Behaviors Related to Limiting Fat Intake among Young Adults in Saudi Arabia

Young adults tend to frequently consume foods that are high in fat. Efforts to limit the consumption of fat among the Saudi population have been initiated; however, data concerning current behaviors related to limiting fat intake are lacking. We aimed to explore behaviors related to limiting fat intake and to investigate the association with fat intake among young adults in Saudi Arabia. In this cross-sectional study, a total of 305 students aged ≥19 years were recruited from Taibah University, Madinah. Face-to-face interviews were conducted to collect data concerning sociodemographic status, behaviors related to limiting fat intake, and fat intake. The median score of behaviors related to limiting fat intake was significantly higher among females and supplement users compared to other groups. Healthy weight, overweight, and obese students reported a significantly higher score of behaviors related to limiting fat intake, compared to underweight students. Males who reported making an effort to limit the consumption of fatty foods consumed less total fat, saturated fat, monounsaturated fat, and polyunsaturated fat, while those who reported reading the nutrition fact labels of food products consumed more polyunsaturated fat. Females who reported reading nutrition fact labels consumed less saturated fat. Efforts to limit fat intake have been noted especially among females; however, these efforts were not linked to fat intake among young adults in Saudi Arabia.

Nonlinear Dynamic Analysis of an Electrostatically Actuated Clamped-Clamped Beam and Excited at the Primary and Secondary Resonances

This work investigates the primary and secondary resonances of an electrostatically excited double-clamped microbeam and its feasibility to be used for sensing applications. The sensor design can be excited directly in the vicinity of the primary and secondary resonances. This excitation mechanism would portray certain nonlinear phenomena and it would certainly lead in increasing the sensitivity of the device. To achieve this, a nonlinear beam model describing transverse deflection based on the Euler-Bernoulli beam theory was utilized. Then, a reduced-order model (ROM) considering all geometric and electrical nonlinearities was derived. Three different techniques involving time domain, fast Fourier transforms (FFTs), and frequency domain (FRCs) were used to examine the appearance of subharmonic resonance of order of one-half under various excitation waveforms. The results show that higher forcing levels and lower damping are required to activate this resonance. We note that as the forcing increases, the size of the instability region grows fast and the size of the unstable region increases rapidly. This, in fact, is an ideal place for designing bifurcation inertia MEMS sensors.

Non-Steroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drug Effect on the Binding of Plasma Protein with Antibiotic Drug Ceftazidime: Spectroscopic and In Silico Investigation

The coexistence of ceftazidime, which is a popular third-generation of cephalosporin antibiotic, with ubiquitous paracetamol or acetaminophen, is very likely because the latter is given to the patients to reduce fever due to bacterial infection along with an antibiotic such as the former. Therefore, in this study, we investigated the detailed binding of ceftazidime with plasma protein, human serum albumin (HSA), in the absence and presence of paracetamol using spectroscopic techniques such as fluorescence, UV-visible, and circular dichroism, along with in silico methods such as molecular docking, molecular dynamics simulations, and MM/PBSA-based binding free energy analysis. The basic idea of the interaction was attained by using UV-visible spectroscopy. Further, fluorescence spectroscopy revealed that there was a fair interaction between ceftazidime and HSA, and the mechanism of the quenching was a dynamic one, i.e., the quenching constant increased with increasing temperature. The interaction was, primarily, reinforced by hydrophobic forces, which resulted in the partial unfolding of the protein. Low concentrations of paracetamol were ineffective in affecting the binding of ceftazidime with has; although, a decrease in the quenching and binding constants was observed in the presence of high concentrations of the former. Competitive binding site experiments using warfarin and ibuprofen as site markers revealed that ceftazidime neither binds at drug site 1 or at drug site 2, articulating another binding site, which was confirmed by molecular docking simulations.

Anti-MRSA and Biological Activities of Propolis Concentrations Loaded to Chitosan Nanoemulsion for Pharmaceutics Applications

