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Abstract Fimbristylis complanata is an aquatic halophytic sedge that thrives in salt-affected land, marshes, and water channels. Two ecotypes (HR-Rasool headworks ECe 19.45; SH- Sahianwala 47.49 dS m−1) of F. complanata were collected from two salt-affected wetlands of Punjab, Pakistan. Five rhizomes of each ecotype were grown in plastic pots in the Botanical garden research area and treated with three intensities of salt [0 mM (control), 200 mM (moderate), 400 mM (high) NaCl for three durations (0, 15 and 30 days). The pots were arranged using a completely randomized block design (CRD) with three replications. After each duration, sampling was done. The HR ecotype optimally performed better under moderate salt incubation and moderate to higher salt exposure. This ecotype had improved growth traits, including shoot fresh weight (SFW), shoot dry weight (SDW), leaf area (LA), root length (RL), leaf mass fraction (LMF), relative growth rate (RGR), and unit leaf area (ULA) at higher NaCl (400 mM) in comparison with control NaCl (0 mM). This improvement in growth occurs due to the accumulation of photosynthetic pigments, better photosynthesis, and water use efficiency (A/E). The leaf microstructure increased in HR ecotype as midrib (MrT), leaf blade (LTh), bulliform cells (BTh), and cortical cells (CcT) thicknesses to prevent water loss under salinity, increase aerenchymatous area (ArA) for efficient gas movements at moderate salt levels and less exposure time concerning absolute control (0 mM NaCl). The SH ecotype affirmed more tolerance to salt by securing higher biomass (SFW, SDW), increased growth traits (LA, RL, LMF, ULA), photosynthetic pigments (Chl a, b, Car), and maximum photosynthetic performance at high salt regimes and prolonged duration in comparison to control (0 mM NaCl). Additionally, increased MrT, LTh, BTh, ECA, abaxial and adaxial stomatal area, and density, broadened metaxylem and phloem area, large aerenchyma, more cortical cell thickness under moderate to high salt regimes under moderate to high salt levels and time. Overall, changes in morpho-physiological traits and leaf microstructures in both ecotypes are linked to salt tolerance under temporal salt regimes. Our findings suggest that both ecotypes of F. complanata can potentially rehabilitate the salt-affected wetlands.

Abstract Cyanobacteria, being a prominent category of phototrophic organism, exhibit substantial potential as a valuable source of bioactive compounds and phytonutrients, including liposomes, amino derivatives, proteins, and carotenoids. In this investigation, a polyphasic approach was employed to isolate and characterize a newly discovered cyanobacterial strain from a rice field in the Garh Moor district of Jhang. Desertifilum sp. TN-15, a unique and less explored cyanobacterial strain, holds significant promise as a novel candidate for the synthesis of nanoparticles. This noticeable research gap underscores the novelty and untapped potential of Desertifilum sp. TN-15 in the field of nanomedicine. The characterization of the biogenically synthesized ZnO–NPs involved the application of diverse analytical techniques. Ultraviolet–visible spectroscopy revealed a surface plasmon resonance peak at 298 nm. Fourier transform infrared spectral analysis was utilized to confirm the involvement of biomolecules in the biogenic synthesis and stability. Scanning electron microscopy was employed to probe the surface morphology of the biogenic ZnO–NPs unveiling their size of 94.80 nm and star-shaped. Furthermore, X-ray diffraction analysis substantiated the crystalline nature of ZnO–NPs, with a crystalline size measuring 46 nm. To assess the physical stability of ZnO–NPs, zeta potential and dynamic light scattering measurements were conducted, yielding values of + 31.6 mV, and 94.80 nm, respectively, indicative of favorable stability. The antibacterial capabilities of Desertifilum sp. TN-15 are attributed to its abundance of bioactive components, including proteins, liposomes, amino derivatives, and carotenoids. Through the synthesis of zinc oxide nanoparticles (ZnO–NPs) with this strain, we have effectively used these chemicals to generate nanoparticles that exhibit noteworthy antibacterial activity against Staphylococcus aureus (MIC: 30.05 ± 0.003 µg/ml). Additionally, the ZnO–NPs displayed potent antifungal activity and antioxidant properties, as well as significant antihemolytic effects on red blood cells (IC50: 4.8 µg/ml). Cytotoxicity assessment using brine shrimps revealed an IC50 value of 3.1 µg/ml. The multifaceted actions of the biogenically synthesized ZnO–NPs underscore their potential applications in pharmacological and therapeutic fields. This study proposes a novel method for ZnO–NPs production utilizing the recently identified cyanobacterial strain Desertifilum sp. TN-15, highlighting the growing significance of biological systems in the environmentally friendly fabrication of metallic oxide nanomaterials.

Objective: This study aimed to analyse the osteogenic potential of a novel experimental material comprising of nano-hydroxyapatite grafted glass fiber scaffolds using murine osteoblast MC3T3-E1 cell lines through gene expression of biomarkers for osteogenesis. Study Design:In vitro experimental study. Place and Duration of Study: Bone Marrow Transplant Centre and Genetic Resource Centre, Rawalpindi from 10 May 2021 to 17 June 2022. Materials and Methods: Two types of nano-apatite grafted E-glass fiber scaffolds i.e., 10 wt% E-glass/90wt% Hydroxyapatite (E-10), 20% E-glass/80% Hydroxyapatite (E-20) were used, whereby pure nanohydroxyapatite (E-0) was used as control group. A comparative gene expression of Osteopontin (OP) and Collagen (Col) Type 1 was measured through reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). Results: Both experimental groups showed expression of the osteogenic proteins. The level of OP expression was higher in E-10 compared to E-20, whereas the level of Col expression was higher in E-20. Only for E-0, Col expression was almost same as OP whereas for the E-10 and E-20, OP expression was greater. Conclusions: Based on the findings, both experimental scaffolds supported the growth of cells and showed an osteogenic nature. It is anticipated that the experimental scaffolds have potential to be used for bone regeneration.

Abstract Responses of turfgrass to shade vary in individual species, and the degree and quality of low light; therefore, the selection of low light tolerant cultivars of turfgrass is important and beneficial for turf management rather than other practices. The stolons of thirteen bermudagrass genotypes were planted with two treatments and three replications of each treatment to establish for one month in the Yangzhou University Jiangsu China greenhouse. The established plants were transferred outside of the greenhouse, and 50% shading was applied to them with a black net. After 30 days of stress treatment, the morpho-physiological and biochemical analyses were performed. The expression of genes such as HEMA, HY5, PIF4, and Cu/ZnSOD was assessed. Cynodon dactylon is a C4, and perennial that grows as lawn grass and is used as forage. Based on different indicator measurements, the most shade-tolerant germplasm was L01 and L06 along the longitudes and L09 and L10 along the latitudes. At the same time, L02 and L08 were more susceptible, respectively. However, germplasm showed greater tolerance in higher latitudes while longitudinal plants showed less stress response. The current study aimed (1) to screen out the most shade-tolerant Cynodon dactylon genotype among 13 along longitudinal and latitudinal gradients in China. (2) to examine morpho-physiological indicators of different bermudagrassgenotypes; (3) to evaluate if and how differences in various indicators of bermudagrass correlated with geographic region. This study will significantly advance the use of Cynodon germplasm in breeding, genomics, management, nomenclature, and phylogeographical study. It will decisively define whether natural selection and migration can drive evolutionary responses for populations to adapt to their new environments effectively.

Abstract Recent studies have exhibited a very promising role of copper nanoparticles (CuNPs) in mitigation of abiotic stresses in plants. Arbuscular mycorrhizae fungi (AMF) assisted plants to trigger their defense mechanism against abiotic stresses. Arsenic (As) is a non-essential and injurious heavy-metal contaminant. Current research work was designed to elucidate role of CuNPs (100, 200 and 300 mM) and a commercial inoculum of Glomus species (Clonex® Root Maximizer) either alone or in combination (CuNPs + Clonex) on physiology, growth, and stress alleviation mechanisms of E. sibiricus growing in As spiked soils (0, 50, and 100 mg Kg− 1 soil). Arsenic induced oxidative stress, enhanced biosynthesis of hydrogen peroxide, lipid peroxidation and methylglyoxal (MG) in E. sibiricus. Moreover, As-phytotoxicity reduced photosynthetic activities and growth of plants. Results showed that individual and combined treatments, CuNPs (100 mM) as well as soil inoculation of AMF significantly enhanced root growth and shoot growth by declining As content in root tissues and shoot tissues in As polluted soils. E. sibiricus plants treated with CuNPs (100 mM) and/or AMF alleviated As induced phytotoxicity through upregulating the activity of antioxidative enzymes such as catalase (CAT) and superoxide dismutase (SOD) besides the biosynthesis of non-enzymatic antioxidants including phytochelatin (PC) and glutathione (GSH). In brief, supplementation of CuNPs (100 mM) alone or in combination with AMF reduced As uptake and alleviated the As-phytotoxicity in E. sibiricus by inducing stress tolerance mechanism resulting in the improvement of the plant growth parameters.

