B \bar B widths of the diquoniums based on quark potential model

A detailed and systematic study is carried out of the \(B\bar B(N\bar N, N\bar \Delta , \Delta \bar \Delta )\) widths of the “True” (colour \(3 \times \bar 3\) ) diquoniums making use of the quark pair creation model supplemented by the idea of a quark-quark potential. The widths, which continue to be of the order of 10 MeV, help confirm our hypothesis of avoiding the need for the “Mock” (colour \(6 \times \bar 6\) ) diquoniums to explain the narrow width resonances observed in the production experiments. Another outcome concerns the criterion to select out the dominant ones among the numerous diquonium trajectories. It is proposed to replace the one based on “peripherality” withR～1/m _π with another more natural one based on the width pattern itself.     

Phase behavior of concentrated aqueous solutions of cetyltrimethylammonium bromide (CTAB) and sodium hydroxy naphthoate (SHN)

We have characterized the phase behavior of mixtures of the cationic surfactant cetyltrimethylammonium bromide (CTAB) and the organic salt 3-sodium-2-hydroxy naphthoate (SHN) over a wide range of surfactant concentrations using polarizing optical microscopy and X-ray diffraction. A variety of liquid crystalline phases, such as hexagonal, lamellar with and without curvature defects, and nematic, are observed in these mixtures. At high temperatures the curvature defects in the lamellar phase are annealed gradually on decreasing the water content. However, at lower temperatures these two lamellar structures are separated by an intermediate phase, where the bilayer defects appear to order into a lattice. The ternary phase diagram shows a high degree of symmetry about the line corresponding to equimolar CTAB/SHN composition, as in the case of mixtures of cationic and anionic surfactants.     

A new colorimetric method for the determination of carbon disulphide and its application to the analysis of some dithiocarbamate fungicides

A new and convenient colorimetric method for determination of carbon disulphide, based on its transformation into bright yellow potassium benzyl trithiocarbonate through reaction with benzyl mercaptan and potassium hydroxide in tert.-butyl alcohol, has been successfully applied to determination of some dithiocarbamate fungicides in their formulations. The method possesses a distinct advantage in that it is free from all sources of errors/problems which are associated with the xanthate method for the analysis of these materials. The proposed method is precise and accurate and hence recommended for routine analysis of technical formulations containing dithiocarbamate fungicides.     

Activation of IGF-1/GLP-1 Signalling via 4-Hydroxyisoleucine Prevents Motor Neuron Impairments in Experimental ALS-Rats Exposed to Methylmercury-Induced Neurotoxicity

Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is a severe adult motor neuron disease that causes progressive neuromuscular atrophy, muscle wasting, weakness, and depressive-like symptoms. Our previous research suggests that mercury levels are directly associated with ALS progression. MeHg+-induced ALS is characterised by oligodendrocyte destruction, myelin basic protein (MBP) depletion, and white matter degeneration, leading to demyelination and motor neuron death. The selection of MeHg+ as a potential neurotoxicant is based on our evidence that it has been connected to the development of ALS-like characteristics. It causes glutamate-mediated excitotoxicity, calcium-dependent neurotoxicity, and an ALS-like phenotype. Dysregulation of IGF-1/GLP-1 signalling has been associated with ALS progression. The bioactive amino acid 4-hydroxyisoleucine (HI) from Trigonella foenum graecum acts as an insulin mimic in rodents and increases insulin sensitivity. This study examined the neuroprotective effects of 4-HI on MeHg+-treated adult Wistar rats with ALS-like symptoms, emphasising brain IGF1/GLP-1 activation. Furthermore, we investigated the effect of 4-HI on MBP levels in rat brain homogenate, cerebrospinal fluid (CSF), blood plasma, and cell death indicators such as caspase-3, Bax, and Bcl-2. Rats were assessed for muscular strength, locomotor deficits, depressed behaviour, and spatial learning in the Morris water maze (MWM) to measure neurobehavioral abnormalities. Doses of 4-HI were given orally for 42 days in the MeHg+ rat model at 50 mg/kg or 100 mg/kg to ameliorate ALS-like neurological dysfunctions. Additionally, neurotransmitters and oxidative stress markers were examined in rat brain homogenates. Our findings suggest that 4-HI has neuroprotective benefits in reducing MeHg+-induced behavioural, neurochemical, and histopathological abnormalities in ALS-like rats exposed to methylmercury.     

