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In this study, midpoint-type integral inequalities for [Formula: see text]-convex function in the third sense, involving Caputo fractional derivatives and Caputo–Fabrizio integral operators, are demonstrated. Inequalities, containing Caputo–Fabrizio integral operators for functions, whose derivatives are [Formula: see text]-convex function in the third sense, are also established. This article utilized [Formula: see text]-convex function in the third sense to generalized midpoint-type integral inequalities which give more sharp inequalities.

COVID-19 is currently considered the ninth-deadliest pandemic, spreading through direct or indirect contact with infected individuals. It has imposed a consistent strain on both the financial and healthcare resources of many countries. To address this challenge, there is a pressing need for the development of new potential therapeutic agents for the treatment of this disease. To identify potential antiviral agents as novel dual inhibitors of SARS-CoV-2, we retrieved 404 alkaloids from 12 selected medicinal antiviral plants and virtually screened them against the renowned catalytic sites and favorable interacting residues of two essential proteins of SARS-CoV-2, namely, the main protease and spike glycoprotein. Based on docking scores, 12 metabolites with dual inhibitory potential were subjected to drug-likeness, bioactivity scores, and drug-like ability analyses. These analyses included the ligand–receptor stability and interactions at the potential active sites of target proteins, which were analyzed and confirmed through molecular dynamic simulations of the three lead metabolites. We also conducted a detailed binding free energy analysis of pivotal SARS-CoV-2 protein inhibitors using molecular mechanics techniques to reveal their interaction dynamics and stability. Overall, our results demonstrated that 12 alkaloids, namely, adouetine Y, evodiamide C, ergosine, hayatinine, (+)-homoaromoline, isatithioetherin C, N,alpha-L-rhamnopyranosyl vincosamide, pelosine, reserpine, toddalidimerine, toddayanis, and zanthocadinanine, are shortlisted as metabolites based on their interactions with target proteins. All 12 lead metabolites exhibited a higher unbound fraction and therefore greater distribution compared with the standards. Particularly, adouetine Y demonstrated high docking scores but exhibited a nonspontaneous binding profile. In contrast, ergosine and evodiamide C showed favorable binding interactions and superior stability in molecular dynamics simulations. Ergosine demonstrated exceptional performance in several key pharmaceutical metrics. Pharmacokinetic evaluations revealed that ergosine exhibited pronounced bioactivity, good absorption, and optimal bioavailability. Additionally, it was predicted not to cause skin sensitivity and was found to be non-hepatotoxic. Importantly, ergosine and evodiamide C emerged as superior drug candidates for dual inhibition of SARS-CoV-2 due to their strong binding affinity and drug-like ability, comparable to known inhibitors like N3 and molnupiravir. This study is limited by its in silico nature and demands the need for future in vitro and in vivo studies to confirm these findings.

Digital domain is important for the expansion of micro and small enterprises but the gap in readiness to accept the technology impacts businesses. Therefore, this research aims to build an integrated model of Technology Readiness Index, Technology Acceptance Models, and Theory of Reasoned Action expanded with Motivation and government support to increase digital literacy. There are 551 respondents consisting of owners and managers who have been running a business for at least a year. The integration model between Technology Readiness Index, Technology Acceptance Models, and Theory of Reasoned Action expanded with Motivation increases digital literacy, while government support positively influences the variable. The model emphasizes optimism and innovation as key factors in enhancing the construct of Technology Readiness Index model. The results show that there is a strong foundation for the establishment of Technology Acceptance Models and Theory of Reasoned Action expanded with Motivation aimed at supporting digital literacy. This contributes to developing knowledge about the integration model for digital technology acceptance. Practical contributions guide the government in creating appropriate policies to increase digital literacy in SMEs.

In the current study, a series of A1–π–A2–π–A1 type bisisoindigo-based organic compounds (BTIND1–BTIND9) were designed via the structural tailoring of the reference compound (BTINR) at terminal acceptors for the organic solar cells (OSCs). Density functional theory (DFT) and time-dependent density functional theory (TD-DFT) approaches were utilized to estimate the influence of end-capped engineering over their photovoltaic properties of BTIND1–BTIND9. After their structural optimization, various analyses like, open circuit voltage (Voc), absorption spectra (λmax), frontier molecular orbitals (FMOs), density of states (DOS), binding energy (Eb) and transition density matrix (TDM) were performed at the B3LYP/6-311G(d,p) level. The band gaps range of the engineered molecules was observed as 1.776–1.649 eV, lesser than the BTINR reference (1.812 eV). Their TDM and DOS details further revealed electronic charge transfer in the designed derivatives. The higher λmax values were found in the visible and near-infrared regions i.e., 666.904–701.149 nm in the chloroform solvent and 661.778–895.581 nm in the gaseous phase. Furthermore, their open-circuit voltage (Voc) was determined with PTB7 donor polymer and showed significant values. Among all, BTIND5, BTIND7 and BTIND8 compounds were investigated with remarkable photovoltaic properties. These chromophores possessed least energy gaps (1.649, 1.668 and 1.664 eV) and bathochromic shifts (698.070, 699.646 and 701.149 nm) with least binding energies and prominent Voc results. The above-mentioned outcomes demonstrate that the end-capped modification of bisisoindigo-based molecule is an effective strategy to obtain highly efficient OSCs.

Background: Microorganisms are turning out to be greatly resistant to existing antibiotics, specifically gram-negative rods which shows resistance to currently accessible antibiotics. Beta-lactam antibiotics are the main therapeutic option to treat infections of gram-negative microorganisms i.e., ESBL and Carbapenemase producers. Saussurea lappa herb is a medicinal herb use since many times. Basically, the roots of S. lappa herb were used as medicines. Current study was conducted to find out activity of various fractions of S. lappa herb against multidrug resistant gram-negative rods. Methods: Crude extracts of ethanol, methanol and water and fractions of n-hexane, chloroform, and methanol from S. lappa herb were used. Total of sixty multidrug resistant organisms were included in which thirty were ESBL and thirty were carbapenemase producing organisms. Mean MIC and comparative analysis of various extracts and fractions have been evaluated. Results: The mean MIC value of crude extracts of ethanol, methanol, n-hexane, chloroform and methanol fractions and water extract from S. lappa against ESBL producing organisms were 109.33± 6.915 mg/ml, 154.67± 5.164 mg/ml, 150.00± 5.345 mg/ml, 55.33±5.164 mg/ml, 178.00±6.103 mg/ml, 64.00± 7.701 mg/ml respectively. Similarly, the mean MIC value against carbapenemase producing organisms were 100.67± 8.683 mg/ml, 158.67± 3.519 mg/ml, 150.67± 5.936 mg/ml, 54.67±5.164 mg/ml, 176.67±14.223 mg/ml, 64.33± 9.353 mg/ml respectively. Conclusion: This study suggests that extracts and fractions of S. lappa herb can form the basis to develop novel broad-spectrum formulation for antimicrobial drugs as it contains compounds that has novelty to perform its action against multi-resistant mechanisms.

Writing in English is extremely important language skill especially when it comes to academic and professional success. As a result, writing in English has received attention around the world including Pakistan. Like all other non-native English language learners across the world, Pakistani students struggle to write well-organized paragraphs which are a key component of secondary and higher secondary exams. Under qualitative research paradigm, the current study was, therefore, conducted to explore the challenges for college students in paragraph writing at a public sector college in Pakistan. The data was collected through semi-structured interviews with four purposively sampled female participants. Thematic analysis of the interview transcripts revealed that students faced problems related to pedagogy, assessment, feedback, and revision. More specifically, the majority of the participants shared that they reproduced paragraphs rather than writing on their own; the assessment was grammar-focused; there was a lack of constructive feedback on paragraphs; also, there were very limited opportunities for revision. Although the study is an addition to the literature on writing skills in the Pakistani context, its significance lies in highlighting females’ voices in the literature. The study will have implications for teachers teaching English in public sector colleges.

