On the Performance of Video Resolution,Motion and Dynamism in Transmission Using Near-Capacity Transceiver for Wireless Communication

This article investigates the performance of various sophisticated channel coding and transmission schemes for achieving reliable transmission of a highly compressed video stream. Novel error protection schemes including Non-Convergent Coding (NCC) scheme, Non-Convergent Coding assisted with Differential Space Time Spreading (DSTS) and Sphere Packing (SP) modulation (NCDSTS-SP) scheme and Convergent Coding assisted with DSTS and SP modulation (CDSTS-SP) are analyzed using Bit Error Ratio (BER) and Peak Signal to Noise Ratio (PSNR) performance metrics. Furthermore, error reduction is achieved using sophisticated transceiver comprising SP modulation technique assisted by Differential Space Time Spreading. The performance of the iterative Soft Bit Source Decoding (SBSD) in combination with channel codes is analyzed using various error protection setups by allocating consistent overall bit-rate budget. Additionally, the iterative behavior of SBSD assisted RSC decoder is analyzed with the aid of Extrinsic Information Transfer (EXIT) Chart in order to analyze the achievable turbo cliff of the iterative decoding process. The subjective and objective video quality performance of the proposed error protection schemes is analyzed while employing H.264 advanced video coding and H.265 high efficient video coding standards, while utilizing diverse video sequences having different resolution, motion and dynamism. It was observed that in the presence of noisy channel the low resolution videos outperforms its high resolution counterparts. Furthermore, it was observed that the performance of video sequence with low motion contents and dynamism outperforms relative to video sequence with high motion contents and dynamism. More specifically, it is observed that while utilizing H.265 video coding standard, the Non-Convergent Coding assisted with DSTS and SP modulation scheme with enhanced transmission mechanism results in Eb/N0 gain of 20 dB with reference to the Non-Convergent Coding and transmission mechanism at the objective PSNR value of 42 dB. It is important to mention that both the schemes have employed identical code rate. Furthermore, the Convergent Coding assisted with DSTS and SP modulation mechanism achieved superior performance with reference to the equivalent rate Non-Convergent Coding assisted with DSTS and SP modulation counterpart mechanism, with a performance gain of 16 dB at the objective PSNR grade of 42 dB. Moreover, it is observed that the maximum achievable PSNR gain through H.265 video coding standard is 45 dB, with a PSNR gain of 3 dB with reference to the identical code rate H.264 coding scheme.     

Phyto-Extract-Mediated Synthesis of Silver Nanoparticles Using Aqueous Extract of Sanvitalia procumbens,and Characterization,Optimization and Photocatalytic Degradation of Azo Dyes Orange G and Direct Blue-15

Green synthesis of silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) employing an aqueous plant extract has emerged as a viable eco-friendly method. The aim of the study was to synthesize AgNPs by using plant extract of Sanvitalia procumbens (creeping zinnia) in which the phytochemicals present in plant extract act as a stabilizing and reducing agent. For the stability of the synthesized AgNPs, different parameters like AgNO₃ concentration, volume ratios of AgNO₃, temperature, pH, and contact time were studied. Further, AgNPs were characterized by UV–visible spectroscopy, FT-IR (Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy), XRD (X-ray Diffraction), SEM (Scanning Electron Microscopy), and EDX (Energy Dispersive X-ray Spectrometer) analysis. FT-IR analysis showed that the plant extract contained essential functional groups like O–H stretching of carboxylic acid, N–H stretching of secondary amides, and C–N stretching of aromatic amines, and C–O indicates the vibration of alcohol, ester, and carboxylic acid that facilitated in the green synthesis of AgNPs. The crystalline nature of synthesized AgNPs was confirmed by XRD, while the elemental composition of AgNPs was detected by energy dispersive X-ray analysis (EDX). SEM studies showed the mean particle diameter of silver nanoparticles. The synthesized AgNPs were used for photocatalytic degradation of Orange G and Direct blue-15 (OG and DB-15), which were analyzed by UV-visible spectroscopy. Maximum degradation percentage of OG and DB-15 azo dyes was observed, without any significant silver leaching, thereby signifying notable photocatalytic properties of AgNPs.     

