Nanozyme sensor array based on Fe, Se co-doped carbon material for the discrimination of Sulfur-containing compounds

Developing methods for the accurate identification and analysis of sulfur-containing compounds (SCCs) is of great significance because of their essential roles in living organisms and the diagnosis of diseases. Herein, Se-doping improved oxidase-like activity of iron-based carbon material (Fe-Se/NC) was prepared and applied to construct a four-channel colorimetric sensor array for the detection and identification of SCCs (including biothiols and sulfur-containing metal salts). Fe-Se/NC can realize the chromogenic oxidation of 3,3',5,5'-tetramethylbenzidine (TMB) by activating O2 without relying on H2O2, which can be inhibited by different SCCs to diverse degrees to produce different colorimetric response changes as "fingerprints" on the sensor array. Principal component analysis (PCA) and hierarchical cluster analysis (HCA) revealed that nine kinds of SCCs could be well discriminated. The sensor array was also applied for the detection of SCCs with a linear range of 1-50 μM and a limit of detection of 0.07-0.2 μM. Moreover, colorimetric sensor array inspired by the different levels of SCCs in real samples were used to discriminate cancer cells and food samples, demonstrating its potential application in the field of disease diagnosis and food monitoring. ENVIRONMENTAL IMPLICATIONS: In this work, a four-channel colorimetric sensor array for accurate SCCs identification and detection was successfully constructed. The colorimetric sensor array inspired by the different levels of SCCs in real samples were also used to discriminate cancer cells and food samples. Therefore, this Fe-Se/NC based sensor array is expected to be applied in the field of environmental monitoring and environment related disease diagnosis.

Human biomonitoring of trace metals from different altitudinal settings of Pakistan

Human biomonitoring of toxic trace elements is of critical importance for public health protection. The current study aims to assess the levels of selected trace metals (Cd, Co, Cr, Cu, Mn, Ni, Pb, and Zn) into paired human nail and hair samples (n = 180 each) from different altitudinal setting along the Indus River, and which were measured by using inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS). The human samples (hair and nail) were collected from four different ecological zones of Pakistan which include frozen mountain zone (FMZ), wet mountain zone (WMZ), riverine delta zone (RDZ), and low-lying southern areas (LLZ). Our results showed the following occurrence trends into studied hair samples: higher values (ppm) of Zn (281), Co (0.136), and Mn (5.65) at FMZ; Cr (1.37), Mn (7.83), and Ni (1.22) at WMZ; Co (0.15), Mn (11.89), and Ni (0.99) at RDZ; and Mn (8.99) and Ni (0.90) at LLZ. While in the case of nails, the levels (ppm) of Mn (9.91) at FMZ and Mn (9.38, 24.1, and 12.5), Cr (1.84, 3.87, and 2.33), and Ni (10.69, 8.89, and 12.6) at WMZ, RDZ and LLZ, respectively, showed higher concentration. In general, among the studied trace elements, Mn and Ni in hair/nail samples were consistently higher and exceeded the WHO threshold/published reference values in most of the studied samples (> 50-60%) throughout the Indus basin. Similarly, hair/nail Pb values were also higher in few cases (2-10%) at all studied zones and exceeded the WHO threshold/published reference values. Our area-wise comparisons of studied metals exhibited altitudinal trends for Cd, Cr, Zn, and Mn (p < 0.05), and surprisingly, the values were increasing from south to north (at higher altitudes) and indicative of geogenic sources of the studied toxic elements, except Mn, which was higher at lower floodplain areas. Estimated daily intake (EDI) values showed that food and drinking water had the highest contribution towards Zn, Cu, Mn, and Ni and accumulation at all studied zones. Whereas, dust also acts as the main exposure route for Mn, Co, Cr, and Cd followed by the food, and water.

New record of Philometra species from the marine edible fish Terapon jarbua collected from the Sindh, Arabian Sea, Pakistan

Diseases in fish due to helminth parasites, especially Philometra species, are the primary worry in aquaculture. Philometra are responsible for health problem in fishes they directly affect fish growth and population parameters. A comprehensive survey was conducted involving the examination of the marine fish species Terapon jarbua, gathered from the coastal waters of Sindh, Pakistan In this research different Philometra species from marine fish Terapon jarbua during 2021 and 2022. Philometra nematodes, belonging to the family Philometridae, are common parasitic organisms inhabiting both marine and freshwater environments. Their prevalence, particularly when existing in high numbers within host organisms, can lead to severe and potentially lethal consequences. Employing light microscopy techniques, diverse species of Philometra were identified, including Philometra teraponi, P. jarbuai, P. arabiai, P. karachii, and P. awarii, localized primarily within the ovaries of the host fish. A total of 140 fish samples were examined and 76 were infected. The intensity of infected fish was 54.28%. The identification process encompassed meticulous analysis of crucial parameters, such as body size, esophagus length, positioning of the nerve ring, dimensions of the ventriculus, and ligament size. Intriguingly, the parasites were found in varying contexts; while some were free within the ovaries, others were embedded within tissues, inducing severe muscular dystrophy. This research presents novel findings of Philometra nematodes in the marine waters of Pakistan, extending their host and geographical distribution records. Future studies are needed to better evaluate and describe the dynamics and the epidemiology of Philometra infection in wild and cultured fish species.

Investigating structural and electronic properties of neutral zinc clusters: a G0W0 and G0W0Г0(1) benchmark

The structural and electronic properties of zinc clusters (Znn) for a size range of n = 2-15 are studied using density functional theory. The particle swarm optimization algorithm is employed to search the structure and to determine the ground-state structure of the neutral Zn clusters. The structural motifs are optimized using the density functional theory approach to ensure that the structures are fully relaxed. Results are compared with the literature to validate the accuracy of the prediction method. The binding energy per cluster is obtained and compared with the reported literature to study the stability of these structures. We further assess the electronic properties, including the ionization potential, using the all-electron FHI-aims code employing G0W0 calculations, and the G0W0Г0(1) correction for a few smaller clusters, which provides a better estimation of the ionization potential compared to other methods.

Heparin Specifically Inhibits CRISPR/Cas12 Activation, Enabling Ultrasensitive Heparin Detection and Gene Editing Regulation

Heparin is a highly sulfated linear glycosaminoglycan that is used as an anticoagulant to prevent and treat thrombotic diseases. Herein, we find that heparin specifically inhibits the activation of the Cas12 protein through the competitive binding of heparin and crRNA to Cas12. Studies illustrate that heparin's high molecular weight and strong negative charge are critical parameters for its inhibitory effect. This unexpected finding was engineered for the detection of heparin, affording a low detection limit of 0.36 ng/mL for fluorometric quantification. We further developed a rapid lateral flow-based system named HepaStrip (heparin strip), allowing heparin monitoring in clinical samples within 20 min. Finally, in vivo investigations revealed that heparin can regulate gene editing with the clusters of the regularly spaced short palindromic repeat (CRISPR)/Cas12 system in Escherichia coli. Heparin blocks the formation of Cas12-crRNA ribonucleoprotein, allowing the application of CRISPR for rapid and field-deployable detection of heparin and unleashing the potential use of heparin in future anti-CRISPR applications.

The Mystery of Electrical Storm: A Case Report

Electrical storm is a cardiac emergency, defined as three or more hemodynamically unstable ventricular tachyarrythmias within 24 hours or ventricular tachycardia reoccurring within five minutes. The trigger for an electrical storm can be reversible like drug toxicity and electrolyte imbalances or can be irreversible like structural heart disease. Symptomatic patients can have chest pain, palpitations or syncopal episodes. We present a case of a gentleman in his 60s who was diagnosed with electrical storm which started as an out-of-hospital cardiac arrest. Uniqueness in the case lies in the unknown aetiology after all the investigations came back as normal and management of such cases is based on pacemakers and use of antiarrythmic agents to control and prevent further attacks.

