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Feedback Control of Quantum Correlations in a Cavity Magnomechanical System with Magnon Squeezing

Amazioug M, Singh S, Teklu B, Asjad M

Entropy (Basel), 2023 Oct 18;25(10).
PMID: 37895583 DOI: 10.3390/e25101462

We suggest a method to improve quantum correlations in cavity magnomechanics, through the use of a coherent feedback loop and magnon squeezing. The entanglement of three bipartition subsystems: photon-phonon, photon-magnon, and phonon-magnon, is significantly improved by the coherent feedback-control method that has been proposed. In addition, we investigate Einstein-Podolsky-Rosen steering under thermal effects in each of the subsystems. We also evaluate the scheme's performance and sensitivity to magnon squeezing. Furthermore, we study the comparison between entanglement and Gaussian quantum discord in both steady and dynamical states.
Giant Prostatic Stones and a Massive Bladder Stone Leading to Obstructive Uropathy: A Rare Case Report

Mohd Hashim MH, Shukor S, Azizi MH

Cureus, 2023 Aug;15(8):e43176.
PMID: 37692733 DOI: 10.7759/cureus.43176

Giant prostatic calculi are rare with less than 20 cases reported in the literature so far. Here, we discuss the presentation, diagnosis, and surgical management of a 25-year-old male patient with giant prostatic stones associated with a large bladder stone resulting from an underlying neurogenic bladder secondary to spina bifida. The patient had a history of congenital spina bifida, hydrocephalus, and non-compliance with clean intermittent self-catheterization. The stones were diagnosed through imaging and cystoscopy, and open cystolithotomy was performed for stone removal. The patient had a successful postoperative recovery with improved renal function. The case highlights the association between prostatic calculi and bladder outlet obstruction, emphasizes the importance of addressing underlying conditions to prevent stone recurrence, and underscores the role of open surgery in managing large bladder stones accompanied by renal impairment.
Fulltext A cross-cultural comparison of work engagement in the relationships between trust climate - Job performance and turnover intention: Focusing China and Pakistan

Aman A, Rafiq M, Dastane O

Heliyon, 2023 Sep;9(9):e19534.
PMID: 37809562 DOI: 10.1016/j.heliyon.2023.e19534

While the significance of cross-cultural research has been acknowledged over time, there remains a gap in understanding its relationship with employee outcomes. This study delves into the associations between organizational trust climate (TC) and job performance (JP), as well as turnover intention (TI), seeking to ascertain if work engagement (WE) plays a mediating role. Additionally, the research investigates potential differences in the mediating effect between China and Pakistan. Data gathered from 270 participants in China and 242 in Pakistan were subjected to structural equation modeling (SEM) for analysis. Findings indicated that perceptions of individual WE serve as a bridge between organizational TC and JP, with the effect on JP being notably stronger among the Chinese participants. Moreover, the mediating role of WE in the link between organizational TC and TI was more pronounced for the Pakistani participants. On a practical front, such insights can equip managers with a nuanced understanding of the ripple effect that a trust-infused environment can have on employee engagement, subsequently influencing performance and retention rates.
Fulltext The impact of natural resource rent, financial development, and urbanization on carbon emission

Huang SZ, Sadiq M, Chien F

Environ Sci Pollut Res Int, 2023 Mar;30(15):42753-42765.
PMID: 34652619 DOI: 10.1007/s11356-021-16818-7

