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Microbial contamination is one of the major dreadful problems that raises hospitalization, morbidity and mortality rates globally, which subsequently obstructs socio-economic progress. The continuous misuse and overutilization of antibiotics participate mainly in the emergence of microbial resistance. To circumvent such a multidrug-resistance phenomenon, well-defined nanocomposite structures have recently been employed. In the current study, a facile, novel and cost-effective approach was applied to synthesize Ag@Ag 2 O core–shell nanocomposites (NCs) via chemical method. Several techniques were used to determine the structural, morphological, and optical characteristics of the as-prepared NCs. XRD, Raman, FTIR, XPS and SAED analysis revealed a crystalline hybrid structure of Ag core and Ag 2 O shell. Besides, SEM and HRTEM micrographs depicted spherical nanoparticles with size range of 19–60 nm. Additionally, zeta potential and fluorescence spectra illustrated aggregated nature of Ag@Ag 2 O NCs by − 5.34 mV with fluorescence emission peak at 498 nm. Ag@Ag 2 O NCs exhibited higher antimicrobial, antibiofilm, and algicidal activity in dose-dependent behavior. Interestingly, a remarkable mycocidal potency by 50 μg of Ag@Ag 2 O NCs against Candida albican ; implying promising activity against COVID-19 white fungal post-infections. Through assessing cytotoxicity, Ag@Ag 2 O NCs exhibited higher safety against Vero cells than bulk silver nitrate by more than 100-fold.

Sodium ion batteries are favored in stationary and large scale power storage due to their low cost and nontoxicity. As the lithium is replaced with sodium due to the cost motive, a cheap processing method is needed to maintain the cell price as low as possible. We report an ultra-fast synthesis method that utilizes the high microwave absorbance of silicon carbide content in rice straw ash. Amorphous/maricite mixtures of sodium iron phosphates-carbon composites (NaFePO 4 -C) are synthesized, crystallized, and carbon coated using one-step microwave heating. The sodium ion electroactive composites are prepared using different microwave heating durations ranging from 30 to 100 s. High purity inert gases are not needed during synthesis, processing, and even at cell assembly. The materials are characterized by elemental analysis techniques, X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning/transmission electron microscope (SEM/TEM), and Raman spectroscopy. The electrochemical performance of the synthesized nanocomposites is examined as sodium ion battery cathode and as symmetric supercapacitors. The optimum synthesis time is 60 s for the application as sodium ion batteries and as a supercapacitor. The maximum specific capacity is 108.4 mA h g −1 at 0.2 C in the case of using it as a battery cathode. While the capacitance is 86 F g −1 at 0.5 A g −1 as a supercapacitor. The capacity retention is 92.85% after 40 cycles at 0.2 C as sodium ion battery electrode. For supercapacitor, the capacity retention is 81.7% after 1000 cycles.

In this study, a three-dimensional nonlinear finite element (FE) model was developed using Abaqus/Explicit to simulate the effects of internal blasts. The numerical model was validated against two previously published numerical and experimental works, demonstrating strong agreement in deformation results. A parametric study was carried out to evaluate the influence of several key factors on the deformation of the receiver tunnel subjected to an explosion in the adjacent donor tunnel. The investigation considered critical variables such as lining material, tunnel inner diameter, cross-sectional shape, spacing between tunnels, and TNT charge weight. The results clearly indicate that expanded polystyrene (EPS) foam, across various densities, demonstrates superior capacity for absorbing blast waves compared to polyurethane and aluminum foams. Furthermore, it was found that lower-density EPS foam provides enhanced mitigation of deformation in tunnel linings. The findings also revealed that damage to the tunnel walls is more strongly correlated with the tunnel shape where the circular tunnel exhibited the best performance. It showed the lowest deformation and delayed peak response. In addition, tunnel deformation increases markedly with higher TNT charge weights. A blast of 1814 kg produced approximately five times the deformation compared to a 454 kg charge. Moreover, it is seen that increasing the spacing between donor and receiver tunnels from 1.5 D to 2.5 D led to a 38.7% reduction in maximum deformation.

