On the size effects in an electron hole drop

It is found theoretically that the work function in an (EHD) decreases as the number of pairs in the drop falls. This is in qualitative agreement with the experimental results.     

Explicit cosmological coarse graining via spatial averaging

The present matter density of the Universe, while highly inhomogeneous on small scales, displays approximate homogeneity on large scales. We propose that whereas it is justified to use the Friedmann–Lemaître–Robertson–Walker (FLRW) line element (which describes an exactly homogeneous and isotropic universe) as a template to construct luminosity distances in order to compare observations with theory, the evolution of the scale factor in such a construction must be governed not by the standard Einstein equations for the FLRW metric, but by the modified Friedmann equations derived by Buchert (Gen Relat Gravit 32:105, 2000; 33:1381, 2001) in the context of spatial averaging in Cosmology. Furthermore, we argue that this scale factor, defined in the spatially averaged cosmology, will correspond to the effective FLRW metric provided the size of the averaging domain coincides with the scale at which cosmological homogeneity arises. This allows us, in principle, to compare predictions of a spatially averaged cosmology with observations, in the standard manner, for instance by computing the luminosity distance versus red-shift relation. The predictions of the spatially averaged cosmology would in general differ from standard FLRW cosmology, because the scale-factor now obeys the modified FLRW equations. This could help determine, by comparing with observations, whether or not cosmological inhomogeneities are an alternative explanation for the observed cosmic acceleration.     

Determination of plutonium by secondary coulometric titration with internally generated iron(II)

The method for plutonium determination based on secondary controlled-potential coulometry, as described by SHULTS, is applied for analysis in the range of 0.1–5 mg plutonium. The method involves the oxidation of plutonium to Pu(VI) with perchloric acid followed by its reduction by an internally generated ferrous mediator. This is a two step procedure, involving the reduction of Pu(VI) and Fe(III) to a mixture of Pu(III) and Fe(II), followed by the oxidation of Pu(III) and Fe(II) to Pu(IV) and Fe(III), respectively. The net results is the reduction of Pu(VI) to Pu(IV), measured as the difference between the currents consumed during the reduction and oxidation steps. The original method of SHULTS involves 10–25 mg plutonium for each determination. Since the present method is intended for the analysis of smaller amounts of plutonium, the oxidation procedure described in the original version had to be modified. The method is found to work satisfactorily with a precision better than 0.1% at 5 mg level and 1.2% for 0.1 mg plutonium.     

CONTROLLING THE 3D NANOSCALE ORGANIZATION OF BULK HETEROJUNCTION POLYMER SOLAR CELLS

In this study,the three dimensional nanoscale organization in the photoactive layers of poly(3-hexylthiophene) (P3HT) and a methanofullerene derivative (PCBM) is revealed by transmission electron tomography.After annealing treatment,either at elevated temperature or during slow solvent evaporation,nanoscale interpenetrating networks are formed with high crystalline order and favorable concentration gradients of both components through the thickness of the photoactive layer.Such a tailored morphology acco...     

Novelties of solid-liquid phase transfer catalysed synthesis of p-toluenesulfonyl fluoride from p-toluenesulfonyl chloride

Organic sulfonyl fluorides are of interest owing to their insecticidal, germicidal and enzyme inhibitory properties. In the current work, synthesis of p-toluenesufonyl fluoride was accomplished by reacting p-toluenesulfonyl chloride with solid potassium fluoride using PEG-400 as a catalyst under solid-liquid phase transfer catalysis (S-L PTC) at 30 °C. p-Toluenesulfonyl fluoride is used as peroxygen bleach activator. It also finds use in the treatment of Alzheimer's disease. The mechanism is based on homogeneous solubilization of solid. PEG forms a complex with metal cation which associates with the nucleophile and it participates in SN₂ type reactions. The reaction is intrinsically kinetically controlled. A complete theoretical analysis is done to determine both the rate constant and equilibrium constant from the same set of data. The activation energy and Gibbs free energy are also calculated.     

Haldane-like antiferromagnetic spin chain in the large anisotropy limit

We consider the one dimensional, periodic spin chain with N sites, similar to the one studied by Haldane [1], however in the opposite limit of very large anisotropy and small nearest neighbour, anti-ferromagnetic exchange coupling between the spins, which are of large magnitude s. For a chain with an even number of sites we show that actually the ground state is non-degenerate and given by a superposition of the two Neél states, due to quantum spin tunnelling. With an odd number of sites, the Neél state must necessarily contain a soliton. The position of the soliton is arbitrary thus the ground state is N-fold degenerate. This set of states reorganizes into a band. We show that this occurs at order 2s in perturbation theory. The ground state is non-degenerate for integer spin, but degenerate for half-odd integer spin as is required by Kramers' theorem [18].     

QCD estimates for associated charm production by weak neutral currents

We give quantitative estimates for associated charm production in neutrino and antineutrino induced neutral current interactions, based on (a) quantum chromodynamics (QCD) and (b) the quark parton model (QPM) and a phenomenological generalization thereof. We emphasize the need for a precise measurement of the ratio σ(v_μN→v_μe⁺X)/σ(v_μN→μ^?X) and the corresponding ratio for antineutrinos, as these can provide clean tests of certain characteristic features of QCD. Bounds are obtained for single charm production by charm-changing neutral currents.     

Cosmic inhomogeneities and averaged cosmological dynamics

If general relativity (GR) describes the expansion of the Universe, the observed cosmic acceleration implies the existence of a "dark energy." However, while the Universe is on average homogeneous on large scales, it is inhomogeneous on smaller scales. While GR governs the dynamics of the inhomogeneous Universe, the averaged homogeneous Universe obeys modified Einstein equations. Can such modifications alone explain the acceleration? For a simple generic model with realistic initial conditions, we show the answer to be "no." Averaging effects negligibly influence the cosmological dynamics.