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Here, a photodetector based on Au decorated MoS2/poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene) poly(4-styrenesulfonate) PEDOT:PSS nanocomposite films (NCFs) were prepared and their ambipolar (negative and positive) photoresponse under UVC (220–300 nm) and UVA (320–400 nm) UV illumination by increasing the Au decoration on MoS2 in NCFs was reported. This unusual phenomenon relates to the confinement and trapping of charges induced by radiation and plasmons. The hydrothermal technique is employed for generating MoS2 nanosheets. Optical studies reveal the observable bandgap difference resulting from the addition of increasing Au decoration on MoS2 in NCFs. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy investigations are conducted to comprehend the vibrational characteristics of the produced samples. Carrier localization and trapping generated by photoexcitation and plasmon-induced ambipolar photoresponses provide a versatile control parameter. These results provide opportunities for the application of NCF material in electrical, optical, and optoelectronic devices. The results of this work broaden the pool of potential materials for UVC and UVA photodetectors, perhaps providing new perspectives on the photoresponse of the NCF. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Polymer-based ternary nanocomposites with tunable optical properties are the key components for optoelectronics applications. Here, we demonstrate the linear and nonlinear optical properties of polypyrrole (PPy) and its ternary composites with different concentrations of the MoS2–ZnO core–shell (ZnO@MoS2) heterostructure. The interesting observation of multiple excitons and their transportation through the interface of PPy and ZnO@MoS2 by using photoluminescence and fluorescence lifetime spectroscopy was studied. Furthermore, the third-order nonlinear optical properties of all samples were also measured by employing the z-scan technique at an excitation wavelength of 532 nm. The reverse saturable absorption of pure PPy was switched to saturable absorption after the addition of ZnO@MoS2 at the uniform linear transmittance. These ternary composites with good nonlinear responses provide an option for the development of high-performance nonlinear optical devices and open a new path for the future development of ternary systems in the optical fields. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In tandem with the burgeoning popularity of social media research in the field of sport communication and marketing, we are witnessing a concomitant rise in its epistemological sophistication. Despite this growth, the field has given less attention to methodological issues and implications. In light of the development of machine learning, the overarching goal of the current research was to answer the call for innovative methodological approaches to advance knowledge in the area of social media research. Specifically, we (a) assess the current state of sport social media research from a methodological perspective, with a particular focus on machine learning; (b) present an empirical illustration to demonstrate how sport scholars can benefit from the advancement in natural language processing and the derivative topic modeling techniques; (c) discuss how machine learning could enhance the rigor of social media research and improve theory development; and (d) offer potential opportunities and directions for the future sport social media research that utilizes machine learning. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: This article focused on the collective dynamics of a chain network made up of four Duffing oscillators (DOS). Although each of the isolated oscillators has three fixed points and remains at rest, the coupling results in a relatively high number (i.e. eighty one) of equilibrium points in the network as well as a surprisingly rich and varied dynamics. Methods: Analytical expressions of the equilibrium points as well as their stability were studied using the Routh-Hurwitz criterion. Results indicate that sixteen of the equilibrium points develop a Hopf bifurcation for the same critical value when one of the parameters of the network varies (i.e. coupling factor, dissipation). The resulting effect is the presence of sixteen limit cycles which in turn experience period doubling to give rise to the formation of chaos with 16 scrolls when the control parameter is further varied. Results: Several forms of multistability occur on the road to 16-scroll chaos due to coexisting bifurcation branches. For example, we revealed the coexistence of various combinations of solutions, some of which are: sixteen limit cycles, twelve limit cycles with four one-scroll chaotic attractors, four chaotic attractors with four scroll, as well as the coexistence of two attractors with eight scrolls which merge to form the 16-scroll attractor. Conclusion: These striking features were also confirmed by laboratory experimental measurements taken on a microcontroller digital realization of the chain coupled DOS network. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To illustrate the occurrences of extreme events in the neural system we consider a pair of Chialvo neuron maps. Importantly, we explore the dynamics of the proposed system by including a flux term between the neurons. Primarily, the dynamical behaviors of the coupled Chialvo neurons are examined using the Lyapunov spectrum and bifurcation analysis. We find the transitions between the periodic and chaotic dynamics in relation to the injected ion current of the first and second neurons and the flux coupling strength. It is interesting to note that, the extreme events can occur in the chaotic zone for some parameters. The analysis is then extended to a network of Chialvo neurons with various network connectivities. We discover that coexisting coherent and incoherent behaviour can arise and that nodes in the network can exhibit extreme event features. The findings of this study could help to better understand the rare large-amplitude events that occur in neural networks, which can help detect and prevent a variety of neurological disorders. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

