Search

The open nature of Wireless Sensor Networks (WSNs) renders them an easy target to malicious code propagation, posing a significant and persistent threat to their security. Various mathematical models have been studied in recent literature for understanding the dynamics and control of the propagation of malicious codes in WSNs. However, due to the inherent randomness and uncertainty present in WSNs, stochastic modeling approach is essential for a comprehensive understanding of the propagation of malicious codes in WSNs. In this paper, we formulate a general stochastic compartmental model for analyzing the dynamics of malicious code distribution in WSNs and suggest its possible control. We incorporate the stochasticity in the classical deterministic model for the inherent unpredictability in code propagation, which results in a more appropriate representation of the dynamics. A basic theoretical analysis including the stability results of the model with randomness is carried out. Moreover, a higher-order spectral collocation technique is applied for the numerical solution of the proposed stochastic model. The accuracy and numerical stability of the model is presented. Finally, a comprehensive simulation is depicted to verify theoretical results and depict the impact of parameters on the model's dynamic behavior. This study incorporates stochasticity in a deterministic model of malicious codes spread in WSNs with the implementation of spectral numerical scheme which helps to capture these networks' inherent uncertainties and complex nature. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In the present work, ZnFe2O4 and CoCr2O4 nanocomposites were prepared by the solution combustion synthesis method. The two materials were combined using the mechanical mixing method to produce nanocomposites with different weight ratios. The resulting nanocomposites were characterized by x-ray diffraction (XRD), field-emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM), x-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), and zero-field-cooled (ZFC) and field-cooled (FC) magnetization. The XRD patterns confirmed the formation of a spinel structure, with average crystallite sizes of 35 nm and 20 nm, respectively. FESEM micrographs confirmed a non-spherical shape, homogeneous dispersion, and larger grain size. The XPS spectra were analyzed prior to determining the chemical composition of the (x)CoCr2O4 + (1−x)ZnFe2O4 materials, revealing the occurrence of each element that appeared nominally in the formula. The hysteresis M–H curves for all tested samples at 10 K demonstrated S-type behavior, confirming the ferro-/ferrimagnetic order. It was noted that for the CoCr2O4 sample, the M–H loop at 90 K exhibited linear behavior, confirming the paramagnetic order, with a Curie temperature (TC) of about 86 K. The experimental results indicate that the physical mixing process did not affect the phase purity of the nanoparticles, and the newly formed nanocomposites exhibited improved magnetic properties. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In the pursuit of enhancing the optoelectronic properties of perovskite thin films for photovoltaic applications, this study investigates the effects of Fe ion irradiation on methylammonium lead iodide bromide (MAPbI₂Br) thin films. Thin films of methylammonium lead iodide bromide, (CH3NH3PbI2Br, or MAPbI2Br) have been deposited by sol–gel dip coating technique. These films were irradiated with 300 keV Fe ions with flouncy of 2 × 1014 ions/cm2. The prepared films all show the cubic crystal structure. However, the film irradiated with Fe ions has a larger grain size, according to XRD. The optical characteristics, such as refractive index, band gap energy, and extinction coefficients, are examined by UV–Vis analysis. Although both the films showed a direct bandgap, the film irradiated with Fe ions showed a lower value for the bandgap energy (1.76 eV) and high refractive index. The device structure used was FTO/TiO2/MAPbI2Br/spiro-OMeTAD/Au. The devices made with 300 keV Fe ions irradiated film has high current density of 10.86 mA cm−2, fill factor of 0.80, an open circuit voltage of 1.06 V, and an efficiency of 9.93%. The findings emphasize the potential of Fe ion irradiation as a novel technique to improve grain structure and optoelectronic properties, advancing perovskite-based device technology for higher efficiency solar cells. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study delves into the realm of optical soliton solutions within the intricate framework of highly dispersive couplers integrated with optical metamaterials featuring a parabolic law nonlinear refractive index. Employing the extended auxiliary equation method, the investigation systematically unveils various soliton solutions, including dark solitons, bright solitons, singular solitons, and a distinctive amalgamation of bright and singular solitons. The results illuminate the diverse dynamics of solitons in these complex systems, offering crucial insights into the interplay among dispersion, nonlinearity, and metamaterial characteristics. Beyond enhancing the theoretical understanding of soliton behavior in optical metamaterial couplers, the findings hold practical significance by potentially influencing the design and optimization of optical communication devices and systems. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this study, the fracture performance of edge cracks (under mode II) and oblique cracks (under mode III) was studied using reinforced asphalt mixtures with different ratios of nano-MoS2. An extensive laboratory program was presented in which three different conditions including untreated samples, samples treated by freezing and thawing process, and samples treated by aging mechanism were applied to estimate the short-term and long-term features. Finally, untreated and treated samples were fractured using the three-point fracture test at different temperatures. The outcomes of short-term performance indicators demonstrated that nano-MoS2 enhanced the fracture characteristics of pavement in both percentages. Therefore, the offered mixtures can perform better than the sample without additives in all three aspects of fracture resistance, toughness, and flexibility at various temperatures. Compared to the destructive cycles of freezing and thawing, which determined the critical fracture resistance and stiffness, the aging mechanism caused the fracture flexibility results to become crucial. This result revealed that in determining asphalt pavement fracture indices, all indices should be evaluated (medium and low temperatures). Finally, it can be suggested that the mixes strengthened with 0.6% and 0.3% nano-additive had the best short-term fracture performance against shear and tear loads, respectively. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study investigates the characteristics and performance of a composite material comprising bismuth oxide (Bi2O3) and reduced graphene oxide (rGO) at varying concentrations. The diffraction pattern for un-substituted α-Bi2O3 nanoparticles (NPs) showed major reflections corresponding to rGO crystal faces, with calculated lattice parameters of a = 5.849 Å, b = 8.166 Å, and c = 7.510 Å. The substitution of α-Bi2O3 with rGO preserved the crystalline phase, and the material’s porosity increased with higher rGO concentrations, as verified by XRD and humidity testing. Notably, at a composition of 20% rGO (Bi 0.2), the composite demonstrated a significant reduction in resistance from 11 to 98% relative humidity (RH), showing an exponential decrease. The response time of the sensor was recorded at 9 s, with a recovery time of 12 s. The material exhibited exceptional humidity sensitivity, especially at higher rGO concentrations, making it highly suitable for humidity sensing applications. Furthermore, the sensor demonstrated high stability over a 60-day period, maintaining consistent performance. These findings highlight the potential of the Bi2O3-rGO composite for robust and reliable sensor applications under varying environmental conditions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study investigates the characteristics and performance of a composite material comprising bismuth oxide (Bi2O3) and reduced graphene oxide (rGO) at varying concentrations. The diffraction pattern for un-substituted α-Bi2O3 nanoparticles (NPs) showed major reflections corresponding to rGO crystal faces, with calculated lattice parameters of a = 5.849 Å, b = 8.166 Å, and c = 7.510 Å. The substitution of α-Bi2O3 with rGO preserved the crystalline phase, and the material’s porosity increased with higher rGO concentrations, as verified by XRD and humidity testing. Notably, at a composition of 20% rGO (Bi 0.2), the composite demonstrated a significant reduction in resistance from 11 to 98% relative humidity (RH), showing an exponential decrease. The response time of the sensor was recorded at 9 s, with a recovery time of 12 s. The material exhibited exceptional humidity sensitivity, especially at higher rGO concentrations, making it highly suitable for humidity sensing applications. Furthermore, the sensor demonstrated high stability over a 60-day period, maintaining consistent performance. These findings highlight the potential of the Bi2O3-rGO composite for robust and reliable sensor applications under varying environmental conditions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Cow dung is an abundant agricultural by‐product that poses disposal challenges. Converting this waste into a valuable energy resource aligns with sustainable waste management practices and contributes to a circular economy. This research aims at Cow dung disposal by carbonization and gasification for hydrogen generation and maximizes it by optimizing the process parameters. In the pyrolysis‐carbonization process, the influence of temperature on cow dung and its biochar characteristics was initially investigated. On the cow dung feedstock, different operating temperatures at about 400, 500, and 600 °C and response times of about 30, 60, and 120 min were tested. With CD450 as the feedstock, the gas concentrations and hydrogen yield were around 62 vol% and 0.69 m3 kg−1, respectively, for longer reaction times. Similar to this, the gas concentration and yield value for hydrogen at 600 °C gasification temperature is around 64 vol% and 0.91 m3 kg−1. Cow dung is evidently acceptable for larger hydrogen production at higher gasification temperatures and reaction times when the carbonization temperature is 450 °C. In addition, when compared to feedstock without adding nanoparticles, including Fe3O4 nanoparticles may increase the hydrogen concentration and yield by around 13.5 % and 4.21 %, respectively. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Emerging solar cells, perovskite solar cells (PSCs), promises the world community green energy at a reasonable price. However, more research is needed to improve their efficiency and sustainability. Improving carrier mobilities of the formamidinium triiodide (FAPbI3) perovskite layer is one of the state-of-the-art strategies to increase the photovoltaic performance of PSCs. Here, we employed this strategy thanks to the benzoic acid additive for anisole anti-solvent. Our findings indicate that the benzoic acid improves the crystalline properties of the FAPbI3 photoactive layer, and consequently, the nonradiative recombination is effectively suppressed. The benzoic acid-based PSCs show improved carrier mobilities due to improved interfacial charge extraction and facilitated charge transfer. The acid-treated devices record a maximum efficiency of 22.44% with a reduced hysteresis, while the control devices obtain an efficiency of 19.34%. moreover, the acid-modified PSCs show improved stability behavior against humidity and sun illumination, which paves the way for the PSCs’ commercialization. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper proposes a structured, tiered framework through a UNCITRAL Model Law to gradually integrate artificial intelligence (AI) into foreign investment law arbitration in an ethical and effective manner. It also explores the critical role arbitration institutions can play in facilitating AI implementation. It details how AI can assist arbitrators by searching vast datasets, automating routine tasks, and enhancing decision-making through analysis of previous cases. Current AI regulations in regions like the EU, UK, and Canada fall short in addressing the complexities of cross-border arbitration and ensuring interoperability. By emphasising the distinct contributions of the proposed UNCITRAL Model Law and arbitration institutions, the paper highlights a multi-faceted strategy to overcome challenges posed by outdated international conventions, inconsistencies in bilateral investment treaties, and the lack of comprehensive guidance. This approach aims to refine the integration of AI in arbitration processes, enhancing efficiency, fairness, and the legitimacy of the arbitration system. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: For the enhancement of agricultural productivity, while ensuring sustainability, this study delves into the under-explored domain of monitoring legume crop health and growth. Traditional methods of crop assessment encounter limitations, prompting a push for innovation by integrating advanced remote sensing technologies and artificial intelligence (AI). The purpose is to revolutionize crop assessment techniques and overcome existing constraints. Methods: The data was collected using a combination of satellite imagery and ground-based sensors, resulting in a rich repository of multispectral and spatial information. By using the capabilities of AI, a robust model was developed to interpret the gathered data, offering a detailed insight into the health and growth dynamics of legume crops. The AI algorithms not only identify anomalies but also forecast future states, facilitating timely interventions and informed decision-making in agriculture. Result: The findings of this study signify a significant change in precision agriculture, where the synergy of remote sensing and AI optimizes resource allocation, minimizes environmental impact and maximizes crop yields. The research unlocks the potential to transform legume farming practices, promoting sustainability and ushering in an era of data-driven cultivation. The implications extend beyond the legume crop sector, influencing the broader agricultural landscape with the promise of more efficient and sustainable practices. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Soybean cultivation faces challenges from pest infestations, necessitating advanced and proactive pest management strategies. Traditional methods often lag in early detection, resulting in substantial crop losses. This study addresses this gap by employing machine learning, specifically sequential convolutional neural networks (CNNs) and recurrent neural networks (RNNs), to transform early pest detection in soybean fields. The approach leverages a comprehensive dataset comprising high-resolution crop images and environmental variables, offering insights into soybean ecosystems. Methods: Using CNNs for picture processing and RNNs for collecting temporal relationships in environmental factors, a complex deep learning model is created. The dataset contains 1050 images of soybeans including pests such as Anticarsia, Coccinellidae and without pests (healthy). The model is trained for 20 epochs. The model has been carefully validated for accuracy, sensitivity and efficacy in early insect identification. The diversity of the dataset ensures that the model may be adjusted to a range of soybean growing situations. Result: The outcomes demonstrate the model's unparalleled effectiveness, routinely outperforming conventional techniques with an accuracy rate of 95%. Its exceptional sensitivity reduces financial and environmental expenses, highlighting its versatility in a range of soybean growing environments. In light of the difficult global agricultural landscape, this study offers a novel strategy for proactive and sustainable pest management, which is essential to guaranteeing strong soybean crop yields. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In recent years, there has been a growing interest in incorporating fractional calculus into stochastic delay systems due to its ability to model complex phenomena with uncertainties and memory effects. The fractional stochastic delay differential equations are conventional in modeling such complex dynamical systems around various applied fields. The present study addresses a novel spectral approach to demonstrate the stability behavior and numerical solution of the systems characterized by stochasticity along with fractional derivatives and time delay. By bridging the gap between fractional calculus, stochastic processes, and spectral analysis, this work contributes to the field of fractional dynamics and enriches the toolbox of analytical tools available for investigating the stability of systems with delays and uncertainties. To illustrate the practical implications and validate the theoretical findings of our approach, some numerical simulations are presented. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In pursuit of enhancing the Wireless Sensor Networks (WSNs) energy efficiency and operational lifespan, this paper delves into the domain of energy-efficient routing protocols. InWSNs, the limited energy resources of Sensor Nodes (SNs) are a big challenge for ensuring their efficient and reliable operation.WSN data gathering involves the utilization of a mobile sink (MS) to mitigate the energy consumption problem through periodic network traversal. The mobile sink (MS) strategy minimizes energy consumption and latency by visiting the fewest nodes or predetermined locations called rendezvous points (RPs) instead of all cluster heads (CHs). CHs subsequently transmit packets to neighboring RPs. The unique determination of this study is the shortest path to reach RPs. As the mobile sink (MS) concept has emerged as a promising solution to the energy consumption problem in WSNs, caused by multi-hop data collection with static sinks. In this study, we proposed two novel hybrid algorithms, namely" Reduced k-means based on Artificial Neural Network "(RkM-ANN) and "Delay Bound Reduced kmeans with ANN" (DBRkM-ANN) for designing a fast, efficient, and most proficient MS path depending upon rendezvous points (RPs). The first algorithm optimizes the MS's latency, while the second considers the designing of delay-bound paths, also defined as the number of paths with delay over bound for the MS. Both methods use a weight function and k-means clustering to choose RPs in a way that maximizes efficiency and guarantees network-wide coverage. In addition, a method of using MS scheduling for efficient data collection is provided. Extensive simulations and comparisons to several existing algorithms have shown the effectiveness of the suggested methodologies over a wide range of performance indicators. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The increased adoption of Internet of Medical Things (IoMT) technologies has resulted in the widespread use of Body Area Networks (BANs) in medical and non-medical domains. However, the performance of IEEE 802.15.4-based BANs is impacted by challenges related to heterogeneous data traffic requirements among nodes, including contention during finite backoff periods, association delays, and traffic channel access through clear channel assessment (CCA) algorithms. These challenges lead to increased packet collisions, queuing delays, retransmissions, and the neglect of critical traffic, thereby hindering performance indicators such as throughput, packet delivery ratio, packet drop rate, and packet delay. Therefore, we propose Dynamic Next Backoff Period and Clear Channel Assessment (DNBP-CCA) schemes to address these issues. The DNBP-CCA schemes leverage a combination of the Dynamic Next Backoff Period (DNBP) scheme and the Dynamic Next Clear Channel Assessment (DNCCA) scheme. The DNBP scheme employs a fuzzy Takagi, Sugeno, and Kang (TSK) model's inference system to quantitatively analyze backoff exponent, channel clearance, collision ratio, and data rate as input parameters. On the other hand, the DNCCA scheme dynamically adapts the CCA process based on requested data transmission to the coordinator, considering input parameters such as buffer status ratio and acknowledgement ratio. As a result, simulations demonstrate that our proposed schemes are better than some existing representative approaches and enhance data transmission, reduce node collisions, improve average throughput, and packet delivery ratio, and decrease average packet drop rate and packet delay. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

EGYPT is recently facing the challenge of water scarcity due to the increase in population and limitation of water resources. Therefore, researchers should investigate the usage of nonconventional water sources, for example, greywater to increase water budget which is available to overcome this problem. Since quantities of water are consumed in the ablution process, and this water is less polluted, this research aims to collect greywater and study its quality for reuse in irrigating zucchini plants. Three treatments were carried out for irrigation: 1- Tap water (TP: control), 2- Greywater (GW), and 3- Magnetized greywater (MGW). To investigate how well these treatments worked, some measurements were made on zucchini plants and soil properties. The tenth (10th) and twentieth (20th) day following the agriculture produced the maximum chlorophyll a (Chl-a), chlorophyll b (Chl-b) and carotenoid (Car) levels as compared to control when plants were watered with MGW. Additionally, the activity of antioxidant enzymes raised when GW is used, whereas it diminishes when MGW is used, compared to control on the 10th and 20th day after agriculture .The outcomes data demonstrated that MGW irrigation of zucchini plants produced the greatest NPK values. Among different irrigation water used (TP, GW and MGW), MGW recorded the most significant values of soil chemical properties as well as seed germination. The data showed that the EC value of soil irrigated by MGW significantly decreased compared to the EC values of the soil before irrigation or soil irrigated by GW or TP. Also, the germination percentage was recorded 100% after 12 days with MAW compared with TP and AW which recorded 80% for the two qualities, respectively. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Neurotrophic tyrosine receptor kinase (NTRK) has been a remarkable therapeutic target for treating different malignancies, playing an essential role in oncogenic signaling pathways. Groundbreaking trials like NAVIGATE led to the approval of NTRK inhibitors by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to treat different malignancies, significantly impacting current oncology treatment. Accurate detection of NTRK gene fusion becomes very important for possible targeted therapy. Various methods to detect NTRK gene fusion have been applied widely based on sensitivity, specificity, and accessibility. The utility of different tests in clinical practice is discussed in this study by providing insights into their effectiveness in targeting patients who may benefit from therapy. Widespread use of NTRK inhibitors in different malignancies could remain limited due to resistance mechanisms that cause challenges to medication efficacy in addition to common side effects of the medications. This review provides a succinct overview of the application of NTRK inhibitors in various types of cancer by emphasizing the critical clinical significance of NTRK fusion gene detection. The discussion also provides a solid foundation for understanding the current challenges and potential changes for improving the efficacy of NTRK inhibitor therapy to treat different malignancies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Laron syndrome (LS) is a rare genetic disorder caused by mutations in the growth hormone receptor gene. It is characterized by severe dwarfism resistant to growth hormones, metabolic abnormalities, and an increased risk of developing type 2 diabetes. Patients with LS often present with spinal abnormalities, including hyperkyphosis. However, hyperkyphosis and diffuse platyspondyly are unusual features in patients with LS; to our knowledge, no case has been reported to date. Case Report: This report presents the case of a 20-year-old woman with LS who visited the orthopedic outpatient clinic with hyperkyphosis. She received an LS diagnosis during childhood, and her family members also had hyperkyphosis. The patient reported a gradual worsening of her condition, accompanied by back pain and difficulty in daily activities. Physical examination showed increased thoracic curvature and reduced height. Radiographic investigations included long spine radiographs, a computed tomography scan, and magnetic resonance imaging. The radiographs revealed kyphosis with flattened vertebral bodies, and the magnetic resonance imaging demonstrated degenerative changes and spinal cord assessment. Diffuse platyspondyly, kyphosis centered around the T11 level, and degenerative changes were observed. Conclusion: The case report highlights hyperkyphosis in a patient with LS and emphasizes the importance of further investigation for hereditary skeletal dysplasia. This case report contributes to the understanding of the musculoskeletal manifestations of LS, specifically hyperkyphosis and spinal abnormalities. Further research is warranted to explore the underlying mechanisms and develop targeted treatment strategies for individuals with LS and its associated spinal deformities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Iraqi Journal of Agricultural Sciences is the property of Republic of Iraq Ministry of Higher Education & Scientific Research (MOHESR) and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Nickel oxide (NiO) nanoparticles were formed using the chemical precipitation method. The effect of the calcination process on the structural parameters, optical bandgap, and photocatalytic performance was investigated. The structural characteristics were carried out using X-ray diffraction (XRD), Fourier transforms infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), and scanning electron microscope (SEM). The XRD analysis reveals that the formed NiO crystallized in an fcc crystal structure and the calcination process influences the crystallite size, microstrain, dislocation density, and average surface area. For example, the smallest and largest particle sizes (19.13 nm and 27.63 nm) were achieved for the samples prepared at 800 °C for 4 h and 900 °C for 2 h, respectively. Based on the diffuse reflectance spectroscopy analysis, the energy bandgap has the lowest values (3.33 eV) for the prepared NiO that calcinated at 800 °C for 2 h compared with other samples. The formation of a Ni–O stretching vibration mode is revealed by FTIR, and the broadness of the absorption band confirms that the NiO samples are nanocrystals. The morphology of the prepared NiO reveals the formation of spherical nanoparticles for NiO calcinated at 700 °C, while dodecahedron-like shapes were observed for NiO calcinated at 800 and 900 °C. The photocatalytic performance of NiO nanoparticles as catalysts for the degradation of indigo carmine dye was investigated under ultraviolet–visible irradiation up to 3 h. The best degradation efficiency was found to be 76% for NiO calcinated at 800 °C for 4 h, which belonged to the smallest crystallite size of 19.13 nm, and the highest surface area of 47.02 m2 g−1. The superior and excellent performance of this sample compared to other samples was confirmed by achieving the highest reaction rate constant (4.51 × 10−3 min−1). The proposed photodegradation mechanism shows the importance of increasing the time required for the recombination process between the positive holes and the excited electrons, which is the best possible when using the optimum photocatalyst sample that was prepared at 800 °C for 4 h. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper aims to introduce a robust framework for forecasting demand, including data preprocessing, data transformation and standardization, feature selection, cross-validation, and regression ensemble framework. Bagging (random forest regression (RFR)), boosting (gradient boosting regression (GBR) and extreme gradient boosting regression (XGBR)), and stacking (STACK) are employed as ensemble models. Different machine learning (ML) approaches, including support vector regression (SVR), extreme learning machine (ELM), and multilayer perceptron neural network (MLP), are adopted as reference models. In order to maximize the determination coefficient ( R 2 ) value and reduce the root mean square error (RMSE), hyperparameters are set using the grid search method. Using a steel industry dataset, all tests are carried out under identical experimental conditions. In this context, STACK1 (ELM + GBR + XGBR-SVR) and STACK2 (ELM + GBR + XGBR-LASSO) models provided better performance than other models. The highest accuracies of R2 of 0.97 and 0.97 are obtained using STACK1 and STACK2, respectively. Moreover, the rank according to performances is STACK1, STACK2, XGBR, GBR, RFR, MLP, ELM, and SVR. As it improves the performance of models and reduces the risk of decision-making, the ensemble method can be used to forecast the demand in a steel industry one month ahead. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Fluorescent Ag-doped ZnS nanoparticles have been prepared and used as scintillators for detecting ionizing radiation. Results demonstrate a linear relationship between emitted luminescence and the fluence of alpha particles. These results suggest that Ag-doped ZnS nanoparticles alone could be used as solid scintillators for specific environmental and medical applications. This study deals with the investigation of some physical characteristics of hydrothermal synthesized Ag-doped ZnS nanoparticles (NPs) using different techniques. XRD analysis clear that the prepared materials have a cubic phase. Direct energy gap has been investigated using Diffuse Reflectance Spectroscopy (DRS) and well-known Kubelka–Munk function (F(R)). The energy gap is equal to 3.47 eV. Also, for PL decay, the time constant observed for decay at 480 nm is 130.6 ns for fast component and 2611.4 ns for slow component. For studding the performance of the scintillation materials, a charged particle irradiation system was designed and constructed to examine the response of a commercial and native ZnS scintillator for alpha particles. Also, Pulse height spectrum of alpha particles and gamma rays has been investigated. Enhancing the PL emission of doped ZnS is one of the paper's achievements. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The current examination is to break down the information dependent on the Big Data Analytics in enhancing electronic medical records in clinics and wellbeing focuses. Numerous emergency clinics and medical services habitats are experiencing incapable utilization of enormous information investigation in streamlining electronic medical records (EMRs) to create great bits of knowledge for their clinical practices. Hierarchical conduct and the exercises associated with the medical field are the principal factors in improving the utilization of Big Data Analytics in EMRs. The examination centres around exploring the how the models and methods of information can accomplish enormous information life cycle in EMRs. The examination likewise uncovers the information put together investigation with respect to EMRs use and capacity that assists with improving the significant usage of huge information rehearses. The investigation contributes on advanced wellbeing rehearses by investigating the appropriate adaption of scientific instruments to EMRs to shape the significant utilization of large information examination with EMRs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Low temperature (LT) and high humidity (HH) are important environmental factors in greenhouses and plastic tunnels during the cold season, as they hamper plant growth and development.Here, we studied the effect of LT (day/night: 9/5 °C, 25/18 °C as control) and HH (95%, 80% as control) on young cucumber plants at the 2, 4 or 6 leaf stages.LT+HH stress resulted in a decline in shoot, root and total fresh and dry weights, and decreased Pn, gs, Tr, Fv/Fm, qP, ETR and chlorophyll, and increased MDA, H2O2, O2‐, NPQ and Ci as compared to the control at the 2 leaf stage. SOD, POD, CAT, APX and GR were upregulated under LT+HH stress as compared to the control at the 6 leaf stage. ABA and JA increased under LT+HH stress as compared to the control at the 6 leaf stage, while IAA and GA decreased under LT+HH stress as compared to the control at the 2 leaf stage.Our results show that LT+HH stress affects young cucumber plant photosynthetic efficiency, PSII activity, antioxidant defence system, ROS and hormone profile. Plants at the 6 leaf stage were more tolerant than at the 2 and 4 leaf stages under stress conditions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Manganese substituted cobalt ferrite, Co1-xMnxFe2O4 (x = 0.0-0.4), was prepared by a ceramic method. The heat-treated powders were pressed at hydrostatic pressure of 167 MPa, and were annealed at 1350 °C for 24 h. These samples present a single-phase cubic spinel structure and the compositional mass ratios are close to the empirical formula. The lattice constant determined from XRD increases with the increase of Mn content, whereas SEM study reveals that Mn substitution changes the microstructure and cause pores within the grains, which reduces the bulk density of the samples. The magnetocrystalline anisotropy constant, coercive field, and magnetostriction were observed to decrease with increasing Mn substitution; however, the strain derivative (dλ/dH) reaches a maximum value for x = 0.3. The observed variation in strain derivative in the Mn substituted cobalt ferrite is correlated to the microstructure whereas the reduced anisotropy of the system plays only a minor role. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Herein, an attempt has been made to investigate effect of C and Mn partitioning during quenching and partitioning heat-treatment process on microstructure, mechanical, and electrochemical properties of experimental 3 wt% Mn steel. The quenching and partitioning heat-treatment process was applied to the experimental steel with varying partitioning time periods ranging from 15 to 120 s at a constant partitioning temperature of 425 °C. The partitioning time period of 15 s resulted in a high volume fraction of supersaturated lath martensite with a small volume fraction of retained austenite. With increasing partitioning time period to 45–60 s, diffusion of C and Mn from martensite to retained austenite occurred resulting in the formation of decreased volume fraction of martensite phase with a reduced carbon and increased volume fraction of retained austenite phase with increased carbon. Partitioning for 90 s produced a moderate volume fraction of both lath martensite and retained austenite phases with nucleation of secondary phase, epsilon carbides. This phase transformation provided an optimum combination of 21% improved Vickers hardness and threefold improved impact toughness compared to as-received steel. Electrochemical properties of quenched and partitioned 3 wt% Mn steel were also evaluated in a 3 wt% NaCl solution. The highest corrosion resistance was achieved after prolonged partitioning of 120 s, whereas slightly low corrosion resistance was achieved after partitioning of 90 s. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Cobalt-substituted nickel–zinc ferrite nanoparticles, i.e., N i 0.5 - x C o x Z n 0.5 F e 2 O 4 (0.0 ≤ x ≤ 0.5) were prepared by the sol–gel method. X-ray diffraction patterns revealed that the prepared samples crystallized in cubic spinel structure, whereas the scanning electron microscopy study exhibited a change in the morphology of grains due to Co2+ substitution. 