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Rosemary (Rosmarinus officinalis) originated in the Mediterranean region, but, due to its adaptive nature, can be readily grown across the world. It contains many bioactive phytochemical moieties, especially polyphenols. Rosemary is used as a flavoring agent, spice condiment, and preservative. Recent studies have shown that rosemary natural extracts have bioactive properties such as antifungal, antibacterial, antioxidant, and anti-inflammatory. Rosemary can withstand dry spells, warm conditions and thrive across many soil textures. Carnosic acid is now a well-known compound that is the main component of rosemary. The key components that were extracted from rosemary consisted of cirsimaritin, diosmin, and genkwanin. Rosmarinic acid in the form of carnosol and carnosic acid possesses significant antioxidant properties. Oil analysis revealed the presence of six monodominant and six intermediate chemotypes. Monoterpenes were dominant in rosemary oil composition across all seasons. Bioclimatic factors, including the temperature of the habitat, were found to be a biogenetic factors leading to differentiation in populations. The phenolic contents are reported to vary depending upon processing and agronomical properties. The major active ingredients are lipophilic compounds (carnosic acid and carnosol). Rosemary extracts are also reported to have volatile compounds that confer a unique flavor, color and aroma. Oleanolic acid is endowed with antiviral, antioxidative, and antiproliferative properties vis-a-vis protection against oxidative apoptosis. Ursolic acid helps to prevent cancer. This review provides a comprehensive overview of rosemary species cultivation, bioactive compounds, health benefits, and applications in the food industry. Rosemary was reported to enhance the levels of antioxidant enzymes. Although the current demand in the food industry is to reduce or eliminate the use of synthetic food additives, rosemary oil and extracts can help to meet that demand. This review provides a comprehensive overview of rosemary species cultivation, bioactive compounds, health benefits, and applications in the food industry.

Development of cost effective and easily scalable energy systems for harvesting renewable solar energy is attractive proposal for future. This work presents facile synthesis of ZnO nanostructures with different morphologies simply providing different solvating conditions in a hydrothermal process, for their subsequent use in dye sensitized solar cell (DSSC) device. ZnO nanoprisms were obtained in aqueous solution where addition of methanol/ethanol resulted in formation of hollow nanoprism while methanol in alkaline solution yield ZnO nanorice morphology. The obtained nanostructures were characterized for structural, morphological, elemental, optical and surface area analysis. Then devices were fabricated using the grown nanostructure and tested their response under 1 sun conditions for dye sensitized solar cells with N719 dye-loading. Among different nanostructure morphologies, ZnO nonorice showed superior performance reaching the maximum conversion efficiency. We attribute this to large surface area, better conductivity, and enhanced dye adsorption of nanorice in comparison to other synthesized ZnO nanostructures.

Rheum spiciforme Royle is a high value medicinal herb restricted to NW Himalayas. The medicinal properties of Rheum include anti-oxidant, anti-microbial, antitumor, anti-inflammatory, anti-fungal, anti-atherosclerotic, anti-proliferative, hepatoprotective, and immuno-enhancing. The species is threatened and endemic which demands its conservation. In this context, we have developed a premiere efficient in vitro regeneration system for this herb. The seed germination displayed phenomenal increase when transferred from soil (13.6 ± 3.1%) to half-strength Murashige and Skoog (MS) medium (92.6 ± 1.3%) fortified with 0.005 mM gibberellic acid (GA3) and 1 mM potassium nitrate (KNO3) and calcium chloride (CaCl2) each with mean germination time (MGT) of 8.5 ± 1.8 d. Among four types of explants used for callusing, leaf explants responded highest with 87.3 ± 1.4% at 2 μM 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid (2,4-D) and 6-benzylaminopurine (BA) each. Nodal-segment-derived brown calluses exhibited significantly high regeneration (96.3 ± 1.6 %) at 8.0 μM BA and kinetin (KIN) each with 4.0 μM GA3. Leaf explants observed direct somatic embryogenesis which displayed maximum (91.0 ± 3.4%) germination at 25 μM BA, 1.0 μM NAA (naphthaleneacetic acid), 2.0 μM GA3, 50.0 μM glutamine (GTM), and adenine sulfate (ADS) each. Multiple shoot induction with mean number of 10.1 ± 2.6 shoots and elongation 4.2 ± 0.4 cm was observed at 12.5 μM BA and 0.5 μM NAA along with 25 μM GTM and ADS each. The rooted seedlings developed in half-strength liquid MS with 2.5 μM NAA were hardened and subsequently transferred to the field. The developed protocol could be utilized for various attributes which include development of large-scale micropropagation system as a conservation measure, Agrobacterium-mediated genetic transformation studies, and industrial production of important bioactive chemical constituents.

