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Thunderstorms are natural disasters that impact people, animals, and the economy. Thunderstorms' detrimental repercussions can be avoided by identifying their occurrence in advance. The current work, in this respect, uses soft computing techniques such as K-Nearest Neighbour (KNN), Decision Tree (DT), Logistic Regression (LR), and Support Vector Machine (SVM) with various kernel functions to categorize the occurrence of thunderstorms over Ranchi, India. These techniques were trained and tested using two data sets: daily average and hourly meteorological datasets. The primary purpose of this study is to find which dataset-classifier combination is optimal for categorizing thunderstorm occurrence in Ranchi. No classifier was found to adequately classify either the Day Average Dataset or the Modified Day Average Dataset. On the other hand, the Hourly Dataset was found to be more balanced in terms of the number of thunderstorms that occurred than the Day Average and Modified Average datasets. The F-Score value of the incidence of thunderstorm incidents after using different classifiers was used to compare the outcomes of these datasets. The results reveal that using SVM with radial basis function. The Hourly Dataset is the best for thunderstorm day classification. For the overall and only incidence of thunderstorms classes, SVM-RBF gets 0.81 and 0.74 F-Scores, respectively. Other approaches, like grid search and Bagging, have been used to increase SVM-RBF performance. Grid search and Bagging are used on SVM-RBF to produce a hybrid Grid-Bag-SVM-RBF classifier with 82.04% accuracy and F-scores of 0.83 and 0.78 for overall and just thunderstorm occurrence, respectively. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Measurement of Maximal Static Respiratory Pressures (MSRP) is a non invasive tool to determine global respiratory muscle strength. The unique lifestyle factors in the Himalayan region, prompted the need for establishing normative values. Aim: To establish the typical maximum respiratory pressures in the Himalayan region and, secondarily, to develop a predictive equation based on the normative data collected. Materials and Methods: A cross-sectional observational study was conducted at the Department of Respiratory Medicine, Himalayan Institute of Medical Sciences, Swami Rama Himalayan University, Dehradun, Uttarakhand, India. A total of 101 non smokers (78 males, 23 females) aged from 19-70 years were selected after initial screening by a questionnaire and spirometry from the attendants of patients attending Himalayan Hospital from July 2000 to May 2022. Sustained Nasal Inspiratory Pressure (SNIP), Maximal Expiratory Pressure (MEP), and Maximal Inspiratory Pressure (MIP) values were measured using Micro Respiratory Pressure Meter (RPM) following the American Thoracic Society Technical Statement (ATS) standard protocol. The prediction model for the Maximal Respiratory Pressure (MRP) was obtained using regression analysis. Height, age, weight, and Body Mass Index (BMI) were included as variables in the calculations. The statistical analysis was conducted using the Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) program for Windows (Version 22.0). Results: There was a statistically significant difference observed in MIP among males 91.77±29.41 cmH2O and females 65.26±19.55 cmH2O and in MEP among males 86.37±26.96 cmH2O and females 56.04±18.29 cmH2O. Both MIP and MEP averages were more in males than in females. In the present study, there was no significant relationship between height, weight, BMI, and respiratory pressure in females. There was no significant relationship between MIP and MEP plus height, age, weight, or BMI. Weight (r-value=0.24), age (r-value=0.27), and BMI (r-value=0.27) all had a significant association in men. Conclusion: Based on these findings, it can be concluded that there are gender-based disparities in MRP in the Himalayan population, with males exhibiting higher average values than females. Additionally, while there was no significant correlation between anthropometric factors and respiratory pressures in females, in males, weight, age, and BMI showed significant associations with these respiratory parameters. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To realize multiferroic and magnetoelectric properties, bi-layered nanocomposite films consisting of CoFe2O4 (CFO)/Pb1-xSrxTiO3 (PST) phases (x=0.1, 0.2, and 0.3) have been deposited on Pt/TiO2/SiO2/Si substrate by using a metallo-organic decomposition process. Both the PST perovskite and the CFO spinel phases are confirmed from X-ray diffraction patterns and Raman spectra of the composite films. The composite films exhibit room temperature multiferroic properties. The values of saturation magnetization (Ms), remanent magnetization (Mr), and coercive field (Hc) of the composite films are in the range of 108-119 kA/m, 42-51 kA/m, and 44.5-64.1 kA/m, respectively. In addition, the saturation polarization (Ps), remanent polarization (Pr), and electrical coercive field (Ec) are observed in the range of 11.3-14.4 μC/cm², 2.9-4.8 μC/cm², and 56-59.5 kV/cm, respectively. The dielectric response in the presence of applied magnetic field, Hdc∼238.6 kA/m shows a high magnetocapacitance value ∼385% at frequency 100 kHz for CFO/PST composite film with x=0.1. The maximum magnetoelectric voltage co-efficient value, αE∼380 kV/(m×T) has been achieved in the composite films with x=0.1. The influence of elastic/and or interfacial strain on multiferroic magnetoelectric properties is evident from the results. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The room temperature and magnetic field-dependent dielectric, impedance and magnetoelectric (ME) coupling effect of polycrystalline AFe2O4/(Pb0.80Sr0.20)TiO3 (A = Mn, Ni and Co) bi-layered composite films have been investigated. The structural and microstructural analyses using the X-ray diffraction (XRD), atomic force microscopy (AFM) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) reveal the presence of homogenous growth of both tetragonal and spinel phases without any extra phase and diffusion in the AFO/PST20 bi-layered composite films. Our results show that all composite films exhibit ferroelectric as well as considerable magnetic, indicating magnetoelectric coupling effect. Our results show that the dielectric and impedance properties of AFO/PST20 bi-layered composite films can be manipulated by the magnetic field at room temperature, also indicating the existence of magnetoelectric coupling. The impedance (Z′ and Z″) Nyquist plots show distinct electrical responses with the magnetic field. The maximum magnetoelectric coefficient (α) is found to be αME∼ 239 and ∼ 195 mV/cm/Oe for the MFO/PST20 and CFO/PST20 bi-layered composite films, respectively. The above results show that the AFO/PST20 bi-layered composite films are room-temperature multiferroic material that can be potentially used in magnetoelectric devices. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We have demonstrated a successful technique for the preparation of metal nanoparticles supported on graphite derived from naturally abundant biomass waste. The physicochemical properties of the synthesised materials were investigated using microscopic and spectroscopic methods, and the materials were applied further for the electrochemical detection of the neurotransmitter epinephrine (EP). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

CoFe2O4/(Pb0.6Sr0.4)TiO3bi-layered composite film exhibits ferromagnetic and ferroelectric responses (Ms∼ 162 emu/cm3,Hc∼ 1.8 kOe, 2Pr∼ 8.6 µC/cm2and 2Ec∼ 634 kV/cm) at room temperature. The temperature dependent dielectric anomaly near magnetic phase transition temperature suggests magnetoelectric coupling effect in the composite film. The maximumMDeffect can reach as high as ∼49% at 3 kOe applied DC magnetic field. The composite film exhibits magnetoelectric voltage co-efficientαME∼ 67 mVcm−1Oe−1. The photoluminescence emission bands of the composite film have a significant blue shift as compared to those reported for CFO and PST nanostructures. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We have synthesized piezomagnetic–piezoelectric composites thin films MnFe 2 O 4 /(Pb 1−x Sr x )TiO 3 , where x=0.1, 0.2, and 0.3, using the metalorganic deposition (MOD) reaction method. The structural and microstructural analysis using the X-ray diffraction (XRD), AFM, and SEM reveals the presence of homogenous growth of both pervoskite and spinel phases in the composite films. Our results show that all the composites films exhibit good multiferroic as well as considerable magnetoelectric coupling. The impedance ( Z ′ and Z ″) and electrical modulus ( M ′ and M ″) Nyquist plots show distinct electrical responses with the magnetic field. Our analyses suggest that this electrical response arises due to the coexistence of the high resistive phase and the comparatively conductive phase in the MFO/PST composite films. The maximum magnetoelectric coefficient (α) is found to be 4.29 V Oe −1 cm −1 and 2.82 V Oe −1 cm −1 for compositions x=0.1 and 0.2. These values are substantially larger than those reported for bilayer composites thin films in literature and make them interesting for room temperature device applications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

MnFe2O4/(Pb0.8Sr0.2)TiO3(MFO/PST20) heterostructured composite films with three different structures have been grown on Pt/TiO2/SiO2/Si substrates by metal–organic decomposition processing via spin coating technique. The structural analysis revealed that the crystal axes of the MnFe2O4are aligned with those of the PST20 ferroelectric matrix with obvious interfaces and no diffusions exist in all the three composite films. These composite films exhibit simultaneously multiferroic and magnetoelectric responses at room temperature. The growth structure of MFO and PST20 layers has an effect on multiferroic and magnetoelectric coupling behaviours of the composite films. The bi- and four-layered MFO/PST20 composite films exhibit superior ferroelectric properties compared to the tri-layered film. The increasing MFO and PST20 layers in the composite films enhance ferromagnetic properties and are closely related to the strain release in MnFe2O4phase. The MFO/PST20 bi-layered composite film shows a high magnetoelectric voltage co-efficientαE~ 194 mVcm−1Oe−1at a dc magnetic fieldHdc~ 2.5 kOe. A significant decrease inαEvalue has been observed for tri- and four- layered composite films. A close correlation between phase selective residual stress and magnetoelectric properties has been emerged. The results are reasonably encouraging for employing MnFe2O4for growing multiferroic–magnetoelectric composite films. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Multiferroic nanostructured composite thin films consisting of CoFe 2 O 4 (CFO) and Pb 1−x Sr x TiO3 (PST; x = 0.1, 0.2, 0.3, 0.4 and 0.5) layers have been deposited on Pt/TiO 2 /SiO 2 /Si and quartz substrates by using metallo-organic decomposition process and spin coating. The effect of Sr content on the multiferroic and optical properties have been investigated. The phase purity such as spinel structure of CFO and perovskite structure of PST has been verified by X-ray diffraction. Cross-sectional scanning electron microscopy images revealed clear interface between CFO and PST layers without any noticeable diffusion. The multiferroic properties of CFO/PST composite films have been confirmed by magnetic and ferroelectric hysteresis loops with low leakage current density. The residual strain sensitivity of multiferroic and optical properties has been observed in the composite films. The decrease in saturation magnetization and saturation polarization with increase in Sr content has been observed which could be attributed to the decrease in residual strain of CFO/PST composite films. The magnetic phase transition temperature of the CFO/PST composite films is also reduced. The optical refractive index decreases with increase of amount of Sr content. The photoluminescence spectra of the CFO/PST composite films possess a blue shift which can be attributed to the Pb and oxygen vacancies as localized sensitizing centers. We show that the multiferroic and optical properties of the CFO/PST composite films are highly sensitive to the heterostructure strains which can be controlled by Sr content. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The present study depicts, synthesis and physicochemical investigations of zinc oxide nanoflowers (ZnO NFs). X-ray diffraction (XRD) profile of ZnO NFs revealed that ZnO NFs exhibit hexagonal wurtzite-type structure of crystallinity with P63mc space group. Microstructural analysis displays a uniform flower-like shape of ZnO NFs with petals ranging from 1 to 2 μm and an overall size of 12 µm. The absorption spectrum of ZnO NFs showed characteristic peak at 365.7 nm with an optical energy band gap of 3.40 eV. The photocatalytic activity of the ZnO NFs was evaluated by exposing crystal violet (CV) dye to UV light in the presence of the ZnO NFs. The UV–Vis spectra showed a significant decrease in the intensity of the absorbance peak at ~ 590 nm, corresponding to the degradation of the dye. The degradation followed a first-order rate equation with a rate constant of 0.0404 min−1 and excellent fit to the experimental data (R2 = 0.987). Furthermore, the ZnO NFs displayed excellent reusability, with more than 90% removal efficiency after 5 cycles. These findings demonstrate the potential of ZnO NFs as an effective photocatalyst for removing toxicity from aqueous solutions. Hall effect measurements revealed the n-type character of ZnO NFs and their resistivity, carrier concentration and Hall mobility were found to be 29 Ω cm, 7.53 × 106 cm−3, and 2.48 cm2/V s, respectively. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Correction for ‘Copper and cobalt nanoparticles embedded in naturally derived graphite electrodes for the sensing of the neurotransmitter epinephrine’ by Kanchan Bala et al., New J. Chem., 2018, DOI: URL10.1039/c8nj00881g/URL. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The present manuscript portrays environmental benign, cost‐effective and energy efficient green route way to synthesize Mg−Zn ferrite nanoparticles [Mg0.05Zn0.05Fe2O4 NPs] using Ocimum Basilicum leaf extract [OBLE]. X‐ray diffraction (XRD) analysis revealed that Ocimum Basilicum leaf extract mediated Mg−Zn ferrite nanoparticles [OBLE@Mg−Zn NPs] exhibit face centred cubic crystallinity with space group Fd3‾m ${{\rm F}{\rm d}\bar{3}{\rm m}}$ as confirmed by Rietveld refinement studies. Microstructural analysis illustrated uniform surface morphology with well interlinked grain with an average grain size of 35.6±0.12 nm. FTIR spectra showed existence of hydroxyl −OH group at 3403 cm−1 and C=C vibration at 2345 cm−1. Magnetic hysteresis loop (M−H loop) confirmed the superparamagnetic behaviour of OBLE@Mg−Zn NPs. Cytotoxic activity of OBLE@Mg−Zn NPs was carried out against breast cancer cell line MDA‐MB‐231. Dose dependent cell viability of cancerous cells depicted cytotoxic potential of OBLE@Mg−Zn NPs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Implant survival is initially dependent on successful osseointegration following placement. Any alteration of this biological process may adversely affect treatment outcome. Hence; under the light of above obtained data, the present study was undertaken for assessing the prognosis of dental implants in diabetic patients. Materials & methods: 200 diabetic patients who underwent dental implant procedures for prosthetic rehabilitation of missing mandibular first molars comprised of study group; and 200 healthy controls which underwent dental implant procedures for prosthetic rehabilitation of missing mandibular first molars. All the implant procedures were carried out under the hands of skilled and experienced oral implantologists. Follow-up details of all the patients were recorded upto a time period of one year. All the results were recorded in Microsoft excel sheet and were analyzed by SPSS software. Results: Success occurred in 192 cases in diabetic group, while it occurred in 196 cases in the control group. Non- significant results were obtained while comparing the prognosis of dental implants in diabetic and non-diabetic patients. Conclusion: Success of dental implant in controlled diabetic patients with adequate treatment planning and precision is as equal as in normal subjects. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]