Role of juvenile hormone in the synthesis and sequestration of vitellogenins in the red cotton stainer, Dysdercus koenigii (Heteroptera : Pyrrhocoridae)

Investigations were carried out to determine the role of juvenile hormone (JH) and 20-hydroxy ecdysone in the synthesis and uptake of vitellogenins, which were earlier identified, purified and characterised, in Dysdercus koenigii. The concentration(s) of vitellogenin(s) in fat body, haemolymph and that of vitellin(s) in ovary were significantly lower after chemical allatectomy at eclosion. In addition, at 70 h after emergence, chemical allatectomy reduced ovarian vitellin concentration, but vitellogenin levels remained normal in the fat body and haemolymph. The haemolymph vitellogenins were not incorporated into oocytes in such insects. Administration of JH-III at 20 h after allatectomy restored vitellogenin levels in the fat body and haemolymph, but the ovary failed to incorporate the available vitellogenins from haemolymph in such insects. However, when JH-III was administered twice, one at 20 h and then at 70 h after allatectomy, vitellogenin concentrations in fat body and haemolymph and also vitellin concentrations in ovary approached control levels. It is suggested that JH has two separate roles, one in vitellogenin synthesis and the other in uptake. 20-hydroxy ecdysone had no apparent role in either vitellogenin synthesis or uptake in D. koenigii. (C) 2000 Elsevier Science Inc. All rights reserved.

Correlations between frequency of infra-red active vibrational modes and copper-oxygen distance in copper oxides. Application to superconductors

The infra-red spectra of a large number of ternary Cu(II) oxides with at least a quasi square-planar coordination of oxygen around the copper ions have been studied. The frequency of the bands with the highest frequency,v max, is found to correlate extremely well with the shortest Cu–O distance.v max increases at an impressive rate of sim20 cm–1 per 0.01 Å when the Cu–O distance becomes less than 1.97 Å, which is the Cu2+–O2– distance in square-planar CuO4 complexes as obtained from empirical ionic radii considerations. The marked sensitivity may be used as a ldquotitrationrdquo procedure not only to assign bands but also to obtain diagnostic information about local coordination in compounds derived, for example, from the YBa2Cu3O7–d structure such as LaCaBaCu3O7–d . The only example where this correlation fails is in the two-layer non-superconducting oxides derived from La2(Ca, Sr)Cu2O6. The significance of this result is discussed. The marked dependence of frequency on the bond-distance is qualitatively examined in terms of an increased electron-phonon coupling to account for the observed tendency of the superconducting transition temperature to go through a maximum as the average basal plane Cu–O distance is decreased.

Synthesis, characterization and photoluminescence properties of CaSiO3: Eu3+ red phosphor

CaSiO3:Eu3+ (1-5 mol%) red emitting phosphors have been synthesized by a low-temperature solution combustion method. The phosphors have been well characterized by powder X-ray diffraction (PXRD), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and optical spectroscopy. PXRD patterns reveal monoclinic CaSiO3 phase can be obtained at 900 degrees C. The SEM micrographs show the crystallites with irregular shape, mostly angular. Upon 254 nm excitation, the phosphor show characteristic fluorescence D-5(0) -> F-7(J) (J = 0, 1, 2, 3, 4) of the Eu3+ ions. The electronic transition located at 614 nm corresponding to D-5(0) -> F-7(2) of Eu3+ ions, which is stronger than the magnetic dipole transition located at 593 nm corresponding to D-5(0) -> F-7(1) of Eu3+ ions. Different pathways involved in emission process have been studied. Concentration quenching has been observed for Eu3+ concentration >4 mol%. UV-visible absorption shows an intense band at 240 nm in undoped and 270 nm in Eu3+ doped CaSiO3 which is attributed to oxygen to silicon (O-Si) ligand-to-metal charge-transfer (LMCT) band in the SiO32- group. The optical energy band gap is widened with increase of Eu3+ ion dopant. (C) 2010 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Problems and prospects of red mud utilisation

A general survey is presented on the generation and characteristics of Red Muds. The interrelationship between Mud properties, their disposal and utilisation is emphasised. After an outline on the possible applications for Red Muds, the problems related to important (potential) uses have been pointed out. Suggestions have been incorporated on what needs to be done to promote the utilisation of Red Muds particularly in the Indian context.

