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Through past eras, spectroscopic techniques found numerous applications i.e., from biological applications to measurement of chemical composition and characterization of numerous materials such as polymers, nanocomposites etc. Nanocomposites, in addition to radiation shielding materials are developing and growing materials having numerous uses. For study of distinctive characteristics, characterization, and development of new materials employing polymer nanocomposites, numerous characterization practices are accessible and are in use nowadays. The prime objective of current review is to summarize the knowledge of existing characterization practices and to explore the applications of fluorescence, UV–Vis spectroscopy, solid-state nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR), wide angle X-ray diffraction (WXRD), small angel X-ray scattering (SAXS), and infrared in addition to Raman technique towards characterization of metal oxide composites, polymers, fillers, composites besides nanocomposites. Fluorescence techniques find limitations in providing comprehensive examination of materials. For information regarding material size, aggregation phase, as well as refractive index, UV–Vis spectroscopy was employed. Solid-state NMR spectroscopy give information about silanol hydroxyl groups present at exterior of silica as well as their interactions with polymer and polymer-filler interfacial connections. WXRD provide information on crystal structure, composition, crystalline grain size of materials while SAXS provide information about size of particle, and its distribution. To characterize different types of functional groups in materials, infrared spectroscopy was employed. Raman spectroscopy finds wide-ranging applications for analysis of materials. The novelty of this review is that until yet, very few review papers have been published that concisely describe all above mentioned techniques along with their applications in a very simple and effective means.

In this paper, we propose a fractional-order mathematical model to explain the role of glucagon in maintaining the glucose level in the human body by using a generalised form of a fractal fractional operator. The existence, boundedness, and positivity of the results are constructed by fixed point theory and the Lipschitz condition for the biological feasibility of the system. Also, global stability analysis with Lyapunov’s first derivative functions is treated. Numerical simulations for fractional-order systems are derived with the help of Lagrange interpolation under the Mittage-Leffler kernel. Results are derived for normal and type 1 diabetes at different initial conditions, which support the theoretical observations. These results play an important role in the glucose-insulin-glucagon system in the sense of a closed-loop design, which is helpful for the development of artificial pancreas to control diabetes in society.

COVID-19 pandemic has disrupted the economies around the world and the economic fallout from preventive measures such as lockdown is enormous. It has massive repercussions for the sharing economy as well. This research paper empirically analyses the impact of lockdown restrictions on five major sectors of the sharing economy such as ride-hailing, accommodation, freelance work, entertainment and delivery services. To evaluate this impact, we employed the difference-in-difference estimation technique using the Google trends data for selected countries. Daily search data of 2019 and 2020 is reindexed to examine the change in search patterns that occurred after lockdown. The empirical results show that transportation and accommodation sectors are negatively impacted by COVID-19 related lockdown while the other sectors of the sharing economy such as freelance work, streaming services and online deliveries are seeing a surge in searches. The findings of this study provide vital insights into the economic disruptions caused by COVID-19 related lockdown. We have highlighted the sectors that are booming during pandemic thus the sharing economy platforms and government have opportunities to invest in these sectors to jump-start the economy. The recently unemployed gig workers can also be employed in these sectors to address the problem of unemployment.

In this work, we propose fractional-order deterministic mathematical models for human brain information dynamics, including the major effect on sensory memory. The two models are top-down and bottom-up processing. Mathematical models are analysed for different cases for long and short-term memory effects with the effect of experience and prior knowledge. Studies are conducted both qualitatively and quantitatively to analyse systems using fixed-point theory results. The impact of the global derivative, linear growth, and Lipschitz criteria are used to check the existence and uniqueness of the model for the biological feasibility of the system. Positivity and boundedness of the unique solution were also treated. The global stability of the proposed model is constructed by constructing the first and second derivatives for the Lyapunov function using wave analysis according to the equilibrium point. Numerical simulations of the proposed method in the range of fractional orders are conducted to demonstrate the implications of fractional and fractal orders. To further explore the impact of various parameters on the information processing process in the human brain, information in long-term memory, repetition, and rehearsal Chaotic modelling of the brain information dynamics model is also derived for different cases that are stable and bound to feasible regions. Results demonstrate the strong memory effect by using nonlocal and non-singular kernels at different fractional order values and fractal dimensions, which support experimental and theoretical observations.

