Chemical Composition Research Articles

Patent Portfolios Protecting 10 Top-Selling Prescription Drugs.

Brand-name drugs are sold at high prices in the US during market exclusivity periods protected by patents. Multiple overlapping patents protecting a drug are known as patent thickets and can effectively delay the emergence of price-lowering generic competition for many years. To evaluate the composition of patent thickets of 10 top-selling prescription drugs in the US and compare the characteristics of drug patents filed during development with those filed on these products after US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approval. This cross-sectional study examined US patent thickets of the 10 prescription drugs with the highest US net sales revenue in 2021 using information on issued patents and patent applications as of June 30, 2022, obtained from a public database by the Initiative for Medicines, Access, and Knowledge. Data were analyzed from September 2022 to June 2023. Prevalence of patents filed before and after FDA approval; types of claims present in issued patents (ie, chemical composition, method of use, process or synthesis, formulation, and delivery device); and patent thicket density (number of active patents at a given time). The 10 top-selling prescription drugs in the US for 2021 included 4 small-molecule drugs and 6 biologics. These 10 drugs were linked to 1429 patents and patent applications: 742 (52%) issued patents, 218 (15%) pending applications, and 469 (33%) abandoned applications. Almost three-quarters of patent applications (1028 [72%]) were filed after FDA approval. The postapproval proportion was higher for biologics (80%) than for small-molecule drugs (58%). Postapproval filing of patent applications peaked in the first 5 years after FDA approval for small-molecule drugs and 12 years after FDA approval for biologics. Of 465 patents issued for applications filed after FDA approval, 189 (41%) had method of use claims, 127 (27%) had formulation claims, and 103 (22%) had process or synthesis claims, while 86 (19%) had chemical composition claims and 46 (10%) had device claims. Patent thicket density peaked 13 years after FDA approval, at which time these 10 drugs were protected by a median (IQR) of 42 (18-83) active patents, 66% of which were filed after FDA approval. This study found that among the 10 top-selling prescription drugs in the US in 2021, patents filed after FDA approval and containing claims covering aspects other than the active ingredient of the drug contributed to patent thickets. Scrutiny of patent applications and of patents filed after FDA approval is needed to facilitate timely generic or biosimilar competition.

Controllable synthesis of high-entropy alloys.

High-entropy alloys (HEAs) involving more than four elements, as emerging alloys, have brought about a paradigm shift in material design. The unprecedented compositional diversities and structural complexities of HEAs endow multidimensional exploration space and great potential for practical benefits, as well as a formidable challenge for synthesis. To further optimize performance and promote advanced applications, it is essential to synthesize HEAs with desired characteristics to satisfy the requirements in the application scenarios. The properties of HEAs are highly related to their chemical compositions, microstructure, and morphology. In this review, a comprehensive overview of the controllable synthesis of HEAs is provided, ranging from composition design to morphology control, structure construction, and surface/interface engineering. The fundamental parameters and advanced characterization related to HEAs are introduced. We also propose several critical directions for future development. This review can provide insight and an in-depth understanding of HEAs, accelerating the synthesis of the desired HEAs.

Exploring antioxidant and α-glucosidase inhibition in Eugenia L. extracts: a comprehensive phytochemicalstudy.

This study analysed extracts obtained from the leaves of Eugenia uniflora, E. involucrata, and E. myrcianthes to determine their chemical composition, antioxidative properties, and α-glucosidase inhibitory capacity. By using liquid chromatography with a diode array detector, we identified chlorogenic acids, flavonoids, tannins, proanthocyanidins, saponins, and triterpenes in the extracts. The antioxidant activities of the extracts were found to be directly related to their total phenolic, flavonoid content and enzyme inhibition. The E. uniflora aqueous extract showed significant inhibition of α-glucosidase (IC50 0.98 µg mL-1), indicating its potential as a non-competitive inhibitor for managing Diabetes Mellitus. This study contributes to the existing knowledge on the chemical and biological aspects of Eugenia genus.

