Search

The partial discharge (PD) event in high-voltage insulation releases energy, exerts mechanical pressure, and generates elastic waves. Detecting and locating these PD events through short-duration acoustic pulses is well established, particularly in gas-insulated systems and oil-insulated transformers. However, its full potential remains untapped in solid insulation systems, where the propagation capability of the acoustic pulse and the acoustic reflections pose fundamental challenges to the acoustic emission (AE) detection technique. This study investigates the influence of reflections and multiple paths on the propagating acoustic pulse in polymeric insulating materials using a finite element method (FEM) in COMSOL. It was observed that the reflections from the boundary influence the propagating pulse’s shape, peak magnitude, and arrival time. An analytical MATLAB model further quantifies the impact of multiple propagation paths on the shape, magnitude, and arrival time of the pulse travelling in a cylinder. Additionally, a Perfect Matched Layer (PML) was implemented in the COMSOL model to eliminate the reflections from the boundary, and it revealed that the acoustic pulse magnitude decreases with distance following the inverse square law. In essence, the models aid in measuring how reflections contribute to the observed signals, facilitating the precise identification of the source of the PD event in the tested system.

Indonesia is a large island country with a wide variety of ethnic groups. As part of the thalassemia country belt, Indonesia has alleles that are as distinctive as those found in other parts of Southeast Asia. The journey of ancestors in the prehistoric period and the massive increase in human exchange in the last decade have formed the current population of Indonesia. The mutants of the beta-thalassemia allele brought by those predecessors can be seen from the traces of their journey. This paperdescribes the flow gene according to the type of mutations of beta-thalassemia in the country.

Background and Objectives: Children with disabilities face unique challenges that can affect their well-being and quality of life (QOL). This study aimed to assess the QOL and coping strategies adopted by children with disabilities and explore how socio-demographic factors influence QOL and coping strategies. Materials and Methods: This cross-sectional study, which was conducted in Saudi Arabia with children aged 6 to 18 years, used a stratified random sample to ensure representation from a variety of demographic groups. Short Form-12 (SF-12) was used to assess the QOL in the sample population. The Brief COPE Inventory was used to examine coping strategies among the children. One-way analysis of variance was applied to examine differences in the QOL, coping strategies scores, and demographic variables. Multiple regression analyses were performed to examine the role of demographic variables in predicting QOL and p value was considered statistical significance at p < 0.05. Results: The results of the study clearly revealed significant differences between the mean scores of QOL for gender, age, and type of disability, duration of disability, education qualification, family status, family occupation, and housing status. Female participants showed better QOL in physical functioning than their male counterparts. Children with intellectual disability reported better QOL in general health, vitality, social functioning, and mental health. Participants with seven to eight years of disability reported higher scores in physical functioning, vitality, and mental health. Children whose parents were working in private agencies and living in rented houses scored higher on the general health aspects of quality of life. The findings also revealed that the duration of the disability was a significant predictor of the QOL. The mean scores of different dimensions of coping strategies clearly revealed that male participants used dysfunctional coping (p < 0.01), as compared to problem-focused and emotional-focused coping while female children relied more on emotional-focused coping. Emotion-focused coping was significantly higher in participants with visual (p < 0.01), learning (p < 0.01), and intellectual disabilities (p < 0.01). Dysfunctional coping scores were higher among children with auditory disabilities (p < 0.01) and multiple disabilities (p < 0.01). Conclusions: This study highlights the significance of demographic factors in understanding and improving the well-being of a diverse population of disabled juveniles. It offers valuable insights into the subtle factors affecting quality of life. Future interventions and policies can leverage these findings to enhance the quality of life of individuals with disabilities and to foster a more supportive and inclusive approach.

Excessive use of chemical fertilizers poses significant environmental and health concerns. Microbial-based biofertilizers are increasingly being promoted as safe alternatives. However, they have limitations such as gaining farmers’ trust, the need for technical expertise, and the variable performance of microbes in the field. The development of nanobiofertilizers as agro-stimulants and agro-protective agents for climate-smart and sustainable agriculture could overcome these limitations. In the present study, auxin-producing Enterococcus sp. SR9, based on its plant growth-promoting traits, was selected for the microbe-assisted synthesis of silver nanoparticles (AgNPs). These microbial-nanoparticles SR9AgNPs were characterized using UV/Vis spectrophotometry, scanning electron microscopy, and a size analyzer. To test the efficacy of SR9AgNPs compared to treatment with the SR9 isolate alone, the germination rates of cucumber (Cucumis sativus), tomato (Solanum lycopersicum), and wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) seeds were analyzed. The data revealed that seeds simultaneously treated with SR9AgNPs and SR9 showed better germination rates than untreated control plants. In the case of vigor, wheat showed the most positive response to the nanoparticle treatment, with a higher vigor index than the other crops analyzed. The toxicity assessment of SR9AgNPs demonstrated no apparent toxicity at a concentration of 100 ppm, resulting in the highest germination and biomass gain in wheat seedlings. This work represents the first step in the characterization of microbial-assisted SR9AgNPs and encourages future studies to extend these conclusions to other relevant crops under field conditions.

The electrochemical performance of in-house developed, spark plasma-sintered, Aluminum metal–matrix composites (MMCs) was evaluated using different electrochemical techniques. X-ray diffraction (XRD) and Raman spectra were used to characterize the nanocomposites along with FE-SEM and EDS for morphological, structural, and elemental analysis, respectively. The highest charge transfer resistance (Rct), lowest corrosion current density, lowest electrochemical potential noise (EPN), and electrochemical current noise (ECN) were observed for GO-reinforced Al-MMC. The addition of honeycomb-like structure in the Al matrix assisted in blocking the diffusion of Cl− or SO4−2. However, poor wettability in between Al matrix and Al2O3 reinforcement resulted in the formation of porous interface regions, leading to a degradation in the corrosion resistance of the composite. Post-corrosion surface analysis by optical profilometer indicated that, unlike its counterparts, the lowest surface roughness (Ra) was provided by GO-reinforced MMC.

Drought is a persistent and devastating obstacle to crop production, affecting both humanity and livestock. The application of selenium (Se) effectively mitigates various types of abiotic stresses and enhances crop yield under unfavorable conditions. However, our understanding of how nano-Se (nSe) alleviates drought stress (DS) in soybeans is still limited. To address this gap, our study focused on assessing the effectiveness of foliar nSe application during the reproductive stage of soybeans. Three concentrations of nSe were applied to plants grown in pots filled with clay loam soil, simulating DS conditions. Our findings reveal that nSe spraying significantly promoted the accumulation of above-ground dry biomass and enhanced relative water content (RWC) and photosynthetic pigment over alone-DS treatment. Furthermore, nSe application boosted the activity and contents of protective enzymes and osmolytes, resulting in a dose-dependent reduction in electrolyte leakage (EL), reactive oxygen species (ROS) accumulation, and malondialdehyde (MDA) content. Additionally, nSe improved stomatal characteristics and mesophyll cell ultrastructure, further mitigating the adverse effects of drought stress. These findings suggest the potential of nSe as an effective strategy to enhance soybean tolerance and potentially improve crop yields under drought conditions.

Heat stress-induced biochemical alterations in ovarian follicles compromise the function of granulosa cells (GCs) and the developmental competence of oocytes. Summer heat stress can have a far-reaching negative impact on overall fertility and reproductive success. Together with the heat stress, the rise of assisted reproductive technologies (ART), potential confounding hazards of in vitro handling and the absence of systemic body support in ART makes it imperative to study the heat stress ameliorative effects of vitamin C under in vitro conditions. Using in vitro heat stress treatment of 43 °C for two hours in bovine GCs, we studied the effects of vitamin C on cell growth, oxidative stress, apoptosis and cell cycle progression together with a comprehensive metabolomics profiling. This study investigates the molecular milieu underlying the vitamin C (VC)-led alleviation of heat-related disruptions to metabolic processes in bovine GCs. The supplementation of VC ameliorated the detrimental effects of heat stress by reducing oxidative stress and apoptosis while restoring cell proliferation. Normal cell function restoration in treated GCs was demonstrated through the finding of significantly high levels of progesterone. We observed a shift in the metabolome from biosynthesis to catabolism, mostly dominated by the metabolism of amino acids (decreased tryptophan, methionine and tyrosine) and the active TCA cycle through increased Succinic acid. The Glutathione and tryptophan metabolism were important in ameliorating the inflammation and metabolism nexus under heat stress. Two significant enzymes were identified, namely tryptophan 2,3-dioxygenase (TDO2) and mitochondrial phenylalanyl-tRNA synthetase (FARS2). Furthermore, our findings provide insight into the significance of B-complex vitamins in the context of heat stress during VC supplementation. This study underscores the importance of VC supplementation in heat stress and designates multiple metabolic intervention faucets in the context of ameliorating heat stress and enhancing reproductive efficiency.

