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This research investigates the synthesis and application of Losod-zeolite (LOS-Z), a crystalline hydrated sodium aluminosilicate (Na12Al12Si12O48.xH2O) as a potential photocatalyst for dye degradation and H2 production from dye-degraded water. The photocatalytic properties are enhanced by impregnating molybdenum (Mo) into LOS-Z (Mo@LOS-Z). XRD, FTIR, SEM, EDX, and elemental mapping were used to study the physicochemical properties of synthesized materials while UV–vis and PL were employed to explore the optoelectronic properties. The photocatalytic activities for dye degradation and H2 production were evaluated using methylene blue (MB) under visible light irradiation. An enhancement in the efficiency of dye degradation (56%–82%) and H2 production rate was demonstrated due to the competitive photocatalytic performance of 10% Mo@LOS-Z compared to the pristine LOS-Z and CFA-BFA blend. It exhibited 2.5 times higher (∼1200 μmol g−1h−1) H2 production than the LOS-Z (∼480 μmol g−1h−1) due to the synergistic effects of narrowed band gap and recombination rate. This study could pave the way forward into the synthesis of waste-derived photocatalysts for efficient dye degradation and H2 production.

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is associated with comorbidities like dyslipidemia and liver damage. Acorus calamus L. is commonly used to treat inflammatory and hepatorenal ailments. Herein, we assessed the hypolipidemic and hepatoprotective activities of A. calamus rhizome extracts in adjuvant-induced arthritis (AIA) in rats. A. calamus rhizome’s methanol (AME) and n-hexane (AHE) extracts were prepared. In vivo, fifty-four female Wistar rats were allocated into nine groups (n = 6). The AIA was induced by injecting Complete Freund’s adjuvant (100 µL, s.c.) into the rat’s right hind paw. After AIA induction, animals were orally treated with meloxicam (MEL; 3 mg/kg) and graded doses (125, 250, and 500 mg/kg) of AME and AHE for 28 consecutive days. Results showed that both plant extracts dose-dependently restored the body weight and liver index of arthritic rats. Each plant extract significantly (p

Objective(s): This study focused on the evaluation of antioxidant and antidiabetic activities of polyherbal extract (PHE), containing Cassia absus (L.), Gymnema sylvestre (R. Br.), Nigella sativa (L.), and Piper nigrum (L.), in alloxan-induced diabetes model.Materials and Methods: In vitro, HPLC characterization, DPPH scavenging assay, and α-amylase inhibition test were conducted. In vivo, acute oral toxicity of PHE was assessed. Alloxan-induced diabetic Wistar rats (n=6) were orally treated with PHE (200, 400, and 600 mg/kg/day) and glibenclamide (GLB; 10 mg/kg/day) for six consecutive weeks. Then, biochemical biomarkers, oxidative stress parameters, histopathological examination, and mRNA expression levels (RT-qPCR) were determined.Results: The presence of polyphenols in PHE was confirmed in correlation to marked DPPH scavenging (IC50: 1.60 mg/ml) and α-amylase inhibition (IC50: 0.82 mg/ml). PHE demonstrated no toxicity in rats up to a dose of 2000 mg/kg. In diabetic rats, PHE dose-dependently ameliorated the serum levels of glucose, insulin, glycated hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c), leptin, and glucokinase (GCK). Also, PHE substantially alleviated serum inflammatory markers (TNF-α and CRP) and oxidative stress indicators (MDA, SOD, and CAT) in pancreatic tissues. PHE, particularly at 600 mg/kg, attenuated cellular oxidative stress via modulating the mRNA expression levels of genes regulating MAPK/JNK (Mapk-8, Traf-4, and Traf-6) and Nrf-2/Keap-1 pathways and promoted insulin signaling through up-regulating insulin signaling cascade (Pdx-1, Ins-1, and Ins-2), as compared to GLB. Furthermore, histopathological findings supported the aforementioned results.Conclusion: Our study suggests that polyherbal extract has promising antioxidant and antidiabetic activities by modulating the MAPK/JNK, Nrf-2/Keap-1, and insulin signaling pathways.

The advancement in electrocatalysis, particularly in the development of efficient catalysts for hydrogen and oxygen evolution reactions (HER and OER), is crucial for sustainable energy generation through processes like overall water splitting. A notable bifunctional electrocatalyst, CoFe2O4/Co7Fe3, has been engineered to facilitate both OER and HER concurrently, aiming to reduce overpotentials. In the pursuit of further enhancing catalytic efficiency, a morphological transformation has been achieved by introducing a sulphur source and multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) into the catalyst system, resulting in S–CoFe2O4/Co7Fe3/MWCNTs. This modification has significantly improved the activity for both OER and HER. An onset overpotential of 250 mV@10 mAcm−2 for the OER and 270 mV@50 mAcm−2 for the HER, indicating efficient catalytic activity at relatively low overpotentials. S–CoFe2O4/Co7Fe3/MWCNTs display an outstanding long-term stability in alkaline electrolytes, with minimal Tafel slopes of 77 mV/dec for the OER and 70 mV/dec for the HER, suggesting sustained catalytic performance over extended periods. Furthermore, when employed as both the cathode and anode in the context of complete water splitting, S–CoFe2O4/Co7Fe3/MWCNTs demonstrate an impressive cell voltage of 1.52 V at a current density of 10 mA cm−2 in a 1 M KOH solution, showcasing its viability for practical applications. Given its cost-effectiveness and superior activity, S–CoFe2O4/Co7Fe3/MWCNTs hold significant promise for widespread applications in overall water splitting electrocatalysis, contributing to the advancement of cleaner and sustainable fuel generation technologies.

Effects of polyherbal mixture on hepatorenal injury and dyslipidaemia in alloxan-induced diabetic rats were evaluated. Alloxan monohydrate (120 mg/kg, i.p.) was injected into Wistar rats to induce diabetes. Animals were allotted to six groups (n = 6) and treatments were administered for consecutive six weeks as normal and diabetic controls, glibenclamide and polyherbal mixture (200, 400 and 600 mg/kg), respectively. Ameliorative effects of the polyherbal mixture were investigated by assessing FBG levels, changes in body and organ (liver and kidney) weights, biochemical parameters, oxidative stress along with inflammatory parameters in addition to histopathological examination of the liver and kidney. The results showed that alloxan-injected rats had significant (P

Abstract Copyrolysis, being an active area of research due to its synergistic impact in utilizing diverse fuel resources, including waste materials, like, peach stone (PS), has been the focal point for this study. PS, produced in vast quantities annually and typically intended for landscaping or insulation purposes, is being studied in combination with low‐grade bituminous coal for energy utilization focusing on thermokinetics and synergistic aspects. Coal‐peach stone (C‐PS) blends were formulated at different ratios and subjected to comprehensive characterization techniques, including ultimate analysis (CHN‐S), gross calorific value (GCV), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, and thermogravimetric analyzer (TGA). The ultimate analysis revealed an enhancement in carbon and hydrogen content from 45.38% to 68.08% and from 3.89% to 6.96%, respectively. Additionally, a reduction in sulfur and nitrogen content from 0.54% to 0.11% and from 1.16% to 0.42%, respectively, was observed with an increase in the ratio of PS in the C‐PS blends. The GCV of C‐PS blends ranged from 20.75 to 26.01 MJ kg−1. The pyrolysis conditions simulated in TGA are pivotal for evaluating thermokinetics and synergistic effects. The 60C:40PS blend shows a positive synergy index (SI) value of 0.0203% concerning total mass loss (MLT) indicating a favorable condition for bio‐oil generation. Coats–Redfern model‐fitting method reveals that the activation energy (Ea) of C‐PS blends increases in Section II with the addition of PS, and conversely, it decreases in Section III. The Ea for 100PS and 100C was 106.76 and 45.85 kJ mol−1 through (D3) and (F1), respectively, which was improved through the optimal blend 60C:40PS with an Ea of 94.56 and 27.58 kJ mol−1 through (D3) and (F2), respectively. The values obtained from linear regression prove that the kinetic models are effective while the thermodynamic analysis indicates that the pyrolytic behavior of C‐PS blends is characterized as endothermic, nonspontaneous, and capable of achieving thermodynamic equilibrium more rapidly.

