Synthesis,antimicrobial activity and QSAR studies of 2,5-disubstituted benzoxazoles

In this study, a new series of 2,5-disubstituted benzoxazoles was synthesized and their structures were elucidated by elemental analysis, MASS, ¹H-NMR, ¹³C-NMR and IR spectral data. Newly and previously synthesized 2,5-disubstituted benzoxazole derivatives were evaluated for antibacterial and antifungal activity against standard strains and their drug-resistant isolates. Microbiological results showed that the compounds presented a large spectrum of activity having MIC values of 250–7.8 µg mL^?1 against the tested microorganisms. Among the newly synthesized derivatives 3–22, compound 11 was the most active against Candida krusei out of all; however, it was one dilution less potent than standard drug fluconazole. In addition, all the new and previous compounds were more active than standard drugs ampicillin trihydrate and rifampicin against Pseudomonas aeruginosa and its gentamicin-resistant isolate. The 2D-QSAR (Quantitative Structure–Activity Relationship) analysis of a set of newly and previously synthesized benzoxazoles tested for growth inhibitory activity against methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) was also performed by using multivariable regression analysis. The activity contributions for substituent effects of these compounds were determined from the correlation equation for predictions of the lead optimization.     

Matrix-assisted laser desorption ionization time-of-flight mass spectrometry for the analysis of polydienes

An analytical method based on matrix-assisted laser desorption ionization (MALDI) time-of-flight mass spectrometry has been developed to provide information on oligomer structure, average molecular weight, and molecular weight distributions of polydienes (e.g., polybutadiene and polyisoprene), an important class of industrial polymers. This MALDI method involves the use of all-trans-retinoic acid as the matrix, copper (II) nitrate as the cationization reagent, and tetrahydrofuran as the solvent. The incorporation of this copper salt generates Cu⁺ adducts with the polymer chains. It also improves the signal strength and extends the upper mass range when used with all-trans-retinoic acid, as compared to silver nitrate. With this formulation, it is demonstrated that polybutadienes of narrow polydispersity with masses up to 300,000 u and polyisoprenes of narrow polydispersity with masses up to 150,000 u can be analyzed. The upper molecular weight limit is set by the requirement of using higher matrix-to-polymer ratios with increasing polymer molecular weight, to the point where the instrument can no longer detect the small quantity of polymer present in the matrix host. It is also shown that this sample preparation generates previously unreported adduction behavior. The practical implications of this adduction behavior on polymer structural analysis, accuracy of molecular weight determination, and the upper molecular weight limit of oligomer resolution are discussed. It is illustrated that, in a linear time-lag focusing MALDI instrument, oligomer resolution can be obtained for polydienes with molecular weights up to 24,000, providing structural confirmation of the end-groups and the repeat unit. The average molecular weights of a number of polydienes of narrow polydispersity determined by MALDI are compared to those obtained by gel permeation chromatography, and discrepancies are noted.     

Influence of the nature of the metal ion on the rate of reduction of coordinated azomethine group

The kinetics of reduction of the azomethine bond in various Schiff bases and their transition metal complexes with sodium borohydride in dimethylformamide and ethanol solutions was studied. The reduction rate depends on both the structure of the starting Schiff bases and the nature of the metal ion. In transition metal N-phenylsalicylaldiminates, the rate of reduction of the azomethine group increases in the order Zn(II) < Ni(II) < Cu(II) < Co(II) < VO(II) < Mn(II). Similar trend is observed in other series of metal complexes with Schiff bases. The revealed trends are opposite to the Irving-Williams series of stability of complexes. This fact suggests that the major factor affecting the rate of reduction of the coordinated azomethine bond is the strength of its bonding with the metal ion. Depending on particular metal ion, the complexation can either decelerate or accelerate the reduction.     

Acrylic-based high internal phase emulsion polymeric monolith for capillary electrochromatography

The use of high internal phase emulsion polymers (polyHIPEs) for CEC applications has remained relatively unexplored. A few reports exist in the literature for the preparation of similar structures. In this study, polyHIPEs having high porosity, and interconnected open-cell structure, were introduced and evaluated as stationary phase for CEC. The polyHIPE monolithic columns were prepared by the in situ polymerization of isodecylacrylate (IDA) and divinylbenzene (DVB) in the continuous phase of a high internal phase emulsion (HIPE). Due to its well-defined polyHIPE structure with interconnected micron size spherical voids, the columns synthesized with different initiator concentrations were successfully used for the separation of alkylbenzenes. Furthermore, the columns indicated a strong electroosmotic flow (EOF) without any additional EOF generating monomer probably due to the presence of ionizable sulfate groups coming from the water-soluble initiator used in the preparation of polyHIPE matrix. The best chromatographic performance in the separation of alkylbenzenes was achieved by using 70% ACN in the mobile phase with high column efficiency (up to 200 000 plates/m).     

Modeling and implementation of local volatility surfaces in Bayesian framework

Computational Management Science - In this study, we focus on the reconstruction of volatility surfaces via a Bayesian framework. Apart from classical methods, such as, parametric and...     

The energy spectrum of 662 keV photons in a water equivalent phantom

Investigation is made on the energy spectrum of photons originating from interactions of 662 keV primary gamma-ray photons emitted by a point source positioned at the centre of a water equivalent solid phantom of dimensions 19 cm×19 cm×24 cm. Peaks resulting from total energy loss (photopeak) and multiple and back scattering have been observed using a 51 mm×51 mm NaI(Tl) detector; good agreement being found between the measured and simulated response functions. The energy spectrum of the gamma photons obtained through the Monte Carlo simulation reveals local maxima at about 100 keV and 210 keV, being also observed in the experimental response function. Such spectra can be used as a method of testing the water equivalence of solid phantom media before their use for dosimetry measurements.