Explore the vast range of titles available.

A new water-soluble poly(propylene imine) dendrimer (PPI) modified with 4-sulfo-1,8-naphthalimid units (SNID) and its related structure monomer analog (SNIM) has been prepared by a simple synthesis. The aqueous solution of the monomer exhibited aggregation-induced emission (AIE) at 395 nm, while the dendrimer emitted at 470 nm due to an excimer formation beside the AIE at 395 nm. Fluorescence emission of the aqueous solution of either SNIM or SNID was significantly affected by traces of different miscible organic solvents, and the limits of detection were found to be less than 0.05% (v/v). Moreover, SNID exhibited the function to execute molecular size-based logic gates where it mimics XNOR and INHIBIT logic gates using water and ethanol as inputs and the AIE/excimer emissions as outputs. Hence, the concomitant execution of both XNOR and INHIBIT enables SNID to mimic digital comparators.

This study addresses the need for antibacterial medication that can overcome the current problems of antibiotics. It does so by suggesting two 1,8-naphthalimides (NI1 and NI2) containing a pyridinium nucleus become attached to the imide-nitrogen atom via a methylene spacer. Those fluorescent derivatives are covalently bonded to the surface of a chloroacetyl-chloride-modified cotton fabric. The iodometric method was used to study the generation of singlet oxygen (1O2) by irradiation of KI in the presence of monomeric 1,8-naphthalimides and the dyed textile material. Both compounds generated reactive singlet oxygen, and their activity was preserved even after they were deposited onto the cotton fabric. The antibacterial activity of NI1 and NI2 in solution and after their covalent bonding to the cotton fabric was investigated. In vitro tests were performed against the model gram-positive bacteria B. cereus and gram-negative P. aeruginosa bacteria in dark and under light iradiation. Compound NI2 showed higher antibacterial activity than compound NI1. The light irradiation enhanced the antimicrobial activity of the compounds, with a better effect achieved against B. cereus.

A novel diamino triazine based 1,8-naphthalimide (NI-DAT) has been designed and synthesized. Its photophysical properties have been investigated in different solvents and its sensory capability evaluated. The fluorescence emission of NI-DAT is significantly impacted by the solvent polarity due to its inherent intramolecular charge transfer character. Moreover, the fluorescence emission quenched at higher pH as a result of photo-induced electron transfer (PET) from triazine moiety to 1,8-naphthalimide after cleaving hydrogen bonds in the self-associated dimers. Furthermore, the new chemosensor exhibited a good selectivity and sensitivity towards Hg2+ among all the used various cations and anions in the aqueous solution of ethanol (5:1, v/v, pH = 7.2, Tampon buffer). NI-DAT emission at 540 nm was quenched remarkably only by Hg2+, even in the presence of other cations or anions as interfering analytes. Job’s plot revealed a 2:1 stoichiometric ratio for NI-DAT/Hg2+ complex, respectively.

A novel diamino triazine based 1,8-naphthalimide (NI-DAT) has been designed and synthesized. Its photophysical properties have been investigated in different solvents and its sensory capability evaluated. The fluorescence emission of NI-DAT is significantly impacted by the solvent polarity due to its inherent intramolecular charge transfer character. Moreover, the fluorescence emission quenched at higher pH as a result of photo-induced electron transfer (PET) from triazine moiety to 1,8-naphthalimide after cleaving hydrogen bonds in the self-associated dimers. Furthermore, the new chemosensor exhibited a good selectivity and sensitivity towards Hg[sup.2+] among all the used various cations and anions in the aqueous solution of ethanol (5:1, v/v, pH = 7.2, Tampon buffer). NI-DAT emission at 540 nm was quenched remarkably only by Hg[sup.2+], even in the presence of other cations or anions as interfering analytes. Job’s plot revealed a 2:1 stoichiometric ratio for NI-DAT/Hg[sup.2+] complex, respectively.

