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Cr-Ni3Al alloy films have been deposited on Si (100) substrate via DC magnetron sputtering. The effect of Cr enrichment on microstructure and mechanical properties has been studied. The evolution of phases, microstructure, surface topography and mechanical properties has been studied using GI-XRD, FE-SEM, AFM and quasi-static nanoindentation, respectively. Results revealed that the alloy films possessed a preferred orientation of (111) plane with a maximum hardness and Young's modulus of ~ 12.7 GPa and ~ 203 GPa for 0 W Cr-Ni3Al films which further decreased to ~ 7 GPa and 129 GPa, respectively, for 40 W Cr-Ni3Al films. The reported values of hardness and Young's modulus are very high in the case of alloy Ni3Al-based coatings when compared with the literature. This study also imitates that with the increase in Cr concentration in the host Ni3Al matrix, the surface roughness increased as a result of the evolution of pores. However, hydrophobicity is observed to be increased with increase in Cr concentration in host Ni3Al coatings with a maximum contact angle of 115.9° for 40 W Cr-Ni3Al alloy film. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Recently, there has been a greater emphasis on researching the potential use of ferrite nanoparticles as humidity-sensing materials. We report on the humidity-sensing properties of Mg 1-y Li y Fe 2 O 4 (y = 0, 0.01, 0.03 and 0.05), which were synthesized using the solution combustion synthesis route. According to the XRD analysis, it was observed that both the unit cell volume and the crystallite size increased as the concentration of lithium-ion increased. The crystallite size was measured to be 17–22 nm, indicating the presence of nanomaterials. Moreover, the material exhibited a single phase with the Fd-3m space group, suggesting its structural integrity and uniformity. The FE-SEM images revealed that the porous nature of the material became more pronounced with higher concentrations of Li, indicating potential benefits for sensing applications. The synthesized powder demonstrated promising characteristics for use in humidity sensors. Specifically, it was noted that increasing the Li composition led to a notable increase in resistance, particularly significant for the Li = 0.05 concentration, which exhibited the highest average sensitivity. This suggests that Li doping at this concentration effectively enhances resistance, a crucial aspect for sensor functionality. The response and recovery times of thin film humidity sensors fabricated from these materials were determined to be 9 and 12 s, respectively. These times indicate rapid and efficient sensing capabilities, essential for real-time monitoring applications. Moreover, the newly discovered sensing material exhibited exceptional stability and reproducibility, further highlighting its potential for practical sensor applications. In summary, the synthesized materials show great promise for humidity sensor applications due to their enhanced sensitivity, rapid response and recovery times, as well as their stability and reproducibility. These findings open up avenues for the development of advanced sensing technologies with improved performance and reliability. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In the recent decade, zinc oxide nanoparticles (ZnO NPs) have been widely explored owing to their versatile properties and prodigious demands in the drug delivery, medical, energy storage, cosmetics, and the healthcare sectors. Therefore, the current work opts for an environmentally benign method to prepare ZnO NPs. The leaf extract of Calendula officinalis L. acts as a reducing agent for the metal ions; therefore, in the current research, ZnO NPs were prepared via green route by using Calendula officinalis leaf extract. Furthermore, the ZnO NPs were analysed with different spectroscopic techniques to confirm the structure and stability of nanomaterials. The prepared ZnO NPs were characterized by XRD, FE-SEM, FT-IR and UV–Vis studies. Also, the antioxidant and antimicrobial properties of the synthesized ZnO NPs were investigated. The XRD result of synthesized ZnO NPs showed the crystalline size 28.23 nm with wurtzite hexagonal structure along with the most intense peak (101). Following preliminary confirmations of the intended ZnO NPs, both big and small agglomerated forms were observed in the FE-SEM, which is often used to determine their exterior assembly. Further, the results of Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR) indicated the formation of pure ZnO NPs with an absorption peak of the Zn–O bond between 4000 cm−1 and 500 cm−1 and no discernible peak in the monitoring range. The UV–Vis spectrum of the green synthesized ZnO NPs were revealed two prominent absorption peaks at 355 nm and 370 nm with energy band gap of 2.986 eV. Using the 1, 1-di phenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) test, the antioxidant activity of the described ZnO NPs was assessed. It demonstrated how, ZnO NPs significantly increased their antioxidant activity by scavenging 1, 1-di phenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) free radicals. It could be seen that synthesis of the naturally occurring plant product ZnO NPs have been acting as an alternate of chemical antioxidant. The antimicrobial analysis was also performed with the help of disk diffusion method where three multi-drug resistant human pathogens namely Staphylococcus aureus, Klebsiella pneumoniae and E.coli were used. The Zone of Inhibition diameter values are 35.2 mm ± 0.9, 23.6 mm ± 0.1 and 13.5 mm ± 0.1, respectively, which showed that the ZnO NPs was highly effective against S. aureus. Thus, the green synthesis method of ZnO NPs using leaf extract of Calendula officinalis is evidence that it is superior and environmentally friendly method for the preparation of ZnO NPs and hence it can be utilized in various nano-medicine approaches.Article Highlights: Green synthesis (hydrothermal method) of ZnO-NPs using leaf extract of Calendula officinalis L. and its spectroscopic investigation. Found effective Antioxidant activities of green synthesised ZnO that can be employed as skin care and cosmetics. Green synthesized ZnO NPs having a significant bactericidal activity observed against bacteria S. aureus, K. pneumonia and E. coli. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Peucedanum L. (Apiaceae) is broadly distributed in the Old World, and 11 taxa, including five endemic species, have been reported in Korea. In this study, we used scanning electron microscopy to describe petal epidermal cell patterns and evaluated their systematic implications for all Korean Peucedanum species except for one. This included two recently reported endemic species, P. miroense and P. tongkangense, which are closely associated with Heracleum moellendorffii. The epidermal characteristics of the petals, including cell type (papillose conical, papillose knobby rugose, tabular conical, or tabular rugose), anticlinal wall shape (straight, sinuous, or curved), cuticle sculpture (striate or wrinkled), and stomata (presence or absence) were observed. The petal epidermis could be categorized into three types and two subtypes. We concluded that petal epidermal characteristics provide evidence supporting the recent robust phylogeny that suggests the non-monophyly of the genus Peucedanum. In particular, P. japonicum and P. praeruptorum, which are positioned in different clades to the other species in the recent phylogeny, had different types of petal epidermis among the studied species. These petal epidermal micro-characteristics were evaluated as possible consistent parameters for the taxonomic delimitation of species of the genus Peucedanum.

A novel method for forming composite materials was investigated by incorporating activated carbon powder (ACP) as a reinforcing agent within a polylactic acid (PLA) matrix, utilizing the hand layup fabrication technique. The composite materials were synthesized by varying the weight percentages of the matrix and reinforcements, encompassing pure PLA as well as ratios of 90:10, 80:20, 70:30, 60:40, and 50:50. PLA is recognized for its biocompatibility and favorable thermomechanical properties, similar to conventional plastics. The incorporation of activated carbon powder, known for its remarkable aspect ratio, proved highly advantageous, yielding exceptional mechanical properties. Analysis revealed that the composite with a ratio of 90:10 wt% of carbon powder to PLA demonstrated significant improvements in tensile strength (26.8%), flexural strength (26.37%), impact strength (61.1%), compression strength (25%), and hardness (45.8%). Additionally, thermal analysis showed that the 90:10 wt% composite exhibited minimal weight loss and maximum heat flow sustainability at approximately 600 °C compared to other composite combinations. Morphological examination using field emission scanning electron microscopy unveiled a uniform distribution of activated carbon powder reinforcement within the matrix, actively contributing to the enhanced mechanical properties of the composite.

