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A cost-effective electrocatalyst with high activity and stability was developed. The Fe-Nx and pyridinic-N active sites were embedded in nitrogen-doped mesoporous carbon nanomaterial by carbonization at high temperature. The electrocatalyst exhibited excellent electrochemical performance for the oxygen reduction reaction, with high onset potential and half-wave potential values (Eonset = 1.10 ​V and E1/2 ​= ​0.944 ​V) than 20 ​wt % Pt/C catalyst (1.04 and 0.910 ​V). The mass activity of the Schiff base network (SNW) based SNW-Fe/N/C@800° electrocatalyst (0.64 ​mA ​mg−1 @ 1 ​V) reached about half of the commercial Pt/C electrocatalyst (1.35 ​mA ​mg−1 @ 1 ​V). The electrocatalyst followed the 4-electron transfer mechanism due to very low hydrogen peroxide yield (H2O2 ​

One-pot multicomponent reactions (MCRs) have been the focus of much recent attention in organic chemistry due to their speed, converging features, efficiency, ready implementation, and cost effecti...

In the present paper, a simple, highly efficient, and environmentally friendly protocol was proposed for the Knoevenagel condensation reaction of aromatic aldehydes using Meldrum’s acid (2,2-dimethyl-4,6-dioxo-1,3-dioxane) with bentonite as an available non-toxic mineral catalyst exposed to aqueous media under green conditions. Together with the substitution protocol of electron-donating or -withdrawing groups, all reactions were finalized from 5 to 120 min in water at 90°C. With regard to such reactions, the purification of columns on products was not a requirement. Considering the environmental aspect, use of water as a green solvent, utilization of a reusable catalyst, simple work-up process and steps, as well as rapid reaction times were taken into account as some characteristics of these chemical reactions.

In the present study, corrosion inhibition performances of some pyrazolo [3,4-b] quinoline-3,5-dione derivatives against the corrosion of copper metal were investigated using B3LYP/6-311++g(d,p) calculation level in aqueous media. Additionally, interaction energies were calculated for all the pyrazoloquinoline derivatives compounds. In the calculations it is observed that studied molecules adsorb on metal surface with the help of electron donor heteroatoms in their molecular structures. Chemical thermodynamic parameters regarding the interaction between inhibitor molecule and copper surface were estimated and discussed. Density of the electron profile analysis and chemical electrostatic potential of nuclear charges in the molecule were applied to consider the nature of a number of probable interactions between Cu metal surface and inhibitors in terms of bond critical point (BCP). Calculated quantum chemical parameters showed that the pyrazoloquinoline derivatives including the OH and NO2 exhibit high inhibition performance.

A novel method for the synthesis of diarylylnaphtho bis([1,3]oxazine) dione/thione derivatives is established by employing one-pot three-component reaction of naphthalene-1,8-diol/naphthalene-1,5-d...

Aldehydes and ketones, available by numerous methods and from plentiful starting materials, are vital classes of chemicals which serve as precursors and intermediates for the preparation of such di...

The presence of total trihalomethane (THMs) in Benha Water Supply Network (WSN) is determined and evaluated in this research. Six sampling points located an Different distances from the main water reservoirs, were selected in BWSN in order to follow the evolution | THMs. The gained information from the monthly sampling and laboratory analysis program was used to formulate relationship of total trihalomethanes (THMs) concentration in terms of initial chlorine dose, total organic carbon, bromide ion concentration, contact time, temperature, algae. and pH. To define the accuracy level of the developed model. the predicted (Mx concentrations from the developed model were compared to actual TUMS concentrations measured during the monitoring period. The developed mathematical model and software (EPANET), which was used to determine water age. were used to predict THMs concentrations throughout BWSN. The results showed close agreement between the measured and calculated THMs concentration. Hence the difference in the average calculated values and measured values during the study period ranged from (4.6% to 9.9 %). The model can provide reasonable results for most of the functioned variables and can be used to have a rapid assessment ol'llie trihalomethanes formation.

In this research, SiC coating was applied by pack cementation method at 1600°C to protect graphite and three-dimensional (3D) C/C composite from high temperature oxidation. The powder pack consiste...

Background: Doxorubicin, an anthracycline drug, is an effective chemotherapeutic agent for treatment of solid tumors and hematological malignancies. However, its clinical use is limited by cardiotoxicity, such as irreversible degenerative cardiomyopathy, electrocardiographic changes, and congestive heart failure. The studies have been proved that spironolactone can ameleorate cardiac fibrosis. This drug is already indicated in treatment of doxorubicin-induced cardiotoxicity to prevent further deterioration. Aim of Study: Is to elucidate protective and therapeutic effect of spironolactone on doxorubicin induced cardiomy-opathy. Material and Methods: Fifty adult male albino rats weigh-ing 180-220g were used in this study. The rats were divided into five groups 10 rats each: Group I (Normal control): Rats received single injection of saline solution 0.9% intraperito-neally once daily for 14 days. Group II (Doxorubicin admin-straion group): Rats were injected once with doxorubicin intaperitoneally at a dose of 10mg/kg once daily for 14 days. Group III (Doxorubicin and spironolactone pre-administration group): Rats were injected once with doxorubicin intaperito-neally at a dose of 10mg/kg once daily for 14 days and pretreated with spironolactone for seven days before doxoru-bicin administration Group IV (Doxorubicin and spironolactone co-administration group): Rats were injected once with dox-orubicin intaperitoneally at a dose of 10mg/kg once daily and co-treated with spironolactone for 14 days Group V (Doxoru-bicin and spironolactone Post-administration group): Rats were injected once with doxorubicin intaperitoneally at a dose of 10mg/kg once daily for 14 days and followed by spironol-actone for 7 days. The dose of spironolactone was 40mg/kg given by oral gavage. Results: Doxorubicin injection exerted various histological and laboratory alterations such as myocardial fibrosis, bal-looned mitochondria and elevated cardiac enzymes. Spironolactone could improve all histological and functional deterio-ration exerted by doxorubicin injection especially when given before doxorubicin administration. Conclusion: It could be concluded that Spironolactone could prevent the adverse histological and functional alterations induced by intraperitoneal injection of doxorubicin in the myocardium of adult male albino rat.

