Statistics of crumpled paper

A statistical study of crumpled paper is allowed by a minimal 1D model: a self-avoiding line bent at sharp angles--in which the elastic energy resides--put in a confining potential. Many independent equilibrium configurations are generated numerically and their properties are investigated. At small confinement, the distribution of segment lengths is log-normal in agreement with previous predictions and experiments. At high confinement, the system approaches a jammed state with a critical behavior, whereas the length distribution follows a gamma law in which the parameter is predicted as a function of the number of layers in the system.     

Radical Truce-Smiles reactions on an isoxazole template: Scope and limitations

The use of TiCl₃-HCl as promotor in the radical Truce-Smiles reactions of 2-(((3,5-dimethylisoxazol-4-yl)sulfonyl)oxy)benzenediazonium salts has been investigated in detail. During these reactions the desired Truce-Smiles rearrangement (via an ipso-substitution reaction) is accompanied by the formation of a number of by-products including dihydrobenzo[5,6][1,2]oxathiino[3,4-d]isoxazole 4,4-dioxides, dioxidobenzo[e][1,2]oxathiin-3-yl)ethan-1-ones, anilines and chloroaromatics. Replacing TiCl₃-HCl by Cu(NO₃)₂-Cu₂O as reductant in these reactions was found to afford broadly comparable product distributions. Competition and radical clock experiments also provide an indication of the relative susceptibility of the isoxazole nucleus towards attack by aryl radicals.     

Effects of mass transfer on MHD second grade fluid towards stretching cylinder: A novel perspective of Cattaneo–Christov heat flux model

The aim of this research is to analyze the effects of mass transfer on second grade fluid flow subjected to the heat transfer incorporated with the relaxation time to reach the state of equilibrium on or after the state of upheaval. A new heat model namely Cattaneo–Christov heat flux comprising the relaxation time is employed instead of very commonly used mundane model based on classical theory of heat flux. Flow is considered towards stretching cylinder in the existence of external magnetic field. Suitable transformations are first used to deduce the momentum, heat and concentration equations and are then solved analytically. The effects of physical quantities such as fluid parameter, magnetic field, Schmidt number, relaxation time, curvature parameter, Prandtl number and chemical reaction on momentum, temperature and concentration profile are examined graphically whereas for validation of results convergence analysis along with residual error are obtained numerically. A comparison of obtained results is also given with the existing literature as a limiting case of reported problem and are found an excellent agreement. The temperature profile indicates thinning effect for higher values of Prandtl number and relaxation time. It is also noted that the velocity increases with increasing values of fluid parameter whereas it declines for the case of magnetic field. This study can be used an application of central heating system and to measure the fast chemical reactions rates.     

Gamma irradiation effects on structural and optical properties of amorphous and crystalline Nb<Subscript>2</Subscript>O<Subscript>5</Subscript> thin films

The structural and optical properties of RF sputtered Nb₂O₅ thin films are studied before and after gamma irradiation. The films are subjected to structural and surface morphological analyses by using X-ray (XRD) and field emission scanning electron microscope techniques. In the wavelength range of 300–2000 nm, the optical parameters for amorphous and crystalline Nb₂O₅ thin films are estimated at differently exposed γ-irradiation doses (0, 50, 100 and 200 kGy). The optical constants, such as optical energy band gap, absorption coefficient, refractive index and oscillators parameters of amorphous and crystalline Nb₂O₅ thin films are calculated. The optical band gaps of γ-irradiated amorphous and crystalline Nb₂O₅ thin films are determined. In the non-absorbing region, the real part of the refractive index of amorphous and crystalline Nb₂O₅ thin films slightly increases with the increase in the exposed γ-irradiation dose.     

Growth rate of single acetaminophen crystals in supersaturated aqueous solution under different operating conditions

Single crystal growth experiments were conducted to investigate the growth rate of acetaminophen (paracetamol) crystals under carefully controlled conditions of temperature, supersaturation and pH value. The relative growth rate of the different faces was studied. Growth Rate Dispersion (GRD) was observed by studying the effect of supersaturation and temperature on the growth rate. The growth rate in all directions was found to be temperature dependant. Elongation of the crystals was measured due to the faster growth in the Y‐ direction and Xa direction compared to in the Xb direction. Dissolution of the crystals was observed at pH values greater than 8.5, and a growth rate retardation was observed when increasing the pH from 5.6, which is the normal value without additions, to higher values in both acidic and basic mediums up to 8.5. (© 2007 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)     

