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Coal-Based Fluorescent Zero-Dimensional Carbon Nanomaterials: A Short Review
Carbon nanomaterials (CNs) have fascinated material scientist owing to their outstanding properties, making them potential materials for numerous critical applications. Over the years, scientists have reported several techniques for the production of CNs from distinctive precursors using various top-down and bottom-up approaches. Coal is being proven as an inexpensive, abundant, and effective carbon source for harvesting CNs with unique characteristics, properties, and high production yield. CNs derived from coal exhibit excellent fluorescence property, which can be tuned by varying the degree of oxidation, particle size, surface functionalization, etc. The fluorescent coal-derived CNs are effective materials for label-free bioimaging and selective sensing applications. In this review, we encompass the synthesis of different kinds of CNs from coal, their fluorescence properties, proposed fluorescence mechanisms, factors affecting fluorescence property, and fluorescence sensing and bioimaging applications. 2020 American Chemical Society. All rights reserved. -
Fabrication and Applications of Wrinkled Soft Substrates: An Overview
Morphology of soft materials, including those of natural systems has great influence in controlling their surface functionalities and responses to external stimuli. Surface morphological features of natural soft systems are produced through controlled cell growth and tissue growth. Artificial systems capable of emulating the morphology-dependent physicochemical responses of natural soft substrates can be prepared through various methods such as surface oxidation, thermal stress, compressive stress, etc. Wrinkling is an important morphological irregularity on soft substrates which can be leveraged in this direction. Wrinkling in artificial soft systems can be achieved through several experimental strategies such as compressive stress, thermal stress, surface oxidation, etc. The tunable, reversible and responsive nature of wrinkled soft substrates make them a potential tool for numerous applications in electronics, optics, adhesives, etc. In this review, have briefly summarized and commented on recent developments in different types of wrinkled soft substrates, their preparation, and emergent applications. 2022 Wiley-VCH GmbH. -
Intrinsic betterness and reason based extrinsic preference towards social shopping: A study among college students in Bangalore
The main purpose of this study is to analyze the Intrinsic and Extrinsic factors and its impact on the social shopping of student community in the city of Bangalore. Bangalore is one of the most popular cities in the down south. This city attracts a mix of various cultures from various countries of the world. Thus, this city and population would be apt to study the social shopping pattern considering the Intrinsic and Extrinsic factors. The data was collected from the student community, perusing their college education in the city of Bangalore. Using convenient sampling method, a sample size of 225 was drawn from educational institutions in the city of Bangalore. The research work makes use of both first hand and second-hand data. The reliability of the data is acceptable as the Cronbach's alphas value is more than. 6. The drafted questionnaire was subjected to expert opinion before the data collection process. The study results make it clear that both intrinsic and extrinsic values motivate the consumers to get involved in the social shopping. But comparatively consumers are more influenced by those factors present in the external environment. It can be concluded by saying that, youngsters are quite smart before putting themselves into the purchase behavior, as they are in a group of friends, they get influenced by various experiences and comments shared by many. In a way social shopping is better, as too many minds generate ideas for a single purchase. 2018 Transilvanian Association for the Literarure and Culture of Romanian People (ASTRA). All rights reserved. -
Process of identity development and psychological functioning: A critical narrative review for the Indian context
Background: Identity is a crucial milestone achievement for adolescents to become contributing adult members in society. This narrative research focused on exploring the link between identity development and psychological functioning and understanding the process of Indian adolescents' and adults' identity development and psychological functioning. Often, the Indian identity researchers use the theories of identity development conceptualized by Erikson, James Marcia and Michael Berzonsky which have been primarily conceptualized to understand the process of individual's identity development in the western individualistic cultural context. These theorists based their theories on certain essential contextual conditions, for the individuals' identity development. This review article critically explored the availability and applicability