Search

We present comprehensive numerical results from a study of model H, which describes phase separation kinetics in binary fluid mixtures. We study the pattern dynamics of both density and velocity fields in d = 2, 3. The density length scales show three distinct regimes, in accordance with analytical arguments. The velocity length scale shows a diffusive behavior. We also study the scaling behavior of the morphologies for density and velocity fields and observe dynamical scaling in the relevant correlation functions and structure factors. Finally, we study the effect of quenched random field disorder on spinodal decomposition in model H. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

SiO2 thin film of thickness 300 nm grown on p-type silicon substrate was implanted with 100 keV silicon negative ions for the fluences of 1 × 1016, 5 × 1016, and 1 × 1017 ions cm−2. The implanted samples were investigated using an energy-dispersive X-ray (EDX) spectroscopic technique, and the samples were annealed at a temperature of 900 oC under N2 ambient. Ultraviolet–visible near infrared (UV-Vis-NIR) spectroscopy has been used to investigate the implanted SiO2 thin film samples before and after thermal annealing. EDX results revealed an increase in the atomic percentage and weight percentage of silicon ions as compared to oxygen ions in SiO2 thin film. This may be due to the increase in the concentration of silicon ions with the increase of implanted ion fluences within the SiO2 thin film. UV-Vis-NIR studies showed higher transmittance for thermally annealed samples as compared to non-annealed samples. This may be attributed to the creation of a new SiOx phase in the SiO2 matrix at higher temperatures. UV-Vis-NIR studies also exhibited an increase in the energy band gap value after thermal annealing. This effect may be related to the formation of silicon nanoclusters in SiO2 thin film. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this paper, we investigate the fractal nature of the local fractional Landau–Ginzburg–Higgs Equation (LFLGHE) describing nonlinear waves with weak scattering in a fractal medium. The main goal of the paper is to introduce and apply the Local Fractional Elzaki Variational Iteration Method (LFEVIM) for solution of LFLGHE. Convergence analysis of LFEVIM solution for general nonlinear local fractional partial differential equation is also provided. Two examples of the local fractional LFLGHE are considered to demonstrate the applicability of the proposed technique with numerical simulations on Cantor set. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article explores the integration of parental psychopathologies into autism spectrum disorder (ASD) care, emphasizing the need for a holistic approach that considers the family unit. Topics discussed include the influence of genetic and epigenetic factors, the impact of various parental mental health issues such as schizophrenia and bipolar disorder, and the broader social and environmental challenges affecting families dealing with ASD.

Ferrite compounds have gained scientific attention for their multifunctional attributes. This investigation explores the structural, optical, dielectric and conductivity properties of polycrystalline γ-Fe 2 WO 6 synthesized by the solid state route. The X-ray diffraction confirmed the orthorhombic structure and single-phase formation, while the electron microscopy showed uniform distribution of dense micrometer-sized grains in γ-Fe 2 WO 6. The FTIR spectroscopy analysis validated the presence of active stretching and bending modes, signifying oxygen anion vibration at both Fe and W sites. The simultaneous presence of Fe2+ and Fe3+ ions in the matrix, as confirmed by X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), results in an augmented optical energy band gap and contributes to dielectric permittivity due to the charge carrier hopping mechanism between the trap sites. The compound manifests semiconductor attributes, evident in its indirect optical band gap measuring 1.7 eV. It is observed that the compound has effectively degraded the Methylene Blue (MB) under the visible light within 40 min with a degradation efficiency up to 63 %. The material's electrical conductivity, follows the Jonscher's power law, signifies its semiconductor nature and adheres to the Small Polaron tunneling model for charge conduction between neighboring sites. The impedance (Z′) curves exhibit dielectric relaxation (≤ 10 kHz) with a similar activation energy to the dc conductivity study. The activation energy, determined from both the impedance and conductivity analyses, indicates a connection with the migration of oxygen vacancies within the material. Our observation reveals the presence of oxygen vacancies, which possibly act as in-gap electron traps, enhancing the correlated optical and ac conductivity properties, making it an appealing material for diverse multifunctional applications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Researchers are constantly trying to develop therapeutic targets in neurodegenerative disorders like Alzheimer's dementia and Parkinson's disease. Despite enormous endeavors, there are several unmet needs. Several contradictory pathophysiological basis of neurodegenerative disorders are considered to be one of the most important cause underpinning. "Gut–brain dysbiosis" has been considered as one of the most crucial link to explore. Contemporary researches have suggested similar pathophysiological mechanisms underpinning Alzheimer's dementia and Parkinson's disease. "Gut–brain dysbiosis" may be the missing thread connecting Alzheimer's dementia and Parkinson's disease prior to the expression of their overt clinical phenotype. Recognition of preclinical phenotype of Alzheimer's dementia and Parkinson's disease have much broader perspective as it will help in building robust therapeutics at the earliest. Authors herein critically analyze the pathophysiological basis of Alzheimer's dementia and Parkinson's disease in relationship with "Gut–brain dysbiosis" and also try to search the preclinical phenotype/s of Alzheimer's dementia and Parkinson's disease pivoting around the Freudian hypothesis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Alzheimer's disease (AD) is a neurodegenerative disorder which is characterized by cognitive deficits and abnormal memory formation. Histone acetylation is essential for hippocampal memory formation and improving the cognitive deficits, and histone deacetylase 2 (HDAC2) is increased in the hippocampus of AD patients. The present study evaluated the effects of the nitric oxide (NO) mimetics, L-arginine and the nitrosothiol NO donor, s-nitrosoglutathione (GSNO), on memory and brain HDAC2 levels in experimental animal model of sporadic Alzheimer's disease (sAD). AD was induced experimentally in rats by intracerebroventricular injection of streptozotocin (STZ, 3mg/kg). The effects of NO mimetics, GSNO and L-arginine, were assessed on STZ induced cognitive deficits in the Morris water maze (MWM) test, and, following this, the hippocampal homogenates were assayed for amyloid-β, brain derived neurotropic factor (BDNF) and HDAC2 levels. The neurobehavioral and biochemical data of the drug treated groups were compared with those of experimental control group. The results showed that icv-STZ induced cognitive deficits were differentially attenuated by GSNO (50µg/kg) and, to a lesser extent, L-arginine (100mg/kg) with improvement in the spatial learning tasks in MWM test. These behavioral changes were associated with decreased levels of biochemical markers viz. amyloid β, BDNF and HDAC2 levels in hippocampus. It is inferred that NO donors like GSNO could influence AD pathophysiology via epigenetic modification of HDAC2 inhibition. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this paper, the solution and behaviour of local fractional Fokker–Planck equation (LFFPE) is investigated in fractal media. For this purpose, the local fractional homotopy perturbation Elzaki transform method (LFHPETM) is proposed and utilized to explore the solution of LFFPE. The proposed scheme is a merger of well known local fractional homotopy perturbation technique and recently introduced local fractional Elzaki transform (LFET). The convergence and uniqueness analyses for LFHPETM solution of the general partial differential equation is also presented along with the computational procedure of this new hybrid combination. Three examples of LFFPE are illustrated to depict the applicability of the employed method with graphical simulations on Cantor set. The copulation of LFET with local fractional homotopy perturbation method (LFHPM) efficiently provides the faster solution for LFFPE in a fractal domain as compared to the LFHPM. Furthermore, the achieved solutions are also in a good match with existing solutions. The 3D behavior of solutions of LFFPEs are presented for fractal order ln 2 / ln 3 . Figures illustrate the 3D surface graphics of solutions with respect to input variables. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Obg-like ATPase 1 (OLA1) protein has GTP and ATP hydrolyzing activities and is important for cellular growth and survival. The human OLA1 gene maps to chromosome 2 (locus 2q31.1), near Titin (TTN), which is associated with familial dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM). In this study, we found that expression of OLA1 was significantly downregulated in failing human heart tissue (HF) compared to non-failing hearts (NF). Using the Sanger sequencing method, we characterized the human OLA1 gene and screened for mutations in the OLA1 gene in patients with failing and non-failing hearts. Among failing and non-failing heart patients, we found 15 different mutations in the OLA1 gene, including two transversions, one substitution, one deletion, and eleven transitions. All mutations were intronic except for a non-synonymous 5144A>G, resulting in 254Tyr>Cys in exon 8 of the OLA1 gene. Furthermore, haplotype analysis of these mutations revealed that these single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) are linked to each other, resulting in disease-specific haplotypes. Additionally, to screen the 254Tyr>Cys point mutation, we developed a cost-effective, rapid genetic screening PCR test that can differentiate between homozygous (AA and GG) and heterozygous (A/G) genotypes. Our results demonstrate that this PCR test can effectively screen for OLA1 mutation-associated cardiomyopathy in human patients using easily accessible cells or tissues, such as blood cells. These findings have important implications for the diagnosis and treatment of cardiomyopathy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Histones serve as a major carrier of epigenetic information in the form of post‐translational modifications which are vital for controlling gene expression, maintaining cell identity, and ensuring proper cellular function. Loss of histones in the aging genome can drastically impact the epigenetic landscape of the cell leading to altered chromatin structure and changes in gene expression profiles. In this study, we investigated the impact of age‐related changes on histone levels and histone acetylation in the retinal pigment epithelium (RPE) and retina of mice. We observed a global reduction of histones H1, H2A, H2B, H3, and H4 in aged RPE/choroid but not in the neural retina. Transcriptomic analyses revealed significant downregulation of histones in aged RPE/choroid including crucial elements of the histone locus body (HLB) complex involved in histone pre‐mRNA processing. Knockdown of HINFP, a key HLB component, in human RPE cells induced histone loss, senescence, and the upregulation of senescence‐associated secretory phenotype (SASP) markers. Replicative senescence and chronological aging in human RPE cells similarly resulted in progressive histone loss and acquisition of the SASP. Immunostaining of human retina sections revealed histone loss in RPE with age. Acetyl‐histone profiling in aged mouse RPE/choroid revealed a specific molecular signature with loss of global acetyl‐histone levels, including H3K14ac, H3K56ac, and H4K16ac marks. These findings strongly demonstrate histone loss as a unique feature of RPE aging and provide critical insights into the potential mechanisms linking histone dynamics, cellular senescence, and aging. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Ionizing radiation has been used for mutagenesis or material modification. The potential to use microalgae as a platform for antimicrobial production has been reported, but little work has been done to advance it beyond characterization to biotechnology. This study explored two different applications of ionizing radiation as a metabolic remodeler and a molecular modifier to enhance the antimicrobial activity of total protein and solvent extracts of Chlamydomonas reinhardtii cells. Results: First, highly efficient transgenic C. reinhardtii strains expressing the plant-derived antimicrobial peptides, AtPR1 or AtTHI2.1, were developed using the radiation-inducible promoter, CrRPA70Ap. Low transgene expression was significantly improved through X-irradiation (12–50 Gy), with peak activity observed within 2 h. Protein extracts from these strains after X-irradiation showed enhanced antimicrobial activity against the prokaryotic bacterium, Pseudomonas syringae, and the eukaryotic fungus, Cryptococcus neoformans. In addition, X-irradiation (12 Gy) increased the growth and biomass of the transgenic strains. Second, C. reinhardtii cell extracts in ethanol were γ-irradiated (5–20 kGy), leading to molecular modifications and increased antimicrobial activity against the phytopathogenic bacteria, P. syringae and Burkholderia glumae, in a dose-dependent manner. These changes were associated with alterations in fatty acid composition. When both transgenic expression of antimicrobial peptides and molecular modification of bioactive substances were applied, the antimicrobial activity of C. reinhardtii cell extracts was further enhanced to some extent. Conclusion: Overall, these findings suggest that ionizing radiation can significantly enhance the antimicrobial potential of C. reinhardtii through efficient transgene expression and molecular modification of bioactive substances, making it a valuable source of natural antimicrobial agents. Ionizing radiation can act not only as a metabolic remodeler of transgene expression in microalgae but also as a molecular modifier of the bioactive substances. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

ABSTRACT The study examines the binding affinities and pharmacological potential of synthesized metal compounds with PfNDH2 in Plasmodium falciparum. So as to identify the combatting agent for malaria, six new organotellurium (IV) complexes (8a–8f) were prepared through a condensation reaction of 3‐methyl‐2‐thiophene carboxaldehyde and p‐nitroaniline. The synthesized compounds were inclusively characterized through physical and spectral techniques signifying a distorted octahedral geometry. The reported complexes were screened for antimalarial and antioxidant activities and analyzed using micro assays and DPPH assays, respectively. Using docking interactions, the research evaluates the binding energies, hydrogen bonds, and steric interactions of various compounds with PfNDH2, aiming to identify promising candidates for antimalarial drug development. Among the compounds, 8f showed the strongest binding affinity, with the lowest binding energy of −135.626 kcal/mol, and diverse hydrogen bonds with the target enzyme. Structure‐based pharmacophore modeling revealed critical interaction profiles and selectivity scores for the compounds, with 8f emerging as a promising candidate. Molecular electrostatic potential (MESP) analysis offered insights into the distribution of electron density within the compounds, influencing their reactivity and potential as antimalarial agents. ADMET analysis highlighted the pharmacokinetic and toxicological profiles of the compounds, revealing critical aspects for optimizing safety and efficacy. Overall, the findings provide valuable information for further development and optimization of potential antimalarial drugs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This research study investigates the professional development needs of mainstream teachers in India, teaching in upper primary and secondary