Photophysical characterization of 1,8 naphthalimide in micelle-diblock copolymer nano-composite: a case of morphological transformation and vesicle formation

This paper reports a morphological transition of the spherical colloidal structures of the sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyethylene-b-polyethylene glycol (SDS-PE-b-PEG) complex and anionic micelle (SDS) to "rod-shaped" colloidal structures induced by a charge transfer dye, 1,8-naphthalimide (NAPMD) (forms anions in aqueous solution by intermolecular charge transfer). The distinct steady-state results of NAPMD in the above two media point toward the formation of a new microenvironment. SDS and SDS-PE-b-PEG form unilamellar (ULV) and multilamellar vesicles (MLV), respectively, along with the rod-shaped colloidal structures as observed from transmission electron microscopy (TEM) images. This dye causes a variation in the hydrophilic/hydrophobic ratio and forms a hydrogen bond with the copolymer in the SDS-PE-b-PEG complex and subjected to electrostatic interaction with the SDS micelle in aqueous solution, which causes this morphological transformation. These vesicles show complete encapsulation of a hydrophobic dye in its interior as evident from the TEM images. ULV get ruptured at low pH, pointing toward their lower stability over MLV at low pH value. The formation of these vesicles with complete idea of its mechanism, encapsulation of bioactive molecules and its rupture at lower pH raise hope as a potential nanoscale vehicle for biologically relevant compounds and their release at low pH medium.     

Synthesis and characterization of red-oil from tri <Emphasis Type="Italic">iso</Emphasis>-amyl phosphate/<Emphasis Type="Italic">n</Emphasis>-dodecane/nitric acid mixtures at elevated temperature

Red-oil is a mixture of nonspecific composition consisting of extractant, degradation products, nitrated solvent and unidentified red-coloured nitro-organics. Red-oil formation is coupled with decomposition of extractant and diluent into gases of explosive nature. If ignited or incinerated, these gases may cause rapid pressurization and endanger the integrity of containment. Such an event occurred at Tomsk-7 facility in 1993. To ensure safe operation, red-oil formation has to be avoided in the fuel cycle facilities by a careful combination of several independent measures like strict control over temperature, limiting organic entrainment in the aqueous streams (which are to be concentrated by evaporation) and control over acidity of aqueous phases. Since tri-iso amyl phosphate (TiAP) has much lower aqueous solubility as compared to TBP, it is visualized as alternate solvent for PUREX process. In this work, TiAP red-oil was synthesized and characterized.     

Fluorination suppresses thermal quenching in perovskite QLEDs

正Perovskite nanocrystals and quantum dots(QDs) have attracted great attention due to their potential in optical and optoelectronic applications, especially in ultra-high definition displays because of their high purity of photo/electroluminescence(PL/EL) [1,2]. Although the external quantum efficiency(EQE) of light-emitting diodes(LEDs) based on perovskite quantum dots(PeQDs) has been over 20% [3,4],another key problem, the PL/EL stability, still remains open.The thermal PL/EL quenching phenomenon, which is ubiquitously observed, has not aroused enough attention in this     

Conventionality of Simultaneity and the Tippe Top Paradox in Relativity

In this paper we critically examine a recently posed paradox (tippe top paradox in relativity) and its suggested resolution. A tippe top when spun on a table, tips over after a few rotations and eventually stands spinning on its stem. The ability of the top to demonstrate this charming feat depends on its geometry (all tops are not tippe tops). To a rocket-bound observer the top geometry should change because of the Lorentz contraction. This gives rise to the possibility that for a sufficiently fast observer the geometry of the top may get altered to such an extent that the top may not tip over! This is certainly paradoxical since a mere change of the observer cannot alter the fact that the top tips over on the table. In an effort to resolve the issue the authors of the paradox compare the equations of motion of the particles of the top from the perspective of the inertial frames of the rocket and the table and observe among other things that (1) the relativity of simultaneity plays an essential role in resolving the paradox and (2) the puzzle in some way is connected with one of the corrolaries of special relativity that the notion of rigidity is inconsistent with the theory. We show here that the question of the incompatibility of the notion of rigidity with special relativity has nothing to do with the current paradox and the role of the lack of synchronization of clocks in the context of the paradox is grossly over-emphasized. The conventionality of simultaneity of special relativity and the notion of the standard (Einstein) synchrony in the Galilean world have been used to throw light on some subtle issues concerning the paradox.     

Study on selective quantitative determination of barium by sulphonazo III in complex matrices

Selective quantitative determination of barium by commercially available Sulphonazo III was studied in complex matrices. The application of two more promising methods was tried, but interferences derived from cations and anions present in natural waters and waste waters made them unuseful.     

Development and Validation of a Fast Reversed-Phase Ion-Pairing Liquid Chromatographic Method for Simultaneous Determination of Eight Cephalosporin Antibiotics in Pharmaceutical Formulations

A fast and reliable single method was developed for rapid screening of cephalosporin oral dosage forms aimed to the detection of counterfeit and substandard drugs that might be illegally commercialised. Nine cephalosporin compounds, ceftibuten, cefatrizine, cefadroxil, cefaclor, cefprozil (Z) and (E)-isomers, cefixime, cephalexin and cefradine were separated in a six minutes chromatographic run by using a Symmetry^® C18 column (50 × 4.6 mm I.D., 3.5 μm particle size) and an UV detector set at 254 nm. The mobile phase consisted of a mixture of acetonitrile-methanol-phosphate buffer (50 mM) containing 1-pentanesulfonic acid sodium salt (7 mM) adjusted to pH=2.1 with phosphoric acid (9:13:78 v/v/v). Validation of the method showed it to be robust, precise, accurate and linear over the concentration range of analysis.     

The electronic structure of N4O62+ and the bonding interaction of NO+ and NO3−

The results are reported of an MO-SCF-CNDO/2 study of the experimental and optimal geometries of the N₄O₆²⁺ion cluster. The calculations are shown to support the stable existence of the N₄O₆²⁺ complex and the suggestion of its discoverers [1] on the role of NO⁺ in the N₂O₄ solutions. The proposed interpretation of the bonding interaction explains why the shortest N β O distances are found with the NO⁺ ions which have their nitrogen atoms displaced out of the NO₃^? plane.     

Quantum dynamics of inelastic scattering with a moving grid

The time‐dependent discrete variable representation (TDDVR) of a wave function with grid points defined by the Hermite part of the Gauss–Hermite (G‐H) basis set introduces quantum corrections to classical mechanics. The grid points in this method follow classical trajectory and the approach converges to the exact quantum formulation with sufficient trajectories (TDDVR points) but just with a single grid point; only classical mechanics performs the dynamics. This newly formulated approach (developed for handling time‐dependent molecular quantum dynamics) has been explored to calculate vibrational transitions in the inelastic scattering processes. Traditional quantum mechanical results exhibit an excellent agreement with TDDVR profiles during the entire propagation when enough grid points are included in the quantum‐classical dynamics. © 2005 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Int J Quantum Chem, 2005