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A large tree called Thespesia populnea (Malvaceae) is found in the tropical and coastal forests of India. In different parts of the plant, T. populnea has been shown to have antifertility, antibacterial, anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, purgative, and hepatoprotective properties. The goal of the current investigation was to find out how T. populnea leaves affected the HCT15 colorectal cancer cell line. All the in vitro experiments were conducted using aqueous and ethanol extracts. Thespesia populnea L. was subjected to a preliminary phytochemical study, which found the presence of alkaloids, flavonoids, saponin, tannin, proteins, anthraquinone, polyphenol, and carbohydrates in both extracts with the exception of terpenoids and glycosides. The aqueous extract had the greatest total phenolic and flavonoid content, with 168.04 mg of GAE per g, 34.22 mg per g, and 4.81 mg per g, respectively. It also exhibited the highest DPPH radical scavenging activity, at 81.82 per cent. This research demonstrated that T. populnea leaf is a potential source of antioxidants. These extracts were examined for their capacity to kill colorectal cancer cells in a test tube (HCT15). Aqueous extract has a high extractive percentage of 55.56 per cent at 100 µg/ml. All of the investigated cell lines had a dose-dependent viability inhibition from both aqueous and ethanol extract.

Efficient and economical treatment for color removal in the effluent of dyeing units and the dyestuff production units have always need an emerging technologies. In general physical methods such as adsorption, ion exchange and filtration/coagulation methods, chemical methods like ionization, Fenton reagent, photo catalytic & biological processes namely aerobic/anaerobic degradation, biosorption are used for dye removal. Adsorption using solid materials (i.e.) adsorbents, considered as an effective process for color removal, because of its higher efficiency over other processes. Researchers made an attempt to use various non-conventional, low-cost, naturally-occurring biomasses as adsorbent, which may be mineral, organic or biological materials. These include fruit peels, seeds, leaves, bark, sawdust, straw, ash sludge and other materials that are available in abundant quantity. The various methods showed the color removal capability of adsorbents; mainly based on the processing methods and the variety of dye. In this review, various dye adsorbents and their capacity for removing the dyes from various effluents is highlighted.

In this present work, a one-step hydrothermal approach was employed for the synthesis of ternary metal sulfides (TMS) for the preparation of high performance electrochemical supercapacitor electrode materials. Powder X-ray diffraction confirmed the formation of rhombohedral structure of NiS, hexagonal structure of the CoS and cubic structure of Ni1-xCoxS. The peaks obtained in the Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) also confirmed the formation of NiS, CoS, Ni1-xCoxS (x = 0.1,0.2 & 0.3) compounds. Field emission scanning electron microscopy revealed severe agglomeration and spongy microstructure with decreasing Ni content, while fine distribution of particles with less porosity with low Ni content in Ni1-xCoxS.The electrochemical behaviour of the fabricated Ni0.8Co0.2S electrode exhibited high specific capacitance of 71.92F/g at 5 mV/s in a potential window range from 0.25 to −0.3 V in 0.1 M non-aqueous electrolyte of TEABF4 in acetonitrile (AN) at room temperature. An excellent cycling stability was obtained up to 5,000 cycles with 87% capacitance retention.

The need for clean energy production and utilization is urgent and continues to grow due to the serious issues of human population growth and environmental pollution. The energy crisis is driving the demand for novel and innovative materials for the development of alternative energy sources and the fabrication of innovative energy storage devices. Supercapacitors are emerging electrochemical energy devices for future clean energy technologies. Supercapacitors have several distinctive features, such as rapid charging rates, high power densities, long cycle lives, and simple configurations. Thus, supercapacitors can serve as bridges to span the power gap between conventional capacitors and batteries or fuel cells. The current state of supercapacitor research is summarized in this review, and rapid progress in the basic development and practical application of supercapacitors is highlighted. A concise review of the technologies and working mechanisms of different supercapacitors is presented along with recent developments in the application of transition metal sulfide-based materials in electrochemical supercapacitors. Nanostructured transition metal sulfides have gained prominence as advanced electrode materials for an electrochemical supercapacitor due to their outstanding properties. These include good electrical conductivity, high specific capacity, low electronegativity, unique crystal structures, and high redox activity. The electrochemical performance of transition metal sulfides is superior to that of transition metal oxides which is attributed to the replacement of oxygen atoms with sulfur atoms. In this context, special emphasis is placed on nickel, cobalt, molybdenum, tin, manganese, and tungsten metal sulfides and their composites as advanced electrode materials for supercapacitor applications. Finally, the benefits and challenges of using transition metal sulfide-based electrode materials for future clean energy storage are discussed.

