Nucleoside and oligonucleotide pyrene conjugates with 1,2,3-triazolyl or ethynyl linkers: synthesis,duplex stability,and fluorescence changes generated by the DNA-dye connector

Fluorescent nucleosides and oligonucleotides functionalized with pyrene were synthesized using ‘click’ chemistry or the Sonogashira cross-coupling reaction. The dye was connected to position-7 of 7-deaza-2′-deoxyguanosine or to the 2′-deoxyribofuranose moiety. Four different DNA-dye connectors with 1,2,3-triazolyl residues or triple bonds were constructed. Phosphoramidites of the pyrene conjugates (9, 14, 25) were prepared and used in solid-phase synthesis. Short linkers (2, 4) destabilize DNA, while long linkers (1) increased duplex stability. Nucleosides and oligonucleotides with single dye incorporations show linker dependent fluorescence. Linker dependent excimer emission with pyrenes in proximal positions was also observed. A ‘superchromophore’ formed by the 7-deaza-2′-deoxyguanosine ethynylpyrene conjugate shows strong red shifted fluorescence emission at 495 nm.     

Third body modeling in fretting using the combined finite-discrete element method

A new approach was developed for modeling the effect of the third body on fretting. This was accomplished using the combined finite-discrete element method (FDEM) in which the third body is analyzed as discrete elements while the first bodies are modeled using finite elements. This approach provides a link between large scale models which treat the mass of wear debris as a single or small number of bodies and small scale models which only study a control volume. The FDEM was used to analyze the behavior of third body particles between flat sliding surfaces. When the third body mass is composed of unconnected particles, it behaves as a Newtonian fluid, but this behavior ceases when the particles are connected into platelets. The FDEM was also used to study the behavior of third body particles inside a Hertzian line contact. As the number of particles and platelet size increase the load carried by the worn slip zone grows larger in relationship to the unworn stick zone.     

Intense Upconversion Luminescence of Yb<Superscript>3+</Superscript>-Er<Superscript>3+</Superscript> in Li<Subscript>2</Subscript>O Content Tungsten-tellurite Glasses

The Er³⁺ -Yb³⁺ codoped in Li₂O content tungsten -tellurite (TWL) transparent glasses are synthesized and measured the absorption, Raman and upconversion luminescence (UPL) spectra. At room temperature intense green emission peak at 560 nm ( ⁴S_3/2→⁴I_15/2) and red emission peak at 670 nm ( ⁴F_9/2→⁴I_15/2) of Er³⁺ observed even at minimum 86 mW pumping power of infrared 980 nm excitation. For structure of the TWL glass, Raman spectrum result revealed that an important role of WO₃ in the formation of glass network linkage with Li₂O. Under this influence estimated lifetime of the ⁴I_11/2 of Er³⁺ was 1.89 μs and due to lower phonon energy of the glass produce strong upconversion signal. The effect of Er₂O₃ concentration on emission intensity result indicated that green emission intensity initially increase in compare to red emission. Under the 980 nm pump power variation measured the relatively increases the red emission to the green emission intensity and analyze the possible upconversion mechanism and process.     

Bandwidth packing problem with queueing delays: modelling and exact solution approach

In this paper we develop a general but smooth global optimization strategy for nonlinear multilevel programming problems with polyhedral constraints. At each decision level successive convex relaxations are applied over the non-convex terms in combination with a multi-parametric programming approach. The proposed algorithm reaches the approximate global optimum in a finite number of steps through the successive subdivision of the optimization variables that contribute to the non-convexity of the problem and partitioning of the parameter space. The method is implemented and tested for a variety of bilevel, trilevel and fifth level problems which have non-convexity formulation at their inner levels.     

Fly ash supported NiO as an efficient catalyst for the synthesis of xanthene and its molecular docking study against plasmodium glutathione reductase

A novel fly ash supported NiO (FA–NiO) nanocomposite solid heterogeneous catalyst has been prepared by impregnation of Ni(NO₃)₂ · 6H₂O on thermally activated fly ash (FA) support. FT-IR spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction analysis, scanning electron microscopy, TEM and BET techniques were employed to characterize the catalyst. The catalytic adeptness of FA–NiO was tested and optimized in xanthene formation. Catalyst gave very high yield and good purity. Stability of the catalyst could be promising as it easily recovered and reused giving a similar yield up to four cycles. FA–NiO is an efficient catalyst providing an environmentally clean process for xanthene formation and for developing a revolutionary way to use the majority of waste fly ash. Further, we have also performed docking simulation between 1ONF and a xanthene molecule to evaluate binding orientation and affinity of the ligand.     

Ensuring robustness in the quality of antibiotic susceptibility test discs for four novel antibiotics

Antibiotic susceptibility test (AST) discs are used as an in-vitro diagnostic tool to select the appropriate antibiotic to treat an infection. Generally, the concentration of the drug loaded on to the AST discs is measured by studying its activity against quality control organisms. This methodology has several limitations—it is time consuming, requires trained manpower, has a wider acceptance criteria of zone of inhibitions—causing ambiguity in judging smaller variations in drug concentration. To overcome these issues, we have developed and validated high-performance liquid chromatographic (HPLC) methods for the determination of strength of AST discs for in-house researched antibiotics, namely Levonadifloxacin/WCK 771, Nafithromycin/WCK 4873, Cefepime-Tazobactam/WCK 4282, and Cefepime-Zidebactam/WCK 5222. The drugs were extracted from the AST discs using an appropriate solvent. The developed methods are simple, accurate, precise, reproducible, rugged, and robust. They are efficient in terms of time, and can be easily conducted in a quality control laboratory during release as well as stability evaluation of AST disc. Application of HPLC methods for the determination of strength of AST discs ensures flawless quality and, consequently, a better selection of drugs to treat bacterial infections in clinics.     

Solid phase extraction studies on cellulose based chelating resin for separation,pre-concentration and estimation of Cu2+and Ni2+

Chelating resins based on biopolymers, specifically cellulose, offers a green analytical method for determination of metal ions at trace levels present in various samples. It offers a fast, accurate and simple method for separation and pre-concentration of metal ions at low concentrations, prior to their determination by instrumental method. Cellulose based chelating resin (CELL-GLY) has been synthesised by immobilising glycine on it. CELL-GLY was used for the determination of trace amounts of Cu²⁺ and Ni²⁺ from aqueous solutions before their determination by FAAS. The preparation of CELL-GLY involves simple steps, based on natural and easily available biopolymer cellulose, which makes its use as chelating resin is a green method. The Cu²⁺ and Ni²⁺ can be quantitatively recovered from the CELL-GLY in the pH range 4.8–6.9 and 6.9-7.8 respectively with a recovery of more than 95% for each of these metal ions. Recovery of these metal ions using CELL-GLY was quantitative up to 35 °C. The detection limits for copper and nickel by FAAS were 1.20 ppb and 1.40 ppb, respectively. The method was successfully employed for the determination of trace amounts of Cu²⁺ and Ni²⁺ in various samples.