The Effect of Mn Substitution on Properties of Bi1.6Pb0.4Sr2Ca2?x Mn x Cu3O y Superconductors

The effects of Mn substitution on the physical properties and structural characteristics of Bi_1.6Pb_0.4Sr₂Ca₂Cu_3−x Mn _x Oy (Bi-2223) superconductor system have been studied. For this, the samples of nominal composition Bi_1.6Pb_0.4Sr₂Ca₂Cu_3−x Mn _x Oy (x=0.00, 0.10, 0.15 & 0.20) was prepared by the solid-state reaction method. It has been found that the effects of Mn substitution favor the formation of Bi-2223 phases. The phase identification/gross structural characteristics of synthesized (HTSC) materials explored through powder X-ray diffractometer reveals that all the samples crystallize in orthorhombic structure with lattice parameters (a=5.4918 ?, b=5.4071 ?, and c=37.0608 ?) up to Mn concentration of x=0.20. The critical transition temperature (T _c) measured by standard four probe method has been found to depress from 108 K to 70 K and transport current density (J _c) has been increased from 4.67×10² to 3.52×10³ A cm⁻² as Mn content (x) increases from 0.00 to 0.20. The surface morphology investigated through scanning electron microscope and atomic force microscopy (SEM and AFM) results that voids and grains size increases as the Mn concentration increases besides the nanosphere like structures on the surface of the Mn doped Bi-2223 sample.     

An Efficient and Recyclable Silica Based Inorganic–Organic Hybrid Zinc Catalyst for Transesterification of β-Ketoesters

A new silica based inorganic–organic hybrid zinc catalyst was synthesized and its catalytic activity was investigated for transesterification of β-ketoesters. Polymer supported catalyst was characterized by various techniques such as surface area (BET), elemental and thermogravimetric analyses, FTIR, ¹³C CPMAS spectral studies and atomic absorption spectroscopy (AAS). The reaction proceeded smoothly in the presence of 0.04 mmol of catalyst in toluene at refluxing conditions. The catalyst revealed higher catalytic activity compared to homogeneous catalyst and was reused without appreciable loss in catalytic activity.     

Effect of grain hardness on bioavailability of iron in wheat as determined using the coupled invitro digestion/Caco-2 model

The impact of grain hardness on iron bioavailability from a set of wheat genotypes with varying hardness indices was determined. This may help us to consider grain hardness as an important parameter along with other established parameters for selecting food crops for future biofortification programs to combat iron deficiency linked to global health problem. The bioavailability and dialysability of iron were determined using the coupled in vitro digestion/Caco-2 model. The grain hardness and its molecular basis along with grain iron, phytate and inorganic phosphorous (Pi) contents were also evaluated. The data indicated that iron concentration in the genotypes ranged from 21 to 50 μg/g of dry matter. The hardness indices varied from as low as 28 for the derivative BTC17 to as high as 92 for the landrace IITR 26, almost similar to that of WL711, a wild type cultivar considered as control in this study. Low variability was however observed for the phytate and Pi contents. A significant negative correlation was observed between grain hardness vs. dialysability (r = −0.73) and bioavailability (r = −0.75) of iron. The results suggest that the hardness index which profoundly affects milling process, particle size of flour, milling yield and end-use also influences dialysability and bioavailability of iron from wheat.     

Convergence analysis of a continuous-time nonlinear LMS-type algorithm using stochastic calculus

In several applications least mean square (LMS) has served as a good tool for estimating the parameters of linear models but the success of continuous-time in nonlinear models has not reached its height. In this paper, we have developed a nonlinear continuous-time LMS type algorithm that estimates parameters of nonlinear systems considering the noisy input–output relationship. The nonlinear system has been assumed to be memoryless and an additive Gaussian noise component to the system has been assumed. The mean squared error between the true system output and the estimated output, when the estimated output is modeled using the same form of the nonlinear function as the original system but with the parameters unknown, is minimized using the gradient scheme with the expectation removed. The result is a least mean square algorithm for nonlinear systems. In particular, we have performed a convergence analysis of the continuous-time nonlinear LMS algorithm applied to nonlinear systems when the time step goes to zero. The resulting algorithm then behaves as a stochastic differential equation, and the standard methods of Itô calculus and Fokker–Planck theory are applied to obtain statistical properties of the mean and covariance evolution of the parameter estimates. Computer simulations corroborate the theoretical results.     

