The current investigation focuses on the effect of cooling technology on the corrosion behavior of friction stir processing (FSP) of AA5083 alloy. After processing, the equiaxed refined grains were ...created in all the specimens, and the specimen processed in water led to more grain refinement than other specimens. Three types of intermetallics (IMs), such as iron-based needle IMs, Mg-based round IMs, and small Mg-based IMs at grain boundaries, were identified in both base metal and FSPed specimens. After FSP, these IMs fragmented into small particles and dispersed homogeneously in the aluminum matrix. Moreover, the heat generated between the work and tool junction caused the coarsening, reformation, and dissolution of IMs based on the availability of heat input. Four types of corrosion tests were carried out: immersion test, open circuit potential test, Tafel polarization test, and electrical impedance spectroscopy test to analyze the electrochemical behavior of FSPed specimens. All the corrosion findings stated that the corrosion resistance improved after the processing due to the formation of uniform grain structure, less density of iron-based IMs, and discontinuous IMs. Within FSPed specimens, the specimen processed in water led to greater corrosion resistance than other specimens owing to better grain refinement and small IMs.
•Biogenesis of ZnO nanoparticles using aqueous peel extract of Citrus medica.•Synthesized ZnO nanoparticles have proved to excellent antimicrobial potential.•ZnO nano-fertilizer exhibited amazing ...results to improve the growth and yield of Abelmoschus esculentus.
Current intensive agricultural practices to improve the yield in food crops have kindled new research formulations towards novel fertilizers and natural pesticides, specifically involving nanomaterials. Biogenesis of ZnO nanoparticles has been performed using Citrus medica peel extract as a primary agent to support the quality of ladies finger seeds as well as the yield of the ladies finger pods for the first time. The obtained results by different analyses of physico-chemical properties indicate the formation of ZnO nanoparticles. Antimicrobial efficiencies of plant pathogenic organisms such as Streptomyces sannanesis, Bacillus subtilis, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Salmonella enterica, Candida albicans, and Aspergillus niger were calculated using agar well method. Foliar applications of biogenesis based ZnO nano-fertilizer of various concentrations were collectively performed for Abelmoschus esculentus. Among the concentrations, plant acquired 20 mg/L proved to have the highest biochemical contents compared to the control. Increase of the growth parameters such as seed germination (89 %), Total plant height (34 cm), Shoot height (18 cm), Root height (7.8 cm), Total fresh weight (22 gm), Shoot fresh weight 914 gm), Root fresh weight (1.8 gm), Total dry weight (5.24 gm), Shoot dry weight (4.76 gm), Root dry weight (0.39 gm), Number of branches (7), Leaf area (7.8 cm), Number of pods (7) and Length of pods (13 cm) compared to hydro-primed seeds under this category were identified. From this study we concluded that biogenesis of ZnO nanoparticles has been successfully accomplished and is a safe, non-toxic, environmentally compatible material. Synthesized ZnO nanoparticles proved to have excellent antimicrobial activity against disease causing pathogens in plants. In addition, ZnO nano-fertilizer exhibited amazing results to improve the growth and yield of Abelmoschus esculentus. Therefore, the synthesized ZnO nanoparticles exhibiting excellent antimicrobial activities along with a nanofertilizer potential can be recommended for agriculture applications.
Metal oxides combined with polymers form an important class of inorganic–organic composite material which could offer versatile functionalities. This work deals with the hydrothermal synthesis of ...cocoon shaped β-Ga
2
O
3
structures and incorporation of these structures into PMMA matrix to form flexible composite films with multifunctional traits. Self-supporting β-Ga
2
O
3
/PMMA films of different compositions were fabricated through solvent casting method by varying the weight percentage of β-Ga
2
O
3
(0, 1, 2, 3 and 4%) in the PMMA matrix. The pure structures and composites were analyzed systematically using various characterization tools, and the results confirmed the successful integration of β-Ga
2
O
3
in the PMMA matrix. Thermogravimetry and differential scanning calorimetry studies revealed the significant changes in the thermal behaviour of the polymer on account of the presence of β-Ga
2
O
3
particles. The composite films were semi-transparent with high UV-C absorbance property and on irradiation with UV light it found to exhibit blue luminescence. The wettability and self-cleaning behaviour of the fabricated films were also investigated.
Enhancement in the near-infrared (NIR) shielding property of tungsten oxide (WO3-x, 0 < x < 1) thin films by the induction of further oxygen vacancies via vacuum annealing is discussed in this work. ...The property is comprehensively analysed by UV–Vis–NIR spectroscopy and variable angle spectroscopic ellipsometry techniques. From transmittance spectra, an average visible transmittance of ∼48% along with an average NIR transmittance of ∼15% (with Tvis/Tsol ratio of 1.49) is obtained for WO3-x thin films vacuum annealed at 500 °C for 1.5 h. The pronounced NIR absorption is attributed to the enhanced polaron absorption and surface plasmon resonance effects produced by the increased oxygen vacancies in the film. In order to realize their potential as energy saving window coatings, thermal shielding test is performed in which vacuum annealed WO3-x thin films could restraint the indoor temperature of the heat box efficiently. X-ray diffractometry, field emission scanning electron microscopy, Raman spectroscopy and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy measurements were also performed on the films for elucidating structural, morphological, and compositional characteristics. In addition, contact angle measurements revealed that vacuum annealing could reduce the surface wettability of WO3-x thin films considerably. The present work is significant in the field of development of NIR shielding materials for energy conserving smart window applications, especially for buildings and automobiles.
•WO3-x thin films were deposited by RF sputtering followed by vacuum annealing.•Studied the role of oxygen vacancies in enhancing NIR shielding performance.•∼80% of the NIR radiation was shielded by WO3-x thin films annealed for 1.5 h.•Temperature inside the heat box reduced efficiently in the heat shielding test.•The work is significant for developing energy conserving smart windows.
