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Polyurethane nanocomposites for supercapacitor applications
Polymer nanocomposites have received a lot of interest recently in materials research as they display a variety of distinct properties compared to those of their counterpart polymer micro-composites, whose matrices include the same inorganic components. The flexible features of polyurethane (PU) nanocomposites, which may be easily adjusted to fulfill the specific needs in energy storage, have led to the rapid development of these materials in recent years. Numerous types of functional nanofiller integration have led to the advancement of PU-based nanocomposites. Details on PU nanocomposites' synthesis, characteristics, and uses in supercapacitors are covered in this chapter. There have been several approaches explored for the synthesis of various PU nanocomposites, including electrospinning, dip-coating, spray coating, and one-step carbonization. Recent advancements in the use of PU nanocomposites as supercapacitors, along with their challenges and possibilities in the future, are also discussed herein. This chapter also reviews recent developments in smart supercapacitors, including their various properties such as long-lasting cycling stability, excellent specific capacitance, high energy density, and good capacitance retention. Functions of supercapacitors include self-healing, shape memory, shape editing, and photodetection, along with specific emphasis on their recyclability and recoverability. 2026 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved. -
Polyvictimization among Children and Adolescents in India: A Scoping Review of Prevalence, Consequences, and Risk Factors
Polyvictimization, defined as the experience of multiple forms of victimization such as physical, emotional, and sexual abuse, neglect, bullying, and exposure to violence, is a significant but underexplored concern in India. This scoping review set out to map the existing literature on polyvictimization among children and adolescents, with a focus on prevalence, psychological and social consequences, and contextual risk factors. Studies published between 2000 and 2025 were included if they involved Indian participants aged 018 years and addressed more than one type of victimization. The framework given by Arksey and OMalley (2005) was adhered to for the review. Twenty-three studies were included in the review, highlighting that children were often subjected to overlapping victimizations rather than single instances, with emotional and physical abuse most common, alongside neglect, sexual abuse, and bullying. These experiences were consistently linked to depression, anxiety, PTSD, behavioral problems, and poor social functioning, with risks heightened by gender, poverty, family conflict, and institutional settings. Overall, the findings show that polyvictimization is prevalent yet seldom studied as a distinct concept in India, underscoring the need for nationally representative research, clearer definitions, and integrated child protection policies that address the cumulative impact of multiple victimizations. The Author(s), under exclusive licence to Springer Nature Switzerland AG 2026. -
Polyvinyl alcohol and epoxy based composites for radiation shielding applications
Extensive use of radioactive isotopes in medical fields, industries, and radiations in research and nuclear reactor establishments has increased the risk of exposure to directly and indirectly ionizing radiations. While charged particles such as beta, proton, alpha and heavy ions are directly ionizing radiations, X-rays and γ-rays are indirectly ionizing radiations. X-rays are often used to sterilize medical equipment and to treat cancer, while X-rays are used to provide static images of parts of the body such as teeth, bones, foreign substances within body, and are also used in industries to find fracture defects. According to the report by National Council on Radiation Protection and Measurements (NCRP, 2009), the use of ionizing radiations in medical field has drastically increased from 15% to 48% during 1980-2006. These radiations having sufficient energy interact with human body causing damage to living tissues. Though beneficial, prolonged exposure to these radiations can cause both somatic as well as genetic damage depending on time, distance and the type of radiation exposure. Hence, precautionary measures against the hazardous effects caused by these radiations have become a major concern in modern times. While exposure to radiations is inevitable, the radiation effects can be reduced by limiting the time of exposure, increasing the distance from radioactive source and using suitable shielding material. -
Polyvinyl alcohol and epoxy based composites for radition shielding applications
