Portable single-sided NMR measurements at variable temperatures: Implementation of a thermo-controlled device and application to the heating of bread dough

A temperature control unit was implemented to vary the temperature of samples studied on a commercial Mobile Universal Surface Explorer nuclear magnetic resonance (MOUSE-NMR) apparatus. The device was miniaturized to fit the maximum MOUSE sampling depth (25 mm). It was constituted by a sample holder sandwiched between two heat exchangers placed below and above the sample. Air was chosen as the fluid to control the temperature at the bottom of the sample, at the interface between the NMR probe and the sample holder, in order to gain space. The upper surface of the sample was regulated by the circulation of water inside a second heat exchanger placed above the sample holder. The feasibility of using such a device was demonstrated first on pure water and then on several samples of bread dough with different water contents. For this, T1 relaxation times were measured at various temperatures and depths and were then compared with those acquired with a conventional compact closed-magnet spectrometer. Discussion of results was based on biochemical transformations in bread dough (starch gelatinization and gluten heat denaturation). It was demonstrated that, within a certain water level range, and because of the low magnetic field strength of the MOUSE, a linear relationship could be established between T1 relaxation times and the local temperature in the dough sample.     

A Review on Effects of Lubricant Formulations on Tribological Performance and Boundary Lubrication Mechanisms of Non-Doped DLC/DLC Contacts

Tribological efficiency of industrial applications involving boundary lubrication regime can be improved to an appreciable extent by the deposition of hard coatings on interacting surfaces. Among such coatings, diamond-like carbon (DLC) coatings are considered to be one of the most suitable ones for the said role. DLC coatings possess a unique combination of physical, chemical, and material properties due to which they can help in minimizing friction-induced energy and material losses even under starved lubrication conditions. Since commercial lubricants are optimized for steel surfaces, therefore, a lot of experimental investigations were carried out to analyze the tribological compatibility of these lubricants with various DLC coatings. However, there is still a lack of understanding about how DLC coatings interact with conventional lubricant additives. Some researchers reported tribologically beneficial interactions between DLC coatings and formulated lubricants while others observed no such behavior. To address these inconsistencies, there is a need to rearrange the published data in a more apprehensible and organized manner with a special emphasis on the mechanisms responsible for a particular tribological behavior. In this way, it can be determined whether synergistic or antagonistic correlation exists between a particular DLC-lubricant combination and research on DLC coatings can be continued in a logical way. In this article, most widely investigated non-doped DLC coatings (ta-C, a-C:H, a-C, and ta-C:H) are tribologically analyzed. Average values of friction and wear coefficients are calculated for various DLC-lubricant combinations using already published data and compared to quantify the effectiveness of a particular lubricant additive in enhancing tribological characteristics of symmetrical non-doped DLC contacts. Moreover, tribological performance parameters of non-doped DLC coatings are compared with those of doped-DLC coatings to understand differences in their tribological behavior in combination with additives.     

Unexpected Isolation of 4‐Isothiocyanatomethylene‐4H‐pyridine‐1‐carboxylic Acid Ethyl Ester as Potential Template in Organic Synthesis

The synthesis of 4‐isothiocyanatomethyl‐pyridine 4 in 36% yield by Hasegawa and Kotani (Japanese patent 49088878, 1974) has spurred us to investigate this preparation in detail. In addition to this compound, 4‐isothiocyanatomethylene‐4H‐pyridine‐1‐carboxylic acid ethyl ester 3 can be isolated. The synthesis of both compounds 3 and 4 were optimized to 75% and 50% yield respectively. Reaction of compound 3 with methylamine gave thiourea derivatives 5, the same product obtained on reacting 4‐isothiocyanatomethyl‐pyridine 4 with methylamine. We succeed in adjusting the reaction conditions to obtain high yield either from compound 3 or isothiocyanate derivatives 4.     

Fabrication and characterization of a novel wound scaffold based on polyurethane added with Channa striatus for wound dressing applications

Abstract

Wound healing is a complex process and it involves restoration of damaged skin tissues. Several wound dressings comprising naturally made substances are constantly investigated to assist wound healing. In this research, a new wound dressing based on polyurethane (PU) supplemented with essence of Channa striatus (CS) fish oil was made by electrospinning. Morphological study depicted the reduction in fiber diameter than PU with the addition of fish oil (0.552?±?0.109?μm for 8:1 v/v% and 0.519?±?0.196?μm 7:2 v/v%) than the pristine PU (0.971?±?0.205?µm). Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) analysis revealed the presence of fish oil in the composite as identified through increasing peak intensity. Fish oil resulted in the hydrophilic behavior (88?±?3 (8:1 v/v) and 70?±?6 (7:2 v/v)) as revealed in the contact angle analysis. Thermal gravimetric analysis (TGA) showed the superior thermal behavior of the wound dressing patch compared to the PU. Atomic force microscopy (AFM) analysis insinuated a decrease in the surface roughness of the pristine polyurethane with the added fish oil. Coagulation assays signified the delay in the blood clotting time portraying its anti-thrombogenic behavior. Hemolytic assay revealed the less toxic nature of the developed nanocomposites with the red blood cells (RBC’s) depicting its safety with blood. Hence, polyurethane nanofibers supplemented with fish oil made them as deserving candidates for wound dressing application.     

