Observable signals of gauge-mediated supersymmetry breaking

The observable consequences of gauge-mediated supersymmetry breaking (GMSB) are reviewed here. Implications of scenarios both with a neutralino and a slepton as the next lightest supersymmetric particle (NLSP) are surveyed in relation to hadronic ande ⁺ e ^- colliders. We also discuss the phenomenological consequences of the NLSP decaying slowly, giving rise to delayed events in the detectors.The importance of distinguishing signals of GMSB models from those of the commonly discussed supergravity-type theories is emphasized.     

Working group report: Neutrino and astroparticle physics

This is the report of neutrino and astroparticle physics working group at WHEPP-7. Discussions and work on CP violation in long baseline neutrino experiments, ultra high energy neutrinos, supernova neutrinos and water Cerenkov detectors are discussed.     

Templates direct the sequence-specific anchoring of the C-terminus of peptido RNAs

When amino acids and ribonucleotides react in aqueous condensation buffer, they form peptido RNA with a phosphoramidate bond between the N-terminus of the peptide and the 5′-terminal phosphate of a ribonucleotide. If peptido RNA was the product of spontaneous reactions of amino acids and nucleotides, there must have been a transition to peptidyl tRNAs, where the C-terminus of the peptide is ester-linked to the 2′,3′-terminus of an oligonucleotide. Here we report how short peptido RNAs react with the 3′-terminus of oligodeoxynucleotides, templated by RNA strands. In our model system, the rate and yield of the anchoring of the C-terminus of the dipeptido dinucleotides to an amino group was found to depend on the sequence of the peptide, the 5′-terminal nucleotide of the dinucleotide and the RNA template. In all cases tested, highest yields were found for dinucleotides hybridizing next to the primer terminus. For the most reactive species, GlyPro-AA, anchoring yields ranged from 8–99%, depending on the template. When LeuLeu-AA, PhePhe-AA and GlyGly-AA were allowed to compete for anchoring on 3′-UUC-5′ as templating sequence, they gave a product ratio of 1 : 2 : 6, and this selectivity was almost independent of the terminal base of the primer. Our results show the control that a simple duplex context has over the covalent anchoring of peptido RNAs at a position known from peptidyl tRNAs. Processes of this type may have bridged the gap between untemplated condensation reactions and the highly specific processes of ribosomal protein synthesis.

The C-terminus of dipeptido dinucleotides reacts with the 3′-terminus of a primer strand in template directed fashion with a strong dependence on the structures of peptide and template.     

ZSM‐5 Zeolite Nanosheets with Improved Catalytic Activity Synthesized Using a New Class of Structure‐Directing Agents

A new series of multiquaternary ammonium structure‐directing agents, based on 1,4‐diazabicyclo[2.2.2]octane, was prepared. ZSM‐5 zeolites with nanosheet morphology (10 nm crystal thickness) were synthesized under hydrothermal conditions using multiquaternary ammonium surfactants as the zeolite structure‐generating agents. Both wide‐angle and small‐angle diffraction patterns were obtained using only a suitable structure‐directing agent under a specific zeolite synthesis composition. A mechanism of zeolite formation is proposed based on the results obtained from various physicochemical characterizations. ZSM‐5 materials were investigated in catalytic reactions requiring medium to strong acidity, which are important for the synthesis of a wide range of industrially important fine and specialty chemicals. The catalytic activity of ZSM‐5 materials was compared with that of the conventional ZSM‐5 and amorphous mesoporous aluminosilicate Al‐MCM‐41. The synthesis strategy of the present investigation using the new series of structure‐directing agents could be extended for the synthesis of other related zeolites or other porous materials in the future. Zeolite with a structural feature as small as the size of a unit cell (5–10 nm) with hierarchically ordered porous structure would be very promising for catalysis.     

A Low‐Temperature Molecular Precursor Approach to Copper‐Based Nano‐Sized Digenite Mineral for Efficient Electrocatalytic Oxygen Evolution Reaction

In the urge of designing noble metal‐free and sustainable electrocatalysts for oxygen evolution reaction (OER), herein, a mineral Digenite Cu₉S₅ has been prepared from a molecular copper(I) precursor, [{(PyHS)₂Cu^I(PyHS)}₂](OTf)₂ ( 1 ), and utilized as an anode material in electrocatalytic OER for the first time. A hot injection of 1 yielded a pure phase and highly crystalline Cu₉S₅, which was then electrophoretically deposited (EPD) on a highly conducting nickel foam (NF) substrate. When assessed as an electrode for OER, the Cu₉S₅/NF displayed an overpotential of merely 298±3 mV at a current density of 10 mA cm^?2 in alkaline media. The overpotential recorded here supersedes the value obtained for the best reported Cu‐based as well as the benchmark precious‐metal‐based RuO₂ and IrO₂ electrocatalysts. In addition, the choronoamperometric OER indicated the superior stability of Cu₉S₅/NF, rendering its suitability as the sustainable anode material for practical feasibility. The excellent catalytic activity of Cu₉S₅ can be attributed to the formation of a crystalline CuO overlayer on the conductive Cu₉S₅ that behaves as active species to facilitate OER. This study delivers a distinct molecular precursor approach to produce highly active copper‐based catalysts that could be used as an efficient and durable OER electro(pre)catalysts relying on non‐precious metals.     

