Gibbs free energies of formation of indium (III) oxide and sulphate

Emf measurements on the galvanic cell Pt, Ta, In + In,O, / Tho,-Y,03 / Cu + C+O, Pt were used to obtain the standard free energy of formation of 1%03fr om 600 to 900°C. Differential thermal analysis was used to detect the decomposition of In2(S0,), under controlled SO2 + O2 + Ar mixtures in thqtemperature range 640-8wC. X-ray diffraction analysis indicated that the decomposition product was 1%03 without an oxywlphate intermediate. The following equations were obtained for the variation of the standard free-energy change(Jlmole) with temperature:

A computational study of heat transfer, soot production and transport in an acetylene-air laminar diffusion flame in the field of a line vortex

The present work involves a computational study of soot formation and transport in case of a laminar acetylene diffusion flame perturbed by a co nvecting line vortex. The topology of the soot contours (as in an earlier experimental work [4]) have been investigated. More soot was produced when vortex was introduced from the air si de in comparison to a fuel side vortex. Also the soot topography was more diffused in case of the air side vortex. The computational model was found to be in good agreement with the ex perimental work [4]. The computational simulation enabled a study of the various parameters affecting soot transport. Temperatures were found to be higher in case of air side vortex as compared to a fuel side vortex. In case of the fuel side vortex, abundance of fuel in the vort ex core resulted in stoichiometrically rich combustion in the vortex core, and more discrete so ot topography. Overall soot production too was low. In case of the air side vortex abundan ce of air in the core resulted in higher temperatures and more soot yield. Statistical techniques like probability density fun ction, correlation coefficient and conditional probability function were introduced to explain the transient dependence of soot yield and transport on various parameters like temperature, a cetylene concentration.

A computational study of flame dynamics on soot production and transport for an acetylene-air laminar diffusion flame in the field of a convecting line vortex

The present work involves a computational study of soot formation and transport in case of a laminar acetylene diffusion flame perturbed by a convecting line vortex. The topology of the soot contours (as in an earlier experimental work [4]) have been investigated. More soot was produced when vortex was introduced from the air side in comparison to a fuel side vortex. Also the soot topography was more diffused in case of the air side vortex. The computational model was found to be in good agreement with the experimental work [4]. The computational simulation enabled a study of the various parameters affecting soot transport. Temperatures were found to be higher in case of air side vortex as compared to a fuel side vortex. In case of the fuel side vortex, abundance of fuel in the vort ex core resulted in stoichiometrically rich combustion in the vortex core, and more discrete soot topography. Overall soot production too was low. In case of the air side vortex abundance of air in the core resulted in higher temperatures and more soot yield. Statistical techniques like probability density function, correlation coefficient and conditional probability function were introduced to explain the transient dependence of soot yield and transport on various parameters like temperature, a cetylene concentration.

Cytotoxic and pro-apoptotic effects of Abrus precatorius L. on human metastatic breast cancer cell line, MDA-MB-231

Abrus precatorius is highly regarded as a universal panacea in the herbal medicine with diverse pharmacological activity spectra. This experimental study on the mechanism of the anticancer activity of A. precatorius leaf extracts, may offer new evidence for A. precatorius in the treatment of breast cancer in clinical practice. Cell death was determined by using MTT assay. Further analyses were carried out by doing DNA laddering, PARP cleavage, FACS, semi-quantitative RT-PCR and detection of cellular reactive oxygen species (ROS) by DCFDA assay. A. precatorius showed very striking inhibition on MDA-MB-231 cells. MTT assay showed more than 75 % inhibition of the cells and treated cells indicated visible laddering pattern with thick compact band. PARP cleavage produced 89 kDa cleavage product which was associated with apoptosis. Flow cytometer exhibited a sub-G0/G1 peak as an indicative of apoptosis. mRNA expression level of apoptosis-related genes p21 and p53 was markedly increased in cells treated with the extract as compared to control. The up-regulation of p21 and p53 may be the molecular mechanisms by which A. precatorius extract which induces apoptosis. An increase in the concentration of A. precatorius extract does not generate ROS, instead it reduces ROS formation in MDA-MB-231 cells, as evident from the shift in fluorescence below untreated control. This is the first report showing that A. precatorius leaf extract exhibits a growth inhibitory effect by induction of apoptosis in MDA-MB-231 cells. Our results contribute towards validation of the A. precatorius extract as a potentially effective chemopreventive or therapeutic agent against breast cancer.

