Sustainable Perspective of Electric Vehicles and Its Future Prospects

Vehicles running on fossil fuel are creating a threat to the environment by emitting pollutants such as carbon monoxide, carbon dioxide and sulfur and nitrogen oxides into the environment. Electric vehicles and hybrid electric vehicles provide a perennial solution to this problem and since the utilization of renewables for charging, the market is on verge of electric vehicle revolution. Electric propulsion systems can also be used in heavy transport vehicles, thus transitioning them to electric. This paper puts forth an overview of the electric vehicles for transportation of masses and freight across the globe and emphasis on the battery charging infrastructures. Recent trends and advancements in electric vehicle batteries are discussed briefly, along with sustainability in Li-ion batteries and its materials; moreover, a comparative study of different electric vehicles available in the Indian market is done. Similarly, the incentives offered by government, challenges faced by these vehicles and future development areas are conversed at the end of the paper

Numerical Study of Wind Loads on Y Plan-Shaped Tall Building Using CFD

The increase in the population is at an exponential rate, and the available land is in the form of irregular shapes. That is why irregular shapes are very commonly built. Wind load increases with respect to height, so wind load evolution is necessary for such high-rise structures. Wind forces majorly depend on the plan's cross-sectional shape. Therefore, for an irregular shape, an investigation is needed for tall buildings. This paper demonstrates a detailed study on velocity stream line, external pressure coefficients, pressure distribution on the surfaces of the building and the turbulence kinetic energy for the Y-shaped plan for tall buildings under wind excitation for wind incidence angles of 0o to 180o. k-  turbulence model is utilized to solve the problem using computational fluid dynamics techniques in ANSYS for terrain category II as per IS: 875 (Part3), 2015. Wind ward faces in all building models show positive pressure distribution, while the leeward faces are under the effect of negative pressure distribution. Wind load can be reduced on building models by modifying the corners, such as chamfering, rounding, and double recessed. The variation of pressure distribution on different faces of a "Y" plan shaped tall building for 0° and 180° is investigated using ANSYS CFX, and the pressure contours are plotted for all the faces of different "Y" shaped buildings to compute the effect of corner modification on pressure distribution. In this research, it was found that building models with rounded corners are highly efficient in resisting the wind load. Doi: 10.28991/CEJ-2022-08-02-06 Full Text: PD

Daksha: On Alert for High Energy Transients

We present Daksha, a proposed high energy transients mission for the study of electromagnetic counterparts of gravitational wave sources, and gamma ray bursts. Daksha will comprise of two satellites in low earth equatorial orbits, on opposite sides of earth. Each satellite will carry three types of detectors to cover the entire sky in an energy range from 1 keV to >1 MeV. Any transients detected on-board will be announced publicly within minutes of discovery. All photon data will be downloaded in ground station passes to obtain source positions, spectra, and light curves. In addition, Daksha will address a wide range of science cases including monitoring X-ray pulsars, studies of magnetars, solar flares, searches for fast radio burst counterparts, routine monitoring of bright persistent high energy sources, terrestrial gamma-ray flashes, and probing primordial black hole abundances through lensing. In this paper, we discuss the technical capabilities of Daksha, while the detailed science case is discussed in a separate paper.Comment: 9 pages, 3 figures, 1 table. Additional information about the mission is available at https://www.dakshasat.in

Science with the Daksha High Energy Transients Mission

We present the science case for the proposed Daksha high energy transients mission. Daksha will comprise of two satellites covering the entire sky from 1~keV to $>1$~MeV. The primary objectives of the mission are to discover and characterize electromagnetic counterparts to gravitational wave source; and to study Gamma Ray Bursts (GRBs). Daksha is a versatile all-sky monitor that can address a wide variety of science cases. With its broadband spectral response, high sensitivity, and continuous all-sky coverage, it will discover fainter and rarer sources than any other existing or proposed mission. Daksha can make key strides in GRB research with polarization studies, prompt soft spectroscopy, and fine time-resolved spectral studies. Daksha will provide continuous monitoring of X-ray pulsars. It will detect magnetar outbursts and high energy counterparts to Fast Radio Bursts. Using Earth occultation to measure source fluxes, the two satellites together will obtain daily flux measurements of bright hard X-ray sources including active galactic nuclei, X-ray binaries, and slow transients like Novae. Correlation studies between the two satellites can be used to probe primordial black holes through lensing. Daksha will have a set of detectors continuously pointing towards the Sun, providing excellent hard X-ray monitoring data. Closer to home, the high sensitivity and time resolution of Daksha can be leveraged for the characterization of Terrestrial Gamma-ray Flashes.Comment: 19 pages, 7 figures. Submitted to ApJ. More details about the mission at https://www.dakshasat.in

Elective Cancer Surgery in COVID-19-Free Surgical Pathways During the SARS-CoV-2 Pandemic: An International, Multicenter, Comparative Cohort Study.

