Shell model study of high spin states in theN=50 nucleus93Tc

High spin states in theN=50 nucleus⁹³Tc were reinvestigated by using the reaction⁶⁴Zn (³⁵Cl,4p 2n) at a beam energy of 140 MeV. This was done particularly with a view to observe anyγ rays upto 2.7 MeV which may have been missed in our earlier study where the experimental conditions were set to observeγ rays upto 2 MeV. We found four newγ rays of energy: 2484, 2164, 2130 and 69 keV. We have placed theseγ rays in the level scheme and it now gets extended to 49/2^?. Though there is no substantial change in the level scheme, placing theγ rays in the level scheme has resulted into two important conclusions: (1) We have performed shell model calculations for⁹³Tc nucleus within a model space which encompasses an enlarged proton configuration and allows for the excitation of the neutron across theN=50 core. The excitation of a single neutron across theN=50 core satisfactorily explains the new level scheme. (2) The energy of the 17/2^? isomeric state is now unambiguously placed at 2185 keV.     

Production of cerium zinc molybdate nano pigment by innovative ultrasound assisted approach

Ultrasound assisted synthesis of yellow rare earth cerium zinc molybdate anticorrosion nanopigment is presented. This new class of pigment is eco-friendly alternatives to lead, cadmium and chromium pigment as these pigments contains carcinogenic species like Cr⁶⁺ which is responsible for human disease. The synthesis of nanosized cerium zinc molybdate was carried out using cerium nitrate, sodium zinc molybdate as a precursor materials by conventional and ultrasound assisted chemical precipitation method without addition of emulsification agent. XRD, FTIR and elemental analysis confirm the formation of cerium zinc molybdate nanoparticles. The conductivity results indicate that conventional synthesis takes longer time, while in sonochemical technique (US), reaction completes within short period of time. Improved solute transfer rate, rapid nucleation, and formation of large number of nuclei are attributed to presence of cavitation. Saturation of the Ce³⁺ ions reaches earlier in case of sonochemical technique which restricts the growth of particles hence smaller size is obtained. The crystallite size of cerium zinc molybdate was found to be 27 nm from XRD analysis.     

Metaphor Clusters: Characterizing Instructor Metaphorical Reasoning on Limit Concepts in College Calculus

Novice students have difficulty with the topic of limits in calculus. We believe this is in part because of the multiple perspectives and shifting metaphors available to solve items correctly. We investigated college calculus instructors' personal concepts of limits. Based upon previous research investigating introductory calculus student metaphorical reasoning, we examined 11 college instructors' metaphorical reasoning on limit concepts. This paper focused on previous research of metaphor clusters observed among students to answer the following: (a) Do college instructors use metaphorical reasoning to conceptualize the meaning of a limit? (b) Can we characterize instructor metaphorical reasoning similar to those observed among students? (c) Will an instructor's self‐identification of metaphor clusters be consistent with our metaphor coding? We found that college instructors' perspectives vary, either graphical or algebraic, in their explanations of limit items. All the instructors used metaphors, and instructor metaphorical reasoning aligned with student metaphor clusters. Instructors tended to change their metaphors with respect to the limit item. Instructors were not aware of their use of metaphors, nor were they aware of their inconsistency in their choice of metaphor. We believe that instructor awareness of their own distinct perspectives and metaphors would assist students' understanding of limit concepts.     

Synthesis and applications of copillar[5]arene dithiols

Abstract

A novel copillar[4+1]arene incorporating alkylthiol substituents was synthesised in three steps and structurally characterised as the first example of a pillar[n]arene to incorporate two terminal thiols on the same aromatic ring. The macrocycle was attached to gold electrodes through a standard dipping technique. Cyclic voltammetry demonstrated selectivity for Li⁺ over other alkali metal cations. The copillar[4+1]arene was also used as a capping agent in the preparation of 3 nm gold nanoparticles.     

A review on electrospun nanofibers for multiple biomedical applications

Electrospinning is a well-known technique since 1544 to fabricate nanofibers using different materials like polymers, metals oxides, proteins, and many more. In recent years, electrospinning has become the most popular technique for manufacturing nanofibers due to its ease of use and economic viability. Nanofibers have remarkable properties like high surface-to-volume ratio, variable pore size distribution (10–100 nm), high porosity, low density, and are suitable for surface functionalization. Therefore, electrospun nanofibers have been utilized for numerous applications in the pharmaceutical and biomedical field like tissue engineering, scaffolds, grafts, drug delivery, and so on. In this review article, we will be focusing on the versatility, current scenario, and future endeavors of electrospun nanofibers for various biomedical applications. This review discusses the properties of nanofibers, the background of the electrospinning technique, and its emergence in chronological order. It also covers the various types of electrospinning methods and their mechanism, further elaborating the factors affecting the properties of nanofibers, and applications in tissue engineering, drug delivery, nanofibers as biosensor, skin cancer treatment, and magnetic nanofibers.     

Development and validation of a high-performance liquid chromatographic method for determination of eprosartan in bulk drug and tablets

A simple, precise, and accurate isocratic RP-HPLC method was developed and validated for determination of eprosartan in bulk drug and tablets. Isocratic RP-HPLC separation was achieved on a Phenomenex C18 column (250 x 4.6 mm id, 5 microm particle size) using the mobile phase 0.5% formic acid-methanol-acetonitrile (80 + 25 + 20, v/v/v, pH 2.80) at a flow rate of 1.0 mL/min. The retention time of eprosartan was 7.64 +/- 0.05 min. The detection was performed at 232 nm. The method was validated for linearity, precision, accuracy, robustness, solution stability, and specificity. The method was linear in the concentration range of 10-400 microg/mL with a correlation coefficient of 0.9999. The repeatability for six samples was 0.253% RSD; the intraday and interday precision were 0.21-0.57 and 0.33-0.71% RSD, respectively. The accuracy (recovery) was found to be in the range of 99.86-100.92%. The drug was subjected to the stress conditions hydrolysis, oxidation, photolysis, and heat. Degradation products produced as a result of the stress conditions did not interfere with detection of eprosartan; therefore, the proposed method can be considered stability-indicating.     

1,7′-dimethyl-2′-propyl-1<Emphasis Type="Italic">H</Emphasis>,3′<Emphasis Type="Italic">H</Emphasis>-2,5′-bibenzo[<Emphasis Type="Italic">d</Emphasis>]imidazole as a corrosion inhibitor of mild steel in 1 M HCl

Inhibition effect of imidazole derivative 1,7′-dimethyl-2′-propyl-1H,3′H-2,5′-bibenzo[d]imidazole (DPBI) against mild steel corrosion in 1 M HCl solutions was evaluated using the conventional mass loss method, potentiodynamic polarization, linear polarization, and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy. The mass loss results showed that DPBI is an excellent corrosion inhibitor; electrochemical polarizations data revealed the mixed mode of inhibition; and the results of electrochemical impedance spectroscopy showed that the change in the impedance parameters, charge transfer resistance, and double layer capacitance with the change in the concentration of the inhibitor is due to the adsorption of the molecule leading to the formation of a protective layer on the surface of mild steel. The inhibition action of this compound was assumed to occur via adsorption on the steel surface through the active centers of the molecule.