CuxNi1-xO nanostructures and their nanocomposites with reduced graphene oxide: Synthesis,characterization, and photocatalytic applications

NiO nanostructure was synthesized using a simple co-precipitation method and was embedded on reduced graphene oxide surface via ultrasonication. Structural investigations were made through X-ray diffraction (XRD) and functional groups were confirmed by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR). XRD analysis revealed the grain size reduction with doping. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy confirmed the presence of metal-oxygen bond in pristine and doped NiO nanostructure as well as the presence of carbon containing groups. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) indicated that the particle size decreased when NiO nanostructure was doped with copper. BET surface area was found to increase almost up to 43 m²/g for Cu doped NiO nanostructure/rGO composite. Current-voltage measurements were performed using two probe method. UV–Visible spectroscopic profiles showed the blue and red shift for Cu doped NiO nanostructure and Cu doped NiO Nanostructure/rGO composite respectively. Rate constant for Cu doped NiO nanostructure/rGO composite found to increase 4.4 times than pristine NiO nanostructure.     

Design and simulation of autonomous military vehicle control system based on machine vision and ensemble movement approach

The Journal of Supercomputing - On the battlefield, early detection of armored vehicles can have a positive effect. Because according to this issue, timely and appropriate reactions can be done....     

Study of Magnetic Properties of Fe-Doped CuO: Monte Carlo Simulations

Using Monte Carlo simulations, we are studying the magnetic properties of Fe-doped CuO thin films. The total magnetizations and the susceptibilities are studied as a function of the effect doping, external magnetic field, and exchange coupling. The critical temperature is discussed as a function of the effect of iron concentration. On the other hand, we investigate the effect of increasing temperatures on the coercive field for a constant value of exchange coupling and a fixed concentration. The coercive magnetic field is found to decrease with increasing temperature values until reaching its null value. The effect of increasing the exchange coupling amount on the saturation magnetic field H _s is illustrated. A linear growth of the saturation magnetic field is found as a function of the exchange coupling interaction. To complete this study, we presented and discussed the magnetic hysteresis cycle loops.     

An Optimal Algorithm for Resource Allocation in D2D Communication

The number of mobile devices accessing wireless networks is skyrocketing due to the rapid advancement of sensors and wireless communication technology. In the upcoming years, it is anticipated that mobile data traffic would rise even more. The development of a new cellular network paradigm is being driven by the Internet of Things, smart homes, and more sophisticated applications with greater data rates and latency requirements. Resources are being used up quickly due to the steady growth of smartphone devices and multimedia apps. Computation offloading to either several distant clouds or close mobile devices has consistently improved the performance of mobile devices. The computation latency can also be decreased by offloading computing duties to edge servers with a specific level of computing power. Device-to-device (D2D) collaboration can assist in processing small-scale activities that are time-sensitive in order to further reduce task delays. The task offloading performance is drastically reduced due to the variation of different performance capabilities of edge nodes. Therefore, this paper addressed this problem and proposed a new method for D2D communication. In this method, the time delay is reduced by enabling the edge nodes to exchange data samples. Simulation results show that the proposed algorithm has better performance than traditional algorithm.     

Copper substituted nickel ferrite nanoparticles anchored onto the graphene sheets as electrode materials for supercapacitors fabrication

Nickel ferrites with high theoretical capacitance value as compared to the other metal oxides have been applied as electrode material for energy storage devices i.e. batteries and supercapacitors. High tendency towards aggregation and less specific surface area make the metal oxides poor candidate for electrochemical applications. Therefore, the improvements in the electrochemical properties of nickel ferrites (NiFe₂O₄) are required. Here, we report the synthesis of graphene nano-sheets decorated with spherical copper substituted nickel ferrite nanoparticles for supercapacitors electrode fabrication. The copper substituted and unsubstituted NiFe₂O₄ nanoparticles were prepared via wet chemical co-precipitation route. Reduced graphene oxide (rGO) was prepared via well-known Hummer's method. After structural characterization of both ferrite (Ni_1-xCu_xFe₂O₄) nanoparticles and rGO, the ferrite particles were decorated onto the graphene sheets to obtain Ni_1-xCu_xFe₂O₄@rGO nanocomposites. The confirmation of preparation of these nanocomposites was confirmed by scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The electrochemical measurements of nanoparticles and their nanocomposites (Ni_0.9Cu_0.1Fe₂O₄@rGO) confirmed that the nanocomposites due to highly conductive nature and relatively high surface area showed better capacitive behavior as compared to bare nanoparticles. This enhanced electrochemical energy storage properties of nanocomposites were attributed to the graphene and also supported by electrical (I-V) measurements. The cyclic stability experiments results showed ~65% capacitance retention after 1000 cycles. However this retention was enhanced from 65% to 75% for the copper substituted nanoparticles (Ni_0.9Cu_0.1Fe₂O₄) and 65–85% for graphene based composites. All this data suggest that these nanoparticles and their composites can be utilized for supercapacitors electrodes fabrication.     

