Colour tunable photoluminescence studies of Dy3+/Eu3+ co-doped BaPbAlFB glasses for epoxy-free w-LED applications.

Barium lead alumino fluoroborate (BaPbAlFB) glasses singly and co-doped with Dy3+ and Eu3+ ions were prepared by melt quench method and studied their photoluminescence (PL) properties along with energy migration. Singly doped Dy3+/Eu3+ ions in BaPbAlFB glasses under 365 and 393 nm excitation wavelengths emit the PL bands through Dy: (4F9/2 → 6H15/2 and 4F9/2 → 6H13/2) and Eu: (5D0→7F2) transitions located at (Dy: 483 and 575 nm) and (Eu: 613 nm) respectively. Further, tunability of PL emissions is achieved by exciting the Dy3+/Eu3+ co-doped BaPbAlFB glasses at various wavelengths. The obtained CIE (0.34, 0.33) and CCT value (5080.4 K) of Dy3+/Eu3+ co-doped BaPbAlFB glass produced white light emission under 365 nm excitation wavelength. The corresponding CCT values of Dy3+/Eu3+ co-doped BaPbAlFB glasses varied from 1580 to 5080 K and their corresponding color emission changes from intense red to white light regime quite suitable for fabrication of epoxy-free w-LED devices.

Synergistic effect of probiotic, chicory root powder and coriander seed powder on growth performance, antioxidant activity and gut health of broiler chickens.

Gut health plays an important role on production and performance of broilers. This trial was undertaken with an aim to evaluate the synergistic effect of probiotic, chicory root powder and coriander seed powder on the performance and gut health of broiler chicken. For this purpose, a total of 240 day-old broiler chicks were randomly allotted to six dietary treatments with 8 replicates of 5 birds in each. Treatment groups included T1 as control i.e., basal diet (BD) without any growth promoter and T2-BD + antibiotic (BMD 0.05%). In the remaining experimental diets, T3-probiotic (@ 0.01%) + chicory root powder (@ 1.0%), T4-probiotic (@ 0.01%) + coriander seed powder (@ 1.5%), T5-chicory root powder (@ 1.0%) + coriander seed powder (@ 1.5%) and T6-probiotic (@ 0.01%) + chicory root powder (@ 1.0%) + coriander seed powder (@ 1.5%). The results indicated that supplementation of probiotic + chicory (T3), probiotic + coriander (T4), chicory + coriander (T5) and probiotic + chicory + coriander (T6) in combination resulted in significantly (P<0.05) higher weight gain and better FCR compared to control and antibiotic groups at 42 d of age. Supplementation of different dietary groups did not show any significant (P>0.05) effect on feed intake of broilers. Supplementation of all the test diets (T3 to T6) significantly (P<0.05) increased the glutathione peroxidase (GSHPx), glutathione reductase (GSHRx) and superoxide dismutase (SOD) enzyme activity when compared to control and antibiotic groups at 42 d of age. Supplementation of all the test diets (T3 to T6) significantly (P<0.05) lowered the pH in the gut, increased Lactobacillus counts, and reduced E. coli and Salmonella counts in the ileum compared to control and antibiotic groups. Supplementation of all the test diets (T3 to T6) significantly (P<0.05) increased the villus height (VH), crypt depth (CD), VH:CD ratio and villus width (VW) in the duodenum and only VH and CD in the ileum compared to control and antibiotic groups. Significantly (P<0.05) higher jejunal VH and VW and increased the goblet cell number in duodenum, jejunum and ileum was recorded in all test diets (T3 to T6) compared to control and antibiotic groups. Therefore, combinations of probiotic (0.01%), chicory root powder (1.0%) and coriander seed powder (1.5%) can be used as feed additive for improving performance and gut health of broiler chicken.

Synthesis, characterization and electrical properties of carbon coated LiCoPO4 nanoparticles.

Lithium cobalt phosphate (LiCoPO4) nanoparticles were synthesized using modified polyol process. Shape and size of LiCoPO4 nanoparticles were controlled by using poly (vinylpyrrolidone) (PVP) stabilizer. Coating of carbon over the LiCoPO4 nanoparticles was done using the resin coating process to enhance its conductivity. XRD and FTIR results respectively confirm the crystalline phase and structure of pure and carbon coated LiCoPO4 nanoparticles. SEM-EDX results confirm size and shape and also the presence of carbon over LiCoPO4 nanoparticles. Electrical conductivity of pure and carbon coated LiCoPO4 nanoparticles were evaluated by analyzing the measured impedance data using the win fit software. More than three orders of conductivity enhancement was observed in carbon coated LiCoPO4 nanoparticles when compared to pure ones. Further, transport properties like temperature dependence conductivity, AC conductivity, dielectric constant and electric modulus studies were made to find out the bulk and relaxation properties of LiCoPO4 nanoparticles.

White light emission from Dy3+-doped ZnO + Bi2O3 + BaF2 + B2O3 + TeO2 glasses: Structural and spectroscopic properties.

