Ethnomedicine used for Asthma by tribes of Papikondalu forest, Andhra Pradesh, India

The present study represents the information about the treatment of asthma disease by the tribes of Papikondalu forest, Andhra Pradesh, India. A total of 17 medicinal plant species belonging to 17 genera and 14 families were recorded. The documented medicinal plants were labeled alphabetically with their voucher specimen number, family name, vernacular names, parts used and mode of administration. The documented of these medicinal plants against asthma reveals that these ethnic people are still dependent on local vegetation for their life care. Thus, this type of ethnomedicinal study appears to be useful for the research on medicinal plants for the betterment of mankind

Achieving Superlubricity with 2D Transition Metal Carbides (MXenes) and MXene/Graphene Coatings

Two-dimensional (2D) materials have demonstrated unique friction and antiwear properties unmatched by their bulk (3D) counterparts. A relatively new, large and quickly growing family of two-dimensional early transition metal carbides and nitrides (MXenes) present a great potential in different applications. There is a growing interest in understanding the mechanical and tribological properties of MXenes, however, no report of MXene superlubricity in a solid lubrication process at the macroscale has been presented. Here we investigate the tribological properties of two-dimensional titanium carbide (Ti3C2) MXene deposited on SiO2-coated silicon (Si) substrates subjected to wear by sliding against a diamond-like carbon (DLC)-coated steel ball counterbody using a ball-on-disc tribometer. We have observed that a reduction of the friction coefficient to the superlubric regime (0.0067 ± 0.0017) can be achieved with Ti3C2 MXene in dry nitrogen environment. Moreover, the addition of graphene to Ti3C2 further reduced the friction by 37.3% and wear by the factor of 2 as compared to Ti3C2 alone, while the superlubricity behavior of the MXene remains unchanged. These results open up new possibilities for exploring the family of MXenes in various tribological applications

Surface Modification of Polycrystalline Diamond Compacts by Carbon Ion Irradiation

Selective modification (e.g. defect creation and amorphization) of diamond surfaces is of interests for functional diamond-based semiconductors and devices. Bombarding the diamond surface with high energy radiation sources such as electron, proton, and neutrons, however, often result in detrimental defects in deep bulk regions under the diamond surface. In this study, we utilized high energy carbon ions of 3 MeV to bombard the polycrystalline diamond compact (PDC) specimen. The resultant microstructure of PDCs was investigated using micro Raman spectroscopy. The results show that the carbon bombardment successfully created point defects and amorphization in a shallow region of ∼500 nm deep on the diamond surface. The new method has great potential to allow diamond-based semiconductor devices to be used in numerous applications

Inherent change in MammoSite applicator three-dimensional geometry over time

Accelerated partial breast irradiation is commonly done with the MammoSite applicator, which requires symmetry to treat the patient. This paper describes three cases that were asymmetric when initially placed and became symmetric over time, without manipulation

LiDAR-based reference aboveground biomass maps for tropical forests of South Asia and Central Africa

Accurate mapping and monitoring of tropical forests aboveground biomass (AGB) is crucial to design effective carbon emission reduction strategies and improving our understanding of Earth’s carbon cycle. However, existing large-scale maps of tropical forest AGB generated through combinations of Earth Observation (EO) and forest inventory data show markedly divergent estimates, even after accounting for reported uncertainties. To address this, a network of high-quality reference data is needed to calibrate and validate mapping algorithms. This study aims to generate reference AGB datasets using field inventory plots and airborne LiDAR data for eight sites in Central Africa and five sites in South Asia, two regions largely underrepresented in global reference AGB datasets. The study provides access to these reference AGB maps, including uncertainty maps, at 100 m and 40 m spatial resolutions covering a total LiDAR footprint of 1,11,650 ha [ranging from 150 to 40,000 ha at site level]. These maps serve as calibration/validation datasets to improve the accuracy and reliability of AGB mapping for current and upcoming EO missions (viz., GEDI, BIOMASS, and NISAR)

RGO/ZnWO4/Fe3O4 nanocomposite as an efficient electrocatalyst for oxygen reduction reaction

Development of low cost, environmental friendly and noble metal free catalyst materials with excellent performance is essential for commercialization. In fact, this is the need of the day too. Herein, we report a facile microwave irradiation method for the synthesis of novel RGO/ZnWO4/Fe3O4 cathode catalysts for the oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) in alkaline medium. The structural and morphological features of synthesized materials are fully examined using transmission electron microscopy (TEM), high resolution transmission electron microscopy (HRTEM). The chemical composition and elemental analysis of the catalyst is investigated by X-ray diffraction (XRD), X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) and Raman spectroscopy techniques. Efficiency of RGO/ZnWO4/Fe3O4 catalyst material for oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) in 0.1 M KOH is reported. The activity of catalyst is determined by linear sweep voltammogram (LSV) and rotating disk electrode (RDE) measurements in O2 saturated 0.1 M KOH electrolyte. RGO/ZnWO4/Fe3O4 catalyst exhibits higher ORR activity than RGO, ZnWO4, RGO/ZnWO4 and its electrocatalytic performance is comparable to Pt/C material and is superior to it in stability and methanol tolerance. Further, it is determined that process follows a direct four electron reaction pathway. These combined results strongly signpost that RGO/ZnWO4/Fe3O4 composite can function as an economic noble metal free ORR cathode catalyst for energy applications

Abdominal pseudocyst secondary to ventriculoperitoneal shunt along with left staghorn renal calculus management: A rare case report

Abdominal cerebrospinal fluid pseudocyst is an unusual and important complication in patients with ventriculoperitoneal (VP) shunt. Abdominal pseudocyst secondary to long-term (23 years) VP shunt is a rare complication, and associated staghorn calculus presentation is not yet reported in the literature. Herein, we present our management of abdominal pseudocyst with left staghorn calculus removal at the same sitting