Search

Polyaniline-magnesia (PANI/MgO) composites with a fibrous nanostructure were synthesized via in situ oxidative polymerization, enabling uniform MgO integration into the polyaniline matrix. These composites were characterized using FTIR spectroscopy to analyze intermolecular bonding, XRD to assess crystallographic structure and phase purity, and SEM to examine surface morphology and topological features. The resulting PANI/MgO nanofibers were utilized to develop ammonia (NH 3 ) gas-sensing probes with evaluations conducted at room temperature. The study addresses the critical challenge of achieving high sensitivity and selectivity in ammonia detection at low concentrations, which is a problem that persists in many existing sensor technologies. The nanofibers demonstrated high selectivity and optimal sensitivity for ammonia detection, which was attributed to the synergistic effects between the polyaniline and MgO that enhance gas adsorption. Furthermore, the study revealed that the MgO content critically influences both the morphology and the sensing performance, with higher MgO concentrations improving sensor response. This work underscores the potential of PANI/MgO composites as efficient and selective ammonia sensors, highlighting the importance of MgO content in optimizing material properties for gas-sensing applications.

Fused isocoumarins are frequently found in several natural products and pharmaceuticals. Herein, a cascade annulation of 2-alkynylbenzoate-tethered cyclic 1,3-diones via sequential trans -oxypalladation, carbonyl insertion, 1,3-Pd shift, and β-hydride elimination is reported. This method provides efficient access to highly diastereoselective tetracyclic cyclopentene-fused isocoumarins containing two contiguous quaternary stereocenters. A plausible reaction mechanism is proposed on the basis of mechanistic studies, including deuterium labeling experiments. Studies toward enantioselective synthesis using a chiral Bpy ligand gave encouraging initial results.

Structural health monitoring (SHM) is crucial for maintaining concrete infrastructure. The data collected by these sensors are processed and analyzed using various analysis tools under different loadings and exposure to external conditions. Sensor-based investigation on concrete has been carried out for technologies used for designing structural health monitoring sensors. A Sensor-Infused Structural Analysis such as interfacial bond-slip model, corroded steel bar, fiber-optic sensors, carbon black and polypropylene fiber, concrete cracks, concrete carbonation, strain transfer model, and vibrational-based monitor. The compressive strength (CS) and split tensile strength (STS) values of the analyzed material fall within a range from 26 to 36 MPa and from 2 to 3 MPa, respectively. The material being studied has a range of flexural strength (FS) and density values that fall between 4.5 and 7 MPa and between 2250 and 2550 kg/m 3 . The average squared difference between the predicted and actual compressive strength values was found to be 4.405. With cement ratios of 0.3, 0.4, and 0.5, the shear strength value ranged from 4.4 to 5.6 MPa. The maximum shear strength was observed for a water-cement ratio of 0.4, with 5.5 MPa, followed by a water-cement ratio of 0.3, with 5 MPa. Optimizing the water-cement ratio achieves robust concrete (at 0.50), while a lower ratio may hinder strength (at 0.30). PZT sensors and stress-wave measurements aid in the precise structural monitoring, enhanced by steel fibers and carbon black, for improved sensitivity and mechanical properties. These findings incorporate a wide range of applications, including crack detection; strain and deformation analysis; and monitoring of temperature, moisture, and corrosion. This review pioneers sensor technology for concrete monitoring (Goal 9), urban safety (Goal 11), climate resilience (Goal 13), coastal preservation (Goal 14), and habitat protection (Goal 15) of the United Nations' Sustainable Development Goals.

A green catalyst WELPSA-catalyzed three-component condensation (Biginelli) process involving an aldehyde, barbituric/thiobarbituric/1,3-dimethylbarbituric acid, and urea/thiourea/guanidine hydrochloride in a single pot in presence of a green solvent for the production of DHPM have been presented. The catalyst is reusable and this methodology is scalable. By using the in vitro experiments, the antidiabetic potentiality of synthesized compounds that inhibit α-amylase along with α-glucosidase efficiencies was assessed. All the synthesized compounds except for 4a and 4e, showed the most significant inhibition for α-amylase and α-glucosidase activities. Among the synthesized DHPM compounds, 4c and 4b exhibited significant inhibition profiles compared to the standard antidiabetic drug acarbose. Furthermore, synthesized substances' energy-minimized structures, 3D structures, and DFT calculations were performed using Gaussian 09 software, hybrid models, and MM2 force approaches. Strong hydrogen bonds with amino acid residues Arg-672, Arg-600, Trp-613, Asp-404, Asp-282, and Asp-616 indicate that an α-glucosidase-inhibitory peptide may have hypoglycemic efficacy confirmed by the molecular docking study of the synthesized DHPM., Competing Interests: Declaration of competing interest The authors declare the following financial interests/personal relationships which may be considered as potential competing interests: We wish to confirm that there are no known conflicts of interest associated with this publication and this work is supported by CNMS, Jain (Deemed-to-be-University), Bangalore, India, with reference numbers JU/MRP/MRP/CNMS/2/2022., (Copyright © 2023. Published by Elsevier Inc.)