Under the scope of all-solid-state perovskite solar cells, the important role of methyl-ammonium lead halide film lies in facilitating the formation of a photo-generated electronrich film, which directly affects the overall photovoltaic performance. This study introduces a novel chemical strategy aimed at increasing the quality of perovskite film through minimal arsenic doping. The result of the inclusion of arsenic is characterized by high crystalline grains in the attainment of a homogeneous, uniform and ancient perovskite film. The analysis of the UV-Visible spectra indicates that the perovskite film, which is produced under sequential conditions, displays light extraction of electrons for light absorption, more effective electron transport, and adjacent electron transport layer. Different morphology obtained through customized perovskite conditions contribute to a better short-circuits current, which improves overall cell performance. Arsenic-doped perovskite-based solar cells demonstrate a 1.55% increase in power conversion efficiency compared to their non-decorated counterparts, exhibiting 0.20% efficiency. The outcomes not only offer a straightforward method for enhancing perovskite films but also introduce an innovative perspective on constructing high-performance perovskite solar cells using minimal amounts of arsenic, thereby minimizing toxicity in the fabricated solar cells. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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Recently, there has been an increased focus on investigating the possible use of ferrite nanoparticles as magnetic memory devices. In this study, we report on the structural, microstructural, Raman, density functional theory and magnetic characteristics of Mg 1-x Li x Fe 2 O 4 (x = 0, 0.15, 0.3, 0.45, 0.5 and 0.75). Samples were synthesized by solution combustion synthesis method. Samples were subjected to characterize X-ray diffraction (XRD), Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and Raman Spectra. XRD reveals that all synthesized samples show a single phase formation and unit cell volume, crystallite size varied with an increase in Lithium-ion concentration. SEM micrographs confirmed the porous nature increases with the rise of Li concentration. Particles are agglomeration and spherical type of nature was confirmed by TEM images. Further, Raman Spectra confirms the spinel cubic structure of MgFe 2 O 4 nanoparticles belongs to the Fd3m space group. Despite the fact that the full unit cell has 56 atoms (Z = 8), the smallest Bravais cell consists of only 14 atoms (Z = 2). Consequently, in order to understand this effect, the electronic structure of pure and doped models was investigated through the Band Structure and Density of States (D.O.S.) profiles. First the crystalline structure of pure and Li-doped MgFe 2 O 4 was analyzed based on the optimized lattice parameters and M − O (M = Mg, Li and Fe) bond distances. The band-gap was computed to be 2.54 eV being a direct transition between two points, in an excellent agreement with the experimental measurements. To investigate the temperature dependent magnetic properties, the M − H loops of Li doped MgFe 2 O 4 nanoparticles traced at below and above room temperature over the applied magnetic field ±60 kOe. The M − H loops recorded at above and below room temperature demonstrated that the ferromagnetic nature of the sample. Further, the magnetic properties was investigated using temperature dependent FC and ZFC magnetization measurements. Above room temperature, the ZFC and FC curves show irreversibility and split at certain temperatures, as well as a broad maximum in ZFC curves at blocking temperature (T B). Saturation magnetization (M s) values are higher at 15 K compared to 300 K, attributed to reduced thermal fluctuation. Our results suggest that synthesized materials are useful for room temperature magnetic memory device application. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The polymeric solution concentration is one of the most critical factors in forming of fibers in electrospinning technology. In this study, various polymeric concentrations of thermoplastic polystyrene are used. At the same time, keeping the other electrospinning process operating parameters (such as flow rate, voltage, capillary to collector distance), solution parameters (such as solution conductivity and molecular weight), and environmental conditions (such as temperature and humidity) constant. Field emission scanning electron microscopy was used to investigate the morphological changes that took place on the surface of the fibres and determine the typical fibre diameter. It was found that as the concentration of polystyrene increased from 15% to 30%, the average pore size increased from (0.5µm and 0.44µm) to (2.7µm and 2.6µm). The FT-IR demonstrated the main chemical bonds in polystyrene membranes and the change in peak intensity caused by increasing the polymeric concentration. According to contact angle measurements, which examine the change in hydrophobic properties, the hydrophobicity of membranes decreases as the water contact angle falls from 135 to 116 with increasing the polymeric concentration from 15% to 30%.

Aqueous solutions with heavy metals such as Cr (VI), Pb, and Cd (II) can have an adverse effect on human health because of their toxicity. As a result, it is important to remove these heavy metals from the aquatic environment to save the human healthy. X-ray diffraction (XRD), Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), and field-emission scanning electron microscopy (FE-SEM) used in this research to characterize cobalt ferrite (CoFe2O4) nanoparticles and confirm the structure of Co-Fe2O4. These particles were used to make porous samples and burned at 1050 °C in mixtures of (0, 3, 5, 7, and 10) wt.% of cobalt ferrite and kaolin with 20 wt.% of charcoal. These samples serve as adsorbents that remove Pb from the wastewater. The highest rates of removal were confirmed using various treatments at (pH 3, 7, and 9). A Williamson-Hall plot was used to determine the crystal size (33) nm. The FT-IR spectra exhibited spinel-ferrite characteristics. Studies using FE-SEM demonstrated that the sample was in Nano crystalline. Using a vibrating sample magnetometer (VSM), different magnetic properties are taken from the hysteresis loops such as saturation magnetization (Ms) and remanence (Mr) and coercivity (Hc). It was found that increasing ferrite content, increased adsorption efficiency.

Phycocyanin from Spirulina (blue-green algae) is used as photosensitizer to fabricate biosensitized solar cells (BSSC). Pigments are extracted in different solvents such as water, ethanol and acetone. Pure and silver-doped ZnO nanoparticles were prepared by simple microwave technology, and BSSCs were prepared by spin coating method. The structure, morphology, optical properties and electrochemistry of the prepared materials were examined by powder X-ray diffraction, field emission scanning electron microscopy (FE-SEM), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), ultraviolet-visible light spectroscopy and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy. The main observation of this research is the decrease of the energy band gap value due to doping of “Ag” ions, which will delay the recombination rate and increase the photovoltaic conversion efficiency by 2.87 % compared to pure ZnO nanoparticles (0.74 %). The photocurrent density-photo voltage (J-V) characteristics of fabricated BSSC using Pycocyanine pigments under various solvent-adsorbed conditions on nanocrystalline pure ZnO and Ag-doped ZnO film electrodes were carried out. The pigments in association with the water solution show the short-circuit photocurrent density Jsc of around 9.80 mA/cm2 and the open-circuit photovoltage Voc of 0.84 V, under an illumination intensity of 40 mW/cm2 respectively. The results of the present study reveals that “Ag” doped ZnO nanoparticles may be a promising candidate for the future BSSC applications.

