Photoacoustic spectroscopy analysis of silicon crystals

A high resolution fully automated photoacoustic spectrometer (PAS) of the gas-microphone type is used in the photon energy region 0.8–1.6 eV to analyze the optical properties of silicon single crystals at different frequencies between 25 and 312 Hz. At modulating frequencies at which the sample thickness approaches its thermal diffusion length, the results obtained of untreated specimens using different PA cells reveal the presence of several peaks in the absorption tail, some of which are independent of the photon energy. The magnitude of these peaks is seen to be stronger than that of the maximum of the fundamental edge of silicon, thus making it indistinct. At lower modulating frequencies at which the sample thickness is far less than its thermal diffusion length and using a highly reflecting backing material, multiple reflections of the light beam within the sample interfaces are seen to enhance the PA amplitude signal sensitivity response as predicted theoretically. The effect of etching silicon samples in a diluted solution of hydrofluoric acid (5%) on photoacoustic spectra has been investigated. It is observed that this process removes all spurious features in the spectra originating from the surface contaminants making the fundamental absorption edge clearly visible and leaving only one distinct peak at hν=0.9 eV. Transmission-photoacoustic (T-PAS) has also been used to study silicon single crystals. In the light of recent literature a comparison is carried out between the results obtained using the two techniques in determining the absorption coefficient and the gap energy.     

A new coordination complex based on a polynitrile ligand: bis(4‐amino‐3,5‐di‐2‐pyridyl‐4H‐1,2,4‐triazole)diaquairon(II) bis(1,1,3,3‐tetracyano‐2‐methylsulfanylpropenide)

The new high‐spin iron(II) complex, [Fe(C₁₂H₁₀N₆)₂(H₂O)₂](C₈H₃N₄S)₂ or [Fe(abpt)₂(H₂O)₂](tcnsme)₂ [where abpt is 4‐amino‐3,5‐di‐2‐pyridyl‐4H‐1,2,4‐triazole and tcnsme is the 1,1,3,3‐tetracyano‐2‐methylthiopropenide anion], consists of discrete [Fe(abpt)₂(H₂O)₂]²⁺ dications, where the Fe^II ion is coordinated by two N,N′‐bidentate chelating abpt ligands in the equatorial plane and two water molecules in trans positions, generating a distorted octahedral [FeN₄O₂] environment. The cationic unit is neutralized by two polynitrile tcnsme anions, in which the C—N, C—C and C—S bond lengths indicate extensive electronic delocalization. In the crystal structure, the dications and anions are linked through O—H...N and N—H...N hydrogen bonds involving the water H atoms and those of the NH₂ groups and the N atoms of the CN groups, leading to the formation of a three‐dimensional network.     

On some new variational problems for image denoising

This paper is devoted to image denoising problems using multiresolution schemes related to variational problems. We start with the linear approach of Donoho and Johnstone, that is related to a well known diffusion‐type variational problem. In order to improve the behavior of this approach, we propose some new nonlinear variational problems more adapted to the problem of denoising. Moreover, the discretization is performed using nonlinear multiresolution schemes. In particular, we obtain some fast and well adapted schemes for the considered problem of denoising.     

Essential oil analysis and antibacterial activity of Rosmarinus tournefortii from Algeria

The volatile compounds obtained by hydrodistillation of the aerial parts of Rosmarinus tournefortii De Noé. growing wild in the occidental region of Algeria were analyzed by GC/MS. Thirty-six compounds were characterized representing 95.6% of the essential oil, with camphor (37.6%), 1,8-cineole (10.0%), p-cymene-7-ol (7.8%), and borneol (5.4%) as the major components. The antimicrobial activity was evaluated against three pathogenic bacteria: Gram-negative (Escherichia coli and Pseudomonas aeruginosa) and Gram-positive (Staphylococcus aureus). The minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC; mg/mL) was determined by sub-culture on Muller Hinton agar plates. The essential oil exhibited strong antibacterial activity against E. coli and P. aeruginosa, and was also active against Staphylococcus aureus.     

Linkage isomerism in coordination polymers

The use of the recently prepared polynitrile ligand tcnopr3OH(-) ([(NC)(2)CC(OCH(2)CH(2)CH(2)OH)C(CN)(2)](-)) with different salts of Fe(II), Co(II), and Ni(II) has led to a very rare example of linkage isomerism in a coordination chain. These pairs of linkage isomers can be formulated as [M(tcnopr3OH-κN,κO)(2)(H(2)O)(2)]; M = Fe (1), Co (3), and Ni(5) and [M(tcnopr3OH-κN,κN')(2)(H(2)O)(2)]; M = Fe (2), Co (4), and Ni (6). Compounds 1-2, 3-4, and 5-6 are three pairs of linkage isomers since they present the same formula and chain structure and they only differ in the connectivity of the polynitrile ligand bridging the metal ions in the chain: through a N and an O atom (1κN:2κO-isomer) or through two N atoms (1κN:2κN'-isomer). The magnetic properties show, as expected, very similar behaviors for both isomers.     

First radical cation salt of paramagnetic transition metal complex containing TTF as ligand, [Cu(II)(hfac)2(TTF-py)2](PF6) x 2CH2Cl2 (hfac = hexafluoroacetylacetonate and TTF-py = 4-(2-tetrathiafulvalenyl-ethenyl)pyridine)

The preparation, X-ray crystal structure, EPR data, and magnetic measurement of [Cu(II)(hfac)(2)(TTF-py)(2)](PF(6)).2CH(2)Cl(2), a novel material where the conducting and the localized spin systems are covalently linked through conjugated bridges, are reported. The partial oxidation of the TTF-type organic donor ligand yielded the first radical cation salt of a paramagnetic transition metal complex. Moreover, this compound shows a mixed valence state at the unimolecular level, and additionally, the arrangement of the molecules in the crystal structure revealed the presence of isolated mixed valence TTF dimers.     

