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Abstract Internet of Things (IoT) technologies present transformative opportunities through connectivity of intelligent devices, environmental sensors, and integrated management systems. This study aims to investigate the benefits and impact of IoT implementation on construction sites by analyzing relationships between key factors and outcomes for safety and efficiency. Hypotheses were developed proposing positive correlations between each factor and effective IoT adoption on construction sites. Structural equation modeling analysis on survey data from construction professionals and site reports strongly validated the research hypotheses. Positive path coefficients and high statistical significance confirmed environmental monitoring (0.38), equipment management (0.343), predictive analytics and maintenance (0.222) and safety monitoring (0.369) as crucial enablers for successful IoT integration leading to safer and more productive construction operations. The findings highlight imperative focus areas and provide actionable insights for construction stakeholders on strategies to effectively leverage IoT capabilities.

Abstract This research examines how Holistic Building Design (HBD) affects Lifecycle Management of Building Structures in the ever-changing construction market. HBD includes adaptability, environmental sustainability, maintenance, and disaster preparation. It is a key idea in the present boom in resilient and sustainable building techniques. A surprising dearth of quantitative empirical research on HBD’s impact on LMBS considering the field’s growing importance. This study uses a quantitative method to explore the relationship between essential HBD components and LMBS outcomes especially Extended Service Life (ESL) and Optimized Performance and Value (OPV) are critical factors to address this information gap. The quantitative study polled 171 construction industry professionals and utilized Structural Equation Modelling to examine the data. This approach was selected for its ability to explore complex relationships between variables and constructs. HBD components Adaptability and Retrofitting (AAR), Environmental Considerations and Sustainability (ECS), Maintenance and Inspection Programs (MIP), and Resilience and Disaster Preparedness (RDP) profoundly influenced the Enhanced Service Life (ESL) and Optimized Performance and Value (OPV) elements of LMBS. Building adaptation and retrofitting, maintenance and inspection programs, and other activities increased building value and lifespan. These findings have major theoretical and practical implications. The work potentially fills a research gap by providing actual evidence on HBD-LMBS linkages. Practically, the results advise construction industry specialists to use HBD ideas for sustainable building management. Finally, our work illuminates the vital roles of HBD components in LMBS and paves the way for ecologically friendly building approaches.

The global production region is presently processing giant transformation due to resource depletion and weather alternate, with an extra emphasis being located on efficiency and sustainability. A floor-breaking technological advancement referred to as Building Information Modeling (BIM) is revolutionizing the construction, logistics, and supply chain management (SCM) industries. This examine appears into how BIM may also help obtain sustainability and improve logistics and supply chain control. The look at hired a Partial Least Squares (PLS) equation modeling approach to envision which important sustainability metrics are maximum tormented by the adoption of BIM. Furthermore, a thorough model was constructed to illustrate the connection between success tasks, sustainable practices, and BIM. The outcomes show that a huge variety of parameters, which include as lifecycle management, material tracking and traceability, dealer engagement, deliver chain optimization, transportation, waste reduction, and recycling procedures, have a sizeable impact on adopting BIM. It has been proven that combining BIM with sustainable practices improves teamwork, streamlines layout procedures, reduces waste manufacturing, and boosts energy performance. The findings offer vital new statistics that academics, practitioners in the field, and legislators may additionally utilize to assist the adoption of sustainable practices inside the constructing sector. The capacity of BIM to help the building zone flow closer to a sustainable destiny is stronger by using these studies. It highlights how critical a function BIM, as a generation device, performs in fostering an effective and sustainable creation sector.

The integration of robotics in the construction industry is critical for enhancing productivity, yet it remains under-researched. The problem addressed in this study is the low profitability and inefficiency in construction projects, which results in prolonged, costly, and substandard outcomes. To tackle this issue, the study aimed to identify variables affecting worker efficiency and assess the impact of robotic adoption on productivity. A case study approach was utilized, involving data collection through questionnaires and interviews with industry professionals, and analysis using SPSS software for correlation, relative importance index, validity, and reliability tests. The results revealed that 66.6 % of respondents were aware of robotics in construction, and 87 % agreed on its productivity benefits. High internal consistency was confirmed with a Cronbach's alpha of 0.943. The findings underscore the necessity for the construction industry to embrace Industrial Revolution (IR) 5.0, which combines automation and collaborative robots with human skills to enhance quality outputs. The conclusion emphasizes the potential of robotics to improve construction efficiency, advocating for further research to refine the proposed framework and explore additional technologies to augment productivity. Future directions include the development of more comprehensive models to facilitate the integration of advanced robotics in construction.

As an emerging area with far-reaching implications for project management practices, Despite the growing global adoption of Building Information Modelling (BIM), its implementation in the Pakistani construction sector faces significant challenges, particularly in relation to conflict and risk management, communication, and technical safety practices. The primary objective of this study is to identify and evaluate the key factors influencing BIM adoption in Pakistan, with a specific focus on understanding the roles of conflict and risk management, communication, technical safety management, and resource management in successful BIM implementation. The research used a combined pilot survey with 90 contributors, a prime questionnaire with 125 contributors, an exploratory factor analysis (EFA), and a structural equation modelling (SEM) approach has been used to do in depth statistical analysis. The results indicated the highest relation among planning and technical safety management and BIM implementation with path impact value of 0.613 followed by conflict and risk management with path value 272. According to the findings, every contributes appreciably to BIM’s usefulness in construction and project management. This examination contributes to the development of BIM research.

IntroductionAtopic dermatitis (AD) is a chronic inflammatory skin disorder that affects millions worldwide, presenting challenges in managing symptoms and quality of life. Current treatments include topical corticosteroids (TCS), but novel approaches, such as Janus kinase (JAK) inhibitors, show promise. Baricitinib, a selective JAK1 and JAK2 inhibitor, targets cytokines involved in AD and offers potential benefits beyond traditional therapies.MethodsA systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials (RCTs) was performed to evaluate the efficacy and safety of baricitinib in treating moderate-to-severe AD. We followed PRISMA guidelines and assessed data from PubMed, Cochrane Central, ScienceDirect, and ClinicalTrials.gov up to August 2024. The analysis included trials comparing baricitinib to placebo, with or without TCS, evaluating outcomes such as Investigator's Global Assessment (IGA) scores, Eczema Area and Severity Index (EASI) scores, and safety profiles.ResultsSix RCTs involving 2,595 participants met the inclusion criteria. Baricitinib demonstrated significant improvements in IGA scores, EASI scores, Dermatology Life Quality Index (DLQI), and other outcome measures compared to placebo. The efficacy was consistent across different dosages (1 mg, 2 mg, 4 mg) and whether baricitinib was used with or without TCS. Safety analyses revealed a significant increase in treatment-emergent adverse events (TEAEs), particularly with the 2 mg and 4 mg dosages and with TCS.ConclusionBaricitinib, both alone and in combination with TCS, significantly improves symptoms and quality of life in patients with moderate-to-severe AD, with efficacy consistent across dosages. The safety profile is overall acceptable, though a significant increase in TEAEs was observed, particularly with higher dosages and when used with TCS. Ongoing monitoring of TEAEs is recommended, and future trials with longer follow-up periods are suggested to better understand long-term outcomes.

Disaster recovery requires urgent but thoughtful decision-making in the face of scarce resources, making it essential to prioritize projects that will strengthen community resilience and functionality. Disasters, defined as sudden, catastrophic events that disrupt the functioning of communities and cause significant human, material, economic, or environmental losses, create a pressing need for effective prioritization. Effective prioritization considers structural integrity, safety, economic viability, social impact, and environmental sustainability. However, a systematic framework to guide resource prioritization in post-disaster recovery is lacking. To address the gap in systematic prioritization, this research aims to develop a clear framework that guides post-disaster rebuilders in the efficient allocation of scarce resources based on resilience and equity principles. Results were achieved by investigating a total of 273 experts in post-disaster reconstruction, with 62 % possessing over ten years of experience. Top findings indicate that structural integrity and functionality are the most important. In addition, safety considerations in terms of immediate access for responders (85.0 %) are crucial, along with social requirements, including the impacts on affected populations (85.9 %) and vulnerable groups (77.7 %).Economic considerations prioritize funding availability (76.8 %) and resource access (70.6 %), while environmental concerns highlight public health impacts (82.6 %) and environmental hazards (81.1 %). The findings emphasize the need for the development of a holistic, evidence-based prioritization smart system that will balance immediate recovery needs with long-term resilience objectives. Those actionable insights aim to support policymakers and practitioners to discussions on how strategic resource allocation may help build resilience and ensure adequate, equitable recovery in disaster-stricken areas.

