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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 -
Handloom weavers and lockdown in Sualkuchi Cluster of Assam
After demonetisation in 2016, followed by imposition of the goods and services tax in the subsequent year, the COVID-19 lockdown has turned out to be a final nail in the coffin for the handloom sector in Assam. It has special importance in the informal economy of Assam since it is next to agriculture in creating employment opportunities. An examination of the Sualkuchi weaving cluster in Assam shows the many challenges the weavers, most of them women, face. 2020 Economic and Political Weekly. All rights reserved. -
Standards of human rights to palliative care: gaps and trends
Purpose: The purpose of this paper is to investigate key milestones in development of standards of human rights to health care in particular context of addressing palliative care, relevant efforts of advocacy in past decade and future area of growth. Design/methodology/approach: In this study, analysis of human rights and its standards in context of palliative care has been provided through the lens of freedom from ill treatment and torture, right to health care and older persons and childrens rights. Findings: Findings of this study highlighted significant developments in this area which include following: first treaty of human rights which explained right to palliative care; first resolution on palliative care by World Health Assembly; special rapporteurs report focussed on denial of pain; and addressing issue of controlled medicine availability in special session of UN General Assembly. Originality/value: Human rights standards and their development in context of palliative care have been most significant in relation to freedom from ill treatment and torture, right to health care and older persons rights. Further work is required in context of childrens rights and treaty bodies of human rights need to consistently address state obligations towards palliative care. 2020, Emerald Publishing Limited. -
COVID-19 and the world with co-morbidities of heart disease, hypertension and diabetes
Newly emerging severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) causing coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has now spread across the globe in past few months while affecting 26 million people and leading to more than 0.85 million deaths as on 2nd September, 2020. Severity of SARS-CoV-2 infection increases in COVID-19 patients due to pre-existing health co-morbidities. This mini-review has focused on the three significant co-morbidities viz., heart disease, hypertension, and diabetes, which are posing high health concerns and increased mortality during this ongoing pandemic. The observed co-morbidities have been found to be associated with the increasing risk factors for SARS-CoV-2 infection and COVID-19 critical illness as well as to be associated positively with the worsening of the health condition of COVID-19 suffering individuals resulting in the high risk for mortality. SARS-CoV-2 enters host cell via angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 receptors. Regulation of crucial cardiovascular functions and metabolisms like blood pressure and sugar levels are being carried out by ACE2. This might be one of the reasons that contribute to the higher mortality in COVID-19 patients having co-morbidities. Clinical investigations have identified higher levels of creatinine, cardiac troponin I, alanine aminotransferase, NT-proBNP, creatine kinase, D-dimer, aspartate aminotransferase and lactate dehydrogenase in patients who have succumbed to death from COVID-19 as compared to recovered individuals. More investigations are required to identify the modes behind increased mortality in COVID-19 patients having co-morbidities of heart disease, hypertension, and diabetes. This will enable us to design and develop suitable therapeutic strategies for reducing the mortality. More attention and critical care need to be paid to such high risk patients suffering from co-morbidities during COVID-19 pandemic. 2020 Journal of Pure and Applied Microbiology. All rights reserved. -
Diazanorbornene: A Valuable Synthon towards Carbocycles and Heterocycles
Desymmetrization of meso compounds is well recognized as a powerful method for delivering biologically relevant molecular skeletons in a few synthetic steps. Heterobicyclic olefins are a class of meso compounds which exhibit exceptional reactivity due to their high ring strain originating from the unfavorable bond angles and eclipsing interactions. Extensive research was carried out towards the synthetic transformations of oxa-, aza-, and diazanorbornenes/norbornadienes for the synthesis of a wide variety of carbocycles and heterocycles in a single step, most importantly in a stereo- and chemo-selective manner. This review summarizes the relevant aspects of diazanorbornene reactivity which will inspire the synthetic community for exploiting these highly strained bicyclic systems for the creation of extensive libraries of novel structurally and biologically interesting molecules. The review is divided into several sections based on the type of reactions that diazanorbornenes are subjected to. 2020 Wiley-VCH GmbH -
Deciphering the impact of COVID-19 pandemic on food security, agriculture, and livelihoods: A review of the evidence from developing countries
With COVID-19 now spreading in developing countries, massive consequences on health and livelihoods are feared. Food security is the most important and crucial aspect of sustainable development. The agricultural sector forms the backbone of the economy and provides livelihood to a large section in developing countries. Therefore, the disruption in food security and the agricultural sector will have far-reaching impacts on these countries. Owing to the importance of these sectors, this paper performs a comprehensive assessment of the effect of COVID-19 on food security and agriculture. The research suggests coping and mitigation mechanisms that can be adopted to sustain livelihoods. 2020 The Author(s) -
