Study of non-isothermal crystallization of amorphous Cu<Subscript>50</Subscript>Ti<Subscript>50</Subscript> alloy

The crystallization kinetics of amorphous Cu₅₀Ti₅₀ has been studied using differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) under non-isothermal conditions. The curves at different linear heating rates (2, 4, 8 and 16 K min^–1) show sharp crystallization peaks. The crystallization peak shifts to higher temperatures with increasing heating rate. The Kissingers method of analysis of the shift in the transformation peak is applied to evaluate the activation energy (E _c). The KJMA formalism, which is basically developed for isothermal experiments, is also used to obtain E _c and the Avrami parameter (n).The DSC data have been analysed in terms of kinetic parameters, viz. activation energy (E _c), Avrami exponent (n) and frequency factor K ₀ using three different theoretical models. It is observed that the activation energy values derived from KJMA approach and modified Kissinger equation agree fairly well with each other. The activation energy values obtained from normal Kissinger method, and Gao and Wang expression underestimate the activation energy.The financial support provided by All India Council for Technical Education (AICTE), New Delhi (Govt. of India) is gratefully acknowledged.     

Semiclassical statistical mechanics of two-dimensional hard-body fluids

The problem of calculating the thermodynamic properties of two-dimensional semiclassical hard-body fluids is studied. Explicit expressions are given for the first-order quantum corrections to the free energy, equation of state, and virial coefficients. The numerical results are calculated for the planar hard dumbbell fluid. Significant features are the increase in quantum corrections with increasing eta and increasing L*=L/sigma(0).     

Engineering cytochrome P-450s

Cytochrome P-450 isozymes represent a critical component of nature’s spectrum of detoxification catalysts that could be exploited for bioremediation. The ethanol-inducible human cytochrome P-450 2E1 serves as a model eukaryotic P-450 that complements the bacterial P-450 cam in dehalogenation and detoxification of environmental pollutants. We explored the construction of novel chimeric P-450s using cytochrome P-450 camC and 2E1 genes. For construction of chimera 1 (478 amino acids, 55.14 kDa), 145 amino acids from the N-terminus of P-450 2E1 protein (493 amino acids, 56.84 kDa) were replaced with 130 amino acids from the N-terminus of P-450 camC protein (415 amino acids, 46.66 kDa). In chimera 2 (525 amino acids, 60.24 kDa) the strategy involves replacement of 28 amino acids in the C-terminus of chimera 1 with 75 amino acids from the C-terminus of P-450 camC gene. Homology models of both the chimeric proteins were developed using SWISS-MODEL based on the known crystal structure of cytochrome P-450 camC, BM-3, 1DT6A, and 2C17A. The models indicated that the proposed heme-binding site was intact, which is inevitable for catalytic activity of cytochrome P-450s. The expression of chimera 1 and 2 genes in Escherichia coli DH5α was evident from light-pink cell pellets, protein band in sodium dodecyl sulfate polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis, and diagnostic carbon monoxide-difference spectra. Our studies show that strategies can be developed to exploit the natural diversity of the P-450 superfamily to generate chimeric biocatalysts that would provide new templates amenable to directed evolution.     

Beitrag zur Bestimmung von freiem Phenol, insbesondere im Bisphenol A

Zusammenfassung Es wird über ein gaschromatographisches Verfahren zur Bestimmung von Spuren Phenol, insbesondere im Bisphenol A (2,2-Bis-[4-hydroxyphenol]-propan) berichtet. Die beschriebene Methode erlaubt die Phenolbestimmung im Bisphenol A in wesentlich kürzerer Zeit als die bisher üblichen Methoden (z.B. Wasserdampfdestillation und jodometrische Endbestimmnung). Das gaschromatographische Verfahren benötigt für eine komplette Bestimmung 7–8 min. Ausserdem arbeitet das beschriebene Verfahren im ppm-Bereich mit größerer Genauigkeit. So wurde im Bereich von 75 ppm Phenol im Bisphenol A ein Wiederholstreubereich von ±6% rel. gefunden. In diesem Konzentrationsbereich sind die Abweichungen bei der bisher üblichen Methode zum Teil über 100% vom Sollwert.     

Extraction of uranium(IV) and uranium(VI) by primary and tertiary-amines from sulphate solutions

In developing a method for possible low level isotopic enrichment, which uses to advantage the equilibrium isotope effect observed during U(1V)-U(VI) electron exchange reaction in sulphate solutions, details of a solvent extraction process involving high concentration of a mixture of U(IV) and U(VI) and at low acid concentrations, are described. The extraction behaviour of uranium under these conditions is discussed. During the extraction with amines, U(IV) tended to get oxidised in sulphate solutions.     

Studies on the colloidal properties of papain with titanium dioxide sol

Summary The coagulation concentration for a titania sol decreases if the concentration of a mixture of electrolytes and papain decreases. If the concentration of papain is increased then lesser amount of electrolytes is needed to coagulate the sol. If glycine is added as an additional substance then the value decreases more rapidly. There is no significant change in the p_H and the electrical conductance of the sol by the addition of papain or electrolytes. There is a little change, when glycine is added as an additional substance. These observations are explained due to the formation of negative papain ions in a low p_H region. The possibility of the adsorption or the release of the counter ions is ruled out.The authors wish to thank Dr.R. C. Mehrotra, Professor and the Head of the Chemistry Department for providing all the facilities for this work. We are also thankful to the Ministry of Education, Government of India, for the award of a research scholarship to one of us (V.K.S.).     

