Hollow Reticular Shaped Highly Ordered Rice Husk Carbon for the Simultaneous Determination of Dopamine and Uric Acid

We have prepared activated porous carbon material through simple pyrolysis method from rice husks (rhAC) for sensitive detection of dopamine (DA) and uric acid (UA). The prepared rhAC material was thoroughly characterized using various spectroscopic, microscopic, and electroanalytical techniques. Analysis of the voltammetric data showed that the analytes followed a first order reaction kinetics while following a 2e^?/2H⁺ transfer process. We have discussed the possible oxidation mechanism for the analytes based on the results from our experimental analysis. The rhAC_GCE sensor was tested for interference, reproducibility, and stability. The sensor was also tested to evaluate its applicability in real life.     

The determination of magnetic anisotropy constants from torque curves

The procedures by which magnetic anisotropy constants are evaluated from torque curves are examined with reference to some calculated torque curves for an ideal uniaxial crystal. The results are compared with some torque measurements on a crystal of cobalt.     

A continuous approximation procedure for determining inventory distribution schemas within supply chains

This paper presents an integrated inventory distribution optimization model that simultaneously incorporates the issues of location, production, inventory, and transportation within a supply chain. The objective is to determine the optimal number and size of shipments under varying but commonly practiced production and shipping scenarios. A continuous approximation procedure is proposed to determine the optimal number and size of shipments. Three production and shipping scenarios are investigated and closed form expressions for the optimal number of shipments for each scenario are obtained. A numerical example is presented to demonstrate the usefulness of the model.     

Mixed-ligand ternary complexes of potentially pentadentate but functionally tridentate Schiff base chelates

The potentially pentadentate chelate 2,6-diacetylpyridine-bis(N-methyl-S-methyldithiocarbazate) (Nmedapsme) has been synthesized and structurally characterized by X-ray diffraction. Its reactions with nickel(II) salts did not lead to pentadentate coordinated ligand complexes but ternary complexes of general formula, [Ni(Nmedapsme)(nmesme)L]X·H₂O (L = Br⁻, I⁻; X = I⁻, BF₄⁻) where Nmedapsme binds as a tridentate and nmesme = N-methyl-S-methyldithiocarbazate. The related ternary nickel(II) complexes of formula, Ni(Nmedapsme)(nmetsc)Br₂ has also been prepared and characterized. X-ray crystal structures of [Ni(Nmedapsme)(nmesme)I]I·H₂O and [Ni(Nmedapsme)(nmesme)Br]BF₄·H₂O revealed that, in these complexes, the Nmedapsme ligand acts as a tridentate NNN donor while the distal S-donors are not coordinated. The bidentate (NS) ligand, nmesme coordinates to the nickel(II) ion via the amino nitrogen and the thione sulfur atoms, the sixth coordination site is occupied by an anion. In both complexes, the nickel(II) ion adopts a distorted octahedral configuration. The complex [Cu(nmesme)₂(ONO₂)]NO₃ was obtained from an unsuccessful attempt to complex copper(II) with Nmedapsme. Hydrolysis of the parent Schiff base Nmedapsme occurred during complexation. An X-ray crystallographic structure analysis shows that the complex, [Cu(nmesme)₂(ONO₂)]NO₃ has an approximately square-pyramidal geometry with the two nmesme ligands coordinated to the copper(II) ion as NS bidentate chelating agents via the amino nitrogen and thione sulfur atoms and the fifth coordination position of copper(II) is occupied by a monodentate nitrate ligand.     

Measurement of net group and reshaping delays for optical pulses in dispersive media

We experimentally demonstrate the direct measurement of net group and reshaping delays for arbitrary optical pulses in dispersive media, verifying the earlier prediction of Peatross et al. [Phys. Rev. Lett. 84, 2370 (2000)]. Incoherent pulse propagation in an absorptionless system is well described by net group delay; even the medium causes a great deal of deformation in the transmitted pulse. However, in the case of phase modulated chirping pulses in a resonant absorber, the so-called superluminal or subluminal propagation velocity is strongly influenced by the reshaping delay.     

