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The nutraceutical properties and health benefits of pseudocereals: a comprehensive treatise
This review article depicts the possible replacement of staple cereal sources with some pseudocereals like Chia, Quinoa, Buckwheat, and Amaranth, which not only provide recommended daily allowance of all nutrients but also help to reduce the chances of many non-communicable infections owing to the presence of several bioactive compounds. These pseudocereals are neglected plant seeds and should be added in our routine diet. Besides, they can serve as nutraceuticals in combating various diseases by improving the health status of the consumers. The bioactive compounds like rutin, quercetin, peptide chains, angiotensin I, and many other antioxidants present in these plant seeds help to reduce the oxidative stress in the body which leads toward better health of the consumers. All these pseudocereals have high quantity of soluble fiber which helps to regulate bowel movement, control hypercholesterolemia (presence of high plasma cholesterol levels), hypertension (high blood pressure), and cardiovascular diseases. The ultimate result of consumption of pseudocereals either as a whole or in combination with true cereals as staple food may help to retain the integrity of the human body which increases the life expectancy by slowing down the aging process. 2022 Taylor & Francis Group, LLC. -
Pore size matters!a critical review on the supercapacitive charge storage enhancement of biocarbonaceous materials
A circular economy targets zero waste converting both natural and synthetic wastes to valuable products, thereby promoting sustainable development. The porous nanocarbon synthesized from bio-waste is one such product used in applications such as energy storage, catalysis, and sensors. Different techniques are employed for synthesizing carbon from the biowastes and each route results in different properties toward end-user applications. Among them, surface area and porosity are the two critical factors that influence the energy storage capabilities of these synthesized carbon nanostructures. Besides the high surface area of the bio-derived carbons, the hindrance in supercapacitive performance is owing to its low porosity. Fewer review/research papers report the porosity tuning of these carbons for their influence on enhancing the performance of energy storage devices (supercapacitors). This critical review analyses the importance of porosity in these bio-derived carbons and reviews the recent development in its synthesis techniques along with its improvement in the energy storage capability. Special attention is also delivered to identify the ambient source of biowaste for carbon electrodes (fabrication) in supercapacitors. The recent research progress in tuning the porosity of these bio-derived carbons and the influence of electrolyte with porosity in affecting its supercapacitive energy storage is elucidated here. The research challenges, future research recommendations, and opportunities in the synthesis of bio-derived porous carbon for supercapacitor applications are briefed. 2022 Taylor & Francis Group, LLC. -
Review on microbially synthesized nanoparticles: a potent biocontrol agent against Aedes species of mosquito
Aedes aegypti is a principal vector of dengue, chikungunya and Zika illnesses worldwide. Because effective vaccinations or medications for the prevention and/or treatment for these illnesses are not available, vector management has been embraced as the primary method of reducing their transmission. The strategy that is often used for controlling Aedes populations is chemical insecticides; however, despite their efficiency, extensive usage of these pesticides has resulted in high operating costs, the establishment of resistant populations and undesirable non-target impacts. Therefore, the use of nanoparticles derived from multiple synthesis processes as new insecticides has recently attracted the interest of researchers. This study provides an overview of the current understanding concerning the method of action of nanoparticles against mosquitoes. Metal nanoparticles strongly influence antioxidant and detoxifying enzymes in insects, causing oxidative stress and cell death. These nanoparticles similarly inhibited acetylcholinesterase activity. Metal-based nanoparticles can potentially bind to S and P units in proteins and nucleic acids respectively resulting in decreased membrane permeability, organelle and enzyme denaturation which leads to cell death. Furthermore, they upregulate and downregulate critical insect genes, lower protein synthesis and gonadotrophin release, resulting in developmental and reproductive failure. This review critically examines insect nanotoxicology research trends and highlights the ecotoxicological effects of practical usage of nanoparticles as insecticides. 2022 World Research Association. All rights reserved. -
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. -
A Comprehensive Review on the Electrochemical Sensing of Flavonoids