This research examined the effectiveness and feasibility of utilizing ultraviolet (UV) assisted photo-catalysis to treat wastewater effluents from textile production containing reactive blue 250 (RB 250) dye. Molecular oxygen and active species like O2•−, HO2•, H2O2 and •OH play crucial roles in the degradation process. Additionally, the degradation of dyes is influenced by several factors, including dye concentration, duration of UV irradiation, pH levels, concentration of H2O2, and the catalyst. The concentration of H2O2 and catalyst dose for the decolorization was studied at 0.6 mL and 0.5 g respectively. The discoloration was higher at low dye concentration, high H2O2 concentration, acidic conditions and high catalyst concentration. The maximum degradation (97 %) of RB 250 dye was obtained in the presence of zinc oxide nanoparticles within 90 min. The extent of decolorization of the dye was determined by UV–Vis spectroscopy. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) was employed to analyze the changes in functionalities after degradation. The disappearance of characteristic peaks associated with specific groups within the dye molecule confirmed the extensive degradation of RB 250 dye. LCMS analysis was conducted to examine the intermediates and a mechanistic degradation pathway was subsequently proposed. The cytotoxicity of the irradiated dye samples was evaluated through a hemolytic test both pre and post-treatment. The findings suggest that the UV/H2O2/ZnO treatment represents a promising approach for effectively degrading RB 250 dye.

Platelets are small anucleated cell fragments that ensure the stopping of bleeding. In blood metastasis of cancer, Platelets are essential. One of the most important aspects of cancer metastasis is the interaction between platelets and circulating tumor cells. Platelets are involved in cancer spread and constitute a hazardous collation with the cancer cells. There are various factors involved in hemostasis and thrombosis, which can be activated by several cancer-related stimuli, including extracellular matrix (ECM), adenosine diphosphate (ADP), and Toll-like receptors (TLRs). Furthermore, it has been previously published that platelets build up inside the main tumors, producing growth factors that encourage tumor growth and angiogenesis. Additionally, tumor cells can interact with platelets through aggregation, further protecting cancer cells. Platelets interact both functionally and physically with different types of tumor cells via integrin and other surface receptors. Platelet integrin’s primary function is to maintain platelet adhesion and aggregation at vascular damage sites. Pharmacological treatments that target integrin have been shown to effectively inhibit experimental metastasis. This review paper summarized the recent advances and progress of mechanisms in platelet activation and its interaction with cancer cells in metastasis.

Abstract An ample amount of water and soil nutrients is required for economic wheat production to meet the current food demands. Nitrogen (N) and zinc (Zn) fertigation in soils can produce a substantial wheat yield for a rapidly increasing population and bring a limelight to researchers. The present study was designed to ascertain N and Zn’s synergistic role in wheat growth, yield, and physio-biochemical traits. A pot experiment was laid out under a complete randomized design with four N levels (N1-0, N2-60, N3- 120, and N4-180 kg ha−1), Zn (T1-0, T2-5, T3-10, and T4-15 kg ha−1) with four replications. After the emergence of the plants, N and Zn fertigation was applied in the soil. The growth traits were considerably increased by combined applications as compared to the sole applications of the N and Zn. The photosynthetic pigments were found maximum due to combined applications of N and Zn, which were positively associated with biomass, growth, yield, and wheat grain quality. The combined application also substantially enhances the antioxidant enzyme activities to scavenge the ROS as H2O2 and reduce lipid peroxidation to protect the permeability of the biologic membranes. The combined higher applications of N and Zn were more responsive to ionic balance in a shoot by maintaining the Na+ for osmotic adjustments, accumulating more Ca2+ for cellular signaling; but, combined applications resulted in K+ reduction. Our present results suggest that appropriate sole or combined applications of N and Zn improve wheat's growth, yield, and antioxidant mechanisms. Previous studies lack sufficient information on N and Zn combined fertigation. We intend to investigate both the sole and combined roles of N and Zn to exploit their potential synergistic effects on wheat.

Scandium XIX ion is a member of the isoelectronic sequence of Li-like ions. Numerical coulomb approximation and quantum defect theory have been used to calculate energies, quantum defects & transition probabilities, oscillator, and line strengths of Sc XIX ion for the transitions ns → mp, np → ms, np → md, and nd → mp Rydberg series. The energies of Sc XIXX ions up to n = 5 are given in the NIST database and the literature. We used quantum defect theory and determined the energies and quantum defects up to n = 30. The energies and quantum defects of 125 levels are reported for the first time. Sc XIX ion's transition probabilities, oscillator, and line strengths were compared with the corresponding values in the NIST database of spectral lines. The NIST database contains data of only seventy-six spectral lines. Only six spectra lines have percent uncertainties of more than 10%. The results of the remaining seventy spectral lines agree well with the NIST values. Almost 1800 transition probabilities, oscillators, and line strengths are new.

Hydraulic jump is used to dissipate excessive flow energy in stilling basins to control erosion on the downstream side. The literature review revealed that the convergence of the side walls in a USBR type II stilling basin has enhanced energy dissipation by stabilizing the hydraulic jump. Taking this into account, a Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) model was created using CFD code to analyze the hydraulic efficiency of a USBR type III stilling basin with varying degrees of side wall convergence. Additionally, alterations were made to the standard Impact Blocks geometry to evaluate their effect on energy dissipation. The side walls of stilling basin were converged from 0.5° to 2.5° (with an increment of 0.5°). Study results indicated an increase in hydraulic jump efficiency from 1.6 to 14.5% due to increase in wall convergence. Modified Friction Blocks also enhanced the energy dissipation up to 2%. Post-jump Froude number values were found in acceptable range of 0.6 to 0.78. The optimal hydraulic performance of stilling basin was noted when wall convergence angle of 2.5° was used along with modified Friction Blocks. Hydraulic performance of modified stilling basin may be investigated during gated operation of the model. HIGHLIGHTS Walls convergence in stilling basin.; Navier–Stokes equations.; Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) code.;

Abstract Drought stress considered a key restrictive factor for a warm-season bermudagrass growth during summers in China. Genotypic variation against drought stress exists among bermudagrass (Cynodon sp.), but the selection of highly drought-tolerant germplasm is important for its growth in limited water regions and for future breeding. Our study aimed to investigate the most tolerant bermudagrass germplasm among thirteen, along latitude and longitudinal gradient under a well-watered and drought stress condition. Current study included high drought-resistant germplasm, “Tianshui” and “Linxiang”, and drought-sensitive cultivars; “Zhengzhou” and “Cixian” under drought treatments along longitude and latitudinal gradients, respectively. Under water deficit conditions, the tolerant genotypes showed over-expression of a dehydrin gene cdDHN4, antioxidant genes Cu/ZnSOD and APX which leads to higher antioxidant activities to scavenge the excessive reactive oxygen species and minimizing the membrane damage. It helps in maintenance of cell membrane permeability and osmotic adjustment by producing organic osmolytes. Proline an osmolyte has the ability to keep osmotic water potential and water use efficiency high via stomatal conductance and maintain transpiration rate. It leads to optimum CO2 assimilation rate, high chlorophyll contents for photosynthesis and elongation of leaf mesophyll, palisade and thick spongy cells. Consequently, it results in elongation of leaf length, stolon and internode length; plant height and deep rooting system. The CdDHN4 gene highly expressed in “Tianshui” and “Youxian”, Cu/ZnSOD gene in “Tianshui” and “Linxiang” and APX gene in “Shanxian” and “Linxiang”. The genotypes “Zhongshan” and “Xiaochang” showed no gene expression under water deficit conditions. Our results indicate that turfgrass show morphological modifications firstly when subjected to drought stress; however the gene expression is directly associated and crucial for drought tolerance in bermudagrass. Hence, current research has provided excellent germplasm of drought tolerant bermudagrass for physiological and molecular study and future breeding.

