Transition metal(II) ions with dinegative tetradentate schiff base

Some new coordination polymers of Mn(II), Co(II), Ni(II), Cu(II), Zn(II) and Cd(II), obtained from the interaction of metal acetate with dipotassium salt of N,N’-di(carboxyethylidene)terephthalaldehydediimine (K₂SB) are described. The products, which have been characterized by elemental analyses, magnetic measurements, thermogravimetric analyses, electronic and infrared spectral studies, have composition, [M(SB)(H₂O)₂]_n. These colored coordination polymers are non-hygroscopic and quite stable at room temperature. On the basis of analytical data and IR studies, a 1:1 metal to ligand stoichiometry has been suggested to these coordination polymers. The IR studies have also revealed that ligands are coordinated to metal ion through carboxy oxygen and azomethine nitrogen. All the studies suggested tetradentate nature of the ligand with octahedral symmetry of the coordination polymers. All the coordination polymers are insoluble in acetone, ethanol, chloroform, methanol, benzene, DMF and DMSO. The thermal decomposition of the coordination polymers is studied and indicates that not only the coordinated water is lost but also that the decomposition of the ligand from the coordination polymers is necessary to interpret the successive mass loss.     

Development of xylose-fermenting yeasts for ethanol production at high acetic acid concentrations

Mutants resistant to comparatively high levels of acetic acid were isolated from the xylose-fermenting yeastsCandida shehatae andPichia stipitis by adapting these cultures to increasing concentrations of acetic acid grown in shake-flask cultures. These mutants were tested for their ability to ferment xylose in presence of high acetic acid concentrations, in acid hydrolysates of wood, and in hardwood spent sulfite liquor, and compared with their wild-type counterparts and between themselves. TheP. stipitis mutant exhibited faster fermentation times, better tolerance to acid hydrolysates, and tolerance to lower pH.     

Ultra performance liquid chromatography – mass spectrometry studies of formalin‐induced alterations of human brain lipidome

The development of ‘omics’ sciences offers new opportunities for the study of neurodegenerative diseases but increases at the same time the sample demand on brain banks that collect and store valuable human post‐mortem tissue. Our study aims to evaluate in lipidomics the potential of formalin‐fixed tissue compared with the cryopreservation method, considered as the gold standard for biochemical research. Two complementary liquid chromatography/mass spectrometry analytical platforms were used on the basis of hybrid quadrupole time‐of‐flight and triple quadrupole mass spectrometers. Untargeted fingerprinting, semitargeted profiling of specific lipid classes and targeted monitoring of lipid species were performed in formalin‐fixed and cryopreserved samples to provide detailed information at the molecular level on the formalin‐induced alterations of the brain tissue. In vitro incubations of lipid standards were also performed to further describe the degradation processes induced by formaldehyde. Phospholipid compounds were found to be extensively hydrolysed, whilst the sphingolipid ones were preserved. N‐methylation and N‐formylation of amine‐containing phospholipids have also been evidenced. These findings show that the potential detrimental effect of formalin on the analytes of interest must be taken into account when analysing formalin‐fixed samples. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Polymeric Coordination Compounds Derived from Transition Metal(II) with Tetradentate Schiff‐base: Synthetic,Spectroscopic, Magnetic and Thermal Approach

The polymeric coordination compounds have been synthesized using the dipotassium salt of N,N′‐di(carboxymethylene)terephthalaldehydediimine (K₂SB¹) or N,N′‐di(carboxyethylene)terephthalaldehydediimine (K₂SB²) with manganese(II), cobalt(II), nickel(II), copper(II), zinc(II), and cadmium(II). The ligands have been characterized by ¹H‐NMR, and ¹³C‐NMR spectra. The polychelates have been characterized by elemental analyses, magnetic measurements, thermogravimetric analyses, electronic spectra and infrared spectra. The coordination compounds are colored, and the central metal ions are octahedrally coordinated with two water molecules and the Schiff bases. The Schiff bases act as di‐negative tetradentate ligands, in which bonding occurs through two oxygen and two nitrogen atoms. The polymers are insoluble in all common organic solvents such as acetone, methanol, ethanol, N,N‐dimethylformamide and dimethylsulfoxide.     

