Development of Biocompatible Electrospun PHBV-PLLA Polymeric Bilayer Composite Membranes for Skin Tissue Engineering Applications.

Bilayer electrospun fibers aimed to be used for skin tissue engineering applications were fabricated for enhanced cell attachment and proliferation. Different ratios of PHBV-PLLA (70:30, 80:20, and 90:10 w/w) blends were electrospun on previously formed electrospun PHBV membranes to produce their bilayers. The fabricated electrospun membranes were characterized with FTIR, which conformed to the characteristic peaks assigned for both PHBV and PLLA. The surface morphology was evaluated using SEM analysis that showed random fibers with porous morphology. The fiber diameter and pore size were measured in the range of 0.7 ± 0.1 µm and 1.9 ± 0.2 µm, respectively. The tensile properties of the bilayers were determined using an electrodynamic testing system. Bilayers had higher elongation at break (44.45%) compared to the monolayers (28.41%) and improved ultimate tensile strength (7.940 MPa) compared to the PHBV monolayer (2.450 MPa). In vitro cytotoxicity of each of the scaffolds was determined via culturing MC3T3 (pre-osteoblastic cell line) on the membranes. Proliferation was evaluated using the Alamar Blue assay on days 3, 7, and 14, respectively. SEM images of cells cultured on membranes were taken in addition to bright field imaging to visually show cell attachment. Fluorescent nuclear staining performed with DAPI was imaged with an inverted fluorescent microscope. The fabricated bilayer shows high mechanical strength as well as biocompatibility with good cell proliferation and cell attachment, showing potential for skin substitute applications.

Multi-cavity molecular descriptor interconnections: Enhanced protocol for prediction of serum albumin drug binding.

The role of human serum albumin (HSA) in the transport of molecules predicates its involvement in the determination of drug distribution and metabolism. Optimization of ADME properties are analogous to HSA binding thus this is imperative to the drug discovery process. Currently, various in silico predictive tools exist to complement the drug discovery process, however, the prediction of possible ligand-binding sites on HSA has posed several challenges. Herein, we present a strong and deeper-than-surface case for the prediction of HSA-ligand binding sites using multi-cavity molecular descriptors by exploiting all experimentally available and crystallized HSA-bound drugs. Unlike previously proposed models found in literature, we established an in-depth correlation between the physicochemical properties of available crystallized HSA-bound drugs and different HSA binding site characteristics to precisely predict the binding sites of investigational molecules. Molecular descriptors such as the number of hydrogen bond donors (nHD), number of heteroatoms (nHet), topological polar surface area (TPSA), molecular weight (MW), and distribution coefficient (LogD) were correlated against HSA binding site characteristics, including hydrophobicity, hydrophilicity, enclosure, exposure, contact, site volume, and donor/acceptor ratio. Molecular descriptors nHD, TPSA, LogD, nHet, and MW were found to possess the most inherent capacities providing baseline information for the prediction of serum albumin binding site. We believe that these associations may form the bedrock for establishing a solid correlation between the physicochemical properties and Albumin binding site architecture. Information presented in this report would serve as critical in provisions of rational drug designing as well as drug delivery, bioavailability, and pharmacokinetics.

Inherent efficacies of pyrazole-based derivatives for cancer therapy: the interface between experiment and in silico.

There has been an increasing trend in the design of novel pyrazole derivatives for desired biological applications. For a cost-effective strategy, scientists have implemented various computational drug design tools to go hand in hand with experiments for the design and discovery of potentially effective pyrazole-based therapeutics. This review highlights the milestones of pyrazole-containing inhibitors and the use of molecular modeling techniques in conjunction with experimental studies to provide a view of the binding mechanism of these compounds. The review focuses on the established targets that play a key role in cancer therapy, including proteins involved in tubulin polymerization, carbonic anhydrase and tyrosine kinase. Overall, using both experimental and computational methods in drug design represents a promising approach to cancer therapy.

Pyrolytic elimination of ethylene from ethoxyquinolines and ethoxyisoquinolines: a computational study.

