The eigenvalue problem for elliptic partial differential equation with multi-point nonlocal conditions

We study the spectral problem for the system of difference equations of a two-dimensional elliptic partial differential equation with nonlocal conditions. A new form of two-point nonlocal conditions that involve interior points is proposed. The matrix of the difference system is nonsymmetric thus different types of eigenvalues occur. The conditions for the existence of the eigenvalues and their corresponding eigenvectors are presented for the one dimensional problem. Then, these relations are generalized to the two-dimensional problem by the separation of variables technique.     

Officinalioside,a new lignan glucoside from Borago officinalis L.

A new lignan glucoside, officinalioside (1), was isolated from n-BuOH fraction of the aerial parts of Borago officinalis L., together with four known compounds: actinidioionoside (2), roseoside (3), crotalionoside C (4) and kaempferol 3-O-β-D-galactopyranoside (5). The structure of the new compound was established by means of spectroscopic and chemical analyses. Compounds 1 and 2 showed a moderate DPPH radical scavenging activity (IC₅₀: 52.6 ± 1.70 and 41.3 ± 0.25 μM, respectively) comparable with that of the standard trolox (16.6 ± 2.2 μM) without any significant cytotoxicity towards human cell line A549 (IC₅₀ > 100 μM).     

Catalytic kinetic determination of ultratrace amounts of ruthenium(III) based on the oxidation of hematoxylin by hydrogen peroxide

A new catalytic method was described for the determination of ruthenium(III) based on its catalytic effect on the oxidation of hematoxylin by hydrogen peroxide in weakly acidic medium. The reaction was followed spectrophotometrically by measuring the absorbance of hematoxylin at 440 nm. Under the optimum conditions, ruthenium(III) can be determined in the range 5–120 ng/ml with a relative standard deviation of 1.1%. The mean value of reaction rate constant was 0.012±0.04 min^–1 and the activation energy was 10.45 kJ/mol. The method was tested for the determination of ruthenium(III) in some synthetic mixtures.     

Spectral and thermal studies of 4-(1H-pyrazolo (3,4-d) pyrimidin-4-ylazo) benzene-1,3-diol complexes of cobalt(II), nickel(II) and copper(II)

4-(1H-Pyrazolo (3,4-d) pyrimidin-4-ylazo) benzene-1,3-diol was synthesized and characterized by various spectral and analytical techniques. Semiempirical quantum calculations using the AM1 method have been performed in order to evaluate the geometry and electronic structure of the title azodye in the ground state. The complex formation between Co(II), Ni(II) and Cu(II) ions and the title azodye was studied conductometrically and spectrophotometrically. The spectrophotometric determination of the title metal ions and titration using EDTA are reported. Co(II), Ni(II) and Cu(II) complexes of the title azodye have been synthesized and characterized by elemental analysis, conductivity, magnetic susceptibility, IR, UV-Vis and thermal analysis (TGA and DTA).The spectral and magnetic data suggested the octahedral geometry for Co(II) and Ni(II) complexes while Cu(II) complexes have square planar geometry. The thermal studies confirmed the chemical formulations of the title complexes. The thermal degradation takes place in two or three steps depending on the type of the metal and the geometry of the complexes. The kinetics of the decomposition was examined by using Coats-Redfern relation. The activation energies and other activation parameters (DeltaH, DeltaS and DeltaG) were computed and related to the bonding and stereochemistry of the complexes.     

Partial dehydration of the retinal binding pocket and proof for photochemical deprotonation of the retinal Schiff base in bicelle bacteriorhodopsin crystals

In bicelle bacteriorhodopsin (bcbR) crystals, the protein has a different structure from both native bacteriorhodopsin (bR) and in-cubo bR (cbR) crystals. Recently, we studied the ability of bcbR crystals to undergo the photocycle upon laser excitation, characterized by the appearance of the M intermediate by single crystal resonance Raman spectroscopy. Calculation of the M lifetime by flash photolysis experiments demonstrated that in our bcbR crystals, the M rise time is much faster than in the native or cbR crystals, with a decay time that is much slower than these other two forms. Although it is now known that the bcbR crystals are capable of photochemical deprotonation, it is not known whether photochemical deprotonation is the only way to create the deprotonated Schiff base in the bcbR crystals. We measured both the visible and Raman spectra of crystals dried under ambient lighting and dried in the dark in order to determine whether the retinal Schiff base is able to thermally deprotonate in the dark. In addition, changes in the visible spectrum of single bcbR crystals under varying degrees of hydration and light exposure were examined to better understand the retinal binding environment.     