In this study, hierarchical-structured Co3O4 nanocapsules and various rare earth metal (La, Nd, Gd, Sm)–doped Co3O4 materials were synthesized by a polymer-assisted combustion route. These rare earth metal–doped Co3O4 materials were tested as active electrode materials for high performance electrochemical supercapacitors. The Sm-Co3O4 electrode has shown an extraordinary electrochemical supercapacitor performance with high specific capacitance and exhibited a good cycling stability with the capacitance retention of 93.18% after 5000 cycles. The doping of rare earth metals in Co3O4 can reduce the charge transfer resistance and crystalline nature which are expected to improve the transfer of ions and electrons. Also, the large number of structural defects can promote the diffusion of electrolyte ion and electrochemical supercapacitance behavior. Furthermore, the antistructural modeling has shown that isovalent cation substitution leads to the formation of cation vacancies and interstitial defects, which enhance the electrochemical properties of doped Co3O4 materials.

Development of metal nitride-based thin film binder-free electrodes is a rapidly emerging area of research for the development of supercapacitors. The manganese nitride (Mn3N2) binder-free thin film electrodes were prepared using DC magnetron sputtering process. X-ray diffraction and the Raman spectroscopy characterization confirmed the formation of the tetragonal phase of Mn3N2 thin film. Field emission scanning electron microscopy revealed that the Mn3N2 particles are in nanoscale range and the particles with pyramidal shape are distributed uniformly on the surface of the film. Further, the Mn3N2 electrodes were examined by cyclic voltammetry and galvanostatic charge-discharge measurements to investigate the supercapacitive properties. The electrochemical measurements were performed on Mn3N2 deposited on conducting stainless steel substrates in different electrolytes (KOH, KCl and, Na2SO4 at 1 M concentration). The effect of various electrolytes on the areal capacitance, cycling stability, capacitance retention of the Mn3N2 electrodes was investigated. The Mn3N2 electrodes show high areal capacitance of 118 mF cm−2 for KOH, 68 mF cm−2 for KCl and 27 mF cm−2 for Na2SO4 at a scan rate of 10 mV/s. Moreover, the Mn3N2 electrodes indicated excellent cycling stability with capacitance retention of 98.5%, 89% and 83% for KOH, KCl, and Na2SO4, electrolytes respectively after 4,000 cycles. A comparative study on the electrochemical supercapacitive properties of the Mn3N2 electrode in different aqueous electrolytes is reported for the next generation electrochemical energy storage devices.

Two-dimensional nanostructured transition metal nitride-based thin film electrodes have been gaining importance in the electrochemical supercapacitor applications. In this work, Cr doped vanadium nitride (VN) thin films as an electrode material for high-performance supercapacitors have been demonstrated. In this study, reactive magnetron co-sputtering technique was adopted to fabricate phase pure VN as well as VN films doped with different Cr contents. These films were directly investigated as electrodes without using any additional binders. The phase purity and the surface chemistry of the Cr doped VN thin films were investigated using XRD and XPS techniques. Furthermore, EDS and X-ray elemental mappings were used to confirm the content of Cr and its distribution in these electrode films. The Cr −5.7 at. % doped VN thin film electrodes exhibited an extraordinary supercapacitor performance with the maximum areal capacitance of 190 mF/cm2 compared to the areal capacitance of 27 mF/cm2 for the un-doped VN at a scan rate of 10 mV/s. Moreover, the Cr-5.7 at. % doped VN thin film electrodes showed excellent electrochemical cycling stability and excellent reversibility with the capacitance retention of 92.4 %. It could be noticed that the incorporation of metal such as Cr could be a viable method to improve the electronic or ionic conductivity of the metal nitrides for supercapacitor applications.

Supercapacitors (SCs) has gained an impressive concentration by the researchers due to its advantages such as high energy and power densities, long cyclic life, rapid charge–discharge rates, low maintenance and desirable safety. Hence it has been widely utilized in energy storage and conversion devices. Among the different components of SC, electrodes play a vital role in the performances of SCs. In this review, we present the recent advances in 2-D nanostructured metal nitrides, carbides, and phosphides based materials for SC electrodes. Finally, the electrochemical stability and designing approach for the future advancement of the electrode materials are also highlighted.

