Activation ofα-carbons of amides

Summary The reactions of Vilsmeir complexes of amides/imides with electrophiles afford the corresponding -substituted products in good yield.     

Improvement of microstructure and corrosion properties of friction stir welded AA5754 by adding Zn interlayer

This study investigated the effect of Zn foil layers on the microstructure and corrosion characteristics of friction stir welded aluminum alloy 5754. Samples of various joints were prepared by applying different rotational and welding speeds, and their microstructures were evaluated via a metallographic technique and scanning electron microscopy equipped with energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy elemental analysis. The anticorrosion behavior of joints in the absence and presence of a Zn interlayer was studied by cyclic potentiodynamic polarization test in 3.5wt% NaCl aqueous solution, and sound welds were obtained in the presence of the Zn interlayer foil. The results revealed that the joint made at a rotational speed of 800 r/min and traveling speed of 15 mm/min achieved a chemical composition identical to that of aluminum alloy 7xxx series, and as such, it showed the best resistance to corrosion.     

Template/surfactant free and UV light irradiation assisted fabrication of Mn-Co oxides composite nanorings: Structure and synthesis mechanism

A facile, green, cost effective, and template or surfactant free strategy via a two-step route i.e. UV irradiation followed by dissolution-growth for the controlled synthesis of Mn-Co composite nanorings at room temperature was proposed. The nanorings structures and the process were systematically studied via TEM, HRTEM, EDX and XRD. Bir-MnO_2 nanosheets first formed through the direct photolysis of KMnO_4 under UV light irradiation. This was followed by a dissolution-growth process via the dissolution of Bir-MnO_2 nanosheets by the generated H~+ from the redox reaction between the added Co(NO_3)_2 and residual KMnO_4, as well as the accompanied formation of CoOOH, and Mn-Co composite nanorings. It was found that a balance between the dissolution and growth rate was needed. Suitable pH, KMnO_4 presence and the starting nanosheets like Bir-MnO_2 were the key factors for the formation of nanorings. The obtained Mn-Co nanorings/TiO_2 showed enhanced efficiency for the catalytic oxidation of HCHO. Based on the above understandings, it is believed that the developed dissolution-growth method can be adopted for the designing and preparation of other Mn-Co composite nanostructures which can be further applied for environmental pollution remediation.     

The role of key residues in structure, function, and stability of cytochrome-c

Cytochrome-c (cyt-c), a multi-functional protein, plays a significant role in the electron transport chain, and thus is indispensable in the energy-production process. Besides being an important component in apoptosis, it detoxifies reactive oxygen species. Two hundred and eighty-five complete amino acid sequences of cyt-c from different species are known. Sequence analysis suggests that the number of amino acid residues in most mitochondrial cyts-c is in the range 104?±?10, and amino acid residues at only few positions are highly conserved throughout evolution. These highly conserved residues are Cys14, Cys17, His18, Gly29, Pro30, Gly41, Asn52, Trp59, Tyr67, Leu68, Pro71, Pro76, Thr78, Met80, and Phe82. These are also known as “key residues”, which contribute significantly to the structure, function, folding, and stability of cyt-c. The three-dimensional structure of cyt-c from ten eukaryotic species have been determined using X-ray diffraction studies. Structure analysis suggests that the tertiary structure of cyt-c is almost preserved along the evolutionary scale. Furthermore, residues of N/C-terminal helices Gly6, Phe10, Leu94, and Tyr97 interact with each other in a specific manner, forming an evolutionary conserved interface. To understand the role of evolutionary conserved residues on structure, stability, and function, numerous studies have been performed in which these residues were substituted with different amino acids. In these studies, structure deals with the effect of mutation on secondary and tertiary structure measured by spectroscopic techniques; stability deals with the effect of mutation on T _m (midpoint of heat denaturation), ?G _D (Gibbs free energy change on denaturation) and folding; and function deals with the effect of mutation on electron transport, apoptosis, cell growth, and protein expression. In this review, we have compiled all these studies at one place. This compilation will be useful to biochemists and biophysicists interested in understanding the importance of conservation of certain residues throughout the evolution in preserving the structure, function, and stability in proteins.     

Robust Adaptive Multi-Switching Synchronization of Multiple Different Orders Unknown Chaotic Systems

Multi-switching synchronization(MSS) of multiple different orders unknown chaotic(UC)systems confines hacking in the digital transmission process. Similarly, the suppression of undesirable chattering increases synchronization performance. This paper proposes a new robust synchronization control(RASC) technique and discusses the MSS of multiple different orders UC systems. This controller accomplishes(i) quick convergence,(ii) reduces the transient oscillations, and(iii) the rate of convergence decreases in the vicinity of the origin that causes the suppression of chattering. Analysis based on the Lyapunov direct method assures this convergence behavior with any positive values of the feedback gains. This work also provides parameters updated law that estimates the true values of unknown parameters. Numerical examples of five UC systems different orders are simulated. The computer based graphical results validate the efficiency and performance of the proposed RASC technique and the synchronization strategy when compare to peer works. In the simulation, the proposed synchronization strategy successfully recovers an encrypted received image on a communication channel.The article suggests some future research problems to extend the use of the proposed work.     

