CuI Immobilized on Tricationic Ionic Liquid Anchored on Functionalized Magnetic Hydrotalcite (Fe3O4/HT-TIL-CuI) as a Novel,Magnetic and Efficient Nanocatalyst for Ullmann-Type C–N Coupling Reaction

One of the most important reactions in organic synthesis is Ullmann-type C–N coupling reaction which has been used for preparation of numerous biologically active compounds. In this work, CuI immobilized on tricationic ionic liquid anchored on functionalized magnetic hydrotalcite (Fe₃O₄/HT-TIL-CuI) has been successfully prepared and fully characterized by different techniques, including fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy, vibrating sample magnetometer, thermo gravimetric analysis, transmission electron microscopy, field-emission scanning electron microscopy, energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy, elemental mapping, zeta potential, X-ray diffraction, temperature programmed desorption of ammonia (NH₃-TPD), temperature-programmed reduction and inductively coupled plasma. The results showed that the as-prepared nanocatalyst possesses plate-like morphology with approximate size of 50 nm and superparamagnetic behavior. Also, total acidity and total hydrogen consumption of the nanocatalyst were measured to be 8.5 and 1.41 mmol g^?1, respectively. This nanocatalyst exhibited favorable performance for C–N coupling reaction among a variety of aryl halides and N(H)-heterocycles (benzimidazoles, pyrazoles and triazoles) in the presence of 2.5 mol% of nanocatalyst without any additives under air atmosphere revealing high yields in all cases. Besides, it is noted that in the present system the desired product can be easily and quickly isolated and nanocatalyst also recovered magnetically from the reaction mixture employing a permanent magnet for at least six consecutive trials without a discernible decrease in catalytic activity which makes the proposed methodology appropriate for industrial. The findings demonstrated the advantages of the present method as no need for neutral atmosphere, appropriate times, recyclability of the catalyst, broad substrate scope, minimization of chemical waste, simple purification of products, easy workup process, and high yields.

     

Proposal of an equivalent linearization method to predict seismic hysteretic energy demand considering stiffness degradation effects

To overcome complexities and shortcomings of previous studies, a new method is proposed to derive an equivalent linear model for predicting seismic hysteretic energy demand of bilinear single degree of freedom (SDOF) models. A new displacement spectrum is defined, which represents hysteretic energy. It is found that by increasing initial period and damping of a nonlinear system in the correct proportion and defining a linear model with these characteristics, the new developed displacement can be achieved. Error minimization is applied through an algorithm to find the optimum equivalent period corresponding to an equivalent damping utilizing two sets of far‐field and near‐field earthquakes. To analyze the effects of stiffness degradation, the proposed algorithm has been implemented on modified Clough hysteretic model as well. Comparing the results, effects of stiffness degradation on the ratio of equivalent to initial period is evident in the short period range, while with increasing initial period, the effect can almost be neglected at higher values of ductility. Nonlinear regression analysis is carried out to provide the equations for predicting equivalent linear parameters as a function of ductility. Despite the previous predictive equations, the proposed model is independent of earthquake characteristics and response‐related parameters, which has increased efficiency as well as simplicity.     

A Novel Sprague-Dawley Rat Model Presents Improved NASH/NAFLD Symptoms with PEG Coated Vitexin Liposomes

Chronic liver disease (CLD) is a global threat to the human population, with manifestations resulting from alcohol-related liver disease (ALD) and non-alcohol fatty liver disease (NAFLD). NAFLD, if not treated, may progress to non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH). Furthermore, inflammation leads to liver fibrosis, cirrhosis, and hepatocellular carcinoma. Vitexin, a natural flavonoid, has been recently reported for inhibiting NAFLD. It is a lipogenesis inhibitor and activates lipolysis and fatty acid oxidation. In addition, owing to its antioxidant properties, it appeared as a hepatoprotective candidate. However, it exhibits low bioavailability and low efficacy due to its hydrophobic nature. A novel rat model for liver cirrhosis was developed by CCL4/Urethane co-administration. Vitexin encapsulated liposomes were synthesized by the ‘thin-film hydration’ method. Polyethylene glycol (PEG) was coated on liposomes to enhance stability and stealth effect. The diseased rats were then treated with vitexin and PEGylated vitexin liposomes, administered intravenously and orally. Results ascertained the liposomal encapsulation of vitexin and subsequent PEG coating to be a substantial strategy for treating liver cirrhosis through oral drug delivery.     

