Attempts at stepwise reduction of the carbon-nitrogen triple bond of a nitrile at two metal centres: study of the reactivity of [(CO)(PPh3)2Re( (μ-NCHPh)Ru(PPh3) 2(PhCN)] towards tetrafluoroboric acid and dihydrogen

The reaction of [(CO)PPh₃)₂Re(μ-H)₂(μ-NCHPh)Ru(PPh₃)₂(PhCN)] (2) with HBF₄-Me₂O generates [(CO)PPh₃)₂Re(μ- H)₂(μ,η¹,η²HNCHPh)Ru(PPh₃)₂(PhCN)][BF₄] (3). Monitoring the reaction by NMR spectroscopy shows the intermediate formation of [(CO)(PPh₃)₂ HRe(μ-H)₂(μ-NCHPh)Ru(PPh₃)₂(PhCN)][BF₄] (4). Attempted reduction of the imine ligand by a nucleophile (H⁻ or CN⁻) failed, regenerating 2. Under dihydrogen at 50 atm, 3 is slowly transformed into [(CO)(PPh₃)₂HRe(μ-H)₃Ru(PPh₃)₂(PhCN)][BF₄] (5) with liberation of benzyl amine.     

Esters flash point prediction using artificial neural networks

In this article, an artificial neural network to predict the flash point of 95 esters was implemented. Four variables were used for its development. A neural network with 4‐5‐8‐5‐1 topology was encountered to gain the best agreement of the experimental results with those predicted (square correlation coefficient (R²) and root mean square error were 0.99 and 5.46 K for the training phase and 0.96 and 13.02 K for the testing set). © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.     

Design and performance of BOREAS,the beamline for resonant X‐ray absorption and scattering experiments at the ALBA synchrotron light source

The optical design of the BOREAS beamline operating at the ALBA synchrotron radiation facility is described. BOREAS is dedicated to resonant X‐ray absorption and scattering experiments using soft X‐rays, in an unusually extended photon energy range from 80 to above 4000 eV, and with full polarization control. Its optical scheme includes a fixed‐included‐angle, variable‐line‐spacing grating monochromator and a pair of refocusing mirrors, equipped with benders, in a Kirkpatrick–Baez arrangement. It is equipped with two end‐stations, one for X‐ray magnetic circular dichroism and the other for resonant magnetic scattering. The commissioning results show that the expected beamline performance is achieved both in terms of energy resolution and of photon flux at the sample position.     

N-Alkylamines-Based Micelles Aggregation Number Determination by Fluorescence Techniques

Aggregation numbers of micelles based on N-alkylamines and mixed systems CTACl/N-alkylamines have been determined using fluorescence techniques. The values of aggregation number are compared as a function of hydrocarbon chain length and as a function of the molar fraction in the mixed systems.     

Minerals and Organic Nitrogen Present in Grape Marc Hydrolyzates Enhance Xylose Consumption by <Emphasis Type="Italic">Lactobacillus pentosus</Emphasis>

This work deals with the nutritional evaluation of grape marc hydrolyzates as fermentation medium for Lactobacillus pentosus. Usually, the fermentation of xylose and arabinose in the presence of glucose remains a primary obstacle for economical biomass conversion. The few microorganisms that can grow simultaneously on both pentose and hexose sugars contained in lignocellulosic feedstocks typically grow slowly and demonstrate marginal yields and productivities. Moreover, lignocellulosic hydrolyzates contain phenolic compounds and other components originated by the degradation of sugars that can inhibit lactic acid fermentation. However, in this case, grape marc hydrolyzates not only did not need a detoxification stage, but it also improved the xylose consumption by Lactobacillus pentosus with a faster and more efficient conversion of hemicellulosic sugars compared with synthetic media. After analysis of grape marc hydrolyzates, it was observed that minerals such as K (2,707 mg/L), Ca (3,681 mg/L), and Mg (198.5 mg/L) are present in higher concentration than those found in the general medium of Lactobacillus (1,705 mg/L of K, 58.3 mg/L of Ca, and 27.0 mg/L of Mg). Moreover, grape marc hydrolyzates contain an additional source of nitrogen (9.2 g/L) which, together with their elevated mineral concentration, improved lactic acid fermentation compared with synthetic media.     

