Seven Coordinated Metal Complexes derived from (3-Carboxymethoxy-Naphthalen-2-yloxy)-Acetic Acid and Coordination Polymers

A design principle for seven coordinated metal carboxylate complexes and coordination polymers of Mn(II), Cd(II) and Na(I) derived from (3-carboxymethoxy-naphthalen-2-yloxy)-acetic acid (LH2) is presented. The complexes/coordination polymer [Mn(L)(H₂O)₃]·3H₂O (1), [{Cd(L)(H₂O)₂}·H₂O]_n (2); [Cd(L)(py)₃]·3H₂O (3) have metal ions in pentagonal bipyramid environments (py = pyridine). The coordination polymer [{Cd(L)(H₂O)₂}·H₂O]_n (2) may be considered to be the self-assembly of hexacoordinated [Cd(L)(H₂O)₂] units; it reacts with pyridine to form mono-nuclear complex 3. Depending on the reaction conditions, Ni-coordination polymers of L adopt different compositions. From the reaction carried out with NiCl₂ and NaOH in quinoline and water, a hetero bimetallic coordination polymer; namely, [[NaL(H₂O)]₂Ni(H₂O)₄]_n (4) is obtained. A similar reaction in pyridine-water solvent led to [{Ni(L)(py)₃}.py]_n (5). The coordination polymer 5 has pyridine in its interstices held by C–H···π interactions.     

Effect of TiO2 and nanoclay on the properties of wood polymer nanocomposite

High density polyethylene (HDPE), low density polyethylene (LDPE), polypropylene (PP) and poly(vinyl chloride) (PVC) with Phragmiteskarka wood flour (WF) and polyethylene-co-glycidyl methacrylate (PE-co-GMA) was used to develop wood polymer composite (WPC) by solution blending method. The effect of addition of nanoclay and TiO₂ on the properties of the composite was examined. The exfoliation of silicate layers and dispersion of TiO₂ nanopowder was studied by X-ray diffractometry and transmission electron microscopy. The improvement in miscibility among polymers due to addition of compatibilizer was studied by scanning electron microscopy (SEM). WPC treated with 3 phr each of clay and TiO₂ showed an improvement in thermal stability. Mechanical, UV resistance and flame retarding properties were also enhanced after the incorporation of clay/TiO₂ nanopowder to the composites. Both water and water vapor absorption were found to decrease due to inclusion of nanoclay and TiO₂ in WPC.     

Fermentation optimization for a probiotic local northeastern Indian rice beer and application to local cassava and plantain beer production

Response surface methodology was employed to determine the optimal conditions of time and temperature for the fermentation of a local North East Indian rice beer. The same conditions were then applied to prepare local beers from cassava (Manihot esculanta) and plantain (Musa ABB). Saccharomyces cerevisiae, Aspergillus oryzae and Lactobacillus plantarum were used to carry out the fermentation process. Thirteen experimental runs, based on a two‐factor five‐level design were carried out according to a central composite rotatable design. The independent variables were fermentation time (24–216 h) and temperature (25–40°C). The responses studied were content of protein, alcohol, total polyphenols, reducing sugars as well as titratable acidity and L. plantarum count. Numerical optimization predicted that a fermentation period of 143 h at a temperature of 33°C would result in a desirable rice beer, with response values of protein content OF 0.77%, alcohol content OF 6.99%, L. plantarum count of 7.08 log CFU mL^?1, polyphenol content of 34.46 mg/100 g, reducing sugars of 2.39% and a titratable acidity of 0.34%. Cassava and plantain beers were prepared using the optimized parameters of the rice beer experiments and the resultant beers exhibited the desired chemical parameters, suggesting applicability of the conditions to preparing these types of local beers from a wider range of substrates. Copyright © 2015 The Institute of Brewing & Distilling     

Study on properties of nanocomposites based on HDPE,LDPE, PP,PVC, wood and clay

Wood polymer nanocomposite (WPC) was prepared by solution blending of high density polyethylene, low density polyethylene, polypropylene and polyvinyl chloride (1:1:1:0.5) with wood flour and nanoclay. Xylene and tetrahydrofuran were used as solvent and the ratio was optimized at 70:30. TEM study revealed better dispersion of silicate layers in WPC loaded with 3 wt% of clay. WPC loaded with 3 wt% nanoclay exhibited higher thermal stability compared to WPC loaded with 1 and 5 wt% clay. The storage and loss modulus were found to enhance on incorporation of clay to WPC. The damping peak was found to be lowered by the addition of clay to WPC. Limiting oxygen index value increased due to incorporation of nanoclay. WPCs were subjected to exposure to cellulase producing Bacillus sp. and it showed the growth of bacteria as revealed by SEM study. Mechanical properties of WPC decreased due to degradation by bacteria. Water vapour uptake of WPC decreased due to addition of nanoclay.     

Acid catalyzed pressure synthesis of N,N-dimethylbenzylamine from benzylamine and methanol

The synthesis of N,N-dimethylbenzylamine from benzylamine and methanol in the presence of hydrochloric acid catalyst has been carried out under pressure. Nitrogen pressure is helpful only to a limited extent, beyond which it is neither helpful nor detrimental. Under optimum conditions (517 K, 6.0295 MPa, residence period 2 h, benzylamine-to-methanol-to-hydrochloric acid mol ratio 1:2:1) the conversion of benzylamine to N,N-dimethylbenzylamine is 57.09%.     

