Isovector solitons and Maxwell's equations

We present an isovector Lagrangian, which admits stable, nonsingular soliton solutions in three space dimensions. The spherical solution and its total energy are obtained via a variational procedure. An antisymmetric, second-rank tensor is defined in terms of the isovector field and its derivatives. This tensor satisfies Maxwell's equations. The corresponding current is identically conserved and the total charge is topologically quantized.     

Dynamics of solitons in inhomogeneous Josephson junctions

We examine the dynamics of sine-Gordon solitons in an inhomogeneous Josephson junction. Two types of inhomogeneity are worked out: (1) varying refractive index or dielectric constant, and (2) varying parameters in the nonlinear term. Simplified analytical explanations are also presented for the numerical results.     

Phosphorylated PEG (PPEG) as a new support for generation of nano‐Pd(0): application to the Heck–Mizoroki and Suzuki–Miyaura coupling reactions

Polyethylene glycols (PEGs) with different molecular weights (M_w = 200, 400, 1000) were phosphorylated to their bis‐diphenyl phosphinite derivatives as stable solids which are melted in the range 140–160°C. These phosphorylated PEGs were used as ligands and reducing agents to generate nano‐Pd(0) catalysts in 2.5–8.3 nm. The nano‐Pd(0) particles supported on phosphorylated PEG₂₀₀ were applied for the efficient Heck–Mizoroki carbon–carbon coupling reactions of ArX (X = Cl, Br, I) at 80–100°C under solvent‐free conditions and for the Suzuki–Miyaura coupling reaction in ethanol at 70°C. The catalyst was recycled easily and reused for several runs. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Batch and continuous fixed-bed column biosorption of thorium(IV) from aqueous solutions: equilibrium and dynamic modeling

Biosorption of thorium(IV) from aqueous solution by Cystoseira indica alga was investigated in batch and fixed-bed column experiments. In the batch study the effects of pH and initial concentration were investigated. The optimum pH for Th(IV) biosorption was found to be 3.5. The experimental isotherms obtained at different pH conditions were analyzed using three two-parameter models and three three-parameter models. Among the two-parameter models the Langmuir model and among the three-parameter models the Redlich–Peterson model vividly described the equilibrium data. The results showed that C. indica alga is a homogeneous biosorbent and Th(IV) biosorption is a favorable and physical process. The maximum biosorption capacity from the Langmuir model was 151.3, 195.7 and 120.6 mg/g at pH 2.5, 3.5 and 4.5, respectively. The continuous isotherm obtained from the column data was modeled by the Langmuir model and the maximum biosorption capacity was 283.8 mg/g. The experimental data were fitted by the use of an analytical and a numerical model, namely Clark and mass transfer models. The results showed that the mass transfer model adequately described the experimental data. Sensitivity analysis revealed that the value of k _in has more effect than the axial dispersion coefficient (D _z) on the shape of breakthrough curve.     

Boosted cylindrical magnetized Kaluza–Klein wormhole

In this work, we consider a vacuum solution of Kaluza–Klein theory with cylindrical symmetry. We investigate the physical properties of the solution as viewed in four dimensional spacetime, which turns out to be a stationary, cylindrical wormhole supported by a scalar field and a magnetic field oriented along the wormhole. We then apply a boost to the five dimensional solution along the extra dimension, and perform the Kaluza–Klein reduction. As a result, we show that the new solution is still a wormhole with a radial electric field and a magnetic field stretched along the wormhole throat.     

The Influence of Ripeness on the Phenolic Content,Antioxidant and Antimicrobial Activities of Pumpkins (Cucurbita moschata Duchesne)

Cucurbita moschata Duchesne (Cucurbitaceae) is a plant food highly appreciated for the content of nutrients and bioactive compounds, including polyphenols and carotenoids, which contribute to its antioxidant and antimicrobial capacities. The purpose of this study was to identify phenolic acids and flavonoids of Cucurbita moschata Duchesne using high-performance liquid chromatography–diode array detection–electrospray ionization tandem mass spectrometry (HPLC–DAD–ESI-MS) at different ripening stages (young, mature, ripened) and determine its antioxidant and antimicrobial activities. According to the results, phenolic acids and flavonoids were dependent on the maturity stage. The mature fruits contain the highest total phenolic and flavonoids contents (97.4 mg GAE. 100 g⁻¹ and 28.6 mg QE. 100 g⁻¹).A total of 33 compounds were identified. Syringic acid was the most abundant compound (37%), followed by cinnamic acid (12%) and protocatechuic acid (11%). Polyphenol extract of the mature fruits showed the highest antioxidant activity when measured by DPPH (0.065 μmol TE/g) and ABTS (0.074 μmol TE/g) assays. In the antimicrobial assay, the second stage of ripening had the highest antibacterial activity. Staphylococcus aureus was the most sensitive strain with an inhibition zone of 12 mm and a MIC of 0.75 mg L⁻¹. The lowest inhibition zone was obtained with Salmonella typhimurium (5 mm), and the MIC value was 10 mg L⁻¹.     

Rock Porous Structure Characterization: A Critical Assessment of Various State-of-the-Art Techniques

Transport in Porous Media - The porous structure of geomaterials is of utmost importance for various industrial and natural processes. In this study, various conventional porous structure...     

Bioresource Polymer Composite for Energy Generation and Storage: Developments and Trends

The ever-growing demand of human society for clean and reliable energy sources spurred a substantial academic interest in exploring the potential of biological resources for developing energy generation and storage systems. As a result, alternative energy sources are needed in populous developing countries to compensate for energy deficits in an environmentally sustainable manner. This review aims to evaluate and summarize the recent progress in bio-based polymer composites (PCs) for energy generation and storage. The articulated review provides an overview of energy storage systems, e. g., supercapacitors and batteries, and discusses the future possibilities of various solar cells (SCs), using both past research progress and possible future developments as a basis for discussion. These studies examine systematic and sequential advances in different generations of SCs. Developing novel PCs that are efficient, stable, and cost-effective is of utmost importance. In addition, the current state of high-performance equipment for each of the technologies is evaluated in detail. We also discuss the prospects, future trends, and opportunities regarding using bioresources for energy generation and storage, as well as the development of low-cost and efficient PCs for SCs.     

CuGaSe2 solar cells with 9.7% power conversion efficiency

Heterojunctions, such as ZnO/CdS/CuGaSe₂, were fabricated for photovoltaic applications. Optimization of device structures based on monocrystalline CuGaSe₂ led to the highest-to-date power conversion efficiencies for CuGaSe₂ solar cells. At room temperature under 100 mW/cm² AM1.5 illumination a maximum cell efficiency of 9.7% was achieved, given by an open-circuit voltage of 946 mV, a short circuit current density of 15.5 mA/cm², and a fill factor of 66.5%. Preparation and performance of the optimum device are described. Current voltage characteristics dependent on illumination intensity and temperature, spectral response and electron-beam-induced current measurements were performed to determine the device parameters as well as to analyse the current transport and loss mechanisms. Tunneling, assisted by defect levels in the CdS layer, seems to play a major role. High injection effects are observed at forward bias ofV > 0.5 V or an illumination level ofP > 10 mW/cm². Under such conditions, as well as at low temperatures, the non-zero series resistance comes into play. Effects of the shunt resistance, however, are negligible in all cases.