Synergistic optimization of thermoelectric performance in earth-abundant CuZnSnS by inclusion of graphene nanosheets.

Earth-abundant quaternary chalcogenide semiconductors with complex structures, such as copper zinc tin sulphide (CuZnSnS; CZTS), have the potential to become economic and non-toxic thermoelectric materials. However, the inferior power factor of CZTS, due to its insignificant electrical conductivity, negates the advantage of inherent small thermal conductivity. In the present report, the thermoelectric properties of CZTS composites integrated with graphene nanosheets (GNs) CZTS/x (x = 0.

Opportunities and Challenges for Using Automatic Human Affect Analysis in Consumer Research.

The ability to automatically assess emotional responses via contact-free video recording taps into a rapidly growing market aimed at predicting consumer choices. If consumer attention and engagement are measurable in a reliable and accessible manner, relevant marketing decisions could be informed by objective data. Although significant advances have been made in automatic affect recognition, several practical and theoretical issues remain largely unresolved.

Hepatitis E Virus ORF2 Inhibits RIG-I Mediated Interferon Response.

Understanding the dynamics of host innate immune responses against a pathogen marks the first step toward developing intervention strategies against the pathogen. The cytosolic pattern recognition receptor retinoic acid-inducible gene I (RIG-I) has been shown to be the major innate immune sensor for hepatitis E virus (HEV). Here, we show that HEV capsid protein (ORF2), a 660 amino acid long protein, interferes with the RIG-I signaling.

Spiro-Indole-Coumarin Hybrids: Synthesis, ADME, DFT, NBO Studies and In Silico Screening through Molecular Docking on DNA G-Quadruplex.

New series of hybrids were synthesized by combination of 4-hydroxycoumarin with spiro[indol-indazole-thiazolidine]-diones and spiro[indol-pyrazole-thiazolidine]-diones, hitherto unknown Schiff bases. The effects of substituents, such as -F, -Br and -CH, on the crucial characteristics pertaining to the hybrids were investigated through computational studies. or virtual screening through molecular docking studies on the library of 22 compounds, including reference compounds, precursors, non-hybrid and hybrid derivatives, was performed on DNA G-quadruplex of the human genome.

NGS-based characterization of microbial diversity and functional profiling of solid tannery waste metagenomes.

Tanneries pose a serious threat to the environment by generating large amount of solid tannery waste (STW). Two metagenomes representing tannery waste dumpsites Jajmau (JJK) and Unnao (UNK) were sequenced using Illumina HiSeq platform. Microbial diversity analysis revealed domination of Proteobacteria, Firmicutes, Bacteroidetes, Actinobacteria, and Planctomycetes in both metagenomes.

Ajmalicine and Reserpine: Indole Alkaloids as Multi-Target Directed Ligands Towards Factors Implicated in Alzheimer's Disease.

Alzheimer's disease (AD) is a multifactorial disorder characterized by exponential loss of memory and cognitive deficit involving several disease modifying targets (amyloid beta, beta-secretase, monoaminoxidase-B, and cholinesterase). The present study explores multi-target directed ligand approach using secondary metabolite reserpine (RES) and ajmalicine (AJM) obtained from roots. Novel LCMS and HPLC methods were developed for identification and quantification of reserpine and ajmalicine.

Renewable energy, urbanization, and ecological footprint linkage in CIVETS.

Emerging economies are mostly plague by a massive consumption of non-renewable energy amidst an ever inceasing urbanization rate with little or no attention to the quality of the environmental. As such, this paper investigates the relationship between renewable energy, urbanization, economic growth, trade openness, and ecological footprint in CIVETS countries, namely, Colombia, Indonesia, Vietnam, Egypt, Turkey, and South Africa. The study employs augmented mean group estimator, panel cointegration, and causality tests.

Development of Euphorbia Latex and Bamboo Fiber Based Green Composite.