Averrhoa bilimbi leaf extract was successfully utilized as a reducing agent to synthesize silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) in the laboratory. The phytochemicals in the extract helped keep the silver nanoparticles stable and slowed them down. Different methods, such as UV-visible, FT-IR spectroscopies, XRD, and SEM analyses, were used to characterize the size, shape, and morphology of the nanoparticles, and the results showed that the synthesized nanoparticles were spherical and monodispersed. FTIR spectrum streaching vibrations shown stabillization of silver nanoparticles by green extract. On the other hand, these nanoparticles were labelled as Averrhoa bilimbi (AB) extract silver nanoparticles (AB-AgNPs). The biological synthesis process was proven to enhance the efficacy of the synthesized silver nanoparticles. The effectiveness of AB-AgNPs in fighting cancer could be enhanced specifically for lung cancer (A549 cell line) and breast cancer (MCF7 cell line) by optimizing the necessary conditions. The IC 50 value for A549 cells was 49.52 g mL -1 , while that for MCF7 cells was 78.40 g mL -1 . The effect of AgNPs on both cell lines was assessed using an MTT assay, which showed a dose-dependent cytotoxicity effect. The biosynthesized AB-AgNPs hold great potential as anticancer agents. Their synthesis using Averrhoa bilimbi leaf extract as a reducing agent was proven to be successful, resulting in spherical and monodispersed nanoparticles that exhibit effective cytotoxicity against cancer cells., Competing Interests: There are no conflicts to declare., (This journal is © The Royal Society of Chemistry.)

A Lantana camara leaf (LC) extract was used as a mild reducing agent to produce silver metal nanoparticles (LC-AgNPs) efficiently. The size, shape, and morphology of synthesized silver nanoparticles were verified. LC-AgNPs were found in LC extract by XRD. The optimal concentrations of silver nitrate and LC extract necessary for the production of stable silver nanoparticles were determined. The LC-AgNPs were found spherical in form and monodispersed. Under optimal conditions, the round LC-AgNPs of 50-90 nm were utilized to cure lung cancer (A549 cell line) and breast cancer (MCF7) cell lines. Finally, the produced LC-AgNPs enhanced anti-cancer efficacy against A549 cells, with an IC50 = 49.52 g/mL. Similarly, the effect of LC-AgNPs on MCF7 cell line was assessed using an MTT test and inhibitory concentration (IC50) was determined found that 46.67 g/mL., (© 2023. The Author(s), under exclusive licence to Islamic Azad University.)

An important deliberation of this current work is the impending applications of bivalent transition metals doped with nano ferrites and to study their emerging properties of magnetically active ferrites, which constitute oxides of iron (different conformers most demanding γ-Fe 2 O 3 ) and transition metal complexes of bivalent metal oxides like cobalt (Co(II)) and magnesium (Mg(II)). Fe 3+ ions occupy tetrahedral sites; the rest of Fe 3+ and the Co 2+ ions occupy octahedral sites. For the synthesis, a self-propagating method of combustion at lower temperature was used. Zinc and cobalt nano ferrites are synthesized from the chemical coprecipitation method of 20 to 90 nm in average size, characterized thoroughly employing FTIR and PXRD and surface morphology studied using SEM. These results explain the existence of ferrite nanoparticles in cubic spinel. Magnetically active metal oxide nanoparticles are now commonly employed in main studies of sensing, absorption, and other properties. All studies showed the interesting results., (© 2023. The Author(s), under exclusive licence to Springer-Verlag GmbH Germany, part of Springer Nature.)

Milk-processing industry effluent (MPIE) poses severe problems for aquatic and environmental systems, especially in the South Asian region. Therefore, its treatment is of great interest. This study deals with the investigation of chitosan titanium dioxide nanoadsorbent (CTiO 2 ) coated onto sand particles via calcination that are used to remove the emerging pollutants. The adsorptive properties of these developed adsorbents are compared with those of the nascent sand without coating as well as with the chitosan titanium dioxide nanoadsorbent coated sand (CTiO 2 -CS). Batch adsorption experiments were performed to investigate the percent reduction efficiency (%RE) of organic pollutants in terms of biological oxygen demand (BOD) and chemical oxygen demand (COD) from synthetic and real effluents. The maximum %RE of BOD (96.76) and COD (98.91) was achieved at 1.5 M dose of CTiO 2 -CS, 120 min of contact time, pH 6.5, an initial BOD concentration of 900 mg/L, and an agitation speed of 400 rpm. Similarly, the %RE of COD was found to be 86.75 for synthetic effluent and 90.97 for real effluent at initial COD concentrations of 8000 mg/L. Pseudo-second-order and Langmuir models are found to be the best fits for BOD and COD adsorption. The diffusion model suggests that surface adsorption as well as intraparticle diffusion contribute to the actual adsorption process. Regeneration experiments were performed for four cycles, and CTiO 2 -CS was found to be the most regenerable adsorbent material. The performance of the adsorbent was compared with previous studies, and it was found to have excellent adsorption capacity. As a result, the developed filter bed could be used as a promising superadsorbent for the removal of organic load in MPIE., (© 2022. The Author(s), under exclusive licence to Springer-Verlag GmbH Germany, part of Springer Nature.)

Phosphoinositide 3-kinase (PI3K) pathway mediates key signaling events downstream to B-cell receptor (BCR) for survival of mature B-cells, and overexpression or overactivation of PI3Kδ is crucial for B-cell malignancies such as diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL). Small molecule PI3Kδγ inhibitors, with a known potential to reduce activated B-cell (ABC)-DLBCL transformation, form an important class of therapeutics approved for follicular lymphoma (FL), chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL), small lymphocytic lymphoma (SLL). In this study, we describe discovery of a potent, selective and efficacious dual PI3Kδγ inhibitor, LL-00084282, having a differentiated efficacy profile in human ABC- and germinal center B-cell (GCB)-DLBCL cell lines. LL-00084282 displayed high potency and superior PI3Kδγ engagement with excellent selectivity over other PI3K isoforms at both IC 50/90 concentrations in biochemical and cell-based assays. In contrast to selective PI3Kδ inhibitors, LL-00084282 showed superior and potent anticancer activity in both ABC- and GCB-DLBCL cell lines. LL-00084282 demonstrated in-vivo efficacy in OCI-Ly10 and SU-DHL-6 xenografts with good tolerability. Furthermore, LL-00084282 inhibited pro-inflammatory cytokine secretion and reduced basophil activation in human PBMCs, showing potential implications in immunoinflammatory conditions. Good pharmacokinetic properties in higher species and desirable efficacy profile highlights potential of this novel PI3Kδγ inhibitor for further clinical evaluation in DLBCL patients., Competing Interests: Declaration of competing interest The authors declare the following financial interests/personal relationships which may be considered as potential competing interests: Manojkumar Ramprasad SHUKLA has patent #WO2016001855A1 issued to LUPIN LIMITED., (Copyright © 2022 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

