This study investigates the mechanism behind the dynamic spreading of liquid nano-droplets with suspended nanoparticles, focusing on the impact of nanoparticle size and interaction strength using molecular dynamics simulations. Building on our prior research with Pb-Cu wetting systems of identical chemistry that revealed distinct spreading behaviors, the current findings demonstrate that particle characteristics and interatomic potentials significantly affect the nanosuspension spreading process. The strength of the interaction between the particle and underlying substrate varies from the interatomic potential to test the dynamic spreading behavior of nanofluid droplets, to explore how it affects the wetting kinetics. Meanwhile, forces acting on suspended particles are directly computed from molecular dynamics simulations and compared with cases of different particle sizes. Mechanisms are discussed by correlating the force data with the contact line advancement, droplet morphology, and the observed pinning/depinning behavior.
Keywords: particle suspension; molecular dynamics; force computation

Introduction: The implementation of National Health Insurance (NHI) in South Africa is a transformative initiative aimed at achieving universal health coverage and addressing historical health disparities. This ongoing study explicitly examines the perceptions of healthcare workers, policymakers, and citizens in Gauteng Province regarding the NHI initiative, acknowledging their essential contributions to its successful implementation.
Methods: A qualitative research design will be employed, utilizing semi-structured interviews and focus group discussions to gather in-depth data on stakeholder perceptions. Participants will be recruited through purposive sampling to ensure a diverse representation of views. Data analysis will be conducted using thematic analysis to identify key themes and patterns related to perceptions of the NHI.
Results: Preliminary findings suggest that stakeholder perceptions are influenced by factors such as trust in government, concerns about resource allocation, and expectations of service quality. Preliminary themes may include skepticism regarding implementation efficacy, perceived benefits of universal health coverage, and potential barriers to access.
Discussion: The anticipated results will provide valuable insights into the complexities surrounding the NHI initiative in South Africa. Understanding stakeholder perceptions is vital for identifying areas of resistance and fostering support for the NHI. The findings will contribute to the literature on health insurance systems and inform policymakers on strategies to enhance stakeholder engagement and address concerns.
Conclusion: This study aims to bridge the gap between policy intentions and public sentiment regarding the NHI initiative. By capturing the diverse views of healthcare workers, policymakers, and citizens, the research seeks to promote a more inclusive approach to health system reform in South Africa, ultimately advancing the goal of equitable healthcare access for all citizens.
Keywords: National Health Insurance (NHI); Universal Health Coverage; Stakeholder Perceptions; Healthcare Workers; Health Care Policy Makers

Graphene nanoribbons (GNRs) are quasi one-dimensional narrow strips of graphene comprised of sp²-hybridized carbon atoms arranged into hexagonal honeycomb lattice configurations. GNRs possess high mobility and current-carrying capability, sizeable bandgap and versatile electronic properties, which make them promising candidates for quantum electronic applications. The high aspect ratio, abundant edges, conductivity, and propensity for functionalization make GNRs an attractive material that draws interest from a wide range of fields, including chemistry, physics, materials science, and biology. GNRs have already found use in various applications such as sensors, conductive films, polymer composites, batteries, energy-conversion/storage devices, bioimaging, DNA sequencing, and neurophysiological recovery. With the advancements in the preparation technology of GNRs, GNRs with different structures have been prepared and studied. Results reveal that GNRs have good photoelectric characteristics, providing them broad application prospects in quantum computing and dissipative microelectronic devices.

Climate change poses significant challenges to ecosystems, livelihoods, and food security worldwide. In response, agroforestry—a sustainable land-use system that integrates trees and shrubs with crops and livestock—has emerged as a practical solution for enhancing climate resilience. While the ecological and economic benefits of agroforestry are well-documented, its successful implementation often hinges on active community engagement. This essay explores the critical role of community participation in agroforestry component and its potential to foster climate resilience through shared knowledge, inclusive decision-making, and long-term commitment.

Simulation-based teaching is an educational system that simulates real-life scenarios, allowing students to gain practical experience without the risks involved with real-life practice [1]. Simulation-based medical education (SBME) has become increasingly popular in medical education. Basic clinical skills and non-technical skills such as communication skill and decision making can be efficiently enhanced by SBME instruction as well [2]. The integration of advanced technology in recent years has allowed SBME to evolve according to the advancements of the digital era. In medical education, virtual reality (VR) is quickly becoming a popular and effective tool, especially for simulation-based teaching and learning. VR can provide a secure, monitored, and interesting learning environment for students in medical education by incorporating it into the curriculum.

World Health Organization defines diarrhea as “the passage of three or more loose or liquid stools per day or more frequent passage than is normal for the individual”. Diarrhea is a form of gastrointestinal infection caused by a variety of bacterial, viral and parasitic organisms or through contaminated food or drinking water, or from person to person as a result of poor hygienic practices. It remains a major cause of mortality among under-age children (mostly under 5years) around the world, especially in developing world. Diarrheal disease is the third leading cause of infant and child mortality in developing countries and about 1.8 million children die per annum from this disease [1]. The number of diarrheal deaths is ridiculously on the high side despite a fall in childhood diarrheal diseases from 4.6 million to 0.8 million over the last three decades [2]. Diarrhea is a leading killer of children, accounting approximately 9% of all death among children under age 5 worldwide in 2019. This translates to over 1,300 young children dying each day, or about 484,000 children a year, despite the availability of a simple treatment. According to UNICEF [3], the death caused by diarrhea among children under-5 are highest in South Asia and Sub-Saharan Africa. In Nigeria, the percentage death caused by diarrhea in children was 16%. The overall prevalence of diarrhea as of 2021 was 12.9% [4]. In 2023, according to World Health Organization, diarrhea disease death in Nigeria among children reached 144,724 or 9.77% of total death [5].