In-depth characterization of particulate matter in a highly polluted urban environment at the foothills of Himalaya-Karakorum Region.

In recent years, the rising levels of atmospheric particulate matter (PM) have an impact on the earth's system, leading to undesirable consequences on various aspects like human health, visibility, and climate. The present work is carried out over an insufficiently studied but polluted urban area of Peshawar, which lies at the foothills of the famous Himalaya and Karakorum area, Northern Pakistan. The particulate matter with an aerodynamic diameter of less than 10µm, i.e., PM10 are collected and analyzed for mineralogical, morphological, and chemical properties. Diverse techniques were used to examine the PM10 samples, for instance, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, x-ray diffraction, and scanning electron microscopy along with energy-dispersive x-ray spectroscopy, proton-induced x-ray emission, and an OC/EC carbon analyzer. The 24h average PM10 mass concentration along with standard deviation was investigated to be 586.83 ± 217.70µg/m3, which was around 13 times greater than the permissible limit of the world health organization (45µg/m3) and 4 times the Pakistan national environmental quality standards for ambient PM10 (150µg/m3). Minerals such as crystalline silicate, carbonate, asbestiform minerals, sulfate, and clay minerals were found using FTIR and XRD investigations. Microscopic examination revealed particles of various shapes, including angular, flaky, rod-like, crystalline, irregular, rounded, porous, chain, spherical, and agglomeration structures. This proved that the particles had geogenic, anthropogenic, and biological origins. The average value of organic carbon, elemental carbon, and total carbon is found to be 91.56 ± 43.17, 6.72 ± 1.99, and 102.41 ± 44.90µg/m3, respectively. Water-soluble ions K+ and OC show a substantial association (R = 0.71). Prominent sources identified using Principle component analysis (PCA) are anthropogenic, crustal, industrial, and electronic combustion. This research paper identified the potential sources of PM10, which are vital for preparing an air quality management plan in the urban environment of Peshawar.

Online Compositional Analysis of Complex Oligomers in Biomass Degradation by High-Pressure Flow-Through Reactor Coupled with High-Resolution Mass Spectrometry.

Online analysis of the composition and evolution of complex oligomeric intermediates in biomass degradation is highly desirable to elucidate the mechanism of bond cleavage and study the effect of conditions on the selective conversion of feedstocks. However, harsh reaction conditions and complicated conversion systems pose tremendous challenges for conventional, state-of-the-art analytical techniques. Herein, we introduce a continuous and rapid compositional analysis strategy coupling a high-pressure flow-through reactor with online high-resolution mass spectrometry, which enables the molecular-level characterization of most biomass-related products throughout the conversion for over 2 h. Catalytic depolymerization of one model compound was studied, and temperature-dependent data of over 50 intermediates as well as recondensation dimers and oligomers were obtained, which have rarely been reported in the literature. Thousands of products during the flow-through conversion of birch wood with molecular weights up to 1000 Da were presented, and 8 typical lignin dimers and oligomers with various interunit linkages were identified at the molecular level, demonstrating the potential to analyze more complicated systems far beyond conventional methods, especially for complex oligomers. The continuous evolutions of different components and typical products were unveiled for the first time, providing valuable insights into the investigation of the structure, composition, and decomposition mechanism of lignocellulose as well as the influence of reaction conditions. This method leads to the previously unattained ability to probe and reveal complicated chemical compositions in high-pressure reactions and can be applied to all other high-pressure heterogeneous aqueous reactions.

