Determination of micro-amounts of zirconium in mixed aqueous organic medium by normal and first-derivative spectrophotometry

Normal and first-derivative spectrophotometric methods have been applied to the determination Zr(IV) with Arsenazo-III in mixed aqueous organic medium. Zirconium (IV) has been determined in presence and in absence of U(VI). For the determination of Zr(IV) in presence of U(VI) no prior separation is needed. The suggested method was also applied to the individual and simultaneous determinations of Zr(IV) and U(VI) in different environmental samples and alloys without separation processes. The method has advantages of simplicity, accuracy and versatility over other conventional methods. The molar absorptivities of U(VI) and Zr(IV) complexes with Arsenazo-III increased to 7.24 × 10⁴ and 1.8 × 10⁵ L/mol cm, respectively, in comparison with values of 5.0 × 10⁴ and 1.2 × 10⁵ L/mol cm cited in literature.     

Inorganic selenium speciation in environmental samples using selective electrodeposition coupled with electrothermal atomic absorption spectrometry

Speciation analyses are of increasing interest in the environmental, toxicological and analytical fields, because the toxicity and reactivity of trace elements depend strongly on the chemical forms in which they are present. A simple electrodeposition–electrothermal atomic absorption spectrometry method for speciation analysis of some organic and inorganic selenium species in typical environmental water and agricultural soil samples has been developed. The method is based on the selective reduction of water-soluble Se(IV) and selenocystine (Se–Cys) species by an uncontrolled applied potential (1.8 V) on a mercury-coated electrode. In acidic media (1.0 M HCl solution) the only inorganic selenium species electrodeposited was Se(IV), and, of the water-soluble organic selenium species Se–Cys and Se–Met only Se–Cys was electrodeposited onto the mercury electrode surface. The proposed methodology was successfully applied to the speciation and determination of selenium in a few environmental samples. The spiked recovery value varied between 91% and 99%. The suggested method has been shown to have a characteristic mass (m₀) of 25 pg, a limit of detection (LOD) of 1.0 μg L^− 1 and a relative standard deviation (RSD%) of 3.5% for 6 measurements at a concentration of 100 μg L^− 1 Se(VI).     

Sequestration of a β‐Hairpin for Control of α‐Synuclein Aggregation

The misfolding and aggregation of the protein α‐synuclein (α‐syn), which results in the formation of amyloid fibrils, is involved in the pathogenesis of Parkinson’s disease and other synucleinopathies. The emergence of amyloid toxicity is associated with the formation of partially folded aggregation intermediates. Here, we engineered a class of binding proteins termed β‐wrapins (β‐wrap proteins) with affinity for α‐synuclein (α‐syn). The NMR structure of an α‐syn:β‐wrapin complex reveals a β‐hairpin of α‐syn comprising the sequence region α‐syn(37–54). The β‐wrapin inhibits α‐syn aggregation and toxicity at substoichiometric concentrations, demonstrating that it interferes with the nucleation of aggregation.     

Design,Synthesis, and Antibacterial Evaluation of Some Novel 3′-(Phenylamino)-1′H-spiro[indoline-3,2′-quinazoline]-2,4′(3′H)-dione Derivatives

A combinatorial synthesis and evaluation of antibacterial activity against clinically isolated resistant strains of Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria of 3′-(phenylamino)-1′H-spiro[indoline-3,2′-quinazoline]-2,4′(3′H)-dione derivatives is described.     

Peculiar side-chain fission of steroidal glycosides

The characteristic novel steroidal glycosides of the 23,26-oxygenated spirostanol-type and 16,22-dicarbonyl cholestanol-type obtained in our laboratory underwent the peculiar reactions of side-chain fission between C-22 and C-23 of the steroidal skeleton by acid or alkaline hydrolysis. These reactions would be applied to the structural determination of these sorts of glycosides and suggest the biogenetic pathway of the occurrence of C-22 lactone-type glycosides.     

Performance enhancement of thin‐film composite membranes in water desalination process by wood sawdust

In this study, polysulfone/wood sawdust (PSf/WSD) mixed matrix membrane (MMM) was prepared as a novel substrate layer of thin‐film composite (TFC) membrane in water desalination. The main aim was to evaluate how different amounts of WSD (0‐5 wt%) and PSf concentrations (12‐16 wt%) in the porous substrate affect the properties of the final TFC membranes in the separation of organic and inorganic compounds. Morphological and wettability studies demonstrated that the addition of small amount of WSD (less than or equal to 1 wt%) in the casting solution resulted in more porous but similar hydrophobic substrates, while high loading (greater than or equal to 2 wt%) of WSD not only changed the substrate wettability and morphology but also increased and decreased the swelling and mechanical properties of substrate layer. Therefore, PA layer formed thereon displayed extensively varying film morphology, interfacial properties, and separation performance. Based on approximately stable permeate flux (ASPF) and apparent salt rejection efficiency (ASRE), the best TFC membrane was prepared over the substrate with 12 to 14 wt% of PSf and around 0.5 to 1 wt% of WSD. Although notable improvements in permeate flux were obtained by adding a small amount of sawdust, the results clearly indicate that the salt rejection mechanism of TFC membrane was different from the glycerin rejection mechanism. Furthermore, durability results of TFC membranes showed that in continuous operation for 30 days, TFC‐14/0.5 and TFC‐14/01 have the maximum plateau levels of stable permeate flux and salt rejection among the all TFC membranes.     

