The Fermi-Walker Derivative on the Spherical Indicatrix of a Space Curve

In this paper Fermi-Walker derivative and Fermi-Walker parallelism and non-rotating frame concepts are given along the spherical indicatrix of a curve in E ³. First, we consider a curve in Euclid space and investigate the Fermi-Walker derivative along the tangent. The concepts which Fermi-Walker derivative are analyzed along its tangent. Then, the Fermi-Walker derivative and its theorems are analyzed along the principal normal indicatrix and the binormal indicatrix of any curve in E ³.     

Pyrolysis of polyphenylenes with PCL or/and PSt side chains

Thermal degradation characteristic of polyphenylenes is an important issue for developing a rational technology of polymer processing and applications. In this study, we discussed thermal degradation of polyphenylenes (PP) with poly(-caprolactone) (PCL) and/or PCL/polystyrene copolymers (PSt) prepared by combined controlled polymerization and cross-coupling processes via direct pyrolysis mass spectrometry. When PP-graft-PCL/PSt copolymers were considered, thermally less stabile PCL side chains decomposed in the first step. In the second stage of pyrolysis, the decomposition of the polystyrene chains has taken place. A slight increase in thermal stability of PCL chains for PP-graft-PCL/PSt copolymers was noted compared to copolymer PP-graft-PCL due to the interaction between PSt and PCL chains. This interaction was stronger when PSt chains were linked to the 2-position of the 1,4-phenylene ring.     

Electrochemical Investigation of Heavy Metal Ion Transfer Across the Water/1,2‐Dichloroethane Interface Assisted by 9‐Ethyl‐3‐Carbazolecarboxaldehyde‐Thiosemicarbazone

The transfer of heavy metal ions across the polarized water/1,2‐dichloroethane (1,2‐DCE) interface assisted by 9‐ethyl‐3‐carbazolecarboxaldehyde‐thiosemicarbazone (ECCAT) in the 1,2‐DCE phase has been studied by cyclic voltammetry. Voltammetric waves of Pb(II) and Cd(II) ions were reversible and quasi‐reversible, respectively, whereas that of Hg(II) and Zn(II) ion were irreversible. The voltammogram of Cu(II) ion showed a two‐step wave, however the nature of the transfer could not be satisfactorily evaluated by analyzing the cyclic voltammetric data. When Ni(II) and Co(II) was used no peak was visible under the experimental conditions used in this study. The dependence of the half‐wave potentials of Pb(II) and Cd(II) ions on the ligand concentration reveals that their ion‐transfer is assisted by the formation of 1:3 metal‐ECCAT complex in 1,2‐DCE. The over‐all association constants of [Pb(ECCAT)₃]²⁺ and [Cd(ECCAT)₃]²⁺ complexes in DCE‐phase have been determined to be log β =14.03 and log β =15.44, respectively.     

Development of agriculture biotechnology in Pakistan

Agriculture plays an important role in the national economy of Pakistan, where most of the rapidly increasing population resides in rural areas and depends on agriculture for subsistence. Biotechnology has considerable potential for promoting the efficiency of crop improvement, food production, and poverty reduction. Use of modern biotechnology started in Pakistan since 1985. Currently, there are 29 biotech centers/institutes in the country. However, few centers have appropriate physical facilities and trained manpower to develop genetically modified (GM) crops. Most of the activities have been on rice and cotton, which are among the top 5 crops of Pakistan. Biotic (virus/bacterial/insect) and abiotic (salt) resistant and quality (male sterility) genes have already been incorporated in some crop plants. Despite acquiring capacity to produce transgenic plants, no GM crops, either produced locally or imported, have been released in the country. Pakistan is signatory to the World Trade Organization, Convention on Biological Diversity, and Cartagena protocols. Several legislations under the Agreement on Trade-Related Aspects of Intellectual Property Rights have been promulgated in the country. National Biosafety Guidelines have been promulgated in April 2005. The Plant Breeders Rights Act, Amendment in Seed Act-1976, and Geographical Indication for Goods are still passing through discussion, evaluation, and analysis phases. Meanwhile, an illegal GM crop (cotton) has already sneaked into farmer's field. Concerted and coordinated efforts are needed among various ministries for implementation of regulation and capacity building for import/export and local handling of GM crops. Pakistan could easily benefit from the experience of Asian countries, especially China and India, where conditions are similar and the agriculture sector is almost like that of Pakistan. Thus, the exchange of information and experiences is important among these nations.     

