SYNTHESIS, CHARACTERIZATION AND ELECTROCHEMICAL INVESTIGATION OF NOVEL 17-MEMBERED DIOXADIAZA NAPTHALDEHYDE BASED MACROCYCLIC LIGAND AND ITS COMPLEXES OF Co (III), Ni (II) AND Cu (II) PERCHLORATE IONS

Objective: The objective of this research is to synthesis hitherto, novel unreported [17]-membered dioxadiaza napthaldehyde based macrocyclic ligand (L) and to synthesize its Co(III), Ni(II) and Cu(II) metal ion complexes.Methods: The synthesis of the ligand has been accomplished by two different synthetic routes each involving two stages. 2-Hydroxy-1-Napthaldehyde in the presence of potassium carbonate was treated with α,α'-dibromo-m-xylene to yield the dial derivative (I). The dial derivative (I) was further made to undergo Schiff base condensation with 1,2-diaminobenzene to yield the bright yellow macrocycle (L) in good yield. In the second method the Schiff base condensed product Napthaloph was synthesized and allowed to undergo Williamson's condensation with α,α'-dibromo-m-xylene to yield the ligand (L).Results: The ligand and its complexes were characterized by elemental analysis, electronic spectroscopy, IR, Conductivity measurements, EPR, magnetic susceptibility, 1H NMR and MS. The neutral seventeen membered tetradentate dioxadiaza ligand (L) readily complexes with Co(III), Ni(II) and Cu(II) perchlorate salts in 1:1 mole ratio to yield complexes of formulae [Co(L)X2]ClO4, [Ni(L)X2], [Cu(L)X]ClO4, (X = Cl-, Br-and NO3-). The complexes were also synthesized by the metal template method. The yield of the template procedure was found to be greater than the non-template method.Conclusion: A hitherto 2, 10-dioxa-21,29-diaza-heptacyclo-[29.4.2.1[4,8].0[1,32].0[11,20].0[14,19].0[23,28].0[32,37]]-tetraconta-4, 6, 8, 11, 13, 15, 17, 19, 21, 23, 25, 27, 29, 31, 33, 35, 37, 39-octatecaene. The [17]-membered tetradentate dioxadiaza macrocycle (L) was found to accommodate Co3+, Ni2+, and Cu2+ions with ease due to the presence of flexible alkyl groups. Further studies with the inner-transition metal ions will be highly informative in understanding the coordinating capabilities of lanthanides and actinides.Â

10 years after the birth of India’s first cloned farm animal, where is buffalo cloning heading

191-192India owns the best buffalo breeds, particularly Murrah which is famous all over the world for high milk production. India’s white and pink revolution cannot be imagined without the contribution of buffalo and to achieve these, the best productive animals need to be produced through scientific interventions. Animal cloning is a technique used to produce multiple copies of the best animals without normal reproduction. In India, buffalo cloning has already happened and India’s first cloned buffalo was produced in 2009. Later, several buffalo clones were produced and attempts are ongoing to produce stock of more elite animals. Buffalo cloning has made its way from scientific curiosity to farmer’s farm. In this viewpoint article, we provide an overview of the progress of buffalo cloning and we discuss some of the public perceptions of animal cloning such as aging and food safety of cloned animal products

Star-forming site RAFGL 5085: Is a perfect candidate of hub-filament system ?

To investigate the star formation process, we present a multi-wavelength study of a massive star-forming site RAFGL 5085, which has been associated with the molecular outflow, HII region, and near-infrared cluster. The continuum images at 12, 250, 350, and 500 $\mu$m show a central region (having M$_{\rm clump}$ $\sim$225 M$_{\odot}$) surrounded by five parsec-scale filaments, revealing a hub-filament system (HFS). In the {\it Herschel} column density ($N({{\rm{H}}}_{2})$) map, filaments are identified with higher aspect ratios (length/diameter) and lower $N({{\rm{H}}}_{2})$ values ($\sim$0.1--2.4 $\times$10$^{21}$ cm$^{-2}$), while the central hub is found with a lower aspect ratio and higher $N({{\rm{H}}}_{2})$ values ($\sim$3.5--7.0 $\times$10$^{21}$ cm$^{-2}$). The central hub displays a temperature range of [19, 22.5]~K in the {\it Herschel} temperature map, and is observed with signatures of star formation (including radio continuum emission). The JCMT $^{13}$CO(J= 3--2) line data confirm the presence of the HFS and its hub is traced with supersonic and non-thermal motions having higher Mach number and lower thermal to non-thermal pressure ratio. In the $^{13}$CO position-velocity diagrams, velocity gradients along the filaments toward the HFS appear to be observed, suggesting the gas flow in the RAFGL 5085 HFS and the applicability of the clump-fed scenario.Comment: 15 pages, 8 figures; Accepted for publication in Journal of Astrophysics and Astronomy (JOAA

