Insight into the adsorption mechanisms of methylene blue and chromium(iii) from aqueous solution onto pomelo fruit peel.

In this study, the biosorption mechanisms of methylene blue (MB) and Cr(iii) onto pomelo peel collected from our local fruits are investigated by combining experimental analysis with simulations. Factors that affect the adsorption such as pH, adsorption time, adsorbent dosage and initial adsorbate concentration, are fully considered. Five isotherm models-Langmuir, Freundlich, Sips, Temkin, and Dubinin-Radushkevich-are employed to estimate the capacity of pomelo peel adsorption, whereas four kinetic models-pseudo-first-order, pseudo-second-order, Elovich and intra-diffusion models-are also used to investigate the mechanisms of the uptake of MB and Cr(iii) onto the pomelo fruit peel.

Large-Scale Coarse-to-Fine Object Retrieval Ontology and Deep Local Multitask Learning.

Object retrieval plays an increasingly important role in video surveillance, digital marketing, e-commerce, etc. It is facing challenges such as large-scale datasets, imbalanced data, viewpoint, cluster background, and fine-grained details (attributes). This paper has proposed a model to integrate object ontology, a local multitask deep neural network (local MDNN), and an imbalanced data solver to take advantages and overcome the shortcomings of deep learning network models to improve the performance of the large-scale object retrieval system from the coarse-grained level (categories) to the fine-grained level (attributes).

A new cardenolide glycoside from the roots of (lour.) merr. (Asclepiadaceae).

From remaining aqueous fraction of the roots of , one new cardiac glycoside named periplogenin 3---gentiobioside () together with six known ones () were isolated. Their relative structures were elucidated based on NMR spectroscopic analysis. Compound showed moderate cytotoxicity against non-small cell lung carcinoma NCI-H460 and ovarian cancer HeLa cells.

Semi-empirical method for determining the density of liquids using a NaI(Tl) scintillation detector.

In this study, we developed a new method for determining the density of liquids using the Compton backscattering technique. The principle of this method is based on the change in the area under a single scattering peak versus the liquid density. The linear calibration curve of the ratio R versus the density is required to determine the density of an unknown liquid (R is the ratio of the area under a single scattering peak for a liquid relative to that for water).

Erythromycin, Cethromycin and Solithromycin display similar binding affinities to the E. coli's ribosome: A molecular simulation study.

Macrolide antibiotics bind to the exit tunnel of the ribosome and inhibit protein synthesis blocking its translocation. Thus, antibiotics including the known macrolide Erythromycin (ERY) are active against bacteria. However, at present, some bacteria show resistance to drugs, which requires the development of new powerful antibacterial agents.

Dosimetric and Monte Carlo verification of jaws-only IMRT plans calculated by the Collapsed Cone Convolution algorithm for head and neck cancers.

Aim: The aim of this study is to verify the Prowess Panther jaws-only intensity modulated radiation therapy (JO-IMRT) treatment planning (TP) by comparing the TP dose distributions for head-and-neck (H&N) cancer with the ones simulated by Monte Carlo (MC).

Background: To date, dose distributions planned using JO-IMRT for H&N patients were found superior to the corresponding three-dimensional conformal radiotherapy (3D-CRT) plans. Dosimetry of the JO-IMRT plans were also experimentally verified using an ionization chamber, MapCHECK 2, and Octavius 4D and good agreements were shown.

Modelling the mitigation speeds of Cs, Sr and I in the topsoils and assessment of the radiological hazards.

Fate modelling of artificial radionuclides (ARs) in top soils are necessary to assess the radiological effects to population. Among ARs, Cs, Sr and I are very important since the large abundances in the environment. In this study, the fates of Cs, Sr and I in the surface soil layers were simulated by the soil model which was developed by the Canadian Centre for Environmental Modelling and Chemistry (CEMC).

A new dimeric alkylresorcinol from the stem barks of (Anacardiaceae).

From an EtOAc-soluble fraction of the stem barks of (Anacardiaceae), one new dimeric alkylresorcinol named integracin E (), together with 4 known compounds (-) were isolated. Their chemical structures were elucidated based on the spectroscopic data interpretation. The absolute configuration of was determined by the specific rotation analysis of its acid-catalyzed hydrolysis product.

Characterization of Senescence of Human Adipose-Derived Stem Cells After Long-Term Expansion.

Introduction: Since the 1980s, adipose-derived stem cells (ASCs) have become a powerful and potential source for stem cell-based therapy, regenerative medicine, and even drug delivery in cancer treatment. The development of off-the-shelf mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs), including ASCs, has rapidly advanced in recent years with several clinical trials and approved products. In this technology, ASCs should be expanded long term in order to harvest higher cell number.

Nimbandiolactone-21 and nimbandioloxyfuran, two new 28-norlimonoids from the leaves of (Meliaceae).

From an EtOAc-soluble fraction of the leaves of , two new 28-norlimonoids named nimbandiolactone-21 () and nimbandioloxyfuran (), together with nimbandiolactone-23 (), were isolated. Their relative structures were elucidated based on NMR spectroscopic interpretation and biosynthetic consideration. Nimbandioloxyfuran () and nimbandiolactone-23 () showed potent -glucosidase inhibitory activity, with the IC values of 46.

Evidence for prevalent Z = 6 magic number in neutron-rich carbon isotopes.

The nuclear shell structure, which originates in the nearly independent motion of nucleons in an average potential, provides an important guide for our understanding of nuclear structure and the underlying nuclear forces. Its most remarkable fingerprint is the existence of the so-called magic numbers of protons and neutrons associated with extra stability. Although the introduction of a phenomenological spin-orbit (SO) coupling force in 1949 helped in explaining the magic numbers, its origins are still open questions.

