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We attempt to answer whether Birkhoff's theorem (BT) is valid in the Einstein-Aether (EA) theory. The BT states that any spherically symmetric solution of the vacuum field equations must be static, unique, and asymptotically flat. For a general spherically symmetric metric with metric functions A(r,t) & B(r,t), and aether components a(r,t) & b(r,t), we prove the conditions for the staticity of spacetime using two different methods. We point out that BT is valid in EA theory only for special values of c1+c3, c1+c4, and c2, where we can show that all these special cases are asymptotically flat. In particular, when the aether has only a temporal component i.e., b(r,t)=0, the c14≠0 case gives us spherically symmetric static solutions with singularities without Killing nor universal horizons, at least for special values of c14. However, when we have an aether vector with temporal and radial components, we prove that the staticity and the flatness at infinity hold for only a special metric and a particular combination of the aether parameters. These solutions have universal horizons.

Abstract We analyze several spherically symmetric exterior vacuum solutions allowed by the Einstein-Aether (EA) theory with a non-static aether and study the thermodynamics of their Killing and universal horizons. We show that there are five classes of solutions corresponding to different values of a combination of the free parameters, $$c_{2}$$ c 2 , $$c_{13}=c_1+c_3$$ c 13 = c 1 + c 3 and $$c_{14}=c_1+c_4$$ c 14 = c 1 + c 4 , which are: (A) $$c_2 \ne 0$$ c 2 ≠ 0 and $$c_{13} \ne 0$$ c 13 ≠ 0 and $$c_{14}=0$$ c 14 = 0 , (B) $$c_2 \ne 0$$ c 2 ≠ 0 and $$c_{13} = 0$$ c 13 = 0 and $$c_{14} = 0$$ c 14 = 0 , (C) $$c_2 = 0$$ c 2 = 0 and $$c_{13} \ne 0$$ c 13 ≠ 0 and $$c_{14} = 0$$ c 14 = 0 , (D) $$c_2 = 0$$ c 2 = 0 , $$c_{13} = 0$$ c 13 = 0 and $$c_{14} \ne 0$$ c 14 ≠ 0 , and (E) $$c_2 = - c_{13} \ne 0$$ c 2 = - c 13 ≠ 0 and $$c_{14} \ne 0$$ c 14 ≠ 0 . We present explicit analytical solutions for these five cases. All these cases have singularities at $$r=0$$ r = 0 and are asymptotically flat spacetimes and possess both Killing and universal horizons with the universal horizons always being inside the Killing horizons. Finally, we compute the surface gravity, the temperature, the entropy and the first law of thermodynamics for the universal horizons.

Abstract We analyze all the possible spherically symmetric exterior vacuum solutions allowed by the Einstein–Aether theory with static aether. We show that there are three classes of solutions corresponding to different values of a combination of the free parameters, $$c_{14}=c_1+c_4$$ c 14 = c 1 + c 4 , which are: $$ 0< c_{14}

Dieser Artikel untersucht die aktuellen sozialen und planerischen Probleme infolge von Binnenwanderungen, speziell der starken Migration in die chinesischen Metropolen. Am Beispiel einer Stichprobenerhebung aus Peking gibt er einen Einblick in die Sozialstruktur der sogenannten floating population in der chinesischen Hauptstadt. Das Hauptinteresse gilt den Ursachen und Formen der städtischen Armut und Segregation. Diese werden im allgemeineren Zusammenhang der neuen Armut in den Städten auch anderenorts und im Zusammenhang mit neuen Strategien der Bevölkerungs-, Wirtschafts- und Stadtentwicklung in China gesehen. Es wird argumentiert, dass Peking und andere große Zentren Chinas den demographischen Veränderungen durch die gegenwärtigen sowie die zu erwartenden Zuwandererströme nicht gewachsen sind. Dies stellt auch eine Herausforderung an die Entscheidungsträger der Planung dar, ein neues Denken in der Stadt- und Regionalpolitik zu entwikkeln.

ABSTRACTBackground: The perinatal period is a time of increased vulnerability for perinatal mood and anxiety disorders (PMADs). Emotional trauma is a risk factor for PMAD development and is common among survivors of extreme weather events (EWEs), which are becoming more frequent and intense as the climate crisis progresses. EWE-related stress and anxiety have not been extensively studied in the perinatal population. However, the limited available data suggest a negative impact of EWE exposure on perinatal mental health, warranting further investigation and investment.Objective: To address this knowledge gap, we interviewed new Australian mothers to understand how EWEs affect the mental health of the perinatal population.Method: Australian mothers (18 years of age or older) with a baby under 12 months of age were recruited to participate in a single virtual focus group session (seven group sessions were run in total) and complete an anonymous survey. Participants were asked questions regarding their concerns about extreme weather and its impact, as well as their general maternal functioning. Maternal functioning, depression, and climate distress were measured via the survey.Results: The study sample comprised 31 Australian mothers (Mage = 31.74, SD = 4.86), predominantly located in Queensland. Findings from the focus groups suggested six key themes; however, of focus to this study are three themes related to maternal mental health: health and well-being, helplessness and avoidant coping, and resilience and adaptation. Predominant subthemes focused on trauma resulting from EWE exposure, economic and heat concerns, social isolation, hopelessness about the future, and feelings of resilience.Conclusions: The evidence linking adverse perinatal mental health outcomes with climate change and EWEs highlights the urgent need for interventions in this context to protect perinatal mental health and well-being. By acknowledging the traumatic impact of these experiences on mothers, this study supports advocacy for policies that specifically address this issue.

