Magnetic force microscopic study of the magnetic field induced antiferro to ferrimagnetic transition in Mn1.85Co0.15Sb

Magnetic field induced first order antiferromagnetic (AFM) to ferrimagnetic (FRI) transition in polycrystalline Mn_1.85Co_0.15Sb has been studied using magnetic force microscopy (MFM) at 60 K and up to 8 T magnetic fields. Our MFM studies provide real space visualization of AFM to FRI transition. It shows growth (decay) of FRI phase with increasing (decreasing) magnetic field. The hysteretic behavior and co-existing FRI and AFM phases across the critical field required for FRI-AFM transition in Mn_1.85Co_0.15Sb are highlighted. This study demonstrates the potential of MFM for studying phase co-existence at high field and low temperatures.     

Bulk modulus and thermodynamic properties of electron-doped calcium manganate—Ca1−xRExMnO3

We have investigated the thermodynamic properties of electron-doped perovskite manganite CaMnO₃ by incorporating the effect of lattice distortions. In this paper the functional relation between the MnO₆ distortions, charge and size mismatch and the thermal properties is determined. In the insulating state, distortions of the Mn-O environment are linear with calcium concentration. In the low-temperature spin-ordered ferromagnetic/anti-ferromagnetic state, at least 50% of the distortion is removed. The lattice contributions to the specific heat at constant volume (C_v(lattice)) of Ca_1−xRE_xMnO₃ (x=0.05, 0.1, 0.15, 0.20) with rare earth cation doping at the A-site has been studied as a function of temperature (10 K≤T≤500 K) by means of a Modified Rigid Ion Model (MRIM). In addition, the results on the bulk modulus (B), cohesive energy (φ), molecular force constant (f), Reststrahlen frequency (ν₀) and Gruneisen parameter (γ) are also presented. Findings indicate an anomalous behavior of some highly Jahn-Teller (JT) distorted Ca_1−xRE_xMnO₃.     

Fabrication of thermoplastic composites using fly-ash a coal and hollow glass beads to study their mechanical,thermal, rheological,morphological and flame retradency properties

Thermoplastic polycarbonate (PC) and nylon 6 (NY) composites with cenosphere and hollow glass beads were prepared and their mechanical, rheological, thermal and flame retardency properties were studied. The flexural behavior of the composites increased after loading with cenosphere and hollow glass beads. The tensile strength of the PC composites was enhanced up to 80 N mm^–2 as compared to pure PC while no remarkable change was observed in case of nylon 6 composites. Study of thermogravimetric Analysis (TGA) showed that the thermal stability of all the composites (Polycarbonate/cenosphere, Polycarbonate/hollow glass beads, Nylon 6/cenosphere and Nylon 6/hollow glass beads) increased. It was concluded that both the fillers enhanced the non-flammability of the polymers. Limiting oxygen index (LOI) value of all the composites showed an increase with increase in the concentration of filler. The optimal results of LOI and UL 94 were observed in composites with 8% cenosphere and 12 % cenosphere in case of Nylon 6. Cenosphere led to superior mechanical properties of polycarbonate and nylon 6 in comparison to hollow glass beads which suggested the composites can find use in automotive, industrial, pump component and for manufacturing of light weight parts in aeronautic industry at lower economic value.     

An elegant and efficient synthesis of heterocycles integrated with bis-N-acyl pyrazoline and bis-1, 2, 3-triazole via a green synthetic methodology

Highly efficient and sustainable one-pot multicomponent synthetic protocol has been accomplished for the synthesis of novel bis-N-substituted pyrazolinyl-1, 2, 3-triazole hybrids from readily available starting materials via operationally simple mechanochemical grinding approach. The present solvent-free synthetic protocol is advantageous for being atom economic involving short reaction time, ambient temperature, and non-chromatographic separation of products.     

Dynamical study of nutrient-phytoplankton model with toxicity: Effect of diffusion and time delay

A harmful algal bloom is one of the significant concerns of marine biodiversity. The control of such algal bloom is required for the conservation of marine ecology. The proposed work discusses a model for interacting nutrient phytoplankton systems with the effect of toxic chemicals released by phytoplankton and time delay in toxin liberation. Our main aim is to provide a great insight into the impact of toxins and time delay on the dynamics of nutrient-phytoplankton. We investigate the stability of system dynamics, and the condition for the existence of Turing instability is obtained. The role of time delay is also investigated for the proposed system. The numerical simulation shows that toxin release rate, the diffusion coefficient of nutrients, and time delay significantly impact system dynamics. We observe that increasing values of toxin release results in the system dynamics show stable and oscillatory behavior without diffusion. The spatial and spatio-temporal patterns show that the higher value of the rate of toxin release lead to periodic and standing waves. Finally, we observe that the time delay in toxin distribution term stabilizes and destabilizes the system dynamics.     