Introduction: We developed a simple, fast and new method for the Fries rearrangement of aryl esters. Materials and Methods: 4-Hydroxy pyridinium triflate functionalized silica is a very efficient, reusable and economically available catalyst for the Fries rearrangement in solvent-free condition and under microwave irradiation. Results and Discussion: Also, a notable selectivity was observed in the presence of 4-hydroxy pyridinium triflate functionalized silica. Conclusion: Selectivity, shorter reaction time, high yield, and easy work-up are advantages of this synthetic method.

In total, 378 Shaver White layers were allocated into 7 treatments with 6 replicates, from 30 to 42 wk of age, to assess the effects dietary organic (ethylenediamine dihydroiodide [EDDI]) versus inorganic (calcium iodate [CIOD]) iodine in laying hens. A basal diet served as control while the remaining six diets were supplemented with either CIOD (CIOD2, CIOD4, and CIOD8) or EDDI (EDDI2, EDDI4, and EDDI8) to provide 2.0, 4.0, and 8.0 mg of added iodine/kg of diet, respectively. Performance and egg quality were not affected by adding 2.0 or 4.0 mg/kg of iodine to the diets. However, a progressive decline in egg performance and feed intake occurred with EDDI8 and CIOD8 diets. The EDDI8 diet also increased abnormal eggs in parallel with decreasing the eggshell strength and Haugh unit and disturbing the serum and egg yolk lipids. This trend was connected with increase in triiodothyronine (T3) and thyroxine (T4), which led to oxidative stress in serum and egg contents. The iodine levels of eggshell and egg contents were increased by dietary iodine in a dose and time-dependent manner, while the effect of EDDI was higher than CIOD at all levels. To summary, supplementation of diets with 2 or 4 mg/kg of iodine as CIOD and specifically EDDI increased the iodine content of eggs without adverse effect on hen performance and egg quality traits. However, considering the time-dependent nature of this increase, a 12-wk period of supplementation might be not sufficient to achieve a specified level of iodine in the eggs.Highlights Diet supplementation with 2, 4, and 8 mg/kg of iodine as CIOD and EDDI increased iodine content of eggs. The highest level of iodine, especially as EDDI, diminished egg performance and egg quality connected with an increase in serum T3 and T4, which led to oxidative stress. A 12-wk period of supplementation appears to be not sufficient to achieve a specified level of iodine in the egg.

Diazinon and phosalone are two pesticides widely used in agriculture and gardening. Because the residues of these pesticides in fruits, vegetable, and environment are dangerous for human and domestic animal health, their determination in different samples is of importance. In this work, ion mobility spectrometry in positive mode was used for determination of residues of diazinon and phosalone in pistachio. The calibration curves for these pesticides were obtained using standard solutions. The detection limits of diazinon and phosalone measured by ion mobility were 0.1 and 0.5 ppm, respectively. The pistachio samples were prepared from market and a garden near Qazvin (Iran). The measurements showed that there is no detectable phosalone in the samples, however, diazinon was detected in the pistachio of the garden. The diazinon residues in the opened- and closed-shell pistachios one day after spraying were 0.071 and 0.008 mg/kg, respectively. After 5 days, the diazinon residues reach 0.004 and 0.006 mg/kg, respectively.

Microalgae as one of the key components of food chains in aquatic environments are promising biological models for investigating gamma irradiation effects on eukaryotic organisms. Understanding resistance mechanisms in these organisms as simple models might illuminate how gamma irradiation resistance improves in these algae and even more complex organisms. The present study aimed to investigate the effects of ionizing irradiation on Chlorella vulgaris as a stress-tolerant microalga and to find how the eukaryotic cells would tolerate such stressful conditions. The physiological responses and biochemical alterations of C. vulgaris were analyzed at three different time points (0, 16, and 48 h) after 600 Gy gamma irradiation. Compared to the control, gamma-irradiated algae had slower growth rate with significantly longer lag phase, less chlorophyll and protein contents at time 0, which were compensated and recovered during the next 48 h. The results also showed spontaneous H2O2 burst accompanied by a higher rate of lipid peroxidation and electrolyte leakage, a rapid increase of catalase activity and more ferric reducing antioxidant power immediately after irradiation. During a 48-h period, most alterations stabilized. Raising trends were observed in the carotenoid contents, the ratios of carbohydrates, amide I and amide II to fatty acids. Principal component analysis and hierarchical clustering suggest two possible distinct mechanisms: a “quick” one including spontaneous responses by boosting H2O2, amplifying enzymatic antioxidant systems, and increasing compatible solutes like proline and a “delayed” responsive strategy including the increase of soluble carbohydrates, carotenoids, and stress-related proteins triggered several hours after irradiation.

In this study, the electrospinning of polycaprolactone (PCL) nanofibres with different solvents and various ratios as well as electrospinning on the poly lactic acid plate are investigated for use on the wounds. Utilising several materials at various concentrations, including dimethylformamide–methylene chloride solvent and methylene chloride and methanol solvent, electrospinning of PCL nanofibres are performed. The results show that the obtained fibres have a large number of beaded fibres when using the dimethylformamide–methylene solvent. However, the beaded fibres reduced for methylene chloride and methanol solvent. After adding the glass ionomer label 1 and ciprofloxacin, the beaded fibres intensively decline and also Young's modulus reaches a maximum value (5.2 MPa). Therefore, the combination of glass ionomer label 1 and ciprofloxacin with the methylene chloride and methanol solvent can provide very interesting results to reduce the number of beaded fibres, which show the combination is very suitable for use in wounds.

The industry standard advanced SPICE model (ASM)-GaN compact model has been enhanced to model the GaN high electron mobility transistors (HEMTs) at extreme temperature conditions. In particular, the temperature dependence of the trapping behavior has been considered and a simplifying approximation in the temperature modeling of the saturation voltage in the ASM-GaN model has been relaxed. The enhanced model has been validated by comparing the simulation results of the model with the dc ${I}$ – ${V}$ measurement results of a GaN HEMT measured with chuck temperatures ranging from 22 °C to 500 °C. A detailed description of the modeling approach is presented. The new formulation of the ASM-GaN compact model can be used to simulate the circuits designed for extreme temperature environments.

