In recent years, the rising levels of atmospheric particulate matter (PM) have an impact on the earth's system, leading to undesirable consequences on various aspects like human health, visibility, and climate. The present work is carried out over an insufficiently studied but polluted urban area of Peshawar, which lies at the foothills of the famous Himalaya and Karakorum area, Northern Pakistan. The particulate matter with an aerodynamic diameter of less than 10µm, i.e., PM10 are collected and analyzed for mineralogical, morphological, and chemical properties. Diverse techniques were used to examine the PM10 samples, for instance, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, x-ray diffraction, and scanning electron microscopy along with energy-dispersive x-ray spectroscopy, proton-induced x-ray emission, and an OC/EC carbon analyzer. The 24h average PM10 mass concentration along with standard deviation was investigated to be 586.83 ± 217.70µg/m3, which was around 13 times greater than the permissible limit of the world health organization (45µg/m3) and 4 times the Pakistan national environmental quality standards for ambient PM10 (150µg/m3). Minerals such as crystalline silicate, carbonate, asbestiform minerals, sulfate, and clay minerals were found using FTIR and XRD investigations. Microscopic examination revealed particles of various shapes, including angular, flaky, rod-like, crystalline, irregular, rounded, porous, chain, spherical, and agglomeration structures. This proved that the particles had geogenic, anthropogenic, and biological origins. The average value of organic carbon, elemental carbon, and total carbon is found to be 91.56 ± 43.17, 6.72 ± 1.99, and 102.41 ± 44.90µg/m3, respectively. Water-soluble ions K+ and OC show a substantial association (R = 0.71). Prominent sources identified using Principle component analysis (PCA) are anthropogenic, crustal, industrial, and electronic combustion. This research paper identified the potential sources of PM10, which are vital for preparing an air quality management plan in the urban environment of Peshawar.

Abstract Silymarin-loaded zein polysaccharide core–shell nanoparticles (SZPCS-NPs) were synthesized where sodium alginate and pectin offer stability and controlled release qualities to zein, a maize protein, having excellent biocompatibility. The present study is an attempt to develop zein–silymarin polysaccharide core–shell nanostructures to enhance water solubility, thereby improving bioavailability and producing enhanced biological responses in living systems. SZPCS-NPs were prepared using pH-induced antisolvent precipitation method. Five different types of SZPCS-NPs were synthesized using different combinations of sodium alginate and pectin, namely P100–A00 (non-uniform size ranging from 20 to 100 nm), P70–A30 (spherical and uniform size measuring approximately 80 nm in diameter), P50–A50, P30–A70, and P00–A100 exhibited irregular shapes with the presence of some triangular and oval structures and non-uniform size ranging from 20 to 100 nm. The SZPCS-NPs P70–A30 possessed the best results in terms of shape, size, and other characterization studies. Furthermore, the SZPCS-NPs possessed a percent drug loading of 72.5% and entrapment efficiency of 51.7%, respectively. The resulting SZPCS-NPs exhibited an excellent relative bioavailability percentage of 97.4% in comparison to commercial silymarin, having 58.1%, and crude silymarin, having 46.97% bioavailability percentage, correspondingly. In addition, SZPCS-NPs possessed an almost two folds’ increase in antioxidant activity in comparison to crude and commercially available silymarin. Similarly, SZPCS-NPs also showed better stabilization in hepatic biomarker enzymes and possessed better hepatoprotective activity for a period of 6 weeks, in contrast to commercial and crude silymarin formulations.

In recent years, the concept of the digital divide has gained significant attention across various sectors, including agriculture. The digital divide refers to the gap between those who have access to digital technologies and those who do not, and this divide is particularly pronounced in rural communities. This paper explores the digital divide in agriculture, identifying its key factors and discussing strategies to bridge this gap, thereby ensuring equitable access to technology in rural areas.

This study examines the correlation between instructional leadership and school effectiveness at secondary-level institutions in the context of district Bannu, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan. This study aimed to find out this relationship through a correlational research design. All 1511 teachers from 100 public sector secondary level schools constituted the population of this study. A close-ended 7-point Likert scale questionnaire comprising of 45 items was utilized by the researcher to obtain data from 306 teachers of 80 secondary-level institutions through a stratified random technique. The data that was obtained was analyzed through SPSS using Pearson’s R statistics. The findings reveal a strong, significant correlation between instructional leadership and school effectiveness. The study clearly confirmed that the explicit role of an instructional leader leads to successful school effectiveness.

Cancer remains one of the major causes of morbidity and mortality worldwide. Scientists from different fields are working to devise an efficient treatment strategy in order to reduce the global burden of cancer. Commonly used treatment approaches for cancer treatment include chemotherapy, immunotherapy, photodynamic therapy, radiation, surgery, etc. These treatment procedures have several pitfalls, such as toxicity, limited bioavailability, rapid elimination, poor specificity, and high cost. On the other side, plant-derived anticancer compounds exhibit several advantages and can overcome these shortcomings. Plant-based anticancer compounds are safer, potent, easily available, and comparatively cost-effective. The current review discusses pure plant- based compounds that are used as a therapeutic remedy for anticancer application. The proposed mechanisms of action, through which these compounds inhibit cancer cell growth, tumor growth, angiogenesis, instigate apoptosis, cytotoxicity, mitochondrial membrane degradation, and reduce cell viability as well as cell cycle progression, are also reviewed. These naturally occurring compounds exhibit great therapeutic potential and could be used as candidate drugs in clinical applications.

