Modified Extragradient Methods for a System of Variational Inequalities in Banach Spaces

In this paper, we introduce a new system of general variational inequalities in Banach spaces. We establish the equivalence between this system of variational inequalities and fixed point problems involving the nonexpansive mapping. This alternative equivalent formulation is used to suggest and analyze a modified extragradient method for solving the system of general variational inequalities. Using the demi-closedness principle for nonexpansive mappings, we prove the strong convergence of the proposed iterative method under some suitable conditions.     

Biological significance of essential oil of Zataria multiflora boiss

The absolute from Zataria multiflora was explored for enzyme inhibition, insect repellent, and insecticidal activities. GC-MS of the absolute of fresh plant showed that thymol is the major constituent while carvacrol is the major constituent in the absolute of dried plant.     

Excited State Photophysics of Curcumin and its Modulation in Alkaline Non-Aqueous Medium

Curcumin, a well-known medicinal pigment, has seen limited applications in biology despite having great potential as a therapeutic drug. Deprotonation is one of the possible ways to enhance solubility of curcumin in polar solvent. Here, we have explored the effect of deprotonation on the ultrafast dynamics of this biomolecule with the help of the time-resolved fluorescence spectroscopic measurements using the femtosecond fluorescence upconversion technique. The excited state photophysics of fully deprotonated curcumin significantly differs from that of neutral curcumin. We have observed that the completely deprotonated curcumin not only has higher quantum yield, but also higher excited state lifetime and slower solvation dynamics in comparison to neutral curcumin. We propose solvation dynamics and intramolecular charge transfer as the excited state processes associated with the radiative decay of the completely deprotonated molecule, while ruling out the possibility of excited state proton exchange or proton transfer. Our results are well supported by time-dependent density-functional theory calculations. Lastly, we have also demonstrated the possibility of modulating the ultrafast dynamics of fully deprotonated curcumin using non-aqueous alkaline binary solvent mixtures. We believe our results will provide significant physical insight towards unveiling the excited state dynamics of this molecule.     

New cinnamic acid esters from Ocimum basilicum

Studies on the chemical constituents of the aerial parts of Ocimum basilicum have led to the isolation of a new ferulate, 4'-carbomethoxy-2'-hydroxy phenyl ferulate (1) and a new cinnamate, (E)-3'-hydroxy-4'-(1'-hydroxyethyl)-phenyl-4-methoxycinnamate (2). Their structures have been elucidated through spectral studies including 2D-NMR experiments (HMQC, HMBC, COSY-45 degrees , NOESY and 2D-J resolved).     

Spectrophotometric study of competitive complexation equilibria involving overlapped spectral responding species: Determination of the stability constant of bismuth-pyrophosphate complex

Spectrophotometric study of competitive complex formation equilibria involving overlapped spectral responding species applying a simple and versatile algorithm was carried out. The algorithm involves multivariable regression for calculation of equilibrium concentrations from multiwavelength data and mass action law for the stability constant calculation. The used regression functions are part of common statistical software. Stability constants and complex stoichiometry of competing equilibria were simultaneously determined. The species concentration profiles at several spectral overlapping and ??-coefficient of competing reaction were obtained. Non-absorbing bismuth ?? pyrophosphate (PPh) system was studied as a competitive reaction of bismuth ?? 4-(2-Pyridylazo) resorcinol (PAR) complex. The formation of Bi-PPh complex with 1:1 stoichiometry was proved in the studied concentration region (C_Bi = 1×10^?5 mol L^?1; C_PPh = 5×10^?6 ? 1×10^?4 mol L^?1). The stability constant of the complex at pH 1 and ?? = 1.0 have been determined: log?? = 4.2±0.2.      

