The usage of nanomaterials for cancer treatment has been a popular research focus over the past decade. Nanomaterials, including polymeric nanomaterials, metal nanoparticles, semiconductor quantum dots, and carbon-based nanomaterials such as graphene oxide (GO), have been used for cancer cell imaging, chemotherapeutic drug targeting, chemotherapy, photothermal therapy, and photodynamic therapy. In this review, we discuss the concept of targeted nanoparticles in cancer therapy and summarize the in vivo biocompatibility of graphene-based nanomaterials. Specifically, we discuss in detail the chemistry and properties of GO and provide a comprehensive review of functionalized GO and GO–metal nanoparticle composites in nanomedicine involving anticancer drug delivery and cancer treatment.

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A simple numerical method based on Chebysev technique is proposed to calculate the propagation characteristics of single mode fibers having arbitrary index profiles. The method also formulates a linear relation of K,(W)/Ko(W) with 1/W. The method predicts the normalised fiber parameters and field functictions in the core and cladding as well for step and parabolic index fibers excellently.

This paper briefly describes the current status of ecology, fisheries and biodiversity of the River Ganges. Apart from being the original abode of the most prized Indian major carps, viz., Catla catla, Labeo rohita, Cirrhinus mrigala and Labeo calbasu, the river sustains fisheries of large catfish, mahseers, hilsa and other miscellaneous fishes. Over the years the fish catch per kilometre stretch in the river has declined significantly and species composition has changed more in favor of non major carp and miscellaneous species. It has also been observed that some exotic fishes have gained a foothold in the ecosystem at favorable stretches, where flows have drastically reduced as a result of abstraction of water from the main river. Changing hydrology, apart from deteriorating environmental conditions, has been to a large extent responsible for change in the fishery scenario in the river. This change has also affected the income levels of riparian fishers. Review of the data generated, over the years, also indicated deteriorating water quality at the stressed sites. The contamination of river water, sediments and fish with heavy metal and pesticide residues is also a factor of concern. With continued stress on the river system an environmental restoration plan was launched by the Indian authorities; its impacts over the years on ecosystem health is also discussed.

2,4-Dienones undergo visible-light-promoted, photocatalyst-free dimerization in neat conditions to provide cyclohexene derivatives stereoselectively through cascade rearrangement pathways, whereas regioselective E → Z isomerization of the more dienophilic double bond takes place exclusively in nitromethane. On the basis of intermediate isolation and computational DFT studies, the dimerization reaction is proposed to proceed via s-trans to s-cis isomerization/regioselective E → Z isomerization/Diels−Alder cycloaddition.

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We propose a technique of chemical etching for fabrication of near perfect optical fiber nanoprobe (NNP). It uses photosensitive single mode optical fiber to etch in hydro fluoric (HF) acid solution. The difference in etching rate for cladding and photosensitive core in HF acid solution creates capillary ring along core-cladding boundary under a given condition. The capillary ring is filled with acid solution due to surface tension and capillary action. Finally it creates near perfect symmetric tip at the apex of the fiber as the height of the acid level in capillary ring decreases while width of the ring increases with continuous etching. Typical tip features are short taper length (approximately 4 microm), large cone angle (approximately 38 degrees ), and small probe tip dimension (<100 nm). A finite difference time domain (FDTD) analysis is also presented to compare near field optics of the NNP with conventional nanoprobe (CNP). The probe may be ideal for near field optical imaging and sensor applications.

Level III.