Three unsymmetrical bridged terphthaloyl acetophenone oxime esters have been synthesized throughout an esterification process between three acetophenone oximes and the terphthaloyl chloride under mild basic conditions. Spectroscopic techniques, such as IR, HNMR and mass spectrometer, were used to confirm the structures of the desired oxime esters. The yields of the resulting oxime esters ranged from 50% to 73%.

The hydrated complexes 1, 3, 7 and 8 with the general formula (RCOO)2M.xH2O (where M = Zn & x = 6; M = Cu & x = 5,6) were synthesized by the reaction of sodium salt of 2,2`-diphenyl acetic acid or 2-(4-hydroxyphenyl)acetic acid (RCOONa) with Zn(NO3)2.6H2O or CuSO4.5H2O in an aqueous medium. The addition of methanolic solution of either bipyridine (bpy) or 1,10-phenanthroline (phen) to an aqueous suspension of 1, 3, 7 and 8 (produced in situ) result in the formation of mixed ligand products with the general formulae (RCOO)2M(bpy).xH2O (2, 4, 9 and 10) and (RCOO)2M(phen).xH2O (5 and 6). The complexes were characterized by microanalysis, FTIR and NMR (1H and 13C) spectroscopic techniques. The FTIR data suggested a bidentate coordination mode of the carboxylate ligand and complexes exhibited four/six-coordinated geometry in the solid state. The spectroscopic data also revealed the presence of coordinated water molecules in all complexes. 1H and 13C NMR data demonstrated the coordination between ligand and the metal in complex 1. The complexes were tested for their binding with salmon sperm DNA (SS-DNA). The DNA binding potential of the complexes owed to the presence of zinc metal and the nature of the incorporated ligand. The complexes showed a significant hypochromic effect and an intercalating mode of binding with SS-DNA. The complexes were screened against various bacterial and fungal strains to check their biological activity. All the complexes showed significant antibacterial activity but none of complex exhibit antifungal activity.

Phytochemicals with protein binding properties, active against snake envenomation such as flavonoids, polyphenols, saponins, tannins, terpenoids, xanthenes, quinonoids, steroids and alkaloids bind to toxic venom proteins thereby inactivating them. This research was aimed at isolating antisnake venom agents from Azadirachta indica leaf extracts using activity-guided isolation protocols. A. indica leaf was collected, authenticated and extracted using methanol followed by solvent-fractionation using hexane and ethylacetate. These fractions were further separated using column and thin-layer chromatography. The pooled chromatographic fractions were screened for the antivenom activity using Naja nigricollis venom phospholipase A2 (NVPLA2) inhibition assay and albino rat models. Polyvalent serum-based antivenin was used as standard. The column chromatography of the A. indica leaf hexane and ethylacetate extracts yielded sixty (60) and sixty nine (69) fractions. Based on similarities on the TLC profiles, fractions were pooled. Eleven (11) pooled hexane fractions (PHFs) and fourteen (14) pooled ethylacetate fractions (PEFs) were obtained. After antivenom activity screening, pooled hexane fraction 3 (PHF3) and pooled ethylacetate fraction 1B (PEF1B) from the hexane and ethylacetate fractions respectively protected envenomed albino rats from death at a dose of 20 mg/kg b.w. against 0.8 mg/kg b.w. of N. nigricollis venom. Hence, these findings suggest that the isolated active compounds can serve as leads for the development of safe, readily available and affordable plant-based antivenoms.

This paper aims to investigate the thermal expansion behavior, up to an elevated temperature, of superalloys based on nickel and cobalt with various proportions and designed to be strengthened by tantalum carbides. The as-cast microstructures of these superalloys and their evolutions at two very high temperatures were also of interest. All results are discussed by considering the Ni/Co repartition in the base element position. It appears that when the Ni content is higher than the Co one: 1/the thermal expansion is slower, 2/the as-cast microstructures as well as the ones stabilized at high temperature contain not only TaC but also chromium carbides, and 3/the hardness in as-cast or aged state is lower.

This paper aims to investigate the thermal expansion behavior, up to an elevated temperature, of superalloys based on nickel and cobalt with various proportions and designed to be strengthened by tantalum carbides. The as-cast microstructures of these superalloys and their evolutions at two very high temperatures were also of interest. All results are discussed by considering the Ni/Co repartition in the base element position. It appears that when the Ni content is higher than the Co one: 1/the thermal expansion is slower, 2/the as-cast microstructures as well as the ones stabilized at high temperature contain not only TaC but also chromium carbides, and 3/the hardness in as-cast or aged state is lower.