In this work, three formulations based on hydrated lime and eco-friendly additives of powdered brick, fly ash and silica fume were designed to improve repair mortars for historic lime-based stucco and building materials. The microscopic features, physicalmechanical behavior and the microstructure of the prepared mortars were evaluated before and after artificial ageing (by humidity/drying cycles and salt weathering). However, a significant mechanical enhancement was reported for the studied mixes, but the silica fume mix showed a notable failure after salt ageing. The fly ash mix revealed the highest bulk density ratio (1.172 g/cm3) compared to the lime and silica fume mixes. The silica fume mix recorded the lowest percentage of water absorption (35.56%) and apparent porosity (28.11%). Further, the silica fume mix yielded the highest dry compressive strength value (22.19 kg/cm2), with an increase reached 31% when compared to the standard lime mix. The results demonstrated that the fly ash mortar is more compatible for sustainable restoration procedures of historic lime-based structures in respect of the physical-mechanical properties. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper describes the synthesis of ZnO nanoparticles using air microplasma jets as the main reaction medium. Various techniques, including X-ray diffraction (XRD), field emission scanning electron microscopy (FE-SEM) and UV—Vis spectroscopy, were employed to confirm the characterization of the artificially synthesized ZnO nanoparticles. The absence of additional peaks associated with secondary phases of ZnO, as revealed by the XRD analysis, indicates the exceptional purity of these nanoparticles. Through the use of SEM, we examined the surface morphology and observed a substantial rate of agglomeration. The energy band gaps of ZnO nanoparticles were determined to be 3.3 electron volts (eV). The cytotoxic effects of zinc oxide nanoparticles were assessed using the methyl thiazolyl tetrazolium (MTT) assay on breast cancer cells exposed to various doses of the nanoparticles. The Acridine-Orange/Ethidium-bromide (AO/EB) dual stain was employed to assess apoptotic cells. The data indicate that ZnO NPs can induce apoptosis, suggesting their potential as an anticancer treatment in breast cancer cell lines. The presented findings indicate that nanoscale zinc oxide particles (ZnO NPs) possess significant potential for future utilization in many biological applications. An example of such an application could be the prospective substitution for chemotherapy in the management of various forms of cancer diseases. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Nanoparticles of Co0.5Cd0.5Fe2O4 have been fabricated using a typical sol–gel combustion technique. X-ray diffraction (XRD), field emotion-scanning electron microscopy (FE-SEM), energy dispersive spectroscopy, Raman spectroscopy and vibrating sample magnetometer measurements were used to study the structure, morphology and magnetic characteristics of ferrite nanoparticles at varied calcination temperatures. The electrical characteristics of the structure are calculated from the first principles using the GGA approach in density functional theory. The X-ray analysis of calcined samples revealed the formation of the spinel fcc crystalline phase was unaffected by the increment in calcination temperature. Due to the presence of cubic cadmium oxide (CdO), several low-diffraction peaks with the symbol * are present. As calcination temperature rises, the average crystal size increases from 20.34 to 21.94 nm. The FE-SEM images indicated a porosity structure and agglomerations caused by the interaction of uniform magnetic nanoparticles. The compositional analysis of the Co0.5Cd0.5Fe2O4 sample reveals the existence of desired constituents and the elimination of all undesirable precursors. Raman spectroscopy proved spinel ferrite nanoparticles include tetrahedral (A) sites and octahedral (B) sites. The magnetic hysteresis curves demonstrate the ferromagnetic nature, and it was observed that calcination temperatures significantly impacted the magnetic characteristics. As calcination temperature increased, saturation and remanence magnetization decreased, and inter-sub-lattice (A–B) super-exchange interactions were slightly more pronounced in smaller particles than in larger ones. Coercivity increases as calcination temperature rises. This can be attributed to the increase in particle size within the singular domain region. In addition, theoretical results (band structures) indicate that cobalt-cadmium ferrite possesses half-metallic properties. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The present study frames the physico-chemical characteristics and the source apportionment of PM10 over National Capital Region (NCR) of India using the receptor model's Positive Matrix Factorization (PMF) and Principal Momponent Mnalysis/Absolute Principal Component Score–Multilinear Regression (PCA/APCS-MLR). The annual average mass concentration of PM10 over the urban site of Faridabad, IGDTUW-Delhi and CSIR-NPL of NCR-Delhi were observed to be 195 ± 121, 275 ± 141 and 209 ± 81 µg m−3, respectively. Carbonaceous species (organic carbon (OC), elemental carbon (EC) and water-soluble organic carbon (WSOC)), elemental constituents (Al, Ti, Na, Mg, Cr, Mn, Fe, Cu, Zn, Br, Ba, Mo Pb) and water-soluble ionic components (F−, Cl−, SO42−, NO3−, NH4+, Na+, K+, Mg2+, Ca2+) of PM10 were entrenched to the receptor models to comprehend the possible sources of PM10. The PMF assorted sources over Faridabad were soil dust (SD 15%), industrial emission (IE 14%), vehicular emission (VE 19%), secondary aerosol (SA 23%) and sodium magnesium salt (SMS 17%). For IGDTUW-Delhi, the sources were SD (16%), VE (19%), SMS (18%), IE (11%), SA (27%) and VE + IE (9%). Emission sources like SD (24%), IE (8%), SMS (20%), VE + IE (12%), VE (15%) and SA + BB (21%) were extracted over CSIR-NPL, New Delhi, which are quite obvious towards the sites. PCA/APCS-MLR quantified the similar sources with varied percentage contribution. Additionally, catalogue the Conditional Bivariate Probability Function (CBPF) for directionality of the local source regions and morphology as spherical, flocculent and irregular were imaged using a Field Emission–Scanning Electron Microscope (FE-SEM). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Marchantia polymorpha L. is a common liverwort in the family Marchantiaceae. It is used in traditional Chinese herbal medications to heal cuts, scalds, snake bites, fractures, burns and open wounds. Chinese people used it to treat jaundice and inflammation also. Polyphenols (bis-bibenzyls and flavonoids), long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acids and terpenoids have been identified as the primary metabolites in M. polymorpha by phytochemical studies. The present study was aimed to explore the phytochemicals and the fungicidal properties of M. polymorpha extracts against Rhizoctonia solani by Poisoned Food Technique. Methods: The plant was extracted in four different solvents (Acetone, Methanol, Hexane and Di-ethyl ether) for assessing antifungal activity by Poisoned Food Technique and for phytochemical characterization by GC–MS and LC-MS. The extract with best antifungal activity was further examined for its mode of action using FE-SEM and Fluorescence microscopy. Results: Significant fungal growth inhibition was caused by M. polymorpha extracts. The highest inhibition was shown by di-ethyl ether extract (PI= 77.25±0.68). Field Emission Scanning electron microscopy and Fluorescence microscopy depicted the ultrastructural changes in the fungal species induced after treatment with the plant extract. GC–MS analysis revealed the presence of various bioactive compounds in di –ethyl ether extracts such as n- Hexadecanoic acid, Stigmasterol and Phytol with reported pharmacological properties. LC-MS revealed the presence of three antifungal compounds: Marchantin A, Marchantin B. and Plagiochin E. Discussion: The antifungal properties of M. polymorpha were equivalent to the standard, Amphotericin, which had significant effects against R. solani, indicating good efficacy of the plant extract. The damaging effect of plant extract was further confirmed by FE-SEM and Confocal microscopy. Thus, the present study potentially introduces a solution to the existing dilemma caused by antifungal agrochemicals.

