Effect of Al–Cr doping on the structural,magnetic and dielectric properties of strontium hexaferrite nanomaterials

Nanosized strontium hexaferrite doped with a binary mixture of Al–Cr at the iron site is synthesized by the chemical co-precipitation method. The hexagonal phase and the nominal composition of the synthesized nanomaterials are confirmed by X-ray diffraction and energy dispersive X-ray fluorescence analyses. The crystallite size is found in the range of 14–30 nm, which is small enough to obtain a suitable signal-to-noise ratio in high density recording media. The average grain size of the material is found in the range of 40–85 nm as determined by scanning electron microscopy. The magnetic properties, such as saturation magnetization, remanence and coercivity, are calculated from hysteresis loop measurement, and the value of the magnetic moment is also calculated from the saturation magnetization data. All the magnetic properties are found to decrease with the increase in Al–Cr content, which is due to the occupation of the doped cations at the octahedral sites (12k and 2a) having spin of electrons in upward direction. The variation in the dielectric constant and dielectric loss factor with frequency is discussed on the basis of Wagner and Koop’s theory. It is found that the dielectric constant decreases with the increase in Al–Cr content, which suggests that the doped nanomaterials are suitable for applications in microwave devices.     

The impact of distribution system characteristics on computational tractability

Mathematical programming models that seek optimal design and operational plans for distribution systems can be computationally intractable. This paper examines the extent to which distribution configuration and demand characteristics affect the ease of obtaining an optimal solution. Problem characteristics, which are reflected in a model by the parameter values, can render the model for one distribution scenario to be computationally intractable and that for another to yield an optimal solution easily. We introduce echelon-flow-based valid inequalities and use them to explicate the extent to which problem characteristics impact computational tractability.     

Some solutions of the linear and nonlinear Klein-Gordon equations using the optimal homotopy asymptotic method

We investigate the effectiveness of the Optimal Homotopy Asymptotic Method (OHAM) in solving time dependent partial differential equations. To this effect we consider the homogeneous, non-homogeneous, linear and nonlinear Klein-Gordon equations with boundary conditions. The results reveal that the method is explicit, effective, and easy to use.     

Similar solutions of stretching flow with mass transfer

This study describes the influence of mass transfer on the steady two‐dimensional magnetohydrodynamic boundary layer flow of a Jeffery fluid bounded by a stretching sheet. A uniform magnetic field in the presence of chemical reaction is applied. The arising nonlinear partial differential equations are reduced to nonlinear ordinary differential equations by similarity variables. Similar solutions of velocity and concentration fields are derived by a homotopy analysis method. The values of surface mass transfer and gradient of mass transfer are also tabulated. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

A thermoluminescence study of Z2-centres in terbium-doped NaCl crystals

Thermoluminescence (TL), optical absorption are used to correlate thermal annealing of Z₂-centres with TL peak occurring around 110 °C in Terbium doped NaCl crystals. The TL glow peak occurring around 190 °C it attributed to the thermal annealing of F-centres. The thermal activation parameters are calculated for both Z₂- and F-centre peaks.     

Early Optimization Stages of Agave lechuguilla Bagasse Processing toward Biorefinement: Drying Procedure and Enzymatic Hydrolysis for Flavonoid Extraction

Agave lechuguilla agro-waste is a promising renewable material for biorefining purposes. The procurement of added-value co-products, such as bioactive phytochemicals, is required to improve bioprocesses and promote the bio-based economy of the productive areas of Mexico. In this study, we aimed to evaluate the effect of post-harvest management and enzymatic pretreatment as the first stages of the A. lechuguilla valorization process. Four drying methods were compared, and enzymatic hydrolysis was optimized to obtain a flavonoid-enriched extract applying ultrasound-assisted extraction. In both experiments, the total phenolic (TPC) and flavonoid (TFC) contents, HPLC-UV flavonoid profiles, and radical scavenging capacity (DPPH) were considered as response variables. The results demonstrated that light exposure during the drying process particularly affected the flavonoid content, whereas oven-dehydration at 40 °C in the dark preserved the flavonoid diversity and antioxidant functionality of the extracts. Flavonoid glycoside recovery, particularly anthocyanidins, was 1.5–1.4-fold enhanced by enzymatic hydrolysis using the commercial mix Ultraflo© under optimized conditions (pH 4, 40 °C, 180 rpm, and 2.5 h) compared to the unpretreated biomass. The extraction of flavonoids from A. lechuguilla bagasse can be carried out using a scalable drying method and enzymatic pretreatment. This study confirmed the potential of this agro-waste as a source of marketable natural products.     

