On the out of phase appearance of large-scale diffuse magnetic field of the sun with respect to sunspots

We assume the large-scale diffuse magnetic field of the Sun to originate from the poloidal component of a dynamo operating at the base of the convection zone, whereas the sunspots are due to the toroidal component. The evolution of the poloidal component is studied to model the poleward migration of the diffuse field seen on the solar surface and the polar reversal at the time of sunspot maxima (Dikpati and Choudhuri 1994, 1995).

New La2CuO4 derivatives La(2-2x)Sr(2x)Cu(1-x)M(x)O(4) (M=Ti, Mn, Fe, or Ru): A study of linear Cu-O-M electronic interaction in two dimensions

Oxides of the general formula La2-2xSr2xCu1-xII,M(x)(IV)O(4) (M = Ti, Mn, Fe, or Ru), crystallizing in the tetragonal K,NIF, structure, have been synthesized. For M=Ti, only the x=0,5 member could be prepared, while for M=Mn and Fe, the composition range is 0 Cu(III)-O-Fe(III) valence degeneracy. Increasing the strontium content at the expense of lanthanum in La2-2xSr2xCu1-xFexO4 for x less than or equal to 0.20 renders the samples metallic but not superconducting. (C) 1997 Academic Press.

On the explicit determination of the polar decomposition in n-dimensional vector spaces

A method for the explicit determination of the polar decomposition (and the related problem of finding tensor square roots) when the underlying vector space dimension n is arbitrary (but finite), is proposed. The method uses the spectral resolution, and avoids the determination of eigenvectors when the tensor is invertible. For any given dimension n, an appropriately constructed van der Monde matrix is shown to play a key role in the construction of each of the component matrices (and their inverses) in the polar decomposition.

Optimal crop planning and conjunctive use of water resources in a coastal river basin

Due to increasing trend of intensive rice cultivation in a coastal river basin, crop planning and groundwater management are imperative for the sustainable agriculture. For effective management, two models have been developed viz. groundwater balance model and optimum cropping and groundwater management model to determine optimum cropping pattern and groundwater allocation from private and government tubewells according to different soil types (saline and non-saline), type of agriculture (rainfed and irrigated) and seasons (monsoon and winter). A groundwater balance model has been developed considering mass balance approach. The components of the groundwater balance considered are recharge from rainfall, irrigated rice and non-rice fields, base flow from rivers and seepage flow from surface drains. In the second phase, a linear programming optimization model is developed for optimal cropping and groundwater management for maximizing the economic returns. The models developed were applied to a portion of coastal river basin in Orissa State, India and optimal cropping pattern for various scenarios of river flow and groundwater availability was obtained.

The thickness dependence of the electrical and dielectric properties in the laser ablated SrBi2Nb2O9 thin films

he thickness dependence of the electrical properties in the thin films of uniaxial SrBi2Nb2O9 has been studied in this report. According to many published literatures, it could be an effective way to identify the basic conduction process. The laser ablation was chosen as the deposition technique to ensure an oriented growth and a proper stoichiometric deposition. The structural, dielectric and conduction properties were studied as a function of thickness. The films showed good ferroelectric properties, an ordered growth, and a space-charge controlled conduction process, which was double checked by reversing the polarity of the applied voltage, and also by examining the high field current response of the sample varying in thickness.

Certain Novel Aspects of Thallium and Bismuth Cuprate Superconductors

Novel superconducting thallium cuprates of the type T1Ca1‐X LnX Sr2 Cu2O6+δ (Ln = Y or rare earth), T1Srn+1‐x Lnx Cun OY and Tl1‐x PbX Srn+1Cun08+δ are described. These cuprates as well as Bi2Ca1‐x Lnx Sr2Cu2O8+δ and TICa1‐xYxBa2 Cu2 O6+δ . show maximum T around a specific composition or oxygen content. They also show interesting changes in the sign and magnitude of the thermopower with the composition. Specially noteworthy is the negative slope of the thermopower‐temperature plots. The thermopower behaviour in these two‐band systems can be understood in terms of entropie and quasiparticle contributions. It appears that Tl1‐x Pbx CaSr2Cu2O6+δ is a genuine high T electron superconductor.

Fabrication of Yy‐Pr1‐y ‐Ba‐Cu‐O Thin Films and Superlattices of ‐Ba‐Cu‐O/Yy‐Pr1‐y ‐Ba‐Cu‐O

We have prepared epitaxial thin films of Yy‐Pr1‐y‐Ba‐Cu‐O (y= 1 to 0) and superlattices of Y‐Ba‐Cu‐O/Yy‐Pr1‐y ‐Ba‐Cu‐O using pulsed laser deposition technique. The zero resistance transition temperatures of Yy‐Pr1‐y‐Ba‐Cu‐O bulk samples are reproduced in the films. The composition oscillations in the superlattices are observed by SIMS. The films and superlattices are found to have c‐axis orientations and good crystallinity.