In this study, BaO nanorods (NRs) were synthesized with inherent surface defects using the chemical coprecipitation process. The rich oxygen defect BaO NRs exhibited enhanced light sensitivity and effectively interacted with the organic pollutant methylene blue (MB) dye under UV-light illumination for wastewater treatment. The X-ray diffraction (XRD) analysis confirmed the highly crystalline tetragonal structure of the BaO NRs. Microstructural characteristics were examined using theoretical approaches such as Debye-Scherrer (DS), Williamson-Hall (W-H), and Size-Strain Plot (SSP), revealing an average crystallite size of approximately 30 nm. Field emission scanning electron microscopy (FE-SEM) revealed the rod-shaped structure of the BaO nanorods, with particles aligned on top of each other. UV–visible absorption studies demonstrated an increased optical bandgap in the BaO NRs compared to the bulk material. Photoluminescence spectroscopy revealed the presence of oxygen traps and surface defects, which aided the photodegradation process. The photocatalytic activity of the BaO NRs was assessed by degrading MB dye. We found that a concentration of 150 mg of BaO NRs exhibited the highest degradation efficiency at 85 %.

Biofilm formation by Escherichia coli presents a major challenge in the clinical settings, resulting in persistent infections and treatment failures. These bacterial communities, protected by a matrix, resist antibiotics and immune responses, thus causing a prolonged challenge to treat such infections. Developing effective strategies against E. coli biofilms is crucial for improving the patient outcomes and reducing the burden on the healthcare systems. This study aimed to extract, purify, and characterize mannan from Saccharomyces cerevisiae, then its antibiofilm activity was evaluated against the multi-drug resistant E. coli (MDR-E. coli) isolates obtained from various clinical sources (i.e., urine, stool, wound, and catheter). Using a standardized protocol with slight modifications, the crude mannan extraction yielded 37.6 %, and subsequent purification achieved an efficiency of 99.6 %. Characterization assays of the purified mannan included FT-IR; FE-SEM, carbohydrate content estimation, solubility, and melting point tests, which revealed the presence of α-1,6 and α-1,2 linked sugars; crystalline nature, high porosity (80 %) carbohydrate content, high solubility in water, and a melting point of 248 °C. The purified mannan exhibited a substantial ability to inhibit biofilm formation (37.50 %) and degrade the existing MDR-E. coli biofilms (37.43 %). These findings underscore the potential of S. cerevisiae mannan as an effective antibiofilm agent for the clinical applications. Further exploration and optimization of the mannan's therapeutic potential are essential to fully leverage its efficacy in combating the biofilm-associated infections caused by MDR-E. coli.

Mosquitoes are notorious insects that transmit a wide range of infectious diseases, including zika, malaria, chikungunya, filariasis, and dengue. The overuse and incorrect application of synthetic pesticides to control mosquitoes has resulted in resistance development and environmental contamination, both of which have had a negative impact on human health. To address this issue, the larvicidal and pupicidal potential of acetone extract from Casearia tomentosa fruits was investigated. The extract was evaluated in a lab setting against all larval instars and pupa of Culex quinquefasciatus and Aedes albopictus, as well as against third instar larvae in a semi-field condition. Purified compounds through TLC were also tested against 3rd instar larvae of both mosquito and non-target organisms. The FT-IR and GC-MS analyses were used to characterise the extract. Morphological aberration caused by the acetone extract was observed using FESEM. The anal gills and respiratory siphon of both mosquitoes showed significant deformation from their normal state. 100 ppm was found to cause 100% larval mortality at 24 h of exposure in case of Cx. quinquefasciatus and at 72 h of exposure in Ae. albopictus larvae. After 72 h of exposure under in vitro conditions, the extract demonstrated considerable larvicidal activity with LC50 values of 38.33 and 47.56 against 3rd instar larvae of Culex quinquefasciatus and Aedes albopictus, respectively. The acetone extract can be considered as a highly effective mosquito larvicidal agent that is safe for the environment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this work, using the spin coating method to create polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF)/polyethylene oxide (PEO) thin films, the effects of nano-tungsten oxide (WO2) doping were investigated. The novelty of this research lies in its investigation of varying weight concentrations of WO2 nanoparticles (NPs) within the composite films. Comprehensive characterization techniques were employed, including structural analysis via X-ray diffraction (XRD), which revealed a clear and prominent peak in the XRD of the PVDF/PEO films, and the films' polycrystalline nature with tetragonal structures. The grain size was noted to increase with higher WO2 NPs doping. Field emission scanning electron microscopy (FE-SEM) showed hexagonal-like α-phase PVDF crystals and uniform distribution of WO2 NPs. Furthermore, Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) confirmed the characteristics of PVDF/PEO and identified specific doping compounds, confirming successful incorporation. The optical transmittance spectra unveiled the films' optical band gap energy, optical transition types, and absorption characteristics, where novelty emerged as the band gap energy significantly increased from 3.0 eV to 3.64 eV with an increased WO2 NPs weight doping percentage, signifying profound electronic structure modifications and potential applications in optoelectronics and sensors. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this study, spin coating was used to prepare thin films of poly (2-methoxy-5-(2-ethylhexyloxy)-1, 4-phenylene vinylene) and silver (MEH-PPV/Ag) in this study. The physical characteristics of MEH-PPV/Ag thin films with various weight ratios (0.01, 0.02, 0.03, and 0.04%) were investigated by Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), field emission scanning electron microscopy (FE-SEM), atomic force microscopy (AFM), X-ray diffraction analysis (XRD), and thermal testing. FTIR analysis showed that there were occurrences of the polymer's predicted chemical bonds. AFM tests show that when different amounts of silver are added to a polymer matrix, the film's surface roughness (root mean square) goes up from an average of 83.51 to 511.3 nm. FE-SEM analysis showed that a pure sample of the polymer formed evenly. However, when different amounts of Ag were added, clear balls or circles formed, showing the energy of mixing between the MEH-PPV and Ag. As silver addition transformed the polymer from amorphous to polycrystalline, XRD analysis revealed both phases. In tests comparing pure MEH-PPV to MEH-PPV/Ag, the polymer containing silver showed higher thermal conductivity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study presents a comprehensive investigation of the medicinal attributes of the ethanolic extract obtained from Azadirachta indica (A. indica) leaves collected from the Jamia Salafiya Pharmacy College campus in Malappuram District, Kerala, South India. The plant was meticulously identified by Dr. Samuel Thavamni B, a plant pharmacognosy specialist. The ethanolic extraction process was performed using the Soxhlet method. Phytochemical analysis was performed using liquid chromatography-LC-MS (liquid chromatography-mass and Mass spectroscopy). The in vitro antioxidant, MTT ((3-(4,5-Dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-Diphenyltetrazolium Bromide) assay, Apoptosis, and Immunomodulatory activity of ethanolic A. indica were evaluated. The extraction resulted in a semi-solid, dark-coloured extract with a yield of 8.67%. Phytochemical analysis using LC-MS identified key constituents such as octadecanoic acid, tetradecanoic acid, caryophyllene, 1,4-Eicosadiene, and triacontanoic acid, methyl ester, known for antiinflammatory, antioxidant, and antimicrobial properties. In vitro antioxidant assays revealed a concentration-dependent inhibitory effect, with the A. indica ethanolic extract demonstrating substantial antioxidant capacity (77.81% at 100 µg), comparable to that of ascorbic acid (97.22%). However, the MTT assay indicated a concentration-dependent decrease in cell viability, emphasizing the need for caution owing to potential cytotoxic effects. Acridine orange/ethidium bromide staining provided insights into the induction of apoptosis in MCF-7 cells, highlighting the beneficial effects of the extract on cellular morphology. The scratch wound healing assay suggested the potential of the extract to promote fibroblast migration, implicating its role in enhancing wound healing. Immunomodulatory activity assessment revealed concentration-dependent modulation of immune responses, with the extract demonstrating a notable immunomodulatory effect of 77.81% at 100 µg. These findings shed light on the medicinal potential of A. indica, emphasizing the need for further research to elucidate the underlying mechanisms. The diverse chemical composition and multifaceted effects of the extract, from antioxidant and cytotoxic activities to immunomodulation and wound healing promotion, underscore its significance in pharmaceuticals and herbal remedies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Co1–xZnxFe2O4 (x = 0.0, 0.2, 0.4, 0.6, 0.8) cobalt zinc nanoferrites (CZF) nanoparticles were created in this study utilizing the auto-ignition procedure with citric acid as an oxidizing agent. Following thermogravimetric–differential thermal analysis, the prepared Co1–xZnxFe2O4 powder was sintered at 1000°C for 4 h. The single-phase cubic structure of Co-Zn ferrite nanoparticles was described by X-ray diffraction studies, and its outcomes show particle size fluctuation. Fourier transform infrared spectra show that phase formation occurred. Due to the ferrite samples, scanning electron microscope images demonstrate the aggregation of spherical grains. Peaks of the corresponding components Co, Zn, Fe and O were seen in the energy dispersive X-ray spectra, indicating the production of cobalt zinc ferrite. By employing a vibrating sample magnetometer to evaluate the magnetic characteristics of the ferrite output, soft ferrite material was found to be present. The range 58.55–74.46 nm is discovered to be the average crystallite size of the ferrite nanoparticles produced by field emission-scanning electron microscope. Transmission electron microscopy elaborates clustering of grains. With increase in Zn content in cobalt zinc ferrite nanoparticles, hysteresis loops were shown to be modified for magnetic characteristics, which include Ms, Mr, Hc and Mr/Ms. CZF nanoferrites can be employed in microwave devices because of their dielectric properties, i.e., the tangent loss is lower at high frequencies. Co0.2Zn0.8Fe2O4 exhibits surprisingly high dielectric permittivity with small dielectric loss and can be exploited for power storage at high frequencies. These results indicate CZF as a promising nanomaterial with unique technological applications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The enormous production of agricultural waste has created major problems for polluting the environment. Current efforts are focused on developing cost-effective and eco-friendly alternatives for disposal of waste materials. Agricultural wastes might be utilized as biochar and activated carbon (AC) precursors due to their higher carbon contents. In the present study, the activated carbon derived from corn cob biomass has been prepared successfully by the pyrolysis method at different temperatures i.e. 600 & 800 °C using potassium hydroxide activation. The synthesized materials (AC) were characterized using different techniques like X-ray diffraction, UV-Visible Spectroscopy, FTIR and N2 adsorption/desorption isotherm. The FTIR study identified the functional groups and XRD analysis revealed the structure of the prepared material. The FE-SEM images showed that activation of biochar resulted into formation of porous activated carbon with various shapes and sizes of pores. The high surface area 575 m²/g and pore volume 0.291 cm³/g of AC at 800 °C temperature were observed with BET analysis. The optical band gap determined using UV-Vis absorption spectroscopy indicates that the absorption edge lies in the ultra-violet region of the optical spectra. The findings of the present study highlight the potential of utilizing agro-wastes as effective precursors for producing activated carbon with minimal expenses. This carbon variant shows promise in various applications such as water purification, metal recovery, energy devices, etc. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Maintaining soil structure and stability is essential, especially in arid and semi-arid regions with poor soil structural stability. Destruction of soil and its crust can cause wind erosion and desertification. The objective of this study was to investigate the effect of using hydrogel nanocomposite mulch on the stabilization of sand surfaces. A wind tunnel test was used to evaluate the erodibility of samples treated with different amounts of hydrogel nanocomposite. The compressive strength of the samples was measured by a manual penetrometer. The prepared nanocomposites were examined using scanning electron microscopy (FE-SEM), infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), and X-ray diffraction (XRD) images. The results of the wind tunnel showed that the addition of hydrogel nanocomposite to the samples improved the soil erosion rate by 100% at a speed of 15 m/s compared to the control sample. Bonding between sand particles by spraying hydrogel nanocomposites improves the erodibility of sand. Measurement of mechanical strength of treated samples after 30 days showed that the resistance of the crust increased with increasing the amount of nanocellulose in the composite, which can be expressed due to the increased surface area of the nanoparticle and the possibility of further bonding of the nanocomposite polymer bed with sand particles. While the crust diameter showed no significant difference with increasing concentration and the sample treated with nanocomposites containing 3% nanoparticles was thicker compared to other samples.