The bio-imaging technology is one of the most significant modern applications used in several fields, including early diagnosis of many illnesses that are most important diseases facing humanity and other vital uses. The primary advancement in nanotechnology is the creation of innovative fluorescence probes called quantum dots (QDs). The use of molecular tagging in research, in vivo, and in vitro studies is revolutionized by quantum dots. The application of QD indicates conversion in natural imaging and photography has demonstrated extraordinary appropriateness in bio-imaging, the discovery of novel drugs, and delivery of targeted genes, biosensing, photodynamic therapy, and diagnosis. New potential methods of early cancer detection and treatment management are being researched as a result of the special physical and chemical characteristics of QD probes. The bio-imaging technique depends on the fluorescent emission of the used materials, which is paired with living cells that are easy to see it in 3D without any surgical intervention. Therefore, the use of QDs many types that have unique and appropriate properties for use in that application; In terms of fluorescent emission strength, duration and luminosity.This review article displays some methods of preparation for QDs nanomaterials and the devices used in this. In addition, it presentssome of challenges that must be avoided for the possibility of using them in the bio-imaging field; as toxicity, bio-compatibility, and hydrophilization. It’s reviewed some of the devices that use QDs in bio-imaging technique, the QDs application in cell analysis-imaging, and QDs application in vivo imaging.

In this article, detailed trials were undertaken to study the variation in genetic parameters in order to formulate more robust predictive models using gene expression programming (GEP) and multigene expression programming (MEP) for computing the swelling pressure of expansive soils (Ps-ES). A total of 200 datasets with ten input parameters (i.e., clay fraction CF, liquid limit wL, plastic limit wP, plasticity index IP, specific gravity Gs, swell percent Sp, sand content, silt content, maximum dry density ρdmax, and optimum water content wopt) and one output variable, i.e., Ps-ES are collected from the literature, which comprises 120 internationally publications. The effect of input parameters in contributing to Ps-ES has been validated using Pearson correlation (r), sensitivity analysis (SA), as well as a parametric study. The results reveal that the GP-based techniques correctly characterize the swelling characteristics of the ES, thus leading to reasonable prediction performance; however, the MEP model yielded relatively better performance. Also, the proposed predictive models were compared with widely used AI models (ANN, ANFIS, RF, GB-T, DT, and SVM). The ANN performed relatively better; however, it is recommended to use the GEP and MEP due to the blackbox nature of the ANN. Other models exhibited inferior performance. The SA revealed different importance by the GEP and MEP models, however, its confirmed that the maximum dry density and optimum moisture content significantly affect the Ps-ES. The variation in Ps-ES with changes in input attributes is further corroborated from literature. Hence, it is recommended that the proposed GEP and MEP models can be deployed for computing the Ps-ES which efficiently lessens the laborious and time-consuming testing.

Over the past two decades, a number of researchers studied different aspects of the unconnected piled raft foundation (UPRF) system. In this system, a structural fill cushion is inserted between the raft and the concrete piles (PC) where the cushion transfers the loads from the superstructure to the piles. They showed that UPRF could increase the load-bearing share of the raft relative to that of the concrete piles, which leads to a favourable economic impact. Stone columns (SC) and deep-mixed columns (DMC) have also gained substantial popularity in the last few decades, and have shown pronounced success in substituting concrete pile foundations in numerous projects. This paper is an attempt to explore the viability of using SC and DMC in the UPRF system. Different column parameters such as material, stiffness, spacing, embedment length, configuration and raft thickness may affect the design considerations of UPRF systems. The current study investigates the effect of such parameters on the performance of the UPRF. In addition, two cushion alternatives were also studied: structural fill and EPS Geofoam. 3D finite element models of a 16-storey building on soft clay were used to compare the behaviour of different types of UPRF foundations embedded in different types of soft clays. A coupled hydraulic and mechanical model using the Modified Cam Clay soil model was used to model the soft soil.

Nontyphoidal Salmonella (NTS) is a zoonotic pathogen that threatens public health worldwide. This study investigated the prevalence, serotype, virulence, and antimicrobial resistance of NTS isolated from chicken meat in Fukuoka, Japan. Of 50 samples, 64% were positive for Salmonella spp., and 32 NTS strains were isolated from positive samples. Serotyping identified three serotypes: S. enterica ser. Schwarzengrund (78.1%), S. enterica ser. Thompson (15.6%), and S. enterica ser. Oranienburg (6.3%). Multilocus sequence typing revealed three sequence types (STs), and MALDI-TOF MS analysis revealed six distinct clusters, reflecting heterogeneity in protein expression among isolates with the same STs. All isolates harbored the virulence genes hilA, spiC, and ssrB, but not spvC. Microplate assays showed that all S. enterica ser. Schwarzengrund and S. enterica ser. Thompson strains formed biofilms with varying strengths. Antimicrobial susceptibility tests demonstrated that S. enterica ser. Thompson and S. enterica ser. Oranienburg strains were sensitive to all the antimicrobials tested. However, S. enterica ser. Schwarzengrund strains showed resistance to multiple antibiotic classes, and 36% of the isolates were multidrug resistant. These findings suggest a potential public health concern, particularly from S. enterica ser. Schwarzengrund, and underscore the importance of continuous surveillance that integrates both genotypic and phenotypic methods.

