Synthesis, Structure and Conductivity of the New Charge-transfer Salt (ET)_2(CH_2=CH-CH_2-SO_3)·H_2O

ET is one of the most famous electron-donor molecules, which forms charge-transfer complexes (abbr. CT-complexes) with various types of counterions. These complexes have received intense attention because a wide range of physical properties such as conductivity and superconductivity1, ferromagnetism2-4 and nonlinear optical properties5 was found in these materials. Although the majority of the ET-based CT-complexes were prepared by combining with inorganic counterions, CT-complexes with o…     

The oxygen evolution reaction on cobalt: Part II. Transient measurements

Open-circuit overpotential decays on an aged cobalt electrode in the oxygen evolution range in 6 M KOH show different slopes for two overpotential regions. These slopes are lower than the Tafel slope in the same region: Tafel slopes of ～100 and ～40 mV/dec, at high and low overpotentials, respectively. compared to decay slopes of ～?60 and ～?20 to ?30 mV/dec. For a fresh cobalt electrode a decay slope of ～?40 mV/dec is found at high overpotentials. From impedance measurements during a decay it is concluded that the electrode capacitance cannot account for the decay curves obsered. By means of steady-state potentiostatic impedance measurements (with stabilization times > 24 h) it is found that the differential Tafel slope remains constant at ～40–50 mV/dec and differs considerably from the Tafel slope at high overpotentials, ～100 mV/dec. Galvanostatic pulse experiments give evidence of the presence of CoO₂ in the oxide layer.Two models which may explain the observed experimental results are analysed. Both include a potential-dependent (extra) process which is fixed by the amount of CoO₂ at the surface. In one model, CoO₂ is responsible for partial surface blockage (parallel process); in the other model, CoO₂ controls the conductivity of the top layer of the oxide layer on the electrode.     

Isolation and Absolute Configuration of β,β-Carotene Diepoxide

The 5,6:5′,6′-diepoxy-5,6:5′,6;-tetrahydro-β,β-carotene, isolated from tubers of a white-fleshed variety of sweet potato (Ipomoea batatas LAM .) has been assigned the (5R,6S,5′R,6′S)-chirality on the basis of its HPLC, UV/VIS, and CD data.     

Conductometric determination of quaternary ammonium salts by sodium perchlorate and vice versa

A conductometric method is proposed for the determination of quaternary ammonium salts (chloride or bromide), based on the poor solubility of the relative perchlorates. A comparison between expected and found values shows that the method is suitable, rapid, and easy for quantities in the range from 0.2 to 5 g. The error depends on the solubility of the relative perchlorate. The apparent and tentative solubility product of the studied compounds were calculated. The obtained values allowed to propose benzyltributyl ammonium chloride (BTBA Cl) as precipitant for the conductometric titration of perchlorate. This easy, rapid and accurate determination can be used to analyze the perchlorate ion even in concentrated solutions and to determine stability constants for complex formation in aqueous solutions.     

Sugar cane bagasse lignin as a stabilizer for rubbers: Part II—Butadiene rubber

In this work we have studied the stabilizing effect of the lignin, obtained as a by-product of the acid hydrolysis of sugar cane bagasse, herein called sugar cane bagasse lignin, on the thermal and environmental degradation of butadiene rubber. This stabilizer was investigated in various concentrations in the pure form and as a substitute for a hindered phenol, in a commercially used formulation also containing a p-phenylene-diamine. For thermal degradation the stabilization level of the commercial sample is reached with 1·3% of pure lignin and the substitution of the hindered phenol in the commercial formulation increased the stabilization by a factor of 1·2. In the environmental ageing experiments the performance of the rubber stabilized with lignin was poorer than that of the commercial sample. This behaviour is assigned to the strong degradative effect of light on the rubber.     

Statistical Modeling of the Seismic Moments via Mathai Distribution

Mathai’s pathway model is playing an increasingly prominent role in statistical distributions. As a generalization of a great variety of distributions, the pathway model allows the studying of several non-linear dynamics of complex systems. Here, we construct a model, called the Pareto–Mathai distribution, using the fact that the earthquakes’ magnitudes of full catalogues are well-modeled by a Mathai distribution. The Pareto–Mathai distribution is used to study artificially induced microseisms in the mining industry. The fitting of a distribution for entire range of magnitudes allow us to calculate the completeness magnitude (Mc). Mathematical properties of the new distribution are studied. In addition, applying this model to data recorded at a Chilean mine, the magnitude Mc is estimated for several mine sectors and also the entire mine.     

GO-SWCNT Buckypapers as an Enhanced Technology for Water Decontamination from Lead

Water decontamination is an important challenge resulting from the incorrect disposal of heavy metal waste into the environment. Among the different available techniques (e.g., filtration, coagulation, precipitation, and ion-exchange), adsorption is considered the cheapest and most effective procedure for the removal of water pollutants. In the last years, several materials have been tested for the removal of heavy metals from water, including metal-organic frameworks (MOFs), single-walled carbon nanotubes (SWCNTs), and graphene oxide (GO). Nevertheless, their powder consistency, which makes the recovery and reuse after adsorption difficult, is the main drawback for these materials. More recently, SWCNT buckypapers (SWCNT BPs) have been proposed as self-standing porous membranes for filtration and adsorption processes. In this paper, the adsorption capacity and selectivity of Pb²⁺ (both from neat solutions and in the presence of other interferents) by SWCNT BPs were evaluated as a function of the increasing amount of GO used in their preparation (GO-SWCNT buckypapers). The highest adsorption capacity, 479 ± 25 mg g⁻¹, achieved for GO-SWCNT buckypapers with 75 wt.% of graphene oxide confirmed the effective application of such materials for cheap and fast water decontamination from lead.     

