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On-demand work applications (ODWAs), a type of digital platforms (DPs), are technology-enabled intermediaries for gig workers. In this paper, we study these platforms and their impact on women belonging to the low socio-economic section in a developing economy. These women act as primary unpaid workers while being expected to make an economic contribution. Hence, they suffer from time scarcity where they need to find mechanisms to generate economic success from the limited time they have, in a largely informal economy. We employed the theoretical lens of affordances to delineate the affordances that are provided by the various features of ODWAs and their impact on life satisfaction of women. We conducted a mixed method study using interviews of 20 female gig workers, supplemented by a survey of 927 workers on one of the largest ODWAs in India. Our analysis points to the sense of identity and individuality that these platforms provide as well as lowering the market boundaries for greater inclusion. Our research is significant from both, the information systems and inclusion research perspectives, as it contributes to the theoretical understanding of the impact of DPs on breaking societal structures and providing avenues to marginalised sections. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

ABSTRACT Concerning the objectives of green chemistry, silica‐coated magnetite nanoparticles provide a new way to implement an efficient and effective system for assisting catalyst recovery across multiple organic reactions. With Fe3O4 spheres serving as the core shell, the synthesis of sulfonic acid‐functionalized silica‐coated magnetic nanoparticles is presented in this paper. FTIR, PXRD, SEM, TEM, EDX, TGA, XPS, and VSM techniques were used to assess the prepared catalyst. The proposed nanocatalyst was employed to produce biological relevance 2‐substituted benzimidazole and bis indole methane derivatives. High yield, quick reaction time, soothing reaction conditions, extended functional group tolerance, and an accessible workup approach are the main advantages of synthesized nanoparticles. Furthermore, the present nanocatalyst may be recovered using an external magnet and retaining its effectiveness for up to six cycles. These are distinctive functions of the present approach. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

An appropriate balance between the controller's performance and its robustness is a complex design challenge. In order to enhance the control system performance, vigorous and rapid variations in controller output are often employed; however, this poses a critical challenge for practical implementations of the control schemes, as it may affect the actuator badly and may reduce its lifetime. To handle this issue, the current work presents an innovative control structure that aims to strike an apt balance between the control output variability while maintaining the desired control performance. The proposed control scheme exploits the abilities of fuzzy logic to cope with uncertainties in the system and along with the use of fractional calculus to enhance the control performance. Further, to evaluate the performance of the proposed improved fractional-order fuzzy controller (IFOFC), extensive simulation studies have been carried out on a multi-input–multi-output nonlinear system for a wide variety of test scenarios. An exhaustive comparative study with an inline state-of-art controller, i.e., fractional-order fuzzy PID (FOFPID) controller has also been carried out on two interesting performance measures. These performance measures include integral of time-weighted absolute error (ITAE) and another measure which corresponds to undesirable variations in the controller output, i.e., integral of the absolute change of torque (IACT). Based on the detailed simulation studies, it was found that the proposed control structure provides a fair balance between controller output aggression and control performance and also completely outperformed the FOFPID controller, even under large parametric variations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Low temperature is the key to maintain the high quality for chilled food. The single jet air curtain is used for doorways opening insulation in the current circumstances is an idealization of the single jet air curtain used in the supermarket open refrigerated display cabinets. Open refrigerated display cabinets are going through some of the changes in their thermal behavior and of its overall performance due to variations in air conditions like air curtain temperature, velocity, height/width ratio, deflection module, specific cooling load, stability and thermal efficiency. A detailed experimental and comprehensive Artificial Neural Network Analysis of air conditions and energy transfer in an open refrigerated display cabinet is performed in this study. Numerical ANN predictions are 99.77% accurate and can be used to enable quick calculations and parametric analyses for the designing purposes of open refrigeration equipment that reduce the thermal infiltration of the Open Refrigerated Display Cabinet and increase the food safety. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Copper oxide nitrogen doped graphene oxide (CuO-NrGO) nanoparticle was synthesized and characterized. • Various 5-substituted-1H-tetrazoles and 1,2,3- triazoles derivatives were synthesized. • All synthesized compounds were characterized by various spectroscopy techniques such as NMR, FTIR, HRMS, Single crystal XRD. • The recyclability of CuO-NrGO nanocatalyst was performed over seven successive catalytic cycles. A basic and proficient newer method was exploited for the preparation of CuO-NrGO nanoparticles which was characterized by state of art instruments i.e. Field emission scanning electron microscopy (FE-SEM), Transmission electron microscopy (TEM), Energy dispersive X-ray (EDX), Fourier transforms infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), X-ray diffraction analysis (XRD), Thermo gravimetric analysis (TGA) and UV-visible spectroscopy. The prepared heterogeneous nanoparticle possesses a significant level of catalytic activity for the production of two diversified series i.e.5-substituted-1H-tetrazole and 1,2,3-triazole derivatives in excellent yield (92% and 95% respectively) with minimal catalyst loading. CuO-NrGO nanoparticles showed reusability up to seven repetitions without any significant loss (11% in 5-substituted-1H-tetrazole and 10.3% in 1,2,3-triazole derivatives) of catalytic activity and productivity. [Display omitted] [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To evaluate the response and safety of 'quick course' neoadjuvant chemotherapy, 30 patients with advanced squamous cell carcinoma of cervix were given cisplatin, bleomycin, and vincristine weekly for 3 courses. The response was evaluated by subjective parameters and by standard response criteria. In addition to the marked improvement in symptoms, the overall objective response was 60% with a complete pathological response of 6.6%. Tumor volume decreased significantly (p = 0.002) after chemotherapy. Patients with stage IB and 27% (3 of 11) of patients with stage II disease who became technically stage IB (stage reduction) after chemotherapy underwent surgery. Radiotherapy was given to the remaining patients. All patients tolerated the chemotherapy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The increasing mental health problems of Indian adolescents are of great concern but child-health mental service is in a nascent stage. Anxiety is the most common psychological problem found in school-going children. The psychological intervention for this high-risk population at an early stage of adolescence can prevent mental health problems. Aim: The study aimed to assess the applicability and effectiveness of mindfulness-based cognitive therapy (MBCT) on resilience and anxiety of early school-going adolescents with anxiety. Method: This study used pre, post, and follow-up with a randomized control group design. Out of 200 samples screened by Preliminary Identification Performa and Clinical Interview Schedule (PI&CI), General Health Questionnaire-12 (GHQ-12), Spence Children's Anxiety Scale (SCAS), and Brief Psychiatry Rating Scale (BPRS-C), 72 samples aged between 10 to 14 were included in the final study and grouped into two equal groups through a simple randomized method. Psychological intervention based on mindfulness (PIBM) group with N = 36 received 12 sessions of mindfulness-based intervention (MBCT-C) but only 33 completed up to follow-up. Only N = 32 in Treatment Waiting List (TWL) group completed three assessments who received parental counseling about anxiety. The outcome measures were Child and Adolescent Mindfulness Measure (CAMM), SCAS, Bharathiar University Resilience Scale (BURS). Result: The findings suggested that the PIBM group significantly improved in mindfulness and resilience, and anxiety symptoms were reduced. The effect size observed is strong and the post hoc t-test showed significant change in variables in every assessment duration. The TWL group did not have significant change. Thus MBCT-C is an applicable and effective intervention for a early school-going adolescent with anxiety. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A letter to the editor is presented which reports a study that determines the prevalence and profile of seizures disorders in Chakrata block of Dehradun district in Uttarakhand state in India.

