Search

This study extends our prior research on drought responses in three date palm cultivars (Khalas, Reziz, and Sheshi) under controlled conditions. Here, we investigated their drought stress adaptive strategies under ambient environment. Under natural field drought conditions, three date palm cultivars experienced significantly (p ≤ 0.05) varying regulations in their physiological attributes. Specifically, chlorophyll content, leaf RWC, photosynthesis, stomatal conductance, and transpiration reduced significantly, while intercellular CO2 concentration and water use efficiency increased. Through suppression subtraction hybridization (SSH), a rich repertoire (1026) of drought-responsive expressed sequence tags (ESTs) were identified: 300 in Khalas, 343 in Reziz, and 383 in Sheshi. Functional analysis of ESTs, including gene annotation and KEGG pathways elucidation, unveiled that these cultivars withstand drought by leveraging indigenous and multifaceted pathways. While some pathways aligned with previously reported drought resilience mechanism observed under controlled conditions, several new indigenous pathways were noted, pinpointing cultivar-specific adaptations. ESTs identified in three date palm cultivars were enriched through GSEA analysis. Khalas exhibited enrichment in cellular and metabolic processes, catalytic activity, and metal ion binding. Reziz showed enrichment in biological regulation, metabolic processes, signaling, and nuclear functions. Conversely, Sheshi displayed enrichment in organelle, photosynthetic, and ribosomal components. Notably, ca. 50% of the ESTs were unique and novel, underlining the complexity of their adaptive genetic toolkit. Overall, Khalas displayed superior drought tolerance, followed by Reziz and Sheshi, highlighting cultivar-specific variability in adaptation. Conclusively, date palm cultivars exhibited diverse genetic and physiological strategies to cope with drought, demonstrating greater complexity in their resilience compared to controlled settings. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this work, Hui-Shia model is developed to reveal the efficiency of a deficient interphase on the tensile modulus of polymer halloysite nanotube (HNT) nanocomposites. "Lc" as essential HNT length providing full stress transferring is defined and effective HNT size, effective HNT concentration, and efficiency of stress transferring (Q) are expressed by "Lc". Furthermore, the influences of all terms on the "Q" and nanocomposite's modulus are clarified, and also the calculations of the model are linked to the tested data of some nanocomposites. Original Hui-Shia model overpredicts the moduli, but the innovative model's predictions appropriately fit the measured data. Lc = 200 nm maximizes the sample's modulus to 2.6 GPa, but the modulus reduces to 2.11 GPa at Lc = 700 nm. Therefore, there is a reverse relation between the sample's modulus and "Lc". Q = 0.5 produces the system's modulus of 2.1 GPa, while the modulus of 2.35 GPa is achieved at Q = 1 providing a direct relation between the nanocomposite's modulus and "Q". Generally, narrow and big HNTs, along with a low "Lc", enhance the "Q", because a lower "Lc", reveals a tougher interphase improving the stress transferring. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Herein, we offer a model for estimating the tunneling conductivity of polymer-graphene nanocomposites based on interfacial properties, the proportion of networked graphene, and the wettability value between the polymer medium and the filler. The interfacial properties are influenced by the minimum diameter of the nanosheets (Dc), whose conductivity can be transferred to the medium via interfacial conduction (τ). These parameters impact the actual aspect ratio and the volume proportion of the filler, which, in turn, control the onset of percolation and the proportion of nanosheets in the network. We apply all these parameters to develop a novel model for estimating the conductivity of graphene systems. The predictions obtained from this model across different parameter ranges are discussed. Additionally, experimental measurements are employed to evaluate the proposed equations. High filler conductivity enhances the nanocomposite's conductivity by a strong interfacial conduction. However, the conductivity cannot be transferred to the polymer medium under condition of weak interfacial conduction. Furthermore, a robust interphase and a small Dc contribute to increased conductivity. Ultimately, the developed equations accurately predict the onset of percolation and conductivity, validated by real experimental data. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A two-step methodology has been developed utilizing the models of Paul and Takayanagi to determine the modulus of polymer halloysite nanotube (HNT) products. Initially, HNTs and the adjacent interphase are considered as pseudoparticles, and their modulus is evaluated using the Paul model. Subsequently, the modulus of a nanocomposite, consisting of a polymer medium and pseudoparticles, is predicted by Takayanagi equation. The impacts of various factors on the modulus of the products are analyzed, and the results from the two-step method are compared with experimental data from different samples. It has been observed that the modulus of samples progressively increases with an increase in interphase depth. Also, a higher interphase modulus contributes to an enhanced modulus of samples. Nevertheless, excessively high interphase moduli (Ei > 60 GPa) result in only a marginal improvement in the modulus of nanocomposites. Additionally, narrower HNTs are advantageous for producing stronger samples, though the modulus of the nanocomposites slightly diminishes at very high HNT radii (R > 55 nm). The outputs of two-step method agree with the experimental moduli of various HNT-filled systems. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background/Aim: The most commonly reported COVID-19 symptoms are high-grade fever, cough and body aches with atypical symptoms ie vomiting, diarrhoea and abdominal discomfort. The primary purpose of this research was to ascertain the frequency of gastrointestinal problems experienced by patients due to COVID-19. Goal was to determine whether or not there was a correlation between the severity of COVID-19 disease and the presence of gastrointestinal symptoms in studied individuals. Methods: The study was conducted at the Gastroenterology Department, PEMH Rawalpindi, Pakistan from January 2022 to January 2023. Confirmed inpatient cases of COVID-19 disease were recruited, referred to Pak Emirates Military Hospital Rawalpindi, Pakistan. Real-time polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) verified the presence of COVID-19 in the patients of this research study. Results: There were 345 patients (335 men and 10 women), with 116 patients exhibiting gastrointestinal symptoms and only 27 patients presented with severe disease. Diarrhoea and anorexia were the most frequently reported digestive symptoms with a frequency of 44 (12.8 %) and 34 (9.9 %), respectively. Clinical outcomes and disease severity were not significantly different between patients with and without digestive issues. Conclusion: The course of a COVID-19 infection seems to include gastrointestinal symptoms, which include, but are not limited to vomiting, diarrhoea, anorexia, etc. Numerous gastrointestinal symptoms are linked to COVID-19 infection even in the absence of respiratory symptoms. As a result, COVID-19 infection should be taken into account for individuals who primarily present with gastrointestinal symptoms. The establishment of personalised COVID-19 therapies will be aided by an understanding of the varying susceptibility of the individual gastrointestinal system to SARSCoV-2. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Environmental hazards may influence health outcomes and be a driver of health inequalities. We sought to characterize the extent to which social–environmental inequalities were associated with surgical outcomes following a complex operation. In this cross-sectional study, patients who underwent abdominal aortic aneurysm repair, coronary artery bypass grafting, colectomy, pneumonectomy, or pancreatectomy between 2016 and 2021 were identified from Medicare claims data. Patient data were linked with social–environmental data sourced from Centers for Disease Control and Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry data based on county of residence. The Environmental Justice Index social–environmental ranking (SER) was used as a measure of environmental injustice. Multivariable regression analysis was performed to assess the relationship between SER and surgical outcomes. Among 1,052,040 Medicare beneficiaries, 346,410 (32.9%) individuals lived in counties with low SER, while 357,564 (33.9%) lived in counties with high SER. Patients experiencing greater social–environmental injustice were less likely to achieve textbook outcome (odds ratio 0.95, 95% confidence interval 0.94-0.96, P < 0.001) and to be discharged to an intermediate care facility or home with a health agency (odds ratio 0.97, 95% confidence interval 0.96-0.98, P < 0.001). Cumulative social and environmental inequalities, as captured by the Environmental Justice Index SER, were associated with postoperative outcomes among Medicare beneficiaries undergoing a range of