Mechanical model for fiber-laden membranes

An integrated mechanical model for fiber-laden membranes is presented and representative predictions of relevance to cellulose ordering and orientation in the plant cell wall are presented. The model describes nematic liquid crystalline self-assembly of rigid fibers on an arbitrarily curved fluid membrane. The mechanics of the fluid membrane is described by the Helfrich bending-torsion model, the fiber self-assembly is described by the 2D Landau-de Gennes quadrupolar Q-tensor order parameter model, and the fiber-membrane interactions (inspired by an extension of the 2D Maier-Saupe model to curved surfaces) include competing curvo-philic (curvature-seeking) and curvo-phobic (curvature-avoiding) effects. Analysis of the free energy reveals three fiber orientation regimes: (a) along the major curvature, (b) along the minor curvature, (c) away from the principal curvatures, according to the competing curvo-philic and curvo-phobic interactions. The derived shape equation (normal stress balance) now includes curvature-nematic ordering contributions, with both bending and torsion renormalizations. Integration of the shape and nematic order equations gives a complete model whose solution describes the coupled membrane shape/fiber order state. Applications to cylindrical membranes, relevant to the plant cell wall, shows how growth decreases the fiber order parameter and moves the fibers’ director from the axial direction towards the azimuthal orientation, eventually leading to a state of stress predicted by pure membranes. The ubiquitous 54.7° cellulose fibril orientation with respect to the long axis in a cylindrical plant cell wall is shown to be predicted by the preset model when the ratio of curvo-phobic and curvo-philic interactions is in the range of the cylinder radius.     

Mixed-valence electron delocalized thiocyanato bridged ruthenium dinuclear complex [{Ru(NH3)5}2SCN]4+

The thiocyanato bridged mixed-valence ruthenium dinuclear species [{Ru(NH₃)₅}2SCN]⁴⁺ has been prepared and characterized. A solvent independent, low intensity intervalence transfer band was observed in the near IR absorption spectrum suggesting a delocalized limit in the [Ru(II)-SCN-Ru(III)] unit.     

Correlation of ground and excited state dissociation constants of trans -para- and ortho-substituted cinnamic acids

The ground and excited state dissociation constants oftrans- para- and ortho-substituted cinnamic acids have been determined in 50% (v/v) dioxan-water mixture at 30°C using the Forster cycle. The measured dissociation constants are analysed in the light of single and dual substituent parameter (DSP) equations. Excited state dissociation constants ofp-substituted cinnamic acids correlate well with the exalted substituent constants. The DSP method of analysis shows that resonance effect is predominant relative to inductive effect in the excited state than in the ground state for the para-substituted acids. The single parameter equation gives poor correlation for the ortho-substituted acids. However, the DSP analysis shows fairly good correlation. The inductive effect is predominant relative to the resonance effect in the excited state than in the ground state     

Synthesis,characterization and anti-bacterial activity of divalent transition metal complexes of hydrazine and trimesic acid

Transition metal complexes of trimesic acid and hydrazine mixed-ligands with a general formula M(Htma)(N₂H₄)₂, where, M = Mn, Co, Ni, Cu and Zn; H₃tma = trimesic acid, have been prepared and characterized by elemental, structural, spectral and thermal analyses. For the complexes, the carboxylate ν_asym and ν_sym stretchings are observed at about 1626 and 1367 cm^?1 respectively, with Δν between them of ～260 cm^?1, showing the unidentate coordination of each carboxylate group. The hydrazine moieties are present as bridging bidentates. Electronic and EPR spectral studies suggest an octahedral geometry for the complexes. All these complexes show three steps of decomposition in TGA/DTA. SEM images of CuO and MnO residues obtained from the complexes show nano-sized clusters suggesting that the complexes may be used as precursors for nano-CuO and nano-MnO preparation. The antimicrobial activities of the prepared complexes, against four bacteria have been evaluated.     

Polarographic analysis of the reduction waves of Pt(II)-SATSC complex

A polarographic study of the Pt(II)-salicylaldehyde thiosemicarbazone complex in sodium perchlorate as supporting electrolyte is described. In addition to the reduction wave of the complex, a catalytic hydrogen wave is also recorded. The characteristics of this catalytic hydrogen wave are studied under different experimental conditions such as varying acid/complex/supporting electrolyte/surfactant concentrations and also with mercury droptime. Based on these, a probable mechanism for the electrode process has been postulated. Presented at the 12th Annual Symposium in Chemistry held at the Indian Institute of Technology, Madras in March 1987.     

From ribbons to nanodot arrays: nanopattern design through reductive annealing

A new approach to the generation of nanoparticle arrays in periodic as well as non-periodic fashions has been discovered based on reduction of oxidized nanoscroll/nanoribbon precursors in the transmission electron microscope (carbothermal reduction) or by hydrogen annealing. Arrays consisting of nickel arsenide nanoparticles of size 3-4 nm have been generated.     

Effects of La-doping on structural,electrical and multiferroic properties of Bi6Fe2Ti3O18 thin films

Journal of Sol-Gel Science and Technology - Bi6Fe2Ti3O18 (BFTO) and La-doped Bi6?xLaxFe2Ti3O18 (BLFT) (x = 0.03; BLFT3, x = 0.06; BLFT6 and 0.09; BLFT9)...     

Conductometric determination of carbon in uranium carbide and its solution in nitric acid

A simple but accurate method has been developed for the determination of carbon in uranium carbide powders/pellets as well as in solutions of uranyl nitrates. The methodology involves quantitative conversion of carbon present in the sample to carbon dioxide that is subsequently absorbed in a dilute solution of barium hydroxide. The conductivity shift of the barium hydroxide solution is monitored on-line continuously using a laboratory-built PC-based conductivity measurement system that has been developed in-house based on the direct conversion of conductance to the digital pulse frequency. A new gas absorption cell has been designed to ensure quantitative absorption during the residence time of the gas in the cell. The method is sensitive, accurate and precise to 1-3% at 600-1000 mug of carbon in samples of uranium carbide.     

The effect of zeolite on the curing of epoxy resin by polyaniline: a kinetic study

Polyaniline sulfate‐zeolite composite was prepared by emulsion polymerization. Epoxy resin was cured using polyaniline‐sulfate salt and various amounts of polyaniline sulfate‐zeolite composite. The kinetics of the cure reaction for an epoxy resin based on the diglycidyl ether of bisphenol A (DGEBA) with polyaniline‐sulfate and polyaniline sulfate‐zeolite composite have been studied using differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) under isothermal and dynamic conditions. Isothermal kinetics analysis was performed using the phenomenological model of Kamal. Dynamic kinetic analysis was performed using Kissinger's method. Copyright © 2002 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.