This paper presents an analysis of long, large-diameter bored piles’ behavior under static and dynamic load tests for a megaproject located in El Alamein, on the northern shoreline of Egypt. Site investigations depict an abundance of limestone fragments and weak argillaceous limestone interlaid with gravelly, silty sands and silty, gravelly clay layers. These layers are classified as intermediate geomaterials, IGMs, and soil layers. The project consists of high-rise buildings founded on long bored piles of 1200 mm and 800 mm in diameter. Forty-four (44) static and dynamic compression load tests were performed in this study. During the pile testing, it was recognized that the pile load–settlement behavior is very conservative. Settlement did not exceed 1.6% of the pile diameter at twice the design load. This indicates that the available design manual does not provide reasonable parameters for IGM layers. The study was performed to investigate the efficiency of different approaches for determining the design load of bored piles in IGMs. These approaches are statistical, predictions from static pile load tests, numerical, and dynamic wave analysis via a case pile wave analysis program, CAPWAP, a method that calculates friction stresses along the pile shaft. The predicted ultimate capacities range from 5.5 to 10.0 times the pile design capacity. Settlement analysis indicates that the large-diameter pile behaves as a friction pile. The dynamic pile load test results were calibrated relative to the static pile load test. The dynamic load test could be used to validate the pile capacity. Settlement from the dynamic load test has been shown to be about 25% higher than that from the static load test. This can be attributed to the possible development of high pore water pressure in cohesive IGMs. The case study analysis and the parametric study indicate that AASHTO LRFD is conservative in estimating skin friction, tip, and load test resistance factors in IGMs. A new load–settlement response equation for 600 mm to 2000 mm diameter piles and new recommendations for resistance factors φqp, φqs, and φload were proposed to be 0.65, 0.70, and 0.80, respectively.

Abstract The basic function of retaining walls is to support soil backfill and water. This function has to be adequate under different conditions of loading; with permissible deformations. Researches are addressing the reduction of the exerted lateral earth thrust and water pressures to satisfy the adequacy in reasonable costs. Expanded polystyrene geofoam, EPSG, is the most popular material adopted to decrease lateral earth thrust on retaining walls. This paper presents an article review on researches of this aspect. Equations were proposed for reduction in lateral forces and overturning moments. Its aim is to optimize the design of 8.0 m gravity retaining wall with installation of EPSG.

Contaminated food with antibiotic-resistant Enterococcus spp. could be the vehicle for transmitting Enterococcus to humans and accordingly cause a public health problem. The accumulation of biogenic amines produced by Enterococcus faecalis ( E. faecalis ) in food may have cytological effects. Bacteriophages (phage in short) are natural antimicrobial agents and can be used alone or in combination with other food preservatives to reduce food microbial contaminants. The aim of this study was to isolate a novel phage against E. faecalis and determine its host range to evaluate its potential application. Bacteriophage, vB_EfKS5, with a broad host range, was isolated to control the growth of E. faecalis . The vB_EfKS5 genome is 59,246 bp in length and has a GC content of 39.7%. The computational analysis of phage vB_EfKS5 genome confirmed that it does not contain any lysogenic, toxic, or virulent genes. Phage vB_EfKS5 exhibited lytic activity against most E. faecalis isolates with different multiplicities of infections and it infected 75.5% (22/29) of E. faecalis isolates and 42.3% (3/7) of E. faecium isolates. It was also able to destroy the biofilm formed by E. faecalis with different MOIs. Phage vB_EfKS5 alone or in combination with nisin could control the growth of E. faecalis in broth and milk. Based on its high productivity, stability, short latent period, and large burst size, phage vB_EfKS5 has a high potential for applications both in food and medical applications. Key points A total of 28 E. faecalis isolates were isolated from different food samples. Phage vB_EfKS5 was successfully characterized and found to inhibit the growth of E. faecalis as well as destroy its biofilms. Phage-nisin combination exhibited a synergistic effect in eliminating E. faecalis .