Abstract Herein, we report the synthesis of interconnected hierarchical pore biochar (HTB) via an ice-templating strategy using bio-waste (tofukasu). The abundance of N- and O-containing functional groups in tofukasu makes it easy to form hydrogen bonds with water molecules and water clusters, resulting in nano-micro structures like ice clusters and snow crystals during freezing process. More importantly, tofukasu will be squeezed by micron-scale snow crystals to form coiled sheet-like structures, and its surface and interior will be affected by needle-like ice nanocrystals from several nanometers to tens of nanometers to form transverse groove needles and mesopores. The ice crystals are then removed by sublimation with tofukasu, leaving the interconnected pore structure intact. Therefore, the ice template synthesis strategy endowed the interconnected hierarchical pore structure of HTB with a large specific surface area (SBET, 733 m2⋅g−1) and hierarchical porosity (30.30% for mesopores/total pore volume ratio), which is significantly higher than the normal dry treated tofukasu biochar (TB), which had a SBET of 436 m2⋅g−1 and contained 1.53% mesopores. In addition, the sheet-like structure with interconnected pores of HTB favors high exposure of active sites (N- and O-containing functional groups), and a fast electron transport rate. As a result, HTB had an excellent adsorption capacity of 159.65 mg⋅g−1, which is 4.7 times that of typical block biochar of TB (33.89 mg⋅g−1) according to Langmuir model. Electrochemical characterization, FTIR and XPS analysis showed that the mechanism of Cr(VI) removal by HTB included electrostatic attraction, pore filling, reduction and surface complexation. Graphical Abstract

Abstract Liver’s contribution to innate immunity is eminent. However, uncontrolled inflammatory conditions predispose the liver to immune-mediated injury. Nigella sativa L. is traditionally implicated in infectious, inflammatory, metabolic and hepatorenal complications. This study aimed to evaluate the protective role of N. sativa seed extract (NSE) against concanavalin A (ConA)-induced acute immunological liver injury in mice. In vitro, NSE was subjected to quantitative phytochemical characterization and 1,1-diphenyl-2-picryhydrazyl (DPPH) analysis. In vivo, male Balb/c mice were pretreated with NSE (100, 200 and 400 mg/kg/day, p.o.) and pioglitazone (5 mg/kg/day, p.o.) for seven consecutive days. A single dose of ConA (12 mg/kg, i.v.) was injected and samples were collected for biochemical, histopathological and qRT-PCR analyses after 8 h of ConA injection. In vitro analysis showed considerable quantities of polyphenols and significant DPPH scavenging ability of NSE. In mice, ConA resulted in a significant (p

Flexible capacitive energy storage applications require polymer nanocomposites with high dielectric properties, which can be accomplished by addition of inorganic nanofillers to the polymer matrix. Low-density polyethylene (LDPE), known for its good dielectric characteristics and wide use in electrical insulation have been investigated for the desired applications. However, the improvement of its breakdown strength still continues with the use of various nanomaterials employed as nanofillers. In this study, a waste-derived material known as biomass fly ash (BFA) as a nanofiller to improve the dielectric properties of LDPE has been explored. BFA exhibits versatility in its composition with various metal oxides, making it an attractive choice as a nanofiller. The BFA-LDPE sheets were prepared using a conventional solvent mixing and subsequent hot-pressing process, incorporating BFA loadings ranging from 1 % to 4 wt%. The effects of different BFA loadings were carefully examined, and the synthesized nanocomposites were extensively characterized using various characterization methods, such as XRD, SEM, FTIR, TGA and dielectric constant measurements, to investigate the crystallographic properties, morphology, chemical composition, and thermal stability. Among all the nanocomposites, 4 wt%BFA-LDPE exhibited the highest dielectric constant, with a value of 11.58, compared to simple LDPE that had a dielectric constant of 8.33. This improvement is ascribed to the synergistic effects of different inorganic metal oxides (SiO2, MgO, and Fe2O3) present in BFA. The results showed a significant enhancement in dielectric properties, indicating that the waste-derived BFA can be purposefully applied as an effective nanofiller in the LDPE-based composites with even less than 4% loading for electrical insulating applications in future studies.

In the last decade, permanent magnet (PM)-free or hybrid PM machines have been extensively researched to find an alternative for high cost rare-earth PM machines. Brushless wound rotor synchronous machines (BL-WRSMs) are one of the alternatives to these PM machines. BL-WRSMs have a lower torque density compared to PM machines. In this paper, a new topology is introduced to improve the torque producing capability of the existing BL-WRSM by utilizing the vacant spaces in the rotor slots. The new topology has two harmonic windings placed on the rotor which induce separate currents. A capacitor is used between the two harmonic windings to bring the currents in phase with each other. The harmonic winding currents are fed to the rectifier which is also placed on the rotor. Due to additional harmonic winding, the overall field current fed to the rotor field winding has been increased and hence the average torque has also increased. Finite element analysis (FEA)-based simulations are performed using ANSYS Maxwell to validate the proposed topology. The results show that the average torque of the machine has been significantly increased compared to the reference model. The detailed comparison results are provided in this paper.

Stingless bee (Hymenoptera, Apidae, and Trigona) honey is a remarkable “miracle liquid” with a wide range of medical benefits for conditions including gastroenteritis, cataracts, and wound healing. Our study aimed to isolate, identify, and characterize acid-resistant Lactobacillus spp. from sour honey distributed in Yunnan, China. To assess the safety of an entirely novel Lactobacillus pentosus strain, S4 (OM618128), based on probiotic property evaluation and whole-genome sequencing analysis. A 16S rRNA gene high-throughput sequencing analysis showed that Lactobacillus was abundant at the genus level in sour honey. Seven Lactobacillus strains (viz. S1–7) were isolated from sour honey using a multiple-anaerobic culture enrichment method. One potential acid-resistant isolate, Lactobacillus sp. S4, was obtained after screening the seven Lactobacillus isolates, and it had the highest lactic acid production (17.62 g/L), followed by Lactobacillus sp. S3 (17.07 g/L). Phylogenetic and comparative analyses of conserved sequence regions have shown that all seven strains are phylogenetically located in the Lactobacillus pentosus sub-cluster. In L. pentosus SYBC-MI, there is a circular chromosome (3288615 bps) and 11,466 bps plasmids. GC content is 44.03%. The number of predicted genes is 3,129, with 16 rRNAs and 74 tRNAs present. During the fermentation of foxtail millet by seven Lactobacillus pentosus (S1–7) strains isolated from sour honey, a potential tryptophan accumulating isolate, Lactobacillus pentosus S4, was obtained, which could reach a maximum tryptophan content of 238.43 mgL-1 that is 1.80 times the initial tryptophan content in the fermentation broth. This strain has strong acid tolerance, salt tolerance, and fermentation acid production abilities. This strain degrades nitrite at a rate of over 99%, and it has high probiotic potential as well. This project has established a solid foundation for further exploring the excellent lactic acid bacteria in sour honey. It is also investigating the key taxa and their role in the environment. According to the results of our studies, these LAB isolates provide a lot of potential for use in the future, as a source of probiotics for human, animals, and starter cultures for food applications.