Large orifices are constructed for dams to release water and sediments from reservoirs. Such structures are called submerged spillways. Numerous studies have investigated discharge coefficient, velocity coefficient, and head loss coefficient of large orifices; however, the literature lacks data on the upper and lower nappes of the jets from these orifices. In the present experimental study, the upper and lower nappes are investigated up to 80 m head at different gate openings. The observed minor deviation between the lower nappe profile and trajectory profile equation suggests sensitivity to different factors. The significant role of the coefficient of velocity, averaging at 0.926, highlights its impact on minor deviation. Subsequently, the impact of the solid bottom profile on the discharge coefficient and upper nappe profile are also examined. The results show improvement in discharge coefficient of a sharp-edged large orifice, which increased from 0.69 to 0.74. The results also indicate that the upper nappe profiles and United States Bureau of Reclamation (USBR) profiles are similar. The improvement in the upper nappe profile indicates the significant role of the solid bottom profile, which consequently was found to be helpful in defining the roof profile of an orifice spillway. . HIGHLIGHTS Hydraulic analyses of lower and upper nappe profiles of sharp-edged large orifices.; Impact evaluation of a solid bottom profile on an upper nappe profile.; Hydraulic performance evaluation of solid bottom profile at various operational scenarios.;

The solution of a typical programming task involves algorithmic thinking, pattern recognition, decomposition, and abstraction skills. These skills are basic pillars of Computational thinking (CT) and are essential for a computer programmer. Therefore, a programming teacher needs to take these skills into account for the evaluation of students. Existing methods for improving programming competency don’t consider the Computational Thinking of students and perform grading of students without taking these skills into account. Due to this limitation, deficiencies of these skills in students remain unrevealed, posing difficulties for educators to provide need-oriented feedback. The performance of programming students is thus hindered by a lack of interventions. This study proposes a method to evaluate programming students in terms of CT skill components and group them based on their skill set. In this study, 780 students of object-oriented programming (OOP) class were given programming assignments for assessment of programming competencies. These students were then given small programming tasks requiring different computational thinking skill components for their solutions. A machine learning approach was used to perform grouping of these students based on their scores. Six groups of programming students, each having its own set of skill deficiencies, were identified as a result of clustering. One of the groups had an empty set of skill deficiencies and consisted of students proficient in programming. Each of the other five groups had a non-empty set of skill deficiencies and comprised non-proficient programming students. A group-specific skill development plan was built for the groups having skill deficiencies. It was found that such feedback was very effective and improved the CT skill deficiencies of 82% of students.

This study investigates integration dynamics between the Chinese stock market and major developed counterparts—Australia, Germany, Japan, the UK, and the US—focusing on portfolio diversification. Using a comprehensive analytical approach from 2012 to 2022, encompassing events like the Belt and Road Initiative, the Shanghai market crash, US-China trade tensions, and the COVID-19 pandemic, the research employs descriptive statistics, unit root tests, cointegration analysis, and VECM-based Granger Causality Tests. Findings indicate modest integration, endorsing diversified portfolios for developed country investors due to higher returns in China with acceptable risk. Unit root analysis confirms cointegration with developed indices, indicating relatively low integration. Granger Causality Tests reveal bidirectional causality, emphasizing mutual influence. Notably, no causal link exists between the US and China, possibly due to regulatory disparities and the trade war. The study enhances understanding of Chinese stock market dynamics, supporting global economic intertwining and urging further openness of China's domestic shares for economic growth.

Background: Biomechanics of an implant-supported prosthesis play a key role in the success or failure of rehabilitation of missing teeth. This study aimed to analyze biomechanical factors, such as an implant design and prosthesis design for a single implant-supported prosthesis. An in-vitro strain gauge analysis and finite element analysis were performed to assess different implant thread shapes and prosthesis retention modes for their strain-producing property in the peri-implant region of bone. Methodology: Four study models were prepared. Two models were fitted with Bio Horizon Tapered-Pro implants having predominant buttress-shaped threads (BT) and then two models were fitted with Grande Morse Neo Dent implants having trapezoid-shaped threads (TT). Each design was used with two types of retention modes for prostheses, BP-C and TT-C for cement-retained prostheses and similarly BT-S and TT-S for screw-retained prostheses. The strain gauges were bonded to the models and connected to a strain meter. Using an opposing porcelain fused to a metal prosthesis, a combined (axial and non-axial) load of 50–300 N at a strain rate of 0.95 mm/s was applied stepwise to each prosthesis. The strain values were recorded, and the collected data were organized and analyzed using SPSS version 22. For the finite element analysis, four 3-D models were designed. The bone, dental implants, and prostheses for each group were designed using Solid Works. A static, linear simulation was conducted in Ansys software. Results and discussion: The strain values recorded were all less than 3000μɛ and within the physiological loading zone as per Frost’s theory. Statistically significant differences were found between all groups with p-values

Mountainous ecosystems are experiencing rapid shifts in distribution patterns and community structure due to the impacts of climate change and vegetation dynamics. This study offers a comprehensive insight into the adaptive mechanisms of Panicum antidotale to varying elevations within the Pothohar Plateau, shedding light on its survival strategies in climate-affected regions. The findings reveal that populations at lower elevations exhibit maximum height, leaf area, shoot length, and fresh weight, whereas those at higher elevations display significant decrease in these parameters. Moreover, a significant decline in species density, frequency and cover is evident at high elevation. High-elevation populations demonstrate decreased photosynthetic traits, including chlorophyll, carotenoid, and Na and Ca content. Furthermore, there are notable variations in the antioxidant enzyme activity across elevation gradients. Populations at lower elevations exhibit higher activities of superoxide dismutase and peroxidase. Across the gradient, there were significant reductions in root and stem radius, sclerenchyma thickness, bulliform cell size, metaxylem vessels, and phloem area. Populations at moderate elevations displayed thicker lamina and epidermis, larger cortical cells, wider xylem vessels, and increased phloem area; however, these traits declined at higher elevations. High-elevation populations showed thicker lamina and epidermis, extensive sclerenchyma, greater cortical cell area, and higher stomatal density. Photosynthetic traits and enzymatic activity were major contributors at moderate elevations while stem and leaf traits were significantly changed at high elevations. Overall, this research contributes significantly to the broader knowledge of plant adaptation in mountainous ecosystems and stresses the importance of considering elevation as a critical factor in ecological studies.

The design and fabrication of a low-speed wind tunnel (LSWT), which is a critical component for testing and comprehending aircraft aerodynamics, is presented in this study. Despite the increasing prominence of computational fluid dynamics (CFDs) in manufacturing engineering, wind tunnels remain essential for the intricate development of aircraft and automobile designs with complex flow interactions. Using SolidWorks, we focused on controlling flow turbulence approaching the test section, emphasizing performance and quality parameters. The construction of the wind tunnel used plywood with an axial fan regulating the airspeed, and Arduino facilitated data acquisition. The drag and lift on the Y Clerk Airfoil were quantified by two load cells along the XY-axis, complemented by a Pitot Static Tube and a multitube inclined plane manometer for pressure and velocity calculation. Fusion 360 simulation software was used to analyze pressure and velocity profiles at speeds ranging from 10 to 20 m/s, providing a comprehensive quantitative evaluation of the wind tunnel’s capabilities. By emphasizing both design innovation and quantitative performance metrics, this study underscores the continuing significance of wind tunnels in engineering.

Staggered vegetation patches (central and outer) in an open channel have a significant effect on flow structure and river geomorphology. Although investigation on vegetation patches has been done in the past, however none of the past studies was carried out for varying submergence conditions from outer to central patches or for layered staggered patches with varying submergence. This knowledge gap has been attempted to bridge in this study. In this research work, a numerical technique has been used to analyze the flow behavior in a riverine flow by modeling central and outer vegetation patches as rigid elements in a rectangular channel. The influence of various vegetation patch configurations and submergence conditions were studied on flow characteristics. Computational fluid dynamics (CFD) package FLUENT was used for simulation purposes. Results showed that the flow in the central region of the channel was highly non-uniform, having a longitudinal distribution of velocities with alternating peaks and troughs throughout the central portion of the channel. However, in the outer regions, the velocity pattern acquired sawtooth distribution inside the patch regions (PR) but stabilized in the free regions (FR). Outer FR has 9% less velocities as compared to central FR. Moreover, the inflection point in velocity profiles and the bulge in contour plots was observed which triggered the shear layer at the top of submerged vegetation and at the interface of outer FR and central PR or vice versa. A complex pattern of secondary flow was also observed due to the turbulence anisotropy in the channel and its magnitude ranged from 0.1 to 3.7% of average velocity U. The results also showed that the state of submergence has a notable effect on the flow blockage and percentage of discharge passing through various regions.