of those contextual conditions for Indian adolescents' and adults' identity development. Methods: The articles for the review were mainly collected from the online databases such as PROQUEST Research Library, Taylor and Francis, the archives of the Indian Journal of Social Psychiatry, the archives of the Indian Journal of Psychiatry, EBSCO, and Google. A narrative review method was used to examine various elements of the process of identity development conceptualized by the mainstream identity development theorists Erikson, James Marcia, and Michael Berzonsky and their applicability to the process of Indian adolescents' and adults' identity development. Results: The review found that the processes of mainstream identity development theories have some serious limitations in their applicability to the Indian context. Conclusions: This article identified alternative identity development processes and interventions that could be used to enhance Indian adolescents' and adults' identity development. 2022 The Author(s). -
Probiotics and its applications: A systematic review
The digestive system of human beings contains a large group of microbes which help in controlling the host's internal environment and thereby assist in maintaining the health of the host. These microorganisms exist in a mutual relationship with the human host which has led to extensive research in this particular field. Most of these microorganisms have become resistant to day-today drugs and antibiotics. These organisms control various functions like defense, eupepsia, catabolism, anabolism and also help in brain-gut responses. Probiotics assist in improving gut bacteria and are found to be effective in controlling various diseases. Prescribing probiotics to children with malnutrition in underdeveloped countries can reduce the death of many children. This review outlines the importance of probiotics in human health and in the treatment of several metabolic disorders. 2021 World Research Association. All rights reserved. -
Recent advances in bimetallic based nanostructures: Synthesis and electrochemical sensing applications
Detection of biomolecules is paramount for the diagnosis of various health conditions in humans for improving the quality as well as the standard of living. Many of the existing analytical detection methods being used have one or the other drawbacks. This has led to revolutionary paradigms in research and development in the electrochemical sensing of biomolecules. Nanoparticles have enhanced surface area to volume ratio and are highly effective as sensors due to their improved electrocatalytic properties. Bimetallic nanoparticles such as platinum, nickel, iron, palladium, and gold-based nanoparticles in combination with other metals are being extensively used for electrode modification owing to their unique electrocatalytic characteristics. The synergistic effect of two metals provides us with highly sensitive electrodes. Over a while, there has been a significant increase in research carried out in this field, which encouraged us to carry out a thorough survey of the development of bimetallic nanoparticle-based electrochemical sensors for the sensing of glucose, hydrogen peroxide, ascorbic acid, dopamine, and uric acid. We have also mentioned the different types of electrode modifications for developing electrochemical sensors. This review provides readers a comparative study of the analytical parameters of the various electrochemical sensors for linear range, detection limit, and sensitivity. 2020 Elsevier B.V. -
Review-electrocatalytic oxidation of alcohols using chemically modified electrodes: A review
Electrocatalytic oxidation of alcohols utilizing chemically modified electrodes is considered as a green and facile method. This method is also considered as a feasible solution for a clean and efficient energy production, is more economic and produces less toxic and minimal waste. Electrocatalytic oxidation of alcohols is of great interest as many of its products find applications in chemical, pharmaceutical, and food industries. The major classifications of chemical modification to the electrodes for electrocatalytic oxidation of alcohols discussed in this review include conducting polymers, noble metal nanoparticles, metal oxides, or metal-oxides as nanoparticles and reduced graphene oxide-based modifications. Despite its wide range of applications and environmentally benign nature, electrocatalytic oxidation of alcohols using chemically modified electrodes is underutilized, less appreciated, and still in its infancy stages. This review aims to provide the readers with an overview in the field of electrocatalytic oxidation of alcohols by incorporating two significant applications-Electroorganic conversion of alcohols to aldehydes and their applications in alcohol-based fuel cells. Further, this also presents an outlook for gaining deeper insights for making this methodology more economic, and applicable in various synthetic organic chemistry fields. 2020 The Electrochemical Society (ECS). Published on behalf of ECS by IOP Publishing Limited -