Propolis is a naturally occurring substance with beneficial properties; bees produce it from various plant sources, and it is an anti-inflammatory and therapeutic resinous substance. This study aimed to enhance the biological features of propolis extract by loading it onto active film. Firstly, extraction was performed using three solvent systems, and their total phenolic, flavonoid, and antioxidant activity was measured. Propolis ethanol extract (EEP) was evaluated for phenolic fraction content and then chosen to prepare a chitosan-loaded emulsion with several concentrations. The antibacterial, anti-mycotic, and anti-mycotoxigenic properties of the extract and nanoemulsion were assessed. PPE's cytotoxicity and nanoemulsion were evaluated using brine shrimp and cell line assays. Results indicate higher phenolic (322.57 ± 4.28 mg GAE/g DW), flavonoid (257.64 ± 5.27 mg QE/g DW), and antioxidant activity of the EEP. The phenolic fraction is distinguished by 18 phenolic acids with high p-hydroxybenzoic content (171.75 ± 1.64 µg/g) and 12 flavonoid compounds with high pinocembrin and quercetin content (695.91 ± 1.76 and 532.35 ± 1.88 µg/g, respectively). Phenolic acid derivatives (3,4-Dihydroxybenzaldehyde, 3,4-Dihydroxyphenol acetate, and di-methoxy cinnamic) are also found. Concentrations of 50, 100, 150, and 200 ng EEP loaded on chitosan nanoemulsion reflect significant antibacterial activity against pathogenic bacteria, particularly methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) and toxigenic fungi, particularly Fusarium. Among the four EEP-loaded concentrations, the nanoemulsion with 150 ng showed outstanding features. Using a simulated medium, 150 and 200 ng of EEP-loaded chitosan nanoemulsion concentrations can stop zearalenone production in Fusarium media with complete fungi inhibition. Also, it reduced aflatoxins production in Aspergillus media, with fungal inhibition (up to 47.18%). These results recommended the EEP-chitosan application for pharmaceutics and medical use as a comprehensive wound healing agent.

7-Hydroxy Frullanolide Ameliorates Isoproterenol-Induced Myocardial Injury through Modification of iNOS and Nrf2 Genes

Myocardial infarction (MI) is the principal cause of premature death. Protecting myocardium from ischemia is the main focus of intense research. 7-hydroxy frullanolide (7-HF) is a potent anti-inflammatory agent, showing its efficacy in different acute and chronic inflammatory disorders such as atherosclerosis, suggesting it can be a potential cardioprotective agent. For the induction of MI, Sprague-Dawley rats (n = 5) were administered isoproterenol (ISO) 85 mg/kg s.c at 24 h intervals for two days. The potential cardioprotective effect of 7-HF and its mechanisms were explored by in vivo and in vitro methods. 7-HF significantly prevented the extent of myocardial injury by decreasing the infarct size, preserving the histology of myocardial tissue, and reducing the release of cardiac biomarkers. Further, 7-HF increased the mRNA expression of cardioprotective gene Nrf2 and reduced the mRNA expression of iNOS. 7-HF also improved cardiac function by decreasing the cardiac workload through its negative chronotropic and negative ionotropic effect, as well as by reducing peripheral vascular resistance due to the inhibition of voltage-dependent calcium channels and the release of calcium from intracellular calcium stores. In conclusion, 7-HF showed cardioprotective effects in the MI model, which might be due to modulating the expression of iNOS and Nrf2 genes as well as improving cardiac functions.

Soil Contamination with Europium Induces Reduced Oxidative Damage in Hordeum vulgare Grown in a CO2-Enriched Environment

The extensive and uncontrolled utilization of rare earth elements, like europium (Eu), could lead to their accumulation in soils and biota. Herein, we investigated the impact of Eu on the growth, photosynthesis, and redox homeostasis in barley and how that could be affected by the future CO2 climate (eCO2). The plants were exposed to 1.09 mmol Eu3+/kg soil under either ambient CO2 (420 ppm, aCO2) or eCO2 (620 ppm). The soil application of Eu induced its accumulation in the plant shoots and caused significant reductions in biomass- and photosynthesis-related parameters, i.e., chlorophyll content, photochemical efficiency of PSII, Rubisco activity, and photosynthesis rate. Further, Eu induced oxidative stress as indicated by higher levels of H2O2 and lipid peroxidation products, and lower ASC/DHA and GSH/GSSG ratios. Interestingly, the co-application of eCO2 significantly reduced the accumulation of Eu in plant tissues. Elevated CO2 reduced the Eu-induced oxidative damage by supporting the antioxidant defense mechanisms, i.e., ROS-scavenging molecules (carotenoids, flavonoids, and polyphenols), enzymes (CAT and peroxidases), and ASC-GSH recycling enzymes (MDHAR and GR). Further, eCO2 improved the metal detoxification capacity by upregulating GST activity. Overall, these results provide the first comprehensive report for Eu-induced oxidative phytotoxicity and how this could be mitigated by eCO2.

