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The swift pace of socioeconomic development and climatic change have put significant strain on the quality of water resources. While, the bulk availability of agro‐based materials arising from nature and agricultural practices has paved the way for researchers to utilize them in eradicating toxic industrial pollutants such as dyes, heavy metals, phenolic compounds, pesticides, etc. by using them as adsorbents. In the area of pollution remediation, inventive technologies have been developing. The adsorption technique stands out among the other wastewater treatment methods as it is simple, easy, efficient, and cost‐effective. The agro‐based adsorbents not only have great potential for the treatment of polluted water but also their use in this area contributes to minimizing natural waste. The agro‐based adsorbent can be employed in its original raw form or after undergoing simple processes such as drying, grinding, and carbonization. Moreover, these adsorbents are typically modified physically or chemically to change their surface properties and improve their adsorption efficiency. The low‐cost agro adsorbents have shown efficient adsorption capacities towards removing various organic and hazardous water pollutants. With a few exceptions, the majority of adsorbents have demonstrated heavy metals, dyes and phenol removal efficiencies exceeding 90 %. This review summarises the available information and strategies for using agro‐based adsorbents to eliminate hazardous water pollutants. It is a prospective area for research in the field of environmental pollution. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Eucalyptus species are extensively cultivated trees commonly used for timber production, firewood, paper manufacturing, and essential nutrient extraction, while lacking consumption of the leaves increases soil acidity. The objective of this study was to recover bio-oil through microwave pyrolysis of eucalyptus camaldulensis leaves. The effects of microwave power (450, 550, 650, 750, and 850 W), pyrolysis temperature (500, 550, 600, 650, and 700 °C), and silicon carbide amount (10, 25, 40, 55, and 70 g) on the products yields and bio-oil constituents were investigated. The yields of bio-oil, gas, and residue varied within the ranges of 19.8–39.25, 33.75–46.7, and 26.0–33.5 wt %, respectively. The optimal bio-oil yield of 39.25 wt % was achieved at 650 W, 600 °C, and 40 g. The oxygenated derivatives, aromatic compounds, aliphatic hydrocarbons, and phenols constituted 40.24–74.25, 3.25–23.19, 0.3–9.77, and 1.58–7.75 area % of the bio-oils, respectively. Acetic acid (8.17–38.18 area %) was identified as a major bio-oil constituent, and hydrocarbons with carbon numbers C1 and C2 were found to be abundant. The experimental results demonstrate the potential of microwave pyrolysis as an eco-friendly and efficient way for converting eucalyptus waste into valuable bio-oil, contributing to the sustainable utilization of biomass resources. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Saffron is the world's most expensive and legendary crop that is widely used in cuisine, drugs, and cosmetics. Therefore, the demand for saffron is increasing globally day by day. Despite its massive demand the cultivation of saffron has dramatically decreased and grown in only a few countries. Saffron is an environment-sensitive crop that is affected by various factors including rapid change in climate, light intensity, pH level, soil moisture, salinity level, and inappropriate cultivation techniques. It is not possible to control many of these environmental factors in traditional farming. Although, many innovative technologies like Artificial Intelligence and Internet of Things (IoT) have been used to enhance the growth of saffron still, there is a dire need for a system that can overcome primary issues related to saffron growth. In this research, we have proposed an IoT-based system for the greenhouse to control the numerous agronomical variables such as corm size, temperature, humidity, pH level, soil moisture, salinity, and water availability. The proposed architecture monitors and controls environmental factors automatically and sends real-time data from the greenhouse to the microcontroller. The sensed values of various agronomical variables are compared with threshold values and saved at cloud for sending to the farm owner for efficient management. The experiment results reveal that the proposed system is capable to maximize saffron production in the greenhouse by controlling environmental factors as per crop needs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In modern healthcare, providers increasingly use cloud services to store and share electronic medical records. However, traditional cloud hosting, which depends on intermediaries, poses risks to privacy and security, including inadequate control over access, data auditing, and tracking data origins. Additionally, current schemes face significant limitations such as scalability concerns, high computational overhead, practical implementation challenges, and issues with interoperability and data standardization. Unauthorized data access by cloud providers further exacerbates these concerns. Blockchain technology, known for its secure and decentralized nature, offers a solution by enabling secure data auditing in sharing systems. This research integrates blockchain into healthcare for efficient record management. We proposed a blockchain-based method for secure EHR management and integrated Ciphertext-Policy Attribute-Based Encryption (CP-ABE) for fine-grained access control. The proposed algorithm combines blockchain and smart contracts with a cloud-based healthcare Service Management System (SMS) to ensure secure and accessible EHRs. Smart contracts automate key management, encryption, and decryption processes, enhancing data security and integrity. The blockchain ledger authenticates data transactions, while the cloud provides scalability. The SMS manages access requests, enhancing resource allocation and response times. A dual authentication system confirms patient keys before granting data access, with failed attempts leading to access revocation and incident logging. Our analyses show that this algorithm significantly improves the security and efficiency of health data exchanges. By combining blockchain's decentralized structure with the cloud's scalability, this approach significantly improves EHR security protocols in modern healthcare setting. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Ferroportin (FPN) is a transmembrane protein and is the only known iron exporter that helps in maintaining iron homeostasis in vertebrates. To maintain stable iron equilibrium in the body, ferroportin works in conjunction with a peptide called hepcidin. In this study, we have identified an alternatively spliced novel isoform of the human SLC40A1 gene, which encodes for the FPN protein and is found to be expressed in different tissues. The novel transcript has an alternate last exon and encodes 31‐amino acid long peptide sequence that replaces 104 amino acids at C‐terminal in the novel transcript. Molecular modelling and molecular dynamics (MD) simulation studies revealed key structural features of the novel isoform (FPN‐N). FPN‐N was predicted to have 12 transmembrane domains similar to the reported isoform (FPN), despite being much smaller in size. FPN‐N was found to interact with hepcidin, a key regulator of ferroportin activity. Also, the iron‐binding sites were retained in the novel isoform as revealed by the MD simulation of FPN‐N in bilipid membrane. The novel isoform identified in this study may play important role in iron homeostasis. However, further studies are required to characterize the FPN‐N isoform and decipher its role inside the cell. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Ecological research focused on Asiatic black bears (Ursus thibetanus) sympatric interactions is critical for understanding not only species coexistence, but also for devising effective conservation strategies. We studied the temporal overlap and co-occurrence patterns of the Asiatic black bear and ten of its sympatric species. Asiatic black bears and Asiatic jackals exhibited bimodal diel activity patterns, with activity peaks occurring during dusk and the night. The diel activity pattern of Asiatic black bear was significantly distinct from its sympatric species (P < 0.001). We found the highest temporal overlap of Asiatic black bear with red fox (Δ4 = 0.78, 95% CI = 0.68 – 0.89) followed by stone marten (Δ1 = 0.76. 95% CI = 0.64 – 0.87) and Indian crested porcupine (Δ1 = 0.74, 95% CI = 0.62 – 0.85). The lowest temporal overlap of the Asiatic black bear was recorded with rhesus monkey (Δ1 = 0.38, 95% CI = 0.27 – 0.50). Asiatic black bears avoided human activity times and had little activity overlap (Δ4 = 0.29, 95% CI = 0.19 – 0.39). Asiatic black bear was more likely to co-occur (Pgt < 0.05) with six other species than what we observed. This study's comprehensive insights into the adaptable behavior of Asiatic black bears, including their spatial and temporal overlap with sympatric species and the influence of environmental variables like forest cover and altitude, provide crucial guidance for wildlife managers and conservationists in designing effective conservation measures to protect habitat and mitigate human-wildlife conflicts, thereby ensuring the sustainable management and conservation of Asiatic black bears and the broader biodiversity of their temperate habitats. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Identification and assessment of habitat suitability are essential to the conservation of threatened species such as the Asiatic black bear (Ursus thibetanus) in Pakistan. Regionally, for example, in the Hindu Kush Mountains, there has been growing public concern regarding negative impacts on the bears' natural habitats due to land use and climate change. Many of the efforts to identify and conserve suitable habitats are based on limited data and have been unable to accurately predict habitat preferences. This study aims to fill this gap by developing predictive models for U. thibetanus based on the integration of new occurrences and climate and land cover data. We installed camera traps in 81 different locations across a gradient of elevation. Over the duration of 413 trap nights, we collected 110 different bear detections at 31 camera stations. The bear favored densely forested regions between 1,835 m and 3,348 m above sea level, with a catch rate of 26.6/100 trap nights. Our models demonstrated high levels of prediction accuracy (AUC > 0.97) and predicted that 43% of the total area would make a good habitat for bears. The mean temperature of coldest quarter, normalized difference vegetation index, and annual mean temperature were the main determinants of habitat suitability. The findings of this study, which is the first to map the current distribution and suitable habitat of the Asiatic black bear in the Hindu Kush Mountain Range, contribute new local-scale habitat suitability data to the study of bears in Swat Valley, Pakistan. Our results may be used to provide important conservation information for U. thibetanus that is useful to policymakers for improving future management planning. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Simple Summary: The Asiatic black bear (Ursus thibetanus) is classified as vulnerable according to the Red List of the International Union for Conservation of Nature due to habitat fragmentation and population decline. We used camera traps and a Random Encounter Model (REM) to estimate the population density of Asiatic black bears during the autumn and winter seasons in the Hindu Raj Mountains. We estimated, using the REM, a population density of U. thibetanus of 1.875 (standard error = 0.185) per square kilometer, which is significantly higher than that in other habitats. Our results showed that during autumn and winter, the bear population density tends to concentrate at lower elevations. Forest cover showed a positive correlation with the rates of bear encounters unlike the Euclidean distance to human settlements, altitude, and aspect variables. To improve bear conservation, it is very important to determine population density in all seasons at different elevations and to investigate how the depletion or abundance of acorns or other natural food resources is associated with human–bear conflicts in the study area. Estimating the population density of vulnerable species, such as the elusive and nocturnal Asiatic black bear (Ursus thibetanus), is essential for wildlife conservation and management. We used camera traps and a Random Encounter Model (REM) to estimate the population density of U. thibetanus during the autumn and winter seasons in the Hindu Raj Mountains. We installed 23 camera traps from October to December 2020 and acquired 66 independent pictures of Asiatic black bears over 428 trap nights. Our results showed that the bears preferred lowland areas with the presence of Quercus spp. We estimated, using the REM, a population density of U. thibetanus of 1.875 (standard error = 0.185) per square kilometer, which is significantly higher than that in other habitats. Our results showed that during autumn and winter, the bear population density tends to concentrate at lower elevations. Forest cover showed a positive correlation with the rates of bear encounters unlike the Euclidean distance to human settlements, altitude, and aspect variables. The approaches used here are cost-effective for estimating the population density of rare and vulnerable species such as U. thibetanus, and can be used to estimate their population density in Pakistan. Population density estimation can identify areas where the bears live and human–bear conflicts occurred and use this information in future wildlife management plans. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Hydrogen has recently attracted considerable attention as a promising alternative for addressing energy and environmental issues. Hydrogen is a flexible and clean energy carrier that can be used in various industries, including transportation, manufacturing, and power generation, without emitting harmful emissions. This study provides a detailed review of hydrogen technologies and policies in the context of a hydrogen economy. Hydrogen production is examined with its cost analysis and current technological challenges, in addition to the key aspects of hydrogen storage, transportation and applications. This review also provides a critical discussion of global policies and roadmaps that have been proposed or implemented to achieve a hydrogen-based future economy. These policies include funding for R&D, financial incentives, tax credits, and frameworks. Finally, two key areas that can be exploited to expedite global hydrogen adoption are proposed. First, technological challenges can be addressed by employing an integrated system approach to produce hydrogen for various applications, along with vigorous investment in research on material development in handling/storing hydrogen. Second, policies to accelerate hydrogen adoption should focus on public–private partnerships, media awareness campaigns, and the introduction of green credit scores. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Neurodegenerative disorders such as Alzheimer's disease (AD), Glioblastoma multiforme (GBM), Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), and Parkinson's disease (PD) are some of the most prevalent neurodegenerative disorders in humans. Even after a variety of advanced therapies, prognosis of all these disorders is not favorable, with survival rates of 14–20 months only. To further improve the prognosis of these disorders, it is imperative to discover new compounds which will target effector proteins involved in these disorders. In this study, we have focused on in silico screening of marine compounds against multiple target proteins involved in AD, GBM, ALS, and PD. Fifty marine-origin compounds were selected from literature, out of which, thirty compounds passed ADMET parameters. Ligand docking was performed after ADMET analysis for AD, GBM, ALS, and PD-associated proteins in which four protein targets Keap1, Ephrin A2, JAK3 Kinase domain, and METTL3-METTL14 N6-methyladenosine methyltransferase (MTA70) were found to be binding strongly with the screened compound Dioxinodehydroeckol (DHE). Molecular dynamics simulations were performed at 100 ns with triplicate runs to validate the docking score and assess the dynamics of DHE interactions with each target protein. The results indicated Dioxinodehydroeckol, a novel marine compound, to be a putative inhibitor among all the screened molecules, which might be effective against multiple target proteins involved in neurological disorders, requiring further in vitro and in vivo validations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Bitcoin exchange security is crucial because of MEC's widespread use. Cryptojacking has compromised MEC app security and bitcoin exchange ecosystem functionality. This paper propose a cutting-edge neural network and AdaHessian optimization technique for cryptojacking prediction and defense. We provide a cutting-edge deep neural network (DNN) cryptojacking attack prediction approach employing pruning, post-training quantization, and AdaHessian optimization. To solve these problems, this paper apply pruning, post-training quantization, and AdaHessian optimization. A new framework for quick DNN training utilizing AdaHessian optimization can detect cryptojacking attempts with reduced computational cost. Pruning and post-training quantization improve the model for low-CPU on-edge devices. The proposed approach drastically decreases model parameters without affecting Cryptojacking attack prediction. The model has Recall 98.72%, Precision 98.91%, F1-Score 99.09%, MSE 0.0140, RMSE 0.0137, and MAE 0.0139. Our solution beats state-of-the-art approaches in precision, computational efficiency, and resource consumption, allowing more realistic, trustworthy, and cost-effective machine learning models. We address increasing cybersecurity issues holistically by completing the DNN optimization-security loop. Securing Crypto Exchange Operations delivers scalable and efficient Cryptojacking protection, improving machine learning, cybersecurity, and network management. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Quasi-2D thin film of TI material TlBiSe2, as well as TlBiSe2/GaN configuration, have been fabricated employing the thermal evaporation technique. Raman peaks of vibrational modes were analyzed in a TlBiSe2/GaN heterojunction showing a substrate-induced signal for the surface phonon mode (SPM). The study of ultrafast kinetics of charge carriers and transient absorption spectroscopy (TAS) gave excited-state spectrum characteristics and exciton dynamics in TlBiSe2/GaN heterojunction. The electrical characterization showed that the heterojunction device exhibited a good diode nature with an excellent rectification ratio of 160. The photodetection capabilities were examined by optical power varying from 2.37 µW to 3.78 µW in the ultraviolet to near-infrared region (300–900 nm). It demonstrated maximum photoresponse at 500 nm in forward and reverse bias. The current conduction mechanism and enhancement in current under light impact were explained using energy band modeling. The present work is important in regarding the development of photodetectors of succeeding generations with a topological insulator material. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this study Jurassic–Paleogene strata were investigated to understand the litho- and biostratigraphic framework and hydrocarbon source-rock potential of various stratal packages. Biostratigraphic controls were used to establish the chronostratigraphic framework of Jurassic–Paleogene strata in the area. The Lower Jurassic (Hettangian) clastics saw an unconformity during the Sinemurian–Pliensbachian, while the Lower Jurassic (Toarcian)–Middle Jurassic (Bajocian) clastic–carbonate mixed strata is also separated by a Bathonian unconformity from the Middle Jurassic (Callovian) to the Upper Jurassic (Tithonian) carbonate sequence. The Upper Jurassic Oxfordian strata are missing, while the Upper Jurassic (Kimmeridgian)–Lower Cretaceous (Valanginian) glauconitic sandstone and clays are the conformable sequences. The Lower Cretaceous (Hauterivian)–Upper Cretaceous (Turonian) clastics is a conformable sequence that is separated by a Coniacian–Santonian unconformity from the Upper Cretaceous (Campanian) pelagic carbonates. The Cretaceous–Tertiary boundary is marked by laterites, while the Paleocene (Thanetian) sequence is represented by a shale- and sandstone-dominated sequence. The Paleocene (Thanetian)–Early Eocene (Ilerdian) siliciclastic–carbonate mixed sequence marks the last episode of Tethyan sedimentation. Total organic content (TOC), organic petrography and Rock-Eval pyrolysis (REP) techniques were used to evaluate the hydrocarbon source-rock potential, kerogen type and level of maturity of the hydrocarbons. The majority of studied samples show the occurrence of type IV kerogen. However, the Middle Jurassic (Callovian)–Upper Jurassic (Tithonian) carbonate sequence of the Samana Suk Formation, the Kimmeridgian–Valanginian Chichali Formation, the Paleocene (Thanetian) sequence of the Hangu Formation and the Paleocene (Thanetian)–Early Eocene (Ilerdian) Patala Formation confirms the Type III kerogen, poor–fair source-rock quality, immature–mature, gas- and oil-prone indigenous hydrocarbon occurrence in the region. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Augmented reality (AR) stands as a widely embraced technology that significantly enhances learning experiences for students. AR offers an instructional approach supported by technological design, thereby fostering enriched learning interactions. This research proposes an interactive AR framework, intended to create an augmented reality learning environment (ARLE) for the specific needs of electronics engineering laboratory hardware operations. The ARLE functions as an active learning system designed using a user-centered methodology. It offers interactive 3D models of laboratory equipment, providing learners with preliminary training in equipment operation. The real-time connection between the laboratory apparatus and the AR environment is established using the Arduino board. This interface empowers users to control the AR simulation through the laboratory equipment seamlessly. An experimental study involving 80 engineering students was conducted to evaluate the impact of AR intervention on user experience, usability, and operational skills. The participants were divided into two groups: the experimental group (N = 40) and the control group (N = 40). The experimental group underwent electronics equipment training using ARLE, while the control group followed instructions from a standard instrument handbook. To assess the usability and user experience of ARLE, the system usability scale (SUS) and the user experience questionnaire (UEQ) were employed (N = 40). The findings revealed an SUS score of 80.9 for ARLE, categorizing it as "good" according to SUS ratings. Additionally, the UEQ results demonstrated significantly favorable scores across the six scales when compared to the benchmark dataset. The study's outcomes demonstrate that AR intervention offers learners significant pedagogical value, resulting in a substantial positive impact on operational skills in electronics laboratories. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The current study presents the first results of the passive capture of carbon dioxide from the air in aqueous sodium lysinate solutions at ambient conditions. The salt has shown good passive direct air capture (DAC) properties for carbon dioxide with spent solutions exhibiting more than 5% carbon dioxide by weight. Moreover, different quantities of sodium lysinate solutions were mixed with three commercial water-based paints, and their passive DAC performance was studied for 45 days. An average improvement of 70% in passive DAC capacity compared to the control sample was observed across all the studied paint samples. The results establish that a litre of water-based paint doped with sodium lysinate can absorb up to 40 g of CO2 and fix it stably for a short period of time, i.e., 45 days. Such paints can be used to directly capture carbon dioxide from the air. However, further research is required to address various technicalities and establish long-term sequestration. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Polymer blending has attracted considerable attention because of its ability to overcome the permeability–selectivity trade-off in gas separation applications. In this study, polysulfone (PSU)-modified cellulose acetate (CA) membranes were prepared using N-methyl-2-pyrrolidone (NMP) and tetrahydrofuran (THF) using a dry–wet phase inversion technique. The membranes were characterized using scanning electron microscopy (SEM) for morphological analysis, thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) for thermal stability, and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) to identify the chemical changes on the surface of the membranes. Our analyses confirmed that the mixing method (the route chosen for preparing the casting solution for the blended membranes) significantly influences the morphological and thermal properties of the resultant membranes. The blended membranes exhibited a transition from a finger-like pore structure to a dense substructure in the presence of macrovoids. Similarly, thermal analysis confirmed the improved residual weight (up to 7%) and higher onset degradation temperature (up to 10 °C) of the synthesized membranes. Finally, spectral analysis confirmed that the blending of both polymers was physical only. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Sorcin (Sri), a member of penta EF-hand protein family plays a diverse role in maintaining calcium homeostasis, cell cycle and vesicular trafficking. Sri is highly conserved amongst mammals and consists of N-terminal glycine rich domain and C-terminal calcium binding domain that mediates its dimerization and interacts with different compounds. In the present study, with the help of combination of computational and molecular biology techniques, we have identified a novel isoform (Sri-N) in mouse which differs only in the C-terminal domain with that of Sri reported earlier. The novel isoform contains a new last exon that is different from the one present in the reported transcript (Sri). The presence of the novel isoform was further validated in different tissues by RT-PCR and DNA sequencing. The transcript was conceptually translated and subjected to in-silico analysis using different bioinformatics tools. The novel transcript variant encodes for a longer protein isoform without any change in the sub-cellular localization as predicted by PSORT-II online tool. Molecular modelling was performed to compare the structural changes in Sri-N and Sri isoforms. The structural characterization of the novel isoform using MD simulation depicted its overall stability under the physiological conditions. The molecular docking of proteins with various chemotherapeutic drugs revealed that their binding affinity is more for Sri-N as compared to that for the previously reported transcript Sri. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this study, SnTe thin films were successfully synthesized through thermal evaporation, and the films were characterized, with a particular emphasis on the use of spectroscopic ellipsometry (SE). The structural properties of the SnTe thin films were investigated by employing grazing incidence x-ray diffraction (GI-XRD), which indicated that the films exhibited polycrystalline growth. The thickness and density of the film were estimated to be approximately 31 nm and 6.24 g/cm3, respectively, by analyzing the Kiessig fringe pattern obtained from x-ray reflectivity (XRR). Raman spectroscopy revealed the longitudinal optical (LO) and transverse optical (TO) modes, with a small red shift in peak positions due to the quantum confinement effect. A comparative analysis revealed that the Raman modes in the SnTe thin film were red-shifted compared to those in the bulk SnTe powder, which may be attributed to the nanometer size effect. The optical properties, studied in the wavelength range of 300–1000 nm using SE, showed that the film's refractive index (n) decreases while the extinction coefficient (k) first increases and then gradually decreases with increasing photon energy. The spectral signature of the extinction coefficient (k) indicated an increase in photon absorption in the near-infrared (NIR) region. Moreover, the optical conductivity (σopt) plot showed an improved optical response in the vicinity of 1.40 eV in the NIR range. The direct transition optical bandgap ( E opt g ) obtained for the SnTe thin films was 1.20 eV, and this, along with the better optical response, suggests the potential application of the films for NIR detection. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Numerous scientific studies measured cognitive abilities through administered tests. Most of these traditional tests are inappropriate for several reasons, such as cost-ineffectiveness, tiresomeness, and invasiveness. The need is to build cost-effective, exciting, and plausibly engaging techniques that could noninvasively measure cognitive abilities. This paper presents LAS, an intelligent technique that utilizes non-invasively collected game analytics to automatically evaluate the cluster of three cognitive abilities (i.e., Visual Long-term Memory (VLTM), Analytical Capability (AC), and Visual Short-term Memory in Change Detection Paradigm (VSTMiCDP)). The experimental group-based cross-generational cognitive evaluation in the game-based scenario established the potential of the proposed technique is twofold: 1) It successfully categorizes cluster of three targeted cognitive abilities within the 5-point evaluation sphere (i.e., 0–1 = very bad, 1–2 = bad, 2–3 = fair, 3–4 = good, 4–5 = excellent), and 2) It highly correlates with the results of a control group that are measured with three traditional cognitive tests. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Hydroxychloroquine (HCQ) has been historically used for treatment of autoimmune diseases and more recently, it is used for treatment of COVID-19 patients. Using HCQ in COVID-19 patients resulted in corrected QT(QTc) prolongation which has potential to deteriorate into Torsades de Pointes and sudden cardiac death. As it is used chronically by rheumatologic patients so this study was designed to establish effect of HCQ on QTc in rheumatic patients. Methods: A cross sectional comparative study conducted in Rheumatology Department Shaikh Zayed hospital, Lahore. Non-probability consecutive sampling technique was used. Duration of study was 169 days. 45 patients used HCQ for three months and 45 patients did not use HCQ. ECG was done at induction in the study and after three months. Serum calcium, potassium and magnesium were also checked at onset. QTc was calculated by Bazett's formula. Results: QTc did not raise in 21(46%) patients, in both groups. QTc raised between 1-50msec in 20(44.4%) and 23(51.1%) patients in HCQ exposed and unexposed patients, respectively. QTc rise more than 50msec in 4(8.88%) and 1(2.2%) patient in HCQ exposed and unexposed patients, respectively (p-value=0.344). The QTc change is associated with heart rate showing 75.0% chances of increased QTc among those with increased heart rate. Conclusion: HCQ did not increase QTc interval in 46% study. 8.88% of HCQ exposed population and 2.22% of HCQ unexposed population had significant change in QTc. However, no adverse cardiac events were observed in study duration. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Sorcin (Sri), a member of penta EF-hand protein family plays a diverse role in maintaining calcium homeostasis, cell cycle and vesicular trafficking. Sri is highly conserved amongst mammals and consists of N-terminal glycine rich domain and C-terminal calcium binding domain that mediates its dimerization and interacts with different compounds. In the present study, with the help of combination of computational and molecular biology techniques, we have identified a novel isoform (Sri-N) in mouse which differs only in the C-terminal domain with that of Sri reported earlier. The novel isoform contains a new last exon that is different from the one present in the reported transcript (Sri). The presence of the novel isoform was further validated in different tissues by RT-PCR and DNA sequencing. The transcript was conceptually translated and subjected to in-silico analysis using different bioinformatics tools. The novel transcript variant encodes for a longer protein isoform without any change in the sub-cellular localization as predicted by PSORT-II online tool. Molecular modelling was performed to compare the structural changes in Sri-N and Sri isoforms. The structural characterization of the novel isoform using MD simulation depicted its overall stability under the physiological conditions. The molecular docking of proteins with various chemotherapeutic drugs revealed that their binding affinity is more for Sri-N as compared to that for the previously reported transcript Sri. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: This study aims to find the most promising Ganoderma lucidium targeting LRRK2 involved in PD. Methods: First ADMET analysis was performed for five compounds followed by molecular docking of each compound. Then, we perform molecular dynamics simulation of all five compounds and finally MMGBSA of all five compounds. Results: Based on molecular dynamics and MMGBSA result we reach the conclusion that Ganoderic Acid A (GAA) is the most promising compound targeting LRRK2. Therefore, GAA needs further validation through in vitro and in vivo studies. Conclusion: Ganoderma lucidum exhibits cytotoxic, hepatoprotective, antioxidative, anticancer, and antinociceptive activities. This study predicted that Ganoderma lucidum could even be used to treat neurological disorders like PD. This study suggest that the best‐identified molecule against LRRK2 is GAA and it needs rigorous in vitro and in vivo validations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a developmental disorder that causes difficulty while socializing and communicating and the performance of stereotyped behavior. ASD is thought to have a variety of causes when accompanied by genetic disorders and environmental variables together, resulting in abnormalities in the brain. A steep rise in ASD has been seen regardless of the numerous behavioral and pharmaceutical therapeutic techniques. Therefore, using complementary and alternative therapies to treat autism could be very significant. Thus, this review is completely focused on non-pharmacological therapeutic interventions which include different diets, supplements, antioxidants, hormones, vitamins and minerals to manage ASD. Additionally, we also focus on complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) therapies, herbal remedies, camel milk and cannabiodiol. Additionally, we concentrate on how palatable phytonutrients provide a fresh glimmer of hope in this situation. Moreover, in addition to phytochemicals/nutraceuticals, it also focuses on various microbiomes, i.e., gut, oral, and vaginal. Therefore, the current comprehensive review opens a new avenue for managing autistic patients through non-pharmacological intervention. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: Alzheimer's disease (AD) is one of the most prevalent neurological ailments, affecting around 50 million individuals globally. The condition is characterized by nerve cell damage due to the formation of amyloid‐beta plaques and neurofibrillary tangles. Only a few US Food and Drug Administration (FDA)‐approved medications are available in the market which are devoid of side effects, thus, making it imperative to investigate new alternatives for countering this disease. According to a recent study, microtubule affinity regulation kinase 4 (MARK4) is attributed as one of the most promising drug targets for AD, thus, being selected for this study. Compounds from Ganoderma lucidum (Reishi mushroom) extracts were selected to be used as ligands for this study. Methods: In this study, the five most potent compounds from Ganoderma lucidum were selected and their absorption, distribution, metabolism, excretion, and toxicity (ADMET) analysis was performed, followed by molecular docking, and molecular dynamics simulation of each compound with MARK4 and supported by molecular mechanics generalized born surface area (MMGBSA) binding free energy calculations. Results: The promising compounds were selected based on their ADMET profile and interactions with the active site residues of MARK4. Based on docking scores of −9.1 and −10.3 kcal/ mol, respectively, stability assessment by molecular dynamics simulation, and MMGBSA calculations, ganoderic acid A and ganoderenic acid B were found to be the most promising compounds against MARK4 which will require further in vitro and in vivo validations. Conclusion: Through this study, it is suggested that ganoderic acid A and ganoderenic acid B might be a class of promising compounds against AD, based on computational research, and can be further studied for preclinical and clinical studies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Ultrasound technology is a green and environment‐friendly technology that rarely causes thermal damage to food products. In this review, we present an overview of the application of ultrasound technology for the dehydration of food products, including pre‐treatments such as ultrasound, osmotic dehydration, and ultrasound‐assisted osmotic dehydration. Dehydration promotes the preservation of food products and increases the shelf life of the food products by reducing water activity. In addition, the ultrasound‐assisted drying of food products is highlighted. The influence of ultrasound and ultrasound‐assisted osmotic dehydration parameters on drying kinetics and food quality is also discussed. The application of pre‐treatments enhances the mass transfer rate, increases the drying rate and drying efficiency, reduces drying time, and helps to retain food properties such as texture and nutrition value. Generally, ultrasound and osmotic dehydration application decreases water activity, increases rehydration ability, improves product color, and reduces nutrient losses. To conclude, we have discussed the use of ultrasound applications for improving the quality and safety of produce before and after the drying process. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Angiogenin (ANG) protein plays a crucial role in angiogenesis, neovascularization, and cancer metastasis in NSCLC (non‐small cell lung cancer) via non‐coding tiRNA. It protects the cell under ER (endoplasmic reticulum) stress‐induced apoptosis through the translational reprogramming process. Although B82 (Curcumin derivatives) induces ER stress‐induced apoptosis, its mechanism of action was not studied. Therefore, it was hypothesized that the ribonucleolytic activity of ANG may be regulated by B82, resulting in modulated ER stress signaling for apoptosis. Hence, we designed and proposed a synthesis scheme for RNA‐based anti‐angiogenic derivatives of 2‐deoxyuridine nucleoside forming peptide bond with amino acids like serine (Ser‐3) and para‐hydroxy‐phenyl glycine (Normtyr‐1) and compared B82 with them to know the binding affinity with ANG, anti‐angiogenic potential, and its probable mechanism of anti‐RNase activity through MD simulation study. Therefore, using Gromos96 43a1 and 43a2 force fields, MD simulation was performed to investigate binding affinity, ligand‐induced molecular surface area change, conformational change, and dynamics of catalytic site residues to predict ligand binding to ANG in this study. The obtained binding free energy (∆Gbind) result showed the total average ∆Gbind as −113.480 ± 1.682 (Normtyr‐1) > −53.038 ± 33.069 (B82) > −27.909 ± 16.438 (Ser‐3) kJ/mole specify role of B82 in regulating ER stress signaling induced apoptosis through ANG ribonucleolytic activity inhibition, suitability of 43a2 force fields and methodology in ligand screening. It shows the crucial role of Leu115 and His13 residue involvement in total ∆Gbind contribution. Hence, based on the MD result, novel conformation of catalytic residues, and ∆Gbind, a promising combination candidate could be proposed for metastatic NSCLC therapy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

An insight regarding few of the experiences during video games playing activity is still fuzzy. This paper presents an extensive empirical study that analyzes the experiences of 100 participants (i.e. 25 children, younger adults, older adults, and elders each) during brain games play. This concludes a number of significant correlations among the diverse kinds of players' experiences (i.e. engagement, enjoyment, anxiety, usability, adaptability, and noninvasiveness). It is further identified by the study that the similarities and differences exist among the experiences of children, younger adults, older adults, and elders. Consequently, observations of the presented study provide an insight to successfully predict behavioral trends of the players during brain games play (i.e. in 5-point assessment sphere), which leads to narrow down the complexity of user feedback process for the respective game genre. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this paper, a multi-objective optimization study is carried out to determine the optimal exergetic performance (ηex) and the payback period (PB) of the organic Rankine cycle (ORC) integrated vapor compression refrigeration (VCR) system based on exergy, economic, and environmental criteria using non-dominated sort genetic algorithm-II (NSGA-II). Moreover, a sensitivity analysis is carried out to improve the exergetic performance of the system. The working fluid, the pinch-point temperature difference of the ORC evaporator (ΔToep), condenser (ΔTcondp), and the VCR evaporator (ΔTvep), cooling water inlet temperature (Tcw1), chilled fluid temperature (Tcf2), and heat-source inlet temperature (Th1) are taken as the decision variables. The results of this study indicate that butane is the most suitable working fluid for optimal exergetic efficiency, ηex (33.7%) and payback period, PB (4.9 years) of the system. The optimal values of other decision variables such as Th1, Tcw1, Tcf2, ΔToep, ΔTvep, and ΔTcondp are 378 K, 313 K, 276 K, 10 K, 5 K, and 5 K respectively. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Alzheimer's disease (AD) is considered to be the most typical form of dementia that provokes irreversible cognitive impairment. Along with cognitive impairment, circadian rhythm dysfunction is a fundamental factor in aggravating AD. A link among circadian rhythms, sleep, and AD has been well‐documented. The etiopathogenesis of circadian system disruptions and AD serves some general characteristics that also open up the possibility of viewing them as a mutually reliant path. In this review, we have focused on different factors that are related to circadian rhythm dysfunction. The various pathogenic factors, such as amyloid‐beta, neurofibrillary tangles, oxidative stress, neuroinflammation, and circadian rhythm dysfunction may all contribute to AD. In this review, we also tried to focus on melatonin which is produced from the pineal gland and can be used to treat circadian dysfunction in AD. Aside from amyloid beta, tau pathology may have a notable influence on sleep. Conclusively, the center of this review is primarily based on the principal mechanistic complexities associated with circadian rhythm disruption, sleep deprivation, and AD, and it also emphasizes the potential therapeutic strategies to treat and prevent the progression of AD. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The occurrence of any kind of natural disaster will eventually lead to the loss of life and property. Countries where such disasters occur make every effort to monitor such disasters and aid as quickly as possible. However, in some cases, a rescue cannot be sent because no information is available to initiate any type of rescue operation. This is usually because common disaster management systems (DMS) use on board or ground networks to route information from the disaster scene to rescue headquarters (HQ), which in most cases cannot provide the information efficiently. One effective approach is to use satellites in conjunction with existing air-to-ground systems. This study provides a comprehensive and systematic overview of the complexities of the space-air-ground integrated network (SAGIN) in disaster management applications, including different architectures and protocols. The main rationale behind this review is to provide an extensive analysis of existing disaster management systems that are making use of SAGIN. This paper also presents the taxonomy for disaster management systems and challenges. Moreover, this research work also highlights open research issues and challenges for any type of disaster scenario. Our results indicate that several challenges are faced by disaster management systems such as hardware-based challenges, network-based characteristics and communication protocols related challenges, availability and accuracy of imagery data, and security and privacy issues. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study considers the integration of multistage flash (MSF) desalination with hydrate-based desalination (HBD) precursor to improve MSF performance in terms of distillate production, longevity, and operational conditions. This is accomplished by a comprehensive analysis of the rate of scale formation, distillate production, and the MSF performance ratio by means of mathematical modelling conducted in Simulink software. To calibrate the effectiveness of HBD as precursor to the MSF desalination process, two MSF models were created: the once-through (OT) and brine recycle (BR) configurations. The MSF models were validated in terms of stagewise distillate production, brine temperature, and coolant temperatures with data from the literature, while neglecting the non-equilibrium allowance. The operational performance of the proposed integration approach was evaluated in terms of the deposition rates of CaCO3, scale thickness, fouling resistance, overall heat transfer coefficient, performance ratio, and production ratio. The examination was conducted from the perspective of water salinity and stream temperature for the integrated HBD-MSF systems. The results show that due to the quality of output water in terms of salinity and temperature, the integration of HBD and MSF improved the performance of MSF by substantially reducing scale formation rates as well as increasing the production of distillate where the scale formation rates were 40.6% and 36.3% lower for the hybrid HBD-MSF-OT and HBD-MSF-BR systems, respectively. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

It is widely recognized that Alzheimer's disease (AD) is a common type of progressive neurodegenerative disorder that results in cognitive impairment over time. Approximately 152 million cases of AD are predicted to be reported by 2050. Amyloid plaques and tau proteins are two major hallmarks of AD which can be seen under electron microscope. Mitochondria plays a vital role in the pathogenesis of AD and mitochondria disruption leads to mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) dysfunction, alteration of mitochondria dependent Ca2+ homeostasis, copper dysfunction, immune cell dysfunction, etc. In this review, we try to cover all the mechanisms related with mitochondrial dysfunction and mitochondrial pathogenesis that may help us to better understand AD as well as open a new era for therapeutic target of AD and treat this progressive disease. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

It is known from in vitro studies that macromolecular crowding in the cell effects protein structure, stability and function; but predictive studies are relatively unexplored. There are few reports where the effect of various crowder mixtures has been exploited to discern their combined effect on the structural stability of proteins. These studies are more significant because their effect can mimicked with in vivo conditions, where the environment is heterogeneous. Effects of two crowders, polyethylene glycol (PEG 400 Da), and its monomer ethylene glycol (EG) alone and in mixture on the structural stability of cytochrome c (cyt c) were determined using various spectroscopic and bioinformatics tools. The main conclusions of our study are (i) the monomer EG has a kosmotropic effect on the protein (stabilizes the protein), and has no significant effect on the tertiary structure; (ii) PEG 400 destabilizes the structure as well as the stability of the protein; and (iii) EG counteracts the destabilizing effect of PEG 400. From this investigation, it seems evident that proteins may fold or unfold in the crowded environment of the cell where various interactions assist them to maintain their structure for their functions. Bioinformatics approaches were also used to support all of the in vitro observations. Cyt c is functional protein; if the structure of the protein is modulated due to change in the environment its nature of function will also change. Our research addresses the question by modulating the environment around the protein, and the macromolecule (protein) conformation dynamics and interaction study via in vitro and in silico approaches which indirectly compares with that of the environment in-cellular milieu, which is highly crowded. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Alzheimer's disease (AD) is one of the most common forms of dementia and affects around 50 million people around the globe. AD is diagnosed mainly through imaging techniques and to date only five drugs are approved for management of AD but no promising treatment is available for AD. So in this review, we are focusing on stem cell therapy for AD. This review will cover all stem cells like mesenchymal stem cells, embryonic stem cells, induced pluripotent stem cells, and neural stem cells. Clinical trials of AD have also been discussed. Finally, limitations of stem cells are discussed with ongoing clinical trials, and in the future stem cell therapy can be used for treatment of AD. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Metaverse has been the centre of attraction for educationists for quite some time. This field got renewed interest with the announcement of social media giant Facebook as it rebranding and positioning it as Meta. While several studies conducted literature reviews to summarize the findings related to the Metaverse in general, no study to the best of our knowledge focused on systematically summarizing the finding related to the Metaverse in education. To cover this gap, this study conducts a systematic literature review of the Metaverse in education. It then applies both content and bibliometric analysis to reveal the research trends, focus, and limitations of this research topic. The obtained findings reveal the research gap in lifelogging applications in educational Metaverse. The findings also show that the design of Metaverse in education has evolved over generations, where generation Z is more targeted with artificial intelligence technologies compared to generation X or Y. In terms of learning scenarios, there have been very few studies focusing on mobile learning, hybrid learning, and micro learning. Additionally, no study focused on using the Metaverse in education for students with disabilities. The findings of this study provide a roadmap of future research directions to be taken into consideration and investigated to enhance the adoption of the Metaverse in education worldwide, as well as to enhance the learning and teaching experiences in the Metaverse. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background Many faults occur in the modular multi-level converters (MMCs), including unbalancing capacitor voltage, lower and upper arm unbalancing, the line to line voltage unbalancing, sensors and actuators fault, system fault, and sub-modules fault in high as well as medium voltage applications. Introduction Several fault-tolerant approaches are presented to overcome these problems, such as active fault-tolerant control system (AFTCS), passive fault-tolerant control system (PFTCS), hybrid fault-tolerant control system (HFTCS), redundant system technique, special power circuit with the controller, and zero sequence voltage methods, which we will explain extensively in this article. Methodology This review emphasizes the types of faults in the MMCs and discusses the protection methods under failure conditions. The MMC is more popular in high voltage applications because it not only improves the quality of the grid but also has good harmonic performance in high power transmission. There is no need for any isolated dc sources to operate it. When faults are removed, the efficiency and reliability of the system will be increased. Results This extensive explanation of the current literature on MMC fault diagnosis and control techniques will conclude which methods provide a more valuable solution. Finally, this paper discusses the best approach to reduce MMC faults and provides a future research direction to the readers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Adverse event detection is critical for many real-world applications including timely identification of product defects, disasters, and major socio-political incidents. In the health context, adverse drug events account for countless hospitalizations and deaths annually. Since users often begin their information seeking and reporting with online searches, examination of search query logs has emerged as an important detection channel. However, search context - including query intent and heterogeneity in user behaviors – is extremely important for extracting information from search queries, and yet the challenge of measuring and analyzing these aspects has precluded their use in prior studies. We propose DeepSAVE, a novel deep learning framework for detecting adverse events based on user search query logs. DeepSAVE uses an enriched variational autoencoder encompassing a novel query embedding and user modeling module that work in concert to address the context challenge associated with search-based detection of adverse events. Evaluation results on three large real-world event datasets show that DeepSAVE outperforms existing detection methods as well as comparison deep learning auto encoders. Ablation analysis reveals that each component of DeepSAVE significantly contributes to its overall performance. Collectively, the results demonstrate the viability of the proposed architecture for detecting adverse events from search query logs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Tocopherol acetate (TA) is known as a skin moisturizing and photoprotective agent. One major drawback with tocopherol and its derivatives remains its limited stability. Aim: To develop highly stable TA-containing ethosomal gel (TAEG) as an advanced dosage form. Methods: A cold method technique was used to produce the ethosomes. An in vitro evaluation of viscosity, conductivity, and pH stability was carried out for three months. An in vitro physical characterization of the nanoparticles (NPs) that included particle size (PS), zeta potential (ZP), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), and Fourier-transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy analysis was then performed. Organoleptic evaluation, thermostability at 8 °C, 25 °C, 40 °C and 40 °C ± 75% RH, pH, conductivity, viscosity, and spreadability measurements were also performed in vitro for three months. An ex vivo permeation study was performed in phosphate-buffered solution (1× PBS; pH 5.5 or pH 7.4) at 37 ± 0.2 °C by using rat abdominal skin and the Franz diffusion cell method. The data of three independent experiments were expressed as mean ± SD. A two-way ANOVA was applied to compare data on TAEG versus TA control gel (TACG). Results: PS of the ethosomes was in the range of 144–289 nm. A total of nine formulations were developed. Optimized TAEG formulation (TA-5) was selected based on the highest entrapment efficiency (EE) of 99.71%, while the stability, the PS, and the uniformity-based polydispersity index (PDI) were also among the best. TA-5 exhibited smooth spherical ethosomal NPs with PS of 200.6 nm, ZP value of −18.6 V, and PDI of 0.465. Stability data obtained for TA-5 in terms of rheology, conductivity, and pH presented no significant change (p > 0.05) during the entire study duration. Rheological studies indicated that TA-5 followed a non-Newtonian behavior of shear thinning system. The ex vivo drug permeation was 44.55 ± 0.01% in TA-5 and the drug retention in skin was 51.20%, which was significantly higher than TACG as observed after 24 h permeation study (p < 0.05). Conclusions: The newly developed TAEG formulation appears promising to enhance the effectivity of TA and its topical application. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This document is a correction notice for an article titled "Application of species distribution models to estimate and manage the Asiatic black bear (Ursus thibetanus) habitat in the Hindu Kush Mountains, Pakistan" published in the European Journal of Wildlife Research. The correction addresses an error in the Funding section of the original article. The corrected text acknowledges the support of the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Wildlife Department and Luciano Bosso's support from the National Recovery and Resilience Plan. The publisher, Springer Nature, maintains a neutral stance on jurisdictional claims and institutional affiliations. [Extracted from the article]

These days, many countries have a water shortage and have limited access to clean water. To overcome this, a new treatment is emerging, namely, the photocatalytic processing of greywater. Photocatalytic processes to remove the organic matter from different greywater sources are critically reviewed. Their efficiency in degrading the organic matter in greywater is scrutinized along with factors that can affect the activity of photocatalysts. Modified TiO2, ZnO and TiO2 catalysts show great potential in degrading organic materials that are present in greywater. There are several methods that can be used to modify TiO2 by using sol-gel, microwave and ultrasonication. Overall, the photocatalytic approach alone is not efficient in mineralizing the organic compounds, but it works well when the photocatalysis is combined with oxidants and Fe3+. However, factors such as pH, concentration and catalyst-loading of organic compounds can significantly affect photocatalytic efficiency. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In topological insulators (TI) for surface electron transport, dissipationless surface states are required and are activated by symmetry breaking usually by reducing thickness of the film. Substrates play an important role in modulating the surface properties by modifying the surface electronic and mechanical properties. In the present work, we have studied the n-GaN/p-Bi2Se3 topological heterojunction for the topological surface states and analyzed by Raman and ultrafast transient absorption (TA) spectroscopy probed in visible and NIR regions. Raman spectrum clearly shows the electron-phonon interaction at the surface by appearance of surface phonon modes (SPM) in heterojunction. TA spectroscopy is performed on Glass/Bi2Se3 and n-GaN/Bi2Se3 heterojunction to identify surface states, energy levels, charge transfer and carrier relaxation processes. Electrical measurements under dark and illuminated conditions were performed for deeper understanding of the interface states and their effect on electrical and optical performance. The study provides complete understanding of n-GaN/TI-based interfaces by spectroscopic and electrical measurements for their application in next-generation electronic and optical devices. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]