Band alignment studies in InN/p-Si(100) heterojunctions by x-ray photoelectron spectroscopy

The band offsets in InN/p-Si heterojunctions are determined by high resolution x-ray photoemission spectroscopy. The valence band of InN is found to be 1.39 eV below that of Si. Given the bandgap of 0.7 eV for InN, a type-III heterojunction with a conduction band offset of 1.81 eV was found. Agreement between the simulated and experimental data obtained from the heterojunction spectra was found to be excellent, establishing that the method of determination was accurate. The charge neutrality level (CNL) model provided a reasonable description of the band alignment of the InN/p-Si interface and a change in the interface dipole by 0.06 eV was observed for InN/p-Si interface.

Evaluation of DNA binding, antioxidant and cytotoxic activity of mononuclear Co(III) complexes of 2-oxo-1,2-dihydrobenzoh]quinoline-3-carbaldehyde thiosemicarbazones

Four new 2-oxo-1,2-dihydrobenzoh]quinoline-3-carbaldehyde N-substituted thiosemicarbazone ligands (H-2-LR, where R = H, Me, Et or Ph) and their corresponding new cobalt(III) complexes have been synthesized and characterized. The structures of the complexes 2 and 3 were determined by single crystal X-ray diffraction analysis. The interactions of the new complexes with DNA were investigated by absorption, emission and viscosity studies which indicated that the complexes bind to DNA via intercalation. Antioxidant studies of the new complexes showed that the significant antioxidant activity against DPPH radical. In addition, the in vitro cytotoxicity of complexes 1-4 against A549 cell line was assayed which showed higher cytotoxic activity with lower IC50 values indicating their efficiency in killing the cancer cells even at very low concentrations. (C) 2012 Elsevier Masson SAS. All rights reserved.

Targeting the dopamine receptor in schizophrenia: investigational drugs in Phase III trials

Introduction: Antipsychotic drugs date back to the 1950s and chlorpromazine. Soon after, it was established that blockade of dopamine and, in particular, the D-2 receptor was central to this effect. Dopamine continues to represent a critical line of investigation, although much of the work now focuses on its potential in other symptom domains. Areas covered: A search was carried out for investigational drugs using the key words `dopamine', `schizophrenia' and `Phase III' in an American clinical trial registry (clinicaltrials.gov), published articles using the National Library of Medicine's PubMed database, and supplemented results with a manual search of cross-references and conference abstracts. Drugs were excluded that were already FDA approved. Expert opinion: There remains interest, albeit diminished, in developing better antipsychotic compounds. The greatest enthusiasm currently centres on dopamine's role in negative and cognitive symptom domains. With theories conceptualising hypodopaminergic activity as underlying these deficits, considerable effort is focused on drug strategies that will enhance dopamine activity. Finally, a small body of research is investigating dopaminergic compounds vis-a-vis side-effect treatments. In domains beyond psychosis, however, dopamine arguably is not seen as so central, reflected in considerable research following other lines of investigation.