Background and Objective: This study presented new sensitive and selective modified carbon paste (MCPE) potentiometric sensors modified with different ion pairs for the determination of the antihypertensive drug diltiazem hydrochloride (DTM-HCl) in biological fluids, pharmaceutical preparations, and in its pure form. Methods: Plasticizers, ion pair type, ion pair content, response time, temperature, and pH were just a few of the experimental factors evaluated that were found to affect electrode efficiency. The two electrodes that show the best sensitivity were prepared by mixing diltiazem-tetraphenyl borate (DTM-TPB) ion pair, graphite, and TCP or o-NPOE as a plasticizer. Result: Over the concentration ranges of 1.0x10-5–1.0x10-2, the produced electrodes I and II demonstrated monovalent Nernstian responses of 55.7±0.902 and 57.6±0.451 mV decade-1. The selectivity property of the suggested electrodes was used to study the interference ions. The concentration of DTM-HCl in pharmaceutical formulations and biological fluids was measured using these modified electrodes. During the validation procedure, metrics like linearity, accuracy, precision, limit of detection, limit of quantification, and specificity were used. Conclusion: The obtained results showed good agreement with the HPLC technique as indicated by the F and t-test values and can conclude the possibility of using this potentiometric method in the routine analysis of DTM-HCl.

ABSTRACT Currently, there is a growing global trend towards increasing the penetration of distributed generators (DGs) in power networks. This is mainly due to growing concerns about threats of climate change and dwindling fossil fuel sources. Despite numerous positive effects of using such sources, high penetration of these generators must be studied carefully to avoid any negative effects on system performance. Therefore, the hosting capacity (HC) of DGs in power networks must be optimally evaluated within acceptable limits. In this study, proposed approach is inspired from whale optimisation algorithm (WOA) to optimally maximise DGs HC in power networks. Proposed WOA is utilised for practical East Delta network (EDN) as a part of Egyptian unified network besides utilising standard distribution networks. Moreover, uncertainty of loading is considered for more realism in the study. Thus, historical data are addressed with Monte Carlo simulation (MCS) technique and employed with EDN. To verify the effectiveness of the proposed WOA, a comparative study with other techniques is presented and a performance comparison with a well-known metaheuristic algorithm is established. Furthermore, Wilcoxon rank sum tests are introduced to confirm applicability of the proposed WOA. The results emphasise superiority of the proposed WOA in maximising the DGs HC in power networks with uncertainty, outperforming other algorithms.

Abstract Aim: Adult cochlear implant candidates are a large proportion of the total candidates. The aim of this study is to develop an evidence-based guide regarding adult cochlear implantation in Saudi Arabia that is supported by the consensus agreement of the experts in the field. Methodology: In this study, a task force of experts was involved to determine the important aspects of cochlear implantation practice in adults. The task force discussion guided a literature review, which resulted in drafting the provisional statements. A modified Delphi method was then utilized to determine the agreement level for these statements within the SORL Society cochlear implant practitioners, including audiologists and otologists. Results: This study started with fifteen preliminary statements that, after core committee meetings and one round of voting, resulted in the formulating 20 final statements. The final statements reached an average of 95.9% agreement level (±4.6%). Two statements did not reach consensus with agreement levels of 77% and 70%. Conclusion: This consensus paper presents the most agreed-upon practice for adult cochlear implantation in adults in Saudi Arabia. The high agreement levels among cochlear implant practitioners reflect a strong endorsement of the formulated statements, underscoring their relevance and applicability in real-world settings. This guide will serve as a valuable resource for clinicians, aiming to standardize practices and improve outcomes for adult cochlear implant candidates. Future efforts should focus on the integration of emerging evidence to adapt this guide to the practice of cochlear implantation.

Background: This study aimed to change the current concept of diabetic macular edema (DME) management through (1) early categorization of our DME patients into either responders or non-responders after the first intravitreal Ranibizumab (IVR) injection, and (2) finding a suitable clinical–biochemical diagnostic panel to identify the possible cause(s) of non-response in each non-responder and changing the treatment plan in each particular patient accordingly. Patients and methods: Our study included 64 eyes of 40 patients with DME (Group A, DME patients) and 40 eyes of 40 healthy individuals matched for age and sex (Group B, controls). Blood and aqueous samples were collected from the study participants before and one month after IVR injection. The DME patients were further subdivided into responders and non-responders according to their response to the first IVR injection. Lymphocyte activation markers, NETosis markers, angiogenic factors, astrocytes, innate immunity, and inflammasome markers were assessed in both groups. Results: Multivariate regression analysis revealed that macular ischemia, aqueous levels of hexokinase 1, SELL CD62L, ELANE, MPO, VEGFA, and SEMA4D were the most significant factors affecting the response to IVR (p < 0.05). Conclusions: defining our DME patients as responders and non-responders after the first IVR injection, combined with potential utilization of a clinical–biochemical panel (macular ischemia- PCR array of combined Hexokinase 1, MPO, and SEMA4D) in each non-responder, may represent a good starting point for changing the current DME management strategy.

