Influence of Ag nanoparticles on state of the art MnO2 nanorods performance as an electrocatalyst for lithium air batteries

The need for an alternative and efficient electrocatalyst to replace Pt-based noble materials is a goal of prime importance in Li– air battery technology. In this work, novel silver nanoparticles-incorporated MnO₂ nanorods as an air electrode bifunctional catalyst have been synthesized by a simple polyol method. The physical characteristics of the thus prepared materials are analyzed by X-ray diffraction (XRD), SEM, and Brunauer–Emmett–Teller (BET) techniques. These analyses confirmed the successful synthesis of 20 to 25 nm-sized different weight % Ag nanoparticles incorporated on α-MnO₂ nanorods. Linear sweeping voltammetric results of AgMnO₂ showed improved ORR performance as compared to α- MnO₂ nanorods in terms of the onset potential, half wave potential and limiting current. The addition of catalysts has significantly increased the discharge capacity and overall performance of the cells. The first discharge curve of 5 wt% Ag MnO₂ sample reached a maximum capacity of 3500 mAhg-1 at 2.0 V with a current density of 0.1 mA cm^?2 with a plateau between 2.7 and 2.6 V. Long term stability of increasing weight percentage of Ag nanoparticles on MnO₂ samples is increased.     

Gaseous slip flow affected by inclined low magnetic field using second‐order boundary conditions

In this study, asymptotic solutions of a near continuum gaseous slip flow in two‐dimensional rectangular microchannels under the effect of electromagnetic force are presented. An inclined magnetic field was assumed in this study. Nondimensional equations were obtained that relate the pressure ratio, Mach number, magnetic Reynolds number, magnetic force number, and Reynolds number. The asymptotic solutions for the compressible, laminar, and steady flow were obtained by applying second‐order slip velocity and temperature jump wall boundary conditions. It was found that the electric and magnetic field with inclined angle had significant effects on the flow properties. The solutions obtained here using the second‐order boundary conditions result in tangible improvement over those obtained using first‐order boundary conditions. We compared our solutions against the numerical solutions that were provided in the literature and showed that our solutions were in good agreement with the numerical solution.     

Water allocation rules in Afghanistan for improved food security

In many arid countries, rules for the allocation of irrigation water when shortages occur are poorly defined. These weaknesses present a critical constraint to food security and can be a major cause of poverty and hunger. The search for flexible rules for the allocation of irrigation water is especially important in dry regions of the developing world where drought and climate change compound the challenges faced by farmers, extension advisers, water managers and governments. Afghanistan is one country in which inflexible arrangements for allocating irrigation water when drought occurs continue to undermine its food security. This paper develops and applies an empirical framework to evaluate several arrangements for the allocation of irrigation water when shortages occur. The intent of the analysis is to identify a water allocation system for sharing shortages that minimizes the loss in economic benefits and food security by efficiently sharing water supplies when the inevitable drought occurs. An integrated decision framework for water resources is developed that unifies crop, water, and farm data. Several water allocation rules that could increase the flexibility of irrigated agriculture in dealing with water shortages are analyzed for their impacts on farm profitability and food security. Findings show that a proportional sharing of water shortages, in which each canal bears an equal proportion of overall shortages, is the most flexible rule among those analyzed for limiting threats to food security and farm income. This water sharing arrangement is also seen as fair in many cultures and is simple to administer. In the developing world, the design and practical implementation of flexible rules for adapting to periodic water supply changes are important as water shortages become more pronounced in the face of droughts and climate variability. The results provide a framework for identifying, designing, and implementing water allocation rules for food security in the developing world’s irrigated areas.     

Effects of impregnate temperature on extraction of caffeoylquinic acid derivatives from Moringa oleifera leaves and evaluation of inhibitory activity on digestive enzyme,antioxidant, anti-proliferative and antibacterial activities of the extract

In an ultrasonic bath and for 30 min in the presence of water as extraction solvent in a ratio of 1:10 (g/mL), effect of extraction temperature on extraction of caffeoylquinic acids (CQAs) from Moringa oleifera leaves (MOL) was investigated. Gradually increasing in extraction temperature caused a growing in mono-CQA and declining in 3,5-diCQA. The extract obtained at 80 °C showed the highest antioxidant capacity, and IC₅₀ values for scavenging activities on DPPH radicals and ABTS radicals were 56.9 and 53.6 µg/mL, respectively. Compared with α-glucosidase and α-amylase, the extract showed the highest inhibition on pancreatic lipase (IC₅₀ of 0.073 mg/mL). Increasing the extraction temperature improved cytotoxicity of the extract on cancer cell lines of HeLa and HepG2. Compared with gram-negative Escherichia coli and Salmonella typhimurium, all the extracts showed higher inhibition on the growth of gram-positive Bacillus cereus and Staphylococcus aureus. Our results suggested that use of higher extraction temperature (80 °C) improved the biological activity of MOL extract.     

Cooperative decode-and-forward quadrature spatial modulation over correlated and imperfect η–μ fading channels

Wireless Networks - This paper analyzes the performance of quadrature spatial modulation (QSM) multiple-input multiple-output (MIMO) system in cooperative decode and forward (DF) networks over...     