Source tracking of extensively drug resistant Salmonella Typhi in food and raw vegetables using molecular approaches

INTRODUCTION

Extensively drug resistant (XDR) strains of the Salmonella lineages have been reported to spread from Africa to South Asia. XDR strains are resistant to fluoroquinolones, chloramphenicol, co-trimoxazole, and ampicillin, resulting in treatment failure. The objectives of this study included the investigation of transmission of S. Typhi lineages and the identification of the potentially contaminated sources of the XDR typhoid outbreak from different urban areas by using molecular techniques.

METHODOLOGY

Environmental samples, including food samples, were collected from different towns and the susceptibility of each isolate to the antimicrobial agents was examined. Molecular identification of different Salmonella lineages including S. Typhi, S. Paratyphi A, H58, and XDR was carried out through multiplex PCR.

RESULTS AND CONCLUSIONS

A total of 328 environmental samples including raw vegetables, water, and bakery items were collected. More than half of the tested samples (64%) found harboring Salmonella spp. The Salmonella was confirmed through PCR amplification of species-specific markers that showed the presence of S. Typhi (40%), S. Paratyphi A (8%), H58 (7%), and XDR S. Typhi (6%). Raw vegetables had the highest number of Salmonella spp., indicating consumption of raw vegetables as a possible source of salmonellosis. XDR status was also affirmed through phenotypic antimicrobial susceptibility testing.

Recent developments, advances and strategies in heterogeneous photocatalysts for water splitting

Photocatalytic water splitting (PWS) is an up-and-coming technology for generating sustainable fuel using light energy. Significant progress has been made in the developing of PWS innovations over recent years. In addition to various water-splitting (WS) systems, the focus has primarily been on one- and two-steps-excitation WS systems. These systems utilize singular or composite photocatalysts for WS, which is a simple, feasible, and cost-effective method for efficiently converting prevalent green energy into sustainable H2 energy on a large commercial scale. The proposed principle of charge confinement and transformation should be implemented dynamically by conjugating and stimulating the photocatalytic process while ensuring no unintentional connection at the interface. This study focuses on overall water splitting (OWS) using one/two-steps excitation and various techniques. It also discusses the current advancements in the development of new light-absorbing materials and provides perspectives and approaches for isolating photoinduced charges. This article explores multiple aspects of advancement, encompassing both chemical and physical changes, environmental factors, different photocatalyst types, and distinct parameters affecting PWS. Significant factors for achieving an efficient photocatalytic process under detrimental conditions, (e.g., strong light absorption, and synthesis of structures with a nanometer scale. Future research will focus on developing novel materials, investigating potential synthesis techniques, and improving existing high-energy raw materials. The endeavors aim is to enhance the efficiency of energy conversion, the absorption of radiation, and the coherence of physiochemical processes.

Passively Q-Switched Er-Doped Fiber Laser Based on Bentonite Clay (Al2H2O6Si) Saturable Absorber

This paper presents the investigations toward the direct use of bentonite clay (Al2H2O6Si) nanoparticles to act like a saturable absorber (SA) for the Q-switched pulse operation of an erbium-doped fiber laser (EDFL). The measured results reveal that with the incorporation of bentonite clay nanopowder as a SA, an EDFL is realized with a Q-switching mechanism starting at a pump power of 30.8 mW, and a Q-switched emission wavelength was noticed at 1562.94 nm at 142 mW pump power. With an increased pump from 30.8 mW to 278.96 mW, the temporal pulse parameters including minimum pulse duration and maximum pulse repetition rates were reported as 2.6 µs and 103.6 kHz, respectively. The highest peak power, signal-to-noise ratio, output power and pulse energy were noticed to be 16.56 mW, 51 dB, 4.6 mW, and 47 nJ, respectively, at a highest pump power of 278.96 mW. This study highlights the significance of bentonite clay (Al2H2O6Si) nanoparticles as a potential candidate for a saturable absorber for achieving nonlinear photonics applications.

Toward a zero waste approach: Utilization of sugarcane bagasse for dye removal and multienzymes production

Global production of sugarcane bagasse (SB) by sugar industries exceeds more than 100 tons per annum. SB is rich in lignin and polysaccharide and hence can serve as a low-cost energy and carbon source for the growth of industrially important microorganism. However, various other applications of SB have also been investigated. In this study, SB was used as an adsorbent to remove an azo dye, malachite green. Subsequently, the dye-adsorbed SB was fermented by Trametes pubescens MB 89 for the production of laccase enzyme. The fungal pretreated SB was further utilized as a substrate for the simultaneous production of multiple plant cell wall degrading enzymes including, cellulase, xylanase, pectinase, and amylase by thermophilic bacterial strains. Results showed that 0.1% SB removed 97.04% malachite green at 30°C after 30 min from a solution containing 66 ppm of the dye. Fermentation of the dye-adsorbed SB by T. pubescens MB 89 yielded 667.203 IU mL-1 laccase. Moreover, Brevibacillus borstelensis UE10 produced 38.41 and 18.6 IU mL-1 β-glucosidase and pectinase, respectively, by using fungal-pretreated SB. Cultivation of B. borstelensis UE27 in the medium containing the same substrate yielded 32.14 IU mL-1 of endoglucanase and 27.23 IU mL-1 of β-glucosidase. Likewise, Neobacillus sedimentimangrovi UE25 could produce a mix of β-glucosidase (37.24 IU mL-1 ), xylanase (18.65 IU mL-1 ) and endoglucanase (26.65 IU mL-1 ). Hence, this study led to the development of a method through which dye-containing textile effluent can be treated by SB along with the production of industrially important enzymes.

Harnessing aptamers for the biosensing of cell surface glycans - A review

Cell surface glycans (CSGs) are essential for cell recognition, adhesion, and invasion, and they also serve as disease biomarkers. Traditional CSG recognition using lectins has limitations such as limited specificity, low stability, high cytotoxicity, and multivalent binding. Aptamers, known for their specific binding capacity to target molecules, are increasingly being employed in the biosensing of CSGs. Aptamers offer the advantage of high flexibility, small size, straightforward modification, and monovalent recognition, enabling their integration into the profiling of CSGs on living cells. In this review, we summarize representative examples of aptamer-based CSG biosensing and identify two strategies for harnessing aptamers in CSG detection: direct recognition based on aptamer-CSG binding and indirect recognition through protein localization. These strategies enable the generation of diverse signals including fluorescence, electrochemical, photoacoustic, and electrochemiluminescence signals for CSG detection. The advantages, challenges, and future perspectives of using aptamers for CSG biosensing are also discussed.

Q-switched pulse operation in erbium-doped fiber laser subject to zirconia (ZrO2) nanoparticles-based saturable absorber

In this paper, the zirconia (ZrO2) nanoparticles-based saturable-absorber (SA) have been incorporated in an erbium-doped fiber laser (EDFL) cavity for achieving a Q-switched pulse operation. The implementation of the zirconia nanoparticles-based powder on the fiber facet was accomplished using the index-matching gel's adhesion effect. The incorporation of SA in the laser cavity yielded a stable and self-starting Q-switched operation under 19.36 mW pump power that corresponded to the emission wavelength of 1557.29 nm. Additionally, it was observed that the EDFL's emission wavelength tuned from 1557.29 nm to 1562.3 nm , and the repetition rates and pulse width ranged from 61.2 to 130 kHz and 7.9 to 3.6 μs, respectively, as the pump power was increased from 19.36 to 380.16 mW. Measured experimental results reveal that at a maximum pump power of 380.16 mW, the maximum average output power, peak power, and pulse energy were noticed to be 1.17 mW, 2.5 mW, and 9 nJ, respectively. A 52 dB suppression in side bands was found at a pump power of 380.16 mW. Moreover, the stability and threshold tolerance of the EDFL has also been discussed in detail. These findings suggest that nanoparticle-based saturable absorbers have potential applications in a pulsed source, making it easier to implement in fiber cavity-based systems.

