Unveiling the molecular mechanism of Mn and Zn-catalyzed Ullmann-type C-O cross-coupling reactions.

A detailed theoretical study delving into the molecular mechanisms of the Ullmann-type -arylation reactions catalyzed by manganese and zinc metal ions has been investigated with the aid of the density functional theory (DFT) method. In contrast to the redox-active mechanisms proposed for classical Ullmann-type condensation reaction, a redox-neutral mechanism involving σ-bond metathesis emerged as the most appealing pathway for the investigated high-valent Mn(II) and Zn(II)-catalyzed -arylation reactions. The mechanism remains invariant with respect to the nature of the central metal, ligand, base, This unusuality in the mechanism has been dissected by considering three cases: ligand-free and ligand-assisted Mn(II)-catalyzed -arylation reaction and ligand-assisted Zn(II)-catalyzed -arylation reactions.

X-ray diffraction and its emerging applications in the food industry.

X-ray diffraction (XRD) is an analytical technique that has found several applications focusing on the identification of crystal structure, space groups, plane, and orientation, in addition to qualitative and quantitative phase identification, and polymorphism behavior. An XRD diffractogram pattern/Bragg's peak can also provide valuable information that can be used for various food applications. While this review details the fundamental principles of XRD, the types of XRD systems, instrumentation, and the components thereof, the focus is to serve as a structured resource on explored applications of XRD in food, majorly revolving around food quality and safety.

Coconut: Expanding avenues in processing and an exposition on non-conventional value-added products.

Coconut palm (Cocos nucifera) is a treasured tree of the tropics, with every part put to use. The edible portions are loaded with diverse nutrients and nutraceutical ingredients. While the unique mineral profile of the liquid endosperm, the low-glycemic inflorescence sap (neera) and the medium-chain triglyceride fraction of coconut oil are better recognized, other fractions such as the haustorium remain underexplored.

Silver-Promoted Rapid Synthesis of 3-Arylindan-1-ones: Microwave-Assisted Reductive Coupling of -Tosylhydrazone and Boronic Acids.

An efficient and straightforward one-pot tandem synthesis of 3-arylindan-1-ones was consummated through silver nitrate-promoted C-C coupling of simple indane-1,3-dione with arylboronic acid 1,3-indanedione monotosylhydrazone under microwave conditions. The resulting series of 3-arylindan-1-ones exhibited impressive yields, surpassing those achievable with traditional methods and requiring a shorter time frame. This innovative approach significantly accelerated the synthesis of biologically active compounds such as (+)-indatraline (Lu 19-005) and several other industrially relevant substances.

Evaluating the 3D printability of pearl millet flour with banana pulp blends.

Background: Three-dimensional (3D) food printing is a promising method for developing nutritious snack foods with complex and customized structures. In this study, to develop a pearl millet-based snack formulation, the printability of pearl millet flour (PMF) was assessed, without and with the addition of banana pulp (BP), a natural taste and flavor enhancer, at five different levels (PMF:BP of 100:0, 80:20, 60:40, 40:60, 20:80 and 0:100).

Results: The water activity significantly decreased with increases in the proportion of BP; higher water activity was exhibited at 100:0 (0.

3D printing for space food applications: Advancements, challenges, and prospects.

Space foods closely associate with the performance and mental health of astronauts. Over the years, a range of manufacturing technologies have been explored and advancements in food 3D printing can provide answers to certain existing challenges and revolutionize the way foods are prepared for space exploration missions. Apart from the nutrition and satiety perspective, product shelf-life, variety, personalization, and the need for customized diets are critical considerations.

Mechanistic Views on First-row Earth-Abundant Transition Metal Catalyzed Ullmann-type O-Arylation Reactions.

Transition metal-catalyzed reactions have attracted much attention in synthetic organic chemistry due to their important role in the formation of C-heteroatom bonds. Ullmann coupling has risen in prominence in recent decades owing to its utilization in the synthesis of biaryl ethers found in a wide range of natural products together with biologically essential molecules, including antibiotics and major industrial polymers. In this article we provide the current understanding of the theoretical aspects of the underlying mechanism of the Ullmann-type O-arylation reaction.

Avenues for non-conventional robotics technology applications in the food industry.

