Structure and stereochemistry of paristerone,a novel phytoecdysone from the tubers of paris polyphylla

Paristerone, a novel phytoecdysone has been isolated from the tubers of P. polyphylla and its structure and stereochemistry has been established as 2α, 3β, 14α, 20(R), 22(r), 25-hexahydroxy-5β-chloest-7-en-6-one (2-epiecdysterone) on the basis of chemical and physical evidence.     

Determination of microgram quantities of gadolinium by cathode-ray polarography

A cathode-ray polarographic method has been developed for the determination of microgram quantities of gadolinium with the use of an azo-dye, Solochrome Violet RS. Disadvantages in the use of 0sd1M potassium chloride, commonly recommended as electrolyte for the polarographic determination of rare earths, have been demonstrated. The influence of pH, temperature, ligand concentration and purity, and the stability of the complex, have been investigated for the optimum performance of the method. The linear range is 0.5-12 mug/ml of gadolinium. Interferences by some lanthanides and other cations have been examined.     

Misassigned C-H...Cu agostic interaction in a copper(II) ephedrine derivative is actually a weak, multicentred hydrogen bond

Agostic interactions and weak hydrogen bonds to metal acceptors, M, are chemically and geometrically distinct, and this distinction must be maintained in the classification of new C-H...M interactions.     

Polymer–ion–clay interaction based model for ion conduction in intercalation-type polymer nanocomposite

A series of polymer nanocomposite films based on intercalation of (PAN)₈LiCF₃SO₃ into the nanometric clay channels of an organomodified clay has been prepared using the standard solution-casting technique. The role of organoclay concentration on polymer–ion interaction, ion–ion interaction, and ion–clay interaction in clay-based nanocomposite films has been analyzed using Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) analysis. Substantial ion dissociation is observed even at a very low clay loading (1–2 wt.%) in the nanocomposites. FTIR results suggest the presence of both uncoordinated CF₃SO₃ ⁻ (free-anions) and ion pairs in the nanocomposite evidenced by changes in CF₃SO₃ ⁻ symmetry from C3ν to Cs and marked asymmetry in the profile of degenerate δ_d(CF₃ ⁻) mode. The experimental results suggest a direct correlation of clay-assisted ion dissociation process with variation in conductivity (σ _dc) and glass transition temperature (T _g) as a function of clay concentration. A model has been proposed to explain the observed correlation on the basis of polymer–ion–clay interaction. The proposed scheme of ion transport mechanism appears to be consistent with the experimental observation.     

Structural and electrical properties of lanthanum-substituted lead titanate ceramics

The effect of lanthanum substitution on the structural, dielectric and piezoelectric properties of lead calcium titanate (PCT) ceramics is studied. Samples with compositional formula Pb_{0.76? x} La _x Ca_0.24Ti_0.98Mn_0.02O₃ (PLCT) (x?=?0–0.08, in steps of 0.02) were prepared by the conventional dry ceramic technique. Phase and structural analysis was carried out using XRD and SEM respectively. X-ray analysis confirmed the formation of single-phase compound with tetragonal crystal structure. Dielectric properties were studied in detail as a function of frequency and temperature. The Curie temperature (T _C) and tetragonality (c/a) was found to decrease with increase in lanthanum content. The Curie temperature was also confirmed from the thermal-expansion behaviour of the sintered samples. Piezoelectric coefficients (d ₃₃, d ₃₁, g ₃₃, g ₃₁, g _h, d _h, k _t and k _p) were measured at room temperature. From this study it is found that La³⁺ substitution helps in the improvement of electro-mechanical anisotropy.     

Nitrile Metabolizing Enzymes in Biocatalysis and Biotransformation

Nitrile metabolizing enzymes, i.e., aldoxime dehydratase, hydroxynitrile lyase, nitrilase, nitrile hydratase, and amidase, are the key catalysts in carbon nitrogen triple bond anabolism and catabolism. Over the past several years, these enzymes have drawn considerable attention as prominent biocatalysts in academia and industries because of their wide applications. Research on various aspects of these biocatalysts, i.e., sources, screening, function, purification, molecular cloning, structure, and mechanisms, has been conducted, and bioprocesses at various scales have been designed for the synthesis of myriads of useful compounds. This review is focused on the potential of nitrile metabolizing enzymes in the production of commercially important fine chemicals such as nitriles, carboxylic acids, and amides. A number of opportunities and challenges of nitrile metabolizing enzymes in bioprocess development for the production of bulk and fine chemicals are discussed.     

