On Einstein Matsumoto metrics

Einstein metrics are solutions to Einstein field equation in General Relativity containing the Ricci-flat metrics. Einstein Finsler metrics which represent a non-Riemannian stage for the extensions of metric gravity, provide an interesting source of geometric issues and the (α,β)-metric is an important class of Finsler metrics appearing iteratively in physical studies. It is proved that every n-dimensional (n≥3) Einstein Matsumoto metric is a Ricci-flat metric with vanishing S-curvature. The main result can be regarded as a second Schur type Lemma for Matsumoto metrics.     

Tuning of full band gap in anisotropic photonic crystal slabs using a liquid crystal

We analyze the tunability of full band gap in photonic crystal slabs created by square and triangular lattices of air holes in anisotropic tellurium background, considering that the regions above and below the slab are occupied by SiO₂ and the holes are infiltrated with liquid crystals. Using the supercell method based on plane wave expansion, we study the variation of full band gap by changing the optical axis orientation of liquid crystal. Our results demonstrate the existence and remarkable tunability of full band gap in both square and triangular lattices, largest band gap and tunability being obtained for the triangular lattice.     

Multiwall carbon nanotubes decorated with FeCr2O4, a new selective electrochemical sensor for amoxicillin determination

Direct writing aims to deposit materials onto substrates in localised positions. In this paper, we demonstrate a new method for direct writing of nanoparticles at ambient-air-pressure. An electrical discharge is used to generate gold nanoparticles of the order of 10?nm diameter, which are then transported and ??focused?? by an electric field in air, through the process of electric field-assisted diffusion, as opposed to normal ballistic focusing since the mean free path in air is very short. This process is novel and allows for practical normal atmospheric-pressure focused deposition of nanoparticles. The focusing mechanism is capable of producing patterned arrays of deposited nanoparticles with widths that are less than 10?% of the diameter of the focusing apparatus; in the present experimental configuration, gold spots with diameters of a few tens of micrometres were achieved, with ultimate size being limited by transverse diffusion and by charged particle mutual repulsion. In this study, the process of generating nanoparticles from bulk material, transporting and focusing these particles takes place in one operation, which is a key advantage in rapid prototyping and manufacturing techniques.     

Possible Transmission Flow of SARS-CoV-2 Based on ACE2 Features

Angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2) is the cellular receptor for the Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) that is engendering the severe coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic. The spike (S) protein receptor-binding domain (RBD) of SARS-CoV-2 binds to the three sub-domains viz. amino acids (aa) 22–42, aa 79–84, and aa 330–393 of ACE2 on human cells to initiate entry. It was reported earlier that the receptor utilization capacity of ACE2 proteins from different species, such as cats, chimpanzees, dogs, and cattle, are different. A comprehensive analysis of ACE2 receptors of nineteen species was carried out in this study, and the findings propose a possible SARS-CoV-2 transmission flow across these nineteen species.     

Forecasting of water thermal conductivity enhancement by adding nano-sized alumina particles

Operating fluids play an important role in heat transfer equipment. Water is inexpensive popular operating fluid with extensive applications, but its thermophysical properties are not good enough, especially for high temperature processes. Therefore, modification of its inherent characteristics by adding nano-sized solid particles found high popularities. Thermal conductivity is one of the most important thermophysical properties of an operating fluid in relatively all energy-based processes. Variation of thermal conductivity of nanofluids with different operating conditions is required to be understood in such processes. Therefore, the focus of this study is concentrated on modeling of thermal conductivity of water-alumina nanofluids using four different smart paradigms. Multilayer perceptron, radial basis function, cascade feedforward, and generalized regression neural networks are employed for the considered task. The best structure of these paradigms is determined, and then, their accuracies are compared using different statistical indices. Accuracy analyses confirmed that the generalized regression neural network outperforms other considered smart methodologies. It predicted more than 280 experimental datasets with excellent absolute average relative deviation?=?0.71%, mean square error?=?0.0006, root mean square error?=?0.023 and regression coefficient (R²)?=?0.9675. In the final stage, the proposed paradigm is used for investigation of the effect of influential parameters on the thermal conductivity of water-alumina nanofluids. This type of accurate and straightforward paradigm can broaden our insight about thermal behavior of homogeneous suspension of nano-size alumina particles in water.

