Measurement of k0-Factors in Prompt Gamma-Ray Neutron Activation Analysis

The guided thermal neutron beam at 100 MW Dhruva research reactor facility of Bhabha Atomic Research Centre (BARC) was used to carry out prompt gamma-ray neutron activation analysis (PGNAA). The prompt k ₀-factors have been determined for the isotopes of the elements H, B, K, Co, Cu, Ca, Ti, Cr, Cd, Ba, Hg and Gd with respect to 1951 keV gamma-line of ³⁶Cl. The prompt k ₀-factors for H, Cl and Cu were also measured with respect to the 1381 keV gamma-line of ⁴⁹Ti. Different samples like NH₄Cl, Ti metal, cobalt chloride and other stoichiometric compounds and pure metals were used for this purpose. Prompt gamma-rays were accumulated using a 22% HPGe detector connected to a PC based 8k MCA in single mode counting. The energy calibration in the range of 100–8500 keV was carried out using gamma-rays from ¹⁵²Eu and ⁶⁰Co, and the prompt gamma-rays from ³⁶Cl whereas the absolute detection efficiency for this energy range was determined using ¹⁵²Eu and prompt gamma-rays from ³⁶Cl and ⁴⁹Ti.     

Application of optically pure amines as chiral auxiliaries to develop trichloro‐s‐triazine‐based new chiral derivatizing reagents for reversed‐phase high‐performance liquid chromatographic enantioseparation of dl‐selenomethionine

(R)‐(+)‐naphthylethyl amine and (S)‐(+)‐1‐benzyl‐3‐aminopyrrolidine were incorporated as chiral auxiliaries, by nucleophilic substitution of chlorine atoms, in cyanuric chloride (CC) or its 6‐butoxy derivative. There were obtained four new chiral derivatizing reagents (CDRs) as two dichloro and two monochloro triazine reagents. The CDRs so obtained were characterized and their optical purity was ascertained. Diastereomers of dl ‐selenomethionine were synthesized under microwave irradiation for 60 or 90 s (at 80% power of 800 W). Reversed‐phase high‐performance liquid chromatographic separation of diastereomers was carried out on a C₁₈ column using mixtures of acetonitrile with aqueous trifluoroacetic acid as mobile phase. The detection was made at 230 nm using a photodiode array detector. The separation behaviors in terms of retention times and resolutions were compared. The separation method was validated for limit of detection, linearity, accuracy, precision, and recovery. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

(S)‐Naproxen as a platform to develop chiral derivatizing reagent for reversed‐phase high‐performance liquid chromatographic enantioseparation of analytes having a carbonyl functional group

(S)‐Naproxen was used to synthesize a chiral reagent, (S)‐2‐(6‐methoxynaphthalen‐2‐yl)propanehydrazide, by itsreaction with hydrazine hydrate in the presence of dicyclohexylcarbodiimide as coupling agent. The reagent was characterized and its chiral purity was established. It was used as a chiral derivatizing reagent for the synthesis of hydrazone diastereomers, under microwave irradiation, of certain chiral aldehydes and ketones. The respective diastereomers were separated by reversed‐phase high‐performance liquid chromatography using a binary solvent combination containing trifluoroacetic acid. The diastereomers were detected at 231 nm. The method was validated for accuracy, precision, and limit of detection (LOD). For a series of hydrazones the LOD was found to be in the range 1.62–1.65 pmol/mL. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Computational Science and Engineering On-line: an integrated web-based environment for multi-scale modelling of complex reaction systems

We present a development of an integrated extendable web-based environment called Computational Science and Engineering On-line (CSEO) to include different fields of computational science. Our initial efforts are focusing on an integrated environment for multi-scale modelling of complex reacting systems from fundamental quantum chemistry with different entry points. CSEO provides an information management system that allows data flow from one application to another in a transparent manner. In addition, it provides a set of web-based graphic-user interfaces (GUIs) to different scientific applications. Current available GUIs are for quantum chemistry, thermodynamics and kinetics. Work is in progress to allow CSEO accessing resources from the computing grids using the Globus technology. CSEO can be accessed at http://cseo.net. It can also be hosted at different mirror sites.     