Finite element analysis of cross fluid model over a vertical disk suspended to a tetra hybrid nanoparticles mixture

Nanoparticles have numerous applications and are used frequently in different cooling, heating, treatment of cancer cells and manufacturing processes. The current investigation covers the utilization of tetra hybrid nanofluid (aluminum oxide, iron dioxide, titanium dioxide and copper) for Crossflow model over a vertical disk by considering the shape effects (bricks, cylindrical and platelet) of nanoparticles, electro-magneto-hydrodynamic effect and quadratic thermal radiation. In the current inspection model is first derived given PD-equations and then altered into a system of OD-equations by including similarity variables. The converted ordinary differential equations are solved by using the finite element procedure and the impact of the solution against numerous involved parameters is displayed through tables and graphs. It is observed that tetra-hybrid nanoparticles are recommended better in industrial applications where the highest production of thermal energy. Moreover, an enhancement of thermal production can be achieved utilizing different values of the magnetic parameter, time relaxation number, variable thermal radiation number and magnetic induction number but the opposite trend has been noticed with the effects of radiation number.

Entropy analysis of MHD hybrid nanoparticles with OHAM considering viscous dissipation and thermal radiation

This research explores the 3-D flow characteristics, entropy generation and heat transmission behavior of nanofluids consisting of copper and titanium in water as they flow across a bidirectional apparent, while considering the influence of magneto-hydrodynamics. The thermophysical properties of nanofluids are taken advantage of utilizing the Tiwari and Das demonstrate. The concept of the boundary layer has facilitated the comprehension of the physical ideas derived from it. By applying requisite transformations, the connected intricate sets of partial differential equation have been converted into ordinary differential equation. The modified model is calculated employing the widely recognized technique known as OHAM by using Mathematica program BVPh2.0 Software. For different dimensionless parameters computational and graphical investigations have been performed. It is notice that as fluid parameters change, they exhibit distinct responses in comparison to the temperature, velocity profiles and entropy generation. The results show that velocity profile rise with greater estimates of the magnetic parameter and the rate of entropy formation. Furthermore, thermal profiles become less significant as Eckert and Prandtl numbers increase.

Size at sexual maturity estimation for 36 species captured by bottom and mid-water trawls from the marine habitat of Balochistan and Sindh in the Arabian Sea, Pakistan, using maximum length (Lmax) and logistic (L50) models

Abstract The aim of this study was to estimate the size at first sexual maturity (Lm) for 36 species belonging to 24 families from the marine habitat of Balochistan and Sindh in Arabian Sea, Pakistan through maximum length based an empirical and logistic model using commercial catch during June 2020 to May 2021. Individual total length (TL) was noted up to 0.1 cm using measuring broad. The Lm was calculated using two formulae; (i) log (Lm) = - 0.1246 + 0.9924 * log (Lmax) for Elasmobranchs and (ii) log (Lm) = -0.1189 + 0.9157* log (Lmax) for ray-finned fishes. The minimum Lm was recorded as 10.27 cm TL for Caranx malabaricus and 108.38 cm TL for Isurus oxyrinchus, respectively. Around Lm with 58.33% species were ranges from 19.00 cm to 25.00 cm TL. This study was estimated 16 newly Lm which is globally absent and rest 20 Lm are absent in the Arabian Sea (Pakistan coastal habitats). Therefore, the results will be helpful for the sustainable management and conservation of these marine fishes through the establishment of mesh size of trawl nets based on the size at sexual maturity (Lm).

Investigations on the structural and optoelectronic characteristics of cadmium-substituted zinc selenide semiconductors

A change in the composition and dopant content of selective atoms in a material leads to their new desired properties by altering the structure, which can significantly improve the performance of relevant devices. By acknowledging this, we focused on characterizing the optoelectronic and structural properties of cadmium-substituted zinc selenide (Zn1-xCdxSe; 0 ≤ X ≤ 1) semiconductors using density functional theory (DFT) within the generalized gradient approximation (GGA), EV-GGA, and mBJ approximations. The results proved the cubic symmetry of the investigated materials at all Cd concentrations (0, 0.25, 0.50, 0.75, and 1). Although a linear surge in the lattice constant is observed with the change in Cd content, the bulk modulus exhibits a reverse trend. These materials are observed to be direct bandgap semiconductors at all Cd concentrations, with a decrease in electronic bandgap from 2.76 eV to 1.87 eV, and have isotropic optical properties, showing their potential applicability as a blue-to-red display. The fundamental optical properties of the materials, such as optical conductivity, reflectance, refractive index, absorption, and extinction coefficient, are also discussed. These outcomes provide a computational understanding of the diverse applications of Zn1-xCdxSe semiconductors in optoelectronic, photonic, and photovoltaic devices, particularly for a visible-range display.

An insight into recent developments of copper, silver and gold carbon dots: cancer diagnostics and treatment

Cancer is one of the most fatal diseases globally, however, advancement in the field of nanoscience specifically novel nanomaterials with nano-targeting of cancer cell lines has revolutionized cancer diagnosis and therapy and has thus attracted the attention of researchers of related fields. Carbon Dots (CDs)-C-based nanomaterials-have emerged as highly favorable candidates for simultaneous bioimaging and therapy during cancer nano-theranostics due to their exclusive innate FL and theranostic characteristics exhibited in different preclinical results. Recently, different transition metal-doped CDs have enhanced the effectiveness of CDs manifold in biomedical applications with minimum toxicity. The use of group-11 (Cu, Ag and Au) with CDs in this direction have recently gained the attention of researchers because of their encouraging results. This review summarizes the current developments of group-11 (Cu, Ag and Au) CDs for early diagnosis and therapy of cancer including their nanocomposites, nanohybrids and heterostructures etc. All The manuscript highlights imaging applications (FL, photoacoustic, MRI etc.) and therapeutic applications (phototherapy, photodynamic, multimodal etc.) of Cu-, Ag- and Au-doped CDs reported as nanotheranostic agents for cancer treatment. Sources of CDs and metals alogwith applications to give a comparative analysis have been given in the tabulated form at the end of manuscript. Further, future prospects and challenges have also been discussed.

Utilization of wild Cressa cretica biomass for pectinase production from a halo-thermotolerant bacterium

Halophytes are the native inhabitants of saline environment. Their biomass can be considered as a potential substrate for the production of microbial enzymes. This study was intended at feasible utilization of a halophytic biomass, Cressia cretica, for pectinase production using a halo- and thermo-tolerant bacterium, Bacillus vallismortis MH 10. The data from fractionation of the C. cretica biomass revealed presence of 17% pectin in this wild biomass. Seven different factors (temperature, agitation, pH, inoculum size, peptone concentration, substrate concentration, and incubation time) affecting pectinase production using C. cretica were assessed through a statistical tool, Plackett-Burman design. Consequently, two significant factors (incubation time and peptone concentration) were optimized using the central composite design. The strain produced 20 IU mL-1 of pectinase after 24 h under optimized conditions. The enzyme production kinetics data also confirmed that 24 h is the most suitable cultivation period for pectinase production. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy and scanning electron microscopy of C. cretica biomass ascertained utilization of pectin and structural changes after fermentation. The purification of pectinase by using DEAE column yielded specific activity and purification fold of 88.26 IU mg-1 and 3.2, respectively. The purified pectinase had a molecular weight of >65 kDa. This study offers prospects of large-scale production of pectinase by halotolerant strain in the presence of economical and locally grown substrate that makes the enzyme valuable for various industrial operations.