Purpose: This study aims to enhance the understanding of how TQM practices can be leveraged to improve healthcare services in Pakistan. Specifically, it seeks to explore the relationship between various TQM practices and the development of innovative capabilities in the healthcare sector, with collaboration and complexity acting as mediating and moderating factors, respectively. Design/Methodology/Approach: An integrated research approach was employed, combining structured surveys and statistical analysis of data collected from private hospitals in Pakistan. The study investigates the correlations between TQM practices, innovative capabilities, and the mediating/moderating effects of collaboration and complexity. Potential limitations such as response bias, generalizability issues, and the dynamic nature of the healthcare environment are acknowledged. Notably, financial feasibility is not examined within this study. Findings: The study reveals the challenges of fostering healthcare innovation in Pakistan, particularly in the context of cultural norms, resource constraints, and regulatory challenges. The findings underscore the importance of prioritizing TQM, promoting cross-functional collaboration, strategic quality planning, overcoming communication barriers, and addressing environmental complexities to enhance innovative capabilities in the healthcare sector. Implications/Originality/Value: This research contributes significantly to the global understanding of healthcare advancements in developing nations, particularly in the context of Pakistan. It highlights the necessity for context-sensitive approaches and tailored strategies to improve healthcare innovation. The study also identifies gaps in existing literature, urging future research to adopt more inclusive methodologies for a comprehensive understanding of innovation capability in Pakistani healthcare. Despite its limitations, this work provides valuable insights for policymakers and healthcare professionals aiming to advance healthcare services in resource-limited settings.

Aims Sickness absences within the NHS have been on the rise with 27 million days across 2022, 22% of which were due to mental health and wellbeing related issues. The 2022–23 report on progress in improving NHS mental health services found that increased workload and staff shortages within the mental health sector was leading to concerns of staff ‘burnout’ and higher rate of staff turnover. There is an indication that CAMHs staff are at higher risk of poor wellbeing despite limited research in the UK. The audit aimed to gain insight into the wellbeing of staff working in CAMHs within the trust according to NICE Mental Wellbeing at Work (NG212) and highlight areas of concern and propose recommendations to improve staff wellbeing. Methods Anonymous self-report questionnaire, based on a validated tool recommended in the NICE NG212 guidance, was disseminated across four boroughs within the trust to measure wellbeing in the workplace. The survey had 19 questions, 17 requiring scores on Likert scales and 2 descriptive questions, aimed to gain information on the five drivers of wellbeing in the workplace (health, relationships, environment, security, and purpose). Results A total of 123 responses were analysed. Across all four boroughs, physical health scored worse than mental health. 44.7% of respondents felt they had inadequate facilities in the workplace to support their health and wellbeing. Further, 32.5% of responses disagreed/strongly disagreed that change was managed well in their organisation compared with 25% who agree/strongly agree. Key words such as staff-appreciation and team-building days recurred in qualitative responses across the trust. There were further site-specific differences. Research shows that provision of workplace exercises can be safely used for the promotion of employees' physical and mental health. Cost-effective strategies such as staff-appreciation and gratitude can improve job satisfaction thereby promoting staff retention. To consider elements of face-to-face contact with colleagues could also have a positive impact on psychological wellbeing due to more productive meetings; increased networking; increase of engagement and job satisfaction. Conclusion The CAMHS staff wellbeing survey provided useful insight into staff perception of their wellbeing at work. Repeating the survey, after implementing recommendations, would help identify important determinants. Despite the survey being limited to the specific trust, further research into CAMHs staff wellbeing across the UK could help facilitate improvements and help with staff retention.

Lemongrass essential oil (LEO), extracted from high-oil lemongrass, gains prominence as a versatile natural product due to growing demand for safe health solutions. LEO comprises beneficial compounds like citral, isoneral, geraniol, and citronellal, offering diverse pharmacological benefits such as antioxidant, antifungal, antibacterial, antiviral, and anticancer effects. LEO finds applications in food preservation, cosmetics, and pharmaceuticals, enhancing profitability across these sectors. The review focuses on the extraction of LEO, emphasizing the need for cost-effective methods. Ultrasound and supercritical fluid extraction are effective in reducing extraction time, increasing yields, and enhancing oil quality. LEO shows promise as a valuable natural resource across industries, with applications in packaging, coating, and film development. LEO's ability to extend the shelf life of food items and impart natural flavors positions it as a valuable asset. Overall, the review emphasizes LEO's therapeutic, antimicrobial, and antioxidant properties, strengthening its potential in the food, pharmaceutical, and cosmetic sectors.

Objective: This research aims to analyze relations between workplace envy and organizational politics and emotional manipulation and the moderating role of workplace ostracism in the banking sector. Methodology: This study aims to explore the ways these elements interact in organizational settings through a sample of 270 employees working in banks. Workplace envy was positively significantly correlated with organizational politics and emotional manipulation, implicating that the greater the level of envy, the greater the engagement in political and manipulative behaviors at work. Findings: The results, however, were not supportive of the hypothesized moderating effect of workplace ostracism: the presence of ostracism, therefore, did not significantly influence the influence of envy on organizational politics and emotional manipulation. These results pointed out the enormous influence of envy in creating a negative workplace, but on the other hand, ostracism alone did not enhance these effects. Implications: This work contributes to the discovery and understanding of the emotional mechanisms in organizations and emphasizes the influence of effective leadership and management responses to address and exploit these dynamics constructively. Practical implications of the study involve interventions for developing emotional intelligence and organizational transparency in such a way as to neutralize the negative effects of envy and foster an organizational culture of support and productivity.

The relevance of religious precepts in preserving nature has increased dramatically because of the worsening ecological conditions and the effects of global warming. The present research explores the concepts of ecological responsibility that appear in the Quran and Hadith, assessing their applicability and significance in the modern world. The aim is to clarify the fundamental connection between ecological morality and Islamic teachings, so adding to the conversation on protecting the planet and long-term growth. This study especially attempts to find and analyze Hadith and Quranic passages that highlight the preservation of the environment, evaluate their applicability in the modern era for advancing long-term viability and create strategies for incorporating these lessons into green laws and activities. A qualitative strategy is used, fusing correlative research and analysis of material. The article attempts to show how Islamic ideas can guide and improve preservation of the environmental activities, bridging the disparity between faith-based beliefs and modern environmental habits. The study highlights the theoretical potential of Islamic ecological morals to support worldwide sustainable development goals by placing identified rules within Islamic jurisprudence (fiqh) and legal principles and creating helpful suggestions for decision-makers, theologians, and environmental activists. The overall objective of the research is to promote more environmentally friendly and peaceful coexistence with nature by encouraging Muslim communities and others to recommit to the ecological preservation ideals outlined in the Quran and Hadith.

BACKGROUND & OBJECTIVE: Increasing misuse and irrational prescribing of antibiotics by physicians has led to antimicrobial resistance (AMR) posing a major global threat. Furthermore, only a few studies have been conducted to evaluate this domain in Pakistan. The objective of this study is to assess the general public’s knowledge, attitude, and perception towards antibiotic use and its resistance, and to determine positive associations between the various socio-demographic variables. METHODOLOGY: A descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted from October 2022 to March 2023. A convenient sampling technique was employed, selecting participants ≥ 18 years of age (n= 339). Structured questionnaires were distributed on different study sites and random participants were asked to respond immediately. RESULTS: Results showed that assessing antibiotics use among these 342 participants in the last year, it was determined that the majority of them had only used antibiotics once 108(31.6%). A closer number of individuals had used antibiotics more than thrice 101(29.5%) shows no significant association between rural and urban with a p-value=0.941>0.05. The majority were also aware of fatal allergic reactions produced by some antibiotics and agreed to stop antibiotic use if any adverse reaction were to occur 277(81.0%)p-value=0.674>0.05. No significance was observed, although some near-significant values of importance were noted and discussed. CONCLUSION: Antibiotic usage is commonly observed among all individuals; however, views contain many deviations. Constraints, including sample bias, Lahore’s urban dominance, and the omission of doctor-prescribing evaluations, highlight the study's limitations and have further skewed our results.

