The effects of relativistic and nonlocal nonlinearities on modulational instabilities in inhomogeneous plasma

A general detailed analysis of the nonlinear generation of localized fields due to the existence of a strong pump field inside an inhomogeneous plasma has been performed taking into account the effects of relativistic and nonlocal nonlinearities on the structure of the plasma resonance region. The nonlinear Schrödinger equation describing the localized fields is investigated. A generalized dispersion relation is obtained to study the modulational instabilities in different cases.     

Structures of oxaliplatin‐oligonucleotide adducts from DNA

Oxaliplatin, [(1R,2R)‐cyclohexane‐1,2‐diamine](ethanedioato‐O,O')platinum(II) shows a great efficiency against colorectal cancer. Although the mode of action of oxaliplatin is not yet understood, it is commonly accepted that binding of oxaliplatin to DNA prevents DNA synthesis and alters protein to DNA binding. In order to elucidate the modified DNA–protein interaction and thus to understand the mechanisms leading to cellular misinterpretation of DNA information and apoptosis, we have identified the preferential binding sites and the dynamics of the oxaliplatin‐DNA intrastrand and interstrand adducts at the oligomer level using high‐performance liquid chromatography/electrospray ionization‐tandem mass spectrometry (HPLC/ESI‐MS/MS) and HPLC/inductively coupled plasma‐MS for quantitative studies. We used a combination of benzonase, alkaline phosphatase and Nuclease S1 for digestion. This digestion procedure allows the study of platinated oligomeric nucleotides and more complex interstrand adducts. The digestion products were mostly chromatographically separated and characterized using HPLC/ESI‐ion trap MS/MS experiments. We could show that the adducts to guanine and adenine are quite dynamic; that is, the ratios are changing for several days. In addition, the resulting adducts provide evidence for the action of the digesting enzymes and indicate that the adduct spectrum at the oligomeric level is different to that at the commonly studies dinucleotide level. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Amberlite IR-120 catalyzed,microwave-assisted rapid synthesis of 2-aryl-benzimidazoles

An expeditious synthesis of 2-aryl-benzimidazoles by the condensation of o-phenylenediamine with various araldehydes is described. This greener protocol is catalyzed by Amberlite IR-120, and proceeds efficiently in the absence of any organic solvent under microwave irradiation within 3–5 min.     

Inclusion complex of N-nitroso,N-(2-chloroethyl), N′, N′-dibenzylsulfamid with β-Cyclodextrin: Fluorescence and molecular modeling

The inclusion complex of N-nitroso, N-(2-chloroethyl), N′, N′-dibenzylsulfamid with β-Cyclodextrin have been investigated using the spectrofluorescence technique ¹H NMR spectroscopy. The stoichiometric ratio of the complex was found to be 1:1 and the stability constant was evaluated using the Benesi-Hildebrand equation. In order to find the most favorable structure, molecular mechanics calculations were employed to study the inclusion of CENS-Dibenz in β-CD in vacuum and in the presence of water as a solvent. The driving forces for complexation are dominated by non-bonded van der Waals host-guest interactions with very little electrostatic contribution in both environments. After this stage of calculation, both the most stable complexes obtained by MM+ were re-optimized using semi-empirical and quantum mechanical calculations. It was found that the PM3 and the hybrid method ONIOM2 calculations predict the same mode of inclusion of the drug molecule in the host cavity. In the most stable conformation (i.e. Complex A), one of the two aromatic cycles is dipped within the relatively less polar cavity of β-cyclodextrin, while the other aromatic cycle as well as the active groupings (alkylating agent and nitroso group) are directed towards the exterior through the narrow rim of β-CD. This orientation is preferred because it is the most energetically favorable structure. Moreover, statistical thermodynamic calculations demonstrate that the formation of the inclusion complex is an enthalpy-driven process. A comparison between the experimental and theoretical values of ΔG⁰ proves that simulation of the complexes without an explicit treatment of the solvent leads to dubious results.     

Coexistence and harvesting control policy in a food chain model with mutual defense of prey

A model is proposed to understand the dynamics in a food chain (one predator‐two prey). Unlike many approaches, we consider mutualism (for defense against predators) between the two groups of prey. We investigate the conditions for coexistence and exclusion. Unlike Elettreby's (2009) results, we show that prey can coexist in the absence of predators (as expected since there is no competition between prey). We also show the existence of Hopf bifurcation and limit cycle in the model, and numerically present bifurcation diagrams in terms of mutualism and harvesting. When the harvest is practiced for profit making, we provide the threshold effort value that determines the profitability of the harvest. We show that there is zero profit when the constant effort is applied. Below (resp. above) , there will always be gain (resp. loss). In the case of gain, we provide the optimal effort and optimal steady states that produce maximum profit and ensure coexistence. Recommendations for resource managers As a result of our investigation, we bring the following to the attention of management:

• 1. In the absence of predators, different groups of prey can coexist if they mutually help each other (no competition among them).
• 2. There is a maximal effort to invest in order to gain profit from the harvest. Above , the investment will result in a loss.
• 3. In the case of profit from harvest, policy makers should recommend the optimal effort to be applied and the optimal stock to harvest. This will guarantee maximum profit while ensuring sustainability of all species.

