Sulfamic Acid–Catalyzed One‐Pot Synthesis of 3‐(4,6‐Dimethyl‐oxazolo[4,5‐c]quinolin‐2‐yl)‐chromen‐2‐ones using the Conventional Method and Microwave Irradiation

A rapid and efficient method for the preparation of 3‐(4,6‐dimethyl‐oxazolo[4,5‐c]quinolin‐2‐yl)‐chromen‐2‐ones by the reaction between 3‐amino‐2,8‐dimethyl‐quinolin‐4‐ol and 2‐oxo‐2H‐chromen‐3‐carboxylic acid using sulfamic acid as a acid catalyst and dimethyl formamide as a solvent using the conventional method and microwave irradiation is reported.     

Advances in RNA Interference Technology and Its Impact on Nutritional Improvement, Disease and Insect Control in Plants

This review highlights the advances in the knowledge of RNA interference (RNAi) and discusses recent progress on the functionality of different components RNAi machinery operating in the organisms. The silencing of genes by RNA interference has become the technology of choice for investigation of gene functions in different organisms. The refinement in the knowledge of the endogenous RNAi pathways in plants along with the development of new strategies and applications for the improvement of nutritional value of important agricultural crops through suppression of genes in different plants have opened new vistas for nutritional security. The improvement in the nutritional status of the plants and reduction in the level of toxins or antinutrients was desired for long, but the available technology was not completely successful in achieving the tissue specific regulation of some genes. In the recent years, a number of economically important crop plants have been tested successfully for improving plant nutritional value through metabolic engineering using RNAi. The implications of this technology for crop improvement programs, including nutritional enrichment, reduction of antinutrients, disease, and insect control have been successfully tested in variety of crops with commercial considerations. The enhancement of the nutraceutical traits for the desired health benefits in common crop plants through manipulation of gene expression has been elaborated in this article. The tremendous potential with RNAi technology is expected to revolutionize the modern agriculture for meeting the growing challenges is discussed.     

Industrial Applications of Dimeric Surfactants: A Review

Dimeric surfactants also known as gemini surfactants have received lots of attention for high performance formulations in the various scientific and commercial products. Due to the greater amount of hydrocarbon per molecule, the critical micelle concentrations (CMC) of dimeric are typically one order of magnitude lower than the corresponding monomeric surfactant. They are ten to hundred times more efficient at reducing the surface tension of water and the interfacial tension of the oil-water interface than conventional surfactants. Besides, the Krafft temperatures of gemini surfactants with hydrophilic spacers are generally very low giving these surfactants the capacity to be used in cold water. These surfactants display a range of interesting properties, including elevated surface activity, extremely low CMC and extraordinary rheology and self-assimilation aspect. As a consequence of these properties, they have many potential applications include detergents and cleaning agents, cosmetics, textile, and dyeing, dispersion stabilization and emulsion polymerization, genetics science, pharmaceutical, and biological applications.      

Effect of soil properties on radioactivity concentrations and dose assessment

This study evaluated the correlation between radioactivity concentrations and soil properties, and determined the total annual effective dose near an underground geologic repository for transuranic wastes. Soil samples were collected from two historical monitoring areas (Near Field and Cactus Flats). Alpha-particle spectrometry was used for the analysis of ²⁴¹Am, ^239+240Pu and ²³⁸U, while ¹³⁷Cs, ⁴⁰K, ²³²Th and ²²⁶Ra were detected by gamma ray spectrometry. Higher radioactivity concentrations and stronger positive correlations between radioactivity concentrations and soil properties were obtained in Cactus Flats compared to Near Field. The total annual effective dose was lower than the recommended limit of 1 mSv y^??1.

     

Surfactant mediated electrodeposition of copper nanostructures for environmental electrochemistry: influence of morphology on electrochemical nitrate reduction reaction

Journal of Solid State Electrochemistry - The development of materials with high active surface area/surface modification is of great interest in electrochemistry due to their widespread...     

Acrylation of biomass: A review of synthesis process: Know-how and future application directions

Over the years, eco-friendly raw biomass is being investigated to develop novel green monomer and oligomer components for sustainable polymer materials synthesis. The use of naturally obtained biomass can reduce the dependence on petrochemical suppliers and the impact of petroleum prices. Polymer materials obtained from biomass are a competitive alternative comparing with those made from petrochemicals. Domestically and industrially used vegetable oil derivatives are considered widely available, while cellulose derivatives are the most abundant natural polymers. Biobased acrylic polymers developed from vegetable oils and cellulose are very popular nowadays. Using acrylic derivatives of vegetable oils and cellulose as naturally obtained materials leads to long-lasting biopolymers with a wide range of high exploitation properties and applications. The characteristics of vegetable oil- and cellulose-based acrylate resins of high-biorenewable carbon content are suitable for industrial application, while their role is still underestimated. A brief analysis of biomass-derived biopolymer resin compositions, properties, and applications is critically outlined herein.     

Analysis and Characterization of Microwave Irradiation–Induced Graft Copolymerization of Methyl Methacrylate onto Delignified Grewia Optiva Fiber

Grafting of methyl methacrylate (MMA) onto delignified Grewia optiva fiber using ascorbic acid/H₂O₂ as an initiator was carried out under microwave irradiation. The effects of varying the microwave power, exposure time, and concentration of initiator and monomer of graft polymerization were studied to obtain maximum grafting percentage (26.54%). The experimental results showed that the optimal conditions for grafting were: exposure time, 10min; microwave power, 110 W; ascorbic acid concentration, 3.74mol/L × 10^?2; H₂O₂ concentration, 0.97mol/L × 10^?1; monomer concentration, 1.87mol/L × 10^?1. The graft copolymers were characterized by Fourier transform-infrared (FT-IR) spectroscopy, scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and thermogravimetric analysis (TGA).