Red-emitting LaOF:Eu3+ phosphors: Synthesis, structure and their Judd-Ofelt analysis for LED applications

In the present study, we have synthesized a series of La1-xEuxOF (0.01 <= x <= 0.09) phosphors by the conventional solid-state reaction route at relatively low temperature (500 degrees C) and shorter duration of 2 h. The compounds were crystallized in the rhombohedral structure with the space group R-3m (No. 166). Upon UV excitation (254 nm), the photoluminescence spectra exhibit characteristic luminescence D-5(0) -> F-7(J) (J= 1, 2, 3, and 4) intra-4f shell Eu3+ ion transitions. An intense red emission peak at 610 nm was observed due to electric dipole (D-5(0) -> F-7(2)) transition. Judd-Ofelt theory was employed to evaluate various radiative parameters such as radiative emission rates, lifetime, branching and asymmetry ratios. CIE color coordinates confirmed the red emission of the phosphors. The luminescent results reveal that LaOF:Eu3+ phosphor can be used as potential candidate for developing red component in white LED applications. (C) 2015 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Photocytotoxic ternary copper(II) complexes of histamine Schiff base and pyridyl ligands

Ternary copper(Il) complexes of salicylaldehyde-histamine Schiff base (HL) and pyridyl ligands, viz. Cu(bpy)(L)](ClO4) (1) and Cu(dppz)(L)](C104) (2), where bpy is 2,2'-bipyridine (in 1) and dppz is dipyrido3,2-a:2',3'-c]phenazine (in 2), were synthesized, characterized and their DNA binding, photo-activated DNA cleavage activity and photocytotoxicity studied. The 1:1 electrolytic one-electron paramagnetic complexes showed a d-d band near 670 nm in aqueous DMF (1:1 v/v). The crystal structure of complex 1 showed the metal in CuN4O distorted square-pyramidal geometry. Complex 2 intercalatively binds to calf-thymus (ct) DNA with a binding constant (K-b) of similar to 10(5) M-1. It exhibited moderate chemical nuclease activity but excellent DNA photocleavage activity in red light of 647 nm forming (OH)-O-center dot radicals. It showed remarkable photocytotoxicity in human cervical cancer cells (HeLa) giving IC50 of 1.6 mu M in visible light (400-700 nm) with low dark toxicity. The photo-induced cell death is via generation of oxidative stress by reactive oxygen species.

Remarkable photo-induced anticancer activity of vitamin-S6 Schiff base copper(II) complexes of pyridyl bases

Vitamin-B6 (VB6) Schiff base (H2L) copper(II) complexes of pyridyl bases, viz. Cu(bpy)(L)] (1), Cu(phen)(L)] (2) and Cu(dppz)(L)] (3), where bpy is 2,2'-bipyridine, phen is 1,10-phenanthroline and dppz is dipyrido3,2-a:2',3'c]phenazine are synthesized, characterized and their phto-induced anticancer activity studied. The non-electrolytic one electron paramagnetic complexes exhibit a d-d band near 700 nm in DMF. The dppz complex intercalatively binds to calf-thymus DNA with binding constant (K-b) values of similar to 10(6) M-1. This complex exhibits low chemical nuclease activity but excellent DNA photocleavage activity when irradiated with red light of 705 nm forming (OH)-O-center dot radical. It displays remarkable photocytotoxicity in human cervical cancer cells (HeLa) giving IC50 value of 0.9 mu M in visible light (400-700 nm) while being less toxic in darkness (IC50 : 23 mu M). The cellular uptake of the complexes seems to be via VB6 transporting membrane carrier mediated diffusion pathway. Photo-induced cell death follows apoptotic pathway involving photo-generated intracellular reactive oxygen species.

Nonlinear copropagation of two optical pulses of different frequencies in photonic crystal fibers

A theoretical investigation of the nonlinear copropagation of two optical pulses of different frequencies in a photonic crystal fiber is presented. Different phenomena are observed depending on whether the wavelength of the signal pulse is located in the normal or the anomalous dispersion region. In particular, it is found that the phenomenon of pulse trapping occurs when the signal wavelength is located in the normal dispersion region while the pump wavelength is located in the anomalous dispersion region. The signal pulse suffers cross-phase modulation by the Raman shifted soliton pulse and it is trapped and copropagates with the Raman soliton pulse along the fiber. As the input peak power of the pump pulse is increased, the red-shift of the Raman soliton is considerably enhanced with the simultaneous further blue-shift of the trapped pulse to satisfy the condition of group velocity matching.

