Investigation of dual-channel fiber-optic surface plasmon resonance sensing for biological applications

A dual-channel fiber-optic sensor based on surface plasmon resonance (SPR) for self-referencing refractive-index measurements has been proposed. Most applications of fiber-optic SPR sensors are designed to measure the refractive index of a liquid or gas sample by measuring the signal from a single surface, the sensitivity and stability of which is easily affected by the fluctuation of external environmental conditions. We have designed a dual-channel fiber-optic surface sensor with two independent SPR signals from two areas of the same probe. A prototype sensor was fabricated and characterized. The preliminary experimental results demonstrate the characteristic responses of both SPR signals from two channels that independently correspond to the refractive index changes in the liquid samples with which they are in contact. The design could be extended to a multichannel sensor with further developments. The experimental results confirmed that one channel can be used as a reference sensor that could compensate for unexpected changes in bulk refraction or temperature and develop this sensor as a practicable high-sensitivity biosensing device.     

Wigner distribution,nonclassicality and decoherence of generalized and reciprocal binomial states

There are quantum states of light that can be expressed as finite superpositions of Fock states (FSFS). We demonstrate the nonclassicality of an arbitrary FSFS by means of its phase space distributions such as the Wigner function and the Q-function. The decoherence of the FSFS is studied by considering the time evolution of its Wigner function in amplitude decay and phase damping channels. As examples, we determine the nonclassicality and decoherence of generalized and reciprocal binomial states.     

Axially symmetric solutions generated by the complexification technique

Banerjee and Andrade generated axially symmetric electrovac solutions from the spherically symmetric Reissner-Nordström solution by giving a complex translation along theZ axis. We use the same method for generating new more complicated axially symmetric solutions from known solutions. Several such examples are given.     

Estimation of capsaicin through scanning densitometry and evaluation of different varieties of capsicum in India

Capsicum annuum L. (family: Solanaceae) possesses therapeutic benefits for the treatment of rheumatism, neuropathy, psoriasis, flatulence and so on. In this study fruits of four different varieties of C. annuum from four different geographical regions in India were evaluated based on their total content of capsaicin. Ethanol extracts of the fruits were used. HPTLC plates were developed in a mobile phase containing benzene, ethyl acetate and methanol (75:20:5). Densitometric scanning was performed at a wavelength of 283 nm in the absorbance mode. The calibration curve was described by the equation Y=393.587+3.836*X with a correlation coefficient (r) of 0.99890. The content of capsaicin in Nagaland, Manipur, West Bengal and Shimla varieties was found to be 3.71%, 1.78%, 0.54% and 0.06%, respectively. The developed densitometric method was found to be specific, accurate and precise. A recovery study and precision showed low levels of %RSD values. The linearity range of the curve for capsaicin was found to be 300-900 ng per spot. The limit of detection and the limit of quantification values were determined to be 31 and 94 ng, respectively, proving the sensitivity of the method. Thus the method can be used to control the total content of capsaicin on an industrial scale.     

1,3-Dipolar Cycloadditions VI [1].Structure and Conformation of Cycloadducts from Reactions of C-Aryl-N-phenylnitrones with Substituted Cinnamic Acid Amides

Summary.  Studies on cycloadditions of C,N-diarylnitrones to cinnamic acid amides were carried out. The diastereoisomeric (I, II) and (in some cases) regioisomeric (III) cycloadducts obtained were characterized by spectroscopic and X-ray data. Conformational studies were carried out by molecular modelling. Received February 8, 2000. Accepted February 18, 2000     

Palladium(0)-catalyzed regioselective synthesis of alpha-dehydro-beta-amino esters from amines and allyl acetates: synthesis of a alpha-dehydro-beta-amino acid derived cyclic peptide as a constrained beta-turn mimic

Acetates derived from the adducts of the Baylis-Hillman reaction can be reacted in a regioselective manner with amines in the presence of palladium(0) catalyst to afford alpha-dehydro-beta-amino esters (2 and 3) in good yields. The regioselectivity of the reaction can be controlled by temperature and reaction medium leading to the synthesis of regioisomers 2 or 3. The alpha-dehydro-beta-amino acid 3 is a turn inducer, and the dipeptides 6 derived from it show the presence of an eight-membered intramolecular hydrogen bond. Also, cobalt(II) chloride catalyzes the cleavage of epoxy peptides with alpha-dehydro-beta-amino acid derivative 3b to afford the corresponding dipeptide derivatives 8, which exhibit an intramolecular hydrogen bond and thus mimic a beta-turn. This intramolecular hydrogen bonding preorganizes the corresponding diallylated peptide 8c for cyclization via ring-closing metathesis to afford the cyclic peptide 9 as a constrained mimic of a beta-turn.     