Structure and bonding of MCB5H7 and its sandwiched dimer CB5H6M-MCB5H6 (M = Si, Ge, Sn): Isomer stability and preference for slip distorted structure

We find sandwiched metal dimers CB₅H₆M-MCB₅H₆ (M = Si, Ge, Sn) which are minima in the potential energy surface with a characteristic M-M single bond. The NBO analysis and the M-M distances (Å) (2.3, 2.44 and 2.81 for M = Si, Ge, Sn) indicate substantial M-M bonding. Formal generation of CB₅H₆M-MCB₅H₆ has been studied theoretically. Consecutive substitution of two boron atoms in B₇H⁻²₇ by M (Si, Ge, Sn) and carbon, respectively followed by dehydrogenation may lead to our desired CB₅H₆M-MCB₅H₆. We find that the slip distorted geometry is preferred for MCB₅H₇ and its dehydrogenated dimer CB₅H₆M-MCB₅H₆. The slip-distortion of M-M bond in CB₅H₆M-MCB₅H₆ is more than the slip distortion of M-H bond in MCB₅H₇. Molecular orbital analysis has been done to understand the slip distortion. Larger M-M bending (CB₅H₆M-MCB₅H₆) in comparison with M-H bending (MCB₅H₇) is suspected to be encouraged by stabilization of one of the M-M π bonding MO’s. Preference of M to occupy the apex of pentagonal skeleton of MCB₅H₇ over its icosahedral analogue MCB₁₀H₁₁ has been observed.     

Fabrication of the electrochemically reduced graphene oxide-bismuth nanoparticles composite and its analytical application for an anticancer drug gemcitabine

The present study explores an electroreduced graphene oxide-bismuth nanoparticles composite(ErGOBi) as an electrochemical sensor for the determination of an anticancer drug, gemcitabine hydrochloride(GMB). The Er-GOBi interface was prepared by drop casting of bismuth nitrate-graphene oxide suspension on a glassy carbon electrode(GCE) followed by electro-reduction in the potential range of 0.6 V to 1.7 V. SEM, FTIR, EDAX and AFM techniques were employed for the characterization of prepared materials. Cyclic voltammetric and electrochemical impedance spectroscopic methods were used to understand the charge transfer properties of stepwise modification of Er-GOBi/GCE. GMB exhibited an irreversible oxidation peak at 1.144 V on Er-GOBi/GCE in phosphate buffer of p H 3. A 100-fold enhanced oxidation peak current was observed at Er-GOBi/GCE when compared to that at bare GCE.Sensing performance of Er GO-Bi/GCE was optimized by varying peak current dependent parameters.Linear relationship between the peak current and concentration of GMB was observed in the range of 0.1–51.1 mmol/L in differential pulse voltammetric method and 2.1–61.1 mmol/L in linear sweep voltammetric method. The practical utility of the proposed sensor, Er-GOBi/GCE was demonstrated by determining GMB in pharmaceutical formulations and spiked urine samples.     

Synthesis of dicationic ionic liquids and their application in the preparation of hierarchical zeolite Beta

Piperidine- and imidazole-based dicatoinic ionic liquids have been developed for the synthesis of zeolite Beta. Hierarchical Beta has a larger surface area and pore volume than conventional Beta. Beta derived from a dicationic ionic liquid exhibited remarkably higher catalytic activity than the conventional Beta. Experimental evidence and DFT calculations suggest that only a suitable conformation of such dicationic ionic liquids is able to form zeolite Beta (see scheme).     

A facile approach for morphosynthesis of Pd nanoelectrocatalysts

A facile approach has been developed for synthesis of highly-structured, anisotropic Pd nanostructures. The dendritic Pd nanostructures show superior performance toward oxidation of formic acid and methanol for fuel cell application.     

Effects of thermal annealing on structural and magnetic properties of thin Pt/Cr/Co multilayers

Thermal stability of thin Pt/Cr/Co multilayers and the subsequent changes in their structural, magnetic, and magneto-optical properties are reported. We observe CoCrPt ternary alloy phase formation due to annealing at temperatures about 773 K, which is accompanied by enhancement in the coercivity value. In addition, 360° domain wall superimposed on a monodomain like background has been observed in the pristine multilayer, which changes into a multidomain upon annealing at 873 K.