Photoelectrochemical water splitting at nanostructured α-Fe2O3 electrodes

In this study, nanostructured α-Fe₂O₃ thin films were deposited by simple electrodeposition for photoelectrochemical water splitting. Post-annealing temperature was found to have drastic effect on photoactivity of these films. SEM analysis illustrated that size of nanoparticles increases with annealing temperature. The current–potential characteristics showed that the water-splitting photocurrent strongly depends on post-annealing temperature. A maximum photocurrent density of 0.67 mA/cm² was observed at 1.23 V versus reversible hydrogen electrode (RHE) under standard illumination conditions (AM 1.5 G 100 mW/cm²), and the water-splitting current was over 1.0 mA/cm² before the dark current flow starts (at 1.55 V versus RHE). The electrode shows an onset potential as low as 0.8 V (versus RHE) for water photooxidation, which is one of the best results reported for hematite photoanodes. This high photoactivity of electrodes is attributed to the preferential growth of hematite nanostructures along the most conductive plane (001) and incorporation of Sn in film from the substrate at high annealing temperature. The best-performing electrode shows an incident photon conversion efficiency (IPCE) of 12% at 400 nm (in 1 M NaOH at 1.23 V versus RHE), which indicate the improved light-harvesting properties of these nanostructures.     

Point Defects in CdZnTe Crystals Grown by Different Techniques

We studied, by current deep-level transient spectroscopy (I-DLTS), point defects in CdZnTe detectors grown by different techniques. We identified 12 different traps with energy levels from 7 meV to 1.1 eV. Although the levels of most of the identified defects were independent of the crystal growth techniques, nevertheless there were some associated differences in the traps’ energies and densities.     

Changes in total phenols, total flavonoids, and antioxidant activities of common beans and pinto beans after soaking, cooking, and in vitro digestion process

Even though bean varieties are widely consumed all over the world, data related to how cooking methods and in vitro digestion affect bioactive compounds they contain and data related to bioavailability of polyphenols are limited. The aim of the present study was to investigate how some cooking methods and in vitro digestion influence antioxidant activity, total phenols (TP), and total flavonoids (TF) of widely consumed beans in Turkey. Soaking caused a significant decrease (25.61–38.63%) in the bioavailability of TP of dry common beans (CB). Soaking in cold water resulted in a significant decrease in TP bioavailability of dry pinto beans (PB). TF content was well retained in PB cooked without soaking but was not detected in CB after in vitro digestion. CB soaked in hot water and cooked with the addition of NaHCO₃ showed the greatest inhibition effect on 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) radical (p<0.05). In vitro digestion caused increase in the antioxidant activity of both CB and PB.     

Integrated evolutionary neural network approach with distributed computing for congestion management

Electric supply industry is facing deregulation all over the world. Under deregulated power supply scenario, power transmission congestion has become more intensified and recurrent, as compared to conventional regulated power system. Congestion may lead to violation of voltage or transmission capacity limits, thus threatens the power system security and reliability. Also the growing congestion may lead to unanticipated divergent electricity pricing. Owing to these facts congestion management has become a crucial issue in the deregulated power system scenario.Fast and precise prediction of nodal congestion prices in real time deregulated/spot power market may enable market participants and system operators to keep pace with the congestion by taking preventive measures like transaction rescheduling, bids (both for supplying and consuming electricity) modification, regulated dispatch of electric power, etc. This paper proposes an integrated evolutionary neural network (ENN) approach to predict nodal congestion prices (NCPs) for congestion management in spot power market. Distributed computing is employed to tackle the heterogeneity of the data in the prediction of NCP values. Developed ENNs have been trained and tested under distributed computing environment, using a message passing paradigm. Proposed hybrid approach for NCP prediction is demonstrated on a 6-bus test power system with and without distributed computing. The proposed approach not only demonstrated the computing efficiency of the developed ENN model over the conventional optimal power flow method but also shows the time saving aspect of distributed computing.     

Catalytic fluorination of HCFC-133a (1,1,1-trifluoro-2-chloroethane)

Catalytic fluorination of HCFC-133a was performed over metal oxide catalysts. Chromium oxide showed the best catalytic activity among several metal oxides tested. An increase in the crystallinity with decreased surface area resulted in a decrease of catalytic activity for the fluorination reaction. Active phase of chromia is Cr-O-F-OH having a proper ratio of O/F and a high hydroxyl content. The hydroxyl content on the catalyst is strongly dependent on support material. The selectivity to HFC-134a is independent of the O/F ratio on the Cr surface.     