Structural health monitoring (SHM) is crucial for maintaining concrete infrastructure. The data collected by these sensors are processed and analyzed using various analysis tools under different loadings and exposure to external conditions. Sensor-based investigation on concrete has been carried out for technologies used for designing structural health monitoring sensors. A Sensor-Infused Structural Analysis such as interfacial bond-slip model, corroded steel bar, fiber-optic sensors, carbon black and polypropylene fiber, concrete cracks, concrete carbonation, strain transfer model, and vibrational-based monitor. The compressive strength (CS) and split tensile strength (STS) values of the analyzed material fall within a range from 26 to 36 MPa and from 2 to 3 MPa, respectively. The material being studied has a range of flexural strength (FS) and density values that fall between 4.5 and 7 MPa and between 2250 and 2550 kg/m3. The average squared difference between the predicted and actual compressive strength values was found to be 4.405. With cement ratios of 0.3, 0.4, and 0.5, the shear strength value ranged from 4.4 to 5.6 MPa. The maximum shear strength was observed for a water–cement ratio of 0.4, with 5.5 MPa, followed by a water–cement ratio of 0.3, with 5 MPa. Optimizing the water–cement ratio achieves robust concrete (at 0.50), while a lower ratio may hinder strength (at 0.30). PZT sensors and stress-wave measurements aid in the precise structural monitoring, enhanced by steel fibers and carbon black, for improved sensitivity and mechanical properties. These findings incorporate a wide range of applications, including crack detection; strain and deformation analysis; and monitoring of temperature, moisture, and corrosion. This review pioneers sensor technology for concrete monitoring (Goal 9), urban safety (Goal 11), climate resilience (Goal 13), coastal preservation (Goal 14), and habitat protection (Goal 15) of the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals.

In this study, an intelligent system was developed for the real-time monitoring of methanol conversion from the direct hydrogenation of CO2 under the effect of uncertainty in process conditions. The modeling and simulation of methanol synthesis were conducted using Aspen Hysys, the first-principal modeling software. The Aspen model was then shifted into dynamic mode by introducing a ±5% uncertainty in key process conditions, i.e., temperature, pressure, and mass flow rate, to produce a dataset comprising 370 samples. The data samples were then employed to build a Gaussian Process Regression (GPR) model to predict the methanol conversion rate. The GPR model has a root-mean-square error (RMSE) of 0.83127 and a coefficient of determination (R2) of 0.98078.

Novel flake-like Ni1−xSnxO2 particles were successfully prepared by template-free hydrothermal synthesis. The prepared samples were investigated for their properties by different characterization techniques. Scanning micrographs showed that the obtained particles consisted of nanoflakes. The X-ray diffraction results of the Ni1−xSnxO2 revealed the formation of mixed-phase Ni/SnO2 having the typical tetragonal structure of SnO2, and the cubic structure of Ni in a nanocrystalline nature. The doping with Ni had a certain influence on the host’s lattice structure of SnO2 at different doping concentrations. Confirmation of the functional groups and the elements in the nanomaterials was accomplished using FTIR and EDS analyses. The electrochemical performance analysis of the prepared nanomaterials were carried out with the help of the CV, GCD, and EIS techniques. The specific capacitance of the synthesized nanomaterials with different concentrations of Ni dopant in SnO2 was analyzed at different scanning rates. Interestingly, a 5% Ni-doped SnO2 nanocomposite exhibited a maximum specific capacitance of 841.85 F g−1 at 5 mV s−1 in a 6 M KOH electrolyte. Further, to boost the electrochemical performance, a redox additive electrolyte was utilized, which exhibited a maximum specific capacitance of 2130.33 at 5 mV s−1 and an excellent capacitance retention of 93.22% after 10,000 GCD cycles. These excellent electrochemical characteristics suggest that the Ni/SnO2 nanocomposite could be utilized as an electrode material for high-performance supercapacitors.

In the present investigation, the corrosion tendency of mild steel under acidic pH was studied by employing unused expired amiodarone (EAD) drug as a potential corrosion inhibitor by adopting the weight loss measurement method. The corrosion inhibition efficiency (IE) of the formed protective film (EAD) on the steel surface was analyzed using potentiodynamic polarization and AC-impedance spectroscopy studies. The surface morphology of the mild steel before and after corrosion (in 1.0 M HCl) was analyzed via scanning electron microscopy–energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (SEM–EDAX), atomic force microscopy (AFM), and thermodynamic studies. The weight loss measurement under different concentrations of EAD indicated that an excellent inhibition was displayed at a concentration of 0.001 M, and the IE was found to depend on both the concentration and molecular structure of EAD. A potentiodynamic polarization study revealed that EAD predominantly acted as a cathode inhibitor, and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) confirmed the adsorption of EAD on the surface of mild steel, which obeyed Temkin’s adsorption isotherm model. The calculated thermodynamic parameters revealed that adsorption was spontaneous and exothermic.

Conventional air quality monitoring has been traditionally carried out in a few fixed places with expensive measuring equipment. This results in sparse spatial air quality data, which do not represent the real air quality of an entire area, e.g., when hot spots are missing. To obtain air quality data with higher spatial and temporal resolution, this research focused on developing a low-cost network of cloud-based air quality measurement platforms. These platforms should be able to measure air quality parameters including particulate matter (PM10, PM2.5, PM1) as well as gases like NO, NO2, O3, and CO, air temperature, and relative humidity. These parameters were measured every second and transmitted to a cloud server every minute on average. The platform developed during this research used one main computer to read the sensor data, process it, and store it in the cloud. Three prototypes were tested in the field: two of them at a busy traffic site in Stuttgart, Marienplatz and one at a remote site, Ötisheim, where measurements were performed near busy railroad tracks. The developed platform had around 1500 € in materials costs for one Air Quality Sensor Node and proved to be robust during the measurement phase. The notion of employing a Proportional–Integral–Derivative (PID) controller for the efficient working of a dryer that is used to reduce the negative effect of meteorological parameters such as air temperature and relative humidity on the measurement results was also pursued. This is seen as one way to improve the quality of data captured by low-cost sensors.

The air pollution situation in the German city of Stuttgart is very important, as high pollutant concentrations are measured here compared to other German cities. This is mainly due to Stuttgart’s geographical location as it is in a basin covered by hills on three sides. This leads to reduced wind speeds that inhibit pollutant dispersion. One of the main contributors to the pollutant concentrations in Stuttgart is local traffic. To improve the air quality in Stuttgart, a diesel traffic ban was introduced on 1 January 2019, and is ongoing. In this study, the urban climate model PALM-4U was applied to obtain the pollutant distribution along the federal highways B14 and B27 of Stuttgart to evaluate the impact of the diesel traffic ban on air quality. The simulations were carried out in two areas of the city, namely the city center and Kaltental Valley, with domain sizes of 3.2 km × 2 km and 3.2 km × 1.6 km, respectively, and with a grid size of 10 m for each domain. The influence of traffic emissions on the air quality of Stuttgart was studied for a typical summer day. The results showed that air pollutant concentrations were highest near federal highways B14 and B27 (e.g., NO2 concentration peaks of around 200 µg/m3). Also, a significant reduction of around four times in air pollutant concentrations was observed in the study area after the diesel traffic ban was introduced.

Stirling engines represent a category of external heat transfer engines that demonstrate versatility by harnessing various heat sources, including solar energy, bio-mass, conventional fuel, and nuclear power. Achieving high thermal efficiency in power production has been a paramount concern driving researchers across the globe to focus on developing Stirling engines. A gamma-type double-piston Stirling engine has been carefully selected for detailed analysis in this research endeavour. A polytropic model is employed in the investigation to gain deeper insights into the engine’s behaviour. The outcomes derived from the polytropic analysis are subsequently compared with a classical adiabatic analysis. Remarkably, the polytropic approach significantly outperforms the classical adiabatic analysis in enhancing the overall performance of the Stirling engine. The power and efficiency obtained from the ideal polytropic analysis were 90.30 W, which is very close to the ideal adiabatic and experimental efficiency. The results hold significant promise for advancing the efficiency and practical application of Stirling engines, reinforcing their position as a prominent contender in pursuing sustainable and highly efficient power generation technologies.

