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Physical characteristics of LiXCl3 (X = Sn, Pb) have been reported by a first-principles approach in the CASTEP simulation code. In structural, LiSnCl3 and LiPbCl3 are in the cubic phase and dynamically stable according to the phonan calculation. The electronic properties revealed that LiSnCl3 and LiPbCl3 are semiconductors. The observed energy band gaps are direct band gap in the order of 1.35 eV and 2.29 eV for LiSnCl3, and LiPbCl3, respectively. Additionally, the electronic profile is briefly discussed in terms of the partial and total density of states. The lattice constant and electronic properties are well matched with the previous literature. The partial and total density of states confirms the degree of localization of electrons. Optical properties were examined in the energy range of 0–40 eV. The optical chracteristics such as reflectivity, refractive index, absorption, dielectric function, conductivity, and energy loss function are calculated. The maximum reflectivity is observed in LiPbCl3. Furthermore, the mechanical and elastic characteristics of the materials are estimated to ensure their reliability, stability, and ease of handling in optoelectronic applications. The physical properties reveal that the concerned compounds have direct and narrow energy band gap which are potentially useful in solar cell technology. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study aimed to assess the effectiveness of various disinfectants against locally isolated pathogens using the Kirby-Bauer Method with disc diffusion. Indigenous strains of Salmonella typhimurium, E. coli, Campylobacter, Citrobacter freundii, and Staphylococcus aureus were obtained from the bacterial depository bank and sub-cultured on their respective selective media. A 0.5 McFarland Turbidity Standard was prepared, and eight commercially available disinfectants were tested for efficacy. The results of this study will inform the selection of appropriate disinfectants for use in preventing the spread of disease in various settings, including home sanitation, healthcare, and industrial manufacturing processes. The disinfectants used in this study produced different results against the targeted pathogens. Hydrogen peroxide and Formalin produced larger zones of inhibition, while Povidone Iodine and Hydrochloric acid produced intermediate zones. Ethanol, Methanol, and Dettol produced smaller. zones of inhibition. Benzalkonium Chloride was effective only against S. aureus, while all other indigenous isolates resisted it. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Cystic fibrosis (CF) is an autosomal recessive disorder caused by mutations in the CFTR gene. This study aimed to identify the spectrum of CFTR variants reported in individuals with CF from South Asia (ISA). We conducted a PubMed search for CFTR variants reported in ISA. Full text of original articles and case reports was read to compile data on reported variants. To gather additional data, we independently cross-referenced each variant with the CFTR Mutation Database and ClinVar. Our investigation identified a total of 92 CFTR variants reported across 30 articles. The most frequently tested, and reported variant was ΔF508 with a global frequency of 69.74%. Notably, we found 14 pathogenic CFTR mutations shared among ISA, originating from more than one South Asian country: ΔF508, 1525-1 G > A, G542X, S549N, R117H, S549R, R709X, V456A, Y569D, L1077P, 1161delC, 1898 + 1 G > T, G551D, and 2184insA. In summary, the higher prevalence of consanguinity and the limited availability of CF diagnostic resources in South Asia considerably contribute to the prevalence of genetic disorders like CF. The spectrum of CFTR mutations exhibits noticeable variations within South Asian and other populations. The inclusion of current study-enlisted CFTR gene variants is highly recommended for CF disease genetic testing in South Asia which may aid in achieving a precise diagnosis, enhancing disease management, and discovering drugs for currently untreatable genetic variants. It is also imperative to conduct a comprehensive study in this region, especially in previously unexplored countries such as Nepal, Bhutan, Maldives, and Bangladesh. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The repairing and strengthening of concrete structures using external and internal partial confinements are inevitable in the construction industry due to the new standards and rapid developments. The conventional materials and methods of confinement are unable to meet modern safety and functional standards. The fiber-reinforced polymer (FRP) enhances the strength and ductility of deteriorating and new concrete columns by reducing lateral confinement pressure and resistance against seismic shocks. The precise methods of partial confinement are inevitable for effective FRP-concrete bonding, durability, and cost-effectiveness under different loading conditions and to cope with external environmental factors. Predictive modeling and simulation techniques are pivotal for the optimization of confinement materials and methods by investigating the FRP-concrete novel confinement configurations, stress–strain responses, and failure modes. The novel materials and methods for concrete columns' partial confinement lack high compressive strength, ductility, chemical attack resistivity, and different fiber orientation impacts. This review provides an overview of recent confinement materials, novel methods, and advanced modeling and simulation techniques with a critical analysis of the research gaps for partial FRP confinement of concrete columns. The current challenges and future prospects are also presented. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Halide base perovskite LiCdX3 (X = F, Cl) is tested by CASTEP (Cambridge Serial Total Energy Package) based on density function theory (DFT). The presented discussion is to explore the structural, electronic, and optical properties of LiCdX3 (X = F, Cl). The calculated values of the lattice parameter are found to be 3.8 Å and 5.27 Å of LiCdF3 and LiCdCl3 respectively. The ideal structure of LiCdX3 (X = F, Cl) is cubic and dynamically stable. Electronic properties show that materials are semiconductors. The results from band structure are further evaluated by the total and partial density of states. The partial and total density of states confirms the degree of localization of electrons. In optical properties, the highest absorption coefficient is observed in LiCdCl3. The material is half metallic and has a narrow indirect band gap which may be used in photovoltaic applications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Asthma is a severe bronchial inflammatory disorder with high prevalence. In the current study, a list of significantly asthma-associated genes was created to identify asthma-associated pathways and ranking of genes based on protein interactions and centrality-lethality hypothesis representing that knockdown of influential node and edge leads toward the development of the disease. This ranking allows identification of the influential protein for the targeted drug discovery and therapies. An extensive study of published articles was conducted to enlist asthma-associated genes reported significant (P-value < 0.05) in the Pakistani population. Pathway Connector (http://bioinformatics.cing.ac.cy/PathwayConnector) was used to analyze the pathways associated with genes as well as novel pathways through complimentary network analysis. Protein-protein interaction studies were conducted using String (https://string-db.org/) and genes were ranked on a centrality score basis using Cytoscape (https://cytoscape.org/index.html). IL4, IL13, IL10, IL27, ADAM33, TBXA2R, FCER1β, ORMDL3, IKZF3, LRRC3C, GSDMA, GSTP1, GC, STAT6, CD14 and ACE are asthma-associated genes, significantly reported in the Pakistani population. Pathwayconnector provided a network of forty-six pathways and their complimentary-analysis provided thirteen new pathways including (hsa04658) Th1/Th2 and (hsa04659) Th17 cell differentiation pathways having STAT6, IL4, and IL13 genes having contribution in asthma. A network of appropriately matched proteins was provided by the string that was further utilized for centrality-measurement which ranked the thirteen most persuasive genes from top to bottom as IL10, IL4, ORMDL3, IL13, MS4A2, ADAM33, STAT6, GSDMA, IKZF3, LRRC3C, IL27, CD14, and ACE. This study enlightens the significantly associated asthma genes in the Pakistani population, figures out influential asthma linked pathways, and ranking of influential genes predicting their role in targeted drug discovery and therapies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aniline, a vital component in various chemical industries, is known to be a hazardous persistent organic pollutant that can cause environmental pollution through its manufacturing, processing, and transportation. In this study, the microcosms were established using sediment with a history of aniline pollution as an inoculum to analyze the aniline biodegradation under aerobic conditions through stable isotope probing (SIP) and isopycnic density gradient centrifugation technology. During the degradation assay, aniline that was 13C-labeled in all six carbons was utilized to determine the phylogenetic identity of the aniline-degrading bacterial taxa that incorporate 13C into their DNA. The results revealed that aniline was completely degraded in the microcosm after 45 and 69 h respectively. The bacteria affiliated with Acinetobacter (up to 34.6 ± 6.0%), Zoogloea (up to 15.8 ± 2.2%), Comamonas (up to 2.6 ± 0.1%), and Hydrogenophaga (up to 5.1 ± 0.6%) genera, which are known to degrade aniline, were enriched in the heavy fractions (the DNA buoyant density was 1.74 mg L−1) of the 13C-aniline treatments. Moreover, some rarely reported aniline-degrading bacteria, such as Prosthecobacter (up to 16.0 ± 1.6%) and Curvibacter (up to 3.0 ± 1.6%), were found in the DNA-SIP experiment. Gene families affiliated with atd, tdn, and dan were speculated to be key genes for aniline degradation based on the abundance in functional genes and diversity in different treatments as estimated using Phylogenetic Investigation of Communities by Reconstruction of Unobserved States version 2 (PICRUSt2) and the Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG). This study revealed the functional bacteria and possible degradation genes for aniline degradation in simulated polluted environments through SIP. These findings suggest that important degrading bacteria for the transformation of aniline and potential degradation pathways may be useful in the effective application of bioremediation technologies to remediate aniline-contaminated sites. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]