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Background Diseases such as tuberculosis (TB) have always had a large impact on human health. Bacillus Calmette-Guérin (BCG) is used as a surrogate for TB during the development of anti-TB drugs. Nanoparticles (NPs) have attracted great interest in drug development. The purpose of this study was to examine the potential of NPs as anti-TB compounds by studying the interacting mechanisms between NPs and bacteria. Results We investigated effects of gold and silver NPs on BCG and Escherichia coli . Experimentally, particle size and shape were characterized using transmission electron microscopy (TEM). Different concentrations of NPs were applied in bacterial culture. The growth of E. coli was monitored through colony forming units (CFU). The mechanism of interaction between NPs and bacteria was analyzed through bacterial thin sections followed by TEM and scanning electron microscopy. Antibacterial effects on BCG were observed by recording fluorescent protein expression levels. Conclusions The results suggest NPs have potential applications as anti-TB compounds. The antibacterial effects and mechanism of action for NPs were dependent upon composition and surface modifications.

Zeolitic imidazolate frameworks (ZIFs) are widely used in recent times for catalysis and in biomolecules detection. Many neurotransmitters are associated with human body, and among them, serotonin (5-HT) (SER) plays a dynamic role in biological functions. Any alteration in its level leads to severe problems including death, so the monitoring SER is very much concerned. In this direction herein, we successfully synthesized nickel–iron-based ZIF (NiFe-ZIF) microfibers for demonstrating the sensing of neurotransmitter serotonin (SER). Further, the electrochemical behavior investigated by electrochemical studies ensures its high conductivity and sensing ability towards SER. Moreover, the SWV studies also exhibit wide linear range of 40 nM–30 µM with detection limit 3 nM confirming excellent platform role for biomedical applications. Moreover, the real-time application of the proposed sample was also investigated by serum with the exhibition of exceptional outcome of the proposed biosensor.Bi-metallic NiFe based ZIF MFs have been synthesized and successfully utilized for the first time as a biosensor for an effective detection of the neurotransmitter and hormone SER with very low detection limit. The designed sensor is also applicable for the real time analysis and can be further applicable for other device fabrications such as point of care devices like glucose sensors.

We present a comprehensive analysis of pre-seismic anomalies as computed from the ground and space-based techniques during the recent Samos earthquake in Greece on 30 October 2020, with a magnitude M = 6.9. We proceed with a multi-parametric approach where pre-seismic irregularities are investigated in the stratosphere, ionosphere, and magnetosphere. We use the convenient methods of acoustics and electromagnetic channels of the Lithosphere–Atmosphere–Ionosphere-Coupling (LAIC) mechanism by investigating the Atmospheric Gravity Wave (AGW), magnetic field, electron density, Total Electron Content (TEC), and the energetic particle precipitation in the inner radiation belt. We incorporate two ground-based IGS GPS stations DYNG (Greece) and IZMI (Turkey) for computing the TEC and observed a significant enhancement in daily TEC variation around one week before the earthquake. For the space-based observation, we use multiple parameters as recorded from Low Earth Orbit (LEO) satellites. For the AGW, we use the SABER/TIMED satellite data and compute the potential energy of stratospheric AGW by using the atmospheric temperature profile. It is found that the maximum potential energy of such AGW is observed around six days before the earthquake. Similar AGW is also observed by the method of wavelet analysis in the fluctuation in TEC values. We observe significant energetic particle precipitation in the inner radiation belt over the earthquake epicenter due to the conventional concept of an ionospheric-magnetospheric coupling mechanism by using an NOAA satellite. We first eliminate the particle count rate (CR) due to possible geomagnetic storms and South Atlantic Anomaly (SAA) by the proper choice of magnetic field B values. After the removal of the statistical background CRs, we observe a significant enhancement of CR four and ten days before the mainshock. We use Swarm satellite outcomes to check the magnetic field and electron density profile over a region of earthquake preparation. We observe a significant enhancement in electron density one day before the earthquake. The parameters studied here show an overall pre-seismic anomaly from a duration of ten days to one day before the earthquake.

