The versatility and potential have framed natural rubber (NR) nanocomposites as the focal point in the polymer research field and industry. Currently, NR nanocomposites filled with hybrid nanostructures is an interesting area than single filler or conventional filler systems. Halloysite nanotube (HNT) and bentonite clay are well-studied potential fillers of polymers. This work is an attempt to study the effect of hybrid filler system of HNT and organically modified bentonite nanoclay (NC) in the properties of NR. NR/HNT-NC systems with varied filler concentrations were prepared in a two-roll mixing mill. Properties such as cure characteristics, morphology, mechanical, thermal, and transport behavior were analyzed in detail. The prepared composites had better wear properties than gum vulcanizates. Improvement in physical properties was observed due to the increased contact surface area between the filler and the matrix. The nanocomposite with 2 wt% hybrid filler shows a 31% decrease in abrasion loss compared to neat NR composite. Apparently, 4 wt% of hybrid filler could improve modulus at 300% strain and tear by approximately 57% and 14%, respectively. The ability to withstand high strain was evident from the improved crack growth resistance as observed in micrographs. Lorenz–Park plots were employed to analyze the rubber–filler interaction. The activation energy of thermal degradation was calculated using Coats–Redfern equation.

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Kinetic studies on the effect of metal oxide catalysts, (25 ~o w/w) such as CrzO3, CuO, MnO2, AI~O3 and TiO~, on the thermal decomposition of KBrO3 have been carried out. The kinetic parameters of the catalysed and uncatalysed decompositions were calculated by the Freeman--Carroll, Coats--Redfern and Horowitz--Metzger methods. It has been found that A1203 is almost as good a catalyst as any other oxide used unlike in the thermal decomposition of KC103. In the case of TiO, there was an increase in the activation energy of decomposition. Of the other oxides Cr203 underwent reaction and was converted to dichromate and so the parameters of the reaction were not calculated. The effect of varying amotints of A1203 on the thermal decomposition was also studied.The oxysalts of halogens such as KC103, KC104 etc., are widely used in explosives and pyrotechnics. As such, studies on the thermal decomposition and high temperature properties of oxyhalogen salts are important and a review on this has recently been published [1 ]. The effect of metal oxide catalysts on the thermal decomposition of KC103 was investigated by Rudolff and Freeman by TG and DTA [2], but the extent of catalysis was not interpreted in terms of kinetic parameters of the reaction. Bancroft and Gesser [3] studied thermal decomposition of several bromates by thermobarogravimetry. So far there seems to be no report on the effect of metal oxides on the thermal decomposition of KBrO3, and this prompted us to investigate the work detailed below. In this paper the kinetics of the catalysed and uncatalysed thermal decomposition of KBrO 3 have been studied by thermogravimetry. The oxides used as catalysts are Cr203, CuO, MnO2, AlzO3 and TiO2. Of these Cr203 underwent reaction and so the kinetics was not followed. The kinetic parameters were calculated by three well known methods viz., the differential method of Freeman and Carroll [4], the integral method of Coats and Redfern [5] and the approximation method of Horowitz and Metzger [6]. All the oxides except TiO2 behaved similarly with respect to the decrease in energy of activation. The effect of A1203 was rather unexpected as it was unlike the case of KC103.

Every year, several onshore and offshore oil spills occur around the world, and these oil spills contaminate the soil. The physical and mechanical property of the ground gets altered as a result of contamination. Increasing petroleum exploration refining and other allied industrial activities have led to the wide scale contamination of soil. Amongst diesel and petrol, the consumption of diesel is higher. Therefore, diesel was selected as the pollutant and its effect on engineering properties of soil was studied. The present study focuses on evaluation of uncontaminated and contaminated soil with different concentration of diesel (8%,12%,16%,20% and at fully saturation by dry weight of the soil) were determined on samples of lateritic soil, sandy soil and clayey soil and the test results are compared to determine the effects of diesel contamination on some of the geotechnical properties. The testing included basic properties, Specific gravity, Atterberg limits, compaction, direct shear, and triaxial test and permeability tests. The results showed that the diesel contaminated soil samples have adverse effects on the geotechnical properties of the soil. The liquid limit, plastic limit and of the soil decreased as its diesel content increased. Strength and permeability of the soil decreased as its diesel content increased. If the foundation design for structures to be erected on hydrocarbon polluted soil does not consider the reduction in angle of internal friction and shear strength, this will ultimately affect the stability of shallow foundations, slopes, and other structures.

The interactions of human agency in the totality of space creates different social structures. Feminist Geography offers a self-reflexive analysis of regimes of power that operates in everyday life. The gendered divisions in society are responsible for creating the different patterns of spatial activity, experience and behaviour. Giving insight into a traditional Islamic society, Omani writer, JokhaAlharthi’s Celestial Bodies (2018) is a criticism against dominant ideologies and power hegemony. The paper analyses the critical relationship between gendered and spatial segmentation and challenges their supposed naturalness and validity. The unequal power relations that exist within the society produce different patterns of spatial relations with respect to access to public and private spaces. Through the theoretical framework of Feminist Geography, the paper criticises the gendered divisions of space and problematises the attempt of the enduring subjects to free themselves from the narrow space of patriarchal imagination and re-invent their lives in a space of their own.Keywords: Past and present, Timeless Humanities, Boethius, Wolfram von Eschenbach, Path through Life, Relevance of Literature, Philosophy.