Search

An approach is presented for simulating multipulse nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectra of polycrystalline solids directly in the frequency domain. The approach integrates the symmetry pathway concept for multipulse NMR with efficient algorithms for calculating spinning sideband amplitudes and performing interpolated finite-element numerical integration over all crystallite orientations in a polycrystalline sample. The numerical efficiency is achieved through a set of assumptions used to approximate the evolution of a sparse density matrix through a pulse sequence as a set of individual transition pathway signals. The utility of this approach for simulating the spectra of complex materials, such as glasses and other structurally disordered materials, is demonstrated. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A new algorithm has been developed to simulate two-dimensional (2D) spectra with correlated anisotropic frequencies faster and more accurately than previous methods. The technique uses finite-element numerical integration on the sphere and an interpolation scheme based on the Alderman–Solum–Grant algorithm. This method is particularly useful for numerical calculations of joint probability distribution functions involving quantities with a parametric orientation dependence. The technique's efficiency also allows for practical least-squares fitting of experimental 2D solid-state nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) datasets. The simulation method is illustrated for select 2D NMR methods, and a least-squares analysis is demonstrated in the extraction of paramagnetic shift and quadrupolar coupling tensors and their relative orientation from the experimental shifting-d echo 2H NMR spectrum of a NiCl2 · 2D2O salt. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Many applications involving plasma–liquid interactions depend on the reactive processes occurring at the plasma–liquid interface. We report on a falling liquid film plasma reactor allowing for in situ optical absorption measurements of the time-dependence of the ferricyanide/ferrocyanide redox reactivity, complemented with ex situ measurement of the decomposition of formate. We found excellent agreement between the measured decomposition percentages and the diffusion-limited decomposition of formate by interfacial plasma-enabled reactions, except at high pH in thin liquid films, indicating the involvement of previously unexplored plasma-induced liquid phase chemistry enabled by long-lived reactive species. We also determined that high pH facilitates a reduction-favoring environment in ferricyanide/ferrocyanide redox solutions. In situ conversion measurements of a 1:1 ferricyanide/ferrocyanide redox mixture exceed the measured ex situ conversion and show that conversion of a 1:1 ferricyanide/ferrocyanide mixture is strongly dependent on film thickness. We identified three dominant processes: reduction faster than ms time scales for film thicknesses >100 µm, •OH-driven oxidation on time scales of <10 ms, and reduction on 15 ms time scales for film thickness <100 µm. We attribute the slow reduction and larger formate decomposition at high pH to HO 2 − formed from plasma-produced H2O2 enabled by the high pH at the plasma–liquid interface as confirmed experimentally and by computed reaction rates of HO 2 − with ferricyanide. Overall, this work demonstrates the utility of liquid film reactors in enabling the discovery of new plasma-interfacial chemistry and the utility of atmospheric plasmas for electrodeless electrochemistry. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We investigated the accelerated prediction of the thermal conductivity of materials through end-to-end structure-based approaches employing machine learning methods. Due to the non-availability of high-quality thermal conductivity data, we first performed high-throughput calculations based on first principles and the Boltzmann transport equation for 225 materials, effectively more than doubling the size of the existing dataset. We assessed the performance of state-of-the-art machine learning models for thermal conductivity prediction on this expanded dataset and observed that all these models suffered from overfitting. To address this issue, we introduced a different graph-based neural network model, which demonstrated more consistent and regularized performance across all evaluated datasets. Nevertheless, the best mean absolute percentage error achieved on the test dataset remained in the range of 50–60%. This suggests that while these models are valuable for expediting material screening, their current accuracy is still limited. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Roots of Asparagus racemosus (Shatavari roots) have high contents of calcium, iron, vitamin C and a variety medicinally beneficial compounds i.e. saponins, flavonoids and polyphenols. Taking this fact into consideration the crude powder of dried A. racemosus roots was added in varying amounts (10 to 50 %) as one of the ingredients of maize chips (nachos). Sensory evaluation revealed the best acceptability of chips having 20 % of crude powder of A. racemosus roots. Nutritional analysis revealed that the Z. mays chips containing 20 % of crude powder of A. racemosus roots have low glycemic index, low fat content but have high calcium, iron and vitamin C suitable for persons having calcium and iron deficiencies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

AbstractThe residual effect of low doses of lantana, pine needles and wheat straw phyto-biochars pyrolyzed at 300 °C and 450 °C and enriched with 0, 50, 75 and 100% of recommended doses of fertilizers (RDF) of micronutrients and S was studied on the yields, nutrient concentration and uptake of second crop, i.e. rice (Oryza sativa L.) after fodder maize to validate their nutrient slow-release characteristics. The residual effect of phyto-biochars averaged over different RDF increased rice grain yield significantly under lantana and pine needles phyto-biochars pyrolyzed at 300 °C, but decreased with pine needles biochar pyrolyzed at 450 °C as compared to the control. The highest grain yield (9.43 g pot−1) was under pine needles phyto-biochar pyrolyzed at 300 °C and enriched initially with 75% of RDF, which was 7.8 per cent higher than that with 75% of RDF applied through conventional fertilizer sources. The residual effect of some treatments significantly increased the readily oxidizable C and extractable Zn, Cu, Fe, Mn, B and S in the soil after rice harvest. For fodder maize + rice crops together, pine needles phyto-biochar pyrolyzed at 300 °C or lantana phyto-biochar pyrolyzed at 450 °C with enrichment of 75% RDF of micronutrients and S gave the higher apparent per cent utilization of Zn, Fe, Mn, and S, but numerically closer per cent utilization values for Cu and B in comparison to the conventional chemical fertilizer sources. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Endophytic bacteria reside within the plant cell and are beneficial to it in a number of ways like growth, protection to environmental conditions and sustainability in favor of the hosts. Throughout the ages, Garlic (Allium sativum L.) has legendary therapeutic importance. The important step in endophyte isolation is the removal of plant tissue surface microflora, called as surface sterilization. Endophytes from medicinal plants may mimic the compound produced by the host plant and also plays an important role in production of bioactive compound, so it is necessary to isolate endophytes, not the epiphytic microbes. The present investigation was undertaken with an aim to optimize the sterilization parameters viz: time and concentration of ethanol and sodium hypochlorite for isolation of endophytic bacteria as well as exploring their antibacterial activity from Allium sativum. The results revealed that concentration and exposure time of sterilizing agent caused prominent surface sterilization but have negative effect on isolation of endophytes. Experimental results revealed that 70% ethanol (6 min), 2% sodium hypochlorite (1 min) followed by 70% ethanol (30 sec) is effective for surface sterilization of leaf and 70% ethanol (6 min), 3% sodium hypochlorite (1 min) followed by ethanol (30 sec) for bulb of Allium sativum. A total of 86 bacterial endophytes were recovered and screened for antibacterial activity against Enterococcus faecalis, Bacillus cereus ATCC 11778, Staphylococcus aureus, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Escherichia coli, Enterobacter, Klebsiella pneumoniae, Salmonella typhi and Proteus. Out of 86 bacterial endophytes, only (9%) endophytes were found to be inhibiting one or all test human pathogen. The findings of the present study suggest that use of optimized sterilization conditions are effective for removing surface bacterial strains without affecting endophytes as well as the Allium sativum plant of the Jaunpur district represents an excellent reservoir of endophytic bacteria and novel source of bioactive compounds. On the other hand different concentration and time of their exposure to different parts of plant is required for proper surface sterilization of that part and isolation of endophytes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Special AT-rich sequence binding protein-2 (SATB2) is a nuclear matrix protein that binds to nuclear attachment regions and is involved in chromatin remodeling and transcription regulation. In stem cells, it regulates the expression