The present study has been focused towards designing efficient, non-toxic and cost-effective shielding materials with good mechanical strength for protection against radiations encountered in various environments like aerospace, hospitals, research and nuclear reactor establishments. From this perspective, to impart desired shielding properties, high Z filler dispersed polymer matrices such as Bi/WO3-polyvinyl alcohol (PVA), Ta2O5-epoxy, Ta2O5-Bi2O3-epoxy, micro Bi2O3-epoxy and nano Bi2O3-epoxy with varying filler contents have been synthesized. Structural characterizations were carried out using X-ray diffraction newline(XRD) and Fourier transform infrared (FT-IR) spectroscopy to reveal the interactions newlinebetween filler and polymer matrix. The morphological analyses were performed using newlinescanning electron microscopy (SEM) images. The AC conductivity measurements and newlineoptical studies revealed low conductivity property of the composites. The thermo newlinegravimetric analysis (TGA) and mechanical studies were conducted to ascertain thermal newlinestability and mechanical properties of the composites. With increase in filler concentration mechanical properties of Bi/WO3-PVA composites were found to be weakening. The TGA studies of Bi/WO3-PVA composites showed decrease in peak degradation temperature with increase in filler content. This prompted us to further design epoxy composites as epoxy matrix has good thermal stability and mechanical strength. Compared to neat epoxy, dispersion of varying wt% of Ta2O5 and Bi2O3 into epoxy matrix led to significant improvement in stiffness, storage modulus, glass transition temperature and thermal stability of the composites. Epoxy composites with 5 wt% of Ta2O5 and 30 wt% of Bi2O3 revealed better thermal and tensile properties when compared to same wt% Bi2O3 filled epoxy composites. The synergistic influence of micro and nano Bi2O3 filler on epoxy matrix composites showed similar thermal behaviour. -
Popularity of food blogs: Exploring the rationale /
Food blogs have been introduced to the world long years back. But it gained popularity only in recent years. It was considered as a leisure medium or as a hobby. The need for food blogs came into existence when people started to write about the food they ate or which they cooked. Most of the people who follow food blogs get attracted to the facts like the content, photographs, visual appeal etc. -
Popularity Prediction of Online Social Media Content: A Bibliometric Analysis
An online social network is a platform that enables individuals to interact with others who have similar backgrounds, preferences, activities, and associations. The number of features available and the format of each online social network range widely. Users of online social networks, such as Twitter, Instagram, Flicker, and Pinterest, have increased dramatically in recent years. Content sharing is the most popular feature of online social networks, used by both specific users and big enterprises. This study has used bibliometric methods to analyze the growth of the social media popularity prediction on online social network content from 2013 to 2022. The publications have been extracted from the dimensions database, and the VOS viewer software was used to visualize research patterns. The finding provides valuable information on the publication year, authors, authors country, authors organizational affiliations, publishing journals, etc. Based on the findings of this analysis, researchers will be able to design their studies better and add more insights into their empirical studies. The Author(s), under exclusive license to Springer Nature Singapore Pte Ltd. 2024. -
Population-Environment Nexus: Interactions, Impacts, and Sustainability
Research regarding the delicate balance between population dynamics and environmental sustainability underlines ecological preservation and human growth. This essay examines the linkage between population and the environment: the global, historical, and contemporary perspectives, and policy frameworks for linking population, the environment, and policymaking. The research methodology implemented is doctoral, focusing on theories given by different demographers, for example, Malthusian warnings on population increasing more rapidly than the availability of resources are, on the contrary, contrasted by Boserup's optimism based on innovation being sustainable and similar theories. The rapid urbanization, resource consumption, and population growth are examined against the backdrop of pressing global issues like biodiversity loss, deforestation, climate change, and water scarcity. Case studies from high-income and low-income countries show how the environmental loads differ across socioeconomic