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The trimanganese tetraoxide (Mn3O4) nanostructured thin films doped with 2 mol% of nickel (Ni) and molybdenum (Mo) ions were deposited by a simple electrophoretic deposition technique. The structural, optical, and morphological studies of these doped thin films were compared with pure Mn3O4 thin films. X-ray diffraction (XRD) confirmed the tetragonal Hausmannite spinel structure. The Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) provided information about the molecular composition of the thin films and the presence of specific chemical bonds. The optical study and band gap energy values of all thin films were evaluated by the UV-visible spectroscopy technique. The scanning electron microscopy (SEM) illustrated the morphological modifications of the Mn3O4 thin films due to doping of the nickel and molybdenum ions. The Brunauer Emmett Teller (BET) method has confirmed the mesoporous nanostructure and nanopores of the thin films. The supercapacitive performance of the thin films was studied by cyclic voltammetry (CV), and galvanostatic charge discharge (GCD) techniques using the threeelectrode arrangement. An aqueous 1M Na2SO4 electrolyte was used for the electrochemical study. The 2 mol% Ni-doped Mn3O4 thin film has shown maximum specific capacitance than pure and Mo-doped Mn3O4 thin films. Hence, this study proved the validity of the strategy - metal ion doping of Mn3O4 thin films to develop it as a potential candidate for electrode material in futuristic energy storage and transportation devices. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A chemical spray pyrolysis technique has been implemented for the deposition of Cu2CoSnS4 (CCTS) thin films. Spray deposition of the CCTS films is carried out at an optimized substrate temperature of 350 °C by varying thiourea concentration from 1: 3 to 1: 9, concerning cations in the precursor solution. The stannite tetragonal structure of the films is confirmed using X-ray diffraction study. The scanning electron microscopic analysis displays the compact flake-like morphology of the films deposited with thiourea concentration of 1:7. Energy dispersive X-ray analysis showed the constituent elements like Cu, Co, Sn and S in the deposited films. Photoelectrochemical cell based on CCTS thin films as working electrodes, deposited with thiourea concentration of 1:7 regarding cations and having an energy band gap of 1.53 eV, exhibit a power conversion efficiency of 2.33%. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this paper, the minimum fluidisation velocity ( u m f ) of activated carbon particles in a gas–solid fluidised bed was experimentally determined using dry air as the fluidising medium. The effect of particle size and temperature on the minimum fluidisation velocity of the fluidised activated carbon particles was analysed. The particle sizes 212, 425, and 710 µm and bed temperatures of 30°C, 100°C, 200°C, and 300°C were studied. From the experimental results, it was found that the u m f decreased with a decrease in particle size of the activated carbon particles and decreased with an increase in the temperature. Based on the experimental results, a new correlation was developed to predict u m f at higher temperatures, since at higher temperatures, the deviation of experimental u m f values was higher when compared with the values estimated using previously published correlations. The present study will be useful for the design of an experimental system to study the continuous adsorption and desorption of organic vapours at higher temperatures in the fluidised bed of activated carbon particles. The details of the experimental study and analysis of results are discussed in this paper. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The present paper reviews a very recent studies on the phonology of English and the application of questionnaires in phonetic studies. A survey was done to review the scope of pronunciation in different groups of learners, so with respect to urban students and rural students. The research also aimed to examine the students' beliefs and attitudes toward their English Pronunciation and whether computer-assisted language learning (CALL) activities improve their pronunciation. The survey was also intended to get some opinions on whether it is logical to use different accents in the pronunciation of phonetic instructions. The learners were from different colleges of urban and rural areas. The study was conducted at urban colleges and rural colleges. The data collected in the survey was by using questionnaires on pronunciation. The questionnaires will have different questions. The questionnaire contains the questions on the students' beliefs and attitudes toward their English Pronunciation and whether computer-assisted language learning (CALL). The main concern will be based on issues with pronunciation so that teachers can know where they need to bid when they are teaching. The questionnaire had ten questions, which were open-ended and closed-ended. One hundred and fifty students from different colleges took part in the survey, where 56% of the participants were the urban students, while the remaining 44% were the student from rural colleges. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Language skills, viz. listening, speaking, reading and writing are very crucial in any language learning. They are the basic skills of any language. The students of under graduate courses shall need to master these skills during their studies in the institutions and universities, they should be possessing these skills inside, and outside of their classroom in circumstances where they have to employ their language skills in actions in real life situation may be formal or informal for that matter. The present paper aims at examining level of language skills among the undergraduate students and how that can enhance communicative competence. It is also an attempt to find out the related studies and how are they conducted in the classrooms. This will help reserchers for further studies in this field. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Teaching English in India successfully is still a burning issue. After learning English for more than ten years or so, the under graduating populace cannot communicate in English either in the classroom or in real-life contexts. Therefore, students' proficiency in English has been the constant thought of teachers, teacher trainers, ELT experts, and linguists over all these years. We, as teachers, are always conscious of how we can make our students learn English, how they would become fluent in English. We do some experiments with pedagogical devices in the classroom. This paper is an attempt to find out how do role plays help in developing speaking skills. This paper is also an attempt to find out whether role plays help in developing students' communicative competence. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This research paper has explored the effectiveness of selective listening strategies challenges and their application. The paper also discusses the current issues which affect selective listening, listeners, and speakers. All the issues are examined through a discussion of existing literature on selective listening. Possible solutions are also presented in an attempt to solve the discussed problems in the future. Suggestions for further research in the future is also provided on the issues which have not been explored thoroughly. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In the present research work, celecoxib (CXB) loaded solid lipid nanoparticles (SLNs) were prepared using the probe sonication method, wherein Glyceryl monostearate and tween 80 were used as solid lipid and surfactant, respectively. To obtain the statistically optimized batch, 32 factorial design was applied. The optimized batch was characterized physicochemically and evaluated through DSC, SEM and XRD studies. The mean particle size of the optimized batch was found to be 135.41±0.24 nm with a mean % entrapment efficiency of 80 ± 1.69%. The optimized batch was further lyophilized and dispersed into 1% w/v Carbopol 934P to form a gel. Prepared gel was further evaluated for in vitro drug release, occlusivity, ex vivo permeability, local toxicity, in vivo anti-inflammatory activity and accelerated stability study. The study resulted in stable, safe and prolonged anti-inflammatory activity with quick onset of action. Hence, celecoxib loaded solid lipid nanoparticles can be considered as promising alternative to conventional topical systems. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The objective of the present study was to develop and evaluate sustained delivery of terbinafine hydrochloride from topical polymeric microsponges. Microsponges of ethyl cellulose containing terbinafine hydrochloride were prepared by quasi emulsion solvent diffusion method. Effect of drug polymer ratio on active drug content, particle size and entrapment efficiency were studied. Drug polymer ratio greatly affects properties (entrapment efficiency, active drug content, particle size) of microsponges. Terbinafine hydrochloride microsponges showed highest actual drug content, entrapment efficiency and smaller particle size, so 1.5:1 ratio of drug and polymer was selected for optimization study. Optimization study was carried out by taking internal phase volume, stirring rate, emulsifier concentration as independent variables and their effects on entrapment efficiency, particle size were studied. It was found that as stirring speed increases, the particle size decreases and entrapment efficiency increases, while as volume of dichloromethane increases, particle size decreases. Morphology of obtained microsponges was revealed by scanning electron microscope and was found to be porous and spherical. Optimized formulation of microsponge was dispersed in Carbopol gel and evaluated for drug content, pH, viscosity and in vitro drug release. Release of drug was found to be sustained through microsponge gel as compared to marketed product and pure drug gel. Ex vivo drug deposition study was carried using rat abdominal skin. Drug deposition was found to be satisfactory. Prepared polymeric microsponges could be a potential topical drug delivery system in antifungal therapy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Polyvinyl alcohol is used as a surfactant in the chemical bath deposition of PbS thin films, which causes compact, pinhole free and uniform PbS thin films. Influence of deposition time on the structural, optical, morphological, compositional, electro-chemical and photo-electrochemical (PEC) properties of the PbS thin films are studied. The charge transfer resistance is analysed using electrochemical impedance spectroscopy. The best PEC device fabricated using optimized deposition time (3 h) showed short circuit current density (J) of 1.68 mA. After annealing the optimised P sample at 75 °C for 1.5 h the composition changed from Pb rich to near stoichiometric. For typical PA sample J improves to 2.13 mA and photo conversion efficiency advances from 0.045 to 0.072%. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Nanocrystalline cubic CuO thin films are developed by simple and cost-effective modified successive ionic layer adsorption and reaction method. This method increases the growth rate and reduces the overall deposition time. The synthesized CuO thin films were characterized for their different physico-chemical properties. The film deposited for 25 cycles exhibits optical band gap energy of 2.16 eV, phase pure cubic CuO structure, foggy like surface morphology and hydrophobic in nature. The photoelectrochemical device fabricated using CuO thin film showed an efficiency of 0.35 %. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The primary resource for cultivation with little storage is water. 