Substitutionally Doped MoSe for High-Performance Electronics and Optoelectronics.

2D materials, of which the carrier type and concentration are easily tuned, show tremendous superiority in electronic and optoelectronic applications. However, the achievements are still quite far away from practical applications. Much more effort should be made to further improve their performance.

Exploiting zirconium nitride for an efficient heat-resistant absorber and emitter pair for solar thermophotovoltaic systems.

A perfect absorber in the visible-infrared regime maintaining its performance at elevated temperatures and under a harsh environment is needed for energy harvesting using solar-thermophotovoltaic (STPV) systems. A near-perfect metasurface absorber based on lossy refractory metal nitride, zirconium-nitride (ZrN), having a melting-point of 2,980°C, is presented. The numerically proposed design with metal-insulator-metal configuration exhibits an average of > 95% for 400-800 nm and 86% for 280-2200 nm.

Metagenomic analysis of community, enzymes and metabolic pathways during corn straw fermentation with rumen microorganisms for volatile fatty acid production.

Anaerobic fermentation of corn straw with rumen microorganisms as inoculum to produce volatile fatty acids (VFAs) is important for biomass valorization. In this study, dynamic variation in bacterial and fungal community composition, carbohydrate-active enzymes (CAZymes) and key functional genes related with VFA production was explored via metagenomic sequencing. Rumen microorganisms efficiently hydrolyzed and acidified corn straw, and VFA concentration reached 8.

Approaches of estrous synchronization in sheep: developments during the last two decades: a review.

The objective of the current review was to summarize the protocols used for estrous synchronization in ewes during the last two decades. Progesterone (P4) is a major hormone used in most protocols. P4 in the form of a controlled internal drug releasing (CIDR) device, medroxyprogesterone acetate (MAP), and fluorogestone acetates (FGA) has been used for estrous synchronization.

Is laparoscopic experience helpful in simulator based robotic training in general surgery?

Objective: To evaluate whether or not prior laparoscopic training improves performance during robotic surgery utilising DaVinci robotic skills simulator.

Methods: The cross-sectional study was conducted at the Civil Hospital, Karachi, from May 4 to November 11, 2018, and comprised first year residents in Group A with no laparoscopic skills and fourth year residents doing laparoscopic cholecystectomy independently and surgical faculty members in Group B who had laparoscopic skills. Both the groups had no previous exposure to robotic surgery and skills simulator.

Orexin-A Regulates Follicular Growth, Proliferation, Cell Cycle and Apoptosis in Mouse Primary Granulosa Cells via the AKT/ERK Signaling Pathway.

Granulosa cells (GCs) are essential for follicular growth, development, and atresia. The orexin-A (OXA) neuropeptide is widely involved in the regulation of various biological functions. OXA selectively binds to orexin receptor type 1 (OX1R) and mediates all its biological actions via OX1R.

Palladium(0) Catalyzed Synthesis of ()-4-Bromo--((3-bromothiophen-2-yl)methylene)-2-methylaniline Derivatives via Suzuki Cross-Coupling Reaction: An Exploration of Their Non-Linear Optical Properties, Reactivity and Structural Features.

A series of ()-4-bromo--((3-bromothiophen-2-yl)methylene)-2-methylaniline analogs synthesized in considerable yields through Suzuki cross-coupling reactions. Various electron donating and withdrawing functional moieties were successfully incorporated under the employed reaction conditions. Reaction of 4-bromo-2-methylaniline () with 3-bromothiophene-2-carbaldehyde () in the existence of glacial acetic acid, provided ()-4-bromo--((3-bromothiophen-2-yl)methylene)-2-methylaniline () in excellent yield (94%).

GC-MS, LC-MS/MS, Docking and Molecular Dynamics Approaches to Identify Potential SARS-CoV-2 3-Chymotrypsin-Like Protease Inhibitors from Roscoe.

This study aims to identify and isolate the secondary metabolites of using GC-MS, preparative TLC, and LC-MS/MS methods, to evaluate the inhibitory potency on SARS-CoV-2 3 chymotrypsin-like protease enzyme, as well as to study the molecular interaction and stability by using docking and molecular dynamics simulations. GC-MS analysis suggested for the isolation of terpenoids compounds as major compounds on methanol extract of pseudostems and rhizomes. Isolation and LC-MS/MS analysis identified 5-hydro-7, 8, 2'-trimethoxyflavanone (), ()-hexadecyl-ferulate (), isocyperol (), isobutyl-(2,4)-octadecadienamide (), and nootkatone () from the rhizome extract, as well as from the leaves extract with the absence of .

