Priority-based joint EDF–RM scheduling algorithm for individual real-time task on distributed systems

The Journal of Supercomputing - Multiple tasks arrive in the distributed systems that can be executed in either parallel or sequential manner. Before the execution, tasks are scheduled prioritywise...     

Consensus-based data replication protocol for distributed cloud

The Journal of Supercomputing - Data availability ensures efficient data accessibility by the readers anytime and from anywhere. It can be addressed by creating multiple copies of each data file...     

Iodine-loaded poly(silicic acid) gellan nanocomposite mucoadhesive film for antibacterial application

Iodine-loaded poly(silicic acid) gellan nanocomposite film was fabricated and evaluated for antibacterial properties. Poly(silicic acid) nanoparticles were synthesized by condensation of silicic acid under alkaline conditions in the presence of polyvinyl pyrrolidone, phosphate ions, and molecular iodine. The nanoparticles were incorporated into gellan dispersion to prepare gellan nanocomposite film using the solvent casting method. The nanocomposite films were characterized by Fourier transformed infrared spectroscopy, thermogravimetric analysis, and X-ray diffraction studies. The results of characterization studies indicated improved thermal stability and an increase in the degree of crystallinity. The scanning electron micrographs and energy dispersive X-ray spectrum confirmed the uniform dispersion of silica and iodine in the nanocomposite films. The analysis of physical and mechanical properties revealed the enhanced tensile strength, moisture resistance, and higher folding endurance of poly(silicic acid) gellan nanocomposite films as compared to gellan film. Further, the iodine-loaded poly(silicic acid) gellan nanocomposite films showed good antibacterial activity against Staphylococcus aureus and Escherichia coli and effective mucoadhesive strength. The results indicate that iodine-loaded poly(silicic acid) gellan nanocomposite mucoadhesive film can be used for potential antibacterial applications in pharmaceuticals.     

THz antennas design,developments, challenges,and applications: A review

Terahertz (0.1–10 THz) wireless communication will be the future technology to reach a top-notch data rate. THz is one of the most promising candidates for 6G systems because it provides enormous bandwidth, up to 100 GHz, and a massive data rate of up to 1 Tbps. THz antennas, antenna arrays, and MIMO antenna arrays in 6G are hot research topics for implementing 6G wireless communication systems. The 6G aims to continue to enhance the features of the 5G as it is capable of achieving the maximum high-speed data rate, excellent reliable communication, massive connectivity, and very low latency connectivity. The 6G requirements need high-gain antenna arrays and MIMO antenna arrays to combat the effect of atmospheric losses in high frequencies. An in-depth discussion of the planar THz antennas that have been extensively used in THz applications like imaging, sensing, and Internet-of-Things (IoT) has been conducted. The study of the THz antennas, antenna arrays, and MIMO antennas on different conducting materials such as copper and graphene, which are designed on different dielectric substrates such as polyimide, quartz, liquid crystalline polymer, and polytetrafluoroethylene, has been carried out in detail. Metamaterial, photoconductive, plasmonic antennas, and THz beamforming are significant parts of THz communications. This paper also provides antennas and antenna arrays based on them.     

The synthesis of pixelated metamaterial cross polarizer using binary wind driven optimization algorithm

Microsystem Technologies - In this paper synthesis of two wideband Metamaterial Cross Polarizer (MCPs) is proposed. The synthesis of proposed MCPs is done by using Binary Wind Driven Optimization...     

Effect of the polyelectrolyte coating on the photothermal efficiency of gold nanorods and the photothermal induced cancer cell damage

Coating gold nanorods (GNRs) with polyelectrolytes is an effective approach to make them biocompatible for potential use in photothermal treatment (PTT) of cancer. The authors report the effect of coating of the GNRs with polystyrene sulphonate (PSS‐GNRs) and PSS plus poly di‐allyl di‐methyl ammonium chloride (PDDAC‐GNRs) on its photothermal conversion efficiency (PTE), cellular uptake and subsequently the photothermal induced cytotoxicity in human oral cancer cells (NT8e). Coating of GNRs with PSS led to decrease in PTE by ∼30% and further coating it with PDDAC led to its increase to similar level, with respect to as‐ prepared GNRs. The cellular uptake of PDDAC‐GNRs in cancer cells was double than that for PSS‐GNRs. PTT of cancer cells after treatment with 60 pM of either PDDAC‐GNRs or PSS‐GNRs resulted in cytotoxicty of ∼90%. At higher concentration of 120 pM, while PSS‐GNRs showed no further change, for PDDAC‐GNR the photothermal induced cytotoxicity decreased to ∼50%. The broadening of longitudinal surface plasmon peak of PDDAC‐GNRs and appearance of dark clusters in cells under bright‐field microscope suggested intracellular clustering of PDDAC‐GNRs. In conclusion, despite high PTE and cellular uptake of PDDAC‐GNRs, its intracellular clustering (due to acidic pH) adversely affect the PTT of cancer cells.Inspec keywords: polymer electrolytes, gold, nanorods, cancer, nanomedicine, cellular biophysics, toxicology, radiation therapy, polymer filmsOther keywords: polyelectrolyte coating, photothermal efficiency, gold nanorods, photothermal induced cancer cell damage, cancer photothermal treatment, polystyrene sulphonate, poly di‐allyl di‐methyl ammonium chloride, photothermal conversion efficiency, cellular uptake, photothermal‐induced cytotoxicity, human oral cancer cells, dark clusters, bright‐field microscope, PDDAC‐GNR intracellular clustering, acidic pH, intracellular compartment, Au     