ZnCl2 catalyzed efficient synthesis of 1,3,4-oxadiazole and 1,3,4-thiadiazole

New methods for the synthesis of 1,3,4-oxadiazole and 1,3,4-thiadiazole have been described. No cyclizations took place in the absence of ZnCl₂. 1,3,4-Thiadiazoles are formed in the presence of ZnCl₂ alone, whereas oxadiazoles are produced when a base such as Et₃N or KOH was used along with ZnCl₂. % Yields are optimized.     

Soluble colloidal manganese dioxide: Formation, identification and prospects of application

Soluble colloidal MnO₂ was prepared by the reduction of KMnO₄ by three reducing agents as MnSO₄, Na₂S₂O₃ and HCOOH in neutral aqueous solutions at 25°C. Under suitable conditions, these solutions were dark brown in color and found to remain stable and transparent for several weeks. The obtained colloid was characterized by spectrophotometric and coagulation methods. The spectral behavior of soluble colloidal MnO₂ was studied. The λ_max was 390 nm when MnO₂ was prepared by the reduction of KMnO₄ by MnSO₄. Both the λ_max and the molar extinction coefficient depended on the method of preparation of colloidal MnO₂. The formation of MnO₂ was confirmed by the determination of the oxidation state of Mn-species in MnO₂. The behavior of as-prepared colloidal solution obeys Beer Lambert law, if the concentrations of the colloidal particles are assumed to be equal to [MNO ₄ ^? ]₀. Both spectral analysis and that using Rayleigh’s law confirmed the existence of colloidal MnO₂. The observed coagulating efficiency depends not only on the concentration of electrolyte but also on the charge carried by the cation of the electrolyte. Stability of the colloidal particles in the aqueous solutions is determined by the negative charge on the surface of the colloidal particles.     

6,7‐Dihydrodibenzo[e,g]azulen‐8(5H)‐one and 12,13‐dihydrobenzo[e]­napth­[2,1‐g]­azulen‐14(11H)‐one

In the structures of the title compounds, 6,7‐di­hydro­dibenzo[e,g]­azulen‐8(5H)‐one, C₁₈H₁₄O, (I), and 12,13‐di­hydro­benzo[e]­napth­[2,1‐g]­azulen‐14(11H)‐one, C₂₂H₁₆O, (II), the azulene group is in a boat‐envelope conformation. The structures are stabilized by weak C—H?O interactions.     

Effect of gamma radiation on the physico-chemical properties of alginate-based films and beads

Alginate solution (3%, w/v) was prepared using deionized water from its powder. Then the solution was exposed to gamma radiation (0.1?25 kGy). The alginate films were prepared by solution casting. It was found that gamma radiation has strong effect on alginate solution. At low doses, mechanical strength of the alginate films improved but after 5 kGy dose, the strength started to decrease. The mechanism of alginate radiolysis in aqueous solution is discussed. Film formation was not possible from alginate solution at doses >5 kGy. The mechanical properties such as puncture strength (PS), puncture deformation (PD), viscoelasticity (Y) coefficient of the un-irradiated films were investigated. The values of PS, PD and Y coefficient of the films were 333 N/mm, 3.20 mm and 27%, respectively. Alginate beads were prepared from 3% alginate solution (w/v) by ionotropic gelation method in 5% CaCl₂ solution. The rate of gel swelling improved in irradiated alginate-based beads at low doses (up to 0.5 kGy).     

Studies on the synthesis, characterization, binding with DNA and activities of two cis-planaramineplatinum(II) complexes of the form: cis-PtL(NH3)Cl2 where L = 3-hydroxypyridine and 2,3-diaminopyridine

Background  

Cis-planaramineplatinum(II) complexes like their trans isomers are often found to be active against cancer cell lines. The present study deals with the synthesis, characterization and determination of activity of new cis-planaramineplatinum(II) complexes.