of genes required for maintaining pluripotency and self-renewal and epithelial–mesenchymal transition (EMT). In this study, we examined the oncogenic role of SATB2 in prostate cancer and assessed whether overexpression of SATB2 in human normal prostate epithelial cells (PrECs) induces properties of cancer stem cells (CSCs). The results demonstrate that SATB2 is highly expressed in prostate cancer cell lines and CSCs, but not in PrECs. Overexpression of SATB2 in PrECs induces cellular transformation which was evident by the formation of colonies in soft agar and spheroids in suspension. Overexpression of SATB2 in PrECs also resulted in induction of stem cell markers (CD44 and CD133), pluripotency-maintaining transcription factors (cMYC, OCT4, SOX2, KLF4, and NANOG), CADHERIN switch, and EMT-related transcription factors. Chromatin immunoprecipitation assay demonstrated that SATB2 can directly bind to promoters of BCL-2, BSP, NANOG, MYC, XIAP, KLF4, and HOXA2, suggesting SATB2 is capable of directly regulating pluripotency/self-renewal, cell survival, and proliferation. Since prostate CSCs play a crucial role in cancer initiation, progression, and metastasis, we also examined the effects of SATB2 knockdown on stemness. SATB2 knockdown in prostate CSCs inhibited spheroid formation, cell viability, colony formation, cell motility, migration, and invasion compared to their scrambled control groups. SATB2 knockdown in CSCs also upregulated the expression of E-CADHERIN and inhibited the expression of N-CADHERIN, SNAIL, SLUG, and ZEB1. The expression of SATB2 was significantly higher in prostate adenocarcinoma compared to normal tissues. Overall, our data suggest that SATB2 acts as an oncogenic factor where it is capable of inducing malignant changes in PrECs by inducing CSC characteristics. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Using Hybrid optimization algorithms for nonlinear systems analysis is a novel approach. It is a powerful technique that uses the exploitation ability of one algorithm and the exploration ability of another algorithm, to find the best solution. Literature survey reveals that hybrid algorithms not only show quality response but also give faster convergence of error for nonlinear systems. In this paper, hybrid optimization techniques based proportional integral derivative (PID) controller is used for benchmark problems: Continuous stirred tank reactor (CSTR), Inverted pendulum and blood glucose system. Two recent hybrid algorithms: Particle swarm optimization‐Gravitational search algorithm (PSO‐GSA) and Particle swarm optimization‐Grey wolf algorithm (PSO‐GWO) are implemented to control the temperature and concentration of CSTR, pendulum angle of inverted pendulum, glucose concentration and insulin level of blood glucose system. In PID and PSOGWO algorithms, the exploration abilities of GSA and GWO combined with the exploitation ability of PSO have been used. The performance of these algorithms is then compared with individual PSO, GSA, and GWO algorithms proving their superiority. Stability is ensured using the Lyapunov approach while the robustness of the systems is checked using the parameter perturbation technique. Simulation results show substantial improvement in the performance of these systems by using these meta‐heuristic hybrid optimization techniques. A comparative analysis of these algorithms has also been done. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Modern manufacturing is primarily focused on providing things that are accessible, environmentally conscious, and energy efficient. An effort has been made herein to investigate the compounds that meet these requirements. The full‐potential linearized augmented plane wave method, in Wien2k code, is used to examine the structural, vibrational, mechanical, and transport properties of XVIn (X = Pd, Pt) half‐Heusler compounds. The generalized gradient approximation is used for structural optimization. The computed lattice constants are consistent with earlier theoretical and experimental results. The XVIn (X = Pd, Pt) investigation reveals that the material is inherently ductile and mechanically stable. It is found that XVIn (X = Pd, Pt) has a direct bandgap and a semiconducting property. The modified Becke–Johnson exchange approximation yields bandgap magnitudes of 0.25 and 0.55 eV for PdVIn and PtVIn, respectively. The Boltzmann transport offered by the BoltzTrap software is used to explore thermoelectric characteristics. The values of figure of merit (ZT) obtained for XVIn (X = Pd, Pt) compounds are very close to unity in the chemical potential range from −0.15 to 0.15 eV, indicating that they can be used to make thermoelectric devices with the maximum possible efficiency. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

AbstractOver the past few years, environmental concerns regarding dye contamination have grown. Removing dye from wastewater from industry is crucial for environmental sustainability. The removal of Acid Red 13 (AR13) dye was achieved through its oxidative degradation utilizing peroxydisulfate. While there are few reports on the Fe2+-mediated oxidation of azo dyes by peroxydisulfate, further investigation is needed to understand the effect of surfactants on their degradation. The present study focuses on investigating the influence of cationic, anionic, and neutral surfactants on the decolorization of Acid Red 13 (AR13) in aqueous solutions using peroxydisulfate. The decolorization kinetics of AR13 in the peroxydisulfate process adhered to the principles of second-order reaction kinetics, with a rate constant of 2.96 × 10−4 M−1 min−1 at 4.0 mM S2O82− concentration. A decolorization efficiency of 92.9 ± 3.6% was achieved in 120 min under optimal reaction conditions. The rate constants of the second-order chemical process demonstrated a positive association with both S2O82− concentration and temperature. Fe2+ activates S2O82− to generate sulfate radical ion, amplifying AR13 decolorization. At higher pH, sulfate-free radical production decreases, limiting AR13 decolorization. Recent findings show that CTAB (cetyltrimethylammonium bromide) and SDS (sodium dodecyl sulfate) retard Fe2+-catalyzed S2O82− activation, whereas no discernible impact on S2O82− activation was observed in the case of TX-100 (triton X-100). Peroxydisulfate decolorized AR13 with a low activation energy of 45.10 ± 1.71 kJ mol−1 at 2.0 mM starting concentration. The positive ΔG value indicates the non-spontaneity of the decolorization process. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Laparoscopic cholecystectomy for benign gallbladder diseases is being practised as a day-care procedure in many centres around the world. This has been justified in view of the low rate of adverse events or complications following the surgery. There is a lack of uniform protocol for hospital admission and duration of hospital stay for elective laparoscopic cholecystectomy especially in developing countries in remote areas. The purpose of this study was to find out the possibility whether it was safe and feasible to discharge elective laparoscopic cholecystectomy patients as day-care (6 h) in a centre like ours where there is no dedicated unit for ambulatory surgery. It is a retrospective analysis of prospectively collected data. The study was conducted in the Department of general surgery in a rural healthcare setup. The suitability for discharge was assessed at 6 h after surgery. All patients were re-evaluated the following morning to rule out any negative outcomes that might have resulted from being released from the hospital at 6 h post-surgery. Total of 145 patients underwent elective laparoscopic cholecystectomy during the said period. The mean age is 39.6 years. Out of 145, 125 (86%) patients were dischargeable according to the modified Alderete score at 6 h. Duration of surgery (p-value-0.001), occurrence of postoperative nausea and vomiting (p-value-.002), critical view of safety visibility (p-value-.03) and need for foley's catheterization (p < 0.001) have significant associations with suitability for discharge at 6 h. Elective laparoscopic cholecystectomy surgery as a day-care procedure has its own advantages. According to the modified Alderete score, most of the patients in our study who were eligible for discharge after six hours did not experience any difficulties while they were hospitalised, making them candidates for same-day discharge. However, case selection should take care of patient and logistic factors. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The purpose of this research paper is to present a new all-optical scheme to implement the logical behavior of generalized n th-order (2 n :1) multiplexer logic. The proposed all-optical design is based on micro-ring resonator (MRR)-based all-optical switches and constructed by using "2 n + 1 -2" MRR structures, arranged in a series " n " stage architecture. The presented configuration enjoys advantageous features like compact-sized systematic structure and ultra-fast speed. To validate the logical behavior of the proposed n th-order multiplexer, a second-order (22:1) multiplexer is derived (from the proposed scheme) and discussed. Further, the usability of the presented all-optical multiplexer is demonstrated by developing an all-optical reconfigurable logic gate that can be reconfigured to perform various logic operations. To verify the logical behavior of MRR-based all-optical switch and presented all-optical multiplexer logic, numerical simulations through MATLAB software have been performed. The reported reconfigurable logic structure is also simulated in the MATLAB environment to validate the desired behavior. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The leaching loss and movement of pesticides need to be minimized to safeguard the aquatic environment and human health. In a laboratory study, the changes in the leaching and downward movement behavior of boscalid fungicide were examined in soil (Typic Hapludoll) columns (0–30 cm) receiving no amendment (control) or with the application of farmyard manure (FYM) and pine needle biochar (PNB) in surface (0–15 cm) soil @ 5 t ha−1. No boscalid residues (<0.01 µg mL−1) were detected in the leachate under any treatment. Both FYM and PNB were effective in limiting the movement of boscalid in soil compared to control. FYM maintained the highest boscalid concentration (1.41 µg g−1) in the top (0–2.5 cm) soil while in PNB treated soil the highest sorbed boscalid (0.58 µg g−1) could accumulate at 2.5–5.0 cm soil depth. The depth-wise distribution of the boscalid concentration in soil could be well predicted by third order polynomial equations (R2 value = 0.929 to 1.000, all significant at p ≤ 0.01). The FTIR spectra show that the boscalid retention onto these amendments was through H-bonding and π–π interactions. As compared to FYM, the PNB had a relatively lower proportion of soluble- and desorbed-boscalids but a higher proportion of irreversibly sorbed boscalid and appeared to be an effective organic amendment for the areas prone to high surface run-off. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Understanding subterranean reservoirs, geological characteristics, fluid composition, and hydrocarbon potential strongly relies on precise reservoir characterization. Seismic inversion is a key method in reservoir characterization to approximate the acoustic impedance and porosity of underlying rock formations using seismic and well-log data. A sparse layer reflectivity (SLR) post-stack inversion method approach is used in this study to make thin layers more visible. To generate an impedance volume, it uses a predetermined wavelet library, an objective function, and a regularization parameter, the regularization parameter is a tunable parameter used to control the balance between fitting the data closely (minimizing the misfit) and ensuring a smooth and stable model for and sparseness computed coefficients. This study uses Blackfoot data to estimate the density, velocity, impedance, and porosity of a particular region using the SLR and Radial Basis Function Neural Network (RBFNN). According to the interpretation of the impedance section, a low impedance anomaly zone with an impedance range of (8500–9000) m/s*g/cc is present at a time of (1040–1065) ms. The low impedance zone is classified as a clastic glauconitic sand channel (reservoir zone) based on the correlation between seismic and borehole data. Further, a Radial Basis Function Neural Network (RBFNN) has been applied to the data to estimate porosity volume and to conduct a more thorough examination of the reservoir zone and cross-validate inverted results. The research demonstrates that the high porosity zone, low velocity, and density zone are discovered by the RBFNN technique, and the low impedance zone interpreted in inversion findings are correlating, which confirms the existence of the glauconitic sand channel. This research is crucial for understanding how well SLR, RBFNN, and multi-attribute analysis work to define sand channels. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A novel, repeatable, and swift kinetic approach for determining alpha-lipoic acid (ALA) in sodium lauryl sulfate (SLS) micellar medium has been presented, and it has been connected to ALA determination in drug formulations. The approach is based on ALA inhibitory property. ALA (containing two sulfur atoms) forms a chelate with Pd2+, lowering the effective [Pd(II)], and ultimately, the Pd2+ catalyzed cyanide substitution rate from [Ru(CN)6]4- by pyrazine (Pz). Fixed times of 5 and 10 minutes were chosen under optimal reaction conditions with [Pyrazine] = 3.0 × 10-4 mole L-1, pH = 4.0 ± 0.02, Temp = 318 ± 0.2 K, I = 0.1 mole L-1 (NaClO4), [Ru(CN)64-] = 2.75 × 10-5 mole L-1, [Pd+2] = 6.0 × 10-5 mole L-1, and [SLS] = 8.5 × 10-3 mole L-1 to calculate the absorbance at 370 nm associated with the final substitution product [Ru(CN)5 Pz]3-. ALA's inhibiting influence on the Pd2+ catalyzed cyanide substitution with pyrazine from [Ru(CN)6]4-, has been represented by a modified mechanistic approach. The concentration of ALA in various water specimens can be measured at the micro-level down to 1.25 × 10-6 mole L-1 using the established kinetic spectrophotometric approach. The suggested method is highly reproducible and has been effectively applied to accurately quantify the ALA in pharmaceutical samples. Even as much as 1000 with [ALA], typical additives used in medications do not significantly hinder the determination of ALA. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Text summarizing (TS) takes key information from a source text and condenses it for the user while retaining the primary material. When it comes to text summaries, the most difficult problem is to provide broad topic coverage and diversity in a single summary. Overall, text summarization addresses the fundamental need to distill large volumes of information into more manageable and digestible forms, making it a crucial technology in the era of information abundance. It benefits individuals, businesses, researchers, and various other stakeholders by enhancing efficiency and comprehension in dealing with textual data. In this paper, proposed a novel Modified Generative adversarial network (MGAN) for summarize the text. The proposed model involves three stages namely pre-processing, Extractive summarization, and summary generation. In the first Phase, the Text similarity dataset is pre-processed using Lowering Casing, Tokenization, Lemmatization, and, Stop Word Removal. In the second Phase, the Extractive summarization is done in three steps Generating similarity metrics, Sentence Ranking, and Sentence Extractive. In the third stage, a generative adversarial network (GAN) employs summary generation to jointly train the discriminative model D and the generative model G. To classify texts and annotate their syntax, Generative Model G employs a convolutional neural network called Bidirectional Gated Recursive Unit (CNN-BiGRU). The performance analysis of the proposed MGAN is calculated based on the parameters like accuracy, specificity, Recall, and Precision metrics. The proposed MGAN achieves an accuracy range of 99%. The result shows that the proposed MGAN improves the overall accuracy better than 9%, 6.5% and 5.4% is DRM, LSTM, and CNN respectively. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The interactions of an immiscible droplet impinging on liquid pools bear significant implications across a wide array of applications, as well as in natural phenomena. In this paper, the dynamics associated with an immiscible droplet impinging on a liquid pool/film of varying depths have been elucidated. The study encompasses the impact of silicone oil droplets of four different viscosities (1, 10, 100 and 1000 cSt) upon a water pool of three non-dimensional pool heights h* = 1, 2.5 and 5. The phenomenon of droplet impact at two Weber numbers (We = 50 and 100) is captured through high-speed videography. The dynamics of impingement, associated with the immiscible liquid combination, are delineated by employing Mask R-CNN machine learning (ML) model. To the best of our knowledge, this study is among the first to apply ML to this complex fluid phenomenon, offering insights into the physics and potential applications in multiphase flows. ML model-generated masks are used to quantify the dynamics of various cavity parameters. Further insights into the phenomena have been developed through a detailed energy analysis carried out pre- and post-impact. The performance of ML model is compared with the manually annotated images, exhibiting impressive level of agreement. Results reveal that during the cavity formation phase, low-viscosity droplets conform to the cavity shape during their descend into the pool. In contrast, high viscosity droplets maintain their shape during cavity formation, showing pinning at the oil–water interface. Energy analysis shows better energy transfer from droplet to the cavity for low-viscosity droplets (> 90%), while less than 50% of the impact energy is transferred for higher viscosity droplets. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The proposed study aimed to explore the kinetics of L-leucine (Leu) oxidation in a micellar media of cetyltrimethylammonium bromide (CTAB) by hexacyanoferrate(III) {HCF(III)}. The reduction in absorbance at 420 nm, which is indicative of the concentration of HCF(III), was measured to determine the reaction rate. Applying the pseudo-first-order state, The reaction's progression was analyzed as an indicator of [HCF(III)], temperature, [Leu], [Cu(II)], [CTAB], ionic strength, and [OH–]. The findings indicate that the [CTAB] is the crucial factor that significantly affects the rate of the reaction. The HCF(III) undergoes a 2 : 1 stoichiometric interaction with Leu and has a first-order reliance on [HCF(III)]. The observed reaction exhibits fractional-first-order kinetics with regards to [Leu], [OH–], and Cu(II), within the range of concentrations investigated. The observed linear augmentation in reaction rate upon electrolyte's introduction is suggestive of a positive salt effect. The inclusion of CTAB substantially enhances the catalytic activity of the process. After reaching its maximum rate, the reaction exhibits a very steady behavior even when the [CTAB] is further increased. The observed decrease in CTAB CMC could potentially be attributed to the diminished electrostatic repulsion among the cationic surfactant head groups, which is caused by the anionic [Cu(OH)4]2–, OH–, and HCF(III) species. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aim: The aim of this study was to review the clinical profile and early management of stroke patients presenting to the emergency medicine department of a tertiary care hospital. Methodology: A cross-sectional, descriptive study conducted on patients presenting at the emergency department of a tertiary care hospital with symptoms suggestive of cerebrovascular stroke. Results: According to the study results, the mean age of the patients included was found to be 62.7 years, with the highest proportion in the age bracket of 60-69 years, constituting 29% of the total. Young stroke (age 40 or less) comprised 12.5% of all patients. This study found that the median time to casualty arrival was 6.5 hours, and the mean arterial pressure (MAP) of patients on admission was 118.7 mmHg. Also, 21 (61.7%) patients with ICH had a MAP of greater than or equal to 130 mmHg on admission. Among the 200 cases of stroke in this study, most of the cases had an abnormal ECG (71%), with T-wave inversion being the most common abnormality observed. In the study, only 68 of 200 patients presented to the emergency department in the window period (within 4.5 hours). Out of these 68 patients, 38 were found to have had an ischemic stroke, and 10 underwent thrombolysis. Among other interventions, 28 patients required intubation and mechanical ventilation. Intubation rates were 7% for ischemic stroke patients and 38% for ICH patients. Conclusion: The paucity of community-based studies on stroke has been a hindrance in guiding the development and organization of a stroke policy for our country. Delay in presentation has been one of the major limiting factors in the early thrombolysis of stroke patients. A major impetus is also to be given to addressing modifiable risk factors to reduce the burden of stroke in society. Stroke is a major contributor to morbidity and mortality. To mitigate its impact, it is essential to implement comprehensive strategies and foster cooperation in order to close the gap in stroke care between developed and developing countries. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The fusion of Silicon (Si) with MXene nanostructures is a promising avenue to boost the performance of lithium-ion batteries (LIBs). This comprehensive review delves into recent progress and future prospects in the realm of Si-based MXene composites for LIB applications. Starting with an in-depth analysis of the structure and characteristics of Si-based MXene nanostructures, the paper elucidates their synthesis and characterization methodologies. The subsequent discussion delves into the mechanism and properties of LIBs, pinpointing the hurdles and possibilities for enhancement. The spotlight then shifts to the utilization of MXene materials in LIBs, emphasizing their pivotal role in ameliorating battery performance. Closing off, the review explores ongoing research trends and forthcoming directions in the field, offering insights into the potential applications and obstacles of Si-based MXene composites for the evolution of next-generation LIBs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: Gossip spreads like wildfire, damaging relationships, decaying trust and creating a negative work environment. This study aims to investigate the relationship between negative workplace gossip (NWG) and quiet quitting (QQ), while considering the mediating effects of workplace stress and emotional exhaustion (EE). Design/methodology/approach: Drawing upon the conservation of resource theory, the study aimed to comprehend this association in the context of 267 employees from diverse sectors in India, including health care, IT, banking and education. Through a three-wave time lagged survey design, using partial least squares structural equation modeling, significant findings were uncovered. Findings: The results revealed a positive link between NWG and QQ. There was also a positive correlation between NWG and workplace stress. In addition, workplace stress and EE were found to mediate the relationship between NWG and QQ. Practical implications: The findings have implications for both theory and practice. Organizations should consider implementing strategies to mitigate the prevalence of negative gossip and foster a healthier work environment, promoting employee well-being and retention. Originality/value: The study reveals the "black box" between NWG and QQ, adding to the body of knowledge on the novel concept of QQ. Second, the study expands the literature on NWG, by examining impact path of how it leads to stress and EE, leading to QQ. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives: To validate the reproducibility and inter/intra‐observer variability of the Pink Esthetic Score/White Esthetic Score (PES/WES) of single tooth‐supported prostheses in the maxillary esthetic zone (13–23). Materials and Methods: Forty‐five patients were randomly assigned to one of the three treatment options (15 patients per group) receiving each one a different crown type: Porcelain fused to metal (PFM), monolithic zirconia, and lithium disilicate. Eight observers from each of four different specialties (Prosthodontists, Orthodontists, Periodontists, and Oral Surgeons) were recruited and assessed twice and four weeks apart (i.e., T1 and T2) 45 photographs of the single tooth‐supported prosthesis using PES/WES and compared them with contralateral teeth. Results: According to the ANOVA and post hoc tests, the zirconia crown type obtained the highest mean score by all observers, with a mean value of 16.70 ± 2.94. The prosthodontists and oral surgeons assigned the lowest mean score to PFM crowns, 13.03 ± 3.47 and 13.80 ± 3.17, respectively. Notably, the prosthodontists awarded the highest scores, specifically 17.50 ± 2.81 for the zirconia crowns. Intraobserver agreement was calculated utilizing the paired t‐test. Pairwise comparisons between observers of different specialties revealed significant intraobserver agreement. Interclass correlation coefficient (ICC) scores were statistically significant among four specialties. No difference was detected concerning the interobserver agreement. Conclusions: The PES/WES index remains consistent across various observers from different specializations, yielding uniform results in the overall esthetic evaluation. Consequently, in light of the presented preliminary positive results, its use might also be considered for the esthetic assessment of single‐tooth‐supported prostheses. Clinical Significance: The PES/WES index may be employed clinically to evaluate single tooth‐supported prostheses as it emerged as a reproducible esthetic scoring system. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Antibiotics with extended anaerobic coverage are used commonly to treat aspiration pneumonia, which is not recommended by current guidelines. In patients admitted to hospital for community-acquired aspiration pneumonia, does a difference exist between antibiotic therapy with limited anaerobic coverage (LAC) vs antibiotic therapy with extended anaerobic coverage (EAC) in terms of in-hospital mortality and risk of Clostridioides difficile colitis? We conducted a multicenter retrospective cohort study across 18 hospitals in Ontario, Canada, from January 1, 2015, to January 1, 2022. Patients were included if the physician diagnosed aspiration pneumonia and prescribed guideline-concordant first-line community-acquired pneumonia parenteral antibiotic therapy to the patient within 48 h of admission. Patients then were categorized into the LAC group if they received ceftriaxone, cefotaxime, or levofloxacin. Patients were categorized into the EAC group if they received amoxicillin-clavulanate, moxifloxacin, or any of ceftriaxone, cefotaxime, or levofloxacin in combination with clindamycin or metronidazole. The primary outcome was all-cause in-hospital mortality. Secondary outcomes included incident C difficile colitis occurring after admission. Overlap weighting of propensity scores was used to balance baseline prognostic factors. The LAC and EAC groups included 2,683 and 1,316 patients, respectively. In hospital, 814 patients (30.3%) and 422 patients (32.1%) in the LAC and EAC groups died, respectively. C difficile colitis occurred in five or fewer patients (≤ 0.2%) and 11 to 15 patients (0.8%-1.1%) in the LAC and EAC groups, respectively. After overlap weighting of propensity scores, the adjusted risk difference of EAC minus LAC was 1.6% (95% CI, –1.7% to 4.9%) for in-hospital mortality and 1.0% (95% CI, 0.3%-1.7%) for C difficile colitis. We found that extended anaerobic coverage likely is unnecessary in aspiration pneumonia because it was associated with no additional mortality benefit, only an increased risk of C difficile colitis. [Display omitted] [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Brand love and brand loyalty are crucial factors in consumer-brand relationships. However, few studies have examined the impact of social influences on them. Using structural equation modeling, this study investigated the impact of interpersonal influence and celebrity endorser influence on brand love and brand loyalty, the mediating role of brand love between the two social influences and brand loyalty, and finally the moderating roles of gender and consumer age across these relationships. The results suggest that both the social influences have a crucial role in this context and brand love acts as a partial mediator in the association with brand loyalty. Gender did not play the expected moderating role. However, consumers' age played a significant moderating role in the relationships between social influences and brand love. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aeolian and kaolin deposits contribute greatly to infrastructural damage during the rainy seasons because of massive collapse settlements. The prediction of wetting-induced collapse potential and compressibility behavior under partly saturated states is essential for the development of infrastructure on these deposits. In this study, a general constitutive model was developed from the suction-controlled compression and wetting-induced collapse tests. The effect of particle orientation resulting from various initial compaction conditions, drying paths, and wetting paths on the yielding behavior of soil was investigated. A new collapsible soil model (CoSM) was presented by considering the wetting-induced changes to the clay fabric associations in the collapsible soils. The proposed CoSM requires eight parameters for evaluating the mechanical behavior. These model parameters can be readily estimated from simple compression tests, which is the major advantage of the model. The derived equations were capable of predicting three crucial mechanical characteristics, namely, loading-collapse yield, compression, and collapse behavior from the basic compression data. The model shows an excellent agreement with the measured data for two kaolin soils from the present work and several collapsible soils from the literature. The generalized model is capable of predicting mechanical behavior of collapsible soils with various initial compaction states and loading stress histories. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Epitope imprinting has shown better prospects to synthesize synthetic receptors for proteins. Here, dual epitope imprinted polymer electrode (DEIP) matrix was fabricated on gold surface of electrochemical quartz crystal microbalance (EQCM) for recognition of target epitope sequence in blood samples of patients suffering from brain fever. Epitope sequences from outer membrane protein Por B of Neisseria meningitidis (MC58) bacteria predicted through immunoinformatic tools were chosen for imprinting. Self‐assembled monolayers (SAM) of cysteine appended epitope sequences on gold nanoparticles were subjected to polymerization prior to electrodeposition on gold coated EQCM electrode. The polymeric matrix was woven around the cysteine appended epitope SAMs through multiple monomers (3‐sulfo propyl methacrylate potassium salt (3‐SPMAP), benzyl methacrylate (BMA)) and crosslinker (N, N′‐methylene‐bis‐acrylamide). On extraction of the peptide sequences, imprinted cavities were able to selectively and specifically bind targeted epitope sequences in laboratory samples as well as 'real' samples of patients. Selectivity of sensor was examined through mismatched peptide sequences and certain plasma proteins also. The sensor was able to show specific binding towards the blood samples of infected patients, even in the presence of 'matrix' and other plasma proteins such as albumin and globulin. Even other peptide sequences, similar to epitope sequences only with one or two amino acid mismatches were also unable to show any binding. The analytical performance of DEIP‐EQCM sensor was tested through selectivity, specificity, matrix effect, detection limit (0.68–1.01 nM), quantification limit (2.05–3.05 nM) and reproducibility (RSD ~ 5%). Hence, a diagnostic tool for bacterium causing meningitis is successfully fabricated in a facile manner which will broaden the clinical access and make efficient population screening feasible. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Microwave radiation (MWR) has been linked to neurodegeneration by inducing oxidative stress in the hippocampus of brain responsible for learning and memory. Ashwagandha (ASW), a medicinal plant is known to prevent neurodegeneration and promote neuronal health. This study investigated the effects of MWR and ASW on oxidative stress and cholinergic imbalance in the hippocampus of adult male Japanese quail. One control group received no treatment, the second group quails were exposed to MWR at 2 h/day for 30 days, third was administered with ASW root extract orally 100 mg/day/kg body weight and the fourth was exposed to MWR and also treated with ASW. The results showed that MWR increased serum corticosterone levels, disrupted cholinergic balance and induced neuro-inflammation. This neuro-inflammation further led to oxidative stress, as evidenced by decreased activity of antioxidant enzymes SOD, CAT and GSH. MWR also caused a significant decline in the nissil substances in the hippocampus region of brain indicating neurodegeneration through oxidative stress mediated hippocampal apoptosis. ASW, on the other hand, was able to effectively enhance the cholinergic balance and subsequently lower inflammation in hippocampus neurons. This suggests that ASW can protect against the neurodegenerative effects of MWR. ASW also reduced excessive ROS production by increasing the activity of ROS-scavenging enzymes. Additionally, ASW prevented neurodegeneration through decreased expression of caspase-3 and caspase-7 in hippocampus, thus promoting neuronal health. In conclusion, this study showed that MWR induces apoptosis and oxidative stress in the brain, while ASW reduces excessive ROS production, prevents neurodegeneration and promotes neuronal health. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Mushrooms are widely available around the world and have various nutritional as well as therapeutic values. Many Asian cultures believe that medicinal mushrooms can prolong life and improve vitality. This study aims to characterize the phytochemical and polysaccharide content, mainly β-glucan content, of mycelial biomass and fruiting bodies collected from the Himalayan region, particularly Uttarakhand. Through molecular analysis of the LSU F/R-rDNA fragment sequence and phylogenetic analysis, the strain was identified as Trametes sp. We performed screening of phytochemicals and polysaccharides in mushroom and biomass extracts using high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) and a PC-based UV-Vis spectrophotometer. The macrofungal biomass was found to be high in saponin, anthraquinone, total phenolic, flavonoid, and β-glucan content. In biomass extract, we observed a high level of saponin (70.6µg/mL), anthraquinone (14.5µg/mL), total phenolic (12.45 µg/mL), and flavonoid (9.500 µg/mL) content. Furthermore, we examined the contents of alkaloids, tannins, terpenoids, and sterols in the biomass and mushroom extracts; the concentration of these compounds in the ethanol extract tested was minimal. We also looked for antioxidant activity, which is determined in terms of the IC50 value. Trametes sp. mushroom extract exhibits higher DPPH radical scavenging activity (62.9% at 0.5 mg/mL) than biomass extract (59.19% at 0.5 mg/mL). We also analyzed β-glucan in Trametes sp. from both mushroom and biomass extracts. The biomass extract showed a higher β-glucan content of 1.713 mg/mL than the mushroom extract, which is 1.671 mg/mL. Furthermore, β-glucan analysis was confirmed by the Megazyme β-glucan assay kit from both biomass and mushroom extract of Trametes sp. β-glucans have a promising future in cancer treatment as adjuncts to conventional medicines. Producing pure β-glucans for the market is challenging because 90–95% of β glucan sold nowadays is thought to be manipulated or counterfeit. The present study supports the recommendation of Trametes sp. as rich in β-glucan, protein, phytochemicals, and antioxidant activities that help individuals with cancer, diabetes, obesity, etc. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Lignin, a crucial component of lignocellulosic biomass, holds immense promise for advancing biorefineries and producing sustainable energy alternatives. This study engineered a CN/rGO/BMO (2 : 1) heterojunction photocatalyst with varying Pd NP loading to selectively target the hydrogenolysis of challenging C–O ether bonds in lignin model compounds. Specific focus was on β-O-4, α-O-4, and the formidable 4-O-5 linkages. The 4-O-5 linkage, due to its high dissociation energy, poses a significant challenge. Electrochemical and spectral analyses unveiled improvements in charge separation, leading to delayed recombination of charge carriers in the heterojunction photocatalyst. Decorating the heterojunction with Pd NPs exhibited an elevated work function and a low Fermi energy level, facilitating the accommodation of photogenerated electrons and enabling efficient H2 dissociation. Such enhancement facilitated the cleavage of all three linkages, including the resistant 4-O-5 bonds under ambient conditions. The photocatalyst exhibited effective cleavage, yielding aromatic (toluene, phenol, ethylbenzene) and aliphatic (cyclohexane, ethylcyclohexane) products. Selectivity modulation was achieved by adjusting the time, hydrogen pressure, and Pd loading. Furthermore, this photocatalytic approach successfully transformed simulated lignin bio-oil containing all three linkages into valuable monomers. The alcoholic solvents efficiently harnessed photogenerated holes and prevented electron–hole recombination. The photocatalyst also demonstrated the capability to produce monomers from the native lignin extracted from teak wood sawdust. Emphasizing the focus on the reaction pathway and mechanism, scavenging studies and analyses were conducted, including UPS and VBXPS, to establish the Z-scheme charge transfer mechanism within the heterojunction. These findings provide a sustainable and efficient pathway for lignin valorisation in biorefineries, significantly contributing to the advancement of green fuels and aligning with the principles of green chemistry. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract\nSHORT CONDENSATIONObjective: Human Chorionic Gonadotropin (hCG) plays a crucial role in embryo implantation and in maintenance of pregnancy. An immuno-contraceptive approach involves the use of a recombinant hCGβ-LTB vaccine formulated with adjuvant Mycobacterium indicus pranii (MIP), to prevent pregnancy without disturbing ovulation, hormonal profiles, and menstrual cycles in women. The present work in mice was designed to address issues encountered in clinical trials conducted with hCGβ-LTB vaccine, with focus on two primary concerns. Firstly, it aimed to determine the optimal vaccine dosage required to induce a high level of anti-hCG antibodies. Secondly, it aimed to assess the safety profile of the vaccine, specifically injection site reactions in the form of nodules, observed in some of the subjects.Methods and Results: Studies undertaken indicate that a 2 µg dose of the protein version of the vaccine, administered in mice through the intramuscular route, can induce high anti-hCG titres. Furthermore, administering a booster dose enhances the antibody response. Our findings suggest that the concentration and frequency of administration of the adjuvant MIP can also be reduced without compromising vaccine efficacy.Conclusion: The issue of nodule formation at the injection site can be mitigated either by administering the vaccine along with MIP intramuscularly or injecting hCG vaccine and MIP at separate intradermal sites. Thus, protein vaccine administered at a 2µg dose via the intramuscular route addresses both efficacy and safety concerns.The Phase I/II clinical trials initiated with the recombinant hCG vaccine in women revealed inadequate antibody titres in all subjects, alongside the development of nodules at the injection sites in some participants. Studies were undertaken in mice to propose potential strategies for mitigating injection site reactions and enhancing the antibody response. It was concluded that the optimum dose of the protein version of the vaccine to get high antibody titres, is 2 µg administered intramuscularly while upholding safety standards. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aim of this paper is to introduce two new subclasses R sin m (ℑ) and R sin (ℑ) of analytic functions by making use of subordination involving the sine function and the modified sigmoid activation function ℑ (v) = 2 1 + e − v , v ≥ 0 in the open unit disc E. Our purpose is to obtain some initial coefficients, Fekete–Szego problems, and upper bounds for the third- and fourth-order Hankel determinants for the functions belonging to these two classes. All the bounds that we will find here are sharp. We also highlight some known consequences of our main results. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We present the formation of quasi-periodic cool spicule-like jets in the solar atmosphere using 2.5-D numerical simulation in two-fluid regime (ions+neutrals) under the presence of thermal conduction and ion-neutral collision. The nonlinear, impulsive Alfvénic perturbations at the top of the photosphere trigger field aligned magnetoacoustic perturbations due to ponderomotive force. The transport of energy from Alfvén pulse to such vertical velocity perturbations due to ponderomotive force is considered as an initial trigger mechanism. Thereafter, these velocity perturbations steepen into the shocks followed by quasi-periodic rise and fall of the cool jets transporting mass in the overlying corona. This article is part of the theme issue 'Partially ionized plasma of the solar atmosphere: recent advances and future pathways'. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective(s): To estimate continuation rates for postpartum intrauterine contraceptive device (PPIUD) at 6 weeks, 6 months and 1-year within existing programs in an under-resourced setting, and to identify determinants of discontinuation, removal and expulsion. Study design: We used a prospective cohort design and enrolled recent PPIUD adopter women across 100 public healthcare facilities in Odisha and Chhattisgarh, India. We collected their socio-demographic information and followed them up telephonically at 6 weeks, 6 months and 1 year for complications and continuation status. We assessed PPIUD continuation rates and factors associated with PPIUD discontinuation, removal, and expulsion using Cox proportional hazards modelling. Results: We enrolled 916 participants (579 (63.2%) from Odisha and 337 (36.8%) from Chhattisgarh). The continuation rate of PPIUD was 88.7% at 6 weeks, 74.8% at 6 months 60.1% at one year. Once discontinued, chances of not opting for any family planning method was high (up to 81.2%). Participants with education of 6th to 12th class and those experiencing complications (pain abdomen, bleeding and discharge per vaginum) were more likely to remove the IUD with adjusted hazard ratio of 1.82 (95% CI: 1.18–2.79) and 4.39 (95% CI: 3.25–5.93) respectively. For expulsion, we did not find any factor that was statistically significant. Conclusion(s): PPIUD continuation rates declined considerably after the initial 6 weeks. Counselling and follow-up services for managing complications must be strengthened, especially in the first 6 weeks of PPIUD insertion, to enhance and sustain programmatic impact. Implications: Our findings emphasize on the need to strengthen client counseling and follow-up for management of complications, especially in the first 6 weeks of insertion of PPIUDs. Ongoing programs need to address comprehensive capacity building efforts in this regard. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective Methods Results Discussion Public Significance Although literature implicates feeling fat in the maintenance of binge‐spectrum eating disorders (EDs; e.g., bulimia nervosa, binge‐ED), research in this area is small, nascent, and relies on retrospective self‐report. The current study sought to understand the temporal pattern of feeling fat and its role as a precipitant and consequence of ED behaviors.Totally 106 treatment‐seeking adults with binge‐spectrum EDs completed 7–14‐day ecological momentary assessments. They rated feeling fat, negative affect states, and reported on ED behaviors six times per day. Multilevel models evaluated whether feeling fat mediates prospective links between negative affect states and ED behaviors, assessed if negative affect states mediate the prospective association of feeling fat on ED behaviors, and examined the bidirectional prospective association between feeling fat and ED behaviors.Feeling fat was highest in the early morning (6–8:59 a.m.). Individuals with binge‐ED‐spectrum EDs demonstrated greater variability in feeling fat than those with bulimia nervosa‐spectrum EDs who had stable and high levels of feeling fat. Guilt, sadness, anxiety, and the overall NA at Time 2 mediated the prospective associations between at Time 1 feeling fat and Time 3 dietary restraint, actual dietary restriction, and compensatory exercise. There was a bidirectional prospective association between feeling fat and binge eating.Feeling fat serves as a proximal predictor and mediator of the prospective association between guilt and binge eating. Feeling fat and binge eating mutually reinforce each other.Little is understood regarding the experience of feeling fat in natural environments among individuals with binge‐spectrum eating disorders. We found that the risk for having the experience of feeling fat is high in the morning and evening. Feeling fat triggers guilt, anxiety, and sadness which in turn, increases engagement in dietary restraint/restriction and compensatory exercise. Feeling fat also triggers binge eating, and binge eating leads to feelings of fatness. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this work, we study some new applications of symmetric quantum calculus in the field of Geometric Function Theory. We use the cardioid domain and the symmetric quantum difference operator to generate new classes of multivalent q-starlike and q-convex functions. We examine a wide range of interesting properties for functions that can be classified into these newly defined classes, such as estimates for the bounds for the first two coefficients, Fekete–Szego-type functional and coefficient inequalities. All the results found in this research are sharp. A number of well-known corollaries are additionally taken into consideration to show how the findings of this research relate to those of earlier studies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article presents a high‐gain linearly polarized three‐dimensionally‐printed dielectric transmitarray with an integrated lens antenna (ILA) as a feed source. The proposed transmitarray contains 1336 unit cells of 16 different types with a gradual phase change of 22.5°. The unit cells have a cross‐section of 5.4 × 5.4 mm, and their height varies from 0 to 24.2 mm for different gradual phase changes. The designed transmitarray shows a maximum gain of 19.5 dBi at 28 GHz with a 3‐dB beamwidth of less than 7° in both the E‐ and H‐planes. Furthermore, a holder with seven distinct feed positions has been designed to alter the location of the feed antenna in the focal plane of the transmitarray. The main beam can be switched by exciting these feeds individually. In addition, it has an impedance bandwidth (|S11 | <−10 dB) from 24.5 GHz to 32.5 GHz for all the feed positions. The proposed antenna system is a good candidate for radar, wireless power transmission, and high‐power military applications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Reliable drought monitoring is a prerequisite for minimizing potential agricultural losses. Soil moisture is a key variable for monitoring agricultural drought assessment. This study conducted in the Bundelkhand region of Uttar Pradesh uses a macroscale variable infiltration capacity (VIC) hydrological model to simulate soil moisture and calculate soil moisture deficit index (SMDI) for agricultural drought assessment for the Rabi crop growing season, 1998–2016. Crop yield was linked with SMDI and other covariates using a random forest machine learning-based regression technique. The results show that the VIC model effectively simulated root zone soil moisture when compared with the reference data. Major droughts were identified in the years 2000–01, 2007–08, and 2015–16 in the study region. The RF-based crop yield prediction accuracy improved when irrigational factors were added. The study provides a noteworthy reference for drought assessment and prevention, water resource management, and ensuring food security. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The effects of resource subsidies on a recipient ecosystem depends on a variety of factors. Firstly, increasing the supply of limiting nutrients tends to increase the accumulation of biomass across different compartments of the recipient food web. Secondly, in the case of aquatic microorganisms, this accumulation may also be contingent on inputs of energy through light, mediating interactions between heterotrophic bacteria and autotrophic algae. Thirdly, macroscopic consumers feed upon microorganisms and recycle nutrients through excretion and egestion, profoundly affecting nutrient cycling.In order to examine the context‐dependency of nutrient cycling in aquatic systems, we performed an experiment in mesocosms where we followed the responses of dissolved nutrients, microorganisms, and larvae of the cosmopolitan mosquito Culex quinquefasciatus (Diptera: Culicidae) to two terrestrial subsidies differing in carbon (C):nutrient, in combination with two light intensities.We found that the interactions amongst bacteria and algae themselves remained generally unimportant after accounting for treatment effects, and that light did mediate some of the effects of nutrient subsidies on microorganisms. We also found that the presence of mosquito larvae was associated with altered concentrations of nitrogen (N) in some treatments, ultimately benefitting algae. Finally, we found that low C:nutrient subsidies generally increased the development rate of mosquito larvae, and that increased light exposure led to higher mosquito survival.Overall, these patterns may be explained by strong nitrogen limitation in our system, causing both group of microorganisms to respond similarly to variations in nutrient supply without direct covariation, and to the key role of N recycling by mosquito larvae in sustaining algal densities in exposed treatments.The context‐dependency in our study may reflect elemental or molecular constraints other than phosphorus. Our experiment thus calls for greater synthesis amongst ecological theories. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Along with regular position-related applications, observations from navigation satellite constellations can also be utilised for atmospheric studies. The present study deals with the 3D water vapour tomography carried out for the first time using Indian GPS stations set up in the Himalayan region. A voxel-based approach is applied to retrieve the vertical profile of precipitable water vapour (PWV). Horizontal 4×4 grids have been formed between 29°–31° latitude and 77.5°–79.5° longitude with 0.5° spatial resolution. To construct a tomography model, voxels are formed over these grids up to 10 km with 0.5 km vertical resolution. Water vapour density (WVD) is estimated for different days to observe its variations under different atmospheric conditions. The results show that the estimated vertical variation of water vapour closely matches the AIRS WVD profile. To compare the results, AIRS WVD observations are interpolated at the same altitude where the tomographic estimations are available. The average root mean square (RMS) error, standard deviation (SD), and mean absolute error (MAE) between estimated water vapour density and AIRS WVD are observed to be 1.52, 1.32 and 2.02 g/m3, respectively. The coefficient of determination (R2) value is observed to be close to 0.9, reflecting an excellent linearity between estimated and observed values. The results also show that the WVD is high up to the 5 km voxel and it is between 0 and 5 g/m3 above 5 km altitude. A good estimation of vertical water vapour profile has been obtained using CORS observations and can be used for further atmospheric analyses in this region. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Precipitable water vapour (PWV) available in the lower atmosphere plays a very crucial role in the determination of potential rainfall over an area and its early detection is very important for predicting heavy rainfall events. Hence, precise estimation of PWV is necessary for weather forecasting and other atmospheric analysis. In the present study, global positioning system (GPS) derived PWV is used for the prediction of short-term rainfall. The GPS observations acquired from the HYDE (Hyderabad) and IISc (Bengaluru) IGS stations and meteorological observations obtained from weather stations are used for the retrieval of PWV. Thereafter, estimated PWV values are used in a rain prediction algorithm. A relationship is established between hourly estimated PWV values and ERA5 reanalysis rainfall data to forecast the rainfall event. The validation of estimated results is carried out at different levels. Estimated zenith tropospheric delay (ZTD) results are compared with IGS results which show a good agreement with RMS errors close to 5 mm in different cases. Further estimated PWVs are compared with the ERA5 PWVs, which show a difference of 2–4 mm considering all the datasets. Subsequently, this validated PWV is used in rainfall detection analysis and results show that 56.6% of the rain events can be forecasted with a false alarm rate of 42.3% in the region around IISc and 52.2% of the rain events can be forecasted with a false alarm rate of 43.9% in the region around HYDE. A good prediction is observed for IISc as compared to HYDE. Considering different threshold values of different years, it is observed that 70% and 60% rain events can be forecasted for IISc and HYDE, respectively. The analysis shows that by using GPS PWV, an accurate prediction of rainfall is possible and this can be used further for weather prediction analyses over the region. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Underground galleries possess random subsidence threats if they are not treated well. Threats even become multifold when these galleries are located somewhere in the vicinity of the railway tracks. So, checking the stable ground formation or the health of the subsurface formation near railway tracks and mapping the galleries are very important tasks for the sake of the environment, economy and lives. Galleries under the present study are associated with the coal seam-X and seam-XA of the Jogidih Colliery of Jharia Coalfield. Seven electrical resistivity tomography (ERT) profiles and magnetic surveys were performed at a side of the railway track to characterize the subsurface formation near railway tracks and to detect the gallery and its extension. Both ERT and magnetic data analysis suggest the presence of some galleries at a certain distance from the railway tracks. Moreover, combined analysis of ERT and magnetic data suggests that ground within ~20 m from the railway tracks is found to be stable with homogeneous compact formation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abiotic stresses have become more severe and capricious due to global warming and varying climatic conditions, with increased temperature reducing the yield of important agricultural crops due to high evapotranspiration, resulting in the increased amount of soil salinization in arid and semi-arid areas, which has become a significant threat that restricts agricultural practices and leads to the overexploitation of cultivation land. One of the crucial environmental elements limiting plant development and yield is salinity. The special effects of salt stress on the superiority of numerous crops have yet to be discovered. Under salinity, plants tend to activate multiple physiological and biochemical mechanisms to overcome the stress by altering their morphology, photosynthesis, water relations, and biochemical adaptations, such as the antioxidative metabolism response and trigger polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs), which act as a biomarker for salinity stress. With the help of PUFAs, which have become popular as all-purpose defenders, decorative techniques have been created to prevent the consequences of saline. The most prevalent PUFAs in plants are those with 18 carbons, specifically 18:1 (oleic), 18:2 (linoleic), and 18:3 (α-linolenic) acids which operate as glycerolipids, a source of energy and carbon in triacylglycerol, precursors of numerous bioactive chemicals, stores of extracellular barrier components, and intrinsic antioxidants, modulating cellular membranes and enhancing crop quality and yield. However, limited information about PUFAs and their roles in enhancing crop stress tolerance is available. Therefore, producers and breeders must understand salinity's influence on crop composition to enhance fatty acids under salinity conditions. However, brief work has been reported; this review will help comprehend the role of fatty acids in salinity for food security through the genetic engineering of synthetic genes encoding fatty acids to improve crop stress tolerance and grain quality. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this article, an experiment has been carried out with heat pipe vacuum or evacuated tube collector to produce water from atmospheric air. In this experiment, the regeneration and adsorption method has been adopted, that is, water has been produced through the adsorption and regeneration of desiccants. The desiccant is heated through a hot surface to facilitate its regeneration. Limited experiments have been conducted to obtain water through the regeneration of desiccant using a hot surface. For the condensation of water vapor, a novel box has been designed, named the "novel‐designed acrylic box." The water is collected in a measuring flask or beaker to determine its quantity. Silica gel desiccant has been used for the adsorption and regeneration of water vapors. In this experiment, the adsorption process for silica gel was carried out in two different ways. In the first method, 1 kg of silica gel was scattered on the copper tray, that is, inside the system, while in the second method, 1 kg of silica gel was scattered on the paper, that is, outside of the system. In the first case silica gel adsorbed 137 g water vapor, and in the second case, it adsorbed 232 g water vapor. In the first case of adsorption, 70 mL water was produced while in the second case of adsorption, 175 mL water was produced from ambient air. The system's maximum efficiency was found to be 4.9%. Effects of various parameters, such as solar intensity, ambient temperature, wind speed, and so forth, have been studied. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study explores the influence of various parameters on bead profiles within the wire arc additive manufacturing (WAAM) process, specifically focusing on ER70S-6 low-carbon steel to produce thick-walled parts. The critical geometric characteristics under scrutiny are bead width (BW) and bead height (BH), with the primary goal being optimization. The research methodology incorporates the utilization of the Taguchi method, analysis of variance (ANOVA), regression modeling, and grey relational analysis (GRA) to scrutinize and enhance process parameters. The results reveal that a rise in wire feed speed (WFS) from 5 to 8 m/min and voltage (V) from 18 to 24 V leads to a substantial increase in BW, with contributions of 79.90% and 4.77%, respectively, according to ANOVA. Conversely, a rise in traverse speed (TS) from 0.3 to 0.6 m/min results in a reduction in BW by 11.90%, while the impact of gas flow rate (GFR) is relatively minor. Regarding BH, a rise in WFS within the 5–8 m/min range significantly enhances BH, with an ANOVA contribution of 17.78%. In contrast, higher voltage and TS lead to a reduction in BH, with TS exhibiting the dominant influence at 46.08%, followed by voltage at 31.13%, and WFS at 17.78%. The GFR exerts a negligible impact at 0.88%. To address the challenge of multi-objective optimization, GRA is proficiently employed, resulting in recommended process parameters for BW and BH: WFS = 8 m/min, V = 18 V, TS = 0.3 m/min, and GFR = 18 L/min. These results are robustly validated through experimental verification, affirming the accuracy of predictive models. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The present study utilized an ensemble modelling approach to predict the distribution of Diospyros melanoxylon under present, past (last glacial maximum (LGM), ~ 22 000 years BP, middle Holocene (MH) ~ 6000 years BP) and future climate change scenarios (RCP 2.6 and 8.5 for 2050s and 2070s). The annual mean temperature, mean temperature of the wettest quarter and annual precipitations were the most critical parameters that chiefly influence the distribution of D. melanoxylon. The ensemble model rendered high accuracy with AUC = 0.93, TSS = 0.74 and Kappa = 0.71. Past projections of D. melanoxylon indicated a widespread distribution during LGM and MH suggesting its adaptability to semi‐dry as well as warm and humid climate, respectively. Presence of fossil pollen evidence of D. melanoxylon in the suitable habitats derived through past projections in this study complements the model results and marks occurrences of the species during LGM and MH. By 2050s and 2070s (RCP 8.5), there would be a decline in the distribution by only 0.4% (13 622 km2) and 0.2% (6842 km2) of the extremely suitable habitats, respectively. The main factor leading to reduced habitat suitability is the anticipated rise in temperature and variations in seasonal precipitation patterns. Our findings, help in identifying the parts of the country which would be severely affected by future climate change scenarios and plan conservation strategies for this commercially important species to facilitate its growth in suitable habitats which are likely to sustain under future climatic conditions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Dynamic workloads with varying parameters are delivered to data centers to be scheduled on virtual machines (VMs). These unreliable, inconsistent, shockingly rising workloads with changing resource requisites may cause data center servers to become imbalanced. Consequently, the servers' resource utilization and QoS get degraded which further subsides the energy usage. To meet the requirement for variable on-demand resource provisioning, the current infrastructure must be virtualized to escalate its capability and capacity. Furthermore, because of the existence of competing balancing constraints, load balancing in cloud systems is NP-hard. An efficient load-balancing strategy in coalition with a scheduling technique based on the fusion of the Firefly (FF) and Honeybee algorithm (HA) is implemented to resolve the shortcomings of load balancing. This article proposes an efficient Firefly and Honeybee-based Load Balancing algorithm (FHLBA), to optimize average load, response time, and turnaround time. This methodology not only improvises resource utilization and throughput but also depreciates the makespan, degree of imbalance. It initially executes the FF algorithm to explore potential search space and identify the best feasible mapping of tasks to VMs. Further, the HA technique is applied to eliminate over-usage and under-usage of resources and optimize resource usage as per the workload. The efficacy of the proposed technique is appraised through simulation of the independent and non-preemptive tasks on Cloudsim. A comparison with different mechanisms such as RR, FCFS, SJF, GA, IPSO, IPSO-Firefly, Firefly, OLB, and JAYA is given. The simulation results show the least average load of 0.238 ms, minimum average response time of 13.56 ms, memory usage up to 93%, effective CPU utilization of 98%, a throughput of 73%, and a makespan time of 148 ms, degree of imbalance of 172.01 is achieved with a variable volume of tasks and VMs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this article, the Lagrange points locations are computed in the Rotating Lagrangian Point (RLP) as well as in J2000 inertial reference frames. The well-known Sun-Earth system is considered for the circular restricted three-body problem (CRTBP). In the synodic frame, the Sun-Earth Lagrangian L 1 point halo orbit is computed via Differential Correction and Lindstedt-Poincaré (LP) methods. The periodic halo orbits are expressed with respect to barycenter, heliocenter and geocenter, respectively. The deep learning-based model is further explored for the orbit accuracy obtained by the numerical method considering the third, fourth and fifth order LP method. • Lagrangian point's position and velocity computation are described in the Rotating Libration Point (RLP) system and in the inertial J2000 reference frame. • Sun-Earth system is considered as the Bigger-Primary system in the framework of circular restricted three-body problem. • In the RLP frame, the Sun-Earth Lagrange L 1 point halo orbit is computed via Differential Correction and Lindstedt-Poincaré (LP) methods. • Halo orbits are depicted with respect to barycenter, heliocenter and geocenter, respectively. • The deep leaning-based model, known as Long Short-Term Memory (LSTM), is explored for the orbit accuracy obtained by the numerical method. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]