Even though the concentrations of the total cadmium (Cd) in paddy soils from different countries have been reported, the exchangeable-Cd (Ex-Cd) concentrations in these soils are unknown despite its importance in agriculture. This study was conducted with a total of 5460 soil samples collected in Sri Lanka, representing six agro-climatic zones, six soil orders, and three irrigation types. The Ex-Cd concentrations in soil samples were extracted using 0.01 ​M CaCl2 and analyzed using an inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrophotometry. The Ex-Cd concentrations were

Introduction Dementia is one of the greatest health challenges worldwide. According to the World Health Organisation (WHO) factsheet, currently more than 55 million people worldwide have dementia, with over 60% living in low- and middle-income countries. Every year, there are nearly 10 million new cases of dementia. WHO Global Status Report 2021 estimated growth of 139 million people with dementia by 2050. The estimated total global cost of dementia is likely to surpass US$ 2.8 trillion by 2030. As one grows older, the risk of developing dementia, particularly Alzheimer’s Disease, progressively increases. The Lancet Commission Reports 2017 and 2020 on dementia prevention, intervention, and care identified 12 modifiable risk factors, including physical inactivity, obesity, midlife hypertension, and diabetes. Addressing these lifestyle factors may significantly reduce the risk of dementia and its progression. While no curative or disease-modifying treatment is available for dementia at his stage, addressing modifiable risk factors may have a preventive role in reducing the risk of dementia. Objectives The objective of the literature review is to explore current evidence on Physical Activity (PA) in reducing the risk of developing dementia and its progression. The focus is also to see the association of different forms and intensities of PA and their intensities, including aerobic, strength-based, and leisure, with the risk and progression of dementia. Methods Narrative review Results Results from the reviewed studies showed that PA was found to be associated with a reduced risk of dementia, particularly Alzheimer’s Disease. Studies comparing different intensities of PA indicate though all levels of PA decrease the risk of dementia, there is a linear relationship between the higher intensity PA and the increased beneficial effect in terms of reduced risk of dementia. Leisure-time PA also has a protective role against dementia in longitudinal studies. There is more consistent evidence in favour of aerobic PA; however, it has a ceiling effect. The combination of aerobic and strength-based experience provides optimum beneficial effects. The elderly population who started physical activity in their 80s experienced the beneficial effects of PA in reducing the risk of dementia. There is mixed evidence of the protective effect of PA on the population who have already developed cognitive impairment or have genetic vulnerabilities. The author will also include the results of any relevant study published by 31 March 2024. Conclusions The details of the literature results and conclusions will be discussed at the conference. Disclosure of Interest I. Singh Consultant of: The author declare that the review was conducted in the absence of any commercial or financial relationships that could be construed as a potential conflict of interest., R. Chandra: None Declared

Introduction Suicide is a multifaceted subject that encompasses a broad spectrum of perspectives, spanning philosophy, the arts, social sciences, neuroscience, neuropsychiatry, and public health. The history of suicide is intricately intertwined with the history of humanity itself, and examining the shifting attitudes towards suicide holds significant implications for the field of suicide prevention. Objectives The objective of this paper is to offer a timeline of the social perspectives about suicidal behavior throughout history in order to showcase the influence of cultural and contextual factors. Methods This poster is based on the Massive Open Online Course (MOOC) “Focus on Suicidal Behaviour” provided by the European Psychiatric Association. We performed a brief overview of the chapter on history of suicide and updated data on this topic with recent literature findings. Results In antiquity, suicide was sometimes regarded as justifiable, whether to preserve honor or protest injustices. However, during the Middle Ages, suicide was primarily seen as a criminal act, violating the rules of the Christian religion. The Renaissance brought about a shift in the perception of suicide, as it began to be depicted in art as a heroic or philosophical act. Moving into the Romantic period, suicide took on a tragic and noble connotation, often seen as an escape from unbearable suffering. The 19th century marked a significant turning point when the social context started being recognized as a crucial factor in the development of suicidal behavior. In the 20th century, suicide was increasingly considered a public health problem. In the 21st century, the discourse on suicide has become multifaceted. On one hand, network analysis has enabled the development of an integrated model of suicide, emphasizing the complex interactions among various risk and protective factors. On the other hand, ethical and moral debates persist regarding assisted suicide and its indications. This summary primarily centers on the historical context of suicide within Europe. However, attitudes toward suicide vary significantly across cultures. For instance, in China, suicide rates are higher for women than for men, while Japan has historically displayed a relatively tolerant attitude toward suicide, particularly within the military. In contrast, Islamic countries consider suicide a major sin and implicitly associate it with stigma. Conclusions The understanding of suicide evolves over time and is deeply influenced by cultural contexts. Familiarizing ourselves with the historical perspectives on suicide is essential for comprehending this complex social and personal phenomenon. Such knowledge forms the foundation for the creation of effective prevention strategies. Disclosure of Interest None Declared

