Temperature programmed reduction of silica supported nickel catalysts

Nickel oxide promoted catalysts are prepared by simple precipitation, precipitation from homogeneous solution and impregnation methods and their reduction behavior is monitored with temperature programmed reduction (TPR) technique. The effect of different parameters such as metal loading, method of preparation and heat treatment temperature are also observed on the reducibility of the catalysts. It is observed that reduction temperature increases with the increase of calcination temperature. Results indicate that the interactions between nickel oxide and silica begin with the increase of calcination temperature which leads to the formation of nickel hydrosilicates and are responsible for high temperature reduction peaks.     

Semiquantitative determination of thiourea,thiocyanate, and sulfide by circular thin layer chromatography

Summary A method for semiquantitative determination of thiourea, thiocyanate, and sulfide is described. It involves making circular spots or rings on chromatoplates using the circular thin layer Chromatographic apparatus. The method is based on sensitivity and specificity of spot reactions and comparison of the color intensity of a circular spot with that of sensitivity standards. The accuracy of the method is ± 5% and the procedure is rapid, simple and economical.

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Zusammenfassung Ein Verfahren zur halbquantitativen Bestimmung von Thioharnstoff, Thiocyanat und Sulfid wurde beschrieben. Es beruht auf der chromatographischen Herstellung kreisförmiger Flecken oder Ringe auf Dünnschichtplatten. Mit empfindlichen und spezifischen Tüpfelreaktionen wurden die Flecken gefärbt und die Farbintensität mit Standardproben verglichen. Die Genauigkeit beträgt ± 5%.

     

Selective adsorption of thorium on activated charcoal from electrolytic aqueous solution

The adsorption of thorium on activated charcoal has been studied as a function of shaking time, amount of adsorbent, pH, concentration of adsorbate and temperature. Adsorption of thorium obeys the Langmuir isotherm. H⁰ and S⁰ were calculated from the slope and intercept of ln K_D vs. 1/T plots. The influence of different anions and cations on thorium adsorption has been examined. The adsorption of other metal ions on activated charcoal has been studied under specified conditions to check its selectivity. Consequently, thorium was removed from Cs, Co, Ba, Cr, Sr, Cd, Cu, Mn and Zn. More than 98% adsorbed thorium on activated charcoal can be recovered with 55 ml 3M HNO₃ solution. Wavelength dispersive X-rays fluorescence spectrometer was used for measuring thorium concentration.     

Adsorption of gadolinium on activated charcoal from electrolytic aqueous solution

Adsoprtion of gadolinium on activated charcoal has been studied as a function of shaking time, pH, concentration of adsorbate and temperature. Gadolinium adsorption obeys the Langmuir isotherm. H^o and S^o were calculated from the slope and intercept of the In K_D 1/T plot. The influence of different cations and anions on gadolinium adsorption has been examined. The adsorption of other metal ions on activated charcoal has been studied under optimum conditions to check the selectivity of gadolinium adsorption. Consequently, gadolinium was removed from Ni, V, Zn, Cu, Rb, Sr and Mn. More than 97% of the adsorbed gadolinium on activated charcoal can be recovered with 35 ml of 3M HNO₃ solution. Wavelength dispersive X-ray fluorescence spectrometer was used for measuring gadolinium concentration.     

Two new isoflavanoids from the rhizomes of Iris soforana

Two new isoflavones 1 and 2 along with eleven known compounds 3-13, have been isolated for the first time from the rhizomes of Iris soforana. The structures of these compounds were determined on the basis of spectroscopic methods and found to be 5,3'-dihydroxy-4'-methoxy-6,7-methylenedioxyisoflavone (1) (Soforanarin A), and 5,7,5'-trimethoxy-6,3',4'-trihydroxyisoflavone (2) (Soforanarin B).     

Highly Effective Proton-Conduction Matrix-Mixed Membrane Derived from an -SO3H Functionalized Polyamide

