Rapid calcination of ferrite Ni0.75Zn0.25Fe2O4 by microwave energy

Ferrites Ni_0.75Zn_0.25Fe₂O₄ were obtained by polymeric precursor method and calcined in a short time with microwave energy to assess the morphological and microstructural characteristics. Samples were calcined at 500, 650, 800, and 950 °C for 30 min in a microwave oven. The resulting powders were characterized by thermal analysis (TG/DSC), X-ray diffraction (XRD), Fourier transform infrared spectrometer, field-emission gun scanning electron microscope (FEG-SEM), and energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy. The XRD results showed the formation of single ferrite phase at temperature of 500 °C for 30 min. The FEG-SEM analysis showed agglomerated particles with formation of non-dense longitudinal plates, with interparticle porosity and agglomerated fine particles. The rapid calcination by microwave energy demonstrated satisfactory results in relatively low temperature of 500 °C for 30 min and appeared to be a promising technique for obtaining nickel–zinc ferrite powders.     

Lactose as a “Trojan Horse” for Quantum Dot Cell Transport

A series of glycan‐coated quantum dots were prepared to probe the effect of glycan presentation in intracellular localization in HeLa and SV40 epithelial cells. We show that glycan density mostly impacts on cell toxicity, whereas glycan type affects the cell uptake and intracellular localization. Moreover, we show that lactose can act as a “Trojan horse” on bi‐functionalized QDs to help intracellular delivery of other non‐internalizable glycan moieties and largely avoid the endosomal/lysosomal degradative pathway.     

Inherently Chiral Macrocyclic Oligothiophenes: Easily Accessible Electrosensitive Cavities with Outstanding Enantioselection Performances

Linear conjugated oligothiophenes of variable length and different substitution pattern are ubiquitous in technologically advanced optoelectronic devices, though limitations in application derive from insolubility, scarce processability and chain‐end effects. This study describes an easy access to chiral cyclic oligothiophenes constituted by 12 and 18 fully conjugated thiophene units. Chemical oxidation of an “inherently chiral” sexithiophene monomer, synthesized in two steps from commercially available materials, induces the formation of an elliptical dimer and a triangular trimer endowed with electrosensitive cavities of different tunable sizes. Combination of chirality with electroactivity makes these molecules unique in the current oligothiophenes literature. These macrocycles, which are stable and soluble in most organic solvents, show outstanding chiroptical properties, high circularly polarized luminescence effects and an exceptional enantiorecognition ability.     

Electron (charge) density studies of cellulose models

Introductory material first describes electron density approaches and demonstrates visualization of electron lone pairs and bonding as concentrations of electron density. Then it focuses on the application of Bader’s Quantum Theory of Atoms-in-Molecules (AIM) to cellulose models. The purpose of the work is to identify the various interactions that stabilize cellulose structure. AIM analysis aids study of non-covalent interactions, especially those for which geometric criteria are not well established. The models were in the form of pairs of cellotriose molecules, methylated at the O1 and O4 ends. Based on the unit cell of cellulose Iβ, there were corner–corner, and center–center pairs that correspond to (200) sheets, and corner–center pairings that corresponded to (1–10) and (110) stacks. AIM analysis (or charge-density topology analysis) was applied before and after minimization in vacuum and in continuum solvation. Besides the conventional O–H···O hydrogen bonds, all of which were known from geometric criteria, C–H···O hydrogen bonds (some previously reported), and some O···O and H···H interactions were found. Non-covalent bonds in the (200) sheets were maintained in all calculations with the exception of a weak, bifurcated O6–H···O2′′ bond that was not found in the corner–corner pair model and did not survive minimization. Nor did the O6···O4 interactions on the reducing ends of the triosides. Pairs of molecules along the (110) plane had an equal number (12) of non-covalent bonds compared to the pairs along the (1–10) plane, but the AIM parameters indicated the bonds between the pairs in the (110) plane were weaker. Intra-molecular O–H···O hydrogen bonds survived in these minimized pairs, but the relative chain alignments usually did not.     