In a multi-layered shielding material, the sequence of the arrangement of the layers affects the extent of insulation to acoustic waves. In the current work, hybrid composite laminates have been taken up comprising 10 sequences, employing metallic faceplate (AA6061), paperboard, ballistic-grade aramid, and ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene (UHMWPE) fabrics with an epoxy binder. In the theoretical studies, an analytical model for the transmission loss function has been developed by incorporating the multiple wave reflection principle in combination with interface-wise acoustic impedance grading. The analytical model has been validated using the transmission loss functions from numerical and experimental studies on the different sequences. The numerical simulation has been carried out using the harmonic acoustic analysis module, on Ansys R19.0. The experimentation has been carried out on an impedance tube. The results from the analytical model are in good agreement with the experimental and numerical simulation results, the analytical model can be used for predicting the transmission losses of composite laminates.

The study investigates the earthquake vulnerability of buildings in Srinagar, an urban city in the Kashmir Himalaya, India. The city, covering an area of around 246 km2 and divided into 69 municipal wards, is situated in the tectonically active and densely populated mountain ecosystem. Given the haphazard development and high earthquake vulnerability of the city, it is critical to assess the vulnerability of the built environment to inform policy-making for developing effective earthquake risk reduction strategies. Integrating various parameters in a geographic information system (GIS) using the analytical hierarchical process (AHP) and technique for order preference by similarity to an ideal solution (TOPSIS) approaches, the ward-wise vulnerability of the buildings revealed that a total of ∼ 17 km2 area (∼ 7 % area; 23 wards) has very high to high vulnerability, moderate vulnerability affects ∼ 69 km2 of the city area (28 % area; 19 wards), and ∼ 160 km2 area (∼ 65 % area; 27 wards) has vulnerability ranging from very low to low. Overall, the downtown wards are most vulnerable to earthquake damage due to the high risk of pounding, high building density, and narrower roads with little or no open spaces. The modern uptown wards, on the other hand, have lower earthquake vulnerability due to the relatively wider roads and low building density. To build a safe and resilient city for its 1.5 million citizens, the knowledge generated in this study would inform action plans for developing earthquake risk reduction measures, which should include strict implementation of the building codes, retrofitting of the vulnerable buildings, and creating a disaster consciousness among its citizenry.

The advancement of aircraft technology has presented manufacturers with new criteria and problems for the functioning of their devices. It is essential that, in order to guarantee the secure operation of aerospace machinery, the failure mechanisms be identified and the operational durability of critical structural components be improved as quickly as possible. New aviation materials have been developed in modern years. In an aviation engine, engine oil lubricates, cools, washes, maintains against rust, decreases sound, and accelerates. Most important is lubrication. All mechanical components would burn out if not maintained. The aim of this work is to minimize costs by extending the operational life of aircraft components (mechanical and motor parts) and enhancing fuel mileage and flying distance. Based on the importance of the inspiration on magnetohydrodynamic Aluminum Oxide-Cobalt hybrid nanofluid flow over a stretching surface (SS) in the existence of porous medium, and thermal radiation are investigated. In this model we used Engine oil mixed with Aluminum Oxide and Cobalt nanoparticles. By using the suitable self-similarity variables, the PDE is transformed into ODEs. After then, the dimensionless equations are solved by using the Maple built in BVP Midrich scheme. Graphs and tables explain how the operational factors affect fluid flow efficiency. Compared to nanofluids, hybrid nanofluids have a better heat transfer rate.

In this paper the feasibility of using latex-backed jute geotextiles in flexible pavements were studied using a series of laboratory experiments. Latex backed jute geotextiles are composite materials obtained by providing a latex backing under jute geotextiles. The strength characteristics and drainage characteristics of latex-backed jute geotextile reinforced flexible pavement system was evaluated by conducting a modified CBR test, transmissivity test, and permeability test, respectively. The evaluation of the rutting behavior of geotextile-reinforced pavement system was carried out experimentally by using a wheel track apparatus. The results indicate that latex backed jute geotextile reinforced soil-aggregate system shows a 62% increase in CBR and a 38% reduction in rut depth compared to the one without backing. Latex backing has a significant effect on drainage characteristics of the jute geotextile which enhances the transmissivity and retards the permeability of the geotextile. Latex backed jute geotextile shows a 20% increase in in-plane permeability and a 60% reduction in cross-plane permeability compared to the one without backing. The experiment results analyzed indicate that latex backed jute geotextile-reinforced system shows superior performance compared to the one without backing.

