Absolute optimal solution for a compact and convex game

This paper investigates the existence of absolute optimal solutions for a partition P in continuous and quasiconcave games. We show that the P-consistency property introduced in the paper, together with the quasiconcavity and continuity of payoffs, permits the existence of P-absolute optimal solutions in games with compact and convex strategy spaces. The P-consistency property is a general condition that cannot be dispensed with for the existence of P-absolute optimal solutions. We also characterize the existence of P-absolute optimal solutions by providing necessary and sufficient conditions. Moreover, we suggest an algorithm for efficiently computing P-absolute optimal solutions.     

Thermodynamics of New Modified Chaplygin Gas in Magnetic FRW Universe

We study the generalized second law of thermodynamics in the presence of non-interacting magnetic field and new modified Chaplygin gas with FRW universe. In this scenario, we investigate the validity of this law on Hubble, apparent, particle and event horizons. It is found that this law is respected on all horizons for specific values of the model parameters except on the event horizon where it does not hold for short time but remains valid otherwise. Finally, we explore the statefinders and Om diagnostic to check the viability of the present cosmological model.     

Synthesis of New Naphthyl Aceto Hydrazone-Based Metal Complexes: Micellar Interactions,DNA Binding,Antimicrobial, and Cancer Inhibition Studies

In the present study, naphthyl acetohydrazide (HL) ligand was prepared and used for the synthesis of new six amorphous transition metal (Co(II), Ni(II), Cu(II), Zn(II), Pb(II), Cd(II)) complexes. All the compounds were characterized by elemental analysis, UV-vis, FT-IR, ¹H- and ¹³C-NMR, and Matrix-Assisted Laser Desorption Ionization (MALDI). The solubilization study was carried out by estimating the interaction between the metal complexes with surfactants viz. sodium stearate (SS) and Cetyltrimethylammonium bromide (CTAB). UV-Visible spectroscopy was employed to determine partitioning and binding parameters, whereas electrical conductivity measurements were employed to estimate critical micellar concentration (CMC), the extent of dissociation, and free energy of micellization. The CT-DNA interaction of synthesized compounds with DNA represents the major groove binding. The synthesized ligand and metal complexes were also tested against bacterial and fungal strains and it has been observed that Cu(II) complex is active against all the strains except Candida albicans, while Cd(II) complex is active against all bacterial and fungal strains except Pseudomonas. Among all compounds, only the Pd(II) complex shows reasonable activity against cervical cancer HeLa cell lines, representing 97% inhibition.     

Two-Dimensional SnSe2/CNTs Hybrid Nanostructures as Anode Materials for High-Performance Lithium-Ion Batteries

Tin diselenide (SnSe₂), as an anode material, has outstanding potential for use in advanced lithium-ion batteries. However, like other tin-based anodes, SnSe₂ suffers from poor cycle life and low rate capability due to large volume expansion during the repeated Li⁺ insertion/de-insertion process. This work reports an effective and easy strategy to combine SnSe₂ and carbon nanotubes (CNTs) to form a SnSe₂/CNTs hybrid nanostructure. The synthesized SnSe₂ has a regular hexagonal shape with a typical 2D nanostructure and the carbon nanotubes combine well with the SnSe₂ nanosheets. The hybrid nanostructure can significantly reduce the serious damage to electrodes that occurs during electrochemical cycling processes. Remarkably, the SnSe₂/CNTs electrode exhibits a high reversible specific capacity of 457.6 mA h g⁻¹ at 0.1 C and 210.3 mA h g⁻¹ after 100 cycles. At a cycling rate of 0.5 C, the SnSe₂/CNTs electrode can still achieve a high value of 176.5 mA h g⁻¹, whereas a value of 45.8 mA h g⁻¹ is achieved for the pure SnSe₂ electrode. The enhanced electrochemical performance of the SnSe₂/CNTs electrode demonstrates its great potential for use in lithium-ion batteries. Thus, this work reports a facile approach to the synthesis of SnSe₂/CNTs as a promising anode material for lithium-ion batteries.     

Fukuyama reduction,Fukuyama coupling and Fukuyama–Mitsunobu alkylation: recent developments and synthetic applications

Fukuyama reaction for the synthesis of multifunctional aldehydes, secondary amines and ketones has gained considerable importance in synthetic organic chemistry because of mild reaction conditions. The use of thioesters in both Fukuyama aldehydes and ketones synthesis is highly attractive for organic chemists as they are easily accessible from corresponding carboxylic acids. Fukuyama–Mitsunobu reaction utilizes 2-nitrobenzenesulfonyl (Ns) for the protection/activation/deprotection of primary amines to afford secondary amines in good yields and high enantioselectivities. This review presents recent synthetic developments and applications of Fukuyama reaction for the synthesis of aldehydes, secondary amines and ketones.