Quasi-static analysis of three-line microstrip symmetrical coupleron anisotropic substrates

A method for analyzing three asymmetrically coupled microstrip lines on an anisotropic substrate has been developed. Computer programs based on the method of moments have been employed and the coupler mode impedance, coupling constant, and phase velocity, as functions of the anisotropy ratio, have been obtained     

Low-frequency noise measurement-based reliability testing of VLSI interconnects with different geometry

Low-frequency noise measurements were performed on thin metallic very large-scale integration (VLSI) interconnects of three different geometries. These measurements were carried out under stressing current densities between 1.0/spl times/10/sup 5/ A/cm/sup 2/ and 2.2/spl times/10/sup 6/ A/cm/sup 2/ at different ambient temperatures up to 280/spl deg/C, in order to investigate the dependence of low-frequency noise on the geometrical shape of the VLSI interconnects. The behavior of these samples under these conditions is analyzed in this letter.     

Interactions between the nematode parasite of pigs, Ascaris suum, and the earthworm Aporrectodea longa

BACKGROUND: Hypothermia during and after major abdominal surgery decreases host defenses, increases the incidence of coagulopathy and may alter blood pressure, cardiac contractility and myocardial stability. METHODS: We designed a prospective randomized study to compare the benefits of a forced air warming system with warm blanket treatments in minimizing the effects of hypothermia on 64 morbidly obese patients undergoing Roux-en-Y gastric bypass. RESULTS: Patients in the forced air warming group (n = 32) had significantly higher perioperative body core temperature, lower central venous pressure and blood pressure readings, lower incidence of shivering, less blood loss intraoperatively and achieved a higher post anesthesia Aldrete Score than those patients in the warmed blanket group (n = 32). CONCLUSION: The forced air warming system is safe, cost effective and beneficial in minimizing the undesirable consequences of hypothermia in morbidly obese patients undergoing Roux-en-Y gastric bypass.     

Grafting onto wool. XXVIII. Effects of acids on gamma-radiation induced graft copolymerization of ethylmethacrylate onto wool fiber

Graft copolymerization of ethylmethacrylate (EMA) onto Himachali wool fiber has been investigated in aqueous medium by mutual gamma irradiation from a Co⁶⁰ source in air and in nitrogen atmosphere. Percentage of grafting has been evaluated as a function of (i) total dose, (ii) concentration of monomer, and (iii) effect of concentration of different acids such as hydrochloric acid, sulfuric acid, nitric acid, perchloric acid, and acetic acid. Maximum percentage of grafting has been obtained in the presence of sulfuric acid. Following reactivity order of different acids towards grafting has been observed: H₂SO₄ > HCI > HNO₃ > HCIO₄ > CH₃COOH. A plausible mechanism to explain the effect of acids on percentage of grafting of EMA has been suggested.     

Anomalous electrical transport behavior in nanocrystalline nickel

We have prepared nanocrystalline Ni (n-Ni) samples of grain sizes 40-100?nm using a polyol method and investigated the electrical transport on their compacted pellets in the temperature range 3-300?K. The resistivity, ρ, decreases nearly linearly with increase in compaction pressure but without a change in its slope, dρ/dT. ρ is anomalously large, and is strongly temperature and grain-size dependent. The resistivity at room temperature, ρ(300?K), is in the range ～40-759?μΩ?cm but with a positive coefficient of resistivity α (metallic). This is associated with the significantly enhanced dρ/dT with increase in residual resistivity ρ(0). These characteristics are attributed to the disorder in the grain boundaries that represents effectively a series resistor network.     

SOLUBILISED WAXES AND THEIR INFLUENCE ON THE FLOW PROPERTIES OF LUBE OIL BASE STOCKS

ABSTRACT

The physico-chemical properties of Lubricating oil base stocks (LOBS) are generally influenced by the type/nature and concentration of solubilised waxes present in them. Detailed composition of the solubilised waxes, saturates and aromatics present in LOBS and its distillate fractions has been sludied. Further the influence of these solubilised waxes and as well of saturates/aromatics on the flow properties particularly pour point, viscosity and viscosity temperature relationship of LOBS sample and its distillate fractions have been investigated. The response of a commercial pour point depressant additive with varying composition of solubilised waxes in lube oil base stock sample has also been studied.