Microbial transformation of (+)-androsta-1 ,4-diene-3,17-dione by Cephalosporium aphidicola

Fermentation of (+)-androsta-1,4-diene-3,17-dione ([structure: see text]) with Cephalosporium aphidicola for 8 days yielded oxidative and reductive metabolites, androst-4-ene-3,17-dione ([structure: see text]), 17beta-hydroxyandrosta-1,4-diene-3-one ([structure: see text]), 11alpha-hydroxyandrosta-1,4-diene-3,17-dione ([structure: see text]), 11alpha-hydroxyandrost-4-ene-3,17-dione ([structure: see text]), 11alpha,17beta-dihydroxyandrost-4-ene-3-one ([structure: see text]) and 11alpha,17beta-dihydroxyandrosta-1,4-diene-3-one ([structure: see text]). The fermentation of [structure: see text] with Fusarium lini also yielded metabolites [structure: see text]. The structures of these metabolites were elucidated on the basis of spectroscopic techniques.     

Solute–Solvent Interactions of Methyl Violet in Different Solvents on Spectral Data

Spectroscopic studies of Methyl violet in protic (water, methanol, ethanol, isopropanol and n-butanol) and aprotic solvents (acetone, DMF) were carried out. UV-Visible absorption spectra of Methyl violet in protic solvents showed a hypsochromic shift, as the solvent polarity was changed from less polar to more polar, while a bathochromic shift was observed for aprotic solvents. Transition energy of Methyl violet in different solvents was correlated with solvatochromic parameters to study solute–solvents interactions. The Kamlet–Taft, Catalan and unified scale models were applied to investigate interactions between Methyl violet and solvents. The best agreement is found for the Catalan model.     

Removal of Cd Ions by Sol-Gel Silica Doped with 1-(2-Pyridylazo)-2-Naphthol

1-(2-Pyridylazo)-2-Naphthol (PAN) doped sol-gel silica has been investigated for removal of metal ions from aqueous media. In the doped sol-gel silica, the large reagent molecules are entrapped inside the pores while small metal ions can diffuse into the pores where they are complexed by the reagent and retained inside the pores. This new solid sorbent was applied for removal of Cd(II) from aqueous solutions. The kinetics, adsorption isotherm, equilibration time and pH effect on the removal were studied to optimize the conditions to be utilized on a large scale. It was observed that a sol gel loaded with 0.09 mmol PAN/g, had a capacity of 0.044 mmol Cd/g. The desorption of metal ions was carried by 1 M HCl and the sol-gel silica sorbent could be regenerated and reused repeatedly.     

Surfactant-doped reverse-mode polymer-dispersed liquid crystal display with enhanced properties

In this article, a nonionic surfactant Brij30 has been used to vertical align the negative anisotropic liquid crystal. The surfactant is further used in reverse-mode polymer-dispersed liquid crystal display to enhance the electro-optical properties. This work shows an enhancement of contrast ratio simply with the addition of surfactant. In addition, contact angle and surface free energies have been determined to judge the role of surfactant in control of surface orientation of liquid crystal molecules.     

Cholinesterase‐Inhibiting New Steroidal Alkaloids from Sarcococca hookeriana of Nepalese Origin

Bioassay‐guided phytochemical investigation of Sarcococca hookeriana has resulted in the isolation and structure elucidation of five new pregnane‐type steroidal alkaloids: (?)‐hookerianamide A (=(2β,3β,4β,20S)‐20‐(dimethylamino)‐3‐[(3‐methylbut‐2‐enoyl)amino]‐5α‐pregn‐16‐ene‐2,4‐diol; 1 ), (+)‐hookerianamide B (=(2α,3β,4β,20S)‐4‐acetoxy‐20‐(dimethylamino)‐3‐[(3‐methylbut‐2‐enoyl)amino]‐5α‐pregnan‐2‐ol; 2 ), (?)‐hookerianamide C (=(2β,3β,20S)‐2‐acetoxy‐20‐(dimethylamino)‐3‐[(3‐methylbut‐2‐enoyl)amino]‐5α‐pregnane; 3 ), (?)‐hookerianamine A (=(3β,20S)‐20‐(dimethylamino)‐3‐(methylamino)‐5α‐pregn‐14‐ene; 4 ), and (+)‐phulchowkiamide A (=(3β,20S)‐20‐(methylamino)‐3‐[(2‐methylbut‐2‐enoyl)amino]‐5α‐pregn‐2‐en‐4‐one; 5 ). These compounds, as well as the two chemically derived acetyl derivatives 6 and 7 , displayed cholinesterase inhibition in a concentration‐dependent manner.     