Long-Term Potentiodynamic Testing and Tribometric Properties of Amorphous Alloy Coatings under Saline Environment

Protective coatings for harsh environments are always welcome, but they must overcome profound challenges, including corrosion and wear resistance. The purpose of this study is to look into the long-term potentiodynamic polarization measurements and dry tribometric behavior of plasma-sprayed amorphous coatings on AISI 1035 mild steel. To investigate the impact of unique active polarization potentials on the electrochemical studies of the iron-based amorphous layer, which compares favorably to AISI 1035 mild steel, the active potential polarization curve and friction coefficient tests were performed. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and energy dispersive x-ray (EDX) analyses were used to investigate the coating’s corrosion behavior. Their mechanical (Tribometric tests at higher sliding speeds) and chemical properties (electrochemical potentiodynamic polarization investigations) have also been thoroughly investigated. There is enough validation that these protective coatings can be used in hostile environments. The effects of long-term corrosion for 24 and 48 h were thoroughly examined. Tribometric examinations revealed that amorphous layers are highly resistant under dry conditions, as they offered a very low and stable friction coefficient less than 4 μ with micro Vickers hardness 1140 ± 22.14 HV, which is more than twice as compared to mild steel AISI 1035. The corrosion resistance of coatings in 3.5 wt % NaCl solution displays active transition characteristics of activation, passivation, over passivation, and pitting, as shown by the potentiodynamic polarization curves.     

Synthesis,Characterization, Biological Evaluation and DNA Interaction Studies of 4-Aminophenol Derivatives: Theoretical and Experimental Approach

In the present study, five 4-aminophenol derivatives (4-chloro-2-(((4-hydroxyphenyl)imino)methyl)phenol(S-1), 4-((4-(dimethylamino)benzylidene)amino)phenol(S-2), 4-((3-nitrobenzylidene)amino)phenol(S-3), 4-((thiophen-2-ylmethylene)amino)phenol(S-4) and 4-(((E)-3-phenylallylidene)amino)phenol(S-5)) were synthesized and characterized by FT-IR, ¹H-NMR, ¹³C-NMR and elemental analyses. The synthesized compounds were tested for their antimicrobial (Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria and Saccharomyces cervesea fungus) and antidiabetic (α-amylase and α-glucosidase inhibitory) activities. All the compounds showed broad-spectrum activities against the Staphylococcus aureus (ATCC 6538), Micrococcus luteus (ATCC 4698), Staphylococcus epidermidis (ATCC 12228), Bacillus subtilis sub. sp spizizenii (ATCC 6633), Bordetella bronchiseptica (ATCC 4617) and Saccharomyces cerevisiae (ATCC 9763) strains. The newly synthesized compounds showed a significant inhibition of amylase (93.2%) and glucosidase (73.7%) in a concentration-dependent manner. Interaction studies of Human DNA with the synthesized Schiff bases were also performed. The spectral bands of S-1, S-2, S-3 and S-5 all showed hyperchromism, whereas the spectral band of S-4 showed a hypochromic effect. Moreover, the spectral bands of the S-2, S-3 and S-4 compounds were also found to exhibit a bathochromic shift (red shift). The present studies delineate broad-spectrum antimicrobial and antidiabetic activities of the synthesized compounds. Additionally, DNA interaction studies highlight the potential of synthetic compounds as anticancer agents. The DNA interaction studies, as well as the antidiabetic activities articulated by the molecular docking methods, showed the promising aspects of synthetic compounds.