Property Tuning in N-Methylpyrrole Azo-Photoswitches via Modification of the Peripheral Substituents.

Differently substituted pyrrole-azo-benzene molecular photoswitches were prepared in a straightforward synthetic way. Their fundamental properties were investigated by XRD analysis, differential scanning calorimetry, thermogravimetric analysis, cyclic voltammetry, UV-Vis absorption spectroscopy, Hyper-Rayleigh Scattering, and NMR spectroscopy; the experimental results were further corroborated by DFT calculations. Thermal robustness, the HOMO/LUMO levels, and the absorption properties were altered mostly by substituting the N-methylpyrrole moiety and further fine-tuned by modifying the benzene substituents.

Multimodal Spectroscopic Studies to Evaluate the Effect of Nod-Factor-Based Fertilizer on the Maize () Stem.

Maize () is one of the most cultivated plants in the world. Due to the large area, the scale of its production, and the demand to increase the yield, there is a need for new environmentally friendly fertilizers. One group of such candidates is bacteria-produced nodulation (or nod) factors.

Environmental Consequences of Rubber Crumb Application: Soil and Water Pollution.

End-of-life tires are utilized for various purposes, including sports pitches and playground surfaces. However, several substances used at the manufacture of tires can be a source of concerns related to human health or environment's adverse effects. In this context, it is necessary to map whether this approach has the desired effect in a broader relation.

Anti-Hypochlorite, Antioxidant, and Catalytic Activity of Three Polyphenol-Rich Super-Foods Investigated with the Use of Coumarin-Based Sensors.

The anti-hypochlorite activity of açaí ( Mart.), goji ( L.) and schisandra () fruit extracts were assessed by determining the reactive chlorine species (RCS)-scavenging ability of these three "super-food" berries.

Spectroscopic and theoretical studies of fluorescence effects induced by the ESIPT process in a new derivative 2-Hydroxy-N-(2-phenylethyl)benzamide - Study on the effects of pH and medium polarity changes.

The paper presents the results of studies conducted with the use of stationary and time-resolved fluorescence spectroscopy for the new derivative 2-Hydroxy-N-(2-phenylethyl)benzamide (SAL-3) in aqueous solutions with various concentrations of hydrogen ions as well as in solvent mixtures (i.e. media with changing polarity/polarizability).

Small isomeric push-pull chromophores based on thienothiophenes with tunable optical (non)linearities.

Fourteen new D-π-A push-pull chromophores based on two isomeric thienothiophene donors and seven acceptors of various electronic natures have been designed and conveniently synthesized. In contrast to known thienothiophene push-pull molecules, the prepared small chromophores proved to be organic materials with easily tunable thermal, electrochemical and (non)linear optical properties. It has also been shown that small structural variation may result in significantly improved/varied fundamental properties.

Physical assessment, spectroscopic and chemometric analysis of starch-based foils with selected functional additives.

The paper presents the results of studies related to the impact of functional additives in the form of polylactide (PLA), polyvinyl alcohol (PVA), and keratin hydrolysate (K) on the physical characteristics of biopolymer foils. TPS granulate was obtained using a TS-45 single-screw extruder with L/D = 16. Foil was produced with the use of an L/D = 36 extruder with film-blowing section.

Structure-property relationships and third-order nonlinearities in diketopyrrolopyrrole based D-π-A-π-D molecules.

Nine new quadrupolar chromophores based on diketopyrrolopyrrole were designed and prepared by cross-coupling reactions. The property tuning has been achieved by structural variation of the peripheral substituents (donor) and enlargement of the π-system. Fundamental properties of target molecules were studied by differential scanning calorimetry, electrochemistry, and absorption and emission spectra.

The Diversity of Pea Microsymbionts in Various Types of Soils and Their Effects on Plant Host Productivity.

The growth and yield of peas cultivated on eight different soils, as well as the diversity of pea microsymbionts derived from these soils were investigated in the present study. The experimental plot was composed of soils that were transferred from different parts of Poland more than a century ago. The soils were located in direct vicinity of each other in the experimental plot.

Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease as a feature of the metabolic syndrome.

The main criteria of the metabolic syndrome are obesity, insulin resistance and disturbed lipid metabolism. The same disturbances are regarded to be involved into the pathomechanism of nonalcoholic fatty liver disease which is shown by epidemiological studies and animal models. Thus NAFLD can be regarded a specific feature of the metabolic syndrome and it should be looked for in high risk populations.

The effect of drought on the development and yielding of two different varieties of the fodder broad bean (Vicia faba minor).

