Interfacial activity and micellar morphology of an imidazolium ring containing zwitterionic surfactants

Zwitterionic surfactants based on 3-(1-alkyl-3-imidazolio) propane-sulfonate ([ImS3-R] where R is octyl or dodecyl) is an emerging and important class of amphiphile due to their relevance as nano reactors for the synthesis of metallic nanoparticles and accelerated acid hydrolysis. The physicochemical properties of such synthesized imidazolium ring-containing zwitterionic surfactants have been characterized by surface tension and small-angle neutron scattering (SANS) techniques. Surface tension measurements were used to calculate several thermodynamic parameters over a range of concentrations and temperatures (298–313 K). The results obtained showed a weak signature representing the critical micelle concentration (CMC) for ImS3-8, however, by increasing the alkyl length of the hydrophobic group to dodecyl, that is, ImS3-8 to ImS3-12, the signature of the CMC was much more evident. As expected, the CMC for ImS3-12 shifted to a lower concentration. An increase in temperature increased the surface activity and decreased the CMC of both zwitterionic surfactants, although the changes were small. Compared to classical surfactants, that is, sodium dodecyl sulfate and dodecyl trimethylammonium bromide, the CMC of ImS3-12 is much lower. Modeling of SANS data demonstrated that the morphology of the micelles formed by these amphiphiles may be described by the “classical” model, a central hydrophobic core, with a shell of hydrated headgroups. Due to their widespread applications in colloidal and interfacial science, the present study adds new insight to the fundamental understanding of these interesting imidazolium-based surface-active ionic liquids (ImS3-R).     

Characteristics and 3D formation of PVA and PEO electrospun nanofibers with embedded urea

The behavior of electrospun polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) and polyethylene oxide (PEO) nanofibers embedded with urea is studied as a function of various process parameters. Our results show that three‐dimensional nanofiber networks can be obtained when high concentrations of urea in the solution are used during electrospinning. The nanofibers are characterized using both scanning electron microscope (SEM) and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR). The stability of the nanofiber as a function of electric field has also been studied. The successful formation of three‐dimensional nanofiber networks can open new trends toward applications in fertilizers containing nanofibers in the nanoagricultural field. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2014 , 131, 39840.     

A modelling study for moisture diffusivities and moisture transfer coefficients in drying of solid objects

This article presents an effective analytical model for determining the moisture diffusivities and moisture transfer coefficients for solid objects (namely, infinite slab, infinite cylinder, sphere; and also for irregularly shaped objects, by using a shape factor) subject to drying applications in a medium. The unsteady-state moisture diffusion analysis is used on the basis of two important criteria: 0·1 <Bi < 100 and Bi > 100. The drying coefficients and lag factors were employed. The analytical models are then verified using available experimental data taken from the literature. The results show that the method presented here can be used to determine the moisture diffusion coefficients and moisture transfer coefficients for such solid objects in a simple and accurate manner for a variety of drying applications.     

Evaluation of Capacity and Spectral Efficiency of the Emerging Digital Mobile Systems

Digital cellular systems will have profound implications for the integration of mobile computing and communications allowing true networking on the move. The European-developed GSM system is rapidly becoming the de-facto world standard for mobile communications. Other emerging standards include IS-54 in North America and PDC in Japan, in addition to the CDMA standard (IS-95) in the USA. The aim of this article is to compare the four emerging standards, with particular emphasis on their user capacity and spectrum utilization efficiency.     

Synthesis and Characterization of Starch-Glycidyl Methacrylate-Acrylic Acid Cation Exchange Composites

The synthesis of starch/glycidyl methacrylate/acrylic acid cation exchange composites was achieved by bulk polymerizing of acrylic acid (AA)/glycidyl methacrylate (GMA) mixtures in presence of starch using sodium peroxydisulphate/sodium sulphite initiating redox system. The effect of the concentration of each of sodium peroxydisulphate sodium sulphite, AA and GMA as well as polymerization temperature on the formation of the composites was investigated. Five kinds of composites of different carboxyl contents were prepared and characterized by investigating their potentiometric titrations, durabilities to use, as well as water swellabilities and solubilities.     

