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Crystallization and amorphization are important processes and different cooling rates cause these transitions. Obtaining pure metals from their molten state is a challenge unless these two are well understood. Here we study both these transitions in liquid Ti using molecular dynamics simulations wherein Ti is modeled with embedded atom potential. At 1 bar, Ti crystal is melted and then cooled from 2200 to 300 K with cooling rates of 0.1, 1, and 10 K/ps. When cooled at 0.1 and 1 K/ps, molten Ti crystallizes to bcc phase between 1100 and 1000 K, and when cooled at 10 K/ps, it amorphizes between these temperatures. From radial distribution functions and Voronoi tessellation, we observe that liquid to bcc transition takes place through short range distorted hcp/bcc-like structures already present in it. Relaxation dynamics is studied using velocity-autocorrelation functions (VACFs), intermediate scattering function, and dynamic structure factor. For all cooling rates, relaxations in VACFs increase with cooling. However, correlations in them are stronger when the system is cooled at 10 K/ps. Relaxation times decrease and increase between 1100 and 1000 K for crystallization and amorphization, respectively, thereafter they increase again with further cooling. The dynamic structure factor shows stronger damping in thermal diffusive motion when systems are cooled at 0.1 and 1 K/ps and vibration peaks shift to higher frequencies when crystallization take place. Our findings support Binder's [K. Binder, Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. U. S. A. 111, 9374 (2014)] argument that if we cool the system faster than the minimum time needed for the liquid to relax, it will amorphize. This also prevents the growth of pre-ordered domains in it to establish long-range order. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A facile and environmentally benign methodology has been adopted for the synthesis of novel core–shell Ag@ZnO nanocomposite using Imperata cylindrica (L.) leaf extract. Characterization was performed by UV–Vis, FT‐IR, PL, SEM‐EDX, TEM‐SAED, and XRD. The nanocomposite demonstrated excellent efficiency in the reduction of various nitroarenes to their corresponding arylamines under visible light irradiation at room temperature. The advantages of this catalyst encompass its ease of accessibility, operational simplicity, and minimal loading to achieve high yields with excellent selectivity. It is effective across a broad range of substrates in short reaction times with green solvent. The heterogenous nature of the catalyst ensures exceptional reusability, highlighting its efficacy and versatility in organic transformations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We simulate an alloy of HfNbTaTi mixed in six different proportions and also of the equiatomic system under uniaxial tensile loading at 300 K. Molecular dynamics simulation trajectories are analyzed using radial distribution functions, OVITO, bond-orientational order parameters, and coordination numbers. Equiatomic and the two other alloys (Hf 0.31 Nb 0.23 Ta 0.23 Ti 0.23 and Hf 0.23 Nb 0.31 Ta 0.23 Ti 0.23 ) containing comparable fraction of elements deform similarly through the formation of an amorphous state. Two alloys rich in Nb (Hf 0.17 Nb 0.50 Ta 0.16 Ti 0.17 ) and Ta (Hf 0.17 Nb 0.16 Ta 0.50 Ti 0.17 ) deform similarly resulting in the formation of bcc atoms, which transform to fcc at higher loading. Finally, alloys rich in Hf (Hf 0.50 Nb 0.16 Ta 0.17 Ti 0.17 ) and Ti (Hf 0.17 Nb 0.16 Ta 0.17 Ti 0.50 ) deform resulting in high dislocation densities and hcp atoms. These two hcp-rich alloys also undergo strain hardening. In each mixture during loading, local orientational order of all the different elements changes similarly. Atoms prefer to pair with other atoms than to themselves during tensile loading. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Nuclear receptors regulate transcriptional programs in response to the binding of natural and synthetic ligands. These ligands modulate the receptor by inducing dynamic changes in the ligand binding domain that shift the C-terminal helix (H12) between active and inactive conformations. Despite decades of study, many questions persist regarding the nature of the inactive state and how ligands shift receptors between different states. Here, we use molecular dynamics (MD) simulations to investigate the timescale and energetic landscape of the conformational transition between inactive and active forms of progesterone receptor (PR) bound to a partial agonist. We observe that the microsecond timescale is insufficient to observe any transitions; only at millisecond timescales achieved via accelerated MD simulations do we find the inactive PR switches to the active state. Energetic analysis reveals that both active and inactive PR states represent energy minima separated by a barrier that can be traversed. In contrast, little or no transition is observed between active and inactive states when an agonist or antagonist is bound, confirming that ligand identity plays a key role in defining the energy landscape of nuclear receptor conformations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Titanium (Ti) is one of the most important metals used in several industrial applications, and the presence of spherical defect reduces its strength and stability. We simulate the melting of Ti crystals with a spherical void of radii 0.6, 0.8, 1.0, and 1.5 nm and also of the crystal without it. Ti is modeled using embedded atom method ,and all crystals are heated at 1 atm from 300 to 2200 K till it melts completely. All molecular dynamics trajectories are analyzed using radial distribution functions, bond-orientational order parameters, Voronoi tessellation, and velocity auto-correlation functions. The results show that 0.6, 0.8, 1.0, and 1.5 nm voids fill before the crystals melt and they fill immediately within few picoseconds; thereafter, atoms rearrange/order to crystal like arrangements, wherein overall crystallinity remains hcp for crystals with 0.6 and 0.8 nm void and changes to bcc for the crystals with 1.0 and 1.5 nm voids. For all crystals with and without void, melting takes place with the loss of both long- and short-range orders and not from liquid like nuclei as proposed by classical nucleation theory. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A mono-metallic MOF (Mn-FM) and its r-GO composite (rGO@Mn-FM) were synthesized with a simple and cost-effective method. The MOF contains a Mn2+ metal centre with an in situ generated ligand from the decomposition of DMF used as a reaction medium under solvothermal conditions. The unit cell also contains an in situ generated dimethyl ammonium (DMA) cation entrapped inside the pores of the framework. Due to the presence of the DMA cation, the MOF exhibits selective adsorption of the anionic dye (namely, methyl blue, methyl orange) through ionic interactions. Again, upon removal of the DMA cation, adsorption was significantly enhanced owing to the formation of higher charge density species in the framework. The water stability of the MOF was significantly improved through composite formation with r-graphene oxide (namely rGO@Mn-FM) which in turn improved the adsorption of methyl blue as well. The adsorption efficiency could be achieved up to 84% within 40 minutes. Moreover, the composite was found to be highly sensitive and capable of adsorbing trace amounts of the MeB dye (up to 1 ppm) from the aqueous solution. The composite follows pseudo-second order kinetics and the Langmuir isotherm model signifying monolayer chemisorption with homogeneous sites. The release/desorption of adsorbed methyl blue from the rGO@Mn-FM surface establishes the reusability of the dye and subsequently the stability and potential of the adsorbent to reuse for multiple cycles. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The nature of the urban surface is a vital parameter influencing the local climate and the growth of Urban Heat Island (UHI). Understanding the relationship between the Normalized Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI) and Land Surface Temperature (LST) in the Land Use and Land Cover (LULC) classes is the prime objective of the study. For deriving the parameters, geo-technical and statistical approaches were incorporated based on freely accessible Landsat data for the years 1992 and 2023. The geo-technical methods, NDVI, LST, and LULC were prepared with the aid of ERDAS Imagine 2014 and ArcGIS 10.3. The correlation between NDVI and LST was derived based on the sample pixels that were randomly assigned in the GIS environment. For a better understanding of the relationship between NDVI and LST, the same were separated for each LULC class and compared with the help of graphs. The trend line of NDVI and LST shows a highly negative correlation highlighting the prevalence of UHI in the towns. The methodology used in the study can be applied by the researchers to understand the scenario of the urban environment. Overall, the findings of the research may be helpful for the policy makers and urban planners to adopt holistic approaches for controlling emission of urban surface temperature and for increasing urban greenness. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