Herein, we report a CuH-catalyzed asymmetric desymmetrization of prochiral cyclopentane-1,3-diones to access cyclic 3-hydroxy ketones having an all-carbon quaternary center with high diastereoselectivity via hydrosilylation using PMHS as an inexpensive hydride source. This reaction displays high functional group tolerance including reducible alkyne, alkene, and ester groups with a broad substrate scope. The importance of chiral cyclic 3-hydroxy ketone building blocks was also demonstrated through the synthesis of (-)-estrone, the toxicodenane E core, and fused indoles.

In this research, detection of trimethoprim (TMP) was carried out using a nanostructured zinc oxide nanoparticle-modified carbon paste electrode (ZnO/CPE) with an anionic surfactant and sodium dodecyl sulphate (SDS) with the help of voltametric techniques. The electrochemical nature of TMP was studied in 0.2 M pH 3.0 phosphate-buffer solution (PBS). The developed electrode displayed the highest peak current compared to nascent CPE. Effects of variation in different parameters, such as pH, immersion time, scan rate, and concentration, were investigated. The electrode process of TMP was irreversible and diffusion controlled with two electrons transferred. The effective concentration range (8.0 × 10 -7 M-1.0 × 10 -5 M) of TMP was obtained by varying the concentration with a lower limit of detection obtained to be 2.58 × 10 -8 M. In addition, this approach was effectively employed in the detection of TMP in pharmaceutical dosages and samples of urine with the excellent recovery data, suggesting the potency of the developed electrode in clinical and pharmaceutical sample analysis.

Geopolymer is the alternative to current construction material trends. In this paper, an attempt is made to produce a sustainable construction composite material using geopolymer. Ground granulated blast furnace slag (GGBS)-based geopolymer concrete was prepared and tested for different alkaline to binder ratios (A/B). The effect of various temperatures on compressive strength properties was assessed. The cubes were exposed to temperature ranging from 50 to 70 °C for a duration ranging from 2 to 10 h, and the compressive strength of the specimens was analyzed for destructive and non-destructive analysis and tested for 7, 28, and 90 days. The obtained compressive strength (CS) results were analyzed employing the probability plot (PP) curve, distribution overview curve (DOC), probability density function (PDF), Weibull, survival, and hazard function curve. Maximum compressive strength was achieved for the temperature of 70 °C and an A/B of 0.45 for destructive tests and non-destructive tests with 44.6 MPa and 43.56 MPa, respectively, on 90 days of testing. The survival and hazard function curves showed incremental distribution characteristics for 28 and 90 days of testing results with a probability factor ranging from 0.8 to 1.0.

The electrochemical analysis of theophylline (THP) was investigated by fabricating a carbon paste electrode (CPE) modified with graphene oxide (GO) along with copper oxide (CuO) nanoparticles (CuO-GO/CPE). The impact of electro-kinetic parameters such as the heterogeneous rate constant, the scan rate, the accumulation time, the pH, the transfer coefficient, and the number of electrons and protons transferred into the electro-oxidation mechanism of THP has been studied utilizing electrochemical methods such as cyclic voltammetry (CV) and differential pulse voltammetry (DPV). The differential pulse voltammetry technique was employed to investigate THP in pharmaceutical and biological samples, confirming the limit of detection (LOD) and quantification (LOQ) of the THP. X-ray diffraction (XRD) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) analysis were performed to characterize the CuO nanoparticles. The CuO-GO/CPE was more sensitive in THP detection because its electrocatalytic characteristics displayed an enhanced peak current in the 0.2 M supporting electrolyte of pH 6.0, proving the excellent sensing functioning of the modified electrode.

This study investigates the effects of red mud on the performance of geopolymer concrete in regard to fresh and mechanical properties. Red mud was used as a binder, and GGBS replaced the binder. Different proportions of red mud ranging from 0 to 30% with an interval of 2% and activator agents such as KOH and K 2 SiO 3 for various alkaline-to-binder ratios such as 0.30, 0.40, and 0.50 were used; their effect on the fresh and mechanical properties of geopolymer concrete were the focusing parameter on the current study. Fresh properties such as setting time, slump, compaction factor, and vee-bee consistometer test, and mechanical properties such as compressive strength, split tensile strength, flexural strength, modulus of elasticity, and impact energy were studied. ANOVA and radar plot analysis were studied for various alkaline to binder (A/B) compressive strength results tested for 7 to 90 days. The increase of red mud quantity caused the decline of workability, but there was continuous enhancement of mechanical properties of GPC up to a specific limit. An alkaline-to-binder ratio of 0.4 shows excellent results compared with other ratios at ambient conditions for strength properties. ANOVA and radar plot reveal that A/B of 0.40 for 90 days shows excellent results compared with other ratios, and CS values vary in a linear manner.