Gas sensors are widely explored due to their remarkable detection efficiency for pollutants. Phosgene is a toxic gas and its high concentration in the environment causes some serious health problems like swollen throat, a change in voice, late response of nervous systems, and many more. Therefore, the development of sensors for quick monitoring of COCl2 in the environment is the need of the time. In this aspect, we have explored the adsorption behavior of late transition metal-decorated Mg12O12 nanoclusters for COCl2. Density functional theory at the B3LYP/6-31G(d,p) level is used for optimization, frontier molecular orbital analysis, dipole moment, natural bonding orbitals, bond lengths, adsorption energies, and global reactivity descriptor analysis. Decoration of Zn on pure Mg12O12 delivered two geometries named as Y1 and Y2 with adsorption energy values of -388.91 and -403.11 kJ/mol, respectively. Adsorption of COCl2 on pure Mg12O12 also delivered two geometries (X1 and X2) with different orientations of COCl2. The computed adsorption energy values of X1 and X2 are -44.92 and -71.32 kJ/mol. However, adsorption of COCl2 on Zn-decorated Mg12O12 offered two geometries named as Z1 and Z2 with adsorption energy values of -455.22 and -419.04 kJ/mol, respectively. These adsorption energy values suggested that Zn decoration significantly enhances the adsorption capability of COCl2 gas. Further, the narrow band gap and large dipole moment values of COCl2-adsorbed Zn-decorated Mg12O12 nanoclusters suggested that designed systems are efficient candidates for COCl2 adsorption. Global reactivity indices unveil the great natural stability and least reactivity of designed systems. Results of all analyses suggested that Zn-decorated Mg12O12 nanoclusters are efficient aspirants for the development of high-performance COCl2 sensing materials.

Allium cepa L. is a commonly consumed vegetable that belongs to the Amaryllidaceae family and contains nutrients and antioxidants in ample amounts. In spite of the valuable food applications of onion bulb, its peel and outer fleshy layers are generally regarded as waste and exploration of their nutritional and therapeutic potential is still in progress with a very slow progression rate. The present study was designed with the purpose of doing a comparative analysis of the antioxidant potential of two parts of Allium cepa, i.g., bulb (edible part) and outer fleshy layers and dry peels (inedible part). Moreover, the inhibitory effect of the onion bulb and peel extracts on rat intestinal α-glucosidase and pancreatic α-amylase of porcine was also evaluated. The antioxidant potential of onion peel and bulb extracts were evaluated using 2,2-diphenyl- 1-picryl hydrazyl (DPPH), ferric-reducing antioxidant power assay (FRAP), 2,2’-azino-bis- 3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonic acid (ABTS) radical scavenging assay, H2O2 radical scavenging activity and Fe2+ chelating activity. Total flavonoids and phenolic content of ethanolic extract of onion peel were significantly greater as compared to that of onion bulb. Ethanolic extract of onion peel also presented better antioxidant and free-radical scavenging activity as compared to the ethanolic extract of bulb, while the aqueous extract of bulb presented weakest antioxidative potential. Onion peel extract’s α-glucosidase inhibition potential was also correlated with their phenolic and flavonoid contents. The current findings presented onion peel as a possible source of antioxidative agents and phenolic compounds that might be beneficial against development of various common chronic diseases that might have an association with oxidative stress. Besides, outer dry layers and fleshy peels of onion exhibited higher phenolic content and antioxidant activities, compared to the inner bulb. The information obtained by the present study can be useful in promoting the use of vegetable parts other than the edible mesocarp for several future food applications, rather than these being wasted. Resumo Allium cepa pertence à família Liliaceae e é rica em nutrientes e antioxidantes. Apesar das expressivas aplicações alimentares do bulbo da cebola, sua casca e outras camadas externas são geralmente consideradas resíduos, e seu potencial nutricional e terapêutico ainda é pouco explorado. O presente estudo foi delineado com o objetivo de investigar comparativamente o potencial antioxidante de duas partes de Allium cepa, por exemplo o bulbo (parte comestível) e camadas externas e cascas secas (parte não comestível). Além disso, o efeito inibitório dos extratos do bulbo de cebola e casca sobre a α-glucosidase intestinal de ratos e α-amilase pancreática suína também foi avaliado. O potencial antioxidante dos extratos da casca de cebola e bulbo foi avaliado utilizando-se 2,2-difenil-1-picrilhidrazil (DPPH), método de poder antioxidante de redução do ferro (FRAP), método 2,2'-azino-bis-3-etilbenzotiazolina-6-ácido sulfônico (ABTS) de eliminação de radicais, atividade de eliminação de radicais H2O2 e atividade quelante do Fe2+. Os flavonoides totais e os teores fenólicos do extrato de etanol da casca de cebola foram significativamente maiores quando comparados ao do bulbo. O extrato de etanol da casca de cebola também apresentou melhor atividade antioxidante e eliminação de radicais livres quando comparado ao extrato de etanol do bulbo, enquanto o extrato aquoso de bulbo apresentou menor potencial antioxidante. O potencial de inibição da α-glicosidase dos extratos de casca de cebola correlacionou-se com seus teores fenólicos e de flavonoides. Os resultados encontrados identificaram que a casca de cebola é uma possível fonte de agentes antioxidantes e compostos fenólicos que podem ser benéficos contra o desenvolvimento de várias doenças crônicas que estão associadas ao estresse oxidativo. Além disso, as camadas externas secas e as cascas da cebola exibiram maior conteúdo fenólico e atividades antioxidantes, em comparação com o bulbo interno. As informações obtidas pelo presente estudo podem promover o uso de outras partes vegetais além do mesocarpo comestível para futuras aplicações em alimentos, ao invés de serem desperdiçadas.