The ZnO + Bi2O3 + BaF2 + B2O3 + TeO2 (ZnBiBaBFTe) host glass was prepared by melt quenching technique with the aim of achieving white light emission from Dy3+ ions. Their structural and spectroscopic properties were systemically investigated by X-ray diffraction (XRD), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), UV-Visible absorption, emission spectra and decay times. Judd-Ofelt (JO) parameters (Ωλ) evaluated from absorption spectrum were utilized to calculate the radiative parameters for 4F9/2 level of Dy3+ ions. The optical band gap energy of as-prepared glasses were calculated for the indirect, (αhυ)1/2 and direct, (αhυ)2 allowed transitions. The emission spectra of Dy3+:ZnBiBaBFTe glasses showed two intense peaks at 575 nm (4F9/2→6H13/2) and 481 nm (4F9/26H15/2) upon 386 nm excitation. The highest emission intensity was observed at 1.0 mol% of Dy3+ for 4F9/2→6H13/2 transition and the results are used in conjunction with lifetime measurements to derive spectroscopic parameters for the stimulated emission cross-section (25.2 × 10-22 cm2), gain bandwidth (5.86 × 10-28 cm3), and favourable quantum efficiency (74.2%). Moreover, white light can be realized with a CIE coordinates by adjusting the concentration of Dy3+ ions in ZnBiBaBFTe host glass. Efficient spectroscopic values and realizable white lighting in Dy3+-doped ZnBiBaBFTe glasses may have potential applications in laser illumination devices.

Electrochemical characterization of electrospun nanocomposite polymer blend electrolyte fibrous membrane for lithium battery.

Novel hybrid (organic/inorganic) electrospun nanocomposite polymer blend electrolyte fibrous membranes with the composition poly(vinylidene difluoride-co-hexafluoropropylene) [P(VdF-co-HFP)]/poly(methyl methacrylate) [P(MMA)]/magnesium aluminate (MgAl2O4)/LiPF6 were prepared by the electrospinning technique. All of the prepared electrospun P(VdF-co-HFP), PMMA blend [90% P(VdF-co-HFP)/10% PMMA], and nanocomposite polymer blend [90% P(VdF-co-HFP)/10% PMMA/x wt % MgAl2O4 (x = 2, 4, 6, and 8)] fibrous membranes were characterized by X-ray diffraction, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, differential scanning calorimetry, and scanning electron microscopy. The fibrous nanocomposite separator-cum-polymer blend electrolyte membranes were obtained by soaking the nanocomposite polymer blend membranes in an electrolyte solution containing 1 M LiPF6 in ethylene carbonate (EC)/diethyl carbonate (DEC) (1:1, v/v). The newly developed fibrous nanocomposite polymer blend electrolyte [90% P(VdF-co-HFP)/10% PMMA/6 wt % MgAl2O4/LiPF6] membrane showed a low crystallinity, low average fiber diameter, high thermal stability, high electrolyte uptake, high conductivity (2.60 × 10(-3) S cm(-1)) at room temperature, and good potential stability above 4.5 V. The best properties of the fibrous nanocomposite polymer blend electrolyte (NCPBE) membrane with a 6 wt % MgAl2O4 filler content was used for the fabrication of a Li/NCPBE/LiCoO2 CR 2032 coin cell. The electrochemical performance of the fabricated CR 2032 cell was evaluated at a current density of 0.1 C-rate. The fabricated CR 2032 cell lithium battery using the newly developed NCPBE membrane delivered an initial discharge capacity of 166 mAh g(-1) and a stable cycle performance.

CT imaging findings of a calcifying epithelial odontogenic tumour.

We report a case of calcifying epithelial odontogenic tumour (CEOT), also known as a Pindborg tumour, with local aggressive behaviour. CT imaging showed a large expansile bone-forming lesion in the mandible, which showed the exact extent and nature of the lesion. We briefly discuss the imaging features of CEOT and the relevant literature.

Hepatoprotective activity of aqueous extract of Portulaca oleracea in combination with lycopene in rats.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the hepatoprotective activity of the aqueous extract of the aerial parts of Portulaca oleracea (P. oleracea) in combination with lycopene against carbon tetrachloride induced hepatotoxicity in rats. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Hepatotoxicity was induced in male Wistar rats by intraperitoneal injection of carbon tetrachloride (0.1 ml/kg b.w for 14 days). The aqueous extract of P. oleracea in combination with lycopene (50 mg/kg b.w) was administered to the experimental animals at two selected doses for 14 days. The hepatoprotective activity of the combination was evaluated by the liver function marker enzymes in the serum [aspartate transaminases (AST), alanine transaminases (ALT), alkaline phosphatase (Alk.P), total bilirubin (TB), total protein (TP) and total cholesterol (TC)], pentobarbitone induced sleeping time (PST) and histopathological studies of liver. RESULTS: Both the treatment groups showed hepatoprotective effect against carbon tetrachloride induced hepatotoxicity by significantly restoring the levels of serum enzymes to normal which was comparable to that of silymarin group. Besides, the results obtained from PST and histopathological results also support the study. CONCLUSIONS: The oral administration of P. oleracea in combination with lycopene significantly ameliorates CCl(4) hepatotoxicity in rats.