Innovations in Science and Technology: Shaping a Sustainable Future (Vol. 2)

Methods of Analysis of Metal Ions

Attimukat, Anshul Bansal — Tue, 13 Aug 2024 00:00:00 +0000

The different metal ions are present in drinking water and other daily life products like cosmetics, fruits and vegetables, food packaging papers, medicines, etc. These metals may enter human bodies through food and water by bioaccumulation. The concentration of these metals beyond their tolerance limits may prove harmful to human beings. So, it is necessary to develop accurate and cost-effective methods for the analysis of these metal ions. There are various techniques and various methods for the determination of different methods. AAS and UV-visible spectrophotometer techniques are cost-effective and involve selective and sensitive methods for determination. A few of the latest methods for the determination of different metal ions are summarized here.

Advanced Strategies for Unnatural Amino Acid Synthesis and their Applications in Chemistry and Biotechnology

Anija Mol T Philip, Shoeb R Khan, Mayur V. Khedkar, Shibin Chacko — Tue, 13 Aug 2024 00:00:00 +0000

Unnatural Amino Acids (UAA) are key structural units of various natural products, bioactive molecules, and drugs. Chiral pool, asymmetric synthesis, and racemic synthesis were explored in the synthesis of UAA. UAA plays a very important role in bioconjugation, organocatalysis, labelling of bacterial cells, etc. UAA is used in bioconjugation for attaching fluorophore and small molecules for labelling and drug delivery. Here in this chapter, we discuss the recent synthesis of unnatural amino acids and their applications in total synthesis and biological studies.

Emerging Lead Free Ferroelectric Materials-Potassium Bismuth Titanate & Sodium Bismuth Titanate

Poonam Pahuja, Jitender — Tue, 13 Aug 2024 00:00:00 +0000

With the advancement in technology, the environment and health are two most affected areas that need to be considered. Among all piezoelectric ceramics, Lead Zirconate Titanate is most widely used in almost all devices such as actuators, transducers, sensors, memory devices, switches, oscillators, etc. Lead being toxic should be replaced by some eco-friendly substitute. Bismuth Potassium Titanate (KBT) and Sodium Bismuth Titanate (NBT) are two emerging materials that can substitute PZT. Scientists are working on different methods of preparation, trying different dopants and substitutes in KBT and NBT to achieve the nearly same properties as PZT as high dielectric constant, large piezoelectric coefficient, high density, high breakdown strength, etc. Li, K, La, Sm, Dy, Ho, Nb, Mn, Fe, and Sb are some of the major dopants in NBT and KBT, which are recently been explored. Substitution of rare earth elements La, Sm, Ho and Dy in NBT resulted in an increase in grain size proportional to the radius of rare earth dopant. Further these ions also increase its temperature range for actuator applications. Particularly, Sm doping in NBT gives ultra-high storage density and efficiency. Li⁺ and K⁺ substitution in NBT increases its conductivity. Solid Solutions of barium titanate, strontium titanate and their derivatives with KBT & NBT exhibit unique properties. This chapter provides a brief outlook on the latest research on these two materials.

Innovations in Sciences and Their Impact on Community Development: A Review

Vikram Kumar, Deepak Wadhwa, Suresh Panchal — Tue, 13 Aug 2024 00:00:00 +0000

Recent decades have seen a growing focus on the intersection of science and community development as societies grapple with complex challenges and strive for sustainable growth. This review explores recent scientific advancements and their implications for community development, drawing upon a variety of scholarly sources. Biotechnology emerges as a key driver, offering solutions to enhance agricultural productivity, fortify food security, and mitigate environmental degradation. Renewable energy technologies provide sustainable alternatives for rural communities, fostering economic resilience and environmental stewardship. Artificial intelligence revolutionizes healthcare delivery, while smart city innovations reshape urban infrastructure for enhanced livability and sustainability. Innovative agricultural practices empower rural livelihoods, while advances in environmental science address pollution and climate change. Nanotechnology holds promise for sustainable development across sectors, while education technology and mobile health innovations democratize access to education and healthcare. Water management, sustainable transportation, ICT, waste management, green building technologies, and microfinance initiatives further contribute to environmental stewardship and socio-economic progress. Remote sensing and GIS can help identify the potential beneficiaries and locations for microfinance and biotechnology interventions, based on indicators such as poverty, vulnerability, land use, vegetation, or climate conditions. By embracing interdisciplinary collaboration and prioritizing community engagement, stakeholders can harness the transformative potential of these scientific innovations to build resilient, inclusive, and equitable communities for future generations.

