Layer-by-layer assembly of thiol-capped au nanoparticles on a water surface and their deposition on H-terminated Si(001) by the Langmuir-Blodgett method

A monolayer of dodecanethiol-encapsulated Au nanoparticles when compressed laterally transforms into layer-by-layer assemblies on water surface. These layer-by-layer assemblies of Au nanoparticles have been deposited on H-terminated Si(001) substrates by using one down-up cycle (two strokes) in the Langmuir-Blodgett (LB) method. The transformation from monolayer to layer-by-layer assembly on a water surface is irreversible; i.e., if the compressed film is decompressed the layer-by-layer structure cannot regenerate the monolayer structure. Unlike layer-by-layer growth, only odd numbers of layers grow from the monolayer on the H-terminated Si(001) substrates by using different numbers of down-up cycles. Z-type LB deposition occurs only in the first down-up cycle of the hydrophobic substrate, whereas Y-type LB deposition takes place in the successive cycles. Such layer-by-layer assemblies of Au nanoparticles, which are made on bare silicon surfaces and where thickness can be controlled at the nanoscale level, are very promising for their novel applications in the field of nanoscience.     

Mechanism of the formation of complexes of trimethylchlorosilane with some nitrogen donors in nitrobenzene

Reactions of trimethylchlorosilane (Me ₃SiCl) with some nitrogen donors viz. pyridine, 2-, 3- and 4-picolines, quinoline and isoquinoline in nitrobenzene have been studied conductometrically. The conductivities of the solutions during these reactions have been interpreted in terms of the formation of (Me ₃Si.D)⁺, (Me ₃SiCl₂)^? andMe ₃SiCl.D (D=N-donor molecule) species.     

Facile iterative synthesis, spectral characterization, electron microscopic study and thermogravimetric analysis of phosphorus dendron with bisphenol A at the focal point

A facile iterative synthesis of a phosphorus dendron with bisphenol A at the focal point by following the divergent procedure is described. The phosphorus dendron peripherally functionalized with phenolic OH group has been accomplished in a very versatile simple fashion, using the Schiff condensation and nucleophilic substitution reactions using P(S)Cl₃, P(O)Cl₃, 3-hydroxybenzaldehyde and 3-aminopheno. The structures of intermediate dendrons were confirmed by IR, NMR (¹H, ¹³C and ³¹P), LC-Mass and C, H, N analysis. The structure of the final dendron (5) was confirmed by IR, NMR (¹H, ¹³C and ³¹P), MALDI-TOF-MS, and C, H, N analysis. The thermal stability of the resulting functionalized dendron has been checked by TGA/DTA analysis. The surface topography observed by scanning electronic microscopic study (SEM) gives the reminiscent of the dendritic structure.     

Investigation and optimization of the recovery of coal fines using oil agglomeration process: Use of waste oils from different sectors

The high cost of the bridging liquid subdues the implementation and commercialization of oil agglomeration process. To overcome this problem, waste oils from different sectors were used in this present study. The performance of the process was assessed based on the responses like ash rejection and organic matter recovery. The aim of the present study was to investigate the usage of waste oils from different sectors and to optimize and analyze the behavioral pattern showcased by different variables (pulp density, oil dosage, agglomeration time and oil type) using response surface methodology (Box-Behnken design). Experimental investigation shows that the optimum pulp density, oil dosage, agglomeration time and oil type condition obtained as 3%, 15%, 15?min and waste engine oil, respectively. At optimum condition, the % ash rejection and % organic matter recovery obtained as 63.94% and 81.8%, respectively.     

Visible light photoredox catalysis with N-hydroxyphthalimide for [4+2] cyclization between N-methylanilines and maleimides

An efficient [4+2] cyclization of N-methylanilines with maleimides to afford tetrahydroquinolines using N-hydroxyphthalimide as a metal-free and cheap organophotoredox catalyst is reported. The protocol involves C(sp³)H activation of N-methylanilines for the formation of α-amino radical without an oxidant at room temperature. The present method describes an easy preparation of tricyclic heterocycles in good to excellent yields under mild reaction conditions.     

