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Accurately and promptly detecting Fe 3+ and ascorbic acid (AA) is a crucial objective. In this study, nitrogen-doped carbon dots (N-CDs) were synthesized using a one-step hydrothermal synthesis method with 6,9-diamino-2-ethoxyacridine lactate as the precursor. The introduction of Fe 3+ and AA resulted in both fluorescence (FL) quenching and enhancement of the synthesized N-CDs. The fluorescent response of the N-CDs probe to Fe 3+ was observed in the concentration range of 5–20 µM and 25–50 µM, with a limit of detection (LOD) of 290 nM. Remarkably, the fluorescence of the N-CDs was recovered upon the addition of AA to the N-CDs-Fe 3+ system. Using the “off-on” fluorescent N-CDs probe, a linear range of 40–90 µM was achieved with an LOD of 0.69 µM. Additionally, the feasibility of employing a smartphone equipped with an RGB Color Picker was demonstrated for the analysis of Fe 3+ and AA concentrations, providing a novel visual detection method. Furthermore, the application of N-CDs in solution demonstrated considerable potential for visually detecting Fe 3+ and AA. The proposed dual-mode detection sensor was found to be simple, efficient, and stable, enabling the successful determination of Fe 3+ and AA in practical samples with satisfactory results. Graphical Abstract

Adsorption is a pivotal process in environmental cleanup and wastewater treatment due to its simplicity, cost-effectiveness, and sustainability. The quantification of adsorption is often expressed through Adsorption Isotherms, which model the substance adsorbed by a substrate at equilibrium. Understanding single, multi-component, and competitive adsorption isotherms is crucial for designing effective water treatment systems. Experimental data modeling plays a significant role in predicting adsorption mechanisms. This review explores isotherm models'foundational knowledge and practical applications, offering insights into their conceptual framework and utility. It covers single and multi-component contexts, extensively discussing various isotherm models and their parameters. The debate over linearization in adsorption equations is addressed, highlighting factors influencing parameter determination such as linearization method, experimental error, and data range. The paper elucidates techniques like linear and nonlinear regression analysis and error functions for optimal adsorption data analysis, providing a comprehensive understanding of the subject. Graphical Abstract

In this paper, we extend the current literature by seeking answers to two questions: (1) were/are traditional stock markets or FinTech markets more volatile during the Russia–Ukraine War? (2) Which market returns were/are higher during the Russia–Ukraine War—traditional stocks or Fintech stocks. We explored whether cumulative abnormal returns and the stock price of the Fintech market, proxied by Global X Fintech ETF, of firms listed in 28 different countries’ stock markets differ during the Russia–Ukraine War than before the war. Our data set covers the period from June 1, 2021, through November 22, 2022. Our results found that traditional stock markets have been more volatile than Fintech stock markets during the Russia–Ukraine War than before the war. On the other hand, we can see that traditional market returns have been lower than Fintech market returns during the Russia–Ukraine war than before the war.

ObjectivesUltrasound of temporal and axillary arteries may reveal vessel wall inflammation in patients with giant cell arteritis (GCA). We developed a ultrasound scoring system to quantify the extent of vascular inflammation and investigated its diagnostic accuracy and association with clinical factors in GCA.MethodsThis is a prospective study including 89 patients suspected of having GCA, of whom 58 had a confirmed clinical diagnosis of GCA after 6 months follow-up. All patients underwent bilateral ultrasound examination of the three temporal artery (TA) segments and axillary arteries, prior to TA biopsy. The extent of vascular inflammation was quantified by (1) counting the number of TA segments and axillary arteries with a halo and (2) calculating a composite Halo Score that also incorporated the thickness of each halo.ResultsHalo counts and Halo Scores showed moderate diagnostic accuracy for a clinical diagnosis of GCA. They correlated positively with systemic inflammation. When compared with the halo count, the Halo Score correlated better with C-reactive protein (CRP) levels and allowed to firmly establish the diagnosis of GCA in more patients. Higher halo counts and Halo Scores were associated with a higher risk of ocular ischaemia. They allowed to identify subgroups of patients with low risk (≤5%) and high risk of ocular ischaemia (>30%).ConclusionsUltrasound halo scoring allows to quantify the extent of vascular inflammation in GCA. Extensive vascular inflammation on ultrasound may provide strong diagnostic confirmation and associates with ocular ischaemia in GCA.

