Indian Institute of Science Education and Research Bhopal

Governing migration and migrants is a contentious process across the country, and it has become more problematic in politically sensitive states like Manipur. The police regularly conduct document checks of labour migrants in various localities of Manipur to verify and confirm their legal status, which leads to their social, economic and psychological insecurity. While this is a routine law-enforcement procedure considered necessary for ensuring security, the exercise has often resulted in harassment, exclusion and detention of migrant labourers in case they fail to prove their legal status. The surprise execution of such checks provides an opportunity for the police personnel to extort money from these poor migrants, thereby compounding their financial burden. Drawing upon in-depth interviews with labour migrants in Manipur, we find Inner Line Permit (ILP), and state surveillance are employed as tools for governing the ‘conduct’ of labour migrants in Manipur. To understand the phenomenon and experience, the paper draws on Foucault’s theorisation of ‘governmentality’. It examines the history, trajectory and significance of documents for labour migrants in the existing literature. Furthermore, it explores the power dynamics between state and labour migrants in Manipur to govern the ‘conduct’ of labour mobility through ILP and their legal status. The paper also highlights the negotiation and navigation strategies adopted by labour migrants to overcome regular state surveillance, detention and police harassment.

Spin-glass and superparamagnetic behavior of different spinel ferrites is well-studied by the researchers in basic as well as applied science domains. However, this study investigates how geometry variation can mediate different spin dynamics in the ZnFe2O4 spinel ferrite system. Detailed characterization techniques such as DC and AC magnetic studies and magnetic memory effect measurements have been employed to analyze the effect of size and morphology on the types of relaxations involved. Superparamagnetic relaxation is more dominant in solid nanoparticles. On the other hand, the nanohollowspheres of the same material exhibit a behavior closer to spin cluster-glass. Frustration is one of the key factors that cause spin-glass relaxation. The work, essentially, shows that higher degree frustration can be realized through geometry modification to induce spin-glass behavior in ZnFe2O4.

A bstract We introduce a framework for hybrid neutrino mass generation, wherein scotogenic dark sector particles, including dark matter, are charged non-trivially under the A 4 flavor symmetry. The spontaneous breaking of the A 4 group to residual ${\mathcal{Z}}_2$ Z 2 subgroup results in the “cutting” of the radiative loop. As a consequence the neutrinos acquire mass through the hybrid “scoto-seesaw” mass mechanism, combining aspects of both the tree-level seesaw and one-loop scotogenic mechanisms, with the residual ${\mathcal{Z}}_2$ Z 2 subgroup ensuring the stability of the dark matter. The flavor symmetry also leads to several predictions including the normal ordering of neutrino masses and “generalized μ − τ reflection symmetry” in leptonic mixing. Additionally, it gives testable predictions for neutrinoless double beta decay and a lower limit on the lightest neutrino mass. Finally, A 4 → ${\mathcal{Z}}_2$ Z 2 breaking also leaves its imprint on the dark sector and ties it with the neutrino masses and mixing. The model allows only scalar dark matter, whose mass has a theoretical upper limit of ≲ 600 GeV, with viable parameter space satisfying all dark matter constraints, available only up to about 80 GeV. Conversely, fermionic dark matter is excluded due to constraints from the neutrino sector. Various aspects of this highly predictive framework can be tested in both current and upcoming neutrino and dark matter experiments.

We report nucleoside monophosphate (NMP) templated green synthesis of silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) without requiring additional reducing agents. Besides serving as templates for AgNP synthesis, NMPs acted as weak reducing agents. We conducted a comparative study to investigate the effect of a strong reducing agent on the optical properties of the as-synthesized AgNPs by using NaBH4 as a strong reducing agent for comparison. We observed that a strong reducing agent produced achiral and non-fluorescent AgNPs. However, using NMPs as weak reducing and templating agents yielded chiral and fluorescent AgNPs. Additionally, we also observed a distinct difference between purines and pyrimidines. Purines facilitated stronger fluorescent AgNP formation, whereas pyrimidines formed weakly fluorescent AgNP. An additional difference between purines and pyrimidines templated AgNP was found in their chiral response. Purines templated AgNPs exhibited intense induced CD signal in the UV region of the wavelength, far from the surface plasmon of AgNPs, only when NMPs were used as both templates and reducing agents. However, pyrimidines did not exhibit chirality, irrespective of the reducing agent. While the origin of the CD signal was unclear to us, the difference in the optical properties of as-synthesized AgNPs depending on the nature of the reducing agent was interesting. The non-requirement of a reducing agent makes it a low-cost and eco-friendly synthesis route and increases its application potential. Additionally, the role of nitrogen bases in determining the properties of the AgNPs cannot be overlooked. We expect our result to help design DNA sequences to synthesize AgNP with desirable optical responses by tailoring purine and pyrimidine content. Graphical Abstract

