Characteristics of GZO thin films deposited by sol–gel dip coating

Zinc oxide (ZnO) films were deposited by sol–gel dip coating using the acrylamide route. The films were doped with different concentrations of gallium in the range 250–1200 ppm. The films exhibited hexagonal structure. The grain size decreased from 100 to 10 nm as the dopant concentration increased. The resistivity of the doped samples decreased from 10³ to 3×10⁻³ Ω cm. The band gap value shifted towards the short-wavelength region as the dopant concentration increased. XPS studies indicated doping of Ga in ZnO     

Thin magnetic films of Sm-Co nanocrystallites exploiting spin coating deposition

Thin magnetic films of Sm-Co nanocrystallites on SiO₂ substrate were fabricated using spin coating deposition. In a typical synthesis, precursor of Sm-Co oleate complex was spin coated onto a SiO₂ substrate in the form of precursor films and subsequently they were subjected to reductive annealing at 773 K for 2 h, so as to crystallize Sm-Co phase in the films. It has been found that the reductive annealing temperature (573-773 K) played a critical role on the nucleation and formation of Sm-Co crystalline phases; while the spinning speed (3000-5000 rpm) has a significant effect in controlling the film thickness, which in turn affects the particle diameter, inter-particle distance and packing density of the Sm-Co nanocrystallites. Coercivity values of 27.9, 23.9 and 18.7 kA⋅m^− 1 and magnetization values of 2.89, 2.51 and 2.21 × 10^− 6 A⋅m² were achieved for the Sm-Co films with thicknesses of 345 (3000 rpm), 264 (4000 rpm) and 162 nm (5000 rpm), respectively. Further, these hard magnetic properties could be significantly improved by subjecting the Sm-Co films to post-annealing at 873 K.     

Power‐conservative server consolidation based resource management in cloud

The cloud computing environment is a real‐time communication network that involves a large number of systems connected in a distributed fashion, for which resources are available on demand. In recent years, due to the enormous growth of data and information, data maintenance tasks involve a major effort in information technology (IT) industries. So, IT industries are concentrating on the cloud computing environment in order to maintain their data and manage their resources. Owing to the increase in the number of data centres, which have an impact on electrical energy cost, peak power dissipation, cooling and carbon emission, power‐conservation‐based resource management is essential. A best‐fit heuristic job placement algorithm is proposed in this paper in order to increase the job allocation percentage, a worst‐fit heuristic virtual machine (VM) placement algorithm is also proposed in order to place the VMs over the physical machines (PMs) thereby reducing the number of the latter allotted, and a server consolidation algorithm is proposed in order to improve power conservation. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

The synthesis and photophysical studies of quinoxaline and pyridopyrazine derivatives

A simple and facile method for the synthesis of 2,3-bis[(E)-2-aryl vinyl]-quinoxaline and 2,3-bis[(E)-2-aryl vinyl]-pyrido(2,3-b)pyrazine is described. Condensation of cinnamils with 1,2-diaminobenzene and 2,3-diaminopyridine in water using conventional heating and microwave irradiation afforded high yields (71–92%) of 2,3-bis[(E)-2-aryl vinyl]-quinoxalines and 2,3-bis[(E)-2-arylvinyl]-pyrido(2,3-b)pyrazines. The photophysical properties of the resultant quinoxaline and pyrazine derivatives were studied; the pyridopyrazine derivatives were found to exhibit halochromism.     

Ultra-bright alternating current organic electroluminescence

We report on an alternating current (AC) field induced organic electroluminescence (EL) device with internal charge carrier generation and recombination luminance of over 5000 cd m^?2 under AC drive without charge carrier injection from external electrodes. The ultra-bright AC-EL is attributed to an optical optimization performed on the devices via numerical optical simulations based on an optical thin film model as well as an increase in the number of charge carriers achieved via the concept of molecular doping within the device. The luminance levels achieved are highest reported so far in literature for AC organic light emitting devices.     