Flavonoids are bioactive polyphenolic compounds, widespread in the plant kingdom. Flavonoids possess broad-spectrum pharmacological effects due to their antioxidant, anti-tumor, anti-neoplastic, anti-mutagenic, anti-microbial, anti-inflammatory, anti-allergic, immunomodulatory, and vasodilatory properties. Care must be taken, since excessive consumption of flavonoids may have adverse effects. Therefore, proper identification, quantification and quality evaluations of flavonoids in edible samples are necessary. Electroanalytical approaches have gained much interest for the analysis of redox behavior and quantification of different flavonoids. Compared to various conventional methods, electrochemical techniques for the analysis of flavonoids offer advantages of high sensitivity, selectivity, low cost, simplicity, biocompatibility, easy on-site evaluation, high accuracy, reproducibility, wide linearity of detection, and low detection limits. This review article focuses on the developments in electrochemical sensing of different flavonoids with emphasis on electrode modification strategies to boost the electrocatalytic activity and analytical efficiency. 2022 Taylor & Francis Group, LLC. -
A comprehensive review on tissue culture studies and secondary metabolite production in Bacopa monnieri L. Pennell: a nootropic plant
Bacopa monnieri L. Pennell, commonly known as Brahmi, is an important medicinal plant that belongs to the family Plantaginaceae. Brahmi is rich in innumerable bioactive secondary metabolites, especially bacosides that can be employed to reduce many health issues. This plant is used as a neuro-tonic and treatment for mental health, depression, and cognitive performance. Brahmi is also known for its antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and anti-hepatotoxic activities. There is a huge demand for its raw materials, particularly for the extraction of bioactive molecules. The conventional mode of propagation could not meet the required commercial demand. To overcome this, biotechnological approaches, such as plant tissue culture techniques have been established for the production of important secondary metabolites through various culture techniques, such as callus and cell suspension cultures and organ cultures, to allow for rapid propagation and conservation of medicinally important plants with increased production of bioactive compounds. It has been found that a bioreactor-based technology can also enhance the multiplication rate of cell and organ cultures for commercial propagation of medicinally important bioactive molecules. The present review focuses on the propagation and production of bacoside A by cell and organ cultures of Bacopa monnieri, a nootropic plant. The review also focuses on the biosynthesis of bacoside A, different elicitation strategies, and the over-expression of genes for the production of bacoside-A. It also identifies research gaps that need to be addressed in future studies for the sustainable production of bioactive molecules from B. monnieri. 2022 Informa UK Limited, trading as Taylor & Francis Group. -
A Mini Review on the Multicomponent Synthesis of Pyridine Derivatives
Multicomponent reactions (MCRs) have emerged as key green tool in organic synthesis for their methodological simplicity. MCRs have made heterocycle synthesis more versatile. The most crucial molecule among the most often used heterocycles is pyridine, which is widely used in biological, industrial, and pharmaceutical sectors. In light of this, our mini-review highlights the literature on substituted pyridine synthesis published from the year 2016 to early 2022 via multicomponent approach. 2022 Wiley-VCH GmbH. -
Templating motifs of molecular axles in hydrogen bonding [2]rotaxanes: Synthesis and applications
In [2]rotaxanes, hydrogen bonding interactions are found to be one of the prominent factors driving the templation of the macrocycle to the molecular axle. Several hydrogen bonding templating moieties like amides, hydrazones, nitrones, and squaraines have been incorporated into the molecular axle and the macrocycle for generating hydrogen bonding [2]rotaxanes. This review focuses on the design and synthetic strategy adopted in rendering various molecular axles, which can be used to generate [2]rotaxanes for numerous applications. Moreover, a detailed description is provided with suitable mechanistic insights about the utilization of hydrogen bonding [2]rotaxanes in applications like molecular motors, organic synthesis, and catalysis. 2022 Elsevier Ltd -
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. -
X-Ray and ?-Ray Shielding Efficiency of Polymer Composites: Choice of Fillers, Effect of Loading and Filler Size, Photon Energy and Multifunctionality
Use of X-rays and ?-rays have become inevitable in medical sectors like radiology, interventional cardiology and diagnostic imaging, radiation physics laboratories, nuclear reactors and accelerator facilities. As radiation exposures above permitted levels pose potential risk to personnel working in close proximity to these facilities, protective measures aimed at reducing the exposure for safeguarding against harmful effects of ionizing radiations are essential. Traditionally, lead and lead based materials have been used as efficient radiation shielding materials owing to the high atomic number and high density of lead. Presently, use of lead is discouraged due to its heavy weight, toxicity and long-term effects on the environment. Consequently, the last two decades have seen research on light weight and cost-effective polymer composites with appropriate additives, having good workability, high specific strength, thermo-chemical stability and radiation shielding efficacy, gaining momentum. This article gives an overview of the state-of-the-art polymer composites reinforced with different fillers studied for their use as effective radiation shields. Here, we summarize the recent advancement and current trends in polymer composites-based radiation shields highlighting the different approaches adopted, choice of polymer/fillers, shielding effectiveness in terms of either linear and/or mass attenuation coefficients, for those who venture into radiation research and development. 2022 Taylor & Francis Group, LLC. -