Search for sub-mm, mm and radio continuum emission from extremely red objects

We present the results of sub-mm, mm (850 mum, 450 mum and 1250 mum) and radio (1.4 and 4.8 GHz) continuum observations of a sample of 27 K-selected Extremely Red Objects, or EROs, (14 of which form a complete sample with K < 20 and I - K > 5) aimed at detecting dusty starbursts, deriving the fraction of UltraLuminous Infrared Galaxies (ULIGs) in ERO samples, and constraining their redshifts using the radio-FIR correlation. One ERO was tentatively detected at 1250 mum and two were detected at 1.4 GHz, one of which has a less secure identification as an ERO counterpart. Limits on their redshifts and their star forming properties are derived and discussed. We stacked the observations of the undetected objects at 850 mum, 1250 mum and 4.8 GHz in order to search for possible statistical emission from the ERO population as a whole, but no significant detections were derived either for the whole sample or as a function of the average NIR colours. These results strongly suggest that the dominant population of EROs with K < 20 is not comprised of ULIGs like HR 10, but is probably made of radio-quiet ellipticals and weaker starburst galaxies with L < 10(12) L . and SFR < few hundred M. yr(-1).

Combustion synthesis and properties of Ce1-xPrxO2-delta red ceramic pigments

Praseodymium-doped ceria red pigments, Ce1−xPrxO2−δ, x=0–0.5 have been prepared by the thermal decomposition of the redox compound Ce1−xPrx(N2H3COO)3·3H2O as well as by the combustion of aqueous solutions containing cerous nitrate, praseodymium nitrate and oxalyl dihydrazide (ODH)/ammonium acetate. Formation of the pigment has been confirmed by its characteristic red colour and reflectance spectra which shows the reflection edge not, vert, similar690 nm corresponding to charge transfer from the ligand orbitals to the localised 4f1 of Pr4+. The particulate properties of praseodymium-doped ceria pigments obtained from the combustion of redox compounds and redox mixtures are compared.

Design and construction of geocell foundation to support the embankment on settled red mud

This paper presents the case history of the construction of a 3 m high embankment on the geocell foundation over the soft settled red mud. Red mud is a waste product from the Bayer process of Aluminum industry. Geotechnical problems of the site, the design of the geocell foundation based on experimental investigation and the construction sequences of the geocell foundations in the field are discussed in the paper. Based on the experimental studies, an analytical model was also developed to estimate the load carrying capacity of the soft clay bed reinforced with geocell and combination of geocell and geogrid. The results of the experimental and analytical studies revealed that the use of combination of geocell and the geogrid is always beneficial than using the geocell alone. Hence, the combination of geocell and geogrid was recommended to stabilize the embankment base. The reported embankment is located in Lanjigharh (Orissa) in India. Construction of the embankment on the geocell foundation has already been completed. The constructed embankmenthas already sustained two monsoon rains without any cracks and seepage. (C) 2013 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Going beyond Red with a Tri- and Tetracoordinate Boron Conjugate: Intriguing Near-IR Optical Properties and Applications in Anion Sensing

The design and synthesis of a new tri- and tetracoordinate boron conjugate is reported. The conjugate shows broad near-IR emission (similar to 625-850 nm) and is found to be a selective colorimetric and ratiometric sensor for fluoride ions.

