The dependence of the conduction band edge of the alkali earth metal bismuthates on their composition

We present a comparative analysis of the conduction band edge of the alkali earth metal bismuthates containing Mg, Ca, Sr, and Ba. The conduction band edges were computed using the method suggested by Butler and Ginley. The calculations reveal that they depend on the bismuthate’s composition and vary over a wide range. We demonstrate that the energy of the conduction band increases in the series Ca?→?Sr?→?Ba. It also increases with an increase of the alkali earth metal content. The performed calculations help to determine the potential alkali earth metal bismuthate photocatalysts. The most promising compositions found in this study include strontium and barium bismuthates in which the number of the alkali earth metal atoms in the cationic sublattice exceeds the number of the bismuth atoms.     

Orientationally polarized dependence of image contrast in doped lithium niobate crystals

In lithium niobate crystals doped with photorefractive iron and copper admixtures when lightening objects with broadband incoherent radiation one can observe typical orientation and polarized dependences of image contrast. The record does not realize at orientation of light bands in the image parallel to the polar axis of the crystal.     

Experimental Study of the Rate of Unsteady Fluid Flow from a Prefilled Vessel

The variation of the flow-rate of a fluid flowing out of a prefilled cylindrical vessel through sinkholes with a diameter less than 0.1 of the vessel diameter has been studied experimentally. The study was carried out in both the presence and the absence of a vortex funnel around the sinkhole. In these experiments the vessel was filled in such a way that a funnel was formed only when a disk immersed in the fluid was rotated before the sinkhole was opened. The time dependence of the flow-rate is found for various initial heights and rates of artificial swirl. Four different outflow stages were detected. It is shown that for certain flow parameters there is a time interval on which the fluid flow-rate is independent of the column height. A critical rotation velocity W _0* below which (W ₀ < W _0*) an intense funnel is not formed is found. A limiting curve approached by all the flow-rate curves in the final stage of outflow is obtained.__________Translated from Izvestiya Rossiiskoi Academii Nauk, Mekhanika Zhidkosti i Gaza, No. 2, 2005, pp. 113–121.Original Russian Text Copyright © 2005 by Shtarev.     

The influence of the acetate group in the polyvinyl alcohol structure on the direct blackening photostimulated processes in the polymer–zinc oxide–salt of metal photosensitive composition

In this presented paper, we will investigate the photographic characteristics of photosensitive compositions which consist of a polymer, zinc oxide and salt of metal using the examples of PVA–ZnO–BiCl₃ and PVA–ZnO–Pb(CH₃COO)₂ compositions. An experimental result of the dependence between the photographic characteristics of a similar system and the content of the acetate groups in the polymer structure, and its explanation are presented here.     

Impact of a chlorine ions concentration in sensitizer solution on the photographic characteristics of polyvinyl alcohol–zinc oxide–bismuth chloride composition

The influence of chlorine ions concentration in sensitizer's solution on photographic properties of light sensitive composition PVA–ZnO–BiCl₃ is described. It is shown that various complexes of sensitizer develop various light sensitivities. A complex of sensitizer using of which allows getting light sensitive composition with the best photographic characteristics is determined. The received results allow improving photographic properties of light sensitive composition and offering a mechanism of optic blackening formation.     

Partially bridge-fluorinated dimethyl bicyclo[1.1.1]pentane-1,3-dicarboxylates: preparation and NMR spectra

Direct fluorination of dimethyl bicyclo[1.1.1]pentane-1,3-dicarboxylate, obtained from [1.1.1]propellane prepared by an improved synthetic procedure, furnished esters of 14 of the 15 possible bridge-fluorinated bicyclo[1.1.1]pentane-1,3-dicarboxylic acids, isolated by preparative GC. Calculated geometries reflect the substitution pattern in a regular fashion compatible with Bent's rules. Considerable additional strain is introduced into the bicyclo[1.1.1]pentane cage by polyfluorination; it is calculated to be as high as 33-35 kcal/mol for hexasubstitution. Three arrangements of the fluorine substituents are especially strain-rich: geminal, proximate, and W-related. The (1)H, (13)C, and (19)F NMR spectra exhibit a striking variety of chemical shifts and long-range coupling constants. These are in good agreement with results calculated with neglect of the bridgehead substituents for all of the chemical shifts by the GIAO-RHF/6-31G//RHF/6-31G and GIAO-RHF/6-31G//MP2/6-31G methods and for many of the coupling constants by the EOM-CCSD/6-311G//MP2/6-311G method. The proximate (4)J(FF) constants are particularly large (50-100 Hz) and show an inverse linear dependence on the calculated F-F distance in the range 2.43-2.58 A.     

