Schamel equation in an inhomogeneous magnetized sheared flow plasma with q-nonextensive trapped electrons

An investigation is carried out for understanding the properties of ion–acoustic(IA) solitary waves in an inhomogeneous magnetized electron-ion plasma with field-aligned sheared flow under the impact of q-nonextensive trapped electrons. The Schamel equation and its stationary solution in the form of solitary waves are obtained for this inhomogeneous plasma. It is shown that the amplitude of IA solitary waves increases with higher trapping efficiency(β), while the width remains almost the same. Further, it is found that the amplitude of the solitary waves decreases with enhanced normalized drift speed, shear flow parameter and the population of the energetic particles. The size of the nonlinear solitary structures is calculated to be a few hundred meters and it is pointed out that the present results are useful to understand the solar wind plasma.     

The kinetics of photostabilization of cyanocobalamin in liposomal preparations

Cyanocobalamin (B₁₂) is a photosensitive vitamin, and its photodegradation to hydroxocobalamin (B_12b) in liposomes has been investigated. The values of apparent first-order rate constants (k_obs) for the photodegradation of B₁₂ in liposomes (nine preparations) are in the range of (0.52-2.24) × 10^–3 min^–1, compared to 3.21 × 10^–3 min^–1 for B₁₂ in aqueous solution (pH 5.0). The entrapment efficiency of B₁₂ in liposomes is 26.4-38.8%. The values of k_obs show a linear relation with phosphatidylcholine (PC) content in liposomes, indicating the influence of PC in inhibiting the rate of photolysis of B₁₂. The value of the bimolecular rate constant for photochemical interaction of B₁₂ and PC is 0.32 M^–1 min^–1, indicating the stabilizing effect of PC on the photolysis of B₁₂. The ratio of B₁₂ stabilization in liposomal preparations is in the range 2-6 compared to that of the unentrapped vitamin The stabilization of B₁₂ is mediated by a photoinduced charge-transfer B₁₂-PC complex that leads to the reduction of B₁₂ to B_12r, which is then oxidized to B_12b that has low susceptibility to photolysis. The extent of stabilization of B₁₂ probably depends on the degree of interaction between the two compounds under the reaction conditions, indicated by the loss of B₁₂ fluorescence.     

Double layers in an inhomogeneous magnetized bi‐ion plasma

A simpler analytical approach is employed to obtain energy integral equation for a pseudo‐particle in a pseudo‐potential, which admits double layer (DL) solutions for the non‐linear low‐frequency electrostatic perturbations in non‐uniform plasma consisting of electrons and two kinds of ions. One of the ion species has field‐aligned shear flow and electrons are superthermal kappa distributed. This theoretical model is applied to the upper ionospheric oxygen‐dominated plasma that has small concentration of protons along with upward flow of oxygen ions. Under suitable boundary conditions, both rarefactive (density dip) and compressive (density hump) DLs are obtained solving energy integral equation using the plasma parameters of ionosphere around altitude of 800 km. The amplitude and width of the DLs depend upon the scale lengths of density and temperature gradients as well as on the ratio of equilibrium densities of oxygen and hydrogen.     

Structural, electronic and optical calculations of CaxZn1−xO alloys: A first principles study

First principles density functional calculations, using full potential linearized augmented plane wave (FP-LAPW) method, have been performed in order to investigate the structural, electronic and optical properties of Ca_xZn_1−xO alloy in B1 (NaCl) phase. Dependence of structural parameters as well as the band gap values on the composition x have been analyzed in the range 0?x?1. Calculated electronic structure and the density of states of these alloys are discussed in terms of the contribution of Zn d, O p and Ca p and d states. Furthermore, optical properties such as complex dielectric constants ε(ω), refractive index including extinction coefficient k(ω), normal-incidence reflectivity R(ω), absorption coefficient α(ω) and optical conductivity σ(ω) are calculated and discussed in the incident photon energy range 0-45 eV.     