New tetrathiapentalene-derived charge transfer salts with paramagnetic transition metal complex anion: kappa-(EDDH-TTP)(3)[Cr(phen)(NCS)(4)] x 2CH(2)Cl(2) and kappa(21)-(BDH-TTP)(5)[Cr(phen)(NCS)(4)](2) x 2CH(2)Cl(2)

The preparation, crystal structures, and optical and magnetic properties of two new charge-transfer salts kappa-(EDDH-TTP)(3)[Cr(phen)(NCS)(4)] x 2CH(2)Cl(2) (1) and kappa(21)-(BDH-TTP)(5)[Cr(phen)(NCS)(4)](2) x 2CH(2)Cl(2) (2), where phen = 1,10- phenanthroline, EDDH-TTP = 2-(4,5-ethylenedithio-1,3-dithiol-2-ylidene)-5-(1,3-dithiolan-2-ylidene)-1,3,4,6-tetrathiapentalene, and BDH-TTP = 2,5-bis(1,3-dithiolan-2-ylidene)-1,3,4,6-tetrathiapentalene, are reported. Crystal data: (1) monoclinic P2(1)/a, a = 25.0752(5) A, b = 10.6732(3) A, c = 28.1601(6) A, beta = 95.195(2) degrees, Z = 4, R = 0.0585 for 6741 independent reflections with I > 3 sigma(I); (2) monoclinic P2(1)/a, a = 23.8275(4) A, b = 9.1015 (2) A, c = 27.0420(1) A, beta = 99.9297(8) degrees, Z = 4, R = 0.0530 for 4565 independent reflections with I > 2 sigma(I). The crystal structures for both compounds consist of alternating organic and inorganic layers. The organic layer in compound 1 is characterized as kappa-type, while the organic layer in 2 resembles the kappa-type but it contains orthogonal dimers and monomers, and it is therefore called kappa(21). Compound 1 shows metallic behavior down to low temperature. Salt 2 shows semiconductive behavior, which is explained as the result of either charge ordering owing to the kappa(21)-type structure or Peierls distortion due to the one-dimensional electronic nature. However, weak metallic behavior could be observed at 10 kbar above ca. 150 K and at 15 kbar above 170 K. The magnetic susceptibilities for both compounds show Curie-Weiss behavior, showing that the exchange interactions between the magnetic anions are weak. Polarized reflectance spectra of single crystals were measured over the spectral range from 650 to 7000 cm(-1). Moreover, absorption and diffusion reflectance spectra of powdered crystals dispersed in KBr (from 400 to 7000 cm(-1)) were recorded. Vibrational and electronic features are discussed.     

Development and validation of a screening procedure for the assessment of inhibition using a recombinant enzyme

Myeloperoxidase (MPO, E.C. 1.1.11.7) is a heme-containing enzyme that catalyses the synthesis of hypochlorous acid (HOCl) in the presence of hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) and chlorine anions. The production of HOCl is kept under strict control of neutrophils. However, in several pathological conditions, MPO is leaked in the extracellular fluid, which involves an over-production of reactive oxygen species like HOCl and promotes the damages caused by neutrophils. As a consequence, the inhibition of MPO by various agents has been investigated and a variety of molecules have been evaluated for this activity in different models. The present study aims to describe and validate a rapid screening method based on the taurine assay and using a recombinant MPO. After validation of the stock solutions used during the experiments, the amount of MPO for the completion of the reaction was measured and fixed to an optimal value. The inhibiting concentration at 50% of flufenamic acid (taken as a reference molecule) was then assessed in both a simple tube test and a microplate test and delivered similar results (1.3+/-0.2 microM vs 1.4+/-0.2 microM, P=0.2). Finally, different molecules able to inhibit MPO were evaluated in this rapid assay system providing results comparable to literature. The high throughput screening is undoubtedly a first line assessment method which affords the selection of inhibitors and permits to reduce the number of candidates for a further elucidation of the mechanism of MPO inhibition.     

Dittrichia viscosa L. Leaves: A Valuable Source of Bioactive Compounds with Multiple Pharmacological Effects

This work focused on the leaves of Dittrichia viscosa, a plant used in Mediterranean folk medicine. Compared to water extract, the methanolic extract had higher antioxidant effects. Moreover, this extract showed potent in vitro inhibitory activity against α-amylase and α-glucosidase and showed an interesting antiglycation effect. Additionally, the evaluation of the cytotoxic activity of the methanolic extract against two human breast cancer cell lines, MCF-7 and MDA-MB-468, was very promising, with no cytotoxicity towards normal cells (peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs). The antibacterial effect was also assessed and showed potent inhibitory activity against Proteus mirabilis and Bacillus subtilis. On the other hand, Dittrichia viscosa leaves were rich in macro-elements containing appropriate micro-elements and high levels of phenolics and flavonoids such as caffeic acid derivatives. Taken together, the results obtained in this study indicate that Dittrichia viscosa could constitute a valuable source of bioactive molecules and could be used either on the preventive side or for therapeutic applications without toxicity.