Human Impact on Wildlife and Ecosystems for Sustainable Development

Priyanka Chaudhry — Tue, 13 Aug 2024 00:00:00 +0000

The intricate relationship between human activities and the natural environment has resulted in profound implications for wildlife and ecosystems worldwide. Human-induced factors such as deforestation, habitat destruction, pollution, climate change, and overexploitation of species have significantly altered ecosystems, leading to biodiversity loss and ecosystem degradation. The concept of sustainable development emerges as a crucial framework, emphasizing the integration of conservation efforts into development agendas. It necessitates a delicate balance wherein socio-economic progress aligns with ecological sustainability. This chapter explores the multifaceted impacts of human actions such as deforestation, habitat destruction, pollution, climate change, overexploitation and species decline as key challenges having an adverse effect on wildlife and ecosystems and highlights possible sustainable development strategies to foster a harmonious balance between human needs and environmental conservation for the betterment of wildlife and ecosystem restoration.

Assessment of Vital Water Quality Parameters for Sustainable Future

Ritu, Pallavi Bhardwaj, Pooja Ranjan — Tue, 13 Aug 2024 00:00:00 +0000

Water is an essential natural resource for human consumption, plants, animals, and agricultural and industrial purposes. Due to huge untreated industrial discharge, human activities and excessive use of fertilizers for enhancing crop production, water quality is deteriorating day by day. Unsuitable water quality is creating hazardous health issues for humans, depleting aquatic life and affecting plant growth. So, periodic monitoring of water quality becomes an unforgettable task to check and maintain the standards of water quality set by BIS (Bureau of Indian Standards) and WHO (World Health Organization). In this chapter, the suitability of water for various purposes like drinking, irrigation, etc. is described in terms of various physicochemical and bacteriological parameters like DO (Dissolved Oxygen), BOD (Biological Oxygen Demand), COD (Chemical Oxygen Demand), pH, TDS (Total Dissolved Solids) and EC (Electrical Conductivity), etc. This chapter highlights the need for periodic water quality assessment to ensure a sustainable future for human beings, plants, animals and aquatic life. Parameters required for checking the quality of water and key factors to be remembered while carrying out analysis are also discussed in this chapter.

Plasmonic Waveguides with Properties and Applications: A Review

Jitender, Poonam Pahuja — Tue, 13 Aug 2024 00:00:00 +0000

Plasmonics due to its applications and analogy with other branches of science is considered as multidisciplinary in nature leading researchers of different fields, such as applied physics, sensing, optoelectronics, chemistry, biomedical sciences, etc., exploiting it for potentially high-speed futuristic miniaturized devices. In this chapter, we have discussed the type of plasmons and plasmonic waveguides that have been considered by different people exploring their properties for a wide range of applications.

Earthworm Magic: Unlocking Kitchen Waste’s Potential through Vermicomposting

Prabjot Kaur — Tue, 13 Aug 2024 00:00:00 +0000

Vermicomposting is a bio-conversion process of converting organic waste into a bio-fertilizer by the earthworm’s action. In this bioconversion method, earthworms feed on the organic waste, which may include vegetable or municipal waste, over a certain period of time and produce vermicompost; during the process, earthworms multiply twenty times a year. Earthworms most commonly used for vermicomposting include Eisenia Fetida, Eudrius Eugeniae and Eisenia Andrei. Vermicomposting can be carried out under any shady area that can be done under trees or it can be done in pits of sizes 10×3×2 feet. Regular monitoring and adjustments are necessary to maintain the right moisture content (about 70 %). Temperature control is crucial for successful vermicomposting. Extreme temperatures (too hot or too cold) can affect earthworm activity and decomposition rates. The typical range of temperature should be in the range of 18^o to 35^o C. It is a rich source of Nitrogen, Phosphorus and Potassium (NPK) and micronutrients. The NPK contents of vermicompost are higher than FYM (Farm Yard Manure), which is also called Black Gold. Vermicomposting is a very simple process of converting kitchen waste into vermicompost with the help of worms and, therefore can be adopted by any household people. It is an excellent way to manage kitchen waste and to keep the environment clean.