The molecular density-partition problem is reexamined and the information-theoretic (IT) justification of the stockholder division rule is summarized. The ensemble representations of the promolecular and molecular mixed states of constituent atoms are identified and the electron probabilities in the isoelectronic stockholder atoms-in-molecules (AIM) are used to define the molecular-orbital ensembles for the bonded Hirshfeld atoms. In the pure quantum state of the whole molecular system its interacting (entangled) fragments are described by the subsystem density operators, with the subsystem physical properties being generated by the partial traces involving the fragment density matrices.

In this work, the formation of capsules in xanthan gum and complexing solutions of Fe III is structurally evaluated. These capsules have a spheroid shape that, when dried, collapse into disc shapes. These spheroids are made up of microspheres that partially explain this collapse. The backscattered SEM image shows areas rich in Fe and others poorer in this metal, the EDX analysis confirms this. FTIR chromatograms show a clear shift at approximately 1620 cm-1 due to the formation of the xanthan gum-Fe III complex. This work also proposes a structure, theoretically demonstrated, between xanthan gum and Fe III, which can explain what the biopolymeric structure bending procedure is like due to the presence of Fe III, a model called TransbiHook.

This study investigates the influence of some organic dyes on the photocatalytic reduction of Cu (II) ions in aqueous solution. The dyes of interest were Eosin red, Eriochrome black T, Bromothymol blue and Malachite green. Slurry photoreactor design, with nano-sized titanium dioxide photocatalysts, and illuminated by a 15 W UV light, was utilized. Results showed that the percentage reduction of Cu (II) ions altered from 44.7% (without dye) to 25.7% (with ER), 60.7% (with EBT), 15.2% (with BTB) and 17.8% (with MG) after 60 minutes reaction time at pH 5. This implies that EBT enhanced Cu (II) ions reduction while the other three dyes inhibited the photoreduction process. The kinetic study indicated that the photo-reduction of Cu (II) ions followed the pseudo-first-order kinetics, with the exception of Cu-MG reduction which gave the best correlation values in zeroth-order plot. Statistical analysis was carried out with the ANOVA, Dunnetts post-hoc and Tukeys post-hoc multiple comparison tests. Tukeys post-hoc multiple comparison test was effected to determine the pair of Cu (II) ions with significant difference in mean values while Dunnetts post-hoc was effected to compare the measured values with the initial values. Photoreduction of Cu (II) ions were considered significant at P< 0.05 and 95% confidence interval.

Washing of vehicles (lorries, cars, buses and motor-bikes), clothes and kitchen utensils, bathing and the release of smoke from exhausts of motor-vehicles and other anthropogenic sources continuously increase the levels of heavy metals in water bodies, especially the Amba river of Lafia used for the irrigation of farmlands thereby resulting to contamination and elevation of heavy metals uptake by crops. This study was carried out to provide information on heavy metals concentration in soils of an irrigated vegetable farmland in Lafia. Soil samples were collected at surface levels of 0-30 cm depth. Samples were analyzed for pH, organic matter, electrical conductivity and soil particle sizes. The soil samples were digested using Aqua regia and Nitric acid methods of digestion. The concentrations of lead (Pb) and cobalt (Co) were determined by Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometric (AAS) technique. The values of soil pH ranged between 5.60 and 6.35, organic carbon between, 1.40-1.49 %, organic matter content between, 2.40 and 2.57 %, electrical conductivity between 100 and 240 µS cm –1 and clay, sand and silt content between 10.4-11.4 %, 82-85 % and 4.6-6.6 % respectively. Total concentration of extractable Pb and Co (Aqua regia method) ranged between 0.083–0.105 and 1.473 – 1.573 mg kg-1 respectively. The concentrations of heavy metals for Nitric acid method were as follows: Pb: 1.363-1.512 and Co: 0.060-0.086. Concentrations of heavy metals in both methods were all below DPR-EGASPIN (2002) and US EPA. (2014) recommended limits. The results showed that aqua regia method was more efficient than the Nitric acid Method of digestion.

The determination of pesticides in food products is an essential issue to guarantee food safety and minimize health risks of consumers. In this study, 30 pineapple juice samples were collected randomly from 30 seller through the city of Abidjan (Côte d’Ivoire) and analyzed for the determination of pesticide residues. The aim of the work was to quantify 30 commonly used pesticides (Metolachlor, Chlorpropham, Parathion-methyl, Chlorfenvinphos, Vinclozolin, Parathion-ethyl, Fenuron, Aldicarb, Metoxuron, Monuron, Methabenzthiazuron, Chlortoluron, Monolinuron, Isoproturon, Diuron, Metobromuron, Metazachlor, Buturon, Linuron, Prometryn, Terbutryn, Desisopropylatrazine, Desethylatrazine, Simazine, Cyanazine, Atrazine, Propazine, Terbuthylazine, Metamitron, Crimidine and Metolachlor) in real samples of pineapple juice. The method used for the determination of these analytes in the complex matrices was high-performance liquid chromatography with UV/Visible detector. Results obtained indicate that 30% of the investigated pineapple juices samples are free of pesticides residues or have a level below Limit Of Detection......