PURPOSE: As cancer surgery restarts after the first COVID-19 wave, health care providers urgently require data to determine where elective surgery is best performed. This study aimed to determine whether COVID-19-free surgical pathways were associated with lower postoperative pulmonary complication rates compared with hospitals with no defined pathway. PATIENTS AND METHODS: This international, multicenter cohort study included patients who underwent elective surgery for 10 solid cancer types without preoperative suspicion of SARS-CoV-2. Participating hospitals included patients from local emergence of SARS-CoV-2 until April 19, 2020. At the time of surgery, hospitals were defined as having a COVID-19-free surgical pathway (complete segregation of the operating theater, critical care, and inpatient ward areas) or no defined pathway (incomplete or no segregation, areas shared with patients with COVID-19). The primary outcome was 30-day postoperative pulmonary complications (pneumonia, acute respiratory distress syndrome, unexpected ventilation). RESULTS: Of 9,171 patients from 447 hospitals in 55 countries, 2,481 were operated on in COVID-19-free surgical pathways. Patients who underwent surgery within COVID-19-free surgical pathways were younger with fewer comorbidities than those in hospitals with no defined pathway but with similar proportions of major surgery. After adjustment, pulmonary complication rates were lower with COVID-19-free surgical pathways (2.2% v 4.9%; adjusted odds ratio [aOR], 0.62; 95% CI, 0.44 to 0.86). This was consistent in sensitivity analyses for low-risk patients (American Society of Anesthesiologists grade 1/2), propensity score-matched models, and patients with negative SARS-CoV-2 preoperative tests. The postoperative SARS-CoV-2 infection rate was also lower in COVID-19-free surgical pathways (2.1% v 3.6%; aOR, 0.53; 95% CI, 0.36 to 0.76). CONCLUSION: Within available resources, dedicated COVID-19-free surgical pathways should be established to provide safe elective cancer surgery during current and before future SARS-CoV-2 outbreaks

Elective cancer surgery in COVID-19-free surgical pathways during the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic: An international, multicenter, comparative cohort study

PURPOSE As cancer surgery restarts after the first COVID-19 wave, health care providers urgently require data to determine where elective surgery is best performed. This study aimed to determine whether COVID-19–free surgical pathways were associated with lower postoperative pulmonary complication rates compared with hospitals with no defined pathway. PATIENTS AND METHODS This international, multicenter cohort study included patients who underwent elective surgery for 10 solid cancer types without preoperative suspicion of SARS-CoV-2. Participating hospitals included patients from local emergence of SARS-CoV-2 until April 19, 2020. At the time of surgery, hospitals were defined as having a COVID-19–free surgical pathway (complete segregation of the operating theater, critical care, and inpatient ward areas) or no defined pathway (incomplete or no segregation, areas shared with patients with COVID-19). The primary outcome was 30-day postoperative pulmonary complications (pneumonia, acute respiratory distress syndrome, unexpected ventilation). RESULTS Of 9,171 patients from 447 hospitals in 55 countries, 2,481 were operated on in COVID-19–free surgical pathways. Patients who underwent surgery within COVID-19–free surgical pathways were younger with fewer comorbidities than those in hospitals with no defined pathway but with similar proportions of major surgery. After adjustment, pulmonary complication rates were lower with COVID-19–free surgical pathways (2.2% v 4.9%; adjusted odds ratio [aOR], 0.62; 95% CI, 0.44 to 0.86). This was consistent in sensitivity analyses for low-risk patients (American Society of Anesthesiologists grade 1/2), propensity score–matched models, and patients with negative SARS-CoV-2 preoperative tests. The postoperative SARS-CoV-2 infection rate was also lower in COVID-19–free surgical pathways (2.1% v 3.6%; aOR, 0.53; 95% CI, 0.36 to 0.76). CONCLUSION Within available resources, dedicated COVID-19–free surgical pathways should be established to provide safe elective cancer surgery during current and before future SARS-CoV-2 outbreaks

