Spectroscopic identification of S-Au interaction in cysteine capped gold nanoparticles

This study deals with the synthesis of cysteine capped gold nanoparticles with an average size of 12 nm by borohydride reduction and spectroscopic identification of SAu interaction. We have studied the interaction of thiol with gold nanoparticles in aqueous medium by employing UV-vis, Raman, NMR, and FT-IR spectroscopy. The shifting of gold plasmon resonance in the UV-vis spectra shows the stabilization of gold nanoparticles by cysteine. The disappearance of S-H stretching in both the IR and Raman spectra and the shifting of the NMR signals of the protons in close proximity to the metal center supported the existence of the S-Au interaction in cysteine capped gold nanoparticles. The TEM images shows cysteine capped gold nanoparticles as distinct and spherical entities as compared to free colloidal gold nanoparticles.     

Analysis of vibrational,structural, and electronic properties of rivastigmine by density functional theory

The present work deals with the structural, electronic, and vibrational analysis of rivastigmine. Rivastigmine, an antidementia medicament, is credited with significant therapeutic effects on the cognitive, functional, and behavioural problems that are commonly associated with Alzheimer’s dementia. For rivastigmine, a number of minimum energy conformations are possible. The geometry of twelve possible conformers has been analyzed and the most stable conformer was further optimized at a higher basis set. The electronic properties and vibrational frequencies were then calculated using a density functional theory at the B3LYP level with the 6-311+G(d, p) basis set. The different molecular surfaces have also been drawn to understand the activity of the molecule. A narrower frontier orbital energy gap in rivastigmine makes it softer and more reactive than water and dimethylfuran. The calculated value of the dipole moment is 2.58 debye.     

Fixed point theorems for generalized weakly S-contractive mappings in partial metric spaces

In this paper, we establish some unique xed point theorems for generalized weakly S-contractive with nondecreasing and weakly increasing mappings in complete partial metric space. Also, we give some examples for strengthens of our main results.     

Perfect fluid quantum anisotropic universe: merits and challenges

The present paper deals with quantization of perfect fluid anisotropic cosmological models. Bianchi type V and IX models are discussed following Schutz’s method of expressing fluid velocities in terms of six potentials. The wave functions are found for several examples of equations of state. In one case a complete wave packet could be formed analytically. The initial singularity of a zero proper volume can be avoided in this case, but it is plagued by the usual problem of non-unitarity of anisotropic quantum cosmological models. It is seen that a particular operator ordering alleviates this problem.     

Gravitational collapse in higher dimensional Husain space–time

We investigate exact solution in higher dimensional Husain model for a null fluid source with pressure p and density ρ are related by the following relations (i) p  =  kρ, (ii) (variable modified Chaplygin) and (iii) p  =  kρ^α (polytropic). We have studied the nature of singularity in gravitational collapse for the above equations of state and also for different choices of the of the parameters k and B namely, (i) k  =  0, B  =  constant (generalized Chaplygin), (ii) B  =  constant (modified Chaplygin). It is found that the nature of singularity is independent of these choices of different equation of state except for variable Chaplygin model. Choices of various parameters are shown in tabular form. Finally, matching of Szekeres model with exterior Husain space–time is done.     

Experimental and statistical analysis methods for peptide detection using surface‐enhanced Raman spectroscopy

Surface‐enhanced Raman spectroscopy (SERS) has the potential to make a significant impact in biology research due to its ability to provide information orthogonal to that obtained by traditional techniques such as mass spectrometry (MS). While SERS has been well studied for its use in chemical applications, detailed investigations with biological molecules are less common. In addition, a clear understanding of how methodology and molecular characteristics impact the intensity, the number of peaks, and the signal‐to‐noise of SERS spectra is largely missing. By varying the concentration and order of addition of the SERS‐enhancer salt (LiCl) with colloidal silver, we were able to evaluate the impact of these variables on peptide spectra using a quantitative measure of spectra quality based on the number of peaks and peak intensity. The LiCl concentration and order of addition that produced the best SERS spectra were applied to a panel of synthetic peptides with a range of charges and isoelectric points (pIs) where the pI was directly correlated with higher spectral quality. Those peptides with moderate to high pIs and spectra quality scores were differentiated from each other using the improved method and a hierarchical clustering algorithm. In addition, the same method and algorithm was applied to a set of highly similar phosphorylated peptides, and it was possible to successfully classify the majority of peptides on the basis of species‐specific peak differences. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Growth and characterization of two-dimensional crystals for communication and energy applications

This review article covers the growth and characterization of two-dimensional (2D) crystals of transition metal chalcogenides, h-BN, graphene, etc. The chemical vapor transport method for bulk single crystal growth is discussed in detail. Top-down methods like mechanical and liquid exfoliation and bottom-up methods like chemical vapor deposition and molecular beam epitaxy for mono/few-layer growth are described. The optimal characterization techniques such as optical, atomic force, scanning electron, and Raman spectroscopy for identification of mono/few-layer(s) of the 2D crystals are discussed. In addition, a survey was done for the application of 2D crystals for both creation and deterministic transfer of single-photon sources and photovoltaic systems. Finally, the application of plasmonic nanoantenna was proposed for enhanced solar-to-electrical energy conversion and faster/brighter quantum communication devices.     

Boron-Containing Lipids and Liposomes: New Conjugates of Cholesterol with Polyhedral Boron Hydrides

A series of boron-containing lipids were prepared by reactions of cyclic oxonium derivatives of polyhedron boranes and metallacarboranes (closo-dodecaborate anion, cobalt and iron bis(dicarbollides)) with amine and carboxylic acids which are derived from cholesterol. Stable liposomal formulations, on the basis of synthesized boron-containing lipids, hydrogenated soybean l -α-phosphatidylcholine and (HSPC) 1,2-distearoyl-sn-glycero-3-phosphoethanolamine-N-[methoxy(polyethylene glycol)-2000] (DSPE-PEG) as excipients, were prepared and then characterized by dynamic light scattering (DLS) that revealed the formation of particles to be smaller than 200 nm in diameter. The resulting liposomal formulations showed moderate to excellent loading and entrapment efficiency, thus justifying the design of the compounds to fit in the lipid bilayer and ensuring ease of in vivo use for future application. The liposomal formulations based on cobalt and iron bis(dicarbollide)-based lipids were found to be nontoxic against both human breast normal epithelial cells MCF-10A and human breast cancer cells MCF-7.