AICP is a crucial process that maintaining tissue homeostasis and regeneration. In the past, cell death was perceived merely as a means to discard cells without functional consequences. However, during regeneration, effector caspases orchestrate apoptosis, releasing signals that activate stem cells, thereby compensating for tissue loss across various animal models. Despite significant progress, the activation of Wnt3a by caspase-3 remains a focal point of research gaps in AICP mechanisms, spanning from lower to higher regenerative animals. This inquiry into the molecular intricacies of caspase-3-induced Wnt3a activation contributes to a deeper understanding of the links between regeneration and cancer mechanisms. Our report provides current updates on AICP pathways, delineating research gaps and highlighting the potential for future investigations aimed at enhancing our comprehension of this intricate process. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The natural biodegradable wastes are recycled and developed with new-class composite materials to obtain desirable thermo-mechanical properties with zero toxic environments and maintain the environment's sustainability and eco-systems. The research aim is to synthesize the silica nanoparticles from biowaste cow dung ash through the sol-gel route and to prepare biodegradable epoxy composites with 0, 2, 4, 6, and 8 wt.% of silica nanoparticles blended epoxy resin to lay the jute fibre mat, which has four layers with a thickness of 0.5 mm. The fabricated composite samples were subjected to mechanical, dynamic, thermal, and microstructural characteristic studies. The observation results found that the sample 5 composite contained 8 wt.% of silica performed high flexural and sample 4 showed the maximum impact strength 98 ± 1.05 MPa and 2.9 ± 0.071 J, respectively. The dynamic mechanical analysis of 6 wt% composite samples 4 offered a good dynamical storage modulus of 40.1 ± 0.34 GPa. The experimental result observation found that the composite sample 5 with increased weight percentages of silica nanoparticles showed enhanced thermal stability. The SEM results revealed that the silica nanoparticle was identical and distributed uniformly. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study investigates the behavior of the Izhikevich discrete neuron model across various parameter configurations. Bifurcation diagrams and Lyapunov exponents are utilized to examine the impact of these parameters on the behavior of the system. The study specifically identifies important parameter ranges in which the attractor undergoes a sudden expansion, displaying characteristics of extreme events. Within the system, two distinct categories of extreme events can be identified: rare occurrences of small probability events located in the tail of the probability distribution and Dragon-King (DK) events, which possess a high probability amplitude. DK events are verified through the use of the DK test. The research concludes by examining the practical ramifications of these findings. The significance of forecasting and controlling extreme events in intricate systems is underscored, along with the cruciality of identifying their happening. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We have effectively shown a technique for significantly altering the nonlinear saturable absorption (SA) properties of nanocomposite films (NCFs) based on poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene) doped with poly(4-styrenesulfonate) (PEDOT:PSS) and molybdenum disulfide (MoS2) by regulating MoS2 concentration and input pulse energy of the laser. The NCFs are made using the straightforward drop-cast process on a glass substrate with varying quantities of MoS2. The produced NCFs' refractive index (n) and extinction coefficient (k) values are determined using the Kramers–Kronig equations. Nonlinear studies show that the optical nonlinearity of pure PEDOT:PSS changes when mixed with MoS2. The Pauli blocking has been observed in MoS2/PEDOT:PSS NCFs. This leads to enhanced SA in NCF. The open-aperture Z-scan approach is used for the nonlinear optical research, and a nanosecond pulsed laser with a wavelength of 532 nm is used for the excitation. The findings obtained show the NCFs' strong SA qualities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Summary: The performance of millimeter‐wave (mmWave) multiple‐input multiple‐output (MIMO) systems has been significantly enhanced by the incorporation of dynamic reconfigurable intelligent surfaces (RIS). This paper proposes a novel dynamic channel estimation technique that combines dynamic atomic norm minimization with dynamic RIS to optimize RIS‐aided mmWave MIMO systems. Leveraging the dynamic nature of both atomic norm minimization and RIS, the proposed approach efficiently adapts to changing environmental conditions, providing robust and accurate channel estimation. By dynamically optimizing the RIS configuration, the system achieves improved spectral and energy efficiency, enabling high‐speed and reliable communication in challenging mmWave environments. Theoretical analysis and simulation results demonstrate the effectiveness of the proposed dynamic channel estimation technique, highlighting its potential for enhancing the performance of future wireless communication systems. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The automotive industries have been compelled to build lighter, more fuel-efficient vehicles because of rising fuel costs and environmental laws. When the overall vehicle weight is reduced by adopting lightweight metals like aluminum-based composites, the fuel consumption also gets reduced. Aluminum-based composites are broadly used in the automotive and air transport industry due to their remarkable mechanical and tribological characteristics. The importance of composites made of aluminum used in automobile applications, as well as their damping characteristics, are discussed in this article. Due to the need for mechanical stability and performance in engineering applications, vibrations are unacceptable. Damping capability refers to the ability of materials to manage mechanical vibrations at the time of cyclic stress. To reduce mechanical vibrations in today's environment, materials with superior mechanical and damping capabilities are needed. Composites are a better alternative because they have better mechanical properties and damping capacity. The literature delves into the different aspects that influence aluminumbased composites and the need for damping studies in automotive applications. Finally, the research progress of aluminum-based composites towards damping characteristics has been reported by the Scientometric approach using VOSviewer. The Scopus engine search found 1329 documents relevant to Damping & vibration studies. Subsequently, a statistical analysis was conducted exclusively for the 628 research documents spanning the years 2010 to 2022. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: The internet has completely merged into contemporary life. People are addicted to using internet services for everyday activities. Consequently, an abundance of information about people and organizations is available online, which encourages the proliferation of cybercrimes. Cybercriminals often use malicious links for large-scale cyberattacks, which are disseminated via email, SMS and social media. Recognizing malicious links online can be exceedingly challenging. The purpose of this paper is to present a strong security system that can detect malicious links in the cyberspace using natural language processing technique. Design/methodology/approach: The researcher recommends a variety of approaches, including blacklisting and rules-based machine/deep learning, for automatically recognizing malicious links. But the approaches generally necessitate the generation of a set of features to generalize the detection process. Most of the features are generated by processing URLs and content of the web page, as well as some external features such as the ranking of the web page and domain name system information. This process of feature extraction and selection typically takes more time and demands a high level of expertise in the