Uchalli Lake (Ramsar site), with a surface area of 14.3 km2, is the largest lake of the Uchhali Wetlands Complex. Heavy inorganic pollution (metals and nutrients) load in Uchhali Lake had been ...reported by other researchers, but sources of inorganic pollution in the lake and its effects on surrounding groundwater have never been investigated. In the present study, the stable isotopes of δ18O and δ2H were applied to find out the recharge sources of lake and groundwater. Additionally, the isotopes of δ15N and δ18O (NO3) were used to find out the sources of pollution in the lake system. The stable isotopes and geochemical data suggested that the lake was mainly recharged by local meteoric water. The higher evaporation of lake water coupled with the alkaline nature of lake sediments led to the enrichment of pollutants in the sediments. Nitrate isotopes δ15N and δ18O suggested both geogenic and anthropogenic sources of pollution in the lake system. The geogenic sources are mainly comprised of rock/minerals weathering and soil erosion, whereas the anthropogenic sources are mainly comprised of agricultural activities in lake catchment areas. The δ18O, δ2H, and D-excess values suggested that the groundwater in the area is mainly recharged by rainwater, with limited contribution from the lake water to the groundwater system. HIGHLIGHTS High concentrations of metals in the lake system.; Stable isotope values in lake water and sediments.; Water recharge sources of the lake through δ18O and δ2H values of lake water.; Identification of metal sources through δ15N and δ18O of NO3 in sediments of lake.; Identification of groundwater recharge sources.;
The present study is concerned with evaluating the influence of various concentrations of Ag within Cu:Ag bimetallic nanoparticles developed for use as a promising anti-bacterial agent against ...antibiotic-resistant bacteria. Here, Cu:Ag bimetallic nanoparticles with various concentration ratios (2.5, 5.0, 7.5, and 10 wt%) of Ag in fixed amount of Cu labeled as 1:0.025, 1:0.050, 1:0.075, and 1:0.1 were synthesized using co-precipitation method with ammonium hydroxide and deionized water as solvent, polyvinyl pyrrolidone as a capping agent, and sodium borohydride and ascorbic acid as reducing agents. These formulated products were characterized through a variety of techniques. XRD confirmed phase purity and detected the presence of distinct fcc structures belonging to Cu and Ag phases. FTIR spectroscopy confirmed the presence of vibrational modes corresponding to various functional groups and recorded characteristic peak emanating from the bimetallic. UV–visible spectroscopy revealed reduction in band gap with increasing Ag content. SEM and HR-TEM micrographs revealed spherical morphology of Ag-doped Cu bimetallic with small and large scale agglomerations. The samples exhibited varying dimensions and interlayer spacing. Bactericidal action of synthesized Cu:Ag bimetallic NPs depicted statistically significant (
P
< 0.05) inhibition zones recorded for various concentrations of Ag dopant against
Staphylococcus aureus
(
S. aureus
)
, Escherichia coli
(
E. coli
)
,
and
Acinetobacter baumannii
(
A. baumannii
) ranging from (0.85–2.8 mm), (0.55–1.95 mm) and (0.65–1.85 mm), respectively. Broadly, Cu:Ag bimetallic NPs were found to be more potent against gram-positive compared with gram-negative. Molecular docking study of Ag–Cu bimetallic NPs was performed against
β
-lactamase which is a key enzyme of cell wall biosynthetic pathway from both
S. aureus
(Binding score: − 4.981 kcal/mol) and
A. bauminnii
(Binding score: − 4.013 kcal/mol). Similarly, binding interaction analysis against FabI belonging to fatty acid biosynthetic pathway from
A. bauminnii
(Binding score: − 3.385 kcal/mol) and
S. aureus
(Binding score: − 3.012 kcal/mol) along with FabH from
E. coli
(Binding score: − 4.372 kcal/mol) was undertaken. These theoretical computations indicate Cu-Ag bimetallic NPs as possible inhibitor of selected enzymes. It is suggested that exploring in vitro inhibition potential of these materials may open new avenues for antibiotic discovery.
A bibliometric analysis of inverse optimization Abdul Ghaffar, Abdul Razzaq; Melethil, Anas; Yusuf Adhami, Ahmad
Journal of King Saud University. Science,
October 2023, 2023-10-00, 2023-10-01, Letnik:
35, Številka:
7
Journal Article
Recenzirano
Odprti dostop
This paper presents an overview of inverse optimization through a bibliometric approach. The goal of this study was to discover research trends and knowledge growth in the field of inverse ...optimization. We collected the most cited articles and documents related to the topic in the SCOPUS database. We analyzed and conducted bibliometric analyses, such as citation analysis, publication counts, and co-occurrence analysis on top articles, authors, countries, institutions, and journals, using the VOSviewer software. The results of our analyses are presented as comprehensive network maps, in which we can identify the previous and current publication trends as well as forecast future publishing trends, in the context of inverse optimization.