New horizons in surface topography modulation of MXenes for electrochemical sensing toward potential biomarkers of chronic disorders
MXenes are recently advanced two-dimensional layered nanomaterials that have various characteristic properties for developing electrochemical sensors for bioanalytical applications, such as hydrophilicity, good biocompatibility, electrical conductivity, heightened ion transportation, and ease of functionalization. MXenes are revealed to be having applications in various other fields including energy storage, and catalysis. The combination of a layered structure, biocompatibility, and high surface functionalities makes MXene a highly versatile material for electrochemical sensing applications. The effect of various synthesis and functionalization strategies on tuning the properties of MXenes toward improving sensing abilities has been comprehensively discussed. This review article also discusses the relevance of early diagnosis of various biomarkers of chronic diseases via MXene modified electrochemical sensor for gaining a better understanding of their early diagnosis, disease progression, and risk assessment. Modification with MXenes improves the electrocatalytic functionality of the electrodes thereby improving their applicability in health and biomedical fields. 2022 Taylor & Francis Group, LLC. -
Heterogeneous Catalysis in the Synthesis of Nitrogen-Containing Heterocyclics
The synthesis of nitrogen-containing heterocyclic compounds using heterogeneous catalysis is a topic of significant interest in organic synthesis and chemical research. Heterogeneous catalysis offers several advantages over homogeneous catalysis, including easier separation and recovery of the catalyst, reduced waste generation, and potentially higher stability and reusability. In this review, the pivotal role of heterogeneous catalysis in synthesizing nitrogen-containing heterocyclic compounds is explored. Various types of heterocycles and the specific applications of these compounds in drug discovery and material development are discussed in detail. This review discusses various examples of heterogeneous catalysts employed in the synthesis of nitrogen-containing heterocycles, including metal oxides, supported metals, metal nanoparticles, zeolites, and other porous materials. Emphasis is placed on the mechanistic insights and reaction pathways facilitated by different catalysts. Additionally, recent advancements and innovations in the field are discussed, including novel catalyst designs, green chemistry approaches, and emerging trends in catalytic materials. The aim is to provide a comprehensive overview of the impact and potential of heterogeneous catalysis in this important area of organic synthesis. 2024 Wiley-VCH GmbH. -
Role of polyamines in plant tissue culture: An overview
Since the era of plant tissue culture bloomed, we have started approaching from a biotechnological perspective to overcome the massive challenges like inducing embryogenesis and organogenesis, initiating rooting, increasing the number of plantlets, establishing a callus from various organs of plants and also enhancing the metabolite content which was a mind-boggling thought once upon a time. Use of various elicitors, altering the media components, the strength of media, pH, precursor feeding etc. have all contributed tremendously in the in-vitro techniques used for culturing rare, endemic and medicinal plants for the commercial purposes. Owing to the demand for the plant products and drugs, the search for the other superior novel methods to increase its quantity and quality has not been stopped. Thus, one such method is the use of chemical compounds with many amino groups which serves as an additional source of nitrogen in the media and these organic compounds are called polyamines. Polyamines are known to play a wide role in plant physiological processes helping them in differentiation, inducing totipotency, increasing cell division and also in molecular signaling. Polyamines have a versatile application in this field ranging from establishing a callus to the elicitation of secondary metabolites. Thus, polyamines can be considered as a boon to the plant tissue culture field. In this review article, we have mainly focused on the in-depth applications of major polyamines like putrescine, spermidine and spermine in the field of plant tissue culture. 2021, The Author(s), under exclusive licence to Springer Nature B.V. part of Springer Nature. -
Role of Bacillus thuringiensis in development of transgenic plants
