The influence of tidal friction on the eccentricity of the lunar orbit is considered. It is shown that the energy dissipation inside the planet is the greater, the higher the eccentricity of the satellite orbit. The conclusion is drawn about decrease in the eccentricity of the lunar orbit. It is also concluded that in the distant past, the Moon had a highly elliptical orbit. So, hypotheses are incorrect, in which it is assumed that the Moon was formed as a result of accretion. The eruption hypothesis of the origin of the Moon is proposed. It is shown that this hypothesis is consistent with current features of the Moon and its orbit. A few experiments to test the new hypothesis have been proposed.

The cellulose supported Pd(0) nanoparticles [Pd(0)NPs@Cellulose] have been synthesized using resveratrol as a bioreductant which have been isolated from heartwood of Artocarpus lakoocha roxb.. The synthesized Pd(0)NPs@Cellulose have been characterized by UV-Vis, FTIR, XRD, TEM, XPS and ICP-AES analysis. The cellulose supported Pd(0) nanoparticles [Pd(0)NPs@Cellulose] have homogeneous particle size distribution in the range of 20-40 nm. The catalytic activity of Pd(0)NPs@Cellulose have been studied in the Suzuki-Miyaura and Heck cross-coupling reactions under microwave heating. The optimum reaction conditions have been established for a yield in the range of 88% and 98%. The recovered catalyst has showed its activity up to 10 cycles without major lose of yield of product.

An assessment of the distribution of radionuclides and their activity concentrations in Borehole water was carried out. Fifty (50) samples were collected from selected sites in Bwari town of the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja, Nigeria. A well-calibrated Sodium-Iodide Thallium doped (NaI(Tl)) Detector was used to obtain the activity concentrations of 40K, 238U and 232Th. The results for 40K ranged from 7.00 ± 0.73 to 266.43 ± 20.06 Bq.l-1 with an average of 95.57 ± 8.42 Bq.l- 1. The results for 238U ranged from 0.89 ± 0.24 to 31.61 ± 5.12 Bq.l-1 with an average of 9.67 ± 1.86 Bq.l-1. The results for 232Th ranged from 0.24 ± 0.02 to 15.86 ± 1.23 Bq.l -1 with an average of 7.12 ± 0.64 Bq.l -1. Results calculated for the committed effective doses show that the average combined contributions to a year\\\\\\\'s consumption of drinking water in the study area was less than the ICRP’s recommended limit of 1 mSv.y-1 . However, four out of the ten locations had values that were slightly higher. Consequently, it is recommended that Government should undertake to supply safe drinking water to those locations. In addition assessment of water supply from hand-dug wells and streams should be investigated.

In this paper, the Kantian antinomy about the border of space is considered. A new physical hypothesis about the dependence of the speed of light and Planck’s constant on the global distribution of matter in the Universe is discussed. It is shown that within the framework of this hypothesis, we can take a new view to the matter of the border of space. It is shown that all the properties of space and time are inextricably connected with the laws of motion of bodies. It is shown that if the laws of motion degenerate, then space and time will lose physical meaning. The hypothesis about the border of space is discussed, near which space loses all its properties. The hypothesis of the existence of Chaos outside the Universe and the border of space between the Universe and Chaos is also discussed. In the author\\\'s opinion, such a cosmological hypothesis does not contain internal contradictions and naturally solves the problem of the antinomy of the infinite-finite world. The purpose of the article is also to draw both the modern researchers and philosophers to discuss the idea of Chaos outside the Universe and the relationship of Chaos and our space. Young scientists and students can also use this paper for educational purposes.

Pakistan has 47 species of raptors, out of which, 38 species have so for been recorded from Sindh province. Raptors have gained wide attention due to the fact that over half of the world’s raptors have declining populations. The present paper deals with the status and distribution of raptors in principal habitats of these species in Sindh based on field data collected during 2010 to 2018. It emphasizes the need for the conservation of Falcons and Vultures in particular. As regards the Conservation Status of raptor species in Sindh, eight species are threatened viz. Indian White-backed Vulture (Gyps bengalensis), Long-billed or Indian Vulture (Gyps indicus), Redheaded or King Vulture (Sarcogyps calvus) are Critically Endangered, Egyptian Vulture (Neophron percnopterus), Pallas’s Fishing Eagle (Haliaeetus leucoryphus), Steppe Eagle (Aquila nipalensis) are Endangered, while Imperial Eagle (Aquila heliaca) and Greater Spotted Eagle (Aquila clanga) are Vulnerable.

Net-sand was estimated using seismic anisotropy modelling in the Central Niger Delta. Gamma ray Logs, Pre SDM and PSDM seismic data from Kolo Creek Field were analyzed. A correlation of Hockey stick effects and seismic eta values which vary laterally with geologic surfaces confirmed the presence of anisotropy within the Field. Seismic eta cubes were generated along 11.5MFS, 12.1SB, 12.8MFS, 13.1SB, 15.0MFS, 15.5SB, 15.9MFS and 16.7SB geologic surfaces each having interval thickness lying between 150 to 250 m. Volume of shale, Vs calculated from Gamma ray logs was cross-plotted with seismic eta, ? values derived from seismic anisotropy processing. Results obtained showed that a linear relationship exist between eta, ? and volume of shale, Vsh. This was then used to estimate the interval net-sand of the region for which eta cube has been obtained. The results obtained were consistent with predictions made by other researchers using different methods. This study is useful for accurate estimation of the total volume of sand of a reservoir and is also essential for estimating the amount of hydrocarbon in place and also allows for proper additional placement of wells to optimally drain a reservoir.

The utilization of commercially activated carbon (AC) for the synthetic dye uptake even at low concentration is seen as a promising technique with high efficiency and simple operation; however, the cost of its production is too high. Thus, there is the need to focus much attention on the fabrication of AC derived from waste agricultural products. To this end, sugarcane bagasse (SB) was carefully modified via carbonization to formed AC and was subsequently deployed for the uptake of methylene blue (MB) in batch experiments. The prepared adsorbent was characterized using XRD, SEM, FTIR and TGA. Fourier transformed infrared (FT-IR) revealed that the surface of the biomass contained –OH, –C=C-, - NH2, –C?N and C-O functional groups as the binding forces in the adsorption of MB, while the microstructure revealed porous nanocrystals morphology. XRD analysis of SB showed a pattern for cellulose type I. Isotherm study showed that equilibrium data fitted well with and governed by Freundlich model. Langmuir isotherm maximum adsorption capacities were 13.350 and 23.340 mg g-1 for unmodified sugarcane bagasse (SB) and modified sugarcane bagasse (MSB) respectively. Information from the kinetic investigations suggested that the adsorption of MB by SB followed the pseudo first-order model, while that of the prepared activated carbon was best described by pseudo second-order model. The values of standard enthalpy and the entropy changes obtained in the temperature range of 25–55°C are 34.20 kJmol?1 and 14.90 kJmol?1K?1 for unmodified SB and 65.69 kJmol?1 and 2.23 kJmol?1K?1 for the primed activated carbon respectively. Thus, SB waste can be successfully utilized for the elimination of MB from polluted water.