Influence of HZSM-5 catalyst on the thermal degradation of poly(vinyl chloride) in solution

The kinetics of thermal degradation of poly(vinyl chloride) (PVC) in solution was investigated at various temperatures (210-250degreesC). The degradation rate coefficients were determined from the time evolution of the molecular weight distribution (MWD). The energy of activation, determined from the temperature dependence of the rate coefficient, was 26.6 kcal/mol. The degradation of PVC was also studied in the presence of a catalyst (HZSM-5 zeolite). The results indicated that increase of the degradation rate of PVC is first order with the HZSM-5 concentration up to 50 g/L and zero order at higher concentrations. The thermal degradation kinetics of PVC in the presence of 50 g/L of the catalyst was studied at various temperatures. The temperature dependency of the rate coefficient was used to calculate the activation energy (21.5 kcal/mol). This is consistent with the observation that the presence of a catalyst generally decreases the activation energy and promotes degradation. (C) 2002 John Wiley Sons, Inc.

Partial instantiation methods for inference in first-order logic

Satisfiability algorithms for propositional logic have improved enormously in recently years. This improvement increases the attractiveness of satisfiability methods for first-order logic that reduce the problem to a series of ground-level satisfiability problems. R. Jeroslow introduced a partial instantiation method of this kind that differs radically from the standard resolution-based methods. This paper lays the theoretical groundwork for an extension of his method that is general enough and efficient enough for general logic programming with indefinite clauses. In particular we improve Jeroslow's approach by (1) extending it to logic with functions, (2) accelerating it through the use of satisfiers, as introduced by Gallo and Rago, and (3) simplifying it to obtain further speedup. We provide a similar development for a "dual" partial instantiation approach defined by Hooker and suggest a primal-dual strategy. We prove correctness of the primal and dual algorithms for full first-order logic with functions, as well as termination on unsatisfiable formulas. We also report some preliminary computational results.

Properties of the Ferrimagnetic Double-Perovskites A2FeReO6 (A=Ba and Ca)

We have synthesized ceramics of A2FeReO6 double-perovskites A2FeReO6 (A=Ba, Ca). Structural characterizations indicate a cubic structure with a=8.0854(1) Å for Ba2FeReO6 and a distorted monoclinic symmetry with a=5.396(1) Å, b=5.522(1) Å, c=7.688(2) Å and β=90.4° for Ca2FeReO6. The barium compound is metallic from 5K to 385K, i.e. no metal-insulator transition has been seen up to 385K, and the calcium compound is semiconducting from 5K to 385K. Magnetization measurements show a ferrimagnetic behavior for both materials, with Tc =315 K for Ba2FeReO6 and above 385K for Ca2FeReO6. At 5K we observed, only for Ba2FeReO6, a negative magnetoresistance of 10% in a magnetic field of 5T. Electrical, magnetic and thermal properties are discussed and compared to those of the analogous compounds Sr2Fe(Mo,Re)O6 recently studied.

An invariant subspace-based approach to the random eigenvalue problem of systems with clustered spectrum

The repeated or closely spaced eigenvalues and corresponding eigenvectors of a matrix are usually very sensitive to a perturbation of the matrix, which makes capturing the behavior of these eigenpairs very difficult. Similar difficulty is encountered in solving the random eigenvalue problem when a matrix with random elements has a set of clustered eigenvalues in its mean. In addition, the methods to solve the random eigenvalue problem often differ in characterizing the problem, which leads to different interpretations of the solution. Thus, the solutions obtained from different methods become mathematically incomparable. These two issues, the difficulty of solving and the non-unique characterization, are addressed here. A different approach is used where instead of tracking a few individual eigenpairs, the corresponding invariant subspace is tracked. The spectral stochastic finite element method is used for analysis, where the polynomial chaos expansion is used to represent the random eigenvalues and eigenvectors. However, the main concept of tracking the invariant subspace remains mostly independent of any such representation. The approach is successfully implemented in response prediction of a system with repeated natural frequencies. It is found that tracking only an invariant subspace could be sufficient to build a modal-based reduced-order model of the system. Copyright (C) 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

Effect of addition of aluminum on the evolution of microstructure in HITPERM class Fe44Co44Zr7B4Cu1 alloy