Transforming Geography with Geospatial Technologies

Narinder Kumar — Tue, 13 Aug 2024 00:00:00 +0000

This paper explores the transformative impact of geospatial technologies in the field of geography. The specific objectives of the study include describing the role of main geospatial technologies, such as Geographic Information Systems (GIS), the Global Positioning System (GPS), and Remote Sensing in contemporary geographical research. The study highlights the diverse applications of these technologies across various fields, examines future trends and emerging technologies, and reveals their potential impacts on geographical research and practices. Additionally, this paper assesses the challenges and limitations in the adoption and implementation of these technologies. Methodologically, the study is based on an extensive review of existing literature, including research papers from national and international journals and various books. The paper is structured into four sections, Section I covers GIS, Section II discusses GPS, Section III elaborates on Remote Sensing, and Section IV provides the conclusion. The discussion of the paper reveals that Geospatial technologies have revolutionized geographical research. GIS has transformed spatial data visualization, analysis, and interpretation, becoming essential in diverse fields. Likewise, GPS technology provides unparalleled accuracy in positioning and data collection, enhancing our knowledge through applications in numerous fields. Besides, Remote sensing's ability to gather extensive data about the earth's surface and atmosphere is vital for environmental monitoring, disaster management, urban planning and infrastructure development, agriculture, etc. The integration of these technologies has led to significant innovations in geography, promising further advancements as addressed challenges related to data interpretation, signal interference, privacy, and ethical considerations. Holding and overcoming these challenges is crucial for realizing the full potential of GIS, GPS, and Remote Sensing in progressing geographical research.

An Overview of Flavonoids and Antioxidant Potential of Prosopis cineraria

Abha Chaudhary, Dharminder Sharma, Sandeep Kumar — Tue, 13 Aug 2024 00:00:00 +0000

Herbal medicines are becoming more and more significant in pharmaceutical treatments and healthcare systems. Herbal medicines and nutritious foods frequently have fewer adverse reactions than synthetic medications. Since the chemical components of plants are involved in the physiological processes of live flora, it is thought that these components are more suited to human physiology. One such valuable plant, Prosopis cineraria, commonly referred to as Khejri or Janti, is an indigenous plant found in dry regions of India. Ayurveda mentions this plant with several therapeutic advantages. The plant yields a variety of secondary metabolites, such as alkaloids, flavonoids, polyphenols, tannins, saponins, and resins. The components of Prosopis leaves and stem bark have several therapeutic benefits and can be used to treat a wide range of illnesses. Its dry pods aid in avoiding blood iron and calcium deficiencies as well as malnutrition from protein and calories. This book chapter provides insight into the flavonoids present in the different parts of the plant as well as the antioxidant activity described in earlier reports.

Ethyl 2-diazo-4,4,4-trifluoro-3-oxobutanoate: A Valuable Precursor in Organic Synthesis

Garima Sumran — Tue, 13 Aug 2024 00:00:00 +0000

Introducing the CF₃ group into heterocycles is paramount, as it can alter their biological and physicochemical properties due to its unique properties viz., electronegativity, lipophilicity, metabolic stability, and bioavailability. Ethyl 2-diazo-4,4,4-trifluoro-3-oxobutanoate is a valuable precursor for the synthesis of an array of trifluoromethyl heterocycles. This \(\alpha\)-diazo-\(\beta\)-ketoester can be employed in several chemical transformations involving dinitrogen extrusion under catalytic conditions or with retention of the diazo group in the reaction product. The presence of trifluoromethyl group in ethyl diazo-4,4,4-trifluoro-3-oxobutanoate imparts increased electrophilicity and reactivity of the diazo functionality in comparison to non-fluorinated counterparts such as CH₃. In transition-metal-catalyzed reactions, this compound generates metal carbene species as versatile electrophilic intermediates, which can typically be utilized in X-H (X = C, O, S, N, etc.) insertion reactions and ylide formations to afford diverse products. This article summarizes the synthetic utility of ethyl 2-diazo-4,4,4-trifluoro-3-oxobutanoate in accessing trifluoromethylated pyrrole, furan, pyrazole, imidazole, oxazole, thiazole, pyridine, 1,2,4-triazine, 1,4-dioxene, 1,4-oxazine, 1,4-oxathiine, 1,4-dioxine and pyridazine derivatives as well as mechanistic aspects of some reactions.