Structure of azadirachtin-I, 11 β-H epimer

The 11 -H epimer of Azadirachtin-I, isolated from the seed kernels of Azadirachta indica A. Juss (Neem), was characterized by both NMR and X-ray crystallographic techniques. NMR data reveals that the H11 proton is in -orientation and the X-ray studies confirm this observation. The compound crystallized in space group P2₁ with the cell parameters a = 11.933(2) Å, b = 7.752(5) Å, c = 17.241(9) Å, = 106.80(3). Though the structural features are similar to the 11 -H epimer of Azadirachtin-H, the orientation of the acetoxy group at C3 is different. The dihedral angle C9–C8–C14–O13, which describes the relative orientation of the modified decalin and modified furan moities of the molecule, is 23.3(8).     

X-ray excited optical luminescence studies on the system BaXY (X,Y=F, Cl, Br, I)

The present paper reports the experimental observations on the x-ray excited optical luminescence (XEOL) along with the afterglow and colour center features found for the barium salts, represented by the formula,BaXY, whereX andY are the halides. The system thus consists of four dihalides (BaF₂,. . . ,BaI₂) and six mixed halides (BaFCl,. . . ,BaBrI). To start with, it was found that on two of the binary halides of barium, BaClI and BaBrI, no literature exists, and so these were prepared for the first time and their crystal structures were determined. An x-ray generator of 3-kW rating was next coupled to a spectrometer via a high throughput fiberoptic sensor for recording the luminescence spectra under x-irradiation. Also presented in this paper are the observations on the BaXY compounds in which about 0.1 mole% of Eu²⁺ was doped, in order to study the efficiency between the prompt luminescence and the photostimulated luminescence in these compounds. The crystal structure varies from fluorite (BaF₂), to matlockite (BaFX) and finally to orthorhombic (BaCl₂,. . .,BaBrI) for these compounds. Hence searching for systematics and empirical relations in the observed XEOL behaviour of these compounds is still a challenging problem.     

Sol-gel luminescence biosensors: Encapsulation of recombinant E. coli reporters in thick silicate films

A class of sensing elements based on the encapsulation of genetically engineered bioluminescent Escherichia coli (E. coli) reporter strains in sol-gel derived silicates is described. We demonstrate the concept by the immobilization of these bacterial cells in thick silicate films. Heat shock, oxidative stress, fatty acids, peroxides, and genotoxicity reporting bacteria were incorporated in the sol-gel silicates and their luminescence response was compared to that of the non-immobilized culture. All the immobilized bacteria maintained viability and luminescence activity for several months. The bacteria-silicate hybrids can be used either as disposable sensors or in multiple use sensing test-kits, and they can be also integrated in early warning devices operated in continuous flow conditions.     

Characterizing elemental, equivalent black, and refractory black carbon aerosol particles: a review of techniques, their limitations and uncertainties

Elemental-, equivalent black- and refractory black-carbon are terms that have been defined in order to dissect the more general term, black carbon, into its component parts related to its specific chemical and optical properties and its impact on climate and health. Recent publications have attempted to clarify the meaning of these terms with respect to their environmental impact, particularly on climate. Here, we focus on the measurement aspects, reviewing the most commonly implemented techniques for the direct and indirect derivation of black carbon properties, their strengths, limitations, and uncertainties, and provide a non-exhaustive bibliography where the reader can find more detailed information. This review paper is designed as a guide for those wishing to learn about the current state of black carbon measurement instrumentation, how calibration is carried out, when one instrument may have the advantage over another, and where new techniques are needed to fill important knowledge gaps.     

Synthesis of Spirodiones and Their Structure Determination by X-Ray Crystallography

A rational synthesis of Spiro bicyclo (5,4) dec-2-ene-3-methyl-1,6-dione (1) and Spiro bicyclo (5,5) undec-2-ene-3-methyl-1,7-dione (2) from 2-acetyl cycloalkanone is described. Compounds (1) and (2) have very high potentials as important precursors to many naturally occurring bridged tricyclic compounds. A single crystal X-ray crystallographic study of compound (2) was carried out to establish the structure as chemical and spectral methods proved rather inadequate.     

Macroporous copolymer matrix. IV. Expanded bed adsorption application

Macroporous crosslinked hydroxyethyl methacrylate-ethylene dimethacrylate copolymeric beads (HEG beads) were synthesized by suspension polymerization in the presence of a pore generating agent. These beads were coupled to alpha-cyclodextrin through a urethane spacer. These modified copolymer beads (affinity-HEG beads) so prepared were evaluated for their suitability in expanded bed chromatography. The optimum thickness of the distributor plate for stable expanded bed for use in expanded bed adsorption (EBA) was established. The affinity-HEG beads are comparable in density to Streamline diethyl amino ethane (DEAE) and exhibit better mechanical stability at higher superficial velocity under fluidization. The affinity-BEG beads were used as affinity chromatography matrices for the purification of cyclodextrin glycosyltransferase. Feeding of 5-fold diluted fermented broth to the column containing affinity-HEG beads of settled bed height 7.5 cm (I.D. 26 mm and length 42 cm) at double bed expansion resulted in a sharp breakthrough curve of alpha-cyclodextrin glycosyltransferase (CGTase). The adsorbed enzyme was eluted from the bed in 50 mM Tris-HCl buffer containing 10 mM CaCl2 at 25 degrees C in packed bed configuration.     

Interaction of glycine with cationic, anionic, and nonionic surfactants at different temperatures: a volumetric, viscometric, refractive index, conductometric, and fluorescence probe study

A number of thermodynamic parameters viz. apparent molar volumes, ϕ _v , partial molar volumes, , transfer volumes, , Falkenhagen coefficients, A, Jones–Dole coefficients, B, free energies per mole of solute, , and per mole of solvent, , molar refraction, R _D , and limiting molar conductivity, , have been calculated by using the experimentally measured densities, ρ, viscosities, η, refractive indices, n _D , and specific conductivities, κ, data of glycine (0.02–0.10 m) in 0.01 m aqueous sodium dodecyl sulphate, cetyltrimethylammonium bromide, and triton X-100 (TX-100) solutions at 298.15, 303.15, 308.15, and 313.15 K. The above calculated parameters were found to be sensitive towards the interactions prevailing in the studied amino acid–surfactant–water systems. Moreover, fluorescence study using pyrene as a photophysical probe has also been carried out, the results of which support the conclusions obtained from other techniques.