AbstractIntegration of organic manures with biofertilizer consortium has emerged as a holistic and dynamic approach for long-term sustainability of agricultural systems. It involves maximum reliance on self-regulating biological processes and renewable resources. The present investigation was carried out during 2021–2023 to study the effect of organic manures and biofertilizers on phenological attributes, fruit set, fruit drop, yield and quality of purple passion fruit in Mizoram, north-east India. The treatments comprises of different doses of organic manures and biofertilizers viz T1: 100% recommended dose of fertilizers (RDF) through inorganic fertilizers, T2: farmyard manure (FYM) 100% RDF, T3: vermicompost (VC) 100% RDF, T4: pig manure (PIM) 100% RDF, T5: poultry manure (POM) 100% RDF, T6: FYM +Azospirillum + phosphate solubilizing bacteria (PSB) + potash solubilizing bacteria (KSB), T7: VC +Azospirillum + PSB + KSB, T8: PIM +Azospirillum + PSB + KSB, T9: POM + Azospirillum + PSB + KSB, T10: FYM +Azospirillum + PSB + KSB + VAM, T11: VC +Azospirillum + PSB + KSB + VAM, T12: PIM +Azospirillum + PSB + KSB + VAM, T13: POM + Azospirillum + PSB + KSB +VAM and T14: control. The maximum fruit set, fruit retention, yield per plant, minimum duration of fruiting and fruit drop was observed in T13 whereas for fruit physical and quality variables, T11 was found as best. It can be concluded that these two treatments may be recommended to achieve significant improvement in flowering and fruiting behavior and yield and quality of purple passion fruit. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The conceptualization of tribe and its anthropological understanding have been a source of many debates, deliberations, and disagreements. Beginning with the colonial conception of tribes as primitive savages until the recent focus on tribe as an ideal manifestation of an adaptive process, the concept of tribe has traversed a long academic journey. Many attempts have been made to define the word tribe or tribal society in India, but a comprehensive definition of tribe still eludes us. Although any reductionism is undesirable, a constant endeavour for a comprehensive understanding is essential for a more meaningful academic pursuit. This is essential in view of more and more demands for the inclusion of communities in the list of Scheduled Tribe (ST) as per Constitutional provisions. This article analyzes the problem of identifying and scheduling tribes in the ST category in the contemporary situation. It also discusses the possible solution to the complex issue with reference to the Mising, a community from Assam. The Mising community has already been declared a Scheduled Tribe by the Government of India but only as 'Miri,' the name others use to refer to them. While attempting to find out their 'tribal' characters, the present paper discovers some methodological discrepancies in identifying them as a tribe and as a Scheduled Tribe. The paper is based on qualitative data and fieldwork has been its primary source, with scholarly literature providing the supplementary or secondary sources. Pertinent issues have been dealt with mainly from two angles. First, it attempts to fit the anthropological definition of 'tribe' to the community (Mising) under consideration, which has been found to be inadequate for this purpose. Second, it evaluates the government guidelines released from time to time, which include criteria for conferring tribal status on a community and establish its tribal character. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Glaciers are considered to be important indicators of climate change. However, they are still poorly inventoried in the Himalayas, especially in the eastern region, owing to the difficult terrain and lack of technological advancement. The present study fills a knowledge gap in glacier dynamics by monitoring changes over multiple decades using Landsat and Sentinel-2A imagery in Arunachal Pradesh, India. The glaciers were delineated using a semi-automatic approach and Randolph Glacier Inventory of Global Land Ice Measurements from Space (GLIMS) was used as a reference. The results indicate that in 1988, there were 756 glaciers covering an area of 585.23 (±3.4) km2. By 2020, this number had decreased to 646 glaciers, with a corresponding reduction in the area to 275.381 (±2.9) km2. The overall rate of change is observed to be 16.94 km2/year. The study also showed that the majority of the glaciers lie at an elevation of 4500–4800 m above mean sea level (AMSL), and the maximum area of the glaciers is oriented towards the north, confined between a slope of 15° and 35°. This study highlights a significant glacial recession throughout the study period. Monitoring and assessing these natural frozen freshwater reserves are crucial for water resource management and understanding climate change impacts. Research highlights: The present work highlights the glacier and its changes in Arunachal Pradesh, Eastern Himalayas, over a span of 32 years. Continuous decline in glaciers was observed. Changes in glaciers are more common at smaller glaciers (<5 km2). The research highlights the importance of understanding the impacts of climate change on frozen freshwater reserves. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A sequence {xn} is S-IK-convergent to £, if there exists a 'big enough' subsequence {xnk } which K-converges to ξ via semi-open sets. In this paper, we introduce the concept of S-IK-convergence which generalizes S-I-convergence and discuss some properties, as well as its relation with compact sets. For two given ideals I and K, we justify the existence of an ideal such that IK-convergence and convergence with the third ideal coincides for semi-open sets. Moreover, the notion of S-IK-cluster point of a sequence is defined and studied here. We characterize the collection of S-IK-cluster points of a sequence as semi-closed subsets of the space. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

AbstractThis paper accounts for the principles and contradictions of the United Liberation Front of Assam (ULFA)—a group that tenaciously resisted the state in northeast India. The research traces the precursors of the ULFA’s views, including demands for independence based on perceived neglect by the state and the cultural distinctness of Assam. It argues that despite its demands conforming to the voices from Assam’s past, the ULFA could not become a political alternative or foster a sense of Assamese identity. It concludes that the rise of Hindutva politics has further encroached on the space for ULFA’s vision of Assamese nationalism. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Urban blue-green space (UBGS) is considered to be an effective way to mitigate Urban Heat Island (UHI) effects. UBGS not only cools the actual space but also influences the surrounding areas; this phenomenon is termed as UBGS cooling effect. The present study tries to anatomize the UBGS of urban Tezpur with the help of geo-technology. Landsat satellite images of Thematic Mapper (TM) and Operational Land Imager (OLI) with 30 m spatial resolution were used to investigate the UBGS scenario for the years 1993 and 2023, respectively. Land Surface Temperature (LST), Normalized Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI), and Normalized Difference Water Index (NDWI) were taken into consideration for the ascertainment of UBGS and UHI. The correlation between LST and NDVI was also determined with the aid of simple regression analysis. The NDVI values for the years 1993 and 2023 are − 0.32 to 0.70 and − 0.44 to 0.50 respectively. The LST values of the town for the year 1993 are 28.76 to 20.17 and for 2023, the LST value is 29.47 to 20.36. The NDWI value indicates that the water index increased in the water bodies from the year 1993 to 2023. Though sufficient data are not available on the website, the data used in the study are free from major environmental and geometric disturbances to establish the LST, NDVI, and NDWI. However, the present work is the pioneer that used geo-spatial technology which will also help the urban planners and designers to deal with UBGS and UHI effects. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Vatica lanceaefolia, a critically endangered tree species, is found in Northeast India, Bangladesh, and Myanmar. However, there is limited information on the population of the species and its extinction risk is uncertain. Therefore, it is imperative to intervene in conservation efforts by effectively identifying and assessing the present and future habitats of the species to take necessary measures for their protection. This study aims to assess the suitable habitat of V. lanceaefolia considering both present and future scenarios in Northeast India by employing different species distribution modeling (SDM) techniques. An ensemble approach, incorporating five SDMs- Maximum Entropy (MaxEnt), Random Forest (RF), Generalized Linear Models (GLM), Support Vector Machine (SVM), and Multivariate Adaptive Regression Spline (MARS) is used in this study. Twenty-three independent occurrence points of V. lanceaefolia were used to model its current and future distribution, along with 37 environmental variables including bioclimatic factors, topographical factors, evapotranspiration, and soil data to predict the potential habitat of V. lanceaefolia under both current and future climate scenarios (SSP245 and SSP585) given by global climate model (GCM), HadGEM3-GC31-LL. The evaluation of the ensemble model found to be very good performance based on AUC (0.88) and TSS value (0.65). The findings revealed that 2597.69 km2 (0.99% of the total geographical area, i.e. 262,184 km2) was identified as a highly suitable habitat for the species in the current scenario. According to model projections, the highly suitable area is predicted to decrease by more than 59.00% from 2597.69 km2 to 1065.14 km2, under the SSP245 scenario in the year 2061–2080 in the future climate. The present findings underscore the urgent need for implementing suitable conservation measures to mitigate the impacts of climate change on the species. To adequately address habitat loss due to deforestation and urban expansion, it is crucial to prioritize habitat restoration, targeted protective measures, and additional species-level ecological research of individual species. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The use of organic nutrient regimes is regarded as holistic and ecological approach for agricultural sustainability. It offers improved soil health, increased crop growth and enhanced fruit quality, whilst minimizing costs and sustaining the use of natural resources. The present investigation was conducted over two consecutive seasons, viz. 2021–22 and 2022–23 at Mizoram University, Aizawl, India to study the effect of different combinations of organic manures along with consortium of biofertilizers on leaf and soil characteristics of purple passion fruit (Passiflora edulis Sims). The investigation comprises of fourteen treatments of various combinations of organic manures along with consortium of biofertilizers, viz. farmyard Manure (FYM) vermicompost (VC) pig manure (PIM), poultry manure (POM), Azospirillum, phosphate solubilizing bacteria (PSB), potash solubilizing bacteria (KSB), and vesicular arbascular mycorrhiza (VAM). The results demonstrated that the use of organic amendments in combination with biofertilizers enhanced leaf nutrient status as well soil properties in the passion fruit orchard. Among the different treatment combinations used in the investigation, POM + Azospirillum + PSB + KSB + VAM was the most efficient in improving the leaf and soil nutrient status of passion fruit. This consortium may achieve high microbial load, high nutrient availability for soil which results in better growth of the crop. This treatment may therefore be recommended as an alternative option to meet the demand for long term maintenance of soil fertility as well agro-ecosystem conservation and sustainability. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Co3O4 nanoparticles supported on modified montmorillonite clay (Co3O4@Mont) were synthesized by using green natural extract (tulsi leaf) under mild reaction conditions. The modification of montmorillonite clay was executed by refluxing the clay with H3PO4 under controlled condition to generate a porous matrix with high surface area which acts as support for the generation and stabilization of nanoparticles. The Co3O4@Mont nanocomposite was characterized by UV–Visible spectroscopy, Scanning Electron Microscopy with Energy Dispersive X-Ray (SEM–EDX), Transmission Electron Microscopy (TEM), Powder X-Ray Diffraction (P-XRD) and N2-adsorption–desorption analysis. The synthesized nanocomposite showed excellent catalytic efficacy towards the Baeyer–Villiger oxidation of various Ketones using H2O2 as oxidant at room temperature. The catalytic B-V oxidation gives the best results in aqueous medium and gives maximum conversion of the product in 1 h. The completion of the reaction in short time (1 h) under mild reaction conditions with green solvent signifies the applicability of the nano-catalyst for the B-V oxidation over other reported catalyst. Also, the catalyst can be recovered easily by simple filtration at the end of the reaction. Further, the recyclability of the used Co3O4@Mont nano-catalyst for the same substrate was performed and its catalytic efficacy is maintained without any significant loss for various catalytic cycles. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Although the developed world has almost completed the process of urbanization, developing countries are still rapidly urbanizing. Applying the extended stochastic regression on population, affluence, and technology (STIRPAT) model for the period 2000–2019, this article is an endeavor to explore the consequences of urbanization along with gross domestic product (GDP) per capita, foreign direct investment (FDI) inflow, trade openness, and mobile phone penetration on carbon dioxide emissions in 68 low-income and lower-middle-income countries across Asia, Africa, Middle East, and South America. Initially, the study used a panel unit root test to identify whether the variables are stationary or not. Subsequently, by using the co-integration test, a long-run association among the variables was seen. Finding a long-run relationship, the fully modified ordinary least squares method was applied to examine the impact of urbanization and other explanatory variables on carbon dioxide emissions. Results showed that urbanization followed by GDP per capita are the key promoters of CO2 emissions across all countries, whereas the direction and significance of inward FDI and trade openness varied across regions. Furthermore, it was observed that mobile phone penetration (as an indicator of information and communication technology [ICT]) has a significant and negative relationship with CO2 emissions, showing that ICT-based technologies might be the answer to decoupling economic growth from emissions growth. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