Methane Decomposition to Hydrogen Over Zirconia-Supported Fe Catalysts-Effects of the Modified Support

Methane decomposition is a promising route to synthesize COx -free hydrogen and carbon nanomaterials (CNMs ). In this work, the impregnation method was employed for the preparation of the catalysts. Systematic investigations on the activity and stability of Fe-based catalysts were carried out in a packed-bed micro-activity reactor at 800 °C with a feed gas flow rate of 18 mL/min. The effect of doping Y2 O3 , MgO, SiO2 and TiO2 over ZrO2 on the catalytic performance was also studied. BET revealed that the specific surface areas and pore volumes are increased after SiO2 , TiO2 , and Y2 O3 are added to ZrO2 while MgO had a negative impact and hence a little decrease in specific surface area is observed. The catalytic activity results showed that the Fe-based catalyst supported over TiO2 -doped ZrO2 that is, Fe-TiZr, demonstrated the highest activity and stability, with a maximum methane conversion of 81.3 % during 180 min time-on-stream. At 800 °C, a maximum initial methane conversion of 73 %, 38 %, 64 %, and 69 % and a final carbon yield of 121 wt. %, 55 wt. %, 354 wt. %, and 174 wt. % was achieved using Fe-MgZr, Fe-SiZr, Fe-TiZr and Fe-YZr catalysts, respectively. Moreover, bulk deposition of uniform carbon nanotubes with a high degree of graphitization and different diameters was observed over the catalysts.

Attendance-Based Adherence and Outcomes of Obesity Management Program in Arab Adolescents

Pediatric obesity has become a global pandemic in the last century, contributing to short and long-term medical conditions that heighten the risk of morbidity and mortality in children. The 12-month school-based obesity management educational program aims to assess the effect of adherence to the lifestyle educational program and target outcomes, obesity, and hypertension. A total of 363 (nonadherent, N = 179; adherent, N = 184) Saudi school adolescents aged 12-18 were recruited from 60 schools in Riyadh City, Saudi Arabia. Anthropometrics, lipid profile, and blood glucose were measured at baseline and post-intervention. The level of adherence was based on the number of attended educational sessions, and participants were grouped accordingly into two groups: adherent group (attended ≥ 3 sessions) and nonadherent group (attended 1-2 sessions) out of a total of five sessions. Results demonstrated that significantly more participants in the adherent group achieved the primary program goal of reducing obesity indices [body weight, body mass index (BMI), and BMI z-score] than the nonadherent group. Additionally, among adherent obese participants, BMI z-score significantly decreased after the 12-month intervention (post-intervention: 1.5 ± 0.7 vs. baseline: 1.7 ± 0.6, p < 0.05), while the trend in BMI z-score modestly increased in the nonadherent obese participants post-intervention (post-intervention: 1.8 ± 0.7 vs. baseline: 1.7 ± 0.6, p > 0.05). Moreover, there was a substantial reduction in hypertension prevalence only in the adherent group (p = 0.003) and among adherent obese participants in particular (p = 0.03). Furthermore, adherence to session attendance was higher in girls than boys, which led to better outcomes among girls than boys. For the secondary outcomes, lipid profile indices increased in both groups, while no changes were observed in the glycemic profile. In conclusion, greater adherence to educational sessions achieved modest but favorable weight changes and improved blood pressure among obese adolescents. Future intervention studies should take into consideration the need to improve attendance to enhance adherence to the program among adolescents at risk.

Spectral Behavior of a Conjugated Polymer MDMO-PPV Doped with ZnO Nanoparticles: Thin Films

The purpose of the presented study is to examine the impact of zinc oxide nanoparticles (ZnO NPs) on the spectrum features of poly [2-methoxy-5-(3',7'-dimethyloctyloxy)-1, 4-phenylenevinylene] (MDMO-PPV). The characteristics of the MDMO-PPV and doped ZnO NPS samples were assessed using several techniques. A set of solutions of MDMO-PPV in toluene that were doped with different ratio percentages of ZnO NPs was prepared to obtain thin films. Pristine and composite solutions were spin-coated on glass substrates. It was observed that MDMO-PPV had two distinct absorbance bands at 310 and 500 nm in its absorption spectrum. The UV-Vis spectrum was dramatically changed when 5% of ZnO NPs were added. The result showed a significant reduction in absorption of the band 500 nm, while 310 nm absorption increased rapidly and became more pronounced. Upon adding (10%) ZnONPs to the sample, no noticeable change was observed in the 500 nm band. However, the 310 nm band shifted towards the blue region. There is a dominant peak in the PL spectrum of MDMO-PPV in its pristine form around 575 nm and a smaller hump around 600 nm of the spectrum. The spectral profile at 600 nm and the intensity of both bands are improved by raising the ZnO NP concentration. These bands feature two vibronic transitions identified as (0-0) and (0-1). When the dopant concentration increased to the maximum dopant percentage (10%), the energy band gap values increased by 0.21 eV compared to the pristine MDMO-PPV. In addition, the refractive index (n) decreased to its lowest value of 2.30 with the presence of concentrations of ZnO NPs.