Summary: The mutated SCN5A gene encoding defective Nav1.5 protein causes arrhythmic ailments and is associated with enhanced cardiac fibrosis. This study investigated whether SCN5A mutation directly affects cardiac fibroblasts and explored how defective SCN5A relates to cardiac fibrosis. SCN5A knockdown (SCN5AKD) human cardiac fibroblasts (HCF) had higher collagen, α-SMA, and fibronectin expressions. Micro-RNA deep sequencing and qPCR analysis revealed the downregulation of miR-452-5p and bioinformatic analysis divulged maladaptive upregulation of transforming growth factor β (TGF-β) signaling in SCN5AKD HCF. Luciferase reporter assays validated miR-452-5p targets SMAD4 in SCN5AKD HCF. Moreover, miR-452-5p mimic transfection in SCN5AKD HCF or AAV9-mediated miR-452-5p delivery in isoproterenol-induced heart failure (HF) rats, resulted in the attenuation of TGF-β signaling and fibrogenesis. The exogenous miR-452-5p significantly improved the poor cardiac function in HF rats. In conclusion, miR-452-5p regulates cardiac fibrosis progression by targeting the TGF-β/SMAD4 axis under the loss of the SCN5A gene.

The major sustainability concern is food waste, which might be minimized by more effective redistribution of surplus food, supply chain waste management, and sustainable food management. Due to technological and infrastructure issues that require technology application at a wide scale with minimal environmental impact, food waste and food loss occur at all levels of the supply chain. Strategies for food redistribution, recovery, and reuse provide the economy with extra by-products and financial advantages. Because of the complicated relationships between distributors and suppliers, contractual obligations, inaccurate food demand forecasts, and food standards, changing consumption and production patterns at the industry and market levels is difficult. Based on this the objective of the review was to discuss the strategies for reducing food waste and achieving sustainable development goals and the role of different actors in reducing food wastage and in implementing SDGs. Several Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), including those related to finishing world hunger (SDG 2), ensuring sustainable agriculture (SDG 2), promoting sustainable economic growth (SDG 8), and combating climate change (SDG 13), among others, have been found to depend on reducing the amount of food that is wasted and have destroyed.

Ghana is currently facing challenges in aligning its energy options with future energy demands and reducing its dependency on fossil fuels. This study assessed Ghana's current energy types and their potential to meet future energy needs. A structured questionnaire with a cross-sectional survey and random sampling technique was employed to gather information on energy choices, drivers and challenges from 868 respondents. A multiple linear regression model was used to evaluate the impact of energy drivers on preferences in Ghana. Results showed that 82 % of Ghanaians are ready to transition to cleaner energy sources, with preferences for hydropower/grid electricity (45.70 %) and natural gas/LPG (32.90 %) and biofuels (12.00 %). Economic (16.20%) and population (15.50%) growth are the main drivers of energy transitions, while challenges include high initial costs (11.20%) and limited awareness (4.90%). Strategies such as financial support, education, renewable energy promotion, technological advancement and international collaboration should be promoted to actualise Ghana's transition to future renewable energy usage.

This study addresses global concerns about diabetes mellitus by exploring a novel approach to manage hyperglycemia through pulses-supplemented designer biscuits. Control and designer biscuits were prepared with varying proportions of wheat flour and pulses (chickpea, mungbean). The pulses-supplemented biscuits exhibited increased protein content and reduced readily available carbohydrates. Selected designer biscuits, with 12.5 % incorporation of chickpea and mungbean pulse flour, demonstrated significantly lower glycemic index (69.17 ± 5.01) and higher satiety index (122.19 ± 8.85) compared to control biscuits. These showed 13 % less glycemic index and 9 % higher satiety index as compared to control biscuits. A four-week bio-efficacy trial involving diabetic subjects consuming these biscuits as a routine snack resulted in an 11.45 % decrease in fasting blood glucose and a 19.15 % reduction in random blood glucose levels. Insulin and HDL levels also significantly improved. The study concludes that these designer biscuits possess a hypoglycemic effect, offering a potential dietary intervention for managing diabetes.

The Resource-Based View (RBV) philosophy examines the relationship between Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) and Environmental Performance (EP). This paper addresses the lack of scholarly attention to Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) in managing Environmental Performance (EP) in Indian industrial enterprises. A cross-sectional study using structured questionnaires was conducted on 500 participants from 10 prominent Delhi industrial organisations. This research found significant results among the variables using Partial Least Squares (PLS) software for the analysis of quantitative data collected from the respondents. The findings show that corporate social responsibility (CSR) has a significant impact on environmental performance (Beta, T value, P values (0.174, 3.638, 0.000 for CSR and EP) and that green innovation (GI), green capacity (GC), environmental strategy (ES), and green transformational leadership (GTL) mediates the relationship. This study helps industry leaders and stakeholders enhance Environmental Performance and decision-makers to establish internal plans for long-term profitability and informed industrial governance.

Topological descriptors are numerical results generated from the structure of a chemical graph that are useful in identifying the physicochemical characteristics of a wide range of drugs. The introduction of molecular descriptors advances quantitative structure-property relationship research. This article focuses on the nine degree-based topological indices and the linear regression model of the eye infection drugs. We introduced two new indices, namely, the “first revised Randic index” and the ”second revised Randic index, for the analysis of eye infection drugs. Topological indices are calculated by using edge partitioning, vertex degree counting, and vertex degree labeling. This analysis is done with a scientific calculator and then authenticated with Matlab, a potent tool for examining data. The experimental data and results of the topological indices serve as inputs for the statistical computations and provide the values of intercepts, slopes, and correlation coefficients. All the correlations for the eye-infection drugs are positive, indicating a direct relationship between the experimental and estimated results of the drugs. There are significant results of the p-test for all of the characteristics of eye infection, such as molecular weight, boiling point, enthalpy, flash point, molar refraction, and molar volume, that validate the accuracy of the computations. A significant link was determined in this study between the defined indices with two properties: molar weight and molar refraction. The molar weight and molar refraction have a correlation coefficient ranging from 0.9. These results demonstrate a strong association between the indices and the properties under investigation. The linear regression approach is a valuable tool for chemists and pharmacists to obtain data about different medicines quickly and cost-effectively.

Cascaded H-bridge 5-level inverters (CHB-5LIs) have gained significant traction in high-power applications owing to their capacity to produce high-quality output voltage with minimal harmonic distortion. However, their intricate architecture presents notable challenges for fault diagnosis, particularly concerning open switch faults. In this study, we propose a deep learning-based approach for diagnosing open switch faults in CHB-5LIs. We present a simulation model of the CHB-5LI with open switch faults and generate a dataset comprising voltage waveforms for various fault scenarios. Leveraging this dataset, we train a Convolutional-1D Neural Network (CNN-1D) featuring a multi-layer architecture comprising convolutional and fully connected layers, culminating in the Softmax function for classification. Our method achieves an impressive classification accuracy exceeding 98 percent on previously unseen fault scenarios, underscoring the efficacy of our approach for CHB-5LI fault diagnosis. Additionally, we conducted a thorough analysis of CNN-1D performance and compared it with traditional and other deep learning models for fault diagnosis techniques. The accuracy of other deep learning models on the generated dataset is as follows: RNN is 88.9 percent, 1D-ResNet is 88.8 percent, and Time Inception model is 89.4 percent. Simulation results showcase that our proposed CNN-1D based approach surpasses other methods in terms of accuracy and robustness, elucidating the potential of deep learning for fault diagnosis in intricate power electronics systems. The fault diagnosis time for the proposed method as a fault diagnosis tool for the simulation case is 0.060 ms, compared to 0.062 ms for RNN and 0.065 ms for ResNet.