The Non-Erythropoietic EPO Analogue Cibinetide Inhibits Osteoclastogenesis In Vitro and Increases Bone Mineral Density in Mice

The two erythropoietin (EPO) receptor forms mediate different cellular responses to erythropoietin. While hematopoiesis is mediated via the homodimeric EPO receptor (EPOR), tissue protection is conferred via a heteromer composed of EPOR and CD131. In the skeletal system, EPO stimulates osteoclast precursors and induces bone loss. However, the underlying molecular mechanisms are still elusive. Here, we evaluated the role of the heteromeric complex in bone metabolism in vivo and in vitro by using Cibinetide (CIB), a non-erythropoietic EPO analogue that exclusively binds the heteromeric receptor. CIB is administered either alone or in combination with EPO. One month of CIB treatment significantly increased the cortical (~5.8%) and trabecular (~5.2%) bone mineral density in C57BL/6J WT female mice. Similarly, administration of CIB for five consecutive days to female mice that concurrently received EPO on days one and four, reduced the number of osteoclast progenitors, defined by flow cytometry as Lin⁻CD11b⁻Ly6C^hi CD115⁺, by 42.8% compared to treatment with EPO alone. In addition, CIB alone or in combination with EPO inhibited osteoclastogenesis in vitro. Our findings introduce CIB either as a stand-alone treatment, or in combination with EPO, as an appealing candidate for the treatment of the bone loss that accompanies EPO treatment.     

Preparation of 2-Aroyl-3-methyl-1H-1,4-benzothiazines. ESR Study of 2-benzoyl-1,3-dimethyl-1H-1,4-benzothiazine

2-Aroyl-3-methyl-1 H-1,4-benzothiazine ylids ( 2a – k ) were prepared by alkylation of the corresponding 4H-benzothiazines 1 . The ylids 2 are labile at room temperature; proper analytical and ¹H-n.m.r. data were obtained for their picrates. E.s.r. studies of u. v. irradiated polycrystalline form of ( 2 ; R¹ = Me, R² = H) gave evidence for a long-lived benzothiazinyl radical with the odd electron residing on nitrogen 6 .     

Dietary Supplementation of Tetracarpidium conophorum (African Walnut) Seed Enhances Muscle n‐3 Fatty Acids in Broiler Chickens

The influence of dietary Tetracarpidium conophorum (African Walnut) seed meal (TCSM) on fatty acids, productivity parameters, and physicochemical properties of breast and thigh muscles in broiler chickens are assessed. A total of 180, 28‐d‐old Arbor acre broiler chickens are randomly assigned to dietary treatments containing 0% (control), 2.5%, and 5% w/w TCSM, fed for 28 d, and euthanized. Dietary TCSM reduces (p < 0.05) feed intake, body weight gain (BWG), carcass weight, and abdominal fat. Diet does not affect feed efficiency and hematological parameters. The control birds have higher (p < 0.05) serum total cholesterol and triglycerides than do the supplemented birds. Diet has no effect on pH, water holding capacity, carbonyl and malondialdehyde contents, and organoleptic properties of breast and thigh muscles. The 5% TCSM has higher redness in breast muscle than do other treatments. Dietary TCSM improves (p < 0.05) the concentration of C18:3n‐3 (4.80–8.76% vs 1.56%), C20:5n‐3 (0.54–0.79% vs 0.39%), C22:5n‐3 (0.64–0.89% vs 0.18%), and C22:6n‐3 (0.75–0.97% vs 0.19%), and reduces (p <  0.05) the fat content (2.15–2.45% vs 3.15%) in breast and thigh muscles. Dietary TCSM enhances muscle n‐3 fatty acids without instigating oxidative deterioration, but reduces BWG in broiler chickens. Practical Application: Albeit that broiler meat is rich in polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA), its omega 6 (n‐6)/omega 3 (n‐3) is >4. Elevated n‐6/n‐3 could have adverse effect on human physiology thereby promoting the pathogenesis of certain diseases. This heightens the need to enhance the n‐3 PUFA content of broiler meat. Dietary TCSM induced up to a fourfold increase in n‐3 PUFA content of the breast and thigh muscles in broiler chickens. Moreover, dietary TCSM induced up to a tenfold decrease in the n‐6/n‐3 of the breast and thigh muscles in broiler chickens. This finding assumes great significance because the health concerns regarding dietary fat are the foremost factors responsible for the bad image suffered by meat. These results provide insights on the potential of TCSM to improve the nutritional quality without compromising the oxidative shelf life, organoleptic traits, and physicochemical properties of broiler meat.