Investigation of the equality constraint effect on the reduction of the rotational ambiguity in three-component system using a novel grid search method

The obtained results by soft modeling multivariate curve resolution methods often are not unique and are questionable because of rotational ambiguity. It means a range of feasible solutions equally fit experimental data and fulfill the constraints. Regarding to chemometric literature, a survey of useful constraints for the reduction of the rotational ambiguity is a big challenge for chemometrician. It is worth to study the effects of applying constraints on the reduction of rotational ambiguity, since it can help us to choose the useful constraints in order to impose in multivariate curve resolution methods for analyzing data sets. In this work, we have investigated the effect of equality constraint on decreasing of the rotational ambiguity. For calculation of all feasible solutions corresponding with known spectrum, a novel systematic grid search method based on Species-based Particle Swarm Optimization is proposed in a three-component system.     

Multiplicity of positive solutions for a critical quasilinear elliptic system with concave and convex nonlinearities

In this paper, by using the Lusternik–Schnirelmann category, we obtain a multiplicity result for a quasilinear elliptic system with both concave and convex nonlinearities and critical growth terms in bounded domains.     

Investigation and comparison of pristine/doped BN,AlN, and CN nanotubes as drug delivery systems for Tegafur drug: a theoretical study

Structural Chemistry - In this work, the potential of BN, AlN, and CN nanotubes as the drug delivery systems of Tegafur (TG) was investigated by the density functional theory (DFT). The doping...     

Preparation and Characterization of New Optically Active Poly(amide-imide)s from N,N′-(bicyclo[2,2,2]oct-7-ene-2,3,5,6-tetra carboxylic)-bis-L-isoleucine and Aromatic Diamines

Five new optically active aromatic poly(amide-imide)s (PAIs) 5a–e were prepared from a direct polycondensation reaction of a new diacid of N,N′-(bicyclo[2,2,2]oct-7-ene-2,3,5,6-tetra carboxylic)-bis-L-isoleucine 3 with various aromatic diamines 4a–e in a medium consisting of triphenyl phosphite (TPP), calcium chloride (CaCl₂), pyridine (Py) and N-methyl-2-pyrrolidone (NMP). The polycondensation reaction produced a series of novel poly(amid-imide)s 5a–e in quantitative yields with inherent viscosities of 0.39–0.51 dL/g. The resulting polymers were fully characterized by means of ¹H-NMR, FT-IR spectroscopy, elemental analyses, inherent viscosity, solubility test, specific rotation and thermal properties of them were investigated using TGA/DTG and differential scanning calorimeter (DSC). The diacid 4 was synthesized by the condensation reaction of bicyclo[2,2,2]oct-7-ene-2,3,5,6- tetracarboxylic dianhydride 1 with L-isoleucine 2 in acetic acid solution.     

Fabrication of an Electrochemical L‐Cysteine Sensor Based on Graphene Nanosheets Decorated Manganese Oxide Nanocomposite Modified Glassy Carbon Electrode

The graphene nanosheets/manganese oxide nanoparticles modified glassy carbon electrode (GC/GNSs/MnOx) was simply prepared by casting a thin film of GNSs on the GC electrode surface, followed by performing electrodeposition of MnOx at applied constant potential. The GC/GNSs/MnOx modified electrode shows high catalytic activity toward oxidation of L ‐cysteine. Hydrodynamic amperometry determination of L ‐cysteine gave linear responses over a concentration range up to 120 µM with a detection limit of 75 nM and sensitivity of 27 nA µM^?1. The GC/GNSs/MnOx electrode appears to be a highly efficient platform for the development of sensitive, stable and reproducible L ‐cysteine electrochemical sensors.     

Studies on Pyrrolidinones. An Improved One Pot Synthesis of 1,2,3,5,10,10a-Hexahydrobenz[f]indolizine-3,10-dione

Starting from the readily available N,O-bis trimethylsilyl pyroglutamate, an easy high yield one pot synthesis of ketone 1 was described.     