Experiment on Vortex Formation in a Fluid Flowing out of a Reservoir

Experimental data on vortex formation near the sinkhole in a fluid flowing out of a reservoir are analyzed. An experimental facility which makes it possible to study the influence of various factors on vortex formation near a sinkhole has been designed and built. In the experiments performed, a vortex was observed only if before the sinkhole was opened a rotating disk was immersed in the fluid. In the steady-state flow regime, a brief rotation of the disk resulted in the formation and subsequent damping of a vortex. For a preswirled fluid, the formation of a vortex crater depends on the sinkhole location.     

Radiological dose assessment of naturally occurring radioactive materials in concrete building materials

Previous studies have shown that the natural radioactivity contained in building materials have significantly influenced the dose rates in dwelling. Exposure to natural radiation in building has been of concerned since almost 80 % of our daily live are spend indoor. Thus, the aim of the study is to assess the radiological risk associated by natural radioactivity in soil based building materials to dwellers. A total of 13 Portland cement, 46 sand and 43 gravel samples obtained from manufacturers or bought directly from local hardware stores in Peninsular of Malaysia were analysed for their radioactivity concentrations. The activity concentrations of ²²⁶Ra, ²³²Th and ⁴⁰K in the studied building materials samples were found to be in the range of 3.7–359.3, 2.0–370.8 and 10.3–1,949.5 Bq kg^?1 respectively. The annual radiation dose rates (μSv year^?1) received by dwellers were evaluated for 1 to 50 years of exposure using Resrad-Build Computer Code based on the activity concentration of ²²⁶Ra, ²³²Th and ⁴⁰K found in the studied building material samples. The rooms modelling were based on the changing parameters of concrete wall thickness and the room dimensions. The annual radiation dose rates to dwellers were found to increase annually over a period of 50 years. The concrete thicknesses were found to have significantly influenced the dose rates in building. The self-absorption occurred when the concrete thickness was thicker than 0.4 m. Results of this study shows that the dose rates received by the dwellers of the building are proportional to the size of the room. In general the study concludes that concrete building materials; Portland cements, sands, and gravels in Peninsular of Malaysia does not pose radiological hazard to the building dwellers.     

Zeaxanthin Production by Novel Marine Isolates from Coastal sand of India and its Antioxidant Properties

Zeaxanthin carotenoids are class of commercially important natural products and diverse biomolecules produced by plants and many microorganisms. Bacteria often produce a cocktail of polar and nonpolar carotenoids limiting their industrial applications. Marine members of the family Flavobacteriaceae are known to produce potential carotenoids such as astaxanthin and zeaxanthin. A few bacterial species have been reported for the predominant production zeaxanthin. Here, we report the molecular identification of the zeaxanthin as a major carotenoid produced by two novel bacteria (YUAB-SO-11 and YUAB-SO-45) isolated from sandy beaches of South West Coast of India and the effect of carbon sources on the production of zeaxanthin. The strains were identified based on the 16S rRNA gene sequencing as a member of genus Muricauda. The closest relatives of YUAB-SO-11 and YUAB-SO-45 were Muricauda aquimarina (JCM 11811^T) (98.9 %) and Muricauda olearia (JCM 15563^T) (99.2 %), respectively, indicating that both of these strains might represent a novel species. The highest level of zeaxanthin production was achieved (YUAB-SO-11, 1.20?±?0.11 mg g^?1) and (YUAB-SO-45, 1.02?±?0.13 mg g^?1) when cultivated in marine broth supplemented with 2 % NaCl (pH 7) and incubated at 30 °C. Addition of 0.1 M glutamic acid, an intermediate of citric acid cycle, enhanced the zeaxanthin production as 18 and 14 % by the strains YUAB-SO-11 and YUAB-SO-45 respectively. The zeaxanthin showed in vitro nitric oxide scavenging, inhibition of lipid peroxidation, and 2,2-diphenyl-1-picryl hydrazyl scavenging activities higher than the commercial zeaxanthin. The results of this study suggest that two novel strains YUAB-SO-11 and YUAB-SO-45 belonging to genus Muricauda produce zeaxanthin as a predominant carotenoid, and higher production of zeaxanthin was achieved on glutamic acid supplementation. The pigment showed good in vitro antioxidant activity, which can be exploited further for commercial applications.