Effect of multi-ethers and conventional alkoxysilanes as external donors on the 4th generation Ziegler-Natta catalysts for propylene polymerization

The multi-ether compounds with different numbers of methoxy groups containing 1,3-dimethoxy-2,2-bis(methoxymethyl)propane and 1-methoxy-2,2-bis(methoxymethyl)butane were synthesized using the Williamson reaction from pentaerythritol and 1,1,1-tris(hydroxymethyl)propane, respectively, in the presence of sodium hydride and methyl iodide in tetrahydrofuran and they were characterized by ¹H NMR, ¹³C NMR, and FTIR spectroscopy. These compounds were employed as external donors in the polymerization of propylene using the industrial Ziegler-Natta catalyst. A commercial spherical MgCl₂-supported Ziegler-Natta catalyst containing diisobutyl phthalate as the internal donor was used for the polymerization of propylene. The role of ether compounds and industrial alkoxysilanes on the properties of polypropylene were studied using the xylene solubility method, melt flow index, gel permeation chromatography, scanning electron microscopy, and differential scanning calorimetry. The addition of the electron donors has led to improvements in the activity and selectivity of the Ziegler-Natta catalyst system.     

A facile ZrO<Subscript>2</Subscript> nanoparticles catalyzed synthesis of 2-amino-5-arylpyrimido[4,5-<Emphasis Type="Italic">b</Emphasis>]quinolinediones

In this investigation, an efficient and ecofriendly multicomponent reaction is described for the green synthesis of 2-amino-5-arylpyrimido[4,5-b]quinolinedione derivatives using ZrO₂ (NPs). In this protocol, the reaction of 2,6-diaminopyrimidin-4(1H)-one, arylaldehyde and 1,3-cyclohexanedione or 5,5-dimethyl-1,3-cyclohexanedione in the presence of ZrO₂ (NPs) in ethylene glycol at 120 °C produced the desired products in excellent yields (90–98 %) and short reaction times (8–60 min.). Use of recyclable catalyst, green solvent, easy workup and excellent yields are the notable features of this method.     

Synthesis and characterization of novel polymeric organic–inorganic complex framework based on sodium 2,4-dioxo-6-aryl-3-oxa-bicyclo[3.1.0]hexane-1,5-dicarboxylate (SDAOBDC) with three-dimensional hybrid networks

Synthesis and characterization of novel polymeric organic–inorganic complex based on sodium 2,4-dioxo-6-aryl-3-oxa-bicyclo[3,1,0]hexane-1,5-dicarboxylate with three-dimensional hybrid networks were reported. The polymeric complex was crystallizing in the triclinic, space group P1. As determined by X-ray single-crystal analysis, in this compound each Na ion is coordinated by six O atoms: two from different carbonyl oxygen atom of carboxylic acid groups, two from bridged carbonyl oxygen atom of carboxylic acid groups, one from the carbonyl oxygen atom of cyclic anhydride and one from water molecule. The structure characterization was done by means of IR, ¹H, ¹³C NMR, UV–Vis spectroscopies, Tg, flame photometry and X-ray crystallographic analysis.     

On Burr XII Distribution Analysis Under Progressive Type-II Hybrid Censored Data

In the current paper, based on progressive type-II hybrid censored samples, the maximum likelihood and Bayes estimates for the two parameter Burr XII distribution are obtained. We propose the use of expectation-maximization (EM) algorithm to compute the maximum likelihood estimates (MLEs) of model parameters. Further, we derive the asymptotic variance-covariance matrix of the MLEs by applying the missing information principle and it can be utilized to construct asymptotic confidence intervals (CIs) for the parameters. The Bayes estimates of the unknown parameters are obtained under the assumption of gamma priors by using Lindley’s approximation and Markov chain Monte Carlo (MCMC) technique. Also, MCMC samples are used to construct the highest posterior density (HPD) credible intervals. Simulation study is conducted to investigate the accuracy of the estimates and compare the performance of CIs obtained. Finally, one real data set is analyzed for illustrative purposes.     

Microwave assisted synthesis of 2,3-dihydro-4H-benzo[4,5]thiazolo[3,2-a]furo[2,3-d]pyrimidin-4-ones and 6,7-dihydro-5H-furo[2,3-d]thiazolo[3,2-a]pyrimidin-5-ones using Mn(OAc)3

2-Hydroxy-4H-benzo[4,5]thiazolo[3,2-a]pyrimidin-4-one 2a and 7-hydroxy-5H-thiazolo[3,2-a]pyrimidin-5-one 2b, were obtained in high yields under mild conditions from the cyclization reactions of bis-(2,4,6-trichlorophenyl) malonate and 2-aminobenzothiazole or 2-aminothiazole, respectively. A new class of compounds, 2,3-dihydro-4H-benzo[4,5]thiazolo[3,2-a]furo[2,3-d]pyrimidin-4-ones and 6,7-dihydro-5H-furo[2,3-d]thiazolo[3,2-a]pyrimidin-5-ones, were synthesized via the microwave assisted radical addition of compounds 2a and 2b to various alkenes using manganese(III) acetate. A preliminary acetylcholine esterase (AchE) inhibition test of compound 4e showed excellent (92%) inhibitory potential, comparable with the standard drug Donapezil®.     