Poly(DL-lactide-co-ε-caprolactone) and poly(DL-lactide-co-glycolide) blends for biomedical application: Physical properties,cell compatibility,and in vitro degradation behavior

Poly(DL-lactide-co-ε-caprolactone) (PLCL) and poly(DL-lactide-co-glycolide) (PLGA) blends of various compositions were prepared. Fractured sections of PLCL/PLGA blends did not evidence phase separation and blend glass transition temperatures suggested some degree of blend compatibility. The elastic modulus showed a negative deviation from the additive law of mixture. Superior biocompatibility in terms of fibroblast NIH 3T3 cell adhesion and proliferation, better mechanical properties, and a more homogeneous phase were obtained with PLCL/PLGA 25/75 blend. Rapid degradation of PLCL phase (4–8 weeks) in PLCL/PLGA 25/75 blend led to a porous structure, which makes it a potential candidate for drug delivery systems.     

Electrooxidation of formaldehyde as a fuel for fuel cells using Fe2+-nano-zeolite modified carbon paste electrode

This study aimed to investigate the application of nano ZSM-5 zeolite for preparation of modified carbone paste electrode for electrocatalytic oxidation of formaldehyde. The electrochemical behavior of modified carbon paste electrodes in the forms of Fe/FeZSM-5CPE and unmodified carbon paste electrode were studied using cyclic voltammetric and chronoamprometric techniques. The obtained results show that the modified carbon paste electrode (Fe/FeZSM-5CPE) is the suitable electrode for electrooxidation of formaldehyde in the acidic solution. The transfer coefficient and current density for formaldehyde were calculated 0.23 and 19.8 mA/cm², respectively. The rate constant for catalytic reaction was calculated as 3.6 × 10³ cm³ s^?1 mol^?1 via Cottrell equation.     

PiSHi: click the images and I tell if you are a human

This paper introduces pictorial intelligent system for human identification (PiSHi), an image-based captcha which uses three human cognitive abilities to distinguish humans from machines. The first is the human ability to easily recognise the image’s upright orientation. The second is the human brain’s ability in recognising a picture’s content when it is only partially visible. And the third is the human ability in unconscious decision making when encountering pictorial challenges. This work models such complicated human patterns in problem solving for the first time. In order to extract these behavioural patterns and save them in a pattern database, we have implemented our own captcha and performed a series of experiments. PiSHi’s interface presents the user with a set of distorted pictures and asks her to click on the upright orientation of all the pictures in any preferred order. Next, it captures the user’s interaction patterns, compares them with the ones saved in the pattern database, and grants her a corresponding credit. Based on this credit, the user either passes or fails the test, and participates in updating the picture database. Our experiments indicate that human users can solve our proposed captcha effectively—with an accuracy of 99.44 %. Besides, our proposed system is secure against several types of attacks including random guessing and reverse image search engines. The results offer the possibility of utilising the identified human behavioural models in practical captchas.     

Discontinuous Double-shell Domes through Islamic eras in the Middle East and Central Asia: History, Morphology, Typologies, Geometry, and Construction

This paper presents a developed geometric approach for deriving the typologies and geometries of discontinuous double-shell domes in Islamic architecture. Common geometric attributes are created using a corpus of twenty one domes that were built in the Middle East and Central Asia, beginning from the early through to the late Islamic periods. An outline of the origin and development of the discontinuous double-shell domes and their morphological features are addressed. Using the al-Kashi geometrical essences, a four-centered profile as an initial shape is constructed based on new geometric parameters to deduce the geometric commonalities of the two aspects of formal language (typologies and geometries) of such domes. Common geometric prototypes for typical profiles shared by the study cases are generated and formulated according to a proposed system. The theoretical frame work for the formal language of discontinuous double-shell dome architecture is structured to indicate a moderate development of this sort of Islamic domes and highlight the specific geometric relationship between the Islamic domical configurations and practical mathematic rules for many decades. It can also be established a basic approach for considering the geometric compositional designs and the typological derivations of the other eastern domes.