An efficient and facile multicomponent synthesis of 4,6-diarylpyridine derivatives under solvent-free conditions

We present an efficient and facile synthesis of 4,6-diaryl-2-oxo-1,2-dihydropyridine-3-carbonitriles (5a–j) via a four-component system of aromatic aldehydes (1), acetophenones (2), ethyl cyanoacetate (3), and ammonium acetate (4). The short reaction time coupled with the simplicity of the reaction procedure and clean reaction make this method one of the most efficient methods for synthesis of this class of compounds.     

Characterization of the mupirocin biosynthesis gene cluster from Pseudomonas fluorescens NCIMB 10586

The polyketide antibiotic mupirocin (pseudomonic acid) produced by Pseudomonas fluorescens NCIMB 10586 competitively inhibits bacterial isoleucyl-tRNA synthase and is useful in controlling Staphylococcus aureus, particularly methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus. The 74 kb mupirocin biosynthesis cluster has been sequenced, and putative enzymatic functions of many of the open reading frames (ORFs) have been identified. The mupirocin cluster is a combination of six larger ORFs (mmpA-F), containing several domains resembling the multifunctional proteins of polyketide synthase and fatty acid synthase type I systems, and individual genes (mupA-X and macpA-E), some of which show similarity to type II systems (mupB, mupD, mupG, and mupS). Gene knockout experiments demonstrated the importance of regions in mupirocin production, and complementation of the disrupted gene confirmed that the phenotypes were not due to polar effects. A model for mupirocin biosynthesis is presented based on the sequence and biochemical evidence.     

Determination of dissolved organic nitrogen in natural waters using high-temperature catalytic oxidation

Studies on nitrogen in natural waters have generally focussed on dissolved inorganic nitrogen (DIN), primarily because of relative ease of analysis and the important influence of DIN on water quality. Advances in analytical techniques now permit the systematic study of dissolved organic nitrogen (DON), and this work has shown that DON is quantitatively significant in many waters. This article describes the sampling and analytical protocols required for rapid, precise and reliable determinations of DON, involving high-temperature catalytic oxidation (HTCO), coupled to chemiluminescence detection. This approach simultaneously determines dissolved organic carbon (DOC) and total dissolved nitrogen (TDN), and DON is derived by subtraction of DIN measured by colorimetry. The DON determination is simple to perform, exhibits excellent precision (<1% for C and 1.5% for N) and is applicable to a wide range of natural waters.     

Benzimidazole condensed ring systems. 7. An entry to substituted 1h,6h-2,6a,10b-triazafluoranthene-1,3,6-(2h)-triones and related systems as possible chemotherapeutic agents

The syntheses of some derivatives of three new benzimidazole condensed ring systems; namely, 1H,6H-2,6a,10b-triazafluoranthene-1,3,6(2H)-trione ( 3 ), 1H,8H,11H-12-oxa-2,3a,7b-triazabenz[e]acephenanthrylene-1,3,8,11(2H)-tetrone ( 4 ) and 1H,4H-2,5,6a,10b-tetrazafluoranthene-1,3,4,6(2H,5H)-tetrone ( 10 ) are described. Two compounds exhibited in vitro antibacterial activity. Four compounds were screened for in vitro anti-HIV activity and three compounds were evaluated for antileukemic potency but were inactive.     

Preparation and Characterization of Poly Vinyl Alcohol/Poly Vinyl Pyrrolidone/Clay Based Nanocomposite by Gamma Irradiation

A series of PVA/PVP/clay nanocomposite were prepared by gamma irradiation with different clay contents of (0.15, 0.3, 1, 1.5, 3 and 5 wt%). The gelation content and swelling behavior were investigated. The morphology and structure of PVA/PVP/clay nanocomposite and dispersion of the clay nanoparticles in the polymeric matrix were examined by infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The introduction of clay into polymeric matrix was investigated by X-ray diffraction pattern (XRD) and Transmission electron microscope (TEM). It is observed that, the increase of the clay content causes a decrease in the swelling percent. The thermal stability studies confirmed that the introduction of clay lead to an increase in the thermal stability. The TEM results showed that the clay nanoparticles are interchelated or exfoliated in the polymeric matrix. Some desirable characteristics such as relatively good swelling and excellent barrier capability against microbe penetration suggested that PVA/PVP/clay nanocomposite can be a good candidate as a wound dressing.