Densities and excess molar volumes of mixtures containing diesel,biodiesel and alkanols at temperatures from 288.15 to 313.15 K

The present work is focusing on the synthesization and physico-chemical properties of Jatropha curcas biodiesel with diesel and alcohols.The densities of binary diesel (2)+1-alkanols (C_3 or C_4)(3) and ternary Jatropha curcas biodiesel (1)+diesel (2)+1-alkanols (C_3or C_4)(3) blends have been reported over full range of composition at temperatures within range 288.15 to 313.15 K.Also densities of Jatropha curcas biodiesel (1)+diesel or 1-alkanols (C_3 or C_4)(2) blends have been measured at 313.15 K.Excess molar volumes,V~E,V~E_(123)of binary and ternary blends were calculated from the measured data and the derived properties were correlated to composition using Redlich–Kister equation.A reasonable agreement was found between the measured and estimated values.Further,densities and excess molar volumes data were reasoned to discuss molecular interactions taking into consideration effect of composition and temperature.     

Sequence,Chromatin and Evolution of Satellite DNA

Satellite DNA consists of abundant tandem repeats that play important roles in cellular processes, including chromosome segregation, genome organization and chromosome end protection. Most satellite DNA repeat units are either of nucleosomal length or 5–10 bp long and occupy centromeric, pericentromeric or telomeric regions. Due to high repetitiveness, satellite DNA sequences have largely been absent from genome assemblies. Although few conserved satellite-specific sequence motifs have been identified, DNA curvature, dyad symmetries and inverted repeats are features of various satellite DNAs in several organisms. Satellite DNA sequences are either embedded in highly compact gene-poor heterochromatin or specialized chromatin that is distinct from euchromatin. Nevertheless, some satellite DNAs are transcribed into non-coding RNAs that may play important roles in satellite DNA function. Intriguingly, satellite DNAs are among the most rapidly evolving genomic elements, such that a large fraction is species-specific in most organisms. Here we describe the different classes of satellite DNA sequences, their satellite-specific chromatin features, and how these features may contribute to satellite DNA biology and evolution. We also discuss how the evolution of functional satellite DNA classes may contribute to speciation in plants and animals.     

Thermally stimulated discharge currents in poly(vinyl alcohol) thermoelectrets

The depolarization currents in poly(vinyl alcohol) thermoelectrets have been measured by thermally stimulated discharge (t.s.d.) current techniques. The polarization is found to be uniform. The activation energy and the relaxation time have been calculated under different polarizing conditions. The formation of heterocharge is explained by dipole alignment and migration of charge over microscopic distances with trapping.     

Bulk free radical polymerizations of methyl methacrylateunder non-isothermal conditions and with intermediate additionof initiator: Experiments and modeling

Experimental data on the monomer conversion, x_m, and the weight average molecular weight, M_w, have been generated under several isothermal and non-isothermal conditions for the polymerization of methyl methacrylate in a rheometer-reactor assembly. The non-isothermal results, in particular, can be used to provide more stringent tests of kinetic models than isothermal data alone. A simple empirical model has been used to describe this system that accounts for the gel (Trommsdorff) and glass effects. The model involves only x_m and the temperature, and is quite general. The model parameters are tuned using only three sets of isothermal data. Good agreement is found between the experimental results and model predictions for a whole variety of experimental conditions, including non-isothermal operation and with intermediate addition of initiator. Because of its generality, this model is quite suitable for use for on-line optimizing control as well as for describing industrial reactors.     

Electrochemical properties of carbon-coated CaWO4 versus Li

Carbon-coated CaWO₄ nano-crystalline phases have been synthesized by ambient temperature solution precipitation method, characterized by X-ray diffraction, SEM and thermogravimetry and their electrochemical properties were studied versus Li metal. Galvanostatic cycling at a current of 60 mA/g in the voltage range 0.005-3.0 V on the 5 wt.% C-coated CaWO₄ gave a reversible capacity of 230 ± 5 mAh/g corresponding to 2.5 mol of Li, which is almost stable from 20 to 50 cycles. Under the same conditions, the 10 wt.% C-coated CaWO₄ showed a capacity of 355 ± 5 mAh/g (3.8 mol of Li) during the initial cycles, but the capacity degraded at a rate of 1.6 mAh/g per cycle in the range 5-100 cycles. A good operating voltage range was found to be 0.005-3.0 V with average discharge and charge potentials being 0.6 and 1.3 V, respectively. Coulombic efficiency in all cases was 96-98%. Cyclic voltammograms compliment the galvanostatic results. Impedance spectral data on the 10 wt.% C-coated CaWO₄ at different voltages during the first and 20th discharge-charge cycle have been interpreted in terms of the variations in the bulk and charge-transfer resistances of the composite electrode. A reaction mechanism involving the formation/decomposition of the oxide bronze, ‘Li_xWO_y’ has been proposed to explain the electrochemical cycling.     

A Scenario Based Impact Assessment of Trace Metals on Ecosystem of River Ganges Using Multivariate Analysis Coupled with Fuzzy Decision-Making Approach

The growing consciousness about the health risks associated with environmental pollutants has brought a major shift in global concern towards prevention of hazardous/trace metals discharge in water bodies. Majority of these trace metals gets accumulated in the body of aquatic lives, which are considered as potential indicators of hazardous content. This results in an ecological imbalance in the form of poisoning, diseases and even death of fish and other aquatic lives, and ultimately affect humans through food chain. Trace metals such as Cd, Cr, Cu, Mn, Ni, Pb and Zn originated from various industrial operations containing metallic solutions and agricultural practices, have been contributing significantly to cause aquatic pollution. The present study develops a novel approach of expressing sustainability of river’s ecosystem based on health of the fish by coupling fuzzy sensitivity analysis into multivariate analysis. A systematic methodology has been developed by generating monoplot, two dimensional biplot and rotated component matrix (using ‘Analyze it’ and ‘SPSS’ software), which can simultaneously identify critical trace metals and their industrial sources, critical sampling stations, and adversely affected fish species along with their interrelationships. A case study of assessing the impact of trace metals on the aquatic life of river Ganges, India has also been presented to demonstrate effectiveness of the model. The clusters pertaining to various water quality parameters have been identified using Principal Component Analysis (PCA) to determine actual sources of pollutants and their impact on aquatic life. The fuzzy sensitivity analysis reveals the cause-effect relationship of these critical parameters. The study suggests pollution control agencies to enforce appropriate regulations on the wastewater dischargers responsible for polluting river streams with a particular kind of trace metal(s).     

Design of novel compact anti-stiction and low insertion loss RF MEMS switch

A novel torsional RF MEMS capacitive switch design on silicon substrate is presented. The optimized switch topology such as reduction in up-state capacitance results in insertion loss better than ?0.1 dB till 20 GHz. Off to on state capacitance ratio is also improved by 18 fold and isolation is better than ?43 dB at 9.5 GHz. The achieved on state return loss is ?38 dB as compared to ?21 dB at 9.5 GHz. An optimized reduction in contact area and use of floating metal layer increases the switching speed from 56 to 46 μsec. It also increases the switch reliability by alleviating the stiction.