There is a shred of evidence of environmental degradation in the form of carbon emissions to behave differently when tested with different macroeconomic variables. This paper aims to examine the long-run and short-run association between natural resource rent, financial development, and urbanization on carbon emission from the context of the USA during 1995-2015 with the help of a contemporary and innovative approach named quantile autoregressive distributed lagged model (QARDL). The stated approach is applied due to the fact that non-linearity is observed for the study variables. The findings indicated that the higher financial development (0.304), natural resource rent (0.102), and urbanization (0.489) have a positive impact on the environmental degradation in the region of USA during long-run estimation in the stated quantiles of the study. This would indicate that higher financial development, urbanization, and natural resources are putting more environmental pressure on the economy of the USA. Similarly, the findings under short-run estimation confirm that past and lagged values of carbon emission, financial development, natural resource rent, and urbanization are significantly determining the current values of the carbon emission. For this reason, it is suggested that the government requires some immediate steps of the USA to control the harmful effect of such financial development, more urbanization, and higher natural resource rent as well. This would indicate the reflection of some green strategies in all three explanatory variables to generate some fruitful environmental outcomes.
Fulltext Practices, purposes and challenges in integrating gamification using technology: A mixed-methods study on university academics

Kabilan MK, Annamalai N, Chuah KM

Educ Inf Technol (Dordr), 2023 Apr 04.
PMID: 37361777 DOI: 10.1007/s10639-023-11723-7

Literature emphasizes that gamification significantly enhances students' engagement in learning and their motivation level. Studies have also examined the benefits of gamification in learning across different levels of education. However, the focus on academics' pedagogical understanding, knowledge, and skills and how they utilize these in planning and carrying out their gamified lessons particularly in the context of higher education, are not well researched. A mixed-methods study was conducted at a Malaysian public university with the aim of uncovering the practices, purposes, and challenges of integrating gamification via technology from the academics' perspective. Findings show the academics' practices of gamification could be further enhanced and their pedagogical considerations revolve around five main themes: (i) motivating students' learning; (ii) facilitating thinking skills and solving problems; (ii) engaging students' learning; (iv) facilitating interactions and (v) achieving specific teaching and learning goals. Based on the findings, the researchers proposed two models that would be able to facilitate and enhance academics' pedagogical knowledge and skills in integrating gamification for students' learning.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1007/s10639-023-11723-7.
Fulltext Numerical optimization and performance evaluation of ZnPC:PC70BM based dye-sensitized solar cell

Nowsherwan GA, Iqbal MA, Rehman SU, Zaib A, Sadiq MI, Dogar MA, et al.

Sci Rep, 2023 Jun 27;13(1):10431.
PMID: 37369767 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-023-37486-2

The increase in global energy consumption and the related ecological problems have generated a constant demand for alternative energy sources superior to traditional ones. This is why unlimited photon-energy harnessing is important. A notable focus to address this concern is on advancing and producing cost-effective low-loss solar cells. For efficient light energy capture and conversion, we fabricated a ZnPC:PC70BM-based dye-sensitized solar cell (DSSC) and estimated its performance using a solar cell capacitance simulator (SCAPS-1D). We evaluated the output parameters of the ZnPC:PC70BM-based DSSC with different photoactive layer thicknesses, series and shunt resistances, and back-metal work function. Our analyses show that moderate thickness, minimum series resistance, high shunt resistance, and high metal-work function are favorable for better device performance due to low recombination losses, electrical losses, and better transport of charge carriers. In addition, in-depth research for clarifying the impact of factors, such as thickness variation, defect density, and doping density of charge transport layers, has been conducted. The best efficiency value found was 10.30% after tweaking the parameters. It also provides a realistic strategy for efficiently utilizing DSSC cells by altering features that are highly dependent on DSSC performance and output.
Fulltext Rubidium zinc trioxide perovskite materials for photovoltaic solar cell applications: A first principle calculations

Azeem W, Shahzad MK, Wong YH

Heliyon, 2024 Jan 15;10(1):e23818.
PMID: 38205339 DOI: 10.1016/j.heliyon.2023.e23818

