Explore the vast range of titles available.

Recently, the use of natural products for the synthesis of carbon dots (CDs) has received much attention. Herein, leftover kiwi (Actinidia Deliciosa) fruit peels were successfully turned into beneficial fluorescent carbon dots (KN-CDs) via the hydrothermal-carbonization route. KN-CDs 1 and KN-CDs 2 were prepared without and with ammonium hydroxide, respectively. KN-CDs 1 and KN-CDs 2 were systematically characterized by various analytical techniques. Synthesized KN-CDs showed spherical-shaped morphology with narrow size distribution and excellent optical properties with excitation-independent behaviors. The quantum yields of KN-CDs 1 and KN-CDs 2 were calculated as 14 and 19%, respectively. Additionally, the KN-CDs possess excellent prolonging and photostability. Because of the excellent optical properties of KN-CDs, they were utilized as fluorescent sensors. The strong fluorescence of the KN-CDs was selectively quenched by Fe3+ ion, and quenching behavior showed a linear correlation with the concentrations of Fe3+ ion. KN-CDs 1 and KN-CDs 2 showed the detection of Fe3+ ions within the concentration range of 5–25 µM with the detection limit of 0.95 and 0.85 µM, respectively. Based on the turn-off sensing by the detection of Fe3+ ions, KN-CDs would be a promising candidate as a selective and sensitive fluorescent sensor.

Supercapacitors (SCs), also known as ultracapacitors, should be one of the most promising contenders for meeting the needs of human viable growth owing to their advantages: for example, excellent capacitance and rate efficiency, extended durability, and cheap materials price. Supercapacitor research on electrode materials is significant because it plays a vital part in the performance of SCs. Polyaniline (PANI) is an exceptional candidate for energy-storage applications owing to its tunable structure, multiple oxidation/reduction reactions, cheap price, environmental stability, and ease of handling. With their exceptional morphology, suitable functional linkers, metal sites, and high specific surface area, metal–organic frameworks (MOFs) are outstanding materials for electrodes fabrication in electrochemical energy storage systems. The combination of PANI and MOF (PANI/MOF composites) as electrode materials demonstrates additional benefits, which are worthy of exploration. The positive impacts of the two various electrode materials can improve the resultant electrochemical performances. Recently, these kinds of conducting polymers with MOFs composites are predicted to become the next-generation electrode materials for the development of efficient and well-organized SCs. The recent achievements in the use of PANI/MOFs-based electrode materials for supercapacitor applications are critically reviewed in this paper. Furthermore, we discuss the existing issues with PANI/MOF composites and their analogues in the field of supercapacitor electrodes in addition to potential future improvements.

In this manuscript, we are reporting for the first time one dimensional (1D) cerium hydrogen phosphate (Ce(HPO4)2.xH2O) electrode material for supercapacitor application. In short, a simple hydrothermal technique was employed to prepare Ce(HPO4)2.xH2O. The maximum surface area of 82 m2 g−1 was obtained from nitrogen sorption isotherm. SEM images revealed Ce(HPO4)2.xH2O exhibited a nanorod-like structure along with particles and clusters. The maximum specific capacitance of 114 F g−1 was achieved at 0.2 A g−1 current density for Ce(HPO4)/NF electrode material in a three-electrode configuration. Furthermore, the fabricated symmetric supercapacitor (SSC) based on Ce(HPO4)2.xH2O//Ce(HPO4)2.xH2O demonstrates reasonable specific energy (2.08 Wh kg−1), moderate specific power (499.88 W kg−1), and outstanding cyclic durability (retains 92.7% of its initial specific capacitance after 5000 GCD cycles).

