Laser frequency stabilization using a balanced bi-polarimeter

We report on a Doppler-free polarization spectroscopy based technique of laser frequency stabilization using a balanced bi-polarimeter set-up. Two linearly polarized weak laser beams are used to probe birefringence induced by two oppositely circularly polarized strong pump beams in a vapour cell. Subtraction of balanced polarimeter signals obtained from the two probe beams results in a background-free dispersion-like reference signal without frequency modulation. The dispersion-like signal corresponding to the closed transition 5 ² S _1/2 (F=2) →5 ² P _3/2 (F^′=3) of ⁸⁷Rb was used for frequency locking of a diode laser. The frequency fluctuations and the drift were measured to be less than 0.25 MHz and 0.02 MHz, respectively, for an observation period of more than 10 hours. PACS 42.62.Fi; 42.55.Px; 32.30.-r     

New diorganotin(IV) complexes of Schiff base derived from 4‐amino‐3‐hydrazino‐5‐mercapto‐4H‐1,2,4‐triazole: Synthesis,structural characterization,density functional theory studies,atoms‐in‐molecules analysis and antifungal activity

New diorganotin(IV) complexes of a Schiff base (HL) having general formula R₂Sn(L)Cl (where L is the monoanion of HL and R = n‐Bu or Ph) have been synthesized and characterized using elemental analysis, infrared, NMR (¹H, ¹³C, ¹¹⁹Sn) and UV–visible spectroscopies and mass spectrometry. These investigations suggest that in these 1:1 monomeric derivatives the Schiff base ligand acts in a monoanionic bidentate manner coordinating through the O_phenolic and N_azomethine, with proposed distorted trigonal bipyramidal geometry around tin with O_phenolic and two organic groups in the equatorial plane and the N_azomethine and the third organic group in axial positions. The proposed structures have been validated by density functional theory (DFT)‐based quantum chemical calculations at the B3LYP/6‐31G(d,p)/Def2‐SVP (Sn) level of theory. The simulated UV–visible spectrum was obtained with the time‐dependent DFT method in the gas phase and in the solvent field with the integral equation formalism–polarizable continuum model. A comparative analysis of the experimental vibrational frequencies and simulated harmonic frequencies indicates a good correlation between them. An insight into the intramolecular bonding and interactions among bonds in organotin(IV) complexes of HL was obtained by means of natural bond orbital analysis. The topological and energetic properties of the electron density distribution for the tin–ligand interaction in R₂Sn(L)Cl have been theoretically calculated at the bonds around the central tin atom in terms of atoms‐in‐molecules theory. The R₂Sn(L)Cl complexes were screened for their in vitro antifungal activity against chosen fungal strains.     

Synthesis and Stability of Lanthanum Superhydrides

Recent theoretical calculations predict that megabar pressure stabilizes very hydrogen‐rich simple compounds having new clathrate‐like structures and remarkable electronic properties including room‐temperature superconductivity. X‐ray diffraction and optical studies demonstrate that superhydrides of lanthanum can be synthesized with La atoms in an fcc lattice at 170 GPa upon heating to about 1000 K. The results match the predicted cubic metallic phase of LaH₁₀ having cages of thirty‐two hydrogen atoms surrounding each La atom. Upon decompression, the fcc‐based structure undergoes a rhombohedral distortion of the La sublattice. The superhydride phases consist of an atomic hydrogen sublattice with H?H distances of about 1.1 Å, which are close to predictions for solid atomic metallic hydrogen at these pressures. With stability below 200 GPa, the superhydride is thus the closest analogue to solid atomic metallic hydrogen yet to be synthesized and characterized.     

Co-delivery of docetaxel and doxorubicin using biodegradable PEG-PLA micelles for treatment of breast cancer with synergistic anti-tumour effects

Poly(ethylene glycol)-poly(lactic acid) copolymer, prepared by ring opening polymerization, was used as a single platform to co-deliver both hydrophilic doxorubicin and hydrophobic docetaxel (DTX) in a simulated physiological environment. The average size of the negatively charged drug loaded polymeric micelles were found to be 293 nm. The drug loading (%) and encapsulation efficiency (%) were calculated to be 1.21 and 59.0, respectively. The in vitro cytotoxicity test using MCF7 breast cancer cells was conducted using 1 × 10⁴ cells in 10% FBS and 1% antibiotic, and the absorbance of formazan was evaluated at 570 nm. Cell growth inhibition by MTT assay showed viability of 33% of the MCF7 cells after treatment with drug-loaded micelles for 48 h. Controlled release of drugs from the polymeric micelles indicated a burst release effect initially; whereas, 98% of drug could be released at pH 7.4 within a time period of 96 h. Time period for drug release shorten to 48 h only in simulated mild acidic pH (5.4) condition. The in vitro drug release study from micelles indicated synergistic cytotoxicity effect in human metastatic breast cancer MCF7 cell.     

