Science Vision

184-189

Authors: P.C. Lalhmangaihzuala, L. Zote, S. Lalhmangaihzuala, L. Khawlhring, J. C. Zohmingthanga, L. Lalawmpuii, K. Vanlaldinpuia

An efficient and practical method for the conversion of alcohols to their corresponding carboxylic acids and ketones via a ruthenium chloride-catalyzed oxidation process has been developed. The reaction proceeded under mild reaction condition using environmentally friendly oxone as a co-oxidant. Various alcohols were examined to provide the desired products in good yields.

195-199

Authors: A. Malsawmtluanga, Lalnunpuia, R. L. Ralte, Z. Pachuau

A comparative study of theoretical and experimental electronic properties and linear optical dielectric function of zinc blende structure of aluminium pnictides is presented by applying the full-potential linearized augmented plane wave (FP-LAPW) method within density-functional theory (DFT) as implemented in WIEN2k code. Results are presented for the band structures, for the density of states, and for the real and imaginary parts of the linear dielectric functions for photon energies up to 10 eV. The results are compared with other existing calculations and experimental data and agreement was found.

207-214

Authors: Y. Mrinamala Devi, S. K. Mehta

The effects of copper on the growth, photosynthetic pigments, and antioxidants of the cyanobacterium Nostoc muscorum were studied. Growth behavior under different concentrations of Cu showed strong inhibition with growth rate of 50% reduced at 2.5 µM after 96 h of treatment. There were total inhibitions at 7.5 µM and 10 µM concentrations. Photosynthetic pigments such as chlorophyll-a, phycocyanin and carotenoid contents decreased at the same extent after 96 h of Cu treatment and the inhibition was highest on phycocyanin content. Protein content was inhibited at the same pattern with photosynthetic pigments. Cu-induced lipid peroxidation was concentration and time dependent. Treatment with 10 µM Cu for 2 h resulted in 4.9 folds increase in malondialdehyde (MDA) level in comparison with the control. Similarly, 3.8 folds increased was observed after 5 h treatment with LC50 metal (2.5 µM Cu), compared to the control. The activities of antioxidative enzymes superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), ascorbate peroxidase (APX) and glutathione reductase (GR) were strongly increased following the increase of Cu concentrations- they reached 159%, 202%, 172% and 179% above the control, respectively.

221-233

Authors: K. Lalchhandama

Zoologists do not lack a sense of humour. There are discreet and indiscreet evidences.