The basic purpose of this work was to develop environmentally friendly, biodegradable, and biocompatible polymeric nanoparticles of sorafenib that can effectively release the desired drug in a customized and controlled manner for targeting hepatocellular carcinoma. The solvent evaporation technique was employed for the synthesis of sorafenib-loaded PLGA–chitosan nanoparticles, followed by various experimental specifications and compatibility studies using poloxamer 407 as the stabilizer. The best nanoparticles thus synthesized were selected to be used for cytotoxicity investigations through in vitro and in vivo assessments. For the in vitro drug release tests, the dialysis bag diffusion technique was used. For both chitosan nanoparticles and PLGA loaded with sorafenib, a biphasic release pattern was found, exhibiting a protracted release lasting 10 days after a 24-h burst release. As experimental animals, rabbits were utilized to evaluate different in vivo pharmacokinetic properties of the selected formulations. Plasma samples were extracted with acetonitrile and analyzed through the developed HPLC method. Pharmacokinetic parameters such as AUC0-t, Cmax MRT, Vd, and half-life (t1/2) were enhanced significantly (p ≤ 0.001), while clearance was considerably decreased (p ≤ 0.001) for the chosen synthesized nanoparticles in contrast to the commercially accessible sorafenib formulation (Nexavar®). The cytotoxicity of the reference drug and sorafenib-loaded PLGA and chitosan nanoparticles was calculated by performing an MTT assay against HepG2 cell lines. The developed polymeric sorafenib nanoformulations possess the appropriate physicochemical properties, better targeting, surface morphology, and prolonged release kinetics. The pharmacokinetic parameters were improved significantly when the results were compared with commercially available sorafenib formulations.

The Internet of Things (IoT) is a sophisticated network of objects embedded with electronic systems that enable devices to collect and exchange data. IoT is a recent trending leading technology and changing the way we live. However, it has several challenges especially efficiency, architecture, complexity, and network topology. The traditional technologies are not enough to provide support. It is evident from the literature that complex networks are used to study the topology and the structure of a network and are applied to modern technologies. Thus, the capability of powerful computational tools and the existence of theoretical frameworks enable complex networks to derive new approaches in analyzing IoT-based technologies in terms of improving efficiency, architecture, complexity, and topology. In this direction, limited research has been carried out. The integration aspect remains a key challenge. Therefore, in order to fill this gap. Herein, we design a comprehensive literature review. In this research effort, we explore a newly leading emerging technology named the Social Internet of Things (SIoT). It is developed to overcome the challenges in IoT. We discuss the importance and the key applications of SIoT. We first presented a conceptual view along with a recent technological roadmap. The big data play an important role in the modern world. We discuss big data and the 5 Vs along with suitable applications and examples. Then, we highlighted the key concepts in complex networks, scale-free, random networks, and small-world networks. We explored and presented various graph models and metrics aligned with social networks and the most recent trends. The novelty of this research is to propose a synergy of complex networks to the IoT, SIoT, and big data together. We discuss the advantages of integration in detail. We present a detailed discussion on complex networks emerging technologies and cyber-physical systems (CPS). Briefly, our literature review covers the most recent advancements and developments in 10 years. In addition, our critical analysis is based on up-to-date surveys and case studies. Finally, we outline the impact of recent emerging technologies on challenges applications, and solutions for the future. This paper provides a good reference for researchers and readers in the IoT domain.

The desire to increase resource management efficacy in the construction sector is expanding because of measures to reduce costs, boost productivity, and minimize environmental impact. The Internet of Things (IoT) has the potential to alter resource management in the construction sector by delivering real-time data and insights that may assist decision-makers in optimizing resource allocation and usage. Incorporating Internet of Things (IoT) technology into the construction sector will be investigated in this study to discover how resource management is affected. The aim of the study is to identify the essential aspects that promote optimal IoT integration and to investigate how IoT may influence resource management. The relations between variables and their fundamental elements are investigated using structural equation modelling (SEM). In the context of building projects, the study analyses how IoT integration influences resource allocation and utilization, real-time monitoring, and proactive maintenance. The building sector in Malaysia provides concepts on IoT in resource management. Based on this research's outcomes, there is a distinct association between the utilization of IoT technology and effective resource management in the construction sector. IoT adoption is affected by a multiplicity of issues, including data analytics, data security and privacy, integration and interoperability, scalability, and flexibility. This study contributes to addressing considerable gaps in the corpus of information on IoT technology integration in the construction sector. It analyses how IoT may effect resource management, emphasizing how IoT technology may enhance the efficacy of human, mechanical, and material resources.

Introduction: Pancytopenia in the peripheral smear and hypocellularity in the bone marrow characterise aplastic anaemia (AA). It is far less common in Western countries. The Asian continent has a greater prevalence rate. Aplastic anemia carries a high mortality rate if it is not treated. Hence early diagnosis and treatment is important to reduce the mortality rate. Only few Indian studies are conducted to assess the epidemiology of AA. Aims and Objectives: To evaluate clinical and pathological profile of patients with aplastic anemia. Materials and Methods: This cross sectional observational study was done over a period of 1.5years in department of medicine, St johns medical college, Bangalore. A detailed clinical history, physical examination and available previous investigations were recorded. Results: In our study aplastic anemia had bimodal peak in age distribution noted in groups of 21-30 & 51-60yrs .Male preponderance of 1.33:1 .Most common presenting complaint was Fatigue. Severe (37.6%) and Very severe aplastic anemia (37.6%) were more common.Most common 1st line agent was Cyclosporine and 2nd line agent was Danazol. Out the 35 only 4 (11.4%) showed Complete Response, 19 (54.3%) showed Partial Remission, 10 were transfusion dependent (28.6%) and 2 (5.8%) expired. Conclusion: ATG and Cyclosporine showed significant improvement in most parameters. Many patients in the study were unwilling for ATG and bone marrow transplantation due to the cost factor. Many are still requiring frequent transfusions, thus probing us to search for newer novel forms of treatment to reduce the cost of treatment and mortality in aplastic anemia patients.

Dystocia, a challenging condition in obstetrics, can arise from various causes, including fetal monsters with structural abnormalities. This case report presents a unique case of dystocia due to a fetal monster known as Perosomus Elumbis in a beetal breed goat from Pakistan. The 4-years-old pregnant doe presented with prolonged straining and failure to deliver the fetus after 8 hours of labor. Upon examination, the cervix was dilated, and only the forelimbs of the fetus were visible in the birth canal. The subsequent delivery involved the application of manual traction by using a dystocia kit, and the removal of edematous fluid from the legs. The monster fetus exhibited absence of hair growth, along with the absence of thoracic vertebrae. Two other fetuses were present, with one found dead and the other alive. Post-treatment involved fluid therapy, antibiotics, and supportive care for the doe. This case report sheds light on the occurrence of Perosomus Elumbis fetal monsters and their impact on dystocia in goat breeding. Understanding the underlying causes and implementing appropriate management strategies are crucial for successful outcomes in similar cases.

