Bilayer Cylindrical Conduit Consisting of Electrospun Polycaprolactone Nanofibers and DSC Cross‐Linked Sodium Alginate Hydrogel to Bridge Peripheral Nerve Gaps

Herein, a bilayer cylindrical conduit (P‐CA) is presented consisting of electrospun polycaprolactone (PCL) nanofibers and sodium alginate hydrogel covalently cross‐linked with N,N′‐disuccinimidyl carbonate (DSC). The bilayer P‐CA conduit is developed by combining the electrospinning and outer–inner layer methods. Using DSC, as a covalent crosslinker, increases the degradation time of the sodium alginate hydrogel up to 2 months. The swelling ratio of the hydrogel is also 503% during the first 8 h. The DSC cross‐linked sodium alginate in the inner layer of the conduit promotes the adhesion and proliferation of nerve cells, while the electrospun PCL nanofibers in the outer layer provide maximum tensile strength of the conduit during surgery. P‐CA conduit promotes the migration of Schwann cells along the axon in a rat model based on functional and histological evidences. In conclusion, P‐CA conduit will be a promising construct for repairing sciatic nerves in a rat model.     

Preparation and characterization of a novel DABCO-based ionic liquid supported on Fe3O4@TiO2 nanoparticles and investigation of its catalytic activity in the synthesis of quinazolinones

In this study, quinazolinone derivatives have been synthesized via a suitable and efficient procedure by one-potmulti-component reactions of 3-amino-1,2,4-triazole or 2-aminobenzimidazole, dimedone and aromatic aldehydes in the presence of Fe₃O₄@TiO₂-IL as nanocatalyst under solvent-free condition. The products were prepared in good to excellent yields using Fe₃O₄@TiO₂-IL magnetic nanocatalyst. The Fe₃O₄@TiO₂ magnetic nanoparticles (MNPs) were prepared using beet juice extract and functionalized with IL based on DABCO. Moreover, the core-shell structured magnetic Fe₃O₄@TiO₂-IL has been characterized by different techniques such as ¹H-NMR, FT-IR, VSM, XRD, SEM, TGA, TEM and EDX. To the best of our knowledge, the prepared ionic liquid displayed a good protective and activator agent for magnetic nanocatalyst.     

Spectral,crystallographic, theoretical and antibacterial studies of palladium(II)/platinum(II) complexes with unsymmetric diphosphine ylides

The reaction of α‐keto‐stabilized diphosphine ylides [Ph₂P(CH₂)_nPPh₂═C(H)C(O)C₆H₄‐p‐CN] (n = 1 (Y¹); n = 2 (Y²)) with dibromo(1,5‐cyclooctadiene) palladium(II)/platinum(II) complexes, [Pd/PtBr₂(cod)], in equimolar ratio gave the new cyclometalated Pd(II) and Pt(II) complexes [Br₂Pd(κ²‐Y¹)] ( 1 ), [Br₂Pt(κ²‐Y¹)] ( 2 ), [Br₂Pd(κ²‐Y²)] ( 3 ) and [Br₂Pt(κ²‐Y²)] ( 4 ). These compounds were screened in a search for novel antibacterial agents and characterized successfully using Fourier transfer infrared and NMR (¹H, ¹³C and ³¹P) spectroscopic methods. Also, the structures of complexes 1 and 2 were characterized using X‐ray crystallography. The results showed that the P,C‐chelated complexes 1 and 2 have structures consisting of five‐membered rings, while 3 and 4 have six‐membered rings, formed by coordination of the ligand through the phosphine group and the ylidic carbon atom to the metal centre. Also, a theoretical study of the structures of complexes 1 – 4 was conducted at the BP86/def2‐SVP level of theory. The nature of metal–ligand bonds in the complexes was investigated using energy decomposition analyses (EDA) and extended transition state combined with natural orbitals for chemical valence analyses. The results of EDA confirmed that the main portions of ΔE_int, about 57–58%, in the complexes are allocated to ΔE_elstat.     

The experimental/numerical investigation of variations in strip speed,water shower pattern and water temperature on high-temperature strip cooling rate in hot strip mill

Journal of Thermal Analysis and Calorimetry - Hot-rolled strips are cooled on the run-out table to achieve the customer-required mechanical properties. Cooling reduces the oxidation, which can...     

Fibrous nanosilica spheres KCC-1@NH2 as highly effective and easily retrievable catalyst for the synthesis of chromenes

Research on Chemical Intermediates - A three-component reaction of naphthalene-1,5-diol, malononitrile and aromatic aldehydes has been achieved in the presence of fibrous nanosilica spheres...     

Copper chromite decorated on nitrogen-doped graphene aerogel as an efficient catalyst for thermal decomposition of ammonium perchlorate particles

Journal of Thermal Analysis and Calorimetry - The present study reports numerical simulations of water-based Al2O3 nanofluid flowing in a 2D channel with a heated wall-mounted obstacle. The...     

l‐Proline‐functionalized Fe3O4 nanoparticles as a novel magnetic chiral catalyst for the direct asymmetric Mannich reaction

l ‐Proline has been successfully anchored on the surface of magnetic nanoparticles and characterized using powder X‐ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy, vibrating sample magnetometry and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy. These nanoparticles as a chiral catalyst have been employed to promote the direct asymmetric Mannich reaction. The corresponding products are obtained in high yields with high level of diastereoselectivity (up to 99:1 dr) in the presence of Fe₃O₄– l ‐proline. Also this heterogeneous catalyst can be recovered easily and reused many times without significant loss of its catalytic activity. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Sonication-assisted preparation of a nanocomposite consisting of reduced graphene oxide and CdSe quantum dots,and its application to simultaneous voltammetric determination of ascorbic acid,dopamine and uric acid

Microchimica Acta - Accurate detection of temperature and oxygen concentration at the cellular level is important in tumor diagnosis. Multifunctional nanocomposites are described that consist of...     

4-(4′-Diamino-di-phenyl)-sulfone supported on hollow magnetic mesoporous Fe3O4@SiO2 NPs: As a reusable and efficient catalyst for the synthesis of ethyl 2-amino-5,10-dihydro-5,10-dioxo-4-phenyl-4H benzo[g]chromene-3-carboxylates

4-(4′-diamino-di-phenyl)-sulfone supported on hollow magnetic mesoporous (HMMS) Fe₃O₄@SiO₂ NPs has been used as a novel and efficient catalyst in the preparation of ethyl 2-amino-5,10-dihydro-5,10-dioxo-4-phenyl-4H benzo[g]chromene-3-carboxylates by a simple one-pot three-component reaction of aldehydes, ethyl cyanoacetate and 2-hydroxynaphthalene-1,4-dione under reflux conditions in ethanol. Wide range of products, excellent yields in short times, reusability of the catalyst, low catalyst loading and environmental benignity are some of the important features of this protocol.     

KAl(SO4)2 · 12H2O (alum) a reusable catalyst for the synthesis of some 4-substituted coumarins via Pechmann reaction under solvent-free conditions

A simple, efficient, and practical procedure for the Pechmann condensation using KAl(SO₄)₂ · 12H₂O (alum) as a non-toxic, reusable, inexpensive, and easily available catalyst is described under solvent-free condition at 65°C. These improved reaction conditions allow the preparation of a wide variety of some new substituted coumarins in high yields (86–96%) and purity under mild reaction conditions. Compared to the classical Pechmann condensation, this new method consistently has the advantage of high yields. Correspondence: Ali A. Mohammadi, Department of Chemistry, Shahid Beheshti University, P.O. Box 19839-4716, Tehran, Iran.