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Dimensions of linear type traits facilitate selection of livestock for breeding and rearing. To date, use of linear type traits for selection of breeding bulls is highly concentric to scrotal circumference (SC), with probable overlook to other important traits. Present study reported the importance of various gonadal linear type traits on spermatozoa production, age‐related changes in gonadal linear type traits of bulls and predictive ability of these traits on bulls' reproductive potentials. Among all gonadal traits, testicular density (TD), scrotal volume (SV), paired testicular weight (PWT) and SC were found most important predictor variables in order, which can discriminate between good/poor breeding bulls, that is, produced frozen semen doses (FSD) or not. Dimensions of gonadal traits increased significantly up to 36 months age and thereafter, development became slow and negligible. In contrast, TD decreased by 30%, 51%, 64%, 68% and 71% at 12, 24, 36, 48 and >49 months age, respectively, from its base value at 6 months. Bulls of lower TD (≤0.88 g/cm3) had significantly higher ejaculate volume (+9%), sperm motility, sperm concentration (+100 million/mL) and sperm output (+26%)/ejaculate as compared to bulls of higher TD (>0.88 g/cm3). Discriminant function was developed using TD, SV, PWT and SC to identify bulls of superior reproductive potentials. It was concluded that among the investigated traits, TD was the strongest to discriminate between FSD and Non‐FSD bulls. Therefore, our findings suggested that TD could be more potential trait than SC for dairy bulls' breeding soundness evaluation and assessment of reproductive ability. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Solar dryers have been tested with various simple and complex design modifications for better efficiencies. This article attempts to investigate the effect of a very simple design modification on the no‐load performance of a natural convection domestic solar dryer (NCDSD). A direct‐type domestic solar dryer has been developed with an air cavity surrounding the drying chamber. To compare the effect of air cavity, a domestic solar dryer without air cavity has also been developed and both the dryers were tested simultaneously under the climate of Hisar, India. The values of thermal efficiency were calculated along with convective heat transfer coefficient from absorber plate to the drying air. Both the dryers were also analyzed by developing finite element models in COMSOL multiphysics computer software. The no‐load thermal efficiency for the domestic solar dryer without and with air cavity was found to be 22.68% and 34.08%, respectively. The values of coefficient of correlation for modeled and actual drying tray temperatures for dryer without and with air cavity were 0.980466 and 0.9833917, respectively. The proposed finite element model would be helpful in the design and development of NCDSDs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The present work deals with the value‐addition to bio‐derived hydrocarbon mix obtained as a side product in biorefinery for petrochemicals and fuel applications. One aspect of this study focused on developing a highly versatile, non‐noble metal‐based catalytic process to facilitate the production of green aromatics and high‐octane fuel from a renewable bio‐derived hydrocarbon mix. Considering the availability of various conventional/unconventional feedstocks viz. industrial petroleum naphtha and crude‐derived hydrocarbon mix, the catalyst development is also expanded for effective conversion of such feedstocks to produce aromatics. For this, a detailed understanding of the catalyst property‐activity relationship has been established with the help of characterization techniques like FTIR, XRD, NH3‐TPD, Pyridine‐IR, N2 adsorption‐desorption, HR‐TEM, XPS, TGA, etc. The studies revealed promising catalytic activity of 5Zn‐2Ga‐0.5Ba/H‐ZSM‐5 to exhibit very high aromatic selectivity (up to 80 %) and high‐octane fuel production (>100 RON) from all the feedstocks possessing different hydrocarbon composition. The catalyst showed good repeatability and recyclability at the tested reaction conditions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Over the years, acceptance sampling plans have been crucial to quality assurance in manufacturing. Sample plans are designed using operating characteristic curve conditions to safeguard producers and customers. We propose a conditional probability-based Bayesian generalized multiple-dependent state sampling technique in this paper. The technique relies on Gamma-Poisson distribution. Other performance indicators and acceptance probability are calculated. Also, the new plan's operational method is discussed. The proposed technique is also compared to current attribute sampling schemes for efficacy. Optimal plan parameters for the plan's economic structure are also generated, adding managerial insights to the suggested plan. The entire cost study showed that the suggested plan is cheaper than existing sample plans under identical conditions. To account for inspection flaws, the plan is adjusted. We examine how Type I and Type II errors affect sampling plan outcomes. The plan is demonstrated with numerical examples and a data-driven application. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this study, a new metric potential is created to generate exact solutions to the Einstein field equations with an anisotropic matter distribution. The solutions, so obtained, are very relevant to describe the compact stars like H e r X - 1 , 4 U 1538 - 52 , S A X J 1808.4 - 3658 , L M C X - 4 and E X O 1785 - 248 . These solutions are distinguished by the fact that they admit a linear equation of state which can be applied to strange stars with quark matter. In this model, we investigated various physical aspects such as energy density, pressure (both radial and transverse), anisotropy factor, mass, compactness parameter, surface redshift, and moment of inertia (approximate). Graphical methods were used to analyze energy conditions, equilibrium, and stability of the various of the compact stars and it has been deduced that our proposed model is applicable to anisotropic fluid spheres as all required conditions are fully satisfied. It is also worth mentioning that our model shows a monotonic reduction in the speed of sound with increasing radius. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