The applications of liquid crystals continue to expand. They include conventional and advanced liquid crystal displays, electrically controlled lenses, tunable optical elements such as filters, light shutters, waveplates, and spatial light modulators, smart windows and sensors, and reconfigurable antennas and microwave devices, to name a few. As a rule, liquid crystal devices are controlled by applying an external electric field. This field reorients liquid crystals in a desirable way, thus leading to the tunability of their physical properties. The electric-field-induced reorientation of liquid crystals can be affected by ions typically present in molecular liquid crystals. In the case of liquid crystal displays, ions in liquid crystals can lead to image sticking, a reduced voltage holding ratio, and altered electro-optical performance. Therefore, the development of efficient ways to better control ions in liquid crystal devices is of utmost importance to existing and future liquid crystal technologies. In this paper, we discuss how nanomaterials can affect the electrical properties of molecular liquid crystals. In general, nanomaterials in molecular liquid crystals can behave as ion-capturing objects or act as a source of ions. Ion-capturing nanomaterials in molecular liquid crystals can enhance their electrical resistivity. On the other hand, ion-releasing nanoparticles can lead to the opposite effect. By considering the competition between two nanoparticle-induced ionic processes, namely the ion capturing and ion releasing effects, the electrical resistivity of liquid crystals can be controlled in a desirable way.

In the foreseeable future, the depletion of finite fossil fuel reserves is a growing concern due to the increasing consumption of these resources by humans. Moreover, the emission of greenhouse gases from fossil fuel consumption contributes to global warming, resulting in significant harm to the Earth’s ecosystem. The Stirling engine (SE) offers an outstanding solution for harnessing various heat sources, including solar, nuclear, and fossil fuels, among others. It provides numerous advantages, such as high efficiency, a long lifespan, low noise levels, and minimal or no emissions. This study conducts a finite physical dimensions thermodynamic analysis (FPDT) on a gamma-type double-piston cylinder engine and compares the results with other isothermal models and experimental data. The current model’s results align closely with those of other thermodynamic models.

Generators and condensers are the two vital equipment items that determine the output of vapor absorption refrigeration systems. Arid weather conditions produce a significant reduction in the performance of the vapor absorption refrigeration cycle due to low condenser heat dissipation despite high generator temperatures. Although numerous studies on condenser cooling methods in vapor compression systems have been reported in the literature, solar-operated vapor absorption systems have not been studied. Limitations in generator temperatures of solar-operated vapor absorption systems necessitate a focused study in this area. This study makes the selection of the best choice for condenser cooling from among four different condenser cooling methods which have an impact on the performance of the vapor absorption refrigeration system for effective cooling using solar energy. A solar vapor absorption refrigeration system working with low-grade heat using a compound parabolic collector is considered in this study. Analysis of a vapor absorption refrigeration system for cooling in arid weather conditions is carried out using different condenser cooling methods with Engineering Equation Solver. Initially, the model used in the study is compared with a similar study reported in the literature. Techniques considered are air, water, evaporative, and hybrid cooling techniques. The performance of the vapor absorption cooling system was analyzed using experimental values of a solar compound parabolic collector obtained from real-time measurements for simulating the model. Results show that water cooling can provide suitable condenser cooling and improve the coefficient of performance of the solar vapor absorption refrigeration system using the solar collector. The water-cooled condenser has 1.9%, 3.3%, and 2.1% higher COP when compared to air-cooled condensers for spring, summer, and autumn seasons respectively, whereas the water-cooled condenser cooling recorded 6%, 14%, and 8% higher COP relative to the evaporative cooling method. Cost comparison showed maximum cost for water-cooled condensers and minimum cost for hybrid-cooled condensers. The effect of each cooling method on the environment is discussed.

In developing countries, like Pakistan, the pursuit of urbanization and economic development disrupts the delicate ecosystem, resulting in additional biogeochemical emissions of heavy metals into the human habitat and posing significant health risks. The levels of these trace elements in humans remain unknown in areas at higher risk of pollution in Pakistan. In this investigation, selected trace metals including Copper (Cu), Chromium (Cr), Lead (Pb) Cadmium (Cd), Cobalt (Co), Nickel (Ni), and Arsenic (As) were examined in human hair, urine, and nail samples of different age groups from three major cities (Muzaffargarh, Multan, and Vehari) in Punjab province, Pakistan. The results revealed that the mean concentrations (ppm) of Cr (1.1) and Cu (9.1) in hair was highest in Muzaffargarh. In urine samples, the mean concentrations (μg/L) of Co (93), As (79), Cu (69), Cr (56), Ni (49), Cd (45), and Pb (35) were highest in the Multan region, while As (34) and Cr (26) were highest in Vehari. The mean concentrations (ppm) of Ni (9.2), Cr (5.6), and Pb (2.8), in nail samples were highest in Vehari; however, Multan had the highest Cu (28) concentration (ppm). In urine samples, the concentrations of all the studied metals were within permissible limits except for As (34 µg/L) and Cr (26 µg/L) in Vehari. However, in nail samples, the concentrations of Ni in Multan (8.1 ppm), Muzaffargarh (9 ppm), Vehari (9.2 ppm), and Cd (3.69 ppm) in Muzaffargarh exceeded permissible limits. Overall, the concentrations of metals in urine, nail, and hair samples were higher in adults (39–45 age group). Cr, Cu, and Ni revealed significantly higher concentrations of metals in hair and water in Multan, whereas As in water was significantly (p < 0.001) correlated with urinary As in Multan, indicating that the exposure source was region-specific.

Awareness of the consequences of waste mismanagement has resulted in urban planners looking for effective disposal techniques with the added benefit of energy generation. The decision regarding an energy conversion technique to adopt on a community level is based on different technology assessment factors with maximum weightage on environmental effects. Gasification techniques in general and thermal gasification strategies in particular are appropriate methods when environmental impacts are to be minimized. Thermal gasification techniques have evolved with different configurations, syngas generation rates, and other advantages and disadvantages; hence, the selection of the right technique is essential, and establishing guidelines for decision-makers is necessary. The six different gasifiers considered in the present study were updraft gasifiers, downdraft gasifiers, cross-draft gasifiers, bubbling fluidized bed gasifiers, circulating fluidized bed gasifiers, and dual-bed fluidized bed gasifiers. The assessments performed in the present study are based on the attributes of the different techniques using the multi-criteria decision method. Multi-criteria decision analysis is an appropriate method proven to be an ideal procedure in these situations. Attribute values for gasifier performance, environmental effects, economic performance indices, and fuel requirements were determined from collected waste assessment data and published information. Analysis was performed for both recycling and non-recycling scenarios of waste utilization by applying different weight scenarios for the attributes. Results of the study indicate that downdraft gasifiers showed the best performance in terms of environmental effects under the recycling scenario, with 0.1% and 0.0125% by volume of carbon dioxide and methane emissions, and under the non-recycling scenario, with 0.125% and 0.02% by volume of carbon dioxide and methane emissions. Downdraft gasifiers had high overall rankings in performance when evaluated against different entropy weights for both scenarios. The results of the study can be applied to urban communities in different climatic regions as well as for different scales of operation.

Plants, being sessile, have developed complex signaling and response mechanisms to cope with biotic and abiotic stressors. Recent investigations have revealed the significant contribution of phytohormones in enabling plants to endure unfavorable conditions. Among these phytohormones, jasmonic acid (JA) and its derivatives, collectively referred to as jasmonates (JAs), are of particular importance and are involved in diverse signal transduction pathways to regulate various physiological and molecular processes in plants, thus protecting plants from the lethal impacts of abiotic and biotic stressors. Jasmonic acid has emerged as a central player in plant defense against biotic stress and in alleviating multiple abiotic stressors in plants, such as drought, salinity, vernalization, and heavy metal exposure. Furthermore, as a growth regulator, JA operates in conjunction with other phytohormones through a complex signaling cascade to balance plant growth and development against stresses. Although studies have reported the intricate nature of JA as a biomolecular entity for the mitigation of abiotic stressors, their underlying mechanism and biosynthetic pathways remain poorly understood. Therefore, this review offers an overview of recent progress made in understanding the biosynthesis of JA, elucidates the complexities of its signal transduction pathways, and emphasizes its pivotal role in mitigating abiotic and biotic stressors. Moreover, we also discuss current issues and future research directions for JAs in plant stress responses.

