[OIII] Emission and Gas Kinematics in a Lyman-alpha Blob at z ~ 3.1

We present spectroscopic measurements of the [OIII] emission line from two subregions of strong Lyman-alpha emission in a radio-quiet Lyman-alpha blob (LAB). The blob under study is LAB1 (Steidel et al. 2000) at z ~ 3.1, and the [OIII] detections are from the two Lyman break galaxies embedded in the blob halo. The [OIII] measurements were made with LUCIFER on the 8.4m Large Binocular Telescope and NIRSPEC on 10m Keck Telescope. Comparing the redshift of the [OIII] measurements to Lyman-alpha redshifts from SAURON (Weijmans et al. 2010) allows us to take a step towards understanding the kinematics of the gas in the blob. Using both LUCIFER and NIRSPEC we find velocity offsets between the [OIII] and Lyman-alpha redshifts that are modestly negative or consistent with 0 km/s in both subregions studied (ranging from -72 +/- 42 -- +6 +/- 33 km/s). A negative offset means Lyman-alpha is blueshifted with respect to [OIII], a positive offset then implies Lyman-alpha is redshifted with respect to [OIII]. These results may imply that outflows are not primarily responsible for Lyman alpha escape in this LAB, since outflows are generally expected to produce a positive velocity offset (McLinden et al. 2011). In addition, we present an [OIII] line flux upper limit on a third region of LAB1, a region that is unassociated with any underlying galaxy. We find that the [OIII] upper limit from the galaxy-unassociated region of the blob is at least 1.4 -- 2.5 times fainter than the [OIII] flux from one of the LBG-associated regions and has an [OIII] to Lyman-alpha ratio measured at least 1.9 -- 3.4 times smaller than the same ratio measured from one of the LBGs.Comment: submitted to Ap

Galactic winds and stellar populations in Lyman α\alpha emitting galaxies at z ~ 3.1

We present a sample of 33 spectroscopically confirmed z ~ 3.1 Ly$\alpha$-emitting galaxies (LAEs) in the Cosmological Evolution Survey (COSMOS) field. This paper details the narrow-band survey we conducted to detect the LAE sample, the optical spectroscopy we performed to confirm the nature of these LAEs, and a new near-infrared spectroscopic detection of the [O III] 5007 \AA\ line in one of these LAEs. This detection is in addition to two [O III] detections in two z ~ 3.1 LAEs we have reported on previously (McLinden et al 2011). The bulk of the paper then presents detailed constraints on the physical characteristics of the entire LAE sample from spectral energy distribution (SED) fitting. These characteristics include mass, age, star-formation history, dust content, and metallicity. We also detail an approach to account for nebular emission lines in the SED fitting process - wherein our models predict the strength of the [O III] line in an LAE spectrum. We are able to study the success of this prediction because we can compare the model predictions to our actual near-infrared observations both in galaxies that have [O III] detections and those that yielded non-detections. We find a median stellar mass of 6.9 $\times$ 10$^8$ M$_{\odot}$ and a median star formation rate weighted stellar population age of 4.5 $\times$ 10$^6$ yr. In addition to SED fitting, we quantify the velocity offset between the [O III] and Ly$\alpha$ lines in the galaxy with the new [O III] detection, finding that the Ly$\alpha$ line is shifted 52 km s$^{-1}$ redwards of the [O III] line, which defines the systemic velocity of the galaxy.Comment: 38 pages, 27 figures, 4 tables, Accepted for publication in MNRA

The Dynamical Masses, Densities, and Star Formation Scaling Relations of Lyman Alpha Galaxies

We present the first dynamical mass measurements for Lyman alpha galaxies at high redshift, based on velocity dispersion measurements from rest-frame optical emission lines and size measurements from HST imaging, for a sample of nine galaxies drawn from four surveys. These measurements enable us to study the nature of Lyman alpha galaxies in the context of galaxy scaling relations. The resulting dynamical masses range from 1e9 to 1e10 solar masses. We also fit stellar population models to our sample, and use them to plot the Lyman alpha sample on a stellar mass vs. line width relation. Overall, the Lyman alpha galaxies follow well the scaling relation established by observing star forming galaxies at lower redshift (and without regard for Lyman alpha emission), though in 1/3 of the Lyman alpha galaxies, lower-mass fits are also acceptable. In all cases, the dynamical masses agree with established stellarmass-linewidth relation. Using the dynamical masses as an upper limit on gas mass, we show that Lyman alpha galaxies resemble starbursts (rather than "normal" galaxies) in the relation between gas mass surface density and star formation activity, in spite of relatively modest star formation rates. Finally, we examine the mass densities of these galaxies, and show that their future evolution likely requires dissipational ("wet") merging. In short, we find that Lyman alpha galaxies are low mass cousins of larger starbursts.Comment: Submitted to The Astrophysical Journal. 23 pp including three figures and four table

Enhancement of photocatalytic degradation of an organic pollutant by WO3 nanopowders: carbon doping

The photocatalytic activity of C doped WO3 is monitored by studying the degradation of the methylene blue (MB) aqueous dye solution under visible light irradiation. The photocatalyst WO3 was synthesized by the solvothermal method and modified by doping carbon into it in the molar ratio 1:1, 1:2, 1:3 and 1:4 under hydrothermal process. The photocatalysts were characterized for structural and optical properties. XRD was taken to identify the phase and structure, also confirms the successful incorporation of carbon into WO3 lattice site. Morphology and elemental composition were analyzed using SEM and EDAX. The UV-DRS spectrum showed an increase in absorption intensity with increasing carbon content with decreases in bandgap from 3.0 eV to 2.6 eV. PL emission spectra gave blue emission (484 nm) and green emission (555 nm). Finally, the photocatalytic response graph of C doped WO3 with time showed an excellent absorption property and an enhanced visible-light photocatalytic activity compared to pristine WO3

