Abstract Silver nanoparticles are opted to have various applications in different fields ranging from traditional medicines to culinary items. It is toxic and most effective against bacteria, fungi viruses, parasites, parasite carrying vectors such as mosquitoes and their larvae and other eukaryotic microorganisms at low concentration without any side effects and toxicity to humans. In view of these data, the present research has been investigated by synthesizing silver nanoparticles using 1mM silver nitrate and aqueous extract of Passiflora foetida. The variation of nanoparticles in size and shape concerning the concentration of extract prepared were analysed. The formation of silver nanoparticles was confirmed by colour changing from yellowish green to reddish-brown implicating the surface plasmon resonance. Further, it was concluded by obtaining an absorbance peak at 420 nm using UV-Visible spectrophotometer analysis. FTIR analysis was used to identify the capping ligands, which included alkanes, aromatic groups and nitro compounds. The average grain size of ~12 nm to 14 nm with crystalline phase was revealed by X-ray Diffraction studies. The SEM images depicted the surface morphology with agglomeration; TEM studies showed the shape of nanoparticles as spherical and hexagonal with sizes ranging from 40 nm to 100 nm and EDAX analysis confirmed the presence of elemental silver as the principal constituent. The characterized silver nanoparticles were then tested for synergistic antibacterial effects with tetracycline, and the results show that they are more active against E. coli and S. aureus, but moderately effective against B. cereus and K. pneumoniae . It also had a strong larval and pupal toxic effects on the dengue vector, Aedes aegypti with the highest mortality. As a result, silver nanoparticles could be a viable alternative for a variety of applications.

Resumo Os nanopartículos de prata são optados por ter várias aplicações em diferentes áreas que variam de medicamentos tradicionais a itens culinários. É tóxico e mais eficaz contra bactérias, vírus de fungos, parasitas, parasitas que transportam vetores como mosquitos e suas larvas e outros microorganismos eucarióticos em baixa concentração, sem efeitos colaterais e toxicidade para os seres humanos. Em vista desses dados, a presente pesquisa foi investigada sintetizando nanopartículas de prata usando nitrato de prata de 1 mm e extrato aquoso de Passiflora foetida. Foi analisada a variação de nanopartículas em tamanho e forma relativa à concentração de extrato preparado. A formação de nanopartículas de prata foi confirmada pela mudança de cor de verde amarelado para marrom-avermelhado, implicando a ressonância plasmônica da superfície. Além disso, foi concluído pela obtenção de um pico de absorvância a 420 nm usando análise do espectrofotômetro visível por UV. A análise do FTIR foi usada para identificar os ligantes de captura, que incluíam alcanes, grupos aromáticos e compostos nitro. O tamanho médio dos grãos de ~ 12 nm a 14 nm com fase cristalina foi revelado por estudos de difração de raios-X. As imagens SEM retratavam a morfologia da superfície com aglomeração; Os estudos de TEM mostraram a forma das nanopartículas como esféricas e hexagonais, com tamanhos variando de 40 nm a 100 nm e a análise EDAX confirmou a presença de prata elementar como constituinte principal. As nanopartículas de prata caracterizadas foram então testadas quanto a efeitos antibacterianos sinérgicos com tetraciclina, e os resultados mostram que são mais ativos contra E. coli e S. aureus, mas moderadamente eficazes contra B. cereus e K. pneumoniae. Ele também teve um forte efeito tóxico larval e pupal no vetor de dengue, Aedes aegypti com a maior mortalidade. Como resultado, as nanopartículas de prata podem ser uma alternativa viável para uma variedade de aplicações.