The physiologically based pharmacokinetic (PBPK) modeling is an in-silico technique that determines drug pharmacokinetics (PK) by considering blood circulation and tissue composition within the body. Fexofenadine is an H 1 receptor antagonist drug recommended for treating seasonal allergic rhinitis and chronic idiopathic urticaria. This study aimed to build a PBPK model of fexofenadine to predict its systemic exposure in healthy, diseased, and pediatric populations. The modeling process commenced with a meticulous literature review to collect pertinent PK data on fexofenadine, which was then consolidated into the PK-Sim simulator to develop a drug-specific model in the healthy population. The model was then extrapolated to patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD) and pediatrics by employing disease and age-related physiological variations. Visual predictive checks were executed to substantiate the model’s accuracy, along with the computation of observed-to-predicted ratios (R Obs/Pre ), average fold error (AFE), and absolute average fold error (AAFE). The developed PBPK model successfully predicted fexofenadine’s PK with AFE values of 0.98, 0.58, and 1.21 for CL/F in healthy, diseased, and pediatric populations, which were confined within a two-fold error range. Furthermore, box-and-whisker plots were generated to critically analyze drug concentration at varying stages of CKD. The presented model offers indispensable insights that may assist clinicians in determining dosing strategies in patients with kidney disease.

A low-cost adsorbent developed from unmodified Azadirachta indica leaves was used for adsorptive removal of the Congo Red dye from an aqueous medium. The adsorbent was characterized by the Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), Brunauer-Emmett-Teller (BET), and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) techniques. For optimization of operational parameters such as dye concentration, solution pH, adsorbent dose, contact time, and temperature, batch adsorption experiments were performed. It was found that for neem leaves powder (NLP), the optimum conditions were as follows: adsorbent dose of 0.8 g, contact time of 100 min having a solution with pH value of 5, adsorbate initial concentration of 40 ppm at temperature 60 °C where maximum amount of dye, i.e., 84%, removal was observed. The process followed pseudo-first-order kinetics, which reveals physical adsorption. According to isothermal investigations, sorption data were best fit with the Freundlich isotherm model. Thermodynamically, the adsorption of the Congo Red dye by the neem leaf powder was exothermic. Furthermore, the mechanistic removal of the Congo Red dye by the NLP has been explored with the help of the surface complex formation (PHREEQC) mechanism. Overall, the results of the study explore the promising nature of NLP for Congo Red dye removal.

Background/Objectives: Fexofenadine hydrochloride is a widely prescribed drug for treating histamine-mediated allergic reactions. This review systematically collates existing research on the clinical pharmacokinetics (PK) of fexofenadine, with a copious emphasis on examining the impact of stereoisomerism, disease states, and drug interactions. Methods: The search engines PubMed, Science Direct, Google Scholar, and Cochrane were scanned systematically for articles concerning the clinical PK of fexofenadine in humans. The extensive literature search yielded 85 articles meeting the inclusion standards. Results: The PK parameters of fexofenadine showed a linear correlation between increasing doses and proportional elevations in PK parameters such as area under the curve from time 0 to infinity (AUC0–∞) and maximum plasma concentration (Cmax). Under fed conditions, its bioavailability was reduced by approximately 50%. Findings from patients with end-stage renal disease (ESRD) displayed a 63% decline in oral clearance (CL/F) of fexofenadine. A drug–food interaction study has displayed that grapefruit juice decreased Cmax (201 ng/mL vs. 128 ng/mL), accompanied by a 30% reduction in the bioavailability of fexofenadine. Furthermore, a drug–herb interaction study with St John’s Wort (SJW) has reported a reduction in CL/F by 10% after a single dose, but long-term administration reversed this effect, resulting in elevated CL/F by 17% of fexofenadine. Conclusions: Since no prior systematic review on the PK of this drug exists, this review amalgamates all pertinent PK parameters in humans by pooling up-to-date data from published studies. This detailed literature review can be advantageous for researchers who want to develop and assess PK models.