Road Traffic Accidents (RTAs) provide a substantial risk to both public safety and infrastructure within severe earthquake zones. This research aims to provide a thorough analysis of the many elements that contribute to RTAs in the area. Although research on RTAs has been conducted in numerous settings, there is a lack of localized research specifically focused on developing countries. Therefore, this study is necessary to address this gap in literature. Our study focuses on examining the distinct issues and elements that are particular to this specific location. The objective is to provide customized solutions that effectively reduce the occurrence of accidents. The objective of this study is to examine the status of RTAs, ascertain the main factors contributing to RTAs, and provide viable approaches to improve road safety. A comprehensive study of data was undertaken, which included the examination of key highways, accident-prone areas, and causes contributing to accidents. Insights were derived by the use of statistical analysis, hotspot mapping, and the categorization of incidents. The results revealed a distressing roadway are afflicted by a significant frequency of accidents, even those occurring on prominent thoroughfares. Excessive speed has been revealed as the primary contributing factor, closely followed by negligence and recklessness. The common factor seen in these events was the insufficient enforcement of traffic regulations. The research highlights several practical consequences. Firstly, it is advised to implement urgent actions such as the upgrading of the traffic database, the adoption of contemporary traffic management software, and the enforcement of rigorous traffic laws. The establishment of a comprehensive centralized database system is crucial in order to enhance the documenting and management of accidents. Furthermore, the use of cost-benefit analysis provides justification for the adoption of traffic calming measures in locations with a high incidence of accidents. Furthermore, the implementation of continuous road safety awareness efforts and the establishment of clear legislative guidelines pertaining to fatal accidents are imperative measures in promoting enhanced road safety.

As construction projects increase in complexity, there are growing challenges with conventional monitoring methods in terms of efficiency, safety, and competitiveness. Traditional supervision techniques are labour-intensive, intermittent, and prone to errors. Hence, this study statistically evaluates the potential advantages of photogrammetry, sensors, and algorithms to enable continuous automated monitoring. The results of this survey were analysed to compare manual and automated monitoring systems. The outcome shows that the Malaysian construction industry is aware of Automated Monitoring Innovations for Efficient and Safe Construction Practices. The top ranked factor was Photogrammetry which had a relative importance index (RII) of 0.821 for straightforward site monitoring and 0.812 for accelerated 3D BIM modelling. The RII for sensors to track labourers, apparatus, and progress in real time was 0.82, while the RII for hazard anticipation was 0.796. Automation achieved a reduction in fatigue by 0.784, labour intensity by 0.792, and time demands by 0.768, as measured by the RII. A conceptual framework was developed that incorporates measurable improvements in schedules, safety, and quality control. Automated solutions, as opposed to human examinations which are prone to error, provided exhaustive geographical data and ongoing surveillance notwithstanding obstacles pertaining to cost, cybersecurity, privacy, and integration. Construction monitoring must incorporate new technology, strategic change management, data investments, and supporting regulations to increase profitability, safety, and efficiency as competition and complexity increase.

In this article, we develop multiplicative fractional versions of Simpson’s and Newton’s formula-type inequalities for differentiable generalized convex functions with the help of established identities. The main motivation for using generalized convex functions lies in their ability to extend results beyond traditional convex functions, encompassing a broader class of functions, and providing optimal approximations for both lower and upper bounds. These inequalities are very useful in finding the error bounds for the numerical integration formulas in multiplicative calculus. Applying these results to the Quadrature formulas demonstrates their practical utility in numerical integration. Furthermore, numerical analysis provides empirical evidence of the effectiveness of the derived findings. It is also demonstrated that the newly proven inequalities extend certain existing results in the literature.

Mineral coatings have the ability to tackle the most common degradation processes (wear and corrosion) in industries at amazing ‘quality to cost’ ratio, as compared to synthetic ceramics. In the current study, concentrated natural chromite with 55 wt.% Chromium oxide (Cr2O3) is deposited on steel substrate through High Velocity Oxygen Fuel (HVOF) and Atmospheric plasma spray (APS) techniques. Effect of deposition processes and Cr2O3 enrichment on microstructure, hardness, tribological and electrochemical behavior of coatings is studied. Tribological tests were performed using pin-on-disc setup, coatings deposited with APS have shown excellent wear resistance behavior as compared to HVOF coating. Owing to the brittle nature of chromite coatings, they were worn by abrasive wear irrespective of the deposition process. Electrochemical behavior of coatings is evaluated by potentiodynamic polarization measurements and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) in 3.5% NaCl solution. APS and HVOF coatings have exhibited very high protective efficiency of 93 and 88% respectively, against steel substrate. Equivalent electrical circuit (EEC) based on EIS results has also been conceptualized and verified with ZSimpWin analysis software. Established EEC has illustrated capacitive behavior due to the protective oxide nature of coatings. Despite having relatively higher porosities in APS coatings, they display an excellent potential for wear and corrosion resistant applications. Results revealed that hardness, compactness, tribological and corrosion performance of chromite coatings have been substantially improved due to higher Cr2O3 content.

Demand Side Management (DSM) plays a significant role in the smart grid to minimize Electricity Cost (EC). Home Energy Management Systems (HEMSs) have recently been studied and proposed explicitly for HEM. In this paper, we propose a novel nature-inspired hybrid Genetic Flower Pollination Algorithm (GFPA) to minimize cost with an affordable delay in appliance scheduling. Our proposed GFPA algorithm combines elements of the Genetic Algorithm (GA) and Flower Pollination Algorithm (FPA) to create a hybrid approach. To assess the effectiveness of the proposed algorithm, we consider a scalable town consisting of 1, 10, 30, and 50 homes, respectively. The proposed solution finds an optimal scheduling pattern that simultaneously minimizes EC and Peak to Average Ratio (PAR) while maximizing User Comfort (UC). We assume that all homes are homogeneous in terms of appliances and power consumption patterns. Simulation results show that our proposed scheme GFPA performs better when applying Critical Peak Pricing (CPP) signal using different Operational Time Intervals (OTIs) and compared with unscheduled, GA, and FPA-based solutions in terms of reducing cost since they achieve on average 98%, 36%, 23%, and 22%, respectively. Similarly, PAR averages 98%, 36%, 59%, and 55%, respectively. While, UC comparing to GA and FPA, are around 88%, 48%, and 63%, respectively. Our proposed scheme achieves better results by applying Real Time Pricing (RTP) signals and different OTIs. As these schemes, i.e., unscheduled, GA, FPA, and GFPA, achieve cost on average 92%, 50%, 29%, and 28%, respectively. While PAR on average 94%, 39%, 62%, and 56%, and UC for GA, FPA, and GFPA on average 98%, 52%, and 49%, respectively. Overall, our proposed GFPA algorithm offers a more effective solution for minimizing EC with an affordable delay in appliance scheduling while considering PAR and UC.

The progress of our society is reflected in the building sector, which emphasises the necessity of constantly modifying our instruments to take advantage of new opportunities. An example of cutting-edge technology with the potential to completely transform the construction sector is the Internet of Things (IoT). The goal of this comprehensive analysis is to help the construction industry improve the understanding of how crucial it is to embrace IoT. In this study, a systematic review of the relevant literature was conducted to identify the factors that contribute to enhancing IoT applications in the construction industry. The primary objective was to list and evaluate the most important uses, advantages and difficulties of using the IoT in the building sector. This systematic review revealed that the IoT has significant potential to transform the construction industry by improving productivity, safety, sustainability and quality across the entire construction lifecycle. However, barriers such as data privacy and cybersecurity and a lack of standardised protocols need to be addressed. The review concludes that the IoT is likely to revolutionise the construction sector in the coming years if these challenges can be overcome. These findings imply that construction firms need to experiment with IoT and analytic tools across phased use cases, whilst policy and industry groups must collaborate on technology standards and protocols. Although obstacles exist, strategic IoT implementation promises major operational breakthroughs in the construction sector in the near future.