Phthalate esters are well known for their environmental contamination and toxicological effects as “endocrine disruptors.” In this study, environmental levels of phthalate esters and ecotoxicological risk assessments were performed in one of the major rivers in India, the Kaveri. Water and sediment samples were collected during 2010–2012 representing the major stretch of the river and extracted by solid-phase and ultrasonic methods, respectively, and analyzed for six major phthalates by using a gas chromatograph–mass spectrometer. The analytical recovery for phthalates in water and sediment ranged from 79 to 121 %. Results indicated that diethyl phthalate (DEP) and dimethyl phthalate were found in every sample, whereas butylbenzyl phthalate and diethylhexyl phthalate (DEHP) were detected in 92 % of the water samples. Likewise, in sediment samples, DEP was found most often (94 %). The total phthalates in water samples ranged from 313 to 1,640 ng/l, whereas in sediments it was 2 to 1,438 ng/g dw (dry weight) with DEHP having the highest concentration. Human health risk assessment based on drinking water consumption showed no potential risk for phthalates and also DEHP levels were safe with respect to USEPA guideline (6,000 ng/l). Further, DEHP and di-n-octyl phthalate levels in water were expected to pose little threat to sensitive organisms in the riverine ecosystem as per ECOSAR chronic values. In case of sediment, the DEHP concentration was well above the USEPA sediment guideline value. To our knowledge, this is the first study to describe the levels and ecotoxicological risks of phthalates in Kaveri River, India.

In this study, sustainable, low-cost, and environmentally friendly biomass (Terminalia chebula) was employed as a precursor for the formation of nitrogen-doped carbon dots (N-CDs). The hydrothermally assisted Terminalia chebula fruit-derived N-CDs (TC-CDs) emitted different bright fluorescent colors under various excitation wavelengths. The prepared TC-CDs showed a spherical morphology with a narrow size distribution and excellent water dispensability due to their abundant functionalities, such as oxygen- and nitrogen-bearing molecules on the surfaces of the TC-CDs. Additionally, these TC-CDs exhibited high photostability, good biocompatibility, very low toxicity, and excellent cell permeability against HCT-116 human colon carcinoma cells. The cell viability of HCT-116 human colon carcinoma cells in the presence of TC-CDs aqueous solution was calculated by MTT assay, and cell viability was higher than 95%, even at a higher concentration of 200 μg mL−1 after 24 h incubation time. Finally, the uptake of TC-CDs by HCT-116 human colon carcinoma cells displayed distinguished blue, green, and red colors during in vitro imaging when excited by three filters with different wavelengths under a laser scanning confocal microscope. Thus, TC-CDs could be used as a potential candidate for various biomedical applications. Moreover, the conversion of low-cost/waste natural biomass into products of value promotes the sustainable development of the economy and human society.

The growth of industry fulfills our necessity and promotes economic development. However, pollutants from such industries pollute water bodies which pose a high risk for living organisms. Thus, researchers have been urged to develop an efficient method to remove toxic heavy metal ions from water bodies. The adsorption method shows promising results for the removal of heavy metal ions and is easy to operate on a large scale, thus can be applied to practical applications. Numerous adsorbents were developed and reported, among them hydrogels, which attract great attention because of the reusability, ease of preparation, and handling. Hydrogels are generally prepared by the cross-linking of polymers that result in a three-dimensional structure, showing high porosity and high functionality. They are hydrophilic in nature because of the functional groups, and are non-toxic. Thus, this review provides various methods of hydrogel adsorbents preparation and summarizes recent progress in the use of hydrogel adsorbents for the removal of heavy metal ions. Further, the mechanism involved in the removal of heavy metal ions is briefly discussed. The most recent studies about the adsorption method for the treatment of heavy metal ions contaminated water are presented.