Synthesis and characterization of 1,1-di-tert-butyldiazene

The synthesis and direct observation of 1,1-di-tert-butyldiazene (16) at -127°C is described. The absorption spectrum of a red solution of 1,1-diazene 16 reveals a structured absorption band with λ max at 506 run (Me_2O, -125°C). The vibrational spacing in S_1 is about 1200 cm^(-1). The excited state of 16 emits weakly with a single maximum at 715 run observed in the fluorescence spectrum (Me_2O:CD_2Cl_2, -196°C). The proton NMR spectrum of 16 occurs as a singlet at 1.41 ppm. Monitoring this NMR absorption at -94^0 ± 2°C shows that 1,1-diazene 16 decomposes with a first-order rate of 1.8 x 10^(-3) sec(-1) to form isobutane, isobutylene and hexarnethylethane. This rate is 10^8 and 10^(34) times faster than the thermal decomposition of the corresponding cis and trans 1,2-di-tert-butyldiazene isomers. The free energy of activation for decomposition of 1,1-diazene 16 is found to be 12.5 ± 0.2 kcal/mol at -94°C which is much lower than the values of 19.1 and 19.4 kcal/lmole calculated at -94°C for N-(2,2,6,6- tetramethylpiperidyl)nitrene (3) and N-(2,2,5,5- tetrarnethylpyrrolidyl)nitrene (4), respectively. This difference between 16 and the cyclic-1,1-diazenes 3 and 4 can be attributed to a large steric interaction between the tert-butyl groups in 1,1-diazene 16.

In order to investigate the nature of the singlet-triplet gap in 1,1-diazenes, 2,5-di-tert-butyl-N-pyrrolynitrene (22) was generated but was found to be too reactive towards dimerization to be persistent. In the presence of dimethylsulfoxide, however, N-pyrrolynitrene (22) can be trapped as N-(2,5-di-tert-butyl- N'-pyrrolyl)dimethylsulfoxirnine (38). N-(2,5-di-tert-butyl-N'-pyrrolyl)dimethylsulfoximine (38-d^6) exchanges with free dimethylsulfoxide at 50°C in solution, presumably by generation and retrapping of pyrrolynitrene 22.

Deep near-infrared spectroscopy of high-redshift galaxies: the physical growth of passive systems

The assembly history of massive galaxies is one of the most important aspects of galaxy formation and evolution. Although we have a broad idea of what physical processes govern the early phases of galaxy evolution, there are still many open questions. In this thesis I demonstrate the crucial role that spectroscopy can play in a physical understanding of galaxy evolution. I present deep near-infrared spectroscopy for a sample of high-redshift galaxies, from which I derive important physical properties and their evolution with cosmic time. I take advantage of the recent arrival of efficient near-infrared detectors to target the rest-frame optical spectra of z > 1 galaxies, from which many physical quantities can be derived. After illustrating the applications of near-infrared deep spectroscopy with a study of star-forming galaxies, I focus on the evolution of massive quiescent systems.

Most of this thesis is based on two samples collected at the W. M. Keck Observatory that represent a significant step forward in the spectroscopic study of z > 1 quiescent galaxies. All previous spectroscopic samples at this redshift were either limited to a few objects, or much shallower in terms of depth. Our first sample is composed of 56 quiescent galaxies at 1 < z < 1.6 collected using the upgraded red arm of the Low Resolution Imaging Spectrometer (LRIS). The second consists of 24 deep spectra of 1.5 < z < 2.5 quiescent objects observed with the Multi-Object Spectrometer For Infra-Red Exploration (MOSFIRE). Together, these spectra span the critical epoch 1 < z < 2.5, where most of the red sequence is formed, and where the sizes of quiescent systems are observed to increase significantly.

