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We investigate photon transport in magnetically tunable fluids, specifically magnetic nanofluids and magnetorheological fluids (MRFs). Our study focuses on the statistical analysis of light transport in these fluids, with a particular focus on earlier theoretical proposals related to the possibility of Anderson localization in these systems. We employ a well-known mesoscopic quantifier, the generalized conductance, to assess the domain of light transport in these systems. Magnetic nanofluids, which contain nanometer-sized magnetite particles, exhibit weak scattering with no substantial consequence on conductance, regardless of the applied magnetic field. In contrast, magnetorheological fluids, a bidispersion of micrometer-sized magnetizable spheres in a magnetic nanofluid, show a decrease in conductance to values below unity as the magnetic field strength increases. This decrease occurs at the magnetic-field-induced photonic bandgap in MRFs, which plays a crucial role in the localization process and is characterized by reduced transmitted intensity, altered speckle patterns, and significant changes in intensity statistics. Our findings also highlight the temporal evolution of field-induced speckles, where the initial high correlation decreases over time, and the correlation width widens indicating that the duration of sustained correlation enhances as the system reaches equilibrium. Consequently, the evolution of field-induced scatterers in MRFs significantly emulates light localization effects as the system attains equilibrium. This study concludes that our system is a prime candidate to observe possible strong localization in a magnetically tunable, dissipative complex system. Such systems hold potential applications in optical switching, adaptive optics, and smart materials design through controlled light manipulation using external magnetic fields. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Forecasting for intermittent demand is considered a difficult task and becomes even more challenging in the presence of obsolescence. Traditionally the problem has been dealt with modifications in the conventional parametric methods such as Croston. However, these methods are generally applied at the observed frequency, ignoring any additional information, such as trend that becomes prominent at higher levels of aggregation. We evaluate established Temporal Aggregation (TA) methods: ADIDA, Forecast Combination, and Temporal Hierarchies in the said context. We further employ restricted least-squares estimation and propose two new combination approaches tailored to decreasing demand scenarios. Finally, we test our propositions on both simulated and real datasets. Our empirical findings support the use of variable forecast combination weights to improve TA's performance in intermittent demand items with a risk of obsolescence. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

People who lead hectic lives daily suffer from a variety of illnesses, including diabetes, high blood pressure, hypertension, etc. For someone to survive, they must become aware of these illnesses promptly. The Internet of Things (IoT) and cloud computing are the two critical prerequisites for digital healthcare. In the present research, the attacked data are detected and removed using the security module to enhance the security of the healthcare system. However, an accurate prediction mechanism is needed for the early diagnosis of the diseases. To predict the sickness and its severity more accurately, a unique Dragon Fly-based Generalised Approximate Reasoning Intelligence Control (DF-GARIC) is devised in this article. This system was primarily responsible for preprocessing the cloud medical records entered into the system. Additionally, the regression algorithm extracts the relevant features. Based on the retrieved features, the dragonfly function is used to classify the disease and estimate its severity. Subsequently, a warning is given to the providers for the abnormal condition via SMS or e-mail. The system validated a higher accuracy level of 99.8% from the MATLAB execution. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Satellite image classification is the most significant remote sensing method for computerized analysis and pattern detection of satellite data. This method relies on the image's diversity structures and necessitates a thorough validation of the training data using the chosen classification algorithm. The classifying of remotely sensed images refers to the process of classifying pixels into a fixed set of distinct classes based on their data values. The pixel is categorized into that class if it complies with a specific set of requirements. A new SIC scheme is suggested in this work, where, Contrast limited adaptive histogram equalization (CLAHE) is deployed for pre-processing the image. Further, statistical features, Vegetation Indices (VI) and Improved Hybrid Vegetation Index (IHVI) are extracted from the preprocessed image. Then, we deploy 2 phase classification process for classifying the image. In the first phase, Bi-Directional Gated Recurrent Unit (BI-GRU), Convolutional Neural Network (CNN) and Deep Max Out (DMO) are used. In 2nd phase, optimized RNN is used for determining the final classification result. Also, the training of the model is done by the new Chaotic Opposition Behavior Improvised Coot Algorithm (COBI-CA) optimization via tuning the optimal weights. The COOT method has been enhanced and is now the suggested algorithm. Lastly, we conduct an analysis to compare the suggested Satellite Image Classification (SIC) model's performance to the traditional approaches in terms of statistical analysis, precision, accuracy, and error measure. In comparison to other conventional methods, the accuracy of the suggested model is 97%. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Helicoverpa armigera is a highly devastating and polyphagous pest attacking on different field crops. Effective management of this pest is essential for sustainable agriculture. While traditional chemical pesticides are widely used for their immediate results and ease of application, nanoemulsions offer a promising alternative, paving the way for advanced, efficient pesticide formulations.The current research aimed to develop oil-in-water (O/W) chlorantraniliprole stable nanoemulsion using combinations of different solvents (butanol, dimethyl sulfoxide and toluene), tween- 80 (non-ionic surfactant) and sodium laurel sulfonate (anionic co-surfactant) to reduce the dose and increase toxicity of chlorantraniliprole as targeted pesticide. Ultrasonication, a high energy emulsification method, is adopted to obtain the particle size in nanometre (nm). The nano size of emulsion is confirmed by Dynamic light scattering (62.43 nm), Scanning electron microscopy (55 ± 5 nm), X-ray diffraction (42.9 nm), and Transmission electron microscopy (22.5 ± 2.5 nm), Stability of synthesized nanoemulsion is confirmed via, centrifugation, freeze thaw cycle, heating cooling test, and zeta potential. Moreover, the toxicity of chlorantraniliprole nanoformulations is evaluated against H. armigera and compared with commercially available chlorantraniliprole formulation (18.5 SC). Chlorantraniliprole nanoemulsion formulation is 3.3 times more toxic than commercial formulation using topical application method (3rd instar larvae) and 2.2 times more toxic than commercial formulation using diet incorporation method (1st instar larvae). Consequently, this cutting-edge research holds great potential for revolutionizing targeted pesticide delivery systems, paving the way for more effective and precise pest management in agriculture. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Over the last decades, universal health coverage (UHC) has been promoted in south-east Asia (SEA), where many countries still need to ensure adequate financial protection to their populations. However, successful health financing reforms involve complex interactions among a range of stakeholders, as well as with context factors, including shocks and crises of different nature. In this article, we examine recent health financing reforms in Nepal, Thailand and Indonesia, using a political economy lens. The objective is to understand whether and how crises can be utilised to progress UHC and to analyse the strategies used by reformers to benefit from potential windows of opportunity. Methods: The study adopted a retrospective, comparative case study design, using a shared framework and tools. The case studies mapped the contexts, including economic, political, social trends and any shocks which had recently occurred. A focal health financing reform was chosen in each setting to examine, probing the role of crisis in relation to it, through the key elements of the reform process, content and actors. Data sources were largely qualitative and included literature and document review (144 documents included across the three cases) and key informant interviews (26 in total). Results: The findings, which bring out similarities and differences in the roles played by change teams across the settings, highlight the importance of working closely with political leaders and using a wide range of strategies to build coalitions and engage or block opponents. Changing decision rules to block veto points was significant in one case, and all three cases used participation and dialogue strategically to further reforms. More broadly, the links with context emerged as important, with prior conflicts and economic crises creating a sense of urgency about addressing health inequities, while in all countries appeal was made to underlying values to enhance the legitimacy of the reforms. Conclusion: The lessons from these case studies include that technical teams can and should engage in Political Economy Analysis (PEA) thinking and strategizing, including being aware of and adaptable to the changing PEA landscape and prepared to take advantage of windows of opportunity, including, but not limited to, those emerging from crisis. There is a need for more empirical studies in this area and sharing of lessons to support future reforms to increase health coverage and financial protection, including in the face of likely shocks. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The growing environmental concerns associated with petrochemical-based adhesives have driven interest in sustainable alternatives. This study investigates the use of bio-oil, derived from municipal sewage sludge (MSS) through hydrothermal liquefaction (HTL), as a reactive filler in polymeric methylene diphenyl diisocyanate (pMDI) wood adhesives. The bio-oil, rich in hydroxyl and carbonyl functional groups, was characterized using FTIR (Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy), elemental analysis, and NMR (nuclear magnetic resonance). These functional groups interact with the isocyanate groups of pMDI, enabling crosslinking and enhancing adhesive performance. Various MSS bio-oil and pMDI formulations were evaluated for tensile shear strength on Southern yellow pine veneers under dry and wet conditions. The formulation with a 1:4 bio-oil to pMDI weight ratio exhibited the best performance, achieving tensile shear strengths of 1.96 MPa (dry) and 1.66 MPa (wet). Higher bio-oil content led to decreased adhesive strength, attributed to reduced crosslinking and increased moisture sensitivity. This study demonstrates the potential of MSS-derived bio-oil as a sustainable additive in pMDI adhesives, offering environmental benefits without significantly compromising adhesive performance and marking a step toward greener wood adhesive solutions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Lignocellulose fiber obtained from high-altitude plant species Daphne bholua and Daphne papyracea, locally named Lokta bushes, is used in Asian regions to fabricate high-quality handmade paper sheets, packaging materials, composites, and paper bills. A systematic study on the material properties of the fiber to explain the performance of Lokta fiber–based materials has not been reported yet. In this study, the physio-chemical properties of untreated and 1%, 3%, 6%, and 9% NaOH (w/v)-treated Lokta fiber were systematically investigated at ambient temperature. The retting efficiency and cellulose content increased with alkali concentration followed by a decrease in lignin, hemicellulose, and extractives. This observation was consistent with the reduction of lignin and hemicellulose characteristics peaks in the FTIR, a reduction of effective fiber bundle width, and an increase in fiber density. High-resolution scanning electron microscope (SEM) images showed that alkali treatment results in significant loss of cementing materials and separation of fiber bundles. Alkali retting also increased the crystallinity index, tensile strength, and thermal stability. The degradation temperature for untreated, 6% NaOH treated, and 9% NaOH treated samples was found to be 325 °C, 343 °C, and 347 °C; respectively. The findings of this study will be important to optimize the end properties of the Lokta fiber–based paper and composite materials. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Glacier volume estimation is an essential aspect of conducting studies on glacier health. In past decades, various approaches relying on Volume-Area (V-A) scaling or ice thickness distribution have developed. Demonstrative research is attempted for volume estimation of glaciers present in Alaknanda, a Himalayan sub-basin of river Ganga with an area ≥ 1 km2 for 2017. Approaches relying on V-A scaling relations, glacier velocity and basal shear stress are used for the volume estimation of 158 glaciers. The study focuses on the variability of input parameters instead of uncertainty assessment. The estimated 1-σ volume based on V-A scaling relations ranges from 54 to 89 km3, 57 to 68 km3 for the velocity-based approach and 59 to 74 km3 for the GlabTop2 model. The average thickness of all glaciers lies between 61 to 77 m and 63 to 85 m using the velocity-based approach and Glabtop2 model respectively, for different values of shape factor (f ). The maximum thickness estimated for the velocity approach and GlabTop2 model is 268.41 m and 290.33 m, respectively while for available ensembled ice-thickness data, it is 287.22 m. The average flux calculated for all glaciers in the region is 847.12 m2/year. On examining, the volume of individual glaciers for various approaches, only the GlabTop2 model deviates. As per area-wise glacier classification, glaciers greater than 10 km2, contributes ∼ 54% in total area with volume contribution of ∼ 68% for both ensembled thickness and V-A scaling relations, ∼ 58% for the velocity-based approach, and ∼ 55% for GlabTop2 approach. The ice-thickness distribution of large glaciers for the GlabTop2 model is low compared to other smaller glaciers. Bhagirath-Khark and Satopanth glaciers when examined for various approaches, the estimated ice-thickness and volume contrasted for the GlabTop2 model. However, when Satopanth glacier is studied solely, the latter results are in good agreement. Elevation-based hypsometry analysis is also performed, and investigated for glacier area, velocity and volume. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Diabetes, a metabolic disease associated with an increased health care burden and mortality, is currently on the rise. Both upregulation of the mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) and decreased levels of vitamin D (VD) and l-cysteine (LC) have been associated with diabetes. The overactivation of mTOR leads to insulin desensitization and metabolic dysfunction including uncontrolled hyperglycemia. This review summarizes various studies that have shown an inhibitory effect of VD or LC on mTOR activity. Findings from preclinical studies suggest that optimizing the VD and LC status in patients with diabetes can result in mTOR suppression, which has the potential to protect these individuals from microvascular and macrovascular complications while enhancing the regulation of their blood glucose. Given this information, finding ways to suppress mTOR signaling and also increasing VD and LC status is a possible therapeutic approach that might aid patients with diabetes. Future clinical trials are needed to investigate whether VD and LC co-supplementation can successfully downregulate mTOR and can be used as adjuvant therapy in patients with diabetes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Indian species of the genus Canalirogas van Achterberg & Chen, 1996 are revised. Four new species, Canalirogas multinigratus Gupta & van Achterberg sp. nov. and C. subtransversus Gupta & van Achterberg sp. nov. from Meghalaya (north-eastern India); C. oblongus Gupta & van Achterberg sp. nov. from Assam (north-eastern India) and Canalirogas omninopallidus Gupta & van Achterberg sp. nov. from Karnataka (southern India) are illustrated and described. An illustrated key to the Indian species of Canalirogas is provided. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives: To compare and evaluate the usefulness of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) with computed tomography (CT) in bronchiectasis; to compare MRI and CT scores with pulmonary function tests (PFT) and to evaluate the role of Diffusion-weighted imaging (DWI) in bronchiectasis. Methods: In this prospective study, 25 patients between 7–21 y of age with a clinical/radiological diagnosis of bronchiectasis underwent MDCT and MRI chest. MRI and CT scoring was performed using modified Bhalla-Helbich's score by two independent radiologists for all parameters. A final consensus score was recorded. The overall image quality of different MRI sequences to identify pathologies was also assessed. Appropriate statistical tests were used for inter-observer agreements, and correlation amongst CT and MRI; as well as CT, MRI and PFT. Results: Strong agreement (ICC 0.80–0.95) between CT and MRI was seen for extent and severity of bronchiectasis, number of bullae, sacculation/abscess, emphysema, collapse/ consolidation, mucus plugging, and mosaic perfusion. Overall CT and MRI scores had perfect concordance (ICC 0.978). Statistically significant (p-value <0.01) intra-observer and inter-observer agreement for all CT and MRI score parameters were seen. A strong negative correlation was seen between total CT and MRI severity scores and forced expiratory volume in 1 s (FEV1), forced vital capacity (FVC), forced expiratory flow (FEF) 25–75%. DWI MR, with an apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) cut-off of 1.62 × 10–3 mm3/s had a sensitivity of 70% and specificity of 75% in detecting true mucus plugs. Conclusions: MRI with DWI can be considered as a radiation-free alternative in the diagnostic algorithm for assessment of lung changes in bronchiectasis, especially in follow-up. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This research paper investigates the influence of different weight percentages (5%, 10%, 15%, and 20%) of cotton fiber reinforcement in epoxy composites on their mechanical properties. The mechanical characteristics examined include flexural strength, tensile strength, fracture toughness, impact strength, and hardness. The interfacial properties of the composites were analyzed through scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy. Thermal and thermo-mechanical properties were examined using thermogravimetric analysis and dynamic mechanical analysis, respectively. The findings revealed that the addition of 15 wt.% cotton fiber in epoxy composites led to notable improvements in various mechanical properties. As the weight percentage of cotton fiber increased, the fracture and tensile properties of the composites showed a gradual improvement until reaching 15 wt.%. However, additional increments in weight percentage did not lead to significant improvements in the mechanical properties. Flexural strength and hardness showed a decreasing trend with increasing cotton fiber weight percentage, whereas impact strength showed an increasing trend. The SEM micrograph of the fracture surface revealed fiber pull-out, matrix cracking, interfacial debonding, and an uneven surface. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Exocrine pancreatic insufficiency has been demonstrated in type 1 diabetes (T1D); lower concentrations of pancreatic enzymes have been associated with metabolic risk (MR). Influence of puberty and MR factors on serum concentrations of amylase and lipase remain unexplored in Indian youth with T1D. 1) To characterize and predict determinants of serum amylase and lipase concentrations in adolescents/youth with T1D. 2) To assess relationship between amylase, lipase, and prevalence of MR. Cross sectional, observational study on 291 (155 girls) adolescents/youth (10–24 years) with T1D. History, examination, body composition, biochemistry (glycated hemoglobin [HbA1c], thyroid stimulating hormone [TSH], lipids). Mean age, diabetes duration and HbA1c were 15.3, 7.0 years and 10.0 ± 2.1, respectively. Relative risk of lower amylase/higher lipase concentrations (9.5 %) was 1.42 and 1.34, respectively, though these did not reach statistical significance. In pubertal participants, amylase was lower and lipase higher; association was not found with MR. Higher TSH and lower serum calcium were significantly associated with higher lipase (p<0.001). We have characterized amylase and lipase concentrations across puberty; poor glycemic control tended to be associated with lower amylase and higher lipase, though these findings did not reach statistical significance. Amylase and lipase concentrations should be monitored in Indian adolescents with T1D, particularly in those with poor metabolic control, puberty, uncontrolled hypothyroidism, or reduced calcium intake, while further longitudinal and larger studies are needed to generalize these findings. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Extracts of plants have been used to manage various insect pests, but little information is available about how effective they are in reducing crop damage or how they affect crop yield and beneficial insects in rice. Extracts from Azadirachta indica leaves, Lantana camara leaves, Nerium oleander leaves, Aegle marmelos leaves, Allium sativum cloves, and Citrus limon fruits, known to have insecticidal properties, were compared with two checks, viz., Azadirachtin 1% EC and standard insecticide Acephate 95 SG, for their efficacy against yellow stem borer (YSB), Scirpophaga incertulas (Walk.), and rice leaf folder Cnaphalocrocis medinalis (Guenee) and natural enemies in cultivated rice in Sambalpur, Odisha, India. Untreated rice plants served as control. An adjuvant, Tween 20 at 1%, was added with all the botanical extracts except the commercial formulation. Plant damage, insect population numbers, and yield were monitored during two consecutive wet seasons from 2022 to 2023. Mean rice yield was significantly higher in the A. indica and Acephate 95 SG treatments, i.e., 4.68 t/ha and 4.66 t/ha, respectively, compared to the control (2.27 t/ha) and were significantly at par with each other. The L. camara and A. indica treatments were effective against both the major lepidopteran rice insect pests. The highest cost–benefit ratio of (1:4.65) was obtained from the Acephate treatment and was closely followed by the A. indica treatment (1:3.74). All the studied botanicals had less impact on natural enemies than synthetic chemicals. Among these botanicals, the maximum mean population of predators (like spiders and carabid beetles) and parasitoids (like Tetrastichus schoenobii , Telenomus dignus , and Trichogramma japonicum) were observed in the A. indica and A. marmelos treatments. Although all the studied botanicals were effective against both the major insect pests in rice, the A. indica , A. marmelos , A. sativum , and L. camara treatments showed the most promising against rice insect pests, so they may be incorporated into integrated pest management of rice. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Cells undergo tens of thousands of DNA-damaging events each day. Defects in repairing double-stranded breaks (DSBs) can lead to genomic instability, contributing to cancer, genetic disorders, immunological diseases, and developmental defects. Cohesin, a multi-subunit protein complex, plays a crucial role in both chromosome organization and DNA repair by creating architectural loops through chromatin extrusion. However, the mechanisms by which cohesin regulates these distinct processes are not fully understood. In this study, we identify two separate roles for cohesin in DNA repair within mammalian cells. First, cohesin serves as an intrinsic architectural factor that normally prevents interactions between damaged chromatin. Second, cohesin has an architecture-independent role triggered by ATM phosphorylation of SMC1, which enhances the efficiency of repair. Our findings suggest that these two functions work together to reduce the occurrence of translocations and deletions associated with non-homologous end joining, thereby maintaining genomic stability. Cohesin plays a crucial role in both chromosome organization and DNA repair. Here the authors find that cohesin mediated genome architecture prevents interactions between damaged chromatin. In contrast cohesin phosphorylation appears to primarily impact DNA repair speed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper presents a comparative study of the fatigue life of solder joints in a board-level Ball Grid Array (BGA) assembly. It specifically contrasts the commonly used SAC305 alloy with the advanced Innolot-based solder alloy, recognized for its superior tensile strength. Through Finite Element Analysis (FEA), we simulate and predict the reliability of these solder joints under harmonic and random vibration conditions. Following the JEDEC (Joint Electronic Device Engineering Council) standards, two different board-level BGA assemblies are used for the analysis. In both assemblies, the dimensions of the substrate, molding compound, and solder balls remain identical; only the board dimensions are changed to observe how they affect stress in the solder joints. The results indicate that using Innolot raises the volume-averaged stress levels by more than 25% on larger boards and about 5% on smaller boards compared to SAC305. This increase in stress levels is due to the Innolot alloy having a less significant stiffening effect than SAC305, which results in higher stress levels under the same excitation conditions. While the stress in the Innolot-based solder joint is greater than that in the SAC305 joint under identical excitation conditions, the fatigue life of the Innolot joint is significantly higher than that of the SAC305 joint. The results show that the Innolot-based alloy exceeds the performance of SAC305, and that it is suitable for use as a solder alloy in extreme vibration conditions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study investigates the effects of friction stir processing (FSP) on Al-6061 aluminium alloy, reinforced with aluminium oxide nanoparticles. Using a CNC milling machine, various processing factors such as feed rate, number of passes, and rotational speed were explored to understand their influence on the ultimate and yield strengths, natural frequencies, and damping ratios of the samples. The processed data properties were predicted using a sophisticated machine learning technique called SRS-optimized long short-term memory (LSTME). Friction stir processing significantly enhances damping characteristics by refining the grain structure. Increasing rotational speed and traverse speed improve damping properties and mechanical characteristics. The addition of alumina nanoparticles further enhances the dampening capabilities of the material. The highest level of damping efficiency was seen when the rotational speed was set at 900 rpm for all measured passes. With an increasing number of passes as an FSP parameter, there is a decrease in the shear modulus and natural frequency, while the loss factor and damping ratio experience an increase. Higher rotational speeds generate additional thermal energy, resulting in stronger materials due to grain breakdown and increased resistance to deformation. This finer grain structure, resulting from higher rotational speeds, leads to stronger materials and higher yield strength. The developed machine learning model achieved impressive R2 values: 0.911 for ultimate strength (UTS), 0.951 for yield strength (YS), 0.953 for natural frequency, and 0.985 for damping ratio. Higher rotational speeds result in stronger materials, with a significant increase in yield strength attributed to finer grain structures. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper delves deeper into the potential of Artificial Intelligence (AI)-enabled supply chain management (SCM) as a groundbreaking technology capable of revolutionizing supply chain operations and ushering in a new era of possibilities. In today’s dynamic business landscape, where agility and efficiency are paramount, AI plays a pivotal role in redefining how supply chains operate. The journey commences with an in-depth exploration of AI’s fundamental concepts and its manifold applications within SCM, shedding light on its adaptability across various aspects of the supply chain, from demand forecasting to inventory optimization. Moreover, this paper illuminates the myriad benefits that AI brings to SCM practitioners. These advantages encompass heightened operational efficiency through real-time data analysis, cost reduction through predictive maintenance and optimized routing and a superior customer experience resulting from improved demand prediction and personalized service offerings. However, acknowledging the transformative power of AI in SCM, we must also acknowledge the hurdles in its implementation. This paper underscores the significant challenges that organizations may face while integrating AI into their SCM processes, ranging from data quality issues and concerns regarding privacy and security to the need for domain-specific human expertise. To address these hurdles effectively, the paper proposes a comprehensive framework. This framework encompasses a holistic strategy that aligns AI initiatives with organizational goals, governance, and ethics considerations to ensure responsible AI deployment, and a clear roadmap that guides the implementation journey from inception to full integration. In conclusion, this paper offers valuable insights into the opportunities and challenges that AI-powered SCM presents in the ever-evolving business landscape. By providing practical recommendations, it equips organizations with the knowledge and tools needed to successfully harness the potential of AI in their supply chain operations, ultimately paving the way for enhanced competitiveness and sustainability in the future. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective We assess whether mammographic patient-assisted compression (PAC) has an impact on breast compression thickness and patient discomfort compared with technologist-assisted compression (TAC). Methods A total of 382 female patients between ages 40 and 90 years undergoing screening mammography from February 2020 to June 2021 were recruited via informational pamphlet to participate in this IRB-approved study. Patients without prior baseline mammograms were excluded. The participating patients were randomly assigned to the PAC or TAC study group. Pre- and postmammogram surveys assessed expected pain and experienced pain, respectively, using a 100-mm visual analogue scale and the State-Trait Anxiety Inventory. Breast compression thickness values from the most recent mammogram were compared with the patient's recent prior mammogram. Results Between the 2 groups, there was no significant difference between the expected level of pain prior to the mammogram (P  = .97). While both study groups reported a lower level of experienced pain than was expected, the difference was greater for the PAC group (P  <.0001). Additionally, the PAC group reported significantly lower experienced pain during mammography compared with the TAC group (P  = .014). The correlation of trait/state anxiety scores with pre- and postmammogram pain scores was weak among the groups. Lastly, the mean breast compression thickness values for standard screening mammographic views showed no significant difference in the PAC group when compared with the patient's prior mammogram. Conclusion Involving patients in compression reduces their pain independent of the patient's state anxiety during mammography while having no effect on breast compression thickness. Implementing PAC could improve the mammography experience. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Design preferences or targets are typically available at the system level. A designer is usually interested in understanding patches of the design space at component levels, across different stages and processes that correspond to such system targets or preferences. This demands a thorough design space exploration permitting both forward and inverse designs. Such exploration becomes cumbersome with a large number of variables and complex systems with many conflicting goals. Hence a decision support framework that permits seamless navigation in high dimensions, especially with a visual aspect for enhanced comprehension, is desirable. Current work proposes using a data-driven interpretable self-organizing map (iSOM) as a visual enabler in decision support systems for exploring the design space and understanding the trade-off in system goals. The novelty lies in being able to use a visual form to compare greater than three conflicting goals simultaneously while accounting for design variables. The proposed approach is demonstrated using two test problems: (i) hot rolling and cooling process chain design for the production of steel rods, and (ii) head and neck injury risk evaluations for vehicular crash-worthiness. Using the first problem, we demonstrate the capability of iSOM to support the solution space exploration of a many-goal steel manufacturing process chain problem to realize the design of a steel product, in the context of a compromise Decision Support Problem formulation. In the second problem, we demonstrate the capability of iSOM to support early stage Design Space Exploration (DSE) to identify critical injury risk regions of interest for different car crash scenarios. These two test problems illustrate the capability to carry out a forward and inverse design, by the proposed approach. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The desert teak defoliator, Patialus tecomella Pajni, Kumar and Rose, 1991 is redescribed for the first time with habitus images, morphometric details and images of diagnostic characters. Tecomella undulata, an endangered desert forest plant, is frequently and severely attacked by a notorious curculionid pest, P. tecomella, throughout its range in arid and semi-arid areas of India. A DNA barcode was obtained and reported for molecular identification using cytochrome oxidase I (COI). Observations were made on the biology of the species: egg period 4–6 days, larval development period 10–12 days, pupal period 3–6 days and adult longevity 11–13 days. The total lifespan was 28–37 days. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Generative AI tools allow anyone without web-design experience to have a business website created when the user provides a few specifications about the business, such as its name, type, and location. But the resulting websites not only fall short of the business's basic needs but they also raise major concerns about their accessibility for disabled users. This study specifically examines whether these AI generated websites are accessible to screen-reader users with visual disabilities. It presents data about the usability and accessibility of the products of three generative AI website builders, highlights the specific problems found by an expert screen reader test along with an automated machine scan of these sites, and discusses some causes of and recommendations for solving these problems. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aims In the Phase 3 trial, RHAPSODY, rilonacept effectively resolved active pericarditis recurrences, and long-term treatment led to sustained pericarditis recurrence risk reduction. Prior analysis suggested association between higher late gadolinium enhancement (LGE) at baseline and more rapid recurrence upon rilonacept suspension after 12 weeks of treatment. This subgroup analysis assessed the utility of longitudinal serial cardiac magnetic resonance (CMR) imaging for tracking clinical improvement and predicting post-treatment cessation outcomes to help guide clinical decision-making. Methods and results At an 18-month decision milestone (18MDM) in the RHAPSODY long-term extension, investigators decided if patients would continue rilonacept, suspend rilonacept for off-treatment observation, or discontinue the study. Pericardial thickness, pericardial oedema (T2-short tau inversion recovery, T2-STIR), and LGE were determined at baseline and 18MDM by an imaging core lab blinded to clinical data, and pericarditis recurrence was investigator-assessed. CMR results in patients with data at both baseline and 18MDM (n = 13) showed that pericardial thickness, T2-STIR, and LGE were reduced during rilonacept treatment. Among patients with CMR data who suspended rilonacept at the 18MDM (n = 7), five (71%) had a pericarditis recurrence within 1–4 months of rilonacept suspension, despite all having had none/trace LGE (n = 7) and negative T2-STIR (n = 7) at the 18MDM and two having received prophylactic colchicine. Conclusion Continued clinical improvement during prolonged rilonacept treatment corresponded with improvement on CMR, including reduced pericardial thickness, resolution of pericardial oedema, and resolution of LGE. However, none/trace LGE at 18MDM while on treatment did not predict absence of pericarditis recurrence upon subsequent rilonacept suspension in this size-limited subgroup. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The present work reports the synthesis of pure and Zr-doped hematite nanoparticles from the thermally induced polymorphic transformation from magnetite nanoparticles. The microstructural phases and parameters of the nanoparticles were investigated with X-ray diffraction. It is found that transformation from magnetite to hematite is delayed with increasing Zr content. The absence of X-ray diffraction peaks related to metallic Zr and its oxide in the doped samples indicates the dopant was uniformly distributed in the host hematite matrix. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy and diffuse reflectance spectroscopy were carried out to investigate the optical properties of the nanoparticle samples. The decrease in IR absorbance intensity and shifting of the absorption bands to a lower frequency was observed with Zr doping in hematite, indicating a reduction in crystallinity and substitutional doping with the host element, respectively. It was found that the Zr doping improves the visible light absorption and decreases the band gap of hematite nanoparticles. X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy results confirmed the + 4 oxidation state of Zr dopant in the host lattice, and Zr-doped hematite nanoparticles indicated a decrease in octahedral coordination with an increase in tetrahedral coordination of Fe3+ oxidation state. Room-temperature magnetic properties were investigated with the vibrating sample magnetometer. A significant improvement in photocatalytic properties of hematite was found with Zr doping. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Groundwater is vital for meeting water demands in India, especially for agriculture, but faces stress from industrialization, urbanization, and climate change. Sustainable management, including understanding aquifers and recharge zones like palaeochannels, is essential to ensure long-term groundwater availability. The present research explored the applications of surface geophysical Dar-Zarrouk (D–Z) parameters, estimated from Vertical Electrical Sounding (VES) surveys conducted at seventeen locations, to assess hydrogeological conditions and correlate the findings with the identified palaeochannels within the alluvial area of Saraswati Nagar block of district Yamuna Nagar, Haryana, India. Further, as the study area is occupied with fresh groundwater, the estimated D–Z parameters including Transverse Resistance (T) and Longitudinal Conductance (S) values should be relatively on the higher side in comparison to the saline groundwater-occupied areas. In the study area, S values vary between 0.2025 (Sahabpur) and 2.49 (Talakaur) mho with an average value of 0.9364 mho, and T values vary between 922.96 (Bhamboli) and 5505 (Kabulpur) Ωm2 with an average value of 3000.75 Ωm2 respectively. The results of the electrical resistivity survey have been used for estimating the hydraulic conductivity (K) and transmissivity (t) . Hydraulic parameters such as hydraulic conductivity and transmissivity are pivotal in evaluating and controlling groundwater resources. The findings highlight the valuable insights gained for groundwater resource management. This type of study has not been attempted before by any researcher in this regions hence, it will greatly help in understanding the groundwater regime in the area. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

