2-Phenyloxazole-4-carboxamide as a Scaffold for Selective Inhibition of Human Monoamine Oxidase B

A series of 2-phenyloxazoles bearing an amide group at position 4 were designed and synthesized for evaluation as potential inhibitors of human recombinant monoamine oxidases (hrMAOs). Results of kinetics experiments demonstrated that all compounds behave as competitive MAO inhibitors, with good selectivity toward the MAO-B isoform. The most potent and selective derivatives are characterized by inhibition constant (K_i) values in the sub-micromolar range and a good selectivity index (K_{i MAO-A}/K_{i MAO-B}>50). Some derivatives were also found to be able to inhibit MAO activity in nerve growth factor (NGF)-differentiated PC12 cells, taken as a model of neuronal cells. In particular, 2-(2-hydroxyphenyl)-N-phenyloxazole-4-carboxamide (compound 4 a ) may be a promising new scaffold, exerting the highest selectivity and inhibitory effect toward MAOs in NGF-differentiated PC12 cell lysates, without compromising cell viability. Molecular docking analysis allowed a rationalization of the experimentally observed binding affinity and selectivity.     

Electrical and optical properties of semi-insulating polycrystalline silicon thin films: the role of microstructure and doping

We have investigated the relationship between microstructure and electrical conductivity in semi-insulating polycrystalline silicon (SIPOS) with oxygen concentrations in the 2–35 at.% range and the effect of doping with boron, phosphorus, arsenic and erbium by ion implantation. SIPOS thin films are mixtures of silicon and silicon oxide phases. The chemical and morphological evolution of these phases upon annealing is emphasized. Electrical conductivity measurements are interpreted in terms of a physical model containing few free parameters related to the material microstructure. A direct extension of this model explains also the conductivity increase in SIPOS doped with elements of the third or the fifth group. In the last part of the paper, data of electroluminescence at 1.54 μm in Er-implanted SIPOS due to intra-4f transitions of the Er³⁺ ion are shown and discussed.     

A Constraint-based Approach for Annotating Music Scores with Gestural Information

The physical gestures that operate music instruments are responsible for the qualities of the sound being produced in a performance. Gestural information is thereby crucial for a model of music performance, paired with a model of sound synthesis where this information is applied. The highly constrained nature of performers gestures makes this task suitable to be modeled via a constraint-based approach, coupled with a strategy aimed at maximizing the gestural comfort of performers. We illustrate the problem representation, the search strategy and a validation of the model against human performance.     

Electrocatalysis of chlorine evolution on different materials and its influence on the performance of an electrochemical reactor for indirect oxidation of pollutants

Two different Ti/Pt–Ir materials (commercial and home made) and Ti/PdO + Co₃O₄ were investigated for their electrocatalytic properties versus Cl₂ evolution reaction. The materials were used in a batch electrochemical reactor to treat biologically recalcitrant di-azo compound. An electrochemically driven oxidation, mediated by a Cl₂/Cl⁻ couple, proved efficient for destruction of this complex organic molecule, causing cleavage of the conjugated double bonds and destruction of unsatured bonds. Both Ti/Pt–Ir materials performed well; lower kinetics obtained with the Ti/PdO + Co₃O₄ anode was caused by adsorption of the model compound, evidenced in preliminary voltammetric measurements. The dye oxidation reaction followed the second order kinetics with partial orders in the model compound and (time varying) chlorine concentrations equal to one. Specific energy consumption of 3.12 kWh m⁻³ proved the process more economic than the homogeneous phase oxidation.     

CO2 abatement by co-firing of natural gas and biomass-derived gas in a gas turbine

In this work, a possible way for partial CO₂ emissions reduction from gas turbine exhausts by co-firing with biomass is investigated. The basic principle is the recirculation of a fraction of the exhausts (still rich in oxygen) to a gasifier, in order to produce syngas to mix with natural gas fuel. As biomass is a CO₂ neutral fuel, the fraction of replaced natural gas is a measure of CO₂ removal potential of the powerplant.     

Development of an undergraduate course – Internet-based instrumentation and control

The objective, strategy, and implementation details of a new undergraduate course, Internet-based Instrumentation and Control, are presented. The course has a companion laboratory that is supported by the National Science Foundation and industry. The combination is offered to senior-level undergraduate engineering students interested in sensing, instrumentation, control, and web programming that want to learn more about the integration of these technologies for solving real-world engineering problems. The course will also be offered to gifted high school seniors with similar interests and can serve as a vehicle to attract them to engineering disciplines. Preliminary assessment of the first offering of the course is encouraging and has shown that the course has achieved success in helping students understand concepts and master basic technologies for developing Internet-based automatic systems.     

Specific heat of thin helium films in a cylindrical geometry

We report measurements of the specific heat of thin helium films adsorbed in the 0.2 µm pores of Anopore membranes. Over the temperature range of these studies, two specific heat anomalies, strongly dependent on helium film thickness, were found.