Dynamic studies of angle-ply laminates including flexure–torsion coupling using laser holography

Laser holographic interferometry has been applied to experimentally investigate the effect of flexure–torsion coupling stiffnesses on the vibrational characteristics. Test specimens are two special types of angle-ply laminates, which enables us to examine the influence by a flexure–torsion coupling term alone. The theoretical analysis by a finite element method is also conducted to support the experimental results. It is found that the effect of coupling stiffnesses on the natural frequencies is comparatively small. On the other hand, the mode shapes are strongly affected by the coupling terms depending on both the fiber orientation and the aspect ratio of a cantilevered laminate.     

Cosmological models with constant deceleration parameter in Brans-Dicke theory

A detailed study of cosmological models with constant deceleration parameterq is undertaken in the framework of Brans-Dicke theory. These models are divided into two categories: (i) singular models with expansion driven by big-bang impulse, (ii) non-singlar models with expansion driven by creation of matter particles. Prigogine's hypothesis of creation of matter out of gravitational energy is analysed and extended to BD cosmology. To accommodate the creation of new particles, the universe is regarded as an open thermodynamical system and the energy conservation equation is modified with the incorporation of a creation pressure termp _c in the energy-momentum tensor . The exact solutions of the field equations of BD theory with are obtained using the power law relation=KR , which leads to models with constantq. The behaviour of the solutions is investigated for different range of values ofa. The role played by the BD scalar field and creation of matter particles in the expansion of the universe is investigated. It is found that one particular model with constantq has exponential expansion.     

Synthesis growth and characterization of L-Valinium Picrate a new nonlinear optical crystal

New nonlinear optical (NLO) single crystal of l-Valinium Picrate (LVP) was grown by slow evaporation solution growth technique at room temperature. The cell parameters of the grown crystal were estimated by single crystal X-ray diffraction analysis. The presence of functional groups was identified from Fourier transform infrared spectrum. The transmission and absorption spectra of this crystal show that the lower cut-off wavelength lies at 380nm. Thermal analysis was performed to study the thermal stability of the grown crystal. The powder second harmonic generation efficiency of the grown crystal measured by Kurtz technique is 2 times efficient of Potassium dihydrogen orthophosphate (KDP).     

Simultaneous measurement of protein one-bond residual dipolar couplings without increased resonance overlap

A NMR strategy designed to measure simultaneously and without increased resonance overlap scalar and dipolar couplings (RDCs) in (13)C-, (15)N-labeled proteins is presented. Contrary to common schemes for simultaneous measurement of RDCs, a single reference experiment is used for the extraction of more than one type of coupling, thereby reducing the required measurement time. This is accomplished by a common reference spectrum followed by a series of interleaved experiments, in which a particular coupling dependent parameter is varied according to the quantitative J-correlation method or using accordion spectroscopy. To illustrate this idea, we have modified the 3D TROSY-HNCO and the 3D CBCA(CO)NH experiment allowing efficient measurement of one-bond (1)D(NH), (1)D(C'N), (1)D(CalphaHalpha), (1)D(CbetaHbeta), and (1)D(CalphaC') couplings in small to medium sized proteins. In addition, the experiments are expected to be useful for largely unfolded proteins, which show strong resonance overlap but have very favorable relaxation properties. Measurement of RDCs is demonstrated on uniformly (15)N-(13)C-labeled ubiquitin and on the sensory domain of the membraneous two-component fumarate sensor DcuS of Escherichia coli (17 kDa). DcuS was found to be unstable and to precipitate in one to two weeks. RDCs obtained from these experiments are in good agreement with the 1.8A X-ray structure of ubiquitin.     

Single Step Fabrication of Chitosan Nanocrystals Using <Emphasis Type="Italic">Penaeus semisulcatus</Emphasis>: Potential as New Insecticides,Antimicrobials and Plant Growth Promoters

In this study, chitosan nanoparticles (CH-NPs) were synthesized using Penaeus semisulcatus shrimp shells and characterized using UV–Vis and FT-IR spectroscopy, as well as XRD and HR-TEM analyses. CH-NPs were investigated for growth inhibition properties against selected species of bacterial and fungal pathogens, showing performances higher or comparable over positive controls, respectively. Furthermore, CH-NPs were tested on three important mosquito vectors, achieving LC₅₀ from 12.27 to 14.62 µg/ml. In addition, CH-NPs were evaluated using in vitro plant tissue culture by rooting gel method, to enhance the vegetative growth of the medicinal plant species Sphaeranthus indicus. With the simple technique presented here, large-scale industrial production of CH-NPs is possible. They can be used to develop pesticides highly effective against mosquito vectors of high medical and veterinary importance, as well as for plant tissue culture and food packaging applications.     

Advances in chemoselective and/or stereoselective semihydrogenation of alkynes

The chemoselective semihydrogenation of alkynes is one of the most important reactions in synthetic organic chemistry. During the last decade or so, a multitude of innovative catalytic methods have been developed to address the selective hydrogenation of alkynes. This digest focuses on the recent developments in chemoselective semihydrogenation of alkynes to alkenes.     

Synthesis, growth of organic nonlinear optical crystal: Semicarbazone of 2-amino-5-chloro-benzophenone (S2A5CB) and its characterisation

A new organic crystal of semicarbazone of 2–amino–5–chloro–benzophenone has been grown as a single crystal by slow evaporation solution growth technique for the first time in the literature. The grown crystal has been characterised by proton nuclear magnetic resonance spectral analysis and single crystal and powder X-ray diffraction studies. Functional groups of the crystallised molecules were confirmed by FT-IR and FT-Raman analyses. Mechanical strength of the crystals was studied by microhardness test. Optical transparency of the grown crystals has been studied by UV-Visible spectra. The second harmonic generation property of the compound was analysed.     

Growth and characterisation of benzaldehyde semicarbazone (BSC) single crystals

Single crystals of potential organic nonlinear optical materials of Benzaldehyde Semicarbazone (BSC) were grown by slow evaporation technique. The grown crystals were identified by X-ray diffraction method. The functional groups were identified from FT-IR spectrum. UV-visible and thermal gravimetric analyses were made.     

Dual Fluorescence and Photoprototropic Characteristics of 2-Aminodiphenylsulphone-β-Cyclodextrin Inclusion Complex

The absorption and fluorescence spectral characteristics of 2-aminodiphenylsulphone (2ADPS) have been investigated in the presence of β-cyclodextrin (β-CDx) in water. Dual emission is observed upon the complexation of 2ADPS in β-CDx. The stoichiometry of the host:guest inclusion complex is found to be 2:1. Steady state and time-resolved fluorescence spectral analysis support the formation of 2:1 complex between β-CDx and 2ADPS. The large enhancement in fluorescence intensity of twisted intramolecular charge transfer (TICT) band in aqueous β-CDx solution is due to the decrease in non-radiative processes. The ground and the excited state pK _a values for the monocation-neutral equilibrium of 2ADPS in β-CDx are found to be different from the pK _a values in aqueous solution. In the presence of β-CDx, 2ADPS is found to be less basic in the ground and the excited states.