The Stirling engine, a type of external combustion engine utilizing a compressible fluid as its working medium, holds promise as a highly efficient device for converting heat into mechanical work at Carnot efficiency. This research conducts a detailed analysis, comparing the Hargreaves isothermal model and the Schmidt model specifically for the gamma-type Stirling engine. The study examines the impact of dead volume on the engine’s performance, revealing that the engine network is solely influenced by these volumes. Furthermore, it highlights the effectiveness of the Hargreaves model for the performance analysis of gamma-type Stirling engines.

The Stirling engine, invented in 1816, was initially lacking comprehensive scientific understanding, which only surfaced after a considerable 50-year period. In the present era, impressive strides have been made in enhancing the performance of Stirling engines by implementing thermodynamic cycles. Despite these advancements, there remains untapped potential for further improvements by applying soft computing methods. To address this, the focal point of this research paper centres around optimizing the Stirling engine, specifically focusing on a gamma-type double-piston Stirling engine and leveraging genetic algorithms to achieve the desired enhancements. The results from this analysis are meticulously compared with experimental data, validating the approach’s efficacy. Additionally, this paper explores the potential impact of utilizing cryogenic fluids as coolants on the Stirling engine’s performance.

Air pollution is greatly influenced by the emissions generated by automotive engines, making it a pressing concern. To address this issue, a considerable amount of research is currently devoted to recovering waste heat from these engines. A gamma-type Stirling engine has been meticulously chosen to achieve this specific objective. This study elucidates a new isothermal method that effectively analyses Stirling engines. A set of differential equations is proficiently solved by employing the powerful MATLAB R2020a software. Remarkably, the simulation results obtained from this computational approach closely align with the experimental data, indicating the accuracy and reliability of the methodology. Furthermore, this research delves into the feasibility of employing the Stirling engine as a Combined Cooling, Heating and Power (CCHP) system, shedding light on its potential applications in various domains.

Nanoparticles have emerged as a prominent area of research in recent times, and silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) synthesized via phyco-technology have gained significant attention due to their potential therapeutic applications. Nodularia haraviana, a unique and lesser-explored cyanobacterial strain, holds substantial promise as a novel candidate for synthesizing nanoparticles. This noticeable research gap underscores the novelty and untapped potential of Nodularia haraviana in applied nanotechnology. A range of analytical techniques, including UV-vis spectral analysis, dynamic light scattering spectroscopy, scanning electron microscopy, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, and X-ray powder diffraction, were used to investigate and characterize the AgNPs. Successful synthesis of AgNPs was confirmed through UV-visible spectroscopy, which showed a surface plasmon resonance peak at 428 nm. The crystalline size of AgNPs was 24.1 nm. Dynamic light scattering analysis revealed that silver oxide nanoparticles had 179.3 nm diameters and a negative surface charge of −18 mV. Comprehensive in vitro pharmacogenetic properties revealed that AgNPs have significant therapeutic potential. The antimicrobial properties of AgNPs were evaluated by determining the minimum inhibitory concentration against various microbial strains. Dose-dependent cytotoxicity assays were performed on Leishmanial promastigotes (IC50: 18.71 μgmL−1), amastigotes (IC50: 38.6 μgmL−1), and brine shrimps (IC50: 134.1 μg mL−1) using various concentrations of AgNPs. The findings of this study revealed that AgNPs had significant antioxidant results (DPPH: 57.5%, TRP: 55.4%, TAC: 61%) and enzyme inhibition potential against protein kinase (ZOI: 17.11 mm) and alpha-amylase (25.3%). Furthermore, biocompatibility tests were performed against macrophages (IC50: >395 μg mL−1) and human RBCs (IC50: 2124 μg mL−1). This study showed that phyco-synthesized AgNPs were less toxic and could be used in multiple biological applications, including drug design and in the pharmaceutical and biomedical industries. This study offers valuable insights and paves the way for further advancements in AgNPs research.

Diabetes mellitus (DM) is a metabolic complication and can pose a serious challenge to human health. DM is the main cause of many life-threatening diseases. Researchers of natural products have been continuously engaged in treating vital diseases in an economical and efficient way. In this research, we extensively used phytosteroids from Notholirion thomsonianum (Royle) Stapf for the treatment of DM. The structures of phytosteroids NtSt01 and NtSt02 were confirmed with gas chromatography–mass spectrometry (GC-MS) and nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) analyses. Through in vitro studies including α-glucosidase, α-amylase, and DPPH assays, compound NtSt01 was found to be comparatively potent. An elevated dose of compound NtSt01 was also found to be safe in an experimental study on rats. With a dose of 1.0 mg/kg of NtSt01, the effect on blood glucose levels in rats was observed to be 519 ± 3.98, 413 ± 1.87, 325 ± 1.62, 219 ± 2.87, and 116 ± 1.33 mg/dL on the 1st, 7th, 14th, 21st, and 28th, days, respectively. The in vivo results were compared with those of glibenclamide, which reduced the blood glucose level to 107 ± 2.33 mg/dL on the 28th day. On the 28th day of NtSt01 administration, the average weights of the rats and vital organs (liver, kidney, pancreas, and heart) remained healthy, with a slight increase. The biochemical parameters of the blood, i.e., serum creatinine, blood urea, serum bilirubin, SGPT (or ALT), and serum alkaline phosphatase, of rats treated with NtSt01 remained in the normal ranges. Similarly, the serum cholesterol, triglycerides, high-density lipoprotein (HDL), and low-density lipoprotein (LDL) levels also remained within the standard ranges. It is obvious from our overall results that the phytosteroids (specifically NtSt01) had an efficient therapeutic effect on the blood glucose level, protection of vital organs, and blood biochemistry.

Polymer composites are a class of material that are gaining a lot of attention in demanding tribological applications due to the ability of manipulating their performance by changing various factors, such as processing parameters, types of fillers, and operational parameters. Hence, a number of samples under different conditions need to be repeatedly produced and tested in order to satisfy the requirements of an application. However, with the advent of a new field of triboinformatics, which is a scientific discipline involving computer technology to collect, store, analyze, and evaluate tribological properties, we presently have access to a variety of high-end tools, such as various machine learning (ML) techniques, which can significantly aid in efficiently gauging the polymer’s characteristics without the need to invest time and money in a physical experimentation. The development of an accurate model specifically for predicting the properties of the composite would not only cheapen the process of product testing, but also bolster the production rates of a very strong polymer combination. Hence, in the current study, the performance of five different machine learning (ML) techniques is evaluated for accurately predicting the tribological properties of ultrahigh molecular-weight polyethylene (UHMWPE) polymer composites reinforced with silicon carbide (SiC) nanoparticles. Three input parameters, namely, the applied pressure, holding time, and the concentration of SiCs, are considered with the specific wear rate (SWR) and coefficient of friction (COF) as the two output parameters. The five techniques used are support vector machines (SVMs), decision trees (DTs), random forests (RFs), k-nearest neighbors (KNNs), and artificial neural networks (ANNs). Three evaluation statistical metrics, namely, the coefficient of determination (R2-value), mean absolute error (MAE), and root mean square error (RMSE), are used to evaluate and compare the performances of the different ML techniques. Based upon the experimental dataset, the SVM technique was observed to yield the lowest error rates—with the RMSE being 2.09 × 10−4 and MAE being 2 × 10−4 for COF and for SWR, an RMSE of 2 × 10−4 and MAE of 1.6 × 10−4 were obtained—and highest R2-values of 0.9999 for COF and 0.9998 for SWR. The observed performance metrics shows the SVM as the most reliable technique in predicting the tribological properties—with an accuracy of 99.99% for COF and 99.98% for SWR—of the polymer composites.

