Polymer-anchored palladium catalyst in carbonylation of organic halides - the first example of triphase catalysis

Polymer-anchored palladium-catalysed carbonylation of organic halides affords oxo esters in reasonable- yields under solid-liquid-solid phase transfer conditions at mild pressure and short durations

1,1′-[4-(4-Methoxy­phen­yl)-2,6-dimethyl-1,4-dihydro­pyridine-3,5-di­yl]diethanone

In the title compound, C18H21NO3, which belongs to the family of calcium channel blockers, the dihydropyridine ring assumes a flattened boat conformation. The two carbonyl units adopt a synperiplanar conformation with respect to the double bonds in the dihydro­pyridine ring. The methoxy­phenyl ring is almost perpendicular to the prydine ring [dihedral angle = 89.01 (7)°]. In the crystal, the mol­ecules are connected by inter­molecular N—H⋯O hydrogen bonds

Poly(3,4-ethylenedioxypyrrole) and Composites for Electrochromic and Supercapacitor Applications

In this thesis, poly(3,4-ethylenedioxypyrrole) or PEDOP and it‘s composites were synthesized wherein the polymer films were grown by electropolymerization and an appropriate moiety was integrated with the polymer to achieve enhanced electrochemical response for electrochromic and/or supercapacitor applications. Improvements in electrochromic and redox switching capability for PEDOP films were attained by use of reduced graphene oxide functionalized with an ionic liquid (RGO/IL) as a dopant/counter ion. Further, the variation in localized nanoscale conduction / work function profile of PEDOP, when doped with an intr1insically conducting charge balancing counter ion such as functionalized carbon nanotubes was compared with the nanoscale behavior of same polymer doped with insulating counter ions and correlated to the significantly increased electrochromic switching by using a combination of electrochemical tools and microscopy probes. Electrochromic devices usingPEDOP andpoly(5-cyano-indole) or PCIND as cathodic and anodic electrochromes with a novel ionic liquid based polymeric electrolyte were assembled, and the performance attributes of the device were examined in detail, to ultimately demonstrate the suitability of the PEDOP-PCIND device for smart window applications.Electrically conductive composites of Sb2S3 nanorods enwrapped by PEDOP were prepared and used as electrodes in asymmetric supercapacitors; structure-property correlation with an emphasis on the ability of Sb2S3 to serve as electron conduits was evaluated. A PEDOP-Au@WO3 hybrid dual function electrochromic supercapacitor electrode capable of optically modulating solar radiation while simultaneously storing/releasing charge was constructed for the first time and the concurrent electrochromic cum pseudocapacitive roles of this hybrid was established and assessed with respect to pristine PEDOP and WO3 films. The ability of PEDOP to enhance the photoelectrochromic response of a V2O5 nanobelts based film, using a PEDOP/V2O5 hybrid was shown. In this thesis, the remarkable potential of PEDOP and it‘s composites for high performance electrochromic devices, supercapacitors, electrochromic supercapacitors and as electrodes in self-powered photoelectrochromic devices is unambiguously demonstrated

Electrochromic switching and nanoscale electrical properties of a poly(5-cyano indole)-poly(3,4-ethylenedioxypyrrole) device with a free standing ionic liquid electrolyte

Poly(5-cyano indole) or PCIND and poly(3,4-ethylenedioxy pyrrole) or PEDOP films have been electro-synthesized for the first time in a hydrophobic ionic liquid: trihexyl(tetradecyl)phosphonium tris(pentafluoroethyl) trifluorophosphate. PCIND, is an anodically coloring electrochrome, and exhibited a reversible switching between a transmissive yellow and a saturated green hue, with an absorption maximum at 650 nm in the fully oxidized state. Conducting atomic force microscopy studies revealed the PCIND film to be composed of an ensemble of segregated high current islands with a nanoscale electronic conductivity of 0.1 S cm-1 and a band gap of 1.41 eV. The cathodically coloring PEDOP film comprised of uniformly distributed and inter-connected high current carrying domains with a band gap of 1.82 eV and a conductivity of 5.4 S cm-1. Prototype electrochromic devices were fabricated using PEDOP and PCIND as cathode and anode with a thermally stable ionic liquid based, free standing polymeric gel film with a high ionic conductivity of 1.19 × 10-3 S cm-1 as the electrolyte. The device showed large coloration efficiencies of 480 and 796 cm2 C-1 at visible and NIR wavelengths of 475 and 1100 nm respectively which far exceeded the coloration efficiencies of the individual electrochromes, thereby demonstrating the synergy between the two colorants. The performance attributes of the device, which switched reversibly between red, green and blue hues, are an outcome of an interplay between the high nanolevel electron conduction capabilities (enable fast charge transport) and high ion storage capacities (increase optical contrast as more number of electrochemically addressable sites are accessed by the electrolyte ions) of the PEDOP and PCIND films. Our studies demonstrate the applicability of PCIND films as anodic electrochromes in energy efficient window

