Asymptotically optimal empirical bayes procedures for selecting good

Let ∏₁,…,∏_k denote k independent populations, where a random observation from population ∏ _i has a uniform distribution over the interval (0,θ _i ) and θ _i is a realization of a random variable having an unknown prior distribution G _i . Population ∏ _i is said to be a good population if θ _i ≥θ₀, where θ₀ is a given, positive number. This paper provides a sequence of empirical Bayes procedures for selecting the good populationsamong ∏₁,…,∏ _k . It is shown that these procedures are asymptotically optimal and that the order of associated convergence rates is O(n^-r/4) for some r, 0<r<2, where n is the number of accumulated past observations

at hand     

Controlled transport and focusing of laser-accelerated protons with miniature magnetic devices

This Letter demonstrates the transporting and focusing of laser-accelerated 14 MeV protons by permanent magnet miniature quadrupole lenses providing field gradients of up to 500 T/m. The approach is highly reproducible and predictable, leading to a focal spot of (286 x 173) microm full width at half maximum 50 cm behind the source. It decouples the relativistic laser-proton acceleration from the beam transport, paving the way to optimize both separately. The collimation and the subsequent energy selection obtained are perfectly applicable for upcoming high-energy, high-repetition rate laser systems.     

1H-NMR-Based Metabolomics: An Integrated Approach for the Detection of the Adulteration in Chicken,Chevon, Beef and Donkey Meat

Meat is a rich source of energy that provides high-value animal protein, fats, vitamins, minerals and trace amounts of carbohydrates. Globally, different types of meats are consumed to fulfill nutritional requirements. However, the increasing burden on the livestock industry has triggered the mixing of high-price meat species with low-quality/-price meat. This work aimed to differentiate different meat samples on the basis of metabolites. The metabolic difference between various meat samples was investigated through Nuclear Magnetic Resonance spectroscopy coupled with multivariate data analysis approaches like principal component analysis (PCA) and orthogonal partial least square-discriminant analysis (OPLS-DA). In total, 37 metabolites were identified in the gluteal muscle tissues of cow, goat, donkey and chicken using ¹H-NMR spectroscopy. PCA was found unable to completely differentiate between meat types, whereas OPLS-DA showed an apparent separation and successfully differentiated samples from all four types of meat. Lactate, creatine, choline, acetate, leucine, isoleucine, valine, formate, carnitine, glutamate, 3-hydroxybutyrate and α-mannose were found as the major discriminating metabolites between white (chicken) and red meat (chevon, beef and donkey). However, inosine, lactate, uracil, carnosine, format, pyruvate, carnitine, creatine and acetate were found responsible for differentiating chevon, beef and donkey meat. The relative quantification of differentiating metabolites was performed using one-way ANOVA and Tukey test. Our results showed that NMR-based metabolomics is a powerful tool for the identification of novel signatures (potential biomarkers) to characterize meats from different sources and could potentially be used for quality control purposes in order to differentiate different meat types.     

Thiourea Derivatives,Simple in Structure but Efficient Enzyme Inhibitors and Mercury Sensors

In this study six unsymmetrical thiourea derivatives, 1-isobutyl-3-cyclohexylthiourea (1), 1-tert-butyl-3-cyclohexylthiourea (2), 1-(3-chlorophenyl)-3-cyclohexylthiourea (3), 1-(1,1-dibutyl)-3-phenylthiourea (4), 1-(2-chlorophenyl)-3-phenylthiourea (5) and 1-(4-chlorophenyl)-3-phenylthiourea (6) were obtained in the laboratory under aerobic conditions. Compounds 3 and 4 are crystalline and their structure was determined for their single crystal. Compounds 3 is monoclinic system with space group P2₁/n while compound 4 is trigonal, space group R³:H. Compounds (1–6) were tested for their anti-cholinesterase activity against acetylcholinesterase and butyrylcholinesterase (hereafter abbreviated as, AChE and BChE, respectively). Potentials (all compounds) as sensing probes for determination of deadly toxic metal (mercury) using spectrofluorimetric technique were also investigated. Compound 3 exhibited better enzyme inhibition IC₅₀ values of 50, and 60 µg/mL against AChE and BChE with docking score of −10.01, and −8.04 kJ/mol, respectively. The compound also showed moderate sensitivity during fluorescence studies.     

