Studies with model membranes

Summary Thermodynamic effective fixed charge densities of mercuric phosphate and carbonate parchment supported membranes were evaluated by a number of methods particularly those ofTeorell-Meyer-Sievers, Altug andHair andKobatake et al. The value of the permselectivity was obtained for the two membranes based onKobatake et al. procedure. Membrane transport number was calculated using a modified Nernst relation and compared with the values determined by the TMS method. The theoretical predictions for membrane potential usingKobatake et al. equation are borne out quite satisfactorily by our experimental results for both membrane.

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Zusammenfassung Es wurden die Dichte der fixierten Ladungen von Quecksilberphosphat und Quecksilberkarbonat-Niederschlagsmembranen nach den Methoden vonTorell-Meyer-Sievers, Altug undHair undKobatake bestimmt. Weiterhin wurden Durchlässigkeit und Transportzahlen ermittelt und mit Werten der TMS-Methode verglichen. Theoretische Voraussagen über das Membranpotential nach den Gleichungen vonKobatake stimmen mit den experimentellen Ergebnissen überein.

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With 8 figures and 3 tables     

Phenomenological renormalization of free nucleon-nucleon interaction

Low-lying spectra of⁶Li,¹⁸F,¹⁸O,⁴²Sc,⁴²Ca,⁵⁸Ni and⁹²Zr are studied with Sussex matrix elements (SME) and their central, spin-orbit and tensor components. It is observed that major contribution to level energies comes from the central part, while the tensor part provides the finer details of spectra, particularly forT=0 levels. The spin-orbit part does not make any appreciable contribution to level energies. A phenomenological renormalization of the SME is carried out to improve the agreement with the experimental results. It turns out that some of the low-lyingT=0 levels can be satisfactorily described if the SME in the³S₁ relative state are made (1+α) times their bare interaction value, whereα is a constant to be determined from a comparison with experimental level energies. Similarly, forT=1 levels, better agreement with the experimental results is obtained if aδ-function-plus-quadrupole interaction is added to the SME.     

Purification and Characterization of Gum-Derived Polysaccharides of Moringa oleifera and Azadirachta indica and Their Applications as Plant Stimulants and Bio-Pesticidal Agents

Plant gums are bio-organic substances that are derived from the barks of trees. They are biodegradable and non-adverse complex polysaccharides that have been gaining usage in recent years due to a number of advantages they contribute to various applications. In this study, gum was collected from Moringa oleifera and Azadirachta indica trees, then dried and powdered. Characterizations of gum polysaccharides were performed using TLC, GC-MS, NMR, etc., and sugar molecules such as glucose and xylose were found to be present. Effects of the gums on Abelmoschus esculentus growth were observed through root growth, shoot growth, and biomass content. The exposure of the seeds to the plant gums led to bio stimulation in the growth of the plants. Poor quality soil was exposed to the gum polysaccharide, where the polysaccharide was found to improve soil quality, which was observed through soil analysis and SEM analysis of soil porosity and structure. Furthermore, the plant gums were also found to have bio-pesticidal activity against mealybugs, which showed certain interstitial damage evident through histopathological analysis.     

BF3·Et2O and trifluoroacetic acid/triethyl amine-mediated synthesis of functionalized piperidines

A two-step short and efficient strategy for the synthesis of substituted piperidones and piperidines in high diastereoselectivity (only trans-configuration), by employing cascade type reaction using BF₃·Et₂O or by carrying out one pot deprotection of ^tBoc group followed by intramolecular aza-Michael addition of α,β-unsaturated beta keto esters has been developed. Using a similar strategy a short access to hydroxy pipecolic acid is also described. Very simple and rapid experimental procedures involving mild conditions and only one or two chromatographic purifications are the main features of the process.     

New accurate design data for a suspended microstrip line

New design data for an open suspended microstripline is reported. Two most commonly used substrate materials, namely RT-Duroid (_r=2.22) and fused quartz (_r=3.78) are considered. Effects of dispersion and strip thickness are included in the results which are based on a fullwave spectral-domain analysis. The data, which is computed over the complete practical ranges of frequency and parameter values, is much more reliable than the currently available quasistatic results.     

