Black-body radiation of noncommutative gauge fields

The black-body radiation is considered in a theory with noncommutative electromagnetic fields; that is noncommutativity is introduced in field space, rather than in real space. A direct implication of the result on cosmic microwave background map is argued.     

Palladium catalyzed mild reduction of α,β-unsaturated compounds by triethylsilane

The palladium(II) chloride/triethylsilane system has been successfully applied for the selective hydrogenation of the carbon-carbon double bond of α,β-unsaturated ketones to yield the corresponding saturated carbonyl compounds. The reaction takes place under mild conditions and affords high yields.     

Oxidation of Aromatic Amines to Quinones by Iodic Acid under Microwave Irradiation in the Presence of Montmorillonite K10 and Silica Gel

A variety of aromatic amines are oxidized to their corresponding quinones in excellent yields by supported iodic acid under microwave irradiation and solvent free conditions.     

Asphaltene self-association and water-in-hydrocarbon emulsions

The configuration of asphaltenes on the water-oil interface was evaluated from a combination of molar mass, interfacial tension, drop size distribution, and gravimetric measurements of model emulsions consisting of asphaltenes, toluene, heptane, and water. Molar mass measurements were required because asphaltenes self-associate and the level of self-association varies with asphaltene concentration, the resin content, solvent type, and temperature. Plots of interfacial tension versus the log of asphaltene molar concentration were employed to determine the average interfacial area of asphaltene molecules on the interface. The moles of asphaltenes per area of emulsion interface were determined from the molar mass data as well as drop size distributions and gravimetric measurements of the model emulsions. The results indicate that asphaltenes form monolayers on the interface even at concentrations as high as 40 kg/m(3). As well, large aggregates with molar masses exceeding approximately 10,000 g/mol did not appear to adsorb at the interface. The area occupied by the asphaltenes on the interface was constant indicating that self-associated asphaltenes simply extend further into the continuous phase than nonassociated asphaltenes. The thickness of the monolayer ranged from 2 to 9 nm.     

Synthesis and Dynamic NMR Study of Functionalized 1-(3-Furyl)-1H-indole-2,3-diones

Protonation of the highly reactive 1:1 intermediates produced in the reaction between alkyl(aryl) isocyanides and dibenzoylacetylene by isatin, leads to vinylnitrilium cations, which undergo carbon-centered Michael-type addition with the conjugate base of the NH-acid to produce highly functionalized 1-(3-furyl)-1H-indole-2,3-diones. A dynamic NMR effect is observed in the ¹H NMR spectra of these compounds as a result of restricted rotation around the single bond linking the indole moiety and the furan system. The free-energy of activation (ΔG ^#) for this process is 69–71 ± 2 kJ mol⁻¹.     

Partial-filling affinity capillary electrophoresis

Partial-filling affinity capillary electrophoresis (PFACE) is used to examine the binding interactions between two model biological systems: D-Ala-D-Ala terminus peptides to the glycopeptide antibiotic vancomycin (Van) from Streptomyces orientalis, and arylsulfonamides to carbonic anhydrase B (CAB, EC 4.2.1.1, bovine erythrocytes). Using these two systems, modifications in the PFACE technique are demonstrated including flow-through PFACE (FTPFACE), competitive flow-through PFACE (CFTPFACE), on-column ligand synthesis PFACE (OCLSPFACE), and multiple-step ligand injection PFACE (MSLIPFACE). In PFACE small plugs of sample are injected into the capillary column and an equilibrium is established between receptor and ligand during electrophoresis. Binding constants are then obtained by Scatchard analysis using changes in the migration time of the receptor/ligand on changing the concentration of the ligand/receptor. Data demonstrating the quantitative potential of these methods are presented. This review focuses on the unique capabilities of the different PFACE techniques as applied to two model biological systems.     

Ru-catalyzed synthesis of substituted phthalides through C–H bond activation and functionalization

Synthesis of substituted phthalides through a ruthenium-catalyzed reaction of phthalic anhydrides with acrylates is described. The reaction proceeds via CH bond activation and leads to the formation of vinylated phthalides through a successive double vinylation accompanied by decarboxylation and annulation reactions.     

Calculation of the viscosity of binary liquids at various temperatures using Jouyban-Acree model

Applicability of the Jouyban-Acree model for calculating absolute viscosity of binary liquid mixtures with respect to temperature and mixture composition is proposed. The correlation ability of the model is evaluated by employing viscosity data of 143 various aqueous and non-aqueous liquid mixtures at various temperatures collected from the literature. The results show that the model is able to correlate the data with an overall percentage deviation (PD) of 1.9+/-2.5%. In order to test the prediction capability of the model, three experimental viscosities from the highest and lowest temperatures along with the viscosities of neat liquids at all temperatures have been employed to train the model, then the viscosity values at other mixture compositions and temperatures were predicted and the overall PD obtained is 2.6+/-4.0%.     

Chemical composition and antimicrobial activity of the essential oils of Ferula latisecta and Mozaffariania insignis from Iran

The hydrodistilled oils from the aerial parts of Ferula latisecta and Mozaffariania insignis, which is endemic to Iran, were analyzed by GC and GC/MS. (Z)-Ocimenone (32.4%), (E)-ocimenone (20.3%), and cis-pinocarvone (11.4%) were the main components among the 22 constituents characterized in the oil of F. latisecta, representing 87.7% of the total components detected. Twenty-five compounds were identified in the oil of M. insignis, representing 99.0% of the total oil, with octyl acetate (41.1%), β-pinene (30.3%), and α-pinene (23.9%) as the main constituents. The essential oils were examined for their potential antimicrobial activities. Published in Khimiya Prirodnykh Soedinenii, No. 6, pp. 561–563, November–December, 2006.     

Pharmacological Properties of 4′, 5, 7-Trihydroxyflavone (Apigenin) and Its Impact on Cell Signaling Pathways

Plant bioactive compounds, particularly apigenin, have therapeutic potential and functional activities that aid in the prevention of infectious diseases in many mammalian bodies and promote tumor growth inhibition. Apigenin is a flavonoid with low toxicities and numerous bioactive properties due to which it has been considered as a traditional medicine for decades. Apigenin shows synergistic effects in combined treatment with sorafenib in the HepG2 human cell line (HCC) in less time and statistically reduces the viability of tumor cells, migration, gene expression and apoptosis. The combination of anti-cancerous drugs with apigenin has shown health promoting potential against various cancers. It can prevent cell mobility, maintain the cell cycle and stimulate the immune system. Apigenin also suppresses mTOR activity and raises the UVB-induced phagocytosis and reduces the cancerous cell proliferation and growth. It also has a high safety threshold, and active (anti-cancer) doses can be gained by consuming a vegetable and apigenin rich diet. Apigenin also boosted autophagosome formation, decreased cell proliferation and activated autophagy by preventing the activity of the PI3K pathway, specifically in HepG2 cells. This paper provides an updated overview of apigenin’s beneficial anti-inflammatory, antibacterial, antiviral, and anticancer effects, making it a step in the right direction for therapeutics. This study also critically analyzed the effect of apigenin on cancer cell signaling pathways including the PI3K/AKT/MTOR, JAK/STAT, NF-κB and ERK/MAPK pathways.