Millimeter-wave enabled PAM-4 data transmission over hybrid FSO-MMPOF link for access networks

Optical Review - In this paper, we propose a full duplex architecture based on a hybrid link composed of free space optics (FSO) and multimode plastic optical fiber (MMPOF) for short-range wireless...     

Linear and nonlinear fluctuations of electron-temperature-gradient driven mode and electron acoustic mode in a two-electron temperature nonthermal magnetized plasma

Nonlinear vortical structures and soliton formation are investigated for electron temperature gradient instability in a two-electron temperature non-Maxwellian magnetoplasma. The inhomogeneity in magnetic field is also considered. A new set of nonlinear equations, using transport equations of Braginskii”s model, are formulated to study the nonlinear structures. A modified linear dispersion relation of coupled electron temperature gradient (ETG) mode and electron acoustic wave is derived. The ETG instability is found to increase with increase in η_ec value that increases with sharp density gradients. The results are applied to auroral region of earth's magnetosphere and the calculated values of the nonlinear electric field of fast solitary waves are found to be in agreement with the Viking satellite observations.     

Oblique interaction of electrostatic nonlinear structures in relativistically degenerate dense magnetoplasmas

We have investigated the interaction of obliquely propagating ion acoustic solitary waves in a magnetoplasma with relativistically degenerate electrons. Using the quantum hydrodynamics model and by employing the extended Poincaré–Lighthill–Kuo technique, we have derived a set of Korteweg de Vries equations for two solitons. We have observed that the system under consideration allows the formation of only compressive solitons and their velocities remain in the sub-acoustic limit. Furthermore, phase shifts of solitons as a result of their interaction have been calculated. The phase shifts have been observed to be dependent on the obliqueness and the physical parameters of plasma. It has also been noticed that phase shifts remain negative for the whole range of parameters generally found in white dwarf stars. We have observed that the phase shifts enhance with the enhancement in number density, however, the converse happens when the magnetic field is enhanced. It has also been observed that the phase shift is slightly greater for the solitons that are less oblique as compared to their more oblique counterparts. Furthermore, we have estimated the spatial scales of interaction of solitons using the parameters found in white dwarf stars.     

Characterization of dipeptidylcarboxypeptidase of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Leishmania donovani</Emphasis>: a molecular model for structure based design of antileishmanials

Leishmania donovani dipeptidylcarboxypeptidsae (LdDCP), an angiotensin converting enzyme (ACE) related metallopeptidase has been identified and characterized as a putative drug target for antileishmanial chemotherapy. The kinetic parameters for LdDCP with substrate, Hip-His-Leu were determined as, Km, 4 mM and Vmax, 1.173 μmole/ml/min. Inhibition studies revealed that known ACE inhibitors (captopril and bradykinin potentiating peptide; BPP1) were weak inhibitors for LdDCP as compared to human testicular ACE (htACE) with Ki values of 35.8 nM and 3.9 μM, respectively. Three dimensional model of LdDCP was generated based on crystal structure of Escherichia coli DCP (EcDCP) by means of comparative modeling and assessed using PROSAII, PROCHECK and WHATIF. Captopril docking with htACE, LdDCP and EcDCP and analysis of molecular electrostatic potentials (MEP) suggested that the active site domain of three enzymes has several minor but potentially important structural differences. These differences could be exploited for designing selective inhibitor of LdDCP thereby antileishmanial compounds either by denovo drug design or virtual screening of small molecule databases.     

Evaluation of selective composite cryogel for bromate removal from drinking water

Bromate, which is a potential carcinogen, should be removed from drinking water to levels of less than 10 μg/L. A chitosan‐based molecularly imprinted polymer (MIP) and a sol–gel ion‐exchange double hydrous oxide (Fe₂O₃·Al₂O₃·xH₂O) adsorbent (inorganic adsorbent) were prepared for this purpose. The sorption behavior of each adsorbent including sorption kinetics, isotherms, effect of pH and selective sorption were investigated in detail. Sorption experimental results showed that the MIP adsorbents had better selectivity for bromate, even in the presence of high concentrations of nitrate, as compared to the inorganic adsorbent. It was found that pH does not affect the adsorption of bromate when using the inorganic adsorbent. Additionally, both adsorbents were immobilized in a polymeric cryogel inside plastic carriers to make them more practical for using in larger scale. Regeneration of the cryogels either containing MIP or inorganic adsorbents were carried out by 0.1 M NaOH and 0.1 M NaCl, respectively. It was found that the regenerated MIP and inorganic adsorbents could be used at least three and five times, respectively, without any loss in their sorption capacity.     