The effects of stellar feedback on molecular clumps in the Lagoon Nebula (M8)

The Lagoon Nebula (M8) is host to multiple regions with recent and ongoing massive star formation, due to which it appears as one of the brightest regions in the sky. M8-Main and M8 East, two prominent regions of massive star formation, have been studied in detail over the past few years, while large parts of the nebula and its surroundings have received little attention. These largely unexplored regions comprise a large sample of molecular clumps that are affected by the presence of massive O- and B-type stars. Thus, exploring the dynamics and chemical composition of these clumps will improve our understanding of the feedback from massive stars on star-forming regions in their vicinity. We established an inventory of species observed towards 37 known molecular clumps in M8 and investigated their physical structure. We compared our findings for these clumps with the galaxy-wide sample of massive dense clumps observed as part of the APEX Telescope Large Area Survey of the Galaxy (ATLASGAL). Furthermore, we investigated the region for signs of star formation and stellar feedback. To obtain an overview of the kinematics and chemical abundances across the sample of molecular clumps in the M8 region, we conducted an unbiased line survey for each clump. We used the Atacama Pathfinder EXperiment (APEX) 12\,m submillimetre telescope and the 30m telescope of the Institut de Radioastronomie e trique (IRAM) to conduct pointed on-off observations of 37 clumps in M8. These observations cover bandwidths of 53\,GHz and 40\,GHz in frequency ranges from 210\,GHz to 280\,GHz and from 70\,GHz to 117\,GHz, respectively. Temperatures were derived from rotational transitions of acetonitrile, methyl acetylene, and para-formaldehyde. Additional archival data from the Spitzer Herschel MSX, APEX, WISE, JCMT, and AKARI telescopes were used to investigate the morphology of the region and to derive the physical parameters of the dust emission by fitting spectral energy distributions to the observed flux densities. Across the observed M8 region, we identify 346 transitions from 70 different molecular species, including isotopologues. While many species and fainter transitions are detected exclusively towards M8 East, we also observe a large chemical variety in many other molecular clumps. We detect tracers of photo-dissociation regions (PDRs) across all the clumps, and 38<!PCT!> of these clumps show signs of star formation. In our sample of clumps with extinctions between 1 and 60\,mag, we find that PDR tracers are most abundant in clumps with relatively low H$_2$ column densities. When comparing M8 clumps to ATLASGAL sources at similar distances, we find them to be slightly less massive (median $10\ M_ odot $) and have compatible luminosities (median $200\ L_ odot $) and radii (median $0.16$\,pc). In contrast, dust temperatures of the clumps in M8 are found to be increased by approximately 5\,K (25<!PCT!>), indicating substantial external heating of the clumps by radiation of the present O- and B-type stars. This work finds clear and widespread effects of stellar feedback on the molecular clumps in the Lagoon Nebula. While the radiation from the O- and B-type stars possibly causes fragmentation of the remnant gas and heats the molecular clumps externally, it also gives rise to extended PDRs on the clump surfaces. Despite this fragmentation, the dense cores within 38<!PCT!> of the observed clumps in M8 are forming a new generation of stars.

Microwave synthesis of magnesium phosphate-rGO as an effective electrode for supercapacitor application

Abstract Transition metal phosphate based materials is being used for energy storage because of P–O covalent bond which facilitates more storage compared to other transition metals and this covalent bond enhanced the electrochemical performance for supercapacitor applications. Pure magnesium phosphate (Mg3(PO4)2) were synthesized via microwave synthesis as the composite varies with rGO (MgPO-XrGO) X=25,50,75,100mg. The prepared composite materials were examined employing XRD, Raman, FT-IR, SEM and XPS studies. Electrochemical studies (CV, EIS, GCD) of three electrode system for the prepared electrodes were performed using Biologic SP-150 with 2M (H2SO4) as electrolyte. From the XRD results, triclinic structured MgPO was confirmed (JCPDS card #35–0329) and rGO has enhanced the crystallinity of MgPO composite. From Raman analyses, the well graphitization nature of rGO in composite MgPO was identified and from XPS analysis chemical composition of the elements was analyzed. The FT-IR fundamental modes of vibrations of PO 4 3 − ${\text{PO}}_{4}^{3-}$ (γ 1,γ 3,γ 4) were obtained. The electrochemical analysis of the prepared material such as pure and composite materials showed better performance. The high specific capacitance was obtained for MgPO-50rGO because MgPO has high coordination with rGO. As Mg2+ oxidation state has high chemical reactivity compared to other earth metals and other advantage is P–O covalent bond that enhanced the performance of the electrode. By facilitating these advantages, rGO is included as composite to develop the electrode to favor the practical applications. By using the optimum level rGO composite with MgPO4-50rGO a better new candidate was successfully developed for supercapacitor applications. The fabricated MgPO-50rGO//Activate carbon full cell set up exhibited the specific capacitance 61 Fg−1 at 1 Ag−1, 21.7 Wh kg−1 energy density and 790.0 W kg−1 power densities and explored outstanding capacitive retention in 2 electrode full cell setup cyclic stability of 99.1 % over the 5000 cycles.

