Convenient synthesis of the 2,5-di-substituted 1,3,4- oxadiazole derivatives under microwave

ABSTRACT We have reported some novel 1,3,4-oxadiazole synthesized by conventional method as well as microwave assisted method. The reaction of different substituted cinnamic acid 2a-o with 2-(4-chlorophenyl) acetohydrazide by using phosphoric anhydride as catalyst, yielded a series of 2,5-disubstituted 1,3,4-oxadiazole 6a-o. The structures of all synthesized compounds are well characterized by Mass, FT-IR, 1 H NMR, 13 C NMR and elemental analysis. After obtaining experimental data regarding the yield and the time taken for the synthesis by both the methods, conventional and microwave assisted method, it was proved that the microwave assisted method is convenient for synthesis of this type of 2,5-di-substituted 1,3,4-oxadiazole 6a-o

Geasters in the Western Ghats and west coast of India

Inventory in different locations of the Western Ghats and west coast of India during 2011–2013 yielded six species of geasters (Geastrum fimbriatum, G. lageniforme, G. pseudostriatum, G. saccatum, G. schweinitzii and G. triplex). Based on fresh basidiomata, illustrations of geasters are presented with macroscopic and microscopic observations. Fruit bodies of G. lageniforme were gregarious and abundant followed by G. triplex, while G. pseudostriatum were rare and solitary. Among the geasters, G. triplex was ectomycorrhizal with native tree Terminalia paniculata of the west coast. Geastrum fimbriatum, G. pseudostriatum and G. schweinitzii constitute the first record for the Western Ghats of India. Distribution, substrate preference, ectomycorrhizal features, economic value and conservation of geasters are discussed

The Sarin-like Organophosphorus Agent bis(isopropyl methyl)phosphonate Induces Apoptotic Cell Death and COX-2 Expression in SK-N-SH Cells

Organophosphorus compounds, such as sarin, are highly toxic nerve agents that inhibit acetylcholinesterase (AChE), but not cholinesterase, via multiple mechanisms. Recent studies have shown that organophosphorus compounds increase cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) expression and induce neurotoxicity. In this study, we examined the toxicity of the sarin-like organophosphorus agent bis(isopropyl methyl)phosphonate (BIMP) and the effects of BIMP on COX-2 expression in SK-N-SH human neuroblastoma cells. Exposure to BIMP changed cell morphology and induced caspase-dependent apoptotic cell death accompanied by cleavage of caspase 3, caspase 9, and poly (ADP-ribose) polymerase (PARP). It also increased COX-2 expression, while pretreatment with a COX inhibitor, ibuprofen, decreased BIMP-dependent cell death and COX-2 expression in SK-N-SH cells. Thus, our findings suggest that BIMP induces apoptotic cell death and upregulates COX-2 expression

コミュニケーション能力と規範意識を育む小学校における学級活動

本稿は，生徒指導の最終目的である「社会的なリテラシーの育成」を念頭に置き，コミュニケー ション能力や規範意識を高めるための学級活動を通して，社会をよりよくする子どもを育成することを目指した実践研究報告である。６年生を対象とし，よりよい集団の形成と同時進行で規範意識を育むために生活目標である「時間を大切にしよう」の行動目標を決定する話合い活動を実施し，児童の記述データをもとに考察した。その結果，この活動が児童のコミュニケーション能力や規範意識を高 めることができる機会となり得ることが示唆された。さらに，児童自身が自己理解を深め，次の課題に他者と協働しながら取り組んでいこうという意欲を高めるためには，話合い活動の振り返りや継続的に取り組むための工夫，家庭との連携が今後の課題であると考える。This paper is a practical research paper aiming to foster children who can contribute to better society through classroom activities to enhance their communication skills and norm awareness. The pupils of the sixth grader were targeted. We settled specific action goals after discussion to achieve "Let\u27s use the time effectively!", which was one of our classroom targets. We considered them with the pupils\u27 descriptive data. As a result, it showed that this activity could be opportunities that enhanced the pupils\u27 communication skills and norm awareness. To deepen pupils\u27 self-understanding and enhance the motivation to collaborate with others and work on the next problems, the feedback of the pupils\u27 discussion, some ideas to work on continuously and the collaboration with families will be challenged for the future

Autopsy Findings Involving Murderous Intent: Comparison between Positive and Negative Murderous Intent Cases in Japan