The growing demand for sustainable and energy-efficient buildings, particularly in the context of tall structures, has prompted increased attention to innovative solutions. Despite advancements in Building Information Modelling (BIM) technology, there exists a critical gap in understanding its comprehensive application for achieving net-zero energy consumption in tall buildings, particularly in the Malaysian construction industry. This research addresses this gap by presenting a novel strategy that integrates BIM technology with energy analysis tools for net-zero tall buildings in Malaysia. The aim of the study is to contribute valuable insights to the construction industry, policymakers, and researchers by conducting empirical research, utilizing case studies, validating the proposed framework, advancing sustainable design practices, and supporting the transition towards net-zero energy tall buildings in Malaysia. The methodology involves a three-phase approach, including qualitative analysis, a pilot survey, and a main questionnaire. Exploratory factor analysis (EFA) validates the categorization derived from qualitative interviews, while Partial Least Squares Structural Equation Modelling (PLS-SEM) assesses the convergent and discriminant validity of the measurement model. Hypotheses testing using bootstrapping establishes the significance of correlations between BIM deployment and key factors such as early design integration, enhanced energy efficiency, optimized system integration, predictive performance analysis, and validation of sustainable design. The research findings support the positive associations between BIM deployment and the mentioned factors, providing statistical significance through T-statistics and p-values. The implications of this research extend beyond the Malaysian context, offering valuable insights for architects, engineers, and stakeholders involved in designing and managing sustainable tall buildings. By addressing the identified gaps and leveraging BIM technology effectively, stakeholders can contribute to the construction of net-zero energy structures, aligning with global efforts towards sustainable and energy-efficient building practices.

Traditional herbal medicines and health supplements have been empirically used to treat various disorders but most of them are not standardized and have not been experimentally validated for safety and efficacy. In the present study, various dosage forms of traditional herbal medicines prescribed for specific diseases were collected from local practitioners at different districts of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan. The collected samples were analyzed for heavy metal, trace elements, and minerals using atomic absorption spectroscopy. All the tested samples contained heavy metals, trace elements and minerals in different concentrations. All the samples were tested positive for the presence of toxic heavy metals such as arsenic (As), cadmium (Cd) and lead (Pb). The trace elements like cobalt (Co), iron (Fe), zinc (Zn) and chromium (Cr) were also detected in acceptable range. Similarly, the samples analyzed were rich in some of the essential minerals such as sodium (Na), magnesium (Mg) and calcium (Ca) which are necessary for the proper functioning of the body. The hazard quotient (HQ) values were measured for toxic heavy metals to determine their safe ranges for human body. The HQ values were above the permissible range for arsenic (As) in all detected samples while for cadmium (Cd) and lead (Pb), the values ware above in 50 % of the analyzed samples. The detection of toxic metals and their HQ values beyond the permissible limits in different dosage forms raised questions about their quality. This study suggests that evaluation of traditional herbal remedies for the metals contents and their standardization are strongly recommended for quality assurance and protection of public health.

Achieving sustainable green building design is essential to reducing our environmental impact and enhancing energy efficiency. Traditional methods often depend heavily on expert knowledge and subjective decisions, posing significant challenges. This research addresses these issues by introducing an innovative framework that integrates building information modeling (BIM), explainable artificial intelligence (AI), and multi-objective optimization. The framework includes three main components: data generation through DesignBuilder simulation, a BO-LGBM (Bayesian optimization–LightGBM) predictive model with LIME (Local Interpretable Model-agnostic Explanations) for energy prediction and interpretation, and the multi-objective optimization technique AGE-MOEA to address uncertainties. A case study demonstrates the framework’s effectiveness, with the BO-LGBM model achieving high prediction accuracy (R-squared > 93.4%, MAPE < 2.13%) and LIME identifying significant HVAC system features. The AGE-MOEA optimization resulted in a 13.43% improvement in energy consumption, CO2 emissions, and thermal comfort, with an additional 4.0% optimization gain when incorporating uncertainties. This study enhances the transparency of machine learning predictions and efficiently identifies optimal passive and active design solutions, contributing significantly to sustainable construction practices. Future research should focus on validating its real-world applicability, assessing its generalizability across various building types, and integrating generative design capabilities for automated optimization.

Integral inequalities are very useful in finding the error bounds for numerical integration formulas. In this paper, we prove some multiplicative integral inequalities for first-time differentiable s-convex functions. These new inequalities help in finding the error bounds for different numerical integration formulas in multiplicative calculus. The use of s-convex function extends the results for convex functions and covers a large class of functions, which is the main motivation for using s-convexity. To prove the inequalities, we derive two different integral identities for multiplicative differentiable functions in the setting of multiplicative calculus. Then, with the help of these integral identities, we prove some integral inequalities of the Simpson and Ostrowski types for multiplicative generalized convex functions. Moreover, we provide some numerical examples and computational analysis of these newly established inequalities, to show the validity of the results for multiplicative s-convex functions. We also give some applications to quadrature formula and special means of real numbers within the framework of multiplicative calculus.

The construction industry is adopting a ground-breaking invention called Building Information Modeling (BIM) to virtually manage and plan projects throughout the building's lifespan. In the architectural, engineering, and construction (AEC) sector, the adoption of BIM is growing throughout the government sector worldwide, including governmental entities and non-profit organizations. This article covers how building information modelling was used to produce suggestions to help customers and operational teams appropriately specify information needs for projects. The ISO 19650 standards underline this as the first and most critical stage in ensuring that there is adequate information available to optimize constructed assets over the course of their whole life cycle. A study gap that was discovered was the absence of explicit recommendations aimed at helping customers determine their information needs as the appointing party. This research gives recommendations for a plan of action to identify needs and promote effective BIM project outcomes. Since Pakistan does not have a BIM standard, the authors recommended using ISO 19650 with minimum modification as Pakistan's BIM standard, as it offers a systemic framework in this regard.

While pivotal for economic growth, the global construction sector confronts critical challenges due to its resource-intensive practices and environmental impact. Leadership within this industry becomes essential as the imperative for sustainable development gains prominence. This study addresses a significant knowledge gap by investigating the nexus between sustainable leadership practices and the construction sector, focusing on Pakistan. A comprehensive framework is developed by combining literature review, expert analysis, and robust statistical methods. Data collection involved questionnaire involving 206 participants from construction industry professionals in Pakistan. The study examines the relation of green building design, certification standards, life cycle assessment, renewable energy integration, resilient infrastructure, social equity and inclusion, and waste management with sustainable leadership practices. The findings affirm the positive and significant relationships between these dimensions and sustainable leadership. The study contributes to academia and industry, offering a novel understanding of how sustainable leadership can drive resilient and eco-conscious practices in construction. These insights hold implications for shaping policies, fostering industry transformation, and creating a sustainable and resilient built environment for the future.

This study's context emphasizes the growing need for effective safety management in residential construction projects. Building Information Modeling (BIM) has been recognized as a potential solution for managing safety in various construction projects, but its adoption could have been more active due to several obstacles. This study identifies and validates the obstacles to implementing BIM-based safety management practices in residential construction projects. The research employed a two-step methodology comprising exploratory factor analysis (EFA) and structural equation modelling (SEM). The data was collected through an online design, construction, and management professional survey. The study reveals four significant obstacles: integration complexity, data quality and consistency, initial investment and cost, and regulatory and standardization. By identifying and validating the obstacles to the adaptation of BIM-based safety management practices, the findings make theoretical contributions to the literature. The small sample size from a limited geographic region and cross-sectional design are limitations. However, the findings provide important practical implications by highlighting key obstacles organizations must address to facilitate BIM adoption for safety management in residential construction. This quantitative study makes a theoretical contribution by validating and ranking key impediments to BIM for safety management in a new context.