Abstract This comprehensive study examines the effects of TiO2 incorporation (0-10 mol%) into a complex fluoro-borate glass system with the composition 55B₂O₃ - 15Na₂O - 5CaO - 5ZnO - 5MgF₂ - 5SrF₂ - (10-X)Li₂O - (X) TiO₂ mol% prepared by the melt quenching technique. Through integrated structural, mechanical, physical, and optical characterizations, the study reveals the dual-role of titanium ions as both a network modifier and disruptor. The novelty of this work lies in uncovering a critical "masking effect," where fluoride ions (F⁻) initially shield the glass network from the full disruptive impact of Ti⁴⁺ at low concentrations (X &lt; 5 mol%), creating a "competitive equilibrium." The XRD proved the amorphous nature of the prepared system. It exhibits a significant drop in tetrahedral boron coordination (N4%) from 23.71% to 7.85%, indicating considerable network depolymerization. Beyond this threshold, a second novel mechanism is identified: a percolation-driven collapse, where Ti⁴⁺ ions form interconnected clusters that catastrophically amplify their depolymerising effects, decreasing N4% to 7.85% at X = 10 mol%. According to TCT, the mechanical properties show that the system's stability relies entirely on compensatory mechanisms until it is overwhelmed at X ≤ 7.5 mol%, after which the Young's modulus decreases. According to (MRN), the non-monotonic increase in density behaviour is observed, with a peak at X=7.5 mol% (2.833 g/cm³), as well as a drop in molar volume at the same point. The systematic reduction in the optical bandgap from 3.344 eV to 2.795 eV (direct) and 2.669 eV to 1.766 eV (indirect), alongside an increase in Urbach energy, describes the induced disorder. This fundamental understanding of competitive ion interactions and percolation thresholds provides a novel framework for designing advanced optical materials with customised properties for photonic applications.

Ovarian cancer is a highly lethal malignancy, characterised by late-stage diagnosis, marked inter- and intra-tumoural heterogeneity, and frequent development of chemoresistance. Existing preclinical models, including conventional two-dimensional cultures, three-dimensional spheroids, and organoids, only partially recapitulate the structural and functional complexity of the ovarian tumour microenvironment (TME). Tumour-on-chip (CoC) technology has emerged as a promising alternative, enabling the co-culture of tumour and stromal cells within a microengineered platform that incorporates relevant extracellular matrix components, biochemical gradients, and biomechanical cues under precisely controlled microfluidic conditions. This review provides a comprehensive overview of CoC technology relevant to ovarian cancer research, outlining fabrication strategies, device architectures, and TME-integration approaches. We systematically analyse published ovarian cancer-specific CoC models, revealing a surprisingly limited number of studies and a lack of standardisation across design parameters, materials, and outcome measures. Based on these findings, we identify critical technical and biological considerations to inform the rational design of next-generation CoC platforms, with the aim of improving their reproducibility, translational value, and potential for personalised medicine applications.

Abstract This paper presents a blockchain-based framework designed to enhance privacy, security, and sustainable energy management in smart home environments. The system integrates Machine-to-Machine (M2M) communication and Internet of Things (IoT) protocols within a decentralized framework to facilitate secure, real-time interactions between devices and users. It features a multi-layered design comprising communication, security, and application layers, ensuring dependable functionality and modularity. The Supersingular Isogeny Diffie-Hellman (SIDH) protocol provides security for device-to-device and user interactions with post-quantum cryptographic protection. System behavior is simulated using Cisco Packet Tracer, and additional protocols, such as WebSocket (via websocat), UDP (User Datagram Protocol), and TCP (Transmission Control Protocol), are tested to enhance interactivity and communication efficiency. The architecture assigns distinct roles to users and administrators, establishing clear access and control privileges. Additionally, the framework explores the coordinated optimization of sustainable energy use among neighbouring smart homes. Key performance indicators include system security, latency, communication throughput, and energy efficiency. This proposed model seeks to offer a secure and scalable solution for the future of smart home systems.