Drug-ionic surfactant interactions: density, sound speed, spectroscopic, and electrochemical studies

The failure of antibiotics against infectious diseases has become a global health issue due to the incessant use of antibiotics in the community and a lack of entry of new antibacterial drugs onto the market. The limited knowledge of biophysical interactions of existing antibiotics with bio-membranes is one of the major hurdles to design and develop more effective antibiotics. Surfactant systems are the simplest biological membrane models that not only mimic the cell membrane functions but are also used to investigate the biophysical interactions between pharmaceutical drugs and bio-membranes at the molecular level. In this work, volumetric and acoustic studies were used to investigate the molecular interactions of moxifloxacin (MXF), a potential antibacterial drug, with ionic surfactants (dodecyl-tri-methyl-ammonium bromide (DTAB), a cationic surfactant and sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS), an anionic surfactant) under physiological conditions (phosphate buffer, pH 7.4) at T = 298.15-313.15 K at an interval of 5 K. Various volumetric and acoustic parameters were computed from the density and sound speed data and interpreted in terms of MXF-ionic surfactant interaction using electrostriction effect and co-sphere overlap model. Absorption spectroscopy and cyclic voltammetry were further used to determine the binding, partitioning, and related free energies of MXF with ionic micelles.

In Vitro Activity of New β-Lactamase Inhibitor Combinations against blaNDM, blaKPC, and ESBL-Producing Enterobacteriales Uropathogens

Antibiotic resistance in uropathogens has increased substantially and severely affected treatment of urinary tract infections (UTIs). Lately, some new formulations, including meropenem/vaborbactam (MEV), ceftazidime/avibactam (CZA), and ceftolozane/tazobactam (C/T) have been introduced to treat infections caused by drug-resistant pathogens. This study was designed to screen Enterobacteriales isolates from UTI patients and to assess their antimicrobial resistance pattern, particularly against the mentioned (new) antibiotics. Phenotypic screening of extended-spectrum β-lactamase (ESBL) and carbapenem resistance was followed by inhibitor-based assays to detect K. pneumoniae carbapenemase (KPC), metallo-β-lactamase (MBL), and class D oxacillinases (OXA). Among 289 Enterobacteriales, E. coli (66.4%) was the most predominant pathogen, followed by K. pneumoniae (13.8%) and P. mirabilis (8.3%). The isolates showed higher resistance to penicillins and cephalosporins (70-87%) than to non-β-lactam antimicrobials (33.2-41.5%). NDM production was a common feature among carbapenem-resistant (CR) isolates, followed by KPC and OXA. ESBL producers were susceptible to the tested new antibiotics, but NDM-positive isolates appeared resistant to these combinations. KPC-producers showed resistance to only C/T. ESBLs and carbapenemase encoding genes were located on plasmids and most of the genes were successfully transferred to recipient cells. This study revealed that MEV and CZA had significant activity against ESBL and KPC producers.

Numerical simulations of heat generation, thermal radiation and thermal transport in water-based nanoparticles: OHAM study

This study investigates the 3D flow properties and heat transfer of copper, titanium/ water nanofluids across a bidirectional surface under the impact of MHD. The thermophysical features of nanofluid are employed using the Tiwari and Das model. Boundary layer theory has simplified the resulting physical principles. By using the proper transformations, the complicated sets of connected PDEs have evolved into ODEs. Equations that have been modify by using OHAM. For various dimensionless component ranges between [Formula: see text].[Formula: see text], [Formula: see text], [Formula: see text], [Formula: see text], and [Formula: see text] the results are investigated computationally and graphically. It is observed that fluid parameters improve; they react differently from temperature and velocity profile. Additionally, thermal profiles decrease in comparison to greater Eckert and Prandtl numbers.

Biomaterials evolution: from inert to instructive

The field of biomaterials has experienced substantial evolution in recent years, driven by advancements in materials science and engineering. This has led to an expansion of the biomaterials definition to include biocompatibility, bioactivity, bioderived materials, and biological tissues. Consequently, the intended performance of biomaterials has shifted from a passive role wherein a biomaterial is merely accepted by the body to an active role wherein a biomaterial instructs its biological environment. In the future, the integration of bioinspired designs and dynamic behavior into fabrication technologies will revolutionize the field of biomaterials. This perspective presents the recent advances in the evolution of biomaterials in fabrication technologies and provides a brief insight into smart biomaterials.

Investigation of composed charged particles with suspension of ternary hybrid nanoparticles in 3D-power law model computed by Galerkin algorithm

Transport of heat visualizes a vital role in many industrial developments. Current study is discussing the role of Joule heating, solar thermal radiation, heat generation/absorption, reactions (homogeneous and heterogeneous) with variable thermal conductivity on partially ionized power law material past over a three-dimensional heated stretched surface. The power law model is assumed to have the thermal characteristics of ethylene glycol material. The phenomenon of momentum and energy balance is derived in Cartesian coordinates and developed PD (partial differential)-equations. Swimming pools, solar collectors, food processing, electronic gadgets, cooling systems, magnetic field measurement, computer chips, thermal enhancement, semiconductor characterization, nuclear fusion research and other physical applications are examples of ongoing research. The principle of boundary layer simplified the governing problem. The complex coupled PD (partial differential)-equations have been converted into ordinary differential equations OD (ordinary differential)-equations by using appropriate similarity transformation. The converted boundary value problem is complex and highly nonlinear which does not have the exact solution. The approximate solution is computed numerically via finite element scheme (FES) which is coded in MAPLE 18.0 symbolic package. The convergence of the scheme is established through grid independent survey and the solution is plotted against numerous involved parameters. Thermal performance produced by [Formula: see text]-[Formula: see text]-[Formula: see text]/EG is higher thermal performance produced by [Formula: see text]-[Formula: see text]/EG. Ion slip and Hall forces are responsible for generating Joule heating mechanism that is responsible for reduction of velocity curve and generating shear stresses. Hence, tangential stresses are declined against increasing [Formula: see text] and [Formula: see text].