Iron(III) benzhydroxamates of dipicolylamines for photocytotoxicity in red light and cellular imaging

Benzhydroxamate (BHA) iron(III) complexes Fe(BHA)(L)ClICI (I, 2)], where L is (phenyl)dipicolylamine (phdpa in I) and (pyrenyl)dipicolylamine (pydpa in 2), were prepared and their photocytotoxicity in visible (400-700 nm) and red (600-720 nm) light was studied. Complex 1 was structurally characterized by X-ray crystallography. The complexes have high-spin iron(III) centers. Complex 2, with a pyrenyl fluorophore, was used for cellular imaging, showing both mitochondrial and nuclear localization in the fluorescence microscopic study. The complex exhibited photocytotoxicity in red light in HeLa cancer cells, giving IC50 value of 24.4(+/- 0.4) pM, but remained essentially non-toxic in the dark. The involvement of reactive oxygen species and an apoptotic nature of cell death were observed from the cellular studies. (C) 2014 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

GdAlO3:Eu3+:Bi3+ nanophosphor: Synthesis and enhancement of red emission for WLEDs

GdAlO3, GdAlO3:Eu3+ and GdAlO3:Eu3+:Bi3+ nanophosphors were synthesised by solution combustion technique. Pure orthorhombic phase was obtained from powder X-ray diffraction (PXRD) studies. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) micrographs showed the porous, agglomerated and irregular shaped particles. The particle size obtained by transmission electron microscopy (TEM) measurement was in good agreement with the values obtained by Debye Scherrer's and W-H plots. The selected area electron diffraction (SAED) pattern show single crystalline nature of the sample. Photoluminescence (PL) measurements were carried out for GdAlO3:Eu3+ and GdAlO3:Eu3+:Bi3+ phosphors excited at a wavelength of 274 nm. The characteristic emission peaks of Eu3+ ions were recorded at 590, 614, 655 and 695 nm corresponding to D-5(0) -> F-7(J) (J = 1, 2, 3, 4) transitions respectively. However, with addition of Bi3+ ions in GdAlO3:Eu3+, PL intensity drastically enhanced. Orange red color was tuned to deep red color with the addition of Bi3+ ions in GdAlO3:Eu3+ phosphor. Therefore, the phosphor was highly useful as red component in WLEDs. A single well resoled glow peak at 225 degrees C was recorded in GdAlO3 and GdAlO3:Eu3+. Further, with addition of Bi3+ ions, an additional peak at 300 degrees C was recorded. TL glow curves of different UV-exposed GdAlO3:Eu3+:Bi3+ show two TL peaks at 207 and 300 degrees C respectively. The 207 degrees C peak show simple glow peak structure and its intensity increases linearly up to 25 mm and after that it decrease. (C) 2014 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Oxovanadium(IV) catecholates of terpyridine bases for cellular imaging and photocytotoxicity in red light

Oxovanadium(IV) catecholates of terpyridyl bases, viz. VO(cat)(L)] (L - phtpy, 1; stpy, 2) and VO(dopa-NBD)(L)] (L = phtpy, 3; stpy, 4), where cat is benzene-1,2-diolate, dopa-NBD is 4-(2-(4-nitrobenzoc]1,2,5]oxadiazol-7-ylamino)ethyl)benzene-1,2-di olate, phtpy is (4'-phenyl)-2,2':6',2 `'-terpyridine and stpy is (2,2':6',2 `'-terpyridin-4'-oxy)ethyl-beta-D-glucopyranoside, were prepared and characterized, and their DNA binding, DNA photo-cleavage activity, photocytotoxicity in red light (600-720 nm), cellular uptake and intracellular localization behaviour were studied. The complexes showed an intense ligand-to-metal charge transfer (LMCT) band at similar to 500 nm. The sugar appended complexes 2 and 4 showed significant uptake into the cancer cells. The dopa-NBD complexes 3 and 4 showing green emission were used for cellular imaging. The complexes showed diffused cellular localization mainly in the cytosol and to a lesser extent into the nucleus as evidenced from the confocal microscopy study. Complexes 1-4 showed significant photocytotoxicity in the PDT spectral window giving low IC50 values, while remaining relatively non-toxic in dark.

