The present work reviews the current fabrication methods of the functionally graded polymeric material (FGPM) and introduces a novel fabrication method that is versatile in applications as compared to those of existing used methods. For the first time electrophoresis was used to control the distribution of the tetracycline hydrochloride (TC) in a film made of polylactic acid (PLA), aiming to induce antimicrobial effect on the film prepared. The elemental analysis on the film surface showed that by employing electrophoresis force, higher amount of TC was detected near the top surface of the film. Results also showed that the FGPM samples with higher percentage of the TC on the film surface were highly effective to minimize the growth of Escherichia coli. These findings are useful and important to improve dispersion quality of the particles in the composite material and further enhance its antibacterial property.
Polyether ether ketone (PEEK) is considered the best alternative material for titanium for spinal fusion cage implants due to its low elasticity modulus and radiolucent property. The main problem of PEEK is its bioinert properties. Coating with hydroxyapatite (HA) showed very good improvement in bioactivity of the PEEK implants. However the existing methods for deposition of HA have some disadvantages and damage the PEEK substrate. In our previous study a new method for deposition of HA on PEEK was presented. In this study cell proliferation of mesenchymal stem cell and apatite formation in simulated body fluid (SBF) tests were conducted to probe the effect of this new method in improvement of the bioactivity of PEEK. The mesenchymal stem cell proliferation result showed better cells proliferation on the treated layer in comparison with untreated PEEK. The apatite formation results showed the growth of the HA on the treated PEEK but there was not any sight of the growth of HA on the untreated PEEK even after 2 weeks. The results showed the new method of the HA deposition improved the bioactivity of the treated PEEK in comparison with the bare PEEK.
Policies on reducing energy demand should incorporate the newly formed economic models, digitalization, and consumer awareness trends. Therefore, this study analyzes the interaction of the three trends with SDG7 under energy efficiency vision 2050, measuring the energy efficiency of OECD from 2005 to 2017 to enable this inclusion. In this context, four new trends expected to shape future energy demand are identified through extensive consultation with experts from South Asian countries by developing future power demand for the year of 2050. Consequently, the results show a crucial impact of such trends on a future power demand that exceeds the economic potential of techno. Hence, the best-case scenario, "New Trends Efficient," reduces final energy demand by 78% compared to the South Asian "Baseline" scenario in 2050, whereas the "Worst Case" scenario increases final energy demand by 35%. Therefore, Austria and Korea have the highest energy efficiency score of 0.76 and 0.75, whereas Canada and Chile have the lowest energy efficiency score of 0.41 and 0.42. This paper discusses the ability of digitalization and energy consumer awareness trends in shaping the future energy demand based on SDG 7, emphasizing the importance of energy efficiency vision 2050 in policymaking for effective acquisition.
The present study addressed the synthesis of a bi-layered nanostructured fluorine-doped hydroxyapatite (nFHA)/polycaprolactone (PCL) coating on Mg-2Zn-3Ce alloy via a combination of electrodeposition (ED) and dip-coating methods. The nFHA/PCL composite coating is composed of a thick (70-80 μm) and porous layer of PCL that uniformly covered the thin nFHA film (8-10 μm) with nanoneedle-like microstructure and crystallite size of around 70-90 nm. Electrochemical measurements showed that the nFHA/PCL composite coating presented a high corrosion resistance (R(p)=2.9×10(3) kΩ cm(2)) and provided sufficient protection for a Mg substrate against galvanic corrosion. The mechanical integrity of the nFHA/PCL composite coatings immersed in SBF for 10 days showed higher compressive strength (34% higher) compared with the uncoated samples, indicating that composite coatings can delay the loss of compressive strength of the Mg alloy. The nFHA/PCL coating indicted better bonding strength (6.9 MPa) compared to PCL coating (2.2 MPa). Immersion tests showed that nFHA/PCL composite-coated alloy experienced much milder corrosion attack and more nucleation sites for apatite compared with the PCL coated and uncoated samples. The bi-layered nFHA/PCL coating can be a good alternative method for the control of corrosion degradation of biodegradable Mg alloy for implant applications.
There is an increased interest in the use of polyether ether ketone (PEEK) for orthopedic and dental implant applications due to its elastic modulus close to that of bone, biocompatibility, and its radiolucent properties. However, PEEK is still categorized as bioinert due to its low integration with surrounding tissues. Many studies have reported on methods to increase the bioactivity of PEEK, but there is still one-preparation method for preparing bioactive PEEK implant where the produced implant with desirable mechanical and bioactivity properties is required. The aim of this review is to present the progress of the preparation methods for improvement of the bioactivity of PEEK and to discuss the strengths and weaknesses of the existing methods.
The aim of this study is to identify and highlight the positive and negative indirect environmental impacts of COVID-19, with a particular focus on the most affected economies (USA, China, Spain, and Italy). In this respect, the empirical and theoretical dimensions of the contents of those impacts are analyzed. Research findings reveal a significant relationship between contingency actions and positive indirect impacts such as air quality improvements, clean beaches, and the decline in environmental noise. Besides, negative indirect impacts also exist, such as the rise in waste level and curtailment in recycling, further threatening the physical spaces (land and water), besides air. It is expected that global businesses will revive in the near future (though slowly), but the reduction in greenhouse gas emissions during this short time span is not a sustainable way of environmental mitigation. Thus, long-term mitigation policies should be strengthened to cope with the undesirable deterioration of the environment. Research findings provide an up-to-date glimpse of the pandemic from the perspectives of current and future indirect environmental impacts and the post-pandemic situation. Finally, it is suggested to invent and prepare action plans to induce a sustainable economic and environmental future in the post-pandemic world scenario.
Sarcococca saligna methanolic extract, fractions and isolated pure compounds saracocine (1), saracodine (2), pachyximine-A (3) and terminaline (4) were found to possess potent immunosuppressive activities. The fractions and compounds were tested in-vitro for their effects on human T-cell proliferation, and cytokine (IL-2) production. All the fractions, sub-fractions and purified compounds showed significant suppressive effect on IL-2 production in a dose-dependent manner. They also exhibited a suppressive effect on the phytohemagglutinin-stimulated T-cell proliferation. None of the extracts and purified compounds showed any cytotoxicity effects on the 3T3 mice fibroblast cell line. The crude extract, DCM fraction (pH9), DCM fractions (pH7) and one of the steroidal alkaloids (terminaline) were checked in-vivo for their hepato-protective potential against CCl4-induced liver injury. In in-vivo experiments, the basic and neutral DCM fractions and terminaline (4) significantly reduced inflammation in the liver. DCM fraction (pH9), DCM fractions (pH7) and compound 4 reduced the serum enzyme levels (ALT, AST, and ALP) down to control levels despite CCl4 treatment. They also reduced the CCl4-induced damaged area to almost zero as assessed by histopathology. The pale necrotic areas and mixed inflammatory infiltrate which are seen after CCl4 treatment were absent in the cases of basic, neutral fractions and terminaline treatment. These hepato-protective effects were better than the positive control silymarin. Our results suggest the therapeutic effect of S. saligna extract, fractions and bioactive steroidal alkaloids against CCl4-induced liver injury in vivo and their immunosuppressive function in vitro.
In the present work, the microstructure, corrosion, and bioactivity of graphene oxide (GO) coating on the laser-modified and -unmodified surfaces of TiNb shape memory alloys (SMAs) were investigated. The surface morphology and chemical composition was examined using field emission scanning electron microscopy (FE-SEM) and X-ray diffraction (XRD). The surface modification was carried out via a femtosecond laser with the aim to increase the surface roughness, and thus increase the adhesion property. FE-SEM analysis of the laser-treated Ti-30at.% Nb revealed the increase in surface roughness and oxygen/nitrogen containing groups on the Ti-30at.% Nb surface after being surface modified via a femtosecond laser. Furthermore, the thickness of GO was increased from 35μm to 45μm after the surface was modified. Potentiodynamic polarisation and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy studies revealed that both the GO and laser/GO-coated samples exhibited higher corrosion resistance than that of the uncoated TiNb SMA sample. However, the laser/GO-coated sample presented the highest corrosion resistance in SBF at 37°C. In addition, during soaking in the simulated body fluid (SBF), both the GO and laser/GO coating improved the formation of apatite layer. Based on the bioactivity results, the GO coating exhibited a remarkable antibacterial activity against gram-negative bacteria compared with the uncoated. In conclusion, the present results indicate that Ti-30at.% Nb SMAs may be promising alternatives to NiTi for certain biomedical applications.
Magnesium alloys are considered the most suitable absorbable metals for bone fracture fixation implants. The main challenge in absorbable magnesium alloys is their high corrosion/degradation rate that needs to be controlled. Various coatings have been applied to magnesium alloys to slow down their corrosion rates to match their corrosion rate to the regeneration rate of the bone fracture. In this review, a bioactive coating is proposed to slow down the corrosion rate of magnesium alloys and accelerate the bone fracture healing process. The main aim of the bioactive coatings is to enhance the direct attachment of living tissues and thereby facilitate osteoconduction. Hydroxyapatite, collagen type I, recombinant human bone morphogenetic proteins 2, simvastatin, zoledronate, and strontium are six bioactive agents that show high potential for developing a bioactive coating system for high-performance absorbable magnesium bone implants. In addition to coating, the substrate itself can be made bioactive by alloying magnesium with calcium, zinc, copper, and manganese that were found to promote bone regeneration.
This research paper reports an enhancement of thermal, optical, mechanical and antibacterial activities of the Polyvinyl alcohol-Nanodiamonds (PVA-NDs) composite required for the food packaging industry. The synthesis of composites was done by the wet processing method. The large surface area of NDs facilitated the robust interaction between the hydroxyl group and macromolecular chains of PVA to enhance the hydrogen bonding of PVA with NDs rather than PVA molecules. Thus, a reduction in PVA diffraction peak intensity was reported. NDs improved the thermal stability by preventing the out-diffusion of volatile decomposition products of PVA. The results also revealed an enhancement in tensile strength (∼60 MPa) and ductility (∼180 %). PVA-NDs composite efficiently blocked the UVC (100 %), most of the part of the UVB (∼85 % above 300 nm), and UVA (∼58 %). Furthermore, enhanced antibacterial activities were reported for PVA-NDs composite against E. coli and S. aureus. NDs accumulated around the bacterial cells prevented essential cellular functions and led to death. Hence, this composite could be a promising candidate for safe, thermally stable, strong, flexible, transparent, UV- resistant antibacterial food packaging material.
In the contemporary landscape of smart cities, ensuring the security and confidentiality of transmitted data has become paramount. The proliferation of Internet of Things (IoT) devices, mobile communication platforms, and wireless sensor networks has magnified the need for robust cryptographic solutions to safeguard sensitive information from malicious adversaries. In response to these challenges, we introduce ChessCrypt-a novel approach to enhancing wireless communication security through the development of a new S-Box algorithm inspired by the nonlinear movement patterns of chess pieces. ChessCrypt leverages the dynamic and unpredictable nature of chess piece movements, namely knights, kings, and bishops, to introduce a high degree of nonlinearity and confusion into the encryption process. By incorporating elements of randomness and unpredictability, our proposed S-Box algorithm offers robust protection against a wide range of cyber threats, including eavesdropping, data interception, and cryptographic attacks. We demonstrate the effectiveness and resilience of ChessCrypt through rigorous testing and analysis, showcasing its superiority over traditional cryptographic methods in enhancing the security of wireless communication networks. Our results underscore the significance of ChessCrypt as a promising solution for fortifying wireless communication security in an increasingly interconnected world of ours.
This study investigates the thermal decomposition, thermodynamic and kinetic behavior of rice-husk (R), sewage sludge (S) and their blends during co-pyrolysis using thermogravimetric analysis at a constant heating rate of 20 °C/min. Coats-Redfern integral method is applied to mass loss data by employing seventeen models of five major reaction mechanisms to calculate the kinetics and thermodynamic parameters. Two temperature regions: I (200-400 °C) and II (400-600 °C) are identified and best fitted with different models. Among all models, diffusion models show high activation energy with higher R2(0.99) of rice husk (66.27-82.77 kJ/mol), sewage sludge (52.01-68.01 kJ/mol) and subsequent blends (45.10-65.81 kJ/mol) for region I and for rice husk (7.31-25.84 kJ/mol), sewage sludge (1.85-16.23 kJ/mol) and blends (4.95-16.32 kJ/mol) for region II, respectively. Thermodynamic parameters are calculated using kinetics data to assess the co-pyrolysis process enthalpy, Gibbs-free energy, and change in entropy. Artificial neural network (ANN) models are developed and employed on co-pyrolysis thermal decomposition data to study the reaction mechanism by calculating Mean Absolute Error (MAE), Root Mean Square Error (RMSE) and coefficient of determination (R2). The co-pyrolysis results from a thermal behavior and kinetics perspective are promising and the process is viable to recover organic materials more efficiently.
We have synthesized new hybrid class of indole bearing sulfonamide scaffolds (1-17) as α-glucosidase inhibitors. All scaffolds were found to be active except scaffold 17 and exhibited IC50 values ranging from 1.60 to 51.20 µM in comparison with standard acarbose (IC50 = 42.45 µM). Among the synthesized hybrid class scaffolds 16 was the most potent analogue with IC50 value 1.60 μM, showing many folds better potency as compared to standard acarbose. Whereas, synthesized scaffolds 1-15 showed good α-glucosidase inhibitory potential. Based on α-glucosidase inhibitory effect, Scaffold 16 was chosen due to highest activity in vitro for further evaluation of antidiabetic activity in Streptozotocin induced diabetic rats. The Scaffold 16 exhibited significant antidiabetic activity. All analogues were characterized through 1H, 13CNMR and HR MS. Structure-activity relationship of synthesized analogues was established and confirmed through molecular docking study.
The mechanical properties of coated layers are one of the important factors for the long-term success of orthopeadic and dental implants. In this study, the mechanical properties of the porous coated layer were examined via scratch and nanoindentation tests. The effect of compression load on the porous coated layer of sulphonated poly ether ether ketone/Hydroxyapatite was studied to determine whether it changes its mechanical properties. The water contact angle and surface roughness of the compressed coated layer were also measured. The results showed a significant increase in elastic modulus, with mean values ranging from 0.464 GPa to 1.199 GPa (p<0.05). The average scratch hardness also increased significantly from 69.9 MPa to 95.7 MPa after compression, but the surface roughness and wettability decreased significantly (p<0.05). Simple compression enhanced the mechanical properties of the sulphonated poly ether ether ketone/hydroxyapatite coated layer, and the desired mechanical properties for orthopaedic and dental implant application can be achieved.
Leishmaniasis has affected a wider part of population around the globe. Most often, the existing regiments to battle against leishmaniasis are inadequate and limited. In our ongoing efforts to develop new leishmanicidal agents, we have synthesized a series of novel and symmetrical bis-Schiff base-disulfide hybrids 1-27. Intermediate disulfide was synthesized from corresponding 2-aminothiol followed by reacting the coupled adduct with various aromatic aldehydes. All these compounds showed outstanding inhibition when compared with standard (Table 1). Out of twenty seven analogues, twenty two analogues i.e. 1-5, 7-13, 17-21, 23-27 analogues showed excellent inhibitory potential with EC50 values ranging from 0.010 ± 0.00 to 0.096 ± 0.01 μM while five compounds i.e. 6, 14-16, and 22 showed good inhibitory potential with EC50 values ranging from 0.10 ± 0.00 to 0.137 ± 0.01 μM when compared with the standard Amphotericin B. Structure-activity relationship has been established while molecular docking studies were performed to pin the binding interaction of active molecules. This study will help to develop new antileishmanial lead compounds.
A series of nineteen (1-19) indole-based-thiadiazole derivatives were synthesized, characterized by 1HNMR, 13C NMR, MS, and screened for α-glucosidase inhibition. All analogs showed varied α-glucosidase inhibitory potential with IC50 value ranged between 0.95 ± 0.05 to 13.60 ± 0.30 µM, when compared with the standard acarbose (IC50 = 1.70 ± 0.10). Analogs 17, 2, 1, 9, 7, 3, 15, 10, 16, and 14 with IC50 values 0.95 ± 0.05, 1.10 ± 0.10, 1.30 ± 0.10, 1.60 ± 0.10, 2.30 ± 0.10, 2.30 ± 0.10, 2.80 ± 0.10, 4.10 ± 0.20 and 4.80 ± 0.20 µM respectively showed highest α-glucosidase inhibition. All other analogs also exhibit excellent inhibitory potential. Structure activity relationships have been established for all compounds primarily based on substitution pattern on the phenyl ring. Through molecular docking study, binding interactions of the most active compounds were confirmed. We further studied the kinetics study of analogs 1, 2, 9 and 17 and found that they are Non-competitive inhibitors.
Triazinoindole bearing thiadiazole derivatives (1-25) have been synthesized and characterized through different spectroscopic techniques such as 1H, 13C-NMR and HREI-MS. The purpose of the study was to investigate the anti-diabetic activity of the synthesized triazinoindole bearing thiadiazole derivatives by inhibition of α-glucosidase. All synthesized analogues showed outstanding inhibition of α-glucosidase enzyme with IC50 values ranging from 2.5 ± 0.10 to 38.10 ± 0.10 µM as compared to the standard drug acarbose (IC50 = 38.45 ± 0.80 µM). Analogue 4 (IC50 = 2.5 ± 0.10 µM) was identifies as the most potent analogue in the series with fifteen folds more active than standard acarbose. Structure activity relationship (SAR) studies suggested that α-glucosidase activities of triazinoindole bearing thiadiazole are primarily dependent upon on number and position of different substitutions present on phenyl parts. Molecular docking study were conducted of the optimized compounds (i.e., compound 4, 6, and 3 etc. using MOE default parameters), the results revealed that compound 4, 6, and 3 showed numerous key interactions with the target protein, which indicate the high potential of these compounds against the target compound. All these compounds were screened for cytotoxic activity against normal normal Vero cell line and found non-toxic.
In this study, we have investigated a series of indole-based compounds for their inhibitory study against pancreatic α-amylase and intestinal α-glucosidase activity. Inhibitors of carbohydrate degrading enzymes appear to have an essential role as antidiabetic drugs. All analogous exhibited good to moderate α-amylase (IC50 = 3.80 to 47.50 μM), and α-glucosidase inhibitory interactions (IC50 = 3.10-52.20 μM) in comparison with standard acarbose (IC50 = 12.28 μM and 11.29 μM). The analogues 4, 11, 12, 15, 14 and 17 had good activity potential both for enzymes inhibitory interactions. Structure activity relationships were deliberated to propose the influence of substituents on the inhibitory potential of analogues. Docking studies revealed the interaction of more potential analogues and enzyme active site. Further, we studied their kinetic study of most active compounds showed that compounds 15, 14, 12, 17 and 11 are competitive for α-amylase and non- competitive for α-glucosidase.
Synthesis of quinoline analogs and their urease inhibitory activities with reference to the standard drug, thiourea (IC50 = 21.86 ± 0.40 µM) are presented in this study. The inhibitory activity range is (IC50 = 0.60 ± 0.01 to 24.10 ± 0.70 µM) which displayed that it is most potent class of urease inhibitor. Analog 1-9, and 11-13 emerged with many times greater antiurease potential than thiourea, in which analog 1, 2, 3, 4, 8, 9, and 11 (IC50 = 3.50 ± 0.10, 7.20 ± 0.20, 1.30 ± 0.10, 2.30 ± 0.10, 0.60 ± 0.01, 1.05 ± 0.10 and 2.60 ± 0.10 µM respectively) were appeared the most potent ones among the series. In this context, most potent analogs such as 1, 3, 4, 8, and 9 were further subjected for their in vitro antinematodal study against C. elegans to examine its cytotoxicity under positive control of standard drug, Levamisole. Consequently, the cytotoxicity profile displayed that analogs 3, 8, and 9 were found with minimum cytotoxic outline at higher concentration (500 µg/mL). All analogs were characterized through 1H NMR, 13C NMR and HR-EIMS. The protein-ligand binding interaction for most potent analogs was confirmed via molecular docking study.
Measurement of adolescent life satisfaction across cultures has not received much attention in previous empirical research. The present study evaluated measurement invariance of the Satisfaction with Life Scale (SWLS) among adolescents in 24 countries and regions (N = 22,710; age range = 13-19 years; 53% female). A single-factor model with residual covariance between a pair of items tapping past life satisfaction fitted well in 19 countries and regions and showed a partial metric invariance. In a subset of nine countries and regions, partial scalar invariance was supported. Partial metric invariance across all 24 countries and regions was achieved when custom model modifications in five countries and regions were included. Three SWLS items showed evidence of noninvariance across cultures. The measurement model was found to operate similarly across gender and age. Our findings suggest that caution is needed when using the SWLS for measuring life satisfaction among adolescents from different cultures.
Supplementary Information: The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1007/s11482-021-10024-w.