The main objective of this review is to study some important nanomaterials and their impact on the performance of geopolymer concrete. This paper is an investigation into trends and technology in the development of different nanomaterials to develop higher structural performance geopolymer concrete. The effect of the alkaline to binder and sodium silicate to sodium hydroxide ratio on the performances of geopolymer performances is studied. The relationship between setting time and slump is evaluated through the ternary plot, the variation in compressive strength values is evaluated using the kernel density plot, and the relationship between split tensile and flexural strength is investigated using the scattering interval plot. Regression analysis is carried out among water absorption and bulk-density result values obtained from previous literature. As the molarity and alkaline to binder (A/B) ratios increase, the strength development of geopolymer concrete increases up to a specific limit. The addition of a small quantity of nanomaterials, namely, nano silica, nano alumina, carbon nano tubes, and nano clay, led to the maximum strength development of geopolymer concrete. Incorporating these nanomaterials into the geopolymer significantly refines the structural stability, improving its durability. The various products in GP composites emerging from the incorporation of highly reactive SEM, XRD, and FTIR analysis of nanomaterials reveal that the presence of nanomaterials, which enhances the rate of polymerization, leads to better performance of the geopolymer.

Industrial waste such as Ground Granulated Blast-Furnace Slag (GGBS) and Granite Waste Powder (GWP) is available in huge quantities in several states of India. These ingredients have no recognized application and are usually shed in landfills. This process and these materials are sources of severe environmental pollution. This industrial waste has been utilized as a binder for geopolymers, which is our primary focus. This paper presents the investigation of the optimum percentage of granite waste powder as a binder, specifically, the effect of molar and alkaline to binder (A/B) ratio on the mechanical properties of geopolymer concrete (GPC). Additionally, this study involves the use of admixture SP-340 for better performance of workability. Current work focuses on investigating the effect of a change in molarity that results in strength development in geopolymer concrete. The limits for the present work were: GGBS partially replaced by GWP up to 30%; molar ranging from 12 to 18 with the interval of 2 M; and A/B ratio of 0.30. For 16 M of GPC, a maximum slump was observed for GWP with 60 mm compared to other molar concentration. For 16 M of GPC, a maximum compressive strength (CS) was observed for GWP with 20%, of 33.95 MPa. For 16 M of GPC, a maximum STS was observed for GWP, with 20%, of 3.15 MPa. For 16 M of GPC, a maximum FS was observed for GWP, with 20%, of 4.79 MPa. Geopolymer concrete has better strength properties than conventional concrete. GPC is $13.70 costlier than conventional concrete per cubic meter.

One-pot sequential p-hydroxybenzylation/oxidative dearomatization/spiroannulation has been designed for the efficient construction of tetrahydrofuran containing spiro-cyclohexadienones. This reaction proceeds through the p-hydroxybenzylation of 1,3-diketones with p-hydroxybenzyl alcohol via quinone methide formation followed by oxidative dearomatization/spiroannulation with suitable alcohols. The Friedel-Crafts alkylation of spiro[4.5]cyclohexadienones with indoles provided a broad array of highly diastereoselective C-3 alkylated spirocycles and cyclohepta[b]indoles depending upon the ring size of the fused cyclic ketones.

α7 nicotinic acetylcholine receptor (α7 nAChR) is an extensively validated target for several neurological and psychiatric conditions namely, dementia and schizophrenia, owing to its vital roles in cognition and sensorimotor gating. Positive allosteric modulation (PAM) of α7 nAChR represents an innovative approach to amplify endogenous cholinergic signaling in a temporally restricted manner in learning and memory centers of brain. α7 nAChR PAMs are anticipated to side-step burgeoning issues observed with several clinical-stage orthosteric α7 nAChR agonists, related to selectivity, tolerance/tachyphylaxis, thus providing a novel dimension in therapeutic strategy and pharmacology of α7 nAChR ion-channel. Here we describe a novel α7 nAChR PAM, LL-00066471, which potently amplified agonist-induced Ca 2+ fluxes in neuronal IMR-32 neuroblastoma cells in a α-bungarotoxin (α-BTX) sensitive manner. LL-00066471 showed excellent oral bioavailability across species (mouse, rat and dog), low clearance and good brain penetration (B/P ratio > 1). In vivo, LL-00066471 robustly attenuated cognitive deficits in both procognitive and antiamnesic paradigms of short-term episodic and recognition memory in novel object recognition task (NORT) and social recognition task (SRT), respectively. Additionally, LL-00066471 mitigated apomorphine-induced sensorimotor gating deficits in acoustic startle reflex (ASR) and enhanced antipsychotic efficacy of olanzapine in conditioned avoidance response (CAR) task. Further, LL-00066471 corrected redox-imbalances and reduced cortico-striatal infarcts in stroke model. These finding together suggest that LL-00066471 has potential to symptomatically alleviate cognitive deficits associated with dementias, attenuate sensorimotor gating deficits in schizophrenia and correct redox-imbalances in cerebrovascular disorders. Therefore, LL-00066471 presents potential for management of cognitive impairments associated with neurological and psychiatric conditions., (Copyright © 2020 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.)

A Rh(i)-catalyzed highly stereoselective desymmetrization of 2-alkynylbenzaldehyde-tethered cyclohexadienones triggered by intramolecular Huisgen-type [3 + 2] cycloaddition has been developed. This method enables convergent construction of complex epoxy-bridged polycyclic ring systems with five contiguous stereocenters with excellent exo -selectivity and broad substrate scope. The highly atom-economical process involves 6- endo -dig cyclization of carbonyl oxygen onto an activated alkyne resulting in a highly reactive metal-benzopyrylium intermediate, which readily undergoes intramolecular [3 + 2] annulation/hydration. Asymmetric induction is also achieved for the first time in Rh(i)-catalyzed 1,3-dipolar cycloaddition using an easily accessible chiral diene as the ligand., Competing Interests: There are no conflicts to declare., (This journal is © The Royal Society of Chemistry.)