Efficacy of Phytochemicals Derived from Roots of Rondeletia odorata as Antioxidant,Antiulcer, Diuretic,Skin Brightening and Hemolytic Agents—A Comprehensive Biochemical and In Silico Study

Roots of Rondeletia odorata are a rich source of phytochemicals with high antioxidant potential and thus may possess health benefits. This study used the LC-MS technique to identify phytoconstituents in R. odorata roots extract/fractions. Results revealed that n-butanol fraction and ethanolic extract contained total phenolic and flavonoid contents with values of 155.64 ± 0.66 mgGAE/g DE and 194.94 ± 0.98 mgQE/g DE, respectively. Significant potential of antioxidants was observed by DPPH, CUPRAC and FRAP methods while the ABTS method showed moderate antioxidant potential. Maximum % inhibition for urease, tyrosinase and carbonic anhydrase was shown by ethanolic extract (73.39 ± 1.11%), n-butanol soluble fraction (80.26 ± 1.59%) and ethyl acetate soluble fraction (76.50 ± 0.67%) which were comparable with thiourea (standard) (98.07 ± 0.74%), kojic acid (standard) (98.59 ± 0.92%) and acetazolamide (standard) (95.51 ± 1.29%), respectively, while all other extract/fractions showed moderate inhibition activity against these three enzymes. Hemolytic activity was also observed to range from 18.80 ± 0.42 to 3.48 ± 0.69% using the standard (triton X-100) method. In total, 28 and 20 compounds were identified tentatively by LC-MS analysis of ethanolic extract and n-butanol soluble fraction, respectively. Furthermore, molecular docking was undertaken for major compounds identified by LC-MS for determining binding affinity between enzymes (urease, tyrosinase and carbonic anhydrase) and ligands. It was concluded that active phytochemicals were present in roots of R. odorata with potential for multiple pharmacological applications and as a latent source of pharmaceutically important compounds. This should be further explored to isolate important constituents that could be used in treating different diseases.     

Cinnamomum cassia: an implication of serotonin reuptake inhibition in animal models of depression

The aim of the study was to explore the traditional use of Cinnamomum cassia against depression. The standardised methanolic extract of the bark of C. cassia was evaluated for antidepressant activity using various behavioural tests, i.e. tail suspension test (TST), forced swim test (FST) and locomotor activity test. The serotonergic and noradrenergic modulation was assessed using 5-hydroxytryptophan (5-HTP)-induced head twitches and yohimbine potentiation tests, respectively. The fluoxetine and phenelzine were used as positive controls in the study. The C. cassia extract significantly decreased the immobility time in TST (maximum effective dose tested was 50 mg/kg) while no effect was observed in FST and locomotor activity test. The extract significantly increased the 5-HTP-induced head twitches while yohimbine-induced lethality remained unaltered. The aforementioned results are similar to that caused by fluoxetine. The standardised methanolic extract of C. cassia demonstrated antidepressant activity that can be attributed to rise in serotonin levels.     

Preparation and Photoluminescence of Sm <Superscript>3+</Superscript> Doped YAlO <Subscript>3</Subscript> Phosphor

YAlO₃: Sm³⁺ phosphor has been synthesized by the solid state reaction method with calcium flouride used as a flux. The resulting YAlO₃: Sm³⁺ phosphor was characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD) technique, Fourier transmission infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), photoluminescence . . PL excitation spectrum was found at 254,332,380,400,407, 603 and 713 nm. Under excitation of UV(713 nm) YAlO₃: Sm³⁺ (0–3 %) broad band emission were observed from 400 to 790 nm with a maximum around 713 nm of YAlO₃ host lattice accompanied by weak emission of Sm³⁺ (⁴G_5/2 – ⁶H_5/2, ⁶H_7/2,⁶H_9/2) transitions. The results of the XRD show that obtained YAlO₃: Sm³⁺ phosphor has a orthorhombic structure. The study suggested that Sm³⁺ doped phosphors are potential luminescence material for laser diode pumping and inorganic scintillators.     

Chemical composition and medicinal significance of Fagonia cretica: a review

Members of the family Zygophyllaceae are distributed in arid areas of the world and are traditionally used against various health insults ranging from skin lesions to lethal cancer. Fagonia cretica Linn. is a plant having novel compounds responsive in diseases that are still considered as incurable or are curable with serious side effects. Researchers, particularly of the Asian region elaborately studied the chemical composition and pharmacological activities of this plant. But further studies are still required to evaluate this plant in clinical trials in order to save humanity from synthetic chemical drugs yet disputed as ‘friends or foe’.