The detection of UV has always been crucial for human health as their interactions pose severe skin-related issues and increase the possibility of developing cancer. For the same herein, we have fabricated a simple, sono-chemical assisted low-cost TiO ₂ based composite, over a simple mixing with microcrystalline cellulose which serves as a binder for the formation of TiO ₂ based pallets. The as-synthesized material acts as a UV sensor which showed a significant change in their photo-response current ~30.9 nA on exposure to 370 nm light. Concerning the viability of the reported procedure a comparative wavelength-dependent study was performed, using various monochromatic wavelengths of light (370, 390, 427, 456 and 525 nm). The ease of synthesis and fabrication methodology can advocate the suitability of titania-based nano-composite materials for the ultrafast detection of ultraviolet light. Moreover, we performed a simple computational analysis related to output of UV and Non-UV signals which works well for the detection of UV light below 400 nm wavelength based on step size.

Qualitative and quantitative analysis of object temperature plays a vital role in wearable technologies and tactile perception-based applications. It has been the subject of numerous studies for developing soft, bio-compatible, and flexible temperature sensors. When these sensors are encapsulated and integrated with electronic modules for various wearable healthcare monitoring and thermal perception applications, they tend to deviate from their original performances. In this article, we report the design and development of an encapsulated flexible temperature sensor wearable suite based on Graphene Oxide (GO) + poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene):poly(styr-enesulfonate) (PEDOT:PSS) composite and commercially available Nitrile Butadiene rubber sheet encapsulation for investigating the encapsulation impacts. The design of the bio-compatible sensor caters to wearable health monitoring systems and thermal perception applications. Due to the implications of sensor encapsulation, experimental results show a 19.15% sensitivity value degradation, a reaction time difference of 0.84s, and a recovery time difference of 16.5s when compared with the unencapsulated sensor structure. Further, the encapsulated sensor structure is integrated into a thermal, tactile-perception-based wireless monitoring framework.

We report herein a directing group‐controlled, palladium‐catalyzed, regio‐, stereo‐, and enantiospecific anti‐carboxylation of unactivated, internal allenes enabled via the synergistic interplay of a rationally designed bidentate directing group, palladium catalyst, and a multifunctional acetate ligand. The corresponding trans allyl ester was obtained in excellent yields with exclusive δ‐regioselectivity and anti‐carboxypalladation stereocontrol. The acetate ligand of the palladium catalyst controls the regio‐, stereo‐ and enantioselectivity in the desired transformation. The potential of this concept has been demonstrated by the development of the chiral version of this transformation by using axial‐to‐central chirality transfer with good yields and enantioselectivities. Detailed investigations, including kinetic studies, order studies, and DFT studies, were performed to validate the ligand‐assisted nucleopalladation process and the rationale behind the observed racemization of chiral allenes. The studies also indicated that the anti‐carboxypalladation step was the rate‐limiting as well as the stereo‐ and enantiodetermining step.

G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs) play a pivotal role in regulating numerous physiological processes through their interactions with two key effectors: G proteins and β-arrestins(βarrs). This makes them crucial targets for therapeutic drug development. Interestingly, the evolving concept of biased signaling where ligands selectively activate either the G proteins or the βarrs has not only refined our understanding of segregation of physiological responses downstream of GPCRs but has also revolutionized drug discovery, offering the potential for treatments with enhanced efficacy and minimal side effects. This Review explores the mechanisms behind biasedagonism, exploring it through various lenses, including ligand, receptor, cellular systems, location, and tissue-specific biases. It also offers structural insights into both orthosteric and allosteric ligand-binding pockets, structural rearrangements associated with the loops, and how ligand-engineering can contribute to biased signaling. Moreover, we also discuss the unique conformational signature in an intrinsically biased GPCR, which currently remains relatively less explored and adds a new dimension in biased signaling. Lastly, we address the translational challenges and practical considerations in characterizing bias, emphasizing its therapeutic potential and the latest advancements in drug development. By designing ligands that target specific signaling pathways, biased signaling presents a transformative approach to creating safer and more effective therapies. This Review focuses on our current understanding of GPCR-biased signaling, discussing potential mechanisms that lead to bias, the effect of bias on GPCR structures at a molecular level, recent advancements, and its profound potential to drive innovation in drug discovery.