Green synthesis of highly stable carbon nanodots and their photocatalytic performance

The present study reports a novel, facile, biosynthesis route for the synthesis of carbon nanodots (CDs) with an approximate quantum yield of 38.5%, using Musk melon extract as a naturally derived‐precursor material. The synthesis of CDs was established by using ultraviolet–visible (UV–vis) spectroscopy, Dynamic light scattering, photoluminescence spectroscopy, X‐ray diffraction, transmission electron microscopy and Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy. The as‐prepared CDs possess an eminent fluorescence under UV–light (λ _ex  = 365 nm). The size range of CDs was found to be in the range of 5–10 nm. The authors further explored the use of such biosynthesised CDs as a photocatalyst material for removal of industrial dye. Degradation of methylene blue dye was performed in a photocatalytic reactor and monitored using UV–vis spectroscopy. The CDs show excellent dye degradation capability of 37.08% in 60 min and reaction rate of 0.0032 min⁻¹. This study shows that synthesised CDs are highly stable in nature, and possess potential application in wastewater treatment.Inspec keywords: carbon, nanostructured materials, nanofabrication, catalysis, photochemistry, ultraviolet spectra, visible spectra, photoluminescence, X‐ray diffraction, transmission electron microscopy, Fourier transform infrared spectra, fluorescence, dyesOther keywords: green synthesis, highly stable CD, photocatalytic performance, biosynthesis route, carbon nanodots, quantum yield, Musk melon extract, naturally derived‐precursor material, ultraviolet‐visible spectroscopy, dynamic light scattering, photoluminescence spectroscopy, X‐ray diffraction, transmission electron microscopy, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, FTIR spectroscopy, fluorescence, biosynthesised CD, photocatalyst material, industrial dye, methylene blue dye degradation, photocatalytic reactor, UV‐vis spectroscopy, wastewater treatment, size 5 nm to 10 nm, time 60 min     

Green synthesis,characterisation and bioactivity of plant‐mediated silver nanoparticles using Decalepis hamiltonii root extract

Consistent search of plants for green synthesis of silver nanoparticles (SNPs) is an important arena in Nanomedicine. This study focuses on synthesis of SNPs using bioreduction of silver nitrate (AgNO₃) by aqueous root extract of Decalepis hamiltonii. The biosynthesis of SNPs was monitored by UV–vis analysis at absorbance maxima 432 nm. The fluorescence emission spectra of SNPs illustrated the broad emission peak 450–483 nm at different excitation wavelengths. The surface characteristics were studied by scanning electron microscope and atomic force microscopy, showed spherical shape of SNPs and dynamic light scattering analysis confirmed the average particle size 32.5 nm and the presence of metallic silver was confirmed by energy dispersive X‐ray. Face centred cubic structure with crystal size 33.3 nm was revealed by powder X‐ray diffraction. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy indicated the biomolecules involved in the reduction mainly polyols and phenols present in root extracts were found to be responsible for the synthesis of SNPs. The stability and charge on SNPs were revealed by zeta potential analysis. In addition, on therapeutic forum, the synthesised SNPs elicit antioxidant and antimicrobial activity against Bacillus cereus, Bacillus licheniformis, Escherichia coli, Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Staphylococcus aureus.Inspec keywords: silver, nanoparticles, nanomedicine, antibacterial activity, biomedical materials, nanofabrication, particle size, microorganisms, ultraviolet spectra, visible spectra, fluorescence, scanning electron microscopy, atomic force microscopy, light scattering, X‐ray diffraction, X‐ray chemical analysis, Fourier transform infrared spectra, molecular biophysics, electrokinetic effectsOther keywords: phenols, zeta potential analysis, therapeutic forum, antioxidant activity, antimicrobial activity, Bacillus cereus, Bacillus licheniformis, Escherichia coli, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Staphylococcus aureus, Ag, polyols, biomolecules, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, powder X‐ray diffraction, crystal size, face centred cubic structure, energy dispersive X‐ray analysis, metallic silver, particle size, dynamic light scattering analysis, spherical shape, atomic force microscopy, scanning electron microscopy, surface characteristics, excitation wavelengths, fluorescence emission spectra, UV‐visible analysis, biosynthesis, silver nitrate bioreduction, nanomedicine, Decalepis hamiltonii aqueous root extract, bioactivity, plant‐mediated silver nanoparticles, green synthesis     

Ascorbic acid imprinted polymer-modified graphite electrode: A diagnostic sensor for hypovitaminosis C at ultra trace ascorbic acid level

A new kind of molecularly imprinted polymer-modified graphite electrode was fabricated by “grafting-to” approach, incorporating sol–gel technique, for the detection of acute deficiency in serum ascorbic acid level (SAAL), manifesting hypovitaminosis C. The modified electrode exhibited ascorbic acid (AA) oxidation at less positive potential (0.0 V) than the earlier reported methods, resulting in a limit of detection as low as 6.13 ng mL⁻¹ (RSD = 1.2%, S/N = 3). The diffusion coefficient (1.096 × 10⁻⁵ cm² s⁻¹), rate constant (7.308 s⁻¹), and Gibb's free energy change (−12.59 kJ mol⁻¹) due to analyte adsorption, were also calculated to explore the kinetics of AA oxidation. The proposed sensor was found to enhance sensitivity substantially so as to detect ultra trace level of AA in the presence of other biologically important compounds (dopamine, uric acid, etc.), without any cross interference and matrix complications from biological fluids and pharmaceutical samples.