[Display omitted] • Explanatory scientific mapping of Perovskite solar cell technology (PSCT) is presented. • Prominent authors and organizations shaping the landscape of PSCT are presented. • By using keywords and thematic analysis, trending topics and the evolution of research are explored. • Perspectives of the primary issues and recommendations for PSCT are proposed. Extensive literature on Perovskite solar cell technology (PSCT) has become widespread as technology enables more innovations in the field. Despite efficient platforms like Web of Science, Scopus, Google Scholar, and others, challenges persist for new researchers in search of synchronized key information in the PSCT field. Inefficiencies arise from scattered data, hindering the research cycle for the new researchers. Moreover, policy-making and planning by the stakeholders (Government, Academia, and Industry) in research and innovation rely on data-driven approaches, emphasizing the need for identifying key information to mitigate technological risks in the field of PSCT. This research gap is addressed by the effective extraction of key knowledge from the fragmented literature of PSCT. To achieve this, a comprehensive scientific mapping is conducted via bibliometric analysis, encompassing a collection of 11,092 scientific publications. All relevant data that can bridge the mentioned research gap has been meticulously extracted and analyzed from the mentioned literature which involves the trend from inception, main contributors (countries, researchers, and production sources) to PSCT, detailed keywords, and thematic analysis. The key results reveal that People's republic of China, the USA, and India significantly contribute to PSCT research, leading in publications and citations. "ACS Applied Materials and Interfaces" followed by "Journal of Materials A," "Solar RRL," and "Advanced Energy Materials." Keyword analysis identifies four clusters: "stability," "efficiency," "optical properties," and environmental concerns. The trends show the perspective of the PSCT sub-areas, like stability for commercialization, innovative methods for performance improvement, and considerations for lead-free options. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The 3,4‐methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA) has long been used non‐medically, and it is currently under investigation for its potential therapeutic benefits. Both uses may be related to its ability to enhance empathy, sociability, emotional processing and its anxiolytic effects. However, the neural mechanisms underlying these effects, and their specificity to MDMA compared to other stimulants, are not yet fully understood. Here, using electroencephalography (EEG), we investigated the effects of MDMA and a prototypic stimulant, methamphetamine (MA), on early visual processing of socio‐emotional stimuli in an oddball emotional faces paradigm. Specifically, we examined whether MDMA or MA enhance the processing of facial expressions, compared to placebo, during the early stages of visual perception. MDMA enhanced an event‐related component that is sensitive to detecting faces (N170), specifically for happy and angry expressions compared to neutral faces. MA did not affect this measure, and neither drug altered other components of the response to emotional faces. These findings provide novel insights into the neural mechanisms underlying the effects of MDMA on socio‐emotional processing and may have implications for the therapeutic use of MDMA in the treatment of social anxiety and other psychiatric disorders. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Proposed architectures of the roof-top solar PV system, and the cluster of four PVs on different buildings based microgrid. • The centralized controller is used in the proposed microgrid system. The control techniques of the bidirectional VSCs, used of interfacing the PV, BESS, load, and microgrid, have been developed for managing power balance in the proposed system. • Developed control technique of the bidirectional single-phase VSC, using feed-back and feed-forward control signals, is suggested into rotating dq SRF, with dual controllers for controlling ac current/voltage. • Control technique of the BDC for BESS are proposed using two voltage controllers and one current controller, for controlling the charging and discharging operation of the BESS to fulfil the power mismatch in its own building as well as in other building(s) integrated to the microgrid. •. Power control algorithms are also proposed for balancing the power in the roof-top PV system as well as cluster of four roof-top PVs. This paper presents the control techniques for the operation of roof-top solar photovoltaics based single-phase ac microgrid in islanded mode. The proposed microgrid consists of four roof-top photovoltaics on various buildings, battery energy storage system in each building, and loads. In each building, the roof-top photovoltaic system is connected to the single-phase ac loads and proposed single-phase ac microgrid through the two-stage converter, which consists of dc-dc boost converter and bidirectional single-phase voltage source converter. A bidirectional dc-dc converter is used to connect the battery energy storage system to the photovoltaic system. The control technique of the bidirectional single-phase voltage source converter, using the feed-forward and feed-back control signals, has been suggested into a rotating d-q synchronous reference frame, with the dual controllers, for controlling the power mismatch and rated sinusoidal ac voltage of the microgrid. The control technique of the bidirectional dc-dc converter, used for the battery energy storage system, is implemented with two voltage controllers and one current controller for managing of the power mismatch in the proposed microgrid system. In this work, the power control algorithms have also been developed, which are aimed to manage the power balance in the single roof-top PV based building as well as in the proposed microgrid, under islanded mode, for various operating scenarios including fault condition. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study investigates the individual and cumulative effects of phase change material (PCM) and evacuated tube collector (ETC) on the performance of a stepped solar still (SSS). Experiments have been performed on SSS, SSS loaded with PCM (SSS‐PCM), SSS coupled with ETC (SSS‐ETC), and SSS loaded with PCM and coupled with ETC (SSS‐PCM‐ETC). An innovative way of loading paraffin wax as PCM is introduced to utilize solar energy efficiently for the distillation process during off‐sunshine hours. ETC is used to provide pre‐heated RO wastewater to the distillation unit. The distillate output was observed maximum for SSS‐PCM‐ETC (4.97 kg/m2 day) which is 99% more than that of the SSS unit. The PCM and ETC individually with SSS unit increases the distillate output by 31% and 24%, respectively. The working time of the distillation unit was observed to be increased by 3 h by the use of PCM. The total heat transfer coefficient was evaluated at the maximum for SSS‐PCM‐ETC and was observed in the range of 16.94–167.04 W/m2 °C. The thermal energy efficiencies of SSS, SSS‐ETC, SSS‐PCM, and SSS‐PCM‐ETC were evaluated as 28.65%, 35.59%, 43.88%, and 44.04%, respectively. SSS‐PCM‐ETC is found to be the most economic with the best environmental conservation having maximum values of daily productive cost ($0.69) and carbon credits earned ($184.8). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In the current research work, performance enhancement of stepped solar still (SSS) having an external reflector (ER) and glass cover cooling (GCC) arrangements is presented. The individual and combined effects of ER and GCC on the performance of SSS have been evaluated and compared with simple SSS. The GCC reduces the glazing temperature significantly and results in increased distillate. The ER reflected the solar radiation inside the basin that increases the water temperature, consequently increasing distillate. The SSS having ER and GCC (SSS‐ER‐GCC) gave a maximum distillate of 4.340 kg/m2 which was observed, respectively, 12.43%, 3.21%, and 1.36% higher than that of simple SSS, SSS with ER (SSS‐ER) and SSS with GCC (SSS‐GCC). The average energy efficiency of SSS‐ER‐GCC was evaluated as 40.78%, which was found to be 14.36%, 7.84%, and 10.64%, respectively, higher than that of simple SSS, SSS‐ER, and SSS‐GCC. The carbon credits earned and CO2 mitigation were found the maximum for SSS‐ER‐GCC having values $65.96 and 4.40 tons, respectively. The economic payback period was found the minimum (490 days) for SSS‐ER‐GCC. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Turning biomass waste into briquettes using densification techniques is one of the most promising steps toward mitigating biomass waste pollution and fuel issues in developing countries. Despite the continuous growth of scientific output over the past few decades, only a limited amount of information is available in the literature on biomass briquette optimization and mathematical modeling, as well as the physiochemical characterization of biomass feedstocks and briquette operating variables. In light of this gap in the current literature, this study summarizes the current state of the art and recent advances in biomass-based briquettes generated from agro-residues as an alternative source of clean energy. The primary research method for this study is literature review and conceptual modeling. First, many densification processes, such as piston press, screw press, roller press, hydraulic press, and quality variables such as ash content, calorific value, moisture content, density, compressive strength, shatter index, etc., are thoroughly discussed and compared. Then characteristics of different biomass wastes are studied, together with process parameters, including temperature, type of binder used, particle size, and influence on densification process choice. The current evaluation concentrated on the mathematical modeling and optimization of the briquetting technology and the usefulness of briquettes in applications for heating, cooking, and energy production. Overall, this manuscript will help new researchers understand the basic methodology, classification, limitations, and future perspective of briquetting technology in the production of solid biofuels. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aims: Many patients diagnosed with esophageal cancer have dysphagia from their primary tumor and de novo metastatic disease. The purpose of this study was to test the safety and efficacy of nivolumab given concurrently with hypofractionated chemoradiotherapy to patients with oligometastatic and obstructing esophageal tumors. Methods: Patients were enrolled in a planned single‐arm, phase 2 clinical trial. Eligible participants had previously untreated oligometastatic (≤5 metastases on fludeoxyglucose‐18 positron emission tomography scan outside the primary tumor radiotherapy field) esophageal or gastroesophageal carcinoma, dysphagia, and Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group performance status 0–1. Treatment was with 2 weeks of concurrent hypofractionated radiotherapy (30 Gy/10#) to the primary tumor, weekly carboplatin AUC2, weekly paclitaxel 50 mg/m2, and q2weekly nivolumab 240 mg, followed by nivolumab 480 mg continuing q4weekly until disease progression or 24 months total. A single metastasis was treated with stereotactic radiotherapy (SBRT) (24 Gy/3#) in week 7. Results: Five patients were recruited before trial closure to new participants for logistical reasons. Existing participants continued treatment per protocol as a pilot study at one center. All five patients completed chemoradioimmunotherapy and SBRT. All patients derived an improvement in their dysphagia. Two patients completed 24 months of nivolumab without disease progression. Grade 3 adverse events (AEs) occurred in 3 patients, however, there were no grade 4 AEs, AEs due to SBRT, or AEs of special interest as defined by the protocol. Conclusion: Pilot results from five patients at one center found that treatment was well tolerated and effective for dysphagia relief. The efficacy of hypofractionated chemoradiotherapy with concurrent checkpoint inhibition should be tested in a multicentre study. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Metal halide perovskites have aroused worldwide efforts for developing optoelectronic devices due to their unique optical properties and low‐cost simple fabrication process. In recent years, various perovskites‐based miniaturized optical devices have been actively investigated due to their record‐breaking efficiency in different fields, including environmental monitoring, remote sensing, biomedical imaging, and optical communications. In this review, a succinct and critical survey of recently discovered organic–inorganic perovskite photodetectors providing insights into their structural properties and key performance parameters is staged. First, key features of perovskites‐based photodetectors emphasizing their optoelectronic and electrical properties are introduced. Then, the polarization‐sensitive detection of metal halide perovskites using polarization‐selective optical structures is discussed. The bandgap engineering for tailoring the properties of perovskite photodetectors by changing the chemical composition and material structures is also highlighted in this report. Finally, a perspective on future opportunities and current challenges for designing perovskite‐based optoelectronic devices is presented. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study presents a pioneering nanohybrid catalyst featuring hierarchically porous dual-functional (acid–base) active sites, which is a versatile catalyst for the crucial bio-glycerol acetalization reaction. The nanohybrid catalyst demonstrated remarkable efficiency in converting bio-diesel derived waste glycerol into excellent green fuel additive 'solketal,' achieving an unprecedented yield of approximately 99%. Insights into the structural properties and the relationship between the structure and properties of the catalyst were obtained through various characterization techniques, including FTIR spectroscopy, XRD, NH3-TPD, CO2-TPD, 27Al-NMR spectroscopy, SEM, TEM, UV-Vis spectroscopy, and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy. The hybrid catalyst shows several highly desirable properties, including enhanced acidity, a strong affinity for reactants, mesoporosity, stability, and the proximity of potent acidic and basic sites. Simplicity, cost-effectiveness, exceptional recyclability, and resistance to moisture make the synthesized MgAl-oxide/HZSM-5 (MAZ) nanohybrid catalyst an appealing candidate for potential commercial applications in bio-refinery processes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The viability of double perovskite Cs2AgBiBr6 in low‐light environments is studied for CO2 photoreduction. It is observed that light intensity significantly influences product formation with I0.56 depending on the overall product formation rate. The photodetection measurement reveals that photocurrent as a function of incident power follows a power law ∝ I0α with α  = 0.80, which is attributed to the carrier trapping at higher light power. Furthermore, power‐dependent transient absorption spectroscopy is studied and observed that at higher fluence, carrier scattering can be dominating. Interestingly, it is found that at higher power, hot carrier relaxation dynamics are altered, and electron‐phonon coupling is enhanced, resulting in a lower carrier concentration participating in the photocatalytic reaction, which can limit charge carrier extraction and CO2 reduction. This study highlights the potential of perovskite semiconductors as promising candidates for photocatalytic reactions in low‐light conditions, broadening their applicability in real‐world scenarios. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Phase Change Material (PCM) for the thermal management of PV modules has been widely used while overlooking long-term viability and cost-effective power generation. To bridge this gap the current study adopted an innovative approach wherein macro-encapsulated pure and nano PCM are seamlessly integrated into the PV module within a rectangular array of tubes. The rectangular tubes with PCM prevent natural convection blockage, creating a fin-like effect on the rear side of the PV module, and minimizing PCM bulk for cost-effective power generation. This study is focused on the comparative assessments based on experimental and 4E analysis of PV modules having PCM (PVPCM) and uses numerical simulations to study the parametric analysis and assess heat transfer mechanisms of PVPCM module. The experimental results show that PV modules with pure PCM (PVPCM-1) and Nano PCM (PVPCM-2) reduce temperatures by 6.96 % and 13.78 % respectively. Performance improves by 7.69 % (PVPCM-1) and 16.32 % (PVPCM-2). PVPCM-2 also recovers 14 % exergy destruction showing the superiority of nano PCM over pure PCM. Numerical results show, that increasing the tilt angle for wind speeds more than 1 m/s raises the average PV temperature by 5.04 K. Economically, PVPCM-2 has a 2.5-year payback versus 2.84 years for unmodified PV. [Display omitted] • Macro encapsulated Phase change Material (PCM) is employed for the thermal management of the Photovoltaic (PV) cell. • A comparative 4E analysis is conducted on PV modules with pure PCM, Nano PCM, and a reference module. • A numerical model was created to study the parametric analysis and heat transfer mechanism in the PV modules having nano PCM. • Maximum efficiency enhancement of 12.04 % was observed for PV modules having nano PCM with a payback time less than their two counterparts. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In order to deepen our understanding of the virus and help guide the creation of efficient therapies, this study uses artificial intelligence tools to thoroughly explore the genetic sequences of the SARS-CoV-2 virus. The process starts by using the Fuzzy Closure Miner for Frequent Itemsets (FCMFI) on a large corpus of SARS-CoV-2 genomic sequences to reveal hidden patterns, including nucleotides base sequences, repeating motifs, and corresponding interchanges. Then, using the Nucleotide Sequence Comprehension Engine (NSCE) technique, we were able to precisely define the genomic areas for mutation analysis. Structured and unstructured proteins are both strongly impacted by virus mutations, with spike proteins that are linked to the severity of COVID-19 pneumonia being particularly affected. Notably, the Mutagenic Anomaly Detector shows a 65 % efficiency boost in computing genome mutation rates compared to conventional point mutation analysis, while GenoAnalyzer offers a remarkable 93.33 % improvement over existing approaches in recognizing common genomic sequence patterns. These results highlight the potential of FCMFI to reveal complex genomic patterns and significant insights in COVID-19 genetic sequences when combined with mutation analysis. The Mutagenic Anomaly Detector and GenoAnalyzer show promise for revealing hidden genomic patterns and precisely estimating the SARS-CoV-2 mutation rate. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In the realm of optoelectronic applications, the incorporation of a metal interlayer between layers of a topological material holds significant potential. The interlayer introduces benefits such as improved charge transfer efficiency, tunable band alignment, plasmonics effect, and enhanced light‐matter interactions, paving the way for more efficient and versatile optoelectronic devices. This work explores the incorporation of gold between Bi2Se3, resulting in an enhancement in the response time of photoresponse of interlayered systems (Bi2Se3‐Au‐Bi2Se3). The introduction of a gold interlayer between Bi2Se3 significantly influences the overlayer structure, crystallinity, crystallite size, and even phonon behavior. Moreover, the responsivity of the interlayered device at a bias (2 V) is found to have high responsivity with fast response and decay time (τr = 0.1 ms, and τd = 24 ms of interlayered systems) as compared to intrinsic Bi2Se3(τr = 0.6 ms, and τd = 28 ms). This change is attributed to the bandgap alteration of the Bi2Se3/Au interface, which is monitored through transient spectroscopy performed at different electric biases. This study suggests that incorporating a gold interlayer holds potential benefits for various optoelectronic applications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Plant nitrogen (N) is one of the key factors for its growth and yield. Timely assessment of plant N at a spatio-temporal scale enables its precision management in the field scale with