Scrupulous recognition of biologically important acids by fluorescent “turn off-on” mechanism of thaicalix reduced silver nanoparticles

Water dispersible silver nanoparticles(AgNps) were prepared using thiacalix[4]arene tetrahydrazide(TCTH) as a reducing and stabilizing agent.TCTH-AgNps were characterized by surface plasmon resonance(SPR),transmission electron microscopy(TEM) and energy dispersive X-ray(EDX).Relatively uniform 20 nm spherical particles of TCTH-AgNps were efficiently formed over a pH range of 5-9 and from 10-40 ℃.The interaction behavior of TCTH-AgNps with different amino acids was investigated using spectrophotometry and spectrofluorimetry.Among the amino acids tested,only tryptophan and histidine showed fluorescence quenching and fluorescence enhancement,respectively.The linear detection range by Stern-Volmer plot was 5 nmol/L to 0.48 μmol/L for tryptophan and 4 nmol/L to 0.54 μmol/L for histidine.TCTH-AgNps were able to effectively reduce the levels of gram-positive bacteria,gram-negative bacteria,and fungi.These properties argue for the potential use of TCTH-AgNps as detectors of histidine and tryptophan and as antibiotics.     

Instantaneous work hardening behaviour of two-phase tungsten heavy alloys: a phenomenological approach

ABSTRACT

The present work describes a phenomenological approach to explain the instantaneous behaviour of tungsten heavy alloys (WHAs) in heat-treated and swaged conditions. The strengths and elongation values of heat-treated materials are lower and higher than those of the swaged samples respectively. The heat-treated materials exhibit two slopes in true stress–true plastic strain curves and follow the Ludwigson constitutive equation. On the other hand, swaged materials display a single slope and adhere to typical Swift constitutive equation. The latter reflect the presence of pre-strain in the materials due to swaging deformation. The fracture surfaces in heat-treated materials consist of W-W decohesion along with matrix rupture and W-cleavage, while swaged samples consist of mainly W-cleavage. Both the materials display three typical stages (I, II and III) of work hardening. The second derivatives of true stress–true plastic strain curves of these alloys exhibit a perfect parabola although the nature of true stress–true strain as well as true stress–true plastic strain curves is quite different in heat-treated and swaged materials. This has been observed for the first time in WHAs consisting of matrix and W-grains. The shape of the parabola is simple and easy to fit. The fitting parameters of parabolas have been successfully employed to explain the flow behaviour of a large number of tungsten heavy alloys having two-phase microstructure in different processing conditions.     

Greener approach toward synthesis of biologically active s-Triazine (TCT) derivatives: A recent update

The greener methodology to synthesize s-triazine derivatives (also known as TCT) is described, including synthesis through microwave, ultrasound, and solvent-free conditions. This review mainly focuses on reactions of TCT (2,4,6-trichloro-1,3,5-triazine) with various substituents having amine and hydroxy functionalities to give corresponding triazine derivatives under a greener approach. The results of reactions indicate that, unlike classical methods, green methods result in better yields of the product, through a rapid reaction, under mild reaction conditions, and by easy workup procedures.     

Global chaos synchronization of coupled parametrically excited pendula

In this paper, we study the synchronization behaviour of two linearly coupled parametrically excited chaotic pendula. The stability of the synchronized state is examined using Lyapunov stability theory and linear matrix inequality (LMI); and some sufficient criteria for global asymptotic synchronization are derived from which an estimated critical coupling is determined. Numerical solutions are presented to verify the theoretical analysis. We also examined the transition to stable synchronous state and show that this corresponds to a boundary crisis of the chaotic attractor.     

Optimization of facet coating for highly strained InGaAs quantum well lasers operating at 1200 nm

The optical output power of a laser diode can be enhanced by anti-reflection (AR) and high-reflection (HR) facet coatings, respectively, at the front and back facet. AR and HR coatings also serve the purpose of protection and passivation of laser diode facets. In this work, we have designed and optimized a single layer λ/4 thick Al₂O₃ film for the AR coating and a stack of λ/4 thick Al₂O₃/λ/4 thick Si bi-layers for the HR coating for highly strained InGaAs quantum-well edge emitting broad area (BA) laser diodes. Effect of the front and back facet reflectivities on output power of the laser diodes has been studied. The light output versus injected current (L–I characteristics) measurements were carried out on selected devices before and after the facet coatings. We have also carried out the numerical simulation and analysis of L–I characteristics for this particular diode structure. The experimental results have been compared and verified with the numerical simulation.