Application of phase change material in asphalt mixture A review
The use of latent heat storage capacity from phase change material (PCM) to regulate asphalt pavement temperature is an innovative way to mitigate temperature-related pavement distresses, such as thermal cracking and rutting. In this review, a detailed discussion on the classification and incorporation methods of PCM in asphalt mixture is presented. Further, the physical and chemical performances of PCM modified asphalts were reviewed, followed by their thermal and mechanical properties. It was observed that temperature related performance of asphalt mixtures can be well controlled in the phase change temperature range. Polyethylene glycol (PEG) and n-Tetradecane have been generally used to regulate the high and low temperatures of asphalt pavement, respectively. Mixed results were obtained on rheological properties of binders with PCMs as well as on road performance properties of asphalt mixtures with PCMs. It is important to note that PCMs with high latent heat and thermal conductivity are preferred for effective thermal regulation. 2020 Elsevier Ltd -
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. -
Do geopolitical tensions instigate mindless following in stock markets? An empirical enquiry into the indices of CNX Nifty HFT
Geopolitical tensions between nations play a crucial role in triggering volatility and affecting the investors behavior in stock markets. This empirical work attempts to detect the traces of herding and bubble embedded in the Indian stock indices of CNX Nifty 50 and CNX Nifty 100 (both in High-Frequency Trading domains) during the latest events of geopolitical tensions escalated between India-China and India-Pakistan. An event window approach is employed to capture the impact of these events on herding behavior and information uncertainty in the considered stock indices. Multifractal Detrended Fluctuation Analysis (MFDFA) is applied to compute the Hurst value in all the trading days of the event window. The results of both indices exhibit conclusive evidence of herding and bubble formation during the overall period of geopolitical tensions between India-China and India-Pakistan. However, the degree of herding in the stock indices intensifies to a profound pattern when the tensions between India and China escalated into deadly violent clashes, and also during the heightened tensions between India and Pakistan that eventually ended up in airstrikes across the boundaries. The overall level of information uncertainty depicted by entropy is within control. The volatility in these stock indices has been confirmed to follow a unidirectional pattern. Krishna T. A., Suresha B., 2021 -
Risk management of technological accidents triggered by natural-hazards (Natech): A review of relevant indian legislation
The ill-effects of technological sites on the environment have been researched substantially across the world with particular reference to pollution. However, the threats posed by the environment to technological sites have rarely been studied. Such events, where natural forces trigger technological accidents, are called Natech accidents. It has been observed that developed countries are aware of this emerging hazard and they have responded to it by creating various legislative frameworks for managing Natech risk. In contrast, in developing countries, it has not yet received due attention. The present study has been done to understand the Indian perspective of the legal framework for Natech risk reduction. The study revealed that India has an elaborate legislative framework for disaster risk identification and management. Though there is attention to routine disaster risk, the risk from natural forces to the technological sites is rarely considered. Apart from recognizing natural forces as a threat, no specific legislation is available for Natech risk reduction. A developing country like India must manage the risk posed by natural forces to its technological infrastructure. There is a need for specific legislation to manage Natech risk, which will be an initiating force for the state of the art Natech risk management. 2021, World Research Association. All rights reserved. -
Reproductive health vs overall well-being: systematic review of studies on women migration and health care utilization
Purpose: Sustainable development goals (SDGs) recognize the importance and interrelation between health and migration. Women migration and health is well researched, yet less attention is paid to their healthcare utilization, especially with regard to overall health and well-being. This paper aims to highlight the gap in the existing literature on health care utilization by women migrants. Design/methodology/approach: A systematic review was carried out following the PRISMA guideline. For the review, the literature was taken from three electronic databases, which were Springer Link, Taylor and Francis and PubMed. From a total of 1,575 studies, seven studies cleared the eligibility screening. Findings: Of seven studies, five were found to focus on the sexual and reproductive health of the women migrants than their general health and well-being, and less attention is paid to health promotion and illness prevention beyond reproductive and sexual health. While, studies on general health have focused on the influence of health status on health care utilization and the influence of health insurance in health care utilization. The review has revealed the disparities faced by migrant women in different countries while seeking health care. Originality/value: Studies on women migration and health care utilization have largely focused on the reproductive and sexual health needs of women, and this overemphasis often undermines their accessibility and affordability to overall health and well-being. Therefore, the present study has moved away from the concept of sexual and reproductive health tot that of overall health and well-being of women migrants. 2021, Emerald Publishing Limited. -
