Organophosphorus chemistry structure and performance relationships in FZG gear tests

A model investigation was conducted involving several different molecular weight phosphorus compounds prepared in base stocks of various polarities. The study involves two different parts. In one part, the same phosphorus compound was blended into several base stocks of differing polarities and was observed to give differing FZG gear test results. In part two, several different phosphorus compounds of various molecular weights were blended into the same base fluid and were observed to give differing FZG gear test results. Solution properties were studied by dielectric thermal analysis and afforded data as to mobility and surface reactivity. X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy was performed on sectioned gear teeth and provided elemental composition as well as thickness of the reacted surface layer. This data was correlated with the recorded FZG gear test results. A surface interaction mechanism is proposed that accounts for the relative phosphorus content and thickness of the wear protection films. The mechanism is based on correlating the additive molecular weight and base stock polarity as it relates to the FZG gear stage test pass result.     

Antidiabetic Drugs in the Treatment of Alzheimer’s Disease

The public health burden of type 2 diabetes mellitus and Alzheimer’s disease is steadily increasing worldwide, especially in the population of older adults. Epidemiological and clinical studies suggest a possible shared pathophysiology between the two diseases and an increased risk of AD in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus. Therefore, in recent years, there has been a substantial interest in identifying the mechanisms of action of antidiabetic drugs and their potential use in Alzheimer’s disease. Human studies in patients with mild cognitive impairment and Alzheimer’s disease have shown that administration of some antidiabetic medications, such as intranasal insulin, metformin, incretins, and thiazolidinediones, can improve cognition and memory. This review aims to examine the latest evidence on antidiabetic medications as a potential candidate for the treatment of Alzheimer’s disease.     

Functional cyclodextrins. 1. Chloroacetylated cyclodextrins

The paper discusses the synthesis of the chloroacetylated derivatives of α-, β- and γ-cyclodextrins. These novel functionalized products can be used both in the synthesis of some conjugates with bioactive substances by covalent bonding and/or for inclusion of hydrophobic compounds.     

Biomarkers in AL Amyloidosis

Systemic AL amyloidosis is a rare complex hematological disorder caused by clonal plasma cells which produce amyloidogenic immunoglobulins. Outcome and prognosis is the combinatory result of the extent and pattern of organ involvement secondary to amyloid fibril deposition and the biology and burden of the underlying plasma cell clone. Prognosis, as assessed by overall survival, and early outcomes is determined by degree of cardiac dysfunction and current staging systems are based on biomarkers that reflect the degree of cardiac damage. The risk of progression to end-stage renal disease requiring dialysis is assessed by renal staging systems. Longer-term survival and response to treatment is affected by markers of the underlying plasma cell clone; the genetic background of the clonal disease as evaluated by interphase fluorescence in situ hybridization in particular has predictive value and may guide treatment selection. Free light chain assessment forms the basis of hematological response criteria and minimal residual disease as assessed by sensitive methods is gradually being incorporated into clinical practice. However, sensitive biomarkers that could aid in the early diagnosis and that could reflect all aspects of organ damage and disease biology are needed and efforts to identify them are continuous.     

Hydrodeoxygenation of HMF over Pt/C in a continuous flow reactor

The three‐phase hydrodeoxygenation reaction of 5‐hydroxymethylfurfural (HMF) with H₂ was studied over a 10 wt % Pt/C catalyst using both batch and flow reactors, with ethanol, 1‐propanol, and toluene solvents. The reaction is shown to be sequential, with HMF reacting first to furfuryl ethers and other partially hydrogenated products. These intermediate products then form dimethyl furan (DMF), which in turn reacts further to undesired products. Furfuryl ethers were found to react to DMF much faster than HMF, explaining the higher reactivity of HMF when alcohol solvents were used. With the optimal residence time, it was possible to achieve yields approaching 70% in the flow reactor with the Pt/C catalyst. Much higher selectivities and yields were obtained in the flow reactor than in the batch reactor because side products are formed sequentially, rather than in parallel, demonstrating the importance of choosing the correct type of reactor in catalyst screening. © 2014 American Institute of Chemical Engineers AIChE J, 61: 590–597, 2015     

Effects of Monoterpenoids, Acting Alone or in Pairs, on Seed Germination and Subsequent Seedling Growth

We compared the potential allelopathic activity of 47 monoterpe- noids of different chemical groups, by estimating their effect on seed germination and subsequent growth of Lactuca sativa seedlings. Apart from individual compounds, eleven pairs at different proportions were also tested. As a group, the hydrocarbons, except for (+)-3-carene, were the least inhibitory. Of the oxygenated compounds, the least inhibitory were the acetates; whenever the free hydroxyl group of an alcohol turned into a carboxyl group, the activity of the resulting ester was markedly lower (against both germination and seedling growth). Twenty-four compounds were extremely active against seedling growth (inhibiting it by more than 85%), but only five against seed germination. The compounds that were most active against both processes belonged to the groups of ketones and alcohols; they were terpinen-4-ol, dihydrocarvone, and two carvone stereoisomers. We used a model to investigate whether compounds acted independently when applied in pairs. The combined effect varied. In half of the cases, it followed the pattern expected under the assumption of independence; in the rest, either synergistic or antagonistic interactions were found in both germination and elongation. However, even in cases of synergistic interactions, the level of inhibition was not comparable to that of a single extremely active compound, unless such a compound already participated in the combination. The specific structural factors that operate and determine the activity of monoterpenoids still remain rather obscure. The same holds true for the combined effect; its character cannot in general be predicted on the basis of individual compounds acting alone.     

Kinetic and reaction mechanisms of calcium bisulfite catalytic oxidation

In this paper, the oxidation of calcium bisulfite in the presence of ferrous ions as a catalyst is studied in a laboratory scale apparatus at a fixed oxygen partial pressure (21.3 kPa) and at a temperature of 45 °C. The analysis of the experimental results, carried out by using the theory of mass transfer with chemical reaction, indicates that the slow reaction regime has been explored, and the transition from the kinetic to the diffusional subregime identified. A kinetic analysis allows to develop a reaction rate equation, assuming that the bisulfite oxidation in the presence of ferrous ions follows a parallel reaction mechanism; the resulting overall reaction rate has been found to be of first order with respect to ferrous ion concentration and of three halves with respect to bisulfite concentration. Moreover, the catalytic effect of ferrous ions has been compared with that of manganese ions previously studied, showing that ferrous is a catalyst more active than manganese.     

Dynamics of Local Bond Correlations in FeSe x Te1−x by Inelastic Neutron Scattering

The dynamics of the local atomic pair correlations in the FeSe _x Te_1?x ( x = 0.1, 0.5, and 0.9) system were investigated using the dynamic pair density function analysis obtained from inelastic neutron scattering. Distinct differences are observed between the superconducting and nonsuperconducting compositions, particularly involving the local dynamics of the Fe-Fe correlations. The energy scale of the observed differences is between 25 and 30 meV. In the nonsuperconducting FeSe_0.1Te_0.9, the Fe-Fe correlations are enhanced with cooling that may signal stronger exchange interactions, while in the superconducting compositions of FeSe_0.9Te_0.1 and FeSe_0.5Te_0.5, they are suppressed.