Recent study of nanomaterials prepared by inert gas condensation using ultra high vacuum chamber

The ultra high vacuum chamber was developed in the Department of Nuclear Physics, University of Madras with the funding from DST, India. This UHV chamber is used to prepare nanocrystalline materials by inert gas condensation technique (IGCT). Nanocrystalline materials such as PbF₂, Mn²⁺-doped PbF₂, Sn-doped In₂O₃ (ITO), ZnO, Al₂O₃, Ag₂O, CdO, CuO, ZnSe:ZnO etc., were prepared by this technique and characterized. Results of some of these materials will be presented in this paper. In solid-state²⁰⁷Pb NMR on PbF₂ a separate signal due to the presence of grain boundary has been observed. The structural phase transition pressure during the phase transformation from the cubic phase to orthorhombic phase under high pressure shows an increase with the decrease in grain size. Presence of electronic centres in nanocrystalline PbF₂ is observed from Raman studies and the same has been confirmed by photoluminescence studies. Al₂O₃ was prepared and⁵⁶Fe ions were implanted. After implantation segregation of⁵⁶Fe ions was examined by SEM. The oxidation properties of ITO were studied by HRTEM. As against the expectation of oxide coating on individual nanograins of In-Sn alloy, ITO nanograins grew into faceted nanograins on heat treatment in air and O₂ atmosphere. The growth of ITO under O₂ atmosphere showed pentagon symmetry. The PMN was initially prepared by solid-state reaction. Further, this PMN relaxor material will be used to convert into nanocrystalline PMN by IGCT with sputtering and will be studied     

Standard Quantum Teleportation and Controlled Quantum Teleportation of an Arbitrary N-Qubit Information State

We explicitly present precise and simple protocols for standard quantum teleportation and controlled quantum teleportation of an arbitrary N-qubit information state and analyse the case of perfect teleportation using general quantum channels and measurement bases. We find condition on resource quantum channel and Bell states for achieving perfect quantum teleportation. We also find the unitary transformation required to be done by Bob for perfect quantum teleportation and discuss the connection with others related works. We also discuss how perfect controlled quantum teleportation demands a correct choice of the measurement basis of additional party.     

5 MeV Proton irradiation effects on 200 GHz silicon–germanium heterojunction bipolar transistors

The total dose effects of 5?MeV proton and Co-60 gamma irradiation in the dose range from 1 to 100?Mrad on advanced 200?GHz Silicon–Germanium heterojunction bipolar transistors (SiGe HBTs) are investigated. The SRIM simulation study was conducted to understand the energy loss of 5?MeV proton ions in SiGe HBT structure. Pre- and post-radiation DC figure of merits such as forward- and inverse-mode Gummel characteristics, excess base current, DC current gain and output characteristics were used to quantify the radiation tolerance of the devices. The results show that the proton creates a significant amount of damages in the surface and bulk of the transistor when compared with gamma irradiation. The SiGe HBTs shows robust ionizing radiation tolerance even up to a total dose of 100?Mrad for both radiations.     

Structural,dielectric and optical properties of sol–gel synthesized 0.55Ba(Zr0.2Ti0.8)O3–0.45(Ba0.7Ca0.3)TiO3 ceramic

Lead-free polycrystalline ceramic 0.55Ba(Zr_0.2Ti_0.8)O₃–0.45(Ba_0.7Ca_0.3)TiO₃ (0.55BZT–0.45BCT) was synthesized by sol–gel method and the dielectric, impedance and optical properties of this ceramic were studied. X-ray diffraction analysis revealed the formation of pure perovskite phase with the coexistence of tetragonal and rhombohedral structures. The high value of dielectric constant (~6,985) with low dielectric loss (~0.013) was obtained at room temperature. Bulk and grain boundary resistances were measured by impedance analysis, which revealed negative temperature coefficient of resistance behaviour in this ceramic. The estimated value of optical band gap was found to be ~3.16 eV, which is related to the presence of intermediate energy levels. Two emission bands one at ~365 nm (UV region) and another at ~465 nm (blue region) were observed in photoluminescence spectrum at room temperature.