Elastocaloric, barocaloric and magnetocaloric effects in spin crossover polymer composite films.

Giant barocaloric effects were recently reported for spin-crossover materials. The volume change in these materials suggests that the transition can be influenced by uniaxial stress, and give rise to giant elastocaloric properties. However, no measurements of the elastocaloric properties in these compounds have been reported so far. Here, we demonstrated the existence of elastocaloric effects associated with the spin-crossover transition. We dissolved particles of ([Fe(L)2](BF4)2, [L=2,6di(pyrazol-1-yl)pyridine]) into a polymeric matrix. We showed that the application of tensile uniaxial stress to a composite film resulted in a significant elastocaloric effect. The elastocaloric effect in this compound required lower applied stress than for other prototype elastocaloric materials. Additionally, this phenomenon occurred for low values of strain, leading to coefficient of performance of the material being one order of magnitude larger than that of other elastocaloric materials. We believe that spin-crossover materials are a good alternative to be implemented in eco-friendly refrigerators based on elastocaloric effects.

Tuning of the magneto-caloric effects in Ni43Mn46In11magnetic shape memory alloys by substitution of boron.

In this study, we report the structural, magnetic, and magnetocaloric properties of B substitution on the Mn site in Ni43Mn46-xBxIn11(x= 0.5, 1.0) Heusler alloys. Crystal structure analysis using room-temperature x-ray diffraction data reveals both samples have mixed phases composed of cubic and tetragonal phases. The structural and magnetic phase transition characteristic temperatures are determined using differential scanning calorimetry, isothermal magnetization (MT), and isofield magnetization (MH) measurements. Both alloys exhibit inverse and direct magnetocaloric effects in the vicinity of their magnetostructural transition and Curie temperature (TC), respectively. For Ni43Mn45.0B1.0In11a maximum magnetic entropy change of 25.06 J kg-1K-1is observed at 250 K for a magnetic field change of 5 T.

Synthesis, Structure, Thermal Decomposition and Computational Calculation of Heterodinuclear NiII - ZnII Complexes.

Mononuclear NiL complex was prepared by the use of bis-N,N'-salicylidene-1,3-propanediamine and Ni(II) salts. NiL was treated with ZnBr2 and pyrazole and 3,5-lutidine coligands in a dioxane medium to prepare the following diheteronuclear complexes: [NiL·ZnBr2·(pyrazole)2] and [NiL·ZnBr2·(3,5-lutidine)2]. The complexes were characterized by elemental analysis, TG, IR and mass spectrometry. The effects of heterocyclic one- and two- nitrogen atoms containing co-ligands were also examined. Theoretical formation enthalpies, dipole moments and the relative levels of HOMO and LUMO energies were determined by the use of Gaussian09 program. The occupancy levels of the atomic orbitals were determined by the NBO analysis of Gaussian09. The effect of pyrazole and lutidine upon the complex formation was evaluated by the use of X-ray diffraction, TG and theoretical calculations. NiL complex with lutidine forms a square pyramidal conformation since lutidine is a much stronger coligand than pyrazole.

Some Nitrogen Rich Energetic Material Synthesis by Nucleophilic Substitution Reaction from Polynitro Aromatic Compounds.

Three new nitrogen-rich energetic compounds, N-(5-chloro-2,4-dinitrophenyl)hydrazine (1), N-(5-chloro-2,4-dinitrophenyl)guanidine (2) and N-(5-chloro-2,4-dinitrophenyl)-4-aminopyrazole (3) prepared by the nucleophilic substitution reaction of 1,3-dichloro-4,6-dinitrobenzene with hydrazine, guanidinium carbonate and 4-aminopyrazole. The compounds were characterized by 1H NMR, 13C NMR, IR and mass spectroscopy. Only compound 2 could be prepared in a suitable crystal and molecular model was determined by X-ray analysis. Compounds were investigated by TG and DSC. Thermal degradation and thermokinetic behavior were investigated by Ozawa-Flynn-Wall and Kissinger-Akahira-Sunose techniques. Compounds were observed to be prone to exothermical thermal decomposition. HOMO and LUMO levels, theoretical formation enthalpy and electrostatic maps were calculated by Gaussian09. The detonation velocity and pressure were calculated by Kamlet-Jacobs equation. The compounds were assayed for antimicrobial properties.

