  A new class of a spatially homogeneous and anisotropic Bianchi type-I
cosmological models of the universe for perfect fluid distribution within the
framework of scalar-tensor theory of gravitation proposed by Saez and Ballester
(Phys. Lett. 113:467, 1986) is investigated. To prevail the deterministic
solutions we choose the different scale factors which yield time-dependent
deceleration parameters (DP) representing models which generate a transition of
the universe from the early decelerated phase to the recent accelerating phase.
Three different physically viable models of the universe are obtained in which
their anisotropic solutions may enter to some isotropic inflationary era. The
modified Einstein's field equations are solved exactly and the models are found
to be in good concordance with recent observations. Some physical and geometric
properties of the models are also discussed.
