Persistence of magnons in a site-diluted dimerized frustrated antiferromagnet

We present inelastic neutron scattering and thermodynamic measurements characterizing the magnetic excitations in a disordered spin-liquid antiferromagnet with non-magnetic substitution. The parent compound Ba(3)Mn(2)O(8) is a dimerized, quasi-two-dimensional geometrically frustrated quantum disordered antiferromagnet. We substitute this compound with non-magnetic V(5+) for the S=1 Mn(5+) ions, Ba(3)(Mn(1-x)V (x))(2)O(8), and find that the singlet-triplet excitations which dominate the spectrum of the parent compound persist for the full range of substitution examined, up to x=0.3. We also observe additional low-energy magnetic fluctuations which are enhanced at the greatest substitution values.     

Unveiling structure-property relationships in Sr2Fe(1.5)Mo(0.5)O(6-δ), an electrode material for symmetric solid oxide fuel cells

We characterize experimentally and theoretically the promising new solid oxide fuel cell electrode material Sr(2)Fe(1.5)Mo(0.5)O(6-δ) (SFMO). Rietveld refinement of powder neutron diffraction data has determined that the crystal structure of this material is distorted from the ideal cubic simple perovskite, instead belonging to the orthorhombic space group Pnma. The refinement revealed the presence of oxygen vacancies in the as-synthesized material, resulting in a composition of Sr(2)Fe(1.5)Mo(0.5)O(5.90(2)) (δ = 0.10(2)). DFT+U theory predicts essentially the same concentration of oxygen vacancies. Theoretical analysis of the electronic structure allows us to elucidate the origin of this nonstoichiometry and the attendant mixed ion-electron conductor character so important for intermediate temperature fuel cell operation. The ease with which SFMO forms oxygen vacancies and allows for facile bulk oxide ion diffusivity is directly related to a strong hybridization of the Fe d and O p states, which is also responsible for its impressive electronic conductivity.     

Analytical solution to a mixed boundary value elastic problem of a roller-guided panel of laminated composite

This study presents an analytical solution to elastic field in a roller-guided panel of symmetric cross-ply laminated composite material. The mixed boundary value two-dimensional plane stress elasticity problem is formulated in terms of a single displacement potential function. This reduces the problem to the solution of a single fourth order partial differential equation of equilibrium as the other equilibrium equation is satisfied automatically. The solution is obtained in terms of an infinite Fourier series. To present some numerical results, a panel of glass/epoxy laminated composite is considered and different components of stress and displacement at different sections of the panel are presented graphically. To justify the present analytical solution, it is compared with the finite element solution obtained by using the commercial software ANSYS. It is found that the two solutions agree well with each other. This ensures that the formulation developed in this study based on the displacement potential approach can be used to obtain analytical solution of an elastic field in structural elements of laminated composite under any mode of boundary conditions prescribed in terms of either stress, displacement or any combination of these.     

Influence of CuO and sintering temperature on the microstructure and magnetic properties of Mg–Cu–Zn ferrites

The synthesis of a series of Mg–Cu–Zn ferrites with the substitution of Cu for Mg has been obtained by solid-state reaction method. Microstuctural and structural analyses were carried out using a scanning electron microscope and X-ray diffraction (XRD), respectively. The lattice parameter is found to increase with increasing copper content. A remarkable densification is observed with the addition of Cu ions in the ferrites. Microstructural analyses indicate that CuO influences the microstructure of the ferrites by the formation of liquid phase during sintering. The grain size significantly increases with increasing copper content. Exaggerated grain growth is observed for the samples of x=0.25–0.35. The initial magnetic permeability (μ′) increases sharply with increasing concentration of Cu ions. This increase in μ′ is explained with the grain growth mechanism and enhanced densification of the ferrites. The resonance frequency of all the samples shifts toward the lower frequency as the permeability increases with Cu content. Sintering temperature T_s also affects the densification, grain growth and initial magnetic permeability of the samples.     

Use of Polyhedral Oligomeric Silsesquioxane (POSS) in Drug Delivery,Photodynamic Therapy and Bioimaging

Polyhedral oligomeric silsesquioxanes (POSS) have attracted considerable attention in the design of novel organic-inorganic hybrid materials with high performance capabilities. Features such as their well-defined nanoscale structure, chemical tunability, and biocompatibility make POSS an ideal building block to fabricate hybrid materials for biomedical applications. This review highlights recent advances in the application of POSS-based hybrid materials, with particular emphasis on drug delivery, photodynamic therapy and bioimaging. The design and synthesis of POSS-based materials is described, along with the current methods for controlling their chemical functionalization for biomedical applications. We summarize the advantages of using POSS for several drug delivery applications. We also describe the current progress on using POSS-based materials to improve photodynamic therapies. The use of POSS for delivery of contrast agents or as a passivating agent for nanoprobes is also summarized. We envision that POSS-based hybrid materials have great potential for a variety of biomedical applications including drug delivery, photodynamic therapy and bioimaging.     