Surface ligand-regulated renal clearance of MRI/SPECT dual-modality nanoprobes for tumor imaging

BackgroundThe general sluggish clearance kinetics of functional inorganic nanoparticles tend to raise potential biosafety concerns for in vivo applications. Renal clearance is a possible elimination pathway for functional inorganic nanoparticles delivered through intravenous injection, but largely depending on the surface physical chemical properties of a given particle apart from its size and shape.ResultsIn this study, three small-molecule ligands that bear a diphosphonate (DP) group, but different terminal groups on the other side, i.e., anionic, cationic, and zwitterionic groups, were synthesized and used to modify ultrasmall Fe3O4 nanoparticles for evaluating the surface structure-dependent renal clearance behaviors. Systematic studies suggested that the variation of the surface ligands did not significantly increase the hydrodynamic diameter of ultrasmall Fe3O4 nanoparticles, nor influence their magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) contrast enhancement effects. Among the three particle samples, Fe3O4 nanoparticle coated with zwitterionic ligands, i.e., Fe3O4@DMSA, exhibited optimal renal clearance efficiency and reduced reticuloendothelial uptake. Therefore, this sample was further labeled with 99mTc through the DP moieties to achieve a renal-clearable MRI/single-photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) dual-modality imaging nanoprobe. The resulting nanoprobe showed satisfactory imaging capacities in a 4T1 xenograft tumor mouse model. Furthermore, the biocompatibility of Fe3O4@DMSA was evaluated both in vitro and in vivo through safety assessment experiments.ConclusionsWe believe that the current investigations offer a simple and effective strategy for constructing renal-clearable nanoparticles for precise disease diagnosis.Graphical

Precise determination of oxygen content in SmBa2Cu3O7-δ thin film samples using x-ray diffraction

Abstract The superconducting properties of SmBa2Cu3O7-δ (SmBCO) thin films are predominantly influenced by the oxygen deficiency δ. Yet, the established methods to determine δ such as iodometric titration or thermogravimetry cannot be applied to thin films due to their very small volume.
Therefore, an alternative way to determine δ for SmBCO thin film samples using X-ray diffraction (XRD) is presented. Main point of this analysis is the structural relationship between the a, b and c lattice parameters and δ. A linear relationship between c and δ is found in SmBCO powder samples for both the orthorhombic and tetragonal phases.
Furthermore, an attempt is made to quantify the chemical composition using Time-of-Flight Secondary Ion Mass Spectrometry (ToF-SIMS). This attempt was inconclusive because of drastically changing ion yields due to δ influencing the valence state of the analyzed ions.
The found crystal structural relationship gathered from the powder samples is applied to thin film samples. Thereby, it becomes clear that thermal strain is affecting the crystal structure of the thin films. A simple correction model is used to correct for thermal strain and a good match between powder, literature and thin film data is achieved and thus a non-destructive way for the determination of δ using XRD.


