Compositional studies: antioxidant and antidiabetic activities of Capparis decidua (Forsk.) Edgew

Capparis decidua is one of the traditional remedies used for various medicinal treatments in Pakistan. This study presents the determination of proximate composition, amino acids, fatty acids, tocopherols, sterols, glucosinolate and phenolic content in extracts obtained from different aerial parts of C. decidua, as well as their antidiabetic and antioxidant activity. All examined extracts were prominently rich in phenolics and glucosinates, and they showed potent antidiabetic and antihemolytic activity. The present study could be helpful in developing medicinal preparations for the treatment of diabetes and related symptoms.     

Integrated design of diesel hydrotreating processes

This work presents an integrated approach for the design of diesel hydrotreating processes employing a simulated annealing optimisation algorithm. The modelling of reactor, separation and heat recovery system for diesel hydrotreating processes is discussed, and a novel optimisation framework is developed for the design of complex refinery processes. A comparison with conventional approach to process design, i.e. sequential evolution of design, is given to illustrate the ability of proposed approach to obtain overall hydrotreating process designs with minimum total annualised costs. The proposed integrated approach takes into account the trade-offs between capital and operating costs, as well as interactions between the hydrotreater, distillation column, and the associated heat exchanger network.     

Amine-terminated aromatic and semi-aromatic hyperbranched polyamides: synthesis and characterization

A facile synthetic approach to aromatic and semiaromatic amine-terminated hyperbranched polyamides via direct polymerization of triamine (B₃) with different diacid chlorides (A₂) was explored. An aromatic triamine, 1,3,5-tris(4′-aminophenylcarbamoyl)benzene (TAPCB), was synthesized and monomers were characterized by elemental analysis, FTIR, ¹H and ¹³C NMR spectroscopy. Finally, the polycondensation reaction of TAPCB with terephthaloyl chloride (TPC), isophthaloyl chloride (IPC), sebacoyl chloride (SC) and adipoyl chloride (AC) resulted in the preparation of four hyperbranched polyamides i.e., HBPA 1, 2, 3 and 4, respectively. FTIR and ¹H NMR analyses confirmed the structures of the ensuing polymers and DB was found between 0.51–0.55. These thermally stable amorphous HBPAs were soluble in polar aprotic solvents at room temperature having glass transition temperatures (T_g) between 138–198 °C. Inherent viscosities (η_inh) and weight average molecular weights (M_w) were in the range of 0.27–0.35 dL/g and 1.3 × 10⁴–2.7 × 10⁴, respectively. Future prospects are envisaged.     

Attraction Modulated by Spacing of Pheromone Components and Anti-attractants in a Bark Beetle and a Moth

Orientation for insects in olfactory landscapes with high semiochemical diversity may be a challenging task. The partitioning of odor plumes into filaments that are interspersed with pockets of ‘clean air’ may help filament discrimination and upwind flight to attractive sources in the face of inhibitory signals. We studied the effect of distance between odor sources on trap catches of the beetle, Ips typographus, and the moth, Spodoptera littoralis. Insects were tested both to spatially separated pheromone components [cis-verbenol and 2-methyl-3-buten-2-ol for Ips; (Z,E)-9,11-tetradecadienyl acetate and (Z,E)-9,12-tetradecadienyl acetate for Spodoptera], and to separated pheromone and anti-attractant sources [non-host volatile (NHV) blend for Ips; (Z)-9-tetradecenyl acetate for Spodoptera]. Trap catch data were complemented with simulations of plume structure and plume overlap from two separated sources using a photo ionization detector and soap bubble generators. Trap catches of the beetle and the moth were both affected when odor sources in the respective traps were increasingly separated. However, this effect on trap catch occurred at smaller (roughly by an order of magnitude) odor source separation distances for the moth than for the beetle. This may reflect differences between the respective olfactory systems and central processing. For both species, the changes in trap catches in response to separation of pheromone components occurred at similar spacing distances as for separation of pheromone and anti-attractant sources. Overlap between two simulated plumes depended on distance between the two sources. In addition, the number of detected filaments and their concentration decreased with downwind distance. This implies that the response to separated odor sources in the two species might take place under different olfactory conditions. Deploying multiple sources of anti-attractant around a pheromone trap indicated long-distance (meter scale) effects of NHV on the beetle and a potential use for NHV in forest protection.     

Effect of chemical modification of oil fly ash and compatibilization on the rheological and morphological properties of low‐density polyethylene composites

In this study, the effect of oil fly ash (OFA), a by‐product of oil fuel power plants, on the rheological and morphological behavior of low‐density polyethylene (LDPE) is investigated. As received and acid‐functionalized OFA (COOH‐OFA) are used to examine the effect of surface modification of OFA on polymer–filler composites. LDPE/OFA composites were prepared by melt mixing with filler loading in the range 1–10 wt %. The results are compared with pure LDPE. The effect of polyethylene‐grafted‐maleic anhydride (PE‐g‐MA) as a compatibilizer was also studied. Both viscous and elastic properties of composites increased with OFA loading especially at low frequency. The surface modification of OFA has influenced the properties of OFA. As‐received OFA showed some agglomeration at high loading that resulted in two‐phase system as described by scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and Cole–Cole plot. Field emission‐SEM (FE‐SEM) images showed improvement in the dispersion of COOH‐LDPE/OFA composites. In addition, the surface modification reduced the size of agglomeration. In general, the COOH modification of OFA improved both the dispersion and rheological properties of OFA. With chemical modification, the concentration of the filler can be increased to 10% without compromising the properties of the composites. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2011.     