Critical marine habitat restoration programme - initiative on mangrove restoration in Kerala, India

Mangroves are unique habitats which function as nursery ground for several valuable species of finfishes and shellfishes and they play a vital role in supporting marine food chains, protecting coastal areas and in improving water quality. Mangroves in general have relatively high productivity and tend to create highly organic soil and also export organic matter to nearby marine environments. They are effective in stabilizing soils in intertidal areas. Some species of mangroves have been planted in the coastal areas as bio-protection shields to guard coastal households from wind and wave action. They provide shelter to several avian fauna which feed on its fruits and nest in the branches. Rare or endangered species of birds have also been documented in the mangroves

Sediment quality evaluation towards developing scientific restoration protocol for mangroves

The role of mangroves as bio-shields and as critical habitats are being increasingly recognised and proved in the recent years. However, urbanisation and other anthropogenic activities have reduced the mangrove cover of most coastal areas. To overcome this, restoration programs are planned in several areas. Planting of mangrove seedlings without considering the ecological criteria suitable for the biological success of the mangroves, have given poor success rate

Characterization of acaricide resistance in tick isolates collected from Rajasthan, India

      Rhipicephalus (Boophilus) microplus and Hyalomma anatolicum are the most common tick species infesting milk and meat producing animals throughout the country. The present study was conducted to evaluate the acaricide resistance status of the tick species to deltamethrin, cypermethrin, diazinon collected from 10 districts of Rajasthan. Characterization of resistance was carried out by adult immersion test (AIT) and larval packet test (LPT). In case of (B.) microplus resistance to deltamethrin at level I (RF = 2.5 – 4.9) in 02 isolates, at level II in 03 isolates (RF = 5.4 – 11.5) and level IV in 02 isolates (RF = 48.1 – 95.7) was detected. The resistance to cypermethrin was detected in 08 isolates of which resistance at level I in 03 isolates (RF = 2.7 - 4.58) and at level II in 05 isolates (RF = 8.05 – 16.2). Diazinon resistance was detected at level II in 06 isolates (RF = 5.8 –22.8), at level III in 01 isolates (RF = 39.0) and level IV in 02 isolates (RF = 65.9 – 66.0). While in case of H. anatolicum, the resistance to deltamethrin at level I (RF = 1.79 –2.52) in 03 isolates, to cypermethrin in 03 isolates (RF= 2.0 - 3.95) and to diazinon at level I in 03 isolates (RF = 1.32 –2.18) out of eleven isolates was detected.         A significant correlation between esterase enzyme ratio and resistant factor of tick isolates was observed with correlation coefficient (r) in α- and ß-esterase activity. The coefficient of determination (R2) for α- and ß-esterase activity indicated that 55.9 and 50.5% data points of R.(B.) microplus isolates and 66.7 and 47.2% data points of H. anatolicum isolates were very close to the correlation lines.       Analysis of sequence data of 3 targeted positions of the sodium channel gene detected a cytosine (C) to adenine (A) nucleotide substitution (CTC to ATC) at position 190 in domain II S4–5 linker region of para-sodium channel gene in 3 isolates and in reference deltamethrin resistant IVRI-IV line.      The western dry region and central plateau hills region revealed higher density of resistant ticks where intensive crossbred cattle population are reared and synthetic pyrethroids and organophosphate compounds are commonly used. The data shows an urgent need of revisiting the tick control strategy implemented through concerned government/non-government agencies

Tailored mesoscopic plasma accelerates electrons exploiting parametric instability

Laser plasma electron acceleration from the interaction of an intense femtosecond laser pulse with an isolated microparticle surrounded by a low-density gas is studied here. Experiments presented here show that optimized plasma tailoring by introducing a pre-pulse boosts parametric instabilities to produce MeV electron energies and generates electron temperatures as large as 200 keV with the total charge being as high as 350 fC/shot/sr, even at a laser intensity of a few times 1016 Wcm−2. Corroborated by particle-in-cell simulations, these measurements reveal that two plasmon decay in the vicinity of the microparticle is the main contributor to hot electron generation