Structural and magnetic phenomena in Ni53Mn25Al22 thin film prepared by rf magnetron sputtering

Magnetic and structural properties of Ni–Mn–Al thin films are investigated. It is demonstrated that the annealed film shows L21 phase at room temperature. Magnetometry measurements reveal that the annealed film is ferromagnetic and a first order transition in magnetization versus temperature measurement confirms that the martensite to austenite transition occurs around room temperature. Transmission electron microscopy measurements confirm that this structural change occurs just below room temperature. The splitting of Mn 2p3/2 level in x-ray photoelectron spectroscopy core level spectra of the annealed Ni–Mn–Al film, confirms that the origin of magnetism is definitely correlated with the local magnetic moment at the Mn atoms

Hierarchical graphene oxide-Ni3S2 quantum dots nanocomposites modified glassy carbon electrode for electrochemical detection of dopamine and tyrosine

A facile synthetic strategy is demonstrated to generate nickel sulfide quantum dots (Ni3S2). The thus formed Ni3S2 quantum dots are assembled onto exfoliated graphene oxide sheets hydrothermally to form nickel sulfide-graphene oxide nanocomposite material (GO-Ni3S2). The microscopic and spectroscopic characterization of the GO-Ni3S2 nanocomposites revealed the shape, size, crystalline phases, and oxidation states (of elements) of the hybrid material. The GO-Ni3S2 nanocomposites are then coated onto the glassy carbon electrode by drop casting to form GO-Ni3S2@GCE. The modified electrode is then used to detect dopamine and tyrosine simultaneously. The effect of scan rate, analyte concentrations, pH, and interfering agents on the peak current are studied to establish a plausible mechanism for oxidizing dopamine and tyrosine at GO-Ni3S2@GCE. The GO-Ni3S2@GCE is stable for 3 weeks and ten cycles of washing with minimal loss in the peak current in each cycle. Dopamine with a concentration as low as 12 nM can be detected using the GO-Ni3S2@GCE system

Dramatic variation of the multiferroic properties in Sr doped Ca_1-xSr_xMn₇O₁₂

CaMn7O12 is a magnetic multiferroic material, in which large ferroelectric polarization has reportedly been induced by magnetic ordering. In this work, we observe remarkable changes in the spontaneous ferroelectric polarization PS as well as the magnetization M with only 2% Sr doping. In Ca0.98Sr0.02Mn7O12, PS dramatically becomes more than double the PS in the un-doped material and concomitantly M is reduced to less than half of its value therein. Increase of PS together with the decrease of M points out clearly the coupling of PS and M in CaMn7O12. We stress here that as Ca and Sr are isovalent, no charge carriers (electrons and holes) are added in the system due to Sr-doping. X-ray diffraction shows that all our Sr-doped materials Ca1-xSrxMn7O12 (x = 0.01, 0.02, 0.05, 0.10) are free from secondary phases. From our work, it becomes clear why SrMn7O12 exhibits no or weak ferroelectricity

Observation of surface dominated topological transport in strained semimetallic ErPdBi thin films

In this Letter, we present experimental observation of surface-dominated transport properties in [110]-oriented strained (∼1.6%) ErPdBi thin films. The resistivity data show typical semi-metallic behavior in the temperature range of 3 K ≤ T ≤ 350 K with a transition from semiconductor- to metal-like behavior below 3 K. The metallic behavior at low temperature disappears entirely in the presence of an external magnetic field >1 T. The weak-antilocalization (WAL) effect is observed in magneto-conductance data in the low magnetic field region and follows the Hikami-Larkin-Nagaoka (HLN) model. HLN fitting estimated single coherent channel, i.e., α ∼-0.51 at 1.9 K, and the phase coherence length (Lφ) shows the Lφ ∼T-0.52 power law dependence on temperature in the range of 1.9 K-10 K, indicating the observation of 2D WAL. Shubnikov-de Haas (SdH) oscillations are observed in magneto-resistance data below 10 K and are fitted to standard Lifhsitz Kosevich theory. Fitting reveals the effective mass of charge carriers ∼0.15 me and a finite Berry phase of 0.86π\ub1 0.16. The sheet carrier concentration and mobility of carriers estimated using SdH data are ns ∼1.35 7 1012 cm-2 and μs = 1210 cm2 V-1 s-1, respectively, and match well with the data measured using the Hall measurement at 1.9 K to be n ∼1.22 7 1012 cm-2, μ = 1035 cm2 V-1 s-1. These findings indicate the non-trivial nature and surface-dominated transport properties of strained (110) ErPdBi thin films at low temperatures

Biogenic synthesis and characterization of Metal Sulphide nanocomposites and its application to seed germination

A new agricultural revolution is needed to enhance crop yield and ensure the quality and safety of food in a sustainable manner. Agricultural sustainability can be improved with the use of nanotechnology. In addition to impacting germination and seedling establishment, effective seed nano-priming can alter seed metabolism and signalling pathways, and also affecting the entire plant life span. The present study provides an overview of benefits of Cobalt Sulphide Nanocomposites and the germination of Trigonella foenum-graecum and Brassica nigra seeds as a contribution to efficient agricultural practices. The synthesised Metalsulphide nanocomposites were characterized by UV-visible DRS, SEM and X-ray powder diffraction (XRD) methods. In Petri dishes, Cobalt Sulphide Nanocomposites were evaluated for the germination of Trigonella foenum-graecum and, Brassica nigra seeds. Several germination parameters have been investigated in relation to the concentration of Cobalt Sulphide Nanocomposites. The results shown an improvement in germination, shoot and root length, and germination time compared to the control treatment. It was discovered that a modest amount of time spent for soaking of the seeds helped them to germinate well

Characterization and recycle experiments on the dicarbonyl triiodide iridium(II) intermediate in the carbonylation of ethanol to propionic acid

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Assessing cancer communication and identifying prospective health interventions among the ethnic Mizo population

Background: Cancer prevalence reports reveal Aizawl district in Mizoram to be inflicted with the highest age-adjusted cancer incidence rate in India. The present study aims to provide a critical view of health communication in Mizoram and evaluate cancer communication. Method: A field survey (n = 400) with structured interview schedules in Aizawl district was conducted. Results: The data reveals high awareness of cancer and the mass media as the top sources for cancer information. The result also highlights the preference of entertainment news as compared to health news. Conclusion: It identifies the need for developing efficient, tailored cancer communication strategies that are customized for a specific population and for dissemination of cancer science beyond health institutions. Improving health news coverage on cancer risk factors, church-based health interventions, and novel strategies to strengthen societal knowledge, at both individual and in groups, could be an effective shift in cancer communication and interventions in Mizoram