The paper reports the effect of the addition of small amount of Al on the microstructure and properties of HITPERM class rapidly solidified Fe44Co44Zr7B4Cu1 glassy alloy. Using three dimensional atom probe measurements we present evidence for the formation of Cu clusters on annealing in the metallic glass matrix of the Al containing alloy Fe43Co43Al2Zr7B4Cu1. Such clusters are otherwise absent in the parent alloy under similar conditions. The Cu clusters provides heterogeneous nucleation sites for the formation of bcc alpha'-FeCo phase leading to an increase in number density of this nanocrystalline phase and thereby enhancing the magnetic properties. (C) 2012 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Microscopic dynamics of nanoparticle monolayers at air-water interface

We present results of surface mechanical and particle tracking measurements of nanoparticles trapped at the air-water interface as a function of their areal density. We monitor both the surface pressure (II) and isothermal compression modulus (epsilon) as well as the dynamics of nanoparticle clusters, using fluorescence confocal microscopy while they are compressed to very high density near the two dimensional close packing density Phi similar to 0.82. We observe non-monotonic variation in both epsilon and the dynamic heterogeneity, characterized by the dynamical susceptibility chi(4) with Phi, in such high density monolayers. We provide insight into the underlying nature of such transitions in close packed high density nanoparticle monolayers in terms of the morphology and flexibility of these soft colloidal particles.. We discuss the significance our results in the context of related studies on two dimensional granular or colloidal systems. (C) 2013 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Antenna Selection with Power Adaptation in Interference-Constrained Cognitive Radios

The performance of an underlay cognitive radio (CR) system, which can transmit when the primary is on, is curtailed by tight constraints on the interference it can cause to the primary receiver. Transmit antenna selection (AS) improves the performance of underlay CR by exploiting spatial diversity but with less hardware. However, the selected antenna and its transmit power now both depend on the channel gains to the secondary and primary receivers. We develop a novel Chernoffbound based optimal AS and power adaptation (CBBOASPA) policy that minimizes an upper bound on the symbol error probability (SEP) at the secondary receiver, subject to constraints on the average transmit power and the average interference to the primary. The optimal antenna and its power are presented in an insightful closed form in terms of the channel gains. We then analyze the SEP of CBBOASPA. Extensive benchmarking shows that the SEP of CBBOASPA for both MPSK and MQAM is one to two orders of magnitude lower than several ad hoc AS policies and even optimal AS with on-off power control.

Whole exome sequencing identifies a novel splice-site mutation in ADAMTS17 in an Indian family with Weill-Marchesani syndrome

Purpose: Weill-Marchesani syndrome (WMS) is a rare connective tissue disorder, characterized by short stature, micro-spherophakic lens, and stubby hands and feet (brachydactyly). WMS is caused by mutations in the FBN1, ADAMTS10, and LTBP2 genes. Mutations in the LTBP2 and ADAMTS17 genes cause a WMS-like syndrome, in which the affected individuals show major features of WMS but do not display brachydactyly and joint stiffness. The main purpose of our study was to determine the genetic cause of WMS in an Indian family. Methods: Whole exome sequencing (WES) was used to identify the genetic cause of WMS in the family. The cosegregation of the mutation was determined with Sanger sequencing. Reverse transcription (RT)-PCR analysis was used to assess the effect of a splice-site mutation on splicing of the ADAMTS17 transcript. Results: The WES analysis identified a homozygous novel splice-site mutation c.873+1G>T in a known WMS-like syndrome gene, ADAMTS17, in the family. RT-PCR analysis in the patient showed that exon 5 was skipped, which resulted in the deletion of 28 amino acids in the ADAMTS17 protein. Conclusions: The mutation in the WMS-like syndrome gene ADAMTS17 also causes WMS in an Indian family. The present study will be helpful in genetic diagnosis of this family and increases the number of mutations of this gene to six.