Giant and Reversible Barocaloric Effect in Trinuclear Spin-Crossover Complex Fe3 (bntrz)6 (tcnset)6.

A giant barocaloric effect (BCE) in a molecular material Fe3 (bntrz)6 (tcnset)6 (FBT) is reported, where bntrz = 4-(benzyl)-1,2,4-triazole and tcnset = 1,1,3,3-tetracyano-2-thioethylepropenide. The crystal structure of FBT contains a trinuclear transition metal complex that undergoes an abrupt spin-state switching between the state in which all three FeII centers are in the high-spin (S = 2) electronic configuration and the state in which all of them are in the low-spin (S = 0) configuration. Despite the strongly cooperative nature of the spin transition, it proceeds with a negligible hysteresis and a large volumetric change, suggesting that FBT should be a good candidate for producing a large BCE. Powder X-ray diffraction and calorimetry reveal that the material is highly susceptible to applied pressure, as the transition temperature spans the range from 318 at ambient pressure to 383 K at 2.6 kbar. Despite the large shift in the spin-transition temperature, its nonhysteretic character is maintained under applied pressure. Such behavior leads to a remarkably large and reversible BCE, characterized by an isothermal entropy change of 120 J kg-1 K-1 and an adiabatic temperature change of 35 K, which are among the highest reversible values reported for any caloric material thus far.

The comparison of miRNAs that respond to anti-breast cancer drugs and usnic acid for the treatment of breast cancer.

This study was designed to compare usnic acid with anti-breast cancer drug molecules (A-BCDM) routinely used in the treatment of breast cancer. The miRNA information of 17 anti-breast cancer drug used in breast cancer treatment was obtained from the Small Molecule-miRNA Network-Based Inferance (SMIR-NBI) tool. We had been determined common and different expressed miRNAs between 17 A-BCDM & usnic acid and were classified according to the common miRNAs to reveal molecular similarity. As a result of the bioinformatic analyzes, 20 common miRNAs were determined between 17 A-BCDM and usnic acid. The common miRNAs were analyzed with bioinformatic tolls for determining pathways and targets. The most common miRNAs for 6 of 17 A-BCDM and usnic acid were determined as miR-374a-5p and miR-26a-5p. We compared the anti-proliferative effect of usnic acid and one of the 17 A-BCDM that tamoxifen on MDA-MB-231 triple negative breast cancer cell with real-time cell analysis system. The real time PCR assay was carried out with miR-26a-5p for evaluate to expression level of MDA-MB-231 breast cancer cell and MCF-12A non-cancerous epithelial breast cell. As a result of study, usnic acid as novel candidate drug molecule showed high similarity ratio with 5-Fluorouracil, Sulindac Sulfide, Curcumin and Cisplatin A-BCDM used in treatment of breast cancer. miR-26a-5p as common response miRNA of usnic acid and tamoxifen was showed a decreased level of expression by validated qRT-PCR assay. The obtained from study, in addition to 17 A-BCDM, usnic acid has also the potential to be used as a candidate molecule in the treatment of breast cancer. Moreover, miR-26a-5p might be used as a biomarker in the treatment of breast cancer but further analysis is required.

Evaluation of different isotherm models, kinetic, thermodynamic, and copper biosorption efficiency of Lobaria pulmonaria (L.) Hoffm.

