Duality for a Lorentz quantum group

We give the algebra _q ^/* dual to the matrix Lorentz quantum group _q of Podles-Woronowicz, and Watamuraet al. As a commutation algebra, it has the classical form _q ^/* U _q (sl(2, )) U _q (sl(2, )). However, this splitting is not preserved by the coalgebra structure which we also give. For the derivation, we use a generalization of the approach of Sudbery, viz. tangent vectors at the identity.     

Microscopic examination of the 2,300-year-old excavated steel plowshare from northern India

In the present investigation, X-ray diffractometer, optical microscope, and scanning electron microscope were used to analyze the plowshare excavated from Ganwaria, UP, India. The main objective of the investigation was to determine the type of alloy, analysis of slag inclusion, and corrosion behavior. X-ray diffraction analysis showed the presence of α-iron. Microstructure consists of ferrite and pearlite grains; ferrite phase was soft in comparison to the pearlite. Optical micrograph at lower magnification revealed slag inclusions aligned in a specific direction, which indicates that the forge welding technique was used in the manufacturing of the object. The microstructural examination revealed that the object was manufactured from carbon steel. Entrapped slag inclusions were observed by scanning electron microscope and X-ray mapping, and slags were identified as SiO₂ and MgO. Goethite and lepidocrocite corrosion compound were found on the surface of the object.     

Oxidation of some α‐hydroxy acids by tetraethylammonium chlorochromate: A kinetic and mechanistic study

The oxidation of glycolic, lactic, malic, and a few substituted mandelic acids by tetraethylammonium chlorochromate (TEACC) in dimethylsulfoxide leads to the formation of corresponding oxoacids. The reaction is first order each in TEACC and hydroxy acids. Reaction is failed to induce the polymerization of acrylonitrile. The oxidation of α‐deuteriomandelic acid shows the presence of a primary kinetic isotope effect (k_H/k_D = 5.63 at 298 K). The reaction does not exhibit the solvent isotope effect. The reaction is catalyzed by the hydrogen ions. The hydrogen ion dependence has the following form: k_obs = a + b[H⁺]. Oxidation of p‐methylmandelic acid has been studied in 19 different organic solvents. The solvent effect has been analyzed by using Kamlet's and Swain's multiparametric equations. A mechanism involving a hydride ion transfer via a chromate ester is proposed. © 2009 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Int J Chem Kinet 42: 50–55, 2010     

Low temperature synthesis of Mn0.4Zn0.6In0.5Fe1.5O4 nanoferrite for high-frequency applications

In the present study, nanoferrite of composition Mn_0.4Zn_0.6In_0.5Fe_1.5O₄ has been synthesized by co-precipitation method. Decomposition of residue at a temperature as low as 200 °C gives the ferrite powder. The ferrite has been, finally, sintered at 500 °C. The structural studies have been made by using X-ray diffraction (XRD) technique and scanning electron microscopy (SEM), which confirm the formation of single spinel phase and nanostructure. The dc resistivity is studied as a function of temperature and values found are more than twice those for the samples prepared by the other chemical methods. It is found that the resistivity decreases with increase in temperature. The initial permeability value is found to be higher as compared to the other chemical routes. The initial permeability value is found to increase with increase in temperature. At a certain temperature called Curie temperature, it attains a maximum value, after which the initial permeability decreases sharply. Even at nanolevel, appreciable value of initial permeability is obtained and low magnetic losses make these ferrites especially suitable for high-frequency applications. The particle size is calculated using Scherrer's equation for Lorentzian peak, which comes out between 35 and 49 nm. Possible mechanisms contributing to these processes have been discussed.     

High-performance thin-layer chromatography (HPTLC) method development and validation for the estimation of curcumin and cineole

JPC – Journal of Planar Chromatography – Modern TLC - Curcumin and cineole are phytochemicals which have shown synergistic effects in allergic rhinitis (AR). The aim of the current work...     

Graphene-induced apoptosis in lung epithelial cells through EGFR

Expanding interest in nanotechnology applied to electronic and biomedical fields has led to fast-growing development of various nanomaterials. Graphene is a single-atom thick, two-dimensional sheet of hexagonally arranged carbon atoms with unique physical and chemical properties. Recently, graphene has been used in many studies on electronics, photonics, composite materials, energy generation and storage, sensors, and biomedicine. However, the current health risk assessment for graphene has been relatively limited and inconclusive. This study evaluated the toxicity effects of graphene on the airway epithelial cell line BEAS-2B, which represents the first barrier of the human body to interact with airborne graphene particles. Our result showed that graphene can induce the cellular Ca²⁺ by phospholipase C (PLC) associated pathway by activating epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR). Subsequently, inositol 1,4,5-triphosphate (IP₃) receptors activate the release of Ca²⁺ from the endoplasmic reticulum (ER) Ca²⁺ stores. Those Ca²⁺ signals further trigger the calcium-regulated apoptosis in the cell. Furthermore, the stimulation can cause EGFR upregulation, which have been demonstrated to associate with diseases such as lung cancer, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), and cardiovascular diseases. This study highlights the additional health risk considering that it can function as a contributing factor for other respiratory diseases.     

(3S,4R,5R)-3-(2-Hydroxyethyl)piperidine-3,4,5-triol as an isofagomine analogue: synthesis and glycosidase inhibition study

The synthesis of (3S,4R,5R)-3-(2-hydroxyethyl)piperidine-3,4,5-triol 10 has been described from d-glucose. The base promoted cyclization for the construction of the piperdine framework is the key step of the synthesis.     

Studies of Thermodynamic Properties of Binary and Ternary Methanolic Solutions Containing KBr and 18-Crown-6 at 298.15 K

Experimental measurements of the speed of sound, density and osmotic vapour pressure are reported for binary 18-Crown-6 (18C6) + CH₃OH, KBr + CH₃OH and ternary KBr + 18C6 + CH₃OH solutions at 298.15 K. The density and compressibility data were processed to obtain the apparent molar volume (ø _V ) and apparent molar isentropic compressibility ( $\phi _{K_S } Experimental measurements of the speed of sound, density and osmotic vapour pressure are reported for binary 18-Crown-6 (18C6) + CH₃OH, KBr + CH₃OH and ternary KBr + 18C6 + CH₃OH solutions at 298.15 K. The density and compressibility data were processed to obtain the apparent molar volume (? _V ) and apparent molar isentropic compressibility () of the solutes in methanol. Expansivity data were obtained for the 18C6 + CH₃OH system from density data at different temperatures and were used for calculation of the isothermal compressibility values at 298.15 K. The isothermal compressibility and expansivity data are further used to obtain the apparent molar isothermal compressibility () and apparent molar expansivity (? _E ) of 18C6 in methanolic solutions and as well as the energy-volume coefficient parameter (∂ U/∂ V) _T in methanol solutions. The volume and compressibility changes due to complexation of KBr with 18C6 are obtained at infinite dilution for ? _V and ? _K . The results are compared with the similar data obtained by us previously for aqueous and CCl₄ solutions. The osmotic coefficient data were used to calculate activities and activity coefficients of each component at 298.15 K as a function of the concentration of binary and ternary methanolic solutions containing KBr and 18C6. The activity and activity coefficient data are used to evaluate the pair and triplet interaction parameters by making appropriate use of the McMillan-Meyer theory of solutions. The calculation of the thermodynamic equilibrium constant (K) is made using the pair interaction parameter, g _NE (non-electrolyte – electrolyte pair interaction), for the complexation equilibria. The nature of interactions present in the CH₃OH solutions is discussed.