64% of the land that is available is used for farming, which requires close to 85% of the total water storage's clean water. The development of crops and the condition of the soil are both enhanced by proper watering. The farmer must use intelligence to make realistic judgments based on the soil's state and the water resources that are available in order to prevent water waste and achieve full water utilization. This presents a challenging opportunity to apply Artificial Intelligence (AI) theory and concepts to the process of water irrigation. In this work, an intelligent strategy for agricultural irrigation with water is suggested. The Internet of Things (IoT) based Smart Fuzzy Water Irrigation System (FWIS) uses two different types of nodes: the Master Node and Sensor Nodes. Manual Mode (MM) and Automatic Mode (AM) are the two operating modes for FWIS. The IoT is used in MM to construct a web server and control the water distribution. The purpose of wireless communication is to transmit instructions that remotely regulate whether the water pump is turned on or off based on the values of soil parameters. Fuzzy Logic (FL) is utilized in AM to determine the water supply pumps' turn-on time (TURN_ON_Time) based on sensors that read soil characteristics such as temperature and moisture. A database is created that contains ideal soil parameter values for four types of crops: cotton, wheat, sugarcane, and rice. The technology is checked on-site, and 95.1% correctness is recorded for controlling water flow in relation to real-time soil data to prevent water waste. When compared to the traditional irrigation approach, FWIS is able to use less water while still producing the same amount of crop. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The sino-nasal cavities represent an anatomical region affected by a variety of tumors with clinical, etiological, genetic and pathological features, which are distinct from tumors commonly encountered in the area of head and neck cancers. We have undertaken this study with the aim of assessing clinical profile, various treatment modalities and outcome of patients with malignant sino-nasal tumors. In this prospective study of two years, done in a rural tertiary care hospital of India, 40 patients with malignant neoplastic tumors of nasal cavity, sinuses and nasopharynx were analyzed for their clinic-pathological and radiological profile and surgical management. The age range found was 10-78 years. There was a significant male preponderance with 23 (57.5%) male patients. Most common histological type seen in our study was Squamous cell carcinoma amongst 32 (80%) of cases. Maximum number of patients were managed with combination therapy of Surgery and Radiotherapy i.e. in 21 patients (52.5%). Multimodality treatment has been deemed the most efficacious choice of treatment which would improve disease free survival for the patients., Competing Interests: Conflict of InterestThere was no source of funding in our study and there was no any conflict of interest., (© Association of Otolaryngologists of India 2023. Springer Nature or its licensor (e.g. a society or other partner) holds exclusive rights to this article under a publishing agreement with the author(s) or other rightsholder(s); author self-archiving of the accepted manuscript version of this article is solely governed by the terms of such publishing agreement and applicable law.)

The present work is focused on the study of hemodynamic characteristics for tortuous arteries/veins. Tortuosity in arteries/veins is defined by introducing waviness in the wall of the tube. Analysis is further extended for bifurcated veins with and without wavy walls. Waviness is defined by two geometric parameters; pitch and depth of the wave. Four different combinations of pitch and depth are studied and compared with a plain straight wall. The present study is carried out numerically by using a computational fluid dynamics tool. Hemodynamics for a steady flow of blood is investigated through pressure, velocity, and wall shear stress distribution. Waviness in the wall of arteries/veins creates a recirculation zone at the crest and trough of the wall. Occurrence of the recirculation zone leads to reduction in velocity which in turn reduces wall shear stress. Variation in the magnitude of the velocity and corresponding wall shear stress at the crest and trough of the wavy wall depends on the pitch and depth of the artery/veins (tube).

The primary objective of mastoid obliteration is the eradication of the disease and prevention of its recurrence. We intend to evaluate the impact of mastoid obliteration using autologous materials on the achievement of a dry mastoid bowl and frequency of maintenance care and hearing outcome of the operated ear. This was a hospital-based, non - randomized, prospective study. The study was performed over a period of 2 years. The study was performed in the Department of ENT of a tertiary care teaching hospital. Patients of chronic otitis media - squamosal type underwent canal wall down mastoidectomy and patients were divided into 2 groups of obliterated and non-obliterated. The canal wall obliterated patients were further compared in 3 groups based on the technique of mastoid obliteration used - bone dust, musculo-periosteal flap and cartilage graft. 6 months post-operative mastoid cavity epithelisation based on oto-microscopy and hearing outcome based on pure tone audiometry findings were compared. Majority of patients at 6-months follow-up found that epithelization was most common status of mastoid cavity with musculoperiosteal flap and discharge was commonest with cartilage graft. Mastoid obliteration with autologous materials is a safe and effective method to achieve a dry, safe and useful ear. In this study, musculo-periosteal flap being significantly better in terms of a well epithelized cavity and hearing outcome., Competing Interests: Conflict of InterestNone., (© Association of Otolaryngologists of India 2023. Springer Nature or its licensor (e.g. a society or other partner) holds exclusive rights to this article under a publishing agreement with the author(s) or other rightsholder(s); author self-archiving of the accepted manuscript version of this article is solely governed by the terms of such publishing agreement and applicable law.)