It has been found that various heavy metals can initiate different types of regulated cell deaths. Among these metals, copper, an essential trace micronutrient that plays a major role in a lot of physiological processes, also can initiate cell death. It can act as a constituent of metalloenzymes, and can act as a mediator for signaling pathways to regulate proliferation and metastasis of tumor. It is also an integral part of some metal‐based anticancer drugs. Recent studies have revealed that excessive intracellular copper accumulation leads to the aggregation of mitochondrial lipoylated proteins, causing proteotoxic stress and ultimately resulting in cell death. This newly discovered copper‐induced cell death is termed as cuproptosis. In the last few years, a lot of research has been done to understand the mechanism of copper‐mediated cell death, and attempts have also been made to identify the relationship between cuproptosis and the development of cancer. In this review, we have provided a comprehensive overview on the significance of copper, its regulation inside the body, the possible mechanism of cuproptosis, and how this cuproptosis can be employed as a therapeutic tool for cancer ablation.

Sodium‐ion battery is emerging as a promising technology in the post‐lithium‐ion battery era to meet the high demand for portable energy storage devices. Custom‐designed organic materials have been pursued as sustainable alternative electrodes for sodium‐ion batteries, offering a solution that bypasses the need for traditional high‐temperature synthesis. However, the challenge lies in achieving the desired electrochemical properties through precise structural modulation and the incorporation of redox‐active functional groups. In this study, a triptycene‐based microporous organic ladder polymer is developed featuring redox‐active quinone moieties, designed as an anode material for high‐performance sodium‐ion batteries. The vertically aligned quinone moieties in the porous ladder polymer prevent the eclipsed stacking of layers, thereby enhancing the exposure of electroactive sites to electrolyte ions. Additionally, the ladder polymer exhibits almost unimodal pores due to its structural rigidity, facilitating fast Na⁺ ion diffusion. The redox‐active quinone moieties host Na⁺ ions, and the microporosity supports capacitive ion storage. Consequently, a high reversible specific capacity of 316 mAh g⁻¹ has been achieved. This study introduces a novel design strategy to develop redox‐active microporous ladder polymers by carefully selecting organic building units for efficient Na⁺ ion storage.

A flexible and printed field‐effect biosensor with a graphene channel (Gr‐FET biosensor) is designed and characterized to detect ferritin. The biosensor offers an onboard Ag/AgCl gate to give stable transfer characteristics with a significantly low gate leakage current of 0.06% of the minimum drain current. Further, the proposed Gr‐FET shows 1.5–3 times higher transconductance (gm) with a value of gm,hole up to 400 µS and gm,electron up to 250 µS, compared to the reported printed electrolyte‐gated Gr‐FET on flexible substrates. The Gr‐FET operation is also optimized to have a minimal hysteresis effect for reliable sensing operation. The Gr‐FET shows fairly linear characteristics at a low ferritin concentration (0.05–0.5 µg L⁻¹) with sensitivity as high as ≈230 mV/(µg L⁻¹) and a very low limit of detection (LOD) ≈27 ng L⁻¹. Given the cost‐effective fabrication process and scalability, the proposed printed Gr‐FET biosensor can be deployed on a large scale for early diagnosis of iron deficiency anemia.