Two imine compounds named as (

Multi-functionalized and co-doped TiO2/C nanocomposites were derived from the pyrolysis of Ti-MOFs at 800 °C under different gaseous atmospheres and their photocatalytic performance were investigated. The gaseous atmosphere during pyrolysis plays a critical role in determining the structural, textural, optical and physicochemical properties of the derived TiO2/C composites due to the synergistic effect of nitrogen-containing species, carboxylate and sulfur functionalized porous carbon as well as N/S co-doped TiO2 nanoparticles. All the Ti-MOFs derived TiO2/C composites exclusively possess homogeneously distributed TiO2 nanoparticles in a functionalized disc-like porous carbon matrix and demonstrate much enhanced adsorption and photodegradation performance than commercial TiO2 under the same conditions. The adsorption of methylene blue (MB) in dark on these TiO2/C composites are dominated with pseudo second-order kinetic model and the high adsorption capacity of MB in dark on composite TiO2/C derived from MIL-125(Ti) in argon is due to its high surface area with predominant mesoporous carbon matrix in the composite. The composite N-O-TiO2/C derived from NH2-MIL-125(Ti) in water vapor exhibited the highest photodegradation activity with 99.7% MB removal in 3 hours under visible light due to the optimal anatase/rutile phasejunction, together with the formation of photoactive oxygen-rich N-O like interstitial/intraband states above the valence band of TiO2, as well as the presence of N-containing species and -OH/-COOH multi-functional groups with superhydrophilic nature of the composite. This simple one-step and easily modifiable approach can be further employed to modulate homogeneously dispersed multi-functionalized and co-doped metal oxide/carbon nanocomposites for various environment and energy-related applications.

Reservoir rock minerals and their surface charge development have been the subject of several studies with a consensus reached on their contribution to the control of reservoir rock surface interactions. However, the question of what factors control the surface charge of minerals and to what extent do these factors affect the surface charge remains unanswered. Also, with several factors identified in our earlier studies, the question of the order of effect on the mineral surface charge was unclear. To quantify the mineral surface charge, zeta potential measurements and Deryaguin-Landau-Verwey-Overbeek (DLVO) theories, as well as surface complexation models, are used. However, these methods can only predict a single mineral surface charge and cannot approximate the reservoir rock surface. This is because the reservoir rock is composed of many minerals in varying proportions. To address these drawbacks, for the first time, we present the implementation of machine learning models to predict reservoir minerals' surface charge. Four different models namely the Adaptive Boosting Regressor, Random Forest Regressor, Support Vector Regressor, and the Gradient Boosting tree were implemented for this purpose with all the model predictions over 95% accuracy. Also, feature ranking of the factors that control the mineral surface charge was carried out with the most dominant factors being the mineral type, salt type, and pH of the environment. Findings reveal an opportunity for accurate prediction of reservoir rock surface charge given the enormous amount of data available.