This work reports a thermo-kinetic study on unimolecular thermal decomposition of some ethoxyquinolines and ethoxyisoquinolines derivatives (1-ethoxyisoquinoline (1-EisoQ), 2-ethoxyquinoline (2-EQ), 3-ethoxyquinoline (3-EQ), 3-ethoxyisoquinoline (3-EisoQ), 4-ethoxyquinoline (4-EQ), 4-ethoxyisoquinoline (4-EisoQ), 5-ethoxyquinoline (5-EQ), 5-ethoxyisoquinoline (5-EisoQ), 8-ethoxyquinoline (8-EQ) and 8-ethoxyisoquinoline (8-EisoQ)) using density functional theory DFT (BMK, MPW1B95, M06-2X) and ab initio complete basis set-quadratic Becke3 (CBS-QB3) calculations. In the course of the decomposition of the investigated systems, ethylene is eliminated with the production of either keto or enol tautomer. The six-membered transition state structure encountered in the path of keto formation is much lower in energy than the four-membered transition state required to give enol form. Rate constants and activation energies for the decomposition of 1-EisoQ, 2-EQ, 3-EQ, 3-EisoQ, 4-EQ, 4-EisoQ, 5-EQ, 5-EisoQ, 8-EQ, and 8-EisoQ have been estimated at different temperatures and pressures using conventional transition state theory combined with Eckart tunneling and the unimolecular statistical Rice-Ramsperger-Kassel-Marcus theories. The tunneling correction is significant at temperatures up to 1000 K. Rate constants results reveal that ethylene elimination and keto production are favored kinetically and thermodynamically over the whole temperature range of 400-1200 K and the rates of the processes under study increase with the rising of pressure up to 1 atm.

Cost estimation of synthesis and utilization of nano-adsorbents on the laboratory and industrial scales: A detailed review.

The recent regulations pertaining to the circular economy have unlocked new prospects for researchers. In contrast to the unsustainable models associated with the linear economy, integration of concepts of circular economy braces reducing, reusing, and recycling of waste materials into high-end products. In this regard, adsorption is a promising and cost-effective water treatment technology for handling conventional and emerging pollutants. Numerous studies are published annually to investigate the technical performance of nano-adsorbents and nanocomposites in terms of adsorption capacity and kinetics. Yet, economic performance evaluation is rarely discussed in the literature. Even if an adsorbent shows high removal efficiency towards a specific pollutant, its high preparation and/or utilization costs might hinder its real-life use. This tutorial review aims at illustrating cost estimation methods for the synthesis and utilization of conventional and nano-adsorbents. The current treatise discusses the synthesis of adsorbents on a laboratory scale where the raw material, transportation, chemical, energy, and any other costs are discussed. Moreover, equations for estimating the costs at the large-scale adsorption units for wastewater treatment are illustrated. This review focuses on introducing these topics to non-specialized readers in a detailed but simplified manner.

Storage of Na in 2D SnS for Na ion batteries: a DFT prediction.

The high demand for renewable and clean energy has driven the exploration of advanced energy storage systems. Sodium-ion batteries (SIBs) are considered to be potential substitutes for Li-ion batteries (LIBs) because they are manufactured from raw materials that are cheap, less toxic, and abundantly available. Recent developments have demonstrated that two-dimensional (2D) materials have gained increasing interest as electrode candidates for efficient SIBs because of their enormous surface area and sufficient accommodating sites for the storage of Na ions. Herein, we explore the binding and diffusion mechanisms of Na on a 2D SnS sheet using density functional theory (DFT). The outcomes reveal that Na has a strong binding strength with SnS as well as charge transfer from Na to SnS, which affirms an excellent electrochemical performance. A transition from semiconducting (1.4 eV band gap) to metallic has been noted in the electronic structure after loading a minor amount of Na. In addition, a low open-circuit voltage (OCV) of 0.87 V and a high storage capacity of 357 mA h g-1 show the suitability of the SnS monolayer for SIBs. In addition, the low activation barrier for Na migration (0.13 eV) is attractive for a fast sodiation/desodiation process. Henceforth, these encouraging outcomes suggest the application of the SnS sheet as an excellent anode for next-generation SIBs.

