Investigation of proton-proton short-range correlations via the 12C(e,e'pp) reaction

We investigated simultaneously the 12C(e,e'p) and 12C(e,e'pp) reactions at Q2=2 (GeV/c)2, xB=1.2, and in an (e, e'p) missing-momentum range from 300 to 600 MeV/c. At these kinematics, with a missing momentum greater than the Fermi momentum of nucleons in a nucleus and far from the delta excitation, short-range nucleon-nucleon correlations are predicted to dominate the reaction. For (9.5+/-2)% of the 12C(e,e'p) events, a recoiling partner proton was observed back-to-back to the 12C(e,e'p) missing-momentum vector, an experimental signature of correlations.     

Nonlinear Dynamics of a Cantilever Beam Carrying an Attached Mass with 1:3:9 Internal Resonances

In this paper the nonlinear response of a base-excited slender beam carrying an attached mass is investigated with 1:3:9 internal resonances for principal and combinationparametric resonances. Here the method of normal forms is used to reduce the second order nonlinear temporal differential equation of motion of the system to a set offirst order nonlinear differential equations which are used to find the fixed-point, periodic, quasi-periodic and chaotic responses of the system.Stability and bifurcation analysis of the responses are carried out and bifurcation sets are plotted. Many chaotic phenomena are reported in this paper.     

Lanthanide‐Doped Nanocrystals: Strategies for Improving the Efficiency of Upconversion Emission and Their Physical Understanding

The fundamental understanding of lanthanide‐doped upconverted nanocrystals remains a frontier area of research because of potential applications in photonics and biophotonics. Recent studies have revealed that upconversion luminescence dynamics depend on host crystal structure, size of the nanocrystals, dopant concentration, and core–shell structures, which influence site symmetry and the distribution and energy migration of the dopant ions. In this review, we bring to light the influences of doping/co‐doping concentration, crystal phase, crystal size of the host, and core–shell structure on the efficiency of upconversion emission. Furthermore, the lattice strain, due to a change in the crystal phase and by the core–shell structure, strongly influences the upconversion emission intensity. Analysis suggests that the local environment of the ion plays the most significant role in modification of radiative and nonradiative relaxation mechanisms of overall upconversion emission properties. Finally, an outlook on the prospects of this research field is given.     

Influence of Size and Shape on the Photocatalytic Properties of SnO2 Nanocrystals

Tuning the functional properties of nanocrystals is an important issue in nanoscience. Here, we are able to tune the photocatalytic properties of SnO₂ nanocrystals by controlling their size and shape. A structural analysis was carried out by using X‐ray diffraction (XRD)/Rietveld and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). The results reveal that the number of oxygen‐related defects varies upon changing the size and shape of the nanocrystals, which eventually influences their photocatalytic properties. Time‐resolved spectroscopic studies of the carrier relaxation dynamics of the SnO₂ nanocrystals further confirm that the electron–hole recombination process is controlled by oxygen/defect states, which can be tuned by changing the shape and size of the materials. The degradation of dyes (90 %) in the presence of SnO₂ nanoparticles under UV light is comparable to that (88 %) in the presence of standard TiO₂ Degussa P‐25 (P25) powders. The photocatalytic activity of the nanoparticles is significantly higher than those of nanorods and nanospheres because the effective charge separation in the SnO₂ nanoparticles is controlled by defect states leading to enhanced photocatalytic properties. The size‐ and shape‐dependent photocatalytic properties of SnO₂ nanocrystals make these materials interesting candidates for photocatalytic applications.     

Improvement in the yield and quality of kalmegh (Andrographis paniculata Nees) under the sustainable production system

Andrographis paniculata Nees is an annual erect herb with wide medicinal and pharmacological applications due to the presence of andrographolide and other active chemical constituents. The large-scale cultivation of the kalmegh is not in practice. The aim of this study was to establish sustainable production systems of A. paniculata cv CIM-Megha with the application of different bioinoculants and chemical fertilisers. A. paniculata herb and andrographolide yield in the dried leaves was found to be highest (218% and 61.3%, respectively) in treatment T₃ (NPK+Bacillus sp.) compared with T₁ (control). The soil organic carbon, soil microbial respiration, soil enzymes activity and available nutrients improved significantly with combined application of bioinoculants and chemical fertilisers.     