Summary Chilli is a spicy crop which belongs to family Solanaceae. As a vegetable crop, it is considered as one of the major cultivated crops in the world seriously affected by the climatic changes, including elevation in temperature. Therefore, in this research various morpho-physiological characteristics of chilli were studied for heat tolerance under the influence of exogenous application of proline. This research was carried out in a growth room of the Institute of Horticultural Sciences, University of Agriculture, Faisalabad, Pakistan. Four chilli genotypes were evaluated under the applied conditions. Seeds were grown in plastic pots. Heat stress (40/32 ºC day and night temperature) was applied 30 days after the emergence. Foliar spray of proline (0, 5 and 10 mM) was applied during heat stress, and after 7 days of stress the plants were harvested. The results revealed that the inhibition of chilli growth by heat stress was successfully mediated by proline application. Morphological attributes such as the number of leaves per plant, root and shoot length, plant fresh and dry weight were reduced in response to heat stress, and physiological attributes such as photosynthetic rate, water use efficiency and chlorophyll contents were also reduced in response to heat stress, except transpiration rate and stomatal conductance, which increased under heat stress and showed recovery by proline application. Exogenous application of proline promoted tolerance against heat stress in chilli genotypes and enhanced growth. All the observed traits exhibited recovery in response to proline stimulus, indicating the role of proline in mitigating the consequences of heat stress. Recovery also depends on genetic capability of various cultivars.

Gas sensors are widely used for detection of environmental pollution caused by various environmental factors such as road traffic and combustion of fossil fuels. Nitrogen dioxide (NO2) is one of the leading pollutants of the present age, which causes a number of serious health issues including acute bronchitis, cough, and phlegm, particularly in children. Nowadays, researchers are focused on designing new sensor materials for detection and removal of NO2 from the environment. In this line, we have made an attempt to design NO2 sensing materials by using theoretical techniques. Here, we have reported decoration of Mg12O12 nanoclusters with a late transition metal (Cu) by employing density functional theory at the B3LYP/6-31G(d,p) basis set. The decoration of metal on Mg12O12 gives two geometries (M1 and M2) with adsorption energies of -363.81 and -384.09 kJ/mol, respectively. Adsorption of NO2 on pristine Mg12O12 expressed an adsorption energy value of -62.36 kJ/mol. Adsorption of NO2 on Cu-decorated Mg12O12 nanocages delivered two geometries (N1 and N2) with adsorption energies of -442.56 and -447.64 kJ/mol. Metal-decorated Mg12O12 nanoclusters offer better adsorption of NO2 as compared to pristine Mg12O12 . Adsorption of NO2 on Cu-Mg12O12 nanoclusters also causes narrowing of band gap of magnesium oxide nanoclusters. Large dipole moment, high QNBO with large electrophilic index in NO2-Cu-Mg12O12 nanoclusters suggested that metal-decorated Mg12O12 nanoclusters are efficient candidates for NO2 adsorption. Different geometric parameters and results of global reactivity descriptors show that NO2-Cu-Mg12O12 nanoclusters are quite stable in nature with least reactivity. Thus, conceptualized systems are potential candidates for applications in NO2 sensing materials.

Lepidoptera is the second most diverse insect order outnumbered only by the Coeleptera. Acetylcholinesterase (AChE) is the major target site for insecticides. Extensive use of insecticides, to inhibit the function of this enzyme, have resulted in the development of insecticide resistance. Complete knowledge of the target proteins is very important to know the cause of resistance. Computational annotation of insect acetylcholinesterase can be helpful for the characterization of this important protein. Acetylcholinesterase of fourteen lepidopteran insect pest species was annotated by using different bioinformatics tools. AChE in all the species was hydrophilic and thermostable. All the species showed lower values for instability index except L. orbonalis, S. exigua and T. absoluta. Highest percentage of Arg, Asp, Asn, Gln and Cys were recorded in P. rapae. High percentage of Cys and Gln might be reason for insecticide resistance development in P. rapae. Phylogenetic analysis revealed the AChE in T. absoluta, L. orbonalis and S. exigua are closely related and emerged from same primary branch. Three functional motifs were predicted in eleven species while only two were found in L. orbonalis, S. exigua and T. absoluta. AChE in eleven species followed secretory pathway and have signal peptides. No signal peptides were predicted for S. exigua, L. orbonalis and T. absoluta and follow non secretory pathway. Arginine methylation and cysteine palmotylation was found in all species except S. exigua, L. orbonalis and T. absoluta. Glycosylphosphatidylinositol (GPI) anchor was predicted in only nine species.

