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Doping and Surface Modification of Carbon Quantum Dots for Enhanced Functionalities and Related Applications
Carbon quantum dots (CQDs) are a unique class of 0D nanomaterials, featured by a graphitic core and shell layers saturated with hydrogen atoms and functional groups. CQDs are prepared through top-down and bottom-up strategies from natural and synthetic precursors. CQDs can be modified through chemical (e.g., surface functionalization/passivation, doping, etc.) and physical (e.g., coreshell architecture, composite material blending, etc.) strategies to control their properties. This review highlights the effect of such modifications on the photophysical properties of CQDs, such as photoluminescence (PL), absorbance, and relaxivity. The dependence of PL upon the size, orientation at the edges, surface and edge functionalization, doping, excitation wavelength, concentration, pH, aggregate formation, etc., are summarized along with the supporting theoretical evidence available in the literature. Also, this review outlines the recent advancements, and future prospective of optical (e.g., sensing, bioimaging, and fluorescent ink) and catalytic applications (e.g., photocatalysis and electrocatalysis) of CQDs enhanced through physical and chemical modifications of their structure and composition. 2021 Wiley-VCH GmbH -
Ecclesiology, piety, and presbyterian and independent polemics during the early years of the english revolution
Religious controversy swept across England during the revolutionary decades of the 1640s and 1650s. Historians have studied the attendant ecclesiological debates meticulously. The piety as practiced by the puritans has also been carefully examined. Yet generally, these two subjects of ecclesiology and piety have been kept as separate compartments of analysis. The plethora of tracts that rolled off the press during the initial years of the 1640s, nevertheless, shows that many contemporary polemicists were keen to tie the two themes together. The Presbyterian and Independent polemicists were no exception. As this article seeks to demonstrate, a common feature of their publications was the belief that their preferred ecclesiastical polity best served the purpose of promoting individual piety and creating a godly society. Thus the Presbyterian and Independent conflict waged not only over issues of ecclesiology proper such as categories of church offices and of governing councils or composition of church membership to which historians have directed their attention hitherto, but also over questions of how ecclesiology affected piety. Such conflict was a reflection of the commitment of Presbyterians and Independents to their respective vision of reformation for the country. More broadly, this article shows a facet of religious controversy that ultimately led to the disintegration of the godly community and weakened the base of support for the Commonwealth and the Protectorate. American Society of Church History 2015. -
Eco-friendly innovations in food packaging: A sustainable revolution
Packaging is crucial in ensuring the quality and safety of food, protecting it from various contaminants, and extending its shelf life. Materials used for packaging food must be economical, durable, and possess good barrier properties. One of the major challenges faced by the food industry is developing an eco-friendly, economical, and sustainable packaging system. The conventional materials, which majorly depend on petroleum-derived polymers, are associated with several significant problems, such as environmental pollution, depletion of resources, generation of single-use wastes, leakage of chemicals into food products, limited recycling, and so on. As the food sector focuses on reducing its environmental impact, by encouraging revolutionary changes for an effective sustainable food packaging approach. The core objective of industrial packaging was to innovate a biodegradable material, especially derived from renewable biomass resources as eco-friendly alternatives in the food industry. One of the significant trends involves production of bioplastics, which are derived from renewable polymers such as corn starch, sugarcane, or algae. These materials offer a viable alternative to traditional petroleum-based plastics, as they are often compostable or biodegradable. The development of advanced bioplastics with improved barrier properties and durability is gaining traction, addressing environmental and health concerns and functionalizing a packaging material. The present review discusses the limitations of conventional packaging materials used in the food industry and focuses on the various polymers derived from natural sources, their physio-chemical properties, and their potential application as a sustainable material that reduce carbon emission, and enhance preservation of food and ensure food safety. 2024 Elsevier B.V. -
Eco-friendly synthesized nanoparticles as antimicrobial agents: an updated review