Abstract The state of Uttarakhand in India lies in a highly seismically active zone, therefore earthquake resistant design criteria have been followed for major construction practice in this region. One of the major inputs for earthquake-resistant design is average shear wave velocity (V S ) at 30 m depth. In the present work, at twenty-six different sites, the Horizontal to vertical spectral ratio (HVSR) technique and multichannel analysis of surface wave (MASW) is used for joint analysis to obtain a one-dimensional velocity model that supports both the HV spectrum and dispersion curve obtained from HVSR and MASW methods, respectively. Shear wave profiles obtained at various sites are compared with the bore log data obtained from drilling and it clearly shows that the (V S ) for the same formation have a strong dependence on the depth at which it occurred. Data from twenty-four shear wave profiles have been used to prepare a linear regression relation of (V S ) for different lithological formations with respect to their depth of occurrence. Root mean square error obtained from the developed relationship for various lithologies clearly shows that the results are fairly well within the range of acceptance. The developed relations have been further validated by calculating Vs profile from bore log data obtained at two new location sites that are not included in the data set used for the preparation of regression relations. A comparison of two velocity sections clearly shows that the velocity profile computed from regression relation matches closely with that obtained from the seismic survey and thereby establishing the efficacy of developed regression relationship for its practical implementation. This developed relation allows soil type classification for zoning purposes.

Resumen El estado de Uttarakhand en la India se encuentra en una zona de alta actividad sísmica, por lo que se han seguido criterios de diseño resistentes a los terremotos para las principales prácticas de construcción en esta región. Una de las principales entradas para el diseño resistente a los terremotos es la velocidad media de la onda de corte (V S ) a 30 m de profundidad. En el presente trabajo, en veintiséis sitios diferentes, la técnica de la relación espectral horizontal a vertical (HVSR) y el análisis multicanal de onda de superficie (MASW) se utiliza para el análisis conjunto para obtener un modelo de velocidad unidimensional que soporta tanto la curva de espectro de HV como la curva de dispersión obtenida de los métodos HVSR y MASW, respectivamente. Los perfiles de onda de corte obtenidos en varios sitios se comparan con los datos de registro de perforación obtenidos de la perforación y muestra claramente que los Vs para la misma formación tienen una fuerte dependencia de la profundidad en la que ocurrió. Se han utilizado datos de veinticuatro perfiles de onda de corte para preparar una relación de regresión lineal de Vs para diferentes formaciones litológicas con respecto a su profundidad de ocurrencia. El error cuadrático medio obtenido a partir de la relación desarrollada para varias litologías muestra claramente que los resultados están bastante bien dentro del rango de aceptación. Las relaciones desarrolladas han sido validadas adicionalmente por el cálculo de perfil Vs de los datos de registro de perforación obtenidos en dos nuevos sitios de ubicación que no están incluidos en el conjunto de datos utilizado para la preparación de relaciones de regresión. Una comparación de dos secciones de velocidad muestra claramente que el perfil de velocidad calculado a partir de la relación de regresión coincide estrechamente con el obtenido de la encuesta sísmica y por lo tanto se establece la eficacia de la relación de regresión desarrollada para su implementación práctica. Esta relación desarrollada permite la clasificación del tipo de suelo para fines de zonificación.

Resumo Os aneurismas da artéria torácica interna (ITAAs) são raros, com ampla variação na apresentação clínica e alto risco de ruptura. As técnicas endovasculares têm sido cada vez mais utilizadas para o tratamento desses aneurismas em relação ao reparo cirúrgico. Um homem de 34 anos de idade apresentou edema progressivo da parede torácica anterior direita por 2 semanas e foi diagnosticado com aneurisma da artéria mamária interna direita com ruptura contida. Ele foi submetido a reparo endovascular bem-sucedido, com embolização de ITAA direito roto. A angiotomografia computadorizada (angioTC) pós-intervenção confirmou o selamento do aneurisma rompido, sem enchimento residual do saco. No seguimento de 6 meses, ele estava bem, com resolução completa do hematoma. Este caso demonstra que a abordagem endovascular com embolização com molas é uma opção viável e segura no tratamento dos raros ITAAs rotos.

Abstract Internal thoracic artery aneurysms (ITAAs) are rare with wide variation in clinical presentation and a high risk of rupture. Endovascular techniques are increasingly being used for treatment of such aneurysms over surgical repair in recent times. A 34-year-old male presented with progressive swelling of the right anterior chest wall for 2 weeks and was diagnosed with right internal thoracic artery aneurysm with contained rupture. He underwent successful endovascular repair with coil embolization of ruptured right ITAA. Post intervention computed tomography (CT) angiography confirmed sealing of the ruptured aneurysm with no residual filling of the sac. At six months follow-up he is doing well with complete resolution of hematoma. This case demonstrates that an endovascular approach with coil embolization is a feasible and safe option for treating the rare ruptured ITAAs.

