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Internet of things (IoT) is the most advanced version of the internet to maintain a number of applications that combines different intelligent devices used by management or individuals, such as remote sensing data processing, smart health with environmental monitoring, and other related fields. IoT devices interact and interfere with one another, posing a variety of security risks. Prior industrial IoT blockchain data transmission methods suffer from lower security, higher management costs for trading centres, and significant supervision challenges. To deal with this issue, Theil-Sen Regressive Miyaguchi-Preneel-based Cryptographic Hash Blockchain approach is proposed in this manuscript for securing data transmission utilizing remote sensing data in IoT (TSR-MPCHB-SDT-RSD). To enhance data transfer security, TSR-MPCHB is proposed. Remote sensing data are gathered using IoT devices. Miyaguchi-Preneel cryptographic function generates every data confusing value. It aids to enhance data privacy with an integrity ratio. The simulation of the proposed approach is done in Java. The performance metrics, namely data privacy ratio, data dependability ratio, process time average delay, average power consumption, and blockchain data transfer efficacy, is examined. The proposed approach attains higher data confidentiality rate of 31.06%, 12.24%, 15.64%, and 11.66% compared to existing such as Blockchain-Envisioned Secure Data Delivery along Collection Mode for 5G-Base IoT-Enabled Internet of Drones Context (BESDDC-IOD-RSD), BIoTHR: Electronic Health Record Service System in IoT-Blockchain Ecosystem (BIoTHR-SDT-RSD), Blockchain- LamportMerkle Digital Signature: Authentication tool in IoT healthcare (LMDSG-SDT-RSD), and Privacy Protection Blockchain Attain Safe and Dependable Sharing of IoT Data (ACOMKSVM-SDT-RSD). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: COVID-19 is a global pandemic caused by [severe acute respiratory syndrome-corona virus] SARS-CoV-2 which belongs to genera beta corona virus. In the pathogenesis of the present pandemic many inflammatory markers are being rised and are causing cellular damage. Objectives of present study includes [1] study serum ferritin levels in type 2 diabetes mellitus patients who are confirmed as covid positive cases by RT-PCR technique and[2] To compare serum ferritin in covid cases without any co-morbidities. Methods: - Present study is a case control study done at department of Biochemistry at state covid clinical laboratory, Government general hospital, Kurnool, Andhra Pradesh for about 4 months from April2020 to July 2020. It includes 50 covid positive cases who are known diabetic and 50 were controls who are also tested covid positive but without any co morbidities. Results:-Data is entered in excel spreadsheet and statistically analyzed using spss software. Mean with serum Ferritin in cases is 573.13±94.79, P value- 0.0001 and controls are 268.50±40.48, P value- <0.0001. Conclusion:- A statistical significant results shows that high serum ferritin levels in covid positive diabetes mellitus cases is attributed to cellular damage caused by hyperglycemia and in turn serum ferritin causing hyperinsulinemia and hyperglycemia. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Shape Memory Alloy (SMA) is tuned to match the frequency of excitation with the resonance frequency. Simulation is carried out numerically using COMSOL 5.3 software. This model consists of cantilevered beam without tip mass, PZT layer, Aluminium beam and SMA layer. Lead Zirconium titanate (PZT - 5A) is used as PZT layer for the conversion of energy. Harvesters power frequency response for different frequency ranges are carried out. The maximum output is obtained in excitation frequency with SMA and the results were compared without SMA material. The numerical simulation of the Frequency Response Functions (FRF) was compared with the analytical frequency response functions of the harvester. The maximum difference between the numerical and analytical results is 9.77 % in FRF's and 1.85 % in resonance frequency. Materials used are Lead Zirconium titanate (PZT - 5A), SMA material and Aluminium beam which reaches the scopes of journal. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The detection of biogenic amines released from degraded meats is an effective method for evaluating meat freshness. However, existing traditional methods like titration are deemed tedious, while the use of sophisticated analytical instruments is not amenable to field testing. Herein, a cyanostilbene-based fluorescent array was rapidly fabricated using macroarray synthesis on a cellulose paper surface to detect amines liberated from spoiled beef, fish, and chicken. The fluorescence changes of immobilized molecules from the interaction with gaseous amines were used to monitor changes in freshness levels. Thanks to the high-throughput nature of macroarray synthesis, a set of highly responsive molecules such as pyridinium and dicyanovinyl moieties were quickly revealed. Importantly, this method offers flexibility in sensing applications including (1) sensing by individual sensor molecules, where the fluorescence response correlated well with established titration methods, and (2) collective sensing whereby chemometric analysis was used to provide a cutoff of freshness with 73–100% accuracy depending on meat types. Overall, this study paves the way for a robust and cost-effective tool for monitoring meat freshness. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• The ferrocene-based probe colourimetricaly/electrochemicaly sensed HSO 3 − in a 95 % aqueous solution. • Mechanism of sensing was illustrated by 1H & 13C NMR, HR-MS and DFT/TD-DFT analysis. • The plausible mechanism of sensing is via nucleophilic addition of HSO 3 − ion to olefinic C-atom. • The proposed sensing mechanism was well supported by DFT/TD-DFT calculations. • The probe was utilized to estimate the levels of HSO 3 − ions in natural water and red wine samples. A simple ferrocene-based organic probe (AK5) is described for selective and sensitive colourimetric/electrochemical detection of HSO 3 - ions in a 95 % aqueous solution. Upon adding HSO 3 − ions, the colour of the solution changes from brown to colourless instantaneously. The plausible mechanism of detection of HSO 3 − ions by AK5 was illustrated by 1H NMR, 13C NMR, HR-MS and DFT/TD-DFT analysis, which revealed nucleophilic addition of HSO 3 − ion to olefinic C-atom. The limits of detection (LOD) are determined to be 5.58 and 0.12 µM in colourimetric and electrochemical methods, respectively. The probe is successfully applied to estimate the levels of HSO 3 − ions in natural water and red wine samples. [Display omitted] [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