57Fe Mössbauer measurements suggested that the presence of iron is only in the Fe3+ oxidation state which is randomly distributed over the tetrahedral and octahedral sites. However, the fraction of Fe3+ ions present at the octahedral site strongly depends on the unusual site preference of substituted Co2+ ions for the tetrahedral site. Thus, the cationic distribution between both the sites altered with increasing Co2+ substitution. Significant enhancement in the resistive properties is found with increasing Co2+ substitution and the obtained values are ~ 104 times higher than that reported for their bulk counterparts. This improvement in the resistive properties is elucidated based on changes in the microstructure and cation redistributions due to Co2+ substitution. Here, we report that the colossal resistivity (3.82 × 1010 Ω cm) and diminished tangent loss (~ 0.01) for the sample with x = 0.2 make this composition interesting for high-frequency applications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Cobalt-doped zinc oxide, i.e., Zn 1 - x Co x O (x = 0.0, 0.02, 0.04 and 0.06) nanoparticles were synthesized by co-precipitation method. The X-ray diffraction patterns confirmed the formation of wurtzite structure in all prepared samples. Impedance spectroscopy was employed to understand the dielectric as well as resistive characteristics of synthesized samples. The partial replacement of Co at Zn lattice sites not only reduced the dielectric properties but also enhanced the resistive properties of prepared samples up to x = 0.04 of Co doping. The leakage current density curves displayed a significant reduction in leakage current for x = 0.04 sample, whereas the leakage conduction mechanism transformed from an ohmic to space-charge-limited conduction with increasing electric field. Moreover, the energy band gap was found to increase gradually up to x = 0.04 of Co doping and afterwards band gap started to decrease. Here, the observed variations in the obtained results are explained in term of variation in crystallite size and doping-induced defects. Based on the obtained results, it is proposed that the sample with x = 0.04 is a potential candidate for the optoelectronic and high-frequency applications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Polycrystalline Pr0.8Ca0.2MnO3 has been synthesized through solid state reaction route and phase purity is analyzed using synchrotron XRD. Magnetization M(T) showed Mn spin alignment due to ferromagnetic ordering around 125 K (TC), whereas M(H) showed an onset of non-linear behavior from 200 K and with temperature re-orientation of magnetic moment is discussed. The modulation of relaxation processes revealed different formations of impedance plane plots with temperatures. A change in equivalent circuit models from (R1C1)(R2Q2) to (R1C1)(R2Q2)(R3Q3) at 100 K is being reported. The analysis of the impedance data is carried out by calculating impedance of grains and grain boundaries. Fitted parameters derived from these equivalent circuit parameters showed a change in conduction mechanism from small polaronic hopping model (SPH) to Mott's variable range hopping (MVRH) model, around 125 K (TC). Carriers hop to larger distance with multiple activation energies and are described by MVRH below TC. Above this temperature, different trap centers start facilitating these carriers through SPH. Dielectric relaxation shows dispersion around 125 K and the origin of this polarization lies close to the relaxation derived from the grains and their interfaces. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The effect of oxygen annealing on the excess conductivity of Cu0.5Tl0.25M0.25Ba2Ca2Cu3O10-δ (M = K, Na, Li, Tl) samples is investigated. From the analysis of results, we have evaluated the exponents, the coherence length, the crossover temperature, and interlayer coupling strength (J) of the samples. These studies show that the K-doped post-annealed sample has shown narrow transition width with improvement in 2D and 3D conductivities. Oxygen annealing has also enhanced the coherence length and interlayer coupling strength of the material. Na- and Li-doped post-annealed samples have shown increased transition width, poor 2D and 3D conductivities within narrow temperature windows. After annealing, reduction in coherence length and the interlayer coupling strength is also observed. While in Tl-doped sample, oxygen annealing has not caused much deviation in fluctuation induced conductivity (FIC) parameters. The underlying cause of improved behavior of post-annealed K-doped sample is also discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We have investigated the magnetic and electrical response of the sol-gel synthesized NiFe2O4 nanoparticles. Changes in the impedance plane plots with temperature have been discussed and correlated to the microstructure of the material. Thermally activated hopping carriers between Fe3+-Fe2+ and Ni2+-Ni3+ ions have been determined for a decrease in the resistance of the sample and a change in the conduction mechanism around 318 K. The mixed spinel structure and broken exchange bonds due to small size effects are due to the canted spin structure at the surface of the nanoparticles. The magnetization is found to be influenced by the surface spin canting and anisotropy. We have established the semiconducting to metallic transition (SMT) temperature to be around 358 K in terms of localized and delocalized eg electrons along with a transition from less conductive [Fe3+-O2--Fe3+] and [Ni2+-O2--Ni2+] linkage to more conductive [Fe3+-Fe2+] and [Ni2+-Ni3+] linkage at the octahedral B site. A decrease in the dielectric constant with temperature has been discussed in terms of the depletion of space charge layers due to the repulsion of delocalized eg electrons from the grain boundary planes. The anomalies in tangent loss and conductivity data around 358 K are discussed in the context of the SMT. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The development of oral solid dosage forms, such as tablets that contain a high dose of drug(s), requires polymers and other additives to be incorporated at low levels as possible, to keep the final tablet weight low, and, correspondingly, the dosage form size small enough to be acceptable from a patient perspective. Additionally, a multi-step batch-based manufacturing process is usually required for production of solid dosage forms. This study presents the development and production, by twin-screw melt granulation technology, of a high-dose immediate-release fixed-dose combination (FDC) product of metformin hydrochloride (MET) and sitagliptin phosphate (SIT), with drug loads of 80% w/w and 6% w/w, respectively. For an 850/63 mg dose of MET/SIT, the final weight of the caplets was approximately 1063 mg compared with 1143 mg for the equivalent dose in Janumet®, the marketed product. Mixtures of the two drugs and polymers were melt-granulated at temperatures below the individual melting temperatures of MET and SIT (231.65 and 213.89°C, respectively) but above the glass transition temperature or melting temperature of the binder(s) used. By careful selection of binders, and processing conditions, direct compressed immediate-release caplets with desired product profiles were successfully produced. The melt granule formulations before compression showed good flow properties, were larger in particle size than individual starting API materials and were easily compressible. Melt granulation is a suitable platform for developing direct compressible high-dose immediate-release solid dosage forms of FDC products. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The modern manufacturing operations are always towards sustainable production through sustainable operations. Lean Manufacturing is one of the leading liner to increase operational efficiency in manufacturing industry but somewhere lacks to attain sustainable production. It has been observed that when the most common manufacturing paradigm are lean, green, agile, resilient, green and sustainability to attain sustainable production. In order to understand this, a literature study conducted in this research that focuses on the study of previous available literature regarding all these paradigms (lean, agile, resilient, green, and sustainability) and explain their looping among each other. The literature study results that the lean is straightly helpful in reduction of non-value added actives; agile is helpful to manage market demands and volatility among orders; resilience is helpful to handle uncertain disruptions during manufacturing; green is helpful to attain green and environmental friendly production with the alignment of sustainable production through sustainability which is affective in all environmental, economic and social implications. This literature study is highly helpful to understand, manage and clarify all the prominent paradigms of manufacturing on one platform that is a good contribution of academicians and practitioners working in this field. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The organic layer-on- insulator–semiconductor structures have attracted most attention owing to their great significance on technological applications. The interface of silicon based metal/semiconductor diode was improved using an organic layer. In this study, Sn/p-Si MS contact and Sn/C14H15N3/p-Si MIS heterojunction were fabricated via spin coating method. The electrical parameters of both devices have been investigated, and compared using the current–voltage (I–V) and capacitance–voltage (C–V) data at room temperature. The ideality factor of diodes with and without organic interfacial layer was calculated as 1.33 and 1.28, respectively. The values of barrier height were estimated as 0.69 and 0.81 eV for the MS and MIS type structure, respectively. Additionally, the values of series resistances for both diodes were determined as 1.27 and 1.19 kΩ from Norde functions, respectively. The barrier height values were also examined using the reverse bias C−2–V characteristics for both diodes, and compared with results obtained from I to V data. The experimental results confirmed that the barrier height of Sn/C14H15N3/p–Si MIS structure is considerably higher than that of traditional Sn/p-Si MS diode. The performance and quality of these type devices could be improved and controlled by inserting the organic interfacial layer between the metal and semiconductor. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this experimental approach, we explored the structures, morphologies, phototoxicities, and antibacterial activities of undoped and Mn-doped ceria nanocomposite materials, MnxCe1−xO2. The MnxCe1−xO2 nanocomposites were synthesized by employing a soft chemical route. Our prime focus was on the influence of different factors, both physical and chemical, i.e., the concentration of manganese in the product, size of the nanocomposite, drug dose, and incubation time, on the bacterial strains. Different bacterial strains were selected as experimental biological models of the antibacterial activity of the manganese-doped cerium oxide nanocomposite. In addition to the photodynamic response, the adenocarcinoma cell line (MCF-7) was also studied. Based on cell viability losses and bacterial inhibition analyses, the precise mechanisms of apoptosis or necrosis of 5-ALA/PpIX-exposed MCF-7 cells under 630 nm red lights and under dark conditions were elucidated. It was observed that the undoped nanocomposites had lower cytotoxicities and inhibitions compared with those of the doped nanocomposites towards pathogens. The antibacterial activity and effectiveness for photodynamic therapy were enhanced in the presence of the manganese-doped ceria nanocomposite, which could be attributed to the correlation of the maximum reactive oxygen species generation for targeted toxicity and maximum antioxidant property in bacteria growth inhibition. The optimized cell viability dose and doping concentration will be beneficial for treating cancer and bacterial infections in the future. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Gamma irradiation is recognized to modify the properties of thin films. In the present work, the effects of gamma irradiation on the nano-structural electrical and optical properties as of function of radiation dose has been studied. The PdS thin films deposited on glass substrate by successive ion layer adsorption and reaction (SILAR). The deposited thin films were irradiated by the gamma radiation with the 60Co for the Gamma dose range from 0 to 100 kGy. As deposited and gamma irradiated PdS thin films were investigated by impedance spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction, energy dispersive X-ray, scanning electron microscopy and Photoluminescence. The X-ray diffraction patterns exhibited a tetragonal structure of PdS thin films before after gamma irradiation, and demonstrated the changes in crystallinity, dislocation density, crystallite size and micro-strain. Field emission scanning electron microscopy and energy dispersive X-ray study conformed atomic composition of PdS thin film (1:1 ratio of Pd:S) and revealed that shape and size of grain depend on dose of gamma irradiation. Photoluminescence peak are found to be shifted to longer wavelength, intensity and width of photoluminescence peak increased for the gamma irradiated samples with increasing gamma dose. Impedance spectroscopy revealed that the enhancement of charge carrier density of irradiated PdS thin films increased linearly with gamma dose. The achieved results prove that gamma irradiation has superficial influence on nano-structural, optical and electrical properties of the deposited PdS thin films. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Summary: CD4+ regulatory T cells (Treg) expressing the forkhead box protein 3 (FOXP3) transcription factor (Tregs) are instrumental for the prevention of autoimmune diseases. There is increasing evidence that the human T regulatory population is highly heterogeneous in phenotype and function. Numerous studies conducted in human autoimmune diseases have shown that Treg cells are impaired either in their suppressive function, in number, or both. However, the contribution of the FOXP3+ Treg subpopulations to the development of autoimmunity has not been delineated in detail. Rare genetic disorders that involve deficits in Treg function can be studied to develop a global idea of the impact of partial or complete deficiency in a specific molecular mechanism involved in Treg function. In patients with reduced Treg numbers (but no functional deficiency), the expansion of autologous Treg cells could be a suitable therapeutic approach: either infusion of in‐vitro autologous expanded cells, infusion of interleukin (IL)‐2/anti‐IL‐2 complex, or both. Treg biology‐based therapies may not be suitable in patients with deficits of Treg function, unless their deficit can be corrected in vivo/in vitro. Finally, it is critical to consider the appropriate stage of autoimmune diseases at which administration of Treg cellular therapy can be most effective. We discuss conflicting data regarding whether Treg cells are more effectual at preventing the initiation of autoimmunity, ameliorating disease progression or curing autoimmunity itself. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The effect of different concentrations of urea on the morphology of iron oxide (Fe3O4) magnetic nanoparticles was studied. Fe3O4 magnetic nanoparticles were fabricated by the coprecipitation method. The morphology, crystallinity, compositional purity, and emission characteristics were tested by the techniques of scanning electron microscopy (SEM), X-ray powder diffraction (XRD), and Raman characterization. The drop-casting technique was successfully used to fabricate a potentiometric urea biosensor producing initially isopropanol and chitosan solution, consisting of Fe3O4 nanoparticles, on a glass fiber filter. To measure the developed biosensor's voltage signal from the functionalized nanoparticles, a copper wire was utilized. The Fe3O4 nanoparticle surface functionalization was performed through the electrostatic immobilization of urease with the Fe3O4-chitosan (CH) nanobiocomposite. The presented urea biosensor measured a wide logarithmic range of urea concentration of 0.1–80 mM with a sensitivity of 42 mV/decade, and indicated a fast response time of approximately 12 s. The developed urea biosensor showed enhanced sensitivity, stability, reusability, and specificity. All experimental results demonstrate the application potential of the developed urea sensor for the monitoring of urea concentrations in human serum, drugs, and food industry-related samples. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Ru(II) complex was prepared by the reaction of 4-chloro-N-[(E)-(pyridin-2-yl) methylidene] benzene-1-sulfonamide, [RuCl2(p-cymene)]2 and 2,2′-(pyridine-2,6-diyl) bis(1H-benzimidazole) compounds by simple chemical technique. Al/ruthenium(II) complex/p-Si/Al was characterized by electronic devices and its electrical properties were studied as photodiode. In dark, the photodiode parameters such as potential barrier φ and ideality factor n were investigated from current-voltage (I-V) plot and confirmed by using Cheung-Cheung and Norde's models. Under illumination effect, the synthesized device shows high photosensitivity and the charge carriers increased based on the trapped state created under the conduction band. It was observed from conductance-voltage (G-V) and resistance-voltage (Rs-V) measurements that the series resistance Rs of the diode is decreased dramatically and its conductance G is increased by applied electric field. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The challenges accompanying socio-ecological and demographic transformations in the urban areas necessitate for coordinated efforts to ensure urban ecological resilience. Trans-disciplinary analytical construct of urban ecosystem services (UES) empowers the policy makers and urban planners to synchronize the orientations of human impacts and resilience of ecological resources in urban areas. The current study provides a systematic overview about the research orientations, approaches and techniques used in the recent studies regarding UES. The study examined: what types of evaluation methods were adopted in the recent UES research? What is their spatial and temporal pattern? What types of UES were focused and environmental components relied upon for the assessment? To address these questions, 116 relevant publications were scrutinized by using a set of assessment criteria. The findings indicated a lesser focus in research towards UES in developing countries as compared to the volume and increasing share of their urban population. The study also establishes that an overwhelming proportion of the UES research was carried out in the industrialized countries of the northern hemisphere but rather skewed towards studying regulatory ecosystem services. The recommendations for improving the relevancy of contemporary research for stakeholders were made. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

MgO is an attractive choice for carcinogenic cell destruction in photodynamic therapy, as confirmed by manifold analysis. The prime focus of the presented research is to investigate the toxicity caused by morphologically different MgO nanostructures obtained by annealing at various annealing temperatures. Smart (stimuli-responsive) MgO nanomaterials are a very promising class of nanomaterials, and their properties can be controlled by altering their size, morphology, or other relevant characteristics. The samples investigated here were grown by the co-precipitation technique. Toxicity-dependent parameters were assessed in a HeLa cell model after annealing the grown samples at 350 °C, 450 °C, and 550 °C. After the overall characterization, an analysis of toxicity caused by changes in the MgO nanostructure morphology was tested in a HeLa cell model using a neutral red assay and microscopy. The feasibility of using MgO for PDT was assessed. Empirical modelling was applied to corroborate the experimental results obtained from assessing cell viability losses and reactive oxygen species. The results indicate that MgO is an excellent candidate material for medical applications and could be utilized for its potential ability to upgrade conventionally used techniques. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Radio refractivity plays a significant role in the development and design of radio systems for attaining the best level of performance. Refractivity in the troposphere is one of the features affecting electromagnetic waves, and hence the communication system interrupts. In this work, a modified artificial neural network (ANN) based model is applied to predict the refractivity. The suggested ANN model comprises three modules: the data preparation module, the feature selection module, and the forecast module. The first module applies pre-processing to make the data compatible for the feature selection module. The second module discards irrelevant and redundant data from the input set. The third module uses ANN for prediction. The ANN model applies a sigmoid activation function and a multi-variate auto regressive model to update the weights during the training process. In this work, the refractivity is predicted and estimated based on ten years (2002–2011) of meteorological data, such as the temperature, pressure, and humidity, obtained from the Pakistan Meteorological Department (PMD), Islamabad. The refractivity is estimated using the method suggested by the International Telecommunication Union (ITU). The refractivity is predicted for the year 2012 using the database of the previous ten years, with the help of ANN. The ANN model is implemented in MATLAB. Next, the estimated and predicted refractivity levels are validated against each other. The predicted and actual values (PMD data) of the atmospheric parameters agree with each other well, and demonstrate the accuracy of the proposed ANN method. It was further found that all parameters have a strong relationship with refractivity, in particular the temperature and humidity. The refractivity values are higher during the rainy season owing to a strong association with the relative humidity. Therefore, it is important to properly cater the signal communication system during hot and humid weather. Based on the results, the proposed ANN method can be used to develop a refractivity database, which is highly important in a radio communication system. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This document is a retraction note from the journal Scientific Reports. The article titled "Empirical Modeling of Physiochemical Immune Response of Multilayer Zinc Oxide Nanomaterials under UV Exposure to Melanoma and Foreskin Fibroblasts" has been retracted by the editors due to concerns about the validity of the data and conclusions. The retraction is based on the discovery that several figures in the article appear to be identical to figures from other published articles. Some of the authors agree with the retraction, while others did not respond to the correspondence. The editors were unable to establish contact with one of the authors. [Extracted from the article]