The compound benzyl N -(1,3-benzothiazol-2-yl)- N -benzylcarbamate was synthesized from 2-aminobenzothiazole and characterized by FT-IR, NMR, UV–Vis, X-ray diffraction and quantum chemical calculations. The compound crystallizes in the monoclinic, space group P 2 1 , with unit cell parameters of a = 11.5904(18) Å, b = 5.5213(7) Å, c = 15.251(2) Å, β = 112.217(16)°, V = 903.5(2) Å 3 and Z = 2. The weak intermolecular C H⋯O and C H⋯π hydrogen bonds stabilized the crystal structure. Hydrogen bonding patterns were investigated in proposed compound on the behalf of X-ray analysis and its assignment with recognized terminological notations. The optimized geometrical parameters, harmonic vibrational frequencies, electrostatic potential surface and Milliken charges were calculated using hybrid Density Functional Theory (DFT/B3LYP) method with 6-31 + G(d,p) basis set. 1 H and 13 C NMR chemical shifts were also calculated at the same level of theory. The TD-DFT calculations have been performed to explore the electronic absorption spectra. Our computed data are in good agreement with the experimental values. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A simple, mild and efficient method is developed for the synthesis of 5-substituted 1 H -tetrazoles. Out of three used Pb(II) catalysts, lead chloride (PbCl 2 ) has been found to be an efficient catalyst for [3+2] cycloaddition of NaN 3 with aromatic and aliphatic nitriles to afford 5-substituted 1 H -tetrazoles. The catalyst is reusable up to four cycles with consistent activity. The cost effectiveness and easy availability of the catalyst, simple methodology, excellent yield and easy work-up are the additional advantages. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Individual clinical experience is combined with the best possible external clinical data from systematic research in the practice of evidencebased medicine. Data-based treatment is a complete approach to treating healthcare problems that allow the best available research evidence to be combined with clinical experience and patient choices. Evidence-based medicine's obligations to the medical industry and allied areas in terms of creating a platform for integrating research findings into healthcare delivery and raising awareness of the need to take individual patient preferences into account. In terms of culture and medical practice, South Asian countries are different. This region has little understanding of evidence-based medicine. Evidence-based medications have been adopted in some parts of South Asia, according to multiple survey data, while it is yet unknown in others. Treatments for mobile phones are fast expanding, and a preliminary study indicates that South Asian countries could benefit from this technology as well. People can benefit from digital healthcare initiatives in a variety of ways, including improved skill-training opportunities in real-world situations, continual assistance from medical practitioners, and better drug management. Evidence-based medications will become more accessible and successful as a result of the combination of Evidence-based medications with mobile technologies. It will also allow for a timelier deployment of Evidence-based medications [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives: This study was conducted to find out knowledge, attitude and practice (KAP) of epilepsy among 12th-class students in Uttarakhand state. Secondly data of Uttarakhand was compared with KAP study from other parts of the country. Materials and Methods: All 12th- class students studying in six schools of randomly selected 36 villages in Chakrata block of Dehradun district of Uttarakhand state were provided a printed questionnaire having answer as "yes or no". This questionnaire used was used previously by various authors and validated for KAP analysis. These filled questionnaires were collected by village health workers and medical officer. Results: This study conducted on 219, 12th-class students revealed that epilepsy was heard by 98%, 74.9% thought epilepsy a mental disease and 4.8% believed that it is contagious. Negative attitude showed as nearly 2/3rd students stated that epilepsy is hindrance in marriage and occupation. Nearly 41% would use onion or shoe for terminating seizure attack. Ayurvedic treatment was preferred over allopathic drugs. Conclusions: Study on 12th-class students of Uttarakhand revealed poor knowledge, attitude and practice for epilepsy and needs special education program to dispel these misconceptions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Community-based studies of epilepsy in India have reported variable prevalence rates, 5-10/1000 population. Reasons for this wide variation in the prevalence rates are uncertain. Most of the earlier studies had not done appropriate investigations to establish the possible etiology. Aim: To study the prevalence and etiological profile of active epilepsy in the rural population of Uttarakhand. Material and Methods: In this rural community-based study in the state of Uttarakhand, a door-to-door survey was conducted using validated questionnaire. All the suspected cases of epilepsy were examined by a neurologist to confirm the diagnosis of epilepsy and all the confirmed cases underwent contrast computed tomography (CT) scan and electroencephalography (EEG). Epilepsy