Evaluation of groundwater tritium content and mixing behavior of Tatapani geothermal systems,Chhattisgarh, India

Isotopic investigations were carried out on hot springs, groundwater and surface water to evaluate the mixing processes within the geothermal system. Physico-chemical parameter (EC, pH, Temp.) and tritium content of groundwater, hot springs and surface water were measured. The temperature of the hot springs were varied from 60 to 98.8 °C and EC from 674 to 728 μS/cm. The tritium content of groundwater varies from 1.5 to 5 TU whereas, geothermal water have slightly less tritium and their values ranges from 1.4 to 4.4 TU. Low tritium, higher EC and high temperature of a few hot springs indicate insignificant mixing whereas high tritium, lower EC and low temperature indicates significant mixing of thermal and non-thermal water. The degree of mixing for geothermal springs is estimated. It is found that the groundwater components present in the diluted thermal waters are about 25–80%. It is also observed that mixing process is prominent along the fault and in the area where groundwater exploitation is more. Extensive pumping of groundwater causes an increase in the rate of mixing of thermal and non-thermal water. The tritium content of groundwater, surface water and hot springs are indicating, it is of modern recharge.     

Demonstration of displacement- and frequency-noise-free laser interferometry using bidirectional Mach-Zehnder interferometers

We have demonstrated displacement- and frequency-noise-free laser interferometry (DFI) by partially implementing a recently proposed optical configuration using bidirectional Mach-Zehnder interferometers (MZIs). This partial implementation, the minimum necessary to be called DFI, has confirmed the essential feature of DFI: the combination of two MZI signals can be carried out in a way that cancels displacement noise of the mirrors while maintaining gravitational-wave signals. The attained maximum displacement-noise suppression was 45 dB.     

Evaluation of Pseudomonas aeruginosa deacetylase LpxC inhibitory activity of dual PDE4-TNFalpha inhibitors: a multiscreening approach

In this study, we have focused on the implication of a multiscreening approach in the evaluation of Pseudomonas aeruginosa deacetylase LpxC inhibitory activity of dual PDE4-TNFalpha inhibitors. A genetic function approximation (GFA) directed quantitative structure-activity relationship (QSAR) model was developed for LpxC inhibition on the basis of reported biological activity (Kline and Andersen, J. Med. Chem. 2002, 45, 3112-3129). Subsequently, reported PDE4-TNFalpha inhibitors (Klienman and Campbell, J. Med. Chem. 1998, 41, 266-270) were screened using the QSAR model. Whereby, the compounds were predicted to have equipotent activity with the most potent compound in reported LpxC inhibitor series. A docking analysis of these compounds carried out on the LpxC homology model corroborated the initial results. The compounds were then validated using surface electronic properties analysis and subjected to an adsorption, distribution, metabolism, excretion, and toxicity filter. Taken together, a multiscreening strategy was used to validate potential leads for LpxC inhibition.     

Andrographolide: A Herbal-Chemosynthetic Approach for Enhancing Immunity,Combating Viral Infections,and Its Implication on Human Health

Plants consistently synthesize and accumulate medically valuable secondary metabolites which can be isolated and clinically tested under in vitro conditions. An advancement with such important phytochemical production has been recognized and utilized as herbal drugs. Bioactive andrographolide (AGL; C₂₀H₃₀O₅) isolated from Andrographis paniculate (AP) (Kalmegh) is a diterpenoid lactones having multifunctional medicinal properties including anti-manic, anti-inflammatory, liver, and lung protective. AGL is known for its immunostimulant activity against a variety of microbial infections thereby, regulating classical and alternative macrophage activation, Ag-specific antibody production during immune disorder therapy. In vitro studies with AGL found it to be effective against multiple tumors, neuronal disorders, diabetes, pneumonia, fibrosis, and other diverse therapeutic misadventures. Generally, virus-based diseases like ZIKA, influenza A virus subtype (H1NI), Ebola (EBOV), Dengue (DENV), and coronavirus (COVID-19) epidemics have greatly increased scientific interest and demands to develop more effective and economical immunomodulating drugs with minimal side effects. Trials and in vitro pharmacological studies with AGL and medicinally beneficial herbs might contribute to benefit the human population without using chemical-based synthetic drugs. In this review, we have discussed the possible role of AGL as a promising herbal-chemo remedy during human diseases, viral infections and as an immunity booster.     

Hybrid dendritic–linear graft copolymers: Steric considerations in “coupling to” approach

A “coupling to” approach was developed for the synthesis of hybrid dendritic–linear block copolymers. Fréchet‐type polyether dendrons were prepared by the convergent growth approach and coupled with well‐defined functionalized polystyrene backbones prepared by living free radical procedures. The subtle interplay between the degree of functionalization present in the backbone and the size of the dendritic fragment led to incomplete reactions as steric crowding along the backbone increased. This resulted in globular hybrid macromolecules instead of the extended rods typically formed from the polymerization of dendritic macromonomers. © 2000 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. J Polym Sci A: Polym Chem 38: 1033–1044, 2000