The cis-Diammineplatinum(II) Complex of Curcumin: A Dual Action DNA Crosslinking and Photochemotherapeutic Agent

Pt(cur)(NH3)(2)](NO3) (1), a curcumin-bound cis-diammineplatinum(II) complex, nicknamed Platicur, as a novel photoactivated chemotherapeutic agent releases photoactive curcumin and an active platinum(II) species upon irradiation with visible light. The hydrolytic instability of free curcumin reduces upon binding to platinum(II). Interactions of 1 with 5'-GMP and ct-DNA indicated formation of platinum-bound DNA adducts upon exposure to visible light (lambda = 400-700 nm). It showed apoptotic photocytotoxicity in cancer cells (IC50 approximate to 15 mu M), thus forming (OH)-O-center dot, while remaining passive in the darkness (IC50 > 200 mu M). A comet assay and platinum estimation suggest Pt-DNA crosslink formation. The fluorescence microscopic images showed cytosolic localization of curcumin, thus implying possibility of dual action as a chemo-and phototherapeutic agent.

Mechano-fluorochromic Pt-II Luminogen and Its Cysteine Recognition

A new triphenylamine-based organometallic Pt-II luminogen (1) and its analogous organic compound (2) are reported. The molecules are decorated with aldehyde functionality to improve their photophysical properties by utilising donor-acceptor interactions. The single crystal X-ray structure analysis of PtII analogue 1 revealed that the neighbouring molecules were loosely organised by weak intermolecular C-H center dot center dot center dot pi interactions. Because of the twisted nature of the triphenylamine backbone the compounds showed aggregation-induced emission enhancement in THF/water mixture. Due to their loose crystal packing, upon application of external stimuli these luminogens exhibited mechano-fluorochromic behaviour. The crystalline forms of the compounds displayed a more superior emission efficiency than the grinded samples. Moreover, the compounds showed crystallization-induced emission enhancement (CIEE) and exhibited chemodosimetric response towards cysteine under physiological condition.

Flower-like porous cobalt(II) monoxide nanostructures as anode material for Li-ion batteries

In the present study, a microwave-assisted, solution-based route has been employed to obtain porous CoO nano structures. Detailed characterization reveals that the flower-like nanostructures comprise petal-like sheets, each of which is made of an ordered, porous arrangement of crystallites of CoO measuring about 6 nm. TEM analysis shows that each ``petal'' is an oriented aggregate of CoO nanocrystals, such aggregation promoted by the hydroxyl moieties derived from the solution. The structure provides a large specific area as well as the porosity desirable in electrodes in Li-ion batteries. Electrochemical measurements carried out on electrodes made of nanostructured CoO show excellent Li ion-storing capability. A specific capacitance of 779 mAh g(-1) has been measured at a specific current of 100 mA g(-1). Measurements show also excellent cyclability and coulombic efficiency. Impedance spectroscopy provides evidence for charge transfer occurring in the porous networks. (C) 2015 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Molecular Cage Impregnated Palladium Nanoparticles: Efficient, Additive-Free Heterogeneous Catalysts for Cyanation of Aryl Halides

Two shape-persistent covalent cages (CC1(r) and CC2(r)) have been devised from triphenyl amine-based trialdehydes and cyclohexane diamine building blocks utilizing the dynamic imine chemistry followed by imine bond reduction. The cage compounds have been characterized by several spectroscopic techniques which suggest that CC1(r) and CC2(r) are 2+3] and 8+12] self-assembled architectures, respectively. These state-of-the-art molecules have a porous interior and stable aromatic backbone with multiple palladium binding sites to engineer the controlled synthesis and stabilization of ultrafine palladium nanoparticles (PdNPs). As-synthesized cage-embedded PdNPs have been characterized by transmission electron microscopy (TEM), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and powder X-ray diffraction (PXRD). Inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectrometry reveals that Pd@CC1(r) and Pd@CC2(r) have 40 and 25 wt% palladium loading, respectively. On the basis of TEM analysis, it has been estimated that as small as similar to 1.8 nm PdNPs could be stabilized inside the CC1(r), while larger CC2(r) could stabilize similar to 3.7 nm NPs. In contrast, reduction of palladium salts in the absence of the cages form structure less agglomerates. The well-dispersed cage-embedded NPs exhibit efficient catalytic performance in the cyanation of aryl halides under heterogeneous, additive-free condition. Moreover, these materials have excellent stability and recyclability without any agglomeration of PdNPs after several cycles.

