Serre’s modularity conjecture (I)

This paper is the first part of a work which proves Serre’s modularity conjecture. We first prove the cases \(p\not=2\) and odd conductor, and p=2 and weight 2, see Theorem 1.2, modulo Theorems 4.1 and 5.1. Theorems 4.1 and 5.1 are proven in the second part, see Khare and Wintenberger (Invent. Math., doi: 10.1007/s00222-009-0206-6, 2009). We then reduce the general case to a modularity statement for 2-adic lifts of modular mod 2 representations. This statement is now a theorem of Kisin (Invent. Math., doi: 10.1007/s00222-009-0207-5, 2009).     

Co(II), Ni(II), Cu(II) and Zn(II) complexes of isatinyl‐2‐aminobenzoylhydrazone: synthesis,characterization and anticancer activity

This article describes the synthesis, structural aspects and biological studies of Co(II), Ni(II), Cu(II) and Zn(II) complexes of a new hydrazone derived from the condensation of isatin and 2‐aminobenzoylhydrazide. The ligand is well characterized using ¹H NMR, ¹³C NMR, 2D HETCOR, mass and IR spectral studies. The chelating tendency of the ligand towards transition metal ions is established using analytical and spectral studies, which reveal the monobasic tridentate nature of the ligand. Octahedral geometry for Co(II), Cu(II) and Zn(II) and tetrahedral geometry for Ni(II) are tentatively proposed. All the synthesized compounds were screened for in vitro anticancer activity against Ehrlich ascites carcinoma and human cancer cell lines (adenocarcinoma HT29, kidney cancer cell line K293 and breast cancer cell line MDA231) using tryphan blue exclusion method and MTT assay. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Synthesis and characterization of transition metal complexes of hydrochloride salt of 3‐chlorobenzaldehyde hydralazine hydrazone: a new class of possible anti‐cariogenic agents

A novel hydrazone, formed by the condensation of the hydrochloride salt of hydralazine with 3‐chlorobenzaldehyde, and its Co(II), Ni(II), Cu(II) and Zn(II) complexes have been synthesized. Their structures have been elucidated on the basis of elemental analyses, conductance measurements, magnetic moments, and spectral (infrared, ¹H NMR, UV–visible, electrospray ionization (ESI) mass) and thermal studies. The bidentate behaviour of the ligand is proposed on the basis of spectral studies. Interestingly, all four complexes exhibit different geometry around the metal centre. The conductance data of the complexes suggest them to be non‐electrolytes. The ESI mass spectra of the complexes support their monomeric nature. The compounds were tested against two Gram‐positive and three Gram‐negative bacterial strains and three fungal strains. Excellent inhibitory activity is observed against the Gram‐positive bacteria Streptococcus mutans and Enterococcus faecalis which play major roles in tooth decay. Among the fungal strains used, Candida albicans is inhibited predominantly. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Diffusion and ionic conductivity in sodium-β-alumina below room temperature

Sodium tracer diffusivity and ionic conductivity have been measured from room temperature down to ?79°C on the same single crystals of sodium-β-alumina of composition 1.23Na₂O·11Al₂O₃. The Haven ratio decreases from 0.35 at room temperature to 0.18 at ?79°C. The low value of H_R and its temperature dependence can be explained in terms of high correlation effects for ionic diffusion due to large associated defects present at low temperatures.     

A model for the structure of MCM-41 incorporating surface roughness

The surface area of MCM-41 mesoporous silica, estimated by several models in the literature, is significantly less than the value derived from BET analysis of nitrogen adsorption at 77.4 K. In the past, the difference has been attributed to several reasons including the errors involved in the BET analysis of the multilayer-capillary condensation region and the heterogeneity of the walls. In the present work, we present an alternate model of MCM-41 based on molecular simulations that gives surface area values that are in closer agreement to those determined by experiment. The model incorporates bulk heterogeneity of the material, surface hydroxyls, and most importantly, physical deformations or indentations of the pore surface. The model predicts small-angle X-ray diffraction (XRD) and wide-angle X-ray scattering (WAXS) results that are consistent with experimental data as well as surface areas and pore volumes that compare favorably with published experimental results. The simulation results are consistent with the hypothesis that the interstitial space in MCM-41 is relatively amorphous despite the regular arrangement of the mesopores. The surface roughness associated with the amorphous structure increases the surface area beyond the nominal value produced by assuming smooth cylindrical pores.     

