Comprehensive Metabolite Profiling in Genetic Resources of Garlic (Allium sativum L.) Collected from Different Geographical Regions

Garlic (Allium sativum) is the second most important Allium crop that has been used as a vegetable and condiment from ancient times due to its characteristic flavor and taste. Although garlic is a sterile plant that reproduces vegetatively through cloves, garlic shows high biodiversity, as well as phenotypic plasticity and environmental adaptation capacity. To determine the possible mechanism underlying this phenomenon and to provide new genetic materials for the development of a novel garlic cultivar with useful agronomic traits, the metabolic profiles in the leaf tissue of 30 garlic accessions collected from different geographical regions, with a special focus on the Asian region, were investigated using LC/MS. In addition, the total saponin and fructan contents in the roots and cloves of the investigated garlic accessions were also evaluated. Total saponin and fructan contents did not separate the garlic accessions based on their geographical origin, implying that saponin and fructan contents were clone-specific and agroclimatic changes have affected the quantitative and qualitative levels of saponins in garlic over a long history of cultivation. Principal component analysis (PCA) and dendrogram clustering of the LC/MS-based metabolite profiling showed two major clusters. Specifically, many Japanese and Central Asia accessions were grouped in cluster I and showed high accumulations of flavonol glucosides, alliin, and methiin. On the other hand, garlic accessions grouped in cluster II exhibited a high accumulation of anthocyanin glucosides and amino acids. Although most of the accessions were not separated based on country of origin, the Central Asia accessions were clustered in one group, implying that these accessions exhibited distinct metabolic profiles. The present study provides useful information that can be used for germplasm selection and the development of new garlic varieties with beneficial biotic and abiotic stress-adaptive traits.     

Magnetic torque attitude control of a satellite using the state-dependent Riccati equation technique

A non-linear attitude control method for a satellite with magnetic torque rods using the state-dependent Riccati equation (SDRE) technique has been developed. The magnetic torque caused by the interaction with the Earth's magnetic field and the magnetic moment of torque rods plays a role of the control torque. The detailed equations of motion for this system are presented using angular velocity and quaternions. The SDRE controller is developed for the non-linear systems which can be formed in pseudo-linear representations using the state-dependent coefficient (SDC) method without linearization procedure. The aim of this control system is to achieve a stable attitude within 5°, and minimize the control effort. The stability regions for the SDRE controlled satellite system are estimated through the investigation of the stability conditions developed for pseudo-linear systems and the application of Lyapunov's theorem. For comparisons, the Linear Quadratic Regulator (LQR) method using the solution of the algebraic Riccati equation (ARE) is also applied to this non-linear system. The performance of the SDRE non-linear control system demonstrates more robustness and stability than the LQR control system when subjected to a wide range of initial conditions.     

New less toxic zeolite‐encapsulated Cu(II) complex nanomaterial for dual applications in biomedical field and wastewater remediation

A new dual‐functional Cu(II) complex and its nanohybrid form encapsulated into NaY zeolite cavities were synthesized. The synthesized compounds were characterized using elemental analyses, X‐ray fluorescence, infrared, ¹H NMR, electronic, electron spin resonance and mass spectra, powder X‐ray diffraction, surface area and transmission electron microscopy in addition to conductivity and magnetic susceptibility measurements. The encapsulated Cu(II) complex was catalytically tested for degradation of industrial wastewater. The decolorization and mineralization results indicate that the Cu(II) complex encapsulated into zeolite host is an effective heterogeneous catalyst for real industrial wastewater remediation. In addition, both free and encapsulated Cu(II) complexes were tested as anti‐microbial and anti‐tumour agents. The results show that the Cu(II) complex encapsulated into zeolite has a high activity (IC₅₀ = 14.4 μg ml^?1). The results of in vivo toxicity experiments indicate that the Cu(II) complex encapsulated into zeolite is a less toxic biocompatible material (LD₅₀ = 1245 mg kg^?1). The catalytic properties, cytotoxicity and toxicity of the new nanohybrid Cu(II) complex encapsulated into zeolite make it a promising eco‐friendly and biocompatible material for water remediation and biomedical applications.     

The ultra‐relativistic Euler equations

We study the ultra‐relativistic Euler equations for an ideal gas, which is a system of nonlinear hyperbolic conservation laws. We first analyze the single shocks and rarefaction waves and solve the Riemann problem in a constructive way. Especially, we develop an own parametrization for single shocks, which will be used to derive a new explicit shock interaction formula. This shock interaction formula plays an important role in the study of the ultra‐relativistic Euler equations. One application will be presented in this paper, namely, the construction of explicit solutions including shock fronts, which gives an interesting example for the non‐backward uniqueness of our hyperbolic system. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Catalytic resonance theory: parallel reaction pathway control

Catalytic enhancement of chemical reactions via heterogeneous materials occurs through stabilization of transition states at designed active sites, but dramatically greater rate acceleration on that same active site can be achieved when the surface intermediates oscillate in binding energy. The applied oscillation amplitude and frequency can accelerate reactions orders of magnitude above the catalytic rates of static systems, provided the active site dynamics are tuned to the natural frequencies of the surface chemistry. In this work, differences in the characteristics of parallel reactions are exploited via selective application of active site dynamics (0 < ΔU < 1.0 eV amplitude, 10⁻⁶ < f < 10⁴ Hz frequency) to control the extent of competing reactions occurring on the shared catalytic surface. Simulation of multiple parallel reaction systems with broad range of variation in chemical parameters revealed that parallel chemistries are highly tunable in selectivity between either pure product, even when specific products are not selectively produced under static conditions. Two mechanisms leading to dynamic selectivity control were identified: (i) surface thermodynamic control of one product species under strong binding conditions, or (ii) catalytic resonance of the kinetics of one reaction over the other. These dynamic parallel pathway control strategies applied to a host of simulated chemical conditions indicate significant potential for improving the catalytic performance of many important industrial chemical reactions beyond their existing static performance.

