Rajasekhar Lakshmipathy

Aeolian dust is one of the most pervasive natural air pollutants, strongly influencing atmospheric chemistry, visibility, climate feedback, and human health. This review critically evaluates the integration of geochemical fingerprinting techniques and YOLO-based deep learning frameworks for real-time aeolian dust monitoring, with the overarching objective of advancing source attribution, health risk assessment, and evidence-based policy formulation in dust-prone regions. The Middle East, particularly the Qatar Peninsula, experiences recurrent dust storms that transport mineral particles and trace metals, contributing to degraded air quality, reduced solar energy efficiency, and elevated risks of respiratory and cardiovascular diseases. Traditional monitoring approaches including satellite observations, ground-based measurements, and geochemical analyses such as inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS), scanning electron microscopy with energy dispersive spectroscopy (SEM-EDS), and X-ray diffraction (XRD) have improved source apportionment and compositional understanding, yet they often lack real-time detection and high-resolution spatiotemporal coverage. Emerging artificial intelligence (AI) tools, particularly the You Only Look Once (YOLO) deep learning framework, offer transformative opportunities for atmospheric dust monitoring by enabling rapid, automated plume detection across multispectral and hyperspectral datasets. This review demonstrates that ICP-MS, SEM-EDS, and XRD, when applied in combination, provide robust multi-dimensional source fingerprinting: ICP-MS isotopic ratios discriminate crystal from anthropogenic contributions, SEM-EDS resolves particle-level morphology and elemental composition, and XRD quantifies mineralogical assemblages that vary systematically with source region and transport pathway. Concurrently, successive YOLO generations (YOLOv5 through YOLOv10) have achieved real-time dust plume detection with mAP values exceeding 88% on satellite and UAV imagery. The proposed multimodal YOLO-geochemical integration framework, in which YOLO-guided plume detection triggers targeted field sampling and geochemical labels iteratively retrain detection models, enables compositionally resolved, real-time exposure mapping that directly supports inhalation risk assessment against WHO PM_2.5 and PM₁₀ thresholds and metal-specific reference concentrations. Collectively, these findings establish a scalable, evidence-based monitoring architecture that strengthens early-warning systems, informs air quality regulation, and advances global strategies to mitigate the environmental and public health burdens of dust storms.

This study aims to investigate the adsorption of humic acid onto zinc sulphide (ZnS) nanoparticle-loaded acid-activated biomass (ZnS-AAB) and its conversion to alginate beads with the addition of K ⁺ and NO ₃ ²⁻ for agricultural applications.

This research presents a comprehensive exploration of Schiff base derivatives synthesized via a one-pot grinding method, incorporating spectroscopic analyses, molecular docking, and biological assessments. 2-Hydroxy benzoic acid (benzylidene)-Hydrazide (3a) was synthesized from 2-hydroxybenzohydrazide and benzaldehyde with high yields of 95% with ethanol as solvent via grinding method. The structural characteristics of the compounds were confirmed with UV-Vis, IR, and NMR spectroscopic techniques. Compounds 3c and 3d with 4-chloro and 3,4 dimethoxy compounds exhibited superior activities compared to other two synthesized derivates. The activity of the compounds 3c and 3d were due to the functional groups present on the benzylidene moiety of the synthesized Schiff bases. Molecular docking investigations are conducted to probe the binding interactions of the Schiff base derivatives with pertinent drug targets, offering insights into their potential pharmacological uses. Additionally, the compounds are assessed for their antioxidant, anti-diabetic, and anti-inflammatory activities via in vitro assays. Preliminary findings reveal encouraging biological effects, substantiated by spectroscopic and molecular docking analyses. This extensive inquiry underscores the efficacy of the one-pot grinding technique in synthesizing bioactive Schiff base derivatives and underscores their promise as therapeutic agents against oxidative stress, diabetes, and inflammation. KEY WORDS: Schiff base derivatives, One-pot grinding technique, Molecular docking, Spectroscopic analysis, HOMO-LUMO analysis, Antioxidant Bull. Chem. Soc. Ethiop. 2025, 39(9), 1795-1806. DOI: https://dx.doi.org/10.4314/bcse.v39i9.11

This study aimed at the green synthesis of selenium nanoparticles (SeNPs) using an aqueous extract of Clerodendron phlomoides leaves as both reducing and stabilizing agents. The success of SeNP synthesis was confirmed using various analytical characterization techniques such as UV-Vis, FTIR, XRD, SEM, and TEM techniques. The surface plasmon resonance (SPR) of SeNPs was observed at 325 nm, confirming their polycrystalline nature, while FTIR analysis revealed the presence of flavonoids on the surface of SeNPs that acted as reducing and stabilizing agents for nanoparticle formation. The crystalline pattern obtained from XRD revealed primitive hexagonal structures of SeNPs. The spherical-shaped SeNPs, with a size of around 30 nm, were visualized and confirmed through SEM and TEM investigations. A good antiproliferative activity against the HepG-2 cell line at 13 µg·mL ⁻¹ and a significant improvement in SOD activity demonstrated the ability of flavonoid-capped SeNPs to act as potent anticancer and antioxidant agents. SeNPs also exhibited excellent antimicrobial activity against Escherichia coli , Pseudomonas aeruginosa , and Staphylococcus aureus strains by disrupting the cell membranes. Further, an RSM-based investigation on the removal of Pb ²⁺ ions showed superior adsorption efficiency of SeNPs, with a loading capacity of 101.9 mg·g ⁻¹ . The results of this study demonstrate the multi-application potential of SeNPs synthesized through green principles using leaf aqueous extract of Clerodendron phlomoides .