Validation of an advanced analytical procedure applied to the measurement of environmental radioactivity.

In this work, an advanced analytical procedure was applied to calculate radioactivity in spiked water samples in a close geometry gamma spectroscopy. It included MCNP-CP code in order to calculate the coincidence summing correction factor (CSF). The CSF results were validated by a deterministic method using ETNA code for both p-type HPGe detectors.

Chemical constituents of Geum urbanum L. roots.

A new dehydrodigallic acid derivative (1), along with 19 known compounds, including 6 phenolic derivatives, 2 steroids and 11 triterpenoids were isolated from the ethanol extract of the root of Geum urbanum. Herein, there is the first report of steroid and triterpene in Geum urbanum. The purified metabolites were characterised by NMR spectroscopic and mass spectrometric analyses.

Multimodal Personal Verification Using Likelihood Ratio for the Match Score Fusion.

In this paper, the authors present a novel personal verification system based on the likelihood ratio test for fusion of match scores from multiple biometric matchers (face, fingerprint, hand shape, and palm print). In the proposed system, multimodal features are extracted by Zernike Moment (ZM). After matching, the match scores from multiple biometric matchers are fused based on the likelihood ratio test.

A new bischromanone from the stems of Semecarpus caudata.

From an CHCl-soluble fraction of the stems of Semecarpus caudata, one new bischromanone named semecarpanone (1), together with 5 known flavonoids (2-6) were isolated. Their structures were elucidated based on interpretation of spectroscopic data. The stereo-configuration of 1 was identified based on the calculated and experimental coupling constants.

Optimization of the Monte Carlo simulation model of NaI(Tl) detector by Geant4 code.

This work aimed to optimize the Monte Carlo simulation model of NaI(Tl) detector by Geant4 code. For detector modeling, the geometrical parameters are usually derived from the manufacturer's specification because of availability and convenience. However, the difference between real and nominal values in geometrical parameters of the detector can considerably affect the simulation results.

Dramatic Influence of Ionic Liquid and Ultrasound Irradiation on the Electrophilic Sulfinylation of Aromatic Compounds by Sulfinic Esters.

The sulfinylation reaction of aromatic and hetero-aromatic compounds with sulfinic esters as electrophiles has been investigated in different ionic liquids and by means of different Lewis acid salts in order to get moderate to good yields of asymmetrical sulfoxides. Mixtures of 1-butyl-3-methylimidazolium chloride and aluminum chloride were found to be the most efficient and recyclable reaction framework. Ultrasound sonication appeared to be the most useful and green activation method to afford the sulfoxides in yields better than or equivalent to those obtained under the longer-lasting conventional stirring conditions.

Quinoliniumolate and 2H-1,2,3-Triazole Derivatives from the Stems of Paramignya trimera and Their α-Glucosidase Inhibitory Activities: In Vitro and in Silico Studies.

From a CHCl-soluble extract of the stems of Paramignya trimera, two new alkaloids, (E)-2-(prop-1-enyl)-N-methylquinolinium-4-olate (1) and (R)-2-ethylhexyl 2H-1,2,3-triazole-4-carboxylate (2), were isolated. Their structures were elucidated based on the spectroscopic data interpretation. Compound 2 possesses α-glucosidase inhibitory activity, with an IC value of 137.

α-Glucosidase Inhibitory Xanthones from the Roots of Garcinia fusca.

Two new compounds, fuscaxanthones J (1) and K (2), together with eight known xanthones (3 - 10) were isolated from an ethyl acetate extract of the roots of Garcinia fusca. Their structures were determined using spectroscopic methods, mainly 1D- and 2D-NMR. α-Glucosidase inhibitory activity of the isolated compounds was evaluated and fuscaxanthone J (1) showed the most significant effect with an IC value of 8.

Anti-diabetic xanthones from the bark of Garcinia xanthochymus.

An ethyl acetate extract the bark of Garcinia xanthochymus exhibited strong inhibition towards α-glucosidase and PTP1B with IC values of 0.3±0.1μg/mL and 2.

Lignans from the Roots of Taxus wallichiana and Their α-Glucosidase Inhibitory Activities.

From an EtOAc-soluble extract of the roots of Taxus wallichiana, six new (1-6) and 11 known lignans were isolated. The structures of the new compounds were elucidated based on interpretation of spectroscopic data. (+)-7'-epi-Tsugacetal (1) is a rare aryltetralin-type lignan having a cis-orientation of H-7' and H-8'.

A global phylogeny of the fern genus Tectaria (Tectariaceae: Polypodiales) based on plastid and nuclear markers identifies major evolutionary lineages and suggests repeated evolution of free venation from anastomosing venation.

Tectaria (Tectariaceae) is one of the most confusing fern genera in terms of its circumscription and phylogeny. Since its original description, a number of genera had been moved into or related with this genus, while others had been segregated from it. Tectaria is also among the largest fern genera, comprising 150-210 mostly tropical species.

Phytochemical and cytotoxic studies on the leaves of Calotropis gigantea.

A new lignan, 9'-methoxypinoresinol (1), and two new glycosylated 5-hydroxymethylfurfurals, calofurfuralside A (2), and calofurfuralside B (3), together with nine known compounds (4-12) have been isolated from the active fractions, CHCl (IC, 0.32μgmL) and EtOAc (IC, 0.55μgmL) fractions of the leaves of Calotropis gigantea.

A Generic Protocol for Intracellular Expression of Recombinant Proteins in Bacillus subtilis.

Bacillus subtilis (B. subtilis) is a potential and attractive host for the production of recombinant proteins. Different expression systems for B.