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SUMMARY: The significant surge in poultry production observed in recent years has compelled scientists to devise strategies for more secure and cost-effective output. However, due to complete or gradual restrictions on the use of antimicrobial growth promoters (AGPs), enteric diseases that were formerly contained with success have now resurfaced, posing difficulties for the global poultry industry. Necrotic enteritis (NE) is a highly significant enteric bacterial disease that causes significant economic losses ($2–6 billion annually) to the poultry industry worldwide. The disease is caused by an anaerobic spore-forming bacterium, Clostridium perfringens type A, C and G strains. Several factors predispose the disease, including coccidiosis, poor management and biosecurity. Necrotic enteritis is distributed worldwide in both clinical and subclinical forms. The clinical form causes ruffled feathers, diarrhoea, weight loss, pseudomembrane formation, Turkish towel-like appearance of the intestinal mucosa, foul-smelling gases, and high mortality. The subclinical form has less noticeable symptoms, such as poor nutrient digestion and absorption, poor FCR and cholangiohepatitis. Poultry researchers are continuously seeking for novel and viable antibiotic alternatives to prevent and control this important disease. Several non-antibiotic alternatives, including prebiotics, probiotics, synbiotics, postbiotics, organic acids, enzymes, phytogenic substances, bacteriophages, egg yolk antibodies, and vaccines have been utilised, with varying degrees of success and limitations. Choosing the most optimal alternative method to combat NE is challenging due to the variable influence on disease control and potential effects on cost-efficiency. However, an integrated approach that takes into account the utilisation of suitable alternatives to antibiotics, the composition of the diet and effective husbandry practices may yield highly promising outcomes. The current review provides comprehensive details of the concept, effects and mechanisms associated with the application of different non-antibiotic alternatives that have been employed for the management of NE in broilers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Paper-based microfluidics offers a simple, cost-effective, and versatile platform for fluid manipulation and analysis. Despite significant advancements in paper fluidics, the flow control in paper channel remains a challenging task. In this regard, we have developed a flow delay channel in paper using rectangular tape patterns on the paper surface. We have investigated the effect of hydrophobic tape barriers with varying widths. The designing and cutting of the hydrophobic tape and paper channel was performed by CO2 laser machine using CorelDraw software. Once cut, the tape barriers were attached to the paper surface and then passed through the roller press machine for proper adhesion of tape pattern onto the paper’s surface. From experiments, we observed that by increasing the width of tape, the delay also increased. The hydrophobic tape on the paper surface caused resistance to the flowing fluid. Due to this surface resistance, flow velocity reduced, and the time delay increased. We believe that our novel approach will provide an alternative method of flow control for paper-based microfluidic devices and can be utilized in various food quality sensors and lateral flow devices.

This paper discusses the potential of paper-based microfluidic devices for affordable diagnostics, and the importance of flow control. We have explored the variation of the width of paper, effect of 2D flow, and altering the surface wettability of paper to increase the resistance to fluid flow by physicochemical barriers. We used Whatman filter paper No. 40 and No. 1, mustard oil, and oleic acid, to examine the fluid flow due to capillary forces. Moreover, the effect of increase in thickness of the storage reservoir to decrease flow rate in the paper was also investigated. The experiments provide valuable insights into the behavior of fluid flow in porous media, and the findings have important applications in biomedical diagnostics and environmental monitoring.

