Synthesis and characterisation of polyamideimides from bis(4-trimellitimidophenyl)sulfone

Several polyamideimides have been synthesised by the interaction of a number of aromatic diamines with an imidedicarboxylic acid. Since these polymers incorporated a preformed imide group, they did not pose the common problems encountered in imidisation of polyamic acids. They were synthesised by low temperature (<5°C) polycondensation, in 75–92% yields and had viscosities in the range 0.18–0.39 dl/g. They were characterised by IR spectra, elemental analysis, X-ray and thermal methods, and possessed very high solubility in polar aprotic solvents.     

Studies in Estolides,Part III : Plasticizer for Polyvinyl Chloride

Acetoxy butyl esters prepared from estolides (derived from castor oil fatty acids) were evaluated as plasticizers for poly (vinyl chloride) (PVC) resin. They showed limited compatibility. They were useful as secondary plasticizers for PVC along with dioctyl phthalate plasticizer. The properties of the plasticized stocks were generally comparable to the ones obtained by incorporating 12-acetoxy butyl oleate, the commercial secondary plasticizer. Among the estolides derivatives tried, the acetoxy butyl ester obtained from estolides of acid value 83 showed better performance. 1For parts I and II in the series ,see Refference 3 and 4     

Wave propagation in a generalized thermoelastic solid cylinder of arbitrary cross-section immersed in a fluid

The wave propagation in a generalized thermoelastic solid cylinder of arbitrary cross-section immersed in a fluid is discussed in this paper. The solid medium is assumed to be linear, isotropic, temperature rate-dependent thermoelastic and the fluid medium is assumed to be inviscid. By imposing the continuity conditions on the interface between solid and fluid mediums, the frequency equation corresponding to the problem is obtained using the Fourier expansion collocation method. To compare the model with the existing literature, the results of a generalized thermoelastic solid cylinder without fluid are obtained and they show very good agreement. Also graphs and tables for various values of the material parameters are furnished.     

A Series of Ferulic Acid Amides Reveals Unexpected Peroxiredoxin 1 Inhibitory Activity with in vivo Antidiabetic and Hypolipidemic Effects

Insulin resistance is a major pathophysiological feature in the development of type 2 diabetes (T2DM). Ferulic acid is known for attenuating the insulin resistance and reducing the blood glucose in T2DM rats. In this work, we designed and synthesized a library of new ferulic acid amides (FAA), which could be considered as ring opening derivatives of the antidiabetic PPARγ agonists Thiazolidinediones (TZDs). However, since these compounds displayed weak PPAR transactivation capacity, we employed a proteomics approach to unravel their molecular target(s) and identified the peroxiredoxin 1 (PRDX1) as a direct binding target of FAAs. Interestingly, PRDX1, a protein with antioxidant and chaperone activity, has been implied in the development of T2DM by inducing hepatic insulin resistance. SPR, mass spectrometry-based studies, docking experiments and in vitro inhibition assay confirmed that compounds VIe and VIf bound PRDX1 and induced a dose-dependent inhibition. Furthermore, VIe and VIf significantly improved hyperglycemia and hyperlipidemia in streptozotocin-nicotinamide (STZ-NA)-induced diabetic rats as confirmed by histopathological examinations. These results provide guidance for developing the current FAAs as new potential antidiabetic agents.     

Studies on thermal degradation kinetics and dielectric properties of polyether imide foam/nanosilica-based nanocomposites

ABSTRACT

In this paper, polyether imide (PEI) having properties such as a high glass transition temperature of 216°C, high heat resistance, high flame resistance, low smoke generation and a high melting point within the range of 400°C, having low thermal conductivity and low dielectric constant was chosen to be a polymeric foam. Water vapor-induced phase separation method was used to prepare PEI foams. PEI foams were reinforced with nano-silica (weight 1, 3 and 5%) in order to alter the dielectric properties, thermal conductivity and degradation kinetics of foamed polymer. The tested samples showed a reduction in dielectric constant than that of solid PEI but at a higher loading, it showed a higher value due to threshold percolation and a reduction in thermal conductivity was observed for foamed PEI. From thermogravimetric analysis, we can conclude that PEI with 3% filler loading showed better thermal stability compared to other PEI foam compositions.     

