C-20 ketone reduction of hydrocortisone by rice field microalga <Emphasis Type="Italic">Chlorella vulgaris</Emphasis> MCCS 013

A unicellular microalga, Chlorella vulgaris, was isolated from rice field and applied in the biotransformation experiment of hydrocortisone (1). This strain has not been previously tested for hydrocortisone bioconversion. Fermentation was carried out in BG-11 medium supplemented with 0.05% substrate at 25°C for 14 days incubation. The products obtained were chromatographically purified followed by their characterization using spectroscopic methods. 11β,17α,20β,21-Tetrahydroxypregn-4-en-3-one (2), 11β,17β-dihydroxyandrost-4-en-3-one (3), and 11β-hydroxyandrost-4-ene-3,17-dione (4) were the main bioproducts in the hydrocortisone bioconversion. Bioreaction characteristics observed were 20-ketone reduction for accumulation of compound 2 and side chain degradation of the substrate to prepare compounds 3 and 4. Time course study showed the accumulation of the product 2 from the second day of the fermentation and 3 as well as 4 from the third day. All the metabolites reached their maximum concentration in seven days. Microalgal 18S rRNA gene was also amplified by PCR. PCR products were sequenced to confirm their authenticity as 18S rRNA gene of microalgae. The result of PCR blasted with other sequenced microalgae in NCBI showed 100% homology to the 18S small subunit rRNA of six strains of Chlorella vulgaris.     

Pyrolysis mass spectrometry for distinguishing potential hoax materials from bioterror agents

Pyrolysis mass spectrometry (PyMS) was investigated as a rapid tool to distinguish potential bioterror hoax materials from samples containing pathogenic bacteria. A pyrolysis time-of-flight (TOF) mass spectrometer equipped with an alternative ionization technique, metastable atom bombardment (MAB), was used to produce sample spectra. These spectra were analyzed by principal component and discriminant analysis for pattern recognition. Materials investigated were two strains of Vibrio parahaemolyticus, one of which produced the tdh toxin, two Salmonella enterica serotypes, a biological mosquito control product containing spores of Bacillus thuringiensis, and several white to off-white powders (which could be used as hoax materials), such as flour, corn starch, methyl cellulose, and xanthan gum. PyMS distinguished bacterial samples from hoax materials. Furthermore, pattern analysis differentiated Vibrios from Salmonellae, Salmonella enterica Anatum from S. enterica Heidelberg, and the two V. parahaemolyticus strains from each other. The B. thuringiensis mixture was distinguished from other bacteria and powders, suggesting that PyMS with pattern recognition may differentiate samples containing pathogens, including Bacillus spp., from nonbiological agents and that it can be a rapid method for detection of bacteria. MS data acquisition took only 7 min for each sample.     

The effect of real viscosity on the heat transfer of water based Al2O3 nanofluids in a two-sided lid-driven differentially heated rectangular cavity

The heat transfer and fluid flow behavior of water based Al₂O₃ nanofluids are numerically investigated inside a two-sided lid-driven differentially heated rectangular cavity. Physical properties which have major effects on the heat transfer of nanofluids such as viscosity and thermal conductivity are experimentally investigated and correlated and subsequently used as input data in the numerical simulation. Transport equations are numerically solved with finite volume approach using SIMPLEC algorithm. It was found that not only the thermal conductivity but also the viscosity of nanofluids has a key role in the heat transfer of nanofluids. The results show that at low Reynolds number, increasing the volume fraction of nanoparticles increases the viscosity and has a deteriorating effect on the heat transfer of nanofluids. At high Reynolds number, the increase in the viscosity is compensated by force convection and the increase in the volume fraction of nanoparticles which results in an increase in heat transfer is in coincidence with experimental results.     

A green non-acid-catalyzed process for direct N=N–C group formation: comprehensive study,modeling, and optimization

The aim of this work is to introduce, model, and optimize a new non-acid-catalyzed system for a direct N\(=\)N–C bond formation. By reacting naphthols or phenol with anilines in the presence of the sodium nitrite as nitrosonium (\(\hbox {NO}^{+})\) source and triethylammonium acetate (TEAA), a N\(=\)N–C group can be formed in non-acid media. Modeling and optimization of the reaction conditions were investigated by response surface method. Sodium nitrite, TEAA, and water were chosen as variables, and reaction yield was also monitored. Analysis of variance indicates that a second-order polynomial model with F value of 35.7, a P value of 0.0001, and regression coefficient of 0.93 is able to predict the response. Based on the model, the optimum process conditions were introduced as 2.2 mmol sodium nitrite, 2.2 mL of TEAA, and 0.5 mL \(\hbox {H}_{2}\hbox {O}\) at room temperature. A quadratic (second-order) polynomial model, by analysis of variance, was able to predict the response for a direct N=N–C group formation. Predicted response values were in good agreement with the experimental values. Electrochemistry studies were done to introduce new Michael acceptor moieties. Broad scope, high yields, short reaction time, and mild conditions are some advantages of the presented method.     

Interaction of longitudinal phonons with discrete breather in strained graphene

We numerically analyze the interaction of small-amplitude phonon waves with standing gap discrete breather (DB) in strained graphene. To make the system support gap DB, strain is applied to create a gap in the phonon spectrum. We only focus on the in-plane phonons and DB, so the issue is investigated under a quasi-one-dimensional setup. It is found that, for the longitudinal sound waves having frequencies below 6 THz, DB is transparent and thus no radiation of energy from DB takes place; whereas for those sound waves with higher frequencies within the acoustic (optical) phonon band, phonon is mainly transmitted (reflected) by DB, and concomitantly, DB radiates its energy when interacting with phonons. The latter case is supported by the fact that, the sum of the transmitted and reflected phonon energy densities is noticeably higher than that of the incident wave. Our results here may provide insight into energy transport in graphene when the spatially localized nonlinear vibration modes are presented.     

Coexistence of paramagnetism and ferromagnetism in Fe-TiO2 nanoparticle

Magnetic properties of pure and Fe doped rutile TiO₂ and TiO_2-ε are investigated using the first principle density functional theory. The results show that the considered systems are ferromagnetic. Furthermore, the origin of ferromagnetism is discussed and it is found that the double exchange and super-exchange are the main interactions in these compounds. Based on the calculations, the magnitude of the magnetic moment depends on the concentration of impurities and oxygen vacancies and the largest magnetic moment corresponds to the Fe_xTi_1-xO_2-ε. Moreover, using a model based on the bound magnetic polarons, the coexistence of ferromagnetic and paramagnetic phases can occur in Fe_xTi_1-xO₂ containing different impurity ions such as Fe⁺² and Fe⁺³ with different Curie temperatures. The finding may presents the potential application of the considered system as diluted magnetic semiconductor.     

Synthesis of Novel Isoindolo[2,1‐a]quinazolinedione Derivatives Containing a 1,2,3‐Triazole Ring System

A synthesis of isoindolo[2,1‐a]quinazolinedione derivatives, coupled with a 1,2,3‐triazole ring system, via the reaction of isatoic anhydride, HC?CCH₂NH₂, and 2‐formylbenzoic acid is described, which led to the formation of the isoindolo[2,1‐a]quinazoline‐5,11‐dione scaffold having a C?C bond that participated in a click reaction with various organic azides.     

Multicomponent reactions for the synthesis of new cyclopentadienephosphonate derivatives in water

A series of polysubstituted cyclopentadienephosphonate derivatives were synthesized via one-pot multicomponent reactions of primary amines and phosphites with activated acetylenic compounds in water as the solvent at room temperature.

Particularly valuable features of this method include high yields of products, broad substrate scope, short reaction time and a straightforward procedure.     

Design and synthesis of phenoxymethybenzoimidazole incorporating different aryl thiazole-triazole acetamide derivatives as α-glycosidase inhibitors

Molecular Diversity - A novel series of phenoxymethybenzoimidazole derivatives (9a-n) were rationally designed, synthesized, and evaluated for their α-glycosidase inhibitory activity. All...