evaluation of favipiravir-associated potential new drugs against polymerase enzyme of SARS-CoV-2.

Millions of lives have been lost to the deadly SARS-CoV-2 virus. Vaccines and antiviral drugs are essential scientific tools in combating viral infections. This study focused on the RdRp inhibitor favipiravir, exploring new analogs by substituting the fluorine atom on the pyrazine ring with both homocyclic and heterocyclic moieties.

Fabrication of Supported and Unsupported Gold Nanorods for Nonenzymatic Glucose Sensing and Study of Their Growth Kinetics.

This work includes a novel approach for synthesis/fabrication of AuNRs of varied aspect ratios leading to investigation on the kinetics of their growth mechanism. The synthesized AuNRs were further functionalized with MWCNTs (AuNRs@MWCNTs) by one-pot synthesis. The synthesized AuNRs and AuNRs@MWCNTs were characterized by employing UV-vis spectroscopy.

Correction: Synthesis of CuSe/PVP/GO and CuSe/MWCNTs for their applications as nonenzymatic electrochemical glucose biosensors.

[This corrects the article DOI: 10.1039/D3RA06713K.].

Synthesis of CuSe/PVP/GO and CuSe/MWCNTs for their applications as nonenzymatic electrochemical glucose biosensors.

Copper selenide (CuSe) is an inorganic binary compound which exhibits metallic behavior with zero band gap. CuSe has multiple applications in electrocatalysis, photothermal therapy, flexible electronic and solar cells. In the current study, copper selenide based nanocomposites CuSe/PVP/GO and CuSe/MWCNTs were synthesized by using the sol-gel method for application as a non-enzymatic glucose biosensor.

Nanodiamond embedded polyaniline/polyvinylidene fluoride nanocomposites as microfiltration membranes for removal of industrial pollution.

Membrane fouling remains a challenge to the membrane technology. Herein, we report the fabrication of composite membranes of polyaniline/polyvinylidene fluoride (PANI/PVDF) blended with nanodiamond (ND) with improved antifouling properties. The designed membranes were characterized by XRD, FTIR and SEM techniques.

Facile synthesis of a CuSe/PVP nanocomposite for ultrasensitive non-enzymatic glucose biosensing.

Non-enzymatic glucose biosensors show high sensitivity, lower response time, wide linear range and low cost. Copper based composites show excellent electrocatalytic tunability and lead to a better charge transfer in electrochemical non-enzymatic glucose biosensors. In this work, a nanocomposite of polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP) and copper selenide was synthesized by a facile one pot sol gel method.

Enhancing catalytic activity of gold nanoparticles in a standard redox reaction by investigating the impact of AuNPs size, temperature and reductant concentrations.

In this work, the catalytic activity of three different sizes of gold nano particles (AuNPs) (12, 30, and 45 nm) synthesized by the citrate reduction process studied in the conventional redox reaction of KFe (CN) to KFe (CN) using NaBH(reductant) at four different temperatures (5 °C, 10 °C, 15 °C, and 20 °C) and measured by UV-visible spectrophotometry. Comparative kinetic analysis of different sizes of AuNPs including rate constant, activation energy, Entropy values and Frequency of collisions are reported for the first time. Transmission electron microscopy analysis is employed to investigate morphology and particle size.

Rare-Earth-Modified Metal-Organic Frameworks and Derivatives for Photo/Electrocatalysis.

Metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) and their derivatives have attracted much attention in the field of photo/electrocatalysis owing to their ultrahigh porosity, tunable properties, and superior coordination ability. Regulating the valence electronic structure and coordination environment of MOFs is an effective way to enhance their intrinsic catalytic performance. Rare earth (RE) elements with 4f orbital occupancy provide an opportunity to evoke electron rearrangement, accelerate charged carrier transport, and synergize the surface adsorption of catalysts.

Hot Carrier Thermalization and Josephson Inductance Thermometry in a Graphene-Based Microwave Circuit.

Due to its exceptional electronic and thermal properties, graphene is a key material for bolometry, calorimetry, and photon detection. However, despite graphene's relatively simple electronic structure, the physical processes responsible for the heat transport from the electrons to the lattice are experimentally still elusive. Here, we measure the thermal response of low-disorder graphene encapsulated in hexagonal boron nitride by integrating it within a multiterminal superconducting microwave resonator.

Zero waste discharge in tannery industries - An achievable reality? A recent review.

In the recent times, more attention is on industrial waste management due to the unaffordable space for dump yards and landfills and the increased charges for waste dumping. Even though the vegan revolution and plant-based meat products are booming, the traditional slaughterhouses and the wastes produced by them continue to be a concern. Waste valorisation is an established procedure striving to create a closed chain process in industries where there is no refuse.

Sol-Gel Synthesized High Entropy Metal Oxides as High-Performance Catalysts for Electrochemical Water Oxidation.

Hexanary high-entropy oxides (HEOs) were synthesized through the mechanochemical sol-gel method for electrocatalytic water oxidation reaction (WOR). As-synthesized catalysts were subjected to characterization, including X-ray diffraction (XRD), Fourier transforms infrared (FTIR) analysis, and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). All the oxide systems exhibited sharp diffraction peaks in XRD patterns indicating the defined crystal structure.