Chemoprevention of chemical-induced skin cancer by Panax ginseng root extract

Background: Cancer has emerged as a major health problem globally as a consequence to the increased longevity of the population, changing the environment and life style. Chemoprevention is a new and promising strategy for reducing cancer burden. Recently, some natural products have been identified for their chemopreventive activity to reduce the cancer incidence. Ginseng is known for its potential to treat various ailments in human beings. The present study was designed to explore the anticancer and antioxidative potential of Panax ginseng against chemical-induced skin carcinogenesis in mammals. Methods: Skin tumors were induced in Swiss albino mice by a single topical application of 7,12-dimethylbenz(a)anthracene (100 μg/100 μL acetone) and, 2 wks later, promoted by repeated applications of croton oil (thrice in a wk in 1% acetone) till the end of the experiment (i.e., 16 wk). Hydroalcoholic ginseng root extract at a dose of 25 mg/kg body weight/d was orally administered at the peri-initiation, postinitiation, and peri–post-initiation stages. Results: Ginseng root extract treatment caused a significant reduction in tumor incidence, cumulative number of tumors, tumor yield, and tumor burden, as compared to the 7,12-dimethylbenz(a)anthracene–croton oil-treated control group. Further, biochemical assays revealed a significant enhancement in the levels of reduced glutathione, superoxide dismutase, catalase, vitamin C, and total proteins but a significant reduction in lipid peroxidation levels in both the liver and skin with ginseng root extract treatment, as compared to carcinogen-treated control group. Conclusion: These results suggest that P. ginseng has the potential to become a pivotal chemopreventive agent that can reduce cancer in mammals

MODULATION OF BIOCHEMICAL AND ANTIOXIDANT ENZYMES IN BLOOD BY TINOSPORA CORDIFOLIA AGAINST GAMMA RADIATION MEDIATED DAMAGE IN MICE

Objective: The present investigation has been carried out to evaluate the possible radio- protective potential of root extract of Tinospora cordifolia(TCE) against 2.5 Gy gamma radiations in adult Swiss albino mice.Methods: For this purpose, healthy Swiss albino male mice were selected from an inbred colony and divided into four groups. Group I (normal)was administered double distilled water (DDW) volume equal to TCE (75 mg/kg body weight [b.wt]/animal) by oral gavage. Group II was orallysupplemented TCE as 75 mg/kg b.wt once daily for 5 consecutive days. Group III (irradiated control) received DDW orally equivalent to TCE for 5 daysthen exposed to 2.5 Gy gamma radiation. Group IV (experimental) was administered TCE as in Group II and exposed to radiation (as in Group III) atvarious post-irradiation intervals between 12 hrs and 30 days. Biochemical alterations were observed in the blood of mice at various post-irradiationintervals between 12 hrs and 30 days.Results: The irradiation of mice caused considerable decrease in the level of total proteins, glutathione, catalase, and superoxide dismutase activityalong with significant increase in cholesterol, lipid peroxidation (LPO). Whereas, administration of TCE prior to irradiation enhanced the activity ofvarious antioxidant enzymes and reduced the radiation- induced variations in total proteins, cholesterol and LPO levels in the blood serum.Conclusions: Hence, the data of present investigation indicate that T. cordifolia root extract reduce the bioeffects of gamma radiation in mammals.Keywords: Gamma radiation, Tinospora cordifolia, Swiss albino mice, Blood, Antioxidant enzymes

Preclusion of radiation-mediated hematological and biochemical variations by root extract of Tinospora cordifolia (an indian medicinal plant)

The present study deals with the radiomodulatory influence of Tinospora cordifolia (Amrita) root extract on the peripheral blood of Swiss albino mice after 5.0 Gy gamma irradiation in the presence (experimental) or absence (control) of Tinospora cordifolia (75 mg/kg b.wt/day). The animals from different groups were necropsied and their blood collected on days 1, 3, 7, 15, and 30 postirradiation. A considerable decrease was recorded in the number of erythrocyte and total leucocyte counts, differential leucocytes, hemoglobin content, and hematocrit percentage in the irradiated control group, while a recovery pattern was recorded in experimental animals, however, without the attainment of normal levels up to the end of the experiment. Furthermore, Tinospora cordifolia root extract pretreatment significantly ameliorated radiation-induced elevation in cholesterol and lipid peroxidation levels, whereas, a decline in glutathione and total proteins concentration was noted

Radiation-induced hematological alterations and their inhibition by Aegle Marmelos fruit extract

This study was carried out to observe the radio protective potential of Aegle Marmelos fruit extract (AME) against radiation-induced hematological and biochemical alterations in blood and liver of mice. For this purpose, adult Swiss albino mice were exposed to 6 Gy gamma radiation in the presence (experimental) or absence (control) of the extract (100 mg/kg body weight animal/day). Exposure to radiation resulted in a significant decline in the count of erythrocyte, hemoglobin (Hb) and hematocrit (Hct) in peripheral blood. In contrast, extract-pretreated irradiated animals had a significant rise in all of these blood constituents, as compared with the irradiated control. Furthermore, a significant elevation in lipid peroxidation over normal was recorded in the irradiated control, whereas such increase was considerably lesser in extract-pretreated animals. Likewise, pretreatment with AME caused a significant increase in glutathione levels in the serum, as well as in the liver, in comparison to irradiated controls. These results indicate that AME may be responsible for the protection of stem cells in bone marrow, subsequently resulting in a rise of hematological constituents in peripheral blood. The present study affirms the prophylactic use of AME against radiation-induced hematological and biochemical alterations in mammals