better N use efficiency. Airborne imaging spectroscopy is a potential technique for non-invasive near real-time rapid assessment of plant N on a field scale. The present study attempted to assess plant N in a wheat field with three different irrigation levels (I1–I3) along with five nitrogen treatments (N0–N4) using a UAV hyperspectral imager with a spectral range of 400 to 1000 nm. A total of 61 vegetative indices were evaluated to find suitable indices for estimating plant N. A hybrid method of R-Square (R2) and Variable Importance Projection (VIP) followed by Variance Inflation Factor was used to limit the best suitable N-sensitive 13 spectral indices. The selected indices were used as feature vectors in the Artificial Neural Network algorithm to model and generate a spatial map of plant N in the experimental wheat field. The model resulted in R2 values of 0.97, 0.84, and 0.86 for training, validation, and testing respectively for plant N assessment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Gastric adenocarcinoma in Indian patients’ is on the rise. A high level of plasma von Willebrand factor (vWF) is associated not only with the development of cancer-associated thrombosis but also with the degree of malignancy, the rate of metastasis, and cancer prognosis. Aims and Objectives: The aim of this study was to study the association of vWF with tumor location, TNM staging, and grades of tumor differentiation in gastric adenocarcinoma and to assess the usefulness of circulating vWF levels as a potential biomarker for gastric adenocarcinoma. Materials and Methods: This study is a prospective observational study done in the Department of Surgical Gastroenterology, Madurai Medical College, Madurai, over a period of 2 years between September 2020 and August 2022. Fifty cases of gastric cancer and 50 controls were recruited and vWF levels were analyzed. Results: Among the 50 gastric cancer patients, 8% belonged to Stage II, 62% belonged to Stage III, and 30% belonged to Stage IV. vWF was elevated in Gastric Cancer patients compared to control group. Mean value of vWF in Cases and Control population was 3.68 ng/ml and 0.58 ng/ml respectively (p value 0.0005). Pertaining to Stage, the vWF value was, Stage II – 4.7, Stage III – 3.3, and Stage IV – 4.1 ng/mL. With respect to tumor differentiation, the vWF values were, poorly differentiated – 4.7, moderately differentiated – 3.0, and well differentiated – 3.9 ng/mL. Conclusion: vWF values were significantly elevated in gastric cancer patients. Based on the results, vWF can be used as a surrogate marker to predict the tumor differentiation in patients, thereby prognosticating the disease. Stage-wise, there was no significant difference in the vWF values. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Research indicates that the immobilisation mask required for radiation therapy (RT) for head and neck cancers can provoke intense anxiety. However, little is known about the rates of this anxiety, whether it changes over a course of treatment and how it is managed in clinical practice. This study aimed to describe the rates and patterns of situational anxiety in patients undergoing RT for head and neck cancer and the use of anxiety management interventions in current clinical practice in a major regional cancer setting in New South Wales, Australia. Methods: Situational anxiety rates and patterns were assessed at five time points using the State‐Trait Anxiety Inventory prior to treatment planning (SIM), the first three treatment sessions (Tx 1, Tx 2 and Tx 3) and treatment 20 (Tx 20). Sessions were observed to record the use of general supportive interventions (music and support person) and anxiety‐specific interventions (break from the mask, relaxation techniques and anxiolytic medication). Sociodemographic and clinical information was extracted from the medical record. Results: One hundred and one patients were recruited. One‐third had clinically significant anxiety at any of the first three time points (33.3–40%), and a quarter at Tx 3 (26.4%) and Tx 20 (23.4%). Of the sample, 55.4% had available data for categorisation into one of four pattern groups: 'No Anxiety' (46.4%); 'Decreasing Anxiety' (35.7%); 'Increasing Anxiety' (7.1%); and 'Stable High Anxiety' (10.7%). Most participants had social support present at SIM (53.5%) and listened to music during treatment (86.7–92.9%). Few participants received relaxation techniques alone (1.2–2.3%). Anxiolytic medication was provided for 10% of patients at some stage during the treatment journey and 5% required a break from the mask at SIM, with frequency decreasing throughout the treatment course. Conclusions: In this regional cancer setting, situational anxiety was common, but generally decreased throughout treatment. Some patients experience persistent or increasing anxiety, with up to 10% of patients receiving specific anxiety management interventions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: The purpose of this paper is to predict a suitable paper substrate which has high capillary pressure with the tendency of subsequent fluid wrenching in onward direction for the fabrication of microfluidics device application. Design/methodology/approach: The experiment has been done on the WhatmanTM grade 1, WhatmanTM chromatography and nitrocellulose paper samples which are made by GE Healthcare Life Sciences. The structural characterization of paper samples for surface properties has been done by scanning electron microscope and ImageJ software. Identification of functional groups on the surface of samples has been done by Fourier transform infrared analysis. A finite elemental analysis has also been performed by using the "Multiphase Flow in Porous Media" module of the COMSOL Multiphysics tool which combines Darcy's law and Phase Transport in Porous Media interface. Findings: Experimentally, it has been concluded that the paper substrate for flexible microfluidic device application must have large number of internal (intra- and interfiber) pores with fewer void spaces (external pores) that have high capillary pressure to propel the fluid in onward direction with narrow paper fiber channel. Originality/value: Surface structure has a dynamic impact in paper substrate utilization in multiple applications such as paper manufacturing, printing process and microfluidics applications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The hole accumulation layer (HAL) configuration of p-type oxides (including Co 3 O 4) in ambient air causes intrinsically low gas response and hinders their promising applications in exhaled gas analysis. Herein, Sn and Ni co-doping has been proposed to trigger the response of chemiresistive Co 3 O 4 sensor toward acetone (biomarker of diabetes). Via incorporating 1 at% Sn and 0.5 at% Ni doping (Co 2.95 Sn 0.03 Ni 0.02 O 4), the