Antioxidant capacity and phenol content of selected Algerian medicinal plants

Extracts from the bark of Fraxinus angustifolia as well as the leaves of Pistacia lentiscus and Clematis flammula have been investigated for their reducing power, inhibition of linoleic acid peroxidation and scavenging capacity on 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) radical and H₂O₂ using in vitro spectrophotometric methods. The results indicate that the best overall antioxidant capacity was shown by extracts of Pistacia lentiscus, followed by Fraxinus angustifolia and Clematis flammula.     

Purification and characterization of an amylase from Opuntiaficus‐indica seeds

BACKGROUND: In Tunisia, prickly pear fruit grow spontaneously; it is consumed as fresh fruit, juice or jam. When the fruit is used for juice production, the seeds are discarded and go to waste. Our study aimed to extract biomolecules from seeds by producing value‐added products from the fruits. RESULTS: An amylase from Opuntia ficus‐indica seeds was extracted and purified to homogeneity. An increase in specific activity of 113‐fold was observed. The apparent molecular mass of the enzyme is 64 kDa. The optimum pH and temperature for enzyme activity were pH 5 and 60 °C, respectively. Under these conditions, the specific activity is 245.5 U mg^?1. The enzyme was activated by Co²⁺ and Mg²⁺ (relative activity 117% and 113% respectively) at lower ion concentrations. It was strongly inhibited by Mn²⁺ and Fe²⁺. Cu²⁺ inhibited totally the activity of this enzyme, but Ca²⁺ has an inhibitory effect which increases with ion concentration. CONCLUSION: The extracted enzyme belongs to the exo type of amylases and is classified as a β‐cyclodextrin glycosyltransferase since it generates mainly β‐cyclodextrin from starch. It exhibits high thermal stability and a broad range of pH stability, making it a promising prospect for industrial and food applications. Copyright © 2012 Society of Chemical Industry     

Graphene oxide reinforced chitosan/polyvinylpyrrolidone polymer bio‐nanocomposites

Bio‐nanocomposite films based on chitosan/polyvinylpyrrolidone (CS/PVP) and graphene oxide (GO) were processed using the casting/evaporation technique. It has been found that the three components of bio‐nanocomposites can be easily mixed in controlled conditions enabling the formation of thick films with high quality, smooth surface and good flexibility. Structural and morphological characterizations showed that the GO sheets are well dispersed in the CS/PVP blend forming strong interfacial interactions that provide an enhanced load transfer between polymer chains and GO sheets thus improving their properties. It has been found that the water resistance of the CS/PVP blend is improved, and the hydrolytic degradation is limited by addition of 0.75 and 2 wt % GO. The modulus, strength, elongation and toughness of the bio‐nanocomposites are together increased. Herein, the steps to form new bio‐nanocomposite films have been described, taking the advantage of the combination of CS, PVP and GO to design the aforementioned bio‐nanocomposite films, which allow to have extraordinary properties that would have promising applications as eventual packaging materials. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2014 , 131, 41042.     

A stochastic model to study the impact of the transmission frequency of hello messages on the connectivity of ad hoc networks

In this paper, we exploit the utility of Hello messages in the Ad hoc networks to study the impact of their transmission frequencies on the connectivity of the network. Assuming that the Hello messages arrive at a given node according to a Poisson process, we model a cluster-head motion (respectively an ordinary node motion) using a random process. This model allows us to find the critical value of the transmission frequency of Hello messages. We also have investigate a fundamental property of an Ad hoc network: its connectivity. We then analyze the number of neighbors of a given node, the isolation probability, the handoff probability and the probability that the considered network is connected, i.e. each node can communicate with an other node via the network.     

FRET-mediated pH-responsive dual fluorescent nanoparticles prepared via click chemistry

Herein, we report an easy preparation of azide-coated polystyrene-based nanoparticles (15 nm in diameter) and their surface functionalization via CuAAC with fluorophores in water. Resultant dual fluorescent nanoparticles coated with dansyl and pH-sensitive fluorescein moieties as the donor/acceptor FRET pair show a ratiometric response to pH upon excitation at a single wavelength.     

