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Polar codes are the popular error-correcting codes and increased their attention after being adopted for the control channel in fifth-generation new radio (5G NR) standards. An efficient hardware architecture for polar code is often required with minimal encoding and decoding complexity. This work proposes a Multi-folded pipelined architecture and analyzes the performance in terms of latency, hardware utilization, and throughput. The designed architecture has two folded architectures interconnected in parallel to output 4-bits simultaneously. Folding transformations are used to reduce the number of idle processing elements (PEs) in every stage leading to the effective utilization of PE. Precomputation is effectively utilized in the PE to reduce the critical path delay, which improves the maximum operating frequency. A Loop-based shifting register (LSR) is employed to reduce the number of registers used. The analytical model for latency and utilization rate has been derived from the scheduling of the proposed architecture. The proposed design shows 63–71% higher hardware utilization than conventional semi-parallel design for code length N = 512 suitable for the physical downlink control channel (PDCCH) in 5G NR. The architecture is also implemented in Virtex-6, ZYNQ-Ultrascale+ MPSoC device for maximum supported code length of 5G NR, i.e., up to 2 10 , compared with the existing decoders. The proposed design also has the benefit of lesser look-up-table (LUT) consumption and zero random-access-memory (RAM) usage with some additional registers, making it suitable for resource-constraint applications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

High quality silver (Ag) decorated CeO2 nanoparticles were prepared by a facile one-step chemical method. The samples were characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), High resolution transmission electron microscopy (HR-TEM), fourier transform infrared spectrometer (FT-IR), electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR), X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), UV–Visible absorption (UV–Vis), photoluminescence (PL) and thermogravimetric analysis. The decoration of Ag on CeO2 surface was confirmed by XRD, EPR and HR-TEM analysis. Harmful textile pollutant Rose Bengal dye was degraded under sunlight using the novel Ag decorated CeO2 catalyst. It was found that great enhancement of the degradation efficiency for Ag/CeO2 compared to pure CeO2, it can be ascribed mainly due to decrease in its band gap and charge carrier recombination rate. The Ag/CeO2 sample exhibited an efficient photocatalytic characteristic for degrading RB under visible light irradiation with a high degradation rate of 96% after 3 h. With the help of various characterizations, a possible degradation mechanism has been proposed which shows the effect of generation of oxygen vacancies owing to the decoration of Ag on the CeO2 surface. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The present investigation was undertaken with a view to generate genetic information on heterosis and inbreeding depression for 12 quantitative traits in brinjal through generation mean analysis. The experimental materials comprise of six basic generations viz., P1, P2, F1, F2, BC1 and BC2 of four crosses of brinjal namely; AB-8-14 x S.Mani Black (cross 1), AB-15-07 x Pant Rituraj (cross 2), JB-12-06 x GJB-3 (cross 3) and NBR-14-1 x GJLB-4 (cross 4). The results indicated that the heterosis and inbreeding depression differed for the same trait in different cross combinations. Magnitude of heterotic effect was high for plant height, fruit weight and plant spread. The highest positive heterobeltiosis for fruit weight was observed in the cross 1(AB-8-14 x S. Mani Black) followed by high positive heterobeltiosis for plant height in cross 3 (JB-12-06 x GJB-3). Negative estimates of heterotic effects which were observed in some traits may be attributed to inter-allelic interactions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

An experiment was carried out to investigate the relationship between specific quantitative characters and sugarcane yield at the Sugarcane Research Institute, Pusa, Bihar, in February 2022. Thirty sugarcane seedlings obtained from three different crosses along with check were subjected to estimation trait association by correlation and path analyses. Cane yield showed strong positive and highly significant correlation with single cane weight, number of millable canes per clump and brix percent at 12th month. There was also positive significant correlation of number of shoots per clump with cane yield. Path analysis revealed the highest positive direct effect of brix percent at 12th month on cane yield followed by brix percent at 10th month and cane diameter. However, number of shoots per clump had considerable negative direct effects and indirect positive effects through single cane weight and number of millable canes per clump on cane yield. The traits that provide considerable positive correlation and positive direct effects to cane yield could be used as selection indices for yield improvement in for further clonal generations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Surface coating with superior corrosion resistance properties is indispensable for biomedical implant industries to reduce the cytotoxicity related problems. In this work, microstructure, biocorrosion and biological properties