Generalized entropy optimization problems and the existence of their solutions

In the present study we have formulated a generalization of entropy optimization problems (GEOP), proposed sufficient conditions for the existence of solution. We have suggested also a new method based on a priori evaluations and Newton's methods for calculation of Langrange multipliers. Mentioned method allows calculating Langrange multipliers by starting from arbitrary initial point for Newton's approximations of constructed auxiliary equation. The solution of auxiliary equation is chosen as initial point for second constructed auxiliary equation. The recurring mentioned process for finite time leads to achieve an initial point for Newton's approximations of given equation and allows to find its unknown solution.     

Design and synthesis of some new tri-substituted pyrazole derivatives as anticancer agents

A new series of tri-substituted pyrazole derivatives were designed as anti-cancer agents and synthesized, starting with the formylation of semicarbazone via the Vilsmeier–Haack reaction to give 3-(4-bromophenyl)-1H-pyrazole-4-carbaldehyde I which was the precursor of compounds 1–9. The new chemical entities were screened for their anti-cancer activity on various human cancer cell lines, namely: hepatocellular carcinoma HepG2, breast cancer MCF-7, lung carcinoma A549 and prostatic cancer PC3. Most of the synthesized compounds showed remarkable activity on the tested cell lines, while compound 2 had the highest potency against the HepG2 cell line with an IC₅₀ of 9.13 µM compared with doxorubicin (IC₅₀ = 34.24 µM), the reference standard used in this study, and compound 7 was the most active on the rest of the three cell lines; MCF-7, A549 and PC3 (IC₅₀ = 16.52, 6.52 and 9.13 µM, respectively) relative to IC₅₀ = 20.85, 5.93 and 38.02 µM of the standard. Thus, some of the synthesized tri-substituted pyrazole derivatives, specially 2 and 7, have the potential to be developed into potent anticancer agents.     

Stochastic Differential Games in Insider Markets via Malliavin Calculus

In this paper, we use techniques of Malliavin calculus and forward integration to present a general stochastic maximum principle for anticipating stochastic differential equations driven by a Lévy type of noise. We apply our result to study a general stochastic differential game problem of an insider.     

Microwave synthesis,crystal structure,antioxidant, and antimicrobial study of new 6-heptyl-5,6-dihydrobenzo[4,5]imidazo[1,2-<Emphasis Type="Italic">c</Emphasis>]quinazoline compound

Background

Although the development of antibiotic and antioxidant manufacturing, the problem of bacterial resistance and food and/or cosmetics oxidation still needs more efforts to design new derivatives which can help to minimize these troubles. Benzimidazo[1,2-c]quinazolines are nitrogen-rich heterocyclic compounds that possess many pharmaceutical properties such as antimicrobial, anticonvulsant, immunoenhancer, and anticancer.

Results

A comparative study between two methods, (microwave-assisted and conventional heating approaches), was performed to synthesise a new quinazoline derivative from 2-(2-aminophenyl)-1H-benzimidazole and octanal to produce 6-heptyl-5,6-dihydrobenzo[4,5]imidazo[1,2-c]quinazoline (OCT). The compound was characterised using FTIR, ¹H and ¹³C NMR, DIMS, as well as X-ray crystallography. The most significant peak in the ¹³C NMR spectrum is C-7 at 65.5 ppm which confirms the cyclisation process. Crystal structure analysis revealed that the molecule grows in the monoclinic crystal system P2₁/n space group and stabilised by an intermolecular hydrogen bond between the N1–H1A…N3 atoms. The crystal packing analysis showed that the molecule adopts zig-zag one dimensional chains. Fluorescence study of OCT revealed that it produces blue light when expose to UV-light and its’ quantum yield equal to 26%. Antioxidant activity, which included DPPH^· and ABTS^·+ assays was also performed and statistical analysis was achieved via a paired T-test using Minitab 16 software with P?<?0.05. Also, the antimicrobial assay against two Gram-positive, two Gram-negative, and one fungus was screened for these derivatives.

Conclusions

Using microwave to synthesise OCT have drastically reduced reaction time, and increased yield. OCT show good antioxidant activity in one of the tests and moderate antimicrobial activity.

     

Structural characterization of copper (II) tetradecanoate with 2,2′-bipyridine and 4,4′-bipyridine to study magnetic properties

This paper presents synthesis, structural characterization and spintronic applications of copper (II) tetradecanoate derived magnetic complexes. The complexes were prepared by a chemical reaction between [Cu₂(CH₃(CH₂)₁₂COO)₄](EtOH)₂ and 2,2′-bipyridine-4,4′-bipyridine ligands respectively. The complexes were further reacted between the product of the first reaction and 4,4′-bipyridine-2,2′-bipyridine respectively. The structural characterization techniques included elemental analysis, Fourier transformed infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), Ultra-violet–Visible (UV–Vis) spectroscopy, polarized optical microscopy, magnetic moment and thermogravimetric analysis. The structural and characterization results suggested that the synthesized complexes were binuclear and mononuclear covalent complexes of copper(II) with structural formulas [Cu₂(η²-(OOCR)₄](4,4′-bpy)2H₂O] and [Cu(η¹-(OOCR)₂(2,2′-bpy) (4,4′-bpy)] respectively.