Cyber-attacks are a permanent and substantial threat to health systems: Education must reflect that.

Cyber-attacks on healthcare institutions have increased in recent years and have made headlines through the COVID-19 pandemic. With the fallout of attacks increasingly reported in academic research and in the media, there is a real urgency to address cyber-threats that must be augmented across and within health systems. Until now, clinical healthcare professionals have considered cyber-attacks on healthcare organisations a predominantly information and communication technology issue, but this perception is no longer fit-for-purpose.

Factors associated with non-utilization of postnatal care among newborns in the first 2 days after birth in Pakistan: a nationwide cross-sectional study.

Background: Recent data indicated that approximately four in every ten newborns in Pakistan do not receive postnatal care (PNC) services in the first 48 hours after delivery.

Objectives: This study aimed to identify factors associated with the non-utilization of PNC for newborns in Pakistan using the 2017-18 Pakistan Demographic and Health Survey (PDHS).

Methods: This was a cross-sectional analytical study utilizing data from 3887 live-born newborns recorded in the 2017-18 PDHS.

Habitat selection by Asiatic black bear (Ursus thibetanus) in Siran and Kaghan Valleys, Pakistan.

Asiatic black bear is present in variety of habitats like broad-leaves and coniferous forests, extending form sea level to 4300m elevation and change their habitat for food purpose seasonally. The present study was conducted at Kaghan and Siran Valleys, District Mansehra, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan to assess habitat of black bear. Line transect method was used for observation of bear signs.

Spectrophotometric analysis of stability of gold nanoparticles during catalytic reduction of 4-nitrophenol.

Spectrophotometric monitoring of 4-nitrophenol (4-NP) reduction by sodium borohydride (NaBH) using gold nanoparticles (GNPs) as a catalyst has been extensively studied, but the stability of GNPs in terms of change in the surface plasmon resonance (SPR) at different temperatures has not been explored. In the present investigation, our aim was to evaluate the SPR stability of GNPs as a catalyst during the reduction of 4-NP at different elevated temperatures (i.e.

Preparation and catalytic evaluation of Au/γ -AlO nanoparticles for the conversion of 4-nitrophenol to 4-aminophenol by spectrophotometric method.

A set of catalysts having gold nanoparticles deposited on γ -AlO ( Au/ γ -AlO) with lowest effective amount of gold content were prepared by successive impregnation and hydrogen reduction method. The structural features of prepared catalysts were analysed by X-ray diffraction (XRD), N2 physisorption, scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and Fourier transform infrared (FTIR). The catalytic activity was evaluated for the reduction of an organic pollutant 4-nitrophenol (4NP) to 4-aminophenol (4AP) by spectrophotometric analysis.

A comparative study on the effects of selected pesticides on hemato-biochemistry and tissue histology of freshwater fish (Hamilton, 1822).

The aim of the present study was to investigate the comparative effects of pesticides Chlorfenapyr, Dimethoate and Acetamiprid on the health of under long term exposure. Eighty were divided in four equal groups; one control and three treated groups. The blood was collected from both control and treated groups at intervals of 10th, 20th and 30th days for hemato-biochemistry and histopathological alterations.

Investigation of calcium silicate as a natural clay-based sunblock: Formulation and characterization.

Background: Sunlight exposure causes several types of health issues to humans, and in particular, it affects especially the skin. Among the most common harmful issues developed by UV exposure are erythema, pigmentation, and lesions in DNA, which may lead to cancer. These long-term effects can be minimized with the use of sunscreen.

Designing of benzodithiophene core-based small molecular acceptors for efficient non-fullerene organic solar cells.

Nowadays, organic solar cells (OSCs) with non-fullerene electron acceptors provide the highest efficiencies among all studied OSCs. To further improve the efficiencies of fullerene-free organic solar cells, end-capped acceptor modification is made with strong electron withdrawing groups. In this report, we have theoretically designed five new novel Benzodithiophene core-based acceptor molecules (H1-H5) with the aim to study the possible enhancement in photophysical, optoelectronic, and photovoltaic properties of newly designed molecules.

Epidemiological study of dengue fever in District Swabi, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan.

Dengue is a viral disease which is serious health concern from last few decades and the infection transmitted through mosquito bite into human. This study was conducted to carry out prevalence of dengue fever in District Swabi. A total of 196 blood sample were collected from patients with age ranges (0-80 years) having dengue fever on the basis of physical symptoms from Bacha Khan Medical Complex Swabi during August to October 2017.

Rumex dentatus could be a potent alternative to treatment of microbial infections and of breast cancer.

Objective: To investigate the phytochemicals and in vitro antioxidant, antimicrobial and cytotoxic potential of Rumex dentatus (R. dentatus) leaf extracts.

Methods: The total phenolics and flavonoids content of R.

Silver nanoparticles and silver salt (AgNO) elicits morphogenic and biochemical variations in callus cultures of sugarcane.

The research work was arranged to check the role of AgNPs and silver ions on callus cells of sugarcane ( spp. cv CP-77,400). AgNPs were synthesized chemically and characterized by UV-Vis spectra, XRD and SEM.