State, synthesis, perspective applications, and challenges of Graphdiyne and its analogues: A review of recent research

Carbon materials technology provides the possibility of synthesizing low-cost, outstanding performance replacements to noble-metal catalysts for long-term use. Graphdiyne (GDY) is a carbon allotrope with an extremely thin atomic thickness. It consists of carbon elements, that are hybridized with both sp. and sp2, resulting in a multilayered two-dimensional (2D) configuration. Several functional models suggest, that GDY contains spontaneously existing band structure with Dirac poles. This is due to the non-uniform interaction among carbon atoms, which results from various fusions and overlapping of the 2pz subshell. Unlike other carbon allotropes, GDY has Dirac cone arrangements, that in turn give it inimitable physiochemical characteristics. These properties include an adjustable intrinsic energy gap, high speeds charging transport modulation efficiency, and exceptional conductance. Many scientists are interested in such novel, linear, stacked materials, including GDY. As a result, organized synthesis of GDY has been pursued, making it one of the first synthesized GDY materials. There are several methods to manipulate the band structure of GDY, including applying stresses, introducing boron/nitrogen loading, utilizing nanowires, and hydrogenations. The flexibility of GDY can be effectively demonstrated through the formation of nano walls, nanostructures, nanotube patterns, nanorods, or structured striped clusters. GDY, being a carbon material, has a wide range of applications owing to its remarkable structural and electrical characteristics. According to subsequent research, the GDY can be utilized in numerous energy generation processes, such as electrochemical water splitting (ECWS), photoelectrochemical water splitting (PEC WS), nitrogen reduction reaction (NRR), overall water splitting (OWS), oxygen reduction reaction (ORR), energy storage materials, lithium-Ion batteries (LiBs) and solar cell applications. These studies suggested that the use of GDY holds significant potential for the development and implementation of efficient, multimodal, and intelligent catalysts with realistic applications. However, the limitation of GDY and GDY-based composites for forthcoming studies are similarly acknowledged. The objective of these studies is to deliver a comprehensive knowledge of GDY and inspire further advancement and utilization of these unique carbon materials.

Femoral coordinate system based on articular surfaces: Implications for computer-assisted knee arthroplasty

Osteoarthritis knee can be restored by total knee arthroplasty (TKA). Imageless TKA requires several anatomical points to construct a reference coordinate system to measure bone resections and implant placement. Inaccuracies in the definition of the coordinate system lead to malalignment and failure of the implant. While the surgical transepicondylar axis (sTEA) is a reliable anatomical axis to define the lateromedial axis for the femoral coordinate system (FCS), the presence of the collateral ligaments and deterioration of the medial sulcus (MS) make the registration of sTEA a challenging task. In this work, sTEA is assigned using the articular surfaces of the femoral condyles, independent of the lateral epicondyle (LE) and MS. A single 3D arc is marked on each condyle, which is transformed into a 2D arc to get the best-fit curve according to the profile of condyles. The turning point of each best-fit curve, when transformed back to 3D, defines an axis parallel to sTEA. The condyles-based sTEA is measured experimentally on a 3D-printed bone using an Optitrack tracking setup. Using the proposed method, the angle between the aTEA, sTEA, and Whiteside's line was (3.77, 0.55, and 92.72)°, respectively. The proposed method provides the same level of accuracy and improves the anatomical points registration efficiency, as there is no need to register the LE or MS.

Hyaluronic acid/alginate-based biomimetic hydrogel membranes for accelerated diabetic wound repair

The study aims to develop a new multifunctional biopolymer-based hydrogel membrane dressing by adopting a solvent casting method for the controlled release of cefotaxime sodium at the wound site. Sodium alginate enhances collagen production in the skin, which provides tensile strength to healing tissue. Moreover, the significance of extracellular molecules such as hyaluronic acid in the wound the healing cascade renders these biopolymers an essential ingredient for the fabrication of hydrogel membranes via physical crosslinking (hydrogen bonding). These membranes were further investigated in terms of their structure, and surface morphology, as well as cell viability analysis. A membrane with the most suitable characteristics was chosen as a candidate for cefotaxime sodium loading and in vivo analysis. Results show that the 3D porous nature of developed membranes allows optimum water vapor and oxygen transmission (>8.21 mg/mL) to divert excessive wound exudate away from the diabetic wound bed, MTT assay confirmed cell viability at more than 80%. In vivo results confirmed that the CTX-HA-Alg-PVA hydrogel group showed rapid wound healing with accelerated re-epithelization and a decreased inflammatory response. Conclusively, these findings indicate that CTX-HA-Alg-PVA hydrogel membranes exhibit a suitable niche for use as dressing membranes for healing of diabetic wounds.

Radar sensor based machine learning approach for precise vehicle position estimation

Estimating vehicles' position precisely is essential in Vehicular Adhoc Networks (VANETs) for their safe, autonomous, and reliable operation. The conventional approaches used for vehicles' position estimation, like Global Positioning System (GPS) and Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS), pose significant data delays and data transmission errors, which render them ineffective in achieving precision in vehicles' position estimation, especially under dynamic environments. Moreover, the existing radar-based approaches proposed for position estimation utilize the static values of range and azimuth, which make them inefficient in highly dynamic environments. In this paper, we propose a radar-based relative vehicle positioning estimation method. In the proposed method, the dynamic range and azimuth of a Frequency Modulated Continuous Wave radar is utilized to precisely estimate a vehicle's position. In the position estimation process, the speed of the vehicle equipped with the radar sensor, called the reference vehicle, is considered such that a change in the vehicle's speed changes the range and azimuth of the radar sensor. For relative position estimation, the distance and relative speed between the reference vehicle and a nearby vehicle are used. To this end, only those vehicles are considered that have a higher possibility of coming in contact with the reference vehicle. The data recorded by the radar sensor is subsequently utilized to calculate the precision and intersection Over Union (IOU) values. You Only Look Once (YOLO) version 4 is utilized to calculate precision and IOU values from the data captured using the radar sensor. The performance is evaluated under various real-time traffic scenarios in a MATLAB-based simulator. Results show that our proposed method achieves 80.0% precision in position estimation and obtains an IOU value up to 87.14%, thereby outperforming the state-of-the-art.

Nano-residronate loaded κ-carrageenan-based injectable hydrogels for bone tissue regeneration

Bone tissue possesses intrinsic regenerative capabilities to address deformities; however, its ability to repair defects caused by severe fractures, tumor resections, osteoporosis, joint arthroplasties, and surgical reconsiderations can be hindered. To address this limitation, bone tissue engineering has emerged as a promising approach for bone repair and regeneration, particularly for large-scale bone defects. In this study, an injectable hydrogel based on kappa-carrageenan-co-N-isopropyl acrylamide (κC-co-NIPAAM) was synthesized using free radical polymerization and the antisolvent evaporation technique. The κC-co-NIPAAM hydrogel's cross-linked structure was confirmed using Fourier transform infrared spectra (FTIR) and nuclear magnetic resonance (1H NMR). The hydrogel's thermal stability and morphological behavior were assessed using thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM), respectively. Swelling and in vitro drug release studies were conducted at varying pH and temperatures, with minimal swelling and release observed at low pH (1.2) and 25 °C, while maximum swelling and release occurred at pH 7.4 and 37oC. Cytocompatibility analysis revealed that the κC-co-NIPAAM hydrogels were biocompatible, and hematoxylin and eosin (H&E) staining demonstrated their potential for tissue regeneration and enhanced bone repair compared to other experimental groups. Notably, digital x-ray examination using an in vivo bone defect model showed that the κC-co-NIPAAM hydrogel significantly improved bone regeneration, making it a promising candidate for bone defects.

Analysis of adverse drug reactions/events of cancer chemotherapy and the potential mechanism of Danggui Buxue decoction against bone marrow suppression induced by chemotherapy

Objective: To analyze the clinical characteristics of adverse reactions/events based on chemotherapy in cancer patients, and then explore the potential mechanism of Danggui Buxue Decoction (DBD) against chemotherapy-induced bone marrow suppression (BMS). Methods: Retrospectively collected and evaluated were the clinical data of patients in a hospital who experienced adverse reactions/events brought on by chemotherapeutic medications between 2015 and 2022. We explored the potential mechanism of DBD against BMS using network pharmacology based on the findings of the adverse reactions/events analysis. Results: 151 instances (72.25%) experienced adverse reactions/events from a single chemotherapy medication. Besides, platinum-based medications produced the most unfavorable effects. The study also found that chemotherapy caused the highest number of cases of BMS, including platinum drugs. Consequently, BMS is the most prevalent adverse reaction disease caused by chemotherapy found in this part. According to network pharmacology findings, DBD can prevent BMS primarily involving 1,510 primary targets and 19 key active ingredients. Based on the enrichment analysis, PI3K-AKT, TNF, MAPK, and IL-17 signaling pathways made up the majority of the DBD-resisting BMS pathways. Molecular docking displayed that kaempferol, the major active ingredient of DBD, had the highest binding energy (-10.08 kJ mol-1) with PTGS2 (a key target of BMS). Conclusion: Cancer patients who received chemotherapy had a risk to develop BMS. Regular blood tests should be performed while taking medicine; early discovery and treatment can reduce a patient's risk of experiencing adverse reactions/events. Additionally, this study demonstrated that DBD, through a variety of targets and pathways, may be crucial in avoiding BMS.

