Phantom energy accretion and primordial black holes evolution in Brans–Dicke theory

In this work, we study the evolution of primordial black holes within the context of Brans–Dicke theory by considering the presence of a dark energy component with a super-negative equation of state, called phantom energy, as a background. Besides Hawking evaporation, here we consider two types of accretion—radiation accretion and phantom energy accretion. We found that radiation accretion increases the lifetime of primordial black holes whereas phantom accretion decreases the lifespan of primordial black holes. Investigating the competition between the radiation accretion and phantom accretion, we found that there is an instant during the matter-dominated era beyond which phantom accretion dominates radiation accretion. So the primordial black holes which are formed in the later part of radiation-dominated era and in matter-dominated era are evaporated at a quicker rate than by Hawking evaporation. But for presently evaporating primordial black holes, radiation accretion and Hawking evaporation terms are dominant over the phantom accretion term and hence presently evaporating primordial black holes are not much affected by phantom accretion.     

CdS-ZnO composite nanorods: Synthesis, characterization and application for photocatalytic degradation of 3,4-dihydroxy benzoic acid

Well-aligned arrays of CdS-ZnO composite nanorods were grown on indium tin oxide substrates. ZnO nanorods, deposited by a low temperature aqueous chemical growth technique, were dip coated with CdS. The CdS-ZnO nanorods were polycrystalline as confirmed from the low angle X-rays diffraction study. Photon to current conversion efficiency of CdS-ZnO composite nanorod was observed to be higher than that of CdS. In the micro-Raman spectrum, we observed longitudinal optical modes of CdS and ZnO showing their co-existence. The appealing application of CdS-ZnO nanorod as a visible photocatalyst was demonstrated and the possible mechanism was discussed.     

Interaction of loosely bound radioactive 7Be and stable 7Li with 9Be

Quasielastic scattering angular distributions have been measured for the ⁷Be + ⁹Be system at E _lab = 17 , 19 and 21MeV in the angular range $ \theta_{{cm}}^{}$ = 24^° - 57^° . An optical model (OM) analysis of these data has been carried out in order to extract optical potential parameters and reaction cross-sections. One-proton stripping cross-sections were also measured for this system at E _lab = 19 and 21MeV. These transfer angular-distribution data were compared with the finite-range distorted-wave Born approximation (FRDWBA) calculations. For the ⁷Li + ⁹Be system quasielastic scattering angular distributions were measured and emitted light charged particles were detected at E _lab = 15.75 , 24.00 and 30.00MeV in the angular range $ \theta_{{cm}}^{}$ = 7^° - 70^° . Fusion cross-sections were obtained by reproducing the measured $ \alpha$ -evaporation spectra from the compound nucleus at backward angles with the statistical model calculations. The ratios of the experimental fusion cross-sections to the total reaction cross-sections (obtained from OM analysis) were found to be small. This result suggests that the break-up process has a strong influence on the fusion process leading to a reduction in the fusion cross-section.     

Defect driven multiferroicity in Gd doped BiFeO3 at room temperature

This paper reports that defect driven magnetism can be obtained at room temperature by optimizing metal ion concentration in bismuth ferrite (BFO) following our novel slow step solid state sintering route. We observed a clean signature of enhanced multiferroic behavior in Gd doped bismuth ferrite (Gd-BFO) bulk ceramics at room temperature (RT). Bismuth rich iron deficient Gd-BFO ceramics were prepared by solid state route through slow step sintering schedule at 850 °C. At particular composition, (Bi_1.2Gd_0.1Fe_0.8O₃), this materials completely transform from rhombohedral R3c to orthorhombic Pn2₁a space group. We emphasized that excess bismuth is expected to act as point defects and occupy interstitials positions, which in turn interact by oxygen vacancies. These defects are likely to promote defect driven ferromagnetism in BFO system. Incorporation of Gd in presence of excess bismuth in BFO enhanced both spin and electric polarization at room temperature. We also infer that Gd substitution in BFO is likely to suppress spiral spin modulation, which also favors ferromagnetism in Gd-BFO.     