In this era, renewable energy technologies are suitable to meet the challenges of fossil fuel depletion and global warming. Thus, hydrogen is gaining attention as an alternative clean energy carrier that can be produced from various methods, one of them is the iodine-sulfur (I–S) cycle which is a thermochemical process. The I–S cycle requires a material that can withstand an extremely corrosive environment at high temperatures. Immersion tests were conducted on bare superalloy Hastelloy X (HX), MoSi2, and SiC–MoSi2 coated HX, deposited in physical vapor deposition (PVD) to evaluate their corrosion resistance. Bare HX exhibited a high corrosion rate of 208.1 mm yr−1 when exposed to 98 wt% sulfuric acid at 300 °C. In contrast, HX with MoSi2 coating showed a much lower corrosion rate of 23.5 mm yr−1, and HX with SiC–MoSi2 coating demonstrated the lowest corrosion rate at 6.5 mm yr−1 under the same conditions. The coated samples were analyzed via FESEM before and after corrosion testing. The FESEM images reveal the formation of coalescent particles on the surface of the coating. The elemental analysis illustrates an increased concentration of silicon and oxygen in the corroded samples. Elemental mapping of these samples show a uniform distribution of elements over the sample. These findings contribute not only to materials science understanding but also to practical applications in hydrogen production via the I–S cycle, where corrosion-resistant materials are critical.

Permanent magnet (PM) machines have broad applicability and a rapid output rise due to their good power factor, high efficiency, and power density. However, with the recent high cost, unavailability, and demagnetization issues of PMs, the wound rotor synchronous machine (WRSM) is a better substitute for permanent magnet machines for various applications in terms of price value and controllability. While the WRSM contains issues such as regular maintenance and replacement of brushes and slip rings, this paper introduces a brushless WRSM (BL-WRSM)with concentrated winding having 36 slots and 48 poles, which generates fundamental component and a dominant sub-harmonic component of magneto motive force (MMF). To achieve the brushless operation, the rotor has an additional winding called excitation winding that is connected with the main field winding via a rectifier. This additional winding is used to induce the electromotive force (EMF) by the sub-harmonic MMF component of the stator. The EMF is converted to DC by the rectifier and fed to the main field winding. This BL-WRSM has been developed for dual-speed applications such as washing machines. The machine has been tested for 46 rpm and 1370 rpm. The low-speed mode is for washing and the high-speed mode is for drying clothes. To validate the performance and feasibility, an outer rotor BL-WRSM is designed. The performance was compared with the conventional WRSM (C-WRSM). 2-D finite element analysis (FEA) simulation was conducted using ANSYS Electromagnetic.

Assessment and rehabilitation of the upper limb after stroke have focused primarily on the contralesional arm. However, increasing evidence highlights functional sensorimotor alterations also in the ipsilesional arm. This study aims to evaluate the position sense of both arms after stroke using a passive position matching task. We hypothesized that the ipsilesional arm would have higher accuracy and precision than the contralesional arm but lower than the dominant arm in unimpaired participants. Additionally, we hypothesized a correlation in performance between the two arms in stroke survivors. The study included 40 stroke survivors who performed the proprioceptive test with both arms and 24 unimpaired participants who performed it with their dominant arm. During each trial, a planar robot moved their hand to a target and back. In the Participants had to indicate when their hand reached the target position in the second phase. We evaluated performance by computing the matching accuracy and precision. We found that the ipsilesional arm had similar matching accuracy but higher precision than the contralesional arm. Furthermore, only the matching accuracy of the two arms was correlated in the left and central regions of the workspace. When comparing stroke survivors to unimpaired participants, the ipsilesional arm exhibited significantly lower accuracy, yet not different precision. These findings support the notion that the ipsilesional arm is not ‘unaffected’ by stroke but rather ‘less-affected’, suggesting that stroke does not impact ipsilesional position sense precision. Additionally, the results suggest a dissociation between accuracy and precision in passive multi-joint position matching tasks.

Context: Osteoporosis remains a significant public health problem in many parts of the world, including India. The efficacy of oral bisphosphonates is lower because of poor compliance. Annual treatment with zoledronic acid has been reported to improve outcomes. Objective: To study the benefits and side effects of zoledronic acid in patients with osteoporosis. Methods: This is a blinded randomized clinical trial conducted at a government hospital. Patients aged 50–89 years with bone mineral density (BMD) T score < −2.5 or < −1.5 with 2 mild vertebral fractures or 1 moderate vertebral fractures were randomized to receive placebo versus zoledronic acid. A total of 200 patients were be studied, 100 in each arm. Zoledronic acid was given in single dose (15-min infusion). Serum calcium, dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry, and lateral spine radiographs were performed at enrollment and after 12 months. The primary endpoint was combined risk of new-onset vertebral and hip fractures. The secondary endpoints were new-onset vertebral and hip fractures and BMD. Results: The primary outcome was reduced by 79% during the 1-year period in zoledronic acid, compared to placebo (3% in the treatment group vs. 14% in the placebo group; relative risk (RR): 0.21; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.06–0.72, P = 0.01). Treatment with zoledronic acid reduced the risk of new-onset vertebral fracture by 82% (RR: 0.18; 95% CI: 0.04 to 0.79; P = 0.02). No significant differences in new-onset hip fractures were noted (RR: 0.33; 95% CI: 0.03–3.15; P = 0.33). A significant increase in BMD score was found after treatment with zoledronic acid compared to placebo group (P < 0.05). No serious adverse events were noted. Conclusion: Annual infusion of zoledronic acid reduces the risk of combined fracture of vertebra and hip and improves the bone mineral density in osteoporotic patients.

Context: Total hip arthroplasty (THA) is commonly performed through a posterior or a direct lateral (Hardinge) approach, and each one has merits and demerits. Aims: The purpose of this study was to examine the difference between the lateral and posterior approaches with respect to functional outcome, component positioning, intraoperative blood loss, and patient satisfaction. Settings and Design: This is a prospective comparative study of short- to mid-term outcome of cementless THA using two approaches. Subjects and Methods: Seventy hips satisfying our inclusion criteria were selected, of which 21 hips operated by lateral approach in supine position were included in lateral approach group (LAG), and 49 hips operated by posterior approach in lateral position were included in posterior approach group (PAG). Functional assessment was performed 1 day before surgery, 1 year after surgery, and at the latest follow-up using Harris Hip score (HHS). Component positioning of acetabular cup and femoral stem was assessed in plain radiographs at the latest follow-up. Generic satisfaction questionnaire was used to measure satisfaction after THA at the latest follow-up. Radiographic measurements (cup inclination, cup version, and femoral stem tip position) were performed postoperatively using low-centered pelvic anteroposterior and cross-table lateral hip radiographs. Results: At an average of 3 years and 6 months of follow-up, the mean HHSs were 88.05 and 90.32, respectively, in LAG and PAG; the difference was not significant (P = 0.178). The average inclination of the cup in LAG was 37.9° and in PAG was 45.02° with a significant difference (P = 0.00027), both of which are in the normal range. The cups were significantly (P ≤ 0.0001) more anteverted in the PAG (average angle of 27.69° vs. 16.14°). The mean blood loss was significantly more in PAG (510 ml vs. 436.67 ml; P = 0.04). Majority of femoral stems in lateral approach had their tips directed posterior. Nineteen out of 21 LAG patients and 45 out of 49 PAG were very satisfied/satisfied with their outcomes after THA. Statistical Analysis Used: Data were collected using prestructured data forms and analyzed with unpaired Student's t-test with 95% confidence interval. Conclusions: There was no significant difference in functional outcome and patient satisfaction at short- to mid-term follow-up between both approaches. The cup anteversion was significantly more in PAG. For better conclusions, other factors (i.e. immediate postoperative pain, and long-term survival), combined anteversion and spinopelvic parameters, have to be included in the study with a larger sample size.