Simultaneous Determination of Caffeine and Paracetamol in Commercial Formulations Using Greener Normal-Phase and Reversed-Phase HPTLC Methods: A Contrast of Validation Parameters

There has been no assessment of the greenness of the described analytical techniques for the simultaneous determination (SMD) of caffeine and paracetamol. As a result, in comparison to the greener normal-phase high-performance thin-layer chromatography (HPTLC) technique, this research was conducted to develop a rapid, sensitive, and greener reversed-phase HPTLC approach for the SMD of caffeine and paracetamol in commercial formulations. The greenness of both techniques was calculated using the AGREE method. For the SMD of caffeine and paracetamol, the greener normal-phase and reversed-phase HPTLC methods were linear in the 50–500 ng/band and 25–800 ng/band ranges, respectively. For the SMD of caffeine and paracetamol, the greener reversed-phase HPTLC approach was more sensitive, accurate, precise, and robust than the greener normal-phase HPTLC technique. For the SMD of caffeine paracetamol in commercial PANEXT and SAFEXT tablets, the greener reversed-phase HPTLC technique was superior to the greener normal-phase HPTLC approach. The AGREE scores for the greener normal-phase and reversed-phase HPTLC approaches were estimated as 0.81 and 0.83, respectively, indicated excellent greenness profiles for both analytical approaches. The greener reversed-phase HPTLC approach is judged superior to the greener normal-phase HPTLC approach based on numerous validation parameters and pharmaceutical assays.     

Biodiesel Production from Alkali-Catalyzed Transesterification of Tamarindus indica Seed Oil and Optimization of Process Conditions

Biodiesel is considered a sustainable alternative to petro-diesel owing to several favorable characteristics. However, higher production costs, primarily due to the use of costly edible oils as raw materials, are a chief impediment to its pecuniary feasibility. Exploring non-edible oils as raw material for biodiesel is an attractive strategy that would address the economic constraints associated with biodiesel production. This research aims to optimize the reaction conditions for the production of biodiesel through an alkali-catalyzed transesterification of Tamarindus indica seed oil. The Taguchi method was applied to optimize performance parameters such as alcohol-to-oil molar ratio, catalyst amount, and reaction time. The fatty acid content of both oil and biodiesel was determined using gas chromatography. The optimized conditions of alcohol-to-oil molar ratio (6:1), catalyst (1.5% w/w), and reaction time 1 h afforded biodiesel with 93.5% yield. The most considerable contribution came from the molar ratio of alcohol to oil (75.9%) followed by the amount of catalyst (20.7%). In another case, alcohol to oil molar ratio (9:1), catalyst (1.5% w/w) and reaction time 1.5 h afforded biodiesel 82.5% yield. The fuel properties of Tamarindus indica methyl esters produced under ideal conditions were within ASTM D6751 biodiesel specified limits. Findings of the study indicate that Tamarindus indica may be chosen as a prospective and viable option for large-scale production of biodiesel, making it a substitute for petro-diesel.     

α-Glucosidase, α-Amylase and Antioxidant Evaluations of Isolated Bioactives from Wild Strawberry

Diabetes mellitus is a metabolic disorder and is a global challenge to the current medicinal chemists and pharmacologists. This research has been designed to isolate and evaluate antidiabetic bioactives from Fragaria indica. The crude extracts, semi-purified and pure bioactives have been used in all in vitro assays. The in vitro α-glucosidase, α-amylase and DPPH free radical activities have been performed on all plant samples. The initial activities showed that ethyl acetate (Fi.EtAc) was the potent fraction in all the assays. This fraction was initially semi-purified to obtain Fi.EtAc 1–3. Among the semi-purified fractions, Fi.EtAc 2 was dominant, exhibiting potent IC₅₀ values in all the in vitro assays. Based on the potency and availability of materials, Fi.EtAc 2 was subjected to further purification to obtain compounds 1 (2,4-dichloro-6-hydroxy-3,5-dimethoxytoluene) and 2 (2-methyl-6-(4-methylphenyl)-2-hepten-4-one). The two isolated compounds were characterized by mass and NMR analyses. The compounds 1 and 2 showed excellent inhibitions against α-glucosidase (21.45 for 1 and 15.03 for 2 μg/mL), α-amylase (17.65 and 16.56 μg/mL) and DPPH free radicals (7.62 and 14.30 μg/mL). Our study provides baseline research for the antidiabetic bioactives exploration from Fragaria indica. The bioactive compounds can be evaluated in animals-based antidiabetic activity in future.