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We report a bismuth(III)triflate catalyzed novel, efficient and atom-economical one-pot three-component methodology for the synthesis of furo[3,2-c]-coumarins from arylglyoxals, 4-hydroxycoumarins and N-substituted anilines. When using N-methyl aniline, we have obtained both the furocoumarins and three-component adducts, whereas with N,N-dimethyl aniline and N,N-diethyl aniline, the reactions proceed well giving only the three-component adducts. Furthermore, these adducts upon treatment with BF3·OEt2 in toluene at 100 °C afforded the desired furo[3,2-c]-coumarins. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study investigates a novel property of lead chromate that enhances its effectiveness in degrading organic dye pollutants. This property arises from lead chromate's photocatalytic activity under visible light. Lead chromate samples were prepared using direct co-precipitation. Using the cationic dye New Fuchsine as a model molecule, the catalytic performance of these lead chromate compounds was investigated in order to evaluate their green catalytic activity. In order to assess the lead chromate degradation efficiency, the study looked at a number of experimental parameters, including the pH of the dye solution, contact time, lead chromate dosage, and initial concentration of New Fuchsine dye. Additionally, the study discusses potential mechanisms underlying the breakdown of New Fuchsine facilitated by lead chromate under visible light conditions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The total annual contribution of textile, material, and other industrial effluents is large in numbers and discharges into water bodies that are not biodegradable. Hence, there is a need for the disposal of dyestuff water effluents with financially savvy innovation. In this regard, photocatalytic degradation of Azure-A is considered a highly significant and acceptable procedure for organic dye decomposition. In the past few years, metal iodide has also received much attention due to its great decomposition efficiency as a photocatalyst to decompose different organic dyes. The present work investigates the comparative photocatalytic competence of synthesized metal bismuth iodides (MBI). The various operational parameters, such as the effect of the Azure-A concentration, the amount of photocatalyst, the pH of the experimental solution, and the intensity of light, were studied. The maximum degradation values for cobalt bismuth iodide were obtained. Photocatalysts were static and maintained significant degradation efficiency, ensuring their reusability. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Summary: The underwater acoustic sensor network is a fundamental source for ocean exploration. The potential applications of underwater acoustic sensor network (UASN) include seismic imaging, disaster prevention, mine reconnaissance, pollution monitoring, exploration of natural resources, and military surveillance. To acquire accurate results, implementing all applications of underwater sensor networks requires an adequate network connection and communication technology. The precise placement of underwater sensor nodes needs to be identified in order to achieve effective communication. To accomplish the requirement, the paper presents an efficient localization algorithm to compensate the stratification effect based on an improved underwater salp swarm optimization technique (LAS‐IUSSOT). To compute the location of sensor nodes with high accuracy, the nodes are initially randomly deployed in three‐dimensional underwater acoustic sensor network (3D‐UASN). After that, the hybridization of centroid‐based localization and the ray theory technique is used, and then, the degree of coplanarity is analyzed among the underwater sensor nodes. Then, the computation of the location of unknown nodes is performed using improved underwater salp swarm optimization technique (IUSSOT) to obtain the optimized location and compensate the impact of the stratification. The comparison of the simulation results of the existing algorithm and the proposed algorithm is performed. The LAS‐IUSSOT achieves 40.46% and 28.00% accuracy in terms of localization of underwater sensor nodes for both the sparse and dense regions in 3D‐UASN. The LAS‐IUSSOT achieves 49.39% and 62.57% accuracy in terms of ranging of underwater sensor nodes for both the sparse and dense regions in 3D‐UASN. Simulation results illustrate that the proposed algorithm outperforms the existing algorithm in terms of localization and ranging accuracy in both sparse and dense regions in 3D‐UASN, root mean square error (RMSE), normalized localization error (NLE), computation time, and convergence rate. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Hypertension is a major risk factor for cardiovascular disease, which is the leading cause of premature mortality and morbidity globally. Despite the evidences of the availability of effective treatment for hypertension, its management remains suboptimal. Medication adherence is the most crucial factor for blood pressure control. It is important to identify the factors associated with adherence to antihypertensive treatment for better management. Hence, this study assessed the level of antihypertensive medication adherence and its associated factors among patients with hypertension visiting a tertiary-level hospital in Kathmandu, Nepal. An analytical cross-sectional study was carried out among 308 diagnosed patients with hypertension who were prescribed antihypertensive medication. The Morisky Medication Adherence Scale (MMAS-8) was used to assess medication adherence. Data was collected through face-to-face interviews and analysed using SPSS v26. A bivariate and multivariate logistic regression model was used to assess the factors associated with low medication adherence. More than half (61%) of the study participants had moderate to high levels of medication adherence. Upon bivariate analysis, there was a significant association between presence of side effects, blood pressure status, forgetfulness, high cost, fear of taking medicine lifelong and irregular follow-up with a low level of adherence. Upon multivariate the logistic regression analysis, forgetfulness [Adjusted Odd's Ratio (AOR) 22.5, 95% Confidence Interval(CI) 10.56–47.86], high cost (AOR 3.8, 95%CI 1.25–11.60) and fear of taking medicines lifelong (AOR 6.04, 95%CI 2.96–12.33) were found to be associated factors of low level of adherence. There is an urgency to develop evidence-based strategies to improve the level of adherence to antihypertensive medications among patients with hypertension. Strategies like reminder messaging, setting alarms, expanding the scope of national health insurance and proper counselling to reduce fear could help to improve medication adherence. Hence, the feasibility and effectiveness of such intervention should be explored in future studies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study examines the relationship between gross domestic product, female labour participation, and fertility rate in a model that spans 157 countries from 1991 to 2018. It demonstrates cointegration or the existence of a long-run