In this work, the biomass fly ash (BFA) supported Ni/La2O3 catalyst was synthesized for the first time to produce syngas, a mixture of CO and H2 via the partial oxidation of methane (POM). The BFA support was modified using laboratory synthesized Ni/La2O3 through the wetness impregnation technique. The Ni/La2O3-BFA catalyst was characterized by several techniques to investigate its suitability for the POM reaction. The characterization results showed that the crystalline structure, better metal support interaction and enhanced thermal stability of Ni/La2O3-BFA make it suitable for the POM. The synthesized Ni/La2O3-BFA catalyst remained stable for 30 h on stream during POM at 850 °C. The addition of La2O3 promoter and active metal Ni to the BFA improved the CH4 conversion from 55% to 85% and enhanced the H2/CO ratio from 1.4 to 2.0 while maintaining a reactants stoichiometric ratio of (CH4:O2 = 2:1). The study of spent catalyst by using various techniques confirmed that the stable catalyst exhibited coke resistance in the POM even after 30 h time on stream. Thus, the performance of BFA supported Ni/La2O3 catalyst shows more potential for catalytic applications due to its suitable physiochemical properties as it is a combination of multiple oxides that synergistically participate in the reaction steps and increases syngas production. It also provides low-cost, abundant, greener, and waste based alternative to expensive metal oxide as supports for catalytic applications.

The purpose of this study is to investigate the potential use of solar energy within an oil refinery to reduce its fossil fuel consumption and greenhouse gas emissions. A validated ASPEN HYSYS model was used to investigate the products produced from heavy crude oil in the refinery. Using TRNSYS software, the proposed Parabolic Trough Collector (PTC)-based solar heating system paired with the boiler is modelled. Sensible thermal energy storage (TES) system is integrated into the refinery's process heating to handle the intermittent nature of solar energy. It was discovered that 463 m2 of the PTC area coupled with a 15000-L TES tank can result in a maximum life cycle cost savings of 21.046 thousand USD for an annual heat supply of 116,944 MWh to generate steam at a temperature of 200–220 °C. In the proposed hybrid heating system, the yearly solar fraction is determined to be 26.99% and the payback period is 8.77 years with the average solar irradiance of 900 W/m2. In addition, the system can yearly reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions by about 34.045 tonnes of CO2 equivalents.

A 60-year-old woman sustained right femur fracture and presented to us after taking native massage therapy for 6 weeks. Radiographs showed suspected posteromedial soft tissue shadow. Further imaging confirmed a rare pseudoaneurysm of the superficial femoral artery. After vascular surgery consultation, a single-stage procedure was planned. Through medial approach to distal femur, Pseudo aneurysm was haemodynamically isolated, opened and its contents evacuated. Neck of pseudo aneurysm is located and ligated. Distal femur plating (broad DCP) was done through the same exposure. Since traumatic pseudoaneurysms are rare entities, surgeons should have a high degree of suspicion for preoperative identification. It facilitates simultaneous vascular repair and fracture fixation. It avoids two-stage incisions, two incisions, intraoperative or postoperative catastrophe, and medicolegal complications. Hence, we advocate to look out for vascular injury in distal femur fractures at a delayed presentation.

Purpose – This case study urges the future of visitor economy to rely on regenerative tourism to make tourism systems resilience in the long run. Design/methodology/approach – The paper draws on published research and industry reports to discuss the future visitor economy and its impact on all dimensions of well-being focused on the case of Aotearoa New Zealand. Findings – Results show that post-pandemic tourism transformation must protect and promote local identities, and enhance and enrich visitor experiences with a focus on cultural and natural heritage. Originality/value – The recovery of tourism must not implement regenerative tourism as a new specific type of tourism but as a holistic understanding of tourism futures that encompasses communities and the environment, and where visitors are committed to preserve and protect our natural and socio-cultural environment.

This study is designed to examine the feasibility of the solar water heating (SWH) system for sustainable tourism in Gilgit-Baltistan (GB) of Pakistan and a tourist resort is taken as a base case. Hot water demand, solar irradiance and economic feasibility are the key parameters considered to investigate the potential of SWH systems using simulation tool T*SOL. Three different types of solar collectors were investigated, based on solar fraction, maximum collector temperature and overall system efficiency. Among these collectors, the evacuated tube collectors (ETC) show high solar fraction, efficiency and CO2 emissions saved as compared to flat plate collectors (FPC) and unglazed collectors (UnGC), for both locations. The ETC shows 75 % solar fraction, 40 % efficiency, and 676 kg CO2 emission saved and payback period of is recorded 6.6 years for Gilgit. While for Skardu, 84 % solar fraction, 36 % efficiency, 756 kg CO2 emissions avoided and payback period of 4.6 years is analysed. Sensitivity analysis based on design parameters such as collector area, tilt angle and tank volume is performed to highlight the important design considerations. Based on the techno-economic analysis, it is concluded that ETC is the most feasible SWH system for the northern regions of Pakistan.

This study applied the solid-state reaction technique to synthesize g-C3N4, Fe3O4, and g-C3N4/Fe3O4 composites in various ratios. XRD confirmed the formation of g-C3N4, Fe3O4, and a g-C3N4/Fe3O4 heterostructure. SEM confirmed the rod-shaped structure of Fe2O3 and the layered-like fabrication of g-C3N4. The Eg of g-C3N4/Fe3O4 was approximately 1.9 eV, making it a beneficial composite material for visible response in photocatalysis activity, which was confirmed by UV-Vis spectroscopy. Dielectrics were used to study ferrite nanoparticles and provide information on the mechanism of conductivity in the parts of the dielectric that responded to an applied alternating electric field. In polycrystalline ceramics, the resistive and capacitive grains, contributions, electrode specimen interfaces, and grain boundaries may all be distinguished using impedance analysis, a crucial tool for the study of complicated electrical performance. The g-C3N4/Fe3O4 composite material showed high photocatalytic activity against methylene blue (MB) dye.

In this paper, a brushless wound rotor vernier machine (Bl-WRVM) with a single inverter configuration is proposed to achieve the brushless operation. In the proposed topology, a single inverter is connected with series-connected ABC and XYZ windings through which the current flow produces the magnetomotive force with fundamental and sub-harmonic components, respectively. The XYZ windings have similar pole pairs to the excitation windings, whereas its number of poles is different from the ABC winding. A 24-slot stator, 4-pole armature ABC winding, 2 Pole armature XYZ and excitation windings, and 44-pole field winding for the outer rotor is designed and 2D finite element analysis is carried out to determine the performance of the machine. The proposed topology makes the Bl-WRVM cost-effective by applying only a single inverter as compared to a dual-inverter Bl-WRVM and it improves its torque quality.