Screening of enhanced biohydrogen production from anaerobic fermentation amended with nano-sized barium ferrite supported by aluminum oxide

Anaerobic fermentation has attracted wide attention to effectively reduce carbon footprint and alleviate potential energy shortages, which is being regarded as a sustainable and promising technology to obtain high biohydrogen production from widespread organic wastes. However, biohydrogen commercial uptake is now dominantly inhibited by the low hydrogen yield and process instability. In this work, Al2O3/BaFe2O4 nanoparticles (NPs) are successfully applied to anaerobic fermentation for investigating their effects on hydrogen yield, activity of bacteria and microbial community structure. The benefits of Al2O3/BaFe2O4 NPs with respect to microbial metabolism, reactivity of enzymes and process optimization are systematically researched through batch experiments. In addition, various characterizations are used to verify the physical and chemical properties of Al2O3/BaFe2O4 NPs. The results show that the activity of hydrogenases and microbe metabolism can be significantly inhibited by excess addition of Al2O3/BaFe2O4 NPs (150 mg/L and 200 mg/L) while the optimum addition 100 mg/L of Al2O3/BaFe2O4 NPs can boost the biohydrogen yield by 49% via facilitating microorganism growth and enhancing key enzymatic activities, which indicate that the Al2O3/BaFe2O4 NPs display a beneficial influence on electron transfer efficiency and process stability. The existence of Fe3+, Al3+and Ba2+ derived from the corrosion of Al2O3/BaFe2O4 NPs by organic acids synergistically improve the microbial transmembrane transportation and substrate utilization, which contribute to higher conversion rate of glucose into acetate, butyrate and H2. Meanwhile, the complementary functions of Fe3+ and Al3+ can powerfully shorten the lag phase and promote the glycolysis, which finally accelerate the dark fermentation process. Compared with the control group, Clostridium_sensu_stricto_1 is selectively enriched by the addition of Al2O3/BaFe2O4 NPs, which keep heavily involved in the synthesis of H2. On balance, this study provides an effective strategy to enhance hydrogen productivity and maintain process stability, which offer the valuable information for the sustainable utilization of sewage sludge.

Using horse teeth to shape stone tools: an experimental approach to characterise use-wear traces

Horse tooth retouchers have been identified in several Middle and Upper Palaeolithic sites. They have been typically characterised as ‘soft’ hammers and/or grouped into the category of ‘bone retouchers’ at a technical level. Bone and teeth have different chemical compositions; teeth are denser and heavier than bone, and consequently, their technological features should not be considered homologous. In this work, we experimentally tested the effectiveness of horse teeth as retouchers. To perform this study, we used 41 modern horse teeth to shape flakes of various raw materials by applying different techniques. The resulting use-wear traces were analysed using high-resolution methods and then characterised. The results allowed us to identify the effectiveness of hypsodont teeth in knapping a wide range of tools and to evaluate the influence of 1) the raw materials, 2) the retouching techniques and 3) the gestures of the different knappers on the morphology of the use-wear marks. This work sheds light on the purpose of using teeth as tools by both Neanderthal and early modern human populations as well as understanding how these human species used them. The study leads us to consider tooth retouchers as important elements of the chaîne opératoire in lithic manufacture. Our goal is to highlight the importance of these types of experimental studies to create analogies and infer past processes.

A Facile Scalable Strategy for Constructing Novel Robust Self‐Healing Glove Utilizing Nanoreinforced Thermoreversible Carboxylated Nitrile Butadiene Rubber

AbstractRecent decades have seen an increase in using self‐healing technology in fabricating multifunctional rubber materials, which incorporate intrinsic mechanisms. However, achieving commendable self‐healing efficiency while maintaining strength in thin rubber films remains challenging. Herewith, the preparation of self‐healing carboxylated nitrile butadiene rubber thin films is presented with 0.40 ± 0.05 mm thickness, reinforced with sustainable TEMPO‐oxidized cellulose nanofibers. The thin films are fabricated using wet mixing and casting methods and translated to prototype fabrication via dipping. The study involves the effect of varying zinc stearate and filler concentrations on healing efficiency via ionic mechanisms alongside other characterization techniques, such as chemical composition, surface morphology, cross‐link density, and thermal stability. The fabricated thin films exhibited a tensile strength of 5.38 MPa and an elongation‐at‐break of 518%. After undergoing a temperature‐induced healing process at 100 °C for 1 h, the healing efficiency for both properties reached 72% and 90%, respectively. Moreover, these films demonstrates the ability to heal repeatedly at the same fracture site over multiple cycles, maintaining a healing efficiency of over 45% after the third cycle. A glove prototype is fabricated and tested using water and air leakage tests to prove the self‐healing technology's successful transfer.

