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Contamination of soils with cadmium (Cd) is a serious problem worldwide. Rice ( Oryza sativa L.) is reported to accumulate relatively higher Cd contents in consumable parts and is considered a main source of Cd toxicity to humans from rice-derived products. The aim of this pot trial was to investigate the effect of foliar-applied iron (Fe) complexed with lysine on growth, photosynthesis, Cd concentration in plants, oxidative stress, and activities of antioxidants of rice in soil contaminated with Cd. Rice seedlings (30-day-old) were transferred to the soil, and after 2 weeks, different concentrations of Fe-lysine (0, 1.5, 3.0, 4.5, 6.0, and 7.5 mg L −1 ) were applied as a foliar spray once in a week for 4 weeks and plant samples were taken after 10 weeks of growth in the soil under ambient conditions. Foliar supply of Fe-lysine complex significantly enhanced the plant height, dry weights of plants, concentration of chlorophyll, and gas exchange attributes in Cd-stressed rice. Fe-lysine decreased the Cd concentrations in plants while increasing the Fe concentrations in rice seedlings being maximum with Fe-lysine of 6.0 mg L −1 . Electrolyte leakage decreased while activities of key antioxidant enzymes increased with Fe-lysine compared to the control. According to the present results, Fe-lysine complex can effectively be used to reduce Cd concentrations in rice and probably in other crop species.

Tannery wastewater mainly comes from leather industries. It has high organic load, high salinity, and many other pollutants, including chromium (Cr). Tannery wastewater is generally used for crop irrigation in some areas of Pakistan and worldwide, due to the low availability of good quality of irrigation water. As tannery wastewater has many nutrients in it, its lower concentration benefits the plant growth, but at a higher concentration, it damages the plants. Chromium in tannery wastewater accumulates in plants, and causes stress at physiological and biochemical levels. In recent times, the role of micronutrient-amino acid chelated compounds has been found to be helpful in reducing abiotic stress in plants. In our present study, we used lysine chelated zinc (Zn-lys) as foliar application on maize (Zea mays L.), growing in different concentrations of tannery wastewater. Zinc (Zn) is required by plants for growth, and lysine is an essential amino acid. Maize plants were grown in tannery wastewater in four concentrations (0, 25%, 50%, and 100%) and Zn-lys was applied as a foliar spray in three concentrations (0 mM, 12.5 mM, and 25 mM) during plant growth. Plants were cautiously harvested right after 6 weeks of treatment. Foliar spray of Zn-lys on maize increased the biomass and improved the plant growth. Photosynthetic pigments such as total chlorophyll, chlorophyll a, chlorophyll b and contents of carotenoids also increased with Zn-lys application. In contrast to control plants, the hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) contents were increased up to 12%, 50%, and 68% in leaves, as well as 16%, 51% and 89% in roots at 25%, 50%, and 100% tannery water application, respectively, without Zn-lys treatments. Zn-lys significantly reduced the damages caused by oxidative stress in maize plant by decreasing the overproduction of H2O2 and malondialdehyde (MDA) in maize that were produced, due to the application of high amount of tannery wastewater alone. The total free amino acids and soluble protein decreased by 10%, 31% and 64% and 18%, 61% and 122% at 25%, 50% and 100% tannery water treatment. Zn-lys application increased the amino acids production and antioxidant activities in maize plants. Zn contents increased, and Cr contents decreased, in different parts of plants with Zn-lys application. Overall, a high concentration of tannery wastewater adversely affected the plant growth, but the supplementation of Zn-lys assertively affected the plant growth and enhanced the nutritional quality, by enhancing Zn and decreasing Cr levels in plants simultaneously irrigated with tannery wastewater.