Objective: To develop a reliable and valid Urdu indigenous Body Dysmorphic Disorder Scale (BDDS) for the Pakistani community. Study Design: Cross-sectional study Place and Duration of Study: Department of Psychology, University of Gujrat, Gujrat Pakistan, from Jun to Dec 2020. Methodology: Based on the literature review, DSM-V criteria and semi-structured interviews conducted with psychologists clinical psychologists, and psychiatrists, an item pool of 78 items was generated for BDDS. A panel of five experts evaluated these items for content and revised them based on judgemental remarks. In the pilot study, 40 individuals were purposively selected, and 78 items were administered, yielding 0.94 Cronbach Alpha. Pilot study-I was conducted on 350 participants for Inter-item correlations and Exploratory Factor Analysis (EFA). Pilot study II selected 120 participants conveniently, and Dysmorphic Concern Questionnaire (DCQ) along with a Scale of Adjustment Problems for Adults (SAPA) and BDDS were administered to analyse the validation of BDDS. In the main study, 200 conveniently selected individuals were given BDDS for Confirmatory Factor Analysis (CFA). Results: Exploratory Factor Analysis yielded three factors with 77 total items of BDDS, each having 19 (Behavioural Slants), 14 (Relational Sensitivity) and 44 (Self-Criticism) items, showing Cronbach Alpha of 0.98 on the present sample. Convergent validity and discriminant validity DCQ and SAPA were satisfactory, respectively. CFA on 200 conveniently selected general population youth yielded 18 items screening BDDS. Conclusion: Body Dysmorphic Disorder Scale is a reliable and valid indigenous tool developed in Pakistan. Confirmatory factor analysis confirmed to screen the general population.