Production and characterization of glycolipid biosurfactant from Streptomyces enissocaesilis HRB1 and its evaluation for biomedical and bioremediation applications

The aim of this investigation is to produce and characterize biosurfactant from Streptomyces sp. HRB1 and to evaluate its biomedical and bioremediation potential. Biosurfactant producing property of Streptomyces sp. HRB1 isolated from petroleum contaminated soil was confirmed by hemolytic and oil spread assays. Based on the results of FT-IR spectral and GC–MS analysis, the biosurfactant was confirmed as glycolipid type. Biosurfactant from Streptomyces sp. HRB1 exhibited 71% inhibition against Pseudomonas aeruginosa biofilm formation, 77.33% quorum sensing inhibition property against Chromobacterium violeceum MTCC 2656, more than 80% inhibition in antioxidant assays namely, DPPH, ABTS, and metal chelation, promising anti-proliferative activity against leukemia and myeloma cells with low IC₅₀ values, 96% decolorization of malachite green within 48 h of reaction time, and minimal toxicity against normal cell lines in dose-dependent manner. The taxonomic position of the potential strain HRB1 was further confirmed as Streptomyces enissocaesilis HRB1 based on their phenotypic and molecular characteristics. To conclude, Streptomyces enissocaesilis HRB1 isolated from petroleum-contaminated soil is a promising source for low-cost production of glycolipid biosurfactant with potential biomedical and environmental applications such as antiphytofungal, antibiofilm, anti-quorum sensing, antioxidant, anticancer, and dye degradation properties.     

Morphology and Mechanical Properties of Normal Blends and In-Situ Microfibrillar Composites from Low-Density Polyethylene and Poly(ethylene terephthalate)

In this work, normal blends, microfibrillar blends and composites were prepared from low density polyethylene (LDPE) and poly(ethylene terephthalate) (PET) in 85/15 and 75/25 w/w% ratio in the presence and absence of a compatibilizer polyethylene grafted with maleic anhydride (PE-g-MA). The microfibrillar composites (MFCs) were prepared using extrusion – drawing – isotropization technique. The morphology development of the microfibrillar blends and composites was studied using scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The presence of 5 wt% PE-g-MA compatibilizer affected the continuity of the fibrils differently in 75/25 and 85/15 w/w% microfibrillar blends. In the case of normal blends the addition of compatibiliser reduced the size of the dispersed PET phase. The presence of PET microfibrils improved the tensile properties of the microfibrillar composites. The normal blends exhibited a relatively ductile failure during tensile loading in comparison with the microfibrillar composites. The microfibrillar nature of the dispersed phase was found to improve the stiffness of the composite rather than their impact strength.     

Nano‐hydroxyapatite (HAp) and hydroxyapatite/platinum (HAp/Pt) core shell nanorods: Development,structural study,and their catalytic activity

The development of a new kind of material that is a nanostructured catalytic material with an environmentally benign nature that can be used for alternative energy has acquired significance in recent years. In this context, the use of heterogeneous catalysts for the transesterification of vegetable oils has gained prominence due to their eco‐friendly and reusable nature. Hence in the present study, pure hydroxyapatite (HAp) and hydroxyapatite/platinum (HAp/Pt) nanostructured particles have been prepared successfully through a facile chemical method without templates and surfactants and their catalytic activity investigated for transesterification of natural vegetable oil to bioenergy (biodiesel). The textural and structural features of pure HAp and HAp/Pt were investigated using various characterization techniques such as x‐ray diffraction, Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) and Raman spectroscopy, field emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM), and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). The elements present in the prepared nanostructures were confirmed through energy dispersive spectroscopy (EDS) and x‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) techniques. The XPS analysis also confirms the metallic nature of the platinum in HAp/Pt. The specific surface area and porous nature of the prepared nanostructured catalysts were studied using the N₂ physisorption Brunauer‐Emmett‐Teller‐Barrett‐Joyner‐Halenda (BET‐BJH) method. The catalytic activity of the pure HAp nanoparticles and HAp/Pt core shell nanorods with the Simarouba glauca plant seed oil was investigated. The obtained results indicate that the pristine HAp nanoparticles and HAp/Pt core shell nanorods (NRs) show 91.4% and 87.1% fatty acid methyl ester (FAME) conversion, respectively, potentially offering environmental benign biocatalysts for biofuel production from natural feed stock.