Water pollution is a major global challenge due to the fast expansion of industrial activities and the increasing human population. Certain heavy metals can be exceedingly hazardous and contribute significantly to water contamination. In this study, iron oxide nanoparticles (IONPs) were synthesized using cyanobacteria extract to remove heavy metals (Cd and Pb) from the wastewater. To characterize the IONPs, several analytical techniques were employed such as Ultraviolet–visible spectroscopy revealed a SPR (surface plasmon resonance) peak at 348 nm and FTIR (Fourier transform infrared) spectral analysis showed the OH, C–H and S=O functional groups which confirmed the biomolecules responsible for the biogenic synthesis and stability. The surface morphology of the biogenic IONPs was investigated using SEM (scanning electron microscopy) which reveled their nearly spherical or cubic shape. Additionally, XRD (X-ray diffraction) analysis confirmed the crystallinity of IONPs, with a crystalline size measuring 18.21 nm. Effects of contact time, pH, initial metal ions concentrations, and IONPs dosage were studied on the adsorption of Cd and Pb ions. Different adsorption kinetics and isotherm models were applied to the experimental data. Pseudo second-order kinetic and Langmuir isotherm models were well fitted to the adsorption of Cd and Pb onto the IONPs. Higher correlation coefficients (R2) values of Langmuir isotherm (R2: 0.990 for Cd and Pb adsorption) and Pseudo second-order kinetic (R2: 0.998 and 0.999 for Cd and Pb adsorption, respectively) were found, which indicated the favorable interaction between the metal ions and adsorbent. Langmuir isotherm calculated maximal adsorption capacities of 105.932 and 118.764 mg/g for Cd and Pb, respectively. Recyclability of IONPs was conducted and after five adsorption/desorption cycles, IONPs retained their adsorption efficiency with negligible decline. After five cycles, IONPs removal efficiency was up to 80.41 and 88.35 % for Cd and Pb, respectively. Results of this study indicate that cyanobacteria-mediated IONPs were efficient adsorbent for Pb and Cd removal from contaminated aqueous solution.

Graphene-based nanocomposites are widely investigated as cathode materials for energy storage device. Herein, tin oxide-modified graphene (SnO2/G) and bismuth-doped SnO2/G (Bi–SnO2/G) nanocomposites with nanorod-like morphology were synthesized by the combination of electrochemical and wet chemical methods. The as-prepared nanocomposites were characterized using Raman spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction, fourier-Transform spectroscopy, and scanning electronic microscopy. Further, electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS), galvanostatic charge-discharge (GCD) curves, and cyclic voltammetry (CV) were utilized to assess the ultra-capacitor properties of SnO2/G and Bi–SnO2/G nanocomposites.The electrochemical performance of SnO2/G and Bi–SnO2/G nanocomposites demonstrated exceptional specific capacitance of 487 F/g and 174 F/g, respectively, at 5 mV/s compared to as-prepared pristine graphene (108 F/g) and SnO2 nanoparticles (117 F/g). While, the GCD study confirmed the cyclic stability of these electrodes. Overall, the SnO2/G and Bi–SnO2/G nanocomposites have shown good electrochemical properties in all assays.

This study investigates the relationship between environmental, social, and governance (ESG) scores and dividend policies, considering the moderating role of audit quality. Based on data for Western European listed companies (leaders in ESG revolution) over the period 2010–2019, panel regression analyses show a significant positive relationship between ESG and dividend payouts. Thus, companies with strong ESG practices prove their stakeholders' and shareholders' orientation, maintaining their dividend payments. However, involvement in high-quality ESG practices slows dividend growth. Audit quality has also a negative moderating effect on ESG–dividend links, prevalent at the firms whose financial audit is conducted by Big Four auditors, with no statistically significant results for ESG assurance quality. The findings are robust to sensitivity analyses based on alternative measures and estimation techniques. These results have implications for investors, management, analysts, and policy makers, providing significant lessons for companies and markets concerned about extending their ESG policies.

The worldwide demand has been raised to use natural dyes in all applied fields of life due to their environmental-friendly and therapeutic nature. For the current study microwave rays as an eco-friendly extraction tool has been used to explore the natural coloring potency of Arjun bark for cotton dyeing. Arjun bark powder was exposed to microwave irradiation for up-to 5 min and was used for extraction of colorant in different media. It has been found that 50 mL of acidified methanol-solubilized extract obtained from 5 min microwave-treated powder has given excellent results when employed onto MW treated cotton at 55°C for 75 min, salt of Fe as chemical mordant and extracts of acacia and turmeric as bio-mordants employed at optimum condition has shown good to the excellent fastness ratings at grey scales. It is concluded that microwave treatment has good potential for the extraction of the colorant from Arjun bark for cotton dyeing and the application of sustainable mordants has made the process more aesthetic and sustainable.

Due to increasing pressure from stakeholders, managers face many hurdles in transforming their businesses to advance corporate sustainability. This study explores the relationship between the ability of so-called “change agents for sustainability” with sustainability performance (SP), particularly in the challenging environment of financing constraints. This study also reveals the mechanism by which competent managers alleviate financial constraints in firms. The panel data estimation method is used on a dataset of 4132 Chinese firms from 2010 to 2019. Empirical results reveal that CEO management ability is positively related to SP. Furthermore, the findings contend that competent CEOs alleviate financing constraints in Chinese firms by improving their SP. Moreover, the competent CEOs in financially constrained firms focus more on sustainability than competent CEOs in non-financially constrained firms. The results are robust for alternative estimation techniques. In light of the study's conclusion, the implications and recommendations are also illustrated.

This study was carried out to investigate the antimicrobial activity of methanolic flower extract of Plumeria alba and identification of the possible antimicrobial compounds through GC–MS analysis. Antimicrobial efficacy of the methanolic extract of 5 ppm to 1000 ppm concentrations was assessed against five fungal (Trichoderma viride, T. reesei, T. harzianum, T. hamatum and T. koningii) and five bacterial species (Escherichia coli, Salmonella sp., Pseudomonas sp., Bacillus sp. and Staphylococcus sp.). In general, all the concentrations of the extract significantly reduced growth of all the fungal and bacterial species. However, there was a significant variation in susceptibility of different fungal and bacterial species to the applied concentrations of the extract. The extract was the most effective against T. reesii followed by T. viride, T. harzianum, T. hamatum and T. koningii causing 11–97%, 36–90%, 24–86%, 7–77% and 9–76% reduction in their growth. Similarly, there was 23–93%, 12–92%, 36–90%, 19–90% and 8–84% reduction in growth of Bacillus sp., Staphylococcus sp., E. coli, Pseudomonas sp., and Salmonella sp., respectively, due to different concentrations of methanolic extract. GC–MS analysis of the extract showed the presence of 21 constituents. The most abundant compound was benzofuran, 2,3-dihydro- (27.95%). Other important compounds included cyclononanone (14.59%), 9-octadecyne (14.29%), 9,12,15-octadecatrienoic acid, methyl ester, (Z,Z,Z)- (10.28%), benzyl alcohol (5.57%), 1-decanol, 2-hexyl- (5.44%), 2,6-octadien-1-ol, 3,7-dimethyl-, acetate, (Z)- (3.76%), 4H-pyran-4-one, 2,3-dihydro-3,5-dihydroxy-6-methyl- (2.48%) and heptadecane (2.43%). It is concluded that methanolic extract of P. alba flowers has the potential to control both fungal as well as bacterial growth.