First principles calculations of structural,electronic and optical properties of various phases of CaS

First principles calculations have been performed within the framework of density functional theory to investigate the structural, electronic and optical properties of all four possible B1, B2, B3 and B4 phases of CaS. Apart from the standard local density approximation (LDA) and GGA (PBE), a more accurate nonempirical density functional generalized gradient approximation (GGA), as proposed by Wu and Cohen [Phys. Rev. B 73, 235116 (2006)] for the exchange-correlation energy, E_XC, has been attempted in these calculations. Calculated electronic structure and the density of states are analyzed in terms of the contribution of Ca d states and S s and p states in determining the nature of the fundamental band gap in various phases. Reflectivity, R (ω), the real and imaginary part of the dielectric functions, ε(ω), have been calculated for all the phases and the results have been discussed and compared with the existing experimental data.     

Simultaneous Organic and Inorganic Host-Guest Chemistry within Pillararene-Protein Cage Frameworks

Supramolecular self-assembly of biomolecules provides a powerful bottom-up strategy to build functional nanostructures and materials. Among the different biomacromolecules, protein cages offer various advantages including uniform size, versatility, multi-modularity, and high stability. Additionally, protein cage crystals present confined microenvironments with well-defined dimensions. On the other hand, molecular hosts, such as cyclophanes, possess a defined cavity size and selective recognition of guest molecules. However, the successful combination of macrocycles and protein cages to achieve functional co-crystals has remained limited. In this study, we demonstrate electrostatic binding between cationic pillar[5]arenes and (apo)ferritin cages that results in porous and crystalline frameworks. The electrostatically assembled crystals present a face-centered cubic (FCC) lattice and have been characterized by means of small-angle X-ray scattering and cryo-TEM. These hierarchical structures result in a multiadsorbent framework capable of hosting both organic and inorganic pollutants, such as dyes and toxic metals, with potential application in water-remediation technologies.     

Ab initio study of structural, electronic and optical properties of Be-doped CdS, CdSe and CdTe compounds

Full-potential linearized augmented plane wave plus local orbitals (FP-LAPW+lo) method within density functional theory (DFT) has been utilized to calculate structural, electronic and optical properties of Be-doped CdS, CdSe and CdTe compounds with the dopant concentration x in the range 0≤x≤1. For the contribution of exchange-correlation potential, we used Wu-Cohen generalized gradient approximation (GGA) to calculate structural parameters, whereas both Wu-Cohen and Engel-Vosko GGA have been applied to calculate electronic structure of the materials. Only a slight deviation from Vegard's law has been observed for the calculated lattice constants and bulk moduli of the alloys. Structural and chemical factors that affect the band-gap bowing of these semiconductor alloys have been estimated and discussed. Density of states curves and charge density maps have been calculated and analyzed. Lastly, optical properties of both binary and their related ternary alloys have been discussed in terms of the calculated dielectric function. The resultant optical parameters are compared with the available experimental data and other calculations.     

Improvement in the Water Retention Characteristics of Sandy Loam Soil Using a Newly Synthesized Poly(acrylamide-<em>co</em>-acrylic Acid)/AlZnFe₂O₄ Superabsorbent Hydrogel Nanocomposite Material

The use of some novel and efficient crop nutrient-based superabsorbent hydrogel nanocomposites (SHNCs), is currently becoming increasingly important to improve the crop yield and productivity, due to their water retention properties. In the present study a poly(Acrylamide-co-acrylic acid)/AlZnFe₂O₄ superabsorbent hydrogel nanocomposite was synthesized and its physical properties characterized using Energy Dispersive X-ray (EDX), FE-SEM and FTIR spectroscopic techniques. The effects of different levels of SHNC were studied to evaluate the moisture retention properties of sandy loam soil (sand 59%, silt 21%, clay 19%, pH 7.4, EC 1.92 dS/m). The soil amendment with 0.1, 0.2, 0.3 and 0.4 w/w% of SHNC enhanced the moisture retention significantly at field capacity compared to the untreated soil. Besides, in a separate experiment, seed germination and seedling growth of wheat was found to be notably improved with the application of SHNC. A delay in wilting of seedlings by 5-8 days was observed for SHNC-amended soil, thereby improving wheat plant growth and establishment.