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Redox control of glasses is paramount both to their fusion process and to obtaining the desired properties of high technological glasses. However, the link between melting parameters, such as temperature, furnace atmosphere, or quenching rate, and the redox state of the final products is poorly understood. In this work, in situ x-ray absorption near-edge structure (XANES) data at Ce L3-edge data were acquired at high temperatures on cerium-containing sodium aluminosilicate glasses, allowing the determination of thermodynamic constants necessary to predict the cerium redox state over a wide temperature range (900–1500 °C). The results obtained were compared to the Raman spectra of samples quenched at different temperatures. Our findings demonstrate that the quench performed was fast enough to block the cerium oxidation state, meaning the redox measured at room temperature is representative of a high temperature state. This was further verified by room temperature Raman spectroscopy, where a relationship was found between the spectra and melting conditions. Wet chemical analysis, XANES at Ce L3-edge, Raman spectroscopy, and optical absorption spectroscopy were successfully used to determine the redox state of cerium in aluminosilicates. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In view of the inherent pseudocapacitance, rich redox pairs (Nb5+/Nb4+ and Nb4+/Nb3+), and high lithiation potential (1.0–3.0 V vs Li/Li+), Nb2O5 is considered a promising anode material. However, the inherent low electronic conductivity of Nb2O5 limits its lithium storage performance, and the rate performance after carbon modification is still unsatisfactory because the intrinsic conductivity of Nb2O5 has not been substantially improved. In this experiment, taking the improvement of the intrinsic electrical conductivity of Nb2O5 as the guiding ideology, we prepared F-doped Nb2O5@fluorocarbon composites (F–Nb2O5@FC) with a large number of oxygen vacancies by one-step annealing. As the anode electrode of lithium-ion batteries, the reversible specific capacity of F–Nb2O5@FC reaches 150 mA g−1 at 5 A g−1 after 1100 cycles, and the rate performance is particularly outstanding, with a capacity up to 130 mA g−1 at 16 A g−1, which is far superior to other Nb2O5@carbon-based anode electrodes. Compared with other single conductivity sources of Nb2O5@carbon-based composites, the electrical conductivity of F–Nb2O5@FC composites is greatly improved in many aspects, including the introduction of free electrons by F− doping, the generation of oxygen vacancies, and the provision of a three-dimensional conductive network by FC. Through analytical chemistry (work function, UV–Vis diffuse reflectance spectroscopy, and EIS) and theoretical calculations, it is proved that F–Nb2O5@FC has high electrical conductivity and realizes rapid electron transfer. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We present a surface sampling method for the chemical analysis of liquid-immersed solid samples. Liquid immersion allows samples to be kept in a hydrated state. We employed cavitation generated by high-intensity focused ultrasound for localized material removal. The appropriate transducer–sample distance was determined using the actuating ultrasound transducer prior to sampling, allowing sonication in focus despite surface height variation. We demonstrate the proposed surface sampling method on water-submerged glass cover slides painted with permanent markers, achieving sampling with tunable spot size down to 500 μ m. The removed and collected material was transferred for chemical analysis by electrospray ionization mass spectrometry, which showed mass peaks characteristic to the permanent markers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The bond breaking of energetic materials under the action of temperature and pressure has always been a key step in understanding the explosive mechanism of energetic materials. In this work, we use the mean square shift of atoms and the theoretical bond breaking position of chemical bonds to give the bond breaking temperature of each chemical bond of insensitive high-energy energetic materials, 1,1-diamino-2,2-dinitroethylene (α-FOX-7) and 1,3,5-triamino-2,4,6-trinitrobenzene (TATB), at 0 and 30 GPa. The calculation results show that the bond breaking sequence of α-FOX-7 and TATB in the selected pressure range is N–H, N–O, C–NO2, and C–NH2. At the same time, the difference in the sensitivity between α-FOX-7 and TATB was discussed through the analysis of partial chemical bond breaking temperature. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Lake Tennyson's basin and sedimentary record were assessed for multiple branches of paleoenvironmental research. A geophysical investigation of the lake depositional setting was supported by physical and chemical analysis of multiple sediment cores. The basin reaches 60 m depth and several subaerial landforms identified were likely deposited from seismic activity. Deformed sediments and turbidites in gravity cores are attributed to one or more large (pre)historic earthquakes, and episodic grain size changes in sediment cores are related to either seismic and/or climatic/meteorological processes. A hummocky slump deposit located on the western lake bed margin is linked to widespread sediment deformation that was likely caused by movement of the Awatere Fault. Radiocarbon dating constrains the most recent major deformation event between the late thirteenth century CE and mid-twentieth Century. Folded turbidites in the stratigraphy suggest multiple sedimentary deformation episodes occurred during the last millennium. Micro-XRF elemental signatures suggest proxies of past water column mixing (windiness proxy) can be reconstructed via identification of changing redox conditions. Records from Lake Tennyson show potential for several palaeoenvironmental research applications, and combining them with basin morphostratigraphy and land-based palaeoclimate and palaeoseismic evidence can enhance understanding of environmental change in the northern South Island. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

An unprescribed nortriterpenoid with an aromatic E ring, uncanortriterpenoid A (1), together with fourteen known triterpenoids (2–15), were isolated from the hook-bearing stems of Uncaria rhynchophylla Miq. Based on extensive spectroscopic analyses, the NMR data of 2, 5, and 10 in CD3OD were assigned for the first time, and the wrongly assigned δC of C-27 and C-29 of 2 were revised. Among the known compounds, 7, 13, and 15 were isolated from this species for the first time, and 15 represents the first lanostane triterpenoid bearing an extra methylidene at C-24 for the Rubiaceae family. Additionally, compounds 6 and 14 exhibited moderate ferroptosis inhibitory activity, with an EC50 value of 14.74 ± 0.20 μM for 6 and 23.11 ± 1.31 μM for 14. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The human head lice Pediculus humanus capitis (De Geer) (Phthiraptera: Pediculidae) are strict, obligate human ectoparasites that spends their entire life cycle in the host and cause skin irritation and derived infections. Despite the health‐related importance, few studies have evaluated the chemical communication among these insects. Here, we evaluate the response of lice of both sexes to cuticular extracts using two solvents of different polarity (hexane and methanol). Cuticular extracts that elicited an attraction response towards head lice were analysed by gas chromatography–mass spectrometry (GC–MS) to determine the cuticular lipid profile. Both lice sexes were attracted to the hexane extracts but not the methanol extracts, suggesting the non‐polarity of the compounds present in the cuticle. Chemical analyses of hexane extracts from males and females showed high similarity in major compounds. This study provides the first evidence that lice respond to cuticle extracts, which may be important to understand aggregation behaviour. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In recent years there has been a renewed interest in benchtop NMR. Given their lower cost of ownership, smaller footprint, and ease of use, they are especially suited as an educational tool. Here, a new experiment targeted at upper‐year undergraduates and first‐year graduate students follows the conversion of D‐glucose into ethanol at low‐field. First, high and low‐field data on D‐glucose are compared and students learn both the Hz and ppm scales and how J‐coupling is field‐independent. The students then acquire their own quantitative NMR datasets and perform the quantification using an Electronic Reference To Access In Vivo Concentration (ERETIC) technique. To our knowledge ERETIC is not currently taught at the undergraduate level, but has an advantage in that internal standards are not required; ideal for following processes or with future use in flow‐based benchtop monitoring. Using this quantitative data, students can relate a simple chemical process (fermentation) back to more complex topics such as reaction kinetics, bridging the gaps between analytical and physical chemistry. When asked to reflect on the experiment, students had an overwhelmingly positive experience, citing agreement with learning objectives, ease of understanding the protocol, and enjoyment. Each of the respondents recommended this experiment as a learning tool for others. This experiment has been outlined for other instructors to utilize in their own courses across institutions, with the hope that a continued expansion of low‐field NMR will increase accessibility and learning opportunities at the undergraduate level. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In droplet microfluidics, UV-Vis absorption spectroscopy along with colorimetric assays have been widely used for chemical and biochemical analysis. However, the sensitivity of the measurement can be limited by the short optical pathlength. Here we report a novel design to enhance the sensitivity by removing oil and converting the droplets into a single-phase aqueous flow, which can be measured within a U-shape channel with long optical pathlength. The flow cells were fabricated via 3D printing. The calibration results have demonstrated complete oil removal and effective optical pathlengths similar to the designed channel lengths (from 5 to 20 mm). The flow cell was further employed in a droplet microfluidic-based phosphate sensing system. The measured phosphate levels displayed excellent consistency with data obtained from traditional UV spectroscopy analysis. This flow cell design overcomes the limitations of short optical pathlengths in droplet microfluidics and has the potential to be used for in situ and continuous monitoring. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

An important application of CRISPR interference (CRISPRi) technology is for identifying chemical-genetic interactions (CGIs). Discovery of genes that interact with exposure to antibiotics can yield insights to drug targets and mechanisms of action or resistance. The objective is to identify CRISPRi mutants whose relative abundance is suppressed (or enriched) in the presence of a drug when the target protein is depleted, reflecting synergistic behavior. Different sgRNAs for a given target can induce a wide range of protein depletion and differential effects on growth rate. The effect of sgRNA strength can be partially predicted based on sequence features. However, the actual growth phenotype depends on the sensitivity of cells to depletion of the target protein. For essential genes, sgRNA efficiency can be empirically measured by quantifying effects on growth rate. We observe that the most efficient sgRNAs are not always optimal for detecting synergies with drugs. sgRNA efficiency interacts in a non-linear way with drug sensitivity, producing an effect where the concentration-dependence is maximized for sgRNAs of intermediate strength (and less so for sgRNAs that induce too much or too little target depletion). To capture this interaction, we propose a novel statistical method called CRISPRi-DR (for Dose-Response model) that incorporates both sgRNA efficiencies and drug concentrations in a modified dose-response equation. We use CRISPRi-DR to re-analyze data from a recent CGI experiment in Mycobacterium tuberculosis to identify genes that interact with antibiotics. This approach can be generalized to non-CGI datasets, which we show via an CRISPRi dataset for E. coli growth on different carbon sources. The performance is competitive with the best of several related analytical methods. However, for noisier datasets, some of these methods generate far more significant interactions, likely including many false positives, whereas CRISPRi-DR maintains higher precision, which we observed in both empirical and simulated data. Author summary: CRISPRi technology is revolutionizing research in various areas of the life sciences, including microbiology, affording the ability to partially deplete the expression of target proteins in a specific and controlled way. Among the applications of CRISPRi, it can be used to construct large (even genome-wide) libraries of knock-down mutants for profiling antibacterial inhibitors and identifying chemical-genetic interactions (CGIs), which can yield insights on drug targets and mechanisms of action and resistance. The data generated by these experiments (i.e., sgRNA counts from high throughput sequencing) is voluminous and subject to various sources of noise. The goal of statistical analysis of such data is to identify significant CGIs, which are genes whose depletion sensitizes cells to an inhibitor. In this paper, we show how to incorporate both sgRNA efficiency and drug concentration simultaneously in a model (CRISPRi-DR) based on an extension of the classic dose-response (Hill) equation in enzymology. This model has advantages over other analytical methods for CRISPRi, which we show using empirical and simulated data. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Herbal products comprise a wide spectrum of locally, nationally or internationally commercialized commodities. As these products have an increasingly important position in healthcare systems worldwide, a detailed product quality assessment is of crucial importance. For the quality evaluation of commercial herbal products, a wide range of methods were used, from simpler, quicker, and cost-effective HPTLC, to hyphenated methods with MS or NMR, where more precise quantification or specific structural information is required. Additionally, most of the methods have been coupled with chemometric tools, such as PCA, or PDA, for the multivariate analysis of the high amount of data generated by chromatograms, electropherograms or spectra. The chemical methods have revealed the widespread presence of low or variable quality herbal products in the marketplace. The majority of analytical investigations present major, qualitative and quantitative, inter-product variations of their chemical composition, ranging from missing ingredients, to strikingly and unnaturally high concentrations of some compounds. Moreover, the inter-batch quality variations were frequently reported, as well as the presence of some undesirable substances. The chemical analysis of herbal products is a vital component to raise the overall awareness of quality in the herbal market and generate a quality driven approach. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Neural network (i.e. deep learning, NN)-based data analysis techniques have been listed as a pivotal opportunity to protect the integrity and safety of the global food supply chain and forecast $11.2 billion in agriculture markets. As a general-purpose data analytic tool, NN has been applied in several areas of food science, such as food recognition, food supply chain security and omics analysis, and so on. Therefore, given the rapid emergence of NN applications in food safety, this review aims to provide a comprehensive overview of the NN application in food analysis for the first time, focusing on domain-specific applications in food analysis by introducing fundamental methodology, reviewing recent and notable progress, and discussing challenges and potential pitfalls. NN demonstrated that it has a bright future through effective collaboration between food specialist and the broader community in the food field, for example, superiority in food recognition, sensory evaluation, pattern recognition of spectroscopy and chromatography. However, major challenges impeded NN extension including void in the food scientist-friendly interface software package, incomprehensible model behavior, multi-source heterogeneous data, and so on. The breakthrough from other fields proved NN has the potential to offer a revolution in the immediate future. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

