[en] Eleven local rice cultivars including Basmati 370 were evaluated for seedling vigor. Three groups of traits were evaluated viz; seed traits (Seed density, seed volume see weight, paddy length and grain length), seed emergence traits (emergence %, emergence index and emergence rate index), and seedling traits (fresh root length, dry root weight, emergence percentage, root length, dry root weight, seed weight and relative root weight were observed significant, respectively. Seed density, relative root weight, emergence rate index and root to shoot ratio were relatively more amenable to improvement. Relative expected genetic advance was the function of heritability and coefficient of phenotypic variability, latter being more important. (author)

[en] Single crystals of high temperature superconductors in the system Bi-Sr-Ca-Cu-O have been prepared by a flux method. The d.c. electrical resistivity showed that the metal to superconductor transition is at 82K. SEM showed a layered structure, while X-ray diffraction analysis indicated an orthorhombic structure with a=5.39(2) A, b=5.35(2) A and c=30.65(3) A. (author)

[en] The difference in hydrogen isotope distribution in different sites of the water of crystallization of NiSO/sub 4/7H/sub 2/O (site reference) was determined. Six molecules of the water of crystallization in the coordination sphere of nickel ion (site A), while the remaining one is bonded to sulfate ion through hydrogen bonding (site B). NiSO/sub 4/7H/sub 2/O was dehydrated fractionally in vacuum at 0 degree, and the isotopic ratio and the quantity of water for each fraction was measured. The rate process of dehydration was elucidated. The following results are obtained: (i) The dehydration is presented by the three zeroth-order rate processes which have different rate constants of dehydration. (ii) Two maxima exist in the isotopic ratio in the dehydration range, F<0.710. The site preference of hydrogen isotopes (delta D%o) was concluded to be - 20 for site A and + 98 for site B, where the delta D value was referred to the isotopic ratio of the mother liquor from which the crystal was grown. (author)

[en] Some trace elements (cobalt, chromium, manganese and nickel) have been determined in the coal samples from Pakistani mines. Pakistani coals are mainly sub-bituminous with high contents of sulphur. The above elements do not appear to occur in high concentrations in Pakistani coals. Range of manganese concentration (9, 7-42.0 ppm) was much lower than U.S. and world averages. Large scale combustion of Pakistani coals would thus not appear to lead to the unusual environmental pollution due to these trace elements. (author)

[en] Some novel mixed ligand complexes of Co(III), Fe(III) and Cr(III) containing phthalimide as primary and 2-aminophenol and 3-aminophenol as secondary ligands have been synthesized and characterised on the basis of elemental analyses, conductivity and magnetic measurements and infrared and electronic spectral studies. Complexes containing 2-aminophenol are 1:1 electrolyte in N,N dimethylformamide. Spectral studies indicate that all the complexes exhibit octahedral geometry. The complexes have the general composition; K[M(pim)/sub 2/(L)/sub 2/]; where m=Co(III), Fe(III) and Cr(III), pim-anion of phthalimamide and L=anion of 2-aminophenol and 3-aminophenol. (author)

[en] A computer generated algorithm is written to determine the orientation of single crystals by directly taking the pole intensity data from the diffractometer by completely eliminating the use of Wulff net ensuring greater precision. The advantages of using a diffractometer method over conventional Laue method for orientation determination is also compared and discussed. (author)

[en] Mixed-ligand complexes of Zr(IV) and U(IV) with salicylaldehyde (SA) and some heterocyclic azopyrazolenes have been studied spectrophotometrically. All formed chelates have ratio 1:1:1. The stoichiometry and stability of the binary mixed chelates been evaluated. Elemental analysis, molar conductance and IR spectra have been used for identification of solid mixed complexes. (author)

[en] A pot experiment was carried out using sandy calcareous soils to study the effects of gamma irradiating doses for sorghum seeds on dry matter yield and elemental uptake. Three cuttings were taken during the experiment every 40 days. Results showed that 4 Kr. dose was the best dose that caused significant higher increase of dry matter yield and nutrients uptake for three cuttings under both types of soil. Gamma irradiation doses at 8 Kr. and above all had an adverse affect on dry matter yield and nutrients uptake, especially under calcareous soil. (author)

[en] A number of complexes of the type [M(HL/sup 1-4/)/sub 2/X/sub 2] where M = Ni(II), Co(II); HL/sup 1-4/ = Schiff base ligands derived by the condensation of 1,2-diphenyliminoethane-2-one with n-butylamine (HL), iso butylamine (HL/sup 2/), n-propyl amine (HL/sup 3/)and isopropyl amine (HL/sup 4/): X=Cl', Br', I', NO/sub 3/ and ClO'/sub 4/ have been synthesized and characterised on the basis of elemental analysis, magnetic susceptibility, conductivity, infrared and electronic spectral data. (author)

[en] Atomic absorption spectroscopy (AAS) was found to be a suitable method for the estimation of iron, copper, zinc, magnesium, aluminium and lead in urinary calculi: graphite furnace electrothermal atomization was required for lead and flame atomization for the others. A standard urinary stone solution was made up and calibrated for each element using the method of standard additions. In all case, absorption varied linearly with concentration; reproducibility, accuracy and recovery were satisfactory for all elements. Conventional atomic absorption standards in 1% nitric acid solution had low apparent values as a percentage of the true values would be: Fe, 108.5; Cu, 103.1; Zn, 106.4; Mg, 125.0; Al, 103.6; Pb, 102.2%. Also, apparent concentrations of magnesium, zinc and copper in dilute nitric acid solution varied significantly with acid strength. It was concluded that in order to minimise matrix and Ph effects, urinary stone analysis should be done against the standard urinary stone solution. (author)