Pharmaceutico-analytical Study of Kushtae Shangarf Prepared with Jozbua (Myristica fragrans Houtt.) and Phitkari (Alum)

Frictional Behaviour of Composite Anodized Layers on Aluminium Alloys

Three variants of the micro arc oxidation (MAO) technique have been used to treat a 2017A alloy surface. The first variant was a pure anodized layer, the second an anodized layer with SiC embedded nanoparticles and the third an anodized layer with Si₃N₄ nanoparticles. Tribological tests were performed for all variants, on three samples for every case. Friction coefficients and wear rates were calculated on the basis of experiments. The pure anodized layer manifested friction coefficient values within the range of 0.48 ÷ 0.52 and a wear rate in the range ~10^-15 m³N^-1m^-1. SiC nanoparticles improved the tribological properties of the layer, as indicated by a reduction of the friction coefficient values to the range of 0.20 ÷ 0.26 with preserved very high resistance against wear (wear rate ~10^-15 m³N^-1m^-1). Si₃N₄ particles embedded in anodized layer deteriorated the tribological properties, with a reduction in the resistance against fatigue and wear, intensification of friction forces and a change in the nature of friction contact behavior to more abrasive-like nature (friction coefficients ranging from 0.4 to 0.6 and wear rates ~10^-14 m³N^-1m^-1).

Chemical analysis of Hg0-containing Hindu religious objects

Parad items used in Hindu practices and Ayurvedic medicines contain elemental mercury (Hg⁰) and have traditionally been used in prayer and to treat a variety of diseases including diabetes, heart conditions, and sexual dysfunction. These items are often referred to as amalgams of silver, and take the form of shivlings, statues of gods, necklaces, and other jewelry. Fourteen parad items were purchased from online vendors in India and the United States and analyzed. All items produced copious amounts of Hg⁰ vapor, with Hg⁰ concentrations exceeding 1,000,000 ng/m³ as measured using a Mercury Instruments Mercury Tracker 3000 IP atomic absorption spectrometer. Measured concentrations were highly variable, so a simple qualitative experiment employing a UV-C light source and a thin-layer chromatography plate impregnated with a fluorescent dye that glows green when irradiated at 254 nm allowed for the indirect visualization of the Hg⁰ being evolved. In addition, all items were screened using a hand-held X-ray fluorescence analyzer to estimate the concentration of Hg, Sn, Pb, As, and Cd on the surface of the item. Select samples were then digested in aqua regia and analyzed for Hg content using a direct mercury analyzer. All samples were found to exceed 20% by mass Hg. The digestates were analyzed using inductively-coupled plasma–optical emission spectrometry and were determined to be between 10–55% by mass Pb and contain up to 0.3% by mass As. While Article 4 of the Minamata Convention on Mercury specifically requires parties to stop importing, exporting, and manufacturing Hg-added products, products used in traditional and religious practices are excluded.