Predicting Commute Time Of Non–Workers In The Context Of Welfare Reform

In the context of recent welfare reform efforts, researchers have examined strategies for attracting jobs to inner cities, dispersing inner–city residents to suburban job–growth areas, and creating transportation connections between inner cities and suburban job–growth areas. However, little has been done to estimate the extent of potential commute of non–workers who are expected to become active workers as a result of welfare reform. This study attempts to predict the extent of non–workers’ commute by using modeling techniques employed in labor economics. Data from the 1995 Nationwide Transportation Survey are utilized. Conforming to theoretical premises and logical expectations, I estimate that mean commute time of non–workers is likely to be substantially lower than those currently working. Policy implications of the empirical findings are discussed.     

A domain within the tumor suppressor protein APC shows very similar biochemical properties as the microtubule-associated protein tau

The tumor-suppressor protein APC (adenomatous polyposis coli) binds to microtubules and promotes tubulin assembly. In vivo the endogenous APC protein is mainly localized at the end of microtubules that are involved in active cell migration. Since most tumor-specific APC gene mutations lead to the loss of the microtubule binding domain this interaction is assumed to play a crucial role in tumorigenesis. In this study we show that an APC protein fragment (amino acids 2219-2580) within the C-terminal part is enough to bind to non-assembled tubulin with high affinity. The binding of APC to tubulin does not lead to an alteration of the intrinsic GTPase activity of the non-assembled tubulin. The APC protein induces the tubulin assembly in a fast reaction and below the critical assembly concentration of tubulin. The APC protein induces the bundling of the assembled microtubules in a concentration-dependent manner. Regarding its biochemical properties the analysed APC protein fragment strikingly resembles the members of the microtubule-associated protein family tau. This analogy may help to understand the role of the APC protein in the suppression of tumorigenesis.     

Effects of mass transfer on flow past an impulsively started infinite vertical plate with constant heat flux and chemical reaction

An exact solution to the flow due to impulsive motion of an infinite vertical plate in its own plane in the presence of i) species concentration ii) constant heat flux at the plate iii) chemical reaction of first order, has been derived by the Laplace-transform technique. Velocity and concentration profiles are shown on graphs. It is observed that due to the presence of first order chemical reaction, the velocity decreases but the skin-friction being positive at large values of the chemical reaction parameter, there may not occur separation of the flow near the plate.     

Rheological Study of Vegetable Oil Based Hyperbranched Polyurethane/Multi-Walled Carbon Nanotube Nanocomposites

Hyperbranched polyurethanes [HBPUs] and vegetable oil based polymer nanocomposites have been drawing an imperative attention for their plentiful advantages across a spectrum of potential applications. This study divulges the rheological behaviors of Mesua ferrea L. seed oil modified HBPU/multiwall carbon nanotube [MWCNT] nanocomposites prepared by in-situ technique. Rheological phase transition behavior was studied at 120°C in the steady shear and oscillation mode. The nanocomposites showed shear thinning behavior in both the modes. The rheological characteristics were dependent on the loading of the nanotube as confirmed from this study. The storage and loss moduli values were higher than the pure HBPU and they showed improved viscosity by nanocomposite formation. The nanocomposites revealed a pseudo–solid-like behavior at relatively low frequencies. The effects of temperature on storage and loss modulus have also been explored. The temperature dependence complex viscosity further described the ease of processibility. It has been tried to establish a structural property relationship of the systems from rheological study.     

Studies on Cu+2 ion doped polyaniline

Cu⁺² ion doped polyanilines (PANI) were synthesized by oxidative polymerization of aniline using ammonium persulphate in presence of copper sulphate solution having varying Cu⁺² ion concentration. Products were characterized by UV?CVis and FTIR spectroscopy. Morphology of the products was observed by SEM. Morphology of the emeraldine-base form of PANI (EB-PANI) changed when doped with Cu⁺² ion and its concentration had also shown influence on the morphology. Thermal stability of the Cu⁺² doped PANI was found to be less than that of EB-PANI. Experimental results showed that Cu⁺² ions were successfully incorporated into the polymer and there was a strong interaction between the Cu⁺² ions and PANI chains. Formation of semiquinone segments (polaron species) upon coordination with Cu⁺² ions was undoubtedly demonstrated by UV?CVis and FTIR spectroscopic results. FTIR spectroscopy showed shifts towards the lower wavenumbers for the Cu⁺² ion doped PANI as compared to EB-PANI. An increase in intensity of the band at 1,130?cm^?1 was observed which corresponds to the electronic like absorption confirming the doping of EB-PANI. Crystallinity was studied by powder XRD analysis and it was found that Cu⁺² ion doped PANI has developed a crystalline structure while EB-PANI is amorphous. Conductivity was found to be dependent on the concentration of the Cu⁺² ions and there was an optimum concentration of Cu⁺² ions for getting the highest conductivity.