Rocking response of rectangular rigid blocks under random noise base excitations

The response of a rigid rectangular block resting on a rigid foundation and acted upon simultaneously by a horizontal and a vertical random white-noise excitation is considered. In the equation of motion, the energy dissipation is modeled through a viscous damping term. Under the assumption that the body does not topple, the steady-state joint probability density function of the rotation and the rotational velocity is obtained using the Fokker-Planck equation approach. Closed form solution is obtained for a specific combination of system parameters. A more general but approximate solution to the joint probability density function based on the method of equivalent non-linearization is also presented. Further, the problem of overturning of the block is approached in the framework of the diffusion methods for first passage failure studies. The overturning of the block is deemed incipient when the response trajectories in the phase plane cross the separatrix of the conservative unforced system. Expressions for the moments of first passage time are obtained via a series solution to the governing generalized Pontriagin-Vitt equations. Numerical results illustra- tive of the theoretical solutions are presented and their validity is examined through limited amount of digital simulations.     

Mannich Reaction as a New Route for the Synthesis of Tetrahydro Pyrimido Benzimidazolyl Coumarins

Condensation of coumarin‐4‐acetic acids ( 1 ) with ortho‐phenylenediamine ( 2 ) in anhydrous phosphoric acid afforded 4‐((1H‐benzo[d]imidazol‐2‐yl)methyl)‐2H‐chromen‐2‐ones ( 3 ). Attempted Mannich reaction of 3 with formalin and primary amines resulted in 4‐(2‐phenyl‐1,2,3,4‐tetrahydrobenzo[4,5]imidazo[1,2‐c]pyrimidin‐4‐yl)‐2H‐chromen‐2‐ones ( 6 ). The structures of synthesized compounds were elucidated by analyses including 2D HETCOR and DEPT experiments. Synthesized compounds have been subjected for anti‐inflammatory activity. Compound 6j exhibited promising anti‐inflammatory activity.     

Sub-nanometric precision displacement sensing using low mass and rough surfaces as movable targets

A novel speckle interferometric method has been developed to measure lengths and displacements over a distance of 100 μm with a resolution less than 1 nm using rough surfaces as movable targets instead of using conventional cube corners or mirrors. The speckle method is able to use Michelson and new configurations to combine the two scattered beams or fields from rough movable and stationary reference targets. The targets can be attached and can be produced directly onto movable actuator type of mechanisms. The phase information is extracted from the randomly modulated signals by employing an apertured disc system or an alternative optical fibre arrangement. This method exploits the concept of using narrow angle scatterers for economical use of laser light, enhanced reliability and modulation criteria. A prototype low-mass interferometric displacement sensor has been constructed to provide a compact and a flexible system. Apart from the measurement of changes in displacements in force and pressure measuring devices, it can also be used for the assessment of small range scanning probes, stylus profilers and in medical field the measurement of elastic properties of ear drums, etc. The sub-nanometre resolution and displacement values are repeatable to within ±1 nm can be demonstrated over distances of up to 2 mm by employing appropriate actuators and translation devices. The performance has been confirmed by comparison work against a conventional interferometric transducer.     

Determination of phosphorus using derivative neutron activation

For the determination of phosphorus in different matrices, the derivative neutron activation analysis is especially applicable to aqueous samples, since the conventional neutron activation analysis is not useful for the determination of phosphorus. Phosphorus when reacted with ammonium molybdate 4 hydrate and ammonium metavanadate forms molybdo vanado phosphoric acid. This complex is preconcentrated by extracting into methyl isobutyl ketone. The organic phase containing the molybdo vanado phosphoric acid is neutron activated and the phosphorus is determined through the activation product of ⁵²V. Preparation of this complex, its stoichiometry, application to trace level determination of phosphorus and improved detection limit are discussed. This method was applied for the analysis of industrial effluent samples.