During the last decade, molecular diagnostics has become increasingly important, especially during the SARS‐CoV‐2 pandemic. Advances in droplet‐based microfluidics, which divides samples into thousands of microdroplets, are responsible for high‐throughput data provision, increased analysis sensitivity, and improved performance to overcome challenges in controlling diseases and early diagnosis. Different targets, such as nucleic acids, proteins, or single cells, can be detected and analyzed in terms of their characteristics in a much more extensive and precise manner with the integration of droplet microfluidics into various molecular diagnostic techniques. In this review, we explore recent advances in the development of droplet microfluidics‐based molecular diagnostic techniques and future perspectives in the field. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Plant fibers have been studied as sources of nanocellulose due to their sustainable features. This study investigated the effects of acid hydrolysis parameters, reaction temperature, and acid concentration on nanocellulose yield from maguey (Agave cantala) fiber. Nanocellulose was produced from the fibers via the removal of non-cellulosic components through alkali treatment and bleaching, followed by strong acid hydrolysis for 45 min using sulfuric acid (H2SO4). The temperature during acid hydrolysis was 30, 40, 50, and 60 °C, and the H2SO4 concentration was 40, 50, and 60 wt. % H2SO4. Results showed that 53.56% of raw maguey fibers were isolated as cellulose, that is, 89.45% was α-cellulose. The highest nanocellulose yield of 81.58 ± 0.36% was achieved from acid hydrolysis at 50 °C using 50 wt. % H2SO4, producing nanocellulose measuring 8–75 nm in diameter and 72–866 nm in length, as confirmed via field emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM) analysis. Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) analysis indicated the chemical transformation of fibers throughout the nanocellulose production process. The zeta potential analysis showed that the nanocellulose had excellent colloidal stability with a highly negative surface charge of −37.3 mV. Meanwhile, X-ray diffraction (XRD) analysis validated the crystallinity of nanocellulose with a crystallinity index of 74.80%. Lastly, thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) demonstrated that the inflection point attributed to the cellulose degradation of the produced nanocellulose is 311.41 °C. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We developed and analyzed a novel non-sparking material based on CuAlBe for applications in potentially explosive environments. Using a master alloy of CuBe, an established material for anti-sparking tools used in oil fields, mines, or areas with potentially explosive gas accumulations, and pure Al, we used an Ar atmosphere induction furnace to obtain an alloy with ~10 wt% Al and ~2 wt% Be percentages and good chemical and structural homogeneity. The new material was tested in an explosive gaseous mixture (10% H2 or 6.5% CH4) under extremely strong wear for 16,000 cycles, and no hot sparks capable of igniting the environment were produced. The material was used in the form of hot-rolled plates obtained from melted ingots. The experimental results reflect the use of a suitable material for non-sparking tools. This material has good deformability during hot rolling, abnormal grain growth during deformation under heat treatment and special thermo-mechanical processing, and no high chemical composition variation. Additionally, there are slightly different corrosion resistance and mechanical properties between the melt and hot-rolled state of CuAlBe material. Through hot rolling, the material's corrosion resistance increased, reducing the chances of generating sparks capable of causing explosions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This document explores the use of late-stage functionalization (LSF) in medicinal chemistry, specifically focusing on the modification of drug molecules towards the end of synthesis. LSF allows for the rapid generation of diverse analogues and the exploration of structure-activity relationships (SAR). The document provides case studies of LSF applications, including the modification of compounds targeting the BTK enzyme and the GPR40 receptor. The authors emphasize the potential of LSF in expanding the chemical space around lead molecules and improving pharmacokinetic properties. They also discuss future opportunities for LSF in more complex synthetic contexts and the modification of other modalities such as peptides and oligonucleotides. [Extracted from the article]

In the last decade, mesoporous hydroxyapatite (HA) materials have received much attention regarding environmental applications (including adsorption of soil and water contaminants, films for lithium batteries, catalysts, and support systems for catalysis) and open up ample opportunities regarding biomedical devices and structures. Molybdenum ions may strongly influence catalytic and sorption properties of materials. The present study shows an influence of hydrothermal-synthesis conditions (including temperature and duration of the treatment) on phase composition, textural properties, and morphology of molybdate-containing HA. Powders with high crystallinity manifested Brunauer–Emmett–Teller specific surface area up to 55 m2/g with a pore volume of 0.33 cm3/g. The molybdate-containing HA powders were investigated by chemical analysis, X-ray diffraction, Fourier-transform IR spectroscopy, and transmission electron microscopy. Their specific surface area, pore volume, and pore size distributions were determined by low-temperature nitrogen adsorption measurements, zeta potential was quantified, and electron paramagnetic resonance spectroscopy was performed. The concentration of MoO 4 2− preserving the one-phase state was found, and the impact of hydrothermal treatment mode was analyzed by machine learning using artificial neural networks. [Display omitted] [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Brown adipocytes are potential therapeutic targets for the prevention of obesity-associated metabolic diseases because they consume circulating glucose and fatty acids for heat production. Angiotensin II (Ang II) peptide is involved in the pathogenesis of obesity- and cold-induced hypertension; however, the mechanism underlying the direct effects of Ang II on human brown adipocytes remains unclear. Our transcriptome analysis of chemical compound-induced brown adipocytes (ciBAs) showed that the Ang II type 1 receptor (AGTR1), but not AGTR2 and MAS1 receptors, was expressed. The Ang II/AGTR1 axis downregulated the expression of mitochondrial uncoupling protein 1 (UCP1). The simultaneous treatment with β-adrenergic receptor agonists and Ang II attenuated UCP1 expression, triglyceride lipolysis, and cAMP levels, although cAMP response element-binding protein (CREB) phosphorylation was enhanced by Ang II mainly through the protein kinase C pathway. Despite reduced lipolysis, both coupled and uncoupled mitochondrial respiration was enhanced in Ang II-treated ciBAs. Instead, glycolysis and glucose uptake were robustly activated upon treatment with Ang II without a comprehensive transcriptional change in glucose metabolic genes. Elevated mitochondrial energy status induced by Ang II was likely associated with UCP1 repression. Our findings suggest that the Ang II/AGTR1 axis participates in mitochondrial thermogenic functions via glycolysis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The high market potential imposed by natural carotenoids has turned the scientific interest in search for new strains, capable of synthesizing a wide spectrum of these pigments. In this study, Rhodosporidium paludigenum NCYC 2663 and 2664 were investigated for carotenoids production and lipid accumulation utilizing different carbon sources (glucose, fructose, sucrose, mixture of glucose: galactose). Strain R. paludigenum 2663 produced the highest total carotenoids titer (2.21 mg/L) when cultivated on sucrose, together with 4 g/L lipids (30% w/w content) and 7 g/L exopolysaccharides. In the case of R. paludigenum 2664, glucose favored the production of 2.93 mg/L total carotenoids and 1.57 g/L lipids (31.8% w/w content). Analysis of the chemical profile during fermentation revealed that β-carotene was the prominent carotenoid. Strain 2663 co-produced γ-carotene, torulene and torularhodin in lower amounts, whereas 2664 synthesized almost exclusively β-carotene. The produced lipids from strain 2663 were rich in oleic acid, while the presence of linoleic acid was also detected in the lipoic fraction from strain 2664. The obtained carotenoid extracts exhibited antioxidant (IC 50 0.14 mg/mL) and high antimicrobial activity, against common bacterial and fungal pathogenic strains. The results of this study are promising for the utilization of biotechnologically produced carotenoids in food applications. • R. paludigenum 2663 produced 2.21 mg/L carotenoids grown on sucrose. • β-carotene was the prevalent carotenoid regardless the culture conditions. • R. paludigenum 2663 produced lipids rich in oleic acid. • The produced carotenoid extract presented an IC 50 equal to 0.14 mg/mL. • The carotenoid extract exhibited strong antibacterial and antifungal activity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The concept of green analytical chemistry (GAC) has been established and recognized by the analytical chemist community. The 12 principles of GAC are acknowledged as common guidance for the optimization of the development of analytical chemistry methodologies toward environmental friendliness. Mass spectrometry (MS) is one of the most essential instrumentation tools in modern analytical chemistry. It plays a fundamental role in a wide range of research areas as well as in daily life, from the bleeding edge of biomedical science to the authentication of our everyday food. The widespread use of MS makes it a necessary part of the development of GAC. In this review article, GAC and the SIGNIFICANCE principles will be briefly introduced and their relevance to MS will be debated. Mass spectrometry intrinsically complies with GAC, while there is also much room for further green improvement. Aspects, where contradictions lie between MS and GAC, will be focused on, namely sample preparation, energy consumption, throughput, and usage of solvent. Employment or optimization of MS regarding these aspects will be discussed. Ambient MS, as the MS technique most in line with GAC currently, will be highlighted. This review aims to bring more awareness of GAC to the communities of MS and calls for the application of green MS over a wider area. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract\nHIGHLIGHTSCyclodextrins belong to a class of cyclic oligosaccharides composing of α-(1,4) linked glucopyranose subunits having a torus-like macro ring shape. Cyclodextrins based materials find a wide range of applications in separation technology due to their unique property to differentiate between enantiomers, positional isomers and functional groups. Conversely, ionic liquids are the non-molecular compounds composed of different anion and cations with low melting point making them a designer and greener solvents. Because of their fascinating properties, the combined effect of cyclodextrin and ionic liquids as cyclodextrin functionalized ionic liquids (CDILs) have nowadays led to an excellent development for their utilization in the area of analytical chemistry. This review focuses mainly on the synthesis of cyclodextrin functionalized ionic liquids and their application in separation techniques like capillary electrophoresis (CE), high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) and gas chromatography (GC). The nature of the interactions between CDILs and analytes have also been highlighted in this review.Synthesis of cyclodextrin functionalized ionic liquids.Separation of model analytes using cyclodextrin functionalized ionic liquids as promising materials.Analytical techniques are basic tools in separation sciences.Synthesis of cyclodextrin functionalized ionic liquids.Separation of model analytes using cyclodextrin functionalized ionic liquids as promising materials.Analytical techniques are basic tools in separation sciences. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Leontopodium leontopodioides (Willd.) Beauv. (L. leontopodioides.) has been used to treat lung diseases in traditional Chinese medicine (TCM). However, a systematic analysis of its chemical components has not been reported so far. In this study, UPLC-Q-Orbitrap MS and GC-MS were applied to investigate the chemical composition of the water extracts and essential oils of L. leontopodioides. UPLC-Q-Orbitrap MS adopts a heating electrospray ionization source, collecting primary and secondary mass spectrometry data in positive and negative ions, respectively, and uses Compound Discoverer 3.2 software to analyze the collected raw data. As a result, a total of 39 compounds were identified from their high-resolution mass spectra in both positive and negative ionization modes, including 13 flavonoids and their glycosides, 15 phenolic acids, 4 oligosaccharides and glycosides, 4 pentacyclic triterpenoids, and 3 other compounds. Among them, 18 chemical components have not been reported in L. leontopodioides. In the GC-MS section, two common organic solvents (n-hexane and diethyl ether) were used to extract essential oils, and the mass spectra were recorded at 70 eV (electron impact) and scanned in the range of 35∼450 m/z. Compounds were identified using NIST (version 2017), and the peak area normalization method was used to calculate their relative amounts. Finally, 17 components were identified in the volatile oil extracted with n-hexane, accounting for 80.38% of the total volatile oil, including monoterpenoids, phenylpropene, fatty acids, and aliphatic hydrocarbons. In the volatile oil extracted with diethyl ether, 16 components were identified, accounting for 73.50% of the total volatile oil, including phenylpropene, aliphatic hydrocarbons, monoterpenoids, fatty acids, and esters. This study was the first to conduct a comprehensive analysis of the chemical composition of the L. leontopodioides water extract and its essential oil, and a comprehensive chemical composition spectrum was constructed, to lay a foundation for its further pharmacodynamic material basis and quality evaluation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Leptadenia hastata (Pers.) Decne is a commonly used food source and prescribed as a traditional African medicine for treatment of various diseases, such as diabetes, skin disorders, wounds, and ulcers. However, quality control has become a bottleneck restricting the therapeutic development and utilization of this plant. In this study, a reliable method for qualitative and quantitative determination of components in Leptadenia hastata was established. The components of L. hastata were profiled using ultra-high performance liquid chromatography coupled with quadruple time-of-flight tandem mass spectrometry (UHPLC-Q-TOF-MS). Subsequently, an ultra-high performance tandem diode array detector (UHPLC-DAD)-based method was used for simultaneous quantitative analysis of five major constituents in six batches of L. hastata samples. As a result, 35 compounds were tentatively identified. The quantities of the five constituents (vicenin-ll, orientin, schaftoside, chrysin 6-C- arabinoside 8-C-glucoside, chrysin 6-C-glucoside 8-C-arabinoside) were determined as 124.8-156.9 pg/g, 170.5-216.0 pg/g, 61.31-93.73 pg/g, 85.13-119.3 pg/g and 99.82-129.4 pg/g, respectively. This method offers a successful strategy for precise and effective evaluation of the constituents of L. hastata, providing a robust foundation for holistic quality assessment of medicinal plants. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The ancient Chinese medical book "Compendium of Materia Medica" records that pears can relieve symptoms of respiratory-related diseases. Previous research has shown that pear Pyrus Pyrifolia (Burm.f.) Nakai has antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. However, the anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and anti-photoaging protective effects of Pyrus pyrifolia (Burm.f.) Nakai seed components have not been studied. Ultraviolet light (UV) causes skin inflammation, damages the skin barrier, and is an important cause of skin photoaging. Therefore, UV light with a wavelength of 365 nm was used to irradiate HaCaT and mice. Western blot, real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction, and fluorescence imaging system were used to explore its anti-UVA mechanism. Dialysis membrane and nuclear magnetic resonance were used for the chemical constituent analysis of pear seed water extract (PSWE). We found that PSWE can significantly reduce UVA-induced skin cell death and mitogen-activated protein kinase phosphorylation and can inhibit the mRNA expression of UVA-induced cytokines (including IL-1β, IL-6, and TNF-α). In addition, PSWE can also reduce the generation of oxidative stress within skin cells. In vivo experimental studies found that PSWE pretreatment effectively reduced transepidermal water loss, inflammation, redness, and dryness in hairless mice. The molecular weight of the active part of pear water extract is approximately 384. Based on the above results, we first found that pear seeds can effectively inhibit oxidative stress and damage caused by UVA. It is a natural extract with antioxidant properties and anti-aging activity that protects skin cells and strengthens the skin barrier. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this work, in order to synthesize new physiologically active substances, the solubility properties of the components in the acetate urea triethanolamine water ternary system were studied by observational polythermal method at a wide range of concentration and a temperature range from -43°C to 18°C. The solubility diagram of the studied system was constructed and the crystallization areas of all substances acetateurea, triethanolamine, ice and the new compound C3H8O3N2·N(C2H4OH)3 acetate ureatriethanolammonium were separated. The composition of the new substance C3H8O3N2·N(C2H4OH)3 was determined using the chemical analysis method. In order to determine optimal conditions for the synthesis of C3H8O3N2·N(C2H4OH)3 acetate ureatriethanolammonium, which has a new physiologically active property, the rheological properties of the solution were studied by adding triethanolamine to 60, 70 and 80 % acetateurea. A "composition-property" diagram was constructed based on the rheological properties of the studied system, the pH indicator, the density and viscosity of the solution, and the refractive index. The optimal conditions for the synthesis of the new substance C3H8O3N2·N(C2H4OH)3 acetate ureatriethanolammonium, obtained by the ratio of components, were determined by adding triethanolamine to a 60 % acetate urea solution. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Improving novel and efficient biosensors for determining organic/inorganic compounds is a challenge in analytical chemistry for clinical diagnosis and research in biomedical sciences. Electrochemical enzyme-based biosensors are one of the commercially successful groups of biosensors that make them highly appealing because of their low cost, high selectivity, and sensitivity. Core/shell nanoparticles have emerged as versatile platforms for developing enzyme-based electrochemical biosensors due to their unique physicochemical properties and tunable surface characteristics. This study provides a comprehensive review of recent trends and advancements in the utilization of core/shell nanoparticles for the development of enzyme-based electrochemical biosensors. Moreover, a statistical evaluation of the studies carried out in this field between 2007 and 2023 is made according to the preferred electrochemical techniques. The recent applications of core/shell nanoparticles in enzyme-based electrochemical biosensors were summarized to quantify environmental pollutants, food contaminants, and clinical biomarkers. Additionally, the review highlights recent innovations and strategies to improve the performance of enzyme-based electrochemical biosensors using core/shell nanoparticles. These include the integration of nanomaterials with specific functions such as hydrophilic character, chemical and thermal stability, conductivity, biocompatibility, and catalytic activity, as well as the development of new hybrid nanostructures and multifunctional nanocomposites. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In analytical chemistry, the synergy between innovative sample preparation techniques and advanced chromatographic methods has paved the way for unprecedented advancements in the analysis of complex samples. Solid Phase Microextraction (SPME) stands out as a powerful tool for extraction, and preconcentration. When coupled with High-Performance Liquid Chromatography (HPLC) equipped with a Diode Array Detector (DAD), the integrated SPME-HPLC-DAD system emerges as a sophisticated analytical platform, offering enhanced sensitivity, selectivity, and versatility for various applications. Desorption is accomplished by either depositing organic solvent in the desorption chamber or else by flowing the mobile phase through the desorption chamber specificity. An ordinary description, along with a visual illustration, has been thoroughly provided for concepts of developed well-known enhanced thin film SPME cartridges (Figure 2). The tabular representation is also available with proper description like technique name, targeted analyte, column used, mobile phase used, %RSD, extraction recovery, LOD, and data acquired R2 also considered Based on the information available in the present study. Discussed SPME with HPLC-DAD brings a great turning point by successfully utilization in biomedical sciences, environmental monitors, food safety, and clinical analysis This cost-effective, readily available technique is both environmentally friendly and stable, allowing for rapid, reliable, and accurate measurements across a wide range of analyte concentrations, thanks to the utilization of hyphenated techniques. The different strategies of SPME with HPLC -DAD and possible future apllications have been incorporated in the review. The understanding of these techniques is still limited and challenging. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Point‐of‐care testing (POCT) has played important role in clinical diagnostics, environmental assessment, chemical and biological analyses, and food and chemical processing due to its faster turnaround compared to laboratory testing. Dedicated manipulations of solutions or particles are generally required to develop POCT technologies that achieve a "sample‐in‐answer‐out" operation. With the development of micro‐ and nanotechnology, many tools have been developed for sample preparation, on‐site analysis and solution manipulations (mixing, pumping, valving, etc.). Among these approaches, the use of acoustic waves to manipulate fluids and particles (named acoustofluidics) has been applied in many researches. This review focuses on the recent developments in acoustofluidics for POCT. It starts with the fundamentals of different acoustic manipulation techniques and then lists some of representative examples to highlight each method in practical POC applications. Looking toward the future, a compact, portable, highly integrated, low power, and biocompatible technique is anticipated to simultaneously achieve precise manipulation of small targets and multimodal manipulation in POC applications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this research work, a coated paper was prepared with poly (butylene adipate-co-terephthalate) (PBAT) film to explore its use in eco-friendly food packaging. The paper was coated with PBAT film for packaging using hot pressing, a production method currently employed in the packaging industry. The coated papers were evaluated for their structural, mechanical, thermal, and barrier properties. The structural morphology and chemical analysis of the coated paper confirmed the consistent formation of PBAT bi-layered on paper surfaces. Surface coating with PBAT film increased the water resistance of the paper samples, as demonstrated by tests of barrier characteristics, including the water vapor transmission rate (WVTR), oxygen transmission rate (OTR), and water contact angle (WCA) of water drops. The transmission rate of the clean paper was 2010.40 cc m−2 per 24 h for OTR and 110.24 g m−2 per 24 h for WVTR. If the PBAT-film was coated, the value decreased to 91.79 g m−2 per 24 h and 992.86 cc m−2 per 24 h. The hydrophobic nature of PBAT, confirmed by WCA measurements, contributed to the enhanced water resistance of PBAT-coated paper. This result presents an improved PBAT-coated paper material, eliminating the need for adhesives and allowing for the fabrication of bi-layered packaging. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Wine is one of the most consumed beverages around the world. Its unique characteristics arise from numerous processes, from the selection of grapevine varieties and grapes, the effect of the terroir and geographical origin, through the biochemical process of fermentation by microorganisms, until its aging. All molecules found in wine define its chemical fingerprint and can be used to tell the story of its origin, production, authenticity and quality. Wine's chemical composition can be characterized using an untargeted metabolomics approach based on extreme resolution mass spectrometry. Fourier transform ion cyclotron resonance mass spectrometry (FT‐ICR‐MS) is currently the most powerful analytical technique to analyse such complex sample, providing the most comprehensive analysis of the chemical fingerprint of wine. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Regenerative medicine is an interdisciplinary field aiming at restoring pathologically damaged tissues and whole organs by cell transplantation in combination with proper supporting scaffolds. Gelatine-based ones are very attractive due to their biocompatibility, rapid biodegradability, and lack of immunogenicity. Gelatine-based composite hydrogels, containing strengthening agents to improve their modest mechanical properties, have been demonstrated to act as extracellular matrices (ECMs), thus playing a critical role in "organ manufacturing". Inspired by the lysyl oxidase (LO)-mediated process of crosslinking, which occurs in nature to reinforce collagen, we have recently developed a versatile protocol to crosslink gelatine B (Gel B) in the presence or absence of LO, using properly synthesized polystyrene- and polyacrylic-based copolymers containing the amine or aldehyde groups needed for crosslinking reactions. Here, following the developed protocol with slight modifications, we have successfully crosslinked Gel B in different conditions, obtaining eight out of nine compounds in high yield (57–99%). The determined crosslinking degree percentage (CP%) evidenced a high CP% for compounds obtained in presence of LO and using the styrenic amine-containing (CP5/DMAA) and acrylic aldehyde-containing (CPMA/DMAA) copolymers as crosslinking agents. ATR-FTIR analyses confirmed the chemical structure of all compounds, while optical microscopy demonstrated cavernous, crater-like, and labyrinth-like morphologies and cavities with a size in the range 15–261 µm. An apparent density in the range 0.10–0.45 g/cm3 confirmed the aerogel-like structure of most samples. Although the best biodegradation profile was observed for the sample obtained using 10% CP5/DMAA (M3), high swelling and absorption properties, high porosity, and good biodegradation profiles were also observed for samples obtained using the 5–10% CP5/DMAA (M4, 5, 6) and 20% CPMA/DMAA (M9) copolymers. Collectively, in this work of synthesis and physicochemical characterization, new aerogel-like composites have been developed and, based on their characteristics, which fit well within the requirements for TE, five candidates (M3, M4, M5, M6, and M9) suitable for future biological experiments on cell adhesion, infiltration and proliferation, to confirm their effective functioning, have been identified. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This current article was dedicated to the determination of the composition of phenolic compounds in extracts of four species of the genus Filipendula in order to establish a connection between the composition of polyphenols and biological effects. A chemical analysis revealed that the composition of the extracts studied depended both on the plant species and its part (leaf or flower) and on the extractant used. All four species of Filipendula were rich sources of phenolic compounds and contained hydrolyzable tannins, condensed tannins, phenolic acids and their derivatives, and flavonoids. The activities included data on those that are most important for creating functional foods with Filipendula plant components: the influence on blood coagulation measured by prothrombin and activated partial thromboplastin time, and on the activity of the digestive enzymes (pancreatic amylase and lipase). It was established that plant species, their parts, and extraction methods contribute meaningfully to biological activity. The most prominent result is as follows: the plant organ determines the selective inhibition of either amylase or lipase; thus, the anticoagulant activities of F. camtschatica and F. stepposa hold promise for health-promoting food formulations associated with general metabolic disorders. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this study, a Y2O3 insulator was fabricated via the sol–gel process and the effect of precursors and annealing processes on its electrical performance was studied. Yttrium(III) acetate hydrate, yttrium(III) nitrate tetrahydrate, yttrium isopropoxide oxide, and yttrium(III) tris (isopropoxide) were used as precursors, and UV/ozone treatment and high-temperature annealing were performed to obtain Y2O3 films from the precursors. The structure and surface morphologies of the films were characterized via grazing-incidence X-ray diffraction and scanning probe microscopy. Chemical component analysis was performed via X-ray spectroscopy. Electrical insulator characteristics were analyzed based on current density versus electrical field data and frequency-dependent dielectric constants. The Y2O3 films fabricated using the acetate precursor and subjected to the UV/ozone treatment showed a uniform and flat surface morphology with the lowest number of oxygen vacancy defects and unwanted byproducts. The corresponding fabricated capacitors showed the lowest current density (Jg) value of 10−8 A/cm2 at 1 MV/cm and a stable dielectric constant in a frequency range of 20 Hz–100 KHz. At 20 Hz, the dielectric constant was 12.28, which decreased to 10.5 at 105 Hz. The results indicate that high-quality, high-k insulators can be fabricated for flexible electronics using suitable precursors and the suggested low-temperature fabrication methods. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The bark of Pinus radiata offers an underutilized source of high-value renewable chemicals such as extractable polyphenols and lipophilic compounds (waxes and suberin). Here, the depolymerization and extraction of suberin from P. radiata bark and its repolymerization to form novel polyesters are reported. Three different strategies were evaluated for repolymerization of the suberin monomers, with starting materials and products characterized using chemical and thermal analysis techniques. The inclusion of comonomer (1,12-dodecanediol) to provide stoichiometric balance improved the conversion, product yield, solubility and increased molecular weight. Enzymatic polymerization conditions gave the highest yield, while the highest molecular weight was achieved using titanium butoxide, demonstrating that polymerization conditions could be varied to target desired product properties. Products were hydrophobic, as shown by contact angles, ϴ ≥ 90° after 30 s. This work highlights opportunities for utilizing suberin to add value to a P. radiata bark biorefinery concept. Potential future applications include its use as a starting material for novel bio-based polymers that can serve as water-repellent surfaces and coatings, replacing established products derived from fossil resources. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The development of environmentally friendly methods of analytical chemistry has been one of the dominant areas of scientific research in recent decades. Environmental performance indices have become a valuable tool for assessing and quantifying the environmental impact of performing chemical analysis. This review article considers the main environmental indices presented in the literature, including aspects such as the safety of used chemical reagents, analytical performance, energy consumption, and waste generation. The review reflects recent advances in green indices and their potential role in a transition to greener and more sustainable analytical practices. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Plants produce an array of defensive compounds with toxic or deterrent effects on insect herbivores. Pollen can contain relatively high concentrations of such defense compounds, but the causes and consequences of this enigmatic phenomenon remain mostly unknown. These compounds could potentially protect pollen against antagonists but could also reduce flower attractiveness to pollinators. We combined field observations of the pollen‐rewarding Lupinus argenteus with chemical analysis and laboratory assays to test three hypotheses for the presence of pollen defense compounds: (1) these compounds are the result of spillover from adjacent tissues, (2) they protect against pollen thieves, and (3) they act as antimicrobial compounds. We also tested whether pollen defense compounds affect pollinator behavior. We found a positive relationship between alkaloid concentrations in pollen and petals, supporting the idea that pollen defense compounds partly originate from spillover. However, pollen and petals exhibited quantitatively (but not qualitatively) distinct alkaloid profiles, suggesting that plants can adjust pollen alkaloid composition independently from that of adjacent tissues. We found no relationship between pollen alkaloid concentration and the abundance of pollen thieves in Lupinus flowers. However, pollen alkaloids were negatively associated with bacterial abundance. Finally, plants with more alkaloids in their pollen received more pollinator visits, but these visits were shorter, resulting in no change in the overall number of flowers visited. We propose that pollen defense compounds are partly the result of spillover from other tissues, while they also play an antimicrobial role. The absence of negative effects of these compounds on pollinator visitation likely allows their maintenance in pollen at relatively high concentrations. Taken together, our results suggest that pollen alkaloids affect and are mediated by the interplay of multiple interactions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

OBJECTIVE To identify the safest, most efficient method for hair sample collection from companion dogs among clippers, scissors, and razors and to validate obtained samples with cortisol concentration analysis. ANIMALS 25 healthy, privately owned dogs. METHODS 2 hair samples were collected from each dog’s ischiatic region with different implements (scissors, razors, or clippers). The collecting clinician completed a Hair Collection Questionnaire (HCQ) for each sample that compared subjective sample quality, time of collection, restraint needed, and patient experience. Each sample was evaluated by cortisol enzyme immunoassay. RESULTS Clippers had higher overall HCQ scores than scissors, and scissors had higher HCQ scores than razors. Collection was faster for clippers than scissors, and scissors were faster than razors. There were no differences in sample quality between scissors and clippers, and sample quality was lower with razors. There was no difference in restraint needed or patient experience. Collection of long hair had higher HCQ scores than collection of medium and short hair. Collection of hair from dogs with an undercoat had higher HCQ scores than collection of hair from dogs without an undercoat. Dog size had no effect on HCQ score. Hair cortisol concentration did not vary between scissors or clippers (P = .111). Hair color and age did not affect hair cortisol concentration (P = .966 and P = .676, respectively). CLINICAL RELEVANCE Clippers are recommended for hair sample collection from companion dogs. Scissors are an adequate alternative. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