On the micro and macro perspectives of stamping engineering

Sheet metal engineering is a complex, iterative and interactive process. The whole function of stamping engineering is to select the material, devise the process, the tooling, the set-up and the operational support infrastructure to produce the final part shape, subject to part specifications, budget, and time constraints. There is little application of formal engineering science. It follows from this practice that there is a requirement for extensive die tryout and rework and there is usually little confidence that the sheet steel, the process, and tooling have been optimized. This leads to high cost, long leadtimes, schedule delays and, most important, a lack of control of the whole stamping cycle. The paper provides an overview of stamping engineering from the micro and the macro perspectives. The different engineering tasks are reviewed from a system’s perspective. The role of computer modelling is also examined, with emphasis on the applicability of the different computer tools and need for a broad methodology to support the application of the computer tools. The paper concludes by describing some of the efforts at FTI aimed at formalizing and documenting some of the stamping engineering tasks’ expertise. This work reinforces the need and the necessity for a strong relationship and interaction between the steel supplier, the lubricant supplier, the press supplier, the tooling supplier, and the stamping operation team.     

凝胶注模制备的铝铜坯体脱脂过程及动力学

通过凝胶注模工艺,采用非水基凝胶体系,成功地制备铝铜坯体.通过扫描电镜观察脱脂前聚合物完全包裹粉末颗粒,脱脂后金属坯体中聚合物完全脱除.通过反应机理得出聚合物三维网络结构的化学式.采用热分析手段、热重和红外连用系统分析金属坯体的脱脂过程,根据Coats-Redfern方法对非等温热失重率曲线的数据进行动力学研究,建立动力学方程.在不同的升温速率下聚合物脱脂反应级数为1,活化能在79.86-108.63 k J·mol^-1范围内,指前因子反应指数在106-107min^-1,活化能的结果表明反应对温度和动力学比较敏感.脱脂主要分为两个阶段,在240-350℃主要是聚合物链段的分解,在350-470℃主要是聚合物网状结构的解聚和解交联反应,同时脱脂阶段主要产生CO₂、CO、NO₂和H₂O挥发性气体.     

Combustion synthesis and luminescence properties of LaPO4： Eu （5%）

Rare earth doped materials are an important type of phosphors due to their excellent performance such as stability at high tem-perature and light emission covering the entire visible domain. The combustion synthesis at acid pH of the monoclinic LaPO4: Eu(5%) pow-sis was followed by structure, morphology characterisation and luminescent properties of the obtained compound. The room temperature emission measurements under ultraviolet excitation at 254 nm were made for the emission transition 5D0→7FJ of this phosphor. The CIE (Commission Internationale de L'Eclairage) chromatic coordinates, dominant wavelength and colour purity were determined and compared to other luminescent materials obtained by other methods.     

Fatty acid and essential oil composition of three Tunisian caraway (Carum carvi L.) seed ecotypes

BACKGROUND: The essential oil and fatty acid composition of Tunisian annual caraway (Carum carvi L.) seeds from three ecotypes was investigated by gas chromatography and gas chromatography–mass spectrometry analyses. RESULTS: Total fatty acid (TFA) proportion of caraway seeds varied from 2.95% to 5.68% (w/w). The fatty acid composition revealed that Tunisian caraway seed oil is rich in an unusual fatty acid—petroselinic acid—the proportion of which varied from 31.53% and 38.36% of TFA. Essential oil yields were relatively low and ranged from 0.86% to 1.20% (w/w). Forty‐one volatile compounds were identified, the main ones being carvone (76.78–80.53%) and limonene (13.05–20.29%). CONCLUSION: Tunisian caraway seed oil is rich in an unusual fatty acid—petroselinic acid—which is of potential industrial significance. In addition, Tunisian caraway essential oil is carvone chemotype. This fact is of great economic interest due to the several applications of carvone in the alimentary and medicinal industries. Copyright © 2009 Society of Chemical Industry