Grain yield of the rice can be enhanced through genetic manipulation of the yield components. Thousand grain weight is an important component which can be improved through conventional as well as ...molecular breeding approach. A major effect novel genomic region, 'TGW10', for high grain weight was identified through a bulked segregant analysis approach in Azucena x IR64 population. Markers associated with grain weight in this region were RM25719 and RM5352. These markers were located on chromosome 10 at 19.8Mb and 21.1 Mb, respectively. This QTL explained phenotypic variance of more than 20%indicating this region to be a major effect locus. Markers linked with the QTL identified in present study should be used for enhancement in the grain yield potential of rice.
The present study deals with the material tailoring of Mg(NH2)2-2LiH through dual borohydrides: the reactive LiBH4 and the non-reactive NaBH4. Furthermore, a pulverizer, as well as a catalyst FeTi, ...has been added in order to facilitate hydrogen sorption. Addition of LiBH4 to LiNH2 in a 1 : 3 molar ratio leads to the formation of Li4(BH4)(NH2)3 which also acts as a catalyst. However, the addition of NaBH4 doesn't lead to any compound formation but shows a catalytic effect. The onset dehydrogenation temperature of thermally treated Mg(NH2)2-2LiH/(Li4(BH4)(NH2)3-NaBH4) is 142 °C as against 196 °C for the basic material Mg(NH2)2-2LiH. However, with the FeTi catalyzed Mg(NH2)2-2LiH/(Li4(BH4)(NH2)3-NaBH4, it has been reduced to 120 °C. This is better than other similar amide/hydride composites where it is 149 °C (when the basic material is catalyzed with LiBH4). The FeTi catalyzed Mg(NH2)2-2LiH/(Li4(BH4)(NH2)3-NaBH4 sample shows better de/re-hydrogenation kinetics as it desorbs 3.9 ± 0.04 wt% and absorbs nearly 4.1 ± 0.04 wt% both within 30 min at 170 °C (with the H2 pressure being 0.1 MPa for desorption and 7 MPa for absorption). The eventual hydrogen storage capacity of Mg(NH2)2-2LiH/(Li4(BH4)(NH2)3-NaBH4 together with FeTi has been found to be ∼5.0 wt%. To make the effect of catalysts intelligible, we have put forward in a schematic way the role of Li and Na borohydrides with FeTi for improving the hydrogen sorption properties of Mg(NH2)2-2LiH.
The effect of cooling rate on the mechanical behavior of Zr–Ga–Cu–Ni melt-spun glassy alloys has been studied using micro-indentation technique. The ribbons of alloy have been synthesized at three ...cooling rates corresponding to wheel speeds of 30, 40 and 50 m/s. The glass forming indicators and indentation characteristic have been investigated. The measurements by differential scanning calorimeters show that the ribbons synthesized at faster cooling rate contains larger amount of heats of relaxation, crystallization enthalpy and free volume. The indentation experiments demonstrate that with the same chemical composition, the ribbons synthesized at slow cooling rate exhibits higher hardness and yield strength than those synthesized at faster cooling rate. The ribbons synthesized at 50 m/s contains the large free volume and thus favors the formation of shear bands. The study is focused on investigations of these materials to understand the correlation between the cooling rate and the mechanical behavior of these alloys.
This work makes investigations on the cooling rate effect on the crystallization and mechanical behaviour of Zr69.5Ga7.5Cu12Ni11 metallic glass. The ribbon synthesized at a faster cooling rate contains a larger amount of heats of relaxation and free volume which favours the formation of shear bands. A slow cooling rate results in the higher value of hardness and yield strength for the alloys. The variation in the mechanical behaviour is explained on the basis of free volume theory. The study is focused on investigations of these materials to understand the correlation between the cooling rate and the mechanical behavior of these alloys. Display omitted
•MG synthesized at a faster cooling rate contains the large free volume and highest shear band density.•Ribbons synthesized at slow cooling rate exhibits higher hardness and yield strength.•Variation in the mechanical behaviour is discussed on the basis of free volume theory.•Study is focused on the correlation between cooling rate and mechanical behaviour.