Chitosan nanoparticles (CSNPs) are one of the versatile materials that has potential applications in multidomains. However, these diverse applications are not seen in CSNPs produced from a single source. Owing to the above, in this study, we synthesized CSNPs using the ionotropic gelation method and characterized them with UV–visible spectroscopy, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and transmission electron microscopy (TEM) techniques for multi-application investigations. SEM and TEM analyses confirmed the spherical shape of the produced CSNPs with their size ranging from 10 to 40 nm. CSNPs were utilized for Zn ²⁺ ion adsorption from aqueous solutions, optimized using response surface methodology. Optimal reaction conditions were pH 7, 60 min of contact time, and 100 mg/L initial concentration, and a loading capacity of 156.2 mg/g was achieved. The model was significant with p -value 0.1. CSNPs exhibited antimicrobial activity with zones of inhibition of 25 mm for Escherichia coli and 24 mm for Staphylococcus aureus . Feeding trials with CSNP-supplemented diets in tilapia showed enhanced growth, reduced mortality, and improved red blood cell and white blood cell counts. These findings demonstrate the multi-functional potential of CSNPs prepared from one source, highlighting their applicability in sustainable practice.

Glycine-modified chitosan anchored silver nanoparticles (SCG) were synthesized using a green method without a cross-linking agent. UV–Vis, FTIR, XRD, TEM and SEM techniques confirmed the formation of the SCG nanocomposite and silver nanoparticles. The SCG nanoparticles, estimated at 20 nm, are smaller than the chitosan stabilized Ag (SC) nanoparticles. The biological significance of the SCG nanoparticles was assessed through their anti-oxidant and antibacterial activities. SCG nanoparticles demonstrated significant anti-oxidant activity with an IC50 of 133 µg ml⁻¹, surpassing that of SC nanoparticles. The ZoI of was found to be 30 mm for the S. aureus and E. coli bacterial strains indicating excellent antimicrobial activity. The efficiency of SCG nanoparticles in removing Pb²⁺ ions was tested using a batch adsorption process. A Central Composite Design (CCD) was employed to optimize the independent variables, and ANOVA results indicated the CCD model’s reliability and significance with a p-value < 0.0001. The SCG nanoparticles exhibited a high Pb²⁺ ion loading capacity of 270.2 mg g⁻¹ from aqueous solution with a removal efficiency of 93%. Isotherm and kinetic investigations of the equilibrium data suggest the suitability of Langmuir and pseudo-second-order kinetic models. Thermodynamic studies revealed the process’s spontaneity and exothermic nature. The mechanism of adsorption was found to be ion exchange with a mean potential energy (E _s ) of 9.4 kJ/mol. These findings suggest that glycine-modified chitosan anchored silver nanoparticles have promising applications in biological and environmental domains.

In this research, we produced copper oxide nanoparticles (CuO NPs) using extracts from the entire above-ground portion of plants of genus Inula ( Inula graveolens ). The synthesis of CuO NPs was verified through various physicochemical analytical methods, including UV–visible, Fourier transform infrared, and transmission electron microscopy. The CuO NPs were found to be around 20 nm in size and spherical in shape. Subsequently, the synthesized compounds were evaluated for their anticancer properties. After treating A549 cells with CuO NPs at concentrations of 15 and 30 μg, we examined their cytotoxicity, lipid peroxidation activity (malondialdehyde level), and antioxidant activity (catalase, superoxide dismutase, and glutathione levels). Additionally, we analyzed the expression of apoptotic marker genes (p53, caspase-3, and caspase-9), cytokine levels (IL-6 and TNF-α), and DNA fragmentation. Our findings demonstrated that CuO NPs enhanced the expression of apoptotic genes, suggesting that phytochemical-derived NPs from Inula extracts induce apoptosis by upregulating tumor suppressor genes and downregulating oncogenes in A549 cells. Furthermore, CuO NPs exhibited higher susceptibility toward B. subtilis and S. aureus compared to ampicillin. Using the response surface methodology, we determined that CuO NPs are effective adsorbents for removing Pb ²⁺ ions from aqueous solutions, making them promising for environmental applications. Overall, our results indicate that CuO NPs have potential as antimicrobial, antioxidant, and anticancer agents and as efficient adsorbents.

This study presents a sustainable method for producing iron oxide nanoparticles (FeO NPs) using aqueous extracts from coffee seeds. Characterization through X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy, and transmission electron microscopy (TEM) revealed non-spherical NPs ranging from 30 to 50 nm. The XRD analysis confirmed that the face-centred cubic structure and the Debye–Scherrer’s crystalline size support the FeO particle size confirmed from TEM. The synthesized NPs demonstrated significant antimicrobial activity against Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus , as well as antifungal activity against Aspergillus niger . Additionally, they exhibited potent antioxidant properties, effectively inhibiting DPPH, α-amylase, and α-glucosidase compared to acarbose and coffee extract. The findings suggest that these FeO NPs hold promise as antimicrobial, antioxidant, antifungal, and potentially antidiabetic agents.