We focus on the possible thermal channel of the well-known Lithosphere–Atmosphere–Ionosphere Coupling (LAIC) mechanism to identify the behavior of thermal anomalies during and prior to strong seismic events. For this, we investigate the variation of Surface Latent Heat Flux (SLHF) as resulting from satellite observables. We demonstrate a spatio-temporal variation in the SLHF before and after a set of strong seismic events occurred in Kathmandu, Nepal, and Kumamoto, Japan, having magnitudes of 7.8, 7.3, and 7.0, respectively. Before the studied earthquake cases, significant enhancements in the SLHF were identified near the epicenters. Additionally, in order to check whether critical dynamics, as the signature of a complex phenomenon such as earthquake preparation, are reflected in the SLHF data, we performed a criticality analysis using the natural time analysis method. The approach to criticality was detected within one week before each mainshock.

Lithosphere–atmosphere–ionosphere coupling (LAIC) is studied through various physical or chemical quantities, obtained from different sources, which are observables of the involved complex processes. LAIC has been proposed to be achieved through three major channels: the chemical, the acoustic, and the electromagnetic. Accumulated evidence supporting the acoustic channel hypothesis has been published, while atmospheric gravity waves (AGWs) play a key role in LAIC as the leading mechanism for the transmission of energy from the lower atmosphere to the stratosphere and mesosphere, associated with atmospheric disturbances observed prior to strong earthquakes (EQs). The seismogenic AGW is the result of temperature disturbances, usually studied through stratospheric potential energy (EP). In this work, we examined 11 cases of significant EQs (M > 6.7) that occurred during the last 10 years at different geographic areas by analyzing the temperature profile at the wider location of each one of the examined EQs. The “Sounding of the Atmosphere using Broadband Emission Radiometry” (SABER) instrument, part of the “Thermosphere Ionosphere Mesosphere Energetics Dynamics” (TIMED) satellite, data were employed to compute the potential energy (EP) of the AGW. Using the temperature profile, we first calculated EP and determined the altitudes’ range for which prominent pre-seismic disturbances were observed. Subsequently, the EP time series at specific altitudes, within the determined “disturbed” range, were for the first time analyzed using the criticality analysis method termed the “natural time” (NT) method in order to find any evidence of an approach to a critical state (during a phase transition from a symmetric phase to a low symmetry phase) prior to the EQ occurrence. Our results show criticality indications in the fluctuation of EP a few days (1 to 15 days) prior to the examined EQs, except from one case. In our study, we also examined all of the temperature-related extreme phenomena that have occurred near the examined geographic areas, in order to take into account any possible non-seismic influence on the obtained results.

Samarium (Sm)-doped cerium oxide (CeO 2 ) thin films were fabricated using electron beam evaporation technique. The synthesized films were deposited either on glass or ITO substrates and studied their nature by annealing at different temperatures. The optical properties and other morphological studies were done by UV–Vis, XRD, XPS, SEM, EDS, and FT-IR analysis. XRD and XPS analysis clearly confirm the presence of Sm in the ceria site. From the SEM study, it was found that after annealing at high temperature (~300 or 500 °C), the particles size was reduced due to breakdown of large aggregates of particles which is also confirmed from UV–Vis, XPS, and XRD analyses. The FT-IR study proves the presence of –COO–, –OH, or ammonium group on the particles surface. The deposition of Sm-doped CeO 2 nanomaterials was found more feasible on ITO substrate compared to that of glass substrate in terms of stability and depth of film thickness. The Sm-doped CeO 2 nanomaterial acts as a re-usable catalyst for the reduction of organic dye molecules in the presence of NaBH 4 . The catalysis rate was compared by considering the electron transfer process during the reduction. The synthesized Sm-doped CeO 2 thin films might find wide variety of applications in various emerging fields like solid oxide fuel cells (SOFCs), oxygen sensor or as catalyst in different types of organic and inorganic catalytic reactions. The fabrication process is very simple, straightforward, less time consuming, and cost effective. Graphical Abstract

