Trace Elemental Analysis of Allium Species by Inductively Coupled Plasma-Mass Spectrometry (ICP-MS) with Multivariate Chemometrics

Aerial parts and roots of the 12 Allium species collected from five localities of Turkey were studied for trace elements (Ag, As, Cd, Co, Cr, Cu, Ni, Pb, Se, Tl, V, and Zn) using inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS). A tomato leaves certified reference material was used to characterize the accuracy and precision of the analysis. Each Allium species contained Se (315–2740?µg/kg), Tl (2.75–71?µg/kg), V (77–6790?µg/kg), and Zn (3.73–26.6?mg/kg) which can meet the necessary daily intake of these minerals. In addition, chemometric analyses were performed using correlation analysis, principal component analysis, and hierarchical cluster analysis to determine the association of 12 trace elements in the Allium species. Using chemometrics, the distribution of elements between aerial parts and roots, and geographic collection localities of Allium species were also examined. This study is important the consumers because of the wide consumption of Allium species. This report is the first detailed characterization of the metal content of Allium species.     

Solvent-free microwave extraction and hydrodistillation of essential oils from endemic Origanum husnucanbaseri H. Duman, Aytac & A. Duran: comparison of antibacterial activity and contents

The essential oils (EOs) obtained by solvent-free microwave extraction (SFME) and hydrodistillation (HD) from endemic Origanum husnucanbaseri H. Duman, Aytac & A. Duran were investigated using the gas chromatography-mass spectrometry system. The main constituents of both oils obtained from SFME and HD from O. husnucanbaseri are borneol (15.2-12.8%), α-terpineol (12.3-10.8%) and trans-sabinene hydrate (11.8-9.92%). The EO obtained from SFME contained substantially higher amounts of oxygenated compounds and lower amounts of monoterpenes than that from HD. The antibacterial activities of the EOs from SFME and HD were evaluated by the disc diffusion method against six bacterial strains. The EO extracted by SFME was more effective than the EO extracted by HD against the tested bacteria, except for Klebsiella pneumoniae American type culture collection (ATCC) 13883. Streptococcus pyogenes ATCC 19615 and Staphylococcus aureus ATCC 25923 in particular were more sensitive against the EO extracted by SFME.     

Structural and fluorescence properties of phenolphthalein bridged cyclotriphosphazatrienes

This study dealt with the reactions of hexachlorocyclotriphosphazatriene, N₃P₃Cl₆ (trimer) (1) with phenolphthalein (2) to give the phenolphthalein bridged compounds 3, 4 and 5. The phenolphthalein bridged cyclotriphosphazatriene derivatives are reported for the first time. The new compounds (3–5) are characterized by elemental analysis, mass spectrometry, UV–vis, FT-IR, ¹H, ³¹P NMR and fluorescence spectroscopy. The more bridged phenolphthalein groups show the higher intensity of the absorption bands in the UV–vis spectra. Fluorescence spectrum of compound 3 shows a small band in the lower spectral range, while the spectra of compounds 4 and 5 show more intense and a band in higher spectral range.     

Joint ground and air emergency medical services coverage models: A greedy heuristic solution approach

Aeromedical and ground ambulance services often team up in responding to trauma crashes, especially when the emergency helicopter is unable to land at the crash scene. We propose location-coverage models and a greedy heuristic for their solution to simultaneously locate ground and air ambulances, and landing zones (transfer points). We provide a coverage definition based on both response time and total service time, and consider three coverage options; only ground emergency medical services (EMS) coverage, only air EMS coverage, or joint coverage of ground and air EMS in which the patient is transferred from an ambulance into an emergency helicopter at a transfer point. To analyze this complex coverage situation we develop two sets of models, which are variations of the Location Set Covering Problem (LSCP) and the Maximal Covering Location Problem (MCLP). These models address uncertainty in spatial distribution of motor vehicle crash locations by providing coverage to a given set of both crash nodes and paths. The models also consider unavailability of ground ambulances by drawing upon concepts from backup coverage models. We illustrate our results on a case study that uses crash data from the state of New Mexico. The case study shows that crash node and path coverage percentage values decrease when ground ambulances are utilized only within their own jurisdiction.     

Bis(acesulfamato‐κ2O4,N)bis­(3‐methyl­pyridine)copper(II)

In the crystal structure of the title compound {systematic name: bis­[6‐methyl‐1,2,3‐oxa­thia­zin‐4(3H)‐one 2,2‐dioxide(1−)‐κ²N³,O⁴]bis­(3‐meth­yl­pyridine)copper(II)}, [Cu(C₄H₄NO₄S)₂(C₆H₇N)₂], the Cu^II centre resides on a centre of symmetry and has an octa­hedral geometry that is distorted both by the presence of four‐membered chelate rings and because of the Jahn–Teller effect. The equatorial plane is formed by the N atoms of two methyl­pyridine ligands and by the more basic O atoms of the acesulfamate ligands, while the weakly basic N atoms of these ligands are in elongated axial positions with a misdirected valence. The crystal is stabilized by two inter­molecular C—H⋯O inter­actions involving the methyl and CH groups, and the sulfonyl O atoms of the acesulfamate group.     