A novel stop-gain mutation in ARMC2 is associated with multiple morphological abnormalities of the sperm flagella.

Research Question: Male infertility is a global issue worldwide and multiple morphological abnormalities of the sperm flagella (MMAF) is one of the most severe forms of the qualitative sperm defects with a heterogeneous genetic cause that has not been completely understood. Can whole-exome sequencing (WES) reveal novel genetic causes contributing to MMAF in a consanguineous Pakistani family, comprising three infertile brothers?

Design: WES and bioinformatic analysis were conducted to screen potential pathogenic variants. The identified variant was validated by Sanger sequencing in all available family members Transmission electron microscopy analyses was carried out to examine the flagella ultrastructure of spermatozoa from patient.

Homozygosity mapping coupled with whole-exome sequencing and protein modelling identified a novel missense mutation in in a consanguineous Pakistani family with Leber congenital amaurosis.

Leber congenital amaurosis (LCA) is a rare form of early onset vision loss or blindness due to retinal dystrophy. This condition is characterized by early vision loss, nystagmus and severe retinal dysfunction. To date, genetic studies have reported 19 genes to be associated with autosomal recessive LCA, most of which are involved in the retinal morphology and the physiology of the phototransduction pathway.

Slowing Hot-Electron Relaxation in Mix-Phase Nanowires for Hot-Carrier Photovoltaics.

Hot carrier harvest could save 30% energy loss in solar cells. So far, however, it is still unreachable as the photoexcited hot carriers are short-lived, ∼1 ps, determined by a rapid relaxation process, thus invalidating any reprocessing efforts. Here, we propose and demonstrate a feasible route to reserve hot electrons for efficient collection.

Organotin (IV) complexes with sulphonyl hydrazide moiety. Design, synthesis, characterization, docking studies, cytotoxic and anti-leishmanial activity.

Due to a lack of therapeutic options for the pathological condition of leishmaniasis, which is characterized by polymorphic lesions and skin surface infections, Leishmania genus parasites damaged dermis and mucosa. There was a need to synthesize and characterize some new complexes. This study evaluated the biological activities preferably anti-Leishmanial activity of organotin (IV) containing sulphonyl hydrazide derivatives.

Toxic and heavy metals contamination assessment in soil and water to evaluate human health risk.

Due to urbanization and industrialization, there has been an increase in solid waste generation and has become a global concern and leakage of leachate from landfills contaminate the soil and groundwater and hence can have a severe impact on human health. The present study aimed to determine the composition of toxic metals (Cr, Mn, Cu, As) and heavy metals (Cd, Ba, Hg, Pb) in soil and water by an inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectrometer (ICP-OES). To ensure accuracy during the analysis of Cr, Mn, Cu, As, Cd, Ba, Hg, and Pb in real samples, certified reference material (CRM, SRM 2709a) of San Joaquin soil and water (SRM 1640a) were analyzed and results were presented in terms of % recovery studies.

Isolation and identification of low-density polyethylene degrading novel bacterial strains.

Plastics are usually made up of low-density polyethylene (LDPE) that serve as the environmental nuisance. The recalcitrant nature of plastics is a huge concern, whereas the increasing demand has made it difficult to handle the plastic waste that eventually leads to plastic pollution. In recent years, due to increasing demand and high pressure for its safe disposal, plastic biodegradation has gained a lot of attention.

Deployable ultrasound applicators for endoluminal delivery of volumetric hyperthermia.

Purpose: To investigate the design of an endoluminal deployable ultrasound applicator for delivering volumetric hyperthermia to deep tissue sites as a possible adjunct to radiation and chemotherapy.

Method: This study considers an ultrasound applicator consisting of two tubular transducers situated at the end of a catheter assembly, encased within a distensible conical shaped balloon-based reflector that redirects acoustic energy distally into the tissue. The applicator assembly can be inserted endoluminally or laparoscopically in a compact form and expanded after delivery to the target site.

Biological synthesis, characterization of three metal-based nanoparticles and their anticancer activities against hepatocellular carcinoma HepG2 cells.

