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This article attempts to examine the role of creativity on carbon intensity in case of Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) countries. The panel estimation techniques are used for annual data for the period of 1990-2018. The empirical evidence affirms that patent rights and innovation act as a policy factor in controlling carbon intensity, i.e. creativity leads to energy-efficient and environment friendly society. However, innovations have higher magnitude compared to patent. Contrarily, urbanization and economic growth are the key determinants in enhancing carbon intensity, while renewable energy has insignificant impact on carbon intensity. The empirical analysis, especially for creativity, can add practical implications for related authorities in controlling carbon intensity and improving energy efficiency.

This study investigated the anti-arthritic potential of novel mannich-based derivatives of 2-mercaptobenzimidazole (AK7 and AK9) in rats. The compounds were characterized by NMR and FTIR spectroscopies and their acute anti-inflammatory effects were measured by carrageenan (CRG)-induced paw edema model. The most potent doses of AK7 and AK9 were subsequently evaluated in the complete Freund's adjuvant (CFA)-induced inflammatory arthritis model. AK7 and AK9 inhibited CRG-induced inflammation in a dose-dependent fashion and a similar reduction in CFA-induced paw inflammation was observed. Moreover, X-ray and histopathological analyses of AK7-treated animals displayed normal joint structure whereas AK9, despite of its anti-inflammatory effects, failed to protect against cartilage destruction. Interestingly, biochemical analysis revealed a better safety profile for AK7 than for AK9 and methotrexate. Both compounds suppressed mRNA levels of pro-inflammatory mediators (IRAK1, NF-κB1, TNF-α, IL1B) while only AK7 reduced the transcript levels of interstitial collagenase (MMP1). Molecular docking analysis of AK7 and AK9 with TNF-α and MMP1 also supported the experimental data. These findings clearly highlight the beneficial effects of AK7 in the prevention and/or treatment of inflammatory arthritis.

Alkali-activated concrete (AAC) or binders (AABs) have emerged as a substitute to conventional ordinary Portland cement (OPC)-based concrete owing to their techno-ecological merits. Saudi Arabia has vast resources of natural pozzolan whose impact on some fresh and hardened properties was encouraging; however, the long-term shrinkage behavior of AABs and life cycle assessment (LCA) of the developed product is yet to be explored. Therefore, this study evaluates shrinkage characteristics and LCA of Saudi natural pozzolan (NP)-based AAC. The synergistic impact of admixing nano-silica (NS) up to 7.5% dosage was also observed on the properties of engineered AABs in comparison with OPC-based concrete. The shrinkage properties were correlated with the microstructure and pore structure. The study revealed that the shrinkage properties of both NP-based AABs and OPC-based concrete are comparable. However, adding NS increased the drying shrinkage strain because of the finer pore structure than AABs without NS, which was confirmed through nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR). The maximum average drying shrinkage strain of 510 με was recorded in the OPC concrete, whereas in the engineered AAC with 0, 1, 2.5, 5, and 7.5% NS, it was 486, 537, 568, 601, and 651 με, respectively. It is postulated that the NP can be beneficially valorized in the production of green AABs without compromising the shrinkage characteristics, while the NS is favorable for enhancing the strength and refinement of the pore matrix. Besides, the LCA indicated the feasibility of recycling the high volume of natural waste by AAB technology, which significantly lowers the carbon footprints and minimizes the environmental implications in infrastructural applications.

