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Security of certain locations is of utmost importance. The contemporary works cater to locate the perturbations for the land based installations using the fiber optic based sensors. Intrusion detection for underwater environment is quite critical because of the high false alarm rates. Phase-optical time domain reflectometer (Φ -OTDR) has recently become prominent as it supports distributed acoustic sensing (DAS) utilizing optical fiber as a sensor. The benefit of developing a numerical model of the actual sensing system is that it mimics the strain developed in the fiber due to external acoustic perturbation which in turn changes the characteristics of the Rayleigh backscattered wave. Hence, we propose a numerical model based on the coherent Φ -OTDR set-up for undersea perturbation detection and classification. An intruder model is developed that determines the received pressure level at the fiber (sea depth) by considering the total transmission loss due to the simultaneous ships sailing at a pre-established distance from one another. The efficacy of the numerical model of the Φ -OTDR system is determined by firstly matching it's outcomes with the experimental results for multiple sinusoidal disturbances acting at different locations on the fiber. Further, the numerical model is used to detect different ship sounds in underwater environment using feature extraction and frequency–time–energy relation. In addition, a complete pipeline to classify type of intruders is stated in detail. • The fiber model constituting the Φ -OTDR numerical model is subjected to the acoustic perturbations generated by distinct number of ships at a fixed sea depth. • An intruder model determines the amount of strain developed in the fiber (at a fixed sea depth) due to the received pressure level at the fiber considering the underwater transmission loss. • The location of perturbations are determined by extracting the variance and frequency-time-energy relation at each location on the fiber along the slow time duration. • The proposed Φ -OTDR system's outcomes are matched with the experimental results for multiple sinusoidal disturbances acting at different locations on the fiber. • A feed forward based deep learning model is used on the photo-detected traces to classify different intruders based on their movement pattern. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Mild pyrolysis, a potential method for pre-combustion mercury removal from high ash coal without any significant alteration of coal properties. [Display omitted] • Hg content (0.154–0.308 mg/kg) in high ash (>40 %) coals of eastern India is significant. • Low-temperature pyrolysis could be a potential pre-combustion Hg removal technique. • Pyrolysis (>400 °C) can effectively remove Hg from high ash coal with minimal loss of GCV and mass. • Hg content decreased from 9 to 20 to 3–11 µg Hg /MJ at 400 °C and 2–3 µg Hg /MJ at 600 °C. • Mild pyrolysis effectively reduces Hg in high-ash coal, promoting cleaner energy production. Mercury is a widely known pollutant, and coal combustion is one of the largest sources of anthropogenic Hg emission. Mercury reduction technologies globally rely on flue gas treatment. However, pre-combustion techniques show immense potential. Mild pyrolysis of coal offers a promising approach for mitigating mercury emissions. This study investigated the mercury distribution and its mode of occurrence in six high ash coal samples from the Jagannath area of eastern India. The findings revealed that Hg content in coal samples ranged from 0.154-0.308 mg/kg. Majority of the mercury was bound to pyrites (60–90 %) and organic matter (5–15 %). Rapid pyrolysis at temperatures ranging from 200 to 700 °C demonstrated significant mercury removal efficiency (up to 95 %). In particular, at 400 °C with minimal loss in calorific value and mass. Though the high-temperature pyrolysis (600 °C) resulted in maximum mercury removal, but with a notable loss in calorific value and product yield. The Hg content in raw coal, initially ranging from 9 to 20 μg Hg/MJ, was reduced to 3 to 11 μg Hg/MJ in char produced at 400 °C. Further reduction was observed in char produced at 600 °C, where the Hg content decreased to between 2–3 μg Hg/MJ. This research emphasizes the effectiveness of mild pyrolysis in reducing mercury content of high ash coal, thereby facilitating the generation of cleaner energy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A uni-molecular layer of lipids at air-water interface mimicking one of the leaflets of the cellular membrane provides a simple model to understand the interaction of any foreign molecules with the membrane. Here, the interactions of protein Kalata B1 (KB1) of cyclotide family with the phospholipids 1,2-dipalmitoyl-sn-glycero-3-phosphocholine (DPPC), 1,2-dipalmitoyl-sn-glycero-3-phospho-rac-(1-glycerol) sodium salt (DPPG), and 1,2-distearoyl-sn-glycero-3-ethylphosphocholine chloride salt (DSEPC) have been investigated. The addition of KB1 induces a change in pressure of the lipid monolayers. The characteristic time of the change in pressure is found to be dependent