Ground state phase diagram of the 1D XXZ model in a transverse magnetic field

The Ground state phase diagram of the 1D spin-1/2 XXZ model in a transverse magnetic field is studied by the numerical Lanczos method. Also by computing the energy gap and different spin-spin structure factors, quantum phase transitions in whole range of the anisotropy parameter are determined.     

Penicillamine functionalized B12N12 and B12CaN12 nanocages act as potential inhibitors of proinflammatory cytokines: A combined DFT analysis,ADMET and molecular docking study

The adsorption of penicillamine (PCA) on pure B₁₂N₁₂ and B₁₂CaN₁₂ nanocages in aqueous and chloroform solvents has been evaluated using density functional theory (DFT) calculations. The interaction of PCA on B₁₂N₁₂ nanocages is chemisorption through its four nucleophilic sites: amine, carbonyl, hydroxyl and thiol. The most stable adsorption configuration was achieved when zwitterionic PCA adsorbs via its carbonyl group in water with value of ?1.723 eV, in contrast, when neutral PCA adsorbs via its amine group in chloroform with value of ?1.68 eV. Intercalated calcium ion within B₁₂N₁₂ nanocage (B₁₂CaN₁₂) was shown to attract PCA onto nanocage surface, resulting in higher solubility and adsorption energy after their complexation in water and chloroform. The adsorption of multiple PCA molecules from their amine and carbonyl groups on pure and B₁₂CaN₁₂ nanocages were also evaluated where two and three molecules can be chemisorbed on boron atoms of the nanocage surfaces with the adsorption energy per PCA reduces slightly with the increasing the amount of drugs due to the curvature effects. Molecular docking study indicates that PCA from its NH₂ group on B₁₂CaN₁₂ nanocage has the best binding affinity and inhibition potential of tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α) and Interleukin-1 (IL-1) receptors as compared with the other adsorption systems. Molecular docking and ADMET analysis displayed that the chosen compounds pass Lipinski Rule and have appropriate pharmacokinetic features suitable as models for developing anti-inflammatory agents.     

Laser Spectroscopic Characterization for the Rapid Detection of Nutrients along with CN Molecular Emission Band in Plant-Biochar

We report a quantitative analysis of various plant-biochar samples (S1, S2 and S3) by utilizing a laser-induced breakdown spectroscopy (LIBS) technique. For LIBS analysis, laser-induced microplasma was generated on the target surface by using a focused beam through a high-power Nd: YAG laser and optical emission spectra were recorded using a charged coupled device (CCD) array spectrometer, with wavelength ranges from 200 nm to 720 nm. The spectroscopical analysis showed the existence of various ingredients, including H, Li, Ca, Na, Al, Zn, Mg, Sr, Si, and Fe, along with a CN molecular emission band due to B²Σ⁺ − X²Σ⁺ electronic transition. By assuming conditions of the plasma is optically thin and in LTE, calibration-free laser-induced breakdown spectroscopy (CF-LIBS) was utilized for the compositional analysis of the ingredients present in the three plant-biochar samples. To lower the uncertainties, we used an average composition (%) of the three plant-biochar samples. The quantitative study of the plant-biochar samples was also achieved using the energy dispersive X-ray (EDX) technique, showing good agreement with the CF-LIBS technique. In addition, statistical analysis, such as principal component analysis (PCA), was performed for the clustering and classification of the three plant-biochar samples. The first three PCs explained an overall ~91% of the variation in LIBS spectral data, including PC1 (58.71%), PC2 (20.9%), and PC3 (11.4%). These findings suggest that LIBS is a robust tool for rapid measurement of heavy as well as light elements, such as H, Li, and nutritional metals in plant-biochar samples.     

Synthesis of some cyclopentenones and crystal structure of 4-hydroxy-3,4-bis(4-methoxyphenyl)-5,5-dimethyl-2-cyclopenten-1-one

Abstract  

Sodium-hydroxide-catalyzed condensation of di-p-methyl- and di-p-methoxybenzil with acetone derivatives was investigated in methanol. Di- and trisubstituted products were obtained as cyclopentenones, while tetraaryl-substituted systems were isolated as cyclopentadienones. The structures of the products were identified by elemental analysis, infrared (IR), nuclear magnetic resonance (¹H NMR), and mass spectroscopy. The solid-state structure of 4-hydroxy-3,4-bis(4-methoxyphenyl)-5,5-dimethyl-2-cyclopenten-1-one was further studied by single-crystal X-ray diffraction analysis. The title compound crystallizes in an orthorhombic space group and intermolecular O–H···O and C–H···O hydrogen bonds stabilize the crystal lattice.     

