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A bstract We have investigated the pseudo-scalar meson structure in the form of transverse momentum-dependent parton distribution functions (TMDs) in the light-front based holographic model and quark model. Starting from leading order, we have calculated all the time-reversal even TMDs for pion and kaon up to twist-4 in these models. We have shown the 3-dimensional structure as well as the 2-dimensional structure of these particles along with their average quark transverse momenta. The parton distribution functions (PDFs) of pseudo-scalar pion have been compared with E615 and modified E615 results. The sum rules, TMD transverse dependence, inverse moments and Gaussian transverse dependence ratio in these models have also been studied. Further, the transverse quark densities have also been analyzed in the momentum space plane for these particles. The higher twist kaon properties in light-front framework have been predicted for the first time in this work.

The increasing contamination of environmental media is a serious health issue requiring advanced methods to detect actual and emerging pollutants. In particular, high-sensitivity sensors for monitoring water pollutants are under deep investigation. Here, we review the synthesis, optical properties and applications of carbon dots for sensing contaminants in water samples. Fluorescence-based sensors have achieved ultrasensitive detection at nanomolar to picomolar concentrations. Carbon dot sensors have unique advantages such as biocompatibility, easy preparation, optical activity and wide applicability.

We are proposing a novel self-assembled monolayer (SAM) functionalized ZnO nanowires (NWs)-based conductometric sensor for the selective detection of hydrogen (H2). The modulation of the surface electron density of ZnO NWs due to the presence of negatively charged terminal amine groups (−NH2) of monolayers leads to an enhanced electron donation from H2 to ZnO NWs. This, in turn, increases the relative change in the conductance (response) of functionalized ZnO NWs as compared to bare ones. In contrast, the sensing mechanism of bare ZnO NWs is determined by the chemisorbed oxygen ions. The functionalized ZnO NWs exhibit an eight times higher response compared to bare ZnO NWs at an optimal working temperature of 200 °C. Finally, in comparison to studies in the literature involving strategies to enhance the sensing performance of metal oxides toward H2, like decoration with metal nanoparticles, heterostructures, and functionalization with a metal–organic framework, etc., SAM functionalization showed superior sensing results.

Synthesis of multi-structured Fe 2 O 3 nanoparticles is the matter of countless concern for long time in the chemical synthesis domain due to its potential applications. Eco-friendly green synthesis of multi-structured Fe 2 O 3 strategy is adopted by utilizing phytochemicals from R. indica leaf extracts. Synthesized Fe 2 O 3 has been characterized for physiochemical, morphological, topological, and elemental properties using different characterization tools such as x-ray diffractometer (XRD), fourier-transform infrared spectrometer (FTIR), field emission scanning electron microscope (FESEM), tunneling electron microscope (TEM), and energy dispersive x-ray (EDX). FESEM and TEM micrographs have revealed that Fe 2 O 3 comprises unique hexagonal, rectangular slabs, pentagonal plates, rods of nano scale. The functional groups C=O, C–O, and C=C of different phytochemicals have acted as capping agents, while –OH groups of polyphenols play their role as reducing agents. The purity and crystallinity are revealed by EDX and XRD, respectively. Fe 2 O 3 has revealed visible-light photocatalytic behaviour with Reactive Yellow-86 dye (9 × 10 –2  mM) removal efficiency of 98% within 60 min of incubation in direct solar light at an optimum dosage of 30 mg. For every 10 mg NPs dosage increase, the apparent rate constant enhanced by two times. Even after five recycles, the degradation efficiency of dye by NPs remained ≥ 90% indicates it reusability. Thus, the current research work offering a novel synthesis of Fe 2 O 3 by phytoreduction paves the way towards an extremely competent photocatalyst which would be highly beneficial in textile industry’s wastewater treatment.

Accurate hydrogen leakage detection is a major requirement for the safe and widespread integration of this fuel in modern energy production devices, such as fuel cells. Quasi-1D nanowires of seven different metal oxides (CuO, WO3, Nb-added WO3, SnO2, ZnO, α-Bi2O3, NiO) were integrated into a conductometric sensor array to evaluate the hydrogen-sensing performances in the presence of interfering gaseous compounds, namely carbon monoxide, nitrogen dioxide, methane, acetone, and ethanol, at different operating temperatures (200–400 °C). Principal component analysis (PCA) was applied to data extracted from the array, demonstrating the ability to discriminate hydrogen over other interferent compounds. Moreover, a reduced array formed by only five sensors is proposed. This compact array may be easily implementable into artificial olfaction systems used in real hydrogen detection applications.

Central composite rotatable design of RSM was used for the optimization of medium composition for pullulan production from de-oiled rice bran by Aureobasidium pullulans in shake-flask fermentations. The sugars from de-oiled rice bran were extracted in distilled water under moist steam pressure and the obtained de-oiled rice bran extract (DRBE) was used for the optimization of medium composition. RSM optimized medium components (DRBE sugars, 3.88%; yeast extract, 0.24%; (NH 4 ) 2 SO 4 , 0.06%; K 2 HPO 4 , 0.57% (w/v), and pH, 5.22) supported 5.48% (w/v) pullulan production and 0.88 (A 600 /100) biomass yield. Coefficient of determination for pullulan production (0.99) and biomass yield (0.99) was close to 1.0 which justifies significance of model. Lack of fit for both responses was non-significant, which shows fitness of quadratic model. FTIR and NMR spectral attributes confirmed the structure of pullulan. XRD patterns verified the amorphous nature of pullulan. De-oiled rice bran was found as a potential substrate for pullulan production.

