Transport of Carbamazepine,Ciprofloxacin and Sulfamethoxazole in Activated Carbon: Solubility and Relationships between Structure and Diffusional Parameters

The transport of carbamazepine, ciprofloxacin and sulfamethoxazole in the different pores of activated carbon in an aqueous solution is a dynamic process that is entirely dependent on the intrinsic parameters of these molecules and of the adsorbent. The macroscopic processes that take place are analyzed by interfacial diffusion and reaction models. Modeling of the experimental kinetic curves obtained following batch treatment of each solute at 2 µg/L in tap water showed (i) that the transport and sorption rates were controlled by external diffusion and intraparticle diffusion and (ii) that the effective diffusion coefficient for each solute, with the surface and pore diffusion coefficients, were linked by a linear relationship. A statistical analysis of the experimental data established correlations between the diffusional parameters and some geometrical parameters of these three molecules. Given the major discontinuities observed in the adsorption kinetics, the modeling of the experimental data required the use of traditional kinetic models, as well as a new kinetic model composed of the pseudo first or second order model and a sigmoidal expression. The predictions of this model were excellent. The solubility of each molecule below 60 °C was formulated by an empirical expression.     

The Multifaceted Role of Curcumin in Advanced Nanocurcumin Form in the Treatment and Management of Chronic Disorders

Curcumin is the primary polyphenol in turmeric’s curcuminoid class. It has a wide range of therapeutic applications, such as anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, antidiabetic, hepatoprotective, antibacterial, and anticancer effects against various cancers, but has poor solubility and low bioavailability. Objective: To improve curcumin’s bioavailability, plasma concentration, and cellular permeability processes. The nanocurcumin approach over curcumin has been proven appropriate for encapsulating or loading curcumin (nanocurcumin) to increase its therapeutic potential. Conclusion: Though incorporating curcumin into nanocurcumin form may be a viable method for overcoming its intrinsic limitations, and there are reasonable concerns regarding its toxicological safety once it enters biological pathways. This review article mainly highlights the therapeutic benefits of nanocurcumin over curcumin.     

Ginsenoside Rb1 Mitigates Escherichia coli Lipopolysaccharide-Induced Endometritis through TLR4-Mediated NF-κB Pathway

Endometritis is the inflammatory response of the endometrial lining of the uterus and is associated with low conception rates, early embryonic mortality, and prolonged inter-calving intervals, and thus poses huge economic losses to the dairy industry worldwide. Ginsenoside Rb1 (GnRb1) is a natural compound obtained from the roots of Panax ginseng, having several pharmacological and biological properties. However, the anti-inflammatory properties of GnRb1 in lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-challenged endometritis through the TLR4-mediated NF-κB signaling pathway has not yet been researched. This study was planned to evaluate the mechanisms of how GnRb1 rescues LPS-induced endometritis. In the present research, histopathological findings revealed that GnRb1 ameliorated LPS-triggered uterine injury. The ELISA and RT-qPCR assay findings indicated that GnRb1 suppressed the expression level of pro-inflammatory molecules (TNF-α, IL-1β and IL-6) and boosted the level of anti-inflammatory (IL-10) cytokine. Furthermore, the molecular study suggested that GnRb1 attenuated TLR4-mediated NF-κB signaling. The results demonstrated the therapeutic efficacy of GnRb1 in the mouse model of LPS-triggered endometritis via the inhibition of the TLR4-associated NF-κB pathway. Taken together, this study provides a baseline for the protective effect of GnRb1 to treat endometritis in both humans and animals.     

Synthesis and cytotoxic activity of some novel benzocoumarin derivatives under solvent free conditions

In the present study, a rapid, less expensive, clean and environmental friendly route to synthesis new pyrazoles, pyrazolopyridazines and condensed pyrimidines was developed via grinding of 2-(3-(dimethylamino)acryloyl)-3H-benzo[f]chromen-3-one (1) with different reagents. All the new compounds were characterized and established using elemental analysis and spectral data. Eight compounds were selected for in vitro antiproliferative against different human cancer cell lines entitled melanoma, cancers of the lung, leukemia, breast, brain, colon, prostate, ovary and kidney by the USA NCI.     

Chemical composition and antioxidant activity of Borago officinalis L. leaf extract growing in Algeria

The aqueous and hydroalcoholic extracts of borage (Borago officinalis) leaves from Annaba region (Algeria) were preliminary analyzed for their phenolic profile (total phenolics, total flavonoids, total flavonols, total tannins and total anthocyanins). These extracts were evaluated for their antioxidant properties by different methods such as DPPH radical scavenging, test NBT and total antioxidant activity. The two extracts have exhibited a high antiradical capacity. Indeed, the ethanolic extract showed the lower IC50 values and the highest amount of phenolics (94.09 ± 1.72 mg gallic acid/g dry extract). Using LC-MS/MS analysis, it was possible to identify phenolic acids, flavonoids, sterol and for the first time oleuropein was identified in the aqueous extract of the plant. The obtained results have demonstrated that phenolic compounds are the major contributor to the antioxidant activity of plants.     