Numerical simulations of bubble formation from submerged needles under non-uniform direct current electric field

In several chemical and space industries, small bubbles are desired for efficient interaction between the liquid and gas phases. In the present study, we show that non-uniform electric field with appropriate electrode configurations can reduce the volume of the bubbles forming at submerged needles by up to three orders of magnitude. We show that localized high electric stresses at the base of the bubbles result in slipping of the contact line on the inner surface of the needle and subsequent bubble formation occurs with contact line inside the needle. We also show that for bubble formation in the presence of highly non-uniform electric field, due to high detachment frequency, the bubbles go through multiple coalescences and thus increase the apparent volume of the detached bubbles. (C) 2013 AIP Publishing LLC.

Stability of Filaments in Star-Forming Clouds and the Formation of Prestellar Cores in Them

The exact process(es) that generate(s) dense filaments which then form prestellar cores within them is unclear. Here we study the formation of a dense filament using a relatively simple set-up of a pressure-confined, uniform-density cylinder. We examine if its propensity to form a dense filament and further, to the formation of prestellar cores along this filament, bears on the gravitational state of the initial volume of gas. We report a radial collapse leading to the formation of a dense filamentary cloud is likely when the initial volume of gas is at least critically stable (characterised by the approximate equality between the mass line-density for this volume and its maximum value). Though self-gravitating, this volume of gas, however, is not seen to be in free-fall. This post-collapse filament then fragments along its length due to the growth of a Jeans-like instability to form prestellar cores. We suggest dense filaments in typical star-forming clouds classified as gravitationally super-critical under the assumption of: (i) isothermality when in fact, they are not, and (ii) extended radial profiles as against pressure-truncated, that significantly over-estimates their mass line-density, are unlikely to experience gravitational free-fall. The radial density and temperature profile derived for this post-collapse filament is consistent with that deduced for typical filamentary clouds mapped in recent surveys of nearby star-forming regions.

Effect of viscosity contrast on plume formation in density stratified fluids

We perform two and three dimensional numerical simulations of plume formation in density and viscosity stratified fluid systems. We show that the ambient to plume fluid viscosity ratio strongly affects the near wall plume structures (line or sheet plumes) such as plume spacing and shape of plumes. We observe that where mushroom-like plumes are observed for lower viscosity ratios, taller plumes with bulbous heads form for high viscosity ratios. Plume structure and spacing are in good agreement with experimental results. By studying the geometry of the line plumes and the flow in the circulation cells, we discuss the mechanisms of their formation and the dynamics of merging. We show that an increase in the viscosity ratio decreases the total length of line plumes in the planform which indicates a decreased mixing at higher viscosity ratios. (C) 2015 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Twinning and Stacking Fault Formation during Tensile Deformation of Nanocrystalline Ni

Deformation twins and stacking faults have been observed in nanocrystal line Ni, for the first time under uniaxial tensile test conditions. These partial dislocation mediated deformation mechanisms are enhanced at cryogenic test temperatures. Our observations highlight the effects of deformation conditions, temperature in particular, on deformation mechanisms in nanograins.

Understanding planet formation through high precision photometry and spectroscopy

From studies of protoplanetary disks to extrasolar planets and planetary debris, we aim to understand the full evolution of a planetary system. Observational constraints from ground- and space-based instrumentation allows us to measure the properties of objects near and far and are central to developing this understanding. We present here three observational campaigns that, when combined with theoretical models, reveal characteristics of different stages and remnants of planet formation. The Kuiper Belt provides evidence of chemical and dynamical activity that reveals clues to its primordial environment and subsequent evolution. Large samples of this population can only be assembled at optical wavelengths, with thermal measurements at infrared and sub-mm wavelengths currently available for only the largest and closest bodies. We measure the size and shape of one particular object precisely here, in hopes of better understanding its unique dynamical history and layered composition.