Ethical behaviour, in its simplest terms, means knowing and doing what is right. Nevertheless, the main difficulty is how to define the word 'right'. For this purpose, various individuals, cultures and religions have thus far portrayed it in different ways. The present study reflected on the Islamic society, wherein ethical leadership has been one of the most effective factors in its continuation of life and success, with a vital role in its growth, development and progress. Accordingly, the relationship between ethical leadership and the voice of Muslim employees in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, in 2021, as the statistical population (n = 2500) was analysed. For this purpose, a standard questionnaire was used to collect the necessary data, whose validity was confirmed by the construct validity in the Linear Structural Relations (LISREL) software and its reliability was checked via the Cronbach's alpha in the Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS) software. Besides, path analysis was utilised to test the research hypothesis. Confirmatory factor analysis was correspondingly implemented to examine the data. Ultimately, the study results revealed a significant positive relationship between ethical leadership and the voice of Malaysian Muslim employees (p = 0.80; t = 5.02). CONTRIBUTION: Based on the literature review and the results of this study, ethical leadership can motivate Muslim citizens to participate in decision-making processes and even allows them to express their creative ideas in organisations and society

Abstract The corrosion inhibition property of Gymneme Sylvestre on aluminum in an acidic medium has been investigated. The experimental techniques include potentiodynamic polarization studies, electrochemical studies, quantum chemical calculation and weight loss method. The results revealed that Gymneme Sylvestre acts as a potential corrosion inhibitor of aluminum in an acidic medium, showing 82% inhibition efficiency at 800 ppm concentration of it. Furthermore, the different thermodynamic parameters, including activation energy, Gibbs free energy and enthalpy have been calculated. The results showed that adsorption of the Gymneme Sylvestre molecule onto the aluminum coupon surface obeys Langmuir adsorption isotherm. The quantum chemical parameters were also calculated for major constituents of Gymneme Sylvestre.

ABSTRACT Blazars are the most active extragalactic gamma-ray sources. They show sporadic bursts of activity, lasting from hours to months. In this work we present a 10-year analysis of a sample of bright sources detected by Fermi-LAT (100 MeV 300 GeV). Using 2-week binned light curves (LC) we estimate the duty cycle (DC): fraction of time that the source spends in an active state. The objects show different DC values, with an average of 22.74% and 23.08% when considering (or not) the extragalactic background light ( EBL). Additionally, we study the so-called “blazar sequence” trend for the sample of selected blazars in the ten years of data. This analysis constrains a possible counterpart of sub-PeV neutrino emission during the quiescent states, leaving open the possibility to explain the observed IceCube signal during the flaring states.

RESUMEN Los blazares son las fuentes de rayos gamma más activas. Presentan períodos esporádicos de actividad, con duraciones de horas a meses. En este trabajo presentamos un análisis de una muestra de fuentes brillantes detectadas por Fermi-LAT (100 MeV - 300 GeV) durante una década. Usando curvas de luz con episodios de 2 semanas estimamos el ciclo de actividad (DC): la fracción de tiempo que la fuente pasa en el estado activo. Los objetos presentan diferentes valores del DC, con promedios de 22.74% y 23.08% cuando se considera y no se considera el fondo de luz difusa. Adicionalmente, estudiamos la tendencia conocida como “secuencia de blazares”. Este análisis restringe una posible contraparte de neutrinos con energías de sub-PeV durante los estados estacionarios, dejando la posibilidad de explicar las observaciones de IceCube durante los períodos de fase activa.

The non-toxic anticorrosion properties of nicotinamide have been studied on aluminum in an acidic medium. The techniques included weight loss method, electrochemical measurements, quantum chemical calculations, Monte Carlo simulation, infra-red spectroscopy and scanning electron microscopy. This study gathers information about the inhibitor molecule adsorption onto the surface of metal specimens. Thermodynamic parameters were utilized to predict the adsorption mechanism. The dependence of corrosion inhibition efficiency on various parameters was examined, and it was seen that the increase in the inhibitor concentration and in temperature led to an increase in the inhibition efficiency. The dipole moment and E HOMO-E LUMO influenced the inhibition efficiency, which was observed by quantum chemical studies.

