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This study presents a comprehensive investigation into the synthesis, characterization, and application of an exceptionally sensitive electrochemical sensor designed for the ultrasensitive detection of 2,4-dinitrotoluene (DNT), a notorious explosive compound. The sensor employs bimetallic nickel-cobalt oxide (NiCo2O4) nanoparticles, synthesized through a facile hydrothermal method. Extensive analytical techniques, including scanning electron microscopy (SEM), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), atomic force microscopy (AFM), and x-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), were employed to validate the crystallinity and purity of the NiCo2O4 nanoparticles. These nanoparticles, possessing remarkable properties, form the core of our electrochemical sensor, enabling it to offer heightened sensitivity and selectivity even under ambient conditions. Most notably, this sensor boasts an impressively low limit of detection (LOD) of 18 nM, coupled with a broad linear detection range (LDR) spanning from 10 nM to 100 nM. The sensor exhibits robust sensitivity, excellent selectivity, and an outstandingly low detection threshold, collectively demonstrating its potential for precise and accurate detection of DNT. This research underscores the significant potential of bimetallic oxide nanoparticles, specifically NiCo2O4, in the precise quantification of nitro-aromatic analytes. This study opens up promising avenues for assessing hazardous compounds in complex environmental matrices, thereby contributing to the advancement of electrochemical sensing. Additionally, this novel sensing platform holds substantial promise for enhancing security measures and environmental monitoring through its improved sensitivity and selectivity in the detection of explosives.

The escalating discharge of noxious gases resulting from unmitigated anthropogenic activities has emerged as a pivotal concern, presenting imminent threats to global ecosystems. In response to this pressing challenge, the development of cutting-edge materials within gas sensor systems emerges as a promising avenue for the precise detection of hazardous gaseous pollutants. This investigation delves into the synthesis and characterization of a novel composite material: reduced graphene oxide (rGO) modified with ruthenium Octaethyl porphyrin (Ru OEP), with a primary focus on its chemiresistive sensing properties. The meticulously deposited rGO-modified Ru OEP material onto gold microelectrodes, featuring a 3 µm gap on a silicon Si/SiO2 substrate, resulted in an intricate two-terminal chemiresistive sensor device. Comprehensive structural, spectroscopic, and morphological analyses were conducted to elucidate the intricacies of the composite material. The electrical characterization, evaluated through I-V measurements, provided nuanced insights into the device's resistance properties. Notably, the chemiresistive sensor demonstrated exceptional responsiveness to Carbon monoxide (CO) gas, exhibiting an impressively low limit of detection (LOD) at 2.5 ppm. The fabricated sensor showcased rapid response and recovery times, registering at 43 s and 65 s, respectively, underscoring its efficiency in real-time applications. Furthermore, the sensor maintained linearity and stability across a broad spectrum of conditions, ensuring prolonged reliability and consistent performance. This research underscores the potential of advanced materials, specifically the rGO-modified Ru OEP composite, in crafting highly effective gas sensors to address urgent environmental and safety concerns. The presented findings contribute invaluable insights to the burgeoning field of gas sensor technology, paving the way for innovative solutions to mitigate the adverse impacts of anthropogenic activities on our delicate ecosystems.

Significant advances in the field of energy storage have enabled scientists to explore highly stable electro-active electrodes for high-performance supercapacitors. The present investigation describes the synthesis of well-ordered NiMoO4 nanowalls at 140 °C using hydrothermal synthesis, which was then grown directly on Ni foam with different reaction times. The resulting NiMoO4 nanowalls were utilized as electro-active electrodes for electrochemical supercapacitor applications. The reaction time was found to be a critical factor in achieving the ordered NiMoO4 nanowalls on the Ni foam, and at a reaction time of 12 h, the nanosheets self-organized into a nanowall-like morphology over the Ni foam. Pure NiMoO4 crystal phases with less surface imperfections were produced by the 12-hour reaction time, as demonstrated by the compositional, structural, and crystalline characteristics. As an electro-active electrode, the NiMoO4 electrode with a 12-hour reaction time showed the highest specific capacitance of 357.6 Fg−1 at 0.01 Vs−1 compared to NiMoO4 electrodes with reaction times of 6h (53.06 Fg-1 at 0.01 Vs−1) and 20h (55.4 Fg-1 at 0.01 Vs−1). The NiMoO4 electrode also demonstrated exceptional stability in an alkaline electrolyte, exhibiting less deterioration in multicycles CV after 100 repeated cycles. The excellent electrochemical properties of the NiMoO4 electrode are attributed to its unique ordered nanowall structure, which improves surface area and electrical conduction, accelerating fast redox reactions. These properties make it a promising material for use in pseudocapacitors, with implications for high-performance energy storage solutions in industrial sectors.

