Functional Carbazole Liquid‐Crystal Block Codendrimers with Optical and Electronic Properties

The synthesis and characterisation of a family of block codendrimers consisting of highly versatile mesogenic and carbazole‐containing 2,2‐bis(hydroxymethyl)propionic acid (bis‐MPA) dendrons are reported. The liquid‐crystal behaviour was investigated by means of differential scanning calorimetry, polarised‐light optical microscopy and X‐ray diffraction. Depending on the chemical structure of the constituent dendrons, the codendrimers show lamellar or columnar mesophases. On the basis of the experimental results, models both at the molecular level and in the mesophase are proposed. The physical properties of the block codendrimers derived from the presence of the carbazole moiety in their structure were investigated: photoluminescence in solution and in the mesophase, electrochemical behaviour and hole transport. Electrodeposition of carbazole dendrons afforded a globular supramolecular conformation in which the mesogenic molecular side plays a key role.     

Residual currents and corridor of flow in the Rio de la Plata

The Rio de la Plata is a large and shallow water body that discharges onto the Atlantic Ocean. The main driving forces for the river flow are the bathymetry, tides, the outflow from the Paraná and Uruguay rivers and the winds. A numerical model covering the entire river was set up with the objective of increasing our understanding of the hydrographical features and morphological dynamics in the Estuary. The simulations revealed a counter-clockwise residual circulation in the Samborombón Bay and an eastward net flow near the Uruguayan coast. The residual flow is forced by both the tides and the bathymetry. The residence time for the entire river ranges from 40 to 80 days. However, residence times above 120 days was found in the Samborombón Bay. Three corridors of flow have been identified.     

Preparation and electrical characterization of (PVC + KBrO3) polymer electrolytes for solid state battery applications

This paper presents results of studies on dc electrical conductivity and transference number measurements on potassium bromate (KBrO₃) complexed polyvinyl chloride (PVC) films prepared by solution cast technique. Temperature dependence of dc electrical conductivity and transference number data indicated the dominance of ion type charge transport in these specimens. The magnitude of conductivity increased with increase in concentration of the salt and temperature. Using this (PVC + KBrO₃) electrolyte, solid-state electrochemical cells were fabricated, and their discharge profiles were studied under a constant load of 100 kΩ. Several cell profiles such as open circuit voltage, short circuit current, power density, and energy density associated with these cells were evaluated and were reported. The features of complexation of the electrolytes were studied by X-ray diffraction and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy. Paper presented at the Third International Conference on Ionic Devices (ICID 2006), Chennai, Tamilnadu, India, Dec. 7–9, 2006     

Time-scale and excitation energy partition in sequential binary decays induced by heavy-ion collisions at ≃6 MeV·A

We studied the sequential binary decay of the systems ³²S+⁴⁵Sc, ⁷⁶Ge, ⁸⁹Y, ⁵⁹Co, ⁶³Cu and ¹⁹F+⁶³Cu induced by collisions at ≃6 MeV·A. The two stages of the process have reaction-times compatible with the dynamics of different mechanisms. The study of the excitation energy partition shows that the reaction mechanism of the first step has influence on the de-excitation of the primary fragments producing two decay components which have different time scale. Received: 25 March 1997 / Revised version: 2 December 1997     

Phase Transitions in the Early Universe with Negatively Induced Supergravity Cosmological Constant

We consider that the observable cosmological constant is the sum of the vacuum （Avac） and the induced term （Aind - 3m^2/4） with m being the ultra-llght masses （≈ Hubble parameter） implemented in the theory from supergravities arguments and non-minimal coupling. In the absence of a scalar buildup of matter fields, we study its effects on spontaneous symmetry breaking with a Higgs potential and show how the presence of the ultra-light masses yields some important consequences for the early universe and new constraints on the Higgs and electroweak gauge bosons masses.     

Reactivity ratios of ethyl acrylate,n-butyl methacrylate copolymer system by 1H-NMR

Ethyl acrylate (EA) and n-butyl methacrylate (n-BMA) copolymers were prepared in solution and the composition of the copolymer samples was estimated by ¹H-NMR spectroscopic techniques. Because the characteristic signals, which vary with the composition of the copolymer, were absent, the ratio of intensities of down-field protons to that of the total protons was used for the estimation of copolymer composition. Reactivity ratios were calculated from these values by using the Kelen-Tudos differential linear equation.     

Application of micellar electrokinetic chromatography to the quality control of a pharmaceutical preparation containing three bronchodilators

Theophylline(1,3-dimethylxanthine), dyphylline [7-(2,3-dihydroxypropyl)theophylline] and proxyphylline [7-(beta-hydroxypropyl)theophylline] are three bronchodilators administered jointly in a single pharmaceutical preparation used against asthma. A micellar electrokinetic chromatography (MEKC) method for their resolution using a background electrolyte consisting of 20 mM tetraborate at pH 8.5 and 100 mM sodium dodecyl sulfate is proposed. The method was used to determine the three active principles in a pharmaceutical preparation. The small amount of sample required and the expeditiousness of the procedure allow content uniformity to be determined in individual tablets. The values of the validation parameters for the method (viz. selectivity, linearity, accuracy, precision, limit of detection, limit of quantitation and robustness) are reported. A complete factor design (2(3)x2) including pH, the surfactant concentration and the ionic strength of the background electrolyte as factors was used to estimate robustness. Based on the results, the method is robust enough for quantitation purposes.