Effect of the manufacturing parameters on the structure of nitrogen-doped carbon nanotubes produced by catalytic laser-induced chemical vapor deposition

Series of self-assembled and mono-dispersed bovine serum albumin (BSA)-conjugated ZnS/CuS nano-composites with different Zn/Cu ratios had been successfully synthesized by a combination method of the biomimetic synthesis and ion-exchange strategy under the gentle conditions. High-resolution transmission electron microscopy observation, Fourier transform infrared spectra and zeta potential analysis demonstrated that BSA-conjugated ZnS/CuS nano-composites with well dispersity had the hierarchical structure and BSA was a key factor to control the morphology and surface electro-negativity of final products. The real-time monitoring by atomic absorption spectroscopy and powder X-ray diffraction revealed that the Zn/Cu ratio of nano-composites could be controlled by adjusting the ion-exchange time. In addition, the metabolic and morphological assays indicated that the metabolic proliferation and spread of rat pheochromocytoma (PC12) cells could be inhibited by nano-composites, with the high anti-cancer activity at a low concentration (4 ppm). What were more important, Zn and Cu in nano-composites exhibited a positive cooperativity at inhibiting cancer cell functions. The microscope observation and biochemical marker analysis clearly revealed that the nano-composites-included lipid peroxidation and disintegration of membrane led to the death of PC12 cells. Summarily, the present study substantiated the potential of BSA-conjugated ZnS/CuS nano-composites as anti-cancer drug.     

Efficient and selective synthesis of alkoxy substituted di(pyridin-2-yl)amines and N-arylpyridin-2-ylamines

The formation of alkoxy substituted di(pyridin-2-yl)amines and N-arylpyridin-2-ylamines by nitro group reduction is described. Unexpected substitution of ortho with the amino at C-6 was observed during the reduction using SnCl₂·2H₂O in different alcohols. The influence of the nature of the atom at the 3- and 5-positions of nitro-substituted di(pyridin-2-yl)amines and N-arylpyridin-2-ylamines was investigated.     

Potassium sorbate release from poly(vinyl alcohol)-bacterial cellulose films

Active packaging materials are the subject of research because their performance exceeds that of traditional packaging. From this class, antimicrobial materials extend the shelf-life of products and reduce the risk of contamination by pathogens. In this paper, new composite materials with antimicrobial properties are obtained by using polyvinyl alcohol and bacterial cellulose powder. Potassium (2E,4E)-hexa-2,4-dienoate was used as the antimicrobial agent. The films thus obtained were characterised using Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy and scanning electron microscopy. Mass transfer phenomena concerning the release of potassium (2E,4E)-hexa-2,4-dienoate were investigated. The results indicated that the new biocomposite films could be used as antimicrobial packaging materials.     

Thermal analysis,microstructure and impurity phases evolution in Fe14Cr ferritic steel powders ball-milled in air and under an argon atmosphere

Journal of Thermal Analysis and Calorimetry - Azobenzenes undergo reversible trans–cis photo-isomerization and have been studied extensively as photo-responsive materials. Despite their...     

Existence theory of abstract approximate deconvolution models of turbulence

This report studies an abstract approach to modeling the motion of large eddies in a turbulent flow. If the Navier-Stokes equations (NSE) are averaged with a local, spatial convolution type filter, , the resulting system is not closed due to the filtered nonlinear term . An approximate deconvolution operator D is a bounded linear operator which is an approximate filter inverse

Enzymatic degradation of some nanocomposites of poly(vinyl alcohol) with starch

A study of the enzymatic degradation of some montmorillonite-containing nanocomposites of poly(vinyl alcohol) with starch was based on the determinations of mass loss and the reducing sugars. The degraded residues have been examined by FT-IR spectroscopy and optical microscopy. It has been established that the nanoparticles hinder degradation, while the susceptibility to enzymatic degradation varies in the order: PVA/starch/nanocore > PVA/starch/Bentonite > PVA/starch/Peruvian clay.     

Correlations between radiothermoluminescence and the catalytic properties of some active aluminas. A catalysis model

The present paper reports correlations between data obtained by the radiothermoluminescence (RTL) method and the catalytic activity of active aluminas. The correlations between the intensity of RTL signals, glow peak temperatures and activation energy obtained by RTL and the data referring to the history, catalytic activity and activation energy of the catalyzed reaction, require the use of RTL as a supplementary method in the characterization of catalysts. The results underline the role of structural defects in the catalyst (or support) on the catalysis as illustrated by the present model.