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In contrast to zero-dimensional (0D), one-dimensional (1D), and even their bulk equivalents, in two-dimensional (2D) layered materials, charge carriers are confined across thickness and are empowered to move across the planes. The features of 2D structures, such as quantum confinement, high absorption coefficient, high surface-to-volume ratio, and tunable bandgap, make them an encouraging contestant in various fields such as electronics, energy storage, catalysis, etc. In this review, we provide a gentle introduction to the 2D family, then a brief description of transition metal dichalcogenides (TMDCs), mainly focusing on MoS2, followed by the crystal structure and synthesis of MoS2, and finally wet chemistry methods. Later on, applications of MoS2 in dye-sensitized, organic, and perovskite solar cells are discussed. MoS2 has impressive optoelectronic properties; due to the fact of its tunable work function, it can be used as a transport layer, buffer layer, and as an absorber layer in heterojunction solar cells. A power conversion efficiency (PCE) of 8.40% as an absorber and 13.3% as carrier transfer layer have been reported for MoS2-based organic and perovskite solar cells, respectively. Moreover, MoS2 is a potential replacement for the platinum counter electrode in dye-sensitized solar cells with a PCE of 7.50%. This review also highlights the incorporation of MoS2 in silicon-based heterostructures where graphene/MoS2/n-Si-based heterojunction solar cell devices exhibit a PCE of 11.1%.

The phytotoxic effects of lead (Pb) on seed germinability, seedling growth, photosynthetic performance, and nutrient accumulation (K(+) and Cu(2+)) in two maize genotypes (EV-1098 and EV-77) treated with varying levels of PbSO(4) (0.01, 0.1, and 1.0 mg L(-1)) were appraised in this study. In the seed germination experiment, lead stress significantly reduced seed germination percentage and index, plumule and radicle lengths as well as fresh and dry weights in both genotypes. In the second experiment, lengths and fresh and dry weights of shoots and roots decreased due to Pb in both genotypes with increase in plant age. Higher Pb levels also decreased photosynthetic rate (A), water use efficiency (A/E), and intrinsic water use efficiency (A/g(s)), but increased transpiration rate (E) and C(i)/C(a) ratio as a result of increase in stomatal conductance (g(s)). The concentrations of K(+) and Cu(2+) decreased in root, stem, and leaves of both genotypes, which could be a direct consequence of multifold increase in Pb concentration in these tissues. Overall, cv. EV-1098 had better Pb tolerance potential than EV-77 because the former genotype showed less reduction in seed germinability parameters, photosynthetic performance, and K(+) and Cu(2+) accumulation in shoot and root under lead stress.

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A snack is a product which is easy to consume and needs no preparation before consumption. It can be used to satisfy the hunger between meal times (Herman, Polivy, Pliner, & Vartanian, 2019). People have been consuming fried snack products for years due to attractive aroma, flavor combinations, and texture. However, owing to their certain health hazards, there is an increasing interest among people for consumption of safe, healthy, and nutritious food (Santeramo et al., 2018). This has led to an emphasis on the production of food free from extra calories, sugars, and fat. Only a small number of crunchy snacks that can be considered healthy are available in the market nowadays. An exciting alternative to currently popular snacks is dried apple snacks. The use of vegetables and fruits in every day diet has led an increase in health benefits such as fewer calories, more dietary fiber and fiber content, and numerous nutritive components that include minerals and vitamins (Higgs, Liu, Collins, & Thomas, 2019). In a

Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) compelled scientists in general while pharmacists, chemists and biologists in specific to believe that we could always remain ahead of the pathogens. The pipeline of new drugs is running gasping and the inducements to develop new antimicrobials to address the global problems of drug resistance are weak. In this pursuit, effective endeavours to prepare new anti-bacterial entities is highly wished. The present study demonstrates successful synthesis of a library of 1,4-disbustituted 1,2,3-triazoles (3a-3k) using Click-chemistry concept and anti-their bacterial potential. In this 1,3-dipolar cycloaddition, the 3-methoxy-4-(prop-2-yn-1-yloxy)benzaldehyde (1) was used as alkyne partner which was synthesized from vanillin and propargyl bromide and further reacted with differently substituted arylpropoxy azides (2a-k) to furnish series of mono and bis1,4-disubstituted-1,2,3-triazoles. All the synthesized compounds were characterized spectroscopically and were evaluated for their initial antimicrobial activity. Preliminary results of antibacterial screening revealed that the synthesized compounds have the highest inhibitory effects compare to the control ciprofloxacin. The compounds 3b and 3g were found to be the most active (MIC: 5 μg/mL, MIC: 10 μg/mL respectively) against various strains of gram-positive and gram-negative bacteria. The molecular docking study against 4GQQ protein with synthesized ligands was performed to see the necessary interactions responsible for anti-bacterial activity. The docking analysis of the most potent compound 3g supported the antibacterial activity exhibiting high inhibition constant and binding energy.

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