Non-aqueous synthetic methodology for TiW(5) polyoxometalates: protonolysis of [(MeO)TiW(5)O(18)](3-) with alcohols, water and phenols

The tetra-n-butylammonium (TBA) salt of [(MeO)TiW(5)O(18)](3-) 1 was reacted with alcohols ROH to give primary, secondary and tertiary alkoxide derivatives [(RO)TiW(5)O(18)](3-) (R = Et 2, (i)Pr 3 and (t)Bu 4), whilst hydrolysis afforded [(mu-O)(TiW(5)O(18))(2)](6-) 5 rather than the hydroxo derivative (R = H). In reactions with (i)PrOH and (t)BuOH, impurity peaks observed at 1015 and 1020 ppm in the (17)O NMR spectra indicate alkoxide degradation and Ti=O bond formation via reactions analogous to those occurring at the surfaces of solid heteropolyacids. Aryloxides [(ArO)TiW(5)O(18)](3-) were prepared by reacting 1 with phenols ArOH (Ar = C(6)H(5) 6, C(6)H(4)Me-4 7, C(6)H(4)(t)Bu-4 8, C(6)H(4)OH-4 9, C(6)H(4)OH-3 10, C(6)H(3)(OH)(2)-3,5 11 and C(6)H(4)CHO-2 13). TiW(5)O(18) units were linked by reacting 1 with 9 to give [(mu-1,4-OC(6)H(4)O)(TiW(5)O(18))(2)](6-) 12. (17)O and (183)W NMR spectra are reported and X-ray crystal structures were obtained for TBA salts of anions 3-10 and 13, which showed that the titanium is six-coordinate in all cases. Reactions were monitored by (1)H NMR, including a 2D-EXSY study of methoxo exchange, and the slow rates observed are probably associated with the reluctance of titanium in these anions to achieve seven-coordination.     

基于拉曼光谱的苹果中农药残留种类识别及浓度预测的研究

应用拉曼光谱技术结合化学计量学方法能有效的实现果蔬中农药残留的定性定量分析。本研究借助实验室自主研发的拉曼光谱检测系统,对苹果中溴氰菊酯和啶虫脒的快速无损识别和检测进行了探索。定性分析时将拉曼峰574 和843 cm-1分别作为识别溴氰菊酯和啶虫脒的拉曼指纹,当苹果中的溴氰菊酯和啶虫脒残留的含量分别为0.78和0.15 mg·kg-1时,两种农药的特征峰仍清晰可见。定量分析首先对光谱进行多种预处理（Savitzky-Golay平滑、一阶导、二阶导、基线校准、标准正态变量变换）,结合偏最小二乘法分别建立苹果中溴氰菊酯和啶虫脒含量的定量模型。结果表明,采用8次多项式拟合进行基线校准的预处理方法效果最好,对于溴氰菊酯,偏最小二乘模型预测值与气相色谱法测定值的相关系数和预测均方根误差分别为0.94和0.55 mg·kg-1,对于啶虫脒,其偏最小二乘模型的相关系数与预测均方根误差分别为0.85和0.12 mg·kg-1。本研究证实了利用拉曼技术对苹果农残进行无损检测的可行性,使用该方法进行检测时,在光谱测定前不需要进行前处理,光谱测定后样品无任何损伤,该技术实现了果蔬农残的现场检测,可在检测部门、果蔬加工企业、超市、市场等场所得到推广使用,为果蔬品质安全提供了一种无损、快速和环保的检测方法。     

On dynamics of velocity vector potential in incompressible fluids

An elegant quaternionic formulation is given for the Lagrangian advection equation for velocity vector potential in fluid dynamics. At first we study the topological significance of a restricted conserved quantity viz., stream-helicity and later more realistic configuration of open streamlines is figured out. Also, using Clebsch parameterisation of the velocity vector potential yet another physical significance for the stream-helicity is provided. Finally we give a Nambu-Poisson formalism of the Lagrangian advection equation for velocity vector potential.     

Biological control of a predator–prey system through provision of a super predator

In this paper, we make a systematic analysis of the dynamics of a predator–prey system with type-II functional response, in which the predator growth rate is affected by the presence of a super predator. The main aim of this research is to study the consequences of the presence of a super predator on the system dynamics. The existence and stability of the different possible equilibrium points are studied, and we conclude that the maximum consumption rate of a super predator plays a key role in determining the eventual state of the ecosystem. A detailed bifurcation analysis is carried out through numerical simulations, and we observe that theoretically it is possible to control the dynamics of the system by manipulating the consumption rate of the super predator.     