Fruit peels are largely wasted without knowing their nutritional contents. So, there is a dire need to harness functional components for their biological significance. In this study, fruit peel samples were dried in hot air oven and subjected to nutritional profile using different analytical techniques. This study aimed to investigate the antioxidant, proximate composition, amino acids and mineral profiles from 12 peel samples of fruit varieties which were labelled from V1 to V12. Results revealed that crude protein and crude fat had significantly higher (p < 0.05) levels in V12 fruit peels, whereas crude fibre and ash were reported significantly greater(p < 0.05) in V12 and V4 compared with others. The amino acid results showed that cysteine and methionine had greater levels in V6 samples (p < 0.05), whereas aspartic acid + asparagine was greater (p < .05) in V12 samples compared to other samples. The ascorbic acid TPC, TF, TAC and lycopene had higher contents in V2, V11, V3, V5, V4 and V9 than other peel samples (p < 0.05). Additionally, peel samples of V4, V11, V4 and V3 had higher levels of nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium, magnesium and manganese (p < 0.05). These results conclude that fruit peels could have ramifications as a sustainable, enriched source of functional foods.

A huge volume of textile wastewater, laden with mutagenic dyes, is discharged into the environment without treatment. Among wastewater treatment strategies, biosorption is a highly effective, low cost and environment friendly process. This study aimed to evaluate the biosorption potential of non-viable biomass of Chlorella sorokiniana strain HIN-3 for various textile dyes. Firstly, the biosorption of Congo Red (direct) and Red-S3B (reactive) from water by different biosorbents was compared. Subsequently, the biosorption of seven dyes by microalgal biomass was determined. Afterward, the biosorption of dyes was measured at different temperatures (15–50°C) and biosorbent doses (0.1–2 g L −1 ). Biosorption kinetics were studied by pseudo-first-order (PFO), pseudo-second-order (PSO) and Elovich models. The equilibrium isotherms were studied for dye concentration of 25–500 mg L −1 using Freundlich, Langmuir and Sips models. Moreover, the microalgal biomass was characterized by fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), x-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscope (SEM), Brunauer–Emmett–Teller (BET) and energy dispersive spectroscopy (EDS). The algal biomass exhibited biosorption capacities of 242 and 45 mg g −1 for Congo Red and Red-S3B, respectively, surpassing plant-based biosorbents. Additionally, the microalgal biomass effectively removed other dyes; however, its biosorption capacity for the direct type of dyes was higher. The highest biosorption capacities of algal biomass for Congo Red and Red-S3B occurred with contact time of 8 h, biosorbent dose of 2 g L −1 and temperature of 40°C. The biosorption kinetics followed the PSO in case of Congo Red and PFO in the case of Red-S3B. Langmuir and Sips models best described the adsorption behavior of both the dyes. These models predicted the maximum biosorption capacity of algal biomass for Congo Red and Red-S3B to be 303 and 301 and 55.45 and 57.89 mg g −1 , respectively. FTIR, SEM and BET depicted that the adsorption of the dyes by algal biomass could be attributed to the presence of various functional groups, highly porous nature and a large surface area. Thus, microalgal biomass is a highly effective biosorbent for the treatment of textile wastewater containing dyes prior to its discharge into the environment.

The textile industry generates a substantial quantity of wastewater containing carcinogenic and mutagenic dyes, posing significant environmental risks. Using microalgae to remove dyes from wastewater offers an eco-friendly solution to this issue. Accordingly, this study aimed to characterize textile wastewater and evaluate the potential of Chlorella sorokiniana strain HIN-3 for dye removal. Twenty textile wastewater samples were analyzed for pH, electrical conductivity, total dissolved solids (TDS), chlorides, cadmium, lead, chromium, nickel and color. The ability of strain HIN-3 to biodegrade seven structurally distinct dyes was investigated. The effects of metals (cadmium, lead and copper), TDS (1300–5200 mg L −1 ) and nitrogen sources (NaNO 3 , NH 4 Cl and urea) on dye degradation were evaluated. Additionally, six dye-rich industrial effluents were treated with microalgae for dye removal, and the activities of dye-degrading enzymes were measured. Results revealed that 25%, 50%, 55% and 100% of the samples exceeded Pakistan's National Environmental Quality Standard (NEQS) limits for pH, TDS, chlorides and dye content, respectively. The decolorization ability of strain HIN-3 varied between 8 and 87% across seven dyes. TDS levels up to 3900 mg L⁻ 1 did not affect the decolorization of Congo Red; however, higher TDS levels reduced its efficiency. Similarly, lead and cadmium at 1 mg L⁻ 1 had no significant impact, but contamination at 5 mg L⁻ 1 decreased decolorization. Among the nitrogen sources tested, urea achieved the highest decolorization rate of 92%. Additionally, strain HIN-3 decolorized 22–65% of the dye-rich textile effluents. The observed decolorization of the dyes was attributed to the activity of dye-degrading enzymes, including laccase, lignin peroxidase and manganese peroxidase. Thus, due to its high decolorization efficiency in the presence of salts and metals, strain HIN-3 shows great potential for the treatment of textile wastewater.