Iron(III) Catecholates for Cellular Imaging and Photocytotoxicity in Red Light

Iron(III) complexes Fe(L)(L') (NO3)]-in which L is phenyl-N, N-bis(pyridin-2-yl) methyl]methanamine (1), (anthracen-9-yl)N, N-bis(pyridin-2-yl) methyl] methanamine (2), (pyreny-1-yl)-N, N-bis(pyridin- 2-yl) methyl] methanamine (3-5), and L' is catecholate (1-3), 4-tert-butyl catecholate (4), and 4-(2-aminoethyl)benzene- 1,2-diolate (5)-were synthesized and their photocytotoxic proper-ties examined. The five electron-paramagnetic complexes displayed a FeIII/ Fe-II redox couple near similar to 0.4 V versus a saturated calomel electrode (SCE) in DMF/0.1m tetrabutylammonium perchlorate (TBAP). They showed unpre-cedented photocytotoxicity in red light (600-720 nm) to give IC50-15 mm in various cell lines by means of apoptosis to generate reactive oxygen species. They were ingested in the nucleus of HeLa and HaCaT cells in 4 h, thereby interacting favorably with calf thymus (ct)-DNA and photocleaving pUC19 DNA in red light of 785 nm to form hydroxyl radicals.

A Comparative Assessment of Hand Preference in Captive Red Howler Monkeys, Alouatta seniculus and Yellow-Breasted Capuchin Monkeys, Sapajus xanthosternos

There are two major theories that attempt to explain hand preference in non-human primates-the `task complexity' theory and the `postural origins' theory. In the present study, we proposed a third hypothesis to explain the evolutionary origin of hand preference in non-human primates, stating that it could have evolved owing to structural and functional adaptations to feeding, which we refer to as the `niche structure' hypothesis. We attempted to explore this hypothesis by comparing hand preference across species that differ in the feeding ecology and niche structure: red howler monkeys, Alouatta seniculus and yellow-breasted capuchin monkeys, Sapajus xanthosternos. The red howler monkeys used the mouth to obtain food more frequently than the yellow-breasted capuchin monkeys. The red howler monkeys almost never reached for food presented on the opposite side of a wire mesh or inside a portable container, whereas the yellow-breasted capuchin monkeys reached for food presented in all four spatial arrangements (scattered, on the opposite side of a wire mesh, inside a suspended container, and inside a portable container). In contrast to the red howler monkeys that almost never acquired bipedal and clinging posture, the yellow-breasted capuchin monkeys acquired all five body postures (sitting, bipedal, tripedal, clinging, and hanging). Although there was no difference between the proportion of the red howler monkeys and the yellow-breasted capuchin monkeys that preferentially used one hand, the yellow-breasted capuchin monkeys exhibited an overall weaker hand preference than the red howler monkeys. Differences in hand preference diminished with the increasing complexity of the reaching-for-food tasks, i.e., the relatively more complex tasks were perceived as equally complex by both the red howler monkeys and the yellow-breasted capuchin monkeys. These findings suggest that species-specific differences in feeding ecology and niche structure can influence the perception of the complexity of the task and, consequently, hand preference.

A quinazoline derivative as quick-response red-shifted reporter for nanomolar Al3+ and applicable to living cell staining

A newly synthesized and structurally characterized quinazoline derivative (L) has been shown to act as a quick-response chemosensor for Al3+ with a high selectivity over other metal ions in water-DMSO. In the presence of Al3+, L shows a red-shifted ratiometric enhancement in fluorescence as a result of internal charge transfer and chelation-enhanced fluorescence through the inhibition of a photo-induced electron transfer mechanism. This probe detects Al3+ at concentrations as low as 1.48 nM in 100 mM HEPES buffer (DMSO-water, 1 : 9 v/v) at biological pH with a very short response time (15-20 s). L was applied to biological imaging to validate its utility as a fluorescent probe for monitoring Al3+ ions in living cells, illustrating its value in practical environmental and biological systems.