylidene)purines 11 and 12. Imidazole 2b was also reacted with ethyl acetoacetate, a carbon acid with a pK(a) comparable to that of malononitrile. Similar reaction conditions were used and the product isolated was a 6-carbamoyl-1,2-dihydropurine 10, showing that a different mechanism was operating in this case.     

Antioxidant Activity of Polyphenols,from Mauritia flexuosa (Aguaje), Based on Controlled Dehydration

Plant polyphenols offer several benefits for the prevention of diverse illnesses. Fruit’s edible and inedible parts (pulp, seeds, peels, stems, flowers) are important sources of polyphenols. Different industrial processes for fruit treatment and commercialization affect the total polyphenol content (TPC), and probably the biological activity. The purpose of the present work was to determine the TPC and antioxidant activity (by DPPH) of polyphenols extracted from the pulp and seeds of Mauritia flexuosa (aguaje), in fresh and dehydrated forms, in order to determine the possible connection with the quantity of polyphenols and their specific antioxidant activity. The highest phenolic content for M. flexuosa seeds in fresh form (non-dehydrated) was 270.75 mg GAE/100 g with a 96-h extraction. With respect to the dehydrated samples, the best yield was quantified in the 96-h dehydrated seed sample. For all pulp and seeds, dehydrated for 24, 48, and 96 h, TPC showed a slightly decreasing pattern. The DPPH results were the highest in the 96-h dehydrated samples and the differences among all dehydrated pulp and seed samples were minimal. More studies testing the presence of other antioxidant components could help in understanding the detailed antioxidant activity, and related more to the specific action, rather than only total polyphenol content.     

Salpianthus macrodontus Extracts,a Novel Source of Phenolic Compounds with Antibacterial Activity against Potentially Pathogenic Bacteria Isolated from White Shrimp

This study aimed to evaluate the antibacterial activity in vitro of Salpianthus macrodontus and Azadirachta indica extracts against potentially pathogenic bacteria for Pacific white shrimp. Furthermore, the extracts with higher inhibitory activity were analyzed to identify compounds responsible for bacterial inhibition and evaluate their effect on motility and biofilm formation. S. macrodontus and A. indica extracts were prepared using methanol, acetone, and hexane by ultrasound. The minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) of the extracts was determined against Vibrio parahaemolyticus, V. harveyi, Photobacterium damselae and P. leiognathi. The polyphenol profile of those extracts showing the highest bacterial inhibition were determined. Besides, the bacterial swimming and swarming motility and biofilm formation were determined. The highest inhibitory activity against the four pathogens was found with the acetonic extract of S. macrodontus leaf (MIC of 50 mg/mL for Vibrio spp. and 25 mg/mL for Photobacterium spp.) and the methanol extract of S. macrodontus flower (MIC of 50 mg/mL for all pathogens tested). Both extracts affected the swarming and swimming motility and the biofilm formation of the tested bacteria. The main phenolic compounds related to Vibrio bacteria inhibition were naringin, vanillic acid, and rosmarinic acid, whilst hesperidin, kaempferol pentosyl-rutinoside, and rhamnetin were related to Photobacterium bacteria inhibition.     

On idempotents of a class of commutative rings

Abstract

In the present work, a procedure for determining idempotents of a commutative ring having a sequence of ideals with certain properties is presented. As an application of this procedure, idempotent elements of various commutative rings are determined. Several examples are included illustrating the main results.     

A validated stability-indicating LC method for simultaneous determination of quinapril and hydrochlorothiazide in pharmaceutical samples

A stability-indicating liquid chromatographic method was developed and validated for simultaneous determination of quinapril and hydrochlorothiazide in drug substances and dosage forms. Chromatographic separation of quinapril, hydrochlorothiazide and its degradation products was achieved on a RP-18 column, using acetonitrile and phosphate buffer (pH 4.6) as mobile phase in a gradient mode and detection at 216 nm. Stress testing was performed under hydrolytic, oxidative, thermal and photolytic conditions. The degradation products were well resolved from main peaks, proving the stability-indicating power of the method. The assay was linear for quinapril and hydrochlorothiazide concentrations of 40–200 µg mL^?1 and 25–125 µg mL^?1, respectively. The developed method was selective, accurate and precise for quinapril and hydrochlorothiazide determination. This method was used to quantify both drugs in combined commercial tablets. The results showed that the proposed method was found to be suitable for quantitative determination and the stability study of quinapril and hydrochlorothiazide in pharmaceutical samples.      

Preparation and characterization of microcapsules loaded with polyphenols-enriched Uncaria tomentosa extract using spray-dryer technique

Journal of Thermal Analysis and Calorimetry - This work prepared and characterized microcapsule of Uncaria tomentosa (UT) in order to standardize a spray-dryer Uncaria tomentosa extract. The UT...     

On‐Line Monitoring of Chemical Reactions by using Bench‐Top Nuclear Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy

Real‐time nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy measurements carried out with a bench‐top system installed next to the reactor inside the fume hood of the chemistry laboratory are presented. To test the system for on‐line monitoring, a transfer hydrogenation reaction was studied by continuously pumping the reaction mixture from the reactor to the magnet and back in a closed loop. In addition to improving the time resolution provided by standard sampling methods, the use of such a flow setup eliminates the need for sample preparation. Owing to the progress in terms of field homogeneity and sensitivity now available with compact NMR spectrometers, small molecules dissolved at concentrations on the order of 1 mmol L^?1 can be characterized in single‐scan measurements with 1 Hz resolution. Owing to the reduced field strength of compact low‐field systems compared to that of conventional high‐field magnets, the overlap in the spectrum of different NMR signals is a typical situation. The data processing required to obtain concentrations in the presence of signal overlap are discussed in detail, methods such as plain integration and line‐fitting approaches are compared, and the accuracy of each method is determined. The kinetic rates measured for different catalytic concentrations show good agreement with those obtained with gas chromatography as a reference analytical method. Finally, as the measurements are performed under continuous flow conditions, the experimental setup and the flow parameters are optimized to maximize time resolution and signal‐to‐noise ratio.