Green synthesis of NPs has gained extensive acceptance as they are reliable, eco-friendly, sustainable, and stable. Chemically synthesized NPs cause lung inflammation, heart problems, liver dysfunction, immune suppression, organ accumulation, and altered metabolism, leading to organ-specific toxicity. NPs synthesized from plants and microbes are biologically safe and cost-effective. These microbes and plant sources can consume and accumulate inorganic metal ions from their adjacent niches, thus synthesizing extracellular and intracellular NPs. These inherent characteristics of biological cells to process and modify inorganic metal ions into NPs have helped explore an area of biochemical analysis. Biological entities or their extracts used in NPs include algae, bacteria, fungi, actinomycetes, viruses, yeasts, and plants, with varying capabilities through the bioreduction of metallic NPs. These biosynthesized NPs have a wide range of pharmaceutical applications, such as tissue engineering, detection of pathogens or proteins, antimicrobial agents, anticancer mediators, vehicles for drug delivery, formulations for functional foods, and identification of pathogens, which can contribute to translational research in medical applications. NPs have various applications in the food and drug packaging industry, agriculture, and environmental remediation. Copyright 2023 Borehalli Mayegowda, Roy, N. G., Pandit, Alghamdi, Almehmadi, Allahyani, Awwad and Sharma. -
Economic and sustainable management of wastes from rice industry: combating the potential threats
Rice is one of the imperative staple foods, particularly in the developing countries. The exponential boom in human population has resulted in the continuous expansion in the rice industry in order to meet the food demands. The various stages of paddy processing release huge quantity of solid wastes, mainly rice husk, rice husk ash and liquid wastes in the form of rice industry wastewater. The discharge of the rice industry wastewater imparts a substantial threat to the aquatic bodies and the nearby surrounding and, thus, consequently demands eco-benign treatment plan. As a result, different strategies are needed to enhance the effluent quality and minimize the operational cost of the treatment process. Therefore, efficient technological approach targeting the minimization of pollution as well as assuring the economic prosperity should be implemented. In this review article, several aspects related to the rice industry discussing the significant challenges involved in the generation of both solid and liquid wastes, mitigation experiments and future prospects have been meticulously elaborated. Furthermore, the article also focuses on the various processes utilized for reducing the pollution load and promoting the practice of reuse and recycle of waste rather than the discharge action for the sake of sustainability and the emergence of novel techniques for the generation of energy and value-added products. 2017, Springer-Verlag GmbH Germany. -
Effectiveness of Couple Interventions in Marital Distress: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis
Background: Couple interventions focus on resolving relationship issues and improving partners' intimacy. Several intervention models are used on different occasions to deal with the issues. The present systematic review and meta-analysis investigated the effectiveness of such couple interventions dealing with marital distress. Methods: Using the PRISMA guidelines for reporting systematic reviews and meta-analyses, a search was carried out to identify published articles in the areas of study. The meta-analysis investigated the effectiveness of couple interventions by comparing the post-intervention assessments of the experimental and control groups. Results: The systematic review helped to identify twelve empirical studies published within the last ten years in the following databases: ScienceDirect, EBSCO, APA PsycINFO, NCBI, ProQuest, and Google Scholar. Meta-analysis showed a statistically significant overall effect size (Cohen's d = 0.85, 95% CI: 0.56-1.14). Cochran's Q showed that there was a substantial difference between the studies. There were signs of publication bias. Conclusion: The current study revealed an overall large effect size, indicating that different couple interventions had a noticeable impact on distressed couples who received interventions as opposed to couples who did not receive any interventions. 2025 Joesph et al. -
Effectiveness of dialectical behavior therapy as a transdiagnostic treatment for improving cognitive functions: a systematic review
