In memory of Professor Ali H. Nayfeh

Nonlinear Dynamics - In this paper, we propose and numerically study a nonlinear, asymmetric, passive metamaterial that achieves giant non-reciprocity with (i) broadband frequency operation and...     

Event-triggered based $$\pmb {L_{2}-L_{\infty }}$$L2-L∞ filtering for multiagent systems with Markovian jumping topologies under time-varying delays

Nonlinear Dynamics - In this article, we analyze the $$L_{2}-L_{\infty }$$ filtering of multiagent systems for Markovian switch topologies under time-varying delays with an influence of...     

Recent developments and comparison of transformation strategies for organic halides to aldehydes and ketones

Molecular Diversity - Aldehydes and ketones are parts of millions of compounds and are important classes of chemicals which serve as important precursors for the synthesis of library of compounds....     

Ferroptosis: A New Road towards Cancer Management

Ferroptosis is a recently described programmed cell death mechanism that is characterized by the buildup of iron (Fe)-dependent lipid peroxides in cells and is morphologically, biochemically, and genetically distinct from other forms of cell death, having emerged to play an important role in cancer biology. Ferroptosis has significant importance during cancer treatment because of the combination of factors, including suppression of the glutathione peroxidase 4 (Gpx4), cysteine deficiency, and arachidonoyl (AA) peroxidation, which cause cells to undergo ferroptosis. However, the physiological significance of ferroptosis throughout development is still not fully understood. This current review is focused on the factors and molecular mechanisms with the diagrammatic illustrations of ferroptosis that have a role in the initiation and sensitivity of ferroptosis in various malignancies. This knowledge will open a new road for research in oncology and cancer management.     

生物催化进展:从计算到代谢工程（英文）

经过数次技术研究和超常创新战略的大发展,生物催化逐渐达到工业化水平,从而受到人们特别的关注.基于酶值,通过生物途径生产高附加值化合物和精细工业化学品成为人们最感兴趣的领域之一.更广泛的众多生物化学路线可由酶催化来实现,其中还有一些酶尚未被人们发现.另一方面,由于非同源底物和某些化学过程所必需的苛刻条件,导致酶催化过程的效率低、稳定性差,因而限制了生物催化的应用.因此,开发具有多催化特征、更高效率和稳定性的绿色催化剂,成为生物催化的重中之重.计算科学、代谢工程、合成生物,以及机器学习路线的运用为新催化剂的工程化提供了新方法.本文重点介绍了合成生物学和代谢工程在催化中的作用,讨论了用于催化的机器学习算法和如何选择一种预测蛋白质-配体相互作用的算法;为了预测键合和催化功能,综述了分子对接的重要性;最后给出了结束语、未来挑战和前景展望.     

Quantitative analysis of MWCNT agglomeration in polymeric‐based membranes using atomic force microscope

In this work, we performed an analysis on the surface properties of polyethersulfone (PES)‐based ultrafiltration membranes that were prepared by incorporating acid functionalized multiwalled carbon nanotube (f‐MWCNT) and polyvinylpyrrolidone into membrane matrix via simple blending method. The bonding‐chemistry of the nanocomposites implanted within the PES membrane was investigated by Fourier transform infrared spectrometer while atomic force microscope was employed to observe the distribution of f‐MWCNT in the membrane matrix and further measured its agglomeration quantitatively. The resultant 3D atomic force microscope images provided the most satisfactory way to examine the distribution of nanomaterials in the membranes, and with the help of ‘point profile data’ the maximum height and width of the agglomerated cluster could be quantitatively calculated. Moreover, the surface profile studies of the membrane surface provided the information about the length, volume, area, perimeter, radius and diameter of grains. It was observed that PES/nanocomposite blended membranes were held together via strong hydrogen bonding, but poor dispersion of MWCNT in the membrane matrix reduced the membrane performance in terms of protein (pepsin and bovine albumin serum) rejection and increased the surface roughness. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Magnetic,Electrical and Thermal Studies of Polypyrrole-Fe<Subscript>2</Subscript>O<Subscript>3</Subscript> Nanocomposites

This research paper comprises of the synthesis of polypyrrole (PPy)-Fe₂O₃ nanocomposites by employing the in situ chemical oxidative polymerization method. The concentration of the filler material was adjusted between 10–50 wt % of PPy. The synthesized nanocomposites were characterized by using X-ray diffraction (XRD). Magnetic analysis and DC electrical conductivity of the samples were carried out using vibrating sample magnetometer (VSM) and two probe DC conductivity method, point towards magnetically active and electrically conductive samples. The magnetic parameters under applied magnetic field demonstrated that the values of coercivity (H _c ), saturation magnetization (M _s ) and remanence (M _r ) can be tailored by carefully controlling the amount of dopant material into the nanocomposites indicating their suitability for controllable switching devices and microwave absorption applications. The DC electrical conductivity showed an increase up to 20 wt % of filler material and thereafter a decrease in the conductivity of nanocomposites with increase in filler content is observed. Thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) showed an increase in thermal stability with an increase in ferrite content in nanocomposites.     