As we usher in the new year with the first issue of 2024, it is my pleasure to contribute to the discourse within the esteemed pages of Medicon Dental Sciences. This editorial aims to shed light on the transformative landscape of dentistry, particularly the paradigm shift brought about by advancements in minimally invasive dentistry (MID).

Traditionally, dental interventions often involved invasive procedures, causing discomfort and anxiety among patients. However, the field has witnessed remarkable progress in recent years, emphasizing a more patient-centered and conservative approach.

To live a healthy life style and be free from diseases, fruits must be incorporated in one’s daily food. Fruits are of high nutritional value and provide the body with the required daily allowance. They are highly perishable, but can be made into different products to make them available all year round. They can be processed into products which includes; fruit juice, jellies, marmalades, candies, fruit bars and jams. This study analyses jam produced using date powder and compared it with commercial jam produced using table sugar. The percentage compositions of the blends considered were 50%:50%; 70%:30%; 30%:70% of orange and apple pulps respectively with constant amount of date powder (50%). In addition to the pulp blends, 2.9% commercial pectin was added together with citric acid, and date powder. The entire mixture was heated at 120°C for 25 mins to enhance the viscosity of the blends. Proximate, microbial, physico-chemical analyses, sensory evaluation and Vitamin constituents of the experimental samples and the commercial jam were evaluated. The commercial jam was found best having higher scores in all the sensory parameters. However, in respect to proximate composition, the experimental samples had the highest in protein, ash, moisture, and fibre while the commercial jam only scored high in fat, carbohydrate. In respect to microbial count minimum fungal and bacterial growth, 1.00 cfu X 103 g-1 and 1.00 cfu X 105 g-1 respectively were recorded in the experimental samples at 3 weeks after production. The control sample had the highest value in vitamin A content (130.35mg/100g) and the least in vitamin C content (1.64mg/100g).The nutritional analysis and sensory evaluation obtained proved that the orange and apple jam samples made with date powder is a promising functional product which can be consumed by both young and adults.
Keywords: Orange; Apple; Date; Jam; Composite; Nutritional properties; Sensory analysis

Gene therapy is a fantastic new technology that has opened up a plethora of options to treat or prevent previously untreatable diseases. Gene therapy is the use of nucleic acids (either DNA or RNA) is used to  manipulate the genetic information of a patient’s cells. This is particularly helpful for diseases like Cystic Fibrosis where the ability to add a gene that makes the protein product the patient lacks or to just the gene itself is ideal. The addition of CRISPR-Cas for easier and more streamlined gene editing has also been a boon. However, the unfortunate truth is that despite decades of research, only a few gene therapies have made it to market. One of those reasons is the problems with carriers of gene therapy. For over three decades viral vectors were considered the go to for gene therapy carriers however they aggravate the immune system and can cause unwanted genotoxicity. This compromises their usefulness as a therapeutic treatment or preventative. So other methods of gene therapy carriers have been considered. Nanotech deliverers such as exosomes, gold nanoparticles, and others have shown great promise of being able to transport gene therapy with mitigated or no toxicity to the patient. This review will briefly go over both viral vector and nanotech non-viral vector alternatives to delivery of gene therapy.
Keywords: Gene therapy; nanotechnology; gene delivery; CRISPR; exosomes; viruses; magnetosomes

Transdermal drug delivery refers to the drug administration route through the skin that achieves the local or systemic treatment approved for clinical use. It is the third-largest drug delivery system after oral administration and injection. The advantages of the transdermal route are that the administration route of the drug is convenient and could reduce the fluctuation of blood drug concentration and toxic side effects. What is more, the drug could bypass the first-pass side-effect of the liver to prevent the drug from being destroyed in the gastrointestinal tract. Invasomes are new modified liposomes that differ from the liposomal vesicles in that they contain essential volatile oils, which are called terpenes. Also, ethanol in a low percentage is present in the vesicle either in the phospholipid layer or in the hydrous core. These modified newly discovered vesicles are intended to be used for topical and transdermal drug delivery due to their permeation effect and high deformability as compared to transferosomes.
Keywords: Invasomes; Transdermal drug delivery; phospholipids; terpenes; deformable vesicles

Design and use of enzyme inhibitors against viral enzymes is one of the new and effective ways to control viruses and treat viral infections, Enzyme inhibitors inactivate these enzymes by binding to the nucleotides functional groups of the virus vital enzymes, thus can directly disrupt the virus replication cycle and indirectly prevent the spread of viral infections by reducing and controlling the population and number of viruses, these inhibitors, on the one hand, inhibit the virus by filling and Occupying the active sites of the enzyme and on the other hand, they change the stereochemistry of the enzyme by binding to the structure of the enzyme, for this reasons, they are used as an effective and complementary drug in the treatment of infections and viral diseases. Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) is a retrovirus because it has the reverse transcriptase enzyme. Non-Nucleoside Reverse Transcriptase Inhibitors (NNRTIs) are a class of Antiretroviral HIV drugs. Non- ucleoside Reverse Transcriptase Inhibitors (NNRTIs) block HIV reverse transcriptase enzymes by connecting to it. Tetrazole derivatives have strong antiviral activity against efavirenz and nevirapine-resistance viruses that have different genetic mutations. In this research, we study NNRTIs function and overview synthesis of 5-aryloxy- etrazole derivatives in the development path of NNRTIs.
Keywords: Anti-HIV Drugs; NNRTIs; Tetrazole; HAART; Retrovirus; Reverse Transcriptase Enzyme 

Therapeutic bioengineering is a rapidly growing discipline in medical science that combines biology and medicine with engineering principles to create products and methods that can tackle the widest range of a variety of medical and health-related issues in today’s society