We measure stellar velocity dispersions and dynamical masses for the largest number of z > 1 quiescent galaxies to date. By assuming that the velocity dispersion of a massive galaxy does not change throughout its lifetime, as suggested by theoretical studies, we match galaxies in the local universe with their high-redshift progenitors. This allows us to derive the physical growth in mass and size experienced by individual systems, which represents a substantial advance over photometric inferences based on the overall galaxy population. We find a significant physical growth among quiescent galaxies over 0 < z < 2.5 and, by comparing the slope of growth in the mass-size plane dlogR_e/dlogM_∗ with the results of numerical simulations, we can constrain the physical process responsible for the evolution. Our results show that the slope of growth becomes steeper at higher redshifts, yet is broadly consistent with minor mergers being the main process by which individual objects evolve in mass and size.

By fitting stellar population models to the observed spectroscopy and photometry we derive reliable ages and other stellar population properties. We show that the addition of the spectroscopic data helps break the degeneracy between age and dust extinction, and yields significantly more robust results compared to fitting models to the photometry alone. We detect a clear relation between size and age, where larger galaxies are younger. Therefore, over time the average size of the quiescent population will increase because of the contribution of large galaxies recently arrived to the red sequence. This effect, called progenitor bias, is different from the physical size growth discussed above, but represents another contribution to the observed difference between the typical sizes of low- and high-redshift quiescent galaxies. By reconstructing the evolution of the red sequence starting at z ∼ 1.25 and using our stellar population histories to infer the past behavior to z ∼ 2, we demonstrate that progenitor bias accounts for only half of the observed growth of the population. The remaining size evolution must be due to physical growth of individual systems, in agreement with our dynamical study.

Finally, we use the stellar population properties to explore the earliest periods which led to the formation of massive quiescent galaxies. We find tentative evidence for two channels of star formation quenching, which suggests the existence of two independent physical mechanisms. We also detect a mass downsizing, where more massive galaxies form at higher redshift, and then evolve passively. By analyzing in depth the star formation history of the brightest object at z > 2 in our sample, we are able to put constraints on the quenching timescale and on the properties of its progenitor.

A consistent picture emerges from our analyses: massive galaxies form at very early epochs, are quenched on short timescales, and then evolve passively. The evolution is passive in the sense that no new stars are formed, but significant mass and size growth is achieved by accreting smaller, gas-poor systems. At the same time the population of quiescent galaxies grows in number due to the quenching of larger star-forming galaxies. This picture is in agreement with other observational studies, such as measurements of the merger rate and analyses of galaxy evolution at fixed number density.

Annotation of orthologous genes in Tunnus thynnus and T.albacore species

Albacore and Atlantic Bluefin tuna are two pelagic fish. Atlantic Bluefin tuna is included in the IUCN red list of threatened species and albacore is considered to be near threatened, so conservation plans are needed. However, no genomic resources are available for any of them. In this study, to better understand their transcriptome we functionally annotated orthologous genes. In all, 159 SNPs distributed in 120 contigs of the muscle transcriptome were analyzed. Genes were predicted for 98 contigs (81.2%) using the bioinformatics tool BLAST. In addition, another bioinformatics tool, BLAST2GO was used in order to achieve GO terms for the genes, in which 41 sequences were given a biological process, and 39 sequences were given a molecular process. The most repeated biological process was metabolism and it is important that no cellular process was given in any of the sequences. The most abundant molecular process was binding and very few catalytic activity processes were given. From the initial 159 SNPs, 40 were aligned with a sequence in the database after BLAST2GO was run, and were polymorphic in Atlantic Bluefin tuna and monomorphic in albacore. From these 40 SNPs, 24 were located in an open reading frame of which four were non-synonymous and 20 were synonymous and 16 were not located in a known open reading frame,. This study provides information for better understanding the ecology and evolution of these species and this is important in order to establish a proper conservation plan and an appropriate management.

A survey of ichthyofauna of Lake Kanyaboli and other small waterbodies in Kenya: alternative refugia for endangered fish species

In 1988, the World Conservation Union (WCU) Red Book of Endangered Species listed hundreds of endemic fishes of Lake Victoria under a single heading - "ENDANGERED". Most of the endemic native food fishes are either endangered or extinct. However, a survey of the fauna of Lake Kanyaboli, revealed that a few remaining samples of these native fishes are actually thriving. These include several unidentified Haplochromis spp., Oreochromis esculentus and Oreochromis variabilis. As a result, a stock rehabilitation and management strategy has been designed to use Lake Kanyaboli and other small waterbodies as conservation 'Refugia' for endangered fish species of the larger Lake Victoria.