In Vivo Antistress Effects of Synthetic Flavonoids in Mice: Behavioral and Biochemical Approach

Natural flavonoids, in addition to some of their synthetic derivatives, are recognized for their remarkable medicinal properties. The present study was designed to investigate the in vitro antioxidant and in vivo antistress effect of synthetic flavonoids (flavones and flavonols) in mice, where stress was induced by injecting acetic acid and physically through swimming immobilization. Among the synthesized flavones (F1–F6) and flavonols (OF1–OF6), the mono para substituted methoxy containing F3 and OF3 exhibited maximum scavenging potential against DPPH (2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl) with IC₅₀ of 31.46 ± 1.46 μg/mL and 25.54 ± 1.21 μg/mL, respectively. Minimum antioxidant potential was observed for F6 and OF6 with IC₅₀ values of 174.24 ± 2.71 μg/mL and 122.33 ± 1.98 μg/mL, respectively, in comparison with tocopherol. The ABTS scavenging activity of all the synthesized flavones and flavonols were significantly higher than observed with DPPH assay, indicating their potency as good antioxidants and the effectiveness of ABTS (2,2′-azino-bis(3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonate) assay in evaluating antioxidant potentials of chemical substances. The flavonoids-treated animals showed a significant (* p < 0.05, ** p < 0.01 and *** p < 0.001, n = 8) reduction in the number of writhes and an increase in swimming endurance time. Stressful conditions changed plasma glucose, cholesterol and triglyceride levels, which were used as markers when evaluating stress in animal models. The level of these markers was nearly brought to normal when pre-treated with flavones and flavonols (10 mg/kg) for fifteen days in experimental animals. These compounds also considerably reduced the levels of lipid peroxidation (TBARS: Thiobarbituric acid reactive substances), which was significant (* p < 0.05, ** p < 0.01 and *** p < 0.001, n = 8) compared to the control group. A significant rise in the level of catalase and SOD (super oxide dismutase) was also observed in the treated groups. Diazepam (2 mg/kg) was used as the standard drug. Additionally, the flavonoids markedly altered the weight of the adrenal glands, spleen and brain in stress-induced mice. The findings of the study suggest that these flavonoids could be used as a remedy for stress and are capable of ameliorating diverse physiological and biochemical alterations associated with stressful conditions. However, further experiments are needed to confirm the observed potentials in other animal models, especially in those with a closer resemblance to humans. Toxicological evaluations are also equally important.     

Exploring the Volatiles Released from Roots of Wild and Domesticated Tomato Plants under Insect Attack

Plants produce volatile organic compounds that are important in communication and defense. While studies have largely focused on volatiles emitted from aboveground plant parts upon exposure to biotic or abiotic stresses, volatile emissions from roots upon aboveground stress are less studied. Here, we investigated if tomato plants under insect herbivore attack exhibited a different root volatilome than non-stressed plants, and whether this was influenced by the plant’s genetic background. To this end, we analyzed one domesticated and one wild tomato species, i.e., Solanum lycopersicum cv Moneymaker and Solanum pimpinellifolium, respectively, exposed to leaf herbivory by the insect Spodoptera exigua. Root volatiles were trapped with two sorbent materials, HiSorb and PDMS, at 24 h after exposure to insect stress. Our results revealed that differences in root volatilome were species-, stress-, and material-dependent. Upon leaf herbivory, the domesticated and wild tomato species showed different root volatile profiles. The wild species presented the largest change in root volatile compounds with an overall reduction in monoterpene emission under stress. Similarly, the domesticated species presented a slight reduction in monoterpene emission and an increased production of fatty-acid-derived volatiles under stress. Volatile profiles differed between the two sorbent materials, and both were required to obtain a more comprehensive characterization of the root volatilome. Collectively, these results provide a strong basis to further unravel the impact of herbivory stress on systemic volatile emissions.