The numerical investigation of bioconvective nanofluid (NF) flow, which involves gyrotactic microbes and heat and mass transmission analysis above an inclined extending axisymmetric cylinder, is presented in this study. The study aims to investigate the bioconvection flow of nanofluid under the influence of heat sources/sinks. Through proper transformation, all partial differential equations are transformed into a non-linear ODE scheme. A new set of variables is presented in the directive to get the first-order convectional equations and then solved numerically using bvp4c MATLAB, embedded in the function. The proposed model is validated after calculating the error estimation and obtaining the residual error. The influence of various factors on the velocity, energy, concentration, and density of motile microorganisms is examined and studied. The analysis describes and addresses all physical measures of concentration such as Skin Friction (SF), Sherwood number, the density of motile microorganisms, and Nusselt number. To validate the present study, a comparison is conducted with previous studies, and excellent correspondence is found. In addition, the ND-Solve approach is utilized to confirm the bvp4c. The mathematical model is confirmed through error analysis. This study provides the platform for industrial applications such as cooling capacity polymers, heat exchange, and chemical production sectors.

Cadmium (Cd) toxicity is a serious threat to agronomic crop productivity worldwide. It raises severe concerns about the food and nutrient security required to meet the demands of a rapidly growing population, while also creating grave challenges for agriculture. Silicon (Si) and strigolecton (SL) are reported to impart multiple benefits to plants exposed to abiotic stress. Therefore, the current experiment was performed to evaluate the effects of silicon (4.0 mM) and strigolecton (20 µM) on the amelioration of cadmium (25 mg kg−1 soil) stress in maize seedlings via intervention in morphological attributes, photosynthetic pigments, enzymatic antioxidant mechanisms, and osmolyte accumulation. The results indicated that morphological attributes and photosynthetic pigments were significantly reduced in Cd-exposed seedlings. However, foliar application of Si and SL, both individually and in combination, significantly improved the growth attributes and photosynthetic pigments of maize seedlings under both control and Cd-stress conditions. Exposure of maize seedlings to Cd stress increased H2O2 levels, malondialdehyde content, and electrolyte leakage and reduced cell membrane stability. These effects were significantly negated by Si and SL supplementation, both individually and in combination. Moreover, enzymatic antioxidants, including catalase, superoxide dismutase, peroxidase, and ascorbate peroxidase, were activated after Cd stress, but their activity was further increased with foliar application of Si or SL. In Cd-contaminated seedlings, the combined application of Si and SL enhanced soluble proline, sugars, and total phenolic contents as compared to the control treatment. Furthermore, Si and SL applications increased Si accumulation in Cd-exposed seedlings and decreased Cd uptake. It was concluded that the combined application of Si and SL improved Cd tolerance in maize seedlings by modulating morpho-physiological attributes, photosynthetic pigments, and osmolytes accumulation, and by supporting the antioxidant defense system. The findings of this study suggest that Si and SL could be safe and effective strategies for reducing Cd toxicity in maize seedlings.

This study aims to determine the effects of various alkaline pHs on the nutritional and functional properties of protein isolated from defatted chia flour (DCF). The DCF isolated using alkali extraction method at pH 8.5, 10.0, and 12.0 were coded as CPI-8.5, CPI-10.0, and CPI-12.0, respectively. The highest extraction yield and protein recovery yield was demonstrated by CPI-12.0 (19.10 and 59.63%, respectively), with a total protein content of 74.53%, and glutelin showed the highest portion (79.95%). The CPI-12.0 also demonstrated the most elevated essential (36.87%), hydrophobic (33.81%), and aromatic (15.54%) amino acid content among other samples. The DCF exhibited the highest water (23.90 gg−1) and oil (8.23 gg−1) absorption capacity, whereas the CPI-8.5 showed the highest protein solubility (72.31%) at pH 11. DCF demonstrated the highest emulsifying capacity at pH 11 (82.13%), but the highest stability was shown at pH 5 (82.05%). Furthermore, CPI-12.0 at pH 11 shows the highest foaming capacity (83.16%) and stability (83.10%). Despite that, the CPI-10.0 manifested the highest antioxidant capacity (DPPH: 42.48%; ABTS: 66.23%; FRAP: 0.19), as well as ACE-I (35.67%). Overall, the extraction pH had significant effects in producing chia protein isolates (CPI) with improved nutritional and functional qualities.

Three-dimensional (3D) printing, medical imaging, and implant design have all advanced significantly in recent years, and these developments may change how modern craniomaxillofacial surgeons use patient data to create tailored treatments. Polyether-ether-ketone (PEEK) is often seen as an attractive option over metal biomaterials in medical uses, but a solid PEEK implant often leads to poor osseointegration and clinical failure. Therefore, the objective of this study is to demonstrate the quantitative assessment of a custom porous PEEK implant for cranial reconstruction and to evaluate its fitting accuracy. The research proposes an efficient process for designing, fabricating, simulating, and inspecting a customized porous PEEK implant. In this study, a CT scan is utilized in conjunction with a mirrored reconstruction technique to produce a skull implant. In order to foster cell proliferation, the implant is modified into a porous structure. The implant’s strength and stability are examined using finite element analysis. Fused filament fabrication (FFF) is utilized to fabricate the porous PEEK implants, and 3D scanning is used to test its fitting accuracy. The results of the biomechanical analysis indicate that the highest stress observed was approximately 61.92 MPa, which is comparatively low when compared with the yield strength and tensile strength of the material. The implant fitting analysis demonstrates that the implant’s variance from the normal skull is less than 0.4436 mm, which is rather low given the delicate anatomy of the area. The results of the study demonstrate the implant’s endurance while also increasing the patient’s cosmetic value.

The phase change of all-inorganic cesium lead halide (CsPbI3) thin film from yellow δ-phase to black γ-/α-phase has been a topic of interest in the perovskite optoelectronics field. Here, the main focus is how to secure a black perovskite phase by avoiding a yellow one. In this work, we fabricated a self-doped CsPbI3 thin film by incorporating an excess cesium iodide (CsI) into the perovskite precursor solution. Then, we studied the effect of organic additive such as 1,8-diiodooctane (DIO), 1-chloronaphthalene (CN), and 1,8-octanedithiol (ODT) on the optical, structural, and morphological properties. Specifically, for elucidating the binary additive–solvent solution thermodynamics, we employed the Flory–Huggins theory based on the oligomer level of additives’ molar mass. Resultantly, we found that the miscibility of additive–solvent displaying an upper critical solution temperature (UCST) behavior is in the sequence CN:DMF > ODT:DMF > DIO:DMF, the trends of which could be similarly applied to DMSO. Finally, the self-doping strategy with additive engineering should help fabricate a black γ-phase perovskite although the mixed phases of δ-CsPbI3, γ-CsPbI3, and Cs4PbI6 were observed under ambient conditions. However, the results may provide insight for the stability of metastable γ-phase CsPbI3 at room temperature.

Suboptimal antibiotics use and the development of antibiotic resistance is a universal calamity. The theoretical model of therapeutic efficacy correlates quality use of antibiotics with healthcare practitioners’ understanding of antibiotic use and resistance. Keeping this phenomenon in mind, we aimed to evaluate hospital pharmacists’ understanding of antibiotic use and resistance at a public healthcare institute in Quetta city, Pakistan. This was a qualitative study that employed a semi-structured interview guide for data extraction. The phenomenology-based approach commissioned in-depth, face-to-face interviews with hospital pharmacists stationed at the surgical unit of Sandeman Provincial Hospital, Quetta. The interviews were audio taped followed by transcribed verbatim and were then analyzed for thematic contents by the standard content analysis framework. Although the saturation was reached after the 10th interview, we conducted two additional interviews for definite validation. Content analysis revealed five major themes: (1) Defining antibiotics, quality use of antibiotics and resistance, (2) antibiotic use: awareness and concern, (3) antimicrobial resistance: awareness and concern, (4) responding to antibiotic use and resistance, and (5) barriers to quality use of antibiotics and prevention of antibiotic resistance. The knowledge of quality use of antibiotics and resistance was promising, and the respondents were eager to address the drastic situation. The respondents were aware of the critical situation and provided valuable insights that can offer valued input while promoting the quality use of antibiotics in a developing country. The current study managed to identify an adequate understanding of antibiotic use and resistance among hospital pharmacists. Additionally, prospective concerns and possible predictors of antibiotic resistance were also highlighted. The current findings must be disseminated to the policymakers and prescribers to take prompt restorative actions to address antibiotic use and the development of antibiotic resistance in a developing country like Pakistan.

