De Sitter universes and the emerging landscape in string theory

We discuss a recent proposal to construct de Sitter vacua in string theory. It is based on flux compactifications in string theory where all the moduli are stabilised and supersymmetry is broken with control. The resulting picture is that of a complicated landscape with many vacua of widely varying values for the cosmological constant.     

Treatment of zinc-contaminated water using a multistage ferrihydrite sorption system

Previous studies demonstrated the environmental and economic benefits of treating lead(II)-contaminated water streams with ferrihydrite in multiple equilibrium sorption stages. In this work, multistage ferrihydrite sorption systems were evaluated for their effectiveness in reducing single-solute zinc(II) (Zn(II)) concentrations in contaminated water streams to very low levels. As for lead(II) (Pb(II)), experimental data and modeling results indicate that a multistage sorption system can significantly reduce Zn(II) effluent concentrations for the same total amount of sorbent or, alternatively, dramatically lower total sorbent consumption for the same effluent Zn(II) concentration. Compared to Pb(II), however, Zn(II) removal requires on the order of 10 times more sorbent to achieve the same target effluent concentration for the same pH and number of stages. Model predictions were made using a steady-state, multistage, equilibrium adsorber model that was previously developed for and integrated into OLI Systems' Environmental Simulation Program (ESP). The modified triple-layer model was used to simulate Zn(II) surface-liquid equilibria within the adsorber model. Engineering screening evaluations again indicate that a 2- to 3-stage sorption process can provide significant economic savings when compared to a 1-stage process operating with the same target effluent Zn(II) concentration. Additional equilibrium stages beyond 2 or 3 provide diminishing economic returns. The major economic driver for multiple contacting stages is reduced capital investment and operating costs for sludge handling, dewatering, and disposal.     

Antistatic applications of conducting polyaniline

A method is described to impart flexibility and mechanical strength to conducting polyaniline by polymerizing aniline on fabrics and on cellulose papers. The study indicates that these conducting fabrics offer 16–18 dB of shielding effectiveness for the control of electromagnetic interference (EMI) up to a frequency of 10³ MHz.     

A low-cost lead-acid battery with high specific-energy

Lightweight grids for lead-acid battery grids have been prepared from acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS) copolymer followed by coating with lead. Subsequently, the grids have been electrochemically coated with a conductive and corrosion-resistant layer of polyaniline. These grids are about 75% lighter than those employed in conventional lead-acid batteries. Commercial-grade 6V/3.5Ah (C₂₀-rate) lead-acid batteries have been assembled and characterized employing positive and negative plates constituting these grids. The specific energy of such a lead-acid battery is about 50 Wh/kg. The batteries can withstand fast charge-discharge duty cycles. Dedicated to Prof J Gopalakrishnan on his 62nd birthday.     

Determination of selenium(IV) and tellurium(IV) by differential pulse polarography

Differential pulse polarographic methods for the determination of selenium(IV) and tellurium(IV) in nitric acid medium are described. The peak current is maximal when 0.25M nitric acid medium is used, the DPP peaks for Se(IV) and Te(IV) being at -0.54 and -0.8 V vs. Ag/AgCl respectively. The peak current is a linear function of selenium concentration over three ranges, 5.1 x 10(-6)-1.3 x 10(-5), 1.27 x 10(-5)-1.27 x 10(-4) and 1.27 x 10(-4)-7.60 x 10(-4)M Se(IV), with different slopes. The plot for Te(IV) is linear over the range 0.78 x 10(-6)-9.40 x 10(-5)M.     

Mechanism for reduction catalysis by metal oxo: hydrosilation of organic carbonyl groups catalyzed by a rhenium(V) oxo complex

The rhenium oxo complex [Re(O)(hoz)2][TFPB], 1 (where hoz = 2-(2'-hydroxyphenyl)-2-oxazoline(-) and TFPB = tetrakis(pentafluorophenyl)borate) catalyzes the hydrosilation of aldehydes and ketones under ambient temperature and atmosphere. The major organic product is the protected alcohol as silyl ether. Isolated yields range from 86 to 57%. The reaction requires low catalyst loading (0.1 mol %) and proceeds smoothly in CH2Cl2 as well as neat without solvent. In the latter condition, the catalyst precipitates at the end of reaction, allowing easy separation and catalyst recycling. Re(O)(hoz)(H), 3, was prepared, and its involvement in an ionic hydrosilation mechanism was evaluated. Complex 3 was found to be less hydridic than Et3SiH, refuting its participation in catalysis. A viable mechanism that is consistent with experimental findings, rate measurements, and kinetic isotope effects (Et3SiH/Et3SiD = 1.3 and benzaldehyde-H/benzaldehyde-D = 1.0) is proposed. Organosilane is activated via eta2-coordination to rhenium, and the organic carbonyl adds across the coordinated Si-H bond [2 + 2] to afford the organic reduction product.     

A mixed-integer goal programming model for nursing service budgeting

This paper presents a mixed-integer goal programming model for expense budgeting in a hospital nursing department. The model incorporates several different objectives based upon such considerations as cost containment and providing appropriate nursing hours for delivering quality nursing care. Also considered are possible trade-offs among full-time, part-time and overtime nurses on weekdays as well as weekends. The budget includes vacation, sick leave, holiday, and seniority policies of a hospital and various constraints on a hospital nursing service imposed by nursing unions. The results are based upon data from a study hospital and indicate that the model is practical for budgeting in a hospital nursing department.