One-step hydrothermal synthesis of nitrogen doped reduced graphene oxide-silver nanocomposites: Catalytic performance

The aim of this study is to efficiently utilize catalytic properties of silver nanoparticles and nitrogen doped graphene and their combined synergistic effect. For this purpose, nitrogen doped reduced graphene oxide-silver (NrGO-Ag) nanocomposites were synthesized by a facile, environmentally friendly, one-pot hydrothermal method for the first time and characterized by UV–Vis, FTIR, XRD, XPS, SEM, and TEM. Catalytic activity of the synthesized nanocomposites was tested against 4-nitrophenol (4-NP) and methylene blue (MB) reduction reactions in the presence of NaBH₄. Total degradation was achieved in both reactions in 210 and 44 s, and pseudo first order reaction rate constants were calculated as 0.0071 and 0.0322 s⁻¹ for 4-NP and MB reduction reactions, respectively.     

On the Conformation of Dimeric Acceptors and Their Polymer Solar Cells with Efficiency over 18 %

The determination of molecular conformations of oligomeric acceptors (OAs) and their impact on molecular packing are crucial for understanding the photovoltaic performance of their resulting polymer solar cells (PSCs) but have not been well studied yet. Herein, we synthesized two dimeric acceptor materials, DIBP3F-Se and DIBP3F-S, which bridged two segments of Y6-derivatives by selenophene and thiophene, respectively. Theoretical simulation and experimental 1D and 2D NMR spectroscopic studies prove that both dimers exhibit O-shaped conformations other than S- or U-shaped counter-ones. Notably, this O-shaped conformation is likely governed by a distinctive “conformational lock” mechanism, arising from the intensified intramolecular π–π interactions among their two terminal groups within the dimers. PSCs based on DIBP3F-Se deliver a maximum efficiency of 18.09 %, outperforming DIBP3F-S-based cells (16.11 %) and ranking among the highest efficiencies for OA-based PSCs. This work demonstrates a facile method to obtain OA conformations and highlights the potential of dimeric acceptors for high-performance PSCs.     

Coumarin Based Highly Selective “off-on-off” Type Novel Fluorescent Sensor for Cu<Superscript>2+</Superscript> and S<Superscript>2−</Superscript> in Aqueous Solution

Solvent free synthesis of 6,7-dihydroxy-3-(3-chlorophenyl) coumarin (CFHC) was designed and obtained by the interaction of 2-(2,4,5-trimethoxyphenyl)-1-(3-chlorophenyl)acrylonitrile with pyridinium hydrochloride in the presence of silica gel by using microwave irradiation. The characterization of CFHC was confirmed by FT-IR, ¹H, ¹³C, ¹³C–APT and 2D HETCOR spectroscopy methods. The optical behavior of CFHC towards metal ions was investigated by UV-visible and fluorescence spectroscopy. CFHC showed “on–off” type fluorescence response towards Cu²⁺ with high selectivity in aqueous solution (CH₃CN/H₂O, 9/1, v/v). Once binding with Cu²⁺, CFHC-Cu²⁺ complex also displayed high selectivity for sulfide, resulting in “off–on” type sensing of sulfide anion.

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Graphical abstract Visual fluorescence changes upon addition of various metal ions (5.0 eq.) to CFHC in CH₃CN/H₂O (90:10, v/v) under UV excitation (365 nm)

     

Hybrid iterative method for split monotone variational inclusion problem and hierarchical fixed point problem for a finite family of nonexpansive mappings

In this paper, we propose a hybrid iterative method to approximate a common solution of split monotone variational inclusion problem and hierarchical fixed point problem for a finite family of nonexpansive mappings in real Hilbert spaces. We prove that sequences generated by the proposed hybrid iterative method converge strongly to a common solution of these problems. Further, we discuss some applications of the main result. We also discuss a numerical example to demonstrate the applicability of the iterative method. The method and results presented in this paper extend and unify the corresponding known results in this area.     

Structural properties of size-selected FeCo nanoparticles deposited on W(110)

Size-selected iron and iron–cobalt alloy clusters have been studied with high resolution transmission electron microscopy (HRTEM) and scanning tunneling microscopy (STM). The clusters were produced by a continuously working arc cluster ion source and subsequently size-selected by an electrostatic quadrupole deflector. The crystalline structure of pure clusters has been investigated with HRTEM to ensure a reliable determination of the lattice parameter for the alloy clusters. The composition of the alloy clusters was checked with energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDX). The height of the deposited FeCo clusters on the (110) surface of tungsten was determined via STM. These results were compared with the lateral size distribution being investigated by TEM and allow a conclusion on the shape of the deposited alloy clusters. Furthermore, the behavior of the alloy clusters on the W(110) surface at elevated temperatures has been examined, at which the clusters show anisotropic spreading.     

