Fabrication of Unique Mixed-Valent CoCo and CuCu Metal-Organic Frameworks (MOFs) for Desulfurization of Fuels: A Combined Experimental and Theoretical Approach toward Green Fuel.

Herein, metal-organic framework (MOF)-based adsorbents are designed with distinct hard and soft metal building units, namely, [CoCo(PD)(BP)] () and [CuCu(PD)(BP)] (), where HPD = pyrazine-1,4-diide-2,3-dicarboxylic acid and BP = 4,4'-bipyridine. The designed MOFs were characterized via spectral and SCXRD techniques, which confirm the mixed-valent states (+1 and +2) of the metal ions. Topological analysis revealed the rare and topologies for Co MOF, while Cu-MOF exhibits a unique topology in the 8-c net (point symbol for net: {4·6}).

Carbon Nanotubes Decorated with Coordination Polymers for Fluorescence Detection of Heavy-Metal Ions and Nitroaromatic Chemicals.

Herein, [Nd(NO)(Hpzdca)] (MA-1) was synthesized from a reaction of 2,3-pyrazinedicarboxylic acid [HPzdca] as an organic linker with salt of Nd(III) under solvothermal conditions. The detailed structural analysis for crystals was performed utilizing single-crystal X-ray diffraction (SCXRD). After that, the neodymium-based coordination polymer (MA-1) crystal was directly generated upon the surface of functionalized carbon nanotubes (F-CNTs) through bonds or affinity between F-CNTs and MA-1 via the solvothermal approach.

Highly efficient iodine capture and ultrafast fluorescent detection of heavy metals using PANI/LDH@CNT nanocomposite.

Here, the hybrid material of polyaniline/layered double hydroxide@carbonnanotubes (PANI/LDH@CNT) is considered a multifunctional material. Instrumental methods, including FTIR, XRD, TEM, SEM, and TGA/DTA were utilized to characterize PANI/LDH@CNT. The polymerization method created PANI/LDH@CNT as an adsorbent to remove toxic iodine in hexane solution with a capture capacity of 303.

Exploring the ability of stroke survivors in using the contralesional hemisphere to control a brain-computer interface.

Brain-computer interfaces (BCIs) have recently been shown to be clinically effective as a novel method of stroke rehabilitation. In many BCI-based studies, the activation of the ipsilesional hemisphere was considered a key factor required for motor recovery after stroke. However, emerging evidence suggests that the contralesional hemisphere also plays a role in motor function rehabilitation.

Nano chromium embedded in f-CNT supported CoBi-LDH nanocomposites for selective adsorption of Pband hazardous organic dyes.

Transition metal-doped carbon-coated layered double hydroxides for the removal of lead (II) and hazardous organic dyes have attracted increasing attention for wastewater treatment in recent years. In this work, nanostructured CoBi-LDH/Cr@CNT composites were successfully synthesized by hydrothermal route. The CoBi-LDH/Cr@CNT was characterized by instrumental techniques such as XRD, FTIR, TEM, SEM, XPS and TGA/DTA.

Efficacy of Brain-Computer Interface and the Impact of Its Design Characteristics on Poststroke Upper-limb Rehabilitation: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials.

. A number of recent randomized controlled trials reported the efficacy of brain-computer interface (BCI) for upper-limb stroke rehabilitation compared with other therapies. Despite the encouraging results reported, there is a significant variance in the reported outcomes.

Selective adsorption and ultrafast fluorescent detection of Cr(VI) in wastewater using neodymium doped polyaniline supported layered double hydroxide nanocomposite.

Neodymium-doped polyaniline supported Zn-Al layered double hydroxide (PANI@Nd-LDH) nanocomposite has been prepared via an ex-situ oxidative polymerization process. The as-prepared nanocomposite shows selective fluorescence detection and adsorption of hexavalent chromium Cr(VI) within a short period. The fluorescence intensity of PANI@Nd-LDH decreases linearly with Cr(VI) concentrations ranging from 200 ppb to 1000 ppb with a limit of detection (LOD) of 1.