Sustainable Resource Allocation and Reduce Latency Based on Federated-Learning-Enabled Digital Twin in IoT Devices

In this article, we utilize Digital Twins (DT) with edge networks using blockchain technology for reliable real-time data processing and provide a secure, scalable solution to bridge the gap between physical edge networks and digital systems. Then, we suggest a Federated Learning (FL) framework for collaborative computing that runs on a blockchain and is powered by the DT edge network. This framework increases data privacy while enhancing system security and reliability. The provision of sustainable Resource Allocation (RA) and ensure real-time data-processing interaction between Internet of Things (IoT) devices and edge servers depends on a balance between system latency and Energy Consumption (EC) based on the proposed DT-empowered Deep Reinforcement Learning (Deep-RL) agent. The Deep-RL agent evaluates the performance action based on RA actions in DT to distribute its bandwidth resources to IoT devices based on iteration and the actions taken to generate the best policy and enhance learning efficiency at every step. The simulation results show that the proposed Deep-RL-agent-based DT is able to exploit the best policy, select 47.5% of computing activities that are to be carried out locally with 1 MHz bandwidth and minimize the weighted cost of the transmission policy of edge-computing strategies.

Securing Secrets in Cyber-Physical Systems: A Cutting-Edge Privacy Approach with Consortium Blockchain

In the era of interconnected and intelligent cyber-physical systems, preserving privacy has become a paramount concern. This paper aims a groundbreaking proof-of-concept (PoC) design that leverages consortium blockchain technology to address privacy challenges in cyber-physical systems (CPSs). The proposed design introduces a novel approach to safeguarding sensitive information and ensuring data integrity while maintaining a high level of trust among stakeholders. By harnessing the power of consortium blockchain, the design establishes a decentralized and tamper-resistant framework for privacy preservation. However, ensuring the security and privacy of sensitive information within CPSs poses significant challenges. This paper proposes a cutting-edge privacy approach that leverages consortium blockchain technology to secure secrets in CPSs. Consortium blockchain, with its permissioned nature, provides a trusted framework for governing the network and validating transactions. By employing consortium blockchain, secrets in CPSs can be securely stored, shared, and accessed by authorized entities only, mitigating the risks of unauthorized access and data breaches. The proposed approach offers enhanced security, privacy preservation, increased trust and accountability, as well as interoperability and scalability. This paper aims to address the limitations of traditional security mechanisms in CPSs and harness the potential of consortium blockchain to revolutionize the management of secrets, contributing to the advancement of CPS security and privacy. The effectiveness of the design is demonstrated through extensive simulations and performance evaluations. The results indicate that the proposed approach offers significant advancements in privacy protection, paving the way for secure and trustworthy cyber-physical systems in various domains.

Development of Soft Luliconazole Invasomes Gel for Effective Transdermal Delivery: Optimization to In-Vivo Antifungal Activity

Luliconazole (LZ) is a good candidate for the treatment of fungal infection topically but has limitations, i.e., poor solubility and poor permeability to skin. Due to these limitations, multiple administrations for a long time are required to treat the inflection. The aim of the present study was to develop the invasomes (IVS) gel of LZ to improve the topical antifungal activity. The IVS was prepared by the thin-film hydration method and optimized by Box-Bhekhen design software. The optimized LZIVS (LZIVSopt) has 139.1 ± 4.32 nm of vesicle size, 88.21 ± 0.82% of entrapment efficiency, 0.301 ± 0.012 of PDI, and 19.5 mV (negative) of zeta potential. Scanning microscopy showed a spherical shape of the vesicle. FTIR spectra showed there is no interaction between the drug and lipid. Thermogram showed that the LZ is encapsulated into the LZIVS matrix. LZIVSopt gel (LZIVSopt-G3) exhibited optimum viscosity (6493 ± 27 cps) and significant spreadability (7.2 g·cm/s). LZIVSopt-G3 showed 2.47-fold higher permeation than pure LZ-gel. LZIVSopt-G3 did not show any edema or swelling in the skin, revealing that the developed formulation is non-irritant. LZIVSopt-G3 exhibited significant inhibition of the fungus infection (C. albicans) in the infected rats. The finding concluded that IVS gel is a good carrier and an attractive approach for the enhancement of topical delivery of LZ to treat the fungal infection.