One of the most significant advancements in plant biotechnology has been the production of genetically engineered plants. Due to the effects of pests damaging the majority of crops, the development of pest immunity was necessary for crop preservation. Plants that have had their gene makeup altered in-utero, such as Bacillus thuringiensis, which has insecticidal properties and helps protect crops from pests, are referred to as "genetically modified plants." Cry proteins, which are poisonous proteins that exist in the state of crystals, are the major genes responsible for the development of transgenic plants. Based on the effect of different pest species, cry proteins are divided into many categories. Since they are extremely specific by nature and only affect the target proteins, they are considered environmentally beneficial pesticides since they have no impact on the physiologically significant soil bacteria or other bacterial flora. These cry proteins stay as dormant crystals, but when a pest consumes plants, the inactive form of the crystals becomes active in the alkaline stomach pH of the microorganism, aiding in the rupture of the gut epithelium and ultimately causing the microorganism to die. These days, transgenic plants have been created, including BT corn, BT rice, sugarcane, brinjal, potato, tomato, and many more, it was also discovered that using these transgenic plants increased crop productivity. Transgenic plants can prevent several ecological issues associated with traditional pesticides, including the emergence of resistance, their toxicity to non-target living things, and the buildup of toxic waste in the environment. 2023 Horizon e-Publishing Group. All rights reserved. -
First Aid Kit to Solve Mental Health Crisis in India: Mental Health First Aid to the Rescue
India has a large population with the prevalence of many mental health concerns but faces a shortage of mental health professionals. This paper deals with this mental health crisis in India and how Mental Health First Aid and developing a first aid kit for mental health would help to address the issue. Mental health and mental illness in India additionally face stigma and backlash from the society. Due to this, very few people with mental ailments come forward to seek professional help. While we are aware of and trained in first aid for physical health, the concept of first aid for mental health is in its infancy. Hence, a review of literature was done to find the benefits of Mental Health First Aid and how it could benefit in solving the crisis in India. Creating a Mental Health First Aid Kit on a similar basis to its physical counterpart can also come in handy while administering mental health first aid. Results show that an individual trained inmental health first aid might act as a bridge between people with mental ailments and mental health professionals and assist in providing timely help. The Author(s) under exclusive licence to National Academy of Psychology (NAOP) India 2023. -
An outlook on zero-dimensional nanocarbons as components of DSSC
Solar energy is an abundant source of energy, and harnessing the suns radiation with an efficient solar cell can be a promising technology for a limitless supply of sustainable energy. The amount of solar power that reaches the earth is beyond the worlds energy consumption. But, the main cause for minimal usage of the suns energy is the complicated technology, restricted band gap, high-temperature instability, and high cost of production. Likewise, the usage of space and infrastructure required for the installation of solar cells is yet another reason for limited usage. Upon comparing the emerging photovoltaics, DSSC (dye-sensitized solar cells) can be a solution for the drawbacks faced by the older generation solar cells which has greater future scope as an energy harvester. Rapid technological growth over the years, usage of affordable materials, and capability of working efficiently in low lighting conditions make DSSC a commercially viable and potent solar energy harvester. Furthermore, its efficiency can be improved with the inclusion of low-dimensional nanocarbons in various components of DSSC. Therefore, this review describes the mechanisms of improving the performance of zero-dimensional nanocarbons and their application in components of DSSC alternative to conventional materials. The significant impact of surface functionalization of low-dimensional nanocarbon on the performance of dye-sensitized solar cells is also discussed. Graphical abstract: (Figure presented.) The Author(s), under exclusive licence to Springer-Verlag GmbH Germany, part of Springer Nature 2022. Springer Nature or its licensor holds exclusive rights to this article under a publishing agreement with the author(s) or other rightsholder(s); author self-archiving of the accepted manuscript version of this article is solely governed by the terms of such publishing agreement and applicable law. -
A fast survey on recent developments in designing colorimetric and fluorescent sensors for the selective detection of essential amino acids