Nitroaromatic explosives are a class of compounds that are responsible for various health hazards and terrorist outrages. Among these, sensitive detection of 2,4,6-trinitrophenol (TNP) explosive has always been highly desirable considering public health and national security. In this regard, three fluorene-based conjugated polymers (CP 1, CP 2, and CP 3) were synthesized through the Suzuki–Miyaura coupling reaction and were found to be highly sensitive for fluorescence detection of TNP with detection limits of 3.2, 5.7, and 6.1 pM, respectively. Excellent selectivity of CPs toward TNP was attributed to their unique π-π interactions based on fluorescence studies and density functional theory (DFT) calculations. The high sensitivity of CPs to TNP was attributed to the static quenching mechanism based on the photoinduced electron transfer process and was evaluated by fluorescence, UV–visible absorption, dynamic light scattering, Job’s plots, the Benesi–Hildebrand plots, and DFT calculations. CPs were also used for colorimetric and real-water sample analysis for the detection of TNP explosive. Meanwhile, sensor-coated test strips were fabricated for on-site detection of TNP, which makes them convenient solid-supported sensors.

In this study, poly(isobutylene-alt-maleic anhydride) (PMA)-coated spinel ferrite (MFe2O4, where M = Fe, Co, Ni, or Zn) nanoparticles (NPs) were developed as carriers of the anticancer drugs doxorubicin (DOX) and methotrexate (MTX). Physical characterizations confirmed the formation of pure cubic structures (14–22 nm) with magnetic properties. Drug-loaded NPs exhibited tumor specificity with significantly higher (p < 0.005) drug release in an acidic environment (pH 5.5). The nanoparticles were highly colloidal (zeta potential = −35 to −26 mV) in deionized water, phosphate buffer saline (PBS), and sodium borate buffer (SBB). They showed elevated and dose-dependent cytotoxicity in vitro compared to free drug controls. The IC50 values ranged from 0.81 to 3.97 μg/mL for HepG2 and HT144 cells, whereas IC50 values for normal lymphocytes were 10 to 35 times higher (18.35–43.04 µg/mL). Cobalt ferrite (CFO) and zinc ferrite (ZFO) NPs were highly genotoxic (p < 0.05) in cancer cell lines. The nanoparticles caused cytotoxicity via oxidative stress, causing DNA damage and activation of p53-mediated cell cycle arrest (significantly elevated expression, p < 0.005, majorly G1 and G2/M arrest) and apoptosis. Cytotoxicity testing in 3D spheroids showed significant (p < 0.05) reduction in spheroid diameter and up to 74 ± 8.9% of cell death after two weeks. In addition, they also inhibited multidrug resistance (MDR) pump activity in both cell lines suggesting effectivity in MDR cancers. Among the tested MFe2O4 NPs, CFO nanocarriers were the most favorable for targeted cancer therapy due to excellent magnetic, colloidal, cytotoxic, and biocompatible aspects. However, detailed mechanistic, in vivo cytotoxicity, and magnetic-field-assisted studies are required to fully exploit these nanocarriers in therapeutic applications.

Mycotoxins are known as natural food toxins produced by certain fungi grown on various crops during pre-harvest and post-harvest conditions. During analysis, sample selection and extraction followed by clean-up is an essential process for accurate detection. These steps ensured the accuracy, precision as well as the reliability, and reproducibility of results. There are various techniques available for the detection of mycotoxins in food and food products. However, Liquid chromatography with tandem mass spectrometry (LC–MS/MS) is the most widely used technique. It can be used effectively to detect multiple mycotoxins as well as masked or modified mycotoxins with acceptable accuracy and precision. Therefore, the review has focused on discussing the co-occurrence, masked mycotoxins, sampling, the extraction of mycotoxins, and LC–MS/MS as an analytical tool for the accurate and precise detection mycotoxins.

The current era of nanotechnology has provided numerous impressive opportunities to purify ever-increasing water impurities. Of them, photodegradation of industrial dyes is one of the best strategies to solve this problem effectively using cost-effective photocatalysts. MXene has been considered as an efficient photocatalytic material however, its transport properties suffer due to the re-stacking of its flakes. Moreover, a very low bandgap of MXene causes electron/hole recombination which is a major drawback of a photocatalyst. Herein, we explored 2D/2D composite nanoarchitectures to stop this re-stacking in MXene by applying Zinc oxide nanoflakes (ZnO NFKs) with Ti3C2Tx (MXene) to solve this outstanding issue. The as-synthesized composite nanoarchitectures not only degraded the 99.9% Methylene Blue (MB) dye within 40 min but also demonstrated excellent antibacterial activity. We hope the work presented here will be a great help for the young researchers exploring the hybrid 2D-2D composite nanoarchitectures for various applications.