Synthesis of Ilmenite Nickel Titanite-Supported Carbon Nanofibers Derived from Polyvinylpyrrolidone as Photocatalyst for H2 Production from Ammonia Borane Photohydrolysis

The present study involves the synthesis of photocatalytic composite nanofibers (NFs) comprising ilmenite nickel titanite-supported carbon nanofibers (NiTiO3/TiO2@CNFs) using an electrospinning process. The photocatalytic composite NFs obtained were utilized in hydrogen (H2) production from the photohydrolysis of ammonia borane (AB). The experimental findings show that the photocatalytic composite NFs with a loading of 25 mg had a good catalytic performance for H2 generation, producing the stoichiometric H2 in 11 min using 1 mmol AB under visible light at 25 °C and 1000 rpm. The increase in catalyst load to 50, 75, and 100 mg leads to a corresponding reduction in the reaction time to 7, 5, and 4 min. The findings from the kinetics investigations suggest that the rate of the photohydrolysis reaction is directly proportional to the amount of catalyst in the reaction system, adhering to a first-order reaction rate. Furthermore, it was observed that the reaction rate remains unaffected by the concentration of AB, thereby suggesting a reaction of zero order. Increasing the reaction temperature results in a decrease in the duration of the photohydrolysis reaction. Furthermore, an estimated activation energy value of 35.19 kJ mol-1 was obtained. The composite nanofibers demonstrated remarkable and consistent effectiveness throughout five consecutive cycles. The results suggest that composite NFs possess the capacity to function as a feasible substitute for costly catalysts in the process of H2 generation from AB.

Biological Activity of Biosynthesized Silver Nanoaggregates Prepared from the Aqueous Extract of Cymbopogon citratus against Candida spp

Cymbopogon citratus is commonly used in folk medicine for the treatment of nervous and gastrointestinal disturbances and other medical issues because of its potent antioxidant capacity. The current study evaluated the anti-candida effects of silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) synthesized from an aqueous extract of C. citratus against different Candida spp. The aqueous extract was prepared from the fresh leaves of C. citratus. The silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) were prepared and validated by UV spectroscopy, Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), transmission electron microscope (TEM), and zeta size analysis. C. albicans, C. krusei, C. parapsilosis, C. tropicalis, C. famata, C. rhodotorula, and C. glabrata were used in the antifungal assay. Microscopical imaging were used to investigate the different morphological changes induced by treatment. FTIR spectrum confirmed the existence of various functional groups of biomolecules capping the nanoparticles. The average particle size of synthesized AgNPs was 100.6 nm by zeta-sizer and 0.012 to 0.059 mm by TEM. In the antifungal assay, AgNPs aggregates induced significant inhibition of the growth of all species (p < 0.05) compared to the control and the biofilm maturation in C. famata and C. albicans. These considerable antifungal activities might lead to the development of appropriate alternative remedy for the treatment of fungal infections.

Designing a Graphene Metasurface Organic Material Sensor for Detection of Organic Compounds in Wastewater

In many fields, such as environmental monitoring, food safety, and medical diagnostics, the identification of organic compounds is essential. It is crucial to create exceptionally sensitive and selective sensors for the detection of organic compounds in order to safeguard the environment and human health. Due to its outstanding electrical, mechanical, and chemical characteristics, the two-dimensional carbon substance graphene has recently attracted much attention for use in sensing applications. The purpose of this research is to create an organic material sensor made from graphene for the detection of organic substances like phenol, ethanol, methanol, chloroform, etc. Due to its high surface-to-volume ratio and potent interactions with organic molecules, graphene improves the sensor's performance while the metasurface structure enables the design of highly sensitive and selective sensing elements. The suggested sensor is highly sensitive and accurate at detecting a broad spectrum of organic molecules, making it appropriate for a number of applications. The creation of this sensor has the potential to have a substantial impact on the field of organic sensing and increase the safety of food, medicine, and the environment. The graphene metasurface organic material sensor (GMOMS) was categorized into three types denoted as GMOMS1, GMOMS2, and GMOMS3 based on the specific application of the graphene chemical potential (GCP). In GMOMS1, GCP was applied on both the CSRR and CS surfaces. In GMOMS2, GCP was applied to the CS surface and the surrounding outer region of the CSRR. In GMOMS3, GCP was applied to the CSRR and the surrounding outer region of the CSRR surface. The results show that all three designs exhibit high relative sensitivity, with the maximum values ranging from 227 GHz/RIU achieved by GMOMS1 to 4318 GHz/RIU achieved by GMOMS3. The FOM values achieved for all the designs range from 2.038 RIU-1 achieved by GMOMS2 to 31.52 RIU-1 achieved by GMOMS3, which is considered ideal in this paper.

