A Study on Opium and Drugs in Namsai District, Arunachal Pradesh: With Special Reference to Emphum Village

The Namsai district is the land of multiple tribes‟ viz. Tai-Khamtis, Mishmis, Singphos and some other sub tribes which lie in the eastern parts of Arunachal Pradesh. In this remote and near China-Myanmar border, the district is facing a big problem of drugs for long period of time. Since a long, the poppy had associated with the life of the people due to some myths which is a prime cause of present of opium in this region. Opium is an alkaloid derivative of Papaver somniferum commonly known as poppy. The other derivatives of this plant are Heroin, Morphine, Codine and Papaverum, ganja. Derivatives like Morphine have long been used as medicine.  Ages of male addicts are from 20 years onwards. Addiction cause varies. It is seen among youngsters mostly. Opium is sold as per tola, roughly equivalent to 10 grams. This paper attempts to explore the reasons responsible for drug addiction. The reasons are examined in relation to eight hypothetical factors, such as peer group, enjoyment, frustration/tension, sufficient leisure, and excess pocket money, imitation of family elders, easy availability and curiosity. Moreover, the remedial measures undertaken by the Drug De-addiction centres and their benefits among the addicts are also analyzed

Broadband X-ray emission and the reality of the broad iron line from the Neutron Star - White Dwarf X-ray binary 4U 1820-30

Broad relativistic iron lines from neutron star X-ray binaries are important probes of the inner accretion disk. The X-ray reflection features can be weakened due to strong magnetic fields or very low iron abundances such as is possible in X-ray binaries with low mass, first generation stars as companions. Here we investigate the reality of the broad iron line detected earlier from the neutron star low mass X-ray binary 4U~1820--30 with a degenerate helium dwarf companion. We perform a comprehensive, systematic broadband spectral study of the atoll source using \suzaku{} and simultaneous \nustar{} \& \swift{} observations. We have used different continuum models involving accretion disk emission, thermal blackbody and thermal Comptonization of either disk or blackbody photons. The \suzaku{} data show positive and negative residuals in the region of iron K band. These features are well described by two absorption edges at 7.67\pm0.14\kev and 6.93\pm0.07\kev or partial covering photoionized absorption or by blurred reflection. Though, the simultaneous \swift{} and \nustar{} data do not clearly reveal the emission or absorption features, the data are consistent with the presence of either absorption or emission features. Thus, the absorption based models provide an alternative to the broad iron line or reflection model. The absorption features may arise in winds from the inner accretion disk. The broadband spectra appear to disfavour continuum models in which the blackbody emission from the neutron star surface provides the seed photons for thermal Comptonization. Our results suggest emission from a thin accretion disk (kT_{disk} \sim 1\kev), Comptonization of disk photons in a boundary layer most likely covering a large fraction of the neutron star surface and innermost parts of the accretion disk, and blackbody emission (kT_{bb} \sim 2\kev) from the polar regions.Comment: 12 pages, 8 figures, 5 tables. Accepted for publication in MNRA

Zinc(II) complexes of carboxamide derivatives: Crystal structures and interaction with calf thymus DNA

Two mononuclear zinc(II) complexes of newly designed carboxamide derivatives, formulated as [Zn(L1)3](ClO4)2 (1) and [Zn(L2)3](ClO4)2 (2) [where L1 = N-(furan-2-ylmethyl)-2-pyridinecarboxamide and L2 = N-(thiophen-2-ylmethyl)-2-pyridine-carboxamide], have been isolated in pure form in the reaction of perchlorate salts of Zn(II) with ligands L1 and L2, respectively. The two complexes were characterized by physicochemical and spectroscopic tools, and by X-ray crystal structures of both ligands and the complex 1. In complex 1, zinc(II) is chelated by three ligands with a distorted octahedral geometry. The DNA-binding properties of zinc complexes 1 and 2 have been investigated by spectroscopic methods and viscosity measurements. The results suggest that both complexes 1 and 2 bind to DNA in an intercalation mode between the uncoordinated furan or thiophene chromophore and the base pairs of DNA