The implementation of blockchain techniques in extensive building work undertakings has encountered multiple obstacles. The barriers encompass a variety of areas including technical, functional, economic, social, and standardization concerns. Notwithstanding the growing recognition of the prospective advantages of blockchain technology among the building industry, there exists a paucity of the literature that delves into the obstacles of implementing blockchain technology in extensive building undertakings. The purpose of this study is to check the difficulties attached with the implementation of blockchain technology in extensive building undertakings. This research study uses a mixed-method technique that combines structural equation modelling (SEM) and exploratory factor analysis (EFA) to assess the data gathered from a survey of construction industry experts. The conclusions of this research study recommend that the implementation of blockchain technology in large-scale building projects is significantly impacted by various barriers, including procedural, technical, functional, standardization, social, and economic factors. This research study reveals that the primary obstacles to standardization, technical integration, and functional implementation are the absence of established norms, barriers to assimilating with current systems, and restricted utilization scenarios, respectively. Furthermore, this research study has revealed that the primary, social, and economic hurdles for implementation of blockchain technology in extensive building projects are stakeholders’ reluctance to change, disputes over ownership, and the challenge of demonstrating a definitive return on investment. The study’s implications indicate that the building industry should establish a uniform methodology for implementing blockchain technology that effectively tackles the barriers brought to light in this study. This study’s results provide great views to different stakeholders in the building industry, such as construction managers, investors, and regulators, regarding the difficulties involved in implementing blockchain technology in extensive building projects. The research implications underscore the necessity for a standardized approach to implement blockchain technology in large-scale construction projects. This insight is crucial for construction professionals, investors, and regulators, informing strategic decisions to overcome identified barriers and facilitate the seamless integration of blockchain, thereby enhancing efficiency and transparency in the industry.

The growing importance of green building practices in addressing environmental concerns, with a focus on energy efficiency, resource conservation, and occupant well-being, necessitates innovative solutions. Building Information Modeling (BIM), a sophisticated digital platform facilitating real-time collaboration and construction process visualization, emerges as a promising tool to enhance efficiency in construction projects. This study explores the role of BIM in advancing sustainability in smaller-scale construction projects. The methodology encompasses a comprehensive literature review and a quantitative analysis, including Exploratory Factor Analysis (EFA) and Structural Equation Modeling (SEM), with a case study centered in Perak, Malaysia. The research aims to assess the impact of BIM on resource efficiency, energy performance, waste reduction, and collaborative decision-making in small-scale green buildings. The findings reveal significant positive correlations between BIM adoption and early-stage design optimization, energy efficiency analysis, material selection, life cycle assessment, waste reduction, and prefabrication. This study underscores the vital role of integrating BIM in smaller-scale construction to promote environmentally responsible practices and achieve sustainable outcomes. Future research avenues may explore strategies for optimized BIM integration and deeper insights into the financial aspects of BIM adoption.

The implementation of 3D laser scanning technology within the architecture, engineering, and construction (AEC) sector possesses the capability to enhance project efficacy and precision. Nevertheless, there exist various obstacles that impede their extensive adoption. This study investigates the key challenges affecting their adoption in the industry. The study employed a mixed-method methodology that involved exploratory factor analysis (EFA) and structural equation modeling (SEM) to examine survey data collected from professionals operating within the architecture, engineering, and construction (AEC) industry. The results reveal significant technical, operational, awareness, and economic challenges. Technical challenges include data processing complexity, limited resources, and compatibility issues. The integration of laser scanning data and perceived risks present operational challenges. Awareness challenges relate to legal factors and change aversion. Economic challenges encompass affordability and time-consuming data acquisition. The ramifications for the industry are significant. Managers should invest in resources, training programs, awareness campaigns, and cost-effective solutions. Future research should expand the sample size and examine long-term effects. Addressing these challenges will enable the AEC industry to fully leverage the potential of 3D laser scanners, enhancing project outcomes and efficiency in the built environment.

The trustworthiness of nodes in Vehicular Ad-Hoc Networks (VANETs) is essential for disseminating truthful event messages. False messages may cause vehicles to behave in unintended ways, creating an unreliable transportation system. The efficiency and reliability of the transportation system can be obtained through trustworthy vehicular nodes providing correct event messages. In a VANET, the consensus issue can be resolved by employing blockchain. Even if we employ blockchain in a VANET, the trustworthiness of each message recorded needs to be verified separately since the blockchain itself does not guarantee the trust level of each event message. For instance, when there are multiple conflicting messages associated with a single accident on the road, a vote based on majority opinion can be considered one option for making a decision regarding the accident. In this work, we design the VANET event message clustering algorithm (VEMCA) to resolve the conflicting message problem. Furthermore, we develop a simulator for the VANET environment that demonstrates how the clustering algorithm can be used for event message validation. Experimental results show that our algorithm outperforms state-of-the-art clustering algorithms in terms of accuracy, precision, recall, f1-score, and computational time.

Effluent load produced by synthesis and application of synthetic dyes has led global community to empty sustainable tools during textile processing. Current study is the application of ultrasonic treatment for fabric pre-treated before desizing, before bleaching and before mercerization followed by dyeing using Direct Red 31 dye. It has been found that ultrasonic treatment to bleached fabric for 45 min has given high color strength using direct dye. FTIR analysis shows that US did not cause any chemical change but modify the surface of bleached fabric to make it more substantive for dye. Response surface methodology was employed for the optimization of dyeing conditions to make coloring process more sustainable under mild conditions. The statistical analysis reveals that under reduced optimal conditions shade made has not only show improvement in colorfastness rating but also enhanced the sustainability of fabric to uptake dye to much extend.

Healthcare is experiencing a fast change from a hospital-centric and specialist-focused model to one that is dispersed and patient-centric. Numerous technological advancements are driving this fast evolution of the healthcare sector. Communication technologies, among others, have permitted the delivery of customized and distant healthcare services. The present 4G networks and other wireless communication technologies are being utilized by the healthcare industry to create smart healthcare applications. These technologies are continuously evolving to meet the expectations and requirements of future smart healthcare applications. At the moment, current communication technologies are incapable of meeting the dynamic and complex demands of smart healthcare applications. Thus, the future 5G and beyond 5G networks are expected to support smart healthcare applications such as remote surgery, tactile internet and Brain-computer Interfaces. Future smart healthcare networks will combine IoT and advanced wireless communication technologies that will address current limitations related to coverage, network performance and security issues. This paper presents 5G-based smart healthcare architecture, key enabling technologies and a deep examination of the threats and solutions for maintaining the security and privacy of 5G-based smart healthcare networks.

Building information modeling (BIM) is a modern data information platform and management tool that promotes the development of green buildings. In Pakistan, the building sector consumes more than 50 % of total energy consumption and it is growing at annual rates of 4.7 % and 2.5 % in household and commercial sectors, respectively. The energy problem is the biggest single economic drag on Pakistan, the Pakistan BIM Council (PBC) is attempting to implement BIM adoption in the construction industry. Using Autodesk Insight 360 and Green Building Studio, an energy analysis and optimization case study of A-Block COMSATS Abbottabad, Pakistan is chosen. This study explores the energy performance of an academic building as a case study in order to optimize energy use by rotating the building 360 degrees at 45-degree intervals and utilizing BIM to install energy-efficient construction materials. Existing academic buildings have lower energy use and annual cost savings. The annual energy and financial savings are 585.10 kWh and 550 $, respectively. Applying factors to energy analysis can result in improved conceptual design with good environmental effectiveness, thus assisting in the pursuit of environmental sustainability.

The growing need for electricity has put Pakistan's burgeoning economy in peril. The notion of “Construction 4.0″ is considered in this study since it enables the greatest utilization of energy and architectural analysis. A case study and a method for building information modelling are used to analyze the concepts of green building. The case study building is represented as a parametric model using the Autodesk Revit platform with the original blueprints and data. Using Autodesk Insight 360, an energy analysis and comparison of optimization case study of the A-Block and Z-Block COMSATS Abbottabad, Pakistan is chosen. This study analyses an academic building's energy performance as a case study to reduce energy usage. By turning the building 360 degrees at 45-degree intervals and utilizing BIM to install energy-efficient construction materials, this study analyses the energy efficiency of an academic building. The average annual energy cost for blocks A and Z is decreased from 228 kWh/m2 to 160 kWh/m2 and 192 kWh/m2, respectively.