In this research, a dielectric barrier discharge (DBD) reactor is used to study the cracking of the toluene into C1–C6 hydrocarbons. The combined effect of parameters such as temperature (20–400 °C) and plasma power (10–40 W) was investigated to evaluate the DBD reactor performance. The main gaseous products from the decomposition of toluene include lower hydrocarbon (C1–C6). The cracking of toluene increases with power at all temperatures (20–400 °C). On the otherhand, it decreases from 92.8 to 73.1% at 10 W, 97.2 to 80.5% at 20, 97.5 to 86.5% at 30 W, and 98.4 to 93.7% at 40 W with raising the temperature from 20 to 400 °C. Nonetheless, as the temperature and plasma input power increase, the methane yield increases. At 40 W, the maximum methane yield was 5.1%. At 10 and 20 W, the selectivity to C2 increases as the temperature rises up to 400 °C. At 30 and 40 W, it began to drop after 300 °C due to the formation of methane and the yield of methane increases significantly beyond this temperature.

Brick kiln sector in South Asia contributes to nearly quarter of the global bricks production. Coal is the primary fuel used by this industry and its inefficient combustion process results in harmful pollutants contributing to deteriorating air quality, health problems in local communities, and greenhouse gas emissions. The aim of this study is to investigate the impact of cleaner technologies and adoption pathways to achieve environment-friendly and energy-efficient production of bricks in Pakistan during 2019–2050. The study incorporates various timelines for (Zig-Zag Kilns) ZZKs and Vertical Shaft Brick Kilns (VSBKs) adoption, and the phasing out of conventional, Fixed Chimney Bull’s Trench Kiln (FCBTKs). Low Emissions Analysis Platform (LEAP) based numerical calculations are performed to simulate brick production from 2019–2050 for seven different scenarios incorporating an assimilated technology mix of FCBTKs, ZZKs, and VSBKs. Emissions of carbon dioxide, carbon monoxide, black carbon, methane, non-methane volatile organic compounds, particulate matter, sulfur oxides and nitrogen oxides are considered in this study. The swiftness of energy demand, and emissions reductions are greatly impacted by the elimination of the conventional FCBTKs. By adopting clearner brick manufacturing, 365.5 million tons (21.8%) of GHG emissions reduction can be achieved. The annual social cost of using FCBTKs increases from 1.02 billion $ in 2019 to 1.88 billion $ in 2050. Cumulative fuel saving potential of retrofitting to ZZKs is 157 million tons (17.7%) and it offers nearly 0.92 billion $ (51%) savings in annual social cost for year 2050. Our study finds that early adoption of ZZKs would benefit more than delayed adoption of VSBKs. However, transition to ZZK/ VSBK alone would not be sufficient to achieve net-zero carbon emissions. Carbon neutral fuels such as biomass and refuse-derived fuel (RDF) appear as an attractive option for deep decarbonization of this sector.

Motor learning is an essential component of human behavior. Many different factors can influence the process of motor learning, such as the amount of practice and type of feedback. Changes in task difficulty during training can also considerably impact motor learning. Typical motor learning studies include a sequential variation of task difficulty, i.e., easy to challenging, irrespective of user performance. However, many studies have reported the importance of performance-based task difficulty variation for effective motor learning and skill transfer. A performance-based adaptive algorithm for task difficulty variation based on the challenge-point framework is proposed in this study. The algorithm is described for postural adaptation during simultaneous upper-limb training. Ten healthy participants (28 ± 2.44 years) were recruited to validate the algorithm. Participants adapted to a postural target of 20° in the anterior direction from the initial upright posture while performing a unimanual reaching task using a robotic device. Results suggest a significant decrease in postural error after training. The algorithm successfully adapted the task difficulty based on the performance of the user. The proposed algorithm could be modified for different motor skills and can be further evaluated for different applications in order to maximize the potential benefits of rehabilitation sessions.

This study aimed to evaluate the anti-arthritic activity of curcumin and meloxicam co-loaded PLGA nanoparticles in adjuvant-induced arthritic rats. PLGA nanoparticles encapsulating curcumin (nCur) and meloxicam (nMlx) alone and in combination (nCur/Mlx) were used to characterize zeta size and potential, polydispersity index, encapsulation efficiency (%), compound–polymer interactions (FT-IR analysis), and surface morphology (SEM imaging). In vivo, Complete Freund’s adjuvant-induced arthritic rats were intraperitoneally (i.p.) administered with curcumin, meloxicam, curcumin plus meloxicam, nCur, nMlx, and nCur/Mlx for 28 consecutive days. Results showed that nCur, nMlx, and nCur/Mlx significantly (p ≤ 0.05) reduced paw swelling and arthritic score, restored body weight and the immune organ index (thymus and spleen), as well as attenuated serum inflammatory markers (RF, CRP, and PGE2) and oxidative stress parameters (MDA, SOD, and CAT) in adjuvant-induced arthritic rats compared to free compounds. In addition, mono- and dual-compound-loaded nanoparticles significantly (p ≤ 0.05) down-regulated pro-inflammatory cytokines (TNF-α, IL-1β, and IL-6), up-regulated anti-inflammatory cytokines (IL-4, IL-10, and IFN-γ), and modulated OPG and RANKL expressions in paw tissue. The aforementioned results were further confirmed through radiological and histopathological examinations. Furthermore, the anti-arthritic effect of nCur/Mlx was notably (p ≤ 0.05) enhanced compared to nCur or nMlx alone. In conclusion, the co-nanoencapsulation of curcumin could potentiate the anti-arthritic activity of meloxicam and could provide a novel therapeutic approach for the formulation of nanocarrier pharmaceutical products for the management of arthritis.

Herein, we evaluated the in vivo effects of meloxicam and curcumin co-encapsulated PLGA nanoparticles in experimental acute models of pyrexia, nociception, and inflammation. Seven groups (n = 6) were designed for each investigation and pretreated intraperitoneally (i.p.): the control group, meloxicam (4 mg/kg b.w.), curcumin (15 mg/kg b.w.), and equivalent content containing PLGA capped nanoparticles of meloxicam (Mlx-NP) and curcumin (Cur-NP) alone and in combination (Mlx-Cur-NP; at two doses). The results showed that PLGA encapsulation significantly (p ≤ 0.05) improved the in vivo activities of each compound. Furthermore, co-encapsulation of meloxicam and curcumin potentiated the anti-pyretic effect on yeast-induced pyretic rats, anti-nociceptive effect on nociception induced in rats by formalin and heat, and anti-edematogenic activity in xylene-induced ear edema in rats in a dose-dependent manner. In carrageenan-induced paw inflammation in rats, meloxicam and curcumin co-loading (Mlx-Cur-NP) resulted in significant (p ≤ 0.05) inhibition of paw inflammation, reduction in TNF-α and PGE2 levels, downregulation of expressions of pro-inflammatory cytokines (TNF-α, IL-1β, and IL-6), as well as a decrease in histopathological changes and TNF-α immunoexpression in paw tissues. Moreover, Mlx-Cur-NP demonstrated noteworthy potentiation in pharmacological effects compared to free compounds and mono-compound-loaded nanoparticles. Thus, the association of meloxicam with curcumin in a biodegradable nanocarrier system could provide a promising anti-pyretic, anti-nociceptive, and anti-inflammatory therapeutic approach for acute conditions.

This paper offers a novel dual-mode double stator wound rotor synchronous machine for variable speed applications. The proposed motor integrates the benefits of both the traditional wound rotor synchronous machine (WRSM) and brushless wound rotor synchronous machine (BL-WRSM). A constant torque can be attained in the maximum torque per ampere region by operating the proposed machine as a traditional WRSM in Mode I, and a constant power can be attained in the field-weakening region by operating it as a BL-WRSM in Mode II. Moreover, due to the dual-stator structure, the proposed machine exhibits improved performance in terms of high torque density as compared to the existing single stator BL-WRSM. By using a special stator winding arrangement to achieve the sub-harmonic component of the stator magnetomotive force, the brushless operation of the proposed machine is achieved. The additional sub-harmonic component induces a voltage in the harmonic winding placed on the rotor, which is then rectified and provided a DC current to field winding for brushless excitation. In order to validate the effectiveness of the proposed machine, a two-dimensional finite element analysis (FEA) is carried out.