Objectives: The aim of the present investigation is to study the application of Response Surface Methodology (RSM), a mathematical model and graphical representation to formulate and Optimize Orodispersible Tablets (ODTs) of sitagliptin phosphate, a class III BCS drug. Methods: ODTs were prepared by direct compression method using dibasic calcium phosphate (DCP), as diluent and croscarmellose sodium sodium (CCS) as super disintegrant. Formulation was designed using design expert software 9.0 version. RSM based 22 full factorial design, considering DCP and CCS as variables and dissolution time at 5, 15 and 30 min was taken as response. Mathematical models in the form of regression equations and graphs were developed. Results: The adequacy of the developed mathematical models was statistically checked through the analysis of variance (ANOVA). The responses were analyzed using ANOVA and polynomial equation was generated for each response using RSM. Responses were mostly affected by the specific combinations of independent variable. R2 predicted and R2 adjusted values for the constructed models, which revealed the competence for the proposed mathematical model. Based on the results obtained DF1 formulation was optimized. The developed mathematical models can be successfully used for their prediction of measured responses. Conclusion: DoE Concept in formulation could pave way for adaptation of Quality Based Design (QbD) in pharmaceutical industry RSM was successfully applied to optimize diluents and disintegrate concentration of ODTs. The variables employed in the study had a great effect on the quality of formulation. Modeling of experimental data allowed the generation of useful equations for prediction of responses.

We have developed a seedless, citrateless one-step synthetic process for the formation of shape controlled monodisperse Pd nanoparticles (NPs) in 4 h of UV-photoirradiation. The synthesis was done in cetyl trimethylammonium bromide (CTAB) surfactant media in the presence of ascorbic acid as a reducing agent. The size and shape of the particles can be tuned easily by varying the molar ratio of the CTAB with the Pd salt and by controlling the UV-photoirradiation time. The preferential binding of CTAB to the (100) facets of Pd leads to the formation of Pd nanorods and nanocubes. The approach developed here would reduce the use of seed particles and tri-sodium citrate for the fast synthesis of faceted Pd NPs. The synthesized particles were found to be stable for at least 3 months under ambient conditions at room temperature. This newly developed process might find potential applications in the formation of other materials like Au, Ag, and CdS NPs and applicable in surface enhanced Raman scattering, and different catalysis reactions. Graphical Abstract We have developed a seedless, citrateless one-step synthetic process for the formation of shape controlled monodisperse Pd nanoparticles (NPs) in 4 h of UV-photoirradiation. The synthesis was done in cetyl trimethylammonium bromide (CTAB) surfactant media in the presence of ascorbic acid as a reducing agent. The size and shape of the particles can be tuned easily by varying the molar ratio of the CTAB with the Pd salt and by controlling the UV-photoirradiation time. The preferential binding of CTAB to the (100) facets of Pd leads to the formation of Pd nanorods and nanocubes. The approach developed here would reduce the use of seed particles and tri-sodium citrate for the fast synthesis of faceted Pd NPs. The synthesized particles were found to be stable for at least 3 months under ambient conditions at room temperature. This newly developed process might find potential applications in the formation of other materials like Au, Ag, and CdS NPs and applicable in surface enhanced Raman scattering, and different catalysis reactions.

Solvent interactions with adsorbed moieties involved in surface reactions are often believed to be similar for different metal surfaces. However, solvents alter the electronic structures of surface atoms, which in turn affects their interaction with adsorbed moieties. To reveal the importance of metal identity on aqueous solvent effects in heterogeneous catalysis, we studied solvent effects on the activation free energies of the O–H and C–H bond cleavages of ethylene glycol over the (111) facet of six transition metals (Ni, Pd, Pt, Cu, Ag, Au) using an explicit solvation approach based on a hybrid quantum mechanical/molecular mechanical (QM/MM) description of the potential energy surface. A significant metal dependence on aqueous solvation effects was observed that suggests solvation effects must be studied in detail for every reaction system. The main reason for this dependence could be traced back to a different amount of charge-transfer between the adsorbed moieties and metals in the reactant and transition states for the different metal surfaces. Solvents play a central role in catalytic reactions, but predicting specific solvation effects in heterogeneous systems remains a challenge. Here, a hybrid quantum mechanical/molecular mechanical method is used to elucidate solvation effects on O–H and C–H bond cleavage in ethylene glycol over the (111) facet of six transition metals.

A detailed comparison of the softness of gold and silver has been reported in the light of hard soft acid base (HSAB) principle. Gold and silver nanoparticles in organic media (i.e., organosol) have been exploited individually to establish the principle. Sulfur and nitrogen were employed as soft and borderline donating atoms to examine the metal-ligand interactions. In this regard, thiols and amines have been considered as interacting ligands with sulfur and nitrogen donor atoms respectively. The stronger affinity of gold towards softer sulfur donor as compared to nitrogen and conversely a reasonable interaction of silver nanoparticles with both the atoms authenticate the softer nature of gold nanoparticle as compared to silver one.[PUBLICATION ABSTRACT]