Relationship patterns among women survivors of Abuse in India
Dating is hushed within the Indian society and this silences the trauma Indian women face in their pre-marital romantic relationships. This study delves into the nature and cyclic patterns that influence an abusive dating relationship. Are abusive behaviours passed down generations and learned in early childhood? What is characterised as an abusive relationship? This article discusses the experience of 11 Indian women in the age range of 20- 25 years who were subjected to abuse within their dating relationship. Thematic analysis was used to arrive at the organizing themes including factors related to perpetrators and victims, characteristics of abuse, families of victims and other psycho-social factors. 2021 Tata Institute of Social Sciences. All rights reserved. -
Application of Epoxy-Asphalt Composite in Asphalt Paving Industry: A Review with Emphasis on Physicochemical Properties and Pavement Performances
One of the failure mechanisms associated with asphalt paving layers, especially on steel deck bridges, is large permanent deformation, which adversely affects its long-term performance in service. Thus, epoxy resin was introduced in asphalt paving industry to tackle permanent deformation of asphalt mixtures due to its thermosetting nature. In this review, epoxy resin as a dominant component of the epoxy-asphalt composite system was first considered, followed by a discussion on its curing methods and curing mechanism. Furthermore, the physicochemical property and mechanical performance of epoxy asphalt and epoxy asphalt mixture were thoroughly examined. Crosslink density of epoxy asphalt dictates its viscosity and thus the allowable construction time. Phase separation and dispersion of asphalt particles in the epoxy matrix was observed for epoxy-asphalt composite, and it showed superior elastic behavior and deformation resistance capability when compared with conventional asphalt materials. Furthermore, epoxy asphalt mixture exhibited significantly higher compressive strength, much better rutting resistance, and superior durability and water resistance properties. However, its low-temperature cracking resistance was slightly compromised. 2021 Yu Chen et al. -
Critical review on arsenic: Its occurrence, contamination and remediation from water and soil
With the increasing pollution in todays world, importance is being given to solve a problem and do it in a sustainable, eco-friendly manner. Arsenic is a class-1 carcinogen and also causes many other side effects to humans, plants and animals. The utilization of arsenic as wood preservatives, pesticides, or its historical overuse by some military units for rice killing operations has led to the increase in the toxic effects of arsenic like its carcinogenicity, decreased immune response etc. Although conventional methods like coagulation, lime softening, adsorption, membrane technology are effective, they have their disadvantages like additional waste generation, causing increased pollution and are expensive. The better alternative is phytoremediation. Appropriate plants like Brassica juncea, Hydrilla verticilata, Pteris vittata L., Vallisneria natans, can be chosen based on the method of the remediation like phytoextraction, phytostabilization and phytofiltration or phytovoltalization. This review provides the list of a few plants which can be likely chosen for the purpose of both water and soil remediation. Advancements are occurring in bioremediation studies with the development of transgenic plants like transgenic tobacco, transgenic Arabidopsis thali-ana for better phytoremediation. Understanding the mechanism employed by the plant for its uptake/detoxification can aid in the enhancement of the process of remediation with the external supply of phosphorus. Along with this, the proper and safe disposal of plants is crucial for the remediation process. In addition, awareness of this solution to the general public is to be made for its effectiveness. : Author (s). Publishing rights @ ANSF. -
The organizational pedestal of quality of care climate in health care excellence; [Grundpfeiler einer qualitsorientierten Versorgungskultur: Gesundheitsversorgung in Indien]
Background: Health care in private healthcare organizations is a balancing act between business excellence and quality outcomes in practice. This complex activity establishes the existence of quality of care climate so as the pedestal of quality of care decisions bring health care excellence. In healthcare, Quality of care is not linear but multi-dimensional, with myriad challenges. Purpose: The aim of the study was to establish the organizational pedestal for quality of care and predominant quality of care dimension. Method: This study was approved by the IRB of our Institution. This study empirically tested the quality of care climate types in NABH accredited and non-accredited hospitals using quantitative method with a sample of 410 healthcare managers from accredited and non-accredited hospitals in South India. Results: The results indicate that among the dimensions of quality of care climate, competitive advantage was perceived the lowest with a mean rating of 73.14 among the rest. Value-Stream was perceived as the highest quality of care climate with a mean of 83.12. The results indicate that patient centered value-stream is the predominant dimension of quality of care climate as perceived by the managers and value stream is the predominated determinant of patient centered decisions. Conclusions: The results designate a promising support for patient centered quality of care approach for health care excellence with a balance on value stream mapping. 2021 -