Abstract The development of novel nanomaterials opens the windows of research in several areas. However, its optimal synthesis and characterization is a challenging task for its performance in specific fields of use. Cu-Ni bimetallic hybrid alloy nanoparticles were manufactured by reinforcing Cu with Ni using ethylene glycol as a solvent as well as a reducing agent, and polyvinyl pyrrolidon as a fabrication material, for sensing application. UV-Vis spectroscopy, steady-state fluorescence, Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM), X-ray diffraction (XRD) and energy-dispersive spectroscopy (EDS) techniques were used for the confirmation and morphological studies of synthesized nanoparticles. Results display that Cu portrays enhanced characteristics. SEM shows outstanding topographic properties for Cu-Ni bimetallic hybrid nanoparticles. A composite electrode of Cu-Ni/PVP/GCE (Cu-Ni NPs based electrochemical sensor) is developed by coating Cu-Ni (3:1) hybrid nanoparticles embedded in polyvinyl pyrrolidone (PVP) at the surface of cleaned Glassy Carbon Electrode (GCE). The lowest possible concentration of Alzarin Red S (0.12 µM) was detected by using Cu-Ni bimetallic hybrid nanoparticles based electrochemical sensor.

Geospatial methods, such as GIS and remote sensing, map radon levels, pinpoint high-risk areas and connect geological traits to radon presence. These findings direct health planning, focusing tests, mitigation, and policies where radon levels are high. Overall, geospatial analyses offer vital insights, shaping interventions and policies to reduce health risks from radon exposure. There is a formidable threat to human well-being posed by the naturally occurring carcinogenic radon (222Rn) gas due to high solubility in water. Under the current scenario, it is crucial to assess the extent of 222Rn pollution in our drinking water sources across various regions and thoroughly investigate the potential health hazards it poses. In this regard, the present study was conducted to investigate the concentration of 222Rn in groundwater samples collected from handpumps and wells and to estimate health risks associated with the consumption of 222Rn-contaminated water. For this purpose, groundwater samples (n = 30) were collected from handpumps, and wells located in the Mulazai area, District Peshawar. The RAD7 radon detector was used as per international standards to assess the concentration of 222Rn in the collected water samples. The results unveiled that the levels of 222Rn in the collected samples exceeded the acceptable thresholds set by the US Environmental Protection Agency (US-EPA) of 11.1 Bq L−1. Nevertheless, it was determined that the average annual dose was below the recommended limit of 0.1 mSv per year, as advised by both the European Union Council and the World Health Organization. In order to avoid the harmful effects of such excessive 222Rn concentrations on human health, proper ventilation and storage of water in storage reservoirs for a long time before use is recommended to lower the 222Rn concentration.

The biodegradation of pymetrozine pesticide was investigated with Pleurotus eryngii white rot fungus (WRF). The biomass was characterized by Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) and scanning electrode microscopy (SEM) to verify surface functionality and morphology. FTIR results revealed fungal biomass is rich with multiple functional groups while SEM analysis showed that the surface of fungal biomass is irregular, porous, rough and heterogeneous. Bioremediation of pymetrozine with Pleurotus eryngii was monitored using ultraviolet-visible spectroscopy. The Box Bhenken Design optimization showed that Pleurotus eryngii degrades 93.3% of 0.20 mM pymetrozine at pH 5. Gas chromatography–mass spectrometry (GC-MS) was carried out to identify major metabolites formed during biodegradation of pymetrozine. Based on these results, pymetrozine was transformed to nicotinaldehyde and 4-amino-6-methyl-4,5-dihydro-2H- [1,2,4] triazine-3-one (AMDT).

AbstractThis research work is based on synthesis of eleven novel thiazole derivatives (3 a‐k) of thiophene carbaldehyde. All the synthesized compounds were successfully synthesized, characterized by 1H‐NMR and EI‐MS spectroscopic techniques and finally subjected for their in vitro α‐glucosidase inhibitory activity. Seven derivatives 3 i (IC50=10.21±1.84 μM), 3 b (IC50=11.14±0.99 μM), 3 f (IC50=13.21±2.76 μM), 3 h (IC50=14.21±0.31 μM), 3 k (IC50=15.21±1.02 μM), 3 e (IC50=16.21±1.32 μM), and 3 c (IC50=18.21±1.89 μM), in the series displayed excellent inhibitory potential better than the standard acarbose. However, two compounds 3 g (IC50=33.21±1.99 μM) and 3 d (IC50=42.31±2.12 μM) showed significant activity while two compounds 3 j and 3 a were found less active with IC50 values of 82.31±0.31 and 88.36±1.21 μM respectively. Additional research revealed that the compounds are not exhibiting any cytotoxic effects. The molecular docking study of these derivatives showed their good binding potential for α‐glucosidase active site with excellent interactions and docking scores.