ZnO nanoparticles have been synthesized by sol–gel technique using zinc acetate dihydrate and diethanolamine as the precursor materials. The effects of calcination temperatures, i.e., 300, 500, 650, 700, and 750 °C, on the crystallinity, optical properties, and size of fabricated zinc oxide nanoparticles were investigated. X-ray diffraction (XRD) analysis reveals the hexagonal wurtzite structure. Crystallite size estimated by XRD data is about 20 nm and increased by increasing calcination temperature. Particle size was supported by particle size analyzer. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy was used to classify molecular species through thermal decomposition. Its spectra show the ZnO nanoparticles formation in the wave number range 400–500 cm −1 while bonding was eliminated by heating process. Differential scanning calorimetry–thermal gravimetric analysis/differential thermal analysis curves indicate weight loss by thermal effect. Precursor decomposes at ~250 °C and mass loss took place from 100 to 500 °C. Ultraviolet–visible (UV–Vis) absorption was utilized to analyze the optical properties of samples. It is seen that the band gap value shows only very slight increase with increasing calcination temperature. Best band gap of 3.08 eV was measured for the sample prepared without calcination.

Purpose The purpose of this study is to examine the relationship between the customer knowledge management capability (CKMC) on project performance through strategic agility in the context project based software companies of Pakistan. The aim of the paper is to find out whether and how is customer knowledge beneficial for project performance and recognized as the important source of advancement of the knowledge management (KM) theory and the essential subject in practical ground. Design/methodology/approach In this study, non-probability, simple random sampling method was used to collect the data because it excludes bias from the data collection process. Although, the population of this research includes 307 employees working in different 30 public and private projects based software firms, operating in twin cities Rawalpindi, Islamabad. The respondents are project supervisors, team members, customers working on these different projects. Because of time limitation data has been collected within four months (i.e. November 2018 to February 2019) for this study, it is not time-lagged study and the data were collected at one time, so the design is cross-sectional in nature. The analysis was established using partial least squares-structural equation modeling (Smart PLS-SEM v.3.2.8) software to test hypotheses. Findings The results revealed the structural equation modeling that the components creating, transferring, integrate and influence ensure the most significant job in clarifying the customer knowledge and enhancing the capability to understand the customer needs and want which lead to decrease project delay, over consumption of the budget and directly lead to increase the project performance. The analyzed results also successfully justified the gap of this research study by showing the significant relationship between CKMC and project performance, also the indirect effect of CKMC through strategic agility on project performance more than its direct effect. So, the strategic agility plays positive and significant mediating role between CKMC and project performance, therefore the all sub-hypothesis and primary hypothesis were accepted. Originality/value This study sets the context with a brief summary of the key characteristics of the CKMC to improve the new product performance, enhance product/service quality, also reduce costs and enhance the competitiveness of organizations. Organization ought to acknowledge how to use KM to generate their revenues and achieve their goals. However, available techniques and methodology to measure the sufficiency are dissatisfying and consistent need for assessments and evaluations of this issue are felt.

PurposeThis study aims to give a glimpse of the existing blockchain applications across industries and add to a complete knowledge of the blockchain’s properties.Design/methodology/approachSystematic literature review is used as the research strategy for this investigation and other aspects of the preferred reporting items for systematic reviews and meta-analyses framework have been incorporated to create a scholarly publications evaluation of the blockchain-based application in the financial arena and its future. The research looks at 86 studies published between 2018 and 2022.FindingsThere has been a steady but noticeable increase in the study of blockchain’s potential in many application domains over the past few of years. This rising tendency illustrates the newness and potential of blockchain technology, as well as the increasing attention from academics. According to the findings, blockchain is an appropriate solution for processing transactions using cryptocurrencies; nevertheless, it still has significant technical issues and limits that require to be exploring and solving before it can be considered a viable option. It is therefore, necessary to have a high level of reliability for payments and confidentiality, in addition to maintaining the anonymity of nodes, to stop assaults and efforts to disrupt transactions in the blockchain.Practical implicationsThis study has several important theoretical and practical implications. First, it adds to the body of knowledge on blockchain and Fintech, focusing on the transaction side. While much blockchain research has focused on how the technology may affect strategic choices, this study has shed light on its potential from the perspective of financial reporting. Second, by highlighting the importance of the demand for the prompt identification of losses, this work adds to the body of knowledge on the factors that influence transaction frauds involving paper money. Additionally, by establishing the link between transparency and virtual transactions, the author backs up the asymmetric responses of investors to different investment possibilities. It looks at the evolution of financial technology (Fintech) and shows how it can be used to take the advantage of unique opportunities.Originality/valueThe study is different and novel from the previously published literature on this topic mainly because of its comprehensiveness, as it revolves around all industrial and commercial areas. The three main lines of research have been outlined, namely, classifying the many blockchain-based innovations that will alter the financial landscape in many industries; identifying whether these industries are a good fit for blockchain’s wealth creation potential; and directing researchers by outlining prospective study pathways.

