Densities,Refractive Indices,Ultrasonic Speeds and Excess Properties of Acetonitrile + Poly(ethylene glycol) Binary Mixtures at Temperatures from 298.15 to 313.15 K

The densities, ρ, refractive indices, n _D, and ultrasonic speeds, u, of binary mixtures of acetonitrile (AN) with poly(ethylene glycol) 200 (PEG200), poly(ethylene glycol) 300 (PEG300) and poly(ethylene glycol) 400 (PEG400) were measured over the entire composition range at temperatures (298.15, 303.15, 308.15 and 313.15) K and at atmospheric pressure. From the experimental data, the excess molar volumes, \( V_{\text{m}}^{\text{E}} \) , deviations in refractive indices, \( \Delta n_{\text{D}} \) , excess molar isentropic compressibility, \( K_{{s , {\text{m}}}}^{\text{E}} \) , excess intermolecular free length, \( L_{\text{f}}^{\text{E}} \) , and excess acoustic impedance, Z ^E, have been evaluated. The partial molar volumes, \( \overline{V}_{\text{m,1}} \) and \( \overline{V}_{\text{m,2}} \) , partial molar isentropic compressibilities, \( \overline{K}_{{s , {\text{m,1}}}} \) and \( \overline{K}_{{s , {\text{m,2}}}} \) , and their excess values over whole composition range and at infinite dilution have also been calculated. The variations of these properties with composition and temperature are discussed in terms of intermolecular interactions in these mixtures. The results indicate the presence of specific interactions among the AN and PEG molecules, which follow the order PEG200 < PEG300 < PEG400.     

Bucillamine Inhibits UVB-Induced MAPK Activation and Apoptosis in Human HaCaT Keratinocytes and SKH-1 Hairless Mouse Skin

Ultraviolet B (UVB) radiation is known as a culprit in skin carcinogenesis. We have previously reported that bucillamine (N-[2-mercapto-2-methylpropionyl]-L-cysteine), a cysteine derivative with antioxidant and anti-inflammatory capacity, protects against UVB-induced p53 activation and inflammatory responses in mouse skin. Since MAPK signaling pathways regulate p53 expression and activation, here we determined bucillamine effect on UVB-mediated MAPK activation in vitro using human skin keratinocyte cell line HaCaT and in vivo using SKH-1 hairless mouse skin. A single low dose of UVB (30 mJ cm⁻²) resulted in increased JNK/MAPK phosphorylation and caspase-3 cleavage in HaCaT cells. However, JNK activation and casaspe-3 cleavage were inhibited by pretreatment of HaCaT cells with physiological doses of bucillamine (25 and 100 µm ). Consistent with these results, bucillamine pretreatment in mice (20 mg kg⁻¹) inhibited JNK/MAPK and ERK/MAPK activation in skin epidermal cells at 6–12 and 24 h, respectively, after UVB exposure. Moreover, bucillamine attenuated UVB-induced Ki-67-positive cells and cleaved caspase-3-positive cells in mouse skin. These findings demonstrate that bucillamine inhibits UVB-induced MAPK signaling, cell proliferation and apoptosis. Together with our previous report, we provide evidence that bucillamine has a photoprotective effect against UV exposure.     

Thermal dry reforming of methane over La2O3 co-supported Ni/MgAl2O4 catalyst for hydrogen-rich syngas production

Research on Chemical Intermediates - The excess emission of greenhouse gases (GHGs) such as CO2 and CH4 is posing an acute threat to the environment, and efficient ways are being sought to utilize...     

不同温度下脯氨酸在非水阴离子、阳离子及非离子型表面活性剂中的相互作用

Density and viscosity data of proline (Pro) in sodium dodecyl sulfate/cetyltrimethylammonium bromide/poly (oxyethylene) isooctyl phenyl ether in formamide were measured at 298.15, 303.15, 308.15, and 313.15K and 0.1MPa. The density data were utilized to evaluate standard partial molar volumes (φ0V) and partial molar isobaric expansibility (φ0E). The viscosity data were used to evaluate A-and B-coefficients, free energy of activation of viscous flow (⊿μ0*1) and (⊿μ0*2), per mole of solvent and solute respectively, enthalpy (⊿H*) and entropy (⊿S*) of activation of viscous flow. The results obtained were utilized in the qualitative elucidation of the Pro-surfactant/formamide and Pro-Pro interactions in the present systems.     

Size-dependent phase stability of a molecular nanocrystal: a proxy for investigating the early stages of crystallization

We make the link between the size-dependent phase stability of a nanocrystal and the phase-transition behavior of emerging crystallites during the earliest stages of crystallization, by using the former as a proxy for the latter. We outline an extension of the classical nucleation theory to describe crystal nucleation and subsequent transformations of competing polymorphic phases that characterize Ostwald's rule of stages. The theoretical framework reveals that the relative stability of the competing phases is a function of cluster size, which in turn varies with time, and therefore explains the complex transformation behavior observed for some systems. We investigated the stability of a nanocrystal of dl-norleucine by means of molecular simulation as a proxy for post-nucleation phase-transformation behavior in emerging crystallites. The simulations reveal that, for nanocrystals, the surface energy of the transition state of a transformation can dominate the barrier to phase change, thus causing metastable phases to be stabilized, not because they are thermodynamically stable, but rather due to kinetic hindering. Therefore, in the context of the earliest stages of crystal growth, not only does phase stability vary as a function of cluster size, and hence time, but thermodynamically feasible transformations are also prone to kinetic hindering.     