Manganese-zinc ferrite MnxZn1-xFe2O4 (MnZnF) powder was prepared using the sol-gel method. The morphological, structural, and magnetic properties of MnZnF powder were studied using X-ray diffraction (XRD), atomic force microscopy (AFM), energy dispersive X-ray (EDX), field emission-scanning electron microscopes (FE-SEM), and vibrating sample magnetometers (VSM). The XRD results showed that the MnxZn1-xFe2O4 that was formed had a trigonal crystalline structure. AFM results showed that the average diameter of Manganese-Zinc Ferrite is 55.35 nm, indicating that the sample has a nanostructure dimension. The EDX spectrum revealed the presence of transition metals (Mn, Fe, Zn, and O) in Manganese-Zinc Ferrite. The FE-SEM results of MnZnF showed uniform spherical structures. VSM was used to study the change in magnetization, the saturation magnetization, (Ms) value of the samples. The measurement of VSM indicated that the MnZnF exhibits ferromagnetic behavior with coercivity Hc (0.0014 Gauss), remanent magnetization (Mr) (0.202 emu/gr), and saturation magnetization Ms (2.69 emu/g).

In this article, a study of ZnO doping in poly-dimethyl-siloxane (PDMS) polymer, which is used as one tribo layer in tribo-electric energy harvesters (TEG) is corroborated to enhance the electrical properties, open circuit voltage (Voc)and short circuit current (ISC). A parallel plate device configuration of metal-to-dielectric approach is carried out making use of copper as metal and PDMS polymer with ZnO doping as a dielectric film. The double sided copper tape of 99.99 % purity and 60 μm thickness is used to realize the top tribo layer whiledielectric PDMS polymer film with ZnO doping of 8 wt%, 13 wt%, and 18 wt% is spin coated at 1000 rpm on single side copper coated FR4 substrate to make the bottom tribo-electic layer. The mechanical force is applied in tapping mode on top layer by Universal Testing Machine (UTM). The prototype device is characterized by Agilent DSO, which revealed peak output voltage of 15 V, 20 V, 30 V, and 41 V and peak-to-peak output voltage 38 V, 50 V, 60 V, and 69 V in pure PDMS, PDMS+8 % ZnO, PDMS+13 % ZnO, and PDMS+18 % ZnO respectively. The output peak current is obtained 9 nA, 20 nA, 30 nA, and 32 nA and peak-to-peak current 31 nA, 49 nA, 51 nA, and 60 nA respectively. The performance of ZnO doped PDMS TEG has increased adequately, up to 68.44 % Of Voc and 71.87 % of Isc.with respect to pure PDMS. A scanning electron microscope (SEM) is used to confirm polymer film morphology and ZnO doping percentage in PDMS is validatedby energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy.