Colloidal gold based immunochromatographic detection of Mycoplasmopsis synoviae infection and its prevalence in avian species of Karachi, Pakistan

Avian mycoplasmosis is an infection that commonly prevails in birds, particularly in poultry chickens. Among mycoplasmosis causing organisms, Mycoplasmopsis synoviae is a predominant and lethal pathogen to the aves. Considering the increased incidence of infections by M. synoviae, the prevalence of M. synoviae was deduced in poultry chickens and fancy birds of Karachi region. The lungs and tracheal samples from chicken and dead fancy birds and swab samples from live fancy birds were collected and investigated by amplifying 16 s rRNA gene of M. synoviae. Biochemical characteristics of M. synoviae was also evaluated. Furthermore, surface-associated membrane proteins, that represent key antigens for diagnosis of M. synoviae infection was extracted by Triton X- 114 method. Results showed that M. synoviae was detected more frequently in lungs than in trachea, that could be due to its invasion capacity and tissue affinity. SDS PAGE analysis of extracted membrane proteins showed two prominent hydrophobic proteins of different molecular mass including proteins of 150 and 50 kDa. Protein of 150 kDa was purified by size exclusion chromatography and it exhibited agglutinogen activity. Purified protein was used in the development of one-step immunochromatographic (ICT) assay for the detection of antibodies against M. synoviae using gold nanoparticles coated with polyclonal antibodies. Low levels of antibodies were detected by the developed ICT kit, which has 88% sensitivity with 92% specificity.

Chemical insights into the synthetic chemistry of five-membered saturated heterocycles-a transition metal-catalyzed approach

Drug design and delivery is primarily based on the hunt for new potent drug candidates and novel synthetic techniques. Recently, saturated heterocycles have gained enormous attention in medicinal chemistry as evidenced by the medicinal drugs listed in the FDA Orange Book. Therefore, the demand for novel saturated heterocyclic syntheses has increased tremendously. Transition metal (TM)-catalyzed reactions have remained the prime priority in heterocyclic syntheses for the last three decades. Nowadays, TM catalysis is well adorned by combining it with other techniques such as bio- and/or enzyme-catalyzed reactions, organocatalysis, or using two different metals in a single catalysis. This review highlights the recent developments of the transition metal-catalyzed synthesis of five-membered saturated heterocycles.

A Nitroreductase-MOF Biocatalyst for the Degradation of Nitroaromatic Contaminants and Fluorescent Labelling of Biomolecules

NfsB (nitroreductase from Escherichia coli) can catalyze nitroaromatic compounds to aromatic amines under mild conditions. Compared with the purified enzyme NfsB, we found that the crude enzyme demonstrated better thermal stability and tolerance against a wide pH range, rendering it convenient to use and cost-effective as it did not require any downstream processing. In addition, we introduced metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) to immobilize the crude-NfsB. The resulting composite, crude-NfsB@ZIF-90, showed excellent catalytic performance and reusability, and it also demonstrated good catalytic activity in organic solvents, rendering it more efficient for the removal of nitroaromatic contaminants in complex environments. The nitroreductase-ZIF-90 biocatalyst can be used for fluorescent labeling of carbohydrates, which is favorable for the study of the function of carbohydrates.

First Report on Microplastics Quantification in Poultry Chicken and Potential Human Health Risks in Pakistan

Microplastics (MPs) are an emerging environmental health concern due to their widespread occurrence in food sources such as fish, meat, chicken, honey, sugar, salt, tea and drinking water, thereby posing possible risks to human health. This study aimed to observe the existence of MPs in the crop and gizzard of the farm chicken, a significant food source in Pakistan. Twenty-four chicken samples were taken from eight poultry farms across Punjab, Pakistan. A total of 1227 MP particles were found from 24 samples (crop and gizzards) originating from the 8 poultry farms. In all, 429 MP particles were found in 24 chicken crops, with a mean of 17.8 ± 12.1 MPs/crop. In contrast, 798 MP particles were found in 24 chicken gizzards, with a mean of 33.25 ± 17.8 MPs/gizzard. Comparatively larger particles, ranging between 300-500 µm, were more abundant (63%) than other considered sizes (300-150 µm [21%] and 150-50 µm [16%]). Additionally, fragments were the dominant type of shape in both sample types (crop [64%] and gizzard [53%]). The predominant colours of particles extracted from gizzards and crops were yellow (32%) and red (32%), respectively. Chemical characterisation of these particles detected four types of polymers: polyvinyl chloride (PVC) at 51.2%, followed by low-density polyethylene (LDPE) at 30.7%, polystyrene (PS) at 13.6% and polypropylene homopolymer (PPH) at 4.5%. In conclusion, we provide evidence for MPs in the gizzards and crops of farmed chickens which may originate from contaminated poultry feed. Only a few studies have been reported globally to assess MPs ingestion in chickens. The current study is the first report from Pakistan. It could be a valuable addition to support MPs literature to establish a relationship between MPs contamination and intake through the food chain.

Limiting the Loading of Reactant 1,3-Cyclohexanedione Enables the Use of Less Catalyst

We demonstrated that the loading amounts and concentrations of reactant 1,3-cyclohexanedione affect reaction rates and outcomes. In certain cases, reactions with higher concentrations of 1,3-cyclohexanedione were slower than those with lower concentrations. By minimizing the use of the cyclic 1,3-dione derivatives and by tuning the reaction concentration, the acid catalyst was reduced to 0.1 mol % to afford the desired products in high yields, and the reaction scope was expanded.

Gold nanoparticles-anchored peptides enable precise colorimetric estimation of microplastics

Microplastics (MPs, particle size < 5 mm) are an emerging contaminant in aquatic environment, which have attracted increasing attention worldwide. In this study, a colorimetric method for MPs detection was developed based on gold nanoparticles (AuNPs)-anchored peptides (LCI or TA2), which are able to specifically recognize and adhere to polypropylene (PP) or polystyrene (PS). The AuNPs-anchored peptides accumulated on the surface of MPs, rendering a color change from red to gray-blue and transforming the surface plasmon absorption intensity and wavelength. The designed method presented high selectivity, stability, and reproducibility, with a detection range of 2.5-15 μg/mL. The results demonstrated that the developed approach will be valuable in the precise, facile, and cost-effective estimation of MPs in different matrices, regulating the control over MPs pollution and its hazardous impact on health and ecosystems.

