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Abstract Worldwide industrialization has grown at a rapid pace, contaminating water resources, particularly with phenolic pollutants that pose a risk to aquatic systems and human health. The goal of this study is to create an inexpensive magnetic composite that can effectively remove nitrophenol (o-NP) using adsorptive means. In this instance, a nonanyl chitosan (N-Cs) derivative was synthesized and then combined with activated petroleum coke (AP-coke) and magnetic Fe3O4 to boost its adsorbability towards o-NP and to facilitate its separation. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), X-ray diffractometer (XRD), Vibrating sample magnetometer (VSM), X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), and zeta potential were employed to characterize the magnetic composite. The experimental results indicated that the Fe3O4/AP-coke/N-Cs composite possesses a greater affinity toward o-NP with a maximal efficiency reached 88% compared to 22.8, 31.2, and 45.8% for Fe3O4, AP-coke and N-Cs, respectively. The equilibrium adsorption data coincided with the Langmuir, Freundlich, and Temkin isotherm models, with a maximum adsorption capacity of 291.55 mg/g at pH 6, whereas the pseudo second order kinetic model offered the best fit to the experimental data. Besides, the developed adsorbent preserved satisfactory adsorption characteristics after reuse for five successive cycles. The proposed adsorption mechanism involves the H-bonding, π-π interaction, hydrophobic interactions and electron donor-acceptor interactions. These findings hypothesize that the constructed magnetic composite could efficiently remove nitrophenols from polluted water with high performance and ease-separation.

Abstract Reinforcement of the Internet of Medical Things (IoMT) network security has become extremely significant as these networks enable both patients and healthcare providers to communicate with each other by exchanging medical signals, data, and vital reports in a safe way. To ensure the safe transmission of sensitive information, robust and secure access mechanisms are paramount. Vulnerabilities in these networks, particularly at the access points, could expose patients to significant risks. Among the possible security measures, biometric authentication is becoming a more feasible choice, with a focus on leveraging regularly-monitored biomedical signals like Electrocardiogram (ECG) signals due to their unique characteristics. A notable challenge within all biometric authentication systems is the risk of losing original biometric traits, if hackers successfully compromise the biometric template storage space. Current research endorses replacement of the original biometrics used in access control with cancellable templates. These are produced using encryption or non-invertible transformation, which improves security by enabling the biometric templates to be changed in case an unwanted access is detected. This study presents a comprehensive framework for ECG-based recognition with cancellable templates. This framework may be used for accessing IoMT networks. An innovative methodology is introduced through non-invertible modification of ECG signals using blind signal separation and lightweight encryption. The basic idea here depends on the assumption that if the ECG signal and an auxiliary audio signal for the same person are subjected to a separation algorithm, the algorithm will yield two uncorrelated components through the minimization of a correlation cost function. Hence, the obtained outputs from the separation algorithm will be distorted versions of the ECG as well as the audio signals. The distorted versions of the ECG signals can be treated with a lightweight encryption stage and used as cancellable templates. Security enhancement is achieved through the utilization of the lightweight encryption stage based on a user-specific pattern and XOR operation, thereby reducing the processing burden associated with conventional encryption methods. The proposed framework efficacy is demonstrated through its application on the ECG-ID and MIT-BIH datasets, yielding promising results. The experimental evaluation reveals an Equal Error Rate (EER) of 0.134 on the ECG-ID dataset and 0.4 on the MIT-BIH dataset, alongside an exceptionally large Area under the Receiver Operating Characteristic curve (AROC) of 99.96% for both datasets. These results underscore the framework potential in securing IoMT networks through cancellable biometrics, offering a hybrid security model that combines the strengths of non-invertible transformations and lightweight encryption.

Abstract Leptospirosis is caused by pathogenic bacteria of the genus Leptospira and is one of causative agents of reproductive problems leading to negative economic impact on bovine worldwide. The goal of this study was to investigate the seroprevalence of Leptospira spp. in cattle in some governorates of Egypt's Nile Delta and assess the risk factors for infection. A total of 410 serum samples were collected from cattle and examined using microscopic agglutination test. The overall seroprevalence was 10.2% and the most prevalent serovars were Icterohaemorrhagiae, Pomona and Canicola. In addition, the potential risk factors were associated Leptospira spp. infection were age, herd size, history of abortion, presence of dogs and rodent control. Thus, leptospirosis is common in dairy cattle in the Nile Delta and the presence of rodents in feed and dog-accessible pastures increases the risk of Leptospira spp. infection among animals.