Dialectical behavior therapy (DBT) has been found to be an efficacious treatment for disorders characterized by high levels of emotional instability. In view of the multifaceted applications of DBT and the extent to which mental disorders can incapacitate cognitive functions, the current systematic review aimed to investigate the effect of DBT in strengthening cognitive functions across various mental health conditions. Original research studies employing both experimental and quasi-experimental designs were included in the review. The literature search was done using different electronic databases, from the first available literature until June 2022, that covered an approximate period of ten years. Joanna Briggs Institute checklist was used to assess the methodological rigor of the studies. Twelve studies conducted on adolescents with emotional dysregulation, and adults with borderline personality disorder, bipolar disorder, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, and multiple sclerosis were selected. Results indicate that DBT has the potential to improve key cognitive functions such as attention, memory, fluency, response inhibition, planning, set shifting, tolerance for delayed rewards and time perception, as assessed by neuropsychological tests, self-report of cognitive functions, and neuroimaging techniques. Considering the review's findings that showcase the effectiveness of DBT in fostering improvements in cognitive functions, DBT may possibly be chosen as a preferred treatment to ensure that patients reach optimal levels of cognitive functioning. Limitations include lack of sufficient studies encompassing all the common mental health conditions, usage of neuroimaging techniques as only an indirect measure of cognitive functioning and nuances related to the quality of individual studies. Author(s), 2023. -
Effectiveness of interventions to address obesity and health risk behaviours among people with severe mental illness in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs): A systematic review and meta analysis
Introduction People with severe mental illness (SMI) are more likely to have obesity and engage in health risk behaviours than the general population. The aims of this study are (1) evaluate the effectiveness of interventions that focus on body weight, smoking cessation, improving sleeping patterns, and alcohol and illicit substance abuse; (2) Compare the number of interventions addressing body weight and health risk behaviours in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs) v. those reported in published systematic reviews focusing on high-income countries (HICs). Methods Intervention studies published up to December 2020 were identified through a structured search in the following database; OVID MEDLINE (1946-December 2020), EMBASE (1974-December 2020), CINAHL (1975-2020), APA PsychoINFO (1806-2020). Two authors independently selected studies, extracted study characteristics and data and assessed the risk of bias. and risk of bias was assessed using the Cochrane risk of bias tool V2. We conducted a narrative synthesis and, in the studies evaluating the effectiveness of interventions to address body weight, we conducted random-effects meta-analysis of mean differences in weight gain. We did a systematic search of systematic reviews looking at cardiometabolic and health risk behaviours in people with SMI. We compared the number of available studies of LMICs with those of HICs. Results We assessed 15 657 records, of which 9 met the study inclusion criteria. Six focused on healthy weight management, one on sleeping patterns and two tested a physical activity intervention to improve quality of life. Interventions to reduce weight in people with SMI are effective, with a pooled mean difference of -4.2 kg (95% CI -6.25 to -2.18, 9 studies, 459 participants, I2 = 37.8%). The quality and sample size of the studies was not optimal, most were small studies, with inadequate power to evaluate the primary outcome. Only two were assessed as high quality (i.e. scored 'low' in the overall risk of bias assessment). We found 5 reviews assessing the effectiveness of interventions to reduce weight, perform physical activity and address smoking in people with SMI. From the five systematic reviews, we identified 84 unique studies, of which only 6 were performed in LMICs. Conclusion Pharmacological and activity-based interventions are effective to maintain and reduce body weight in people with SMI. There was a very limited number of interventions addressing sleep and physical activity and no interventions addressing smoking, alcohol or harmful drug use. There is a need to test the feasibility and cost-effectiveness of context-appropriate interventions to address health risk behaviours that might help reduce the mortality gap in people with SMI in LMICs. The Author(s), 2022. Published by Cambridge University Press. -
Electric Vehicle Control and Driving Safety Systems: A Review