Molecular organic chemistry is one of the most fundamental and widespread facets of the universe, and plays a key role in planet formation. A host of carbon-containing molecules vibrationally emit in the near-infrared when excited by warm gas, T~1000 K. The NIRSPEC instrument at the W.M. Keck Observatory is uniquely configured to study large ranges of this wavelength region at high spectral resolution. Using this facility we present studies of warm CO gas in protoplanetary disks, with a new code for precise excitation modeling. A parameterized suite of models demonstrates the abilities of the code and matches observational constraints such as line strength and shape. We use the models to probe various disk parameters as well, which are easily extensible to others with known disk emission spectra such as water, carbon dioxide, acetylene, and hydrogen cyanide.

Lastly, the existence of molecules in extrasolar planets can also be studied with NIRSPEC and reveals a great deal about the evolution of the protoplanetary gas. The species we observe in protoplanetary disks are also often present in exoplanet atmospheres, and are abundant in Earth's atmosphere as well. Thus, a sophisticated telluric removal code is necessary to analyze these high dynamic range, high-resolution spectra. We present observations of a hot Jupiter, revealing water in its atmosphere and demonstrating a new technique for exoplanet mass determination and atmospheric characterization. We will also be applying this atmospheric removal code to the aforementioned disk observations, to improve our data analysis and probe less abundant species. Guiding models using observations is the only way to develop an accurate understanding of the timescales and processes involved. The futures of the modeling and of the observations are bright, and the end goal of realizing a unified model of planet formation will require both theory and data, from a diverse collection of sources.

Horizontal Bloch line motion in magnetic bubble materials

The purpose of this work is to extend experimental and theoretical understanding of horizontal Bloch line (HBL) motion in magnetic bubble materials. The present theory of HBL motion is reviewed, and then extended to include transient effects in which the internal domain wall structure changes with time. This is accomplished by numerically solving the equations of motion for the internal azimuthal angle ɸ and the wall position q as functions of z, the coordinate perpendicular to the thin-film material, and time. The effects of HBL's on domain wall motion are investigated by comparing results from wall oscillation experiments with those from the theory. In these experiments, a bias field pulse is used to make a step change in equilibrium position of either bubble or stripe domain walls, and the wall response is measured by using transient photography. During the initial response, the dynamic wall structure closely resembles the initial static structure. The wall accelerates to a relatively high velocity (≈20 m/sec), resulting in a short (≈22 nsec ) section of initial rapid motion. An HBL gradually forms near one of the film surfaces as a result of local dynamic properties, and moves along the wall surface toward the film center. The presence of this structure produces low-frequency, triangular-shaped oscillations in which the experimental wall velocity is nearly constant, v_s≈ 5-8 m/sec. If the HBL reaches the opposite surface, i.e., if the average internal angle reaches an integer multiple of π, the momentum stored in the HBL is lost, and the wall chirality is reversed. This results in abrupt transitions to overdamped motion and changes in wall chirality, which are observed as a function of bias pulse amplitude. The pulse amplitude at which the n^th punch- through occurs just as the wall reaches equilibrium is given within 0.2 0e by H_n = (2v_sH'/γ)^1/2 • (nπ)^1/2 + H_sv), where H' is the effective field gradient from the surrounding domains, and H_sv is a small (less than 0.03 0e), effective drag field. Observations of wall oscillation in the presence of in-plane fields parallel to the wall show that HBL formation is suppressed by fields greater than about 40 0e (≈2πM_s), resulting in the high-frequency, sinusoidal oscillations associated with a simple internal wall structure.

Formation of silicon-on-insulator layers by electron beam recrystallization

This paper outlines the development of the electron beam recrystallization approach to the formation of silicon-on-insulator layers. The technique of recrystallizing seeded layers by a line electron beam has been widely adopted. Present practice in electron beam recrystallization is reviewed, both from materials and process points of view. Applications of silicon-on-insulator substrates formed in this way are described, particularly in three-dimensional integration. © 1988.

Bead-probe complex capture a couple of SINE and LINE family from genomes of two closely related species of East Asian cyprinid directly using magnetic separation

