BRST symmetry for Regge–Teitelboim-based minisuperspace models

The Einstein–Hilbert action in the context of higher derivative theories is considered for finding their BRST symmetries. Being a constraint system, the model is transformed in the minisuperspace language with the FRLW background and the gauge symmetries are explored. Exploiting the first order formalism developed by Banerjee et al. the diffeomorphism symmetry is extracted. From the general form of the gauge transformations of the field, the analogous BRST transformations are calculated. The effective Lagrangian is constructed by considering two gauge-fixing conditions. Further, the BRST (conserved) charge is computed, which plays an important role in defining the physical states from the total Hilbert space of states. The finite field-dependent BRST formulation is also studied in this context where the Jacobian for the functional measure is illustrated specifically.     

The Initial-boundary Value Problem for the Ostrovsky-Vakhnenko Equation on the Half-line

We analyze an initial-boundary value problem for the Ostrovsky-Vakhnenko equation on the half-line. This equation can be viewed as the short wave model for the Degasperis-Procesi (DP) equation. We show that the solution u(x,t) can be recovered from its initial and boundary values via the solution of a vector Riemann-Hilbert problem formulated in the plane of a complex spectral parameter z.     

Synthesis,characterization, and electrochemical performance of nitrogen-modified Pt–Fe alloy nanoparticles supported on ordered mesoporous carbons

A method has been demonstrated to synthesize nitrogen-modified Pt–Fe alloyed nanoparticles (9.2–11.3 nm) supported on ordered mesoporous carbon (Pt _x Fe_100?x N/OMC), which is fabricated by a conventional wet chemical synthesis of Pt–Fe alloyed nanoparticles and followed by carbonization of the nanoparticles with tetraethylenepentamine as nitrogen chelating agent. Among these electrocatalysts, the Pt₃₀Fe₇₀N/OMC has highly catalytic activity for the oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) with significantly enhanced methanol tolerance as well. Combining the results from X-ray diffraction and X-ray absorption spectroscopy, it can be observed that Pt metal in the Pt₃₀Fe₇₀N/OMC is present in the outer shell of Pt–Fe alloys with face-centered cubic crystalline structure. By X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, the nitrogen-modified Pt surface of Pt₃₀Fe₇₀N/OMC exhibits significant selectivity toward the ORR in the presence of methanol. This enhancement of methanol tolerance could be attributed to the inhibition of methanol adsorption resulting from the modification of the Pt surface with nitrogen.     

Uptake of silver nanoparticles by monocytic THP-1 cells depends on particle size and presence of serum proteins

Human health risks by silver nanoparticle (AgNP) exposure are likely to increase due to the increasing number of NP-containing products and demonstrated adverse effects in various cell lines. Unfortunately, results from (toxicity) studies are often based on exposure dose and are often measured only at a fixed time point. NP uptake kinetics and the time-dependent internal cellular concentration are often not considered. Macrophages are the first line of defense against invading foreign agents including NPs. How macrophages deal with the particles is essential for potential toxicity of the NPs. However, there is a considerable lack of uptake studies of particles in the nanometer range and macrophage-like cells. Therefore, uptake rates were determined over 24 h for three different AgNPs sizes (20, 50 and 75 nm) in medium with and without fetal calf serum. Non-toxic concentrations of 10 ng Ag/mL for monocytic THP-1 cells, representing realistic exposure concentration for short-term exposures, were chosen. The uptake of Ag was higher in medium without fetal calf serum and showed increasing uptake for decreasing NP sizes, both on NP mass and on number basis. Internal cellular concentrations reached roughly 32/10 %, 25/18 % and 21/15 % of the nominal concentration in the absence of fetal calf serum/with fetal calf serum for 20-, 50- and 75-nm NPs, respectively. Our research shows that uptake kinetics in macrophages differ for various NP sizes. To increase the understanding of the mechanism of NP toxicity in cells, the process of uptake (timing) should be considered.     

Fabrication high-purity Fe nanochains with near theoretical limit value of saturation magnetization of bulk Fe

High-yield purity chain-like one-dimensional nanostructures consisting of single crystal Fe nanoparticles have been produced by using solution dispersion approach. Room temperature magnetic measurement shows that the as-fabricated Fe nanochains are ferromagnetic with a high saturation magnetization (203 emu/g) whereas the nanoparticles are single magnetic domains, which indicate that the as-synthesized products have superparamagnetism behavior with the saturation magnetization of about 28 emu/g. Maybe this results from the directional alignment of the nanoparticles. The excellent characteristic may have led to the potential applications in spin filtering, high density magnetic recording, and nanosensors.     

STUDY OF THE NUCLEAR PHENOMENA IN THE LOW ENERGY (60-360 keV) PROTON BEAM IMPLANTATION ON METALS

A series of studies on the nuclear interaction and its effects in solids during proton implantation were performed in the energy region between 60 and 360keV. Some charged particle products were observed in the implantation experiments on metal samples such as deuterated titanium, titanium alloy, titanium foil on molybdenum substrate, molybdenum and stainless steel, etc.. The energies of the charged particle products are about 3.9, 5.6 and 8.4MeV, respectively. These particles were identified as alpha particles with both detector telescope and absorption measurements. These three kinds of alpha products were found from different proton sub-barrier reactions. The exciting curve of this reaction increases exponentially with the growth of proton energy in the energy region from 90 to 330keV. The radiation damages induced by the nuclear products in the sample have been studied with scanning electron microscopy technique. The possible surface damages induced by them were observed evidently. The origin of the nuclear reactions and their effect on implantation are discussed.