2D MoS2 nanosheets have been successfully synthesized by salt assisted exfoliation of bulk powder. The recorded X-ray diffraction pattern, high resolution transmission electron micrograph, selected area electron diffraction pattern, confirmed the hexagonal symmetry and exfoliation of bulk powder to nanosheets. Two absorption peaks observed at 643 nm and 701 nm in UV–Vis spectra correspond to direct band gap transitions. The lateral size and zeta potential of exfoliated nanosheets were found to be 340 nm and − 21.5 mV, respectively. The presence of Mo–O bonding and S = O functional groups on hexagonal structure was confirmed by the FTIR measurements. The decrease in the photoluminescence intensity of exfoliated MoS2 nanosheets relative to bulk powder clearly support the quantum confinement effect and delay in electron–hole recombination. The X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy analysis confirms the characteristic peaks of Mo 3d, Mo 3p and S 2p, along with their respective binding energies. The specific surface area and pore size of exfoliated MoS2 nanosheets evaluated from Brunauer–Emmett–Teller analysis were found to be 5.430 m2 g−1 and 1.802 nm, respectively. The two distinct Raman active characteristics peaks observed at 383.94 cm−1 and 409.04 cm−1 are associated with E12g and A1g vibrational modes of MoS2 hexagonal structure. The exfoliated 2D MoS2 nanosheets were evaluated for their effectiveness in three environmental cleaning applications: (i) photocatalytic degradation of MB dye solution (ii) removal of As ions from water by adsorption and (iii) antibacterial potential. The photocatalytic results confirmed the degradation of 30 ppm MB dye solution with a degradation constant of 0.0431 min−1 and 98% removal efficiency under sunlight exposure, which is attributed to generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) on MoS2 surface. The adsorption results showed that exfoliated MoS2 nanosheets were found to be excellent As ions scavengers with adsorption capacity − 112.44 mg/g and follow pseudo second order kinematics. The antibacterial potential of synthesized 2D nano-structure were tested against one gram positive (Bacillus subtilis) and two gram negative (Escherichia coli and Pseudomonas aeruginosa) pathogenic strains. The biocidal mechanism of exfoliated MoS2 nanosheets is supported by in silico molecular docking study on FTsZ protein of Bacillus subtilis, GGBD protein of Escherichia coli and LasR protein of Pseudomonas aeruginosa. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Semantic segmentation is used for identification of buildings, roads, vegetation cover, and water body detection in satellite images. Several state-of-the-art deep learning models investigated have a large number of parameters and are difficult to train on low-configuration machines. To resolve this issue, quadratic encoder–decoder (QuadED), and residual quadratic encoder–decoder (ResQuadED) enabled with quadratic convolutional (QuadConv2D) layer are proposed as novel architectures in this manuscript. In the experiments, it is observed that QuadED performs better for binary semantic segmentation and ResQuadED performs better for both binary and multi-class semantic segmentation. As a result, the QuadED achieves an IoU of 76.82%, and 87.57% for the architectures with 5,51,913 and 4,90,088 parameters on the MBRSC and Massachusetts datasets, respectively. The ResQuadED model achieves an IoU of 77.87%, and 89.27% for the architectures with 5,37,585 and 4,54,682 parameters on the MBRSC and Massachusetts datasets, respectively. These results reveal that ResQuadED architecture performs significantly better for the evaluation metrics with fewer parameters than QuadED and existing architectures. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

There is a chromosomal defect that significantly affects an individual's life is Down syndrome. Early identification of Down syndrome is crucial for an accurate assessment of the fetus. The process of assess the fetus includes measurement of the crown rump length, fetal heart rate, short arm or thighs bones length, nasal bone present or absent and the thickness of fluid behind neck. And the process are done during first and second trimester of pregnancy. Various invasive and noninvasive screenings are used for Down syndrome diagnosis. Research on diagnosing Down syndrome has been extensively documented. Additionally, this survey includes various techniques using deep learning for detecting the availability of Down Syndrome and does analysis of image processing methods and formulas for its diagnosis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The addition of IV triapine to chemoradiation appeared active in phase I and II studies but drug delivery is cumbersome. We examined PO triapine with cisplatin chemoradiation. Methods: We implemented a 3 + 3 design for PO triapine dose escalation with expansion, starting at 100 mg, five days a week for five weeks while receiving radiation with weekly IV cisplatin for locally advanced cervical or vaginal cancer. Maximum tolerated dose (MTD), dose limiting toxicity (DLT), adverse events, pharmacokinetics (PK), pharmacodynamics (PD), and metabolic complete response (mCR) were assessed. Results: 19/21 patients were DLT evaluable. DLTs included grade 4 neutropenia (n = 2), leukopenia (n = 2), lymphopenia (n = 2), and hypokalemia (n = 1). Grade 3 toxicities at least possibly related were as expected for cisplatin chemoradiation: lymphopenia (n = 12), anemia (n = 10), neutropenia (n = 4), leukopenia (n = 8), decreased platelets (n = 2), hypertension (n = 1), and hyponatremia (n = 1). MTD and RP2D were established at 100 mg. 8/13 evaluable patients had a mCR. Triapine had a bioavailability of 59%. Methemoglobin levels correlated with triapine exposure. Smoking almost doubled CYP1A2 mediated triapine clearance. Conclusions: Oral triapine is safe when given with cisplatin chemoradiation, convenient, bioavailable. Exposure is negatively impacted by smoking, and methemoglobin is a biomarker of exposure. Clinical trial registration: NCT02595879. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Agroforestry is seen as a strategy to sustainably boost agricultural production by creating favorable microclimatic conditions. However, tree shade can significantly reduce crop yield, making it important to assess the balance between the positive and negative impacts of tree cover on food security, especially as climate change alters weather patterns. To understand this relationship, a trial was conducted to evaluate how tree canopy influences crop yield in degraded soils. This study examines how different levels of natural tree shade affect the physiological and biophysical constraints of soybean (Glycine max) in an Emblica officinalis-based agroforestry system. The study assessed the effects of shade intensities (S1-0%, S2-40%, S3-50%, and S4-60%) on physio-biochemical and yield traits of two soybean varieties: KDS-726 (V1) and MACS-1188 (V2). Increased shade led to significant reductions in net photosynthetic rate (16.21%, 25.32%, 40.08%), transpiration rate (6.45%, 21.14%, 39.61%), and stomatal conductance (22.86%, 39.79%, 55.91%) due to reduced light availability over control (S1-0%). Chlorophyll content and NDVI increased up to 50% shade but decreased beyond this, indicating limited photosynthesis. Higher shade levels also increased total phenol, proline, and other antioxidants, indicating increased stress. Soybean yield parameters decreased with increasing shade. The highest seed yield was in open conditions (2.15 t ha−1), with reductions of 24.65%, 39.53%, and 59.53% under S2-40%, S3-50%, and S4-60% shade. KDS-726 produced 20% more seed yield than MACS-1188 (1.35 t ha−1). Correlation analysis revealed that higher phenolic content and internal CO2 levels, indicators of stress, negatively impacted seed yield (− 0.51 and − 0.49, respectively) due to reduced photosynthesis. A Crop Status Index (CSI) was derived to identify the shade threshold level in agroforestry for the first time. The highest CSI was recorded under open conditions, statistically comparable to values under 40% and 50% shade, and lowest in 60% shade. This suggests that moderate shading (up to 50%) does not significantly affect the crop’s overall status, while higher shade levels (60%) impose severe stress. Understanding the shade threshold helps manage understory crops to maximize light and reduce stress. Additionally, it demonstrates the potential of fruit-based agroforestry to rehabilitate degraded lands, enhance crop yield, increase fruit production, improve the environment, and meet India’s GROW report commitments of land degradation neutrality by restoring 26 million hectares of degraded land by 2030. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The Orientation Program (OP) is an integral part of any professional course. A well thought guest lectures with key highlights on essential topics can be a pivoting point to address students concerns before beginning a professional course. Objective: This study was to obtain input from first-year physiotherapy students regarding guest lecture series which were part of current orientation program. Methods: Eighty-one students volunteered for the feedback analysis. We used a structured google feedback form with closed-ended questions focusing on cognitive, social and personality, and mental and physical health domains of psychology to evaluate the students opinion on various lectures. Results: Most of the students expressed satisfaction, with positive feedback ranging from 56 to 83%. for every lecture and orientation session as a whole. A small percentage of students, ranging from 1 to 6%, disagreed or expressed dissatisfaction with the lectures. The overall response of students to the orientation program and guest lectures was positive. Conclusions: The overall feedback towards all the guest lecture was positive, and merely small percentage of students dis-agreed. The study concludes that guest lectures should be added to such OP [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Geographic Information System (GIS) mapping, is a novel way to provide insights into spatial distribution of type 1 diabetes (T1D) and associations between T1D outcomes and potential predictors. We aimed to explore GIS in children with T1D, and identify predictors of poor glycemic control. Design: Cross-sectional; Participants: 402 children and youth (187 boys) with T1D. Place of residence (coordinates) of participants were geocoded in GIS. They were divided into two groups living in urban or peri-urban areas using ArcGIS Pro. The characteristics of urban/peri-urban living were linked to sociodemographic and biochemical data and spatial autocorrelation analysis was performed. Association between glycemic control and distance to our unit was studied. Mean age was 13.2 ± 4.7 years; 196 children were living in urban areas, 206 in peri-urban areas. There was significant difference in HbA1c between groups (Urban 9.9 (9.7, 10.2) %, Peri-urban 10.5 (10.1, 10.8) %) (p=0.004); mean difference 0.5 (0.1, 1.0) with poorer glycemic control and higher prevalence of vitamin D sufficiency in peri-urban and higher prevalence of hypothyroidism in urban areas. There was significant correlation between glycemic control (HbA1c) and distance to our unit r=0.108 (0.023, 0.218) (p=0.031). Individuals with an HbA1c ≥9.5 were residing farther away (58.9 (49.4, 68.5) km) as compared to those with HbA1c <9.5 (44.5 (35.1, 53.9) km) (p<0.05). Children with T1D when grouped using GIS had differences in glycemic control and comorbidities; peri-urban participants and those residing further away from our unit had poorer glycemic control. Future efforts may be aimed at identifying centers and channelizing resources towards children showing poor glycemic control, thus optimizing disease management. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Ti6Al4V is a widely used titanium alloy known for its excellent combination of mechanical properties, corrosion resistance, and biocompatibility. However, to ensure its effectiveness in various applications, it is important to understand the mechanical and fracture behavior of the alloy in the presence of a notch. In the present study, the effect of notch root radius on mode I fracture toughness of Ti6Al4V alloys with a nearly bimodal microstructure has been investigated. Fracture toughness tests were conducted on compact tension (CT) specimens with five different notch root radii. The experimental results demonstrate that the apparent fracture toughness, K IA , increases linearly with the square root of the notch root radius. Further to elucidate the results, a 2D elastoplastic finite element analysis is performed on the CT specimens using cohesive zone model. The simulation results are in good agreement with the experimental data. The study also reveals that the apparent fracture toughness is independent of the notch root radius below a critical value, estimated to be approximately 50 μ m . Finally, the scanning electron microscopy of the fracture surfaces has been examined. The micrographs reveal void coalescence and dimple regions indicating the ductile nature of the fracture process. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article discusses the use of peanut shells as a resource for the synthesis of dihydropyrimidinones using a SnO2@AC catalyst. The study highlights the benefits of using agricultural waste for catalytic applications and the successful preparation of the catalyst. The results show high yields of the target compounds, simplicity of operation, and effective recyclability of the catalyst. The research aims to contribute to the preparation of heterocyclic compounds using sustainable and cost-efficient methods. [Extracted from the article]

Background: Crateva unilocularis, Millettia extensa, and Plumbago zeylanica are commonly used traditional medicinal plants in Nepal for treating various skin ailments. Objectives: The ethanol extracts of these plants were analyzed for qualitative and quantitative phytochemical content, antioxidant potential, and anti-tyrosinase activity. Methods: The Folin-Ciocalteu technique was used to measure the total phenolic content, and the aluminum chloride method was used to assess flavonoid content.In vitro antioxidant activity was evaluated via 2,2- diphenyl-1-picrylhyrazyl (DPPH), nitric oxide (NO), and hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) assays. A mushroom tyrosinase inhibition assay was employed to assess anti-tyrosinase activity. Molecular docking was performed using the tyrosinase enzyme (PDB ID: 2Y9X) for the five selected phytoconstituents of Millettia extensa. Results: The ethanolic extract of Millettia extensa leaves exhibited high concentrations of phenolic compound (273.85 ± 4.05 mg GAE/g dry extract weight) and flavonoids compound (1787.35 ± 0.22 mg QE/g dry extract weight). The roots of Plumbago zeylanica showed the highest levels of DPPH and NO radical-scavenging activities, with percentages of 95.83% and 43.83%, respectively. Similarly, the stem bark of Crateva unilocularis showed notable H2O2 radical scavenging activity (67.81%). Millettia extensa root bark demonstrated the most potent tyrosinase inhibition activity (99.31 ± 0.16), comparable to the standard drug Kojic acid (99.56 ± 0.08). Molecular docking corroborates the in vitro anti-tyrosinase activity, with isoauriculatin and auriculatin demonstrating the highest binding affinities of −9.9 and −9.7 kcal/mol, respectively, compared to Kojic acid (−5.6 kcal/mol). Conclusion: These findings highlight the significant tyrosinase inhibitory potential of Millettia extensa root bark, suggesting further exploration of its cosmetic application and safety evaluation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Sexual behavior among youth is a public health concern, particularly in contexts where cultural norms, socio-economic factors, and access to comprehensive sexual education play pivotal roles. This paper aims to examine the determinants of sexual behavior among Nepali youths. Methods: This study analyzed data from 7,122 individuals aged 15–24 years from the Nepal Demographic and Health Survey (NDHS) 2022, focusing on a nationally representative sample. This study assessed the prevalence of sexual behaviors, including premarital sex, recent sexual activity, and multiple sexual partners. Determinants examined included socio-demographic characteristics, media use, smoking, and alcohol consumption. Bivariate and multivariate logistic regression analysis were conducted to determine the associations between social determinants and sexual behaviors. Results: The prevalence of premarital sex among the youth was 10.4%, with 15% of male youths reporting recent sexual activity and 2.8% having sexual intercourse with multiple partners. Variables significantly associated with premarital sex included older age groups (AOR = 2.81; 95% CI: 1.98–3.99), male (AOR = 7.87; 95% CI: 5.00–12.39), sales occupations (AOR = 2; 95% CI:1.12–3.57), smoking (AOR = 2.71; 95% CI:1.74–4.23), smokeless tobacco products (AOR = 1.94; 95% CI:1.12–3.34), and alcohol consumption (AOR = 2.97; 95% CI:2–4.41). Variables significantly associated with recent sexual activity included older age groups (AOR = 2.1; 95% CI:1.46, 3.03), being unmarried (AOR = 9.34; 95% CI:5.19–16.82), smoking (AOR = 2.01; 95% CI:1.33–3.05), use of smokeless products (AOR = 1.7; 95% CI:1.98–3.67), and alcohol consumption (AOR = 1.91; 95% CI:1.30–2.82). Youths using smokeless products had higher odds (AOR = 3.33; 95% CI:1.75–6.35) of having multiple sexual partners compared to those youths not using smokeless products. Conclusion: Social determinants, along with smoking and alcohol consumption, were associated with sexual behaviors among youth. This study highlights the need for multicomponent health promotion (new public health) interventions which consider multi-level strategies, including culturally tailored sexual health programs, drug use behaviors, healthy lifestyle choices, comprehensive sexual health education for evidence-based interventions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Altimetry missions designed for ocean monitoring can also evaluate the Antarctic ice sheet's mass balance by measuring surface height. However, the returned radar echoes (waveforms) have complex shapes influenced by various snow and ice surface properties at multiple scales. Radar altimeters, operating in different modes and frequencies, interact with these surface properties in diverse ways. In this study, we developed a method to assess Antarctic surface properties using data from SARAL/AltiKa and Sentinel-3A & 3B altimeters for June 2021 and January 2023, respectively. We normalized and averaged the observed waveforms in 5 × 5 km2 grid cells. These were then used to create false-color images, with each grid cell's average power and time gate represented as different 'bands'. False-color images were analyzed using Principal Component Analysis (PCA) and ISODATA unsupervised classification to identify regions of Antarctica with similar surface properties. We achieved a percent variance of 73% and 84% for the first three Principal Components (PCs), and 96% and 98% for the first ten PCs with the Sentinel-3 and SARAL/AltiKa datasets, respectively. Finally, we analyzed the Ka and Ku band altimeter waveform shapes for each identified class to better understand snow and ice sensitivity to waveforms. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The editorial in "Frontiers in Plant Science" discusses the genetic responses and resistance mechanisms in plants to abiotic and biotic stresses. It highlights the importance of understanding plant responses to stress for developing stress-resistant crop varieties. The research topic includes studies on plant responses to general stress, biotic stresses like rice blast and late blight, and abiotic stresses such as drought and salinity. The articles provide insights into plant resilience, offering valuable information for sustainable agriculture and future research directions. [Extracted from the article]

Age‐related macular degeneration (AMD) is a severe eye disease in people aged 60 years and older. Although anti‐VEGF therapies are effective in treating neovascular AMD (NvAMD) in the clinic, up to 60% of patients do not completely respond to the therapies. Recent studies have shown that blood‐derived macrophages and their associated proinflammatory cytokines may play important roles in the development of persistent disease and resistance to anti‐VEGF therapy. To address this issue, we constructed an antibody‐based bispecific fusion protein that can simultaneously inhibit IL‐17‐induced inflammation and VEGF‐mediated neovascularization. As a result, the bispecific fusion protein 17V05 effectively inhibited multiple proinflammatory cytokines and chemokines, as well as laser‐induced choroidal neovascularization (CNV). More importantly, 17V05 also exhibited stronger and longer inhibitory effects than conbercept in vivo. Thus, we provide a novel and promising strategy for treating AMD patients who are not sensitive to anti‐VEGF therapies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The demand for clean-label starch, perceived as environmentally friendly in terms of production and less hazardous to health, has driven the advancement of food physical processing technologies aimed at modifying starch. One of the key objectives of these modifications has been to reduce the glycaemic potency and increase resistant starch content of starch, as these properties have the potential to positively impact metabolic health. This review provides a comprehensive overview of recent updates in typical physical processing techniques, including annealing, heat-moisture, microwave and ultrasonication, and a brief discussion of several promising recent-developed methods. The focus is on evaluating the molecular, supramolecular and microstructural changes resulting from these modifications and identifying targeted structures that can foster enzyme-digestion resistance in native starch and its forms relevant to food applications. After a comprehensive search and assessment, the current physical modifications have not consistently improved starch enzymatic resistance. The opportunities for enhancing the effectiveness of modifications lie in (1) identifying modification conditions that avoid the intensive disruption of the granular and supramolecular structure of starch and (2) exploring novel strategies that incorporate multi-type modifications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Natural peroxidase enzymes are widely utilized for various diagnostic applications, yet their inherent instability and susceptibility to external factors pose challenges. This study introduces a ligand engineering approach to fine‐tune the peroxidase enzyme‐like activity of copper‐based metal‐organic frameworks (MOFs). We have rationally modulated the enzyme‐mimicking activity of a series of Cu‐BDC‐X based MOFs via employment of various ligands (BDC = 1,4‐benzene dicarboxylic acid; CuMOF‐1, X═H2O; CuMOF‐2, X═4,4′‐bipyridine and CuMOF‐3, X═N‐methylimidazole). As compared to its analogues, CuMOF‐3 exhibited an enhanced catalytic activity, most likely due to N‐methylimidazole‐induced structural distortion that fine‐tunes the metal's electronic environment and improves substrate interactions. Additionally, this modification allowed CuMOF‐3 to be miniaturized to the nanoscale, enhancing its catalytic performance. Mechanistic investigations revealed the generation of •OH as reactive oxygen species (ROS) to accelerate tetramethylbenzidine oxidation, promoting peroxidase‐like activity. The observed catalytic behavior of CuMOF‐3 followed Michaelis–Menten kinetics, exhibiting lower Km value compared to those of natural peroxidase enzymes. Under optimized conditions, CuMOF‐3 facilitated the development of a colorimetric assay for sensitive detection of H2O2 and glutathione (GSH) in various spiked food samples. This study uniquely demonstrates the impact of tailored ligand combinations and MOF geometry on optimizing peroxidase‐mimicking activity, providing a new direction for the design of high‐performance colorimetric diagnostic tools in the food processing industry. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]