Simple top-down preparation of magnetic Bi0.9_{0.9}Gd0.1_{0.1}Fe1−x_{1-x}Tix_xO3_3 nanoparticles by ultrasonication of multiferroic bulk material

We present a simple technique to synthesize ultrafine nanoparticles directly from bulk multiferroic perovskite powder. The starting materials, which were ceramic pellets of the nominal compositions of Bi$_{0.9}$Gd$_{0.1}$Fe$_{1-x}$Ti$_x$O$_3$ (x = 0.00-0.20), were prepared initially by a solid state reaction technique, then ground into micrometer-sized powders and mixed with isopropanol or water in an ultrasonic bath. The particle size was studied as a function of sonication time with transmission electron microscopic imaging and electron diffraction that confirmed the formation of a large fraction of single-crystalline nanoparticles with a mean size of 11-13 nm. A significant improvement in the magnetic behavior of Bi$_{0.9}$Gd$_{0.1}$Fe$_{1-x}$Ti$_x$O$_3$ nanoparticles compared to their bulk counterparts was observed at room temperature. This sonication technique may be considered as a simple and promising route to prepare ultrafine nanoparticles for functional applications.Comment: 7 pages, 5 figure

The Effects of Different Concentrations and Combinations of Growth Regulators on the Callus Formation of Potato (Solanum tubrosum) Explants

Abstract: The main objective of the present study was to investigate the effects of different concentrations of plant growth regulators and their combinations on callus induction of potato (Solanum tuberosum L.). The explants of potato tuber were cultured on Modified Murashige and Skoog medium which was supplemented with different concentrations of 2,4-Dichlorophenoxy acetic acid (2,4-D), "-naphthalene Acetic Acid (NAA), Benzyl Adenine (BA), 2,4-D in combinations with BA and NAA in combination with BA for callus induction. The Concentration of sucrose was 3% W/V level and the pH of the media was adjusted to 5.7 before the addition of agar 8% W/V. The explants were first dissected out aseptically and then inoculated to the media (with various levels of hormones), then incubated at 27±2ºC in the culture room. Among the treatments 2, 4-D at different concentrations produced different degree of callus but comparatively a massive amount of callus was formed on MS medium supplemented with 2, 4-D alone at 3.0 mg/L. Also NAA and BA with different concentrations produced considerable degrees of callus but the degree of callus was best at higher concentrations of NAA and BA. 2, 4-D in combination with BA at 2.0 mg/L both produced considerable amount of callus. In case of NAA in combination with BA the degree of callus formation was best at concentration 1.0 mg/L each. So according to the above findings it was concluded that 2, 4-D is the best option for induction of callus among the other hormones used in the study

Natural color performance from nine species origins of lowland wood wastes

In the past, natural pigments derived from plant-biomass wastes had been widely used for coloring purposes (e.g. fabrics/batik), before finally getting pushed aside by the imported synthetic/inorganic pigments. Thorough attempts to revive the use of such natural pigments then deserve carrying out. Relevantly, conducting storage of liquid/wet or dry natural coloring pigments, extracted from wood wastes; and use of fixatives for batik fabrics intended to impart fabric-color variations. Wood wastes (i.e. leaves and barks) were obtained from nine plant species (Acacia mangium Willd, Avicenia marina L, Caesalpinia sappan L, Ceriop tagal Perr. CB. Rob, Pelthophorum ferruginum Benth, Rhyzophora mucronata Lamk, Tectona grandis Linn.f., Terminalia catappa L and Xylocarpus granatum KD Koenig.), prevalently growing on plain/lowland areas; and their wood portions commonly utilized by wood industries, which generate similar wastes enormously. The pigments in liquid/wet and then in dry forms were produced from those wastes. The production process of pigments adopted traditions by local batik crafters in Bogor. Variations occurring in fabric colors could be due to fixatives, i.e. lime (CaCO3), ferrous sulphate/tunjung (FeSO4); and various wastes. Six-month storage insignificantly changed the coloring qualities of natural coloring pigments applied to fabrics, compared to those of corresponding initially produced pigments. Leaf wastes always contained green-colored compounds, while bark wastes appeared aptly brownish in color. Color performances of bark extracts at fabrics with ferro-sulfat fixative brought about strong grey colors, and with lime fixative produced brown colors. Coloring of fabrics using leaf waste extracts with ferro-sulfat fixative aptly exhibited greenish grey; while with lime fixative became reddish brown. Testing results on the leaching resistance of pigment-colored and fixative-treated fabrics against rubbing and exposure to sunlight revealed a very good category (4-5), but against detergent, washing was very low (2-3)