Application of raw and treated wastewater for irrigation is an extensive practice for agricultural production in arid and semiarid regions. Raw textile wastewater has been used for cultivation in urban and peri-urban areas in Pakistan without any systematic consideration to soil quality. We conducted a laboratory incubation study to investigate the effects of low C/N ratio raw textile wastewater on soil nitrogen (N) contents, labile carbon (C) as water-soluble C (WSC) contents, and activities of urease and dehydrogenase enzymes. The 60-day incubation study used an alkaline clay loam aridisol that received 0 (distilled water), 25, 50, and 100% wastewater concentrations, and microcosms were incubated aerobically under room temperature at 70% water holding capacity. Results revealed that raw wastewater significantly ( p  < 0.05) changed soil N pools and processes, WSC contents, and enzymatic activities. The organic and inorganic N species increased with increasing wastewater concentrations, whereas WSC contents followed an opposite trend. The highest NH 4 + -N and NO 3 − -N contents were observed in soil treated with 100% wastewater. The extractable organic N (EON) contents always represented >50% of the soil total Kjeldahl N (TKN) contents and served as the major N pool. However, nitrification index (NO 3 − -N/NH 4 + -N ratio) decreased at high wastewater concentrations. A significant negative correlation was observed between EON and WSC ( p  < 0.05) and between net nitrification and WSC/EON ratio ( p  < 0.01). In contrast, nitrification index and WSC contents were correlated, positively suggesting WSC potentially controlling N turnover in nutrient-poor aridisol. We found significant ( p  < 0.0001) positive correlations of soil urease and dehydrogenase enzymatic activities with soil-extractable mineral N contents indicating coupled N cycling and soil biological activity. Higher production and accumulation of soil NO 3 − -N and EON contents in concentrated wastewater-treated soil could pose an ecological concern for soil fertility, biological health, and water quality. However, the EON could lead to mineral N pool but only if sufficient labile C source was present. The effects of wastewater irrigation on soil N cycling need to be assessed before it is recommended for crop production.

Green finance is inextricably linked to investment risk, particularly in emerging and developing economies (EMDE). This study uses the difference in differences (DID) method to evaluate the mean causal effects of a treatment on an outcome of the determinants of scaling up green financing and climate change mitigation in the N-11 countries from 2005 to 2019. After analyzing with a dummy for the treated countries, it was confirmed that the outcome covariates: rescon (renewable energy sources consumption), population, FDI, CO 2 , inflation, technical corporation grants, domestic credit to the private sector, and research and development are very significant in promoting green financing and climate change mitigation in the study countries. The probit regression results give a different outcome, as rescon, FID, CO 2 , Human Development Index (HDI), and investment in the energy sector by the private sector that will likely have an impact on the green financing and climate change mitigation of the study countries. Furthermore, after matching the analysis through the nearest neighbor matching, kernel matching, and radius matching, it produced mixed results for both the treated and the untreated countries. Either group experienced an improvement in green financing and climate change mitigation or a decrease. Overall, the DID showed no significant difference among the countries.