Abstract: Protein kinase C (PKC) is a family of protein kinase enzymes that can phosphorylate other proteins and influence their functions, such as signal transduction, cell survival, and death. Increased diacylglycerol (DAG) concentrations, which are typically observed raised in hyperglycemic situations such as diabetes mellitus, can also activate PKC enzymes (DM). On the other hand, PKC isomers have been shown to play an essential role in diabetes and many hyperglycemic complications, most importantly atherosclerosis and diabetic cardiomyopathy (DCM). As a result, blocking PKC activation via DAG can prevent hyperglycemia and related consequences, such as DCM. Wogonin is a herbal medicine which has anti-inflammatory properties, and investigations show that it scavenge oxidative radicals, attenuate nuclear factor-kappa B (NF-κB) activity, inhibit several essential cell cycle regulatory genes, block nitric oxide (NO) and suppress cyclooxygenase- 2 (COX-2). Furthermore, several investigations show that wogonin also attenuates diacylglycerol DAG levels in diabetic mice. Since the DAG-PKC pathway is linked with hyperglycemia and its complications, Wogonin-mediated DAG-PKC attenuation can help treat hyperglycemia and its complications.

The need to minimize surfactant adsorption on rock surfaces has been a challenge for surfactant-based, chemical-enhanced oil recovery (cEOR) techniques. Modeling of adsorption experimental data is very useful in estimating the extent of adsorption and, hence, optimizing the process. This paper presents a mini-review of surfactant adsorption isotherms, focusing on theories of adsorption and the most frequently used adsorption isotherm models. Two-step and four-region adsorption theories are well-known, with the former representing adsorption in two steps, while the latter distinguishes four regions in the adsorption isotherm. Langmuir and Freundlich are two-parameter adsorption isotherms that are widely used in cEOR studies. The Langmuir isotherm is applied to monolayer adsorption on homogeneous sites, whereas the Freundlich isotherm suites are applied to multilayer adsorption on heterogeneous sites. Some more complex adsorption isotherms are also discussed in this paper, such as Redlich-Peterson and Sips isotherms, both involve three parameters. This paper will help select and apply a suitable adsorption isotherm to experimental data.

A novel conductive nano material, nano spinel ferrites having the composition of calcium chromium magnesium nanoferrites (CaxCr0.5−xMg0.5Fe2O4), was fabricated via sol-gel auto combustion process. The main objective was to fabricate highly stable nanocomposite as conductive material. Reaction among highly pure grade magnesium nitrate Mg (NO3)2·6H2O, calcium nitrate Ca (NO3)2·4H2O, and chromium nitrate Cr (NO3)3·9H2O, ferric nitrate Fe (NO3)3·9H2O took place to fabricate the desired material and, later on, an inductance (L)—capacitance (C)—resistance (R) meter (LCR meter) was used to determine the conductive behavior of the material. During characterization, thermogravimetric study confirmed that the stable phase was obtained above 950 °C. Fabricated ferrite FTIR spectrum was observed between 400 cm−1 and 4,500 cm−1. The entire sample’s structural investigation was carried out employing X-ray diffraction. Morphological analysis confirmed that particles possess angular structures having acute angles adjoining surfaces. During conductivity test, all fabricated nanoferrites presented that with the increase of frequency by LCR meter, AC conductivity had been increased. The outcome of doping of calcium on chromium magnesium nanoferrites on structural in addition to dielectric properties was synergistic.

A laboratory-scale anaerobic moving bed biofilm reactor (AnMBBR) was installed and operated at various hydraulic retention times (HRTs) of 20 to 1.5 d with surface area loading rate (SALR) of 0.86 to 11.43 gCOD/m2/d. Synthetic starch containing desizing wastewater with chemical oxygen demand (COD) of 12.75 g/L was prepared and fed into the reactor. Monod, modified Stover-Kincannon, Grau second-order and First-order substrate removal models were used to evaluate the results of AnMBBR. COD removal efficiency of bioreactor was dwindled by increasing the SALR or reducing the HRT. Decay coefficient (Kd) and yield coefficient (Y) for the Monod model were 0.027 1/d and 1.01 mgVSS/mgCOD, respectively. Maximum substrate utilization rate (Umax) and kinetic constant (Kb) for the Modified Stover-Kincannon model were estimated as 12.57 and 15.22 g/L/d, respectively. The constants (a and b) for the Grau second-order model were found to be 1.09 and 1.31 whilst kinetic coefficient for the Second-order model and First-order substrate removal model were 1.62 and 1.55 1/d, respectively. Modified Stover-Kincannon model and Grau second-order model were found to be the best fit for experimental data with R2 value of 0.99. The findings suggest that these models can be applied to predict the behaviour of AnMBBRs on various scales.