classes to cater to a class of diverse learners. The research was conducted in mainstream private, English medium schools in four metropolitan cities of India: Delhi NCR, Mumbai, Bangalore, and Kolkata. A mixed methods and multi-step approach was used for data collection. Stage one utilized an online questionnaire (N=280), while stage two used focus group discussions with teachers and semi-structured interviews with the other key stakeholders: heads of schools, special educators, section heads, and counselors (8 focus groups and 16 interviews). The study explored several aspects of teacher training for inclusion, such as the challenges faced by teachers in catering to the needs of diverse learners, their professional development needs, perceptions of the efficacy of the methods currently used to meet their professional development needs, and suggestions about the content and features of an ideal professional development program (PDP). This paper reports on one aspect of this study- the framework of an exemplar PDP for inclusion. Suggestions for the content of an exemplar PDP comprised knowledge of diverse needs and identification, inclusive teaching practices, differentiated instruction, classroom management, lesson planning, and subject/age-specific training. The standard features mentioned by participants were that the PDP should be practical, regular, conducted at frequent intervals, have follow-ups, provide access to the resource person, and involve interaction with experts and other schools. The insights gained from the research will help define the framework of professional development programs for teachers, thereby influencing policy and practice. It is anticipated that teachers who are trained thus will be more effective in catering to the different aspects of a child’s education and also to the different types of learners, making them learners for life, the key tenets of quality education. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A novel Pseudochrobactrum saccharolyticum strain NBRI-CRB 13, isolated from tannery sludge, was studied to grow up to 500 mgL−1 of Cr(VI) and showed Cr(VI) detoxification by reducing > 90% of Cr(VI) at different concentrations 25, 50 and 100 mgL−1. Kinetic studies showed that first-order models were fitted (R2 = 0.998) to the time-dependent Cr(VI) reduction with degradation rate constant (k) (1.03–0.429 h−1). Cr(VI) detoxification was primarily related to the extracellular fraction of microbial cells, which showed a maximum extracellular reductase enzyme activity led to 94.6% reduction of Cr(VI). Moreover, the strain showed maximum extracellular polymeric substances (EPS) production at 100 mgL−1 Cr(VI), which is presumably the reason for Cr(VI) removal as EPS serves as the metal binding site for Cr(VI) ions. Further, an optimization study using Box-Behnken design was conducted considering parameters viz., pH, temperature, and initial concentration of Cr(VI). The maximum percent reduction of Cr(VI) was obtained at pH 6.5, temperature 30 °C with 62.5 mgL−1Cr(VI) concentration. Further, the Cr(VI) reduction and adsorption ability of strain P. saccharolyticum NBRI-CRB13 were confirmed by SEM–EDS, FTIR, and XRD analyses. FTIR analysis confirmed the presence of functional groups (–OH, –COOH, –PO4) on bacterial cell walls, which were more likely to interact with positively charged chromium ions. The study elucidated the reduction of Cr(VI) by the novel bacterium within 24 h using the response surface methodology approach and advocated its application in real-time situations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper presents a thorough assessment and classification of different uncertain environments used by researchers to analyze inventory management(IM) systems across various sectors, such as ABC analysis, Last In, First Out (LIFO), and batch tracking. Moreover, it introduces the concepts of the neutrosophic principle and fuzzy principle in inventory management. it also investigates the difficulties associated with the traditional inventory model. The primary focus of the study lies in inventory management under the Neutrosophic principle, specifically addressing uncertain demand and imprecise data. By shedding light on the potential of neutrosophic principle, this manuscript contributes valuable insights into overcoming the challenges posed by fuzzy models and enhancing decision-making in the realm of inventory control system. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this paper, we examine almost (strictly) semimonotone matrices which are also either Z -matrices or matrices having Property (+ +) and show that both parts of Wendler's conjecture [22] (2019) hold for these matrices. Another important result of this paper is the characterization of copositive matrices beyond the matrices with non-positive off-diagonal elements. We discuss some interesting properties related to the structure of almost (strictly) semimonotone matrices and also present results pertaining to the existence and multiplicity of solutions to the linear complementarity problem associated with an almost strictly semimonotone matrix. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background Methods Results Conclusion Pancreatic islet β‐cell mass expands during pregnancy, but underlying mechanisms are not fully understood. This study examines the impact of pregnancy and cafeteria diet on islet morphology, associated cellular proliferation/apoptosis rates as well as β‐cell lineage.Non‐pregnant and pregnant Ins1Cre/+;Rosa26‐eYFP transgenic mice were maintained on either normal or high‐fat cafeteria diet, with pancreatic tissue obtained at 18 days gestation. Immunohistochemical changes in islet morphology, β‐/α‐cell proliferation and apoptosis, as well as islet cell identity, neogenesis and ductal cell transdifferentiation were assessed.Pregnant normal diet mice displayed an increase in body weight and glycaemia. Cafeteria feeding attenuated this weight gain while causing overt hyperglycaemia. Pregnant mice maintained on a normal diet exhibited typical expansion in islet and β‐cell area, owing to increased β‐cell proliferation and survival as well as ductal to β‐cell transdifferentiation and β‐cell neogenesis, alongside decreased β‐cell dedifferentiation. Such pregnancy‐induced islet adaptations were severely restricted by cafeteria diet. Accordingly, islets from these mice displayed high levels of β‐cell apoptosis and dedifferentiation, together with diminished β‐cell proliferation and lack of pregnancy‐induced β‐cell neogenesis and transdifferentiation, entirely opposing islet cell modifications observed in pregnant mice maintained on a normal diet.Augmentation of β‐cell mass during gestation arises through various mechanisms that include proliferation and survival of existing β‐cells, transdifferentiation of ductal cells as well as β‐cell neogenesis. Remarkably, cafeteria feeding almost entirely annuls pregnancy‐induced islet adaptations, which may contribute to the development of gestational diabetes in the setting of dietary provoked metabolic stress. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In the era of state-of-the-art space-borne telescopes, high-resolution ground-based observation has emerged as a crucial method for characterizing exoplanets, providing essential insights into their atmospheric compositions. In the optical and near-infrared regions, high-resolution spectroscopy has been powerful for hot Jupiters (HJs) and ultrahot Jupiters (UHJs) during their primary transits, as it can probe molecules with better sensitivity. Here, we focus on a comparative simulation study of WASP-76 b (UHJ) and WASP-77 A b (HJ) for different numbers of transits, utilizing three ground-based spectrographs, GIANO-B (Telescopio Nazionale Galileo), CARMENES (Centro Astronomico Hispano Alemán), and ANDES (European Extremely Large Telescope or E-ELT), with varying instrumental parameters, spectral coverages, and resolutions. We aim to evaluate the feasibility of using the upcoming ground-based E-ELT to probe molecules from planet atmospheres and to show how it surpasses other ground-based observatories in terms of detectability. With the 1D model petitCODE, we have self-consistently simulated the atmospheric pressure–temperature profiles, which are subsequently integrated into the 1D chemical kinetics model, VULCAN, to evolve the atmospheric chemistry. High-resolution spectra are obtained by performing line-by-line radiative transfer using petitRADTRANS. Finally, we use the resulting spectra to assess the detectability ( σ det ) of molecular bands, employing the ground-based noise simulator SPECTR. Utilizing cross-correlation spectroscopy, we have successfully demonstrated the robust consistency between our simulation study and real-time observations for both planets. ANDES excels overall in molecular detection, due to its enhanced instrumental architecture, reinforcing E-ELT's importance for studying exoplanet atmospheres. Additionally, our theoretical simulations predict the detection of CO, NH3, and H2S in the WASP-76 b atmosphere with σ det > 3. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This research unveils a transformative methodology for fabricating flexible printed circuit boards (PCBs), focusing on the unique attributes of filter paper substrates. A meticulous parametric exploration scrutinizes critical aspects such as buckling resistance, charging current, plating time, and electrode configurations for copper electroplating. Key findings highlight the exceptional stability of copper electroplating on filter paper, exhibiting robust resistance against environmental variations and bending angles spanning +180° to −180°. Utilizing higher pencil grade material and maintaining a minimum 4 cm distance with a voltage range of 3 to 1.44 V ensures uniform, controlled plating without burning, optimizing the electrode area below 1 cm2 for enhanced practicality. The research underscores the longevity and durability of copper‐plated filter paper, with negligible resistance changes even after 1000 folds. Over a year, the shelf‐life assessment emphasizes the excellent stability of electroplated filter paper. Practical applications, including fully functional circuits and a bio‐degradable piano, underscore the versatility and real‐world feasibility of the proposed electroplating technique. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study investigates, in the Indian context, the relationship between a mother's perceived parenting style and children's cognitive style. The focus is on the two specific cognitive styles-field dependence and field independence. Field-dependent (FD) individuals depend on external cues, are influenced by the environment and other people, and cannot distinguish details from larger information presented to them. While Field Independent (FI) individuals depend on internal cues, are not influenced by the environment and other people, and tend to pick out finer details from the surrounding context. The participants comprised 70 young adults (14 males & 56 females), aged between 17 years to 20 years. This critical developmental stage is commonly associated with self-exploration and identity formation. The data collection involved the administration of Herman Witkin's Embedded Figures Test (Witkin, 1971) to form two groups of participants that vary in their cognitive styles-Field Dependent and fieldindependent. Then, a Perceived Parenting Style Questionnaire was administered to them (Gafoor & Kurakkun, 2014). The results obtained were analyzed using the non-parametric test Chi-Square. The obtained value was found to be insignificant. Hence, it is concluded that children's cognitive style and mother's parenting style are independent of each other. In the Indian collectivistic society, many people contribute to the parenting and socialization process of the children. Thus, many other cultural, familial, societal, and contextual factors need to be investigated to derive a holistic understanding of the cognitive development of Indian children. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

An analysis of the photoluminescence (PL) and thermoluminescence (TL) glow curves from the calcite sample collected from the Meghalaya basin is reported. The as-collected sample is thoroughly ground with an agate pestle-and-mortar set for 4 h and is annealed at 400°C for 2 h. An X-ray diffraction (XRD) analysis of the sample reveals cubic crystal structure. The collected sample morphology shows the presence of agglomeration. The bending and stretching of bonds inside the calcite in the fingerprint region is determined by the Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy. The photoluminescence excitation and emission spectra are monitored; they show well resolved peaks at 252 nm (absorption band), 395 nm and 509 nm (emission bands). An analysis of the thermoluminescence (TL) glow curve of calcite is performed using UV excitation for different UV exposure times (5 and 15 minutes), showing a linear response with the UV dose. The corresponding kinetic parameters, like order of kinetics, activation energy and frequency factor, are calculated using the computerized glow curve deconvolution (CGCD) technique. The collected calcite sample shows a good response with the dose, which may be useful for the environmental UV monitoring systems. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The synthesis of metal nanoparticles holds significant promise for various applications ranging from electronics to catalysis. Their high specific surface area makes them more applicable in the form of lubricant and sorbent. Some of the metal nano-powders, such as silver, copper, and zinc, possess anti-microbial properties; hence, they are very useful in medical sciences. This paper presents a novel approach to the design and implementation of a compact metal nano-powder generator of 273 MW average power through the electrical explosion of wire method. The design focuses on achieving the automatic and repetitive operation of a compact metal nano-powder generator and minimizing its geometric inductance to achieve a fast rise time current across the exploding wire load. Copper nano-powder is produced with a copper wire of 450 μm thickness and 30 mm length at charging voltages of 8.5, 9.0, and 9.5 kV and achieving a superheat of 1.75, 1.92, and 2.06, respectively. The synthesis process is characterized by a detailed analysis of the copper nano-powder's structural, morphological, and chemical composition using techniques such as x-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy, and energy-dispersive x-ray spectroscopy. The particle size distribution studies are performed by adopting the log-normal probability distribution. The results demonstrate the effectiveness of the proposed compact nano-powder generator in producing copper nano-powder with tailored properties suitable for diverse applications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Schwannomas are benign and slow-growing peripheral nerve sheath neoplasms of Schwann cells. These are generally encountered in the neck, head, and flexor areas of the extremities. Even though many schwannomas are easily diagnosable, their variable morphology can occasionally create difficulty in diagnosis. In this study, we present a rare case of melanotic schwannoma of the sacrum, emphasizing the need for routine biopsy to understand the etiology. A 46-year-old man presented to the Department of Neurosurgery, Taipei Medical University Hospital, with buttock pain in the sacrum area for 1 year, which worsened in the last 1–2 months. The patient had no known history of trauma or malignancy. We evidenced an intradural extramedullary neurogenic tumor at the caudal end from S1 to S3. Histologic analysis revealed melanin deposition in the tumor cells. Round to oval tumor cells were positive for HMB-45 and S-100 proteins, suggestive of melanotic Schwannoma, which were removed by laminectomy. After 1 month, the tumor recurred and was further removed surgically. Conclusively, we observed the sacrum as an unusual anatomic site for the possible occurrence of melanotic schwannoma, especially in patients with no known history of trauma and malignancy. The possibility of melanotic schwannoma is very high. We hypothesize that melanotic schwannoma was possible because it occurred in the intradural and extramedullary regions of the spine. Hence, a routine