Unraveling the structure, chemical composition, and conserved signaling in leech teeth

ABSTRACT Unlike vertebrates, the number of toothed taxa in invertebrates is very few, with leeches being the only tooth-bearing organisms in the phylum Annelida. Copious studies have been conducted regarding vertebrate teeth; however, studies regarding the structure and function of invertebrate teeth are limited. In this study, the tooth structure of leeches, specifically Hirudo nipponia and Haemadipsa rjukjuana, was revealed, which showed sharp and pointed teeth along the apex of three jaws. Understanding conserved signaling regulations among analogous organs is crucial for uncovering the underlying mechanisms during organogenesis. Therefore, to shed light on the evolutionary perspective of odontogenesis to some extent, we conducted de novo transcriptome analyses using embryonic mouse tooth germs, Hirudo teeth, and Helobdella proboscises to identify conserved signaling molecules involved in tooth development. The selection criteria were particularly based on the presence of tooth-related genes in mice, Hirudo teeth, and Helobdella proboscis, wherein 4113 genes were commonly expressed in all three specimens. Furthermore, the chemical nature of leech teeth was also examined via TEM-EDS to compare the chemical composition with vertebrate teeth. The examination of tissue-specific genetic information and chemical nature between leeches and mice revealed chemical similarities between leech and mice teeth, as well as conserved signaling molecules involved in tooth formation, including Ptpro, Prickle2, and Wnt16. Based on our findings, we propose that leech teeth express signaling molecules conserved in mice and these conserved tooth-specific signaling for dental hard tissue formation in mice would corresponds to the structural formation of the toothed jaw in leeches.

Zinc‐Ion Battery Chemistries Enabled by Regulating Electrolyte Solvation Structure

AbstractDesigning next‐generation alternative energy storage devices that feature high safety, low cost, and long operation lifespan is of the utmost importance for future wide range of applications. Aqueous zinc‐ion batteries play a vital part in promoting the development of portability, sustainability, and diversification of rechargeable battery systems. Based on the theory of electrolyte solvation chemistry, deep understanding of interaction between electrolyte components and their impact on the chemical properties has achieved a series of research progress. Analyzing the solvation shell of electrolyte or structure–performance relationship, and establishing more stable and high‐energy battery chemistries are inevitable requirements to suppress the electrolyte–electrode interphase side reaction and realize the functional use of zinc‐ion batteries. In this critical review, the attempt is to overview the current comprehension regarding the electrolyte solvation structure in zinc battery technology. Advanced methodology toward the interactions between zinc cations, solvent molecules, and anions in zinc aqueous electrolytes and the general rules for electrolyte design from the atomic level are summarized. Methods for viable solvation modification are then introduced regarding overcoming the remained challenges for transferring the laboratory results to next‐generation practical applications. Possible research direction with the aim of investigating the ultimate choice for future high‐performance electrolyte solvation construction is also outlined.

Poly(N‐isopropylacrylamide) and Its Copolymers: A Review on Recent Advances in the Areas of Sensing and Biosensing

AbstractStimuli‐responsive polymers have received increasing attention for various applications due to their ability to adapt physical and chemical properties in response to external environmental stimuli. In this regard, poly(N‐isopropylacrylamide) (PNIPAM) is the most extensively studied stimuli‐responsive polymer and, consequently has been prominently featured in (bio)‐sensor development, adaptive coating technology, drug delivery, wound healing, tissue regeneration, artificial actuator design, sensor technology, responsive coatings, and soft robotics. This success can be mainly attributed to the accessible and versatile nature of the PNIPAM platform, thus allowing the synthesis of a wide variety of copolymer architectures, topologies and compositions. Within this review, the structural and compositional features of PNIPAM‐based materials in sensor and biosensor applications are discussed with a focus on the literature from 2016 until now. The reader is provided with the current state of the art regarding PNIPAM‐based sensor development and their molecular design. Finally, the challenges ahead in the successful implementation of PNIPAM‐based sensors are highlighted, as well as the opportunities in the rational design of improved PNIPAM‐based sensors. Altogether, this review provides comprehensive insights into the exciting and rapidly expanding field of PNIPAM‐based sensing systems, which will benefit the chemical, pharmaceutical, textile, and biotech industries is believed.

