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Background: The fall armyworm (FAW), Spodoptera frugiperda (J.E. Nixon) (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae), is the major insect pest that infests cereal crops recently in African and Asian countries. The insect is polyphagous that attacks large numbers of host plants, especially maize and rice, causing considerable losses in their annual yield. The integrated pest management (IPM) of the insect depended mainly on insecticides and to some extent on biological control agents including insect pathogens (nematodes, fungi, bacteria and viruses). Results: Different species of entomopathogens (nematodes, fungi, viruses and bacteria) infecting the insect could be isolated in such newly invaded countries. Laboratory and field experiments indicated that the insect was found to be susceptible to the isolated entomopathogens, and thus, they could be promising biocontrol agents against this insect. Conclusion: This review article proved the susceptibility of S. frugiperda to the most of tested entomopathogens. However, more field studies have to be carried out in order to include such entomopathogens within integrated pest management programs against this insect pest. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract\nNovelty statementCrude oil spills imperil aquatic ecosystems globally, prompting innovative solutions such as microalgae-based bioremediation. This study explores the potential of Chlorella vulgaris and Scenedesmus quadricauda, for crude oil spill phycoremediation under mixotrophic conditions and varying crude oil concentrations (0.5–2%). C. vulgaris demonstrated notable resilience, thriving up to 1% crude oil exposure, while S. quadricauda adapted to lower concentrations. Optimal growth for both was observed at 0.5% exposure. Chlorophyll a content in C. vulgaris increases at 0.5% exposure but declines above 1%, while a decline was noticeable in chlorophyll b in treatment groups above 1%. Carotenoid levels varied, displaying the highest levels at higher concentrations above 1.5%. Similarly, S. quadricauda showed increased chlorophyll a content at 0.5% exposure, with stable carotenoid levels and a decline in chlorophyll b content at higher concentrations. GC/MS analyses indicated C. vulgaris efficiently degraded aliphatic compounds like decane and tridecane, surpassing S. quadricauda in degrading both aliphatic and aromatic hydrocarbons. Growth kinetics was best represented by the modified Gompertz and logistic models. These findings highlight the species-specific adaptability and optimal concentration for microalgae to degrade crude oil effectively, advancing phycoremediation processes and strategies critical for environmental restoration.This study marks the first exploration of both Chlorella vulgaris and the previously unexplored Scenedesmus quadricauda for crude oil phycoremediation potential under mixotrophic conditions. Additionally, it pioneers the modeling and study of algae growth kinetics in response to crude oil exposure. Notably, this research demonstrated the adaptability and efficiency of C. vulgaris in degrading crude oil components under mixotrophic conditions up to a level of 1%, while S. quadricauda showed similar capabilities at a concentration of 0.5%. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study aims to examine the collaborative efforts of public and school libraries to implement lifelong learning targets. Using data collected from school and public library staff, head teachers and education officers in Zanzibar, this study seeks to obtain opinions regarding public library support provided to school libraries, types of collaborative programs that public and school libraries engaged in to attain lifelong learning targets, and the effectiveness of library joint programs in promoting lifelong learning opportunities. The study used a cross-sectional design, whereas a mixed approach through the convergence method was used to collect, analyze and interpret data. A non-probability sampling under purposive sampling techniques was applied to select respondents for this study. Primary data was collected through a survey method using a structured standardized questionnaire, face-to-face interviews and focus group discussions. A total of 36 public library staff and 94 school library staff filled out questionnaires. Interviews were conducted with 42 respondents while 18 respondents were involved in focus group discussions. Findings revealed the existence of collaborative efforts between public libraries and school libraries. However, there were neither collaborative plans nor assessment and evaluation strategies, thus, the program's implementation did not guarantee the effective promotion of lifelong learning opportunities for all. The study recommends that the education authorities should address and prioritize the agenda of lifelong learning by introducing a national-wide library collaboration campaign toward the implementation of SDG 4 targets along with the improvement of public and school libraries' capacity in terms of staff and resources. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The objective of this study is to investigate the capacity of public and school libraries towards the achievement of SDG4. Using data collected from school and public library staff, head teachers and education officers in Zanzibar, the study examined the level of awareness of SDG4 among library staff, library human and physical resources capacity and the effectiveness of library programs in promoting lifelong learning. The study used a cross-sectional design, whereas a mixed approach through a convergence method was used to collect, analyze and interpret data. A non-probability sampling under purposive sampling techniques was applied to select respondents for this study. Primary data was collected through a survey method using a structured standardized questionnaire, face-to-face interviews and focus group discussions. A total of 100 library staff filled out questionnaires. Interviews were conducted with 42 respondents while 18 were involved in focus group discussions. The study revealed that public and school libraries provided common traditional services like book circulation and reference services, but their contribution did not correlate with the efforts needed to promote lifelong learning in the modern era. The libraries were faced with several challenges including inadequate budget and a lack of policy and strategies for the implementation of lifelong learning targets. The study recommends that the education authorities should address and prioritize the agenda of lifelong learning by improving the capacity of public and school libraries, while a national-wide library campaign toward the promotion of lifelong learning should be introduced with the involvement of public and school libraries. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this manuscript, the dynamic response of a long cylinder subjected to an asymmetric thermal shock is investigated within the framework of generalized micropolar thermoelasticity. The displacement and micro-rotation are assumed to vanish at the surface. Laplace transformation techniques are used to solve the problem. The solution is obtained in the transformed field using an innovative direct approach. Furthermore, we obtain the inverse transformations using a numerical method based on Fourier expansion. The obtained results are carefully presented through graphical representations and discussed extensively across different relaxation time values. It is evident that the relaxation time parameter significantly influences all the distributions. The displacement distributions are always continuous, whereas all other functions, including temperature variation, stress distribution, and micro-rotation, exhibit discontinuity at the wave front. The results obtained hold significant importance in various technological applications and in the manufacturing of mechanical components. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The development of an environment-friendly nanomaterial with promising antimicrobial and antioxidant properties is highly desirable. The decolorization potentiality of toxic dyes using nanoparticles is a progressively serious worldwide issue. Methods: The successful biosynthesis of zinc nanoparticles based on phosphates (ZnP-nps) was performed using the extracellular secretions of Aspergillus fumigatus. The antibacterial activity of the biosynthetic ZnP-nps was investigated against Gram-negative bacteria and Gram-positive bacteria using the agar diffusion assay method. The antioxidant property for the biosynthetic nanomaterial was evaluated by DPPH and H2O2 radical scavenging assay. Results: Remarkable antibacterial and antiradical scavenging activities of ZnP-nps were observed in a dose-dependent manner. The minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) for Staphylococcus aureus, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, and Escherichia coli was 25 µg/ml, however, the MIC for Bacillus subtilis was 12.5 µg/ml. The maximum adsorptive performance of nanomaterial was respectively achieved at initial dye concentration of 200 mg/L and 150 mg/L using methylene blue (MB) and methyl orange (MO), where sorbent dosages were 0.5 g for MB and 0.75 g for MB; pH was 8.0 for MB and 4.0 for MO; temperature was 30 °C; contact time was 120 min. The experimental data was better obeyed with Langmuir's isotherm and pseudo-second-order kinetic model (R2 > 0.999). The maximum adsorption capacity (qmax) of MB and MO dyes on nanomaterial were 178.25 mg/g and 50.10 mg/g, respectively. The regenerated nanomaterial, respectively, persist > 90% and 60% for MB and MO after 6 successive cycles. The adsorption capacity of the prepared zinc phosphate nanosheets crystal toward MB and MO, in the present study, was comparable/superior with other previously engineered adsorbents. Conclusions: Based on the above results, the biosynthesized ZnP-nanosheets are promising nanomaterial for their application in sustainable dye decolorization processes and they can be employed in controlling different pathogenic bacteria with a potential application as antiradical scavenging agent. Up to our knowledge, this is probably the first study conducted on the green synthesis of ZnP-nanosheets by filamentous fungus and its significant in sustainable dye decolorization. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The absence of calcium decreases the production of peanuts compared to any other element. To investigate the influence of calcium (Ca) applications on the production and seed quality of four diverse peanut cultivars from different regions—USA (NC-7), Egypt (Giza-6) and Nigeria (Samnut-23 and Samnut-24)—under clay soil conditions, two experiments were carried out at the Agricultural Experimental and Research Station, Cairo University, Egypt, during the two seasons of 2016 and 2017. The experimental design was a randomized complete block in a spilt-plot arrangement with three replications. The main plots were allocated to four peanut cultivars (Giza-6, Samnut-23, Samnut-24 and NC-7), and the sub-plots were devoted to calcium applications (soil application in the form of calcium sulfate dihydrate, foliar application in the form of calcium oxide and the control treatment of distilled water). Results indicated that all four peanut cultivars responded differently to the application of calcium fertilizers. The calcium application significantly enhanced peanut growth, yield components, biological, pod, seed, oil yields, seed oil, free fatty acids and seed calcium percentages in different cultivars. Soil calcium application significantly improved peanut production compared to foliar calcium application. NC-7 cultivar treated with the soil Ca application resulted in the maximum values of biological yield (92.9-ton ha−1), pod yield (6.8-ton ha−1), seed yield (4.4-ton ha−1), oil yield (2247.0 kg ha−1), pod index (203.2 g) and seed index (84.1 g). The interaction between the NC-7 cultivar and soil calcium applications is recommended to attain the best combination, leading to the highest yield and seed quality of peanuts. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The endocrine problem diabetes mellitus is the most prevalent condition. Over time, the heart and blood arteries become among the tissues and organs that are negatively impacted by this medical disease. Beets' antiinflammatory, antioxidant, anti-tumor, high pressure-lowering, neuroprotective, and immune-modulating advantages are equivalent to those of pharmaceuticals. Aim of the work: Analyzing the effects of betanin on experimentally generated diabetes and related Histopathological Alteration in Adult Albino Rats. Material and Methods: Rattus norvegicus albino adult males were separated into four equal groups, as follows: Group I functioned as the control group, Group II was the diabetic group, Group III was the normal plus betanin, and Group IV was the diabetic group that had been given betanin therapy. The samples of blood have been collected at the completion of the study's period to be investigated blood glucose levels, glycated haemoglobin, serum insulin, alanine amino transferase (ALT), aspartate amino transferase (AST), lipid profiles, malondialdehyde (MDA), tumour necrosis factor alpha (TNFα), catalase, nuclear factor Kapp, lactate dehydrogenase, interleukin 1 and interleukin 6. Additionally, liver and pancreas samples were taken for a histopathology investigation. Results: The drug streptozotocin (STZ) substantially increased levels of blood sugar, glycated haemoglobin, cholesterol, alanine amino transferase, aspartate amino transferase, malondialdehyde, TNF, lactate dehydrogenase, nuclear factor kappa, IL-1, and IL-6 while substantially reducing levels of serum insulin and catalase. All levels substantially improved after receiving betanin treatment. Conclusion: Due to its antioxidant properties, betanin has a preventive impact on diabetic rats. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The studied Schiff-base compounds in this work are multitasked investigated as corrosion inhibitors and also, to improve the physical and mechanical properties of reinforced concrete. The efficiency inhibition of the two novel Schiff-base compounds named (DHSiMF) and (DHSiB) for corrosion of carbon-steel in aqueous media of 1 M HCl was assessed via electrochemical methods and loss in weight. FT-IR, 1H-NMR spectra and elemental analysis were used to confirm the structure of such compounds. It was found to have successful inhibition even at low concentrations in tested media, as an increase in inhibitor concentration led to an improvement in the inhibition efficiency. The weight loss results clearly demonstrate that DHSiMF of C-steel in 1 M HCl has a higher inhibition efficiency than DHSiB, with a maximum inhibition efficiency (85%) attained at 1 × 10–2 M from DHSiMF. Electrochemical experiments likewise revealed the same order, but with a maximal inhibitory efficiency of 98.1%. The addition of inhibitors to the corrosive media dramatically changed the anodic Tafel constants (βa) and cathodic Tafel constants (βc), indicating a mixed type nature. Electrochemical polarization curves illustrated the functions of mixed-type inhibition and the action of adsorption matching with the Langmuir adsorption isotherm. The ∆Gads values for DHSiMF and DHSiB at temperatures (ranging from 303 to 333 K) are − 34.42 kilojoule/mole to − 37.51 kilojoule/mole. These values indicate that the compounds' adsorption types are chemo-physical adsorption. X-ray diffraction (XRD) and Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) experiments were used to check the existence of the protection layer on the surface of carbon steel by analyzing the morphologies of the corrosion effects and the formed chemical compositions of the corrosion outcomes. For the concrete, the findings suggest that the chemical reaction that takes place between the DHSiMF and DHSiB and the concrete mix will result in an increase in the flexural strength, the compressive strength, and the indirect tensile strength of the concrete that is made of the gravel and dolomite aggregate. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The endocrine problem diabetes mellitus is the most prevalent condition. Over time, the heart and blood arteries become among the tissues and organs that are negatively impacted by this medical disease. Beets' antiinflammatory, antioxidant, anti-tumor, high pressure-lowering, neuroprotective, and immune-modulating advantages are equivalent to those of pharmaceuticals. Aim of the work: Analyzing the effects of betanin on experimentally generated diabetes and related Histopathological Alteration in Adult Albino Rats. Material and Methods: Rattus norvegicus albino adult males were separated into four equal groups, as follows: Group I functioned as the control group, Group II was the diabetic group, Group III was the normal plus betanin, and Group IV was the diabetic group that had been given betanin therapy. The samples of blood have been collected at the completion of the study's period to be investigated blood glucose levels, glycated haemoglobin, serum insulin, alanine amino transferase (ALT), aspartate amino transferase (AST), lipid profiles, malondialdehyde (MDA), tumour necrosis factor alpha (TNFa), catalase, nuclear factor Kapp, lactate dehydrogenase, interleukin 1 and interleukin 6. Additionally, liver and pancreas samples were taken for a histopathology investigation. Results: The drug streptozotocin (STZ) substantially increased levels of blood sugar, glycated haemoglobin, cholesterol, alanine amino transferase, aspartate amino transferase, malondialdehyde, TNF, lactate dehydrogenase, nuclear factor kappa, IL-1, and IL-6 while substantially reducing levels of serum insulin and catalase. All levels substantially improved after receiving betanin treatment. Conclusion: Due to its antioxidant properties, betanin has a preventive impact on diabetic rats. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The fall armyworm, Spodoptera frugiperdais a highly destructive pest of cereals and is native to the tropical and subtropical regions of North, Central and South America. The insect is polyphagous with a host range of 353 plant species in 76 families and was reported to cause 8.3 to 20.6 million tones losses in maize yield/year which represents 21 - 53% of the total production. A total of 48 parasitoids (6 species of egg parasitoids, 4 species of egglarval parasitoids, 34 species of larval parasitoids, 3 species of larval-pupal parasitoids and one pupal parasitoid) of Spodoptera frugiperda have been recorded in African countries since its invasion in 2016. In addition, 18 predator species have been found to be associated with this insect in maize and rice fields. In Asian countries, a total of 24 parasitoids (6 egg parasitoids, 2 egg-larval parasitoids and 16 larval parasitoids) have been recorded as well as 11 predator species. The most common egg parasitoid is Telenomus remus which is recorded in 8 countries of Africa as well as three countries of Asia (out of the 4 countries mentioned in Asia). The most common egg-larval parasitoid in Africa is Chelonus bifoveolatus as it is recorded in 8 countries whereas Ch. formosanus and Ch. nr blackburni are recorded in India (Asia). The most common larval parasitoids in Africa are Coccygidium luteum (7 countries), Cotesia icipe (6 countries) and Charops sp. (6 countries), whereas the most common one in India (Asia) is Campoletis chlorideae. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The influence of branched N, N′-bis(p-hydroxybenzoyl) containing propylenediamine (PDA) and triethylenetetramine (TETA) composites for corrosion inhibition of carbon steel in acidic solution (1 M HCl) was investigated using several quantum chemical, electrochemical impedance spectroscopy and potentiodynamic polarization as electrochemical techniques. The investigated molecules were posteriorly characterized by proton nuclear magnetic resonance (1H NMR) and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) while the surfaces of carbon steel test coupons were characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) techniques. The obtained results revealed that the two amino compounds, N, N′-bis(p-hydroxybenzoyl) propanediamine (N, N′-HBPDA) and N, N′-bis(p-hydroxybenzoyl) triethylenetetramine (N, N′-HBTETA), have significant efficiency toward steel corrosion attack and its inhibition performance was significantly boosted by increasing concentration of di- and tetramine containing inhibitors. The two inhibitors achieved a maximum corrosion inhibition efficiency of 99.1% as indicated from polarization measurements. The isotherm feature of Langmuir adsorption appeared to be proper factor for associating the experimental gains with an applicable mechanism of inhibition process. The free energy ∆Gads was calculated to be − 27.5, 29.1 kJ/mol based on the adsorption isotherm model, indicating physical adsorption on the carbon steel surface. Further, images of the morphological analysis exhibited various features of attack owing to the aggressive medium and the employed concentration of the inhibitor. These synthesized amines supplied many favorable scores in the fabrication of functional mixed-type inhibitors. The computational studies reveal that N, N′-HBPDA and N, N′-HBTETA molecules could absorb via several lone pairs and π clouds, confirming their ability to be good corrosion inhibitors. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In the current paper, we intend to check the existence aspects of solutions for a category of the multi‐point boundary value problem (BVP) involving a p$$ p $$‐Laplacian differential operator within the generalized fractional derivatives depending on another function. Based on two fixed point results attributed to Schaefer and Banach, the desired results are verified. Further, the continuity of solutions in terms of inputs (fractional orders, associated parameters, and appropriate function) is extensively discussed. A simulative example is prepared to demonstrate the applications of the obtained results. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper presents a printed multiple-input multiple-output (MIMO) antenna with the advantages of compact size, good MIMO diversity performance and simple geometry for fifth-generation (5G) millimeter-wave (mm-Wave) applications. The antenna offers a novel Ultra-Wide Band (UWB) operation from 25 to 50 GHz, using a Defective Ground Structure (DGS) technology. Firstly, its compact size makes it suitable for integrating different telecommunication devices for various applications, with a prototype fabricated having a total size of 33 mm × 33 mm × 0.233 mm. Second, the mutual coupling between the individual elements severely impacts the diversity properties of the MIMO antenna system. An effective technique of orthogonally positioning the antenna elements to each other increased their isolation; thus, the MIMO system provides the best diversity performance. The performance of the proposed MIMO antenna was investigated in terms of S-parameters and MIMO diversity parameters to ensure its suitability for future 5G mm-Wave applications. Finally, the proposed work was verified by measurements and exhibited a good match between simulated and measured results. It achieves UWB, high isolation, low mutual coupling, and good MIMO diversity performance, making it a good candidate and seamlessly housed in 5G mm-Wave applications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Most people who suffer acute injuries in accidents have fractured bones. Many of the basic processes that take place during embryonic skeletal development are replicated throughout the regeneration process that occurs during this time. Bruises and bone fractures, for example, serve as excellent examples. It almost always results in a successful recovery and restoration of the structural integrity and strength of the broken bone. After a fracture, the body begins to regenerate bone. Bone formation is a complex physiological process that requires meticulous planning and execution. A normal healing procedure for a fracture might reveal how the bone is constantly rebuilding as an adult. Bone regeneration is becoming more dependent on polymer nanocomposites, which are composites made up of a polymer matrix and a nanomaterial. This study will review polymer nanocomposites that are employed in bone regeneration to stimulate bone regeneration. As a result, we will introduce the role of bone regeneration nanocomposite scaffolds, and the nanocomposite ceramics and biomaterials that play a role in bone regeneration. Aside from that, recent advances in polymer nanocomposites might be used in a variety of industrial processes to help people with bone defects overcome their challenges will be discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Neurons are the basic building blocks of the human body's neurological system. Atrophy is defined by the disintegration of the connections between cells that enable them to communicate. Peripheral neuropathy and demyelinating disorders, as well as cerebrovascular illnesses and central nervous system (CNS) inflammatory diseases, have all been linked to brain damage, including Parkinson's disease (PD). It turns out that these diseases have a direct impact on brain atrophy. However, it may take some time after the onset of one of these diseases for this atrophy to be clearly diagnosed. With the emergence of the Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, there were several clinical observations of COVID-19 patients. Among those observations is that the virus can cause any of the diseases that can lead to brain atrophy. Here we shed light on the research that tracked the relationship of these diseases to the COVID-19 virus. The importance of this review is that it is the first to link the relationship between the Coronavirus and diseases that cause brain atrophy. It also indicates the indirect role of the virus in dystrophy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In the current work, fractional differential equations (FDEs) with Sturm-Liouville boundary conditions (BCs) and p–Laplacian operator in terms of the Riesz-Caputo fractional derivatives are considered. With the aid of Schauder’s and Banach’s fixed point theorems, the existence and uniqueness results of the aforesaid problem are established. An explanatory example is set forth to make efficient the obtained results. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper proposes an adaptive control strategy for multiple uncertain manipulators handling an object cooperatively in the presence of environmental forces and limited communication. To address the same, external and internal admittance models are imposed between the object/environment and manipulators/object to limit the excess interaction and internal forces. Thereafter, an adaptive backstepping approach is dedicated to follow the admittance-generated trajectory and deal with the dynamic uncertainties of the manipulators. Based on the Lyapunov analysis, an event-triggered (ET) mechanism is further designed to alleviate the controller-to-robot communication burden and preserve the system stability in the cooperative task. The performance of the proposed controller is compared with two admittance-based control strategies while manipulating the object through circular and lemniscate trajectories. The well-known triggering conditions, fixed and relative thresholds, are utilized further to investigate the effectiveness of the designed triggering condition. The obtained results prove the superiority of the proposed controller over the different time-triggered and even-triggered control strategies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Anew class of implicit Hadamard fractional differential equations with Riemann-Stieltjes integral boundary conditions is studied in this research paper. The existence and uniqueness results of the aforesaid problem are investigated using Schauder's fixed point theorem and Banach's contraction mapping principle. A simulative example is given to highlight the acquired outcomes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In recent years, enormous efforts have been devoted to accurately quantifying the residual load-bearing capacity of concrete at the material level when exposed to elevated temperatures. However, relatively less attention has been given to investigating the effects of dynamic events such as terrorist attacks, earthquakes, and hurricanes, which can cause complete collapse of concrete structures and have significant public and economic consequences. Hence, in the present study, a modified Kolsky compression bar system integrated with a momentum trapping technique was implemented to develop precisely controlled pre-/post peak high strain-rate loading to introduce distinctive states of damage inside the high strength concrete HSC-BBR9 specimens and to measure the corresponding plastic strain. Thereafter, the partially damaged specimens were tested to quantify the residual mechanical properties (e.g., residual stiffness and residual strength) at different plastic strain levels. Furthermore, a high-resolution laboratory micro-CT scanner was used to visualize the 3D crack network morphology in the partially damaged specimens. The findings demonstrated a remarkable decrease in the residual capacity with increasing levels of damage-induced plastic deformation. Additionally, the results showed a fundamental difference in the influence of internal damage on residual stiffness and strength to be acknowledged in the formulations of future constitutive damage models for concrete materials. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This document is a correction notice for an article titled "Synthesis and applications of novel Schiff base derivatives as corrosion inhibitors and additives for improvement of reinforced concrete" published in Scientific Reports. The correction addresses errors in the affiliations of the authors. Ehab S. Gad's affiliation was incorrectly listed as 'Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Science (Men's Campus), Al-Azhar University, Nasr City 11884, Cairo, Egypt', but the correct affiliation is Chemistry Department, College of Science and Arts, Jouf University, Alqurayat, Saudi Arabia. The incorrect affiliation was also removed. The original article has been corrected. [Extracted from the article]

The passive-assist rehabilitation mode with a fixed desired trajectory neglects the subject’s active involvement and degrades the therapeutic performance in case of partial muscle strength. Therefore, this study proposes a novel subject-cooperative control based on a variable admittance control scheme and a robust trajectory control scheme for a pediatric lower-limb exoskeleton robot. Initially, the system description and dynamic modeling are briefly explained. Thereafter, a neural-fuzzy–based variable admittance control (nf VAC) is designed to incorporate a realistic subject-exoskeleton interaction and consider the subject’s active participation. Finally, a robust adaptive backstepping sliding mode control with rapid reaching law is used to handle parametric uncertainties and external disturbances. A stepwise selection of Lyapunov functions is utilized to address the stability of the trajectory control. The effectiveness of the proposed adaptive backstepping sliding mode–neural-fuzzy variable admittance control (ABSM-nf VAC) scheme is compared with two contrast control schemes, namely, adaptive backstepping-fixed admittance control (AB-FAC) and adaptive terminal sliding mode-fuzzy variable admittance control (ATSM-f VAC) for the active-assist mode with the effect of sudden reflex. Based on the numerical results, the suggested cooperative controller has demonstrated favorable tracking performance, compliant interaction, and safety aspects during gait training. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: There is ongoing uncertainty regarding transmission chains and the respective roles of healthcare workers (HCWs) and elderly patients in nosocomial outbreaks of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) in geriatric settings. Methods: We performed a retrospective cohort study including patients with nosocomial coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) in four outbreak-affected wards, and all SARS-CoV-2 RT-PCR positive HCWs from a Swiss university-affiliated geriatric acute-care hospital that admitted both Covid-19 and non-Covid-19 patients during the first pandemic wave in Spring 2020. We combined epidemiological and genetic sequencing data using a Bayesian modelling framework, and reconstructed transmission dynamics of SARS-CoV-2 involving patients and HCWs, to determine who infected whom. We evaluated general transmission patterns according to case type (HCWs working in dedicated Covid-19 cohorting wards: HCWcovid; HCWs working in non-Covid-19 wards where outbreaks occurred: HCWoutbreak; patients with nosocomial Covid-19: patientnoso) by deriving the proportion of infections attributed to each case type across all posterior trees and comparing them to random expectations. Results: During the study period (1 March to 7 May 2020), we included 180 SARS-CoV-2 positive cases: 127 HCWs (91 HCWcovid, 36 HCWoutbreak) and 53 patients. The attack rates ranged from 10% to 19% for patients, and 21% for HCWs. We estimated that 16 importation events occurred with high confidence (4 patients, 12 HCWs) that jointly led to up to 41 secondary cases; in six additional cases (5 HCWs, 1 patient), importation was possible with a posterior probability between 10% and 50%. Most patient-to-patient transmission events involved patients having shared a ward (95.2%, 95% credible interval [CrI] 84.2%-100%), in contrast to those having shared a room (19.7%, 95% CrI 6.7%-33.3%). Transmission events tended to cluster by case type: patientnoso were almost twice as likely to be infected by other patientnoso than expected (observed:expected ratio 2.16, 95% CrI 1.17-4.20, p=0.006); similarly, HCWoutbreak were more than twice as likely to be infected by other HCWoutbreak than expected (2.72, 95% CrI 0.87-9.00, p=0.06). The proportion of infectors being HCWcovid was as expected as random. We found a trend towards a greater proportion of high transmitters (≥2 secondary cases) among HCWoutbreak than patientnoso in the late phases (28.6% vs. 11.8%) of the outbreak, although this was not statistically significant. Conclusions: Most importation events were linked to HCW. Unexpectedly, transmission between HCWcovid was more limited than transmission between patients and HCWoutbreak. This finding highlights gaps in infection control and suggests the possible areas of improvements to limit the extent of nosocomial transmission. Funding: This study was supported by a grant from the Swiss National Science Foundation under the NRP78 funding scheme (Grant no. 4078P0_198363). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The purpose of this work lies in the use of ionic liquids as corrosion inhibitors due to the difficulty in some oil fields with the solubility of corrosion inhibitors and these materials can be miscible with water and thus provide a solution to such problems in the industry. The second purpose is concerned with the lower toxicity of these compounds compared with the most common corrosion inhibitors. The study covered the corrosion inhibition performance of the ionic liquid 1-butyl-3-methylimidazolium trifluoromethyl sulfonate ([BMIm]TfO) for carbon steel in 3.5% NaCl solutions. The study comprised electrochemical, adsorption, and quantum chemical investigations. The results manifested that [BMIm]TfO can be considered a promising corrosion inhibitor and the inhibition efficacy intensifies as the concentration rises. The observed inhibitive effect can be correlated to the adsorption of the ionic liquid species and the creation of protecting films on the surface. The mode of adsorption follows the Langmuir adsorption isotherm. The polarization results showed that the ionic liquid [BMIm]TfO functions as a mixed inhibitor. Reliance of the corrosion influence on the temperature in the existence and absence of [BMIm]TfO was demonstrated in the temperature range of 303–333 K using polarization data. Activation parameters were determined and discussed. The observed inhibition performance of [BMIm]TfO was correlated with the electronic properties of the ionic liquid using a quantum chemical study. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: There is ongoing uncertainty regarding transmission chains and the respective roles of healthcare workers (HCWs) and elderly patients in nosocomial outbreaks of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) in geriatric settings. Methods: We performed a retrospective cohort study including patients with nosocomial coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) in four outbreak-affected wards, and all SARS-CoV-2 RT-PCR positive HCWs from a Swiss university-affiliated geriatric acute-care hospital that admitted both Covid-19 and non-Covid-19 patients during the first pandemic wave in Spring 2020. We combined epidemiological and genetic sequencing data using a Bayesian modelling framework, and reconstructed transmission dynamics of SARS-CoV-2 involving patients and HCWs, to determine who infected whom. We evaluated general transmission patterns according to case type (HCWs working in dedicated Covid-19 cohorting wards: HCWcovid; HCWs working in non-Covid-19 wards where outbreaks occurred: HCWoutbreak; patients with nosocomial Covid-19: patientnoso) by deriving the proportion of infections attributed to each case type across all posterior trees and comparing them to random expectations. Results: During the study period (1 March to 7 May 2020), we included 180 SARS-CoV-2 positive cases: 127 HCWs (91 HCWcovid, 36 HCWoutbreak) and 53 patients. The attack rates ranged from 10% to 19% for patients, and 21% for HCWs. We estimated that 16 importation events occurred with high confidence (4 patients, 12 HCWs) that jointly led to up to 41 secondary cases; in six additional cases (5 HCWs, 1 patient), importation was possible with a posterior probability between 10% and 50%. Most patient-to-patient transmission events involved patients having shared a ward (95.2%, 95% credible interval [CrI] 84.2%–100%), in contrast to those having shared a room (19.7%, 95% CrI 6.7%–33.3%). Transmission events tended to cluster by case type: patientnoso were almost twice as likely to be infected by other patientnoso than expected (observed:expected ratio 2.16, 95% CrI 1.17–4.20, p=0.006); similarly, HCWoutbreak were more than twice as likely to be infected by other HCWoutbreak than expected (2.72, 95% CrI 0.87–9.00, p=0.06). The proportion of infectors being HCWcovid was as expected as random. We found a trend towards a greater proportion of high transmitters (≥2 secondary cases) among HCWoutbreak than patientnoso in the late phases (28.6% vs. 11.8%) of the outbreak, although this was not statistically significant. Conclusions: Most importation events were linked to HCW. Unexpectedly, transmission between HCWcovid was more limited than transmission between patients and HCWoutbreak. This finding highlights gaps in infection control and suggests the possible areas of improvements to limit the extent of nosocomial transmission. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The COVID-19 pandemic has the tendency to affect various organizational paradigm alterations, which civilization hasyet to fully comprehend. Personal to professional, individual to corporate, and across most industries, the spectrum of transformations is vast. Economically, the globe has never been more intertwined, and it has never been subjected to such widespread disruption. While many people have felt and acknowledged the pandemic's short-term repercussions, the resultant paradigm alterations will certainly have long-term consequences with an unknown range and severity. This review paper aims at acknowledging various approaches for the prevention, detection, and diagnosis of the SARS-CoV-2 virus using nanomaterials as a base material. A nanostructure is a material classification based on dimensionality, in proportion to the characteristic diameter and surface area. Nanoparticles, quantum dots, nanowires (NW), carbon nanotubes (CNT), thin films, and nanocomposites are some examples of various dimensions, each acting as a single unit, in terms of transport capacities. Top-down and bottom-up techniques are used to fabricate nanomaterials. The large surface-to-volume ratio of nanomaterials allows one to create extremely sensitive charge or field sensors (electrical sensors, chemical sensors, explosives detection, optical sensors, and gas sensing applications). Nanowires have potential applications in information and communication technologies, low-energy lightning, and medical sensors. Carbon nanotubes have the best environmental stability, electrical characteristics, and surface-to-volume ratio of any nanomaterial, making them ideal for bio-sensing applications. Traditional commercially available techniques have focused on clinical manifestations, as well as molecular and serological detection equipment that can identify the SARS-CoV-2 virus. Scientists are expressing a lot of interest in developing a portable and easy-to-use COVID-19 detection tool. Several unique methodologies and approaches are being investigated as feasible advanced systems capable of meeting the demands. This review article attempts to emphasize the pandemic's aftereffects, utilising the notion of the bullwhip phenomenon's short-term and long-term effects, and it specifies the use of nanomaterials and nanosensors for detection, prevention, diagnosis, and therapy in connection to the SARS-CoV-2. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The entomopathogenic nematodes (EPNs), especially in the 2 families Steinernematidae and Heterorhabditidae, are important biocontrol agents against insect pests. The leaf miners (Fam.: Agromyzidae) are cosmopolitan insect pests. There are more than 330 Liriomyza spp. including more than 20 species that have been reported as economically important pests of field crops, ornamentals and vegetables. The house flies are serious insect pests for human and animals. More than 100 human and animal diseases have been associated with house flies. Mushroom flies (phorid and sciarid families) are among the main arthropod pests affecting the cultivation of mushroom throughout the world. Results: Virulence of EPNs differed clearly even on the same insect species and/or by the same nematode species. Such differences might be attributed to the method of treatment, the age of the stage of the insect as well as the concentrations of the tested nematodes. Laboratory studies revealed that the tested nematodes proved to be moderate to highly virulent to larvae as percentage of mortality reached 100%. As for pupae, some studies revealed their moderate or high susceptibility to nematodes, whereas others showed low susceptibility or resistance to infection. Treated adults, or those emerged from treated larvae or pupae, are also susceptible to infection. Conclusion: Laboratory studies proved the virulence of EPNs to larvae of the 3 dipteran families. Semi-field and field trials indicated that they could successfully reduce the populations of some treated insects without affect the others. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Little is known about the bloodstream infection (BSI) risk associated with short-term peripheral venous catheters (PVCs) and no large study investigated the insertion site-related risk for PVC-BSI. Methods: We performed a cohort study at the University of Geneva Hospitals using the prospective hospital-wide BSI surveillance database. We analyzed the association between insertion site and risk of PVC-BSI on the upper extremity using univariable and multivariable marginal Cox models. Results: Between 2016 and 2020, utilization of 403′206 peripheral venous catheters were prospectively recorded in a 2000-bed hospital consortium with ten sites. Twenty-seven percent of PVC (n = 109′686) were inserted in the hand. After adjustment for confounding factors, hand insertion was associated with a decreased PVC-BSI risk (adjusted hazard ratio [HR] 0.42, 95% CI 0.18–0.98, p = 0.046) compared to more proximal insertion sites. In a sensitivity analysis for PVCs with ≥ 3 days of dwell time, we confirmed a decreased PVC-BSI risk after hand insertion (HR 0.37, 95% CI 0.15–0.93, p = 0.035). Conclusion: Hand insertion should be considered for reducing PVC infections, especially for catheters with an expected dwell time of more than 2 days. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this paper, an improved adaptive motion-force control approach is introduced to control the cooperative manipulators transporting a shared object under limited communication. The adaptive controller is designed based on the backstepping approach to control the motion of the handled object in the presence of uncertainties and external disturbances. Moreover, the force controller is established to maintain constant internal forces. An event-triggered (ET) mechanism is derived based on the Lyapunov analysis to deal with the bandwidth restrictions and maintain the system stability during the cooperative manipulation. The effectiveness of the proposed control scheme is investigated by comparing it with the existing variations of adaptive backstepping control (i.e., traditional and state augmented schemes). Moreover, the designed triggering mechanism is compared with different triggering conditions presented in the literature. The proposed control approach is further validated in a more realistic virtual robot experimentation platform (i.e., V-REP) using two SCORBOT-ER VPlus manipulators. From the TrueTime-based simulation runs, the proposed control scheme exhibits superior performance in tandem with efficient utilization of the network resources during the transportation task. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this paper we discuss the solvability of Langevin equations with two Hadamard fractional derivatives. The method of this discussion is to study the solutions of the equivalent Volterra integral equation in terms of Mittag–Leffler functions. The existence and uniqueness results are established by using Schauder's fixed point theorem and Banach's fixed point theorem, respectively. An example is given to illustrate the main results. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Post acne scars following sebaceous injury and abnormal wound healing during the course of acne is a prevalent and challenging to treat condition To evaluate microneedling by dermapen with topical vitamin C versus microneedling with topical insulin in treating atrophic post‐acne scars. A split‐face comparative study included 30 subjects with atrophic post‐acne scars. Human insulin was topically applied to the left side of the face and on the right side, vitamin C serum was applied. Scars were assessed via the Acne Scar Assessment Scale (ASAS) and Scar quartile grading scale (SQGS). After 1 month of 4 treatments, a statistically significant mean improvement in ASAS value was reported on both split sides of the face (2.13 and 1.83) compared to baseline (3.03 and 2.93) (p = 0.005; p = 0.001 respectively). When compared to baseline, the mean ASAS value improved significantly with a slight more improvement on the vitamin c treated side. Topical insulin and vitamin c combined with microneedling, may both achieve comparable significant improvement for treating post acne scars. Insulin can be a promising novel anti‐scarring therapy pending larger controlled studies to verify its efficacy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The growing risk of new variants of the influenza A virus is the most significant to public health. The risk imposed from new variants may have been lethal, as witnessed in the year 2009. Even though the improvement in predicting antigenicity of influenza viruses has rapidly progressed, few studies employed deep learning methodologies. The most recent literature mostly relied on classification techniques, while a model that generates the HA protein of the antigenic variant is not developed. However, the antigenic pair of influenza virus A can be determined in a laboratory setup, the process needs a tremendous amount of time and labor. Antigenic shift and drift which are caused by changes in surface protein favored the influenza A virus in evading immunity. The high frequency of the minor changes in the surface protein poses a challenge to identifying the antigenic variant of an emerging virus. These changes slow down vaccine selection and the manufacturing process. In this vein, the proposed model could help save the time and efforts exerted to identify the antigenic pair of the influenza virus. The proposed model utilized an end-to-end learning methodology relying on deep sequence-to-sequence architecture to generate the antigenic variant of a given influenza A virus using surface protein. Employing the BLEU score to evaluate the generated HA protein of the antigenic variant of influenza virus A against the actual variant, the proposed model achieved a mean accuracy of 97.57%. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The existence, uniqueness and the Hyers-Ulam stability of solutions for nonlinear p–Laplacian implicit Caputo-Katugampola fractional differential equations (FDEs) with multi-point generalized fractional integral boundary conditions are established. With the aid of the Leray-Schauder nonlinear alternative and the Banach contraction principle, the desired results are obtained. An example is set forth to make efficient the main results. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper is concerned with the Ulam-Hyers and the generalized Ulam-Hyers-Rassias stability results for linear fractional differential equations with hybrid proportional-Caputo derivatives in framwork of the Laplace transform method. The existence and uniqueness of solutions for nonlinear fractional differential equations with hybrid proportional-Caputo derivatives are established by means of Schaefer's fixed point theorem, Banach's fixed point theorem, and generalized Gronwall's inequality. Two examples are proposed to illustrate the main results. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Colon surgery has been shown to modulate the intestinal microbiota. Our objective was to characterize these changes using state-of-the-art next generation sequencing techniques. Methods: We performed a single-centre prospective observational cohort study to evaluate the changes in the gut microbiota, i.e., taxon distribution, before and after elective oncologic colon surgery in adult patients with different antimicrobial prophylaxis regimens (standard prophylaxis with cefuroxime/metronidazole versus carbapenems for extended-spectrum beta-lactamase-producing Enterobacterales [ESBL-E] carriers). We obtained rectal samples on the day of surgery, intraoperative luminal samples, and rectal or stoma samples 3 days after surgery. We performed metataxonomic analysis based on sequencing of the bacterial 16S rRNA gene marker. Similarities and differences between bacterial communities were assessed using Bray–Curtis similarity, visualised using principal coordinates analysis and statistically tested by PERMANOVA. Comparison of taxa relative abundance was performed using ANCOM. Results: We included 27 patients between March 27, 2019 and September 17, 2019. The median age was 63.6 years (IQR 56.4–76.3) and 44% were females. Most (81%) patients received standard perioperative prophylaxis as they were not ESBL carriers. There was no significant association between ESBL carriage and differences in gut microbiome. We observed large and significant increases in the genus Enterococcus between the preoperative/intraoperative samples and the postoperative sample, mainly driven by Enterococcus faecalis. There were significant differences in the postoperative microbiome between patients who received standard prophylaxis and carbapenems, specifically in the family Erysipelotrichaceae. Conclusion: This hypothesis-generating study showed rapid changes in the rectal microbiota following colon cancer surgery. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper concerns the existence and uniqueness of solutions of non‐instantaneous impulsive fractional integro‐differential equations with proportional fractional derivatives with respect to another function. By the aid of the nonlinear alternative of Leray‐Schauder type and the Banach contraction mapping principle, the main results are demonstrated. Two examples are inserted to illustrate the applicability of the theoretical results. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper concerns the investigation of controllability and Hyers-Ulam stability of initial value problems for fractional differential equations via generalized proportional-Caputo fractional derivatives. The main results are obtained by means of the Krasnoselskii's fixed point theorem. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aid of beneficial microbes, which is a well-accepted strategy, may improve plant salt tolerance. However, the mechanisms that underpin it are unclear. In this study, seedling experiments were carried out to assess the effect of Bradyrhizobium and Enterobacter on the germination, growth, nonenzymatic and enzymatic content in soybean (Glycine max L.) under salt stress. Water was sprayed on the seeds as a control, and with 75 mM, 150 mM NaCl as salt stress. The findings demonstrate that salt stress (75, 150 mM) caused a significant decrease in germination, morphological criteria, and membrane stability index (MSI) when compared to control seeds but increased lipid peroxidation (MDA), electrolyte leakage (EL), osmotic pressure, proline, citric acid, sugar content, antioxidant enzymes. Furthermore, endophytic Bradyrhizobium and Enterobacter inoculation resulted in a significant rise in all of the above metrics.; however, these treatments resulted in significant reductions in ROS, EL, and MDA in stressed plants. Finally, the findings showed that combining Bradyrhizobium and Enterobacter was the most efficient in reducing the harmful effects of salt on soybean plants by boosting antioxidant up-regulation and lowering membrane leakage and ROS. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The study of thermal therapy to tumors and the response of living cells to this therapy used to treat tumor is very important due to the complexity of heat transfer in biological tissues. In the past few years, there has been a growing interest among clinicians, mathematicians, and engineers regarding the use of computational and mathematical methods to simulate biological systems. Numerous medical proceedings also employ mathematical modeling and engineering techniques as a means to guarantee their safety and evaluate the associated risks effectively. This manuscript provides an analytical solution used for the first time to study the mechanism of biological thermal response during heat therapy on spheroidal skin tumor. The proposed method used a generalized thermoelasticity model with one relaxation time. The influence of relaxation times on the responses of diseased and healthy tissues is studied and interpreted graphically. Also, the impact of different laser irradiance on the thermal profile of the malignant tumor cells over a period of 2 minutes is interpreted graphically. To investigate the transfer of heat within biological tissues during the thermal therapy, the Laplace transform and inverse Laplace transform methods were applied. A comparison of the present generalized thermoelasticity model and different models based on Pennes bioheat transfer PBT shows that our proposed model yields more realistic and accurate predictions. The current model can be used to explain various therapeutic methods. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Transition metal carbides were recently investigated in many vital applications due to their satisfactory thermal, mechanical and chemical characteristics. They showed a metallic architecture of the host lattice containing interstitial voids of carbon atoms. In this work, mixed nickel-manganese carbides were synthesized onto carbon nanofibers [NiC–MnC@CNFs] in different proportions using the electrospinning process with subsequent calcination at 800 °C. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM), X-ray diffraction (XRD) and Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) were employed to physically characterize the prepared nanomaterials. Homogeneous distribution of nanometallic particles over CNFs was clearly observed in SEM images. XRD charts detected the formation of mixed metallic carbides of Ni 0.98 C 0.02 and (Mn 9 C) 0.4 formulations in different nanomaterials. Excellent electrocatalytic behavior was displayed by NiC–MnC@CNFs nanocatalysts when methanol molecules were introduced into the alkaline solution. Methanol oxidation current density of 110.34 mA cm−2 was measured at the nanomaterial containing NiAc:MnAc ratio of 90:10 with a lowered E onset value of 310 mV (Ag/AgCl). The effect of varying methanol concentration and the scan rate during the electro-oxidation reaction on the resultant nanomaterial activity was studied. Moreover, the feasibility of charge transfer step was significantly affected by the chosen potential value. Highly pronounced rate was measured at 450 mV. The chronoamperometric study revealed a promising stability trend with increased steady state oxidation current densities especially at nanopowders with lowered MnAc wt.%. The synergistic effect between mixed metallic carbides and CNFs could account for the improved electrocatalytic properties towards methanol molecules oxidation. Image 1 • Electrospinning technique was proposed to fabricate NiC-MnC@CNFs nanocatalysts. • Mixed carbides nanocatalyst showed superior activity for methanol oxidation. • Altering NiAc:MnAc ratios into the nanocatalyst structure affected its activity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Existing exoskeletons for pediatric gait assistance have limitations in anthropometric design, structure weight, cost, user safety features, and adaptability to diverse users. Additionally, creating precise models for pediatric rehabilitation is difficult because the rapid anthropometric changes in children result in unknown model parameters. Furthermore, external disruptions, like unpredictable movements and involuntary muscle contractions, add complexity to the control schemes that need to be managed. To overcome these limitations, this study aims to develop an affordable stand-aided lower-limb exoskeleton specifically for pediatric subjects (8-12 years, 25-40 kg, 128-132 cm) in passive-assist mode. The authors modified a previously developed model (LLES v 1) for improved rigidity, reduced mass, simplified motor arrangement, variable waist size, and enhanced mobility. A computer-aided design of the new exoskeleton system (LLES v 2) is presented. The developed prototype of the exoskeleton appended with a pediatric subject (age: 12 years old, body mass: 40 kg, body height: 132 cm) is presented with real-time hardware architecture. Thereafter, an improved fast non-singular terminal sliding mode (IFNSTSM) control scheme is proposed, incorporating a double exponential reaching law for expedited error convergence and enhanced stability. The Lyapunov stability warrants the control system's performance despite uncertainties and disturbances. In contrast to fast non-singular terminal sliding mode (FNSTSM) control and time-scaling sliding mode (TSSM) control, experimental validation demonstrates the effectiveness of IFNSTSM control by a respective average of 5.39% and 42.1% in tracking desired joint trajectories with minimal and rapid finite time converging errors. Moreover, the exoskeleton with the proposed IFNSTSM control requires significantly lesser control efforts than the exoskeleton using contrast FNSTSM control. The Bland-Altman analysis indicates that although there is a minimal mean difference in variables when employing FNSTSM and IFNSTSM controllers, the latter exhibits significant performance variations as the mean of variables changes. This research contributes to affordable and effective pediatric gait assistance, improving rehabilitation outcomes and enhancing mobility support. • Existing pediatric exoskeletons face limitations in design and adaptability. • A stand-aided adaptable lower-limb exoskeleton for pediatric subjects. • Double exponential reaching law based fast non-singular terminal sliding mode control. • Proposed control expedited error convergence with less electric consumption. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives: To compile current published reports on nosocomial outbreaks of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), evaluate the role of healthcare workers (HCWs) in transmission, and evaluate outbreak management practices. Methods: Narrative literature review. Short conclusion: The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has placed a large burden on hospitals and healthcare providers worldwide, which increases the risk of nosocomial transmission and outbreaks to "non-COVID" patients or residents, who represent the highest-risk population in terms of mortality, as well as HCWs. To date, there are several reports on nosocomial outbreaks of SARS-CoV-2, and although the attack rate is variable, it can be as high as 60%, with high mortality. There is currently little evidence on transmission dynamics, particularly using genomic sequencing, and the role of HCWs in initiating or amplifying nosocomial outbreaks is not elucidated. There has been a paradigm shift in management practices of viral respiratory outbreaks, that includes widespread testing of patients (or residents) and HCWs, including asymptomatic individuals. These expanded testing criteria appear to be crucial in identifying and controlling outbreaks. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

