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In experimental and theoretical studies of glass transition phenomena, one often finds a sharp crossover in dynamical properties at a temperature Tcr. A bifurcation of a relaxation spectrum is also observed at a temperature TB ≈ Tcr; both lie significantly above the glass transition temperature. In order to better understand these phenomena, we introduce a new model of glass-forming liquids, a binary mixture of prolate and oblate ellipsoids. This model system exhibits sharp thermodynamic and dynamic anomalies, such as the specific heat jump during heating and a sharp variation in the thermal expansion coefficient around a temperature identified as the glass transition temperature, Tg. The same temperature is obtained from the fit of the calculated relaxation times to the Vogel–Fulcher–Tammann (VFT) form. As the temperature is lowered, the calculated single peak rotational relaxation spectrum splits into two peaks at TB above the estimated Tg. Similar bifurcation is also observed in the distribution of short-to-intermediate time translational diffusion. Interrogation of the two peaks reveals a lower extent of dynamic heterogeneity in the population of the faster mode. We observe an unexpected appearance of a sharp peak in the product of rotational relaxation time τ2 and diffusion constant D at a temperature Tcr, close to TB, but above the glass transition temperature. Additionally, we coarse-grain the system into cubic boxes, each containing, on average, ∼62 particles, to study the average dynamical properties. Clear evidence of large-scale sudden changes in the diffusion coefficient and rotational correlation time signals first-order transitions between low and high-mobility domains. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The present work delves into the spin-polarized transport property of organic radicals sandwiched between two zigzag-graphene nanoribbon (ZGNR) electrodes by employing density functional theory and nonequilibrium Green's function technique. We demonstrated that the magnetic center(s) of the radical can manipulate the localized edge states of the ZGNR in the scattering region, causing ferromagnetic coupling. Such manipulation of the magnetic edges results in a high spin-filter effect in molecular junctions, and even the antiferromagnetic diradicals serve as nearly perfect spin filters. We have confirmed that this is a general phenomenon of ZGNR by analyzing two antiferromagnetic diradicals and a doublet. The spin-polarized density of states, transmission spectra, and current vs voltage curves of the systems provide strong evidence for our findings. This research strongly suggests that ZGNRs attached with organic radicals could be the perfect building blocks for spintronic materials. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We have analyzed and modeled the reverse-biased gate leakage current in a Schottky-gate AlGaN/GaN high electron mobility transistor. While the Poole–Frenkel emission current along conductive threading dislocations dominates at low negative gate bias, the trap-assisted tunneling of thermally energized electrons and the thermal emission of electrons from threading dislocations aided by dislocation-related states at multiple energy levels within the AlGaN bandgap are dominant at moderate to large reverse bias. Additionally, deep trap levels of high density localized near the gate/AlGaN interface cause significant leakage at 473 K at low to moderate reverse bias, which could be specific to the device we have analyzed. We extracted about 10 12 cm − 2 traps near the AlGaN/GaN interface from the difference of the barrier layer electric field profile obtained from the experimental high-frequency capacitance–gate voltage and the one needed for final matching. The thermionic- and the thermionic field-emission currents are considerably low; the latter, however, dominates in the defect-free case. Finally, the simulation framework we developed here helped us identify various conduction mechanisms contributing to the reverse-biased gate leakage and the density and electronic structure of the responsible defects. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Experimental investigations of flow past two (one above other) horizontal cylinders have been presented in this paper. The experimental data captured over a rough-bed with double cylinders having three different diameters, were used for the analysis. Firstly, general characteristics such as streamwise velocity, Reynolds shear stress and turbulence intensity profiles have been elucidated at different downstream locations from cylinder position; then some advanced analysis such as length scales, turbulent kinetic energy (TKE) fluxes and budget have been investigated to exhibit their variations. Length scale profiles exhibit higher values in near bed; indicating comparatively larger eddies' downstream of both cylinders. TKE budget profiles indicate highly negative pressure energy diffusion rate together with a sufficient TKE production rate, stabilized by the amplified TKE diffusion and dissipation rates. To determine one of the most prime behaviors of turbulence characteristics, namely TKE dissipation rate more accurately, the concept of structure function has been employed. Primarily velocity gradient method elucidates TKE dissipation rate, then it has been verified by Kolmogorov's two-thirds law using second order structure function and Kolmogorov's − 5/3 law using the method of power spectra. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The LIM gene (an acronym for Lin-11, Isl-1, and Mec-3 domain) is a transcription factor family widely distributed in plants. LIM proteins in plants regulate various biological processes, including cytoskeletal organization, secondary cell wall development, and cellular differentiation. They have been identified and characterized in many plant species. However, a comprehensive genome-wide study of the LIM gene family and their associated transcription factors in various important fruit species, such as grapevine (Vitis vinifera), has not been investigated. In this study, we conducted an extensive in silico genome-wide identification and characterization of LIM genes in grapevine using integrated bioinformatics tools. We analyzed the expression of identified LIM genes during early bud development in grapevines using RNA-seq samples. The analysis predicted six VvLIM genes in V. vinifera, corresponding to the LIM genes in the model plant Arabidopsis. Phylogenetic tree analysis revealed that the LIM genes in grapevine could be classified into four subfamilies: αLIM, βLIM, δLIM, and γLIM. A study of conserved motifs, domains, and gene structures (exon length and intron numbers) of VvLIM genes showed a higher similarity within the same gene family. Gene ontology analysis demonstrated that the predicted VvLIM genes are associated with various biological and molecular functions. Network analysis between transcription factors (TFs) and identified VvLIM genes revealed several important TF families, including MYB, NAC, ERF, bZIP, bHLH, C2H2, MIKC_MADS, and TCP. Furthermore, cis-acting regulatory elements related to light-responsive (LR), hormone-responsive (HR), stress-responsive (SR), and other (OT) functions were detected in the predicted VvLIM genes. In addition, we examined the expression changes of the six candidate VvLIM genes during early bud development in grapevines using RNA-seq samples. Differential expression patterns were observed for VvLIM genes involved in bud development, with specific timing coinciding with key developmental stages. Moreover, the expression of VvLIM genes associated with inflorescence primordia and endodormancy provided insights into the molecular mechanisms underlying bud development in grapevines, thus enhancing our understanding at the molecular level. This study will provide valuable information on grapevine LIM genes, laying a solid foundation for subsequent wet-lab characterization of the functional mechanisms of the identified VvLIM genes and their regulatory elements. Key Message: Firstly, identify the LIM gene families in the grapevine (Vitis vinifera) genome. Subsequently, an integrated bioinformatics approach was employed to analyze the LIM gene family. Additionally, the transcript levels of the six selected VvLIM gene candidates were assessed during the early stages of bud development in grapevines, utilizing pre-existing RNA-seq data. Finally, this study establishes an in silico foundation for the functional characterization of the LIM gene family and offers valuable insights for subsequent wet-lab investigations to further elucidate the properties of this gene family. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Microalgae-based biodiesel production has gained momentum over petroleum-based fuels due to its carbon neutrality and environment friendly properties. However, issues like high cost of cultivation and usage of inorganic fertilizers possess hindrance towards its commercial production and warrant new approaches of its eco-friendly cultivation techniques. In the present study, effect of hydrochar derived from hydrothermal carbonization (HTCb) of banana pseudostem as a supplement was investigated on the growth performance of microalgae, Graesiella emersonii MN877773, for biodiesel production. The study revealed that hydrochar supplementation (250 ppm) to the 10 days old microalgae culture improved (p < 0.05) biomass productivity (2 times higher; 0.018 g/L/day). There was also 27% increase (p < 0.05) in lipid content (16%) and improved lipid productivity (i.e. 0.003 g/L/day) noticed due to the reduction of culture solution pH from highly alkaline to slightly alkaline through hydrochar addition. Fatty acid profiling revealed presence of more amount of methyl palmitate (56% higher) with the high saturated/unsaturated fatty acid ratio (1.3). The vehicular properties of the biodiesel produced from the hydrochar treated microalgae were also found in compliance with the national and international standards with the high heating value of 40.2 MJ/kg. Microalgae grown in hydrochar-supplemented treatment also settled at the bottom within 1 h of resting period with the flocculation efficiency of 50%. This leads to the reduction (62%) in energy expenditure (5.5 kWh/g) and cost (0.4 US$/g) required for harvesting the microalgae. The present study accentuates that hydrochar supplementation at certain dosage to the pre-grown microalgae stimulates more production of quality lipids in the test microalgae with possibility to thrust sustainable biodiesel production. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Detection of food quality by identifying different adulterants in food products is a grave requirement for the food industry. Various methods of food analysis have been evolved to identify the quality and quantity of impurities but those methods are time-consuming, expensive and laborious. Our research aims at reducing the challenges experienced in these existing methods. Our procedure is to detect food adulterants using a microwave signal and observe the change in reflection coefficient and resonant frequency of the reflected microwave signal. The property of modification of reflection coefficient and resonant frequency of reflected microwave signal from pure rice grains in the presence of adulterants like small stones/pebbles and broken rice is exploited. In this work, the detection and proportion of adulterants, such as stones and low-quality broken rice in fresh rice in varying proportions, have been determined. Adulterants as low as 2% weight of rice are highly detectable utilizing microwave. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Primary Open-Angle Glaucoma (POAG) is considered a leading cause of blindness among all others. Different technologies such as Scanning Laser Polarimetry (SLP) and Optical Coherence Tomography (OCT) closely correlate in measuring structural parameters of the Retinal Nerve Fiber Layer (RNFL) and Optic Nerve Head (ONH). Visual impairment related to glaucomatous damage is attributed to the RNFL. Earlier studies have shown that retro-bulbar optic nerve thickness is reduced in glaucoma and have suggested that this is also the result of RNFL destruction. Aim: To investigate the correlation between the orbital and intraocular portions of the optic nerve among POAG patients. Materials and Methods: This was a hospital-based crosssectional study done in a tertiary care ophthalmic institute from October 2019 to February 2021. One eye of 32 volunteers with newly diagnosed POAG underwent optic disc analysis using OCT and echographic measurements of the retrobulbar optic nerve. For statistical calculations, Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) Statistics version 20.0 software (IBM Corp., Armonk, NY, USA) was used. Spearman's rho (rs) was used as the index of correlation between retrobulbar optic nerve dimensions and ONH topographical data. A correlation between OCT-based RNFL and optic disc parameters was compared with retrobulbar optic nerve dimensions measured with the help of Ultrasonography-Brightness (USG B) Scan. Results: Orbital Optic Nerve Diameter (OND) and Optic Nerve Cross-sectional Area (ONCSA) significantly and positively correlated with Neuro-retinal Rim (NR) area (OND: p-value=0.00001; ONCSA: p-value=0.00001) and average nerve fiber layer thickness (OND: p-value=0.0001; ONCSA: p-value=0.00002). The Retrobulbar ONCSA-to-disc area ratio (ONCSA/D) was found to have a statistically demonstrable positive correlation with Neuro-retinal Rim Area/Disc area ratio (NR/D) (p=0.00003). Conclusion: This study showed that retrobulbar optic nerve dimensions correlate well with SD-OCT-based ONH parameters. Echographic measurements of the retrobulbar optic nerve add a new biomarker in the diagnosis of glaucoma. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study analyzes thermoluminescence (TL) glow curves simulated in general order kinetics (GOK), one trap one recombination center (OTOR), and non‐interactive multi‐trap system (NMTS) models using various heating rates (VHR) method in linear heating scheme to extract the activation energy. A theoretical analysis to determine activation energy from TL curves using OTOR and NMTS models in an iterative manner, where the TL intensity is determined by using the Lambert‐W function, is proposed with its limitations. It is established that the activation energies in OTOR and NMTS models consist of the relevant GOK term and a respective correction term. Systematic analysis is carried out to study the improvement of the accuracy of activation energy derived from OTOR and NMTS model TL curves over the GOK model calculation. A quantitative analysis of the quasi‐equilibrium (QE) approximations is carried out for choosing appropriate system parameters. The validity of QE conditions are determined by studying variations of full width at half maximum as well as area under the curve as a function of heating rate. The present method is applied on some experimental data to estimate activation energies. This investigation reveals that the activation energy derived in VHR method has negligible dependence on the underlying theoretical models, i.e., the activation energy derived from GOK model calculation is significantly accurate for experimental scenario. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Dermatoglyphics is the study of epidermal ridge patterns on the fingers, palms, and soles. Correlation of dermatoglyphic patterns with many chromosomal abnormalities and genetic predisposing diseases such as diabetes mellitus, hypertension, schizophrenia, and bronchial asthma is evidenced by many researchers. Literature on sexual dimorphism of dermatoglyphic patterns revealed it as an important characteristic feature. Aims and Objectives: The aim of the study is to study the variance of ridge patterns among male and female patients of Type 2 diabetes mellitus patients of West Bengal and determine the sex-specific digital and palmar ridge patterns in Type 2 Diabetes mellitus. Materials and Methods: A cross-sectional study has been done on 100 male and 100 female Type 2 diabetes mellitus patients. Digital and palmar prints were taken by the traditional ink method. Digital ridge pattern, pattern intensity index, total finger ridge count (TFRC), absolute finger ridge count (AFRC), and a-b ridge count were studied. The data on these patterns was recorded and statistically analyzed by Chi-square test and Student's t-test. Results: The frequency of ulnar loop is higher in female diabetics in comparison to male diabetics. Statistically significant increase in mean TFRC and mean AFRC is seen in male diabetics. Conclusion: Our study exhibits that dermatoglyphic pattern significantly differs in male and female diabetics. The knowledge and reference range of dermatoglyphic parameters among male and female diabetics are essential in the use of this study as a screening tool or diagnostic tool in Type 2 diabetes mellitus. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Teenage pregnancy is a pregnancy in a woman within 10-19 years of age groups. It results from a number of factors such as early age at marriage, illiteracy, poverty, premarital sex, lack of awareness, and access to contraception. Teenage pregnancy imposes serious social and medical implications relating to both maternal and child health. It is a worldwide public health problem in both developed and developing countries. Aims and Objectives: The study was conducted in a rural hospital of North 24 Parganas in West Bengal. The primary objective was to compare different maternal and perinatal outcomes of teenage primigravida mothers with those of adult primigravida mothers. The secondary objective was to assess the association between various sociodemographic factors on the prevalence of teenage pregnancy. Materials and Methods: The cross-sectional hospital record-based study includes a sample of 78 study subjects each in cases and comparison group. Records were taken from June 2019 to December 2019. Results: Of a total of 379 labor room admissions during the study period, 86 (22.69%) were of the teenage group and 8 cases were excluded from the study. A total of 78 teenage pregnancies were analyzed and compared with 78 adult pregnancies. The mean (standard deviation) age of teenage in our study was 18.10±0.63 and that of the comparison group was 22.74±1.68 years. Results revealed that teenage mothers had a statistically higher proportion of anemia (OR=2.30, P=0.05) and low-birth-weight babies (OR: 3.6, P=0.05) compared to adult-primigravida mothers, respectively. Conclusion: Teenage pregnancy is still a rampant and important public health problem in India with unfavorable perinatal outcomes and needs to be tackled on a priority basis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Research on the use of silver nanoparticles in the context of diabetes mellitus has gained attention due to the unique properties of these nanoparticles, such as their antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory, and antioxidant characteristics. While the field is still in its early stages, several studies have explored the potential applications and effects of silver nanoparticles in managing diabetes. Diabetes mellitus, a global health concern marked by impaired insulin function and high blood glucose levels, has spurred innovative therapeutic investigations, including nanotechnology. Silver nanoparticles have emerged as promising candidates in this pursuit. This abstract provides an overview of current research on silver nanoparticles' application in managing diabetes mellitus, highlighting their therapeutic potential and mechanisms of action. With unique physicochemical properties like high surface area and bio-compatibility, silver nanoparticles are ideal for diverse biomedical applications. Recent studies show their ability to modulate key pathways in diabetes pathogenesis, enhancing insulin sensitivity, reducing oxidative stress, and supporting pancreatic beta-cell function. Their antimicrobial properties are particularly beneficial for diabetes patients prone to infections. Moreover, using silver nanoparticle-based carriers for anti-diabetic drugs improves drug bio-availability and reduces side effects, potentially enhancing conventional medication efficacy. However, addressing safety and toxicity concerns is crucial. Ongoing research focuses on optimizing nanoparticle size, shape, and surface modifications to enhance bio-compatibility and minimize adverse effects. Short conclusion: In conclusion, silver nanoparticles represent a novel and multifaceted approach in the management of diabetes mellitus. Their ability to target multiple facets of diabetes pathogenesis, including insulin resistance, oxidative stress, and inflammation, positions them as potential candidates for future therapeutic interventions. However, further research is warranted to elucidate their long-term safety profile and optimize their application in clinical settings. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Acute Central Serous Chorioretinopathy (CSCR) is an important form of acquired maculopathy that usually presents as localised serous detachment of the neurosensory retina. Although, the disease is typically self limiting over a period of 2-3months, a percentage of patients ultimately develop chronic RPE changes. Eplerenone, a potential Mineralocorticoid Receptor (MR) antagonist, may play a role in regulating choroidal vascularity and modifying the disease in chronic CSCR. Aim: To assess the safety and efficacy of oral eplerenone medication in acute CSCR. Materials and Methods: This was a randomised controlled trial that included 162 eyes of 162 patients with acute CSCR. Patients were divided into two groups-Group-A, which received oral Eplerenone, and Group-B, which received Placebo therapy. Each group comprised 81 eyes. Best Corrected Visual Acuity (BCVA), Central Macular Thickness (CMT), and serum potassium (K+) levels were measured at baseline and monthly intervals for three consecutive months. Statistical analysis was performed using Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) Statistics version 20 software (IBM Corp., Armonk, NY, USA). A p-value less than 0.05 was considered statistically significant. Results: The differences in CMT in Group-A and Group-B were 279±56.41μm and 207±68.88 μm (p<0.01) at the end of the first month and 361±33.56 μm and 278±46.27 μm at three months (p<0.01), respectively. The average BCVA improvement in Group-A and Group-B was 6.05 lines and 4.21 LogMAR lines, respectively, at the conclusion (p=0.002). Deterioration to chronicity was seen in 3.7% of the eyes in Group A and 17.3% of the eyes in Group B. The increase in Serum K+ at three months was 0.61±0.27 mg/dL in Group-A and 0.1±0.21 mg/dL in Group-B (p=0.03). Conclusion: Eplerenone is a safe and effective first-line treatment option for acute CSCR, leading to faster and higher resolution with protection from progression to chronicity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Asthma is a very common respiratory disorder, affecting more than 360 million people worldwide. It is a chronic inflammatory disorder of the airways with the symptoms of shortness of breath, coughing, chest tightness, wheezing, and sometimes chest pain. Leukotrienes play an important role in bronchoconstriction during the allergen or exercise-induced acute asthma attack. Aim: The study aims to predict the interactions between leukotriene antagonist drugs and CysLT receptor-1 (CysLTR1), P2Y12 and peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma (PPAR-γ) on a competitive basis. The study also has the objective of understanding the cardioprotective roles of the drugs. Introduction: Asthma is strongly linked to the development of acute coronary syndrome by the leukotriene-induced activation of CysLTR1, platelet aggregation and thrombosis by activating P2Y12. PPAR-γ is considered to show benefits against atherosclerosis, diabetes, hypertension, obesity and dyslipidaemia, which are risk factors for the development of cardiovascular disorders. Leukotriene receptor inhibitors act with these three types of receptors to show therapeutic effects. Materials and Methods: To predict the possible interactions between the drugs and the receptors, the study has used in silico methods. Results and Discussion: Montelukast, Zafirlukast and Gemilukast are potential antagonists of CysLTR1 and P2Y12. They are also responsible for the upregulation of PPAR-γ. Thus, these drugs show a cardioprotective role in asthma-induced cardiac disorders. Conclusion: A competitive in silico study of Montelukast, Zafirlukast and Gemilukast to predict their binding to CysLTR1, P2Y12 & PPAR-γ revealed that Montelukast is more effective than the other two drugs for showing a cardioprotective role. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

It has been demonstrated that bismuth oxyhalides [BiOX (X = Cl, Br, and I)] nano‐crystals can efficiently behave as photocatalysts both under visible light and UV light. Different types of dyes, phenols, etc. can be degraded by bismuth oxyhalides materials efficiently, for the purification of wastewater. The raw materials used in the synthesis of bismuth oxyiodide (BiOI) are pure Bi2O3, halide salt, and capping agent (poly‐vinyl‐pyrrolidone). A variety of characterization techniques are used to characterize the as‐synthesized samples, including X‐ray diffraction (XRD), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), UV–Vis diffuse reflection spectroscopy (UV–Vis DRS), photoluminescence (PL), Mott–Schottky, field emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM), energy dispersive X‐ray spectroscopy (EDX), and high resolution transmission electron microscopic (HRTEM), etc. A potential application in environmental remediation is achieved through 95.25% degradation of organic Rhodamine B (RhB) dye within 100 min using the synthesized materials under visible light irradiation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The temperature-dependence of the chirality-induced spin selectivity (CISS) effect can be used to discriminate between different theoretical proposals for the mechanism of the CISS effect. Here, we briefly review key experimental results and discuss the effect of temperature in different models for the CISS effect. We then focus on the recently suggested spinterface mechanism and describe the different possible effects temperature can have within this model. Finally, we analyze in detail recent experimental results presented in the work of Qian et al. [Nature 606, 902–908 (2022)] and demonstrate that, contrary to the original interpretation by the authors, these data actually indicate that the CISS effect increases with decreasing temperature. Finally, we show how the spinterface model can accurately reproduce these experimental results. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Two novel covalently linked triads containing one 3-pyrrolyl BODIPY unit and two BODIPY units were synthesized over a sequence of steps using meso-(p-formylphenyl)-3-pyrrolyl BODIPY as a key precursor. Both triads were thoroughly characterized and studied by using HRMS, 1D and 2D NMR spectroscopy, X-ray crystallography, absorption, steady-state and time-resolved fluorescence, cyclic voltammetry, and DFT/TD-DFT techniques. X-ray structural analysis of these triads revealed that the dipyrrin units of both meso-BODIPY and 3-pyrrolyl BODIPY were oriented in the same plane whereas the dipyrrin unit of the α-BODIPY unit was oriented almost perpendicular to that of the 3-pyrrolyl BODIPY unit. Both triads showed two well-separated absorption bands corresponding to BODIPY and 3-pyrrolyl BODIPY units in the 510–675 nm region. In these triads, the BODIPY unit absorbs in the higher energy region and acts as an energy donor whereas the 3-pyrrolyl BODIPY unit absorbs in the lower energy region and acts as an energy acceptor. Steady-state and time-resolved fluorescence studies of these triads indicated the possibility of intramolecular singlet–singlet energy transfer with almost 98% efficiency from the BODIPY units to the 3-pyrrolyl BODIPY unit upon selective excitation of the BODIPY unit in both triads. DFT and TD-DFT investigations corroborated the experimental findings. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Dust-neutral collision decreases the growth rate of the ultra low-frequency mode. • The effect of dust-neutral collision is insignificant in the higher frequency mode. • The instability stabilizes due to finite electron and ion inertia. • Recombination at dust particle's surface has negligible effect on the instability. The dust acoustic drift instability has been investigated at the lower electrojet region of the dusty ionosphere by considering a linearized fluid model. The effect of dust-neutral collisions, electron–ion recombination at the surface of the dust particles, and electron and ion inertia on the onset and growth of the instability have been explored in minutiae. The perturbed densities are gleaned from the electron, ion, and dust dynamics, which engendered generalized dispersion relations. The generalized dispersion relation delineates the propagation of low-frequency dust acoustic drift waves. The dispersion relation is solved numerically for various cases of interest at the two different altitudes(∼ 90 km and ∼ 100 km) of the lower electrojet region. It has been found that the instability is unlikely to develop due to recombination alone, similar as observed in the case of laboratory dusty plasma. A significant reduction of the growth rate has been observed in the low-frequency mode due to the dust-neutral collision both in the presence and absence of an equilibrium electron density gradient. However, the effect of dust-neutral collision is not discernible in the relatively higher frequency mode, which exists at an altitude of 100 km. Moreover, the presence of electron and ion inertia has a stabilizing effect on the instability. The analysis presented here is germane to the lower ionospheric dusty electrojet region in which electrons are magnetized, but ions and dust particles are unmagnetized. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This report deals with the development of a self-lubricated plasma sprayed YSZ/BaF 2 coating taking the following into account: (i) the compatibility of the solid lubricant BaF 2 with YSZ ceramic in terms of wettability, (ii) the homogeneous dispersion of lubricant in the ceramic matrix, and (iii) the measurement of weight fraction of lubricant phase finally retained in the coating microstructure using Rietveld refinement. The YSZ/BaF 2 mix demonstrated excellent flowability, and homogeneous distribution of BaF 2 with a dopant concentration of 15 wt%. The primary purpose of this work is to explore the influence of the spray parameters on BaF 2 phase retention in the YSZ/BaF 2 coatings, and its tribological performance at a high temperature. Under the given parametric conditions, a maximum of 3 wt% of BaF 2 was retained. The YSZ/BaF 2 coating reduced the coefficient of friction and wear rate of YSZ by 39% and 38%, respectively at a temperature of 600 °C. • Synthesis of BaF 2 doped YSZ powder using heterocoagulation technique. • With upto 15 wt% BaF 2 , the YSZ/BaF 2 powder exhibited good flowability. • Deposition of YSZ/BaF 2 composite coatings at different plasma spray parameters. • Retention of maximum 3 wt% of BaF 2 in YSZ/BaF 2 coating at the lowest temperature. • YSZ/BaF 2 coating offered 39% and 38% reduction in friction and wear at 600 °C. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Two newly derived coordination polymers of Cu(II) and Co(II), namely {[Cu(μ‐5‐AzIA)(Py)2]⋅[Cu(5‐AzIA)(Py)2(H2O)]}n (CP1) and {[Co(μ‐5‐AzIA)2(Py)4]⋅[Co(5‐AzIA)(Py)2]}n (CP2) (5‐AzIA2− = 5‐azidoisophthalate; Py = pyridine) are synthesized and structurally characterized by single‐crystal X‐ray diffraction (SXRD), powder X‐ray diffraction (PXRD), and Fourier transform infrared data. As evident from thermogravimetric data, CP1 loses coordinated water at 110°C and the final residue reaches at 530°C as CuO; CP2 is stable up to 150°C, and the final residue reaches at 415°C as Co2O3. 5‐AzIA2− serves as both chelating and monodentate carboxylate bridging ligand to the adjacent metal centers (Cu(II) in CP1 and Co(II) in CP2) to construct the CPs. The CPs form eight‐member carboxylato bridging, [M2(RCOO)2], and coordinate with Py rings and assemblage through π‐‐‐π interaction. The magnetic measurements of the CPs show antiferromagnetic super‐exchange properties. Interestingly, CP2 shows field‐induced magnetic ordering at a higher magnetic field at a temperature  ̴ 2 K owing to the π•••π stacking between the flagging pyridine moieties. Oxygen evolution reaction (OER) shows excellent catalytic effectiveness of CP2 than CP1 with reference to standard RuO2 catalyst. The comparative catalytic activity of CP1 and CP2 was thoroughly investigated and well supported by Tafel slope, charge‐transfer resistance (Rct), and electrochemically active surface area calculation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Herein, we report the synthesis and catalytic application of a new N,N′-dineopentyl-1,2-phenylenediamine-based bismuthenium cation (3). 3 has been synthesized via the treatment of chlorobismuthane LBiCl [L = 1,2-C6H4{N(CH2tBu)}2] (2) with AgSbF6, and was further used as a robust catalyst for the cyanosilylation of ketones under mild reaction conditions. Experimental studies and DFT calculations were performed to understand the mechanistic pathway. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Halide perovskites offer a transformative potential for optoelectronics through tailoring the light‐matter interactions at the nanoscale. However, their susceptibility to environmental factors and limited compatibility with standard lithography techniques present significant challenges in precise nanopatterning. This work unveils a nature‐inspired breath figures (BFs) approach to pattern halide perovskites and enhancing their optoelectronic performance. The fabrication of BFs based on BiI3 allows for changes in nanopore size (ranging from 247 to 423 nm) and their distribution. Subsequently, these BiI3 BFs are transformed into hybrid halide MA3Bi2I9 BFs using a vapor‐assisted technique while retaining the nanoporous topology of the BiI3 structure. The resultant MA3Bi2I9 BFs show significantly enhanced light absorption compared to conventional thin films, attributed to the increased extinction and lower refractive index. The optoelectronic performance of the MA3Bi2I9 BFs is showcased by constructing a photodetector, which exhibits three orders of magnitude higher responsivity and detectivity, up to 1 AW−1 and 1.3 × 1012 Jones, respectively, outperforming the photodetectors based on solution‐processed A3B2I9 halide perovskite thin films. The BFs method provides flexibility in tuning nanoscale morphology, showcasing its potential in advancing lead‐free optoelectronics and paving the way for next‐generation optoelectronic devices. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• A mathematical model of spare visual capacity in a car following task was created. • Spare visual capacity in car following varies from situation to situation. • The common guideline of 2-second headway needs a revision for 'distracted driving'. • Drivers often occlude themselves even if there is a chance of a rear-end collision. • There is a strong linear association between brake response time and distance headway. Drivers often look away from the forward roadway. However, this does not necessarily mean that they are inattentive, as they might be utilizing their spare visual capacity (SVC). Because of the safety–critical risks associated with inattentive driving, it is imperative to analyze how much visual capacity a driver can afford to use for secondary activities while avoiding the possibility of an accident. This study aimed to define and identify driver inattention in a car following task based on an estimate of the driver's situational SVC. A mathematical model of SVC in car following was created based on the possible but unlikely worst-case scenario in any situation. The model generates situation-specific marginal values of the minimum time that can lead to a possible collision when a driver looks away from the lead car. A classification algorithm was developed to define and identify inattention based on the model's estimates. The model reveals that SVC in car following varies significantly from situation to situation, depending on relevant situational, technical, and cognitive factors. A driving simulator study (N = 32) indicated that drivers are often willing to occlude themselves in car following when there is a chance of a rear-end collision and that this behavior becomes more likely with higher speeds. A strong linear association between distance headway and brake response time was also found. Quantifying SVC in driving helps in determining driver inattention against a valid baseline based on what is possible. The proposed modeling approach can be utilized for the development of improved safety guidelines and effective context-sensitive (in)attention monitoring systems. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A combination of fixed dose tablet containing 0.5 mg lobeglitazone sulfate (LBZ) and 1 mg glimepiride (GLM) has demonstrated efficacy in enhancing glycemic control in diabetes. The projected work aimed to develop and validate a high‐performance thin‐layer chromatographic (HPTLC) methodology for the precise quantification of both the drugs in tablet formulations. The HPTLC analysis utilized aluminium plates layered with silica gel 60F254, and the solvent system consisted of ethyl acetate, benzene, and hexane (4:3:1 v/v/v) followed by densitometric scanning at 238 nm. The Rf value was found to be 0.68 ± 0.001 for LBZ and 0.48 ± 0.002 for GLM. The methodology exhibited linearity in the range of 100–2000 ng/band for LBZ and 200–4000 ng/band for GLM, with correlation coefficients of 0.9988 and 0.9981, respectively. Exceptional sensitivity was observed, with detection limits of 23.86 ng/band for LBZ and 58.26 ng/band for GLM, along with quantification limits of 72.32 ng/band for LBZ and 176.55 ng/band for GLM. The method demonstrated precision (% relative standard deviation of peak area < 2) and accuracy (recovery between 97% and 102%). The suggested method is suitable for quantifying both the drugs in tablets, making it useful for routine quality control in laboratories. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Soybean is an essential crop to fight global food insecurity and is of great economic importance around the world. Along with genetic improvements aimed at boosting yield, soybean seed composition also changed. Since conditions during crop growth and development influences nutrient accumulation in soybean seeds, remote sensing offers a unique opportunity to estimate seed traits from the standing crops. Capturing phenological developments that influence seed composition requires frequent satellite observations at higher spatial and spectral resolutions. This study introduces a novel spectral fusion technique called multiheaded kernel-based spectral fusion (MKSF) that combines the higher spatial resolution of PlanetScope (PS) and spectral bands from Sentinel 2 (S2) satellites. The study also focuses on using the additional spectral bands and different statistical machine learning models to estimate seed traits, e.g., protein, oil, sucrose, starch, ash, fiber, and yield. The MKSF was trained using PS and S2 image pairs from different growth stages and predicted the potential VNIR1 (705 nm), VNIR2 (740 nm), VNIR3 (783 nm), SWIR1 (1610 nm), and SWIR2 (2190 nm) bands from the PS images. Our results indicate that VNIR3 prediction performance was the highest followed by VNIR2, VNIR1, SWIR1, and SWIR2. Among the seed traits, sucrose yielded the highest predictive performance with RFR model. Finally, the feature importance analysis revealed the importance of MKSF-generated vegetation indices from fused images. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: Globally, consumer's inclination towards functional foods had noticed due to their greater health consciousness coupled with enhanced health-care cost. The fact that probiotics could promote a healthier gut microbiome led projection of probiotic foods as functional foods and had emerged as an important dietary strategy for improved human health. It had established that ice cream was a better carrier for probiotics than fermented milked due to greater stability of probiotics in ice cream matrix. Global demand for ice cream boomed and probiotic ice cream could have been one of the most demanded functional foods. The purpose of this paper was to review the technological aspects and factors affecting probiotic viability and to standardize methodology to produce functional probiotic ice cream. Design/methodology/approach: Attempt was made to search the literature (review and researched papers) to identify diverse factors affecting the probiotic viability and major technological challenge faced during formulation of probiotic ice cream. Keywords used for data searched included dairy-based functional foods, ice cream variants, probiotic ice cream, factors affecting probiotic viability and health benefits of probiotic ice cream. Findings: Retention of probiotic viability at a level of >106 cfu/ml is a prerequisite for functional probiotic ice creams. Functional probiotic ice cream could have been produced with the modification of basic mix and modulating technological parameters during processing and freezing. Functionality can be further enhanced with the inclusion of certain nutraceutical components such as prebiotics, antioxidant, phenolic compounds and dietary fibres. Based upon reviewed literature, suggested method for the manufacture of functional probiotic ice cream involved freezing of a probiotic ice cream mix obtained by blending 10% probiotic fermented milk with 90% non-fermented plain ice cream mix for higher probiotic viability. Probiotic ice cream with functional features, comparable with traditional ice cream in terms of technological and sensory properties could be produced and can crop up as a novel functional food. Originality/value: Probiotic ice cream with functional features may attract food manufacturers to cater health-conscious consumers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Supplemental Digital Content is Available in the Text. BACKGROUND: Melasma is a common chronic, relapsing pigmentary disorder that causes psychological impact. Chemical peels are a well-known therapeutic modality used for accelerating the treatment of melasma. OBJECTIVE: To review the published evidence on the efficacy and safety of chemical peels in the treatment of melasma. METHODS: A systematic review was done. A meta-analysis could not be done due to the heterogeneity of data. RESULT: The authors conducted a PubMed search and included prospective case series of more than 10 cases and randomized controlled trials (RCTs) that have studied the safety and/or efficacy of chemical peel in melasma. Out of 24 studies, 9 were clinical/comparative trials and 15 were RCTs. The total sample size was 1,075. The duration of the study varied from 8 to 36 weeks. Only 8 studies were split face. All studies used self-assessment, physician global assessment, and Melasma Area and Severity Index (MASI) for quantifying the results. Glycolic acid was found to be the most safe and effective in melasma. CONCLUSION: Chemical peels were found to be safe and effective in the management of melasma. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Mitochondrial dysfunction is the main cause of gradual deterioration of structure and function of neuronal cells, eventually resulting in neurodegeneration. Studies have revealed a complex interrelationship between neurotoxicant exposure, mitochondrial dysfunction, and neurodegenerative diseases. Alteration in the expression of microRNAs (miRNAs) has also been linked with disruption in mitochondrial homeostasis and bioenergetics. In our recent research (Cellular and Molecular Neurobiology (2023) https://doi.org/10.1007/s10571‐023‐01362‐4), we have identified miR‐29b‐3p as one of the most significantly up‐regulated miRNAs in the blood of Parkinson's patients. The findings of the present study revealed that neurotoxicants of two different natures, that is, arsenic or rotenone, dramatically increased miR‐29b‐3p expression (18.63‐fold and 12.85‐fold, respectively) in differentiated dopaminergic SH‐SY5Y cells. This dysregulation of miR‐29b‐3p intricately modulated mitochondrial morphology, induced oxidative stress, and perturbed mitochondrial membrane potential, collectively contributing to the degeneration of dopaminergic cells. Additionally, using assays for mitochondrial bioenergetics in live and differentiated SH‐SY5Y cells, a reduction in oxygen consumption rate (OCR), maximal respiration, basal respiration, and non‐mitochondrial respiration was observed in cells transfected with mimics of miR‐29b‐3p. Inhibition of miR‐29b‐3p by transfecting inhibitor of miR‐29b‐3p prior to exposure to neurotoxicants significantly restored OCR and other respiration parameters. Furthermore, we observed that induction of miR‐29b‐3p activates neuronal apoptosis via sirtuin‐1(SIRT‐1)/YinYang‐1(YY‐1)/peroxisome proliferator‐activated receptor‐gamma coactivator‐1alpha (PGC‐1α)‐regulated Bcl‐2 interacting protein 3‐like‐dependent mechanism. Collectively, our studies have shown the role of miR‐29b‐3p in dysregulation of mitochondrial bioenergetics during degeneration of dopaminergic neurons via regulating SIRT‐1/YY‐1/PGC‐1α axis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study presents the synthesis and electrocatalytic performance of the cobalt(III) complex [Co3(μ1,1,1‐O)(μ1,3‐CH3CO2)(L)3]2(DMF)3 (Cotri), featuring a double deprotonated (N,O)‐donor ligand (L2‐), where the protonated form of it (H2L) is 2,2′‐(hydrazine‐1,2‐diylidenebis(ethan‐1‐yl‐1‐ylidene))diphenol. The X‐ray structure reveals a trinuclear cobalt cluster formed with three cobalt(III) centers interlinking through oxido (μ1,1,1‐O) and acetato (μ1,3‐O2CCH3) bridges in coupling with bis‐congregator‐type chelating ligands. Cotri adopts cobalt centers of octahedral and trigonal bipyramidal coordination geometries and bears a dominant Co(2)...H(DMF) agostic interactions appraised by lattice dimethyl formamide (DMF) molecules. Further, Cotri shows promising heterogeneous electrocatalytic hydrogen evolution activity in 1 M KOH, with an overpotential of 441 mV to achieve 10 mA/cm2 current density. Tafel slope analysis suggests the Volmer–Heyrovsky step as the rate‐determining step. The number of active sites and TOF for Cotri were estimated at 4.010 × 10−8 mol and 0.2467 s−1, respectively, ensuring its excellent hydrogen generation activity. Stability assessments through controlled potential electrolysis (CPE) and cyclic voltammetry (CV) for multiple cycles addressed the transformation of Cotri to Co2O3 nanoparticles, which turned out to be a more active Co2O3 electrocatalyst. The morphology and particle size of the in situ developed Co2O3 active catalyst under the electrochemical conditions attributes to the superior hydrogen evolution activity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: Uncertainty is ubiquitous within medical practice. Accordingly, how individuals respond to uncertainty, termed uncertainty tolerance (UT), is increasingly considered a medical graduate competency. Despite this, aspects of the UT construct are debated, which may relate to research focused on measuring UT, rather than understanding students' experiences. Therefore, we asked (1) how do medical students describe their responses to uncertainty, (2) how (if at all) do described responses change over time and (3) how do described responses contribute to understanding the UT construct. Methods: Engaging an interpretivist worldview, we conducted a longitudinal qualitative study throughout 2020 with 41 clinical medical students at an Australian medical school. Participants completed reflective diary entries across six in‐semester time‐points (n = 41, 40, 39, 38, 37 and 35) and semi‐structured interviews at the end of both semesters (n = 20 per semester). We analysed data using framework analysis. Results: Although participants communicated accepting health care uncertainties, described cognitive appraisals of uncertainty ranged from threatening (e.g. challenging credibility) to opportunistic (e.g. for learning and growth). Emotions in response to uncertainty were predominately described in negative terms, including worry and anxiety. Participants described a range of maladaptive and adaptive behavioural responses, including avoiding versus actively engaging with uncertainty. Despite describing typically negative emotions across time, participants' cognitive and behavioural response descriptions shifted from self‐doubt and avoidance, towards acceptance of, and engagement despite uncertainty. Conclusions: Students' descriptions of responses to uncertainty suggest existing UT conceptualisations may not holistically reflect medical students' experiences of what it means to be uncertainty 'tolerant', especially pertaining to conceptualisations of 'tolerance' centred on emotions (e.g. stress) rather than how uncertainty is ultimately managed. Extending from this study, the field could consider redefining characteristics of uncertainty 'tolerance' to focus on adaptive cognitive and behavioural responses, rather than emotional responses as key indicators of 'tolerance'. Stephens et al. explore medical students' responses to uncertainty; despite feeling stressed, students described acting adaptively, prompting reflection on using behaviour rather than emotion as indications of tolerance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Summary: This paper proposes a non‐fragile control approach for a non‐isolated two‐switch buck‐boost converter used as an on‐board charger for electric vehicles. The control scheme is based on a cascaded two‐loop configuration with non‐fragile Proportional Integral controllers in the inner current and the outer voltage loop. The control approach is based on designing a control law that can stabilize the closed‐loop system subject to uncertainties in the controller parameters while satisfying the H∞ norm bound constraint on disturbance attenuation. The proposed control technique helps to deal with inevitable uncertainties during the implementation of any control scheme. The proposed control technique is compared with the conventional approach and validated through experimental results. The experimental results are obtained from a 1‐kW laboratory prototype of a TSBB converter with an output voltage range of 150–400 V. The results demonstrate that the proposed approach effectively achieves good robustness against controller parameter variations and disturbances under various operating conditions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Cereal crop (rice, wheat, maize etc.) residues mainly include the aboveground parts of plants that remain in an agricultural field after crop has been harvested. Nutritional value, organic matter content, and porous nature of cereal crop residues make them suitable for use on agricultural land to improve the soil physical, chemical, and biological properties. Application of crop residue into the soil needs proper strategies, which could sustain crop production as well as soil health. In this comprehensive review, efforts have been made to compile data on studies conducted the impact of residues on various soil health properties, current management practices and residue removing issues for a better understanding of soil health improvement strategies through cereal crop residue retention or incorporation. Further, the article discussed the relationship between cereal residue retention/incorporation and soil health properties by considering 113 peer-reviewed studies. We evaluated site-specific advantages and disadvantages involved on residue retention/incorporation. In addition, we found out the suitability of residue incorporation vs. retention, in respect to soil health improvement. This review found that residue retention or incorporation can positively influence soil physical, chemical, and biological characteristics associated with soil health. Significant influences of abiotic factors on residue management were observed in different locations. To our knowledge, this comprehensive review is the first one to present global view of current scenario of cereal crop residue management, their influence on soil health improvement, and residue removing issues with citing worldwide evidences. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Human polyglutamine [poly(Q)] disorders such as Huntington's disease, different types of ataxias, etc. are devastating brain illnesses which are characterised by the presence of neurotoxic protein aggregates in the affected neurons. We have recently reported that S6K/4E-BP mediated growth promoting branch of insulin signalling pathway alleviates human poly(Q) induced neurotoxicity in Drosophila disease models. Since, the S6K/4E-BP sub-pathway can be stimulated by various amino acids; we extended our investigation to examine if oral feeding of amino acids delivers rescue against human poly(Q) toxicity in Drosophila. We utilised Drosophila models of two different poly(Q) disorders to test our hypothesis. Glutamine was fed to the test flies orally mixed in the food. Control and treated flies were then tested for different parameters, such as formation of poly(Q) aggregates and neurodegeneration, to evaluate glutamine's proficiency in mitigating poly(Q) neurotoxicity. Our study, for the first time, reports that glutamine feeding stimulates the growth promoting S6K/4E-BP branch of insulin signalling pathway and restricts pathogenesis of poly(Q) disorders in Drosophila disease models. We noted that glutamine treatment restricts the formation of neurotoxic poly(Q) aggregates and minimises neuronal deaths. Further, glutamine treatment re-establishes the chromatin architecture by improving the histone acetylation which is otherwise compromised in poly(Q) expressing neuronal cells. Since, the insulin signalling pathway as well as mechanism of action of glutamine are fairly conserved between human and Drosophila, our finding strongly suggests that glutamine holds immense potential to be developed as an intervention therapy against the incurable human poly(Q) disorders. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We present a set of controlled hydrodynamical simulations to study the effects of strong galactic outflows on the density and temperature structures, and associated X-ray signatures, of extra-planar and circumgalactic gas. We consider three initial state models, isothermal, isentropic, and rotating cooling-flow, for the hot circumgalactic medium (CGM) into which the outflows are driven. The energy sources are either stellar winds and supernovae, or active galactic nuclei. We consider energy injection rates in the range |$10^{40} \lt \dot{E}_{\rm inj} \lt 10^{44.5}$| erg s−1, and compute the time-dependent soft X-ray (0.5–2 keV) surface brightness. For |$\dot{E}_{\rm inj} \gtrsim 10^{41} {\small --} 10^{42}$| erg s−1, with the exact threshold depending on the initial CGM state, the X-ray response is dominated by dense hot gas in the forward shock that eventually fades into the CGM as a sound wave. The shock surrounds an inner hot bubble leading to a radial flattening of the X-ray surface brightness. For lower energy injection rates, the X-ray surface brightness of the initial CGM state is almost unaffected. We present analytical approximations for the outflow shock propagation and the associated X-ray emissions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The JWST has ushered in a new era of exoplanet transit spectroscopy. Among the JWST instruments, the Near-Infrared Spectrograph (NIRSpec) has the most extensive set of configurations for exoplanet time-series observations. The NIRSpec Prism and G395H grating represent two extremes in NIRSpec instrument modes, with the Prism spanning a wider spectral range (0.6–5.3 µm) at lower resolution (R ∼ 100) compared to G395H (2.87–5.14 µm; R ∼ 2700). In this work, we develop a new data reduction framework, JexoPipe, to conduct a homogeneous assessment of the two NIRSpec modes for exoplanet spectroscopy. We use observations of the hot Saturn WASP-39 b obtained as part of the JWST Transiting Exoplanet Early Release Science programme to assess the spectral quality and stability between the two instrument modes at different epochs. We explore the noise sources, effect of saturation, and offsets in transmission spectra between the different instrument modes and also between the two G395H NRS detectors. We find an inter-detector offset in G395H of ∼40–50 ppm, consistent with recent studies. We find evidence for correlated noise in the Prism white light curve. We find the G395H spectrum to be of higher precision compared to the Prism spectrum at the same resolution. We also compare the JexoPipe spectra with those reported from other pipelines. Our work underscores the need for robust assessment of instrument performance and identification of optimal practices for JWST data reduction and analyses. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

AbstractThis study addresses the environmental challenge posed by coal mine overburden (CMOB) disposal by exploring its viability as a fine aggregate substitute for concrete production, particularly in response to the escalating demand for natural river sand (NS). Physical properties of CMOB, including particle size, specific gravity, density, water absorption, and the presence of deleterious materials, were rigorously evaluated. The results show that while some physical properties differ from NS, crucial parameters such as specific gravity, density, and soundness closely align with NS, all within specified code limits. Chemical-mineralogical analyses reveal the absence of sulfur and chloride in CMOB, mitigating the risk of sulfate and chloride attack on cement mortar/concrete. The study also highlights that CMOB-incorporated mortar exhibits enhanced compressive strength, with an optimum replacement level of 60%. Exceeding this level may elevate water demand in mortar, diminishing strength. This research not only establishes CMOB as a construction-grade fine aggregate but also presents it as a sustainable solution, conserving natural river sand and addressing environmental concerns associated with overburden disposal. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Carbon anode‐based Li‐ion batteries (LIBs) have been widely used ranging from portable electronics to electric vehicles (EVs). Here a novel carbon material called microzonal carbon is introduced, synthesized from waste hard rubber (WHR), as an anode material for next‐generation LIBs. This material consists of a hybrid carbon structure embedded with short range ordered carbon zones, including expanded graphene sheets and nanopores. Two types of microzonal carbons (M‐5H and M‐10H) are tested in LIBs to unveil their electrochemical performance. The anode fabricated with M‐10H provides a high initial coulombic efficiency (60%), reversible capacity (377 mA h g−1 at 0.13 C), rate capability (275 mA h g−1 at 2.6 C) and cyclic stability (capacity retention of 99% at 0.13 C after 100 cycles). The electrochemical properties of microzonal carbon can be attributed to its unique hybrid carbon structure, facilitating fast ion diffusion, high electronic conductivity, and the ability to form stable interphase. Therefore, this work presents new insights into the electrochemical behavior of microzonal carbon as an anode material in next‐generation LIBs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper delineates the socio-historical imagination underpinning the works of Miraji, one of the pioneers of Urdu poetic modernism. It argues that the ‘modernism’ attributed to Miraji’s poetry is best understood as the culmination of, as well as a veritable departure from, a specific diachronic movement internal to the history of modern Urdu literature. Presenting the idea of ‘naturalness’ as one of the principal catalysts of this internal movement, this paper demonstrates how Miraji attempted to reorient the trajectory of modern Urdu poetry by adopting an equivocal poetic language, which challenged the moral, social, and political imports of this politico-aesthetic discourse of ‘naturalness’. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Summary Low‐Power Wide‐Area Network technologies, such as LoRa, are gaining popularity in the agricultural sector for field deployment. The crucial factors in these devices are their range and power efficiency. The energy consumption of a LoRa wireless sensor network is predominantly affected by transmission parameters like carrier frequency, bandwidth, transmit power, spreading factor, and coding rate. Incorrect chosen transmission parameters can lead to a reduction in the battery life of end nodes, requiring frequent battery replacements—a situation undesirable for field deployment. This study introduces a machine learning deployment in the form of a web application designed to monitor the energy consumption of end nodes in LoRa wireless sensor networks. The research initially employs 12 regression models, including Linear, Random Forest, K‐Nearest Neighbours, Decision Tree, Support Vector, Lasso, Ridge, AdaBoost, Gradient Boost, XGBoost, CatBoost, and LightGBM models. The findings of the study reveal that the LightGBM model surpasses other models in accurately predicting the energy consumption of Internet of Things (IoT) nodes, leading to its selection for the web application. This machine learning web application can be implemented in a programmable Long Range Wide Area Network (LoRaWAN) gateway to effectively monitor the energy consumption of IoT end nodes in the agricultural sector. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This report detailed the synthesis of multi‐substituted pyrazoles through the acceptorless dehydrogenative coupling (ADC) reaction catalyzed by a well‐defined manganese(I)‐pincer complex. Symmetrically substituted pyrazoles were synthesized by reacting 1,3‐diols with hydrazines. Unsymmetrically substituted pyrazoles were selectively made via the ADC of primary alcohols with methyl hydrazones. Water and hydrogen are liberated as the green byproducts. The endurance of these methodologies has been presented by producing 30 substrates with varied functionalities. Model reactions were scaled up to demonstrate practicability. The reaction rate and order were measured to transparent the involvement of the reagents during catalysis. Control experiments elucidated the plausible reaction mechanisms. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The rising demand for freshly cut agricultural produce like bananas, apples, pears, potatoes, and roots due to health concerns and modern lifestyles has heightened awareness of their susceptibility to browning, which diminishes their appeal and contributes to food waste. The present study explored the efficacy of natural anti‐browning agents in prolonging the quality and shelf‐life of freshly cut green banana slices. The bananas underwent treatment with normal water (NW), lemon juice (LJ), and coconut water (CW), and the changes in physicochemical properties, such as browning intensity, color, firmness, total soluble solid (TSS), total phenolic content (TPC), total flavonoid content (TFC), and also microbial attributes, were evaluated during their storage at 4 ± 1°C for 12 days. The results demonstrated significant enhancements in treated samples compared to untreated ones. While normal water and lemon juice‐treated banana slices exhibited visual browning during storage, coconut water immersion proved superior in maintaining visual appeal, whiteness, and lightness while delaying yellowing and browning. Coconut water‐treated samples also displayed firmer texture (0.75 kg), lower TSS (5.67 °Brix), and reduced weight loss (9.14%) after 12 days, in contrast to samples subjected to lemon juice and normal water treatments which showed lesser texture (0.68 kg, 0.58 kg), higher TSS (5.87 °Brix, 6.10 °Brix), and greater weight loss (11.76%, 16.09%), respectively. Furthermore, coconut water‐treated samples retained higher levels of total phenols (392.67 mg GAE (gallic acid equivalent)/100 g FW (fresh weight), total flavonoids (55.67 mg QE (quercetin equivalent)/100 g FW), and 2,2‐diphenyl‐1‐picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) scavenging activity (38.68%). Coconut water treatment also significantly suppressed polyphenol oxidase (PPO) activity (14 U/g) compared to lemon juice (16 U/g) and normal water (26 U/g) treatments, and untreated samples (133 U/g) after 12 days. Additionally, microbial load remained within acceptable limits for all samples, with coconut water‐treated samples showing the lowest values. Thus, coconut water is a promising natural solution for inhibiting browning and preserving the quality of fresh‐cut green banana slices during storage. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Gas–solid fluidized beds are widely employed in metallurgical industries to produce direct reduced iron. For such practical applications, tapered fluidized beds are most suitable for handling particles with wide size distribution due to the axial velocity gradient. Herein, the slug behavior in binary tapered fluidized beds has been studied using a high‐speed camera and digital image analysis method. The influence of taper angle, air velocity, and fine fraction on local parameters such as slug size, rise velocity, and aspect ratio, and bulk parameters such as slug number and its area fraction, and bed expansion ratio has been investigated. The local parameters increase with taper angle, air velocity, and fine fraction. The slug area fraction and the bed expansion ratio increase with air velocity and fine fraction. The bed expansion ratio increases while the slug area fraction decreases with taper angle. The slug number fraction, slug area fraction, and bed expansion ratio range from 0.027–0.241, 0.20–0.63, and 1.11–1.42, as taper angle, air velocity, and binary composition vary from 0°–15°, 0.20–0.35 m s−1, and 0.25–0.75, respectively. An empirical correlation is proposed for bed expansion ratio prediction. Based on the present investigation, the optimum taper angle is 5°–10°. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The long-range periodic atomic arrangement or the lack thereof in solids typically dictates the magnitude and temperature dependence of their lattice thermal conductivity (κlat). Compared to crystalline materials, glasses exhibit a much-suppressed κlat across all temperatures as the phonon mean free path reaches parity with the interatomic distances therein. While the occurrence of such glass-like thermal transport in crystalline solids captivates the scientific community with its fundamental inquiry, it also holds the potential for profoundly impacting the field of thermoelectric energy conversion. Therefore, efficient manipulation of thermal transport and comprehension of the microscopic mechanisms dictating phonon scattering in crystalline solids are paramount. As quantized lattice vibrations (i.e., phonons) drive κlat, atomistic insights into the chemical bonding characteristics are crucial to have informed knowledge about their origins. Recently, it has been observed that within the highly symmetric 'averaged' crystal structures, often there are hidden locally asymmetric atomic motifs (within a few Å), which exert far-reaching influence on phonon transport. Phenomena such as local atomic off-centering, atomic rattling or tunneling, liquid-like atomic motion, site splitting, local ordering, etc., which arise within a few Å scales, are generally found to drastically disrupt the passage of heat carrying phonons. Despite their profound implication(s) for phonon dynamics, they are often overlooked by traditional crystallographic techniques. In this review, we provide a brief overview of the fundamental aspects of heat transport and explore the status quo of innately low thermally conductive crystalline solids, wherein the phonon dynamics is majorly governed by local structural phenomena. We also discuss advanced techniques capable of characterizing the crystal structure at the sub-atomic level. Subsequently, we delve into the emergent new ideas with examples linked to local crystal structure and lattice dynamics. While discussing the implications of the local structure for thermal conductivity, we provide the state-of-the-art examples of high-performance thermoelectric materials. Finally, we offer our viewpoint on the experimental and theoretical challenges, potential new paths, and the integration of novel strategies with material synthesis to achieve low κlat and realize high thermoelectric performance in crystalline solids via local structure designing. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The use of quality seeds is crucial to improve rice yield, food security, and farmers' livelihoods. The large informal seed system, limited access to quality seeds, and low seed replacement rate challenge increasing rice yield. Despite robust government initiatives to support the seed system, progress has been slow. Besides, the need for farmers' behavioural change, enhanced coordination, and communication at the local level has not received adequate attention. We investigate rice farmers' preferences for quality seed, packet sizes, types, and sources, and assess the impact of utilizing good quality seed. We collected quantitative data from 1196 rice farmers in northern Bangladesh in 2019. To identify major factors influencing farmers' preferences regarding quality seed, packet sizes, packet types, and seed sources, we employed ordered logit and multinomial logit models. Additionally, we used the propensity score matching procedure to assess the impact of good quality and formal seed sources on the rice yield. The findings revealed that farmers strongly prefer using seeds from formal sources despite limited accessibility. Of the total farmers, 34% use public source seeds, 33% use private source seeds, and the rest rely on their own saved seeds. The use of good quality seeds increased rice yields from the base yield by 0.07–0.28 t/ha. We found about a 48% gap in accessing good-quality seeds, indicating significant potential for scaling up the seed systems. Farmers using formal seed sources yielded 0.03–0.15 t/ha more than informal seed users. Farmers strongly prefer 5 kg packets due to their cost-effectiveness, easy storage, and handling convenience. Additionally, farmers prefer polycoated jute sacks for their versatility, multi-purpose applications, and resistance to pests. The econometric model results showed that farmers' preferences were significantly influenced by gender, farm type, crop yield, seed price, market distance, various stakeholders' advice, and seed supply systems' constraints. The government should implement policies and programs to strengthen a well-connected seed network in rural areas, promoting inclusivity, and enhancing rice productivity. Besides, farmers' needs and preferences should be considered in designing and implementing seed-related initiatives to foster sustainable agricultural development. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Enhanced computations resulted in the evolution of cyber-physical systems (CPS). These systems are highly vulnerable to security threats. This work addresses the security concerns for a reliable CPS in the Internet of Things (IoT) through an improvised RSA with enhanced security features. The proposed method renders data throughput encryption at 11.67Kbps with an overall average execution time of 0.02s. The proposed algorithm exhibits the unique feature of being asymmetric, lightweight & enhanced security owing to randomization (average entropy of 0.98). The performance metrics of the proposed method are compared with other state-of-art techniques. This algorithm is implemented on commercially competent architecture STM32F401RET6 with cortex M4 processor running @ 84MHz. The proposed encryption method exhibits great features thus making it a potential real-world solution. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The opioid epidemic continues to be a major public health issue that includes millions of people who inject drugs (PWID). PWID have increased incidence of serious infections, including HIV as well as metabolic and inflammatory sequelae. We sought to discern the extent of systemic alterations in humoral immunity associated with injection drug use, including alterations in the plasma proteome and its regulation of B cell responsiveness. Comprehensive plasma proteomics analysis of HIV negative/hepatitis C negative individuals with a history of recent injection heroin use was performed using mass spectrometry and ELISA. The effects of plasma from PWID and healthy controls on the in vitro proliferation and transcriptional profile of B cell responses to stimulation were determined by flow cytometry and RNA-Seq. The plasma proteome of PWID was distinct from healthy control individuals, with numerous immune-related analytes significantly altered in PWID, including complement (C3, C5, C9), immunoglobulin (IgD, IgM, kappa light chain), and other inflammatory mediators (CXCL4, LPS binding protein, C-reactive protein). The plasma of PWID suppressed the in vitro proliferation of B cells. Transcriptome analysis indicated that PWID plasma treatment increased B cell receptor and CD40 signaling and shifted B cell differentiation from plasma cell-like toward germinal center B cell-like transcriptional profiles. These results indicate that the systemic inflammatory milieu is substantially altered in PWID and may impact their B cell responses. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Musculocontractural Ehlers–Danlos syndrome (MC‐EDS) is a rare entity worldwide with underlying pathogenic variant in the carbohydrate sulfotransferase 14 (CHST14) gene. Previous reports of the same entity from India were of two unrelated cases. Ours is the first report of two siblings in an Indian family with craniofacial dysmorphism and distal arthrogryposis with a clinical diagnosis of EDS, where an underlying pathogenic variant in CHST14 was detected by exome sequencing. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]