Spectral Analysis of Some Distillates from Asphalt Cracking and Evaluation of UTIMAC as Cracking Catalyst

This paper demonstrates the spectral analysis of some distillates obtained from asphalt cracking in the presence of a conventional expensive catalyst, i.e., HZSM‐5, and local cheap and readily available clay, i.e., UTIMAC. Each distillate was fractionated into pentane soluble (PI) and pentane insoluble (PI) fractions based on solubility in n, pentane. Both PS and PI obtained in the case of HZSM‐5 and UTIMAC were analyzed by ¹H‐NMR spectrophotometry using CDCl₃ as dissolving solvent and tetramethylsilane (TMS) as internal standard. It is evident from the profiles that both catalysts caused the generation of some peaks ascribed to methylene and methene configurations in the aliphatic region. Bands corresponding to aromatic configurations were also generated. The results indicate that the cheap local catalyst used has comparable suitability with the conventional expensive catalyst in terms of asphalt cracking.     

Evidence for the decay D0-->K(-)pi(+)pi(-)e(+)nu(e)

Using a 281 pb{-1} data sample collected at the psi(3770) with the CLEO-c detector, we present the first absolute branching fraction measurement of the decay D0-->K(-)pi(+)pi(-)e(+)nu(e) at a statistical significance of about 4.0 standard deviations. We find 10 candidates consistent with the decay D0-->K(-)pi(+)pi(-)e(+)nu(e). The probability that a background fluctuation accounts for this signal is less than 4.1 x 10{-5}. We find B(D0-->K(-)pi(+)pi(-)e(+)nu(e)) = [2.8{-1.1}{+1.4}(stat)+/-0.3(syst)]x10{-4}. By restricting the invariant mass of the hadronic system to be consistent with K1(1270), we obtain the product of branching fractions B(D{0}-->K{1}{-}(1270)e{+}nu{e})xB(K1-(1270)-->K{-}pi{+}pi{-})=[2.5{-1.0}{+1.3}(stat)+/-0.2(syst)]x10{-4}. Using B(K1-(1270)-->K{-}pi{+}pi{-})=(33+/-3)%, we obtain B(D{0}-->K{1}{-}(1270)e{+}nu{e})=[7.6{-3.0}{+4.1}(stat)+/-0.6(syst)+/-0.7]x10{-4}. The last error accounts for the uncertainties in the measured K1-(1270)-->K{-}pi{+}pi{-} branching fractions.     

Enhanced production of xylanase from locally isolated fungal strain using agro-industrial residues under solid-state fermentation

This study is related to the isolation of fungal strain for xylanase production using agro-industrial residues. Forty fungal strains with xylanolytic potential were isolated by using xylan agar plates and quantitatively screened in solid-state fermentation. Of all the tested isolates, the strain showing highest ability to produce xylanase was assigned the code Aspergillus niger LCBT-14. For the enhanced production of the enzyme, five different fermentation media were evaluated. Out of all media, M4 containing wheat bran gave maximum enzyme production. Effect of different variables including incubation time, temperature, pH, carbon and nitrogen sources has been investigated. The optimum enzyme production was obtained after 72 h at 30°C and pH 4. Glucose as a carbon source while ammonium sulphate and yeast extract as nitrogen sources gave maximum xylanase production (946 U/mL/min). This study was successful in producing xylanase by A. niger LCBT-14 economically by utilising cheap indigenous substrate.     