Owing to the biological significance of various amino acids, developing accurate and cost-effective sensing techniques for the selective detection of amino acids has recently attracted growing interest. This review discusses the recent advancements of chemosensors in the selective detection of only essential amino acids out of a total of twenty amino acids, which have been applied in chemosensing research, and the mechanism of their action. The focus is directed towards the detection of the most important essential amino acids, like leucine, threonine, lysine, histidine, tryptophan and methionine, since isoleucine and valine are yet to be explored in regard to chemosensing. According to their chemical and fluorescence properties, different sensing techniques, such as the reaction-based approach, DNA-based sensors, nanoparticle formation, coordination ligand binding, host-guest chemistry, the fluorescence indicator displacement (FID) approach, electrochemical sensors, carbon dot-based sensors, MOF-based sensors and metal-based techniques, have been described. 2023 The Royal Society of Chemistry. -
Epidemiological Transition in India and Determinants that Are Shifting Disease Burden: A Systematic Review
Indias disease burden patterns are shifting towards increased morbidity and mortality from Non-communicable disease and chronic diseases. This is one of the first studies conducted using the PRISMA guidelines and checklist to understand the role played by various determinants of health in this epidemiological transition happening in India. The search on 9 reputed bibliographic databases yielded 459 articles and finally 58 articles were selected based on carefully curated selection criteria. The results confirm the relation between India's demographic transition and the increasing disease burden from Non-communicable diseases (NCDs). 21 studies significantly associated urban residential status, increasing income, better living conditions and education with increasing NCDs' prevalence. 12 studies found that NCDs were more prevalent among women than men. Increased physical activity, a healthy diet and a lower hipto-waist ratio were observed to protect against NCDs. While 9 studies found smoking tobacco and alcohol consumption were not significantly associated with the prevalence of NCDs. It is of foremost importance that Indias public health policy focus must shift towards inclusivity as there is an affluent gradient to the increased morbidity and mortality from NCDs. Copyright2024 by authors, all rights reserved. -
Two-dimensional Ti3C2 MXene for photocatalytic hydrogen production: A review
This study focuses on the utilization of two-dimensional Ti3C2 MXene as a catalyst for photocatalytic hydrogen production. MXenes, a class of transition metal carbides/nitrides, exhibit exceptional properties conducive to enhancing photocatalytic reactions. This research explores the performance of Ti3C2 MXene as a cocatalyst in photocatalytic systems, aiming to improve charge separation, inhibit recombination, and facilitate efficient hydrogen evolution from water under light irradiation. The synthesis methods, catalyst-loading strategies, and overall photocatalytic mechanisms are investigated, shedding light on the potential of Ti3C2 MXene as a promising material for advancing hydrogen production through sustainable means. 2023 Korean Chemical Society, Seoul & Wiley-VCH GmbH. -
A review of hierarchical nanostructures of TiO2: Advances and applications
In the past few decades, extensive studies have been carried out on TiO2 nanostructures having hierarchical morphologies and their applications in diverse fields. By controlling the size and composition of the different TiO2 morphologies, new and improved properties have been realized, leading to significant advancements in materials chemistry, in the broad areas of energy and environment. The improved efficiency and wide applications of these materials are attributed to their physicochemical properties such as stability, efficient electronic and ionic charge transfer, higher specific surface area, etc. In this review, we discuss the different morphologies of hierarchical TiO2 nanoparticles and the properties that have been influenced by these morphologies, enabling their diverse applications. Several composites using the different TiO2 hierarchical forms have been synthesized which too find wide applications. The excellent physical properties of zero, one, two, and three-dimensional TiO2 nanostructures, the relationship between the morphologies of TiO2 nanostructures, and their activities in energy and environment applications have been discussed. 2021 The Author(s) -
Short-chain fatty acid: An updated review on signaling, metabolism, and therapeutic effects
Fatty acids are good energy sources (9 kcal per gram) that aerobic tissues can use except for the brain (glucose is an alternative source). Apart from the energy source, fatty acids are necessary for cell signaling, learning-related memory, modulating gene expression, and functioning as cytokine precursors. Short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs) are saturated fatty acids arranged as a straight chain consisting minimum of 6 carbon atoms. SCFAs possess various beneficial effects like improving metabolic function, inhibiting insulin resistance, and ameliorating immune dysfunction. In this review, we discussed the biogenesis, absorption, and transport of SCFA. SCFAs can act as signaling molecules by stimulating G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs) and