Background Soil microbes exist throughout the soil profile and those inhabiting topsoil (0–20 cm) are believed to play a key role in nutrients cycling. However, the majority of the soil microbiology studies have exclusively focused on the distribution of soil microbial communities in the topsoil, and it remains poorly understood through the subsurface soil profile (i.e., 20–40 and 40–60 cm). Here, we examined how the bacterial community composition and functional diversity changes under intensive fertilization across vertical soil profiles [(0–20 cm (RS1), 20–40 cm (RS2), and 40–60 cm (RS3)] in the red soil of pomelo orchard, Pinghe County, Fujian, China. Results Bacterial community composition was determined by 16S rRNA gene sequencing and interlinked with edaphic factors, including soil pH, available phosphorous (AP), available nitrogen (AN), and available potassium (AK) to investigate the key edaphic factors that shape the soil bacterial community along with different soil profiles. The most dominant bacterial taxa were Proteobacteria , Acidobacteria , Actinobacteria , Chloroflexi , Crenarchaeota, and Bacteriodetes . Bacterial richness and diversity was highest in RS1 and declined with increasing soil depth. The distinct distribution patterns of the bacterial community were found across the different soil profiles. Besides, soil pH exhibited a strong influence (pH ˃AP ˃AN) on the bacterial communities under all soil depths. The relative abundance of Proteobacteria, Actinobacteria, Crenarchaeota, and Firmicutes was negatively correlated with soil pH, while Acidobacteria, Chloroflexi, Bacteriodetes, Planctomycetes, and Gemmatimonadetes were positively correlated with soil pH. Co-occurrence network analysis revealed that network topological features were weakened with increasing soil depth, indicating a more stable bacterial community in the RS1. Bacterial functions were estimated using FAPROTAX and the relative abundance of functional bacterial community related to metabolic processes, including C-cycle, N-cycle, and energy production was significantly higher in RS1 compared to RS2 and RS3, and soil pH had a significant effect on these functional microbes. Conclusions This study provided the valuable findings regarding the structure and functions of bacterial communities in red soil of pomelo orchards, and highlighted the importance of soil depth and pH in shaping the soil bacterial population, their spatial distribution and ecological functioning. These results suggest the alleviation of soil acidification by adopting integrated management practices to preserve the soil microbial communities for better ecological functioning.

Non-Hodgkin's lymphoma (NHL) is the sixth-most common cancer in the UK, accounting for around 13,700 new cases every year. Until the late 1990s, treatment relied on intensive chemotherapy, such as CHOP (cyclophosphamide-doxorubicin HCl-vincristine [Oncovin]-prednisone). The use of standard CHOP therapy and its variations had resulted in poor five-year survival rates (as low as 26%), particularly in patients with aggressive NHL. Rituximab (Rituxan) was the first chimeric (mouse/human) monoclonal antibody approved for the treatment of NHL. It was approved by the US Food and Drug Administration in 1997 for indolent forms of NHL. It subsequently received EU approval in June 1998, and was licensed under the trade name Mabthera (Roche, Basel, Switzerland). It then went on to be approved for the first-line treatment of aggressive forms of NHL, such as diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (to be used in combination with CHOP or other anthracycline-based chemotherapy) in 2006. It is directed against the CD20 protein, an antigen found on the surface of B-cell lymphomas. With minimal toxicity, activity as a single-agent (for indolent forms of NHL) and safety when combined with chemotherapy (for aggressive forms), it represents great progress in this field. Here, we analyze how this antibody therapeutic was developed from basic molecular and cellular considerations through to preclinical and clinical evaluations and how it came to be a first-line treatment for NHL, and we discuss the impacts the advent of rituximab had on treatment outcomes for patients with DLBCL compared with the pre-rituximab era.

ObjectivesAs per NICE guidelines [NG 61], children and young people with life limiting conditions and their carers or parents should have enough time and opportunities for discussions about difficult decisions around end-of-life care. A retrospective audit of all children with complex life limiting neuro-disabilities who died in the paediatric intensive care unit was carried out to assess if they were: a) Known to any other team/hospice care b) Have documented RESPECT form or end-of-life care discussion.MethodsA retrospective review of medical records was done of all children who died in the paediatric intensive care unit between May 2014 to Sept 2022. Children who died in PICU but did not have any pre-existing life limiting neuro-disability and children who had cancer were excluded.ResultsOnly 2 out of 33 eligible patients (6%) had end-of-life care discussion prior to admission to PICU. Another 1 patient was known to the palliative care team but did not have any documented end-of-life care plan.ConclusionChildren with pre-existing life limiting neuro-disabilities and their families are not getting enough time and opportunities for discussions about difficult decisions around end-of-life care.ReferenceEnd of life care for infants, children and young people with life-limiting conditions: planning and management, NICE guideline[NG61],7 Dec 2016: (Updated 25 Jul 2019).