Hilbert $$C^*$$-modules as a subcategory of operator systems and injectivity

In this paper, we study a category whose objects are Hilbert \(C^*\)-modules and whose morphisms are completely semi-\(\phi \)-maps. We give a characterization of injective objects in this category. In fact, we investigate extendability of completely semi-\(\phi \)-maps on Hilbert \(C^*\)-modules, leading to an analog of the Arveson’s extension theorem for completely semi-\(\phi \)-maps (in contrast with \(\phi \)-maps). This theorem together with previous results suggest that the completely semi-\(\phi \)-maps are proper generalizations of the completely positive maps.     

A Genetically Encoded,Phage‐Displayed Cyclic‐Peptide Library

Superior to linear peptides in biological activities, cyclic peptides are considered to have great potential as therapeutic agents. To identify cyclic‐peptide ligands for therapeutic targets, phage‐displayed peptide libraries in which cyclization is achieved by the covalent conjugation of cysteines have been widely used. To resolve drawbacks related to cysteine conjugation, we have invented a phage‐display technique in which its displayed peptides are cyclized through a proximity‐driven Michael addition reaction between a cysteine and an amber‐codon‐encoded N^?‐acryloyl‐lysine (AcrK). Using a randomized 6‐mer library in which peptides were cyclized at two ends through a cysteine–AcrK linker, we demonstrated the successful selection of potent ligands for TEV protease and HDAC8. All selected cyclic peptide ligands showed 4‐ to 6‐fold stronger affinity to their protein targets than their linear counterparts. We believe this approach will find broad applications in drug discovery.     

Synthesis,characterization, and application of a new tripodal ligand for the preparation of LSCF(6482) perovskite

The main aim of this paper was to study the effect of a new tripodal chelating agent on La_1?x Sr _x Co_1?y Fe _y O_3?δ perovskite prepared by the complexation method. For this purpose, a phenolic derivative of glycine (L) was synthesized applying the Mannich reaction and characterized by NMR and IR spectroscopies as well as by elemental analysis. To evaluate the complexation capability of L, its formation constants with the perovskite cations were measured. Comparison of these results with those reported for the complexaion with glycine, introduced L as a good candidate for the complexation with Fe(III) and La(III) cations. Furthermore, the powder XRD observations confirmed an improvement in the perovskite formation in the presence of L.     

Binding,and thermodynamics of <Emphasis Type="Italic">β</Emphasis>-cyclodextrin inclusion complexes with some coumarin laser dyes and coumarin-based enzyme substrates: a simulation study

This paper addresses modelling the nature of interactions between β-CD and some coumarins including recently reported novel sulphur analogues to form inclusion complexes of appealing medicinal, photochemical and photophysical properties. The binding energy and the total stabilization energy (E^ONIOM) are used to confirm the most favorable inclusion complex structure. Thermodynamic parameters reveal exothermic inclusion reaction in gas phase. Thermal stability of fluorescent enzyme substrate of coumarin nucleus increases in the order: gas?<?cyclohexane?<?water, indicating better stability in water. Furthermore, molecular characteristics such as optimized geometries, MO’s and electrostatic potential energy map surfaces and energies are reported and correlated with some reactivity indices. Our results validated the experimentally available data reported in the literature. Inclusion complexes of β-CD with coumarins should result in improving its laser efficiency in environmentally benign aqueous medium.     

Preparation and characterization of polyurethane based self-cleaning and antibacterial coating containing silver ion exchanged montmorillonite/TiO<Subscript>2</Subscript> nanocomposite

In order to reach an antibacterial, photocatalytic, and hydrophilic coating, commercial grade polyurethane (CPU) resin was modified with silver ion exchanged montmorillonite/TiO₂ nanocomposite in various montmorillonite to TiO₂ nanoparticle ratios. To characterize the prepared nanocomposites and coatings, X-ray diffraction patterns, FTIR and UV–Vis spectroscopy and SEM images were used. The modified commercial grade polyurethane coatings containing nanocomposites show better properties, including hydrophilicity, degradation of organic pollutants, antibacterial activity and water resistivity, compared to unmodified commercial grade polyurethane coatings. The water droplet contact angle of unmodified CPU coating was 70°, however it decreased to lower than 10° in modified CPU coatings after 24 h LED lamp irradiation. Decolorization efficiency of malachite green dye solution by the use of modified CPU coatings achieved up to 70% after 5 h LED lamp illumination, compared to less than 5% for unmodified CPU coatings. Modified CPU coatings also showed significant water resistivity and antibacterial properties.     