The objective of this study was to analyze the catalytic performance of series of cobalt-modified Zeolite-4A supported catalysts for the syngas (CO and H2) production at 800 °C via the partial oxidation of methane (POM). The Co/Zeolite-4A catalyst was synthesized using a two-step hydrothermal method from coal fly ash. The synthesized catalysts were characterized by X-ray Diffraction (XRD), Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM), Energy Dispersive X-ray (EDX), and Thermogravimetric Analysis (TGA). The catalyst shows a crystalline structure with stability up to 900 °C. The catalytic performance analysis shows the CH4 conversion increases from 29 to 68% for 0 and 10 wt% Co over Zeolite-4A, respectively. The H2 selectivity was improved from 28–56% while CO selectivity increased from 24–52 % making H2/CO ratio > 1. The stability analysis shows the 10% Co/Zeolite-4A withstand for 24 h a time on stream (TOS). Finally, the spent catalyst analysis was carried out to check the carbon formation along with its structural analysis. The minimal carbon formation is analyzed in 24 h TOS for POM reaction. Copyright © 2021 by Authors, Published by BCREC Group. This is an open access article under the CC BY-SA License (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0).

Objective(s): This study aimed to evaluate the anti-arthritic activity of Ricinus communis leaves’ and Withania somnifera roots’ hydroalcoholic extracts in Complete Freund’s adjuvant-induced arthritis in Wistar rats. Materials and Methods: HPLC and FT-IR analysis detected pharmacologically important phytocompounds in both plant extracts. Oral treatments including methotrexate (MTX; 3 mg/kg twice a week) and extracts at 250 and 500 mg/kg/day were initiated after arthritis induction. Changes in paw swelling, arthritic score, body weight, organ indices (thymus and spleen), hematological and biochemical parameters, and pro-/anti-inflammatory cytokine expression using qRT-PCR were assessed. Oxidative stress markers in hepatic tissue were determined. Histopathological and radiological examinations were also performed. Results: RCE (R. communis extract) and WSE (W. somnifera extract) demonstrated a reduction in paw swelling, arthritic score, and restoration of body weight and organ indices. Hematological parameters, serum inflammatory markers such as CRP and RF, and liver function markers of arthritic rats were significantly (p

The spread of the novel coronavirus, 'SARS-Cov-2', causing the disease 'COVID-19' has resulted in almost one hundred million cases and two million deaths (World Health Organization 2020). While early research suggested that the virus was not as contagious as SARS and MERS, the rapid increase in human to human transmission showed that the virus was in fact more contagious (Chan et al. 2020; Huang et al. 2020; Wang et al. 2020). On January 23, China announced lockdown in Wuhan to limit people’s movement both within and outside Wuhan (Surveillances 2020). This was the starting point to travel and transport restrictions, which were progressively implemented worldwide, following the virus’ expansion (Hamzelou 2020). In the past few months, research has commenced as part of academics’ rapid response to analyse the impacts and anticipate the consequences of the pandemics for tourism and hospitality (see, for example, Gössling, Scott, and Hall 2020). This paper adds texture to this conversation and critically discusses pandemics’ implications for the hospitality and tourism industries concerning the transport sector.

Blind image super-resolution (Blind-SR) is the process of leveraging a low-resolution (LR) image, with unknown degradation, to generate its high-resolution (HR) version. Most of the existing blind SR techniques use a degradation estimator network to explicitly estimate the blur kernel to guide the SR network with the supervision of ground truth (GT) kernels. To solve this issue, it is necessary to design an implicit estimator network that can extract discriminative blur kernel representation without relying on the supervision of ground-truth blur kernels. We design a lightweight approach for blind super-resolution (Blind-SR) that estimates the blur kernel and restores the HR image based on a deep convolutional neural network (CNN) and a deep super-resolution residual convolutional generative adversarial network. Since the blur kernel for blind image SR is unknown, following the image formation model of blind super-resolution problem, we firstly introduce a neural network-based model to estimate the blur kernel. This is achieved by (i) a Super Resolver that, from a low-resolution input, generates the corresponding SR image; and (ii) an Estimator Network generating the blur kernel from the input datum. The output of both models is used in a novel loss formulation. The proposed network is end-to-end trainable. The methodology proposed is substantiated by both quantitative and qualitative experiments. Results on benchmarks demonstrate that our computationally efficient approach (12x fewer parameters than the state-of-the-art models) performs favorably with respect to existing approaches and can be used on devices with limited computational capabilities.

The current pandemic (Covid-19) disrupted businesses and challenged societies all over the world. In particular, destinations are being urged to keep the attraction and value of their products and services in post-pandemic tourism recovery programs. Drawing from a qualitative study based on published reports and research, and using participant observation, this research analyses the situation of tourism in Akaroa, South Island of New Zealand, during the coronavirus outbreak and the first stages of the recovery process. Results of the research show that while crisis management led to the closure of the sector due to strict social and travel restrictions, the confinement measures adopted by the government and the progressive reopening of the country has resulted in a shift from “cruise tourism” into a gradual return of “domestic tourism”. This paper argues that local peoples’ perspectives must be kept in mind when developing a tourism recovery strategy. This case study also shows that because of the nature of changing working environment, there is potential to change local demography in the form of an increase in residents putting pressure on local infrastructure. In a rural and marine environment, local stakeholders’ attention is required to focus on “quality” of tourism rather than “quantity”. Nature-based resources and outdoor activities are expected to be the critical ingredients for tourism’s immediate and sustainable future.

This paper presents a novel dual-mode wound rotor synchronous machine (DWRSM) for variable speed applications. The proposed machine combines the advantages of both the conventional wound rotor synchronous machine (CWRSM) and the brushless wound rotor synchronous machine (BWRSM). Unlike the existing BWRSM, through the dual-mode operation of the proposed machine, constant torque is achieved in the constant torque region by operating the machine in mode-I, i.e., as a CWRSM, and constant power is achieved in the field weakening region by operating the machine in mode-II, i.e., as a BWRSM. The mode change is performed through an additional thyristor drive circuit. The airgap magnetomotive force (MMF) in both modes is derived analytically. To verify this principle, finite element analysis (FEA) and an experiment on a 1- horsepower prototype machine was performed, and key influential factors were verified. The transients in the stator currents and torque during the mode change was analyzed. The test results validated the correctness of the theory and the FEA results.

Oily sludge is a hazardous waste stream of oil refineries that requires an effective process and an environment-friendly route to convert and recover valuable products. In this study, the pyrolytic conversion of the wet waste oil sludge was implemented in an autoclave pyrolyzer and a thermogravimetric analyzer (TGA) at 5°C/min, 20°C/min, and 40°C/min, respectively. The kinetic analysis was performed using model-free methods, such as Friedman, Kissenger–Akahira–Sunose (KAS), and Ozawa–Flynn–Wall (OFW) to examine the complex reaction mechanism. The average activation energy of wet waste oil sludge (WWOS) estimated from Friedman, KAS, and OFW methods was 198.68 ± 66.27 kJ/mol, 194.60 ± 56.99 kJ/mol, and 193.28 ± 54.88 kJ/mol, respectively. The activation energy increased with the conversion, indicating that complex multi-step processes are involved in the thermal degradation of WWOS. An artificial neural network (ANN) was employed to predict the conversion during heating at various heating rates. ANN allows complex non-linear relationships between the response variable and its predictors. nH, ΔG, and ΔS were found to be 191.26 ± 2.82 kJ/mol, 240.79 ± 2.82 kJ/mol, and −9.67 J/mol K, respectively. The positive values of ΔH and ΔG and the slightly negative value of ΔS indicate the endothermic nature of the conversion process, which is non-spontaneous without the supply of energy.