Oxygen Transfer in Solid-State Cultivation Under Controlled Moisture Conditions

The aim of this work was to study oxygen transfer as a function of the initial moisture content in solid-state cultivation under controlled moisture conditions. The use of controlled moisture conditions prevents drastic changes in the medium during cultivation, allowing the use of a pseudo-steady-state model to estimate the overall oxygen mass transfer coefficient (K _L a) in the biofilm around the solid particles. Drechslera (Helminthosporium) monoceras, an aerobic mold that produces allergenic proteins, was cultured on wheat bran in a packed bed column bioreactor. The bed height (30 mm) and air flow rate (0.4 L/min) were selected to implement moisture control. The results show that there is an optimal moisture content (35 %) at which a lower biofilm thickness and packing of the bed improves K _L a. However, a higher biomass growth was obtained at 45 % moisture. The different patterns of biomass growth demonstrate the importance of the balance between aerial and film growth in solid-state cultivation. These results contribute to the understanding of oxygen transfer in solid fermentation, optimization of processes, and production of allergen extracts from D. (Helminthosporium) monoceras biomass.     

Aurones: A Golden Resource for Active Compounds

Deemed as poorly represented in nature, aurones have been often overlooked by researchers compared to other members of the flavonoid superfamily. However, over the past two decades, they have been reassessed by the scientific community, who are increasingly appreciating their ability to modulate several biological pathways. This review summarizes the recent literature on this class of compounds, which has been analyzed from both a chemical and a functional point of view. Original articles, reviews and editorials featured in Pubmed and Scifinder over the last twenty years have been taken into account to provide the readers with a view of the chemical strategies to obtain them, their functional properties, and their potential of technological use. The resulting comprehensive picture aims at raising the awareness of these natural derivatives as effective drug candidates, fostering the development of novel synthetic analogues.     

Effect of concentrate solution pH and mineral composition of a whey protein diluate solution on membrane fouling formation during conventional electrodialysis

The aim of this work was to study the effect of the concentrate solution pH and the composition in calcium, carbonate and protein of the diluate solution to be treated by conventional electrodialysis on the fouling of ion-exchange membranes. Conductivity, system resistance, pH of the diluate and cation migration were monitored to follow the evolution of the demineralization. Total cation migration was similar for all conditions although different forms of fouling were identified after three consecutive 100 min electrodialysis treatments. The nature of fouling and the membrane surface fouled depended on the concentrate pH value, the diluate mineral composition and the intrinsic composition of the whey isolate. Once conditions leading to membrane fouling were identified, an alternative configuration for our electrodialysis stack is proposed to prevent fouling onset.     

One-pot synthesis of stable NIR tetracene diimides via double cross-coupling

Tetracene tetracarboxylic diimides have been synthesized based on direct double ring extension of electron-deficient naphthalene diimides involving metallacyclopentadienes. Atomic structure and electronic transitions responsible for their NIR absorption spectra are investigated with quantum-chemical calculations. In light of their unique structure and admirable photophysical and electronic properties, this new molecular skeleton is promising candidate for n-type semiconductors.     

Columnar bis(pyridinium) ionic liquid crystals derived from 4-hydroxypyridine: synthesis,mesomorphism and emission properties

A series of flexibly linked bis(pyridinium) salts with various counterions (Br^?, PF₆^?, BF₄^? and OTf-) was designed and prepared starting from corresponding N-alkylated 4-pyridones precursors with mesogenic 3,4,5-tris(alkyloxy)benzyl moieties (alkyl = dodecyl or tetradecyl). These salts were investigated for their liquid crystalline properties by a combination of differential scanning calorimetry, polarising optical microscopy and temperature-dependent powder X-ray diffraction (XRD). Their thermal stability was checked by thermogravimetric analysis. All bis(pyridinium) salts, except the triflate salt with shorter terminal carbon chain, display an enantiotropic liquid crystalline behaviour with a hexagonal columnar (Col_h) phase assigned on the basis of its characteristic texture and XRD studies. It was found that these luminescent bis(pyridinium) salts show weak emission in dichloromethane solutions at room temperature and a pronounced red-shifted emission in solid state. The emission properties of these bis(pyridinium) salts do not depend significantly on the nature of counterion employed.