on the electrostatic nature of the lipid. Even though the protein is weakly surface active, it is capable of modifying the phase behavior and elastic properties of lipid monolayers with differences in their strength and nature making the layers more floppy. The KB1-lipid interaction has been quantified by calculating the excess Gibb's free energy of interaction and the 1-anilino-8-naphthalenesulfonate (ANS) binding studies. The interaction with zwitterionic DPPC and negatively charged DPPG lipids are found to be thermodynamically favorable whereas the protein shows a weaker response to positively charged DSEPC lipid. Therefore, the long ranged electrostatic is the initial driving force for the KB1 to recognize and subsequently attach to a cellular membrane. Thereafter, the hydrophobic region of the protein may penetrate into the hydrophobic core of the membrane via specific amino acid residues. • Cyclotides interaction with the lipid membranes play major role in their biological activities. • KB1 can modify the phase behavior and elastic properties of lipid monolayers. • KB1 shows thermodynamically favorable interaction with neutral and anionic lipids. • Long range electrostatic is the initial driving force for KB1 attachment to a cellular membrane. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Kainate receptors belong to the ionotropic glutamate receptor family and play critical roles in the regulation of synaptic networks. The kainate receptor subunit GluK3 has unique functional properties and contributes to presynaptic facilitation at the hippocampal mossy fiber synapses along with roles at the post-synapses. To gain structural insights into the unique functional properties and dynamics of GluK3 receptor, we imaged them via electron microscopy in the apo-state and in complex with either agonist kainate or antagonist UBP301. Our analysis of all the GluK3 full-length structures not only provides insights into the receptor transitions between desensitized and closed states but also reveals a "non-classical" conformation of neurotransmitter binding domain in the closed-state distinct from that observed in AMPA and other kainate receptor structures. We show by molecular dynamics simulations that Asp759 influences the stability of the LBD dimers and hence could be responsible for the observed conformational variability and dynamics of the GluK3 via electron microscopy. Lower dimer stability could explain faster desensitization and low agonist sensitivity of GluK3. In overview, our work helps to associate biochemistry and physiology of GluK3 receptors with their structural biology and offers structural insights into the unique functional properties of these atypical receptors. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Leaf rust caused by Puccinia triticina Eriks. (Pt) is one of the most devastating fungal diseases affecting wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) production worldwide. Deployment of resistant cultivars is a prominent eco-friendly approach to manage this disease. But major constraint in this case is emergence of new pathotypes of pathogen due to faster evolution. Widening the gene pool by gene mining from diverse panel is the key strategy to keep pace with the ever-evolving pathogen. So, in this study attempts were made to identify leaf rust resistance genes in a selected set of 149 germplasm lines by seedling reaction test against two most prevalent Pt pathotypes, 77–9 (MHTKL) and 77–5 (THTTM) and for field resistance at Ludhiana and Gurdaspur during 2018–2021. Based on seedling infection type (IT) data, 88 lines were found resistant (low IT; 0–2) and 39 lines were susceptible (high IT; ≥3). Under field conditions, 77 lines showed highly resistance response across the locations and years. Gene postulation in the test germplasm was done by gene matching technique and further confirmed by linked molecular markers; which revealed the presence of 11 Lr genes singly or in combinations. Leaf rust resistance gens; Lr9, Lr19, Lr24, Lr34, Lr37, Lr42, Lr45, Lr52, Lr57, Lr58 and Lr76 were detected in 4, 7, 10, 1, 7, 33, 41, 44, 2, 24 and 6 lines respectively. The present study's resistant germplasm lines can be utilised as resistant parents in crosses intended for pyramiding and the deployment of leaf rust resistance genes. • 149 germplasm lines were evaluated by seedling reaction test against two most prevalent Pt pathotypes, 77–9 and 77–5 and for field resistance at Ludhiana and Gurdaspur (2018–2021). • Based on seedling infection type (IT) data, 88 lines were found resistant (low IT; 0–2) and 39 lines were susceptible (high IT; ≥3). • Under field conditions, 77 lines showed highly resistance response. • 11 different Lr genes (Lr9, 19, 24, 34, 37, 42, 45, 52,57, 58 and 76) were detected in 4, 7, 10, 1, 7, 33, 41, 44, 2, 24 and 6 lines respectively. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract Cassini radio and plasma wave surveys aim to study radio emissions, plasma waves, thermal plasma and dust near Saturn. Using the characteristic solution and dynamics method, the influence of electron beam on the loss cone and bi-Maxwellian distribution of whistler mode waves in the parallel alternating electric field and magnetic field is studied. The dispersion relation and the growth rate of Saturn's magnetic layer were deduced and calculated in detail. Parameter analysis is performed by changing the parameters of the plasma like number density, AC frequency, temperature anisotropy, etc. The influence of AC frequency on Doppler shift and the comparative study of growth rate of oblique and parallel propagating waves are analyzed using generalized distribution function. We found temperature anisotropy A T = 1.25 can explain the linear spatiotemporal growth rate of whistler mode waves. It provides the majority of the observed frequency integral power. It can be seen that the effective parameters for the generation of Whistler mode waves are not only temperature anisotropy, but also the relativistic factors discussed in the results and discussion section, and the AC field frequency and width of the loss cone distribution function. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Supported photocatalysis is emerging as an effective technology to overcome the inherent drawback of metallic photocatalyst. In the present work, heterojunctioned Bi2W06/Fe304 was synthesized by hy drothermal method. Bi2 WO6/Fe3O4 was supported over graphene sand composite (GSC) by in situ wet impregnation method to report Bi2WO6/Fe3O4/GSC nanocomposite. The morphological and compositional characteristics of prepared Bi2WO6/Fe3O4/GSC nanocomposite were explored by FESEM, TEM, HRTEM, FTIR, XRD, EDX and UV-vis spectral analysis. The photocatalytic efficiency of synthesized Bi2WO6/Fe3O4/GSC composites was evaluated for mineralization of oxytetracycline (OTC) and ampicillin (AMP) under solar light. The adsorption of both OTC and AMP onto Bi2WO6/Fe3O4/GSC followed pseudo second order kinetics. The synergistic adsorption and photocatalysis (A + P) was most efficient process for oxytetracycline and ampicillin removal and resulted in higher degradation of antibiotics. During A + P process, OTC and AMP were mineralized to CO2, H2O and NO3- ions. Power law model was applied to explore the kinetics of mineralization process. The super paramagnetic nature of photocatalyst was revealed by hysteresis curve. Bi2WO6/Fe3O4/GSC nanocomposite displayed improved adsorption capacity and easy separation from reaction mixture with significant recycle efficiency for 10 successive catalytic cycles. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The transport of TiO 2 and ZnO nanoparticles was assessed using column experiments in a porous media containing biofilm. In order to understand the influence of bacteria encountered in the natural aquatic environment when nanoparticles are introduced in the surroundings, nanoparticles transport has been studied through quartz coated with a biofilm composing of a consortium of Pseudomonas aeruginosa (Gram-negative), Bacillus alitudinis and Bacillus subtilis (Gram-positive). The influence on individual and co-transport mobility and deposition kinetics of TiO 2 (10, 15 mg/L) and ZnO (5, 10 mg/L) nanoparticles based on variations in ionic strength was also determined. Various environmentally related ionic strengths were studied for the experiment using NaCl (0.1–10 mM), by keeping the pH fixed to pH 7.0. At pH 7.0, TiO 2 NPs transport declined, when the ZnO nanoparticles were present, whereas, enhanced ZnO nanoparticles transport was observed in the presence of TiO 2 nanoparticles. The solution chemistries of the nanoparticles can be inferred from the breakthrough curves (BTCs), wherein an increase in ionic strength results in a decline in the BTC plateau. The inverse of BTC plateaus provided the retention profiles, which could also be anticipated from the mass balance contemplation. Altogether, the upshot of this work explains the transport behavior of both the nanoparticles in biofilm coated sand depends on suspension chemistries (pH and ionic strength) are likely the primary factors that control. Further research could thus be focused on enhancing our knowledge of the basic mechanisms governing nanoparticles transport and fate in typical biofilm containing aquatic environment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

[Display omitted] The increased resistance of human malaria parasite Plasmodium falciparum (Pf) to currently used drugs necessities the development of novel anti-malarials. Here, we examine the potential of erythritol, a sugar substitute for therapeutic intervention. Erythritol is a permeant of Plasmodium falciparum aquaglyceroporin (Pf AQP) which is a multifunctional channel responsible for maintaining hydro-homeostasis. We show that erythritol effectively inhibited growth and progression of asexual blood stage malaria parasite, and effect invasion and egress processes. It also inhibited the liver stage (sporozoites) and transmission stage parasite (gametocytes) development. Interestingly, erythritol inhibited in vivo growth of malaria parasite in mouse experimental model. It was more effective in inhibiting parasite growth both in vivo and in vitro when tested together with a known anti-malarial 'artesunate'. Additionally, erythritol showed