For visual information processing, the derivation of meaningful low-level spatio-temporal information is challenging. In line with human visualisation and perception in spatial problem-solving, we believe explicit representations hold promise for efficient low-level abstractions. An approach for mapping spatial objects and relations, exploring diagrams' representation power for problem visualisation, is presented. Combined, qualitative spatio-temporal reasoning and diagrammatic reasoning directly influence information visualisation and abstraction over the physical substrate of a problem. The framework preserves objects' low-level spatio-temporal information over time, facilitating the interpretation of unique relationships. A 78% average activity recognition accuracy on the CAVIAR and Mind's Eye datasets demonstrates the effectiveness of the suggested abstraction approach. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this study, we introduce a model for a single-species fish population characterized by two distinct stages: mature and immature. Traditionally, assuming a constant natural mortality rate for any fish species is impractical. Therefore, we propose a time-dependent function to represent natural mortality, acknowledging its exponential decrease over time. However, an indefinite decrease would inaccurately imply zero mortality over infinite time, which contradicts real-world conditions. To address this, we explore a mortality step function that declines exponentially between successive birth events within a generation. Our analysis focuses on examining the local and global stability of equilibrium points. Additionally, we develop a sustainable harvesting strategy using a straightforward quadratic Lyapunov function. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Understanding the factors that contribute to slope failures, such as soil saturation, is essential for mitigating rainfall-induced landslides. Cost-effective capacitive soil moisture sensors have the potential to be widely implemented across multiple sites for landslide early warning systems. However, these sensors need to be calibrated for specific applications to ensure high accuracy in readings. In this study, a soil-specific calibration was performed in a laboratory setting to integrate the soil moisture sensor with an automatic monitoring system using the Internet of Things (IoT). This research aims to evaluate a low-cost soil moisture sensor (SKU:SEN0193) and develop calibration equations for the purpose of slope model experiment under artificial rainfall condition using silica sand. The results indicate that a polynomial function is the best fit, with a coefficient of determination (R2) ranging from 0.918 to 0.983 and a root mean square error (RMSE) ranging from 1.171 to 2.488. The calibration equation was validated through slope model experiments, with soil samples taken from the models after the experiment finished. Overall, the moisture content readings from the sensors showed approximately a 12% deviation from the actual moisture content. The findings suggest that the cost-effective capacitive soil moisture sensor has the potential to be used for the development of landslide early warning system. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: The International Diabetes Federation (IDF) estimated that the number of individuals living with Diabetes would increase from approximately 65 million in 2013 to 100 million by 2035. Despite the increasing burden of Non -Communicable Diseases, both research and the allocation of resources to combat Non-Communicable Diseases remain limited1. The NCDs like Diabetes, Hypertension, Obesity, CVS etc. are estimated to account for around 60% of all deaths. NCDs cause considerable loss in potentially productive years of life. Losses due to premature deaths related to heart diseases, stroke and Diabetes are also projected to increase over the years. Individuals with Non-Communicable Diseases also have a higher risk of increased health expenditure, and a substantial proportion of households face catastrophic health expenditure and subsequent impoverishment due to NCD related expenses.2 Objectives of the study: 1. To assess the prevalence of Non-Communicable Diseases (Hypertension, Diabetes Mellitus and Obesity) among the adult population of Kokrajhar District. 2. To assess the prevalence of risk factors of common non-communicable diseases in adult population of Kokrajhar District. Methodology: Study Type: Community-based, Descriptive Cross-sectional study. Study Population: Adult Population of 18 -59 years of age. Study Area: Villages under Titaguri area which is one of the field practice areas and Family adoption areas of the Department of Community Medicine, Kokrajhar Medical College. Study Duration: July 2024 to September 2024. Sample Size calculation: The sample size was calculated by the formula N = 4pq/l2, where p represents prevalence of diabetes which was 15.5% (Thakur J, Jeet G, et al. (2019) non-communicable diseases risk factors and their determinants: A cross-sectional state-wide STEPS survey, Haryana, North India. PLoS ONE 14(11): e0208872. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0208872). 'l' is allowable error, taken as 5% of p. Therefore, a sample size of 210 was taken. Ethical Clearance: Ethical clearance had been obtained from the Institutional Ethical Committee of Kokrajhar Medical College and Hospital, Kokrajhar, Assam. Inclusion Criteria: Permanent residents of Kokrajhar District (residing for more than 6 months) Exclusion Criteria: 1) Pregnant lady, 2) Those with known psychiatric illness, 3) Individuals having serious morbidity, Consent: Informed consent was taken from all the participants before data collection and confidentiality was maintained. Data collection: Information regarding risk factors of NCDs were collected by using Pre tested per-designed questionnaire. Non-stretchable measuring tape, digital weighing scale, portable stadiometer, digital BP apparatus were used to measure waist and hip circumference, weight, height, and blood pressure, respectively. Data analysis--Data has been entered in MS excel sheet. Qualitative data were expressed in proportions. Mean and standard deviation were used for quantitative data. Suitable tests of significance has been applied wherever necessary. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Highly polymorphic BCR-ABL kinase domains have been reported to harbor more than a hundred mutations, and among these, 40–60% have been identified as influencers of imatinib mesylate (IM) resistance. The emergence of IM resistance poses a significant challenge in the management of Chronic Myeloid Leukemia (CML). M351T (rs121913457), E255K (rs387906517), and Y253H (rs121913461) are of particular clinical significance due to their association with high-level imatinib resistance. This study was conducted to investigate the potential role of three significant SNPs in CML progression due to IM resistance. During the study period from 2018 to 2022 (48 months), the blood samples from 219 Reverse transcriptase-PCR-confirmed CML patients following RNA extraction and cDNA preparation were subjected to M351T, E255K, and Y253H mutation analysis by PCR–RFLP. After agarose gel visualization, the samples were subjected to Sanger sequencing to confirm the nucleotide change at the polymorphic loci. The wild-type genotype of all three ABL1 SNPs under investigation exhibits a significant reduction in frequency among IM non-responders compared to the responder group. The CGT haplotype frequency exhibits a significant difference between IM responder (4.2%) and non-responder (11.8%) (p = 0.002 < 0.05). Further, CGC haplotype was observed solely among the imatinib non-responder patients with a frequency percentage of 3.3% (p = 0.004), whereas the said genotype was absent among the responder group. A reduced overall survival rate was observed with deviation from wild-type genotype (M351T loci (T > C) with 1.217 times, E255K (G > A) with 1.485 and Y253H (T > C) with 1.399 times increase in hazard ratio) thereby enhancing mortality risk due to disease progression. The significant increase in the frequency of M351T, E255K, and Y253H loci among the IM non-responder group indicated their probable association with the development of IM resistance among CML patients. A haplotype frequency distribution pattern analysis of ABL1 loci further identified the CGC haplotype as an independent predictor for IM resistance. As such the study highlights the importance of patient characteristics, genotype distribution, and haplotype frequency distribution in predicting the response to IM treatment and clinical outcomes of CML patients. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Historically, the relationship between India and Myanmar has been shaped by: the cultural interchange between the Northeastern States of India and Myanmar/Burma; Buddhism, a religion that took shape in India and spread to many South Asian and South East Asian countries; and British colonialism that made Burma part of British India. In modern times, this relationship has been impacted by internal developments and politics in both countries and, more importantly, the coups and political turmoil that have been occurring periodically in Myanmar. In addition, the ethnic connection between Myanmar and some Northeastern states, the bases of insurgent groups from India on Myanmar soil, and the refugee crisis remain some of the major issues of contention. This article examines the nuances of India-Myanmar ties in the backdrop of the coup of 2021 in Myanmar and its aftermath. It examines the drivers of India's involvement in the country since that coup. The authors argue that India has constantly recalibrated its approach to diplomacy and security matters since the coup given the rapidly changing political developments in Myanmar. It is also contended that India maintains multi-pronged relations with that junta-led nation to secure its economic, diplomatic and geopolitical interests at the bilateral, regional and international levels. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Wild edible fruits provide a valuable source of sustenance and economic benefit for indigenous communities, which being often overlooked and underexploited. In order to meet the growing need for alternative nutritional sources, we conducted a study to evaluate the nutritional composition of seven (7) wild edible fruits viz. pummelo (Citrus grandis), kuji-thekera (Garcinia kydia), Nepal berry (Mahonia nepaulensis), bayberry (Myrica esculenta), laurel cherry (Prunus undulata), wild jamun (Syzygium cumini), and tamarind (Tamarindus indica) of Mizoram, north-east India. The research demonstrates that Mahonia napaulensis contains significant amounts of anthocyanin (678 ± 28 mg 100 g−1), carotenoid (1.64 ± 0.01 mg 100 g−1), total sugars (21 ± 4%), non-reducing sugars (9 ± 2%), and TSS 16.07 ± 0.32 °B. Myrica esculenta exhibited high levels of vitamin E (23.8 ± 0.6 mg 100 g−1), carbohydrate (79.84 ± 3.74%), moisture (89 ± 1%), cellulose (67.4 ± 0.7 mg 100 g−1), and Mn (28 ± 1 mg 100 g−1). Tamarindus indica is rich in starch (10.68 ± 0.30 mg 100 g−1), protein (60 ± 1%), energy (490 ± 12 kcal), dry matter (41 ± 1%), crude fiber (20.8 ± 0.4%), lignin (13.69 ± 0.01%), hemicellulose (12.09 ± 0.01%), Ca (398 ± 82 mg 100 g−1), Cu (33 ± 6 mg 100 g−1) and Zn (11.4 ± 0.7 mg 100 g−1). The findings suggest that all fruits exhibit nutritional and anti-nutritional characteristics, making them very potential for use in nutraceutical and pharmaceutical sectors. The outcomes will provide a fundamental repository of the nutritional composition of these fruits and raise public consciousness about the significance of the fruit, promoting the conservation of the biodiversity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this paper, the concept of Wardowski's class of contraction is integrated with that of g-coupling to define some F-contractive type g-couplings. We establish existence results for a coupled coincidence point, a strong coupled coincidence point, and a coupled best proximity point for these couplings within the framework of complete metric space. Additionally, we establish the existence of a coupled coincidence point for multivalued F-contractive type g -coupling. Further, an application of our result with regard to the existence of a system of nonlinear integral equations is discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Cancer is an assortment of diseases resulting from disrupting cell cycle regulation. It is characterised by the proliferation of cells in an unregulated manner. The development of cancer can be attributed to a variety of factors, both external and internal. Various plants are rich in a variety of bioactive phytochemicals and essential nutrients. Several studies over the past few decades have shed light on the significant role of these phytochemicals in preventing chronic diseases such as cancer, diabetes and coronary heart disease. The MTT in vitro cell proliferation assay known for its high reliability and commonly used to measure whole-cell cytotoxicity across various cell lines is a commonly employed method for assessing the initial effectiveness of synthetic derivatives and natural products in combating cancer. Methods: For the current study wild edible fruits were collected from different regions of Mizoram, northeast India during 2020-2021. The study involved conducting an MTT in vitro cell proliferation assay on A549 cell lines using methanolic extract of seven wild edible fruits. Result: The methanolic extract of the seven wild edible fruits exhibited a significant cytotoxic effect on the A549 cell lines. Tamarindus indica demonstrated the lowest IC50 value of 119.77±0.20 µg/ml indicating its high cytotoxicity against A549 cell lines, followed by Citrus grandis with an IC50 value of 176.63±10.66 µg/ml among the seven wild edible fruits studied. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Spatio-temporal assessment of the evolution and morphodynamics of the Brahmaputra River (BR) can contribute significantly in mitigating challenges offered by rapid urbanisation and climate change. The present remote sensing and geographic information system (RS and GIS) based analysis of the BR revealed an increased Braiding Intensity (BI) from 1976 to 2000, which declined in 2010, and re-emerged in 2020. The average maximum width of the river has generally widened over time and sandbar distribution has exhibited fluctuations. The overall active channel area increased by 1.5 times, and the sandbar area expanded by 1.2 times between 1976 and 2020. The interplay between braiding intensity and width reveals a positive relationship. The sandbar-water ratio reveals a significant prevalence of sandbars in the Brahmaputra River. Furthermore, the study highlights changes in the Bar Development Index (BDI), showing a significant increase in micro-bars and meso-bars but a decrease in macro-bars. With the approach of change detection, key factors observed within the river driving the changes are erosion, channel bifurcations, sandbar formation due to sediment deposition, and sandbar loss due to shifts in channel course. These characteristics are potentially influenced by high water and sediment influx, climate change, and anthropological activities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aim of this paper is to explore the thermodynamic topology of topological charged dilatonic black holes. To achieve this, our study will begin by examining the characteristics of topological charged black holes in dilaton gravity. Specifically, we will concentrate on the impact of the topological constant on the event horizon of these black holes. Subsequently, we will analyze these black holes, considering their thermodynamic and conserved quantities, in order to assess the validity of the first law of thermodynamics. We explore the thermodynamic topology of these black holes by treating them as thermodynamic defects. For our study, we examine two types of thermodynamic ensembles: the fixed q ensemble and the fixed ϕ ensemble. To study the impact of the topological constant (k) on thermodynamic topology, we consider all possible types of curvature hypersurfaces that can form in these black holes. By calculating the topological charges at the defects within their thermodynamic spaces, we analyze both the local and global topology of these black holes. We also investigate how the parameters of dilaton gravity affect the thermodynamic topology of black holes and highlight the differences compared to charged black holes in the General Relativity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The work reported herein describes the synthesis of a 3D material UiO-66(Zr)-NH-OC-MWCNT by combining a synthesized metal–organic framework UiO-66(Zr)-NH2 and a carboxy functionalized multi-walled carbon nanotube MWCNT-COOH via an amide linkage and demonstrated its application for simultaneous electrochemical determination of two benzimidazole fungicides-carbendazim and thiabendazole. Different analytical techniques like Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction analysis, Brunauer–Emmett–Teller analysis, and Field emission scanning electron microscopy were employed to characterize all the synthesized materials. The electrochemical characterization of the fabricated electrode was carried out using cyclic voltammetry and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy. Cyclic voltammetry and differential pulse voltammetry techniques have been used for the electroanalysis of carbendazim and thiabendazole. A limit of detection of 0.077 µM and 0.557 µM, respectively, have been obtained in the calibration range of 0.1 to 40 µM for carbendazim and 1 to 40 µM for thiabendazole, after optimization of several parameters which are susceptible to the sensitivity and selectivity of the developed sensor. Furthermore, with satisfactory results from the study of interferences, repeatability, and reproducibility, the proposed electrochemical sensor was successfully applied for analysis of carbendazim and thiabendazole in real samples. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The intersection non-simple graph, denoted by INS(G), of a finite abelian group G is an undirected graph whose vertex set is the collection of all proper non-trivial subgroups of G, and any two distinct vertices are adjacent if and only if their intersection is not a simple subgroup of G. We obtain some properties of INS(G) related to connectedness, completeness, degree, and girth. The concepts of bipartiteness, triangle-free, cluster, claw-free and cograph are taken into consideration. We also investigate the clique number, independence number, domination number, and planarity of INS(G). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Brain-Computer Interface (BCI)-based affect recognition in humans utilizing physiological signals is typically guided by a supervised method that relies heavily on the presence of appropriate affect representations. In this paper, we assess the effectiveness of contemporary affect representation methodologies for establishing ground truth for reliable affective BCI systems. On the DEAP dataset, two experiments were conducted to compare the observed emotion clusters based on subjective ratings with the clustering of corresponding physiological responses based on EEG characteristics. The outcomes of the two investigations are inconsistent with one another. The findings suggest the subjective use of emotion categories as opposed to their general application in establishing ground truth for supervised approaches and must encourage researchers to examine affect representation techniques critically before considering them as concrete representations of a person's affective state. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study introduces a novel framework to apply the artifact subspace reconstruction (ASR) algorithm on single-channel electroencephalogram (EEG) data. ASR is known for its ability to remove artifacts like eye-blinks and movement but traditionally relies on multiple channels. Embedded ASR (E-ASR) addresses this by incorporating a dynamical embedding approach. In this method, an embedded matrix is created from single-channel EEG data using delay vectors, followed by ASR application and reconstruction of the cleaned signal. Data from four subjects with eyes open were collected using Fp1 and Fp2 electrodes via the CameraEEG android app. The E-ASR algorithm was evaluated using metrics like relative root mean square error (RRMSE), correlation coefficient (CC), and average power ratio. The number of eye-blinks with and without the E-ASR approach was also estimated. E-ASR achieved an RRMSE of 43.87% and had a CC of 0.91 on semi-simulated data and effectively reduced artifacts in real EEG data, with eye-blink counts validated against ground truth video data. This framework shows potential for smartphone-based EEG applications in natural environments with minimal electrodes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article in "Frontiers: A Journal of Women Studies" features the artist statement of Maya Hazarika, a first-generation Indian American woman who creates art using various mediums, with a focus on gouache. Her work explores the human body, self-acceptance, and experimentation with color and texture. Maya, who holds degrees in architecture and architectural engineering, currently resides in New York City and continues to pursue her passion for art, including pottery and textile arts. [Extracted from the article]

In volcanic belts, magma influx into magma chambers generates excess pressure, amplifying the initial stress field to cause crustal deformation with significant ground displacements, which manifests in topographic relief. Quantifying such volcano-driven ground surface displacements is a fundamental requirement to embark on a criticality analysis of volcanotectonic events and associated hazard monitoring strategies. This study theoretically examines the underlying dynamics of surface displacements in a volcanic plumbing system comprising multiple magma chambers. The classical Mogi equation is extended to derive a set of analytical solutions to evaluate surface displacements as a function of separations between two off-axis chambers, measured along both horizontal and vertical directions. The resulting surface displacement plots, from the analytical solutions are compared with those calculated from a set of finite element (FE) model simulations run with the same parameters considered for the analytical formulations. Both the analytical and FE results suggest that horizontal (Sh) and vertical (Sv) separations of magma chambers largely control the vertical (Uz) and lateral (Ur) ground-displacement components. Spatially varying Uz attains its peak value at a specific location above the chambers, but increasing horizontal separation (Sh ~ 10 km) transforms the single-peak Uz pattern to a weakly developed double-peak Uz pattern, which eventually give way to two prominent high-amplitude peaks above the chambers when Sh ~ 25 km. Similarly, a large vertical separation (Sv ~ 6 km) yields double peaks in the Uz profile, which merge to form a single peak for small Sv (~ 1.5 km). The FE model results are used to map the stress fields around the two magma chambers to show that inter-chamber mechanical interaction can influence the deformation behaviour around the chambers, depending on Sh and Sv magnitudes. Finally, the model estimates are evaluated using available reports on the naturally occurring volcanoes: Teide volcano (Tenerife, Spain) and Long Valley Caldera (USA). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

BACKGROUND: The study aimed to determine the effects of instant controlled decompression of steam pressure, termed as ICPD (instant controlled pressure drop) on fresh tea leaves, when combined with refractance window drying (RWD) of rolled green teas during green tea manufacturing. The ICPD steam treatment pressure (TP; 0.1–0.3 MPa), treatment time (TT; 10–20 s) and refractance window drying temperature (RWDT; 70–90 °C) were used as the processing parameters for manufacturing of green tea. RESULT: Response surface methodology was employed to enumerate the effects of ICPD process conditions and temperature of RWD on total phenolic content (TPC), total flavonoid content (TFC) and DPPH (1,1‐diphenyl‐2‐picrylhydrazyl) radical scavenging activity of the green tea infusion. An optimum condition for green tea processing was found at TP 0.2 MPa, TT 20 s with RWDT at 70 °C. In comparison to made green tea manufactured without ICPD treatment, the ICPD treated green tea showed enhanced TPC, TFC and DPPH radical scavenging activity along with better colour and sensory attributes. The microstructural study of ICPD treated green tea samples showed more deformed cell surface integrity, larger stomatal pore size and cracks at the leaf surface in comparison with non‐treated green tea sample. CONCLUSION: Present study reveals that an ICPD treatment at 0.2 MPa for 20 s can be used as an alternative to the traditional enzyme inactivation step of hot water treatment, for green tea leaves to improve the infusion quality in terms of increased levels of TPC and TFC and DPPH radical scavenging activity. © 2024 Society of Chemical Industry. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The scaling‐up of methodologies in the oxidation of alcohols to carbonyl compounds faced widespread hindrance in industries due to large‐scale use of toxic and expensive metal oxidants. Novel, cost‐effective and eco‐friendly approaches need to be developed to address these problems. Bimetallic nanoparticles (BMNPs) show synergistic effects at atomic level, which makes them excellent catalysts for organic transformations. Transition metal nanocomposite with unique physicochemical properties and high surface area offers a promising alternative to traditional catalysts. Herein, an environment‐friendly methodology was adopted for the synthesis of Au−Ag BMNPs using phenolic‐rich Ocimum basilicum (L.) leaf extract, which was then incorporated into TiO2 matrix for the synthesis of plasmonic Au−Ag@TiO2 nanocomposite. The formation of the nanocomposite was confirmed through analytical characterizations, such as UV–Vis. DRS, FT‐IR, PL, SEM, TEM and XRD. The nanocomposite exhibited excellent catalytic activity in the selective oxidation of primary and secondary alcohols in aqueous media using H2O2 as an oxidant under visible light irradiation at room temperature. The nanocomposite also demonstrated good reusability of 84 % in the fifth cycle, which established its promising candidature for wide‐scale applications. This work holds significant relevance for industries dealing with