spectrums. The research emphasizes on measures like family planning, sustainable development goals, and environmental governance in addressing these problems. Innovative strategies such as clean energy, sustainable agriculture, and circular economies are recognized as being essential in reducing environmental degradation and promoting inclusive growth. Intergenerational justice and resource equity are critical ethical considerations that should be considered with utmost care when developing sustainable policies. This paper draws on cross-disciplinary viewpoints and international cooperation to provide a meaningful contribution to ensuring a sustainable future for the next generation in a delicate balance between ecological conservation and population growth. 2026 John Wiley & Sons Ltd. All rights reserved. -
Populism and the question of sovereignty in democracy with special reference to India
The sovereign manner of decision-making in a democracy is reckoned extremely crucial to stable governance. It is unfortunate, therefore, if the question of sovereignty acquires public attention predominantly in the wake of totalitarianist tendencies. It is the case now that with the emergence of several populist voices and nationalist sentiments, contemporary democracies actively debate the question of democratic sovereignty. This article is a critique of the complacency arising out of what is often wrongly perceived as the reassurances of the letter, or for that matter the spirit, of the constitutions of liberal democracies. Regardless of whether populism is traced within the electoral context or outside of it, the question of sovereignty offers a vantage point for understanding it from a theoretical perspective. In this regard, the article utilises the insightful yet contrasting notions of democratic sovereignty put forward by the philosophers Giorgio Agamben and Jacques Derrida. They approach the question of sovereignty from historical and/or linguistic points of view, illuminating the notions of sharing, sovereign violence and its overarching theological underpinnings. The articles findings, purposes and effects are meant to be educational and cultural in the first place. It employs, for the purpose of exemplification, a commentary on the Indian democratic scene. The Author(s), under exclusive licence to Springer Nature Switzerland AG 2024. -
Populist Protests and the Dynamic Zero-COVID Policy: (Re)emerging Pragmatic Populism in China
Populist protests in the Peoples Republic of China (PRC) have recently emerged as a reaction against the Chinese authorities stringent measures under its dynamic zero-COVID policy. Besides the vehement criticism and protests against the dynamic zero-COVID policy, during some protests, there have been ensuing calls across the country for President Xi Jinping to step down. The article argues that this scenario can further deteriorate the overall political legitimacy of the Communist Party of China on a long-term basis. According to the article, the protests indicate the re-emergence of populism in the PRC, which incidentally and historically has parallels to the protests at Tiananmen Square, and the 1919 May Fourth Movement. The article theorizes John Deweys concept of pragmatic populism and the aspect of protests during the period, which inherently provides many ideational and relational facets with the recent protests in China. 2023 Jawaharlal Nehru University. -
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. -
Porous 3D Printed System for Synergistic Tandem Water Cleaning-Energy Generation
Non-availability of fresh water is the dire consequence of rapid industrialization and the unregulated discharge of industrial effluents. In an attempt to recover water from highly contaminated industrial wastewater, researchers have relied on developing various materials that can treat polluted water efficiently and sustainably. 3D printed materials have proved to be an emerging technology in water treatment. 2Dmaterials have recently enhanced filter technology due to their morphological properties. This study focuses on removing salinity and organic dyes utilizing 2DGadolinium telluride (Gd2Te3) coated 3D printed (2D@3DP) complex architecture. The 2D@3DP structure can potentially increase the contact time of adsorbed saline water due to its complex architecture and can remove ?52% salinity from brackish water. Furthermore, methylene blue (MB) and Methyl Orange (MO) removal efficiencies are ?69% and 45%, respectively. Spectroscopic and microscopic results confirm the adsorption of negatively charged chlorine ions on a positively charged 2D surface. The removal of bleaching powder is also tested for real-life applications, and ?20% of the bleaching powder is adsorbed. Moreover, the 2D@3DP device exhibits an electrical signal due to impinging sodium chloride droplets from different heights, making it a sustainable solution to address water pollution. 2023 Wiley-VCH GmbH. -