Ab Initio and Monte Carlo Approaches for the Magnetocaloric Effect in BaMnO<Subscript>3</Subscript> Oxide Perovskite

The self-consistent ab initio calculations, based on density functional theory approach (DFT) and using full potential linearised augmented plane wave (FLAPW) method, have been used to investigate both electronic and magnetic properties of the BaMnO₃ perovskite. Spin-polarised calculations, including the spin-orbit interaction, are used to determine the energy of the ferromagnetic (FM) and antiferromagnetic (AFM) states of BaMnO₃ perovskite. Obtained data from ab initio calculations are used as input for the Monte Carlo simulations to compute other magnetic parameters. Magnetisation, specific heat and magnetic entropy change have been given using the Monte Carlo simulations. The adiabatic temperature change, transition temperature and relative cooling power have been established.     

Monte Carlo Study of Magnetic and Thermodynamic Properties of a Ferrimagnetic Ising on the Bathroom Tile (4–8) Lattice

The magnetic properties of mixed spins-1 and 3 /2 Ising model on a bathroom tile (4–8) lattice are studied by Monte Carlo simulation. The total magnetization and the magnetization of each sub-lattice of the mixed-spin lattice have been studied. The reduced transition temperatures are deduced. The variation of the total magnetization with the exchange interactions and the crystal fields is given. Magnetic hysteresis cycle is deduced. Magnetization plateaus appear on the magnetization curves at low temperature.     

Probiotics for cure of Helicobacter pylori infection: A review

Human physiology normally contains pathogenic and non-pathogenic microorganisms in the gastrointestinal flora. Disturbance of these microorganism balance results in the formation of infection. Extensive use of antibiotics for cure of these disturbances like Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) infection leads to patient discomfort and associated side-effects. There is a need to adopt adjunct or alternative approach in order to minimize such conditions. Probiotics is one of the potential therapies to cure gastrointestinal discomforts especially associated with H. pylori. It competes through non-immune and immune systems. This review article concludes that probiotics are used to eradicate the infection at increased rate, and decreased associated side-effects are caused by triple therapy. A proper evaluation of these probiotics is demanded before their use in future as a commercial product. Furthermore, their effect on immune system requires more research work so that their usage for other chronic disorders can also be considered.     

Influence of different viscosity grade cellulose-based polymers on the development of valsartan controlled release tablets

This work is based on formulating and optimizing controlled release (CR) valsartan (160 mg) tablets using different viscosity grades of the cellulosic polymer. The objective was to develop an effective once-daily drug delivery system of this cardiovascular agent. Central composite design was used for designing the formulations. Polymers used were Methocel® K4M, K15M and K100M. Compatibility of excipients with active was studied through FT-IR. Micromeritic properties were determined and formulations exhibiting appropriate flow characteristics were compressed. Swelling behavior and in vitro buoyancy effect were studied and response surface curves were constructed to optimize the formulation. Multi-point dissolution profiles of valsartan CR tablets at pH 1.2, 4.5 and 6.8 were obtained. Model-dependent and model-independent methods were performed including f2, stability test as per ICH guidelines and ANOVA. FT-IR studies revealed the compatibility of valsartan with all excipients. Formulation K4T9 (containing 25% K4M polymer) was selected to be the best optimized trial, based on physical properties and controlled release profile (23% at 4 h, 82% at 16 h and 100% at 24 h). Results of buoyancy and swelling behavior indicated that HPMC-K4M polymer exhibited excellent floating lag time and swelling indexes. In vitro drug release kinetics showed that formulation K4T9 displayed Korsmeyer–Peppas drug release pattern with r value > 0.99. The manufacturing process of K4T9 was also found to be reproducible with a shelf life period of 41 and 36 months at room temperature and accelerated conditions, respectively. Valsartan CR matrix-based formulation was successfully prepared with Methocel K4M retardant.