Astrophysical constraints on particle properties

I summarize some astrophysical phenomenon like gamma ray bursters, astrophysical proof of the existence of blackholes, Active galactic nuclei — as high energy neutrino sources, and some unsolved issues in supernova. I touch on the aspects where novel particle properties (like neutrino mass and magnetic moment) are invoked to understand the astronomical observations.     

Effects of admixtures of potassium bromide on the thermal decomposition of potassium bromate

The effects of admixtures of potassium bromide (2.5% and 5%) on the thermal decomposition of potassium bromate were studied within the temperature range 653–683 K. The fraction decomposed() vs. time (t) relations revealed (i) initial gas evolution, (ii) acceleratory and (iii) decay steps. The data were analysed on the basis of the first-order law with two rate constantsk ₁ andk ₂,k ₁ being the rate constant for the initial, slow first-order process (0.02, 0.26), andk ₂ being the rate constant for the subsequent faster process, holding within the range 0.21 to 0.98. Upon increase of the concentration of added potassium bromide to 5%, the range for the slow and faster processes became 0.01 to 0.16 and 0.1 to 0.98, respectively. At a given temperature,k ₁ increased with increasing bromide concentration, whereask ₂ almost identical for pure potassium bromate and its mixtures (2.5% and 5% bromide).

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Zusammenfassung Im Temperaturbereich von 653–683 K wurde der Einfluß von Beimengen von Kaliumbromid (2,5% und 5%) auf die thermische Zersetzung von Kaliumbromat untersucht. Die Funktion der zersetzten Menge () in Abhängigkeit von der Zeit (t) weist eine anfängliche Gasentwicklung(i), eine beschleunigte(ii) und eine abklingende Stufe(iii) auf. Die Daten wurden auf der Grundlage einer Kinetik erster Ordnung mit den zwei Geschwindigkeitskonstantenk ₁ undk ₂ durchgeführt, wobeik ₁ die Geschwindigkeitskonstante für den einleitenden, langsameren Schritt erster Ordnung ist (0,02, 0,26) undk ₂ die Geschwindigkeitskonstante für den darauffolgenden schnelleren Vorgang mit Werten zwischen 0,21 und 0,98. Bei Erhöhung der Konzentration von Kaliumbromid auf 5% betrug der Bereich für den langsameren und den schnelleren Vorgang 0,01 bis 0,16 bzw. 0,10 bis 0,98. Bei gegebener Temperatur steigtk ₁ mit zunehmender Kaliumbromidkonzentration an, währendk ₂ für reines Kaliumbromat und seine Mischungen mit 2,5% und 5% Kaliumbromid fast identisch bleibt.

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653–683 (2,5 5%) . , . k ₁ k ₂, ( 0,02 0,26), - 0,21–0,98. 5% k ₁ k ₂ , , 0,01–0,16 0,1–0,98. k ₁, , k ₂ , (2,5 5%) .

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The work is dedicated to the memory of the late Prof. S. R. Mohanty.     

Sulfinimine-mediated asymmetric synthesis of 1,3-disubstituted tetrahydroisoquinolines: a stereoselective synthesis of cis- and trans-6,8-dimethoxy-1,3-dimethyl-1,2,3,4-tetrahydroisoquinoline

[reaction: see text] The highly diastereoselective addition of lateral lithiated o-tolunitriles to sulfinimines followed by treatment of the resulting sulfinamide with MeLi, hydrolysis, and reduction represents a concise new methodology for the asymmetric synthesis of 1,3-disubstituted tetrahydroisoquinolines.     

Bio-based tri-functional epoxy resin (TEIA) blend cured with anhydride (MHHPA) based cross-linker: Thermal,mechanical and morphological characterization

A novel renewable resource based tri-functional epoxy resin from itaconic acid (TEIA) was blended with petroleum based epoxy resin (DGEBA) and fabricated at different ratios. Then, it was by thermally cured with methylhexahydrophthalic anhydride (MHHPA) in presence of 2-methylimidazole (2-MI) catalyst. The tensile, modulus, strength of virgin epoxy resin (41.97 MPa, 2222 MPa) increased to 47.59 MPa, 2515 MPa, respectively, with the addition of 30% of TEIA. The fracture toughness parameter, critical stress intensity factor (K_IC) revealed enhancement of toughness in the TEIA bio-based blends system. The thermomechanical properties of TEIA (tri-functional epoxy resin from itaconic acid) modified petroleum-epoxy networks were investigated by differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) and dynamic mechanical analysis (DMA). The fracture morphology was also studied by the scanning electron microscopy and atomic force microscopy respectively.     