Porous carbon nanoparticles dispersed nematic liquid crystal: influence of the particle size on electro-optical and dielectric parameters
Porous carbon nanoparticles (PCNPs) of four different sizes (~180nm, ~51nm, ~41 and ~25nm) were dispersed into a nematic liquid crystal (NLC) in 0.25wt% concentration. PCNPs were derived from biowaste materials and pyrolysed at elevated temperatures to get the porous structure. Polarising optical microscopic observations were carried out in dark and bright states on both the pure NLC as well as NLC-PCNPs composites. Homogeneous alignment was well maintained in all the composites except the one with the highest sized (~180nm) PCNPs. Birefringence, relative permittivity and dielectric anisotropy, increases as the size of the PCNPs is decreased in the composites. The threshold voltage was also found to decrease with the decrease in the size of the PCNPs. Such investigations may be useful for the fabrication of display devices such as flat panel displays (FPDs) and phase shifters. 2021 Informa UK Limited, trading as Taylor & Francis Group. -
Porous Carbon Nanospheres and MXene Nanocomposites for Enhanced Energy Storage Devices
In the present work, we prepared the porous carbon nanosphere from a biomass precursor (CNS) and made a composite of CNS with MXene (Ti3C2Tx) in various ratios. All the CNS:Mxene composites were electrochemical evaluated in three-electrode system in 3M KOH electrolyte solution with techniques, such as cyclic voltammetry (CV), galvanostatic chargedischarge (GCD), and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS). The 6:4 CNS:Ti3C2Tx MX ratio was found to exhibit excellent electrochemical performance with a higher specific capacitance of 527.5 Fg?1 at a current density of 0.25 Ag?1. A symmetric device study was carried out with 6:4 ratio of CNS:Ti3C2TxMX composite in S4R-SS316 type Swagelok cell. The device exhibited a maximum specific capacitance of 45.0 Fg?1 at a current density of 0.25 Ag?1, with a higher power density of 2500 Wkg?1 and very low energy density of 6.25Wh Kg?1. Thus, the electrochemical performance of the CNS/Ti3C2Tx MX composite exhibited a combined electrical conductivity from the MXene, and the porous nature and significant surface area from CNS, which improved the wettability implying the potential of CNS:MXene composites for enhanced energy storage. 2025 Wiley-VCH GmbH. -
Porous Carbon Nanospheres Derived From Caesalpinia Sappan Pods as Novel Antibacterial Agents
The current work shows how catalyst-free carbon nanospheres (CNS) can be produced utilizing straightforward one-step pyrolysis methods employing biowaste Caesalpinia sappan pods as a carbon precursor. The manufactured CNS with a particle size range of 4050 nm that is obtained show a porous nature and contain more than 87% carbon. The synthesized CNS are used as potential antibacterial agents against E. coli and S. aureus by microscopic analysis. By observing the distorted cell envelopes of both E. coli and S. aureus compared with those of untreated cells, it is well understood that CNS, by binding to the outer envelope of cells, renders some changes in the peptidoglycan layer of both Gram-positive and Gram-negative microbes, which in turn restricts their further growth. This study confirms the first report of use of CNS as an effective antibacterial agent. 2025 Wiley-VCH GmbH. -
Porous carbons derived from Arecanut seeds by direct pyrolysis for efficient CO2 capture
In this report, we demonstrate the preparation of a series of carbon nanospheres (CNSs) with high surface area and tunable sizes from natural bioresource, Arecanut kernels, by using direct pyrolysis. This method offers a convenient approach to induce porosity in the synthesized carbons without the need for an activating agent. The textural parameters including the specific surface area, pore volume, and pore size can be controlled by the simple adjustment of the carbonization temperature from 700 to 1000C. The CNSs prepared at 700C showed a low specific surface area, whereas the higher carbonization temperatures (8001000C) supported the rise in specific surface area of the products (433.61001.4 m2/g). The carbon, hydrogen, and nitrogen (CHN) analysis revealed that the CNSs exhibited a high purity with the carbon percentage ranging between 96 and 99%. The synthesized materials were tested as adsorbents for CO2 gas, and it was found that the CNSs with the highest specific surface area of 1001.4 m2/g registered the CO2 adsorption capacity of 14.1 mmol/g at 0C and 30 bar, which is a reasonably high value among reported porous carbons prepared without activation. This value of CO2 adsorption also stands above the activated carbon and multiwalled carbon nanotubes. The excellent CO2 adsorption capability of these adsorbents along with their low-cost synthesis offers a feasible pathway for designing such materials for other applications as well. 2021, Qatar University and Springer Nature Switzerland AG. -