The increasing plead for the realization of ultra-fast, miniaturized, compact, and ultra-low power consumption in electronic as well as spintronic devices has propelled the quest for novel ...multiferroic materials that efficiently enable voltage control of magnetism. The present work reports the phase stability, magnetic and dielectric responses of polycrystalline Bi1−xLaxFe1−yNiyO3 (0 ≤ x ≥ 0.2 and 0 ≤ y ≥ 0.2) multiferroic ceramics synthesized through a simplistic sol–gel approach. The maneuver substitutions of La at A− site of BiFeO3 multiferroic eliminate the secondary phases formed owing to impurities. Rietveld refined XRD analysis reveals the structural transformation of the orthorhombic (Pbnm) phase as La substitution increases. However, an additional lattice distortion is induced as a result of the substitutions of Ni atoms at B− site. A substantial enhancement in magnetic and dielectric responses has been found in the co-doped (Ni and La) sample at both A and B− sites as a result of the size confinement of nano-crystallites, the exchange interaction between Fe3+ and Ni2+ ions, and corresponding variation in Fe–O–Fe bond angles. The dielectric constant has increased substantially in the low-frequency region with simultaneous substitutions of La and Ni at the sites of Bi and Fe, respectively. A careful observation of temperature-dependent magnetization curves (FC and ZFC) indicates a spin glass response with entangled ferromagnetic components. The experimental findings infer that the co-substitutions of La and Ni at their respective sites in Bi1−xLaxFe1−yNiyO3 (0 ≤ x ≥ 0.2 and 0 ≤ y ≥ 0.2) may significantly improve the ferromagnetic and dielectric responses of the studied nanoceramics.
Diabetes mellitus Type 2 happens to be one of the most challenging health concerns in recent times and has spiked an alarming rise taking it into epidemic category. For management of this epidemic, ...sulphonylureas have been cornerstone in its treatment. The inefficiency and impairment of insulin to function has been compensated by treatment with anti-hyperglycemic agents (glibenclamide). However, this has been linked with cases of hypoglycemia. In order to rectify this, the present study focuses on development of better drug analogue. Sulphonylurea receptor (SUR1) was modeled with reliable efficiency and confirmed for structural validation. The docking results were strongly supported by molecular dynamics data and molecular mechanics-generalized born surface area (MM-GBSA) calculations. Successful docking of predicted sulphonylurea receptor with designed analogue (C
24
H
26
ClN
3
O
4
S) was illustrated with stronger binding energy (− 8.3 kcal/mol) having seven hydrophobic contacts and two hydrogen bonds (Ile
103
and Leu
116
) with the receptor protein. In case of SUR1-glibenclamide complex, a binding energy of − 7.1 kcal/mol was contributed from four hydrophobic contacts and three hydrogen bonds. The predicted molecule when scrutinized for pharmacophore and QSAR properties, like polar surface area, molar refractivity, oral bioavailability, solubility, transport across the gut, resistance to blood brain barrier and intestinal absorption, showed values mostly falling in prescribed range. It also highlighted that the inhibitor is non-toxic and non-carcinogenic property. Therefore, C
24
H
26
ClN
3
O
4
S can be used as a better and potent drug for treatment of diabetes Type 2 in comparison to glibenclamide.
Graphic Abstract
Three kinds of carbon nanostructures, i.e., graphene nanoflakes (GNFs), multi walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs), and spherical carbon nanoparticles (SCNPs) were comparatively investigated in one run ...experiment. These carbon nanostructures are located at specific location inside the direct current plasma-assisted arc discharge chamber. These carbon nanomaterials have been successfully synthesized using graphite as arcing electrodes at 400 torr in helium (He) atmosphere. The SCNPs were found in the deposits formed on the cathode holder, in which highly curled graphitic structure are found in majority. The diameter varies from 20 to 60 nm and it also appears that these particles are self-assembled to each other. The MWCNTs with the diameter of 10–30 nm were obtained which were present inside the swelling portion of cathode deposited. These MWCNTs have 14–18 graphitic layers with 3.59 Å interlayer spacing. The GNFs have average lateral sizes of 1–5 μm and few of them are stacked layers and shows crumpled like structure. The GNFs are more stable at low temperature (low mass loss) but SCNPs have low mass loss at high temperature.
