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The extensive use of antibiotics and vaccines against microbial infections can result in long-term negative effects on humans and the environment. However, there are a number of plants that have antimicrobial effects against various disease-causing microbes such as bacteria, viruses, and fungi without negative side effects or harm to the environment. In this regard, four particular plants- Capsicum, Nigella sativa, Musa paradisiaca L., and Citrus limetta have been widely considered due to their excellent antimicrobial effect and ample availability. In this review, we discuss their antimicrobial effects due to the presence of thymoquinone, p-cymene, pinene, alkaloids, limonene, camphene, and melanin. These antimicrobial compounds disrupt the cell membrane of microbes, inhibit cellular division, and form biofilm in bacterial species, eventually reducing the number of microbes. Extraction of these compounds from the respective plants is carried out by different methods such as soxhlet, hydro-distillation, liquid-liquid extraction (LLE), pressurized liquid extraction (PLE), solid-phase extraction (SPE), supercritical fluid extraction (SFE), pulsed electric field (PEF), microwave-assisted extraction (MAE), enzyme-assisted extraction (EAE), ultrasound-assisted extraction (UAE), and high-voltage electrical discharge. Suitable selection of the extraction technique highly depends upon the associated advantages and disadvantages. In order to aid future study in this field, this review paper summarizes the advantages and disadvantages of each of these approaches. Additionally, the discussion covers how antimicrobial agents destroy harmful bacteria. Thus, this review offers in-depth knowledge to researchers on the antibacterial properties of Capsicum, Nigella sativa, Musa paradisiaca L. peels, and Citrus limetta .

Copper slag is not only a waste but it has many valuable and recoverable metals present in it such as iron. Therefore, this study focuses on the utilization of waste materials i.e., copper slag and tire char for iron recovery. Four calcium salts, i.e., CaCO 3 , Ca(OH) 2 , CaCl 2 , and CaSO 4 , with different dosages, reduction temperature, reduction time, and atmospheric conditions were investigated in order to find best reaction mechanism for iron recovery. Among these salts, the optimum conditions were determined: using CaCO 3 under 0.384 of CaO/SiO 2 molar ratio in a 60-min reduction period at 1473.15K temperature, that gives 91.14% iron recovery. Both FESEM-EDS data and chemical titration showed more than 70% of the highest iron grade in the recovered product. The analysis results indicate that main impurity in the whole procedure was carbon from coal char that reduces the iron grade. This research not only provides a novel way to recover iron from copper slag, but also provides a future direction to handle copper slag and tire char waste materials.

The synthesis and solid-state characterization of a new hybrid polyoxometalate of formula (NH 4 ) 2 (C 6 H 18 N 2 )[H 2 P 2 Mo 5 O 23 ]·H 2 O (POM 2) were carried out by using X-ray diffraction, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR), UV–Vis and fluorescence techniques. It crystallized in a triclinic system with space group P-1, a = 10.1868 (17), b = 10.730(2), c = 14.380(3) Å, α = 100.840(6), β = 95.868(6), γ = 114.934(6)°, and Z = 1. Analysis of the crystal structure reveals that the Strandberg anions [H 2 P 2 Mo 5 O 23 ] 4− are interconnected into a 3D supramolecular inorganic framework through hydrogen bonding interactions involving water molecules, ammonium cations, and the terminal oxygen atoms of polyanionic units. The organic cations are hosted within the anionic framework to balance its negative charge. Density functional theory (DFT) calculations were performed to optimize the geometry of the novel compound and its homologous compound (C 6 H 18 N 2 ) 2 [H 2 P 2 Mo 5 O 23 ]·H 2 O (POM 1), in order to evaluate HOMO–LUMO energy parameters, molecular electrostatic potential (MEP) and non linear optical (NLO) properties. The calculated results reveal good consistency with the experimental structure. The calculated first-order hyperpolarizability of POM 1 and POM 2 are 8.71 and 15.87 times that of urea.

The synthesis and solid-state characterization of a new hybrid polyoxometalate of formula (NH ₄ ) ₂ (C ₆ H ₁₈ N ₂ )[H ₂ P ₂ Mo ₅ O ₂₃ ]·H ₂ O (POM 2) were carried out by using X-ray diffraction, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR), UV–Vis and fluorescence techniques. It crystallized in a triclinic system with space group P-1, a = 10.1868 (17), b = 10.730(2), c = 14.380(3) Å, α = 100.840(6), β = 95.868(6), γ = 114.934(6)°, and Z = 1. Analysis of the crystal structure reveals that the Strandberg anions [H ₂ P ₂ Mo ₅ O ₂₃ ] ⁴⁻are interconnected into a 3D supramolecular inorganic framework through hydrogen bonding interactions involving water molecules, ammonium cations, and the terminal oxygen atoms of polyanionic units. The organic cations are hosted within the anionic framework to balance its negative charge. Density functional theory (DFT) calculations were performed to optimize the geometry of the novel compound and its homologous compound (C ₆ H ₁₈ N ₂ ) ₂ [H ₂ P ₂ Mo ₅ O ₂₃ ]·H ₂ O (POM 1), in order to evaluate HOMO–LUMO energy parameters, molecular electrostatic potential (MEP) and non linear optical (NLO) properties. The calculated results reveal good consistency with the experimental structure. The calculated first-order hyperpolarizability of POM 1 and POM 2 are 8.71 and 15.87 times that of urea.