The relevance of Electric Vehicles (EVs) and the overall market demands of the respective control units is in a never before leap all around the globe as seen from the news, business studies, research trends and technological innovations today. Compared to earlier years, the relevance of driving safety in EVs also gains special attention due to the unforeseen surge in promoting EVs by National, State and City administrations for better environment and societal changes in future. For EV, the scenario broadens to a wider landscape beyond the earlier passive safety design features, to a highly comfortable and safer possible road travel. Safety enhancements can be experimented and implemented on EVs in a reliable way with higher end control of the dynamics, stability and optimised utilisation of individual vehicle characteristics and driver behaviours. In this paper, an attempt is made to scrutinise different control design approaches and possible solution paths experimented upon in the past and currently for EV as seen in the published literature. The quest is also to explore optimisation strategies in an organised way to ensure best possible driving safety along with passenger safety in EVs. 2023 IETE. -
Electrochemical deposition for metal organic Frameworks: Advanced Energy, Catalysis, sensing and separation applications
The advent of metalorganic frameworks has gathered ever-increasing attention owing to their versatility, unparalleled porosity, tuneability, and rich topography. The need for an efficient synthetic method and the trending appeal for thin film MOFs has brought in huge data on electrochemical deposition techniques. Thin films have immense applications in the field of electronics (including energy devices such as batteries and supercapacitors), sensors, catalysis, and as liquid/gas separation devices. Here, the electrodeposition method requires no pre-treatment step, allows miniaturization, a homogeneous film with desirable thickness, and is observed to be an eco-friendly method. The limited number of articles focusing on the supremacy of the technique has motivated the authors to collectively summarize the scattered data. To limit the discussion to reasonable bounds, the article focuses on a critical comparison of electrodeposition techniques with other synthetic methods, and different types of electrodeposition methods, and familiarize them with the various electrodeposited MOF-composite designs. Finally, we discuss extensively the existing as well as future applications. This will encourage future researchers to exploit this electrochemical technique for designing & developing newer MOF films and similar next-generation materials which are energy-efficient, rapid, and accurate while in use. This review article hopes to list out significant advances in the area to the advantage of both commercial and academic aspects. 2023 Elsevier B.V. -
Electrochemical efficacies of coal derived nanocarbons
Carbon based nanomaterials are acknowledged for their admirable optical, electrical, mechanical characteristics and broad class of applications. Choice of precursor and simple synthesis techniques have decisive roles in viable production and commercialization of carbon produce. The intense demand to develop high purity carbon nanomaterials through inexpensive techniques has promoted usage of fossil derivatives as feasible source of carbon. Coal serves as a naturally available, abundant and cheap feedstock for carbon materials. From the crystalline clusters of aromatic hydrocarbons in a cross-linked network, carbon nanostructures can easily be extracted through green synthesis routes. It promotes a potent alternative for the cost effective and scaled up production of nanocarbon. The well-developed pores distribution, presence of numerous active sites and appropriate migration channels for ions enhance the electrochemical parameters necessary for the fabrication of supercapacitors, batteries and electrochemical sensors. The metallic impurities contained in coal contribute towards faradic redox reactions required for an efficient electrode modification. In this review, the potential uses of coal based carbon nanomaterials in energy storage and environmental sectors are discussed in detail. 2020, The Author(s). -
Electrochemical Hydrogenation of Organic Compounds: A Sustainable Approach
Conventional methods for hydrogenation of organic compounds generally use corrosive catalysts and reagents, along with extreme conditions like high temperatures and pressures. Quenching of corrosive materials does not deter its negative impact on the environment, nor is one safe when it comes to working with high temperature and pressure. Electrochemical hydrogenation (ECH) has proven to be safe and green since most of the efficient reactions are conducted at ambient pressure and temperature, minimizing, and sometimes even negating the use of toxic catalysts and corrosive reagents as compared to conventional methods. This review therefore provides different strategies used for ECH in the past, modification of different electrodes, half reactions taken up for efficient energy usage and catalysts used for different hydrogenation reactions. It presents the advances in electrochemical hydrogenation reactions of organic compounds, starting from simple aliphatic compounds to complex polyaromatics and heterocyclic aromatic compounds. 2023 Wiley-VCH GmbH. -