Abstract Terpenoids from natural plant sources are valuable for their diverse biological activities that have important roles in the medical and agrochemical industries. In this study, we assessed the antioxidant, antifungal, and aphicidal activities of a mixture of spinasterol and 22,23-dihydrospinasterol from the leaves of Citrullus colocynthis. We used 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) to assess antioxidant activity, and we measured antifungal activity using mycelium growth inhibition assays with three pathogenic fungi, Magnaporthe grisea, Rhizoctonia solani, and Phytophthora infestans. Aphicidal activity against adults of Myzus persicae was determined using in vitro and in vivo assays. Spinasterol and 22,23-dihydrospinasterol exhibited moderate antioxidant activity, even at lower concentrations: 19.98% at 0.78 µg mL−1, 31.52% at 3.0 µg mL−1, 36.61% at 12.5 µg mL−1, and 49.76% at 50 µg mL−1. Spinasterol and 22,23-dihydrospinasterol showed reasonable levels of fungicidal activity toward R. solani and M. grisea, with EC50 values of 129.5 and 206.1 µg mL−1 , respectively. The positive controls boscalid and carbendazim were highly effective against all fungi except boscalid for M. grisea (EC50 = 868 µg mL−1) and carbendazim for P. infestans (EC50 = 8721 µg mL−1). Significant insecticidal activity was observed in both residual and greenhouse assays, with LC50 values of 42.46, 54.86, and 180.9 µg mL−1 and 32.71, 42.46, and 173.8 µg mL−1 at 72, 48, and 24 h, respectively. The antioxidant activity of spinasterol and 22,23-dihydrospinasterol was strongly positively correlated with their antifungal and insecticidal activity. Spinasterol and 22,23-dihydrospinasterol therefore show good antioxidant and aphicidal activity with moderate fungicidal activity, making them suitable candidates for an alternative to synthetic agents.

The social Internet of things (SIoT) is one of the emerging paradigms that can address the practical problems (e.g., massive object-to-object interconnection, service discovery, and scalability) of traditional IoT by exploiting object relationships and local navigability. This paradigm has an ability to integrate social networking aspects with the traditional IoT to build smart objects and services that have higher utility than traditional IoT-based systems. Recently, SIoT has attracted the attention of researchers, resulting in many studies related to technology and services provisioning mechanisms. In line with this trend, we provide a systematic survey of the most recent studies pertaining to six key aspects areas of SIoT. We classified these areas into service composition and discovery, network navigability, architecture and components, platform and tools, relationship and trust management, and presented a thorough review of studies in each area. Furthermore, we discuss network navigability and SIoT datasets categories in detail that are emerging research areas in the context of SIoT but remain unexplored in the previous studies. The holistic overview of SIoT integration with the other emerging technologies such as IoT, big data, cloud computing, and social network have also been demonstrated. Finally, we identify various research gaps and directions that enable researchers to conveniently grasp the research dynamics in SIoT. In this article, we intend to provide comprehensive knowledge about the subject matter (i.e., SIoT) from multiple perspectives.

Insects are potential alternative protein sources to replace fish meal (FM) in aqua feed. The role of insect species as replacements in the aqua industry has been a hot debate in the current era. The present study evaluated the influence of FM replacement with insect-based meals (black soldier fly (BSF) and maggot fly) in the feed of Nile tilapia. Eight diets with graded replacement levels of FM were formulated along with basal diet as T0 (control group having basal diet), T1 (25% maggot meal (MM) with 2% probiotics), T2 (50% MM + 2% probiotics), T3 (75% MM + 2% probiotics), T4 (100% MM + 2% probiotics), T5 (25% BSF meal (BSFM) + 2% probiotics), T6 (50% BSFM + 2% probiotics), T7 (75% BSFM + 2% probiotics), and T8 (100% BSFM + 2% probiotics). Fish having an initial body weight of 7 g were fed on formulated feed for 16 weeks. Growth parameters, including weight, length, feed conversion ratio, specific growth rate, and survival rate, were observed weekly, and significant (p

Firms in emerging economies continue to suffer as a consequence of tax evasion, high cost of financing, political interference, weak governance systems, and bureaucratic institutions. In order to understand how these challenges complicate commercial activities, this study examines how tax aggressiveness, cost of debt, and political connections affect firm performance in Pakistan. Unlike previous research, we also explore if political connections moderate the association between (i) tax aggressiveness and firm performance and (ii) cost of debt and firm performance. Our robust empirical analysis reveals that tax aggressive firms have weaker performance while politically connected firms have better performance, ceteris paribus. Further, we find that tax aggressive firms having politically connected board members have better performance as compared to their non-connected counterparts. Similarly, firms with a high cost of debt and politically connected board members have better performance as compared to non-connected firms. Thus, we argue that political connections help connected firms in overcoming the adverse consequences of tax aggressiveness and the high cost of debt through their influence in procuring government projects, subsidies, and other benefits. Therefore, policymakers are advised to restrict politically connected board members from extending favors and concessions to connected firms. We also encourage shareholders to exercise their voting power and monitoring capabilities for mitigating agency problems inherent in politically connected firms.

In the current era of ubiquitous computing and mobile technology, almost all human beings use various self-monitoring applications. Mobile applications could be the best health assistant for safety and adopting a healthy lifestyle. Therefore, persuasive designing is a compulsory element for designing such apps. A popular model for persuasive design named the Persuasive System Design (PSD) model is a generalized model for whole persuasive technologies. Any type of persuasive application could be designed using this model. Designing any special type of application using the PSD model could be difficult because of its generalized behavior which fails to provide moral support for users of health applications. There is a strong need to propose a customized and improved persuasive system design model for each category to overcome the issue. This study evaluates the PSD model and finds persuasive gaps in users of the Mobile Health Monitoring application, developed by following the PSD model. Furthermore, this study finds that users misunderstand health-related problems when using such apps. A misunderstanding of this nature can have serious consequences for the user’s life in some cases.

Background: Atrial fibrillation (AF) being the most common arrhythmia encountered clinically is associated with increased mortality and morbidity. Hence, this study was conducted to find the clinical profile, etiology, and echocardiographic factors of AF for the secondary prevention of known complications.Materials and Methods: This was an observational hospital-based study done on 60 patients with AF in the Department of Medicine, St. John's Medical College Hospital, Bengaluru, India. Results: Out of 60 patients with AF, the mean age was found to be 63 years in our study. Female sex (61.67%) had more preponderance to AF than male sex (38.33%). The most common presenting complaint was breathlessness (50%), followed by asymptomatic (25%) and palpitations (21.6%). Surprisingly, a significant number of patients were asymptomatic (25%) during the episode of AF. Hypertension (58.3%) was found to be more prevalent than rheumatic heart disease (RHD) (31.6%) in our patients, the most common complications were noted as heart failure (45%) rather than cerebrovascular accident (CVA) (15%). Nonvalvular AF (68.33%) exceeded the number of patients with valvular AF (31.66%). Ten percent of our subjects had dilated left atrium and 30% of our subjects had ejection fraction of

A piece of user equipment (UE), typically, has access to multiple radio access technologies (RATS). Moreover, apart from the standard primary cellular network, the secondary cellular networks can assist the primary network in downlink UE communications. In this way, the data can reach the UE through multiple entities. This paper exploits the multiple entities’ idea by proposing a cross-layer scheme that combines data to improve the block error rate (BLER) and the throughput. For this, we define a new entity, called the super-MAC, just above the Medium Access Control (MAC) layer. More specifically, we propose data duplication (at the transmitter) and combining (at UE) at the super-MAC, where the super-MAC gets the Radio Link Layer protocol data unit (RLC-PDU) and sends multiple-copies across various interfaces to different MAC-entities. In doing so, the super-MAC attaches a unique sequence number to a group of RLC-PDUs together. At the UE, the data from different MAC entities are combined at super-MAC to clear any block error. The super-MAC operates in between the Cyclic Redundancy Check and Forward Error Correction stages of the HARQ process. The additional complexity introduced by the scheme is negligible in front of the existing operations. Moreover, the average latency improves due to the significant improvement in the Block Error rate (BLER) that the combining scheme offers over the BLER of the conventional standalone system. Also, since the errors significantly reduce, the throughput shows significant improvement. Finally, the proposed scheme is an advancement in HARQ to reduce retransmissions, and hence it is suitable for the next-generation networks like B5G or 6G to adopt the super-MAC.