surgical procedures. Policy makers should focus on environmental, as well as socioeconomic injustice to address preventable health disparities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background Study Design Results Conclusion Access to healthcare providers is a key factor in reducing cancer incidence and mortality, underscoring the significance of provider density as a crucial metric of health quality. We sought to characterize the association of provider density on hepatobiliary cancer population‐level incidence and mortality.County‐level hepatobiliary cancer incidence and mortality data from 2016 to 2020 and provider data from 2016 to 2018 were obtained from the CDC and Area Health Resource File. Multivariable logistic regression was utilized to evaluate the relationship between provider density and hepatobiliary cancer incidence and mortality.Among 1359 counties, 851 (62.6%) and 508 (37.4%) counties were categorized as urban and rural, respectively. The median number of providers in any given county was 104 (IQR: 44–306), while provider density was 120.1 (IQR: 86.7–172.2) per 100,000 population; median household income was $51,928 (IQR: $45,050–$61,655). Low provider‐density counties were more likely to have a greater proportion of residents over 65 years of age (52.7% vs. 49.6%) who were uninsured (17.4% vs. 13.2%) versus higher provider‐density counties (p < 0.05). Moreover, all‐stage incidence, late‐stage incidence, and mortality rates were higher in counties with low provider density. On multivariable analysis, moderate, and high provider density were associated with lower odds of all‐stage incidence, late‐stage incidence, and mortality.Higher county‐level provider density was associated with lower hepatobiliary cancer‐related incidence and mortality. Efforts to increase access to healthcare providers may improve healthcare equity as well as long‐term cancer outcomes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Dysprosium doped Ni0.50Co0.50DyxFe2−xO4 (x = 0.25, 0.50, 0.75) was synthesized via auto combustion of nitrate citrate gel. The prepared composites were given microwave plasma treatment to improve their dielectric properties for constructing high-frequency devices. X-ray diffraction analysis confirmed the production of Dy-doped cubic spinel NiCo ferrites. The average crystallite size for the untreated magnetic composite was 32.10 nm, while for plasma-treated samples was 25.17 nm. A growth in lattice parameters and decreased porosity was observed in plasma-treated composites. VSM findings revealed a decrease in saturation magnetization from 54.15 to 36.75 emu/g with an increase in Dy3+ from 0.25 to 0.50%. Saturation magnetization again raised with increasing Dy3+ content from 0.50 to 0.75%. The lower Dy3+ concentration resulted in low saturation magnetization, while the high Dy3+ concentration showed high saturation magnetization of the composite. Temperature and frequency-dependent dielectric characteristics revealed bulbous enrichment in the dielectric constant and significant Q factor for plasma-treated samples. The perceived deviation in dielectric loss with frequency change is credited to the conduction phenomenon, which agrees with Koop's phenomenological theory. High dielectric constant and low dielectric loss, even at higher temperatures, enable the synthesized ferrites to be strong candidates for high-frequency devices. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Textbook oncologic outcome (TOO) serves as a composite, oncologic metric for surgical quality of care. We sought to evaluate variations in TOO among patients undergoing laparoscopic, robotic, and open surgery for intrahepatic (iCCA) and perihilar (pCCA) cholangiocarcinoma. Patients who underwent liver resection for iCCA and pCCA between 2010 and 2018 were identified from the National Cancer Database. Entropy balancing was performed for covariate balancing and multivariable regression was used to evaluate the association between surgical approach and TOO. Among 5434 patients who underwent hepatic resection between 2010 and 2018, 3888 (71.6%) had iCCA, and 1546 (28.4%) had pCCA. TOO was achieved in 11.7% (n = 454), and 18.8% (n = 291) of patients with iCCA and pCCA, respectively. There was a difference in achievement of TOO relative to operative approach among patients with iCCA (robotic: 6.2% vs. laparoscopic: 8.1% vs. open: 12.5%; p = 0.002). After entropy balancing, patients with iCCA undergoing laparoscopic surgery had 32% reduced odds of achieving TOO (Ref: open surgery; laparoscopic, OR 0.68, 95%CI 0.49–0.93; p = 0.016; robotic, OR 0.69, 95%CI 0.34–1.39; p = 0.298). Usage of composite oncologic measures such as TOO may allow for a holistic assessment of different approaches to hepatic resection among patients with CCA. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In the current article, a defective interface is characterized by "Dc," representing the smallest diameter of nanosheets crucial for effective conduction transfer from the conductive filler to the medium, and by "ψ" as interfacial conduction. These parameters define the effective aspect ratio and operational volume fraction of graphene in the samples. The resistances of the graphene and polymer layer in contact zones are also considered to determine the contact resistance between adjacent nanosheets. Subsequently, a model for the tunneling conductivity of composites is proposed based on these concepts. This innovative model is validated by experimental data. Additionally, the effects of various factors on the conductivity of the composites and contact resistance are analyzed. Certain parameters such as filler concentration, graphene conductivity, interfacial conduction, and "Dc" do not affect the contact resistance due to the superconductivity of the nanosheets. However, factors like thin and large nanosheets, short tunneling distance (d), high interfacial conduction (ψ), low "Dc," and low tunnel resistivity (ρ) contribute to increased conductivity in nanocomposites. The maximum conductivity of 0.09 is obtained at d = 2 nm and ψ = 900 S/m, but d > 6 nm and ψ < 200 S/m produce an insulated sample. Additionally, the highest conductivity of 0.11 S/m is achieved with Dc = 100 nm and ρ = 100 Ω m, whereas the conductivity approaches 0 at Dc = 500 nm and ρ = 600 Ω m. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper presents a comprehensive study on the integration of 3D printing technology in biomedical robotics education with undergraduate students learning about the design of robotic systems. The research investigated the effectiveness of this new teaching strategy in enhancing students’ understanding of complex engineering principles by comparing their learning experiences, and academic performance with results from traditional teaching methods. The students’ learning and performance were evaluated through a survey and grade analysis. The Mann – Whitney U test was used to analyse the data, revealing statistically significant improvements in both student satisfaction and grades. The Mann-Whitney U test results show a clear preference for the 2017 3D printing and project-based learning strategy over the 2016 traditional method. With a U-value of 0 and a critical U-value at p < 0.05 being 23, coupled with a z-score of −3.742, the data significantly indicates enhanced student outcomes with the newer teaching approach compared to conventional methods. The study also found that 3D printing technology fostered creativity, critical thinking, and enhanced spatial visualisation skills among students. However, we also identify potential challenges, including equipment maintenance, safety concerns, and the need for faculty expertise. The study concludes by providing potential strategies to overcome these challenges. This research offers valuable insights for educators and policy-makers in leveraging technology for improved learning outcomes in engineering education. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this study, a poor/imperfect interphase is assumed to express the effective interphase thickness, operative filler concentration, percolation onset and volume share of network in graphene–polymer systems. Additionally, a conventional model is advanced by the mentioned terms for conductivity of samples by the extent of conduction transference between graphene and polymer medium. The model predictions are linked to the experimented data. Likewise, the mentioned terms as well as the conductivity of nanocomposites are expressed at dissimilar ranges of various factors. The novel equations successfully predict the percolation onset and conductivity in the samples containing a poor/imperfect interphase. Thin and long nanosheets with high conduction transportation desirably govern the percolation onset and nanocomposite conductivity, but a bigger tunneling distance causes a lower conductivity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Social determinants of health can play an important role in patient health. Privilege is a right, benefit, advantage, or opportunity that can positively affect all social determinants of health. We sought to assess variations in the prevalence of privilege among patient populations and define the association of privilege on postoperative surgical outcomes. Medicare beneficiaries who underwent elective coronary artery bypass grafting, abdominal aortic aneurysm repair, total