Perspectives on Corrosion Inhibition Features of Novel Synthesized Gemini-Fluorinated Cationic Surfactants Bearing Varied Spacers for Acid Pickling of X60-Steel: Practical, and In Silico Calculations

Through our present study, three novel Gemini-fluorinated cationic surfactants bearing different spacers (FSG6-2, FSG6-4, and FSG6-6) were synthesized, and their structures were explained via different spectroscopic instruments such as ¹H, ¹³C, and ¹⁹F NMR spectra. The surface activity of the as-prepared surfactants was examined. The inhibiting influence of FSG6 molecules on the X60 steel corrosion in the pickling solution (HCl) was examined by diverse methods comprising electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS), potentiodynamic polarization (PDP), and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) experimentations, and computational calculations. The inhibition effectiveness of FSG6 surfactants followed the order of 93.37% (FSG6-2) < 96.74% (FSG6-4) < 98.37% (FSG6-6) at 2.0 × 10^-4 M. The FSG6 surfactants function as mixed-type inhibitors, according to PDP investigations. The H₂O molecules that adsorbed on the steel interface were substituted with surfactant molecules, and the surfactant's inhibitory activity is likely caused by the improvement in an adsorptive layer on the steel substrate, as specified by the EIS results. The Langmuir isotherm describes the absorption of FSG6 molecules on the metal surface. The XPS investigations validate the steel interface's extremely protective nature. The mechanism of interaction between FSG6 molecules with an X60-steel employing the DFT calculations and MC simulations methods was also examined and discussed.

Synergistic Effect of Nanoparticles: Enhanced Mechanical and Corrosion Protection Properties of Epoxy Coatings Incorporated with SiO2 and ZrO2

This research paper presents the fabrication of epoxy coatings along with the hybrid combination of SiO₂ and ZrO₂. The epoxy resin is incorporated with SiO₂ as the primary pigment and ZrO₂ as the synergist pigment. The study delves into the adhesion, barrier, and anti-corrosion properties of these coatings, enriched with silica and zirconium nanoparticles, and investigates their impact on the final properties of the epoxy coating. The epoxy resin, a Diglycidyl ether bisphenol-A (DGEBA) type, is cured with a polyamidoamine adduct-based curing agent. To evaluate the protective performance of silica SiO₂ and zirconia ZrO₂ nanoparticles in epoxy coatings, the coated samples were tested in a 3.5% NaCl solution. The experimental results clearly demonstrate a remarkable improvement in the ultimate tensile strength (UTS), yield strength (YS), and Elastic Modulus. In comparison to using SiO₂ separately, the incorporation of both ZrO₂ and SiO₂ resulted in a substantial increase of 43.5% in UTS, 74.2% in YS, and 8.2% in Elastic Modulus. The corrosion test results revealed that the combination of DGEBA, SiO₂, and ZrO₂ significantly enhanced the anti-corrosion efficiency of the organic coatings. Both these pigments exhibited superior anti-corrosion effects and mechanical properties compared to conventional epoxy coatings, leading to a substantial increase in the anti-corrosion efficiency of the developed coating. This research focuses the potential of SiO₂ and ZrO₂ in hybrid combination for applications, where mechanical, corrosion and higher adhesion to the substrates are of prime importance.

Enhancement of Diabetic Retinopathy Prognostication Using Deep Learning, CLAHE, and ESRGAN

One of the primary causes of blindness in the diabetic population is diabetic retinopathy (DR). Many people could have their sight saved if only DR were detected and treated in time. Numerous Deep Learning (DL)-based methods have been presented to improve human analysis. Using a DL model with three scenarios, this research classified DR and its severity stages from fundus images using the "APTOS 2019 Blindness Detection" dataset. Following the adoption of the DL model, augmentation methods were implemented to generate a balanced dataset with consistent input parameters across all test scenarios. As a last step in the categorization process, the DenseNet-121 model was employed. Several methods, including Enhanced Super-resolution Generative Adversarial Networks (ESRGAN), Histogram Equalization (HIST), and Contrast Limited Adaptive HIST (CLAHE), have been used to enhance image quality in a variety of contexts. The suggested model detected the DR across all five APTOS 2019 grading process phases with the highest test accuracy of 98.36%, top-2 accuracy of 100%, and top-3 accuracy of 100%. Further evaluation criteria (precision, recall, and F1-score) for gauging the efficacy of the proposed model were established with the help of APTOS 2019. Furthermore, comparing CLAHE + ESRGAN against both state-of-the-art technology and other recommended methods, it was found that its use was more effective in DR classification.

Effect of Traverse Speed Variation on Microstructural Properties and Corrosion Behavior of Friction Stir Welded WE43 Mg Alloy Joints

The growing demand for Magnesium in the automotive and aviation industries has enticed the need to improve its corrosive properties. In this study, the WE43 magnesium alloys were friction stir welded (FSW) by varying the traverse speed. FSW eliminates defects such as liquefication cracking, expulsion, and voids in joints encountered frequently in fusion welding of magnesium alloys. The microstructural properties were scrutinized using light microscopy (LM) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Additionally, the elemental makeup of precipitates was studied using electron dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDS). The electrochemical behavior of specimens was evaluated by employing potentiodynamic polarization tests and was correlated with the microstructural properties. A defect-free weldment was obtained at a traverse and rotational speed of 100 mm/min and 710 rpm, respectively. All weldments significantly improved corrosion resistance compared to the base alloy. Moreover, a highly refined microstructure with redistribution/dissolution of precipitates was obtained. The grain size was reduced from 256 µm to around 13 µm. The corrosion resistance of the welded sample was enhanced by 22 times as compared to the base alloy. Hence, the reduction in grain size and the dissolution/distribution of secondary-phase particles within the Mg matrix are the primary factors for the enhancement of anti-corrosion properties.

