On Semilattice Decomposition of an Abel–Grassmann’s Groupoid

In this paper, we have decomposed an AG-groupoid. Let S be an AG-groupoid with left identity and a relation γ be defined on S as: aγb if and only if there exist positive integers m and n such that bm ∈ ( Sa)S and a n ∈ ( Sb)S for all a and b in S. We have proved that S/γ is a maximal separative semilattice homomorphic image of S. Every AG-groupoid S is uniquely expressible as a semilattice Y of archimedean AG-groupoids Sα (α∈ Y ). The semilattice Y is isomorphic to S/γ and the S α (α∈ Y ) are the equivalence classes of S mod γ.     

Gauss-Bonnet and Lovelock Gravities and the Generalized Second Law of Thermodynamics

It has been shown [Chin. Phys. Lett.25 （2008） 4199] that the generalized second law of thermodynamics holds in Einstein gravity. Here we extend this procedure for Gauss-Bonnet and Lovelock gravities. It is shown that by employing the general expression for temperature Th =｜κ｜/2π= 1/2πτA （1-τA/2HτA） associated with the apparent horizon of a Friedman Robertson-Walker （FRW） universe and assuming Tm = bTh, we are able to construct conditions for which the generalized second law holds in Gauss Bonnet and Lovelock gravities, where Tm and Th are the temperatures of the source and the horizon respectively.     

Banana peel: A green and economical sorbent for the selective removal of Cr(VI) from industrial wastewater

This study describes the use of banana peel, a commonly produced fruit waste, for the removal of Cr(VI) from industrial wastewater. The parameters pH, contact time, initial metal ion concentration, and temperature were investigated and the conditions resulting in rapid and efficient adsorption (95% within 10 min) were determined. The binding of metal ions was found to be pH dependent with the optimal sorption occurring at pH 2. The retained species were eluted with 5 mL of 2 M H₂SO₄. To elucidate the mechanism of the process, total amounts of chromium and Cr(VI) were analyzed using flame atomic absorption and ultraviolet–visible (UV–vis) spectroscopic techniques, respectively. The Langmuir and Dubinin–Radushkevich (D–R) isotherms were used to describe the partitioning behavior for the system at different temperatures. Kinetics and thermodynamics of Cr(VI) removal by banana peel were also studied. The influence of diverse ions on the sorption behavior revealed that only Fe(II) ions (of those tested) suppressed the sorption of Cr(VI) ions to some extent. The method was applied for the removal of Cr(VI) from industrial wastewater.     

Structural and magnetic properties of nano-crystalline FeCoNiN thin films

Iron cobalt nickel nitride (FeCoNiN) thin films are prepared by sol-gel spin coating route. The structural, magnetic and surface properties of the thin films are evaluated. The crystalline nature of thin films was enhanced upon annealing, leading to increased crystallite size. The X-ray diffraction shows mixed phases with crystallite size in the range of 20–26.93 nm. Thin films show ferromagnetism at room temperature. Coercivity and saturation magnetization are in the range of 642–716 Oe and 2.5–7.5 emu/cm³ respectively. Both coercivity and saturation magnetization increased with annealing of thin films. Magnetic properties are related to the crystallinity of thin films. The increase in crystallite size results into an increase of magnetic properties. Rectangular shaped particles are seen on the surface of thin films. The same type of grains can be seen on the surface of thin films which confirmed the formation of FeCoNiN as predicted by XRD. These novel thin films might be used in memory devices and optoelectronic applications.     

Preparation of stable dispersion of graphene using copolymers: dispersity and aromaticity analysis

In this study, effectiveness of non-ionic block copolymers such as Lugalvan BNO12 and Triton X series (Triton X100 & Triton X405) has been reported for graphene dispersion in aqueous solutions. Stability of the aqueous graphene dispersions is investigated using UV–visible spectroscopy, Rheological, and Conductivity studies. Adsorption isotherms are constructed to determine the amount of polymers adsorbed on the surface of graphene by the spectroscopic analysis. Lugalvan BNO12 has been found to be adsorbed in higher amounts on the graphene surface compared to the Triton X series polymers. Thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) and Fourier Transform Infrared (FTIR) Spectroscopy investigations indicated grafting of polymers chains to the graphene surfaces. The dispersions prepared with optimum concentrations (as determined from adsorption isotherms) of polymers have shown lower viscosity and conductivity values. Lugalvan BNO12 has been found to be a better stabilizer for graphene than the Triton X series dispersants because the former contains two aromatic rings in its structure that acts as an anchoring group and helps in the stabilization of graphene dispersion in comparison to the single aromatic group in the Triton X series. The experimental results reported have shown that the aromaticity of polymeric dispersants plays significant role in the aqueous graphene dispersions. The non-ionic block copolymers that assisted dispersed graphene are potential candidates for the fabrication of various devices such as sensors, batteries, and supercapacitors applications.     