OBJECTIVE: To determine the diagnostic significance of Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) infection by histological examination of tissues and rapid Immunochromatographic assay from stool samples. METHODOLOGY: This retrospective comparative study was performed in the Departments of Pathology and Medicine, Suleman Roshan Medical College Tandoadam, from August to December 2020, on one hundred cases collected by consecutive nonprobability technique, of any sex and age, having a clinical opinion of H pylori disease. Samples were collected, and gastric endoscopic biopsies were performed in all cases in the department of Medicine and shifted to the Pathology department for registration and processing. The rapid Immunochromatographic assay of the same patients was also performed to isolate H. pylori from faecal samples. All the data collected were statistically analyzed using SPSS 20, and the results were tabulated. RESULTS: On histological examination, H. pylori bacilli were detected in 90 (90%) patients, of which the male was 52(57.7 %). The age ranges from 14 - 85 years, with a mean of 47.9. The histopathologically positive cases were compared with stool antigen, and H. pylori antigen in stool were isolated on immunochromatography technique in 48 (48%) subjects. The sensitivity and specificity of stool antigen were 52.74% and 90%, respectively, and the P-value was 0.011. CONCLUSION: H. pylori positivity is highly significant in histological examination of endoscopic gastric biopsies and may be identified by stool analysis as seen in this study which is noninvasive, most straightforward and has low expenses.

Nanoparticles have emerged as a prominent area of research in recent times, and silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) synthesized via phyco-technology have gained significant attention due to their potential therapeutic applications. Nodularia haraviana, a unique and lesser-explored cyanobacterial strain, holds substantial promise as a novel candidate for synthesizing nanoparticles. This noticeable research gap underscores the novelty and untapped potential of Nodularia haraviana in applied nanotechnology. A range of analytical techniques, including UV-vis spectral analysis, dynamic light scattering spectroscopy, scanning electron microscopy, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, and X-ray powder diffraction, were used to investigate and characterize the AgNPs. Successful synthesis of AgNPs was confirmed through UV-visible spectroscopy, which showed a surface plasmon resonance peak at 428 nm. The crystalline size of AgNPs was 24.1 nm. Dynamic light scattering analysis revealed that silver oxide nanoparticles had 179.3 nm diameters and a negative surface charge of −18 mV. Comprehensive in vitro pharmacogenetic properties revealed that AgNPs have significant therapeutic potential. The antimicrobial properties of AgNPs were evaluated by determining the minimum inhibitory concentration against various microbial strains. Dose-dependent cytotoxicity assays were performed on Leishmanial promastigotes (IC50: 18.71 μgmL−1), amastigotes (IC50: 38.6 μgmL−1), and brine shrimps (IC50: 134.1 μg mL−1) using various concentrations of AgNPs. The findings of this study revealed that AgNPs had significant antioxidant results (DPPH: 57.5%, TRP: 55.4%, TAC: 61%) and enzyme inhibition potential against protein kinase (ZOI: 17.11 mm) and alpha-amylase (25.3%). Furthermore, biocompatibility tests were performed against macrophages (IC50: >395 μg mL−1) and human RBCs (IC50: 2124 μg mL−1). This study showed that phyco-synthesized AgNPs were less toxic and could be used in multiple biological applications, including drug design and in the pharmaceutical and biomedical industries. This study offers valuable insights and paves the way for further advancements in AgNPs research.

The success of an organization’s environmental sustainability objectives is contingent on the environmental behavior of its personnel. The present study was conducted to observe how the green human resource management (GHRM) practice improves environmental performance (EP) through psychological green climate (PGC) and pro-environmental behavior (PEB). It also evaluates the moderating role of the individual green value (IGV). Data were collected from HR professionals and health officers directly engaged in human resource practices in private hospitals in Sialkot, Pakistan. To gather the responses, questionnaires were distributed and PLS analysis was used to analyze the data. The findings showed that GHRM explains that the PGC stimulates employees to perform pro-environmental behaviors for better environmental performance. Furthermore, the individual green value moderates the employee’s behavior for better environmental performance. This research paper gives vital practical implications to the top management and regulators in assuring employee engagement in applying green human resource management practices.

The study explores the moderating role of audit quality in the relationship between environmental, social, and governance (ESG) factors and corporate financial performance (CFP) in Western European countries. The research sample includes 620 firms headquartered in Western Europe, including Austria, Belgium, France, Germany, Luxembourg, Monaco, the Netherlands, and Switzerland from 2010 to 2019. Panel data estimations are used to examine the direct and moderating effects. The results show that ESG has a significantly negative effect on a firm's financial performance as measured by the return on assets (ROA), supporting the trade-off hypothesis in which investing in ESG activities increases the cost of business. Additionally, we find that ESG's adverse influence on CFP is more evident at enterprises that are certified by Big Four accounting firms. However, ESG has a significantly positive effect on revenue, suggesting that customers are more attracted to firms that invest in ESG. The analysis of the subcomponents of ESG supports the main results. The results are robust to alternative model specifications and alternative measures of CFP and audit quality and are free of endogeneity issues. The findings contribute to the existing knowledge on ESG by elucidating the effect of external auditor quality on the ESG-CFP relationship. We also examine overall ESG scores as well as individual ESG characteristics (environmental, social, and governance).

With ever advancing computer technology in machine learning, sediment load prediction inside the reservoirs has been computed using various artificially intelligent techniques. The sediment load in the catchment region of Gobindsagar reservoir of India is forecasted in this study utilizing the data collected for years 1971–2003 using several models of intelligent algorithms. Firstly, multi-layered perceptron artificial neural network (MLP-ANN), basic recurrent neural network (RNN), and other RNN based models including long-short term memory (LSTM), and gated recurrent unit (GRU) are implemented to validate and predict the sediment load inside the reservoir. The proposed machine learning models are validated for Gobindsagar reservoir using three influencing factors on yearly basis [rainfall (Ra), water inflow (Iw), and the storage capacity (Cr)]. The results demonstrate that the suggested MLP-ANN, RNN, LSTM, and GRU models produce better results with maximum errors reduced from 24.6% to 8.05%, 7.52%, 1.77%, and 0.05% respectively. For future prediction of the sediment load for next 22 years, the influencing factors were first predicted for next 22 years using ETS forecasting model with the help of data collected for 33 years. Additionally, it was noted that each prediction’s error was lower than that of the reference model. Furthermore, it was concluded that the GRU model predicts better results than the reference model and its alternatives. Secondly, by comparing the prediction precision of all the machine learning models established in this study, it can be evidently shown that the LSTM and GRU models were superior to the MLP-ANN and RNN models. It is also observed that among all, the GRU took the best precision due to the highest R of 0.9654 and VAF of 91.7689%, and the lowest MAE of 0.7777, RMSE of 1.1522 and MAPE of 0.3786%. The superiority of GRU can also be ensured from Taylor’s diagram. Lastly, Garson’s algorithm and Olden’s algorithm for MLP-ANN, as well as the perturbation method for RNN, LSTM, and GRU models, are used to test the sensitivity analysis of each influencing factor in sediment load forecasting. The sediment load was discovered to be most sensitive to the annual rainfall.

The purpose of this paper was to examine the extent to which green HRM impacts the pro-environmental behavior of employees via the mediation of Green Entrepreneurship and the moderation of Green Self-Efficacy in the hospitality sector of Pakistan. Research design included questionnaires and the study setting was cross-sectional. Respondents of the study were 4 and 5-star hotel employees of Islamabad city of Pakistan. However, a 205-sample size was taken from the population to collect primary data for deriving results. Data were collected from 205 hotel employees, and there were no incomplete data. Using SEM through Smart PLS 3.2.7, finally, 205 responses were analyzed. The results of the analysis showed that GHRM positively impacts the pro-environmental behavior of employees. Results show that there is a significant mediation of Green Entrepreneurship and a significant moderation of Green Self-Efficacy, respectively. This study fulfills the gaps in literature and provides pioneering inputs as there is a lack of studies in green HRM field, especially in the hospitality sector of Pakistan. This study enhances the knowledge in the green HRM field. Besides, this study also contributes practically and provides various inputs to hospitality sectors that how effective environmental performance can be enhanced by effectively incorporating green practices in the HR policies of organizations. This study is significant as it contributes to both theory and practice by providing fresh insights on green HRM.