Background: Short and long interspersed elements (SINEs and LINEs, respectively), two types of retroposons, are active in shaping the architecture of genomes and powerful tools for studies of phylogeny and population biology. Here we developed special protocol to apply biotin-streptavidin bead system into isolation of interspersed repeated sequences rapidly and efficiently, in which SINEs and LINEs were captured directly from digested genomic DNA by hybridization to bead-probe complex in solution instead of traditional strategy including genomic library construction and screening. Results: A new couple of SINEs and LINEs that shared an almost identical 3'tail was isolated and characterized in silver carp and bighead carp of two closely related species. These SINEs (34 members), designated HAmo SINE family, were little divergent in sequence and flanked by obvious TSD indicated that HAmo SINE was very young family. The copy numbers of this family was estimated to 2 x 10(5) and 1.7 x 10(5) per haploid genome by Real-Time qPCR, respectively. The LINEs, identified as the homologs of LINE2 in other fishes, had a conserved primary sequence and secondary structures of the 3'tail region that was almost identical to that of HAmo SINE. These evidences suggest that HAmo SINEs are active and amplified recently utilizing the enzymatic machinery for retroposition of HAmoL2 through the recognition of higher-order structures of the conserved 42-tail region. We analyzed the possible structures of HAmo SINE that lead to successful amplification in genome and then deduced that HAmo SINE, SmaI SINE and FokI SINE that were similar in sequence each other, were probably generated independently and created by LINE family within the same lineage of a LINE phylogeny in the genomes of different hosts. Conclusion: The presented results show the advantage of the novel method for retroposons isolation and a pair of young SINE family and its partner LINE family in two carp fishes, which strengthened the hypotheses containing the slippage model for initiation of reverse transcription, retropositional parasitism of SINEs on LINEs, the formation of the stem loop structure in 3'tail region of some SINEs and LINEs and the mechanism of template switching in generating new SINE family.

Induction of apoptosis in a carp leucocyte cell line infected with turbot (Scophthalmus maximus L.) rhabdovirus

A rhabdovirus was observed from the diseased turbot (Scophthalmus maximus L.) with lethal syndrome. In this study, a carp leucocyte (CLC) cell line was used to investigate the infection process and cell death mechanism occurring during the virus infection. Strong cytopathogenic effect (CPE) and the morphological changes, such as extreme chromatin condensation, nucleus fragmentation, and apoptotic body formation, were observed under fluorescence microscopy after DAPI staining in the infected CLC cells. Transmission electron microscopy analysis showed cell shrinkage, plasma membrane blebbing, cytoplasm vacuolization, chromatin condensation, nuclear breakdown and formation of discrete apoptotic bodies. The bullet-shaped nucleocapsids were measured and ranged in size from 110 to 150 nm in length and 40 to 60 nm in diameter. And therefore the virus is called Scophthalmus maximus rhabdovirus (SMRV). Agarose gel electrophoresis analysis of the DNA extracted from infected cells showed typical DNA ladder in the course of SMRV infection. Flow cytometry analysis of SMRV infected CLC cells detected apoptotic peak in the virus infected CLC cells. Virus titre analysis and electron microscopic observation revealed that the virus replication fastigium was earlier than that of the apoptosis occurrence. No apoptosis was observed in the CLC infected with UV-inactivated SMRV. All these supported that SMRV infected CLC cells undergo apoptosis and the virus replication is necessary for apoptosis induction of CLC cells. (C) 2004 Published by Elsevier B.V.

Effects of Pairing Correlations on Formation of Proton Halo in C-9

Properties for the ground state of C-9 are studied in the relativistic continuum Hartree-Bogoliubov theory with the NLSH, NLLN and TM2 effective interactions. Pairing correlations are taken into account by a density-dependent delta-force with the pairing strength for protons determined by fitting either to the experimental binding energy or to the odd-even mass difference from the five-point formula. The effects of pairing correlations on the formation of proton halo in the ground state of C-9 are examined. The halo structure is shown to be formed by the partially occupied valence proton levels p(3/2) and p(1/2).

Several new phenomena in the formation of ring-banded spherulites of poly(epsilon-caprolactone) and poly(styrene-random-acrylonitrile) blends

Ring-banded spherulites in crystallization of poly(epsilon-caprolactone) and poly (styrene-random-acrylonitrile) blends were observed with polarizing optical microscopy and digital image analysis technique was applied directly to the image obtained by polarizing microscope, Several new interesting phenomena were found. One is that the ring-banded structure is still clearly seen after the analyzer was removed and this astonished phenomenon couldn't result from the general concept about formation mechanism of ring-banded spherulite - lamellae twisting, Another one is that there is a slight, dark line in the bright band when cross polars were added, which may be related to the formation process and mechanism of ring-banded spherulites in the blends of poly (epsilon-caprolactone) and poly (styrene-random-acrylonitrile).