The Effect of Zirconia Nanoparticles on Thermal, Mechanical, and Corrosion Behavior of Nanocomposite Epoxy Coatings on Steel Substrates

Zirconia (ZrO₂) nanoparticles (1-3 wt.%) were incorporated into the epoxy matrix using the ultra-sonication mixing method of dispersion to manufacture nanocomposite coatings. An automatic applicator was used to prepare the coating samples on a stainless steel substrate. The influence of ZrO₂ nanoparticles on the physicochemical characteristics of epoxy coatings was evaluated using energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDS), field emission scanning electron microscopy (FE-SEM), Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), thermos-gravimetric analysis (TGA), elastic modulus, and micro-hardness measurement with the nano-indentation technique. The corrosion stability during immersion in 3.5% NaCl solution was monitored using electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS). All ZrO₂-containing coatings showed better corrosion stability and adhesion than pure epoxy coating. Epoxy coating incorporated with 2% ZrO₂ exhibited the greatest values of corrosion resistance and adhesion due to the effect of nanoparticle properties and their better de-agglomeration in the epoxy matrix than pure epoxy coating.

Antioxidant and Anticancer Assessment and Phytochemical Investigation of Three Varieties of Date Fruits

Date palm (Phoenix dactylifera L.) fruits contain high concentrations of phenolic compounds, particularly flavonoids and other micronutrients, which impact human health due to their potent antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and anticancer characteristics. In the present study, the effect of ethyl acetate, hydroethanol, hydromethanol, and aqueous extract from three date palm varieties (i.e., Ajwa, Siwi, and Sukkari) on phytochemical profiles and antioxidant and anticancer activities was investigated. Fruit extracts were screened for their antioxidant activity using the DPPH· method. Phenolic constituents were quantified and identified using HPLC-DAD. Extracts (ethyl acetate, hydroethanol, and hydromethanol) were assessed for cytotoxicity on nine human cancer cell lines, i.e., MG-63, HCT116, MCF7, MDA-MB-231, HEPG2, HUH7, A549, H460, and HFB4, using the sulphorhodamine-B (SRB) assay. Results showed that the ethyl acetate extract of the Sukkari fruits has the greatest antioxidant potential with an IC₅₀ value of 132.4 ± 0.3 μg·mL^-1, while the aqueous extract of Ajwa date fruits exhibited the lowest antioxidant effect with an IC₅₀ value of 867.1 ± 0.3 μg·mL^-1. The extracts exhibited potent to moderate anticancer activities against the investigated cancer cell line in a source-dependent manner. Methanol extract of Siwi fruits exhibited the most potent anticancer activity (IC₅₀ = 99 ± 1.6 µg·mL^-1), followed by the same extract of Sukkari fruits with an IC₅₀ value of 119 ± 3.5 µg·mL^-1 against the cell line of human breast cancer (MDA-MB-231). Additionally, principal component analysis (PCA) was investigated to determine the relationship among the investigated traits and treatments. Our findings reveal that date palm fruit-derived extracts are excellent sources of biologically active constituents and substantiate their potential use in new anticancer strategies from natural resources.

Rapid Identification of Aphid Species by Headspace GC-MS and Discriminant Analysis

Aphids are a ubiquitous group of pests in agriculture that cause serious losses. For sustainable aphid identification, it is necessary to develop a precise and fast aphid identification tool. A new simple chemotaxonomy approach to rapidly identify aphids was implemented. The method was calibrated in comparison to the established phylogenetic analysis. For chemotaxonomic analysis, aphids were crushed, their headspace compounds were collected through closed-loop stripping (CLS) and analysed using gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS). GC-MS data were then subjected to a discriminant analysis using CAP12.exe software, which identified key biomarkers that distinguish aphid species. A dichotomous key taking into account the presence and absence of a set of species-specific biomarkers was derived from the discriminant analysis which enabled rapid and reliable identification of aphid species. As the method overcomes the limits of morphological identification, it works with aphids at all life stages and in both genders. Thus, our method enables entomologists to assign aphids to growth stages and identify the life history of the investigated aphids, i.e., the food plant(s) they fed on. Our experiments clearly showed that the method could be used as a software to automatically identify aphids.

