Standoff Laser-Induced Fluorescence Sensors for Biological Warfare Agents

We report comparison studies of two different sensors, the gated intensified charge-coupled device and the multianode photo multiplier tube detector for standoff detection of bio-aerosol. The ultraviolet laser-induced fluorescence technique is considered. Ultraviolet laser-induced fluorescence signals are evaluated under different bacteria aerosol concentrations, ranges, atmospheric conditions, and solar backgrounds. The signal-to-noise ratio is calculated for both the detectors for daylight and twilight solar conditions. The detectable concentration and range for both of the detectors is evaluated. Standoff ultraviolet laser-induced light detection and ranging is applicable in homeland security for early warning of biological warfare agents.     

Modeling and dynamic simulation of mixed feed multi-effect evaporators in paper industry

A wide range of mathematical models for multiple effect evaporators in process industry including paper industry are well reported in the literature but not so extensive work on the dynamic behavior of MEE system is available in the literature. In the present study dynamic behavior of multi-effect evaporator system of a paper industry is obtained by disturbing the feed flow rate, feed concentration, live steam temperature and feed temperature. For this purpose an unsteady-state model for the multi-effect evaporator system is developed. Each effect in the process is represented by a number of variables which are related by the energy and material balance equations for the feed, product and vapor flow. A generalized mathematical model which could be applied to any number of effects and all kinds of feeding arrangements like forward feed, backward feed, mixed feed and spilt feed in the MEE system with simple modifications was finally obtained. Finally model for mixed feed sextuple effect falling film evaporators system was solved using MATLAB. For the steady state and dynamic simulation the ‘fsolve’ and ‘ode45’ solvers in MATLAB source code is used respectively.     

Exact entropy of dimer coverings for a class of lattices in three or more dimensions

We construct a class of lattices in three and higher dimensions for which the number of dimer coverings can be determined exactly using elementary arguments. These lattices are a generalization of the two-dimensional kagome lattice, and the method also works for graphs without translational symmetry. The partition function for dimer coverings on these lattices can be determined also for a class of assignments of different activities to different edges.     

Visible-Light Augmented Lithium Storage Capacity in a Ruthenium(II) Photosensitizer Conjugated with a Dione-Catechol Redox Couple

Controlling redox activity of judiciously appended redox units on a photo-sensitive molecular core is an effective strategy for visible light energy harvesting and storage. The first example of a photosensitizer - electron donor coordination compound in which the photoinduced electron transfer step is used for light to electrical energy conversion and storage is reported. A photo-responsive Ru-diimine module conjugated with redox-active catechol groups in [Ru(II)(phenanthroline-5,6-diolate)₃]⁴⁻ photosensitizer can mediate photoinduced catechol to dione oxidation in the presence of a sacrificial electron acceptor or at the surface of an electrode. Under potentiostatic condition, visible light triggered current density enhancement confirmed the light harvesting ability of this photosensitizer. Upon implementation in galvanostatic charge-discharge of a Li battery configuration, the storage capacity was found to be increased by 100 %, under 470 nm illumination with output power of 4.0 mW/cm⁻². This proof-of-concept molecular system marks an important milestone towards a new generation of molecular photo-rechargeable materials.     

Application of advanced nuclear analytical techniques for the electrocatalyst's characterization: Paving the path for mechanistic investigations

As the application of electrocatalyst continues to expand, envisaging the hidden mechanisms occurring at various length scale affecting the catalytic efficiency became important. To enhance the stability of electrocatalyst and reduce the cost, it is of paramount importance to reveal the active site's dynamics (using in situ techniques for getting the real-time information) which directly affect the reactions such as oxygen evolution reaction, hydrogen evolution reaction, and so on. Since such reactions are crucial for many engineering and scientific applications, in situ characterization techniques are required, which could capture such reactions happening at a different length and time scale. This article analyzes the recent progress made in the field of electrocatalyst's characterization using in situ neutron techniques. The article also paves the future path and has delineated the future challenges involved in multiscale correlative techniques (e.g., neutron techniques in the combination of synchrotron or microscopic techniques) used for getting the multiscale (atomic to micrometer range) mechanistic information about the electrocatalyst's working and degradation.     