Environmental contamination is one of the serious challenge facing humanity and other life forms on our planet today. contamination occurs when contaminating substances exceeds their natural levels or when natural resources are use at a rate higher than nature’s capacity to restore itself. This study determines the levels of mineral element and potential toxic metals namely: P, K, Mg, Mn, Si, Fe, Zn, Cd, Pb and Al in agricultural soil around mechanic village Wukari-Nigeria. by means of MP-AES (4210 MP-AES Agilent technologies) while their pollution indices by means of geo-accumulation index and contamination factor. The results reveals that the mean ± standard deviation abundance of mineral and heavy metals in the soil was: Fe (20723.64±153.71), Al (3753.80±30.54) K (368.13±2.17), Mg (298.05±3.88), Mn (231.97±0.74), P (221.22±5.47), Zn (184.83±0.47), Pb (86.29±0.31), Si (64.27±0.43) and Cd (1.33±0.06). There was generally a significant difference between the concentration in the test and control sample (P < 0.05). While pollution indices show moderate to very high contamination of the soil by zinc, lead and cadmium signalling higher potential risk in terms of mobility on acidification since the organic content is moderate and soil texture being sandy-loam usually characterise with moderate capacity to immobilize heavy metals. Lead contamination can result in neurological and hematological dysfunctions, renal and hepatic damages as well as reproductive disorders in the humans while cadmium is known to have effect on kidney.

Cassava is a dominant staple food for many developing countries, particularly, in humid and sub-humid tropics. In this study, the proximate composition and cyanide content of cassava tuber grown in Jimma Zone were investigated. Cassava samples were collected from five selected Woredas (Districts) of the Zone, where the plant usually grows. Nutritional compositions such as crude fat, protein, and fiber as well as cyanide contents were considered in this study. Accordingly, the crude fat, protein, and fiber content of the studied cassava root ranged from1.38-3.06%, 1.32-1.90%, and 1.58-2.96%, respectively. The results of the nutritional composition of analyzed cassava root samples were rich in crude fat, protein, fiber, and carbohydrate. The level of cyanide gives its value compared to the limits set by the World Health Organization was low and it may not cause harmful effect on human health.

The proliferation of substandard drugs is a major public health challenge, especially in developing countries which lacks adequate resources to effectively monitor their prevalence. Currently, there are no reliable statistics on the level of incidence of fake drugs in Nigeria. The quality of medicines is an integral part in ensuring that pharmaceutical products are fit for their intended use, comply with requirements of marketing authorization and do not expose consumers to risks. For this to be achieved, there must be a system of quality assurance, which incorporates aspects including product development, manufacturing, distribution, and storage. This study aimed at quantifying the content of ten (10) brands of metronidazole infusion marketed in Abuja by UV-Spectroscopic method. Ten (10) brands of metronidazole were purchased in different pharmacies within the city of Abuja and were assayed using UV-Spectroscopic method as stated in British Pharmacopoeia 2017 edition. All the ten (10) brands of metronidazole that were assayed had a percentage content of 100.97% to 108.15%. From the study carried out, all the brands of metronidazole infusion complied with the content uniformity test as stated in the British Pharmacopeia.

The need for resultant measures of the Information-Theoretic (IT) content of molecular electronic wavefunctions, combining the information contributions due to the probability and phase/current distributions, is reemphasized. Complementary measures of the state entropy (disorder) and information (order) contents are reexamined, the continuities of wavefunction components are summarized, and the probability acceleration concept is used to determine the current and information sources. The experimental elimination of the state uncertainties is discussed and limitations in this information-acquirement process imposed by the Heisenberg indeterminacy principle are commented upon.

A number of unsymmetrical bridged terphthaloyl acetophenone oxime esters has been synthesized throughout an esterification reaction between four different acetophenone oximes and the terphthaloyl chloride in a molar ratio of (2:1) under mild basic conditions. Spectroscopic techniques, such as IR, HNMR and mass spectrometer, were used to confirm the structures of the targeted oxime esters. The yields of the obtained oxime esters ranged from 80% to 95%.