The imposition of the Three Farm Laws by the union government of India in 2020 was intended to further corporate encroachment in agriculture. However, this resulted in an unprecedented resistance movement of farmers and workers. The union government of India eventually had to retreat, and the Three Farm Laws were repealed in 2021. In this article, we intend to briefly review with special reference to Punjab, the historical context of corporate encroachment into Indian agriculture, the unfolding of the resistance to this corporate encroachment, and a prognosis on the political economy of the neoliberal project in India.

Recently, one-dimensional (1D) nanostructures have attracted the scientific community attention as sensitive materials for conductometric chemical sensors. However, finding facile and low-cost techniques for their production, controlling the morphology and the aspect ratio of these nanostructures is still challenging. In this study, we report the vapor-liquid-solid (VLS) synthesis of one dimensional (1D) zinc oxide (ZnO) nanorods (NRs) and nanowires (NWs) by using different metal catalysts and their impact on the performances of conductometric chemical sensors. In VLS mechanism, catalysts are of great interest due to their role in the nucleation and the crystallization of 1D nanostructures. Here, Au, Pt, Ag and Cu nanoparticles (NPs) were used to grow 1D ZnO. Depending on catalyst nature, different morphology, geometry, size and nanowires/nanorods abundance were established. The mechanism leading to the VLS growth of 1D ZnO nanostructures and the transition from nanorods to nanowires have been interpreted. The formation of ZnO crystals exhibiting a hexagonal crystal structure was confirmed by X-ray diffraction (XRD) and ZnO composition was identified using transmission electron microscopy (TEM) mapping. The chemical sensing characteristics showed that 1D ZnO has good and fast response, good stability and selectivity. ZnO (Au) showed the best performances towards hydrogen (H2). At the optimal working temperature of 350 °C, the measured response towards 500 ppm of H2 was 300 for ZnO NWs and 50 for ZnO NRs. Moreover, a good selectivity to hydrogen was demonstrated over CO, acetone and ethanol.

As population health and well-being are influenced by multiple factors that cut across sectoral boundaries, an intersectoral approach that acknowledges and leverages the multiple determinants, actors and sectors at play is increasingly seen as critical for achieving meaningful and lasting improvements. In this study, we utilize social network analysis (SNA) to characterize the intersectoral collaboration between the organizations working on maternal & child health (MCH) and water & sanitation (WASH) before and immediately after the implementation of HCL Foundation (HCLF)-funded HCL Samuday Project (2015-2017) in a rural block of Uttar Pradesh state, India. While SNA has been used to examine public health issues, few have used it monitor stakeholder relationships, intervene, improve and facilitate project implementation involving intersectoral partnerships, particularly in the context of a low-and middle-income countries. An organization-level SNA was conducted with 31 key informants from 24 organizations working on MCH and/or WASH in Kachhauna, Uttar Pradesh, India. Data were collected using face-to-face, semi-structured interviews between June and September 2017. Density, centrality and homophily were calculated to describe the network and a qualitative analysis was also conducted to identify the strengths and weaknesses of collaboration between organizations working on MCH and WASH. Overall, our findings showed that the network of organizations working on MCH and WASH in Kachhauna grew in number since the implementation of Samuday. HCLF rapidly achieved centrality, thus positioning the organization to serve as a gatekeeper of information and enabling it to play a coordinator role within the network. Direct collaboration between other organizations working on MCH and WASH was low at both time points. Interviews with key informants indicated widespread interest in increasing interorganizational interactions and engagement throughout the network. This study demonstrates the feasibility and practical application of SNA for projects like Samuday that involve intersectoral collaboration. It also provides lessons about the use of SNA with organizations as the unit of analysis and in the context of rural India, including challenges, practical considerations, and limitations.

Bioremediation offers a sustainable and eco-friendly approach for addressing petroleum contamination. In this study, we investigated the hydrocarbon-degrading potential of Microbacter sp. EMBS2025, a strain previously isolated and characterized for its biosurfactant-producing capabilities. The strain was cultivated using varying concentrations of crude oil as the sole carbon source, where it demonstrated robust growth and efficient degradation of both alkanes and aromatic hydrocarbons. Whole-genome sequencing was performed using the Illumina Novaseq 6000 platform, yielding approximately 33.4 million high-quality reads with a sequencing depth (~ 1482 ×). The assembled genome spans 3.52 Mb and comprises 3237 coding sequences (CDS), 19 miscellaneous RNAs, 3 rRNAs, 51 tRNAs, and 1 tmRNA. The genome assembly achieved 100% completeness, providing a fully reconstructed genome. Functional annotation revealed a metabolically versatile profile, including key genes involved in biosurfactant synthesis ( ppsC, treS, treY, mmpL3, otsA , and rhlG_1/rhlG_2) and hydrocarbon degradation ( alkB, sadH, yghA, nuo, gap , BVMO, cat, pca , and ben ) , highlighting its strong oxidation potential. Orthogroup analysis identified unique orthologous groups within the strain, while Average Nucleotide Identity (ANI) analysis suggests that Microbacter sp. EMBS2025 may represent a novel species within the Microbacterium genus. Variant annotation revealed a genome enriched with high-impact variants, with SNPs accounting for 66–68% of the total. The demonstrated bioremediation potential of Microbacter sp. EMBS2025 offers a sustainable solution for oil pollution, contributing to cleaner environments, reduced health risks, and enhanced water quality. The application of this strain in oil-contaminated environments holds significant promise for protecting public health by reducing toxic exposure risks, restoring clean water sources, and supporting agricultural and economic activities in affected communities.