DC electrical conductivity of semiconducting cobalt-phosphate glasses

The dc conductivity of semiconducting cobalt-phosphate glasses has been measured at temperatures ranging from 213 to 530 K. Four bulk samples of CoO-P₂O₅ glasses of different compositions were produced by melting dry mixtures of analytical reagent grades of CoO and P₂O₅ at temperatures between 1200-1250 °C for 2 h using a press-quenching method from glass melt. Samples were annealed at 400 °C for 1 h. The dc conductivity was found to be dependent on the CoO content in the glass. At temperatures from 213 to 444 K, however, both Mott's variable-range hopping (VRH) and the Greaves' intermediate range hopping models are found to be applicable. VRH at this range of temperatures is attributed to large values of the disorder energy of these glasses.     

Best proximity point theorems: resolution of an important non-linear programming problem

The purpose of this article is to resolve the non-linear programming problem of globally minimizing the real valued function ${x \longrightarrow d(x, Sx)}$ where S is a non-self-mapping in the setting of a metric space with the distance function ‘d’. An iterative algorithm is also furnished to find a solution of such global optimization problems. As a consequence, one can determine an optimal approximate solution to some equations of the form Sx = x.     

Three New ent‐Labdane Diterpenoids from the Wood of Excoecaria agallocha Linn.

An extensive study of metabolites present in Excoecaria agallocha Linn . led to the isolation of three new ent‐labdane‐type diterpenoids, named agallochaexcoerins A–C ( 1 – 3 ), besides three known compounds. The skeleton present in compound 1 is rather unusual, containing of a seven‐membered lactone. The structures were elucidated on the basis of spectroscopic studies and comparison with known related compounds. The isolated compounds 1 – 6 were not active against Raw 264.7 (macrophage‐like), K 562 (leukemia), and COLO 205 (colon) human carcinoma cell lines.     

Methodology for the synthesis of the acyclic portions of verrucarins A and J

Syntheses of the acyclic chains of verrucarin A and J are described; the revised stereochemistry of verrucarin J is confirmed.     

Gem‐disubstituted 4‐oxocyclohexanes: Source for spiro heterocycles

Novel spiro heterocycles, substituted spiro‐pyrimidine, pyrazole and isoxazole compounds are prepared by the cyclocondensation of 4‐oxocyclohexane gem‐dicarboxylates and cyano esters with nucleophiles.     

The role of halide ions on the electrochemical behaviour of iron in alkali solutions

Active dissolution and passivation of transition metals in alkali solutions is of technological importance in batteries. The performance of alkaline batteries is decided by the presence of halides as they influence passivation. Cyclic voltammetric studies were carried out on iron in different sodium hydroxide solutions in presence of halides. In alkali solutions iron formed hydroxo complexes and their polymers in the interfacial diffusion layer. With progress of time they formed a cation selective layer. The diffusion layer turned into bipolar ion selective layer consisted of halides, a selective inner sublayer to the metal side and cation selective outer layer to the solution side. At very high anodic potentials, dehydration and deprotonation led to the conversion of salt layer into an oxide.     

Mixed convection from an upward facing horizontal flat plate: effect of conduction and radiation

Experiments have been conducted in a low speed horizontal wind tunnel to study the interaction of radiation and conduction on mixed convective heat transfer from an upward facing horizontal flat plate in air. Differential interferometer has been used to measure local convective heat fluxes. It has been observed that interaction between surface radiation and convection is significant for a low thermal conductivity plate material. On the basis of the previous and current studies, it can be stated that the multi-mode interaction problem is an outcome of the nature of convective boundary layer. The interaction between different modes of heat transfer would remain similar irrespective of the nature of convection (free/mixed or forced).     

An Efficient and Easy Method for the One‐pot Synthesis of Spirooxindoles in the Presence of Na2CO3

An efficient and easy procedure for the one‐pot synthesis of spirooxindoles in the presence of Na₂CO₃ in water : methanol (1:1) is described. The salient features of this method are simple methodology, shorter reaction time, easy product isolation, and no chromatographic purification.