Relativistic k-fields with Massless Soliton Solutions in 3+1 Dimensions

In this work, the relativistic non-standard Lagrangian densities (k-fields) with massless solutions are generally introduced. Such solutions are not necessarily energetically stable. However, in 3+1 dimensions, we introduce a new k-field model that results in a single non-topological massless solitary wave solution. This special solution is energetically stable; that is, any arbitrary deformation above its background leads to an increase in the total energy. In other words, its energy is zero which is the least energy in all solutions. Hence, it can be called a massless soliton solution

Effects of supplemental microbial phytase enzyme on performance and phytate phosphorus digestibility of a corn-wheat-soybean meal diet in broiler chicks

This experiment was conducted to investigate the effects of supplemental phytase in a corn-wheatsoybean meal basal diet on phosphorus (P) digestibility and performance of broiler chicks. 378 one-day old broiler chicks (Ross 308) were allocated to 3×3 factorial arrangements with three levels of phytase enzyme (0, 500 and 1000 FTU/kg) and three levels of non-phytate P (100, 80 and 60% of NRC requirements). Broiler chicks received experimental diets from 7 to 49 days of age. Phytase significantly (P < 0.05) improved body weight gain and feed intake. Tibial ash and P contents increased significantly by phytase supplementation. Ileal P digestibility increased and P excretion reduced by added phytase. The greatest response due to supplemental phytase regarding P digestibility and utilization was obtained at the lowest dietary non-phytate P (NPP) level (60% of NRC requirements). Difference between various levels of added phytase (500 and 1000 FTU/kg) regarding P excretion and utilization was not significant. The interactions between supplemental phytase and dietary NPP for P utilization, tibial ash and P contents were significant (P < 0.05). The results indicate that, supplemental microbial phytase (500 FTU/kg of diet) added to diet containing NPP lower than NRC requirements (60%) can improve growth performance, tibial ash and phytate P utilization in broiler chickens.Key words: Broiler, phytase, phosphorus digestibility, growth performance, tibia

Effect of the centrifugal force on the electromechanical instability of U-shaped and double-sided sensors made of cylindrical nanowires

The U-shaped and double-sided nanostructures are promising for developing miniature angular speed sensors. While the electromechanical instability of conventional beam-type nanostructures has been extensively addressed in the literature, few researchers have investigated this phenomenon in the double-sided and U-shaped sensors. In this regard, the present work demonstrates the effect of the centrifugal force on the pull-in performance of the double-sided and U-shaped sensors fabricated from cylindrical nanowire and operated in the van der Waals (vdW) regime. Based on the modified couple stress theory, the size-dependent constitutive equations of the sensors are derived. The governing equations are solved by two different approaches, i.e. the analytic Duan–Adomian method and the numerical differential quadrature method. The influences of the vdW and centrifugal forces, geometric parameters and the size phenomenon on the pull-in parameters are demonstrated

Multi-material additive manufacturing of low sintering temperature Bi2Mo2O9 ceramics with Ag floating electrodes by selective laser burnout

Additive manufacturing (AM) of co-fired low temperature ceramics offers a unique route for fabrication of novel 3D radio frequency (RF) and microwave communication components, embedded electronics and sensors. This paper describes the first-ever direct 3D printing of low temperature co-fired ceramics/floating electrode 3D structures. Slurry-based AM and selective laser burnout (SLB) were used to fabricate bulk dielectric, Bi2Mo2O9 (BMO, sintering temperature = 620–650°C, εr = 38) with silver (Ag) internal floating electrodes. A printable BMO slurry was developed and the SLB optimised to improve edge definition and burn out the binder without damaging the ceramic. The SLB increased the green strength needed for shape retention, produced crack-free parts and prevented Ag leaching into the ceramic during co-firing. The green parts were sintered after SLB in a conventional furnace at 645°C for 4 h and achieved 94.5% density, compressive strength of 4097 MPa, a relative permittivity (εr) of 33.8 and a loss tangent (tan δ) of 0.0004 (8 GHz) for BMO. The feasibility of using SLB followed by a post-printing sintering step to create BMO/Ag 3D structures was thus demonstrated

Aluminium doped ZnO nanostructures for efficient photodegradation of indigo carmine and azo carmine G in solar irradiation

Aluminium doped zinc oxide (AZO) nanomaterials (AlxZn1-xO) with x fraction varying as 0.02 and 0.04 were synthesized using the auto-combustion method using glycine as a fuel. The synthesized catalysts were characterized with X-ray diffraction (XRD), UV–Visible Spectroscopy (UV–Vis), Raman spectroscopy, Photoluminescence (PL) spectroscopy, and High Resolution Transmission Electron Microscopy (HR-TEM). XRD results showed that synthesized materials possessed good crystallinity, while UV–VIS was employed to find the band gaps of synthesized materials. Raman was used to determine the vibrational modes in the synthesized nanoparticles, while TEM analysis was performed to study the morphology of the samples. Industrial effluents such as indigo carmine and azo carmine G were used to test the photodegradation ability of synthesised catalysts. Parameters such as the effect of catalyst loading, dye concentration and pH were studied. The reduction in crystallite size, band gap and increased lattice strain for the 4% AZO was the primary reason for the degradation in visible irradiation, degrading 97 and 99% equimolar concentrations of indigo carmine and azo carmine G in 140 min. The Al doped ZnO was found to be effective in faster degradation of dyes as compared to pure ZnO in presence of natural sunlight.This work was supported by an NPRP grant from the Qatar National Research Fund under NPRP12S-0131–190030

Analysis of microRNA signatures using size-coded ligation-mediated PCR

The expression pattern and regulatory functions of microRNAs (miRNAs) are intensively investigated in various tissues, cell types and disorders. Differential miRNA expression signatures have been revealed in healthy and unhealthy tissues using high-throughput profiling methods. For further analyses of miRNA signatures in biological samples, we describe here a simple and efficient method to detect multiple miRNAs simultaneously in total RNA. The size-coded ligation-mediated polymerase chain reaction (SL-PCR) method is based on size-coded DNA probe hybridization in solution, followed-by ligation, PCR amplification and gel fractionation. The new method shows quantitative and specific detection of miRNAs. We profiled miRNAs of the let-7 family in a number of organisms, tissues and cell types and the results correspond with their incidence in the genome and reported expression levels. Finally, SL-PCR detected let-7 expression changes in human embryonic stem cells as they differentiate to neuron and also in young and aged mice brain and bone marrow. We conclude that the method can efficiently reveal miRNA signatures in a range of biological samples

Resonance energies and Columbic de-excitations of exotic molecular ions

We present a new approach to calculate the resonant energies and Columbic de-excitation rates of the $dd\mu ^{*}$ and $pp\mu ^{*}$ exotic ions. The calculations are performed with the method of coupled rearrangement channels, but with a set of basis functions alternative to others. The five lowest-lying states below the $x\mu (2s)+x$($x\equiv p$ or d) thresholds are observed in the new work. Both sets of calculated Columbic decay rates are in good accord with the results published in two recent reports of Lindroth et al., while one set does not agree with the results of another recent report

Calculation of decay widths of ppμ

We calculate decay widths of the metastable ppμ*ν,J molecular ion in non-adiabatic approach. The muonic molecular ion can be formed in collision of the excited pμ(2s) atoms with H2. Then, decay of the ppμ*ν,J system opens a path for the muon from pμ(2s) to pμ(1s). We employ trial wave function which includes non-adiabatic terms to calculate some radiationless decay widths. The present results of the widths do not good agree with those given in our previous work, while are more close to recent data of other researchers