A comparative Study on the Wear Behavior of Al2O3 and SiC Coated Ti-6Al-4V Alloy Developed Using Plasma Spraying Technique

This paper reports the wear characteristics of the ceramic coatings made with Al₂O₃ and also with SiC which were performed using atmospheric plasma spraying technique on the Ti-6Al-4V biomedical alloy with the aim of improving their tribological behavior. The wear behavior of the coatings was evaluated using reciprocatory wear tester with coated substrate as the flat and alumina ball as a friction partner in simulated body fluid (Hank’s solution) environment. The microstructure and phase composition of the ceramic powders and as-sprayed coatings have been characterized using scanning electron microscope and X-ray diffractometer. Porosity, microhardness, adhesion strength and roughness of the coatings were measured as they have a bearing on wear and friction behavior. The results indicate that plasma sprayed Al₂O₃ coating exhibits higher wear resistance compared to that of plasma sprayed SiC coating. The higher wear resistance of Al₂O₃ coating is attributed to the improved melting and spreading of the alumina particles onto the substrate yielding increasingly bonded splats, resulting in compact and dense microstructure with lower porosity and higher microhardness.     

Polyphenol Containing Sorghum Brans Exhibit an Anti-Cancer Effect in Apc Min/+ Mice Treated with Dextran Sodium Sulfate

Colon cancer (CC) is considered a high-risk cancer in developed countries. Its etiology is correlated with a high consumption of red meat and low consumption of plant-based foods, including whole grains. Sorghum bran is rich in polyphenols. This study aimed to determine whether different high-phenolic sorghum brans suppress tumor formation in a genetic CC rodent model and elucidate mechanisms. Tissue culture experiments used colorectal cancer cell lines SW480, HCT-116 and Caco-2 and measured protein expression, and protein activity. The animal model used in this study was APC Min+/mouse model combined with dextram sodium sulfate. High phenolic sorghum bran extract treatment resulted in the inhibition of proliferation and induced apoptosis in CC cell lines. Treatment with high phenolic sorghum bran extracts repressed TNF-α-stimulated NF-κB transactivation and IGF-1-stimulated PI3K/AKT pathway via the downregulation of β-catenin transactivation. Furthermore, high-phenolic sorghum bran extracts activated AMPK and autophagy. Feeding with high-phenolic sorghum bran for 6 weeks significantly suppressed tumor formation in an APC Min/+ dextran sodium sulfate promoted CC mouse model. Our data demonstrates the potential application of high-phenolic sorghum bran as a functional food for the prevention of CC.     

Preparation of polyelectrolyte‐stabilized silver nanoparticles for catalytic applications

A facile and green method is developed for the preparation of polyelectrolyte‐stabilized silver nanoparticles (AgNPs ) using dopamine as a reducing agent. The AgNPs were prepared in the presence of the polyelectrolyte poly[acrylamide‐co ‐(diallyldimethylammonium chloride)] (PADA ) and amine‐functionalized silane matrices. Interestingly, only amine‐functionalized silanes led to AgNPs in the presence of PADA , whereas silane without amine functionalization failed to produce them. The catalytic ability of the AgNPs was investigated by adopting a benchmark reaction, i.e. reduction of 4‐nitrophenol in the presence of sodium borohydride. It was found that PADA ‐Ag(0.1)‐TPDT (TPDT = N ‐[3‐(trimethoxysilyl)propyl]diethylenetriamine) showed better catalytic activity when compared to other silver concentrations of 0.05, 0.5 and 1 mmol L^?1. Remarkably, a very high normalized rate constant, 20 374 s^?1 g^?1, was observed for PADA ‐Ag(0.1)‐TPDT . © 2016 Society of Chemical Industry     

Synthesis,Characterization, Physico-Chemical and DFT Studies of Potential Organic NLO Materials: Experimental and Theoretical Combined Study

Silicon - 1-(2,4-difluorobenzyl)-2-(2,4-difluorophenyl)-6-methyl-1H-benzo[d]imidazole(1) and 1-(3-(tri fluoromethyl)benzyl)2-(4-(trifluoromethyl)phenyl)-6-methyl-1H-benzo[d]imidazole (2) were...