A theoretical study on N-phenyl-N'-(2-thienylmethylene)hydrazine

The molecular geometry and vibrational frequencies of N-phenyl-N'-(2-thienylmethylene)hydrazine (C11H10N2S) have been calculated using Hartree-Fock and density functional method (B3LYP) with 6-31G(d) basis set. The optimized geometric bond lengths and angles obtained using HF and DFT (B3LYP) are in agreement with the experimental data. B3LYP method seems to be appropriate than HF method for the calculation of vibrational frequencies and geometrical parameters of the (C11H10N2S) compound.     

A hierarchical self-assembly route to three-dimensional polymer-quantum dot photonic arrays

We demonstrate a new hierarchical self-assembly strategy for the formation of photonic arrays containing quantum dots (QDs), in which sequential self-assembly steps introduce organization on progressively longer length scales, ranging from the nanoscale to the microscale regimes. The first step in this approach is the self-assembly of diblock copolymers to form block ionomer reverse micelles (SA1); within each micelle core, a single CdS QD is synthesized to yield the hybrid building block BC-QD. Once SA1 is completed, the hydrophobic BD-QD building blocks are blended with amphiphilic block copolymer stabilizing chains in an organic solvent; water addition induces secondary self-assembly (SA2) to form quantum dot compound micelles (QDCMs). Finally, aqueous dispersions of QDCMs are slowly evaporated to induce the formation of three-dimensional (3D) close-packed arrays in a tertiary self-assembly step (SA3). The resulting hierarchical assemblies, consisting of a periodic array of hybrid spheres each containing multiple CdS QDs, exhibit the collective property of a photonic stop band, along with photoluminescence arising from the constituent QDs. A high degree of structural control is possible at each level of organization by judicious selection of experimental variables, allowing various parameters governing the collective optical properties, including QD size, nanoparticle spacing, and mesocale periodicity, to be independently tuned. The resulting control over optical properties via successive self-assembly steps should provide new opportunities for hierarchical materials for QD lasers and all-optical switching.     

New exact solutions of the space-time fractional cubic Schrodinger equation using the new type F-expansion method

In this study, a more general version of F-expansion method is proposed. With this offered method, more than one Jacobi elliptic functions are located in the solution function. We seek analytical solutions of the space-time fractional cubic Schrodinger equation by use of the new type of F-expansion method. Consequently, multifarious exact analytical solutions consisting of single, double, and multiple combined Jacobi elliptic functions solutions are acquired.     

FT‐Raman and FT‐IR spectral and quantum chemical studies on some flavonoid derivatives: Baicalein and Naringenin

In this study, the experimental and theoretical results on the molecular structures of some flavonoid derivatives (Baicalein and Naringenin) are presented. The FT‐IR and FT‐Raman spectra of the compounds have been recorded together for the first time between 4000–400 cm⁻¹ and 3500–5 cm⁻¹ regions, respectively. The molecular geometry and vibrational wavenumbers of the compounds have been also calculated in their ground states by using ab initio HF and DFT/B3LYP functional with 6‐31G(d,p) basis set used in calculations. The calculations were utilized to the C₁ symmetries of the molecules. All calculations were performed with Gaussian 98 software. The obtained vibrational wavenumbers and optimized geometric parameters were seen to be in good agreement with the experimental data. Scale factors have been used in order to compare how the calculated and experimental data are in agreement. Theoretical infrared intensities were also reported. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Uniform theory of the boundary diffraction wave

A uniform version of the potential function of the Maggi-Rubinowicz boundary diffraction wave theory is obtained by using the large argument expansion of the Fresnel integral. The derived function is obtained for the problem of diffraction of plane waves by a circular edge. The results are plotted numerically.     

Computation of the oscillator strength and absorption coefficients for the intersubband transitions of the spherical quantum dot

The electronic structure and optical properties of one-electron Quantum Dot (QD) with and without an on-center impurity were investigated by assuming a spherically symmetric confining potential of finite depth. The energy eigenvalues and the state functions of QD were calculated by using a combination of Quantum Genetic Algorithm (QGA) and Hartree–Fock Roothan (HFR) method. We have calculated the binding energy for the states 1s,1p,1d,1f, oscillator strengths, the linear and third-order nonlinear optical absorption coefficients as a function of the incident photon energy and incident optical intensity for the 1s–1p, 1p–1d and 1d–1f transitions. The existence of the impurity has great influence on the optical absorption spectra and the oscillator strengths. Also we found that the magnitudes of the total absorption coefficients of the spherical QD increase for transitions between higher states.