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In the cybersecurity industry, where legitimate transactions far outnumber fraudulent ones, detecting fraud is of paramount significance. In order to evaluate the accuracy of detecting fraudulent transactions in imbalanced real datasets, this study compares the efficacy of two approaches, random under-sampling and oversampling, using the synthetic minority over-sampling technique (SMOTE). Random under-sampling aims for fairness by excluding examples from the majority class, but this compromises precision in favor of recall. To strike a balance and ensure statistical significance, SMOTE was used instead to produce artificial examples of the minority class. Based on the data obtained, it is clear that random under-sampling achieves high recall (92.86%) at the expense of low precision, whereas SMOTE achieves a higher accuracy (86.75%) and a more even F1 score (73.47%) at the expense of a slightly lower recall. As true fraudulent transactions require at least two methods for verification, we investigated different machine learning methods and made suitable balances between accuracy, F1 score, and recall. Our comparison sheds light on the subtleties and ramifications of each approach, allowing professionals in the field of cybersecurity to better choose the approach that best meets the needs of their own firm. This research highlights the need to resolve class imbalances for effective fraud detection in cybersecurity, as well as the need for constant monitoring and the investigation of new approaches to increase applicability. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this work, we introduce a new type of multivalued fuzzy proximal quasi-contraction. These are generalized contractions which are a hybrid of H -contractive mappings and quasi-contractions. Furthermore, we establish the best proximity point results for newly introduced fuzzy contractions in the context of fuzzy b-metric spaces. Fuzzy b-metric spaces are more general than fuzzy metric spaces and are linked with the cosine distance, which is used in various contexts of artificial intelligence to measure the similarity between elements of a vector space. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We consider a class of metrics which are equivalent to the Hausdorff metric in some sense to establish the well-posedness of fixed point problems associated with multifunctions of metric spaces, satisfying various generalized contraction conditions. Examples are provided to justify the applicability of new results. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The battery pack is at the heart of electric vehicles, and lithium-ion cells are preferred because of their high power density, long life, high energy density, and viability for usage in relatively high and low temperatures. Lithium-ion batteries are negatively affected by overvoltage, undervoltage, thermal runaway, and cell voltage imbalance. The minimisation of cell imbalance is particularly important because it causes uneven power dissipation by each cell and, hence, temperature distribution that adversely impacts the battery lifetime. Several papers in the literature proposed advanced cell-balancing techniques to increase the effectiveness of basic cell-balancing approaches, reduce power losses, and reduce the number of components in balancing circuits. The new developments and optimisations over the last few years have been particularly intense due to the increased interest in battery technologies for several end-use applications. This paper reviews and discusses recent cell-balancing techniques or methods, covering their operating principles and the optimised utilisation of electrical components. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article is about the study of structural, elastic, mechanical, electronic, and magnetic properties of two variant perovskites In2NbX6 (X = Cl, Br) using density functional theory. To the best of our information all calculations were carried out for the first time. The results established the cubic state stability of the present compounds in the FM phase. The thermodynamic and perovskites phase stabilities are respectively confirmed from negative values of formation energies and tolerance factor. The calculated elastic constants C11, C12, and C44 confirmed the mechanical stability of In2NbX6 compounds. The mechanical properties confirmed ductile nature of In2NbCl6 and brittle nature of In2NbBr6. The electronic properties showed that these compounds were metallic in spin up state and semiconductor in spin down state. The magnetic moments were calculated as 1 μB for both the compounds majorly associated with the Nb atom. The spin dependent electrical conductivity was calculated via BoltzTrap code. Besides half metallic nature, high spin dependent electrical conductivities reveals that In2NbX6 variant perovskites compounds are suitable for spintronic applications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The demand of electrical energy has been increasing worldwide since the start of the 21st century. The focus on energy demand, efficiency increase, and loss control is one of the major concerns. Following the approach to control the power loss specifically in underdeveloped countries in the power distribution network where polymer insulators are installed. This research aims to study the impact of industrial pollutants by adopting accelerated aging techniques on polymer insulators installed in coastal regions. An experimental chamber is designed to model the artificial effects of the environment on polymer insulators. The polymer insulator was kept in an experimental chamber for 45 days to apply the environmental effects on it. Different environmental effects are applied in the experimental chamber including temperature, humidity, pollutants, and ultraviolet light. These environmental effects are controlled through different designated sensors that are managed by a data acquisition setup. After the accelerated aging process of polymer insulators in the experimental chamber the leakage current has been measured between healthy and contaminated polymer insulators. The healthy insulator shows 52e−9 amp leakage current while the contaminated insulator shows 149e−9 amp of leakage current after the aging process. The experimental results also concluded that the environmental impact on polymer insulators in the coastal regions is significant. Therefore, to avoid power loss due to leakage current it is recommended to have periodic cleaning of the polymer insulators specifically in the coastal regions that are installed in the power distribution network. This will help to reduce the power loss due to contamination in environment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In order to generalize classical Banach contraction principle in the setup of quasi-metric spaces, we introduce Suzuki-type contractions of quasi-metric spaces and prove some fixed point results. Further, we suggest a correction in the definition of another class of quasi-metrics known as Δ -symmetric quasi-metrics satisfying a weighted symmetry property. We discuss equivalence of various types of completeness of Δ -symmetric quasi-metric spaces. At the end, we consider the existence of fixed points of generalized Suzuki-type contractions of Δ -symmetric quasi-metric spaces. Some examples have been furnished to make sure that generalizations we obtain are the proper ones. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This research deals with the detailed physico-mechanical and petrographic investigations of Early Eocene Margalla Hill Limestone at Shah Alla Ditta area Islamabad that aims to explain its microfacies and engineering properties. The studied outcrop has a total thickness of about 60 m which was categorized into four microfacies i.e., bioclastic mudstone, bioclastic mud-wackestone, bioclastic wackestone and bioclastic wacke-packstone. Based on the faunal assemblage, allochemical and orthochemical constituents, the identified microfacies are interpreted to be deposited on the inner ramp lagoon to middle ramp environments. Physical and mechanical properties such as water absorption, specific gravity, bulk density and unconfined compressive strength (UCS) were investigated and correlated with micrite, bioclasts and porosity. Statistical relationship of UCS with micrite, bioclasts and porosity are established through linear regression analysis, which showed that micrite has a positive relation with higher regression coefficient values (R2 = 0.98) while bioclasts (R2 = 0.96) have a negative trend with UCS. The physical properties reveal that an increase in micrite content resulted in an increase in specific gravity and bulk density but consequently a decrease in water absorption and porosity. On the other hand, bioclasts content shows a negative relation with the specific gravity and bulk density but a positive relation with water absorption and porosity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We prove a version of the Ekeland Variational Principle (EkVP) in a weighted graph G and its equivalence to Caristi fixed point theorem and to the Takahashi minimization principle. The usual completeness and topological notions are replaced with some weaker versions expressed in terms of the graph G. The main tool used in the proof is the OSC property for sequences in a graph. Converse results, meaning the completeness of weighted graphs for which one of these principles holds, are also considered. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper deals with the existence of an optimum solution of a system of ordinary differential equations via the best proximity points. In order to obtain the optimum solution, we have developed the best proximity point results for generalized multivalued contractions of b-metric spaces. Examples are given to illustrate the main results and to show that the new results are the proper generalization of some existing results in the literature. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Carbon- and Fe-based nanocomposite developed for first time as SIB cathode material. • Pre-sodiation conducted to trigger reversible conversion reaction in Gr/FeSO 4. • FeSO 4 particles reversibly converted to Fe0 and Na 2 SO 4 during charging/discharging. • Graphene provided conductive matrix for additional electron transfer pathways. Sodium-ion batteries (SIBs) have gained prominence as the ideal choice for next-generation large-scale energy storage systems owing to advantages such as sodium abundance and cost-effectiveness. However, their synthesis requires harsh conditions such as high pressure and temperature, and the cathode materials exhibit poor electrical conductivity and sluggish kinetics, hindering SIBs from meeting the requirements for practical applications. In this study, a conversion-type Gr/FeSO 4 nanocomposite based on earth-abundant and environmentally friendly elements was developed using a high-energy mechanical ball-milling method. The conversion reaction in FeSO 4 was triggered via a simple direct-contact pre-sodiation method, wherein the FeSO 4 particles were reversibly converted to Fe0 and Na 2 SO 4 and recovered in the next charging process. Meanwhile, graphene in Gr/FeSO 4 acted as a conductive matrix that provided additional electron transfer paths, resulting in increased ionic and electronic conductivities and enhanced diffusion kinetics. Owing to these matrices, the as-prepared Gr/FeSO 4 nanocomposite exhibited remarkable long-term cyclability. This study highlights the advantages of combining pre-sodiation and conversion reactions for cathodes and demonstrates the feasibility of employing naturally abundant FeSO 4 for high-performance SIBs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The demand for clean energy increases around the globe and for that purpose the need for new renewable installations increases. Floating photovoltaic power plants are being increased to accommodate the extraordinary usage of active land. These solar plants offer new investment opportunities for clean energy producers, but the rise of floating photovoltaic power plants is impacting marine ecosystems. This study aims to gauge the growth of green algae that is affected due to floating power plants by using a mathematical decay model and experimental results. A mathematical model is applied that consists of an ordinary differential equation for green algae decay estimation due to the unavailability of a light source. Additionally, an experimental chamber is constructed to create an artificial environment with an absence of high irradiance to determine the algal growth. Different sensors are installed that include temperature, humidity, and lux for data logging on each instance. The fresh green algae were kept in the experimental chamber to measure the decay rate. The result shows that the weight of fresh green algae drops from 40.9 to 37.7 g and the color transformed from green to dark brown, which shows the decrement in chlorophyll level in the period of 7 days. The mathematical model is simulated in MATLAB that validates the experimental results which show the decrement in NADPH concentration at minimum irradiance. Linear regression analysis was applied to the quantitative data obtained during the experimentation process that shows a linear relationship between a number of days and the decay of algae in the chamber. The experimental results also concluded that not only green algae were affected, but underwater oxygen levels were also reduced. Therefore, it is recommended to have a complete marine environmental analysis before the installation of a huge floating photovoltaic power plant. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Spinel structured M 0.5 Zn 0.5 Fe 2 O 4 (M = Ni, Co, Cu) were synthesized through a solid state route. Phase analysis of the samples showed the formation of a single phase spinel structure. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy also confirm the presence of tetrahedral and octahedral sites belonging to spinel structure. The microstructural analysis of the samples revealed a grain size ranging from 0.5 to 3.7 μm. The photoluminescence spectroscopy indicated the generation of oxygen vacancies and structural defects in the lattice of the samples. The obtained dielectric constant and loss values (at 1 MHz) varied between 11 and 35, and 0.006 to 1.2, respectively. The variation in dielectric properties was dependent on polarization species, crystallite size, defects and oxidation states. The samples showed a ferromagnetic behavior at room temperature. The electrochemical performance of Cu 0.5 Zn 0.5 Fe 2 O 4 showed the most favorable results such as the lowest overpotential of 490 mV, the highest specific capacitance of 462 F/g, and the lowest charge-transfer resistance of 876 Ω, suggesting its potential for energy storage applications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

IoT systems base devices are considered an excellent research domain owning to its expertise and applications in wide range of areas. IoT in health care domain is gaining attention due to its better access to the doctor and paramedical staff as well as sensor based studies which results in less man to man interacting and less fault in the data. The health care provider can easily access the vitals and various other medical parameters by even staying miles away from the patient. However, large amount of data transfer over various communication mediums results in more data traffic. This data transfer will require more power which will be utilized to transfer the data. To reduce this data traffic issues, an efficient method is used in this work in which only the data that is predominantly important to be send to the health care provider is send via the communication medium. Rule based fuzzy logic tool is used in this work for an elder patient having cardiac issues. Blood sugar (After eating), Blood pressues (systolic), Blood pressure (Diastolic) and cholesterol level are taken as the parameter that are examined for the patient and the medical treatment required is calculated. The rules are set on the basis of real time data and human knowledge. The results from the fuzzy logic interference shows that the health care provider will be alarmed using communication medium only when active or emergency medical treatment of the patient is required. A comparative study between the power utilized in normal data driven method and fuzzy method shows that the fuzzy method utilize 8 times less power than the normal method. The simulated and MAMDANI model calculated values shows less than 1% error which shows the accuracy of the work in health care domain. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Soft set theory has evolved to provide a set of valuable tools for dealing with ambiguity and uncertainty in a variety of data structures related to real-world challenges. A soft set is characterized via a multivalued function of a set of parameters with certain conditions. In this study, we relax some conditions on the set of parameters and generalize some basic concepts in soft set theory. Specifically, we introduce generalized finite relaxed soft equality and generalized finite relaxed soft unions and intersections. The new operations offer a great improvement in the theory of soft sets in the sense of proper generalization and applicability. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this study, nanocomposites of Calcium hydroxide (Ca(OH) 2) and Silica (SiO 2) were developed using tetraethylorthosilicate precursor, and the impact of ammonia concentration on the reaction kinetics of Ca(OH) 2 to CaO conversion were studied. The Ca(OH) 2 nanoparticles were synthesized by the sol-gel method. The formation of Ca(OH) 2 particles was confirmed through X-ray diffraction. Transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) provided evidence for the presence of a SiO 2 layer on Ca(OH) 2. Thermogravimetric analyses were carried out under N 2 atmosphere to study the dehydration efficiency of the Ca(OH) 2 system in the presence of SiO 2. The results were found to be consistent with the findings from XRD and Raman analysis. Differential Scanning Calorimetry (DSC) was done to determine the impact of ammonia and silica on the endothermic peak of Ca(OH) 2 and CaCO 3. TG results were used to determine the weight loss, activation energy (E a), entropy (Δ S) , enthalpy (Δ H) , and Gibbs free energy (Δ G). • Successful coating of Ca(OH) 2 particle with silica. • Improved the stability of Ca(OH) 2 by reducing the carbonate formation. • Silica coating reduces the activation energy of Ca(OH) 2 to CaO conversion. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This research study “The Role of Religion in the Prevention of Drug Addiction in Swat, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan ” tends to evaluate and analyze the role of religion as a barrier to drugs and drug addiction. The main objectives of the study are to know about the role of religion in the reformation of drug addicts, to evaluate the perception of respondents about religious beliefs, to measure the level of their religiosity. This research has been conducted in district Swat, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan.A sample size of 375 from a population of 6000 has been calculated through Yamane formula. Simple random sampling technique has been used for data collection through interview schedule. The collected data was analyzed through SPSS-2021 for prevalence and association measurement. Univariate for prevalence, bi variate chi square for association while multivariate analyses by controlling background variables were carried out. At univariate level majority of the respondents were knowing about religion, prohibition of drugs in religion, knowing that drug use is a sin and spiritual healing has a role.. Similarly, at bivariate level the variable “religion” had a highly significant and positive association at (P = <≤ ≥> 0.05) confidence level and (Tb± 0-1) showed strength and direction with effects of drugs addiction on other family members (EDAFM). At multivariate level all background variables results were checked for spuriousness and nonspuriousness based on significance (P = <≤ ≥> 0.05) and Tb (Tb± 0-1) values. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Summary: Several phases of zinc vanadates having different morphologies have been investigated recently for lithium‐ion batteries (LIBs), where they suffer from poor electronic conductivity and low mechanical stability resulting in short cycle life, low specific capacity and unsatisfactory rate performance. The issues are resolved here, by directly growing Zn3V2O8 sheets on two dimensional (2D) holey graphene oxide (hGO) nanosheets making an open framework of Zn3V2O8 that allows suitable spacing for Li+‐ions for (de) intercalation and the holey graphene provides the necessary mechanical strength, permeability and electronic conductivity across the Zn3V2O8 sheets. Consequently, the sheet on sheet morphology has resulted in an impressive rate capability of 851.2 mAh g−1 at 5000 mA g−1 with 67% retention after a 10‐fold increase in the current rate, high specific capacity (1465.9 mAh g−1 at 200 mA g−1) and long‐term stability (88% retention after 200 cycles). This is due to the crystalline structure of Zn3V2O8/hGO, with a large surface area that can provide more reaction sites and facilitate the fast Li+‐ion transport as verified by the electrochemical impedance spectroscopy analysis. The ex situ X‐ray photoelectron spectrometer reveals the involvement of multiple reaction mechanisms (conversion, (de) insertion and (de) alloying) showing Zn2+/Zn0 and V4+/V3+/V2+ redox couples during the electrochemical process. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Summary: Tin(II) sulfide (SnS) has long been regarded as an attractive anode material for sodium‐ion batteries (SIBs). However, structural pulverization and severe volume expansion result in a poor cycle life for SnS, making its use in practical battery systems difficult. To address these issues, we propose a surfactant‐assisted one‐pot hydrothermal approach for successfully encapsulating in situ formed SnS particles in a micro‐carbon sphere (MCS). The morphology and the electrochemical behavior of the products were investigated by varying the controlling parameters, such as the concentration of surfactants, polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP), and cetyltrimethylammonium bromide (CTAB), as well as the concentration of SnS precursors in the reaction system. When used as an anode material for SIBs, the MCS embedded SnS electrode delivered a reversible specific capacity of 465 mAhg−1 at 0.1 Ag−1 and retained a reversible capacity of 371 mAhg−1 at 0.5 Ag−1 after 250 cycles. Moreover, the SnS@MCS electrode maintained specific capacities of approximately 256, 206, and 160 mAhg−1 at very high specific current densities of 5, 10, and 20 Ag−1, respectively. Certainly, the carbon matrix served as a cushion to absorb volume expansion and facilitate the movement of the Na+ ions and the electrons within the electrode. Consequently, a honeycomb‐structured Na3Ni2SbO6 cathode was synthesized using a solid‐state approach to evaluate the feasibility of the SnS@MCS anode in a full‐cell configuration. The full‐cell operated at an average voltage of 3.25 V, with a specific capacity of 80 mAhg−1, and demonstrated a specific energy density of ≈266.7 Whkg−1. This work could serve as a research guide for the future investigation of alloy and conversion‐based anode materials in SIBs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Fe N C catalyst containing abundant atomic Fe-N x sites is synthesized using a MgCl 2 -assisted synthesis approach. The catalyst delivered an excellent oxygen reduction activity in alkaline and acidic electrolytes with outstanding stability. [Display omitted] • Highly active Fe N C catalyst is synthesized by a simplified salt-assisted approach. • Only a single heat-treatment step is employed to produce a highly active catalyst. • The synthesized Fe N C catalyst consists of atomic Fe-N x sites exclusively. • Optimized catalyst delivers excellent ORR activity in acidic and alkaline media. Nitrogen-doped porous carbons containing atomically dispersed iron are prime candidates for substituting platinum-based catalysts for oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) in fuel cells. These carbon catalysts are classically synthesized via complicated routes involving multiple heat-treatment steps to form the desired Fe-N x sites. We herein developed a highly active Fe N C catalyst comprising of exclusive Fe-N x sites by a simplified solid-state synthesis protocol involving only a single heat-treatment. Imidazole is pyrolyzed in the presence of an inorganic salt-melt resulting in highly porous carbon sheets decorated with abundant Fe-N x centers, which yielded a high density of electrochemically accessible active sites (1.36 × 1019 sites g−1) as determined by the in situ nitrite stripping technique. The optimized catalyst delivered a remarkable ORR activity with a half-wave potential (E 1/2) of 0.905 V RHE in alkaline electrolyte surpassing the benchmark Pt catalyst by 55 mV. In acidic electrolyte, an E 1/2 of 0.760 V RHE is achieved at a low loading level (0.29 mg cm−2). In PEMFC tests, a current density of 2.3 mA cm−2 is achieved at 0.90 V iR-free under H 2 –O 2 conditions, reflecting high kinetic activity of the optimized catalyst. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this new world of fluid technologies, hybrid nanofluid has become a productive subject of research among scientists for its potential thermal features and abilities, which provides an excellent result as compared to nanofluids in growing the rate of heat transport. Our purpose here is to introduce the substantial influences of magnetic field on 2D, time-dependent and stagnation point inviscid flow of couple stress hybrid nanofluid around a rotating sphere with base fluid is pure blood, TiO 2 and Ag as the nanoparticles. To translate the governing system of partial differential equations and the boundary conditions relevant for computation, some suitable transformations are implemented. To obtain the analytical estimations for the corresponding system of differential expression, the innovative Optimal Homotopy Analysis Method is used. The characteristics of hybrid nanofluid flow patterns, including temperature, velocity and concentration profiles are simulated and analyzed in detail due to the variation in the evolving variables. Detailed research is also performed to investigate the influences of relevant constraints on the rates, momentum and heat transport for both TiO 2 + Ag + B l o o d and TiO 2 + B l o o d . One of the many outcomes of this analysis, it is observed that increasing the magnetic factor will decelerate the hybrid nanofluid flow velocity and improve the temperature profile. It may also be demonstrated that by increasing the Brownian motion factor, significant improvement can be made in the concentration field of hybrid nanofluid. The increase in the nanoparticle volume fraction from 0.01 to 0.02 in the case of the hybrid nanofluid enhances the thermal conductivity from 5.8 to 11.947% and for the same value of the nanoparticle volume fraction in the case of nanofluid enhance the thermal conductivity from 2.576 to 5.197%. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this article, we present a completeness characterization of b ∼ metric space via existence of fixed points of generalized multivalued quasicontractions. The purpose of this paper is twofold: (a) to establish the existence of fixed points of multivalued quasicontractions in the setup of b ∼ metric spaces and (b) to establish completeness of a b ∼ metric space which is a topological property in nature with existence of fixed points of generalized multivalued quasicontractions. Further, a comparison of our results with comparable results shows that the results obtained herein improve and unify the existing results in the literature applicable to the case where existing results fail. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We explored the doping effect of Ge4+ on the Li 4 Ti 5- x Ge x O 12 (x = 0.0 and 0.05) anode material by looking at its electrochemical performance in both Li- and Na-ion batteries. Combined analysis using Rietveld refinement of high-resolution powder diffraction (HRPD) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM) unambiguously identified homogeneous Ge doping into the 16 c octahedral Ti site of the Li 4 Ti 5 O 12 (LTO) cubic spinel structure. This Ge doping leads to a much-reduced particle size, slightly expanded lattice and increased electrical conductivity due to the increased Ti3+ to Ti4+ ratio, these results were verified by HRPD, scanning electron microscopy (SEM), 4-point probe and x-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) analysis. The Li 4 Ti 4.95 Ge 0.05 O 12 (Ge0.05-LTO) electrode shows much-improved capacity, high-rate capability and excellent cycling stability in a Li-half cell compared with an un-doped LTO electrode. This performance improvement is due to the reduced Li+ diffusion path and faster Li+ insertion/extraction kinetics that originate from Ge doping. In addition to these results, when tested as an anode for SIBs, the Ge0.05-LTO electrode exhibits enhanced capacity and cycling stability compared to un-doped LTO electrode, demonstrating its bi-functional, advantageous features in both LIB and SIB systems. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Using first-principle calculations, metal–semiconductor (MS) contact of YX2 (Y=Ta, Nb; X=S, Se, Te) and MX2 (M=Mo, W; X=S, Se, Te) monolayers in the shape of YX2–MX2 van der Waals Heterostructures (vdWHs) are fabricated. Electronic structure, type of the Schottky contact and height of Schottky barrier at the interface of YX2–MX2 vdWHs are investigated. Stabilities of these systems confirmed via AIMD simulation and binding energies calculations. Electronic band structures confirm the metallic nature of YX2–MX2 MS vdWHs. Specific cases of the YX2–MX2 MS vdWHs have quite small (high) effective mass (carrier mobility), hence show potential for nanoelectronic devices. Workfunction and transfer of charges among the layers of YX2–MX2 MS vdWHs are also evaluated via electrostatic potential. A Schottky contact is established, while fabricating YX2–MX2 MS vdWHs. The calculated Schottky barrier height (SBH) show that YX2–MX2 (Y=Ta, Nb, M=Mo, W; X=S, Se, Te) vdWHs, initiate p-type of Schottky contact, while specifically, TaX2–MTe2 (M=Mo, W) and NbTe2–MoS2 and NbTe2–WS2 MS vdWHs initiate n-type of Schottky contact due to their higher Bn values. The SBH values are miniature compared to traditional MS contacts, but they are consistent with previous 2D based MS contacts. These observations indicates the potential of YX2–MX2 MS vdWHs for high-performance device application. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Electronic structure, contact type (Schottky contact) and height of the Schottky barrier at the interface of NbX 2 and MXY (M = Mo, W; (X≠Y) S, Se, Te) metal-semiconductor (MS) contact in the form of NbX 2 -MXY van der Waals heterostructure (vdWH) are investigated by first-principles calculations. Thermal and dynamical stabilities of these systems confirmed via Ab-initio molecular dynamics (AIMD) simulation, binding energies and phonon spectrum calculations. Electronic band structures, show that NbX 2 -MXY MS contact in model-I and –II are metal and seem to be simple sum of NbX 2 and MXY monolayers due to the weak vdW interaction. The quite small effective mass in specific cases of the NbX 2 -MXY MS vdWH in model-I and –II, exhibit high carrier mobility, hence can be considered a potential candidate for future high-speed nanoelectronic applications. Furthermore, electrostatic potential, charge density difference and bader charges are also evaluated for detail understanding of the variation in the work function and transfer of charges among the layer, while fabricating NbX 2 -MXY MS contact in the form of vdWHs. At the equilibrium interlayer distance, the NbX 2 -MXY MS contact forms a p-type (n-type in specific cases) Schottky contact. • NbX 2 −MXY (M = Mo, W; (X≠Y) S, Se, Te) metal-semiconductor (MS) contact. • Electronic band structures, show that NbX 2 -MXY MS contact in model-I and –II are metal and seem to be simple sum of NbX 2 and MXY monolayers due to the weak vdW interaction. • Electrostatic potential, charge density difference and bader charges are also evaluated. • NbX 2 -MXY MS contact forms a p-type (n-type in specific cases) Schottky contact. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Livestock manure is a valuable source of nutrients for plants. However, poor handling practices during storage resulted in nutrient losses from the manure and decrement in its nitrogen (N) fertilizer value. We explored the influence of divergent storage methods on manure chemical composition, carbon (C) and N losses to the environment as well as fertilizer value of storage products after their application to the wheat. Fresh buffalo manure (FM) was subjected to different storage operations for a period of ∼6 months, (i) fermentation by covering with a plastic sheet (CM) (ii) placed under the roof (RM) (iii) heap was unturned (SM) to remain stacked at an open space and (iv) manure heap turned monthly (TM) to make compost. During storage, 8, 24, 45 and 46% of the initial N total was lost from CM, RM, SM, and TM, respectively. The respective C losses from these treatments were 16, 34, 47 and 44% of the initial C content. After stored manures application to the wheat crop, mineral N in the soil remained 27% higher in CM (14.1 vs. 11.1 kg ha−1) and 3% (10.8 vs. 11.1 kg ha−1) lower in SM compared to FM treatment. In contrast, microbial biomass C and N was 35 (509 vs.782 mg C kg−1 soil) and 25% (278 vs.370 mg N kg−1 soil) lower in CM than FM treatment, respectively indicating lower N immobilization of CM in the soil. These findings could result in the highest grain yield (5166 kg ha−1) and N uptake (117 kg ha−1) in CM and the lowest in SM treatments (3105 and 61 kg ha−1, respectively). Similarly, wheat crop recovered 44, 15 and 13% N from CM, TM and SM, respectively. Hence, management operations play a critical role in conserving N during storage phase and after stored manure application to the field. Among the studied operations, storing animal manure under an impermeable plastic sheet is a much better and cheaper option for decreasing N losses during storage and improving wheat yield when incorporated into the soil. Therefore, by adopting this manure storage technique, farmers can improve the agro-environmental value of animal manure in Pakistan. • Storage methods impact on C and N losses from animal manure (M) was tested. • These losses were lower in anaerobic (CM) than turned (TM) or unturned (SM) storage techniques. • Mineral N and P content was higher in CM applied soil than SM and fresh manure (FM). • Soil microbial biomass C and N was higher in FM treatment than CM, SM or TM. • Wheat grain yield and N uptake were the highest in CM and the lowest in SM treatment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Climate change is causing significant disruptions worldwide, and Swat, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP), is no exception. This qualitative research delves into the extensive effects of climate change on the health of Swat's residents, particularly those in vulnerable communities. By conducting in-depth interviews with healthcare professionals, local authorities, and affected individuals, alongside employing data collection methods such as audio recordings and meticulous note-taking, a comprehensive understanding of the situation was developed. The study highlights the multifaceted factors contributing to climate change in the region, including deforestation, glacial melting, and unpredictable weather patterns, and explores their cascading effects on public health. The findings reveal that climate change is exacerbating various health issues, including a rise in respiratory problems due to increased air pollution, a surge in waterborne diseases from contaminated water sources, heat-related illnesses stemming from rising temperatures, and a growing prevalence of mental health challenges as communities struggle with climate-induced stress and displacement. To address these impacts, urgent measures are needed, including substantial investment in resilient infrastructure, strengthening local healthcare systems to cope with emerging health threats, improving water management practices to ensure safe drinking water, enhancing early warning systems for extreme weather events, promoting public health education focused on climate adaptation, empowering communities through participatory approaches, and integrating mental health support into climate response strategies. The study emphasizes the importance of coordinated and proactive measures at both local and governmental levels to mitigate the socio-economic and psychological consequences of climate change. By offering valuable insights from respondents, the study concludes by recommending specific actions to alleviate the adverse impacts of climate change on health in Swat, KP, and calls for a comprehensive, multisectoral approach to ensure the well-being of the region's inhabitants. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aim of this paper is to introduce Ciric-Suzuki type quasi-contractive multivalued operators and to obtain the existence of fixed points of such mappings in the framework of b-metric spaces. Some examples are presented to support the results proved herein. We establish a characterization of strong b-metric and b-metric spaces completeness. An asymptotic estimate of a Hausdorff distance between the fixed point sets of two Ciric-Suzuki type quasi-contractive multivalued operators is obtained. As an application of our results, existence and uniqueness of multivalued fractals in the framework of b-metric spaces is proved. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Several heterogeneous catalysts have been utilized for biodiesel synthesis from low-grade oils containing free fatty acids (FFA) in a two-stage esterification and transesterification method in previous studies. In this study, NaOH-bentonite impregnated with graphene oxide (GO), as a novel bi-functional heterogeneous catalyst for simultaneous esterification and transesterification was developed and characterized by thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), X-ray diffraction (XRD), X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), Raman spectroscopy, field emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM), N 2 adsorption measurement to obtain the surface area (BET) and temperature programmed desorption (TPD NH 3 and CO 2 ). The effect of reaction time (h), reaction temperature (°C), methanol-to-oil ratio and catalyst amount (wt%) was studied. All experiments were performed at an optimized GO-to-NaOH-bentonite ratio of 1:20. Impressively, the GO-NaOH-bentonite catalyst exhibited excellent catalytic performance and resulted in 89.5 wt% conversion of free fatty acids and 98.5 wt% overall biodiesel yield after 4.5 h reaction time with catalyst amount of 6 wt%, reaction temperature of 62 °C and 6:1 methanol-to-oil ratio. Results showed that the presence of Na 2 O enhanced the low-strength basic sites of the catalyst at 150–200 °C, which played the key role in transesterification of rapeseed oil. It was also found that, the presence of GO on NaOH-bentonite, increased the overall acid strength of the composite catalyst by providing more Brønsted acidic sites. The acidic-basic nature of GO-NaOH-bentonite improved the accessibility of methanol to oil and FFA with the increased pore size of the composite catalyst. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Nanostructured sodium metal orthosilicates hold a lot of promise as next-generation cathodes but their practical application is hindered by the complex crystal structure and electrochemical behaviour. Herein, cubic polymorphs of Na 2 FeSiO 4 with F-43 m symmetry decorated on carbon nanotubes have been synthesised successfully using a novel two-step process. The composite material with 0.08 wt% of carbon nanotubes demonstrate a capacity corresponding to a 1.25 sodium-ion exchange process resulting in 172.9 mAh g −1  at 0.1C cycled in the voltage range between 1.5 and 4.5 V. This work also highlights the mechanism of insertion/extraction process using complementary techniques of X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, and X-ray diffraction revealing the involvement of Fe 3 d band and conversion of Fe +2 to Fe +3 during first sodium-ion extraction while second sodium-ion extraction is possible due to further oxidation of Fe +3 . The discharge capacity is remarkable even at the high current rate of 20C, where we obtained the final capacity of 109.3 mAh g −1 . The excellent electrochemical performance reported here is due to the high structural stability of Na 2 FeSiO 4 composed of rigid corner-sharing tetrahedra, improved electronic conductivity by carbon nanotubes, reduced particle size, increased defect structure, high sodium-ion diffusion coefficient and the decreased charge transfer resistances. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Using DFT calculations, we have fabricated the MX-GaInS 3 (M = Ga, In; X = S, Se, Te) van dar Waals Heterostructures (vdWHs) and systematically calculated the structural, electronic, optical and photocatalytic properties. The calculated binding energies and AIMD simulations confirm the robust evidence for the stability of MX-GaInS 3 vdWHs. Despite of the indirect bandgap nature of MX (M = Ga, In; X = S, Se, Te) monolayer, interestingally MX-GaInS 3 vdWHs are direct bandgap semiconductors with type-II band alignments. Charge density difference, bader charges and the average electrostatic potential are calculated to investigate the transfer of charges amoung the layers at the interface of MX-GaInS 3 vdWHs. Using dispersion along high symmetry path by fitting the band edges, we have also calculated the effective mass of carriers in MX-GaInS 3 vdWHs. Smaller effective mass with higher mobility of carrier, suggest MX-GaInS 3 vdWHs best candidate for optoelectronic devices. Absorption spectra in term of ε 2 (ω) of MX-GaInS 3 (M = Ga, In; X = S, Se, Te) vdWHs are also calculated and investigated in detail. Both the conduction and valence band edges in GaS-GaInS 3 vdWHs straddle the standard redox band edge potentials, hence have the ability to perform both reduction and oxidation, confirming the potentiality for full water splitting at pH = 0. [Display omitted] • MX (M = Ga, In; X = S, Se, Te) monolayers with similar formation energy to MoS 2 show potentiality for optoelectronic devices. • GaInX 3 (X = S, Se, Te) monolayers with high electron mobilities are also potential candidates for nanoelectronics devices. • Van der Waals Heterostructure (vdWH) control the unwanted combination of carriers and tune the properties of materials. • Small lattice mismatch and identical symmetry of MX and GaInS 3 monolayers lead to design MX-GaInS 3 vdWHs. • Optoelectronics and Photocatalytic properties of the MX-GaInS 3 vdWHs are investigated. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Chemical interesterification of rubber seed oil has been investigated for four different designed orifice devices in a pilot scale hydrodynamic cavitation (HC) system. Upstream pressure within 1–3.5 bar induced cavities to intensify the process. An optimal orifice plate geometry was considered as plate with 1 mm dia hole having 21 holes at 3 bar inlet pressure. The optimisation results of interesterification were revealed by response surface methodology; methyl acetate to oil molar ratio of 14:1, catalyst amount of 0.75 wt.% and reaction time of 20 min at 50 °C. HC is compared to mechanical stirring (MS) at optimised values. The reaction rate constant and the frequency factor of HC were 3.4-fold shorter and 3.2-fold higher than MS. The interesterified product was characterised by following EN 14214 and ASTM D 6751 international standards. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Energy crisis is increasing day by day around the globe due to overconsumption, overpopulation, wastage of energy, poor infrastructure, and delay in commissioning of power plants, unexplored renewable energy resources and techniques. There is an urgent need to find out the new ways of energy production and utilization techniques. Here, authors present the new technique of energy harvesting with the movement of plant's branches and leaves. Simulation and design algorithm of energy harvesting system has been presented. Electricity can be produced due to air pressure on piezo nanogenerator that can be installed on branches and leaves of plants. The effect of variation in inputs on the range of outputs has been studied. Fuzzy Logic tool in MATLAB and Mamdani's model have been used for the simulation and calculation. Air velocity and angle have been considered as the two inputs and power has been considered as output of this energy harvesting system. Three membership functions for the inputs and output parameters have been allotted. The energy harvesting system works according to the specific defined rules. The variations of the inputs and the outputs have been displayed on the surface viewer graphs. The results obtained by fuzzy based simulation and Mamdani's model based calculations have only 0.27% error. This shows that the proposed energy harvesting system will perform well. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Silver-tin oxide (Ag-SnO2) is considered to be an effective alternative to silver-cadmium oxide (Ag-CdO), which is carcinogenic and, therefore, toxic to the human body. In this study, Ag-SnO2 powder was prepared through a combined oxidation and ball-milling process using gas-atomized Ag-Sn powder. During oxidation, the Ag3Sn phase disappeared at 800°C and SnO2 was formed without Ag oxidation; this SnO2 formed a layer structure that covered the Ag matrix. The thickness of the oxide layer increased after the composite was subjected to a second oxidation process. Owing to the resultant core (Ag)-shell (SnO2) structure, the electrical conductivity of the fabricated composite was considerably lower than that of commercially available materials. However, the electrical conductivity increased remarkably after ball milling of the samples, which allowed the SnO2 surface layer to be peeled off and crushed. Following high-pressure magnetic pulsed compaction, the SnO2 was found to be homogeneously distributed in the Ag matrix, which exhibited a lamellar structure. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aim of this paper is to introduce a class of multivalued mappings satisfying a Suzuki type generalized contractive condition in the framework of fuzzy metric spaces and to present fixed point results for such mappings. Some examples are presented to support the results proved herein. As an application, a common fixed point result for a hybrid pair of single and multivalued mappings is obtained. We show the existence and uniqueness of a common bounded solution of functional equations arising in dynamic programming. Our results generalize and extend various results in the existing literature. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper presents the design and simulation of MEMS based energy harvester controller. Energy harvesting from physical motion such as finger motion, heart beating, walking and running are becoming so important now-a-days. In this study outputs voltage and current of the MEMS based energy harvester can be controlled by using fuzzy logic based control system. A new way of controlling the outputs by changing the inputs has been proposed in this study. The system has been developed in MATLAB using fuzzy logic Mamdani model.Two inputs pressure and area have been selected. The three membership functions to the input parameters have been assigned. The two outputs like voltage and current are selected for output power. Three membership functions are also assigned to the outputs. The system works according to the rules defined in the fuzzy inference system (FIS). The results according to suggested rules belonging to assigned MFs have been displayed in surface viewer.Different rules of combinations were defined in MATLAB rule editor and we used AND logic for simulation. The rsults obtained from fuzzy logic controller have been verified by using Mamdani's formula for specific values of the inputs and the outputs. As there is only 1% error for both the outputs, current and voltage, this shows that the system performs very well. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Coincidence point theorems for hybrid pairs of single valued and multivalued mappings on an arbitrary nonempty set have been proved. As an application of our main result, the existence of common solutions of functional equations arising in dynamic programming are discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The impact of substrate on Pd nanofilm expansion in a Pd-H 2 system is investigated using polymer microcylinder ring resonator (PMRR) platform. Being a highly sensitive platform for H 2 gas detection, PMRR comprises of an inner sensitive Pd nanofilm and an outer PDMS layer coated on a standard optical fiber. Optical whispering gallery modes (WGMs) are excited in the rim of the outermost PDMS layer through evanescent field of a tapered fiber. H 2 molecules penetrating the H 2 -sensitive Pd nanofilm through the PDMS layer cause reversible expansion in the PMRR. This translates into shifts in spectral positions of the WGMs that are observed with tapered fiber transmission spectroscopy. Two types of PMRRs were fabricated. In the first type, Pd nanofilm was directly deposited on the silica surface of an optical fiber. In the other one, a PDMS buffer layer was precoated between Pd nanofilm and the silica surface, with different thicknesses. It is demonstrated that, the use of a PDMS buffer layer yields higher radial expansion of the nanofilm during the interaction with H 2 gas. A 180-nm-thick Pd nanofilm coated on ∼2.5-μm-thick PDMS buffer layer showed at least 18% higher radial expansion compared to the case without buffer layer. Identical thickness of Pd nanofilm on a ∼3.5-μm-thick PDMS buffer layer showed 30% higher radial expansion. Numerical and analytical calculations were also performed confirming the experimental results. Among mechanical properties of the PDMS buffer layer, Poisson's ratio was found to be the most significant parameter affecting the expansion of the nanofilm. [Display omitted] • The impact of substrate on Pd nanofilm in a Pd-H 2 system is investigated using polymer microcylinder ring resonator (PMRR). • Higher radial expansion of the Pd nanofilm is observed during the interaction with H 2 gas by using an elastic substrate. • A 180-nm-thick Pd nanofilm coated on ∼2.5-μm-thick PDMS buffer layer showed at least 18% higher radial expansion. • Enhancement in H 2 gas sensitivity was observed to be 18% and 30% for PDMS buffer layer thicknesses of ∼2.5 µm and ∼3.5 µm. • Among mechanical properties, Poisson's ratio of PDMS substrate was found to be the most significant parameter in Pd expansion. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Wardowski (2012) introduced a new type of contractive mapping and proved a fixed point result in complete metric spaces as a generalization of Banach contraction principle. In this paper, we introduce a notion of generalized F-contraction mappings which is used to prove a fixed point result for generalized nonexpansive mappings on star-shaped subsets of normed linear spaces. Some theorems on invariant approximations in normed linear spaces are also deduced. Our results extend, unify, and generalize comparable results in the literature. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this paper, we prove coupled fixed point theorem for multivalued fuzzy contraction mappings in a complete Hausdorff fuzzy metric space. As an application, coupled coincidence and common fixed point theorem is obtained for a hybrid pair of multivalued and single valued mappings. It is worth mentioning that to find coupled coincidence points we do not employ the condition of continuity of any mapping involved therein. Also, coupled coincidence points are obtained without exploiting any type of commutativity condition. Our results extend, improve, and unify some well known results in the literature. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: In this paper, we obtain a Suzuki type fixed point theorem for a generalized multivalued mapping on a partial Hausdorff metric space. As a consequence of the presented results, we discuss the existence and uniqueness of the bounded solution of a functional equation arising in dynamic programming. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

The aims of this article are twofold. One is to prove some results regarding the existence of best proximity points of multivalued non-self quasi-contractions of b − metric spaces (which are symmetric spaces) and the other is to obtain a characterization of completeness of b − metric spaces via the existence of best proximity points of non-self quasi-contractions. Further, we pose some questions related to the findings in the paper. An example is provided to illustrate the main result. The results obtained herein improve some well known results in the literature. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this paper, we introduce three classes of proximal contractions that are called the proximally λ − ψ − dominated contractions, generalized η β γ − proximal contractions and Berinde-type weak proximal contractions, and obtain common best proximity points for these proximal contractions in the setting of F − metric spaces. Further, we obtain the best proximity point result for generalized α − φ − proximal contractions in F − metric spaces. As an application, fixed point and coincidence point results for these contractions are obtained. Some examples are provided to support the validity of our main results. Moreover, we obtain a completeness characterization of the F − metric spaces via best proximity points. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The present work aimed to highlight an efficient, readily accessible, and cost-effective adsorbent derived from Dalbergia sissoo (DS) leaf powder for removing the environmentally hazardous dye "alizarin red S" (ARS) from hydrous medium. A variant of the adsorbent is activated via sulfuric acid and composited with magnetic iron oxide nanoparticles (DSMNC). Both adsorbents are thoroughly characterized using techniques such as Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, point of zero charge, energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy, and scanning electron microscopy, which show that they have a porous structure rich in active sites. Different adsorption conditions are optimized with the maximum removal efficiency of 76.63% for DS and 97.89% for DSMNC. The study was highlighted via the application of various adsorption isotherms, including Freundlich, Langmuir, Temkin, and Dubinin–Radushkevich, to adsorption data. Pseudo-first-order, pseudo-second-order, and intra-particle diffusion models were utilized to investigate the kinetics and mechanism of adsorption. The Freundlich model and pseudo-second-order kinetics exhibited the best fit, suggesting a combination of physical interactions, as confirmed by the D–R and Temkin models. The dominant adsorbate–adsorbent interactive interactions responsible for ARS removal were hydrogen bonding, dispersion forces, and noncovalent aromatic ring adsorbent pi-interactions. Thermodynamic parameters extracted from adsorption data indicated that the removal of the mutagenic dye "ARS" was exothermic and spontaneous on both DS and DSMNC, with DSMNC exhibiting higher removal efficiency. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The present work aimed to highlight an efficient, readily accessible, and costeffective adsorbent derived from Dalbergia sissoo (DS) leaf powder for removing the environmentally hazardous dye "alizarin red S" (ARS) from hydrous medium. A variant of the adsorbent is activated via sulfuric acid and composited with magnetic iron oxide nanoparticles (DSMNC). Both adsorbents are thoroughly characterized using techniques such as Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, point of zero charge, energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy, and scanning electron microscopy, which show that they have a porous structure rich in active sites. Different adsorption conditions are optimized with the maximum removal efficiency of 76.63% for DS and 97.89% for DSMNC. The study was highlighted via the application of various adsorption isotherms, including Freundlich, Langmuir, Temkin, and Dubinin-Radushkevich, to adsorption data. Pseudo-first-order, pseudo-second-order, and intra-particle diffusion models were utilized to investigate the kinetics and mechanism of adsorption. The Freundlich model and pseudo-second-order kinetics exhibited the best fit, suggesting a combination of physical interactions, as confirmed by the D-R and Temkin models. The dominant adsorbate-adsorbent interactive interactions responsible for ARS removal were hydrogen bonding, dispersion forces, and noncovalent aromatic ring adsorbent pi-interactions. Thermodynamic parameters extracted from adsorption data indicated that the removal of the mutagenic dye "ARS" was exothermic and spontaneous on both DS and DSMNC, with DSMNC exhibiting higher removal efficiency. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The present work aimed to highlight an efficient, readily accessible, and costeffective adsorbent derived from Dalbergia sissoo (DS) leaf powder for removing the environmentally hazardous dye "alizarin red S" (ARS) from hydrous medium. A variant of the adsorbent is activated via sulfuric acid and composited with magnetic iron oxide nanoparticles (DSMNC). Both adsorbents are thoroughly characterized using techniques such as Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, point of zero charge, energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy, and scanning electron microscopy, which show that they have a porous structure rich in active sites. Different adsorption conditions are optimized with the maximum removal efficiency of 76.63% for DS and 97.89% for DSMNC. The study was highlighted via the application of various adsorption isotherms, including Freundlich, Langmuir, Temkin, and Dubinin-Radushkevich, to adsorption data. Pseudo-first-order, pseudo-second-order, and intra-particle diffusion models were utilized to investigate the kinetics and mechanism of adsorption. The Freundlich model and pseudo-second-order kinetics exhibited the best fit, suggesting a combination of physical interactions, as confirmed by the D-R and Temkin models. The dominant adsorbate-adsorbent interactive interactions responsible for ARS removal were hydrogen bonding, dispersion forces, and noncovalent aromatic ring adsorbent pi-interactions. Thermodynamic parameters extracted from adsorption data indicated that the removal of the mutagenic dye "ARS" was exothermic and spontaneous on both DS and DSMNC, with DSMNC exhibiting higher removal efficiency. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Fuzzy logic-based control systems are widely used in various fields like home appliances, medical instruments, automobiles, textile machinery, agriculture equipment and aviation for process control and data analysis. Fuzzy logic technique has shown great potential to solve the complex problems of physical world due to similarity with human understanding. Its advancements have gained widespread attention in different research areas. In several cases, it is very suitable for electronic devices which need to be precisely self-powered. In this work, an ANSYS-based simulation, fuzzy analysis, development and testing of a microelectromechanical system (MEMS)-based energy harvester have been presented. Zinc oxide (ZnO) nano rods were synthesized on an anodic aluminum oxide (AAO) template to form the MEMS energy harvester and study the effect of energy generation by applying force. The power of 5.16 nano Watts has been obtained by taking the numerical value of voltage (Voc) and current (Isc) as 3.16 mV and 0.985 µA respectively using fuzzy logic tool. Experimental testing of the harvester shows that the range of Voc is 3–6.4 mV and Isc is 0.45–1.5 μA. The results depict that this device can be used for touch screens to generate energy that can be further utilized for charging smart devices. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Anemia and malnutrition are global health problem among all nutritional disorder with high morbidity and mortality in school aged children. Therefore the aims of the study assist the prevalence and risk factors of anemia, and malnutrition among school-going children of District Swabi Pakistan. A total of 600 school aged children of aged 4-15 years were included in the study in 2023. Hematocrit level was obtained using a centrifuge microhematocrit, and converted to hemoglobin using standard conversion. Nutritional status was determined by the anthropometric measurements, and demographic characteristics were obtained by questionnaire. Anemia and malnutrition were defined according to the World Health Organization standards. In current research work 600 children were selected for the assessment of nutritional status in which 105(17.5%) were found malnutrated. Moderate frequency of assessment were found among anemia 25(23.80%), stunting 22(21%) and underweight 18(17%) respectively. High frequency was found in malnutrition 40(38%) while very low frequency was seen in wasting 2(1.90%). Gender wise assessment of the students shows that the nutritional deficiencies were slightly high in male as compare to female students in comparison of Anemia, Malnutrition, Stunting, and Underweight and in wasting respectively. Aged group wised assessment of the students shows that the nutritional deficiencies were slightly high in low aged student (4-7 years) as compare to 8-11 years and 12-15 years in both gender. Among them Malnutrition were very high leading by Anemia while Underweight and wasting of very low frequency respectively. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A solid-solution cathode of LiCoPO4-LiNiPO4 was investigated as a potential candidate for use with the Li4Ti5O12 (LTO) anode in Li-ion batteries. A pre-synthesized nickel–cobalt hydroxide precursor is mixed with lithium and phosphate sources by wet ball milling, which results in the final product, LiNiyCo1−yPO4 (LNCP) by subsequent heat treatment. Crystal structure and morphology of the product were analyzed by X-ray powder diffraction (XRD), X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Its XRD patterns show that LNCP is primarily a single-phase compound and has olivine-type XRD patterns similar to its parent compounds, LiCoPO4 and LiNiPO4. Synchrotron X-ray absorption spectroscopy (XAS) analysis, however, indicates that Ni doping in LiCoPO4 is unfavorable because Ni2+ is not actively involved in the electrochemical reaction. Consequently, it reduces the charge storage capability of the LNCP cathode. Additionally, ex situ XRD analysis of cycled electrodes confirms the formation of the electrochemically inactive rock salt-type NiO phase. The discharge capacity of the LNCP cathode is entirely associated with the Co3+/Co2+ redox couple. The electrochemical evaluation demonstrated that the LNCP cathode paired with the LTO anode produced a 3.12 V battery with an energy density of 184 Wh kg−1 based on the cathode mass. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Ecological footprint (EF) is created by human demands for water, infrastructure, energy and food, among other things, resulting in pollution, depletion of resources and ecological disturbance. The sustainability goal in relation to EF is to reduce the impact of climate change on natural resources for long‐term growth. Pakistan is a country facing an ecological deficit and has difficulty striking a balance between economic development and environmental protection worldwide. As a result of its significant role in achieving sustainability, which is essential for human life, EF has become a global phenomenon. The study considered the nexus of economic growth, EF and its subcomponents for the economy of Pakistan. The Johansen co‐integration technique was used to analyse the short‐run (ECM) and long‐run relationship. The results showed that urbanisation, financial development, economic growth and temperature have positive effects on EFs, whereas rainfall and carbon dioxide emissions have a negative effect on EFs. The ECM test demonstrates that studied variables are responsible for 46% of disequilibrium in EF, which is less than the moderate threshold. On the contrary, in the model of EF, the coefficient of temperature in the long‐run speed is negative, indicating that the system is diverging from equilibrium and correcting its prior period disequilibrium at a rate of 663% a year, while that of CO2 emissions is positive, indicating that the system is converging towards equilibrium and correcting its prior period disequilibrium at a rate of 77.2% a year. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]