Analysing Cytochrome c Aggregation and Fibrillation upon Interaction with Acetonitrile: an in Vitro Study

The propensity of native state to form aggregated and fibrillar assemblies is a hallmark of amyloidosis. Our study was focused at analyzing the aggregation and fibrillation tendency of cytochrome c in presence of an organic solvent i.e. acetonitrile. In vitro analysis revealed that the interaction of cytochrome c with acetonitrile facilitated the oligomerization of cytochrome c via the passage through an intermediate state which was obtained at 20 % v/v concentration of acetonitrile featured by a sharp hike in the ANS fluorescence intensity with a blue shift of 20 nm compared to the native state. Oligomers and fibrils were formed at 40 and 50 % v/v concentration respectively as indicated by a significant hike in the ThT fluorescence intensity, red shift of 55 nm in congo red binding assay and an increase in absorbance at 350 nm. They possess β-sheet structure as evident from appearance of peak at 217 nm. Finally, authenticity of oligomeric and fibrillar species was confirmed by TEM imaging which revealed bead like aggregates and a meshwork of thread like fibrils respectively. It could be suggested that the fibrillation of bovine cytchrome c could serve as a model protein to unravel the general aggregation and fibrillation pattern of heme proteins.

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Graphical abstract ?

     

Synthesis of New Alicyclic Oxalamide Derivatives and Their Differential Immunomodulatory Activities on the Mammalian Cells

A series of novel alicyclic oxalamide derivatives were synthesized by the reaction of the N‐alicyclic secondary amine analogs with the intermediates obtained from the reaction of 2‐aminophenol derivatives and diethyl oxalate. Due to their similarities to the thalidomide, these compounds were synthesized as alternative anti‐inflammatory drug candidates. In order to test their efficacies, an in vitro inflammation model was utilized. In this model, macrophages be activated by a danger mimic lipopolysaccharide to produce pro‐inflammatory cytokines. Macrophages are the major cell types that produce cytokines against danger stimuli to regulate the local as well as systemic immune reactions. The alicyclic oxalamide derivatives' immunomodulatory potentials were tested in vitro on the macrophages. Based on our results, these molecules had differential effects on the production of the TNFα and IL6 pro‐inflammatory cytokines by the lipopolysaccharide‐stimulated macrophages. A set of the derivatives had adjuvant and immunostimulatory activities, while another group had anti‐inflammatory activities. Their differential effects on the production of the TNFα and IL6 open new venues for their medicinal applications. One can target a specific cytokine that has been associated with a certain disease while sparing the activity and production of the other cytokine by using a certain selection of the derivatives in our hands.     

Co-Chaperone Bag-1 Plays a Role in the Autophagy-Dependent Cell Survival through Beclin 1 Interaction

Expression levels of the major mammalian autophagy regulator Beclin 1 and its interaction with Bcl-2 regulate the switch between autophagic cell survival and apoptotic cell death pathways. However, some of the regulators and the precise mechanisms of these processes still remain elusive. Bag-1 (Bcl-2 associated athanogene-1), a member of BAG family proteins, is a multifunctional pro-survival molecule that possesses critical functions in vital cellular pathways. Herein, we report the role of Bag-1 on Bcl-2/Beclin 1 crosstalk through indirectly interacting with Beclin 1. Pull-down experiments suggested a molecular interaction between Bag-1 and Beclin 1 in breast cancer cell lines. On the other hand, in vitro binding assays showed that Bag-1/Beclin 1 interaction does not occur directly but occurs through a mediator molecule. Bag-1 interaction with p-Beclin 1 (T119), indicator of early autophagy, is increased during nutrient starvation suggesting involvement of Bag-1 in the autophagic regulation. Furthermore, CRISPR/Cas9-mediated Bag-1 knock-out in MCF-7 cells hampered cell survival and proliferation and resulted in decreased levels of total LC3 under starvation. Collectively, we suggest that Bag-1 modulates cell survival/death decision through maintaining macroautophagy as a component of Beclin 1-associated complexes.     

The decomposition kinetics of mechanically activated alunite ore in air atmosphere by thermogravimetry

The thermal decompositions of both non-activated and mechanically activated alunite ore have been studied by thermogravimetry (TG). The ore was activated mechanically in an attritor for 15 min and amorphisation in the structure was studied by X-ray diffraction analysis. It can be verified that alunite decomposes in two steps, which are dehydration and desulphation. It was also established that the mechanical activation affected especially on the temperature range of dehydration reaction. The activation energies of dehydration and desulphation reactions have been calculated from the thermogravimetric data at heating rates of 5, 10, 15 and 20 K min⁻¹ involving isoconversional methods of Ozawa and Kissenger-Akahira-Sunose (KAS).