Assessment of Physicochemical Properties of Orange Juice Concentrate Formulated with Pectin, Xanthan, and CMC Hydrocolloids

Orange concentrate (OC) is one of the main raw materials in the nonalcoholic beverage industry. Considering the difference in orange varieties, preserving its natural quality is essential to yield a product with favorable attributes and physical stability. Thus, the present study is aimed at assessing the effect of pectin, xanthan, and carboxymethyl cellulose (CMC) in a concentration range of 0–0.2% (w/v) along with mixing temperature on Brix, pH, acidity, density, turbidity, and viscosity of OC and at calculating the model equation for each attribute. The results showed that, except for CMC, the influence of concentration, type, and amount of hydrocolloid on pH changes was insignificant. Adding each hydrocolloid individually, in pairs, or threes reduced the density, and the measured density was lower at a mixing temperature of 4°C. Also, it was observed that mixing temperature was the only factor influencing turbidity, and the values were significantly lower at 80°C compared to 4°C. A significant interaction effect of xanthan concentration and mixing temperature on the Brix was observed. Adding hydrocolloids, except pectin, resulted in a significant (p<0.05) increase in viscosity, and xanthan had the greatest effect on the viscosity. A suitable model was designed using pectin and xanthan, pectin and CMC, and all three gums, resulting in a final OC product with high stability and improved physical and chemical attributes. The optimized values for Brix, pH, acidity, density, turbidity, and OC viscosity were achieved using 0.08% pectin, 0.19% xanthan, and 0.08% CMC at 80°C mixing temperature.

Near-Infrared Luminescent Materials Incorporating Rare Earth/Transition Metal Ions: From Materials to Applications.

Near-infrared materials exhibiting high photoluminescence quantum yields present a promising avenue to broaden our capacity and threshold for detection and manipulation, extending beyond the visible emission range. The spotlight has shifted to near-infrared (NIR) luminescent materials emitting beyond 1000nm, with growing interest due to their unique characteristics. The ability of NIR-II emission (1000-1700nm) to penetrate deeply and transmit independently positions these NIR luminescent materials for applications in optical-communication devices, bioimaging, and photodetectors. The combination of rare earth metals/transition metals with a variety of matrix materials provides a new platform for creating new chemical and physical properties for materials science and device applications. In this review, we summarize the recent advancements in NIR emission activated by rare earth and transition metal ions and illustrate their role in applications spanning bioimaging, sensing, and optoelectronics. We start from the various synthesis techniques, including high-temperature solid-state, hydrothermal, and thermal decomposition methods, on how to delicately incorporate the rare-earth/transition metals to the NIR various matrixes, each imparting distinct characteristics to these luminescent materials. We then extend the discussion to strategies of enhancing excitation absorption and emission efficiency, spotlighting innovations like dye sensitization and surface plasmon resonance effects. Subsequently, a significant focus is placed on functionalization strategies and their applications. Finally, we provide a comprehensive analysis of the challenges and proposed strategies for rare earth/transition metal ion-doped near-infrared luminescent materials, summarizing the insights of each section. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.

