An unusual [4 + 4] cycloadduct from an o-quinodimethane: Characterisation and computational studies

Trapping of a pyrimidinone-derived o-quinodimethane with tetraphenylcyclopentadienone gives a mixture of the [4 + 2] and formal [4 + 4] adducts. Computational studies show that the latter arises by a sequence of [4 + 2] cycloaddition, homolysis, radical recombination to a spiro-tetrahydrofuran and Claisen rearrangement under the thermolytic conditions.     

Heavy ion interactions of (14.0 MeV/u) Pb with U

The interactions of ²⁰⁸Pb projectiles with ^natU target have been studied at 14.0 MeV/u beam energy using two different threshold detectors; mica and lexan. The elastic scattering data have been separated from the binary events and used for the determination of quarter-point angle θ_1/4 (≡ grazing angle θ_gr). The values of maximum angular momentum , radius of interaction R_int and reaction cross-section σ_R^exp(el.) were then deduced by making use of the value of θ_1/4. The data of inelastic events of different multiplicities have been used to determine partial reaction cross-sections. The sum of the partial cross-sections, therefore, yielded another independent value of reaction cross-section σ_R^exp(inel.) that in turn was used to derive the alternative values of , θ_gr, and R_int independently. The average of these quantities provided the experimental values of the reaction parameters that are comparable to the theoretical predictions.     

Plasmon-resonance-induced enhancement of the reflection band in a one-dimensional metal nanocomposite photonic crystal

We report the realization of a one-dimensional photonic crystal consisting of alternating layers of metal nanocomposite and polymer layers. The structure shows a large change in the width of the reflection band due to the interplay between the plasmon resonance of the metal nanoparticle and the Bloch modes of the photonic crystal. The width of the reflection band is found to increase by 200% when the photonic band edge approaches the plasmon resonance of the silver nanoparticles.     

Assessment of the toxicity level of an industrial eco-system for its hazardous metals

Pakistan is an agricultural country, yet it is facing a serious threat due to the shortage of water resources and degradation of the agricultural land by the pollution of industrial effluents. A limited number of the current industries are equipped with proper operating treatment plants. Generally, the untreated effluents are disposed off to the open environment which is used for irrigation purposes. Therefore, vegetables and crops grown around the industrial areas is a major potential source of metal poisoning which pose a serious risk to the general public. Hence, study of the toxicity level in vegetables and crops is highly desirable. In this regard, systematic studies have been carried out to determine concentration levels of toxic elements in the samples of vegetables, crops, effluents and soil collected from the industrial areas of the Faisalabad. After processing, these samples were analyzed using neutron activation analysis and atomic absorption spectrometric techniques. The highest concentrations of toxic metals were observed for As (2.73 ± 0.34) in cabbage, Cd (1.5 ± 0.1), Ni (5.1 ± 0.9) and Pb (4.3 ± 0.2) in corn, Co (0.65 ± 0.02), and Sb (0.09 ± 0.01) in carrot, Cr (9.63 ± 1.3), Mn (46.5 ± 4.2) and Se (1.03 ± 0.1) in millet, Cu (11.3 ± 1.1) in tomato vegetables and crop samples. Although, the observed toxicity levels in vegetables and crop samples were higher than those grown in non-industrial areas, yet these toxicity levels are within the safe recommended limits.     

Evaluation of toxic metals in the industrial effluents and their segregation through peanut husk fence for pollution abatement

The industrial pollution is exponentially growing in the developing countries due to the discharge of untreated effluents from the industries in the open atmosphere. This may cause severe health hazards in the general public. To reduce this effect, it is essential to remove the toxic and heavy metals from the effluents before their disposal into the biosphere. In this context, samples of the effluents were collected from the textile/yarn, ceramics and pulp/paper industries and the concentrations of the toxic metal ions were determined using neutron activation analysis (NAA) technique. The observed concentration values of the As, Cr and Fe ions, in the unprocessed industrial effluents, were 4.91 ± 0.8, 9.67 ± 0.7 and 9.71 ± 0.8 mg/L, respectively which was well above the standard recommended limits (i.e. 1.0, 1.0 and 2.0 mg/L, respectively). In order to remove the toxic metal ions from the effluents, the samples were treated with pea nut husk fence. After this treatment, 91.5% arsenic, 81.9% chromium and 66.5% iron metal ions were successfully removed from the effluents. Then the treated effluents contained concerned toxic metal ions concentrations within the permissible limits as recommended by the national environmental quality standards (NEQS).     

Evaluation of toxicity level of the polluted eco-system for an industrial city of Pakistan

The indiscriminate discharge of untreated industrial effluents and solid wastes into the open environment poses a serious threat to the ecosystem. Gujranwala is an industrial city of Pakistan wherein a large number of different industries are situated and majority of them are not equipped with proper recycling or effluent treatment plants. Unfortunately, untreated industrial effluents are locally used for the irrigation purposes which may result in higher concentrations of toxic metals in the crops and vegetables. Therefore, prime objective of the present study was to determine concentrations of toxic metals in the polluted soils, vegetables and crops grown in the vicinity of industrial areas using neutron activation analysis technique. The results obtained showed higher values of toxic metals in the studied samples. The observed highest concentration of As (0.94 ± 0.06) in spinach, Br (69 ± 9) in turnip, Co (0.83 ± 0.01) in millet, Cr (51.7 ± 4.2) in wheat, Mn (76.2 ± 7.3) in tomato, Sb (0.5 ± 0.06) in rice, Cl (31698 ± 3921) and Se (3.4 ± 0.4) in carrot. These values are higher than those reported in the literature.     

Study of the etching characteristics of -mixed NaOH solution

In the present paper the effect of the presence of Na₂CO₃ on the etching characteristics of NaOH has been presented quantitatively. Six CR-39 detectors were etched at 50, 60 and in 6 M NaOH solutions containing 0%, 1%, 2%, 3%, 4% and 5% concentration of Na₂CO₃. Etching was performed in 22 steps of 5–10 min starting from 15 min up to 210 min. These detectors were previously exposed to ²⁵²Cf source. Lengths of 35 randomly selected fission fragment tracks were measured after each etching time interval. Similarly, diameters of 25 randomly selected fission fragments having 90 incidence angle were also measured as mentioned above. Track etch rate, bulk etch rate, etching efficiency and activation energies of both track as well as bulk etching have been determined.     

On the Karplus relation for 3J(POCC) of nucleotides

The original Karplus parameters for analysing ³J(POCC) magnitudes of nucleotides in terms of conformational properties of the O? C bond were taken from results for 3′,5′-nucleotides and applied to 3′→ 5′-oligonucleotides; the parameters were later modified to take account of ‘largey’ magnitudes of ³J(POCC) observed in 2′ → 5′-oligonucleotides. In this work the origin of this discrepancy is explained in terms of substituent electronegativity effects at C-1′, and quantified using the ¹³C NMR results of 2′,3′-cyclic mononucleotides. A new set of Karplus parameters suitable for analysing ³J(POCC) magnitudes in 3′- and 5′-nucleotides and 3′ → 5′-oligonucleotides is determined from ¹³C NMR measurements on 3′-nucleotides and available results for 3′,5′-cyclic mononucleotides. A method of dealing with J(P, C-1′) coupling in 2′-nucleotides, 2′,3′-cyclic nucleotides and 2′ → 5′-oligonucleotides using the same Karplus relationship is suggested.