Within the 9th European Framework programme, since 2021 EUROfusion is operating five tokamaks under the auspices of a single Task Force called ‘Tokamak Exploitation’. The goal is to benefit from the complementary capabilities of each machine in a coordinated way and help in developing a scientific output scalable to future largre machines. The programme of this Task Force ensures that ASDEX Upgrade, MAST-U, TCV, WEST and JET (since 2022) work together to achieve the objectives of Missions 1 and 2 of the EUROfusion Roadmap: i) demonstrate plasma scenarios that increase the success margin of ITER and satisfy the requirements of DEMO and, ii) demonstrate an integrated approach that can handle the large power leaving ITER and DEMO plasmas. The Tokamak Exploitation task force has therefore organized experiments on these two missions with the goal to strengthen the physics and operational basis for the ITER baseline scenario and for exploiting the recent plasma exhaust enhancements in all four devices (PEX: Plasma EXhaust) for exploring the solution for handling heat and particle exhaust in ITER and develop the conceptual solutions for DEMO. The ITER Baseline scenario has been developed in a similar way in ASDEX Upgrade, TCV and JET. Key risks for ITER such as disruptions and run-aways have been also investigated in TCV, ASDEX Upgrade and JET. Experiments have explored successfully different divertor configurations (standard, super-X, snowflakes) in MAST-U and TCV and studied tungsten melting in WEST and ASDEX Upgrade. The input from the smaller devices to JET has also been proven successful to set-up novel control schemes on disruption avoidance and detachment.

In 2021 JET exploited its unique capabilities to operate with T and D–T fuel with an ITER-like Be/W wall (JET-ILW). This second major JET D–T campaign (DTE2), after DTE1 in 1997, represented the culmination of a series of JET enhancements—new fusion diagnostics, new T injection capabilities, refurbishment of the T plant, increased auxiliary heating, in-vessel calibration of 14 MeV neutron yield monitors—as well as significant advances in plasma theory and modelling in the fusion community. DTE2 was complemented by a sequence of isotope physics campaigns encompassing operation in pure tritium at high T-NBI power. Carefully conducted for safe operation with tritium, the new T and D–T experiments used 1 kg of T (vs 100 g in DTE1), yielding the most fusion reactor relevant D–T plasmas to date and expanding our understanding of isotopes and D–T mixture physics. Furthermore, since the JET T and DTE2 campaigns occurred almost 25 years after the last major D–T tokamak experiment, it was also a strategic goal of the European fusion programme to refresh operational experience of a nuclear tokamak to prepare staff for ITER operation. The key physics results of the JET T and DTE2 experiments, carried out within the EUROfusion JET1 work package, are reported in this paper. Progress in the technological exploitation of JET D–T operations, development and validation of nuclear codes, neutronic tools and techniques for ITER operations carried out by EUROfusion (started within the Horizon 2020 Framework Programme and continuing under the Horizon Europe FP) are reported in (Litaudon et al Nucl. Fusion accepted), while JET experience on T and D–T operations is presented in (King et al Nucl. Fusion submitted).

Cardiovascular diseases (CVD) contribute to significant mortality and morbidity where trace elements can affect the pathogenesis of CVD. We did a case-control study at the Teaching Hospital, Peradeniya, from January 2017 to August 2017. A trained interviewer was used to collect the patient information and the blood samples; analysis was carried out at the Geochemical Laboratory, Faculty of Science, the University of Peradeniya. Seventy-six individuals were included in the study consisting of 21 hypertension (HTN), 11 acute coronary syndromes (ACS), 20 heart failure (HF), and 24 controls. In HTN patients, Cu, Cd, and Pb showed a high serum level, and V, Cr, Mn, Fe, Ni, Zn, Sr, Ba, and Tl showed a low serum level compared to the control group (p

Menthol mint, is a perennial herbaceous aromatic plant cultivated as an annual for its commercially valued essential oil. The plant is highly heterozygous in its genetic constitution and vegetatively propagated by stolons, making it a promising material for inducing mutation to create variability. Stolons of mint cultivar Kosi was subjected to gamma irradiation (20 Gy and 40 Gy) and 42 promising putative mutants selected from both 20 Gy and 40 Gy of M1V1 generation based on growth and yield parameters were forwarded to M1V2, laid out in RCBD with two replications. The study revealed that essential oil yield exhibited significant positive association with leaf area, fresh herb yield, and shade dried herb yield. Hence, selection for these traits can improve yield. Path coefficient analysis revealed that shade dried herb yield per plant, leaf area, and plant spread exhibited positive direct effect on yield. Among these characters shade dried herb yield per plant and leaf area possessed both positive association and high direct effects. Hence, selection for this character could bring improvement in yield and yield components in menthol mint.

The vibrational redistribution of H2 molecules via the B1Σu+ and C1Πu states are included in the determination of molecular assisted recombination (MAR) rates and are found to have negligible impact in detached plasma regimes. In high recycling and detached divertor plasma conditions, MAR occurs through the higher levels (v≥4) of vibrationally excited H2 which are primarily populated through direct electron impact excitation or the electronic excitation of H2 molecules and the subsequent radiative decay to another vibrational state. We use the collisional-radiative model CRUMPET to evaluate MAR rate coefficients with electronic transitions included, which are applied to detached plasma parameters found in the linear plasma device Magnum-PSI.