Objectives: The present study aimed to evaluate maternal and fetal outcomes in patients who underwent percutaneous balloon mitral valvuloplasty (PBMV) during antenatal care., Methods: Analysis of 117 pregnant women who underwent PBMV for rheumatic mitral stenosis. Demographic, clinical, echocardiographic, hemodynamic, and Doppler examinations were performed. The pregnant women were stratified according to New York Heart Association classification. Apgar scores were recorded at 1, 5, and 10 minutes to assess the neonatal outcomes., Results: In our study cohort, 74.36% underwent PBMV during their second trimester, at gestational age of 22.49 ± 5.82. Term birth, mode of delivery, birth weight, and Apgar score at 5 minutes were significantly associated with pregnancy and neonatal outcomes. Mitral valve area, mitral valve gradient, and pulmonary artery systolic pressure were significantly improved (P<.001) after PBMV. Pulmonary edema, medical termination of pregnancy, hypothyroidism, hepatitis B infection, pneumonia, and postprocedural delivery, as well as postprocedure severe mitral regurgitation requiring surgery in 2 patients, were the few complications observed. Mean fluoroscopy time was 4 minutes, 50 seconds, with 100% success rate. No maternal mortality was observed., Conclusion: PBMV is a safe and effective intervention for mitral stenosis in pregnant women, with favorable maternal and short-term neonatal outcomes. PBMV offers excellent results in terms of symptomatic relief, hemodynamic improvement, and 100% success rate. Hence, it could be regarded as a preferred choice of intervention in managing symptomatic moderate to severe rheumatic mitral stenosis in pregnant women.

Groundwater quality analysis has become essentially important in the present world scenario. In recent years, advanced technologies have replaced the traditional ones which are being helpful in simplifying the complex works. In this study, multivariate statistical analysis is carried out with the help of SPSS software for 45 groundwater samples of Kanavi Halla Sub-Basin (KHSB). The quality of groundwater is determined for various parameters which were analyzed and their concentration is correlated with other parameters using correlation matrix. The PCA technique is applied on water quality parameters, from which four components are extracted with 80.28% total variance. The extracted components suggest that the sources behind the higher loadings of each factor are by geological, agricultural, rainfall, domestic wastewater and industrial activities. Results of the Kaiser-Meyer-Olkin and Bartlett's test conducted have value of 0.659 which is greater than the standard value (0.5). Based on water quality index (WQI), it was noticeably depicted that 2/3rd of the KHSB groundwater quality falls under poor to very poor condition, and hardly 26% of groundwater available is portable. Thus, this study contributes the effective use of multivariate statistics and WQI analysis for groundwater quality. It helps in understanding the hydro-geochemistry of the groundwater and also aids in minimizing the larger set of data into smaller set with effective interpretation.

A simple one-step chemical method is employed for the successful synthesis of CuO(50%)-ZnO(50%) nanocomposites (NCs) and investigation of their gas sensing properties. The X-ray diffraction studies revealed that these CuO-ZnO NCs display a hexagonal wurtzite-type crystal structure. The average width of 50-100 nm and length of 200-600 nm of the NCs were confirmed by transmission electron microscopic images, and the 1:1 proportion of Cu and Zn composition was confirmed by energy-dispersive spectra, i.e., CuO(50%)-ZnO(50%) NC studies. The CuO(50%)-ZnO(50%) NCs exhibit superior gas sensing performance with outstanding selectivity toward NO 2 gas at a working temperature of 200 °C. Moreover, these NCs were used for the indirect evaluation of NO 2 via electrochemical detection of NO 2 - (as NO 2 converts into NO 2 - once it reacts with moisture, resulting into acid rain, i.e., indirect evaluation of NO 2 ). As compared with other known modified electrodes, CuO(50%)-ZnO(50%) NCs show an apparent oxidation of NO 2 - with a larger peak current for a wider linear range of nitrite concentration from 20 to 100 mM. We thus demonstrate that the as-synthesized CuO(50%)-ZnO(50%) NCs act as a promising low-cost NO 2 sensor and further confirm their potential toward tunable gas sensors (electrochemical and solid state) (Scheme 1)., Competing Interests: The authors declare no competing financial interest., (Copyright © 2019 American Chemical Society.)

Background: Research on the association between androgenetic alopecia (AGA) and coronary artery disease (CAD) in women, with a focus on the evaluation of their angiographic association in the form of the severity of disease, has been lacking., Aim: The study aimed to evaluate the relation between CAD and AGA in women and to study their severity., Methods: This study, carried out with 438 women within 55 years of age and admitted for coronary angiography, had the case group (participants with CAD; n = 219) and control group (those without CAD; n = 219). The clinical and paraclinical data were collected after clinical history, physical examination, and review of the patients' records (family, past, and personal history of the participants). The coronary risk profiles such as diabetes mellitus, blood pressure, and serum cholesterol level were also noted, and the diagnosis of AGA was performed, and participants were grouped using the Ludwig's baldness grading system. Statistical analysis was performed by studying association between the variable using the Chi-square test (R i386.3.5.1 software)., Results: In the study group, 74 (33.79%) participants were treadmill test positive, 55 (25.11%) had unstable angina, 40 (18.26%) had ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI), and 50 (22.83%) had non-ST-STEMI (NSTEMI). In the case group, Grade II female AGA was evidenced in 38 (43.18%) participants, whereas Grade III was present in 30 (34.09%) participants. Further on, 27 patients with triple vessel disease had Grade III female AGA. Whereas, in the control group, Grade I female AGA was evidenced in 23 (65.71%) participants., Conclusion: The hypothesis that female pattern baldness is a marker for increased risk of CAD events has been studied and established as part of the present study. Further, extensive studies on the effect of other variables with a larger sample size need to be conducted., Competing Interests: There are no conflicts of interest., (Copyright: © 2020 International Journal of Trichology.)

