In vivo toxicological evaluation of 3-benzylideneindolin-2-one: antifungal activity against clinical isolates of dermatophytes.

Background: Dermatophytes, the primary causative agents of superficial cutaneous fungal infections in humans, present a significant therapeutic challenge owing to the increasing prevalence of recurrent infections and the emergence of antifungal resistance. To address this critical gap, this study was designed to investigate the antifungal potential of 3-benzylideneindolin-2-one against dermatophytes and assess its in vivo toxicological profile using brine shrimp and zebrafish embryo models.

Methods: The antifungal activity of 3-benzylideneindolin-2-one was evaluated against 30 clinical isolates of dermatophyte species, including Trichophyton mentagrophytes, Trichophyton rubrum, Microsporum gypseum, Microsporum canis, and Epidermophyton floccosum, by determining the minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) and minimum fungicidal concentration (MFC) using the broth microdilution method.

Impact of compact TiO interface modification on the crystallinity of perovskite solar cells.

The effect of TiO interfacial morphology on perovskite crystallinity was investigated by modifying the micro and nanoscale surface roughness of compact TiO. While surface treatments of the compact TiO layer are recognized as effective strategies to enhance the photovoltaic performance of perovskite solar cells, the discussion regarding the crystallinity of perovskite atop TiO has been limited. In this study, we explored the impact of micro and nano scale interface morphology on perovskite crystal formation and its subsequent effects on device performance.

Catalytic reduction of 4-nitrophenol using CuO@NaTi(PO)⋅HO.

This article presents the synthesis, property characterization and catalytic application of CuO-supported disodium titanium phosphate, (CuO@NaTi(PO)⋅HO) for the reduction of industrial pollutant 4-nitrophenol (4-NP). A simple hydrothermal route was developed to synthesize CuO@NaTi(PO)⋅HO catalyst (CuO@NaTiP) from beach sand ilmenite. The prepared CuO@NaTiP was characterized using X-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy, energy dispersive X-ray analysis, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, and nitrogen adsorption-desorption isotherms.

Evaluation of learning environment among Nursing undergraduates in state universities, Sri Lanka.

Background: The learning environment is a vital part of the undergraduate curriculum which enable to delivery of quality education in the stipulated time. Therefore, this study aimed to evaluate the learning environment among BSc. Nursing undergraduates in Sri Lankan state universities.

Flue Gas Desulfurization (FGD) Wastewater Treatment Using Polybenzimidazole (PBI) Hollow Fiber (HF) Membranes.

Polybenzimidazole (PBI) hollow fiber membranes were used to treat flue gas desulfurization (FGD) wastewater (WW) from a coal fired power plant. Membranes were tested using both single salt solutions and real FGD WW. The PBI membranes showed >99% rejection for single salt solutions of NaCl, MgCl, CaSO, and CaCl at approximately 2000 PPM (parts per million).

One-Pot Reducing Agent-Free Synthesis of Silver Nanoparticles/Nitrocellulose Composite Surface Coating with Antimicrobial and Antibiofilm Activities.

Nitrocellulose with silver nanoparticle (AgNP/NC) composite was prepared using Ag(CHCO) and nitrocellulose without any reducing agent. The composite materials synthesized were spray coated onto glass substrates to obtain thin films. The AgNPs/NC composites were characterized by ultraviolet-visible, Fourier transform infrared, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, scanning electron microscopy, and transmission electron microscopy.

Recent Progress on Extended Wavelength and Split-Off Band Heterostructure Infrared Detectors.

The use of multilayer semiconductor heterojunction structures has shown promise in infrared detector applications. Several heterostructures with innovative compositional and architectural designs have been displayed on emerging infrared technologies. In this review, we aim to illustrate the principles of heterostructure detectors for infrared detection and explore the recent progress on the development of detectors with the split-off band and threshold wavelength extension mechanism.

What makes a long tail short? Testing Allen's rule in the toque macaques of Sri Lanka.

Allen's rule (1877) predicts ecogeographical anatomical variation in appendage proportions as a function of body temperature regulation. This phenomenon has been tested in a variety of animal species. In macaques, relative tail length (RTL) is one of the most frequently measured appendages to test Allen's rule.

Facile Synthesis of Titanium Phosphates from Ilmenite Mineral Sand: Potential White Pigments for Cosmetic Applications.

Ilmenite mineral sand was used to synthesize titanium bismonohydrogen orthophosphate monohydrate, Ti(HPO)·HO, and titanium phosphate, TiPO, two white pigments suitable in cosmetic applications. Ti(HPO)·HO was obtained after digesting ilmenite in 85% phosphoric acid at 150 °C for 5 hours. On standing, unreacted ilmenite and white Ti(HPO)·HO solid separated into two layers and Ti(HPO)·HO was calcined at 900 °C to obtain the crystalline TiPO.

Synthesis, Characterization and Antimicrobial Activity of Garcinol Capped Silver Nanoparticles.

Garcinol, a well-known medicinal phytochemical, was extracted and isolated from the dried fruit rinds of . In this study, garcinol has successfully used to reduce silver ions to silver in order to synthesize garcinol-capped silver nanoparticles (G-AgNPs). The formation and the structure of G-AgNPs were confirmed by UV-visible spectroscopy, transmission electron microscopy and Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy.

Preparation of Polybenzimidazole Hollow-Fiber Membranes for Reverse Osmosis and Nanofiltration by Changing the Spinning Air Gap.

High-performance polybenzimidazole (PBI) hollow-fiber membranes (HFMs) were fabricated through a continuous dry-jet wet spinning process at SRI International. By adjusting the spinning air gap from 4″ (10.2 cm) to 0.

TiO₂ Nanoparticles from Baker's Yeast: A Potent Antimicrobial.

Titanium dioxide (TiO) has wide applications in food, cosmetics, pharmaceuticals and manufacturing due to its many properties such as photocatalytic activity and stability. In this study, the biosynthesis of TiO nanoparticles (NPs) was achieved by using Baker's yeast. TiO NPs were characterized by X-ray Diffraction (XRD), UV-Visible spectroscopy, Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM), Transmission Electron Microscopy (TEM) and Energy Dispersive X-ray analysis (EDX) studies.

Comparison of Antimicrobial Properties of Silver Nanoparticles Synthesized from Selected Bacteria.

Green silver nanoparticle (AgNP) biosynthesis is facilitated by the enzyme mediated reduction of Ag ions by plants, fungi and bacteria. The antimicrobial activity of green AgNPs is useful to overcome the challenge of antimicrobial resistance. Antimicrobial properties of biosynthesized AgNPs depend on multiple factors including culture conditions and the microbial source.

Determination of unique power conversion efficiency of solar cell showing hysteresis in the I-V curve under various light intensities.

Energy harvesting at low light intensities has recently attracted a great deal of attention of perovskite solar cells (PSCs) which are regarded as promising candidate for indoor application. Anomalous hysteresis of the PSCs a complex issue for reliable evaluation of the cell performance. In order to address these challenges, we constructed two new evaluation methods to determinate the power conversion efficiencies (PCEs) of PSCs.

Biosynthesized silver nanoparticles: are they effective antimicrobials?

Background: Silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) are increasingly being used in medical applications. Therefore, cost effective and green methods for generating AgNPs are required.

Objectives: This study aimed towards the biosynthesis, characterisation, and determination of antimicrobial activity of AgNPs produced using Pseudomonas aeruginosa ATCC 27853.

Enhanced antibacterial activity of TiO nanoparticle surface modified with extract.

Background: The antibacterial activity of 21 nm TiO nanoparticles (NPs) and particles modified with () against Methicillin resistant was investigated in the presence and absence of light.

Results: Surface modification of TiO NPs with the adsorption of extract, causes to shift the absorption edge of TiO NPs to higher wavelength. TiO NPs, pericarp extract showed significant bactericidal activity which was further enhanced in contact with the TiO modified extract.

Surface photochemistry of adsorbed nitrate: the role of adsorbed water in the formation of reduced nitrogen species on α-Fe2O3 particle surfaces.

The surface photochemistry of nitrate, formed from nitric acid adsorption, on hematite (α-Fe2O3) particle surfaces under different environmental conditions is investigated using X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS). Following exposure of α-Fe2O3 particle surfaces to gas-phase nitric acid, a peak in the N1s region is seen at 407.4 eV; this binding energy is indicative of adsorbed nitrate.

Inadequacy of the risk factor based approach to detect gestational diabetes mellitus.

Objective: To evaluate the present risk factor based approach in diagnosis of gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) in Sri Lanka in comparison with new guidelines proposed by the International Association of Diabetes and Pregnancy Study Groups (IADPSG).

Methods: A community based cross sectional descriptive study was conducted among pregnant women with gestational age of 24-28 weeks and residing in Anuradhapura district. All eligible pregnant women from selected Medical Officers of Health areas were invited to participate.

XPS study of nitrogen dioxide adsorption on metal oxide particle surfaces under different environmental conditions.

The adsorption of nitrogen dioxide on gamma aluminium oxide (gamma-Al(2)O(3)) and alpha iron oxide (alpha-Fe(2)O(3)) particle surfaces under various conditions of relative humidity, presence of molecular oxygen and UV light has been investigated. X-Ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) is used to monitor the different surface species that form under these environmental conditions. Adsorption of NO(2) on aluminum oxide particle surfaces results primarily in the formation of surface nitrate, NO(3)(-) with an oxidation state of +5, as indicated by a peak with binding energy of 407.

Normal incidence detection of ultraviolet, visible, and mid-infrared radiation in a single GaAs/AlGaAs device.

A GaAs/AlGaAs detector is demonstrated showing multiple detection capabilities. This detector exhibits a broad spectral response in the 200-870 nm (ultraviolet-visible) range for forward bias and in the 590-870 nm (visible) range for reverse bias. In the mid-IR region, two peaks at 5 and 8.

Electronic and photophysical properties of a novel phenol bound dinuclear ruthenium complex: evidence for a luminescent mixed valence state.

A novel dinuclear ruthenium(II) complex bridged by dianionic bridge 3-(2-phenol)-5-(pyridin-2-yl)-1,2,4-triazole in which the ruthenium metal atoms are bound through N,N coordination to the pyridine and triazole and O,N coordination to the triazole and phenolate is described. The electrochemical, spectroscopic and photophysical behaviour of the dimer is compared with its associated N,N- and O,N-coordinated mononuclear complexes. The mixed valence complex was prepared electrochemically and a weak inter-valence charge transfer transition is observed which from Hush theory provides an electronic coupling matrix element of 666 cm(-1), suggesting the complex is weakly coupled and valence trapped.

An investigation of the biological activity of parathyroid hormone in pseudohypoparathyroidism: comparison with vitamin D deficiency.

Circulating parathyroid hormone was studied in patients with pseudohypoparathyroidism and compared with that in normal subjects and patients with hypocalcaemia due to postsurgical or idiopathic hypoparathyroidism or vitamin D deficiency. The cytochemical bioassay was used to measure bioactivity and an amino-terminal specific immunoradiometric assay was used to measure immunoreactivity. In normal subjects (n = 12) the concentration of bioactive parathyroid hormone was 1.