Epigenetic mechanisms are involved in several cellular functions, and their role in the immune system is of prime importance. Histone deacetylases (HDACs) are an important set of enzymes that regulate and catalyze the deacetylation process. HDACs have been proven beneficial targets for improving the efficacy of immunotherapies. HDAC11 is an enzyme involved in the negative regulation of T cell functions. Here, we investigated the potential of HDAC11 downregulation using RNA interference in CAR-T cells to improve immunotherapeutic outcomes against prostate cancer. We designed and tested four distinct short hairpin RNA (shRNA) sequences targeting HDAC11 to identify the most effective one for subsequent analyses. HDAC11-deficient CAR-T cells (shD-NKG2D-CAR-T) displayed better cytotoxicity than wild-type CAR-T cells against prostate cancer cell lines. This effect was attributed to enhanced activation, degranulation, and cytokine release ability of shD-NKG2D-CAR-T when co-cultured with prostate cancer cell lines. Our findings reveal that HDAC11 interference significantly enhances CAR-T cell proliferation, diminishes exhaustion markers PD-1 and TIM3, and promotes the formation of T central memory TCM populations. Further exploration into the underlying molecular mechanisms reveals increased expression of transcription factor Eomes, providing insight into the regulation of CAR-T cell differentiation. Finally, the shD-NKG2D-CAR-T cells provided efficient tumor control leading to improved survival of tumor-bearing mice in vivo as compared to their wild-type counterparts. The current study highlights the potential of HDAC11 downregulation in improving CAR-T cell therapy. The study will pave the way for further investigations focused on understanding and exploiting epigenetic mechanisms for immunotherapeutic outcomes.

Many non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) concurrently inhibit both COX-1 and COX-2, with a preference for specifically targeting COX-2 due to its significant involvement in various pathologies. In addition to COX enzymes, several other targets, including Aldose reductase, Aldo-ketoreductase family 1-member C2, and Phospholipase A2, have been identified as contributors to inflammation and a myriad of other diseases.In this context, a series of 2-substituted benzimidazole derivatives was synthesized and assessed for their anti-inflammatory potential through both in vitro and in vivo assays. Molecular docking studies were conducted to elucidate the mechanism of action of these compounds against COX enzymes and other therapeutic targets associated with NSAIDs, such as Aldose reductase, AIKRC, and Phospholipase A2.Among the synthesized compounds, B2, B4, B7, and B8 demonstrated IC50 values lower than the standard ibuprofen, as determined by the Luminol-enhanced chemiluminescence assay. Validation of these findings was achieved through an in vivo carrageenan-induced mice paw edema model, confirming a comparable anti-inflammatory effect to diclofenac sodium observed in vitro. Notably, these compounds exhibited significant binding affinity with all therapeutic targets investigated in this study.These results suggest that the newly synthesized derivatives possess noteworthy anti-inflammatory potential, warranting further exploration for the development of novel multi-targeting inhibitors.

This study investigated the antioxidant effect of quercetin-treated semen on frozen–thawed spermatozoa quality and in-vivo fertility in crossbred Kamori goats. In total, 32 ejaculates from four fertile bucks were diluted in Tris-based egg yolk extender with varying levels of quercetin (0, 1, 5, 10, and 15 μM). Qualified semen samples were pooled and frozen in French straws. The results revealed that the addition of quercetin in the semen extender increased (p 0.05). Quercetin showed significantly higher (p

ABSTRACTSpores of Bacillus subtilis germinate in response to specific germinant molecules that are recognized by receptors in the spore envelope. Germinants signal to the dormant spore that the environment can support vegetative growth, so many germinants, such as alanine and valine, are also essential metabolites. As such, they are also required to build the spore. Here we show that these germinants cause premature germination if they are still present at the latter stages of spore formation and beyond, but that B. subtilis metabolism is configured to prevent this: alanine and valine are catabolized and cleared from wild-type cultures even when alternative carbon and nitrogen sources are present. Alanine and valine accumulate in the spent media of mutants that are unable to catabolize these amino acids, and premature germination is pervasive. Premature germination does not occur if the germinant receptor that responds to alanine and valine is eliminated, or if wild-type strains that are able to catabolize and clear alanine and valine are also present in coculture. Our findings demonstrate that spore-forming bacteria must fine-tune the concentration of any metabolite that can also function as a germinant to a level that is high enough to allow for spore development to proceed, but not so high as to promote premature germination. These results indicate that germinant selection and metabolism are tightly linked, and suggest that germinant receptors evolve in tandem with the catabolic priorities of the spore-forming bacterium.IMPORTANCEMany bacterial species produce dormant cells called endospores, which are not killed by antibiotics or common disinfection practices. Endospores pose critical challenges in the food industry, where endospore contaminations cause food spoilage, and in hospitals, where infections by pathogenic endospore formers threaten the life of millions every year. Endospores lose their resistance properties and can be killed easily when they germinate and exit dormancy. We have discovered that the enzymes that break down the amino acids alanine and valine are critical for the production of stable endospores. If these enzymes are absent, endospores germinate as they are formed or shortly thereafter in response to alanine, which can initiate the germination of many different species' endospores, or to valine. By blocking the activity of alanine dehydrogenase, the enzyme that breaks down alanine and is not present in mammals, it may be possible to inactivate endospores by triggering premature and unproductive germination.

Fly ash-based light-transmitting concrete (FLTC) is an innovative and energy-efficient construction material known for its superior characteristics. FLTC is a high-quality translucent concrete that offers excellent mechanical properties, and effective light transmission. This research study aimed to evaluate the performance of FLTC by incorporating plastic optical fibers (POF) and replacing a portion of the cement with fly ash. The investigation focused on assessing the mechanical properties and light transmittance capabilities of FLTC. Seven different concrete mixes of M20 grade were prepared, varying the volume of POF from 0.5% to 4% and replacing 25% of the cement with fly ash. After 28 days of curing, tests were conducted to measure compressive strength, splitting tensile strength, and light transmittance. The mechanical properties of FLTC demonstrated improvement with increasing POF volume ratios, while the light transmittance notably increased with higher POF volume ratios. FLTC achieved a remarkable light transmittance of up to 5.48% for specimens containing 4% POF volume ratio and 0.75 mm POF diameter, while still maintaining good mechanical properties. Additionally, FLTC exhibited an increase in compressive strength by 27.3 MPa, a tensile strength increases of 17.8%, and an upv value (ultrasonic pulse velocity) of 3.41 km/s.