In this study, zinc oxide nanoparticles (ZnONPs) were synthesised using royal jelly. The prepared NPs were characterised through transmission electron microscopy, field-emission scanning electron microscopy, X-ray diffraction and Fourier transform infrared analysis. The size of the ZnONPs was 31.75 nm. The produced ZnONPs were evaluated as gas sensors for O2 and NH3 gases at various temperatures and time intervals. The highest sensitivity response to O2 (i.e. 11.1%) was recorded at 100 °C. The highest sensitivity response to NH3 (i.e. 12%) was observed at 25 °C. The sensor exhibited the shortest response and recovery times at different temperatures for O2 and NH3 gases, respectively. At 100 °C, the response time for O2 gas was 18 s, and the recovery time was 23 s. For NH3 gas, the response time was 25 s at 100 °C, and the recovery time was 22 s at 25 °C. These findings demonstrate the unique response and recovery features of the sensor.

Zinc oxide nanoparticles have high levels of biocompatibility, a low impact on environmental contamination, and suitable to be used as an ingredient for environmentally friendly skincare products. In this study, biogenically synthesized zinc oxide nanoparticles using Dendrobium anosum are used as a reducing and capping agent for topical anti-acne nanogels, and the antimicrobial effect of the nanogel is assessed on Cutibacterium acne and Staphylococcus aureus. Dendrobium anosmum leaf extract was examined for the presence of secondary metabolites and its total amount of phenolic and flavonoid content was determined. Both the biogenically and chemogenic-synthesized zinc oxide nanoparticles were compared using UV-Visible spectrophotometer, FE-SEM, XRD, and FTIR. To produce the topical nanogel, the biogenic and chemogenic zinc oxide nanoparticles were mixed with a carbomer and hydroxypropyl-methyl cellulose (HPMC) polymer. The mixtures were then tested for physical and chemical characteristics. To assess their anti-acne effectiveness, the mixtures were tested against C. acne and S. aureus. The biogenic zinc oxide nanoparticles have particle sizes of 20 nm and a high-phase purity. In comparison to chemogenic nanoparticles, the hydrogels with biogenically synthesized nanoparticles was more effective against Gram-positive bacteria. Through this study, the hybrid nanogels was proven to be effective against the microbes that cause acne and to be potentially used as a green product against skin infections. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We studied at the morphology, structural setup, and optical characteristics of thin cadmium (CdSe) films a thickness of 250 nm that were created by thermal evaporation over glass, The films exhibited a hexagonal shape were crystalline, and tended to form grains in the (111) crystallographic direction, according to the X-ray diffraction examinations. These characteristics were established using the investigation's findings. Through the use of thin films of CdSe doped with Ag at a concentration of 1.5%, the crystal structure orientations for pure CdSe (25.32, 41.84) and CdSe:Ag (25.39, 41.01) that were both pure as well as those that were doped with silver were both determined. The band gap of the optical spectrum decreased by 1.93-1.81 eV (300-700 nm). This reduced the rate of absorption measuring the current-voltage properties of heterojunctions made from a range of clean and doped materials with an incident electrical power density of (100 mW/cm2). The films' hexagonal structure was revealed by the X-ray investigation, and grain development was driven by the (220,111) crystallographic direction. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Today, monitoring and classification of hydrogen gas by metal oxide-based sensors are widely studying to improve their selectivity and stability. In present work, hydrogen sensing properties of magnetron sputtered deposited pure SnO2 thin films have been studied. The pure SnO2 thin film was deposited on glass substrate and as-deposited film was annealed at 450 °C for 6 hrs. The annealed SnO2 thin film has crystalline tetragonal structure, granular surface morphology and non-stoichiometry elemental composition of tin and oxygen vacancies. A higher gas sensing response is obtained for annealed SnO2 thin film as compare to as-deposited SnO2 thin film.A limit of detection (LOD) ~175 ppb is estimated for annealed SnO2 thin filmbased sensor. This sensor exhibits fast response and recovery time of 42 s/52 s for 50 and 500 ppm hydrogen gas, respectively. The sensor is found highly selective towards H2 gas in compare to different gases such as methane, carbon monoxide and nitrogen dioxide. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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Medical attention is needed to overcome the haemocompatibility of Ti alloy implants, where nanotechnology is one of the concerned subjects. In the present study, a combined electrochemical approach was employed to access in-vitro studies on Ti6Al4V alloy (Ti64). A higher bath temperature with specific field potential was used for the formation of nanotubes. In-vitro haemocompatibility (platelet adhesion (PA) and staining) study had been conducted on TiO2 nanotube composite samples, which were derived by varying electrochemical parameters [51 nm (high pore density), 61 nm (moderate pore density), and 72 nm (lowest pore density)] with divergent topography in fresh electrolytes. Platelet adhesion and composition were observed under FE-SEM and EDS. Image J software was used to analyse the various topographies. Haemolysis rate (HR) and PA tests were conducted to evaluate biocompatibility. Topography of 61 and 72 nm TiO2 nanotube (TNT) had shown better HR. Additionally, the MTT assay had shown higher cell viability. Besides, fluorescence microscopy had revealed maximum staining of adhered platelets on 51 nm TNT, obtained with the highest pore density. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this study, the hydrothermal route has been used to synthesize novel Fe/Mn co-doped CuS nanoflowers with the high-surface-area with different Fe concentrations (1, 3 and 5%) and constant concentration values of Mn. The nanoparticles were analysed through X-ray diffraction, field emission scanning electron microscopy, energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy, Fourier transform infra-red spectrophotometer, zeta potential and optical absorption spectroscopy. X-ray diffraction indicates that the covellite CuS has a hexagonal structure. The morphology of the synthesized nanoparticles is primarily a sphere-like flower. A UV–visible spectrophotometer was used to measure the absorbance spectra. The energy gap showed an irregular change with an increased amount of Fe doped in CuS. Furthermore, the antibacterial activity showed that the inhibition zone of Fe/Mn co-doped CuS was 20–25 mm for E. coli, 24–27 mm for S. aureus and 31–41 mm for P. aeruginosa at a high concentration of Fe dopant. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Maintaining soil structure and stability is essential, especially in arid and semi-arid regions with poor soil structural stability. Destruction of soil and its crust can cause wind erosion and desertification. The objective of this study was to investigate the effect of using hydrogel nanocomposite mulch on the stabilization of sand surfaces. A wind tunnel test was used to evaluate the erodibility of samples treated with different amounts of hydrogel nanocomposite. The compressive strength of the samples was measured by a manual penetrometer. The prepared nanocomposites were examined using scanning electron microscopy (FE-SEM), infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), and X-ray diffraction (XRD) images. The results of the wind tunnel showed that the addition of hydrogel nanocomposite to the samples improved the soil erosion rate by 100% at a speed of 15 m/s compared to the control sample. Bonding between sand particles by spraying hydrogel nanocomposites improves the erodibility of sand. Measurement of mechanical strength of treated samples after 30 days showed that the resistance of the crust increased with increasing the amount of nanocellulose in the composite, which can be expressed due to the increased surface area of the nanoparticle and the possibility of further bonding of the nanocomposite polymer bed with sand particles. While the crust diameter showed no significant difference with increasing concentration and the sample treated with nanocomposites containing 3% nanoparticles was thicker compared to other samples. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The human commensal yeast Candida albicans is pathogenic and results in a variety of mucosal and deep tissue problems when the host is immunocompromised. Candida exhibits enormous metabolic flexibility and dynamic morphogenetic transition to survive under host niche environmental conditions and to cause virulence. The amino sugar N-acetylglucosamine (GlcNAc) available at the host infection sites, apart from acting as an extremely good carbon and nitrogen source, also induces cellular signalling in this pathogen. In C. albicans, GlcNAc performs multifaceted roles, including GlcNAc scavenging, GlcNAc import and metabolism, morphogenetic transition (yeast—hyphae and white—opaque switch), GlcNAc-induced cell death (GICD), and virulence. Understanding the molecular mechanism(s) involved in GlcNAc-induced cellular processes has become the main focus of many studies. In the current study, we focused on GlcNAc-induced metabolic changes associated with phenotypic changes. Here, we employed gas chromatography–mass spectrometry (GC–MS), which is a high-throughput and sensitive technology, to unveil global metabolomic changes that occur in GlcNAc vs. glucose grown conditions in Candida cells. The morphogenetic transition associated with metabolic changes was analysed by high-resolution field emission scanning electron microscopy (FE-SEM). Metabolite analysis revealed the upregulation of metabolites involved in the glyoxylate pathway, oxidative metabolism, and fatty acid catabolism to probably augment the synthesis of GlcNAc-induced hypha-specific materials. Furthermore, GlcNAc-grown cells showed slightly more sensitivity to amphotericin B treatment. These results all together provide new insights into the development of antifungal therapeutics for the control of candidiasis in humans. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The principal objective of the recent work was to fabricate extracellular Ag nanoparticles employing Sargassum tenerrimum. The algal extract generated stable and safe nanoparticles by developing environmentally benign and rapid ways. Silver nanoparticles absorbance was related to the band surface plasmon resonance occurring between 430 and 450 nm, which was used to initially confirm the AgNPs production (400–450 ranges). The X-ray diffraction examination confirmed that the particles were crystallized. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy was used to recognize the biomolecules of algal extract that help in nanoparticles synthesis. The surface morphology of the particles, which are polydisperse and spherical type, could be clearly seen in the field emission scanning electron microscopy view. The size detail of Ag nanoparticles was examined through the transmission electron microscopy study, which was around 13–46 nm. Generated silver nanoparticles demonstrated a significant antimicrobial effect against the pathogenic microorganism, which may help in curing many fatal diseases. So, the present study developed an ideal, cost-effective, and straightforward method for silver nanoparticle synthesis from marine macroalgae Sargassum tenerrimum. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Temperature disturbance could cause deterioration of rock mechanical parameters, and it is of great significance to establish the corresponding quantitative characterization method of rock damage to reveal the damage and instability mechanism of rock and guide engineering practice. In this study, fine-grained granite was selected as the object of research and has undergone different thermal treatments with different high-temperature and cooling methods. The formation and development of pores and microcracks were observed and analyzed by field emission-scanning electron microscopy (FE-SEM) and low-field NMR scanning experiments. Then, the rock damage coefficients based on macro and microdamage mechanisms were calculated, and the mechanism of microdamage was specifically analyzed based on the change of the characteristics of the small, medium, and large pores of the rock and the characteristics of fractal dimension. The results showed that the porosity of granite increased slowly first and then rapidly with the increase of heat treatment temperature, and the proportion of medium and large pores made the most significant contribution to the improvement of porosity. The damage value of granite increased continuously with the heat treatment temperature. The damage value of liquid nitrogen (LN2) cooling was the highest, followed by water and natural cooling. After heat treatment and cooling treatment, the pore distribution of granite had good statistical fractal characteristics, and the fractal dimension decreased with the increase in heat treatment temperature, and the fractal dimension of the rock cooled by liquid nitrogen was the highest, followed by water cooling and natural cooling. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Folic acid (FA) is used as target drug delivery for cancer cells by adding to copper/chitosan nanocomposite (Cu/CNC) to form FA-Cu-CS complex. Chitosan is a promising polymeric that has received a lot of attention recently. Chitosan nanoparticles have wide applications as a nanocarrier for different organic and inorganic substances. In the present study, chitosan nanoparticles (CNP), Cu/CNC, and FA-Cu-CS had been prepared and characterized. Structural, morphological, optical and anticancer activities of the nanoparticles were studied. X-ray diffraction study showed the formation of CNP, Cu/CNC, and FA-Cu-CS. FE-SEM showed the CNPs have spherical shape. While, FE-SEM image of Cu/CNC has aggregated and semi-spherical shapes, but the image of FA-Cu-CS showed aggregated, agglomerated, and irregular shapes. FTIR analysis resulted peak at 1026.13 cm–1 refer to the CNPs bonded with folic acid. UV/VIS spectroscopy showed absorbance peak at 530 nm due to presence of FA-Cu-CS. Moreover, anticancer activity of CNPs, Cu/CNC and FA-Cu-CS was tested by MTT assay against fibroblast, MCF-7 and ovarian cancer, then it was stained by DAPI to show the morphology of nucleus. FA-Cu-CS has higher cytotoxicity from other nanoparticles which was 54%, 65% and 83% against fibroblast, MCF-7 and ovarian cancer, respectively at concentration of 0.175 μL/mL. To our knowledge, there is no report on enhancing the anticancer activity of copper/chitosan nanocomposite by conjugated with folic acid and comparison of anticancer activity among CNPs, Cu/CNC and FA-Cu-CS.