Useful approach to the synthesis of aryl thio- and selenoglycosides in the presence of rongalite

A simple, mild, and cost effective methodology has been developed for the synthesis of aryl thio-and selenoglycosides from glycosyl halides and diaryl dichalcogenides. Diaryl dichalcogenides undergo reductive cleavage in the presence of rongalite (HOCH2SO2Na) to generate a chalcogenide anion in situ followed by reaction with glycosyl halides to furnish the corresponding aryl thio- and selenoglycosides in excellent yields. Using this protocol, synthesis of 4-methyl-7-thioumbelliferyl-beta-D-cellobioside (MUS-CB), a fluorescent non-hydrolyzable substrate analogue for cellulases has been achieved. (C) 2014 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

GHG footprint of major cities in India

Concentration of greenhouse gases (GHG) in the atmosphere has been increasing rapidly during the last century due to ever increasing anthropogenic activities resulting in significant increases in the temperature of the Earth causing global warming. Major sources of GHG are forests (due to human induced land cover changes leading to deforestation), power generation (burning of fossil fuels), transportation (burning fossil fuel), agriculture (livestock, farming, rice cultivation and burning of crop residues), water bodies (wetlands), industry and urban activities (building, construction, transport, solid and liquid waste). Aggregation of GHG (CO2 and non-CO2 gases), in terms of Carbon dioxide equivalent (CO(2)e), indicate the GHG footprint. GHG footprint is thus a measure of the impact of human activities on the environment in terms of the amount of greenhouse gases produced. This study focuses on accounting of the amount of three important greenhouses gases namely carbon dioxide (CO2), methane (CH4) and nitrous oxide (N2O) and thereby developing GHG footprint of the major cities in India. National GHG inventories have been used for quantification of sector-wise greenhouse gas emissions. Country specific emission factors are used where all the emission factors are available. Default emission factors from IPCC guidelines are used when there are no country specific emission factors. Emission of each greenhouse gas is estimated by multiplying fuel consumption by the corresponding emission factor. The current study estimates GHG footprint or GHG emissions (in terms of CO2 equivalent) for Indian major cities and explores the linkages with the population and GDP. GHG footprint (Aggregation of Carbon dioxide equivalent emissions of GHG's) of Delhi, Greater Mumbai, Kolkata, Chennai, Greater Bangalore, Hyderabad and Ahmedabad are found to be 38,633.2 Gg, 22,783.08 Gg, 14,812.10 Gg, 22,090.55 Gg, 19,796.5 Gg, 13,734.59 Gg and 91,24.45 Gg CO2 eq., respectively. The major contributors sectors are transportation sector (contributing 32%, 17.4%, 13.3%, 19.5%, 43.5%, 56.86% and 25%), domestic sector (contributing 30.26%, 37.2%, 42.78%, 39%, 21.6%, 17.05% and 27.9%) and industrial sector (contributing 7.9%, 7.9%, 17.66%, 20.25%, 1231%, 11.38% and 22.41%) of the total emissions in Delhi, Greater Mumbai, Kolkata, Chennai, Greater Bangalore, Hyderabad and Ahmedabad, respectively. Chennai emits 4.79 t of CO2 equivalent emissions per capita, the highest among all the cities followed by Kolkata which emits 3.29 t of CO2 equivalent emissions per capita. Also Chennai emits the highest CO2 equivalent emissions per GDP (2.55 t CO2 eq./Lakh Rs.) followed by Greater Bangalore which emits 2.18 t CO2 eq./Lakh Rs. (C) 2015 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

All Digital Energy Sensing for Minimum Energy Tracking

Minimizing energy consumption is of utmost importance in an energy starved system with relaxed performance requirements. This brief presents a digital energy sensing method that requires neither a constant voltage reference nor a time reference. An energy minimizing loop uses this to find the minimum energy point and sets the supply voltage between 0.2 and 0.5 V. Energy savings up to 1275% over existing minimum energy tracking techniques in the literature is achieved.

Endoplasmic reticulum targeting tumour selective photocytotoxic oxovanadium(IV) complexes having vitamin-B6 and acridinyl moieties