Dielectric relaxation and ac conduction in multiferroic Bi0.8Gd0.1Pb0.1Fe0.9Ti0.1O3 ceramics: impedance spectroscopy analysis

ABSTRACT

The solid solutions of Bi_0.8Gd_0.1Pb_0.1Fe_0.9Ti_0.1O₃ have been prepared by the solid-state reaction method. The preliminary structural studies were carried out by X-ray diffraction technique showing the formation of polycrystalline sample with ABO₃ type of perovskite structure with hexagonal symmetry for the Bi_0.8Gd_0.1Pb_0.1Fe_0.9Ti_0.1O₃ ceramic system at room temperature. Dielectric properties and impedance study of this ceramic have been characterized in the temperature range room temperature to 375 °C and frequency range 100 Hz–1 MHz. The maximum ferroelectric transition temperature (T_c) of this system was in the range 200 °C–260 °C with the dielectric constant of peak to be ～30,170 at 1 kHz. The complex impedance plot exhibited one impedance semicircle observed at low temperature, whereas two semicircles above 80 °C and the centres of the semicircles lie below the real axis, which indicates that the material is non-Debye type. Single semicircle is explained by the grain effect of the bulk and double semicircle is due to the bulk and grain boundary effect. The bulk resistance and grain boundary resistance of the materials decrease with the increasing temperature, showing negative temperature and a typical semiconducting property, i.e. negative temperature coefficient of resistance behaviour.     

Recent observational constraints on EoS parameters of a class of emergent Universe

New Sr-based Y-type nanocrystalline hexagonal ferrites with a nominal chemical composition of Sr ₂Mg ₂Fe ₁₂ O ₂₂ (Sr ₂Y) were prepared by autocombustion from mixtures of Sr(NO ₃) ₂, Mg(NO ₃) ₂?6H ₂O and Fe(NO ₃) ₃?9H ₂O. The newly prepared Sr ₂Y nanocrystalline particles were characterized by powder X-ray diffraction (XRD). A well crystalline phase of Sr ₂Y with hexagonal crystal structure was observed. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) studies revealed the information about the positions of the ions and their bonds within the lattice structure of the Sr ₂Y. The chemical elements and their oxidation states in the Sr ₂Y hexaferrites were determined using X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS). The XRD, FTIR and XPS studies confirmed the formation of Sr ₂Mg ₂Fe ₁₂ O ₂₂ hexaferrites. The morphology and porosity of the prepared Sr ₂Y nanocrystalline Sr ₂Y hexaferrite particles were studied by field emission scanning electron microscopy. The magnetic properties of Sr ₂Y hexaferrites showed dependence on the methods of preparation conditions and calcination treatments. The values of coercivity, saturation magnetization and retentivity were in the range of 21.33–19.66 kA m ^?1, 42.44– 38.72 emu g ^?1 and 10.05–13.19 emu g ^?1 respectively.     

Analytical framework of small-gap photoconductive dipole antenna using equivalent circuit model

A compact planar antenna sources with on-chip fabrication and high directivity in order to achieve large depth-of-field for better image resolution is the prospective demand for THz imaging application. Therefore, the small-gap photoconductive dipole antennas have been explored to fulfil such applications demand. However, there are certain modalities for improving the photoconductive dipole antenna performance which need to identify to accomplish high THz average radiated power and improved total efficiency. The unit-cell small-gap photoconductive dipole antenna radiation power enhancement methods need to optimize the design parameters with photoconductive material selection from theoretical simulation. Further, the potential improvement of coupling efficiency of THz wave with air as well as femto-second laser incident efficiency is also important parameters to enhance the radiation power of small-gap photoconductive dipole antenna. In this paper, we have presented an analytical procedure employing explicit mathematical expression leading to the physical behaviour of small-gap photoconductive dipole antenna. The effects of biased lines on the antenna performance parameters are discussed with the help of proposed equivalent circuit model. We have explored the effect of gap-size on the THz radiated power and on total radiation efficiency from the proposed photoconductive dipole antennas.