Label‐Free Electrochemical Aptasensor for Determination of Chloramphenicol Based on Gold Nanocubes‐Modified Screen‐Printed Gold Electrode

An ultrasensitive label‐free electrochemical aptasensor was developed for selective detection of chloramphenicol (CAP). The aptasensor was made using screen‐printed gold electrode modified with synthesized gold nanocube/cysteine. The interactions of CAP with aptamer were studied by cyclic voltammetry, square wave voltammetry (SWV) and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy. Under optimized conditions, two linear calibration curves were obtained for CAP determination using SWV technique, from 0.03 to 0.10 µM and 0.25–6.0 µM with a detection limit of 4.0 nM. The aptasensor has the advantages of good selectivity and stability and applied to the determination of CAP in human blood serum sample.     

A Genosensor for Point Mutation Detection of P53 Gene PCR Product Using Magnetic Particles

The development of an electrochemical genosensor involving DNA biotinylated capture probe immobilized on streptavidin coated paramagnetic beads and microfluidic based platform for the detection of P53 gene PCR product is reported. The novelty of this work is the combination of a sensitive electrochemical platform and a proper microfluidic system with a simple and effective enzyme signal amplification technology, ELISA, for detection of target DNA sequence and single nucleotide mutation in p53 tumor suppressor gene sequence. The biosensor has been applied to detect the PCR amplified samples and the results shows that it can discriminate successfully perfect matched DNA from mutant form.     

A Teacher's Journey with a New Generation Handheld: Decisions,Struggles, and Accomplishments

In this technology‐oriented age, teachers face daily decisions regarding the use of advanced digital technologies—graphing calculators, dynamic geometry software, blogs, wikis, podcasts and the like—to enhance student mathematical understanding in their classrooms. In this case study, the authors use the Technological, Pedagogical, and Content Knowledge (TPACK) model in conjunction with a five‐stage developmental model, which can be used to describe growth in TPACK to describe the initial attempts of a teacher, Jane, to develop TPACK as she learns and attempts to integrate an advanced teaching technology into her classroom, namely the TI‐Nspire graphing calculator. The study tracks her struggles to reconcile some traditional beliefs about how students learn with her desire to be responsive to what she perceives as affordances of advanced digital technologies. Main data collection methods were journal writing, observations, document analysis, and interviews. Using the five‐stage developmental model, we saw that this experience helped Jane to move among different stages. This study showed that the TPACK model with the five‐stage developmental model can be a beneficial tool for researchers to study teachers' professional growth and is also a valuable tool for teachers to reflect on their own growth.     

Synthesis and properties of crown ether functionalized coumarin substituted zinc phthalocyanine

The novel 6,7-[15-crown-5]-3-[p-(2,3-dicyanophenoxy)phenyl]coumarin (1) and its non-peripherally substituted zinc phthalocyanine complex (2) have been prepared and characterized by elemental analysis, ¹H NMR (for compound 1), MALDI-TOF, FT-IR and UV-Vis spectral data. Fluorescence intensity changes of compound 1 have been determined by addition of Na⁺ or K⁺ ions at 25 °C in THF. The effects of the chromenone crown ether substituent of the phthalocyanine molecule on the photophysical (fluorescence quantum yield and lifetime) and photochemical (singlet oxygen generation and photodegradation) properties were also investigated. The fluorescence of the zinc phthalocyanine complex is effectively quenched by addition of 1,4-benzoquinone (BQ).     

Effects of gamma irradiation on chemical,microbial quality and shelf life of shrimp

In the present study the combined effect of gamma irradiation (1, 3 and 5 kGy) and storage at two temperatures: refrigeration (+4 °C) and frozen (?18 °C), on the shelf-life extension of fresh shrimp meat was investigated. The study was based on microbiological and physicochemical changes occuring in the shrimp samples. Total volatile base nitrogen values and trimethylamine values for irradiated shrimp samples were significantly lower than non-irradiated samples at both storage temperatures, and the rate of decrease was more pronounced in samples irradiated at the higher dose (p<0.05). Thiobarbituric acid values for irradiated shrimp samples were significantly higher than non-irradiated samples at both storage temperatures (p<0.05). pH values of shrimp samples were affected significantly by both irradiating dose and storage temperatures (p<0.05). Microbial counts for non-irradiated shrimp samples were higher than the respective irradiated samples at both storage temperatures (p<0.05). The results revealed that irradiation at high dose (5 kGy) might enhance lipid oxidation, although the growth of microorganisms and protein oxidation was inhibited.