Electron-electron interaction effects on the optical excitations of semiconducting single-walled carbon nanotubes

We report correlated-electron calculations of optically excited states in ten semiconducting single-walled carbon nanotubes with a wide range of diameters. Optical excitation occurs to excitons whose binding energies decrease with increasing nanotube diameter, and are smaller than the binding energy of an isolated strand of poly-(paraphenylene vinylene). The ratio of the energy of the second optical exciton polarized along the nanotube axis to that of the lowest exciton is smaller than the value predicted within single-particle theory. The experimentally observed weak photoluminescence is an intrinsic feature of semiconducting nanotubes.     

Structure of 3,6-di(p-methoxyphenyl)-2,7-dihydro-1,4,5-thiadiazepine

The title compound C₁₈H₁₈N₂O₂S is monoclinic with unit-cell dimensionsa=8.849(10),b=9.185(11),c=20.257(9) Å,=109.28(10)°. The space group isP2₁/c, withZ=4. Data were measured by photographic methods. The structure was solved by direct methods. A full-matrix least-squares refinement converged toR=0.10. All atoms except sulfur were assigned individual isotropic thermal parameters. The conformation of the thiadiazepine ring system is distorted boat shaped, as indicated by torsion angle studies.     

Metal‐Free Sensitizers for Dye‐Sensitized Solar Cells

This review focuses on our work on metal‐free sensitizers for dye‐sensitized solar cells (DSSCs). Sensitizers based on D?A′?π?A architecture (D is a donor, A is an acceptor, A′ is an electron‐deficient entity) exhibit better light harvesting than D?π?A‐type sensitizers. However, appropriate molecular design is needed to avoid excessive aggregation of negative charge at the electron‐deficient entity upon photoexcitation. Rigidified aromatics, including aromatic segments comprising fused electron‐excessive and ‐deficient units in the spacer, allow effective electronic communication, and good photoinduced charge transfer leads to excellent cell performance. Sensitizers with two anchors/acceptors, D(–π–A)₂, can more efficiently harvest light, inject electrons, and suppress dark current compared with congeners with a single anchor. Appropriate incorporation of heteroaromatic units in the spacer is beneficial to DSSC performance. High‐performance, aqueous‐based DSSCs can be achieved with a dual redox couple comprising imidazolium iodide and 2,2,6,6‐tetramethylpiperidin‐N‐oxyl, and/or using dyes of improved wettability through the incorporation of a triethylene oxide methyl ether chain.

     

Distribution of Pu(VI) from nitric acid to tri-n-butyl phosphate saturated with uranium(VI)

Solvent extraction of plutonium(VI) from nitric acid (1 to 5M) into 20% and 30% TBP in dodecane saturated with uranium(VI) (0% to 80%) has been studied. For a particular nitric acid concentration, the distribution coefficient (K _d ) is found to decrease with the increase in saturation of organic phase with uranium(VI). At a fixed organic phase the saturationK _d increased with increase in nitric acid concentration, however, the magnitude of this increase inK _d decreased with the increase in saturation.     

Bis(Diethyldithiocarbamato)Antimony(III) Derivatives with Oxygen- and Sulfur-Donor Ligands: Synthesis,Esi-Mass,and Spectral Characterization

Abstract

Replacement reactions of bis(diethyldithiocarbamato)antimony(III) chloride have been carried out with oxygen and sulfur donor ligands such as disodium oxalate, sodium acetate, sodium salicylate, benzoic acid, thioglycolic acid, acetylacetone, thiphenol, ethane-1,2-dithiol, and 2,2-dimethylpropane-1,3-diol to give mixed bis(diethyldithiocarbamato)antimony(III) derivatives of the corresponding ligands. These derivatives have been characterized by the physicochemical [melting point and molecular weight determination, elemental analysis (C, H, N, S, and Sb)], spectral [FT-IR, far-IR, NMR (¹H and ¹³C)], ESI-mass, powder XRD, and SEM studies.

[Supplementary materials are available for this article. Go to the publisher's online edition of Phosphorus, Sulfur, and Silicon and the Related Elements for the following free supplemental files: Additional figures and tables]