Fabrication of different conductive matrix supported binary metal oxides for supercapacitors applications

Here, we have fabricated the spinel binary-metal oxide (FeCo₂O₄) via a solvent-free and cost-effective approach. The nanocomposites of the as-fabricated binary-metal spinel oxide have been prepared with three different conductive-matrices, namely r-GO, CNTs, and PANI, via ultra-sonication approach. The spinel phase and surface functionalities of the fabricated FeCo₂O₄ sample have been confirmed via XRD and FT-IR analyses, respectively. The morphological-structure and elemental composition of the fabricated samples have been probed via FESEM and EDX results. The role of added conductive-matrices in the improvement of the electrical conductivities of the fabricated nanocomposites has been investigated via I–V experiments. The electrochemical experiments, conducted in half-cell configuration, showed that FeCo₂O₄/PANI nanocomposite exhibited the highest specific capacitance (658.9 Fg^-1) than that of the remaining two nanocomposites. Furthermore, FeCo₂O₄/PANI nanocomposite exhibited excellent cyclic stability as it lost just 8.3% of its initial specific capacitance even after 3000 cyclic tests. The superior capacitive-activity of the FeCo₂O₄/PANI nanocomposite is accredited to its high conductivity, large surface area, and synergy effects between the pseudocapacitance derived from the PANI and FeCo₂O₄ nanostructure. The electrochemical and electrical measurements suggested that FeCo₂O₄/PANI nanostructure is an emerging contender for energy storage applications.     

Production of Synthesis Gas via Dry Reforming of Methane over Co‐Based Catalysts: Effect on H2/CO Ratio and Carbon Deposition

The effect of support type on synthesis gas production using Co‐based catalysts supported over TiO₂‐P25, Al₂O₃, SiO₂, and CeO₂ was investigated. The catalysts were prepared by the incipient wet impregnation method and characterized by various techniques for comparison. Experiments were performed in a micro tubular reactor. The results revealed that all Co‐supported catalysts produced synthesis gas ratios of 1 and below and, thus, proved to be well‐suited for methanol and Fischer‐Tropsch syntheses. Co catalysts supported over TiO₂‐P25 and Al₂O₃ provided better synthesis gas ratios and stability performances. The promotion of a Co/TiO₂‐P25 catalyst with Ce had a substantial influence on its catalytic activity and the amount of carbon deposit. A Ce‐promoted catalyst diminished markedly the extent of carbon deposition and thus boosted the performance towards better activity and stability.     

Thermal Evaluation of Diesel/Hydrogen Peroxide Fuel Blend

Thermal properties of fossil fuel are the key fundamental characteristics, which can distinguish any compound as a potential fuel. The performance of diesel fuel blend along with stability and solubility parameter designs are evaluated. The results from the experimental study indicate that the increase in hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂) amount enhances the cetane number of diesel fuel blend significantly. However, the calorific value decreases as compared to pure diesel fuel. All values performed well according to the ASTM D‐975 diesel testing method. The thermodynamics of the prepared fuel blends also revealed that substantial solubility and diesel/H₂O₂ blend stability are provided even at lower temperatures. Such blends can be used as a feasible replacement of pure diesel fuel.     

N‐halamine‐modified polyglycolide (PGA) multifilament as a potential bactericidal surgical suture: In vitro study

In this study, new cationic homopolymer and anionic copolymer were synthesized, and deposited onto polyglycolide sutures using a layer‐by‐layer assembly technique. The coated sutures were rendered antibacterial by chlorinating with dilute solution of household bleach solution at pH 7. The chlorination treatment transformed the N? H groups of anionic copolymer into N‐halamine structures. The N‐halamine‐modified sutures were challenged with Staphylococcus aureus and Escherichia coli O157:H7 bacteria at different contact times. The suture with chlorine loading of 0.22% completely inactivated both bacterial strains in 30 min contact time. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, scanning electron microscopy, and analytical titration confirmed the successful deposition of the N‐halamine multilayers. The effect of layer‐by‐layer coatings of polyelectrolytes on the chlorine loading and antibacterial efficacy of sutures was evaluated. The straight‐pull and knot‐pull strength tests performed on the sutures reported slight decline in tensile properties after chlorination treatment. The in vitro hemolysis and cytocompatibility tests revealed that the N‐halamines‐based antibacterial sutures were biocompatible. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2015 , 132, 42483.     

Identification of Proteins Modulated in the Date Palm Stem Infested with Red Palm Weevil (Rhynchophorus ferrugineus Oliv.) Using Two Dimensional Differential Gel Electrophoresis and Mass Spectrometry

A state of the art proteomic methodology using Matrix Assisted Laser Desorption/Ionization-Time of Flight (MALDI TOF) has been employed to characterize peptides modulated in the date palm stem subsequent to infestation with red palm weevil (RPW). Our analyses revealed 32 differentially expressed peptides associated with RPW infestation in date palm stem. To identify RPW infestation associated peptides (I), artificially wounded plants (W) were used as additional control beside uninfested plants, a conventional control (C). A constant unique pattern of differential expression in infested (I), wounded (W) stem samples compared to control (C) was observed. The upregulated proteins showed relative fold intensity in order of I > W and downregulated spots trend as W > I, a quite interesting pattern. This study also reveals that artificially wounding of date palm stem affects almost the same proteins as infestation; however, relative intensity is quite lower than in infested samples both in up and downregulated spots. All 32 differentially expressed spots were subjected to MALDI-TOF analysis for their identification and we were able to match 21 proteins in the already existing databases. Relatively significant modulated expression pattern of a number of peptides in infested plants predicts the possibility of developing a quick and reliable molecular methodology for detecting plants infested with date palm.