cytokine-modulating effect which suggests its direct effect on the host immune system. Ammonia detection assay demonstrated that erythritol uptake effects the amount of ammonia release across the parasite. Our functional complementation assays suggest that Pf AQP expression in yeast mutant restores its growth in hyperosmotic conditions but showed reduced growth in the presence of erythritol. Osmotic lysis assay suggests that erythritol creates osmotic stress for killing the parasite. Overall, our data bestow erythritol as a promising lead compound with an attractive antimalarial profile and could possibly be combined with known drugs without losing its efficacy. We propose the use of erythritol based sweet candies for protection against malaria specially in children living in the endemic area. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Nanocomposites of polymethyl-methacrylate (PMMA) have gained high attention owing to their extensive applications as antibacterial agents. The antibacterial activities of Ag and TiO 2 nanoparticles are well established. This study intended to differentiate the antibacterial activities exhibited by PMMA/TiO 2 /Ag nanocomposite, towards bacterial consortium and single dominant bacterial isolates from packaged drinking water. A silver nanoparticle dose-dependent decline in cell viability of consortium and individual isolates was compared under UVC and dark conditions to evaluate the antibacterial activity of the nanocomposite. To corroborate with the viability results, oxidative stress & cell permeability was also assessed under similar conditions. Surface characterization of PMMA/TiO 2 /Ag nanocomposite was performed by FTIR, AFM, and SEM analyses after interaction with the bacteria. The PMMA/TiO 2 /Ag nanocomposite showed enhanced antibacterial activity against single bacterial isolate compared to the consortium. The outcomes from the study with PMMA/TiO 2 /Ag nanocomposite necessitate relooking at the test design for assessment of antibacterial effects in real conditions incorporating the impact on the consortium of microorganisms instead of individual strains. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Automatic facial expression recognition system has many applications including, but not limited to, human behavior understanding, detection of mental disorders, and synthetic human expressions. Two popular methods utilized mostly in the literature for the automatic FER systems are based on geometry and appearance. Even though there is lots of research using static images, the research is still going on for the development of new methods which would be quiet easy in computation and would have less memory usage as compared to previous methods. This paper presents a quick survey of facial expression recognition. A comparative study is also carried out using various feature extraction techniques on JAFFE dataset. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aim of the current study was to explore the different modes of the cytotoxicity effects of titania nanoparticles (TiO 2 NPs) towards the dominant waste water isolate Exiguobacterium acetylicum at an exposure dose of ≤1 μg/mL in the sterilized and filtered waste water already containing 0.770 ± 0.02 μg/mL dissolved Ti 4+ ions, under different conditions (UVA, Visible Light and Dark). The aggregation behaviour of TiO 2 NPs in the experimental matrix was studied for 0.25, 0.5 and 1 μg/mL concentrations at different time intervals (0, 6 and 12 h). The reduction in cell viability under UVA was significantly more than that of other two conditions, i.e., dark and visible light. At 1 μg/mL of titania NPs for an exposure period of 6 h the cell viability with respect to control was found to be as follows: UVA (11.1 ± 0.33%)

Information on combining ability and gene action that governs inheritance of yield and quality related traits can help breeders to select suitable parents and devise an appropriate breeding strategy. In the present study ten parents were used in a crossing program in line × tester mating design to study combining ability for sugar composition in pea. Among the parents, HFP94-26, PantP25, DVP1, PantP101, DMR7 and DDR80 were used as lines and DDR27, DDR44, DVP2 and DMR58 were used as testers. Parental lines and their crosses were evaluated for nutritional parameters as well as yield and its components. Lines, tester and crosses together revealed significant differences for all the traits. Biochemical traits in general were not associated with yield component traits. Genotypes DMR7, DDR80 and DVP2 had good general combining ability for high sucrose and total sugar content at green stage while DMR7 had high GCA for these traits at dry stage. These genotypes could serve as potential donors in a vegetable pea breeding programme for enhancing sweetness in elite genotypes. For the total sugar content the two best specific combiner crosses were HFP94-26 × DMR58 and PantP101 × DDR44. These crosses can be used for isolation of superior lines combining sugar content and high yield in the segregating generations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A novel small molecule based on