Optical soliton perturbation with full nonlinearity by extended trial function method

The extended trial function scheme is applied to retrieve soliton solutions to the perturbed nonlinear Schrödinger’s equation with ten forms of fiber nonlinearity. Bright, dark and singular soliton solutions are retrieved that appear with their respective existence criteria. Some additional forms of nonlinear waves naturally emerge as a byproduct of the integration scheme.     

Optimizing Image Reconstruction in SENSE Using GPU

Parallel magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) (pMRI) uses multiple receiver coils to reduce the MRI scan time. To accelerate the data acquisition process in MRI, less amount of data is acquired from the scanner which leads to artifacts in the reconstructed images. SENSitivity Encoding (SENSE) is a reconstruction algorithm in pMRI to remove aliasing artifacts from the undersampled multi coil data and recovers fully sampled images. The main limitation of SENSE is computing inverse of the encoding matrix. This work proposes the inversion of encoding matrix using Jacobi singular value decomposition (SVD) algorithm for image reconstruction on GPUs to accelerate the reconstruction process. The performance of Jacobi SVD is compared with Gauss–Jordan algorithm. The simulations are performed on two datasets (brain and cardiac) with acceleration factors 2, 4, 6 and 8. The results show that the graphics processing unit (GPU) provides a speed up to 21.6 times as compared to CPU reconstruction. Jacobi SVD algorithm performs better in terms of acceleration in reconstructions on GPUs as compared to Gauss–Jordan method. The proposed algorithm is suitable for any number of coils and acceleration factors for SENSE reconstruction on real time processing systems.     

A Comparative Study on Hemp (Cannabis sativa)Essential Oil Extraction Using Traditional and Advanced Techniques

A comparative study of Cannabis sativa(Hemp)essential constituents obtained by using Supercritical Fluid Extraction(SCFE),Steam Distillation(SD)and Hydrodistillation(HD)is presented here.The optimized extraction temperatures were 130,110and 50℃for hydrodistillation,steam distillation and supercritical fluid extraction respectively.The essential oil of C.sativa was analyzed by using Gas chromatography mass spectrometry(GC-MS).A total of 33,30and 31components have been identified in HD,SD and SCFE respectively.Yield of essential oil using SCFE(0.039%)was more than HD(0.025%)and SD(0.035%)extraction respectively.The main component of sesquiterpenes obtained by hydrodistillation at 130℃with their percentages included caryophyllene(40.58%),trans-α-bergamotene(5.41%),humulene(10.97%),cis-β-farnesene(8.53%)and monoterpenes includedα-pinene(2.13%),d-limonene(6.46%),p-cymol(0.65%)and cineole(2.58%)respectively.The main component of sesquiterpenes obtained by SD steam distillation at110℃including caryophyllene(38.60%)trans-α-bergamotene(4.22%),humulene(10.26%),cis-β-farnesene(6.67%)and monoterpenes includedα-pinene(3.21%),d-limonene(7.07%),p-cymol(2.59%)and cineole(3.88%)whereas the more percentages of major components were obtained by SCFE at 50℃included caryophyllene(44.31%),trans-α-bergamotene(6.79%),humulene(11.97%)cis-β-farnesene(9.71%)and monoterpenes includedα-pinene(0.45%),d-limonene(2.13%)p-cymol(0.19%)and cineole(1.38%)respectively.We found yield/efficiency,chemical composition,quality of the essential oils by supercritical fluid extraction superior in terms of modern,green,saving energy and a rapid approach as compared to traditional techniques.     

TsOH-SiO2 as an efficient and eco-friendly catalyst for Knoevenagel condensation

Tosic acid on silica gel (TsOH-SiO₂) was synthesized and characterized using microscopic and spectroscopic techniques such as powder X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and FT-IR spectroscopy. Thermal behaviour of the catalyst was investigated by differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) and thermogravimetric (TG) analysis. TsOH-SiO₂ showed excellent catalytic activity for the Knoevenagel condensation and was recyclable for six cycles.     

Reissner-Nordstrom repulsion

It is pointed out that there was an error in the recent paper by Grøn claiming that there is no electro-gravitic repulsion in the Reissner-Nordstrom geometry. It is concluded that the earlier result of Mahajan, Qadir and Valanju still stands.