Purpose – The aim of this study is to identify the challenges and barriers to e-Government set up in developing/conflict countries, related to Information Communication and Technology (ICT) and social obstacles – that are common in developing countries like Afghanistan. In today's world e-Government plays an important role of providing easy access to government services that enable citizens in general to communicate faster. This very research concentrates on the implementation of e-Government challenges in developing countries, particularly in Afghanistan. This paper is covering (1) method of study; (2) research strategy; (3) finding and policy recommendation; (4) limitation; (5) theoretical implication; (6) recommendation and conclusion. Additional data related to e-Government in Afghanistan, acquired via a quantitative survey and interviews can also help this analysis. Design/methodology/approach – This research incorporates both theoretical and empirical study; using both quantitative and qualitative method for data collection. Also, as already noted, the study reviews different literature and academic documents. The original work of the study is the collection of relevant first-hand information for empirical analysis from experts of both public and private institutions such as IT, CIO and management experts through the use of a survey tools. This was done using web-based surveying and delivery of hard and soft copies to the experts to obtain their notions about e-Government implementation obstacles. Finally, both quantitative and qualitative survey results are calculated and presented. Findings – Empirical study has established that 5 obstacles out of 15 named by respondents, stakeholder involvement, with the highest mean, (4.1145), coordination (4.0038), information sharing (3.9962), ICT literacy (3.9822) and e-Government awareness (3.8830) are considered to be the major obstacles. This opinion was also expressed by the respondents to the in-depth interview which was explained in a paper with detail. Research limitations/implications – Most research record numerous limitations, therefore, it is important to note that this study is no exception. Some of the limitations were recorded in the course of the study will be counted for the purpose of placing the finding in the right perspective. The limitations of this study were time constraints and difficult to generate enough participation in the survey. Because of that, I did a quantitative survey but could include very few members of top management. Second, the study is limited due to the lack of participation by respondents from various sectors such as citizens, university students, academia, banks, businesses and NGOs. The third limitation was lack of research materials for this study. Many difficulties were encountered with respect to find materials of previous research studies on the topic and in particularly in the context of Afghanistan. Practical implications – The studies conducted previously on e-Government and referenced herein highlighted implementation challenges in developing countries as a group. Applying this study in Afghanistan may contribute to our understanding of key challenges facing in implementing e-Government process specifically in Afghanistan. The current study contributes some significant findings to the academic field of studying e-Government implementation challenges. It adds the support and information from public and private sector's perspective regarding major challenges in e-Government implementation in Afghanistan. Social implications – As per looking to the experience of developed and developing countries, this study emphasizes the following key initiatives to be performed in parallel with the running projects by Ministry of communication and IT [18]. 1-Pilot projects, 2-Simplification of Business Processes, 3-A strong committed national leadership, 4-Involvement of Stakeholders, 6-To granting incentives for involvement of local ICT companies, 7-Exemption of basic ICT, 8-To develop a standard ICT infrastructure Originality/value – Governments around the world are under the pressure from rapid globalization, fiscal, social and technological changes to provide services that are citizen-centric, efficient, transparent, effective, one stop, any time and nonstop. Post-conflict countries are under even greater pressure to create such services because they replace the vacuum caused by the violence and will be the only services offered, rather than simply an upgrade of current government offerings that already meet citizen needs. The adoption of technology is the most efficient way to integrate the public and private sector and to provide services with accountability, transparency and efficiency, but this is not an easy task, especially for developing countries. This research looks at e-Government implementation challenges in developing countries and particularly in Afghanistan. A literature review shows many challenges common among developing countries: a lack of ICT literacy, incomplete infrastructure, a digital divide existing between the rural poor and the emerging urban middle class, an uncertainty about data privacy and data security, the absence of comprehensive ICT policies and legislation, lack of an ICT culture in government and the traditional components of the economy, questions regarding the government's ongoing financial commitment to the project, e-Government awareness, willingness of ministries to engage in information sharing, a void of ICT leadership outside the technologically oriented ministries, resistance to change, an historic lack of intergovernmental coordination and low stakeholder involvement are just some of the many challenges identified. The author belief that developing countries realize the importance of e-Government and consider the implementation of e-Government to be the critical tool for economic stability and growth as well as developing a more transparent, less corrupt government. The survey questionnaires were developed based on the challenges found in literature review. The survey questionnaire was translated into local languages (Pashto and Dari) and an English version served as control indicator by a professional local translator. At first a pilot version was sent to 10 officials from the Ministry of Communication and IT. After attesting period, the survey was circulated to 150 respondents who were experts in various fields such as CIO, Management and IT in Afghanistan. All respondents agreed that stakeholder involvement, coordination, information sharing, ICT literacy, awareness, resistance to change, ICT, finance issues, ICT policy, leadership, data privacy, legislation, ICT culture and digital divide are some of the major challenges for e-Government implementation in Afghanistan. Respondents (3.1412) on ICT security were impartial in their response on whether to include this indicator into challenges. Many projects are run by the Ministry of Communication and IT and within completion of these projects most of the challenges that identified in the analysis of the quantitative survey will be addressed, although the government is also vigorously pursuing legal and policy modifications. As per looking to the experience of developed and developing countries, this study emphasizes the following key initiatives to be performed in parallel with the running projects by Ministry of communication and IT [18]. Pilot projects should be implemented in two ministries as test beds prior to general roll out to ensure the efficient use of money needed for E-government projects. This will have two benefits from one side it will save money in terms of failing projects as argued by *19+ “E-government in developing countries fail, with 35% being classified as total failures (E-government was not implemented or was implemented but immediately abandoned), and 50% as partial failures (major goals were not attained and/or there were undesirable outcomes)”. On the other hand, in case.

Abstract: Tissue culture technique is one of the best methods to reproduce salvia plant Therefore, the aim of this research was to enhance the in-vitro callus proliferation and production of secondary metabolites of S. moorcroftiana using different combinations of auxin, cytokinin and melatonin. Initially, callus induction was optimized using indole acetic acid (IAA), 2, 4-dichlorophenoxy acetic acid (2,4-D), and naphthalene acetic acid (NAA) applied at different concentrations in combination with 1 mg L-1 of 6-benzylaminopurine (BAP). The results indicates that earliest days to callus induction (14.67 days) was occurred in the media fortified with 2, 4-D+BAP (2.0+1.0 mgL-1). Whereas the highest callus initiation (100%) was induced on MS medium incorporated with 2,4-D+BAP (1+1mgL-1). Furthermore, maximum fresh weight was obtained when 2,4- D + BAP at the rate of (1+ 1mg L-1) was incorporated and dry weight was attained when 2,4- D + BAP at the rate of (2+1 mg L-1) was added to MS media. The maximum fresh and dry weight was obtained when melatonin at rate of 1.5 mg L-1 was supplemented with MS media including 2,4-D + BAP (1+1mg L-1), moreover the maximum DPPH scavenging activity, total phenolic and flavonoid content was noted when supplemented with melatonin at rate of 1.5 mg L-1. In conclusion, among various concentrations of plant growth regulators, 2,4- D + BAP at the rate of (1+ 1mg L-1) along with 1.5 g L-1 melatonin was the best for callus growth and production of secondary metabolites of S. moorcroftiana.

Despite the rapid expansion in the insurance industry, many issues remain unresolved and may require immediate action. As the insurance sector continues to evolve with the development of new technologies, it faces more challenges, especially related to data security and fraud. The fraud-prevention data and tactics presently used by insurance firms are outdated and ineffective. Additionally, insurance firms have traditionally handled the settlement of all consumer claims through lengthy manual processes. These manual processes need to be changed to provide opportunities for insurance businesses to grow. In the case of vehicles, the information obtained from an automobile data recorder can be used as evidence. Data from automated vehicles are critical because they can help the police, law enforcement agencies, and insurance companies to reconstruct the events leading up to a collision. Insurance companies require the forensic analysis of accident videos, which is a time-consuming process and involves a large amount of storage. Due to hardware limitations and associated costs, the current standalone (and often dedicated) computing infrastructures used for this purpose are quite limited. Previous research focused on simple video analysis tasks within cloud computing and blockchain technology. The requirements for a large-scale auto-insurance system are quite high and need more thorough investigation. In this paper, a review of the contribution of recent approaches to storing accidental data in cloud computing using blockchain is provided. We focused on the latest cloud and blockchain studies related to auto-insurance along with the related issues and challenges. Some useful solutions and recommendations are provided to address the identified issues and challenges in the cloud-based and blockchain-based auto-insurance sector.

