Preparation,characterization and ion adsorption properties of functionalized polystyrene modified with 1,4-phenylene diisocyanate and diethylenetriamine

In the present work, linear polystyrene (PS) was functionalized by a sulfonation reaction providing sulfonated polystyrene (PSS). Then, the PSS polymer chains were cross-linked with the 1,4-phenylene diisocyanate (PPDI) group in tetrahydrofuran (THF), which led to a PSS-PPDI polymer. The PSS-PPDI was grafted by diethylenetriamine (DETA) in a solution of THF to obtain polymer PSS-PPDI-DETA. Their structures were characterized by infrared spectroscopy (ATR-FTIR), elemental analysis (EA), differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), thermogravemetric (TGA), thermodynamic (DTA) and differential thermogravimetric (DTG) analysis. Subsequently, the obtained polymers were tested for their ability to remove some metal ions from aqueous media such as Zn²⁺, Cd²⁺ and Co²⁺.     

On the local and global asymptotic stability of the Degn‐Harrison reaction‐diffusion model

In this paper, we study the well‐known Degn‐Harrison reaction diffusion model. We are concerned with the local and global asymptotic stability of the system. Weaker conditions than those of previous studies are derived and validated using Matlab computer simulations.     

Cu-mediated 1,3-dipolar cycloaddition of azomethine ylides with dipolarophiles: a faster access to spirooxindoles of potential pharmacological interest

CuI facilitated three-component reaction of isatin derivatives, l-proline and terminal alkynes containing an amide or ester functional group. The multi-component reaction (MCR) afforded a faster and practical synthesis of spirooxindole derivatives. A range of novel spirooxindoles were synthesized by using this straightforward and one-pot efficient methodology. A representative compound showed significant inhibition of PDE4B enzyme in vitro and good interactions with this protein in silico.     

Double Rotors with Fluxional Axles: Domino Rotation and Azide–Alkyne Huisgen Cycloaddition Catalysis

The simple preparation of the multicomponent devices [Cu₄( A )₂]⁴⁺ and [Cu₂( A )( B )]²⁺, both rotors with fluxional axles undergoing domino rotation, highlights the potential of self‐sorting. The concept of domino rotation requires the interconversion of axle and rotator, allowing the spatiotemporal decoupling of two degenerate exchange processes in [Cu₄( A )₂]⁴⁺ occurring at 142 kHz. Addition of two equiv of B to rotor [Cu₄( A )₂]⁴⁺ afforded the heteromeric two‐axle rotor [Cu₂( A )( B )]²⁺ with two distinct exchange processes (64.0 kHz and 0.55 Hz). The motion requiring a pyridine→zinc porphyrin bond cleavage is 1.2×10⁵ times faster than that operating via a terpyridine→[Cu(phenAr₂)]⁺ rupture. Finally, both rotors are catalysts due to their copper(I) content. The fast domino rotor (142 kHz) was shown to suppress product inhibition in the catalysis of the azide–alkyne Huisgen cycloaddition.     

A survey and comparative study of QoS aware broadcasting techniques in VANET

Mobile operators currently encounter numerous challenges caused by the centralized architecture of mobile networks. A single mobility anchor placed at the network core maintains the entire mobility and data traffic forwarding in the existing centralized mobility management (CMM) solutions. The CMM approach confronts several issues in scalability, reliability, signaling overhead, and non-optimal routing due to the increasing number of mobile devices and the volume of data traffic. To overcome these issues, a new architectural paradigm called distributed mobility management (DMM) is proposed to flatten the network architecture by moving mobility anchors closer to users and separating the control and data planes at the network edge. Two DMM solutions are developed: partially distributed mobility management (partial-DMM) in which only the data plane is distributed and fully distributed mobility management (full-DMM) where both control and data planes are distributed, which can be potentially applied for future mobile networks. This paper presents a network-based full-DMM scheme that was developed and implemented using NS2 network simulator by removing any dedicated centralized mobility anchor from the architecture. Extensive simulations were conducted to evaluate and compare the performance of the full-DMM model with that of the traditional CMM model. The simulation results show that the full-DMM provides lower end-to-end delay performance than CMM. However, the full-DMM generates higher handover latency and packet loss than CMM at high MN speeds. Moreover, simulation results clearly show the benefits of dynamic mobility activation in the full-DMM model.     