Copper oxide (CuO) nanoplates (NPs of ∼100 nm width) were successfully synthesized via a chemical method (emulsion method). Superior catalytic activities towards both chemical and electrochemical sensing of nitrite were achieved., Competing Interests: There are no conflicts to declare., (This journal is © The Royal Society of Chemistry.)

Herein, we focused on the one pot synthesis of ZnO nanoplates (NP edge thickness of ∼100 nm) using a chemical emulsion approach for chemical (direct) and electrochemical (indirect) determination of NO 2 . The structural and morphological elucidation of the as-synthesized ZnO NPs was carried out by X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), energy dispersive analysis of X-ray (EDAX), thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) and BET-surface area measurements. The XRD studies of the as-synthesised NPs reveal that ZnO NPs have a Wurtzite type crystal structure with a crystallite size of ∼100 nm. Such ZnO NPs were found to be highly sensitive to NO 2 gas at an operating temperature of 200 °C. Electrocatalytic abilities of these ZnO NPs towards NO 2 /NO 2 - were verified through cyclic voltammetry (CV) and linear sweep voltammetry (LSV) using aqueous 1 mM NO 2 - (nitrite) in phosphate buffer (pH 7) solution. The results revealed enhanced activity at an onset potential of 0.60 V vs. RCE, achieved at a current density of 0.14 mA cm -2 . These ZnO NPs show selective NO 2 detection in the presence of other reactive species including CO, SO 2 , CH 3 OH and Cl 2 . These obtained results show that this chemical route is a low cost and promising method for ZnO NPs synthesis and recommend further exploration into its applicability towards tunable electrochemical as well as solid state gas sensing of other toxic gases., Competing Interests: There are no conflicts to declare., (This journal is © The Royal Society of Chemistry.)

In the present investigation, we have fabricated copper oxide (CuO) thin film memristor by employing a hydrothermal method for neuromorphic application. The X-ray diffraction pattern confirms the films are polycrystalline in nature with the monoclinic crystal structure. The developed devices show analog memory and synaptic property similar to biological neuron. The size dependent synaptic behavior is investigated for as-prepared and annealed CuO memristor. The results suggested that the magnitude of synaptic weights and resistive switching voltages are dependent on the thickness of the active layer. Synaptic weights are improved in the case of the as-prepared device whereas they are inferior for annealed CuO memristor. The rectifying property similar to a biological neuron is observed only for the as-prepared device, which suggested that as-prepared devices have better computational and learning capabilities than annealed CuO memristor. Moreover, the retention loss of the CuO memristor is in good agreement with the forgetting curve of human memory. The results suggested that hydrothermally grown CuO thin film memristor is a potential candidate for the neuromorphic device development.

Nanostructured tin oxide (SnO 2 ) films are synthesized using physical method i.e. thermal evaporation and are further characterized with X-ray diffraction, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, scanning electron microscopy, transmission electron microscopy, and atomic force microscopy measurement techniques for confirming its structure and morphology. The chemiresistive properties of SnO 2 films are studied towards different oxidizing and reducing gases where these films have demonstrated considerable selectivity towards oxidizing nitrogen dioxide (NO 2 ) gas with a maximum response of 403% to 100ppm @200°C, and fast response and recovery times of 4s and 210s, respectively, than other test gases. In addition, SnO 2 films are enabling to detect as low as 1ppm NO 2 gas concentration @200°C with 23% response enhancement. Chemiresistive performances of SnO 2 films are carried out in the range of 1-100ppm and reported. Finally, plausible adsorption and desorption reaction mechanism of NO 2 gas molecules with SnO 2 film surface has been thoroughly discussed by means of an impedance spectroscopy analysis., (Copyright © 2017 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

Nodule-type polyaniline (PAni) has been successfully electrosynthesized onto conducting substrate and envisaged in electrochemical supercapacitor (ES) application as a potential energy storage electrode. Various bands are confirmed from the X-ray photoelectron and Fourier transform infrared spectra. Each nodule is of ∼100-200nminlength and 20-80nmindiameter. The ∼45° surface water contact angle with water of PAni surface can be beneficial for accessing an entire electrode area with minimum interfacial resistance loss when is in contact with the aqueous electrolyte for ES application. The PAni nodule-type electrode when electrochemically characterized using cyclic-voltammetry and galvanostatic charge-discharge measurements has demonstrated a specific capacitance of ∼508Fg -1 , a specific energy of 32.12Whkg -1 , a specific power of 13.39kWkg -1 and a Coulombic efficiency of 100% in 1MH 2 SO 4 electrolyte solution. An occurrence of 70% retention of initial capacity even after 5000 cycles is supporting for energy-storage application. Two separate redox reaction behaviors are confirmed in the discharge measurement., (Copyright © 2016 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