     

Identification of wild collected mosquito vectors of diseases using gas chromatography–mass spectrometry in Jazan Province,Saudi Arabia

Thirty‐three species of mosquitoes have been reported from the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. Several of these mosquitoes, Anopheles gambiae Giles s.l., Anopheles stephensi Liston, Culex pipiens Linnaeus, Culex quinquefasciatus Say, Culex tritaeniorhynchus Giles, Stegomyia aegypti (Linnaeus) and Aedimorphus vexans arabiensis (Patton) are known vectors of human and animal diseases. In this study, the cuticular hydrocarbon profiles of eight mosquito species using gas chromatography–mass spectrometry were analyzed. Wild collected fourth‐instar larvae were reared, and single, newly emerged, unfed adult females were used for the analysis. A total of 146–160 peaks were detected from the cuticular extracts by gas chromatography. Repeated analysis of variance (ANOVA) and Tukey HSD Post Hoc test was used to test for quantitative differences in relative hydrocarbon quantity. In addition, a linear regression model was applied using Enter method to determine the diagnostic peaks for the eight mosquito specimens. The ANOVA test indicated that relative peaks were significant (P < 0.05) when selected pairs of peaks were compared. Also, seven compounds showed qualitative differences among the five mosquito vectors tested. The classes of constituents present were n‐alkanes, monomethylalkanes, dimethylalkanes, trimethylalkanes, alkenes, branched aromatic hydrocarbons, aldehydes and esters. These compounds have a carbon chain length ranging from 8 to 18 carbons. The most abundant compound in all adult mosquito specimens was n‐hexylacrylate [retention time (RT) 6.73 min], which was not detected in Cx. pipiens. In Cx. pipiens, the most abundant peak was benzaldehyde (RT 2.98 min). Gas chromatography–mass spectrometry is a suitable method to identify adult mosquitoes, especially from focal areas of public health concern such as Jazan Province, Saudi Arabia. This method allows a wide range of adult collected material to be identified with high accuracy. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Synthesis, characterization, and thermal investigation of some transition metal complexes of benzopyran-4-one Schiff base as thermal stabilizers for rigid poly(vinyl chloride) (PVC)

New metal complexes of Schiff base (PB) prepared from condensation reaction of 2-aminopyridine and 6-formyl-5,7-dihydroxy-2-methylbenzopyran-4-one with metal ions; Mn(II), Co(II), Ni(II), and Cu(II) are prepared. Different analysis tools like elemental analyses, FTIR, thermal analysis, conductivity, electronic spectra, and magnetic susceptibility measurements are all used to elucidate the structures of the newly prepared metal complexes. The free Schiff base (PB) has been examined as thermal stabilizer and co-stabilizer for rigid PVC in air, at 180 °C. Its high stabilizing efficiency is detected by its high induction period value (T _s) when compared with some of the common reference stabilizers used industrially, such as dibasic lead carbonate and calcium–zinc stearate (Ca–Zn soap). Blending Schiff base or its metal complexes with Mn(II), Co(II), Ni(II), and Cu(II) ions with the reference stabilizers in different ratios had a synergistic effect on the induction period (thermal stability). The stabilizing efficiency is attributed at least partially to the ability of the stabilizer to be incorporated in the polymeric chains, thus disrupting the chain degradation process.     

α‐Cyanodithioic Acids and Their Corresponding Mono‐ and Dithiolate Salts as Building Blocks for the Synthesis of Novel Mercaptothiophenes

A novel and efficient method for the synthesis of mercaptothiophenes using cyanodithioic acids and their corresponding mono‐ and dithiolate salts as starting components is described.     

Stability Constants for the Equilibrium Models of Iron(III) with Several Biological Buffers in Aqueous Solutions

The complexation equilibria of Fe(III) with two buffer families, which are ubiquitous in biological system studies, were studied by potentiometric measurements at a constant ionic strength of I = 0.1 mol·dm^?3 NaNO₃ in aqueous solutions at 298.15 K. The members of TRIS family are tris(hydroxymethyl)aminomethane (TRIS), N-[tris(hydroxymethyl)methyl]-2-aminoethanesulfonic acid (TES), N-[tris(hydroxymethyl)methyl]-3-aminopropanesulfonic acid (TAPS), N-[tris(hydroxymethyl)methyl]-3-amino-2-hydroxypropanesulfonic acid (TAPSO), and N-tris(hydroxymethyl)methyl-4-aminobutanesulfonic acid (TABS) buffers. The members of morpholine family are 4-morpholineethanesulfonic acid (MES), 4-morpholinepropanesulfonic acid (MOPS), 3-morpholino-2-hydroxypropanesulfonic acid (MOPSO), and 4-(N-morpholino) butanesulfonic acid (MOBS) buffers. The overall stability constants were determined from pH-metric data using the least-squares curve-fitting program HYPERQUAD 2008. Based on the best-fit results, the species formed at equilibrium are ML, ML₂, ML₂H_?1, and ML₃ in the systems with TRIS family buffers. The complex species ML, ML₂, ML₂H_?1, and MLH_?1 are formed in the MOPSO-containing system, while ML, ML₂, and ML₂H_?1 are formed in the systems with MES, MOPS, and MOBS. The stabilities of the complexes fall in the order TABS > TRIS > TAPS > TAPSO > TES and MOBS > MOPS > MOPSO > MES for the TRIS family and morpholine families, respectively.