The shrinkage of cement-based materials is a critical dimensional property that needs proper attention as it can influence the corresponding characteristics especially when the preparation of such cement-based material is done in hot weather. Studies have shown that the casting or curing conditions influence the performance of concrete. However, there is limited understanding of the combined role of casting temperature and curing conditions, especially for concrete made with unconventional binders. In this study, five supplementary cementitious materials (SCMs) were utilized as the substitute of the ordinary Portland cement (OPC) at different ratios to produce greener concrete and improve its characteristics and sustainability. The influence of four casting temperatures (i.e., 25 °C, 32 °C, 38 °C, and 45 °C) and two curing regimes (i.e., covering of samples using wet burlap and applying curing compound on the surface of samples) on the corresponding compressive strength and drying shrinkage at various ages was studied. The outcomes of this research revealed that the composition of the binders has a substantial impact on the characteristics of concrete. In addition, the casting temperature and curing regimes also have a huge role on the compressive strength of concrete produced with binary binders. For example, the compressive strength at 3 days of concrete made at 25 °C made with binary binders was reduced up to 31% compared to that made with only OPC as the binder when cured using wet burlap. Nonetheless, less than 38 ℃ was suitable to minimize the durability issues in the studied blended cement mixes.

Benzimidazole ring system is an important pharmacophore with diverse pharmacological activities. In this study, we explored the anti-arthritic effects of newly synthesized acetamide derivatives of 2-aminobenzimidazole (N1 and N2) in rats. FTIR and NMR spectroscopies were used to characterize these compounds. Carrageenan (CRG) induced paw edema model was used to test the acute anti-inflammatory activity of various doses (10, 20 and 30 mg/kg) of N1 and N2 compounds. Based on acute anti-inflammatory effects, the most potent dose of each compound was selected and investigated in complete freund's adjuvant (CFA) induced inflammatory arthritis (RA) model (n = 4 in each group). Histopathological, hematological, radiographic, and RT-qPCR analyses were performed to assess the progression or resolution of inflammatory arthritis. The tested compounds produced a dose-dependent anti-inflammatory activity against CRG induced paw inflammation and similarly reduced edema in CFA induced inflammatory arthritis model. Histopathological and X-ray analyses of ankle joints revealed minimal inflammation and normal joint structures in N1 and N2 treated groups. The tested compounds also reduced the levels of autoantibodies and restored hematological parameters. Interestingly, the tested compounds did not elevate aspartate aminotransferase and alanine transaminase levels and displayed a better safety profile than methotrexate. N1 and N2 compounds also attenuated the transcript levels of IRAK1, NF-kB1, TNF-α, IL-1β, IL17 and MMP1. In addition, N1 displayed a greater inhibition of mRNA levels of COX1, COX2, mPGES1 and PTGDS as compared to N2. Our findings demonstrate that N1 and N2 compounds possess strong anti-arthritic activity which can be attributed to the suppression of pro-inflammatory mediators.

Terpinen 4-ol, a phytochemical is a monoterpene which has been reported for its anti-inflammatory effect. Present research was planned to check its effect against arthritis through in vitro and in vivo models. Terpinen 4-ol was evaluated through in-vitro procedures including blocking of protein (BSA and egg albumin) denaturation and human RBC membrane stabilization. In in vivo study, terpinen 4-ol (15, 30 and 60 mg/kg) was evaluated using formaldehyde and CFA arthritic models. Terpinen 4-ol significantly inhibited increase in paw and joint swelling as compared to diseased group. Terpinen 4-ol showed remarkable antioxidant effect (SOD, reducing power) and also improved body weight, haematological, histopathological and radiological parameters in CFA model. Also, moreover, the excess production of IL-1β, TNF-α, IRAK, and NF-kB were noticeably attenuated in all terpinen 4-ol treated rats, however, IL-17 and IL-10 were distinctly increased compared to arthritic control rats in RT-PCR. Also, terpinen 4-ol showed promising antioxidant effect in DPPH assay. Henceforth, it might be concluded that terpinen 4-ol has anti-arthritic effect which can be attributed to the downregulation of pro-inflammatory cytokines.

