ZnO thin films were deposited on stainless steel substrates using the immersion method by immersing the

substrates in a sol-gel coating solution at temperatures of 70 °C and 80 °C for varying durations of (1, 2, 3, and 4minutes).

The results indicated that increasing the immersion time significantly influenced the film thickness. Optical measurements

showed that transmittance at a wavelength of 350nm increased with higher deposition temperatures. Additionally, the

Urbach tail energy increased with temperature, whereas the band gap (Eg) decreased markedly. Furthermore, the

electrical conductivity of the ZnO films improved with increased temperature and immersion time.

A diabetic foot ulcer is one of the most significant and devastating complications of diabetes. DFU is considered a major source of morbidity and mortality in patients with diabetes. Therefore, this study aimed to test the possibility of using Aloe Vera resin extract as an antibacterial agent (Libyan remedy) against isolated bacteria from a patient's foot. This study was concerned with the determination of the possible microbial cause of the diabetic foot ulcer; therefore, its design included microorganism isolation, identification, and finally, testing of the antibacterial activity of Aloe Vera resin against bacteria isolated from diabetic foot ulcers. Curiously, the results demonstrated that every antibiotic used in this experiment created inhibition zones against the bacteria that were isolated from patients' feet and had a pronounced resistance to the extract from aloe vera resin. In contrast, aloe vera resin extract created inhibition zones against bacteria isolated from healthy feet in comparison to the other widely used, well-known broad-spectrum antibiotics. The pathogen that was isolated from the patient's feet, according to our lab results, was Staphylococcus bacteria. Aloe Vera resin extract had no inhibition zones against Staphylococcus species bacteria that were collected from patient feet, which contradicted the hypothesis that Aloe Vera is a good antibacterial agent that could be used to prevent diabetic foot ulcers. Nonetheless, it demonstrated a slight antibacterial effect on normal flora foot bacteria. Bacterial resistance due to possible mutations could be the cause of this. It is also important to take into account the anti-inflammatory properties of aloe Vera resin extract.

This study critically examines the short- and long-term linkages between foreign trade volume (TVR) and sustainable development (SD) in Libya’s unique post-conflict, resource-dependent economy over the period 1990–2022. Utilising autoregressive distributed lag (ARDL) modelling, it assesses TVR’s impact on Hickel’s Sustainable Development Index (SDI) a holistic metric that goes beyond GDP by integrating crucial environmental and human well-being indicators. The results reveal a positive long-term cointegration between TVR and the SDI, primarily driven by associated growth in GDP and GDP per capita. However, this relationship remains fragile, as persistent inflation and high unemployment significantly undermine sustainability gains. Libya’s structural overreliance on hydrocarbons and chronic macroeconomic instability are identified as the core impediments to balanced progress. The study recommends a strategic pivot towards diversifying exports, stabilising macroeconomic conditions, and implementing fair labour policies to better align trade growth with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Prioritising inflation control and fostering inclusive employment are paramount to enhancing Libya’s SDI resilience.

The global pandemic Coronavirus Disease 19 (COVID-19) is caused by Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2). Many patients with life-threatening illness due to COVID-19 die from hypoxic respiratory failure, which appears to be related to a cytokine storm syndrome leading to Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome (ARDS). While steroids have some demonstrated benefits, supportive care remains the mainstay of treatment. However, in the absence of vaccines and proven treatments, during this current pandemic, we are considering repurposing currently available medications; one of the first is cotrimoxazole (CTX), which was one of the earliest medications for treating and preventing opportunistic infections caused by the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), among other things. Cotrimoxazole in combination with folic acid is inexpensive, familiar to the public, and generally well tolerated, and treats secondary infections. Low cost and a good safety profile can make it an ideal candidate for the treatment of COVID-19 in a low-resource country like Libya. Here we report our observations with cotrimoxazole added to standard therapy in patients with severe COVID-19. Prospective data were gathered from consecutive newly diagnosed patients who presented to the Msallatah Isolation Center (Corona Center), Msallatah, Libya, between June and September of 2021 with critical COVID-19 on non-invasive ventilation and receiving standard therapy (ST) along with 480 mg oral cotrimoxazole (CTX). The first four days served as a control period during which patients with critical COVID-19 received only standard treatment. After a 4-day control period during which the patients received ST alone, nine patients (mean age ± SEM 40.5 ± 10.5 years, 66.66 percent male) were identified because they received CTX in addition to ST. We found that patients with critical COVID-19 who received CTX in addition to ST experienced significantly better outcomes, such as lower in-hospital mortality (0%), higher blood levels of D-Dimer (3735±579.9 mg/L versus 444.82±182.14 mg/L, p˂0.05), and improvements in respiratory rate (36.42±3.9 mg/L versus 25.6±2.9 mg/L, p˂0.05) and CRP at the fourth day of the experiment (142.12±34.7 mg/L versus 72.4±19.26 mg/L, p˂0.05). These results demonstrate the beneficial effects of using cotrimoxazole in patients with severe COVID-19; it could help to reduce the need for respiratory support for thousands of patients, saving valuable lives and decreasing the burden on the healthcare system in countries with limited resources. The mechanism of action of cotrimoxazole in this situation is not clear; however, these outcomes may be due to the antibiotic activity and/or the anti-cytokine effects of cotrimoxazole. Further trials are needed to test our observations.