Charge-monopole versus Gravitational Scattering at Planckian Energies

The amplitude for the scattering of a point magnetic monopole and a point charge, at centre-of-mass energies much larger than the masses of the particles, and in the limit of low momentum transfer, is shown to be proportional to the (integer-valued) monopole strength, assuming the Dirac quantization condition for the monopole-charge system. It is demonstrated that, for small momentum transfer, charge-monopole electromagnetic effects remain comparable to those due to the gravitational interaction between the particles even at Planckian centre-of-mass energies.Comment: 9 pages, revtex, IMSc/93-4

Parity Violating Gravitational Coupling Of Electromagnetic Fields

A manifestly gauge invariant formulation of the coupling of the Maxwell theory with an Einstein Cartan geometry is given, where the space time torsion originates from a massless Kalb-Ramond field augmented by suitable U(1) Chern Simons terms.We focus on the situation where the torsion violates parity, and relate it to earlier proposals for gravitational parity violation.Comment: 7 Pages, Latex . no figures, Replaced with Revtex version, many references added and typos correcte

The Position of Lead in a Challenging World of Modern Technology

The story of lead has been remarkable in several respects. The consumption of lead during the whole of the 19th century was of the same order as that during the 20-year period between the great wars. Subsequently, the growth rate was much faster and in the last ten years the world consumption of lead was more than that during the entire 20-year period between the wars. The growth in consumption of lead in the past decade has shown a steady upward trend, due not only to the increased use of lead in the established applications but also to the new appli-cations of this meta

Design of low-cost ionic liquids for lignocellulosic biomass pretreatment

The cost of ionic liquids (ILs) is one of the main impediments to IL utilization in the cellulosic biorefinery, especially in the pretreatment step. In this study, a number of ionic liquids were synthesized with the goal of optimizing solvent cost and stability whilst demonstrating promising processing potential. To achieve this, inexpensive feedstocks such as sulfuric acid and simple amines were combined into a range of protic ionic liquids containing the hydrogen sulfate [HSO] anion. The performance of these ionic liquids was compared to a benchmark system containing the IL 1-ethyl-3-methylimidazolium acetate [CCim][OAc]. The highest saccharification yields were observed for the triethylammonium hydrogen sulfate IL, which was 75% as effective as the benchmark system. Techno-economic modeling revealed that this promising and yet to be optimized yield was achieved at a fraction of the processing cost. This study demonstrates that some ILs can compete with the cheapest pretreatment chemicals, such as ammonia, in terms of effectiveness and process cost, removing IL cost as a barrier to the economic viability of IL-based biorefineries

Electromagnetic and Gravitational Scattering at Planckian Energies

The scattering of pointlike particles at very large center of mass energies and fixed low momentum transfers, occurring due to both their electromagnetic and gravitational interactions is re-examined in the particular case when one of the particles carries magnetic charge. At Planckian center-of-mass energies, when gravitational dominance is normally expected, the presence of magnetic charge is shown to produce dramatic modifications to the scattering cross section as well as to the holomorphic structure of the scattering amplitude.Comment: 33 pages, Revtex file, no figs; a footnote and two references adde

catena-Poly[[[triaqua­sulfatozinc(II)]-μ-3,3′-bis­(3-pyrid­yl)-1,1′-(m-phenyl­ene)diurea] methanol solvate monohydrate]

In the title coordination polymer, {[Zn(SO4)(C18H16N6O2)(H2O)3]·CH3OH·H2O}n, the Zn2+ ion adopts a slightly distorted cis-ZnN2O4 octa­hedral geometry arising from three coordinated water mol­ecules, one sulfate ion and two bridging 3,3′-bis­(3-pyrid­yl)-1,1′-(m-phenyl­ene)diurea (bpmpbu) ligands. The dihedral angles between the central benzene ring and two terminal pyridine rings of the bpmbpu mol­ecule are 10.58 (17) and 34.63 (16)°. In the crystal, the ligands bridge the ZnII ions, thus generating a one-dimensional zigzag coordination polymer propagating in [010]. The crystal structure features extensive N—H⋯O and O—H⋯O hydrogen-bonding inter­actions