The central region of meso-3,4-diphenylhexane-2,5-dione

As with 1,2-diphenylethane (dpe), X-ray crystallographic methods measure the central bond in meso-3,4-diphenylhexane-2,5-done (dphd) as significantly shorter than normal for an sp(3)-sp(3) bond. The same methods measure the benzylic (ethane C-Ph) bonds in dphd as unusually long for sp(3)-sp(2) liaisons. Torsional motions of the phenyl rings about the C-Ph bonds have been proposed as the artifacts behind the result of a 'short' central bond in dpe. While a similar explanation can, presumably, hold for the even 'shorter' central bond in dphd, it cannot account for the 'long' C-Ph bonds. The phenyl groups, departing much from regular hexagonal shape, adopt highly skewed conformations with respect to the plane constituted by the four central atoms. It is thought that-the thermal motions of the phenyl rings, conditioned by the potential wells in which they are ensconced in the unit cell, are largely libratory around their normal axes. In what appears to be a straightforward explanation under the 'rigid-body' concept, it appears that these libratory motions of the phenyl rings, that account, at the same time, for the 'short' central bond, are the artifacts behind the 'long' measurement of the C-Ph bonds. These motions could be superimposed on torsional motions analogous to those proposed in the case of dpe. An inspection of the ORTEP diagram from the 298 K data on dphd clearly suggests these possibilities. Supportive evidence for these qualitative explanations from an analysis of the differences between the mean square displacements of C(1) and C(7)/C(1a) and C(7a) based on the 'rigid-body model' is discussed. (C) 2002 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.

An ultra-stable Cu nanowire under thermo-mechanical loading: A molecular dynamic study

We report on the formation of a stable Body-Centered Heptahedral (BCH) crystalline nanobridge structure of diameter ~ 1nm under high strain rate tensile loading to a <100> Cu nanowire. Extensive Molecular Dynamics (MD) simulations are performed. Six different cross-sectional dimensions of Cu nanowires are analyzed, i.e. 0.3615 x 0.3615 nm2, 0.723 x 0.723 nm2, 1.0845 x 1.0845 nm2, 1.446 x 1.446 nm2, 1.8075 x 1.8075 nm2, and 2.169 x 2.169 nm2. The strain rates used in the present simulations are 1 x 109 s-1, 1 x 108 s-1, and 1 x 107 s-1. We have shown that the length of the nanobridge can be characterized by larger plastic strain. A large plastic deformation is an indication that the structure is highly stable. The BCH nanobridge structure also shows enhanced mechanical properties such as higher fracture toughness and higher failure strain. The effect of temperature, strain rate and size of the nanowire on the formation of BCH structure is also explained in details. We also show that the initial orientation of the nanowires play an important role on the formation of BCH crystalline structure. Results indicate that proper tailoring of temperature and strain rate during processing or in the device can lead to very long BCH nanobridge structure of Cu with enhanced mechanical properties, which may find potential application for nano-scale electronic circuits.

Synthesis, Reactivity Studies, Structural Aspects, and Solution Behavior of Half Sandwich Ruthenium(II) N,N `,N `'-Triarylguanidinate Complexes