Polysaccharide-Based Hydrogel from Seeds of Artemisia vulgaris: Extraction Optimization by Box-Behnken Design, pH-Responsiveness, and Sustained Drug Release

The current research work focuses on the extraction and optimization of the hydrogel (AVM) from the seeds of Artemisia vulgaris using Box-Behnken design-response surface methodology (BBD-RSM). The AVM was obtained through a hot water extraction process. The influence of different factors, including pH (U = 4 to 10), temperature (V = 25 to 110 °C), seed/water ratio, i.e., S/W ratio (W = 1/10 to 1/70 w/v), and seed/water contact time, i.e., S/W time (X = 1 to 12 h) on the yield of AVM was evaluated. The p-value for the analysis of variance (ANOVA) was found to be <0.001, indicating that the yield of AVM mainly depended on the abovementioned factors. The highest yield of AVM, i.e., 15.86%, was found at a pH of 7.12, temperature of 80.04 °C, S/W ratio of 1/33.24 w/v, and S/W time of 8.73 h according to Design-Expert Software. The study of the pH-responsive behavior of AVM in tablet form (formulation AVT3) revealed that AVM is a pH-responsive material with significantly high swelling at pH 7.4. However, less swelling was witnessed at pH 1.2. Moreover, AVM was found to be a sustained release material for esomeprazole at pH 7.4 for 12 h. The drug release from AVT3 was according to the super case-II transport mechanism and zero-order kinetics.

Fabrication and Applications of Potentiometric Membrane Sensors Based on γ-Cyclodextrin and Calixarene as Ionophores for the Determination of a Histamine H1-Receptor Antagonist: Fexofenadine

Supramolecular fexofenadine sensors have been constructed. Although noncovalent intermolecular and intramolecular interactions, which are far weaker than covalent contacts, are the main focus of supramolecular chemistry, they can be used to create sensors with an exceptional affinity for a target analyte. The objective of the current research study is to adapt two PVC membrane sensors into an electrochemical approach for the dosage form determination of histamine H1-receptor antagonists: fexofenadine. The general performance characteristics of two new modified potentiometric membrane sensors responsive to fexofenadine hydrochloride were established. The technique was based on the employment of γ-cyclodextrin (CD) (sensor 1), 4-tert-butylcalix[8]arene (calixarene) (sensor 2) as an ionophore, potassium tetrakis (4-chlorophenyl) borate (KTpClPB) as an ion additive, and (o-NPOE) as a plasticizer for sensors 1 and 2. The sensors showed fast responses over a wide fexofenadine concentration range (1 × 10^-2 to 4.5 (4.7) × 10^-6 M), with detection limits of 1.3 × 10^-6 M and 1.4 × 10^-6 M for sensors 1 and 2, respectively, in the pH range of 2-8. The tested sensors exhibit the fexofenadine near-Nernstian cationic response at 56 and 58 mV/decade for sensors 1 and 2, respectively. The sensors exhibit good stability, fast response times, accuracy, precision, and longer life for fexofenadine. Throughout the day and between days, the sensors exhibit good recovery and low relative standard deviations. Fexofenadine in its pure, dose form has been identified with success using the modified sensors. The sensors were employed as end-point indications for the titration of fexofenadine with NaTPB.

Homozygous LOXL2 variant in individuals affected by non-syndromic occipital encephalocele

BACKGROUND

Occipital encephaloceles is a rare congenital defect in which meninges and the brain protrude out as a sac-like structure through opening in the skull. The condition can result in neurologic complications as well as structural abnormalities of the skull. To the best of our knowledge, no genetic variant has been identified as an underlying cause of non-syndromic occipital encephaloceles.

METHODS

In this study, I report a family with 2 individuals having large occipital encephalocele. Clinical and radiological examination did not reveal any other neurological or skeletal manifestations in both affected individuals.

RESULTS

Exome sequencing detected the previously unreported homozygous single nucleotide duplication (NM_002318.3:c.64dupC) in LOXL2 gene. This is a nonsense variant (NP_002309.1:p.Leu22Profs*7) leading to a premature truncation and loss-of-function of the lysyl oxidase-like 2 protein. The variant is segregating in an autosomal recessive manner in a family. Both parents are heterozygous carriers for the variant while unaffected sibs have wild type sequence.

CONCLUSION

We hypothesize that LOXL2 is a potential candidate gene for occipital encephalocele due to the established role of LOXL3, a close paralog of LOXL2, in craniofacial development. This case illustrates the power of exome sequencing to establish genetic diagnosis and expands the spectrum of genetic defects in occipital encephalocele and related disorders.