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A structural investigation of heteroleptic pentavalent antimonials and their leishmanicidal activity

In the quest for new drug candidates for the safe treatment of parasitic diseases like leishmaniasis, a series of heteroleptic pentavalent antimonials of the type [SbR₃(OOCR′)₂] were synthesized and characterized using elemental analysis, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy and multinuclear (¹H and ¹³C) NMR spectroscopy. The carboxylate moieties are predominantly substituted benzoates with some complexes that fit in acetato or nicotinato ligands. The crystal structures of [Sb(p‐Tol)₃(p‐CH₃C₆H₄COO)₂], [Sb(p‐Tol)₃(3,5‐Cl₂C₆H₃COO)₂] and [Sb(p‐Tol)₃(3‐nicotinato)₂] were determined crystallographically and shown to adopt geometries intermediate between trigonal bipyramidal and square pyramidal, and essentially monomeric with a five‐coordinated Sb center. The leishmanicidal activity was assessed against the Leishmania tropica KWH23 parasite, and the cytotoxicity level was also measured on human macrophage blood cells. It was observed that IC₅₀ of the antimonials was 100‐fold superior as compared with the standard antimonial drug used. Cytotoxicity results showed that these antimonials are highly active even at low concentrations and are biocompatible with human macrophages, making them highly promising drug candidates for further investigation. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Oxidation of propane over substituted Keggin phosphomolybdate salts

Ammonium salts, (NH₄)₆HPMo₁₁MO₄₀ (M = Ni, Co, Fe), have been investigated for the oxidation of propane, with molecular oxygen, at temperature ranging between 380 °C and 420 °Cafter in-situ pre-treatment performed at two heating rate of 5 or 9 °C/min. They were characterized by BET method, XRD, ³¹P NMR, UV-Vis and IR techniques. The catalysts were found active in the propane oxidation and selective to propene or acrolein, in particular for samples pre-treated with the heating rate of 9 °C/min.     

Designing of new cationic surfactant based micellar systems as drug carriers: an investigation into the drug cell membrane interactions

This study highlights the utility of new pyridinium based cationic surfactants, N-(n-heptyl)-3-methylpyridinium bromide (Py7) and N-(n-nonyl)-3-methylpyridinium bromide (Py9), formed via a single step substitution reaction, for their application towards drugs delivery. Fourier-transform infrared (FT-IR) and nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopic methods have been employed for the characterization of these amphiphiles. Aggregation behavior of the surfactants in solution i.e. the critical micelle concentration (CMC), has been investigated by conductometric and spectrophotometric analyses. The results reveal that the amphiphiles can act as excellent surface active agents due to their low critical micelle concentration (CMC). Furthermore, the interaction of these surfactants with two anionic drugs i.e., Ketoprofen (KP, 2-(3-Benzoylphenyl)propanoic acid) and Diclofenac sodium (DF, Sodium 2-(2,6-dichloranilino) phenylacetate), has been explored below and above the CMC value using UV-visible spectroscopy. The enhanced absorption intensities of both the drugs in the presence of synthesized surfactants indicated stronger interactions between surfactants and drugs molecules.     

A New Dimeric Secoiridoid Glycoside from the Leaves of Olea ferruginea Royle

A new dimeric secoiridoid glycoside, trivially named oleferrugine B ( 1 ), has been isolated from the AcOEt‐soluble part of the MeOH extract of leaves of Olea ferruginea Royle . The structure of the isolated compound was established on the basis of ESI‐MS fragmentation patterns, and 1D‐ and 2D‐NMR techniques, including ¹H‐ and ¹³C‐NMR, HSQC, ¹H,¹H‐COSY, HMBC, and NOESY experiments, and by comparison with literature data.     

In Vivo Assessment of the Ameliorative Impact of Some Medicinal Plant Extracts on Lipopolysaccharide-Induced Multiple Sclerosis in Wistar Rats

Multiple sclerosis is a chronic autoimmune disorder that leads to the demyelination of nerve fibers, which is the major cause of non-traumatic disability all around the world. Herbal plants Nepeta hindustana L., Vitex negundo L., and Argemone albiflora L., in addition to anti-inflammatory and anti-oxidative effects, have shown great potential as neuroprotective agents. The study was aimed to develop a neuroprotective model to study the effectiveness of herbal plants (N. hindustana, V. negundo, and A. albiflora) against multiple sclerosis. The in vivo neuroprotective effects of ethanolic extracts isolated from N. hindustana, V. negundo, and A. albiflora were evaluated in lipopolysaccharides (LPS) induced multiple sclerosis Wistar rat model. The rat models were categorized into seven groups including group A as normal, B as LPS induced diseased group, while C, D, E, F, and G were designed as treatment groups. Histopathological evaluation and biochemical markers including stress and inflammatory (MMP-6, MDA, TNF-α, AOPPs, AGEs, NO, IL-17 and IL-2), antioxidant (SOD, GSH, CAT, GPx), DNA damage (Isop-2α, 8OHdG) as well as molecular biomarkers (RAGE, Caspase-8, p38) along with glutamate, homocysteine, acetylcholinesterase, and myelin binding protein (MBP) were investigated. The obtained data were analyzed using SPSS version 21 and GraphPad Prism 8.0. The different extract treated groups (C, D, E, F, G) displayed a substantial neuroprotective effect regarding remyelination of axonal terminals and oligodendrocytes migration, reduced lymphocytic infiltrations, and reduced necrosis of Purkinje cells. The levels of stress, inflammatory, and DNA damage markers were observed high in the diseased group B, which were reduced after treatments with plant extracts. The antioxidant activity was significantly reduced in diseased induced group B, however, their levels were raised after treatment with plant extract. Group F (a mélange of all the extracts) showed the most significant change among all other treatment groups (C, D, E, G). The communal dose of selected plant extracts regulates neurodegeneration at the cellular level resulting in restoration and remyelination of axonal neurons. Moreover, 400 mg/kg dose of three plants in conjugation (Group F) were found to be more effective in restoring the normal activities of all measured parameters than independent doses (Group C, D, E) and is comparable with standard drug nimodipine (Group G) clinically used for the treatment of multiple sclerosis. The present study, for the first time, reported the clinical evidence of N. hindustana, V. negundo, and A. albiflora against multiple sclerosis and concludes that all three plants showed remyelination as well neuroprotective effects which may be used as a potential natural neurotherapeutic agent against multiple sclerosis.