RPL (IPv6 Routing Protocol for Low power and Lossy Networks) is the pseudo-standard routing protocol for Internet of Things. RPL employs a customizable objective function to optimize the routing. The default objective functions used in RPL are i) OF0 (Objective Function Zero) and ii) MRHOF (Minimum Rank with Hysteresis Objective Function). The OF0 is based on the routing metric hop count, whereas the MRHOF uses the ETX metric. They both do not measure the actual link quality. The link quality is directly related to the reliability of the network. The quality of the link can be estimated through methods that are both hardware and software based. The software-based methods are easy to implement and to ensure the reliability of the network. There are different software-based link quality estimation methods; the prominent methods among them are ETX and Link Quality Level (LQL). The ETX is a method of approximation of the transmitted packets. It uses probe packets to predict the expected transmission count, and it may not accurately reflect the link quality. The proposed Link Quality-Based Objective Function (LQBOF) makes use of the LQL metric which provides better link estimation values than the ETX method. The proposed method intends to provide a more reliable routing based on the link quality. The LQL is estimated through a metric called Packet Reception Rate (PRR). The LQL is calculated and ranked as values from 1 to 7, reflecting the best and worst link quality, respectively. The estimated LQL value is linked with the default ETX in computing the best path. This method intends to increase the reliability of the network. The reliability of the objective function is evaluated with the performance metrics packet delivery ratio, power consumption, throughput, convergence time, control traffic overhead and hop count. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Volume estimation of brain tissues such as the White Matter, Gray Matter and Cerebrospinal Fluid is an important task in brain image analysis and also used to diagnose neurological and psychiatric disorders. In this work, brain tissue volume reduction is estimated to detect Alzheimer's disease (AD) using magnetic resonance images. The proposed method initially applies Hue Saturation Value-Based Histogram Thresholding Technique to segment the brain tissue. After that, brain volume is estimated using the pixel counting-based method (PCBM) to detect AD. The proposed method was investigated with images obtained from T1-weighted images of cognitive normal (CN) /normal (N) and AD images from Minimum Interval Resonance Imaging in Alzheimer's Disease and Alzheimer's Disease Neuroimaging Initiative and T1- and T2-weighted real-time images collected from a medical diagnostic clinical imaging center. The estimated brain tissue volume between the AD and CN/N brain tissue clearly quantifies the brain tissue reduction and it is compared with existing automatic estimation method statistical parametric mapping (SPM). Comparing to SPM, our PCBM method accurately estimates the brain tissue volumes and can be used as a potential tool to detect AD using MR imaging data. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A new chemo-dosimeter AK4 containing quinoline fluorophore has rationally been designed, synthesised and characterized using 1H and 13C NMR and mass spectral techniques. The probe senses explicitly CN− ion through a dramatic enhancement in fluorescence over other commonly coexistent anions in H2O:DMSO (9:1 v/v) medium over a broad pH range (4–10). 1H NMR titration revealed the deprotonation followed by nucleophilic addition reaction of CN−, which was supported by 13C NMR and mass spectral examinations. The Job’s continuous variation method indicated the formation of a 1:1 adduct between AK4 and CN− with a binding constant of 1.62 × 104 M−1. A limit of detection (LOD) towards CN− of 0.69 µM has been determined, which is much lower than the World Health Organization (WHO) recommended limit of CN− in drinking water (1.9 µM). The changes in the optical properties of AK4 upon reaction with CN− were delineated using Density Functional Theory (DFT) and Time-Dependent Density Functional Theory (TD-DFT) calculations. Moreover, fluorescence microscopic studies established that AK4 could be an effective probe for imaging intracellular CN− in HeLa cells. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Based on the Fourier transform, Elzaki in 2011 (Tarig M.Elzaki, The new integral transform Elzaki transform, Global Journal of Pure and Applied Mathematics, 7(1), 57-64 (2011)) defined the Elzaki transform. Motivated by the work Kim and Kim (Taekyun Kim and Dae San Kim, Degenerate Laplace transform and degenerate gamma function, Russian Journal of Mathematical Physics, 24(2), 241-248 (2017)) on the introduction of the degenerate Laplace transform, in this paper, we introduce the degenerate ELzaki transform and investigate some of its properties and relations. In particular we find the degenerate Elzaki transforms of the degenerate sine, the degenerate cosine, the degenerate hyperbolic sine and the degenerate hyperbolic cosine functions. Moreover, we investigate a scale preserving theorem for the degenerate Elzaki transform and establish that the degenerate Elzaki transform is a theoretical dual transform to the degenerate Laplace transform. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Diabetes and metabolic syndrome are associated with the typical American high glycemia diet and result in accumulation of high levels of advanced glycation end products (AGEs), particularly upon aging. AGEs form when sugars or their metabolites react with proteins. Associated with a myriad of age‐related diseases, AGEs accumulate in many tissues and are cytotoxic. To date, efforts to limit glycation pharmacologically have failed in human trials. Thus, it is crucial to identify systems that remove AGEs, but such research is scanty. Here, we determined if and how AGEs might be cleared by autophagy. Our in vivo mouse and C. elegans models, in which we altered proteolysis or glycative burden, as well as experiments in five types of cells, revealed more than six criteria indicating that p62‐dependent autophagy is a conserved pathway that plays a critical role in the removal of AGEs. Activation of autophagic removal of AGEs requires p62, and blocking this pathway results in accumulation of AGEs and compromised viability. Deficiency of p62 accelerates accumulation of AGEs in soluble and insoluble fractions. p62 itself is subject to glycative inactivation and accumulates as high mass species. Accumulation of p62 in retinal pigment epithelium is reversed by switching to a lower glycemia diet. Since diminution of glycative damage is associated with reduced risk for age‐related diseases, including age‐related macular degeneration, cardiovascular