domain. Sometimes the generated features may not leverage the full potentials of the data set. In addition, the majority of the currently deployed systems make use of a single classifier for the classification of malicious links. However, prediction accuracy may vary widely depending on the data set and the classifier used. Findings: To address the issue of generating feature sets, the proposed method uses natural language processing techniques (term frequency and inverse document frequency) that vectorize URLs. To build a robust system for the classification of malicious links, the proposed system implements weighted soft voting classifier, an ensemble classifier that combines predictions of base classifiers. The ability or skill of each classifier serves as the base for the weight that is assigned to it. Originality/value: The proposed method performs better when the optimal weights are assigned. The performance of the proposed method was assessed by using two different data sets (D1 and D2) and compared performance against base machine learning classifiers and previous research results. The outcome accuracy shows that the proposed method is superior to the existing methods, offering 91.4% and 98.8% accuracy for data sets D1 and D2, respectively. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study investigates microplastic prevalence in wastewater mixing point from major coastal cities in Tamil Nadu, India, highlighting a significant environmental challenge. In January 2023, 16 wastewater samples revealed microplastics (< 5 mm) ranging from 20 to 51 items per litre. Predominant colours were pink, black, brown, white, green, blue, red, and yellow, with orange being the least common. Microplastic sizes mostly varied from 0.05 to 0.5 mm. Fiber shaped MPs are the predominant, followed by fragments, foam, film and pellets. Predominant polymer types were polyethylene (45%), polystyrene (18%), and polypropylene (15%). These results emphasize wastewater’s significant role in introducing microplastics into coastal ecosystems from domestic and industrial sources. Addressing this issue requires effective management plans, including advanced wastewater treatment, public awareness campaigns and regulatory measures. Further research is essential to comprehensively assess ecological impacts and inform sustainable management strategies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study investigates microplastic prevalence in wastewater mixing point from major coastal cities in Tamil Nadu, India, highlighting a significant environmental challenge. In January 2023, 16 wastewater samples revealed microplastics (< 5 mm) ranging from 20 to 51 items per litre. Predominant colours were pink, black, brown, white, green, blue, red, and yellow, with orange being the least common. Microplastic sizes mostly varied from 0.05 to 0.5 mm. Fiber shaped MPs are the predominant, followed by fragments, foam, film and pellets. Predominant polymer types were polyethylene (45%), polystyrene (18%), and polypropylene (15%). These results emphasize wastewater’s significant role in introducing microplastics into coastal ecosystems from domestic and industrial sources. Addressing this issue requires effective management plans, including advanced wastewater treatment, public awareness campaigns and regulatory measures. Further research is essential to comprehensively assess ecological impacts and inform sustainable management strategies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: Non-obstructive azoospermia (NOA) is a common, but complex problem, with multiple therapeutic options and a lack of clear guidelines. Hence, there is considerable controversy and marked variation in the management of NOA. This survey evaluates contemporary global practices related to medical and surgical management for patients with NOA. Materials and Methods: A 56-question online survey covering various aspects of the evaluation and management of NOA was sent to specialists around the globe. This paper analyzes the results of the second half of the survey dealing with the management of NOA. Results have been compared to current guidelines, and expert recommendations have been provided using a Delphi process. Results: Participants from 49 countries submitted 336 valid responses. Hormonal therapy for 3 to 6 months was suggested before surgical sperm retrieval (SSR) by 29.6% and 23.6% of participants for normogonadotropic hypogonadism and hypergonadotropic hypogonadism respectively. The SSR rate was reported as 50.0% by 26.0% to 50.0% of participants. Interestingly, 46.0% reported successful SSR in <10% of men with Klinefelter syndrome and 41.3% routinely recommended preimplantation genetic testing. Varicocele repair prior to SSR is recommended by 57.7%. Half of the respondents (57.4%) reported using ultrasound to identify the most vascularized areas in the testis for SSR. One-third proceed directly to microdissection testicular sperm extraction (mTESE) in every case of NOA while others use a staged approach. After a failed conventional TESE, 23.8% wait for 3 months, while 33.1% wait for 6 months before proceeding to mTESE. The cut-off of follicle-stimulating hormone for positive SSR was reported to be 12–19 IU/mL by 22.5% of participants and 20–40 IU/mL by 27.8%, while 31.8% reported no upper limit. Conclusions: This is the largest survey to date on the real-world medical and surgical management of NOA by reproductive experts. It demonstrates a diverse practice pattern and highlights the need for evidence-based international consensus guidelines. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article "Navaratnas in Dermatology" explores the symbolic significance of gemstones, particularly the "Navaratnas," in relation to various dermatological disorders and phenomena. It delves into conditions such as cat eye syndrome, coral dermatitis, diamond hair pattern, and more, drawing comparisons to gemstones for unique diagnostic terms. By highlighting these connections, the article aims to enhance understanding and appreciation of dermatological conditions among practitioners and patients. [Extracted from the article]

Over the past two decades there has been a substantial reduction in maternal mortality World over due to various strategies adopted to reduce the same. One of the strategies was institutionalizing child birth and at present in India 85% of the births takes place in medical settings. This has led to overcrowding of health care facilities and disrespect and abuse (D&A) surfaced, making it necessary to preserve Respectful maternity care (RMC) which has become one of the integral part of maternal and child health programmes. The standards as categorised by Browser and Hill (2010) are cumbersome and require long hours to collect data to assess RMC. There is a need for simple methods of knowing D&A so that measures can be taken to correct and eliminate the same. We developed a simple App for assessing quality of health care facilities and reporting D&A and did a study to pilot test the App involving postpartum women and Birth companions. Overall the prevalence of D&A was 47% and the most common type was non-dignified care. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: SARS-Co-V2 infection which was declared as a pandemic by the WHO has caused significant impact on morbidity and mortality to the mother and the fetus, especially the delta variant of the COVID-19. Hence it is important to identify the subgroup of women who are prone to adverse complications and prevent maternal and perinatal mortality. Inflammatory biomarker is one such tool to identify the high-risk expectant mothers. Methods and Results: A total of 158 patients were identified in this retrospective study and they were classified based on the clinical signs and symptoms as per the society of maternal fetal medicine. 96.2% belonged to the nonsevere group and 3.8% belonged to the severe infection group. Cough and fever were the most common symptoms. Inflammatory markers which were done on admission were correlated with the clinical disease severity. The difference in mean values of CRP, LDH and ferritin between the severe and non-severe group was significant statistically. The markers IL-6 and d-dimer were raised but did not correlate with disease severity. Neutrophil lymphocyte ratio (NLR) calculated from the blood counts was abnormal in all the patients in the severe group and statistically significant. Overall, the maternal outcome was good and maternal mortality rate was 1.89% (3/158). Neonatal outcome was good with stillbirth rate of 3.16% which was higher when compared to non-covid stillbirth rates (0.5%). Conclusion: inflammatory biomarkers like CRP and LDH are sensitive in predicting the adverse maternal fetal outcome. NLR is a simple ratio that has a good positive predictive value in identifying the need for more vigilant monitoring in expectant COVID-19 positive patients. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Cubital tunnel syndrome (CuTS) is the second most common peripheral neuropathy in the upper limb. It occurs due to ulnar nerve compression within the fibro-osseous cubital tunnel at the elbow joint. Although CuTS is typically diagnosed clinically and with electrodiagnostic studies, the importance of imaging in evaluating the condition is growing. Knowing the typical imaging findings of ulnar nerve entrapment is necessary for precise diagnosis and proper treatment. In this article, we focus on the clinical features, workup and complex imaging of the "anatomic" cubital tunnel and relevant pathological entities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Cholesteatoma, a destructive middle ear condition, poses challenges due to its variable clinical presentation and propensity for recurrence. Understanding its molecular underpinnings could enhance prognostication and guide therapeutic interventions. This study investigates the association between cholesteatoma aggressiveness, as assessed by the Middle Ear Risk Index (MERI), and the expression of miRNA‐21 and IL‐6 genes. Methods: A cross‐sectional observational study involving 30 patients with cholesteatoma undergoing tympanomastoid exploration was conducted. MERI scores were calculated preoperatively, and cholesteatoma tissue was analyzed for miRNA‐21 and IL‐6 gene expression using RT‐PCR. Statistical analysis was performed to correlate MERI scores with gene expression levels. Results: The majority (80%) of patients exhibited severe MERI scores, correlating with extensive middle ear pathology and necessitating canal wall‐down (CWD) mastoidectomy. Higher miRNA‐21 and IL‐6 gene expression levels were observed in cholesteatoma tissues, indicating local aggressiveness and inflammatory activity. Significant moderate correlations were found between MERI scores and miRNA‐21 (Pearson correlation = 0.579, p = 0.001) and IL‐6 gene expression (Pearson correlation = 0.388, p = 0.034). Patients with severe MERI scores had elevated miRNA‐21 and IL‐6 levels, suggesting a more aggressive disease phenotype. Conclusion: MERI scores demonstrated utility in predicting cholesteatoma aggressiveness, with higher scores correlating with elevated miRNA‐21 and IL‐6 expression. These findings suggest a potential role for MERI in guiding surgical decision‐making and prognostication. Future research on targeted therapies based on molecular mechanisms holds promise for improving cholesteatoma management. Level of Evidence: 3 Laryngoscope, 135:366–372, 2025 [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The exploration of Chat generative pre-training transformer's (GPT's) applications in medicine is gaining momentum, with artificial intelligence, particularly ChatGPT, showing promise in enhancing orthopedic care. ChatGPT can assist clinicians by providing relevant information based on patient symptoms, medical history, and radiological findings, aiding in differential diagnosis, and suggesting appropriate imaging modalities. This study focuses on evaluating the effectiveness of ChatGPT-4 in diagnosing and managing common orthopedic fractures. Methods: This study involved inputting a diverse set of fracture images into the ChatGPT-4 model. The process commenced by prompting ChatGPT with four questions: "What does the radiograph show?" The second prompt instructed ChatGPT with the actual diagnosis, followed by inquiries on how a clinician should manage the condition and potential complications. All generated responses underwent grading by two authors (musculoskeletal radiologist and orthopedic trainee), utilizing a 5-point Likert scale. Intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC) analysis measurements were performed to assess inter-rater reliability. Descriptive statistical analysis was then employed to provide a comprehensive summary of the study's findings. Results: ChatGPT demonstrated limitations in identifying diagnoses based on inputted X-ray images. However, it excelled in providing comprehensive information about fracture management and potential complications. There was excellent interobserver reliability with a kappa of 0.9. Conclusion: Our study underscores the utility of ChatGPT as a valuable tool for aiding in the management of common fractures, offering a comprehensive overview of diagnosis, management, and potential complications. The findings highlight its potential role as a supplementary resource in orthopedic practice. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Anterior knee pain is not an uncommon problem. A plethora of pathologies can cause anterior knee pain. Patellofemoral maltracking (trochlear dysplasia) is not an uncommon cause of anterior knee pain in adolescents and young adults. Aim: We hypothesize that there is an alteration of articular cartilage of the patella and trochlear in trochlear dysplasia. Materials and Methods: Magnetic resonance images of 86 knee joints were reviewed independently by two musculoskeletal radiologists. Standard magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) sequences were used in this study. Based on the Dejour classification for trochlear dysplasia, the patients were divided into normal, Type A, B, C, and D. The articular cartilage thickness of the patella and trochlea was measured and compared between the groups. Results: Out of the 86 MRI scans of the knees which were reviewed, 32 patients were male and 54 were female. The mean patient age was 21.9 years (range = 10–40). Sixty-six knee joints had trochlear dysplasia, with 15 patients classified into Dejour Type A, 13 in Type B, 31 in Type C, and 7 in Type D. There was no significant difference in the articular cartilage thickness of the lateral facet of the patella between all groups (ANOVA F = 1.43, P = 0.23). Conclusion: There was no significant difference in the articular cartilage thickness in the lateral facet of the patella and trochlea in patients with normal knee joints compared to those with trochlear dysplasia of Type A–D. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Painful os peroneum syndrome (POPS) is one of the uncommon causes of lateral foot pain in orthopaedic practice. POPS encompasses a spectrum of pathologies such as an acute or a chronic fracture, peroneus longus tenosynovitis, and attrition or partial rupture of the peroneus longus tendon. Herein, we reported the first case of POPS secondary to hydroxyapatite deposition disease in a 32-year-old female patient. The clinical presentation, the role of radiological interventions, particularly ultrasound-guided barbotage in its diagnosis and effective management, is highlighted. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Supraspinous fossa is an important location in the periscapular region, which houses important structures such as the supraspinatus muscle and the suprascapular nerve. The supraspinous fossa can be affected by pathologies involving its contents (supraspinatus muscle and suprascapular nerve), osseous boundary (scapular body, distal clavicle, and spinous process), or superficial soft tissue covering it. In this pictorial review, we describe the detailed anatomy of the supraspinous fossa. We have also covered imaging of wide range of pathologies that can affect supraspinous fossa such as paralabral cyst, muscle edema/atrophy, malignancies (primary and secondary), and miscellaneous lesions (myositis ossificans, fibromatosis, nerve sheath tumor, etc.). An awareness of the imaging findings of these entities is essential for a radiologist to avoid misinterpretation and can aid a timely diagnosis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Developmental stuttering, a multifactorial speech disorder with remarkable rate of spontaneous recovery pose challenges for gene discoveries. Exonic variants in GNPTAB, GNPTG, and NAGPA involved in lysosomal pathway and AP4E1, IFNAR1, and ARMC3‐signaling genes reported till date explain only ∼2.1% – 3.7% of persistent stuttering cases. Aim: We aimed to identify additional genetic determinants of stuttering in a multiplex family by exome sequencing (n = 27) and further validation on additional extended family members (n = 21). Materials & Methods: We employed hypothesis‐free and pathway‐based analyses. Results: A novel heterozygous exonic variant NM_016256.4:c.322G > A in NAGPA with reduced penetrance and predicted pathogenicity segregated with the phenotype in a large subset of the family. Reanalysis to identify additional disease‐causing variant(s) revealed exonic heterozygous variants each in RIMS2 and XYLT1 in severely affected members; and IGF2R variant in a small subset of the family. Furthermore, pathway‐based analysis uncovered NM_022089.4:c.3529G > A in ATP13A2 (PARK9) in affected members; and variants in GNPTAB and GNPTG of minor significance in a few affected members. Discussion: Genotype–phenotype correlation efforts suggest that the combined effect of gene variants at multiple loci or variants in a single gene in different subsets of the pedigree (genetic heterogeneity) may be contributing to stuttering in this family. More importantly, variants identified in ATP13A2, a Parkinson's disease gene also implicated in lysosomal dysfunction, and RIMS2 suggests for the first time a likely role of dopamine signaling in stuttering. Conclusion: Screening for these variants in independent stuttering cohorts would be astute. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Air pollution has become a serious global issue, and the World Health Organization (WHO) considers it a significant threat to human health. In 2019, air pollution was responsible for the deaths of 4.2 million people, with PM2.5 being one of the major air pollutants. In recent years, the emergence of computer vision and deep learning has led to an increasing number of studies using convolutional neural networks (CNN) for estimating PM2.5 concentrations in images. However, many of these methods treat PM2.5 estimation as a classification problem, limiting their applicability to specific regions or periods. We propose a CNN model with dense connections and multi-kernel convolutional kernels for estimating the PM2.5 concentration in images. Since both daytime and nighttime images were used for PM2.5 concentration prediction, this model was named Throughout the Day PM2.5 Convolutional Neural Network (TDPM-CNN). The model takes as input the combination of the original image, high-frequency features capturing edge information such as building edges, and low-frequency features representing color distributions in the image. These three types of information are merged as a multi-channel feature, which is passed through seven multiple kernel convolutional blocks, where 3*3, 5*5, and 7*7 convolutional kernels are applied, followed by feature concatenation and pooling operations. Experiments were conducted using the TDPM-CNN model on both daytime and nighttime images. For daytime images, the Root Mean Square Error (RMSE) achieved 26.64 μ g / m 3 , the Mean Absolute Error (MAE) reached 15.07 μ g / m 3 , and the Coefficient of Determination (R-squared) was 0.9508 . In the case of nighttime images, the RMSE was 32.19 μ g / m 3 , the MAE was 22.18 μ g / m 3 , and the R-squared was 0.9322 . [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Photovoltaic (PV) modules may encounter nonuniform situations that reduce their useable power volume, causing ineffective maximum power point tracking (MPPT). Moreover, due to the incorporation of bypass diodes, power-voltage (P-V) graph has multi-peaks when each component of the module receives different solar irradiation. This paper proposes a solution to this problem using an arithmetic optimization algorithm (AOA) for MPPT in PV systems operating in nonuniform situations. The non-operational regions associated with the voltage are excluded using a single-ended primary inductance converter (SEPIC) with voltage step-up and step-down capability. The AOA-MPPT algorithm gets current and voltage as inputs from the PV modules. It computes the converter's duty cycle and regulates the operational point to keep MPP under all working conditions. The proposed AOA-MPPT's efficacy under different insolation patterns has been validated using three nonuniform conditions in terms of convergence, tracking speed, steady state oscillations, and tracking efficiency. In simulations, the proposed AOA-MPPT method and SEPIC converter demonstrated quick response and excellent steady-state performance. The tracking efficiency of the AOA-MPPT is above 99% and settling time is 200 to 300ms for all three non-uniform conditions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Voltage-gated potassium channels (VGKCs) comprise the largest and most complex families of ion channels. Approximately 70 genes encode VGKC alpha subunits, which