Radiological risk assessment from the Gamma spectrometry of soil samples in the vicinity of a research centre in Nilore, Pakistan

Measurements of radionuclides' activities in air, water, and soil give clues about the anthropogenic activities in the region, and imperative to assess the overall radiological risk for individuals. Such an investigation was carried out to characterize the soil activities in the region hosting a research center, and to calculate the associated elements of radiological risk in terms of radiation doses and hazard indices. The soil samples were collected within the radius of 10 km in local area, Nilore, and analysed for activity using a high-purity germanium (HPGe) gamma spectrometric system. In all samples, only the basic nuclides, contributing to terrestrial activity, i.e., ⁴⁰ K, ²³²Th, ²²⁶Ra, and ¹³⁷Cs, were observed within the detectable limits of activity. The distribution of the data set and the correlation between the measured activities were studied with the use of the principal component analysis (PCA). The measured average specific activities of ²²⁶Ra, ²³²Th, ⁴⁰ K, and ¹³⁷Cs were 40.65 ± 9.84 Bq/kg, 59.31 ± 16.53 Bq/kg, 528.24 ± 131.18 Bq/kg, and 5.16 ± 4.56 Bq/kg respectively. The corresponding dose rate in air was found to be 76.63 ± 18.39 nGy/h, which is slightly higher than the world median value of 51 nGy/h calculated from concentration of terrestrial radionuclides in soil but falls within the world average value range of outdoor external exposure of 18-93 nGy/h obtained through direct measurement, and therefore not harmful for the living species. The standard hazard indices for all soil samples such as radium equivalent activity ([Formula: see text]), external hazard index (H_ex), and internal hazard index (H_in) were also found within safe limits for the soil to be used as construction of building material. This investigation led to conclusion that the soil activities are consistent with the usual background level of terrestrial activities, and their associated dose rates are well within the safe limits for public.

Evaluation of economic development policies using a spherical fuzzy extended TODIM model with Z̆-numbers

Zadeh's Z̆-numbers are able to more effectively characterize uncertain information. Combined with "constraint" and "reliability". It is more powerful at expressing human knowledge. While the reliability of data can have a direct impact on the precision of decisions. The key challenge in solving a Z̆-number issue is reasoning about both fuzzy and probabilistic uncertainty. Existing research on the Z̆-number measure is only some, and most studies cannot adequately convey the benefits of Z̆-information and the properties of Z̆-number. Considering this study void, this work concurrently investigated the randomness and fuzziness of Z̆-number with Spherical fuzzy sets. We first introduced the spherical fuzzy Z-numbers (SFZNs), whose elements are pairwise comparisons of the decision-maker's options. It can be used effectively to make true ambiguous judgments, reflecting the fuzzy nature, flexibility, and applicability of decision making data. We developed the operational laws and aggregation operators such as the weighted averaging operator, the ordered weighted averaging operator, the hybrid averaging operator, the weighted geometric operator, the ordered weighted geometric operator, and the hybrid geometric operator for SFZ̆Ns. Furthermore, two algorithm are developed to tackle the uncertain information in the form of spherical fuzzy Z̆-numbers based to the proposed aggregation operators and TODIM methodology. Finally, we developed the relative comparison and discussion analysis to show the practicability and efficacy of the suggested operators and approach.

Micro- and nanoplastics: Contamination routes of food products and critical interpretation of detection strategies

Micro-and nanoplastics (M/NPs) are emerging pollutants released into the food, beverages, and environment from plastic products by weathering, oxidative damage, and mechanical stress. Detection of M/NPs in food and beverages is a vital factor in preventing the deleterious effects of these materials on human health and other ecosystems. Analytical strategies for M/NPs demonstrate numerous drawbacks, including detection sensitivity limitation, matrix digestion, and sample pretreatment. Moreover, the content of M/NPs in food and beverages varies with food production, storage, and transport, making it hard to precisely detect them. The contamination route is a key factor affecting the level of M/NPs in food and beverages. Strict control over the contamination route could be beneficial in preventing M/NP pollution. This review highlighted routes of food and beverage contamination by M/NPs, various pros and cons of detection strategies, and critical interpretation of reported techniques, including microscopy, spectroscopy, light scattering, and thermal methods. Besides, the bottlenecks of detection and quantification approaches for M/NPs and recent advancements have also been highlighted. Much is still unknown concerning the fate, activities, and properties of M/NPs present in various matrices. This review aims to assist the investigators to tackle the drawbacks and pave the way for upcoming research, minimizing the health complications by regulating the control over M/NPs pollution.

Comparing definitive unilateral cleft rhinoplasty with and without diced-cartilage alar-base augmentation: A retrospective cohort study

This retrospective cohort study aimed to compare the long-term aesthetic outcomes and satisfaction of patients who underwent two techniques of definitive unilateral cleft rhinoplasty. The two cohorts, comprising patients with mature unilateral cleft deformity, were managed with definitive rhinoplasty, either with or without diced-cartilage alar-base and peri-alar augmentation (ABPA). Thirty patients were included in each cohort. Anthropometric measurements, complications, patient satisfaction scores, and third-party surgeon assessment scores were reviewed. In both cohorts, anthropometric parameters improved. Rhinoplasty with ABPA was the superior cohort in terms of columellar length (10.3 ± 1.0 in the cohort with ABPA, compared with 7.9 ± 0.6 in the cohort without ABPA; p < 0.001), alar-base angle (0.2 ± 0.2, compared with 4.3 ± 0.3; p < 0.001), and columellar deviation (2.5 ± 1.4, compared with 10.3 ± 2.1; p < 0.001). This cohort also had more symmetry in nostril height and nostril width (p < 0.001), a lower recurrence rate (one case compared with 22 cases; p < 0.001), a higher patient satisfaction score (p = 0.002), and a higher surgeon assessment score (p < 0.001, Cronbach's alpha = 0.706, Kendall's coefficient of concordance = 0.787). Within the limitations of this study, it appears that the described technique for augmenting the alar-base and peri-alar maxillary area is manageable, and yields consistent long-term results.

Tuning of the band gap and dielectric loss factor by Mn doping of Zn1-xMnxO nanoparticles

This study explored the structural, optical, and dielectric properties of Pure and Mn⁺² doped ZnO nano-particles (Zn_1-xMn_xO) with x ≥ 20%, synthesized by co-precipitation method followed by annealing at 450⁰C. Different characterization techniques were conducted to characterize the as-prepared nano-particles. X-ray Diffraction analysis of the pure and Mn⁺² doped presented a hexagonal wurtzite structure and a decreased crystallite size with increasing doping concentration. Morphological analysis from SEM revealed finely dispersed spherical nanoparticles with particle size of 40-50 nm. Compositional analysis from EDX confirmed the incorporation of Mn⁺²ions in ZnO structure. The Results of UV spectroscopy showed that changing the doping concentration affects the band gap, and a red shift is observed as the doping concentration is increased. The band gap changes from 3.3 to 2.75 eV. Dielectric measurements exhibited decrease in the relative permittivity, dielectric loss factor and ac conductivity by increasing Mn concentration.

A model for emergency supply management under extended EDAS method and spherical hesitant fuzzy soft aggregation information

Due to the frequent occurrence of numerous emergency events that have significantly damaged society and the economy, the need for emergency decision-making has been manifest recently. It assumes a controllable function when it is critical to limit property and personal catastrophes and lessen their negative consequences on the natural and social course of events. In emergency decision-making problems, the aggregation method is crucial, especially when there are more competing criteria. Based on these factors, we first introduced some basic concepts about SHFSS, and then we introduced some new aggregation operators such as the spherical hesitant fuzzy soft weighted average, spherical hesitant fuzzy soft ordered weighted average, spherical hesitant fuzzy weighted geometric aggregation, spherical hesitant fuzzy soft ordered weighted geometric aggregation, spherical hesitant fuzzy soft hybrid average, and spherical hesitant fuzzy soft hybrid geometric aggregation operator. The characteristics of these operators are also thoroughly covered. Also, an algorithm is developed within the spherical hesitant fuzzy soft environment. Furthermore, we extend our investigation to the Evaluation based on the Distance from Average Solution method in multiple attribute group decision-making with spherical hesitant fuzzy soft averaging operators. And a numerical illustration for "supply of emergency aid in post-flooding the situation" is given to show the accuracy of the mentioned work. Then a comparison between these operators and the EDAS method is also established in order to further highlight the superiority of the established work.