Robots in manufacturing alleviate hazardous environmental conditions, reduce the physical/mental stress of the workers, maintain high precision for repetitive movements, reduce errors, speed up production, and minimize production costs. Although robots have pervaded many industrial sectors and domestic environments, the experiments in the food sectors are limited to pick-and-place operations and meat processing while we are assisting new attention in gastronomy. Given the great performances of the robots, there would be many other intriguing applications to explore which could usher the transition to precision food manufacturing.

Biogenic polymer nanoparticles to remove hydrophobic organic contaminants from water.

Soil and water pollution is of significant concern worldwide because of the consequences of environmental degradation and harmful effects on human health. Water bodies are very much polluted by various organic and inorganic pollutants by different human activities, including industrial wastes. Environmental pollution remains high because of urbanization-induced industrial developments and human lifestyle.

Surface modification of Ni-rich LiNiCoMnO with perovskite LaFeO for high voltage cathode materials.

Ni-rich LiNiCoMnO (NCM811) is regarded as a potential cathode material due to its higher capacity. However, the severe capacity fading which occurs above 4.2 V Li/Li needs to be addressed to enhance the electrochemical performance.

Substrate Protein Interactions and Methylglyoxal Modifications Reduce the Aggregation Propensity of Human Alpha-A-Crystallin G98R Mutant.

The G98R mutation in αA-crystallin is associated with presenile cataract development in humans. Previous studies have indicated that mutant proteins altered structure, decreased stability, increased oligomeric size, loss of chaperone-like activity, and susceptibility to proteolysis could be contributing factors to cataract formation. To evaluate the effect of substrate protein interactions with the mutant protein on cataract formation, we have performed chaperone assays with alcohol dehydrogenase (ADH), citrate synthase (CS), and βB-crystallin (βB), and analyzed the reaction mixtures by multi-angle light scattering (MALS) analysis.

Silkworm Protein-Derived Nitrogen-Doped Carbon-Coated Li[NiCoAl]O for Lithium-Ion Batteries.

Li[NiCoAl]O (NCA) is a cathode material for lithium-ion batteries and has high power density and capacity. However, this material has disadvantages such as structural instability and short lifespan. To address these issues, herein, we explore the impact of N-doped carbon wrapping on NCA.

Deletion of Specific Conserved Motifs from the N-Terminal Domain of αB-Crystallin Results in the Activation of Chaperone Functions.

Smaller oligomeric chaperones of α-crystallins (αA- and αB-) have received increasing attention due to their improved therapeutic potential in preventing protein aggregating diseases. Our previous study suggested that deleting 54-61 residues from the N-terminal domain (NTD) of αB-crystallin (αBΔ54-61) decreases the oligomer size and increases the chaperone function. Several studies have also suggested that NTD plays a significant role in protein oligomerization and chaperone function.

Effect of Structural Changes Induced by Deletion of FLRAPSWF Sequence in αB-crystallin on Chaperone Function and Anti-Apoptotic Activity.

Previously, we showed that the removal of the 54-61 residues from αB-crystallin (αBΔ54-61) results in a fifty percent reduction in the oligomeric mass and a ten-fold increase in chaperone-like activity. In this study, we investigated the oligomeric organization changes in the deletion mutant contributing to the increased chaperone activity and evaluated the cytoprotection properties of the mutant protein using ARPE-19 cells. Trypsin digestion studies revealed that additional tryptic cleavage sites become susceptible in the deletion mutant than in the wild-type protein, suggesting a different subunit organization in the oligomer of the mutant protein.

Bifunctional iron molybdate as highly effective heterogeneous electro-Fenton catalyst and Li-ion battery anode.

Three-dimensional materials have attracted considerable interest in energy and environmental remediation fields. Iron molybdate (FMO) materials have prepared via a facile hydrothermal technique with glycerol assistance, and their structural and chemical composition confirmed using various physico-chemical techniques. The prepared bi-functional material is a strong candidate for energy storage and electrocatalytic degradation of Methylene blue and Congo red.

Influence of selenium precursors on the formation of iron selenide nanostructures (FeSe): Efficient Electro-Fenton catalysts for detoxification of harmful organic dyestuffs.

