Some novel cholesteric liquid crystals

A novel series of cholesteric liquid crystals (CNTⁿ). made by quaternization of the new mesogenic unit cholesteryl isonicotinate (CN) with n-alkyl salts, C_nH_2n + ₁ (T) (n = 2 to 8, T = 4-MeC₆H₄SO₃) has been prepared. Differential scanning calorime-try and polarizing optical microscopy studies reveal that all of these salts exhibit an enantiotropic cholesteric phase but for the cholesteryl isonicotinate unit the cholesteric phase is monotropic. For all members of the series the cholesteric-isotropic transitions are not reversible as these salts begin to decompose before their cholesteric-isotropic transition point is reached.     

Thermoanalytical investigations on heterocyclic organic compounds. Part II. Thermal decomposition of substituted 1,4-dihydro-2,4-dioxo-2H-3,1-benzoxazine

The thermal decomposition of substituted 1,4-dihydro-2,4-dioxo-2H-3,1-benzoxazine involves a decarboxylation reaction and the formation of dimeric products that arise by a Diels—Alder reaction involving the ketenimine as diene and dienophile. Significant destabilization of the oxazinedione ring was manifested in the thermal decomposition of 3,4-dihydro-1,3-dioxo-1H-pyrido (3,2-d)(1,3) oxazine (V). The shape of the thermogram is dependent on the experimental conditions. Further decomposition of the dimers leads to dark glassy materials of polymeric nature.     

Book Reviews

Generalized Inverse Matrices by T. L. Boullion and P. L. Odell. Wiley-Interscience, New York, 1971, Xi+103 Pp. ($9.95).

Generalized Inverse Matrices and its Applications by C. R. Rao and S. K. Mitra, John Wiley, New York, 1971, Xiv + 240 Pp. ($13.95).

Generalized Inverse Matrices with Applications to Statistics by R. M. Pringle and A. A. Rayner, Hafner, 1971, Viii + 127 Pp. (Paperback $7.95).

Introduction to Matrix Theory and Linear Algebra by Irving Reiner     

Book Review

Linear Algebra and Geometry, by David M. Bloom. Cambridge University Press, 1979. xiii + 617     

Standing waves and resonance transport mechanism in quantum networks

One-electron spin-dependent scattering problem is considered on the star-shaped 2-d quantum network consisting of a quantum well and few relatively thin leads attached to it. The resonance nature of transmission coefficients is revealed based on accurate analysis of interaction between the running spin-waves in the leads and the standing spin-waves in the quantum well. Modeling of the transport problem on the two-dimensional junction by the 1-d scattering problem on the corresponding quantum graph is discussed.     

Experimental observation and characterization of the magnetorotational instability

Differential rotation occurs in conducting flows in accretion disks and planetary cores. In such systems, the magnetorotational instability can arise from coupling Lorentz and centrifugal forces to cause large radial angular momentum fluxes. We present the first experimental observation of the magnetorotational instability. Our system consists of liquid sodium between differentially rotating spheres, with an imposed coaxial magnetic field. We characterize the observed patterns, dynamics, and torque increases, and establish that this instability can occur from a hydrodynamic turbulent background.     

Propagation Characteristics of a Partially Coherent Gaussian Schell-model Array Vortex Beam in the Joint Turbulence Effect of a Jet Engine and Atmosphere

This work investigates the joint effects of jet engine exhaust-induced turbulence and atmospheric turbulence on the propagation of a partially coherent Gaussian Schell-model Array (GSMA) vortex beam. Using the two-process propagation method, analytical formulae are derived for the cross-spectral density, spectral density, degree of coherence, and beam width of the considered beam. The results show that the considered beam takes different shapes; when the spatial coherence is large, the spectral density of the GSMA vortex beam takes an elliptical shape, whereas when the spatial coherence is smaller, the spectral density remains a Gaussian shape. The evolution profile of the degree of coherence weakens gradually when the propagation distance, topological charge, and turbulence strength increase. Moreover, the profile of the degree of coherence takes the Gaussian profile when the propagation distance is longer or turbulence atmospheric is stronger. Furthermore, the results reveal that the corresponding beam spreads faster with a larger propagation distance, lower spatial coherence, and high-strength turbulence. This study also concludes from the results that the beam is affected more when its propagation is near the jet engine exhaust, which means that this latter has a significant impact.     

Design of a Waste Paper-Derived Chemically ‘Reactive’ and Durable Functional Material with Tailorable Mechanical Property Following an Ambient and Sustainable Chemical Approach

Controlled tailoring of mechanical property and wettability is important for designing various functional materials. The integration of these characteristics with waste materials is immensely challenging to achieve, however, it can provide sustainable solutions to combat relevant environmental pollutions and other relevant challenges. Here, the strategic conversion of discarded and valueless waste paper into functional products has been introduced following a catalyst-free chemical approach to tailor both the mechanical property and water wettability at ambient conditions for sustainable waste management and controlling the relevant environmental pollution. In the current design, the controlled and appropriate silanization of waste paper allowed to modulate both the a) porosity and b) compressive modulus of the paper-derived sponges. Further, the association of 1,4-conjugate addition reaction between amine and acrylate groups allowed to obtain an unconventional waste paper-derived chemically ‘reactive’ sponge. The appropriate covalent modification of the residual reactive acrylate groups with selected alkylamines at ambient conditions provided a facile basis to tailor the water wettability from moderate hydrophobicity, adhesive superhydrophobicity to non-adhesive superhydrophobicity. The embedded superhydrophobicity in the waste paper-derived sponge was capable of sustaining large physical deformations, severe physical abrasions, prolonged exposure to harsh aqueous conditions, etc. Further, the waste paper-derived, extremely water-repellent sponges and membranes were successfully extended for proof-of-concept demonstration of a practically relevant outdoor application, where the repetitive remediation of oil spillages has been demonstrated following both selective absorption (25 times) of oils and gravity-driven filtration-based (50 times) separation of oils from oil/water mixtures at different harsh aqueous scenarios.     

BF3-OEt2 Catalyzed C3-Alkylation of Indole: Synthesis of Indolylsuccinimidesand Their Cytotoxicity Studies

A simple and efficient BF₃-OEt₂ promoted C3-alkylation of indole has been developed to obtain3-indolylsuccinimidesfrom commercially available indoles and maleimides, with excellent yields under mild reaction conditions. Furthermore, anti-proliferative activity of these conjugates was evaluated against HT-29 (Colorectal), Hepg2 (Liver) and A549 (Lung) human cancer cell lines. One of the compounds, 3w, having N,N-Dimethylatedindolylsuccinimide is a potent congener amongst the series with IC₅₀ value 0.02 µM and 0.8 µM against HT-29 and Hepg2 cell lines, respectively, and compound 3i was most active amongst the series with IC₅₀ value 1.5 µM against A549 cells. Molecular docking study and mechanism of reaction have briefly beendiscussed. This method is better than previous reports in view of yield and substrate scope including electron deficient indoles.