N‐Phenyl‐substituted carbene precursors and their silver complexes: synthesis,characterization and antimicrobial activities

A series of unsymmetrically substituted N‐heterocyclic carbene (NHC) precursors ( 1a , 1b , 1c , 1d , 1e ) were synthesized from the reaction of N‐phenylbenzimidazole with various alkyl halides. These compounds were used to synthesize NHC–silver(I) complexes ( 2a , 2b , 2c , 2d , 2e ). The five new 1‐phenyl‐3‐alkylbenzimidazolium salts ( 1a , 1b , 1c , 1d , 1e ) and their NHC–silver complexes ( 2a , 2b , 2c , 2d , 2e ) were characterized by the ¹H NMR, ¹³C NMR and FT‐IR spectroscopic methods and elemental analysis techniques. Also, the two NHC–silver complexes 2b and 2c were characterized by single‐crystal X‐ray crystallography, which confirmed the linear C―Ag―Cl arrangements. The antibacterial activities of the NHC precursor and NHC–silver complexes were tested against three Gram‐positive bacterial strains (Bacillus subtilis, Listeria monocytogenes and Staphylococcus aureus) and three Gram‐negative bacterial strains (Escherichia coli, Klebsiella pneumoniae and Pseudomonas aeruginosa) using the microdilution broth method. The NHC–silver complexes showed higher antibacterial activity than the NHC precursors. In addition, silver complexes 2a , 2b , 2c , 2d showed high antibacterial activity against the Gram‐positive bacteria L. monocytogenes and S. aureus compared to the standard, tetracycline. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Synthesis and Single Crystal X-ray Studies of 3-(3,5-Bis(trifluoromethyl)phenyl) Quinoline and 3-(4-Fluoro-3-methylphenyl) Quinoline

The title compounds 3-(3,5-bis(trifluoromethyl)phenyl)quinoline(1) and 3-(4-fluoro-3-methylphenyl)quinoline(2) were synthesized through Suzuki-Miyaura Cross coupling reaction of 3-bromoquinoloine with aryl boronic acids.The title compounds were characterized by single-crystal X-ray diffraction,1H NMR,13C NMR,EI-MS,elemental analysis and IR.The crystals of 3-(3,5-bis(trifluoromethyl)phenyl)quinoline(C17H9F6N,Mr = 341.25) belongs to the monoclinic system,space group P21n,a = 12.3072(13),b = 4.9378(6),c = 24.493(2) ,V = 1473.1(3) 3,Z = 4,Dc = 1.539 Mg m-3,λ = 0.71073 ,μ = 0.144 mm-1,F(000) = 688,the final R = 0.0715 and wR = 0.1873 for 1875 observed reflections with I 2σ(I) and the crystal of 3-(4-fluoro-3-methylphenyl)quinoline(C16H12FN,Mr = 237.27) belongs to the orthorhombic system,space group Pca21,a = 23.794(2),b = 3.9094(3),c = 25.669(2) ,V = 2387.7(4) 3,Z = 8,Dc = 1.320 Mg m-3,λ = 0.71073 ,μ = 0.088 mm-1,F(000) = 992,the final R = 0.0534 and wR = 0.1188 for 2270 observed reflections with I 2σ(I).     

Synthesis,characterization, and biological screening of metal complexes of novel sulfonamide derivatives: Experimental and theoretical analysis of sulfonamide crystal