The presence or absence of murderous intent is an important fact during criminal trials. To verify autopsy findings that were considered as evidence of murderous intent, we compared autopsy findings in homicide cases committed with and without murderous intent (n = 12 and n = 11, respectively). Although the number of wounds may only be limited to one or two, stab wounds on the trunk of the body from a sharp instrument can be a significant evidence of murderous intent. Bruise or petechial haemorrhage at the back or limbs caused by blunt instruments or without any weapons do not indicate the presence of murderous intent. Although results in this study should be carefully interpreted in other jurisdictions, statistical analysis comparing cases with and without murderous intents might be a valuable methodology to understand autopsy findings involving murderous intent in Japan

Computer Simulation and Field Experiment for Downlink Multiuser MIMO in Mobile WiMAX System

The transmission performance for a downlink mobile WiMAX system with multiuser multiple-input multiple-output (MU-MIMO) systems in a computer simulation and field experiment is described. In computer simulation, a MU-MIMO transmission system can be realized by using the block diagonalization (BD) algorithm, and each user can receive signals without any signal interference from other users. The bit error rate (BER) performance and channel capacity in accordance with modulation schemes and the number of streams were simulated in a spatially correlated multipath fading environment. Furthermore, we propose a method for evaluating the transmission performance for this downlink mobile WiMAX system in this environment by using the computer simulation. In the field experiment, the received power and downlink throughput in the UDP layer were measured on an experimental mobile WiMAX system developed in Azumino City in Japan. In comparison with the simulated and experimented results, the measured maximum throughput performance in the downlink had almost the same performance as the simulated throughput. It was confirmed that the experimental mobile WiMAX system for MU-MIMO transmission successfully increased the total channel capacity of the system

Chromogenic and Fluorogenic Probes for the Detection of Illicit Drugs

[EN] The consumption of illicit drugs has increased exponentially in recent years and has become a problem that worries both governments and international institutions. The rapid emergence of new compounds, their easy access, the low levels at which these substances are able to produce an effect, and their short time of permanence in the organism make it necessary to develop highly rapid, easy, sensitive, and selective methods for their detection. Currently, the most widely used methods for drug detection are based on techniques that require large measurement times, the use of sophisticated equipment, and qualified personnel. Chromo- and fluorogenic methods are an alternative to those classical procedures.We thank the Spanish Government [projects MAT2015-64139-C4-1-R and AGL2015-70235-C2-2-R (MINECO/FEDER)] and the Generalitat Valenciana (project PROMETEOII/2014/047) for support. S.E.S thanks the Ministerio de Economia y Competitividad for his Juan de la Cierva contract. 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Development and validation of an ultra?performance liquid chromatography quadrupole time of flight mass spectrometry method for rapid quantification of free amino acids in human urine

An ultra-performance liquid chromatography quadrupole time of flight mass spectrometry (UPLC-qTOFMS)method using hydrophilic interaction liquid chromatography was developed and validated for simultaneous quantification of 18 free amino acids in urine with a total acquisition time including the column re-equilibration of less than 18 min per sample. This method involves simple sample preparation steps which consisted of 15 times dilution with acetonitrile to give a final composition of 25 % aqueous and 75 % acetonitrile without the need of any derivatization. The dynamic range for our calibration curve is approximately two orders of magnitude (120-fold from the lowest calibration curve point) with good linearity (r2 ? 0.995 for all amino acids). Good separation of all amino acids as well as good intra- and inter-day accuracy (<15 %) and precision (<15 %) were observed using three quality control samples at a concentration of low, medium and high range of the calibration curve. The limits of detection (LOD) and lower limit of quantification of our method were ranging from approximately 1–300 nM and 0.01–0.5 µM, respectively. The stability of amino acids in the prepared urine samples was found to be stable for 72 h at 4 °C, after one freeze thaw cycle and for up to 4 weeks at ?80 °C. We have applied this method to quantify the content of 18 free amino acids in 646 urine samples from a dietary intervention study. We were able to quantify all 18 free amino acids in these urine samples, if they were present at a level above the LOD. We found our method to be reproducible (accuracy and precision were typically <10 % for QCL, QCM and QCH) and the relatively high sample throughput nature of this method potentially makes it a suitable alternative for the analysis of urine samples in clinical setting