In this work, supercapacitive properties of un-doped and Cu doped Mo3N2 thin films developed by reactive magnetron co-sputtering technique are reported. X-ray diffraction (XRD) investigation confirmed the cubic phase of Mo3N2 and the addition of Cu to Mo3N2 did not change the crystal structure. The presence of Cu in this Mo3N2 was further confirmed by energy dispersive spectroscopy (EDX). The electrochemical supercapacitive performance of the needle/cone shaped thin film electrodes were investigated using cyclic voltammetry and galvanostatic charge-discharge techniques. The measurements showed an areal capacitance of 173.4 mF cm−2 for the un-doped and 619.5 mF cm−2 for the Cu doped Mo3N2 at a scan rate of 5 mV s−1 in 1 M KOH and the excellent cycling stability of 80% capacitance retention over 2000 cycles. The results suggested that the prepared Mo3N2 based electrodes are excellent candidate materials for high-performance supercapacitors.

A facile approach involving electrochemical deposition method was utilized to coat ITO substrate with zinc selenide thin films at different rare earth metal (Eu3+, Sm3+ and Gd3+) ions. The characteristics of deposited films were studied in relation with the doped metal ions. The structure of the coating was confirmed to be hexagonal wurtzite in (101) plane by X-ray analysis. The new antistructural modeling shows that the doping of ZnSe lattice by rare earth cations increases the concentration of the surface active centers such as $${\text{Gd}}_{{{\text{Zn}}}}^{\cdot },\,{\text{Eu}}_{{{\text{Zn}}}}^{\cdot },\,{\text{Sm}}_{{{\text{Zn}}}}^{\cdot },\,{\text{and}}\,{\text{V}^{\prime\prime}_{{\text{Zn}}}}$$, which are located in the cationic sublattice. XRD data revealed that the average crystallite size of ZnSe and ZnSe:Eu, ZnSe:Sm, and ZnSe:Gd was 63, 54, 47, and 49 nm, respectively. The morphological results by scanning electron microscopy indicate that the spherical-like structure with agglomeration of grains and a slight increase in the particle size. Energy dispersive X-ray, UV–Visible and photoluminescence spectroscopy were used to study the composition and optical properties of the films. A blue-shift was observed in ZnSe thin films. The bandgap energy of undoped ZnSe and ZnSe:Eu, ZnSe:Sm, and ZnSe:Gd were found to be 2.28, 2.44, 2.68 and 2.75 eV, respectively. Among the different coated films, the Gd3+ ion doped ZnSe thin film exhibited a lesser charge transfer resistance of 25.5 Ω as analyzed from the electrochemical impedance measurement. The photoelectrochemical studies reveal that the rate of photoinduced charge carriers was higher in Gd3+ ion doped thin film. The present studies suggested that the Gd3+ ion doped ZnSe thin film can be a promising material for electrochemical device applications.

Background: The clinical spectrum of precocious sexual development and its etiology are varied and we need to know our own data regarding this. The objective of the study was to study the clinical spectrum of premature sexual developments and the usefulness of imaging modalities in understanding the ongoing insult. Methods: Female child of less than 8 years of age and male child of less than 9 years of age with development of secondary sexual characteristics were registered and analyzed. After through clinical examination the children were subjected to investigations, which included radiological and hormonal. Results: Majority of cases 54% (14 cases) had symptoms before 2 years of age. Premature thelarche was seen in 58% and the majority 71% was less than 2 years of age. 17% of the female children with sexual precocity had true precocious puberty. Hypothyroidism as a cause of true precocious puberty is 8%. Heterosexual precocious puberty was seen in 16%. Among male children peripheral cause of isosexual precocious puberty was seen in two cases. Congenital adrenal hyperplasia as a cause of sexual precocity among both sexes was seen in 15%. All four children (100%) with true precocious puberty showed uterine length of > 3.5 cm and 93% of the children with isolated premature thelarche showed a uterine length of < 3.5 cm. Conclusions: Sexual precocity is most common among female children. Isolated premature thelarche is the most common type of sexual precocity. Ultrasound visualized uterine length helps in the differentiation of isosexual precocious puberty and isolated premature.

