Existence results for coupled systems of quadratic integral equations of fractional orders

We are concerning here with the existence of at least one positive continuous solution of coupled systems of quadratic integral equations of fractional orders. Then an existence theorem for a coupled system of Cauchy problems will be proved.     

Preparation of N-Arylsulfonyl Imines from Sulfonamides and Aryl Aldehydes Using Magnesium Oxide as a Heterogeneous and Reusable Catalyst Under Solvent-Free Conditions

An efficient solvent-free procedure for the preparation of N-arylsulfonyl imines from sulfonamides and aryl aldehydes in the presence of a catalytic amount of magnesium oxide and tetrabutylammonium bromide (TBAB) under microwave irradiation is described. The advantages of this method are good to high yields, short reaction times, low cost, and matching with green chemistry protocols.     

Effect of carbon coating process on the structure and electrochemical performance of LiNi<Subscript>0.5</Subscript>Mn<Subscript>0.5</Subscript>O<Subscript>2</Subscript> used as cathode in Li-ion batteries

LiNi_0.5Mn_0.5O₂ powder was synthesized by a coprecipitation method. LiOH.H₂O and coprecipitated [(Ni_0.5Mn_0.5)C₂O₄] precursors were mixed carefully together and then calcined at 900°C. Surface modified cathode materials were obtained by coating LiNi_0.5Mn_0.5O₂ with a thin layer of amorphous carbon using table sugar and starch as carbon source. Both parent and carbon-coated samples have the characteristic layered structure of LiNi_0.5Mn_0.5O₂ as estimated from X-ray diffractometry measurements. Transmission electron microscope showed the presence of C layer around the prepared particles. TGA analysis emphasized and confirmed the presence of C coating around LiNi_0.5Mn_0.5O₂. It is obvious that the carbon coating appears to be beneficial for the electrochemical performance of the LiNi_0.5Mn_0.5O₂. A capacity of about 150 mAh/g is delivered in the voltage range 2.5–4.5 V at current density C/15 for carbon coated LiNi_0.5Mn_0.5O₂ in comparison with about 165 mAh/g obtained for carbon free LiNi_0.5Mn_0.5O₂ at the same current density and voltage window. About 92% and 82% capacity retention was obtained at 50th cycle for coated LiNi_0.5Mn_0.5O₂ using sucrose and starch, respectively; whereas, 75% was retained after only 30th cycle for carbon free LiNi_0.5Mn_0.5O₂. This improvement is mainly attributed to the presence of thin layer of carbon layer that encapsulate the nanoparticles and improve the conductivity and the electrochemical performance of LiNi_0.5Mn_0.5O₂.     

ZnO as a new catalyst for N-formylation of amines under solvent-free conditions

The treatment of amines with formic acid in the presence of ZnO under solvent-free conditions brings about highly and efficient N-formylation to give the corresponding formamides in excellent yields. The N-formylation reaction not only involves mild conditions, simple operation, and high yields but also high chemoselectivity.     

The 5-deoxy-5-methylthio-xylofuranose residue in mycobacterial lipoarabinomannan. absolute stereochemistry, linkage position, conformation, and immunomodulatory activity

Mycobacteria produce a cell-surface glycoconjugate, lipoarabinomannan (LAM), which has been shown to be a potent modulator of the immune response that arises from infection by these organisms. Recently, LAM from the human pathogens Mycobacterium tuberculosis and M. kansasii has been shown to contain an unusual 5-deoxy-5-methylthio-xylofuranose (MTX) residue as well as its corresponding oxidized counterpart, 5-deoxy-5-methylsulfoxy-xylofuranose (MSX). To date, the absolute configuration of these residues and their linkage position to the polysaccharide are unknown, as is their biological role. Through the combined use of chemical synthesis and NMR spectroscopy, we have established that the MTX/MSX residues in these glycoconjugates are of the d-configuration and that they are linked alpha-(1-->4) to a mannopyranose residue in the mannan portion of the glycan. Conformational analysis of the MTX/MSX residue using NMR spectroscopy showed differences in ring conformation and as well as in the rotamer populations about the C-4-C-5 bond, as compared to the parent compound, methyl alpha-d-xylofuranoside. Two of the synthesized disaccharides, 3 and 34, were tested in cytokine induction assays, and neither led to the production of TNF-alpha or IL-12p70. In contrast, both demonstrated modest inhibitory properties when these same cytokines were induced using a preparation of Interferon-gamma and Staphylococcus aureus Cowan strain (SAC/IFN-gamma). These latter observations suggest that this motif may play a role in the immune response arising from mycobacterial infection.     

Retention behaviour of beta-blockers in HPLC using a monolithic column

The chromatographic behaviour of a new HPLC-stationary phase (Chromolith RP-18e) is described for separation of beta-blockers. The effects of the different chromatographic conditions (buffer system, pH value, content of organic modifier, injection volume and flow rate) on the separation behaviour were studied. At higher flow rates the peaks seemed to be more symmetrical than at lower flow rates. The use of buffer or salt in the mobile phase for this separation is found to be very essential and the counter-anion type of this buffer or salt significantly affected the retention behaviour of beta-blockers while the cation type did not play the same important role.     

Solving an inverse problem for a generalized time-delayed Burgers-Fisher equation by Haar wavelet method

In this paper, a numerical method consists of combining Haar wavelet method and Tikhonov regularization method to determine unknown boundary condition and unknown nonlinear source term for the generalized time-delayed Burgers-Fisher equation using noisy data is presented. A stable numerical solution is determined for the problem. We also show that the rate of convergence of the method is as exponential $\Bigl(O\left(\frac{1}{2^{J+1}}\right)\Bigr)$, where $J$ is maximal level of resolution of wavelet. Some numerical results are reported to show the efficiency and robustness of the proposed approach for solving the inverse problems.     

Selective homogeneous liquid-liquid extraction and preconcentration of copper(II) into a micro droplet using a benzo-substituted macrocyclic diamide, and its determination by electrothermal atomic absorption spectrometry

A fast and reliable method was developed for the selective separation and preconcentration of Cu²⁺ ions using homogeneous liquid-liquid extraction using a novel benzo-substituted macrocyclic diamide, 5,6,7,8,9,10-hexahydro-2H-1,13,4,7,10-benzodioatriazacyclo-pentadecine-3,11(4 H,12 H)-dione, as a selective complexing agent. An aqueous solution of Zonyl FSA (FSA) was used as a phase-separation agent at pH 4.5. Electrothermal atomic absorption spectrometry was used for Cu²⁺ determination after preconcentration. The influences of pH, type and volume of the water-miscible organic solvent, concentration of FSA, concentration of the ligand and the effect of diverse ions were investigated. Factorial design and response surface methods were used for the optimization purposes. Under the optimum experimental conditions, 50 ng of Cu²⁺ in 5 mL aqueous sample could be extracted quantitatively into 76 µL of the sediment phase. The maximum preconcentration factor was 65. The calibration curve was linear in the concentration range 0.2 to 4.0 µg L^?1. The detection limit and relative standard deviation were 4 ng L^?1 and 4.6%, respectively. The method was successfully applied to the extraction and determination of Cu²⁺ in natural water samples.