Novel composites with improved mechanical strength, thermally stability and better biodegradability were fabricated using polyester resin (PR) and euphorbia coagulum (EC) with natural bamboo fiber (BF) by a compression molding technique. The addition of EC makes the composite more pronounced for alkali-treated BF. The composites were characterized in terms of water absorption, mechanical, thermal and biodegradability.

Chemical Synthesis of Rare Earth (La, Gd) Doped Cobalt Ferrite and a Comparative Analysis of Their Magnetic Properties.

Lanthanum (La) and gadolinium (Gd) doped cobalt ferrite nanoparticles are synthesized using a soft chemical approach. The analysis of these ferrites using X-ray diffraction (XRD) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM) shows that lattice spacing decreases in the doped ferrite samples. Magnetization data indicates towards the decrease of saturation magnetisation but increase in coercivity with doping.

Application of a protein domain as chaperone for enhancing biological activity and stability of other proteins.

Chaperones are a diverse class of molecules known for increasing thermo-stability of proteins, preventing protein aggregation, favoring disaggregation, increasing solubility and in some cases imparting resistance to proteolysis. These functions can be employed for various biotechnological applications including point of care testing, nano-biotechnology, bio-process engineering, purification technologies and formulation development. Here we report that the N-terminal domain of Pyrococcus furiosusl-asparaginase, (NPfA, a protein chaperone lacking α-crystallin domain) can serve as an efficient, industrially relevant, protein additive.

Phytoconstituents of an ethanolic pod extract of Prosopis cineraria triggers the inhibition of HMG-CoA reductase and the regression of atherosclerotic plaque in hypercholesterolemic rabbits.

Background: The HMG-CoA reductase is key enzyme of cholesterol biosynthesis which potentially contributes in management of hypercholesterolemia. The present study was designed to assess the inhibitory effect of phytoconstituents of an ethanolic extract of Prosopis cineraria pods on HMG - CoA reductase and regression potential of atherosclerotic plaque.

Methods: Healthy, adult male, albino rabbits in which hypercholesterolemia was induced by supplying the high fat diet and a supplement of cholesterol powder with coconut oil (500 mg/5 ml/Day/kg body weight) for 15 days, were used as a disease model.

Interaction of Selected Terpenoids From With Catalytic Domain of Matrix Metalloproteinase-1: An In Silico Assessment of Their Anti-wrinkling Potential.

Matrix metalloproteinase-1 (MMP-1) is a predominant collagenase enzyme that cleaves collagen fibers, contributing to skin wrinkling. Matrix metalloproteinase-1 inhibitors of herbal origin may provide an earnest probability to offer a novel curative approach against MMP-1-mediated collagenolysis, prompted by ultraviolet (UV)-induced overexpression of MMP-1. In this in silico study, we have explored the MMP-1 inhibitory potential of selected terpenoids from extracts.

Lives or livelihood: Insights from locked-down India due to COVID19.

India is the second most populous country of the world, counted among the most rapidly growing economies of the world. Realizing that a fast spread of COVID19 in India would wipe-out a huge part of the world population, the government of India found itself in a dilemma of whether to save lives or livelihoods. Prioritizing lives for livelihood, the government announced to lockdown the country.

Biodegradable Flexible Substrate Based on Chitosan/PVP Blend Polymer for Disposable Electronics Device Applications.

To provide a more sustainable future, development and implementation of green electronics incorporating natural materials has become an essential requirement. In this study, we demonstrated a low-temperature and low-cost fabrication route to develop chitosan/PVP (CHP) substrate for flexible electronics device applications. A combination of natural polymer (chitosan) and synthetic polymer (poly(vinylpyrrolidone), PVP) has been used to fabricate biodegradable, low-cost, and flexible substrate.

Carbohydrate hitched imidazoles as agents for the disruption of fungal cell membrane.

The fungal diseases represent an increasing global health burden and have transformed from a rare curiosity to the leading cause of human mortality. The present manuscript reports the antifungal potential of two novel compounds possessing a carbohydrate and an imidazole moiety. Antifungal susceptibility test determined the growth inhibition potential of the synthesized compounds against Aspergillus niger 9689 and it was observed that compounds D and E gave an antifungal inhibitory index of 66.