This paper introduces the application of the variants of the Grey Wolf Optimisation algorithm for the sake of assessing unknown parameters of Proton Exchange Membrane Fuel Cells models. Three ...versions of Grey Wolf Optimisation algorithm are applied: Conventional Grey Wolf Optimisation, Improved Grey Wolf Optimisation based on dimension learning‐based hunting, and Selective Opposition‐based Grey Wolf Optimisation. Moreover, Optimisation algorithms of Ant Lion Optimiser, Atom search optimisation, Dragonfly algorithm, and Multi‐Verse Optimiser have been applied to estimate the parameters of Proton Exchange Membrane Fuel Cells models for the validation purpose. These algorithms are applied to three commercial Proton Exchange Membrane Fuel Cells stacks: BCS 500W‐PEM, 500W‐SR‐12PEM and 250W‐stack. The analyses are executed considering several operational circumstances. Sum of square errors value of the results based on parameters estimation and those experimentally tested are calculated. The objective function is chosen as sum of square errors value. The results are compared with those obtained using well‐known methods in the literature to validate the effectiveness of the proposed methods. It is noticeable that the simulated I‐V curves momentously match the datasheet curves for all the studied cases. In addition, considering the accuracy of the solution and the convergence speed, the Proton Exchange Membrane Fuel Cells model based on the Improved Grey Wolf Optimisation algorithm excels all other algorithms. Based on the simulation results, the Improved Grey Wolf Optimisation algorithm can improve the optimisation efficiency to 99.97 for the 250 W stack while the efficiency with Grey Wolf Optimisation and Selective Opposition‐based Grey Wolf Optimisation are 98.83 and 98.84, respectively, for the 250 W stack case study.
Higher demands of food led to higher nitrogen application to promote cropping intensification and produce more which may have negative effects on the environment and lead to pollution. While ...sustainable wheat production is under threat due to low soil fertility and organic matter due to nutrient degradation at high temperatures in the region. The current research explores the effects of different types of coated urea fertilizers and their rates on wheat crop under arid climatic conditions of Pakistan. Enhancing nitrogen use efficiency by using eco-friendly coated urea products could benefit growers and reduce environmental negative effects. A trial treatment included N rates (130, 117, 104, and 94 kg ha
-1
) and coated urea sources (neem coated, sulfur coated, bioactive sulfur coated) applied with equal quantity following split application method at sowing, 20 and 60 days after sowing (DAS). The research was arranged in a split-plot design with randomized complete block design had three replicates. Data revealed that bioactive sulfur coated urea with the application of 130 kg N ha
-1
increased chlorophyll contents 55.0 (unit value), net leaf photosynthetic rate (12.51 μmol CO
2
m
-2
s
-1
), and leaf area index (5.67) significantly. Furthermore, research elucidates that bioactive sulfur urea with the same N increased partial factor productivity (43.85 Kg grain Kg
-1
N supplied), nitrogen harvest index (NHI) 64.70%, and partial nutrient balance (1.41 Kg grain N content Kg
-1
N supplied). The neem-coated and sulfur-coated fertilizers also showed better results than monotypic urea. The wheat growth and phenology significantly improved by using coated fertilizers. The crop reached maturity earlier with the application of bioactive sulfur-coated urea than others. Maximum total dry matter 14402 (kg ha
-1
) recorded with 130 kg N ha
-1
application. Higher 1000-grain weight (33.66 g), more number of grains per spike (53.67), grain yield (4457 kg ha
-1
), and harvest index (34.29%) were obtained with optimum N application 130 kg ha
-1
(recommended). There is a significant correlation observed for growth, yield, and physiological parameters with N in the soil while nitrogen-related indices are also positively correlated. The major problem of groundwater contamination with nitrate leaching is also reduced by using coated fertilizers. Minimum nitrate concentration (7.37 and 8.77 kg ha
-1
) was observed with the application of bioactive sulfur-coated and sulfur-coated urea with lower N (94 kg ha
-1
), respectively. The bioactive sulfur-coated urea with the application of 130 kg N ha
-1
showed maximum phosphorus 5.45 mg kg
-1
and potassium 100.67 mg kg
-1
in the soil. Maximum nitrogen uptake (88.20 kg ha
-1
) is showed by bioactive sulfur coated urea with 130 kg N ha
-1
application. The total available NPK concentrations in soil showed a significant correlation with physiological attributes; grain yield; harvest index; and nitrogen use efficiency components, i.e., partial factor productivity, partial nutrient balance, and nitrogen harvest index. This research reveals that coating urea with secondary nutrients, neem oil, and microbes are highly effective techniques for enhancing fertilizer use efficiency and wheat production in calcareous soils and reduced N losses under arid environments.
Fifth generation (5G) of the cellular network is envisioned to provide diverse services to the users including high data rates, energy efficiency, and low latency. The number of Internet of ...Things-connected devices, multimedia applications, and mobile users are expected to grow in the next few years. The massive growth in data consumption poses new challenges such as availability and scalability in future cellular networks. Software-defined networking (SDN) is a network technology that introduces flexibility and eases the management of network architecture by separating the control plane and data plane. In this paper, we survey the relevant works that propose an SDN-based mobile core architecture in order to move toward the 5G networks and to handle the complexity of an enormous number of connected devices to the network. We propose a taxonomy in which we categorize these works based on four factors: technology adoption, control plane implementation, evaluation technique, and architecture used in these works. We also provide the shortcomings of these architectures that should be tackled in future research works.