suppressing histone deacetylases (HDACs). The role of SCFA on glucose metabolism, fatty acid metabolism, and its effect on the immune system is also reviewed with updated details. SCFA possess anticancer, anti-diabetic, and hepatoprotective effects. Additionally, the association of protective effects of SCFA against brain-related diseases, kidney diseases, cardiovascular damage, and inflammatory bowel diseases were also reviewed. Nanotherapy is a branch of nanotechnology that employs nanoparticles at the nanoscale level to treat various ailments with enhanced drug stability, solubility, and minimal side effects. The SCFA functions as drug carriers, and nanoparticles were also discussed. Still, much research was not focused on this area. SCFA functions in host gene expression through inhibition of HDAC inhibition. However, the study has to be focused on the molecular mechanism of SCFA against various diseases that still need to be investigated. 2022 Taylor & Francis Group, LLC. -
Calcium Sulfide Based NanophosphorsA Review on Synthesis Techniques, Characterization and Applications
Calcium sulfide (CaS) is a widely investigated alkaline earth sulfide nanophosphor with promising applications in optoelectronics and biomedical fields due to its excellent photoluminescence properties. The selection of the synthesis method is a crucial factor in determining the efficacy of nanophosphors for various applications. This review provides a comprehensive overview of the various synthesis techniques employed to develop CaS nanophosphors, including solvothermal, alkoxide, sol-gel, microwave, wet chemical co-precipitation, solid-state diffusion, and single-source precursor methods. The structural and optical properties of CaS nanophosphors are discussed in detail, highlighting the influence of different dopants on the emission color, which can be tuned from blue to red. The review also explores the potential applications of CaS nanophosphors in optoelectronics and biomedicine. This review serves as a valuable resource for researchers interested in developing CaS nanophosphors for various optoelectronic and biomedical applications, providing insights into the latest advancements and future prospects in this field. The Author(s), under exclusive licence to Springer Science+Business Media, LLC, part of Springer Nature 2024. -
The puzzle of pheromones in nature and their mysterious influence: a comprehensive review
Pheromones are chemical signals that are given off by creatures to communicate with other conspecifics. Because of their influence on animal behavior and relationships throughout the animal world, pheromones have fascinated scientists for decades. The newest findings and new perspectives on the intriguing field of pheromones are synthesized in this thorough review article. We investigate the many roles played by pheromones, from mating attraction and territorial marking to alarm signaling and social organization. The chemical diversity of pheromones is explored in depth in this paper, highlighting the variety of substances used by different animals as messengers. We go over the processes involved in pheromone detection and processing to help understand how chemosensory receptors and brain circuits interact in complex ways. Additionally, we discuss the role that pheromones play in ecology and evolution by promoting speciation and adaptation. This review emphasizes both the new research on pheromones in humans as well as their function in the animal world. We investigate the data supporting human pheromones and their possible impact on social and reproductive behaviors. The review aims to offer a detailed exploration and insight into the role and effects of pheromones in the natural world. This includes examining the chemical essence of pheromones and their functionality as communication signals across different species, investigating the specificity of these chemicals to certain species and how non-specific pheromones come about, and delving into the evolution of pheromones with a focus on the physiological and evolutionary mechanisms that drive communication. Additionally, the review seeks to understand the role pheromones play in pest management, specifically how species-specific pheromones can be utilized in eco-friendly pest control strategies. It will also explore the enigmatic impact pheromones have on the behavior and interactions within and among species. Drawing from a variety of sources, such as scientific research articles, studies on pheromone evolution, and articles on pheromone application in pest management, the review aspires to synthesize existing knowledge to provide a comprehensive overview of pheromones and their intriguing influence in nature. This study intends to not only summarize existing information but also encourage further research, shedding light on these cryptic chemical signals and their tremendous influence on the biology and behavior of species. It does this by offering a comprehensive perspective on the complex world of pheromones. 2024 Mighila Rixon, et al.