By employing Kuratowski's measure of noncompactness together with Sadovskii's fixed point theorem, suffcient conditions for controllability results of Hilfer-Katugampola fractional differential equations in Banach spaces are derived. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Some laboratory studies revealed that predators can readily attack and consume virus-infected prey with no detrimental effects on their biological parameters. Most tested predacious species did not discriminate between healthy and virus-infected prey. In addition, such predators were found to excrete detectable amounts of polyhedral inclusion bodies for few days that might infect healthy prey. Field studies demonstrated that the population densities and dispersal of the predators were not affected in fields sprayed with entomopathogenic virus formulations. Some laboratory studies stated that egg and larval parasitoids did not discriminate between healthy and virus surface-contaminated or virus-infected hosts. However, some parasitoids did not lay or laid few eggs in virus-infected hosts. Parasitoid adults that laid eggs in virus-infected host larvae could transmit the virus to healthy hosts through the ovipositor. Also, adult parasitoids emerged from virus-infected hosts transmitted the virus to healthy hosts whereas other parasitoids did not transmit the virus. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The interactions between insect pathogens, parasitoids, and predators have been proposed as "intraguild predation (IGP)." It occurs when two species share a host or prey (and therefore may compete) or when they engage in a trophic interaction with each other (parasitism or predation). Laboratory studies revealed that many predacious species attack and consume Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt)-infected prey with no detrimental effects on the biological parameters of the predators. However, some studies indicated adverse impact of Bt on development and biology of the predators. As for parasitoids, some studies showed no detrimental effects on the biology of the parasitoids when reared on Bt-infected hosts and others revealed negative effects on their biological aspects. Such negative effects were found to be related to Bt concentration and timing of treatment (parasitism or infection). The biological parameters of the offspring of the adult parasitoids that had emerged from infected parasitized larvae were not affected. Also, ingestion of Bt by adult parasitoids did not affect the longevity or fecundity of such parasitoids. Concerning Bt crops, a recent published report in 2019 stated that over the past 20+ years, extensive experience and insight have been gained through laboratory and field studies of non-target effects of crops producing Cry proteins. Overall, the vast majority of the studies demonstrated that the insecticidal proteins developed today do not cause adverse effects on natural enemies (parasitoids and predators) of target pests. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The environmental pollution problem and the dwindling in the crude oil resources have been driving considerable researches into alternative routes for the production of clean and low cost liquid fuels. Fischer-Tropsch synthesis (FTS) is a key-technology and a clean alternative for the production of valuable organic chemicals and high standard liquid fuels through the reaction of syngas (CO/H 2). In this study, one-pot hydrothermal reaction was adopted for the synthesis of robust MFe 2 O 4 (M = Fe, Zn, Ni and Co) nanoparticles (NPs) with hierarchical porous-structured. The as-synthesized NPs and without the reported necessary pre-calcination step were appointed as robust catalysts in FTS at various reaction temperature (240–290 °C). The obtained catalytic results have demonstrated that CoFe 2 O 4 NPs catalyst with its inversed spinel structure exhibited the optimum catalytic activity compared with the type of normal spinel structure of ZnFe 2 O 4 catalyst. More precisely, CoFe 2 O 4 NPs catalyst showed the best CO conversion ratio of 96% at 290 °C and the highest light-olefin (C 2 –C 4) selectivity value of 63%. However, Fe 3 O 4 NPs catalyst displayed the highest selectivity toward long chain hydrocarbon product (C 5+) of 50 wt%, and the lowest CH 4 selectivity value of 12% at 260 °C. Notably, the obtained results from X-ray diffraction and N 2 -physisorption characterization for the spent ferrite catalysts demonstrated that the co-existence of the active sites of Hägg iron carbide (χ-Fe 5 C 2) and metallic Co phases and along with the high surface area and pore diameter plays the key role for the obtained high catalytic activity in CoFe 2 O 4 NPs. Moreover, the produced catalysts in this study exhibited good stability performance within maintained high catalytic activity for a period of at least 700 h of industrial-relevant FTS conditions. • Hierarchical porous MFe 2 O 4 (M = Fe, Zn, Ni and Co) NPs were synthesized hydrothermally. • The as-synthesized NPs were appointed as catalysts in FTS at various reaction temperatures. • CoFe 2 O 4 catalyst exhibited the highest CO conversion (96%) and light-olefin selectivity (C 2-4) (63%). • The catalysts maintained high catalytic activity for at least 700 h of FTS reaction time. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

White rot, caused by Sclerotium cepivorum, is a serious and economically important disease of garlic, which leads to losses in the garlic production in most of the tropical, subtropical and temperate areas. Biocontrol potential of an endophytic Bacillus amyloliquefaciens GGA and/or arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) against this disease was investigated. The B. amyloliquefaciens GGA exhibited antagonistic activity against S. cepivorum in vitro. Scanning electron microscopy revealed alterations in the morphology of the pathogen in response to the exposure to the bacterial metabolites. Results from a pot experiment demonstrated that application of the dual treatment of the B. amyloliquefaciens GGA and AMF reduced disease incidence and severity more than the single treatments, and led to the greatest increases in total phenol content, activities of the defense-related enzymes phenylalanine ammonia-lyase, polyphenoloxidase and peroxidase, and transcriptional expression levels of the defensin and chitinase genes. Growth and yield parameters of garlic plants were enhanced after this treatment. This study showed good efficacy on the tested biocontrol agents for control white rot of garlic plants grown in pots. Future research should evaluate these biocontrol strategies under field conditions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Most vaccines are so effective that they could lead to the control/elimination of the diseases they target and directly impact on intensive care admissions or complications. This is best illustrated by the use of vaccines against Haemophilus influenzae type b, Streptococcus pneumoniae, zoster, yellow fever, Ebola virus, influenza or measles-but also by third party strategies such as maternal, toddler and care-giver immunization. However, each of these vaccine-induced protection is threatened by insufficient vaccine uptake. Here, we briefly discuss how vaccine hesitancy has led to the resurgence of diseases that were considered as controlled and explore the effect of vaccine-hesitant healthcare workers on nosocomial infections. As intensive care physicians are in charge of polymorbid patients, we briefly summarize the current recommendations for vaccinations in high-risk patients. We finally give some perspective on ongoing research, and discuss how institutional policies and intensive care physicians could play a role in increasing the impact of vaccination, overall and in intensive care units. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]