A chiral MOF with synergic Lewis basicity for asymmetric purpose was developed by chiralization and multi-functionalization strategies. A secondary nanomaterial (L-proline@Fe3O4) was used as a chiral agent to achieve a chiral hybrid nanomaterial with a metal–organic framework (MOF). Using a chiral secondary agent is a simple method for the chiralization of an achiral MOF-structure that cannot be chiralized directly. So, the (L-proline@Fe3O4)@TMU-5 (LPF@5) composite was developed by stabilization of chiral L-proline on the Fe3O4 magnetic surface, followed by encapsulation of the (L-proline@Fe3O4) nanoparticles (LPF NPs) by TMU-5 in an in situ ultrasonication synthesis. Since the right selection of functionalities in the construction of hybrid nanomaterials is essential observation of the synergic effects between functional groups, L-proline was applied as the chiral ligand because it contains a Lewis basic amine group, which can work alongside the Lewis basicity of the azine groups of TMU-5 to allow synergic effects in the Lewis basicity of the LPF@5 nanocomposite. To evaluate this, we applied LPF@5 in the asymmetric C–C bond formation in nitroaldol condensation. The results showed that LPF@5 had a higher selectivity toward β-nitroalcohol over the pristine TMU-5 and enantioselectivity than the LPF NPs in a mild and green asymmetric nitroaldol condensation. Although, LPF@5 was constructed based on a facile synthesis, it showed remarkable results in asymmetric nitroaldol condensation.

Since the last decades, non-precious metal catalysts (NPMC), especially iron based electrocatalysts show sufficient activity, potentially applicant in oxygen reduction reaction (ORR), however they only withstand considerable current densities at low operating potentials. On the other hand iron based electrocatalysts are not stable at elevated cathode potentials, which is essential for high energy competence, and its remains difficult to deal. Therefore, via this research a simple approach is demonstrated that allows synthesis of nanosize Fe-doped mayenite electride, [Ca24Al28O64]4+·(e−)4 (can also write as, C12A7−xFex:e−, where doping level, x = 1) (thereafter, Fe-doped C12A7:e−), consist of abundantly available elements with gram level powder material production, based on simple citrate sol-gel method. The maximum achieved conductivity of this first time synthesized Fe-doped C12A7:e− composite materials was 249 S/cm. Consequently, Fe-doped C12A7:e− composite is cost-effective, more active and highly durable precious-metal free electrocatalyst, with 1.03 V onset potential, 0.89 V (RHE) half-wave potential, and ~5.9 mA/cm2 current density, which is higher than benchmark 20% Pt/C (5.65 mA/cm2, and 0.84 V). The Fe-doped C12A7:e− has also higher selectivity for desired 4e− pathway, and more stable than 20 wt% Pt/C electrode with higher immunity towards methanol poisoning. Fe-doped C12A7:e− loses was almost zero of its original activity after passing 11 h compared to the absence of methanol case, indicates that to introduce methanol has almost negligible consequence for ORR performance, which makes it highly desirable, precious-metal free electrocatalyst in ORR. This is primarily described due to coexistence of Fe-doped C12A7:e− related active sites with reduced graphene oxide (rGO) with pyridinic-nitrogen, and their strong coupling consequence along their porous morphology textures. These textures assist rapid diffusion of molecules to catalyst active sites quickly. In real system maximum power densities reached to 243 and 275 mW/cm2 for Pt/C and Fe-doped C12A7:e− composite, respectively.

We developed a novel hydroxylamine sensor through the surface modification of screen-printed electrode (SPE) with NiCo2O4 nanoparticles/reduced graphene oxide (RGO) nanocomposite (NiCo2O4/RGO/SPE). We assessed the electrochemical response of hydroxylamine on the as-fabricated sensor, confirming the high electrocatalytic impact of hydroxylamine oxidation. The electrode produced sensitively responded to hydroxylamine under optimized conditions, with a low limit of detection (2.0 nM) and broad linear dynamic range (0.007–385.0 µM). The presence of NiCo2O4 combined with the modification of RGO resulted in sensitive detection and signal amplification of hydroxylamine oxidation. The proposed sensor was used to determine the existence of hydroxylamine in water samples.

Background Diabetes is now a global problem and millions of people are suffering all over the world. Reports exist for the allopathic use of turmeric, black pepper, and date palm as an antidiabetic and antioxidant agent. Aim The current study was designed to assess the antihyperglycemic, antioxidants and antihyperlipidemic consequences of black pepper (BP), turmeric (T), ajwa pulp (AP), and ajwa seeds (AS) in alloxan-induced diabetic rats. Methodology Diabetes was induced by a single intraperitoneal injection of alloxan (150 mg/kg b.w) in rats. They were randomly divided into 11 groups of 18 male and 18 female rats each. Group-1 normal control, group-2 diabetic control, group-3 was administered with glibenclamide (10 mg/kg), group-4 was administered with aqueous extract of BP (50 mg/kg), group-5, 6, 7 were administered with T, AP and AS (500 mg/kg) and group-8, 9, 10, 11 were administered with different combinations of aqueous extract (500 mg/kg) once in a day for eight weeks. The antihyperglycemic potential was determined through biochemical and histological investigations of the experimental animals at the end of the experiment. Results The results of the study revealed that treatments improved glucose (229.53 mg/dL), Ghb (7.68%), insulin (13.63 U/L), Tg (95.92 mg/dL), Tc (152.86 mg/dL), HDL (23.22 mg/dL), LDL (110.30 mg/dL), TAC (1.89 mmol/L) and TOS (20.05 μmol/L) in comparison to diabetic control rats after 8 weeks of study period. Histological and immunohistochemical investigation of tissues exhibited severe changes in the pancreas of diabetic rats and treatments modulate these changes; this improvement in cells may explain the antidiabetic effects. Conclusion It is concluded that aqueous extract of BP+AS; and BP+T+AP+AS could be promising nutraceutical therapy for diabetes management and its associated complications.

