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This document is an erratum to a previously published paper on weak lensing of cluster satellite galaxies. The erratum explains that there was a bug in the codes used for data analysis, resulting in underestimation of errorbars in some figures. The affected figures and tables are presented in the erratum, along with the updated values. The authors state that these changes do not impact their conclusions and qualitative inferences. The document includes tables presenting data on various parameters for different ranges, such as R_sat, M_clu, M_sat, M_bary, sigma_mc, and f_orp. The tables also compare constraints on the orphan fraction using different covariance estimation techniques, showing consistent results within errors. [Extracted from the article]

Ablative composites serve as sacrificial materials, protecting underlying materials from high-temperature environments by endothermic reactions. These materials undergo various phenomena, including thermal degradation, pyrolysis, gas generation, char formation, erosion, gas flow, and different modes of heat transfer (such as conduction, convection, and radiation), all stemming from these endothermic reactions. These phenomena synergize to form a protective layer over the underlying materials. Carbon, with its superb mechanical properties and various available forms, is highlighted, alongside phenolics known for good adhesion and fabric ability and elastomers valued for flexibility and resilience. This study focuses on recent advancements in carbon-and-phenolic and carbon-and-elastomeric composites, considering factors such as erosion speed; high-temperature resistance; tensile, bending, and compressive strength; fiber–matrix interaction; and char formation. Various authors' calculations regarding the percentage reduction in linear ablation rate (LAR) and mass ablation rate (MAR) are discussed. These analyses inform potential advancements in the field of carbon/phenolic and carbon/elastomeric ablative composites. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The study assessed natural radioactivity in Rohtak and Jind districts, Haryana, India. Concentrations of radionuclides in soil and building materials were measured using gamma-ray spectroscopy. The "Canister Technique" was employed to estimate radon mass exhalation and surface exhalation rates. Results showed low radiation doses from soil radioactivity, with activity concentrations ranging from 3.7 to 51.7 Bq/kg for radium, 7.3 to 96 Bq/kg for thorium, and 52.2 to 585 Bq/kg for potassium. The findings also calculated radium equivalent activity, annual effective dose rate, hazard indices, and excess life time cancer risk. This research highlights the importance of understanding natural radioactivity for assessing environmental radiation exposure. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this work, we use two newly powerful and efficient techniques, the unified method and the unified Riccati equation expansion (UREE) method, to derive solitary wave solutions for the (1 + 1)-dimensional longitudinal wave equation (LWE), presenting a systematic approach to reveal the underlying dynamics. By incorporating mathematical analysis and numerical simulations, we investigate the behavior and properties of these solitary wave solutions in various fields of science. The derived solutions are entirely new, and these findings show the essential complexities of the longitudinal wave equation. These obtained solutions shed light on the fundamental mechanisms governing solitary waves in the longitudinal wave equation, contributing to a deeper understanding of nonlinear wave phenomena. We present effective visualizations of the dynamical wave structures using various graphs, such as 3D, 2D, and contour plots in the obtained solutions to improve our comprehensive understanding. Consequently, numerous types of wave profiles, including periodic wave, interaction between periodic wave and kink wave, W-shape wave, kink wave, interaction between breather wave and kink wave, traveling wave, mixed periodic, singular soliton, and some new types of soliton profiles were found. Consequently, this work presents a comprehensive study of solitary wave solutions using the unified method and UREE method for the (1 + 1)-dimensional LWE equation. The outcomes of the current study manifest that the considered methods are significant and systematic in solving nonlinear evolution equations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Orphan galaxies that have lost a large fraction of the dark matter subhaloes have often been invoked in semi-analytical as well as empirical models of galaxy formation. However, observations have not yet constrained the distribution of orphan galaxies in such models so far. We run a mock cluster finder that mimics the optical cluster finding technique of the redMaPPer algorithm on a catalogue of galaxies with quenched star formation from one such empirical model, the UniverseMachine , and obtain the prevalence of orphan galaxies in these clusters as a function of their cluster-centric distance. We compare the fraction of orphan galaxies with the upper limits derived based on our prior observations of the weak lensing signals around satellite galaxies from SDSS redMaPPer clusters. Although the orphan fraction from the UniverseMachine is marginally consistent with the upper limits in the innermost regions of galaxy clusters spanning |$[0.1, 0.3]\, {h^{-1}\,\rm Mpc}$|⁠ , we observe that the orphan fractions substantially violate the upper limits in the outer regions of galaxy clusters beyond |$0.3\,{h^{-1}\,\rm Mpc}$|⁠. We discuss the reasons, plausible improvements to the model, and how observations can be used to constrain such models further. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Cervical pedicle screw-rod fixation presents a complex approach in spinal surgery, offering enhanced spine stabilization in variable conditions considering traumatic injuries, degenerative changes, as well as orthopaedic and oncological ailments. This technique employs small diameter screw implants strategically placed to bolster the mechanical integrity of the spine. Notably, it involves minimally invasive procedures, resulting in smaller incisions and reduced patient discomfort. This study aims to assess the effects of trapezoidal thread screws in pedicle sections of the cervical spine during flexion-extension loadings, focusing on factors such as range of motion (ROM), implant stress, and stress on adjacent bone. Methods: Utilizing CT scan data, a finite element model of the cervical spine (C2-C7 vertebrae) was prepared. Trapezoidal thread screws were integrated into a single-level pedicle screw-rod fixation at the C5-C6 vertebrae. The C2 vertebra were given a compressive load of 50 N along with a moment of 1 Nm, resulting in the immobilization of the C7. Results and Discussion: The results indicate a reduction in ROM at the C5-C6 level by 69% to 77% compared to the intact spine during flexion-extension loading, with a slight increase in ROM observed at adjacent cervical spine levels. Stress analysis revealed that the trapezoidal thread screws induced stresses ranging from 24 MPa to 29 MPa in PEEK trapezoidal screw-rod implants, which fall below the material's yield stress. Conclusions: This suggests that the trapezoidal thread profile may be advantageous in minimizing stress concentration, attributed to its larger contact area with the vertebrae bone between the threads. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: An incisional hernia (IH) after major abdominal surgery is an unwanted complication particularly following cytoreductive surgery and hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy (CRS and HIPEC). The frequency of IH among patients treated with CRS and HIPEC remains unexpectedly high in various studies. This study aimed to analyze the incidence, determine the factors contributing to the occurrence of IH, and develop methods to reduce the incidence of IH. Methods: We retrospectively analyzed data from a prospectively maintained structured computerized comprehensive database of 360 patients who had undergone CRS and HIPEC after January 2013 and completed two years of follow-up before December 2023. All patients were followed for a minimum period of two years with physical examination and radiological imaging when required and the occurrence of IH was documented. We used SPSS software version 24 to analyze the data using appropriate statistical tests. We set a significance threshold of p < 0.05. Results: Within two years of undergoing CRS and HIPEC, 25 patients (6.9%) out of 360 developed IH, indicating an annual incidence rate of 3.5%. The mean duration of hospitalization for the CRS/HIPEC procedure was 8.4 ± 4.13 days. Fifty-two (14.4%) patients experienced early post-operative surgical complications. The development of IH in our series was significantly associated with obesity (76% vs. 8.4%, P = 0.001), the occurrence of early post-operative surgical complications (48% vs. 12%, P = 0.001), mainly category III complications (44% vs. 7.1%), category IV complications (24% vs. 2.9%) according to Clavien-Dindo classification, post neoadjuvant chemotherapy status (72% vs. 87%, P = 0.045) and need for bowel anastomosis (32% vs. 11%, P = 0.002). Conclusion: The lower incidence of IH following CRS and HIPEC in our patient cohort than in the literature can be attributed to a combination of factors, including the use of meticulous surgical techniques and the use of an abdominal binder postoperatively, particularly in obese patients. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Patients with low ejection fraction undergoing lower abdominal surgeries often require careful management of anesthesia to minimize cardiovascular risks. Epidural anesthesia with local anesthetics such as levobupivacaine or ropivacaine combined with dexmedetomidine has been shown to provide effective analgesia and hemodynamic stability. However, the comparative effects of these two agents in this patient population remain unclear. Materials and methods: A prospective, randomized study was conducted on 100 patients with low ejection fraction undergoing lower abdominal surgeries. Patients were randomly allocated into two groups: one receiving epidural levobupivacaine plus dexmedetomidine (Group L) and the other receiving epidural ropivacaine plus dexmedetomidine (Group R). Hemodynamic parameters, intraoperative and postoperative analgesic requirements, postoperative pain scores, time to first analgesic request, onset of drug action, and adverse events were recorded and compared between the two groups. Results: In Group L, intraoperative mean arterial pressure (MAP) was maintained within 20% of baseline values more effectively compared to Group R (p < 0.05). Additionally, patients in Group L required significantly lower intraoperative and postoperative opioid consumption (p < 0.05). Postoperative pain scores were also lower in Group L compared to Group R at various time points (p < 0.05). Time to first analgesic request was significantly longer in Group L compared to Group R (p < 0.05). Levobupivacaine demonstrated a faster onset of action compared to ropivacaine (p < 0.05). Both groups exhibited comparable rates of adverse events. Conclusion: Epidural levobupivacaine plus dexmedetomidine provides superior hemodynamic stability, reduced intraoperative and postoperative opioid consumption, better pain control, faster onset of action, and prolonged time to first analgesic request compared to epidural ropivacaine plus dexmedetomidine in patients with low ejection fraction undergoing lower abdominal surgeries. Thus, levobupivacaine may be a preferable choice for epidural anesthesia in this patient population. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The present article introduces an innovative solution to improve performance efficiency while shaving the demand during peak hours. The idea focuses on efficient gas turbine and Rankine cycle hybridization for power and hydrogen production based on high-temperature heliostat solar towers. The proposed model is simulated via TRNSYS software to assess the performance transiently and then optimized through the artificial neural network in MATLAB program to minimize the calculation time. The key economic, environmental, and energy indicators are evaluated, compared, and optimized for this. According to the effect of main design parameters, including gas turbine inlet temperature, mass flow rate, and heliostat area, on the system's indicators, there is a conflictive trend among the power productivity, cost, and emission index, signifying the optimization significance. The optimization results show that the net power, efficiency, cost, and CO 2 emissions are 298,300 GJ, 30.7%, 3.6 M$, and 20,760 tonnes under optimal conditions. This working condition is obtained by electing turbine inlet temperature, solar area, and airflow rate of 1087 °C, 91,200 m2, and 68,817, respectively. At this condition, while 71.18% of the yearly primary energy is provided by the sun, biomass meets the rest, showing the importance of renewable combination to achieve the highest independence from the grid. Finally, the system can generate an additional 585 kg/day of hydrogen that could be used in relevant industries. • A novel smart system based on biomass and solar hybridization is introduced. • A new hydrogen production/injection method is applied to improve the efficiency. • An artificial neural network model is added to the optimization to reduce the time. • The proposed smart system can generate an extra hydrogen of 585 kg per day. • The optimization achieves an efficiency of 30.7% and emissions of 20,760 tonnes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

AbstractNanocomposites, produced through mechanical blending, serve to enhance thermal performance of heat exchangers, solar collectors, and photovoltaic-thermal systems. This work employs an experimental methodology to assess the thermal charging (TC) and thermal discharging (TDC) of a composite generated by mixing graphene oxide (GO) and paraffin wax. TC and TDC of the GO-reinforced paraffin wax-based phase change material (PCM) have been examined across different flow rates (0.375, 0.75, and 1.5 L/min) and concentrations of GO (ranging from 0.25 to 1.00 vol%). The results exhibit a direct correlation between TC, TDC and efficiency, and reaction parameters (flow rate and volume concentration of GO). The experimental and predicted values of TCs, TDCs, and efficiencies fell ±15% (for TC and TDC), and ±9% for thermal efficiency, demonstrating a satisfactory level of agreement. This holds a practical application and valuable predictive tool for estimating TC, TDC, and thermal efficiency on known flow rates and concentrations of GO in wax-based PCMs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Unfavourable operating conditions of equipment in the energy industry resulting from high-temperature loads determine the need to use special materials and technological solutions, including welding procedures. In this article, buttering using IN82 (ERNiCr-3) consumables was proposed as a method to improve the weldability of grade 92 steel joined by the gas tungsten arc welding (GTAW) process with AISI 304L (IN617 filler). The microstructural characterization of samples was carried out using an optical microscope, scanning electron microscope (SEM) and energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy. The welded joint was further characterized by hardness, tensile (room temperature and at 620 °C temperature) and impact tests. Additionally, the fracture surfaces of tensile and impact tests were studied by SEM. Despite the confirmation of the diffusion of alloying elements and significant changes in their concentration, which indicates the formation of Ti and Nb-rich phases, no welding imperfections were detected and favourable joint structures and acceptable properties were obtained. In particular, this concerns the limitation of the formation of brittle structures and the elimination of the untempered martensitic layer. At the same time, there was a significant decrease in the maximum hardness of heat-affected zone (HAZ) on the grade 92 steel side to a relatively low value of 310 HV, and a minimum tensile strength criterion of 600 MPa was achieved with a simultaneous increase in ductility (35% elongation) of the joint. Comparatively, when compared to a non-buttered welded joint, the joint produced with a buttering layer exhibited an increase in the elongation and impact toughness of the welded joint without any compromise in ultimate tensile strength (Sut). The fracture surface of tensile and impact-tested specimens was also characterized using SEM/EDS. Summarizing all the results, it can be concluded that the proposed GTAW procedure of grade 92 and 304L steels can be used in extreme working conditions, in ultra-supercritical power units or the petrochemical and chemical industries. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Climate change poses significant challenges to human societies and natural ecosystems, necessitating comprehensive vulnerability assessments to develop appropriate adaptation stratigies. This study focuses on Central India and employs a multidimensional approach to evaluate the composite vulnerability at the district level. By integrating environmental (8 indicators) and socio-economic (5 indicators) factors, this study offers a nuanced understanding of vulnerability patterns in the region. The methodology involves the selection of indicators based on past literature and preliminary investigation, followed by secondary data collection from environmental and socio-economic factors. The data is analysed using an indicator-based approach, normalisation, weighting, and developing vulnerability indexes. This analysis is structured in three phases: Environmental Vulnerability Index (EVI), Socio-economic Vulnerability Index (SVI), and Composite Vulnerability Index (CVI). The results of CVI revealed that districts with a lower CVI (0.321–0.378), such as Gwalior, Jabalpur, and Bhopal, exhibited decreased vulnerability because of a lower level of climatic extremes affected areas, reduced percentage of socially deprived population and a higher value of HDI. Districts with medium CVI (0.381–0.407), such as Damoh, Indore, and Shahdol, exhibited moderate resilience. On the other hand, districts with high (0.409–0.402) and very high CVI (0.448–0.540), such as Narsimhapur, Betul, Balaghat, Chhindwara, Alirajpur, and Barwani, encountered notable susceptibility because of factors such as dependence on agriculture, a substantial proportion of socially deprived population, occurrences of droughts and floods. Hierarchical cluster analysis validated vulnerability classifications, enhancing the credibility of assessments. The research underscores the importance of considering climate change vulnerability assessments for effective policy formulation and adaptive strategies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Research into hybrid nanofluid flow over a disk surface is growing due to numerous processes in marine or gas turbines, rotating disk reactors for biofuels generation, cooling of spinning equipment components and other industrial applications. The purpose of this research study is to examine the entropy generation for the transient thermocapillary flow of hybrid nanoliquid thin films across a disk surface with different shapes of nanoparticles. To analyze the nanomaterial, the Tiwari–Das hybrid nanofluid flow model is established, and in doing so, Prandtl's boundary layer theory is incorporated into this model. The energy equation considers the impacts of thermal radiation, two different kinds of heat sources — namely an exponentially space-dependent heat source and a linear thermal heat source — and viscous dissipation. The nonlinear partial differential equations, which explain the flow processes, are transformed into the nondimensional ordinary differential equations (ODEs). Once the ODEs have been constructed, they are next solved using the bvp4c technique. In addition, the surface drag force and the rate of heat transfer are both evaluated as functions of the shape factor of the nanoparticles that are disseminated in the base fluid. The influence of significant parameters on the flow fields is depicted graphically, and adequate physical explanations are provided for each representation. One of the important findings of this study indicates that the largest amount of heat transfer can be accomplished at the disk surface by employing nanoparticles with blade shape, while this physical quantity is the least when nanoparticles with spherical shapes are used. The temperature profile grows as the thermal and exponential heat sources increase. Entropy generation improves with the increase in either the magnetic parameter or the Brinkman number. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We present the semi-analytical light curve modelling of 13 supernovae associated with gamma-ray bursts (GRB-SNe) along with two relativistic broad-lined (Ic-BL) SNe without GRB association (SNe 2009bb and 2012ap), considering millisecond magnetars as central-engine-based power sources for these events. The bolometric light curves of all 15 SNe in our sample are well-regenerated utilizing a χ2-minimization code, MINIM , and numerous parameters are constrained. The median values of ejecta mass (M ej), magnetar's initial spin period (P i), and magnetic field (B) for GRB-SNe are determined to be ≈5.2 M⊙, 20.5 ms, and 20.1 × 1014 G, respectively. We leverage machine learning (ML) algorithms to comprehensively compare the three-dimensional parameter space encompassing M ej, P i, and B for GRB-SNe determined herein to those of H-deficient superluminous SNe (SLSNe-I), fast blue optical transients (FBOTs), long GRBs (LGRBs), and short GRBs (SGRBs) obtained from the literature. The application of unsupervized ML clustering algorithms on the parameters M ej, P i, and B for GRB-SNe, SLSNe-I, and FBOTs yields a classification accuracy of ∼95 per cent. Extending these methods to classify GRB-SNe, SLSNe-I, LGRBs, and SGRBs based on P i and B values results in an accuracy of ∼84 per cent. Our investigations show that GRB-SNe and relativistic Ic-BL SNe presented in this study occupy different parameter spaces for M ej, P i, and B than those of SLSNe-I, FBOTs, LGRBs, and SGRBs. This indicates that magnetars with different P i and B can give birth to distinct types of transients. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Restrictive operating conditions (even exceeding 700 °C) of materials in advanced ultra super critical (AUSC) power plants and the need to minimize manufacturing and maintenance costs require the production of dissimilar metal welded joints (DMW). Significant differences in the physical and chemical properties of welded materials lead to phenomena that reduce the weldability of the metals used and force the search for solutions that limit unfavorable phenomena, e.g., the use of buttering layers. The study presents a comparison of two types of joints with Alloy 617 (UNS N06617) and ferritic P92 (UNS K92460) steel made using Inconel 82 (ENiCrFe-3) and Inconel 617 (ERNiCrCoMo-1) alloys buttering layer and the corresponding chemical composition of filler metals. All areas of the joints made with the gas tungsten arc welding process were subjected to structural investigations (optical microscopy, scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDS) and mechanical tests (microhardness, room and high temperature tensile, and toughness testing). Despite the more complicated welding procedure, sound welded joints were obtained with favorable properties resulting, inter alia, from the reduced thickness of the martensite layer in HAZ of P92 steel and the limited diffusion of alloy components compared to welded joints without the buttering layer. This also resulted in a reduction of the maximum hardness (especially in the case of Inconel 82 buttering—by 15–30 HV0.5 in comparison with Inconel 617 buttering) and an increase in strength while limiting the decrease in plasticity (even 663 MPa tensile strength and 21% of elongation for Inconel 617 buttered joint). Moreover, improved high-temperature performance (approximately 70–100 MPa) of the welded joint following the application of the buttering layer was confirmed. The presented results allow for drawing general conclusions that both proposed welding procedures can be recommended for use in the working conditions occurring at AUSC. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The present study illustrates the susceptibility of optimized-quality recycled concrete aggregate (RCA) to supplementary cementitious materials (SCMs), such as silica fume (SF), ground granulated blast slag (GGBS), and mechanically produced recycled fine (M-Fine or MF), in concrete. According to the present research, old interfacial transition zone (OITZ) characteristics may be controlled if RCA is developed in such a way as to reduce mortar adhesion optimally. It may facilitate the penetration of binder particles, strengthening the OITZ even further. A high-quality surface may improve RCA's self-cementing properties, which strengthen the new ITZ (NITZ). The combined effect may yield RCA characteristics equivalent to parent aggregate when interacting with a cement matrix based on SCMs. Substituting the cement with SF (11%), GGBS (14%), and MF (15%) contributes to the compressive strength of recycled aggregate concrete (RAC) up to 11.61% via strengthening the OITZ. SF and GGBS further enhance RAC tensile strength in a similar way to how they enhance natural aggregate concrete (NAC) tensile strength. The elastic modulus (MOE), fracture energy, and durability characteristics of RAC with SF and GGBS are significantly improved. RAC with MF (15%) shows compressive and tensile strength comparable to RAC with GGBS (14%) with marginal reductions in flexural strength. In comparison to RAC, RAC with MF has a 2.9% lower MOE. RAC-MF has 1.82% higher fracture energy than RAC. RAC-SF, RAC-GGBS, and RAC-MF have