Synthesis of Ag decorated TiO2 nanoneedles for photocatalytic degradation of methylene blue dye

Water pollution due to the discharge of industrial effluents such as dyes is a serious concern that requires a potential remedy. In this context, photocatalysis is a potent and ecofriendly strategy to degrade these toxic water effluents. In this study, a novel approach to prepare TiO2 nanoneedles decorated with Ag nanoparticles is reported. The sample was prepared using modified photodeposition and was annealed at 400 °C. The X-ray diffraction (XRD) revealed that TiO2 in anatase phase with the presence of Ag were prepared successfully. The corresponding crystalline size of TiO2 and Ag were 6.86 nm and 3.94 nm, respectively. The scanning electron microscopy (SEM) showed that the prepared TiO2 exhibited nanoneedles structure decorated with Ag nanoparticles. The prepared sample exhibited impressive photocatalytic performance toward degrading of 50 ppm Methyl Blue (MB) in the presence of UV irradiation. Using catalyst dose of 4 mg the photodegradation efficiency (PDE) reached to 98.7% after 50 min of UV irradiation. This improved photocatalytic activity is attributed to high catalytic activity and surface area of the synthesized Ag decorated TiO2 nanoneedles.

Electroweak symmetry non-restoration from dark matter

Restoration of the electroweak symmetry at temperatures around the Higgs mass is linked to tight phenomenological constraints on many baryogenesis scenarios. A potential remedy can be found in mechanisms of electroweak symmetry non-restoration (SNR), in which symmetry breaking is extended to higher temperatures due to new states with couplings to the Standard Model. Here we show that, in the presence of a second Higgs doublet, SNR can be realized with only a handful of new fermions which can be identified as viable dark matter candidates consistent with all current observational constraints. The competing requirements on this class of models allow for SNR at temperatures up to ∼TeV, and imply the presence of sub-TeV new physics with sizable interactions with the Standard Model. As a result this scenario is highly testable with signals in reach of next-generation collider and dark matter direct detection experiments.

Remarks on Modeling the Oil Film Generation of Rod Seals

The oil film generation of a U-cup rod seal and the oil film thickness on the rod after outstroke were analyzed analytically, numerically, and experimentally. The analyzed sealing system consists of an unmodified, commercially available U-cup, a polished rod, and mineral oil. The inverse theory of hydrodynamic lubrication (IHL) and an elastohydrodynamic lubrication (EHL) model—both based on the Reynolds equation for thin lubricating films—were utilized to simulate the oil film generation. In the EHL analysis, physical parameters and numerical EHL parameters were varied. Both the analytical and numerical results for the varied parameters show that the film thickness follows a square-root function (i.e., with a function exponent of 0.5) with respect to the product of dynamic viscosity and rod speed, also referred to as the duty parameter. In comparison to the analytical and numerical results, the film thickness obtained via ellipsometry measurements is a function of the duty parameter with an exponent of approximately 0.85. Possible causes for the discrepancy between theory and experiments are discussed. A potential remedy for the modeling gap is proposed.

The Role of Cupping Therapy (CT) In Pain Tackling, an Insight into Mechanism Therapeutic Effects and its Relevance in Current Medical Scenario

Cupping Therapy (CT) is popular as ʻAl-Hijamaʼ in Egypt and Arabic countries which is an ancient traditional method which is practiced for the treatment of various medical conditions, especially claims to be a potential remedy in pain related diseases. Basically, this therapy is an integrated part of the Complementary and alternative medicine, it has got utmost popularity in Unani system of medicine too. Although cupping therapy has been a treatment for long, but its mode of action is not well established yet, several studies have been conducted so far in order to investigate the actual mechanisms behind this therapy, still cupping therapy is a matter of dilemma in medical science. So far, several theories and hypothesis have been put forwarded to explain the effects produced by the cupping therapy. This article provides an overview of cupping therapy practice and associated adverse events, therapeutics potential and current prospective in today’s medical science.

Presence and participation in a virtual court

The COVID-19 pandemic has led to an increase in the use of video-mediated justice practices. However, such developments have already been transforming justice over the course of the previous 20 years. Scholars and legal professinals have expressed concerns over how remote appearance in court impacts perceptions of the accused. In this article, we consider some of these concerns and explore the concept of the ‘distributed court’ as a potential remedy. Unlike traditional video appearance in court, where a defendant participates remotely while all other players are co-located in the same courtroom, in a distributed court all participants meet in a shared virtual space. Such a configuration is similar to the virtual courts developed worldwide during the COVID-19 pandemic. We draw on a reimagining of co-presence from scholars in the sociology of technology to elaborate the concept of the distributed court. We then present the results of a mock jury study that examines how jurors respond to variations in court technology configurations. We find that appearing by video does not impact the likelihood of a guilty verdict. Rather, a defendant appearing alone in a dock seems to be the most prejudicial location. We find that a distributed court can communicate equality and produce a shared experience of remote participation. We conclude with a discussion of how this research can inform best practice in a future where a significant number of criminal hearings are likely to continue in a virtual format.