Neodymium-decorated graphene as an efficient electrocatalyst for hydrogen production.

Rare earth (RE) materials such as neodymium (Nd) and others consist of unique electronic configurations which result in unique electronic, electrochemical, and photonic properties. The high temperature (>1100 °C) growth and low active surface areas of REs hinder their use as an efficient electrocatalyst. Herein, different morphologies of Nd were successfully fabricated in situ on the surface of graphene using a double-zone chemical vapor deposition (CVD) method. The morphology of the Nd material on graphene is controlled, which results in the significant enhancement of the large specific surface area and electrochemical active area of the composite material due to the spatial morphology of Nd, thereby improving the hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) performance in an alkaline medium. The significantly enhanced HER activity with an overpotential of 75 mV and a Tafel slope of 95 mV dec-1 at a current density of 10 mA cm-2 is observed in Nd-GF. Mainly, a high specific surface area of ∼2217 cm2 g-1 and the porosity of graphene play major roles in the enhancement of activity. Thus, the present work provides a new strategy for the neodymium engineering synthesis of efficient rare earth-graphene composite electrocatalysts with a high electrochemical active area.

Nuclear model analysis of the 65Cu(α, n)68Ga reaction for the production of 68Ga up to 40 MeV.

The charge particle (α) induced reactions on enriched copper (65Cu) are investigated for the production of 68Ga. The data sets of experimental cross sections are compiled, normalized and nuclear model analysis is done using calculational codes namely, ALICE-IPPE, TALYS 1.95 and EMPIRE 3.2. The theoretical production cross sections via alpha particle induced reactions are calculated to present a set of recommended cross sections. The calculated cross sections are utilized to deduce thick target yield (TTY) for the 65Cu (α, n) 68Ga reaction. The range of energy for production of 68Ga is suggested up to 40 MeV having least contribution of radio-impurities.

Standardization of Unani Antidiabetic Tablet - Qurse Tabasheer.

BACKGROUND: Quality control of Unani polyherbal formulations is the need of the day for better acceptance of Unani medicine. Qurse Tabasheer (QT) is a Unani polyherbal formulation containing six ingredients, Tabasheer (Siliceous concretions) (Bambosa arundinaceae Retz.), Gule Surkh (Rosa damascena Mill. flower), Gulnar (Punica granatum Linn. flower), Tukhme kahu (Lactuca sativa Linn. seed), Tukhme khurfa (Portulaca oleraceae Linn. seed), and Gile Armani (bole) widely used in treatment of diabetes. The present study was taken up to scientifically evaluate the various physicochemical parameters to standardize the formulation. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate various physicochemical parameters including ash values, moisture content, extractive values, thin layer chromatography (TLC) and high-performance TLC (HPTLC), friability, disintegration, uniformity, and weight variation for standardization of QT. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Ingredients were identified by the experts. The method mentioned in national formulary of Unani Medicine with modification was followed for preparation of the tablets. Physicochemical standards were established for ideal batch of tablets on the basis of set parameters regarding friability, hardness, and disintegration. Various parameters such as organoleptic characters, extractive values for the extract and HPTLC fingerprinting postcompression were carried out for evaluation of QT. RESULTS: Parameters for loss of weight on drying, pH, ash values, extractive values documented. Qualitative chemical tests indicated the presence of alkaloid, glycoside, tannins, and steroids. TLC and HPTLC fingerprinting studies showing the presence of major peaks were documented. Friability, hardness, and disintegration time of ideal batch was 0.09 ± 0.0057, 4.03 ± 0.087, and 25.57 ± 0.4860 min, respectively, and it was found to be within the set limit. Weight variation was <5%. Total fungal and bacterial counts were found to be within the limit. CONCLUSION: Standards were established for poly herbal formulation QT, which may be used as reference for preparation and standardization of QT. SUMMARY: In this work Standardization of anti-diabetic tablet Qurse Tabasheer with diverse ingredients including herbal and mineral origin drugs has been attempted with identification of its ingredients, formulation, physicochemical evaluation and HPTLC finger printing, which may help in preparing consistent and better efficacious formulations. Abbreviations Used: QT: Qurse Tabasheer TLC: thin layer chromatography HPTLC: high-performance thin layer chromatography WHO: World health organization FRLHT: Foundation for Revitalization of Local Health Traditions Fe2O3: Iron oxide Sio2: Silica CaCo3: Calcium carbonate, Tio2: Titanium Oxide NIUM: National Institute of Unani Medicine #: Mesh size LOD: Loss of weight on drying USP: United state Pharmacopeia UV: Ultra Violet λ: Lambda θ: theta CFU: Colony-forming unit.

Calibration and verification of a dissolved oxygen management model for a highly polluted river with extreme flow variations in Pakistan.

A dissolved oxygen (DO) model is calibrated and verified for a highly polluted River Ravi with large flow variations. The model calibration is done under medium flow conditions (431.5 m(3)/s), whereas the model verification is done using the data collected during low flow conditions (52.6 m(3)/s). Biokinetic rate coefficients for carbonaceous biochemical oxygen demand (CBOD) and nitrogenous biochemical oxygen demand (NBOD) (i.e, K(cr) and K(n)) are determined through the measured CBOD and ammonia river profiles. The calculated values of K cr and K n are 0.36 day(-1) and 0.34 day(-1), respectively. The close agreement between the DO model results and the field values shows that the verified model can be used to develop DO management strategies for the River Ravi. The biokinetic coefficients are known to vary with degree of treatment (DOT) and therefore need to be adjusted for a rational water quality management model. The effect of this variation on level of treatment has been evaluated by using the verified model to attain a DO standard of 4 mg/L in the river using the biokinetic rate coefficients as determined during the model calibration and verification process. The required DOT in this case is found to be 96 %, whereas the DOT is 86 % if adjusted biokinetic rate coefficients are used to reflect the effect of wastewater treatment. The cost of wastewater treatment is known to increase exponentially as the removal efficiency increases; therefore, the use of appropriate biokinetic coefficients to manage the water quality in rivers is important.