In this investigation, a sequences of iron diselenide (FeSe) nanomaterials as the competent and highly stable catalysts for the detoxification of aqueous organic dye pollutants such as Congo red (CR) and methylene blue (MB) through Electro-Fenton (EF) process using hydrogen peroxide as an initiator have been studied. The utilized selenium precursors include selenium metal, selenious acid (HSeO) and selenium dioxide (SeO) which were employed for the synthesis of FeSe catalysts through a wet chemical strategy. It has been observed that based on the employed precursors, different morphologies ranges of the FeSe catalysts were obtained: microgranualr particles to nano-stick to nanoflakes.

Functional Rescue of Cataract-Causing αA-G98R-Crystallin by Targeted Compensatory Suppressor Mutations in Human αA-Crystallin.

The G98R mutation in αA-crystallin is associated with the onset of presenile cataract and is characterized biochemically by an increased oligomeric mass, altered chaperone function, and loss of structural stability over time. Thus, far, it is not known whether the inherent instability caused by gain-of-charge mutation could be rescued by a compensatory loss of charge mutation elsewhere on the protein. To answer this question, we investigated whether αA-G98R-mediated instability could be rescued through suppressor mutations by introducing site-specific "compensatory" mutations in αA-G98R-crystallin, αA-R21Q/G98R, αA-G98R/R116C, and αA-R157Q/G98R.

Synthesis of reduced graphene oxide/ZnO nanocomposites using grape fruit extract and leaf extract and a comparative study of their photocatalytic property in degrading Rhodamine B dye.

In the present work, we report the comparative study of photocatalytic degradation of Rhodamine B (RhB) dye in aqueous solution by using ZnO-graphene nanaocomposites obtained using two different natural reducing agents namely Grape and . Graphene oxide (GO) was synthesized by Hummer's method followed by reduction of the graphene oxide using natural reducing agents Grape and . The two samples of graphene oxide (Gr-rGO and Ei-rGO) were treated with ZnO to form a rGO-ZnO nanocomposites.

Failure of Oxysterols Such as Lanosterol to Restore Lens Clarity from Cataracts.

The paradigm that cataracts are irreversible and that vision from cataracts can only be restored through surgery has recently been challenged by reports that oxysterols such as lanosterol and 25-hydroxycholesterol can restore vision by binding to αB-crystallin chaperone protein to dissolve or disaggregate lenticular opacities. To confirm this premise, in vitro rat lens studies along with human lens protein solubilization studies were conducted. Cataracts were induced in viable rat lenses cultured for 48 hours in TC-199 bicarbonate media through physical trauma, 10 mM ouabain as Na+/K+ ATPase ion transport inhibitor, or 1 mM of an experimental compound that induces water influx into the lens.

Chitosan complements entrapment of silicon inside nitrogen doped carbon to improve and stabilize the capacity of Li-ion batteries.

A facile strategy to entrap milled silicon (m-Si) particles using nitrogen-doped-carbon (N-C@m-Si) to overcome the dramatic volume changes in Si during intercalation of lithium ions and to improve its electronic conductivity is reported here. The only natural nitrogen containing biomaterial alkaline polysaccharide, i.e.

Cell-penetrating Chaperone Peptide Prevents Protein Aggregation And Protects Against Cell Apoptosis.

Many of the newly discovered therapeutic peptides and molecules are limited by their inability to cross the cell membrane. In the present study we employed a cell penetrating peptide (CPP), VPTLK, derived from Ku70 protein, to facilitate the entry of a mini-chaperone across the cell membrane. Our previous studies suggest that the mini-chaperone peptide representing the chaperone site in αA-crystallin, which can inhibit protein aggregation associated with proteopathies, has therapeutic potential.

Sono-synthesis approach of reduced graphene oxide for ammonia vapour detection at room temperature.

In this paper, we report the sono-synthesis of reduced graphene oxide (rGO) using polyethyleneimine (PEI), and its performance for ammonia vapour detection at room temperature. Graphene oxide (GO) and reduced graphene oxide (rGO) were prepared by sonication method by using low-frequency ultrasound under ambient condition and films were deposited by Doctor Blade method. The rGO, which has vapour accessible structure showed a good sensing response with a minimum detection limit of 1 ppm and the detection range from 1 ppm to 100 ppm.