pharmaceuticals and personal care products, and thus, offers sustainable solution for organic transformations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Political violence and conflicts have been predominant features in Northeast India which comprises the states of Assam, Arunachal Pradesh, Nagaland, Meghalaya, Mizoram, Manipur, Tripura, and Sikkim. Resistances in many states arose to counter the perceived loss of land, demographic change, and political, cultural, and economic marginalization of indigenous communities. Some of the resistances had arisen due to the harboring of national visions by groups in Northeast India which were inimical to the visions held by those in the centers of power in the country. There have also been interventions, either official or unofficial or both to resolve these conflicts and violence. Some of these interventions are inspired by Gandhian principles of conflict resolution. This paper intends to provide an insight into one of the Gandhian interventions in Northeast India and discusses Irom Chanu Sharmila's sixteen years long fast to have AFSPA repealed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Our aim was to measure the effectiveness of oral isotretinoin with desloratadine compared with oral isotretinoin alone in treating moderate to severe acne at a tertiary care teaching hospital in North India. In this study, 90 patients with moderate to severe acne were enrolled to participate based on their fulfilling the inclusion criteria. Methods: A randomized, assessor‐blinded, parallel‐arm study was conducted. Randomization was done using computer‐generated tables to allocate treatments in a 1:1 ratio. A low‐dose oral isotretinoin at a dose of 0.3 mg/kg/day with tab desloratadine at 5 mg/day was applied to the study group and compared against the same patients going without the dosage when controls were conducted. Follow‐up was at 4, 8, and 12 weeks. Results: The primary outcome was an improved global acne grading system (GAGS) score and decreased acne lesion count. Secondary outcome: patient satisfaction with treatment. The 90 participants were randomized and 15 participants dropped out of the study, leaving 75 participants for intention to treat analysis (n = 41, n = 30). At week 12, the GAGS score and acne lesion count between the study and control groups were comparable (P > 0.05). Pruritus reported was 9.76% in the study versus 33.33% in the control group (P = 0.018). Also, 53.66% of participants reported "excellent" treatment satisfaction in the study group versus 36.67% in the control group. Conclusions: The addition of desloratadine to an isotretinoin regimen has a role in reducing disease and therapy‐related pruritus in acne and leads to improved patient satisfaction. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background & objectives The global prevalence of vancomycin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (VRSA) has increased two fold since 2010, accounting for 2.4 per cent of S. aureus infections. The emerging hVISA isolates and their increasing trends pose a serious therapeutic challenge. The present study investigated in vitro vancomycin and teicoplanin minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) creep in S. aureus and assessed their revertants. Methods A total of 845 isolates were collected for this study, and 246 were confirmed as S. aureus. Molecular characterization of vancomycin resistance was carried out by PCR assay targeting genes types viz : vanA , vanB , vanC , vanC2/C3 , vanD , vanE , and vanG. MIC was determined for vancomycin and teicoplanin by agar dilution method. MIC creep and revertant analysis were done by broth dilution method in the presence and absence of antibiotics. Results PCR assay confirmed 12 isolates were harboured vanA , followed by vanD (n=8) and vanB (n=7). The study showed 69 isolates were screened positive for glycopeptide non-susceptibility. While analyzing vancomycin MIC creep, four isolates showed a significant increase in MIC, whereas no creep phenomenon was observed for the rest. In the case of teicoplanin, seven isolates showed the MIC creep phenomenon. Revertant analysis of all the isolates that showed MIC creep phenomenon for vancomycin and teicoplanin reverted to their original MIC when the antibiotic pressure was withdrawn. Interpretation & conclusions In the present study setting, glycopeptide non-susceptibility was found in eight per cent of the isolates, and the present study found the occurrence of multiple van genes from isolates calculated from a single study center will impose a serious challenge in infection control and antibiotic policy. This study also underscores that heterogenic resistant isolates, upon exposure to vancomycin and teicoplanin at a minimum level, exhibited an increase in MIC, which will impact individuals receiving glycopeptide therapy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article introduces a novel family of skew distributions namely bimodal Tanh skew normal (BTSN) distributions, which incorporates a new skew function with the help of hyperbolic tangent function. This new distribution is designed to accommodate data sets with two modes. Besides, the article presents various essential mathematical properties, such as moments, moment generating function, characteristic function, mean deviation, characterizations and the method for maximum likelihood estimation of this distribution. A simulation study is also conducted using Metropolis-Hastings algorithm to examine the behavior of the obtained parameters. Furthermore, the practical utility of this new distribution is demonstrated through a real life application involving a specific data set. To assess the suitability of the BTSN distribution, the article employs Akaike information criterion (AIC) and Bayesian information criterion (BIC). Finally, a likelihood ratio test is conducted to distinguish between the new model and the existing competing models. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Ruthenium(II)‐catalyzed synthesis of π‐conjugated fused imidazo[1,5‐a]quinolin‐2‐ium derivatives have been achieved via C−H activation of quinoline‐functionalized NHC (NHC=N‐heterocyclic carbene) and oxidative coupling with internal alkynes. The reaction occurred with high efficiency, broad substrate scope, tolerates a wide range of functional groups and utilized into a gram‐scale. Synthetic applications of the coupled product have been exemplified in the late‐stage derivatization of various highly functionalized scaffolds. Moreover, most of the annulated products exhibit intense fluorescence and have potential applications in optoelectronic devices. Mechanistic studies have provided insights into the spectroscopic characterization of key five‐membered ruthenacycle intermediate and Ru(0) sandwich species. Based on several control experiments, deuterium‐kinetic isotope effect, and thermodynamic activation parameters the mechanistic finding demonstrated that fused imidazo‐[1,5‐a]quinolin‐2‐ium C(2)−H bond cleavage is the rate‐determining step and ruling out the possibility of reductive elimination for controlling the rate of reaction. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Drought stress is one of the most important environmental stress that affects plant growth and development. Strawberry plants are very sensitive to drought stress due to its herbaceous nature and shallow root system. Depending upon the nature, intensity, duration and cultivars, the effect of this stress augments losses in yield and quality of the fruits. This optimization of yield loss and quality is due to the response of the plant to the stress with the changes in morphological, physiological, biochemical and molecular attributes. Drought stress results in the change of leaf anatomy, leaf area, transpiration rate, photosynthesis, stomata closure, relative water content (RWC), shoot length, root length etc. ROS such as H2O2 production occurs as a result of drought causing oxidative damage to the plant cells. Strawberry plant on the other hand have a mechanism to detoxify these ROS with the production of both the enzymatic and non-enzymatic antioxidants such as superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), peroxidase (POX), gluthathione, ascorbic acid, tocopherols, carotenoids etc. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The recent discovery of 1-propanol (CH3CH2CH2OH) in the interstellar medium (ISM) is of tremendous interest since fatty alcohols have been proposed as constituents of proto-cell membranes. Motivated by this discovery, we present the laboratory mid-infrared (MIR) and vacuum ultraviolet (VUV) absorption spectra of 1-propanol ice under astrochemical conditions, mimicking an icy mantle on cold dust in the ISM. Both MIR and VUV spectra were recorded at ultrahigh vacuum of ∼10-9 mbar and at temperatures ranging from 10 K to sublimation. The morphology of the 1-propanol ice deposited at 10 K was amorphous. By warming the ice to temperatures of 140 K and above, with subsequent recording of IR spectra, we observe complete sublimation of 1-propanol molecules from the substrate around 170 K. No amorphous-to-crystalline phase change was observed upon warming to higher temperatures. Additionally, we observe the IR and VUV signatures of 1-propanol ice on the substrate well beyond its melting point (147 K). To the best of our knowledge, this is the first reported observation of a molecular ice staying well beyond its melting point under such conditions. This result shows that the morphology of icy mantles on ISM cold dust grains is more complex than previously thought. Our atomistic molecular dynamics simulations capture the experimental trends and shed light on the microscopic origin of this unusual phase behaviour of 1-propanol. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• This paper addresses the pressing issue of heavy metal pollution's impact on crop plants. • It delves into plant stress tolerance mechanisms, including reduced metal uptake, phytochelatin binding, and robust antioxidant systems. • The study employs advanced omics technologies such as genomics, transcriptomics, miRNAomics, metallomics, and metabolomics to decode these processes. • These insights offer practical methods for enhancing crop stress tolerance and developing resilient genotypes. In the wake of rapid industrialization and human-induced environmental changes, toxic heavy metal pollution has become a widespread concern, posing a significant threat to crop plants. This paper explores the mechanisms of plant stress tolerance in the face of heavy metal toxicity. Plants have evolved defense strategies, including reduced metal uptake, phytochelatin binding, and robust antioxidant systems, to counter these challenges. Our study focuses on deciphering these mechanisms through advanced omics technologies like genomics, transcriptomics, miRNAomics, metallomics, and metabolomics. These insights offer practical methods to enhance stress tolerance in crops and develop resilient genotypes. Key enzymes such as peroxidase, superoxide dismutase, and catalase, along with non-enzymatic antioxidants like ascorbic acid, play pivotal roles in plant defense against heavy metal stress. Both essential and non-essential metals induce adverse effects in plants, from inhibited growth to impaired photosynthesis, ultimately impacting plant survival. Effective defense tactics involve not only enzymatic and non-enzymatic antioxidants but also root exudates and cell wall reinforcement. This review provides a concise exploration of the complex mechanisms underlying plant stress tolerance, covering metal uptake, transport, damage, and chelation within cellular components. It sheds light on how plants adapt to thrive amidst these challenging stress factors. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

An exciting prospect in the field of magnetic fluid hyperthermia (MFH) has been the integration of noble rare earth elements (Eu) with biopolymers (chitosan/dextran) that have optimum structures to tune specific effects on magnetic nanoparticles (NPs). However, the heating efficiency of MNPs is primarily influenced by their magnetization, size distribution, magnetic anisotropy, dipolar interaction, amplitude, and frequency of the applied field, the MNPs with high heating efficiency are still challenging. In this study, a comprehensive experimental analysis has been conducted on single-domain magnetic nanoparticles (SDMNPs) for evaluating effective anisotropy, assessing the impact of particle-intrinsic factors and experimental conditions on self-heating efficiency in both noninteracting and interacting systems, with a particular focus on the dipolar interaction effect. The study successfully reconciles conflicting findings on the interaction effects in the agglomeration and less agglomerated arrangements for MFH applications. The results suggest that effective control of dipolar interactions can be achieved by encapsulating Chitosan/Dextran in the synthesized MNPs. The lower dipolar interactions successfully tune the self-heating efficiency and hold promise as potential candidates for MFH applications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We describe the ring of fractions of Z / n Z with respect to the multiplicative set S = { 1 , x , x 2 , x 3 ,... } , where x is any non-nilpotent element and we observe how it identifies with a quotient of the ring. Given a ring R = Z / n Z and a multiplicative set S, we characterize all ideals I of R such that R/I is isomorphic to S − 1 R under the natural map. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this research paper, we undertake an investigation into Cesàro q -difference sequence spaces X (C 1 δ ; q) , where X ∈ { ℓ ∞ , c , c 0 }. These spaces are generated using the matrix C 1 δ , q , which is a product of the Cesàro matrix C 1 of the first-order and the second-order q -difference operator ∇ q 2 defined by (∇ q 2 f) k = f k - (1 + q) f k - 1 + q f k - 2 , (k ∈ N 0) , where q ∈ (0 , 1) and f k = 0 for k < 0. Our endeavor includes the establishment of significant inclusion relationships, the determination of bases for these spaces, the investigation of their α -, β -, and γ -duals, and the formulation of characterization results pertaining to matrix classes (X , Y) , with X chosen from the set { ℓ ∞ (C 1 δ ; q) , c (C 1 δ ; q) , c 0 (C 1 δ ; q) } and Y chosen from the set { ℓ ∞ , c , c 0 , ℓ 1 }. The final section of our study is dedicated to the meticulous spectral analysis of the weighted q -difference operator ∇ q 2 ; z over the space c 0 of null sequences. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A novel discrete distribution with three parameters, referred to as the PoiNB distribution, is formulated through the convolution of a Poisson variable and an independently distributed negative binomial random variable. This distribution generalizes some well known count distributions and can be used for modelling over-dispersed as well as equi-dispersed count data. Numerous essential statistical properties of this proposed count model are thoroughly examined. Characterizations of this distribution in terms of conditional expectation are studied in details. The estimation of the unknown parameters of this proposed distribution is carried out using the maximum likelihood estimation approach. Additionally, we introduce a count regression model based on the PoiNB distribution through the generalized linear model approach. Two real life modelling applications demonstrate that the proposed distribution may prove to be useful for modelling over-dispersed count data compared to its closest competitors. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Biodynamics is a holistic, and ecological approach in organic farming which emphasizes building up the soil. The present experiment studied effect of biodynamics enriched organic amendments on yield attributing characters and yield, leaf and soil nutrition of Khasi mandarin. The experiment comprised of eleven treatments viz. T1: Farm yard manure (FYM), T2: vermicompost (VC), T3: Pig manure (PIM), T4: Poultry manure (POM), T5: Neem cake (NC), T6: FYM, Cow Pat Pit (CPP) + Bio Dynamic (BD) 500, BD 501, T7: VC, CPP, BD 500, BD 501, T8: PIM, CPP, BD 500, BD 501, T9: POM, CPP, BD 500, BD 501, T10: NC, CPP, BD 500, BD 501 and T11: control (RDF). Results revealed that the highest increment in N-S, E-W spread (0.28 and 0.29 m), canopy volume (4.79m³), leaf total N (2.43%), K (1.96%), Fe (274.97 ppm), Mn (26.84 ppm), Cu (11.08 ppm) chlorophyll a (1.52 mg/g), chrolophyll b (0.60 mg/g), total chlorophyll (2.12 mg/g), soil organic carbon (7.29 g kg-1), inorganic carbon (2.23 g kg-1), total carbon (9.52 g kg-1), total N (0.681 g kg-1), available N (643.86 kg ha-1), P (87.06 kg ha-1), K (206.34 kg ha-1), Fe (62.12 ppm), Mn (28.95 ppm), Cu (2.66 ppm), Zn (2.20 ppm), bacteria (53.92×104 CFU/g) and fungi (44.79×104 CFU/g) was recorded with T7. Hence, T7 is most effective biodynamics enriched organic amendment in leaf and soil nutrition of Khasi mandarin. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]