Noise-induced chaotic-attractor escape route

Nonlinear Dynamics - In the present article, a combination of numerical and experimental studies is undertaken to comprehend the influence of noise on the responses of continuous-time dynamical...     

Synthesis of oxazolidinedione derived bicalutamide analogs

The synthesis of chiral oxazolidinedione derived bicalutamide analogs has been discussed.     

Chemically characterised Pimenta dioica (L.) Merr. essential oil as a novel plant based antimicrobial against fungal and aflatoxin B1 contamination of stored maize and its possible mode of action

Abstract

The chemical characterisation of Pimenta dioica essential oil (PDEO) revealed the presence of 50 components, amongst which α-Terpineol (30.31%) was the major component followed by β-Linalool (6.75%) and γ-Terpinene (4.64%). The oil completely inhibited the growth of aflatoxin B₁ secreting strain Aspergillus flavus LHP-VS-8 and aflatoxin B₁ production at 2.5?µL/mL and 1.5?µL/mL, respectively. The oil caused dose dependent reduction of methylglyoxal (an AFB₁ inducer), enhanced leakage of Ca²⁺, Mg²⁺ and K⁺ ions and significantly reduced ergosterol content of fungal plasma membrane. During in situ experiments, PDEO exhibited complete protection of fumigated maize cob slices from fungal infestation without affecting seed germination. The chemically characterised PDEO is recommended as a plant based preservative and shelf life enhancer of food commodities by preventing fungal growth, AFB₁ production and lipid peroxidation. This is the first report on PDEO as inhibitor of AFB₁ secretion and methylglyoxal biosynthesis.     

Ionic conductivity enhancement of PVA: carboxymethyl cellulose poly-blend electrolyte films through the doping of NaI salt

Cellulose - In this paper, we report the effect of doping sodium iodide (NaI) salt into a polymer blend matrix of sodium carboxymethyl cellulose (NaCMC) and poly(vinyl alcohol) (PVA). Solution...     

Structurally Stabilized Organosilane‐Templated Thermostable Mesoporous Titania

Structurally thermostable mesoporous anatase TiO₂ (m‐TiO₂) nanoparticles, uniquely decorated with atomically dispersed SiO₂, is reported for the first time. The inorganic Si portion of the novel organosilane template, used as a mesopores‐directing agent, is found to be incorporated in the pore walls of the titania aggregates, mainly as isolated sites. This is evident by transmission electron microscopy and high‐angle annular dark field scanning transmission electron microscopy, combined with electron dispersive X‐ray spectroscopy. This type of unique structure provides exceptional stability to this new material against thermal collapse of the mesoporous structure, which is reflected in its high surface area (the highest known for anatase titania), even after high‐temperature (550 °C) calcination. Control of crystallite size, pore diameter, and surface area is achieved by varying the molar ratios of the titanium precursor and the template during synthesis. These mesoporous materials retain their porosity and high surface area after template removal and further NaOH/HCl treatment to remove silica. We investigate their performance for dye‐sensitized solar cells (DSSCs) with bilayer TiO₂ electrodes, which are prepared by applying a coating of m‐TiO₂ onto a commercial titania (P25) film. The high surface area of the upper mesoporous layer in the P25–m‐TiO₂ DSSC significantly increases the dye loading ability of the photoanode. The photocurrent and fill factor for the DSSC with the bilayer TiO₂ electrode are greatly improved. The large increase in photocurrent current (ca. 56 %) in the P25–m‐TiO₂ DSSC is believed to play a significant role in achieving a remarkable increase in the photovoltaic efficiency (60 %) of the device, compared to DSSCs with a monolayer of P25 as the electrode.     

Synthesis of novel iodo derived bicalutamide analogs

A series of optically active nonsteroidal selective androgen receptor modulators with structures analogous to bicalutamide was prepared by replacing the trifluoromethyl group with iodine and the sulfonyl linker by oxygen.     

ZnSe sintered films: Growth and characterization

The II-VI compound semiconductor, ZnSe having wide band gap between 2.58 and 2.82 eV is a promising material for use in photovoltaic devices, blue light emitting diodes and laser diodes. Several methods have been used to prepare ZnSe thin films. We have deposited ZnSe films on ultra-clean glass substrate by sintering technique. The optical, structural and electrical properties of ZnSe thin films have been examined. The optical band gap of these films is studied using reflection spectra in wavelength range 325-600 nm and structure of these films is studied using XRD. The DC conductivity of the films was measured in vacuum by two-probe technique.Sintering is a very simple and viable method compared to other intensive methods. The results of the present investigation will be useful in characterizing the material ZnSe for its applications in photovoltaics.     

Entropy and specific heat as a measure of fluctuations in multiparticle production in relativistic nuclear collisions

An analysis to disentangle information about the occurrence of dynamical fluctuations in multiparticle production in high energy nucleus-nucleus collisions has been carried out in terms of fractal moments and entropy for the experimental and simulated data using FRITIOF, UrQMD and HIJING generators. Although there is a possibility to thermodynamically interpret the final state of multiparticle production by calculating the values of specific heat, c, using G _q - and F _q -moments. However, both these moments give markedly different values of c. The constancy observed in the values of specific heats calculated from either G _q - or F _q -moments is in accord with the predictions of constant specific heat approximation. Variations of multifractal and factorial moments and various other parameters calculated from these moments predict the presence of non-statistical fluctuations in high energy nuclear collisions.