of magnetron sputtered TiC and ZrC coatings on type 316L stainless steel (SS) substrates are studied for biomedical applications. Biocorrosion properties have been examined in the Artificial Blood Plasma (ABP) solution with 1% and 10% of H 2 O 2 to study the corrosion behavior of carbides coated 316L SS. The formation of strong oxide passive layers on ceramic carbide coated substrates could enhance the corrosion resistance properties than uncoated SS substrates. The whole blood protein adsorption behavior of carbides coated and uncoated SS substrates are studied and the bacterial adhesion behavior is measured with Pseudomonas aeruginosa (P.aeruginosa) pathogen. The results revealed that the coatings possess higher protein adsorption and lower bacterial adhesion than that of bare steel substrates. In addition, Alizarin red based assay is done to confirm the biomineralization (calcium precipitation) of osteoblast like cells onto test samples and the results showed that TiC and ZrC coatings could enhance the biomineralization process. • Uniform and defect free TiC and ZrC coatings were prepared by DC magnetron Sputtering. • TiC and ZrC coatings extensively inhibited P.aeruginosa adhesion and biofilm formation. • Higher plasma protein adsorption was shown in TiC coating by SDS PAGE analysis. • TiC and ZrC showed improved corrosion resistant in ABP solution containing 1% and 10% H 2 O 2. • Improved calcium formation was observed in osteoblast cells containing TiC and ZrC coatings. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Transition metal carbides (TMC) are known for their improved tribological properties and are sensitive to the tribo-atmospheric environment. Nanocrystalline molybdenum carbide (MoC) thin films were deposited by DC magnetron sputtering technique using reactive CH 4 gas. The friction and wear resistance properties of MoC thin films were significantly improved in humid-atmospheric condition as compared to high-vacuum tribo-condition. A comprehensive chemical analysis of deformed contact interfaces was carried out by X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDX) and Raman spectroscopy. XPS and Raman spectroscopy showed the formation of stable molybdenum-oxide (MoO), molybdenum carbide (MoC) and amorphous carbon (a-C) tribo-phases. Moreover, during the sliding in humid-atmospheric condition, these phases were extensively deposited on the sliding steel ball counter body which significantly protected against undesirable friction and wear. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Hard and wear resistant coatings are useful to enhance the functional properties and improve the lifetime of mechanical components. This study proposes a relationship between microstructure and tribo-mechanical properties of TiC, CrC, ZrC and WC transition metal carbide coatings. In these coatings, an amorphous carbon (a-C) matrix phase coexists with a crystalline TMC phase. Superior wear resistance of ZrC coatings followed by the TiC coating was observed and this was explained by improved crystallinity and a-C phase present in coatings. Wear mechanisms were proposed by chemical analysis of wear tracks using micro Raman spectroscopy and energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Nanocrystalline titanium nitride (TiN) thin films were deposited on Si (100) substrates using reactive DC magnetron sputtering. Microstructure of the film was modified by adjusting the N 2 flow rate during the deposition. At low flow rate, hexagonal-closed-packed (HCP)-Ti and α-Ti 2 N phases were formed. At higher N 2 flow rate, the FCC-TiN single phase was formed predominantly. FCC-TiN film showed high hardness and elastic modulus due to covalently bonded TiN cubic phase and grain size refinement. In humid atmosphere, ultra-low friction coefficient ~0.025 with high wear resistance was measured in the film consisting of HCP-Ti and α-Ti 2 N phases while the hardness was 12.7 GPa. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The non-conventional karanja cake is rich in protein (around 30% CP) and can be used in livestock feed as a protein source instead of conventional protein supplement cake like soybean meal (SBM), groundnut cake, etc. The present study was carried out to research the effect of partially substituted soybean meal with detoxified karanja cake (dKC) on performance of ram lambs. Twenty-four ram lambs were randomly divided into four groups ( n = 6) and fed different levels (%) of detoxified karanja cake (0% replacement, control; 25% replacement, dKC-25; 50% replacement, dKC-50 and 75% replacement, dKC-75) in concentrate mixtures for 140 days. dKC was incorporated in the concentrate mixtures at the expense of soybean meal, maize grain and wheat bran at 9, 18 and 29% in dKC-25, dKC-50 and dKC-75, respectively on fresh basis. As the level of karanja in the diet increased, DMI was found to be decreasing significantly. Similar to these effects, N-retention was reduced leading to significant reduction of body weight in high karanja cake replaced groups. Similar trend was observed in OM, CP, and ADF digestilities and reason attributed to increased dietary level of karanja cake. However, detrimental effects were not observed on the levels of total protein, albumin, globulin, serum urea, aspartate aminotransferase (AST) and alanine aminotransferase (ALT) indicating residual ANF present in dKC did not exert any adverse effects. The effects on hot carcass weight, weights of liver and testes are following a decreasing trend while that weight of kidney is increasing with level of karanja in the diet. Our findings highlights that the detoxified karanja cake can be added as replacement of soybean meal (SBM) at low levels. However, higher levels of replacement (above 9 per cent of concentrate mixture) warrant caution due to its adverse effect on studied parameters. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is associated with hyperinsulinemia and insulin resistance which may lead to cardiovascular diseases. Evidence for cardiovascular events in women who were affected by PCOS during fertile age is limited. The pathogenesis is unknown; however, it is a complex multigenetic disorder. The present study was undertaken to evaluate the various cardiovascular risk factors and their DNA repair efficiency in women with PCOS by investigating the biochemical, endocrinological and molecular cytogenetic alterations. These investigations were carried out in 116 women in the age group of 15-35 years clinically diagnosed with PCOS. Data were compared with that of 50 age-matched healthy normal women. Fasting blood sugar (FBS), Lipid profile, Follicle-Stimulating Hormone (FSH) and Luteinizing Hormone (LH), Prolactin and Estradiol were estimated after getting the informed consent. Mutagen induced chromosome sensitivity analysis was carried out in the lymphocytes of the subjects to assess the DNA repair proficiency. Fasting Blood Sugar, total cholesterol and LDL cholesterol were found to be elevated whereas HDL cholesterol was found to be lowered in the test subjects. FSH, LH and prolactin were also found to be significantly elevated in the test subjects. Change in the estradiol concentration in the test subjects was not significant. The mutagen sensitivity analysis revealed a significant elevation in break per cell (b/c) values indicating a deficiency in the DNA repair mechanism / DNA damage in PCOS patients. Modification of life style by changing the dietary habit and sedentary life style will help to reduce the oxidative stress and may increase the ovarian function and a sensible life-style management is recommended for reducing the risk for CVD. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Nuclear vitrification furnace made of Inconel-690 alloy fails prematurely due to alloy-borosilicate glass interaction by forming Cr rich secondary precipitates which results in the loss of corrosion resistance and incorporation of nuclear waste in the alloy-borosilicate interface. In this work, the development of a novel compositionally graded Ni-YSZ diffusion barrier coating using electron beam physical vapor deposition method was investigated to mitigate the issues related to inter-diffusion and elemental exchange across the alloy-borosilicate melt without the addition of any nuclear waste. A comparative study on the interdiffusion effects of compositionally graded Ni-YSZ nanocomposite coating with increasing Ni content from 5 to 50 wt % subjected to diffusion annealing with and without borosilicate melt at 1373 K in air was carried out. No phase transformation was observed in Ni-YSZ coating subjected to diffusion annealing at 1373 K in air as observed from XRD analysis. FESEM-EDS analysis confirms the formation of NiO and grain growth of NiO in YSZ matrix after heat treatment. Raman spectroscopic studies confirmed the outward diffusion of Ni from the adjacent Ni rich multilayer to YSZ top coat and the formation of NiO at the surface of the Ni-YSZ nanocomposite. In contrast, there was no elemental exchange across the interface between nanocomposite coating and adhered borosilicate layer as there was no traces of NiO on the surface of the glassy layer. The wear behaviour was studied on the compositionally graded Ni-YSZ nanocomposite coatings subjected to high temperature diffusion annealing with and without borosilicate glass using a linear reciprocating tribometer by analyzing different modes of wear scar and the chemical changes inside the wear track using Raman spectroscopy. The observation of higher hardness and wear resistance obtained for the diffusion annealed Ni-YSZ nanocomposite was found to be due to the formation of NiO on the surface of the coating. • Compositionally graded Ni-YSZ coating on Inconel-690 with varying Ni content prepared by EBPVD. • Comparative study on the interdiffusion effects of Ni-YSZ coating with and without borosilicate melt at 1373 K, 10 h in air. • The formation of NiO from Ni-YSZ nanocomposite coating acts as a diffusion barrier by arresting the elemental exchange between coating and glassy layer. • Formation of NiO tribolayer upon annealing showed enhanced hardness, wear resistance and lower friction coefficient. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: Sepsis is a life-threatening disease which is associated with high rates of morbidity and mortality. The critically ill patients often manifest a Systemic Inflammatory Response Syndrome (SIRS) which is independent of an infection. The early diagnosis of different severities of sepsis is important for an early implementation of the specific therapies. Our objective was to evaluate the diagnostic and the prognostic values of blood Procalcitonin (PCT) in cases of bacterial septicaemia in children. Methods: The total sample comprised of 150 subjects who were admitted to the ICU with septicaemia and 50 normal, healthy, age and sex matched children. The first sample was collected at the time of admission, before the start of the antibiotic therapy (T0). A second sample was collected at 24 hours (T24) and a final sample was collected at 96 hours (T96). A PCT value of > 0.5ng/ml was accepted as positive. Results: 63% of the children who were diagnosed with a bacterial aetiology showed detectable blood PCT levels with higher concentrations, while in the children who were diagnosed with a viral aetiology, only 22.2 % had detectable PCT levels, but in lower concentrations. The mean percentage reduction in the PCT value among the bacterial infection subjects was 44.39 ± 41.82 as compared to that in the viral infection subjects (5.71 ± 26.68) and in the subjects where the aetiology was not established (5.71 ± 26.68). Conclusion: The results which were obtained in our study con- firmed that the PCT levels were a better marker for the bacterial infections. The PCT measurements may be used as a guide to the antibiotic therapy in critically ill children with suspected sepsis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Tribochemical analysis of monolithic TaN, TiAlN, and TaAlN coatings deposited by reactive magnetron sputtering onto 316LN stainless steel (SS) substrates are described. Tribology experiments were carried out in ambient atmospheric and high-vacuum sliding conditions to investigate the tribo-atmospheric dependent friction and wear characteristics of these coatings. The lower friction coefficient and improved wear-resistant properties were observed for TaN and TiAlN coatings in the humid atmosphere than in high-vacuum testing condition. Interestingly, lower friction and wear resistance properties of TaAlN coated SS are significantly enhanced in atmospheric as well as high-vacuum sliding conditions because of their highly dense and fine-grained microstructure with stable cubic B1 TaAlN phase. Energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy elemental mapping and micro-focused X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy were carried out on the wear tracks to explore the comprehensive tribo-environment dependent tribochemistry. Formations of alumina (Al 2 O 3) rich tribolayer reduced the friction and enhanced the wear resistance of TaAlN/SS sample tested in atmospheric condition; whereas this coating is highly stable in the high-vacuum condition with higher wear resistance. Schematic representation of tribochemical tests on the coating architecture and evaluation of tribological properties of metal nitride coatings in (a) ambient atmosphere and (b) high-vacuum sliding conditions. Unlabelled Image • Highly homogeneous and crystalline TaN, TiAlN, and TaAlN coatings were deposited using reactive magnetron sputtering. • Evaluation of tribological properties was carried out under ambient and high-vacuum sliding conditions. • Enhanced tribological properties were observed for TaAlN coatings because of its cubic B1 TaAlN structure. • Tribochemical analysis of tribolayer was carried out for all the coatings using XPS. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article discusses the case of a 65-year-old female patient diagnosed with discoid lupus erythematosis (DLE) which occurred as a second disease at the area of her body where herpes zoster (HZ) already healed. Topics discussed include the meaning of the medical term isotropic response, the characteristics of DLE and the symptoms exhibited by the patient. Also discussed are the predisposing factors behind the condition and the use of topical corticosteroid and zinc to treat the condition.

Introduction: Oxidised Low Density Lipoprotein Cholesterol (Ox-LDL-C) and High Density Lipoprotein Cholesterol (HDL-C) have antagonistic action in the development of atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease. Use of statins reduces cardiovascular risk by reducing LDL-C levels and also by increasing HDL-C. No systematic studies were carried out to study the role of HDL-C as an antioxidant and its effect in decreasing Ox-LDL-C. Aim: To compare the values of Ox-LDL-C/HDL-C in patients with chronic Coronary Artery Disease (CAD) and patients with Acute Coronary Syndrome (ACS) and to evaluate the levels of Ox-LDL-C and Ox LDL-C/HDL-C ratio in patients treated with the two different statins. Materials and Methods: In this cross-sectional study 30 patients with ACS and 30 patients with chronic CAD on rosuvastatin or atorvastatin were included in the study. Apparently normal 27 age and sex-matched controls without CAD was included in the study. Lipid profile was estimated using fully auto analyser and Ox-LDL-C was estimated using ELISA kits. Statistical analysis was done using SPSS version 16 software. A p-value of <0.05 was considered as statistically significant. Results: Hypertension and diabetes were found to be significantly associated with CAD (p-value 0.03). There was significant correlation between total cholesterol, triglycerides, with CAD. The levels of triglycerides, Ox-LDL-C and Ox-LDL-C/HDL-C were significantly higher (p<0.05) in ACS patients compared to chronic CAD and normal. Total cholesterol and LDL-C were lower in chronic CAD patients on atorvastatin treatment compared to patients on rosuvastatin treatment. Conclusion: Ox-LDL-C/HDL-C ratio is a better predictor of acute coronary events. In addition to lipid lowering action, statins have pleiotropic benefits including prevention of LDL oxidation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