Oxovanadium(IV) complexes of vitamin-B6 Schiff base, viz., VO(HL1/L-2/L-3)(B)] Cl (1-4), where B is 2,2'-bipyridine (bpy in 1 and 2), 11-(9-acridinyl)dipyrido3,2-a:2',3'-c]phenazine (acdppz in 3 and 4), H2L1 center dot HCl is 3-hydroxy-5-(hydroxymethyl)-4-(((2-hydroxyphenyl)imino)methyl)-2-methylp yridin-1-ium chloride (in 1 and 4), HL2 is 2-(((2-(1H-imidazol-4-yl)ethyl) imino)methyl) phenol (in 2) and HL3 is 4-(((2-(1H-imidazol-4- yl)ethyl)imino)methyl)-5-(hydroxymethyl)-2-methylpyridin-3-ol (in 3) were synthesized, characterized and their cellular uptake, photo-activated cytotoxicity and intracellular localization were studied. Complexes 1a, as the perchlorate salt of 1, and 2a, as the hexafluorophosphate salt of 2, were structurally characterized. Vitamin-B6 transporting membrane carrier (VTC) mediated entry into tumour cells in preference to the normal ones seems to be responsible for the higher cellular uptake of the complexes into HeLa and MCF-7 cells over MCF-10A cells. Complexes 3 and 4 having acdppz as the photosensitizer exhibit remarkable photocytotoxicity in these cancer cells giving IC50 of < 0.9 mu M. The complexes remain non-toxic in the dark. The complexes show photo-induced apoptotic cell death via singlet oxygen (O-1(2)) generation. Fluorescence microscopy reveals specific localization of complex 4 to endoplasmic reticulum (ER) and generation of O-1(2) possibly leads to apoptotic cell death by triggering ER stress response (ERSR).

Endoplasmic reticulum targeting tumour selective photocytotoxic oxovanadium(IV) complexes having vitamin-B6 and acridinyl moieties

Oxovanadium(IV) complexes of vitamin-B6 Schiff base, viz., VO(HL1/L-2/L-3)(B)] Cl (1-4), where B is 2,2'-bipyridine (bpy in 1 and 2), 11-(9-acridinyl)dipyrido3,2-a:2',3'-c]phenazine (acdppz in 3 and 4), H2L1 center dot HCl is 3-hydroxy-5-(hydroxymethyl)-4-(((2-hydroxyphenyl)imino)methyl)-2-methylp yridin-1-ium chloride (in 1 and 4), HL2 is 2-(((2-(1H-imidazol-4-yl)ethyl) imino)methyl) phenol (in 2) and HL3 is 4-(((2-(1H-imidazol-4- yl)ethyl)imino)methyl)-5-(hydroxymethyl)-2-methylpyridin-3-ol (in 3) were synthesized, characterized and their cellular uptake, photo-activated cytotoxicity and intracellular localization were studied. Complexes 1a, as the perchlorate salt of 1, and 2a, as the hexafluorophosphate salt of 2, were structurally characterized. Vitamin-B6 transporting membrane carrier (VTC) mediated entry into tumour cells in preference to the normal ones seems to be responsible for the higher cellular uptake of the complexes into HeLa and MCF-7 cells over MCF-10A cells. Complexes 3 and 4 having acdppz as the photosensitizer exhibit remarkable photocytotoxicity in these cancer cells giving IC50 of < 0.9 mu M. The complexes remain non-toxic in the dark. The complexes show photo-induced apoptotic cell death via singlet oxygen (O-1(2)) generation. Fluorescence microscopy reveals specific localization of complex 4 to endoplasmic reticulum (ER) and generation of O-1(2) possibly leads to apoptotic cell death by triggering ER stress response (ERSR).

Campaigning in Heterogeneous Social Networks: Optimal Control of SI Information Epidemics

We study the optimal control problem of maximizing the spread of an information epidemic on a social network. Information propagation is modeled as a susceptible-infected (SI) process, and the campaign budget is fixed. Direct recruitment and word-of-mouth incentives are the two strategies to accelerate information spreading (controls). We allow for multiple controls depending on the degree of the nodes/individuals. The solution optimally allocates the scarce resource over the campaign duration and the degree class groups. We study the impact of the degree distribution of the network on the controls and present results for Erdos-Renyi and scale-free networks. Results show that more resource is allocated to high-degree nodes in the case of scale-free networks, but medium-degree nodes in the case of Erdos-Renyi networks. We study the effects of various model parameters on the optimal strategy and quantify the improvement offered by the optimal strategy over the static and bang-bang control strategies. The effect of the time-varying spreading rate on the controls is explored as the interest level of the population in the subject of the campaign may change over time. We show the existence of a solution to the formulated optimal control problem, which has nonlinear isoperimetric constraints, using novel techniques that is general and can be used in other similar optimal control problems. This work may be of interest to political, social awareness, or crowdfunding campaigners and product marketing managers, and with some modifications may be used for mitigating biological epidemics.