Lipid-Based Nanoparticle Formulation of Diallyl Trisulfide Chemosensitizes the Growth Inhibitory Activity of Doxorubicin in Colorectal Cancer Model: A Novel In Vitro,In Vivo and In Silico Analysis

Garlic’s main bioactive organosulfur component, diallyl trisulfide (DATS), has been widely investigated in cancer models. However, DATS is not suitable for clinical use due to its low solubility. The current study seeks to improve DATS bioavailability and assess its chemopreventive and chemosensitizing properties in an AOM-induced colorectal cancer model. The polyethylene glycol coated Distearoylphosphatidylcholine/Cholesterol (DSPC/Chol) comprising DATS-loaded DATSL and doxorubicin (DOXO)-encapsulated DOXL liposomes was prepared and characterized. The changes in the sensitivity of DATS and DOXO by DATSL and DOXL were evaluated in RKO and HT-29 colon cancer cells. The synergistic effect of DATSL and DOXL was studied by cell proliferation assay in the combinations of IC₁₀, IC₂₅, and IC₃₅ of DATSL with the IC₁₀ of DOXL. AOM, DATSL, and DOXL were administered to different groups of mice for a period of 21 weeks. The data exhibited ~93% and ~46% entrapment efficiency of DATSL and DOXL, respectively. The size of sham liposomes was 110.5 nm, whereas DATSL and DOXL were 135.5 nm and 169 nm, respectively. DATSL and DOXL exhibited significant sensitivity in the cell proliferation experiment, lowering their IC₅₀ doses by more than 8- and 14-fold, respectively. However, the DATSL IC₁₀, IC₂₅, and IC₃₅ showed escalating chemosensitivity, and treated the cells in combination with DOXL IC₁₀. Analysis of histopathological, cancer marker enzymes, and antioxidant enzymes revealed that the high dose of DATSL pretreatment and DOXL chemotherapy is highly effective in inhibiting AOM-induced colon cancer promotion. The combination of DATSL and DOXL indicated promise as a colorectal cancer treatment in this study. Intermolecular interactions of DATS and DOXO against numerous cancer targets by molecular docking indicated MMP-9 as the most favourable target for DATS exhibiting binding energy of −4.6 kcal/mol. So far, this is the first research to demonstrate the chemopreventive as well as chemosensitizing potential of DATSL in an animal model of colorectal cancer.     

Recherches dans la serie des metallocenes : XXXI. Synthese de di-σ-aryloxy di-π-cyclopentadienyl titanes dissymetriques et selectivite du deplacement des ligands

Three methods of obtaining asymmetric diaryloxy complexes of titanium (h⁵-Cp)(h⁵-Cp′)Ti(OAr)(OAr′) are proposed.Each of these methods leads to secondary products, selective substitution of the ligand (OAr) or (OAr′) by chlorine atom occurs by the action of hydrochloric acid in C₆H₆ solution.     

Novel solid-phase extraction protocol for 11-nor-9-carboxy-delta9-tetrahydrocannabinol from urine samples employing a polymeric mixed-mode cation-exchange resin, Strata-X-C, suitable for gas chromatography-mass spectrometry or liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry analysis

A novel solid-phase extraction (SPE) method was developed for extraction and cleanup of 11-nor-9-carboxy-delta9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC-COOH), the major metabolite of the active principle of marijuana, delta9-tetrahydrocannabinol, from urine samples. The protocol utilizes a polymeric mixed-mode cationic sorbent, Strata-X-C, which exhibits strong retention for the metabolite facilitating a more rigorous organic wash to eliminate matrix components/endogenous materials. Acetonitrile containing acetic acid was used as the elution solvent and is compatible with both LC-MS and GC-MS modes of analysis. The hydrophobic retention of Strata-X-C was demonstrated to be higher than a neutral polymeric sorbent, Strata-X, of the same backbone but devoid of the cation-exchange moiety (sulfonic acid), by LC studies employing homologous paraben probes. Simultaneously, the polar (non-ionic) interaction capability of Strata-X-C is also greater than that of Strata-X, as assessed through regioisomeric nitrophenol probes. These two features enable the metabolite to be retained strongly on Strata-X-C. Good linearity and precision was obtained for THC-COOH by GC-MS analysis of its trimethylsilyl derivative in the range 1-50 ng. A simplified room temperature instantaneous derivatization procedure was developed that is suitable for high-throughput screening of THC-COOH.     

Preparation,characterization and antifungal properties of nickel(II) complexes of tridentate ONS ligands derived from N-methyl-S-methyldithiocarbazate and the X-ray crystal structure of the [Ni(ONMeS)CN]·H2O complex

Nickel(II) complexes of general empirical formula, NiLX·nH₂O (L = deprotonated form of the Schiff base formed by condensation of N-methyl-S-methyldithiocarbazate with 2-hydroxybenzaldehyde or 5-bromo-2-hydroxybenzaldehyde; X = Cl^–, Br^–, NCS^–, AcO^– or CN^–; n = 0, 1) have been prepared and characterized by a variety of physico-chemical techniques. Magnetic and spectroscopic data support a square-planar structure for these complexes. The crystal structure of the [Ni(ONMeS)CN]·H₂O complex (ONMeS = anionic form of the 2-hydroxybenzaldehyde Schiff base of N-methyl-S-methyldithiocarbazate) has been determined by X-ray diffraction. The complex has a distorted square-planar structure in which the Schiff base is coordinated to the nickel(II) ion as a uninegatively charged anion coordinating via the phenolic oxygen atom, the azomethine nitrogen atom and the thione sulfur atom. The fourth coordination position is occupied by a cayano ligand. The antifungal properties of the Schiff bases and their nickel(II) complexes were studied against three plant pathogenic fungi. The ligands display moderate fungitoxicities against these organisms but their nickel(II) complexes are less active than the free ligands.