First stereoselective total synthesis of decytospolides A and B

The first synthesis of bioactive decytospolides A and B adopting an oxa-Michael addition as the key step is reported.     

Dual-path handheld system for cornea and retina imaging using optical coherence tomography

Optical Review - A dual-path handheld system is proposed for cornea and retina imaging using spectral domain optical coherence tomography. The handheld sample arm is designed to acquire two images...     

Bianchi Type-III Cosmological Models with Time Dependent Displacement Vector for Barotropic Fluid Distribution in Lyra Geometry

Bianchi Type-III cosmological models for perfect fluid distribution with time dependent displacement field in the framework of Lyra geometry are investigated. To get the deterministic model of the universe, we have assumed two conditions (i) shear (σ) is proportional to the expansion (θ). This leads to B=C ⁿ where B and C are metric potentials and n is a constant. (ii) Universe is filled with barotropic fluid distribution which leads to p=γ ρ, 0≤γ≤1, p being isotropic pressure and ρ the energy density. The physical and geometrical aspects of the model with a special case and singularities in the models are also discussed.     

Orientational order parameter studies on 3.Om and 3O.Om liquid crystals

Orientational order parameter S is evaluated in the nematic phase of six liquid crystal compounds, N-(p-n-propyl benzylidene)-p-n-alkoxy anilines, 3.Om and N-(p-n-propyloxy benzylidene)-p-n-alkoxy anilines, 3O.Om compounds with m = 6, 7 and 8, using different methods. The techniques employed are S from birefringence δn, Haller's approximation from (1?T/T_c) ^β, effective geometry parameter α_g and Vuks’ scaling factor S_C. The values of S obtained using the above methods are compared with one another and with the results on a number of liquid crystals; the liquid crystals favor isotropic Vuks’ method.     

Studies on Curcumin Loaded Poly(N-isopropylacrylamide) Silver Nanocomposite Hydrogels for Antibacterial and Drug Releasing Applications

Design of silver nanoparticles containing poly(N-isopropylarclamide) (PNIPAAm) hydrogels were prepared by free-radical polymerization of N-isopropylarclamide as an environmentally sensitive monomer and MBA as a crosslinker in an aqueous medium. The embedded silver nanocomposite hydrogels (AgNCH) structure were characterized by, UV-Vis, FTIR, DLS, TEM and X-ray analysis. Curcumin loading and release characteristics were performed for PNIPAAm hydrogel, silver ions loaded hydrogels as well as silver nanocomposite hydrogels. These curcumin loaded silver nanocomposite hydrogels exhibit excellent antibacterial action on Escherichia coli (E. coli). Therefore, the present study clearly provides novel antimicrobial hydrogels which are potentially useful in biomedical applications.     

Phase diagram study of CaBr2–CaHBr system

A study of binary, CaBr₂–CaHBr system was carried out by differential thermal analysis (DTA), covering the composition range from 100 % CaBr₂ to 100 % CaHBr between room temperature and 800 °C. From DTA results, the contour of solidus and liquidus temperatures with composition is plotted and the phase diagram of CaBr₂–CaHBr system is constructed. The system shows an eutectic reaction at 576 °C and the eutectic composition is 79.6 mol% CaBr₂. Co-existing phases in different phase fields are characterized by X-ray diffraction analysis.     

Synthesis of 2,3-dihydroquinazolin-4(1H)-ones from anthranilamide and ketones over Hβ zeolite in aqueous media*

The synthesis of 2,3-dihydroquinazolin-4(1H)-ones by cyclocondensation of anthranilamide with ketones in aqueous media using Hβ zeolite is reported. The scope of the reaction was explored by various ketones such as aromatic, aliphatic and cyclic ketones. Based on the preliminary mechanistic results, a tentative mechanism for the formation of 2,3-dihydroquinazolin-4(1H)-ones using zeolite catalyst (Hβ) is predicted. The reusability study, large-scale experiment and water as solvent showed significant benefits of this catalytic protocol in comparing to earlier methods.