Glass transition and crystallization kinetics analysis of Sb–Se–Ge chalcogenide glasses

Differential thermal analysis (DTA) has been employed to investigate the effect of Ge addition on the glass transition behavior and crystallization kinetics of Sb₁₀Se_90?xGe_x (x = 0, 19, 21, 23, 25, 27) alloys. The three characteristic temperatures viz. glass transition (T _g), crystallization (T _c), and melting (T _m) have been determined and found to vary with the heating rates and Ge content. Thermal stability and glass forming tendency have been evaluated in terms of ΔT (= T _c ? T _g) and reduced glass transition temperature. The activation energies for glass transition and crystallization have been used to analyze the nucleation and growth process. The activation energy analysis also determines the suitability of alloys to be used in switching applications. Results have been interpreted in terms of bond energies and structural transformations in the investigated alloys.     

Energy transfer between Er3+:Sm3+codoped TeO2-Li2O glass

The energy transfer in Er3+: Sm3+ codoped binary TeO2-Li2O (TLO) glass has been studied using 532 nm laser radiation on the basis of fluorescence intensity and the lifetime measurements. It is observed that the trace of erbium ion can be utilized to sensitize the samarium. The mechanism involved in the present case is found to be dipole-dipole. The energy transfer efficiencies, probabilities of energy transfer and the average donor acceptor distance has been evaluated.     

New designs for inhibitors of the NF-κB: DNA binding

We present a series of new inhibitors of the association between nuclear factor kappa B (NF-B) and the corresponding B site in DNA. They were designed using the lead compound 15-deoxy-^12,14 -prostaglandin J₂ (PGJ2), which is a natural product with demonstrated inhibitory efficiency for this system. First, the binding mode of PGJ2 to NF-B was unraveled by GOLD docking calculation. Subsequently, substitutions were made to PGJ2 to optimize its association with NF-B. Care was taken not to strongly increase the reactivity of the new compounds, and to keep the overall shape, size and hydrophilicity of the lead compound, which should render them a similar bioavailability. Molecular mechanics calculations were performed to decide on the suitability of the substitutions, and to evaluate the energies of association with NF-B. Density functional theory calculations were performed also to study the overall reactivity of the substituted drugs towards NF-B. Important general conclusions were obtained, concerning the improvement of these natural inhibitors; namely, a set of rational methodologies were deduced to improve the association between the PGJ2 derivatives and NF-B, and their efficiency demonstrated by generating a set of substituted complexes, some of them with a very much increased affinity for NF-B, opening new doors to enlarge the therapeutic capabilities of this class of drugs.     

Upconversion in Er3+-doped Bi2O3-Li2O-BaO-PbO tertiary glass

Radiative properties of Er3+-doped tertiary bismuth glass has been analyzed by the Judd-Ofelt theory. NIR to visible upconversion in the Er3+-doped glass has been reported. The mechanism for the upconversion is explained on the basis of quadratic dependence on excitation power and on the energy-matching scheme. Energy transfer is noted as the dominant process including the long-lived 4I11/2 level as the intermediate state for the green and red upconversion emissions. The effect of temperature on the fluorescence intensity of the two bands due to 2H11/2-->4I15/2 and 4S3/2-->4I15/2 transitions as well as on the transitions due to Stark components of the 4S3/2 level have been monitored and it is concluded that their intensity ratio may serve as better temperature sensing device.     

Optical properties and upconversion in Pr3+ doped in aluminum, barium, calcium fluoride glass--I

The absorption and the fluorescence spectra of Pr3+ ion doped in aluminum, barium, calcium fluoride (ABCF) glass have been studied. Judd-Ofelt theory has been used to derive the optical parameters, viz. the oscillator strength, transition probability, branching ratio, stimulated emission cross section, etc. A broadband upconversion has been observed at different wavelengths throughout the visible region when pumped with 810 nm radiation from a Ti-sapphire laser.     

Modeling the sorption kinetics of divalent metal ions onto mineral adsorbent using integral method

A mathematical model has been developed that could predict kinetic parameters for the adsorption of divalent cations (lead, copper and zinc) onto low-grade rock phosphate using experimental data. The experiments were conducted with the initial concentrations of metal ions ranging from 10 to 100 mg/L. The mathematical model is based on application of Freundlich isotherm to mass transfer across the film surrounding the adsorbent. A code in C programming is used to numerically integrate the model equation, and to obtain the best simulated values of Freundlich constants K, N, order of reaction n, and film transfer coefficient, alpha. It is observed that the adsorption of metal ions on rock phosphate is more sensitive to N,n, and alpha in comparison to K, and lead is adsorbed more favorably than copper and zinc.     

Thermal stability and crystallization kinetics of Se–Te–Sn alloys using differential scanning calorimetry

The present article deals with the differential scanning calorimetric (DSC) study of Se?CTe glasses containing Sn. DSC runs are taken at four different heating rates (10, 15, 20 and 25?K?min^?1). The crystallization data are examined in terms of modified Kissinger, Matusita equations, Mahadevan method and Augis and Bennett approximation for the non-isothermal crystallization. The activation energy for crystallization (E _c) is evaluated from the data obtained at different heating rates. Activation energy of glass transition is calculated by Kissinger??s relation and Moynihan theory. The glass forming tendency is also calculated for each composition. The glass transition temperature and peak crystallization temperature increases with the increase in Sn % as well as with the heating rate.     

Organocatalytic selective benzoylation of alcohols with trichloromethyl phenyl ketone: inverse selectivity in benzoylation of alcohols containing phenol or aromatic amine functionality

Trichloromethyl phenyl ketone benzoylates primary and secondary aliphatic alcoholic groups in compounds also containing a phenolic group in the presence of 2–10 mol % of PMDETA organocatalyst at room temperature in high yields and excellent selectivity. It also shows the potential to selectively benzoylate primary alcoholic groups of aminoarylalkanols and primary-secondary diols as well as primary amino group of alkyl amines in the presence of aryl amines under similar conditions. A rationale for the selectivity and efficiency of the reaction has been provided.     

Anisotropic Bianchi Type-II Massive String Cosmological Models with Time-Decaying Λ Term and Thermodynamic Parameters

The present paper envisages a spatially homogeneous and anisotropic Bianchi II massive string cosmological models with time-decaying Λ term in general relativity. By using the variation law of Hubble’s parameter, the Einstein’s field equations have been solved for two general cases. The first case involving a power law solution describes the dynamics of universe from big bang to present epoch while the second case admit an exponential solution seems reasonable to project dynamics of future universe. We observed that massive strings dominate in early universe and eventually disappear at late time, which is consistent with the current astronomical observations. It has been found that the cosmological constant (Λ) is a decreasing function of time and it approaches to small positive value at sufficiently large time. The thermodynamic properties of anisotropic Bianchi II universe are studied and also the absolute temperature and entropy distribution are given explicitly. The relations between thermodynamic parameters and cosmological constant Λ has been established. Physical behavior of the derived model is elaborated in detail.