Platinum-free counter electrodes (CE) were developed for use in efficient and cost-effective energy conversion devices, such as dye-sensitized solar cells (DSSCs). Electrochemical deposition of CoS2 on fluorine-doped tin oxide (FTO) formed a hierarchical sheet-like structured CoS2 thin film. This film was engaged as a cost-effective platinum-free and high-efficiency CE for DSSCs. High stability was achieved using a phthaloychitosan-based gel-polymer electrolyte as the redox electrolyte. The electrocatalytic performance of the sheet-like CoS2 film was analyzed by electrochemical impedance spectroscopy and cyclic voltammetry. The film displayed improved electrocatalytic behavior that can be credited to a low charge-transfer resistance at the CE/electrolyte boundary and improved exchange between triiodide and iodide ions. The fabricated DSSCs with a phthaloychitosan-based gel-polymer electrolyte and sheet-like CoS2 CE had a power conversion efficiency (PCE, η) of 7.29% with a fill factor (FF) of 0.64, Jsc of 17.51 mA/cm2, and a Voc of 0.65 V, which was analogous to that of Pt CE (η = 7.82%). The high PCE of the sheet-like CoS2 CE arises from the enhanced FF and Jsc, which can be attributed to the abundant active electrocatalytic sites and enhanced interfacial charge-transfer by the well-organized surface structure.

Transition metal nitride based materials have attracted significant interest owing to their excellent properties and multiple applications in the field of electrochemical energy conversion and storage devices. Herein we synthesize 3D nanorhombus nickel nitride (Ni3N) thin films by adopting a reactive radio frequency magnetron sputtering process. The as-deposited 3D nano rhombus Ni3N thin films were utilized as cost-effective electrodes in the fabrication of supercapacitors (SCs) and dye-sensitized solar cells (DSSCs). The structure, phase formation, surface morphology and elemental composition of the as-deposited Ni3N thin films were characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD), field emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM), energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDS) and atomic force microscopy (AFM). The electrochemical supercapacitive performance of the Ni3N thin films was examined by cyclic voltammetry (CV) and galvanostatic charge–discharge (GCD) techniques, in 3 M KOH supporting electrolyte. The areal capacitance of the Ni3N thin film electrode obtained from CV analysis was 319.5 mF cm−2 at a lower scan rate of 10 mV s−1. Meanwhile, the Ni3N thin film showed an excellent cyclic stability and retained 93.7% efficiency of its initial capacitance after 2000 cycles at 100 mV s−1. Interestingly, the DSSCs fabricated with a Ni3N CE showed a notable power energy conversion efficiency of 2.88% and remarkable stability. The prominent performance of the Ni3N thin film was ascribed mainly due to good conductivity, high electrochemically active sites with excellent 3D nano rhombus structures and high electrocatalytic activity. Overall, these results demonstrate that the Ni3N electrode is capable of being considered for efficient SCs and DSSCs. This investigation also offers an essential directive for the advancement of energy storage and conversion devices.

Facile synthesis of Mg(OH)2 nanomaterials using seaweed Turbinaria ornata is reported herein. X-ray powder diffraction (XRD) analysis infer that crystal structures of Mg(OH)2 nanomaterials exhibit hexagonal brucite structure with thickness and lateral dimension around 7.75 nm and 16.29 nm (measured with Scherrer equation) respectively. FE-SEM images reveal that the flakes like structure were well distributed. Those results showed that easily affordable seaweed for synthesis and stabilization of Mg(OH)2 nanomaterials in aqueous environments, and no other chemical stabilizers were needed. Anti-mycobacterial activity of Mg(OH)2 nanomaterials were carried against M. tuberculosis H37Rv by LRP assay and showed 73% RLU reduction.

Background: Dermatoglyphics is an indispensable tool in the field of Forensic Science and Criminology and its various unknown aspects are being explored in other fields. They are important in genetics because of their usefulness in diagnosing some dysmorphic syndromes like Down Syndrome, Turner Syndrome etc.Methods: A hospital based descriptive study was carried out in the Institute of Child Health, Madras Medical College, Chennai from January 2015 to September 2015. Children admitted with major congenital malformation diagnosed either clinically or with imaging were included in the study.Results: 125 children with congenital malformation were included in the study. This included 65 cases of congenital heart disease, 20 cases of congenital talipo equino varus, 15 cases of cleft lip/palate, 15 cases of genetic syndrome and 10 cases of CNS malformations. Loops (64.3%) were the most common pattern in CHD followed by whorls (31.5%). In the CTEV group, loops (57.65%) were the most common pattern followed by whorls (36.48%). Ulnar loops (50.32%) was more common in Down’s Syndrome whereas arches (46.37%) were more common in Edward’s Syndrome. Frequency of whorls (53.28%) was higher in children with CNS malformations.Conclusions: Congenital malformations are associated with abnormal dermatoglyphics patterns. Patterns such as loops are common in CHD and syndromic children whereas whorls are common in children with CNS malformations. Large population study with a well-matched control may bring out definite dermatoglyphic pattern for many congenital disorders. They may serve as a simple diagnostic tool for these disorders.