New metastable SmSi3−x (x=0–0.05) is obtained by high‐pressure high‐temperature synthesis (9.5 GPa, 870–1270 K). Powder diffraction data refinements reveal that the crystal structure of SmSi3 is isotypic to that of YbSi3 (space group I4/mmm, a=7.23634(5) Å, c=11.0854(1) Å). In the crystal structure, two types of Si2 dumbbells agglomerate into layers, which embed the samarium atoms. At ambient pressure, SmSi3 decomposes exothermally upon heating into Si and SmSi2−x. Single‐crystal structure refinements of a specimen SmSi3−x (x=0.05) reveal considerable electron density, which is not accounted for by the YbSi3‐type model. The additional maxima can be assigned to disorder which affects the samarium positions and induces silicon vacancies. Scanning transmission electron microscopy experiments evidence that the disorder can be attributed to extended defects. Magnetic measurements on SmSi3−x reveal van Vleck paramagnetic behavior and antiferromagnetic ordering at low temperatures. Computations within the local spin density approximation (LSDA and LSDA+U) on the crystal structure of SmSi3 reproduce the antiferromagnetic coupling as the favored long‐range order. Quantum chemical analysis of the chemical bonding in SmSi3 reveals two‐center two‐electron bonds within the Si2 dumbbells plus a total of a little less than four electrons in lone pairs at each silicon atom. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background Ponceau 4R (E124) and carmoisine (CMS; E122) are frequently utilized azo synthetic dyes in the food industry owing to their aesthetically pleasing coloration and broad consumer acceptability. It is imperative to prioritize environmentally favorable technologies for quantifying these dyes, as excessive consumption of these poses significant health risks. Objective The primary objective of this research was to establish a reversed-phase (RP)-HPLC method that could simultaneously detect Ponceau 4R and CMS, implementing green analytical chemistry (GAC) and analytical quality by design (AQbD), using an ultrasound-assisted extraction (UAE) technique in commercial food samples. Methods An Agilent Eclipse Plus column (C18, 250 × 4.6 mm id, 5 µm) was utilized for effective separation with a mobile phase of ethanol-acetate buffer pH 5 (60:40, v/v), flow rate of 1 mL/min, and detection wavelength of 515 nm. Critical variables selected for method optimization were ethanol percentage and flow rate, determined using central composite design (CCD). In order to adhere to the 12 principles of green chemistry, hazardous solvents were substituted with ethanol, which is distinguished by its ease of use, effectiveness, and ecological sustainability. The greenness assessment was conducted utilizing the green analytical procedure index (GAPI), analytical eco-scale (AES), and analytical greenness metrics (AGREE). Results The respective retention times for Ponceau 4R and CMS were 2.276 and 3.450 min. The recovery rate of Ponceau 4R and CMS fluctuated between 70% and 102% and 80% and 102%, respectively, across various marketed food samples. The procedure passed validation in accordance with the International Conference on Harmonization Q14 guidelines. Conclusion The devised method demonstrates that the validation parameters like linearity, precision, sensitivity, and reproducibility are within the specified limits of ICH guidelines. The greenness assesment tools GAPI, AES, and AGREE produced the most favorable results. Highlights In future, environmentally sustainable, solvent-based, robust AQbD methodologies for assessing varieties of food colorants may be adopted and improved commercially. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background The Qianlie Shule capsule is a classical Chinese medicine compound preparation frequently used in therapeutic settings to alleviate astringent pain in the urethra, prostatic hypertrophy, and chronic prostatitis or urinary frequency. However, a comprehensive analysis of the chemical composition of Qianlie Shule capsules has not been reported. Objective To establish a quick and effective analytical method based on hybrid quadrupole-orbitrap mass spectrometry ultrahigh-performance liquid chromatography (UPLC-Q-Orbitrap-MS/MS) for the identification and characterization of chemical components in Qianlie Shule capsules. Method Using ultrahigh-performance liquid chromatography with hybrid quadrupole-orbitrap mass spectrometry and data post-processing, the samples of Qianlie Shule capsules were examined. First, the whole extract of the Qianlie Shule capsules was separated using a UPLC machine, and the fragmentation data were collected in both positive and negative ion mode. The target molecule is then quickly identified by comparing the fragmentation information of the neutral loss (NLs) and characteristic fragments (CFs) reported in the literature. Results A total of 145 chemical components were identified. It includes flavonoids, triterpenoids, phenylpropanoids, organic acids, alkaloids, phenylethanoids, iridoids, and anthraquinones. Conclusions This study is a method for the rapid qualitative analysis of the chemical composition of Qianlie Shule capsules, which provides a method for the rapid, sensitive, and high-throughput identification of the prescription components of Chinese medicine. Highlights Systematic identification of the chemical composition of QLSL capsules provides a theoretical basis for studying the substance basis of QLSL capsules and the improvement of the quality control level. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The present work aimed at a preliminary characterisation of the Hyblean Ricotta cheese manufactured from semi‐extensive dairies in Sicily. A survey on the detection of technological parameters during the production process, as well as the chemical and sensory analysis of raw material and the products, were performed to compare the effect of two different seasons linked with changes in the feeding system (pasture vs indoor). Results indicate that the Ricotta from pasture season showed a significantly higher fat, total solids and protein content and a higher yellow‐colour appearance, bitter taste, vegetable odour and aroma compared to the indoor season samples. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In the present work, a combination of virgin polypropylene and E-glass fiber was subjected to ten (10) reprocessing cycles via extrusion and compression molding techniques to mimic recycling and its impacts on the bending properties of the composites. The samples were characterized using Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy, x-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and melt flow index (MFI). The results revealed a gradual depreciation in flexural properties after each reprocessing cycle. The XRD analysis indicated a substantial reduction of peak intensities, degrees of crystallinities, and average crystallite sizes, explaining the lowered flexural properties in addition to a possible reduction in glass fiber lengths (fiber attrition). Melt-processing behavior shows a progressive increase of MFI from 7 to 19.16 g/10 min, confirming the probable damage in molecular weight and loss of complex viscosity. Chemical and structural analysis showed no alteration in the polypropylene major functional groups. It is concluded that the reductions in molecular weight and composites' properties occurred due to chain scission from recycling effects; hence, glass fiber-reinforced polypropylene composites can be recycled only three (3) times unless it is refreshed by the addition of virgin parts to compensate for the lost property. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Annually, a tremendous amount of mercury is emitted due to anthropogenic activities. As a consequence, occupational and environmental exposure to mercury has drawn broad concern all over the world, and attempts have been sustained to progress analytical methods. The main limitation in exposure assessment is the complexity of biological and environmental samples. Environmental and biological samples need sample preparation to eliminate matrix interferences as well as pre-concentration of the ultra-trace analyte. Among sample preparation methods, considerable attention is devoted to solid-phase extraction (SPE). Porous materials play a vital role in the solid phase extraction procedure for the adsorption and desorption of the target analytes. In this paper, porous materials that were applied for inorganic mercury solid phase extraction were reviewed from 2009 until 2023. Through this study, porous materials were classified and the extraction parameters of each analytical method, including the type of solid phase extraction, porous adsorbent, adsorbent amount, extraction efficiency, real matrices, and detection technique, were clarified. Ultimately, novel attitudes toward green analytical chemistry and innovative ideas were discussed in order to open new horizons. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Amorphous oxide thin films grown by thermal atomic layer deposition (ALD) typically contain high impurity concentrations of hydrogen, which affects both chemistry and structure and thereby the functional properties, such as the barrier properties in, for example, microelectronic and photovoltaic devices. This study discloses the effect of H incorporation in amorphous Al2O3 ALD oxide films on the local chemical binding states of Al, O and H, as well as the oxide density and stoichiometry, by a combined analytical approach using elastic recoil detection analysis, Rutherford backscattering spectroscopy and full chemical state analysis by dual‐source X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS)/hard X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy (HAXPES). The experimental findings are compared with crystalline anhydrous α‐Al2O3 and hydroxide α‐Al (OH)3 reference phases and further supported by molecular dynamic simulations. It is shown that H preferably forms covalent –OH hydroxyl bonds with O in the nearest‐neighbour coordination spheres of interstitial Al cations, which affects both the ligand electronic polarizability and the bond length of the randomly interconnected [AlOn] polyhedral building blocks in the amorphous ALD oxide films. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Soy sauce, being a conventional condiment known for its rich flavor, has the ability to enhance the flavor of food and satisfy people's pursuits for a more enjoyable culinary experience. Consequently, it is extensively utilized in Asian cuisine. A comprehensive strategy was employed in this study, which involved multivariate statistical analysis, sensory analysis and chemical analysis of soy sauce from three production processes. Sensory analysis revealed that three types of sauce were significantly different in floral, fruity and nutty/baked aromas. Through GC × GC-TOF–MS analysis, a total of 358 potential aroma compounds were identified, among which 35 compounds were identified as markers for distinguishing the three types of soy sauce. Pyrazines were abundant in Chinese traditional-type soy sauce, while esters were predominant in Japanese soy sauce. The potential relationship between aroma compounds and aroma characteristics of soy sauce produced through three different processes was investigated. This study provides theoretical insights aimed at enhancing the quality of brewed soy sauce. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Calotropis procera produces a latex used in traditional medicine because of its components which are found to be biologically active. The latex of C. procera has many benefits such as pain reduction, antimicrobial attitude and other precious attributes. Latex lysozyme (LL) is a particular protein contained in C. procera plant having a promising antibacterial property. The process applied for extraction implicated ammonium sulfate precipitation, water extraction, ion exchange and gel filtration column chromatography evidencing 14.4 kDa for LL as a molecular mass. LL after purification showed 397.18 U mg−1 as specific activity (10.30 purification fold), and with 37.9% as a yield. In addition, the chemical and physical analyses showed that LL had its best realization when the pH was 5.5 at 50 °C. Moreover when metal ions such as Ca2+ and Mg2+ were incorporated the relative activity of the enzyme resulted ampliflied. When a purification was conducted with CM-Cellulose and Sephadex G-100 chromatography, LL revealed an antibacterial property versus both Escherichia coli (MICs 14 µg ml−1) and Bacillus cereus (MICs 13 µg ml−1). HR-TEM analysis displayed an antimicrobial potential of LL after its purification; that analysis showed the deterioration of the cell wall (external membrane of the cell) of both E. coli and B. cereus. Therefore, the LL obtained from C. procera maintains ability as an antibacterial enzyme applicable in various domains such as biotechnological and pharmaceutical industries. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

According to green analytical chemistry principles, the use of agricultural byproducts as sorbent phases is an interesting topic due to their lignocellulosic origin, as they are biodegradable and inexpensive. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first study in which avocado seed and avocado seed activated carbon are proposed as sustainable sorbents for solid-phase microextraction technologies, which were used to assess the proof of concept. Rotating disk sorptive extraction (RDSE) was used as a model technology and ibuprofen (Ibu) and 1-hydroxy-ibuprofen (1-OH-Ibu) as representative analytes. It was found that activated carbon (AC) prepared at 600 °C with an impregnation ratio (raw material/activating agent (ZnCl2), w/w) of 1:1.2 had better extraction efficiency than other ACs obtained at different temperatures, impregnation ratios, and activating agents (K2CO3). Characterization revealed several differences between natural avocado seed, biochar prepared at 600 °C, and selected AC since the typical functional groups of the natural starting material begin to disappear with pyrolysis and increasing the surface area and pore volume, suggesting that the main interactions between analytes and the sorbent material are pore filling and π-π stacking. By using this AC as the sorbent phase, the optimal extraction conditions in RDSE were as follows: the use of 50 mg of sorbent in the disk, 30 mL of sample volume, pH 4, 90 min of extraction time at a rotation velocity of the disk of 2000 rpm, and methanol as the elution solvent. The extracts were analyzed via gas chromatography coupled to mass spectrometry (GC–MS). The method provided limits of detection of 0.23 and 0.07 µg L−1 and recoveries of 81% and 91% for Ibu and 1-OH-Ibu, respectively. When comparing the extraction efficiency of the selected activated carbon with those provided by Oasis® HLB and C18 in RDSE, nonsignificant differences were observed, indicating that avocado seed activated carbon is a suitable alternative to these commercial materials. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The chemical and pore structures of coal play a crucial role in determining the content of free gas in coal reservoirs. This study focuses on investigating the impact of acidification transformation on the micro-physical and chemical structure characteristics of coal samples collected from Wenjiaba No. 1 Mine in Guizhou. The research involves a semi-quantitative analysis of the chemical structure parameters and crystal structure of coal samples before and after acidification using Fourier Transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) and X-ray diffraction (XRD) experiments. Additionally, the evolution characteristics of the pore structure are characterized through high-pressure mercury injection (HP-MIP), low-temperature nitrogen adsorption (LT-N2A), and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The experimental findings reveal that the acid solution modifies the structural features of coal samples, weakening certain vibrational structures and altering the chemical composition. Specifically, the asymmetric vibration structure of aliphatic CH2, the asymmetric vibration of aliphatic CH3, and the symmetric vibration of CH2 are affected. This leads to a decrease in the contents of -OH and -NH functional groups while increasing aromatic structures. The crystal structure of coal samples primarily dissolves transversely after acidification, affecting intergranular spacing and average height. Acid treatment corrodes mineral particles within coal sample cracks, augmenting porosity, average pore diameter, and the ratio of macro-pores to transitional pores. Moreover, acidification increases fracture width and texture, enhancing the connectivity of the fracture structure in coal samples. These findings provide theoretical insights for optimizing coalbed methane (CBM) extraction and gas control strategies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]