UNLABELLED: The biosorption characteristics of Cu(II) ions from aqueous solution using Lobaria pulmonaria (L.) Hoffm. biomass were investigated. The biosorption efficiency of Cu(II) onto biomass was significantly influenced by the operating parameters. The maximum biosorption efficiency of L. pulmonaria was 65.3% at 10 mg/L initial metal concentration for 5 g/L lichen biomass dosage. The biosorption of Cu(II) ions onto biomass fits the Langmuir isotherm model and the pseudo-second-order kinetic model well. The thermodynamic parameters indicate the feasibility and exothermic and spontaneous nature of the biosorption. The effective desorption achieved with HCl was 96%. Information on the nature of possible interactions between the functional groups of the L. pulmonaria biomass and Cu(II) ions was obtained via Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy. The results indicated that the carboxyl (-COOH) and hydroxyl (-OH) groups of the biomass were mainly involved in the biosorption of Cu(II) onto L. pulmonaria biomass. The L. pulmonaria is a promising biosorbent for Cu(lI) ions because of its availability, low cost, and high metal biosorption and desorption capacities. IMPLICATIONS: Lobaria pulmonaria is a promising biosorbent for Cu(II) ions because of its availability, low cost, and high metal biosorption and desorption capacities. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first paper on the biosorption Cu by L. pulmonaria.

Effects of environment on the release of Ni, Cr, Fe, and Co from new and recast Ni-Cr alloy.

STATEMENT OF PROBLEM: The addition of previously cast alloy to new alloy for economic reasons may increase the release of elements. PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to analyze the effects of the immersion period, immersion media, and addition of previously cast alloy to new alloy on the release of elements. MATERIAL AND METHOD: Disk-shaped specimens were prepared from a Ni-Cr alloy (Ni: 61 wt%, Cr: 26 wt%, Mo: 11 wt%, Si: 1.5 wt%, Fe, Ce, Al, and Co <1 wt%) (Remanium CS; Dentaurum) with new alloy (group N) and 50% new/50% recast alloy (group R). After the immersion of the specimens in both NaCl (pH 4) and artificial saliva (pH 6.7) for 3, 7, 14, 30, and 60 days, the release of ions was determined by using atomic absorption spectrometry. Data were analyzed with a 3-way ANOVA (α=.001). RESULTS: The release of Ni was significantly affected by the immersion period, of Ni and Cr by the alloy and media (P<.01), and of Fe by the alloy (P<.01). Ion release from the recast alloy in artificial saliva was 109.71 for Ni, 6.49 for Cr, 223.22 for Fe, and 29.90 µg/L for Co. The release of Co in NaCl was below the detection limit in both groups. CONCLUSION: The release of Ni in NaCl and artificial saliva increased with the length of the immersion period in both groups. The release of Cr and Fe was higher in artificial saliva than in NaCl in group R, regardless of the immersion period. The release of Co in NaCl was below the detection limit in both groups.

Assessment of air pollution genotoxicity by RAPD in Evernia prunastri L. Ach. from around iron-steel factory in Karabük, Turkey.

Lichens are widely used in biomonitoring studies of air pollution, either as bioindicators of air quality or as bioaccumulators of atmospheric deposition. Over the past decade, several molecular techniques have been developed to provide information on diversity, genotoxicology, genetic relationships, etc. The heavy metal contents of Evernia prunastri samples were determined by atomic absorption spectrometry. The Random Amplified Polymorphic DNA Polymerase Chain Reaction (RAPD-PCR) method was used to describe the pattern of DNA band variation in the samples influenced by the environmental pollution. The study was designed to describe the level of pollution in an area contaminated with smoke and waste from an iron-steel factory, and to reveal the level of potential genotoxic agents around this source of pollution. The study also examined the suitability of the lichen samples for the detection of genotoxicity.

Heavy metal accumulation in Pseudevernia furfuracea (L.) Zopf from the Karabük iron-steel factory in Karabük, Turkey.

