Homogeneous almost quaternion-Hermitian manifolds

An almost quaternion-Hermitian structure on a Riemannian manifold $(M^{4n},g)$ is a reduction of the structure group of $M$ to $\mathrm{Sp}(n)\mathrm{Sp}(1)\subset \text{ SO }(4n)$ . In this paper we show that a compact simply connected homogeneous almost quaternion-Hermitian manifold of non-vanishing Euler characteristic is either a Wolf space, or $\mathbb{S }^2\times \mathbb{S }^2$ , or the complex quadric $\text{ SO }(7)/\mathrm{U}(3)$ .     

A remarkably efficient synthesis of pure cis-stilbenoid hydrocarbons using trans-dibromoalkenes via palladium catalysis

A remarkably versatile synthesis of cis-stilbenoid hydrocarbons containing highly functionalized phenyl groups is developed via an efficient palladium-catalyzed coupling of aryl Grignard reagents with trans-1,2-dibromoalkenes (generally obtained via bromination of the corresponding dialkylacetylenes) in tetrahydrofuran.     

By-products from fruit processing

The oxidative stability of soybean oil added of extracts from by-products generated in the pulp processing of mango (CM), Barbados cherry (CB) and guava (CG), as well as the combination of these extracts with the antioxidants butylated hydroxytoluene (BHT) and tertiary butylhydroquinone (TBHQ), were evaluated by pressurized differential scanning calorimetry (P-DSC) and Rancimat methods. Among the extracts, that obtained from CB showed the highest content of total extractible phenolic. Soybean oil added of CM extract showed greater (p < 0.05) oxidative stability in Rancimat analysis, while by P-DSC method CB was the extract more effective (p < 0.05) to protect soybean oil. Soybean oil added of CB extract showed higher (p < 0.05) OIT values compared to those added of CM, CG and synthetic antioxidants BHT and TBHQ. The combination of CB, CM and CG extracts with TBHQ showed synergistic effects, while CM and CB combined with BHT showed antagonistic effect on oxidative stability in soybean oil. The OIT results obtained from analysis by P-DSC and the OSI results obtained by Rancimat showed Pearson moderate correlation (r = 0.42). These results suggest the CB, CM and CG extracts as good source of antioxidant compounds with potential for combined application with synthetic antioxidants to prevent oxidation in soybean oil.     

Synthesis,stereochemistry and adsorption studies of new spiranes and polyspiranes containing 1,2‐dithiolane units

The synthesis and stereochemistry of a series of new cyclic disulfides containing (poly)spirane 1,2‐dithiolane units are reported. Also included is a study of the self‐assembled monolayers (SAMs) of these compounds on a gold surface. The characteristics of the resultant SAMs were determined by IR spectroscopy using molecular mechanics calculations.     

A representation-theoretical proof of Bransonʼs classification of elliptic generalized gradients

The purpose of this paper is to present a new proof of Branson?s classification (Branson, 1997 [3]), of minimal elliptic sums of generalized gradients. The advantage of this proof is that it is local, being mainly based on representation theory and on the relationship between ellipticity and refined Kato inequalities. This approach is promising for the classification of elliptic generalized gradients of G-structures, for other subgroups G of the special orthogonal group.     

Spectral, magnetic and thermal characterisation of new Co(II), Ni(II) and Cu(II) complexes with Schiff base 5-bromo-N,N′-bis-(salicylidene)-o-tolidine

Starting from 5-bromo-N,N′-bis-(salicylidene)-o-tolidine (H₂L) new complexes with Co(II), Ni(II) and Cu(II) were synthesised and characterised. The features of complexes have been assigned from microanalytical, IR, UV–Vis–NIR and EPR spectra, magnetic data at room temperature as well as thermal analysis. IR data are in accordance with bischelate nature of the deprotonated ligand that coordinates through azomethinic nitrogen and phenolic oxygen. The electronic spectra display the characteristic pattern of tetrahedral stereochemistry for [CoL]·H₂O complex and octahedral one for [NiL(OH₂)₂]·H₂O complex. The electronic spectra correlated with magnetic susceptibility measurements indicate a square-planar surrounding for [ML] (M:Ni, Cu) species, while the EPR spectrum of copper complex sustains the proposed stereochemistry. The thermal analysis evidenced that thermal transformations are complex processes according to TG, DTA and DTG curves including (crystallization or coordination) water elimination, thermolyses and oxidative degradation of Schiff base. All these processes lead to the most stable metallic oxides as final product.     