High-quality Al2O3 porous ceramic planar membranes suffer from severe deformation and cracking, which occur during sintering process. This study reports on solving this problem, by introducing calcium hydroxide powder in the alumina slurry. Phase-inversion tape-casting technology, applied during molding, and sintering at 1550 °C, favored an in-situ expansion reaction, which effectively suppressed deformation, and well-formed and crack-free calcium hexaluminate porous planar membranes were obtained. The produced membranes had a low thermal conductivity (0.69 W·m−1 K−1 at 85 °C), ascribed to the in-situ formed plate-like structure of calcium hexaluminate (CA6) and to the high porosity. After hydrophobic modification, the membranes were applied in membrane distillation processing. High rejection rate (>99.9%) and water flux (19.8 L·m-2 h−1) were achieved at 85 °C, using a 4 wt% NaCl solution as a feed solution.

Tunability in chemical functionality is a promising characteristic of metal-organic frameworks (MOFs), which plays an important role in developing and improving the practical applications of MOFs. Here, we applied this important feature of MOFs to be in line with sustainable development and green chemistry principles through the synthesis of MOF-based heterogeneous organocatalysts. According to our green functionalization strategy, some isostructural MOFs (azine decorated TMU-4 with the formula [Zn(OBA)(BPDB)0.5]n·2DMF, azine-methyl functionalized TMU-5 with the formula [Zn(OBA)(BPDH)0.5]n·1.5DMF, dihydro-tetrazine decorated TMU-34 with the formula [Zn(OBA)(H2DPT)0.5]n·DMF, and tetrazine functionalized TMU-34(-2H) with the formula [Zn(OBA)(DPT)0.5]n·DMF, where H2OBA = 4,4'-oxybis(benzoic acid), BPDB = 1,4-bis(4-pyridyl)-2,3-diaza-1,3-butadiene, BPDH = 2,5-bis(4-pyridyl)-3,4-diaza-2,4-hexadiene, H2DPT = 3,6-di(pyridin-4-yl)-1,4-dihydro-1,2,4,5-tetrazine, and DPT = 3,6-di(pyridin-4-yl)-1,2,4,5-tetrazine) have been applied for mild, green, and fast Knoevenagel condensation. These frameworks display different Lewis basic catalytic activities owing to their different functionality and function accessibility. Contrary to extensive articles published about Knoevenagel condensation, this study involves the rare examples in Knoevenagel condensation with such mild conditions (room temperature and atmospheric pressure) and with a green solution (water as the solvent). Due to the combined synergic effects of the Lewis basicity of TMU-frameworks, the amphoteric and hydrogen bond-participating nature of water molecules, maximum conversion times are reached just after 30 min (for TMU-5) and 60 min (for TMU-34). Stability and recyclability tests show that TMU-5 and TMU-34 are completely stable in water at reaction conditions and can retain their crystallinity, porosity, and functionality even after five cycles without any specific reduction in their catalytic conversion. Since, in many cases, amine decorated MOFs are applied in Knoevenagel catalyzed condensation, this study is beneficial in providing information about the effects of azine and tetrazine functional groups in reactant activation and the acceleration of Knoevenagel condensation.

In this paper, graphene oxide based nanohybrids decorated with TiO2 nanoparticles (TiO2@rGO) were synthesized and incorporated into the thin film nanocomposite (TFN) membrane for efficient organic solvent nanofiltration (OSN) with antifouling properties. In order to improve the compatibility of TiO2@rGO in the polyamide active layer, the nanohybrids were amino-functionalized before their incorporation in the interfacial polymerization process. TiO2@rGO incorporated TFN membranes showed intense permeability increment and antifouling characteristics in comparison with the controlled composite membrane and graphene oxide (GO) incorporated TFN membrane. The GO nanosheets structure favors solvent channeling and TiO2 provides super hydrophilic characteristics, both resulted in a super permeable-hydrophilic OSN membrane with high structural stability and premium antifouling properties.

Background: The liver is a vital organ that plays a key role in the detoxification of endogenous and exogenous substances. Variety of pathological factors including viral hepatitis (especially hepatitis B and C), alcohol and drug abuse, metabolic diseases, autoimmune diseases and congenital abnormalities can cause hepatic injury. Chronic hepatic disease is quite common in daily clinical practice. Liver cirrhosis is the final stage of all chronic hepatic diseases. Liver transplantation is the treatment of choice for chronic liver failure, although, it faces several difficulties. Aim of the work: to evaluate the toxic effect of carbon tetrachloride (CCL4) on the liver structure. Materials and methods: Twenty male rats of average weight 200 grams and aged 6-8 weeks were included in this study. The Rats were divided into the following two groups: Group I (control group): ten male rats were subdivided into two subgroups, one of them acted as negative control and the other received the equivalent volume of the solvent olive oil. Group II (experimental group): ten male rats were injected intraperitoneally (IP) by CCL4 twice weekly for four weeks. Results: Histological examination of liver specimens showed that CCl4 caused patchy and variable pathological changes in the liver tissue along with significant increase in collagen fiber content. Conclusion: The induced liver fibrosis by CCL4 in rats showed markedly pathological effects on hepatic stroma and parenchyma.

Morphological engineering of silicon nitride (Si3N4) hollow fiber membrane was carried out by considering hydrodynamic viscous fingering phenomena, which govern the formation of the finger-like micro-voids layer in membranes. The influence of the solvent, the air gap, and the rate of internal coagulant on the finger-like/spongy layer thickness ratio, porosity, bending strength, pore size distribution, and water permeation, was thoroughly investigated. The viscosity of the suspension played an important role in the development of the microstructure. Membrane morphology can be controlled by optimizing fabrication parameters in order to achieve the desirable fiber structure for the final functional application. The membrane used in microfiltration tests was produced by using N-methyl-2-pyrrolidone (NMP) as a solvent, with an air gap of 5 cm, and an internal coagulant rate of 10 mL⋅min−1. The membranes comprised a selective finger void-free spongy layer on the outer surface, and displayed high permeation features. The membranes successfully treated highly concentrated (21000 ppm) oil-field-produced-water, and an oil rejection of 95% as well as a stable permeate flux of 480 L m−2 h−1 were achieved.