ABSTRACT Introduction: To determine the impact of time from biopsy to surgery on outcomes following radical prostatectomy (RP) as the optimal interval between prostate biopsy and RP is unknown. Material and methods: We identified 7, 350 men who underwent RP at our institution between 1994 and 2012 and had a prostate biopsy within one year of surgery. Patients were grouped into five time intervals for analysis: ≤ 3 weeks, 4-6 weeks, 7-12 weeks, 12-26 weeks, and > 26 weeks. Oncologic outcomes were stratified by NCCN disease risk for comparison. The associations of time interval with clinicopathologic features and survival were evaluated using multivariate logistic and Cox regression analyses. Results: Median time from biopsy to surgery was 61 days (IQR 37, 84). Median follow-up after RP was 7.1 years (IQR 4.2, 11.7) while the overall perioperative complication rate was 19.7% (1,448/7,350). Adjusting for pre-operative variables, men waiting 12-26 weeks until RP had the highest likelihood of nerve sparing (OR: 1.45, p = 0.02) while those in the 4-6 week group had higher overall complications (OR: 1.33, p = 0.01). High risk men waiting more than 6 months had higher rates of biochemical recurrence (HR: 3.38, p = 0.05). Limitations include the retrospective design. Conclusions: Surgery in the 4-6 week time period after biopsy is associated with higher complications. There appears to be increased biochemical recurrence rates in delaying RP after biopsy, for men with both low and high risk disease.

RESUMO: Os pesticidas são aplicados no mundo todo para proteger as plantas contra as pragas. No entanto, essa aplicação também causa toxicidade às plantas, o que afeta de forma negativa o crescimento e o desenvolvimento delas. A toxicidade dos pesticidas resulta na redução dos teores de clorofila e proteína, acompanhada de menor eficiência fotossintética das plantas. O estresse causado por pesticidas também gera espécies reativas de oxigênio, que causam estresse oxidativo às plantas. Para atenuar os efeitos negativos do estresse oxidativo, o sistema de defesa antioxidante das plantas é ativado, e isso inclui antioxidantes enzimáticos e não enzimáticos. A presente revisão fornece uma visão geral de várias respostas fisiológicas de plantas sob toxicidade de pesticidas, em forma de tabela.

ABSTRACT: Pesticides are applied all over the world to protect plants from pests. However, their application also causes toxicity to plants, which negatively affects the growth and development of plants. Pesticide toxicity results in reduction of chlorophyll and protein contents, accompanied by decreased photosynthetic efficiency of plants. Pesticide stress also generates reactive oxygen species which causes oxidative stress to plants. To attenuate the negative effects of oxidative stress, the antioxidative defense system of plants gets activated, and it includes enzymatic antioxidants as well as non-enzymatic antioxidants. The present review gives an overview of various physiological responses of plants under pesticide toxicity in tabulated form.

Plant endophytes help in maintaining plant health by means of their biofertilizer and biocontrol attributes and, are currently being explored for their ability to produce novel biologically active compounds. Herein, we have isolated beneficial endophytic bacteria from Echinacea purpurea (EF.B3) and Lonicera japonica (LS.B11) that showed phosphate solubilization, siderophore, indole acetic acid and hydrogen cyanide production, and fixation of atmospheric nitrogen. Additionally, the endophytes also conferred antifungal activity against Fusarium sp., Rhizoctonia sp., Pythium sp. and Alternaria sp. When tested in plantae, the LS.B11 and EF.B3 strains were able to promote plant growth and control fungal infections in peaseedlings. Both strains were found to be endophytic as tested by RAPD and viability count. Based on 16S rRNA gene sequencing, we show that the LS.B11 and EF.B3 strains are related to Pseudomonas sp. And Burkholderia sp. By using degenerate primers, we identified genes related to polyketide synthases and non-ribosomal peptide synthetases in EF.B3 and LS.B11, respectively that are typically involved in the production of antimicrobial compounds. Therefore, we conclude that both endophytes can be used for increasing agriculture productivity and in the production of antimicrobial compounds for crop improvement.