Background Ripening of cheddar cheese is a time taking process, duration of the ripening may be as long as one year. Long ripening time is a big hindrance in the popularity of cheese in developing countries. Further, energy resources in these countries are either insufficient or very expensive. Therefore, those methods of cheese ripening should be discovered which can significantly reduce the ripening time without compromising the quality characteristics of cheddar cheese. In accelerated ripening, cheese is usually ripened at higher temperature than traditional ripening temperatures. Ripening of cheddar cheese at high temperature with the addition of vitamin E and selenium is not previously studied. This investigation aimed to study the antioxidant activity of selenium and vitamin E in accelerated ripening using cheddar cheese as an oxidation substrate. Methods The ripening of cheddar cheese was performed at 18 °C and to prevent lipid oxidation, vitamin E and selenium were used alone and in combination. The treatments were as: cheddar cheese without any addition of vitamin E and selenium (T1), cheddar cheese added with 100 mg/kg vitamin E (T 2 ), 200 mg/kg vitamin E (T 3 ), 800 μg/kg selenium (T 4 ), 1200 μg/kg selenium (T 5 ), vitamin E 100 mg/kg + 800 μg/kg selenium (T 6 ) and vitamin E 200 mg/kg + 1200 μg/kg selenium (T 7 ). Traditional cheddar cheese ripne ripened at 4-6 °C for 9 months was used as positive control. Cheese samples were ripened at 18 °C for a period of 12 weeks and analyzed for chemical and oxidative stability characteristics at 0, 6 and 12 weeks of storage. All these treatments were compared with a cheddar cheese without vitamin E, selenium and ripened at 4 °C or 12 weeks. Vacuum packaged cheddar cheese was ripened 18 °C for a period of 12 weeks and analyzed for chemical and oxidative stability characteristics at 0, 4 and 8 weeks of storage period. Results Addition of Vitamin E and selenium did not have any effect on moisture, fat and protein content of cheddar cheese. After 6 weeks of ripening, total antioxidant capacity of T 1 , T 2 , T 3 , T 4 , T 5 , T 6 , T 7 and standard cheese were 29.61%, 44.7%, 53.6%, 42.5%, 41.4%, 64.1%, 85.1% and 25.4%. After 6 weeks of ripening, reducing power of T 1 , T 2 , T 3 , T 4 , T 5 , T 6 , T 7 and SC cheese were 14.7%, 18.1%, 26.3%, 19.2%, 25.3%, 33.4%, 40.3% and 11.6%. After 6 weeks of ripening, 1, 1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) free radical scavenging activity of T 6 and T 7 were 54.2% and 66.9%. While, DPPH free radical scavenging activity of T 1 and standard cheese after 6 weeks of ripening were, 19.1 and 18.5%, respectively. Free fatty acids of vitamin E and selenium supplemented, non-supplemented and standard cheese were not significantly influenced from each other in 0, 6 and 12 weeks old cheddar cheese. Peroxide values of T 1 , T 2 , T 3 , T 4 , T 5 , T 6 , T 7 and standard cheese after 6 weeks of accelerated ripening were 1.19, 1.05, 0.88, 1.25, 0.29, 0.25, 0.24 and 0.28 (MeqO 2 /kg). After 6 weeks of ripening, anisidine value of T 6 and T 7 were 6.55 and 6.14. Conjugated dienes of T 1 , T 2 , T 3 , T 4 , T 5 , T 6 , T 7 and standard cheese, after 6 weeks of accelerated ripening were 0.61, 0.55, 0.42, 0.77, 0.65, 0.17, 0.15 and 0.19. After 6 weeks of accelerated ripening, concentrations unsaturated fatty acids in T 1 , T 2 , T 3 , T 4 , T 5 , T 6 , T 7 and standard cheese decreased by18.19%, 17.45%, 16.82%, 16.19%, 12.71%, 8.48%, 6.92% and 14.71%. After 12 weeks of accelerated ripening, concentration of unsaturated fatty acids in T 1 , T 2 , T 3 , T 4 , T 5 , T 6 and T 7 and standard cheese decreased by 26.2%, 21.2%, 18.7%, 14.2%, 10.4%, 4.84%, 1.03% and 6.78%. Cheddar cheese samples added with vitamin E, selenium and their combinations produced more organic acids during the ripening period of 12 weeks. After 6 and 12 weeks of ripening, flavor score of T 6 and T 7 was better than standard ripened cheddar cheese. Conclusions After 6 weeks of accelerated ripening, sensory characteristics of T 6 and T 7 were similar to cheddar cheese that was ripened at 4 °C for 9 months. Ripening time of cheddar cheese may be reduced to 6 weeks by elevated temperature (18 °C) using vitamin E and selenium as antioxidants at T 6 and T 7 levels.

ABSTRACT Objective: To provide evidence that application of Enhanced Recovery after Surgery Protocol can promote rapid recovery of surgical patients in addition to reduction of duration of hospital stay. Study Design: Quasi-experimental study. Place and Duration of Study: Sheikh Khalifa Bin Zayad Alnayan Hospital, Rawalakot Azad Kashmir Pakistan, from Jan 2019 to Jun 2020. Methodology: Respondents included 210 surgical patients from discipline of Otorhinolaryngology, General Surgery, Urology, Gynecology and Obstetrics. Patients were randomly divided into two equal groups by odd and even numbers. Group-A included 105 surgical patients who were managed by conventional protocol. Group-B included 105 surgical patients who were managed by Enhanced Recovery after Surgery Protocol. Results: Enhanced Recovery after Surgery Group (Group-B) was found to have shorter preoperative fasting time (146.4±0.47 vs 633.6±1.55 minutes, p<0.001), reduced postoperative fasting time (139.2±0.41 vs 360±0.09 minutes, p<0.001), less use of intravenous fluid (870±0.5 vs 2480ml, p<0.001) and reduced hospital stay (52.8±0.91 vs 80.16±1.17 hours, p<0.001) as compared to Traditional Group. Compared to traditional group (Group-A), the number of highly satisfied patients were more in Group-B (n-95 or 90.48% vs n-42 or 40%, p-value<0.001). No significant difference was noted in post-operative vomiting, surgical wound infection and rate of re-admission among both groups. Conclusion: There is a significant reduction in duration of hospital stay and swift recovery after surgery, leading to reductions in treatment cost and resource utilization.