The organizational sustainability heavily depends upon employee performance. The aim of the study is to examine the relationship of organizational justice and in-role employee performance. Moreover, the organizational embeddedness and employee advocacy are used as mediator and moderator, respectively. A sample of 402 medical doctors was selected from different hospitals using snow-ball sampling technique. Their responses were gathered through a closed-ended questionnaire. The data collected were analyzed using partial-least square method. The study shows that organizational justice in the organization increases the employees performance. Organizational embeddedness mediates their relation, whereas advocating the needs of the employees moderates their relation. We have contributed to the existing theoretical model proposed in earlier literature by comprehensively analyzing the organizational justice impact on the in-role performance, i.e. by including the interactional justice impact as well. Furthermore, we also propose to include the role of employees’ advocacy in enhancing the in-role performance of the employees. The hospital managers can enhance employees’ in-role performance by treating them fairly; apply same rules without any bias, while developing open communication with them. These measures can be further improved by providing support. The cross-sectional nature of the study may restrict the generalizability of results.

Soil contamination with cadmium (Cd) is a severe concern for the developing world due to its non-biodegradability and significant potential to damage the ecosystem and associated services. Industries such as mining, manufacturing, building, etc., rapidly produce a substantial amount of Cd, posing environmental risks. Cd toxicity in crop plants decreases nutrient and water uptake and translocation, increases oxidative damage, interferes with plant metabolism and inhibits plant morphology and physiology. However, various conventional physicochemical approaches are available to remove Cd from the soil, including chemical reduction, immobilization, stabilization and electro-remediation. Nevertheless, these processes are costly and unfriendly to the environment because they require much energy, skilled labor and hazardous chemicals. In contrasting, contaminated soils can be restored by using bioremediation techniques, which use plants alone and in association with different beneficial microbes as cutting-edge approaches. This review covers the bioremediation of soils contaminated with Cd in various new ways. The bioremediation capability of bacteria and fungi alone and in combination with plants are studied and analyzed. Microbes, including bacteria, fungi and algae, are reported to have a high tolerance for metals, having a 98% bioremediation capability. The internal structure of microorganisms, their cell surface characteristics and the surrounding environmental circumstances are all discussed concerning how microbes detoxify metals. Moreover, issues affecting the effectiveness of bioremediation are explored, along with potential difficulties, solutions and prospects.

Abstract A novel way was adopted to graft zinc oxide (ZnO) with urethane-modified dimethacrylate (UDMA) in order to utilize them as reinforcing agents in resin-based dental composites. Experimental novel composites were synthesized having UDMA-grafted and nongrafted ZnO, at a concentration of 0 wt.%, 5 wt.%, and 10 wt.%. The same concentrations of ZnO were also incorporated in Filtek Z250 XT (3 M ESPE, USA). The antibacterial behavior was evaluated against Streptococcus mutans by direct-contact test at one, three, and seven days of incubation. The compressive strength and Vickers microhardness were tested as per ISO 9917 and ISO/CD6507-1, respectively. For abrasive wear resistance, mass loss and roughness average after tooth-brushing cycles of 24,000 at custom-made tooth-brushing simulator were evaluated using noncontact profilometer. Data analysis was carried out using post hoc Tucky’s test and nonparametric Kruskal–Wallis test. Direct contact test revealed that the antibacterial potential of novel and commercial composites was increased with an increase in the concentration of grafted ZnO as compared with nongrafted, whereby the potential was the highest at day seven. There was a significant decrease in compressive strength and Vickers hardness of commercial composites on addition of grafted ZnO while there was no significant difference in the strength of experimental novel composite. The abrasive wear of commercial and experimental composites was within clinical limits. Low-temperature flow-synthesis method was successfully employed to synthesize grafted and nongrafted ZnO. The UDMA-grafted ZnO can be incorporated into dental composites without decreasing their strength and these composites can be used to combat secondary caries.

As a global issue, climate warming has received extensive attention in recent years. Scientific identification of the network evolution, transfer path, and influencing factors of embodied carbon in trade is of great significance for the global joint response to climate change challenges. In this paper, based on the latest World Input-Output Database and carbon emissions data of 42 countries (the total carbon emissions of 42 countries account for about 80% of the world’s total carbon emissions), we use social network analysis to describe the global trade embodied carbon emission from 2000 to 2014, and explore the relevant factors that influence global embodied carbon emissions. From the overall network, a small number of countries produce more carbon emissions, of which China is gradually in the center of the global carbon emissions network, while the United States and the European Union are always in the center. The point entry degree of developed economies is larger, while the point out degree of developing countries is higher, indicating that part of carbon emissions from developed countries are transferred to developing countries through economic links. Through QAP analysis, it is found that factors such as population, energy structure, geographic distance, final consumption and trade agreements are the main factors of the evolution of the embodied carbon network, and these factors can explain 42.3% of the pattern of the implied carbon network in trade. Moreover, the decrease of the degree of proximity indicates that the path of carbon emission correlation between countries is shortening and it is necessary for the world to join hands to respond to climate change.

Metallic nanoparticles have received a significant amount of reflection over a period of time, attributed to their electronic, specific surface area, and surface atom properties. The biogenic synthesis of iron oxide nanoparticles (FeONPs) is demonstrated in this study. The green synthesis of metallic nanoparticles (NPs) is acquiring considerable attention due to its environmental and economic superiorities over other methods. Leptolyngbya sp. L-2 extract was employed as a reducing agent, and iron chloride hexahydrate (FeCl3·6H2O) was used as a substrate for the biogenic synthesis of FeONPs. Different spectral methods were used for the characterization of the biosynthesized FeONPs, ultraviolet-visible (UV-Vis) spectroscopy gave a surface plasmon resonance (SPR) peak of FeONPs at 300 nm; Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectral analysis was conducted to identify the functional groups responsible for both the stability and synthesis of FeONPs. The morphology of the FeONPs was investigated using scanning electron microscopy (SEM), which shows a nearly spherical shape, and an X-ray diffraction (XRD) study demonstrated their crystalline nature with a calculated crystallinity size of 23 nm. The zeta potential (ZP) and dynamic light scattering (DLS) measurements of FeONPs revealed values of −8.50 mV, suggesting appropriate physical stability. Comprehensive in-vitro pharmacogenetic properties revealed that FeONPs have significant therapeutic potential. FeONPs have been reported to have potential antibacterial and antifungal properties. Dose-dependent cytotoxic activity was shown against Leishmania tropica promastigotes (IC50: 10.73 µg/mL) and amastigotes (IC50: 16.98 µg/mL) using various concentrations of FeONPs. The cytotoxic potential was also investigated using brine shrimps, and their IC50 value was determined to be 34.19 µg/mL. FeONPs showed significant antioxidant results (DPPH: 54.7%, TRP: 49.2%, TAC: 44.5%), protein kinase (IC50: 96.23 µg/mL), and alpha amylase (IC50: 3745 µg/mL). The biosafety of FeONPs was validated by biocompatibility tests using macrophages (IC50: 918.1 µg/mL) and red blood cells (IC50: 2921 µg/mL). In conclusion, biogenic FeONPs have shown potential biomedical properties and should be the focus of more studies to increase their nano-pharmacological significance for biological applications.

Background: Hepatitis B virus (HBV) is the aetiological agent of transfusion-transmitted hepatitis globally. Beta thalassaemia major individuals are at greater risk of contracting HBV infection due to multiple blood transfusions required for the medical management of these patients. Based on HBV genetic variability, it is divided into 10 genotypes. The determination of HBV genotypes has significant implications for clinical management and treatment regimens. Aim: This study was performed to assess the HBV epidemiology and circulating genotypes in multi-transfused β-thalassemia major patients with the aim to be considered while formulating the treatment pattern taking into account particular needs of thalassaemia patients. Materials and Methods: This study was performed from September 2018 to June 2019, at the Department of Pathology and Transfusion Medicine, Shaheed Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto (SZAB) Medical University, Islamabad. A total of 2,260 thalassaemia patients were enrolled in the study. The study was endorsed by the Ethics Committee of the SZAB Medical University, Islamabad. The samples were serologically screened for HBsAg on the LIAISON® XL Murex HBsAg Quant assay (DiaSorin S.p.A., Italy) a chemiluminescence based immunoassay (CLIA). HBV quantitative PCR kit was used to measure the HBV DNA in serum samples. The HBV genotypes were determined using universal primers targeting the P1 and S1 region amplification. Results: Of 2,260 thalassaemia patients, 64.6% were males while 35.4% were females. The HBsAg was identified in 98 individuals (4.33%). The PCR analysis was done for these 98 patients and in this cohort, genotype D was 59.18% (n = 58), genotype A was 21.42% (n = 21) while genotype C was 19.38% (n = 19). Conclusion: The determination of HBV genotypes in the multi-transfused patients is key to the effective management of chronic HBV patients as the severity and course of the disease is dependent on a specific type of genotypes. Quality assured screening of donated blood will prevent the incidence of HBV in thalassaemia patients.

