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A kinetically favored Cd2+ and Ge4+ dual‐doped lithium titanate (Li4Ti5O12) anode material is designed for lithium‐ion batteries (LIBs). Rietveld refinement reveals that introducing a 0.05 wt.% of Cd2+ at Li(8a) and Ge4+ at Ti(16d) sites brings no structural change in the spinel Li4Ti5O12. Scanning transmission electron microscopy (STEM) identifies Cd2+ and Ge4+ are homogenously doped in the Li4Ti5O12 lattice. High‐resolution powder diffraction (HRPD) confirmed that Cd2+ and Ge4+ doping in Li4Ti5O12 brings expansion in the lattice, field emission scanning electron microscopy (FE‐SEM) shows the reduction in the particle size due to of Cd and Ge in the LTO lattice, and X‐ray photoluminescence spectroscopy (XPS) confirms the partial reduction of Ti4+ to Ti3+ ions on the surface of 0.05‐Cd‐Ge‐LTO electrodes to the pristine LTO. Furthermore, the 0.05‐Cd‐Ge‐Li4Ti5O12 electrode exhibits a superior rate performance and delivers a discharge capacity of ≈169.1 mAhg−1 at 0.1 current rates. It is worth mentioning that, the 0.05‐Cd‐Ge‐Li4Ti5O12 electrode brings outstanding cycling stability in Li+ half‐cell, having a capacity retention of 98.79% after 300 cycles at 2C. This proves that dual‐doping of Cd2+ at Li(8a) and Ge4+ at Ti(16d) sites in the Li4Ti5O12 lattice is an effective approach to obtain superior electrochemical performance as anode material in LIBs. [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]

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]

The rapid design of advanced materials depends on synthesis parameters and design. A wide range of materials can be synthesized using precursor reactions based on chelated gel and organic polymeric gel pathways. The desire to develop high-performance lithium-ion rechargeable batteries has motivated decades of research on the synthesis of battery active material particles with precise control of composition, phase-purity, and morphology. Among the most common methods reported in the literature to prepare precursors for lithium-ion battery active materials, sol-gel is characterized by simplicity, homogeneous mixing, and tuning of the particle shape. The chelate gel and organic polymeric gel precursor-based sol-gel method is efficient to promote desirable reaction conditions. Both precursor routes are commonly used to synthesize lithium-ion battery cathode active materials from raw materials such as inorganic salts in aqueous solutions or organic solvents. The purpose of this review is to discuss synthesis procedure and summarize the progress that has been made in producing crystalline particles of tunable and complex morphologies by sol-gel synthesis that can be used as active materials for lithium-ion batteries. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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]

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]

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]