hip arthroplasty, total knee arthroplasty, colectomy, and lung resection were identified. The Index of Concentration of Extremes (ICE), a validated metric of both social spatial polarization and privilege was calculated and merged with county-level data obtained from the American Community Survey. Textbook outcome (TO) was defined as absence of postoperative complications, extended length of stay, 90-day mortality, and 90-day readmission. Multivariable regression analysis was performed to assess the relationship between ICE and TO. Among 1,885,889 Medicare beneficiaries who met inclusion criteria, 655,980 (34.8%) individuals resided in areas with the highest privilege (i.e., White, high-income homogeneity), whereas 221,314 (11.7%) individuals resided in areas of the lowest privilege (i.e., Black, low-income homogeneity). The overall incidence of TO was 66.2% (n = 1,247,558). On multivariable regression, residence in the most advantaged neighbourhoods was associated with a lower chance of surgical complications (odds ratio [OR] 0.90, 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.88-0.91), a prolonged length of stay (OR 0.81, 95% CI 0.79-82), 90-day readmission (OR 0.94, 95% CI 0.92-0.95), and 90-day mortality (OR 0.71, 95% CI 0.68-0.74) (all P < 0.001). Residence in the most privileged areas was associated with 19% increased odds of achieving TO (OR 1.19, 95% CI 1.18-1.21), as well as a 6% reduction in Medicare expenditures versus individuals in the least privileged counties (OR 0.94, 95% CI 0.94-0.94) (both P < 0.001). Privilege, based on the ICE joint measure of racial/ethnic and economic spatial concentration, was strongly associated with the likelihood to achieve an "optimal" TO following surgery. As healthcare is a basic human right, privilege should not be associated with disparities in surgical care. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: Coronary artery angiography plays a pivotal role in cardiovascular disease diagnosis and treatment, but concerns regarding patient safety due to ionizing radiation necessitate innovative approaches. The article explores the integration of adaptive learning algorithms to optimize low-dose imaging in coronary artery angiography. Method: Articles are selected on the basis of inclusion criteria that mentions studies in between the time span of 2018 to 2022 emphasizing the detailed algorithmic studies of Low dose optimization of coronary arteries angiography and techniques used in it, mentioned total 175 studies were included in initial studies that were reduced to ten final selected studies. Results: The extracted data shows a comprehensive data on various techniques that are used for low dose CAA, advancements in image segmentation, noise reduction, and operator dose reduction highlight the potential of machine learning techniques. Innovative methods such as Model-Based Deep Learning (MBDL) and Self-Attention Generative Adversarial Networks (SAGAN) demonstrate efficient reconstruction capabilities. Application of such algorithms include automate segmentation, lesion detection, and real-time image analysis, optimizing dose parameters based on patient-specific factors, thus prioritizing patient safety and treatment effectiveness while revolutionizing medical imaging. Then there are possible limitations of the Algorithmic approach to reduce radiation dose for patient that include concerns include data heterogeneity, lack of diversity, and challenges in data collection and privacy protection. Addressing these limitations is crucial for enhancing the reliability of AI-driven dose optimization methods. Conclusion: This comprehensive review provides valuable insights into the potential of adaptive learning algorithms for low-dose optimization in coronary artery angiography. It underscores the importance of safer imaging practices without compromising diagnostic efficacy. And the future lies in exploring adaptive learning algorithms, integrating patient-specific data, and real-time adaptability during procedures. Validation studies and collaboration with healthcare institutions are essential for successful integration into clinical practice. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

BACKGROUND: Social determinants of health can impact the quality of liver transplantation (LT) care. We sought to assess whether the association between neighborhood deprivation and transplant outcomes can be mitigated by receiving care at high-quality transplant centers. STUDY DESIGN: In this population-based cohort study, patients who underwent LT between 2004 and 2019 were identified in the Scientific Registry of Transplant Recipients. LT-recipient neighborhoods were identified at the county level and stratified into quintiles relative to Area Deprivation Index (ADI). Transplant center quality was based on the Scientific Registry of Transplant Recipients 5-tier ranking using standardized transplant rate ratios. Multivariable Cox regression was used to assess the relationship between ADI, hospital quality, and posttransplant survival. RESULTS: A total of 41,333 recipients (median age, 57.0 [50.0 to 63.0] years; 27,112 [65.4%] male) met inclusion criteria. Patients residing in the most deprived areas were more likely to have nonalcoholic steatohepatitis, be Black, and travel further distances to reach a transplant center. On multivariable analysis, post-LT long-term mortality was associated with low-vs high-quality transplant centers (hazard ratio [HR] 1.19, 95% CI 1.07 to 1.32), as well as among patients residing in high-vs low-ADI neighborhoods (HR 1.25, 95% CI 1.16 to 1.34; both p = 0.001). Of note, individuals residing in high- vs low-ADI neighborhoods had a higher risk of long-term mortality after treatment at a low-quality (HR 1.31, 95% CI 1.06 to 1.62, p = 0.011) vs high-quality (HR 1.12, 95% CI 0.83 to 1.52, p = 0.471) LT center. CONCLUSIONS: LT at high-quality centers may be able to mitigate the association between posttransplant survival and neighborhood deprivation. Investments and initiatives that increase access to referrals to high-quality centers for patients residing in higher deprivation may lead to better outcomes and help mitigate disparities in LT. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives: To evaluate success of vesicovaginal fistula repair by vaginal approach with secondary objective to assess the limitations of repair by vaginal route. Study Design: Retrospective & Descriptive study. Setting: Department of Urology and Renal Transplantation, Faisalabad Medical University, Faisalabad. Period: January 2017 to December 2020. Material & Methods: In which 42 patients were included in the study. All patients were submitted for VVF repair by vaginal approach. Procedure was done under spinal anesthesia in all patients. Operation was done in lithotomy position. Circumferential incision was made around the fistula. Vagina and bladder were separated. Urinary bladder was repaired in two layers and vagina by perpendicular stitching technique. Foley catheter was passed. Urinary leakage was seen by instillation of normal saline and Gentian Violet. Vaginal packing was done at the end of the procedure which was removed after 1 day of surgery and patient post operative data was noted. Results: 42 patients were included. There mean age was 27 years. 45.23% patients came with history of prolonged labor, 30.95% patients presented after transabdominal hysterectomy, 21.42% after lower segment secession section and 2.38% patients came after operation for cystocele. Infra-trigonal VVF was present in 59.53% patients and supra-trigonal in 40.47% cases. Our success rate was 85.71% and we faced failure in 14.28% of patients. Lower urinary tracts symptoms were seen in 30.95%, hematuria in 9.25%, stress incontinence in 11.9%, symptoms like over active bladder in 7.14% and urinary tract infection in 14.28%. Conclusion: VVF repair by vaginal approach is safe and successful with less morbidity than abdominal approach. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The internet is a common source of health information for patients. Interactive online artificial intelligence (AI) may be a more reliable source of health-related information than traditional search engines. This study aimed to assess the quality and perceived utility of chat-based AI responses related to 3 common gastrointestinal (GI) surgical procedures. A survey of 24 questions covering general perioperative information on cholecystectomy, pancreaticoduodenectomy (PD), and colectomy was created. Each question was posed to Chat Generative Pre-trained Transformer (ChatGPT) in June 2023, and the generated responses were recorded. The quality and perceived utility of responses were independently and subjectively graded by expert respondents specific to each surgical field. Grades were classified as "poor," "fair," "good," "very good," or "excellent." Among the 45 respondents (general surgeon [n = 13], surgical oncologist [n = 18], colorectal surgeon [n = 13], and transplant surgeon [n = 1]), most practiced at an academic facility (95.6%). Respondents had been in practice for a mean of 12.3 years (general surgeon, 14.5 ± 7.2; surgical oncologist, 12.1 ± 8.2; colorectal surgeon, 10.2 ± 8.0) and performed a mean 53 index operations annually (cholecystectomy, 47 ± 28; PD, 28 ± 27; colectomy, 81 ± 44). Overall, the most commonly assigned quality grade was "fair" or "good" for most responses (n = 622/1080, 57.6%). Most of the 1080 total utility grades were "fair" (n = 279, 25.8%) or "good" (n = 344, 31.9%), whereas only 129 utility grades (11.9%) were "poor." Of note, ChatGPT responses related to cholecystectomy (45.3% ["very good"/"excellent"] vs 18.1% ["poor"/"fair"]) were deemed to be better quality than AI responses about PD (18.9% ["very good"/"excellent"] vs 46.9% ["poor"/"fair"]) or colectomy (31.4% ["very good"/"excellent"] vs 38.3% ["poor"/"fair"]). Overall, only 20.0% of the experts deemed ChatGPT to be an accurate source of information, whereas 15.6% of the experts found it unreliable. Moreover, 1 in 3 surgeons deemed ChatGPT responses as not likely to reduce patient-physician correspondence (31.1%) or not comparable to in-person surgeon responses (35.6%). Although a potential resource for patient education, ChatGPT responses to common GI perioperative questions were deemed to be of only modest quality and utility to patients. In addition, the relative quality of AI responses varied markedly on the basis of procedure type. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Malnutrition has been linked to the development of hepatopancreatobiliary (HPB) cancer. We sought to examine the association between food swamps and food deserts on surgical outcomes of patients with HPB cancer. Methods: Patients who underwent surgery for HPB cancer between 2014 and 2020 were identified from the Medicare Standard Analytic Files. Patient-level data were linked to the United States Department of Agriculture data on food swamps and deserts. Multivariable regression was performed to examine the association between the food environment and outcomes. Results: Among 53,426 patients, patients from the worse food environment were more likely to be Black, have a higher Charlson Comorbidity Index, and reside in areas with high social vulnerability. Following surgery, the overall incidence of textbook outcome (TO) was 41.6% (n = 22,220). Patients residing in the worse food environments less often achieved a TO versus individuals residing in the healthiest food environments (food swamp: 39.4% vs. 43.9%; food desert: 38.5% vs 42.2%; p < 0.05). On multivariable analysis, individuals residing in the poorest food environments were associated with lower odds of achieving TO compared with individuals living in healthiest food environments (food swamp: OR 0.83, 95%CI 0.75–0.92, food desert: OR 0.86, 95%CI 0.76–0.97; both p < 0.05). Conclusion: The surrounding food environment of patients may serve as a modifiable socio-demographic risk factor that contributes to disparities in surgical outcomes of HPB cancer. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Micelle templating has emerged as a powerful method to produce monodisperse nanoparticles. Herein, we explore unconventional phase transformations in the synthesis of organo-halide perovskite nanoparticles utilizing reverse micelle templates. We employ diblock-copolymer reverse micelles to fabricate these nanoparticles, which confines ions within micellar nanoreactors, retarding reaction kinetics and facilitating perovskite cage manipulation. The confined micellar environment exerts pressure on both precursors and perovskite crystals formed inside, enabling stable phases not typically observed at room temperature in conventional synthesis. This provides access to perovskite structures that are otherwise challenging to produce. The hydrophobic shell of the micelle also enhances perovskite stability, particularly when combined with anionic exchange approaches or large aromatic cations. This synergy results in long-lasting stable optical properties despite environmental exposure. Reverse micelle templates offer a versatile platform for modulating perovskite structure and behavior across a broad spectrum of perovskite compositions, yielding unique phases with diverse emission characteristics. By manipulating the composition and properties of the reverse micelle template, it is possible to tune the characteristics of the resulting nanoparticles, opening up exciting opportunities for customizing optical properties to suit various applications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Drought stress poses a considerable challenge to agriculture sustainability in arid regions. Water scarcity severely affects date palm growth and productivity in these regions. However, as water resources become increasingly scarce in arid regions, understanding the drought tolerance of date palm cultivars becomes imperative for developing drought-resistant cultivars and optimizing irrigation water usage for sustainable agriculture. This research examines the impact of different drought stress levels based on evapotranspiration (ETc), i.e., 40%, 60%, 80%, and 100% ETc, and time intervals (0, 6, 12, 18, and 24 months) on leaf growth, net photosynthesis, chlorophyll a and b content, and leaf relative water content (LRWC) of four prominent date palm cultivars, Khalas, Barhee, Hilali, and Ashrasee. In addition, the study also examines the effects of drought stress on dry weight, potassium and calcium content of leaf, stem, and root, and proline content in fresh leaves of these four cultivars. A solar-powered drip irrigation system with automated time-based irrigation scheduling was used to accurately control the irrigation water amount. To real-time estimate ETc in the study area, meteorological data were collected using a cloud-based IoT system. The findings of this study revealed that severe drought conditions (40 and 60 % ETc) significantly reduced leaf growth, plant dry biomass, and physiological and biochemical attributes; however, date palm cultivars can be grown under moderate drought conditions (80% ETc) with minimal effect on phenotypic, physiological, and biochemical traits to conserve water. The study also revealed that the drought-related characteristics decreased gradually with an increase in water stress time over 24 months. Comparing the date palm cultivars revealed that the Khalas and Barhee cultivars are more drought-tolerant, followed by Hilali, while Ashrasee is susceptible. The study elucidated a water conservation strategy employed in response to drought-induced stress based on the physiological and morphological parameters of date palm cultivars. It provides valuable insights into irrigation practices in arid regions. However, future studies can be focused on other nondestructive innovative techniques such as pulse-amplitude-modulation (PAM) fluorimetry, infrared radiation (IR), and video imaging system (VIS) methods to identify drought stress in date palms. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: The present study is aimed to find the frequency of re-infection and severity of symptomatology among PCR confirmed COVID-19 patients in the current wave of epidemics in Lahore and Islamabad. Study type, settings & duration: This descriptive study was undertaken at Health Research Institute (HRI) Central Research Centre, National Institute of Health (NIH) Islamabad and HRI-NIH TB Research Centre King Edward Medical University Lahore from March 2022 to July 2022. Methodology: A sample size of 248 patients was calculated and a pre-designed questionnaire was used to collect data. Patients receiving COVID-19-positive PCR reports from different laboratories were traced. Patients were contacted telephonically. Data was entered and analyzed using SPSS v.26.0. Symptoms among infection and re-infection subgroups were compared by using the chi-square test. Results: Participants consisted of 119 (48%) males and 129 (52%) females with mean age of subjects as 35.96±17.94 years. Most of the 186 (75.0%) respondents were fully vaccinated, 41 (16.5%) were partially vaccinated. A total of 93 (37.5%) patients were re-infected with COVID-19 and the duration of re-infection from primary infection ranged from 2-18 months. All the symptoms showed an insignificant difference except tiredness and shortness/difficulty in breathing remained significantly more severe (p-value <0.05) in cases of primary infection as compared to re-infected cases. Conclusion: The frequency of re-infection remained high in this study while there is not much difference in symptomatology among cases of primary COVID-19 infection and re-infection. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The association of psychosocial risk factors with cardiovascular disease is well‐established, and there is a growing recognition of their influence on atrial fibrillation (AF). A recent National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute workshop called for transforming AF research to integrate social determinants of health. There is limited data examining the impact of psychosocial risk factors (PSRFs) on outcomes in patients with an established diagnosis of AF. Catheter ablation for AF has been shown to improve arrhythmia burden and quality of life compared with medical treatment alone. It is unknown how PSRFs affect clinical outcomes in patients undergoing AF ablation. It is important to understand this relationship, especially given the increasing adoption of catheter ablation in clinical practice. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This research is motivated by the author's academic anxiety of a gap about human resource management in Islamic educational institutions, the gap is viewed from two indicators, first: the ten best nominations for inspirational teachers at the high school level or equivalent in 2022 by the Ministry of Education and Culture none of them come from Islamic educational institutions, second: of the ten highest UTBK result scores in 2022 are dominated by schools from general education institutions, only two schools represent Islamic educational institutions. One of the postulates other than the Qur'an and Sunnah that forms the philosophical basis of human resource management is built from the perspective of maqāṣid al-syarī'ah. The research aims to analyze, describe and find the concept of human resource management of Islamic educational institutions from the perspective of maqāṣid al-syarī'ah. This research answers two main problems, namely the conception and implications of maqāṣid al-syarī'ah in human resource management. To find the results of the study, researchers use a type of qualitative research with a case study approach. The results of this study construct this resource management with maqāṣid al-syarī'ah which consists of five perspectives, namely: ḥifẓ al-dīn (optimization of religiosity), ḥifẓ al-nafs (optimization of psychic and physical), ḥifẓ al-aql (optimization of reason), ḥifẓ al-māl (optimization of wealth) and ḥifẓ al-'irdh (optimization of honor/ selfesteem), from this perspective the theory of human resource management maqashidi is built with five main components, namely: Mutadayyin (religion), ḏaki (intelligent), munazzam (manejerial) matīn al-khuluq (morality) mutamayyiz (performance/achievement). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This Article analyzes the 2021 judgment of the Supreme Court of Pakistan in the case of Mst. Safia Bano v. Home Department, Government of Punjab. The case has garnered significant local and international attention due to the Court's ruling that a death sentence may not be carried out on a defendant who has a mental illness. Setting the case against the backdrop of Pakistan's Islamic and colonial contexts, this article argues that the Supreme Court has reshaped the insanity defense in Pakistani law by placing the determination of a defendant's mental state mainly in the hands of medical professionals. However, the Court's reliance on medical professionals and the subsequent downplaying of the "moral capacity" element of the insanity defense—a determination of law made by courts—has created an obstacle for courts to punish offenders more stringently in future cases due to the popular belief that mental health professionals are ill-equipped to answer broader questions of justice for victims and society. The article recommends that this issue can be remedied by establishing an objective legal test for insanity that considers Islamic law, Pakistani precedent, and advances in medical science. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this paper, we present a hybrid frequency shift keying and frequency division multiplexing (i.e., FSK–FDM) approach for information embedding in dual-function radar and communication (DFRC) design to achieve an improved communication data rate. Since most of the existing works focus on merely two-bit transmission in each pulse repetition interval (PRI) using different amplitude modulation (AM)- and phased modulation (PM)-based techniques, this paper proposes a new technique that doubles the data rate by using a hybrid FSK–FDM technique. Note that the AM-based techniques are used when the communication receiver resides in the side lobe region of the radar. In contrast, the PM-based techniques perform better if the communication receiver is in the main lobe region. However, the proposed design facilitates the delivery of information bits to the communication receivers with an improved bit rate (BR) and bit error rate (BER) regardless of their locations in the radar's main lobe or side lobe regions. That is, the proposed scheme enables information encoding according to the transmitted waveforms and frequencies using FSK modulation. Next, the modulated symbols are added together to achieve a double data rate using the FDM technique. Finally, each transmitted composite symbol contains multiple FSK-modulated symbols, resulting in an increased data rate for the communication receiver. Numerous simulation results are presented to validate the effectiveness of the proposed technique. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

An accurate estimation of reservoir parameters such as porosity from conventional petrophysics has always been a challenging task for petrophysicists. These inaccuracies can be minimized by incorporating the standardized results obtained from the well-core information for continuous and precise estimates. The goal of the current study is to determine the most appropriate porosity estimation using reliable statistical approaches for the computation of precise reservoir parameters. In this study, characterization of porosity is carried out using root mean squared error and coefficient of variation. Total porosity ( ϕ NDS ) has minimum root mean squared error and coefficient of variation as compared to other porosity estimates. The minimum root mean squared error and coefficient of variation lead to a good prediction model with smaller residuals. In Zamzama-02 Well, the total porosity ( ϕ NDS ) for Pab Formation was derived from the average values of neutron, density and sonic logs data with lower values RMSE (2.81%), and the smaller coefficient of variation (31.48%). Subsequently, the estimated values were calibrated with core-derived porosity and permeability of Pab Formation. This comparison indicates existence of good correlation (R2 = 0.70). Therefore, the computed ϕ NDS provides more accurate results of different reservoir parameters including effective porosity, water saturation, and hydrocarbon saturation compared to porosities derived from conventional petrophysics. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The toxicity of histamine has attracted numerous researchers to develop a method for histamine determination purposes. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) unequivocally prohibits the consumption of histamine above 50 mg·kg−1. Thus, an innovation in histamine detection in fish has been developed in this research. The investigation of the histamine level in fish has been conducted by using an electrochemical sensor approach and producing a polymer via molecularly imprinted polymer (MIP) on a screen-printed electrode. The technique was validated by assessing the shifts in electron shifting using the cyclic voltammetry (CV) approach and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS), whereas differential pulse voltammetry (DPV) was applied to validate the sensor method. The instruments showed a linear response ranging from 1–1000 nmol·L−1, with a detection limit of MIP/SPE at 1.765 nmol·L−1 and 709 nmol·L−1 for the NIP/SPE, respectively. The sensing technique was employed to determine the histamine level in selected samples at room temperature (25°C). The outcomes of this study indicated that the validated chemical sensor allowed accurate and precise detection of fish samples and can be categorized as a simple approach. The instrument is inexpensive and suitable for on-site detection. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The largest absolute eigenvalue of a matrix A associated to the graph G is called the A-Spectral Radius of the graph G, and A-energy of the graph G is defined as the absolute sum of all its eigenvalues. In the present article, we compute Randic energies, Reciprocal Randic energies, Randic spectral radii and Reciprocal Randic radii of s-shadow and s-splitting graph of G. We actually relate these energies and Spectral Radii of new graphs with the energies and Spectral Radii of original graphs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The COVID-19 pandemic has increased the usage of personal protective equipment (PPE) all round the world and, in turn, it has also increased the waste caused by disposable PPE. This has exerted a severe environmental impact, so in our work, we propose the utilization of a sustainable electrospun nanofiber based on poly lactic acid (PLA), as it is biobased and conditionally degradable. We optimized the weight percentage of the PLA-precursor solution and found that 19% PLA produces fine nanofibers with good morphology. We also introduced carbon nanodots (CNDs) in the nanofibers and evaluated their antibacterial efficiency. We used 1, 2, 3, and 4% CNDs with 19% PLA and found increased antibacterial activity with increased concentrations of CNDs. Additionally, we also applied a spunbond-nanofiber layered assembly for the medical face masks and found that with the addition of only 0.45 mg/cm2 on the nonwoven sheet, excellent particle filtration efficiency of 96.5% and a differential pressure of 39 Pa/cm2 were achieved, meeting the basic requirements for Type I medical face masks (ASTM-F2100). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The National Comprehensive Cancer Network (NCCN) guidelines recommend adjuvant therapy for patients with resectable cholangiocarcinoma (CCA). The trends in utilization and receipt of adjuvant therapy and its association with overall survival have not been well studied among patients with low-risk CCA. Methods: Patients who received systemic chemotherapy for low-risk CCA after surgical resection (2010–2017) were identified in the National Cancer Database. Low-risk CCA was defined according to NCCN guidelines as patients with R0 margins and negative regional lymph nodes. Multivariable analysis was performed to assess predictors of NCCN guideline concordance and its association with overall survival. Results: Among 4519 patients who underwent resection for low-risk CCA, 55.5% (n = 2510) had intrahepatic, 15.0% (n = 680) had perihilar, and 29.4% (n = 1329) had distal cholangiocarcinoma. Adherence to NCCN guidelines increased from 27.7% in 2010 to 41.6% in 2017 (ptrend < 0.001) for low-risk CCA. On multivariable analysis, receipt of NCCN guideline-concordant care was associated with a nearly 15% decrease in mortality hazards (HR 0.86, 95%CI 0.78–0.95, p < 0.05 ). Increased distance travelled (Ref < 12.5 miles, 50–249 miles: OR 0.55, 95%CI 0.49–0.69; ≥ 250 miles: OR 0.41, 95%CI 0.25–0.6), and care in the South (OR 0.78, 95%CI 0.64–0.95) or Midwest (OR 0.66, 95%CI 0.53–0.81) of the United States versus the Northeast was associated with not receiving guideline-concordant care. Conclusion: Adherence to evidence-based NCCN guidelines was associated with improved survival among low-risk CCA patients. Geographical disparities in the receipt of NCCN guideline-concordant care exist and may influence long-term outcomes among CCA patients. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The prognostic role of tumor burden score (TBS) relative to albumin-bilirubin (ALBI) grade among patients undergoing curative-intent resection of ICC has not been examined. Methods : We identified patients who underwent curative-intent resection for ICC between 1990 and 2017 from a multi-institutional database. Multivariable analysis was performed to assess the effect of TBS relative to ALBI grade on both short- and long-term outcomes. Results: Among 724 patients, 360 (49.7%) patients had low TBS and low ALBI grade, 142 (19.6%) patients had low TBS and high ALBI grade, 138 (19.1%) patients had high TBS and low ALBI grade, and 84 patients (11.6%) had high TBS and high ALBI grade. Decreased tumor burden was associated with better long-term outcomes among patients with both low (5-year OS; low TBS vs. high TBS: 52.4% vs 21.4%; p < 0.001) and high ALBI grade (5-year OS; low TBS vs. high TBS: 40.7% vs 12.0%; p < 0.001). On multivariable analysis, higher ALBI grade was associated with greater odds of an extended hospital LOS (> 10 days) (OR 2.80, 95%CI 1.62–4.82; p < 0.001), perioperative transfusion (OR 2.04, 95%CI 1.25–3.36; p = 0.005), 90-day mortality (OR 2.56, 95%CI 1.12–5.81; p = 0.025), as well as a major complication (OR 1.99, 95%CI 1.13–3.49; p = 0.016) among patients with similar tumor burden. Of note, patients with high TBS and high ALBI grade had markedly worse overall survival compared with patients who had low TBS and low ALBI grade disease (HR 2.27; 95%CI 1.44–3.59; p < 0.001). Importantly, high TBS and high ALBI grade were strongly associated with both early recurrence (88.1%%) and 5-year risk of death (96.4%). Conclusion: Both TBS (i.e., tumor morphology) and ALBI grade (i.e., hepatic function reserve) were strong predictors of outcomes among patients undergoing ICC resection. There was an interplay between TBS and ALBI grade relative to patient prognosis after hepatic resection of ICC with high ALBI grade predicting worse outcomes among ICC patients with different TBS. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

One of the technological advancements in agricultural production is the tissue culture propagation technique, commonly used for mass multiplication and disease-free plants. The necessity for date palm tissue culture emerged from the inability of traditional propagation methods' offshoots to meet the immediate demands for significant amounts of planting material for commercial cultivars. Tissue culture plantlets are produced in a protected aseptic in vitro environment where all growth variables are strictly controlled. The challenges occur when these plantlets are transferred to an ex vitro climate for acclimatization. Traditional glasshouses are frequently used; however, this has substantial mortality consequences. In the present study, a novel IoT-based automated ex vitro acclimatization system (E-VAS) was designed and evaluated for the acclimatization of date palm plantlets (cv. Khalas) to enhance their morpho-physiological attributes and reduce the mortality rate and the contamination risk through minimal human contact. The experimental findings showed that the morpho-physiological parameters of 6- and 12-month-old plants were higher when acclimatized in the prototype E-VAS compared to the traditional glasshouse acclimatization system (TGAS). The maximum plant mortality percentage occurred within the first month of the transfer from the in vitro to ex vitro environment in both systems, which gradually declined up to six months; after that, no significant plant mortality was observed. About 6% mortality was recorded in E-VAS, whereas 18% in TGAS within the first month of acclimatization. After six months of study, an overall 14% mortality was recorded in E-VAS compared to 41% in TGAS. The proposed automated system has a significant potential to address the growing demand for the rapid multiplication of tissue culture-produced planting materials since the plant survival rate and phenotype quality were much higher in E-VAS than in the conventional manual system that the present industry follows for commercial production. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

BACKGROUND: Current study aims to identify the perception, attitude, and behavior about Covid and plasma donation in Covid cases. METHODOLOGY: This descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted ---removed for blind review---Adult COVID-19/post-Covid patients were included by consecutive sampling. The critically ill, mechanically ventilated cases were excluded. A special questionnaire was developed including the demographic variables, mode of transmission, personal hygiene, prevention, post covid immunity, re-infection, psychosocial factors, financial reservations and post covid life. Willingness for plasma donation, laboratory diagnostics, and blood groups inquired. Data was collected by direct interview by the researcher and analyzed by SPSS V.20. RESULTS: Mean age was 39.8+15 years; 122(54%) females and 104(46%) males. A total of 163(73%) participants said Covid has impact on health, economy, social, mental and psychological states. 188(83%) considered Covid a threat to human life. 142(63%) had a close Covid contact and 15(6.6%) had recently travelled. 131(58%) said they could have prevented getting infected. 171(75.7%) considered handwashing and 208(92%) cleanliness and158(77%) considered natural, herbal remedies as preventive. 191(84.5%) wore masks most/all of the time. 130(57.5%) said they will be immune to Covid post-recovery. 179(79.2%) were aware of re-infection. 169(74.8%) considered smoking as a risk for Covid and137(60.6%) aimed to quit smoking. 204(93%) committed to hand washing and 210(92.9%) to wearing masks post-Covid. 127(56%) were concerned about their food, 78(34.5%) about finances, 103(45.6%) about their family getting infected. 213(94%) expected life to normalize post-Covid. Most frequent blood group was B+ 67(29.6%) followed by A+ 42(18.6%) and O+ 41(18.1%). 128(66.6%) participants showed willingness to donate their plasma after recovery. 24(10.6%) refused the donation. 134(59.3%) agreed that plasma donation won’t reduce their immunity. 186(82.3%) were clinically recovered at the time of interview. CONCLUSION: Our Covid patients had a positive approach toward plasma donation. They expected normalization of life post-Covid and showed commitment toward the continuation of preventive habits and smoking cessation. However, there were significant concerns about finances, the safety of loved ones, and mental health. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Since the dissolution of the former Soviet Union, the US, and China are aspiring to enhance their strategic influence in Central Asia which has recently been intensified due to China's Belt and Road Initiative (BRI). Further, China has also increased its influence in Central Asia through regional organizations such as Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO). Against this backdrop, Pakistan emerged as an important pivot of China's BRI where the China–Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) is the flagship project. This study begins with a theoretical debate of Heartland theory of Halford John Mackinder and the later version of Heartland theory into Rimland theory by Nicolas Spykman, which explains the geopolitical significance of Central Asia for Major Powers. Within this theoretical context, the study discusses China and the US grand strategies in Central Asia in the form of China's BRI, SCO and the US counter‐strategies such as from phase 1.0, policy to 2.0, policy, and the recent initiative of C5 + 1. The study finds out that US–China strategic competition will have implications for various states having relations with both of these two major powers. In case of Pakistan, the strategic competition between China and the US will affect various dimensions of Pakistan's security at the broader level such as political, military, and economic security. First, at the political level, it is affecting Pakistan's relations