Dynamic polarizability of two‐electron ions under Debye screening

The effect of plasma screening on the dynamic dipole polarizability (DPP) of two‐electron ions Be²⁺, B³⁺, and C⁴⁺ has been investigated using highly correlated exponential wave functions within the framework of pseudostate summation technique and Debye screening concept. Plasma‐screening effect on the oscillator strengths (OS) of the ultraviolet and visible series has also been investigated for the systems Li⁺, Be²⁺, B³⁺, C⁴⁺. The DPP are reported as functions of screening parameters. The OS for S‐P transitions are also reported for various screening parameters. The OS and dynamic polarizability show interesting behavior with increasing screening strength and nuclear charge. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.     

Physicochemical studies on bioactive Cr(III) coordination compounds with esters of hydrazine carboxylic acid as hetero donor ligands

Reaction between hydrazine derivative ligands (HrzE) or (HrzB) and chromium salt in 1:2 (metal:ligand) molar ratio yielded monometallic trivalent coordination compounds with general formula [Cr(HrzE)₂X₂]X and [Cr(HrzB)₂X₂]X, where (HrzE) = hydrazine carboxylic acid ethyl ester, (HrzB) = hydrazine carboxylic acid tert-butyl ester, and X = Cl^?, Br^? or F^?. Elemental analysis, conductivity measurements, magnetic moment measurements, and various spectroscopic techniques, viz. infrared, ultraviolet–visible, and electrospray ionization mass spectrometry, were applied to illustrate the structure and composition of the coordination compounds. Analytic and conductivity results were consistent with 1:1 electrolytic behavior and the proposed formulas of the coordination compounds. Electronic absorption data and magnetic moment parameters indicated octahedral geometry surrounding the metal ion in the coordination compounds. The in vitro antimicrobial behavior of the ligands and coordination compounds was screened using four bacterial strains (Staphylococcus aureus, Bacillus subtilis, Escherichia coli, and Salmonella typhi) and two fungal strains (Candida parapsilosis and Saccharomyces cerevisiae). The results indicated improved activity of the coordination compounds compared with the free ligands against the studied bacteria and fungi.     

Unsteady circulatory flow about a circular cylinder with suction

Summary The complete Navier-Stokes equations which describe the unsteady flow of a viscous incompressible fluid when an infinite circular cylinder is given an impulsive twist, and simultaneously a constant suction velocity is imposed on the cylinder, are integrated using Laplace transforms. It is found that points which are at a greater distance from the cylinder are nearer to steadiness than points which are closer to the cylinder. Unsteady flow through a concentric annulus has also been considered.     

Visual detection of arginine,histidine and lysine using quercetin-functionalized gold nanoparticles

We report on the use of quercetin-functionalized gold nanoparticles (QC-AuNPs) as a colorimetric probe for the amino acids arginine (Arg), histidine (His) and lysine (Lys). The method is based on the aggregation of the QC-AuNPs that is caused by these amino acids and leads to a visually detectable color change from red to blue. The absorption maxima shift from 525 nm to 702, 693, and 745 nm, respectively. Aggregations are confirmed by dynamic light scattering (DLS) and transmission electron microscopic techniques (TEM). The effects of the QC concentration, temperature and reaction time for the preparation of QC-Au NPs were tested. Other amino acids do not interfere. Under the optimal conditions, linear relationships exist between the absorption ratios at 702/525 nm (for Arg), 693/525 nm (for His), and 745/525 nm (for Lys) over the concentrations ranges from 2.5–1,250 μM (Arg) and 1–1,000 μM (His and Lys), respectively. The respective limits of detection are 0.04, 0.03, and 0.02 μM. The method provides a useful tool for the rapid visual and instrumental determination of the three amino acids.

We report the use of quercetin as novel reagent for preparation and functionalization of gold nanoparticles to colorimetric sensing of three aminoacids (arginine, histidine and lysine). This is based on the aggregation of QC-AuNPs induced by three aminoacids.