benzothiazole-piperazine has been identified as an effective multi-target-directed ligand (MTDL) against Alzheimer's disease (AD). Employing a medicinal chemistry approach, combined with molecular docking, MD simulation, and binding free energy estimation, compound 1 emerged as a potent MTDL against AD. Notably, compound 1 demonstrated efficient binding to both AChE and Aβ1–42, involving crucial molecular interactions within their active sites. It displayed a binding free energy (ΔG bind) −18.64± 0.16 and −16.10 ± 0.18 kcal/mol against AChE and Aβ1–42, respectively. In-silico findings were substantiated through rigorous in vitro and in vivo studies. In vitro analysis confirmed compound 1 (IC 50 =0.42 μM) as an effective, mixed-type, and selective AChE inhibitor, binding at both the enzyme's catalytic and peripheral anionic sites. Furthermore, compound 1 demonstrated a remarkable ability to reduce the aggregation propensity of Aβ, as evidenced by Confocal laser scanning microscopy and TEM studies. Remarkably, in vivo studies exhibited the promising therapeutic potential of compound 1. In a scopolamine-induced memory deficit mouse model of AD, compound 1 showed significantly improved spatial memory and cognition. These findings collectively underscore the potential of compound 1 as a promising therapeutic candidate for the treatment of AD. [Display omitted] • A benzothiazole-piperazine-based small molecule has been developed as an effective MTDL against AD. • Compound 1 (IC 50 =0.421 μM) was a potent, mixed-type, and selective AChE inhibitor. • Compounds 1 at 50 μM effectively reduced the aggregation propensity of Aβ by 80.708%. • Compound 1 demonstrated potent neuroprotection in cells induced with H 2 O 2 and OKA neurotoxicity. • Compound 1 showed improved spatial memory and cognition in the scopolamine-induced memory deficit mouse model of AD. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Fluorescence in situ hybridization based physical localization of 45S ribosomal DNA in eight horticulturally important species of Cymbidium (Orchidaceae) from north-east India (South-East Asia) has been carried for the first time. Observations revealed only one pair of chromosomes had NOR loci. Three, out of eight Cymbidiums showed decondensed, dispersed, extended form of hybridization signals of rDNA as dots of fluorescence (transcriptionally active), where as the rest of the Cymbidiums revealed condensed (non-active) forms, hence demonstrated the heteromorphism in size, intensities and their appurtenance which may be under epigenetic control. Except for the ribosomal genes, no other active genes have been reported to reside within the nucleoli. Such observations provide useful chromosome landmarks and provide valuable evidence about the genome evolution, speciation and ploidy both at molecular and chromosomal levels which is more or less highly ambiguous in family Orchidaceae. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Graphical abstract representing effect of Roc-A on P. falciparum. We present Roc-A as an efficient ligand targeting PHBs in the mitochondria of the P. falciparum. Upon Roc-A binding, the mitochondria may undergo instability and eventually lead to growth defects of the parasite (created in Biorender.com). [Display omitted] Prohibitins (PHBs) are highly conserved pleiotropic proteins as they have been shown to mediate key cellular functions. Here, we characterize PHBs encoding putative genes of Plasmodium falciparum by exploiting different orthologous models. We demonstrated that Pf PHB1 (PF3D7_0829200) and Pf PHB2 (PF3D7_1014700) are expressed in asexual and sexual blood stages of the parasite. Immunostaining indicated hese proteins as mitochondrial residents as they were found to be localized as branched structures. We further validated Pf PHBs as organellar proteins residing in Plasmodium mitochondria, where they interact with each other. Functional characterization was done in Saccharomyces cerevisiae orthologous model by expressing Pf PHB1 and Pf PHB2 in cells harboring respective mutants. The Pf PHBs functionally complemented the yeast PHB1 and PHB2 mutants, where the proteins were found to be involved in stabilizing the mitochondrial DNA, retaining mitochondrial integrity and rescuing yeast cell growth. Further, Rocaglamide (Roc-A), a known inhibitor of PHBs and anti-cancerous agent, was tested against Pf PHBs and as an antimalarial. Roc-A treatment retarded the growth of PHB1, PHB2, and ethidium bromide petite yeast mutants. Moreover, Roc-A inhibited growth of yeast PHBs mutants that were functionally complemented with Pf PHBs, validating P. falciparum PHBs as one of the molecular targets for Roc-A. Roc-A treatment led to growth inhibition of artemisinin-sensitive (3D7), artemisinin-resistant (R539T) and chloroquine-resistant (RKL-9) parasites in nanomolar ranges. The compound was able to retard gametocyte and oocyst growth with significant morphological aberrations. Based on our findings, we propose the presence of functional mitochondrial Pf PHB1 and Pf PHB2 in P. falciparum and their druggability to block parasite growth. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]