Publications by authors named "Muhammad Umar Farooq"

This research seeks to improve the viability and stability of Lactobacillus rhamnosus by microencapsulating it in polymeric microgels doped with magnesium oxide (MgO) nanoparticles. The main aim was to explore the ability of MgO-doped sodium alginate microgels to enhance the resistance of the probiotic under gastrointestinal and refrigeration conditions. Microgels were prepared by emulsification method with sodium alginate (2% w/v) and cross-linked with 2% w/v calcium chloride, whereas MgO nanoparticles were added at levels between 0.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF

Prediction of stable nanocluster structures remains a significant challenge in materials and nanocluster research due to the complex nature of potential energy surfaces (PES). To overcome this complexity, a novel deep reinforcement learning (DRL) framework was employed to efficiently scan the PES and identify the global minimum of the Ptnanocluster alongside other low-energy configurations. The DRL agent iteratively learns to generate energetically favorable configurations by adjusting atomic positions based on feedback from a reward function designed to promote structural stability and discourage unrealistic geometries, such as overlapping or dissociating atoms.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF

Left ventricular pseudoaneurysms (LVPA) are rare complications of myocardial infarction (MI), occurring in less than 1% of cases. Diagnosis is challenging due to nonspecific symptoms, particularly in large aneurysms. Imaging modalities like echocardiography, CTA, and CMR are vital for identifying LVPA, especially in atypical presentations involving massive aneurysms.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF

Despite decades of research, cancer remains a growing global health challenge. Nanomaterials-based therapeutics have shown promise, but their clinical applications are often limited by poor selectivity and undesirable side effects. Recently, deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) based nanomachines have gained attention as intelligent drug carriers due to their ability to precisely target specific organelles.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF

Hyaluronicacid (HA)-conjugated nanocarriers leverage CD44 receptor overexpression on tumor cells for targeted delivery of platinum chemotherapeutics. This study compares non-functionalized (DDS1) versus HA-conjugated single-walled carbon nanotubes (DDS2) for encapsulation stability and CD44 binding of Cisplatin, Carboplatin, and Lobaplatin. Density Functional Theory calculations employed PBE-GGA with Tkatchenko-Scheffler dispersion and ZORA relativistic treatment, using a finite (8,8) armchair SWCNT (24.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF

In this study, drilling of a newly developed lightweight fire-retardant carbon/glass-fiber-reinforced polymer epoxy sandwich that includes an aluminum honeycomb core with modified epoxy (HFRP/Al sandwich composite) is investigated. A new high-performance insert combination comprising central-stepped and peripheral-wiper inserts is evaluated. The geometry of the central insert is kept constant while two variations in chip breaker (C) designs are introduced on wiper inserts differentiated mainly based on C width and C depth.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF

This study presents a novel approach for enhancing the efficiency of perovskite solar cells (PSCs) by incorporating MnSe into a MAPbI absorber layer. UV-visible (UV-vis) spectroscopy revealed a redshift in the absorption edge, reducing the bandgap from 1.71 eV to 1.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF

The study aimed to probe the effect of white and red onion extract on the viability and stability of encapsulated probiotics under stressed conditions. Intentionally, white and red onion peel extract was obtained and used with wall materials to encapsulate the probiotic. Symbiotic microcapsules were characterized for their morphological, molecular, and in vitro attributes.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF

Governments and industries are developing aggressive policies to reduce carbon emissions and shift from fossil fuels to renewable energy. On the other hand, industries struggle to reduce energy consumption and depend on production lot sizes to control energy requirements. In this regard, energy-efficient processing through CNC machine tools can potentially influence energy demand and requires energy-aware power consumption strategies for machining processes.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF

Aluminium and its alloys, especially Al6061, have gathered significant interest among researchers due to its less density, great durability, and high strength. Due to their lightweight properties, the precise machining of these alloys can become expensive through conventional machining operations for intricate products. Therefore, non-traditional machining such as electric discharge machining (EDM) can potentially be opted for the cutting of Al6061.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF

The misuse and uncontrolled release of pharmaceuticals into water bodies lead to environmental challenges and the development of resistance, thereby reducing their effectiveness. To mitigate these problems, it is essential to identify pharmaceuticals in water sources and eliminate them prior to human use. This study presents the designing of a novel nanosensor for the detection of the antibiotic Cefoperazone Sodium Sulbactam Sodium (CSSS).