Synthesis of Copper Oxide-Based Nanoformulations of Etoricoxib and Montelukast and Their Evaluation through Analgesic,Anti-Inflammatory,Anti-Pyretic,and Acute Toxicity Activities

Copper oxide nanoparticles (CuO NPs) were synthesized through the coprecipitation method and used as nanocarriers for etoricoxib (selective COX-2 inhibitor drug) and montelukast (leukotriene product inhibitor drug) in combination therapy. The CuO NPs, free drugs, and nanoformulations were investigated through UV/Vis spectroscopy, FTIR spectroscopy, XRD, SEM, and DLS. SEM imaging showed agglomerated nanorods of CuO NPs of about 87 nm size. The CE1, CE2, and CE6 nanoformulations were investigated through DLS, and their particle sizes were 271, 258, and 254 nm, respectively. The nanoformulations were evaluated through in vitro anti-inflammatory activity, in vivo anti-inflammatory activity, in vivo analgesic activity, in vivo anti-pyretic activity, and in vivo acute toxicity activity. In vivo activities were performed on albino mice. BSA denaturation was highly inhibited by CE1, CE2, and CE6 as compared to other nanoformulations in the in vitro anti-inflammatory activity. The in vivo bioactivities showed that low doses (5 mg/kg) of nanoformulations were more potent than high doses (10 and 20 mg/kg) of free drugs in the inhibition of pain, fever, and inflammation. Lastly, CE2 was more potent than that of other nanoformulations.     

Binder-Free Fabrication of Prussian Blue Analogues Based Electrocatalyst for Enhanced Electrocatalytic Water Oxidation

Developing a cost-effective, efficient, and stable oxygen evolution reaction (OER) catalyst is of great importance for sustainable energy conversion and storage. In this study, we report a facile one-step fabrication of cationic surfactant-assisted Prussian blue analogues (PBAs) M_x[Fe(CN)₅CH₃C₆H₄NH₂]∙yC₁₉H₃₄NBr abbreviated as SF[Fe-Tol-M] (where SF = N-tridecyl-3-methylpyridinium bromide and M = Mn, Co and Ni) as efficient heterogeneous OER electrocatalysts. The electrocatalysts have been characterized by Fourier transform infrared (FT-IR) spectroscopy, powder X-ray diffraction (PXRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM) coupled with energy dispersive X-ray (EDX) analysis, and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS). In the presence of cationic surfactant (SF), PBAs-based electrodes showed enhanced redox current, high surface area and robust stability compared to the recently reported PBAs. SF[Fe-Tol-Co] hybrid catalyst shows superior electrochemical OER activity with a much lower over-potential (610 mV) to attain the current density of 10 mA cm⁻² with the Tafel slope value of 103 mV·dec⁻¹ than that for SF[Fe-Tol-Ni] and SF[Fe-Tol-Mn]. Moreover, the electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) unveiled that SF[Fe-Tol-Co] exhibits smaller charge transfer resistance, which results in a faster kinetics towards OER. Furthermore, SF[Fe-Tol-Co] offered excellent stability for continues oxygen production over extended reaction time. This work provides a surface assisted facile electrode fabrication approach for developing binder-free OER electrocatalysts for efficient water oxidation.     

Anti-Inflammatory and Anti-Rheumatic Potential of Selective Plant Compounds by Targeting TLR-4/AP-1 Signaling: A Comprehensive Molecular Docking and Simulation Approaches

Plants are an important source of drug development and numerous plant derived molecules have been used in clinical practice for the ailment of various diseases. The Toll-like receptor-4 (TLR-4) signaling pathway plays a crucial role in inflammation including rheumatoid arthritis. The TLR-4 binds with pro-inflammatory ligands such as lipopolysaccharide (LPS) to induce the downstream signaling mechanism such as nuclear factor κappa B (NF-κB) and mitogen activated protein kinases (MAPKs). This signaling activation leads to the onset of various diseases including inflammation. In the present study, 22 natural compounds were studied against TLR-4/AP-1 signaling, which is implicated in the inflammatory process using a computational approach. These compounds belong to various classes such as methylxanthine, sesquiterpene lactone, alkaloid, flavone glycosides, lignan, phenolic acid, etc. The compounds exhibited different binding affinities with the TLR-4, JNK, NF-κB, and AP-1 protein due to the formation of multiple hydrophilic and hydrophobic interactions. With TLR-4, rutin had the highest binding energy (−10.4 kcal/mol), poncirin had the highest binding energy (−9.4 kcal/mol) with NF-κB and JNK (−9.5 kcal/mol), respectively, and icariin had the highest binding affinity (−9.1 kcal/mol) with the AP-1 protein. The root means square deviation (RMSD), root mean square fraction (RMSF), and radius of gyration (RoG) for 150 ns were calculated using molecular dynamic simulation (MD simulation) based on rutin’s greatest binding energy with TLR-4. The RMSD, RMSF, and RoG were all within acceptable limits in the MD simulation, and the complex remained stable for 150 ns. Furthermore, these compounds were assessed for the potential toxic effect on various organs such as the liver, heart, genotoxicity, and oral maximum toxic dose. Moreover, the blood–brain barrier permeability and intestinal absorption were also predicted using SwissADME software (Lausanne, Switzerland). These compounds exhibited promising physico-chemical as well as drug-likeness properties. Consequently, these selected compounds portray promising anti-inflammatory and drug-likeness properties.     