The properties of Extra Low Interstitials (ELI) Ti6Al4V components fabricated via the laser-based powder bed fusion (L-PBF) process are prone to variation, particularly throughout a powder reuse regime. Interstitial pick-up of interstitial elements within the build chamber during processing can occur, most notably, oxygen, nitrogen, and hydrogen, which can impair the mechanical properties of the built component. This study analyses ELI Ti6Al4V components manufactured by the L-PBF process when subjected to a nine-stage powder reuse sequence. Mechanical properties are reported via hardness measurement and tensile testing. Results showed that from 0.099 wt.% to 0.126 wt.% oxygen content, the mean hardness and tensile strength increased from 367.8 HV to 381.9 HV and from 947.6 Mpa to 1030.7 Mpa, respectively, whereas the ductility (area reduction) reduced from around 10% to 3%. Statistical analysis based on the empirical model from Tabor was performed to determine the strength-hardness relationship. Results revealed a significant direct relationship between tensile strength and Vickers hardness with a proportionality constant of 2.61 (R-square of 0.996 and p -value of 6.57 × 10 -6 ).

Due to the high variation in viral surface properties, a platform method for virus purification is still lacking. A potential alternative to the high-cost conventional methods is aqueous two-phase systems (ATPSs). However, optimizing virus purification in ATPS requires a large experimental design space, and the optimized systems are generally found to operate at high ATPS component concentrations. The high concentrations capitalize on hydrophobic and electrostatic interactions to obtain high viral particle yields. This study investigated using osmolytes as driving force enhancers to reduce the high concentration of ATPS components while maintaining high yields. The partitioning behavior of porcine parvovirus (PPV), a nonenveloped mammalian virus, and human immunodeficiency virus-like particle (HIV-VLP), a yeast-expressed enveloped VLP, were studied in a polyethylene glycol (PEG) 12 kDa-citrate system. The partitioning of the virus modalities was enhanced by osmoprotectants glycine and betaine, while trimethylamine N-oxide was ineffective for PPV. The increased partitioning to the PEG-rich phase pertained only to viruses, resulting in high virus purification. Recoveries were 100% for infectious PPV and 92% for the HIV-VLP, with high removal of the contaminant proteins and more than 60% DNA removal when glycine was added. The osmolyte-induced ATPS demonstrated a versatile method for virus purification, irrespective of the expression system., (© 2021 Wiley Periodicals LLC.)

Introduction An anterior approach to lumbar interbody fusion is a widely utilized method of access to the lumbar spine. Due to the potential for vascular complications with spine exposure, vascular surgeons are frequently included in the care of these patients as part of a team-based approach. Identifying risk factors for such complications is difficult and not well-defined in the literature. In this investigation, we evaluate the potential risk factors for complications during anterior lumbar inter-body fusion (ALIF). Methods This is a retrospective review of 106 patients who underwent ALIF at a single institution between May 1, 2007, and April 30, 2017. Patients were identified through operating room case logs and Current Procedural Terminology (CPT) codes correlating with ALIF. Vascular surgeons performed all anterior exposures. Patient demographics and data regarding their surgical care and postoperative course were obtained from a review of operative and progress notes in the electronic medical record. Statistical methods employed included a t-test for normally distributed data and the Wilcoxon rank-sum test for non-normally distributed data. Categorical variables were compared using Fisher's exact and chi-square tests. A logistic regression model was applied to predict complications by controlling other significant covariates. Results Of the 106 patients included in this analysis, 16 patients experienced a defined complication, giving an overall complication rate of 15%. Patients with complications were more likely to be of male gender (n=11, P=0.016), with older average age (54.6, P=0.017), with higher estimated blood loss, with higher use of blood products, and with higher use of cell-saver. A venous injury was the most common complication (n=11, 10.4%); ileus and nerve injury were the next most common (n=3, 2.8%). The 30-day mortality was 0%. Male gender demonstrated an odds ratio of 3.78 (P=0 .034) in a logistic regression model after adjusting for age and blood products. Conclusions Overall complication rates were comparable to those in the published literature and male gender was identified as a predictor for risk of complications in those undergoing ALIF. This is the first study to identify male sex as a risk factor for complications following ALIF. The results of this study will hopefully guide future studies in gaining more insight into the predictors of complications in larger series., Competing Interests: The authors have declared that no competing interests exist., (Copyright © 2021, Wert et al.)