Application of radioisotopes in the field of nuclear medicine

A comprehensive review has been made to discuss the role of various radionuclides of lanthanide series elements in the field of nuclear medicine. The role of several pharmaceuticals labeled with radiolanthanides and used for investigative purposes like measurement of cerebral blood flow, bone density measurement, bone marrow imaging, etc., have been described. The role of lanthanide radionuclides in radiation synovectomy, radioimmunotherapy, etc., have also been discussed. Methods of preparation of some representative radiopharmaceuticals like¹⁵³Sm-EDTMP,¹⁵³Sm-HYP, have been presented. An outline on the production of carrier free radioisotopes of lanthanide series elements has been given.     

Derivatives of Cinnamic Acid Esters and Terpenic Diversity in Volatiles of Thirty-Six Sand Ginger (Kaempferia galanga L.) Accessions of Eastern India Revealing Quality Chemovars

The essential oil of Kaempferia galanga L. commonly known as sand ginger has increased its demand in national and international market for decades. Cinnamic acid esters like ethyl-p-methoxy cinnamate (EPMC) and ethyl cinnamate (EC) are major constituents in its essential oil. In spite of the high demand for the plant as raw material, identification of quality chemovars having high essential oil (EO) yield and constituents is still at an infant stage. With this in mind, we have evaluated the EO yield of 36 accessions from three provinces of Eastern India, which varied within a range of 0.41 ± 0.01 to 2.63 ± 0.03 v/w. Further, a total of 65 compounds were detected by gas chromatography and mass spectrometry (GC-MS) with area percentages varying from 76.16 to 97.3%. EPMC was found to be the major component in 14 accessions with area percentages varying from 10.7% to 41.1%, whereas other 22 accessions showed EC as the major constituent, varying from 16% to 29.1%. Further, a diversity study among accessions was performed by agglomerative hierarchical clustering (AHC) and principal component analysis (PCA) analysis based on the abundance of identified constituents, which categorized all 36 accessions into three clusters. Thus, the present study helps to identify quality chemovar K.g16 and K.g14 with respect to oil yield and constituents, respectively, which could be used to guide commercial cultivation and further improvement of the taxa.     

Kinetics and products of propargyl (C3H3) radical self‐reactions and propargyl‐methyl cross‐combination reactions

Propargyl (HCC CH₂) and methyl radicals were produced through the 193‐nm excimer laser photolysis of mixtures of C₃H₃Cl/He and CH₃N₂CH₃/He, respectively. Gas chromatographic and mass spectrometric (GC/MS) product analyses were employed to characterize and quantify the major reaction products. The rate constants for propargyl radical self‐reactions and propargyl‐methyl cross‐combination reactions were determined through kinetic modeling and comparative rate determination methods. The major products of the propargyl radical combination reaction, at room temperature and total pressure of about 6.7 kPa (50 Torr) consisted of three C₆H₆ isomers with 1,5‐hexadiyne(CHC CH₂ CH₂ CCH, about 60%); 1,2‐hexadiene‐5yne (CH₂CC CH₂ CCH, about 25%); and a third isomer of C₆H₆ (∼15%), which has not yet been, with certainty, identified as being the major products. The rate constant determination in the propargyl‐methyl mixed radical system yielded a value of (4.0 ± 0.4) × 10⁻¹¹ cm³ molecule⁻¹ s⁻¹ for propargyl radical combination reactions and a rate constant of (1.5 ± 0.3) × 10⁻¹⁰ cm³ molecule⁻¹ s⁻¹ for propargyl‐methyl cross‐combination reactions. The products of the methyl‐propargyl cross‐combination reactions were two isomers of C₄H₆, 1‐butyne (about 60%) and 1,2‐butadiene (about 40%). © 2000 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. Int J Chem Kinet 32: 118–124, 2000     