disease, diabetes, Alzheimer's, and Parkinson's, discovery of methods to limit AGEs or enhance p62‐dependent autophagy offers novel potential therapeutic targets to treat AGEs‐related pathologies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Different spectroscopic techniques and Density Functional Theory (DFT)/Time-Dependent Density Functional Theory (TDDFT) calculations have been employed to investigate the dual channel CN− detection behaviour of the developed chemo-dosimeter (AK3). The CN− with AK3 reaction triggered a colour change from pale yellow to colourless and enhanced fluorescence. UV–Vis, fluorescence, 1H & 13C NMR and mass techniques coupled with theoretical calculations (Mulliken charges, dihedral angles) revealed that the CN− sensing process mechanism involves deprotonation of the N–H group followed by nucleophilic addition reaction. Detailed TD-DFT calculations showed that the relaxation of excited electrons from LUMO and to two different ground states is responsible for the weak/moderate fluorescence of AK3. Nucleophilic addition of CN− to the C-atom of the CH = CH bridge terminated the π-conjugation between donor and acceptor regions, reduced the coplanarity, decreased the ICT transition and consequently enhanced the fluorescence of the probe. The practical utility of the probe was demonstrated by detecting cyanide in food materials and determining CN− in environmental water samples. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• A new Schiff base fluorescent probe detects Al(III) selectively and sensitively in 90% aq. DMSO medium. • The probe acts as a NNN-tridentate ligand to form a 1:1 chelate with Al(III) as evidenced from 1H NMR, 27Al NMR and mass spectral techniques. • The mechanism of sensing involves enhancement of bluish-green fluorescence via CHEF effect. • DFT/TD-DFT calculations strongly supported the proposed mechanism. • The probe could detect intracellular Al(III) in Hela cells. A new Schiff base (AK2) is synthesized, characterized and used to detect Al(III) ions as the fluorometric probe in an aqueous solution. AK2 exhibits high selectivity towards Al(III) by forming a 1:1 octahedral complex wherein the probe acts as a NNN-tridentate ligand. The sensing mechanism is verified by 1H NMR, 27Al NMR and mass spectral techniques in addition to Job's plot analysis. In an aqueous solution, AK2 is scarcely emissive due to the photoinduced electron transfer (PET) process and upon the addition of Al(III) ions the formed AK2+Al(III) complex results in instantaneous intense bluish-green emission (at 475 nm) by chelation-enhanced fluorescence (CHEF) effect. AK2 was found to have high selectivity, high binding constant (K b = 3.9 × 104 M−1) and an acceptable limit of detection (LOD = 0.9 µM). The experimentally observed optical properties of AK2 and AK2+Al(III) complex have been correlated with computational results using B3LYP/6–311G** and B3LYP/LACV3P** basis sets by Density Functional Theory (DFT) and Time-dependent Density Functional Theory (TD-DFT) methods. The probe has proved its real-time application as a reagent in the quantitative determination of Al(III) in natural matrices such as bore water, drinking water, tap water and BSA solution. Fluorescence microscopic studies showed that AK2 could be used as an effective probe for detecting intracellular Al(III) in HeLa cells without toxicity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

[Display omitted] • The fluorescent probe AK1 sequentially sensed of Cu(II) and HS- ions via OFF-ON mechanism. • Job's plot, mass, FT-IR and EPR spectral data indicated formation of distorted octahedral [(AK1) 2 Cl(H 2 O)Cu] complex. • The LOD of AK1 for Cu(II) was 18 µM. • DFT and TD-DFT calculations strongly supported the optical experimental results. A new highly selective fluorescent probe AK1 was designed, synthesized and characterized, by conventional techniques, including single crystal XRD analysis, for sequential sensing of Cu(II) and HS- ions in an aqueous solution. The probe showed significant fluorescence quenching in the presence of Cu(II), while other metal ions produced only minor changes in the fluorescence of AK1. Job's plot and mass and EPR spectral analyses indicated a 2:1 binding stoichiometry between AK1 and Cu(II) ions. The limit of detection (LOD) of AK1 for Cu(II) was determined to be 7.7 µM, which is far lower than the USEPA limit (∼20 µM) for drinking water. Subsequently, the in situ generated AK1 -Cu(II) complex acts as a highly selective and sensitive probe for HS- ion, with an enhancement in fluorescence, even in the presence of different anions. Notably, the probe could detect and quantify Cu(II) and HS- ions in real water samples. Moreover, the optical properties of the probe in the absence and presence of Cu(II) and HS- ions were explained by density functional theory (DFT) and time-dependent density functional theory (TD-DFT) calculations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Charge frustrated spinels have engaged the interest of condensed matter studies due to the novel formation of multimer molecular sub units that lifts the degeneracy in the ground state. An exhaustive study on the stability of these molecular sub units is not available in the literature. In the present study, evidence has been obtained for the first time that hydrostatic pressure beyond 21 GPa, destabilizes the vanadium heptamer molecular sub units reversibly in the unique ambient temperature charge ordered spinel AlV 2 O 4 . The bulk modulus and its pressure derivative of the charge ordered phase are constrained. In addition a systematic structural analysis as a function of temperature shows destabilization of vanadium trimers those stack up to make the heptamer units. The crystal structure and total energy have been calculated using first principles density functional formalism (GGA approximation) as a function of pressure. The results obtained corroborate the stability of the frustrated phase beyond 20 GPa. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A numerical study of effect of surface roughness on finite porous journal bearing with heterogeneous slip/no-slip surface is presented. Generalized Reynolds type equations are derived for both types of uni-dimensional roughness structure. The well established Christensen stochastic theory is used to study the roughness effect. The governing differential equation can be solved by finite difference method. The effect of surface roughness parameter, slip parameter, permeability parameter and eccentricity ratio on pressure and hydrodynamic load is investigated. It has been shown that pressure and load carrying capacity increases with surface roughness for the bearing with slip/no-slip surface. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The efficient operation of the present day power system is an important issue to satisfy the customer needs. To improve the performance of the existing power system, the flexible alternating current transmission system (FACTS) devices have been attracted by an engineering community with the expertise in power system. This article proposes the self-adaptive firefly algorithm (SAFA) for placement of FACTS devices, which identifies the appropriate type, best possible locations and optimal parameters of FACTS devices. Static var compensator, thyristor controlled series compensator and unified power flow controller are considers as FACTS devices for their placement. The objectives are to improve the power system performance by placement of FACTS devices through minimising real power loss, improving voltage profile and enhancing the voltage stability. Effectiveness of the proposed SAFA is tested on standard IEEE 30 and IEEE 57 bus systems with different objectives. The results are compared with other approaches, which clearly indicate the effectiveness and usefulness of the proposed method. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The efficient operation of the present day power system is an important issue to satisfy the customer needs. To improve the performance of the existing power system, the flexible alternating current transmission system (FACTS) devices have been attracted by an engineering community with the expertise in power system. This article proposes the self‐adaptive firefly algorithm (SAFA) for placement of FACTS devices, which identifies the appropriate type, best possible locations and optimal parameters of FACTS devices. Static var compensator, thyristor controlled series compensator and unified power flow controller are considers as FACTS devices for their placement. The objectives are to improve the power system performance by placement of FACTS devices through minimising real power loss, improving voltage profile and enhancing the voltage stability. Effectiveness of the proposed SAFA is tested on standard IEEE 30 and IEEE 57 bus systems with different objectives. The results are compared with other approaches, which clearly indicate the effectiveness and usefulness of the proposed method. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

HIV protease inhibitors are key components of HIV antiretroviral therapies, which are fundamental in the treatment of HIV infection. However, the protease inhibitors are well-known to induce metabolic dysfunction which can in turn escalate the complications of HIV, including HIV associated neurocognitive disorders. As experimental and epidemiological data support a therapeutic role for adiponectin in both metabolic and neurologic homeostasis, this study was designed to determine if increased adiponectin could prevent the detrimental effects of protease inhibitors in mice. Adult male wild type (WT) and adiponectin-overexpressing (ADTg) mice were thus subjected to a 4-week regimen of lopinavir/ritonavir, followed by comprehensive metabolic, neurobehavioral, and neurochemical analyses. Data show that lopinavir/ritonavir-induced lipodystrophy, hypoadiponectinemia, hyperglycemia, hyperinsulinemia, and hypertriglyceridemia were attenuated in ADTg mice. Furthermore, cognitive function and blood–brain barrier integrity were preserved, while loss of cerebrovascular markers and white matter injury were prevented in ADTg mice. Finally, lopinavir/ritonavir caused significant increases in expression of markers of brain inflammation and decreases in synaptic markers in WT, but not in ADTg mice. Collectively, these data reinforce the pathophysiologic link from metabolic dysfunction to loss of cerebrovascular and cognitive homeostasis; and suggest that preservation and/or replacement of adiponectin could prevent these key aspects of HIV protease inhibitor-induced toxicity in clinical settings. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

ABSTRACT Automatic segmentation of cerebral hemispheres in magnetic resonance (MR) brain images help to quantify the brain asymmetry and correct several MR brain deformities. The detection of mid-sagittal plane (MSP) in human brain image is necessary to segment the hemispheres for both operator-based and automated brain image asymmetric analysis. In this article, a computationally simple and accurate technique to detect MSP in MRI human head scans using curve fitting is developed. The left and right hemispheres are segmented based on the detected MSP. The accuracy of the MSP is evaluated by comparing the segmented left and right hemispheres against the manually segmented ones. Experimental results using 78 volumes of T1, T2 and PD-weighted MRI brain images show that the proposed method has accurately segmented the cerebral hemispheres based on the detected MSP in axial and coronal orientations of normal and pathological brain images. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Recent clinical and laboratory evidences suggest that high fat diet (HFD) induced obesity and its associated metabolic syndrome conditions promotes neuropathology in aging and age-related neurological disorders. However, the effects of high fat diet on brain pathology are poorly understood, and the effective strategies to overcome these effects remain elusive. In the current study, we examined the effects of HFD on brain pathology and further evaluated whether donepezil, an AChE inhibitor with neuroprotective functions, could suppress the ongoing HFD induced pathological changes in the brain. Our data demonstrates that HFD induced obesity results in increased neuroinflammation and increased AChE activity in the brain when compared with the mice fed on low fat diet (LFD). HFD administration to mice activated mTOR pathway resulting in increased phosphorylation of mTOR ser2448 , AKT thr308 and S6K proteins involved in the signaling. Interestingly, donepezil administration with HFD suppressed HFD induced increases in AChE activity, and partially reversed HFD effects on microglial reactivity and the levels of mTOR signaling proteins in the brain when compared to the mice on LFD alone. However, gross levels of synaptic proteins were not altered in the brain tissues of mice fed either diet with or without donepezil. In conclusion, these results present a new insight into the detrimental effects of HFD on brain via microglial activation and involvement of mTOR pathway, and further demonstrates the possible therapeutic role for donepezil in ameliorating the early effects of HFD that could help preserve the brain function in metabolic syndrome conditions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this paper, we introduce the concept of soft g*closed sets and soft g* open sets in soft topological space which are defined over an initial universe set with a fixed set of parameters together with its corresponding soft g*closure and soft g*interior operators. Also, we introduce the concept of softand regular spaces and investigate the relationship between them. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