Abstract We report on the synthesis and characterization of six novel 2,2′-bithiophene-based organic compounds (3a–c and 5a–c) that are designed to serve as co-sensitizers for dye-sensitized solar cells (DSSCs) based on TiO2. The compounds are linked to various donor and acceptor groups, and we confirm their chemical structures through spectral analyses. Our focus is on enhancing the performance of metal based N3, and the compounds were designed to operate at the nanoscale. We performed absorption and fluorescence emission measurements in dimethylformamide (DMF), where one of our compounds 5a exhibited the longest maximum absorption and maximum emission wavelengths, indicating the significant impact of the para methoxy group as a strong electron-donating group. Our dyes 5a + N3 (η = 7.42%) and 5c + N3 (η = 6.57%) outperformed N3 (η = 6.16%) alone, where the values of short current density (J SC ) and open circuit voltage (V OC ) for these two systems also improved. We also investigated the charge transfer resistance at the TiO2/dye/electrolyte interface using electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS), which is important in the context of nanotechnology. According to the Nyquist plot, the 5a + N3 cocktail exhibited the lowest recombination rate, resulting in the highest V OC . Our theoretical calculations based on density functional theory (DFT) are also in agreement with the experimental process. These findings suggest that our compounds have great potential as efficient DSSC co-sensitizers. This study provides valuable insights into the design and synthesis of new organic compounds for use as co-sensitizers in DSSCs based on TiO2 and highlights the potential of these compounds for use in efficient solar energy conversion.

Abstract The preparation of adsorbents plays a vital role in the adsorption method. In particular, many adsorbents with high specific surface areas and unique shapes are essential for the adsorption strategy. A Zn–Mg–Al/layer double hydroxide (LDH) was designed in this study using a simple co-precipitation process. Adsorbent based on Zn–Mg–Al/LDH was used to remove crystal violet (CV) from the wastewater. The impacts of the initial dye concentration, pH, and temperature on CV adsorption performance were systematically examined. The adsorbents were analyzed both before and after adsorption using FTIR, XRD, and SEM. The roughness parameters and surface morphologies of the produced LDH were estimated using 3D SEM images. Under the best conditions (dose of adsorbent = 0.07 g and pH = 9), the maximum adsorption capacity has been achieved. Adsorption kinetics studies revealed that the reaction that led to the adsorption of CV dye onto Zn–Mg–Al/LDH was a pseudo-second-order model. Additionally, intraparticle diffusion suggests that Zn–Mg–Al/LDH has a fast diffusion constant for CV molecules (0.251 mg/(g min1/2)). Furthermore, as predicted by the Langmuir model, the maximal Zn–Mg–Al/LDH adsorption capacity of CV was 64.80 mg/g. The CV dimensionless separation factor (RL) onto Zn–Mg–Al/LDH was 0.769, indicating that adsorption was favorable. The effect of temperature was performed at 25, 35, and 45 °C in order to establish the thermodynamic parameters ∆Ho, ∆So, and ∆Go. The computed values indicated exothermic and spontaneous adsorption processes. The study presented here might be used to develop new adsorbents with enhanced adsorption capabilities for the purpose of protecting the water environment.

Abstract Aerobic rice cultivation progresses water productivity, and it can save almost 50% of irrigation water compared to lowland rice with the appropriate development of genotypes and management practices. Two field trials were conducted during 2020, and 2021 seasons to determine the validation of different rice varieties under aerobic cultivation based on their plant defense system, physio-morphological traits, stress indices, grain yield, and water productivity. The experiments were designed in a split-plot design with four replications. Two planting methods, transplanting and aerobic cultivation, were denoted as the main plots, and ten rice genotypes were distributed in the subplots. The results revealed that the planting method varied significantly in all measured parameters. The transplanting method with well watering had the highest value of all measured parameters except leaf rolling, membrane stability index, antioxidant, proline, and the number of unfilled grains. EHR1, Giza179 and GZ9399 as well as A22 genotypes a chief more antioxidant defense system that operated under aerobic conditions. Giza179, EHR1, GZ9399, and Giza178 showed high cell membrane stability and subsequently high validation under such conditions, and also showed efficiency in decreasing water consumption and improving water use efficiency. In conclusion, this study proves that Giza179, EHR1, GZ9399, Giza178, and A22 are valid genotypes for aerobic conditions.