DC Magnetron sputtered TiC films were subjected to C + ion implantation in order to modify the microstructure and topography. The surface roughness of implanted films increased due to ion beam induced surface bubbling and blistering. Hardness and Young's modulus values were decreased due to the amorphization of TiC crystalline phase. The adhesive strength of film-substrate interface was not influenced by C + ion implantation. The tribological results showed considerable enhancement in the wear resistance in the highest dose C + ion implanted film, compared to as-deposited TiC film. The enhanced properties are correlated to amorphization of TiC crystalline phase. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Ceramic diffusion barrier coatings are inevitable in high temperature aerospace and nuclear applications to protect superalloys from oxidation and hot corrosion. Compositionally graded coating (CGC) of Ni-YSZ with five layers was deposited on an Inconel-690 substrate through electron beam physical vapor deposition (EBPVD) method. After heat treatment, the phase formation and crystallite determination in each layer of the CGC were studied by X-ray diffraction. Pulsed radio frequency glow discharge optical emission spectroscopy (RF-GDOES) showed outward diffusion of Ni towards the surface of the CGC. High resolution transmission electron microscopy (HRTEM) studies of the cross-sectional region of the heat-treated coating at 1273 K revealed no secondary phases within the coating as well as at substrate-coating interface. The corrosion behavior of Ni-YSZ coating under 3 M HNO 3 medium showed that the heat-treated CGC of Ni-YSZ exhibited better corrosion resistance due to the formation of NiO than as-deposited Ni-YSZ coating. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

As health issues continue to become more prevalent as the population grows, building a public health network is critical for enhancing the overall health quality of the community. This study offers an Internet of Things (IoT) based health care system that can be employed in the context of community medical care industrial areas. The main focus of this research is to develop a disease prediction strategy that could be applied to community health services using theoretical modelling. Using principal component analysis (PCA) and cluster analysis, an artificial bee colony (ABC) creates a nonlinear support vector machine (SVM) classifier pair. Feature-level fusion analysis was performed to detect probable abnormalities. The results of the experiments reveal that the SVM model offers significant benefits in disease prediction. In the SVM illness prediction model, the ABC algorithm has the best parameter optimization effect in terms of accuracy, time, and other factors. The suggested method outperformed the traditional SVM and BP neural network methods by 17.24 percent and 72.41 percent, respectively. It can lower the RMSE and improve assessment indicators like the precision recall rate and the F-measure, demonstrating the method's validity and accuracy. As a result, it is frequently used in community health management, geriatric community monitoring, and clinical medical therapy in an industrial environment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Metal-ceramic nanocomposite coatings have been applied to many industrial applications owing to their remarkable properties such as wear, corrosion and high temperature oxidation resistance than that of metals and alloys in high temperature environments. In this study, YSZ and Ni-YSZ nanocomposite coatings deposited by electron beam physical vapour deposition (EBPVD) for high temperature environments have been investigated. Initially friction and wear behaviour of YSZ coatings deposited at various substrate temperature were studied. Then the effect on wear response of Ni-YSZ nanocomposites with different Ni content were investigated using a ball-on-disc micro tribometer. The structural and tribochemical changes that occurred in the wear tracks of YSZ and Ni-YSZ coatings were investigated using field emission scanning electron microscopy and Raman spectroscopy. The results obtained on sliding wear and friction behaviour of these nanocomposite coatings suggest that 50 wt.% of Ni in YSZ nanocomposite provides good wear resistance behaviour than that of other coatings. Such an improvement in tribomechanical and wear performance of the nanocomposite coating could be attributed to the optimum amount of Ni which promotes the formation of NiO from Ni due to the frictional heat between nanocomposite coating and the sliding counter body in wear track as confirmed by Raman analysis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Infantile haemangioma (IH) frequently requires no intervention. Eighty percent of IHs are focal and solitary. Fifteen percent of cutaneous haemangiomas occur on the extremities. A large size or a specific location or both may carry complications such as ulceration which is one of the main complications, and active treatment is usually required to manage pain, potential scarring, and occasionally, bleeding and infection. Oral propanolol is used in the treatment of IH and is found to be an effective treatment for complicated IH, replacing systemic corticosteroids as first-line therapy. Recommendations for instituting treatment with propranolol in infants differ among different specialties and academic centres. We report an infant with ulcerated IH of leg who responded dramatically to treatment with propranolol in 4 months. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]