Self-Assembly of an [M8L24]16+ Intertwined Cube and a Giant [M12L16]24+ Orthobicupola

Through coordination-driven self-assembly, aesthetically captivating structures can be formed by tuning the length or flexibility of various components. The self-assembly of an elongated rigid terphenyl-based tetra-pyridyl ligand ( L1 ) with a cis-Pd(II) acceptor produces an [M₁₂ L1 ₆]²⁴⁺ triangular orthobicupola structure ( 1 ). When flexibility is introduced into the ligand by the incorporation of a -CH₂- group between the dipyridylamine and terphenyl rings in the ligand ( L2 ), anunique [M₈ L2 ₄]¹⁶⁺ water-soluble ‘intertwined cubic structure’ ( 2 ) results. The inherent flexibility of ligand L2 might be the key factor behind the formation of the thermodynamically stable and ′intertwined cubic structure′ in this scenario. This research showcases the ability to design and fabricate novel, topologically distinctive molecular structures by a straightforward and efficient approach.     

Green Light Emitting Cadmium Sulfide Nanoparticles with Coral Surface Morphology

Journal of Cluster Science - Cadmium sulfide (CdS) is an important semiconductor material that has been utilized constructively for various modern applications. There were lot of works regarding...     

A combined experimental and theoretical study on p‐sulfonatocalix[4]arene encapsulated 7‐methoxycoumarin

Host‐guest interactions are essential in chemistry, biology, medicine and environmental science. In this combined experimental and theoretical contribution, the encapsulation of 7‐methoxycoumarin (herniarin, 7MC) with p‐sulfonatocalix[4]arene (p‐SC4) is studied using absorption and fluorescence spectroscopy, cyclic voltammetry and computational approaches. The 1:1 stoichiometry is confirmed using Job's plot. Our results show that the keto group of 7MC is the main source for electrochemical conversion of this complex. The excited state 7MC radiative decay is studied using time‐correlated single photon counting technique. The computed UV‐Vis absorption spectra for this complex at gas phase and solvent are online with the experimental spectra. Moreover, we determined the binding energy and the binding constant of the 7MC‐p‐SC4 complex. Density functional theory computations revealed that stabilization of the complex formed by p‐SC4 and 7MC is due to weak noncovalent and dispersive types of interactions. A comparison with encapsulation of amino acids by p‐SC4 is also conducted. Finally, we show that the flexibility of p‐SC4 and the weak nature of its interaction with 7MC are on the origin of the reversibility of encapsulation, which is mandatory for applications such as drug delivery.     

Precision measurement of the 7Be(p,gamma)8B cross section with an implanted 7Be target

The 7Be(p,gamma)8B reaction plays a central role in the evaluation of solar neutrino fluxes. We report on a new precision measurement of the cross section of this reaction, following our previous experiment with an implanted 7Be target, a raster-scanned beam, and the elimination of the backscattering loss. The new measurement incorporates a more abundant 7Be target and a number of improvements in design and procedure. The point at E(lab)=991 keV was measured several times under varying experimental conditions, yielding a value of S17(E(c.m.)=850 keV)=24.0+/-0.5 eV b. Measurements were carried out at lower energies as well. Because of the precise knowledge of the implanted 7Be density profile, it was possible to reconstitute both the off- and on-resonance parts of the cross section and to obtain from the entire set of measurements an extrapolated value of S17(0)=21.2+/-0.7 eV b.     

Suppression of beating noise of narrow-linewidth erbium-doped fiber ring lasers by use of a semiconductor optical amplifier

Beating noise in narrow-linewidth erbium-doped fiber ring lasers puts severe limitations on applications of the lasers. We demonstrate the suppression of beating noise in fiber ring lasers by using a semiconductor optical amplifier in the laser cavity, which acts as a high-pass filter. Two different ring structures are presented as examples to demonstrate this beating noise suppression.     