Calculation of the minimum energy conformation of biomolecules by using a global optimization technique. V. Preferred conformations of the thyrotropin-releasing hormone

The preferred conformations of the thyrotropin-releasing hormone (TRH) have been calculated by the global optimization method proposed earlier by us. [G. Subba Rao, R. S. Tyagi, and R. K. Mishra, J. Theor. Biol. 90 , 377 (1981)]. The potential function used comprises the electrostatic, nonbonded, torsional and hydrogen-bonding terms. The results are in good agreement with the crystal structures of TRH. No intramolecular hydrogen bonding is found to occur.     

SOLVENT EFFECTS ON THE ELECTRONIC ABSORPTION AND FLUORESCENCE SPECTRA OF INDOLE-4-CARBOXYLIC ACID: PROTOTROPIC EQUILIBRIA IN AQUEOUS SOLUTIONS

Abstract— The absorption and fluorescence spectra of indole-4-carboxylic acid in various solvents have indicated that the -COOH group is more planar with respect to the indole ring in the first excited singlet state (S₁) than in the ground (S₀) state. Relatively large Stokes' shifts indicate that polarisability and dipole moment of the molecule are increased predominantly upon excitation. Prototropic reactions in the S₀ and S₁ states are the same. The -COO^- and -COOH+₂ groups are not coplanar in the S₀, but coplanar in the S₁ state. pH-dependent fluorescence spectra have revealed that both protonation and deprotonation of the -COOH group increase the basicity of the molecule upon excitation.     

Standardization and validation of phytometabolites by UHPLC and high-performance thin layer chromatography for rapid quality assessment of ancient ayurvedic medicine,Mahayograj Guggul

Mahayograj Guggul is an ancient ayurvedic medicine, prescribed for various joint disorders like arthritis, gout, and rheumatism. The present research was envisaged to develop a simple, sensitive, and comprehensive analytical method for standardization of Mahayograj Guggul. The analysis was conducted for gallic acid, protocatechuic acid, vanillic acid, cinnamic acid, piperine, guggulsterone-E, and guggulsterone-Z by high-performance thin-layer chromatography, and additionally ferulic acid, ellagic acid, and picroside I by ultra high-performance liquid chromatography. These developed methods were validated as per international guidelines, and were found linear (r² > 0.99), sensitive, precise (relative standard deviation < 5%), and accurate with recovery values (85–105%). The limit of detection and quantification were in the range of 0.11–23.6 and 0.33–71.51 μg/g. Gas chromatography tandem mass spectrometry was used to develop Mahayograj Guggul fingerprinting profile and to identify mid-polar or nonpolar compounds. Proximate analysis was used to ascertain the functional groups present in Mahayograj Guggul. Ultra high-performance liquid chromatography and gas chromatography tandem mass spectrometry were further employed to authenticate quality reproducibility in the active ingredients of Mahayograj Guggul in six commercial batches. Taken together, these analytical methods provide a scientific basis and reference for quality control evaluation of Mahayograj Guggul and similar traditional broad-spectrum formulations.     

Study on linear and nonlinear stability analysis of double diffusive electro-convection in couple stress anisotropic fluid-saturated rotating porous layer

The influence of rotation and electric field on the onset of double-diffusive convection in rotating anisotropic couple stress fluid embedded porous media, which is caused by the combined action of external AC electric field and heating from below, has been investigated in this study. The associated equations were solved using the normal mode technique in conjunction with the modified Brinkman model, with free-free and rigid-rigid boundary conditions. Solute concentration and temperature are treated as independent parameters for the two diffusive components. Finally, neutral stability curves have been sketched to show how various flow parameters affect neutral stability. It is noticed that electric field has destabilizing effect on thermodynamic convection while rotation couple stress parameters have a tendency to stabilize the physical system under consideration. Furthermore, heat and mass transport have been studied using non-linear analysis in unsteady case. It is found that rotation, couple stress, porous parameters has influence of declining heat and mass transport while electric and anisotropic parameters have effect of boosting up heat and mass transport.     

Radiotracer technique in the study of molecular complexes. Transference number of alcohol-iodine “inner charge-transfer complexes”

The radiotracer technique has been applied to find the transference number of anion/cation constituents of iodine-alcohols “inner chargetransfer complexes” and it is deduced that the anions are the main charge carriers.