Stability and thermodynamics of La(III)-, Pr(III)-, Nd(III)-, Gd(III)- and Eu(III)-p-nitrobenzaldehyde thiosemicarbazone systems

Three complexes containing bidentate N-2,3-dimethylphenylglycine, (2,3-HDPG), N-2,4-dimethylphenylglycine, (2,4-HDPG) and N-2-ethylphenylglycine, (2-HEPG) acids have been prepared and characterized. These compounds have the general formula Zn(2,3-DPG)₂·2 H₂O, Zn(2,4-DPG)₂ and Zn(2-EPG)₂·2 H₂O, respectively. The structure of the complexes as inferred from their chemistries have been found to be compatible with the infrared spectral data. The thermal behaviour of these complexes has been studied from their TG, DTG and DSC diagrams obtained in a dynamic atmosphere of pure air. Heats of dehydration have been calculated from DSC curves.     

Kinetics of non-isothermal decomposition of acid maleato complexes of some bivalent metals

McGinn et al. [1] and Misra and Naik [2] studied the complexing capacity of maleic acid with metals. Edge [3] reported his findings on the pyrolysis of normal nickel maleato. This note is concerned with the estimation of kinetic parameters of the non-isothermal decomposition of acid maleato complexes of Co(II), Cu(II), Ni(II) and Cd(II).     

Optical design of a toroidal grating monochromator based beam line on Indus-1

In this paper, we discuss the detailed optical design of a beam line that is under construction on the synchrotron radiation source, Indus-1. Toroidal mirrors are used as pre-and post- focusing elements and a toroidal grating monochromator as a dispersing element. Using three interchangeable gratings, this monochromator will give, at a moderate resolution, a good throughput on the sample in the wavelength range 40 to 1000 Å. Effect of various parameters and their optimization on the resolution and throughput characteristics have been studied by ray tracing calculations, and presented.     

Surface Coating Rescues Proteins from Magnetite Nanoparticle Induced Damage

The presence of magnetic nanoparticles (NPs) in physiological systems induces toxicity through its effects on mitochondrial function and reactive oxygen species (ROS) imbalance. Magnetic NP induced cytotoxicity has been elaborately evaluated for impending threats, however, a detailed investigation is lacking. It is shown that the interaction of Fe₃O₄ NPs with cytochrome c can lead to different events based on the NPs to protein ratio, the solution conditions, and the type of surface protection. At low NPs concentration, rapid binding and subsequent electron transfer are the preferred events while at higher concentration slow oxidative modification of the protein is initiated. The slow event of protein modification yields conformational disorientation, loss of stability, and formation of amyloid‐like structures with cytochrome c. The possibility that the NP induced oxidative stress and age can work in concert to compromise different aspects of cellular quality control processes is discussed. Suitable surface modifications of the NPs inhibit their direct binding to the protein molecules and minimize NP induced toxicity.     

Inelastic cross sections for pentane isomers by positron impact

ABSTRACT

This work aims at the calculation of various inelastic cross sections for three pentane isomers, namely normal pentane, isopentane and neopentane. The direct ionisation, positronium formation, total ionisation and total inelastic cross section are reported for these targets using modified spherical complex optical potential (mSCOP) and complex scattering potential-ionisation contribution (CSP-ic) method. The cross sections are computed for a wide energy range from their respective thresholds to 5?keV. We have also attempted to probe the isomeric effect in the inelastic scattering of positrons from the pentane isomers. The cross sections for the three isomers were found to overlap for the entire comparative energy range except at the peak region. Hence, in general no appreciable isomeric effect was beheld for the pentane isomers.     

Imaging characteristics of toroidal and ellipsoidal mirrors for synchrotron radiation source Indus-1

We discuss and compare the imaging characteristics of toroidal and ellipsoidal mirrors for different horizontal acceptances of synchrotron radiation source Indus-1; using a ray tracing method. It has been shown that the toroidal and ellipsoidal mirrors have similar focussing behaviour at small horizontal acceptances. For large horizontal acceptances, toroidal mirror shows an asymmetry in the focussed image. Though the data used here are for Indus-1, the results are generally valid for any bending magnet synchrotron radiation source incident at grazing angles on these mirrors.     

Label Free Colorimetric Biosensing Using Nanoparticles

In this review article, we discuss a class of biosensors that exploit the change in the colorimetric properties of noble metal nanoparticles in response to biomolecular binding at their surface. Several sensor fabrication techniques as well as sensor configurations are discussed with an emphasis on their strengths and limitations. We conclude by presenting the future prospects and challenges for the successful transition of this technology from the laboratory to a commercial product.     

Highly bacterial resistant silver nanoparticles: synthesis and antibacterial activities

In this article, we describe a simple one-pot rapid synthesis route to produce uniform silver nanoparticles by thermal reduction of AgNO₃ using oleylamine as reducing and capping agent. To enhance the dispersal ability of as-synthesized hydrophobic silver nanoparticles in water, while maintaining their unique properties, a facile phase transfer mechanism has been developed using biocompatible block co-polymer pluronic F-127. Formation of silver nanoparticles is confirmed by X-ray diffraction (XRD), transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and UV–vis spectroscopy. Hydrodynamic size and its distribution are obtained from dynamic light scattering (DLS). Hydrodynamic size and size distribution of as-synthesized and phase transferred silver nanoparticles are 8.2 ± 1.5 nm (σ = 18.3%) and 31.1 ± 4.5 nm (σ = 14.5%), respectively. Antimicrobial activities of hydrophilic silver nanoparticles is tested against two Gram positive (Bacillus megaterium and Staphylococcus aureus), and three Gram negative (Escherichia coli, Proteus vulgaris and Shigella sonnei) bacteria. Minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) values obtained in the present study for the tested microorganisms are found much better than those reported for commercially available antibacterial agents.     

Improvement on Quantum Teleportation of Three and Four Qubit States Using Multi-Qubit Cluster States

International Journal of Theoretical Physics - In 2016, Li et al. [Int. J. Theor. Phys. 55, 1820–1823 (2016)] proposed schemes for quantum teleportation of certain class of three and four...