The ability to measure uric acid (UA) non-enzymatically in human blood has been demonstrated through the use of a simple and efficient electrochemical method. A phytochemical extract from radish white peel extract improved the electrocatalytic performance of nickel–cobalt bimetallic oxide (NiCo2O4) during a hydrothermal process through abundant surface holes of oxides, an alteration of morphology, an excellent crystal quality, and increased Co(III) and Ni(II) chemical states. The surface structure, morphology, crystalline quality, and chemical composition were determined using a variety of analytical techniques, including powder X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), high-resolution transmission electron microscopy (HR-TEM), and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS). The electrochemical characterization by CV revealed a linear range of UA from 0.1 mM to 8 mM, with a detection limit of 0.005 mM and a limit of quantification (LOQ) of 0.008 mM. A study of the sensitivity of NiCo2O4 nanostructures modified on the surface to UA detection with amperometry has revealed a linear range from 0.1 mM to 4 mM for detection. High stability, repeatability, and selectivity were associated with the enhanced electrochemical performance of non-enzymatic UA sensing. A significant contribution to the full outperforming sensing characterization can be attributed to the tailoring of surface properties of NiCo2O4 nanostructures. EIS analysis revealed a low charge-transfer resistance of 114,970 Ohms that offered NiCo2O4 nanostructures prepared with 5 mL of radish white peel extract, confirming an enhanced performance of the presented non-enzymatic UA sensor. As well as testing the practicality of the UA sensor, blood samples from human beings were also tested for UA. Due to its high sensitivity, stability, selectivity, repeatability, and simplicity, the developed non-enzymatic UA sensor is ideal for monitoring UA for a wide range of concentrations in biological matrixes.

This article presents a comprehensive review of reduced device count multilevel inverter (RDC MLI) topologies for PV systems. Multilevel inverters are widely used in medium-voltage and high-power applications such as wireless power transform applications, flexible AC transmission (FACT), active filters, AC motor drives, high-voltage DC transmission (HVDC), and renewable energy sources due to their high modularity and high-power quality output. Multilevel inverters have the ability to diminish the harmonics content in the output voltage by applying various modulation techniques. The literature in this field showed that the high-power quality and high modularity of the output demand an undeniable need for multilevel inverter topology. Research in this field has identified various multilevel inverter topologies, each possessing their own merits and demerits. The ubiquitous availability of multilevel inverter topologies illustrates the complexity of their accurate selection. To avoid such complexity, this review shows the state of the art of various reduced device count (RDC) multilevel inverter (MLI) topologies. Details of the various RDC MLIs, along with their comparisons, are provided in this paper. This review will be an important reference tool for future work on RDC MLI for photovoltaic (PV) systems.

Developments in waste incineration technology in terms of efficient fuel preparation, combustion, and emissions reduction, as well as the growing needs of the community in terms of electricity, water, and air conditioning loads, are the prime motive for this study. This study presents a novel approach, in which three models of the fluidized bed combustion of municipal waste for simultaneous power generation, freshwater production, and district cooling are analyzed for their energy and exergy performance. The three simultaneously evaluated utility models are different configurations of a fluidized bed combustion system with Rankine cycle power generation, cooling with a vapor absorption refrigeration system, and fresh water production using multiple effect desalination. The output from the turbine, cooling system, and desalination system is determined using the Engineering Equations Solver for different boiler operating pressures. Energy and exergy analysis data for different pressures are used to identify the best configuration. Two variants of the absorption cooling system, namely, single effect and double effect, are considered. The variants of the multiple-effect desalination are the three-stage and five-stage methods. Input parameters used in this study are municipal solid waste generation and composition data collected for an urban community in an arid climate zone with high demand for electric power, cooling, and fresh water. Model 2, which contains two turbines with the reheating and cooling systems connected to a high-pressure turbine and water desalination connected to a low-pressure turbine, gave the best overall performance. Significant savings in terms of the replacement of conventional energy were observed from these waste conversion plants with greater benefits in arid weather conditions. The results obtained by different models under different operating criteria constitute a guideline for municipal planners for the selection of appropriate waste utilization technology, as well as the appropriate operations.

The onion (Allium cepa L.) belongs to the family Alliaceae and has paramount importance among vegetable crops around the globe. Salinity stress and the soil-borne fungus Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. Cepa (FOC), which is the cause of basal rot, are potentially hazardous factors related to the yield of onion crops. The present study was conducted in CRD using three replicates in in vitro conditions and in a greenhouse to investigate the impact of stress factors (salinity levels and FOC) (T1 = Negative control; T2 = Positive control (FOC); T3 = EC 2.5 dS m−1; T4 = EC 3.5 dS m−1; T5 = EC 4.5 dS m−1; T6 = EC 2.5 dS m−1 + FOC; T7 = EC 3.5 dS m−1 + FOC; and T8 = EC 4.5 dS m−1 + FOC) on the morphological, physiological, and yield parameters of onions. Fungal biomass, in the in vitro condition, increased at a salinity level of 2–8 dS m−1. In the greenhouse, the application of salinity levels, viz. 2.5, 3.5, and 4.5 dS m−1, and fungal pathogens exhibited a more severe impact on the severity of the disease, onion growth, and bulb compared to sole stress. Overall, the decreased levels of osmotic potential, total chlorophyll content, membrane stability index, and total protein were assessed in onion leaves, whereas total phenolics were enhanced in the mentioned stress conditions. Sugar contents were reduced due to the sole application of pathogens, whereas they were enhanced in the sole application of salinity stress and increased due to a combination of FOC and salinity level applications. Polyphenol oxidase (PPO) activity was not altered as a result of pathogen infection, while peroxidase (PO) and phenylalanine ammonia-lyase (PAL) contents were enhanced, and the activity of catalase (CAT) was reduced. Sole stress along with the combined application of salinity levels with fungal pathogens exhibited enhanced PO and PPO activity; in contrast, CAT and PAL activity decreased. In summary, onion crop cultivation in saline soil conditions increases the disease’s severity, which is caused by FOC. Furthermore, it is crucial to carry out field trials while considering these outcomes in order to support a strong strategy for reducing the tested stresses within a wider range of environmental conditions.

Metallic nanoparticles have received a significant amount of reflection over a period of time, attributed to their electronic, specific surface area, and surface atom properties. The biogenic synthesis of iron oxide nanoparticles (FeONPs) is demonstrated in this study. The green synthesis of metallic nanoparticles (NPs) is acquiring considerable attention due to its environmental and economic superiorities over other methods. Leptolyngbya sp. L-2 extract was employed as a reducing agent, and iron chloride hexahydrate (FeCl3·6H2O) was used as a substrate for the biogenic synthesis of FeONPs. Different spectral methods were used for the characterization of the biosynthesized FeONPs, ultraviolet-visible (UV-Vis) spectroscopy gave a surface plasmon resonance (SPR) peak of FeONPs at 300 nm; Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectral analysis was conducted to identify the functional groups responsible for both the stability and synthesis of FeONPs. The morphology of the FeONPs was investigated using scanning electron microscopy (SEM), which shows a nearly spherical shape, and an X-ray diffraction (XRD) study demonstrated their crystalline nature with a calculated crystallinity size of 23 nm. The zeta potential (ZP) and dynamic light scattering (DLS) measurements of FeONPs revealed values of −8.50 mV, suggesting appropriate physical stability. Comprehensive in-vitro pharmacogenetic properties revealed that FeONPs have significant therapeutic potential. FeONPs have been reported to have potential antibacterial and antifungal properties. Dose-dependent cytotoxic activity was shown against Leishmania tropica promastigotes (IC50: 10.73 µg/mL) and amastigotes (IC50: 16.98 µg/mL) using various concentrations of FeONPs. The cytotoxic potential was also investigated using brine shrimps, and their IC50 value was determined to be 34.19 µg/mL. FeONPs showed significant antioxidant results (DPPH: 54.7%, TRP: 49.2%, TAC: 44.5%), protein kinase (IC50: 96.23 µg/mL), and alpha amylase (IC50: 3745 µg/mL). The biosafety of FeONPs was validated by biocompatibility tests using macrophages (IC50: 918.1 µg/mL) and red blood cells (IC50: 2921 µg/mL). In conclusion, biogenic FeONPs have shown potential biomedical properties and should be the focus of more studies to increase their nano-pharmacological significance for biological applications.