In this work, we demonstrate that rational decoration of pore walls of the metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) with azine and dihydro-tetrazine functions is a very practical strategy for high capacity removal of both neutral and basic nitrogen-containing compounds (NCCs) from model oil. Its performance is even much better than the MOFs with high surface area, open metal sites, and different functional groups such as amine, hydroxyl, carboxy, and sulfonate. For this aim, a number of isostructure functional MOFs (FMOFs) have been synthesized. Among them, TMU-5 (with formula [Zn(OBA)(BPDH)

Allura red (AR) is an artificial azo dye mostly used in food industries and has potential health risks. We examined the role of AR in amyloidogenesis using hen egg white lysozyme (HEWL) at pH 7.0. The amyloidogenic induction properties of AR in HEWL were identified by circular dichroism (CD), turbidity, intrinsic fluorescence, light scattering, transmission electron microscopy (TEM), and molecular dynamic simulation studies. Turbidity and light scattering measurements showed that HEWL becomes aggregated in the presence of 0.03–15.0 mM of AR at pH 7.0 but not at very low AR concentrations (0.01–0.28 mM). However, AR-induced aggregation is a kinetically rapid process, with no observable lag phase and saturation within 6 s. The kinetics results suggested that the HEWL aggregation induced by AR is very rapid. The CD results demonstrated that the total β-sheet content of HEWL was increased in the AR treated samples. The TEM results are established that AR-induced aggregates had amyloid-like structures. Molecular dynamics simulations analysis showed that the bound AR-HEWL structures were highly favored compared to unbound structures. The mechanism of AR-induced amyloid fibril formation may involve electrostatic, hydrogen bonding, and hydrophobic interactions.

Because of charge trapping in GaN HEMTs, dc characteristics of these devices are not representative of high-frequency operation. The advanced spice model GaN model presented in Part I of this paper is combined with a Shockley–Reed–Hall-based trap model, yielding a comprehensive FET model for GaN HEMTs which can accurately model GaN devices exhibiting trapping-related dispersion effects. Measurement results of the dc and pulsed output and transfer characteristics of a commercially available GaN HEMT are presented, trapping in the device is modeled, and excellent fit to the measured data is shown. This paper presents an accurate model of trapping which is validated for eight different quiescent bias points of pulse measurements, with quiescent drain voltage ranging from 5 to 20 V and quiescent gate voltage ranging from −2.8 to −3.8 V, and a large range of gate and drain voltages to which the device was pulsed in the pulse measurements and at which the device was measured in the dc measurements, with gate voltage ranging from −4 to 0.4 V and drain voltage ranging from 0 to 40 V. This paper also presents high-frequency (10 GHz) large-signal RF validation of the model for optimal complex load condition.

A novel multi-functional fluorescence nanosensor was developed by introducing carboxyl groups into graphitic carbon nitride. This oxidized graphitic carbon nitride nanoparticles (nano-CNO), which display enhanced fluorescence and water-solubility, exhibited sensitive and selective recognition of iodides and chromium(VI), with a limit of detection (LOD) as 12.4 and 9.6 nM, respectively. In the nano-CNO system containing iodides, the reversible quenching effect, switched by an acid–base reaction, was attributed to the hydrogen bonds established between the I− ions and the carboxyl groups of the nano-CNO, in conjunction with the effect of the heavy I− ion. This “on–off–on” nanosensor for I− (created by introducing no metal ions at all) is promising for potential use in applications in the field of biosensors. The mechanism of highly sensitive probe for Cr(VI) depends on inner filter effect (IFE) and collision quenching, which can also be turned on though the reduction of Cr(VI) by ascorbic acid (AA). Density functional theory (DFT) calculations shed light on the mechanism of the enhanced fluorescence intensity of nano-CNO and on the mechanism for detecting iodides.

An increase in liver gluconeogenesis is an important pathological phenomenon in type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) and oxymatrine is an effective natural drug used for T2DM treatment. The present study aimed to explore the effect of oxymatrine on gluconeogenesis and elucidate the underlying mechanism. Male Sprague-Dawley rats were treated with a high-fat diet and streptozotocin for 4 weeks to induce T2DM, and HepG2 cells were treated with 55 mM glucose to simulate T2DM in vitro. T2DM rats were treated with oxymatrine (10 or 20 mg/kg weight) or metformin for 4 weeks, and HepG2 cells were treated with oxymatrine (0.1 or 1 µM), metformin (0.1 µM), or oxymatrine combined with MK-2206 (AKT inhibitor) for 24 h. Fasting blood glucose and insulin sensitivity of rats were measured to evaluate insulin resistance. Glucose production and uptake ability were measured to evaluate gluconeogenesis in HepG2 cells, and the expression of related genes was detected to explore the molecular mechanism. Additionally, the body weight, liver weight and liver index were measured and hematoxylin and eosin staining was performed to evaluate the effects of the disease. The fasting glucose levels of T2DM rats was 16.5 mmol/l, whereas in the control rats, it was 6.1 mmol/l. Decreased insulin sensitivity (K-value, 0.2), body weight loss (weight, 300 g), liver weight gain, liver index increase (value, 48) and morphological changes were observed in T2DM rats, accompanied by reduced AKT phosphorylation, and upregulated expression of phosphoenolpyruvate carboxykinase (PEPCK) and glucose-6-phosphatase (G6Pase). High-glucose treatment significantly increased glucose production and decreased glucose uptake in HepG2 cells, concomitant with a decrease in AKT phosphorylation and increase of PEPCK and G6Pase expression. In vivo, oxymatrine dose-dependently increased the sensitivity of T2DM rats to insulin, increased AKT phosphorylation and decreased PEPCK and G6Pase expression in the liver, and reversed the liver morphological changes. In vitro, oxymatrine dose-dependently increased AKT phosphorylation and glucose uptake of HepG2 cells subjected to high-glucose treatment, which was accompanied by inhibition of the expression of the gluconeogenesis-related genes, PEPCK and G6Pase. MK-2206 significantly inhibited the protective effects of oxymatrine in high-glucose-treated cells. These data indicated that oxymatrine can effectively prevent insulin resistance and gluconeogenesis, and its mechanism may be at least partly associated with the regulation of PEPCK and G6Pase expression and AKT phosphorylation in the liver.