General and selective synthesis of primary amines using Ni-based homogeneous catalysts

The development of base metal catalysts for industrially relevant amination and hydrogenation reactions by applying abundant and atom economical reagents continues to be important for the cost-effective and sustainable synthesis of amines which represent highly essential chemicals. In particular, the synthesis of primary amines is of central importance because these compounds serve as key precursors and central intermediates to produce value-added fine and bulk chemicals as well as pharmaceuticals, agrochemicals and materials. Here we report a Ni-triphos complex as the first Ni-based homogeneous catalyst for both reductive amination of carbonyl compounds with ammonia and hydrogenation of nitroarenes to prepare all kinds of primary amines. Remarkably, this Ni-complex enabled the synthesis of functionalized and structurally diverse benzylic, heterocyclic and aliphatic linear and branched primary amines as well as aromatic primary amines starting from inexpensive and easily accessible carbonyl compounds (aldehydes and ketones) and nitroarenes using ammonia and molecular hydrogen. This Ni-catalyzed reductive amination methodology has been applied for the amination of more complex pharmaceuticals and steroid derivatives. Detailed DFT computations have been performed for the Ni-triphos based reductive amination reaction, and they revealed that the overall reaction has an inner-sphere mechanism with H₂ metathesis as the rate-determining step.

A Ni-triphos based homogeneous catalyst enabled the synthesis of all kinds of primary amines by reductive amination of carbonyl compounds with ammonia and hydrogenation of nitroarenes.     

Electrochemical pinning of the Fermi level: mediation of photoluminescence from gallium nitride and zinc oxide

Charge transfer between diamond and an electrochemical redox couple in an adsorbed water film has recently been shown to pin the Fermi level in hydrogen-terminated diamond. Here we show that this effect is a more general phenomenon and influences the properties of other semiconductors when the band lineup between the ambient and electronic states in the semiconductor is appropriate. We find that the luminescent intensities from GaN and ZnO change in different, but predictable, ways when exposed to HCl and NH3 vapors in humid air. The effect is reversible and has been observed on single crystals, nanowires, flakes, and powders. These observations are explained by electron exchange between the oxygen electrochemical redox couple in an adsorbed water film and electronic states in the semiconductor. This effect can take place in parallel with other processes such as defect formation, chemisorption, and surface reconstruction and may play an important, but previously unrecognized, role when electronic and optical measurements are made in air.     

Studies on Liquid‐Liquid Extraction and Recovery of Bismuth(III) from Succinate Media Using 2‐Octylaminopyridine in Chloroform

A procedure is described for the liquid‐liquid extraction and recovery of bismuth(III) from succinate solution using 2‐octylaminopyridine (2‐OAP) as an extractant. The quantitative extraction of bismuth(III) occurs from 0.004 to 0.007 M sodium succinate solution of pH 2.5‐10 using 0.036 M 2‐OAP in chloroform. The extracted metal ion has been recovered by stripping with (3 × 10 mL) 0.5 M nitric acid. The log‐log plot of distribution ratio versus succinate concentration and distribution ratio versus 2‐OAP concentration gave slopes of 2.0 and 0.9, respectively, indicating a metal‐succinate ratio of 1:2 and a metal: 2‐OAP ratio of 1:1. The ion pair complex has a high distribution ratio in chloroform, while other solvents are poor. The extractants are stable towards prolonged acid contacts and there is no loss in its extraction efficiency even after recycling ten times. The extraction behaviour of some commonly associated metal ions, namely Ga(III), Cd(II), Zn(II), Cr(VI), Cu(II), Ba(II), Sb(III), Sn(IV), Tl(I) and Pb(II), has also been investigated. Based on partition data, conditions have been identified for attaining some separations of bismuth(III) from other metal ions; these conditions are extended for the recovery of pure bismuth from ore and alloys. Thermodynamic quantities for the extraction process were calculated.     

Synthesis,characterization, anti‐inflammatory and analgesic activity of transition metal complexes of 3‐[1‐(2‐hydroxyphenyl) ethylideamino]‐2‐phenyl‐3,4‐dihydroquinazolin‐4(3H)‐one

A new quinazolinone derivative, 3‐[1‐(2‐hydroxyphenyl)ethylideamino]‐2‐phenyl‐3,4‐dihydroquinazolin‐4(3H)‐one ( LH ) was synthesized by the condensation of 2‐hydroxyacetophenone‐2‐aminobenzoylhydrazone and benzaldehyde. The cyclization to form 1,2‐dihydroquinazolinone was confirmed by IR, 1D and 2D HETCOR studies. Coordination compounds of Co(II), Ni(II), Cu(II) and Zn(II) of LH were synthesized and characterized using various physico‐chemical studies like stoichiometric, conductivity, magnetic moment measurements and spectral techniques such as IR, NMR, UV‐vis and EPR spectroscopy. The elemental analysis and thermal studies suggested a general stoichiometry [M(HEPDQ)Cl] for all the complexes. A four‐coordinate geometry was assigned to all the complexes. The complexes along with the parent ligand were screened for their anti‐inflammatory activity, using carrageenan‐induced rat paw edema, and for their analgesic activity by Eddy's hot plate method. The activity of the ligand was enhanced on complexation with metal ions. This enhanced activity was attributed to the increased lipophilic nature of the complexes. Notable anti‐inflammatory activity was observed for Ni(II), Cu(II) and Zn(II) complexes. The analgesic activity of the ligand was greater than the standard at 60 min. and at a 10 mg kg⁻¹ dose, whereas the activity of Ni(II) and Cu(II) complexes at 10 mg kg⁻¹ dose was comparable with the standard used. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.