Li ion scattering from Au nanoclusters on TiO2(110)

The neutralization of low energy 7Li+ scattered from Au nanoclusters deposited on TiO2(110) was measured with time-of-flight spectroscopy as a function of cluster size, emission angle, and ion energy. The neutralization shows maxima for cluster diameters approximately 3 nm, and again for thick Au films. The data are compared to previous experiments with Na projectiles. Possible explanations of the observed effects are discussed.     

Synthesis,structure and antibacterial activity of manganese(III) complexes of a Schiff base derived from furfurylamine

Two new mononuclear complexes of manganese(III) viz. [MnL₂(LH)₂]ClO₄ (1) and [MnL₂(N₃)]·0.5CH₃OH (2) have been synthesized by reacting manganese perchlorate with furfurylamine and salicylaldehyde (plus sodium azide in 2) where L = (2-hydroxybenzyl-2-furylmethyl)imine, an asymmetric bidentate Schiff base formed in situ to bind the Mn(III) ion. The complexes have been characterized by elemental analysis, IR spectroscopy, TGA and single crystal X-ray diffraction studies. Structural studies reveal that the complexes 1 and 2 adopt an octahedral and a square pyramidal geometry, respectively. The antibacterial activity of the complexes has been tested against Gram(+) and Gram(?) bacteria.     

Cascade synthesis of selective dihydro pyridazino fused acridinone derivatives via MCM-41 catalyzed ring-opening/ring-closure reaction

An enhanced one-pot synthesis of new functionalized 5,6-dihydro-5,5-dimethyl-2-phenyl-2H-pyridazino[3,4,5-kl]acridin-1(4H)-one derivatives with different substituted patterns by using mesoporous MCM-41 catalyst via a ring opening/ring closure reaction process has been established. This MCM-41 silica catalyst has been synthesized and characterized using an array of sophisticated analytical techniques like BET, XRD, UHRTEM, etc. This reaction could be conducted from inexpensive substrates within short period under neat reflux conditions. Compared with the usual methods, the remarkable advantages of this method are milder reaction conditions, operational simplicity, higher yields, short reaction times and an environmentally friendly procedure.     

Hexanuclear copper(II) cage with {Cu3O···H···OCu3} core supported by a dicompartmental oxime ligand with m-xylyl spacer: synthesis, molecular structure and magnetic studies

A new dicompartmental dioxime ligand (H(2)L) with m-xylyl spacer between the donor sites has been synthesised by Schiff-base condensation of α,α'-diamino-m-xylene and diacetyl monooxime. The ligand reacts with copper(ii) salts giving rise to hexanuclear tricationic copper(II) cage complexes [Cu(II)(6)(μ(3)-O···H···O-μ(3))L(3)(H(2)O)(6)]X(3) (X = BF(4), 1a; X = ClO(4), 1b). The complexes have been characterised by different analytical and spectroscopic techniques and confirmed the hexanuclear structure even in solution. Single crystal X-ray diffraction studies of both the complexes revealed a very similar core structure with three dicompartmental ligands supporting two triangular Cu(3)O cores that share a proton, located on their common threefold axis and involved in a strong hydrogen bond interaction (O···O distance of 2.517(2) ?). Two Cu(3)O units do not superimpose but are staggered and disposed with the formation of a helicate structure. However both the enantiomers are present in the centrosymmetric space group. The facing Cu(3)-planes in 1a are separated at a distance of 3.476 ?. The temperature dependence of the magnetic behaviour of the hexanuclear complex 1a clearly indicates an overall antiferromagnetic exchange interaction between the spin carriers in the cage having two Cu(3)O subunits and leaves a single unpaired electron in each triangular unit. The unpaired electrons in the two Cu(3)O units interact antiferromagnetically through hydrogen bonding giving rise to an overall singlet-spin ground state.     

Anthocyanin-rich black currant extract suppresses the growth of human hepatocellular carcinoma cells

Dietary antioxidants, such as anthocyanins, are helpful in the prevention and control of various diseases by counteracting the imbalance of oxidative and antioxidative factors in the living systems. Black currant (Ribes nigrum L., Grossulariaceae) is known to contain high amounts of anthocyanins (250 mg/100 g fresh fruit). Black currant fruits have been used in Asian and European traditional medicine for the treatment of a variety of diseases. Black currant extract has recently been found to be the second most effective amongst nine different berry extracts studied for their free radical scavenging activity. Constituents present in black currant juice have been found to exert a number of health-promoting effects, including immunomodulatory, antimicrobial and antiinflammatory actions, inhibition of low-density lipoprotein, and reduction of cardiovascular diseases. Although antioxidant and antiinflammatory effects of black currant juice could be of value in preventing and treating oxidative stress- and inflammation-driven cancers, no experimental evidence is available to now. The objective of the present study was to evaluate the potential antiproliferative effects of black currant fruit skin extract against HepG2 human liver cancer cells. The aqueous extract yielded an anthocyanin-rich fraction with cyanidin-3-O-rutinoside as one of the major anthocyanins. This fraction exhibited a potent cytotoxic effect on HepG2 cells and this effect was more pronounced than that of delphinidin and cyanidin, two major aglycones of anthocyanins present in black currant. Our results indicate, for the first time, that black currant skin containing an anthocyanin-rich fraction inhibits the proliferation of liver cancer cells, possibly due to additive as well as synergistic effects. This product could be useful in the prevention and treatment of human hepatocellular carcinoma.     

