A parametric study on the analysis of thermosolutal convection for magneto-hydrodynamics dependent viscous fluid.

This article explores the influence of Joule heating and viscous dissipation on the unsteady three-dimensional squeezing flow of Newtonian fluid. The flow in a rotating channel with a lower stretched permeable wall is observed under the influence of a uniform magnetic field. The impact of thermal radiation is also considered. The effects of mass and heat transfer on the squeezing flow of Newtonian fluids are observed and modelled using the four fundamental governing equations of fluid flow: the mass equation, momentum equation, concentration equation, and energy equation. Using the appropriate similarity transformations, the resultant non-linear partial differential equations are then transformed into ordinary differential equations. The analytical strategy is developed using the homotopy analysis method to obtain the series solution. The influence of several physical parameters, including the squeezing parameter, the suction parameter, the magnetic number, the rotation parameter, the Eckert number, the Prandtl number, the Dufour number, the Soret number, the radiation parameter, and the Schmidt number, on the velocity profile, energy, and concentration are also discussed through graphs. Additionally, it is observed that enhancing the top plate's squeezing impact causes a rise in the velocity profile while lowering the temperature and concentration distribution. It is also found that for the velocity field, increasing the magnetic number shows a decrease in the value of the velocity field along the y- and z-axis, whereas the velocity field along the x-axis exhibits dual behavior, such that it initially falls as the magnetic number intensifies but starts to rise in the upper region of the channel. The impact of the Dufour, Soret, and Eckert numbers on temperature and concentration distribution is also studied. It is found that while these numbers directly affect the temperature distribution, the mass distribution follows the opposite trend. Also, it is noticed that the thermal radiation parameter is an increasing function of temperature and mass distribution. Further, graphs and tables are presented to illustrate an error analysis.

Development of highly permselective Mixed Matrix Membranes comprising of polyimide and Ln-MOF for CO2 capture.

Mixed Matrix Membranes (MMMs) with hybrid organic-inorganic characteristics offer a strong alternative to traditional polymer-based membranes to reduce the trade-off between gas permeability and selectivity. This work incorporated lanthanum-Metal Organic Frameworks in the Matrimid to fabricate MMMs. To understand the effects of nano-filler on membranes' morphology, porosity, thermal stability, and chemical composition, MMMs were fabricated with three different loadings of nano-filler, i.e., 10, 20 and 30 wt%. The selectivity and permeability of CH4, CO2, and N2 gases through MMMs were investigated at 10 bar pressure and temperatures ranging from 25 to 55 °C. All MMMs exhibited enhanced CO2 permeation with increased nano-filler loading because the porous nano-filler provided additional channels and fractional free volume in the polymer matrix. The 30 wt% loaded membrane showed a 183% increase in permeability of CO2 than neat membrane. With increasing nano-filler loading, the selectivity of MMMs increased from 34.1 to 48.45 for CO2/N2 and from 36.2 to 54.67 for CO2/CH4, confirming the absence of membrane defects, improved filler/polymer interface, and excellent dispersion of nano-filler in the polymer matrix. The results proved that these membranes could be further used for gas separation industrial applications.

The nexus of tourism, renewable energy, income, and environmental quality: an empirical analysis of Pakistan.

In the current study, we investigate the dynamic association of tourism, renewable energy, income, foreign direct investment (FDI), and carbon dioxide (CO2e) for Pakistan over 1990-2017. We established four plausible hypotheses and verified by employing the autoregressive distributed lags model and Granger causality based on vector error correction model (VECM). Considering the cointegration relationship between the variables, the outcomes of autoregressive distributed lags suggested that tourism increases economic growth, and economic growth induces tourism in the long-run, thus confirming tourism-led development, and growth-led tourism hypothesis; similarly, the tourism generates CO2e emissions, which supported the tourism-led emission hypothesis. The role of renewable energy consumption found to be a significant moderator, thus helping to enrich tourism, accelerating economic growth, and combating CO2e in the country. VECM causal results indicated the significant bidirectional causal linkages between tourism and economic growth-another causality found between tourism and CO2e. There is one-way causality from FDI and renewable energy towards income simultaneously. Overall, the designers of policies will find this study useful for policymaking at government levels for smooth economic growth, investment, and sustainable tourism sector.

In vitro and in vivo biocompatibility study of polyacrylate TiO2@Ag coated nanoparticles for the radiation dose enhancement.

To enhance the efficacy of radiation therapy, functionalised core-shell nanoparticles (CS NPs) are used as a radiosensitizer. These NPs can act as a therapeutic agent and carrier for other therapeutic agents. In this study, the first poly-acrylic acid modified silver-coated titanium dioxide NPs were fabricated to evaluate the radiation dose enhancement within the human tissue equivalent polymer gel after investigating the biocompatibility. Macrophage cell line and rats model were used for in vitro and in vivo study respectively. Two different beam qualities were applied to quantify the radiation dose enhancement with different concentrations of NPs in the polymer gel. The dose enhancement factors (DEFs) indicated that these biocompatible CS NPs are more effective for the radiation dose enhancement at low energy x-rays (80 kV) as compared to the high energy gamma (1.25 MeV Co60). These results suggested that functionalised core-shell silver-coated titanium dioxide NPs have great potential as a radiosensitizer in radiation therapy.