Postponement growth and antioxidative response of Brassica nigra on CuO and ZnO nanoparticles exposure under soil conditions

Due to unique physiochemical properties, nanoparticles (NPs) have acquired substantial attention in the field of research. However, threats of ecotoxicity and phytotoxicity have limited their biological applications. In this study in vivo experiments were performed to determine the effect of CuO (12.5, 25 and 50 mg/kg) and ZnO (200, 400 and 600 mg/kg) NPs on growth, and antioxidant activities of Brassica nigra. The results showed that CuO NPs did not affect the seed germination while presence of ZnO NPs in the soil generated an inhibitory effect. Both CuO and ZnO NPs positively influenced the growth of stem and other physiological parameters i.e. stem height increased (23%) at 50 mg/kg CuO while root length decreased (up to 44%) with an increase in the concentration of NPs. Phytochemical screening of apical, middle and basal leaves showed elevated phenolic and flavonoid contents in the range of 15.3–59 μg Gallic Acid Equivalent (GAE)/mg Dry Weight (DW) and 10–35 μg Querceitin Equivalent (QE)/mg DW, respectively, in NPs‐treated plants. Antioxidant activity was higher in CuO NPs‐treated plants as compared to ZnO and control plants. Results conclude that CuO and ZnO NPs at low concentrations can be exploited as nanofertilisers in agriculture fields.Inspec keywords: biochemistry, enzymes, renewable materials, crops, nanoparticles, soil, nanofabrication, zinc compounds, organic compounds, agricultural products, toxicology, nanobiotechnologyOther keywords: antioxidative response, ZnO nanoparticles exposure, soil conditions, unique physiochemical properties, germination, antioxidant activities, brassica nigra plant, antioxidant activity, CuO NP‐treated plants, control plants, ZnO NPs effect, mass 15.3 mug to 59.0 mug, mass 10.0 mug to 35.0 mug, CuO, ZnO     

The potential of electricity imports to meet future electricity requirements in India

As resources of electricity generation in India are not sufficient, this paper analyses the potential of electricity import from neighboring countries to meet the future electricity requirements of India. Based on the data of electricity generation, consumption, and future generation potential, we work out projected electricity generation/ demand of India and its neighboring countries by 2050 to identify the possibility of India’s cross-border electricity trading with its neighboring countries, more particularly the electricity import potential.     

Transformation and intensification of tornado-like flow in a narrow channel during elongation of an oval dimple with constant area

Technical Physics Letters - Reynolds averaged Navier–Stokes equations closed using the Menter shear-stress-transfer model have been numerically solved on multiblock intersecting structured...     

Morphological changes in vero cells postinfection with dengue virus type‐2

Although no specific antiviral tablets or injections that can kill the dengue virus are currently available, adequate care and treatment could control its morbidity. Interaction of dengue virus to target cells could be an important feature for virus propagation. Ultrastructural analysis of this interaction was studied with vero cells. Vero cells were treated with Dengue virus type‐2 at different time intervals at multiplicity of infection (m.o.i) < 10, m.o.i > 10, and m.o.i = 100. It was found that m.o.i < 10 is best to study morphological changes. At an m.o.i > 10 apoptosis occurs and at m.o.i. = 100, cell necrosis occurs. While studying morphological changes, it was found that at 30 min postinfection cells have morphology very similar to that of the control cells although some have irregular outline and show cytoplasmic projections and intense cytoplasmic vacuolization. After 1–12 hours postinfection (h.p.i), the nuclei ran from normal looking to diffuse. Nuclear membrane begins to disintegrate. Some nucleoli are difficult to be seen. The cytoplasm appears as a mottled, lumps diffuse mass distributed throughout the cytosol, with dense lysosomes and myelin figures, also in the mitochondria. In later hours (24 h.p.i), the intranuclear euchromatin is dispersed and heterochromatin forms peripheral clumps. The cytoplasmic processes are short and few in numbers. A proportion of damaged mitochondria with disrupted cristae appear, suggesting that dengue virus may induce mitochondrial dysfunction and nucleus and mitochondria may be the primary organelles helping in dissemination of virus. Microsc. Res. Tech. 2011. © 2010 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.