Cytokine storm (CS) refers to the spontaneous dysregulated and hyper-activated inflammatory reaction occurring in various clinical conditions, ranging from microbial infection to end-stage organ failure. Recently the novel coronavirus involved in COVID-19 (Coronavirus disease-19) caused by SARS-CoV-2 (Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2) has been associated with the pathological phenomenon of CS in critically ill patients. Furthermore, critically ill patients suffering from CS are likely to have a grave prognosis and a higher case fatality rate. Pathologically CS is manifested as hyper-immune activation and is clinically manifested as multiple organ failure. An in-depth understanding of the etiology of CS will enable the discovery of not just disease risk factors of CS but also therapeutic approaches to modulate the immune response and improve outcomes in patients with respiratory diseases having CS in the pathogenic pathway. Owing to the grave consequences of CS in various diseases, this phenomenon has attracted the attention of researchers and clinicians throughout the globe. So in the present manuscript, we have attempted to discuss CS and its ramifications in COVID-19 and other respiratory diseases, as well as prospective treatment approaches and biomarkers of the cytokine storm. Furthermore, we have attempted to provide in-depth insight into CS from both a prophylactic and therapeutic point of view. In addition, we have included recent findings of CS in respiratory diseases reported from different parts of the world, which are based on expert opinion, clinical case-control research, experimental research, and a case-controlled cohort approach.

Understanding plant-microbe interaction can be useful in identifying the microbial drivers of plant invasions. It is in this context that we explored the diversity of endophytic microbes from leaves of Anthemis cotula, an annual plant that is highly invasive in Kashmir Himalaya. We also tried to establish the role of endophytes in the invasiveness of this alien species. We collected and processed leaf samples from three populations at three different sites. A total of 902 endophytic isolates belonging to 4 bacterial and 2 fungal phyla were recovered that belonged to 27 bacterial and 14 fungal genera. Firmicutes (29.1%), Proteobacteria (24.1%), Ascomycota (22.8%) and Actinobacteria (19%) were dominant across all samples. Plant growth promoting traits, such as Ammonia production, Indole Acetic Acid (IAA) production, Phosphate solubilization and biocontrol activity of these endophytes were also studied and most of the isolates (74.68%) were positive for ammonia production. IAA production, phosphate solubilization and biocontrol activity was present in 39.24%, 36.70% and 20.26% isolates, respectively. Furthermore, Botrytis cinerea, a pathogen of A. cotula in its native range, though present in Kashmir Himalaya does not affect A. cotula probably due to the presence of leaf endophytic microbial antagonists. Our results highlight that the beneficial plant growth promoting interactions and enemy suppression by leaf endophytes of A. cotula, may be contributing to its survival and invasion in the Kashmir Himalaya.

The rivers are severely contaminated by human activities due to its massive outflow and industrial effluents. Three economically significant fish species Sperata seenghala, Wallago attu, and Cyprinus carpio from the river water were selected for the assessment of heavy metals (HMs). The edible part of the collected fish from the river sampling sites were analyzed to determine the metal concentrations and potential health risks to humans. The Atomic Absorption Spectroscopy (AAS) technique was used to measure HMs including lead (Pb), chromium (Cr), and copper (Cu) for both water and fish samples. Order of HMs in the fish was found as Pb > Cd > Cr. Levels of HMs in all species were found higher than the European Commission (EC) recommended acceptable levels. The metal pollution index (MPI) indicates that W. attu and S. seenghala, two highly consumed fish species, have accumulated HMs in higher concentrations. Wallago attu has the highest bioaccumulation factor (BAF) for both Pb and Cd permissible levels. For adult and children, the Hazard Index (HI) and Targeted Hazard Quotient (THQ) values were less than 1, which indicated that there would be no non-carcinogenic health consequences. Carcinogenic risk (CR) exposure to Pb, Cd, and Cr for all consumers was found to be higher than the permitted limit (10−6-10−4), while children were found more vulnerable than adults in terms of CR values. The study findings identified several sources of contaminants in the area, including agricultural waste, lubricant usage, and electroplating material production dumping near into the river water. Based on the results of the analysis, metal concentrations exceeded the thresholds for carcinogenic health risks, indicating that fish from the area are generally unsafe to consume. Therefore, immediate action must be taken to reduce or prevent the discharge of contaminants into the river. Additionally, regular monitoring of the river's water quality should be conducted to control the contamination of water.

In Rhabdomyolysis, muscle releases its contents into blood that can cause Acute Kidney Injury. We reported a very rare case of rhabdomyolysis after Diclofenac intramuscular injection with super added gluteal abscess formation, eventually led to acute kidney injury.

“Scaffolding Strategies” is a procedure that is used the support the students in the context of education or the learning process. In tissue engineering and regenerative medicine strategies, cells are scattered on a framework that performs as a template to monitor cell growth and to simplify the creation of practical new tissues and organs. In this article, we invent the Hamacher operational laws for circular q-rung orthopair fuzzy (Cirq-ROF) numbers. Further, we describe the model of the Cirq-ROF Hamacher averaging operator and Cirq-ROF Hamacher geometric operator. Moreover, the models of idempotency, monotonicity, and boundedness are derived from the above techniques. Additionally, we describe the model of the multi-attribute border approximation area comparison (MABAC) technique for the above operators. For the utilization of the above procedure, we illustrate some examples based on the technique of multi-attribute decision-making technique model to show the flexibility of the presented theory. Finally, we compare the invented ranking theory with the ranking values of existing techniques to improve the worth of the developed theory.

Background: The complete blood count (CBC) profile has been found extremely useful in monitoring the growth of SARS-CoV-2 infection; however, predictive CBC parameters that could be used in the management of the disease may vary in different populations. Methods: This study comparatively analyzed the CBC profile of SARS-CoV-2 patients (N = 75; confirmed positive by real-time polymerase chain reaction [PCR]) and healthy individuals (confirmed negative by real-time PCR) from Kashmir (north India). Results: Compared with healthy individuals, most of the CBC parameters (hemoglobin levels [13.43 vs 10.9 g/dL; P = 0.0001], lymphocytes [16.04% vs 30.8%; P = 0.00001], monocytes [5.53% vs 7.53%; P = 0.009], and platelet count [150 vs 186 ×103 µL; P = 0.037]) were significantly low in SARS-CoV-2 infected patients, while neutrophilia was more common in infected patients (76.77% vs 59.26%). Among derived parameters, the neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR; 7.31 vs 2.04; P = 0.001) and derived NLR (d-NLR; 4.43 vs 1.5; P = 0.0002) were significantly high in SARS-CoV-2 patients. Further correlation analysis revealed a significant association of neutrophilia with the severity of the disease in SARS-CoV-2 infected patients. Moreover, receiver operating characteristic (ROC) analysis of derived CBC parameters (NLR, d-NLR, and platelet‐to-lymphocyte ratio [PLR] with disease severity and disease outcome) revealed d-NLR as better predictive marker of disease severity (area under the curve [AUC] = 0.658) and disease outcome (AUC = 0.766) compared to PLR with disease severity (AUC = 0.645) and disease outcome (AUC = 0.693). Conclusion: We therefore conclude, of the CBC parameters neutrophilia as the marker of disease severity and among derived parameters, d-NLR as an early predictive biomarker of both disease severity and poor disease outcome in SARS-CoV-2 patients.

In this study, we explore a hybrid non-orthogonal multiple access and time division multiple access (NOMA-TDMA) approach designed to maximize sum throughput in a wireless powered Internet of Things (IoT) network (WPIN). Hybrid access points send energy signals to users on downlink, and users in various groups utilize that harvested energy to transmit information on uplink. This process is facilitated by the NOMA-TDMA scheme wherein users of the same group use NOMA for simultaneous transmissions, and separate time slots are assigned to each group through TDMA. Under this hybrid NOMA-TDMA scheme, the main objective is to enhance the network’s sum throughput by jointly optimizing both the allocation of time for downlink and uplink and the downlink beamforming vectors. Given the complex interdependence of variables, the problem is inherently non-convex, making it difficult to solve numerically. Therefore, we reformulate the problem as a bi-level programming problem—the outer-level sub-problem addresses beamforming vectors using a genetic algorithm while the inner-level sub-problem deals with the allocation of downlink and uplink time through the Lagrange multiplier method. Numerical results show that the proposed hybrid NOMA-TDMA scheme outperforms baseline schemes like orthogonal multiple access and equal time allocation, in terms of the sum throughput of the WPIN.