XMM-Newton view of a hard X-ray transient IGR J17497-2821

We present spectral and energy-dependent timing characteristics of the hard X-ray transient IGR J17497–2821 based on XMM–Newton observations performed five and nine days after its outburst on 2006 September 17. We find that the source spectra can be well described by a hard ( ∼ 1.50) power law and a weak multicolour disc blackbody with inner disc temperature kTin ∼ 0.2 keV. A broad iron Kα line with FWHM ∼ 27 000 km s−1, consistent with that arising from an accretion disc truncated at large radius, was also detected. The power density spectra of IGR J17497–2821, derived from the high-resolution (30 µs) timing-mode XMM–Newton observations, are characterized by broad-band noise components that are well modelled by three Lorentzians. The shallow power-law slope, low disc luminosity and the shape of the broad-band power density spectrum indicate that the source was in the hard state. The rms variability in the softer energy bands (0.3–2 keV) found to be ∼1.3 times that in 2–5 and 5–10 keV energy bands. We also present the energy-dependent timing analysis of the RXTE/PCA data, where we find that at higher energies, the rms variability increases with energy. Key words: methods: observational – X-rays: binaries – X-rays: individual: IGR J17497

Synthesis, structure, spectral and electron-transfer properties of octahedral-[Co<SUP>III</SUP>(L)<SUB>2</SUB>]<SUP>+</SUP>/[Zn<SUP>II</SUP>(L)<SUB>2</SUB>] and square planar-[Cu<SUP>II</SUP>(L){OC(=O)CH<SUB>3</SUB>}] complexes incorporating anionic form of tridentate bis(8-quinolinyl)amine [N<SUP>1</SUP>C<SUB>9</SUB>H<SUB>6</SUB>-N<SUP>2</SUP>-C<SUB>9</SUB>H<SUB>6</SUB>N<SUP>3</SUP>, L<SUP>-</SUP>] ligand

The reaction of bis(8-quinolinyl)amine [N1C9H6-N2H-C9H6N3, LH] with CoII(ClO4)2 . 6H2O in methanol under aerobic conditions results in a new class of [CoIIIN6]+ (1+) chromophore incorporating an sp2-amido nitrogen center (N2) in the ligand frame. During the course of the reaction, the cobalt ion has been oxidized from its starting +2 oxidation state to +3 state in 1. The reaction of LH with the Cu-acetate yields monomeric square planar complex, [CuII(L){OC(=O)CH3}] (2). The same copper complex 2 is also obtained from Cu(ClO4) . 6H2O in presence of CH3COONa as base. On the other hand, the reaction of Zn(ClO4) . 6H2O with LH results in octahedral complex ZnII(L)2 (3). The Cu(II) complex 2 displays a four-line EPR spectrum at room temperature. Crystal structure of the free ligand (LH) shows that the amine proton [N(2)H] is hydrogen-bonded with the terminal quinoline nitrogen centers [N(1) and N(3)]. The crystal structure of 1 confirms the meridional geometry of the complex cation. The square planar geometry of copper complex 2 is confirmed by its crystal structure where the acetate function behaves as a monodentate ligand. The free ligand, LH, is found to be highly acidic in acetonitrile-water (1:1) medium and correspondingly the amine proton (NH) readily dissociates leading to its L- form even in absence of any external base. The pKb value of L- is determined to be 2.6. Both cobalt and copper complexes do not show any expected spin-allowed d-d transitions, possibly have masked by the intense charge-transfer transitions. However, in case of cobalt complex 1, one very weak unusual spin-forbidden 1A1g &#8594; 3T1g transition has been observed at 935 nm. The quasi-reversible cobalt (III)&#8596; cobalt(II) reduction of 1 is observed at E0, -1.0 V versus SCE. The reactions of bis(8-quinolinyl)amine [N1C9H6-N2H-C9H6N3, LH] with CoII(ClO4)2 . 6H2O, ZnII(ClO4)2 . 6H2O and CuII-acetate result in octahedral-[CoIII(L-)2]+ and [ZnII(L-)2] and square planar-[CuII(L-){-OC(=O)CH3}] complexes, respectively, incorporating an sp2-amido nitrogen center (N2) in the coordinated ligand frame of L. The structural, spectral and electrochemical aspects of the complexes have been described