Different compositions of manganese (x = 1 & 3 wt. %) and nitrogen (y = 1 wt. %) co-doped TiO2 (MnxNyT) photocatalysts are prepared by the conventional sol-gel method. The crystallinity, optical properties, phase purity and surface morphology of prepared nano-photocatalysts were characterised in detail. The structural analyses show that the simultaneous doping with manganese and nitrogen controls the growth of TiO2 crystal structure having an average crystallite size in the range of 14.6 to 24.5 nm. The optical analysis also demonstrated that due to the synergistic effect of Mn and N, co-doped TiO2 represents the red-shift in the absorption band edge from 3.33 eV to 2.39 eV, which improved the response of TiO2 structure towards the visible region and enhanced electron-hole separation. Among all, Mn3N1T represented the better photocatalytic efficiency against anionic dyes (Blue KBR and Red GD) and phenol under optimised conditions (such as initial substrate's concentration = 20 ppm, photocatalyst dose = 0.5 g and solution pH of 3 and 7, respectively) due to its low bandgap, low crystallite size and high absorptivity towards the visible region. The kinetics study also showed that the degradation of dyes and phenol over Mn3N1T followed pseudo-first-order kinetics. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Surface functionalization of 1D materials such as silicon nanowires is a critical preparation technology for biochemical sensing. However, existing nonselective functionalization techniques result in nonlocal binding and contamination, with potential device damage risks. Associated risks are further exacerbated for next-generation devices of a 3D nature with challenging topographies. Such 3D devices draw inspiration from the out-of-plane evolution of planar transistors to FinFETs and to today's gate-all-around transistors. This study is the first reported technological work addressing stencil-based surface decoration and selective functionalization of a suspended silicon nanowire building block embedded within such a device that involves two-order-of-magnitude thicker features compared to the nanowire critical dimensions. A gold pattern resolution of 3.0 μm atop the silicon nanowires is achieved with a stencil aperture critical dimension of 2.2 μm, accompanied by a die-level registration accuracy of 1.2 ± 0.3 μm. Plasma-enhanced chemical vapor deposition-based silicon nitride stencil membranes as large as 300 × 300 μm2 are used to define the apertures without any membrane fracture during fabrication and membrane cleaning. The pattern-blurring aspect as a resolution-limiting factor is assessed by using 24 individual nanowire devices. Finally, gold-patterned silicon nanowires are functionalized using thiolated heparin and employed for selective attachment and detection of the human recombinant basic fibroblast growth factor (FGF-2). With the potential involvement in angiogenesis, the process of new blood vessel formation crucial for tumor growth, FGF-2 can serve as a potential prognostic biomarker in oncology. Demonstrated selectively on nanowires with high pattern resolution, the proposed functionalization approach offers possibilities for parallel sensing using vast nanowire arrays embedded in 3D device architectures developed for next-generation biochemical sensors in addition to serving various encapsulation and packaging needs. [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]

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]

The automation of the manufacturing processes of thermoplastic composite laminates has become dependent on open mold processes such as automated tape placement (ATP), which couples tape layering with in situ consolidation. The manufacturing parameters of ATP open mold processes, which comprise processing time, consolidation pressure and temperature, affect the bond strength between the plies and the quality of the laminates produced. Therefore, the effect of the manufacturing parameters should be characterized. This work experimentally evaluates the feasibility of fabricating thermoplastic laminates using an open mold process that reasonably models that of ATP. Glass fiber-reinforced polypropylene laminates are fabricated from unidirectional tapes under different consolidation periods, pressures, and temperatures. The bond quality in the produced laminates is assessed by measuring their interlaminar shear strength, which is measured using a short beam standardized shear test in conjunction with digital image correlation. Results show that consolidation can occur at temperatures slightly below the composite tapes' complete melting temperature, and consolidation times between 7 and 13 min can result in acceptable bond strengths. The results confirmed the feasibility of the process and highlighted its limitations. Analysis of variance and machine learning showed that the effect of process parameters on interlaminar shear strength is nonlinear. [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 pavement recycling method is one of the practical ways to integrate sustainable development into transportation infrastructure, and it has been adopted worldwide. The use of reclaimed asphalt pavement (RAP) in new asphalt highways is limited due to the ageing effects caused by UV damage and weathering on the asphalt binder. To address this issue, waste vegetable oil (WVO) and waste engine oil (WEO) have been proposed as potential rejuvenating agents to enhance the recyclability of pavements containing RAP. This study evaluated the effectiveness of WEO and WVO as chemical rejuvenating agents through various tests on both aged and virgin asphalt binders. The tests included measurements of ductility, fire, and flash points, softening points, and penetration. The results indicate that the addition of WEO and WVO can improve the low-temperature properties of asphalt binders when mixed with RAP, resulting in reduced stiffness. The mixture containing WEO and WVO exhibited improved stability compared to the control, suggesting enhanced flow with increasing waste oil content in comparison to aged binder, albeit with slightly reduced flow compared to the virgin binder. This study demonstrates the potential of WEO and WVO as recycling agents to enhance the performance of bituminous mixes incorporating RAP. [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]

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]

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]