Present study aimed to assess effect of pre-treatment with Mucuna pruriens seed extract and its bioactive molecule(s) on NMDAR and Tau protein gene expression in cerebral ischemic rodent model. Methanol extract of M. pruriens seeds was characterized by HPLC, and β-sitosterol was isolated by flash chromatography. In vivo studies to observe the effect of pre-treatment (28 days) with methanol extract of M. pruriens seed and β-sitosterol on the unilateral cerebral ischemic rat model. Cerebral ischemia induced by left common carotid artery occlusion (LCCAO) for 75 min (on day 29) followed by reperfusion for 12 h. Rats (n = 48) divided into four groups. GroupI (control,Untreated + LCCAO)-No pre-treatment + cerebral ischemia; GroupII(β-sitosterol + Sham)-pre-treatment with β-sitosterol, 10 mg/kg/day + sham-operated; GroupIII(β-sitosterol + LCCAO)-pre-treatment with β-sitosterol, 10 mg/kg/day + cerebral ischemia; GroupIV(methanol extract + LCCAO)-pre-treatment with methanol extract of M. pruriens seeds, 50 mg/kg/day + cerebral ischemia. Neurological deficit score was assessed just before sacrifice. Experimental animals were sacrificed after 12 h reperfusion. Brain histopathology was performed. Gene expression of NMDAR and Tau protein of left cerebral hemisphere (occluded side) was performed by RT-PCR. Results revealed that the neurological deficit score was lower in groups III and IV compared to group I. NMDAR and tau protein mRNA expression in left cerebral hemisphere were upregulated in Group I, downregulated in groups III and IV. Histopathology of left cerebral hemisphere (occluded side) in Group I showed features of ischemic brain damage. Groups III and IV, left cerebral hemisphere showed less ischemic damage compared GroupI. Right cerebral hemisphere showed no areas of ischemia-induced brain changes. Pre-treatment with β-sitosterol and methanol extract of M. pruriens seeds may reduce ischemic brain injury following unilateral common carotid artery occlusion in rats.

With the rapid development of the national power grid, there is an increasing and strict demand for accurate intelligent management. However, the current detection algorithms have limited abilities under adverse conditions, especially in regions like Yunnan Province with complex terrain. To address this issue, we propose a method that utilizes infrared and visible images to make the images more informative, thereby improving the accuracy of the detection algorithm for electric power construction site safety. First, we design channel attention (CA) module and pixel attention (PA) module to focus on more important channels and resist thick haze pixels that focus on the thick haze pixels and more important channel information. Furthermore, we design a two-stage discriminator which imposes two restrictions on the fused results. Finally, we conduct a large number of comparison experiments with state-of-the-art methods, and the results show that our proposed fusion method achieves excellent performance in infrared and visible image fusion. This method has good prospects for application in the safety supervision of power construction sites and provides a line of defense for construction workers.

Abstract Background Sodium Valproate is the sodium salt of valproic acid (VPA). Valproic acid is mainly used for the treatment of epilepsy. The specific aim of the study is to develop and validate an optimized method for the determination of six related substances such as N,N-dimethyl valpronamide, valeric acid, 2-methyl valeric acid, 2-ethyl valeric acid, 2-isopropyl valeric acid and 2-n-butyl valeric acid in Sodium Valproate Oral Solution by Gas Chromatography. Chromatographic separations of these six related substances were achieved on DB-FFAP fused silica capillary column (30 m × 0.53 mm) bonded with a 0.5-µm layer of macrogol 20,000 2-nitroterephthalate materials used as stationary phase. The six related impurities were extracted using heptane and monitored by Gas Chromatography coupled with flame ionization detector. The performance of the developed method was assessed by evaluating system suitability, method precision, specificity, linearity and range, ruggedness, accuracy, robustness. Results The correlation coefficient was within the acceptance criteria in the range of 0.9998. The evaluated concentrations for Sodium Valproate were in the ranges of 5.05–25.27 ppm. The average recovery values were in the range of 92.4–100.4%. Solution Stability experiments were performed to evaluate the degradation behavior of SVS. Conclusion A novel, precise and sensitive GC method was developed, validated and optimized for the determination of six related substances in sodium Valproate oral solution. The results obtained from the validation experiments demonstrated that the method is accurate, precise, linear, specific, sensitive and robust. Hence, the proposed method can be an alternative method, for the determination of related substances in sodium valproate oral solution drug substance.