[Display omitted] • A new probe was designed, synthesized and characterized using NMR, mass and single crystal XRD studies. • The probe exhibited high selectivity and sensitivity towards cyanide in an aqueous solution. • A fluorescence turn-on process via deprotonation of phenolic –OH group was proposed. • The proposed sensing mechanism and optical properties were investigated using DFT and TD-DFT calculations. • The probe was utilized to detect cyanide in food materials and HeLa cells and to determine in natural water samples. A simple fluorescent probe (KS4) containing multiple reaction sites (phenolic –OH, imine and C = C bonds) is successfully synthesized and characterized using 1H NMR, 13C NMR, mass and single crystal XRD techniques. KS4 exhibits high selectivity towards CN– over a wide range of common anions in H 2 O:DMSO (1:1 v/v) leading to an amazing turn-on fluorescence at 505 nm via deprotonation of the phenolic –OH group. The limit of detection (1.3 µM) for CN– was much below the standard (1.9 µM) set by the World Health Organization (WHO). Stoichiometry of the interaction between KS4 and CN– was ascertained as 1:1 by the Job's plot method and the binding constant was determined to be 1.5x104 M−1. Density Functional Theory (DFT) and Time-Dependent Density Functional Theory (TD-DFT) based theoretical insight has been appealed to understand the optical properties of KS4 before and after the addition of CN– ion. The probe shows respectable real-time applicability for qualitative detection of CN– in almond and cassava powder as well as quantification in real water samples with excellent recoveries (98.8 – 99.8%). In addition, KS4 is found to safe towards living HeLa cells and successfully applied to the detection of endogenous cyanide ions in HeLa cells. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Power generated in generating station is transmitted through transmission lines and fed to the consumers through distribution substation. The power distributed into the network has losses, which is greater in distribution system compared to transmission system. This problem could be addressed by placing capacitor at strategic location due to which the kW loss can be minimized and the net savings can be maximized. This paper adopts two methods where the first method being the sensitivity analysis and the second method is the Gravitational Search Algorithm (GSA). Sensitivity analysis is a methodical technique, which is used to reduce the search space and to arrive at an accurate solution for recognizing the locality of capacitors. Capacitor values are allocated for the respective locations using GSA. The overall precision and dependability of the adopted approach were authenticated and verified on few radial distribution network with diverse topologies of varying sizes and complexities and also compared with an analytical Interior Point algorithm and one of the meta-heuristic optimization technique called Simulated Annealing. Computational outcomes obtained showed that the proposed method is capable of generating optimal solutions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A novel class of alkyl-benzimidazole-carbazole based N-glycosylamines were synthesised in good yield. The identities of the synthesised compounds were confirmed using 1H and 13C NMR. The molecular mass of representative samples was also confirmed using MALDI-TOF and EI-mass analysis. From the 1H NMR analysis of N-glycosylamines the existence of the anomeric proton in β-configuration was identified and further supported by 1H–1H COSY and 2D-ROESY NMR analysis of the representative sample. All the N-glycosylamines were good gelators for aliphatic rather than aromatic solvents. Out of six gelators synthesised five were identified as supergelators, since they gelate at low CGC (＜1%). The representative gel sample was characterized using SEM, HR-TEM, rheology and powder XRD. Microscopic analysis evidenced the self-assembly of N-glycosylamines into nanofibers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A novel class of benzimidazole based partially protected N-glycosylamine amphiphiles possessing different alkyl chains were synthesized in good yield. The identities of the synthesized N-glycosylamines were confirmed using 1H and 13C NMR and the molecular mass of representative samples was confirmed using MALDI-TOF mass analysis. All the benzimidazole based N-glycosylamines were found to exist in β-anomeric form, which was confirmed by 1H NMR analysis. Gelation studies showed that these compounds gelate both aromatic and aliphatic solvents, even at lower CGC (0.8%). The representative gel was studied using SEM, TEM and XRD techniques. The conversion of nanofibers in the gel state (CGC: 0.8%) into nanospheres was observed upon addition of Cu2+ ions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper presents a skull stripping method to segment the brain from MRI human head scans using multi-seeded region growing technique. The proposed method has two stages. In Stage-1, the brain in the middle slice is segmented, the brains in the remaining slices are segmented in Stage-2. In each stage, the proposed method is required to identify the rough brain mask. The fine brain region in the rough brain mask is segmented using multi-seeded region growing approach. The proposed method uses multiple seed points which are selected automatically based on the intensity profile of grey matter (GM), white matter (WM) and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) of the brain image. The proposed brain segmentation method using multi-seeded region growing (BSMRG) was validated using 100 volumes of T1, T2 and PD-weighted MR brain images obtained from Internet Brain Segmentation Repository (IBSR), LONI and Whole Brain Atlas (WBA). The best Dice ( D) value of 0·971 and Jaccard ( J) value of 0·944 were recorded by the proposed BSMRG method on IBSR dataset. For LONI dataset, the best values of D = 0·979 and J = 0·960 were obtained for the sagittal oriented images by the proposed method. The performance consistency of the proposed method was tested on the brain images of all types and orientation and have and produced better and stable results than the existing methods Brain Extraction Tool (BET), Brain Surface Extraction (BSE), Watershed Algorithm (WAT), Hybrid Watershed Algorithm (HWA) and Skull Stripping using Graph Cuts (GCUT). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article presents an innovative technique for solving network reconfiguration problems with an objective of minimizing networkI2Rlosses for an explicit set of loads. Amid many performance standards considered for optimal network reconfiguration, voltage constraint is an important one. This problem calls for determining the best combination of feeders to be opened in the radial distribution system so it provides optimal performance in the preferred settings. In solving this problem, the gravitational search algorithm is used to reconfigure the radial distribution system; this algorithm practices an optimal pattern for sustaining the radial nature of the network at every stage of the solution, and it further allows proficient exploration of the solution space. The anticipated scheme minimizes the objective function, which has been given in the problem formulation to reduceI2Rlosses in addition to balancing loads in the feeders. The solution technique involves determination of the best switching combinations and calculation of power loss and voltage profile. The practicality of the anticipated technique is validated in two distribution networks, where attained results are compared by means of available literature. Correspondingly, it is seen from the results that network losses are reduced when voltage stability is enriched through network reconfiguration. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

Highlights: [•] Cat Swarm Optimization which happens to be an advanced heuristic technique is implemented for voltage stability studies. [•] UPFC, which is an advanced FACTS device, is utilized here to demonstrate the performance. [•] Steady state voltage stability under contingency condition can be analyzed very easily for large scale power networks. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Static Var Compensator (SVC) is a popular FACTS device for providing reactive power support in power systems and its placement representing the location and size has significant influence on network loss, while keeping the voltage magnitudes within the acceptable range. This paper presents a Firefly algorithm based optimization strategy for placement of SVC in power systems with a view of minimizing the transmission loss besides keeping the voltage magnitude within the acceptable range. The method uses a self-adaptive scheme for tuning the parameters in the Firefly algorithm. The strategy is tested on three IEEE test systems and their results are presented to demonstrate its effectiveness. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Cerebral amyloid angiopathy (CAA) occurs in nearly every individual with Alzheimer's disease (AD) and Down's syndrome, and is the second largest cause of intracerebral hemorrhage. Mouse models of CAA have demonstrated evidence for increased gliosis contributing to CAA pathology. Nearly two thirds of Americans are overweight or obese, with little known about the effects of obesity on the brain, although increasingly the vasculature appears to be a principle target of obesity effects on the brain. In the current study we describe for the first time whether diet induced obesity (DIO) modulates glial reactivity, amyloid levels, and inflammatory signaling in a mouse model of CAA. In these studies we identify surprisingly that DIO does not significantly increase Aβ levels, astrocyte (GFAP) or microglial (IBA-1) gliosis in the CAA mice. However, within the hippocampal gyri a localized increase in reactive microglia were increased in the CA1 and stratum oriens relative to CAA mice on a control diet. DIO was observed to selectively increase IL-6 in CAA mice, with IL-1β and TNF-α not increased in CAA mice in response to DIO. Taken together, these data show that prolonged DIO has only modest effects towards Aβ in a mouse model of CAA, but appears to elevate some localized microglial reactivity within the hippocampal gyri and selective markers of inflammatory signaling. These data are consistent with the majority of the existing literature in other models of Aβ pathology, which surprisingly show a mixed profile of DIO effects towards pathological processes in mouse models of neurodegenerative disease. The importance for considering the potential impact of ceiling effects in pathology within mouse models of Aβ pathogenesis, and the current experimental limitations for DIO in mice to fully replicate metabolic dysfunction present in human obesity, are discussed. This article is part of a Special Issue entitled: Animal Models of Disease. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Oxidative stress occurs in a variety of disease settings and is strongly linked to the development of neuron death and neuronal dysfunction. Cells are equipped with numerous pathways to prevent the genesis, as well as the consequences, of oxidative stress in the brain. In this review we discuss the various forms and sources of oxidative stress in the brain and briefly discuss some of the complexities in detecting the presence of oxidative stress. We then focus the review on the interplay between the diverse cellular proteolytic pathways and their roles in regulating oxidative stress in the brain. Additionally, we discuss the involvement of protein synthesis in regulating the downstream effects of oxidative stress. Together, these components of the review demonstrate that the removal of damaged proteins by effective proteolysis and the synthesis of new and protective proteins are vital in the preservation of brain homeostasis during periods of increased levels of reactive oxygen species. Last, studies from our laboratory and others have demonstrated that protein synthesis is intricately linked to the rates of protein degradation, with impairment of protein degradation sufficient to decrease the rates of protein synthesis, which has important implications for successfully responding to periods of oxidative stress. Specific neurodegenerative diseases, including Alzheimer disease, Parkinson disease, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, and stroke, are discussed in this context. Taken together, these findings add to our understanding of how oxidative stress is effectively managed in the healthy brain and help elucidate how impairments in proteolysis and/or protein synthesis contribute to the development of neurodegeneration and neuronal dysfunction in a variety of clinical settings. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Lipid peroxidation products such as 4-hydroxynonenal (HNE) are known to be increased in response to oxidative stress, and are known to cause dysfunction and pathology in a variety of tissues during periods of oxidative stress. The aim of the current study was to determine the chronic (repeated HNE exposure) and acute effects of physiological concentrations of HNE toward multiple aspects of adipocyte biology using differentiated 3T3-L1 adipocytes. Our studies demonstrate that acute and repeated exposure of adipocytes to physiological concentrations of HNE is sufficient to promote subsequent oxidative stress, impaired adipogenesis, alter the expression of adipokines, and increase lipolytic gene expression and subsequent increase in free fatty acid (FFA) release. These results provide an insight in to the role of HNE-induced oxidative stress in regulation of adipocyte differentiation and adipose dysfunction. Taken together, these data indicate a potential role for HNE promoting diverse effects toward adipocyte homeostasis and adipocyte differentiation, which may be important to the pathogenesis observed in obesity and metabolic syndrome. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper presents an algorithm for solving the multi-objective reactive power dispatch problem in a power system. Modal analysis of the system is used for static voltage stability assessment. Loss minimization and maximization of voltage stability margin are taken as the objectives. Generator terminal voltages, reactive power generation of the capacitor banks and tap changing transformer setting are taken as the optimization variables. In this paper an intelligent water drop (IWD) algorithm has been proposed to solve this combinatorial optimization problem. Intelligent water drop algorithm is a swarm-based nature inspired optimization algorithm, which has been inspired from natural rivers. A natural river often finds good paths among lots of possible paths in its ways from source to destination and finally find almost optimal path to their destination. These ideas are embedded into proposed algorithm for solving reactive dispatch problem. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Intracellular proteins are degraded by a number of proteases, including the ubiquitin–proteasome pathway (UPP). Impairments in the UPP occur during the aging of a variety of tissues, although little is known in regards to age-related alterations to the UPP during the aging of adipose tissue. The UPP is known to be involved in regulating the differentiation of a variety of cell types, although the potential changes in the UPP during adipose differentiation have not been fully elucidated. How the UPP is altered in aging adipose tissue and adipocyte differentiation and the effects of proteasome inhibition on adipocyte homeostasis and differentiation are critical issues to elucidate experimentally. Adipogenesis continues throughout the life of adipose tissue, with continual differentiation of preadipocytes essential to maintaining tissue function during aging, and UPP alterations in mature adipocytes are likely to directly modulate adipose function during aging. In this study we demonstrate that aging induces alterations in the activity and expression of principal components of the UPP. Additionally, we show that multiple changes in the UPP occur during the differentiation of 3T3-L1 cells into adipocytes. In vitro data link observed UPP alterations to increased levels of oxidative stress and altered adipose biology relevant to both aging and differentiation. Taken together, these data demonstrate that changes in the UPP occur in response to adipose aging and adipogenesis and strongly suggest that proteasome inhibition is sufficient to decrease adipose differentiation, as well as increasing oxidative stress in mature adipocytes, both of which probably promote deleterious effects on adipose aging. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Maintaining protein homeostasis is vital to cell viability, with numerous studies demonstrating a role for proteasome inhibition occurring during the aging of a variety of tissues and, presumably, contributing to the disruption of cellular homeostasis during aging. In this study we sought to elucidate the differences between neurons and astrocytes in regard to basal levels of protein synthesis, proteasome-mediated protein degradation, and sensitivity to cytotoxicity after proteasome inhibitor treatment. In these studies we demonstrate that neurons have an increased vulnerability, compared to astrocyte cultures, to proteasome-inhibitor-induced cytotoxicity. No significant difference was observed between these two cell types in regard to the basal rates of protein synthesis, or basal rates of protein degradation, in the pool of short-lived proteins. After proteasome inhibitor treatment neuronal crude lysates were observed to undergo greater increases in the levels of ubiquitinated and oxidized proteins and selectively exhibited increased levels of newly synthesized proteins accumulating within the insoluble protein pool, compared to astrocytes. Together, these data suggest a role for increased oxidized proteins and sequestration of newly synthesized proteins in the insoluble protein pool, as potential mediators of the selective neurotoxicity after proteasome inhibitor treatment. The implications for neurons exhibiting increased sensitivity to acute proteasome inhibitor exposure, and the corresponding changes in protein homeostasis observed after proteasome inhibition, are discussed in the context of both aging and age-related disorders of the nervous system. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Increased levels of misfolded and damaged proteins occur in response to brain aging and Alzheimer disease (AD), which presumably increase the amount of aggregation-prone proteins via elevations in hydrophobicity. The proteasome is an intracellular protease that degrades oxidized and ubiquitinated proteins, and its function is known to be impaired in response to both aging and AD. In this study we sought to determine the potential for increased levels of protein hydrophobicity occurring in response to aging and AD, to identify the contribution of proteasome inhibition to increased protein hydrophobicity, and last to identify the contribution of ubiquitinated and oxidized proteins to the pool of hydrophobic proteins. In our studies we identified that aging and AD brain exhibited increases in protein hydrophobicity as detected using Bis ANS, with dietary restriction (DR) significantly decreasing age-related increases in protein hydrophobicity. Affinity chromatography purification of hydrophobic proteins from aging and AD brains identified increased levels of oxidized and ubiquitinated proteins in the pool of hydrophobic proteins. Pharmacological inhibition of the proteasome in neurons, but not astrocytes, resulted in an increase in protein hydrophobicity. Taken together, these data indicate that there is a relationship between increased protein oxidation and protein ubiquitination and elevations in protein hydrophobicity within the aging and the AD brain, which may be mediated in part by impaired proteasome activity in neurons. Our studies also suggest a potential role for decreased oxidized and hydrophobic proteins in mediating the beneficial effects of DR. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