Analytical solution of a three-level atom coupled to four systems of N-two-level atoms

Optical Review - The analytical solution of a three-level atom interacting with four systems of N-two-level atoms is studied. The atomic inversion and the correlation function as applications of...     

Prediction of particle sticking efficiency for fly ash deposition at high temperatures

The tendency of ash particles to stick under high temperatures is dictated by the ash chemistry, particle physical properties, deposit surface properties and furnace operation conditions. A model has been developed in order to predict the particle sticking efficiency for fly ash deposition at high temperatures. The model incorporates the particle properties relevant to the ash chemistry, particle kinetic energy and furnace operation conditions and takes into consideration the partial sticking behaviour and the deposit layer. To test the model, the sticking behaviours of synthetic ash in a drop tube furnace are evaluated and the slagging formation from coal combustion in a down-fired furnace is modelled. Compared with the measurements, the proposed model presents reasonable prediction performance on the particle sticking behaviour and the ash deposition formation. Through a sensitivity analysis, furnace operation conditions (velocity and temperature), contact angle and particle size have been found to be the significant factors in controlling the sticking behaviours for the synthetic ash particles. The ash chemistry and furnace temperature dictate the wetting potential of the ash particles and the melting ability of the deposit surface; particle size and density not only control the particle kinetic energy, but also affect the particle temperature. The furnace velocity condition has been identified as being able to influence the selective deposition behaviour, where the maximum deposition efficiency moves to smaller particles when increasing the gas velocity. In addition, the thermophoresis effect on the arrival rate of the particles reduces with increasing the gas velocity. Further, increasing the melting degree of the deposit layer could greatly enhance the predicted deposition formation, in particular for the high furnace velocity condition.     

The fluorescence interference in Raman spectrum of raw coals and its application for evaluating coal property and combustion characteristics

Fluorescence interference in Raman spectrum is a big barrier for rapid and precise analysis of coal structures by Raman spectroscopy. Dealing with fluorescence interference suitably is one of the key tasks before efficient application of Raman spectroscopy in coal assessment. In this study, Raman spectra and coal combustion characteristics of 32 kinds of Chinese coals were respectively obtained in a micro-Raman spectrometer and Thermal Gravimetric Analyzer. The degree of fluorescence interference in Raman spectrum was firstly defined and quantified as the drift coefficient α using a simple method without curve-fitting the spectrum. The correlations between the degree of fluorescence interference and coal property, coal combustion characteristics were set up and multivariable analysis was done. The results indicate that the degree of fluorescence interference is well related to the coal structures, and it is synthetically determined by volatile, moisture and ash content in coal. With the increase of volatile, moisture content in coal, the fluorescence interference increases continuously, and it can be reduced but not eliminated by drying the moisture in coals. Significant mathematical relations between the drift coefficient α and volatile, moisture content, coal combustion characteristic temperatures have been found. Coal with more evident fluorescence interference in Raman spectrum usually has lower degree of coalification, more polar functional groups, and burns at a lower temperature. The drift coefficient α can act as an efficient probe for coal property and coal combustion characteristics. This study provided a new and simple approach for evaluating coal property and coal combustion characteristics by fluorescence interference in Raman spectrum.     

Stability analysis of internally damped rotating composite shafts using a finite element formulation

This paper deals with the stability analysis of internally damped rotating composite shafts. An Euler–Bernoulli shaft finite element formulation based on Equivalent Single Layer Theory (ESLT), including the hysteretic internal damping of composite material and transverse shear effects, is introduced and then used to evaluate the influence of various parameters: stacking sequences, fiber orientations and bearing properties on natural frequencies, critical speeds, and instability thresholds. The obtained results are compared with those available in the literature using different theories. The agreement in the obtained results show that the developed Euler–Bernoulli finite element based on ESLT including hysteretic internal damping and shear transverse effects can be effectively used for the stability analysis of internally damped rotating composite shafts. Furthermore, the results revealed that rotor stability is sensitive to the laminate parameters and to the properties of the bearings.     

Energy harvesting in a Mathieu–van der Pol–Duffing MEMS device using time delay

This paper investigates quasi-periodic vibration-based energy harvesting in a delayed nonlinear MEMS device consisting of a delayed Mathieu–van der Pol–Duffing type oscillator coupled to a delayed piezoelectric coupling mechanism. We use the multiple scales method to approximate the quasi-periodic response and the related power output near the principal parametric resonance. The effect of time delay on the energy harvesting performance is studied. It is shown that for appropriate combination of time delay parameters, there exists an optimum range of excitation frequency beyond the resonance where quasi-periodic vibration-based energy harvesting is maximum. Numerical simulations are performed to confirm the analytical predictions.