Objective: To give a comprehensive understanding of the efficacy of antimicrobial-loaded scaffolds as drug delivery system for periodontal regeneration, and to review the recent advances in the field of periodontal regeneration. Methods: The literature was reviewed using key words “antimicrobial releasing periodontal scaffolds” on Science Direct, PubMed and Web of Science search engines. Shortlisted articles were evaluated on the basis of specific inclusion-exclusion criteria. Results: Of the 544 studies found, 34(6.25%) met the inclusion criteria. The trend indicated an increase in use of antimicrobial-loaded scaffolds that caused inhibition of periodontal pathogenic bacteria, accompanied with greater cellular interaction, and differentiation for alveolar bone healing. Contemporary treatment tactics clinically prove the ability to limit disease progression, but complete periodontal regeneration needs to be validated yet. Conclusion: Emerging trends are not only improving the inhibitory effect of bacterial growth, but are also making a favourable environment for cell proliferation and differentiation, resulting in alveolar bone repair and re-growth. Key Words: Periodontal scaffolds, Antimicrobials, Alveolar bone regeneration.

The main goal of this study is to investigate the relationship between female representation on board of directors and financial performance, using evidence from Chinese fintech companies, which are providing financial services using cutting-edge technologies. This research used fintech firms listed on the Shanghai and Shenzen Stock Exchange from 2010 to 2019 to test the research questions using regression analyses by SPSS v26. According to the data, the Blau index has a large and negative influence on Tobin's Q, which demonstrates that gender diversity harms the performance of Chinese enterprises. Furthermore, corporate social responsibility (CSR) is found to have a significant and positive moderating influence on Tobin's Q, implying that the adoption of CSR converts a negative to a positive effect. Diversified board members can improve the organization's control and monitoring operations, and female-represented board of directors can participate in the CSR activities that contribute to the organization's performance. The study contributes to the research of gender diversity by providing evidence that women on board of directors enhance firm performance, and the moderating function of CSR is examined with the link of female participation on the board of directors and financial performance.

Attaining cleaner production is a major challenge for BRICS economies. In this context, this study explores the effect of financial globalization on renewable energy consumption in BRICS economies from 1990 to 2018. It is probably the first research to study the linkage between financial globalization and renewable energy consumption. Therefore, this research adds to the current literature by presenting new empiric evidence on how financial globalization, in conjunction with environmental innovations, energy productivity, energy prices, and economic growth, affect renewable energy consumption in BRICS economies. In doing so, this research utilized novel econometric methods such as continuously updated fully modified (CUP-FM) and continuously updated bias-corrected (CUP-BC) techniques to evaluate the long-run results. The empirical findings show that financial globalization, environmental innovation, energy productivity, and energy prices promote renewable energy consumption. In contrast, economic growth impedes renewable energy consumption. This study suggests that governments and policymakers in BRICS countries should consider financial globalization and the increasing role of environmental innovations to increase the renewable energy share, which can be the appropriate solutions to the environmental challenges and achieve the Paris Climate Agreement’s goals. BRICS economies require speeding up permits for renewable energy projects, raising tax credits, including substantially more grants and loans, extending timelines for pandemic-affected projects, and investing directly in emerging clean energy sources.

Global climate change and the deteriorating quality of urban air are the major issues affecting the atmospheric ecosystem of Pakistan. To avoid poor monitoring and management of air pollution, improvements through the latest technologies such as GIS and remote sensing are required. This research involves spatial analysis, which discusses the impact of vegetation on air quality and public health. Data of air quality at 20 different points, showing the concentration of four pollutants, namely NOx, CO, SO2, and PM10, with mean observations for 24-h, are taken from EPA, Lahore. The results show that the concentrations of SO2, CO, and PM10 are exceptionally high at the site of the Badshahi Mosque. The analysis shows that the highest polluted areas have the lowest vegetation levels, whereas areas with low pollution concentration have more vegetation cover. Moreover, less vegetation has a higher death rate attributable to household air pollution. The study suggests that greening strategies, vegetation screens, and vegetation barriers should mitigate urban heat air pollution and minimize the air pollution attributable deaths. For pollution and vegetation monitoring, strict laws and monitoring programs must be implemented in major cities.

Objective: To highlight Pakistani Students anxieties and their attitude towards the circumstances created by the COVID-19 pandemic and to bring forth this data for better policy revisions in the country. Study Design: Cross-sectional study. Place and Duration of Study: Different cities of Pakistan, from May to May 2020. Methodology: A structured self-administered questionnaire was prepared, based on other surveys conducted in the past. Questionnaire was made available online and shared across social media sites with students. All students of Colleges and Universities who had access to internet were included in the study. Results: Total study population was 731 students. We found that around 320 (44%) of students felt anxious daily due to COVID-19 while 438 (60%) of them were not content with the current measures to stop the spread of the virus. 636 (87%) of the students feared for the health of their family members while 584 (80%) felt anxious for their academic future due to the unprecedent circumstances created by the disease. 387 (53%) had decided not to go to hospitals in case of any illness other than COVID-19. Approximately 400 (55%) believed that the situation was worse than actually being portrayed. Females generally were found to be more anxious than males regarding their health and health of their family members (p-value 0.001 and 0.003 respectively). Conclusion: There is a dire need of establishing mental health services in educational institutions. Despite the students’ generally correct approach towards curbing the spread of COVID-19, they are still much apprehensive regarding the situation surrounding the pandemic due to the disturbance of their academic and everyday life.

The hydrothermal synthesis and crystal structure of the title two-dimensional coordination polymer, poly[bis(μ3-3,4-diaminobenzoato-κ3N3,O,O′)manganese(II)], [Mn(C7H7N2O2)2]n, are described. The Mn2+ cation (site symmetry \overline{1}) adopts a tetragonally elongated trans-MnN2O4 octahedral coordination geometry and the μ3-N,O,O′ ligand (bonding from both carboxylate O atoms and the meta-N atom) links the metal ions into infinite (10\overline{1}) layers. The packing is consolidated by intra-layer N—H...O and inter-layer N—H...N hydrogen bonds. The structure of the title compound is compared with other complexes containing the C7H7N2O2− anion and those of the related M(C8H8NO2)2 (M = Mn, Co, Ni, Zn) family, where C8H8NO2− is the 3-amino-4-methylbenzoate anion.

The current study is aimed to utilize the microwave for isolation of colorant from neem bark and its application onto chemical & bio-mordanted cotton fabric. For the purpose, aqueous, acid and organic media have been employed to isolate the colorant and to make its application onto surface modified and bio-mordanted cotton fabric followed by microwave treatment up to 6min. It is found that using optimum extraction and dyeing conditions, acceptable fastness properties have been rated when 9% of Al & Fe, 7% of tannic acid as pre chemical, 7% of acacia, 9% of henna, 7% of pomegranate & 5% of turmeric extract as pre bio mordants. Similarly, 5% of Al, 9% of T.A, 7% of pomegranate, and turmeric extract as post-mordants have been employed. It is recommended that isolation of colorant & dyeing under MW treatment has not only improved the natural dyeing process but also the addition of herbal-based bio-mordants have made the dyeing process more sustainable & ayurvedic. So it is concluded that microwave treatment has not only explored the coloring potential of neem bark but also made possible use of bio-mordants for making process more green with excellent color characteristics under reduced optimal conditions.

Abstract Introduction Economic ties and trade blocs increase the flow of trade between participating countries and lead to different levels of economic and structural changes. Case description This paper focuses on the structure of industrial value-added between China and Pakistan, as the two countries recently launched the CPEC (China-Pakistan Economic Corridor) project. Discussion and evaluation This study utilizes panel data from 1995 to 2015 to test certain factor effects on regional value-added through econometric analyses. The results show that each country has its own economic growth rate and market size that respond differently to industrial value-added production. Conclusion Aggregate factor productivity at China is higher than in Pakistan but growth in factor productivity in the latter is higher than the former; similarly, the share of bilateral trade is higher in the case of Pakistan. Although each country responds differently to the new economic ties, the macroeconomic results support bilateral economic ties between them.