Background: Poor visual acuity (VA) in amblyopic children affects their performance in school and in daily life resulting in a negative impact on the career with increased burden on the community. Amblyopia care programs requires data to plan strategies for increasing awareness, screening and education of the amblyopic patients and their parents about refractive error (RE) correction and patching. Objective: To determine the frequency of amblyopia in pediatric age group. Study type, settings & duration: A cross-sectional prospective study was carried out at eye outpatient department (OPD) of Sheikh Zayed Medical College, Rahim Yar Khan from May to November 2022. Methodology: A total of 160 children were included in the study. The participants of both genders, between the ages of 6-13 years, presented with a complaint of decreased vision were included while the participants with organic ocular diseases were excluded. Detailed history and ophthalmic examination was carried out including VA recording, cycloplegic refraction and fundoscopy. Amblyopia was diagnosed in children in which best corrected visual acuity (BCVA) was below normal. Results: Mean age of our patients was 8.99±1.64 years. Majority of these patients 106 (66.25%) were between the age of 6 to 9 years. Out of these 160 patients, 101 (63.13%) were male and 59 (36.87%) were females. Frequency of amblyopia was found in 09 (5.63%) patients. Conclusion: This study concluded that there is high frequency of amblyopia in children between the ages of 06-13 years. So, this particular age group should be given special consideration for early and effective management of this disorder.

Saraiki, being the fourth most widely spoken language in Pakistan and being used in some parts of India and Afghanistan, is of significant geographical, historical, and cultural importance. However, it remains neglected in terms of proper documentation and identification of its unique linguistic features. The current study is centered on identifying the lexico-semantic categories of Saraiki nouns and then developing their hierarchical relationships (Miller et al., 1993). This quantitative research is designed to contribute to the process of developing Saraiki WordNet and is related to Natural Language Processing (NLP). A corpus of 3 million words was developed on the basis of data collected from different genres of the Saraiki language, including newspapers, academic essays, literary texts, and religious books. Both expansion and merge approaches were used to analyze the data. A wordlist of 1500 most occurring nouns was extracted from the corpus using Antconc 3.4.4.0, followed by manual tagging in Microsoft Excel 2010. Resultantly, 39 most occurring nouns from the wordlist were used to develop 173 related synsets, and lexico-semantic relationships among these nouns were identified with the help of 30 hierarchies (Miller et al., 1993). This study is limited to areas like Bahawalpur, Multan, and Muzaffarabad. It would be a milestone for Saraiki language learners, SWN development, Saraiki lexical resources, online SL dictionaries, and a guide for researchers.

The occupancy datasets are useful for planning important buildings’ related tasks such as optimal design, space utilization, energy management, maintenance, etc. Researchers are currently working on two key issues in building management systems. First, feasible and economical deployment of indoor and outdoor weather and energy monitoring sensors for data acquisition. Second, the development and implementation of cost-effective data-driven models with regular monitoring to ensure satisfactory performance for occupancy prediction. In this context, we present an occupancy forecasting model for different types of rooms in an academic building. A comprehensive dataset comprising indoor and outdoor environmental variables such as energy consumption, Heating, Ventilation, and Air Conditioning (HVAC) operational details and information on Wi-Fi-connected devices of a campus building, is used for occupants’ count prediction. A Light Gradient Boost Machine (LGBM) is applied for the selection of suitable features. After the feature selection, Machine Learning (ML) models such as Extreme Gradient Boosting (XgBoost), Adaptive Boosting (AdaBoost), Long Short-Term Memory (LSTM) and Categorical Boosting (CatBoost) are employed to predict occupants’ count in each room. The models’ performances are evaluated using Root Mean Square Error (RMSE), Mean Square Error (MSE), Mean Absolute Error (MAE), and Normalized Root Mean Square Error (NRMSE). The proposed LGBM-XgBoost model outperforms other approaches for each type of space. Moreover, to highlight the importance of LGBM as a feature selection technique, the XgBoost model is also trained with all features. Results indicate that by selecting the appropriate features through LGBM, the RMSE and MAE for lecture rooms 1 and 2 are improved by 61.67%, 36.17% and 67.05%, 63.67%, respectively. Similarly, for office rooms 1 and 2 RMSE and MAE are improved by 33.37%, 71.5% and 59.7%, 51.45%, respectively.

The integration of wireless powered communication network (WPCNs) with intelligent reflecting surface (IRS) technology has emerged as a promising solution for enhancing the energy and spectral efficiency of the network. Recent studies have explored the benefits of active and passive reflecting element surfaces in various networks. However, most existing works on IRS-assisted WPCNs mainly focus on comparing an active IRS to single/multiple IRSs or to a hybrid IRS comprising active and passive elements on the same surface. In this paper, we explore a hybrid, active and passive IRS-assisted WPCN which can significantly improve network capacity. By introducing a distributed pair of active and passive IRSs, signal amplification and multiple reflection links can boost the wireless link capacity. To enhance network performance, this new framework utilizes both active and passive IRS elements to optimize wireless energy transfer (WET) on the downlink and wireless information transfer (WIT) on the uplink. However, designing a joint deployment of active and passive IRS elements becomes more challenging due to the joint operations of downlink WET and uplink WIT in WPCNs. To address the complexity of the non-convex optimization problem associated with the hybrid IRS-aided architecture, we use a systematic divide-and-conquer methodology. This decomposes the main problem into three interconnected sub-problems that are solved sequentially using sophisticated techniques. Furthermore, the study examines two practical deployment scenarios for active and passive IRS elements, namely ‘Hybrid Case-1’ (where active IRS is placed near the hybrid access point (H-AP) and passive IRS is placed near wireless devices) and ‘Hybrid Case-2’ (where active IRS is placed near wireless devices and passive IRS is placed near the H-AP). Extensive simulations and numerical analysis demonstrate the superiority of our proposed hybrid IRS-based framework over single active IRS and conventional double passive IRSs-assisted network, making it a promising and compelling solution for practical WPCN deployments, ensuring enhanced network performance and throughput fairness in wireless power and communications technologies.

Massive data traffic over capacity-limited fronthaul link of a cloud radio access network (CRAN) poses a severe challenge in modern wireless systems. We propose a novel CRAN architecture to address this challenge that leverages a large array of antennas or massive MIMO at the baseband unit (BBU) to communicate with a set of distributed remote radio heads (RRHs) and subsequently serve multiple user equipment (UEs) over the access link. Transmission of data from massive MIMO at BBU takes place over a millimeter wave (mmWave) channel to exploit large bandwidth. The proposed architecture leverages a substantial array gain of massive MIMO in conjunction with a large idle mmWave frequency spectrum that can deal with a wide range of throughput requirements. In addition, a data compression strategy is designed by finding an optimal quantization noise covariance matrix across all the RRHs to handle the fronthaul traffic load. To this end, an optimization problem to maximize the sum rate of the UEs is thus formulated subject to constraints on fronthaul capacity, data compression, and total transmit powers at the BBU and RRHs. To solve this non-convex and intractable problem, a path following an iterative algorithm based on the difference of convex (DC) programming is used. The performance of the proposed architecture is evaluated in comparison with nontrivial benchmark schemes/architectures. Simulation results reveal that the proposed architecture can significantly improve the throughput of a CRAN by overcoming the fronthaul bottleneck by using massive MIMO over the mmWave channel.