Selective colorimetric and fluorometric sensing of Cu(II) by iminocoumarin derivative in aqueous buffer

A new iminocoumarin based receptor L (C(27)H(26)N(4)OS) is synthesized with pyridyl and benzothiazolyl functionality. Synthesis of L is easy and it is isolated in good yield. L shows a selective and distinct color change from yellow to orange with Cu(2+) over Li(+), Na(+), Ca(2+), Mg(2+), Cr(2+), Mn(2+), Fe(2+), Co(2+), Ni(2+), Cu(2+), Zn(2+), Cd(2+), Pb(2+), and Ag(+) whereas a slight change in color is also observed in the case of Hg(2+) but L shows selective fluorescent quenching only in the presence of Cu(2+) in aqueous HEPES buffer (pH 7.0). The naked eye detection limit of Cu(2+) is determined at 2 μM whereas an emission experiment shows a lower detection limit at 200 nM. Selectivity studies of L in presence of 50 equivalents of other ion(s) by emission experiment show no interference toward the detection of 1 equivalent of Cu(2+). Both UV-Vis and fluorescence studies in the presence of Cu(2+)-salts of different counter anions with various sizes and shapes (Cl(-), ClO(4)(-), NO(3)(-), CF(3)SO(3)(-), SO(4)(2-) and BF(4)(-)) show almost similar spectral output in buffer media irrespective of the nature of the counter anions. The detailed UV-Vis and fluorescence titration experiments suggest the existence of both 1:1 and 2:1 (L:Cu(2+)) complexation stoichiometry and EPR study shows d(x(2)-y(2)) ground state of the Cu(II) centre in the complex. Furthermore the formation of a mononuclear [Cu(L)(CH(3)CN)].2ClO(4) complex and the flexible conformation of L in the solid state are confirmed by the single-crystal X-ray structural study.     

Numerical solution of the two-dimensional Fredholm integral equations using Gaussian radial basis function

In this paper, we introduce a numerical method for the solution of two-dimensional Fredholm integral equations. The method is based on interpolation by Gaussian radial basis function based on Legendre-Gauss-Lobatto nodes and weights. Numerical examples are presented and results are compared with the analytical solution to demonstrate the validity and applicability of the method.     

Caragisides A – C,New Isoflavone Glucosides from Caragana conferta with Inhibition of Platelet Aggregation

Caragisides A–C ( 1 – 3 , resp.), three new isoflavone glucosides, were isolated from the BuOH sub‐fraction of the EtOH extract of the whole plant of Caragana conferta, along with ononoside ( 4 ), reported for the first time from this species. The structures of the new compounds were elucidated by spectroscopic techniques including MS and 2D‐NMR spectroscopy. Compounds 1 – 3 showed significant inhibition of platelet aggregation.     

Structural and optoelectronic properties of antimony tin sulphide thin films deposited by thermal evaporation techniques

Thin films of SnSb₂S₄ have been prepared on glass substrate by using thermal evaporation techniques. The films were annealed in argon gas at low pressure in sealed glass ampoules at 85 °C, 150 °C, 275 °C and 325 °C. XRD of the films reveal that the low temperature annealed films are poly crystalline while the as deposited films and high annealed films are in amorphous states. There is no adequate variation in the photoconductivity response of the amorphous and crystalline phases. The transmittance of the films is low and having no transmittance below 740 nm. The band gap calculated by ellipsometry technique is in the range of 1.82–3.1 eV. The films have n-type conductivity but the film annealed at 325 °C show p-type conductivity.     

Water Pollution Threat to the Environment by a Urea Plant

Disposal of untreated industrial effluents is drastically deteriorating the quality of underground water. Research work has been conducted to analyze the effect of disposal of urea plant effluent on the quality of ground water of the District Mianwali Daudkhail, Pakistan. For this purpose the effluent and ground water samples were analyzed for pH, TDS, TSS, Cl, F, COD, BOD, Fe, Zn, Pb, Cu, Cr, Cd, Mn, and As. Results obtained were compared with WHO and NEQS standards for drinking and effluent emission limits, respectively. Moreover, effluent samples were also evaluated for irrigation purposes and results compared with criteria recommended for irrigation water. Results showed though the effluents were according to the standards given by National Environmental Quality Standards (NEQS) for liquid emission and fit for irrigation purposes, the quality of underground water was below standard due to having a higher quantity of total dissolved solids than permissible.