Sensitive detection of redox active analytes utilising its fluorescent nature requires a direct non-complicated approach to amplify its emission intensity. In this regard, we investigated nanoscale cerium oxide for its unique nanosized structure, surface reactivity and redox activity coupled with surface complexation. Variations in either oxidation state or the surface-terminated oxygen of the cerium oxide nanoparticales provide gaps for the adsorption of redox functionalities. It enables ceria particles to concentrate the analyte molecules on their surface promoting fluorescence signal amplification. As a proof of concept, we integrated surface complexation feature of nanoceria towards improved fluorescent response and successively implemented them for ultra-sensitive identification of a redox active Ochratoxin A (OTA) at specific wavelength range. Results obtained indicate that higher amplification efficacy of nanoparticles is due to its higher electron mobility along with good absorbability. Different identification techniques including XRD SEM, UV–Vis, EDX, FTIR, photoluminescence, RAMAN spectroscopy and finally fluorescence assays were performed to examine morphology and nano-surface chemistry along with signal amplified strategy of the developed nano-probe. Various experimental factors including incubation time, pH and concentrations of OTA and ceria particles were also optimised. Under optimised environment, the limit of detection was as smaller as 0.1 ng mL−1 with 0.5–100 ng mL−1of linear range. Thus, we proposed a highly sensitive and selective fluorescent nanoprobe for analytical applications based on surface complexation affinity and fluorescence signal amplification ability of nanoceria.

Environmental threats posed by the cement manufacturing industry and agro-industrial waste discharge have shifted the direction of research towards building sustainable construction without compromising the technical merits of the developed binders. Date palm trees are one of the highest numbers of trees in the world whose generated wastes can be beneficially recycled and reused by the concrete industry. In this study, ordinary Portland cement (OPC) and date palm frond ash (DPFA)-based binders were synthesized by varying ratio of DPFA/(OPC + DPFA) between the range of 0 to 0.3 at an interval of 0.1. Both base materials were characterized by physical, chemical, and thermal techniques. The developed binders were assessed by flow, setting time, and compressive strength up to 360 days of curing. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) was performed to complement the strength results. It is postulated that the DPFA/(OPC + DPFA) ratio of up to 0.2 outperforms the DPFA-free binder in terms of the overall performance. The properties of binders were negatively affected by the total precursor composition ratio of CaO/SiO2 and Al2O3/SiO2 below 2.06 and 0.18, respectively. The optimum synergy of OPC–DPFA resulted in superior microstructural density attributed to the uniform skeletal framework of gel products. Strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats analysis of the use of DPFA in cementitious materials showed that there is a high potential for its use in terms of sustainability and economic benefits. However, various weaknesses and threats associated with the use of DPFA as a cementitious material need to be resolved.

The enhanced peroxidase-like catalytic activity of coral-shaped graphitic carbon nitride (GCN) incorporated with tin oxide (SnO2) is here reported and applied for the sensitive and selective colorimetric detection of hydrogen peroxide (H2O2). The SnO2/GCN catalyzed the oxidation of 3, 3′, 5, 5′-tetramethylbenzidine, and H2O2 which resulted in the appearance/change of color in the visible range. The results of peroxidase-like activity showed that the growth of SnO2 on GCN nanosheets improved structure, optical, and electronic properties considerably. SnO2/GCN-40% showed the best activity because of the optimal loading of SnO2, unique structural, electronic, optical, and electrical properties. The catalytic reaction of coral-shaped SnO2/GCN-40% followed the typical Michaelis–Menten equation, and the affinity of coral-shaped SnO2/GCN-40% to TMB and H2O2 was higher than that of horseradish peroxide. The present study showed a rapid, selective, and sensitive response toward the H2O2 bioassay in a linear range of 10 − 655 μM with a limit of detection of 0.3 μM (S/N ratio of 3). The study may provide a promising method of performance improvement for applications in catalysis, biosensors, and nanomaterial-engineering fields. Scheme shows the interaction of tin oxide with graphitic carbon nitride which resulted in a coral-shaped structure shown in SEM image. It also shows the interaction of tin oxide and graphitic carbon nitride with H2O2 in the presence of TMB (3,3′, 5,5′-Tetramethylbenzidine) and as a consequence, TMB gets oxidized and ended up in change in color.