This study reports the synthesis of sulfonamide-derived Schiff bases as ligands L ¹ and L ² as well as their transition metal complexes [VO(IV), Fe(II), Co(II), Ni(II), Cu(II), and Zn(II)]. The Schiff bases (4-{E-[(2-hydroxy-3-methoxyphenyl)methylidene]amino}benzene-1-sulfonamide ( L ¹ ) and 4-{[(2-hydroxy-3-methoxyphenyl)methylidene]amino}-N-(5-methyl-1,2-oxazol-3-yl)benzene-1-sulfonamide ( L ² ) were synthesized by the condensation reaction of 4-aminobenzene-1-sulfonamide and 4-amino-N-(3-methyl-2,3-dihydro-1,2-oxazol-5-yl)benzene-1-sulfonamide with 2-hydroxy-3-methoxybenzaldehyde in an equimolar ratio. Sulfonamide core ligands behaved as bidentate ligands and coordinated with transition metals via nitrogen of azomethine and the oxygen of the hydroxyl group. Ligand L ¹ was recovered in its crystalline form and was analyzed by single-crystal X-ray diffraction technique which held monoclinic crystal system with space group (P2₁/c). The structures of the ligands L ¹ and L ² and their transition metal complexes were established by their physical (melting point, color, yields, solubility, magnetic susceptibility, and conductance measurements), spectral (UV–visible [UV–Vis], Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, ¹H NMR, ¹³C NMR, and mass analysis), and analytical (CHN analysis) techniques. Furthermore, computational analysis (vibrational bands, frontier molecular orbitals (FMOs), and natural bonding orbitals [NBOs]) were performed for ligands through density functional theory utilizing B3LYP/6-311+G(d,p) level and UV–Vis analysis was carried out by time-dependent density functional theory. Theoretical spectroscopic data were in line with the experimental spectroscopic data. NBO analysis confirmed the extraordinary stability of the ligands in their conjugative interactions. Global reactivity parameters computed from the FMO energies indicated the ligands were bioactive by nature. These procedures ensured the charge transfer phenomenon for the ligands and reasonable relevance was established with experimental results. The synthesized compounds were screened for antimicrobial activities against bacterial (Streptococcus aureus, Bacillus subtilis, Eshcheria coli, and Klebsiella pneomoniae) species and fungal (Aspergillus niger and Aspergillus flavous) strains. A further assay was designed for screening of their antioxidant activities (2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazine radical scavenging activity, total phenolic contents, and total iron reducing power) and enzyme inhibition properties (amylase, protease, acetylcholinesterase, and butyrylcholinesterase). The substantial results of these activities proved the ligands and their transition metal complexes to be bioactive in their nature.     

Octahedral copper(II) carboxylate complex: synthesis,structural description,DNA-binding and anti-bacterial studies

Self-assembly of CuSO₄, para-methyl-2-phenyl acetate and 1,10-phenanthroline afforded good-quality crystalline complex in quantitative yield. The complex was characterized by FTIR and UV-visible spectroscopy, electrochemistry, and powder and single-crystal XRD studies. Its structure was found to possess axially elongated octahedral symmetry with CuO₄N₂ chromophore. Its purity was assessed by powder XRD spectrum. Absorption study yielded a broad band corresponding to ²E_g→²T_2 g transition. Electrochemical solution study indicated diffusion-controlled irreversible electron transfer process corresponding to Cu(II)/Cu(I) redox couple with diffusion coefficient = 7.89(±0.1)×10^?9 cm²s^?1. Results of spectroscopic techniques support each other. Complex exhibited excellent DNA-binding ability through UV-visible spectroscopy and cyclic voltammetry yielding K_b values 1.399 × 10⁴ M^?1 and 5.81 × 10³ M^?1, respectively. The complex exhibited significant activity against bacterial strains Escherichia coli, Micrococcus luteus and Staphylococcus aureus and good activity against Bacillus subtilis. These preliminary studies impart good biological relevance on the synthesized complex.     

Transient thermal response of phase change material embedded with graphene nanoplatelets in an energy storage unit

This research was focused on the preparation of mixed metal oxide pigments doped with terbium ions with the general formula of Sn_0.752Co_0.08P_0.16Tb_0.008O₂. These pigments were synthesised by solid-state reactions at high calcination temperatures. The temperature range was chosen from 1350 to 1500 °C. The goal was to develop conditions for the synthesis of this type of pigments and to determine the influence of terbium ions on the colour properties of these compounds. All prepared pigments were applied into the organic matrix and into the ceramic glaze. Thermal behaviours of the reaction mixtures were investigated using differential thermal and thermogravimetric analysis. Synthesised Sn_0.752Co_0.08P_0.16Tb_0.008O₂ pigments were compared with concurrently prepared pigment Sn_0.760Co_0.08P_0.16O₂ depending on the calcination temperature with respect to the colour properties in CIE L*a*b* colour space, furthermore from the point of particle size distribution and phase composition. All compounds provided blue–violet hues that are stable in ceramic glazes.     

Simultaneous Controllability of PSD and MWD in Emulsion Polymerisation

A sensitivity study of particle size distribution (PSD) and molecular weight distribution (MWD) responses to perturbations in initiator, surfactant, monomer and chain transfer agent in a semi‐batch emulsion polymerisation is presented. The objective is to provide a systematic study on the ability to simultaneously control both PSD and MWD, towards inferential control of end‐use product properties. This would lead towards identification of the practical feasible regions of operability. All inputs appeared to have an intrinsic and simultaneous influence on end‐time PSD and MWD. Trends shown in experimental results have been explained in a mechanistic sense and also compared to simulation results from a combined PSD/MWD population balance model. The preliminary comparison between experiment and simulation highlights areas to be focussed on with respect to model improvement.