Curcumin,A Novel Natural Photoinitiator for the Copolymerization of Styrene and Methylmethacrylate

Curcumin (Cur), a natural colorant found in the roots of the Turmeric plant, has been reported for the first time as photoinitiator for the copolymerization of styrene (Sty) and methylmethacrylate (MMA). The kinetic data, inhibiting effect of benzoquinone and ESR studies indicate that the polymerization proceeds via a free radical mechanism. The system follows ideal kinetics (R_p α[Cur]^0.5[Sty]^0.97[MMA]¹). The reactivity ratios calculated by using the Finemann–Ross and Kelen‐Tudos models were r₁(MMA)=0.46 and r₂(Sty)=0.52. IR and NMR analysis confirmed the structure of the copolymer. NMR spectrum showing methoxy protons as three distinct groups of resonance between 2.2–3.75 δ and phenyl protons of styrene at 6.8–7.1 δ confirmed the random nature of the copolymer. The mechanism for formation of radicals and random copolymer of styrene and MMA [Sty‐co‐MMA] is also discussed.     

Infrared Divergences in Light Front Field Theory and Coherent State Formalism

We discuss fermion self energy correction in light front QED using a coherent state basis. We show that if one uses coherent state basis instead of fock basis to calculate the transition matrix elements the true infrared divergences in δ m ² get canceled up to O(e ⁴). We show this in Light-front as well as in Feynman gauge.     

Orientational order parameter determination of the liquid crystal: 4 propyl paraethoxy phenyl cyclohexyl carboxylate by X-ray studies

The compound 4 propyl paraethoxy phenyl cyclohexyl carboxylate (code name D302) is a member of a homologous series and exhibits liquid crystalline (nematic) behavior in the temperature range 48°C to 78°C. An experiment has been set up for conducting X-ray studies of liquid crystal samples at various temperatures. From X-ray studies conducted at different temperatures on D302, the apparent molecular length and inter-molecular distance and their temperature dependence have been determined. The variation of the orientational-order parameter <P₂>_xray has been determined from the intensities of the scanned X-ray photographs taken at different temperatures. The results have been compared with the<P₂>_opt values obtained by us from birefringence studies.     

Characterization of different substrates for Raman spectroscopic imaging of eukaryotic cells

For Raman spectroscopic analyses of the cells and other biological samples, the choice of the right substrate material is very important to avoid loss of information in characteristic spectral features because of competing background signals. In the current study, Raman spectroscopy is used to characterize several potential Raman substrates. Raman vibrational bands of the substrate material are discussed. The surface topography is analyzed by atomic force microscopy, and the root mean square surface roughness values are reported. Biocompatibility of the substrates is tested with Hep G2 cells evaluating cellular morphology as well as live/dead staining. Calcium fluoride, silicon, fused silica, borofloat glass, and silicon nitride membranes support cell growth and adherence. Silicon, borofloat glass, and fused silica give rise to Raman signals in the region of interest. Calcium fluoride substrate (UV grade) is suitable for Raman spectroscopic investigation of living cells. Nickel foil is suitable substrate for Raman spectroscopic investigation but cellular adherence and viability depend on the quality of the foil. Silicon nitride membranes coated with nickel chrome is a suitable Raman substrate in closed microfluidic systems. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

HPTLC Method for Analysis of Piperine in Fruits of Piper Species

JPC – Journal of Planar Chromatography – Modern TLC - Piperine, an alkaloid with diverse biological activity commonly occurring in fruits of Piper sp., has high commercial, economical,...     

Structural and photoluminescence studies on europium-doped lithium tetraborate(Eu:Li_2B_4O_7) single crystal grown by microtube Czochralski(μT-Cz) technique

Rare earth europium(Eu(3+))-doped lithium tetraborate(Eu:Li_2B_4O_7) crystal is grown from its stoichiometric melt by microtube Czochralski pulling technique(μT-Cz) for the first time. The grown crystals are subjected to powder x-ray diffraction(PXRD) analysis which reveals the tetragonal crystal structure of the crystals. UV–vis–NIR spectral analysis is carried out to study the optical characteristics of the grown crystals. The crystal is transparent in the entire visible region, and the lower cutoff is observed to be at 304 nm. The existence of BO_3 and BO_4 bonding structure and the molecular associations are analyzed by Fourier transform infrared(FTIR) spectroscopy. The results of excitation and emission-photoluminescence spectra of europium ion incorporated in lithium tetraborate(LTB) single crystal reveal that the observations of peaks at 258,297, and 318 nm in the excitation spectra and peaks at 579, 591, 597, 613, and 651 nm are observed in the emission spectra.The chromaticity coordinates are calculated from the emission spectra, and the emission intensity of the grown crystal is characterized through a CIE 1931(Commission International d'Eclairage) color chromaticity diagram.     

Kβ X-ray emission from He-like ions

Relativistic calculations on the energies and electric dipole rates of K_β X-rays from 1s3p(¹P₁,³P₁)-1s² (¹S₀) transitions for He-like ions in the range Z=14–54 are carried out using multi-configuration Dirac–Fock (MCDF) wave functions in the active space interaction approach. The contributions from Breit interaction and quantum electrodynamics have also been included in the calculation. An attempt has been made to find a scaling expression for Breit energy in terms of Zα .The scaled Breit energies are in good agreement with the earlier accurate relativistic results and this ensures the reliability of our scaling procedure. The behavior of MCDF wavefunctions for a given J in the non-relativistic limit has also been studied. The calculated K_β X-ray energies and rates agree well with other available experimental and theoretical values.     

The flow over a thin airfoil subjected to elevated levels of freestream turbulence at low Reynolds numbers

Micro Air Vehicles (MAVs) can be difficult to control in the outdoor environment as they fly at relatively low speeds and are of low mass, yet exposed to high levels of freestream turbulence present within the Atmospheric Boundary Layer. In order to examine transient flow phenomena, two turbulence conditions of nominally the same longitudinal integral length scale (Lxx/c?=?1) but with significantly different intensities (Ti?=?7.2?% and 12.3?%) were generated within a wind tunnel; time-varying surface pressure measurements, smoke flow visualization, and wake velocity measurements were made on a thin flat plate airfoil. Rapid changes in oncoming flow pitch angle resulted in the shear layer to separate from the leading edge of the airfoil even at lower geometric angles of attack. At higher geometric angles of attack, massive flow separation occurred at the leading edge followed by enhanced roll up of the shear layer. This lead to the formation of large Leading Edge Vortices (LEVs) that advected at a rate much lower than the mean flow speed while imparting high pressure fluctuations over the airfoil. The rate of LEV formation was dependent on the angle of attack until 10° and it was independent of the turbulence properties tested. The fluctuations in surface pressures and consequently aerodynamic loads were considerably limited on the airfoil bottom surface due to the favorable pressure gradient.