Phase-function method for Hulthén-modified separable potentials

We have treated the Hulthén-modified separable potentials within the framework of the phase-function method and obtained a closed form expression fors-wave scattering phase shift. Specializing to a rank one separable potential we have found out the limiting conditions in which the Hulthén-modified phase shift goes over to its Coulomb counterpart. We demonstrate the usefulness of our approach by means of a model calculation. Based in part on a Ph.D. thesis to be submitted by one of the authors (AKJ) to Visva-Bharati University.     

Metal chelates in vinyl polymerization. II. Mechanism of initiation by Fe(DPM)3

The nature of the interaction between the unsaturated monomer and the chelate, Fe(DPM)₃, is studied in detail. The interaction is found to occur only in solution. The stoichiometry of interaction and the equilibrium constant are evaluated. With the help of spectral evidence, attempts are made to point out the specific sites of interaction.     

Mechanisms of the aquation of tris-(substituted) malonatochromate(III) complexes

Summary Investigations on the aquation of tris-(substituted)malonatochromate(III)ion, between 25°–40° in the presence of acid (I=1.0M) show that the mono- and dimethyl substituted complexes aquate by a two term rate law, only one of which is acid dependent. All other complexes aquate by a one term rate law which is first-order with respect to acid concentration; the unsubstituted malonato complex behaves in this way. Aquation of the first two complexes is dissociative, while for others appreciable associative character has been observed.     

Neutrino data,exotic quarks and higher groups

It is pointed out that the principle of natural conservation of strangeness and present neutrino data motivate the consideration of models with exotic quarks or the enlargement of the unifying gauge group beyond SU(2) ? U(1).     

Preparation and characterization of silver-poly(vinylidene fluoride) nanocomposites: formation of piezoelectric polymorph of poly(vinylidene fluoride)

In situ Ag nanoparticles are produced on reduction of Ag+ with N,N-dimethylformamide in the presence of poly(vinylidene fluoride) (PVF2). The plasmon band transition is monitored with time in the reaction mixture for three sets of experiments by UV-vis spectroscopy. The plasmon band absorbance increases sigmoidally with log(time). Analysis of the data with the Avrami equation yields an exponent n value between 1.5 and 2.0, indicating two-dimensional nucleation with linear or diffusion controlled growth. The TEM study of the polymer nanocomposites (PNC) indicates both spherical and rodlike morphology for PNC0.5 and PNC2.5 samples, whereas the PNC11 sample has spherical and agglomerated structures (the numerical number associated with PNC indicates percentage (w/w) of Ag in the nanocomposite). The WAXS and FTIR studies indicate the formation of piezoelectric beta-polymorphic PVF2 in the nanocomposites. The DSC study indicates some increase of the melting point and enthalpy of fusion of PVF2 in the nanocomposite, although with increase in Ag nanoparticle concentration the increase is smaller. The crystallization temperatures of PNCs also increased, indicating nucleating effect of Ag nanoparticles in the composite. In the TGA curves, the PNCs exhibit a three-step degradation process. The degradation temperatures of PNCs are lower than that of PVF2. The storage modulus data indicate a significant reinforcement of the mechanical property in the PNCs where also the reinforcement effect decreases with increasing nanoparticle concentration. Both the loss modulus and tan delta plots indicate two peaks; the lower temperature peak has been attributed for glass transition temperature, whereas the higher one has been attributed to a similar type relaxation process for the crystalline-amorphous interface. The increase in the glass transition is marginal for the PNCs, but the increase of later transition temperature is somewhat higher. The FTIR study shows that the dipolar interaction of the >CF2 dipole with the surface charges of Ag nanoparticle stabilizes the nanoparticle in the nanocomposite.     

Mechanism and kinetics of solid-state amorphization by mechanical alloying of Al65Cu 35−x Nb x

In the present study, we have synthesized a number of Al-based Al₆₅Cu_35???x Nb_x ternary alloys by mechanical alloying and undertaken a detailed characterization of their microstructural evolution by X-ray diffraction, high-resolution transmission electron microscopy and positron annihilation spectroscopy. To predict the phase-equilibrium in a given ternary powder blend subjected to mechanical alloying, we have modified the Miedema model to incorporate the influence of interfacial energy contribution in solid-state amorphization and analytically calculate the enthalpy and Gibbs energy of ternary amorphous and nanocrystalline solid solutions. The predicted trend compares well with the experimental data. Finally, an attempt has been made to determine the mechanism of solid-state amorphization in Al₆₅Cu_35?xNb_x alloys utilizing both experimental results and model-based thermodynamic calculations.     

Photoinduced electron transfer between hen egg white lysozyme and anticancer drug menadione

The protein, hen egg white lysozyme, on photoexcitation undergoes electron transfer with menadione (2-methyl-1,4-naphthoquinone), a widely known anticancer drug. With the addition of menadione the fluorescence of lysozyme is quenched with the simultaneous formation of an excited state charge-transfer complex in the longer wavelength and a ground state complex. The former is further evident from laser flash photolysis studies, which indicate a tryptophan to menadione electron transfer. From fluorescence quenching studies the binding constant is found to be ∼1.7×10⁴ M⁻¹ with the corresponding changes in enthalpy (ΔH°) and entropy (ΔS°) as 12.24 kJ mol⁻¹ and 124.12 J mol⁻¹ K⁻¹, respectively, indicative of an entropy-driven process. The circular dichroism studies also show some structural changes with increase in α-helical content in the protein on interaction with menadione. Finally, docking studies give some insight into the role of Trp 108 of lysozyme in the interaction.