Activation of the NC-H bond of Baylis-Hillman adducts of N-methylisatin with CAN/ROH

A facile method for activation of the NC-H bond of N-methylisatin and Baylis-Hillman adducts of N-methylisatin with cerium ammonium nitrate (CAN) and saturated and unsaturated alcohols is reported. Adducts bearing an ester group at the activated alkene afford functionalized ethers, while those with a nitrile afforded ethers and nitrated aromatic products in good yield.     

Characterization of Collagen from Three Genetic Lines (Gray,Red and F1) of Oreochromis niloticus (Tilapia) Skin in Young and Old Adults

From tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus) farming, the by-products have been identified as a source of collagen that could be used for the development of dermocosmetics or pharmaceutical products. However, the characteristics of collagen related to a specific strain or culture must be well defined prior to its application. Collagen was extracted from the skin of three strains of tilapia: red YY males (YY: two Y-type sex chromosomes), XX gray females, and the F1: offspring of crossing red YY males with XX gray females; at different ages in the adult phase, using acetic acid and pepsin enzyme. The characteristics of acid-soluble collagen (ASC) and pepsin-soluble collagen (PSC) were shown by SDS-PAGE band profiles to be similar to bovine collagen type I (SIGMA), the PSC of gray tilapia being more fragile to temperature changes, consistent with the results of fractional viscosity. The characteristics of the F1 progeny were prioritized for being a commercially productive and sustainable source for the extraction of collagen, and the ASC form, being the one with the greatest stability and advantage over PSC, of importance to our investigations, leads to a controlled digestion as in the case of peptide induction, and also in the development of natural products in the pharmaceutical and/or dermocosmetic industry. Evaluations of the triple helix structure by FT-IR, X-ray diffraction and UV–visible spectroscopy give similar results between the strains: red, gray, and F1, and between ages in the adult form F1 (15, 24, and 36 months of age). Consequently, the skin of tilapia in adult form is recommended sustainably for up to 24 months of age where the collagen is obtained with the use of acetic acid without enzymatic treatment.     

Assessment of flusilazole residues on apples: Detection,quantification and health risk implications

Apple, a major fruit of temperate Himalayas, is sprayed with chemical pesticides around 12 times during the cropping season. Various systemic and contact fungicides are applied for the management of major diseases. In order to manage disease, flusilazole 40 EC is frequently used. However, excessive chemical application has been found to be detrimental for consumer safety. Keeping in view consumer safety, risk assessment, the half-life and waiting period for flusilazole 40 EC were evaluated on the Red Velox variety of apple. The QuEChERS (quick, easy, cheap, effective, rugged and safe) method and high-performance liquid chromatography were adapted for sample processing and analysis, respectively. The recovery percentages of flusilazole at three fortification levels (0.04, 0.09 and 0.50 mg kg⁻¹) were 98.85, 99.83 and 98.98%, respectively. Flusilazole at the recommended dose (80 g a.i. ha⁻¹) left an initial deposit of 0.733 mg kg⁻¹, which dissipated by 93.45% in 60 days and was non-detectable beyond this period. Meanwhile flusilazole at double the recommended dose (160 g a.i. ha⁻¹) left an initial deposit of 0.913 mg kg⁻¹, which dissipated by 93.43% in 70 days and was non-detectable beyond this period. Based on the maximum residue limit of 0.3 mg kg⁻¹ as prescribed by the Codex Alimentarius Commission, a waiting period of 28.74 and 46.03 days was recorded for single and double doses, respectively. Moreover, in order to assess the consumer risk, theoretical maximum residue contributions (TMRCs) were derived using flusilazole residues (average and maximum) recorded at various time intervals and compared with the maximum permissible intake, which was found to be 0.42 mg per person per day. Based on the average per capita daily consumption of 6.76 g apple in India, the TMRC values were computed. Although the values of TMRC decreased below maximum permissible intake at the first day after application, indicating minimal consumer health risks, fruits sprayed with a double dose of flusilazole carried the risk even up to the tenth day after flusilazole application. The results of the present study will be valuable for safe and timely use of flusilazole on apple.