Nitro,Nitrito and Nitrato Derivatives of Dicyclopentadienyl Thallium(III) Chloride and Bis Indenyl Thallium(III) Chloride

Six new complexes of thallium(III) of the formula (π-D)₂Tl(L) (where D= cyclopentadienyl or indenyl group and L=nitro, nitrito or nitrato group) have been prepared and characterised on the basis of I. R. studies and some thermal properties of these complexes.     

Ratiometric sensing of Hg2+ based on the calix[4]arene of partial cone conformation possessing a dansyl moiety

A new fluorescent chemosensor based on the calix[4]arene of partial cone conformation possessing a dansyl moiety has been synthesized. The chemosensor demonstrates selective optical recognition of Hg(2+) and Cu(2+) in two contrasting modes. The receptor exhibited ratiometric sensing of Hg(2+) and "ON-OFF" type of fluorescence behavior in the presence of Cu(2+). The compound behaves as a fluorescent molecular switch upon chemical inputs of Hg(2+) and Cu(2+) ions.     

A pentaquinone-based 4-2 bit photonic encoder

A new pentaquinone-based chemosensor armed with phenolic moieties has been synthesized. The fluorescence behaviour of the chemosensor in the presence of different chemical inputs mimics the functions of a digital encoder.     

Hetero‐oligophenylene‐Based AIEE Material as a Multiple Probe for Biomolecules and Metal Ions to Construct Logic Circuits: Application in Bioelectronics and Chemionics

New hetero‐oligophenylene derivative ( 2 ) was synthesized which exhibits aggregation‐induced emission enhancement (AIEE) in H₂O/THF (80:20). The aggregates serve as a biological probe for three different proteins, that is bovine serum albumin (BSA), cytochrome c, and lysozyme, and DNA in contrasting modes. Further, among 29 metal ions tested, the contrasting fluorescence behavior of aggregates of 2 is observed with only Pb²⁺ and Pd²⁺ ions. Multiple output logic circuits based upon the fluorescence behavior between BSA and cytochrome c and between Pb²⁺ and Pd²⁺ ions are constructed.     

Ratiometric nanomolar detection of Cu(2+) ions in mixed aqueous media: a Cu(2+)/Li(+) ions switchable allosteric system based on thiacalix[4]crown

A novel ditopic fluorescent chemosensor 2, based on the 1,3-alternate conformation of thiacalix[4]crown possessing two complexation sites, was synthesized and shows ratiometric nanomolar detection of Cu(2+) ions and exhibits negative allosteric behaviour between Cu(2+)/Li(+) ions in mixed aqueous media.     

Fluorescent nanoaggregates of pentacenequinone derivative for selective sensing of picric acid in aqueous media

Novel pentacenequinone derivative 3 has been synthesized using the Suzuki-Miyaura coupling protocol which forms fluorescent nanoaggregates in aqueous media due to its aggregation-induced emission enhancement attributes and selectively senses picric acid with a detection limit of 500 ppb.     

Acoustic Analysis in Asthmatics and the Influence of Inhaled Corticosteroid Therapy

The impact of sustained inhaled corticosteroid (ICS) therapy on the larynx and pharynx was assessed using a prospective, cross-sectional, and investigator-blinded study conducted at the University Hospital Aintree, Liverpool, UK. Forty-six adults recruited from two local general practices and from general ENT clinics at our University hospital were investigated for the study. Patients were allocated to three groups according to ICS use. Laryngeal effects were measured by correlating the results of a vocal performance questionnaire, a respiratory symptom questionnaire, and measurements obtained by computerized speech analysis. Sustained vowels and connected speech were analyzed in normal and asthmatic subjects. Acoustic analysis was correlated with cellular markers of inflammation after biopsy. Regular ICS users had significantly more pharyngeal inflammation and throat discomfort (P < 0.0001). Vocal performance was also worse in this group (P < 0.0001). They were more likely to have hoarseness, weakness of voice, aphonia, sore throat, throat irritation, and cough (P < 0.0001). All these variables were directly related to one another (P < 0.0001). Multiple linear regression analysis showed that jitter was a good objective measure of hoarseness (P < 0.05). Regular ICS users were significantly more likely to have abnormal jitter, shimmer, and closed-phase quotient scores (P < 0.0001). There was no difference between the groups in the observed parameters of inflammation (P > 0.01). A higher pharyngitis score did not correlate with any of the histological markers of inflammation (P > 0.01). Local side effects are more common in asthmatics that use ICS regularly. Measures of laryngeal function are significantly worse in regular ICS users. However, histological markers and oropharyngeal redness are not reliable measures of inflammation.     

Search for room temperature high-TCR manganite/silver composites

We have synthesized La_0.7Ba_0.3MnO₃ (LBMO):wt%Ag_x and La_0.7Sr_0.3MnO₃ (LSMO):wt%Ag_x composites with x=0.0, 0.1, 0.2, 0.3 and 0.4 at different sintering temperatures of 1300 and 1400 °C by solid-state reaction route. In our previous work [Awana et al. Solid State Commun. 140 (2006) 410] on La_2/3Ca_1/3MnO₃ (LCMO):Ag_x (x=0.0, 0.1, 0.2, 0.3, 0.4) composites, we reported about 12% temperature coefficient of resistance (TCR) for Ag_0.4 samples near metal–insulator (MI) transition, which was explained on the basis of better grains connectivity. A sharp MI transition results in high TCR. Such high-TCR material can be used as a bolometer or infrared detector at room temperature. In the present work, it is shown that the TCR is improved with Ag addition for both LBMO:wt%Ag_x and LSMO:wt%Ag_x composites. In addition to improvement in TCR, high MR is also achieved in the vicinity of room temperature.     

CH activation with an O-donor iridium-methoxo complex

A thermally and air stable O-donor, iridium-methoxo complex is reported that undergoes stoichiometric, intermolecular C-H activation of benzene with co-generation of methanol and the iridium-phenyl complex.     

Studies on the Preparation and Properties of Some Phenolic Derivatives of Biscyclopentadienyl Molybdenum (VI) and Bisindenyl Molybdenum (VI) Oxide Dichloride

Reactions of biscyclopentadenyl molybdenum (VI) oxide dichloride (I) and bisindenyl molybdenum (VI) oxide dichloride (II) with mono-, di- and trihydroxy phenols have been studied and the phenoxide derivatives so formed have been isolated. Infrared spectra and some phenolic derivatives of these compounds have been studied.