and epilepsy syndromes were classified using the classifications proposed by the International League Against Epilepsy. Results: Of the 14,086 population studied, 141 cases of active epilepsy were detected giving a crude prevalence rate of 1%. After clinical evaluation and scanning, 35 (24.8%) were found to have seizure disorder active neurocysticercosis (NCC) and 14 (9.9%) had remote symptomatic seizures related to calcified granuloma. After excluding acute and remote symptomatic cases related to NCC, prevalence rate of epilepsy was 6.5/1000. Conclusion: The study suggests that the region-specific prevalence rates of epilepsy in India are partly dependent on the prevalence of NCC in the given community. To some extent, this may be responsible for variable rates of epilepsy prevalence reported from different regions of the country. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The interaction of three potent antifilarial compounds (4C, 4F, and 3F) with filarial proteins thioredoxin, glutathione s-transferase and cyclophilin were investigated using molecular docking and density functional theory (DFT) studies. Molecular docking was performed using YASARA tool, Hex 8.0.0 Cuda tool and PatchDock server and docked complex were visualized by Discovery Studio 3.0. The predicted binding energy of antifilarial compounds 4C (−247.6, −243.8, −256.8 kcal mol−1), 4F (−242.6, −246.4, −232.4 kcal mol−1) and 3F (−272.4, −248.5, −277.7 kcal mol−1) with filarial protein 4FYU, 5D73, and 1A33, respectively. Docking results were strongly supported by molecular dynamics data and molecular mechanics-generalized born surface area (MM-GBSA) calculations. The optimized geometries of all three compounds were used for calculating the energies of the frontier molecular orbitals highest occupied molecular orbital (HOMO) and the lowest unoccupied molecular orbital (LUMO). The lowest HOMO–LUMO energy gap in compound 3F suggested that it is the most bioactive molecule among all these three compounds, which is in accordance with the docking results of these compounds. The interaction energies between ligand and protein are mainly due to hydrogen bonds, hydrophobic interactions, and van der Waals interactions which give the stability to the complex. The structural information and docking studies of different filarial proteins with antifilarials obtained from this study could aid in screening and designing new antifilarial or selective inhibitors for chemotherapy against filariasis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The commensal microbiome of humans has co-evolved for thousands of years. The microbiome regulates human health and is also linked to several diseases, including cancer. The advances in next-generation sequencing have significantly contributed to our understanding of the microbiome and its association with cancer and cancer therapy. Recent studies have highlighted a close relationship of the microbiome to the pharmacological effect of chemotherapy and immunotherapy. The chemo-drugs usually interfere with the host immune system and reduces the microbiome diversity inside the body, which in turn leads to decreased efficacy of these drugs. The human microbiome, specifically the gut microbiome, increases the potency of chemo-drugs through metabolism, enzymatic degradation, ecological differences, and immunomodulation. Recent research exploits the involvement of microbiome to shape the efficacy and decrease the toxicity of these chemo-drugs. In this review, we have highlighted the recent development in understanding the relationship of the human microbiome with cancer and also emphasize on various roles of the microbiome in the modulation of cancer therapy. Additionally, we also summarize the ongoing research focussed on the improved efficacy of chemotherapy and immunotherapy using the host microbiome. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A series of new bis-1,2,3-triazole linked ciprofloxacin conjugates was designed, synthesized and evaluated in vitro antibacterial activity against a panel of clinically relevant bacteria. A significant part of the compounds displayed enhanced activity against both Gram-positive and Gram-negative species of bacteria as compared to the parent drug. Additionally, negligible toxicity profile of compounds indicates that they may act a good antibiotic in future. Despite relatively small number of synthesized conjugates, it was possible to observe important dependences between their structure and activity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The present study was carried out in an attempt to synthesize a new class of antimicrobial and antiplasmodial agents by copper catalyzed click chemistry to afford 25 compounds 10–14(a – e) of 1,4-disubstituted-1,2,3-triazole derivatives of chalcones and flavones. The structures of the newly synthesized compounds were established by elemental analysis, IR, 1 H NMR, 13 C NMR and Mass spectral data. The newly synthesized compounds were evaluated for their antibacterial activity against Gram positive bacteria ( Staphylococcus aureus , Enterococcus faecalis ), Gram negative bacteria ( Escherichia coli , Pseudomonas aeruginosa , Shigella boydii , Klebsiella pneumoniae ) and antifungal activity against ( Candida albicans , Candida tropicalis , Candida parapsilosis , Cryptococcus neoformans , Dermatophyte ) as well as molds ( Aspergillus niger , Aspergillus fumigatus ). The antiplasmodial and cytotoxic activities of these compounds were also evaluated against human malaria parasite Plasmodium falciparum strain 3D7 and human hepato-cellular carcinoma cells (Huh-7), respectively. Compounds 10a , 10c , 10d , 12c and 14e showed promising antibacterial activity while compounds 10e , 11d , 11e , 12c , 13a , 13b , 13e , 14a and 14d showed good antifungal activity as compared to the corresponding standard drugs. Compound 10b was found to be the most active against Plasmodium falciparum while the remaining compounds showed moderate to weak antiplasmodial activity. However, cytotoxic activities of all compounds were found ineffective against Huh-7 cells. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

AuCl3 as well as Au nanoparticles are efficient catalysts for the synthesis of 5-substituted tetrazoles via [3 + 2]cycloaddition of sodium azides with various aromatic, heteroaromatic, and aliphatic nitriles. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The (4-acetylphenyl)amino 2,2-dimethylpropanoate ( 1) and (E)-1-(4-aminophenyl)-3-[4-(dimethylamino)phenyl]prop-2-en-1-one ( 2), were synthesized and characterized by elemental analysis, FT-IR, H NMR, CNMR and single crystal X-ray diffraction techniques. Both compounds 1 and 2 crystallized in orthorhombic crystal system with Pbca and P212121 space group respectively, having the unit cell parameters: a = 11.7220(12) Å, b = 14.4580(13) Å, c = 15.7853(12) Å, β = 90°, Volume = 2675.2(4) Å, Z = 8 for 1 and a = 6.1146(5) Å, b = 9.0567(8) Å, c = 26.079(3) Å, β = 90°, Volume = 1444.2(2) Å, Z = 4 for compound 2. The crystal structures of both compounds ( 1 and 2) are stabilized by N-H···O strong intermolecular hydrogen bonding forming C( 8) motifs. In compound 1, the molecules are linked by three C-H···O intramolecular H-bond forming S( 6) motifs. In compound 2, the molecules are linked by C-H···N intermolecular H-bond exhibiting C( 12) motif and C-H···O intramolecular H-bond leading to S( 5) motif. Crystallographic and vibrational data are compared with the results of density functional theory (DFT) method at the B3LYP/6-31G(d,p) level. The electronic (UV-vis) spectra was calculated by using the TD-DFT method and correlated with experimental spectra. Graphical Abstract: The crystal structure of compound 1, formed four motifs which are giving first-level graph set N: C( 8) S( 6) S( 6) S( 6) while compound 2, formed three motifs, giving first-level graph set N: C( 8) C( 12) S( 5) and second-level graph set N( a, b): C( 14). Crystallographic and vibrational (IR) data were compared with the results of density functional theory (DFT) method at the B3LYP/6-31G(d,p) level and electronic (UV-vis) spectra was calculated by using the TD-DFT method.[Figure not available: see fulltext.] [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: In an attempt to design and synthesize a new class of antimicrobials, dialkyne substituted 2-aminobenzothiazole was reacted with various substituted aryl azides to generate a small library of 20 compounds (3a–t) by click chemistry. Structures of the newly synthesized compounds were established on the basis of spectral data. These compounds were screened for their antibacterial activity against Gram+ bacteria (Staphylococcus aureus and Enterococcus faecalis), Gram− bacteria (Salmonella typhi, Escherichia coli, Klebsiella pneumoniae, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Shigella boydii) and antifungal activity against Candida tropicalis, Candida albicans, Candida krusei, Cryptococcus neoformans) as well as molds (Aspergillus niger, Aspergillus fumigatus). The compound 3e showed maximum potency against all Gram+/gram− bacterial strains with MIC value 3.12 μg/ml, which is two fold more active as compared to standard drug ciprofloxacin (MIC 6.25 μg/ml). However, all compounds were found ineffective against S. boydii (clinical isolate). Further, only one compound 3n was found to be the most active against all fungal strains with MIC value in the range of 1.56 μg/ml–12.5 μg/ml while the remaining compounds showed moderate to weak antifungal activity. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Fluoroquinolone analogs were synthesized by simple alkylation followed by click chemistry and evaluated for their antimalarial in vitro against chloroquine sensitive strain of Plasmodium falciparum while ciprofloxacin was used as standard. Our results showed that the compound 12 was found most active with IC50 value of 1.33 μg/mL while ciprofloxacin showed IC50 = 8.81 μg/mL. Therefore, screening of either known or unknown quinolone/fluoroquinolone analogs are worthwhile to find more potent antimalarial drugs which might prove useful in the treatment of mild or severe malaria in human either alone or in combination with existing antimalarial drugs. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

A Co-catalyst for the direct addition of nitromethane (II) to imines (I) furnishing 1,2-dihydroisoquinolines (III) is reported. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Quinolone derivative (I), obtained by a reported procedure, is alkylated at position 1 with normal and branched chain alkyl groups as well as some polar groups. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]