N–H···π Interactions in Two Isomers of an Amino Group Containing <Emphasis Type="Italic">bis</Emphasis>-Phenol

Abstract  

Crystal structures of two bis-phenols namely bis-(3,5-dimethyl-2-hydroxyphenyl)(3-amino phenyl)methane 1 and bis-(3,5-dimethyl-4-hydroxyphenyl)(3-aminophenyl) methane 2 are determined. The compound 1 crystallises in monoclinic P2₁/c with a = 12.2579(16) ?, b = 16.0906(19) ?, c = 10.6664(13) ?, β = 115.417(7)°, V = 1900.2(4) ?³ whereas 2 crystallizes in monoclinic C2/c, a = 9.2538(2) ?, b = 18.6579(4) ?, c = 23.2725(5) ?, β = 98.796(2)°, V = 3970.89(15) ?³. The crystal lattice of both the compounds shows presence of N–H···π interactions but no O–H···π interactions.     

Synthesis of nanocrystalline and mesoporous zinc sulphide from a single precursor Zn(SOCCH3)2Lut2 complex

We report the formation of mesoporous zinc sulphide, composed by the fine network of nanoparticles, which was formed via a single precursor Zn(SOCCH₃)₂Lut₂ complex. The complex was chemically synthesized using zinc carbonate basic, 3,5-lutidine and thioacetic acid, in air. The metal precursor complex was characterized using different conventional techniques. Thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) result indicates that the decomposition of the complex starts at 100 °C and continues up to 450 °C, finally yielding ZnS. ZnS nanocrystals were characterized by powder X-ray diffraction (XRD) technique, field emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM), N₂-sorption isotherm, UV-vis spectroscopy and photoluminescence (PL) spectroscopy. The grain diameter of nanocrystals was found to be 4-5 nm. The material followed Type-IV N₂-sorption isotherm, which is the characteristic of mesoporous materials. The band gap energy, as obtained from optical measurements was around 3.8 eV.     

In situ electron beam irradiated rapid growth of bismuth nanoparticles in bismuth-based glass dielectrics at room temperature

In this study, in situ control growth of bismuth nanoparticles (Bi⁰ NPs) was demonstrated in bismuth-based glass dielectrics under an electron beam (EB) irradiation at room temperature. The effects of EB irradiation were investigated in situ using transmission electron microscopy (TEM), selected-area electron diffraction and high-resolution transmission electron microscopy. The EB irradiation for 2–8 min enhanced the construction of bismuth nanoparticles with a rhombohedral structure and diameter of 4–9 nm. The average particle size was found to increase with the irradiation time. Bismuth metal has a melting point of 271 °C and this low melting temperature makes easy the progress of energy induced structural changes during in situ TEM observations. This is a very useful technique in nano-patterning for integrated optics and other applications.     

A transportation problem with fuzzy-stochastic cost

In this paper, we consider some transportation problems (TPs) with different types of fuzzy-stochastic unit transportation costs and budget constraints. These fuzzy stochastic costs are reduced to corresponding crisp ones in two different ways. For the first method, using the definition of α$\alpha$-cut of the fuzzy numbers, expectation is taken separately on both lower and upper α$\alpha$-cuts and then mean expectation is calculated with the help of signed distance. In the second procedure, we realize fuzzy random events (ξ?r)$(\xi ?r)$ and (ξ?r)$(\xi ?r)$ for the fuzzy random variable (ξ)$(\xi )$. Using credibility measure of these events, mean chances for the above fuzzy random events are calculated and then expectation is taken to get the crisp expressions. The reduced deterministic problems of the fuzzy stochastic TP are solved using a real coded genetic algorithm with Roulette wheel selection, arithmetic crossover and random mutation. Few numerical examples are demonstrated to find the optimal solutions of the proposed models.     

Managing raw material in supply chains

In this paper, we explore how firms can manage their raw material sourcing better by developing appropriate sourcing relationships with their raw material suppliers. We detail three empirical case studies of firms explaining their different raw material sourcing strategies: (a) firms can adopt a hands-off approach to raw material management, (b) firms can supply raw material directly to their suppliers, and this may be beneficial for some agents in the supply chain, and (c) firms can bring their component suppliers together, and the resulting cooperation between suppliers can be beneficial for supply chain. We then analytically model the three raw material scenarios encountered in our empirical work, examine the resulting profits along the supply chain, and extend the results to a competitive buyer scenario. Overall, our results show that active management of raw material sourcing can add value to supply chains.