Perovskite materials are the well-known of solar cell applications and have excellent characteristics to study and explain the photocatalytic research. Exchange generalized gradient approximation (GGA) and Perdew-Burke-Ernzerhof-PBE correlation functionals and density functional theory (DFT)-based Cambridge Serial Total Energy Package (CASTEP) software are used to inspect the structural, electrical, mechanical, and the optical aspects of Zinc-based cubic perovskite RbZnO3. The compound is found to be in a stable cubic phase according to our study. The predicted elastic characteristics also satisfy the mechanical criterion for stability. Pugh's criterion indicates that RbZnO3 is brittle. The examination shows that the electronic band structure, RbZnO3 possesses an indirect bandgap (BG) that has 4.23eV. Findings of BG analysis agree with currently available evidence. Total and partial density of states (DOS) are used in the confirmation of degree of a localized electrons in special band. Optical transitions in compound are evaluated by adjusting damping ratio for the appropriate peaks of the notional dielectric functions. On one hand, the material is a semiconductor at absolute zero. On the other hand, the dielectric function's fictitious element dispersion illustrates the wide range of values for energy transparency. This substance might therefore be used in a solar cell to capture ultraviolet light.
Fulltext Unravelling the connection between COVID-19 and Alzheimer's disease: a comprehensive review

Shajahan SR, Kumar S, Ramli MDC

Front Aging Neurosci, 2023;15:1274452.
PMID: 38259635 DOI: 10.3389/fnagi.2023.1274452

Currently, there exists a limited comprehension regarding the correlation between COVID-19 and Alzheimer's disease (AD). To elucidate the interrelationship and its impact on outcomes, a comprehensive investigation was carried out utilising time-unrestricted searches of reputable databases such as Scopus, PubMed, Web of Science, and Google Scholar. Our objective was to evaluate the impact of various medical conditions on severe COVID-19-related events. We focused on identifying and analysing articles that discussed the clinical characteristics of COVID-19 patients, particularly those pertaining to severe events such as ICU admission, mechanical ventilation, pneumonia, mortality and acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) a serious lung condition that causes low blood oxygen. Through careful data analysis and information gathering, we tried to figure out how likely it was that people with conditions, like AD, would have serious events. Our research investigated potential mechanisms that link AD and COVID-19. The ability of the virus to directly invade the central nervous system and the role of ACE-2 receptors were investigated. Furthermore, the OAS1 gene served as the genetic link between AD and COVID-19. In the context of COVID-19, our findings suggest that individuals with AD may be more susceptible to experiencing severe outcomes. Consequently, it is crucial to provide personalised care and management for this demographic. Further investigation is required to attain a comprehensive comprehension of the intricate correlation between Alzheimer's disease and COVID-19, as well as its ramifications for patient outcomes.
Digital threads in turbulent times: unraveling technostress and cleaner production in the food industry

Irfan M, Sulehri NA, Manickiam N

Front Robot AI, 2023;10:1293904.
PMID: 38273894 DOI: 10.3389/frobt.2023.1293904

Introduction: In the current landscape marked by swift digital transformations and global disruptions, comprehending the intersection of digitalization and sustainable business practices is imperative. This study focuses on the food industries of China and Pakistan, aiming to explore the influence of digitalization on cleaner production. Methods: Employing a cross-sectional design, data were gathered through online surveys involving a diverse group of employees. Special attention was given to the emergent phenomenon of technostress and its subsequent implications for individuals in the workplace. Results: The findings of the study demonstrate a significant impact of digitalization on both resource mobilization and interaction quality within the surveyed food industries. Notably, technostress emerged as a mediating factor, shedding light on the psychological challenges associated with digital transitions. The study further reveals the moderating role of the COVID-19 pandemic, altering the dynamics among the variables under investigation. Discussion: From a theoretical perspective, this research contributes to the cleaner production literature by bridging it with the human-centric nuances of technological adaptation. On a practical level, the study emphasizes the importance of aligning digital strategies with resource mobilization to achieve sustainable outcomes. For the food industry and potentially beyond, the research offers a roadmap for integrating digital tools into operations, ensuring efficiency, and promoting cleaner production.
Healthcare professionals' understanding and perception of drug-related issues linked to off-label pharmacological medications used for COVID-19

