Ultraviolet-A induced changes in photosystem II of thylakoids: effects of senescence and high growth temperature

Ultraviolet-A (UV-A) radiation induced changes in photosystem II (PS II) of senescing leaves of wheat seedlings were investigated. UV-A radiation did not show any significant effect on the level of photosynthetic pigments. However, the decline in F(v)/F(m) and oxygen evolution rate indicated the damaging effect of the radiation on primary photochemistry of PS II. Modification at the Q(B)-binding site was inferred from the observed downshift of peak temperature of thermoluminescence (TL) B-bands. The UV-A induced changes in PS II of chloroplasts from senescing leaves were found to be synergistically accelerated by high growth temperature.     

Ligand substitution reactions of W6S8L6 with tricyclohexylphosphine (L = 4-tert-butylpyridine or n-butylamine): 31P NMR and structural studies of W6S8(PCy3)n(4-tert-butylpyridine)6-n (0 < n < or = 6) complexes

The substitution reactions by bulky tricyclohexylphosphine (PCy3) ligands on W6S8L6 (L = 4-tert-butylpyridine or n-butylamine) clusters were investigated to prepare clusters with mixed axial ligands for low-dimensional cluster linking. When 4-6 equiv of PCy3 are used to react with W6S8(4-tert-butylpyridine)6 (4) in THF, cis-W6S8(PCy3)4(4-tert-butylpyridine)2 (1) is preferentially formed. But when starting with W6S8(n-butylamine)6 (2), only W6S8(PCy3)6 (3) is produced with 6 equiv of PCy3. Other conditions with fewer equivalents of PCy3 led to mixtures of partially substituted complexes in the W6S8L6-n(PCy3)n (0 < or = n < or = 6, L = 4-tert-butylpyridine or n-butylamine) series. A significantly distorted structure for 1 helps to explain its preferential formation. 1H NMR spectra were collected for clusters 1 and 2 and 31P NMR spectra for 1 and W6S8(4-tert-butylpyridine)6-n(PCy3)n complexes. P-P coupling through P-W-W-P is reported for the first time in octahedral metal clusters and shown to be very useful in identifying nearly all the W6S8L6-n(PR3)n complexes and their stereoisomers in the mixtures even before individual species are isolated.     

Inclusion of Ring A of Cholesterol Inside the β-Cyclodextrin Cavity: Evidence from Oxidation Reactions and Structural Studies

The disposition of cholesterol inside the -cyclodextrin cavity(-CD) was deduced from oxidation of cholesterol secondary alcoholgroups by Ca(OCl)₂ and H₂O₂ in thepyridine–acetic acid system. The amount of cholest-4-ene-3-one formedwas found to be proportional to the concentration of -cyclodextrin,resulting in 56.1% of ketone. The oxidation rate was enhanced by-cyclodextrin and its methyl, polymer and 1 : 1copper(II)–-cyclodextrin derivatives. Detailed investigationsinvolving UV-visible, ¹³C- and ¹H-NMR(T₁, 1D NOE and ROESY) spectroscopic studies were carried out.A binding constant value of 15,385 ± 1500 M^-2 wasobtained for the 2 : 1heptakis-2,6-di-O-methyl--cyclodextrin(DM-CD) : cholesterolcomplex in chloroform from UV studies. Proton and solid state¹³C-CP MAS spectra of the -CD–cholesterol mixtureshowed large magnitude shifts for the protons from the wider end of the-CD cavity as well as those of ring A and ring B of cholesterol. Both1D NOE and ROESY measurements indicated the proximity between ring A andring B protons of cholesterol and the wider end protons of -CD andDM-CD. Besides, analysis of _c,_i and tau;_m from T₁measurements showed not only a lowering of rotational motions but a value of 0.016–0.048 for some of the cholesterol protons, typical of aweak complex. Based on these studies, a probable structure for the 2 : 1complex involving two molecules of -CD/DM-CD was proposed withportions of ring A and ring B being present inside the wider end of the-CD/DM-CD cavity and ring D and the side chain attached atposition 17, projecting into the wider end of the secondCD/DM-CD molecule.     

An X-band time domain electron paramagnetic resonance spectrometer

A computer-controlled X-band time domain electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) spectrometer, with a time resolution of the order of 0.5μsec, has been constructed with many of the crucial microwave components designed and fabricated by the Microwave Engineering Group of TIFR. The spectrometer operates either in a microwave power pulsed mode for determination of spin-lattice relaxation times by the saturation recovery technique or in the kinetic mode for determination of the time dependence of EPR signal after laser excitation. It has an automatic frequency control, an automatic phase control and, most importantly, a field-frequency lock which ensures good stability of the EPR line positions enabling signal averaging for extended periods. The constructional details of the spectrometer and its performance in both the modes are described here by reporting results on certain typical systems.     

Ionics—a key technology for our energy and environmental needs on the rise

Ionics is a key technology for storing, converting and using energy efficiently as well as protecting the environment. Major progress has been achieved in recent years in the understanding and development of individual materials components needed for ionic devices. It should be emphasized that only combinations of materials are eventually important and at least four interfaces exist with electronic and ionic junctions. The electrical fields exist over distances in the atomic range. Examples are given of recent successful developments of practically useful solids for lithium and oxide ion conduction in combination with appropriate electrodes. In addition, recent approaches to the design of ionic devices are described, notably the SEA concept for generating voltages in fuel cells and the coloration of single phase electrochromic materials. In order to overcome the tremendous problems in developing wide spread commercial applications, it is necessary to intensify our efforts in fundamental materials research drastically.