The present study examined brain and liver derived proteasome complexes to elucidate if there is a differential susceptibility in proteasome complexes from these tissues to undergo inactivation following exposure to oxidative stressors. It then examined the influence of ageing and dietary restriction (DR) on the observed proteasome inactivation. Studies used a filtration based methodology that allows for enrichment of proteasome complexes with less tissue than is required for traditional chromatography procedures. The results indicate that the brain has much lower levels of overall proteasome activity and exhibits increased sensitivity to hydrogen peroxide mediated inactivation as compared to proteasome complexes derived from the liver. Interestingly, the brain proteasome complexes did not appear to have increased susceptibility to 4-hydroxynonenal (HNE)-induced inactivation. Surprisingly, ageing and DR induced minimal effects on oxidative stress mediated proteasome inhibition. These results indicate that the brain not only has lower levels of proteasome activity compared to the liver, but is also more susceptible to inactivation following exposure to some (but certainly not all) oxidative stressors. This data also suggest that ageing and DR may not significantly modulate the resistance of the proteasome to inactivation in some experimental settings. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Some new members of a ruthenocuprate(2212) series have been synthesized by Mn substitution for Ru in Gd1.4Ce0.6Sr2RuCu2O10. Characterization by x-ray diffraction (XRD) phase analysis has been carried out. Changes in structural features on substitution, including a significant change in lattice parameter for a very low substitution level, have been observed. Four-probe resistivity studies indicate the coexistence of superconductivity and magnetism for the pristine compound and a semiconductor-like upturn in resistivity and the absence of superconductivity even for very low levels of Mn substitution. AC susceptibility measurements show a progressive suppression of the magnetic transition temperature as well as a smearing of the magnetic transition as a function of Mn substitution. Possible reasons for the absence of superconductivity have been discussed. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

The structural, electrical and magnetic properties of the superconducting ferromagnets, Gd1.4−xDyxCe0.6Sr2RuCu2O10 (x=0–0.6) are systematically investigated as a function of Dy doping and temperature. These compounds are characterized by high temperature superconductivity (Tc ranging from 20 to 40 K depending upon the Dy content) co-existing with weak ferromagnetism with two magnetic transitions (TM2 ranging from 95 to 106 K and TM1 around 120 K). Doping with Dy gives no significant structural changes except for a minor change in the c/a ratio. However the superconducting transition temperature is significantly suppressed and magnetic ordering temperature enhanced on Dy doping. These effects are described and discussed. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

The wastewater outlet from the textile industry is a dangerous threat to Erode and other nearby districts and causes environmental and health-related problems in human beings. To resolve this issue through the water purification process by chemical dyeing absorption and dissolved solvent absorption with softening properties. Most of the wastewater is released underground or in the river arises major form of water pollution. Here, to reduce the harmfulness of the waste water out from the industry, an attempt is made through natural resources like drum stick seeds and Canna Indica plants are used to improve the TDS and pH properties of releasing wastewater. The result shows the abrupt TDS reduction in the value of outlet water. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Electroretinographic (ERG) studies were performed in 22 normal control newborns and 28 neonates who had had phototherapy during the first few days of life. Mean age at ERG testing was 16.8 ± 2.9 days in the phototherapy group and 16.4 ± 3.7 days in the control group. Results of routine funduscopy were normal in both groups. Amplitudes of a and b waves under dark- and light-adapted states were similar in both groups. Phototherapy did not appear to have deleterious effects on photopic and scotopic retinal function in infants whose eyes were adequately shielded. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The present study of the length-weight relationship and condition factors of two Eutropiichthys vacha and Rita kuturnee, from Godavari River Andhra Pradesh, from the year August 2021 to July 2023 at fortnightly intervals. Methods: The log transformation formula was employed to establish length-weight relationships (LWRs) [3]. The length-weight equation used was W=aLb, in the usual notations. Linear regression of the log-transformed equation, log(W) = log(a) + b log(L), was utilized to calculate the parameters 'a' (intercept) and 'b' (slope) of the relationship. Result: A total of 1453 specimens of E. vacha and 1273 specimens of R. kuturnee were collected by using gill nets. The collected specimens exhibited a total length range of 10 to 27 cm for E. vacha and 7 to 18.5 cm for R. kuturnee. Correspondingly, the body weight range was recorded as 12 to 140 gm for E. vacha and 8 to 50 gm for R. kuturnee. Statistical analysis revealed a negative allometric growth trend for both males and females of E. vacha and R. kuturnee, with b values ranging from 2.569 to 2.711 for E. vacha and 2.53 to 2.61 for R. kuturnee. The fluctuation in the relative condition factor ranged from 1.06 to 1.09 for E. vacha and 1.001 to 1.12 for R. kuturnee. Furthermore, the overall health conditions of these two species were determined to be favorable. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Inspired by the light‐regulating capabilities of naturally occurring rhodopsin, we have constructed a visible‐light‐regulated Cl−‐transport membrane channel based on a supramolecular host–guest interaction. A natural retinal chromophore, capable of a visible‐light response, is used as the guest and grafted into the artificial channel. Upon introduction of an ethyl‐urea‐derived pillar[6]arene (Urea‐P6) host, threading or de‐threading of the retinal and selective bonding of Cl− can be utilized to regulate ion transport. Based on the visible‐light responsiveness of the host–guest interaction, Cl− transport can be regulated by visible light between ON and OFF states. Visible‐light‐regulated Cl− transport as a chemical model permits to understand comparable biological ion‐selective transport behaviors. Furthermore, this result also supplies a smart visible‐light‐responsive Cl− transporter, which may have applications in natural photoelectric conversion and photo‐controlled delivery systems. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]