Estimation of substituted phosphates such as dibutyl and monobutyl phosphates, based on their reaction with lanthanum-Xylenol Orange complex

Development of a new method for the estimation of substituted phosphates such as dibutyl phosphate (DBP) and monobutyl phosphate (MBP) is described in this paper. The method is based on the decolouration of lanthanum-Xylenol Orange complex by DBP and MBP at pH 5.     

Determination of chlorpyrifos 20% EC (Dursban 20 EC) in scented rose and its products

The method for determination of chlorpyrifos is validated and dissipation behaviour of residue in scented rose and percent transfer in different products is described. GC-electron-capture detection with a HP-1, 30 m x 0.53 mm, 3.0 microm capillary column and nitrogen at 1 ml/min was used in the study. Plant matrices studied were: leaves, flowers, soil, rose water, absolute and concrete. Detector response linearity and sensitivity, limit of detection and determination, percent recovery were determined based on area response (mm2) of the standard. Analytical field and laboratory samples (rose water by hydro-distillation of the flowers, concrete and absolute by hexane extraction and condensation) were analysed for evaluation of the method. Samples were extracted with acetone, partitioned with water, saturated sodium chloride solution and dichloromethane. The organic layer was rotary-evaporated to 2 ml for cleanup with silica-carbon column. The column was eluted with dichloromethane-toluene-acetone (10:2:2, v/v/v) and the derived solution was rotary-evaporated to 5 ml for end analysis. Matrix enhancement effect was observed for leaf and soil samples for which corrective approach was followed to compensate for overestimation of the residue. Limit of detection for chlorpyrifos standard was 0.05 mg/l with good linearity of detector response (R2 = 0.99). Percent recovery ranged from 78 to 117% in different plant matrices (fortification level 1, 4 and 8 mg/l). Dissipation behaviour showed that chlorpyrifos was below detection limit by the 12th day of application on the scented rose with half life of 3.40 days on leaves and 3.10 days on flowers at 0.1% dosage. Percent transfer studies showed that 5.71, 46.91 and 38.80% of the residue from flowers was transferred to rose water, concrete and absolute, respectively.     

Stability of AQUO-organic silver iodide sol

Summary The coagulation concentration for silver iodide sol, both in presence of pyridine and dioxane, increases for mono- and bivalent coagulating electrolyte. In presence of a mixture of pyridine and dioxane in equal volume, the coagulation concentration assumes an intermediate value, which is nearer to dioxane. However, in presence of dioxane more bivalent electrolyte is needed than in presence of pyridine. If a bivalent coagulating electrolyte is added to a sol containing a mixture of pyridine and dioxane, the amount of electrolyte required to coagulate is less than pyridine and greater than dioxane. Thus silver iodide sol is more stable toward mono- and bivalent coagulating electrolytes. The degree of stabilization increases with the decrease of the dielectric constant of the dispersing medium. The intermediate values for dioxane pyridine mixture is accountable by the fact that dioxane acts as a solvent for pyridine. The PH value of the sol increases up to the coagulation point. Beyond this, there is an abrupt decrease. When the particles settle down completely a rise in PH is again noted on the further addition of electrolytes. The increase in the electrical conductance is more significant after coagulation. These changes have been explained by adsorption of the ions and due to the release of ions from the electrical double layer.

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Zusammenfassung Die Koagulationskonzentration für Silberjodidsol in Gegenwart von Pyridin und Dioxan steigt für ein- und zweiwertige Elektrolyte an. In Gegenwart einer Mischung zu gleichen Volumen erh?lt man mittlere Werte, n?her denen zu Dioxan. Für Koagulation in Gegenwart von Dioxan ist jedoch mehr zweiwertiger Elektrolyt notwendig als in Gegenwart von Pyridin. Bei Koagulation mit zweiwertigem Elektrolyt verbraucht ein Sol mit der Mischung von Pyridin und Dioxan weniger als für Pyridin und mehr als für Dioxan. Daher ist das Silbersol gegenüber ein- und zweiwertigen Elektrolyten stabiler. Der Grad der Stabilisierung w?chst mit abnehmender Dielektrizit?tskonstante des Dispersionsmediums. Die Zwischenwerte der Dioxan-Pyridin-Mischungen lassen sich verstehen durch die Tatsache, da? Dioxan als L?sungsmittel für Pyridin wirkt. Der PH-Wert des Sols w?chst bis zum Koagulationspunkt, darüberhinaus erfolgt ein steiler Abfall. Wenn die Teilchen vollst?ndig absetzen, ist bei weiterer Zugabe von Elektrolyt ein erneuter Anstieg im PH feststellbar. Der Anstieg der elektrolytischen Leitf?higkeit wird nach der Koagulation ausgepr?gter. Diese ?nderungen lassen sich durch Ionenadsorption und Freiwerden von Ionen aus der elektrischen Doppelschicht erkl?ren.

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Our thanks are due to Prof. R. C. Mehrotra for providing all the facilities for this work and to Prof. S. Ghosh of Allahabad University for helpful discussions. Thanks are also due to the University Grants Commission, Government of India, for the award of a research scholarship to one of us (V. K. S.).