Delphinium L. is a genus of more than 300 species of perennial flowering plants belonging to the family Ranunculaceae and is native throughout the Northern Hemisphere. In India, 24 species are found mainly in the Himalayan regions. Delphinium malabaricum (Huth) Munz is the only species of the genus endemic to northern Western Ghats. Its mediumsized violet-to-metallic blue spurred flowers have considerable ornamental value as a floriculture crop (3). There is no report of serious diseases of this genus in India. Since 2008, a severe foliar disease was observed each year on D. malabaricum cultivated on the experimental plots located at Shivaji University, Kolhapur, India. Symptoms were small, necrotic spots on the abaxial and adaxial sides of infected leaves, with spots enlarging to form round areas that were 6 to 9 mm in diameter and well defined by a dark black margin. Severely infected leaves wilted without abscising. No symptoms were observed on other plant parts. From infected leaves, a fungus was isolated on Czapek Dox agar (CDA) amended with 25 mg/liter of streptomycin sulfate. The fungus was grown on CDA and cultures were maintained at 4°C for further studies. After 6 days, black pycnidia developed, which were variable in size, releasing abundant hyaline, elliptical conidia measuring from 3 to 4 × 1.5 to 2 μm. On the basis of cultural and morphological characteristics, the fungus was identified as Phoma costarricensis (1,2). The identification was verified by sequencing a region of 28S ribosomal RNA with the geneOmbio LSU gene sequencing primers and ABI BigDye Terminator v3.1 Cycle Sequencing Reaction Kit (Applied Biosystems, Carlsbad, CA). The sequence was deposited as Accession No. HE608244 in EMBL-Bank. Blast analysis of the sequence obtained showed a 99% homology with several isolates of P. costarricensis in the GenBank database (Accession No. GU238058.1). Pathogenicity tests were performed by spraying leaves of 10 healthy plants with spores (~10,000 spores or mycelial fragments per ml) on the abaxial and adaxial surface of leaves. Noninoculated plants served as control. Symptoms identical to those on field samples developed on all inoculated plants 1 week after inoculation but controls remained asymptomatic during the observation period. P. costarricensis was reisolated from inoculated symptomatic plants and the identity was confirmed, which completed Koch's postulates. This experiment was repeated three times in a greenhouse, confirming the pathogenicity of P. costarricensis on D. malabaricum. P. ajacis (Thum.) Aa & Boerema, P. delphinii (Rabenh.) Cooke, P. aquilegiicola M. Petrov, and P. xanthina Sacc. are reported to cause leaf spot and stem rot in Delphinium spp. (1). However, to our knowledge, there are no previous reports of leaf spot of D. malabaricum caused by P. costarricensis. Leaf spot severity induced premature defoliation, leading to reduction in flower setting and ultimately the yield. The disease could lead to an economic crisis in the farmer community of western India. The only other known host of P. costarricensis is Coffea arabica (2). References: (1) G. H. Boerema et al. Phoma Identification Manual. CABI Publishing, Wallingford, UK and Cambridge, MA, 2004. (2) E. Echandi. Rev. Biol. Trop. 5:83, 1957. (3) S. R. Pai et al. Cytologia 72:319, 2007.

Zingiber officinale Rosc., belonging to the Zingiberaceae family, is medicinally important. It is commonly known as ginger and has been extensively cultivated for many centuries for use as a spice and traditional medicine in India. During a survey in September of 2007, leaves of Z. officinale showed a necrotic leaf spot disease on a plant growing in Kolhapur, India. Symptoms of the disease appeared as small (10 to 15 mm), rectangular to irregular, yellow spots on the leaves that covered a major area of the leaf when severe. The infection caused defoliation. Symptomatic leaves were collected and isolations from infected leaves were made on Czapek's Dox agar supplemented with streptomycin sulfate (30 mg/l). Plates were incubated at 28 to 30°C for 6 to 7 days. The fungal colonies were colorless to pale on the reverse side and covered with a dense layer of dark brown-to-black conidial heads. Conidia were globose to subglobose (3.5 to 5.0 μm in diameter), dark brown to black, and rough walled. 16S rRNA of isolates was amplified and sequenced (EMBL Accession No. AM941157) and compared with sequences of known Aspergillus species obtained from GenBank. The closest matches (99% identity) were with A. niger. On the basis of morphological and molecular approaches, the pathogen was confirmed as A. niger. Of five isolates, AN-5 was used for pathogenicity study. Koch's postulates were satisfied after reisolating the fungus from leaves inoculated with a conidial suspension that showed symptoms (6 days after inoculation) similar to the lesions observed on the leaves collected from Z. officinale. The tests were repeated three times in the greenhouse. Healthy, potted Z. officinale plants were grown in isolation after artificial inoculation with a suspension of spores (10,000 conidia per ml), which was prepared in 100 ml of sterile distilled water and then sprayed on the abaxial and adaxial surface of leaves. Noninoculated plants served as controls. These results confirmed the pathogenicity of A. niger on Z. officinale. To our knowledge, this is the first report of A. niger causing a disease on ginger (1). Reference: (1) G. N. Dake. J. Spices Aromatic Crops. 4:40, 1995.

Ibuprofen (IBU) exhibits short half-life, poor compressibility, flowability and caking tendency. IBU melt has sufficiently low viscosity and exhibits interfacial tension sufficient to form droplet even at low temperature. A single step novel melt solidification technique (MST) was developed to produce IBU beads with lower amounts of excipient. Effect of variables was studied using a 3(2) factorial approach with speed of agitation and amount of cetyl alcohol (CA) as variables. The beads were evaluated using DSC, FT-IR and scanning electron microscope (SEM). Yield, micromeritic properties, crushing strength and release kinetics were also studied. Spherical beads with a method yield of above 90% were obtained. The data was analyzed by response surface methodology. The variables showed curvilinear relationship with yield in desired particle size range, crushing strength and, bulk and tap density. The drug release followed non-Fickian case II transport and the release rate decreased linearly with respect to amount of CA in the initial stages followed by curvilinearity at later stages of elution. The effect of changing porosity and tortuosity was well correlated.

Celecoxib exhibits poor flow properties and compressibility. Spherical crystallization of celecoxib was carried out using the solvent change method. An acetone:dichloromethane (DCM):water system was used where DCM acted as a bridging liquid and acetone and water as good and bad solvent, respectively. Hydroxypropylmethylcellulose (HPMC) was used to impart strength and sphericity to the agglomerates. The effect of amount of bridging liquid and speed of agitation was studied using 3(2) factorial design. Primary properties of the agglomerates were evaluated by infrared spectroscopy, powder X-ray diffraction, and differential scanning calorimetry. The effect of variables on micromeritic, mechanical, compressional, and dissolution behavior was evaluated by response surface methodology. Particle size, bulk density, mean yield pressure (MYP), and drug release were found to be significantly affected by either of the two variables. Interaction of variables significantly affected the MYP.

