Some exact solutions in string cosmology

Some Bianchi-type string-cosmological models are presented here. The physical implications of the models are briefly discussed     

Electrochemical Sensor for Detection of p-Nitrophenol Based on Nickel Oxide Nanoparticles/α-Cyclodextrin Functionalized Reduced Graphene Oxide

p-Nitrophenol (p−NP) is a high priority toxic pollutant and that has harmful effects on human, animals and plants. Thus, the detection and determination of p−NP present in the environment is an urgent as well as highly important requisite. The present article, therefore focused on the construction of a novel electrochemical sensor based on NiO nanoparticles/α-cyclodextrin functionalized reduced graphene oxide modified glassy carbon electrode (NiO−NPs-α-CD-rGO-GCE) for the selective and sensitive detection of p−NP. UV-vis, high resolution transmission electron microscopy (HR-TEM), selected area electron diffraction pattern (SAED) and X-ray diffraction (XRD) analysis confirms the formation of highly pure NiO nanoparticles. Field emission scanning electron microscopy (FE-SEM), energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDS), and cyclic voltammetry (CV) were used to characterize the step-wise electrode modification process. DPV was carried out to quantify p−NP within the concentration range of 1−10 μM and found the detection limit of 0.12 nM on the basis of the signal-to-noise ratio S/N=3. The electrode can able to detect different isomers of nitrophenols. Interferences of other pollutants such as phenol, p-aminophenol, o- and m- nitrophenol, 4-chlorophenol, 2,6-dichlorophenol and ions like K⁺, Cd²⁺, Cl⁻, SO₄²⁻ did not affect the sensing of p−NP. The newly developed sensor exhibited diffusion controlled kinetics and had excellent sensitivity, selectivity and reproducibility for the detection of p−NP. The electrode showed good recoveries in real sample analysis.     

Visible-light driven Gd2Ti2O7/GdCrO3 composite for hydrogen evolution

A series of Gd(2)Ti(2)O(7)/GdCrO(3) composites are prepared by solid state combustion method using Gd(NO(3))(3), TiO(2), Cr(2)O(3) as metal source and urea as a fuel. The composites are characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), UV-visible diffuse reflectance spectra (DRUV-vis), Brunauer-Emmett-Teller (BET) surface area measurements, photoluminescence spectra (PL), X-ray photoelectron spectroscopic (XPS) studies, photocurrent measurements etc. The photocatalytic activity of the composites is examined towards hydrogen production without using any co-catalyst under visible light illumination. The rate of formation of hydrogen is measured by the photocatalytic activity measurement device and gas chromatography (GC). The highest efficiency is observed over the composite GTC (Cr:Gd:Ti = 1:1:1). On the basis of photocurrent measurements and PL, a mechanism for the enhanced photocatalytic activity has been discussed.     

Colorimetric sensing of fluoride ion by new expanded calix[4]pyrrole through anion-π interaction

Three new expanded calix[4]pyrroles were synthesized, where the two dialkylldipyrromethane units are linked via C-C double bonds. One of them, calix[2]bispyrrolylethene, colorimetrically senses fluoride ion only, owing to anion-π interaction in polar aprotic solvents.     

Time evolution of diffusion fringes in the Christiansen effect

When laser radiation is allowed to fall at the diffusion region separating two liquids in a Christiansen filter, a new fringe pattern appears. We termed it as “diffusion fringes”. In the present work, we have studied this interference fringe pattern and its time evolution. It has been observed that there is a definite co-relation between the shape of the fringe pattern and the width of the diffusion region. The time evolution of this fringe patterns indicates that as diffusion region increases the circular fringe becomes elliptical and finally straight. It is believed that a detailed investigation of these diffusion fringes will throw much needed light not only on the theory of the Christiansen effect but also on the rate of diffusion between two molecules.     

Black holes coupled to scalar fields in higher-dimensional Kaluza-Klein theory

We derive in this paper an exact spherically symmetric solution coupled to scalar fields inn-dimensional Kaluza-Klein theory. A seven-dimensional solution is shown as a special case of the general solution. The solution has two even horizons. The inner horizon corresponds to the Schwarzschild black hole and the outer horizon is due to the scalar fields.     