Introducing Organic Gas Steam-Liquid Extraction as a New Preconcentration Method for Benzene,Toluene, Ethylbenzene and Xylene Determination in Water Samples by Gas Chromatography-Flame Ionization Detection

Journal of Analytical Chemistry - In this study, for the first time, the organic gas steam-liquid extraction by a special hand-made cell was used as a simple and inexpensive preconcentration...     

Adding Value in Production of Multifunctional Polylactide (PLA)–ZnO Nanocomposite Films through Alternative Manufacturing Methods

Due to the added value conferred by zinc oxide (ZnO) nanofiller, e.g., UV protection, antibacterial action, gas-barrier properties, poly(lactic acid) (PLA)–ZnO nanocomposites show increased interest for utilization as films, textile fibers, and injection molding items. The study highlights the beneficial effects of premixing ZnO in PLA under given conditions and its use as masterbatch (MB), a very promising alternative manufacturing technique. This approach allows reducing the residence time at high processing temperature of the thermo-sensitive PLA matrix in contact of ZnO nanoparticles known for their aptitude to promote degradation effects onto the polyester chains. Various PLA–ZnO MBs containing high contents of silane-treated ZnO nanoparticles (up to 40 wt.% nanofiller specifically treated with triethoxycaprylylsilane) were produced by melt-compounding using twin-screw extruders. Subsequently, the selected MBs were melt blended with pristine PLA to produce nanocomposite films containing 1–3 wt.% ZnO. By comparison to the more traditional multi-step process, the MB approach allowed the production of nanocomposites (films) having improved processing and enhanced properties: PLA chains displaying higher molecular weights, improved thermal stability, fine nanofiller distribution, and thermo-mechanical characteristic features, while the UV protection was confirmed by UV-vis spectroscopy measurements. The MB alternative is viewed as a promising flexible technique able to open new perspectives to produce more competitive multifunctional PLA–ZnO nanocomposites.     

Toxicity of Zn-Fe Layered Double Hydroxide to Different Organisms in the Aquatic Environment

The application of layered double hydroxide (LDH) nanomaterials as catalysts has attracted great interest due to their unique structural features. It also triggered the need to study their fate and behavior in the aquatic environment. In the present study, Zn-Fe nanolayered double hydroxides (Zn-Fe LDHs) were synthesized using a co-precipitation method and characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and nitrogen adsorption-desorption analyses. The toxicity of the home-made Zn-Fe LDHs catalyst was examined by employing a variety of aquatic organisms from different trophic levels, namely the marine photobacterium Vibrio fischeri, the freshwater microalga Pseudokirchneriella subcapitata, the freshwater crustacean Daphnia magna, and the duckweed Spirodela polyrhiza. From the experimental results, it was evident that the acute toxicity of the catalyst depended on the exposure time and type of selected test organism. Zn-Fe LDHs toxicity was also affected by its physical state in suspension, chemical composition, as well as interaction with the bioassay test medium.     

Gel-assisted synthesis of anatase TiO2 nanoparticles and application for electrochemical determination of L-tryptophan

Anatase titanium dioxide nanoparticles (TiO₂-NPs) were synthesized with and without gelatin via the sol-gel method. The TiO₂-NPs were characterized by a number of techniques, such as thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), X-ray diffraction analysis (XRD), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR) and ultraviolet visible spectroscopy (UV-Vis). The particle sizes of the TiO₂-NPs prepared with and without gelatin were ～13 and ～17 nm, respectively. The main advantage of using gelatin as a stabilizing agent is that it provides long-term stability for nanoparticles by preventing particles agglomeration. The results indicated that gelatin was a reliable green stabilizer, which can be used as a polymerization agent in the sol-gel method for synthesis of tiny size TiO₂-NPs. Moreover, the composite film was prepared by synthesized TiO₂-NPs nanoparticles and multi wall carbon nanotube (MWNT) on glassy carbon electrode (TiO₂-MWNT/GCE). The TiO₂-MWNT/GCE responded linearly to L-tryptophan (L-Trp) in the concentration of 1.0 × 10^?6 to 1.5 × 10^?4 M with detection limit of 5.2 × 10^?7 M at 3 using amperometry. The studied sensor exhibited good reproducibility and long-term stability.