Exposure to a 2.5 GHz Non-ionizing Electromagnetic Field Alters Hematological Profiles, Biochemical Parameters, and Induces Oxidative Stress in Male Albino Rats

Modern technology has witnessed milestone achievements in the telecommunication industry.However,the widespread application of telecommunication technology is believed to heighten electromagnetic field(EMF)‘pollution’in our environment[1]and subject living organisms to various sources of electromagnetic emissions.These emissions include;microwaves.

Study of Heavy Metal Accumulation in Sewage Irrigated Vegetables in Different Regions of Agra District, India

Heavy metal contamination of soil resulting from sewage irrigation is a cause of serious concern due to the potential health impacts of consuming contaminated products. In this study an assessment made of the impact of sewage irrigation on heavy metal contamination of Spinach, Cabbage, Beetroot, Reddish, Okra, Tomato, and Cucumber is widely cultivated and consumed in urban India, particularly by the poor. A field study was conducted at seven major sites that were irrigated by either treated, (Dhandupura) or untreated wastewater in the suburban areas of Agra, India. Samples of irrigation water, soil, and the edible portion of all the vegetables were collected monthly during the winter seasons and were analyzed for Fe, Cd, Cu, Zn, and Pb. Heavy metals in irrigation water were below the internationally recom- mended (WHO) maximum permissible limits set for agricultural use for all heavy metals except Cd at all the sites. Similarly, the mean heavy metal concentrations in soil were below the Indian standards for all heavy metals, but the maximum value of Cd recorded during January was higher than the standard. However, in the edible portion of spinach, the Cd concentration was higher than the permissible limits of the Indian standard during summer, whereas Pb concentrations were higher in winter seasons. Results of correlation analysis were computed to assess the relationship between individual heavy metal concentration in the vegetable samples. The study concludes that the use of treated and untreated wastewater for irrigation has increased the contamination of Cd, Pb in edible portion of vegetables causing potential health risk in the long term from this practice. The study also points to the fact that adherence to standards for heavy metal contamination of soil and irrigation water does not ensure safe food. Fe was measured abundant in soil whereas Pb and Cd were found more in untreated sites as compared to treated site. Correlation, paired T-test and ANOVA were also carried out for pre post harvested soil and vegetables.

Tuning of interactions between cathode and lithium polysulfide in Li-S battery by rational halogenation

Li-S batteries have aroused intense interests as one of the most promising high-energy-density storage technology.However,the complex undesired shuttle effect induced by dissolution and diffusion of lithium polysulfide intermediates remains the major setback of this technology.Chemical modification of carbon cathode through heteroatom-doping is widely accepted as an effective method to inhibit the shuttle effect in Li-S battery cathode.Herein,using first principle calculations,we systematically examined the interaction between halogenated graphene and lithium polysulfide species.It is found that the halogen dopants(F,Cl,Br,I)significantly modify the local electronic structure of adsorption site and further induce a polarization to trap the polysulfides.Interestingly,a concave curve is observed from F to I for lithium polysulfide adsorption rather than a linear relation.The exceptions demonstrated from iodine dopant is carefully analyzed and attributed to its unique charge state.Moreover,boron as second dopant further strengthens the interaction between halogenated graphene and polysulfide molecule.Based on halogenation strategy,lithium polysulfide/cathode interactions are tuned in a wide range,which can also be of great importance to accelerate redox reaction in Li-S battery.Overall,an effective method by halogenation is verified to regulate the adsorption of lithium polysulfide and also enhance the reaction kinetics of the Li-S battery system.

