Green Synthesized Silver Nanoparticles and Their Impact on the Antioxidant Response and Histology of Indian Major Carp <Emphasis Type="Italic">Labeo rohita</Emphasis>, with Combined Response Surface Methodology Analysis

Biosynthesis of silver nanoparticles has received considerable attention due to their cost-effective, eco-friendly and medicinal values. In this study, silver nanoparticles (Ag NPs) were synthesised using the aqueous leaf extracts of Piper nigrum. TEM images revealed that the particle is spherical with 20–50 nm in size. Furthermore, to evaluate the toxicity of synthesized Ag NPs, fish Labeo rohita were exposed to two different concentrations (2.5 µg/L as the treatment I and 5 µg/L as treatment II) for 35 days, and antioxidant parameters and histology of gill, liver and kidney were examined. A biphasic response in the activity of glutathione S-transferases (GST) was observed in gill and liver of fish. GST activity in the kidney of fish was significantly increased when compared to control group. Glutathione reductase (GR) activity in organs/tissue of fish were found to be increased while peroxidase (POD) activity was significantly decreased. Histopathological changes such as hyperplasia, proliferation of epithelial cells and fusion of lamellae were observed in both the concentrations. In liver, necrosis, nuclear degeneration and dilation of sinusoids were observed. Subsequently, the representative effects of POD activity were assessed based on the Box–Behnken Equation, 3-D contour plot and ANOVA analysis through response surface methodology analysis.     

Hyperbranched polyurethanes with varying spacer segments between the branching points

Hyperbranched polyurethanes, with varying oligoethyleneoxy spacer segments between the branching points, have been synthesized by a one-pot approach starting from the appropriately designed carbonyl azide that incorporates the different spacer segments. The structures of monomers and polymers were confirmed by IR and ¹H-NMR spectroscopy. The solution viscosity of the polymers suggested that they were of reasonably high molecular weight. Reversal of terminal functional groups was achieved by preparing the appropriate monohydroxy dicarbonyl azide monomer. The large number of terminal isocyanate groups at the chain ends of such hyperbranched macromolecules caused them to crosslink prior to its isolation. However, carrying out the polymerization in the presence of 1 equiv of a capping agent, such as an alcohol, resulted in soluble polymers with carbamate chain ends. Using a biphenyl-containing alcohol as a capping agent, we have also prepared novel hyperbranched polyurethanes with pendant mesogenic segments. These mesogen-containing polyurethanes, however, did not exhibit liquid crystallinity probably due to the wholly aromatic rigid polymer backbone. © 1996 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.     

EMI shielding and microwave absorption behavior of Au‐MWCNT/polyaniline nanocomposites

Electrically conducting Au‐multiwalled carbon nanotube/polyaniline (Au‐MWCNT/PANi) nanocomposites were synthesized by two different ways: (1) by direct mixing of MWCNT/PANi and Au nanoparticles (Au‐MWCNT/PANi‐1) and (2) by in situ polymerization of aniline in the presence of both MWCNTs and Au nanoparticles (Au‐MWCNT/PANi‐2). The higher electrical conductivity of Au‐MWCNT/PANi‐2 compared with the other samples (PANi, MWCNT/PANi, Au‐MWCNT/PANi‐1) is supported by the red shifts of the UV‐vis bands (polaron/bipolaron), the high value of the –NH+= stretch peak (Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy studies), the high % crystallinity (X‐ray diffraction analysis) and more uniform dispersion of the Au NPs in the material. The performance of the samples in electromagnetic interference (EMI) shielding and microwave absorption was studied in the X‐band (8–12 GHz). For all the samples, absorption was the dominant factor contributing toward the EMI shielding. Au‐MWCNT/PANi‐2 showed the best performance with a total shielding effectiveness of ?16 dB [averaged over the X‐band (GHz)] and a minimum reflection loss of ?56.5 dB. The higher dielectric properties resulting from the heterogeneities because of the presence of nanofillers and the high electrical conductivity lead to the increased EMI shielding and microwave absorption. The results show the significance of both Au nanoparticles and method of synthesis on the EMI shielding performance of MWCNT/PANi composites. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

ansa-Metallocene-based cyclic[2]pyrroles

Syntheses and X-ray structural analyses of ansa-metallocene-based cyclic[2]pyrroles are described. The pyrrole units in the macrocycles adopt partial 1,2-alternate conformation in the solid state.     

Laser Raman and infrared spectral studies of dl-phenylalaninium nitrate

The vibrational band assignments of dl-phenylalaninium nitrate in the crystalline state are made by recording the infrared and Raman spectra at room temperature. The presence of carbonyl (C=O) group has been identified. The prominent marker bands of the aromatic amino acid phenylalanine have been observed and the various modes of vibration have been assigned. The extensive intermolecular hydrogen bonding in the crystal has been identified by the shifting of bands due to the stretching and bending modes of the various functional groups. The nitrate group forms the anion. The stretching and bending wave numbers of the NO(3)(-) anion are different from those observed for free ion state and the degenerating mode of vibrations is also lifted. These reveal that the crystalline field has influenced the symmetry of the nitrate ion.     

Photodesulfurization of 2,4‐diaryl‐1,2, 4‐triazole‐3‐thiones

Irradiation of triazole thiones in thin‐film reactor furnished the corresponding desulfurized triazoles in good yield. The required triazole thiones were synthesized from the respective acid hydrazide and isothiocyanate. © 2003 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Heteroatom Chem 14:269–272, 2003; Published online in Wiley InterScience (www.interscience.wiley.com). DOI 10.1002/hc.10140     

Solvatochromic and Preferential Solvation Studies on Schiff Base 1,4-Bis(((2-Methylthio)Phenylimino)Methyl) Benzene in Binary Liquid Mixtures

The solvatochromic behavior of the 1,4-bis(((2-methylthio) phenylimino)methyl) benzene [BMTPMB] in single solvents and binary mixtures were investigated. Fluorescence spectra show the dual emission due to twisted intramolecular charge transfer (TICT) state. The preferential solvation parameters: local mole fraction, X₂^L, solvation index δ_s2, exchange constant K₁₂ were calculated for the binary mixtures, ACN+MEOH, DMSO+CCl₄ and CCl₄+1,2 DCE. The dipole moment ratios between ground and excited states were deduced using the solvatochromic shifts of absorption and fluorescence spectra as a function of dielectric constant (ε), refractive index (n) and it was found to be 1.25.