X-ray,structural assignment and molecular docking study of dihydrogeodin from Aspergillus Terreus TM8

A re-cultivation of the thermophilic fungus Aspergillus terreus TM8, and working up of its extract afforded the dichloro-benzophenone derivative, dihydrogeodin (1) in addition to the butyrolactones I (2), V (3) and VI (4). A literature surveying revealed one recent structural assignment trial for dihydrogeodin (1), however, with some inaccuracies. We report herein a full assignment of dihydrogeodin (1) using extensive study of 1D, 2D NMR and ESI HR mass data. For the first time as well, we report the planar structure of 1 using X-ray crystallography. Docking and molecular dynamic simulation of dihydrogeodin (1) on the isomerase cyclophilin A has revealed its significant potential activity as an antiviral and immunosuppressive agent.     

Novel potentiometric sensor for the determination of Cd2+ based on a new nano-composite

A novel ion selective carbon paste electrode for Cd²⁺ ions based on 2,2′-thio-bis[4-methyl(2-amino phenoxy) phenyl ether] (TBMAPPE) as an ionophore was prepared. The carbon paste was made based on a new nano-composite including multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs), nanosilica and room-temperature ionic liquid, 1-Butyl-3-methylimidazolium hexafluorophosphate (BMIM-PF₆). The constructed nano-composite electrode showed better sensitivity, selectivity, response time, response stability and lifetime in comparison with typical Cd²⁺ carbon paste sensor for the successful determination of Cd²⁺ ions in water and in waste water samples. The best performance for nano-composite sensor was obtained with an electrode composition of 18% TBMAPPE, 20% BMIM-PF₆, 48% graphite powder, 10% MWCNT and 4% nanosilica. The new electrode exhibited a Nernstian response (29.95?±?0.10?mV?decade^?1) toward Cd²⁺ ions in the range of 3.0?×?10^?8 to 1.0?×?10^?1?mol?L^?1 with a detection limit of 7.5?×?10^?9?mol?L^?1. The potentiometric response of prepared sensor was independent of the pH of test solution in the pH range 3.0 to 5.5. It had a quick response with a response time of about 6?s. The proposed electrode showed fairly good selectivity over some alkali, alkaline earth, transition and heavy metal ions.     

A Targeted Review of Current Progress,Challenges and Future Perspective of g-C3N4 based Hybrid Photocatalyst Toward Multidimensional Applications

The increasing demand for searching highly efficient and robust technologies in the context of sustainable energy production totally rely onto the cost-effective energy efficient production technologies. Solar power technology in this regard will perceived to be extensively employed in a variety of ways in the future ahead, in terms of the combustion of petroleum-based pollutants, CO₂ reduction, heterogeneous photocatalysis, as well as the formation of unlimited and sustainable hydrogen gas production. Semiconductor-based photocatalysis is regarded as potentially sustainable solution in this context. g-C₃N₄ is classified as non-metallic semiconductor to overcome this energy demand and enviromental challenges, because of its superior electronic configuration, which has a median band energy of around 2.7 eV, strong photocatalytic stability, and higher light performance. The photocatalytic performance of g-C₃N₄ is perceived to be inadequate, owing to its small surface area along with high rate of charge recombination. However, various synthetic strategies were applied in order to incorporate g-C₃N₄ with different guest materials to increase photocatalytic performance. After these fabrication approaches, the photocatalytic activity was enhanced owing to generation of photoinduced electrons and holes, by improving light absorption ability, and boosting surface area, which provides more space for photocatalytic reaction. In this review, various metals, non-metals, metals oxide, sulfides, and ferrites have been integrated with g-C₃N₄ to form mono, bimetallic, heterojunction, Z-scheme, and S-scheme-based materials for boosting performance. Also, different varieties of g-C₃N₄ were utilized for different aspects of photocatalytic application i. e., water reduction, water oxidation, CO₂ reduction, and photodegradation of dye pollutants, etc. As a consequence, we have assembled a summary of the latest g-C₃N₄ based materials, their uses in solar energy adaption, and proper management of the environment. This research will further well explain the detail of the mechanism of all these photocatalytic processes for the next steps, as well as the age number of new insights in order to overcome the current challenges.     

Polycarbonate-coated magnetic nanoparticles for the extraction of imipramine and its primary metabolite from urine

This study introduces a reliable and inexpensive magnetic dispersive solid phase extraction to extract imipramine and its primary metabolite (desipramine) from urine samples. To accomplish this aim, Fe₃O₄ magnetic nanoparticles were synthesized by sonication, subsequently, polycarbonate was precipitated gradually onto the surface of them to form the adsorbent. Extraction recoveries of 85% and 76%, enrichment factors of 57 and 51, limits of detection of 2.5 and 2.8 μg/L, and limits of quantification of 8.3 and 9.3 μg/L were obtained for imipramine and desipramine under the optimal conditions, respectively. In addition, relative standard deviations for intra- (n = 6) and inter-day (n = 5) precisions at two concentrations (50 and 100 μg/L of each analyte) were less than or equal to 4%. Short extraction time, good repeatability, high enrichment factors, and simplicity are the main advantages of the proposed method.