Munir MZ, Khan AH, Khan TM

Expert Rev Anti Infect Ther, 2024 Jan 24.
PMID: 38263904 DOI: 10.1080/14787210.2024.2310004

BACKGROUND: To evaluate the opinions of healthcare workers regarding drug therapy problems linked to anti-infective medicines used for the treatment of COVID-19 infection in Pakistan.
RESEARCH METHODOLOGY: This cross-sectional study was conducted from January to October 2022 using a self-administered questionnaire developed by the authors, having three sections: demographics, knowledge, and perception. The study was validated by research experts and pilot-tested on 30 subjects. The study included medical doctors, nurses, pharmacists from Punjab's government and private medical institutes.
RESULTS: In this study, 382 of 400 participants replied. The mean knowledge score was 9.52 (SD 2.97), showing that participants had adequate knowledge of COVID-19 pharmacological interventions. The knowledge scores were significantly higher of those who treated COVID-19 patients and were from Lahore. Many doctors considered that elderly patients and those with blood disorders were at greater risk of experiencing drug-related problems. Most pharmacists support electronic prescription systems. Many doctors thought the lack of unified treatment guidelines, multiple prescribers, and self-medication were key obstacles in managing COVID-19 patients.
CONCLUSION: Most respondents had adequate knowledge. Older patients with comorbidities are at risk of adverse effects. Self-medication, polypharmacy, and multiple prescriptions can lead to misdiagnosis and complications. Electric prescriptions, team effort, and training programs can decrease these issues.
Infection control in the Indo-Pak subcontinent: averting the aftermath of the worst flooding in 60 years

Umair Khan M, Ahmad A, Patel I

Disaster Med Public Health Prep, 2014 Oct;8(5):461.
PMID: 25325828 DOI: 10.1017/dmp.2014.105
Fulltext A hybrid digital-signature and zero-watermarking approach for authentication and protection of sensitive electronic documents

Tayan O, Kabir MN, Alginahi YM

ScientificWorldJournal, 2014;2014:514652.
PMID: 25254247 DOI: 10.1155/2014/514652

This paper addresses the problems and threats associated with verification of integrity, proof of authenticity, tamper detection, and copyright protection for digital-text content. Such issues were largely addressed in the literature for images, audio, and video, with only a few papers addressing the challenge of sensitive plain-text media under known constraints. Specifically, with text as the predominant online communication medium, it becomes crucial that techniques are deployed to protect such information. A number of digital-signature, hashing, and watermarking schemes have been proposed that essentially bind source data or embed invisible data in a cover media to achieve its goal. While many such complex schemes with resource redundancies are sufficient in offline and less-sensitive texts, this paper proposes a hybrid approach based on zero-watermarking and digital-signature-like manipulations for sensitive text documents in order to achieve content originality and integrity verification without physically modifying the cover text in anyway. The proposed algorithm was implemented and shown to be robust against undetected content modifications and is capable of confirming proof of originality whilst detecting and locating deliberate/nondeliberate tampering. Additionally, enhancements in resource utilisation and reduced redundancies were achieved in comparison to traditional encryption-based approaches. Finally, analysis and remarks are made about the current state of the art, and future research issues are discussed under the given constraints.
Fulltext Experimental design and optimization of raloxifene hydrochloride loaded nanotransfersomes for transdermal application

