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DFT functionals are of paramount importance for an accurate electronic and structural description of transition metal systems. In this work, a systematic analysis using some well‐known and commonly used DFT functionals is performed. A comparison of the structural and energetic parameters calculated with the available experimental data is made in order to find the adequate functional for an accurate description of the TiO2 bulk and surface of both anatase and rutile structures. In the absence of experimental data on the surface energy, the theoretical predictions obtained using the high‐accuracy HSE06 functional were used as a reference to compare against the surface energy values calculated with the other DFT functionals. A clear improvement in the electronic description of both anatase and rutile was observed by introducing the Hubbard U correction term to PBE, PW91, and OptPBE functionals. The OptPBE‐U4 functional was found to offer a good compromise between accurately describing the structural and electronic properties of titania. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

While the topic of migrant representation in media discourse has been extensively researched, a significant portion of scholarly attention is concentrated on Western media. This focus leaves a considerable gap in the study of media representations in transitional countries, particularly North African nations like Tunisia. This topic assumes greater significance in light of the recent surge in xenophobia towards sub-Saharan African migrants in the country – a movement partly instigated by President Kais Saied's anti-immigrant rhetoric. Utilising Corpus-Assisted Critical Discourse Analysis (CDA), this paper examines the discursive representations of sub-Saharan African migrants in Tunisian written media discourse, focusing on the 2022 and 2023 anti-migrant wave in Tunisia under the presidency of Kais Saied. The research findings reveal that while a glimpse of a humanitarian discourse was evident, the majority of the discourse was characterised either by biased neutrality or explicit prejudice. The research indicates a predominantly negative representation, categorising migrants as invaders, security threats, economic burdens, and moral hazards. Significantly, much of the discourse echoes the political anti-immigrant policy, suggesting a potential media alignment with the emerging authoritarian tendencies in Tunisia. This alignment harbours damaging implications for the safety and well-being of the migrant community, as well as for the overall human rights and democratisation process in the country. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Different physical features of UT2Si2 (T = Ru, Rh, Pd) are investigated using ab initio methods. The examined lattice parameters are closely aligned with the experimental data. The negative cohesive energy ensures the chemical stability of the UT2Si2 (T = Ru, Rh, Pd). The mechanical stability of UT2Si2 (T = Ru, Rh, Pd) is ensured from the positive elastic constants. Very large bulk and Young's moduli of URu2Si2, and URh2Si2 ensures their high resistance to volume and longitudinal deformation. Whereas the lower Young's modulus (E) for UPd2Si2 suggests its heightened capacity to resist thermal shock resistance. The high machinable index of UPd2Si2 compared to URu2Si2 and URh2Si2 confirm its more damage‐tolerant and high elastic behavior and probable industrial applications. All the phases exhibit elastic anisotropy and ductile nature. Metallic features as well as mixture of covalent and ionic bonding are observed from electronic properties. Furthermore, the investigation on optical properties suggests the potential use of UT2Si2 (T = Ru, Rh, Pd) in anti‐reflection coatings, UV detectors, and optoelectronic devices due to their notable peaks in the UV energy range. The thermodynamic parameters such as Debye temperature as well as minimum thermal conductivity indicate the potential utility of these compounds in thermal barrier coating materials. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Traditional herbalists have been relied on for many years by Algerians to cure a wide range of diseases. Regardless of their nutritional values, mushrooms have chemical properties that make them attractive, beneficial, and more likely to be studied by researchers, according to ethnobotanical literature on traditional phytotherapy. Among all the edible mushrooms, tubers are a type of fungus that are traditionally used in fine dining and have garnered attention recently because of their many therapeutic applications. This research delves into a meticulous analysis of bioactive constituents in Bunium bulbocastanum tubers, sourced from Mostaganem and Relizane regions, with a keen focus on polyphenols, flavonoids, and condensed tannins. The quantification of total phenolic content was executed through the Folin-Ciocalteu assay, while flavonoids were assessed via the aluminum chloride colorimetric method. In addition, condensed tannins were evaluated in this study. Antioxidant capacities were scrutinized employing the 2,2′-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) radical scavenging assay. Microbial inhibition studies were conducted against five benchmark bacterial strains, utilizing the agar disc diffusion technique. Furthermore, a comprehensive liquid chromatography–mass spectrometry (LC–MS) analysis was performed to identify and quantify bioactive compounds. The findings underscore that the Mostaganem extracts were particularly rich in polyphenols (11.65 mg GAE/g of extract) and tannins (1.30 mg CE/g of extract), while the Relizane extracts boasted significant flavonoid concentrations (9.421 mg QE/g of extract). Notably, 4-methylguaiacol (82.04 mg/L), caffeic acid dimethyl ether (27.76 mg/L), syringic acid (20.48 mg/L), and naringenin (16.05 mg/L) emerged as the predominant volatile compounds. Compositional investigation of the extracts by LC–MS confirmed the presence of various compounds that were linked to the bioactivities exhibited by B. bulbocastanum tubers. These findings demonstrate the effective antibacterial and antioxidant properties of B. bulbocastanum tubers, indicating their potential use in pharmaceutical and nutraceutical applications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this article, we explore exact solitary wave solutions to the van der Waals equation which is crucial for numerous applications involving a variety of physical occurrences. This system is used to define the behavior of real gases taking into consideration finite size of molecules and also has some applications in industry for granular materials. The model is studied under the effect of fractional derivatives by employing two different definitions: β , and M-truncated. Further, new extended direct algebraic method is employed to construct the solitary wave solutions for the model. The solutions transmit several novel solutions, such as dark-singular, dark–bright, singular-periodic and dark solutions, and this method establishes the conditions required for the formation of these structures. To show the comparative analysis between two different fractional operators, results are graphically represented in the form of 2-dimensional and 3-dimensional visualizations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Crystal violet dye poses significant health risks to humans, including carcinogenic and mutagenic effects, as well as environmental hazards due to its persistence and toxicity in aquatic ecosystems. This study focuses on the efficient removal of crystal violet dye from aqueous media using novel Co3O4/Co3(BO3)2 nanostructures synthesized via the Pechini sol–gel approach. The nanostructures, which were abbreviated to EN600 and EN800, were fabricated at calcination temperatures of 600 and 800 °C, respectively. X-ray diffraction (XRD) analysis revealed that the synthesized samples have a cubic Co3O4 phase and an orthorhombic Co3(BO3)2 phase, with mean crystal sizes of 43.82 nm and 52.93 nm for EN600 and EN800 samples, respectively. The Brunauer–Emmett–Teller (BET) surface areas of EN600 and EN800 samples were 65.80 and 43.76 m2/g, respectively, indicating a significant surface area available for adsorption. Optimal removal of crystal violet dye was achieved at a temperature of 298 K, a contact time of 70 min, and a pH of 10. The maximum adsorption capacities were found to be 284.09 mg/g for EN600 and 256.41 mg/g for EN800, which are notably higher compared to many conventional adsorbents. The adsorption process followed the pseudo-second-order kinetic model and fitted well with the Langmuir isotherm. The adsorption was exothermic, spontaneous, and physical in nature. Moreover, the adsorbents exhibited excellent reusability, retaining high efficiency after multiple regeneration cycles using 6 mol/L hydrochloric acid. These findings highlight the potential of these Co3O4/Co3(BO3)2 nanostructures as effective and sustainable materials for water purification applications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Oil drilling fluids require additives to control and regulate their rheological properties. For water-based mud, many components such as polymers are introduced to respond to specific functions. In this work, starches extracted from potatoes and corn, were proposed as a filtration controller and their effects on the rheological properties of Algerian Na-Bentonite are examined. The potato and corn starches were fabricated by adopting an easy, eco-friendly, and cost-effective route (peeling, mixing, filtration and drying) for potatoes and (soaking, crushing, filtration and drying) for corn kernels. A comparative study of the rheological properties included apparent viscosity, plastic viscosity, yield point and gel strength. The measurements were performed in the presence of caustic soda and potassium chloride while varying the concentration for both starches (0.6, 1.2, and 2.0%) and potassium chloride (1.5, 3.0, and 4.5%). From the obtained results, both potato and corn starches enhanced the rheological properties meanwhile reduced the fluid loss and the filter cake thickness by an average of (20.66% and 26.66%) and (6.33% and 17.77%), respectively in basic/saline media drilling fluid formulations. This research demonstrates that bio-starches stand as a potential alternative additives for the enhancement of rheological and filtration properties in water-based drilling fluids. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this paper, we study the existence and uniqueness of solutions for a p–Laplacian boundary value problem defined by semilinear fractional system that involves Caputo–Katugampola fractional derivatives. Our main results rely on the implementation of the Banach and Schauder fixed point theorems. An example is introduced to expose the applicability of the theoretical findings. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The catalytic efficiency of the cathode is paramount in elevating the operational efficacy of low-temperature solid oxide fuel cells (LT-SOFCs) through expeditious facilitation of the oxygen reduction reaction (ORR). Cathode confronts formidable challenges due to oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) kinetics. This work aims to develop a high-performance cathode by doping strontium (Sr) into Nd 2- x Sr 2 x NiO 4. We synthesized a series of Nd 2- x Sr 2x NiO 4 (x : 0, 0.03, 0.06, 0.1) samples with varying Sr doping levels and evaluated their electrochemical performances. Nd2- x Sr 2 x NiO 4 with optimal ratio (x : 0.06) delivers the highest peak power density of 620–338 mw cm−2 at 550-470 °C among all four samples. The electrochemical impedance spectroscopy of the optimal composition revealed that Nd 2- x Sr 2 x NiO 4 exhibits low electrode polarization resistance of 0.34 Ω cm 2 , depicting its high catalytic performance and compatibility with the electrolyte and anode. Furthermore, XPS spectra also suggest higher surface oxygen vacancies than the other three samples, subsequently improving the conductivity and catalytic activity. Along with high power and OCVs, Nd 2- x Sr 2 x NiO 4 cathode-based SOFC is persistently stable for 40 h without significant degradation. These results conclusively point to demonstrating Nd 2- x Sr 2 x NiO 4 as a high-performing cathode for LT-SOFCs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Virulence of apicomplexan parasites is based on their ability to divide rapidly to produce significant biomass. The regulation of their cell cycle is therefore key to their pathogenesis. Phosphorylation is a crucial posttranslational modification that regulates many aspects of the eukaryotic cell cycle. The phosphatase PP1 is known to play a major role in the phosphorylation balance in eukaryotes. We explored the role of TgPP1 during the cell cycle of the tachyzoite form of the apicomplexan parasite Toxoplasma gondii. Using a conditional mutant strain, we show that TgPP1 regulates many aspects of the cell cycle including the proper assembly of the daughter cells' inner membrane complex (IMC), the segregation of organelles, and nuclear division. Unexpectedly, depletion of TgPP1 also results in the accumulation of amylopectin, a storage polysaccharide that is usually found in the latent bradyzoite form of the parasite. Using transcriptomics and phospho-proteomics, we show that TgPP1 mainly acts through posttranslational mechanisms by dephosphorylating target proteins including IMC proteins. TgPP1 also dephosphorylates a protein bearing a starch-binding domain. Mutagenesis analysis reveals that the targeted phospho-sites are linked to the ability of the parasite to regulate amylopectin steady-state levels. Therefore, we show that TgPP1 has pleiotropic roles during the tachyzoite cell cycle regulation, but also regulates amylopectin accumulation. Rapid division and biomass production are important for apicomplexan parasite virulence. This study shows that the phosphatase TgPP1 in Toxoplasma gondii regulates the cell cycle and amylopectin accumulation by dephosphorylating inner membrane complex and starch-binding domain proteins. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Nonspecific neck pain (NSNP) is a well-established global burden affecting. It is also a common problem in Pakistan. The burden of neck pain is also increasing day by day due to poor work ergonomics, and increased use of computers and mobiles after the pandemic. An individual's poor posture is often associated with forward head posture (FHP). Limited evidence is available about the effects of neck stabilization (NSE) and dynamic exercises (NDE) for nonspecific neck pain particularly in patients with FHP. This aimed to compare the effects of NSE versus NDE among patients having NSNP with FHP in reducing pain, disability, forward head posture and improving neck range of motion. Methods: It is a single-blinded randomized clinical trial with 60 patients aged 18–40 years, with moderate intensity NSNP for > 3 weeks and < 6 months along with FHP with a moderate disability on neck disability index (NDI) randomly assigned to the treatment groups. Group 1 was doing NSE and group 2 was doing NDE. Transcutaneous Electical Nerve Stimulation, cold packs, and stretching exercises were given to both groups. A total of 9 sessions (3 sessions/ week) were given to participants. NDI questionnaire, Visual analogue scale (VAS), goniometry, and plumb line measurement tool were used as baseline and assessment at the end of 3rd week. The data was analyzed on SPSS version 21. Descriptive analysis was performed. Independent t-test was used for between group comparison and paired t-test used for within group comparison. A p-value less than 0.05 was considered statistically significant. Results: After treatment within-group analysis of both NSE and NDE showed significant (p < 0.001) improvement in pain on VAS, all ROMs of the neck including flexion, extension, left and right lateral flexion and left rotation, plumb line and NDI score with very large effect size. However, between-group analysis showed non-significant differences (p > 0.05) for post-treatment mean VAS, neck ROM, NDI and plumb line measurement. Conclusion: Between NSE and NDE, no one is more beneficial than another. Both are equally effective in alleviating pain, increasing ROM, decreasing functional disability, and improving forward head posture in patients with NSNP. Trial Registration: Registered trial at ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT05298631, 28/03/2022, prospectively registered. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Adherence to vaccination and trust in the authorities' may vary between urban and rural areas due to social norms, the influence of culture, and the level of education. The study aimed to predict COVID-19 vaccine acceptance based on mental status, trust in the government, and demographics among the Tehran population in Iran. This study was conducted in Tehran from June 2021 and December 2021. Data were obtained by an electronic questionnaire through professional groups of social networks (Google form). Information regarding demographic characteristics, marriage status, employment status, and monthly income in Iranian Rial, trust in government, anxiety, depression, psychological well-being, and psychological distress were collected. Moreover, participants were asked how strongly they accepted COVID-19 vaccine acceptance. Also, trust in Iranian and foreign vaccines- two questions evaluated the extent of trust in Iranian and foreign Covid-19 vaccine Of the 1209 participants surveyed, 792 (66.56%) reported that they would accept a COVID-19 vaccine if it is recommended for them. Then, 46.03% and 26.99% of participants reported that they preferred an Iranian vaccine and a foreign vaccine respectively. The strongest predictor of COVID-19 vaccine acceptance was trust in government, income, gender, well-being, and education. The strongest predictors of Iranian COVID-19 vaccine acceptance were "trust in government", income, well-being, and education. The strongest predictors of Iranian COVID-19 vaccine acceptance were "trust in government", gender and education. The results of the present study showed that a majority of participants (66.56%) from across Tehran would like to accept a COVID-19 vaccine; however, this level of acceptance may not be adequate based on some of the estimates COVID-19 herd immunity. The herd immunity point for COVID-19 is evaluated to be between 55% and 82% (32). Actual complete vaccination until February 2022 was 65% in Iran. The current estimation is very close to the real condition. However, acceptance was high, with 46.03% and 26.99% having to intend to have the Iranian and foreign vaccine respectively. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The subject of this study is a nonlinear viscoelastic plate equation with variable exponents and a general source term. Through the application of the Faedo–Galerkin approximation method and a fixed point theorem under appropriate assumptions, we proved the existence of weak solutions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The present study focuses on the synthesis and structural characterization of a novel dinuclear CuII complex, [trichloridocopper(II)]-μ-chlorido-{bis[2-hydroxy-N′-(propan-2-ylidene)benzohydrazide]copper(II)} monohydrate, [Cu2Cl4(C10H12N2O2)2]·H2O or [Cu(H2L)2(μ-Cl)CuCl3]·H2O [H2L = 2-hydroxy-N′-(propan-2-ylidene)benzohydrazide]. The complex crystallizes in the monoclinic space group P21/n with one molecule of water, which forms interactions with the ligands. The first copper ion is penta-coordinated to two benzohydrazine-derived ligands via two nitrogen and two oxygen atoms, and one bridging chloride, which is also coordinated by the second copper ion alongside three terminal chlorines in a distorted tetrahedral geometry. The arrangement around the first copper ion exhibits a distorted geometry intermediate between trigonal bipyramidal and square pyramidal. In the crystal, chains are formed via intermolecular interactions along the a-axis direction, with subsequent layers constructed through hydrogen-bonding interactions parallel to the ac plane, and through slipped π–π stacking interactions parallel to the ab plane, resulting in a three-dimensional network. The intermolecular interactions in the crystal structure were quantified and analysed using Hirshfeld surface analysis. Residual electron density from disordered methanol molecules in the void space could not be reasonably modelled, thus a solvent mask was applied. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Receptor protein kinases (RPKs) critically provide the basic infrastructure to sense, perceive, and conduct the signalling events at the cell surface of organisms. The importance of LRR-RLKs has been well studied in plants, but much less information has been reported in oomycetes. In this work, we have silenced the PcLRR-RK3 and characterised its functional importance in Phytophthora capsici. PcLRR-RK3 was predicted to encode signal peptides, leucine-rich repeats, transmembrane, and kinase domains. PcLRR-RK3-silenced transformants showed impaired colony growth, decreased deformed sporangia, and reduced zoospores count. The mycelium of silenced transformants did not penetrate within the host tissues and showed defects in the pathogenicity of P. capsici. Interestingly, gene silencing also weakens the ability of zoospores germination and penetration into host tissues and fails to produce necrotic lesions. Furthermore, PcLRR-RK3 localisation was found to be the plasma membrane of the cell. Altogether, our results revealed that PcLRR-RK3 was required for the regulation of vegetative growth, zoospores penetration, and establishment into host leaf tissues. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Social media platforms have revolutionized traditional communication techniques by allowing people to connect instantaneously, openly, and frequently. As people use social media to share personal stories and express their opinions, negative emotions such as thoughts of death, self-harm, and hardship are commonly expressed, particularly among younger generations. Accordingly, the use of social media to detect suicidality may help provide proper intervention that will ultimately deter the spread of self-harm and suicidal ideation on social media. To investigate the automated detection of suicidal thoughts in Arabic tweets, we developed a novel Arabic suicidal tweet dataset, examined several machine learning models trained on word frequency and embedding features, and investigated the performance of pre-trained deep learning models in identifying suicidal sentiment. The results indicate that the support vector machine trained on character n-gram features yields the best performance among conventional machine learning models, with an accuracy of 86% and F1 score of 79%. In the subsequent deep learning experiment, AraBert outperformed all other machine and deep learning models with an accuracy of 91% and F1-score of 88%, significantly improving the detection of suicidal ideation in the dataset. To the best of our knowledge, this study represents the first attempt to compile an Arabic suicidality detection dataset from Twitter and to use deep learning to detect suicidal sentiment in Arabic posts. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Growing incidences of chronic wounds recommend the development of optimal therapeutic wound dressings. Electrospun nanofibers have been considered to show potential wound healing properties when accompanied by other wound dressing materials. This study aimed to explore the potential role of Chitosan (CS) nanofibrous mats coated with resveratrol (RS) as an antioxidant and pro‐angiogenic agent in rat models of skin wound healing. Methods: Electrospun chitosan/polyethylene oxide (PEO) nanofibers were prepared using electrospinning technology and coated by 0.05 and 0.1 mg.ml resveratrol named as (CS/RS 0.05) and (CS/RS 0.1), respectively. The scaffolds were characterized physiochemically such as in vitro release study, TGA, FTIR spectroscopy analysis, biodegradability, and human dermal fibroblast seeding assay. The scaffold was subsequently used in vivo as a skin substitute on a rat skin wound model. Results: In vitro tests revealed that all scaffolds promoted cell adhesion and proliferation. However, more cell viability was observed in CS/RS 0.1 scaffold. The biocompatibility of the scaffolds was validated by MTT assay, and the results did not show any toxic effects on human dermal fibroblasts. It was observed that RS‐coated scaffolds had the ability to release RS in a controlled manner. In in vivo tests CS/RS 0.1 scaffold had the greatest impact on the healing process by improving the neodermis formation and modulated inflammation in wound granulation tissue. Histological analysis revealed enhanced vascular endothelial growth factor expression, epithelialization and increased depth of wound granulation tissue. Conclusions: The RS‐coated CS/PEO nanofibrous scaffold accelerates wound healing and may be useful as a dressing for cell transfer and clinical skin regeneration. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Robust models based on Artificial Neural Network and simplified linear regression were proposed to predict the Unconfined Compressive Strength (UCS) of Lime Treated Soils (LTS). In total, an experimental database using 1120 test specimens was created. Critical examination of the collected experimental data suggested that there are eight key parameters that govern the attained strength gain. These input parameters are liquid limit, plastic limit, dry unit weight, water content, fine content, lime content, curing temperature and curing time whereas the only output dependent parameter is the UCS. The parameters of the proposed model including weights, biases and transfer functions were successfully converted to an explicit mathematical model relating the UCS with the key input parameters. Based on the results of the statistical evaluation, it was shown that a three-layered Artificial-Neural-Network model with 19 hidden neurons was capable to predict the UCS of (LTS) with a high degree of accuracy that was better than that achieved by the developed regression model. A coupling effect of the input parameters and weights analysis were conducted for the developed Artificial-Neural-Network-model to assess the importance of the key parameters. Analysis of weights of the model showed that curing time was the most significant factor affecting strength gain. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Water pollution is a grave risk to mankind. Water pollutants including organic toxins, dyes effluents, and heavy metals have posed great stress on water quality in recent years. This has necessitated the search for an affordable, eco-friendly, inexpensive, stable, and effective strategy for wastewater remediation. In this work, a pollyoxometallate K6[H2AlBW11O40].9H2O (KAB) was impregnated on kaolin clay to synthesize a clay-based nanocomposite KAB-K which was then evaluated for adsorptive removal of brilliant green dye (BG) from wastewater. The prepared composite was characterized by different techniques such as FTIR, SEM, and EDX analysis. The characterization results indicated the fine distribution of KAB on kaolin's surface. The adsorption studies of BG involved evaluation of optimum parameters such as time contact (30 min), quantity of adsorbent (20 mg), pH (5), temperature (40 °C), and agitation speed (125 rpm). 99.5% of BG was removed by KAB-K within 30 min. The assessment of kinetic data was performed via Langmuir, Freundlich, and Temkin models. The experimental data was found to be in good agreement with the Langmuir model (R2 > 0.9965) as compared to other models. Qmax value of KAB-K (144.92 ± 0.005 mg/g) was much higher than simple kaolin (33.22 ± 0.01 mg/g). The applicability of the pseudo-second-order kinetic model suggested that the process was predominately chemisorption. KAB-K was easier to recycle and efficiently removed up to 68.7% dye in 3 subsequent cycles. Thus rapid adsorption rate, high adsorption capacity, efficient recovery, and reusability of KAB-K endorses that the synthesized composite is an effective adsorbent for wastewater pollutants. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The use of natural bioactive constituents from various food sources for anticancer purposes has become increasingly popular worldwide. Broccoli (Brassica oleracea var. italica) is on the top of the consumed vegetables by the masses. Its raw matrix contains a plethora of phytochemicals, such as glucosinolates and phenolic compounds, along with rich amounts of vitamins, and minerals. Consumption of broccoli-derived phytochemicals provides strong antioxidant effects, particularly due to its sulforaphane content, while modulating numerous molecules involved in cell cycle regulation, control of apoptosis, and tuning enzyme activity. Thus, the inclusion of broccoli in the daily diet lowers the susceptibility to developing cancers. Numerous studies have underlined the undisputable role of broccoli in the diet as a chemopreventive raw food, owing to the content in sulforaphane, an isothiocyanate produced as a result of hydrolysis of precursor glucosinolates called glucoraphanin. This review will provide evidence supporting the specific role of fresh florets and sprouts of broccoli and its key bioactive constituents in the prevention and treatment of different cancers; a number of studies carried out in the in vitro and in vivo conditions as well as clinical trials were analyzed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Since the FDA's approval of rasburicase use for treatment of tumor lysis syndrome (TLS), multiple cases of rasburicase-induced methemoglobinemia and hemolytic anemia have been reported among patients with G6PD deficiency. This study aims to provide a systematic review of cases reporting such adverse reactions to rasburicase. A literature review of published cases in PubMed, Embase, Cochrane, and Web of Science was conducted. Descriptive studies reporting cases of rasburicase-induced methemoglobinemia and/or hemolytic anemia in English were analyzed and summarized in this study. Forty-three cases, including a case from our institution, were included in this study. Most cases (60.5%) received rasburicase for TLS treatment. Almost all patients (93.8%) were tested for G6PD after rasburicase administration. The median time to symptom onset was 24 h. The median methemoglobin level was 10%, peaking after a median of 24 h. The median hemoglobin nadir was 6.1 g/dL, and most patients (n = 32) required blood transfusion. Out of 39 cases with reported outcomes, 35 patients (89.7%) recovered, while four patients (three females and one male) died. The median time to recovery was 4.5 days while the median time to death was 8 days. Screening for G6PD deficiency among high-risk patients is important but not practical in acutely severe settings. When prior screening for G6PD deficiency is not feasible, close monitoring for methemoglobinemia and hemolytic anemia is recommended. Exchange transfusion is increasingly reported as a potentially successful therapeutic modality. Ascorbic acid may provide limited benefits. Methylene blue should be avoided as it may exacerbate hemolysis among these patients. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Medicinal plants, renowned for their antibacterial phytocompounds and secondary metabolites, hold significant promise in addressing antibiotic-resistant bacterial strains. This study aimed to conduct phytochemical profiling of the methanolic and dichloromethane extracts of Ziziphora tenuior root using the GC–MS technique. These extracts' antioxidant potential was assessed via DPPH assay and their antibacterial activity was evaluated against S. aureus, E. coli, and VRE bacterial strains. Furthermore, the drug–ligand interactions between the extracts' biocompounds and d-alanyl-d-lactate ligase (VanA) protein of vancomycin-resistant enterococci strains (VRE) were analyzed using molecular docking. Based on the results, 74% of methanolic extract consisted of (3methyl, 24S)-stigmast-5-en-3-ol (which is a β-sitosterol), followed by Tetrasiloxane, decamethyl (15.5%), and 1-methyl-4-phenyl-5-thioxo-1,2,4-triazolidin-3-one (10.5%). Also, the only predominant compound identified in the dichloromethane extract was Benzo[h]quinoline, 2,4-dimethyl-. Both extracts showed antioxidant activity, while the antioxidant activity of the methanolic extract (IC50 = 95.33 μg/ml) was significantly higher than that of the dichloromethane extract (IC50 = 934.23 μg/ml). Also, both extracts displayed substantial antibacterial efficacy against the tested pathogens, particularly against VRE. Moreover, the in silico analysis revealed that (3methyl, 24S)-stigmast-5-en-3-ol and Benzo[h]quinoline,2,4-dimethyl- exhibited notable interactions with VanA through docking energy values of − 9.0 and − 9.1 kcal/mol, respectively. Furthermore, these compounds formed 2 and 1 hydrogen bonds with VanA, respectively, highlighting their potential as effective interactants. These findings provide valuable visions into the therapeutic potentials of these plant-derived biocompounds in combating antibiotic-resistant bacterial infections. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Surface-active ionic liquids (SAILs) have gained much attention due to their green, stable, and efficient properties. The high costs associated with SAILs have raised concerns in their applications; however, blending with conventional surfactants like sodium dodecyl benzene sulfonate (SDBS) can bring about desired outcomes. Gemini surface-active ionic liquids (GSAILs) have been recognized as more efficient surfactants. Accordingly, this study investigates the influence of a mixture of an imidazolium-based GSAIL, [C4im-C6-imC4][Br2], and SDBS on different aspects of crude oil−water interfacial properties. The findings show remarkable synergy in interfacial tension (IFT) reduction up to 98.8% together with incredibly low IFT value of 0.05 mN m−1. This was with an optimal GSAIL mole fraction of 0.2 in the mixture. Further, the surfactant mixture gives synergies of 52.6% in emulsification and 51.8% in wettability of a quartz surface. These amazing results can be explained by the dominant interactions between the oppositely charged components. In theoretical study, the adsorption of individual surfactants and their mixtures was analyzed based on the Frumkin isotherm and the Rosen model, respectively, further supporting the findings. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The present study outlines the approach that was employed for cloning, expression, and characterization of the recombinant pullulanase enzyme from Bacillus cereus ATCC 14579 into Escherichia coli BL21(DE3) using pET‐25b (+) expression vector. The recombinant pullulanase enzyme was purified using ammonium sulfate precipitation and immobilized metal ion affinity chromatography (IMAC). The molecular mass of the purified pullulanase enzyme was measured using sodium dodecyl sulfate‐polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (SDS‐PAGE) as 95 kDa. The purified recombinant pullulanase enzyme demonstrated significant thermal stability, maintaining its structural integrity and functionality at temperatures as high as 90°C over a period of 4 h. The inclusion of divalent metal ions, specifically Ca2+ and Mg2+, had a positive effect on the activity of the pullulanase enzyme. Conversely, the presence of Co2+ and EDTA (Ethylene Diamine Tetra Acetic acid) resulted in suppression of the enzyme activity. The purified pullulanase enzyme demonstrated remarkable resistance when exposed to organic solvents. The enzyme activity was notably decreased in the presence of SDS (Sodium Dodecyl Sulfate) while β‐mercaptoethanol and tween‐60 did not substantially affect the enzyme activity and stability which suggest its potential applicability in the detergent sector. This discovery indicates a potential approach to improve the effectiveness of currently available detergents in the marketplace. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this study, we prepared Ni‐Zn‐Cu Fe2O4 ferrite/ethylene propylene diene monomer (EPDM) rubber nanocomposites with enhanced mechanical and electrical properties. First, Ni‐Zn‐Cu Fe2O4 ferrite nanoparticles were synthesized with a tailored composition of NiZn(0.3)Cu(0.2)Fe2O4(2). Subsequently, these nanoparticles were incorporated into the EPDM rubber matrix through a two‐roll mixing mill. Scanning electron microscopy and x‐rays diffraction techniques were used to explore their morphology and structure. Fourier‐transform infrared spectroscopy was used to identify metal‐oxygen bonds in the nanoparticles and their incorporation in the nanocomposites. Similarly, curing properties, including optimum cure time, scorch time, and torque profiles, were evaluated using a moving die rheometer. While, mechanical properties of these composites, such as tensile strength and Young's modulus, were determined with a universal testing machine. Tensile strength improved from 0.11 MPa to 0.22 MPa (100% increase), whereas, the Young's modulus increased from 0.03 MPa to 0.052 MPa (86% increase). Additionally, we investigated the dielectric properties of these nanocomposites, encompassing permittivity, resistivity, and dielectric constant, using a dielectric properties analyzer. Our findings revealed a significant reduction in dielectric resistivity of nanocomposites (from 33.2 GΩ to 23.38 GΩ) upon the introduction of Ni‐Zn‐Cu Fe2O4 ferrite nanoparticles, indicating the formation of a continuous nanofiller network within the EPDM matrix. Interestingly, as the nanofiller loading increased, both dielectric permittivity and dielectric constant exhibited a gradual rise. The permittivity value increased from 2.31 to 2.39 (Fm−1), while the dielectric constant increased from 0.0091 to 0.0179. Highlights: Synthesized Ni‐Zn‐Cu Fe2O4; tuned composition NiZn(0.3)Cu(0.2)Fe2O4(2).Integrated ferrite into EPDM; optimized mixing for enhanced properties.Employed SEM, XRD, and FTIR; revealed morphology, structure, and bonding.Evaluated curing using MDR; unveiled optimal time and torque profiles.Explored dielectric properties; demonstrated reduced resistivity, heightened permittivity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Ectotherms are largely impacted by extreme climate events, essentially heatwaves. In Tunisia, the pine processionary moth (PPM), Thaumetopoea pityocampa, is a defoliator typically laying eggs in summer. Its geographical range is expanding northwards in Europe while retracting from southern Tunisia where summer temperatures can reach extreme heats. We explored the effects of climate change over the last 30 years on PPM at its southern range edge. We investigated variations of fecundity and causes of egg mortality over time using historical and contemporary collections of egg masses. Due to incomplete historical series, a clustering method was used to group climatically homologous sampling sites and perform allochronic analyses on clusters instead of individual localities. Our results suggest negative effects of summer heat on egg survival, down to 0% hatching rate in one site during a major heatwave. Such high hatching failures resulted partly from high egg sterility and aborted embryos, with little effects of parasitism rate, suggesting heat susceptibility during embryonic development, but our results do not allow distinguishing impeded mating success from failed egg maturation or early embryo death. Decreasing female fecundity was observed in regions where allochronic comparisons were possible, associated with a decrease in parasitism rate, while climatic variability increased. Previous studies have confirmed experimentally the thermal sensitivity of PPM early instars to temperatures observed in the present work, including one population from southern Tunisia. However, further work is required to evaluate the relative importance of warming summers among populations, since the risk of heat stress depends on the phenology of sensitive instars, and populations from the warmest areas may not necessarily be the most vulnerable to climate change if they already evolved phenological heat avoidance. In addition to heat‐induced mortality, the ultimate fitness of heat survivors should also be explored to determine potential carry‐over effects on subsequent life stages. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Patients perceive effective patient-doctor communication as an important metric when evaluating their satisfaction with health systems. Hence, optimal patient-physician communication is fundamental for quality healthcare. High-income countries (HICs) have extensively studied patient-resident communication. However, there is a dearth of similar studies in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs). Therefore, we aimed to explore the current state of and barriers to practicing good patient-resident communication and explore possible solutions to mitigate these challenges at one of the largest Academic Medical Centers in an LMIC. Methods: This study employed an exploratory qualitative study design and was conducted at the Aga Khan University Hospital in Pakistan. Through purposive maximum variation sampling, 60 healthcare workers from diverse cohorts, including attendings, fellows, residents, and medical students, participated in eight focus group discussions. Results: We identified three key themes from the data: Status-quo of residents' communication skills and learning (Poor verbal and non-verbal communication, inadequate training programs, and variable sources of learning), Barriers to effective communication (Institutional barriers such as lack of designated counselling spaces, lack of resident insight regarding effective communication and deficits in intra-team communication), and the need for developing a communication skills curriculum (Design, implementation and scaling to other cohorts of healthcare workers). Conclusions: Findings from this study show that multifaceted factors are responsible for inadequate patient resident-physician communication, highlighting the need for and importance of developing a formal communication skills training curriculum for residents. These insights can be used to create standardized training for equipping residents with adequate skills for effectively communicating with patients which can improve healthcare service delivery and patient outcomes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A solid oxide fuel cell (SOFC) is a clean and very efficient electrochemical conversion device, which generates electricity directly from fuel electrochemical oxidation. In this paper, a three dimensional numerical model has been developed in order to analyse the role of some thermophysical and morphological parameters on the performance of the SOFC cell. In particular, we studied the effect of the variation of permeability of the electrodes: fuel distribution, ionic and electric current density, pressure and diffusion flux are analyzed and compared. The volume fraction of the ionic and electronic phase in the electrodes is studied using a parametric study. It was shown that the current density enhanced by decreasing the permeability, up to a defined value, and it diminished with very small permeability. A remarkable influence of pressure and diffusion of species on the performance of the cell, with the variation of permeability, has been recognized. Varying the permeability in the active layer of electrodes has a large impact on the current density, connected to the volume fraction of ionic phase. This study permits to comprehend the relationship between the performance and microstructure of SOFCs. Meanwhile, it furnishes theoretical guidance for an optimum design of the electrode permeability. • A three-dimensional model of a single SOFC is developed using CFD method. • Varying the permeability of electrode components affects the cell performance. • The impact of volume fractions for different permeabilities is studied. • It is concluded that there is an optimum design of the electrode permeability. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The research purpose is to evaluate the effectiveness of leadership in the process of distance learning from the perspective of the psychological theories of leadership, gender, and cross-cultural issues. The present research is based on such methods as surveys, testing, quantitative and qualitative analysis, and statistical data processing. The subjective (the experience of the respondents) and objective (machine calculation of clusters) assessments allowed the scholars to generate more arguments on leadership in the learning process. The sample consisted of 600 female and male students (300 from each sex, respectively) aged 18–20 years from Abu Dhabi University, American University in The Emirates, and the United Arab Emirates University. The research stated that the majority of students, regardless of gender, suppose that both sexes can develop similar leadership traits (80%). The research claims that female leaders have to be more dynamic and demonstrate higher intelligence (26% vs. 20%) and confidence (20% vs. 15%) than male leaders. Cultural and socio-demographic characteristics do not play a significant role in leadership development (10%). The main cause for the choice of a leader is behavioural and communication characteristics (50%) as well as personal qualities (35%). These results can be used for the online design of distance learning courses in universities (both group and individual), as well as for psychologists to study the aspect of individuals’ predisposition to leadership. It makes sense for further research to explore the issue of differences in the perception of educational leadership in Asian and Western European countries based on the cross-cultural aspect, that is, the influence of national culture on the choice of leader in the educational environment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Quantum computation is growing in significance and proving to be a powerful tool in meeting the high real-time computational demands of classical digital image processing. However, extensive research has been done on quantum image processing, mainly rooted in binary quantum systems. In this paper, we propose a new quantum ternary image circuit based on the analysis of the existing qutrit representation of quantum images. The proposed design utilizes ternary shift gates and ternary Muthukrishnan–Stroud gates, with the belief that this circuit can be used for ternary quantum image processing. This study makes a significant improvement compared to the existing counterpart in terms of quantum cost, the number of constant inputs, and garbage outputs, which are all essential parameters in quantum circuit design. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives: This study aimed to determine the health-related quality of life (HRQoL) of adult Omani patients with sickle cell disease (SCD). The quality of life of these patients in Oman is unknown. Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted at the Sultan Qaboos University Hospital, Muscat, Oman, from June to October 2022 and included patients with SCD. A validated Arabic version of the 36-Item Short-Form Health Survey (SF-36) was used to assess HRQoL in 8 domains. Results: A total of 235 patients with SCD were included in this study, the majority of whom were female (74.9%) and between 18 and 35 years of age (64.6%). The lowest HRQoL was reported for the domain of role limitations due to physical health (median score = 25.0, interquartile range [IQR] = 35.0), while the highest was seen for role limitations due to emotional problems (median score = 66.7, IQR = 100.0). Frequent SCD-related emergency department visits/hospital admissions and the adverse effect of SCD on patients' social lives had a significant negative impact on SF-36 scores for all 8 HRQoL domains (P =0.05). Additionally, SCD's impact on academic performance and a history of having been bullied due to SCD had a significant negative impact on SF-36 scores for 7 domains (P =0.05). Conclusion: Omani adult patients with SCD reported relatively poor HRQoL in several domains, with various factors found to be significantly associated with this. Healthcare providers and policy makers should consider offering additional clinical, educational and financial support to these patients to enhance their HRQoL. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Tryptophan, an essential amino acid playing a pivotal role in various biological processes, stands as a focal point in our investigation. In this study, we introduce a groundbreaking electrochemical sensor that integrates a nanocomposite comprising carbon black (CB) and zinc oxide nanoparticles (ZnO-NPs) for the selective detection of L-tryptophan (Trp). The synthesis of ZnO-NPs, accomplished through the sol-gel technique, was meticulously characterized using XRD, FTIR, and UV-visible methods to unveil their structural and optical properties. The construction of the sensing electrode involved the deposition of a CB/ZnO-NP nanocomposite onto a glassy carbon electrode (GCE) utilizing the drop-coating method. Rigorous evaluation and analysis of the modified glassy carbon electrode were carried out through scanning electron microscopy (SEM), cyclic voltammetry (CV), and differential pulse voltammetry (DPV). The resulting CB/ZnO-NPs/GCE electrode exhibited an augmented surface area and outstanding electrocatalytic activity. Significantly, the CB/ZnO-NP sensor displayed remarkable analytical performance for tryptophan detection over an extensive concentration range from 0.01 to 100 µmol.L−1, featuring a low detection limit of 0.017 µmol.L−1. Moreover, the proposed electrochemical sensor exhibited notable selectivity, specifically targeting tryptophan, emphasizing its potential for diverse analytical applications. This work not only expands our understanding of tryptophan detection but also offers a highly sensitive and selective tool with broad applications in biomedical and environmental fields, underscoring the significance of this innovative sensor in advancing analytical methodologies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: To detect any possible illnesses, such as syphilis, and stop them from spreading through transfusion, screening blood donors is crucial. Study Design: Cross-sectional Retrospective Research study. Setting: Four RBCs and the sixteen associated hospital-based blood banks (HBBBs) that are spread over Sindh's various areas. Period: January 2022 to December 2022. Methods: Employing non-probability convenience sampling was carried out. We collected data from Sindh province's Regional Blood Centers (RBCs) and Hospital Based Blood Banks (HBBBs), dispersed throughout the province. Sindh Blood Transfusion Authority (SBTA)'s ethical committee approved the study. To screen selected blood donors for Syphilis, the Chemiluminescence Immunoassay Analyzer (CLIA) was used. Data from the study were summarized using simple percentages after they were statistically examined. Results: With 171,725 male donors and 1,460 female donors, men comprised the bulk of the 173,185 blood donors. Syphilis turned up in 2.5% of the male donors, resulting in an additional 4,311 cases. On the other hand, just 18 (1.2%) of the female donors had a positive syphilis test. The gender distribution of cases with positive Syphilis indicates a notable difference in its frequency between people of both sexes. The age group of 25 to 40 years old accounted for the largest proportion of syphilis cases among blood donors. Conclusion: One of Sindh's biggest public health concerns is the high incidence of syphilis among blood donors. Additionally, the results show that the incidence of syphilis varies by gender. Furthermore, there are considerable age range differences in the distribution of syphilis cases. These results highlight the need for increased screening and preventive programmes, especially in areas with higher incidence rates. Given the high frequency of syphilis among Sindhi red blood cell donors, this could point to a greater number of cases in the overall community. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Current international discourse foregrounds gender parity in education as a means of empowering women in societies with strong adherence to traditional gender norms, such as Pakistan. This discourse contends that women's access to higher education and subsequent employment enables them to identify and reject traditional cultural values and norms. However, some scholars criticise the gender parity approach as portraying a simplistic narrative that fails to recognise the social, cultural, and family contexts within which women are embedded. Drawing on an ecological approach, this article examines how education and empowerment are experienced by highly educated women in Pakistan with a particular focus on these contexts. Our findings demonstrate that education and employment are often experienced as disempowering due to their reinforcement of traditional gender roles and values. However, we also found that women move iteratively between acquiescing to traditional gender norms and pushing the boundaries of acceptable practice through this acquiescence. Our findings demonstrate that for the women in our study, empowerment was experienced through their ability to strike a delicate balance between compliance with traditional customs and the pursuit of opportunities that opened because of this compliance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Medical students often face challenges in choosing a career path due to limited exposure to specialized fields like neurosurgery. Understanding their perceptions and experiences is crucial in addressing the gaps in neurosurgical education and inspiring future neurosurgeons. A cross-sectional study was conducted involving 461 medical students, utilizing convenience sampling. Data collection employed a validated, self-administered tool. Statistical analysis in SPSS Version 25 included t-tests and chi-square tests, comparing scores based on age, gender, year of study, and exposure to the formal neurosurgical rotations in their institute. Significance value was set at P < 0.05. In the study of 461 medical students, 79.8% identified with the 19–23 age group, and 63.8% affirmed neurosurgery exposure. Medical students' perceptions included: 167 (36.3%) students found neurosurgery teaching sufficient; 164 (35.6%) disagreed that obtaining neurosurgical history is difficult; 224 (48.6%) agreed on neurosurgical disease complexity; and 250 (54.2%) found these diseases challenging and interesting. A majority of 183 (39.7%) respondents agreed that neurosurgical diseases had poor outcomes. Regarding training for neurosurgical surgery, 205 (44.5%) participants strongly agreed on its length, and 215 (46.7%) consented to extensive operating hours. However, 167 (36.3%) strongly disagreed about the ample job prospects in Pakistan. Enhancing neurosurgery education with quality, consistency, and adaptability is essential to bridge gaps and inspire future neurosurgeons. These findings guide improvements in educational programs, preparing a skilled workforce to meet evolving health-care demands. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: To compare the degenerative features of cartilaginous endplate with bony endplate in association with intervertebral degeneration in local population at radiographic, macroscopic and microscopic level in human motion segments. Methods: This cross-sectional descriptive study examined 59 lumbar spine motion segments from adult male cadavers at the Department of Anatomy, University of Health Sciences, Lahore, between May and September, 2022. Radiographic assessment observed bony endplate (BEP) for the presence of sclerosis & osteophytes and degeneration scores from 1-8 were assigned. Macroscopic assessment was done to evaluate BEP, cartilaginous endplate (CEP) and IVD, and scores ranged from 1to 28 for BEP, 1-4 for CEP and 1-64 for IVD were assigned. Microscopic assessment revealed degeneration scores of CEP ranged from 1-42 and 1-30 for IVD. Segments with BEP defects were also identified on radiographs & macroscopy. Results: Significant correlations were observed between the total degeneration scores of BEP with IVD and CEP scores (r=0.88 and r=0.909, respectively, p<0.001). Similarly, the total degeneration scores of the CEP is also significantly correlated with total IVD (r=0.86, p<0.001). Additionally, the samples with BEP defects were having higher IVD degeneration scores (p<0.001). Conclusion: This study, for the first time identifies that there exists a critical association of bony and cartilaginous endplate with intervertebral disc degeneration individually in the same tissue sections using multi-dimension assessment methods. Degeneration in any of the components of VEP is consonantly associated with IVD degeneration. The BEP & CEP, though, they are unique structures but are interlinked with each other structurally and functionally. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

It is the first time that the fossil footprints of a group of Middle Eocene elephant ancestors have been discovered in the Gonjo Basin, East Tibet Plateau. The Gonjo Formation is attributed to the Middle Eocene Epoch (U-Pb age = 44.7 ± 1.2 Ma) and consists mainly of purplish-red, medium- to coarse-grained sandstones, siltstones interbedded with mudstones, and conglomerates with sedimentary structures like ripple marks, rip-up clasts, and trough-cross bedding, suggesting fluvial-lacustrine systems. The group of fossil footprints has a characteristic oval-concave shape, and the toe impressions are absent. Some fossil footprints are overstepped with a pockmarked texture resembling Proboscipeda enigmatica. More than 165 fossil footprints of the group are relatively well-preserved with different diameters, which is evidence of highly social behavior and trackmakers of different ages, including calves, juveniles, adolescents, and adults. The size frequency of the fossil footprints enabled us to deduce the body mass, shoulder height, and hip-height distribution of the trackmakers that crossed the East Tibet Plateau 44.7 Ma ago. The trackmakers comprised an estimated average hip-height of 111.8 cm, an average shoulder height of 172.8 cm for males/155.9 cm for females, and an average body mass of approximately 1 218.1 kg for males/907.8 kg for females. The abundance of fossil footprints reveals that in the Middle Eocene Epoch, the environment was extraordinarily conducive for the elephant ancestors to live in the East Tibet region. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A new coefficient of variation (CV) functionally adaptive exponentially weighted moving average control chart is presented by considering the influence of the measurement error (ME) and named the "FAEWMA-ME-CV" control chart. The linear covariate model and the multiple measurements method are used to present the control chart. The designed function is efficient to detect the infrequent process changes in the form of parametric shifts in the process CV. The proficiency of the design is evaluated by analyzing the run-length values which are determined by the Monte Carlo simulation runs shown for the various parametric settings in extensive tables. The analysis depicts that the presence of the ME plays a significant role in the performance of a control chart. Moreover, a real-life dataset explained the application of the proposed FAEWMA-ME-CV chart to support the argument. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The degradation of industrial dyes poses a significant environmental challenge due to their persistence and toxicity. Developing efficient and stable electrode materials for the electrochemical degradation of methylene blue (MB) is crucial for addressing environmental concerns associated with dye pollution. This paper describes the synthesis and electrochemical performance of Cu(Cr0.1,Al0.9)2O4 as a potential electrode material for the degradation of MB. The material was elaborated via nitrate synthesis and heat-treated at 900 °C. Then, characterized using various physico-chemical techniques. For all the electrochemicals tests, an anode based on Cu(Cr0.1,Al0.9)2O4 was prepared by adding activated carbon (AC), NMP and PVDF as binder agents. Preliminary electrochemical tests indicated that the degradation of MB occurred via an indirect oxidation mechanism, which needs the integration of a supporting electrolyte. In this case, the electrolyte consists of mixture of Na2SO4 and NaCl at equal proportions (in volume). The pH study showed that the degradation efficiency was found vary between 92.4% and 97.2% at pH range 2–11. The electrode also exhibited excellent performance irrespective the dye concentrations, with efficiencies ranging from 91 to 99% for solutions at 6.4 to 40 ppm of MB. The prepared electrode revealed a maximum degradation efficiency of 99% (within 50 min) at 50 mA applied current, for a 20 ppm MB solution. A higher current is required to decontaminate a concentrated solution. On the other hand, increasing the current reduces the electrolysis time. For a 40 ppm solution, the degradation efficiency reached 97.4% at an applied current of 70 mA within only 40 min. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Reaction Systems (RSs) are a computational framework inspired by biochemical mechanisms. An RS defines a finite set of reactions over a finite set of entities (molecules, proteins, etc). Starting from an initial set of entities (the initial state), a computation is performed by applying all reactions to a state in order to produce the following state, giving rise to a sequence of sets of entities. RSs have shown to be a general computational framework whose application ranges from the modeling of biological phenomena to molecular chemistry and computer science. In this paper, we contribute to research on the application of RSs for modeling biological systems. We consider the problem of modeling hemostasis, for which several models have been defined, starting from the 1960s. Previous models are based on sets of ordinary differential equations, while we develop a discrete model in RSs for pathways of the secondary hemostasis. Then, we implement our model in BioReSolve, a computational framework for RSs that we have previously defined which provides tools for the specification and verification of properties. By using the tools in BioReSolve we derive important observations on the model behaviour for hemostasis, and in particular, we study the role of three important inhibitors, verifying that their presence or absence leads to phenomena such as thrombophilia, or thromboembolism, or excessive coagulation, etc. We can also study computationally the causality relations between the molecules involved in the reactions showing which entities play a fundamental role, thus contributing to the design of more effective and specialized drugs. Our work can hence help to show how to model complex biological systems in RSs and derive computationally and biologically relevant properties of the systems. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Despite the importance of enhancing exercise, exercising can cause injuries that lead to disability and increase the load on the medical sector. This study aimed to estimate the prevalence of exercise-related injuries among gym members in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA) and evaluate the more common types of such injuries. It also investigated the association between injury prevalence and the factors selected. Methods: A cross-sectional study with a self-reported survey was conducted targeting members of Fitness Time gyms across the KSA. The survey consisted of three parts: part one concerns participant demographic data and part two contains four questions regarding the participants' training experience. Part three contains ten questions targeting those with a history of injury. Descriptive statistical analysis was performed using frequencies and percentages for categorical variables. Crosstabs and chi-squared tests were used to assess the prevalence of exercise-related injuries when appropriate. Binary logistic regression was employed to investigate the association between injury prevalence and the potential associated factors. Odds ratios and their 95% confidence intervals were calculated and the threshold for statistical significance was set at p ≤ 0.05. Results: A total of 713 subjects participated in the study. The mean age was 36.5 ± 11.2 years and (n = 422, 59.2%) of the participants were female. The study found a prevalence of injury among gym members of about (n = 404, ~57%). The most commonly reported types of injuries were muscle strain (n = 126, 37%) and bruising (n = 45, 13%). The most prevalent anatomical location of injury was the knee (n = 287, 84.3%), followed by the shoulder (n = 283, 83.3%), and the least common was the head/neck (n = 7, 2.1%). The present study suggests some factors associated with exercise-related injury. A significant statistical association (p < 0.5) was found between injury prevalence and age, gender, educational level, period of training, and presence of a trainer. However, no association was detected between injury prevalence and Body Mass Index (BMI), place of residence, or source of advice. Conclusion: Over half of the participants of this study reported at least one exercise-related injury. This study identifies factors associated with injury prevalence related to exercise among gym participants. Promoting safety and minimizing the incidence of injuries are crucial. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In the context of ever-growing demand for food and associated concerns regarding the environmental impacts of high-input agricultural systems, there is growing interest in mixed farm enterprises to deliver greater sustainability compared with mono-enterprise production systems. However, assessments of such systems are complex and require high-resolution data to determine the true value and interconnectivity across enterprises. Given the scarcity of information on mixed crop–livestock systems and the difficulties of its analysis, we perform life cycle assessment using temporally high-resolution data (2019–2022) from a long-term experiment in South America to evaluate the 'cradle-to-farmgate exit' greenhouse gas emissions intensities of four rotational crop–livestock systems. Systems evaluated were continuous cropping: 2 years of continuous cropping; short rotation: 2-year continuous cropping plus 2-year pasture; long rotation: 2-year continuous cropping followed by 4-year pasture; and forage rotation: continuous pasture. Emissions intensities for beef throughput were reported as kilograms of carbon dioxide equivalents (CO2-eq) per kilogram of liveweight gain (LWG) using the Intergovernmental Panel for Climate Change's Sixth Assessment Report (AR6 2021) CO2 characterisation factors. Point estimate results were found to be 11.3, 11.8, 11.8 and 16.4 kg CO2-eq/kg/LWG for continuous cropping, short rotation, long rotation and forage rotation, respectively. Emission averages arising from crops, which were separated from animal-based emissions using economic allocation, were 1.23, 0.53 and 0.52 kg CO2-eq/kg for soybean, wheat and oat, respectively. The inclusion of soil organic carbon stock changes had notable effects on reducing each system's emissions: by 22.4%, 19.2%, 25.3% and 42.1% under continuous cropping, short rotation, long rotation and forage rotation, respectively, when soil organic carbon was included. Given there are few life cycle assessment studies available on such mixed-enterprise 'semi-circular' systems, particularly with novel primary data, this study adds critical knowledge to agri-food-related sustainability literature by addressing environmental issues in complex production systems compared to extant and broad coverage of mono-enterprise systems. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Balanites aegyptiaca tree is widely used in many countries where it occurs. However, in Morocco its nutritional properties and chemical composition have not been extensively studied. This study aims to investigate its potential health benefits, focusing on bioactive compounds found in the fruit, including the pulp, shell and kernel. The fatty acid composition, phytosterol content, triacylglycerols and tocopherol levels of the lipid fraction extracted from different parts of Balanites fruit were analyzed using chromatographic techniques. Additionally, the antioxidant activity was assessed through the DPPH, ABTS, and FRAP assays. Results showed that the pulp, shell and kernel are rich in oleic acid, with percentages of 47.2%, 45.9%, and 41.9%, respectively. The linoleic acid content was consistent across all three parts. The shell had the highest phytosterols content, with β‐sitosterol being the most abundant in all three parts. The analysis revealed some variability in the identification of tocopherols, with the kernel containing the highest content of tocopherols, mainly α‐Tocopherol at 399 mg kg−1. The fruit, in its entirety, exhibits antioxidant activity as evaluated by three different methods: DPPH, ABTS, and FRAP. Overall, the study demonstrates that the fruit of B. aegyptiaca growing in Morocco possesses properties that could be utilized in the food and medical industries. Practical Application: The fruit parts of the Balanites tree (Balanites aegyptiaca) are rich in fatty acids, tocochromanols, and phytosterols, exhibiting significant antioxidant capacity. This study reveals the potential of the bioactive compounds of the fruit, which offers substantial practical applications as a natural source of antioxidants in food formulations and nutraceuticals. By leveraging the bioactive compounds identified in this study, researchers and industries can investigate the development of functional food and cosmeceuticals formulations to enhance human health and well‐being. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background study: Computer‐assisted pronunciation training (CAPT) has emerged as an important resource for second language (L2) pronunciation learning. CAPT offers diverse opportunities for learners to master L2 pronunciation with the help of authentic learning activities in multiple contexts. Objectives: This study presents a comprehensive overview to examine the overall effect of using a computer in learning pronunciation in multiple settings and diverse educational levels with the assistance of different tools. Methods: The meta‐analysis consisted of 31 primary studies that reported results obtained from experimental vs. control group designs. These studies reported 42 effect sizes in the results. Results: The findings of the meta‐analysis indicated that using CAPT in learning pronunciation had an overall medium effect size. Similarly, the results showed that using CAPT inside the classrooms had a large effect size. The results also showed that CAPT had a large effect size when used in schools and other formal learning contexts, such as language institutes. CAPT had a medium effect when it was used in universities. The results also showed that using videos for learning pronunciation had a large effect size while other tools had a medium effect size. Conclusions: The study findings contribute to understanding the overall effect of CAPT and offer implications for educators and practitioners involved in designing effective instructional strategies for enhancing L2 pronunciation skills. Lay Description: What is already known about this topic: Computer‐Assisted Pronunciation Training has emerged as a valuable tool for L2 pronunciation learning.The variables that may affect the using of Computer‐Assisted Pronunciation Training include settings, educational level and CAPT tools. What this paper adds: The study drew on a meta‐analytic framework to examine the overall effect of using a computer in learning pronunciation in different settings and in different educational levels with the help of different tools.The meta‐analysis consisted of 31 primary studies reported results obtained from experimental vs. control group design. Implications for practice and/or policy: Language instructors are requested to incorporate CAPT in their teaching of L2 pronunciation.The integration of CAPT can be to any educational stage (i.e., schools, colleges, etc.).To optimize the benefits of CAPT, instructors should consider integrating videos, games, and other multimedia elements into their teaching practices. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Manakov model, a framework of coupled non-linear Schrödinger equations, reflects an essential integrable model in non-linear physics, particularly used to analyze soliton behavior and wave interactions in multiple physical realms such as optical theory and plasma physics. Its distinct integrability features make it a treasure trove for investigating complex interactions between wave propagation and non-linear systems. With an emphasis on the stochastic Manakov model, this research article explores the field of stochastic partial differential equations (SPDE). This writing aims to lower the cost and time frame for experiments by using particular integration approaches to generate a wide variety of optical solitons to satisfy the said model. We complete our thrust using two innovative approaches: the Unified Ricatti Equation Algorithm which depends on the Riccati equation and its special solutions, and the New Extended Auxiliary Equation Method which builds several, more general traveling wave solutions to nonlinear partial differential equations using a more straightforward and cohesive approach. The combination of these two not only improves our capability to handle complicated SPDEs but also provides fresh perspectives on how soliton structures and stochastic effects connect within the governing model. By employing these techniques, we obtain various solitary and traveling wave solutions, including dark, singular, and bright solitons. To ensure the validity of the results, the density, contour, 3D, and 2D profiles of various attained solutions are numerically generated by selecting appropriate values for several proposed framework parameters. The presence of multiplicative white noise does not propagate to other components; it just affects the phase portion of the solitons. Research conducted on the mentioned framework involving multiplicative white noise encounters significant applications in optical communication systems. By comprehending soliton behavior and effects, we can optimize the transmission of information in optical fibers, strengthen mode-locked lasers, and advance laser-based material handling. This exclusive blend of challenging model and methodologies led to the discovery of numerous unique soliton solutions and their corresponding behaviors. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Adolescent pregnancy is one of the public health problems that both mother and baby suffer from its consequences. This study was conducted to estimate the prevalence and consequences of adolescent pregnancy in the Eastern Mediterranean region. Methods: In this systematic review and meta-analysis, four databases (PubMed, ProQuest, Web of Science and Scopus) were systematically searched for relevant articles published from 1990 to 2022. The screening process for articles was conducted in accordance with the PRISMA guidelines. Joanna Briggs checklists were used to assess the quality of included studies. A random effects model was performed for the meta-analysis. Narrative synthesis of adolescent pregnancy prevalence, as well as a meta-analysis of adolescent pregnancy prevalence was performed using STATA 14. Results: The review included 12 studies and 94,189 study participants. The prevalence of adolescent pregnancy was [9% (95% CI 6.9, 11.2, p < 0.001)]. Pregnancy outcomes included preeclampsia [12.9%(95% CI 7.3,18.5, p < 0.001)], low birth weight [16.1%(95% CI 7.4–24.8, p < 0.001)], anemia [33%(95% CI 14.4, 51.7, p < 0.001)], and cesarean delivery [15.9%(95% CI 11.1–20.7, p < 0.001)].The results showed that 16.9% of deliveries were cesarean sections. Conclusion: The study's findings indicate that adolescent pregnancy is prevalent in the Middle East region and is associated with negative outcomes for teenagers. Therefore, it is necessary to carry out effective interventions to reduce adolescent pregnancy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: Vitamin D deficiency and variations in the vitamin D binding protein (VDBP) gene may play a role in the development of Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS). This study aims to investigate the association of the rs4588 polymorphism with PCOS in Iranian women, as well as its association with infertility and recurrent pregnancy loss (RPL) in these patients. Results: The analysis revealed statistically significant differences in the distributions of genotypes and alleles of the rs4588 polymorphism among the three groups (p < 0.0001). The AC genotype and A allele showed an association with an elevated risk of PCOS and infertility. In this study, no association was found between genotypes and alleles of the rs4588 polymorphism and the risk of RPL in women with PCOS. Subjects with the AA or AC genotype exhibited significantly higher levels of LDL compared to those with the CC genotype. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Methylene blue dye in water sources can pose health risks to humans, potentially causing methemoglobinemia, a condition that impairs the blood's ability to carry oxygen. Hence, the current study investigates the synthesis of novel magnesium borate/magnesium oxide (Mg3B2O6/MgO) nanostructures and their efficiency in removing methylene blue dye from aqueous media. The nanostructures were synthesized using the Pechini sol–gel method, which involves a reaction between magnesium nitrate hexahydrate and boric acid, with citric acid acting as a chelating agent and ethylene glycol as a crosslinker. This method helps in achieving a homogeneous mixture, which, upon calcination at 600 and 800 °C, yields Mg3B2O6/MgO novel nanostructures referred to as MB600 and MB800, respectively. The characterization of these nanostructures involved techniques like X-ray diffraction (XRD), Fourier-transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy, N2 gas analyzer, and field-emission scanning electron microscope (FE-SEM). These analyses confirmed the formation of orthorhombic Mg3B2O6 and cubic MgO phases with distinct features, influenced by the calcination temperature. The mean crystal size of the MB600 and MB800 samples was 64.57 and 79.20 nm, respectively. In addition, the BET surface area of the MB600 and MB800 samples was 74.63 and 64.82 m2/g, respectively. The results indicated that the MB600 sample, with its higher surface area, generally demonstrated better methylene blue dye removal performance (505.05 mg/g) than the MB800 sample (483.09 mg/g). The adsorption process followed the pseudo-second-order model, indicating dependency on available adsorption sites. Also, the adsorption process matched well with the Langmuir isotherm, confirming a homogeneous adsorbent surface. The thermodynamic parameters revealed that the adsorption process was physical, exothermic, and spontaneous. The MB600 and MB800 nanostructures could be effectively regenerated using 6 M HCl and reused across multiple cycles. These findings underscore the potential of these nanostructures as cost-effective and sustainable adsorbents for methylene blue dye removal. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Rapid uptake of greenhouse gas (GHG) mitigation measures is central to reducing agricultural and land use emissions and meeting the UK Net Zero policy. The socioeconomic challenges and barriers to uptake are poorly understood, with yet unclear structural pathways to the uptake of GHG mitigation measures. Using an online survey of 201 agricultural land managers across the UK, and applying multiple linear regression and stepwise regression analysis, this research established farm and farmers' factors influencing perceptions and willingness to adopt GHG mitigation measures. The results consistently show that farm sector, farmers' business perception, and labour availability influence willingness to adopt GHG mitigation measures. Based on the farmers' qualitative feedback, other barriers to adoption include costs and concerns for profitability, lack of flexibility in land tenancy contracts, poor awareness and knowledge of the application of some GHG mitigation measures, perception about market demand e.g bioenergy crops, and scepticism about the future impacts of adopting varying GHG mitigation measures. In the midst of the ongoing net zero transition, this study identifies existing barriers to the uptake of GHG mitigation measures, and specifically, a substantial gap between farmers and the science of GHG mitigation measures and the need to incentivise a farm and farming community-led policy interventions to promote adoption of GHG mitigation measures. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]