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The present work reports the solution combustion synthesis of negatively charged cobalt oxide nanoparticles (CONPs) using glycine as a fuel. The morphology, composition, crystallinity, and surface characteristics of synthesized CONPs were confirmed. The particles were oval in shape with an average size of 10 ± 2 nm and negatively charged functional groups (C-H and N = N = N) on their surface. Batch experiments were performed to estimate the optimum values of parameter to estimate the maximum Cu(II) adsorption of CONPs, which was found to be 523 ± 12.72 mg g−1. The acid treatment achieved regeneration of loaded CONPs, and their sustainability was checked by performing adsorption–desorption experiments up to 4 cycles. The obtained results showed only a 14.4% reduction in adsorption capacity up to 4 cycles. Further, the diversified application of CONPs was examined by exposing them to synthetically prepared textile industry effluent containing multiple metal ions. The batch study data were fitted to various isotherm and kinetic models to understand the adsorption kinetics. The possible mechanism for the adsorption of Cu(II) onto CONPs has also been discussed. The antimicrobial assay results advocated that the disposal of CONPs is harmless to the ecosystem. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Mg0.5−xZnxCo0.5Fe2O4 with ferrites were substituted with Zn2+ with concentrations x = 0.0, 0.05, 0.1, 0.15, 0.2, and 0.25 prepared from a sol–gel auto-combustion method. The impact of Zn2+ ion substitution on morphological, structural, DC electrical resistivity, and magnetic characteristics was examined. The diffraction analysis with X-ray reveals that the prepared ferrites are spinel with a single-phase face-centred cubic structure. The cubic crystal structure samples’ values for the crystallite size (42 to 25 nm) and lattice constant (8.386 to 8.425 Å) increased as the concentration increased. Field-effect scanning electron microscopy revealed the ferrite samples’ polycrystalline structures and spherical morphologies. Using FESEM micrographs, the average grain size was between 56.4 and 85.7 nm. Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy was used to identify two different peaks that emerged at around 585–592 cm−1 and 401–405 cm−1. These peaks revealed information on the functional groups of the sample chemicals. Temperature-dependent DC electrical resistivity shows the semiconductors’ nature samples. The vibrating sample magnetometer analysis shows that the ferrites are soft ferrimagnetic. The saturation magnetisation was increased (60.45 to 85.04 emu/g), and coercivity was decreased (356.46 to 620.59 Oe) when the concentration was increased. The study unveiled tuned values of the physical characteristics, thereby highlighting potential applications in recent technologies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aim: Health-related behaviors during adolescence lay the foundation of health status during later life. Most of the studies on health behaviors among adolescents in India have a focus on adolescent girls. India has 133 million adolescent boys; it is important to understand patterns and determinants of physical inactivity and poor dietary intake among them. Method: We analyze levels and patterns of physical activity and dietary habits using data from the 'Understanding Lives of the Adolescents and Young Adults (UDAYA)' Survey, 2016, from Bihar, one of the less developed states in India. The analysis was carried out using data collected from 2004 adolescent boys aged 14–19 years covering 33,900 households. Multivariate logistic regression analysis was used to examine the effect of predictor variables on physical activity and dietary habits. Results: Most adolescent boys (71%) engaged in physical activities during the one month before the survey. Fifteen percent did not engage in physical activity during the reference period and 13% never participated in such activities. One-fourth consumed three or more food groups and 6% did not daily consume any of the six selected food groups. Participants' age, place of residence, schooling status, and co-residence with siblings are strong predictors of physical activity. Place of residence, caste and economic status, household head's gender, schooling of household head, and number of siblings are factors identified as predictors of dietary habits. Conclusion: This study underscores the urgent need for steps to enhance participation in physical activities and to promote daily consumption of meals with adequate dietary diversity among adolescent boys. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The purpose of this study is to assess the burden and correlates of morbidity and other dimensions (perceived health and physical mobility) of the health status of older adults (defined as those aged 60 and above). We used data from the National Sample Survey (NSS) 71st round for understanding the health status of older adults in India. The NSS 71st round collected data from 65,932 households (36,480 in rural and 29,452 in urban areas). The present analysis is based on data related to 27,245 persons aged 60 and above living in the sample households. Overall, 30% of those aged 60 and above reported that they have morbidity, either chronic or acute. More than one-fifth (22%) rated their health status as poor while 8% are physically immobile. Forty-three percent of older adults have overall poor health status. Multivariate analysis reveals that age, religion, expenditure quintile are significantly associated with poor overall health of the older adults. Given the high proportion of poor overall health status among older adults and their increasing population size, this study indicates the need to strengthen healthcare services as well as the economic and social security programs directed at the welfare of older adults in the country. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

An increase proportion of elderly means additional national responsibility to meet the emerging challenges to ensure well-being. Family, kinship, and community which were the strong sources of social support and care for the elderly in India has become weaker in recent times. Eight of India's states are considered to be relatively socioeconomically backward, and are referred to as the Empowered Action Group (EAG) states, while rest of the states are demographically more advanced and many have achieved replacement level of fertility. The purpose of this paper is to compare the pattern of living arrangements and economic dependency among elderly in EAG and non-EAG states of India. Data from the National Sample Survey 71st round was used for analysis (N = 27,245). Results suggest that majority of the elderly co-resided both in EAG and non-EAG states. The major difference in living alone between EAG and non- EAG states is found according to religion, consumer expenditure quintile, and perceived health. Overall, 72% elderly are economically dependent on others. The differences between EAG and non-EAG states in economic dependency are considerable according to marital status, education, religion, and consumer expenditure quintile. Multivariate analysis revealed that the chances of living alone and economic dependency are higher in non-EAG states than EAG states. Number of surviving children, education, and consumer expenditure quintile are the significant predictors of living alone, while age, gender, and education significantly influence economic dependency. The findings call for making appropriate changes in policies and programmes to ensure social security and health of the elderly. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The application of metal matrix composite is growing in many fields as it possesses the advantage of lightweight. An attempt has been made to form aluminum-based metal matrix composite comprising aluminum (Al 3003) as matrix and titanium dioxide (TiO2) as reinforcement particle. Friction stir process was successfully applied as the stirring process to synthesize the formation of aluminum metal composite. An effort was made to review the effect of a different combination of reinforcement particle concerning weight % ratio with the matrix. Accordingly, five specimens were prepared by addition of TiO2 with wt% ratio as 0%, 1.5%, 3%, 4.5%, and 6.0%. Microstructure analysis on the characteristics behavior of composite using various techniques like field emission scanning electron microscope, X-ray diffraction, electron backscatter diffraction, and transmission electron microscopy was conducted and compared with the base alloy. Mechanical and tribological characteristics on nugget zone were evaluated by performing tests for impact strength, bending strength, and wear resistance. Mechanical and tribological behavior of composite is found to be beneficial as compared with the base alloy due to deformation followed by grain growth and grain refinement at elevated temperature as the result of continuous dynamic recrystallization in the plastic zone during stirring. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]