Characterisation of some exotic fruits (Morus nigra, Morus alba, Salvadora persica and Carissa opaca) used as herbal medicines by neutron activation analysis and estimation of their nutritional value

In the under developed countries, the people of far-flung rural areas still depend to a large extent upon herbal medicines. At the foundation of usage of herbal medicine is the experience of thousands of years. The present paper deals with the characterisation of exotic fruits for essential and toxic elements. The samples include Morus nigra, Morus alba, Salvadora persica and Carissa opaca (from low and high altitude). Two standardizations of neutron activation analysis, that is, semi-absolute k ₀-instrumental neutron activation analysis (k ₀-INAA) and epithermal neutron activation analysis (ENAA) were employed for the quantification of elements. The analysis methodologies were validated by analyzing the IAEA-336 (lichen) and NIST-SRM-1572 (citrus leaves). Sixteen elements including Br, Ca, Cl, Co, Cr, Fe, I, K, Mg, Mn, Na, Rb, Sb, Sc Sr, and Zn were determined in all samples. Daily intakes of various elements from the samples were measured and compared with the dietary reference intakes. Additionally, principal component analysis was performed to extract information regarding samples and elements.     

Liquid-liquid equilibrium for the ternary system ethanol/toluene/n-decane: a correction to the existing coexistence curve and NRTL parameters

A correction to the reported liquid–liquid equilibrium parameters using the non-random two liquid (NRTL) thermodynamic model for the ethanol/toluene/n-decane system at 298 K is reported. The parameters were calculated by minimising the residual between the calculated coexistence and the experimental compositions. However, to obtain a physically plausible coexistence curve, a parameter in the NRTL model had to be fixed. This highlights the importance of assessing the entire coexistence curve, as opposed to only comparing the calculated compositions to the experimental data points. This is because undertaking the regression for all the available parameters will result in a smaller residual and better fit of the calculated points to the experimental points. This leads to an apparent improved fit but the complete coexistence curve will show that the parameters are not physically plausible.     

Biofabrication of iron oxide nanoparticles by leaf extract of Rhamnus virgata: Characterization and evaluation of cytotoxic,antimicrobial and antioxidant potentials

In the present study, plant‐mediated synthesis of iron oxide nanoparticles (IONPs) using leaves extract of Rhamnus virgata (Roxb.) as a potential stabilizing, reducing and chelating agent is reported. The biogenic IONPs are extensively characterized for their physical and biological properties. The morphology, structure and physicochemical properties of biogenic IONPs were characterized using ultraviolet spectroscopy, X‐ray diffraction, Fourier transform‐infrared analysis, scanning electron microscopy, energy‐dispersive spectroscopy, transmission electron microscopy, Raman spectroscopy and dynamic light scattering. The Scherrer equation deduced a mean crystallite size of ~20 nm for IONPs. Detailed in vitro biological activities revealed significant therapeutic potentials for IONPs. Potential antibacterial and antifungal activities are reported for IONPs. Bioinspired IONPs have shown potential results against HepG2 cells (IC₅₀: 13.47 μg/ml). Dose‐dependent cytotoxicity assays were revealed against Leishmania tropica (KMH₂₃) promastigotes (IC₅₀: 8.08 μg/ml) and amastigotes (IC₅₀: 20.82 μg/ml) using different concentrations of IONPs (1–200 μg/ml). The cytotoxic activity was also studied using brine shrimps, and their IC₅₀ value was calculated as 32.41 μg/ml. Significant antioxidant [TAC (51.4%), DPPH (79.4%) and total reducing power (62%)], protein kinase and alpha amylase inhibition assays were revealed. The biocompatibility assays using red blood cells (> 200 μg/ml) and macrophages (> 200 μg/ml) confirmed the biosafe nature of IONPs. In conclusion, bioinspired IONPs have shown potential biological applications and should be subjected to further research work to develop their nano‐pharmacological relevance in biomedical applications.     

