Aducts of Lanthanide Perchlorates with N,N,N',N'-Tetramethyl Oxydiacetamide

Lanthanide coordination complexes with unidentate and bidentate amide ligands have been widely reported in the literature[l].In contrast, however, coordination compounds with tridentate ligands and with ligands containing ether oxygen as donor atoms to lanthanides have received little attention. In this paper we report the preparation and characterization of complexes formed by the interaction of the lanthanide perchlorates with N, N, N', N'- tetramethyloxydiacetamide (TMODA). The new complexes have been characterized by analysis, conductance, IR and electronic spectra. In addition, ~H and '3C NMR spectra of the ligand and its diamagnetic La ~+ and y3+ complexes are also discussed.

Study of Layering Procedures in Finite-Element Analysis of RC Flexural and Torsional Elements

A new postcracking formulation for concrete, along with both implicit and explicit layering procedures, is used in the analysis of reinforced-concrete (RC) flexural and torsional elements. The postcracking formulation accounts for tension stiffening in concrete along the rebar directions, compression softening in cracked concrete based on either stresses or strains, and aggregate interlock based on crack-confining normal stresses. Transverse shear stresses computed using the layering procedures are included in material model considerations that permit the development of inclined cracks through the RC cross section. Examples of a beam analyzed by both the layering techniques, a torsional element, and a column-slab connection region analyzed by the implicit layering procedure are presented here. The study highlights the primary advantages and disadvantages of each layering approach, identifying the class of problems where the application of either procedure is more suitable.

Simulation of the infrared spectra of thioacetamide by the extended molecular mechanics method

The infrared spectrum of the matrix-isolated species of thioacetamide has been simulated using the extended molecular mechanics method. The equilibrium structure, vibrational frequencies, dipole moment and infrared absorption intensities of thioacetamide have been calculated in good agreement with the experiment. The vibrational frequencies and infrared absorption intensities for the isotopic molecules (CH2CSNH2)-C-13, (CH3CSNH2)-N-15 and (CH2CSND2)-C-13 have also been calculated consistent with the experiment. The infrared spectra of the matrix isolated species of N- and C- deuterated isotopomers of thioacetamide, CH3CSND2 and CD3CSNH2 have also been simulated in satisfactory agreement with the experimental spectra.

Remote detection and distinction of ants using nest-site specific LISS-derived Normalised Difference Vegetation Index

This study in Western Ghats, India, investigates the relation between nesting sites of ants and a single remotely sensed variable: the Normalised Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI). We carried out sampling in 60 plots each measuring 30 x 30 m and recorded nest sites of 13 ant species. We found that NDVI values at the nesting sites varied considerably between individual species and also between the six functional groups the ants belong to. The functional groups Cryptic Species, Tropical Climate Specialists and Specialist Predators were present in regions with high NDVI whereas Hot Climate Specialists and Opportunists were found in sites with low NDVI. As expected we found that low NDVI values were associated with scrub jungles and high NDVI values with evergreen forests. Interestingly, we found that Pachycondyla rufipes, an ant species found only in deciduous and evergreen forests, established nests only in sites with low NDVI (range = 0.015 - 0.1779). Our results show that these low NDVI values in deciduous and evergreen forests correspond to canopy gaps in otherwise closed deciduous and evergreen forests. Subsequent fieldwork confirmed the observed high prevalence of P. rufipes in these NDVI-constrained areas. We discuss the value of using NDVI for the remote detection and distinction of ant nest sites.

Self Repair in Circuits-Automating Open Fault Repair in Integrated Circuits Using Field-Induced Aggregation of Carbon Nanotubes

This paper presents studies on the use of carbon nanotubes dispersed in an insulating fluid to serve as an automaton for healing open-circuit interconnect faults in integrated circuits. The physics behind the repair mechanism is the electric-field-induced diffusion limited aggregation. On the occurrence of an open fault, the repair is automatically triggered due to the presence of an electric field across the gap. We perform studies on the repair time as a function of the electric field and dispersion concentrations with the above application in mind.

Effect of Metal Ions (Ag, Co, Ni, and Pd) on the Visible Light Degradation of Rhodamine B by Carbon-Covered Alumina-Supported TiO2 in Aqueous Solutions

Metal-ion (Ag, Co, Ni, and Pd) doped TiO2 nanocatalysts were successfully embedded on carbon-covered alumina supports. The CCA-embedded catalysts were crystalline and had a high surface area compared to the free metal-ion doped titania nanocatalysts while they still retained the anatase phase of the core TiO2. These catalysts were photocatalytically active under solar light irradiation. Rhodamine B was used as a model pollutant and the reactivity followed a pseudo-first-order reaction kinetics. The reaction rate of the CCA-supported catalysts was Pd > Ag > Co > Ni. Among the ratios of the CCA:catalyst used, it was found that the 1:1 ratio had the fastest reaction rate, followed by the 1:2 ratio, while the 2:1 ratio exhibited the lowest reaction rate. The CCA/metal-ion doped titania were found to have photocatalytic activities comparable with those of CCA-supported titania.

Superparamagnetic behaviour and T-1, T-2 relaxivity of ZnFe2O4 nanoparticles for magnetic resonance imaging

In the present study, ZnFe2O4 nanoparticles were synthesized by the chemical co-precipitation followed by calcinations at 473 and 673K for 4h. Particle sizes obtained were 4 and 6nm for the calcination temperatures of 473 and 673K, respectively. To study the origin of system's low temperature spin dynamic behaviour, temperature dependence of susceptibility was investigated as a function of particle size and frequency. Slight increase in the grain size from 4nm at 473K to 6nm at 673K has led to a peak shift of temperature dependence of susceptibility measured at a constant frequency of 400Hz. Temperature dependence of at different frequencies also resulted in peak shift. Relaxation time dependence of peak temperature obeys a power law, which provides the fitting parameters within the range of superparamagnetic nature of the particles. Further, dependence of relaxation time and peak temperature obeys VogelFulcher law rather than NeelBrown equation demonstrating that the particles follow the behaviour of superparamagnetism of slightly interacting system. Spinlattice, T-1 and spinspin, T-2 relaxivity of proton of the water molecule in the presence of chitosan-coated superparamagnetic ZnFe2O4 nanoparticle yields the values of 0.002 and 0.360s(1)perppm.