Electrochemical sensors using conducting polymer/noble metal nanoparticle nanocomposites for the detection of various analytes: a review
Abstract: Conducting polymer/noble metal nanoparticle (CP/NMNP) composites have made a history of sorts since its inception in the field of electrochemical research, which resulted to be an impetus for scientists to indulge and explore the opportunities it can unleash. This review throws light on the synergic effects and the enhancement in the electrocatalytic activity on dispersing noble metal particles on conducting polymers. This review aids the readers to analyse the electrochemical sensing efficiency of CP/NMNP composites, and provides a platform for the researchers to engineer and develop CP/NMNP composite materials for electrochemical sensing. This work also draws the attention of the readers to the application of NMNP (Ag, Au, Pt, Pd, Ir, and Ru) dispersed on CPs [polyaniline (PANI), polypyrrole (PPy) and poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene) (PEDOT)] and their composites with other materials like carbon nanotubes (CNTs), graphene, zeolites, and peptide nanotubes (PNTs) for sensing of various analytes. Graphic abstract: This review draws the attention of the readers to the application of NMNP (Ag, Au, Pt, Pd, Ir and Ru) dispersed on CPs (polyaniline (PANI), polypyrrole (PPy) and poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene) (PEDOT)) and their composites with other materials like carbon nanotubes (CNTs), graphene, zeolites, and peptide nanotubes (PNTs) for sensing of various analytes.[Figure not available: see fulltext.]. 2021, Islamic Azad University. -
Elusive Justice to Dalits in the 'Land of Social Justice'
The recent inhuman incident of mixing human faeces in the overhead tank supplying water to Dalit colony in Vengaivayal village in Pudukkottai district of Tamil Nadu refl ects the perpetuating violence against the Dalits. Locating this brutal violence within the larger framework of violence against Dalits in Tamil Nadu, the lackadaisical attitude of Dravidian parties when dealing with the issues related to Dalits is brought to the fore.. 2023 Economic and Political Weekly. All rights reserved. -
Emerging challenges for the agro-industrial food waste utilization: A review on food waste biorefinery
Modernization and industrialization has undoubtedly revolutionized the food and agro-industrial sector leading to the drastic increase in their productivity and marketing thereby accelerating the amount of agro-industrial food waste generated. In the past few decades the potential of these agro-industrial food waste to serve as bio refineries for the extraction of commercially viable products like organic acids, biochemical and biofuels was largely discussed and explored over the conventional method of disposing in landfills. The sustainable development of such strategies largely depends on understanding the techno economic challenges and planning for future strategies to overcome these hurdles. This review work presents a comprehensive outlook on the complex nature of agro-industrial food waste and pretreatment methods for their valorization into commercially viable products along with the challenges in the commercialization of food waste bio refineries that need critical attention to popularize the concept of circular bio economy. 2022 -
Emerging Nanomaterials as Versatile Nanozymes: A New Dimension in Biomedical Research
The enzyme-mimicking nature of versatile nanomaterials proposes a new class of materials categorized as nano-enzymes, ornanozymes. They are artificial enzymes fabricated by functionalizing nanomaterials to generate active sites that can mimic enzyme-like functions. Materials extend from metals and oxides to inorganic nanoparticles possessing intrinsic enzyme-like properties. High cost, low stability, difficulty in separation, reusability, and storage issues of natural enzymes can be well addressed by nanozymes. Since 2007, more than 100 nanozymes have been reported that mimic enzymes like peroxidase, oxidase, catalase, protease, nuclease, hydrolase, superoxide dismutase, etc. In addition, several nanozymes can also exhibit multi-enzyme properties. Vast applications have been reported by exploiting the chemical, optical, and physiochemical properties offered by nanozymes. This review focuses on the reported nanozymes fabricated from a variety of materials along with their enzyme-mimicking activity involving tuning of materials such as metal nanoparticles (NPs), metal-oxide NPs, metalorganic framework (MOF), covalent organic framework (COF), and carbon-based NPs. Furthermore, diverse applications of nanozymes in biomedical research are discussed in detail. The Author(s), under exclusive licence to Springer Nature Switzerland AG 2024. -
Emerging Nanoparticle-Based Diagnostics and Therapeutics for Cancer: Innovations and Challenges
