Synthesis of Substituted Pyrimidinones Catalyzed by Boric Acid and Glycerol in Aqueous Medium

An expeditious one-pot synthesis of substituted pyrimidinone derivatives with aromatic aldehydes, cyclopentanone, and urea (or thiourea) was developed with boric acid (10 mol%) and glycerol (0.1 mL) in aqueous medium at 45–50 °C. The methodology is simple, highly efficient, and high yielding. The idea behind this methodology is that boric acid, being a weak acid, behaves as a strong acid in presence of glycerol in aqueous medium.     

Tuning band gap of holoferritin by metal core reconstitution with Cu, Co, and Mn

Utility of ferritin in molecular electronics, especially in single molecule electronics based devices, has recently been proposed, since the iron core of holoferritin is semiconducting in nature. However, the practical aspects, e.g., how its electronic properties can be varied/tuned, need to be better addressed. In this direction, we have performed direct tunneling experiments using scanning tunneling microscopy (STM) and scanning tunneling spectroscopy (STS) on several metal core reconstituted ferritins, where the reconstitution has been carried out using biocompatible metals like copper, cobalt, and manganese that are found naturally in the human body. We show, for the first time, that, by metal core reconstitution of the ferritin protein, the band gap of the protein can be tuned to different values (here, within the range 1.17-0.00 eV, considering iron-containing holoferritin and apoferritin as well). From the respective current-voltage curves and the well-defined band gaps, clear distinction can be made among the five different ferritins indicating that the metal core has direct contribution in the observed electrical conductivities of ferritins. It is further revealed that the electrical conductivities of the reconstituted ferritins are of the same order as that for the free metal conductivities, meaning that the relative changes in the free metal conductivities are reflected in the contributions of the metals in protein shell-confinement (i.e., the ～8 nm core of ferritin). This finding could lead to a strategy for fine-tuning ferritin band gap by preselecting a metal on the basis of the free metal conductivity values.     

Monte Carlo simulation of joint density of states in one-dimensional Lebwohl-Lasher model using Wang-Landau algorithm

Monte Carlo simulation using the Wang-Landau algorithm has been performed in an one-dimensional Lebwohl-Lasher model. Both one-dimensional and two-dimensional random walks have been carried out. The results are compared with the exact results which are available for this model.     

All-optical method for maintaining a fixed intensity level of a light signal in optical computation

In data and image processing the role of optics is already well established. Due to inherent parallelism the optical systems run faster than its electronic counterparts. Optical nonlinear material can be used as a successful optical switch. The primary requirement for proper functioning of such nonlinear material based logic devices is a fixed intensity level of the optical signal against a specific logic state. In this communication, the authors propose a new concept to obtain a fixed intensity level of optical signal against a specific logic state for data processing. The scheme may extend a tremendous application not only to the area of all-optical computation, but also to optical communication process.     

Supramolecular Barrel-Rosette Ion Channel Based on 3,5-Diaminobenzoic Acid for Cation-Anion Symport

The structural tropology and functions of natural cation-anion symporting channels have been continuously investigated due to their crucial role in regulating various physiological functions. To understand the physiological functions of the natural symporter channels, it is vital to develop small-molecule-based biomimicking systems that can provide mechanistic insights into the ion-binding sites and the ion-translocation pathways. Herein, we report a series of bis((R)-(−)-mandelic acid)-linked 3,5-diaminobenzoic acid based self-assembled ion channels with distinctive ion transport ability. Ion transport experiment across the lipid bilayer membrane revealed that compound 1 b exhibits the highest transport activity among the series, and it has interesting selective co-transporting functions, i.e., facilitates K⁺/ClO₄⁻ symport. Electrophysiology experiments confirmed the formation of supramolecular ion channels with an average diameter of 6.2±1 Å and single channel conductance of 57.3±1.9 pS. Selectivity studies of channel 1 b in a bilayer lipid membrane demonstrated a permeability ratio of , , and indicating the higher selectivity of the channel towards KClO₄ over KCl salt. A hexameric assembly of a trimeric rosette of 1 b was subjected to molecular dynamics simulations with different salts to understand the supramolecular channel formation and ion selectivity pattern.     

IUCAA: genesis of a unique research centre

The European Physical Journal H - The Inter-University Centre for Astronomy and Astrophysics (IUCAA) is the second Inter-University Centre established by the Government of India for promotion of...     

Computational and experimental investigations on the effect of crystallinity and crystal size on Na-transport in nanoscaled Si: implications for Si-based anodes for Na-ion batteries

Journal of Solid State Electrochemistry - While Li transport in Si is well understood, little is known about Na transport, despite Si being considered a potential anode material for the upcoming...     

Si-decorated CNT network as negative electrode for lithium-ion battery

Journal of Solid State Electrochemistry - We have developed a method which is adaptable and straightforward for the production of a negative electrode material based on Si/carbon nanotube (Si/CNTs)...     

Modulation of Biophysical Cues in Nature Inspired Patterning of Porous Silk Fibroin Scaffold for Replenishable Controlled Drug Delivery

While a sticking plasteris enough for healing of most of the minor cuts they may get routinely, critical situations like surgical, gunshot, accidental or diabetic wounds;lacarations and other cutaneous deep cuts may require implants and simultaneous medications for healing. From the biophysical standpoint, an internal force-based physical surface stimulusis crucial for cellular sensing during wound repair. In this paper, the authors report the fabrication of a porous, biomimmetically patterned silk fibroin scaffold loaded with ampicillin, which exhibits controlled release of the drug along with possible replenishment of the same. In vitro swelling study reveals that the scaffolds with hierarchical surface patterns exhibit lower swelling and degradation than other types of scaffolds. The scaffolds, that show remarkable broad–spectrum antibacterial efficacy, exhibit Korsemeyer–Peppas model for the ampicillin release patterns due to the structural hydrophobicity imparted by the patterns. Four distinct cell-matrix adhesion regimes are investigated for the fibroblasts to eventually form cell sheets all over the hierarchical surface structures. 4',6–diamidino–2–phenylindole (DAPI) and Fluorescein Diacetate (FDA) fluorescent staining clearly demonstrate the superiority of patterned surface over its other variants. A comparative immunofluorescence study among collagen I, vinculin, and vimentin expressions substantiated the patterned surface to be superior to others.