The advancement in the internet of things (IoT) technologies has made it possible to control and monitor electronic devices at home with just the touch of a button. This has made people lead much more comfortable lifestyles. Elderly people and those with disabilities have especially benefited from voice-assisted home automation systems that allow them to control their devices with simple voice commands. However, the widespread use of cloud-based services in these systems, such as those offered by Google and Amazon, has made them vulnerable to cyber-attacks. To ensure the proper functioning of these systems, a stable internet connection and a secure environment free from cyber-attacks are required. However, the quality of the internet is often low in developing countries, which makes it difficult to access the services these systems offer. Additionally, the lack of localization in voice assistants prevents people from using voice-assisted home automation systems in these countries. To address these challenges, this research proposes an offline home automation system. Since the internet and cloud services are not required for an offline system, it can perform its essential functions, while ensuring protection against cyber-attacks and can provide quick responses. It offers additional features, such as power usage tracking and the optimization of linked devices.

This study developed and tested a moderated mediation model by examining the relationships between humble leadership (HL), emotional intelligence, employee conflict (EC), and creative performance (CP), using resource-based theory as the theoretical foundation. We conducted a cross-sectional survey of 322 employees and their immediate supervisors (n = 53) from the telecom sector in Pakistan. The data was analyzed using AMOS 21 and SPSS 26. The results demonstrate that HL has a positive effect on creative performance and a negative relationship with employee conflict. Furthermore, employee conflict has a negative impact on CP and mediates the impact of HL on CP. Moreover, a leader’s emotional intelligence moderates the negative relationship between HL and EC. Finally, this study reveals that EI moderates the indirect effects of HL on CP. The conclusions and implications are discussed at the end of this paper.

The development of organometal halide-based perovskite solar cells (PSCs) has made remarkable progress in photovoltaics. The commercialization of PSCs is still significantly limited, owing to their poor stability and the high material cost of a hole transport layer (HTL) and metal electrodes. To counter these issues, a carbon-based HTL and noble metal-free PSCs are being used. In this work, the effect of Cs-doping on perovskite film morphology and device performance has been systematically studied because the Cs+ and Br− ions-doping has proved to be a good choice to improve the stability of PSCs in combination with a carbon electrode. The results showed that when the Cs-doping concentration in perovskite film, MA1−xCsxPb(I1−yBry)3, was equal to x = 0.09, there was a substantial change in the morphological and optoelectronic properties of perovskite films. The grain size of perovskite films was improved from 70 nm (x = 0.00 control) to 170 nm (x = 0.09 Cs-doped), reducing grain boundaries. Moreover, the trap states were additionally passivated resulting in improved radiative recombinations in the perovskite film. The device fabrication was carried out in a controlled dry glovebox, with relative humidity < 40% using carbon as a counter electrode. As a result, Cs-doped PSCs showed a significant increase in efficiency (5.27%) compared to control PSCs (1.55%).

This study aimed to evaluate the incorporation of zirconia/silver phosphate nanoparticles to develop experimental dental adhesives and to measure their physical and mechanical properties. The nanoparticles were synthesized by the sonication method, and the phase purity, morphological pattern, and antibacterial properties with Staphylococcus aureus and Pseudomonas aeruginosa were assessed. The silanized nanoparticles were incorporated (0, 0.15, 0.25, and 0.5 wt.%) into the photoactivated dimethacrylate resins. The degree of conversion (DC) was assessed, followed by the micro-hardness and flexural strength/modulus test. Long-term color stability was investigated. The bond strength with the dentin surface was conducted on days 1 and 30. The transmission electron microscopy and X-ray diffractogram confirmed the nano-structure and phase purity of the particles. The nanoparticles showed antibacterial activities against both strains and inhibited biofilm formation. The DC range of the experimental groups was 55–66%. The micro-hardness and flexural strength increased with the concentration of nanoparticles in the resin. The 0.5 wt.% group showed significantly high micro-hardness values, whereas a non-significant difference was observed between the experimental groups for flexural strength. The bond strength was higher on day 1 than on day 30, and a significant difference was observed between the two periods. At day 30, the 0.5 wt.% showed significantly higher values compared to other groups. Long-term color stability was observed for all the samples. The experimental adhesives showed promising results and potential to be used for clinical applications. However, further investigations such as antibacterial, penetration depth, and cytocompatibility are required.

Wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) is a staple and the most important food crop around the world. The growth and productivity of wheat are influenced by different factors, viz., sowing time, tillage system and nutrient application. The current field experiment consists of different boron (B) application rates, viz., B0 = No application (Control), B1 = soil applied (2 kg ha−1), B2 = foliar applied (2 kg ha−1), B3 = water spray; two tillage systems, viz., zero tillage (ZT) and conventional tillage (CT); and three sowing dates (S1 = 15 November; S2 = 5 December and S3 = 25 December). It was conducted during the years 2019–2020 and 2020–2021 under a split-split plot arrangement. The results showed that sowing dates and boron had beneficial impacts on the growth and productivity of wheat. The wheat crop sown on 15 November showed the highest plant height, chlorophyll contents, grains per spike, and grains’ boron content. Similarly, the application of boron under late sown conditions also improved the plant height (83.8 cm), chlorophyll contents (45.6), biological (5418 kg ha−1) and grain (4018 kg ha−1) yield as compared to control during both years. Furthermore, the higher crop growth and yield parameters were noted with the foliar application of boron at 2 kg ha−1. However, wheat crop growth and yield characteristics were not significantly affected by tillage techniques, h. In conclusion, the application of boron @ 2 kg ha−1 could be a suitable option for achieving higher wheat grain yield and productivity under late-sown conditions.

The scientific aim of this work is to encourage energy conservation. This article offers a fresh perspective on renewable energy in the air conditioning sector, the country’s economic growth, and environment-friendly techniques to overcome global warming challenges. In this research, a solar vapor absorption refrigeration (SVAR) system was combined with a conventional vapor compression refrigeration (VCR) system to analyze their combined performance, employing a compound parabolic collector (CPC). The goal was to assess the performance of a solar hybrid cooling system using this non-tracking solar collector. CPC was validated for heat output with 2.9% uncertainty by utilizing an engineering equation solver (EES). Other system components were also validated with EES and then extended to a larger-capacity solar hybrid cooling system. The results of this research indicate that CPC is effective in providing the required heat to SVAR throughout the year without any tracking, and the integration of SVAR in series with the VCR condenser produces 83% higher COP than the system that integrates VCR with the condenser of the SVAR system for Riyadh. The configuration results in high values of exergy COP and an efficiency of 88% and 84%, respectively, increases the cooling capacity of the VCR by 68%, and decreases the carbon emission by 166.4%.

Antibiotics and non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) are among the top pharmaceutical contaminants that have been often found in the aquatic environment. The presence of these contaminants in the aquatic environment is of great concern since it has a negative impact on both ecology and human health. In contrast to other tertiary treatments, adsorption stands out as a viable treatment approach since it provides benefits such as easier operating conditions with no byproduct formation. Commercial activated carbon is widely researched as a pharmaceutical adsorbent, but its large-scale applicability is constrained by its high cost. Agricultural waste also contains a large amount of various functional groups, which may be adapted to surface modification to increase its adsorption ability. In this regard, this study is designed to review the recent progress of efficient adsorbents derived from various agricultural wastes for the removal of antibiotics and NSAIDs contaminants from water bodies. Adsorbents made from agricultural waste have important benefits over commercial activated carbon for the reduction in waste while controlling water pollution.

One of the most common and challenging medical conditions to deal with in old-aged people is the occurrence of knee osteoarthritis (KOA). Manual diagnosis of this disease involves observing X-ray images of the knee area and classifying it under five grades using the Kellgren–Lawrence (KL) system. This requires the physician’s expertise, suitable experience, and a lot of time, and even after that the diagnosis can be prone to errors. Therefore, researchers in the ML/DL domain have employed the capabilities of deep neural network (DNN) models to identify and classify KOA images in an automated, faster, and accurate manner. To this end, we propose the application of six pretrained DNN models, namely, VGG16, VGG19, ResNet101, MobileNetV2, InceptionResNetV2, and DenseNet121 for KOA diagnosis using images obtained from the Osteoarthritis Initiative (OAI) dataset. More specifically, we perform two types of classification, namely, a binary classification, which detects the presence or absence of KOA and secondly, classifying the severity of KOA in a three-class classification. For a comparative analysis, we experiment on three datasets (Dataset I, Dataset II, and Dataset III) with five, two, and three classes of KOA images, respectively. We achieved maximum classification accuracies of 69%, 83%, and 89%, respectively, with the ResNet101 DNN model. Our results show an improved performance from the existing work in the literature.

