Finite size effect on Gd doped CoGdxFe2−xO4 (0.0≤x≤0.5) particles

Nanoparticles of CoGd_xFe_2−xO₄ (where x=0.0, 0.1, 0.3, 0.5) series have been prepared by chemical co-precipitation. The effect of Gd³⁺ ion concentration on crystalline phase, crystallinity, crystallite size, molecular vibrations and magnetic resonance has been investigated in detail. The crystallinity decreases with an increase in Gd³⁺ ion concentration and changes the structural parameters. The spin lattice relaxation has been correlated with the doping ion concentration. Similarly, the superparamagnetic behavior of these particles has been observed with EPR spectroscopy.     

Taylor‐Galerkin B‐spline finite element method for the one‐dimensional advection‐diffusion equation

The advection‐diffusion equation has a long history as a benchmark for numerical methods. Taylor‐Galerkin methods are used together with the type of splines known as B‐splines to construct the approximation functions over the finite elements for the solution of time‐dependent advection‐diffusion problems. If advection dominates over diffusion, the numerical solution is difficult especially if boundary layers are to be resolved. Known test problems have been studied to demonstrate the accuracy of the method. Numerical results show the behavior of the method with emphasis on treatment of boundary conditions. Taylor‐Galerkin methods have been constructed by using both linear and quadratic B‐spline shape functions. Results shown by the method are found to be in good agreement with the exact solution. © 2009 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Numer Methods Partial Differential Eq 2010     

XRD and RBS study of annealing effects in titanium implanted a-silicon films

We have used ion implantation of 30 keV⁴⁸Ti⁺ ions into a-Si films at nominal doses of 10²⁰-10²¹ ions/m² to fabricate coherent silicide layers. Characterization of these layers and study of their annealing behaviour were carried out using XRD and RBS techniques. We find that the layers are a mixture of Ti₅Si₄, TiSi, TiSi₂ and Si. On annealing at relatively lower temperatures (up to ～ 300° C), predominant silicide phases present in the layer are Ti-rich, such as Ti₅Si₄ and TiSi. At higher temperatures, the Ti-rich layer has a tendency to consume unreacted Si from the film and to form a predominantly Si-rich silicide layer. A structure of silicon different from the diamond cubic structure is noticed in these implanted layers.     

Optimality via generalized approximate convexity and quasiefficiency

In this article, we look beyond convexity and introduce the four new classes of functions, namely, approximate pseudoconvex functions of type I and type II and approximate quasiconvex functions of type I and type II. Suitable examples illustrating the non emptiness of the newly defined classes and distinguishing them from the existing classical notions of pseudoconvexity and quasiconvexity are provided. These newly defined concepts are then employed to establish sufficient optimality conditions for the quasi efficient solutions of a vector optimization problem.     

Raman spectroscopic study of medieval Indian art of 17th century

We report the first Raman spectroscopic investigations of medieval Indian art of 17th century. Three miniature paintings, belonging to Mogul and Rajput schools from the collections of the Madras Museum, were investigated by micro‐Raman spectroscopy using different excitation wavelengths. Many areas in the paintings exhibited rich spectra containing several intense Raman bands. The Raman bands were assigned on the basis of the reported reference spectra of the pigments. Evidences for the presence of massicot, red‐lead, lead‐white, vermilion, litharge, Indian yellow and anatase are found. In addition, tentative assignments of some of the Raman bands to atacamite and orpiment are also made. The present studies suggest that several mineral‐based unique pigments were popular among the Indian artists of this period. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Chemical investigation of Cannabis sativa leading to the discovery of a prenylspirodinone with anti-microbial potential

The discovery of a new spiran based natural product, prenylspirodinone (1), together with six known cannabinoids (2–7) from the leaves of Cannabis sativa (Marijuana) is reported. All compounds were screened for antifungal and antibacterial activity against a panel of microbial pathogens and exhibited antimicrobial activities with IC₅₀ values ranging from 2.6 to 49.6?µM. Compound 2, a propyl substituted cannabidiol, was determined to be a specific inhibitor against C. albicans (IC₅₀ 11.9?µM) and can be considered as a new lead against Candidiasis.     

Greener approach toward the generation of dimedone derivatives

The use of dimedone in green chemistry has been described for the synthesis of selective heterocyclic motifs which are both pharmacologically and industrially important. The objective of this review is to summarize some of the selected recent advances of dimedone in the synthesis of organic compounds utilizing green chemistry procedures.     

Effect of loop orientation on quadruplex-TMPyP4 interaction

G-quadruplexes are believed to be potential targets for therapeutic intervention and this has resulted in designing of various quadruplex interacting ligands. Moreover, reports about existence of quadruplex forming sequences across the genome have propelled greater interest in understanding their interaction with small molecules. An intramolecular quadruplex sequence can adopt different conformations, owing to different orientation of loops in the structure. The differences in the loop orientation can affect their molecular recognition. Herein, we have studied the interaction of 5,10,15,20-tetrakis(1-methyl-4-pyridyl)-21H, 23H-porphine (TMPyP4), a well-known G quadruplex binding ligand with three DNA quadruplexes differing in loop orientations. Results obtained from UV, ITC, and SPR studies have coherently revealed that the TMPyP4 molecule shows preferential binding to parallel G-quadruplex ( c-myc and c-kit) over its antiparallel counterpart (human telomeric). The binding affinity for parallel quadruplex was (10(7)) 1 order of magnitude higher than that for antiparallel DNA quadruplex (10 ). The study shows two binding modes, stronger binding (10(7)) of TMPyP4 involving end stacking and a weaker external binding (10 ), while TMPyP4 shows only one binding mode with duplex with a binding affinity of the order of 10(6). Overall, the study emphasizes that differences in the loop orientation give rise to different conformations of quadruplex, which in turn govern its binding to small molecules, and thereby play a pivotal role in molecular recognition.