A new water-soluble Rh(III)-Salophen complex as efficient catalyst for alcohol oxidation in aqueous medium

A new water-soluble rhodium(III) complex [Rh(η4-L)Cl] (1a) was synthesized by reacting RhCl3.3H2O with Salophen ligand  [L = N,N′-bis(salicylidene)-1,2-phenylenediamine (a)] in 1:1 molar ratio in dichloromethane solution. The complex 1a was characterized by FT-IR, UV-Vis, ESI-MS, 1H and 13C NMR spectroscopy. Theoretical calculations (B3LYP) and spectroscopic evidence recommends that the ligand a coordinates to the Rh centre through imine N and phenolic O donor atoms. The complex 1a emerged out to be an effective catalyst for oxidation of alcohols in water. Magnificent yields of carbonyl compounds are acquired for a comprehensive assortment of substrates with H2O2 as oxidant at a relatively low loading of catalyst. Thus, the Rh(III)-H2O-H2O2 catalytic system could act as an environmentally benign alternative to oxidation methods in conventional organic solvents

Development and Evaluation of Handy Jute Fibre Bundle Strength Tester

113-117Jute is traditionally tested for bundle strength by breaking the fibers in the hand and using a manual bundle strength tester. Hand method is subjective and grade may vary from grader to grader. The manual bundle strength tester requires a lot of time for sample preparation and manual calculation of the strength of the fibre. In the present study, the goal was to develop an accurate and quick tester for measuring the strength of jute fibre bundles. The unit consists of a handle, fibre holder with clamp, pointer with an analog indicator, body, and a chain. The analog indicator has a colour code to indicate the strength of the fibre. This instrument has an overall dimension of 350 × 185 × 90 mm. Randomly twenty samples were selected from the bale sample to perform the test. The results of the developed instrument were compared with the results of a manual bundle strength tester. The T-test result showed that there was no significant (p > 0.05) difference between results from the handy type bundle strength tester and mechanical instrument. Strength of the jute measured from a handy jute fibre tester was almost on par with manual type instrument. The repeatability of the handy bundle strength tester at 95% confidence level is 3.02 and 2.90 g/tex, respectively for Corchorus olitorius and Corchorus capsularis. The instrument readings are repeatable since the difference between two readings is less than the rp (repeatability) value at 95% confidence level. The study concluded that the time taken to measure bundle strength of jute was shorter than with a manual tool. In contrast to manual instruments, this instrument is easy to operate and can provides reliable results

Peptide-based gel in environmental remediation: removal of toxic organic dyes and hazardous Pb2+ and Cd2+ ions from wastewater and oil spill recovery

A dipeptide-based synthetic amphiphile bearing a myristyl chain has been found to form hydrogels in the pH range 6.9–8.5 and organogels in various organic solvents including petroleum ether, diesel, kerosene, and petrol. These organogels and hydrogels have been thoroughly studied and characterized by different techniques including high-resolution transmission electron microscopy, X-ray diffraction, Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy, and rheology. It has been found that the xerogel obtained from the peptide gelator can trap various toxic organic dyes from wastewater efficiently. Moreover, the hydrogel has been used to remove toxic heavy metal ions Pb2+ and Cd2+ from wastewater. Dye adsorption kinetics has been studied, and it has been fitted by using the Freundlich isotherm equation. Interestingly, the gelator amphiphilic peptide gels fuel oil, kerosene, diesel, and petrol in a biphasic mixture of salt water and oil within a few seconds. This indicates that these gels not only may find application in oil spill recovery but also can be used to remove toxic organic dyes and hazardous toxic metal ions from wastewater. Moreover, the gelator can be recycled several times without significant loss of activity, suggesting the sustainability of this new gelator. This holds future promise for environmental remediation by using peptide-based gelators