Malignant growth is expected to surpass other significant causes of death as one of the top reasons for dismalness and mortality worldwide. According to a World Health Organization (WHO) study, this illness causes approximately between 9 and 10 million instances of deaths annually. Chemotherapy, radiation, and surgery are the three main methods of treating cancer. These methods seek to completely eradicate all cancer cells while having the fewest possible unintended impacts on healthy cell types. Owing to the lack of target selectivity, the majority of medications have substantial side effects. On the other hand, nanomaterials have transformed the identification, diagnosis, and management of cancer. Nanostructures with biomimetic properties have been grown as of late, fully intent on observing and treating the sickness. These nanostructures are expected to be consumed by growth in areas with profound disease. Furthermore, because of their extraordinary physicochemical properties, which incorporate nanoscale aspects, a more prominent surface region, explicit geometrical features, and the ability to embody different substances within or on their outside surfaces, nanostructures are remarkable nano-vehicles for conveying restorative specialists to their designated regions. This review discusses recent developments in nanostructured materials such as graphene, dendrimers, cell-penetrating peptide nanoparticles, nanoliposomes, lipid nanoparticles, magnetic nanoparticles, and nano-omics in the diagnosis and management of cancer. 2025 by the authors. -
Enabling Agricultural Sector through Blockchain Technology Farmers Perspective
The agricultural sectors in India and abroad have been affected extensively due to the Covid-19 pandemic. It is necessary to provide solutions for the availability of resources, controlling the cost, quality in production, transparent food supply, fulfilling demand, and removing intermediaries. The structural reforms in the agricultural sector by adopting emerging technologies, especially blockchain technology (BCT) and the robotics automation process, are inevitable during the pandemic and future development. To study the impact of blockchain on the Agriculture sector, the farmer's level of awareness of the blockchain technology, its methodological influence, the inclination of farmers to adopt the technology in their farming, and agri-related activity are vital. This paper aims to explore the opportunities of BCT in expanding the agriculture sector, ascertain the awareness and intensity of farmers' knowledge of the effect of BCT, and develop the mean difference in the opinion of the farmers towards the utilization of BCT in the relevant field of agriculture. A structured interview schedule was administered with 360 sample farmers from the Delta regions of three states located in the southern part of India, such as Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, and Tamilnadu, using a purposive sampling technique intending. Irrespective of the age, gender, land capacity, possession, education level, learned procedures, and abundant experience helped the farmers demand a new technology interface to improve their income level and register their sustainability. 2022 by authors, all rights reserved. -
Environmental Pollutants as Emerging Concerns for Cardiac Diseases: A Review on Their Impacts on Cardiac Health
Comorbidities related to cardiovascular disease (CVD) and environmental pollution have emerged as serious concerns. The exposome concept underscores the cumulative impact of environmental factors, including climate change, air pollution, chemicals like PFAS, and heavy metals, on cardiovascular health. Chronic exposure to these pollutants contributes to inflammation, oxidative stress, and endothelial dysfunction, further exacerbating the global burden of CVDs. Specifically, carbon monoxide (CO), ozone, particulate matter (PM2.5), nitrogen dioxide (NO2), sulfur dioxide (SO2), heavy metals, pesticides, and micro- and nanoplastics have been implicated in cardiovascular morbidity and mortality through various mechanisms. PM2.5 exposure leads to inflammation and metabolic disruptions. Ozone and CO exposure induce oxidative stress and vascular dysfunction. NO2 exposure contributes to cardiac remodeling and acute cardiovascular events, and sulfur dioxide and heavy metals exacerbate oxidative stress and cellular damage. Pesticides and microplastics pose emerging risks linked to inflammation and cardiovascular tissue damage. Monitoring and risk assessment play a crucial role in identifying vulnerable populations and assessing pollutant impacts, considering factors like age, gender, socioeconomic status, and lifestyle disorders. This review explores the impact of cardiovascular disease, discussing risk-assessment methods, intervention strategies, and the challenges clinicians face in addressing pollutant-induced cardiovascular diseases. It calls for stronger regulatory policies, public health interventions, and green urban planning. 2025 by the authors. -
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.