Pseudevernia furfuracea (L.) Zopf lichen specimens were collected every 5 km starting from around an iron-steel factory located in the central area of Karabük province, up to Yenice Forest. Zn, Cu, Mn, Fe, Pb, Ni, Cd, Cr contents were analyzed in the samples collected from polluted and unpolluted areas. A Pseudevernia furfuracea (L.) Zopf sample from Yenice Forest was used as a control. The reason for this choise was the abundance of species diversity, and therefore sample collection might cause a very low impact on natural population density. The forest is among the 100 forested areas that must be urgently taken under protection according to WWF (World Wildlife Fund) researches. Results of the current study manifested significant variations among the contents of these elements between stations. As expected, the pollution sources, such as iron-steel factory, roads and railroads, industry, heavy traffic, and waste treatment plants, have major impact on the heavy metal accumulation in P. furfuracea (L.) Zopf, and, in accordance to their location, samples 8 and 10 displayed high element accumulation. Surprisingly, although Yenice Forest is under protection, results of our study showed that the region is becoming polluted by the influence of many pollution sources in the area. The present study also confirms the efficient metal accumulation capacity of lichens.

Poly[(µ-benzene-1,2,4,5-tetra-carboxyl-ato)tetra-silver(I)].

In the centrosymmetric title compound, [Ag(4)(C(10)H(2)O(8))](n), the benzene ring has irregular bond lengths but remains planar (r.m.s. deviation 0.0002 Å). The Ag-O bond lengths are in the range 2.153 (3)-2.615 (4) Å. The carboxyl-ate groups are oriented at dihedral angles of 26.4 (5) and 74.9 (4)° to the benzene ring. The coordination behaviour of each carboxyl-ate O atom is different: in one carboxylate, the O atoms are coordinated to a single and two Ag atoms; in the other carboxylate, the O atoms are coordinated to two and three Ag atoms. Non-classical inter-molecular C-H⋯O hydrogen bonding is present in the crystal structure. The title compound forms a three-dimensional polymeric network due to the coordination of the Ag atoms.

Di-µ(2)-acetato-1:2κO:O';2:3κO:O'-bis-(N,N'-dimethyl-formamide)-1κO,3κO-bis-{µ(2)-2,2'-[propane-1,3-diylbis(imino-methyl-ene)]diphenolato-1κO,N,N',O':2κO,O';2κO,O':3κO,N,N',O'-1,3-dinickel(II)-2-cadmium(II).

The crystal structure of the title compound, [Ni(2)Cd(C(17)H(16)N(2)O(2))(2)(C(2)H(3)O(2))(2)(C(3)H(7)NO)(2)], contains discrete centrosymmetric hetero-trinuclear mol-ecules in which Ni/Cd atom pairs are triply bridged via O atoms from the SALPD(2-) [N,N'-bis-(salicyl-idene)-1,3-propane-diaminate] and acetate ligands. The central Cd(II) ion is in a distorted octa-hedral coordination environment formed by four O atoms from two SALPD(2-) ligands in the equatorial plane and two O atoms of two symmetry-related acetate ligands in the axial positions. The symmetry-related Ni(II) ions are in slightly distorted octa-hedral environments, coordinated by two O and two N atoms from tetra-dendate SALPD(2-) ligands in the equatorial plane, while the axial positions are occupied by O atoms from a dimethyl-formamide and an acetate ligand. This results in the formation of three edge-shared octa-hedra in which the Ni⋯Cd distance is 3.1482 (15) Å. The crystal structure is stabilized by weak C-H⋯O hydrogen bonds.

Dichlorido-1κCl,3κCl-bis-{µ-2,2'-[pro-pane-1,3-diylbis(imino-methyl-ene)]di-phenol-ato}-1:2κO,N,N',O':O,O';2:3κO,O':O,N,N',O'-tricopper(II).