The Effect of Electrolyte on Dye Sensitized Solar Cells Using Natural Dye from Mango (<i>M. indica</i>L.) Leaf as Sensitizer

Dye-sensitized solar cells (DSSC) were fabricated with mango leaf dye extracts as natural dye sensitizers at pH value of 5.20 and temperature of 18.1°C. Methanol was used as dye-extracting solvent. DSSCs from dye extract of M. indica L. with KMnO4 electrolyte had the highest photocurrent density of 1.3 mA/cm2 and fill factor FF of 0.46 for the sun at its peak. Potassium permanganate (KMnO4) had a photocurrent density of 1.3 mA/cm2 and FF of 0.8 at sundown. Potassium Iodide (KI), Potassium Bromide (KBr) and Mercury Chloride (HgCl2) electrolytes had 0.2 mA/cm2, 0.08 mA/cm2 and 0.02 mA/cm2 photocurrent densities respectively. The fill factors of 0.09, 0.03 and 0.003 respectively for sun overhead while 0.08 mA/cm2, 0.01 mA/cm2 and 0.01 mA/cm2 were the values of photocurrent densities respectively at sundown. The fill factors were 0.02, 0.0006 and 0.003 respectively at sundown. The maximum power Pmax of the DSSCs were 0.5 mW/cm2, 0.10 mW/cm2, 0.01 mW/cm2 and 0.012 mW/cm2 respectively at 1300 h at 1630 h 0.9 mW/cm2, 0.14 mW/cm2, 0.005 mW/cm2 and 0.0015 mW/cm2 respectively.

Characterization of Dye Sensitized Cells Using Natural Dye from Oil Bean Leaf (<i>Pentaclethra macrophylla</i>): The Effect of Dye pH on the Photoelectric Parameters

Fresh leaves of oil bean (P. macrophylla) were used as sensitizers for fabrication of dye sensitized solar cells (DSSCs) at four dye pH values of 2.58°C at 23.7°C, 2.62°C at 22.2°C, 2.65°C at 22.3°C and 3.61°C at 22.1 °C. The methanol extracts of P. macrophylla were extracted and used as sensitizers for the development of dye sensitized solar cells. The solar cells sensitized by P. macrophylla leaf extracts realised up to short circuit current (Jsc) 0.16 mA/cm2, open circuit voltage (Voc) 0.045 V, Pmax 0.031 mW/ cm2 and fill factor (FF) 0.50. The energy conversion efficiency (η) of the DSSCs is 0.43%. Phytochemical screening of P. macrophylla leaf extract shows the presence of flavonoids and anthraquinones. The nanostructured dye shows conversion of solar energy into electricity using low cost natural dyes as wide band-gap semiconductor sensitizers in DSSCs. This will provide economically viable substitute to silicon p-n junction photovoltaic (PV).

Biochars and their magnetic derivatives as enzyme-like catalysts mimicking peroxidases

Various materials have been extensively investigated to mimic the structures and functions of natural enzymes.We describe the discovery of a new catalytic property in the group of biochar-based carbonaceous materials,which are usually produced during biowaste thermal processing under specific conditions.The tested biochars exhibited peroxidase-like catalytic activ-ity.Biomaterial feedstock,pyrolysis temperature,size of resulting biochar particles or biochar modification(e.g.,magnetic particles deposition)influenced the peroxidase-like activity.Catalytic activity was measured with the chromogenic organic substrates N,N-diethyl-p-phenylenediamine(DPD)or 3,3′,5,5′-tetramethylbenzidine(TMB),in the presence of hydrogen peroxide.Magnetic biochar composite was studied as a complementary material,in which the presence of iron oxide particles enhances catalytic activity and enables smart magnetic separation of catalyst even from complex mixtures.The activity of the selected biochar had an optimum at pH 4 and temperature 32℃;biochar catalyst can be reused ten times without the loss of activity.Using DPD as a substrate,Km values for native wood chip biochar and its magnetic derivative were 220±5μmol L^(−1)and 690±80μmol L^(−1),respectively,while Vmax values were 10.1±0.3μmol L^(−1)min^(−1)and 16.1±0.4μmol L^(−1)min^(−1),respectively.Biochar catalytic activity enabled the decolorization of crystal violet both in the model solution and the fish pond water containing suspended solids and dissolved organic matter.The observed biochar enzyme mimetic activity can thus find interesting applications in environmental technology for the degradation of selected xenobiotics.In general,this property predestines the low-cost biochar to be a perspective supplement or even substitution of common peroxidases in practical applications.