Solvent dependent excited state spectral properties of 4-hydroxyacridine: Evidence for only water mediated excited state proton transfer process

The possibility of ground and excited state proton transfer reaction across the five member intramolecular hydrogen bonded ring in 4-hydroxyacridine (4-HA) has been investigated spectroscopically and the experimental results have been correlated with quantum chemical calculations. The difference in the emissive behaviour of 4-HA in different types of solvents is due to the presence of different species in the excited state. In non-polar solvents, the species present is non-fluorescing in nature, whereas 4-HA molecule shows normal emission from intramolecularly hydrogen bonded closed conformer in polar aprotic solvents. In polar protic solvents like MeOH, EtOH, etc. (except water), a single broad emission band is attributed to the hydrogen bonded solvated form of 4-HA. However, in case of water, fluorescence from the tautomeric form of 4-HA is observed apart from emission from the solvated form. Emission from the tautomeric form may arise due to double proton transfer via a single water molecule bonded to 4-HA. Evaluation of the potential energy surfaces by quantum chemical calculations using density functional theory (DFT) and time dependent density functional theory (TDDFT), however, points towards the possibility of proton transfer—both intrinsic intramolecular as well as water mediated in the first excited state of 4-HA.     

Preparation of cross-linked guar gum nanospheres containing tamoxifen citrate by single step emulsion in situ polymer cross-linking method

In the present work, guar gum nanospheres containing tamoxifen citrate (TC) were prepared and characterized for using it as a carrier for targeted drug delivery. Tamoxifen is a non steroidal drug used in the treatment of breast cancer. The compound administered to patients is the citrate salt of the trans isomer, tamoxifen citrate. Single step emulsion in situ polymer crosslinking technique was employed to prepare polymer coated drug nanoparticles. Model polymer used in this study was guar gum, which is commonly used for colon specific drug delivery in the pharmaceutical industry. During preparation four-different drug loading solvents were tried and dichloromethane provided the best drug loading result. Briefly, 5 mg drug was dissolved in dichloromethane and emulsified with an aqueous solution of guar gum using span 80 as emulsifier. Cross-linking was made by the use of cross linker glutaraldehyde during the process. A core shell type particles were observed. Drug load was confirmed by FT-IR and quantitated by HPLC. Nanoparticles were further characterized for particle size and morphology. Particle size between 200 and 300 nm were obtained. Influence of process variables on the size of nanoparticles were studied. It was observed that the concentration of polymer and stabilizer determined the size of nanoparticles.     

Ultrasonication--a complementary 'green chemistry' tool to biocatalysis: a laboratory-scale study of lycopene extraction

Lycopene is bequeathed with multiple bio-protective roles, primarily attributed to its unique molecular structure. The concomitant exploitation of two of the green chemistry tools viz., sonication and biocatalysis is reported here for the laboratory scale extraction of lycopene from tomato peel. The coupled system improved the extraction by 662%, 225% and 150% times over the unaided, only cellulase ‘Onozuka R-10’ treated and only sonication treated samples respectively. The sonication parameters (duration, cycle and amplitude) during the coupled operation were optimized using response surface methodology (RSM). Derivative UV-visible spectra (i.e., dA/dλ and d²A/dλ² against λ), FTIR analysis, and DPPH scavenging test suggested that the reported extraction protocol did not affect the molecular structure and bioactivity of the extracted lycopene. The influence of sonication on the probable structural modulation (through UV-visible spectral analysis) and activity of the enzyme were also analyzed. A plausible mechanism is proposed for the enhanced extraction achieved via the coupled system.     

Study of protein-probe complexation equilibria and protein-surfactant interaction using charge transfer fluorescence probe methyl ester of N,N-dimethylamino naphthyl acrylic acid

In this paper, we demonstrate the interaction between intramolecular charge transfer (ICT) probe—Methyl ester of N,N-dimethylamino naphthyl acrylic acid (MDMANA) with bovine serum albumin (BSA) using absorption and fluorescence emission spectroscopy. The nature of probe protein binding interaction, fluorescence resonance energy transfer from protein to probe and time resolved fluorescence decay measurement predict that the probe molecule binds strongly to the hydrophobic cavity of the protein. Furthermore, the interaction of the anionic surfactant sodium dodecyl sulphate (SDS) with water soluble protein BSA has been investigated using MDMANA as fluorescenece probe. The changes in the spectral characteristics of charge transfer fluorescence probe MDMANA in BSA-SDS environment reflects well the nature of the protein-surfactant binding interaction such as specific binding, non-cooperative binding, cooperative binding and saturation binding.