[(eta(6)-C(10)H(14))RuCl(mu-Cl)](2) (eta(6)-C(10)H(14) = eta(6)-p-cymene) was subjected to a bridge-splitting reaction with N,N',N `'-triarylguanidines, (ArNH)(2)C=NAr, in toluene at ambient temperature to afford [(eta(6)-C(10)H(14))RuCl{kappa(2)(N,N')((ArN)(2)C-N(H)Ar)}] (Ar = C(6)H(4)Me-4 (1), C(6)H(4)(OMe)-2 (2), C(6)H(4)Me-2 (3), and C(6)H(3)Me(2)-2,4 (4)) in high yield with a view aimed at understanding the influence of substituent(s) on the aryl rings of the guanidine upon the solid-state structure, solution behavior, and reactivity pattern of the products. Complexes 1-3 upon reaction with NaN(3) in ethanol at ambient temperature afforded [(eta(6)-C(10)H(14))RuN(3){kappa(2)(N,N')((ArN)(2)C-N(H)Ar)}] (Ar = C(6)H(4)Me-4 (5), C(6)H(4)(OMe)-2 (6), and C(6)H(4)Me-2 (7)) in high yield. [3 + 2] cycloaddition reaction of 5-7 with RO(O)C-C C-C(O)OR (R = Et (DEAD) and Me (DMAD)) (diethylacetylenedicarboxylate, DEAD; dimethylacetylenedicarboxylate, DMAD) in CH(2)Cl(2) at ambient temperature afforded [(eta(6)-C(10)H(14))Ru{N(3)C(2)(C(O)OR)(2)}{kappa(2)(N,N')((ArN)(2) C-N(H)Ar)}center dot xH(2)O (x = 1, R = Et, Ar = C(6)H(4)Me-4 (8 center dot H(2)O); x = 0, R = Me, Ar = C(6)H(4)(OMe)-2 (9), and C(6)H(4)Me-2 (10)) in moderate yield. The molecular structures of 1-6, 8 center dot H(2)O, and 10 were determined by single crystal X-ray diffraction data. The ruthenium atom in the aforementioned complexes revealed pseudo octahedral ``three legged piano stool'' geometry. The guanidinate ligand in 2, 3, and 6 revealed syn-syn conformation and that in 4, and 10 revealed syn-anti conformation, and the conformational difference was rationalized on the basis of subtle differences in the stereochemistry of the coordinated nitrogen atoms caused by the aryl moiety in 3 and 4 or steric overload caused by the substituents around the ruthenium atom in 10. The bonding pattern of the CN(3) unit of the guanidinate ligand in the new complexes was explained by invoking n-pi conjugation involving the interaction of the NHAr/N(coord)Ar lone pair with C=N pi* orbital of the imine unit. Complexes 1, 2, 5, 6, 8 center dot H(2)O, and 9 were shown to exist as a single isomer in solution as revealed by NMR data, and this was ascribed to a fast C-N(H)Ar bond rotation caused by a less bulky aryl moiety in these complexes. In contrast, 3 and 10 were shown to exist as a mixture of three and five isomers in about 1:1:1 and 1.0:1.2:2:7:3.5:6.9 ratios, respectively in solution as revealed by a VT (1)H NMR, (1)H-(1)H COSY in conjunction with DEPT-90 (13)C NMR data measured at 233 K in the case of 3. The multiple number of isomers in solution was ascribed to the restricted C-N(H)(o-tolyl) bond rotation caused by the bulky o-tolyl substituent in 3 or the aforementioned restricted C-NH(o-tolyl) bond rotation as well as the restricted ruthenium-arene(centroid) bond rotation caused by the substituents around the ruthenium atom in 10.

Structural characterisation of reaction zone for friction stir welded aluminium-stainless steel joint

In the present investigation, commercially pure Al has been joined with 304 stainless steel (SS) by friction stir welding. The assembly finds widespread application in the field of cryogenics, nuclear, structural industries and domestic appliances. Microstructural characterisation was carried out using scanning and transmission electron microscopes. It has been found that diffusion of Fe, Cr and Ni is substantial within Al; however, diffusion of Al within 304SS is limited. Owing to interdiffusion of chemical species across the bondline, discrete islands of Fe3Al intermetallic form within the reaction zone. The rubbing action of tool over the butting edge of 304SS removed fine particles from 304SS, which were embedded in the stirring zone of Al matrix. Subsequently, austenite underwent phase transformation to ferrite due to large strain within this grain. Fracture path mainly moves through stirring zone of Al alloy under tensile loading; however, in some places, presence of Fe3Al compound has been also found.

Quasi-static crack tip fields in rate-sensitive FCC single crystals

In this work, the effects of loading rate, material rate sensitivity and constraint level on quasi-static crack tip fields in a FCC single crystal are studied. Finite element simulations are performed within a mode I, plane strain modified boundary layer framework by prescribing the two term (K-T) elastic crack tip field as remote boundary conditions. The material is assumed to obey a rate-dependent crystal plasticity theory. The orientation of the single crystal is chosen so that the crack surface coincides with the crystallographic (010) plane and the crack front lies along 101] direction. Solutions corresponding to different stress intensity rates K., T-stress values and strain rate exponents m are obtained. The results show that the stress levels ahead of the crack tip increase with K. which is accompanied by gradual shrinking of the plastic zone size. However, the nature of the shear band patterns around the crack tip is not affected by the loading rate. Further, it is found that while positive T-stress enhances the opening and hydrostatic stress levels ahead of crack tip, they are considerably reduced with imposition of negative T-stress. Also, negative T-stress promotes formation of shear bands in the forward sector ahead of the crack tip and suppresses them behind the tip.

Typhoid fever & vaccine development: a partially answered question

Typhoid fever is a systemic disease caused by the human specific Gram-negative pathogen Salmonella enterica serovar Typhi (S Typhi). The extra-intestinal infections caused by Salmonella are very fatal. The incidence of typhoid fever remains very high in impoverished areas and the emergence of multidrug resistance has made the situation worse. To combat and to reduce the morbidity and mortality caused by typhoid fever, many preventive measures and strategies have been employed, the most important being vaccination. In recent years, many Salmonella vaccines have been developed including live attenuated as well as DNA vaccines and their clinical trials have shown encouraging results. But with the increasing antibiotic resistance, the development of potent vaccine candidate for typhoid fever is a need of the hour. This review discusses the latest trends in the typhoid vaccine development and the clinical trials which are underway.