Introduction : Obesity and overweight are chronic conditions characterized by excessive adiposity that negatively impact health. They are among the most significant risk factors for respiratory failure, diabetes mellitus, cardiovascular disease, and hypertension. Genetic factors may contribute to some of these conditions, but they are mainly associated with the lifestyle in the majority. However, neither genetics nor lifestyle can fully explain all cases. Recent studies have proven that microRNA-21 causes the systemic hypertension, many cardiac pathologies, and some cancers. MicroRNA-21 is viewed as an important future biomarker for many critical conditions. We explored the role of microRNA-21 in the causation of overweight and obesity. There is conflicting data about this association in the literature. Determining if there is an association may help us in better understanding and managing this condition. Aim : To determine if there is a link between microRNA-21 expression and body mass index (BMI) in an Indian adult population. We also compared the lipid profiles (total cholesterol, HDL, LDL, and triglycerides) of participants (grouped by their BMI) to get a better understanding. Patient and methods : The study was conducted in Pondicherry, India and had 50 participants, with 30 as controls having normal BMI, and 20 categorized as overweight or obese as per BMI. Results : The microRNA-21 levels in circulation were analyzed using Real-Time Quantitative Reverse Transcription Polymerase Chain Reaction (qRT-PCR). The expression of microRNA-21 was statistically higher in the overweight/obese cohort compared to the normal BMI individuals ( p =0.034). A significant difference was also noted in the total cholesterol levels, with the overweight/obese group having higher values than normal BMI group ( p =0.004). Conclusion : This is the first study of its kind in the Indian population to establish that individuals classified as overweight or obese exhibit higher expression of microRNA-21 and elevated total cholesterol levels compared to those with a normal BMI.

Energy crisis and environmental pollution have been one of the major global issues. In this regard, the search for new energy storage materials is cheap, flexible and high-performance supercapacitors electrode which has become intensive. Also, reducing the amount of organic dyes polluting in water is a great significance. Herein, one-step electropolymerization of methylene blue on carbon fiber and the resulting films were applied to the supercapacitor. The high performance is associated to the outstanding conductivity, electrochemical stability and superior mechanical flexibility of carbon fiber. A new flexible electrode for supercapacitors was successfully fabricated by demonstrating with a good electrochemical performance and a promising alternative to reduce the water pollution.

Antimicrobial resistance poses a growing threat to public health and the provision of health care. Its surveillance should provide up-to-date and relevant information to monitor the appropriateness of therapy guidelines, antibiotic formulary, antibiotic stewardship programmes, public health interventions, infection control policies, and antimicrobial development. In Europe, although the European Antimicrobial Resistance Surveillance Network provides annual reports on monitored resistant bacteria, national surveillance efforts are still fragmented and heterogeneous, and have substantial structural problems and issues with laboratory data. Most incidence and prevalence data cannot be linked with relevant epidemiological, clinical, or outcome data. Genetic typing, to establish whether trends of antimicrobial resistance are caused by spread of resistant strains or by transfer of resistance determinants among different strains and species, is not routinely done. Furthermore, laboratory-based surveillance using only clinical samples is not likely to be useful as an early warning system for emerging pathogens and resistance mechanisms. Insufficient coordination of surveillance systems of human antimicrobial resistance with animal surveillance systems is even more concerning. Because results from food surveillance are considered commercially sensitive, they are rarely released publicly by regulators. Inaccurate or incomplete surveillance data delay a translational approach to the threat of antimicrobial resistance and inhibit the identification of relevant target microorganisms and populations for research and the revitalisation of dormant drug-discovery programmes. High-quality, comprehensive, and real-time surveillance data are essential to reduce the burden of antimicrobial resistance. Improvement of national antimicrobial resistance surveillance systems and better alignment between human and veterinary surveillance systems in Europe must become a scientific and political priority, coordinated with international stakeholders within a global approach to reduce the burden of antimicrobial resistance.

Cost-effective and sustainable high-performance supercapacitor material was successfully prepared from cellulosic waste ( Sapindus trifoliatus nut shells) biomass-derived activated carbon (CBAC) by physical activation method. The CBAC displays nanofiber morphology, high specific surface area (786 m 2 /g), large pore volume (0.212 cm 3  g −1 ) which are evaluated using FESEM, BET and possessed excellent electrochemical behavior analyzed through various electrochemical methods. Moreover, the assembled symmetric CBAC//CBAC device exhibits high specific capacitance of 240.8 F g −1 with current density of 0.2 A g −1 and it is maintained to 65.6 F g −1 at high current density of 2.0 A g −1 . In addition, the symmetric device delivers an excellent specific energy maximum of over 30 Wh kg −1 at 400 W kg −1 of specific power and excellent cycling stability in long term over 5000 cycles. The operation of the device was tested by light-emitting diode. Hence, CBAC-based materials pave way for developing large-scale, low-cost materials for energy storage device applications.