Effect of Nitrogen Substitution in V2O3 on the Metal–Insulator Transition

The effect of N‐doping on the paramagnetic–antiferromagnetic transition associated with the metal–insulator (M–I) transition of V₂O₃ at 150 K has been studied in bulk samples as well as in nanosheets. The magnetic transition temperature of V₂O₃ is lowered to ～120 K in the N‐doped samples. Electrical resistivity data also indicate a similar lowering of the M–I transition temperature. First‐principles DFT calculations reveal that anionic (N) substitution and the accompanying oxygen vacancies reduce the energy of the high‐temperature metallic corundum phase relative to the monoclinic one leading to the observed reduction in Nèel temperature. In the electronic structure of N‐substituted V₂O₃, a sub‐band of 2p states of trivalent anion (N) associated with its strong bond with the vanadium cation appears at the top of the band of O(2p) states, the 3d‐states of V being slightly higher in energy. Its band gap is thus due to crystal field splitting of the degenerate d‐orbitals of vanadium and superexchange interaction, which reduces notably (ΔE_g=?0.4 eV) due to their hybridization with the 2p states of nitrogen. A weak magnetic moment arises in the monoclinic phase of N‐substituted V₂O₃ with O‐vacancies, with a moment of ?1 μ_B/N localized on vanadium atoms in the vicinity of oxygen vacancies.     

A new antibacterial compound produced by an indigenous marine bacteria--fermentation, isolation, and biological activity

The use of microorganisms for biological purpose has become an effective alternative to control pathogens. A marine bacterium Pseudomonas aeruginosa was isolated from Eal fish of Baluchistan coast of Pakistan. This strain produced a bactericidal antibiotic against environmental and clinical isolates. In this study, we purified bactericidal antibiotic from the ethyl acetate extract of the cells of P. aeruginosa and analyzed its chemical structure. Based on spectrometric analysis, this compound 1 is proposed to be 1-methyl-1,4 dihydroquinoline and is active against methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA), methicillin-sensitive S. aureus (MSSA), Salmonella typhi, Shigella flexneri, Escherichia coli, Proteus mirabilis, Vibrio aliginolyticus, Micrococcus luteus, Enterococcus faecalis, Enterobacter faecium but it is not active against G streptococci, Candida albicans, Aspergillus niger. Minimal inhibitory concentration for Gram-positive bacteria was between 50 and 75 microg mL(-1) and for Gram-negative bacteria 75-100 microg mL(-1).     

The investigation of molecular affinity involved in poly(ethylene glycol)-based polymer-dispersed liquid crystal display

Acrylic polyethylene glycol(PEG)-based polymer-dispersed liquid crystal (PDLC) films have been fabricated to investigate the effect of intermolecular interactions on PDLC performance. For this purpose, the amphiphilic liquid crystal and polymers are selected as PDLC composite materials. The acrylic PEG contents are varied from 0 to 66.66 mol wt.% in order to understand the effects of different levels of additions on the microstructure and electro-optical properties of the PDLC films. For this intention, polarized optical microscopy and UV–vis spectroscopy are used. The extent of phase separation and anchoring energy are also examined using Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy and contact angle measurements in consequence of acrylic PEG addition. The contrast ratio, threshold voltage, as well as saturation voltage, tended to increase with the addition of acrylic PEG. The molecular affinity involved in the polymer matrix and LC molecules affected the phase separation which is responsible for the formation of domain size; this accordingly changed the electro-optical properties of PDLC film.     

An analysis of lasing without inversion in a three level system in terms of vector representation

In the present work, we show that the problem of Λ-type three level systems and lasing without inversion can be understood in terms of evolution of vectors. The time evolutions of these vectors have been worked out using the transition probabilities and detuning. One of the salient features of the work is that Glauber-Sudershan’s p-function can be visualized with this approach. We also present a comparative study between different vector models representing three level Λ-type lasers.     

Adsorption of Cd(II) by Sol-Gel Silica Doped with N-(dipropylcarbamothioyl)thiophene-2-carboxamide

Sol-gel silica was doped with N,N-(dipropylcarbamothioyl) thiophene-2-carboxamide to investigate the sorption of cadmium (Cd) ions from aqueous media. In doped sol-gel silica, the large reagent molecules entrap into pores, whereas, small metal ions diffuse into pores where they make complex with doped reagent. This complexation can be accomplished by either ion exchange or chelation. Doped sol-gel sorbent was applied for removal of Cd(II) from aqueous solution in our study. Adsorption kinetics, adsorption isotherm, equilibration time, effect of initial concentration of adsorbate, and pH effect on the metal removal were studied to optimize the conditions. The prepared adsorbent shows rapid equilibrium and high stability toward high temperature and applied medium. In addition, desorption of metal ions was carried out by 1 M HCl and, thereafter, sol-gel silica adsorbent was regenerated and reused periodically.