The empirical relationship between environmental degradation, economic growth, and social well-being in Belt and Road Initiative countries.

This study used principal component analysis (PCA) to develop composite indexes for economic growth, environmental degradation, and social well-being. The mutual relationship between these indexes was empirically tested using a panel vector autoregressive model based on a generalized method of moment approach (PVAR-GMM), and robustness was determined with Driscoll and Kraay regression. To this end, we gathered the data for 36 Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) countries over the period 1995-2016. Using a multivariate framework, the empirical results showed that environmental degradation and social well-being have a significant positive impact on the economic growth index. The social well-being index and economic growth are contributors to environmental degradation. Similarly, economic growth, in the long run, improves social well-being. The results confirm bidirectional causality between economic growth and environmental degradation. Another bidirectional causal relationship was found between economic growth and social well-being. Further, causality exists from social well-being to environmental degradation, but not vice versa. The analysis of the impulse response function exhibited the presence of the environmental Kuznets curve phenomenon in BRI countries. Moreover, the results of variance decomposition suggested that a shock in one index spills over to other indexes simultaneously. The study suggests that policymakers should consider social well-being and environmental degradation in economic activity to achieve sustainable development goals.

The impression of technological innovations and natural resources in energy-growth-environment nexus: A new look into BRICS economies.

We utilize extended STIRPAT "(stochastic impact of regression on population, affluence, and technology)" model to explore the impact of technological innovations and natural resources in energy-growth-environment nexus for a panel of BRICS "(i.e., Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa)" economies over 1985-2014. Using Augmented Mean Group (AMG), and Fully Modified-Least Square (FM-LS) panel algorithms, the results indicate that technical innovations can reduce CO2 emissions and help to improve economic growth in BRICS countries. Furthermore, our estimates support energy push emissions and validate the existence of the traditional "environmental Kuznets curve (EKC)" for BRICS and partially across the countries. Moreover, the empirical results indicate one-way causality from income to CO2; a two-way causal relationship is operational between income and energy use and between energy use and CO2 emissions in BRICS and individual countries. The results suggest that policymakers may consider the role of innovations as a clean source of technology to achieve energy security and a sustainable environment.

Docking analysis for identification of lead compound and 3d pharmacophore generation against gsk-3ß involved in bipolar disorder.

Bipolar disorder is a psychiatric illness that strikes between mania and depression, caused by both genetic and environmental factors. It is the sixth leading cause of disability worldwide and 3% of the global population suffers from this disorder. Focusing on the drugs used for psychotherapy and their associated side effects, there is a need to design and develop new anti-bipolar drugs with lesser side effects and improved efficacy. Molecular docking and pharmacophore modeling were performed to identify lead and the construction of pharmacophore triangle. One compound demonstrated best docking results that fit appropriately in the pocket of protein. In this study, an efficient compound for GSK-3B involved in bipolar disorder was identified through docking analysis. Distances were calculated among pharmacophore features like Aromatic Ring, Hydrophobic, HBD and HBA. Pharmacophore triangle was designed for three different classes that are Aromatic, HBD and HBA. This pharmacophore modeling can be useful for designing of novel drugs because this 3D pharmacophore showed best merging properties.

Frequency of Dengue Virus Serotype 1 in Lahore by In-house assay.

Dengue is an important systemic viral infection that is caused by the dengue virus. Ribonucleic acid (RNA) from dengue NS1 positive samples, collected randomly during dengue epidemic from October 2016 to October 2017 at Chugtai Lab, was extracted for nucleic acid. Both the detection and serotyping of dengue samples were performed using real-time PCR on Rotor Gene Q. From the 70 NS1 positive samples, 57 (81.4%) samples were confirmed to be positive for dengue virus RNA, while the remaining 13 (18.6%) were negative. Serotype 1 (DEN-1) was verified among all samples by in-house assay and using commercial kit FTD (Fast Track Diagnostics) dengue differentiation; it was concluded that our in-house assay is in 100% concordance with commercial kit. Serotype 2 (DEN-2) and serotype 3 (DEN-3) have been documented in Pakistan since 1994. But recent detection of serotype 1 in Pakistan is indicative of more severe dengue haemorrhagic fever in future due to reinfection.

Does energy consumption, financial development, and investment contribute to ecological footprints in BRI regions?