Cobalt-iron (CoFe) layered double hydroxides (LDHs) have received much interest for supercapacitors (SCs) because of their ion-insertable layer structure. However, there is still a need for more effort to increase their potential window and overall electrochemical energy storage capability as SC electrodes. In this work, we present a straightforward approach to synthesizing CoFe-LDHs on zinc oxide seeded carbon cloth (ZnO@CC) via a one-step hydrothermal reaction; the obtained electrode is denoted as CoFe-LDH@ZnO@CC. The electrochemical energy storage properties of CoFe-LDH@ZnO@CC are tested as an anode material using a three-electrode setup for SC applications in 1 M Na2SO4 electrolyte. It can operate in a wider potential window reaching up to 1.6 V, exceeding most previously reported anode materials. The CoFe-LDH@ZnO@CC displayed capacitive charge storage accounting for 76% of the total charge stored at 20 mV/s. The CoFe-LDH@ZnO@CC anode delivered a maximum capacitance of 299.8 F/g at 2 A/g, outstanding cycle stability, and retained 97.7% of the initial capacitance value for 5000 cycles at 16 A/g. This study introduces a new strategy for structurally designing electroactive materials for energy storage devices, which might be useful as an anode for SCs.

Zinc (Zn) ion supercapacitors (ZISCs) have attracted considerable attention as a viable energy storage technology because they are cost-effective, safe, and environmentally friendly. However, cathode materials with suitable properties are rare and need to be explored. In this regard, metal carbides (MXenes) are a good choice for capacitive energy storage, but they exhibit low capacitance. The energy storage performance of MXenes can be bossed using functionalization with heteroatom doping, e.g., nitrogen (N), to simultaneously modify ZISCs’ fundamental characteristics and electrochemical properties. Herein, we present an in-situ N-functionalization of Ti3C2Tx-MXene via a hydrothermal reaction with urea (denoted as N-Ti3C2Tx-MXene). N-functionalization into Ti3C2Tx-MXene raised Ti3C2Tx-MXene’s interlayer spacing and boosted the Zn-ion storage in 1 M ZnSO4 electrolyte. The N-Ti3C2Tx-MXene electrode delivered an excellent specific capacitance of 582.96 F/g at 1 A/g and retained an outstanding cycle stability of 94.62% after 5000 cycles at 10 A/g, which is 1.8 times higher than pristine Ti3C2Tx-MXene at identical conditions. Moreover, the N-Ti3C2Tx-MXene//Zn device demonstrated a maximum capacitance of 153.55 F/g at 1 A/g, retained 92% of its initial value after 5000 cycles, and its Coulombic efficiency was ~100%. This strategy considerably reduced Ti3C2Tx-MXene nanosheet restacking and aggregation and enhanced electrochemical performance. Further, this research elucidated N-Ti3C2Tx-MXene’s charge–storage process and offered a fresh approach to the rational design of novel electrode materials for ZISCs.

Phosphate is one of the major elements affecting agricultural production. The accurate determination of phosphate concentration essential for plant growth, especially in a hydroponics system, allows regulating the balanced and suitable range set of nutrients to plants efficiently. This study proposed a data fusion model based on 70 samples for calibration and 30 samples for predicting concentrations of phosphate in an eggplant nutrient solution. Three multivariate analysis methods i.e. partial least squares model (PLS), Gaussian process regression (GPR), and artificial neural network (ANN) were studied and compared for their performance efficiencies. The results showed that combining the multivariate standard addition method (MSAM) in acquiring data from cobalt electrodes and ANN data fusion model came up with satisfactory outcomes. Both the method provided good performance with R2 values of 0.98 and 0.96, and the root mean square error (RMSE) of 50 and 66 mg. L-1 respectively in calibration and evaluation tests. These values were much higher than those of conventional processing techniques. Moreover, the normal direct calibration method in acquisition signal from cobalt electrodes was also applied, which provided R2 values of 0.7 to 0.8. These high values are sufficient for development to measure phosphate concentration in hydroponic solutions.

The Internet of Things (IoT) devices generate a large amount of data over networks; therefore, the efficiency, complexity, interfaces, dynamics, robustness, and interaction need to be re-examined on a large scale. This phenomenon will lead to seamless network connectivity and the capability to provide support for the IoT. The traditional IoT is not enough to provide support. Therefore, we designed this study to provide a systematic analysis of next-generation advancements in the IoT. We propose a systematic catalog that covers the most recent advances in the traditional IoT. An overview of the IoT from the perspectives of big data, data science, and network science disciplines and also connecting technologies is given. We highlight the conceptual view of the IoT, key concepts, growth, and most recent trends. We discuss and highlight the importance and the integration of big data, data science, and network science along with key applications such as artificial intelligence, machine learning, blockchain, federated learning, etc. Finally, we discuss various challenges and issues of IoT such as architecture, integration, data provenance, and important applications such as cloud and edge computing, etc. This article will provide aid to the readers and other researchers in an understanding of the IoT’s next-generation developments and tell how they apply to the real world.

The interaction between cathode and anode materials is critical for developing a high-performance asymmetric supercapacitor (SC). Significant advances have been made for cathode materials, while the anode is comparatively less explored for SC applications. Herein, we proposed a high-performance binder-free anode material composed of two-dimensional ZnFe2O4 nanoflakes supported on carbon cloth (ZFO-NF@CC). The electrochemical performance of ZFO-NF@CC as an anode material for supercapacitor application was examined in a KOH solution via a three-electrode configuration. The ZFO-NF@CC electrode demonstrated a specific capacitance of 509 F g−1 at 1.5 A g−1 and was retained 94.2% after 10,000 GCD cycles. The ZFO-NF@CC electrode showed exceptional charge storage properties by attaining high pseudocapacitive-type storage. Furthermore, an asymmetric SC device was fabricated using ZFO-NF@CC as an anode and activated carbon on CC (AC@CC) as a cathode with a KOH-based aqueous electrolyte (ZFO-NF@CC||AC@CC). The ZFO-NF@CC||AC@CC yielded a high specific capacitance of 122.2 F g−1 at a current density of 2 A g−1, a high energy density of 55.044 Wh kg−1 at a power density of 1801.44 W kg−1, with a remarkable retention rate of 96.5% even after 4000 cycles was attained. Thus, our results showed that the enhanced electrochemical performance of ZFO-NF@CC used as an anode in high-performance SC applications can open new research directions for replacing carbon-based anode materials.

In this paper, a secure energy trading mechanism based on blockchain technology is proposed. The proposed model deals with energy trading problems such as insecure energy trading and inefficient charging mechanisms for electric vehicles (EVs) in a vehicular energy network (VEN). EVs face two major problems: finding an optimal charging station and calculating the exact amount of energy required to reach the selected charging station. Moreover, in traditional trading approaches, centralized parties are involved in energy trading, which leads to various issues such as increased computational cost, increased computational delay, data tempering and a single point of failure. Furthermore, EVs face various energy challenges, such as imbalanced load supply and fluctuations in voltage level. Therefore, a demand-response (DR) pricing strategy enables EV users to flatten load curves and efficiently adjust electricity usage. In this work, communication between EVs and aggregators is efficiently performed through blockchain. Moreover, a branching concept is involved in the proposed system, which divides EV data into two different branches: a Fraud Chain (F-chain) and an Integrity Chain (I-chain). The proposed branching mechanism helps solve the storage problem and reduces computational time. Moreover, an attacker model is designed to check the robustness of the proposed system against double-spending and replay attacks. Security analysis of the proposed smart contract is also given in this paper. Simulation results show that the proposed work efficiently reduces the charging cost and time in a VEN.