A Metalloregulated Four‐State Nanoswitch Controls Two‐Step Sequential Catalysis in an Eleven‐Component System

The nanomechanical switch 1 with its three orthogonal binding motifs—the zinc(II) porphyrin, azaterpyridine, and shielded phenanthroline binding station—is quantitatively and reversibly toggled back and forth between four different switching states by means of addition and removal of appropriate metal‐ion inputs. Two of the four switching stages are able to initiate catalytic transformations (ON1, ON2), while the two others shut down any reaction (OFF1, OFF2). Thus, in a cyclic four‐state switching process the sequential transformation A + B + C → AB + C → ABC can be controlled, which proceeds stepwise along the switching states OFF1→ON1 (click reaction: A + B → AB )→OFF2→ON2 (Michael addition: AB + C → ABC )→OFF1. Two consecutive cycles of the sequential catalysis were realized without loss in activity in a reaction system with eleven different components.     

Lamivudine hemihydrate

A new lamivudine hydrate, namely, cis‐4‐amino‐1‐(2‐hydroxymethyl‐1,3‐oxathiolan‐5‐yl)pyrimidin‐2(1H)‐one hemihydrate, C₈H₁₁N₃O₃S·0.5H₂O, has been synthesized and structurally characterized by both powder and single‐crystal X‐ray diffraction studies. The hemihydrate crystallizes in the Sohnke space group P2₁, with the asymmetric unit comprising four lamivudine and two water molecules. An extensive network of intermolecular hydrogen bonds involving both lamivudine and solvent water molecules generates a three‐dimensional supramolecular architecture. The structural data and crystal packing of the present lamivudine hemihydrate are compared with those of other hydrated and anhydrous forms of lamivudine.     

Antimicrobial ZnO Nanoparticle–Doped Polyvinyl Alcohol/Pluronic Blends as Active Food Packaging Films

Today, plastic waste has been highlighted as one of the greatest threats to the environment. These environmental concerns and the increased necessity for safe food packaging have inspired scientists to focus on the development of active biodegradable materials. Herein, a novel poly(vinyl alcohol)/pluronic/ZnO nanocomposite film (PVA/PLUR/ZnO) is introduced as an active packaging material with enhanced antimicrobial activity. Gamma irradiation is used as a “green” route to prepare ZnO nanoparticles via a polymer pyrolysis method. The as-prepared ecofriendly ZnO nanoparticles are characterized and incorporated into the PVA/PLUR matrix in different concentrations. Transmission electron microscopy and dynamic light scattering measurements prove that ZnO nanoparticles have a mean particle size of 30 nm with a spherical-like morphology. Morphological and structural characterization confirm the successful incorporation of ZnO into the PVA/PLUR matrix, which in turn enhances the thermal and barrier properties of PVA/PLUR/ZnO nanocomposite films. On the other hand, the opacity of blends is increased. The PVA/PLUR/ZnO composites exhibit broad-spectrum antimicrobial activity against Gram-positive, Gram-negative bacterial pathogens, and fungi, and the activity increases with increasing concentrations of ZnO nanoparticles. These results introduce PVA/PLUR/ZnO films as effective antimicrobial materials for active food-packaging applications.     

Enhanced alkaline protease production in addition to α-amylase via constructing a Bacillus subtilis strain

Bacillus subtilis Bios 11 strain was previously isolated and identified. This strain naturally produces a high level of α-amylase. The multicopy (pS1) plasmid that carries the complete alkaline protease aprA gene was introduced to this host strain by transformation. The newly constructed strain was found to express the aprA gene and produces a high level of alkaline protease. The level of α-amylase production was not affected compared with the parent strain. The pS1 plasmid in the new host was proved to be segregationally and structurally stable, and the multicopy aprA gene was expressed at the stationary phase. This expression did not affect growth rate and sporulation frequency. Moreover, the level of α-amylase was maintained. Both alkaline protease and α-amylase enzymes were purified using a single-step affinity chromatography column. The use of the newly constructed strain would be valuable to the enzyme industry and would promote recycling of some food-processing wastes.