On-line coupling of capillary isoelectric focusing with transient isotachophoresis-zone electrophoresis: a two-dimensional separation system for proteomics

A microdialysis junction is employed as the interface for on-line coupling of capillary isoelectric focusing with transient isotachophoresis-zone electrophoresis in a two-dimensional separation system. Capillary isoelectric focusing not only provides high-resolution separation of tryptic peptides based on their differences in isoelectric point, but also potentially allows the analysis of low-abundance proteins with a typical concentration factor of 50-100 times. Carrier ampholytes, employed for the creation of a pH gradient during focusing, are further utilized as the leading electrolyte in the second separation dimension, transient isotachophoresis-zone electrophoresis. Many peptides which have the same isoelectric point would most likely have different charge-to-mass ratios, and thus different electrophoretic mobilities in zone electrophoresis. Two-dimensional separation of proteolytic peptides is demonstrated using standard proteins, including cytochrome c, ribonuclease A, and carbonic anhydrase II. The maximum peak capacity is estimated to be around approximately 1600 and can be significantly increased by simply increasing the capillary column length and manipulating the range of pH gradient in isoelectric focusing. In addition to enhanced separation efficiency and resolution, this two-dimensional electrokinetic separation system permits sensitive and comprehensive analysis of peptide fragments, especially when integrated with electrospray ionization mass spectrometry for peptide/protein identification.     

Statins: 3-Hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl-CoA (HMG-CoA) Reductase Inhibitors Demonstrate Anti-Atherosclerotic Character due to Their Antioxidant Capacity

Atherosclerosis is a chronic inflammatory disease of multiple etiologies. It is associated with the accumulation of oxidized lipids in arterial lesions leading to coronary heart disease. 3-Hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl coenzyme A (HMG-CoA) reductase inhibitors (commonly known as statins) are widely used in cardiovascular disease prevention to lower the cholesterol. The antioxidant activity of HMG-CoA reductase inhibitors was studied by lipid peroxidation inhibition assay, DPPH, and hydroxyl radical scavenging-activity methods. The lovastatin (93%) and simvastatin (96%) showed significant action of lipid peroxidation inhibition compared to other HMG-CoA reductase inhibitors. The DPPH radical and hydroxyl radical scavenging activity of simvastatin was 38% and 33%, respectively. The oxidative modification of serum lipid due to reactive oxygen species causes atherosclerosis. This study revealed the importance of lovastatin and simvastatin to prevent oxidative stress-related cardiovascular diseases.     

A New Ecological RP-HPLC Method for the Determination of Pitavastatin,Fenofibrate and Their Impurities in a Novel Fixed Dose Combination

Chromatographia - We developed a simple, rapid, ecological RP-HPLC method for the estimation of Pitavastatin (PIT), Fenofibrate (FEN), and their impurities in a novel fixed dose combination. We...     

Biocompatible hydrogels based on chitosan,cellulose/starch,PVA and PEDOT:PSS with high flexibility and high mechanical strength

Fabricating mechanically strong hydrogels that can withstand the conditions in internal tissues is a challenging task. We have designed hydrogels based on multicomponent systems by combining chitosan, starch/cellulose, PVA, and PEDOT:PSS via one-pot synthesis. The starch-based hydrogels were homogeneous, while the cellulose-based hydrogels showed the presence of cellulose micro- and nanofibers. The cellulose-based hydrogels demonstrated a swelling ratio between 121 and 156%, while the starch-based hydrogels showed higher values, from 234 to 280%. Tensile tests indicated that the presence of starch in the hydrogels provided high flexibility (strain at break?>?300%), while combination with cellulose led to the formation of stiffer hydrogels (elastic moduli 3.9–6.6 MPa). The ultimate tensile strength for both types of hydrogels was similar (2.8–3.9 MPa). The adhesion and growth of human osteoblast-like SAOS-2 cells was higher on hydrogels with cellulose than on hydrogels with starch, and was higher on hydrogels with PEDOT:PSS than on hydrogels without this polymer. The metabolic activity of cells cultivated for 3 days in the hydrogel infusions indicated that no acutely toxic compounds were released. This is promising for further possible applications of these hydrogels in tissue engineering or in wound dressings.

Graphical abstract