Solid-state pseudocapacitors based on MnO2-nanorod-electrodes and plastic crystal incorporated gel polymer electrolyte: synergistic effect of Li-salt addition in electrolyte and morphology of electrodes

Journal of Solid State Electrochemistry - We present a novel configuration of high-performance solid-state pseudocapacitors, fabricated with symmetric MnO2-nanorod-electrodes, prepared via chemical...     

Super-Enhancement Focusing of Teflon Spheres

A Teflon (polytetrafluoroethylene) sphere can be used as a focusing lens in the applications of imaging and sensing due to its low-loss property in the terahertz band. Herein, field intensities and focusing parameters are analytically calculated for Teflon spheres at different low-loss levels and then a super-enhancement focusing effect in the spheres with particular size parameters was discovered, which can stimulate about 4000 times stronger field intensity than that for incident radiation as well as the great potential of overcoming diffraction limit despite high sensitivity to the magnitude of Teflon loss. A subsequent analysis of scattering amplitudes proves that the strong scattering of a single-order mode in the internal electric or magnetic field is the main factor causing this phenomenon.     

Transverse Momentum Distributions of Pions,Kaons and Protons in p − p Interactions at 2.76 TeV

The spectra and particle yield ratios of π^±, K^± meson, protons and anti-protons in proton-proton (p − p) interactions at \( \sqrt{s}=2.76 \) TeV are presented. CRMC generators: EPOS-LHC, EPOS1.99 and QGSJETII-04, are used for simulations and the results are compared with LHC-CMS experimental data. The particles are identified in the transverse momentum range of p_T ≈ 0.1 − 1.7 GeV/c and absolute rapidity, ∣y∣ < 1. In simulation, same cuts in p_T and y are used as in the experiment. The EPOS1.99 model predicts the data well as compared to the other two models, which predict in some of the p_T regions only. The different models used could not effectively describe the experimental data in all p_T range.

     

Carbon nanotube-cuprous oxide composite based pressure sensors

In this paper,we present the design,the fabrication,and the experimental results of carbon nanotube (CNT) and Cu 2 O composite based pressure sensors.The pressed tablets of the CNT-Cu 2 O composite are fabricated at a pressure of 353 MPa.The diameters of the multiwalled nanotubes (MWNTs) are between 10 nm and 30 nm.The sizes of the Cu 2 O micro particles are in the range of 3-4 μm.The average diameter and the average thickness of the pressed tablets are 10 mm and 4.0 mm,respectively.In order to make low resistance electric contacts,the two sides of the pressed tablet are covered by silver pastes.The direct current resistance of the pressure sensor decreases by 3.3 times as the pressure increases up to 37 kN/m 2.The simulation result of the resistance-pressure relationship is in good agreement with the experimental result within a variation of ±2%.     

An efficient method for the construction of block cipher with multi-chaotic systems

In this article, we present a method to synthesize strong nonlinear components used in encryption algorithms. The proposed nonlinear component assists in transforming the intelligible message or plaintext into an enciphered format by the use of Lorenz and Rössler chaotic systems. A substitution box is generated that uses initial conditions, utilize multi-chaotic parameter values, and employ numerical simulations.     

Hollow ternary PtPdCu nanoparticles: a superior and durable cathodic electrocatalyst

Hollow alloyed nanoparticles (NPs) represent one kind of promising fuel cell electrocatalyst. However, the formation of single-cavity hollow structures by a dealloying process is quite challenging owing to the random leaching/dissolution of transition metals, surface passivation and the limited diffusion distance of the noble metals. Here we present a facile method to prepare hollow PtPdCu NPs derived from monodisperse alloy NPs by an acetic acid-assisted dealloying process. Here, acetic acid not only acts as a chemical etching agent but also plays an important role in the removal of the residual surfactants for colloidal NPs. Our findings rectify the current knowledge that hollow alloyed NPs cannot be prepared by a dealloying strategy and provide further understanding of the dealloying process in a ternary system. Such unique hollow ternary PtPdCu NPs exhibit outstanding durability and improved catalytic activity toward the oxygen reduction reaction.