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) -
Advances in Carbon-Element Bond Construction under Chan-Lam Cross-Coupling Conditions: A Second Decade
Copper-mediated carbon-heteroatom bond-forming reactions involving a wide range of substrates have been in the spotlight for many organic chemists. This review highlights developments between 2010 and 2019 in both stoichiometric and catalytic copper-mediated reactions, and also examples of nickel-mediated reactions, under modified Chan-Lam cross-coupling conditions using various nucleophiles; examples include chemo- and regioselective N-arylations or O-arylations. The utilization of various nucleophiles as coupling partners together with reaction optimization (including the choice of copper source, ligands, base, and other additives), limitations, scope, and mechanisms are examined; these have benefitted the development of efficient and milder methods. The synthesis of medicinally valuable or pharmaceutically important nitrogen heterocycles, including isotope-labeled compounds, is also included. Chan-Lam coupling reaction can now form twelve different C-element bonds, making it one of the most diverse and mild reactions known in organic chemistry. 1 Introduction 2 Construction of C-N and C-O Bonds 2.1 C-N Bond Formation 2.1.1 Original Discovery via Stoichiometric Copper-Mediated C-N Bond Formation 2.1.2 Copper-Catalyzed C-N Bond Formation 2.1.3 Coupling with Azides, Sulfoximines, and Sulfonediimines as Nitrogen Nucleophiles 2.1.4 Coupling with N, N -Dialkylhydroxylamines 2.1.5 Enolate Coupling with sp 3-Carbon Nucleophiles 2.1.6 Nickel-Catalyzed Chan-Lam Coupling 2.1.7 Coupling with Amino Acids 2.1.8 Coupling with Alkylboron Reagents 2.1.9 Coupling with Electron-Deficient Heteroarylamines 2.1.10 Selective C-N Bond Formation for the Synthesis of Heterocycle-Containing Compounds 2.1.11 Using Sulfonato-imino Copper(II) Complexes 2.2 C-O Bond Formation 2.2.1 Coupling with (Hetero)arylboron Reagents 2.2.2 Coupling with Alkyl- and Alkenylboron Reagents 3 C-Element (Element = S, P, C, F, Cl, Br, I, Se, Te, At) Bond Forma tion under Modified Chan-Lam Conditions 4 Conclusions. 2021 Georg Thieme Verlag. All rights reserved. -
Medicinal plants, phytochemicals, and herbs to combat viral pathogens including sars-cov-2
The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome corona virus-2 (SARS-CoV-2), is the most important health issue, internationally. With no specific and effective antiviral therapy for COVID-19, new or repurposed antiviral are urgently needed. Phytochemicals pose a ray of hope for human health during this pandemic, and a great deal of research is concentrated on it. Phytochemicals have been used as antiviral agents against several viruses since they could inhibit several viruses via different mechanisms of direct inhibition either at the viral entry point or the replication stages and via immunomodulation potentials. Recent evidence also suggests that some plants and its components have shown promising antiviral properties against SARS-CoV-2. This review summarizes certain phytochemical agents along with their mode of actions and potential antiviral activities against important viral pathogens. A special focus has been given on medicinal plants and their extracts as well as herbs which have shown promising results to combat SARS-CoV-2 infection and can be useful in treating patients with COVID-19 as alternatives for treatment under phytotherapy approaches during this devastating pandemic situation. 2021 by the authors. Licensee MDPI, Basel, Switzerland. -
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. -
Evaluation of a gamified learning experience: Analysis of factors that impact the effectiveness of a gamified experience; [Avaliao de uma expericia de aprendizagem gamificada: Anise dos fatores que afetam a eficia de uma expericia gamificada]
Gamification has gone through a faddish cycle. It first gained prominence around 2012 and was quickly abandoned, as practitioners did not achieve the outcomes they expected. According to Gartner's Hype Cycle, Gamification is at a point at which one might expect wide scale adoption. However, if history is not to repeat itself and results are to be achieved as theoretically predicted, a deeper understanding of the concept is essential. In the current study, the researchers attempt to evaluate a gamified learning experience. The participants were students of a Master in Business Administration course. The students were asked to participate in a gamified module and relevant data was collected, before and after the intervention. Based on a review of literature, the researchers identified the exogenous variables of Valence, Attitude towards use of Technology and Experience with Technology. The endogenous variables identified included Reaction and Learning. The findings of the study suggest that the gamified module resulted in increase in knowledge and that Attitude, Experience and Valence significantly predicted the Learner's reaction to the experience. The findings of the study provide support to key theories in the area of gamification and insights for practitioners, on the factors to be considered before using a gamifiedlearning intervention. 2021 UNIVERSIDADE FEEVALE All rights reserved.