Screening an In-House Isoquinoline Alkaloids Library for New Blockers of Voltage-Gated Na+ Channels Using Voltage Sensor Fluorescent Probes: Hits and Biases

Voltage-gated Na⁺ (Na_V) channels are significant therapeutic targets for the treatment of cardiac and neurological disorders, thus promoting the search for novel Na_V channel ligands. With the objective of discovering new blockers of Na_V channel ligands, we screened an In-House vegetal alkaloid library using fluorescence cell-based assays. We screened 62 isoquinoline alkaloids (IA) for their ability to decrease the FRET signal of voltage sensor probes (VSP), which were induced by the activation of Na_V channels with batrachotoxin (BTX) in GH3b6 cells. This led to the selection of five IA: liriodenine, oxostephanine, thalmiculine, protopine, and bebeerine, inhibiting the BTX-induced VSP signal with micromolar IC₅₀. These five alkaloids were then assayed using the Na⁺ fluorescent probe ANG-2 and the patch-clamp technique. Only oxostephanine and liriodenine were able to inhibit the BTX-induced ANG-2 signal in HEK293-hNa_V1.3 cells. Indeed, liriodenine and oxostephanine decreased the effects of BTX on Na⁺ currents elicited by the hNa_V1.3 channel, suggesting that conformation change induced by BTX binding could induce a bias in fluorescent assays. However, among the five IA selected in the VSP assay, only bebeerine exhibited strong inhibitory effects against Na⁺ currents elicited by the hNav1.2 and hNav1.6 channels, with IC₅₀ values below 10 µM. So far, bebeerine is the first BBIQ to have been reported to block Na_V channels, with promising therapeutical applications.     

Natural Formulations Based on Olea europaea L. Fruit Extract for the Topical Treatment of HSV-1 Infections

In the present study, a hydroxytyrosol-rich Olea europaea L. fruit extract (OFE) was added to three thoroughly green formulations—hydrogel, oleogel, and cream—in order to evaluate their antiviral activity against HSV-1. The extract was characterized by different analytical techniques, i.e., FT-IR, XPS, and TGA. HPLC analyses were carried out to monitor the content and release of hydroxytyrosol in the prepared formulations. The total polyphenol content and antioxidant activity were investigated through Folin–Ciocâlteu’s reagent, DPPH, and ABTS assays. The ability of the three formulations to convey active principles to the skin was evaluated using a Franz cell, showing that the number of permeated polyphenols in the hydrogel (272.1 ± 1.8 GAE/g) was significantly higher than those in the oleogel and cream (174 ± 10 and 179.6 ± 2 GAE/g, respectively), even if a negligible amount of hydroxytyrosol crossed the membrane for all the formulations. The cell viability assay indicated that the OFE and the three formulations were not toxic to cultured Vero cells. The antiviral activity tests highlighted that the OFE had a strong inhibitory effect against HSV-1 with a 50% inhibitory concentration (IC50) at 25 µg/mL, interfering directly with the viral particles. Among the three formulations, the hydrogel exhibited the highest antiviral activity also against the acyclovir-resistant strain.     

The Small Molecule PPARγ Agonist GL516 Induces Feeding-Stimulatory Effects in Hypothalamus Cells Hypo-E22 and Isolated Hypothalami

PPARγ agonists are implicated in the regulation of diabetes and metabolic syndrome and have therapeutic potential in brain disorders. PPARγ modulates appetite through its central effects, especially on the hypothalamic arcuate nucleus (ARC). Previous studies demonstrated that the small molecule GL516 is a PPARγ agonist able to reduce oxidative stress and apoptosis with a potential neuroprotective role. Herein, we investigated the effects of GL516, in vitro and ex vivo, on the levels of hypothalamic dopamine (DA) and serotonin (5-HT). The gene expressions of neuropeptide Y, CART, AgRP, and POMC, which play master roles in the neuroendocrine regulation of feeding behavior and energy balance, were also evaluated. HypoE22 cells were treated with H₂O₂ (300 μM) for 2 h e 30’ and with different concentrations of GL516 (1 nM-100 µM). The cell viability was evaluated after 24 and 48 h of culturing using the MTT test. DA and 5-HT levels in the HypoE22 cell supernatants were analyzed through HPLC; an ex vivo study on isolated hypothalamic specimens challenged with scalar concentrations of GL516 (1–100 µM) and with pioglitazone (10 µM) was carried out. The gene expressions of CART, NPY, AgRP, and POMC were also determined by a quantitative real-time PCR. The results obtained showed that GL516 was able to reduce DA and 5-HT turnover; moreover, it was effective in stimulating NPY and AgRP gene expressions with a concomitant reduction in CART and POMC gene expressions. These results highlight the capability of GL516 to modulate neuropeptide pathways deeply involved in appetite control suggesting an orexigenic effect. These findings emphasize the potential use of GL516 as a promising candidate for therapeutical applications in neurodegenerative diseases associated with the reduction in food intake and stimulation of catabolic pathways.