Abstract Mucormycosis is a life-threatening opportunistic angioinvasive fungal infection. We aimed to describe the frequency, presentations, predictors, and in-hospital outcome of mucormycosis patients in the scope of CoronaVirusDisease-19 (COVID-19) during the third viral pandemic wave. This cross-sectional retrospective study included all patients who fulfilled the criteria of mucormycosis with concurrent confirmed covid19 infection admitted to Assuit University Hospital between March 2021 and July 2021. Overall, 433 patients with definite covid-19 infection, of which 33 (7.63%) participants were infected with mucormycosis. Mucormycosis was predominantly seen in males (21 vs. 12; p = 0.01). Diabetes mellitus (35% vs. 63.6%; p

Abstract Molecular pathology services for colorectal cancer (CRC) in Sudan represent a significant unmet clinical need. In a retrospective cohort study involving 50 patients diagnosed with CRC at three major medical settings in Sudan, we aimed to outline the introduction of a molecular genetic service for CRC in Sudan, and to explore the CRC molecular features and their relationship to patient survival and clinicopathological characteristics. Mismatch repair (MMR) and BRAF (V600E) mutation status were determined by immunohistochemistry. A mismatch repair deficient (dMMR) subtype was demonstrated in 16% of cases, and a presumptive Lynch Syndrome (LS) diagnosis was made in up to 14% of patients. dMMR CRC in Sudan is characterized by younger age at diagnosis and a higher incidence of right-sided tumours. We report a high mortality in Sudanese CRC patients, which correlates with advanced disease stage, and MMR status. Routine MMR immunohistochemistry (with sequential BRAF mutation analysis) is a feasible CRC prognostic and predictive molecular biomarker, as well as a screening tool for LS in low-middle-income countries (LMICs).

Abstract Two novel bithienyl fluorobenzamidine derivatives namely, 4-([2,2′:5′,2′′-terthiophen]-5-yl)-2-fluorobenzamidine hydrochloride salt (MA-1615), 5′-(4-amidino-3-fluorophenyl)-[2,2′-bithiophene]-5-carboxamidine dihydrochloride salt (MA-1740) were synthesized, characterized and their corrosion inhibition properties were evaluated by electrochemical methods for carbon steel (C-steel) in 1 M HCl. Experimental investigations revealed that the inhibition effectiveness of the investigated inhibitors (INHs) by the Tafel polarization method followed the order: MA-1740 (96.9%) > MA-1615 (95.6%), demonstrating higher efficiency than inhibitors of similar structure reported in the literature. The investigated bithiophene derivatives exhibit mixed-type corrosion inhibition characteristics by blocking the active sites on the surface of C-steel. EIS study revealed that the INHs behave as interface-type corrosion inhibitors. UV–Visible spectrometric measurements confirmed a complex formation between the Fe2+ cation released during the corrosion reactions and inhibitor molecules.

We report on the synthesis and characterization of six novel 2,2′-bithiophene-based organic compounds (3a–c and 5a–c) that are designed to serve as co-sensitizers for dye-sensitized solar cells (DSSCs) based on TiO2. The compounds are linked to various donor and acceptor groups, and we confirm their chemical structures through spectral analyses. Our focus is on enhancing the performance of metal based N3, and the compounds were designed to operate at the nanoscale. We performed absorption and fluorescence emission measurements in dimethylformamide (DMF), where one of our compounds 5a exhibited the longest maximum absorption and maximum emission wavelengths, indicating the significant impact of the para methoxy group as a strong electron-donating group. Our dyes 5a + N3 (η = 7.42%) and 5c + N3 (η = 6.57%) outperformed N3 (η = 6.16%) alone, where the values of short current density (JSC) and open circuit voltage (VOC) for these two systems also improved. We also investigated the charge transfer resistance at the TiO2/dye/electrolyte interface using electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS), which is important in the context of nanotechnology. According to the Nyquist plot, the 5a + N3 cocktail exhibited the lowest recombination rate, resulting in the highest VOC. Our theoretical calculations based on density functional theory (DFT) are also in agreement with the experimental process. These findings suggest that our compounds have great potential as efficient DSSC co-sensitizers. This study provides valuable insights into the design and synthesis of new organic compounds for use as co-sensitizers in DSSCs based on TiO2 and highlights the potential of these compounds for use in efficient solar energy conversion. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]