A hypothalamic neuropeptide, RF-amide related peptide-3 (RFRP-3), the mammalian ortholog of the avian gonadotropin-inhibitory hormone (GnIH) has inhibitory signals for reproductive axis via G-protein coupled receptor 147 in mammals. Moreover, RFRP-3 has orexigenic action but the mechanism involved in energy homeostasis and glucose metabolism is not yet known. Though, the RFRP-3 modulates orexigenic action in co-operation with other neuropeptides, which regulates metabolic cues in the hypothalamus. Administration of GnIH/RFRP-3 suppresses plasma luteinizing hormone, at the same time stimulates feeding behavior in birds and mammals. Likewise, in the metabolically deficient conditions, its expression is up-regulated suggests that RFRP-3 contributes to the integration of energy balance and reproduction. However, in many other metabolic conditions like induced diabetes and high-fat diet obesity, etc. its role is still not clear while, RFRP-3 induces the glucose homeostasis by adipocytes is reported. The physiological role of RFRP-3 in metabolic homeostasis and the metabolic effects of RFRP-3 signaling in pharmacological studies need a detailed discussion. Further studies are required to find out whether RFRP-3 is associated with restricted neuroendocrine function observed in type II diabetes mellitus, aging, or sub-fertility. In this context, the current review is focused on the role of RFRP-3 in the above-mentioned mechanisms. Studies from search engines including PubMed, Google Scholar, and science.gov are included after following set inclusion/exclusion criteria. As a developing field few mechanisms are still inconclusive, however, based on the available information RFRP-3 seems to be a putative tool in future treatment strategies towards metabolic disease.

Background Differentiation of Immortalized Human Bone Marrow Mesenchymal Stromal Cells - hTERT (iMSC3) into adipocytes is in vitro model of obesity. In our earlier study, rosiglitazone enhanced adipogenesis particularly the brown adipogenesis of iMSC3. In this study, the transcriptomic profiles of iMSC3 derived adipocytes with and without rosiglitazone were analyzed through mRNA sequencing. Results A total of 1508 genes were differentially expressed between iMSC3 and the derived adipocytes without rosiglitazone treatment. GO and KEGG enrichment analyses revealed that rosiglitazone regulates PPAR and PI3K-Akt pathways. The constant rosiglitazone treatment enhanced the expression of Fatty Acid Binding Protein 4 (FABP4) which enriched GO terms such as fatty acid binding, lipid droplet, as well as white and brown fat cell differentiation. Moreover, the constant treatment upregulated several lipid droplets (LDs) associated proteins such as PLIN1. Rosiglitazone also activated the receptor complex PTK2B that has essential roles in beige adipocytes thermogenic program. Several uniquely expressed novel regulators of brown adipogenesis were also expressed in adipocytes derived with rosiglitazone: PRDM16, ZBTB16, HOXA4, and KLF15 in addition to other uniquely expressed genes. Conclusions Rosiglitazone regulated several differentially regulated genes and non-coding RNAs that warrant further investigation about their roles in adipogenesis particularly brown adipogenesis.

One of the biggest present challenges for clinicians is to regenerate the skin tissues which are lost due to trauma or diseases. Although the autografts are considered as the gold standard, yet they have their own limitations. However, a proper biocompatible, flexible, and mechanically stable, moisture retentive, and permeable synthetic membrane could be used instead of autografts. Silk fibroin (SF) is a protein based mechanically strong, biocompatible, biodegradable, and permeable material which has been used in wide range of applications like cosmetics, foods, drugs, tissue engineering, and wound healing. Similarly, collagen (CG) is biocompatible and biodegradable protein-based natural polymer. TiO2 particles have antibacterial properties. Keeping in mind the properties of these materials, we designed SF/CG membranes loaded with TiO2 particles for skin tissue regeneration using freeze drying technique. Starting with degumming of silk from B. mori, SF was extracted and regenerated which was used for further studies. The membranes were fabricated in two series; in first series concentration of TiO2 was optimized only in silk; in second series SF/CG/TiO2 membranes were fabricated with two different concentrations of CG. Membranes were characterized by FTIR and SEM. For the biological use of as-prepared membranes, swelling and degradation studies in H2O2 and lysozyme were carried out. Antibacterial studies were carried out on S. aureus and E. coli. To check the biocompatibility and cell toxicity, Alamar Blue Assay was performed. Attachment of cell with scaffolds was studied with Cell Attachment Assay and photos of cell attachment were recorded with SEM. Overall, the membranes showed good antibacterial activity and biocompatibility. On the basis of these results, the fabricated membranes are potential candidates for skin tissue regeneration and wound healing application.