Abstract Over the course of history global population has witnessed deterioration of unprecedented scale caused by infectious transmission. The necessity to mitigate the infectious flow requires the launch of a well-directed and inclusive set of efforts. Motivated by the urge for continuous improvement in existing schemes, this article aims at the encapsulation of the dynamics of the spread of infectious diseases. The objectives are served by the launch of the infectious disease model. Moreover, an optimal control strategy is introduced to ensure the incorporation of the most feasible health interventions to reduce the number of infected individuals. The outcomes of the research are facilitated by stratifying the population into five compartments that are susceptible class, acute infected class, chronic infected class, recovered class, and vaccinated class. The optimal control strategy is formulated by incorporating specific control variables namely, awareness about medication, isolation, ventilation, vaccination rates, and quarantine level. The developed model is validated by proving the pivotal delicacies such as positivity, invariant region, reproduction number, stability, and sensitivity analysis. The legitimacy of the proposed model is delineated through the detailed sensitivity analysis along with the documentation of local and global features in a comprehensive manner. The maximum sensitivity index parameters are disease transmission and people moved from acute stages into chronic stages whose value is (0.439, 1) increase in parameter by 10 percent would increase the threshold quantity by (4.39, 1). Under the condition of a stable system, we witnessed an inverse relationship between susceptible class and time. Moreover, to assist the gain of the fundamental aim of this research, we take the control variables as time-dependent and obtain the optimal control strategy to minimize infected populations and to maximize the recovered population, simultaneously. The objectives are attained by the employment of the Pontryagin maximum principle. Furthermore, the efficacy of the usual health interventions such as quarantine, face mask usage, and hand sanitation are also noticed. The effectiveness of the suggested control plan is explained by using numerical evaluation. The advantages of the new strategy are highlighted in the article.

Iron (Fe) malnutrition in humans is a global concern which can be revised by improved Fe density in staple crops. A field experiment was performed to evaluate the effect of chelated iron on growth, yield and iron concentration in bread wheat (cv. Moomal) at Tando Jam Pakistan. The treatments included, Control (No Fe-EDTA), Soil supplement of Fe-EDTA (@ 2 kg Fe ha-1), Soil + foliar supplement of Fe-EDTA (@ 2 kg ha-1 and 0.2% Fe at booting, flowering, and milky stage), and Foliar supplement of Fe-EDTA (@ 0.2% Fe at booting, flowering and milky stages). The defined growth and yield traits of wheat were increased with Fe-EDTA applications over control treatment. Among different Fe-EDTA application methods, there was no significant difference for most of the growth and yield parameters (excluding spike length, number of spikelets spike-1, and 1000 grain weight). The amount of Fe in wheat grains was significantly higher in all Fe-EDTA treatments over control, with maximum value (86.54 ± 5.57 mg kg-1) in the treatment where Fe-EDTA was applied in soil + foliar. Similarly, a high Fe build up in surface soil was obtained with treatment of Fe-EDTA in soil + foliar. Overall, with various Fe-EDTA treatments, an increase of 21.2 to 29.1% in grain yield and 1.9 to 4.3 times in Fe concentration of wheat grains was achieved in current study. It is suggested that the Fe should be included in wheat production technology to attain better yield and Fe concentration in grains.

Currently the world is facing significant challenges of meeting the rising demands of production of green energy. Clean energy technology development has received a lot of attention because of increasing energy shortages and aggravating environmental degradation. It is critical to address these challenges by developing materials that facilitate carbon-free technologies. MXenes, an emerging member of the 2D nanomaterials family, has distinctive features in terms of clean energy production and storage. This review analyzes various MXenes synthesis methods based on several key factors. The review focuses on MXenes' applications in energy storage devices, particularly in rechargeable batteries and supercapacitors. MXenes exhibit exceptional electrochemical performance due to their high specific surface area, excellent electrical conductivity, and unique interlayer spacing, enabling efficient charge storage and fast ion diffusion. We discuss their implementation as electrode materials in lithium-ion batteries, sodium-ion batteries, lithium-sulphur batteries, metal air batteries and supercapacitors. Moreover, the review examines the applications of MXenes in hydrogen (H2) production technologies. MXenes have shown tremendous potential as photo/electrocatalysts for water splitting, a key process in renewable hydrogen production. Their unique surface chemistry and tunable electronic properties enable efficient hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) activity. We discuss the recent advancements in developing MXene-based photo/electrocatalysts with their exceptional catalytic performance and durability. Furthermore, we highlight the challenges and prospects associated with MXenes' applications in energy storage and H2 production. Strategies for improving the stability, scalability, and overall performance of MXenes are discussed. This review not only provides a comprehensive analysis of the recent research efforts but also serves as a guide for future research directions in utilizing MXenes to address the global energy and sustainability challenges.

Purpose: Accessing different sources of finance becomes difficult when companies fail to take action towards environmental protection. Motivated by the theoretical propositions of stakeholder theory, this research investigates the impact of green innovation (GI) and corporate environmental performance (CEP) on financing constraints (FC) in the context of the most polluting industries of an emerging economy. Methodology: The sample is based on 33 companies from the cement, chemical and fertilizer sectors of Pakistan for the period of 2017 to 2020. For data analysis, random effects and VCE Robust regressions models have been employed to explore the link between GI, CEP and FC using two proxies; that are KaplanZingale Index and Size-Age Index. Findings: The findings confirm a significantly inverse relationship of GI and CEP with FC, contending that an increase in GI and CEP leads to a decrease in FC when KZ Index is used. Overall, companies that work on their environmental orientation through green innovation and better environmental performance face a significant reduction in financing constraints. Novelty: This research extends the literature by comprehensively exploring the impact of GI and CEP on FC using two proxies, KZ index and SA Index, in the context of Pakistans three highly polluting industries.

Recent research has suggested that motor imagery may be helpful for the Rehabilitation of Parkinson's disease (PD) patients. Using MI, a movement can be imagined without muscles being activated. MI induces plastic changes in the motor cortex, improving motor performance. This systematic review was designed to examine the effects of MI on the physical rehabilitation of people with Parkinson's disease. Five databases were used to identify similar studies using selected keywords. This review assessed the "methodological quality of each randomized control trial study" using the eleven-point Physiotherapy Evidence Database scale, widely used to rate physiotherapy "literature". The benefits of using MI to treat patients with PD were identified in this review. Seven studies were identified; 6 studies reported motor function, two studies worked on bradykinesia, two on balance and two reported impairments in Gait in PD using MI. The included studies had small samples, varied methodological approaches, and varied quality from good to fair. According to the current review, MI provides more significant benefits for Parkinson's patients than conventional physical therapy alone when used along with other therapeutic methods for improving motor function and balance.

Objectives: Reflective practice is a thinking method about experiences, learning from mistakes, identifying skills and strengths, and developing options and actions for change and future success. This practice empowers individuals to explore diverse methods of introspection, thereby enhancing their proficiency in applying reflective techniques within both personal and professional domains and ultimately fostering their learning skills and self-development. Objectives: This study aims to compare the reflective practice and self-assessment methods of novice practitioners who graduated from the governmental and private sectors. Methods: A comparative cross-sectional study was conducted on 138 practitioners who graduated from the governmental and private sectors (69 from the governmental sector and 69 from the private sector). A random sampling method was used to collect data. Data were analyzed using SPSS software, version 20. Mean±SD was calculated for five main variables. Independent t-test was applied to calculate the reflective practice of novice practitioners. P≤0.05 was considered statically significant. Results: The study focused on investigating various factors related to the reflective practice of novice practitioners. All five main variables, namely reflection on events, reflection methods, others’ points of view, questioning of assumptions, and ability to reflect, were examined for potential differences between the graduates of private and governmental sectors. The results indicated no significant differences between these sectors, as evidenced by the P