Response surface methodology for modelling and determination of catechin in Pistachio green hull using surfactant-based dispersive liquid–liquid microextraction followed by UV–Vis spectrophotometry

A rapid and simple approach for the preconcentration and determination of catechin from pistachio green hull samples has been proposed by surfactant-assisted dispersive liquid–liquid microextraction followed by UV–Vis spectrophotometry (SADLLME/UV–Vis). This method involved the formation of a catechin complex with cetylpyridinium chloride (CPC) as cationic surfactant, and subsequently, DLLME was applied to extract the catechin–CPC complex into chloroform. Different parameters affected the extraction efficiency were optimized by central composite design (CCD) and response surface methodology (RSM). In optimum condition, the calibration curve was linear in the range of 0.4–5 µg mL^??1 of catechin with correlation coefficient of 0.9982. The relative standard deviation based on five replicated analyses of 1 µg mL^??1 catechin was 1.85%. The proposed method was successfully applied for preconcentration and determination of trace amounts of catechin in pistachio hull samples.     

New Approaches for the Synthesis of Thiazoles and Their Fused Derivatives with Antimicrobial Activities

The 2‐ethoxy carbonyl methylene thiazol‐4‐one ( 3 ) reacts with acetophenone ( 4 ) to give the ethyl 2‐(4‐oxo‐4,5‐dihydro‐thiazol‐2‐yl)‐3‐phenyl‐2‐butenoate ( 5 ). The reactivity of the latter product towards aromatic aldehydes 6a‐d , cyanomethylene reagents 9a,b , aromatic aldehydes 13a‐d , phenylisothiocyanate ( 16 ), elemental sulfur and aromatic amines ( 20a‐c ) was studied to give arylidene, pyridine, thiophene and anilide derivatives. Some of the newly synthesized derivatives were used to synthesize fused derivatives. The antimicrobial activities of the newly synthesized products were tested in vitro for antimicrobial activity against two bacterial isolates, one saprophytic (Escherichia coli) and the other parasitic (Xanthomonas citri) and for antifungal activity against one saprophytic (Aspergillus fumigatus) and two phytopathogenics (Rhizoctonia solani and Fusarium oxysporum).     

Charge separation by tetrahexahedron-SrTiO<Subscript>3</Subscript>/TiO<Subscript>2</Subscript> heterojunction as an efficient photocatalyst

Charge separation plays a key role in the conversion of solar energy into chemical energy for use in the redox reaction and as well as in the photocatalytic activity. In this study, SrTiO₃ particles with different morphologies including irregular, tetrahexahedron, and cube were synthesized by an in situ solvothermal method. The photocatalytic activity of the synthesized nanoparticles was investigated in the photocatalytic decomposition of methylene blue under UV light irradiation. Tetrahexahedron SrTiO₃ particles exhibited high decomposition activity (70 %), which is about two times higher than those of the irregular and cubic SrTiO₃ particles. The high decomposition activity of tetrahexahedron SrTiO₃ particles could be attributed to the improvement of charge separation achieved on different crystal facets. To reach a good charge separation, tetrahexahedron SrTiO₃/TiO₂ coupled nanoparticles were fabricated by impregnation method. Results showed that coupling tetrahexahedron SrTiO₃ with TiO₂ could produce efficient charge separation between tetrahexahedron SrTiO₃ and TiO₂ due to their matched band edges. In order to achieve better charge separation, the tetrahexahedron SrTiO₃/90 %TiO₂ sample was calcined at different temperatures in the 450–750 °C range. Tetrahexahedron SrTiO₃/90 %TiO₂ coupled nanoparticles calcined at 650 °C show high photocatalytic activity compared with other samples. The prepared samples were characterized by using various techniques such as X-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy, photoluminescence emission spectra, and UV–Vis diffuse reflectance spectroscopy.