Synthesis and characterization of a novel polymeric hydrogel based on hydroxypropyl methyl cellulose grafted with polyacrylamide

A novel hydrogel has synthesized by grafting polyacrylamide chains onto hydroxypropyl methylcellulose in presence of potassium persulphate as initiator using solution polymerization technique. The reaction was carried out in homogeneous aqueous medium. The effect of reaction parameters on percentage of grafting (% G) and grafting efficiency (% GE) were discussed. The parameters were varied systematically to achieve the best hydrogel. Developed hydrogels were characterized by various materials characterization techniques. The dynamic and equilibrium swelling properties of hydrogels were investigated as a function of pH and time in various buffer solutions similar to that of gastric and intestinal fluid. Results showed that with increase in % G and % GE, the rate of swelling decreases, which can opens the door for further study of their utilization as matrices for controlled/sustained/targeted drug delivery.     

Protein-mediated efficient synergistic "antenna effect" in a ternary system in d(2)o medium

A ternary system consisting of a protein, catechin (either + or - epimer), and Tb(III) in suitable aqueous buffer medium at physiological pH (= 6.8) has been shown to exhibit highly efficient "antenna effect". Steady state and time-resolved emission studies of each component in the binary complexes (protein with Tb(III) and (+)- or (-)-catechin with Tb(III)) and the ternary systems along with the molecular docking studies reveal that the efficient sensitization could be ascribed to the effective shielding of microenvironment of Tb(III) from O-H oscillator and increased Tb-C (+/-) interaction in the ternary systems in aqueous medium. The ternary system exhibits protein-mediated efficient antenna effect in D(2)O medium due to synergistic ET from both the lowest ππ* triplet state of Trp residue in protein and that of catechin apart from protection of the Tb(III) environment from matrix vibration. The simple system consisting of (+)- or (-)-catechin and Tb(III) in D(2)O buffer at pH 6.8 has been prescribed to be a useful biosensor.     

Picture Fuzzy Threshold Graphs with Application in Medicine Replenishment

In this study, a novel concept of picture fuzzy threshold graph (PFTG) is introduced. It has been shown that PFTGs are free from alternating 4-cycle and it can be constructed by repeatedly adding a dominating or an isolated node. Several properties about PFTGs are discussed and obtained the results that every picture fuzzy graph (PFG) is equivalent to a PFTG under certain conditions. Also, the underlying crisp graph (UCG) of PFTG is a split graph (SG), and conversely, a given SG can be applied to constitute a PFTG. A PFTG can be decomposed in a unique way and it generates three distinct fuzzy threshold graphs (FTGs). Furthermore, two important parameters i.e., picture fuzzy (PF) threshold dimension (TD) and PF partition number (PN) of PFGs are defined. Several properties on TD and PN have also been discussed. Lastly, an application of these developed results are presented in controlling medicine resources.     

Compositional-dependent enhanced physicochemical and photovoltaic studies of nanocrystalline Ti1-xFexO2-δ photoelectrodes co-sensitized with CdS QDs-N719 dye

Journal of Solid State Electrochemistry - Ti1-xFexO2-δ nanoparticles (NPs) with varying content of Fe (III) ions (x = 0.008 to 0.024 and δ =0.5x) were synthesized using sol-gel method at...     

Selenium Biofortification: Roles,Mechanisms, Responses and Prospects

The trace element selenium (Se) is a crucial element for many living organisms, including soil microorganisms, plants and animals, including humans. Generally, in Nature Se is taken up in the living cells of microorganisms, plants, animals and humans in several inorganic forms such as selenate, selenite, elemental Se and selenide. These forms are converted to organic forms by biological process, mostly as the two selenoamino acids selenocysteine (SeCys) and selenomethionine (SeMet). The biological systems of plants, animals and humans can fix these amino acids into Se-containing proteins by a modest replacement of methionine with SeMet. While the form SeCys is usually present in the active site of enzymes, which is essential for catalytic activity. Within human cells, organic forms of Se are significant for the accurate functioning of the immune and reproductive systems, the thyroid and the brain, and to enzyme activity within cells. Humans ingest Se through plant and animal foods rich in the element. The concentration of Se in foodstuffs depends on the presence of available forms of Se in soils and its uptake and accumulation by plants and herbivorous animals. Therefore, improving the availability of Se to plants is, therefore, a potential pathway to overcoming human Se deficiencies. Among these prospective pathways, the Se-biofortification of plants has already been established as a pioneering approach for producing Se-enriched agricultural products. To achieve this desirable aim of Se-biofortification, molecular breeding and genetic engineering in combination with novel agronomic and edaphic management approaches should be combined. This current review summarizes the roles, responses, prospects and mechanisms of Se in human nutrition. It also elaborates how biofortification is a plausible approach to resolving Se-deficiency in humans and other animals.