Abstract Ricinus communis L. and Withania somnifera L. have traditionally been used as analgesic and anti-inflammatory remedies. The current study was aimed to evaluate the in vitro antioxidant potential and anti-inflammatory activity of hydroalcoholic extract of R. communis leaves (RCE) and W. somnifera roots (WSE) in Wistar rats. Total phenolic and flavonoid contents were quantified and in vitro antioxidant activity of extracts was determined through DPPH* scavenging, superoxide anion scavenging and reducing power activities, while anti-inflammatory activity was observed by xylene-induced ear edema and paw edema induced by egg albumin and carrageenan. RCE and WSE demonstrated considerable antioxidant activity in DPPH* scavenging (IC50: 250.10 and 309.42 µg/mL), superoxide anion scavenging (IC50: 193.42 and 206.81 ug/mL), and reducing power (maximum absorbance: 1.47±0.01 O.D and 1.28±0.01 O.D at 500 ug/mL) activities, respectively, with high phenolic and flavonoid contents. Both extracts showed dose-dependent edema inhibition in inflammation models. A maximum ear edema inhibitions by RCE (51.49±2.54%) and WSE (49.28±1.90%) at 500 mg/kg were observed when compared to indomethacin (56.42±13.17%) in xylene-induced ear edema. RCE and WSE showed a maximum percentage of paw edema inhibitions of 46.62±8.98% and 43.00±12.44%, respectively as compared to chlorpheniramine (62.02±12.21%) after 4 h in the egg albumin model. In carrageenan-induced paw edema, RCE (72.88±13.79%) significantly inhibited paw edema in comparison to WSE (57.81±17.43%) against diclofenac (89.93±18.53%). Conclusively, both plants have shown plausible antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activities that might be due to high phenolic and flavonoid contents. Moreover, RCE demonstrated more promising effects than WSE.

Energy is very important in daily life. The smart power system provides an energy management system using various techniques. Among other load types, campus microgrids are very important, and they consume large amounts of energy. Energy management systems in campus prosumer microgrids have been addressed in different works. A comprehensive study of previous works has not reviewed the architecture, tools, and energy storage systems of campus microgrids. In this paper, a survey of campus prosumer microgrids is presented considering their energy management schemes, optimization techniques, architectures, storage types, and design tools. The survey is comprised of one decade of past works for a true analysis. In the optimization techniques, deterministic and metaheuristic methods are reviewed considering their pros and cons. Smart grids are being installed in different campuses all over the world, and these are considered the best alternatives to conventional power systems. However, efficient energy management techniques and tools are required to make these grids more economical and stable.

Numerous attempts have been made to produce new materials and technology for renewable energy and environmental improvements in response to global sustainable solutions stemming from fast industrial expansion and population growth. Zeolites are a group of crystalline materials having molecularly ordered micropore arrangements. Over the past few years, progress in zeolites has been observed in transforming biomass and waste into fuels. To ensure effective transition of fossil energy carriers into chemicals and fuels, zeolite catalysts play a key role; however, their function in biomass usage is more obscure. Herein, the effectiveness of zeolites has been discussed in the context of biomass transformation into valuable products. Established zeolites emphasise conversion of lignocellulosic materials into green fuels. Lewis acidic zeolites employ transition of carbohydrates into significant chemical production. Zeolites utilise several procedures, such as catalytic pyrolysis, hydrothermal liquefaction, and hydro-pyrolysis, to convert biomass and lignocelluloses. Zeolites exhibit distinctive features and encounter significant obstacles, such as mesoporosity, pore interconnectivity, and stability of zeolites in the liquid phase. In order to complete these transformations successfully, it is necessary to have a thorough understanding of the chemistry of zeolites. Hence, further examination of the technical difficulties associated with catalytic transformation in zeolites will be required. This review article highlights the reaction pathways for biomass conversion using zeolites, their challenges, and their potential utilisation. Future recommendations for zeolite-based biomass conversion are also presented.

Perovskite solar cells (PSCs) are rapidly emerging as efficient solar cells due to the efficient photovoltaic and physiochemical properties. Ideally, the absorber layer in PSCs is sandwiched between highly conductive electron transport layer (ETL) and highly stable hole transport layer (HTL). The interfaces between these layers highly affect the performance of PSCs. In this study Magnesium (Mg) doped TiO2 based ETL is systematically investigated to enhance the optical and morphological properties of the layer and the interface. It was observed that with Mg doping in mesoporous TiO2, morphology of TiO2 based ETL film was significantly improved thereby providing an interface for the growth of absorber layer. Optoelectronic studies suggested that band gap was effectively reduced with the addition of Mg and absorption range was also enhanced. Electrical analysis yielded, Mg doped TiO2 based ETL showed enhanced conduction and better sheet carrier mobility as compared to undoped films. Thermal studies indicate fabrication of a thermally stable ETL material for PSCs. Moreover, Current density-Voltage (J-V) measurements indicated more than two-fold increase in photovoltaic efficiency of 3 wt% Mg.

This research presents an optimal scheme for the integration of renewable resources with the utility grid to minimize the operational cost of the residential and industrial microgrids. With the changing paradigm of solar photovoltaic in low-voltage distribution networks, utilities have allowed net metering and feed-in tariff (FiT). These incentives encourage residential and industrial consumers to contribute toward energy generation. However, in conventional mode, the system may underperform if resources are not scheduled optimally. To compensate for the price difference during off-peak and on-peak hours, the energy should be taken from the grid when electricity prices are lower and supplied to the grid when the electricity price is higher. The proposed models will therefore allow optimal resource utilization considering intermittent renewable generation as well as a time-varying utility tariff. A complete comparative analysis of on-grid and off-grid models was carried out. The results indicate that the daily average saving is about 32.0% by using the proposed on-grid scheme, where a feed-in tariff is available.

Post stroke upper limb rehabilitation is a challenging problem with poor outcomes as 40% of survivors have functionally useless upper limbs. Robot-aided therapy (RAT) is a potential method to alleviate the effort of intensive, task-specific, repetitive upper limb exercises for both patients and therapists. The present study aims to investigate how a time matched combinatory training scheme that incorporates conventional and RAT, using H-Man, compares with conventional training toward reducing workforce demands. In a randomized control trial (NCT02188628, www.clinicaltrials.gov), 44 subacute to chronic stroke survivors with first-ever clinical stroke and predominant arm motor function deficits were recruited and randomized into two groups of 22 subjects: Robotic Therapy (RT) and Conventional Therapy (CT). Both groups received 18 sessions of 90 min; three sessions per week over 6 weeks. In each session, participants of the CT group received 90 min of 1:1 therapist-supervised conventional therapy while participants of the RT group underwent combinatory training which consisted of 60 min of minimally-supervised H-Man therapy followed by 30 min of conventional therapy. The clinical outcomes [Fugl-Meyer (FMA), Action Research Arm Test and, Grip Strength] and the quantitative measures (smoothness, time efficiency, and task error, derived from two robotic assessment tasks) were independently evaluated prior to therapy intervention (week 0), at mid-training (week 3), at the end of training (week 6), and post therapy (week 12 and 24). Significant differences within group were observed at the end of training for all clinical scales compared with baseline [mean and standard deviation of FMA score changes between baseline and week 6; RT: Δ4.41 (3.46) and CT: Δ3.0 (4.0); p < 0.01]. FMA gains were retained 18 weeks post-training [week 24; RT: Δ5.38 (4.67) and week 24 CT: Δ4.50 (5.35); p < 0.01]. The RT group clinical scores improved similarly when compared to CT group with no significant inter-group at all time points although the conventional therapy time was reduced to one third in RT group. There were no training-related adverse side effects. In conclusion, time matched combinatory training incorporating H-Man RAT produced similar outcomes compared to conventional therapy alone. Hence, this study supports a combinatory approach to improve motor function in post-stroke arm paresis.Clinical Trial Registration:www.ClinicalTrials.gov, identifier: NCT02188628.