First Order Kaon Condensation in Neutron Stars: Finite Size Effects in the Mixed Phase

We study the role of Coulomb and surface effects on the phase transition from dense nuclear matter to a mixed phase of nuclear and kaon-condensed matter. We calculate corrections to the bulk calculation of the equation of state (EOS) and the critical density for the transition by solving explicitly for spherical, cylindrical, and planar structures. The importance of Debye screening in the determination of the charged particle profiles is studied in some detail. We find that the surface and Coulomb contributions to the energy density are small, but that they play an important role in the determination of the critical pressure for the transition, as well as affecting the size and geometry of favored structures. This changes the EOS over a wide range of pressure and consequently increases the maximum mass by about 0.1 solar masses. Implications for transport properties of the mixed phase are also discussed.Comment: 18 pages, 6 figure

Upskilling nursing students and nurse practitioners to initiate and manage patients on ART: An outcome evaluation of the UKZN NIMART course

Background. Currently, there is a need in South Africa to implement strategies to upskill nurses in the clinical management of HIV and AIDS, for effective and efficient management of people living with HIV. One such strategy is the nurse-initiated management of antiretroviral therapy (NIMART) course.Objectives. To evaluate the effectiveness of the NIMART course in increasing the knowledge of trainees in select clinical competencies, to assess whether perceived knowledge gain varied according to individual-level characteristics of trainees, and to determine trainee perceptions of the value and delivery of the course.Methods. A 5-day training course focusing on various areas of HIV was developed and delivered by experts in the field of HIV to multiple cohorts of fourth-year nursing students at the University of KwaZulu-Natal, and to post-basic nursing practitioners, over a 5-year period. A single-group pre- and post-quasi-experimental design was used to assess knowledge change and perceptions about the course among 1 369 trainees who had benefitted from the course during the implementation period.Results. Post-workshop test scores were significantly higher than pre-workshop scores (p<0.0001), based on both pooled and cohort-specific data. For pooled analysis, the pre-test median score was 67% (interquartile range (IQR) = 60% - 73%) and the post-test median score was 77% (IQR = 70% - 80%), with p<0.0001. The knowledge gain was the highest in respect of HIV prevention, followed by prevention of mother-to-child transmission, then HIV treatment and lastly, general knowledge of HIV. The vast majority were very satisfied with the content of the training, although 31.3% strongly disagreedthat they were ready to apply the knowledge they had learned in their workplace.Conclusion. The training was generally well received, and improved the knowledge of participants in HIV and its management. However, this outcome represents short-term benefits of the programme, and there is a need for on-the-job mentorship and support in order to maximise on clinical outcomes related to HIV

Outcome of posterior cruciate ligament-retaining primary total knee arthroplasty in arthritic patients

Background: The incidence of arthritis is rising in India due to increase in the proportion of ageing population and obesity. Cruciate retaining total knee arthroplasty (TKA) is a promising mode of treatment for end stage arthritis, with excellent functional outcome. Hence, we have evaluated the functional outcome of posterior cruciate ligament retaining TKA and the problems related to the procedure at our institute.Methods: This prospective study was conducted on 30 patients who underwent posterior cruciate ligament retaining primary TKA at a tertiary health care centre between December 2012 and May 2014. Patients were evaluated using Knee society score (knee score and function score) at regular follow up visits.Results: The study included TKA for 42 knees in 30 patients. Indications for TKA were osteoarthritis in 37 knees and rheumatoid arthritis in 5 knees. The average follow-up period was 24 weeks. All the 42 knees had poor knee score (<60) and poor functional score (<60) preoperatively. Postoperatively 37 knees had excellent (80-100) and 5 knees had good knee score (70-79) whereas 22 patients had excellent (80-100), 5 patients had good (70-79), 2 patients had fair (60-69) and 1 patient had poor functional score (<60). Conclusions: Our study demonstrates that posterior cruciate retaining TKA is a reliable procedure with excellent functional outcome, pain relief and early return of patients to their daily activities. Posterior cruciate retaining TKA provided excellent knee society score and functional score in majority of patients