The title linear trinuclear copper(II) complex, [Cu(3)(C(17)H(20)N(2)O(2))(2)Cl(2)], was obtained from N,N'-bis-(2-hydroxy-benz-yl)-1,3-propane-diamine and CuCl(2). The overall charge of the three Cu(2+) ions is balanced by four deprotonated phenol groups and two Cl(-) ligands. The complex is centrosymmetric with the central Cu(2+) occupying a special position (). This Cu(2+) ion is coordinated by the four phenolate O atoms in a square-planar fashion. The second Cu(2+) occupies a general position in a square-pyramidal fashion. Two phenolate O atoms and two amine N form the basal plane, with Cl(-) ligands occupying the fifth coordination site.

Time-based elution of TEGDMA and BisGMA from resin composite cured with LED, QTH and high-intensity QTH lights.

This study measured the elution of TEGDMA and BisGMA monomers from hybrid, micro-filled resin composites over 72 hours at different time intervals after polymerization with standard quartz-tungsten-halogen (QTH), high-intensity fast-curing QTH and standard blue light emitting diode (LED) light units. Samples were polymerized from the top and bottom surfaces, then immersed in methanol. High performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) was used to measure the amount of monomers released from the samples at various time intervals, ranging from 0 to 72 hours (0, 3, 6, 9, 12, 24, 48 and 72 hours). Data was analyzed using two-way ANOVA and Duncan tests with a significance level of 0.05. No significant differences were observed among curing groups in the elution of TEGDMA monomers at 0, 9, 12, 24, 48 and 72 hours; whereas, significant differences were observed among curing groups at 3 and 6 hours. BisGMA elution in samples immersed for longer periods (9-72 hours) were significantly higher than samples immersed for shorter time periods (0-6 hours); however, 72 hours appeared to be too short a period for the total elution of BisGMA into methanol.

Determination of usnic acid in some Rhizoplaca species from Middle Anatolia and their antimicrobial activities.

Three species of lichens, Rhizoplaca chrysoleuca (Sm.) Zopf, Rhizoplaca melanopthalma (DC.) Leuckert & Poelt and Rhizoplaca peltata Ramonds Leuckert, were collected from middle Anatolia, Erciyes Mountain (Kayseri) in Turkey. Their usnic acid amounts were determined by HPLC in acetone extracts. In addition, antimicrobial activities of these extracts were determined against Escherichia coli (ATCC 35218), Enterococcus faecalis (RSKK 508), Proteus mirabilis (Pasteur Ens. 235), Staphylococcus aureus, Bacillus subtilis, Bacillus megaterium and Pseudomonas aeruginosa. It was shown that, as the usnic acid amount increased, the antimicrobial activities increased too. The usnic acid contents of Rhizoplaca species varied between 0.19-4.0% dry weight.

Identification and quantitation of usnic acid from the lichen Usnea species of Anatolia and antimicrobial activity.

Six species of lichens, such as Usnea florida, Usnea barbata, Usnea longissima, Usnea rigida, Usnea hirta and Usnea subflorida, were collected from different areas of Anatolia (district of Antalya, Karabük, Qankiri, Giresun and Trabzon) in Turkey. Their usnic acid amounts in acetone extracts were determined by HPLC. In addition, antimicrobial activities of these extracts were determined against Escherichia coli (ATCC 35218), Enterococcus faecalis (RSKK 508), Proteus mirabilis (Pasteur Ens. 235), Staphylococcus aureus, Bacillus subtilis and Bacillus megaterium. It was shown that with increasing amount of usnic acid, the antimicrobial activity increased. Usnic acid contents of Usnea species varied between 0.22-6.49% of dry weight.

Synthesis, characterization, crystal structure and biological activity of a novel heterotetranuclear complex: [NiLPb(SCN)2(DMF)(H2O)]2, bis-{[mu-N,N'-bis(salicylidene)-1,3-propanediaminato-aqua-nickel(II)](thiocyanato)(mu-thiocyanato)(mu-N,N'-dimethylformamide)lead(II)}.