Microbial inoculants for controlling soil pathogens are an environmentally sustainable approach for attaining agricultural intensification. Charcoal root rot pathogens might threaten global food security and degrade prime agricultural lands. Microbial antagonists to control charcoal root disease were not properly studied with reference to physiological and photochemical basis. This research was aimed to examine the impact of newly isolated microbial biocontrol agents (MBCAs) on growth and photosynthetic efficiency (photosystem II) in pathogen (Macrophomina phaseolina)‐infected plants. The MBCAs (Purpureocillium lilacinum and Aspergillus terreus) were isolated and seeds were coated to improve soil fertility and resilience of agricultural lands. Both MBCAs inhibited the colonization of pathogenic fungus around the roots of host plants. Decline in growth traits was observed due to the detrimental impacts of root rot disease on growth parameters compared with plants treated with M. phaseolina. However, the growth of corn plants in both soils with and without M. phaseolina infestations was substantially improved by treating corn seeds with P. lilacinum and A. terreus. The pathogen drastically reduced the distinct parameters of photosystem II of photosynthesis. However, applying P. lilacinum and A. terreus significantly improved the total performance index (PItot), size, and the number of active reaction centers of photosystem II (Fv/Fo), electron transport rate, electron trapping per absorption (TRO/ABS), electron transport per absorption (ETO/ABS), electron transport per trapping (ETO/TRO), and the efficiency of light reaction (φEo) but downregulates nonphotochemical quenching (NPQ). Our study demonstrates that microbial antagonists offer a more effective, ecofriendly alternative to improve the land to sustainable agriculture. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Due to the lack of symmetry property for the quasi metrics, we have considered left and right versions of best proximity points of multivalued mappings of quasi metric spaces. Further we consider the problem of existence of semi (left and right) best proximity points of generalized multivalued contractions of quasi metric spaces via various versions of so called p-property. Some examples are given to explain the results. [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]

The miniaturization of microelectromechanical systems (MEMS) physical sensors is driven by global connectivity needs and is closely linked to emerging digital technologies and the Internet of Things. Strong technical advantages of miniaturization such as improved sensitivity, functionality, and power consumption are accompanied by significant economic benefits due to semiconductor manufacturing. Hence, the trend to produce smaller sensors and their driving force resemble very much those of the miniaturization of integrated circuits (ICs) as described by Moore's law. In this respect, with its IC-, and MEMS-compatibility, and scalability, the silicon nanowire is frequently employed in frontier research as the sensor building block replacing conventional sensors. The integration of the silicon nanowire with MEMS has thus generated a multiscale hybrid architecture, where the silicon nanowire serves as the piezoresistive transducer and MEMS provide an interface with external forces, such as inertial or magnetic. This approach has been reported for almost all physical sensor types over the last decade. These sensors are reviewed here with detailed classification. In each case, associated technological challenges and comparisons with conventional counterparts are provided. Future directions and opportunities are highlighted. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The household dependency ratio on young or old family members is considered a major determinant in poverty when human capital cannot support the family income. Since the elderly suffer a significant risk of poverty and make up an increasing percentage of the population, the country's economic inequality is quite sensitive to population ageing. Family size adversely affects household well-being when focusing on children under 15 and adults over 65. The dependency increases the burden on bread earners and reduces consumption expenditure. The current study uses family reliance and the multidimensional poverty concept to analyse how poverty is distributed throughout different provinces. The current study intends to provide poverty analysis across all four provinces of Pakistan using the Alkire and Foster method of multidimensional poverty indexes from Household Integrated Economic Survey data. The study found that increasing child dependence significantly reduces consumption and exacerbates poverty. The Seniors Dependency Indicator demonstrates that as the elderly population in Sindh, Punjab, and Khyber Pakhtoon Khwa (KPK) declines, poverty decreases. All provinces saw an increase in the prevalence of child poverty, with the highest KPK rates in Punjab (6%) and Sindh (4%), respectively. Since the functional sector does not have to shoulder the full load, the government should set up safety support mechanisms for these segments to lessen the burden on wage workers. According to the survey, access to clean water and literacy rates are the other leading indicators of poverty alleviation. [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]

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 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]