Near infrared organic light-emitting diodes based on acceptor-donor-acceptor (ADA) using novel conjugated isatin Schiff bases

Fabrications of a single layer organic light emitting diodes (OLEDs) based on two conjugated acceptor-donor-acceptor (ADA) isatin Schiff bases are described. The electroluminescent spectra of these materials range from 630 to 700 nm and their band gaps were measured between 1.97 and 1.77 eV. The measured maximum external quantum efficiencies (EQE) for fabricated OLEDs are 0.0515% and 0.054% for two acceptor-donor-acceptor chromophores. The Commission International De L’Eclairage (CIE) (1931) coordinates of these two compounds were attained and found to be (0.4077, 0.4128) and (0.4411, 0.4126) for two used acceptor-donor-acceptor chromophores. The measured I-V curves demonstrated the apparent diode behavior of two ADA chromophores. The turn-on voltages in these OLEDs are directly dependent on the thickness. These results have demonstrated that ADA isatin Schiff bases could be considered as promising electroluminescence-emitting materials for fabrication of OLEDs.     

Molecular dynamics simulation study of solvent effects on conformation and dynamics of polyethylene oxide and polypropylene oxide chains in water and in common organic solvents

In this paper, the conformation and dynamics properties of polyethylene oxide (PEO) and polypropylene oxide (PPO) polymer chains at 298 K have been studied in the melt and at infinite dilution condition in water, methanol, chloroform, carbon tetrachloride, and n-heptane using molecular dynamics simulations. The calculated density of PEO melt with chain lengths of n = 2, 3, 4, 5 and, for PPO, n = 7 are in good agreement with the available experimental data. The conformational properties of PEO and PPO show an increasing gauche preference for the O-C-C-O dihedral in the following order water>methanol>chloroform>carbon tetrachloride = n-heptane. On the contrary, the preference for trans conformation has a maximum in carbon tetrachloride and n-heptane followed in the order by chloroform, methanol, and water. The PEO conformational preferences are in qualitative agreement with results of NMR studies. PEO chains formed different types of hydrogen bonds with polar solvent molecules. In particular, the occurrence of bifurcated hydrogen bonding in chloroform was also observed. Radii of gyration of PEO chains of length larger than n = 9 monomers showed a good agreement with light scattering data in water and in methanol. For the shorter chains the observed deviations are probably due to the enhanced hydrophobic effects caused by the terminal methyl groups. For PEO the fitting of end-to-end distance distributions with the semi-flexible chain model at 298 K provided persistence lengths of 0.375 and 0.387 nm in water and methanol, respectively. Finally, the radius of gyration of Pluronic P85 turned out to be 2.25 ± 0.4 nm at 293 K in water in agreement with experimental data.     

Direct introduction of amine groups into cellulosic paper for covalent immobilization of tyrosinase: support characterization and enzyme properties

Tyrosinase is used to eliminate phenolic compounds from wastewater. Therefore, its immobilization is important to enhance catalytic efficiency. Papery materials are of particular interest for use as support for enzyme immobilization since the porous microstructure of fiber networks in papers can provide a suitable reaction environment, especially in flow-type catalytic reactions. However, immobilization of protein onto papery structure needs chemical modifications in severe conditions. To overcome this challenge, a cellulosic paper was directly amine-functionalized in moderate conditions and used for tyrosinase immobilization. The support was pretreated with HCl (0.5 N) solution and then sequentially immersed in ethylenediamine (EDA), glutaraldehyde solution (2% v/v) and the crude enzyme. In comparison with the untreated one, the immobilized enzyme on the EDA-treated support offered a 3.7-fold increase in activity. The FTIR spectra as well as EDX analysis proved the presence of amine groups in the cellulosic paper and also covalent immobilization of tyrosinase on the modified support. When considering the effect of pH on the activity at 25 °C, a maximum relative activity of 134% at pH 6 was revealed. Similarly, evaluating the effect of temperature on the activity at pH 7 displayed a maximum relative activity of 152% at 35 °C. The immobilized enzyme was suitable for use for more than four cycles to degrade a phenolic compound at severe pH and temperature conditions. Additionally, the immobilized enzyme was active after treatment of the surface at different pHs and temperatures for 105 min. The chemically modified cellulosic paper can be used as a support for enzyme immobilization.     

Intertwined Analytical,Experimental and Theoretical Studies on the Formation and Structure of a Copper Dienolate

The reaction of a silyl dienolate, a Cu(II) salt and TBAT yielding the corresponding copper dienolate is addressed. A combined NMR and cyclic voltammetry analysis first highlight the role of TBAT in the Cu(II) to Cu(I) reduction and the structure of the precatalytic species. From these first results a second set of NMR and theoretical studies enable the determination of the structure and the mechanism of formation of the copper dienolate catalytic species. Finally, we showed that that the copper catalyst promote the E/Z s-cis/s-trans equilibration of the silyl dienolate precursor through a copper dienolate intermediate. All of these results unveil some peculiarities of the catalytic and asymmetric vinylogous Mukaiyama reaction.