Vanadium Carbide (V4C3) MXene as an Efficient Anode for Li-Ion and Na-Ion Batteries.

Li-ion batteries (LIBs) and Na-ion batteries (SIBs) are deemed green and efficient electrochemical energy storage and generation devices; meanwhile, acquiring a competent anode remains a serious challenge. Herein, the density-functional theory (DFT) was employed to investigate the performance of V4C3 MXene as an anode for LIBs and SIBs. The results predict the outstanding electrical conductivity when Li/Na is loaded on V4C3. Both Li2xV4C3 and Na2xV4C3 (x = 0.125, 0.5, 1, 1.5, and 2) showed expected low-average open-circuit voltages of 0.38 V and 0.14 V, respectively, along with a good Li/Na storage capacity of (223 mAhg-1) and a good cycling performance. Furthermore, there was a low diffusion barrier of 0.048 eV for Li0.0625V4C3 and 0.023 eV for Na0.0625V4C3, implying the prompt intercalation/extraction of Li/Na. Based on the findings of the current study, V4C3-based materials may be utilized as an anode for Li/Na-ion batteries in future applications.

Wide Nematogenic Azomethine/Ester Liquid Crystals Based on New Biphenyl Derivatives: Mesomorphic and Computational Studies.

The thermal stability and mesomorphic behavior of a new biphenyl azomethine liquid crystal homologues series, (E)-4-(([1,1'-biphenyl]-4-ylmethylene)amino)phenyl 4-(alkoxy)benzoate, In, were investigated. The chemical structures of the synthesized compounds were characterized using FT-IR, NMR, and elemental analyses. Differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) and polarized optical microscopy were employed to evaluate the mesomorphic characteristics of the designed homologues. The examined homologues possessed high thermal stability and broad nematogenic temperature ranges. Furthermore, the homologues were covered by enantiotropic nematic phases. The experimental measurements of the mesomorphic behavior were substantiated by computational studies using the density functional theory (DFT) approach. The reactivity parameters, dipole moments, and polarizability of the studied molecules are discussed. The theoretical calculations demonstrated that as the chain length increased, the polarizability of the studied series increased; while it did not significantly affect the HOMO-LUMO energy gap and other reactivity descriptors, the biphenyl moiety had an essential impact on the stability of the possible geometries and their thermal as well as physical parameters.

Simulated kinetics of the atmospheric removal of aniline during daytime.

Oxidations of aniline (AN) initiated by OH-radicals are simulated in the temperature range 200-400 K using DFT/M06-2X/6-311++G(2df,2p) and ab initio ROCBS-QB3 levels. Chemical kinetics of such reactions were investigated based on several approaches including classical transition state theory (TST), conical variational transition state theory (CVT), and Rice-Ramsperger-Kassel-Marcus master equation (RRKM-ME) theories. Under atmospheric conditions, the reaction of OH radical with AN and the subsequent reactions with O2 molecules are investigated. The results indicate that the majority of O2 addition goes to the anti-directions with a branching ratio of 97.7% and produces the bicyclic peroxy radicals (BPRs) that can react with NO radical to form bicyclic alkoxy radicals (BARs). The latter compounds can be stabilized either by cyclization or via ring cleavage.

Computational Studies on the Thermodynamic and Kinetic Parameters of Oxidation of 2-Methoxyethanol Biofuel via H-Atom Abstraction by Methyl Radical.

In this work, a theoretical investigation of thermochemistry and kinetics of the oxidation of bifunctional 2-Methoxyethanol (2ME) biofuel using methyl radical was introduced. Potential-energy surface for various channels for the oxidation of 2ME was studied at density function theory (M06-2X) and ab initio CBS-QB3 levels of theory. H-atom abstraction reactions, which are essential processes occurring in the initial stages of the combustion or oxidation of organic compounds, from different sites of 2ME were examined. A similar study was conducted for the isoelectronic n-butanol to highlight the consequences of replacing the ϒ CH2 group by an oxygen atom on the thermodynamic and kinetic parameters of the oxidation processes. Rate coefficients were calculated from the transition state theory. Our calculations show that energy barriers for n-butanol oxidation increase in the order of α < O < ϒ < ß < ξ, which are consistent with previous data. However, for 2ME the energy barriers increase in the order α < ß < ξ < O. At elevated temperatures, a slightly high total abstraction rate is observed for the bifunctional 2ME (4 abstraction positions) over n-butanol (5 abstraction positions).

Thermochemistry and Kinetics of the Thermal Degradation of 2-Methoxyethanol as Possible Biofuel Additives.

Oxygenated organic compounds derived from biomass (biofuel) are a promising alternative renewable energy resource. Alcohols are widely used as biofuels, but studies on bifunctional alcohols are still limited. This work investigates the unimolecular thermal degradation of 2-methoxyethanol (2ME) using DFT/BMK and ab initio (CBS-QB3 and G3) methods. Enthalpies of the formation of 2ME and its decomposition species have been calculated. Conventional transition state theory has been used to estimate the rate constant of the pyrolysis of 2ME over a temperature range of 298-2000 K. Production of methoxyethene via 1,3-H atom transfer represents the most kinetically favored path in the course of 2ME pyrolysis at room temperature and requires less energy than the weakest Cα - Cß simple bond fission. Thermodynamically, the most preferred channel is methane and glycoladhyde formation. A ninefold frequency factor gives a superiority of the Cα - Cß bond breaking over the Cγ - Oß bond fission despite comparable activation energies of these two processes.

AEO7 Surfactant as an Eco-Friendly Corrosion Inhibitor for Carbon Steel in HCl solution.

The impact of AEO7 surfactant on the corrosion inhibition of carbon steel (C-steel) in 0.5 M HCl solution at temperatures between 20 °C and 50 °C was elucidated using weight loss and different electrochemical techniques. The kinetics and thermodynamic parameters of the corrosion and inhibition processes were reported. The corrosion inhibition efficiency (IE%) improved as the concentration of AEO7 increased. In addition, a synergistic effect was observed when a concentration of 1 × 10-3 mol L-1 or higher of potassium iodide (KI) was added to 40 µmol L-1 of the AEO7 inhibitor where the corrosion IE% increased from 87.4% to 99.2%. Also, it was found that the adsorption of AEO7 surfactant on C-steel surface followed the Freundlich isotherm. Furthermore, electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) and potentiodynamic polarization measurements indicated that AEO7 was physically adsorbed on the steel surface. The surface topography was examined using an optical profilometer, an atomic force microscope (AFM), and a scanning electron-microscope (SEM) coupled with an energy dispersion X-ray (EDX) unit. Quantum chemical calculations based on the density functional theory were performed to understand the relationship between the corrosion IE% and the molecular structure of the AEO7 molecule.

What Happens Without Nickel? Cyclization Reactions of Ethylene with Ethanedithial and Related Molecules.

We present a computational study of the mechanism of the formation of 6-member heterocycles through the binding of ethylene to oxaldehyde, ethanedithial, and 2-thioxoacetaldehyde. This process is related to the olefin separation technology by metal dithiolenes and dioxolenes, being the formation of those heterocycles the main decomposition route. We also present a benchmark of 26 density functionals (spanning hybrid, double-hybrid, range-separated, semilocal, and local functionals) related to CCSD(T)/CBS reference values. Both the cyclization reaction and the isomerization of the cyclic product are included in the benchmark. The best functional among those tested for these reactions is ωB97XD, and the effect of the basis set is also investigated for it. © 2017 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

Multi-layer multi-configuration time-dependent Hartree (ML-MCTDH) approach to the correlated exciton-vibrational dynamics in the FMO complex.

The coupled quantum dynamics of excitonic and vibrational degrees of freedom is investigated for high-dimensional models of the Fenna-Matthews-Olson complex. This includes a seven- and an eight-site model with 518 and 592 harmonic vibrational modes, respectively. The coupling between local electronic transitions and vibrations is described within the Huang-Rhys model using parameters that are obtained by discretization of an experimental spectral density. Different pathways of excitation energy flow are analyzed in terms of the reduced one-exciton density matrix, focussing on the role of vibrational and vibronic excitations. Distinct features due to both competing time scales of vibrational and exciton motion and vibronically assisted transfer are observed. The question of the effect of initial state preparation is addressed by comparing the case of an instantaneous Franck-Condon excitation at a single site with that of a laser field excitation.