In vitro antitumor and antibacterial assay of organotin(IV) complexes of 2,3-methylenedioxybenzoic acid; X-ray crystal structure of [(C2H5)2Sn(C8H5O4)2]

New organotin(IV) compounds containing the carboxylate ligand 2,3-methylenedioxybenzoic acid (HL) have been synthesized with the general formula R₂SnL₂ (R = Me, Et, n-Bu, Ph and n-Oct) and R₃SnL (R = n-Bu). All compounds have been studied in the solution state by multinuclear NMR (¹H, ¹³C and ¹¹⁹Sn) by using the non-coordinating solvent and also in solid sate by FTIR, mass spectrometry and X-ray crystallography. Spectroscopic data have shown that methylenedioxy moiety does not coordinate with tin atom and the coordination site is actually -COO group, as is proved by X-ray structure determination. The solid state structure of compound (2) has been determined by X-ray crystallography which shows that the complex (2) has distorted octahedral geometry. These complexes have been evaluated in vitro against crown gall tumor and antibacterial activity. Interesting results were noticed during the bio-activity screenings, which proved their in vitro biological potential and possible use as drugs.     

Synthesis,characterization, electrochemistry and evaluation of biological activities of some ferrocenyl Schiff bases

Synthesis of ferrocenyl Schiff bases ( 1–6 ) was carried out by the condensation reaction of 4‐ferrocenyl aniline with different substituted aromatic aldehydes and acetyl acetone. Compounds were characterized by physical measurements, elemental analysis, FT‐IR, ¹H‐NMR and ¹³C‐NMR spectroscopy. Single crystal X‐ray analysis of compound 2 showed the co‐planarity of both aromatic rings connected by a C–N double bond. Compounds demonstrated reversible one‐electron redox behavior and their peak currents were found to increase linearly with the square root of the sweep rate ν^1/2. The overall electrode processes were found to be diffusion controlled. Compounds 1 and 4 showed low cytotoxicity and appreciable antifungal, antioxidant and DNA protection activities. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Study of the oxidation of some catechols in the presence of 4‐amino‐3‐thio‐1,2,4‐triazole by digital simulation of cyclic voltammograms

Electrochemical oxidation of catechol and its derivatives ( 1a–d ) has been studied in the presence of 4‐amino‐3‐thio‐1,2,4‐triazole ( 3 ) at various pHs. Some electrochemical techniques such as cyclic voltammetry using the diagnostic criteria derived by Nicholson and Shain for various electrode mechanisms and controlled‐potential coulometry were used. Results indicate the participation of catechols ( 1a–d ) with 3 in an intramolecular cyclization reaction to form the corresponding 1,2,4‐triazino[5,4‐b]‐1,3,4‐thiadiazine derivatives. In various scan rates, based on an electron transfer–chemical reaction–electron transfer–chemical reaction mechanism, the observed homogeneous rate constants (k_obs) for Michael addition reaction were estimated by comparing the experimental cyclic voltammetric responses with the digital simulated results. The oxidation reaction mechanism of catechols ( 1a–d ) in the presence of 4‐amino‐3‐thio‐1,2,4‐triazole ( 3 ) was also studied. © 2007 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Int J Chem Kinet 39: 340–345, 2007     

A mild and efficient palladium–triethylsilane system for reduction of olefins and carbon–carbon double bond isomerization

The versatility of palladium(II) acetate and palladium on activated charcoal catalysts with triethylsilane has been investigated in the hydrogenation and the isomerization of carbon–carbon double bond of 1‐alkenes. The reduction of 1‐alkenes was carried out in the presence of triethylsilane, ethanol and a catalytic amount of palladium(II) acetate or palladium on activated charcoal, at room temperature. This facile and efficient method affords high yields for hydrogenation of unsaturated alkenes to the corresponding alkanes. Then the carbon–carbon double bond isomerization of 1‐alkenes was tested using the same catalysts in the absence of solvent. The system palladium(II) acetate‐triethylsilane was found to be more effective compared with palladium on an activated charcoal–triethylsilane system at room temperature, while comparable results were obtained at 50 °C for both catalysts. Copyright © 2006 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.