The quasi-steady state cosmology: Theory and observations

This is a review of an alternative cosmology, recently proposed by Fred Hoyle, Geoffrey Burbidge and this author. It begins with a brief discussion of why one needs an alternative cosmology, when the standard hot big bang cosmology is claimed to be doing well. It is argued that the observational and theoretical constraints on the standard big bang cosmology, from various directions, leave a very narrow window, if any, in the parameter space of plausible models. There is thus a strong case for alternative cosmologies. The rest of the review concentrates on one alternative, the quasi steady state cosmology (QSSC) and summarises the recent work on this model. This includes, the theoretical formulation and simple exact solutions of the basic equations, their relationship to various observations, the stability of solutions and the toy model for understanding the growth of structures in the Universe.     

Synthesis,infrared spectra and thermoanalytical properties of transition metal sulfite hydrazine hydrates

Transition metal sulfite hydrazine hydrates, MSO₃·xN₂H₄·yH₂O whereM=Mn, Fe, Co, Ni and Zn have been prepared and characterized by chemical analysis, infrared spectra, thermoanalytical and combustion studies. The colours,x andy parameters of the complexes varied depending upon the preparation conditions. Thermal decomposition characteristics differ from metal to metal yielding metal oxides at relatively low temperatures.

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Zusammenfassung Mittels chemischer Analyse, IR-Spektren, thermoanalytischen und Verbrennungsstudien wurden die Hydrazinhydrate der hergestellten Übergangsmetallsulfite MSO₃·xN₂H₄·yH₂O mitM=Mn, Fe, Co, Ni und Zn beschrieben. Farbe sowie die Parameterx undy der Komplexe hängen von den Herstellungsbedingungen ab. Die thermische Zersetzung, bei der bei relativ niedrigen Temperaturen Metalloxide entstehen, ist von Metall zu Metall verschieden.

     

Phosphonium Ionic Liquid: A Novel Catalyst for Benzyl Halide Oxidation

An environmentally friendly ionic liquid is used for the first time in mild and selective oxidation of aryl halides to corresponding aldehydes using iodoxybenzoic acid as oxidizing agent.     

Stereocomplementary synthesis of a natural product-derived compound collection on a solid phase

Enantiocomplementary allylation of solid phase-bound aldehydes gives rise to a natural product-derived compound collection, including all stereoisomers of cryptocarya diacetate.     

Efficient Green Approach for the Synthesis of Spiro[indoline-3,4′-pyrazolo[3,4-b]quinoline]diones Using [NMP]H2PO4 and Solvatochromic and pH Studies

A mild and efficient protocol for the synthesis of spiro[indoline-3,4′-pyrazolo[3,4-b]quinoline]diones via a one-pot, three-component condensation of isatins, 1,3-dicarbonyls, and 5-amino-1-phenyl-3-methylpyrazole using [NMP]H₂PO₄ as a catalyst in EtOH/H₂O is described. The catalyst could be recycled and reused four times without significant loss of activity. Spiro[indoline-3,4′-pyrazolo[3,4-b]quinoline]diones with stabilized zwitter ionic resonance structures showed feasible application as new fluorescent probes and pH indicators. These chemosensors have a good wavelength shift and showed excellent sensitivity in the range of pH from 11 to 13.     

Synthesis and Characterization of Novel Amphiphilic Polymers as Drug Delivery Nano Carriers

Polymer nano-particles have been widely investigated in the last decade due to a variety of potential applications. In particular, polymers which can self assemble into micellar nano-particles can be effectively used as vehicles for drug delivery. Considerable efforts are underway to develop better drug delivery nano carriers for high drug loading capacity for a wide variety of bioactive compounds. In this study, several new polymers were synthesized in bulk (solventless condition) by a chemo-enzymatic methodology using Candida antarctica lipase B (Novozyme 435) and molecular sieves (MS). The synthesized polymers demonstrated high drug loading capacity and the potential to encapsulate drugs which are poorly soluble in aqueous solvents.     

Amino Acid and Poly(Ethylene Glycol) Based Self-Organizing Polymeric Systems: Chemo-Enzymatic Synthesis and Characterization

A chemo/regio selective enzymatic methodology has been designed to synthesize amphiphilic copolymers based on amino acid diesters and poly(ethylene glycol) [PEG]. The condensation polymerization was catalyzed by immobilized Candida antarctica lipase B (Novozyme 435) under solvent-less conditions. The synthesized polymers 3a–c were derivatized with long chain acid chlorides by chemical acylation to get the amphiphilic polymers 4a–c. The physical properties of the synthesized amphiphilic polymers viz: aggregation number, critical micelle concentration (CMC), radius of gyration (R_g), hydrodynamic radius (R_h) and particle size distribution were studied by static and dynamic light scattering (SLS and DLS) techniques. The polymers were found to be promising in drug delivery applications.     

Efficient, green and regioselective synthesis of 1,4,5-trisubstituted-1,2,3-triazoles in ionic liquid [bmim]BF4 and in task-specific basic ionic liquid [bmim]OH

Convenient and environmentally benign procedures have been reported for the synthesis of 1,4,5-trisubstituted-1,2,3-triazoles by the reaction of aryl azides with active methylene compounds in ionic liquid [bmim]BF₄ in the presence of l-proline as a catalyst and also in task-specific basic ionic liquid [bmim]OH. The methodologies defined herein avoid the severe conditions as posed by earlier existing methods and proved to be efficient in terms of good yields, operational simplicity, easy workup and short reaction time.     

Thermal and structural studies of polypropylene blended with esterified industrial waste lignin

Microwave-assisted chemical modification of lignin was achieved through esterification using maleic anhydride. Modified lignin (ML) was blended in different proportions up to 25 mass% with polypropylene (PP) using Brabender electronic Plasticorder at 190 °C. The structural and thermal properties of blends were investigated by thermogravometric analysis (TG), differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), wide-angle X-ray diffraction (WAXD) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). TG analysis showed increased thermal stability of blends due to antioxidant property of ML, which opposed oxidative degradation of PP. DSC analysis indicted slight depression in a glass transition temperature and melting temperature of blends due to partial miscible blend behavior between PP and ML. All blends showed higher crystallization temperatures and continuously reducing percentage crystallinity with increasing ML proportion in the blends. WAXD analysis indicated that PP crystallized in β polymeric form in addition to α-form in the presence of ML. However, proportion of β-form did not show linear relation with increase in ML proportion, thus ML acts as β nucleating agent in the PP matrix. SEM analysis showed good dispersion/miscibility in PP matrix indicating modification in lignin is useful.