Necroptosis, ferroptosis and cyclophilin D (Cyp D)-dependent necrosis contribute to myocardial ischemia/reperfusion (I/R) injury, and ponatinib, deferoxamine and cyclosporine are reported to inhibit necroptosis, ferroptosis and Cyp D-dependent necrosis, respectively. This study aims to explore whether the any two combination between ponatinib, deferoxamine and cyclosporine exerts a better cardioprotective effect on I/R injury than single medicine does. The H9c2 cells were subjected to 10 h of hypoxia (H) plus 4 h of reoxygenation (R) to establish H/R injury model. The effects of any two combination between ponatinib, deferoxamine and cyclosporine on H/R injury were examined. On this basis, a I/R injury model in rat hearts was established to focus on the effect of ponatinib, deferoxamine and their combination on myocardial I/R injury and the underlying mechanisms. In H/R-treated H9c2 cells, all three medicines can attenuate H/R injury (decrease in LDH release and necrosis percent). However, only the combination of ponatinib with deferoxamine exerted synergistic effect on reducing H/R injury, showing simultaneous suppression of necroptosis and ferroptosis. Expectedly, administration of ponatinib or deferoxamine either before or after ischemia could suppress necroptosis or ferroptosis in the I/R-treated rat hearts as they did in vitro, concomitant with a decrease in myocardial infarct size and creatine kinase release, and the combination therapy is more efficient than single medication. Based on these observations, we conclude that the combination of ponatinib with deferoxamine reduces myocardial I/R injury via simultaneous inhibition of necroptosis and ferroptosis.

This study compared the effects dietary organic (ferrous glycine [FG]) versus inorganic (ferrous sulfate [FS]) iron in laying hens on performance, egg quality, serum and egg yolk lipids, antioxidant status, and iron enrichment of eggs. A total of 378 Shaver White layers were allotted to 7 treatments with 6 replicates (9 birds each) from 30 to 42 weeks of age. A basal diet (19 mg iron/kg) served as control, while the other six diets were supplemented with either FS or FG to provide 30, 60, and 120 mg/kg of added iron. Dietary FG and FS treatments improved (P

This manuscript presented a large scale synthesis of Graphitic Shells like carbon nano onions (GS-CNOs) by direct solution method using mayenite electride as a catalyst for synthesis of CNOs. Thermal characterization, microstructural analysis, and high resolution electron microscopy have confirmed the graphitization and revealed the resulting GS-CNOs with particle size about 15 nm, maximum BET surface area of 214 m2.g−1, and moderate conductivity of 250 S.cm−1, thus providing a new approach to synthesize GS-CNOs. The reported GS-CNOs, which acts as more active but less expensive electrocatalysts with onset potential of 1.03 V, half wave potential of 0.88 V vs. the reversible hydrogen electrode (RHE), and limited current density of 5.9 mA.cm−2, higher than that of benchmark 20% Pt/C (1.02 eV, 0.82 V, 5.2 mA.cm−2). The synthesized nano-powder acts as an origin of ORR activity via a four electron (4e−) pathway, along with significantly enhanced stability, in alkaline media. The high ORR activity is ascribed to GS-CNOs embedded sufficient metallic C12A7:e− particles, which favor faster electron movement and better adsorption of oxygen molecules on catalyst surface. Hence, we explored first time large scale synthesis of GS-CNOs with gram level and provide efficient approach to prepare novel, lowest cost, potential non-noble metals catalyst for fuel cells.

Moving from two-dimensional hexagonal boron nitride (2D h-BN) flatlands towards their quantum sized zero-dimensional (0D) islands, as the newest member of the h-BN family, has recently opened up novel research areas due to the emergence of unique optical and physicochemical properties, excellent thermal and chemical stability, and desirable biocompatibility. This review elaborates on the fundamental properties of 2D and 0D h-BN nanomaterials and covers the latest progress in the fabrication and applications of BN nanosheets (BNNSs) and quantum dots (BNQDs). Initially, the transformation of properties in h-BN nanomaterials is discussed when moving from the 2D realm towards the 0D quantum zone. Then, top-down and bottom-up synthesis methods of 2D h-BN are reviewed, analyzing each method’s advantages and shortcomings. The review will continue explaining the fabrication methods of BNQDs and the impact of synthesis technique on their physiochemical characteristics. Special attention is given to surface chemistry of BNQD nanocrystals that can alter their electronic band structure and optoelectronic properties. Thereafter, detailed discussion on the implementation of BNNSs and BNQDs in various applications, e.g., catalysts, sensors, bioimaging probes, proton exchange membranes, and photocatalytic activators, is provided. At last, an overview of the ongoing challenges and future directions for BNQD research is presented.

Considering the importance of Al5083 as a most used and most promising aluminium alloy in vessels hull and marine systems, the focus of this research is on access to superhydrophobic coatings on this alloy by economical and efficient two step method composed of anodizing and chemical modification with silane. Al5XXX series of Al alloys including Al5083 have been widely used in marine industries such as fast ferries and ship building. In the present research, for fabricating superhydrophobic coatings on the aluminum alloy (Al5083) surface, anodizing in sulfuric acid and chemical modification of triethoxy octyl silane (KH-832) and 1H, 1H, 2H, 2H–perfluorooctyl trichloro silane (PFOTS), was employed. Surface characterization was carried out by scanning electron microscopy (SEM), atomic force microscopy (AFM), and ATR-FTIR tests. Also, the wettability of superhydrophobic coatings was evaluated using static wettability test. Static wetting and contact angle hysteresis tests on the aluminum alloy surfaces provided a high contact angle (about 170 and 160 degrees) and low contact angle hysteresis (about 3 and 9 degrees) respectively by modification with KH- 832 and PFOTS as a non-wettable surface. The ATR-FTIR analysis after surface chemical modification with KH-832 and PFOTS showed functionalized groups.