In this work, we have employed the first-principles calculations to investigate the phase stability and mechanical and optoelectronic characteristics of Hf2AX (A=Al, Si and X=C, N) MAX phases. Phase stabilities of Hf2AX compounds have been evaluated by the formation enthalpy computations and phonon dispersion curves, which indicate that all studied compounds are structurally and dynamically stable. The mechanical stability has been determined by elastic stiffness constants, which confirms that the studiedMAX phases aremechanically stable. The computed results for Pugh's and Poisson ratios indicate the brittle nature of Hf2AX MAX phases. It is interesting to note that Si-based MAX phases possess high values of B/G, indicating that they are harder than Al-based compounds. The obtained band structures and partial density of states indicate the metallic character of all Hf2AX compounds. The strong hybridization of d-orbitals of Hf with p-orbitals of N and the comparatively weaker hybridization of p-orbitals (Hf) with Al/Si p-orbitals is observed. The presence of pseudogaps near the Fermi energy level emerges due to the orbital hybridization involving Hf, Al/Si, and C/N atoms. The analysis of charge density difference maps reveals the presence of a strong covalent bond between the Hf and C/N atoms, whereas a relatively weaker covalent bond is seen between the Hf and Al/Si atoms. Furthermore, numerous optical characteristics have been investigated to account for the behavior of the Hf2AX compounds to those of impinging electromagnetic rays. The highest absorptivity is noticed within the energy range of 7.5-12.5 eV. The optical spectra in the range of 1.7 eV (IR) to 9 eV ultraviolet (UV) have been observed for the investigated MAX phases, predicting their suitability as proficient energy absorbers within the UV region. The Intriguing properties of Hf2AX compounds are anticipated to be appropriate materials for a variety of applications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Hydrogen storage is a crucial step in commercializing hydrogen‐based energy production. Solid‐state hydrogen storage has gained much attention from researchers and needs extensive research. In the present study, we investigate the structural, mechanical, and optoelectronic properties of lithium‐based LiAH3 (A=Mn, Fe, Co) metal hydrides to elucidate their potential for solid‐state hydrogen storage. First, we evaluate the structure stability of LiAH3 hydrides using formation enthalpies calculations. Then, the mechanical stability is determined by elastic stiffness constants, which reveal that LiAH3 hydrides are stable mechanically as they meet the Born stability requirements. Electronic band structure calculations manifest that all LiAH3 hydrides possess a metallic character. Several optical properties have been discussed in detail. The gravimetric hydrogen storage capacities of LiMnH3, LiFeH3 and LiCoH3 hydrides are 4.65, 4.60 and 4.39 wt%, respectively, achieving the target of US‐DOE for rechargeable equipment. Additionally, we have determined the volumetric hydrogen storage capacities (Cv) for all LiAH3 hydrides. It is worth mentioning that the highest Cv values have been obtained to be 180.80, 188.18 and 177.25gH2l−1 for LiMnH3, LiFeH3 and LiCoH3 hydrides, respectively, which have achieved the US‐DOE target set for 2025. Our investigation predicts the applicability of lithium‐based hydrides as promising solid‐state hydrogen storage materials. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Digital microfluidics allows for controlled droplet movement by applying AC or DC voltages. In this research, we investigated the dynamic contact angle variation of droplets at different voltages and droplet volumes in a digital microfluidics platform. Volumes of 10 µL, 14 µL, and 18 µL were investigated with voltages ranging from 250 V to 400 V. The goal was to investigate how variations in voltage and droplet volume affected the contact angle, specifically by tracking variations in the advancing and receding contact angles. The findings showed that as voltage rises, the contact angle decreases more noticeably in terms of both advancing and receding angles. This shows that higher voltages boost the electrowetting effect and lead to better droplet dispersal and substrate wetting. Furthermore, it was found that across the studied voltage range, the effect of volume on the contact angle was largely consistent. The relation between voltage, volume, and contact angle in electrowetting is better understood from our analysis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In digital microfluidics, discrete liquid droplets move on a dielectric surface with the help of AC or DC voltage. Digital microfluidics system has extended the scope of microfluidics by providing automated, precise flow control for point-of-care devices capable of medical diagnostics, environmental, and chemical sensing platforms. In this paper, we introduce a digital microfluidics platform based on electrowetting on a dielectric using PCB substrate designed on Easy EDA software. The platform's performance was analyzed at various DC voltages between 200 V and 400 V for droplet actuation. PCB fabrication, the utilization of easily accessible and cheap materials such as cooking oil and grafting tape as a dielectric layer, allowed the fabrication to be affordable and simple. The results indicate that droplet actuation takes place at 220 V. The droplet velocity obtained was 2.6 mm/s and 1.51 mm/s using silicon oil and cooking oil, respectively, at 400 V. Our proposed digital microfluidics platform will play a vital role in droplet actuation and can be used for diagnostic applications such as DNA analysis and cell culture due to its simple fabrication and cost-effective technique. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Paper-based microfluidics provides a versatile platform for numerous applications, including diagnostics at the point of care, environmental detection, and food quality control. Utilizing paper as a substrate offers numerous benefits, including flexibility, biodegradability, low cost, and capillary-driven flow. Despite significant advancements in paper-based microfluidic devices, regulating fluid flow effectively within the paper channel remains a persistent challenge. In order to resolve this problem, our research proposes a method for manipulating fluid flow in the paper channel by altering the surface contact between the storage medium and the paper channel. According to the results, increasing the contact area between the reservoir and the paper surface decreases the flow velocity and increases the fluidic time delay. This is due to the increased diffusion area between the storage medium and the paper channel, which creates resistance to liquid flow. Therefore, the liquid takes longer to travel through the paper channel, resulting in a decrease in velocity relative to contact areas of 50% or 70%. We are confident that this method of flow control can enable lateral flow sensing devices with enhanced flow variation options for use in medical, environmental, or food quality applications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]