Synthesis and photoluminescence properties of Sm3+-doped YAl3(BO3)4 phosphor.

A near ultraviolet excitable phosphor based on Sm3+-doped YAl3(BO3)4 has been synthesized by modified solid-state reaction at 1000°C. The phase purity and photoluminescence (PL) behavior of the phosphor are studied in detail using the powder X-ray diffraction technique and PL measurements. X-ray diffraction reveals that the phase purity of YAl3(BO3)4 critically depends upon the boric acid concentration. The phosphor has strong excitation at 406 nm in the near ultraviolet region (350­420 nm) and its emission peaks were monitored at 564, 599 and 643 nm. Further, detailed PL analysis demonstrates that the substitution of Sm3+ ions at sites of Y3+ and Al3+ ions enhances the PL efficiency of the phosphor appreciably. First, the PL efficiency of YAl3(BO3)4:Sm3+ was compared with commercial (Y,Gd)BO3:Eu3+ red phosphor. The Fourier transform infrared study provides essential information regarding the change in metal­oxygen bond vibrations of the phosphor. The morphology of the phosphor was investigated through scanning electron microscopy, which reveals that the phosphor possessed distorted spherical and rectangular shapes with average grain sizes in the range 0.5­1 µm.

Stress Distribution on Prepared Tooth With Shoulder and Radial Shoulder Margin to Receive Crowns of Three Different Materials: A Finite Element Analysis.

Aim and background This study aims to determine the stress distribution on the prepared tooth at the margins with shoulder and radial shoulder finish lines when an occlusal load of 300N was applied to ceramic, zirconia, and polyether ether ketone (PEEK) crowns. Materials and methods Six models of mandibular first molar teeth were fabricated. The tooth models were subdivided into two groups with shoulder and radial shoulder margins, respectively (n = 18). The teeth were restored with three different prosthetic crown materials (ceramic, zirconia, and PEEK). To simulate the typical forces experienced by a prosthetic crown material in a lower posterior tooth during chewing and biting, an occlusal load of 300N was applied to each of the samples, and the maximum principal stress (Pmax) and von Mises stress were calculated, respectively. These samples were then compared and evaluated to determine the material best suited as a prosthetic crown material of choice for a lower posterior tooth. Results Among the materials used, the maximum principal stress value was the least in PEEK crowns. The von Mises stress value was highest for the zirconia crown with shoulder margin and was least for the PEEK crown with a similar margin. Conclusion PEEK as a crown material was found to be a better choice for lower posterior teeth as there was the least maximum principal stress at the margin, irrespective of either shoulder or radial shoulder finish line used.

Crystal structure of poly[[di-µ3-acetato-tetra-aqua-bis-(µ2-cyclo-hexane-1,4-di-carboxyl-ato)dilanth-an-um(III)] dihydrate].

The title compound, {[La2(CH3COO)2(C8H10O4)2(H2O)4]·2H2O} n or [La2(ac)2(e,a-cis-1,4-chdc)2(H2O)4]·2H2O, where ac is acetate and 1,4-chdc is cyclo-hexane-1,4-di-carboxyl-ate anion, is a binuclear lanthanum(III) complex. Each metal atom is deca-coordinated by four O atoms from two distinct 1,4-chdc2- ligands, four O atoms from three acetate groups and two O atoms from coordinated water mol-ecules to form a distorted bicapped square-anti-prismatic geometry. Two non-coordinated water mol-ecules are also present in the formula unit. The most remarkable feature of this compound is that it possesses a only cis conformation for cyclo-hexane-1,4-di-carb-oxy-lic acid, although the raw material consists of a mixture of cis and trans isomers. The µ3-η2:η2 coordination mode of the bridging acetate group and the flexible di-carboxyl-ate fragments of 1,4-chdc2- results in the formation of infinite two-dimensional lanthanide-carboxyl-ate layers within the crystal structure. The directionality of strong inter-molecular O-H⋯O and weak C-H⋯O inter-actions provides robustness to the layers, which leads to the construction of a three-dimensional supra-molecular network. The crystal studied was refined as a two-component twin.

Cerium(III) chloride promoted highly regioselective ring opening of epoxides and aziridines using NaN(3) in acetonitrile: a facile synthesis of 1,2-azidoalcohols and 1,2-azidoamines.

A convenient and efficient synthesis of 1,2-azidoalcohols and 1,2-azidoamines has been achieved by ring opening of epoxides and aziridines using cerium(III) chloride and sodium azide in acetonitrile. The reaction is highly regioselective and afforded the corresponding products in good to excellent yields under mild and neutral reaction conditions. The method is very rapid and equally compatible for both epoxides and aziridines.

Life skills profile of patients with schizophrenia and its correlation to a feeling of rejection among key family carers.

BACKGROUND: The behaviour of patients with schizophrenia is of great concern to key family carers. Life skills profile (LSP) is the measure that has considerable importance in assessing the functioning of people with schizophrenia in the community. AIM: To assess the sociodemographic correlates of LSP, and to find the correlation between LSP and the rejection response of key family carers. METHODS: The LSP of 48 patients with chronic schizophrenia (29 men and 19 women) was assessed. The rejection responses of key family carers (28 men and 20 women) were evaluated using the Patient Rejection Scale. RESULTS: The LSP did not significantly differ on the variables of gender, income level or attendance of day-care centre. However, there were differences between patients from urban and rural areas. A new dimension of family harmony, added as a subscale to LSP, also did not show any significant difference on the above variables. The rejection responses of key family carers were found to be significantly related to the LSP of the patients and, among the subscales, family harmony and communication were positively related to rejection. CONCLUSION: Though family interventions have been found to have positive implications on relapse and social functioning of patients with schizophrenia, a model of a family intervention programme for families of patients with schizophrenia needs to be developed.