significantly reduced water absorption and water absorption rate (sorptivity) than RAC. There is a strong correlation between the compressive strength of RAC, RAC-SF, RAC-GGBS, and RAC-MF, and their UPV with R2=0.92. The sorptivity and electrical resistivity are also correlated with R2=0.86. SEM images show uniform and dense microstructure and EDS analyses shows Si-rich C-S-H gel formation, resulting in superior mechanical and durability properties in RAC with SCM compared to RAC. Practical Applications: About 20% to 30% of recycled fines (M-Fines) below 150 μm are generated during RCA processing from construction and demolition waste. In addition, M-Fines are also generated during the removal of the mortar attached to the RCA. Thus, M-Fines as by-products of mechanical processing of RCA could be used as cementitious materials. Despite M-Fine's low reactivity compared to SF, it may produce strength and durability characteristics comparable to other conventional supplementary cementitious materials like GGBS. In structural concrete, optimized-quality recycled concrete aggregates with supplementary cementitious materials, including M-Fines, can be used. In this way, it may be possible to promote construction and demolition waste recycling operations. Moreover, the effectiveness of SF and GGBS with RCA, as well as the performance of RAC-MF, may encourage the use of RAC as structural concretes and M-Fines as supplementary cementitious materials. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

AbstractThis paper aims to introduce the concept of nilpotency and capability in multiplicative Lie algebras. Also, we see the existence of covers of a multiplicative Lie algebra and thoroughly examine their relationships with capable and perfect multiplicative Lie algebras. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Additive manufacturing of tungsten (W) is challenging due to its high melting point, high thermal conductivity, oxidation tendency, and brittleness from grain boundary (GB) oxides. In this study, the processing of W through laser powder bed fusion is investigated. Parts are fabricated under argon (Ar) and nitrogen (N2) atmospheres using the same processing parameters. The part produced in Ar has cracks with oxide precipitates decorating the fractured GBs. On the other hand, crack‐free W samples are produced under N2 atmosphere without any additional process modification. In both cases, the oxygen (O) content in the LPBF samples is similar to the starting powder. Interestingly, the analysis of the samples fabricated in nitrogen suggests that nitrogen is retained beyond the equilibrium solid solubility limit, while high‐resolution electron micrographs of fractured surfaces reveal reduced levels of oxides at GBs. Increased hardness for samples processed under N2 atmosphere is observed. Density Functional Theory (DFT) calculations performed to study the influence of interstitial nitrogen on oxygen diffusion in W indicated a hindrance to O diffusion from the presence of dissolved N. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Tioconazole (TCZ), an antifungal medication of the imidazole class has been investigated by experimental FT-IR, FT-Raman, UV–vis and NMR spectroscopy. The optimized molecular geometry and vibrational wave numbers were calculated by DFT/B3LYP/6–311++G(d, p). The detailed vibrational assignments were made by Potential Energy Distribution. The electrophilic and nucleophilic reactive sites were studied using MEP surface. The NBO analysis has been done to describe various hyper-conjugative interactions responsible for the stabilization of the molecule. The 1H NMR chemical shifts were calculated by GIAO method and these matched well with the experimental results, indicating the accuracy of calculation method. TD-DFT calculations have been performed to determine several electronic properties like excitation energies, oscillator strengths, wavelengths and HOMO-LUMO energies. The lipophilicity and aqueous solubility of the compound have been predicted by ALOGPS method. The log P value for TCZ approaches that this compound is less recommended for oral administration. Docking studies have been made to predict the binding orientation, affinity and antifungal activity of the compound. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The photovoltaic thermal systems can concurrently produce electricity and thermal energy while maintaining a relatively low module temperature. The phase change material (PCM) can be utilized as an intermediate thermal energy storage medium in photovoltaic thermal systems. In this work, an investigation based on an experimental study on a hybrid photovoltaic thermal (PV/T) system with phase change material has been carried out under the weather condition of north India to compare its output with a standalone photovoltaic system. The organic phase change material (melting point range 37 °C to 42 °C) was utilized to store thermal energy on the backside of the photovoltaic module. A sheet and tube type absorber was constructed with a spiral-shaped cooling water circulation channel within a PCM container to extract the stored heat. The energy and exergy-based analyses were performed to evaluate the performance of the PV/T PCM system in comparison to the regular PV module. A maximum reduction of 27% in module temperature was found at a water flow rate of 1 LPM. PV/T PCM system achieved the highest electrical, exergy, and thermal efficiencies of 14.32%, 15.59%, and 53.78%, respectively, while the regular PV module achieved the highest electrical efficiency of 12%. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Retracted publications are the scholarly articles that have been withdrawn from publication by authors or journals due to errors, misconduct, or ethical concerns. The present study aims to identify and analyse retracted papers by Indian authors. The data was extracted from the Scopus and also checked from the Retraction Watch database along with the journal's website. The extracted data was analysed using MS Excel, Jamovi, and SPSS-21. The study examined the year-wise retraction rate, reasons for retraction, authorship patterns, time lag for retraction, and impact on citations after retraction. The results showed that while the number of retracted publications per year increased over time, the rate of retraction per 10K publications remained constant. Duplicate publication and plagiarism were the most common reasons for retraction. Approximately one-third of the publications were retracted within six months, and the retraction time decreased over the years, especially in open-access journals. The average number of citations per paper per year before and after retraction were nearly similar. This study could assist librarians and researchers in understanding retractions, avoiding their use, and being cautious when referencing them. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Chickpea is a second most important pulse crop grown in 56 countries and India rank first in production which shares 61.4% of the total world chickpea production however, productivity is very low as compared to other countries. Therefore, varietal development with inherent tolerance to biotic and abiotic stress is the prime objective to improve component productivity traits to get better yield in rainfed agro-climatic conditions. Methods: Ninety germplasm accessions of chickpea along with four check viz., JG 14, JG 16, JAKI 9218 and Radhey were evaluated in augmented block design at experimental research farm of Banda University of Agriculture and Technology, Banda, Uttar Pradesh, India. Phenotypic data were subjected to study the genetic parameters and association analysis of yield and its component traits using SPAR 2.0 Package and Windostat Version 9.2. Result: The significant variation was observed for all the traits except number of secondary branches, number of pod per plant, number of seeds per pod among the genotypes. The maximum GCV and PCV was observed for height of first pod (35.28 and 39.29), followed by seed yield per plant (29.77 and 40.32) and number of primary branches (25.63 and 31.44). The high magnitude of heritability with genetic advance was estimated for seed index (96.61%), while the high genetic advance as per cent of mean was recorded for first pod height (65.27%). The positive and significant association of seed yield with number of pods per plant, seed index, number of seeds per pod, number of secondary branches, number of primary branches and height of first pod indicating the importance of these traits in selection criteria. Path analysis identified that number of seeds per pod, number of pods per plants, seed index and number of secondary branches per plant as highly desirable component for direct effect on seed yield per plant. The genotypes ICVT-181106 had highest selection indices for seed yield followed by ICVT-181107, PUSA-1053, JG-218, GNG-1999, ICVT-181102 and HC-5. Therefore, high GCV and PCV, significant positive direct and indirect correlation and high estimate of selection indices for grain yield can be directly and indirectly used for chickpea breeding program. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this paper, we investigate the impact of an external magnetic field on the Weibel instability driven by temperature anisotropy in a magnetized plasma. The study provides the influence of electron temperature anisotropy, considering both cold as well as warm ions. We derive expressions for the growth rate Γ (s−1) in each case to quantify the effect of some specific parameters on the instability. For example, the growth rate is plotted against the magnetic field for three distinct cases: considering only electrons, including cold ions, and incorporating warm ions. It is observed that the growth rate decreases as the applied magnetic field increases. Furthermore, the addition of both cold and warm ions to the plasma significantly influences the observed effects. It can be explained as follows: in the presence of cold ions, the growth rate is decreased with an increase in the wave number kz (cm−1). In addition, a decrease in the growth rate is observed with an increasing wave number in the case of warm ions. Therefore, it can be seen that the Weibel instability, propelled by thermal anisotropy, holds significant implications owing to its prevalence in both astrophysical and laboratory plasmas. The findings presented here are expected to contribute to the advancements in magnetic field generation and particle acceleration in various astrophysical phenomena, including gamma-ray bursts, relativistic collisionless shock fronts, radio supernovae, and pulsar winds. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Saltpans in South India experience intense sunlight and ultraviolet radiation (UV). Therefore, it was hypothesized that halophilic bacteria living there could tolerate UV radiation. To test this, sediment and water samples from the Marakkanam Saltpan were collected and exposed to an artificial UV-B lamp. After irradiation, an aliquot of the sample was spread on nutrient agar (prepared in sterilized source water), and two bacterial strains were obtained, named SBO and SBY. Based on 16S rRNA gene phylogeny, these strains were identified as Bacillus sp. and Pontibacillus salipaludis, respectively. Another aliquot of the UV-B-exposed sample was inoculated into the nutrient broth (in sterilized source water), and incubated for a week in the dark. Later, it was subjected to Illumina MiSeq-based sequencing for the V3-V4 region (16S rRNA gene). Results revealed the presence of 13 bacterial phyla. However, the phylum Bacillota (48.59%) and Pseudomonadota (27.36%) accounted for more than 75% of the diversity. Pontibacillus was the most abundant genus, accounting for 44% of total bacterial diversity. The whole genome of P. salipaludis was sequenced on Illumina HiSeqX to decipher possible genes and pathways involved in UV-B tolerance. The genome size was estimated to be 4.05 MB, with a mean G + C content of 40.82%. RASTtk-based genome annotation revealed 4217 coding sequences and 78 RNAs. Related to the UV-B tolerance, sixteen genes involved in carotenoid and prodigiosin biosynthetic pathways were found. antiSMASH showed the presence of terpene-type carotenoids. More than sixty genes involved in various DNA repair pathways were found. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The present paper highlight upon research work is that curing is one of most important aspect of construction. The life of concrete and its serviceability depends heavily on curing. The method of curing applied on concrete will affect its final strength and durability. Owing to this fact this paper contains the research done on concrete under various curing methods. The standard method of curing concrete is done by water and results wastage of a lot of water. With the increase in the deficiency of availability of water, curing becomes a problem. Hence this research aims at providing better methods of curing which will not only improve the strength and durability of concrete but will also save water. The various methods that have been researched upon are plastic covered curing, addition of sodium silicate to curing water, and addition of curing compounds to curing water. The tests are carried on concrete with desirable strengths of M15 and M20. In this research the fine aggregate used in making of M15 and M20 concrete consists of a mixture of sand and crusher dust. Two mixes of ratio 50:50 and 60:40, sand to crusher dust have been taken and the effects of curing on these mixes are considered. Plastic curing is done by covering the concrete with plastic soon after demolding. Hence minimum water is required. The curing done by sodium silicate is done by adding 2% by weight of sodium silicate to curing water. Concrete is submerged in water containing sodium silicate. Once the concrete is cured, this water mix can be reused to cure freshly cast concrete, thereby saving more water. Curing by curing compounds is done in a similar way as that of curing with sodium silicate, only that instead of sodium silicate, curing compounds are used. The effect of these three methods on concrete is studied and discussions are made. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Recently, there has been an exponential growth in the number of publications focusing on surface-enhanced Raman scattering (SERS), primarily driven by advancements in nanotechnology and the increasing demand for chemical and biological detection. While many of these publications have focused on the development of new substrates and detection-based applications, there is a noticeable lack of attention given to various practical issues related to SERS measurements and detection. This review aims to fill this gap by utilizing silver nanorod (AgNR) SERS substrates fabricated through the oblique angle deposition method as an illustrative example. The review highlights and addresses a range of practical issues associated with SERS measurements and detection. These include the optimization of SERS substrates in terms of morphology and structural design, considerations for measurement configurations such as polarization and the incident angle of the excitation laser, and exploration of enhancement mechanisms encompassing both intrinsic properties induced by the structure and materials, as well as extrinsic factors arising from wetting/dewetting phenomena and analyte size. The manufacturing and storage aspects of SERS substrates, including scalable fabrication techniques, contamination control, cleaning procedures, and appropriate storage methods, are also discussed. Furthermore, the review delves into device design considerations, such as well arrays, flow cells, and fiber probes, and explores various sample preparation methods such as drop-cast and immersion. Measurement issues, including the effect of excitation laser wavelength and power, as well as the influence of buffer, are thoroughly examined. Additionally, the review discusses spectral analysis techniques, encompassing baseline removal, chemometric analysis, and machine learning approaches. The wide range of AgNR-based applications of SERS, across various fields, is also explored. Throughout the comprehensive review, key lessons learned from collective findings are outlined and analyzed, particularly in the context of detailed SERS measurements and standardization. The review also provides insights into future challenges and perspectives in the field of SERS. It is our hope that this comprehensive review will serve as a valuable reference for researchers seeking to embark on in-depth studies and applications involving their own SERS substrates. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article presents a study on Electromagnetic radiation (EMR) energy harvesting characteristics of lead zirconate titanate (PZT) of soft grade (SP 5 A) samples under drop weight impact load. In the present study, four samples having different diameter to thickness (d/t) ratio were used. A possible EMR energy harvesting mechanism from these samples under impact loading has been discussed. It is found that the EMR parameters viz. EMR voltage, generated EMR energy, and so on, depend on the dimension of the sample and applied mechanical energy. The sample having highest t/d2 (0.069) produces maximum EMR voltage, that is, 2.31 V. Also for the same sample, EMR parameters increase with the increase in applied mechanical energy. Also an increasing pattern of EMR energy was observed with the increase in the capacitance value of the capacitor. The results obtained suggest the possibility of using PZT as a better option for energy harvesting, sensing, and structural health monitoring applications. Also the results suggest EMR technique as an alternative option for harnessing energy from piezoelectric ceramics. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The present study evaluates the potential of airborne hyperspectral and space-borne multispectral satellite datasets to determine alpha (α) and beta (β) diversity combining in-situ floristic composition in tropical deciduous forests (TDFs) of Mudumalai Tiger Reserve (MTR), India. 43 forest plots (each of 0.04 ha) were sampled to record the species diversity in MTR. The very high-resolution AVIRIS-NG hyperspectral images and temporal Sentinel-2 multispectral images were used to extract spectral variables by associating each field plot with corresponding pixels of the satellite images. A high positive correlation of field-based α-diversity (Shannon-Wiener diversity index (H′)) with AVIRIS-NG based α-diversity (R2: 0.83 (2016); R2: 0.82 (2018)) was observed compared to Sentinel-2 based α-diversity (R2: 0.50 to 0.63) with high correlation during post-monsoon (R2: 0.63). Principal coordinate analysis of AVIRIS-NG based β-diversity signifies a low diversity (H′: <1.00) in the eastern parts (0.13% of MTR) in contrast to moderate (H′: 1.00 to 2.00; 13.39% of MTR) to high diversity (H′ >2.00; 86.49% of MTR) in the remaining parts of MTR. The study highlights the application of high spectral-spatial AVIRIS-NG images for precise tree diversity mapping and the high temporal-spatial Sentinel-2 satellite images for assessing the phenological variations of the forest species. The integration of high spatial-hyperspectral and temporal multispectral satellite datasets with field-based observations for fine-scale tree species diversity mapping at geographical and temporal scales is the novelty of the study that may effectively contribute in devising effective forest management plans for biodiversity conservation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The present study highlights delineation of the distribution of understorey invasive plant species (IPS) in Mudumalai Tiger Reserve (MTR), Western Ghats, India using very high resolution airborne imaging spectroscopy images by evaluating the performance of a Multiple Endmember Spectral Mixture Analysis (MESMA). Lantana camara L. and Chromolaena odorata (L.) R.M.King & H.Rob. have imposed a serious threat to natural ecosystems in MTR by altering the ecosystem processes. The Airborne Visible-Infrared Imaging Spectrometer-Next Generation (AVIRIS-NG) based analysis delineated the distribution of understorey IPS, viz., L. camara and C. odorata in MTR, with an overall accuracy of 87 % (k = 0.84) and 84 % (k = 0.8), respectively, with minimal root-mean-square error (RMSE) of MESMA classification (0.001 to 0.0025). In MTR, both the IPS were distributed in large parts and in association with all dominant canopy tree species barring Eucalyptus species. L. camara was majorly found in the southern parts of central MTR with 'high' to 'very high' presence covering 23.09 % and 11.51 % of the total area of central MTR, respectively, in association with Terminalia anogeissiana Gere & Boatwr. and Tectona grandis L.f. Whereas, C. odorata was dominantly found with high (18.11 % area of central MTR) to very high (11.85 % area of central MTR) intensity in the south and southeastern parts within the vicinity of T. anogeissiana and Terminalia elliptica Willd. The study highlights the utilization of high spectral agility in mapping of understorey IPS through spectral differentiation of the patchy distribution of IPS and its intermixing with other local species may be helpful in ecological restoration, conservation of biodiversity, and provisioning long-term management of ecosystem services in highly invaded tropical forests. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The diesel engine process including fuel injection, fuel spray, air and fuel mixing, ignition and combustion which influences its performance and emission characteristics. The fuel injection and fuel spray are important process as they are directly related to the quality of fuel which results into fluctuating the ignition and combustion characteristics. Ignition in a diesel engine occurs at the edge of the spray depending on the in-cylinder pressure and temperature. Experiments were conducted on a modified dual-fuel diesel engine (3.5 kW power) with fuel additives, diesel and hydrogen (gaseous fuel) at a stable speed of 1500 rpm. Spray behavior and ignition delay were analyzed to determine the impact of fuel additives in neat diesel combined with hydrogen. Additionally, for dual-fuel Cases, the ignition delay correlations provided for diesel engines have been modified as per the experimental results. The injection velocity was maximized with a 15–25% hydrogen substitution range because the fuel density was reduced to a minimum, but it was decreased with the addition of fuel additives. The SMD for hydrogen with neat diesel and diesel with fuel additives both increased up to 20% hydrogen substitution, whereas for higher hydrogen substitution, the Sauter mean diameter decreased. It was found that the addition of fuel additives in diesel resulted into an increased fuel injection velocity (3.3%) with reduced sauter mean diameter of 3.4% while with the lower substitution of H 2 (15%), a maximum increment of 32% in the injection velocity was seen as compared with neat diesel operation. With 15% hydrogen substitution, the change in pressure and density of diesel along with fuel additives accommodated the optimum spray penetration equivalent to neat diesel. In all Cases of hydrogen substitution, the experimental and theoretical values obtained for the chemical ignition delay were found to be consistent with one another except for 35% H 2 showing a maximum deviation of 0.2%. • Addition of fuel additives with higher hydrogen reduced the chemical delay. • TID reduced up to 25% hydrogen, increased with higher hydrogen substitution. • Injection velocity was found optimum in the range of 15–25% hydrogen substitution. • Spray penetration and sauter diameter increased up to 20% hydrogen substitution. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The present study is focused on the combustion behavior, performance and emissions of a modified diesel engine working on dual fuel mode with hydrogen as a gaseous fuel by the inclusion of tri-ethylene glycol mono methyl ether and alumina nanoparticles as fuel additives. The inclusion of tri-ethylene glycol mono methyl ether, alumina and hydrogen separately and simultaneously improved the net heat release with reduced cylinder pressure at high loads as compared with neat diesel. The brake thermal efficiency increased by 22.5% and 11.6% by the inclusion of tri-ethylene glycol mono methyl ether and hydrogen respectively at 50% load, when combined together, it was improved remarkably by 28.15%. The addition of alumina was responsible for a slight reduction in NO x formation at all loads, while it was incremented by hydrogen enrichment at the highest load as compared to pure diesel. The CO formation was incremented by the addition of alumina, while the CO 2 and HC formations were reduced up to 50% load, increased at 70% load. The CO, CO 2 , HC and smoke opacity were reduced with TGME and hydrogen enrichment, while the NO x formation was reduced up to 50% load, then increased at the higher load. • The H 2 enrichment incremented NHR by 21.7% at 356°CA. • A minimum ID of 11°CA was observed in case of D + TGME @5%. • BTE increased by 28.15% at a load of 50% for D + TGME @5% +H 2@35%. • For D + TGME @5% , combustion efficiency improved by 10.4%. • The HC formation was reduced by 21.8% for D + TGME @5% at 50% load. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Snake envenomation results in a range of clinical sequelae, and widely used animal-based conventional antivenoms exhibit several limitations including the adverse immunological effects in human snake bite victims. Therefore, human monoclonal anti-snake venom antibodies or fragments can be an alternate therapy for overcoming the existing limitations. We developed venom-neutralizing humanized scFv antibodies and analyzed biochemical mechanisms associated with the inhibition of toxicity. Tomlinson I and J human scFv antibody libraries were screened against Naja naja and Echis carinatus venoms, and seven unique scFv antibodies were obtained. Further, specific toxins of snake venom interacting with each of these scFvs were identified, and phospholipase A2 (PLA2) was found to be prominently captured by the phage-anchored scFv antibodies. Our study indicated PLA2 to be one of the abundant toxins in Naja naja and Echis carinatus venom samples. The scFvs binding to PLA2 were used to perform in vivo survival assay using the mouse model and in vitro toxin inhibition assays. scFv N194, which binds to acidic PLA2, protected 50% of mice treated with Naja naja venom. Significant prolongation of survival time and 16% survival were observed in Echis carinatus venom-challenged mice treated with scFv E113 and scFv E10, respectively. However, a combination comprised of an equal amount of two scFvs, E113 and E10, both interacting with basic PLA2, exhibited synergistically enhanced survival of 33% in Echis carinatus venom-challenged mice. No such synergistically enhanced survival was observed in the case of combinatorial treatment with anti- Naja naja scFvs, N194, and N248. These scFvs demonstrated partial inhibition of venom-induced myotoxicity, and E113 also inhibited hemolysis by 50%, which corroborates the enhanced survival during combinatorial treatment in Echis carinatus venom-challenged mice. • Conventional antivenoms exhibit adverse effects in snakebite victims. • Seven human scFvs antibody fragments against two prominent Indian snake venoms were isolated. • Majority of antibodies were specific to phospholipase A2, which is an abundant toxin in both venoms. • These antibodies partially inhibited venom-induced myotoxicity, and one of them also exhibited partial hemolysis inhibition. • Antibodies developed against PLA2 exhibited partial in vivo venom neutralization. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Predatory publishing is the unethical and dishonest behavior of publishers who take advantage of researchers by charging them too much money and not providing good editing and peer-review services. Scholars, publishers and policymakers are seeking solutions to combat predatory publishing, which has become a major academic problem. This research paper provides a bibliometric analysis of the citation patterns and trends in the predatory publishing literature. The study analyzed the 100 top-cited papers on predatory publishing and provided insight into the types of documents, journals, authors, and countries that contributed to this field. The average citation per paper in the top 100 selected publications was 53.67. Open-access publications received a significantly higher average citation per paper than subscription-based papers. "Article" was the major type of document published, followed by "Notes," "Reviews" and "Editorials." Nature and Learned Publishing were the journals that contained the highest number of top-cited articles. J. Beall and D. Moher authored the highest number of papers, while A. Grudniewicz had the highest average citation per paper. USA and Canada were the top countries in these top-cited publications. This study will be beneficial to the all the stakeholders who may be interested in this area of research. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Chronic anal fissure is a benign disorder that is associated with considerable discomfort. Lateral internal sphincterotomy (LIS) remains the gold-standard treatment of chronic anal fissure (CAF). Aim: The present study was conducted to assess outcomes of lateral splinterotomy in chronic anal fissure. Methods: 65 patients underwent lateral splinterotomy in chronic anal fissure of both genders. Patients were recalled regularly and outcome was evaluated. Results: Out of 65 patients, males were 30 and females were 35. common complaints were pain during defecation in 92%, rectal bleeding in 84%, pruritis in 25%, constipation in 48% and perianal discharge in 14%. The common complications were rectal bleeding in 27%, perianal abscess in 4%, perianal hematoma in 3.7% and recurrence of lesion in 1.6%. Pain relief was seen at first week in 65%, at second week in 74%, at fourth week in 82% and at eighth week in 96% patients. The difference was significant (P< 0.05). Conclusion: LIS is the gold standard for the treatment of chronic anal fissure and patients found good pain relief. Common complication found was rectal bleeding. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This review embarks on a comprehensive exploration into the intricate world of human cardiovascular anatomy, emphasizing the transformative role of modern imaging modalities. It delves into the various complexities and structures of the cardiovascular system, elucidating the challenges and breakthroughs in depicting these details with precision and clarity. The core of this review synthesizes findings from multiple imaging techniques, including Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI), Computed Tomography (CT) scans, and echocardiography, among others, highlighting their unique contributions and limitations in the study of cardiovascular anatomy. Significant insights from recent research underscore the pivotal role of these technologies in advancing our understanding of cardiovascular diseases, anomalies, and the dynamic nature of blood flow and heart structure. The review navigates through a series of case studies and clinical scenarios, illustrating the practical implications and the enhanced diagnostic and therapeutic capabilities afforded by these advanced imaging options. It culminates in a discussion of the ethical considerations, challenges, and future directions in cardiovascular imaging, advocating for a multidisciplinary approach to harnessing these technologies for better patient outcomes. This review aims to provide a critical and comprehensive perspective on the evolution and current state of cardiovascular imaging, fostering a deeper understanding of the human heart and vascular system. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Early discharge and shorter hospital stay is popular in patients undergoing minimally invasive surgery (MIS). Intolerable post-MIS pain may lead to a significant unnecessary increase in analgesia use, slower recovery, longer hospital stays, and rarely, readmission. Aim: The study aimed to evaluate the efficacy of TAP block using 0.5% Bupivacaine versus oral Gabapentin for postoperative analgesia in laparoscopic surgeries. Materials and Methods: In a randomised controlled study, 70 patients of ASA class I and II scheduled for laparoscopic surgeries of age 20 to 60 years were enrolled. Patients were randomly allocated into two groups of 35 each. Group I was allocated to patients receiving TAP block and Group II to patients receiving oral Gabapentin. Results: Patients in both the groups were comparable with respect to age, gender, ASA Class and type of surgery and did not affect the study result at any time interval of the study. MAP and SPO2 did not show significant difference in both the groups at any time interval of study. Heart rate was significantly higher in group II than the group I which corresponds to the onset of pain that is at 6 hours in group II and 8 hours in Group I. NRS score of >4 was seen earlier (6 hours) in Group II patients as compared to group I patients (8hours). Eighteen out of 35 patients of Group II required rescue analgesia where as in Group I only 9 out of 35 patients required rescue analgesia. Conclusion: TAP block using 0.5% Bupivacaine is more efficacious than 300 mg oral gabapentin for post-operative analgesia in laparoscopic surgery. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This review embarks on a comprehensive exploration into the intricate world of human cardiovascular anatomy, emphasizing the transformative role of modern imaging modalities. It delves into the various complexities and structures of the cardiovascular system, elucidating the challenges and breakthroughs in depicting these details with precision and clarity. The core of this review synthesizes findings from multiple imaging techniques, including Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI), Computed Tomography (CT) scans, and echocardiography, among others, highlighting their unique contributions and limitations in the study of cardiovascular anatomy. Significant insights from recent research underscore the pivotal role of these technologies in advancing our understanding of cardiovascular diseases, anomalies, and the dynamic nature of blood flow and heart structure. The review navigates through a series of case studies and clinical scenarios, illustrating the practical implications and the enhanced diagnostic and therapeutic capabilities afforded by these advanced imaging options. It culminates in a discussion of the ethical considerations, challenges, and future directions in cardiovascular imaging, advocating for a multidisciplinary approach to harnessing these technologies for better patient outcomes. This review aims to provide a critical and comprehensive perspective on the evolution and current state of cardiovascular imaging, fostering a deeper understanding of the human heart and vascular system. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background and Aims: Intrathecal adjuvants are used to prolong the duration of block and provide post operative analgesia. Nalbuphine and Buprenorphine are mixed agonist-antagonist opioids which prolongs duration of block with fewer side effects. The study aimed to compare nalbuphine and buprenorphine as intrathecal adjuvant to hyperbaric bupivacaine in lower limb surgeries. Materials and Methods: In a prospective, randomized, double blind study, forty-six patients of ASA class I and II scheduled for lower limb surgery were enrolled. Patients were randomly allocated into two groups of 23 each to receive 15 mg hyperbaric bupivacaine with either 1 mg nalbuphine (group N) or 60 µg buprenorphine (group B) intrathecally. Results: Patients who received intrathecal buprenorphine (group B) had significantly delayed onset of sensory block compared to patients who received nalbuphine (group N). The time to two segment regression was significantly prolonged in group B (93.91±17.19 minutes) as compared to group N (85.65±9.33 minutes) [P <0.05]. The onset and duration of motor block was comparable among two groups. Duration of spinal analgesia was significantly prolonged in group B (276.96±39.11 minutes) as compared to group N (233.04±31.03 minutes) [P <0.05]. The post operative analgesic requirement was significantly less in group B compared to group N [P <0.05]. Hemodynamic effects and incidence of side effects were comparable among two groups. Conclusion: Intrathecal buprenorphine 60 µg provides good post operative analgesia when used as an adjuvant to 0.5% hyperbaric bupivacaine in lower limb surgeries as compared to 1 mg nalbuphine. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Energy and water poverty are two main challenges of the modern world. Most developing and underdeveloped countries need more efficient electricity-producing sources to overcome the problem of potable water evaporation. At the same time, the traditional way to produce energy/electricity is also responsible for polluting the environment and damaging the ecosystem. Notably, many techniques have been used around the globe, such as a photovoltaic (PV) cooling (active, passive, and combined) process to reduce the working temperature of the PV panels (up to 60 °C) to improve the system efficiency. For floating photovoltaic (FPV), water cooling is mainly responsible for reducing the panel temperature to enhance the production capacity of the PV panels, while the system efficiency can increase up to around 30%. At the same time, due to the water surface covering, the water loss due to evaporation is also minimized, and the water evaporation could be minimized by up to 60% depending on the total area covered by the water surfaces. Therefore, it could be the right choice for generating clean and green energy, with dual positive effects. The first is to improve the efficiency of the PV panels to harness more energy and minimize water evaporation. This review article focuses mainly on various PV and FPV cooling methods and the use and advantages of FPV plants, particularly covering efficiency augmentation and reduction of water evaporation due to the installation of PV systems on the water bodies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A comprehensive study was undertaken by collecting 51 samples of termites between July and October 2021 in three distinct zones within the Bhiwani district to analyze the termite diversity of the Bhiwani, Haryana region. The interplay of aeolian dunes characterizes the Bhiwani district’s ecological landscape. Nestled within the Indo-Gangetic alluvial plain, the Loharu Banger zone, and the ruggedness of the Aravalli Hills provide three distinct niches for termite diversity. The study sheds light on the intricate tapestry of termite life inhabiting these diverse ecological niches. Sample identification exhibited termites’ affiliations to two prominent families, Termitidae and Rhinotermitidae and three subfamilies, Amitermitinae, Macrotermitinae, and Coptotermitinae. Further, delving into the taxonomy unveiled a total of ten termite species inhabiting the various locations across the three ecological regions of Bhiwani district including Coptotermes sp., Microtermes mycophagus Desneux, Odontotermes gurdaspurensis Holmgren and Holmgren, Odontotermes redemanni (Wasmann), Odontotermes obesus, Coptotermes kishori, Amitermes belli (Desneux), Microcerotermes sp., Odontotermes guptai Roonwal and Bose, and Odontotermes vaishno Bose. Various diversity indices, including species richness, Simpson’s diversity index, Shannon-Weaver index, and Pielou’s evenness index, were used to determine the relative abundance and distribution of termite species within each zone. These indexes offer a comprehensive view of termite community structure and ecosystem resilience. This pioneering research marks the first-ever documented record of termite biodiversity in Bhiwani district, Haryana. In a region where the study of termites had hitherto been scarce, this endeavor opens doors to a deeper understanding of these soil-dwelling architects of nature. It lays the foundation for future research and pest management strategies in this dynamic ecosystem. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A total of 32 sweet potato genotypes were evaluated to assess the genetic diversity based on quantitative traits and molecular markers, as well as stability for yield and related traits. Wider variability was observed for the traits like vine length (181.2–501.3 cm), number of leaves/plant (103.0–414.0 cm), internodal length (3.20–14.80 cm), petiole length (6.5–21.3 cm), leaf length (8.50–14.5 cm), leaf breadth (8.20–15.30 cm), leaf area (42.50–115.62 cm2), tuber length (7.77–18.07 cm), tuber diameter (2.67–6.90 cm), tuber weight (65.60–192.09 g), tuber yield (7.77–28.87 t ha−1), dry matter (27.34–36.41%), total sugar (4.50–5.70%) and starch (18.50–29.92%) content. Desirable traits such as tuber yield, dry matter and starch content have shown high heritability (>60%) with moderate to high genetic advance. Under molecular analysis, a total of 232 alleles were observed from all 32 microsatellite markers, which ranged from 4 to 14 with an average of 7.77 alleles per locus. In the population, the average observed heterozygosity (0.51) was higher than the expected heterozygosity (0.49). The contribution of genotype, genotype by environment interaction to the total variations was found to be significant. Based on the multi-trait stability index (tuber length, tuber diameter, tuber weight and tuber yield), genotypes X-24, MLSPC-3, MLSPC-5, ARSPC-1 and TSP-12-12 were found to be most stable. Among them, the high-yielding and stable genotypes TSP-12-10 (26.0 t ha−1) and MLSPC-3 (23.9 t ha−1) can be promoted for commercial production or used as parental material in future crop improvement programmes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The single-flash geothermal cycle (SFGC) is not without its limitations, featuring drawbacks like diminished efficiency, restricted power generation capacity, and the incapability to yield multiple outputs concurrently. Furthermore, the SFGC requires a substantial water supply, potentially leading to adverse environmental consequences. In a concerted effort to enhance overall performance and facilitate the concurrent production of multiple valuable products, this study introduces a multigeneration system (MGS). By integrating additional subsystems into the SFGC framework, including a branched GAX cycle enabled by a thermoelectric generator (TEG), a domestic water heater (DWH), and a reverse osmosis unit, the objective is to surmount these limitations effectively. A thermodynamic and exergoeconomic analysis of the system is conducted and a bi-objective optimization is employed to minimize system cost and maximize exergy efficiency. The parametric study reveals that when degassing ranges are in the range of 0.2–0.37, the system product cost varies from $27.07/MWh to $28.44/MWh. In the optimized scenario there is a decrease of 67.7% in cooling provided by the system. This leads to an increase of 3.5% in generated electricity and a 3% increase in water purification compared to the base scenario. Through optimization the exergy efficiency of the system improves from 61.84% to 62.90% while the multigeneration gain output ratio (MGOR) decreases from 1.40 to 1.38. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]