Tambulin, a flavonol isolated from Zanthoxylum armatum, showed potent insulin secretory activity in our preliminary anti-diabetic screening. Here, we explored the insulin secretory mechanism(s) of tambulin focusing in glucose-dependent, KATP ‒ and Ca2+‒channels dependent, and cAMP-PKA pathways. Mice islets and MIN6 cells were incubated with tambulin in the presence of pharmacological agonists/antagonists and the secreted insulin was measured using mouse insulin ELISA kit. The intracellular cAMP was measured by an acetylation cAMP ELISA kit. Tambulin (200 μM) showed potent insulin secretory activity only at stimulatory glucose (11–25 mM) concentrations; however, no change in insulin release was observed at basal glucose both in mice islets and MIN6 cells. Notably, in the presence of diazoxide, a KATP channel opener; the incomplete inhibition of tambulin-induced insulin secretion was observed whereas, complete inhibition was found using verapamil, an L-type Ca2+ channel blocker. Furthermore, the insulinotropic potential of tambulin was amplified in tolbutamide treated, and depolarized islets suggest tambulin’s target other than tolbutamide. Tambulin showed no additive effect in the IBMX-induced intracellular cAMP; whereas, exerted an additive effect in the IBMX-induced insulin secretion. Furthermore, tambulin-induced insulin secretion was dramatically inhibited by PKA inhibitor (H-89), while moderate inhibition was found by using PKC inhibitor (calphostin C). Molecular docking studies also showed the best binding affinities of tambulin with PKA suggest the PKA dependent signaling cascade is involved more in tambulin-induced insulin secretion. Based on these findings, it is concluded that tambulin stimulates insulin secretion in a Ca2+ channel-dependent but KATP channel-independent manner, most likely by activating the cAMP-PKA pathway.

Purpose In the past decades, the desire to use natural source foods has increased because of environmental compatibility, safety and appropriate costs. Sonication is used in food industry owing to its short duration of process and saving energy. The purpose of this study is to investigate the effect of various maize starches in the batter on the oil absorption and quality assessment (moisture content) of chicken nuggets by using five mathematical models. Design/methodology/approach To determine the effects of different maize starches on oil absorption parameters, 5 per cent starches native, sonicated starch were substituted in batter instead of wheat flour. Suspensions contained native starch were treated with sonication (70 kHz, 5 min) using an ultrasound probe set. Samples were fried in a fryer at 150, 170 and 190°C for 1, 3and 5 min, respectively. Models were compared with R2 and Arrhenius equation for estimating model prediction sufficiency. Findings Obtained results represented that between different formulated samples, maize starch with high temperature had main significant effect (p < 0.05) on moisture content of nuggets. During frying, the amount of oil loses significantly (p < 0.05) depended on temperature and time and sonication treatment. Originality/value Incorporation of sonication with maize starch at higher temperature on quality assessment has not been found.

This work aims to benefit from low quality fruits (of Saidy, Tamr and Manthor dates) by the production of enzymatically treated syrup with high quality value. From the chemical analysis, the total and reducing sugars were the predominate components in all studied date fruits varied from 50.5 to 81.8% and from 40.5 to 57.7% dry weight basis (dwb), respectively. The total acidity (as malic acid) of the studied date fruits ranged from 0.14 to 0.22%. The effect of different concentrations of pectinase enzyme, 0.5-2.0 % on the efficiency of date juice extraction process and physico-chemical proprieties of the obtained date syrup were studied. The enzyme treated date juices recorded the lowest values of viscosity, turbidity and color ( as absorbance at 520 nm), with the highest values of clarity compared with that of the untreated (control) samples. The results indicated that using 1% concentration of pectinase for 60 min at 50 °C gave a good result in terms of clarity, color and turbidity, but the recovery of total soluble solids was the highest after 90 min incubation time. The color values (as optical density at 420nm) of the enzyme-treated date syrups, Saidy, Tamr and Manthorranged from 0.499 to 0.574 compared with that of untreated date syrups which varied from 1.069 to 1.495. The treated Saidy date syrup had the highest clarity value followed by Tamr and Manthorsyrups. From the obtained results it can be concluded that the enzymatic treatments could be used to produce date syrup (Dibs) with good properties and high quality from second grade date fruits.

A pillared MOF, [Zn(OBA)(H2DPT)0.5].DMF (TMU-34), based on dihydro tetrazine functionalized pillar spacer (H2DPT=3,6-di(pyridin-4-yl)-1,4-dihydro-1,2,4,5-tetrazine) and V-shape dicarboxylate linker (H2OBA=4,4'-oxybis(benzoic acid)) was synthesized by reflux and ultrasonic methods. The effects of sonication time, initial concentration of reagents and sonication power on size and morphology have been optimized. This MOF has been characterized by scanning electron microscopy, FT-IR spectra, X-ray powder diffraction and N2 adsorption at 77K. Bulk and nano samples of TMU-34 have been applied in cation sensing for detection of Al(III) in presence of other cations (Na(I), Mg(II), Sr(II), Al(III), Co(II), Ni(II), Cu(II), Zn(II), Cd(II), Pb(II), Hg(II),Cr(III), Li(I), Fe(III), K(I)). The results show that nano powder of TMU-34 with uniform separated plate-like morphology (TMU-34-F) has higher detection limit and short response time compared to bulk material. So, in this work we show the application of luminescent metal-organic frameworks synthesized by sonochemistry approach in effective cation detection.