The synthesis, crystal structure, and characterization of a new organic–inorganic hybrid material with [C 5 H 8 N 3 ] 2 ClSbCl 4 ·H 2 O formula are described. The crystal structure refinement shows that this compound crystallizes in the monoclinic space group P2 1 /m with the following unit cell dimensions: a  = 5.6710(10) Å, b  = 18.6279(2) Å, c  = 9.0179(10) Å, β  = 90.4480(10)°, V  = 952.61(2) Å 3 , and Z  = 2. The atomic arrangement of the title compound can be described by the three-dimensional network. The cohesion of compound entities is ensured by hydrogen bonding (N–H…Cl, OW–H…Cl, N–H…N, and C–H…Cl) and π – π interactions. The 13 C CP-MAS-NMR spectrum shows five isotropic resonances, confirming the existence of five non-equivalent carbon atoms. This result is in good agreement with the X-ray single-crystal study. The infrared spectrum of this compound reported from 4,000 to 400 cm −1 confirmed the presence of the principal bands assigned to the internal modes of the organic cation. Graphical abstract

A new d 10 coordination polymer, C 5 H 14 N 2 2 Cd P 6 O 18 H 2 O 2 · 6 H 2 O n , was prepared and characterized by X-ray diffraction, IR-Raman spectroscopy, thermal analysis and cyclic voltammetry. The crystal structure determination reveals that the phosphate anions alternate with the cadmium octahedral to form an anionic coordination polymer extending along [001] direction. The double protonated homopiperazine cations and the water molecules ensure the interconnection between polymers and thus giving rise to three dimensional supramolecular networks. By means of cyclic voltammetry, it is shown that whilst the reduction of the complexed Cd 2+ occurs with a biggest difficulty than this of its free form, the anodic oxidation of the heterocyclic N donor piperazine became quite easy, when it is displayed as a counterpart diprotonated cation, between the anionic layers of Cd ( P 6 O 18 ) ( H 2 O ) 2 ) n 4 n - . The antibacterial activity of the coordination polymer is also discussed.

This quantitative study examines the influence of innovative pedagogical approaches (IPA) on enhancing student critical thinking (SCT) and student learning outcomes (SLO) in higher education, with an emphasis on the mediating role of inclusive leadership(IL). Using a sample of 321 students from public and private universities in Pakistan, the research reveals that methods such as problem-based learning, flipped classrooms, and interactive teaching significantly boost academic performance and cultivate critical thinking skills. The findings indicate that innovative pedagogical approaches positively and significantly impact student critical thinking (β = 0.536, t = 6.539, p  < 0.001) and learning outcomes (β = 0.551, t = 12.725, p  < 0.001). Additionally, inclusive leadership mediates the relationship between innovative teaching methods and both student critical thinking (β = 0.331, t = 3.833, p  < 0.001) and learning outcomes (β = 0.405, t = 8.662, p  < 0.001). Data were collected using survey questionnaires adapted from established studies on inclusive leadership, innovative pedagogical approaches, student critical thinking, and learning outcomes. These results highlight the essential role of inclusive leadership in enhancing the efficacy of innovative pedagogies by creating a supportive and diverse learning environment. The study suggests that implementing active learning strategies and integrating technology in the classroom, along with inclusive leadership practices, can significantly improve student engagement, critical thinking, and overall academic performance. This research offers valuable insights for educators and policymakers seeking to enhance teaching and learning experiences in higher education.

Diabetes and hypertension are a serious public health problem worldwide. In the last decades, prevalence of these two metabolic diseases has dramatically increased in the Middle East and North Africa region, especially in Tunisia. This study aimed to determine the prevalence of type 2 diabetes (T2D) and High Blood Pressure (HBP) in Zaghouan, a North-East region of Tunisia. To this end, an exploratory study with stratified random sampling of 420 participants has been carried out. Various data were collected. Blood samples and urine were drawn for biochemical assay. Then, all data were analyzed using the statistical R software. Results showed an alarming situation with an inter-regional difference in prevalence of obesity (50.0%, CI 95.0%), HBP (39.0%, CI 95.0%) and T2D (32.0%, CI 95.0%). This study allowed the discovery of 24, 17 and 2 new cases of T2D, HBP and T2D&HBP respectively. The association of some socio-economic factors and biochemical parameters with these chronic diseases has been highlighted. To conclude, the health situation in the governorate of Zaghouan requires urgent interventions to better manage the growing epidemic of non-communicable diseases (NCD) in the region. This study demonstrated the importance of engaging health policy makers in road mapping and implementing national NCD prevention programs.

Microplastics (MPs) raise environmental concerns. However, their effects on the ruminal–gastro-intestinal system have not yet been studied. This study aims to investigate the effects of polyethylene terephthalate (PET) MPs on the ability of the ruminal–gastro-intestinal system to degrade and digest mixed hay. Using a three-step in vitro ruminal–gastro-intestinal incubation system, PET MPs were introduced at concentrations of 0, 5, 10, and 15 g/L in ruminal and gastro-intestinal solutions. Ruminal fluid was collected from three 16-month-old Piedmontese bulls. The experiment was conducted on three mixed hays and was repeated three times, with triplicate incubations in each run. The results reveal that PET MPs reduced the degradability and digestibility of crude protein. Specifically, crude protein degradation was reduced by 9% at medium and 16% at high PET MP concentrations in the ruminal phase, while the crude protein digestibility of undegraded crude protein was reduced by 8% at the lowest PET MPs concentration in the gastro-intestinal tract. Additionally, PET MPs reduced the degradation of neutral detergent fiber at medium and high PET MP concentrations in the ruminal phase by 9% and 13%, respectively. These results highlight the risks of PET MPs contamination on ruminal–gastro-intestinal functions and underscore the urgent need to mitigate MPs contamination in the livestock sector.

We sincerely thank the authors of the comment for their interest in our study and for highlighting the issue of author name ambiguity in bibliometric research [...].We sincerely thank the authors of the comment for their interest in our study and for highlighting the issue of author name ambiguity in bibliometric research [...].