A state bit recovery algorithm with TMDTO attack on Lizard and Grain-128a

Designs, Codes and Cryptography - We propose a deterministic algorithm to recover some state bits of any FSR-based stream cipher knowing some keystream bits by fixing some state bits. This...     

Ionic Assembly,Anion–π, Magnetic,and Electronic Attributes of Ambient Stable Naphthalenediimide Radical Ions

Organic spin-based molecular materials are considered to be attractive for the generation of functional materials with emergent optoelectronic, magnetic, or magneto-conductive properties. However, the major limitations to the utilization of organic spin-based systems are their high reactivity, instability, and propensity for dimerization. Herein, we report the synthesis, characterization, and magnetic and electronic studies of three ambient stable radical ions ( 1 a^.+ , 1 b^.+ , and 1 c^.+ ). The radical ions 1 b^.+ and 1 c^.+ with BPh₄⁻ and BF₄⁻ counter anions, respectively, were synthesized in excellent yields by means of anion metathesis of 1 a^.+ with Br⁻ as its counter anion. Notably, synthesis of 1 a^.+ was achieved in an ecofriendly, solvent-free protocol. The radical ions were characterized by means of single-crystal X-ray diffraction studies, which revealed the discrete nature of the radical ions and extensive hydrogen-bonding interactions within the radical ions and with the counter anions. Thus, radical ions can be organized to form infinite supramolecular arrays using weak noncovalent interactions. In addition, the Br⁻, BF₄⁻, and BPh₄⁻ anions formed diverse types of anion–π interactions with the naphthalene and imide rings of the radical ions. The radical ions were characterized by means of X-band electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) spectroscopy in solution and in the solid state. Magnetic studies revealed their paramagnetic nature in the range of 10 to 300 K. The radical ions exhibited high resistivity approaching the gigaohm (GΩ) scale. In addition, the radical ions exhibited panchromism.     

Oligonucleotide-Based Approaches to Inhibit Dengue Virus Replication

Dengue fever is one of the most common viral infections affecting humans. It is an expanding public health problem, particularly in tropical and subtropical regions. No effective vaccine or antiviral therapies against Dengue virus (DENV) infection are available. Therefore, there is a strong need to develop safe and effective therapeutic strategies that can reduce the burden and duration of hospitalizations due to this life-threatening disease. Oligonucleotide-based strategies are considered as an attractive means of inhibiting viral replication since oligonucleotides can be designed to interact with any viral RNA, provided its sequence is known. The resultant targeted destruction of viral RNA interferes with viral replication without inducing any adverse effects on cellular processes. In this review, we elaborate the ribozymes, RNA interference, CRISPR, aptamer and morpholino strategies for the inhibition of DENV replication and discuss the challenges involved in utilizing such approaches.     

New chalcone based liquid crystals with allylidene amino linking unit: Synthesis and characterization

In this study, the synthesis, structural characterization and mesomorphic properties of newly thirteen calamitic shaped compounds derived from allylidene amino chalcone and 4-n-alkoxy benzoyloxy benzoic acid. Comp.H₁ to H₃ exhibited nonliquid crystalline nature, while comp.H₄ to comp.H₁₈ displayed enantiotropical smectic C phase. Phase transition temperatures of present synthesised compounds were determined by optical polarising microscopy (POM), differential scanning calorimetric (DSC) and powder X-ray diffraction (PXRD) techniques. Thermal stabilities of smectic to isotropic phase are 150.0 °C and temperature range of mesophase is in decreasing order from comp.H₃ to comp.H₁₈ respectively. The presences of SmC phase are the type of broken fan and needle type in present synthesized series. It is also shown that presence of chalcone amino allylidene central linking group favors a calamitic liquid crystalline behaviour in molecules with lower member to higher member aliphatic side chain in alkoxy group (-OR).