Mahmood S, Taher M, Mandal UK

Int J Nanomedicine, 2014;9:4331-46.
PMID: 25246789 DOI: 10.2147/IJN.S65408

Raloxifene hydrochloride, a highly effective drug for the treatment of invasive breast cancer and osteoporosis in post-menopausal women, shows poor oral bioavailability of 2%. The aim of this study was to develop, statistically optimize, and characterize raloxifene hydrochloride-loaded transfersomes for transdermal delivery, in order to overcome the poor bioavailability issue with the drug. A response surface methodology experimental design was applied for the optimization of transfersomes, using Box-Behnken experimental design. Phospholipon(®) 90G, sodium deoxycholate, and sonication time, each at three levels, were selected as independent variables, while entrapment efficiency, vesicle size, and transdermal flux were identified as dependent variables. The formulation was characterized by surface morphology and shape, particle size, and zeta potential. Ex vivo transdermal flux was determined using a Hanson diffusion cell assembly, with rat skin as a barrier medium. Transfersomes from the optimized formulation were found to have spherical, unilamellar structures, with a homogeneous distribution and low polydispersity index (0.08). They had a particle size of 134±9 nM, with an entrapment efficiency of 91.00%±4.90%, and transdermal flux of 6.5±1.1 μg/cm(2)/hour. Raloxifene hydrochloride-loaded transfersomes proved significantly superior in terms of amount of drug permeated and deposited in the skin, with enhancement ratios of 6.25±1.50 and 9.25±2.40, respectively, when compared with drug-loaded conventional liposomes, and an ethanolic phosphate buffer saline. Differential scanning calorimetry study revealed a greater change in skin structure, compared with a control sample, during the ex vivo drug diffusion study. Further, confocal laser scanning microscopy proved an enhanced permeation of coumarin-6-loaded transfersomes, to a depth of approximately160 μM, as compared with rigid liposomes. These ex vivo findings proved that a raloxifene hydrochloride-loaded transfersome formulation could be a superior alternative to oral delivery of the drug.
Fulltext Coefficient bounds for some families of starlike and convex functions of reciprocal order

Arif M, Darus M, Raza M, Khan Q

ScientificWorldJournal, 2014;2014:989640.
PMID: 25506621 DOI: 10.1155/2014/989640

The aim of the present paper is to investigate coefficient estimates, Fekete-Szegő inequality, and upper bound of third Hankel determinant for some families of starlike and convex functions of reciprocal order.
Fulltext The Integrated Care Pathway for Managing Post Stroke (ICAPPS) Patients in the Community: A Cost -Effectiveness Analysis

Abdul AA, Muhammad Nur A, Sulong S, Aljunid S

Value Health, 2014 Nov;17(7):A761.
PMID: 27202786 DOI: 10.1016/j.jval.2014.08.259
Fulltext Green leaf volatiles: biosynthesis, biological functions and their applications in biotechnology

ul Hassan MN, Zainal Z, Ismail I

Plant Biotechnol J, 2015 Aug;13(6):727-39.
PMID: 25865366 DOI: 10.1111/pbi.12368

Plants have evolved numerous constitutive and inducible defence mechanisms to cope with biotic and abiotic stresses. These stresses induce the expression of various genes to activate defence-related pathways that result in the release of defence chemicals. One of these defence mechanisms is the oxylipin pathway, which produces jasmonates, divinylethers and green leaf volatiles (GLVs) through the peroxidation of polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs). GLVs have recently emerged as key players in plant defence, plant-plant interactions and plant-insect interactions. Some GLVs inhibit the growth and propagation of plant pathogens, including bacteria, viruses and fungi. In certain cases, GLVs released from plants under herbivore attack can serve as aerial messengers to neighbouring plants and to attract parasitic or parasitoid enemies of the herbivores. The plants that perceive these volatile signals are primed and can then adapt in preparation for the upcoming challenges. Due to their 'green note' odour, GLVs impart aromas and flavours to many natural foods, such as vegetables and fruits, and therefore, they can be exploited in industrial biotechnology. The aim of this study was to review the progress and recent developments in research on the oxylipin pathway, with a specific focus on the biosynthesis and biological functions of GLVs and their applications in industrial biotechnology.
Endobronchial glomus tumor

Rashid Ali MR, Kannan KK

J Bronchology Interv Pulmonol, 2015 Jan;22(1):66-8.
PMID: 25590487 DOI: 10.1097/LBR.0000000000000128