biopsy should be performed to corroborate the exact cause and prevent incorrect presumptions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this article, the role of slip-dependent (SD) zeta potential in the hydrodynamic characteristics of mixed electromagnetohydrodynamic (EMHD) and electroosmotic driven flow of couple stress fluid within a rotating microfluidic channel is theoretically investigated. This work is the first to analyze the hydrodynamic characteristics of slip-independent (SI) and slip-dependent (SD) zeta potentials in a rotating microchannel including a detailed analysis of Ekmann spirals in the microchannel. Ekmann spirals show the effect of rotational flow caused by different parameters, particularly, the slip parameter and the Hartmann number being the most significant ones. Ekmann plot variations, observed under both SI and SD model cases, show a significant effect on rotating flow dynamics. The effect of pertinent parameters on the rotational flow velocity, centerline velocity, and volumetric flow rate is graphically depicted. The findings of this research reveal that the SD zeta potential plays a crucial role in determining the rotating flow velocity and volume flow transport. The normalized transverse centerline in the magnitude flow velocity increases with the couple stress parameter and decreases with the slip parameter for both SI and SD model cases. Notably, the magnitude of the normalized transverse flow rate increases with rotational parameter values. In contrast, it decreases with an increase in the slip parameter under the SD model case. The outcomes of this study can be directly used in applications like transportation of biofluid models in Lab-On-a-Chip (LOC) devices and microfluidic systems under certain conditions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Upconversion nanoparticles (UCNPs) are well-reported for bioimaging. However, their applications are limited by low luminescence intensity. To enhance the intensity, often the UCNPs are coated with macromolecules or excited with high laser power, which is detrimental to their long-term biological applications. Herein, we report a novel approach to prepare co-doped CaF2:Yb3+ (20%), Er3+ with varying concentrations of Er (2%, 2.5%, 3%, and 5%) at ambient temperature with minimal surfactant and high-pressure homogenization. Strong luminescence and effective red emission of the UCNPs were seen even at low power and without functionalization. X-ray diffraction (XRD) of UCNPs revealed the formation of highly crystalline, single-phase cubic fluorite-type nanostructures, and transmission electron microscopy (TEM) showed co-doped UCNPs are of ~ 12 nm. The successful doping of Yb and Er was evident from TEM–energy dispersive X-ray analysis (TEM-EDAX) and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) studies. Photoluminescence studies of UCNPs revealed the effect of phonon coupling between host lattice (CaF2), sensitizer (Yb3+), and activator (Er3+). They exhibited tunable upconversion luminescence (UCL) under irradiation of near-infrared (NIR) light (980 nm) at low laser powers (0.28–0.7 W). The UCL properties increased until 3% doping of Er3+ ions, after which quenching of UCL was observed with higher Er3+ ion concentration, probably due to non-radiative energy transfer and cross-relaxation between Yb3+-Er3+ and Er3+-Er3+ ions. The decay studies aligned with the above observation and showed the dependence of UCL on Er3+ concentration. Further, the UCNPs exhibited strong red emission under irradiation of 980 nm light and retained their red luminescence upon internalization into cancer cell lines, as evident from confocal microscopic imaging. The present study demonstrated an effective approach to designing UCNPs with tunable luminescence properties and their capability for cellular imaging under low laser power. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The study comprehensively evaluates low-cost CO2 sensors from different price tiers, assessing their performance against a reference-grade instrument and exploring the possibility of calibration using different machine learning techniques. Three sensors (Sunrise AB by Senseair, K30 CO2 by Senseair, and GMP 343 by Vaisala) were tested alongside a reference instrument (Los Gatos precision greenhouse gas analyzer). The results revealed differences in sensor performance, with the higher cost Vaisala sensors exhibiting superior accuracy. Despite its lower price, the Sunrise sensors still demonstrated reasonable accuracy. Meanwhile, the K30 sensor measurements displayed higher variability and noise. Machine learning models, including linear regression, gradient boosting regression, and random forest regression, were employed for sensor calibration. In general, linear regression models performed best for extrapolating data, whereas decision tree-based models were generally more useful in handling non-linear datasets. Notably, a stack ensemble model combining these techniques outperformed the individual models and significantly improved sensor accuracy by approximately 65%. Overall, this study contributes to filling the gap in intercomparing CO2 sensors across different price categories and underscores the potential of machine learning for enhancing sensor accuracy, particularly in low-cost sensor applications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Multidrug-resistant or extended drug resistance has created havoc when it comes to patient treatment, as options are limited because of the spread of pathogens that are extensively or multidrug-resistant (MDR or XDR) and the absence of novel antibiotics that are effective against these pathogens. Physicians have therefore started using more established antibiotics such as polymyxins, tetracyclines, and aminoglycosides. Fosfomycin has just come to light as a result of the emergence of resistance to these medications since it continues to be effective against MDR and XDR bacteria that are both gram-positive and gram-negative. Fosfomycin, a bactericidal analogue of phosphoenolpyruvate that was formerly utilised as an oral medication for uncomplicated urinary tract infections, has recently attracted the interest of clinicians around the world. It may generally be a suitable therapy option for patients with highly resistant pathogenic infections, according to the advanced resistance shown by gram-negative bacteria. This review article aims to comprehensively evaluate the impact of fosfomycin on gram negative infections, highlighting its mechanism of action, pharmacokinetics, clinical efficacy, and resistance patterns. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This review article comprehensively explores the electrochemical detection of organophosphate-based agents, including warfare agents, pesticides, and simulants. It provides an in-depth analysis of their molecular structures, emphasizing the inherent toxicity and environmental risks posed by these compounds. The review highlights the significant role of flexible sensors in facilitating the electrochemical detection of organophosphate-based agents, offering insights into their design, development, and application in detection methodologies. Additionally, the article critically evaluates the challenges encountered in this field, such as sensor sensitivity and sample complexity, and discusses potential solutions to address these challenges. Furthermore, it outlines the future scope and opportunities for advancement in electrochemical detection technologies, including the integration of novel materials and the exploration of innovative detection strategies. By synthesizing current research findings and identifying future research directions, this review contributes to the ongoing discourse on the detection and mitigation of organophosphate-based agents' risks to human health and the environment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The knowledge about the anatomy of the mandible and its variations in age, sex and race will help physicians, surgeons, medico -legal authorities and anthropologists to give correct interpretations for the diagnostic procedures in living. Aim and objective: To study the Sex determination & morphometric parameters of