Cinema and the non-violence versus violence discourse: a review of the film RRR
[No abstract available] -
Importance of positive emotions in software developers performance: a narrative review
Software development depends heavily on human efforts and collaborations, which are simultaneously influenced by human emotions, and it is considered among the most difficult tasks. Software developers are susceptible to various health concerns such as burnout, anxiety and depression due to the work nature and demands of the software industry, and this may have detrimental effects on their performance. However, evidence portray significant beneficial effects of positive emotions on well-being, growth, and success. Accordingly, this paper investigates the relevance of positive emotions among software developers and strives to understand how positive emotions benefit developers performance. It surveys literature that examine the importance of affect among developers and the benefits of positive emotions on human well-being and employs a narrative style to present these aspects. This review discusses the potential mechanisms that underlie the association between frequent experiences of positive emotions and improved performance and suggests that positive emotions benefit developers performance. This emotional awareness has the potential to enhance the developer efficacy, thus contributing to the discipline of ergonomics. Findings also have positive implications for organisational counsellors as they help in developing and maintaining a positive organisational climate. 2022 Informa UK Limited, trading as Taylor & Francis Group. -
Anthraquinone Production from Cell and Organ Cultures of Rubia Species: An Overview
The Rubia genus includes major groups of medicinal plants such as Rubia cordifolia, Rubia tinctorum, and Rubia akane. They contain anthraquinones (AQs), particularly alizarin and purpurin, which have pharmacological effects that are anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, anticancer, hemostatic, antibacterial, and more. Alizarin and purpurin have been utilized as natural dyes for cotton, silk, and wool fabrics since the dawn of time. These substances have been used in the cosmetics and food industries to color products. The amount of AQs in different Rubia species is minimal. In order to produce these compounds, researchers have established cell and organ cultures. Investigations have been conducted into numerous chemical and physical parameters that affect the biomass and accumulation of secondary metabolites in a cell, callus, hairy root, and adventitious root suspension cultures. This article offers numerous techniques and approaches used to produce biomass and secondary metabolites from the Rubia species. Additionally, it has been emphasized that cells can be grown in bioreactor cultures to produce AQs. 2022 by the authors. -
Biomass-Derived Carbon Materials in Heterogeneous Catalysis: A Step towards Sustainable Future
Biomass-derived carbons are emerging materials with a wide range of catalytic properties, such as large surface area and porosity, which make them ideal candidates to be used as heterogeneous catalysts and catalytic supports. Their unique physical and chemical properties, such as their tunable surface, chemical inertness, and hydrophobicity, along with being environmentally friendly and cost effective, give them an edge over other catalysts. The biomass-derived carbon materials are compatible with a wide range of reactions including organic transformations, electrocatalytic reactions, and photocatalytic reactions. This review discusses the uses of materials produced from biomass in the realm of heterogeneous catalysis, highlighting the different types of carbon materials derived from biomass that are potential catalysts, and the importance and unique properties of heterogeneous catalysts with different preparation methods are summarized. Furthermore, this review article presents the relevant work carried out in recent years where unique biomass-derived materials are used as heterogeneous catalysts and their contribution to the field of catalysis. The challenges and potential prospects of heterogeneous catalysis are also discussed. 2022 by the authors. -
Nano-technological interventions in crop productiona review
Agricultural industry is facing huge crisis due to fast changing climate, decreased soil fertility, macro and micronutrient insufficiency, misuse of chemical fertilizers and pesticides, and heavy metal presence in soil. With exponential increase in world's population, food consumption has increased significantly. Maintaining the production to consumption ratio is a significant challenge due to shortage caused by various issues faced by agricultural industry even withthe improved agricultural practices. Recent scientific evidence suggests that nanotechnology can positively impact the agriculture sector by reducing the harmful effects of farming operations on human health and nature, as well as improving food productivity and security. Farmers are combining improved agricultural practices like usage of fertilizers, pesticides etc. with nano-based materials to improve the efficiency and productivity of crops. Nano technology is also playing a significant role improving animal health products, food packaging materials, and nanosensors for detecting pathogens, toxins, and heavy metals in soil among others. The nanobased materials have improved the productivity twice with half the resources being utilized. Nanoparticles that are currently in use include titanium dioxide, zinc oxide, silicon oxide, magnesium oxide, gold, and silver used for increasing soil fertility and plant growth. Crop growth, yield, and productivity are improved by controlled release nanofertilizers. In this review we elaborate on the recent developments in the agricultural sector by the usage of nanomaterial based composites which has significantly improved the agricultural sector especially how nanoparticles play an important role in plant growth and soil fertility, in controlling plant diseases by the use of nanopesticides, nanoinsecticides, nanofertilizers, Nanoherbicides, nanobionics, nanobiosensors. The review also highlights the mechanism of migration of nanoparticles in plants and most importantly the effects of nanoparticles in causing plant and soil toxicity. 