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Indoor air pollution arising from burning of biomass fuels poses a significant threat to child health in rural areas of Pakistan. This cross-sectional study aimed to assess health implications associated with indoor air pollution resulting from biomass burning among children under 12 years of age in rural Punjab. A questionnaire-based survey was conducted in six randomly selected rural districts of Punjab, characterized by their primary reliance on biomass fuels. The findings revealed that several characteristics, such as monthly household income, number of living rooms, secondary use of solid fuels, kitchen type, type of cooking stove, and presence of child in the kitchen with their mother, exhibited significant associations (p < 0.05) with negative health impacts among children. Reported health effects among the children included coughing (18.7%), watery eyes (17.7%), eye irritation (12.3%), runny nose (11.8%), breathing difficulties (8.5%), phlegm (38%), headache (25%), nausea (20.1%), dizziness (6.7%), asthma (6.4%), tuberculosis (1.8%), and pneumonia (1.5%). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Due to industrialization and urbanization, the use of detergents inadvertently led to contamination of aquatic environments, thus posing potential threat to aquatic organisms and human health. One of the main components of detergents is linear alkylbenzene sulfonate (LAS), which can cause toxic effects on living organisms, particularly aquatic life in the environment. In this study, floating treatment wetlands (FTWs) mesocosms were developed and augmented with LAS-degrading bacteria. The plant species, Brachiaria mutica (Para grass), was vegetated to establish FTWs and bacterial consortium (1:1:1:1) of Pseudomonas aeruginosa strain PJRS20, Bacillus sp. BRRH60, Acinetobacter sp. strain CYRH21, and Burkholderia phytofirmans Ps.JN was augmented (free or immobilized) in these mesocosms. Results revealed that the FTWs removed LAS from the contaminated water and their augmentation with bacteria slightly increased LAS removal during course of the experiment. Maximum reduction in LAS concentration (94%), chemical oxygen demand (91%), biochemical oxygen demand (93%), and total organic carbon (91%) was observed in the contaminated water having FTWs augmented with bacterial consortium immobilized on polystyrene sheet. This study highlights that the FTWs supported with immobilized bacteria on polystyrene sheets can provide an eco-friendly and sustainable solution for the remediation of LAS-bearing water, especially for developing countries like Pakistan. This pilot-scale study provided insights to resolve the detergent-contaminated wastewater issue, using floating treatment wetlands (FTWs) augmented with bacteria. The FTWs augmented with bacteria immobilized on a polystyrene sheet and vegetated with Brachiaria mutica led to high degradation of LAS, a toxic compound of detergent, from the contaminated water. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Information on boiling point (BP) is a crucial metric for defining petroleum streams. Understanding the BP distribution range of hydrocarbon products is crucial for selecting an appropriate way to process feedstocks, controlling the process, identifying impurities, and developing new tests. To evaluate BP range rapidly, the refinery employs simulated distillation (SimDis) by gas chromatography (GC) paired with a flame ionization detector (FID) and a capillary column. This method is used to examine the level of contamination in petroleum products. Jet A-1 fuel is an essential product whose specifications can be altered by diesel contamination. Some producers utilize the same distribution line for both products, contaminating the Jet fuel that is shipped. We conducted research to determine the lowest level of diesel contamination in jet A-1 fuel. The study consists of varying proportions of diesel (0.5%, 2%, and 5% mass) blended with jet A-1 to determine the impact on standard specifications DEF STAN 91-91/12 and ASTM D1655. Among those methods, SimDis by GC-FID was the most successful method for identifying a little level of diesel contamination. Properties of jet fuel, such as thermal stability, water separation, and electrical conductivity, are particularly sensitive to trace contamination and can be altered by it. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Pakistan's security landscape faces unprecedented challenges due to India's burgeoning power and its strategic alignment with the United States. This study proposes an innovative ‘Integrated Ring Balancing’ framework to navigate this complex geopolitical environment. The framework operates across three tiers: Tier 1: Direct engagement with immediate neighbors – India, Iran, China, and Afghanistan. Tier 2: Building robust linkages with the neighbors of Pakistan's Tier 1 partners, encompassing South Asia, Central Asia, Southeast Asia, and the Middle East. Tier 3: Leveraging major powers – China, Russia, and the United States – through Tier 1 and 2 partnerships. This multi-layered approach aims to achieve two key objectives: (1) Neutralize India's US-backed advantage: Engaging China and Russia can influence Tier 2 states, particularly in Central Asia, to rebalance their regional positioning towards Pakistan. (2) Develop a collective defense system: Converging geo-economic interests via initiatives like the China–Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) and the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) can foster a regional security ring around Pakistan. By strategically engaging across these tiers, Pakistan can navigate the complex power dynamics in South Asia, bolster its security, and ultimately safeguard its national interests in the face of a strengthened India. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this paper, an analytical approach has been developed for electromagnetic field enhancement in fractal nanostructure under the quasi-static limit. A metallic fractal embedded in an unbounded, isotropic, and lossless chiral medium has been treated under this approach. In addition, the field enhancement is also noted by imposing surface plasmon resonance condition. To achieve the desired objective, Maxwell divergence equations are considered and written in an appropriate form by mean of fractional calculus. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Cannabis Use Disorder (CUD) has no FDA-approved treatment. Serotonin-2c (5HT2c) agonists have preclinical and human laboratory evidence for their potential efficacy for CUD. We assessed the tolerability and effects of lorcaserin (5HT2c agonist) on CUD. In a 10-week, open label, uncontrolled trial, the tolerability of lorcaserin was tested in outpatients with CUD. Adverse events (AE) were assessed weekly. Cannabis use was assessed twice weekly by the Timeline follow-back and quantitative urine metabolites. Seventeen participants enrolled, and 14 received medication. Participants' average age was 35 years; majority were male (N = 12). The medication was well tolerated in males. There were no serious adverse events (SAE). The most common AE's were headache/migraine (N = 4, all females), anorexia (N = 3), and irritability (N = 2). Participants decreased their frequency of cannabis use significantly (p < 0.001), adjusted for baseline use. By the end of the trial, participants decreased by 1.76 (SE = 0.47) cannabis using days/week. Average daily amount of cannabis and urine THC metabolite levels did not change significantly. Lorcaserin was well tolerated in males but not females, suggesting possible sex differences. Future trials of other 5HT2c agonists (lorcaserin was withdrawn at the request of the FDA) should consider longer dose titration phases. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We performed a retrospective chart review of 6266 randomly selected DLBCL patients treated in the VHA nationwide between 1/1/2011 and 12/31/2021. The 3178 patients who met inclusion criteria were predominantly male (97%) and white (75%). Median age of diagnosis for Black patients was 63 years vs 69 years for the entire cohort (p < 0.001). However, patients in each race/ethnicity subgroup presented with similar rates of stage I/II and III/IV disease, IPI score, cell of origin and HIT status. Outcomes analysis revealed similar treatment, response rates, median overall survival, and 1-, 3-, and 5-year survival across all subgroups. Hispanic patients had a 21% lower risk of death (HR = 0.79) than white patients, and Black patients had no significant difference in survival (HR = 0.98). This large retrospective study shows that when standard of care therapy is given within an equal access system, short-term treatment and survival outcomes are the same for all races. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Sadhu Bela temple in Sukkur, Sindh established by the Udasi community has attracted interest among Pakistani journalists and social scientists. These accounts variously refer to the site as ‘Hindu,’ ‘Sikh,’ or syncretic between the two. In this visual essay, we draw upon texts that the Udasi community has produced to understand the community’s self-definition. We show how Sadhu Bela continues to have significance in the devotional lives of Punjabis and Sindhis across the India-Pakistan border. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Machine Learning Models are known to understand the intricacies of the data well, but native ML models cannot be used in time-to-event analysis due to censoring. In this paper, we explore the use of Machine Learning Models in the field of Survival Analysis using right censored Heart Failure Clinical Records Dataset. For this purpose, we first identify the top most important features responsible for death due to heart failure using Recursive Feature Elimination and then see how Machine Learning models can be adapted to improve the time-to-event analysis outcomes. To deal with this, Machine Learning Models are modified using the techniques Inverse Probability of Censoring Weighting (IPCW) and IPCW Bagging and are trained using the processed dataset alongside various survival analysis models. Area Under the time-dependent ROC (AUC) is used as a performance metric. The results reveal that the average AUC value for Survival Analysis Models is 0.51 while that of Machine Learning Models processed using IPCW increased to 0.80, and those processed using IPCW Bagging increased by 0.82. This reflects that Machine Learning models outperform Survival Analysis models in the case of time-to-event analysis of right censored dataset, and hence, are better indicators of risk of heart disease. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We numerically demonstrate three-octave supercontinuum generation using the z-cut lithium niobate waveguide by dispersion engineering. The photonic waveguide structure is designed to exhibit anomalous dispersion when pumped at 1.55 $ \rmu {\rm m} $ μ m wavelength. By altering the waveguide width, tunable zero-dispersion wave generation has been achieved up to 6 $ \rmu {\rm m} $ μ m wavelength. Our findings show the broadest supercontinuum spanning in the mid-IR region using a lithium niobate platform, making it a promising candidate for various applications in optical communication, sensing, and imaging. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Contamination of aquatic ecosystems with organic and inorganic contaminants is a global threat due to their hazardous effects on the environment and human health. Floating treatment wetland (FTW) technology is a cost-effective and sustainable alternative to existing treatment approaches. It consists of a buoyant mat in which wetland plants can grow and develop their roots in a suspended manner and can be implemented to treat stormwater, municipal wastewater, and industrial effluents. Here we explored the potential of bacterial-augmented FTWs for the concurrent remediation of phenol and hexavalent chromium (Cr6þ) contaminated water and evaluated treated water toxicity using Triticum aestivum L. (wheat) as a test plant. The FTWs carrying Phragmites australis L. (common reed) were inoculated with a consortium of four bacterial strains (Burkholderia phytofirmans PsJN, Acinetobacter lwofii ACRH76, Pseudomonas aeruginosa PJRS20, Bacillus sp. PJRS25) and evaluated for their potential to simultaneously remove phenol and chromium (Cr) from contaminated water. Results revealed that the FTWs efficiently improved water quality by removing phenol (86%) and Cr (80%), with combined use of P. australis and bacterial consortium after 50 days. The phytotoxicity assay demonstrated that the germination of wheat seed (96%) was significantly higher where bacterial-augmented FTWs treated water was used compared to untreated water. This pilot-scale study highlights that the combined application of wetland plants and bacterial consortium in FTWs is a promising approach for concomitant abatement of phenol and Cr from contaminated water, especially for developing countries like Pakistan where the application of advanced and expensive technologies is limited. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Solar PV has a disadvantage over its many advantages that its electrical efficiency falls due to rise in surface/operating temperature of solar PV cells. Therefore, it is necessary to find a way to mitigate the efficiency loss due to rise in temperature as well as to increase life span of solar photovoltaics by lowering its cell temperature. In this research, the impact of mist cooling on output of PV panel is observed through experimental setup installed at rooftop of Postgraduate Department, Mehran University of Engineering and Technology, Jamshoro, Pakistan. The rear surface of PV module is cooled with designed mist nozzle assembly. The performance of modified mist cooled PV module is than compared with reference PV module. Experimental investigation is performed several days in different weather conditions with natural circulation and with forced circulations by using submerged pump. The maximum efficiency gains of 7% and average gain of 3.72% is observed with natural circulation, and maximum gain of 9.2% and average gain 1.72% are observed with forced circulated mist. The overall impact of proposed mist cooled system is positive on performance of PV panels. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this paper, we explore local dynamics at equilibrium points, the existence of bifurcation sets and codimension-one bifurcation analysis of a discrete prey–predator system with Holling typeII functional response. Further, OGY and Hybrid control strategies are utilized to control chaos in the under study discrete model due to the occurrence of Neimark–Sacker and flip bifurcations. Finally, numerical simulations are given to verify theoretical results. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article shares lessons learned on building public trust in government and public health responses during the COVID-19 pandemic. It discusses social and behavior change via community engagement as an approach to foster trust and resilience. It suggests the Risk Communication and Community Engagement model and planning framework for public health emergencies. It offers insight from UNICEF's emergency programming to show the power of local stakeholders in addressing public health emergencies.

The aimsof this study were to assess the spatial variation of PM2.5, NO2, and O3 between 2019 (before) and 2020 (during COVID-19 pandemic); and calculation the health outcomes of exposure to these pollutants. The daily PM2.5, NO2, and O3 concentrations were applied to assess health effects by relative risk, and baseline incidence. The annual PM2.5 and NO2 mean concentrations exceeded the WHO guideline values, while O3 did not exceed. The restrictive measures associated to COVID-19 led to reduction at the annual means of PM2.5 and NO2 by −25.5% and −23.1%, respectively, while the annual mean of O3 increased by +7.9%. The number of M-CVD and M-RD (−25.6%, −26.1%) related to PM2.5 exposure, and HA-COPD and HA-RD >65 years old (−21% and −3.84%) related to NO2 exposure were reduced in 2020, and O3 exposure-related M-CVD (+30.1%) and HA-RD >65 years old (+23.4%) increased compared to the previous year 2019. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Genetic Algorithm (GA) was developed as a search engine for difficult non-deterministic polynomial optimization problems. However, it suffers from internal weaknesses, such as premature convergence and low computation efficiency. One critical aspect of the GA is the selection process, which determines new paths and ultimately guides the algorithm towards a solution. This paper details a novel selection procedure that is a perfect blend of the two extremes, namely exploitation and exploration. The proposed technique eliminates the fitness scaling problem by changing the selection pressure continuously during the selection stage. Utilizing traveling salesman problem library (TSPLIB) instances, a performance comparison of the proposed method with a few traditional selection methods was conducted, and the proposed strategy yielded much better outcomes in the form of standard deviations and mean values. A two-sided t-test was also developed, and the results revealed that the proposed strategy enhanced the performance of a GA substantially. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Opioid use disorder (OUD) continues to be major public health problem in the US and innovative medication strategies are needed. The extended-release injectable formulation of naltrexone (ER-NTX), an opioid receptor antagonist, is an effective treatment for OUD, but the need for an opioid-free period during the induction phase of treatment is a barrier to treatment success, particularly in the outpatient setting. Lofexidine, an alpha-2-adrenergic agonist, is an effective treatment for opioid withdrawal. Objectives: To evaluate the feasibility, safety, and tolerability of lofexidine for facilitating induction onto ER-NTX in the management of OUD. Methods: In an open-label, uncontrolled, 10-week outpatient clinical trial, 20 adults (four women) with OUD were treated with a fixed-flexible dosing strategy (maximum 0.54 mg 4×/daily) of lofexidine for up to 10 days to manage opioid withdrawal prior to receiving ER-NTX. The COVID-19 pandemic resulted in a modification of the study methods after enrolling 10 participants who attended all visits in person. The second group of 10 participants attended most induction period visits remotely. Results: Overall, 10 of the 20 participants (50%) achieved the primary outcome by receiving the first ER-NTX injection. Rates of induction success did not differ by the presence of fentanyl or remote visit attendance, although the small sample size provided limited statistical power. Six out of 20 participants (30%) initiated on lofexidine required dose adjustments. There were no study-related serious adverse events. Conclusions: This study provides preliminary evidence supporting the feasibility of inducting individuals with OUD onto ER-NTX using lofexidine. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Blood pressure is one of the vital signs and its accurate estimation using indirect methods of measurement is a challenge. Arterial pressure could not be estimated directly by inflatable cuffs (constructed from woven and non-woven fabrics) however those could be predicted using simulation modelling. In this investigation, three cuffs constructed from different fabrics were selected and simulation models were developed in Abaqus mimicking the phenomena of indirect blood pressure measurement. An anthropometric upper arm model was developed to validate the simulation models. The models showed good agreement with experimental results. Outcome of this study showed that it was possible to visualize pressure distribution through simulation models and to predict pressure transmission from cuff to arm and then to the artery by calculating pressure transmission ratio. This study also found that the prediction of the arterial pressure through simulation may help in identifying errors associated with current method of indirect blood pressure measurement which may help in designing of new cuffs using suitable constructing materials for accurate estimation of blood pressure. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Street View Imageries (SVIs) facilitates street mapping, extraction and examination of elements from human’s perspective to aid for navigation and better understanding the real time loads on streets. We have selected an unplanned, densely populated residential place with 5 to 6 floor buildings in Batla House, New Delhi where street-level mapping and object detection using Google Street View Application (GSVA) is of high significance. We mapped 82 streets, spanning 14.2 km, and published the videos on GSVA. The objects were detected and classified with an accuracy of 94.2% and 91.4% respectively by YOLOv3 predefined model through ARC-GIS API for Python from the series of images. Our analysis show satisfactory association of human (R2 = 0.77), motor bike (R2 = 0.45) and cars/auto rickshaw (R2 = 0.58) with street width during afternoon hour. The SVIs and real-time objects detection using ML, GIS and field-assisted data combinatorial approach is more feasible for streetscape in unplanned settlements. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Applying organo-silanes (OS) as water-repellent additives can enhance soil properties, crucial for use as moisture barriers in infrastructures like roads, landfills, and tunnels. This study used four soil samples and glass beads, treated with three OS products at dosages from 1:1 to 1:1000. Laboratory tests included contact angle, water drop penetration, and breakthrough pressure on 216 samples. Results showed increased hydrophobicity with higher OS dosages, with contact angles over 110° and Water Drop Penetration Test times above 3600s. However, effectiveness plateaued at certain dosages, indicated by electrical conductivity and pH changes. The primary factors (94.6% influence) were soil type, OS product, dosage, and drying condition, while reaction time, and leaching/washing had a minor impact (5.4%). Treated soils could sustain a hydrostatic head of up to 17 kPa. These insights aid in optimizing water-repellency treatments for soil performance and infrastructure durability in geotechnical applications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Despite the rising global prevalence of autism spectrum disorders (ASD), significant disparities in ASD knowledge persist worldwide. Professional development trainings are effective in increasing teacher knowledge of ASD; however, in-person trainings pose accessibility concerns for teachers in low- and middle-income countries. In sub-Saharan Africa, few teacher development opportunities exist and logistical barriers limit attendance, highlighting the need for a more accessible training modality. The present study used a pre-post-test methodology among general and special education teachers in urban Tanzania to evaluate the feasibility of a mobile phone-delivered training on ASD. Results indicated a robust 84% participation rate and high quiz scores across training modules. The benefits of using mobile phone technology in a low-resource setting are presented. As the first asynchronous ASD training developed and implemented among teachers in Tanzania, this study can guide future research that explores how best to increase ASD knowledge among community members using technology. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this article, we develop the intersection of Shīʿī Islamic philosophy and extraterrestrial life. We explain the view of Ḥukamā (Islamic Philosophers) and what implications it holds for asserting a plurality of worlds and life forms. In addition to this, we bring Shīʿī hadīth sources which also suggest the existence of other life forms outside the earth. Combining the philosophical and textual evidence, we argue that the Shīʿī school not only suggests the existence of extraterrestrial life but also provides a potential framework for possible human-extraterrestrial interactions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2) is a recently identified virus responsible for life-threatening coronavirus disease 19 (COVID-19). The SARS-CoV-2 infected subjects can be asymptomatic or symptomatic; the later may present a wide spectrum of clinical manifestations. However, the impact of SARS-CoV-2 on oral diseases remain poorly studied. Detection of SARS-CoV-2 in saliva indicates existence of virus in the oral cavity. Recent studies demonstrating the expression of ACE-2, a SARS-CoV-2 entry receptor, in oral tissues further strengthens this observation. Cytokine storm in severe COVID-19 patients and copious secretion of pro-inflammatory cytokines (IL-6, IL-1β and TNF-α) in multiple symptomatic oral pathologies including periodontitis and periapical periodontitis suggests that inflammatory microenvironment is a hallmark of both COVID-19 and oral diseases. Hyperinflammation may provide conducive microenvironment for the growth of local oral pathogens or opportunistic microbes and exert detrimental impact on the oral tissue integrity. Multiple case reports have indicated uncharacterized oral lesions, symptomatic irreversible pulpitis, higher plaque index, necrotizing/desquamative gingivitis in COVID-19 patients suggesting that SARS-CoV-2 may worsen the manifestations of oral infections. However, the underlying factors and pathways remain elusive. Here we summarize current literature and suggest mechanisms for viral pathogenesis of oral dental pathology derived from oral microbiome and oral mucosa-dental tissue interactions. Longitudinal studies will reveal how the virus impairs disease progression and resolution post-therapy. Some relationships we suggest provide the basis for novel monitoring and treatment of oral viral disease in the era of SARS-CoV-2 pandemic, promoting evidence-based dentistry guidelines to diagnose virus-infected patients to improve oral health. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Turbulent convective flow in a cubic cavity is a fundamental model observed in various processes that appeared in environmental and industrial applications. The turbulent fluctuations in the flow field, fluid-solid interaction/coupling, and the transient nature of the problem make it challenging to establish numerical modeling. The turbulent flow and convective heat transfer in a cubic cavity fixed with three fins are studied here. The numerical solutions are obtained through large-eddy simulation with Smagorinsky subgrid-scale model combined with conjugate heat transfer to incorporate temperature distribution in solid fins. The upper and lower walls of the enclosure are differently heated, while the lateral walls are adiabatic, and equally spaced conductive fins are located at the bottom surface. The solutions are initially compared with the numerical and experimental results for validation purposes. Successively, the model is applied to explore the impact of a material (copper) that makes up the horizontal wall on the flow field. We found that the heat transfer essentially alters the turbulent field, and the flow field becomes less homogeneous along the vertical direction. A number of streaky and coherent turbulent structures are found with varying magnitudes. The Q-criterion, second-invariant of the velocity-gradient tensor, predicted that strong vortices occur near the fins and in the surrounding regions of the cavity. Moreover, the energy (entropy) spectral, which plays a crucial role in engineering applications and turbulent theory, is also presented, showing the contribution of each frequency component to the velocity (temperature) variance at a given point. The velocity and temperature fields are found to be anti-symmetric, except close to the front and back walls. The major cause for this is the conducting bottom and fins, which produces thermal stratification in the cavity. The conducting bottom induces the locally unstable thermal stratification in the vicinity of the wall, which intensifies the turbulence as the flow advances toward the temperature-controlled boundaries. Further, the turbulent exchange in the central region is more responsible for the heat transfer than convection that occurs due to the differentially heated walls. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this study, the effect of gradient and multi-layered porous media is assessed for the optimized properties and arrangement in the tested novel baffle design arrangement, which results in further enhancement in its thermo-hydraulic performance. The computational study is carried out using ANSYS FLUENT; wherein the permeability and porosity for each layer is varied. It's executed in two steps: case 1 – porous layers with variations implemented (constant, linear/stepwise, increasing/decreasing) and case 2 – porosity varied over the length. The findings show that the linear/stepwise increments in both cases give almost similar performance evaluation criteria (PEC) values. The increase in heat transfer rate and pressure drop can be compared using PEC, for better evaluation of the performance of different arrangements. With the simulation data genetic algorithm optimization model is used to find the optimal arrangement of the porous layers for both cases to maximize PEC further. The optimal arrangement for case 1 and case 2 taken individually, gives PEC of 2.425 and 2.401 respectively. And their simultaneous optimization gives highest PEC of 2.508. Additionally, to improve the heat transfer rate further, Al2O3 (5 w/v %) nanoparticles in water is tested with optimized conditions, which improves the PEC by almost double magnitude. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Choral figurations - with new forms of performance, in various media, and across modes of writing - have become an increasingly prominent subject of interdisciplinary study.[1] As a dynamic, transformational figure,[2] the chorus has stood at the center of a wide-spread shift in theater studies in the German-speaking world since the 1990s. A further impulse, which was already essential for Schleef's understanding of the chorus, has been taken up in recent choric studies and continued: gendered figurations. This special issue of I The Germanic Review i presents new research on the chorus and choral figurations. I Der Welt eine neue Wirklichkeit geben: Feministische und queertheoretische Interventionen i (Bielefeld: Transcript, 2022), 241-248 5 Schleef's readings and productions made visible how chorus formations are in the foreground in plays such as Schiller's I The Robbers i , Hauptmann's I The Weavers i , Wedekind's I Spring Awakening i or Fleißer's I Pioneers in Ingolstadt i time and again. [Extracted from the article]

The aims of this study were to i) assess the relationship between COVID-19 cases with PM10 concentration and ii) investigation premature deaths due to cardiovascular (M-CVD) and respiratory (M-RD) diseases in three classification levels (PM10<50µg m−3 in normal days, 50–200 µg m−3 in dusty days, and >200 µg m−3 in MED storm), by using daily averages of PM10 concentrations. The number of M-CVD and M-RD were estimated by concentration-response model, per 105 people during 2017 to 2021. The results showed that 187, 183, 163, 215, and 206 days were observed with the PM10 concentrations lower than 50 µg m−3 during 2017 to 2021, and 178, 180, 200, 150, and 149 days were subtotal with exceeding PM10 from the WHO guideline (50 µg m−3), respectively. A positive correlation (r2=0.33, p < 0.05) was found to be between the number of COVID-19 cases and PM10 mean concentrations (r = 0.589, p = 0.046). Our findings showed that the highest M-CVD and M-RD were among exposed people at dusty days (50 < PM10≤ 200 μg m−3) in 2019. The total M-CVD and M-RD from 2017 to 2021 were 11.78 and 12.2, 18.25 and 17.4, 22.29 and 23.78, 10.33 and 7.6, 10.37 and 9.95 per 105 people, respectively which 31.48% of health effects were related to PM10 concentrations more than 200 μg m−3. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Advertising departments in universities worldwide must grapple with a fast-changing industry that continues to redefine itself amid technological change and disruption. It is a reality that has prompted extensive discussion among researchers, educators, administrators, and advertising practitioners. There have been workshops addressing the need to consider the skills and qualifications of the contemporary advertising professor. However, left out of the conversation are the students, and thus their expectations about their instructors remain largely unknown. How do students imagine the ideal advertising professor? What qualities are they looking for? What do they want to learn, and how do they envision their relationship with their advertising professors? We explored students' mindset using the Zaltman Metaphor Elicitation Technique (ZMET), obtaining rich insight into their thoughts, feelings, and expectations about the ideal advertising professor. The study can serve as a tool of reflection for advertising educators about their teaching practices, and of assessment for advertising departments during hiring and promotion. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study aims to examine the impact of ESG practices on the financial performance of the banking industry of Pakistan during the pre and COVID-19 periods. The data were collected from the annual reports of selected banks for the pre-COVID-19 period (2018) and the COVID-19 period (2020). Results of the t-test show that there is a significant difference in ESG disclosures between the pre and during-COVID-19 periods. The regression analysis shows that the formative ESG factor positively affected the financial performance of the banking industry during the pre-COVID-19 period. While the reflective factors (environmental and social) positively affected the financial performance of the banking industry in the pre-COVID-19 period. During the COVID-19 period, the formative factor of ESG was found to have a significant positive impact on the financial performance of the banking industry. Similarly, in this period, the reflective factors (social and governance) were also found to have a significant positive impact on the financial performance of the banking industry. Interestingly, environmental sustainability negatively impacted the financial performance during the COVID-19 period. It indicates that the banking industry ignored environmental sustainability practices during the COVID −19 period, negatively affecting their financial performance. It suggests that ignoring environmental sustainability practices will deteriorate financial performance following the COVID-19 period. These results have profound policy implications for practitioners and policymakers in the banking industry, which are discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Food packaging material is the primary element of the food industry; therefore, its consideration to sustain food quality and food safety is crucial. Several food-grade materials have been utilized for packaging food commodities for a long time. Still, these materials negatively influence safety, shelf life, texture, quality, and flavors of the food commodities. Concurrently, biotechnology introduces various techniques to produce several edible food packaging materials i.e. polysaccharides and protein-based films, intelligent and active packaging, which can preserve the food for a long period and inhibit the entry of biotic and abiotic components into the food. Various materials i.e. nisin, chitosan, cactus/mucilage, and bacterial nanocellulose, are being utilized to produce various kinds of edible packaging, including films, coatings, foams, with various kinds of edible active and intelligent packaging characteristics by biotechnological tools. The packaging material prepared by biotechnological applications is widely adopted and utilized in various food processing and preservation industries due to its higher safety levels and more nutritional components for consumption. The edible packaging material is currently utilized only for solid and semisolid processed products. However, there is an urgency to develop edible packaging material for liquid commodities such as products of the dairy and beverages industry by utilizing biotechnological techniques. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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A consortium of already isolated strains has been applied to degrade endosulfan. These were identified by 16S rRNA technique as Stenotrophomonas maltophilia EN-1, Pseudomonas sp. TAH and Enterobacter sp EN-2. Batch experiments were conducted to access the endosulfan degradation efficiency of consortium while using various concentrations of endosulfan (5, 25, 50, 75, 100 mg/L). Maximum degradation of about 85–90% was observed at a concentration of 100 mg/L after 96 hours of incubation while no degradation was observed in untreated ones (without consortium). Cell growth kinetic models were applied to explain the kinetic behaviors of bacterial consortium in batch study. Various kinetic parameters such as 'µmax' and 'Ks' were determined having values of 0.9 h−1 and 7.9 mg/L respectively, that depicts the faster rate of endosulfan degradation by the selected bacterial consortium. Conversely, first-order kinetics was also well fitted in the experimental data using least squares regression (R2) ranged from 0.09 to 0.95, which indicates that the endosulfan utilization was stimulated by a synergistic interaction of each bacterial strain in the consortium. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Pedestrians continue to face high risk of getting involved in fatal and serious injury crashes all over the world. In many high-income countries, pedestrian involvement in fatal crashes occur mostly in urban areas. However, in many low- and middle-income countries in Asia and Africa, pedestrian involvement in fatal crashes occur on intercity highways too. This research analyses fatal pedestrian crash characteristics, and identifies probable contributory factors to pedestrian involvement in fatal crashes using logistic regression for two-, four-, and six-lane National Highways. The fatal pedestrian crash density is found to be the highest at 1.37 crashes/km/year on six-lane divided NH-1. The binary logistic regression estimation results for pedestrian involvement in the fatal crash model revealed that the predictors: "number of lanes" and "time of crash" are found to be significant at 95% level. The model results for the variable "number of lanes" highlights the need to study pedestrian crossing behaviour on highways in detail. The design standards for pedestrian crossing facilities in urban areas may not be suitable for National Highways in particular multi-lane highways. In-depth research is required to understand the suitability of various traffic calming measures and other possible interventions which can ensure pedestrian safety on highways. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Amyloid-beta (Aβ) aggregates deposition at extra neuronal sites induces neurotoxicity and major hallmarks of Alzheimer's disease (AD). To reduce the Aβ fibril toxicity, multi-functional polyamidoamine (PAMAM) dendrimer was conjugated with tocopheryl polyethylene glycol succinate-1000 (TPGS) which acts as a carrier matrix for the delivery of neuroprotective molecule piperine (PIP). This PIP-TPGS-PAMAM dendrimer was fabricated to mitigate the Aβ1–42 fibril toxicity on SHSY5Y cells. TPGS-PAMAM was fabricated through carbodiimide coupling reaction, and PIP was encapsulated in dendrimer through solvent injection method to prepare PIP-TPGS-PAMAM. Antioxidant assay of PIP-TPGS-PAMAM showed 90.18% inhibition of 1, 1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) free radicals compared to free PIP, which was 28.27%. The SHSY5Y cells showed 37.25% for negative control group and 82.55% cell viability for PIP-TPGS-PAMAM treated group against Aβ1–42 toxicity. PIP-TPGS-PAMAM reduced the ROS activity to 15.21% and 48.5% for free PIP treated in cell group. Similarly, extent of Aβ1-42-induced apoptosis also reduced significantly from 38.2% to 12.36% in PIP-TPGS-PAMAM treated group. In addition, PIP-TPGS-PAMAM also disaggregated the Aβ1–42 fibril in SHSY5Y cells. Our findings suggested that PIP-TPGS-PAMAM showed mitigation of Aβ1-42-induced toxicity in neuronal cells, which can offer excellent prospect of neuroprotection and AD therapy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The scattering of a linearly polarized electromagnetic plane-wave from a sphere composed of an orthorhombic dielectric–magnetic medium having concentric layer of the chiral material is considered. The incident, the internal, and the scattered field phasors are expanded in terms of suitable sets of vector waves. By ensuring the continuity of the tangential components of electromagnetic fields across the chiral/ free-space and the chiral/ orthorhombic dielectric-magnetic interfaces, a relation between the incident and the scattered fields expansion coefficients by a transition matrix is obtained. Thereafter, the total scattering, absorption, forward-scattering, and backscattering efficiencies of the scattered field were calculated. The influences of the chirality parameter on various cross sections for different core–shell radii ratio are discussed numerically. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study sought to determine the role pedagogical love can play in the emotional experience of (Arabic-speaking) refugee families in Calgary, Canada, as they engaged with the public education system at the Grade 4–12 level. Through a cooperative inquiry approach, based on a shared agenda and interests, the researchers used cycles of action and reflection to elicit and analyse the experiences of parents, teachers, and in-school support workers. Contextualized within a LEAD (Literacy, English, and Academic Development) program, the study triangulated data from focus groups comprising Syrian and Iraqi Arabic-speaking families, educators, and settlement workers. Specifically, participants in the LEAD program were invited to articulate how pedagogical love could serve as an overarching orientation in making educational transition as successful as possible for refugee families. Using Braun and Clarke's thematic analysis, the researchers analyzed data in the form of reflections from parents, educators, and in-school support workers. Based on these data, we extrapolated four interconnected themes that demonstrated the positive correlation between incorporating pedagogical love into the classroom and refugee families' educational experience: (1) promoting pedagogical love through empathetic outreach; (2) promoting pedagogical love through increased societal exposure; (3) promoting pedagogical love through flexibility, trust, and confidence; and 4) promoting pedagogical love through individualized care. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Elections in Iran are considered to be an exercise conducted by the ruling regime as a show to prove its legitimacy and popularity among the common masses. It is because the president in Iran, unlike other states, is not a head of state; instead the power is vested in the hands of the Supreme Leader. On the other hand, the Iranian constitution gives the president the executive powers, while the Supreme Leader is responsible for marking the redlines of the political system. Hence, by default, any individual that ascends to the seat of presidency would be loyal to the Supreme Leader and by extension, to the Iranian system regardless of its political affiliation. Nonetheless, many experts based in the Western capitals often misinterpret the victory of the pro-reform faction as a success of anti-state sentiments in Iran. The victory of Masoud Pezeshkian, a pro-reform figure in Iran's presidential elections is seen as a potential rift between the state's vision and people's choice. To understand these political dynamics in Iran, it is imperative to analyse the 2024 presidential elections of Iran. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

MXene, a novel class of 2-dimensional transition metal carbides has evolved as a promising material for various applications owing to its outstanding characteristics such as hydrophilicity, high electrical conductivity, surface area, and attractive topological structure. MXenes can form dispersion in common solvents and constitute composite with other nanomaterials, which can be utilized as effective transducers for molecular sensing. MXene-modified support materials, thus provide an intriguing platform for immobilization of target molecules onto their surface. The literature reveals that it has been increasingly utilized in the sensing of diverse types of analytes including glucose, pharmaceuticals, metals and dyes, cancer markers, pesticides, neurotransmitters, small valuable molecules, and so on. In this review, we summarize the recent updates in the MXene modified materials for sensing. For the convenience of our audience, we have distributed the analytes into categories and discussed them comprehensively. Not only we present the synthesis approach, electrochemical properties and surface chemistry of MXenes but also discussed briefly the current challenges and an outlook for future research in the related area. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: Women who utilize assisted-reproductive technology (ART) to achieve pregnancy experience unique circumstances before and during their pregnancy. This study aims to examine the progression of mental health in pregnant women who conceived via various methods of ART to understand gestational time periods of emotional stability or risk specific to these populations.Methods: Secondary analysis of the Yale Pink and Blue Study - a prospective cohort involving women from 137 obstetrical practices in the northeastern United States between 2005-2009. Depressive and anxiety symptoms among spontaneous, planned pregnancies were compared to ART pregnancies using the Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale (EPDS) and its anxiety subscale (EPDS-3A), respectively. Generalized Estimating Equations were used to compare group changes (EPDS and EPDS-3A score threshold ≥10) at timepoints of <17 weeks (T1), 28(±2) weeks (T2), and 8(±4) weeks postpartum (T3).Results: 1,466 spontaneous, planned pregnancies were compared to 191 pregnancies conceived via ART. Prevalence of depressive symptoms were similar between conception groups. Change in prevalence over time differed significantly between those groups (from T1 to T3 (β 0.59), as well as between spontaneous pregnancies compared to autologous gamete ART pregnancies (from T1 to T2 (β 0.48) and T1 to T3 (β 0.65). Course of anxiety did not differ between conception groups.Conclusions: Women who conceive via ART have different rates of change in depressive symptoms throughout gestation compared to women with spontaneous pregnancies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aim of the present study was to develop salmon protein-based shelf stable snacks and to improve their storage quality using Solanum nigrum extract. The products were developed by incorporating different levels of salmon protein powder viz. 20% (T1), 30% (T2), 40% (T3), and 0.0% (control). The snacks containing optimum level of protein powder (30%) were incorporated with S. nigrum extract (1.0%) and stored at room temperature (25 ± 1°C) for 75 days. Incorporation of salmon protein powder significantly increased the protein and fat contents and decreased the carbohydrate content. The snacks containing 30% salmon protein powder showed highest scores for all sensory characteristics. The total phenolic content and DPPH-radical scavenging (% inhibition) of S. nigrum extract was 380 mg GAE/100 g and 79.0, respectively. Addition of S. nigrum extract significantly (P <.05) improved the lipid stability (reduced TBARS and free fatty acids) and microbial quality (total-plate and yeast/moulds), while enhancing the sensory quality of the snacks during storage. Salmon protein powder and S. nigrum can be used for the development of highly nutritive shelf stable snacks with improved lipid oxidative and microbial stability. The immune boosting properties of S. nigrum can be of health importance during this pandemic of SARS-CoV-2. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Soil erosion and the subsequent sedimentation are the major problem in Ethiopia. We assessed the impact of rainfall-induced soil erosion and prioritize the sub-watersheds using RUSLE and SYI models. We procured mean annual precipitation, Abay Basin soil map, Digital Elevation Model (DEM) and LANDSAT 8 OLI/TIRS, 2017 datasets. Results show that annual estimated soil loss was ≤270 and ≤120 t ha−1 yr−1 whereas, mean rates were 37.72 and 23.92 t ha−1 yr−1 for RUSLE and SYI models respectively. Both the models have identified ∼25% area of sub-watersheds (SW19 to SW23) has similar average soil loss (>20 t ha−1 yr−1) at higher elevations. Interestingly, similar erosion severity, priority level and ranks were observed through RUSLE and SYI. Findings indicate a strong relationship between erosion rate and topography. The severe erosion prone area requires immediate action for conservation treatment proposed in study. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

System signatures have transitioned from an emerging topic to a growing research area. It has become essential to classify different research directions and examine the general trends of this promising research area. This would help in identifying potential research areas requiring future study. In this article, we review the literature on "system signatures," dating back to 1985, and provide a thorough insight into this research field by using the techniques of bibliometric and network analyses. We proceed by identifying 539 published studies, and then scrutinize them to find works of proven influence, based on citation and PageRank analysis, and those authored by influential researchers. We also pinpoint the top contributing countries and key research topics. Finally, we identify and propose seven research clusters which might provide a robust roadmap for further investigation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The wool of Dumba fleece is an admixture of fine wool and coarse hairy fibers. (Tomer, 2018) The use of the slow speed carding machinerecovers fine wool fibers accounts 19.6% of fleece weight. The mean fiber diameter and medullation of recovered wool are 23.2 µm and 14.0%, respectively. The recovered wool fibers are able to spin into yarn of 20.7 Nm with the use of carrier fiber only. Nylon staple fiber of 2.5 denier and fine crossbred wool are mixed to spin yarn on semi-worsted spinning system. The fabric was woven with prepared yarn on handloom. The fabric has found the harsh feel due to available medullated fibers even after the removal of hairy fibers. The surface properties of the fabric were improved through enzyme treatment followed by softener application. The fabrics were evaluated for thermal insulation and surface smoothness. The thermal insulation value is found to improve from 2.03 to 2.18 for enzyme and softener treated fabric, respectively. The chemical treatment improves the fabric smoothness/softness, i.e, frictional properties viz. dynamic and static frictional resistance by 12.4% and 7.0%, respectively. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper explores how development banks should deploy appropriate financial instruments to encourage real economic risk-taking while minimizing financial engineering risks. We distinguish real economic risks from financial engineering or intermediary risks and argue that using complex financial instruments to leverage additional private financing may undermine policy steer and lead to too much risk being taken by development banks. We then explore comparative advantages of different financial instruments such as loans, guarantees, equity, and insurance in tackling risks in normal times. Then we synthesize common features of development banks' responses to the COVID-19 crisis. Finally, we propose future research directions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]