NdFeO3 as a new electrocatalytic material for the electrochemical monitoring of dopamine

A new electrochemical sensor, based on NdFeO₃ nanoparticles as electrocatalytic material, was proposed here for the detection of dopamine (DA). NdFeO₃ nanoparticles were first synthesized by a simple thermal treatment method and subsequent annealing at high temperature (700 °C). The prepared electrocatalytic material has been characterized in detail by SEM-EDX, XRD, and Raman techniques. Characterization results display its sheet-like morphology, constituted by a porous network of very small orthorhombic NdFeO₃ nanoparticles. NdFeO₃ electrocatalytic material was then used to modify the working electrode of screen-printed carbon electrodes (SPCEs). Electrochemical tests demonstrated that NdFeO₃– modified screen-printed carbon electrode (NdFeO₃/SPCE) exhibited a remarkable enhancement of the dopamine electrooxidation, compared to the bare SPCE one. The analytical performance of the developed sensor has been evaluated for the detection of this analyte by means of the square-wave voltammetry (SWV) technique. The modified electrode showed two linear concentration ranges, from 0.5 to 100 μM and 150 to 400 μM, respectively, a limit of detection (LOD) of 0.27 μM (at S/N = 3), and good reproducibility, stability, and selectivity. Additionally, we also report an attempt made to propose the modified sensor for the simultaneous detection of dopamine and uric acid (UA). The procedure was also applied for the determination of dopamine in spiked real samples. So, this paper reports for the first time the use of a modified NdFeO₃ screen-printed electrode for developing an electrochemical sensor for the quantification of important biomolecules.

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Nonnegative Matrix Factorization based on the Geometry of Positive Numbers

We consider the problem of nonnegative matrix factorization where the typical objective function is altered based on geometrical arguments. A noneuclidean geometry on positive real numbers is used to describe the nonnegative entries of a nonnegative matrix, influencing the factorization model. We design an optimization procedure from a differential geometric point of view for the newly proposed model. (© 2015 Wiley-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)     

Air‐Stable {(C5H5)Co} Catalysts for [2+2+2] Cycloadditions

Cobalt cyclopentadienyl complexes incorporating a fumarate and a CO ligand (see picture) efficiently catalyze inter‐ and intramolecular [2+2+2] cycloadditions of alkynes, nitriles, and/or alkenes to give benzenes, pyridines, or 1,3‐cyclohexadienes. Unlike catalysts such as [CpCo(CO)₂] or [CpCo(C₂H₄)₂] (Cp=C₅H₅), they are air‐stable, easy to handle, compatible with microwave conditions, and do not necessarily require irradiation to be active.

     

Palindromic matrix polynomials, matrix functions and integral representations

We study the properties of palindromic quadratic matrix polynomials φ(z)=P+Qz+Pz², i.e., quadratic polynomials where the coefficients P and Q are square matrices, and where the constant and the leading coefficients are equal. We show that, for suitable choices of the matrix coefficients P and Q, it is possible to characterize by means of φ(z) well known matrix functions, namely the matrix square root, the matrix polar factor, the matrix sign and the geometric mean of two matrices. Finally we provide some integral representations of these matrix functions.     

Nonsingular systems of generalized Sylvester equations: An algorithmic approach

We consider the uniqueness of solution (i.e., nonsingularity) of systems of r generalized Sylvester and ?‐Sylvester equations with n×n coefficients. After several reductions, we show that it is sufficient to analyze periodic systems having, at most, one generalized ?‐Sylvester equation. We provide characterizations for the nonsingularity in terms of spectral properties of either matrix pencils or formal matrix products, both constructed from the coefficients of the system. The proposed approach uses the periodic Schur decomposition and leads to a backward stable O(n³r) algorithm for computing the (unique) solution.     

Synthesis of Carbapenems Containing Peptidoglycan Mimetics and Inhibition of the Cross-Linking Activity of a Transpeptidase of l,d Specificity

The carbapenem class of β-lactams has been optimized against Gram-negative bacteria producing extended-spectrum β-lactamases by introducing substituents at position C2. Carbapenems are currently investigated for the treatment of tuberculosis as these drugs are potent covalent inhibitors of l,d -transpeptidases involved in mycobacterial cell wall assembly. The optimization of carbapenems for inactivation of these unusual targets is sought herein by exploiting the nucleophilicity of the C8 hydroxyl group to introduce chemical diversity. As β-lactams are structure analogs of peptidoglycan precursors, the substituents were chosen to increase similarity between the drug and the substrate. Fourteen peptido-carbapenems were efficiently synthesized. They were more effective than the reference drug, meropenem, owing to the positive impact of a phenethylthio substituent introduced at position C2 but the peptidomimetics added at position C8 did not further improve the activity. Thus, position C8 can be modified to modulate the pharmacokinetic properties of highly efficient carbapenems.     

The geometric mean of two matrices from a computational viewpoint

The geometric mean of two matrices is considered from a computational viewpoint. Several numerical algorithms based on different properties and representations of the geometric mean are discussed and analyzed. It is shown that most of the algorithms can be classified in terms of the rational approximations of the inverse square root function. A review of relevant applications is given. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Polyester resin and carbon nanotubes based nanocomposite as new-generation coating to prevent biofilm formation

In this article, we have developed protective nanocomposite coatings using unsaturated polyester resin and multiwalled carbon nanotubes showing antimicrobial activity and mechanical durability. Carbon nanotubes retain the mechanical resilience of polyester resin in the nanocomposite, improve its hydrophobic character, and increase the adhesion features of the coating, preventing its stiffness from decreasing due to water absorption or exposure to UV rays. Nanocomposite coating exhibits an appreciable antimicrobial property and a lower level of toxicity compared to pure resin. All these features make this material a good candidate for its use in the field of anti-biofilm coatings.     

A binary powering Schur algorithm for computing primary matrix roots

An algorithm for computing primary roots of a nonsingular matrix A is presented. In particular, it computes the principal root of a real matrix having no nonpositive real eigenvalues, using real arithmetic. The algorithm is based on the Schur decomposition of A and has an order of complexity lower than the customary Schur based algorithm, namely the Smith algorithm.     

Comparison of physical-mechanical features of polyethylene based polymers employed as sealants in solar cells

In this article, we compared the sealing strength, flexibility, thermal stability, and moisture-barrier properties of two polymeric films, both based on linear low density poly ethylene (LLDPE), which can be successfully used as sealant materials in electrical devices. One example is the dye-sensitized solar cell (DSSC), a low-cost third generation device, based on a photo-electrochemical system. Characterization of LLDPE modified with maleic anhydride (PE-MAH) or with ionomeric ethylene-acrylic acid co-polymer (EMAA) was carried out. Results highlighted as PE-MAH exhibits better adhesion features toward glass, higher thermal stability, and lower wet ability even at high temperatures (80?°C) compared to EMAA. Sealant’s features have been correlated to their chemical and structural composition.