Proper formulation is an important aspect of any dosage form design. As a part of preformulation studies, differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) was used to investigate the physicochemical compatibility between Carbamazepine and various excipients commonly used in tablet manufacturing, supported by Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) and x-ray powder diffraction (XRPD) studies. Compatibility studies were conducted on samples kept at room temperature and at an elevated temperature of 55 degrees C for 3 weeks. Carbamazepine was found to be compatible with all lactose-based components, such as Granulac 230, Flowlac 100, and Microcelac 100. Differential scanning calorimetry studies indicated incompatibility with mannitol, microcrystalline cellulose, starch, and stearic acid. However, XRPD and FTIR studies implied that all the above excipients are compatible with Carbamazepine. X-ray powder diffraction demonstrated incompatibility with stearic acid for samples stored at 55 degrees C for 3 weeks, indicative of formation of a solid solution. Thus, DSC being a thermal method of analysis should not be used singly to detect any inherent incompatibility. It has to be supported sufficiently by other non-thermal techniques, such as XRPD and FTIR.

A wild-type strain, Sp972 h-, of Schizosaccharomyces pombe was mutagenized with ethylmethanesulfonate (EMS), and 2-deoxyglucose (2-DOG)-resistant mutants were isolated. Out of 300 independent 2-DOG-resistant mutants, 2 failed to grow on glucose and fructose (mutants 3/8 and 3/23); however, their hexokinase activity was normal. They have been characterized as defective in their sugar transport properties, and the mutations have been designated as std1-8 and std1-23 (sugar transport defective). The mutations are allelic and segregate as part of a single gene when the mutants carrying them are crossed to a wild-type strain. We confirmed the transport deficiency of these mutants by [14C]glucose uptake. They also fail to grow on other monosaccharides, such as fructose, mannose, and xylulose, as well as disaccharides, such as sucrose and maltose, unlike the wild-type strain. Lack of growth of the glucose transport-deficient mutants on maltose revealed the extracellular breakdown of maltose in S. pombe, unlike in Saccharomyces cerevisiae. Both of the mutants are unable to grow on low concentrations of glucose (10 to 20 mM), while one of them, 3/23, grows on high concentrations (50 to 100 mM) as if altered in its affinity for glucose. This mutant (3/23) shows a lag period of 12 to 18 h when grown on high concentrations of glucose. The lag disappears when the culture is transferred from the log phase of its growth on high concentrations. These mutants complement phenotypically similar sugar transport mutants (YGS4 and YGS5) reported earlier by Milbradt and Hoefer (Microbiology 140:2617-2623, 1994), and the clone complementing YGS4 and YGS5 was identified as the only glucose transporter in fission yeast having 12 transmembrane domains. These mutants also demonstrate two other defects: lack of induction and repression of shunt pathway enzymes and defective mating.

An organophosphorus insecticide monocrotophos is increasingly being used in agriculture to control insects on a wide range of crops. Its ready access has resulted in misuse in many instances of homicidal and suicidal poisoning cases. This paper describes a chromogenic spray reagent for the detection of monocrotophos in biological materials by thin-layer chromatography. Monocrotophos on alkaline hydrolysis yields N-methylacetoacetamide which in turn reacts with diazotized sulphanilamide or sulphanilic acid to give a red colour. Other organophosphorus insecticides do not give a coloured spot. Moreover, organochlorine and synthetic pyrethroid insecticides and constituents of viscera (amino acids, peptides, proteins etc.) which are generally co-extracted with the insecticides, do not interfere. However, phenolic compounds and hydrolysed product of carbamate insecticides, may interfere and are differentiated from monocrotophos by R(F) values. The limit of detection is ca 1 mug.

A spray reagent for the detection of the carbamate insecticide carbaryl was developed, consisting of 1% ammonium cerium(IV) nitrate in 20% v/v hydrochloric acid. This reagent reacts with the hydrolysis product of carbaryl, 1-naphthol, and forms a violet complex. Other carbamate insecticides do not give similar coloured spots. Moreover, organophosphorus, organochlorine and pyrethroid insecticides and constituents of visceral extracts (amino acids, peptides, proteins, etc.) do not interfere. The sensitivity of the reagent is about 0.1 microgram.

The misuse of dichlorvos (DDVP), an organophosphorus insecticide, results in many instances of poisoning. This paper describes a new spray reagent for selective detection of dichlorvos in biological materials by thin-layer chromatography. Dichlorvos in presence of moisture breaks down to dichloroacetaldehyde which in turn reacts with phenylhydrazine hydrochloride to give a yellowish red colour. In acidic media the colour is intensified and consequently the sensitivity of detection increases. The reagent is selective for dichlorvos, other organophosphorus insecticides failed to give a coloured spot. Moreover organochlorine, carbamate and synthetic pyrethroid insecticides or even constituents of visceral extracts (amino acids, peptides, proteins etc.) do not interfere. The limit of detection is ca 10 mug.

A spray reagent for the detection of pyrethroid insecticides containing a nitrile group by thin-layer chromatography is described. These insecticides on alkaline hydrolysis yield cyanide ion, which in turn reacts with copper(II) acetate and o-tolidine in an acetic acid medium to give a blue colour. Organochlorine, organophosphorus and carbamate insecticides do not interfere. The limit of detection is about 1 microgram.

Zinc chloride-diphenylamine reagent, whose use has been reported for the detection of organochlorine insecticides by thin layer chromatography, was further studied for its ability to detect the organophosphorus insecticides phorate, phosphamidon, DDVP, and phosalone and the carbamate insecticide carbaryl and aldicarb. These insecticides give intense blue-green spots with this reagent. The procedure can be applied to the detection of the insecticides in biological materials and thus has a potential use in forensic toxicology.