Regioselective synthesis and ab initio calculations of fused heterocycles thermally and under microwave irradiation.

Pyrazolo[1,5-a]pyrimidine, triazolo[1,5-a]pyrimidine, and pyrimido[1,2-a]benzimidazole, pyrido[1,2-a]benzimidazole ring systems incorporating phenylsulfonyl moiety were synthesized via the reaction of 3-(N,N-dimethylamino)-1-(thiophen-2-yl)-2-(phenylsulfonyl)prop-2-en-1-one derivatives with the appropriate aminoazoles as 1,3-binucleophiles and 1H-benzimidazol-2-ylacetonitrile using conventional methods as well as microwave irradiation. The regioselectivity of the cyclocondensation reactions was confirmed both experimentally by alternative synthesis of reaction products and theoretically using ab initio quantum chemical calculations namely the Density Functional Theory (DFT). The theoretical work was carried out using the Becke, three parameter, Lee-Yang-Parr hybrid functional (B3LYP) combined with the 6-311++G(d,p) basis set. It was found that the final cyclocondensation reaction product depends mainly on the initial addition to the activated double bond by the nitrogen atom of the 1,3-binucleophiles that has the higher electron density.

Optimization of selection of chain amine scrubbers for CO2 capture.

In order to optimize the selection of a suitable amine molecule for CO2 scrubbers, a series of ab initio calculations were performed at the B3LYP/6-31+G(d,p) level of theory. Diethylenetriamine was used as a simple chain amine. Methyl and hydroxyl groups served as examples of electron donors, and electron withdrawing groups like trifluoromethyl and nitro substituents were also evaluated. Interaction distances and binding energies were employed as comparison operators. Moreover, natural bond orbital (NBO) analysis, namely the second order perturbation approach, was applied to determine whether the amine-CO2 interaction is chemical or physical. Different sizes of substituents affect the capture ability of diethylenetriamine. For instance, trifluoromethyl shields the nitrogen atom to which it attaches from the interaction with CO2. The results presented here provide a means of optimizing the choice of amine molecules for developing new amine scrubbers.

Hydrogen bond coupling in sodium dihydrogen triacetate.

The coupling of hydrogen bonds is central to structures and functions of biological systems. Hydrogen bond coupling in sodium dihydrogen triacetate (SDHTA) is investigated as a model for the hydrogen bonded systems of the type O-H…O. The two-dimensional potential energy surface is derived from the full-dimensional one by selecting the relevant vibrational modes of the hydrogen bonds. The potential energy surfaces in terms of normal modes describing the anharmonic motion in the vicinity of the equilibrium geometry of SDHTA are calculated for the different species, namely, HH, HD, DH, and DD isotopomers. The ground state wave functions and their relation to the hydrogen bond structural parameters are discussed. It has been found that the hydrogen bonds in SDHTA are uncoupled, that is elongation of the deuterated hydrogen bond does not affect the non-deuterated one.

Apparent anti-Woodward-Hoffmann addition to a nickel bis(dithiolene) complex: the reaction mechanism involves reduced, dimetallic intermediates.

