Synthesis and electrochemical characterization of electroactive IoNanofluids with high dielectric constants from hydrated ferrous sulphate.

An iron oxide based-electroactive IoNanofluid with a high dielectric constant, high stability and low viscosity was synthesized from ferrous sulphate heptahydrate via a facile microwave assisted one-step route in 1-butyl-4-methylpyridinium chloride. The IoNanofluid exhibited CE coupled faradaic redox reactions involving reversible chemical reaction and reversible electron transfer steps. A transition from diffusion controlled to surface controlled capacitive processes was observed at varying scan rates. The efficiency of the charge-discharge process was greater than 94% even after 100 cycles.

Theoretical Probing of Weak Anion-Cation Interactions in Certain Pyridinium-Based Ionic Liquid Ion Pairs and the Application of Molecular Electrostatic Potential in Their Ionic Crystal Density Determination: A Comparative Study Using Density Functional Approach.

A comprehensive study on the structure, nature of interaction, and properties of six ionic pairs of 1-butylpyridinium and 1-butyl-4-methylpyridinium cations in combination with tetrafluoroborate (BF4-), chloride (Cl-), and bromide (Br-) anions have been carried out using density functional theory (DFT). The anion-cation interaction energy (ΔEint), thermochemistry values, theoretical band gap, molecular orbital energy order, DFT-based chemical activity descriptors [chemical potential (µ), chemical hardness (η), and electrophilicity index (ω)], and distribution of density of states (DOS) of these ion pairs were investigated. The ascendancy of the -CH3 substituent at the fourth position of the 1-butylpyridinium cation ring on the values of ΔEint, theoretical band gap and chemical activity descriptors was evaluated. The ΔEint values were negative for all six ion pairs and were highest for Cl- containing ion pairs. The theoretical band gap value after -CH3 substitution increased from 3.78 to 3.96 eV (for Cl-) and from 2.74 to 2.88 eV (for Br-) and decreased from 4.9 to 4.89 eV (for BF4-). Ion pairs of BF4- were more susceptible to charge transfer processes as inferred from their significantly high η values and comparatively small difference in ω value after -CH3 substitution. The change in η and µ values due to the -CH3 substituent is negligibly small in all cases except for the ion pairs of Cl-. Critical-point (CP) analyses were carried out to investigate the AIM topological parameters at the interionic bond critical points (BCPs). The RDG isosurface analysis indicated that the anion-cation interaction was dominated by strong Hcat···Xani and Ccat···Xani interactions in ion pairs of Cl- and Br- whereas a weak van der Waal's effect dominated in ion pairs of BF4-. The molecular electrostatic potential (MESP)-based parameter ΔΔVmin measuring the anion-cation interaction strength showed a good linear correlation with ΔEint for all 1-butylpyridinium ion pairs (R2 = 0.9918). The ionic crystal density values calculated by using DFT-based MESP showed only slight variations from experimentally reported values.

Deafness in children--an analysis.

This study was conducted at the Government Deaf and Dumb School, Thanjavur to ascertain the possible etiological factors. The social outlook of the parents of these children was analysed. Boys were more often affected (60.2%). Consanguinity was observed in 65.4% parents; 23.1% had one or more affected sibling and 14.1% had affected relatives. Parents detected the hearing disability in their children between 3-6 months of age in about 79% cases. Syphilis and chickenpox were the common antenatal associated infections. Streptomycin, chloroquine and abortificients were used during early pregnancy. Eight were preterm and 9 were asphyxiated at birth. A total of 11.5% had purulent ear discharge, and 2 had ear injury. Parents were committed to help the children to be self dependent.

Delinquency in children.

Delinquency among children is not a problem only in Western countries. Psychosocial analysis of inmates of an approved school revealed that broken home was the reason for the emotional stress which triggered antisocial behaviour. Children want to be with their parents inspite of the injustice done to them.