Quantum Information of the Aharanov–Bohm Ring with Yukawa Interaction in the Presence of Disclination

We investigate quantum information by a theoretical measurement approach of an Aharanov–Bohm (AB) ring with Yukawa interaction in curved space with disclination. We obtained the so-called Shannon entropy through the eigenfunctions of the system. The quantum states considered come from Schrödinger theory with the AB field in the background of curved space. With this entropy, we can explore the quantum information at the position space and reciprocal space. Furthermore, we discussed how the magnetic field, the AB flux, and the topological defect influence the quantum states and the information entropy.     

Development of a Protein-Rich By-Product by 23 Factorial Design: Characterization of Its Nutritional Value and Sensory Analysis

The aim of this study was the development of a cereal bar based on bee pollen (BP), honey (H), and flour by-products (peel passion fruit flour—PPFF), generating an innovative product. BP is a protein-rich ingredient and can be used in the composition of cereal bars. PPFF is a by-product rich in fibers. The formulations were developed using a 2³ factorial design with four replicates in the center point, studying the sensory analysis as a response variable. The texture and nutritional parameters were performed for the optimal formulation. BP showed ca. 15% of protein. The final formulation (10.35% BP, 6.8% PPFF, and 25% H) presented 22.2% moisture, 1.8% ash, 0.4% total fat, 3.0% fiber, 63.1% carbohydrates, and 74.0 Kcal/25 g. The sensory analysis presented valued around 7 (typical of a traditional bar). Regarding the possibility of purchasing the product, 51% of the panelists said they would probably buy the developed product. The formulated cereal bar had a similar composition as those already marketed. Moreover, it can be considered a source of fiber and is sensory acceptable. This approach opens up new opportunities for developing nutritional and functional foodstuff with improved sensorial aspects.     

Molecular Modeling Approaches Can Reveal the Molecular Interactions Established between a Biofilm and the Bioactive Compounds of the Essential Oil of Piper divaricatum

Molecular modeling approaches are used in a versatile way to investigate the properties of diverse organic and inorganic structures such as proteins, biomolecules, nanomaterials, functionalized nanoparticles, and membranes. However, more detailed studies are needed to understand the molecular nature of interactions established in gelatin biofilms impregnated with bioactive compounds. Because of this, we used computational methods to evaluate how the major compounds of Piper divaricatum essential oil can interact with the gelatin biofilm structure. For this, we used as inspiration the paper published, where various properties of the essential oil impregnated gelatin biofilm P. divaricatum are reported. After our computer simulations, we related our molecular observations to biofilm’s structural and mechanical properties. Our results suggest that the major compounds of the essential oil were able to interrupt intermolecular interactions between the chains of the biofilm matrix. However, the compounds also established interactions with the amino acid residues of these chains. Our molecular analyses also explain changes in the structural and mechanical properties of the essential oil-impregnated biofilm. These results can support the planning of functional packaging impregnated with bioactive compounds that can protect food against microorganisms harmful to human health.     

Metal Organic Framework-235 (MOF-235) Modified Carbon Paste Electrode for Catechol Determination in Water

MOF-235 is presented as an orange powder, with crystals of the octahedral formation. It was already used as adsorbent to remove different compounds from water; however, no attempts have been published about the exploration of the MOF-235 application as electrochemical sensor for organic compounds yet. MOF-235 was synthetized and after that, it was characterized by SEM, XRD and FTIR. Graphite electrodes (GEs) were modified with different MOF-235 ratio (5 %, 7 %, 10 %, 12 % and 14 %) and these modified GEs were characterized by cyclic voltammetry (CV) measurements in order to determine the effect of MOF-235 concentration on the current response. Results indicated that, a significant improvement on the current response was attained at MOF-235(10 %)/GE respect to unmodified GE. This behavior is related to the pore structure and multiple active sites on the MOF surface. The performance of the MOF-235(10 %)/GE as electrochemical sensor for detecting catechol was assessed by differential pulse voltammetry (DPV). Catechol detection response of MOF-based sensor provided a detection limit of about 12.79 μmol L⁻¹ with a correlation coefficient (R²) of about 0.9928 ranging from 12 to 514 μmol L⁻¹. Finally, MOF-235(10 %)/GE was used to determine catechol in real water matrixes.     

Selective Recognition of Amino Acids and Peptides by Small Supramolecular Receptors

To this day, the recognition and high affinity binding of biomolecules in water by synthetic receptors remains challenging, while the necessity for systems for their sensing, transport and modulation persists. This problematic is prevalent for the recognition of peptides, which not only have key roles in many biochemical pathways, as well as having pharmacological and biotechnological applications, but also frequently serve as models for the study of proteins. Taking inspiration in nature and on the interactions that occur between several receptors and peptide sequences, many researchers have developed and applied a variety of different synthetic receptors, as is the case of macrocyclic compounds, molecular imprinted polymers, organometallic cages, among others, to bind amino acids, small peptides and proteins. In this critical review, we present and discuss selected examples of synthetic receptors for amino acids and peptides, with a greater focus on supramolecular receptors, which show great promise for the selective recognition of these biomolecules in physiological conditions. We decided to focus preferentially on small synthetic receptors (leaving out of this review high molecular weight polymeric systems) for which more detailed and accurate molecular level information regarding the main structural and thermodynamic features of the receptor biomolecule assemblies is available.     

Turbulence in microfluidics: Cleanroom-free,fast, solventless,and bondless fabrication and application in high throughput liquid-liquid extraction

This paper addresses an important breakthrough in the deployment of ultra-high adhesion strength microfluidic technologies to provide turbulence at harsh flow rate conditions. This paper is only, to our knowledge, the second reporting on the generation of high flow rate-assisted turbulence in microchannels. This flow solves a crucial bottleneck in microfluidics: the generation of high throughput homogeneous mixings. We focused on the fabrication of bulky polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) microchips (without any interfaces) rather than the laborious surface modifications that were employed in the first reporting about turbulence-assisted microfluidics. The fabrication is cleanroom-free, simple, low-cost, fast, solventless, and bondless requiring only a laboratory oven. More specifically, our method relies on the shaping of a nylon scaffold, cure of PDMS with embedded nylon, and removal of this scaffold. The scaffold was obtained by manually wrapping nylon threads. The withdrawing out of the scaffold was completed in few seconds using only a plier. Such microchannels endured flow rates of up to 60.0 mL min⁻¹ with a strikingly low elastic deformation. The importance in producing turbulence into microscale channels was successfully shown in liquid-liquid extractions. The great energy dissipation rate relative to the turbulence created high throughput and efficient extractions in microfluidics for the first time. The residence time was only 0.01 s at 25.0 mL min⁻¹ (total flow rate of the immiscible phases). In addition, the partition coefficient determined in a single run was similar to that obtained by the conventional batch shake-flask method that was realized in triplicate.     

Mass Spectrometry of Some Benzylidene Imidazolidinediones and Thiazolidinediones. II- chlorobenzyl imidazolidinedione and Fluoro or Chlorobenzyl Thiazolidinedione Compounds

In the present investigation, a study of the electron impact mass spectrometry data is reported for seven compounds of a series of some 3-(4-chlorobenzyl)-5-benzylidene-imidazolidine-2, 4-diones and 3-(4-fluoro or chlorobenzyl)-5-benzylidene-thiazolidine-2, 4-diones previously synthesized.