Branched catalytic reaction networks with oscillating chemical pathways perfectly select for reaction products at varying frequency.     

An Overview on Truffle Aroma and Main Volatile Compounds

Truffles are underground edible fungi that grow symbiotically with plant roots. They have been globally considered as one of the most expensive foods because of their rarity, unique aroma, and high nutritional value as antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, antiviral, hepatoprotective, anti-mutagenic, antituberculoid immunomodulatory, antitumor, antimicrobial, and aphrodisiac. The unique flavor and fragrance of truffles is one of the main reasons to get worldwide attraction as a food product. So, the aim of this review was to summarize the relevant literature with particular attention to the active aroma components as well as the various sample preparation and analytical techniques used to identify them. The major analytical methods used for the determination of volatile organic compounds (VOC) in truffles are gas chromatography (GC), proton-transfer-reaction mass spectrometry (PTR-MS), and electronic nose sensing (EN). In addition, factors influencing truffle aroma are also highlighted. For this reason, this review can be considered a good reference for research concerning aroma profiles of different species of truffles to deepen the knowledge about a complex odor of various truffles.     

Quantitative determination of famotidine in human maternal plasma,umbilical cord plasma and urine using high‐performance liquid chromatography–mass spectrometry

Liquid chromatography with electrospray ionization mass spectrometry for the quantitative determination of famotidine in human urine, maternal and umbilical cord plasma was developed and validated. The plasma samples were alkalized with ammonium hydroxide and extracted twice with ethyl acetate. The extraction recovery of famotidine in maternal and umbilical cord plasma ranged from 53 to 64% and 72 to 79%, respectively. Urine samples were directly diluted with the initial mobile phase then injected into the HPLC system. Chromatographic separation of famotidine was achieved by using a Phenomenex Synergi? Hydro‐RP? column with a gradient elution of acetonitrile and 10 mm ammonium acetate aqueous solution (pH 8.3, adjusted with ammonium hydroxide). Mass spectrometric detection of famotidine was set in the positive mode and used a selected ion monitoring method. Carbon‐13‐labeled famotidine was used as internal standard. The calibration curves were linear (r² > 0.99) in the concentration ranges of 0.631–252 ng/mL for umbilical and maternal plasma samples and 0.075–30.0 µg/mL for urine samples. The relative deviation of method was <14% for intra‐ and inter‐day assays, and the accuracy ranged between 93 and 110%. The matrix effect of famotidine in human urine, maternal and umbilical cord plasma was less than 17%. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Characterization of the Aroma Profile and Main Key Odorants of Espresso Coffee

Espresso coffee (EC) is a common coffee preparation technique that nowadays is broadly widespread all over the globe. Its popularity is in part attributed to the intense aroma and pleasant flavor. Many researchers have studied and reviewed the aroma of the coffee, but there is a lack of specific review focused on EC aroma profile even if it is intensively investigated. Thus, the objective of the current review was to summarize the aroma profile of EC and how different preparation variables can affect EC flavor. Moreover, a collection of diverse analytical procedures for volatile analysis was also reported. The findings of this survey showed that the volatile fraction of EC is extremely complex, but just some compounds are responsible for the characteristic aroma of the coffee, such as some aldehyde, ketones, furanones, furans, sulfur compounds, pyrazines, etc. In addition, during preparation, some variables, e.g., temperature and pressure of water, granulometry of the coffee particle, and brew ratio, can also modify the aroma profile of this beverage, and therefore its quality. A better understanding of the aroma fraction of EC and how the preparation variables should be adjusted according to desired EC would assist coffee workers in obtaining a higher quality product.     

Design and Synthesis of Fused and Spiro Pyrazole Derivatives

Russian Journal of Organic Chemistry - Condensation of 5-methyl-2-phenyl-1,2-dihydro-3H-pyrazol-3-one with p-hydroxybenzaldehyde in alcoholic sodium hydroxide yielded...     

Steam‐Induced Coarsening of Single‐Unit‐Cell MFI Zeolite Nanosheets and Its Effect on External Surface Brønsted Acid Catalysis

Commonly used methods to assess crystallinity, micro‐/mesoporosity, Brønsted acid site density and distribution (in micro‐ vs. mesopores), and catalytic activity suggest nearly invariant structure and function for aluminosilicate zeolite MFI two‐dimensional nanosheets before and after superheated steam treatment. Yet, pronounced reaction rate decrease for benzyl alcohol alkylation with mesitylene, a reaction that cannot take place in the zeolite micropores, is observed. Transmission electron microscopy images reveal pronounced changes in nanosheet thickness, aspect ratio and roughness indicating that nanosheet coarsening and the associated changes in the external (mesoporous) surface structure are responsible for the changes in the external surface catalytic activity. Superheated steam treatment of hierarchical zeolites can be used to alter nanosheet morphology and regulate external surface catalytic activity while preserving micro‐ and mesoporosity, and micropore reaction rates.