Dipolar ruthenium(II) ammine complexes as electron transfer mediators of amperometric glucose sensors

The mediation of dipolar ruthenium(II) ammine complexes containing pyridinium ions [Ru(NH(3))(5)(L(+))](3+)(L(+): pyridinium ions) in glucose oxidation has been investigated by a voltammetric method. These ruthenium(II) complexes had appropriate redox potentials of 0.10-0.18 V vs. Ag/AgCl and high k(s) values of 5.7-17 x 10(6) M(-1) s(-1) which are the second-order rate constants for electron transfer from glucose oxidase in reduced form to [Ru(NH(3))(5)(L(+))](4+). In particular, the k(s) values for [Ru(NH(3))(5)(L(+))](3+) were greater than those of osmium(II)-polypyridine complexes possessing similar redox potentials which are most commonly used. All the dipolar ruthenium(II) complexes used in this study are therefore concluded to be useful for the electron transfer mediators of amperometric glucose sensors.     

Novel AC and DC Non-Thermal Plasma Sources for Cold Surface Treatment of Polymer Films and Fabrics at Atmospheric Pressure

Novel types of non-thermal plasma sources at atmospheric pressure based on multi-pin DC (direct current) diffusive glow discharge and AC (alternative current) streamer barrier corona have been elaborated and tested successfully for cold surface treatment of polymer films [polyethylene (PE), polypropylene (PP), polyethylene terephthalate (PET),] and polyester fabric. Results on physical properties ofdischarges mentioned and output energy characteristics of new plasma sources as well as data on after-treatment changes in wettability of films and fabrics are presented. The main goal of this study was to find out the experimental conditions for gas discharge and surface processing to achieve a remarkable wettability change for a short treatment time.     

Coating zinc oxide submicron crystals on poly(methyl methacrylate) chips and spheres via ultrasound irradiation

Ultrasound irradiation is used for anchoring zinc oxide submicron crystals with a main diameter and length of 280 nm and 470 nm, respectively, onto the surface of poly(methyl methacrylate) PMMA chips (2 mm diameter), and zinc oxide crystals with a mean diameter and length of 150 nm and 230 nm, respectively, onto the surface of the PMMA spheres (1–10 μm). The zinc oxide crystals were obtained by sonochemical irradiation of a mixture containing the PMMA, zinc (II) acetate dihydrate, ethanol, water, and 24 wt.% aqueous ammonia for 2 h, yielding a PMMA–zinc oxide composite. By controlling the atmosphere and reaction conditions, we could achieve well-adhered zinc oxide crystals on the surface of poly(methyl methacrylate). The resulting zinc oxide–PMMA composite was characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), high-resolution transmission electron microscopy (HRTEM), energy-dispersive X-ray analysis (EDX), high-resolution scanning electron microscopy (HRSEM), and photoluminescence (PL) spectroscopy. The zinc oxide-deposited PMMA chips (loaded with 0.03–1.0 wt.% ZnO) were successfully homogenized in melt by extrusion and then injection molded into small, disc-shaped samples. These samples were analyzed with respect to their directional spectral optical properties in UV, Vis and IR spectroscopy.     

High-efficiency deflection of high-energy protons through axial channeling in a bent crystal

Beam deflection due to axial channeling in a silicon crystal bent along the 111 axis was observed with 400 GeV/c protons at the CERN Super Proton Synchrotron. The condition for doughnut scattering of protons by the atomic strings of the crystal was attained. Such a condition allowed one to observe a beam deflection of 50 murad with about 30% efficiency. The contribution of hyperchanneled states of protons to the observed beam deflection was less than 2% according to simulation results.     

More on sonolytic and sonocatalytic decomposition of Diclofenac using zero-valent iron

The study is an extension of our previous work on sonolytic and sonocatalytic decomposition of Diclofenac-Na (DCF) to depict and highlight further operation parameters of significance, and to assess the effect of a novel home-made catalyst made of magnetic nanoparticles of zero-valent iron (ZVI). It was found that high-frequency was more effective than power ultrasound (20 kHz), and the efficiency was a maximum at 861 kHz, acetate-buffered pH 3.0 and air bubbling provided that samples were prepared from a pre-heated stock solution to enhance solubility of the compound. As such, 40-min sonication rendered nearly complete transformation of DCF to intermediate products that were more biodegradable than itself, but with little mineralization of organic carbon. Catalytic sono-treatment showed that the effect of the catalyst was largest in a non-buffered acidic solution and the rate of DCF elimination increased with increasing concentrations of solids up to a “critical” mass, above which it declined via the coalescence of particles and bubbles. Sonocatalysis using the “effective” solid mass also enhanced the overall degradation or mineralization of the compound as portrayed by the accumulation of chloride and nitrate ions in solution after prolonged contact. The production of excess H₂O₂ during catalysis with ZVI was attributed to the presence of additional and major routes of OH and/or H₂O₂ formation (other than water pyrolysis). The initial rate of DCF degradation in the presence of nanoparticles was found highly sensitive to the mass of solids in solution, declining sharply as the mass exceeded a “critical” effective level. A catalyst efficacy factor was defined as a function of the initial mass ratio of Fe⁰ to DCF and found to be one order of magnitude larger than that obtained by using commercial microparticles with a threefold larger Fe content. The result signifies that the role of aqueous Advanced Fenton reactions (Fe⁰/H₂O₂) was less significant in the presence of nanoparticles relative to that of heterogeneous reactions with reactive Fe and oxygen species on the massive surface areas with enriched reaction/adsorption and nucleation sites.     

Preparative synthesis and pharmacological activity of Albicar racemate and enantiomers

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Synthesis and antihypotensive properties of 2-amino-2-thiazoline analogues with enhanced lipophilicity

In a search of nitric oxide synthase inhibitors with prolonged vasoconstrictive activity, a series of lipophilic cyclohexafused 2-amino-2-thiazolines was obtained via cyclization of tert-butyl- or benzoyl-substituted N-(cyclohex-2-en-1-yl)thioureas. The crystal structure of intermediate N-[(3aRS,7aSR)- 3a,4,5,6,7,7a-hexahydro-1,3-benzothiazol-2-yl]benzamide hydrobromide was determined by X-ray analysis. One compound was found to cause pronounced and prolonged vasoconstrictive effect after single injection to the Wystar rats with lipopolysaccharide induced acute endotoxic (vasodilatation) shock.