Heavy metal pollution in soil, forage, and animals is serious concern nowadays. Current research was conducted in Sargodha to find out the relationship of animals related to the forages and soil pollution. Three sites were selected with three different treatments; site I irrigated with ground water, site II irrigated with the canal water, and site III irrigated with the wastewater. Samples of soil, forage, and animals (blood, hair, feces) were collected from selected sites and were analyzed for metal analysis using atomic absorption spectroscopy. Results indicated that Zn in soil ranged from 24.12 to 37.39 mg/kg; forage, 31.98-44.47 mg/kg; blood of animals, 1.49-2.72 mg/L; hair of animals, 1.37-2.41 mg/kg; and feces of animals, 1.06-2.97 mg/kg. The concentration of zinc in soil and forage was less than permissible limit, but concentration in blood of animals was greater than critical limit suggesting the presence of metal. Bio-concentration factor indicated that metal was accumulated in forages growing at irrigated site. HRI concentration (2.024 mg/kg/day) suggests the accumulation of zinc in animal tissues. Pollution load index and enrichment factor were within the range.

Objectives This study is aimed to synthesis and evaluate PEGylated Eu enabled spherical alumina submicron particles (s-Al2O3:Eu) for potential theranostic applications. Methods This study is bisected into two parts, a) synthesis of PEGylated Eu enabled spherical alumina submicron particles (s-Al2O3:Eu), and b) characterization of the synthesized particles to determine their efficacy for potential theranostic applications.The synthesis of the particles involved the following steps. In the first step, s-Al2O3:Eu is synthesized using solvothermal synthesis. In the next step, the particles undergo post synthesis water-ethanol treatment and calcination. The surface of the synthesized s-Al2O3:Eu particles is then coated by PEG to increase its biocompatibility.Once the particles are prepared, they are characterized using different techniques. The microstructure, composition and structure of the particles is characterized using SEM, EDX and XRD techniques. The detection of the functional groups is done using FTIR analysis. The photoluminescence emission spectrum of s-Al2O3:Eu is studied using Photoluminescence spectroscopy. And, finally, the biocompatibility is studied using MTT assay on RD cell lines. Results The microstructure analysis, from the micrographs obtained from SEM, shows that the spherical alumina particles have a submicron size with narrow size distribution. The compositional analysis, as per EDX, confirms the presence of Oxygen, Aluminum and Europium in the particles. While, XRD analysis of s-Al2O3:Eu confirms the formation of alpha alumina phase after calcination at 700 °C. Emission peaks, obtained by Photoluminescence emission spectroscopy, show that the optimum emission intensities correspond to the transition from 5D0 to 7Fj orbital of Eu+3. FTIR analysis confirms the successful coating of PEG. Finally, a cell viability of more than 86% is observed when the biocompatibility of the particles is studied, using MTT assay on RD cell lines. Conclusions s-Al2O3:Eu with narrow distribution are successfully synthesized. Structural and functional characterizations support the suitability of s-Al2O3:Eu as potential theranostic agent.

Drought is one of the most emerging threat that causes a severe reduction in cotton plant growth and development. Being cotton is a major cash crop has great threat to prevailing drought events in Pakistan. A field experiment was conducted in Kharif season 2018 at Research Area of MNS-University of Agriculture, Multan, Pakistan to assess the role of foliar applied kaolin and jasmonic acid on vegetative growth, gas exchange and reproductive traits of cotton under normal irrigated and artificial water deficit conditions. The experiment was laid -out in a factorial randomized complete block design with split – split plot arrangement. Main plots were allocated for irrigation levels, sub-plots for two -cotton genotypes viz. NIAB − 878 and SLH − 19 while sub – sub plots for treatments of kaolin and Jasmonic acid. Water deficit stress was created by skipping irrigation at flowering for 21 days. Foliar sprays of Kaolin (5%, w/v) and Jasmonic acid (100 μM) were applied alone or in combination at 60 days after planntinon both to normal irrigated and water-stresse skip irrigation while irrigation water alone was sprayed in control plots. Both cotton genotypes responded variably to normal irrigated and skip conditions. Skipping irrigation for up to 21 days at flowering caused a significant decrease in leaf relative water content, SPAD values, net photosynthetic rate and seed cotton yield in both the genotypes. Seed cotton yield showed an overall decline of 24.7% in skip over Normal irrigated crop. The genotype NIAB − 878 produced maximum seed cotton yield of 3.304 Mg ha−1 in normal that dropped to 2.579 Mg ha−1 in skip, thus showing an average decline of 21.9 %. Similarly, SLH − 19 produced 2.537 Mg ha−1 seed cotton under normal that dropped to 1.822 Mg ha−1 in skip, showing an average decline of 28.2%. The Application of Kaolin and JA Jasmonic acid, either applied individually or in combination, improved vegetative and reproductive development of both cotton varieties in normal and skip regimes. However, combined kaolin and Jasmonic Acid application proved to be more beneficial in terms of seed cotton production and other parameters studied.