Treatment of liver cancer has always been a challenge for clinicians and development of appropriate drug against hepatocellular carcinoma is the major focus for researchers working in the field. The synthesis of metal-based nanoparticles (NPs) by green method for pharmacological uses has attained considerable attention recently. In current study three different NPs (AgO, CeO, CuO) were synthesized by using Trianthima portulacastrum and Chinopodium quinoa leaf extracts.

Targeted Next-generation Sequencing for Reliable Detection of Genetic Status in Breast Cancer.

Objective: To test the germline oncogenic mutations in BRCA1 and BRCA2 genes, associated with triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) patients under study, by targeted sequencing of their DNA with next-generation sequencing (NGS) platform.

Study Design: Cross-sectional observational study.

Place And Duration Of Study: Histopathology Department, Armed Forces Institute of Pathology (AFIP) Rawalpindi, Pakistan from May to June 2020.

Comparative Secretome Analyses of Virulent and Attenuated Strains Revealed MbovP0145 as a Promising Diagnostic Biomarker.

Mycoplasmas are successful pathogens both in humans as well as in animals. In cattle, () is known to be responsible for serious health complications, including pneumonia, mastitis, and arthritis. However, pathogenesis remains unclear.

Antioxidant and antiviral potency of fractions.

Objectives: This study aims to evaluate the antioxidant and antiviral potency of -hexane, ethyl acetate and, water fractions of Ardi & D.C.Thomas as well as to identify the chemical constituents.

Chiroptical Metasurfaces: Principles, Classification, and Applications.

Chiral materials, which show different optical behaviors when illuminated by left or right circularly polarized light due to broken mirror symmetry, have greatly impacted the field of optical sensing over the past decade. To improve the sensitivity of chiral sensing platforms, enhancing the chiroptical response is necessary. Metasurfaces, which are two-dimensional metamaterials consisting of periodic subwavelength artificial structures, have recently attracted significant attention because of their ability to enhance the chiroptical response by manipulating amplitude, phase, and polarization of electromagnetic fields.

Bioconvection Due to Gyrotactic Microorganisms in Couple Stress Hybrid Nanofluid Laminar Mixed Convection Incompressible Flow with Magnetic Nanoparticles and Chemical Reaction as Carrier for Targeted Drug Delivery through Porous Stretching Sheet.

In this paper, the steady electrically conducting hybrid nanofluid (CuO-Cu/blood) laminar-mixed convection incompressible flow at the stagnation-point with viscous and gyrotactic microorganisms is considered. Additionally, hybrid nanofluid flow over a horizontal porous stretching sheet along with an induced magnetic field and external magnetic field effectsthat can be used in biomedical fields, such as in drug delivery and the flow dynamics of the microcirculatory system. This investigation can also deliver a perfect view about the mass and heat transfer behavior of blood flow in a circulatory system and various hyperthermia treatments such as the treatment of cancer.

Prospective Application of Two New Pyridine-Based Zinc (II) Amide Carboxylate in Management of Alzheimer's Disease: Synthesis, Characterization, Computational and in vitro Approaches.

Background: Alzheimer's disease (AD) is a neurodegenerative illness described predominantly by dementia. Even though Alzheimer's disease has been known for over a century, its origin remains a mystery, and researchers are exploring many therapy options, including the cholinesterase technique. A decreased acetylcholine ACh neurotransmitter level is believed to be among the important factors in the progression of Alzheimer's disease.

Academic use of social networking sites in learners' engagement in underdeveloped countries' schools.

Students' engagement has been a hot topic since the origin of teaching and learning; and is developing rapidly with time and technology. With the recent advances in Information and Communication Technology (e.g, Internet of Things, Artificial Intelligence and 5G), it is a need of the hour to revive its smart use in academia.

Efficacy of Lemna minor and Typha latifolia for the treatment of textile industry wastewater in a constructed wetland under citric acid amendment: A lab scale study.

Lead (Pb), copper (Cu) and chromium (Cr) are one of the most harmful heavy metals (HMs), entering into the food chain through the irrigation of crops with an industrial effluent. The present study was performed to evaluate the toxic effects of textile effluents and performance of citric acid (CA) on phytoextraction potential of Lemna minor L. and Typha latifolia L.