Evaluation of Properties of Concrete Without Cement Produced Using Fly Ash-Based Geopolymer

The use of ordinary Portland cement (OPC) in the construction industry is inevitable. The huge production of OPC and its use in infrastructural development pose an environmental impact. Greenhouse gas emitted increases the global temperature and it is an alarming sign to everybody on the planet. Concrete is the most consuming material which is produced by using OPC and it is proven that OPC contributes a lot to CO₂ emission. Hence in this study attempt is made to produce concrete by using environment-friendly material like fly ash along with alkaline activators, which is termed Geo polymer concrete. The by-product fly ash is widely available worldwide. It is a by-product of thermal power plants. The use of fly ash in concrete produces less expensive and more cost-effective concrete than concrete made up using OPC. Due to its high silicate and alumina content, fly ash reacts with an alkaline solution to create an aluminosilicate gel that binds the aggregate and results in high-quality concrete. Fly ash is finer than cement, it occupies the pores of cement after hydration. This would result in denser concrete which gives higher strength. In comparison to ordinary concrete, fly ash-based geopolymer concrete offers better resistance to aggressive environments and high temperatures. In the present study, an alkaline activator of molarity 8 is used to prepare geopolymer concrete. The test specimens are cast and cured for 28 days. Test results indicate that an alkaline liquid fly-ash ratio (0.4) produces higher mechanical properties. Hence, geopolymer concrete produced in this study is found to be cost-effective and environment friendly.     

Vanadium(IV)-oxo Corrole Catalyzed Selective Oxidative Cleavage of Alkenes to Aldehydes

A practical and efficient protocol for oxidative cleavage of olefinic bonds especially in arylated olefins has been demonstrated. Herein, an oxo[5,10,15-tris(4-nitrophenyl)corrolato]vanadium (IV) complex (cat.), has been successfully synthesized and the existence of two tautomeric forms of this complex in solution has been established. Oxo[5,10,15-tris(4-nitrophenyl)corrolato]vanadium (IV) (cat.) in the presence of H₂O₂ cleaves olefinic bonds to yield the corresponding aldehyde compounds. In general, a high valent, oxo-(porphyrinoid)-metal complex catalyzes the epoxide formation reactions, however, in the present case, we have observed the exclusive formation of aldehydes. The reaction offered aryl aldehydes with good yields and excellent selectivity. A mechanism was also proposed for these catalysis reactions.     

Evaluating Properties of Green Concrete Produced Using Waste Marble Powder,Quarry Dust,and Paper Pulp

Industrial waste locks are used as raw materials to reduce harmful effects on the environment and improve environmental performance. Marble clay powder can be used as a filling aid and can fill voids in concrete structures. This article will show you how to use a maximum natural sand alternative in concrete with marble powder and quarry dust. The challenge of the 21st century is to change to a new form that can support the natural system. This necessitates a radical rethinking of how to give the community infrastructure and housing. Making a concerted effort to develop novel, innovative, and alternative construction materials may be necessary. Jungles of concrete around cause's impact on the Environment and it would result in climate change. Mankind must avoid the use of things that are detrimental to the environment. So in this paper, it is decided to address the issue by adopting the use of the green concrete concept which is environmentally friendly. Green concrete is concrete made up using industrial wastes such as marble powder, quarry dust, wood ash, paper pulp, etc. Green concrete, which is capable of sustainable development, helps to reduce the consumption of natural resources, energy use, and environmental pollution. Green concrete is more cost-effective than ordinary concrete and reduces the cost of resultant concrete by 14%–20%. It is also observed that the alkali-aggregate reaction and sulfate attack resistance of concrete are both significantly improved. Green concrete is a useful tool for lowering environmental pollution and enhancing concrete's resistance to harsh conditions. All stages of infrastructure construction and rehabilitation will follow this trend of using new cement and techniques. Green concrete's adaptability and its performance derivatives will meet a variety of future needs.