O objetivo do estudo foi avaliar comparativamente a atividade antibacteriana de seis plantas indianas contra linhagens clínicas de Streptococcus mutans, que foram isoladas das amostras de biofilme dental de 45 pacientes pediátricos, com 0,2% de clorexidina. Seis extratos vegetais foram preparados em três formas diferentes, a saber, extratos aquosos, extratos à base de solventes orgânicos e extratos brutos. Os testes de sensibilidade antimicrobiana foram realizados por método de difusão em agar. A atividade antimicrobiana dos extratos foi determinada através da medição da zona de inibição, em milímetros, produzida contra os isolados bacterianos. Os resultados mostraram que o extrato de alho cru apresentou maior atividade antibacteriana do que a clorexidina. O extrato aquoso de amla e o extrato à base de solventes orgânicos de gengibre mostraram a máxima atividade antibacteriana contra S. mutans, enquanto o extrato aquoso de tulsi (manjericão) e o extrato à base de solventes orgânicos de amla mostraram mínima atividades antibacteriana. Este estudo sugere que extratos de plantas como o alho em forma bruta, amla como infusão aquosa e gengibre como tintura alcoólica tem um potencial para o controle de S. mutans. Estes extratos podem ser utilizados como uma via alternativa para a prevenção de cáries dentárias ou sob a forma de bochechos, que são seguros e econômicos.

The aim of the study was to comparatively evaluate the antibacterial activity of six Indian plant extracts and 0.2% chlorhexidine against clinical strains of Streptococcus mutans, which were isolated from the plaque samples of 45 pediatric patients. Six plant extracts were prepared in three different forms, namely aqueous extracts, organic solvent-based extracts and crude (raw) extracts. The antimicrobial sensitivity testing was done by agar well diffusion method. Antimicrobial activity of the extracts was determined by measuring the mean zones of inhibition (mm) produced against the bacterial isolates. Results showed that crude garlic extract exhibited greater antibacterial activity than chlorhexidine. Aqueous extract of amla and organic solvent-based extract of ginger showed the maximum antibacterial activity against S. mutans, whereas aqueous extract of tulsi and organic solvent based extract of amla showed the minimum antibacterial activity. This study suggests that plant extracts like garlic in crude form, amla as aqueous infusion and ginger as alcoholic tincture have potential for the control of S. mutans. These extracts can be used as an alternative remedy for dental caries prevention or in the form of mouthwash, which is safe and economical.

The JY-1 protein is oocyte specific, and is associated with folliculogenesis and early embryo development, and thus influences the chance of pregnancy. It was the first protein of maternal origin to be described for a single ovulating species, namely cattle. JY-1-like sequences corresponding to 3' coding and the untranslated region have been reported in other vertebrate species. This is the first description of the partial JY-1 (exon 3 and 3'UTR) in a livestock species other than cattle and buffalo. The sequence was characterized in a panel of nine Indian goat breeds, which differ in reproductive traits (twinning percentage and age of sexual maturity). Forty three variations were recorded in the analysed region of goats JY-1 compared with cattle. Nucleotide variations in the codifying region of goats correspond to seven amino acid changes that could affect the biological function of the protein and possibly reproductive differences between goats (higher proportion of multiparous animals) and cattle (mainly uniparous). A novel single nucleotide polymorphism (C15329T) has been identified in Indian goats, which was genotyped in 272 animals from six breeds. Further studies to investigate other regions of the gene and its expression in goat female reproductive tissues would clarify the role of JY-1 in farm animal species that are not primarily uniparous.

Transformação genética de goiaba (Psidium guajava L.) foi desenvolvida pela primeira vez usando explante de broto crescido in vitro, co-cultivado com linhagem LBA4404 de Agrobacterium tumefaciens abrigando o vetor binário pIIHR-JBMch com os genes de endoquitinase e nptII. A mais alta eficiência de transformação foi obtida por bombardeamento de explantes com partículas de tungstênio (0.5 µm) através do sistema de aceleração de partículas, seguido por infecção por 45 minutos com A. tumefaciens, crescido durante a noite com 100 µM de acetosiringona, correspondendo a OD600=0.5 seguido por co-cultivo por 72 horas sob escuro em meio (MS+100 µM acetosiringona+100 mg L-1 L-Cisteína). Explantes transformados regeneraram brotos em meio seletivo com 200 mg L-1 de kanamicina por 12 semanas. Análise molecular dos transformantes por PCR confirmaram a integração dos genes de endoquitinase e nptII no genoma nuclear da planta.

