In this work, we propose three chaotic (or hyperchaotic) models. These models are real or complex with one stable equilibrium point (hidden attractor). Based on a modified Sprott E model, three versions were introduced: the complex integer order, the real fractional order, and the complex fractional order. The basic properties of these models have been studied. We discover that the complex integer-order version has chaotic and hyperchaotic multi-scroll hidden attractors (MSHAs) by computing Lyapunov exponents (LEs). By making a small change to a model parameter, different MSHA values can be produced for this version. The dynamics of the real fractional version are investigated through a bifurcation diagram and LEs. It has chaotic hidden attractors for various fractional-order q values. Through varying the model parameters of the complex fractional-order (FO) version, different numbers of chaotic MSHAs can be generated. Due to the complex dynamic behaviors of the MSHAs, these models may have several applications in physics, secure communications, social relations and image encryption. Anew kind of combination synchronization (CS) between one integer-order drive model and two FO response models with different dimensions is proposed. The tracking control method is used to investigate a scheme for this type of synchronization. As an example, we used our three models to test the validity of this scheme, and an agreement between the analytical and numerical results was found.

We report here the effect of annealing temperature T_ann (200–600 °C) on the structural, mechanical, and magnetic properties of Cd_0.40M_0.60ZnO₂ (M = Mn, Ni) nanocomposites. The increase in T_ann correlates with a significant change in unit cell volume (V), porosity (PS) crystallite size (D_hkl), particle size (r), Debye temperature (θ_D) and elastic modulus(Y). The values of V, r, θ_D and Y are higher for the Mn-series than Ni. While the values of PS and D_hkl are higher for Mn than Ni at T_ann ≤ 300 °C, and the reverse is true at T_ann ≥ 400 °C. The average particle size is 10.6 ± 2.4 nm for Mn-series, but it is decreased to 7.5 ± 4.0 nm for Ni-series, indicating quantum-dot size. Surprisingly, both series exhibit ferromagnetic behavior as T_ann increases to 600 °C, but the magnetization parameters for the Mn series are higher than those for Ni. Furthermore, the anisotropy field (H_a) is about 350 times higher than the corrective field (H_c), indicating hard magnetic materials. The switching field distribution (SFD) is increased by annealing, but it is higher for Ni-series than Mn. The considered nanocomposites would be useful for altering plastic deformation and spintronic devices.

Schistosomiasis is the second most prevailing parasitic disease worldwide. Although praziquantel is considered an effective drug in the treatment against schistosomiasis to some extent, there is an emerging drug resistance that widely recorded. Therefore, there is an urgent need to develop effective and safe anti-schistosomal drugs. In this study, Cornulaca monacantha (C. monacantha), a sub-saharan plant, was extracted using aqueous ethanol and characterized by High-Performance Liquid Chromatography (HPLC). Major constituents of the extract are belonging to flavonoids, tannins and phenolic glycosides. Worms’ viability and surface morphology of Schistosoma mansoni (S. mansoni) adult worms treated with the extract were assessed using in vitro viability assay, Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM), and histological examination. The extract (80–350 μg/ml) reduced viability percentage of worms by 40–60% and caused degeneration of both oral and ventral suckers, tegumental, sub-tegumental and muscular damage. Molecular docking approach was utilized to assess the binding affinities of the extracted compounds with S. mansoni alpha-carbonic anhydrase (SmCA), an essential tegument protein. Pharmacokinetic analysis using SwissADME showed that 7 compounds have high drug similarity. This study confirms the in vitro schistomicidal activity of C. monacantha extract against S. mansoni adult worms and suggests potential SmCA inhibition.

CdS quantum dots (QDs) were synthesized by the ultrasound-assisted chemical precipitation technique. The structure analysis revealed the presence of bi-structural cubic and hexagonal phases with an average crystallite size of 3 nm. The N₂-adsorption isotherm exhibited the evolution of meso-/macro-porous interfaces with a pore size of 7.56 nm and a surface area of 44.41 m²·g^-1. The improvement of the quantum size effect in CdS QDs resulted in the increase of optical bandgap to 2.52 eV compared with the corresponding bulk phase. However, the analysis of long-tail states absorption revealed a very small Urbach energy of about 76 meV compared with CdS QDs prepared by other techniques. The as-synthesized CdS QDs revealed high room-temperature DC conductivity of 2.56×10^-6 Ω^-1.m^-1 and very small activation energy of 268 meV facilitating tunnelling of the thermionically excited carrier through the high bandgap of CdS QDs. The frequency-dependent behavior of AC conductivity and dielectric constant (εr) of CdS QDs were investigated at different temperatures in the range from 303 K to 453 K. It was observed that both AC conductivity  and εr were improved with increasing temperature up to 363 K followed by a sudden decrease at higher temperatures.

Mesoporous ZnS quantum dots (QDs) were prepared by the sonochemical technique that indicated bi-structural cubic-hexagonal phases with an average particle size of 2.5 nm, a pore size of 4 nm, and 28.85 m² g⁻¹ surface area. ZnS QDs exhibited a high bandgap of 3.85 eV with a large Urbach energy of 280 meV. The presence of localized defects was verified by the photoluminescence emission that was ascribed to the recombination of trapped carriers in shallow and deep trapping states with photogenerated holes. ZnS QDs revealed a high DC conductivity of 5.37 × 10⁻⁶ Ω⁻¹ m⁻¹ and a small activation energy of 248 meV that facilitated the tunnelling of thermionically excited carriers. The frequency-dependent behavior of AC conductivity (σ_AC), dielectric constant (ε_r), and dielectric loss (ε′) was examined at various temperatures. It was observed that both σ_AC, ε_r, ε′ were enhanced with increasing temperature up to 333 K followed by a gradual decrease at higher temperatures.