Background: The quality of life among first-ray amputations due to diabetic foot ulcers is of paramount importance in understanding the holistic impact of this surgical intervention. Objective: To explore the Quality of life among first-ray amputated diabetic foot ulcer patients. Methods: A descriptive cross-sectional study was done using non-probability convenient sampling. The data was collected from Ghurki Trust Teaching Hospital and Shalamar Hospital. A total of n=68 Patients with type II diabetes with first-ray amputation six months ago who aged between 40-65 years were included in this study. The quality of life was accessed through the SF-36 questionnaire. Data analysis was done by using SPSS version 23. Informed consent was taken from every participant and told all the risks and benefits of the study. Results: In this study of diabetic foot ulcer patients aged 45-64 with a mean age of 52±4.33 years, there were 30 females (44.12%) and 38 males (55.88%). Of the participants, 44 (64.7%) reported a good quality of life, while 24 (35.29%) reported a poor quality of life. The overall quality of life was poor, with a score of 39.92±12.89. Specifically, physical functioning (46.32±24.41), emotional well-being (44.71±16.61), social functioning (36.88±17.46), and general health (46.62±21.03) were poor, while physical (82.35±29.63), emotional (82.35±29.63), role limitations, and pain (62.17±17.77) were good. Conclusion: The current study concluded that the overall quality of life among first-ray amputated diabetic foot ulcer patients is low. Keywords: Amputation; diabetic foot ulcer; Diabetes mellitus, first ray; quality of life; SF-36 questionnaire.

ABSTRACTPCOS is the most prevalent female endocrine disorder and is characterized by polycystic ovaries, hyperandrogenism, and protracted anovulation. In PCOS, obesity, low-grade chronic inflammation, and insulin resistance (IR) frequently coexist. The Mediterranean diet (MD) and Ketogenic diet act as an anti-inflammatory eating plan that is high in complex carbohydrates, fiber, and monounsaturated fat, whereas the Keto diet is high in fat content. PCOS is associated with obesity, low-grade chronic inflammation, insulin resistance, and hormonal imbalances. The aim of the present study was to measure the metabolic and endocrine effects of a ketogenic and hypocaloric Mediterranean diet in women with polycystic ovarian syndrome. For this purpose, 80 participants were divided into two groups. Group 1 was on the ketogenic diet and Group 2 was on the Mediterranean diet for 9 weeks. The result of the present study showed that significant weight was reduced among the keto group (−10.9 kg) as compared to the Mediterranean group (−5.1 kg). Total cholesterol and Low-Density Lipoprotein among the keto group was 181. 5 ± 22.2 and 85.3 ± 16.2 U/L whereas, in the Mediterranean group 190.3 ± 22.7 and 91.3 ± 15.9 U/L were observed. Blood glucose levels among the Keto and Mediterranean groups reduced significantly 83.47 ± 5.81 and 91.7 ± 5.8 (mg/dl). C-peptide, LH, and FSH also improved more significantly as compared to the Mediterranean group respectively. This study revealed that a ketogenic diet is superior to a hypocaloric Mediterranean diet for lowering Triglyceride, Cholesterol, LDL, blood glucose, insulin, C peptide, HOMA-IR, LH/FSH, Serum Albumin, Facilitating Hormone, and Sex hormone-binding globulin levels. Females having PCO may improve health with the ketogenic diet

Abstract Gamification entails integrating game design elements, including rewards, points, competition, and interactive challenges, into non-game contexts to engage and motivate individuals. In the context of green consumption, gamification can encourage individuals to acquire more sustainable consumption behaviors. The proposed study aims to examine the influence of gamification on green consumption behavior among Chinese university students. However, university students are considered an important target group for such interventions due to their technological savvy and high interest in environmental issues. A self-determination theory (SDT) was used to measure the motivating factors of gamification for adopting green consumption behavior—a convenience sampling technique in which survey-based research designs were used to collect the data. A survey was conducted on a sample of 332 university students in China, using a questionnaire with structural equation modeling (SEM) to test the hypotheses and assess the proposed relationships between the variables. The finding of this study reveals that gamification has a significant negative relation with green consumption behavior. Further, technological awareness, hedonic motivation, and perceived enjoyment significantly mediate the relationship between gamification and green consumption behavior. Additionally, virtual CSR significantly moderates the relationship between gamification and technological awareness, hedonic motivation, and perceived enjoyment. The findings of this study could have implications for the development of more effective interventions for policy makers and industrialists aimed at promoting sustainable consumption behaviors in China.

Background: By recognizing and comprehending the obstacles that prevent low vision devices (LVDs) from being used effectively, the burden of blindness can be reduced. Objective: To find the barriers to the utilization of low-vision devices (LVDs) among non-users in patients with low vision. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted in the low vision department of Al-Shifa Trust Eye hospitals in Rawalpindi, Pakistan for a duration of six months from July 2021 to December 2021. Low-vision individuals with visual acuity ˂6/18 fulfilling the criteria of low vision and prescribed low-vision devices over the period of 6 months but not using them were included in this study. A total of n=420 patients were evaluated for eligibility, out of which n=255 were prescribed low-vision devices due to low vision. The data was collected on the self-structured questionnaire in accordance with the tenets of Helsinki’s declaration. Results: Out of n=255, a total of n=105 were using (acceptance) and n=150 were not using (non-acceptance) the LVDs. Out of 15 possible barriers, fear of being perceived as blind N=120(80%) is the major cause of non-acceptance of devices among low-vision individuals. It was followed by difficulty in handling low-vision devices n=106(70.7%) and low affordability n=106(70.7%). While fear of loss of job 2(1.3%) was selected as the least occurring problem in non-acceptance of devices. Conclusions: Leading barriers included stigma, lack of information, concern over losing one's job, fear of being viewed as blind, and low necessity. Keywords: blindness; low vision; low-vision devices.

ABSTRACTThe current review investigates the effects of microgreens on human health and their use in different food items. In recent decades, various extraction methods, such as cold pressing, supercritical CO2 extraction, microwave-assisted extraction, liquid and gas chromatography, hydro-distillation method, Soxhlet extraction, alcohol extraction, steam distillation, and accelerated solvent extraction have been used for extraction under optimal conditions. Microgreens contain essential bioactive compounds which work as functional foods because these microgreens are produced and cut down before ripening. Since these are the tiny cotyledons of different pulses, grains, and vegetable seeds, they possess different nutritional profile than whole one which contains essential fatty acids, in which major one is linoleic acid and functional compounds as important antioxidant enzymes like glucoraphanin which signals the antioxidants, glucosinolates, isothiocyanates, anthocyanins, ascorbate peroxidase, catalase, superoxide dismutase, and peroxidase which work against inflammation and oxidative stress and so work against chronic diseases like hypertension, cardiovascular diseases, diabetes, and cancer. Many clinical and experimental studies have indicated that microgreens of different species fenugreek, brassica, black mustard, mung beans, green peas, red cabbage, and broccoli can be used to reduce the risk of metabolic disorders, goiter, kidney diseases, and other chronic illnesses. This review focuses on different microgreen extraction techniques, their practical applications in the food industry, and their health properties.

ABSTRACTDomestication of orphan crops could be explored by editing their genomes. Genome editing has a lot of promise for enhancing agricultural output, and there is a lot of interest in furthering breeding in orphan crops, which are sometimes plagued with unwanted traits that resemble wild cousins. Consequently, applying model crop knowledge to orphan crops allows for the rapid generation of targeted allelic diversity and innovative breeding germplasm. We explain how plant breeders could employ genome editing as a novel platform to accelerate the domestication of semi-domesticated or wild plants, resulting in a more diversified base for future food and fodder supplies. This review emphasizes both the practicality of the strategy and the need to invest in research that advances our understanding of plant genomes, genes, and cellular systems. Planting more of these abandoned orphan crops could help alleviate food scarcities in the challenge of future climate crises.