Synthese eines funktionalen Aluminiumalkinids,Me3C‐C≡C‐AlBr2, und dessen Reaktionen mit der sperrigen Lithiumverbindung LiCH(SiMe3)2

Synthesis of a Functional Aluminium Alkynide, Me₃C‐C≡C‐AlBr₂, and its Reactions with the Bulky Lithium Compound LiCH(SiMe₃)₂ Treatment of aluminium tribromide with the lithium alkynide (Li)C≡C‐CMe₃ afforded the aluminium alkynide Me₃C‐C≡C‐AlBr₂ ( 1 ) in an almost quantitative yield. 1 crystallizes with trimeric formula units possessing Al₃C₃ heterocycles and the anionic carbon atoms of the alkynido groups in the bridging positions. A dynamic equilibrium was determined in solution which probably comprises trimeric and dimeric formula units. Reaction of 1 with one equivalent of LiCH(SiMe₃)₂ yielded the compound [Me₃C‐C≡C‐Al(Br)‐CH(SiMe₃)₂]₂ ( 2 ), which is a dimer via Al‐C‐Al bridges. Two equivalents of the lithium compound gave a mixture of four main‐products, which could be identified as 2 , Li[Me₃C‐C≡C‐Al{CH(SiMe₃)₂}₃] ( 3 ), Me₃C‐C≡C‐Al[CH(SiMe₃)₂]₂ ( 4 ), and Al[CH(SiMe₃)₂]₃. The lithium atom of 3 is coordinated by the C≡C triple bond and an inner carbon atom of one bis(trimethylsilyl)methyl group. Further interactions were observed to C‐H bonds of methyl groups.     

Investigating the performance of P3HT:PCBM organic solar cells involving gamma-irradiated PEDOT:PSS layer

In this work, we investigated for the first time the characteristics of (poly (3-hexylthiopene) and [6, 6]-phenyl C61-butyric acid methyl ester) (P3HT:PCBM) blends-based organic solar cell with 1.25?mg/mL boric-acid (H₃BO₃)-doped poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene): poly(styrenesulfonate) (PEDOT:PSS) layer which is irradiated under the 40 Gray (Gy) dose of gamma (γ) ray. Experimental results showed that the parameters of solar cell improved with exposure to low-dose gamma radiation. In particular, it has provided a significant improvement in short-circuit current density (J_sc) and power conversion efficiency (PCE). About 49% increase in PCE to 1.22% and 40% increase in J_sc to 6.28?mA/cm² was obtained between the bare device and the device containing irradiated PEDOT:PSS:H₃BO₃. Also, it was determined that the H₃BO₃-doped PEDOT:PSS is more stable to temperature. More importantly, solar cell containing gamma-irradiated PEDOT:PSS:H₃BO₃ showed best performance comparing to conventional PEDOT:PSS-based cell.     

Electrocatalytical Application of Platinum Nanoparticles Supported on Reduced Graphene Oxide in PEM Fuel Cell: Effect of Reducing Agents of Dimethlyformamide or Hydrazine Hydrate on the Properties

Two kinds of reduced graphene oxide (rGO) were synthesized with the reducing agents of either dimethylformamide (DMF) or hydrazine hydrate (HYD). The decoration of platinum nanoparticles (Pt NPs) over these materials was provided by microwave irradiation (MWI) method. Detailed physical and electrochemical measurements were carried out. Based on the electrochemical results of both catalysts, it is not surprising the achievement of higher electrochemical active surface area (ECSA), higher oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) activity, higher electron transfer number, lower charge transfer resistance and higher fuel cell performance with the Pt/rGO (DMF) catalyst which surpasses Pt/rGO (HYD) in many ways.     

A new biflavonoid from Solanum dulcamara L. and investigation of anti-hyperglycaemic activity of its fruit extract

A new biflavone, 6,2′,3″,5″,4?-pentahydroxy-3,7″-biflavone, has been isolated from the fruits of Solanum dulcamara L., in addition to two known compounds, β-sitosterol and stigmasterol. Their structures were established on the basis of UV, IR, 1D, 2D NMR and HR-ESI-MS spectroscopic methods. The anti-hyperglycaemic effect of S. dulcamara was investigated using diabetic rats. The anti-hyperglycaemic activity of the fruit extract of S. dulcamara was presented for the first time in this study.