Supercapacitors (SCs) have received a great deal of attention and play an important role for future self-powered devices, mainly owing to their higher power density. Among all types of electrical energy storage devices, electrochemical supercapacitors are considered to be the most promising because of their superior performance characteristics, including short charging time, high power density, safety, easy fabrication procedures, and long operational life. An SC consists of two foremost components, namely electrode materials, and electrolyte. The selection of appropriate electrode materials with rational nanostructured designs has resulted in improved electrochemical properties for high performance and has reduced the cost of SCs. In this review, we mainly spotlight the non-metallic oxide, especially metal chalcogenides (MX; X = S, Se) based nanostructured electrode materials for electrochemical SCs. Different non-metallic oxide materials are highlighted in various categories, such as transition metal sulfides and selenides materials. Finally, the designing strategy and future improvements on metal chalcogenide materials for the application of electrochemical SCs are also discussed.

Background: Perinatal hypoxia is one of the leading causes of mortality and morbidity in developing countries like India, and even in developed countries. Perinatal hypoxia can result in Transient myocardial ischemia, tricuspid and mitral regurgitation, myocardial infarction, cardiac failure. The measurement of Creatine kinase -MB isoenzyme a cardiac specific enzyme helps in assessing the degree of myocardial involvement in asphyxiated infants.Methods: A Prospective case-control study was done in a Tertiary care centre serving rural areas predominantly, to determine the cardiac involvement by measuring serum MB isoenzyme of creatine kinase in perinatally asphyxiated inborn term babies for a period of six months.Results: There was a significant difference in the CK-MB values with regard to weight in both cases and controls. The mean CK-MB levels were higher in babies who had assisted delivery (forceps and breech) than those delivered by labour natural and LSCS. Mean CK-MB values of asphyxiated and controls were 133.8u/l and 27.12 u/l respectively with a p value of < 0.01. There was a significant difference between HIE1 and 3 with a p value of

Toxicity of Different Doses of Oral Administration of Dimethoate on the Mechanical Properties and Thermal Behaviour of Female Albinorat Skin and Tendon (Rattus norvegicus)

The effect of an organophosphorus pesticide (dimethoate) on the urinary excretion of hydroxyproline (total, nondialysable, dialysable and free fractions) and hydroxylysylglycosides, glucosylgalactosyl hydroxylysine and galactosehydroxylysine was investigated in two groups of female albino rats fed with normal and high protein diets. In comparison to controls, dimethoate treated animals were found to excrete significantly decreased amounts of urinary hydroxyproline fractions from 7th day onwards. The excretion of total hydroxylysylglycoside in urine parallels the excretion of hydroxyproline. The urinary output of both glu-gal-hyl and gal-hyl was also appreciably lower from dimethoate treated animals. The normal ratio of glu-gal-hyl and gal-hyl found in the urine of dimethoate treated animals was discussed in light of decreased turn over of collagen in both bone and skin. The effect of dimethoate in rats fed with high protein diet was comparatively less than those fed with normal diet.

Among the industries generating hyper saline effluents, tanneries are prominent in India. Hyper saline wastewater is difficult to treat by conventional biological treatment methods. Salt-tolerant microbes can adapt to these conditions and degrade the organics in hyper saline wastewater. In this study, the performance of a bench scale aerobic sequencing batch reactor (SBR) was investigated to treat the tannery wastewater by the salt-tolerant bacterial strains namely Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Bacillus flexus, Exiguobacterium homiense and Styphylococcus aureus. The study was carried out under different operating conditions by changing the hydraulic retention time, organic loading rate and initial substrate concentration. From the results it was found that a maximum COD reduction of 90.4% and colour removal of 78.6% was attained. From this study it was found that the salt-tolerant microorganisms could improve the reduction efficiency of COD and colour of the tannery wastewater.