This study applies augmented mean group (AMG) along with common correlated effect mean group (CCEMG) estimator and panel heterogeneous causality to examine the interrelationship between GDP, energy consumption, financial development, foreign investment, and ecological footprints for five Belt and Road initiative (BRI) regions and in aggregated panel of BRI over the time 1990-2016. Using a multivariate framework, this study examines four alternative and conceivable hypotheses, including Pollution haven hypothesis, environmental Kuznets curve hypothesis, energy push emission hypothesis, and finance push emission hypothesis. The empirical results supported all four hypotheses for the panel of BRI and partially supported the existence of these hypotheses across the regions. Moreover, a variety of causal nexuses has been discussed in the study. Based on these results, the current research has proposed policy implications to combat the ecological footprints of BRI countries and across the regions.

The nexus between financial development, globalization, and environmental degradation: Fresh evidence from Central and Eastern European Countries.

Global warming and greenhouse gas emissions have become a severe threat to our ecosystem. Prior studies on environment posit that ample exhaustion of fossil fuels for energy is one of the fundamental causes of environmental degradation and naturally replenished energy sources are affordable over fossil fuels. This study set out to examine the role of financial sectors and globalization (in the presence of energy and renewable energy consumption) for a sustainable environment in the panel of Central and Eastern European (CEE) countries in One Belt and One Road initiative perspective. The current study uses annual data of 16 CEE countries covering the period of 1980 to 2016. After confirmation of cross-sectional dependency and co-integration among variables, we applied the Dynamic Seemingly Unrelated Regression and Dumitrescu-Hurlin causality approach for long-run estimations and to check the causal relationship, respectively. The empirical findings of the study certify the existence of an environmental Kuznets curve for the selected panel countries. Globalization is enhancing the environmental quality of the CEE economies. It is important to note that energy consumption and renewable energy consumption have a positive and statistically significant whack on carbon emission. In addition, we do not find a significant link between financial development and carbon emission. Granger casualty test confirms a two-way causal relationship between economic growth and carbon emission, globalization and environmental degradation, globalization and renewable energy consumption, economic growth and renewable energy consumption, and between financial development and energy consumption. Moreover, we found one-way causality from energy consumption (renewable and non-renewable) to carbon emissions. Based on the findings, a number of appropriate policy suggestions are presented in the perspective of Central and Eastern European Countries.

A cornucopia of screening and diagnostic techniques for human papillomavirus associated cervical carcinomas.

Cervical carcinoma is one of the major consequences of human papillomavirus (HPV) infections. Although HPV infections of cervix do not always progress to cancer, 90% cases of cervical cancer have been found associated with high risk HPV (hrHPV) infection. Usually, HPV infection is asymptomatic; however, this asymptomatic infection can cause abnormal changes in cervix ultimately leading to cancer development. These changes can be detected by the application of screening tests at regular time intervals. For this purpose, morphological, cytological, and DNA based techniques are available. Nevertheless, abnormal screening tests have only the predictive value for precancerous lesions and thus require further evaluation which is usually done by using diagnostic techniques. So far, colposcopy and histological examination alone were considered as the gold standards for cervical cancer diagnosis. Currently, some tests based on expression level of host cell biomarkers are also being used along with histology for diagnostic purpose. Albeit, these tests have significant specificity and sensitivity values but they are unable to suggest a particular viral genotype involved in infection. Diagnostic methods such as PCR, HPV genotyping assays, microarray, and mRNA based assays are useful to predict the genotypes as well as the quantity of viral load in a host cell. Similarly, these diagnostic procedures have high specificity and sensitivity ranges. However, only few of them are practiced commonly, as approval of these tests as routine diagnostic tests requires clinical validation and cost effectiveness.

Immunobiochemical analysis of Paraoxonase1 (anti-oxidant), xanthine oxidase (oxidant) enzymes and lipid profile of cardiac disease patients in Lahore Metropolitan, Pakistan.

Cardiac diseases are the major cause of death. Paraoxonase1 (PON1) is known as free radicals scavenger/anti-atherosclerosis, whereas xanthine oxidase (XO) is a free radicals generator. This study was undertaken to determine and compare the Paraoxonase and arylesterase activities of PON1 enzyme and activity of XO enzyme. The concentration of XO and PON1 enzymes along with lipid profile, lipid peroxides, and thiol level in plasma of cardiac patients (n=200) and healthy persons (n=200) of Lahore metropolitan, Pakistan was also determined. Anti-PON1 and anti-XO antibodies were developed, purified, and used to measure the concentration of PON1 and XO by competitive ELISA. It is observed that low paraoxonase (P=0.0073)/arylesterase activity (P=0.0038) of PON1 enzyme and its low concentration (P=0.0049) were observed in cardiac patients, whereas elevated level of XO activity (P=0.0129) and its concentration (P=0.0097) was observed in cardiac patients as compared with healthy persons. Low levels of HDL (P=0.0013), thiol (P=0.0014) and high level of cholesterol (P=0.0025), triglycerides (P=0.0018), LPO (P=0.0014), and LDL level (P=0.05) were observed in cardiac patients admitted in intensive care unit as compared with hypertensive patients and control subjects. It is concluded that overall low PON1 and high XO activities do cause imbalance of free radical system which ultimately leads to or enhance the cardiac pathological conditions.