Antioxidant Activity, Theaflavin, Total Polyphenol, and Catechin Composition of Camellia sinensis Processing Effluents from Various Factories in Kenya

Research into the antioxidant efficacy and sustainability implications of tea waste, a by-product of the rapidly growing global beverage industry, is increasingly necessary. This study scrutinized samples taken from various factories to explore their capacity for free radical scavenging and potential public health and environmental benefits. Analysis of the samples and reference antioxidant (BHT) revealed a notable dose- dependent rise in free-radical-scavenging action, implying a positive concentration-dependent antioxidant efficacy. Variations in antioxidant activity occurred from tea wastes sourced at various factories, alluding to geography having a pivotal effect on the biological contents and antioxidative capacity. Of particular interest were Boito's and Chelal's cyclone fluff samples that evinced relatively lower potency than those from other factories. Tombe factory's cyclone sample demonstrated a superior capacity for scavenging free radicals at different concentrations, suggesting that particular production or cultivation processes augmented its effectiveness. Notably, some tea waste samples even equalled the potency of BHT (a synthetic antioxidant) when augured to its highest level. Furthermore, this study revealed disparities in Theaflavin and Thearubigin content due to factors like maturation period and processing methods guiding these concentrations. We identified tea waste samples possessing remarkable polyphenol concentration, thereby providing valuable insights for consumers and industries. Further investigations on the chemical composition of tea waste phytocompounds are paramount due to their acclaimed health-promoting properties and the factors influencing their concentrations and antioxidant efficacy.

The influence of topography and transport history on the composition of clastic deposits from the Jurassic Tlaxiaco basin, southern Mexico: limitations on the use of mineral and chemical indices as proxies for paleoclimate

ABSTRACT The mineral and chemical composition of clastic deposits is commonly used as a proxy for reconstructing the climatic history of the Earth. A mineralogical and chemical study of clastic deposits from the Jurassic Tlaxiaco basin of southern Mexico illustrates that the entire sedimentary system in which detritus is generated, subaerially transported, and deposited exerts a major control on the composition of sedimentary rocks, placing some constraints on the use of mineral and chemical indices as paleoclimatic proxies. Since clastic deposits of the Tlaxiaco basin were formed under similar humid climatic conditions, but in sedimentary systems with different topography and transport histories, they represent a natural laboratory for testing the control that these parameters exert on the composition of clastic rocks. Our petrographic and chemical results show that, in sedimentary systems associated with low relief and in which detritus had the possibility of being temporarily stored in floodplains and meandering bars, parent rocks and the derivative detritus interacted with weathering fluids over a long time, producing clastic deposits with composition that is representative of the weathering conditions and climate of the region. On the other hand, in environments associated with steep and tectonically active relief, the rates of sediment transport and burial exceed the rate at which weathering can generate detritus, producing sedimentary deposits with composition that largely underestimates potential weathering and provide unreliable information on climate. Mineral and chemical indices should be considered as reliable paleoclimate proxies only when sedimentological data indicate that the sedimentary system allowed sediment interaction with weathering fluids over a long time.

Attaining superhydrophobic and superoleophilic bronze surface by picosecond laser texturing and post-heat treatment

As a bearing material, bronze has high strength and hardness but is poor in anti-adhesion property. In this study, we propose a method to prepare a superhydrophobic and superoleophilic bronze surface by combining laser surface texturing and post-heat treatment. A picosecond laser was employed to produce pore arrays with varying spacings and depths on the bronze surface, which exhibited micro-nano hierarchical structures. A further post-heat treatment of the laser-textured sample at 150 °C in the ambient led to the formation of a superhydrophobic surface with a maximum water contact angle of 158° and with superoleophilicity. It was found that pore spacings played a significant role in forming the surface hierarchical structures, which were covered with the laser-ablated micro-nano particles. The pore depth, however, showed little influence on the surface wettability. Analysis of the surface chemical compositions by X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) indicates that the C element mainly exists in the form of the C–C(H) group, which reduces the surface energy and leads to superhydrophobicity. It was also verified that the wettability transition of the bronze surface before and after heating was independent of the oxide transition. Rubbing tests were conducted to evaluate the durability of the surface hierarchical structure. Anti-icing and self-cleaning functions were demonstrated showing the potential of the developed method for preparing a superhydrophobic and superoleophilic surface.