Cadmium (Cd) and lead (Pb) are global environmental pollutants. In this study, Nostoc sp. MK-11 was used as an environmentally safe, economical, and efficient biosorbent for the removal of Cd and Pb ions from synthetic aqueous solutions. Nostoc sp. MK-11 was identified on a morphological and molecular basis using light microscopic, 16S rRNA sequences and phylogenetic analysis. Batch experiments were performed to determine the most significant factors for the removal of Cd and Pb ions from the synthetic aqueous solutions using dry Nostoc sp. MK1 biomass. The results indicated that the maximum biosorption of Pb and Cd ions was found under the conditions of 1 g of dry Nostoc sp. MK-11 biomass, 100 mg/L of initial metal concentrations, and 60 min contact time at pH 4 and 5 for Pb and Cd, respectively. Dry Nostoc sp. MK-11 biomass samples before and after biosorption were characterized using FTIR and SEM. A kinetic study showed that a pseudo second order kinetic model was well fitted rather than the pseudo first order. Three isotherm models Freundlich, Langmuir, and Temkin were used to explain the biosorption isotherms of metal ions by Nostoc sp. MK-11 dry biomass. Langmuir isotherm, which explains the existence of monolayer adsorption, fitted well to the biosorption process. Considering the Langmuir isotherm model, the maximum biosorption capacity (qmax) of Nostoc sp. MK-11 dry biomass was calculated as 75.757 and 83.963 mg g−1 for Cd and Pb, respectively, which showed agreement with the obtained experimental values. Desorption investigations were carried out to evaluate the reusability of the biomass and the recovery of the metal ions. It was found that the desorption of Cd and Pb was above 90%. The dry biomass of Nostoc sp. MK-11 was proven to be efficient and cost-effective for removing Cd and especially Pb metal ions from the aqueous solutions, and the process is eco-friendly, feasible, and reliable.

The electrochemical performance of NiCo2O4 with urea precursors was evaluated in order to develop a non-enzymatic urea sensor. In this study, NiCo2O4 nanostructures were synthesized hydrothermally at different concentrations of urea and characterized using scanning electron microscopy and X-ray diffraction. Nanostructures of NiCo2O4 exhibit a nanorod-like morphology and a cubic phase crystal structure. Urea can be detected with high sensitivity through NiCo2O4 nanostructures driven by urea precursors under alkaline conditions. A low limit of detection of 0.05 and an analytical range of 0.1 mM to 10 mM urea are provided. The concentration of 006 mM was determined by cyclic voltammetry. Chronoamperometry was used to determine the linear range in the range of 0.1 mM to 8 mM. Several analytical parameters were assessed, including selectivity, stability, and repeatability. NiCo2O4 nanostructures can also be used to detect urea in various biological samples in a practical manner.

The objective of this study was to synthesize a novel choline hydroxide ionic liquid-based tooth bleaching gel. Ionic liquid-based gels were synthesized and characterized using FTIR along with pH testing. Tooth sample preparation was carried out in line with ISO 28399:2020. The effects of synthesized gels on tooth samples were tested. Tooth samples were stained and grouped into three experimental groups: EAI (22% choline hydroxide gel), EAII (44% choline hydroxide gel), and EB (choline citrate gel) and two control groups: CA (commercial at-home 16% carbamide peroxide gel) and CB (deionized water). The tooth color analysis, which included shade matching with the Vitapan shade guide (n = 2), and digital colorimetric analysis (n = 2) were evaluated. The surface characteristics and hardness were analyzed with 3D optical profilometry, Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM), Energy Dispersive X-ray Spectroscopy (EDX), and Microhardness testing (n = 3), respectively. The tooth color analysis (Vitapan shade guide) revealed that all the tooth samples treated with synthesized choline citrate gel (EB) showed an A1 shade as compared to the other four groups, giving a range of shades. An analysis of the ΔE values from digital colorimetry; EAI, EAII, CA, and CB showed ΔE values in a range that was clinically perceptible at a glance. However, EB showed the highest value of ΔE. The mean microhardness values for the five groups showed that the effects of three experimental gels i.e., 44% choline hydroxide, 22% choline hydroxide, and choline citrate, on the microhardness of the tooth samples were similar to that of the positive control, which comprised commercial at-home 16% carbamide peroxide gel. SEM with EDX of three tested subgroups was closely related in surface profile, elemental composition, and Ca/P ratio. The roughness average values from optical profilometry of four tested subgroups lie within approximately a similar range, showing a statistically insignificant difference (p > 0.05) between the tested subgroups. The synthesized novel experimental tooth bleaching gels displayed similar tooth bleaching actions without any deleterious effects on the surface characteristics and microhardness of the treated tooth samples when compared with the commercial at-home tooth bleaching gel.

The convenient and highly compliant route for the delivery of active pharmaceutical ingredients is the tablet. A versatile platform of tablets is available for the delivery of therapeutic agents to the gastrointestinal tract. This study aimed to prepare gastro retentive drug delivery floating tablets of silymarin to improve its oral bioavailability and solubility. Hydroxypropyl methylcellulose (HPMCK4M and HPMCK15), Carbopol 934p and sodium bicarbonate were used as a matrix, floating enhancer and gas generating agent, respectively. The prepared tablets were evaluated for physicochemical parameters such as hardness, weight variation, friability, floating properties (floating lag time, total floating time), drug content, stability study, in vitro drug release, in vivo floating behavior and in vivo pharmacokinetics. The drug–polymer interaction was studied by Differential Scanning Calorimetry (DSC) thermal analysis and Fourier transform infrared (FTIR). The floating lag time of the formulation was within the prescribed limit (12 h. The dissolution can be described by zero-order kinetics (r2 = 0.979), with anomalous diffusion as the release mechanism (n = 0.65). An in vivo pharmacokinetic study showed that Cmax and AUC were increased by up to two times in comparison with the conventional dosage form. An in vivo imaging study showed that the tablet was present in the stomach for 12 h. It can be concluded from this study that the combined matrix system containing hydrophobic and hydrophilic polymers min imized the burst release of the drug from the tablet and achieved a drug release by zero-order kinetics, which is practically difficult with only a hydrophilic matrix. An in vivo pharmacokinetic study elaborated that the bioavailability and solubility of silymarin were improved with an increased mean residence time.

The rise of antimicrobial resistance (AMR) in bacterial pathogens such as Klebsiella pneumoniae (Kp) is a pressing public health and economic concern. The ‘One-Health’ framework recognizes that effective management of AMR requires surveillance in agricultural as well as clinical settings, particularly in low-resource regions such as Pakistan. Here, we use whole-genome sequencing to characterise 49 isolates of Klebisella spp. (including 43 Kp) and 2 presumptive Providencia rettgeri isolates recovered from dairy farms located near 3 cities in Pakistan—Quetta (n = 29), Faisalabad (n = 19), and Sargodha (n = 3). The 43 Kp isolates corresponded to 38 sequence types (STs), and 35 of these STs were only observed once. This high diversity indicates frequent admixture and limited clonal spread on local scales. Of the 49 Klebsiella spp. isolates, 41 (84%) did not contain any clinically relevant antimicrobial resistance genes (ARGs), and we did not detect any ARGs predicted to encode resistance to carbapenems or colistin. However, four Kp lineages contained multiple ARGs: ST11 (n = 2), ST1391-1LV (n = 1), ST995 (n = 1) and ST985 (n = 1). STs 11, 1391-1LV and 995 shared a core set of five ARGs, including blaCTX-M-15, harboured on different AMR plasmids. ST985 carried a different set of 16 resistance genes, including blaCTX-M-55. The two presumptive P. rettgeri isolates also contained multiple ARGs. Finally, the four most common plasmids which did not harbour ARGs in our dataset were non-randomly distributed between regions, suggesting that local expansion of the plasmids occurs independently of the host bacterial lineage. Evidence regarding how dairy farms contribute to the emergence and spread of AMR in Pakistan is valuable for public authorities and organizations responsible for health, agriculture and the environment, as well as for industrial development.