Semi-wet growth and characterization of multi-functional nano-engineered mixed metal oxides for industrial application

This review paper covers the low temperature wet growth of nano-engineered particles of ZnO-based mixed metal oxides, their growth mechanism, and characterization using X-ray diffraction, SEM, TEM and IR, UV–visible, and XPS spectral techniques. Main focus of this article is centered on low temperature semi-wet methods of synthesis that are suitable for large scale production of zinc oxide-based systems mixed with iron oxide, copper oxide, nickel oxide and cobalt oxide. These mixed metal oxides have broad industrial applications as catalyst, semiconductors, adsorbents, superconductors, electro-ceramics, and antifungal agents in addition to extensive applications in medicines. This paper discusses the low-cost and environment friendly synthesis of these mixed metal oxides, measurement of properties and applicability of these materials systems.     

The reactivity of a nucleophilic nickel acylate complex

The reactivity of a nucleophilic nickel acylate complex with a tungsten carbene complex, Fe(CO)₅, Cr(CO)₆, PPh₃, and CO was investigated. With the tungsten carbene complex, a methyl transfer occurred. With the metal carbonyl complexes, the acylate group on the nickel and a carbonyl on the iron or chromium traded places. With the PPh₃ and CO, the acylate anion was replaced by the phosphine or CO ligand.     

Spherically symmetric inhomogeneous dust collapse in higher dimensional space-time and cosmic censorship hypothesis

We consider a collapsing spherically symmetric inhomogeneous dust cloud in higher dimensional space-time. We show that the central singularity of collapse can be a strong curvature or a weak curvature naked singularity depending on the initial density distribution.     

Synaptic depression and short-term habituation are located in the sensory part of the mammalian startle pathway

Background  

Short-term habituation of the startle response represents an elementary form of learning in mammals. The underlying mechanism is located within the primary startle pathway, presumably at sensory synapses on giant neurons in the caudal pontine reticular nucleus (PnC). Short trains of action potentials in sensory afferent fibers induce depression of synaptic responses in PnC giant neurons, a phenomenon that has been proposed to be the cellular correlate for short-term habituation. We address here the question whether both this synaptic depression and the short-term habituation of the startle response are localized at the presynaptic terminals of sensory afferents. If this is confirmed, it would imply that these processes take place prior to multimodal signal integration, rather than occurring at postsynaptic sites on PnC giant neurons that directly drive motor neurons.     

Ultrasonic monitoring of film condensation for applications in reduced gravity

The film condensation of vapor on a cooled, downward-facing surface is a complex dynamic fluid phenomenon. This paper will describe the theoretical basis, instrumentation approach, and experimental results for a method for ultrasonic monitoring of film condensation. The ultrasound measurement system utilizes a 10 MHz broadband contact transducer, operating in pulse-echo mode. By appropriate signal processing, condensation layers over a wide thickness range, from much less than a wavelength to several wavelengths, can readily be measured.     

Photoemission observation of a new surface state band on Cu(110)

From angle-resolved photoelectron energy distribution curves we have identified an occupied surface state band at the symmetry point ? of the two-dimensional Brillouin zone of Cu(110), which has been predicted theoretically by Dempsey and Kleinman. We have also remeasured the dispersion and shape of the surface state band of Cu(111) and compare it with the results from Cu(110).     

Transition from microemulsion to emulsion polymerization: Mechanism and final properties

Microemulsion and emulsion polymerization can have some similarities in starting conditions and polymerization mechanisms, but the resulting latices are unalike in particle size and molecular weight. Here we show that polymerizations can be formulated that display the characteristics often separately associated with microemulsion or emulsion polymerization. Kinetic modeling and particle size measurements show that emulsion polymerizations with initial concentrations close to the microemulsion–emulsion phase boundary demonstrate relatively fast consumption of monomer droplets and produce smaller particles. Because of their high surfactant concentrations, none of the emulsion polymerizations examined demonstrate the classical Smith–Ewart kinetics usually associated with emulsion polymerization. Instead these emulsion polymerizations have a long period of particle nucleation that subsides only after the disappearance of monomer droplets. © 2004 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 42: 5253–5261, 2004     

Reduced band gap dithieno[3,2-b:2',3'-d]pyrroles: new n-type organic materials via unexpected reactivity

Direct addition of tetracyanoethylene to N-(p-hexylphenyl)dithieno[3,2-b:2',3'-d]pyrrole yields not only the aromatic mono- and bis-tricyanovinyl-substituted products but also a quinoidal product with dicyanomethylene groups. The analogous reaction with dithieno[3,2-b:2',3'-d]thiophene yields exclusively the aromatic mono-tricyanovinyl product. The aromatic and quinoidal products possess red-shifted absorptions, increased electron affinities, and favorable pi-stacking motifs in comparison to the unsubstituted oligomers.     

Estimation of trace elements in some medicinal plants used in anti‐cancer drugs by PIXE

A trace elemental analysis was carried out in various parts of 12 anticancer medicinal plants, using the PIXE (particle‐induced X‐ray emission) technique. A 3‐MeV proton beam was used to excite the samples, and spectra were recorded using a Si (Li) detector. Data analysis was done using the GUPIX software. The elements Cl, K, Ca, Ti, V, Mn, Fe, Ni, Cu, Zn, Br and Sr were identified, and their concentrations estimated. The results of the present study provide justification for the usage of these medicinal plants in the development of anticancer drugs. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.