A factorial experiment was performed in the fodder broad bean to analyse effects of soil drought on the development and yield components of two varieties of different morphotype: 'Nadwiślański' (traditional) and 'Tim' (determinate growth habit). Plants were grown in Mitscherlich's pots under three different soil moistures: 70%, 50% and 30% of field water capacity. The soil water shortage contributed to a considerable depression in the developmental characteristics and yield traits of both varieties.

Pulmonary delivery of intratracheally instilled and aerosolized cyclosporine A to young and adult rats.

The delivery and pharmacokinetics of cyclosporine A (CyA) given locally to the airways or iv was evaluated in young and adult rats. After intratracheal (i.t.

Topographic measurements of precision-ground optical glasses.

We studied the surfaces of six precision-ground optical glass samples of fused silica, BK-7, BaCD16, LaC14, NbF1, and LHG8 glass, using a mechanical profiler, a photon tunneling microscope, and a scanning force microscope. The measured roughnesses of the scanning force microscope varied from 3.5 A rms for BK-7 glass to 30 A rms for LHG8 laser glass.

[Possibility of using saliva for therapeutic monitoring of digoxin].

Digoxin in salvia and blood serum of 24 patients obtained Bemecor was determined by the method of FPIA (IMx-ABBOT). Mixed saliva was collected by three different types of Salivette (Sarstedt) given in order: normal Salivette with cotton wool swab, Slivette with polyester wool and Salivette with citric acid as a stimulator. It was found, that the correletio between the digoxin concentrations in saliva and serum and saliva/serum rations depended on the type of Salivette.

Scanning force microscope as a tool for studying optical surfaces.

The scanning force microscope (SFM) is used to study the characteristics of optical surfaces, such as polished and precision-machined surfaces and thin-film structures. Previously unreported images of raised surface scratches and clumpiness on the surface of extremely smooth dielectric films are presented. The characteristics of SFM's that are important in studying optical surfaces are discussed.

Topographic measurements of supersmooth dielectric films made with a mechanical profiler and a scanning force microscope.

The roughnesses of five supersmooth dielectric films of Si(3)N(4), TiO(2), HfO(2), Ta(2)O(5), and Al(2)O(3) prepared by an ion-beam-sputtering technique were measured with a commercial Talystep mechanical profiler and a sensitive Leica WYKO SPM30 scanning force microscope (SFM) to determine how much roughness the films added to the ∼1-Å-rms roughness fused-silica substrates on which they were deposited. In all cases the increase in roughness for the three-quarter-wave optical thickness films was a small fraction of an angstrom. SFM measurements showed that the topography of the Ta(2)O(5) and Al(2)O(3) films was less random than that of the other film materials and the substrates.

A rapid HPLC method for plasma and serum mexiletine determination and its use in therapeutic drug monitoring.

A HPLC method for the determination of mexiletine in human plasma and serum is described. Serum or plasma after addition of mexiletine and internal standard was extracted with diisopropyl ether. The extract was then evaporated and dissolved in the mobile phase.

Determination of amiodarone and its metabolite desethylamiodarone in human plasma and serum.

A liquid chromatographic method for the assay of antiarrhythmic drug amiodarone and its metabolite desethylamiodarone in human plasma or serum has been developed. The method is simple and sufficiently sensitive for pharmacokinetic studies. Amiodarone, desethylamiodarone and added internal standard L 8040 were twice extracted at various pH from serum or plasma.

HPLC method for simultaneous determination of clobazam and N-desmethylclobazam in human serum, rat serum and rat brain homogenates.

A method for simultaneous determination of clobazam (CBZ) and its active metabolite N-desmethylclobazam (DCBZ) in various biological samples by RP-HPLC with UV detection is described. The determination of both CBZ and DCBZ is performed without derivatization. The internal standard is diazepam.

[Evaluation of the relative biological availability of amiodarone Polfa preparation after extravascular administration of a single dose].

Relative bioavailability of amiodarone was studied in 10 healthy volunteers after its 600 mg single dose administration. Mean values of individual maximal concentrations and time for reaching them did not significantly differ and were respectively 0.828 +/- 0.

Salivary theophylline monitoring in asthmatic children.

The usefulness of determination of salivary concentrations of theophylline for estimation of the serum concentration of the drug was tested in asthmatic children receiving daily 15-20 mg/kg of aminophylline. Theophylline was measured in saliva samples obtained after stimulation with citric acid and bromhexine, and in the blood serum, and the ratio of saliva: serum theophylline concentrations was calculated. The correlation between saliva and serum theophylline concentration was better for saliva samples obtained after bromhexine stimulation (r = 0.