with Russia, China, Iran, and Gulf States. Second, at military level, Pakistan's strategic value has been enhanced as a frontline state against terrorism. Finally, at the economic level, CPEC provides opportunities for Pakistan's economy and regional connectivity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study investigates the fabrication of Polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP) nanofibers with varying amounts of iodine and honey, through electrospinning, aiming for wound healing purposes with antibacterial properties. Constant poly(vinyl pyrrolidone) (PVP) was varied with 0–5% iodine and varied with 2% of honey. The resultant nanofibers were characterized using SEM, FTIR, and TGA, and tested for their antibacterial efficacy against S. aureus and E. coli. Results indicated that higher iodine concentrations led to the reduction in overall diameter of resultant electropsun fibers and addition of honey as increased the overall diameter of fibers. Also, the addition of honey had synergistic effect with iodine and has increased the antibacterial efficacy compared to iodine alone. These findings suggest potential applications for PVP/iodine/honey nanofibers in combating bacterial infections and wound healing applications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Struvite biomineralization is an ecologically sound technology, adept at the efficient recovery and recycling of phosphorus from wastewater. However, the biomineralization process is often perturbed by the presence of antibiotics, notably tetracycline (TC), the impact of which on the biomineralization system has not been elucidated. This study examines the efficacy of Bacillus cereus LB-9 in struvite biomineralization, focusing on the precipitates' composition, morphology, and TC content. LB-9 facilitate an alkaline environment that effectively recovering nitrogen and phosphorus. These findings indicate that TC retards the initial formation of struvite and the concurrent recovery of nitrogen and phosphorus. However, at concentrations below 10 mg/L TC concentrations, TC enhanced struvite production (0.38g) by stimulating LB-9's growth and metabolic activity. Conversely, at a concentration of 10 mg/L TC, the strain's activity was markedly suppressed within the initial four days. This data suggests that TC promotes the strain's proliferation and metabolism, potentially through cellular secretions, thereby augmenting phosphorus recovery from wastewater. Notably, the recovered struvite doesn't contain TC, aligning with regulatory standards for agricultural application. In summary, LB-9-mediated struvite recovery is an effective strategy for producing phosphorus-enriched fertilizers and mitigating TC contamination, offering significant implications for wastewater treatment and industrial process development, particularly in the context of prevalent TC in wastewater. [Display omitted] • LB-9 raise NH 4 + concentration and pH to favorate struvite biomineralization. • LB-9 catalyzes struvite synthesis, low TC boosting phosphorus recovery by 58%. • Produced struvite is free of TC, presenting a sustainable method for P recovery. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Strategic interdependence between China and Pakistan increased in the post‐9/11 period due to various regional and international developments. The strategic partnership between the two states which was evolved in 1960s due to Indian factor has now been transformed especially in the post‐Cold period where new factors have been added in their relationship. Some of the factors identified in this study include enhancement of the strategic value of these states for each other especially closer collaboration in the defense and security, Cooperation in regional connectivity, cooperation in the regional organizations, mutual consensus on core political issues of Kashmir and Taiwan and China's support to Pakistan stance on the India's membership of Nuclear Supplier Group (NSG). China‐Pakistan strategic cooperation has raised concerns in India which on its part is devising counter‐strategies. Although, the study is qualitative and based on content analysis, but at the same time it is empirical as it also explains the correlations between independent and dependent variable i.e China‐Pakistan strategic cooperation versus India's counter‐strategies. In this backdrop, the main argument of the study is that the strategic partnership between China and Pakistan is not just India centric but in the post‐Cold War period several other factors have been added and one of the prominent factor is the construction of CPEC. The study moreover finds out that these new developments in China‐Pakistan strategic partnership have implications for India due to India's unresolved border issues with both Pakistan and China. The study is significant in terms of its relevance to policy makers, politicians, academia, and think tanks. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Discovery of smart polymers, SP[n], opens up a new era in the field of pharmaceutical and biological therapeutics. These polymers efficiently provide drug delivery systems and are engineered to carry specific cargo molecules to the desired site. Degree-based topological indices and polynomials are serving as efficient tools in mathematical chemistry and chemical graph theory to gather raw facts which determine physio-chemical properties of substance under discussion. First part of this article is about the computation of invariants for some smart polymers SP[n]. In fact we determine closed formula for M-polynomial and many other degree-based indices of these polymers for the first time. In second part we discuss the imbalance based irregularity indices of these polymers. These indices tend to predict the irregularity of molecular structure with the increase in the step size n. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Spinel ferrites are widely investigated for their widespread applications in high-frequency and energy storage devices. This work focuses on enhancing the magnetic and dielectric properties of Ni0.25Cu0.25Zn0.50 ferrite series through non-thermal microwave plasma exposure under low-pressure conditions. A series of Ni0.25Cu0.25Zn0.50 ferrites was produced using a facile sol–gel auto-ignition approach. The post-synthesis plasma treatment was given in a low-pressure chamber by sustaining oxygen plasma with a microwave source. The structural formation of control and plasma-modified ferrites was investigated through X-ray diffraction analysis, which confirmed the formation of the fcc cubical structure of all samples. The plasma treatment did not affect crystallize size but significantly altered the surface porosity. The surface porosity increased after plasma treatment and average crystallite size was measured as about ~49.13 nm. Morphological studies confirmed changes in surface morphology and reduction in particle size on plasma exposure. The saturation magnetization of plasma-exposed ferrites was roughly 65% higher than the control. The saturation magnetization, remnant magnetization, and coercivity of plasma-exposed ferrites were calculated as 74.46 emu/g, 26.35 emu/g, and 1040 Oe, respectively. Dielectric characteristics revealed a better response of plasma-exposed ferrites to electromagnetic waves than control. These findings suggest that the plasma-exposed ferrites are good candidates for constructing high-frequency devices. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Date palm is an important staple crop in Saudi Arabia, and about 400 different date palm cultivars grown here, only 50–60 of them are used commercially. The most popular and commercially consumed cultivars of these are Khalas, Reziz, and Sheshi, which are also widely cultivated across the country. Date palm is high water-demanding crop in oasis agriculture, with an inherent ability to tolerate drought stress. However, the mechanisms by which it tolerates drought stress, especially at the transcriptomic level, are still elusive. This study appraised the physiological and molecular response of three commercial date palm cultivars Khalas, Reziz, and Sheshi at two different field capacities (FC; 100% and 25%) levels. At 25% FC (drought stress), leaf relative water content, chlorophyll, photosynthesis, stomatal conductance, and transpiration were significantly reduced. However, leaf intercellular CO2 concentration and water use efficiency increased under drought stress. In comparison to cvs. Khalas and Reziz, date palm cv. Sheshi showed less tolerance to drought stress. A total of 1118 drought-responsive expressed sequence tags (ESTs) were sequenced, 345 from Khalas, 391 from Reziz, and 382 from Sheshi and subjected to functional characterization, gene ontology classification, KEGG pathways elucidation, and enzyme codes dissemination. Three date palm cultivars deployed a multivariate approach to ameliorate drought stress by leveraging common and indigenous molecular, cellular, biological, structural, transcriptional and reproductive mechanisms. Approximately 50% of the annotated ESTs were related to photosynthesis regulation, photosynthetic structure, signal transduction, auxin biosynthesis, osmoregulation, stomatal conductance, protein synthesis/turnover, active transport of solutes, and cell structure modulation. Along with the annotated ESTs, ca. 45% of ESTs were novel. Conclusively, the study provides novel clues and opens the myriads of genetic resources to understand the fine-tuned drought amelioration mechanisms in date palm. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Malate dehydrogenase, which facilitates the reversible conversion of malate to oxaloacetate, is essential for energy balance, plant growth, and cold and salt tolerance. However, the genome-wide study of the MDH family has not yet been carried out in tomato (Solanum lycopersicum L.). In this study, 12 MDH genes were identified from the S. lycopersicum genome and renamed according to their chromosomal location. The tomato MDH genes were split into five groups based on phylogenetic analysis and the genes that clustered together showed similar lengths, and structures, and conserved motifs in the encoded proteins. From the 12 tomato MDH genes on the chromosomes, three pairs of segmental duplication events involving four genes were found. Each pair of genes had a Ka/Ks ratio < 1, indicating that the MDH gene family of tomato was purified during evolution. Gene expression analysis exhibited that tomato MDHs were differentially expressed in different tissues, at various stages of fruit development, and differentially regulated in response to abiotic stresses. Molecular docking of four highly expressed MDHs revealed their substrate and co-factor specificity in the reversible conversion process of malate to oxaloacetate. Further, co-localization of tomato MDH genes with quantitative trait loci (QTL) of salt stress-related phenotypes revealed their broader functions in salt stress tolerance. This study lays the foundation for functional analysis of MDH genes and genetic improvement in tomato. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives: To evaluate the success rate of probing and syringing for congenital nasolacrimal duct obstruction in children under local anaesthesia. Study Design: Cross-sectional study. Place and Duration of Study: Ophthalmology Department, Niazi Medical Dental College, Sargodha Pakistan, from Jul 2018 to Dec 2019. Methodology: Forty-five children were included in the study, of which five had bilateral epiphora. Children of 8-12 months of age were included in this study. Probing and syringing were done under topical local anaesthesia. In this study, special modified straight 25D lacrimal probe cannula was used. Post-operative steroids and antibiotics were given to all the children for two weeks. Results: Forty Children (45 Eyes) of 8-12 months of age (less than one year) were included in this study. Single successful probing was achieved in 40 eyes (88.88%). Probing was repeated in five cases. Repeated successful probing was achieved in 3 eyes (60%) as the remaining two eyes (40%) where success was not achieved had a bone abnormality which needed an ENT examination and further intervention like Dacryocystorhinostomy (DCR) with close intubation. Conclusion: Topical local anaesthesia is a good alternative to general anaesthesia as it is not available, particularly in remote areas of Pakistan. It saves the children from the hazards of general anaesthesia and is a good choice for children who are not fit for general anaesthesia. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aim of this study was to improve the solubility and prevent the ulcerogenic effect of flurbiprofen. Initially, binary and ternary solid dispersions (BSDs and TSDs) of flurbiprofen were prepared by using non-ordered mesoporous silica and gelucire. After preformulation testing (solubility, flow properties, % yield, and entrapment efficiency), four formulations were selected for further detailed studies. Solid-state characterization of optimized formulations (S1, S6, S7, and S12) showed successful drug incorporation in the solid dispersion at the molecular state without any noticeable interactions. The in vitro solubility and release study showed an increase in solubility and 98–100% of drug release in 30–45 min. The in vivo gastro-protective effect of the optimized formulations containing flurbiprofen and silica (1:1) with 25% w/w gelucire (S6 and S12) showed a reduction in the gastric lesion index (GLI) after four days of treatment. Moreover, histological images of the stomach lining (S6 and S12) illustrated normal epithelial cells and a partially protected mucosal membrane. Thus, TSD exhibited a significant increase in solubility and the dissolution rate and reduced the gastric ulceration. Therefore, TSDs are dubbed as efficacious carriers to enhance the bioavailability of flurbiprofen while simultaneously reducing its side effects. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Simple Summary: Scientists have been working on the development of nanomedicine-based tumor therapy, rather than conventional treatment, to treat cancer for several years. Unfortunately, biological barriers hinder the delivery of nanomedicine to tumors. There are different strategies applied by researchers to improve the nanomedicine penetration to tumors, such as the modification of nanoparticle features and controlling the cancer micro-environment. However, complicated cancer micro-environments and delivery problems prevent these approaches from achieving optimal results. Changes in the extra-cellular matrix or blood vessels modify tumor microenvironments in a way that provides improved nanomedicine penetration and distribution but not to an optimal level. Herein, we reviewed the challenges of nanomedicine penetration to tumors along with possible approaches to deal with this concern. Nanomedicine has been under investigation for several years to improve the efficiency of chemotherapeutics, having minimal pharmacological effects clinically. Ineffective tumor penetration is mediated by tumor environments, including limited vascular system, rising cancer cells, higher interstitial pressure, and extra-cellular matrix, among other things. Thus far, numerous methods to increase nanomedicine access to tumors have been described, including the manipulation of tumor micro-environments and the improvement of nanomedicine characteristics; however, such outdated approaches still have shortcomings. Multi-functional convertible nanocarriers have recently been developed as an innovative nanomedicine generation with excellent tumor infiltration abilities, such as tumor-penetrating peptide-mediated transcellular transport. The developments and limitations of nanomedicines, as well as expectations for better outcomes of tumor penetration, are discussed in this review. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: To determine the stone free rate by PCNL in pediatric population. Study Design: Descriptive Study. Setting: Department of Urology & Kidney Transplantation, Faisalabad Medical University and Affiliated Hospitals. Period: July 2019 to July 2020. Material & Methods: Total 55 patients were enrolled. After history, examination, relevant pre-operative investigations and informed consent, the patients underwent standard prone PCNL, with ureteral catheter placement, system puncture under fluoroscopic/ultrasound guide, tract dilatation, nephroscopic stone manipulation and retrieval. Pre and post operative images were compared for determinations stone clearance. Other relevant data operative time, need of blood transfusion & complications were recorded. All the information was documented on a proforma. Results: In our study, of 55 cases, 87.27% (n=48) were between 2-10 years of age whereas 12.73% (n=7) were between 11-14 years of age, mean+sd was calculated as 8.44+2.31 years. 56.36% (n=31) were male and 43.64% (n=24) were female. Frequency of stone clearance was recorded in 80% (n=44) whereas 20% (n=11) didn't stone clearance. Conclusion: PCNL is a safe and effective treatment option for management of renal stones in pediatric population. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A two-step approach is proposed to forecast the conductivity of graphene polymer composites using simple models reflecting the tunneling mechanism and interphase part. Firstly, graphene and the adjacent interphase are presumed as figurative particles, and their conductivity is estimated. In the second stage, the conductivity of the nanocomposite containing figurative particles is predicted, considering the tunneling size between adjacent particles. The advanced methodology is used to forecast the conductivity for real examples. Additionally, the implications of all terms on the nanocomposite conductivity are assessed and explained. The estimations of conductivity acceptably agree with the measured data, which justifies the predictability of the suggested methodology. Thick interphase and short tunnels produce desirable conductivity, because they positively influence the net dimensions and tunneling resistance. Among the studied parameters, the thicknesses of graphene nanosheets and interphase have the highest impacts on the nanocomposite conductivity. The highest conductivity of nanocomposite as 7 S/m is obtained by the thickest interphase (t i = 10 nm) and the thinnest nanosheets (t = 1 nm), while t > 2 nm or t i < 5.5 nm cannot improve the conductivity. Furthermore, graphene volume fraction of 0.03 with the graphene diameter of 4 μm maximizes the nanocomposite conductivity to 3 S/m, but less filler amount and shorter nanosheets weaken the conductivity of nanocomposites. [Display omitted] [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]