Tunable Optoelectronic Properties of Triply-Bonded Carbon Molecules with Linear and Graphyne Substructures

In this paper we present a detailed computational study of the electronic structure and optical properties of triply-bonded hydrocarbons with linear, and graphyne substructures, with the aim of identifying their potential in opto-electronic device applications. For the purpose, we employed a correlated electron methodology based upon the Pariser-Parr-Pople model Hamiltonian, coupled with the configuration interaction (CI) approach, and studied structures containing up to 42 carbon atoms. Our calculations, based upon large-scale CI expansions, reveal that the linear structures have intense optical absorption at the HOMO-LUMO gap, while the graphyne ones have those at higher energies. Thus, the opto-electronic properties depend on the topology of the {graphyne substructures, suggesting that they can be tuned by means of structural modifications. Our results are in very good agreement with the available experimental data.Comment: main text 29 pages + 4 figures + 1 TOC graphic (included), supporting information 21 page

Evaluating Tenure Cases for Scholars Active in Emergent or Non-mainstream IS research topics

The number of topics and methods that our field is embracing is growing rapidly. This includes methodologies such as design science, analytics, neuro-IS and contextual areas such as healthcare IT or the public sector. This rapid expansion poses challenges for junior faculty engaged in this research, because external letter writers may struggle to understand how to evaluate their work. The outcomes of inquiry for these new methods or growing topics often vary from the “normal” metrics for productivity, such as journal publications, manifest in the broader IS discipline. How can we, as a field, develop a broader understanding of how to evaluate the tenure cases of individuals that use new methods or who investigate emerging topics? In this panel, we foster a conversation on how to, and if there is a need to, develop new metrics for evaluating tenure cases for scholars active in emergent or non-mainstream IS research topics

Exploring the Relational Impact of Service Quality on Customer Satisfication

Customer Satisfaction has been a psychological attribute inviting attention of the customers and requiring decipher their contribution in overall business performance.Banking has been no exception to this phenomenon.Many Literatures have found a strong relationship between service quality and customer satisfaction In service sector in general and banking industry in particular. The aim of the study is to investigate the relationship between service quality and customer satisfaction. The study assesses the level of customers’ satisfaction and service quality performance of the select banks. Further the study compares the satisfaction and service quality in select public and private sector banks.The study also identifies the area where the banks need to focus. The research design is descriptive as the research is intended to conclude and suggest measures to zero down on the service quality gaps in select public and private sector banks. The result shows a positive relationship between service quality and customer satisfaction. Service quality dimensions (tangibility, reliability, responsiveness, assurance and empathy) show wide service quality gaps. The comparative study of public sector banks and private sector banks show superiority of private sector banks over public sector banks in customer satisfaction and performance of service delivery. &nbsp

A quick and selective rhodamine based “smart probe” for “signal-on” optical detection of Cu²⁺ and Al³⁺ in water, cell imaging, computational studies and solid state analysis

A novel rhodamine hydrazone 1 has been synthesized by the condensation of rhodamine B hydrazide with allylsalicylaldehyde and has been fully characterized using various physicochemical techniques including single crystal XRD. Probe 1 can detect Cu2+ and Al3+ ions in aqueous media and displays a turn-on response in absorbance with a high degree of selectivity amongst other common interfering analytes. Al3+ ions lead to fluorescence enhancementby the opening of the spirolactum ring resulting in chelation enhanced fluorescence. DFT and TDDFT calculations support the experimental results. The 1-Al3+ ensemble acts as secondary sensor for pyrophosphate anion due to metal ion induced decomplexation resulting in a low detection limit. Probe 1 can be utilized for bio imaging and displays morphological transformations from crystalline to amorphous state with associated color changes due to mechanical switching. In the solid state, probe 1 displays distinct color changes with emission at different wavelengths in particular Al3+ and Hg2+result in a red shift of the CIE-diagram. While the band gap of probe 1can be tuned from 2.08 eV to 1.60 eV.Probe 1 meets many real-world-challenges in that it is prepared using simple synthetic methods, produces fast and distinct response towards multiple-ions, observed by the “naked eye” in solution and on a TLC plate, and can be exploited for binary data storage

Presence of multiple coronary angiographic characteristics for the diagnosis of acute coronary thrombus

Background: Coronary angiography is frequently employed to aid in the diagnosis of acute coronary thrombosis, but there is limited data to support its efficacy. The aim of the study was to evaluate sensitivity and specificity of five commonly used angiographic characteristics for diagnosis of acute coronary thrombosis: Ambrose complex lesion morphology; spherical, ovoid, or irregular filling defect; abrupt vessel cutoff; intraluminal staining; and any coronary filling defect. Methods: Coronary angiography of 80 acute myocardial infarction or stable coronary artery disease subjects were assessed in blinded fashion, for the presence or absence of five angiographic characteristics. Only lesions of ≥ 10% stenosis were included in the analysis. Presence or absence of each angiographic characteristic was compared between lesions with or without the following study defined outcomes: 1) histologically confirmed thrombus, 2) highly probable thrombus, and 3) highly unlikely thrombus. Results: A total of 323 lesions were evaluated. All studied angiographic characteristics were associated with histologically confirmed and highly probable thrombotic lesions vs. lesions not meeting criteria for these outcomes (p < 0.03), except for complex Ambrose morphology which was not associated with any of the study outcomes (p > 0.05). Specificity for identifying histologically confirmed or highly probable thrombotic lesion was high (92–100%), especially for spherical, ovoid, or irregular filling defect (99–100%) and intraluminal staining (99%). Sensitivity for identification of histologically confirmed or highly probable thrombotic lesions was low for all tested angiographic characteristics (17–60%). Conclusions: The presence of spherical, ovoid, or irregular filling defect or intraluminal staining was highly suggestive of coronary thrombus. However, none of the evaluated angiographic characteristics were useful for ruling out the presence of coronary thrombus. If confirmed in an independent cohort, these angiographic characteristic will be of significant value in confirming the diagnosis of acute coronary thrombosis.

