Properties of nanocomposite film combining hard TiN matrix with embedded fullerene-like WS2 nanoclusters

We have developed hard self-lubricant coatings combining a hard matrix (TiN) and a self-lubricant phase in the form of inorganic-like WS₂ fullerene. The nanoparticles were injected from the preparation chamber directly to the sample surface during reactive sputtering from a Ti target in Ar/N₂ atmosphere. The injection of the particles led to the local oxidation of the matrix due to the flow of residual oxygen from the preparation chamber; therefore, the final composite was TiN/Ti-O-WS₂. The observation of the composite film by scanning and transmission electron microscopies showed the incorporation of the WS₂ nanoparticles; however, their bonding with the matrix was weak. The analysis of the wear tracks did not show any presence of WS₂ in the contact.     

Inorganic elemental compositions of commercial multivitamin/mineral dietary supplements: Application of collision/reaction cell inductively coupled-mass spectroscopy

Thirty five different commercially available multivitamin/mineral (MVM) dietary supplements in tablet, capsule, liquid or powder form for children, women, men, young and adult consumption were analysed by collision/reaction cell ICP-MS for their inorganic elemental compositions including Na, Mg, K, Ca, V, Cr, Mn, Fe, Ni, Cu, Zn, As, Se, Cd, Hg, and Pb. Samples were digested with concentrated nitric and hydrochloric acid (8:2) using a closed vessel microwave system. The validity of the applied method was assessed by the analysis of standard reference materials (SRM 3280, SRM 1566b) and of spiked samples. Special emphasis was given to the percentage deviation of calculated daily intake of each analysed element from their corresponding label claim. Additionally, for toxic elements calculated daily intake values are compared with those of the regulatory guideline values (e.g., recommended dietary allowance). The results revealed that all analysed products have calculated daily intake of As, Cd, Pb and Hg concentrations lower than those of the regulatory limits. The percentage differences between the calculated and claimed daily intake values varied moderately (20%) to significantly (>30%) for the potentially toxic elements, especially Cr, Se, Mn, and Zn. Furthermore, it is not uncommon for the same product to have high, as well as low, elemental compositions compared to their corresponding claimed values.     

Dendritic material as a dry-release sacrificial layer

A dry-release process using highly structured dendritic material, specifically, hyperbranched polymers (HBP's), has been developed. A particular HBP under study, known as HB560, has been characterized and successfully integrated with microelectromechanical systems processing. An array of electroplated nickel cantilever beams 100 μm×100 μm ~1000 μm in length has been successfully fabricated and dry released. The required release time is 10 min at 600°C in O₂ . Single open-ended microchannels were fabricated to determine the etch time and tunneling length achieved using HB560 as a sacrificial material. The time improvement for the sacrificial release is on the order of 40× compared to standard HF wet-etch processes. Etch lengths of 1 cm have been successfully demonstrated with a sacrificial layer aspect ratio of 1600. A photosensitive version of the dendritic material has also been synthesized and characterized to reduce the process steps     

Effect of omega fatty acid-rich oil blend supplementation on the growth,carcass, meat quality,and gene expression of Barbari goats

This study investigated the effect of supplementing omega fatty acids-rich oil blend, composed of sunflower oil (1.5% and 3.0%), linseed oil (1.5% and 3.0%), and FineXNV1810 (20 g) on the carcass, meat quality, fatty acid profile, and genes (peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-α, stearoyl-CoA desaturase, acetyl-CoA carboxylase, hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl coenzyme A, and leptin) of Barbari goats. The goat kids (n = 18) were divided into three groups, namely, group A: basal diet; group B: basal diet + oil blend level 1; and group C: basal diet + oil blend level 2, and subjected to the feeding trial for 120 days followed by slaughter and meat quality studies. No treatment effect was recorded in carcass characteristics, pH, water holding capacity, and proximate composition of meat. However, a significant (p < 0.05) treatment effect was observed in cooking loss, lightness, yellowness, and shear force values of meat. There were significant differences (p < 0.05) in linoleic acid, α-linolenic acids, conjugated linoleic acid (CLA), polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA), n − 3 and n − 6 PUFA, PUFA/saturated fatty acids and n − 6/n − 3 ratios, and thrombogenic index among groups. An upregulation of the studied genes in the supplemented groups was observed. There were upregulations in the studied genes in the supplemented groups. Practical applications: Goat meat is in great demand the world over, especially in tropical countries, including India, and does not carry any social or religious prohibition. Although goat meat has relatively less fat, consumers express their concern over the presence of undesirable fatty acids. The present study shows that the fatty acid configuration of goat meat can be improved by a dietary supplementation of an oil blend rich in omega fatty acids. The amount of n − 3 PUFA, n − 6 PUFA, and CLA in goat meat was significantly increased due to the dietary oil blend making it healthy for the consumers. Moreover, the dietary oil blend at the studied levels did not significantly affect the growth and meat quality parameters of the goats. Thus, the studied approach can be successfully followed to produce healthier goat meat.     

Novel Ti/Al(OH)3 and Fe/Al(OH)3 Nano Catalyzed 4-Acetamidophenyl 3-((Z)-but-2-enoyl)phenylcarbamate Synthesis and its Molecular Docking,Quantum Chemical Studies

A series of novel 4-acetamidophenyl 3-((Z)-but-2-enoyl)phenylcarbamate based chalcone moieties have been synthesized via green chemical Ti/Al(OH)₃ and Fe/Al(OH)₃ nano catalyzed pathway and spectroscopic authentication of these synthesized molecules were interpreted by FT-IR, ¹H-NMR, ¹³C-NMR, Mass and elemental analysis. In-silico molecular docking studies of the compounds exhibited excellent binding energy (??8.06 kcal and ??8.94 kcal) towards the essential requirements of targeted compounds for EGFR receptor bearing quinazoline inhibitor (PDB ID: 1M17(Lapitinib). UV–Vis and fluorescence spectroscopy measurements evidenced that there is a significant effect on the absorption and emission spectra. Cyclic voltammetry (CV) studies reveal that HOMO and LUMO values of the compounds are evidenced that band along with intra molecular charge transfer character (D-π-A). The red shift maxima (500 nm) of the emission spectra in various solvent were increasing with the solvent polarity.

Graphical Abstract