Chromium(III), manganese(II) and iron(III) complexes based on hydrazone Schiff-base and azide ligands: synthesis,crystal structure and antimicrobial activity

A tridentate NNO donor hydrazine Schiff base, HL, was obtained from condensation of pyridine 2-carbaldehyde and 4-hydroxy benzohydrazide. HL and azide ligands with Cr(III), Mn(II) and Fe(III) have been used to synthesize [Cr(L)(N₃)(OCH₃)]₂ (1), [Mn(HL)₂(N₃)₂] (2), and [Fe(L)(N₃)(OCH₃)]₂·H₂O (3). HL is quite diverse in its chelating ability and can be a neutral or monoanionic ligand as a tridentate unit. In this paper, we report structures showing different denticities of the ligand having different charges. The ligand 1–3 was characterized by elemental analysis, FT-IR, and UV–vis spectral studies and solid-state structures were determined by single-crystal X-ray diffraction analysis, revealing that 1 and 3 are binuclear, while 2 is mononuclear. The efficiencies of the ligand and the three complexes were evaluated for antimicrobial activity; MIC data revealed that HL 1–3 are not strongly active in comparison to standard drugs.     

Stroke Patients Showed Improvements in Balance in Response to Visual Restriction Exercise

Objective: Several strategies have been designed to improve balance after stroke. Although recent studies have suggested that the balance training in stroke should include exercises that are performed in different sensory conflict conditions, little attention has been paid to manipulation of visual input. This study aimed to compare effects of balance training on an unstable surface with balance training under visual deprivation conditions in persons with stroke. Method: Forty-five stroke patients were randomized into three groups: the visual deprivation- stable based training (VD-SBT); unstable based training (UBT); and control (C) groups. Subjects of the VD-SBT group performed balance training on a stable surface with closed eyes. The UBT group performed balance training on an unstable surface with open eyes. Patients were assessed before and after interventions for Timed Up and Go (TUG), Four Square Step (FSS) and Five Times Sit to Stand (FTSS) tests. Result: There was a significant difference in pre- post intervention time of TUG, FSS and FTSS tests in all three groups. In a comparison of three groups, the UBT and VD-SBT groups had a significant improvement in time of all tests but significant improvement in time of all tests was observed in the VD-SBT group in comparison with the UBT group. In the field of balance training, the manipulation of visual input was more effective than the manipulation of standing surface to reweighting the sensory information. Conclusion: We recommended balance rehabilitation programs after stroke performed under conditions to stimulate the use of underused sensory input.     

Applications of inorganic‐organic hybrid architectures based on polyoxometalates in catalyzed and photocatalyzed chemical transformations

The scope of this article is to reveal the fruitful combination of POM species with metal coordination complexes, leading to the construction of several efficient multifunctional catalysts. In this review, we try to underscore various catalytic and photocatalytic reactions catalyzed by POM‐based inorganic‐organic hybrid. Notably, it has been well established that depending on the type of the reaction, the activity and selectivity of these hybrid catalyst can be drastically improved by the rational and correct choice of the organic metal complex and POM anion providing a marriage of convenience.     

A synthesis of spirofuran-indenoquinoxalines via isocyanid-based one-pot four-component reaction

A simple and versatile procedure for the combinatorial synthesis of (Z)-dialkyl-5-(alkylimino)-5Hspiro[ furan-2,11'-indeno[1,2-b]quinoxaline]-3,4-dicarboxylates via the catalyst-free one-pot fourcomponent reaction of ninhydrin, benzene-1,2-diamines, dialkyl acetylenedicarboxylates and isocyanides is described.     

Silicon nitride nanoparticles for surface-assisted laser desorption/ionization of small molecules

Conventional matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization mass spectrometry is limited to analyses of higher molecular weight compounds due to high background noise generated by the matrix in the lower mass region. Surface-assisted laser desorption/ionization (SALDI) mass spectrometry is an alternative solution to this problem. Nanoparticles, structured silicon surfaces and carbon allotropes are commonly used as SALDI surfaces. Here, for the first time, we demonstrate the application of silicon nitride nanoparticles as a suitable medium for laser desorption/ionization of small drug molecules.     

A new method to solve the fully connected Reserve Network Design Problem

In selecting sites for conservation purposes connectivity of habitat is important for allowing species to move freely within a protected area. The aim of the Reserve Network Design Problem is to choose a network of contiguous sites which maximises some conservation objective subject to various constraints. The problem has been solved using both heuristic and exact methods. Heuristic methods can handle much larger problems than exact methods but cannot guarantee an optimal solution. Improvements in both computer power and optimisation algorithms have increased the attractiveness of exact methods. The aim of this work is to formulate an improved algorithm for solving the Reserve Network Design Problem.     

A three-component,intramolecular Ugi reaction toward unique indoloketopiperazines

2-(3-Chloro-2-formyl-1H-indol-1-yl) acetic acid, as a bifunctional formyl-acid, is prepared in three steps. This compound undergoes a one-pot, four-center, three-component Ugi reaction with primary amines and alkyl isocyanides. A series of novel substituted indoloketopiperazine derivatives are obtained in moderate to high yields.     

Application of β-cyclodextrin in polymeric solid phase for separation and determination of lead in different environmental matrices

Immobilization of β-cyclodextrin on Dowex resin as an insoluble polymeric matrix by covalent bond presents a new solid-phase medium for preconcentration of Pb (II) at trace level in environmental samples prior to its flame atomic absorption spectrometric determination. The method is based on the sorption of lead after passing on modified Dowex sorbent in a column. The effect of several parameters such as pH, flow rate of sample, eluent kind and volume was investigated. The sorption capacity of the matrix has been found to be 0.4996?mg?g^?1 of adsorbent with the preconcentration factor of 250 for Pb (II). Nitric acid (3 M) as an eluent was sufficient to obtain quantitative recovery (>95%) for Pb (II). The optimum flow rate was 10?ml?min ^?1. The calibration curve was linear in the range of (3–250?ng?mL^?1) with a correlation coefficient of 0.9995. The limit of detection (LOD) based on three times the standard deviation of the blank was 1.37?ng?mL^?1. The relative standard deviation (RSD) for determination of 10?ng?mL^?1 and 100?ngmL^?1 of Pb (II) was 3.00 % and 0.58 % (n?=?10), respectively. The method was successfully applied to determination of lead in some environmental samples such as tap water, river water, soil and rice.     

Photoluminescence in the characterization and early detection of biomimetic bone-like apatite formation on the surface of alkaline-treated titanium implant: state of the art

Photoluminescence (PL) property is particularly important in the characterization of materials that contain significant proportions of noncrystalline components, multiple phases, or low concentrations of mineral phases. In this research, the ability of biomimetic bone-like apatite deposition on the surface of titanium alloy (Ti6Al4V) substrates in simulated body fluid (SBF) right after alkaline-treatment and subsequent heat-treatment was studied by the inherent luminescence properties of apatite. For this purpose, the metallic substrates were treated in 5 M NaOH solution at 60 °C. Subsequently, the substrates were heat-treated at 600 °C for 1 h for consolidation of the sodium titanate hydrogel layer. Then, they were soaked in SBF for different periods of time. Finally, the possibility to use of PL monitoring as an effective method and early detection tool is discussed. According to the obtained results, it was concluded that the PL emission peak did not have any significant shift to the shorter or higher wavelengths, and the PL intensity increased as the exposure time increased. This research proved that the observed inherent PL of the newly formed apatite coatings might be of specific interest for histological probing and bone remodelling monitoring.