Structural,electronic, and optical properties of Cd-halide-based inorganic LiCdX3 (X = F,Cl) perovskites for photovoltaic applications: A density functional theory study

Halide base perovskite LiCdX₃ (X = F, Cl) is tested by CASTEP (Cambridge Serial Total Energy Package) based on density function theory (DFT). The presented discussion is to explore the structural, electronic, and optical properties of LiCdX₃ (X = F, Cl). The calculated values of the lattice parameter are found to be 3.8 Å and 5.27 Å of LiCdF₃ and LiCdCl₃ respectively. The ideal structure of LiCdX₃ (X = F, Cl) is cubic and dynamically stable. Electronic properties show that materials are semiconductors. The results from band structure are further evaluated by the total and partial density of states. The partial and total density of states confirms the degree of localization of electrons. In optical properties, the highest absorption coefficient is observed in LiCdCl₃. The material is half metallic and has a narrow indirect band gap which may be used in photovoltaic applications.     

Effect of Nitrogen Doping on the Optical Bandgap and Electrical Conductivity of Nitrogen-Doped Reduced Graphene Oxide

Graphene as a material for optoelectronic design applications has been significantly restricted owing to zero bandgap and non-compatible handling procedures compared with regular microelectronic ones. In this work, nitrogen-doped reduced graphene oxide (N-rGO) with tunable optical bandgap and enhanced electrical conductivity was synthesized via a microwave-assisted hydrothermal method. The properties of the synthesized N-rGO were determined using XPS, FTIR and Raman spectroscopy, UV/vis, as well as FESEM techniques. The UV/vis spectroscopic analysis confirmed the narrowness of the optical bandgap from 3.4 to 3.1, 2.5, and 2.2 eV in N-rGO samples, where N-rGO samples were synthesized with a nitrogen doping concentration of 2.80, 4.53, and 5.51 at.%. Besides, an enhanced n-type electrical conductivity in N-rGO was observed in Hall effect measurement. The observed tunable optoelectrical characteristics of N-rGO make it a suitable material for developing future optoelectronic devices at the nanoscale.     

In vitro pharmacological screening of three newly synthesised pyrimidine derivatives

The antibacterial and antifungal activities of three new pyrimidine derivatives, namely, 2,6-bis(4,6-dimethylpyrimidin-2-ylthio)benzene-1,4-diol (1),3,5-bis(4,6-dimethylpyrimidin-2-ylthio)-2-methylbenzene-1,4-diol (2) and 3,5-bis(4,6-dimethylpyrimidin-2-ylthio)-2-methoxybenzene-1,4-diol (3), synthesised by electrochemical method are presented here. The compounds were screened for their activities against Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria, Bacillus subtilis, Staphylococcusaureus, Escherichia coli and a pathogenic fungus Aspergillus niger. The results show that these compounds have significant activity against these bacteria and fungus. The minimum inhibitory concentration of compound 1 was determined as 62.5 μg/mL against B. subtilis, 125 μg/mL against E. coli and 250 μg/mL against S. aureus establishing its promising activities higher than susceptible ranges.     

Heat pipes: progress in thermal performance enhancement for microelectronics

Journal of Thermal Analysis and Calorimetry - The aim of this study is to oversee the impact of various techniques on thermal performance of heat pipes and to comprehensively cover the progress...