Microkinetic Modeling of CO Oxidation on Ionic Palladium-Substituted Ceria

This study presents a plausible dual-site mechanism and microkinetic model for CO oxidation over palladium-substituted ceria incorporating the theoretical oxygen storage capacity of different-catalysts into the kinetic model. A rate expression without prior assumption of rate-determining steps has been developed for the proposed microkinetic model using reaction route analysis. Experiments were conducted using various percentages of palladium in ceria that were synthesized by solution combustion. Obtained catalysts were characterized by X-ray diffraction, X-ray photoelectron spectra, and Brunauer-Emmett-Teller surface area measurements. A detailed mechanism was, developed, and the kinetic parameters and rate expression were validated with the conversion data obtained in the presence of the catalysts. Furthermore, a reduced rate expression based on rate-determining step and most abundant reactive intermediate approximation was obtained and tested against the original rate expression for different experimental conditions. From the results obtained it was concluded that the simulated rate predictions matched the experimental trend with reasonable accuracy, validating the kinetic parameters proposed it this study.

Photocytotoxic ternary copper(II) complexes of histamine Schiff base and pyridyl ligands

Ternary copper(Il) complexes of salicylaldehyde-histamine Schiff base (HL) and pyridyl ligands, viz. Cu(bpy)(L)](ClO4) (1) and Cu(dppz)(L)](C104) (2), where bpy is 2,2'-bipyridine (in 1) and dppz is dipyrido3,2-a:2',3'-c]phenazine (in 2), were synthesized, characterized and their DNA binding, photo-activated DNA cleavage activity and photocytotoxicity studied. The 1:1 electrolytic one-electron paramagnetic complexes showed a d-d band near 670 nm in aqueous DMF (1:1 v/v). The crystal structure of complex 1 showed the metal in CuN4O distorted square-pyramidal geometry. Complex 2 intercalatively binds to calf-thymus (ct) DNA with a binding constant (K-b) of similar to 10(5) M-1. It exhibited moderate chemical nuclease activity but excellent DNA photocleavage activity in red light of 647 nm forming (OH)-O-center dot radicals. It showed remarkable photocytotoxicity in human cervical cancer cells (HeLa) giving IC50 of 1.6 mu M in visible light (400-700 nm) with low dark toxicity. The photo-induced cell death is via generation of oxidative stress by reactive oxygen species.

Remarkable photo-induced anticancer activity of vitamin-S6 Schiff base copper(II) complexes of pyridyl bases

Vitamin-B6 (VB6) Schiff base (H2L) copper(II) complexes of pyridyl bases, viz. Cu(bpy)(L)] (1), Cu(phen)(L)] (2) and Cu(dppz)(L)] (3), where bpy is 2,2'-bipyridine, phen is 1,10-phenanthroline and dppz is dipyrido3,2-a:2',3'c]phenazine are synthesized, characterized and their phto-induced anticancer activity studied. The non-electrolytic one electron paramagnetic complexes exhibit a d-d band near 700 nm in DMF. The dppz complex intercalatively binds to calf-thymus DNA with binding constant (K-b) values of similar to 10(6) M-1. This complex exhibits low chemical nuclease activity but excellent DNA photocleavage activity when irradiated with red light of 705 nm forming (OH)-O-center dot radical. It displays remarkable photocytotoxicity in human cervical cancer cells (HeLa) giving IC50 value of 0.9 mu M in visible light (400-700 nm) while being less toxic in darkness (IC50 : 23 mu M). The cellular uptake of the complexes seems to be via VB6 transporting membrane carrier mediated diffusion pathway. Photo-induced cell death follows apoptotic pathway involving photo-generated intracellular reactive oxygen species.

Energy conversion in shape memory alloy heat engine - Part II: Simulation

In this paper, a theoretical model proposed in Part I (Zhu et al., 2001a) is used to simulate the behavior of a twin crank NiTi SMA spring based heat engine, which has been experimentally studied by Iwanaga et al. (1988). The simulation results are compared favorably with the measurements. It is found that (1) output torque and heat efficiency decrease as rotation speed increase; (2) both output torque and output power increase with the increase of hot water temperature; (3) at high rotation speed, higher water temperature improves the heat efficiency. On the contrary, at low rotation speed, lower water temperature is more efficient; (4) the effects of initial spring length may not be monotonic as reported. According to the simulation, output torque, output power and heat efficiency increase with the decrease of spring length only in the low rotation speed case. At high rotation speed, the result might be on the contrary.

Vortex breaking and cutting in type II superconductors.

