Enhanced ionic conductivity in nano-composite solid polymer electrolyte: (PEG)x LiBr: y(SiO2)

In this paper, we report an enhancement in ionic conductivity in a new nano-composite solid polymer electrolyte namely, (PEG)x LiBr: y(SiO2). The samples were prepared, characterized, and investigated by XRD, IR, NMR, and impedance spectroscopy. Conductivity as a function of salt concentration shows a double peak. Five weight percent addition of silica nanoparticles increases the ionic conductivity by two orders of magnitude. Conductivity exhibits an Arrhenius type dependence on temperature. IR study has shown that the existence of nanoparticles in the vicinity of terminal O―H group results in a shift in IR absorption frequency and increase in amplitude of vibration of the terminal O―H group. This might lead to an enhancement in conductivity due to increased segmental motion of the polymer. 7Li NMR spectroscopic studies also seem to support this. Thus addition of nanoparticle inert fillers still seems to be a promising technique to enhance the ionic conductivity in solid polymer electrolytes

Simplifying the mosaic description of DNA sequences

By using the Jensen-Shannon divergence, genomic DNA can be divided into compositionally distinct domains through a standard recursive segmentation procedure. Each domain, while significantly different from its neighbours, may however share compositional similarity with one or more distant (non--neighbouring) domains. We thus obtain a coarse--grained description of the given DNA string in terms of a smaller set of distinct domain labels. This yields a minimal domain description of a given DNA sequence, significantly reducing its organizational complexity. This procedure gives a new means of evaluating genomic complexity as one examines organisms ranging from bacteria to human. The mosaic organization of DNA sequences could have originated from the insertion of fragments of one genome (the parasite) inside another (the host), and we present numerical experiments that are suggestive of this scenario.Comment: 16 pages, 1 figure, Accepted for publication in Phys. Rev.

Histoplasmosis presenting as hypoadrenalism

Histoplasmosis is considered to be rare in India. Adrenal involvement is common in disseminated disease but may be the only site of demonstrable disease sometimes. We describe the case of a 36-year-old lady with type 2 diabetes mellitus who presented with adrenal insufficiency in whom computed tomography and fine needle aspiration cytology helped in establishing the diagnosis. A high index of clinical suspicion and appropriate use of invasive diagnostic methods will be helpful in early diagnosis and institution of appropriate treatment

Flower-shaped anatase TiO2 mesostructures with excellent photocatalytic properties

10.1039/c3ra45021jRSC Advances431421-1424RSCA

Fabrication and performance evaluation of button cell supercapacitors based on MnO2 nanowire/carbon nanobead electrodes

10.1039/c3ra41992dRSC Advances33817492-17499RSCA

Conductive blends of camphoric carbon nanobeads anchored with MnO 2 for high-performance rechargeable electrodes in battery/supercapacitor applications

10.1016/j.scriptamat.2013.02.014Scripta Materialia6811881-884SCMA

Ultra fine MnO2 nanowire based high performance thin film rechargeable electrodes: Effect of surface morphology, electrolytes and concentrations

10.1039/c2jm35027kJournal of Materials Chemistry223820465-20471JMAC