An isothermal equation of state for solids

An isothermal equation of state (EOS) for solids, recently suggested by the authors in the realistic form, V/V₀=f(P), with relative volume as the dependent and the pressure as the independent variable, was shown to have an advantage for some close-packed materials in that it allows B′_∞=(∂B_s/∂P)_s(P→∞) to be fitted, and this is where the usual standard equations fail. In the present study, our EOS is applied to a number of inorganic as well as organic solids, including alloys, glasses, rubbers and plastics; varying widely in their bonding and structural characteristics, as well as in their bulk modulus values. A very good agreement is observed between the data and fits. The results obtained are compared with those from two well-known equations, expressible in the realistic form, proposed by Murnaghan and Luban. Further, the results are also compared with those from the widely used two- and three-parameter EOSs, expressible in the unrealistic form only, P=f(V/V₀), proposed by Birch—and also with those from the EOS model of Keane in which B′_∞ is explicitly expressed as an equation of state parameter. The results obtained from our model compare well to these EOSs. Our EOS, in general, yields the smallest mean-squared deviations between data and fits. The values of B′_∞calculated from our EOS are compared with those from Keane's model. Further, we have studied the variation of B′_∞with temperature using the experimental isotherms of Mo and W at 10 different temperatures ranging from 100 to 1000 K, and observed that the values of B′_∞ yielded by our model and that of Keane vary, as expected, within a narrow range. Furthermore, our EOS is applied to study the stability of the fit parameters with variation in the pressure ranges with reference to the isothermal compression data on Mo and W—and also to study the variation of isothermal bulk modulus with pressure, with reference to the ultrasonic data on NaCl and noted a very good agreement with experiment. In addition, our model is applied, with B₀ and B′₀ constrained to the theoretical values, to the five theoretical isotherms of MgO at 300, 500, 1000, 1500 and 2000 K obtained on the basis of a first principles approach—a good agreement is observed with the predictions, and the values of B′_∞ inferred at different temperatures tend to converge to a constant value.     

LC–MS Simultaneous Determination of Itopride Hydrochloride and Domperidone in Human Plasma

A rapid, simple, sensitive and specific liquid chromatography–tandem mass spectrometry method was developed and validated for simultaneous quantification of itopride hydrochloride and domperidone in human plasma. Both drugs were extracted by liquid–liquid extraction with ethyl acetate and saturated borax solution. The chromatographic separation was performed on a reversed-phase C18 column with a mobile phase of water–methanol (2:98, v/v) containing 0.5% formic acid. The protonated analyte was quantitated in positive ionization by multiple reaction monitoring with a mass spectrometer. The assay exhibited linearity over the concentration range of 3.33–500 ng mL^?1 for itopride hydrochloride and 3.33–100 ng mL^?1 for domperidone in human plasma. The precursor to product ion transitions of m/z 359.1–72.3 and 426.0–147.2 were used to measure itopride hydrochloride and domperidone respectively. The method was found suitable for the analysis of plasma samples collected during phase 1 pharmacokinetics study of itopride HCl 50 mg and domperidone 20 mg in 12 healthy volunteers after single oral doses of the combination drug.     

A simplified green chemistry approach to the Biginelli reaction using ‘Grindstone Chemistry’

Grindstone Chemistry--a greatly evolved version of Toda’s method of grinding solids together for solvent-free chemical reactions--has been described and its usefulness illustrated by the successful application of this technique to a simplified process for conducting the multi-component Biginelli reaction for the synthesis of physiologically active tetrahydropyrimidinones.     

Global variations in peak bone mass as studied by dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry

In 1994, the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) initiated a 5-year Co-ordinated Research Project (CRP) to determine geographical and racial differences in peak bone mineral density (BMD) in men and women aged 15-49 years. The study demonstrates that there are distinct global differences in BMD at the hip and spine in both men and women approximating to one population standard deviation between populations with the highest and lowest BMD. These differences persist following adjustments for age, sex and body size. Such information is valuable in understanding the reasons for global differences in fracture rate and predicting future trends in fracture incidence. This revised version was published online in August 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

Microwave-induced organic reaction enhancement (more) chemistry: Techniques for rapid,safe and inexpensive synthesis

Synthetic organic reactions have been conducted under microwave irradiation in open vessels in unaltered domestic microwave ovens. Reaction times vary from a few seconds for sub-milligram reactions to about 15 minutes for reactions carried out on a scale of hundreds of grams. Promising results have been obtained for several condensations, as well as the Bischler-Napieralski reaction, the Wolff-Kishner reduction, free radical dehalogenation reactions, and other standard synthetic operations. Rapid catalytic transfer hydrogenation using ammonium formate as the source of hydrogen has been conducted at about 100-130 °C under microwave irradiation. Meaningful, safe and inexpensive synthetic experiments for undergraduate and pre-college students have been developed and tested. The MORE chemistry techniques make it possible to use simple apparatus and very short reaction times. Commercial microwave ovens are now essential equipment in our research and teaching laboratories [1-3]. These ovens are relatively inexpensive, easy to move from one laboratory and set up in another, and safe to operate. Glass, plastics, and ceramics are essentially transparent to microwaves whereas many organic compounds are dipolar in nature and absorb microwave energy readily. We have found that untraditional experimental arrangements are possible for conducting a wide variety of organic reactions in open vessels inside domestic microwave ovens. Depending on the quantity of reactants, most reactions (on a scale of milligrams to several grams) can be completed in minutes instead of hours. One important element of our “Microwave-induced Organic Reaction Enhancement” (MORE) chemistry is the proper choice of a microwave energy transfer agent as the reaction medium.     

Kinetics and mechanism of oxidation of cyclopentanone by N-bromosuccinimide

N-bromosuccinimide oxidation of cyclopentanone in acidic media in presence of mercuric acetate has been made. A zero order dependance to N-bromosuccinimide and a first order dependence to cyclopentanone and hydrogen ion concentration has been observed. Ionic strength, mercuric acetate and succinimide has negligible effect while methanol addition has a positive effect. Various rate parameters have been computed and 1,2-cyclopentanedione identified as the end product. A suitable mechanism in confirmity with the above observations has been proposed.With 2 Figures     

SENSITIZER-INDUCED CONFORMATIONAL CHANGES IN LENS CRYSTALLIN—II. PHOTODYNAMIC ACTION OF RIBOFLAVIN ON BOVINE α-CRYSTALLIN

Abstract— Photolysis of α-crystallin in the presence of riboflavin under both aerobic and anaerobic conditions causes a rapid decrease in Trp emission; photooxidation most likely occurs via non-covalent complex formation between the sensitizer molecule and the substrate. However, the change in the tertiary structure of the protein, as manifested in the near-UV CD, is very different between aerobic and anaerobic photolysis. Riboflavin-sensitized reaction under aerobic condition causes a major change in the microenvironments of thiol groups as well as in the near-UV CD, whereas under anaerobic condition the change in the near-UV CD is much less and SH-group environments remain unaltered. The sensitizer in this photoinduced change in conformation of the protein is very selective and specific.     

A simple extrusion method for the synthesis of aligned silica nanowires using the template of a rigid surfactant mesophase

Long range alignment of silica nanowires has been accomplished by extrusion of a novel surfactant mesophase prior to silica synthesis.