On the Debye-Waller factor of hexagonal ice: a computer simulation study

We investigate by molecular dynamics (MD) simulations the temperature dependence of the Debye-Waller (DW) factor of hexagonal ice with 25 different proton-disordered configurations. Each initial configuration is composed of 288 water molecules with no net dipole moment. The intermolecular interaction of water is described by TIP4P potential. Each production run of the simulation is 15 ns or longer. We observe a change in slope of the DW factor around 200 K, which cannot be explained within the framework of either classical or quantum harmonic approximation. Configurations generated by MD simulations are subjected to the steepest descent energy minimization. Analysis of the local energy minimum structures reveals that water molecules above 200 K jump to other lattice sites via some local energy minimum structures which contain some water molecules sitting on the locations other than the lattice sites. As time evolves, these defect molecules move back and forth to the lattice sites yielding defect-free structures. Those motions are responsible for the unusual increase in the DW factor at high temperatures. In making a transition from an energy-minimum structure to another one, a small number of water molecules are involved in a highly cooperative fashion. The larger DW factor at higher temperature arises from jump-like motions of water molecules among these locally stable configurations which may or may not be a family of the proton-disordered ice forms satisfying the "ice rule".     

Solubility studies in aqueous media: I. Solubility product of silver permanganate and standard electrode potentials of silver—silver permanganate electrode in aqueous media

The solubility and solubility product of silver permanganate in water have been determined at the temperatures ranging from 15 to 35°C over 5°C intervals in the presence of an added electrolyte, sodium perchlorate. The solubility of silver permanganate ranges from 0.966 x 10^?5 mol 1^?1 at 15°C to 1.420x10^?5 moll^?1 at 35°C and the corresponding solubility product 0.933 x 10^?10 mol² 1^?2 at 15°C to 2.017 x 10^?10 mol² 1^?2 at 35°C. The standard potentials of the Ag(s)/AgMnO₄(s)/ MnO^?₄ electrode have been calculated at these temperatures. The mean activity coefficients of silver permanganate at various rounded molarities of sodium perchlorate solutions, and the standard thermodynamic quantities for the process AgMnO₄(s)→Ag⁺ (aq)+MnO^?₄(aq) have been calculated at these temperatures.     

Organophosphinic,phosphonic acids and their binary mixtures as extractants for molybdenum(VI) and uranium(VI) from aqueous HCl media

Extraction studies of uranium(VI) and molybdenum(VI) with organophosphoric, phosphinic acid and its thiosubstituted derivatives have been carried out from 0.1–1.0M HCl solutions. The extracted species are proposed to be UO₂R₂ and MoO₂ CIR on the basis of slope analysis for uranium(VI) and molybdenum(VI), respectively. The extraction efficiencies of PC-88A, Cyanex 272, Cyanex 301 and Cyanex 302 in the extraction of molybdenum(VI) and uranium(VI) are compared. Synergistic effects have been studied with binary mixtures of extractants. Separation of molybdenum(VI) from uranium(VI) is feasible by Cyanex 301 from 1M HCl, the separation factor log being 2.3.     

Kinetics of retarded polymerization: Investigation of the retardation of V5+–thiourea initiated polymerization of methyl acrylate by phenol

The kinetics and mechanism of the retarding action of phenol on the V⁵⁺–thiourea initiated polymerization of methyl acrylate (MA) have been studied within the temperature range of 30–50°C. The effects of retarder (phenol), metal ion (V⁵⁺), monomer (MA), sulfuric acid, some organic solvents and inorganic salts on the percentage and rate of polymerization have been studied. The remarkable observation of the present study is the positive intercept obtained from the plot of [M]/R_p vs. 1/[M]. This type of observation is significantly different from previous studies on retarded polymerization. The values of composite rate constants k₀k_t/k_ik_pkK have been calculated from plots of [M]/R_p vs. 1/[M]. On the basis of experimental findings a reaction mechanism has been suggested, and a suitable rate expression has been proposed and explained.