In this study, the tensile and impact strength of nanocomposites reinforced with graphene nanosheets, basalt, and kenaf fibers were examined by response surface methodology (RSM). RSM with Box-Behnken design (BBD) was adopted as the study design. The polypropylene (PP) was melted and the reinforcements, including graphene nanosheets (at 0, 0.75, and 1.5 wt %), basalt fiber (at 0, 7.5 and 15 wt %), and kenaf fiber (at 0, 7.5, and 15 wt %) were incorporated to the matrix using mixing technique. The length of the fibers was similar for all the samples (5 mm). Tensile and impact tests were run for all samples to determine the weight of each reinforcing filler for gaining the maximum tensile and impact strength. The best tensile strength (34.434 MPa) was attained with a graphene nanosheet of 0.742 wt%, basalt fiber of 15 wt%, and kenaf fiber of 15 wt%. fabrication of composite having optimum levels of each variable yielded products with a 52% higher tensile strength than pristine PP. The best value obtained by impact tests was 129.9 J/m, which was achieved by graphene nanosheet of 0.984 wt%, basalt fiber of 15 wt%, and kenaf fiber of 15 wt%. The best weight combinations of these variables improved the impact strength by 80%. The SEM was also used to monitor the dispersal pattern of each of the reinforcing fillers in the matrix. FTIR characterization was used to analyze the change in the chemical structure of the composite, and results showed that the formation of new bonds between polymer chains and additives enhanced the mechanical strength of the composite

In this research, composite material consist of PMMA and MMA as a matrix materials was prepared and reinforced by natural fibers (sisal fibers) in different concentrations (5, 10%wt). The conventional processing technique for complete dentures was followed to prepare the composite specimens. FTIR test was carried out to reinforcement material (sisal fibers) before and after salinization to determine, whether or not there is chemical bond between reinforcements materials and saline coupling agent. Physical tests such as thermal conductivity, water sorption and solubility were performed on all specimens. The results refer to a highly significant differences in: thermal conductivity, water sorption and solubility of reinforced specimens compared with pure specimens. Increasing the fiber concentration showed a slight decrease in the thermal conductivity of PMMA specimens reinforced with sisal fibers, and increase both water sorption and solubility of composite specimens. FTIR results showed a new absorption band was developed after sialne treatment.