Genetic transformation of guava (Psidium guajava L.) was developed for the first time using in vitro grown shoot tip explant co-cultivated with Agrobacterium tumefaciens strain LBA4404 harbouring binary vector pIIHR-JBMch with endochitinase and nptII genes. The highest transformation efficiency was achieved by wounding explants with tungsten particles (0.5 µm) through particle acceleration system, followed by infection for 45 minutes with A. tumefaciens, grown overnight with 100 µM acetosyringone, corresponding to OD600=0.5 followed by co-cultivation for 72 hours under dark condition on co-cultivation medium (MS+100 µM acetosyringone+100 mg L-1 L-Cystein). Putative transformed explants regenerated shoots on selection medium stressed with 200 mg L-1 kanamycin for 12 weeks. Molecular analysis of putative transformants by PCR confirmed the integration of endochitinase and nptII gene in the plant nuclear genome.

The use of plants to treat skin ailments has strong support in the current trend of drug discovery. Propionibacterium acnes, an anaerobic pathogen, plays an important role in the occurrence of acne. The present study was conducted to evaluate the antimicrobial and antioxidant activities against P acnes and cytotoxic effects of 48 medicinal plants grown in South Africa. The broth dilution and DPPH radical scavenging methods were used to determine antibacterial and antioxidant activities, respectively. Cytotoxicity was determined on mouse melanocytes (B16-F10). The ethanolic bark extract of Acacia galpinii Burtt Davy. (Leguminosae) exhibited the lowest minimum inhibitory concentration of 62.5 µg/mL. Excellent antioxidant activity was shown by Aspalathus linearis (Burm.f.) R.Dahlgren (Leguminosae), Combretum apiculatum Sond. (Combretaceae), Harpephyllum caffrum Bernh. ex Krauss (Anacardiaceae) and Sclerocarya birrea Hochst. (Anacardiaceae), with 50% radical scavenging activity (EC50) at concentrations ranging from 1.6 µg/mL to 3.5 µg/mL. Greyia sutherlandii Hook. & Harv. (Greyiaceae) also exhibited good antioxidant activity with an EC50 value of 7.9±0.23 µg/mL. A. linearis, G. sutherlandii and S. birrea showed low toxicity with 50% viability of cells (EC50) at concentrations of 125.09±0.71 pg/mL, 107.85±1.53 pg/mL and 92.07±0.09 pg/mL, respectively. The extracts of A. linearis, G. sutherlandii and S. birrea showed good antibacterial and antioxidant activities and low toxicity. Therefore, these plants can be considered as possible anti-acne agents and warrant further investigation.

Biodegradation and detoxification of dyes, Malachite green, Nigrosin and Basic fuchsin have been carried out using two fungal isolates Aspergillus niger, and Phanerochaete chrysosporium, isolated from dye effluent soil. Three methods were selected for biodegradation, viz. agar overlay and liquid media methods; stationary and shaking conditions at 25 °C. Aspergillus niger recorded maximum decolorization of the dye Basic fuchsin (81.85%) followed by Nigrosin (77.47%), Malachite green (72.77%) and dye mixture (33.08%) under shaking condition. Whereas, P. chrysosporium recorded decolorization to the maximum with the Nigrosin (90.15%) followed by Basic fuchsin (89.8%), Malachite green (83.25%) and mixture (78.4%). The selected fungal strains performed better under shaking conditions compared to stationary method; moreover the inoculation of fungus also brought the pH of the dye solutions to neutral from acidic. Seed germination bioassay study exhibited that when inoculated dye solutions were used, seed showed germination while uninoculated dyes inhibited germination even after four days of observation. Similarly, microbial growth was also inhibited by uninoculated dyes. The excellent performance of A. niger and P. chrysporium in the biodegradation of textile dyes of different chemical structures suggests and reinforces the potential of these fungi for environmental decontamination.