response to 100 ppm acetone has been boosted ∼2 orders (from 1.24 to 125.6) at 70 °C, the limit of detection (LoD) has been reduced ∼4 times (from 47.9 to 12.4 ppb), the optimal operation temperature has been decreased from 130 °C to ∼70 °C. Various characterizations suggest that co-doping induced abundant surface asymmetric oxygen vacancy defects (Co-□-Ni, Sn-□-Ni), which facilitate the catalytic oxidation of acetone molecules at relatively low operation temperature. In addition to excellent reproducibility and long-term stability, Co 2.95 Sn 0.03 Ni 0.02 O 4 sensor could also operate under highly humid air background and reliably detect acetone concentration in exhaled breath at 150 °C, opening the opportunity for the practical application of p-type oxide sensors for diabetes diagnosis. [Display omitted] • Sn, Ni co-doped Co3O4 dramatically improves the response to acetone. • Sn, Ni co-doped Co3O4 drastically reduces optimal operation temperature (70 °C). • Humidity influence of Co2.95Sn0.03Ni0.02O4 could be suppressed at 150 °C. • Application of Co2.95Sn0.03Ni0.02O4 sensor for non-invasive diabetes monitoring. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Squamous cell carcinoma can occur at 7 oral cavity subsites. • TNM 8 staging replaces invasion of extrinsic tongue muscles with depth of invasion. • Nodal metastatic disease is a significant adverse prognostic factor. • MRI, CT, Ultrasound and PET-CT are complementary for comprehensive evaluation. • Post biopsy changes and other disease mimics are imaging interpretation challenges. Oral cavity cancer, primarily squamous cell carcinoma (SCC), is a prevalent malignancy globally, necessitating accurate clinical assessment and staging to enable effective treatment planning. Diagnosis requires biopsy and is followed by surgical resection and reconstruction as the primary therapeutic modality. Imaging plays a pivotal role during this process, aiding in the evaluation of tumour extent, nodal involvement and distant metastases. However, despite its value, both radiologists and clinicians must recognise its inherent limitations. This pictorial review article aims to illustrate the application of various imaging modalities in the pre-treatment evaluation of oral cavity SCC and highlights potential pitfalls. It underscores the importance of understanding the anatomical subsites of the oral cavity, the diverse patterns of spread tumours exhibit at each site, alongside the role of imaging in facilitating informed management strategies, while also acknowledging its limitations. The review delves into fundamentals of current staging including nodal involvement, while, emphasising imaging strategies and potential limitations. Finally, it touches on the potential of novel radiomic techniques in characterising tumours and predicting treatment response. Pre-treatment oral cavity cancer staging reflects an ongoing quest for enhanced diagnostic accuracy and prognostic prediction. Recognising the value of imaging alongside its limitations fosters a multidisciplinary approach to treatment planning, ultimately improving patient outcomes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• The hyperspectral data used, is ultrahigh spatial resolution of 4 cm. • Estimation of leaf area index (LAI), leaf and canopy chlorophyll content (LCC, CCC). • The physical radiative transfer model PROSAIL is implemented as hybrid technique. • LAI and CCC had highest prediction accuracy using a hybrid approach. • Empirical multivariate regression showed the best performance for LCC retrieval. Accurate and timely estimation of crop biophysical variables is necessary for monitoring crop growth and implementing effective nutrient management practices. Incorporating machine learning multivariate models with UAV-based hyperspectral imaging provides a fast non-destructive and near real-time prediction of these variables. In the present study, the hyperspectral data in the spectral range of 400–1000 nm from an imaging spectrometer integrated into an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) was used for mapping experimental fields of wheat crop in ICAR-Indian Agricultural Research Institute (ICAR-IARI), New Delhi. The imaging spectroradiometer has a spectral resolution of 2.2 nm with 269 distinct bands and imaging with an ultrahigh spatial resolution of 4 cm was employed for the experiment. Five competitive machine learning algorithms, i.e., artificial neural network (ANN), extreme learning machine (ELM), multivariate adaptive regression spline (MARS), random forest (RF), and support vector machine (SVM) were evaluated for predicting biophysical variables of the wheat crop, namely leaf area index (LAI), leaf chlorophyll content (LCC), and canopy chlorophyll content (CCC). The physical radiative transfer model (RTM) PROSAIL was also applied in combination with a machine learning regression algorithms toolbox as available in the automated radiative transfer model's operator (ARTMO) software, leading to hybrid models. In the empirical analysis, ELM outperformed the other algorithms with maximum validation R2 of 0.948, 0.990, and 0.963 for LAI, LCC, and CCC, respectively. However, in the case of hybrid modelling, on validated against simulated data ANN outperforms the other models with maximum validation R2 of 0.983, 0.969, and 0.998 for LAI, LCC, and CCC, respectively. Validated against real data, the NRMSE values obtained for LAI, LCC, and CCC retrieved maps are 24.51 %, 38.74 %, and 36.16 %, respectively. The accurate retrieval of LAI and CCC with the highest prediction accuracy was obtained using a hybrid approach, while empirical multivariate regression applied to image spectra showed the best performance for LCC mapping. The study provides feasible solutions to infer the state of croplands in support of better farm management practices. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Composite phase change materials (CPCM) containing photo absorbers are regarded as promising conversion and thermal energy storage materials for solar energy. Understanding the impact of irradiation intensity on the photo-thermal conversion process is of crucial significance for improving the photo-thermal conversion efficiency (PTCE) of CPCM. However, previous studies have overlooked the evolution of temperature patterns and the solid-liquid phase interface in CPCM, posing challenges in revealing photo-thermal conversion characteristics. In response to these challenges, the present study introduces an improved test method that integrates monitoring plane and infrared thermography. Paraffin/graphite nanoparticles CPCM are used as conversion and thermal storage material. The results show that the dominated heat transfer mode in different stages is different, and the natural convection within the liquid CPCM has enhanced the melting process. When the irradiation intensity is increased from 450 W/m2 to 1250 W/m2, the average temperature and average charging rate increase by 33.75% and 197.27%, respectively. At an irradiation intensity of 1050 W/m2, the CPCM achieves the highest overall PTCE of 42.40%, which is an 8.85% increase in contrast to the irradiation intensity of 450 W/m2. The results provide guidance for improving the PTCE of CPCM in the application of direct absorption solar collectors. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• D-A-D triads type molecules synthesized using perylenediimde (PDI) bonded with naphthalenediimide (NDI) units via aliphatic (Triad 1) or aromatic (Triad 2) linker showed symmetry breaking charge separation (SB-CS). • SB-CS phenomenon is studied using photoluminescence, time resolved fluorescence, transient absorption spectroscopy techniques. • The organic solar cell fabricated using Triad 2 resulted in better device performance compared to Triad 1 due to increased open circuit voltage (V oc) because of more effective SB-CS state. • Triad 2 shows overall better power conversion efficiency of 4.4 % with FF 67 % in comparison to Triad 1. Multichromophoric D-A-D triads synthesized using perylenediimde (PDI) bonded with naphthalenediimide (NDI) units via aliphatic (Triad 1) or aromatic (Triad 2) linker is studied for symmetry breaking charge separation (SB-CS) by selective excitation of the NDI/PDI chromophores. NDI chromophore on excitation transfers electron to PDI chromophore and type of linker played crucial role in stability of generated CS state. Photoluminescence, time resolved fluorescense and transient absorption spectroscopy tools have been used to study the phenomenon. The optical as well as electrochemical study confirmed intramolecular electron transfer from NDI to PDI chromophore. Stable SB-CS state formation is directly resulted in increased open circuit voltage (V oc) of Triad 2 based organic solar cell devices. The selective excitation of chromophoric center and SB-CS in D-A-D type triad is the demand of present electronic device for the formation of long lived charge carrier. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Gas sensors are extensively employed for monitoring and detection of hazardous gases and vapors. Many of them are produced on rigid substrates, but flexible and wearable gas sensors are needed for intriguing usage including the internet of things (IoT) and medical devices. The materials with the greatest potential for the fabrication of flexible and wearable gas sensing devices are two-dimensional (2D) semiconducting nanomaterials, which consist of graphene and its substitutes, transition metal dichalcogenides, and MXenes. These types of materials have good mechanical flexibility, high charge carrier mobility, a large area of surface, an abundance of defects and dangling bonds, and, in certain instances adequate transparency and ease of synthesis. In this review, we have addressed the different 2D nonmaterial properties for gas sensing in the context of fabrication of flexible/wearable gas sensors. We have discussed the sensing performance of flexible/wearable gas sensors in various forms such as pristine, composite and noble metal decorated. We believe that content of this review paper is greatly useful for the researchers working in the research area of fabrication of flexible/wearable gas sensors. [Display omitted] • Comprehensive review of 2D materials for gas sensing applications. • Discussing of flexible and wearable 2D gas sensors. • Explanation of gas sensing mechanism. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

[Display omitted] • Comprehensive review of 2D transition metal dichalcogenides (TMDs) based gas sensors. • Approaches to develop room temperature gas sensors. • Strategies to fabricate low power and highly selective 2D materials-based gas sensor. • Discussion of different strategies such as doped, decorated and composite 2D MoS2 and MoSe2-based gas sensors. • Detailed explanation of gas sensing mechanisms of gas sensors. The goal of current research in gas sensor technology is the development of a highly effective, small gas sensor that is able to operate at room temperature. There has been a surge in interest in 2D nanomaterials for the fabrication of high-performance gas sensor devices after graphene because of the exceptional physical, chemical, optical, and electrical properties of two-dimensional semiconductor nanomaterials. Among various 2D nanomaterials, we are focusing on transition metal dichalcogenides (TMDs) used for the fabrication of room temperature (RT) gas sensors because of their high surface area, large surface activity, extremely high carrier mobility, narrow bandgap, and high conductivity. Molybdenum disulfide (MoS 2) and molybdenum diselenide (MoSe 2), a well-researched TMDs, have drawn considerable attention across diverse domains for gas sensing materials at RT due to their intriguing two-dimensional layered structures and electrochemical features. The fabrication of chemiresistor sensors using MoS 2 and MoSe 2 has shown immense promise in meeting present-day demands, highlighting the remarkable technological advancements over the last several decades. It is anticipated that the strategic modification of the surface of MoS 2 and MoSe 2 nanomaterials using the decoration of nanoparticles will play a key role in the development of nanomaterials with unique chemical and physical properties as well as catalytic power, allowing them to boost the overall performance of gas sensors at RT. Herein, this review article provides an in-depth overview of the latest advancements made in MoS 2 and MoSe 2 nanomaterial-based chemiresistive gas sensors for the sensing of toxic gases at RT. Initially, we outline the method for synthesis and growth of MoS 2 and MoSe 2 nanomaterials, and the basic principles of sensing mechanisms are elucidated, relying on the charge transfer dynamics between gas species and MoS 2 and MoSe 2 nanomaterials. Furthermore, this article examines the current developments in the performance of gas sensors based on MoS 2 and MoSe 2 nanomaterials through the combination of nanocomposites, van der Waals heterostructures, doping, and decoration of nanoparticles, as well as their capabilities in sensing gases. Finally, this review offers insights into numerous emerging challenges and potential avenues for future research on gas sensor technologies utilising diverse 2D MoS 2 and MoSe 2 nanomaterials. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Prepare a material with superior solar absorption and thermal storage capability. • Propose a direct absorption/storage solar collector with less heat transfer process. • Boost photo-thermal conversion by light transmission and thermal conduction. • Light transmission enhancing method increases conversion efficiency by up to 8.29%. • Thermal conduction enhancing method boosts conversion efficiency by up to 9.57%. Direct absorption/storage solar collectors (DASSC) using composite phase change materials (CPCM) have attracted great attention in the solar energy field for the advantages of less heat exchange processes and high heat storage density. However, the low thermal conductivity of the CPCM has greatly restricted the thermal performance of the DASSC. This study aims to improve the photo-thermal conversion efficiency (PTCE) of DASSC using light transmission and thermal conduction enhancing methods within a new developed CPCM. Firstly, paraffin/expanded graphite CPCM is developed for direct solar absorption, conversion and storage. Secondly, both light transmission and thermal conduction enhancing methods have been investigated to improve the charging rate and PTCE of the solar collector. The paraffin/expanded graphite CPCM exhibits high absorbance in the visible light region with higher radiation energy, which is 3.03 times that of pure paraffin. At low irradiation intensity (400 W/m2), thermal conduction enhancing method performs better than light transmission enhancing method, in which the charging rate are increased by 15.64 % and 13.24 % compared to the non-enhanced collector, respectively. However, with irradiation intensity increase, such as 1000 W/m2, the light transmission enhancing method has a slightly better effect than the thermal conduction enhancing method, which increase the PTCE by 8.29 % and 8.25 %, respectively. This research introduces a new view to think about the method for improving the efficiency of DASSC. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Internet of Things (IoT) has a crucial role in advancing various fields such as Industry 4.0, Big Data, and Machine-to-Machine technologies. All systems continuously gather information on various parameters such as temperature, speed, pressure, health data, environmental conditions, and consumption. Considering this, we've developed a novel fabrication method for H 2 S gas sensor prototypes. These sensors are based on noble metal-functionalized on metal oxide semiconductor (MOS) chemiresistors. The fabrication process involved growing CuCrO 2 sensing thin film on SiO 2 /Si substrates using the RF sputtering method. Subsequently, Pd nanoparticles, known for their excellent gas-sensing catalyst properties, were functionalized onto the CuCrO 2 films using DC sputtering with varying sputtering times of 3, 6, 9, and 12 s. Nanorice morphology boosts gas absorption, capturing more target molecules. A 9 s Pd sputtering time greatly improved H 2 S sensing over other gases. CuCrO 2 film with Pd showed the highest 72.3% response to 50 ppm H 2 S, detecting down to 0.5 ppm. These results were achieved at the optimal working temperature of 150 °C. After optimizing parameters, we transferred the technology to develop a sensor module for the prototype with IoT integration. The prototype sensor connects to NODEMCU-ESP8266 Wi-Fi, which links to a smartphone through a mobile hotspot. [Display omitted] • Fabrication of Pd anchored CuCrO 2 nano rice morphology for highly toxic H 2 S gas sensors. • Pd NPs increase surface-to-volume ratio and improved the sensing performance due to spillover effect. • The measured sensing response was 72.3% at 150 °C for 50 ppm of H 2 S around with a lower detection limit of.5 ppm. • In Pd/CuCrO 2 better selectivity as compared to pristine CuCrO 2 and drastic improvement in sensitivity is observed. • Optimized sensor is interface with IoT platform for the real-life application. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Self-powered and highly responsive broadband (450 nm to 1250 nm) photodetector based on Sb 2 Se 3. • Highest responsivity of 924 mAW−1 (346 mAW−1) for wavelength 1064 nm (532 nm) at Zero applied bias. • High responsivity of 1.5 × 104 mAW−1 (1.3 × 104 mAW−1) & 4.1 × 104 mAW−1 (3.8 × 104 mAW−1) for 532 & 1064 nm at RT (100 °C) at 1 µW. High-performance broadband photodetectors are widely studied due to their unique significance in military and industrial applications. Vander Waals materials-based detector that simultaneously achieves a fast and high response are prerequisites for expanding the current capabilities of the optoelectronic device. Yet the thermal stability of the Vander Waals materials-based broadband (450 nm to 1250 nm) device is rarely addressed. Here, an antimony selenide (Sb 2 Se 3) based photodetector is reported, which reveals high photo-responsivity and detectivity up to 924 mAW−1 (346 mAW−1) and 2.7 × 1010 Jones (1.0 × 1010 Jones) for the illumination wavelength 1064 nm (532 nm) under photovoltaic mode. Moreover, under 0 V-applied bias condition, the developed detector thermal stability was tested, and up to 100 °C devices disclosed a stable behavior. Further, the fabricated Sb 2 Se 3 -based broadband device was also tested under photoconductive mode. The photodetector demonstrates high responsivities of 1.5 × 104 mAW−1 (1.3 × 104 mAW−1) and 4.1 × 104 mAW−1 (3.8 × 104 mAW−1) for the illumination wavelength 532 nm and 1064 nm, respectively at room temperature (100 °C) under 0.5 V applied bias condition and 1 µW optical power. The design device can offer ideas for constructing high thermal stability and encouraging such materials in broadband photodetector applications. The state-of-the-art Sb 2 Se 3 -based detector can facilitate the translation of solution-processed optoelectronic applications from the laboratory to the marketplace. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We report here the two-dimensional layered material of MoS 2 /Bi 2 Se 3 vdW heterostructures formed by ultrasonication of different concentrations of exfoliated MoS 2 and Bi 2 Se 3 nanosheets. The vdW heterostructures show unique optical characteristics compared to individual exfoliated nanosheets. The enhanced lifetime of heterostructures explained the charge transfer with increasing efficacy for producing optoelectronic devices. Raman spectroscopy confirms the presence of intrinsic Raman active modes of Bi 2 Se 3 , MoS 2 , and respective modes of vdW heterostructures. TEM images show characteristic lattice planes in both materials and clear overlapping regimes, confirming successful heterojunction formation. Further, Zeta potential confirms the enhanced stability of the heterostructures formed while the significant PL quenching, strongly suggests the presence of charge transfer processes within the heterostructures. Ultrafast pump-probe spectroscopy further confirms the non-linear charge transfer and relaxation mechanism of the heterostructures. We employed Surface Xplorer and Glotaran software for model fitting and Glotaran's global fitting revealed unresolved charge carrier dynamics. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]