Synthesis of Re-Ru heterobimetallic polyhydride complexes. Study of the influence of ligands bonded to the monometallic precursors on the nature of the isolated binuclear complexes

The reaction of K[H₆ReL₂] with [RuHCl(CO)(PPh₃)_3−x {P(OPrⁱ}₃)_x](L₂ = (PMePh₂)₂, dppe, (AsPh₃)₂, or (PPh₃)₂; x = 0, 1 or 2) leads to [L₂(CO)HRe(μ-H)₃RuH(PPh₃)_2−y{P(OPrⁱ)₃}_y] (x = 0 or 1, Y = 0; X = 2, Y = 1(L₂ = PPh₃)) in a first step. Under the reaction conditions most of these complexes react rapidly with the liberated phosphine giving [L₂(CO)Re(μ-H)₃Ru(PPh₃)_3−y- {P(OPrⁱ)₃}_y] (L₂ = (PMePh₂)₂ or dppe, Y = 0; L₂ = (PPh₃)₂, Y = 1) as the only iso complexes. The structure of [(PMePh₂)₂(CO)Re(μ-H)₃Ru(PPh₃)₃] has been establishedby X-ray structure analysis. The complex [(PPh₃)₂(CO)Re(μ-H)₃Ru(PPh₃)₂(P(OPrⁱ)₃)] reacts with molecular hydrogen under pressure to generate [L₂(CO)HRe(μ-H)₃RuH(PPh₃)(P(OPrⁱ)₃) as the sole product.     

Radiological dose assessment of naturally occurring radioactive materials in concrete building materials

Previous studies have shown that the natural radioactivity contained in building materials have significantly influenced the dose rates in dwelling. Exposure to natural radiation in building has been of concerned since almost 80 % of our daily live are spend indoor. Thus, the aim of the study is to assess the radiological risk associated by natural radioactivity in soil based building materials to dwellers. A total of 13 Portland cement, 46 sand and 43 gravel samples obtained from manufacturers or bought directly from local hardware stores in Peninsular of Malaysia were analysed for their radioactivity concentrations. The activity concentrations of ²²⁶Ra, ²³²Th and ⁴⁰K in the studied building materials samples were found to be in the range of 3.7–359.3, 2.0–370.8 and 10.3–1,949.5 Bq kg^?1 respectively. The annual radiation dose rates (μSv year^?1) received by dwellers were evaluated for 1 to 50 years of exposure using Resrad-Build Computer Code based on the activity concentration of ²²⁶Ra, ²³²Th and ⁴⁰K found in the studied building material samples. The rooms modelling were based on the changing parameters of concrete wall thickness and the room dimensions. The annual radiation dose rates to dwellers were found to increase annually over a period of 50 years. The concrete thicknesses were found to have significantly influenced the dose rates in building. The self-absorption occurred when the concrete thickness was thicker than 0.4 m. Results of this study shows that the dose rates received by the dwellers of the building are proportional to the size of the room. In general the study concludes that concrete building materials; Portland cements, sands, and gravels in Peninsular of Malaysia does not pose radiological hazard to the building dwellers.     

Zeaxanthin Production by Novel Marine Isolates from Coastal sand of India and its Antioxidant Properties

Zeaxanthin carotenoids are class of commercially important natural products and diverse biomolecules produced by plants and many microorganisms. Bacteria often produce a cocktail of polar and nonpolar carotenoids limiting their industrial applications. Marine members of the family Flavobacteriaceae are known to produce potential carotenoids such as astaxanthin and zeaxanthin. A few bacterial species have been reported for the predominant production zeaxanthin. Here, we report the molecular identification of the zeaxanthin as a major carotenoid produced by two novel bacteria (YUAB-SO-11 and YUAB-SO-45) isolated from sandy beaches of South West Coast of India and the effect of carbon sources on the production of zeaxanthin. The strains were identified based on the 16S rRNA gene sequencing as a member of genus Muricauda. The closest relatives of YUAB-SO-11 and YUAB-SO-45 were Muricauda aquimarina (JCM 11811^T) (98.9 %) and Muricauda olearia (JCM 15563^T) (99.2 %), respectively, indicating that both of these strains might represent a novel species. The highest level of zeaxanthin production was achieved (YUAB-SO-11, 1.20?±?0.11 mg g^?1) and (YUAB-SO-45, 1.02?±?0.13 mg g^?1) when cultivated in marine broth supplemented with 2 % NaCl (pH 7) and incubated at 30 °C. Addition of 0.1 M glutamic acid, an intermediate of citric acid cycle, enhanced the zeaxanthin production as 18 and 14 % by the strains YUAB-SO-11 and YUAB-SO-45 respectively. The zeaxanthin showed in vitro nitric oxide scavenging, inhibition of lipid peroxidation, and 2,2-diphenyl-1-picryl hydrazyl scavenging activities higher than the commercial zeaxanthin. The results of this study suggest that two novel strains YUAB-SO-11 and YUAB-SO-45 belonging to genus Muricauda produce zeaxanthin as a predominant carotenoid, and higher production of zeaxanthin was achieved on glutamic acid supplementation. The pigment showed good in vitro antioxidant activity, which can be exploited further for commercial applications.