Comparative pharmaceutical and analytical study of Kasisadi Ghrita prepared by two different methods

Introduction: Sneha Kalpana are the dosage forms which can be used both internally as well as externally. Generally, Sneha Kalpana is prepared by using Agni as source of heating. However, Kasisadi Ghrita is an exception where the sunlight is used as source of heating. This unusual method of preparation looks attractive because of natural heat (sunlight) that is required in the preparation and the yield that may be obtained. The Sneha is heated with volatile drugs in Surya Paka for a specific time so that less heat allows them to leave their active principles in Sneha. The difference between Bhanupaka and Agnipaka is also an area of interest, on this formulation as far as its manufacturing is considered. Kasisadi Ghrita is a herbo-mineral formulation indicated for various skin diseases. Materials and Methods: Kasisadi Ghrita were prepared by classical method of Bhanupaka (KGB) and usual method of Agnipaka (KGA). Both KGB and KGA were analyzed as per the standard protocol. Discussion and Conclusion: Preparation of Kasisadi Ghrita by Agnipaka method is easy as it consumes less time. There were no pharmaceutical constraints in preparation of both samples. Tamra Paatra helps to retain more heat than other vessels during Bhanupaka. The results of the pharmaceutical and analytical study can be considered as the preliminary standards for the preparation of Kasisadi Ghrita

Transition metal ion (Ni2+, Cu2+ and Zn2+) doped defect pyrochlore, KTaTeO6: Synthesis, characterization and photocatalytic studies

One of the strategies to decrease the bandgap energy and increase the optical absorption ofthe catalysts is to dope with transition metal ions. In this paper, the results obtained for thedegradation of methylene blue (MB) pollutant in the presence of M2+ (M = Ni, Cu, and Zn) doped KTaTeO6 (here after abbreviated as M-KTTO) upon visible light irradiation are presented.The parent KTaTeO6 and the M2+ (M = Ni, Cu, and Zn) doped KTaTeO6 were prepared by solidstate and ion-exchange methods, respectively. All the samples were characterized by XRD,SEM/EDX, FT-IR, UV-Vis DRS, XPS, and PL techniques. The metal ion doping in place of K+has influenced the electronic and optical properties considerably. The doping of M2+ into KTTOlattice has narrowed the bandgap energy, increased the visible light absorbance leading to higherphotocatalytic activity. The M-KTTO materials show higher photocatalytic activity compared toparent KTTO, in particularly Cu-KTTO. The scavenging experiments indicate that •OH radicalsare the main active species involved in the photodegradation of MB. The Cu-KTTO ischemically stable and can be used at least up to five cycles. The mechanistic pathway of MBdegradation was proposed over Cu-KTTO

Synthesis, characterization, luminescence and photocatalytic studies of layered perovskites NaMMgWO6 (M = La, Pr, Sm)

The synthesis, characterization, optical and photocatalytic studies of AA'BB'X6 type perovskites, NaMMgWO6 (M = La, Pr, Sm), which have an ordering of both the cation sub-lattices, is reported.  The obtained NaMMgWO6 materials have been prepared using ethylene glycol assisted gel-burning method and characterized by X-ray diffraction patterns, UV-vis diffused reflectance spectra, scanning electron microscopy, Fourier transformation infrared spectra, energy dispersive spectra and fluorescence spectra. The photocatalytic dye degradation performance of the as-synthesized perovskites has been evaluated with methylene blue and methyl violet as model water pollutants using radical quenchers

Design of anti-fungal agents by 3D-QSAR

An increase in the number of invasive fungal infections especially in immunocompromised patients is increasing the mortality rate worldwide. Due to the emergence of drug-resistant fungi, the currently available antifungal drugs have become ineffective. Because no alternative treatment is available, some existing drugs are still used. Therefore, there is a need to design and develop novel and effective anti-fungal drugs. Molecular docking and 3-dimensional quantitative structure-activity relationship (3D-QSAR) methods have been useful approaches for the design of novel molecules. A set of 30 molecules reported in the literature containing azoles and non-azoles have been used in this study to derive 3D-QSAR.CoMFA and CoMSIA models for the most active compound and least active compounds have been developed. The structural requirements were obtained by analysing the contour maps. The partial least square analysis for CoMFA and CoMSIA showed a significant cross-validated correlation coefficient of 0.625 and 0.67 and a non-cross validated correlation coefficient of 0.991 and 0.99, respectively. The model was validated by observing the predicted correlation for test molecules with the value of 0.699 and 0.659, respectively

Synthesis, characterization and photocatalytic dye degradation studies of novel defect pyrochlore, KHf0.5Te1.5O6

We report the solid-state synthesis of KHf0.5Te1.5O6 (KHTO), its characterization and employment as photocatalyst for methylene blue and methyl violet degradations in aqueous solution. The material was subjected to X-ray Diffraction (XRD), Field emission-scanning electron microscopy (FE-SEM), Energy dispersive spectroscopy (EDS), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR), UV-vis diffuse reflectance spectroscopy (UV-vis DRS), N2 adsorption/desorption and XPS measurements. The material was crystallized in a cubic lattice with the   space group. The bandgap energy of the KHTO is 2.60 eV. The photocatalytic methylene blue (MB) and methyl violet (MV) dyes degradation efficiency of KHTO was investigated under the visible light irradiation. The mechanistic dye degradation pathway of MB was studied. The radical quenching experiments reveal that the short-lived species O2●-, OH●, and h+ actively participate in the degradation of MV and MB dyes. An additional terephthalic acid experiment was carried out to establish the participation of OH● radicals in the dye degradation process. The stability and reusability of the KHTO catalyst were also studied