Abstract Background There is a strong policy impetus for the One Health cross-sectoral approach to address the complex challenge of zoonotic diseases, particularly in low/lower middle income countries (LMICs). Yet the implementation of this approach in LMIC contexts such as India has proven challenging, due partly to the relatively limited practical guidance and understanding on how to foster and sustain cross-sector collaborations. This study addresses this gap by exploring the facilitators of and barriers to successful convergence between the human, animal and environmental health sectors in India. Methods A mixed methods study was conducted using a detailed content review of national policy documents and in-depth semi-structured interview data on zoonotic disease management in India. In total, 29 policy documents were reviewed and 15 key informant interviews were undertaken with national and state level policymakers, disease managers and experts operating within the human-animal-environment interface of zoonotic disease control. Results Our findings suggest that there is limited policy visibility of zoonotic diseases, although global zoonoses, especially those identified to be of pandemic potential by international organisations (e.g. CDC, WHO and OIE) rather than local, high burden endemic diseases, have high recognition in the existing policy agenda setting. Despite the widespread acknowledgement of the importance of cross-sectoral collaboration, a myriad of factors operated to either constrain or facilitate the success of cross-sectoral convergence at different stages (i.e. information-sharing, undertaking common activities and merging resources and infrastructure) of cross-sectoral action. Importantly, participants identified the lack of supportive policies, conflicting departmental priorities and limited institutional capacities as major barriers that hamper effective cross-sectoral collaboration on zoonotic disease control. Building on existing informal inter-personal relationships and collaboration platforms were suggested by participants as the way forward. Conclusion Our findings point to the importance of strengthening existing national policy frameworks as a first step for leveraging cross-sectoral capacity for improved disease surveillance and interventions. This requires the contextual adaptation of the One Health approach in a manner that is sensitive to the underlying socio-political, institutional and cultural context that determines and shapes outcomes of cross-sector collaborative arrangements.

The paper details the studies carried out on a dual-size particulate composite prepared by stir casting using A 356 aluminum alloy and B4C powders. Three composite compositions, viz., A356 plus 2% B4C (44�m size and 105�m size in 1:1 ratio), 4% B4C (3:1 ratio), and 6% B4C (1:3 ratio) were cast in finger molds, from which test specimens were prepared for hardness and tensile tests as well as for metallography. Vickers hardness tests, tensile tests and microstructure analysis using an optical microscope were conducted. The results obtained indicated that the B4C particles were evenly distributed in the alloy matrix. EDS also revealed the presence of B4C in all the three composites.� In general, the hardness and tensile strengths increased with increase in concentration B4C powders. While the increase in hardness was increases less than 15%, there was significant increase (more than 35 %) in tensile strength. However, the ductility represented by % elongation, which was already very low in A 356 cast alloy (24.2%,), further decreased in composites. Tensile fractography results shows inter crystalline fracture where the breakage in the B4C particle instead of deboning were observed.

ATAC-seq allows for the investigation of chromatin accessibility, a feature which can have important implications for gene regulation. Here the authors present ATAC-array to assess accessibility in human tumours and based on this predict disease prognosis.

The objective of this study is to investigate the effect of the air-to-liquid ratio (ALR) in a low range on the characteristics of the spray issuing from a pressure-swirl duplex nozzle. In this study, the pressure-swirl duplex nozzle was used as an atomizer with non-swirl shroud air. The shroud air was radially discharged inward across the nozzle face to avoid the contamination of the nozzle tip. Jet A-1 fuel was used as the working fluid. The analysis of the spray characteristics was carried out by using a phase Doppler anemometry (PDA) system and a laser based planer imaging system. The flow rate, discharge coefficient, spray structure, spray cone angle, velocity and drop size distributions were analyzed. The results show that the discharge coefficient of the pilot nozzle is higher than that of the main nozzle and the combined pilot and main nozzles. The spray angle tends to decrease almost linearly with increasing ALR. The shape of the spray gradually changes from a hollow cone to a full cone with increasing ALR, as revealed in the axial velocity distributions with an increase in the axial distance. The weighted mean SMD (WMSMD) increases by 1.2 as the ALR increases, but thereafter, it decreases again.

Iodine chemistry has noteworthy impacts on the oxidising capacity of the marine boundary layer (MBL) through the depletion of ozone (O3) and changes to HOx (OH∕HO2) and NOx (NO∕NO2) ratios. Hitherto, studies have shown that the reaction of atmospheric O3 with surface seawater iodide (I−) contributes to the flux of iodine species into the MBL mainly as hypoiodous acid (HOI) and molecular iodine (I2). Here, we present the first concomitant observations of iodine oxide (IO), O3 in the gas phase, and sea surface iodide concentrations. The results from three field campaigns in the Indian Ocean and the Southern Ocean during 2015–2017 are used to compute reactive iodine fluxes in the MBL. Observations of atmospheric IO by multi-axis differential optical absorption spectroscopy (MAX-DOAS) show active iodine chemistry in this environment, with IO values up to 1 pptv (parts per trillion by volume) below latitudes of 40∘ S. In order to compute the sea-to-air iodine flux supporting this chemistry, we compare previously established global sea surface iodide parameterisations with new region-specific parameterisations based on the new iodide observations. This study shows that regional changes in salinity and sea surface temperature play a role in surface seawater iodide estimation. Sea–air fluxes of HOI and I2, calculated from the atmospheric ozone and seawater iodide concentrations (observed and predicted), failed to adequately explain the detected IO in this region. This discrepancy highlights the need to measure direct fluxes of inorganic and organic iodine species in the marine environment. Amongst other potential drivers of reactive iodine chemistry investigated, chlorophyll a showed a significant correlation with atmospheric IO (R=0.7 above the 99 % significance level) to the north of the polar front. This correlation might be indicative of a biogenic control on iodine sources in this region.