relationship among variables. Both short-run and long-run trends in gross domestic product and fertility rates have a significant impact on female labour participation, and this relationship is non-linear. The study finds a U-shaped relationship between female labour participation and gross domestic product, with fertility being one of the most important non-economic factors. Increased economic activity and lower fertility rates around the world have a real and positive impact on female labour participation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NAD) is a ubiquitous molecule found within all cells, acting as a crucial coenzyme in numerous metabolic reactions. It plays a vital role in energy metabolism, cellular signaling, and DNA repair. Notably, NAD levels decline naturally with age, and this decline is associated with the development of various age-related diseases. Despite this established link, current genome-scale metabolic models, which offer powerful tools for understanding cellular metabolism, do not account for the dynamic changes in NAD concentration. This impedes our understanding of a fluctuating NAD level's impact on cellular metabolism and its contribution to age-related pathologies. To bridge this gap in our knowledge, we have devised a novel method that integrates altered NAD concentration into genome-scale models of human metabolism. This approach allows us to accurately reflect the changes in fatty acid metabolism, glycolysis, and oxidative phosphorylation observed experimentally in an engineered human cell line with a compromised level of subcellular NAD. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This cross-sectional analysis examines the epidemiological profile and clinical characteristics of diagnosed silicosis patients admitted at TB & Chest Hospital, Badi, affiliated with R. N. T. Medical College in Udaipur, Rajasthan. The study analyzes a total of 63 cases, investigating the distribution of cases by age, occupation, history of tuberculosis (TB), smoking history, symptoms, duration of illness, and type of cases. The findings provide valuable insights into the demographic and clinical aspects of silicosis in the region, facilitating a better understanding of this occupational lung disease and informing preventive and management strategies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Progress in advanced electronics has initiated the investigation of new ways to develop and apply self‐powered smart devices. The concern for meteoric exhausting non‐renewable energy sources has spurred such endeavors. Even so, using external power sources like batteries is problematic due to limited capacity, maintenance inconvenience, replacement, and environmental hazards. Triboelectric nanogenerators (TENGs) capable of converting various forms of mechanical energies into electrical output are gaining popularity. The marine and coastal areas are abundant sources of salvable mechanical energy. TENGs can convert lower‐frequency, ununiform, multidirectional energies into usable electricity. This can solve the device‐powering problem and can generate diverse signals to act as monitoring or sensing platforms themselves. In this review, three main TENG‐based/TENG‐driven application themes are addressed, i.e., energy harvesting, marine environment monitoring, and self‐powered equipment for marine‐related activities. It attempts to emphasize that various design features of TENGs can influence output performance; TENGs can power devices and monitor ocean parameters; TENGs‐integrated modern IoT networking systems can transmit real‐time data. Overall, this review encompasses the fundamental working mechanisms, structure designs, and practical implementation scenarios of recently developed devices in diverse marine applications. Finally, the existing challenges and potential future directions for TENG‐based marine self‐powered electronic systems are discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Chemical synthesis and detection by using miniature devices have promising applications in different areas, including human life and environmental protection. With the accelerated growth and wide range of alternatives in these fields, the development of sustainable, dependable, and ubiquitous systems is essential. In this regard, a continuous, long-lasting, and renewable power supply is needed to keep the devices active, which is a key challenge for the successful development and dissemination of such systems. Triboelectric nanogenerators (TENGs) can provide suitable solutions to this critical problem through their self-powered capability. TENGs utilize the surrounding mechanical energies and convert them into usable electrical outputs to aid in synthesizing and detecting various inorganic and organic chemical compounds. This review comprehensively discusses the contribution and potential of TENGs in chemical synthesis and detection according to their design, fabrication, working principles, synthesis, and detection mechanisms. Furthermore, innovative materials and nanotechnology are reviewed to optimize chemical synthesis and detection performance efficiencies. Finally, the current limitations of TENGs for chemical synthesis and detection are discussed for potential future research directions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Thaipotamon chulabhorn (Mealy Crab) is a freshwater crab, listed as 'Least Concerned' in the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. Nonetheless, this crab is exclusively found in one small area of the Dun Lumpun Forest, Thailand, and currently faces high exposure to environmental changes. This study aims to investigate key dynamic factors that influence vulnerability to environmental changes of the Mealy Crab. The study was conducted between 15 March and 23 October 2016, covering the local summer until the end of the rainy season and being influenced by strong El Niño, thus suggesting drought episodes. This vulnerability assessment was carried out through crab population records from 1997 to 2016, field measurements/surveys, and interviews with experienced park rangers. The results revealed that drought is the major vulnerability factor that is threatening the population of the crabs and their livelihoods (7.96 out of 10), followed by an increased number of their natural enemies (7.41), variations in groundwater level (6.11), changes in groundwater quality (4.63), changes in forest soil (4.63) and human intervention (4.26). Since 1996, human intervention has been found to have a little direct impact on the crab population due to the restricted access to forest resources. The 2016 drought was accompanied by anomalously low rainfall and the early onset of the rainy season, contributing to an earlier and shorter mating period of the crabs. Nonetheless, a consistently increased number of the Mealy Crab population indicated that they are not significantly vulnerable to a larger number of their natural enemies, and even to the changes in groundwater and forest soil. In conclusion, the crab population was increasing along with changes in the habitat and climate and its growth cycle was unusual during the drought. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]