human mandible. Material and method: We collected the human mandible bones (N=122) from the department of Anatomy, Index Medical College Hospital & Research Centre, Indore. region to study the morphological and morphometric features.Results: Among all parameters Six dominating parameters that possibly explain the nature of the mandible are height of the ramus, body thickness, anthropometric arch width, inter incisor width, mandibular index and mandibular angle are useful to determine the unknown sex of the mandible upto an extent of 75.2% in south Indian population. The incidence of the above mentioned sex determination parameters considered together and treated statistically. Conclusion: The present study reveals that the mandible of unknown gender can be sexed to the extent of 75% accuracy by six dominating parameters and not to consider these for complete sex determination of the mandible bone in osteometric studies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Summary: The baking industry is greatly interested in incorporating banana peel and mango peel into a broader spectrum of baked goods. This review delves into the innovative utilisation of banana and mango peels in various baked products, specifically focusing on biscuits, cookies, cakes, and cake doughnuts. Incorporating banana peel in baked goods has gained attention for its potential to enhance flavour, texture, and nutritional value. Similarly, mango peel has been explored for its unique properties and potential contributions to baked items. This review emphasises the health benefits of banana and mango peels, including antioxidants, fibre, and other nutritional advantages that help prevent diseases and promote overall well‐being. Limited scientific studies may explore using banana peel and mango peel specifically as functional ingredients in baked products. This review highlights the utilisation of banana peel and mango peel in baked products, focusing on their influence on product quality, sensory characteristics, and potential health benefits. It presents a sustainable and innovative approach to creating healthier, more flavourful baked products. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Subsurface characterization is a crucial aspect of geophysical exploration, enabling the identification and understanding of valuable geological bodies and resources. In this context, joint inversion of gravity and magnetic data has emerged as a powerful geophysical exploration technique, allowing for a more coherent and consistent interpretation of subsurface structures. The study focuses on understanding residual gravity and magnetic anomalies by employing the gradient descent-based joint inversion approach. A MATLAB program was developed to determine the inverse gravitational and magnetic anomalies using the gradient descent approach. We explored the potential of 2D rectangular prisms as a popular geometry to represent mineralized bodies and oil and gas structures. To overcome the non-uniqueness issues, we designed code for joint inversion of gravity and magnetic data. Synthetic data was inverted using the gradient descent technique and compared with the least-squares approach. Numerical simulations and real data application successfully reconstructed the geometry of the prisms. An illustrative example of a prism fault was used for further evaluation. Real data from the Oka complex in Quebec, Canada, was collected from the literature and subjected to joint and individual gravity and magnetic modelling. The results highlighted the influence of heterogeneous mass distribution on matching forward anomalies. The high gravity anomaly in the Oka complex was attributed to carbonatite and silicate rocks. The presence of two intrusive centres within the complex caused the magnetic high. This work demonstrates the effectiveness of the gradient descent approach as it consistently outperformed the conventional method, offering a robust solution for subsurface characterization in geophysical exploration. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Investigating the geochemical composition of bulk sediments stands as a crucial method for unraveling the complexities of various sedimentary processes. However, the intricacies arising from extensive datasets and alterations in sediment due to diverse factors often impede the clear identification of underlying patterns in geochemical fluctuations. In addressing these, employing multivariate statistical analyses has proven to be an invaluable tool for elucidating intricate patterns within large dataset. In this study, we focus on the utilization of Principal Component Analysis (PCA), a multivariate statistical technique, to uncover the underlying sedimentary processes influencing distinct geochemical dataset. Specifically, our attention is directed towards the examination of geochemical data from the previously published geochemical data of metasediments from Shimla and Chail group (referred to as SCM) and the mudflat sediments of Diu Island (referred to as DMS). Our PCA outcomes reveal that the initial three principal components (PC1, PC2, and PC3) account for 52.51% and 79.30% of the total variance within the SCM and DMS geochemical data, respectively. Notably, the negative loading of SiO2, alongside positive loadings of incompatible elements and those associated with mafic rocks on PC1 within the SCM dataset, indicates sediment origins ranging from felsic to intermediate sources. Additionally, the coexistence of Th, U, Zr, and Sc, exhibiting positive loadings in PC1 and PC2, suggests a significant influence of reworking and recycling from felsic to intermediate sources. In the context of the DMS dataset, PCA analysis highlights the dominant influence of in-situ productivity and mafic sediment sources along the positive axis of PC1. Conversely, the negative axis of PC1 is shaped by intermediate and potentially other sources. Further granularity in interpretation reveals the positive axis of PC2 being attributed to weathering proxies, while the dominance of plagioclase minerals in the clayey fraction controls the positive axis of PC3. Through this investigation, our study underscores the essential role of PCA-assisted geochemical data analysis in unraveling the intricate web of processes contributing to the variance observed within sedimentary systems. By effectively distilling the multifaceted factors driving geochemical variability, this approach emerges as a pivotal asset in enhancing our understanding of sedimentary dynamics. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Endometriosis is a common condition that affects 5% to 10% of women during their reproductive years, although the aetiology and pathophysiology are still unknown. This study aimed to create an endometriosis model in rats to investigate the efficacy of natural and synthetic medications in treating endometriosis. An in vivo endometriotic model was established using a surgical induction method and the endocrine-disrupting drug diethylstilbestrol (DES). In brief, the experiment is categorised into three different groups. Each group contains five rats. The first group had no surgery, while in the in the second group of rats (n = 5), two small tissue grafts were fixed at the right and left walls of the abdomen. But in the in the third group of rats (n = 5), two small pieces of tissue have been grafted on the right and left abdomen walls by surgically along with DES treatments. Noninvasive photoacoustic imaging (PAI) was employed in the study to measure factors such as haemoglobin levels, oxygen saturation, and the size of endometriotic lesions. Histopathological analysis was carried out utilising staining techniques such as Hematoxylin and Eosin, Masson's Trichrome, and Periodic Acid Schiff, as well as immunohistochemistry with marker antibodies. Molecular markers in uterine tissue were examined using Western blots and real-time PCR. The developed endometriosis rat model showed a significant increase in the expression of anti-apoptotic Bcl-2, angiogenic marker VEGF and pro-inflammatory (COX-2 and IL-6) protein markers. In contrast to the control group, the treatment group had considerably lower Caspase-3 expression levels. Photoacoustic