Introduction of Ketamine as a G‐Quadruplex‐Binding Ligand Using Platinum Nanoparticle Modified Carbon Paste Electrode

We designed an electrochemical platform by modifying a carbon paste electrode (CPE) with platinum nanoparticles to study the interaction between ketamine and the G‐quadruplex structure of human telomeric DNA (G₄HTD). The drug ketamine (Kt) was used as the model ligand and its ability for stabilizing the G‐quadruplex structure was examined. The modified CPE (NPtCPE) was characterized by differential pulse voltammetry (DPV) and atomic force microscopy (AFM). The interaction of Kt with G₄HTD was studied by DPV and the DPV current decreased with increasing Kt concentration. The results from UV‐vis and circular dichroism (CD) spectroscopy showed a prominent intercalation mode between G₄HTD and Kt.     

Theoretical studies on the rotamers and dynamic behaviors of ethyl-5-acetyl-4-(3′,4′-dimethoxyphenyl)-2,6-dimethyl-1,4-dihydropyridine-3-carboxylate

The potential energy surfaces of ethyl-5-acetyl-4-(3′,4′-dimethoxyphenyl)-2,6-dimethyl-1,4-dihydropyridine-3-carboxylate have been explored by density functional theory B3LYP with 6-31G* basis set method. All minima and maxima points have a flat boat conformation and the aryl ring lies above the 1,4-dihydropyridine ring. Therefore, the rotation of aryl, acetyl, and carboethoxy groups do not cause a major conformational change in this compound. However, the orientations of carbonyl groups and the distortion from planarity of dihydropyridine ring have been changed. Intramolecular H-contacts involving CH-groups as proton donors have also been investigated. Comparative analysis of the results indicates that the barrier to rotation for aryl group is smaller than that of the carbonyl groups. In addition, the barriers to rotation for the carbonyl and aryl groups of the corresponding pyridine, i.e., ethyl-5-acetyl-4-(3′,4′-dimethoxyphenyl)-2,6-dimethyl-pyridine-3-carboxylate, have also been computed by a similar basis set to investigate the effect of aromaticity of the dihydropyridine ring on the these parameters.     

New rac‐XP(O)(OC6H5)(NHC6H4‐p‐CH3) [X = N(CH3)(cyclo‐C6H11) and NH(C3H5)] and rac‐(C6H5CH2NH)P(O)(OC6H5)(NH‐cyclo‐C6H11) mixed‐amide phosphinates

The mixed‐amide phosphinates, rac‐phenyl (N‐methylcyclohexylamido)(p‐tolylamido)phosphinate, C₂₀H₂₇N₂O₂P, (I), and rac‐phenyl (allylamido)(p‐tolylamido)phosphinate, C₁₆H₁₉N₂O₂P, (II), were synthesized from the racemic phosphorus–chlorine compound (R,S)‐(Cl)P(O)(OC₆H₅)(NHC₆H₄‐p‐CH₃). Furthermore, the phosphorus–chlorine compound ClP(O)(OC₆H₅)(NH‐cyclo‐C₆H₁₁) was synthesized for the first time and used for the synthesis of rac‐phenyl (benzylamido)(cyclohexylamido)phosphinate, C₁₉H₂₅N₂O₂P, (III). The strategies for the synthesis of racemic mixed‐amide phosphinates are discussed. The P atom in each compound is in a distorted tetrahedral (N¹)P(=O)(O)(N²) environment. In (I) and (II), the p‐tolylamido substituent makes a longer P—N bond than those involving the N‐methylcyclohexylamido and allylamido substituents. In (III), the differences between the P—N bond lengths involving the cyclohexylamido and benzylamido substituents are not significant. In all three structures, the phosphoryl O atom takes part with the N—H unit in hydrogen‐bonding interactions, viz. an N—H...O=P hydrogen bond for (I) and (N—H)(N—H)...O=P hydrogen bonds for (II) and (III), building linear arrangements along [001] for (I) and along [010] for (III), and a ladder arrangement along [100] for (II).     

Zitterbewegung in External Magnetic Field: Classic versus Quantum Approach

We investigate variations of the Zitterbewegung frequency of electron due to an external static and uniform magnetic field employing the expectation value quantum approach, and compare our results with the classical model of spinning particles. We demonstrate that these two so far compatible approaches are not in agreement in the presence of an external uniform static magnetic field, in which the classical approach breaks the usual symmetry of free particles and antiparticles states, i.e. it leads to CP violation. Hence, regarding the Zitterbewegung frequency of electron, the classical approach in the presence of an external magnetic field is unlikely to correctly describe the spin of electron, while the quantum approach does, as expected. We also show that the results obtained via the expectation value are in close agreement with the quantum approach of the Heisenberg picture derived in the literature. However, the method we use is capable of being compared with the classical approach regarding the spin aspects. The classical interpretation of spin produced by the altered Zitterbewegung frequency, in the presence of an external magnetic field, are discussed.     

Synthesis of narrow size distribution sub-micron TiO2 spheres

Ultra-fine spheres of TiO₂ are synthesized through sol-gel colloidal processing. Compared to previous studies, the present work shows a considerable achievement in controlling the shape of the produced particles as well as a relatively narrow size distribution.     

The influence of different factors on the stability and ultrafiltration of emulsified oil in water

The effects of different operating conditions on ultrafiltration (regenerated cellulose with a cut-off of 100 kg/mol) of cutting oil were studied for two different cases. The factors, examined at three levels, included: pH, oil concentration, feed flow velocity, and temperature. The salt (NaCl and CaCl₂) concentration was examined at three levels as well. A lower concentration range was used initially and was increased in the second case.     

Ultrasound promoted protection of alcohols: an efficient solvent-free pathway for the preparation of silyl ethers in the presence of no additive

Various types of alcohols and phenols were rapidly protected by hexamethyldisilazane in good to excellent yields at room temperature using high-intensity ultrasound irradiation in the presence of no solvent or any additive. Good to excellent chemoselectivity was observed for competitive protection of hydroxyl groups in favor of sterically less hindered alcohols. Exclusive protection of phenols in the presence of aromatic amines was also demonstrated successfully.     

Local and global universal relations for first-gradient materials

Local universal relations are relations between stress and kinematic variables which hold for all materials of a particular class irrespective of specific material parameters. A method is developed for obtaining local universal relations for most first gradient materials. The currently known local universal relations for isotropic elastic materials have been extended to all isotropic first gradient materials under constant step deformation histories and have also been extended to all isotropic first gradient materials undergoing arbitrary time dependent triaxial extensions along fixed material directions. It has been shown that universal relations exist for some anisotropic materials. A set of pseudo-universal relations has been obtained for anisotropic elastic materials which can be used to decouple the material functions. These pseudo-universal relations contain some, but not all, material functions. A global universal relation has been developed for the extension and torsion of an isotropic cylindrical shaft which holds for all incompressible first gradient materials.