An Unprecedented‐Type Intramolecular Redox Reaction of Solid Tetraamminecopper(2+) Bis(permanganate) ([Cu(NH3)4](MnO4)2) – A Low‐Temperature Synthesis of Copper Dimanganese Tetraoxide‐Type (CuMn2O4) Nanocrystalline Catalyst Precursors

Tetraamminecopper(2+) bis(permanganate) ([Cu(NH₃)₄](MnO₄)₂; 1 ) was prepared, and its properties were studied in both aqueous solution and the solid phase. The presence of H‐bond interactions between the ammonia ligand of the complex cation and an O‐atom of the permanganate ion was detected by IR and Raman methods. The solid‐phase thermal deammoniation of 1 led to an unusual intramolecular redox reaction between the Mn O⋅⋅⋅H N linkage with formation of NH₄NO₃ and CuMn₂O₄‐type mixed oxides instead of stepwise deammoniation, even below 100°. The thermal deammoniation of 1 in aqueous solution led, instead of to hydrated copper(2+) bis(permanganate), to the formation of NH₄MnO₄ ( 2 ). Since the temperature of the thermal deammoniation of 1 is lower than the decomposition temperature of the permanganate ion, the regulated solid‐phase decomposition of 1 allowed preparation of CuMn₂O₄‐type oxides with mixing of copper and manganese at the atomic level.     

Kinetics and mechanism of the oxidation of some α‐hydroxy acids by 2,2′‐bipyridinium chlorochromate

The oxidation of glycolic, lactic, malic, and a few substituted mandelic acids by 2,2′‐bipyridinium chlorochromate (BPCC) in dimethylsulphoxide leads to the formation of corresponding oxoacids. The reaction is first order each in BPCC and the hydroxy acids. The reaction is catalyzed by the hydrogen ions. The hydrogen ion dependence has the form: k_obs = a + b [H⁺]. The oxidation of α‐deuteriomandelic acid exhibited a substantial primary kinetic isotope effect (k_H/k_d = 5.29 at 303 K). Oxidation of p‐methylmandelic acid was 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. © 2002 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Int J Chem Kinet 34: 248–254, 2002     

Kinetics and mechanism of the oxidation of lower oxyacids of phosphorus by hexamethylenetetramine bromine

The oxidation of lower oxyacids of phosphorus by hexamethylenetetramine bromine (HABR) in glacial acetic acid resulted in the formation of corresponding oxyacids with phosphorus in a higher oxidation state. The reaction exhibited 2:1 stoichiometry. The reaction is first order with respect to HABR. Michaelis–Menten‐type kinetics were observed with respect to the acids. The formation constant of the phenylphosphinic acid–HABR complex also has been determined spectrophotometrically. The thermodynamic parameters for the complex formation and the activation parameters for their decomposition were calculated. The reaction showed the presence of a substantial kinetic isotope effect. It is proposed that the HABR itself is the reactive oxidizing species. It has been shown that the pentacoordinated tautomer of the phosphorus oxyacid is the reactive reductant. A suitable mechanism has been proposed. © 2000 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. Int J Chem Kinet 32: 165–170, 2000     

A competent pot and atom-efficient synthesis of Betti bases over nanocrystalline MgO involving a modified Mannich type reaction

A simple, efficient, and eco-friendly method for the synthesis of 1-(α-aminoalkyl) naphthols, the Betti bases, has been carried out over a basic nanocrystalline MgO catalyst in aqueous condition. The method has been applied for the synthesis of a range of compounds with variable functionalities in excellent yield and selectivity.