Eriodictyol, a flavonoid isolated from Lyonia ovalifolia, was found to be the most potent insulin secretagogue in our preliminary studies. Here, we explored mechanism(s) of insulin secretory activity of eriodictyol in vitro and in vivo. Mice islets and MIN6 cells were incubated in basal and stimulatory glucose containing eriodictyol with or without agonist/antagonist. Secreted insulin and cAMP contents were measured using ELISA kits. K+- and Ca2+-channels currents were recorded with patch-clamp technique. Oral glucose tolerance test and plasma insulin was evaluated in non-diabetic and diabetic rats. Eriodictyol stimulated insulin secretion from mice islets and MIN6 cells only at stimulatory glucose concentrations with maximum effect at 200μM. Eriodictyol showed no pronounced effect on inward rectifying K+ and Ca2+ currents. Furthermore, in KCl depolarized islets, in the presence of diazoxide, insulin secretory ability of eriodictyol was enhanced. IBMX, a phosphodiesterase inhibitor, significantly (P

A new macrocycle Schiff base, by the reaction between benzene-1,2-diamine and 3-bromo-pentane-2,4-dione, is introduced and a series of its complexes with Co(II), Ni(II), Cu(II) and Zn(II) have been synthesized. FTIR, 1H and 13C NMR, and TGA, also biological activities of all complexes and the electronic spectral data have been investigated. The results show that there are no water molecules, also that macrocycle Schiff base is bonded to the metal ions through nitrogen atoms of four azomethine groups via an octahedral arrangement containing N4 tetra-dentate donor sites on planar and two Cl atoms occupying the other two opposed sites. The corresponding Cu(II) and Zn(II) complexes showed good antibacterial and antifungal activities. The molecular geometry, frontier molecular orbitals and Mulliken atomic charge of the compounds are investigated theoretically using DFT method.

Spawners are considered the cornerstone in aquaculture; bacterial diseases are one of the most serious challenges facing this sector. The present study aimed to determine the efficacy of cefotaxime in treating the experimentally infected Oreochromis niloticus brooders with virulent Pseudomonas aeruginosa. Fish were grouped into normal group (N), infected non-treated group (INT) and infected-cefotaxime treated groups (ICT-W, ICT-24 & ICT-72) that administrated cefotaxime at 10 mg/l, and 10 mg/kg BW, administrated intraperitoneally at 24 h and 72 h intervals. Serum biochemical parameters, histopathological findings and cefotaxime concentration were studied in different groups. Tested P. aeruginosa was highly sensitive to cefotaxime with MIC equals 0.5 μg/ml and LD50 for O. niloticus was 0.2 ml of 8 × 107 CFU.fish−1. Mortality percent were 0, 50, 6.66, 23.33 and 13.33% for (N, INT, ICT-W, ICT-24 & ICT-72) respectively. There was significant amelioration in the serum biochemical parameter values (AST, ALT, creatinine, urea, uric acid and serum proteins) of all treated groups in comparison with the INT group, histopathological findings represented a marked improvement in hepatopancreas and posterior kidney tissues architecture when compared with (INT). Serum cefotaxime level were 0.517 ± 0.23, 0.951 ± 0.34 and 0.589 ± 0.18 μg/ml while, cefotaxime residues were 1.086 ± 0.12, 1.670 ± 0.36 and 1.261 ± 0.37 μg/g in muscular tissue for (ICT-W, ICT-24 & ICT-72) groups respectively. Cefotaxime considered effective antibiotic in the treatment of P. aeruginosa infection in O. niloticus brooders when administrated as 10 mg/litter medicated water or 10 mg/kg B·W. by I/P administration at 72 h interval.

The present study was carried out to evaluate the use of Biogen and sodium butyrate (SB) as feed additives in the diet of Nile tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus) fingerlings, in two parallel experiments. Biogen was incorporated in isonitrogenous (35% crude protein) and isocaloric (19 MJ kg−1) diets at four levels (0.0 (control), 0.5, 1.0, and 2.0%), while SB was included at five levels (0.0 (control), 0.5, 1.0, 2.0, or 3.0%). The diets were fed to fingerling Nile tilapia (10.5 ± 0.5 g) at a daily rate of 4% of their body weight, three times a day, for 60 days. Except the lymphocytes and monocyte numbers in fish fed SB, hematological parameters, including red blood cell (RBC) hematocrit (Ht), hemoglobin (Hb), and white blood cells (WBC) were not significantly (P > 0.05) affected by dietary Biogen and SB. The lymphocytes number in Nile tilapia fed on SB increased with increasing SB up to 2% level, and decreased afterwards. Monocyte numbers showed irregular patterns. The activities of serum enzymes alanine aminotransferase (ALT) and aspartate aminotransferase (AST) of fish fed diets containing Biogen or SB were not significantly affected by dietary treatments (P > 0.05). No structural differences of tilapia liver were detected between all Biogen treatments and sodium butyrate concentrations up to 1% with control. At concentrations of 2 and 3% sodium butyrate, liver steatosis increased leading to shrinked acentric nuclei. At a concentration of 2% Biogen, some glomerulus cells had fading cytoplasm. Concerning fish fed SB diets, the structure of kidney was the same as in control except at concentration of 3% SB, where the septum between cells disappeared. No changes in gill structure were noticed at all concentrations of Biogen and SB.

New Pd(II) complexes with 7-bromo-quinolin-8-ol (BrQ), [Pd(BrQ)2] (1a) and (1b) and HBrQ[PdCl2(BrQ)] (2) have been synthesized and characterized. X-ray structure analysis of 1a and 1b revealed that the molecular structures of these square-planar polymorphs are very similar, nevertheless in the supramolecular structure the molecules are differently arranged and held by different intermolecular forces. The structure of 2 in DMSO solution was elucidated using one- and two-dimensional NMR experiments which showed that the complex decomposes to BrQ ligand. Antimicrobial activity of soluble complex 2 was tested by determining the minimum inhibitory concentration and minimum microbicidal concentration against 9 strains of bacteria and 5 strains of fungi; its activity on Proteus mirabilis is more than 250 times higher than a positive control. Complex 2 is also significantly more cytotoxic against human colorectal cancer cells HCT116 than cisplatin at all tested concentrations and this effect is particularly pronounced at low concentrations; cytotoxicity of BrQ is four times higher than cytotoxicity of 2 at these concentrations and is selectively cytotoxic. Interaction of 2 with DNA was investigated using UV–VIS spectroscopy and fluorescence spectroscopy; the binding studies indicate that complex 2 can interact with ctDNA through intercalation mechanism.