Developing a low-cost and effective proton-conductive electrolyte to meet the requirements of the large-scale manufacturing of proton exchange membrane (PEM) fuel cells is of great significance in progressing towards the upcoming “hydrogen economy” society. Herein, utilizing the one-pot acylation polymeric combination of acyl chloride and amine precursors, a polyamide with in-built -SO₃H moieties (PA-PhSO₃H) was facilely synthesized. Characterization shows that it possesses a porous feature and a high stability at the practical operating conditions of PEM fuel cells. Investigations of electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) measurements revealed that the fabricated PA-PhSO₃H displays a proton conductivity of up to 8.85 × 10⁻² S·cm⁻¹ at 353 K under 98% relative humidity (RH), which is more than two orders of magnitude higher than that of its -SO₃H-free analogue, PA-Ph (6.30 × 10⁻⁴ S·cm⁻¹), under the same conditions. Therefore, matrix-mixed membranes were fabricated by mixing with polyacrylonitrile (PAN) in different ratios, and the EIS analyses revealed that its proton conductivity can reach up to 4.90 × 10⁻² S·cm⁻¹ at 353 K and a 98% relative humidity (RH) when the weight ratio of PA-PhSO₃H:PAN is 3:1 (labeled as PA-PhSO₃H-PAN (3:1)), the value of which is even comparable with those of commercial-available electrolytes being used in PEM fuel cells. Additionally, continuous tests showed that PA-PhSO₃H-PAN (3:1) possesses a long-life reusability. This work demonstrates, using the simple acylation reaction with the sulfonated module as precursor, that low-cost and highly effective proton-conductive electrolytes for PEM fuel cells can be facilely achieved.     

Evaluation of Phytochemistry and Pharmacological Properties of Alnus nitida

In the current study, the anti-inflammatory and analgesic potential of Alnus nitida (leaves and fruits) was evaluated in the Sprague-Dawley rat. Traditionally, A. nitida was used for the treatment of inflammatory ailments. However, A. nitida leaves and fruits have not been yet reported regarding any potential medicinal effects. Leaves/fruits of A. nitida were extracted with methanol and fractionated to attain n-hexane, chloroform, ethyl acetate and aqueous fractions. These extracts were then evaluated for in vivo analgesic and anti-inflammatory potential. For in vivo anti-inflammatory activity, carrageenan-induced paw edema assay, Freunds’ complete adjuvant-induced edema, xylene-induced ear edema and histamine-induced paw edema models were used in rats, which showed significant (p < 0.01) reduction (70–80%) in edema in comparison of inflammatory controls. On other hand, for the analgesic assessment, hot plate assay and acetic acid-induced writhing tests were used, which showed a significant (p < 0.01) rise in latency time (40–60%) as compared with pain-induced controls. These results were comparable with standard drugs in a concentration-dependent manner and no mortality or toxicity was observed during all experiments. Then, for the identification of chemical constituents gas chromatography–mass spectrometry (GC-MS) analysis was performed, which indicated the presence of neophytadiene, 3,7,11,15-Tetramethyl-2-hexadecen-1-ol, phytol and vitamin E, justifying the use of A. nitida to treat inflammatory disorders.     

Friedelin Attenuates Neuronal Dysfunction and Memory Impairment by Inhibition of the Activated JNK/NF-κB Signalling Pathway in Scopolamine-Induced Mice Model of Neurodegeneration

Oxidative stress (OS) and c-Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK) are both key indicators implicated in neuro-inflammatory signalling pathways and their respective neurodegenerative diseases. Drugs targeting these factors can be considered as suitable candidates for treatment of neuronal dysfunction and memory impairment. The present study encompasses beneficial effects of a naturally occurring triterpenoid, friedelin, against scopolamine-induced oxidative stress and neurodegenerative pathologies in mice models. The treated animals were subjected to behavioural tests i.e., Y-maze and Morris water maze (MWM) for memory dysfunction. The underlying mechanism was determined via western blotting, antioxidant enzymes and lipid profile analyses. Molecular docking studies were carried out to predict the binding modes of friedelin in the binding pocket of p-JNK protein. The results reveal that scopolamine caused oxidative stress by (1) inhibiting catalase (CAT), peroxidase enzyme (POD), superoxide dismutase (SOD), and reduced glutathione enzyme (GSH); (2) the up-regulation of thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS) in mice brain; and (3) affecting the neuronal synapse (both pre- and post-synapse) followed by associated memory dysfunction. In contrast, friedelin administration not only abolished scopolamine-induced oxidative stress, glial cell activation, and neuro-inflammation but also inhibited p-JNK and NF-κB and their downstream signaling molecules. Moreover, friedelin administration improved neuronal synapse and reversed scopolamine-induced memory impairment accompanied by the inhibition of β-secretase enzyme (BACE-1) to halt amyloidogenic pathways of amyloid-β production. In summary, all of the results show that friedelin is a potent naturally isolated neuro-therapeutic agent to reverse scopolamine-induced neuropathology, which is characteristic of Alzheimer’s disease.