View Article and Find Full Text PDF

Background: Palate, a midface bone, shapes the face and supports buttresses. Palatine process of maxilla and horizontal plate of palatine bone constitute it. Palatal bone is thicker anteriorly and laterally than posteriorly and centrally.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF

This study provides thorough computational and experimental assessments of four types of novel synthesized thiosemicarbazones. The compounds were effectively synthesized using a condensation reaction between thiosemicarbazide and fluorenone, producing a remarkable range of 70-88%. Additional chemical structures were examined utilizing spectroscopic methods, including Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), NMR spectroscopy, and ultraviolet-visible spectroscopy.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF

With the expansion of the manufacturing sector, it has become crucial to incorporate sustainable production methods in order to remain competitive in the market. This study focuses on addressing the needs of the manufacturing industry by conducting a sustainability analysis of electric discharge machining for SS310 alloy. The analysis explores the impact of various electrode materials, for instance, copper and brass, as well as different machining variables, including discharge current (I = 4-12 A), spark gap (SG = 6-12 mu), pulse duration (Pon = 15-45 μs), and duty cycle (DC = 75-85%) using Taguchi method.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF

Industry, agriculture, and a growing population all have a major impact on the scarcity of clean-water. Desalinating or purifying contaminated water for human use is crucial. The combination of thermal membrane systems can outperform conventional desalination with the help of synergistic management of the water-energy nexus.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF

The non-conventional manufacturing technologies are notorious when it comes to productivity and processing time in production-related industries. However, the aerospace and other high-end sectors enjoy another quality matrix of these processes and compromise on the processing time. For instance, the machinability of hard-to-cut materials such as Ti6Al4V aerospace alloy for micro-impressions is challenging and commonly carried out through non-conventional processes.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF

Livestock manure harbors antibiotic resistance genes (ARGs), and aerobic composting (AC) is widely adopted for waste management. However, mitigating ARG resurgence in later stages remains challenging. This work aims to curb ARGs rebounding through a Fenton-like reaction during food waste and swine manure co-composting.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF

Chronic diseases, notably cancer, pose a significant global threat to human life. Oncologists and medical professionals addressing malignancies confront challenges such as toxicity and multidrug resistance. To tackle these issues, the focus has shifted toward the employment of multifunctional colloidal gold nanoparticles.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF

Dengue, a mosquito-borne viral disease, poses a significant public health challenge in Pakistan, with a significant outbreak in 2023, prompting our investigation into the serotype and genomic diversity of the dengue virus (DENV). NS-1 positive blood samples from 153 patients were referred to the National Institute of Health, Pakistan, between July and October 2023. Among these, 98 (64.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF

Introduction Esophageal variceal bleeding is a potentially deadly consequence of portal hypertension in patients with cirrhosis. Although upper gastrointestinal endoscopy is still the preferred method for identifying esophageal varices (EV), the present study measured the platelet count to prothrombin time (PLT/PT) ratio for the assessment of portal hypertension and subsequent diagnosis of EVs in patients with chronic liver disease (CLD). Methods This was an observational comparative study conducted in the outpatient department of Patel Hospital, Karachi, Pakistan, using a non-probability consecutive sampling technique.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF

Solid waste management is one of the biggest challenges of the current era. The combustible fractions in the waste stream turn out to be a good energy source if converted into refuse-derived fuel. Researchers worldwide are successfully converting it into fuel.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF

Drinking water quality deteriorates rapidly due to anthropogenic activities and rapid population growth. These activities, in developing countries, will lead to water scarcity. In Pakistan, 70% of the population has no access to safe water, and people use canal water to drink.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF

In this modern era where Industry 4.0, plays a crucial role in enhancing productivity, quality, and resource utilization by digitalizing and providing smart operation to industrial systems. Therefore, there is a need to establish a framework that enhances productivity and quality of work to achieve the net-zero from industry.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF

Soil erosion is a destructive consequence of land degradation caused by deforestation, improper farming practices, overgrazing, and urbanization. This irreversible effect negatively impacts the limited renewable soil resource, causing soil truncation, reduced fertility, and unstable slopes. To address the anticipation of erosion modulus resulting from long-term land use and land cover (LULC) changes, a study was conducted in the Swat District of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (Kpk), Pakistan.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF