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Abstract More than 10% of adults in the United States have type 2 diabetes mellitus (DM) with a 2–4 times higher prevalence of ischemic heart disease than the non-diabetics. Despite extensive research approaches to limit this life-threatening condition have proven unsuccessful, highlighting the need for understanding underlying molecular mechanisms. Long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs), which regulate gene expression by acting as signals, decoys, guides, or scaffolds have been implicated in diverse cardiovascular conditions. However, their role in ischemic heart disease in DM remains poorly understood. We provide new insights into the lncRNA expression profile after ischemic heart disease in DM mice. We performed unbiased RNA sequencing of well-characterized type 2 DM model db/db mice or its control db/+ subjected to sham or MI surgery. Computational analysis of the RNA sequencing of these LV tissues identified several differentially expressed lncRNAs between (db/db sham vs. db/db MI) including Gm19522 and Gm8075. lncRNA Gm-19522 may regulate DNA replication via DNA protein kinases, while lncRNA Gm-8075 is associated with cancer gene dysregulation and PI3K/Akt pathways. Thus, the downregulation of lncRNAs Gm19522 and Gm8075 post-MI may serve as potential biomarkers or novel therapeutic targets to improve cardiac repair/recovery in diabetic ischemic heart disease.

Abstract We study the prospect of heavy singlet neutrinos as a dark matter (DM) candidate within a neutrinophilic U(1) model, where the Standard Model (SM) is extended with a U(1) gauge symmetry, and neutrino mass and oscillation parameters are explained through an inverse see-saw mechanism. The lightest of the heavy neutrinos plays the role of the DM, while the newly introduced scalars and the extra gauge boson $$Z'$$ Z ′ act as mediators between the dark sector and the SM sector. We show the range of model parameters where this DM candidate can be accommodated in the Weakly Interacting Massive Particle (WIMP) or Feebly Interacting Massive Particle (FIMP) scenario. The observed DM relic density (DMRD) is achieved via the new gauge boson and singlet scalar portals in the WIMP scenario, whereas within the FIMP scenario, these two particles assume a distinct yet pivotal role in generating the observed DMRD.

Background: Tuberculous meningitis (TBM) is a challenging condition to diagnose, and current laboratory methods have limitations, especially in developing countries. This study evaluated the diagnostic utility of the Lancet consensus scoring (LCS) system in suspected TBM cases at a tertiary care center in India. Methods: The clinical manifestations of 75 patients with suspected TBM were prospectively evaluated using the LCS system, which categorizes cases as “definite” (laboratory confirmed), “probable” (>10 points without imaging or > 12 points with imaging), and “possible” (6–9 points without imaging or 6–11 points with imaging). The sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value (PPV), and negative predictive value (NPV) of the LCS system were compared to GeneXpert and mycobacterial growth indicator tube (MGIT) liquid culture, which are considered the gold standard tests. Results: Out of 75 recruited cases, 11 were confirmed as definite TBM cases. The LCS system correctly identified 8 of these as “probable” and 3 as “possible” cases. Compared to GeneXpert, the LCS system had a specificity of 100%, sensitivity of 54.55%, NPV of 92.7%, and PPV of 100%. Compared to MGIT liquid culture, the LCS system had a specificity of 100%, sensitivity of 81.82%, NPV of 96.97%, and PPV of 100%. The diagnostic accuracy was higher for MGIT liquid culture (97.33%) than GeneXpert (93.33%). Conclusion: The LCS system is a practical and easily applicable tool that can aid the diagnosis of suspected TBM cases, particularly in resource-limited settings. Despite some limitations, the LCS system demonstrated good diagnostic performance, suggesting its potential utility in improving TBM diagnosis and management.

Abstract We investigate the possibility of multi-lepton (four and six) signatures, including an exotic signature of same-sign four-lepton (SS4L) as signals of pair production of a doubly charged Higgs in the minimal left-right symmetric model, extended with two doublet scalars. The right-handed neutrino masses are generated in this model through a dimension-5 lepton-number violating operator allowing the triplet scalar interactions with leptons to become negligibly small. This leads to interesting six-lepton and SS4L signatures that can be observed at the high-luminosity phase of the Large Hadron Collider (HL-LHC) with almost no background for doubly charged Higgs with mass below 500 GeV.

Abstract Background Exposure of humans and animals to heavy metals is increasing day-by-day; thus, lead even today remains of significant public health concern. According to CDC, blood lead reference value (BLRV) ranges from 3.5 µg/dl to 5 μg/dl in adults. Recently, almost 2.6% decline in male fertility per year has been reported but the cause is not well established. Lead (Pb2+) affects the size of testis, semen quality, and secretory functions of prostate. But the molecular mechanism(s) of lead toxicity in sperm cells is not clear. Thus, present study was undertaken to evaluate the adverse effects of lead acetate at environmentally relevant exposure levels (0.5, 5, 10 and 20 ppm) on functional and molecular dynamics of spermatozoa of bucks following in vitro exposure for 15 min and 3 h. Results Lead significantly decreased motility, viable count, and motion kinematic patterns of spermatozoa like curvilinear velocity, straight-line velocity, average path velocity, beat cross frequency and maximum amplitude of head lateral displacement even at 5 ppm concentration. Pb2+ modulated intracellular cAMP and Ca2+ levels in sperm cells through L-type calcium channels and induced spontaneous or premature acrosome reaction (AR) by increasing tyrosine phosphorylation of sperm proteins and downregulated mitochondrial transmembrane potential. Lead significantly increased DNA damage and apoptosis as well. Electron microscopy studies revealed Pb2+ -induced deleterious effects on plasma membrane of head and acrosome including collapsed cristae in mitochondria. Conclusions Pb2+ not only mimics Ca2+ but also affects cellular targets involved in generation of cAMP, mitochondrial transmembrane potential, and ionic exchange. Lead seems to interact with Ca2+ channels because of charge similarity and probably enters the sperm cell through these channels and results in hyperpolarization. Our findings also indicate lead-induced TP and intracellular Ca2+ release in spermatozoa which in turn may be responsible for premature acrosome exocytosis which is essential feature of capacitation for fertilization. Thus, lead seems to reduce the fertilizing capacity of spermatozoa even at 0.5 ppm concentrations. Graphical Abstract

Background: Venous thrombosis is a dreaded complication of long bone fractures. The occurrence of deep vein thrombosis (DVT) may be high in specific cases such as bone tumors with pathological fractures. In this regard, more work is required to establish its correlation. Scanty data are available that shows whether pathological fractures increase the risk of DVT by comparing fracture fixation and replacement surgeries as a treatment. The anticoagulation protocols in published literature might not be suitable for this specific group. Materials and Methods: In a retrospective study on patients who underwent surgeries for pathological fracture fixation between September 2010 and October 2020. Their data were collected and analyzed. DVT is diagnosed by clinical sign, D-dimer test, and using color Doppler. The study population (n = 68) was compared and paired with a control group (n = 140) with similar baseline characteristics. Results: There were 12 patients (17.64%) in the study group and 8 (5.71%) patients in the control group that developed DVT after performing risk ratio and Student’s t-test and calculating odds ratio (P < 0.031). There was a statistically significant correlation found between the development of DVT with the type of implant used, the presence of neoplastic lesions, and the presence of metastases. Conclusion: Patients with a pathological long bone fracture who underwent surgical management are at greater risk for DVT or death due to pulmonary embolism under the current recommended thromboprophylaxis protocol. This risk of developing DVT is increased much fold in the presence of metastasis, chemotherapy, radiotherapy, fracture fixation, and arthroplasty.

This paper introduces a floating flux-controlled meminductor emulator, implemented using two voltage differencing differential difference amplifier (VDDDA) along with a memristor and capacitor. Grounded and floating configurations are simulated with TSMC 0.18 µm level-49 BSIM3 CMOS process parameters in LTspice, showcasing the performance of the proposed circuits. The circuit features electronic tunability, allowing for the adjustment of nonlinear flux through the tuning of bias voltage. Simulation results validate the frequency-dependent current-flux dynamics of the proposed meminductor emulator. The simulation results, which involve frequency-dependent pinched hysteresis loops, transient analysis, non-volatility, and Monte Carlo analysis of the proposed meminductor, affirm the functionality and adequacy of the proposed design. A Chua’s oscillator is realized using proposed VDDDA-based meminductor as non-linear element.

Abstract Background In the lab type-1 Polysomnography (PSG) is the gold standard for the diagnosis of Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA). But in view, the increasing prevalence, highly expensive, and the presence of a pandemic state make it sometimes impractical to perform PSG in all patients suspected of OSA. The objective of our study was to compare the correlation between the gold standard Autoscored Apnea Hypopnea Index (AHI) and Oxygen desaturation index (ODI) based classification of the severity of OSA. Methodology It was a single-centered hospital-based cross-sectional study in which a total of 176 Subjects suspected of OSA were recruited and underwent overnight 7 channels of in-lab polysomnography at AIIMS Patna. Demographic details, comorbidities, and lab data were collected for all enrolled patients. BMI, STOP-BANG score, and Epworth sleepiness score (ESS) were also calculated for all subjects. They were categorized into mild, moderate, and severe OSA based on AHI and ODI values of 5–14.9, 15–29.9, and ≥ 30 events per hour, respectively. Recordings of polysomnography (PSG) were presented with descriptive statistics. Data is presented as the “mean ± standard deviations” for continuous variables and percentage frequencies for categorical variables. The Chi-square test was used to compare the discrete variables. Statistical significance was set at an alpha level of 0.05 with P

Abstract Background Anemia has been suggested to be related with schooling outcomes in India. Less is known, however, about whether the observed relationship persists after accounting for all household-level factors which may confound the association between anemia and schooling. Methods Nationally representative data on adolescents aged 15–18 years with data on measured hemoglobin level and school attendance were extracted from India’s National Family Health Surveys conducted between 2005 and 2021. We compared school attendance between adolescents living in the same household but with varying levels of hemoglobin concentration, while controlling for age and period effects. We assessed heterogeneity in the relationship between anemia and school attendance across anemia severity groups and socio-demographic characteristics. Results The proportion of adolescents with any anemia is 55.2% (95% CI: 55.0–55.5) among young women and 31.0% (95% CI: 30.6–31.5) among young men. In conventional (between-household) regression models, having any anemia is associated with a 2.5 percentage point reduction (95% CI: 2.1–2.8) in school attendance; however, in household fixed-effects models, anemia has qualitatively small and non-significant effects on school attendance. Our results are consistent using alternative model specifications as well as across anemia severity groups, genders, types of relationship to the household head, household wealth quintiles, and states and union territories in India. Conclusions This within-household analysis finds little evidence that anemia is associated with school attendance among adolescents in India. Observational studies likely overstate the connection between anemia and school attendance due to household factors that have not been accounted for.

The experiment was conducted during winter (rabi) seasons of 2021–22 and 2022–23 at ICAR-Directorate of Rapeseed Mustard Research, Bharatpur, Rajasthan to assess the effect of nano urea (NU) spray in conjunction with different rates of soil applied fertilizer (conventional urea) N on growth, yield, nutrient content and uptake of Indian mustard [Brassica juncea (L.) Czern. and Coss.] in a calcareous soil of arid and semi-arid region. The experiment was conducted in a randomized complete block design (RCBD) and replicated thrice The treatment combinations consisted of basal applications of fertilizers and foliar spray (FS) of nano urea (NU) either once 30 days after sowing (DAS) or twice 30 and 50–55 DAS. The field experiment comprised of 9 treatments, viz. Control; Recommended dose of fertilizer (RDF); RDN25 + NU-1FS; RDN25 + NU-2FS; RDN50 + NU-1FS; RDN50 + NU-2FS; RDN100 + NU-1FS; RDN75 + NU-1FS; and RDN75 + NU-2FS. Results revealed that treatment RDN100 + NU-1FS (single sprays of nano urea together with the 100% prescribed dose of N) produced the maximum values of 24.30 and 66.62 q/ha yield of seed and stover, respectively. However, RDN75 + NU-2FS produced statistically comparable yield to the treatment RDN100 + NU-1FS. By applying nano urea, the recommended N dose can be reduced up to 25% without compromising yield. One FS of NU with RDN100 registered highest plant height, main shoot length, main shoot siliquae number, total siliquae number/plant and the number of secondary branches of the plant, and proved superior over other treatments. Further, results exhibited that RDN100 + NU-1FS increased N, P, and K uptake values to 66.74, 10.42, and 17.85 kg/ha in seed and 44.23, 9.48, and 78.98 kg/ha in stover. Overall, it has been determined that the most efficient way to increase the yield, concentration, and uptake of N, P, and K in Indian mustard is to apply nano urea foliar at 30 and 60 DAS in conjunction with RDF.

Background and purpose: The study explores basil seed mucilage as a bioadhesive carrier for naproxen sodium, demonstrating its ability to enhance solubility when administered rectally. The mucilage, derived from Ocimum basilicum seeds, showed bioadhesive properties and thermal stability, as confirmed by FTIR spectroscopy and X-ray diffraction analysis. Experimental approach: Microspheres were prepared using a double emulsion solvent evaporation technique, varying polymer ratios to optimize drug delivery. Key results: Particle size analysis revealed a range of 456±0.51 to 712±0.21 µm, with larger microspheres formed at higher mucilage concentrations due to increased viscosity. Encapsulation efficiency ranged from 45.01±0.25 % to 79.4±0.93 %, improving with higher basil/alginate ratios. The superior batch, OBM5, showed excellent mucoadhesive qualities in ex-vivo assays, attributed to the increased polymer content, facilitating interaction with rectal mucosa. SEM analysis of OBM5 indicated a spherical, monolithic structure conducive to free flow. Drug release was efficient, with OBM5 achieving 88.7±1.3 % after 7 hours, indicating a control­led release profile. Conclusion: Incorporated into polyethylene glycol (PEG) 4000 suppositories, suppose­tories were completely disintegrated in buffer solution within 25 minutes. The bioadhesive force of basil seed mucilage on rectal mucosa was significantly enhanced, reaching 6.44±0.58 g, correlating with mucilage concentration. These findings underscore the efficacy of basil seed mucilage as a bioadhesive biopolymer for rectal drug delivery systems.

With significant advancements in the study of DNA Damage Response (DDR) and Fanconi Anemia (FA) signaling, we previously introduced the term “FA signaling” to encompass “all signaling transductions involving one or more FA proteins.” This network has now evolved into the largest cellular defense network, integrating over 30 key players, including ATM, ATR, BLM, HRR6, RAD18, FANCA, FANCB, FANCC, BRCA2, FANCD2, FANCE, FANCF, FANCG, FANCI, BRIP1, FANCL, FANCM, PALB2, RAD51C, SLX4, ERCC4, RAD51, BRCA1, UBE2T, XRCC2, MAD2L2, RFWD3, FAAP20, FAAP24, FAAP100, and CENPX. This system responds to both endogenous and exogenous cellular insults. However, the mutational signatures associated with this defense mechanism in non-FA human cancers have not been extensively explored. In this study, we report that different types of human cancers are characterized by distinct somatically mutated genes related to DDR/FA signaling, each accompanied by a unique spectrum of potential driver mutations. For example, in pan-cancer samples, ATM emerges as the most frequently mutated gene (5%) among the 31 genes analyzed, with the highest number of potential driver mutations (1714), followed by BRCA2 (4% with 970 putative driver mutations). However, this pattern is not universal across specific cancer types. For example, FANCT is the most frequently mutated gene in breast (14%) and liver (4%) cancers. In addition, the alteration frequency of DDR/FA signaling due to these mutations exceeds 70% in a subtype of prostate cancer, with each subtype of brain, breast, lung, and prostate cancers displaying distinct patterns of gene alteration frequency. Furthermore, these gene alteration patterns significantly impact patient survival and disease-free periods. Collectively, our findings not only enhance our understanding of cancer development and progression but also have significant implications for cancer patient care and prognosis, particularly in the development of effective therapeutic strategies.

Pesticides have health consequences for humans, living organisms, and ecosystems. Research on biological management, with a primary focus on entomopathogens, has been accelerated by the rise in issues such as pesticide residue, soil degradation, and pest resistance. Entomopathogenic nematodes (EPNs) are among the most frequently used and commercialised biopesticides. However, they are restricted in their infectivity, persistence, storage, and cost of production. The nematodes, along with their endosymbiotic bacteria, combine to form a nemato-bacterial complex. This complex is responsible for causing mortality in insect pests due to the production of insecticidal compounds. The adaptation of EPNs is an eco-friendly method, economical, and safer for the environment as well as non-target organisms. Moreover, it's a better alternative to synthetic chemical pesticides, as it can be helpful in overcoming pest resistance and resurgence issues. Application of nematode juveniles is a cost-effective method, but the necessity of refrigeration and transportation may enhance their cost. This review emphasised the diversity of entomopathogenic nematodes and their endosymbiotic bacteria, the exploration of the biocontrol potential of insect pests by under-utilisation of nematodes, the development of nematode-based formulations, and the discussion of critical issues and required research in the future.

Agro-environmental sustainability is based upon the adoption of efficient resources in agro-practices that have a nominal impact on the ecosystem. Insect pests are responsible for causing severe impacts on crop productivity. Wide ranges of agro-chemicals have been employed over the last 50 years to overcome crop yield losses due to insect pests. But better knowledge about the hazards due to chemical pesticides and other pest resistance and resurgence issues necessitates an alternative for pest control. The applications of biological pesticides offer a best alternate that is safe, cost-effective, easy to adoption and successful against various insect pests and pathogens. Like other organisms, insects can get a wide range of diseases from various microbes, such as bacteria, fungi, viruses, protozoa, and nematodes. In order to create agricultural pest management practices that are environmentally beneficial, bacterial entomopathogens are being thoroughly studied. Utilization of bacterial biopesticides has been adopted for the protection of agricultural products. The different types of toxin complexes released by various microorganisms and their mechanisms of action are recapitulated. The present review described the diversity and biocontrol prospective of certain bacteria and summarised the potential of bacterial biopesticides for the management of agricultural pests, insects, and other phytopathogenic microorganisms in agricultural practices.

State of Uttarakhand in India have gone through transitional change in the last decade. Urban population share have increased from ten percent to near about thirty percent of the total population. Due to this rapid urbanization the state of Uttarakhand, the state is finding difficult to attain sustainable development. Through this study we tried to identify the major challenges and issues which are blocking the urban areas of Uttarakhand from attaining sustainable development through a systematic review framework. The article attempts to highlight the issues and challenges which can be evaluated by researchers, academicians and policy makers in India and the world to study, evaluate and analyze the sustainable urban development of Uttarakhand. The methodology can also be used by researchers, academicians and policy makers to identify the challenges of sustainable urban development for any hill or mountain side terrain. Received: 17 November 2023 Accepted: 12 April 2024 Published: 30 May 2024

Agricultural management practices alter soil characteristics and influence soil biological properties. Hence, a field trial was carried out to assess the 14-year long-term impact of tillage and residue management practices on soil biological activities and microbial population in a rice-wheat cropping system in two depths viz., 0-15 and 15-30 cm. Soil organic carbon levels differed significantly (p> 0.05) across various treatments. Microbial biomass carbon, Microbial quotient, and soil enzymatic activities were significantly greater (10-82%) in crop residue incorporation/retention treatments. Zero tillage with residue retention (ZT+R) had the greatest bacterial, actinomycetes, and fungi population, next to zero tillage with residue incorporation (RT+R). The ZT+R treatment had the greatest value of K-strategist and r-strategist, and was equivalent to RT+R across both soil depths. When compared to Conventional tillage (CT), zero tillage (ZT) increased wheat yield by 9%. However, compared to CT, rice and rice-wheat systems had lower grain yields, whereas crop residue increased wheat and rice-wheat system yields by 10% and 6%, respectively. The findings of this long-term study show that residue management and tillage practices can enhance soil biological attributes while also supporting microbial diversity.

Abstract Background Disability stigma in low- and middle-income countries is one of the most persistent and complex barriers limiting persons with disabilities (PwDs) from enjoying their rights and opportunities. Perceived stigma among PwDs and its impact on participation restriction is rarely assessed in Nepal. Objective This study aimed to measure the extent of perceived stigma by PwDs, identify its relationships with specific demographic factors, and assess the impact on social participation. Methods A cross-sectional survey was conducted between May and July 2022 among PwDs in Nepal, with a sample of 371. The Explanatory Model Interview Catalog (EMIC) stigma scale and P-scale suitable for people affected by stigmatized conditions were used, and the generated scores were analyzed. One-way ANOVA was performed to determine group differences for sociodemographic variables, and linear regression and correlational analysis were used to identify their association and measure the strength and direction of the relationship. Results The mean stigma score was 16.9 (SD 13.8). 42% of respondents scored higher than the mean. The scores differed significantly by disability type, caste and ethnicity, education, occupation, and household wealth. Over 56% reported participation restriction, and 38% had severe/extreme restriction. Approximately 65% of participants with intellectual disabilities, 53% with multiple disabilities, and 48.5% of persons with severe or profound disabilities experienced severe or extreme restrictions. Perceived stigma had a positive correlation with Disability type (r = 0.17, P 0.05). Conclusion All participants exhibited stigma in general; however, the severity varied based on disability type, level of education, and sociocultural circumstances. A large proportion of participants reported facing a high degree of restrictions in participation; however, no association was detected between perceived stigma and participation restriction. A significant negative linear correlation was observed between education and participation restriction. Stigma reduction programs focusing on education and empowerment would be especially important for overcoming internalized stigma and increasing the participation of PwDs.

Increasing discharge of untreated industrial effluents has led to high metal loads in different environments. In the recent past Chromium (Cr) has emerged as a severe pollution to soil and aquatic ecosystems. Its global average load in soil is 54 ppm. Chromium has deleterious effects on crops and the subsequent food chain. If ingested, hexavalent chromium [Cr (VI)] is highly carcinogenic to faunal health. Here, we investigate the use of biowaste on chromium-contaminated soils to promote phytostabilization and overall improvement in crop productivity via decreased solubilization, restricted leaching, higher bioavailability of micronutrients, along with the efficient recycling of waste from the environment. Biowaste amendments facilitate complex processes such as stable compound formation after reacting to organic ligands, precipitation on surfaces, and ion exchange phenomenon; to improve fertility, physical health, and microbial activity in soil. The resulting improved soil quality promotes resettlement of vegetation and better plant growth and development. The potency of different biowastes to immobilize the hazardous metal(loid)s depends on their chemical nature, the extent of their degradation by microbes, their reaction in specific soil-type and concerned metal(loid)s. We need to develop different bio-remedial strategies to curtail the Cr-phytotoxicity, and ensure sustainable crop productivity.

Abstract Background Increased mitochondrial activities contributing to cancer cell proliferation, invasion, and metastasis have been reported in different cancers; however, studies on the therapeutic targeting of mitochondria in regulating cell proliferation and invasiveness are limited. Because mitochondria are believed to have evolved through bacterial invasion in mammalian cells, antibiotics could provide an alternative approach to target mitochondria, especially in cancers with increased mitochondrial activities. In this study, we investigated the therapeutic potential of bacteriostatic antibiotics in regulating the growth potential of colorectal cancer (CRC) cells, which differ in their metastatic potential and mitochondrial functions. Methods A combination of viability, cell migration, and spheroid formation assays was used to measure the effect on metastatic potential. The effect on mitochondrial mechanisms was investigated by measuring mitochondrial DNA copy number by qPCR, biogenesis (by qPCR and immunoblotting), and functions by measuring reactive oxygen species, membrane potential, and ATP using standard methods. In addition, the effect on assembly and activities of respiratory chain (RC) complexes was determined using blue native gel electrophoresis and in-gel assays, respectively). Changes in metastatic and cell death signaling were measured by immunoblotting with specific marker proteins and compared between CRC cells. Results Both tigecycline and tetracycline effectively reduced the viability, migration, and spheroid-forming capacity of highly metastatic CRC cells. This increased sensitivity was attributed to reduced mtDNA content, mitochondrial biogenesis, ATP content, membrane potential, and increased oxidative stress. Specifically, complex I assembly and activity were significantly inhibited by these antibiotics in high-metastatic cells. Significant down-regulation in the expression of mitochondrial-mediated survival pathways, such as phospho-AKT, cMYC, phospho-SRC, and phospho-FAK, and upregulation in cell death (apoptosis and autophagy) were observed, which contributed to the enhanced sensitivity of highly metastatic CRC cells toward these antibiotics. In addition, the combined treatment of the CRC chemotherapeutic agent oxaliplatin with tigecycline/tetracycline at physiological concentrations effectively sensitized these cells at early time points. Conclusion Altogether, our study reports that bacterial antibiotics, such as tigecycline and tetracycline, target mitochondrial functions specifically mitochondrial complex I architecture and activity and would be useful in combination with cancer chemotherapeutics for high metastatic conditions.

3D printing has emerged as a highly efficient process for fabricating electrodes in hydrogen evolution through water splitting, whereas metals are the most popular choice of materials in hydrogen evolution reactions (HER) due to their catalytic activity. However, current 3D printing solutions face challenges, including high cost, low surface area, and sub-optimal performance. In this work, we introduce metal-deposited 3D printed pyrolytic carbon (PyC) as a facile and cost-effective HER electrode. We adopt an integrated approach of resin 3D printing, pyrolysis, and electrochemical metal deposition. 3D printing of a resin and its subsequent pyrolysis led to 3D complex architectures of the conductive substrate, facilitating the electrochemical metal deposition and leading to layered 3D metal architecture. Both monolayers of metals (such as copper and nickel) and bi-metallic 3D PyC structures are demonstrated. Each metal layer thickness ranges from 6 to10 µm. The metal coatings, particularly the bi-metallic configurations, result in achieving significantly higher mechanical properties under compressive loading and improved electrical properties due to the synergistic contributions from each metal counterpart. The metalized PyC structures are further demonstrated for HER catalysts, contributing to the development of highly efficient and durable catalyst systems for hydrogen production. Among the materials studied here, Ni@Cu bimetallic 3D PyC electrodes are particularly well-suited, demonstrating a low HER overpotential value of 264 mV (100 mA/cm2, KOH (1 M)) with corresponding Tafel slopes of 107 mV/dec, with exceptional stability during a 10 h operation at a high applied current of −50 mA/cm2.

The mapping and monitoring of different types of Glacial lakes through the Geospatial techniques is vital to show the impact of climate changes on the Glacier and alleviate hazards that result from the bursting of Glacial Lakes and cause catastrophic consequences to human lives. The main goal of the present work was to map and analyze different types of glacial lakes in Bhutan during the years 1990, 2000, and 2017. Several sets of satellite images, Landsat-TM for 1990, Landsat ETM + for 2000, and Landsat 8-OLI satellite image for 2017, were used to estimate the changes in the glacial lakes and the inventory study. Several glacial lakes, i.e., moraine-dammed lake, supra glacial lake, lateral moraine lake, erosional lake, medial moraine lake, and end moraine lake, were mapped within these periods. It was found that there was a rapid increase in glacial lakes from 1990 to 2017. The number of glacial lakes in 1990 was increased from 213 to 436 in 2017. It was also observed that the spatial dimensions of some of the glacial lakes increased. The study revealed five end moraine lakes, 40 lateral moraine lakes, 50 supra glacial lakes, 239 erosional lakes, and 15 other moraines dammed lakes in 2017.

Boron nanoparticles have numerous medical, industrial, and environmental applications as potential nanomaterials. Given the inevitable release of these particles in aquatic environments, they can combine with other pollutants like pharmaceuticals. Therefore, it is necessary to investigate their combined detrimental effects on freshwater biota. This study examined the joint impacts of Boron nitride nanoparticles (BNNPs) and Diclofenac (DCF) on freshwater microalgae Scenedesmus obliquus. Three different concentrations of BNNPs (0.1, 1, and 10 mg L−1) were mixed with 1 mg L−1 of DCF and were treated with algal cells, and biochemical analyses were performed. A concentration-dependent decrease in algal cell viability was observed after a 72-h interaction period with BNNPs and their binary combinations. The maximum toxic effects were observed for the highest combination of BNNPs + DCF, i.e., 10 mg L−1 BNNPs + 1 mg L−1 DCF. Similarly, an increase in the oxidative stress parameters and antioxidant enzyme activity was observed, which correlated directly to the decline in cell viability. The algal cells also showed reduced photosynthetic efficiency and electron transfer rate upon interaction with BNNPs. The results of this research emphasize the importance of considering the negative consequences of emerging pollutants and their combinations with other pollutants, BNNPs, and DCF as part of a thorough evaluation of ecotoxicity in freshwater algal species.

ABSTRACTTyphoid fever is a significant public health concern with most of the sufferers between 15 and 25 y of age in Nepal. We undertook this study to demonstrate Vi polysaccharide conjugated with diphtheria toxoid (Vi-DT) conjugate vaccine which is non-inferior to Typbar typhoid conjugate vaccine, a Vi polysaccharide vaccine conjugated with tetanus toxoid (Vi-TT) with a focus on the adult population from Dhulikhel Hospital which was one of the total four sites in Nepal. In this study, we assigned the eligible participants in 1:1:1:1 ratio by block randomization, and stratified into three age groups (6 months to less than 2 y, 2 y to less than 18 y, and 18 y to 45 y), allotted to Group A, B, C, and D. Group A, B, and C received 25 μg (0.5 mL) of Vi-DT study vaccine and participants in Group D received 25 μg (0.5 mL) Vi-TT vaccine. We descriptively analyzed safety in all the participants receiving one dose of the investigational vaccine. The anti-Vi-IgG seroconversion rate in Vi-DT recipients was 99.71% (97.5% CI 98.04–99.96; 344 of 345 participants) and 99.13% (94.27–99.87; 114 of 115) in Vi-TT recipients which indicates that Vi-DT vaccine is non-inferior to Vi-TT vaccine. In safety aspect, 16.81% of total subject had at least one solicited adverse reaction and 22.61% of the Vi-TT participants experienced at least one solicited adverse reaction with most of them being local adverse reactions. None of the enrolled participants reported serious adverse events. Our study shows that a single dose of the Vi-DT vaccine is immunogenic, safe to administer and non-inferior to the Vi-TT vaccine four weeks after vaccination.

Over recent years, the scientific community has acknowledged the crucial role of certain microbial strains inhabiting the intestinal ecosystem in promoting human health, and participating in various beneficial functions for the host. These microorganisms are now referred to as next-generation probiotics and are currently considered as biotherapeutic products and food or nutraceutical supplements. However, the majority of next-generation probiotic candidates pose nutritional demands and exhibit high sensitivity towards aerobic conditions, leading to numerous technological hurdles in large-scale production. This underscores the need for the development of suitable delivery systems capable of enhancing the viability and functionality of these probiotic strains. Currently, potential candidates for next generation probiotics (NGP) are being sought among gut bacteria linked to health, which include strains from the genera Bacteroids, Faecalibacterium, Akkermansia and Clostridium. In contrast to Lactobacillus spp. and Bifidobacterium spp., NGP, particularly Bacteroids spp. and Clostridium spp., appear to exhibit greater ambiguity regarding their potential to induce infectious diseases. The present review provides a comprehensive overview of NGPs in terms of their health beneficial effects, regulation framework and risk assessment targeting relevant criteria for commercialization in food and pharmaceutical markets.

The attributes of innovation encompass the qualities, traits or characteristics inherent in an object reflecting the relative benefits of a novel idea. Assessing these attributes during the early stages of innovation within farmer management practices can offer valuable insights to the scientific community, enabling the formulation of policies to expedite farmer adoption. This study examined the perceived attributes of Cation-based Mineral Supplement (C-bMS). The research findings indicated that C-bMS demonstrates a moderate relative advantage (82.49%) compared to other mineral supplements in mitigating ruminal acidosis. It is highly compatible (80.84%), easy to comprehend and utilize, readily trialable (73.75%) with observable effects of feeding (78.75%), and predictable benefits (87.92%) for dairy farmers. Feeding C-bMS helps alleviate negative energy balance, increasing feed intake which in turn boosts milk production, ultimately reducing production costs by preventing ruminal acidosis and potentially doubling dairy farmers’ income. Raising general awareness among dairy farmers about ruminal acidosis, the consequences of negative energy balance, and the advantages of feeding C-bMS can be achieved through effective extension methods such as demonstrations and exhibitions.

The proposal for a high-energy muon collider offers many opportunities in the search for physics beyond the Standard Model (BSM). The collider by construction is likely to be more sensitive to the muon-philic models, primarily motivated by the BSM explanation of muon (g−2) excess and quark flavor anomalies. In this work, we explore the potential of the proposed muon collider in the context of such models and focus on one such model that extends the Standard Model (SM) with a leptoquark, a vector-like lepton, and a real scalar. In this model, we propose searches for TeV scale leptoquarks in 2μ+2b+E̸T channel. Notably, the leptoquark can be produced singly at the muon collider with a large cross-section. We have shown that a significant signal in this channel can be detected at a 3 TeV muon collider even with an integrated luminosity as low as ∼10 fb−1.

Background: In our study, we examined the 5-year survival of OSCC patients with HPV positive or negative status along with p16 protein expression. Method: A total of 72 biopsy tissue specimens from histologically confirmed oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) patients were collected. HPV detection and genotyping were performed using HPV E6/E7 and HPV- type-specific multiplex primer for nested-PCR. Immunohistochemistry evaluation of pl6 was conducted. SPSS statistical software (ver 20) was used for data analysis. Results: High risk-HPV (hr-HPV) DNA positivity was found in 27.7% (n = 20) of OSCC patients. Stage III OSCC patients were 7.80 times more likely to survive 5 years than stage IV patients (OR-7.80 CI-95%; P-0.03). Among the hr-HPV positive OSCC patients, we found that the median survival time for the 1st year (95%), 3 years (78.5%), and 5 years (38.5%) was significantly higher than that of the hr-HPV negative [1st year (78.6%), 3 years (45.2%) and 5 years (38.5%)] OSCC patients (P-0.03 The survival of male patients with hr-HPV positive OSCC is 9.75 times greater than the survival of patients with HPV negative OSCC (OR-9.75; CI-95%; P-0.05). The p16 expression level (low to overexpression) group and negative P16 expression group of OSCC patients have not demonstrated a significant association with 5-year survival. Conclusion: We conclude that in OSCC cases of North-East India, the presence of hr-HPV in OSCC cases could be a good predictor of 5-year survival rate. Expression of p16 does not appear to have any significant association with 5-year survival.

Plant architecture is a crucial determinant of crop yield. The number of primary (PB) and secondary branches (SB) is particularly significant in shaping the architecture of Indian mustard. In this study, we analyzed a panel of 86 backcross introgression lines (BCILs) derived from the first stable allohexaploid Brassicas with 170 Sinapis alba genome-specific SSR markers to identify associated markers with higher PB and SB through association mapping. The structure analysis revealed three subpopulations, i.e., P1, P2, and P3, in the association panel containing a total of 11, 33, and 42 BCILs, respectively. We identified five novel SSR markers linked to higher PB and SB. Subsequently, we explored the 20 kb up- and downstream regions of these SSR markers to predict candidate genes for improved branching and annotated them through BLASTN. As a result, we predicted 47 complete genes within the 40 kb regions of all trait-linked markers, among which 35 were identified as candidate genes for higher PB and SB numbers in BCILs. These candidate genes were orthologous to ANT, RAMOSUS, RAX, MAX, MP, SEU, REV, etc., branching genes. The remaining 12 genes were annotated for additional roles using BLASTP with protein databases. This study identified five novel S. alba genome-specific SSR markers associated with increased PB and SB, as well as 35 candidate genes contributing to plant architecture through improved branching numbers. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first report of introgressive genes for higher branching numbers in B. juncea from S. alba.

Microbes are a worthwhile organism of the earth that could be formulated as consortium which can be utilized as biofertilizers. Consortium-based bioinoculants or biofertilizers are superior to single strain-based inoculants for sustainable agricultural productivity and increased micronutrient content in yield. The aim of present study was to evaluate the effect of different combinations of beneficial bacteria that are more effective than single-based bioinoculants. The current work focuses on the isolation of rhizospheric microorganisms from various cereals and pseudocereal crops and the development of a single inoculum as well as a bacterial consortium which were evaluated on wheat crop. A total 214 rhizospheric bacteria were sorted out and, screened for mineral solubilizing attributes i.e., phosphorus, potassium, zinc and selenium solubilization. Among all the bacterial isolates, four potential strains exhibiting P, K, Zn and Se-solubilizing attributes were identified with the help of 16S rRNA gene sequencing as Rahnella aquatilis EU-A3Rb1, Erwinia aphidicola EU-A2RNL1, Brevibacillus brevis EU-C3SK2, and Bacillus mycoides EU-WRSe4, respectively. The identified strains formulated as a consortium which were found to improve the plant growth and physiological parameters in comparison to single culture inoculants and control. To the best of our knowledge, the present investigation is the first report that has developed the consortium from bacterial strains Rahnella aquatilis EU-A3Rb1, Erwinia aphidicola EU-A2RNL1, Brevibacillus brevis EU-C3SK2, and Bacillus mycoides EU-WRSe4. A combination of bacterial strains could be used as liquid inoculants for cereal crops growing in mountainous regions.

Extreme rainfall events (ERE) during the summer monsoon season have been occurring over most parts of India resulting in flooding and immense socio-economic loss. These extremes are becoming a frequent norm in the hilly and mountainous regions of the country such as Assam. Assam received one of the most historical EREs from 14–June 17, 2022. The present study analyses the performance of a suite of high-resolution ensemble model forecasts for this extreme event in terms of its intensity, and distribution with a lead time of up to 96 h. Furthermore, the 36 numerical experiments are carried out using two different land use and land cover (LULC) data sets (i.e. ISRO and USGS) and three different sets of parameterization schemes (i.e. planetary boundary layer, cumulus, and microphysics).Rainfall distributions in the case of USGS LULC are relatively less coherent and underestimated (60–260 mm/day) against IMD (80–300 mm/day) including the rainfall categories heavy (HR), very heavy (VHR), and extremely heavy (EHR) rainfall throughout the day-1 to day-4. Among all the ensembles (E1-E10), USGS (E6 - E10) has underestimated rainfall (140–260 mm/day) compared to ISRO (150–280 mm/day), specifically in MR and HR categories over the upper Assam (UAD) and lower Assam (LAD) divisions. Further, the Bias Correction Ensemble (BCE) technique is applied to minimize the forecast errors. A rigorous statistical analysis in terms of frequency distribution, Taylor diagram, and benchmark skill scores is carried out to elucidate the model biases. The set of the model ensembles using ISRO (E1- E5) and USGS (E6- E10) reasonably captured the HR, VHR, and EHR. In addition, throughout the forecast hour, BCE E5 (E10) is noted with the distinct realistic (underestimated) representation of model bias (5–20 %) (10–30 %) over all the subdivisions of Assam. Our results suggest that the combined efforts of ensembles of physical parameterization schemes, along with proper LULC, and the BCE approach are required to overcome challenges to improve the skills of rainfall events, particularly over complex terrains such as Assam.

The success of the sodic soil reclamation using elemental S (S°) depends on the population of the native S° oxidizers. Augmenting the native flora of the sodic soils with effective S° oxidizers can enhance the success of the sodic soil reclamation. Present study reports for the first time the S° oxidation potential of the Sphingomonas olei strain 20UP7 isolated from sodic soils with pHs 9.8 and ECe 3.6 dS m–1. Inoculation with S. olei strain 20UP7 caused 13.0–24.2 % increase in S° oxidation in different sodic soils (pHs 9.1–10.5). It improved the concentration of the Ca2+, Mg2+, PO43– and declined the HCO3– and total alkalinity of the soil solution. This isolate also showed appreciable P and Zn solubilization, indole acetic acid, ammonia, and titratable acidity production in the growth media. It tended to the formation of biofilm around sulphur particles. The PCR amplification with gene–specific primers showed the occurrence of soxA, soxB, and soxY genes with a single band corresponding to length of 850, 460, and 360 base pairs, respectively. The integration of the S. olei strain 20UP7 with S° caused 21.7–25.4 % increase in the rice and wheat yield compared to the soil treated with S° alone. This study concludes that the S. olei, native to high saline–sodic soils can be utilized for improving the sodicity reclamation and plant growth promotion using elemental S based formulations.

Abstract Lead-free, silicon compatible materials showing large electromechanical responses comparable to, or better than conventional relaxor ferroelectrics, are desirable for various nanoelectromechanical devices and applications. Defect-engineered electrostriction has recently been gaining popularity to obtain enhanced electromechanical responses at sub 100 Hz frequencies. Here, we report record values of electrostrictive strain coefficients (M 31 ) at frequencies as large as 5 kHz (1.04×10−14 m2/V2 at 1 kHz, and 3.87×10−15 m2/V2 at 5 kHz) using A-site and oxygen-deficient barium titanate thin-films, epitaxially integrated onto Si. The effect is robust and retained upon cycling upto 6 million times. Our perovskite films are non-ferroelectric, exhibit a different symmetry compared to stoichiometric BaTiO3 and are characterized by twin boundaries and nano polar-like regions. We show that the dielectric relaxation arising from the defect-induced features correlates well with the observed giant electrostriction-like response. These films show large coefficient of thermal expansion (2.36 × 10−5/K), which along with the giant M 31 implies a considerable increase in the lattice anharmonicity induced by the defects. Our work provides a crucial step forward towards formulating guidelines to engineer large electromechanical responses even at higher frequencies in lead-free thin films.

Abstract We perform a collider search for fatjet signals originating from boosted heavy neutral and charged leptons with masses between a few hundred GeV to a TeV. These heavy leptons originate from the decay of heavy gauge bosons with masses above 4 TeV in a left-right symmetric extension of the Standard Model (SM), which considers a universal seesaw mechanism for the generation of all the SM fermion masses. The fatjet signals arise naturally in this model due to the presence of heavy seesaw partners of the SM fermions which decay to SM gauge bosons carrying large boosts. We employ substructure based variables lepton sub-jet fraction (LSF) and lepton mass drop (LMD) together with kinematic variables of fatjets to look for fatjet signals associated with non-isolated leptons. These variables help in reducing the SM backgrounds while retaining enough statistics for signal events, which leads to a robust discovery potential at the high-luminosity Large Hadron Collider (HL-LHC).

Introduction: Staging laparoscopy (SL) plays an important role in avoiding unnecessary non-therapeutic laparotomy in radiologically resectable hepatopancreaticobiliary (HPB) malignancy patients. The limitation of SL is to detect deep-seated malignancy. The addition of laparoscopic ultrasonography for identifying metastatic lesions or locally unresectable disease improves the diagnostic yield of SL. Patients and Methods: This prospective, observational study was conducted in a single unit of the tertiary care centre between 2017 and 2019. All the patients of HPB malignancy who were radiologically resectable underwent SL and laparoscopic intraoperative ultrasonography. Metastatic disease patients were either underwent palliative bypass procedures or abandoned depending on the condition of the patient. Patients who had resectable disease underwent standard surgical procedures. Results: Forty patients of HPB malignancy with potentially resectable on radiological imaging underwent SL and diagnostic ultrasonography. Out of 40, 21 patients had periampullary, 14 had carcinoma gallbladder and 5 patients had distal cholangiocarcinoma. Metastatic lesions were identified on laparoscopy in eight patients and the diagnostic yield of SL is 20%. Addition of laparoscopic ultrasonography identified one haemangioma which was false positive on laparoscopy and underwent the radical standard procedure. Four patients were unresectable so the procedure was abandoned and another three patients underwent a bypass procedure. Conclusion: Laparoscopic ultrasonography during SL can detect deep-seated metastatic lesions and decide the management in resectable disease.

Abstract The growing popularity of nano-fertilization around the world for enhancing yield and nutrient use efficiency has been realized, however its influence on soil microbial structure is not fully understood. The purpose of carrying out this study was to assess the combined effect of nano and conventional fertilizers on the soil biological indicators and crop yield in a wheat–maize system. The results indicate that the at par grain yield of wheat and maize was obtained with application of 75% of recommended nitrogen (N) with full dose of phosphorus (P) and potassium (K) through conventional fertilizers along with nano-N (nano-urea) or nano-N plus nano-Zn sprays and N100PK i.e. business as usual (recommended dose of fertilizer). Important soil microbial property like microbial biomass carbon was found statistically similar with nano fertilizer-based management (N75PK + nano-N, and N75PK + nano-N + nano-Zn) and conventional management (N100PK), during both wheat and maize seasons. The experimental data indicated that the application of foliar spray of nano-fertilizers along with 75% N as basal is a sustainable nutrient management approach with respect to growth, yield and rhizosphere biological activity. Furthermore, two foliar sprays of nano-N or nano-N + nano-Zn curtailed N requirement by 25%, furthermore enhanced soil microbial diversity and the microbial community structure. The specific microbial groups, including Actinobacteria, Bacteroidia, and Proteobacteria, were present in abundance and were positively correlated with wheat and maize yield and soil microbial biomass carbon. Thus, one of the best nutrient management approaches for sustaining productivity and maintaining sound microbial diversity in wheat–maize rotation is the combined use of nano-fertilizers and conventional fertilizers.

The present study was conducted to assess the nutritional and mineral composition of wild edible mushrooms from Mizoram, India. Mushrooms are primarily gathered as a significant food source in Mizoram, with certain species holding special value in Mizo traditional cuisine. However, their nutritional properties have not been thoroughly investigated and documented. Therefore, ten wild edible mushrooms collected from Mamit and Champhai Districts of Mizoram were analysed for their nutritional composition and mineral contents. The study revealed that mushrooms exhibit high levels of protein (16.04-32.08%) and carbohydrates (35.92-56.63%), while maintaining relatively low fat content (2.11 - 3.87%). The minimum and maximum mineral contents of mushrooms were determined as mg/g for K (11.6 - 22.4), mg/100g for Na (14.7 - 38.6), Fe (3.5 - 26.8), Zn (4.7 - 31.5), and Ca (1.5 - 14.1). Based on their nutritional composition, the selected wild edible mushrooms were found to be an excellent source of food, offering a balanced and high nutritional value. They possess the potential to significantly contribute to the nutritional needs of people, particularly in rural areas.

During the operation of a reversible pump-turbine, a hump area can easily appear under the pump condition, which will greatly affect the performance of a storage unit, with pressure pulsation being the key factor for the stable operation of a pump-turbine. Therefore, in order to explore the pressure pulsation characteristics of each flow component in the hump area, this paper first compared the full characteristics of the model test under different working conditions, and then it analyzed the pressure pulsation characteristics. By analyzing the pressure pulsation characteristics in the unit’s flow component under different flow rates in the hump area, the pulsation rule of a pump-turbine running in the hump area was revealed. It was found that the peak-to-peak value of the draft tube in the hump area was the smallest under the optimal flow condition, and the peak-to-peak value increased along the flow direction, with the rotor and stator interaction (RSI) effects being continuously enhanced. When away from the runner basin, the influence of RSI gradually weakened after leaving the runner. No low frequency was found in the optimal traffic. The peak-to-peak value of the low flow condition increased compared with the optimal flow condition, and the distribution was not uniform. The main frequency of the whole basin was relatively complex, indicating that the flow of water was unstable in the condition of partial load, resulting in the hump area during the unit operation. The research results can provide a theoretical reference for improving the stability of pump-turbines.