Current neurorehabilitation models primarily rely on extended hospital stays and regular therapy sessions requiring close physical interactions between rehabilitation professionals and patients. The current COVID-19 pandemic has challenged this model, as strict physical distancing rules and a shift in the allocation of hospital resources resulted in many neurological patients not receiving essential therapy. Accordingly, a recent survey revealed that the majority of European healthcare professionals involved in stroke care are concerned that this lack of care will have a noticeable negative impact on functional outcomes. COVID-19 highlights an urgent need to rethink conventional neurorehabilitation and develop alternative approaches to provide high-quality therapy while minimizing hospital stays and visits. Technology-based solutions, such as, robotics bear high potential to enable such a paradigm shift. While robot-assisted therapy is already established in clinics, the future challenge is to enable physically assisted therapy and assessments in a minimally supervized and decentralized manner, ideally at the patient’s home. Key enablers are new rehabilitation devices that are portable, scalable and equipped with clinical intelligence, remote monitoring and coaching capabilities. In this perspective article, we discuss clinical and technological requirements for the development and deployment of minimally supervized, robot-assisted neurorehabilitation technologies in patient’s homes. We elaborate on key principles to ensure feasibility and acceptance, and on how artificial intelligence can be leveraged for embedding clinical knowledge for safe use and personalized therapy adaptation. Such new models are likely to impact neurorehabilitation beyond COVID-19, by providing broad access to sustained, high-quality and high-dose therapy maximizing long-term functional outcomes.

Introduction Individuals with schizophrenia are at a high risk of physical health comorbidities and premature mortality. Cardiovascular and metabolic causes are an important contributor. There are gaps in monitoring, documenting and managing these physical health comorbidities. Because of their condition, patients themselves may not be aware of these comorbidities and may not be able to follow a lifestyle that prevents and manages the complications. In many low-income and middle-income countries including Pakistan, the bulk of the burden of care for those struggling with schizophrenia falls on the families.Objectives To determine the rate of self-reported physical health disorders and risk factors, like body mass index (BMI) and smoking, associated with cardiovascular and metabolic disorders in cases of schizophrenia compared with a group of mentally healthy controls.Design A case-controlled, cross-sectional multicentre study of patients with schizophrenia in Pakistan.Settings Multiple data collection sites across the country for patients, that is, public and private psychiatric OPDs (out patient departments), specialised psychiatric care facilities, and psychiatric wards of teaching and district level hospitals. Healthy controls were enrolled from the community.Participants We report a total of 6838 participants’ data with (N 3411 (49.9%)) cases of schizophrenia compared with a group of healthy controls (N 3427 (50.1%)).Results BMI (OR 0.98 (CI 0.97 to 0.99), p=0.0025), and the rate of smoking is higher in patients with schizophrenia than in controls. Problems with vision (OR 0.13 (0.08 to 0.2), joint pain (OR 0.18 (0.07 to 0.44)) and high cholesterol (OR 0.13 (0.05 to 0.35)) have higher reported prevalence in controls. The cases describe more physical health disorders in the category ‘other’ (OR 4.65 (3.01 to 7.18)). This captures residual disorders not listed in the questionnaire.Conclusions Participants with schizophrenia in comparison with controls report more disorders. The access in the ‘other’ category may be a reflection of undiagnosed disorders.

Diagnosing brain tumor in present era through digital techniques need serious attention as the number of patients are increasing in an awkward manner. Magnetic Resonance Imaging is the tool that is used for detection of brain tumors. This paper is classified in two phases i.e. normal and abnormal brain images. Then, Feature selection and classification are applied on the given data set. Classification on given data set is done through K- Nearest Neighbor. In the given study, we have taken normal and abnormal samples from Nishtar Medical hospital, Multan. In order to classify brain images, first it needs to pre-process through skull stripping technique then the proposed algorithm is followed. Algorithm involves feature extraction through GLCM and feature selection through ACO. Results have proved its efficiency level up-to 88%.

In the diversification of the world's energy portfolio, microalgae biofuels have gained particular attention as a means of providing carbon-neutral hydrocarbon-based fuels. The progress on this front has been hindered because of expensive and unreliable microalgae cultivation systems, where the preparation of synthetic culture media poses a monetary strain. This study aims to investigate a new microalgae growth media that is readily available and cost-effective. The new microalgae fertilizerbased media (FBM) were designed and compared with Bold Basal media (BBM) in terms of growth parameters, production of lipid and value-added algal by-products (carotenoid and phycobiliprotein). The growth parameters such as cell count and specific growth rate were investigated for FBM and BBM. FBM showed a significant growth rate of 7 million/mL-per day as compared to 2 million/ml per day. A similar growth trend was observed for chlorophyll (a), (b) and carotenes which increased to the values of 5microgram/gram formula weight (µg/gfw), 3 µg/gfw and 2 µg/gfw for FBM. On the other hand, lipid and phycobiliprotein showed a decrease of 18.75 % and 16.66 %, respectively, compared to BBM. Even though some growth parameters are negatively affected by fertilizer-based media, the cost reduction is substantial to allow this drawback to be overlooked. The medium's cost is reduced by a factor of 7 and provides ground for the use of the FBM in the large-scale cultivation of algae for biomass production.

Background: Frozen shoulder is defined as the painful and disabling condition with unknown etiology. It has a limited shoulder range of motion due to decreased capsular flexibility and altered muscle function. Assessment on the frozen shoulder is needed, and it is vital to know the alteration in scapular muscles in the shoulder range of motion during arm elevation. The intention of conducting this study is to reach conclusions of tightness of a muscle in the upper trapezius, pectoralis minor muscle, and frozen shoulder levator scapulae showing limited ranges. Methods: In this cross-sectional observational study, 50 subjects of age 30 and above were assessed for muscle length in the frozen shoulder and unaffected shoulder. Subjects with shoulder pain with frozen shoulder stage 2 and above are allotted into the affected shoulder, and unaffected shoulder; both groups were assessed. The following parameters were measured: ROM of the shoulder, SPADI ratings, short pectoral thickness, levator scapulae length, and upper trapezium muscle length. Results: Decreased shoulder flexion, extension, abduction, and limited rotations were the problems associated with frozen shoulder. Pearson correlation coefficient for PMI and LSI shows Positive Correlation r = 40.6% on the affected side. Pearson correlation for PMI and UTI shows Positive Correlation r = 13.4%. Pearson Correlation for LSI and UTI shows Positive Correlation r= 28.1% on the affected side. Conclusion: There was a correlation between upper trapezius, levator scapulae, and pectoralis minor muscle length. Most of the affected side shoulder showed the tightness in the pectoralis minor muscle.