ABSTRACT Objective: To determine the role of the IL8 rs4073 polymorphism in predicting the risk of central nervous system (CNS) toxicity in patients receiving standard pharmacological treatment for multidrug-resistant tuberculosis (MDR-TB). Methods: A cohort of 85 consenting MDR-TB patients receiving treatment with second-line antituberculosis drugs had their blood samples amplified for the IL8 (rs4073) gene and genotyped. All patients were clinically screened for evidence of treatment toxicity and categorized accordingly. Crude and adjusted associations were assessed. Results: The chief complaints fell into the following categories: CNS toxicity; gastrointestinal toxicity; skin toxicity; and eye and ear toxicities. Symptoms of gastrointestinal toxicity were reported by 59% of the patients, and symptoms of CNS toxicity were reported by 42.7%. With regard to the genotypes of IL8 (rs4073), the following were identified: AA, in 64 of the study participants; AT, in 7; and TT, in 11. A significant association was found between the dominant model of inheritance and CNS toxicity for the crude model (p = 0.024; OR = 3.57; 95% CI, 1.18-10.76) and the adjusted model (p = 0.031; OR = 3.92; 95% CI, 1.13-13.58). The AT+TT genotype of IL8 (rs4073) showed a 3.92 times increased risk of CNS toxicity when compared with the AA genotype. Conclusions: The AT+TT genotype has a tendency to be associated with an increased risk of adverse clinical features during MDR-TB treatment.

The presence of dyes in wastewater poses a significant environmental challenge due to their permanence toxicity and potential to harm ecosystems. Because of their high porosity and adjustable characteristics, metal‐organic frameworks (MOFs) have become attractive materials for effective dye removal. Among various MOFs, zeolitic imidazolate frameworks (ZIFs) have garnered significant attention, especially ZIF‐8, for its excellent stability, significant porosity, adjustable pore size and remarkable adsorption capacity. This review article provides a comprehensive overview of recent advances in the implementation of ZIF‐8 and its composites for the removal of pollutants from wastewater. The various synthesis methods, structural characteristics and dye adsorption performance of ZIF‐8 and its composites are discussed. Furthermore, impact of the different factors such as pH, temperature, dye concentration, contact time etc. were also highlighted. Moreover, the detailed adsorption mechanism was also discussed. Finally, the current challenges and future perspectives in the production of materials based on ZIF‐8 for the removal of dyes were also presented. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Urothelial cell carcinoma (UCC) is the ninth most common cancer that accounts for 4.7% of all new cancer cases globally. UCC development and progression are due to complex and stochastic genetic programs. To study the cascades of molecular events underlying the poor prognosis that may lead to limited treatment options for advanced disease and resistance to conventional therapies in UCC, transcriptomics technology (RNA‐Seq), a method of analyzing the RNA content of a sample using modern high‐throughput sequencing platforms has been employed. Here, we review the principles of RNA‐Seq technology and summarize recent studies on human bladder cancer that employed this technique to unravel the pathogenesis of the disease, identify biomarkers, discover pathways and classify the disease state. We list the commonly used computational platforms and software that are publicly available for RNA‐Seq analysis. Moreover, we discussed the future perspectives for RNA‐Seq studies on bladder cancer and recommended the application of a new technology called single‐cell sequencing to further understand the disease. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper aims to study the nexus between government effectiveness and socioeconomic equity, which leads to a sustainable social protection system. We have empirically investigated the nexus through a panel data set of 46 developing countries for a period of 20 years. Developing countries face socio-economic inequity due to ineffective government policies leads to the collapse of the social protection system. We have developed an index of sustainable protection systems using the Keyser Meyer Olkin Methodology used as a sampling adequacy. We found a positive association between government effectiveness and social protection systems in developing countries. However, a weak mechanism may cause the poor implementation of sustainable social protection needs utmost policy maneuvers in those countries. There is a need for capacity building of government institutions to improve their effectiveness. Action should be taken that promotes transparency, accountability, and good governance practices. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The stainless-steel orthopaedic implants used for the management of various types of fracture internal fixations are very expensive; this makes their utilization in food animals relatively noneconomical. There is a need to have an improvised implant that is cheaper and available for use in food animals to manage complicated fractures requiring open reduction and internal fixation. The objective of this study is to evaluate the haematological and biochemical changes following the reduction of stable femoral fractures in goats using conventional (Kirschner pin) and improvised chrome vanadium-coated long crews. Twelve apparently healthy Red Sokoto bucks were randomly divided into two groups of six (n=6) were used for this study. A transverse femoral diaphyseal fracture was created using orthopaedic wire in both groups. In group A, a conventional Kirschner pin size 4.0x125 mm2, single trocar, non-threaded, was used to immobilize the fracture, while in group B, an improvised test chrome vanadium (long screw) size 2.3 mm was used for the fracture immobilizations. Blood samples were collected before fracture induction at the base line, serving as a control. The haematological and biochemical assessments were performed at 0 weeks (immediate postoperative) and subsequently at 2, 4, 6, 8, 10 and 12 weeks postoperatively. Packed cell volume (PCV%), haemoglobin concentration (Hb), red blood cell count (RBCs), white blood cell count (WBCs) and differential leukocytic count (neutrophils, lymphocytes and monocytes) were evaluated. Also, serum activity of alkaline phosphatase (ALP), alanine aminotransferase (ALT), and aspartate aminotransferase (AST) was detected. Besides, serum calcium, phosphorous and creatinine levels were evaluated. There were no significant differences between the two groups in PCV, haemoglobin, RBCs, WBCs and neutrophils, and the values were within the normal range. However, lymphocytes and monocytes were significantly (p<0.05) different at weeks 2 and 6, respectively. Biochemical parameters revealed significant (p<0.05) changes in serum ALT (weeks 0, 2, 4), ALP (week 6), creatinine (weeks 10 and 12), and calcium (week 2) at some postoperative intervals. However, no variations were observed in serum AST and phosphorous, which were within the normal range. The improvised chrome vanadium (Long screw) can be used safely in goats for the management of stable femoral fractures without significant adverse changes to hemato-biochemical profiles within twelve weeks. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]