Effect of Graphene Nanoplatelets addition on mechanical properties of pure aluminum using a semi-powder method

In recent years, graphene has attracted considerable research interest in all fields of science due to its unique properties. Its excellent mechanical properties lead it to be used in nano-composites for strength enhancement. This paper reports an Aluminum–Graphene Nanoplatelets(Al/GNPs)composite using a semi-powder method followed by hot extrusion. The effect of GNP nano-particle integration on tensile, compressive and hardness response of Al is investigated in this paper. It is demonstrated that 0.3 wt% Graphene Nanoplatelets distributed homogeneously in the matrix aluminum act as an effective reinforcing filler to prevent deformation. Compared to monolithic aluminum(in tension), Al–0.3 wt% GNPs composite exhibited higher 0.2% yield strength(+14.7%), ultimate tensile strength(+11.1%) and lower failure strain( -40.6%). Surprisingly, compared to monolithic Al(in compression), Al–0.3 wt% GNPs composite exhibited same 0.2% compressive yield strength and lower ultimate compression strength(- 7.8%),and lower failure strain(- 20.2%). The Al–0.3 wt% GNPs composite exhibited higher Vickers hardness compared to monolithic aluminum(+11.8%).Scanning electron microscopy(SEM), Energy-Dispersive X-ray Spectroscopy(EDS) and X-ray diffraction(XRD) were used to investigate the surface morphology, elemental percentage composition, and phase analysis, respectively.     

Giant magneto resistance and temperature coefficient of resistance in Sm0.55Sr0.30Ag0.15MnO3 perovskite

Silver ions substituted samarium strontium manganite (Sm0.55Sr0.30Ag0.15MnO3) pervoskite was synthesized by using respective oxides in stoichiometric ratio through solid state reaction. The as-prepared sample was characterized by various analytical techniques to confirm its formation and understand the effect of monovalent silver ions in pervoskite lattice. X-ray diffraction pattern confirms the single phase formation while grain morphology in SEM image indicates good connectivity among the grains. The enhancement in metal to insulator transition temperature shows quenched disorder and magnetoresistance phenomena. The magnetoresistance (MR) and temperature coefficient of resistance (TCR) emerge from grain growth factor and homogeneity induced by Ag+ ions in the lattice. The reduction in hysteresis loss resulted from antiferromagnetic - ferromagnetic (TN) and ferromagnetic - paramagnetic (Tc) transitions reveals the removal of disorder in perovskite lattice by Ag+ ions substitution. This increases the magnetic moment across distinct ions on the applying magnetic field. The rise in MR% (~99%) with silver doping emerging from smooth spin tunneling of the grains across the boundary and suppression of the disordered magnetic fluctuations with increase in magnetic field has been reported. The present compound exhibits the first order nature of magnetism and observed first time the highest value of TCR ~ 95%.     

Spider mites (Acari: Tetranychidae) of Saudi Arabia: two new species,new records and a key to all known species

A total of 18 spider mite species belonging to 10 genera of the family Tetranychidae (Acari: Prostigmata) are reported from different provinces of Saudi Arabia (SA). Among these, two new species, Sonotetranychus madinahensis sp. nov. and Tetranychus salicornicus sp. nov., belonging to the subfamily Tetranychinae are described and illustrated. Also, five genera and 11 species are new to the mite fauna of SA. The distribution and host data of all recorded species in the current study are provided. A key to all spider mite species of SA is provided as well as a key to the species of the armenychus species group of the genus Tetranychus Dufour, based on males.

www.zoobank.org/urn:lsid:zoobank.org:pub:C41BB3ED-99D5-4DCF-B557-09526FA7D56B     

Advances in Electrospun Nanofiber Yarns

In order to increase the application area of nanofibers, electrospun nanofiber yarns have drawn attention of many researchers around the globe. Once the production method of nanofiber yarn is mature enough to be universally accepted, many new gates of applications will open to the world. In this review, different electrospinning techniques of electrospun nanofiber yarns are divided into needle electrospinning and needleless electrospinning. Considering yarn twist as an important mechanism, needle electrospinning technique is further categorized into mechanical, electrical and field flow twisting methods. Moreover, parameters influencing the mechanical properties of electrospun nanofiber yarns are investigated. Methods of improving mechanical properties of nanofiber yarns are addressed, including hot-water-bath treatment, addition of carbon nanotubes(CNTs) and introducing regulators. Finally, applications of electrospun nanofiber yarns in different fields of smart textile and bioengineering are summed-up. In summary, challenges encountered in the industrialization of nanofiber yarns and future prospects are anticipated.     

Proliferation status defines functional properties of endothelial cells

Homeostasis of solid tissue is characterized by a low proliferative activity of differentiated cells while special conditions like tissue damage induce regeneration and proliferation. For some cell types it has been shown that various tissue-specific functions are missing in the proliferating state, raising the possibility that their proliferation is not compatible with a fully differentiated state. While endothelial cells are important players in regenerating tissue as well as in the vascularization of tumors, the impact of proliferation on their features remains elusive. To examine cell features in dependence of proliferation, we established human endothelial cell lines in which proliferation is tightly controlled by a doxycycline-dependent, synthetic regulatory unit. We observed that uptake of macromolecules and establishment of cell–cell contacts was more pronounced in the growth-arrested state. Tube-like structures were formed in vitro in both proliferating and non-proliferating conditions. However, functional vessel formation upon transplantation into immune-compromised mice was restricted to the proliferative state. Kaposi’s sarcoma-associated herpes virus (KSHV) infection resulted in reduced expression of endothelial markers. Upon transplantation of infected cells, drastic differences were observed: proliferation arrested cells acquired a high migratory activity while the proliferating counterparts established a tumor-like phenotype, similar to Kaposi Sarcoma lesions. The study gives evidence that proliferation governs endothelial functions. This suggests that several endothelial functions are differentially expressed during angiogenesis. Moreover, since proliferation defines the functional properties of cells upon infection with KSHV, this process crucially affects the fate of virus-infected cells.