In technological superconductors, the Lorentz force on the flux vortices is opposed by inhomogeneous pinning and so the critical current may be controlled by a combination of vortex entanglement, cutting, and cross-joining. To understand the roles of these processes we report measurements of structures in which a weak pinning layer is sandwiched between two strongly pinning leads. Quantitative modeling of the results demonstrates that in such systems the critical current is limited by the deformation of individual vortices and not by subsequent cross-joining processes.

Evaluacion de regencia en farmacias veterinarias de distritos I, II y III de Managua

En vista que en Nicaragua y principalmente en la capital Managua, existe una problemática en los establecimientos que se dedican a la venta de productos veterinarios y que brindan servicios directos a la ciudadanía para sus animales se propuso este estudio de tesis; que lleva por título: Evaluación de regencia en farmacias veterinarias de distritos I, II y III de Managua. Para lo cual se procedió a establecer objetivos tales como: Evaluar los tipos de farmacias veterinarias (Agroveterinarias, Farmacias Veterinarias, Farmacias Veterinarias con clínica Integrada y Farmacias Veterinarias Puras) de los distritos I, II, y III de Managua, para esto se efectuó dicho estudio en un periodo de 3 meses mediante visitas y recopilación de la información del 100% de los establecimientos encontrados en la guía telefónica del año 2007, por medio de información obtenida del Ministerio Agropecuario y Forestal (MAGFOR) y finalmente se tomaron en cuenta los establecimientos populares comprobados in situ, en total se evaluaron 20 establecimientos, en los cuales se aplicó una misma encuesta para la recolección de datos.. Los resultados obtenidos, demuestran que el alto porcentaje de las empresas que brindan servicio relacionado con la salud animal no esta siendo atendida por personal especializado, así el 80% de las Agroveterinarias equivalente a 4 establecimientos, actualmente son administradas 3 por comerciantes y una está a cargo de un Zootecnista. El 50% de las farmacias veterinarias son atendidas por Médicos Veterinarios y otro 50% por Comerciantes y Zootecnistas, no obstante aun en las farmacias veterinarias con clínica se encuentran regenciadas por Zootecnistas (9%) y el 91%(9), por Médicos Veterinarios. Se encontró que los 5 establecimientos agroveterinarios no están legalizados por las autoridades competentes del Ministerio Agropecuario y Forestal, 3 de las farmacias veterinarias (75%), laboran ilegalmente y 4 farmacias veterinarias con clínica (36%), brindan servicios a la población ilícitamente. Única y exclusivamente presentan permiso de la alcaldía de Managua. Concluyendo que la mayoría de los establecimientos son atendidos por no profesionales y /o profesionales que no son Médicos Veterinarios, no obstante se encontraron establecimientos atendidos por Médicos Veterinarios, por lo cual se recomienda que todo establecimiento de servicio Veterinario deben ser regenciados por un Médico Veterinario titulado, según citan los incisos 6.1.1 y 6.5.1 de la Norma Técnica Obligatoria Nicaragüense (NTON-20001-03.MAGFOR,2003).

铁基抗高温磨损激光熔覆涂层强韧设计和研究II:Fe-Cr-C-W-Ni激光熔覆层的微观组织及性能

本文以对热工模具进行失效分析的基础上，利用激光熔覆技术，在５ＣｒＭｎＭｏ基础上设计并制备强韧兼备的抗高温磨损涂层。

Diagnóstico agronómico de maíz (Zea mays) bajo riego: Región II, 1988

El objetivo del presente documento, es de exponer la metodología y los resultados de un "DIAGNOSTICO AGRONOMICO" para el análisis y la compresión de los bajos rendimientos del "PLAN CONTINGENTE DE GRANOS BASICOS BAJO RIEGO". El estudio se realizó en la Región II comprendiendo los departametos de León y Chinandena, entre los meses de Febrero a Julio de 1988, período en el cual se realiza el cultivo de maíz de riego. Para la realización del estudio se tomaron datos de campo así como la realización de encuestas a los técnicos y madores de las Unidades de Producción (U.P.E.). Se analizó el Itinerario Técnico para observar las labores que realizan en el campo y en que momento se ejecutan dichas labores. Como resultado del estudio, se observó que los bajos rendimientos del maíz bajo riego se debe al inadecuado manejo del cultivo, ya que todas las Unidades de Producción poseen todos los recursos necesarios para poder producir. A esto le debemos agregar la falta de interés que tienen los técnicos para aumentar la producción. Por lo tanto estos dos factores en su conjunto hacen que el maíz de riego no sea rentable en nuestro país en estas condiciones.