     

Nanocrystalline magnesium oxide: a novel and efficient catalyst for facile synthesis of 2,4,5-trisubstituted imidazole derivatives

Abstract  

Nanocrystalline magnesium oxide with high specific surface area has been used as a novel and efficient catalyst for an improved and rapid synthesis of biologically active 2,4,5-trisubstituted imidazoles, by three-component, one-pot condensation of 1,2-diketones and aryl aldehydes, in excellent yields under solvent-free and conventional heating conditions. The method has several advantages, for example excellent yields, shorter reaction time, and use of a non-toxic and recyclable catalyst.     

Study of the cyclotron production of <Superscript>172</Superscript>Lu: an excellent radiotracer

¹⁷²Lu due to its suitable (T _1/2 = 6.7 days) and high detection sensitivity, is used as a radiotracer in different fields. ¹⁷²Lu appears to be suitable as a long-lived rare-earth tracer for compound labelling and biodistribution studies. In the present study, excitation functions via ¹⁷²Yb(p,n)¹⁷²Lu, ^natYb(p,xn)¹⁷²Lu, ¹⁷²Yb(d,2n)¹⁷²Lu and ^natYb(d,xn)¹⁷²Lu reactions were calculated by ALICE/91, ALICE/ASH and TALYS-1.2 codes. Deposition of ^natYb₂O₃ on Cu substrate was carried out via sedimentation method for the production of ¹⁷²Lu. Cementation separation process and liquid–liquid extraction (LLX) of no-carrier-added (nca) radiolutetium from irradiated ytterbium(III)oxide target hydrochloric solution was described using Na(Hg) amalgam, α-hydroxyisobutyric acid (α-HIB) and di-(2-ethylhexyl)phosphoric acid (HDEHP).     

Development of a voltammetric procedure for assay of thebaine at a multi-walled carbon nanotubes electrode: quantification and electrochemical studies

The study of electrochemical behavior and determination of thebaine (THEB), an opiate alkaloid, is described on a multi-walled carbon nanotube (MWCNT) modified glassy carbon electrode by adsorptive stripping voltammetry and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy. The results indicated that MWCNT electrodes remarkably enhance electrocatalytic activity toward the oxidation of THEB in a wide pH range of 2.0–10.0, and it shows two irreversible and diffusion-controlled anodic peaks. Then, a sensitive, simple, and time-saving cyclic voltammetric procedure was developed for the analysis of THEB in human urine samples. Under optimized conditions, the oxidation peak has two linear dynamic ranges of 1.0–80.0 and 100.0–600.0 μM, with detection limit of 0.23 μM and a precision of <4% (relative standard deviation for eight analysis).     

A cloud point extraction for spectrophotometric determination of ultra- trace antimony without chelating agent in environmental and biological samples

We report on a simple, sensitive and reliable method for the cloud point extraction of antimony (Sb) and its subsequent spectrophotometric detection. It is based on the color reaction of Sb (III) with iodide in acidic medium and subsequent micelle-mediated extraction of tetraiodoantimonate using a non-ionic surfactant in the absence of any chelating agent. The effects of reaction and extraction parameters were optimized. The calibration plot is linear in the range of 0.80–95?ng?mL^?1 of antimony in the sample solution, with a regression coefficient (r) of 0.9994 (for n?=?9). The detection limit (at SNR?=?3) is 0.23?ng?mL^?1, and the relative standard deviations at 10 and 70?ng?mL^?1 of antimony are 3.32 and 1.85?% (at n?=?8), respectively. The method compared favorably to other methods and was applied to determine antimony in seawater, anti-leishmania drug (glucantime), and human serum.

Kinetic-spectrophotometric determination of ascorbic acid by inhibition of the hydrochloric acid-bromate reaction

A new analytical method was developed for the determination of ascorbic acid in fruit juice and pharmaceuticals. The method is based on its inhibition effect on the reaction between hydrochloric acid and bromate. The decolourisation of Methyl Orange by the reaction products was used to monitor the reaction spectrophotometrically at 510 nm. The linearity range of the calibration graph depends on bromate concentration. The variable affecting the rate of the reaction was investigated. The method is simple, rapid, relatively sensitive and precise. The limit of detection is 7.6 x 10(-6) M and calibration rang is 8 x 10(-6)-1.2 x 10(-3) M ascorbic acid. The relative standard deviation of seven replication determinations of 8 x 10(-6) and 2 x 10(-5) M ascorbic acid was 2.8 and 1.7%, respectively. The influence of potential interfering substance was studied. The method was successfully applied for the determination of ascorbic acid in pharmaceuticals.