Search

The trimanganese tetraoxide (Mn3O4) nanostructured thin films doped with 2 mol% of nickel (Ni) and molybdenum (Mo) ions were deposited by a simple electrophoretic deposition technique. The structural, optical, and morphological studies of these doped thin films were compared with pure Mn3O4 thin films. X-ray diffraction (XRD) confirmed the tetragonal Hausmannite spinel structure. The Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) provided information about the molecular composition of the thin films and the presence of specific chemical bonds. The optical study and band gap energy values of all thin films were evaluated by the UV-visible spectroscopy technique. The scanning electron microscopy (SEM) illustrated the morphological modifications of the Mn3O4 thin films due to doping of the nickel and molybdenum ions. The Brunauer Emmett Teller (BET) method has confirmed the mesoporous nanostructure and nanopores of the thin films. The supercapacitive performance of the thin films was studied by cyclic voltammetry (CV), and galvanostatic charge discharge (GCD) techniques using the threeelectrode arrangement. An aqueous 1M Na2SO4 electrolyte was used for the electrochemical study. The 2 mol% Ni-doped Mn3O4 thin film has shown maximum specific capacitance than pure and Mo-doped Mn3O4 thin films. Hence, this study proved the validity of the strategy - metal ion doping of Mn3O4 thin films to develop it as a potential candidate for electrode material in futuristic energy storage and transportation devices. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A chemical spray pyrolysis technique has been implemented for the deposition of Cu2CoSnS4 (CCTS) thin films. Spray deposition of the CCTS films is carried out at an optimized substrate temperature of 350 °C by varying thiourea concentration from 1: 3 to 1: 9, concerning cations in the precursor solution. The stannite tetragonal structure of the films is confirmed using X-ray diffraction study. The scanning electron microscopic analysis displays the compact flake-like morphology of the films deposited with thiourea concentration of 1:7. Energy dispersive X-ray analysis showed the constituent elements like Cu, Co, Sn and S in the deposited films. Photoelectrochemical cell based on CCTS thin films as working electrodes, deposited with thiourea concentration of 1:7 regarding cations and having an energy band gap of 1.53 eV, exhibit a power conversion efficiency of 2.33%. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this paper, the minimum fluidisation velocity ( u m f ) of activated carbon particles in a gas–solid fluidised bed was experimentally determined using dry air as the fluidising medium. The effect of particle size and temperature on the minimum fluidisation velocity of the fluidised activated carbon particles was analysed. The particle sizes 212, 425, and 710 µm and bed temperatures of 30°C, 100°C, 200°C, and 300°C were studied. From the experimental results, it was found that the u m f decreased with a decrease in particle size of the activated carbon particles and decreased with an increase in the temperature. Based on the experimental results, a new correlation was developed to predict u m f at higher temperatures, since at higher temperatures, the deviation of experimental u m f values was higher when compared with the values estimated using previously published correlations. The present study will be useful for the design of an experimental system to study the continuous adsorption and desorption of organic vapours at higher temperatures in the fluidised bed of activated carbon particles. The details of the experimental study and analysis of results are discussed in this paper. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The present paper reviews a very recent studies on the phonology of English and the application of questionnaires in phonetic studies. A survey was done to review the scope of pronunciation in different groups of learners, so with respect to urban students and rural students. The research also aimed to examine the students' beliefs and attitudes toward their English Pronunciation and whether computer-assisted language learning (CALL) activities improve their pronunciation. The survey was also intended to get some opinions on whether it is logical to use different accents in the pronunciation of phonetic instructions. The learners were from different colleges of urban and rural areas. The study was conducted at urban colleges and rural colleges. The data collected in the survey was by using questionnaires on pronunciation. The questionnaires will have different questions. The questionnaire contains the questions on the students' beliefs and attitudes toward their English Pronunciation and whether computer-assisted language learning (CALL). The main concern will be based on issues with pronunciation so that teachers can know where they need to bid when they are teaching. The questionnaire had ten questions, which were open-ended and closed-ended. One hundred and fifty students from different colleges took part in the survey, where 56% of the participants were the urban students, while the remaining 44% were the student from rural colleges. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Language skills, viz. listening, speaking, reading and writing are very crucial in any language learning. They are the basic skills of any language. The students of under graduate courses shall need to master these skills during their studies in the institutions and universities, they should be possessing these skills inside, and outside of their classroom in circumstances where they have to employ their language skills in actions in real life situation may be formal or informal for that matter. The present paper aims at examining level of language skills among the undergraduate students and how that can enhance communicative competence. It is also an attempt to find out the related studies and how are they conducted in the classrooms. This will help reserchers for further studies in this field. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Teaching English in India successfully is still a burning issue. After learning English for more than ten years or so, the under graduating populace cannot communicate in English either in the classroom or in real-life contexts. Therefore, students' proficiency in English has been the constant thought of teachers, teacher trainers, ELT experts, and linguists over all these years. We, as teachers, are always conscious of how we can make our students learn English, how they would become fluent in English. We do some experiments with pedagogical devices in the classroom. This paper is an attempt to find out how do role plays help in developing speaking skills. This paper is also an attempt to find out whether role plays help in developing students' communicative competence. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This research paper has explored the effectiveness of selective listening strategies challenges and their application. The paper also discusses the current issues which affect selective listening, listeners, and speakers. All the issues are examined through a discussion of existing literature on selective listening. Possible solutions are also presented in an attempt to solve the discussed problems in the future. Suggestions for further research in the future is also provided on the issues which have not been explored thoroughly. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In the present research work, celecoxib (CXB) loaded solid lipid nanoparticles (SLNs) were prepared using the probe sonication method, wherein Glyceryl monostearate and tween 80 were used as solid lipid and surfactant, respectively. To obtain the statistically optimized batch, 32 factorial design was applied. The optimized batch was characterized physicochemically and evaluated through DSC, SEM and XRD studies. The mean particle size of the optimized batch was found to be 135.41±0.24 nm with a mean % entrapment efficiency of 80 ± 1.69%. The optimized batch was further lyophilized and dispersed into 1% w/v Carbopol 934P to form a gel. Prepared gel was further evaluated for in vitro drug release, occlusivity, ex vivo permeability, local toxicity, in vivo anti-inflammatory activity and accelerated stability study. The study resulted in stable, safe and prolonged anti-inflammatory activity with quick onset of action. Hence, celecoxib loaded solid lipid nanoparticles can be considered as promising alternative to conventional topical systems. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The objective of the present study was to develop and evaluate sustained delivery of terbinafine hydrochloride from topical polymeric microsponges. Microsponges of ethyl cellulose containing terbinafine hydrochloride were prepared by quasi emulsion solvent diffusion method. Effect of drug polymer ratio on active drug content, particle size and entrapment efficiency were studied. Drug polymer ratio greatly affects properties (entrapment efficiency, active drug content, particle size) of microsponges. Terbinafine hydrochloride microsponges showed highest actual drug content, entrapment efficiency and smaller particle size, so 1.5:1 ratio of drug and polymer was selected for optimization study. Optimization study was carried out by taking internal phase volume, stirring rate, emulsifier concentration as independent variables and their effects on entrapment efficiency, particle size were studied. It was found that as stirring speed increases, the particle size decreases and entrapment efficiency increases, while as volume of dichloromethane increases, particle size decreases. Morphology of obtained microsponges was revealed by scanning electron microscope and was found to be porous and spherical. Optimized formulation of microsponge was dispersed in Carbopol gel and evaluated for drug content, pH, viscosity and in vitro drug release. Release of drug was found to be sustained through microsponge gel as compared to marketed product and pure drug gel. Ex vivo drug deposition study was carried using rat abdominal skin. Drug deposition was found to be satisfactory. Prepared polymeric microsponges could be a potential topical drug delivery system in antifungal therapy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Polyvinyl alcohol is used as a surfactant in the chemical bath deposition of PbS thin films, which causes compact, pinhole free and uniform PbS thin films. Influence of deposition time on the structural, optical, morphological, compositional, electro-chemical and photo-electrochemical (PEC) properties of the PbS thin films are studied. The charge transfer resistance is analysed using electrochemical impedance spectroscopy. The best PEC device fabricated using optimized deposition time (3 h) showed short circuit current density (J) of 1.68 mA. After annealing the optimised P sample at 75 °C for 1.5 h the composition changed from Pb rich to near stoichiometric. For typical PA sample J improves to 2.13 mA and photo conversion efficiency advances from 0.045 to 0.072%. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Nanocrystalline cubic CuO thin films are developed by simple and cost-effective modified successive ionic layer adsorption and reaction method. This method increases the growth rate and reduces the overall deposition time. The synthesized CuO thin films were characterized for their different physico-chemical properties. The film deposited for 25 cycles exhibits optical band gap energy of 2.16 eV, phase pure cubic CuO structure, foggy like surface morphology and hydrophobic in nature. The photoelectrochemical device fabricated using CuO thin film showed an efficiency of 0.35 %. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]