The present study was carried out to investigate the effects of hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) on the growth, photosynthesis, leaf histology, mineral uptake, phytochemical accumulation, and Rubisco gene expression in Ficus deltoidea var. deltoidea, a slow growing medicinal plant. The F. deltoidea plants were spray-treated with 0 (control), 8, 16, 30 and 60 mM H2O2 under field conditions. The results showed that the applications of 30 mM H2O2 increased the plant height, leaf number, and syconium number by 26%, 9% and 2275%, respectively, over the control specimen. Photosynthetic rates, transpiration, stomatal conductance and chlorophyll content of F. deltoidae plants increased significantly after treatment of 30 mM H2O2. A lower concentration (8 and 16 mM) of H2O2 also improved the leaf histological properties such as tracheary elements and other vascular cells. In addition, treatments with 30 mM H2O2 increased calcium, potassium, total phenolic and flavonoids content, in F. deltoidea plants, by 14%, 15%, 12% and 72%, respectively. In addition, H2O2 treatment at 30 mM concentration downregulated the Rubisco gene with a between 1 and 5 times fold gene expression change. From this study, it can be concluded that spraying with 30 and 16 mM of H2O2 once a week enhanced growth, photosynthesis, mineral accumulation, phenol and flavonoid content, as well as aided Rubisco gene expression, under field conditions.

Radio frequency (RF) spectrum is already dense enough and hard to add more broadband channels to meet the current user demands. Optical free-space communications could be an excellent alternative to the RF communications system, and it provides additional benefits, e.g., large bandwidth, high data rates and reliable communication link. Therefore, free-space optical (FSO) communication system becomes more attractive for the deployment of additional broadband channels, and it fulfils the current user demands of bandwidth-hungry applications. FSO communication links are susceptible to numerous meteorological conditions such as fog, snow, dust, smoke, scintillation and smog. Achieving better connectivity under the above-mentioned severe conditions is a crucial research question. Joint optical-RF communication system is developed to overcome the problems as mentioned earlier. The proposed adaptive optical-RF transmission system is optimized so that the system performance is maximized under all channel conditions. Optimization is achieved over the respective channel mappings, and the total required power by exploiting the proposed algorithm. The mapping schemes of each link are optimally chosen such that the total mutual information is maximized while distributing optimal power to the individual channel. Simulations are performed and verified with the analytical results to validate the proposed design. A comparison of the adaptive joint system (i.e., hybrid FSO-RF) over the non-adaptive system under various weather conditions is provided. From simulation results, the performance gain of more than 1 dB is achieved under the minimum power level. It is, therefore, recommended that the adaptive hybrid FSO-RF communication system is always an optimum solution for all weather conditions.

Ambiguities in current fire design codes have triggered conflicting responses from researchers and professionals about steel buildings in fire. This is because fire codes do not consider the integrated structure of the building, but are based on the tests and models of the individual structural members of a construction subjected to a standard fire (ISO 834 or ASTM E 119). This study designed a four-story steel frame structure containing five bays with a bay span of 12 m and a height of 3.5 m according to Eurocode 3, considering all joints as being simply supported. Four different fire scenarios were modeled with reference to members of the assembled structure utilizing the Vulcan software package considering standard and parametric fire curves on exposed and protected sections. The results were compared with those obtained by exposing to the same fire curves an isolated beam member equal to those belonging to the frame under investigation. The comparison shows that the assembled members in the modeled structure had a better fire performance than did the isolated members. Because connections are important components of structures, we believe that the effects of connections on the fire performance of structures should be studied in the future.