2023, Prof. H.S. Srivastava Foundation for Science and Society. -
The Role of Nanoparticles in Response of Plants to Abiotic Stress at Physiological, Biochemical, and Molecular Levels
In recent years, the global agricultural system has been unfavorably impacted by adverse environmental changes. These changes in the climate, in turn, have altered the abiotic conditions of plants, affecting plant growth, physiology and production. Abiotic stress in plants is one of the main obstacles to global agricultural production and food security. Therefore, there is a need for the development of novel approaches to overcome these problems and achieve sustainability. Nanotechnology has emerged as one such novel approach to improve crop production, through the utilization of nanoscale products, such as nanofertilizer, nanofungicides, nanoherbicides and nanopesticides. Their ability to cross cellular barriers makes nanoparticles suitable for their application in agriculture. Since they are easily soluble, smaller, and effective for uptake by plants, nanoparticles are widely used as a modern agricultural tool. The implementation of nanoparticles has been found to be effective in improving the qualitative and quantitative aspects of crop production under various biotic and abiotic stress conditions. This review discusses various abiotic stresses to which plants are susceptible and highlights the importance of the application of nanoparticles in combating abiotic stress, in addition to the major physiological, biochemical and molecular-induced changes that can help plants tolerate stress conditions. It also addresses the potential environmental and health impacts as a result of the extensive use of nanoparticles. 2023 by the authors. -
Synthetic biology for sustainable food ingredients production: recent trends
Problems with food security result from increased population, global warming, and decrease in cultivable land. With the advancements in synthetic biology, microbial synthesis of food is considered to be an efficient alternate approach that could permit quick food biosynthesis in an eco-friendly method. Furthermore, synthetic biology can be assumed to the synthesis of healthy or specially designed food components like proteins, lipids, amino acids and vitamins and widen the consumption of feedstocks, thus offering possible resolutions to high-quality food synthesis. This review describes the impact of synthetic biology for the microbial synthesis of various food ingredients production. 2022, Jiangnan University. -
Recent Advances in Nanomaterials Based Molecularly Imprinted Electrochemical Sensors
Nanotechnology and molecular imprinting both are omnipresent in the modern scientific world. Molecular recognition in the biological systems was mimicked to an extreme extent with its difficulties through molecular imprinting. Solving the problems related to this mimicking was the goal of science and technology. Some challenges like difficulties with the imprinting of protein, poor compatibility with aqueous environments, template leakage, and heterogeneous populations of binding sites in the polymers that contribute to a high level of nonspecific binding sites were addressed with recent advancement in the modern era. These issues were solved later with nano level instrumentations and inventions. Different types of nanomaterials were employed for this research on molecular recognition through MIPs to enhance selectivity, sensitivity and stability to specific systems such as sensors. This review paper attempts to give all the recent advances in molecular imprinting and the potential of nanomaterials in electrochemical sensors. 2021 Taylor & Francis Group, LLC. -
Reimagining North Korea in a new frame: review of the series Crash Landing on You (2019)
[No abstract available] -
Gratitude as a path to human prosperity during adverse circumstances: a narrative review
Although each person faces their own share of challenges, it is their individual perception and responses to these difficulties that determine how they are affected by them. In this paper we investigate the association between gratitude and human prosperity including the underlying mechanism that helps people thrive during trying circumstances. We survey the literature, examining how gratitude enables people to prosper amidst adversity and employ a narrative style to present these unique characteristics. This review suggests that gratitude enhances coping abilities, such as meaning-focused coping and positive reframing, which foster positive emotions and augment personal resources like resilience, perseverance, and social bonds. These elements, in turn, may possibly explain the association between gratitude and human prosperity during dire circumstances. 2023 Informa UK Limited, trading as Taylor & Francis Group.