Thermal study on complexes with Schiff base derived from 1,2,4-triazole as potential antimicrobial agents

In order to develop new metallo-antimicrobials the complexes of type MLCl·nH₂O ((1) M: Co, n = 0; (2) M: Ni, n = 2; (3) M: Cu, n = 2.5; (4) M: Zn, n = 0, HL: Schiff base derived from acetylacetone and 3-amino-4H-1,2,4-triazole) were synthesized by template condensation. The features of complexes have been assigned from microanalytical, IR and UV–Vis-NIR data. The species heating in air evidenced processes as melting, water and hydrochloride endothermic elimination as well as oxidative degradation of the Schiff base. The temperature ranges as well as modification in the electronic spectra of dehydrated intermediates indicate the presence of both coordination and crystallisation water molecules. The final product of decomposition was the most stable metal oxide as powder X-ray diffraction indicated.     

Synthesis, spectral and thermal study on new Fe(III) complexes with N,N-dimethylbiguanide as antibacterial agents

New complexes [FeO(DMBG)]₂ and [Fe(DMBG)₂]Cl·0.5H₂O (HDMBG: N,N-dimethylbiguanide) have been synthesized and characterized by microanalytical, IR and UV–Vis data. Electronic spectra of the complexes are characteristic for a tetrahedral stereochemistry, whilst the modifications in the IR spectra indicate the presence of the DMBG anion as chelate. The thermal decomposition investigated in air by thermal analysis confirmed the proposed formulas for the complexes and provided information concerning the modifications during heating and also the thermodynamic effects accompanying them. The thermal transformations are complex, according to TG and DTG curves including dehydration, hydrochloric acid elimination, oxidative degradation and condensation of –C=N– unit. The final product of decomposition was iron (III) oxide as powder XRD indicates. Complexes were screened for their antimicrobial properties against Gram-positive, Gram-negative bacterial, as well as fungal pathogenic strains. The results indicate that Fe(III) complexes exhibit an improved antibacterial activity against S. aureus and E. coli strains in comparison with free biguanide. The Fe(III) complexes also inhibit the ability of S. aureus, B. subtilis, P. aeruginosa and E. coli strains to colonize the inert substratum, accounting for their possible use as anti-biofilm agents.     

Physico-chemical and thermal characterisation of new Co(II) complexes with pyrazole derivatives

Four new complexes having general formula [CoL₂(acr)₂] (L: 1H-pyrazole (Hpz) (1); 3-methyl-1H-pyrazole (3-Me-Hpz) (2); 4-methyl-1H-pyrazole (4-Me-Hpz) (3); 3,5-dimethyl-1H-pyrazole (Hdmpz) (4); acr: acrylato ion) were synthesised and characterised. The infrared and UV–vis spectral data indicate that these pyrazole derivatives act as unidentate while acrylato ions act as bidentate chelate ligands generating Co(II) complexes with octahedral stereochemistry. TG experiments revealed the nature of complex species as anhydrous and confirmed those compositions. The biological assays revealed a good activity against Bacillus subtilis for all complexes.     

On the compatibility of low density polyethylene/hydrolyzed collagen blends. II: New compatibilizers

Compatibility/compatibilization of low density polyethylene (LDPE) and hydrolyzed collagen (HC) in the presence of some reactive compatibilizing agents (CA), like acrylic acid functionalized low density polyethylene (LDPE-g-AAc) and bismaleinimide-functionalized low density polyethylene (LDPE-g-BMI) have been discussed. It has been established that, by 20-30 wt% HC incorporation in LDPE matrix, in the presence of LDPE-g-AAc and LDPE-g-BMI compatibilizing agents, materials with good mechanical and surface properties can be obtained. Because of the high reactivity of bismaleinimide, the efficacity of LDPE-g-BMI as a compatibilizing agent is higher than that of LDPE-g-AAc.