Study of surface integrity and effect of process parameters in wire electrical discharge turning of Ti-6Al-4V

267-276Wire electrical discharge turning set-up has been developed by modifying the conventional five axes CNC WEDM machine. The main objective of this setup is to achieve cylindrical forms on hard to cut materials. This work focuses on the study of effect of input process parameters like pulse on-time, pulse off time, gap voltage, spindle rotational speed on output responses like surface roughness, material removal rate and wire wear ratio. A mathematical model of responses has been developed using response surface methodology and the optimal value of process parameters has been obtained by desirability function. Surface morphology studies of the machined surface and the worn-out wire has also been elaborated by FE-SEM images. The results show that with an increase in machining parameters value except pulse-on time, all the desired machining outcome decreases. Surface roughness, material removal rate and wire wear ratio have been found in the range of 1.99 µm – 1.37 µm, 7.55 – 13.66 mm3/min and 0.05–0.08, respectively. The formation of thick recast layer over the machined surface has also been discussed. The reduction in wire dimension has been calculated by optical microscopy and its morphology has been discussed by FE-SEM images

Study of surface integrity and effect of process parameters in wire electrical discharge turning of Ti-6Al-4V

Wire electrical discharge turning set-up has been developed by modifying the conventional five axes CNC WEDM machine. The main objective of this setup is to achieve cylindrical forms on hard to cut materials. This work focuses on the study of effect of input process parameters like pulse on-time, pulse off time, gap voltage, spindle rotational speed on output responses like surface roughness, material removal rate and wire wear ratio. A mathematical model of responses has been developed using response surface methodology and the optimal value of process parameters has been obtained by desirability function. Surface morphology studies of the machined surface and the worn-out wire has also been elaborated by FE-SEM images. The results show that with an increase in machining parameters value except pulse-on time, all the desired machining outcome decreases. Surface roughness, material removal rate and wire wear ratio have been found in the range of 1.99 μm – 1.37 μm, 7.55 – 13.66 mm3/min and 0.05–0.08, respectively. The formation of thick recast layer over the machined surface has also been discussed. The reduction in wire dimension has been calculated by optical microscopy and its morphology has been discussed by FE-SEM images

Genome wide expression profiling of two accession of G. herbaceum L. in response to drought

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Genome-wide gene expression profiling and detailed physiological investigation were used for understanding the molecular mechanism and physiological response of <it>Gossypium herbaceum</it>, which governs the adaptability of plants in drought conditions. Recently, microarray-based gene expression analysis is commonly used to decipher genes and genetic networks controlling the traits of interest. However, the results of such an analysis are often plagued due to a limited number of genes (probe sets) on microarrays. On the other hand, pyrosequencing of a transcriptome has the potential to detect rare as well as a large number of transcripts in the samples quantitatively. We used Affymetrix microarray as well as Roche's GS-FLX transcriptome sequencing for a comparative analysis of cotton transcriptome in leaf tissues under drought conditions.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>Fourteen accessions of <it>Gossypium herbaceum </it>were subjected to mannitol stress for preliminary screening; two accessions, namely Vagad and RAHS-14, were selected as being the most tolerant and most sensitive to osmotic stress, respectively. Affymetrix cotton arrays containing 24,045 probe sets and Roche's GS-FLX transcriptome sequencing of leaf tissue were used to analyze the gene expression profiling of Vagad and RAHS-14 under drought conditions. The analysis of physiological measurements and gene expression profiling showed that Vagad has the inherent ability to sense drought at a much earlier stage and to respond to it in a much more efficient manner than does RAHS-14. Gene Ontology (GO) studies showed that the phenyl propanoid pathway, pigment biosynthesis, polyketide biosynthesis, and other secondary metabolite pathways were enriched in Vagad under control and drought conditions as compared with RAHS-14. Similarly, GO analysis of transcriptome sequencing showed that the GO terms <it>responses to various abiotic stresses </it>were significantly higher in Vagad. Among the classes of transcription factors (TFs) uniquely expressed in both accessions, RAHS-14 showed the expression of ERF and WRKY families. The unique expression of ERFs in response to drought conditions reveals that RAHS-14 responds to drought by inducing senescence. This was further supported by transcriptome analysis which revealed that RAHS-14 responds to drought by inducing many transcripts related to senescence and cell death.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>The comparative genome-wide gene expression profiling study of two accessions of <it>G.herbaceum </it>under drought stress deciphers the differential patterns of gene expression, including TFs and physiologically relevant processes. Our results indicate that drought tolerance observed in Vagad is not because of a single molecular reason but is rather due to several unique mechanisms which Vagad has developed as an adaptation strategy.</p