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In this work, sodium cobalt phosphate (NaCoPO4) was successfully prepared by a cost-effective ionothermal method using a deep eutectic solvent (DES) for the first time. The synthesized NaCoPO4 was used to fabricate a cathode material for aqueous rechargeable sodium-ion batteries. The surface morphology of the prepared materials and its compositional analysis were done by using field emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM) and energy-dispersive X-ray (EDX) analysis, respectively. The X-ray diffraction (XRD), SEM, and EDX studies revealed that the material has orthorhombic-shaped particle morphology with uniform distribution and is in nanoscale (approximately 50 nm). The nature of the cation inserted (Na+ ion insertion) was confirmed by recording CV profiles at different concentrations of the Na2SO4 electrolyte. The reversibility of the electrode redox reaction was studied by varying the scan rate in CV studies, and it was found that the electrode exhibits a reversible behavior with a resistive behavior. In GCPL studies, the cell TiO2/2MNa2SO4/NaCoPO4 showed significant reversibility with a prominent discharge capacity of 85 mAh g-1 at 0.1°C and 88% of capacity retention after 100 cycles. Thus, the prepared materials could be used as an effective futuristic alternative battery material for rechargeable batteries. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A novel series of benzimidazole hydrazone‐Schiff bases have been prepared through multi‐step reaction process and structurally confirmed by13C‐,1H‐NMR and HR‐MS (ESI) spectroscopic techniques and evaluated against prolyl oligopeptidase (POP) inhibitory activity. In the series, eleven derivatives 20, 14 15, 19, 10, 9, 11, 4, 5, 18, and 21 revealed excellent inhibition potential having IC50 values from (IC50=1.44±0.08 μM) to (IC50=5.66±0.48 μM). However, six out of twenty compounds 12, 16, 13, 17, 22, and 3 attributed significant activity while, three compounds were found good active in the range of IC50 values 10.43±0.57 to 11.45±0.63 μM. The docking studies indicates that the hydrazone moiety show an imperative part in binding with one of the catalytic residues (Arg643) in the substrate binding region of POP enzyme. The excellent inhibitions of these compounds for POP enzyme may lead them to be a good candidates for drug against neurodegenerative diseases. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

\nResearch highlightsThe study examines the impact of zinc ions on energy storage in solvothermal-synthesised graphene-zinc oxide nanocomposites. In recent years, there has been extensive research focus on graphene and metal oxides, particularly in heterostructures and composites. These materials have a broad range of applications, like energy storage. Faradaic processes were shown by the observation of redox peaks in the CV analysis of a three-electrode system. The estimated specific capacitances of graphene at scan rates of (1, 50, and 100) mVS−1 were (1250, 562.5, and 390.6) Fg−1. The G-ZnO (2 w%) and G-ZnO (3 w%) gave the specific capacitance of (1354, 750, and 520) Fg−1 and (1422, 818, and 568) Fg−1 at the same scan rates of 1, 50, and 100 mV/s. Applying a potential to the material reveals its pseudo-capacitive properties. The XRD results for G-ZnO (2 w%) and G-ZnO (3 w%) show diffraction peaks at 2θ = 20.56°, 32.95°, 40.69°, 47.41°, 59.02°, and 69.04°, which correspond to the diffraction planes 011, 100, 101, 102, 110, and 200, respectively. The study examines the impact of zinc ions on energy storage in solvothermal-synthesised graphene-zinc oxide nanocomposites.Faradaic processes were confirmed by the observation of redox peaks in the CV analysis of a three-electrode system.The estimation of specific capacitances of graphene was carried out at scan rates of (1, 50, and 100) mVS−1, and it yielded values of (1250, 562.5, and 390.6) Fg−1.The study examines the impact of zinc ions on energy storage in solvothermal-synthesised graphene-zinc oxide nanocomposites.Faradaic processes were confirmed by the observation of redox peaks in the CV analysis of a three-electrode system.The estimation of specific capacitances of graphene was carried out at scan rates of (1, 50, and 100) mVS−1, and it yielded values of (1250, 562.5, and 390.6) Fg−1. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The present study attempts to test Bremond’s model The Logic of Narrative Possibilities and the Actantial Model of Greimas through explicating the narrative structure of the novel, Old Man and the Sea. In this research, a mixed method along with comparative study is mad through the application of these models to narratives structure of the novel. The research explores that both these reductionist models, though use different terminology, investigate the same issues and structure of the story. Hence, they have a strong association. This comparative study of structure inquiry has been used for the first time in broaching the structure of Old Man and the Sea. This study affirms the universality of these models that can be applied to all forms of narrative fiction. Hence it is recommended for the researchers to carry out further study by applying them to the structures of other forms of narrative fiction, like short stories, visual narratives and paintings. Thus, the research shows a new vista for researchers to probe further. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The purpose of this article is to present some new nonlinear retarded integral inequalities which can be utilized to study the existence, stability, boundedness, uniqueness, and asymptotic behavior of solutions of nonlinear retarded integro-differential equations, and these inequalities can be used in the symmetrical properties of functions. These inequalities also generalize some former famous inequalities in the literature. Two examples as applications will be provided to demonstrate the strength of our inequalities in estimating the boundedness and global existence of the solution to initial value problems for nonlinear integro-differential equations and differential equations which can be seen in graphs. This research work will ensure opening new opportunities for studying nonlinear dynamic inequalities on a time-scale structure of a varying nature. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this paper, thermogravimetric analysis of different types/grades of polyvinyl chloride (PVC) wall panel is carried out using thermogravimetric analyzer. The data output from the analyzer is subjected to data analysis software i.e., OriginPro 2018, from which thermal attributes are find out for different grades of PVC wall panel i.e., soft PVC, hard PVC, WPVC and SPVC. The thermogravimetric attributes i.e., onset degradation temperature Ti, final degradation temperature Tf,, reaction interval and the peak temperature TP from the derivative thermogravimetric curve for the four basic types of PVC were comparatively analyzed for the characterization purpose. Beside the thermal characterization, the thermogravimetric analysis also disclosed the compositional attributes of the four types of PVC wall panel. The analysis in this paper characterized the SPVC as the most thermally stable PVC wall panel followed by hard, soft and WPVC.

PURPOSE We aimed to evaluate the efficacy and safety of use of the Fasting Algorithm for Singaporeans with Type 2 Diabetes (FAST) during Ramadan. METHODS We performed a prospective, multicenter, randomized controlled trial. The inclusion criteria were age [greater than or equal to] 21 years, baseline glycated hemoglobin ([HbA.sub.1c]) level [less than or equal to] 9.5%, and intention to fast for [greater than or equal to]10 days during Ramadan. Exclusion criteria included baseline estimated glomerular filtration rate RESULTS A total of 97 participants were randomized (intervention: n = 46, control: n = 51). The HbA1c improvement during Ramadan was 4 times greater in the intervention group (-0.4%) than in the control group (-0.1%) (P = .049). The mean fasting blood glucose level decreased in the intervention group (-3.6 mg/ dL) and increased in the control group (+20.9 mg/dL) (P = .034). The mean postprandial glucose level showed greater improvement in the intervention group (-16.4 mg/dL) compared to the control group (-2.3 mg/dL). There were more minor hypoglycemic events based on self-monitered blood glucose readings in the control group (intervention: 4, control: 6; P = .744). Glycemic variability was not significantly different between the 2 groups (P = .284). No between-group differences in diabetes distress were observed (P = .479). CONCLUSIONS Our findings emphasize the importance of efficacious, safe, and culturally tailored epistemic tools for diabetes management. Key words: algorithm; diabetes distress; efficacy; fasting blood glucose; HbA1c; Muslims; postprandial glucose; Ramadan; safety, INTRODUCTION The philosophy of patient empowerment has transformed diabetes care toward a patient-centric model, supporting individuals to be well-informed decision makers responsible for their own health care. Owing to the [...]