The workforce around the globe is facing multiple challenges due to ever-increasing greying (ageing)
of the world’s population. One of the major challenges is caring for this greying population i.e. ...eldercare. A family
member is usually the one who provides care for an elder and resultantly faces a lot of issues including financial
hardships. A caregiver may face financial challenges and the impact may spill over the workplace. This financial burden
may produce stress that later on results in emotional exhaustion at work. Therefore, the objective of this study
is to investigate the impact of this financial burden on the employee’s emotional exhaustion at the workplace. A
total of 143 respondents from education, banking and health sector were included in this study. The results indicate
that the impact of financial burden spills over the workplace and initially it generates stress at work that eventually
results in emotional exhaustion. Furthermore, the study suggests that employers should also focus on eldercare
demands carried by the employees as the burden of these demands are regarded as a “silent productivity killer”.
Dengue is becoming more common in Pakistan with its alarming spreading rate. A historical review needs to be carried out to find the root causes of dengue dynamics, the factors responsible for its ...spread and lastly to formulate future strategies for its control.
We searched (January, 2015) all the published literature between 1980 and 2014 to determine spread/burden of dengue disease in Pakistan.
A total of 81 reports were identified, showing high numbers of dengue cases in 2010, 2011, and 2013. The tendency of dengue to occur in younger than in older age groups was evident throughout the survey period and all four serotypes were recorded, with DENV1 the least common. Most dengue hemorrhagic fever (DHF) cases fell in the 20-45 years age range. High frequencies tended to be observed first in the Southern coastal region characterized by mild winters and humid warm summers and then the disease progressed towards the lowland areas of the Indus plain with cool winters, hot summers and monsoon rainfall. Based on this survey, new risk maps and infection estimates were identified reflecting public health burden imposed by dengue at the national level.
Our study showed that dengue is common in the three provinces of Pakistan, i.e., Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP), Punjab and Sindh. Based on the literature review as well as on our study analysis the current expansion of dengue seems multifactorial and may include climate change, virus evolution, and societal factors such as rapid urbanization, population growth and development, socioeconomic factors, as well as global travel and trade. Due to inadequate remedial strategies, effective vector control measures are essential to target the dengue vector mosquito where high levels of human-vector contact occur. The known social, economic, and disease burden of dengue is alarming globally and it is evident that the wider impact of this disease is grossly underestimated. An international multi-sectoral response, outlined in the WHO Global Strategy for Dengue Prevention and Control, 2012-2020, is now essential to reduce the significant influence of this disease in Dengue endemic areas. Overall gaps were identified in knowledge around seroprevalence, dengue incidence, vector control, genotype evolution and age-stratified serotype circulation.
Celotno besedilo
Dostopno za:
DOBA, IZUM, KILJ, NUK, PILJ, PNG, SAZU, SIK, UILJ, UKNU, UL, UM, UPUK
This research provides the analysis of an analytical method named Homotopy analysis method which is applied to examine the series solutions/results on the thermal boundary layer flow over an ...extend-ing wedge. The wedge is considered to be absorptive with the existence of Ohmic heating and thermal radiation. The problem is non-dimensionalized by implementing similarity variables. Finally and more generally some figures are sketched to demonstrate the accuracy of the applied method and pertinent parameters such as MHD, Prandtl number, suction/injection
C
parameter, mixed convective parameter, Eckert
E
c
number and radiation parameter are presented. An attractive chance is attained when our achieved calculations are compared with already existing results in a limiting case; hence, dependable outcomes are being reflected.
The importance of milk and its products accelerated their adulteration as well as their characterization in term of techniques used, composition determination and adulteration quantification. Fourier ...Transform Infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) is one of the most widely used and increasingly developed methods to identify chemical contaminations and determine their concentrations. This study employs FTIR and two dimensional correlation (2D-COS) spectroscopies to detect milk powder adulteration with sucrose, lactose and starch in the concentrations range from 0.0 % to 6.0 % w/w. With the help of synchronous 2D-COS-FTIR spectra, the FTIR regions from 830 to 930 and 930–1200 cm−1 were determined as the qualified regions for the detection and carrying out quantitative analysis of milk adultered carbohydrates. Based on the area beneath the corresponding region or the height of a specific band limits of detection were determined as 0.25, 1.2 and 1.5 % for sucrose, starch and lactose respectively. The method was applied on commercial milk powder samples and one sample was assigned to have been adultered with 4 % sucrose. FTIR spectroscopy combined with 2D-COS offers an advanced tool for rapid screening and quantification of milk adulteration.
•2D-COS-FTIR is utilized to detect sucrose, lactose and starch in milk powder.•Synchronous 2D-COS-FTIR used to determine the quantitative bands of each carbohydrate•LODs were determined as 0.25, 1.2 and 1.5 % for sucrose, starch and lactose.•4 % sucrose adulteration was detected in a commercial milk powder sample.•2D-COS-FTIR offers a rapid screening and quantification tool of milk adulteration.
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