Although Cable-driven rehabilitation devices (CDRDs) have several advantages over traditional link-driven devices, including their light weight, ease of reconfiguration, and remote actuation, the majority of existing lower-limb CDRDs are limited to rehabilitation in the sagittal plane. In this work, we proposed a novel three degrees of freedom (DOF) lower limb model which accommodates hip abduction/adduction motion in the frontal plane, as well as knee and hip flexion/extension in the sagittal plane. The proposed model was employed to investigate the feasibility of using bi-planar cable routing to track a bi-planar reference healthy trajectory. Various possible routings of four cable configurations were selected and studied with the 3DOF model. The optimal locations of the hip cuffs were determined using optimization. When compared with the five-cable routing configuration, the four-cable routing produced higher joint forces, which motivated the future study of other potential cable routing configurations and their ability to track bi-planar motion.

There is a growing interest in the research and development of Cable Driven Rehabilitation Devices (CDRDs) due to multiple inherent features attractive to clinical applications, including low inertia, lightweight, high payload-to-weight ratio, large workspace, and modular design. However, previous CDRDs have mainly focused on modifying motor impairment in the sagittal plane, despite the fact that neurological disorders, such as stroke, often involve postural control and gait impairment in multiple planes. To address this gap, this work introduces a novel framework for designing a cable-driven lower limb rehabilitation exoskeleton which can assist with bi-planar impaired posture and gait. The framework used a lower limb model to analyze different cable routings inspired by human muscle architecture and attachment schemes to identify optimal routing and associated parameters. The selected cable routings were safeguarded for non-interference with the human body while generating bi-directional joint moments. The subsequent optimal cable routing model was then implemented in simulations of tracking reference healthy trajectory with bi-planar impaired gait (both in the sagittal and frontal planes). The results showed that controlling joints independently via cables yielded better performance compared to dependent control. Routing long cables through intermediate hinges reduced the peak tensions in the cables, however, at a cost of induced additional joint forces. Overall, this study provides a systematic and quantitative in silico approach, featured with accessible graphical user interface (GUI), for designing subject-specific, safe, and effective lower limb cable-driven exoskeletons for rehabilitation with options for multi-planar personalized impairment-specific features.

The demand for highly active and reusable solid acid catalysts has led to the development of borated mesoporous zirconia nanoparticles, which exhibit excellent catalytic performance in the green synthesis of pharmaceutical intermediates. This study focuses on the preparation, characterization, and catalytic application of borated mesoporous zirconia for the efficient production of 1,4-diacetoxybenzene, a valuable compounds in drug synthesis. The catalyst was synthesized using a sol-gel method, followed by boric acid functionalization to enhance surface acidity and surface area. Comprehensive characterization through XRD, FTIR, TEM, BET, and Thermal analysis confirmed the successful formation of a highly porous, thermally stable, and well-dispersed boron-modified zirconia structure. The catalytic efficiency was evaluated in the acetylation of hydroquinone under optimized conditions, where a maximum yield of 95.7% was achieved at 80 °C within 90 min using a catalyst loading of 25 wt%. Compared to traditional homogeneous acid catalysts, borated mesoporous zirconia exhibited superior stability and recyclability, as demonstrated by its ability to maintain 78% of its initial activity after three consecutive reaction cycles, with only a 18% decline in efficiency. The heterogeneous nature of the catalyst facilitated its easy recovery and reuse, reducing waste generation and operational costs. The results of this study highlight the potential of borated mesoporous zirconia as a sustainable, cost-effective, and environmentally benign catalyst for organic synthesis, offering significant advantages in pharmaceutical and fine chemical industries.

Abstract Background Little is known about shared origins between inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) and allergic diseases (asthma, allergic rhinitis, and eczema). We aimed to expand current knowledge on the etiological sources of comorbidities between these disorders using a range of genetically informed methods. Methods Within-individual and familial co-aggregation analysis was applied to 2 873 445 individuals born in Sweden from 1987 to 2014 and their first- and second-degree relatives. Quantitative genetic modeling was applied to 38 723 twin pairs to decompose the genetic and environmental sources for comorbidity. Polygenic risk score analysis between IBD and allergic diseases was conducted in 48 186 genotyped twins, and linkage disequilibrium score regression was applied using publicly available data to explore the genetic overlap. Results IBD was associated with asthma (adjusted odds ratio [aOR], 1.35; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.30 to 1.40), allergic rhinitis (aOR, 1.27; 95% CI, 1.20 to 1.34), and eczema (aOR, 1.47; 95% CI, 1.38 to 1.56), with similar estimates for ulcerative colitis or Crohn’s disease. The ORs for familial co-aggregation decreased with decreasing genetic relatedness. Quantitative genetic modeling revealed little evidence of common genetic factors between IBD and allergic diseases (eg, IBD and allergic rhinitis; genetic correlation ra = 0.06; 95% CI, −0.03 to 0.15) but did reveal some evidence of unique environmental factors between IBD and eczema (re = 0.16; 95% CI, 0.00 to 0.32). Molecular genetic analyses were similarly null for IBD and allergic diseases, except for a slight association between Crohn’s disease polygenic risk score and eczema (OR, 1.09; 95% CI, 1.06 to 1.12). Conclusions We found little evidence to support a shared origin between IBD and any allergic disease but weak evidence for shared genetic and unique environmental components for IBD and eczema. Lay Summary Comorbidities between inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) with asthma and allergic diseases have been documented, but shared origin remains unknown. Using multiple genetically informed approaches, we found little evidence of a shared origin explaining the comorbidities of IBD with asthma and allergic rhinitis but weak evidence for IBD and eczema.

