Nickel-Impregnated Silica Nanoparticle Synthesis and Their Evaluation for Biocatalyst Immobilization

In the present investigation, impact of nickel-impregnated silica paramagnetic particles (NSP) as biocatalyst immobilization matrices was investigated. These nanoparticles were synthesized by sol–gel route using a nonionic surfactant block co polymer [poly (ethylene glycol)-block-poly-(propylene glycol)-block-poly (ethylene glycol)]. Diastase enzyme was immobilized on these particles (enzyme-impregnated NSP) as model enzyme and characterized using Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy and X-ray crystallography. Analysis of enzyme-binding nature with these nanoparticles at different physiological conditions revealed that binding pattern and activity profile varied with the pH of the reaction mixture. The immobilized enzyme was further characterized for its biocatalytic activity with respect to kinetic properties such as Km and Vmax and compared with free enzyme. Paramagnetic nanoparticle-immobilized enzyme showed more affinity for substrate compared to free one. The nature of silica and nickel varied from amorphous to crystalline nature and vice versa upon immobilization of enzyme. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first report of its kind for change of nature from one form to other under normal temperatures upon diastase interaction with NSP.     

Open-mouthed metallic microcapsules: exploring performance improvements at agglomeration-free interiors

Although artificial capsule structures have been thoroughly investigated, functionality at the surfaces of their interiors has been surprisingly overlooked. In order to exploit this aspect of capsular structure, we here report the breakthrough fabrication of metallic (platinum) microcapsules with sufficient accessibility and electroactivity at both interior and exterior surfaces (open-mouthed platinum microcapsules), and also we demonstrate improvements in electrochemical and catalytic functions to emphasize the practical importance of our concept. The open-mouthed platinum microcapsules were prepared by template synthesis using polystyrene spheres, where surface-fused crystalline nanoparticles formed a capsule shell. Subsequent removal of the polystyrene spheres induced formation of mouth-like openings. The open-mouthed platinum microcapsules exhibit a substantial increase of their electrode capability for methanol oxidation and catalytic activities for carbon monoxide (CO) oxidation. Notably, activity loss during CO oxidation due to undesirable particle agglomeration can be drastically suppressed using the open-mouthed microcapsules.     

Thermo-acoustic fatigue characterization

The nondestructive detection of early fatigue damage states is of high importance for safety in aircraft, automobiles, railways, nuclear energy industries and chemical industries. Titanium alloys commonly used in aerospace for structures and engine components are subject to fatigue damage during service. In the current study fatigue damage progression in a titanium alloy (Ti-6Al-4V) was investigated using thermographic detection of the heat dissipated during short-term mechanical loading. The initial rate of temperature increase induced by the short-term mechanical loading was used to indicate the current microstructural state and presence of prior fatigue damage. Two methods for thermal excitation were investigated (a) high amplitude mechanical loading and (b) small amplitude ultrasonic loading. A formula that describes the temperature enhancement due to heat generation during one loading cycle is derived from high amplitude loading data. A correlation between the temperature increase during short-term ultrasonic loading and accumulated fatigue cycles is used to suggest a methodology for in-field assessment of fatigue condition.     

First Stereoselective Total Synthesis of Modiolin

Russian Journal of Organic Chemistry - The first stereoselective total synthesis of the linear pentaketide Modiolin has been performed via Jacobsen’ hydrolytic kinetic resolution and...     

cis‐Dioxomolybdenum(VI) complexes with unsymmetric linear tetradentate ligands: syntheses,structures and bromoperoxidase activities

Reactions of [MoO₂(acetylacetonate)₂], 2‐((2‐(2‐hydroxyethylamino)ethylamino)methyl)‐4‐R‐phenols (H₂Lⁿ, n = 1–5 for R = H, Me, OMe, Cl and Br, respectively) and KOH in 1:1:2 mole ratio in methanol afford a series of complexes having the general formula cis‐[MoO₂(Lⁿ)] ( 1 , 2 , 3 , 4 , 5 ) in 81–86% yields. The complexes have been characterized using elemental analysis, spectroscopy (infrared, UV–visible, and ¹H NMR, ¹³C NMR and ¹³C‐DEPT NMR) and electrochemical measurements. The molecular structures of 1 , 2 , 3 , 4 have been determined using single‐crystal X‐ray crystallography. In each of 1 , 2 , 3 , 4 , the ONNO‐donor 6,5,5‐membered fused chelate rings forming (Lⁿ)²⁻ and the two mutually cis oxo groups assemble a distorted octahedral N₂O₄ coordination sphere around the metal centre. In the crystal lattice, each of 1 , 2 , 3 , 4 forms a one‐dimensional infinite chain structure via intermolecular N  H⋅⋅⋅O hydrogen bonding interactions. In cyclic voltammograms, the diamagnetic complexes display an irreversible metal‐centred reduction in the potential range −0.73 to −0.88 V (vs Ag/AgCl). The physicochemical data are consistent with a very similar gross molecular structure for all of 1 , 2 , 3 , 4 , 5 . All the complexes exhibit decent bromoperoxidase activities and are also able to effectively catalyse benzoin and methyl(phenyl)sulfide oxidation reactions. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Generalized Baskakov–Durrmeyer type operators