The mononuclear nickel complex NiL (LH2 = N,N'-bis(salicylidene)-1,3-diaminopropane) can be transformed into the tetranuclear complex [NiL(H2O)Pb(SCN)2(DMF)]2 in the aid of SCN-, DMF (dimethylformamide) and Pb(II) ions. The complex was characterized by elemental analysis and FTIR investigation. The crystal structure reveals it is a nonlinear Ni(II)-Pb(II)-Pb(II)i-Ni(II)i (i: 1-x, 1-y, 1-z) heterotetranuclear complex and crystallizes in the triclinic space group P1. The Ni(II) and Pb(II) ions have a distorted octahedral coordination geometry. There are three kinds of mu-bridge in the molecule between the metal ions. Each pair of Ni and Pb ions in the asymmetric unit is equatorially linked by two phenolic oxygen bridging atoms of N,N'-bis(salicylidene)-1,3-propanediaminato (salpd(2-), C17H16N2O2(2-)) ligand. The dinuclear centres from tetranuclear clusters Ni-Pb(i) and Ni(i)-Pb pairs are bridged by two mu-1,3-SCN groups. Pb(II) and Pb(II)i ions are also bridged by the oxygen atoms of DMF molecules. The tetranuclear units are hydrogen bonded by two O-H...N intermolecular interactions along the c-axis. The complex was screened for antibacterial and antifungal activities by the disc diffusion and microtiter plate techniques using DMF as solvent. The minimum inhibitory concentration values were calculated. It has been found that antimicrobial activities of the complexes are higher than the free ligand.

Spectrofluorimetric determination of trace aluminum in diluted hemodialysis solutions.

In this study, a spectrofluorimetric method has been developed for the determination of aluminum based on the formation of an aluminum complex with N,N'-disalicylidene-1,3-diamino-2-hydroxypropane (DSAHP). The most suitable pH, solvent medium, complex formation time, Schiff base concentration and temperature were determined. The excitation and emission wavelengths were 270 and 437 nm, respectively, in which the DSAHP-Al complex gave the maximum fluorescence intensity at pH 3.0 and 6.0 in 50% dioxan-50% water medium. Under these conditions, calibration curves were obtained in three different linear limits, and was found that aluminum could be detected within the concentration limit of 0-10.0 microM and the lowest detection limit being 0.27 ng ml(-1). The stoichiometry of the DSAHP-Al complex was also determined spectrofluorimetrically under optimal conditions and the molar ratio of DSAHP-Al was calculated as 2:1. Using the developed method, aluminum was detected in hemodialysis solutions, and the results obtained were similar and comparable with those obtained using the method described in the British Pharmacopoeia within 95% confidence limits. This method can be used successfully for the routine determination of aluminum because it is quick, requires less amount of reactives, is sensitive, reliable and reproducible.

Crystal structure of [[mu-bis(salicylidene)-1,3-propanediaminato]copper(II)]dibromozinc(II).

The title compound is a double oxygen-bridged dimeric heteronuclear metal complex. The coordination around the Cu atom is distorted square-planar involving two O and two N atoms from the bis(salicylidene)-1,3-propanediamine ligand. The Zn atom in the molecule has a distorted tetrahedral coordination sphere consisting of the two O atoms of the ligand and the two Br atoms. The bridging plane between the metal atoms is not planar.

Crystal structure of [2,6-bis(3,5-dimethyl-N-pyrazolyl)pyridine]-(azido)(chloro)copper(II).

In the title compound, the coordination around the Cu atom is a distorted square-pyramid involving three N atoms from the ligand and one N atom from the azido group at the basal plane. The Cl atom is located at the apical position. The Cu atom is 0.32(5)A above the basal plane. There are three intramolecular and four weak intermolecular hydrogen bonds in the structure. IR spectra confirm the asymmetric N3 stretching vibrations of the terminal azide group.