Dual Inhibition of DPP-4 and Cholinesterase Enzymes by the Phytoconstituents of the Ethanolic Extract of Prosopis cineraria Pods: Therapeutic Implications for the Treatment of Diabetes-associated Neurological Impairments.

Background: Insulin resistance causes decreased uptake of glucose which promotes the susceptibility of type 2 associated neurological impairments.

Methods: The study was aimed to evaluate the inhibition potential of the ethanolic extract of Prosopis cineraria (EPC) pods against DPP-4 and cholinesterase enzymes by in-vitro, in-vivo and in-silico assessments. The present study consists of in vivo studies on a diabetes-induced rat model by HOMA (Homeostasis model assessment) and related parameters, in vitro studies through the DPP-4 enzyme assay and cholinesterase assays using Ellman's reaction.

The DEAD-box RNA helicase eIF4A regulates plant development and interacts with the hnRNP LIF2L1 in Physcomitrella patens.

eIF4A is a RNA-stimulated ATPase and helicase. Besides its key role in regulating cap-dependent translation initiation in eukaryotes, it also performs specific functions in regulating cell cycle progression, plant growth and abiotic stress tolerance. Flowering plants encode three eIF4A paralogues, eIF4A1, eIF4A2 and eIF4A3 that share conserved sequence motifs but differ in functions.

Auditory Brainstem Response in Patients of Tinnitus with Sensorineural Hearing Loss.

Tinnitus is defined as phantom auditory perception without corresponding acoustic or mechanical correlates in cochlea. Existing evidence on its physiological basis is wide ranging, but its origin is still under exploration. To objectify this subjective phenomenon, Auditory Brainstem response test is used.

Tinnitus and Cognition: Linked?

Tinnitus is conscious auditory perception without corresponding external stimuli resulting from neuronal activity along auditory pathway either in peripheral or central auditory system. The exact origin, pathophysiologic pathway and its treatment is still under exploration. The main risk factor is hearing loss, but can occur in patients with normal hearing.

Sarsasapogenin: A steroidal saponin from Asparagus racemosus as multi target directed ligand in Alzheimer's disease.

Alzheimer's disease (AD) is multi-factorial disorder characterized by impaired memory and cognition deficit. AD is characterized by impaired cholinergic transmission, extracellular amyloid beta deposits, neurofibrillary tangles and oxidative stress. A multi-target directed ligand (MTDL) approach is required to devise a therapeutic strategy against AD.

Synthesis, DFT studies, molecular docking, antimicrobial screening and UV fluorescence studies on ct-DNA for novel Schiff bases of 2-(1-aminobenzyl) benzimidazole.

Novel Schiff bases (SBs) were synthesized by condensation of 2-(1-Amino benzyl) benzimidazole with heterocyclic and aromatic carbonyl compounds. The structural characterization was done using H, C NMR, FTIR and ES-MS spectroscopic techniques. The pharmacokinetics showed that nearly all compounds obeyed Lipinski rule of 5 with low toxicity and metabolic stability.

Novel nucleosides as potential inhibitors of fungal lanosterol 14α-demethylase: an and study.

The global burden of fungal infections has transitioned from a case-specific observation to a major cause of high human mortality. Therefore, novel compounds with innovative methodologies need to be synthesized and evaluated for their antifungal potential to keep pace with the current clinical demands. An efficient synthetic pathway was developed for the synthesis of 21 synthetic novel nucleosides.

Probing the path for achieving a broad temperature plateau of the figure of merit in thermoelectric nanocomposite materials.

The efficiency of a thermoelectric device depends directly on the average figure of merit (zT) of the material. A high average zT requires a broad temperature plateau with a high zT, but state-of-the-art thermoelectric materials display a peaked zT over a narrow temperature range due to a strong temperature dependence of transport properties. In this work, using Boltzmann transport theory, we systematically investigate the underlying physics and propose a strategy for attaining a broad temperature plateau of zT through proper engineering of the interfacial barrier height in PbTe nanocomposite material.