Morpho-constitutional analysis of gallstones revealed significant differences between sickle cell patients and other gallbladder stone formers. As expected, pigment stones, mainly composed of calcium bilirubinates, were the most common type of stones in the former (74.7 versus 22.5%, $p

The main objective of the present research work is to assess the biological properties of the aqueous plant extract (ACAE) synthesised silver nanoparticles from the herbal plant Ageratum conyzoides, and their biological applications. The silver nanoparticle syntheses from Ageratum conyzoides (Ac-AgNPs) were optimised with different parameters, such as pH (2, 4, 6, 8 and 10) and varied silver nitrate concentration (1 mM and 5 mM). Based on the UV–vis spectroscopy analysis of the synthesised silver nanoparticles, the concentration of 5 mM with the pH at 8 was recorded as the peak reduction at 400 nm; and these conditions were optimized were used for further studies. The results of the FE-SEM analysis recorded the size ranges (~30–90 nm), and irregular spherical and triangular shapes of the AC-AgNPs were captured. The characterization reports of the HR-TEM investigation of AC-AgNPs were also in line with the FE-SEM studies. The antibacterial efficacies of AC-AgNPs have revealed the maximum zone of inhibition against S. typhi to be within 20 mm. The in vitro antiplasmodial activity of AC-AgNPs is shown to have an effective antiplasmodial property (IC50:17.65 μg/mL), whereas AgNO3 has shown a minimum level of IC50: value 68.03 μg/mL, and the Ac-AE showed >100 μg/mL at 24 h of parasitaemia suppression. The α-amylase inhibitory properties of AC-AgNPs have revealed a maximum inhibition similar to the control Acarbose (IC50: 10.87 μg/mL). The antioxidant activity of the AC-AgNPs have revealed a better property (87.86% ± 0.56, 85.95% ± 1.02 and 90.11 ± 0.29%) when compared with the Ac-AE and standard in all the three different tests, such as DPPH, FRAP and H2O2 scavenging assay, respectively. The current research work might be a baseline for the future drug expansion process in the area of nano-drug design, and its applications also has a lot of economic viability and is a safer method in synthesising or producing silver nanoparticles. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The natural fiber-based polymeric composites are being used extensively in various engineering applications, especially in the non-structural parts and components. Although, a large number of primary processing techniques, such as hand-layup and compression molding are available for fabrication of parts, still the secondary processing in terms of joining and machining is inevitable. The joining of composite parts becomes necessary in case of complicated and intricate product designs. Adhesive joining is one of the most commonly used processes for polymer-based composite materials. It is a cheap, easy, and smooth bonding process and does not necessitate the drilling of holes for the purpose of mechanical fastening. In the present experimental investigation, the joint strength of woven fiber mat (sisal, jute, and hybrid) reinforced epoxy composites has been investigated using different joint configurations, namely, single lap, double-strap butt, and scarf joint. The effect of adhesives has also been explored by joining composites with two types of epoxy resins and corresponding hardener. It was observed that the hybrid composites recorded better joining performance for both types of adhesives. Moreover, the Field Emission Scanning Electron Microscopy (FE-SEM) has been used to understand the failure mechanisms during tensile testing of adhesively bonded natural fiber-reinforced composite laminates. The three-dimensional assembly models of adherend specimens were created using the SOLIDWORK V.16 modeling software. ANSYS-V.18.2 WORKBENCH was employed for the analysis of the joint performance. The maximum shear stress and the total deformation results were determined. The finite element analysis (FEA) results were compared with experimental findings and were found to be in good agreement.

In the present study, for the first time, green synthesis of silver nanoparticles was carried out with the extract obtained from the fibrous structure in the pumpkin Cucurbita maxima (CM) fruit. The presence of silver nanoparticles formed by the reduction of Ag+ ions was determined with the maximum absorbance values of 442.89 nm in wavelength scans made by UV-Vis spectroscopy analysis. The functional groups of the phytochemicals involved in the reduction were examined by Fourier-transform infrared (FT-IR) spectroscopy. For the morphology of the synthesized AgNPs, they were found to be uniform in spherical appearance using atomic power microscopy (AFM), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), and field emission scanning electron microscopy (FE-SEM) images. The surface charges of AgNPs were determined to be -16.4 mV by Zeta potential analysis. Their crystal structures and nano-sizes were evaluated by X-ray diffraction (XRD) data to be in cubic pattern, and their size was 21.20 nm using the Debye-Scherrer equation. AgNPs (CM-AgNPs) synthesized via CM provided growth suppression at concentrations of 1.00-0.12, 2.00-1.00, and 0.50 µg/mL on pathogen gram-positive, gram-negative strains and the fungus Candida albicans, respectively. These concentrations were effective against antibiotics and silver solution at a very low concentration. [Med-Science 2022; 11(2.000): 794-9]

The present work aims to carry out a feasible study of wire electro-discharge machining (WEDM) during the machining of Inconel 690 superalloy gears. Processing conditions of power-on time, power-off time, current, and spark-gap voltage are varied to evaluate the process performance in terms of material removal rate (MRR), surface roughness (SR), and wire consumption. Parametric optimization has been carried out using combined approach of response surface methodology (RSM) and artificial neural network (ANN). Results revealed that ANN predicted values are 99% in agreement with the experimental results which validates its effectiveness as compared to RSM predicted values. A viability study of noise characteristics of the processed gear is also done using a noise testing setup. Additionally, FE-SEM has been used to analyze the machined surface’s topography. Greater discharge energy brought by a longer pulse length raises the values of MRR, SR, and recast layer thickness (RLT). This study explores the capability of WEDM to produce a more precise and smooth gear profile as compared to other conventional machining methods. Additionally, RLT and microhardness of the machined surface have been critically studied to comprehend the better understanding of the process mechanism.

Two new species of Peucedanum (Apiaceae), P. miroense and P. tongkangense, from Gangwon Province, South Korea, are described. Both species are most similar to P. elegans and P. hakuunense because of their linear ultimate leaf segments. Peucedanum miroense was found on crevices of rocks in mountain summits and can be distinguished by its pubescent ovary, purple anthers, oblong schizocarp, and 1 or (2) vittae per vallecula and 4 on the commissural face. Peucedanum tongkangense was found in open areas on rocky cliffs along the Donggang River and can be distinguished by its glabrous ovary, whitish-yellow anthers, narrowly ellipsoid schizocarp, and 3 vittae per vallecula and 4 on the commissural face. Distinguishing characteristics, full descriptions, illustrations, photographs, taxonomic notes on geographical distribution, ecology, and phenology of the two species are presented. An identification key for all Korean species of Peucedanum is also provided. In addition, the mericarp surface of two new species and their close relatives are compared using micromorphological analysis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]