The complex and computationally expensive nature of landscape evolution models poses significant challenges to the inference and optimization of unknown model parameters. Bayesian inference provides a methodology for estimation and uncertainty quantification of unknown model parameters. In our previous work, we developed parallel tempering Bayeslands as a framework for parameter estimation and uncertainty quantification for the Badlands landscape evolution model. Parallel tempering Bayeslands features high-performance computing that can feature dozens of processing cores running in parallel to enhance computational efficiency. Nevertheless, the procedure remains computationally challenging since thousands of samples need to be drawn and evaluated. In large-scale landscape evolution problems, a single model evaluation can take from several minutes to hours and in some instances, even days or weeks. Surrogate-assisted optimization has been used for several computationally expensive engineering problems which motivate its use in optimization and inference of complex geoscientific models. The use of surrogate models can speed up parallel tempering Bayeslands by developing computationally inexpensive models to mimic expensive ones. In this paper, we apply surrogate-assisted parallel tempering where the surrogate mimics a landscape evolution model by estimating the likelihood function from the model. We employ a neural-network-based surrogate model that learns from the history of samples generated. The entire framework is developed in a parallel computing infrastructure to take advantage of parallelism. The results show that the proposed methodology is effective in lowering the computational cost significantly while retaining the quality of model predictions.

The reaction between ozone and iodide at the sea surface is now known to be an important part of atmospheric ozone cycling, causing ozone deposition and the release of ozone-depleting reactive iodine to the atmosphere. The importance of this reaction is reflected by its inclusion in chemical transport models (CTMs). Such models depend on accurate sea surface iodide fields, but measurements are spatially and temporally limited. Hence, the ability to predict current and future sea surface iodide fields, i.e. sea surface iodide concentration on a narrow global grid, requires the development of process-based models. These models require a thorough understanding of the key processes that control sea surface iodide. The aim of this study was to explore if there are common features of iodate-to-iodide reduction amongst diverse marine phytoplankton in order to develop models that focus on sea surface iodine and iodine release to the troposphere. In order to achieve this, rates and patterns of changes in inorganic iodine speciation were determined in 10 phytoplankton cultures grown at ambient iodate concentrations. Where possible these data were analysed alongside results from previous studies. Iodate loss and some iodide production were observed in all cultures studied, confirming that this is a widespread feature amongst marine phytoplankton. We found no significant difference in log-phase, cell-normalised iodide production rates between key phytoplankton groups (diatoms, prymnesiophytes including coccolithophores and phaeocystales), suggesting that a phytoplankton functional type (PFT) approach would not be appropriate for building an ocean iodine cycling model. Iodate loss was greater than iodide formation in the majority of the cultures studied, indicating the presence of an as-yet-unidentified “missing iodine” fraction. Iodide yield at the end of the experiment was significantly greater in cultures that had reached a later senescence stage. This suggests that models should incorporate a lag between peak phytoplankton biomass and maximum iodide production and that cell mortality terms in biogeochemical models could be used to parameterise iodide production.

In this work, an eco-friendly and cost effective green synthesis has been employed to the fabrication of silver nanoparticles (Ag NPs) from the non-toxic aqueous Gymnema sylvestre leaf extract as a reducing agent. The surface plasmon resonance band at 442 nm in the UV–visible absorption spectra strongly affirms the development of Ag NPs in the aqueous medium. X-ray diffraction spectra confirm that the synthesized samples have face centre cubic structure of Ag NPs and the EDX analysis also supports the formation of Ag metal NPs by the energy peak at 3 keV. TEM study discloses that most of the synthesized Ag NPs are spherical in shape and the average particle size falls in the ranging between 20 and 30 nm. Gymnema sylvestre plant extracts biomolecules involved in the reduction process was determined by FT-IR analysis. The synthesized Ag NPs showed good antibacterial activity on the growth of both Staphylococcus aureus and Escherichia coli.

The occurrence of the pink pipefish, Bryx analicarens (Duncker, 1915), is reported for the first time from Indian waters. The geographical distribution of the species extends from east Africa, the Persian Gulf and the Gulf of Oman to Pakistan and now to the west coast of India. Although a total of 32 pipefish species have hitherto been reported from India, the presently reported finding of B. analicarens constitutes the first record of the genus from the country. Morphometric characters, like the absence of the anal fin, the number of trunk rings (15) and tails rings (34), and dorsal fin rays (25) distinguish the species from other species in the region. Bryx analicarens differs from its congeners by having alternately arranged irregular brownish and white bands along the snout. The presently reported study also emphasizes the need for a detailed study of syngnathid biodiversity and a stock assessment of the coral reef ecosystems of the Gulf of Kachchh Marine National Park and Sanctuary for developing conservation strategies.