In the present paper, we study some approximation properties of the Durrmeyer type modification of generalized Baskakov operators introduced by Erencin (Appl Math Comput 218(3):4384–4390, 2011). First, we establish a Lorentz-type lemma for the derivatives of the kernel of the generalized Baskakov operators and then obtain a recurrence relation for the moments of their Durrmeyer type modification. Next, we discuss some direct results in simultaneous approximation by these operators e.g. pointwise convergence theorem, Voronovskaja-type theorem and an estimate of error in terms of the modulus of continuity. Finally, we estimate the error in the approximation of functions having derivatives of bounded variation.     

First total synthesis and structure confirmation of diacetylenic polyol (+)-oploxyne B

The first total synthesis of the natural product (+)-oploxyne B is achieved. The synthesis has led to the confirmation of absolute stereochemistry of the natural product. The natural product displayed cytotoxic activity with IC₅₀ values varying from 16 to 53 μM in four cancer cell lines tested.     

Characterization,Analysis, and Application of Fabricated Fe3O4-Chitosan-Pectinase Nanobiocatalyst

The investigation on fabrication of Fe₃O₄-chitosan-pectinase nanobiocatalyst was performed by covalently binding the pectinase onto carboxyl group activated chitosan-coated magnetic nanoparticles (CMNPs). The morphological and size distribution analysis of the different magnetic nanoparticles (MNPs) was done using transmission electron microscopy (TEM), and the average diameter was 11.07?±?3.04, 11.55?±?3.16, and 11.59?±?3.16 nm for MNPs, CMNPs, and fabricated nanobiocatalyst, respectively, suggesting that there was no significant change in the size of MNPs after coating and binding. The characteristic peaks occurred at 2θ of 30.39, 35.43, 43.37, 57.22, and 62.9, and their corresponding indices 220, 311, 400, 520, and 441 for different MNPs from the X-ray diffraction (XRD) studies confirmed the presence of Fe₃O₄ with the spinel structure, and there was no phase change even after coating and binding. The various required characteristic absorption peaks (575, 585, 1,563, 1,614, 1,651, and 1,653 cm^?1) from Fourier transform infrared (FT-IR) spectroscopy confirmed the surface modifications and binding of pectinase onto the MNPs. At the weight ratio of about 19.8?×?10^?3 mg bound pectinase/mg activated CMNPs, the activity of fabricated nanobiocatalyst was found to be maximum. In order to monitor their improved activity, the pH, temperature, reusability, storage ability, and kinetic studies were established.     

Focusing of longitudinal ultrasonic waves in air with an aperiodic flat lens

Modeling and experimental results of an ultrasonic aperiodic flat lens for use in air are presented. Predictive modeling of the lens is performed using a hybrid genetic-greedy algorithm constrained to a linear structure. The optimized design parameters are used to fabricate a lens. A method combining a fiber-disk arrangement and scanning laser vibrometer measurements is developed to characterize the acoustic field distribution generated by the lens. The focal spot size is determined to be 0.88 of the incident wavelength of 80-90 kHz at a distance of 2.5 mm from the lens. Theoretically computed field distributions, optimized frequency of operation, and spatial resolution focal length are compared with experimental measurements. The differences between experimental measurements and the theoretical computations are analyzed. The theoretical calculation of the focal spot diameter is 1.7 mm which is 48% of the experimental measurement at a frequency of 80-90 kHz. This work illustrates the capabilities of a hybrid algorithm approach to design of flat acoustic lenses to operate in air with a resolution of greater than the incident wavelength and the challenges of characterizing acoustic field distribution in air.