Effect of Adenine Sulphate Interaction on Growth and Development of Shoot Regeneration and Inhibition of Shoot Tip Necrosis Under In Vitro Condition in Adult Syzygium cumini L.—a Multipurpose Tree

An efficient method for cloning Syzygium cumini (above 40 years old) through mature nodal segments has been successfully developed and that could be exploited for large-scale production of this valuable multipurpose tree. Nodal segments from mature tree were taken as explants and cultured on MS basal medium with different cytokinins (BA, Kin, AdS). The application of BA proved to be the best responsive cytokinin for the induction of shoot buds and shoots, but the proliferated shoots exhibited slower and stunted growth accompanied with abscission of leaves and shoot tip necrosis (STN). The problem of leaf abscission and STN was considerably reduced by the application of an adjuvant, adenine sulphate (AdS) in the optimal medium which led to the production of a maximum of 14 shoots. Further improvement in shoot bud regeneration and improved growth pattern of the regenerating tissue was obtained on the media comprised of MS?+?BA (10 μM)?+?GA₃ (2.5 μM). A total number of 15 shoots with mean shoot length of 5.9 cm was obtained. The healthy elongated shoots were then rooted on MS basal augmented with NAA (5 μM). The plantlets obtained were healthy and were successfully acclimatized and transferred under field condition with 70 % survival rate.     

trans-cis Photoisomerization of a photoactive yellow protein model chromophore in crystalline phase

We have studied the photoinduced trans/cis isomerization of the protonated form of p-hydroxycinnamic thiophenyl ester, a model chromophore of the photoactive yellow protein (PYP), in crystalline phase, by both fluorescence and infrared spectroscopies. The conversion from trans to cis configuration is revealed by a shift of the fluorescence peak and by inspection of the infrared maker bands. The crystal packing apparently stabilizes the cis photoproduct, suggesting different environmental effects from the solvent molecules for this model chromophore in liquid solutions or from the amino acid residues for the PYP chromophore.     

Synergistic extraction of Ce(III), Eu(III) and Tm(III) with a mixture of picrolonic acid and benzo-15-crown-5 in chloroform

Summary The synergistic mixture comprising picrolonic acid (HPA) and benzo-15-crown-5 (B15C5) in chloroform has been used for the extraction of Ce(III), Eu(III) and Tm(III) as representatives of lanthanide(III) ions from pH 1-2 solutions having ionic strength of 0.1 mol^. dm^-3(K⁺/H⁺, Cl^-). The composition of the extracted species has been determined as M(PA)₃^. nB15C5 where M is Ce, Eu and Tm and n=1 or 2. The influence of various anions and cations on the extraction of these ions has also been studied and only oxalate, cyanide and tartrate have some deleterious effect. The extraction equilibrium constants have been evaluated and discussed.     

Validated ecofriendly chromatographic method for quantitative determination of anti‐migraine quaternary mixture

A novel ecofriendly, cost and time saving high‐performance thin‐layer chromatographic method was developed and validated for simultaneous determination of metoclopramide, ergotamine, caffeine, and paracetamol in bulk and pharmaceutical formulation. The separation was carried out on silica gel plates, using ethyl acetate:ethanol:ammonia (9:1:0.1, v/v/v) as a developing system. Ultraviolet detection was carried out at 272 nm. The resulting retention times were 0.15, 0.36, 0.49, and 0.74 min for metoclopramide, ergotamine, caffeine, and paracetamol, respectively. The greenness profile assessment was achieved to the proposed method to evaluate its greenness characters to the environment with acceptable results. Validation parameters were checked according to International Conference of Harmonization guidelines to achieve the international requirements for quality control analysis of the proposed drugs.     

Effects of different composition ratio on the dielectric relaxation and dynamic mechanical properties of poly(ω‐dodecalactam‐co‐ε‐caprolactam‐co‐propylene oxide) copolymers

The molecular dynamics of new poly (ω‐dodecalactam‐co‐ε‐caprolactam‐co‐propylene oxide) copolymers (DL/CL/PAC) has been investigated by using dynamic mechanical thermal analysis (DMTA) and dielectric relaxation spectroscopy (DRS) measurements. The copolymers were synthesized via anionic polymerization of relevant lactams activated with carbamoyl derivatives of telechelic hydroxyl terminated polypropylene oxide with isophorone diisocyanate (PAC). The calorimetric, X‐ray diffraction, and DMTA measurements were performed to recognize the influence of the composition ratio and the type of PAC on the physical, thermal, and mechanical properties of the synthesized copolymers. The DRS was used to study the frequency dependence of the dielectric permittivity of some isotherms from ?110 to 145 °C. Copolymerization of ε‐caprolactam with about 10 wt % ω‐dodecalactam results in a copolymer that has lower water absorption, a melting point close to that of polyamide 6 and has a high enough degree of crystallinity in respect to high storage modulus. Five dielectric relaxations have been observed in the dielectric spectra, three at lower temperature and two at higher temperature. The copolymers have two glass transition temperatures for polyamide segments and polyether blocks, indicating microphase separation in the copolymers. Other studies directed toward molecular dynamics of polyamide DL/CL/PAC copolymers have not been reported. © 2010 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part B: Polym Phys, 2010