Carbon steel is a fundamental material used across numerous industries; however, it is highly susceptible to corrosion when exposed to various media, particularly mineral acids that are widely employed in industrial processes. Surfactants capable of adsorbing into metal surfaces act as effective organic corrosion inhibitors. Owing to their inherent surface activity in aqueous environments, these compounds can provide efficient and simultaneous protection of metal substrates. In this study, three novels cationic gemini inhibitor surfactants (CGIS) were synthesized through a multi-step procedure involving Schiff base formation followed by quaternization reactions. The synthesized compounds IIIa, IIIb and IIIc were obtained in high purity with good yields. Structural characterization of the surfactants was carried out using Fourier Transform Infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy and Proton Nuclear Magnetic Resonance ( 1 H NMR) spectroscopy. The corrosion inhibition performance of CGIS for carbon steel was evaluated in 1.0 M HCl acidic medium was systematically investigated. The evaluation employed a combination of gravimetric (weight loss) measurements, electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS), and potentiodynamic polarization techniques. The results of this study indicate that increasing the CGIS concentration and temperature leads to enhanced inhibition efficiency. The improved performance is attributed to the adsorption of CGIS molecules into the carbon steel (CS) surface, forming a protective barrier against corrosion. Potentiodynamic polarization measurements revealed that CGIS acts as a mixed-type inhibitor. Changes observed in electrochemical impedance spectra confirmed the formation of a protective layer resulting from inhibitor adsorption on the CS surface. The adsorption behavior of CGIS on carbon steel was found to follow the Langmuir adsorption isotherm. Furthermore, kinetic and thermodynamic parameters were calculated and analyzed to elucidate the inhibition mechanism. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) images further demonstrated the improved surface morphology of carbon steel in the presence of CGIS.

Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) is emerging as one of the most serious global health problems, necessitating the urgent development of alternative approaches to pathogen control. The present study describes the synthesis and characterization of a novel iodinated BODIPY derivative (BODIPY5), designed as a highly efficient photosensitizer for antimicrobial photodynamic inactivation (aPDI). The molecular design of the compound involves the introduction of two iodine atoms into the BODIPY5 core, which induces a “heavy atom effect”, accelerates the intersystem transition from the singlet to the triplet state, and leads to increased generation of singlet oxygen upon irradiation with visible light. Photophysical measurements show a significant fluorescence quenching of BODIPY5 compared to its unsubstituted counterpart, which is a direct indicator of increased photodynamic activity. The compound’s antimicrobial efficacy was tested in a homogeneous medium and after immobilization on cotton textiles via physical adsorption. In solution, BODIPY5 nearly eliminated the model bacterial strains B. cereus and P. aeruginosa at a low concentration of 10 µg/mL under light, with cell viability below 1%. The functionalized cotton fabric exhibits pronounced self-disinfection properties, retaining high photodynamic activity against the Gram-negative pathogen P. aeruginosa. Scanning electron microscopy results confirm extensive morphological damage and loss of structural integrity in bacterial cells on the treated textile following irradiation. The non-specific mechanism of action, which generates reactive oxygen species (1O2) in situ, prevents the development of bacterial resistance and makes the developed material a promising candidate for use in hospital environments, including antibacterial clothing and protective equipment.