Rice-fish culture: status and potential for increased production in the southwestern states of India

The scope of increasing production through rice-fish integration, suitable for coastal districts of Kerala, Karnataka, Goa and Maharashtra, is reviewed. The method of adopting the lowlying freshwater rice fields to raise 2 rice crops along with 4-species fish culture, followed by a third non-cereal summer crop in a year, is discussed. A calendar of operation and economics of the system are presented.

Reproductive biology of Parapenaeopsis stylifera

Controversy exists regarding the incidence and reproductive habits of Parapenaeopsis stylifera along the coast of Kerala, India. Results are reported of a detailed study on the different aspects of the reproductive biology based on the trawl catches landed at Neendakara Coast for a period of one year. This species breeds throughout the year with peak breeding activity in May and November. The monsoon catches consist of juveniles. Life span of the species is 2.5 years and total length at first maturity is 75 mm. Measures for the effective management of the species in the area are discussed.

Relative abundance and diel variation of zooplankton from south west coast of India

Relative abundance and diurnal variations of zooplankton from six anchor stations along Kerala coast were investigated. Samples were collected during April-May 1988 at three hour intervals from depths varying between 15 and 40 m from the traditional fishing grounds of Kerala coast. Average biomass values ranged from 45-95 ml 100/mˉ³. Increase in zooplankton at night was discernible at most of the stations and the highest biomass noticed was 131 ml 100/mˉ³. Copepods formed the most abundant group, of which calanoids predominated. A swarm of the hydromedusan species, Aequorea conica, (181/mˉ³) was seen at night. Quantitative and qualitative variations of various zooplankton groups from six stations in relation to selected physicochemical factors are discussed. Maximum fish larvae were observed in the night samples. Relatively high abundance of sardines, carangids and flat fish larvae in the collections is in agreement with the predominance of fish catch from the area of study.

A study on the lipid distribution pattern in muscles of two teleosts, Arius dussumieri and Ophiocephalus striatus

The muscles of the various regions and zones of the body of the two teleosts, A. dussumieri and O. striatus have been analyzed for lipid contents. There is a significant dorsum-ventral gradient in lipid concentration exhibited by both the fishes with higher lipid values in the ventral aspect of the body, especially the belly flaps. As regards the vertical series, both the fishes exhibit comparatively higher lipid contents at the dorsal aspects of the caudal region and at anterior portion of the dorsal fin area with lower lipid values at cephalic and middle portions of the body. The red muscle of Arius exhibits higher lipid content than the white muscle.

Canning of Lactarius

Though not a sizable fishery on national level, landings of lactarius (Lactarius lactarius) is considerable in the states of Kerala and Tamil Nadu. Apart from a note (Anon, 1965) no published work is available on its preservation by canning. Fish processed by this method on storage loses its flavour and the lustrous skin is peeled off. The present note describes a method in which these factors also are taken care of.

SSF Guidelines: the beauty of the small

An examination of the role of the Voluntary Guidelines for Securing Sustainable Small-scale Fisheries in the Context of Food Security and Poverty Eradication in the context of the small-sale fishery of Kerala, India.

Isolation and identification of a novel WSSV nucleocapsid protein by cDNA phage display using an scFv antibody

In a previous study, a scFv phage display library against white spot syndrome virus (WSSV) was constructed and yielded a clone designated A I with conformational specificity against native but not denatured viral antigen. Although the clone A1 has been used successfully as a diagnostic antibody, its precise target antigen has not been elucidated. A different strategy was adopted involving the construction of a second T7 phage display library utilizing mRNA isolated from shrimp infected with WSSV. Following RT-PCR and T7 phage library construction, phages displaying the candidate epitope were selected with A I scFv. Since successive enrichment steps were not associated with an increased titer of the phages, enrichment after successive tests was confirmed by PCR resulting in the prefer-red selection of a specific DNA sequence encoding a novel nucleocapsid protein WSSV388. Immune electron microscopy revealed that WSSV388 is located on the nucleocapsid. This result demonstrated that unknown antigen could be identified by phage display using the epitope conformation dependent scFv. (c) 2006 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.