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Cobalt oxide nanoparticles (Co3O4-NPs) and cobalt sulfide nanoparticles (Co9S8-NPs) have shown extensive potential in electrochemical sensing, catalysis, specific drug targeting, and resonance imaging. However, Co9S8-NPs have been rarely explored for biomedical applications as compared to their oxide counterparts. Thus, in the current study, biocompatible PEGylated Co9S8-NPs and Co3O4-NPs are explored and compared for biological and photocatalytic properties. PEGylation of both the NPs is achieved using a simple chemical co-precipitation method followed by characterization using UV visible spectroscopy (UV-Vis), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), energy-dispersive X-ray analysis (EDX), and pH-responsive dispersion study. After thorough characterization, the NPs are evaluated and compared for various biological applications including antibacterial, antifungal, antileishmanial, antioxidant, and biocompatibility as well as photo-catalytic dye degradation studies. Both the NPs have shown excellent biological applications; however, Co9S8-NPs exhibit comparatively better antibacterial, antifungal, and antioxidant properties except antileishmanial potential where Co3O4-NPs show slight superiority. Furthermore, Co3O4-NPs indicate a higher degradation potential of methylene blue (MB) up to 46.93%. In comparison, Co9S8-NPs have a degradation ability of up to 42%, at 20 mg/ml within 3 h, which indicates considerable remediation potential of the NPs. Interestingly, both the NPs exhibit non-hemolytic behavior, thus demonstrating a compatible and bio-safe nature of both the NPs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Photogrammetry has gained the interest of professionals and researchers for activities related to construction projects' progress monitoring via attaining precise 3D point models. However, the precision of the generated models is directly linked with the precise scaling of the point cloud to ground truth dimensions (GTDs). Available scaling-up procedures for the close-range photogrammetry technique are complex, time consuming, and require human intervention, which adds the risk of error in the scaled-up model dimensions. Such a scenario creates hesitation among industry professionals toward implementing point cloud technologies. This paper devises an automated scaling-up methodology to overcome the said concerns by considering the construction progress monitoring theme. The intact process of automated scaling up of point cloud model to GTDs is controlled by two main parameters, that is, Python-based modules and designed ArUco-supported controlled markers. Remarkable outcomes are achieved with less than 1% scaled-up error compared with GTDs, which will improve the confidence of industry professionals toward point cloud technologies. Photogrammetry applications have been adopted in several domains and the optimum usage of attained models can be executed with 3D replicas having precise details of surface features and geometry. Therefore, to attain 3D point cloud models with ground truth dimensions (GTDs), or actual dimensions of the targeted object the practitioners mostly follow the markers/ground control points (GCPs) technique (minimum three GCPs/markers), manual scaling, or georeferencing data. However, the accuracy of traditional GCPs/markers' technique and manual rescaling is dependent on the experience of the site staff/operator, and error chances may increase with the increasing number of GCPs/markers, whereas the georeferencing data-based technique is more technical and complex. Therefore, this paper developed an automated system for scaling up 3D point cloud models to GTDs with minimal human involvement. The system works with the help of specialized designed markers known as ArUco-supported controlled markers (ASCM). Only one ASCM marker is placed beside the targeted object for imaging; the devised system detects the marker in the images and rescales the developed point cloud model following the designed strategy. The system has high accuracy and can easily be implemented for scaling up close-range photogrammetry models in any domain. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In the attainment of digitization and sustainable solutions under Industry 4.0, effective and economical technology like photogrammetry is gaining popularity in every field among professionals and researchers alike. In the market, various photogrammetry tools are available. These tools employ different techniques and it is hard to identify the best among them. This study is an attempt to develop a methodology for the assessment of photogrammetry tools. Overall, 37 photogrammetry tools were found via literature review and open sources, out of which 12 tools were shortlisted. The evaluation process consisted of three steps, i.e., metadata and visual inspection, comparison with the ground truth model, and comparison with the averaged-merged point cloud model. In addition, a validation test was also performed on the final sorted photogrammetry tools. This study followed a sustainable construction progress monitoring theme for rebar and covered the maximum number of photogrammetry tools for comparison by considering the most authentic evaluation and validation techniques, which make it exclusive. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Advances in multidisciplinary research have paved the way for the development of nanotechnological applications for utilization across a diversity of fields, including infectious diseases, agriculture, and the environment. Nanoparticles can be used for targeting and can play a vital role in the health sector. Using chemical methods, nanoparticles have been produced for a very long time, but due to the release of the harmful chemicals during their production and higher cost associated with the methodology, alternative methods such as green syntheses have been introduced. The green synthesis method is preferred over chemical methods attributed to the absence of fumes in green synthesis as compared to the chemical method. Nowadays, the antibiotic resistant microbes and the development of superbugs are a major problem in health sector, so as there are certain studies about the antimicrobial activities of metallic NPs, which can provide an alternative approach against these resistant microbes. The understanding about these NPs in bio-medical applications is not well studied. This systematic review will help the scientific community to understand the actual potential of these NPs as an effective antimicrobial and anticancer agent. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Malaria, dengue and chikungunya are the most rampant mosquito-borne infections predominantly in Pakistan. They pose a serious threat and cause a havoc for the victims owing to the life threatening signs and symptoms marked with elevated morbidity and mortality rate. It seems hard to discriminate due to common indications, consequently, deserves appropriate diagnosis prior elevated toll of death. Present article encompasses depth insights about their prevalence, diagnosis and clinical manifestation if erupt in the pandemic. However, host-vector-host cycle is the root cause of transmission and diverse mosquito species confer dissimilar infections. Indeed these infections are seasonal but other factors like flood, open irrigation channels, immense agricultural land, rich fauna and water reservoirs can't be overlooked. Dire need was felt to acknowledge and aware the public about local transmission, vector control, entomologic, research resources, diagnosis and advancement in healthcare system to alleviate them absolutely in future. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Motivated by the recent experimental synthesis of a LaCl 3 -based lithium superionic conductor [Yin, Y.-C. Nature 2023, 616, 77-83], we explore the potential of a LaCl 3 -based system for a sodium superionic conductor in this work. Using density functional theory combined with molecular dynamics simulation and a grand potential phase diagram analysis, we find that the resulting Na 3 La 5 Cl 18 exhibits high energetic stability with a small energy-above-hull of 18 meV per atom, a large band gap of 5.58 eV, a wide electrochemical window of 0.41-3.76 V from the cathodic to the anodic limit, and a high Na + conductivity of 1.3 mS/cm at 300 K. Furthermore, Na 3 La 5 Cl 18 shows high chemical interface stability with the reported high-potential cathode materials such as NaCoO 2 , NaCrO 2 , Na 2 FePO 4 F, Na 3 V 2 (PO 4 ) 3 , and Na 3 V 2 (PO 4 ) 2 F 3 . These findings clearly suggest that the LaCl 3 -based framework can be used as a building block not only for Li-ion but also for Na-ion batteries.

Malaria, dengue and chikungunya are the most rampant mosquito-borne infections predominantly in Pakistan. They pose a serious threat and cause a havoc for the victims owing to the life threatening signs and symptoms marked with elevated morbidity and mortality rate. It seems hard to discriminate due to common indications, consequently, deserves appropriate diagnosis prior elevated toll of death. Present article encompasses depth insights about their prevalence, diagnosis and clinical manifestation if erupt in the pandemic. However, host-vector-host cycle is the root cause of transmission and diverse mosquito species confer dissimilar infections. Indeed these infections are seasonal but other factors like flood, open irrigation channels, immense agricultural land, rich fauna and water reservoirs can't be overlooked. Dire need was felt to acknowledge and aware the public about local transmission, vector control, entomologic, research resources, diagnosis and advancement in healthcare system to alleviate them absolutely in future.

Background: Breast cancer is the most common female malignancy worldwide. Pakistan has the highest incidence rate of breast cancer than any other Asian population. The purpose of the study was to evaluate the worth of sono-mammography in diagnosis of symptomatic breast diseases by comparing it with mammogram., Methods: In this cross-sectional validation study, 45 subjects with mean age of 45 +/- 12.07 were included. Majority of the patients presented with complaint of breast lump. After complete history and clinical examination, all the patients had high resolution ultrasound of bilateral breasts and axilla followed by bilateral mammography. Histopathology was taken as gold standard in this study. The exclusion criteria were pregnancy and patients having direct clinical signs of breast malignancy., Results: Based on histopathology, out of 45 patients with breast symptoms, 12 patients had benign lesions, whereas 32 patients were diagnosed as the cases of breast cancers. Finally one patient did not have biopsy proven final diagnosis. Sensitivity and specificity of ultrasound were calculated to be 100% and 67% as compared to sensitivity and specificity of 90.6% and 91.7% for that of mammography., Conclusions: Ultrasound is a useful complementary tool to mammography in assessment of symptomatic breast diseases since it helps in characterization and localization of breast lesions seen on mammogram and it is not limited by dense breasts. Also it should be the considered as initial imaging technique for assessment of palpable breast lumps.