CRISPR/Cas12a-mediated ultrasensitive and on-site monkeypox viral testing

The spread of the monkeypox virus (MPXV) from Central and West Africa to previously non-endemic regions has caused a global panic. In this context, the rapid, specific, and ultrasensitive detection of MPXV is crucial to contain its spread, though such technology has seldom been reported. Herein, we proposed an MPXV assay combining recombinase-aided amplification (RAA) and CRISPR/Cas12a. This assay targeted the highly conserved MPXV F3L gene and demonstrates a low detection limit (LOD) of 10¹ copies per μL. By leveraging the high specificity nature of RAA and CRISPR/Cas12a, we rationally optimized probes and conditions to achieve high selectivity that differentiates MPXV from other orthopox viruses and current high-profile viruses. To facilitate on-site screening of potential MPXV carriers, a kit integrating lateral flow strips was developed, enabling naked-eye MPXV detection with a LOD of 10⁴ copies per μL. Our RAA-Cas12a-MPXV assay was able to detect MPXV without the need for sophisticated operation and expensive equipment. We believe that this assay can be rapidly deployed in emerging viral outbreaks for on-site surveillance of MPXV.

Unveiling the genomic potential of a novel thermostable glycoside hydrolases producing Neobacillus sedimentimangrovi UE25

Genetic and enzymatic potential of Neobacillus sedimentimangrovi has not been assembled to date. Here, we report a high-quality genome assembly of thermophilic bacterium Neobacillus sedimentimangrovi UE25 using Illumina Hi-seq 2500. The strain was isolated from a crocodile pond Manghopir, Karachi, Pakistan. QUAST quality parameters showed 37.75% GC content and exhibited the genome into 110 contigs, with a total size of 3,230,777 bases. Genome of N. sedimentimangrovi UE25 harbors phage mediated DNA through horizontal gene exchange from the phages, symbiotic and pathogenic bacteria. Most of the phage genome encodes for hypothetical proteins, protease, and phage assembly proteins. Gene clusters encoding the intrinsic resistance to glycopeptides, isoniazid, rifamycin, elfamycin, macrolide, aminoglycosides, tetracycline and fluoroquinolone were identified into the genome. Since, the strain has been reported for the production of many industrially important thermostable enzymes, therefore, the genomic data of thermostable enzymes might be helpful to employ this species in commercial sectors. Probing genes of multiple thermostable glycoside hydrolase enzymes especially xylanases of N. sedimentimangrovi UE25 showed genetic diversity among the genes and confer the industrial importance of this microorganism. Furthermore, the genome of N. sedimentimangrovi will greatly improve our understanding of its genetics and evolution.

Spatially Segregated MOF Bioreactor Enables Versatile Modular Glycoenzyme Assembly for Hierarchical Glycan Library Construction

The multienzyme cascade has received growing attention to obtain structurally defined glycans in vitro. However, due to poor enzyme stability and low compatibility between glycoenzymes, artificially designed multienzyme pathways to access glycans are often inefficient. Herein, based on the strategy "Modular-Enzymes Assembly by Spatial Segregation" (MASS), we developed a universal immobilization platform to assemble multiple glycoenzymes in compartmentalized MOF particles, inside and outside, significantly reducing the undesired interference and cross-inhibitions. By changing the enzyme modules, a series of glycosyl donor, disaccharides, oligosaccharides, and polysaccharides bearing cofactor regeneration were efficiently prepared. This bioreactor was further successfully applied to the reaction system with high substrate concentration to demonstrate its industrial potential. This robust multienzyme immobilization platform should serve to promote the enzymatic synthesis of more complex glycans.

Different Dimensionalities, Morphological Advancements and Engineering of g-C3 N4 -Based nanomaterials for Energy Conversion and Storage

Graphitic carbon nitride (g-C₃ N₄ ) has gained tremendous interest in the domain of power transformation and retention, because of its distinctive stacked composition, adjustable electronic structure, metal-free feature, superior thermodynamic durability, and simple availability. Furthermore, the restricted illumination and extensive recombination of photoexcitation radicals have inhibited the photocatalytic performance of pure g-C₃ N₄ . The dimensions of g-C₃ N₄ may impact the field of electronics confinement; as a consequence, g-C₃ N₄ with varying dimensions shows unique features, making it appropriate for a number of fascinating uses. Even if there are several evaluations emphasizing on the fabrication methods and deployments of g-C₃ N₄ , there is certainly an insufficiency of a full overview, that exhaustively depicts the synthesis and composition of diverse aspects of g-C₃ N₄ . Consequently, from the standpoint of numerical simulations and experimentation, several legitimate methodologies were employed to deliberately develop the photocatalyst and improve the optimal result, including elements loading, defects designing, morphological adjustment, and semiconductors interfacing. Herein, this evaluation initially discusses different dimensions, the physicochemical features, modifications and interfaces design development of g-C₃ N₄ . Priority is concentrated on the sensible layout, and advancement of g-C₃ N₄ for the diverse implementations in power transformation and inventory, such as photocatalytic H₂ progression, photoreduction of CO₂ source, electrocatalytic H₂ development, O₂ propagation, O₂ reduction, alkali-metal battery cells, lithium-ion batteries, lithium-sulfur batteries, and metal-air batteries. Ultimately, the current challenges and potential of g-C₃ N₄ for fuel transformation and retention activities are explored.

Unsteady hybrid nanofluid ([Formula: see text], MWCNTs/blood) flow between two rotating stretchable disks with chemical reaction and activation energy under the influence of convective boundaries

Hybrid nanofluids are extensively analyzed in recent studies due to their better performance in numerous areas such as heat and mass transfer enhancement, biological fluid movement, medical equipment, heat exchangers, electronic cooling and automotive industry. In current study the nanoparticle concentration utilized is much important in biomedical industry. Major applications include drug delivery, radio-pharmaceuticals, centrifuging blood to obtain red blood cells and plasma, medical implants, onco therapeutics and photo thermal cancer therapy. In this regard, the primary focus of this study is to simulate a blood based unsteady hybrid nanofluid flow between two rotating, stretching disks and convective boundaries. The two nanoparticles in this study are uranium dioxide [Formula: see text] and multi-walled carbon nanotubes MWCNTs. The hybrid nanofluid is under the influence of magnetohydrodynamic effects and chemical reaction with activation energy. The governing partial differential equations (PDEs) are transformed into ordinary differential equations (ODEs) using suitable similarity transform. Homotopy analysis method is used to solve the non-linear system of ODEs and [Formula: see text]-curves are plotted to find suitable region of [Formula: see text] for convergent series solution. Velocity profile is examined for axial, radial and tangential direction against various fluid parameters. Temperature and concentration profiles are analyzed for both convective and non-convective cases. It is observed that convective boundaries result in elevated temperature when compared with non-convective case. Moreover, skin friction, heat and mass transfer rates are also examined with respect to changing volume fraction [Formula: see text].The results revealed that skin friction and rate of heat transfer increases with increase in volume fraction of both nanoparticles [Formula: see text] and MWCNTs while the mass transfer rate depicts contrasting behavior.