The heavy metals were studied in water, sediments, algae, and various tissues of Glyptosternon reticulatum and Cyprinus carpio from River Swat, Pakistan, using flame atomic absorption spectrophotometer. The Zn, Cu, Pb and Ni were higher in water at sewage site compared to upstream and downstream sites. In sediments, the Ni and Cd were not detected whereas Cu, Pb and Zn were higher at downstream followed by sewage and upstream sites. The Ni and Zn in algae were higher at upstream and sewage sites compared to downstream site whereas Pb and Cd were higher at upstream site compared to sewage and downstream sites and Cu was found same at all the three sites. The heavy metals (Zn > Cu > Pb and Ni) in tissues (liver > gills > skin > muscles) of G. reticulatum was higher than in C. carpio. This study recommends the proper monitoring of River Swat in order to save its water and inhabitant aquatic life.

Diabetes mellitus is a major public health issue globally, and type-2 diabetes mellitus is the most prevalent form of this disease. Due to multiple factors, most diabetic patients develop functional disabilities including musculoskeletal complications. To determine the frequency of musculoskeletal complications, the relationship between these complications and different potential variables, and the status of pharmacotherapy management to treat these complications among patients with type-2 diabetes mellitus. It was a cross-sectional study and data was collected through self-administered, face-validated pro forma in the English language in outpatient clinics of two tertiary care hospitals of Multan, Pakistan. Total n = 270 type-2 diabetic patients of both genders were assessed for musculoskeletal complications; n = 126 (46.7%) patients had at least one musculoskeletal complication. The most common manifestations were shoulder capsulitis or frozen shoulder (20.7%), flexor tenosynovitis (10.4%), hand stiffness syndrome (10%), and limited joint mobility (9.6%). A statistically significant association was found between frozen shoulder, limited joint mobility, and hand stiffness syndrome with the duration of diabetes (p value = 0.003, 0.0001), and overall glycemic control (p value = 0.004, 0.001) respectively. Out of 254 complaints, only 42.9% of complaints were receiving pharmacotherapy management. Main outcome measure: overall prevalence of musculoskeletal complications among patients of type-2 diabetes and level of pharmacotherapy management for them. Periarticular region of the joints in the hands and shoulders should be examined whenever diabetic patients present with uncontrolled diabetes, and pharmacotherapy management should be planned for these patients who will improve their quality of life.

Concreting in hot weather poses special problems, and the properties of concrete are significantly influenced by mix parameters, construction practices and environmental conditions. In this study, mix design parameters, casting temperature and curing conditions were varied to study the mechanical properties and durability characteristics with the ultimate aim of developing models relating the concrete properties and the experimental parameters. The effect of w/c ratio (0.3 to 0.45), in situ concrete temperature (25 to 45 °C) and curing method (ponding, covering with wet burlap or applying curing compound followed by curing under laboratory or field conditions) was assessed by measuring compressive strength (f′c), split tensile strength (ft), pulse velocity (PV) and depth of water penetration (WP) up to 180 days. Prediction models were developed utilizing quadratic regression models and artificial neural networks (ANNs). The regression models indicated that moist curing, in situ concrete temperature and curing period have a positive impact on the strength parameters and PV, while the former two variables had a negative effect on the WP. The w/c ratio had a significant positive impact on the WP. The concrete properties predicted by ANN models were more accurate than those predicted by regression models. A combined ANN model, developed for predicting strength and PV simultaneously, had a better correlation coefficient compared to ANN models developed for each variable separately. The developed models are expected to assist concrete technologists in the selection of appropriate concrete mixture parameters to obtain concrete with desired properties under hot weather conditions.