Organophosphorus acid anhydrolase bio-template for the synthesis of CdS quantum dots

A direct conjugation of organophosphorus acid anhydrolase (OPAA) with CdS quantum dots was prepared via arrested precipitation within the enzyme matrix. The bio-conjugate was found not only to retain enzyme conformational structure but also to retain enzyme activity and be effective at detecting diisopropyl fluorophosphate (DFP) at the micro molar level.     

Vibrational spectra, tautomerism and thermodynamics of anticarcinogenic drug: 5-fluorouracil

The FT-IR and FT-Raman spectra of 5-Fluorouracil were recorded in the solid phase in the regions 400-4000 cm(-1) and 50-4000 cm(-1), respectively. The vibrational spectra were analysed and the observed fundamentals were assigned to different normal modes of vibration. The experimental wavenumbers were compared with the scaled vibrational values using DFT methods: the Ar matrix data were related to gas phase calculations, while the values of the solid state spectra were compared to those with dimer simulations. The study indicates that some features that are characteristic of vibrational spectra of uracil and its derivatives are retained in the spectrum of 5-fluorouracil and it exists in ketonic form in the solid phase. The tautomerism was also studied and the spectra of the two most stable forms were simulated. The calculated wavenumbers have been employed to yield thermodynamic properties.     

Synthesis of Some Novel Polyamides

Among various high-temperature organic polymers, the aromatic polyamides have shown excellent thermal stability due to the stiffness of the polymer chain and hydrogen bonding of the amide groups, but had limited solubility in most organic solvents [1-3].     

Molecular structure, vibrational spectra and nonlinear optical properties of l-Valine Hydrobromide: DFT study

FT-IR and Raman spectra of the nonlinear optical material l-Valine Hydrobromide crystal have been recorded and analyzed. The equilibrium geometry, bonding features and the harmonic vibrational wavenumbers of LVB have been calculated with the help of density functional theory (DFT) calculation. The lowering of NH stretching wavenumber indicates the formation of NH?Br hydrogen bonding. The calculated First order hyperpolarizability value shows that LVB is the potential candidate for the NLO applications. The electronic effects and the hydrogen bonding were explained using natural bond orbital analysis.     

Phase transitions in ultraoriented polyethylene fibers under moderate pressures: A synchrotron X-ray study

The effect of pressure on phase transformations of ultradrawn ultra-high-molecular-weight polyethylene (UHMWPE) fibers was examined by in situ X-ray diffraction measurements with synchrotron radiation. The mesomorphic hexagonal phase was metastable even at a relatively low pressure of about 100 bar. The effect of pressure on the melting transitions was larger than in chain-folded structures. The existence and metastability of the hexagonal phase is the basis of compaction technology of UHMWPE fibers in composite materials. © 2003 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part B: Polym Phys 42: 53–59, 2004     

Vertical soundings at Ahmedabad during partial solar eclipse on 14th December 1955

The results of vertical ionospheric soundings at Ahmedabad during the partial (magnitude 47%) solar eclipse on 14th December 1955 are discussed. The critical frequency of the E layer on control days varied according to the lawf _oE=kcos ⁿ X, k andn having the mean values 4·06 Mc./s. and 0·37 respectively. The variation off _oE during eclipse period was roughly consistent with that of Chapman Layer with a recombination coefficient of about 0·8 × 10^?8 cm.³ sec.^?1 The critical frequencies of E₁, E₂ and F₁ layers decreased during eclipse, though the variations were irregular. The percentage deviation off ₀F₂ on the eclipse day from the control day values showed a minimum at about the middle of the eclipse period. There were indications of the formation off _1·5 during the latter part of the eclipse. Semi-thickness of the F₂ layer had increased during the eclipse period. Sporadic E layer was not affected by the eclipse.     

Determination of Heraclenin and Heraclenol in Heracleum candicans D.C. by TLC

A simple TLC method has been developed for the simultaneous determination of heraclenin and heraclenol in the roots of Heracleum candicans D.C. The analytes were separated on silica gel F₂₅₄ plates with toluene:ethyl acetate (7:3) and scanned using densitometry at 366 nm. The method was validated in terms of precision, repeatability and accuracy. The linear range for heraclenin was found to be 4 - 10 μg per spot with correlation coefficient of 0.997 while for heraclenol it was 1–5 μg per spot with a correlation coefficient of 0.985. The two compounds were quantified in different samples of H. candicans and were found to be present in the range of 1.02 – 1.36% and 0.29 – 0.43% w/w. The method was found to be very simple, accurate, precise and economical and can be used for routine quality control.     

DNA detection on lateral flow test strips: enhanced signal sensitivity using LNA-conjugated gold nanoparticles

A lateral flow test strip assay, enabling sensitive detection of DNA specific to the foodborne pathogen E. coli O157:H7, is described. The use of LNA-conjugated gold nanoparticle probes, along with signal amplification protocols, results in minimum detectable concentrations of ~0.4 nM.