Shiv Nadar University

About: Shiv Nadar University is a education organization based out in Dadri, Uttar Pradesh, India. It is known for research contribution in the topics: Population & Graphene. The organization has 1015 authors who have published 1924 publications receiving 18420 citations.

Cost effective liquid phase exfoliation of MoS2 nanosheets and photocatalytic activity for wastewater treatment enforced by visible light

Abstract: Scalable production of high-quality MoS2 nanosheets remains challenging for industrial applications and research in basic sciences. N-methyl-2pyrrolidine (NMP) is a commonly used solvent for exfoliation of MoS2 nanosheets having further disadvantage of slow volatility rate. The present study demonstrates a cost-effective facile chemical route to synthesize few-layer MoS2 nanosheets using acetone as a solvent and by varying bulk initial concentration of samples to scale up the production in large scale to fulfill the demand for potential applications. In our study, we aim to obtain stable growth of high quality few layer MoS2 nanosheets by long sonication times. Optical absorption spectra, Raman spectra, size of nanosheets and layer thickness of as-grown MoS2 nanosheets were found to be matching with those obtained from other synthesis methods. Effective photocatalytic performance of MoS2 nanosheets without being consumed as a reactant was experimented by decomposing Methylene Blue dye in aqueous solution under irradiation of visible light. This study provides an idea to synthesize low-cost, sustainable and efficient photocatalytic material in large scale for the next generation to control water pollution quite efficiently by protecting the environment from the contamination coming from these dyes.

High prevalence of onchocerciasis-associated epilepsy in villages in Maridi County, Republic of South Sudan: A community-based survey.

Abstract: Purpose To determine the prevalence and incidence of epilepsy in an onchocerciasis endemic region of South Sudan. Methods In May 2018, a door-to-door household survey was conducted in 8 study sites in an onchocerciasis endemic area in Maridi County. Results A total of 2511 households agreed to participate in the study, corresponding to 17,652 individuals. An epilepsy screening questionnaire identified 799 persons suspected to have epilepsy (4.5%); in 736 of the 766 persons (96.1%) seen by a clinical officer the diagnosis of epilepsy was confirmed. Adding 38 persons who were not seen but with a positive answer to a combination of screening questions, 774 persons (4.4%) had epilepsy. Epilepsy prevalence was highest in the 11–20 age group (10.5%); 66 persons with epilepsy (PWE) developed their first seizures in the year preceding the survey (annual incidence = 373.9/100.000). Neurocysticercosis cannot explain the high epilepsy prevalence since no pigs are kept in the area. Independent risk factors for epilepsy included male gender, belonging to a “permanent household” and a farming family, and living in a village bordering the Maridi River. Only 7209 (40.8%) of the population took ivermectin in 2017. Conclusion A very high prevalence and incidence of epilepsy was observed in several villages in Maridi County located close to the Maridi River and the Maridi dam. Urgent action is needed to prevent children in Maridi County from developing OAE by strengthening the onchocerciasis elimination program.

Fuzzy AHP for forest fire risk modeling

Abstract: Purpose – The purpose of study is linked to management and policy‐making strategies, such as forest management, land use planning and sustainable management of natural resources It aims to help prevent forest fire by taking precautions It also aims to be helpful for authorities coping during the event of occurrence of fireDesign/methodology/approach – The methodology paradigm applied here is based on knowledge‐based and analytic hierarchy process (AHP) techniques Knowledge‐based criteria involve topographic and different themes for risk assessment The assignment of value given to equation is significant due to its importanceFindings – Results are in strong agreement with actual fire occurrences in the past years The risk zones are identified according to past occurrence of fire The gradients of low‐ to high‐risk zones are according to fuel, topographic features and weather conditions Direction and aspect value were taken accordinglyOriginality/value – The paper presents forest fire risk zones de

Understanding the Li-storage in few layers graphene with respect to bulk graphite: experimental, analytical and computational study

Abstract: In order to understand, clarify and provide confirmations in the contexts of the prevalent confusions concerning Li-storage in graphenic carbon (viz. the reduced dimensional scale of graphitic carbon), electrochemical lithiation/delithiation has been performed with CVD-grown fairly pristine well-ordered few-layer graphene films (FLG; ∼7 layers; as a model material). Chronopotentiograms and cyclic voltammograms recorded with the FLG present distinct features corresponding to the transformation between different Li-GICs (i.e., ‘staging’) below 0.3 V against Li/Li+, thus confirming that ‘classical’ Li-intercalation does occur even at such reduced dimensional (nano)scale. Nevertheless, even in this lower potential window (our main focus here), Li-storage in FLG involves contributions from both diffusion- and surface-controlled mechanisms. The Li-capacities recorded with FLG just within this lower potential window, and also upon subtracting any possible contribution from the Cu current collector, were still ∼3–4 times greater than those obtained with similarly grown thicker bulk graphite films (TBG: ∼450 nm; Li-capacity recorded: ∼380 mA h g−1). Contrary to the usual belief, the excess Li-capacity of FLG cannot be explained by the presence of extrinsic/intrinsic defects, which are nearly negligible in the FLG films under consideration. Simulation of Li-storage in graphene via DFT indicated that the excess capacity (after formation of the LiC6 configuration) is associated with additional stable Li-storage on the outer graphene surfaces in the forms of more than one Li-layer (but different from Li-plating) and segregation close to the ‘stepped’ (exposed) edges of the inner graphene layers (but not exactly at the edge sites). Overall, such predicted Li-storage mechanisms are in agreement with the experimentally observed contributions from both ‘classical’ Li-intercalation and surface-controlled processes (even at potentials below 0.3 V), which primarily account for the excess Li-capacities recorded with graphenic carbon.