Changes in labial capillary density on ascent to and descent from high altitude

Present knowledge of how the microcirculation is altered by prolonged exposure to hypoxia at high altitude is incomplete and modification of existing analytical techniques may improve our knowledge considerably. We set out to use a novel simplified method of measuring in vivo capillary density during an expedition to high altitude using a CytoCam incident dark field imaging video-microscope. The simplified method of data capture involved recording one-second images of the mucosal surface of the inner lip to reveal data about microvasculature density in ten individuals. This was done on ascent to, and descent from, high altitude. Analysis was conducted offline by two independent investigators blinded to the participant identity, testing conditions and the imaging site. Additionally we monitored haemoglobin concentration and haematocrit data to see if we could support or refute mechanisms of altered density relating to vessel recruitment. Repeated sets of paired values were compared using Kruskall Wallis Analysis of Variance tests, whilst comparisons of values between sites was by related samples Wilcoxon Signed Rank Test. Correlation between different variables was performed using Spearman’s rank correlation coefficient, and concordance between analysing investigators using intra-class correlation coefficient. There was a significant increase in capillary density from London on ascent to high altitude; median capillaries per field of view area increased from 22.8 to 25.3 (p=0.021). There was a further increase in vessel density during the six weeks spent at altitude (25.3 to 32.5, p=0.017). Moreover, vessel density remained high on descent to Kathmandu (31.0 capillaries per field of view area), despite a significant decrease in haemoglobin concentration and haematocrit. Using a simplified technique, we have demonstrated an increase in capillary density on early and sustained exposure to hypobaric hypoxia at thigh altitude, and that this remains elevated on descent to normoxia. The technique is simple, reliable and reproducible

Ecotoxicological impacts of landfill sites: Towards risk assessment, mitigation policies and the role of artificial intelligence.

Waste disposal in landfills remains a global concern. Despite technological developments, landfill leachate poses a hazard to ecosystems and human health since it acts as a secondary reservoir for legacy and emerging pollutants. This study provides a systematic and scientometric review of the nature and toxicity of pollutants generated by landfills and means of assessing their potential risks. Regarding human health, unregulated waste disposal and pathogens in leachate are the leading causes of diseases reported in local populations. Both in vitro and in vivo approaches have been employed in the ecotoxicological risk assessment of landfill leachate, with model organisms ranging from bacteria to birds. These studies demonstrate a wide range of toxic effects that reflect the complex composition of leachate and geographical variations in climate, resource availability and management practices. Based on bioassay (and other) evidence, categories of persistent chemicals of most concern include brominated flame retardants, per- and polyfluorinated chemicals, pharmaceuticals and alkyl phenol ethoxylates. However, the emerging and more general literature on microplastic toxicity suggests that these particles might also be problematic in leachate. Various mitigation strategies have been identified, with most focussing on improving landfill design or leachate treatment, developing alternative disposal methods and reducing waste volume through recycling or using more sustainable materials. The success of these efforts will rely on policies and practices and their enforcement, which is seen as a particular challenge in developing nations and at the international (and transboundary) level. Artificial intelligence and machine learning afford a wide range of options for evaluating and reducing the risks associated with leachates and gaseous emissions from landfills, and various approaches tested or having potential are discussed. However, addressing the limitations in data collection, model accuracy, real-time monitoring and our understanding of environmental impacts will be critical for realising this potential

3,3′-{Ethane-1,2-diylbis[carbonylbis(azanediyl)]}dipyridinium tetra­chloridoplatinate(II)

In the crystal structure of the title compound, (C14H18N6O2)·[PtCl4], the cation and square-planar anion are located on special positions (on a twofold axis and an inversion centre, respectively). In the crystal structure, N—H⋯Cl hydrogen bonds lead to a staircase-like motif. The central ethane backbone of the cation is disordered over two positions of equal occupancy