In this paper, the effect of plasma cladding on the modal dispersion characteristics of guided modes is explored. The dispersion relation of guided modes which is derived employing the usual boundary ...conditions, show a strong dependency on the operating frequency. The numerical aperture of plasma cladded light guide decreases on increasing the operating frequency which is quite contrary to conventional dielectric optical fibers. Our study further revealed that this decrease in numerical aperture is more prompt at lower frequency and hence, an unusual dispersion characteristic is displayed by hybrid modes. The transverse modes display the usual dispersion characteristics with only exceptions that these modes occur in pairs with approximately equal cutoff frequency. We hope that the study will be quite useful to investigate the behavior of high power laser beam propagating through air core or hollow fibers.
The substitution of Ga in Ce75Al25−xGax (x=0 and 4at.%) metallic glasses (MGs) has led to phase separation giving rise to nano-amorphous domains in a glassy matrix. The CeL3-edge XAS spectra for x=4 ...has shown appearance of 4f0 delocalized states. The temperature coefficient of resistance (TCR) becomes higher with addition of Ga. The magnetic field tuned magnetoresistance (MR) transition from positive to negative values has been observed for the first time with Ga substitution. These changes in the transport properties have been discussed in terms of formation of nano-amorphous domains and its link with 4f electrons for Ce atoms.
In the present work, the effect of microstructural variation on the low temperature transport properties of Ce75Al25−xGax (x=0 and 4at.%) metallic glasses (MGs) have been investigated. The substitution of Ga has led to phase separation giving rise to nano-amorphous domains in a glassy matrix. It was suggested that the presence of two types of density clusters in the alloy with x=4 may result in the formation of nano-amorphous domains with different short range ordering. The magnetic field tuned MR transition from positive to negative values at about 2.45T has been observed for the first time with Ga substitution. The changes in the transport properties due to Ga substitution have been discussed in terms of formation of nano-amorphous domains and its link with 4f electrons for Ce atoms. This work, therefore, opens up new direction of investigation of 4f electron behaviors and its correlation with the microstructure and transport properties in Ce–Al(Ga) metallic glasses. It is expected that this study can provide some insights to understand the correlation between the microstructure and the transport behavior of Ce–Al (Ga) MGs. Display omitted
Hot shortness studies have been carried out on a copper-alloyed high strength interstitial free steel concentrating on the factors such as strain rate, temperature of deformation and, time and ...temperature of high temperature exposure. Thermomechanical schedules have been simulated for industrial conventional and direct hot rolling deformation processes. In comparison with traditional interstitial free steel, the mechanical properties of copper-alloyed high strength interstitial free steel at high temperature deteriorate significantly due to hot shortness. The best mechanical properties were obtained when the steel was reheated in Ar atmosphere to avoid oxidation and concomitant hot shortness. Enhanced oxidation of the material before hot deformation resulting from high temperature exposure in air for longer durations increases the susceptibility of the material to hot shortness. It has been shown that 1373K is the most detrimental temperature with regard to the susceptibility of the material to hot shortness irrespective of the deformation schedule. Temperatures higher and lower than 1373K reduce the susceptibility.
At the forefront of the current scientific revolution of nanoscience nanocrystals (NCs), crystalline particles grown in liquid media, stand out over other classes of inorganic nanomaterials due to ...the high degree of control with which their crystal structure, size, shape, and surface functionalities can be engineered in the synthesis stage and to the versatility with which they can be processed and implemented into a large spectrum of devices and processes. Doped semiconductor nanostructures can yield both high luminescence efficiencies and lifetime shortening at the same time. In the present manuscript pure and Cr-doped ZnO nanoparticles were successfully synthesized from the solution phase chemistry and investigated with respect to their structural and optical properties. The resulting powder consisting of nanocrystalline particles were characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD), UV-Visible spectroscopy, photoluminescence spectroscopy, transmission electron microscopy (TEM), high resolution transmission electron microscopy (HRTEM) and energy dispersive X-ray analysis (EDX) techniques. A UV emission peak was observed from the exciton transition at 380 nm in the room temperature photo luminescent (PL) spectra. The blue emission band was assigned to the Zn interstitial and vacancy level transition. Even though Cr ions are known to act as an efficient non-radiative loss centre for near band gap emission (NBE), a pronounced NBE is obtained at room temperature even for a nominal Cr concentration of 8 at. %. XRD data analysis shows that the chromium dopant atoms are incorporated into the wurtzite host lattice. The grain size decreases with increasing dopant concentration. The lattice constants extracted by the Rietveld method from XRD data vary slightly with doping concentration.
Occurrence of second harmonic generation (SHG) in Cr-doped ZnO nanoparticles.
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