Porous medium convection in a chemically reacting ferrofluid with lower boundary subjected to constant heat flux
The effect of exothermic chemical reaction of zero-order on Bard-Darcy ferroconvection is investigated using the technique of small perturbation. The eigenvalues associated with an adiabatic lower wall are determined by employing the Galerkin method. The Darcy-Rayleigh number is computed in terms of the parameters pertaining to chemical reaction and ferromagnetic fluid. It is established that, when chemical reaction escalates, there is a considerable shift from linearity and occurrence of asymmetry in the basic temperature profiles. It is ascertained that the threshold of Bard-Darcy ferroconvection is augmented through the stresses of both mechanisms due to chemical reaction and magnetization, and the ferroconvective instability due to nonlinearity of magnetization is rather inconsequential when chemical reaction is present. It is also shown that the destabilizing feature of magnetic forces resulting from the fluid magnetization is less pronounced when chemical reaction is present. Published under licence by IOP Publishing Ltd. -
Portable and Automated Healthcare Platform Integrated with IoT Technology
The diverse applications of Internet of Things (IoT), Artificial Intelligence (AI) in Bioelectronics - face recognition, pulse wave monitoring and insulin level measurements have been discussed in this chapter. This chapter also emphasizes on the IoT and its applications in biological sensors. The chapter focuses on IoT systems, such as neural networks and other channels that are integrated into a secure healthcare monitoring system in order to make the system operate as a smart model in healthcare sector that determines the priority based on health parameters gathered from the sensor nodes. In this work, the different approaches of IoT with distinct methodologies are also deliberated. 2024 Scrivener Publishing LLC. -
Portfolio Management Decision Support System Using Cryptocurrencies and Traditional Assets in Indian Context
The paper attempts to develop a portfolio management decision support system (PMDSS) to help the investors to ensure portfolio optimization in Indian context. For this, the study conducts a comparative analysis between portfolios with equities from Indian market and portfolios that includes cryptocurrencies along with equities. Considering the huge hype received by cryptocurrencies in the current scenario, we attempt to diversify portfolios by including risky assets like cryptocurrencies, specially focusing from Indian perspective. Till now, Portfolio Optimization with Monte Carlo Simulation and Hierarchical Risk Parity has not been implemented by combining portfolios of cryptocurrencies and Indian stocks together. Traditional assets for the study are selected upon their market capitalization, Earnings Per Share, Profit margin, Operating profit etc. and cryptocurrencies are chosen according to their market capitalization. Data on the daily prices of these assets are collected from 201920 to 202122. An attempt is made to optimize the portfolios by minimizing the portfolio standard deviation and maximizing the portfolio expected returns. This helps to minimize risk and maximize the possible returns that might arise from the portfolio after adjusting for the volatility of the asset classes respectively. Based on the results, we suggest not to incorporate cryptocurrencies in portfolios with Indian stocks. This is because the risk adjusted returns of cryptocurrencies are comparatively lower as compared to the other under study. The Author(s), under exclusive license to Springer Nature Switzerland AG 2024. -
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Portfolio Optimization Using Quantum-Inspired Modified Genetic Algorithm
Optimization of portfolios has an additional level of complexity and has been an area of interest for both financial leaders and artificial intelligence experts. In this article, a quantum-inspired version of an improved genetic algorithm is proposed for the task of portfolio optimization. An effort is made to implement two different genetic versions along with their extension in the quantum-inspired space. Improvements to the popular crossover techniques, viz. (i) arithmetic and (ii) heuristic crossover are proposed to reduce computational time. 2023, The Author(s), under exclusive license to Springer Nature Singapore Pte Ltd.