Nickel dithiolene complexes have been proposed as electrocatalysts for alkene purification. Recent studies of the ligand-based reactions of Ni(tfd)2 (tfd = S2C2(CF3)2) and its anion [Ni(tfd)2](-) with alkenes (ethylene and 1-hexene) showed that in the absence of the anion, the reaction proceeds most rapidly to form the intraligand adduct, which decomposes by releasing a substituted dihydrodithiin. However, the presence of the anion increases the rate of formation of the stable cis-interligand adduct, and decreases the rate of dihydrodithiin formation and decomposition. In spite of both computational and experimental studies, the mechanism, especially the role of the anion, remained somewhat elusive. We are now providing a combined experimental and computational study that addresses the mechanism and explains the role of the anion. A kinetic study (global analysis) for the reaction of 1-hexene is reported, which supports the following mechanism: (1) reversible intraligand addition, (2) oxidation of the intraligand addition product prior to decomposition, and (3) interligand adduct formation catalyzed by Ni(tfd)2(-). Density functional theory (DFT) calculations were performed on the Ni(tfd)2/Ni(tfd)2(-)/ethylene system to shed light on the selectivity of adduct formation in the absence of anion and on the mechanism in which Ni(tfd)2(-) shifts the reaction from intraligand addition to interligand addition. Computational results show that in the neutral system the free energy of activation for intraligand addition is lower than that for interligand addition, in agreement with the experimental results. The computations predict that the anion enhances the rate of the cis-interligand adduct formation by forming a dimetallic complex with the neutral complex. The [(Ni(tfd)2)2](-) dimetallic complex then coordinates ethylene and isomerizes to form a Ni,S-bound ethylene complex, which then rapidly isomerizes to the stable interligand adduct but not to the intraligand adduct. Thus, the anion catalyzes the formation of the interligand adduct. Significant experimental evidence for dimetallic species derived from nickel bis(dithiolene) complexes has been found. ESI-MS data indicate the presence of a [(Ni(tfd)2)2](-) dimetallic complex as the acetonitrile adduct. A charge-neutral association complex of Ni(tfd)2 with the ethylene adduct of Ni(tfd)2 has been crystallographically characterized. Despite the small driving force for the reversible association, very major structural reorganization (square-planar → octahedral) occurs.

The mechanism of alkene addition to a nickel bis(dithiolene) complex: the role of the reduced metal complex.

The binding of an alkene by Ni(tfd)(2) [tfd = S(2)C(2)(CF(3))(2)] is one of the most intriguing ligand-based reactions. In the presence of the anionic, reduced metal complex, the primary product is an interligand adduct, while in the absence of the anion, dihydrodithiins and metal complex decomposition products are preferred. New kinetic (global analysis) and computational (DFT) data explain the crucial role of the anion in suppressing decomposition and catalyzing the formation of the interligand product through a dimetallic complex that appears to catalyze alkene addition across the Ni-S bond, leading to a lower barrier for the interligand adduct.

Isotope and phase effects on the proton tautomerism in polycrystalline porphycene revealed by NMR.

Using high resolution solid state (15)N and (2)H spectroscopy and longitudinal relaxometry we have studied the tautomerism of porphycene in the solid state, corresponding to a double proton transfer in two cooperative hydrogen bonds. The tautomerism is degenerate above 225 K but the degeneracy is lifted below this temperature, indicating a phase transition. Thus, the high-temperature phase is characterized by a dynamic proton disorder and the low-temperature phase by a dynamic proton order. (15)N magnetization transfer experiments obtained under cross polarization (CP) and magic angle spinning (MAS) conditions reveal the presence of two nonequivalent molecules A and B in the unit cell of phase II, exhibiting slightly different equilibrium constants of the tautomerism. Rate constants of the tautomerism in phase I could be obtained by the analysis of the longitudinal (15)N and (2)H relaxation times. The former, obtained at 9.12 MHz, exhibit a T(1) minimum around 270 K and are consistent with proton transfer induced dipolar (1)H-(15)N relaxation mechanism. The latter, obtained at 46.03 MHz, exhibit a minimum around 330 K and arise from quadrupole relaxation. Within the margin of error, the rate constants of the HH and of the HD/DD tautomerism are the same, exhibiting a barrier of about 30 kJ mol(-1), as expected for an overbarrier reaction in a configuration with two compressed hydrogen bonds. By contrast, in the low-temperature phase a switch of the DD transfer kinetics into the nanosecond time scale is observed, exhibiting a non-Arrhenius temperature dependence which is typical for tunneling. This increase of the rate constants by lowering the temperature is discussed in terms of a switch from a concerted HH transfer in phase I to a stepwise transfer in phase II, where intermolecular interactions lower the energy of one of the cis-intermediates.