Single layer graphene: an alternative electrode material for ferroelectric liquid crystal based displays

We made comparative investigations on indium tin oxide (ITO) and single-layer graphene (SLG)-coated glass substrate as electrodes, specially for ferroelectric liquid crystal (FLC)-based system. We experimentally examined the comparative behaviour of important electro-optical FLC parameters for ITO- and SLG-based sample cells. The parameters are observed to be almost similar for both the cells. Interestingly, the value of threshold voltage is observed lower in SLG-based cell in comparison to that of conventional ITO/ITO cell. The presented results will definitely add a step to prove the suitability of graphene to be used as transparent electrodes in FLC-based display devices.     

Hydro­gen bonding in two tetracyclic indole alkaloids

3-Acetyl-1,6,7,12b-tetra­hydro­indolo­[2,3-a]­quinolizin-2(12H)-one, C₁₇H₁₆N₂O₂, consists of two symmetry-independent mol­ecules and each forms a layered structure stabilized by N—H⃛O and C—H⃛O hydrogen bonds. In 3-acetyl-6,7-di­hydro­indolo­[2,3-a]­quinolizin-4(12H)-one monohydrate, C₁₇H₁₄N₂O₂·H₂O, the structure is stabilized by O—H⃛O, N—H⃛O and C—H⃛O hydrogen bonds, with the ordered water mol­ecule playing a crucial role in the self-assembly. Contribution from the weak interactions to the strong hydrogen-bonded network is a common feature in both structures.     

Recent development of aminophosphine chalcogenides and boranes as ligands in s-block metal chemistry

The coordination chemistry of the aminophosphine chalcogenide ligands [Ph₂P(O)NHR], [Ph₂P(S)NHR], and [Ph₂P(Se)NHR] (R = 2,6-Me₂C₆H₃,^tBu, CHPh₂, CPh₃) or corresponding borane derivative [Ph₂P(BH₃)NHR] toward group 1 and 2 metals is reviewed. The structural characterization of a huge number of mono- and bis-aminophosphine chalcogenide/borane complexes with group 1 and 2 metals—in most cases lithium, sodium, potassium, magnesium, calcium, strontium, and barium complexes—reveals a poly-metallacyclic motif in each case. The coordination takes place from adjacent chalcogen/borane and nitrogen as donor atom or group of the ligand confirming the direct bond between metal and chalcogen/borane to develop homoleptic and heteroleptic complexes. The heteroleptic group 2 metal complexes were used as pre-catalysts in hydrophosphination and hydroamination reactions. Similarly, aminophosphine chalcogenide alkaline earth metal complexes were used in the catalytic ring-opening polymerization (ROP) study of ?-caprolactone.     

Prebiotic Oligosaccharides: Special Focus on Fructooligosaccharides,Its Biosynthesis and Bioactivity

MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are important nonprotein-coding genes involved in almost all biological processes during biotic and abiotic stresses in plants. To investigate the miRNA-mediated plant response to drought stress, two drought-tolerant (C-306 and NI-5439) and two drought-sensitive (HUW-468 and WL-711) wheat genotypes were exposed to 25 % PEG 6000 for 1, 12 and 24 h. Temporal expression patterns of 12 drought-responsive miRNAs and their corresponding nine targets were monitored by quantitative real-time PCR (qRT-PCR). The results showed differential expression of miRNAs and their targets with varying degree of upregulation and downregulation in drought-sensitive genotypes. Likewise, in drought-tolerant wheat genotypes, maximum accumulation of miR393a and miR397a was observed at 1 h of stress. In addition, nearly perfect negative correlation was observed in four miRNA and target pairs (miR164-NAC, miR168a-AGO, miR398-SOD and miR159a-MYB) across all the temporal period studied which could be a major player during drought response in wheat. We, for the first time, validated the presence of miR529a and miR1029 in wheat. These findings gives a clue for temporal and variety-specific differential regulation of miRNAs and their targets in wheat in response to osmotic shock and could help in defining the potential roles of miRNAs in plant adaptation to osmotic stress in future.     

A blue luminescent binuclear cadmium-orotate coordination polymer: synthesis,crystal structure,and thermogravimetric analysis

Assembly of orotic acid (H₃Or, 1,2,3,6-tetrahydro-2,6-dioxo-4-pyrimidinecarboxylic) and Cd(NO₃)·6H₂O yielded a coordination polymer, [(Cd(Hor)·2.5H₂O)₂]_n (1), which has been characterized by X-ray single-crystal diffraction, TGA, and ?uorescence spectra. Single-crystal X-ray structural analyses reveal that 1 is a hydrogen-bonded binuclear Cd-orotate coordination polymer in which both Cd²⁺ ions have different coordination environments with identical distorted octahedral geometry. Crystal data for 1: monoclinic, space group P2₁/n, a = 7.0209(10) Å, b = 13.974(2) Å, c = 17.541(3) Å, β = 98.842(2)°, V = 1700.5(4) Å, Z = 4, R1 = 0.0269, wR2 = 0.0612, θ_max = 25.960. The emission spectrum of the Cd-complex recorded with 265 nm excitation wavelength reveals the complex has strong blue luminescence with the peak maximum 420 nm (2.95 eV) as a result of the n–π* and π–π* transitions on the H₃Or ligand.     

Mechanism of ruthenium tetroxide-catalysed oxidation of aldoses by alkalineN-bromoacetamide

The kinetics of oxidation of three aldoses (glucose, mannose and galactose) byN-bromoacetamide (NBA) in the presence of an alkaline solution of RuO₄ as catalyst and Hg(OAc)₂ as co-catalyst and as a scavenger for bromide have been investigated. The main products of the oxidation are the corresponding aldonic acids. The reaction is zero order with respect to aldose and OH⁻. First order dependence of the reaction on both NBA and RuO₄ at low concentrations shifts to zero order at higher concentrations. Addition of acetamide decreases the reaction rate, while addition of Hg(OAc)₂ has the opposite effect. No significant effect of ionic strength was observed. OBr⁻ is postulated as the reactive oxidising species and a mechanism involving co-catalysis by RuO₄ and Hg^II is proposed. TMC 2588     

Degradation process in organic thin film devices fabricated using P3HT

The stability of regioregular poly(3-hexylthiophene 2,5-diyl) (P3HT) thin films sandwiched between indium tin oxide (ITO) and aluminium (Al) electrodes have been investigated under normal environmental conditions (25°C and RH∼45–50%). Electrical and optical properties of ITO/P3HT/Al devices have been studied over a period of 30 days. Mobility μ of the order of 10⁻⁴ cm²/V-s has been obtained from the V ² law in the as-deposited P3HT films. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) investigations show blistering of Al contacts in devices with a poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene) (PEDOT) interlayer on application of voltage whereas no blistering is seen in devices without PEDOT. The results have been explained in terms of trap generation and propagation and the moisture-absorbing nature of PEDOT.      

Scaling in the bombay stock exchange index

In this paper we study Bombay stock exchange (BSE) index financial time series for fractal and multifractal behaviour. We show that BSE index time series is monofractal and can be represented by a fractional Brownian motion.     

Sensitivity of Bayes decisions for the success probability for samples from a nonbinomial population

Summary A family of generalised negative binomial distributions is employed to investigate inference robustness of the Bayes estimator of the unknown parameter of the binomial distribution. A zone of sensitivity for the test of significance is constructed to forewarn the pro-Jeffreys Bayesians against indiscriminate choice of the probability in favour of the null hypothesis. A few selected tables are presented to illustrate the effect of relaxation of the ‘binomiality’ assumption.