This paper deals with the existence of non-empty fixed point sets of newly introduced generalized set-valued F-contractions of b-metric spaces. Some illustrative examples show that the new results in this paper generalize properly, unify and extend some related results in the existing literature. Moreover, we extract some important consequences of the results in b-metric spaces. Particularly, by setting b-metric constant equal to one, we obtain some specific cases showing notable enhancement of existing results yet in metric spaces. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper deals with the existence and uniqueness of the best proximity points of nonself-mappings in the context of non-Archimedean fuzzy metric spaces. The existence of different proximal quasi-contractive mappings allowed us to generalize some results concerning the existence and uniqueness of the best proximity points in the existing literature. Moreover, an application in computer science, particularly in the domain of words has been provided. [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]

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]

Salt tolerance screening of a newly developed wheat variety (AZRC-DK-84) was performed using a halophytic grass (Cenchrus penisettiformis) as a test model. It was evident from the data that the newly developed breeding line AZRC-DK-84 of wheat was found to be well adapted under salinity stress as compared to standard halophytic grass demonstrating better or equivalent physiological and photochemical performance such as relative water content (RWC %), performance index (PIABS), non-photochemical quenching (qN), chlorophyll content index (CCI), the maximum quantum yield of PSII (Fv/Fm) and K+ ion accumulation. However, thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBAR), hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) content, number, and size of inactive reaction centers (Fv/Fo), NPQ (non-photochemical quenching), and Na+ ion accumulations were decreased in wheat as compared to halophytic grass. Further, wheat hybrid expressed greater antioxidant enzymes activities at 125 and 200 mM NaCl than Cenchrus penisettiformis. However, ascorbate peroxidase (APX) activities increased in wheat and Cenchrus penisettiformis plants under salt stress. The cube (Block or Dice) model was designed to represent specific energy fluxes of Photosystem II to compare the photochemical efficiency of Cenchrus penisettiformis and wheat under a salt stress environment. After initial screening, it is concluded that the breeding line of wheat (AZRC-DK-84) can be a breakthrough in wheat production especially in salt-affected areas. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This document is a correction notice for an article titled "Bio-oil modified binder derived from cotton stalks as an eco-friendly alternative binder for flexible pavements" published in Scientific Reports. The correction addresses an error in the Acknowledgements section, specifically regarding the grant numbers and affiliations. The corrected version of the article is now available. The authors of the article are Sahib Ullah, Syed Bilal Ahmed Zaidi, Diyar Khan, Ayyaz Fareed, Mohd Rosli Mohd Hasan, Abdalrhman Milad, and Basit Ali. [Extracted from the article]

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]

We explore a phase engineering strategy to improve the electrochemical performance of transition metal sulfides (TMSs) in anode materials for lithium-ion batteries (LIBs). A one-pot hydrothermal approach has been employed to synthesize MoS2 nanostructures. MoS2 and MoO3 phases can be readily controlled by straightforward calcination in the (200–300) °C temperature range. An optimized temperature of 250 °C yields a phase-engineered MoO3@MoS2 hybrid, while 200 and 300 °C produce single MoS2 and MoO3 phases. When tested in LIBs anode, the optimized MoO3@MoS2 hybrid outperforms the pristine MoS2 and MoO3 counterparts. With above 99% Coulombic efficiency (CE), the hybrid anode retains its capacity of 564 mAh g−1 after 100 cycles, and maintains a capacity of 278 mAh g−1 at 700 mA g−1 current density. These favorable characteristics are attributed to the formation of MoO3 passivation surface layer on MoS2 and reactive interfaces between the two phases, which facilitate the Li-ion insertion/extraction, successively improving MoO3@MoS2 anode performance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Summary: ZnMn2O4 has been intensively researched over the past two decades as a potential alternative to graphite anode material in the lithium‐ion battery (LIB). The positive impact of the ZnMn2O4 anodes on high capacity and rate capability has been consistently proven in lithium half‐batteries. However, there are currently insufficient studies to support these effects in Li‐ion full cell configuration by pairing with a state‐of‐the‐art cathode. Herein, we report ball‐in‐ball hollow structured ZnMn2O4, which was synthesized by a facile solvothermal method. The synthesized ZnMn2O4 showed high capacity, good cycling stability, and excellent rate capability as an anode material for LIBs in a half cell. The reaction mechanism was followed through a combination of in situ X‐ray diffraction (XRD) and ex situ synchrotron X‐ray absorption spectroscopy (sXAS) techniques. In situ XRD analysis reveals the ZnO and MnO phase formation with no evidence of Mn3O4 upon delithiation. The sXAS study shows that the reduction of ZnO to metallic Zn proceeds efficiently, whereas the reduction of MnO to metallic Mn is nominal during lithiation. The expected formation of the LiZn alloy is the first to be reported under the tested conditions. Overall, the results indicate that the Li‐driven conversion reaction of the ZnMn2O4 anode is only partially reversible. However, the ZnMn2O4 anode displayed its sustainability in a full cell by pairing with a commercial LiNi0.5Mn1.5O4 cathode. The battery energy density reached 561.5 Wh Kg−1, which was calculated based on the cathode mass, and exhibited a total specific capacity of 113 mAhg−1. Thus, this study presents a comparison between the half and full cell data demonstrating that the half‐cell predicts the overrated capacity value of a conversion‐type anode in LIBs. Furthermore, it highlights the reporting practices in a Li‐ion full cell for properly resolving its advantages. [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]