Cadmium (Cd) is a major environmental contaminant due to its widespread industrial use. Cd contamination of soil and water is rather classical but has emerged as a recent problem. Cd toxicity causes a range of damages to plants ranging from germination to yield suppression. Plant physiological functions, i.e., water interactions, essential mineral uptake, and photosynthesis, are also harmed by Cd. Plants have also shown metabolic changes because of Cd exposure either as direct impact on enzymes or other metabolites, or because of its propensity to produce reactive oxygen species, which can induce oxidative stress. In recent years, there has been increased interest in the potential of plants with ability to accumulate or stabilize Cd compounds for bioremediation of Cd pollution. Here, we critically review the chemistry of Cd and its dynamics in soil and the rhizosphere, toxic effects on plant growth, and yield formation. To conserve the environment and resources, chemical/biological remediation processes for Cd and their efficacy have been summarized in this review. Modulation of plant growth regulators such as cytokinins, ethylene, gibberellins, auxins, abscisic acid, polyamines, jasmonic acid, brassinosteroids, and nitric oxide has been highlighted. Development of plant genotypes with restricted Cd uptake and reduced accumulation in edible portions by conventional and marker-assisted breeding are also presented. In this regard, use of molecular techniques including identification of QTLs, CRISPR/Cas9, and functional genomics to enhance the adverse impacts of Cd in plants may be quite helpful. The review’s results should aid in the development of novel and suitable solutions for limiting Cd bioavailability and toxicity, as well as the long-term management of Cd-polluted soils, therefore reducing environmental and human health hazards.

The current study investigates whether tournament incentives motivate chief executive officer(s) (CEOs) to be socially responsible. Furthermore, it explores the role of sub-national institutional contingencies [i.e., state-owned enterprises (SOE) vs. non-SOEs, foreign-owned entities (FOE) vs. non-FOEs, cross-listed vs. non-cross-listed, developed region] in CEO tournament incentives and the corporate social responsibility performance (CSRP) relationship. Data were collected from all A-shared companies listed in the stock exchanges of China from 2014 to 2019. The study uses the baseline methodology of ordinary least squares (OLS) and cluster OLS regression. Moreover, firm-fixed effects regression, two-stage least squares regression, and propensity score matching deal with the endogeneity problem and check the robustness of the results. The results provide reliable evidence that tournament incentives motivate CEOs to be more socially responsible. On the other hand, sub-national institutional contingencies positively affect the association between CEO tournament incentives and CSRP. The findings have important implications for companies and regulators who wish to enhance CSP by providing incentives to top managers.

Green growth is an exceptional strategy for sustainable development. It provides a pathway to combat environmental issues and the use of natural resources. This study investigates the effects of green technology and environmental factors on green growth in high-gross domestic product (GDP) countries from 2000 to 2020. In addition, it also probes the linear and nonlinear effects of GDP on green growth. To do so, we employ an advanced econometric approach, e.g., a cross-sectional autoregressive distributed lags estimator for long and short runs. The outcomes demonstrate that the linear effect of GDP is positive for green growth. On the contrary, the nonlinear effect of GDP has a negative magnitude for green growth. Besides, green technology substantially increases green growth. Energy consumption is found to be an important influencer, and it decreases green growth. Environmental factors such as emissions, according to the findings, also reduce green growth in the sample countries. It is worth noting that the joint effects of energy consumption and emissions deteriorate green growth in countries. Based on empirical findings, for policy makers, this study suggests that high-GDP countries should manage their economic and environmental activities in order to increase the amount of green growth that may protect the ecological environment.

PurposeThis study aims to investigate new tissue conditioner (TC) formulations involving chitosan nanoparticles (CSNPs) and essential oils (EO) for their antifungal potential, release kinetics, and hardness.Materials and methodsCSNPs were synthesized, and the separate solutions of CSNP were prepared with two types of EO, i.e., Oregano oil and Lemongrass. The EO was loaded separately in two concentrations (200 μL and 250 μL). The blank and EO-loaded CSNPs were screened against Candida albicans (C. albicans), and their minimum inhibitory concentration was established. GC Reline™ (GC corporation, USA) TC was considered a control group, whereby the four experimental groups were prepared by mixing CSNPs/EO solutions with TC powder. The antifungal effectiveness (C. albicans) and release kinetics behavior (1-6 h, 24 h, 48 h, and 72 h) was investigated. The Shore A hardness of control and experimental groups was evaluated in dry and wet modes (deionized water and artificial saliva). For statistical analysis, SPSS version 22 was used to do a one-way ANOVA post-hoc Tukey's test.ResultsCompared to the control group, TCs containing blank CSNPs and CSNPs loaded with EO showed 3 and 5 log reductions in C. albicans growth, respectively. A significantly high antifungal effect was observed with TC containing lemongrass essential oil (200 μL). The continuous release of EO was detected for the first 6 hours, whereas completely stopped after 48 hours. Mean hardness values were highest for dry samples and lowest for samples stored in artificial saliva. The statistically significant difference within and between the study groups was observed in mean and cumulative essential oils release and hardness values of TCs over observed time intervals irrespective of storage media.ConclusionTCs containing essential-oil-loaded CSNPs seem a promising alternative treatment of denture-induced stomatitis, however, a further biological analysis should be taken.

Calcium (Ca) is a macronutrient and works as a modulator to mitigate oxidative stress induced by heavy metals. In this study, we investigated the role of Ca to ameliorate the Cd toxicity in Zea mays L. by modulating the growth, physio-biochemical traits, and cellular antioxidant defense system. Maize genotype Sahiwal-2002 was grown under a controlled glasshouse environment with a day/night temperature of 24 ± 4°C/14 ± 2°C in a complete randomized design with three replications and two Cd levels as (0 and 150 μM) and six regimes of Ca (0, 0.5, 1, 2.5, 5, and 10 mM). Maize seedlings exposed to Cd at 150 μM concentration showed a notable decrease in growth, biomass, anthocyanins, chlorophylls, and antioxidant enzymes activities. A higher level of Cd (150 μM) also caused an upsurge in oxidative damage observed as higher electrolyte leakage (increased membrane permeability), H2O2 production, and MDA accumulation. Supplementation of Ca notably improved growth traits, photosynthetic pigments, cellular antioxidants (APX, POD, and ascorbic acid), anthocyanins, and levels of osmolytes. The significant improvement in the osmolytes (proteins and amino acids), and enzymatic antioxidative defense system enhanced the membrane stability and mitigated the damaging effects of Cd. The present results concluded that exogenously applied Ca potentially improve growth by regulating antioxidants and enabling maize plants to withstand the Cd toxicity.

Cadmium (Cd) and lead (Pb) are global environmental pollutants. In this study, Nostoc sp. MK-11 was used as an environmentally safe, economical, and efficient biosorbent for the removal of Cd and Pb ions from synthetic aqueous solutions. Nostoc sp. MK-11 was identified on a morphological and molecular basis using light microscopic, 16S rRNA sequences and phylogenetic analysis. Batch experiments were performed to determine the most significant factors for the removal of Cd and Pb ions from the synthetic aqueous solutions using dry Nostoc sp. MK1 biomass. The results indicated that the maximum biosorption of Pb and Cd ions was found under the conditions of 1 g of dry Nostoc sp. MK-11 biomass, 100 mg/L of initial metal concentrations, and 60 min contact time at pH 4 and 5 for Pb and Cd, respectively. Dry Nostoc sp. MK-11 biomass samples before and after biosorption were characterized using FTIR and SEM. A kinetic study showed that a pseudo second order kinetic model was well fitted rather than the pseudo first order. Three isotherm models Freundlich, Langmuir, and Temkin were used to explain the biosorption isotherms of metal ions by Nostoc sp. MK-11 dry biomass. Langmuir isotherm, which explains the existence of monolayer adsorption, fitted well to the biosorption process. Considering the Langmuir isotherm model, the maximum biosorption capacity (qmax) of Nostoc sp. MK-11 dry biomass was calculated as 75.757 and 83.963 mg g−1 for Cd and Pb, respectively, which showed agreement with the obtained experimental values. Desorption investigations were carried out to evaluate the reusability of the biomass and the recovery of the metal ions. It was found that the desorption of Cd and Pb was above 90%. The dry biomass of Nostoc sp. MK-11 was proven to be efficient and cost-effective for removing Cd and especially Pb metal ions from the aqueous solutions, and the process is eco-friendly, feasible, and reliable.