Remote Sensing Image Encryption Using Optimal Key Generation-Based Chaotic Encryption

The Internet of Things (IoT) offers a new era of connectivity, which goes beyond laptops and smart connected devices for connected vehicles, smart homes, smart cities, and connected healthcare. The massive quantity of data gathered from numerous IoT devices poses security and privacy concerns for users. With the increasing use of multimedia in communications, the content security of remote-sensing images attracted much attention in academia and industry. Image encryption is important for securing remote sensing images in the IoT environment. Recently, researchers have introduced plenty of algorithms for encrypting images. This study introduces an Improved Sine Cosine Algorithm with Chaotic Encryption based Remote Sensing Image Encryption (ISCACE-RSI) technique in IoT Environment. The proposed model follows a three-stage process, namely pre-processing, encryption, and optimal key generation. The remote sensing images were preprocessed at the initial stage to enhance the image quality. Next, the ISCACE-RSI technique exploits the double-layer remote sensing image encryption (DLRSIE) algorithm for encrypting the images. The DLRSIE methodology incorporates the design of Chaotic Maps and deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) Strand Displacement (DNASD) approach. The chaotic map is employed for generating pseudorandom sequences and implementing routine scrambling and diffusion processes on the plaintext images. Then, the study presents three DNASD-related encryption rules based on the variety of DNASD, and those rules are applied for encrypting the images at the DNA sequence level. For an optimal key generation of the DLRSIE technique, the ISCA is applied with an objective function of the maximization of peak signal to noise ratio (PSNR). To examine the performance of the ISCACE-RSI model, a detailed set of simulations were conducted. The comparative study reported the better performance of the ISCACE-RSI model over other existing approaches.     

Effects of Mn Additions on the Structure,Mechanical Properties,and Corrosion Behavior of Cu-Al-Ni Shape Memory Alloys

The influences of different amount (0.4, 0.7, and 1 wt.%) of Mn addition on the structure, mechanical properties, and corrosion behavior of Cu-Al-Ni shape memory alloys have been studied using differential scanning calorimetry, field emission scanning electron microscopy, transmission electron microscopy, x-ray diffraction, tensile test, shape memory effect test, hardness test, and electrochemical test. It was observed that the transformation temperatures, microstructural characteristics, and mechanical properties are highly sensitive to the composition variations. The obtained results show that the transformation temperatures and mechanical properties of Cu-Al-Ni SMAs exhibited the best results with 0.7 wt.% of Mn addition. These kinds of enhancements are mainly due to the type, amount, and morphology of the martensite phase, including the grain refinement. The result of electrochemical test showed that an increment in Mn content up to 0.7 wt.% improved the corrosion resistance of Cu-Al-Ni SMA. However, further increase of Mn content decreases the corrosion resistance of the alloy.     

Lynch Syndrome Identification in Saudi Cohort of Endometrial Cancer Patients Screened by Universal Approach

Lynch syndrome (LS) is the most common cause of inherited endometrial cancer (EC). The prevalence and molecular characteristic of LS in Middle Eastern women with EC have been underexplored. To evaluate the frequency of LS in a cohort of EC patients from Saudi Arabia, a total of 436 EC cases were screened utilizing immunohistochemistry (IHC), MLH1 promoter methylation analysis and next-generation sequencing technology. A total of 53 of 436 (12.2%) ECs were classified as DNA mismatch repair-deficient (dMMR). MLH1 promoter hypermethylation was detected in 30 ECs (6.9%). Three ECs (0.7%) were found to be LS harboring germline pathogenic variants (PVs)/likely pathogenic variants (LPVs): two in the MSH2 gene and one in the MSH6 gene. Three ECs (0.7%) were Lynch-like syndrome (LLS) carrying double somatic MSH2 PVs/LPVs. Seven cases were found to have variants of uncertain significance in cancer-related genes other than MMR genes. Our results indicate that LS prevalence is low among Saudi EC patients and LLS is as common as LS in this ethnicity. Our findings could help in better understanding of the prevalence and mutational spectrum of this syndrome in Saudi Arabia, which may help in defining best strategies for LS identification, prevention and genetic counseling for EC patients.     

Nephron ultrastructural alterations induced by zinc oxide nanoparticles: an electron microscopic study

Due to their unique properties, zinc oxide nanoparticles (ZnO NPs) are invested in many industries, commercial products, and nanomedicine with potential risk for human health and the environment. The present study aims to focus on alterations that might be induced by ZnO NPs in the nephron ultrastructure. Male Wister Albino rats were subjected to ZnO NPs at a daily dose of 2 mg/kg for 21 days. Kidney biopsies were processed to transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and ultrastructural pathology examinations. Exposure to ZnO NPs‐induced ultrastructural alterations in the proximal convoluted tubules (PCTs) and to lesser extent in the distal ones (DCTs), while the loops of Henle were almost not affected. The glomeruli demonstrated dilatation, partial mesangial cells loss, matrix ballooning, slits filtration widening, and basement membrane thickening. Moreover, PCT revealed cytoplasmic necrosis, vacuolation, erosion, and disorganisation of the apical microvilli together with mitochondrial swelling and cristae destruction. The nuclei of the renal cells exhibited nuclear deformity, heterochromatin accumulation, and apoptotic activities. The findings indicate that ZnO nanomaterial have the potential to affect the nephron ultrastructure suggesting alteration in the kidney functions. More work is needed for better understanding the toxicity and pathogenesis of ZnO oxide nanomaterial.Inspec keywords: electron microscopy, zinc compounds, transmission electron microscopy, nanomedicine, biochemistry, diseases, cellular biophysics, biomembranes, kidney, nanofabrication, molecular biophysics, nanoparticles, II‐VI semiconductors, biomedical optical imagingOther keywords: electron microscopic study, unique properties, zinc oxide nanoparticles, ZnO NPs, nephron ultrastructure, Male Wister Albino rats, ultrastructural pathology examinations, NPs‐induced ultrastructural alterations, partial mesangial cells loss, ZnO nonmaterial, ZnO oxide nonmaterial, nephron ultrastructural alterations, kidney biopsies, time 21.0 d, ZnO