imaging (PAI) data demonstrated a constant increase in lesion size, as well as a decrease in oxygen saturation levels. The findings suggest that the in vivo endometriosis rat model may accurately assess the efficacy of natural or synthetic endometriosis treatments. This model may help in the improvement of disease understanding and the development of targeted therapeutic drugs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Plants maintain iron (Fe) homeostasis under varying environmental conditions by balancing processes such as Fe uptake, transport and storage. In Arabidopsis, POPEYE (PYE), a basic helix‐loop‐helix transcription factor (TF), has been shown to play a crucial role in regulating this balance. In recent years, the mechanisms regulating Fe uptake have been well established but the upstream transcriptional regulators of Fe transport and storage are still poorly understood. In this study, we report that ELONGATED HYPOCOTYL5 (HY5), a basic leucine zipper (bZIP) TF which has recently been shown to play a crucial role in Fe homeostasis, interacts with PYE. Molecular, genetic and biochemical approaches revealed that PYE and HY5 have overlapping as well as some distinct roles in the regulation of Fe deficiency response. We found that HY5 and PYE both act as a repressor of Fe transport genes such as YSL3, FRD3, NPF5.9, YSL2, NAS4 and OPT3. HY5 was found to directly bind on the promoter of these genes and regulate intercellular Fe transport. Further analysis revealed that HY5 and PYE directly interact at the same region on PYE and NAS4 promoter. Overall, this study revealed that HY5 regulates Fe homeostasis by physically interacting with PYE as well as independently. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Summary Generating a quadrature signal in a single‐phase system using a second‐order generalized integrator (SOGI) requires accurate frequency information. The standard SOGI phase‐locked loop (PLL) includes frequency feedback to the SOGI. However, during grid abnormalities such as voltage sag/swell and phase angle jumps, the SOGI‐PLL faces frequency disturbances that propagate to the phase detector (PD) and affects the quadrature signal generator (QSG). Furthermore, the SOGI‐PLL having two loops dependent on each other creates loop coupling phenomena; either a change in phase or frequency affects each other. SOGI‐PLL is tuning sensitive, as the SOGI block has a gain that needs to be adjusted, increases the complexity, and affects the performance of the system. There is a trade‐off between SOGI gain and PLL parameters that needs to be considered for adequate parameter design to provide accurate grid synchronization while maintaining the stability of the system. To attain better performance, researchers have proposed derivative‐based PLL (DPLL). The conventional DPLL faces challenges to noise and harmonics amplification. This paper presents an improved DPLL for single‐phase grid synchronization under adverse grid conditions. The improved derivative‐based PLL (IDPLL) comprises two improved derivative‐based quadrature signal generator (IDQSG) blocks to extract the phase‐error information for accurately estimating phase and frequency. The detailed mathematical modeling and bode plot for the IDQSG and IDPLL are presented. The proposed IDQSG eliminates the requirement of gain tuning, hence reducing complexity. Moreover, there is no interdependent loop in the IDPLL, which significantly improves the dynamic performance. A hardware setup is developed to evaluate the performance of the system in real‐time. The experimental results are obtained using an field programmable gate array (FPGA)‐based controller. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Bacillus thuringiensis is the most widely used biopesticide, targets a diversity of insect pests belonging to several orders. However, information regarding the B. thuringiensis strains and toxins targeting Zeugodacus cucurbitae is very limited. Therefore, in the present study, we isolated and identified five indigenous B. thuringiensisstrains toxic to larvae of Z. cucurbitae. However, of five strains NBAIR BtPl displayed the highest mortality (LC50 = 37.3 μg/mL) than reference strain B. thuringiensis var. israelensis (4Q1) (LC50 = 45.41 μg/mL). Therefore, the NBAIR BtPl was considered for whole genome sequencing to identify the cry genes present in it. Whole genome sequencing of our strain revealed genome size of 6.87 Mb with 34.95% GC content. Homology search through the BLAST algorithm revealed that NBAIR BtPl is 99.8% similar to B. thuringiensisserovar tolworthi, and gene prediction through Prokka revealed 7406 genes, 7168 proteins, 5 rRNAs, and 66 tRNAs. BtToxin_Digger analysis of NBAIR BtPl genome revealed four cry gene families: cry1, cry2, cry8Aa1, and cry70Aa1. When tested for the presence of these four cry genes in other indigenous strains, results showed that cry70Aa1 was absent. Thus, the study provided a basis for predicting cry70Aa1 be the possible reason for toxicity. In this study apart from novel genes, we also identified other virulent genes encoding zwittermicin, chitinase, fengycin, and bacillibactin. Thus, the current study aids in predicting potential toxin-encoding genes responsible for toxicity to Z. cucurbitae and thus paves the way for the development of B. thuringiensis-based formulations and transgenic crops for management of dipteran pests. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Summary: This research explores the development of high‐moisture meat analogues (HMMA) by blending wheat gluten (WG) and rice protein (RP) with pea protein isolate (PPI) in a twin‐screw extruder under high‐moisture extrusion conditions. The study investigates the effects of incorporating RP and WG with PPI on textural, rheological and colour properties, as well as the underlying protein–protein interactions through protein solubility. From the compositional analysis of these secondary ingredients, there was no significant difference between them. However, results from the extrusion indicated that WG‐PPI showed good fibration and higher instrumental anisotropy than RP‐PPI blend extrudates. RP‐PPI blends exhibit inferior textural and rheological properties, attributed to RP's limited crosslinking ability within the protein matrix. This has resulted in a poor structure and lower textural values at higher incorporation of RP (50%) in the pea protein matrix. This was due to the insoluble protein fraction of the RP resulting in a non‐melting in the extrusion barrel. These findings underscore the importance of understanding protein interactions in developing optimised HMMA formulations, paving the way for further exploration into developing modified RP with improved physiochemical properties which can be integrated into meat analogues. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The concept of security is quite broad and touches the lives of one million people on a daily basis. Those individuals who depend on networks for activities such as banking, shopping, and filing their tax returns may soon face a potentially significant challenge in the form of network security, which will need to be handled in the not-too-distant future. The solution that is being recommended is a combination of two algorithms: The Hybrid Rivest–Shamir–Adleman (RSA) algorithm and the Ant Lion Optimization Algorithm. There have been two noteworthy developments in the requirements for information security inside a wireless sensor network over the course of the last several decades. First, prior to the broad use of data processing equipment, the security of information that was regarded useful to a wireless sensor network was largely supplied by physical and administrative precautions. This was the case even after the widespread use of data processing equipment. Hash functions are used by these designs whenever Rebalanced RSA is used to encrypt a message. This helps to guarantee that the integrity of the message is not compromised in any way. It has been found out that this novel method is susceptible to attacks based on selected ciphertext as well as adaptive attacks based on chosen ciphertext. A second strategy, which entails converting the ciphertext into binary format, is also one of the options that are being investigated. The binary format is further compressed and coded, which makes it resistant to a variety of attacks, including adaptive chosen ciphertext assaults, selected ciphertext assaults, and other assaults. To get started, a thorough study project on mapping is carried out in order to establish the mapping of assaults and counterattacks that would be most effective. A brand-new index that goes by the name "Threat Severity Index" (TSI) has been developed with the intention of determining how secure each individual system is on the whole. In addition, the decryption performance of RSA-type cryptosystems is researched and compared with that of other RSA-type cryptosystems in order to identify which cryptosystem provides the quickest decryption time. Last but not least, an overall rating of each system is provided, taking into account both its speed and its level of safety. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Progesterone (P4) acts as a key conserved signalling molecule in vertebrate reproduction. P4 is especially important for mature sperm physiology and subsequent reproductive success. "CatSpermasome", a multi-unit molecular complex, has been suggested to be the main if not the only P4-responsive atypical Ca2+-ion channel present in mature sperm. Altogether, here we analyse the protein sequences of CatSper1-4 from more than 500 vertebrates ranging from early fishes to humans. CatSper1 becomes longer in mammals due to sequence gain mainly at the N-terminus. Overall the conservation of full-length CatSper1-4 as well as the individual TM regions remain low. The lipid-water-interface residues (i.e. a 5 amino acid stretch sequence present on both sides of each TM region) also remain highly diverged. No specific patterns of amino acid distributions were observed. The total frequency of positively charged, negatively charged or their ratios do not follow in any specific pattern. Similarly, the frequency of total hydrophobic, total hydrophilic residues or even their ratios remain random and do not follow any specific pattern. We noted that the CatSper1-4 genes are missing in amphibians and the CatSper1 gene is missing in birds. The high variability of CatSper1-4 and gene-loss in certain clades indicate that the "CatSpermasome" is not the only P4-responsive ion channel. Data indicate that the molecular evolution of CatSper is mostly guided by diverse hydrophobic ligands rather than only P4. The comparative data also suggest possibilities of other Ca2+-channel/s in vertebrate sperm that can also respond to P4. In birds, only CatSper1 is absent. Similarly, in amphibians, all the CatSper units are absent, suggesting the presence of other proteins that can act as P4-responsive Ca2+-ion channels there. TRPV4 is present in all these vertebrate groups and multiple copies of the TRPV4 gene are present in amphibians [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

ABSTRACT Antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) are being studied for their potential in addressing microbial resistance, a significant issue in treating infections. More than 22,500 AMPs are listed in the database, but their clinical use faces challenges like instability and selectivity. Nanodrug delivery systems are now seen as a beneficial method to improve the effectiveness of AMPs. These systems can shield AMPs from degradation, enhance their availability, and deliver them to specific infection sites, enhancing their ability to combat resistance. One example is liposomal nanoparticles loaded with a mix of AMPs, targeting drug‐resistant bacteria directly. Strategies to develop novel AMPs through engineering methods, including design approaches, computational techniques, and modifications for stability, are discussed in this review. Combinatorial approaches with antibiotics, patents, and clinical trials involving AMPs against infections are also considered, highlighting the potential of AMPs in battling microbial resistance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The ultimate objective is to create strategies for glycol acetalization that are both economically and ecologically benign. The product cyclic dioxolane formed by acetalization of glycol shows excellent solvent properties as it is non-carcinogenic and causes no ozone related problems. It is used as a component of solvent in batteries and also finds application in the fragrance, flavour, pharmaceutical, polymers and textile industries. Herein we report a highly promising and environmentally benign process for converting glycol into 2,2 dimethyl 1,3 dioxolane via acetalization through NiO@B@GCN nanocubes catalys. Comprehensive analysis shows that the high catalytic performance of NiO@B@GCN nanocubes is the result of the cooperation of band gap engineering and efficient charge transfer capabilities. This work demonstrates the use of a synergistic strategy to effectively synthesize soft NiO@B@GCN nanocubes as a promising catalyst that exhibit excellent product yield. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Graphene-based metamaterials are increasingly capturing the interest of the research and scientific community for the development of reconfigurable optical devices. This paper focuses on a broadband metamaterial-based absorber at two different frequency range of the terahertz (THz) region. We have designed a graphene-based dual circular ring metamaterial absorber (GDCRMA) with a minimal thickness of 0.06λ, with respect to lower resonant frequency. The proposed absorber exhibits dual-band absorption spanning from 0.6 to 1.75 THz and 3.25 to 4.08 THz having a fractional bandwidth of 98.29% and 22.67%. Notably, the GDCRMA demonstrates polarization-insensitivity (up to 90°) and angle-insensitivity (up to 45°). The metamaterial behavior in the proposed absorber is underscored by the manifestation of negative values in effective permittivity and permeability. Additionally, it is observed that the absorption intensity well tunes in accordance with the varying chemical potential. Furthermore, an equivalent circuit model for the GDCRMA has been meticulously crafted yielding a remarkable concurrence with simulated outcomes. The proposed absorber's capability to maintain a large bandwidth with dual band absorption, alongside absorption amplitude tunability and polarization insensitivity, underscores its unique features. Such characteristics make the designed absorber an ideal candidate for applications in high frequency switching operations, boolean logic devices, imaging, and wireless communication. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The objective of this study was to prepare and evaluate sodium alginate microbeads with calcium chloride as cross-linking agent for Clonidinehydrochloride by ionotropic gelation method. Clonidine hydrochloride a centrally acting sympatholytic and imidazoline-derivative hypotensiveagent; selective α2-adrenergic agonist. It stimulates alpha2-adrenergic receptors in the brainstem to decrease sympathetic nervous system outflow. It is also administered epidurally to treat pain. Microbeads offer numerous advantages for releasing one of the drugs or part of the samedrug immediately while remaining drug or parts of the same can be sustained release. Prepared microbeads were evaluated for particle size,polydispersity index, zeta potential, particle shape, surface morphology, entrapment efficiency and In-vitro drug release. The prepared beads were free flowing and white in colour. The drug loaded beads showed 72.9±2.4% to 94.6±2.6% drug entrapment, which was found to increase with increase in alginate concentration. In vitro drug release study of these microbeads indicated controlled release for Clonidine hydrochloride 83.46% release after 48 hours. Hence the observations of all results of the different batches, MBD 11 showed controlled release action and improved drug availability. From this study it could be concluded that the free flowing micro beads of Clonidine hydro chloride could be successfully prepared by ionotropic gelation technique with high entrapment efficiency and prolonged release characteristics. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]