Assessment of physiochemical properties and concentration of heavy metals in agricultural soils fertilized with chemical fertilizers.

The present study aim to assess the effect of phosphate and urea fertilizers on the physicochemical properties, pH and electrical conductivity (EC) of the soil. The effect of these fertilizers on cation exchange capacity (CEC), organic matter (OM), and the possibility of contamination with heavy metals (HM) (Cr, Cu, Cd, Mn, Zn, Ni, Fe, and Pb) were studied on the soils of Alshati agricultural project at different seasons after forty years of fertilization. Uncultivated soil samples were also analyzed for comparison and considered as reference.

Management of patients with metastatic colorectal cancer in Lebanese hospitals and associated direct cost: a multicentre cohort study.

Background: For metastatic colorectal cancer a series of novel therapies has emerged during the last decade but their use in routine clinical practice and their costs are not well documented.

Aims: This study evaluated the clinical effectiveness of metastatic colorectal cancer patients in Lebanese oncologic units and estimated the costs.

Methods: A prospective cohort study was conducted on metastatic colorectal cancer patients during 2008-2013.

Ethyl 6-amino-5-cyano-4-isopropyl-2-methyl-4H-pyran-3-carboxyl-ate.

In the title compound, C(13)H(18)N(2)O(3), the two H atoms of the NH(2) group are engaged in hydrogen bonding with the N atom of the cyano group and with one O atom of the ethoxy-carbonyl group, building a chain parallel to the [100] direction. The N-H⋯N hydrogen bonds assemble the mol-ecules around inversion centres, forming dimers with an R(2) (2)(12) graph-set motif.

5-Amino-3-methyl-1-phenyl-1H-1,2,4-triazole.

In the title compound, C(9)H(10)N(4), the phenyl and triazole rings make a dihedral angle of 38.80 (2)°. N-H⋯N hydrogen bonds link the mol-ecules, forming centrosymmetric R(2) (2)(8) rings; these rings are inter-connected through a C(5) chain, building up a zigzag layer parallel to the (100) plane.

Synthesis and antigenotoxic activity of some naphtho[2,1-b]pyrano[3,2-e][1,2,4]triazolo[1,5-c]pyrimidine derivatives.

In this study, some pyranotriazolopyrimidine derivatives were synthesised by reacting ethoxymethyleneamino derivatives with hydrazides. Their structures were elucidated by IR, (1)H NMR, and (13)C NMR spectroscopic data and elemental analyses. Antigenotoxic activity of the obtained compounds was tested in Escherichia coli PQ37 by using the SOS chromotest.

Nitrification by plants that also fix nitrogen.

Nitrification is a key stage in the nitrogen cycle; it enables the transformation of nitrogen into an oxidized, inorganic state. The availability of nitrates produced by this process often limits primary productivity and is an important determinant in plant community ecology and biodiversity. Chemoautotrophic prokaryotes are recognized as the main facilitators of this process, although heterotrophic nitrification by fungi may be significant under certain conditions.

Investigation of the configuration of alkyl phenyl ketone phenylhydrazones from ab initio 1H NMR chemical shifts.

Using ab initio GIAO calculations the experimental 1H NMR spectra of the E and Z isomers of alkyl phenyl ketone phenylhydrazones R1-C(Ph) = N-NH-Ph (R1 = Me, Et, iPr, and tBu) have been re-interpreted and deviations from Karabatsos' rule or from the assignment of Bellamy and Hunter have been discussed in the light of the optimized geometrical structures.

Isolation, purification and partial characterization of antibacterial activities produced by a newly isolated Streptomyces sp. US24 strain.

A new actinomycete strain designated US24 producing antibacterial activities against Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria was isolated from Tunisian soil. Culture characteristic studies strongly suggested that the US24 strain belonged to the genus Streptomyces. Analysis of the nucleotide sequence of the 16S rRNA gene of the Streptomyces sp.