pH responsive hydrogels have gained much attraction in biomedical fields. We have formulated ternary hydrogel films as a new carrier of drug. Polyelectrolyte complex of chitosan/guar gum/polyvinyl pyrrolidone cross-linked via sodium tripolyphosphate was developed by solution casting method. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, scanning electron microscopy and thermogravimetric analysis were conducted to examine the interactions between the polymeric chains, surface morphology and thermal stability, respectively. The swelling tests resulted that the swelling was reduced with the increase in the concentration of crosslinker due to the more entangled arrangement and less availability of pores in hydrogels. Ciprofloxacin hydrochloride was used as a model drug and its release in simulated gastric fluid, simulated intestinal fluid and phosphate buffer saline solution was studied. pH responsive behaviour of the hydrogels have subjected these hydrogels for drug release applications.

The Internet of Things (IoT) is an innovative technology that presents effective and attractive solutions to revolutionize various domains. Numerous solutions based on the IoT have been designed to automate industries, manufacturing units, and production houses to mitigate human involvement in hazardous operations. Owing to the large number of publications in the IoT paradigm, in particular those focusing on industrial IoT (IIoT), a comprehensive survey is significantly important to provide insights into recent developments. This survey presents the workings of the IoT-based smart industry and its major components and proposes the state-of-the-art network infrastructure, including structured layers of IIoT architecture, IIoT network topologies, protocols, and devices. Furthermore, the relationship between IoT-based industries and key technologies is analyzed, including big data storage, cloud computing, and data analytics. A detailed discussion of IIoT-based application domains, smartphone application solutions, and sensor- and device-based IIoT applications developed for the management of the smart industry is also presented. Consequently, IIoT-based security attacks and their relevant countermeasures are highlighted. By analyzing the essential components, their security risks, and available solutions, future research directions regarding the implementation of IIoT are outlined. Finally, a comprehensive discussion of open research challenges and issues related to the smart industry is also presented.

Patients' knowledge about their prescribed medicines is one of the most important antecedents of successful therapy. Poor knowledge about medicines can lead to serious consequences such as non-adherence and misunderstanding of the significance of adverse events. The objective of this study is to understand the factors that are responsible for a patients' lack of knowledge regarding their medicines, by taking the perspective of the patient as well as that of healthcare professionals. Much of the work in this area has been undertaken in the setting of developed or semi-developed countries, and there is a scarcity of information from developing nations such as Pakistan. This was a large qualitative study set in the hospital outpatient environment in a teaching hospital in the Punjab province of Pakistan. Data were collected from dialogue with patients (n = 19) and healthcare providers (n = 16) i.e., doctors and dispensers (where a dispenser is a person who merely dispenses medicines; i.e. is not a pharmacist) through in-depth semi-structured interviews. Patients having limited knowledge about their dispensed medicines were assessed using a checklist. The healthcare providers were recruited through a convenience sampling strategy, based on their availability and willingness to participate in the study. Based on the objectives of the study, a pilot tested interview protocol was developed, and used to conduct the interviews. The sample size was controlled by using saturation point criteria. All interviews were audio recorded and transcribed verbatim. The data were analyzed to draw conclusions using inductive thematic content analysis. The analysis of data yielded 31 categories (patients = 19, healthcare professionals = 12), 10 subthemes and three themes. The major themes were healthcare professional-related factors, patient-related factors and system-related factors. The health professional related subthemes included: behaviour and attitude and professional liabilities and liaison. The patient related subthemes included: eagerness of the patients and lack of understanding and misconception. The system-related factors included: patients with special needs, perceived role of the pharmacist, prescription and medicines, and staff workload. Healthcare professional related, patient related and system related factors have a significant influence on patients' knowledge about dispensed medicines. The non-professional behaviour of doctors, increased staff workload, inadequate time and attention provided by healthcare professionals to patients, illiteracy of patients, lack of specialized labelling on medicines for illiterate patients and absence of pharmacists at the hospital, were the major concerns identified in this study. The study points to a need for appropriate patient education and counselling with regards medicines, improved coordination between hospital staff, and provision of some basic system-related facilities which are pivotal for enhancing patients' knowledge and adherence to their treatment regimens.