Patients with tetralogy of Fallot (TOF) have abnormal right ventricular (RV) afterload because of residual or recurrent outflow tract obstruction, often with abnormal pulmonary artery (PA) vascular ...function. The purpose of this study was to determine if RV afterload was independently associated with death and/or heart transplant in patients with TOF. This is a retrospective study of TOF patients that underwent cardiac catheterization for clinical indications at Mayo clinic between 1990 and 2015. Invasively measured RV systolic pressure (RVSP) was used to define RV afterload. To explore clinical utility for echocardiographic estimates of invasive data, correlations between invasive and Doppler-derived indices of RV afterload were examined. Among 266 patients with TOF (age 35 ± 14 years, TOF-pulmonary atresia 117 44%), RVSP was 72 ± 28 mm Hg, PA systolic pressure 45 ± 19 mm Hg, mean PA pressure 27 ± 10 mm Hg, pulmonary vascular resistance 4.2 ± 3.1 WU, and PA wedge pressure 14 ± 5 mm Hg. Over a mean follow up of 12.9 years, there were 35 deaths and 4 heart transplants. Invasively measured RVSP (hazard ratio 1.25, 95% confidence interval 1.12 to 1.37; p <0.001) and TOF-pulmonary atresia (hazard ratio 1.18, 95% confidence interval 1.08 to 1.41; p = 0.023) were independent risk factors for death and/or transplant. Doppler-derived RVSP was well-correlated with invasive RVSP (r = 0.92, p <0.001), and was also independently associated with the combined end point. RVSP, a composite measure of RV afterload, is independently prognostic in patients with TOF, and can be reliably assessed using Doppler echocardiography. Further study is required to test whether interventions to reduce RVSP can improve outcomes in patients with TOF.
Near-infrared (NIR) shielding materials emerge as potential candidates for energy conservation applications. In this work, tungsten oxide (WO3-x, 0 < x < 1) thin films were deposited on soda-lime ...glass substrate by RF magnetron sputtering at various substrate temperatures and NIR shielding properties of the films were studied. Structural, morphological and compositional properties of the films were also investigated. Optical constants, thickness and roughness of the films were extracted from spectroscopic ellipsometric (SE) measurements. The correlativity of SE with UV–Vis–NIR spectrophotometry, cross-sectional field emission scanning electron microscopy and atomic force microscopy was investigated. Of all the films, WO3-x thin films deposited at 500 °C showed the lowest NIR transmittance of about 23% with the highest visible transmittance of above 70% corresponding to a Tvis/Tsol ratio of 1.35 and NIR shielding value of 75%. WO3-x coated soda lime glass shows better NIR shielding performance compared to commercial soda lime glass in the thermal shielding test. The underlying reason for NIR absorption is the presence of oxygen vacancies which promote formation of W5+ ions and the resultant combined effects of polaron absorption and surface plasmon resonance. This work is significant in utilizing a facile technique for developing undoped WO3-x thin films for efficient NIR shielding applications.
•WO3-x thin films were deposited by RF magnetron sputtering.•Substrate temperature dependence on NIR shielding properties was studied.•WO3-x films deposited at 500 °C exhibited high visible and low NIR transmittance.•A Facile technique for NIR Shielding without adding any dopants.
Metal oxide semiconductors and plasmonic metal nanoparticles have received extensive research interest due to their superior optical properties resulting from the combination of semiconductor and ...plasmonic properties. Herein, we demonstrate the synthesis of Ag decorated β-Ga2O3 heterostructures utilizing a cost effective and eco-friendly hydrothermal method. The decoration of Ag endows plasmonic features to the hybrid material resulting in broad absorption in the visible light region of the electromagnetic spectrum, which is not possible for bare β-Ga2O3 due to its wide bandgap. The peculiar nature of the hybrid material was then utilized to fabricate an efficient substrate for surface enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) applications. The recyclability and prolonged stability of the substrate indicate its potential application toward the fabrication of versatile and low-cost SERS substrates.
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•Ag decorated β-Ga2O3 heterostructures were synthesized by employing a facile hydrothermal synthesis.•Broad band of plasmonic absorption in the visible region on incorporation of Ag nanoparticles.•Ag/β-Ga2O3@Al foil as efficient surface enhanced raman scattering (SERS) substrates.
Diabetes is a frequent metabolic complaint associated with increasing blood sugar levels, it also has a connection to long- term vascular problems that can damage blood vessels, urinary tract, sight, ...and neurons. By adding amino acid breakdown and ultimately accumulating complex end products of glycation in the organs, hyperglycemia is a crucial factor in the progression of complications related to diabetes. The breakdown process, which entails free of enzymes couplings of polysaccharides to lipids, proteins, or inheritable material, produces miscellaneous motes known to be sophisticated glycation end products. The root cause of diabetes-related difficulties such as atherosclerosis, retinopathy, nephropathy, and nephropathy are greatly impacted by the development of complex end products of glycation and the glycation of proteins. Glycation of proteins hinders molecules from behaving as anticipated by altering the functioning of enzymes, altering the structure of molecules, and impeding sensory interaction. In order to aid in the development of diabetes problems. Recent research suggests that AGEs interact with RAGEs on the plasma membrane to change gene expression, intracellular signaling, and the release of free radicals and pro-inflammatory chemicals. The formation of several AGE types from the glycation of plasma proteins is covered in the current review. The pathogenesis of diabetes sequelae such as retinal degeneration, glaucoma nerve damage, kidney failure, and myocardium are also discussed in relation to AGEs. This study includes an update on the disease's vascular consequences, underlying causes, and available therapeutic options. A summary of illness management techniques is also provided in this article.