Production of single-phase materials with multifunctional properties is still a challenge faced by material scientists. In addition, obtaining high spin polarization efficiency in the materials that exhibit multifunctional properties is a big issue. A novel approach is suggested in this work for obtaining multifunctionality and spin polarization in the same material. This approach has combined the effect of microwave radiations and aluminum (Al) doping in iron oxide thin films during synthesis. Combined effect of microwave radiations and Al doping results in controlling / tuning the structural transitions in iron oxide thin films. Pristine and 2–10 wt% Al doped iron oxide thin films are prepared and studied in detail. Raman analysis shows that 2 and 4 wt% Al concentration results in γ-Fe2O3 + Fe3O4 phase with 71.3% and 64.5% of γ-Fe2O3 content, respectively. XRD and Raman analyses confirm the transition from γ-Fe2O3 to Fe3O4 thin films at Al concentrations of 6–10 wt%. Structural transformation shows that microwave radiations catalyzes that Al3+ions to occupy the vacancies on B sites of iron oxide thus, lead to the formation of Fe3O4. Observation of Verwey transition ~ 126 K also supports the transition in phases of iron oxide with increase in saturation magnetization from 251.3emu/cm3 (pristine films) to 405.6emu/cm3 (8 wt% Al concentration). High dielectric constant of ~ 135.5 (log f = 5.0) is observed for 8 wt% Al concentration. Conductivity and detailed impedance & modulus analyses depict Mott’s hopping phenomenon along with presence of different relaxation times. Coupling between magnetic and dielectric properties is observed at room temperature. Magnetoresistance curves indicate spin polarization efficiency of ~24%.

Energy crises and water pollution have become the key challenges in current era of technology. In this research work, activated carbon modified BiVO4 photocatalysts have been prepared using simple hydrothermal methods for efficient hydrogen evolution through water splitting under visible light irradiation and degradation, simultaneously. The properties of the synthesized photocatalysts were studied through SEM, UV, XRD, BET and PL emission spectroscopy. The 4%AC/BiVO4 exhibited highest degradation efficiency ≈98% in 60 min and production of hydrogen energy ≈510 h−1g−1 which is much higher when compared to pure BiVO4. The enhancement in the efficiency was due to large surface area, large absorption region. High crystallinity, small band gap and synergetic effect between the composites. The activated carbon based BiVO4 composites showed high stability which shows its vital role in practical applications.

We are reporting here a novel antimony doped cobalt oxide based electrode material for supercapacitor application to overcome the current scenario of energy crises by offering excellent capacitive abilities. A facile hydrothermal route was employed to produce this antimony doped cobalt oxide material by varying content value of antimony in the range of 2–6 at. %. The X-ray diffraction results have successfully explored the cubic crystal structure along with phase composition of these as obtained Sb doped Co3O4 materials. The development of sub-micron sized structures-based material was explored by obtaining scanning electron microscopic images. The energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy results have shown the highly pure nature of as obtained material. Cyclic voltammogram results have exhibited that among the SbCo-0, SbCo-2, SbCo-4 and SbCo-6 materials, SbCo-4 has exhibited higher specific capacitance value i.e 894.15 F/g than remaining, which was obtained by scanning the material at the scan rate of 5 mV/s. More significantly, Galvanostatic charge-discharge profiles obtained at different scan rates ranging from 1 to 10 A/g, for SbCo-4 material has shown even good capacitance retention i.e 75.70% at higher sweep rate, equal to 10 A/g. On the basis of electrochemical impedance spectroscopic analysis, it is concluded that this material has also shown excellent conductive properties. Furthermore, after performing 3000 galvanostatic charge-discharge cycles, it is concluded that this material can possessed an excellent cycling stability equal to 82.02%. All these excellent capacitive properties shown by this material have suggested that it can be proved as a potential applicant in the field of energy storage devices.