Cervical cancer remains a critical women health issue, predominantly driven by high-risk human papillomavirus (HPV) types, particularly HPV 16 and HPV 18. Late-stage diagnosis, often due to limited diagnostic tools and awareness, exacerbates the problem, especially in developing countries. Addressing these challenges, our study introduces an electrochemical sensor for the detection of HPV18 L1 protein for the first time. The sensor employs gold graphitic carbon nitride (Au-g-C3N4) nanocomposite platform with monoclonal antibodies immobilised via a drop-casting method. Detection of the HPV18 L1 protein is achieved using square wave voltammetry. The proposed immunosensor demonstrates a linear detection range (100 ag ml⁻¹ to 1 ngml⁻¹) for L1 protein with a low detection limit (35.16 ag ml⁻¹), and exhibits exceptional sensitivity, selectivity, reproducibility, and stability. Ultimately, this system has been effectively utilised for the identification of L1 in various positive and negative undiluted serum samples and was compared to ELISA for accuracy. The result showed that our electrochemical immunosensor is a promising tool for the reliable, rapid, and accessible detection of HPV18 L1, potentially enhancing cervical cancer diagnostics in clinical settings.

The effect of elastic frustration on the multi-step SCO behaviour has been investigated in two differently interpenetrated [Fe(DPyN){Ag(CN)2}2] Hofmann coordination polymers (CPs) (DPyN = 2,6-di(pyridin-4-yl)naphthalene), influenced by argentophilic, ionic and non-covalent interactions.

The time‐dependent mechanism underlying the formation of Co0.8Fe0.2(OH)x‐t nanomesh (nanomesh having 80 % Co and 20 % Fe, “t” represents materials synthesis time) has been identified towards the development of a highly effective catalyst for the oxygen evolution reaction (OER). Utilizing 2‐ethyl imidazole (2‐HEIM) as an etching reagent and the Ostwald ripening process enabled the evolution of nanomesh formation with a precise pore size of ink‐bottle shape. Characterization techniques, including N2‐adsorption/desorption, and transmission electron microscopy (TEM) analyses, confirmed the evolution of pore structure from layered double hydroxide‐like structure to hierarchical slit‐pores to uniform ink‐bottle pores after 24 h of synthesis with limited pore shrinkage attributable to iron redeposition at the pore entrances. Atomic force microscopy (AFM) showed a gradual reduction in nanomesh thickness with an increase in synthesis time up to 24 h, indicative of successful exfoliation. The best catalyst (Co0.8Fe0.2(OH)x‐24 h) was developed after 24 h of synthesis, having 3.8 nm ink‐bottle‐shaped pores on the basal plane of nanosheets with only 3–4 layers. Co0.8Fe0.2(OH)x‐24 h nanomesh exhibited the best catalytic performance, characterized by a 330 mV overpotential, a mass activity of 309.1 A/g, and a turnover frequency of 2.28 s⁻¹. Furthermore, electrochemical impedance spectroscopy indicated a low charge transfer resistance (5.9 Ω) and pseudoresistance (35.3 Ω), highlighting efficient electron transfer at the electrode/electrolyte interface and enhanced oxygen evolution reaction kinetics, respectively. An increased electrochemical surface area (70.74 cm²) and a high roughness factor of approximately 1010 underlined the importance of narrow mesopores in facilitating catalyst‐electrolyte interactions and improving mass transport. The best material demonstrated remarkable stability during 25 h of electrolysis with a high average current density of 14.5 mA/cm². Hence, this research underscores the critical role of pore morphology in nanomeshes for optimizing catalytic performance and providing stability under vigorous gas evolution due to catalysis.

There is a notable shift toward organic functional materials for their advantages in terms of availability, processability and biodegradability. Solid‐state organic emitters, though rare, are fascinating with diverse range of applications. In this work we utilize crystal engineering principles to design Schiff bases 1 and 2, to realize solid state emission and its tuning. The products have been characterized and studied through crystallographic, Hirshfeld, and optical studies. Structural studies validate crystallization of 1 and 2 with a molecule of methanol and water, respectively, and their packing is predominantly aided by solvent assisted hydrogen bonding, while the π‐π stacking interactions are absent. Crystalline solids are emissive: 1 (λ max 474 nm, τ 0.35 ± 0.04 ns) and 2 (481 nm, 1.80 ± 0.07 ns) and aggregation induced emission (AIE) active. Mechano and thermo‐fluorochromic responses of the products are attributed to phase changes triggered by grinding and desolvation, respectively. The nonemissive solutions of 1 and 2 detect presence of Pb(II) /Hg(II) through emission turn‐on, with limit of detection (LOD) values in the range of 0.0017–0.0022 ppb, while picric acid sensing is reported by their AIE luminogen (AIEgen) forms with LOD values of 0.0017 ppb and 0.0034 ppb, respectively.