assemble into functional tetrameric channel complexes. These subunits can also combine to form heteromeric channels, significantly expanding the potential diversity of VGKCs. The functional expression and physiological role of heteromeric K-channels have remained largely unexplored due to the lack of tools to probe their functions. Conotoxins, from predatory cone snails, have high affinity and specificity for heteromeric combinations of K-channels and show great promise for defining their physiological roles. In this work, using conotoxin kM-RIIIJ as a pharmacological probe, we explore the expression and physiological functions of heteromeric Kv1.2 channels using constellation pharmacology platform. We report that heteromers of Kv1.2/1.1 are highly expressed in proprioceptive neurons found in the dorsal root ganglion (DRG). Inhibition of Kv1.2/1.1 heteromers leads to an influx of calcium ions, suggesting that these channels regulate neuronal excitability. We also present evidence that Kv1.2/1.1 heteromers counteract persistent sodium currents, and that inhibiting these channels leads to tonic firing of action potentials. Additionally, kM-RIIIJ impaired proprioception in mice, uncovering a previously unrecognized physiological function of heteromeric Kv1.2/1.1 channels in proprioceptive sensory neurons of the DRG. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Waste plastics collected over several years slowly rot in land fills and show a significant threat to the atmosphere. Through catalytic pyrolysis, hydrocarbons contained in the waste plastics may probably be transformed into plastic oil. Recycled waste plastic oil (WPO) used in CI engines provides a suitable remedy for waste plastic management. But inclusion of alcohol in WPO-Diesel blend increases the NOx emission. A four-stroke single-cylinder CI engine was used to conduct emission and performance testing. When compared to Diesel-WPO blend, results indicated that n-butanol mixing emitted lower emissions of HC, CO, smoke and higher NOx emission. The mixture of n-butanol in the fuel blend improved the brake thermal efficiency and decreased specific fuel consumption compared to the blend of WPO-diesel. The inclusion of EHN to the Diesel-WPO-n-butanol ternary blends lowered the emission of NOx up to 24%, but slightly increased the emission of CO up to 6.4%, HC up to 6.6% and smoke up to 8.7%, although the values are still lower than WPO-diesel blends. The usage of EHN in ternary fuel blends increased brake thermal efficiency (BTE) up to 1.6%. Therefore, the inclusion of oxygenated alcohol and cetane improver to WPO-diesel blend is efficient for a engine. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The textile industries discharge around 10–15% dyes into effluents, posing threat to human health and environment. White-rot fungi are promising candidates for elimination of variety of dyes, owing to their potential for degradation and mineralization of a broad spectrum of highly toxic, recalcitrant, and organic pollutants. In this study, different species of Pleurotus were evaluated for ligninolytic enzymes production using paddy straw, sugarcane bagasse and wheat straw for 7, 14, 21 and 28 days of incubation, respectively. Among substrates, paddy straw exhibited maximum activity of laccase (Lac) (45968.9 ± 347.2 U/g) and manganese peroxidase (MnP) (16312.1 ± 99.9 U/g) from P. ostreatus D-66 after 28 days, however the lignin peroxidase (LiP) (10823.2 ± 94.5 U/g) activity from P. pulmonarius D-79 following 21 days. Purified Lac, MnP and LiP from P. ostreatus D-66 and P. pulmonarius D-79 showed 68.8, 44.1 and 22.8- fold increase with yield of 57.3%, 36.7% and 30.4%, respectively. These enzymes were stable over wide range of pH (3.5 to 7.5) and temperatures (30 to 50 °C) with optimum pH 4.5–5.0 and temperature 30 °C. Among synthetic dyes, the maximum decolorisation (96.9%) was achieved in Remazol brilliant blue R revealed with Lac from P. ostreatus D-66, while in P. pulmonarius D-79 (88.8%) with malachite green and decolorised dye with optimal pH 4.0–6.0 and temperature 30 °C. The findings demonstrated that paddy straw could be an attractive substrate for Pleurotus spp. to produce ligninolytic enzymes that, after purification, can be exploited effectively for degradation of synthetic dyes from textile effluents. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Alzheimer's disease (AD) is a neurodegenerative condition that leads to the deterioration of brain cells, resulting in memory loss, thinking, and executive skills. In this work, 4‐amino‐2‐chloro‐6,7‐dimethoxyquinazoline (ACDQ) has been studied using the 6–311++G(d,p) B3LYP functional of the density functional theory (DFT) approach utilizing a basis set. Geometry optimization and fundamental vibrational frequencies are calculated using the above method. The spectroscopic investigations such as FT‐IR, FT‐Raman, and UV–Vis spectra are performed on the selected compound. The time‐dependent DFT calculations are performed in the gas and water phases to determine electronic properties and energy gap using the same basis set. Charge density distributions have been used to illustrate the energy gap between the highest occupied and lowest unoccupied molecular orbitals. Mulliken population analysis is performed to determine the atomic charges of ACDQ. From the natural bond orbital analysis, it is observed that there is a significant electron delocalization in ACDQ due to the presence of intramolecular interactions. To evaluate ACDQ's anti‐Alzheimer potential, a molecular docking simulation is used to assess its structural stability and biological activity against proteins associated with Alzheimer's disease. Our docking study revealed that, ACDQ has a strong interaction with 4EY7 protein with binding energy of −8.1 kcal mol−1. Additionally, metrics such as the root mean square deviation (RMSD), root mean square fluctuation (RMSF), and the radius of gyration are considered (Rg) were computed using molecular dynamics simulations to evaluate the stability of the protein–ligand interaction. Studies on the ADMET prediction of ACDQ have also been carried out. The findings of the current study support the potential of ACDQ as an effective lead therapeutic for Alzheimer's disease. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The study of chaotic systems with special properties addresses one of the ongoing research topics. In this paper, we introduce a new class of third-order chaotic systems possessing a cyclic symmetry obeying unidirectional or mutual coupling. These new models are built by considering nonlinearities with three, four, or five segments and are distinguished from each other by the topological structure of the associated chaotic attractor. The projection of the novel chaotic attractors on certain planes reveals their multiscroll or multiwing character. For illustration, one of these models is studied in detail using analytical and numerical methods. The mechanism giving rise to the establishment of the chaotic regime starting from the state of equilibrium under the variation of a parameter is described using bifurcation diagrams, phase portraits, basins of attraction as well as the maximum Lyapunov exponent. Several zones of parameters are identified where the model experiences two or more attractors (i.e. multistability). In order to demonstrate the practical feasibility of the proposed circulant models, a series of experimental measurements are carried out using a physical implementation with an Arduino microcontroller. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this paper, the design and comparative evaluation of five distinct substrate materials with variable relative permittivity values (2.71, 1.65, 1.51, 1.36, and 1.05), namely Polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS), Jean, Cotton, Felt, and Foam. The performance of the microstrip patch antenna is largely dependent on the dielectric materials used as the substrate and the patch shapes. Two approaches are used to carry out the analysis: in the first, five substrates with identical dimensions are used on the antenna and different frequencies are obtained. It is observed that when the dielectric constant decreases the frequency of the antenna shift towards right side. In the second method, to obtain the same frequency (2.45 GHz ISM band) five substrates with different dimensions are used on the antenna. Though the dimensions of the antenna varies but the number of Faces, Edges, and Vertices are same. The proposed antenna design is simulated in HFSS and Fabricated using synthesized PDMS substrate. The field overlays difference between the healthy and tumor affected phantom depicts the presence of tumor. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Acute Severe Ulcerative Colitis (ASUC) is a well-known and potentially fatal disease state, characterized by symptoms of systemic toxicity including fever, severe anemia, elevated inflammatory markers, and autonomic instability. The life-threatening nature of this condition requires clinicians to make prompt diagnoses and take rapid action, either directing patients towards surgical interventions or medical management. Failure to treat ASUC may lead to toxic dilation of the colon, hemorrhage, or sepsis. Current algorithms suggest the use of intravenous (IV) corticosteroids upon diagnosis, with transition to oral corticosteroids, calcineurin inhibitors or tumor necrosis factor (TNF) inhibitors upon reduction of severe symptoms for candidates deemed to be amenable to medical management. Within these classes, TNF inhibitors such as Infliximab (IFX) have proven to be the most safe, efficacious, and tolerable for patients. While IFX has much data supporting its benefits in achieving short term remission, there are still high rates of long-term need for colectomy and failure to maintain remission. This is due to interactions between the inflamed gastrointestinal tract, the increased metabolic activity seen in ASUC, and intrinsic pharmacodynamic properties of IFX. Certain novel studies suggest that Janus Kinase (JAK-STAT) inhibitors such as Tofacitinib and Upadacitinib are potent agents to salvage clinical remission achieved by IFX, upon its failure. Here we discuss methods to optimize the dosing of IFX to maximize its efficacy, while exploring recent work done on the safety and efficacy of JAK-STAT inhibitors as a salvage therapy, therefore suggesting a novel treatment algorithm to improve clinical outcomes in medically managed ASUC patients. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The SARS-CoV-2 nucleocapsid protein is indispensable for viral RNA genome processing. Although the N-terminal domain (NTD) is suggested to mediate specific RNA-interactions, high-resolution structures with viral RNA are still lacking. Available hybrid structures of the NTD with ssRNA and dsRNA provide valuable insights; however, the precise mechanism of complex formation remains elusive. Similarly, the molecular impact of nucleocapsid NTD mutations that have emerged since 2019 has not yet been fully explored. Using crystallography and solution NMR, we investigate how NTD mutations influence structural integrity and RNA-binding. We find that both features rely on a core network of residues conserved in Betacoronaviruses, crucial for protein stability and communication among flexible loop-regions that facilitate RNA-recognition. Our comprehensive structural analysis demonstrates that contacts within this network guide selective RNA-interactions. We propose that the core network renders the NTD evolutionarily robust in stability and plasticity for its versatile RNA processing roles. The authors use solution-state NMR and X-ray crystallography to study mutations in the SARS-CoV-2 Nucleocapsid NTD, uncovering a network essential for protein integrity and the selectively of RNA binding. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Iron homoeostasis is tightly regulated, with hepcidin and soluble transferrin receptor (sTfR) playing significant roles. However, the genetic determinants of these traits and the biomedical consequences of iron homoeostasis variation are unclear. In a meta-analysis of 12 cohorts involving 91,675 participants, we found 43 genomic loci associated with either hepcidin or sTfR concentration, of which 15 previously unreported. Mapping to putative genes indicated involvement in iron-trait expression, erythropoiesis, immune response and cellular trafficking. Mendelian randomisation of 292 disease outcomes in 1,492,717 participants revealed associations of iron-related loci and iron status with selected health outcomes across multiple domains. These associations were largely driven by HFE, which was associated with the largest iron variation. Our findings enhance understanding of iron homoeostasis and its biomedical consequences, suggesting that lifelong exposure to higher iron levels is likely associated with lower risk of anaemia-related disorders and higher risk of genitourinary, musculoskeletal, infectious and neoplastic diseases. The largest meta-analysis of GWASs of hepcidin and sTfR identified 43 genomic loci, of which 15 new. Mendelian randomisation revealed associations of systemic iron status and iron-related loci with selected health outcomes across multiple domains. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Although the toxicity of selenium (Se) and carbamazepine (CBZ) has already been demonstrated, the possible effects of freshwater fish co-exposure to these pollutants have not been explored. Thus, we aimed to evaluate the potential impact of Se and CBZ (alone and combined) exposure (both 5 µg/L) in Oreochromis mossambicus after 28 days. Exposure to CBZ, alone or combined with Se, significantly increases the "red blood cells" and "mean corpuscular volume." In the gills, malondialdehyde levels in the "CBZ" and "Se + CBZ" groups were lower than in the control group. Furthermore, the exposure to treatments induced a significant increase in protein carbonyl formation in gills and DNA damage in gill and liver cells. Still, acetylcholinesterase activity in the brain was not changed. Thus, our study provides insight into the toxicity of metals and pharmaceutical drugs and warns about the ecotoxicological risk posed by such mixtures. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Estimation of field-scale surface and rootzone soil moisture (SM) is crucial for agriculture water management. When ground observations are not available, Land Surface Models (LSMs) aid in reconstructing historical dynamics and providing predictions. However, they often run at coarse resolution (in the order of tens of kilometers), overlook subgrid processes (e.g., lateral flow), and thus underestimating the SM spatial heterogeneity. Considering this limitation, we applied the Noah-MP LSM with the HydroBlocks hyper-resolution modeling framework to estimate surface and rootzone SM at field scale (effective 30 meters resolution) for the first time in India. Recognizing the importance of rootzone processes for agriculture, the present study attempts to improve high-resolution rootzone SM simulations by incorporating vertical heterogeneity in soil properties into HydroBlocks using the SoilGrids global soil database. The analysis is carried out in Upper Bhima Basin (a subbasin of Krishna Basin) for 2020 with ERA5-Land meteorological forcing. HydroBlocks simulations, configured with vertically homogeneous (VHom) and vertically heterogeneous (VHet) soil properties, were compared against GLEAM, ERA5-Land, SMAP-L3, and SMAP-L4, revealing temporal consistency (correlation between 0.76 and 0.94) and improved sub-grid (up to 0.2 m3m-3) and spatial variability (σθ), in particular VHet (σθ = 0.093 m3m-3) higher than VHom (σθ = 0.09 m3m-3). Both HydroBlocks configurations show reasonable performance against in situ SM observations, with VHet showing systematic improvement compared to VHom by reducing the bias in all sub surface layers and a higher correlation (0.60) than VHom (0.59) at deeper layer (0–60 cm). Finally, we performed a Sobol sensitivity analysis to investigate the seasonal sensitivity of soil on HydroBlocks (VHet) SM simulations for the first five soil layers (up to 1 meter depth). Results revealed that soil parameters interact more prominently in the surface layer and during monsoons. Soil porosity (MAXSMC), Brooks-Corey parameter (BB), and SM at wilting point (WLTSMC) are significant parameters across seasons. Their order of significance changes from surface to deeper layers; however, they remain consistent beyond 30 cm depth. This study finds that the hyper-resolution LSM with vertical soil heterogeneity can enhance small-scale SM simulations by accounting for varying parameter importance, interactions, and seasonal effects within the soil column. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Polyproline sequences are deleterious to cells because they stall ribosomes. In bacteria, EF-P plays an important role in overcoming such polyproline sequence-induced ribosome stalling. Additionally, numerous bacteria possess an EF-P paralog called EfpL (also known as YeiP) of unknown function. Here, we functionally and structurally characterize EfpL from Escherichia coli and demonstrate its role in the translational stress response. Through ribosome profiling, we analyze the EfpL arrest motif spectrum and find additional sequences beyond the canonical polyproline motifs that both EF-P and EfpL can resolve. Notably, the two factors can also induce pauses. We further report that EfpL can sense the metabolic state of the cell via lysine acylation. Overall, our work characterizes the role of EfpL in ribosome rescue at proline-containing sequences, and provides evidence that co-occurrence of EF-P and EfpL is an evolutionary driver for higher bacterial growth rates. EF-P plays an important role in overcoming polyproline sequence-induced stalling in bacteria. Here, the authors show that its paralog, EfpL, can also resolve this type of stalling, and also sense cellular metabolic states via lysine acylation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Angiotensensin-converting enzyme-2 (ACE2) is a receptor for SARS-CoV-2, allowing the virus to enter cells. Although tumor patients infected by SARS-CoV-2 often have a worse outcome, the expression, function and clinical relevance of ACE2 in tumors has not yet been thoroughly analyzed. In this study, RNA sequencing (RNA-seq) data from tumors, adjacent tissues and whole blood samples of COVID-19 patients from genome databases and from tumor cell lines and endothelial cells infected with different SARS-CoV-2 variants or transfected with an ACE2 expression vector (ACE2high) or mock (ACE2low) were analyzed for the expression of ACE2 and immune response relevant molecules in silico or by qPCR, flow cytometry, Western blot and/or RNA-seq. The differential expression profiles in ACE2high vs. ACE2low cells correlated with available SARS-CoV-2 RNA-seq datasets. ACE2high cells demonstrated upregulated mRNA and/or protein levels of HLA class I, programmed death ligand 1 (PD-L1), components of the antigen processing machinery (APM) and the interferon (IFN) signaling pathway compared to ACE2low cells. Co-cultures of ACE2high cells with peripheral blood mononuclear cells increased immune cell migration and infiltration towards ACE2high cells, apoptosis of ACE2high cells, release of innate immunity-related cytokines and altered NK cell-mediated cytotoxicity. Thus, ACE2 expression was associated in different model systems and upon SARS-CoV-2 infection with an altered host immunogenicity, which might influence the efficacy of immune checkpoint inhibitors. These results provide novel insights into the (patho)physiological role of ACE2 on immune response-relevant mechanisms and suggest an alternative strategy to reduce COVID-19 severity in infected tumor patients targeting the ACE2-induced IFN-PD-L1 axis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The 304HCu stainless steel is a candidate material for superheater and reheater tubes in advanced ultra-supercritical power plants due to its excellent creep and oxidation resistance. However, these operating conditions involve exposure to steam at high pressure and temperature on the steam-side and hot coal-ash products on the fireside. In this study, the role of grain boundary character distribution (GBCD) on oxidation and fireside corrosion behavior of 304HCu steel is investigated. The GBCD was modified through grain boundary engineering (GBE) via optimized strain-annealing treatment on the as-received (AR) specimen. The air oxidation, steam oxidation (pressure ~ 243 bar) and fireside corrosion studies were conducted at 973 K for up to 1000 h, in custom-designed setups precisely simulating the operating conditions. Following GBE, the grain size (excluding twins) and coincident site lattice boundary (Σ ≤ 29) fraction increased from 21 ± 1 to 60 ± 12 μm and from 62 ± 4 to 74 ± 3%, respectively, resulting in disruption of the random high angle grain boundary networks through the introduction of twins. Evaluation of oxidation behavior revealed that the GBE specimens have lower oxidation resistance (i.e., higher weight gain and oxide scale thickness) in both air and steam, while the same specimen displayed improved fireside corrosion resistance (lower percolation depth) as compared to the AR specimen. From a detailed analysis of the oxidation/fireside corrosion products and cross-sectional microstructures of the oxide layers, the above responses could be correlated with the GBCD and grain size, and the possible mechanisms operative during the air/steam oxidation and fireside corrosion are also presented. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]