China has pledged reduction of carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions per unit of gross domestic product (GDP) by 60 %–65 % relative to 2005 levels, and to peak carbon emissions overall by 2030. However, the lack of observational data and disagreement among the many available inventories makes it difficult for China to track progress toward these goals and evaluate the efficacy of control measures. To demonstrate the value of atmospheric observations for constraining CO2 inventories we track the ability of CO2 concentrations predicted from three different CO2 inventories to match a unique multi-year continuous record of atmospheric CO2. Our analysis time window includes the key commitment period for the Paris Agreement (2005) and the Beijing Olympics (2008). One inventory is China-specific and two are spatial subsets of global inventories. The inventories differ in spatial resolution, basis in national or subnational statistics, and reliance on global or China-specific emission factors. We use a unique set of historical atmospheric observations from 2005 to 2009 to evaluate the three CO2 emissions inventories within China's heavily industrialized and populated northern region accounting for ∼33 %–41 % of national emissions. Each anthropogenic inventory is combined with estimates of biogenic CO2 within a high-resolution atmospheric transport framework to model the time series of CO2 observations. To convert the model–observation mismatch from mixing ratio to mass emission rates we distribute it over a region encompassing 90 % of the total surface influence in seasonal (annual) averaged back-trajectory footprints (L_0.90 region). The L_0.90 region roughly corresponds to northern China. Except for the peak growing season, where assessment of anthropogenic emissions is entangled with the strong vegetation signal, we find the China-specific inventory based on subnational data and domestic field studies agrees significantly better with observations than the global inventories at all timescales. Averaged over the study time period, the unscaled China-specific inventory reports substantially larger annual emissions for northern China (30 %) and China as a whole (20 %) than the two unscaled global inventories. Our results, exploiting a robust time series of continuous observations, lend support to the rates and geographic distribution in the China-specific inventory Though even long-term observations at a single site reveal differences among inventories, exploring inventory discrepancy over all of China requires a denser observational network in future efforts to measure and verify CO2 emissions for China both regionally and nationally. We find that carbon intensity in the northern China region has decreased by 47 % from 2005 to 2009, from approximately 4 kg of CO2 per USD (note that all references to USD in this paper refer to USD adjusted for purchasing power parity, PPP) in 2005 to about 2 kg of CO2 per USD in 2009 (Fig. 9c). However, the corresponding 18 % increase in absolute emissions over the same time period affirms a critical point that carbon intensity targets in emerging economies can be at odds with making real climate progress. Our results provide an important quantification of model–observation mismatch, supporting the increased use and development of China-specific inventories in tracking China's progress as a whole towards reducing emissions. We emphasize that this work presents a methodology for extending the analysis to other inventories and is intended to be a comparison of a subset of anthropogenic CO2 emissions rates from inventories that were readily available at the time this research began. For this study's analysis time period, there was not enough spatially distinct observational data to conduct an optimization of the inventories. The primary intent of the comparisons presented here is not to judge specific inventories, but to demonstrate that even a single site with a long record of high-time-resolution observations can identify major differences among inventories that manifest as biases in the model–data comparison. This study provides a baseline analysis for evaluating emissions from a small but important region within China, as well a guide for determining optimal locations for future ground-based measurement sites.

Purpose: To establish whether the inclusion of an external benchmarking examination [NBME׳s International Foundations of Medicine (IFOM)] as part of summative assessment in the Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery (MBBS) program at Gulf Medical University produced an impact on teaching and learning for academic achievement. Method: Two cohorts of students (N 120) who appeared for both IFOM Basic Science Exam and IFOM Clinical Science Exam were included in the study. Their IFOM scores were correlated statistically with the university-conducted pre-clerkship and clerkship summative assessment scores. Faculty and students’ evaluation surveys were also conducted to record perceptions of IFOM exams impact on teaching and learning. Results: A strong positive correlation between the IFOM examinations and the university examinations was observed with correlation coefficient between 0.7 and 0.9 and correlation being statistically significant p≤0.001. The faculty and student evaluation survey on the IFOM exams showed that 70% to 92% of respondents perceived that feedback from IFOM exams helped improvement of pedagogical strategies. Discussion: Performance on an external benchmarking examination such as NBME׳s IFOM correlated positively with performance on the university assessments following strategic improvements in teaching, learning and assessment methods in the curriculum. Keywords: External benchmarking examination, International Foundations of Medicine

The rigorous quantification of uncertainty in geophysical inversions is a challenging problem. Inversions are often ill-posed and the likelihood surface may be multi-modal; properties of any single mode become inadequate uncertainty measures, and sampling methods become inefficient for irregular posteriors or high-dimensional parameter spaces. We explore the influences of different choices made by the practitioner on the efficiency and accuracy of Bayesian geophysical inversion methods that rely on Markov chain Monte Carlo sampling to assess uncertainty using a multi-sensor inversion of the three-dimensional structure and composition of a region in the Cooper Basin of South Australia as a case study. The inversion is performed using an updated version of the Obsidian distributed inversion software. We find that the posterior for this inversion has a complex local covariance structure, hindering the efficiency of adaptive sampling methods that adjust the proposal based on the chain history. Within the context of a parallel-tempered Markov chain Monte Carlo scheme for exploring high-dimensional multi-modal posteriors, a preconditioned Crank–Nicolson proposal outperforms more conventional forms of random walk. Aspects of the problem setup, such as priors on petrophysics and on 3-D geological structure, affect the shape and separation of posterior modes, influencing sampling performance as well as the inversion results. The use of uninformative priors on sensor noise enables optimal weighting among multiple sensors even if noise levels are uncertain.