We report a case of a 52-year-old patient who had undergone a bladder resection and an ileal conduit for a transitional cell carcinoma. He then presented with a short history of hemoptysis 3 months later. Rigid bronchoscopy was performed revealing an endobronchial lesion, which was removed via laser and debulking method without complications. Histopathologic examination confirmed it to be a benign endobronchial glomus tumor. On the basis of our literature search, this is the 34th reported case of glomus tumor arising from the respiratory tract, seventh reported case of an endobronchial glomus tumor treated bronchoscopically, and the first possibly coincidental finding in relation to a patient with primary transitional bladder cell carcinoma.
Variability in the concentration of indicator bacteria in landfill leachate--a comparative study

Umar M, Aziz HA, Yusoff MS

Water Environ Res, 2015 Mar;87(3):223-6.
PMID: 25842532

Leachate collected from the collection ponds of four landfill sites was investigated and compared for total coliforms and E. coli concentration as representatives of fecal pollution. Concentration of total coliforms and E. coli was comparable for leachate obtained from Kulim Landfill Site (KLS) and Ampang Landfill Site (ALS) with little variations. However, the level of indicator bacteria was significantly lower for Kuala Sepetang Landfill Site (KSLS), whereas Pulau Burung Landfill Site (PBLS) had the lowest concentration for both total coliforms and E. coli. Considering the landfills are currently operational, with the exception of ALS, the presence of indicator bacteria implies their inactivation prior to discharge. High concentration of indicator bacteria in ALS is attributed to the run-off entering the leachate pond. Greater concentration of ammonia and salinity level were partly responsible for lower concentration of indicator bacteria in leachate from KSLS and PBLS, indicating that salinty and ammonia could significantly affect the survival of indicator bacteria.
Fulltext Drug pricing policies in one of the largest drug manufacturing nations in the world: Are affordability and access a cause for concern?

Ahmad A, Khan MU, Patel I

J Res Pharm Pract, 2015 Jan-Mar;4(1):1-3.
PMID: 25710043 DOI: 10.4103/2279-042X.150043
Effect of the borax mass and pre-spray medium temperature on droplet size and velocity vector distributions of intermittently sprayed starchy solutions

Naz MY, Sulaiman SA, Ariwahjoedi B

Phys Chem Chem Phys, 2015 Feb 7;17(5):3704-14.
PMID: 25557285 DOI: 10.1039/c4cp04378b

Spray coating technology has demonstrated great potential in the slow release fertilizers industry. The better understanding of the key spray parameters benefits both the environment and low cost coating processes. The use of starch based materials to coat the slow release fertilizers is a new development. However, the hydraulic spray jet breakup of the non-Newtonian starchy solutions is a complex phenomenon and very little known. The aim of this research was to study the axial and radial distributions of the Sauter Mean Diameter (SMD) and velocity vectors in pulsing spray patterns of native and modified tapioca starch solutions. To meet the objective, high speed imaging and Phase Doppler Anemometry (PDA) techniques were employed to characterize the four compositions of the starch-urea-borax complex namely S0, S1, S2 and S3. The unheated solutions exhibited very high viscosities ranging from 2035 to 3030 cP. No jet breakup was seen at any stage of the nozzle operation at an injection pressure of 1-5 bar. However, at 80 °C temperature and 5 bar pressure, the viscosity was reduced to 455 to 638 cP and dense spray patterns emerged from the nozzle obscuring the PDA signals. The axial size distribution revealed a significant decrease in SMD along the spray centreline. The smallest axial SMD (51 to 79 μm) was noticed in S0 spray followed by S1, S2 and S3. Unlikely, the radial SMD in S0 spray did not vary significantly at any stage of the spray injection. This trend was attributed to the continuous growth of the surface wave instabilities on the native starch sheet. However, SMD obtained with S1, S2 and S3 varied appreciably along the radial direction. The mean velocity vector profiles followed the non-Gaussian distribution. The constant vector distributions were seen in the near nozzle regions, where the spray was in the phase of development. In far regions, the velocity vectors were poly-dispersed and a series of ups and downs were seen in the respective radial distributions.

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