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]

Anodes derived from SnO2 offer a greater specific capacity comparative to graphitic carbon in lithium‐ion batteries (LIBs); hence, it is imperative to find a simple but effective approach for the fabrication of SnO2. The intelligent surfacing of transition metal oxides is one of the favorite strategies to dramatically boost cycling efficiency, and currently most work is primarily aimed at coating and/or compositing with carbon‐based materials. Such coating materials, however, face major challenges, including tedious processing and low capacity. This study successfully reports a new and simple WO3 coating to produce a core‐shell structure on the surface of SnO2. The empty space permitted natural expansion for the SnO2 nanostructures, retaining a higher specific capacity for over 100 cycles that did not appear in the pristine SnO2 without WO3 shell. Using WO3‐protected SnO2 nanoparticles as anode, a coin half‐cell battery was designed with Li‐foil as counter‐electrode. Furthermore, the anode was paired with commercial LiFePO4 as cathode for a coin‐type full cell and tested for lithium storage performance. The WO3 shell proved to be an effective and strong enhancer for both current rate and specific capacity of SnO2 nanoarchitectures; additionally, an enhancement of cyclic stability was achieved. The findings demonstrate that the WO3 can be used for the improvement of cyclic characteristics of other metal oxide materials as a new coating material. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Recently, due to the increasing concentration of carbon dioxide emissions in the atmosphere, the global environment has changed dramatically. As a result, climate change, global warming, and environmental degradation–like issues have been raised. Presumably, human beings, as well as the agricultural ecosystem, become most vulnerable to these issues. In this context, the study focuses on the nexus between Indian's agricultural ecosystem and carbon dioxide emission. For the purpose of this study, annual time series data over the time span from 1990 to 2014 was used. The modern techniques, for instance, Johansen, ARDL, and Granger causality, were employed. The Johansen test and ARDL model suggest that carbon dioxide emissions and agricultural ecosystems are co-integrated. In the short run, the ARDL model suggests that a 1% increase in biomass-burned crop residues, total pesticides, and stock of livestock would increase carbon dioxide emissions by 0.26, 0.3, and 6.58% respectively. The residual diagnostics tests suggest that the ARDL model is stable, reliable, and credible in the present form. The results of the granger causality show that a unidirectional causality was found between carbon dioxide and total heads of livestock, all animal manure applied to the soil, agricultural technology, and total pesticide used in the agricultural sector. In contrast, bidirectional causality was found between the production of biomass-burned crop residues and carbon dioxide emission. Therefore, it is suggested that the government should take preemptive action to reduce the risk of environmental pollution and degradation through synchronized strategies particularly by reducing the amount of biomass-burned crop residues and usage of total pesticides in the country. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]