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While much is known about product bundles comprised of different items, much less is known about multipacks—a product set comprised of multiple identical items (e.g. a 4-pack body washes). Using the context of multipacks, the authors propose a novel price divisibility effect, which suggests that a multipack's price that is easily divisible (vs. non-divisible) by the number of component items in the multipack will increase its purchase likelihood. For example, purchase likelihoods of a four-pack body wash multipack will be higher when its price is $16 (easily divisible by 4) versus $15.30 (non-divisible by 4). This occurs because a divisible versus non-divisible price shifts consumers' attention to the unit and creates a belief that each unit item in the multipack will be consumed quickly, which, in turn, helps justify purchasing multiple units. The authors report findings from 15 studies (including a field experiment), where they demonstrate the effect and its underlying mechanism and delineate several moderators and boundary conditions. This research contributes to several literature streams, including those on product bundling, multiple-unit pricing, product consumption, and numerical cognition. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Boltzmann's H-function H(t), often regarded as an analog of time-dependent entropy, holds a venerable place in the history of science. However, accurate numerical evaluation of H(t) for particles other than atoms is rare. To remove this lacuna, we generalize Boltzmann's H-function to a gas of molecules with orientational degrees of freedom and evaluate H(t) from the time-dependent joint probability distribution function f(p, L, t) for linear (p) and angular (L) momenta, evolving from an initial nonequilibrium state, by molecular dynamics simulations. We consider both prolate- and oblate-shaped particles, interacting via the well-known Gay–Berne potential and obtain the relaxation of the generalized molecular H(t) from initial (t = 0) nonequilibrium states. In the long-time limit, the H function saturates to its exact equilibrium value, which is the sum of translational and rotational contributions to the respective entropies. Both the translational and rotational components of H(t) decay nearly exponentially with time; the rotational component is more sensitive to the molecular shape that enters through the aspect ratio. A remarkable rapid decrease in the rotational relaxation time is observed as the spherical limit is approached, in a way tantalizingly reminiscent of Hu–Zwanzig hydrodynamic prediction with the slip boundary condition. In addition, we obtain H(t) analytically by solving the appropriate translational and rotational Fokker–Planck equation and obtain a modest agreement with simulations. We observe a remarkable signature of translation–rotation coupling as a function of molecular shape, captured through a physically meaningful differential term that quantifies the magnitude of translation–rotation coupling. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The lifetime of a hydrogen bond between water and dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO) is found to be considerably longer than that between two water molecules in neat water. This is counter-intuitive because the charge on the oxygen in DMSO is considerably less than that in water. Additionally, the strength of the water–dimethyl sulfoxide (w–D) hydrogen bond is found to be strongly composition dependent; the lifetime of the hydrogen bond is ten times larger at 30% than at very low concentrations. Using computer simulations, we perform microscopic structural and dynamic analysis to find that these anomalies arise at least partly from an "action-at-a-distance" effect where the attraction between the hydrophobic methyl groups results in the self-aggregation of DMSO molecules that "cages" both the rotational and linear motions of the molecules involved. This is reflected in the observed strong correlation of the lifetime with the local coordination number of the associated methyl groups. The elongated w–D h-bond lifetime causes a slowdown of collective dynamics and affects the lifetime of the w–w h-bond. This nonlinear feedback mechanism explains the strong composition dependence of viscosity and is anticipated to play a dominant role in many self-assemblies. Furthermore, the w–D hydrogen bond breaking mechanism changes from low to high DMSO concentration, a phenomenon not anticipated a priori. We introduce a new order parameter-based free energy surface of the bond breaking pathway. A two-dimensional transition state rate theory calculation is performed for the lifetime of the w–D h-bond that is found to be semi-quantitatively accurate. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Fluctuations in energy gap and coupling constants between chromophores can play an important role in absorption and energy transfer across a collection of two-level systems. In photosynthesis, light-induced quantum coherence can affect the efficiency of energy transfer to the designated "trap" state. Theoretically, the interplay between fluctuations and coherence has been studied often, employing either a Markovian or a perturbative approximation. In this study, we depart from these approaches to incorporate memory effects by using Kubo's quantum stochastic Liouville equation. We introduce the effects of decay of the created excitation (to the ground state) on the desired propagation and trapping that provides a direction of flow of the excitation. In the presence of light-induced pumping, we establish a relation between the efficiency, the mean survival time, and the correlation decay time of the bath-induced fluctuations. A decrease in the steady-state coherence during the transition from the non-Markovian regime to the Markovian limit results in a decrease in efficiency. As in the well-known Haken–Strobl model, the ratio of the square of fluctuation strength to the rate plays a critical role in determining the mechanism of energy transfer and in shaping the characteristics of the efficiency profile. We recover a connection between the transfer flux and the imaginary part of coherences in both equilibrium and excited bath states, in both correlated and uncorrelated bath models. We uncover a non-monotonic dependence of efficiency on site energy heterogeneity for both correlated and uncorrelated bath models. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In experimental and theoretical studies of glass transition phenomena, one often finds a sharp crossover in dynamical properties at a temperature Tcr. A bifurcation of a relaxation spectrum is also observed at a temperature TB ≈ Tcr; both lie significantly above the glass transition temperature. In order to better understand these phenomena, we introduce a new model of glass-forming liquids, a binary mixture of prolate and oblate ellipsoids. This model system exhibits sharp thermodynamic and dynamic anomalies, such as the specific heat jump during heating and a sharp variation in the thermal expansion coefficient around a temperature identified as the glass transition temperature, Tg. The same temperature is obtained from the fit of the calculated relaxation times to the Vogel–Fulcher–Tammann (VFT) form. As the temperature is lowered, the calculated single peak rotational relaxation spectrum splits into two peaks at TB above the estimated Tg. Similar bifurcation is also observed in the distribution of short-to-intermediate time translational diffusion. Interrogation of the two peaks reveals a lower extent of dynamic heterogeneity in the population of the faster mode. We observe an unexpected appearance of a sharp peak in the product of rotational relaxation time τ2 and diffusion constant D at a temperature Tcr, close to TB, but above the glass transition temperature. Additionally, we coarse-grain the system into cubic boxes, each containing, on average, ∼62 particles, to study the average dynamical properties. Clear evidence of large-scale sudden changes in the diffusion coefficient and rotational correlation time signals first-order transitions between low and high-mobility domains. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The task of a first principles theoretical calculation of the rate of gas–liquid nucleation has remained largely incomplete despite the existence of reliable results from unbiased simulation studies at large supersaturation. Although the classical nucleation theory formulated by Becker–Doring–Zeldovich about a century ago provides an elegant, widely used picture of nucleation in a first-order phase transition, the theory finds difficulties in predicting the rate accurately, especially in the case of gas-to-liquid nucleation. Here, we use a multiple-order parameter description to construct the nucleation free energy surface needed to calculate the nucleation rate. A multidimensional non-Markovian (MDNM) rate theory formulation that generalizes Langer's well-known nucleation theory by using the Grote–Hynes MDNM treatment is used to obtain the rate of barrier crossing. We find good agreement of the theory with the rate obtained by direct unbiased molecular dynamics simulations—the latter is feasible at large supersaturation, S. The theory gives an experimentally strong dependence of the rate of nucleation on supersaturation, S. Interestingly, we find a strong influence of the frequency-dependent friction coefficient at the barrier top. This arises from multiple recrossings of the barrier surface. We find that a Markovian theory, such as Langer's formulation, fails to capture the rate quantitatively. In addition, the multidimensional transition state theory expression performs poorly, revealing the underlying role of the friction coefficient. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The celebrated generalized Stokes law predicts that the velocity of a particle pulled through a liquid by an external force, Fex, is directly proportional to the force and inversely proportional to the friction ζ acted by the medium on the particle. We investigate the range of validity of the generalized Stokes law at molecular length scales by employing computer simulations to calculate friction by pulling a tagged particle with a constant force. We thus calculate friction for two model interaction potentials, Lennard-Jones and soft sphere, for several particle sizes, ranging from radius (a) smaller than the solvent particles to three times larger. We next obtain friction from diffusion (D) by using Einstein's relation between diffusion and friction ζ in an unperturbed liquid. We find a quantitative agreement between the two at a small-to-intermediate pulling force regime for all the sizes studied. The law does break down at a large pulling force beyond a threshold value. Importantly, the range of validity of Stokes' scheme to obtain friction increases substantially if we turn off the attractive part of the interaction potential. Additionally, we calculate the viscosity (η) of the unperturbed liquid and find a good agreement with the Stokes–Einstein relation ζ = Cηa for the viscosity dependence with a value of C close to 5 π, which is intermediate between the slip and stick boundary condition. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aqueous dimethyl sulfoxide (Aq-DMSO) binary mixture exhibits many fascinating composition-dependent anomalies that are explained by using the peculiarities of the water–DMSO hydrogen bond. Ions can couple strongly to these composition-dependent anomalies to produce exotic dynamics of their own. We carry out theoretical studies using computer simulations to understand the structural and dynamical aspects of rigid monovalent cations (Li+, Na+, K+, Rb+, and Cs+) in aqueous DMSO solutions, with chloride as the counterion. We uncover a number of composition-dependent ion diffusion anomalies, which can be traced back to the interplay between the size-dependent charge density of the ion and the resulting difference in interactions of the ion with water and DMSO molecules. Size and composition dependence of the diffusion coefficients of the five ions exhibit fascinating variations that can be explained partially. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The fenugreek plant (Trigonella foenum-graecum) is traditionally known for its anti-diabetic properties owing to its high content of furostanolic saponins, which can synergistically treat many human ailments. Non-enzymatic protein glycation leading to the formation of Advanced Glycation End products (AGE) is a common pathophysiology observed in diabetic or prediabetic individuals, which can initiate the development of neurodegenerative disorders. A potent cellular source of glycation is Methyl Glyoxal, a highly reactive dicarbonyl formed as a glycolytic byproduct. We demonstrate the in vitro glycation arresting potential of Fenfuro®, a novel patented formulation of Fenugreek seed extract with clinically proven anti-diabetic properties, in Methyl-Glyoxal (MGO) adducts of three abundant amyloidogenic cellular proteins, alpha-synuclein, Serum albumin, and Lysozyme. A 0.25% w/v Fenfuro® was able to effectively arrest glycation by more than 50% in all three proteins, as evidenced by AGE fluorescence. Glycation-induced amyloid formation was also arrested by more than 36%, 14% and 15% for BSA, Alpha-synuclein and Lysozyme respectively. An increase in MW by attachment of MGO was also partially prevented by Fenfuro® as confirmed by SDS-PAGE analysis. Glycation resulted in enhanced aggregation of the three proteins as revealed by Native PAGE and Dynamic Light Scattering. However, in the presence of Fenfuro®, aggregation was arrested substantially, and the normal size distribution was restored. The results cumulatively indicated the lesser explored potential of direct inhibition of glycation by fenugreek seed in addition to its proven role in alleviating insulin resistance. Fenfuro® boosts its therapeutic potential as an effective phytotherapeutic to arrest Type 2 diabetes. HIGHLIGHTS: Fenfuro® is a novel patented formulation of Fenugreek seed extract with more than 45% furostanolic saponins and anti-diabetic property free from any side effect as established through clinical study. In the present study, the role of Fenfuro® in arresting in vitro AGE formation and glycation-induced amyloid formation has been demonstrated with the help of three amyloidogenic proteins, namely Human Lysozyme, Human alpha-synuclein and Bovine Serum Albumin using Methyl Glyoxal as the glycating agent. A 0.25% (w/v) ethanolic solution of Fenfuro® resulted in more than 50% arrest in glycation with simultaneous prevention of aggregation as demonstrated by native PAGE, DLS and inhibition of development of Thio-T positive amyloid like entities. The studies collectively aim toward the development of a safe therapeutic method for arresting protein glycation through direct physical intervention. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Ocular health has emerged as one of the major issues of global health concern with a decline in quality of life in an aging population, in particular and rise in the number of associated morbidities and mortalities. One of the chief reasons for vision impairment is oxidative damage inflicted to photoreceptors in rods and cone cells by blue light as well as UV radiation. The scenario has been aggravated by unprecedented rise in screen-time during the COVID and post-COVID era. Lutein and Zeaxanthin are oxygenated carotenoids with proven roles in augmentation of ocular health largely by virtue of their antioxidant properties and protective effects against photobleaching of retinal pigments, age-linked macular degeneration, cataract, and retinitis pigmentosa. These molecules are characterized by their characteristic yellow-orange colored pigmentation and are found in significant amounts in vegetables such as corn, spinach, broccoli, carrots as well as fish and eggs. Unique structural signatures including tetraterpenoid skeleton with extensive conjugation and the presence of hydroxyl groups at the end rings have made these molecules evolutionarily adapted to localize in the membrane of the photoreceptor cells and prevent their free radical induced peroxidation. Apart from the benefits imparted to ocular health, lutein and zeaxanthin are also known to improve cognitive function, cardiovascular physiology, and arrest the development of malignancy. Although abundant in many natural sources, bioavailability of these compounds is low owing to their long aliphatic backbones. Under the circumstances, there has been a concerted effort to develop vegetable oil-based carriers such as lipid nano-emulsions for therapeutic administration of carotenoids. This review presents a comprehensive update of the therapeutic potential of the carotenoids along with the challenges in achieving an optimized delivery tool for maximizing their effectiveness inside the body. Lutein and zeaxanthin are the two most abundant natural xanthophylls (oxygenated carotenoids) with a linear C40 tetraterpene/isoprenoid lycopene-based backbone. Presence of extensive conjugation (more than 10 double bonds) enable these molecules to act as accessory light harvesting pigments apart from chlorophyll. More importantly, the xanthophylls prevent photobleaching of the pigments and proteins in the Light Harvesting Complex (LHC) by sequestering the excess unutilized blue light and preventing triplet chlorophyll associated formation of Reactive Oxygen Species. In human eye, lutein, zeaxanthin along with mesozeaxanthin constitute the three macular pigments forming the so called "yellow spot" of the macula and are implicated in maintaining the redox balance, homeostasis and normal physiology of the eyes. However, unlike plants, xanthophylls must be acquired from dietary sources such as colored leafy vegetables and egg yolk. Increase in the number of eye diseases in the aging population coupled with insufficient bioavailability of xanthophylls has mandated the industrial production of supplements enriched in xanthophylls. The bioavailability and delivery of xanthophylls can be significantly enhanced by suspension in a blend of extra-virgin olive oil and other vegetable oils. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A pulsar's pulse profile gets broadened at low frequencies due to dispersion along the line of sight or due to multipath propagation. The dynamic nature of the interstellar medium makes both of these effects time-dependent and introduces slowly varying time delays in the measured times-of-arrival similar to those introduced by passing gravitational waves. In this article, we present an improved method to correct for such delays by obtaining unbiased dispersion measure (DM) measurements by using low-frequency estimates of the scattering parameters. We evaluate this method by comparing the obtained DM estimates with those, where scatter-broadening is ignored using simulated data. A bias is seen in the estimated DMs for simulated data with pulse-broadening with a larger variability for a data set with a variable frequency scaling index, |$\alpha$|⁠ , as compared to that assuming a Kolmogorov turbulence. Application of the proposed method removes this bias robustly for data with band averaged signal-to-noise ratio larger than 100. We report the measurements of the scatter-broadening time and |$\alpha$| from analysis of PSR J1643 |$-$| 1224, observed with upgraded Giant Metrewave Radio Telescope as part of the Indian Pulsar Timing Array experiment. These scattering parameters were found to vary with epoch and |$\alpha$| was different from that expected for Kolmogorov turbulence. Finally, we present the DM time-series after application of this technique to PSR J1643 |$-$| 1224. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Congenital heart defects can lead to right ventricular (RV) pressure-overload and heart failure. Cell-based therapies, including mesenchymal stromal cells (MSCs) and c-kit positive cells (CPCs) have been studied clinically as options to restore heart function in disease states. Many studies have indicated these cells act through paracrine mechanisms to prevent apoptosis, promote cellular function, and regulate gene/protein expression. We aimed to determine the proteomic response of diseased hearts to cell therapy. Methods: We utilized a juvenile rat model of RV pressure overload created by banding the pulmonary artery (PAB). Two weeks post-banding, bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stromal cells (MSCs) and 3 populations of CPCs (nCPCs, cCPCs, ES-CPCs) were delivered to the RV free wall. RV function and cellular retention were measured for four weeks post-injection, at which point hearts were extracted and the RV was excised for liquid chromatography and tandem mass spectrometry. Resulting RV proteomes were compared and analyzed using systems biology and bioinformatics. Results: Proteomic profiling identified 1156 total proteins from the RV, of which 5.97% were significantly changed after PAB. This disease-altered proteome was responsive to cellular therapy, with 72% of the PAB-altered proteome being fully or partially reversed by MSC therapy. This was followed by nCPCs (54%), ES-CPCs (52%), and cCPCs (39%). Systems biology and bioinformatics analysis showed MSC, nCPC, or ES-CPC cell therapy is associated with a decrease in predicted adverse cardiac effects. We also observed an effect of cell therapy on the non-altered RV proteome, however, this was associated with minor predicted pathological endpoints. Conclusions: Our data indicate MSCs, ES-CPCs, and nCPCs significantly reverse the PAB-altered proteome towards a pre-disease state in our animal model. These results indicate cell-based therapies show promise in improving RV function after pressure overload through partial restoration of the disease-altered cardiac proteome. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper explores the competing sources of productivity gains observed in China's urban agglomerations focusing on three pillar industries: agro-food processing, textiles and electronics. The main results reveal that the higher aggregate productivity observed in denser Chinese cities is driven by both agglomeration and selection forces. Subsequent analysis shows that industrial support policies help to mitigate the selection penalty, but come at the expense of reducing agglomeration benefits. Complementing the city-level analysis, we estimate dynamic and distributive firm-level panel data models to explore the policy rationale of propping up inefficient firms, despite creating a less competitive environment. The micro-based results reveal that inefficient firms targeted by industrial support policies benefit from productivity spillovers in denser cities, mainly in the electronics industry, providing some policy rationale for keeping them in the market. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We study classical closed bosonic strings probing the near-horizon region of a non-extremal black hole and show that this corresponds to understanding string theory in the Carroll regime. This is done by first performing a Carroll expansion and then a near-horizon expansion of a closed relativistic string, subsequently showing that they agree. Concretely, we expand the phase space action in powers of c2, where c is the speed of light, assuming that the target space admits a string Carroll expansion (where two directions are singled out) and show that there exist two different Carroll strings: a magnetic and an electric string. The magnetic string has a Lorentzian worldsheet, whereas the worldsheet of the electric string is Carrollian. The geometry near the horizon of a four-dimensional (4D) Schwarzschild black hole takes the form of a string Carroll expansion (a 2D Rindler space fibred over a 2-sphere). We show that the solution space of relativistic strings near the horizon bifurcates and the two sectors precisely match with the magnetic/electric Carroll strings with an appropriate target space. Magnetic Carroll strings near a black hole shrink to a point on the two-sphere and either follow null geodesics or turn into folded strings on the 2D Rindler spacetime. Electric Carroll strings wrap the two-sphere and follow a massive geodesic in the Rindler space. Finally, we show that 4D non-extremal Kerr and Reissner-Nordström black holes also admit string Carroll expansions near their outer horizons, indicating that our formulation extends to generic non-extremal black holes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The fast component (0.7–18 MeV) of the neutron spectrum at the Pneumatic Fast Transfer System (PFTS) in the KAMINI reactor was determined by irradiating threshold activation foils. The acquired reaction rates are subsequently unfolded using SAND-II code. The KAMINI reactor was modelled in the MCNP-4B code for an estimate of neutron spectrum at the PFTS location, which was subsequently used as the initial apriori solution for the SAND-II code. The unfolded fast component spectrum at the PFTS was found to be similar to that of the fast benchmark GODIVA and JEZEBEL-23. Moreover, the investigation is substantiated by incorporating modified spectra to estimate the theoretical yield of radioisotopes 32P at PFTS using a Monte Carlo simulation against its experimental yield. The results agree with an accuracy of 6%, affirming the credibility of the derived spectrum. Theoretical yields of 89Sr, 64Cu, and 47Sc were also estimated at the same location. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

With the goal of building a concrete co-dimension one holographically dual field theory for four dimensional asymptotically flat spacetimes (4d AFS) as a limit of AdS4/CFT3, we begin an investigation of 3d Chern-Simons matter (CSM) theories in the Carroll regime. We perform a Carroll (speed of light c → 0) expansion of the relativistic Chern-Simons action coupled to a massless scalar and obtain Carrollian CSM theories, which we show are invariant under the infinite dimensional 3d conformal Carroll or 4d Bondi-van der Burg-Metzner-Sachs (BMS4) symmetries, thus making them putative duals for 4d AFS. Concentrating on the leading-order electric Carroll CSM theory, we perform a null reduction of the 3d theory. Null reduction is a procedure to obtain non-relativistic theories from a higher dimensional relativistic theory. Curiously, null reduction of a Carrollian theory yields a relativistic lower-dimensional theory. We work with SU(N) × SU(M) CS theory coupled to bi-fundamental matter and show that when N = M, we obtain (rather surprisingly) a 2d Euclidean Yang-Mills theory after null reduction. We also comment on the reduction when N ≠ M and possible connections of the null-reduced Carroll theory to a candidate 2d Celestial CFT. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Potent chemical-free approaches are much needed to control multi-drug resistant pathogens such as biofilm-forming Staphylococcus aureus and rice blast fungus Magnaporthe oryzae. Environmentally safe agricultural practices and wound healing scaffolds based on hydrogels have a limitation arising from formulations containing environmentally toxic cross-linkers or photo-initiators. We have developed non-toxic starch hydrogels with uniformly dispersed silver nanoparticles (AgNP) having wide-spectrum antimicrobial activity for biomedical or agricultural applications. AgNPs were synthesized with Emblica officinalis extract, surface functionalized with the nutraceutical chemical groups in the extract as revealed by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy. Scanning electron microscopy images show uniform dispersion of AgNP (5 ± 2 nm size) in the hydrogel matrix. AgNP-starch hydrogels are observed to have an excellent antifungal activity to M. oryzae with complete growth inhibition for 10 days compared to the control-starch hydrogel without AgNP and agar gel, even in the presence of the favourable growth medium of yeast extract + glucose. Antibacterial activity was also observed for gram-negative bacteria Escherichia coli and gram-positive bacteria S. aureus using diffusion assay with antibiotic mixture, with four-fold enhancement in zone of inhibition area in case of AgNP-starch hydrogels compared to control starch hydrogels, showing good release efficiency. Sustained release of botanical extracts showed promising bacterial growth inhibition. AgNP hydrogel surface-inhibition of bacterial growth for B. subtilis and E. coli persisted for 8–10 h and S. aureus until 6 h. Starch hydrogels have a high storage modulus G′ = ~ 17 kPa, and AgNP-starch hydrogels have a softer matrix with G′ = 3.6 kPa. Both are stable for a wide range of strain frequencies in the linear viscoelastic regime, revealing the potential for a strong, stable printable scaffold for wound healing. In the dried state, the AgNP-starch films show higher yield point and elongation at break compared to nascent cross-linked starch films under uniaxial tensile forces. Although AgNP-starch hydrogels show a nanoporous morphology enabling controlled drug release, there is negligible AgNP release from the hydrogel matrix. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Nutrient enrichment impacts grassland plant diversity such as species richness, functional trait composition and diversity, but whether and how these changes affect ecosystem stability in the face of increasing climate extremes remains largely unknown.We quantified the direct and diversity‐mediated effects of nutrient addition (by nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium) on the stability of above‐ground biomass production in 10 long‐term grassland experimental sites. We measured five facets of stability as the temporal invariability, resistance during and recovery after extreme dry and wet growing seasons.Leaf traits (leaf carbon, nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium, and specific leaf area) were measured under ambient and nutrient addition conditions in the field and were used to construct the leaf economic spectrum (LES). We calculated functional trait composition and diversity of LES and of single leaf traits. We quantified the contribution of intraspecific trait shifts and species replacement to change in functional trait composition as responses to nutrient addition and its implications for ecosystem stability.Nutrient addition decreased functional trait diversity and drove grassland communities to the faster end of the LES primarily through intraspecific trait shifts, suggesting that intraspecific trait shifts should be included for accurately predicting ecosystem stability. Moreover, the change in functional trait diversity of the LES in turn influenced different facets of stability. That said, these diversity‐mediated effects were overall weak and/or overwhelmed by the direct effects of nutrient addition on stability. As a result, nutrient addition did not strongly impact any of the stability facets. These results were generally consistent using individual leaf traits but the dominant pathways differed. Importantly, major influencing pathways differed using average trait values extracted from global trait databases (e.g. TRY).Synthesis. Investigating changes in multiple facets of plant diversity and their impacts on multidimensional stability under global changes such as nutrient enrichment can improve our understanding of the processes and mechanisms maintaining ecosystem stability. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The topological Dehn twists have several applications in mathematical sciences as well as in physical sciences. The interplay between homotopy theory and Dehn twists exposes a rich set of properties. This paper generalizes the Dehn twists by proposing the notion of pre-twisted space, orientations of twists and the formation of pointed based space under a homeomorphic continuous function. It is shown that the Dehn twisted homotopy under non-retraction admits a left lifting property (LLP) through the local homeomorphism. The LLP extends the principles of Hurewicz fibration by avoiding pullback. Moreover, this paper illustrates that the Dehn twisted homotopy up to a base point in a based space can be formed by considering retraction. As a result, two disjoint continuous functions become point-wise continuous at the base point under retracted homotopy twists. Interestingly, the oriented Dehn twists of a pre-twisted space under homotopy retraction mutually commute in a contractible space. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A cutting-edge idea known as the Internet of Things (IoT) connects different physical items with the online environment. IoT technology is expanding quickly and will soon have an important encounter on how we live our everyday lives. IoT applications use radio frequency identification (RFID) to automatically identify the linked devices. RFID-enabled technologies are becoming more common nowadays for protecting privacy in a variety of industries, including the smart grid, smart cities, and smart education. Healthcare is one of the prominent applications of RFID technology. Patients can receive quick and convenient care at home due to RFID-enabled healthcare solutions. However, there are instances of technology forgery, putting patients' medical information in danger. Utilizing an authentication protocol is extensively regarded as the most efficient way for RFID-enabled healthcare systems to prevent malicious attacks and the misuse of resources. Very recently, Shariq and Singh proposed a lightweight RFID-enabled protocol for healthcare using the properties of vector space. This article presents evidence that Shariq and Singh's protocol has some wrong steps and is also liable to tag anonymity and impersonation attacks. Moreover, we proposed a secured authentication protocol to overcome the flaws of Shariq and Singh's protocol using vector addition, scalar multiplication, and dot products. We analyze the formal security utilizing BAN logic and Scyther simulation tools. The proposed protocol performs better than related protocols regarding costs associated with computation, transmission, storage, and security measures. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Breast cancer metastasis remains the leading cause of cancer-related deaths in women worldwide. Infiltration of tumor-associated macrophages (TAMs) in the tumor stroma is known to be correlated with reduced overall survival. The inhibitors of TAMs are sought after for reprogramming the tumor microenvironment. Signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 (STAT3) is well known to contribute in pro-tumoral properties of TAMs. 2-Methoxyestradiol (2ME2), a potent anticancer and antiangiogenic agent, has been in clinical trials for treatment of breast cancer. Here, we investigated the potential of 2ME2 in modulating the pro-tumoral effects of TAMs in breast cancer. Methods: THP-1-derived macrophages were polarized to macrophages with or without 2ME2. The effect of 2ME2 on macrophage surface markers and anti-inflammatory genes was determined by Western blotting, flow cytometry, immunofluorescence, qRT‒PCR. The concentration of cytokines secreted by cells was monitored by ELISA. The effect of M2 macrophages on malignant properties of breast cancer cells was determined using colony formation, wound healing, transwell, and gelatin zymography assays. An orthotopic model of breast cancer was used to determine the effect of 2ME2 on macrophage polarization and metastasis in vivo. Results: First, our study found that polarization of monocytes to alternatively activated M2 macrophages is associated with the reorganization of the microtubule cytoskeleton. At lower concentrations, 2ME2 treatment depolymerized microtubules and reduced the expression of CD206 and CD163, suggesting that it inhibits the polarization of macrophages to M2 phenotype. However, the M1 polarization was not significantly affected at these concentrations. Importantly, 2ME2 inhibited the expression of several anti-inflammatory cytokines and growth factors, including CCL18, TGF-β, IL-10, FNT, arginase, CXCL12, MMP9, and VEGF-A, and hindered the metastasis-promoting effects of M2 macrophages. Concurrently, 2ME2 treatment reduced the expression of CD163 in tumors and inhibited lung metastasis in the orthotopic breast cancer model. Mechanistically, 2ME2 treatment reduced the phosphorylation and nuclear translocation of STAT3, an effect which was abrogated by colivelin. Conclusions: Our study presents novel findings on mechanism of 2ME2 from the perspective of its effects on the polarization of the TAMs via the STAT3 signaling in breast cancer. Altogether, the data supports further clinical investigation of 2ME2 and its derivatives as therapeutic agents to modulate the tumor microenvironment and immune response in breast carcinoma. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Medical school is difficult, and studies have shown that medical students have a higher rate of depression than general people. This may be related to a competitive environment or intellectual burnout. Other contributing variables to this issue include the person's social background, financial situation, and mental state. This may have long-lasting impacts and help to explain why a lot of doctors commit suicide. It is crucial to pinpoint the causes and deal with them to prevent the detrimental effects of depression among medical students. Aims and Objectives: The present study aims to measure the depression among medical students using patient health questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9) and to assess the correlates of depression among them. Materials and Methods: In this longitudinal study, data collected from 214 1st year medical students thrice: At the beginning, at midterm, and after completion of their university examination. PHQ-9 was used for screening of depression and multidimensional scale of perceived social support was used to find out the social support in the study participants. Results: It is found that depression affects the majority of the male younger students staying at hostels and coming from the rural background. Conclusion: The extent of depression is high among the study population which warrants its screening with the incorporation of mental health services for promotion of mental well-being among medical students. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The paper proposes an instantaneous power theory (IPT) based an improved low voltage ride-through (LVRT) strategy for photovoltaic-proton exchange membrane fuel cell (PV-PEMFC) based grid following hybrid microgrid architecture. The concept of the instantaneous power theory-based proportional-integral control (IPT-PIC) mechanism has been introduced to enhance the dynamic response of the grid-tied power electronic medium. Based on the direct quantities measured, the processed IPT-PIC output has been used to regulate the active and reactive current injection during the grid side contingencies. Besides, the instantaneous power theory-based fuzzy current control (IPT-FCC) mechanism has also been proposed and compared with the conventional instantaneous power theory-based approaches and found to be suitable for real field applications, particularly in the hybrid microgrid architecture. The percentage improvement of the LVRT capability has been found in the detailed simulated platform using MATLAB/Simulink 2021a. Furthermore, the response time, computational burden and real-time applicability have been evaluated in the dSPACE DS1103PPC controller board. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Diabetes-related ulcers and slow-healing wounds pose a significant health risk to individuals due to their uncertain causes. Mortality rates for diabetes foot ulcers (DFUs) range from 10% after 16 months to 24% after five years. The use of bioactive phytochemicals can play a key role in healing wounds in a predictable time. Recent literature has demonstrated that various natural substances, including flavonoids, saponins, phenolic compounds, and polysaccharides, play key roles at different stages of the wound-healing process through diverse mechanisms. These studies have categorized the compounds according to their characteristics, bioactivities, and modes of action. In this study, we evaluated the role of natural compounds derived from plant sources that have been shown to play a crucial role in immunomodulation. Macrophages are closely involved in immunomodulation within the wound microenvironment and are key players in efferocytosis, inflammation resolution, and tissue regeneration, all of which contribute to successful wound healing. Phytochemicals and their derivatives have shown capabilities in immune regulation, including macrophage migration, nitric oxide synthase inhibition, lymphocyte and T-cell stimulation, cytokine activation, natural killer cell enhancement, and the regulation of NF-κβ, TNF-α, and apoptosis. In this review, we have studied the role of phytochemicals in immunomodulation for the resolution of diabetic wound inflammation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Prostate cancer (PCa) is the second most prevalent cancer in men. In 2020, approximately 1,414,259 new cases were reported that accounted for 3,75,324 deaths (Sung et al. in CA 71:209–249, 2021). PCa is often asymptomatic at early stages; hence, routine screening and monitoring based on reliable biomarkers is crucial for early detection and assessment of cancer progression. Early diagnosis of disease is key step in reducing PCa-induced mortality. Biomarkers such as PSA have played vital role in reducing recent PCa deaths. Recent research has identified many other biomarkers and also refined PSA-based tests for non-invasive diagnosis of PCa in patients. Despite progress in screening methods, an important issue that influences treatment is heterogeneity of the cancer in different individuals, necessitating personalized treatment. Currently, focus is to identify biomarkers that can accurately diagnose PCa at early stage, indicate the stage of the disease, metastatic nature and chances of survival based on individual patient profile (Fig. 1). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Multiple cancers, including colorectal cancer (CRC), are more frequent and often more aggressive in individuals with obesity. Here, we showed that macrophages accumulated within tumors of patients with obesity and CRC and in obese CRC mice and that they promoted accelerated tumor growth. These changes were initiated by oleic acid accumulation and subsequent tumor cell–derived acid production and were driven by macrophage signaling through the acid-sensing receptor GPR65. We found a similar role for GPR65 in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) in obese mice. Tumors in patients with obesity and CRC or HCC also exhibited increased GPR65 expression, suggesting that the mechanism revealed here may contribute to tumor growth in a range of obesity-associated cancers and represent a potential therapeutic target. Editor's summary: Obesity is a risk factor for the development of several types of cancer, but how obesity contributes to tumorigenesis remains incompletely understood. Using a mouse model of colon cancer, Bagchi et al. found that tumor-associated macrophages (TAMs) accumulate and drive tumor growth in obese mice. Obesity-associated accumulation of oleic acid enhanced tumor acidity and suppressed TAM inflammatory responses. During obesity, TAMs up-regulated the acid-sensing receptor GPR65, which promoted growth of both colon and liver tumors. Together, these findings identify tumor acidity and GPR65-mediated TAM adaptations as drivers of tumor growth in obesity-associated cancers. —Claire Olingy [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Lead (Pb) toxicity is a serious concern for edible crops, soil, and the environment. Therefore, an eco-friendly, cost-effective strategy is highly in demand to mitigate Pb toxicity in plants and provide health benefits for humans. This study aimed to explore the impact of exogenous sulfur (S) in mitigating Pb toxicity in mustard. Pb toxicity severely inhibited mustard growth, development, biomass yield, chlorophyll content, and photosynthetic attributes (Fv/Fm, Pi_ABS) in mustard. Interestingly, exogenous S considerably restored these morpho-physiological attributes in mustard. The concentration of S declined under Pb stress, and it was restored after exogenous S supplementation to roots and shoots, suggesting that S is actively involved in regulating Pb and S accumulation and homeostasis processes in mustard plants. Additionally, S supplementation in Pb-exposed plants induced the antioxidant activities of superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), ascorbate peroxidase (APX), as well as the concentrations of glutathione (GSH) and phytochelatin (PC) in roots. Given the binding affinity of PC with toxic metals, the reduction of Pb in the aerial part may result from the vacuolar sequestration of Pb, mediated by elevated PC synthesis in the roots of mustard supplemented with S. These overall findings might be useful for oilseed crop breeders and farmers to apply S-amendments in Pb-free edible crop production. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We present the results of a search for continuous gravitational wave signals (CGWs) in the second data release (DR2) of the European Pulsar Timing Array (EPTA) Collaboration. The most significant candidate event from this search has a gravitational wave frequency of 4–5 nHz. Such a signal could be generated by a supermassive black hole binary (SMBHB) in the local Universe. We present the results of a follow-up analysis of this candidate using both Bayesian and frequentist methods. The Bayesian analysis gives a Bayes factor of 4 in favour of the presence of the CGW over a common uncorrelated noise process. In contrast, the frequentist analysis estimates the p-value of the candidate to be < 1%, also assuming the presence of common uncorrelated red noise. However, comparing a model that includes both a CGW and a gravitational wave background (GWB) to a GWB only, the Bayes factor in favour of the CGW model is only 0.7. Therefore, we cannot conclusively determine the origin of the observed feature, nor can we rule it out as a CGW source. We present results of simulations that demonstrate that data containing a weak gravitational wave background can be misinterpreted as data including a CGW and vice versa, providing two plausible explanations for the EPTA DR2 data. Further investigations combining data from all PTA collaborations will be needed to reveal the true origin of this feature. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Moral Intelligence (MI) as a concept has gained importance in recent years due to its wide applicability in individual, organizational, and clinical settings or even policy making. The present study employed Bibliometric analysis to understand the emerging topics associated with MI and its global research trend. This paper's primary aim was (i) to explore the temporal and geographic growth trends of the research publication on MI. (ii) to identify the most prolific countries, institutions, and authors, working on MI, (iii) to identify the most frequent terminologies, (iv) to explore research topics and to provide insight into potential collaborations and future directions, and (v) to explore the significance of the concept of moral intelligence. Method: Bibliometric analysis was used to understand the emerging topics associated with MI and its global research trend using the SCOPUS database. VOS viewer and R were employed to analyze the result. Through the analysis conducted, the development of the construct over time was analyzed. Results: Results have shown that Iran and the United States and these two combined account for 53.16% of the total country-wise publications. Switzerland has the highest number of Multi-county publications. Authors from Iran and Switzerland have the most number of publications. Emerging topics like decision-making, machine ethics, moral agents, artificial ethics, co-evolution of human and artificial moral agents, green purchase intention etc were identified. Discussion: The application of MI in organisational decision-making, education policy, artificial intelligence and measurement of moral intelligence are important areas of application as per the results. Research interest in MI is projected to increase according to the results delineated in this article. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Dislocation mobility, which dictates the response of dislocations to an applied stress, is a fundamental property of crystalline materials that governs the evolution of plastic deformation. Traditional approaches for deriving mobility laws rely on phenomenological models of the underlying physics, whose free parameters are in turn fitted to a small number of intuition-driven atomic scale simulations under varying conditions of temperature and stress. This tedious and time-consuming approach becomes particularly cumbersome for materials with complex dependencies on stress, temperature, and local environment, such as body-centered cubic crystals (BCC) metals and alloys. In this paper, we present a novel, uncertainty quantification-driven active learning paradigm for learning dislocation mobility laws from automated high-throughput large-scale molecular dynamics simulations, using Graph Neural Networks (GNN) with a physics-informed architecture. We demonstrate that this Physics-informed Graph Neural Network (PI-GNN) framework captures the underlying physics more accurately compared to existing phenomenological mobility laws in BCC metals. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Acknowledging the significant impact of temperature deviations on vaccine efficacy, this study examines the prevalence of exposure to non-recommended temperatures, particularly focusing on freeze-sensitive vaccines. This study aims to identify critical points of temperature breaches during transportation from storage to last-mile delivery. In this cross-sectional study, the temperature integrity of vaccines has been examined during transportation across three states in India (Karnataka, Maharashtra, and Rajasthan), utilizing data loggers to track and record temperatures in real time. By analyzing instances of exposure to temperatures beyond the recommended 2–8 °C range, the study aims to identify the critical junctures within the vaccine supply chain susceptible to temperature excursions. The methodology entailed a systematic data logger analysis at each stage of transportation up to the last mile. In this study, descriptive statistics with the analysis of variance test has been applied to investigate the significance of variations in the duration of temperature breaches. The novelty of this study lies in its comprehensive examination of vaccine temperature integrity across critical transportation phases in India, utilizing real-time data-logging technology. Based on the results, the study provides recommendations using the ABCD strategic framework, encompassing awareness, best practices, continuous monitoring, and data management and documentation. This framework will be instrumental in addressing the identified challenges and significantly improving the temperature monitoring flexibility. The findings will inform targeted interventions, optimizing the cold chain to enhance the preservation of vaccine potency and identifying flexible solutions for maintaining the required temperatures from storage to transportation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Conspecific density dependence (CDD) in plant populations is widespread, most likely caused by local‐scale biotic interactions, and has potentially important implications for biodiversity, community composition, and ecosystem processes. However, progress in this important area of ecology has been hindered by differing viewpoints on CDD across subfields in ecology, lack of synthesis across CDD‐related frameworks, and misunderstandings about how empirical measurements of local CDD fit within the context of broader ecological theories on community assembly and diversity maintenance. Here, we propose a conceptual synthesis of local‐scale CDD and its causes, including species‐specific antagonistic and mutualistic interactions. First, we compare and clarify different uses of CDD and related concepts across subfields within ecology. We suggest the use of local stabilizing/destabilizing CDD to refer to the scenario where local conspecific density effects are more negative/positive than heterospecific effects. Second, we discuss different mechanisms for local stabilizing and destabilizing CDD, how those mechanisms are interrelated, and how they cut across several fields of study within ecology. Third, we place local stabilizing/destabilizing CDD within the context of broader ecological theories and discuss implications and challenges related to scaling up the effects of local CDD on populations, communities, and metacommunities. The ultimate goal of this synthesis is to provide a conceptual roadmap for researchers studying local CDD and its implications for population and community dynamics. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We introduce null contractions of the Poincare and relativistic conformal algebras. The longitudinal null contraction involves writing the algebra in lightcone coordinates and contracting one of the null directions. For the Poincare algebra, this yields two non-overlapping co-dimension one Carroll algebras. The transverse contraction is a limit on the spatial dimensions and yields two non-overlapping co-dimension one Galilean algebras. We find, similar to Susskind's original observation of the non-relativistic case, that the Poincare algebra, written in the lightcone coordinates, naturally contains Carrollian sub-algebras in one lower dimension. The effect of the longitudinal contraction, which essentially focusses on the null direction, is to disentangle the two Carroll algebras that now correspond to the symmetries of the two null boundaries. The transverse contraction similarly separates the overlapping Galilean sub-algebras of the original Poincare algebra. We discuss aspects of the conformal case, where we get lower dimensional Carroll Conformal algebras and Schrödinger algebras. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Liver X receptors (LXRs) are members of the nuclear receptor superfamily of ligand-dependent transcription factors. LXRα is predominantly expressed in metabolic tissues, whereas LXRβ is ubiquitously expressed. Upon ligand binding, they regulate the expression of target genes involved in lipid metabolism, cholesterol homeostasis, and immune responses, including those which function in pathways that are commonly reprogrammed during carcinogenesis. Known LXR ligands include oxysterols and natural and synthetic agonists which upregulate LXR transcriptional activity and target gene expression. Synthetic inverse agonists have also been identified that inhibit LXR activity. While both types of ligands have been shown to inhibit cancer cells and tumor growth either directly or indirectly by modulating the activities of stromal cells within the tumor microenvironment, they appear to target different aspects of cancer metabolism and other cancer hallmarks, including immune evasion. This review summarizes the characterization of LXRs and their ligands and their mechanisms of action in cancer models and discusses the future directions for translating these discoveries into novel cancer therapeutics. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article assesses Landauer's principle from information theory in the context of area quantization of the Schwarzschild black hole. Within a quantum-mechanical perspective where Hawking evaporation can be interpreted in terms of transitions between the discrete states of the area (or mass) spectrum, we justify that Landauer's principle holds consistently in the saturated form when the number of microstates of the black hole goes as 2 n , where n is a large positive integer labeling the levels of the area/mass spectrum in the semiclassical regime. This is equivalent to the area spacing Δ A = α l P 2 (in natural units), where α = 4 ln 2 for which the entropy spacing between consecutive levels in Boltzmann units coincides exactly with one bit of information. We also comment on the situation for other values of α prevalent in the literature. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: This paper introduces a novel multi-setup merging method and assesses its performance using simulated response data from a Finite Element (FE) model of a five-storey frame and experimental data from a cantilever beam tested in a laboratory setting. Design/methodology/approach: In the research conducted at the Central Building Research Institute (CBRI) in Roorkee, India, a cantilever beam was examined in a laboratory setting. The study successfully extracted the modal properties of the multi-storey building using the merging technique. Identified frequencies and mode shapes provide valuable insights into the building's dynamic behavior, which is essential for structural analysis and assessment. The sensor layout and data merging approach allowed for the capture of relevant vibration modes despite the limited number of sensors, demonstrating the effectiveness of the methodology. Findings: The results show that reducing the number of sensors can impact the accuracy of the mode shapes. It is recommended to use a minimum of 8 sensor locations (every two floors) for the building under study to obtain reliable benchmark results for further evaluation, periodic monitoring, and damage identification. Originality/value: The results demonstrate that the developed algorithm can improve the system identification process and streamline data handling. Furthermore, the proposed method is successfully applied to analyze the modal properties of a multi-storey building. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Arkansas Department of Transportation (ARDOT) Maintenance Division is concerned about the use of certain aggregates in asphalt mixture because of their durability and performance issues. Good performance of the pavements can be ensured by selecting good-quality aggregates along with asphalt binders that can produce compatible aggregate–binder systems. The primary goal of this research was to determine proper asphalt binders and aggregates for the construction of highways in Arkansas. Three performance grade (PG) asphalt binders, namely PG 64-22, PG 70-22, and PG 76-22, prepared from two different crude sources, were investigated. This study also included four types of ARDOT-commissioned aggregates, namely gravel, sandstone, limestone, and dolomite, from four quarries throughout Arkansas. Selected properties of asphalt binders and aggregates (e.g., physical, mechanical, and chemical) were evaluated by performing a series of routine laboratory tests. To evaluate the performance of the asphalt mixtures, work of cohesion, work of adhesion, and boiling resistance tests were conducted. These aggregates, binders, and aggregate–binder systems were ranked based on the properties obtained from laboratory tests. In general, any combination of dolomite or limestone with a stiffer binder such as PG 76-22 or PG 70-22 is expected to be superior to an asphalt mixture with either sandstone or gravel. The outcomes of this research will help highway agencies and pavement professionals in selecting suitable asphalt binders and aggregates for long-lasting pavement construction. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: Obesity and overweight are challenging health problems of the millennium that lead to diabetes, hypertension, dyslipidemia, nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), and atherosclerosis. Green coffee bean exhibited significant promise in healthy weight management, potentiating glucose-insulin sensitization and supporting liver health. The safety and efficacy of a novel, patented water-soluble green coffee bean extract (GCB70® enriched in 70% total chlorogenic acid and <1% caffeine) was investigated in 105 participants for 12 consecutive weeks. An institutional review board and Drugs Controller General (India) (DCGI) approvals were obtained, and the study was registered at ClinicalTrials.gov. Method: Body weight, body mass index (BMI), waist circumference, lipid profile, plasma leptin, glycosylated hemoglobin (HbA1c), and total blood chemistry were assessed over a period of 12 weeks of treatment. Safety was affirmed. Results: GCB70 (500mg BID) supplementation significantly reduced body weight (approximately 6%; p=0.000**) in approximately 97% of the study population. About a 5.65% statistically significant reduction (p=0.000**) in BMI was observed in 96% of the study volunteers. Waist circumference was significantly reduced by 6.77% and 6.62% in 98% of the male and female participants, respectively. Plasma leptin levels decreased by 13.6% in 99% of the study population as compared to the baseline value. Upon completion of 12 weeks’ treatment, fasting glucose levels decreased by 13.05% (p=0.000**) in 79% of the study population. There was a statistically significant decrease in HbA1c levels in both male and female participants (p=0.000**), while 86.7% of the study participants showed a statistically significant decrease in thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) levels (p=0.000**). The mean decrease in TSH levels on completion of the treatment was 14.07% in the study population as compared to baseline levels. Total blood chemistry analysis exhibited broad-spectrum safety. Conclusions: This investigation demonstrated that GCB70 is safe and efficacious in healthy weight management. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Salt stress on green microalgae increases lipid production at the cost of cellular homeostasis. Rapid optimization of growth conditions for high lipid productivity and biomass yield is crucial for translation to industrial-scale biodiesel production. To achieve this, the present study has developed a spectroscopic non-invasive analysis of lipid molecules produced by Chlamydomonas reinhardtii in two-stage salt stress, wherein 100 mM NaCl was added at two different time points: day 2 (D2 100) and day 4 (D4 100) of growth. Two-stage stress resulted in cell morphology like the photoautotrophic control grown in normal conditions, with negligible palmelloid formation in contrast to single-stage. Raman spectra acquired from ~ 30 individual cells in each culture revealed heterogeneities in lipid composition. Discrete wavelet transform decomposition of the Raman signal was used to enhance the signal-to-noise ratio and accuracy of Raman peak center estimation. An overall increase in heterogeneity indices for fatty acid degree of unsaturation was observed under two-stage salt stress: fourfold for D2 100 and ninefold for D4 100, especially at the stationary growth phase. The ratio of the CH2/CH3 scissoring mode (1440 cm−1) and the C = O stretching mode (1750 cm−1) reveals the shortening of fatty acid chain length in D4 100. Although Raman bands of lipids formed in all growth conditions are on average like Triolein (18:1), analyses of the degree of unsaturation (1656/1440 cm−1) clarify the increased content of bi and tri-unsaturation only in D4 100. This non-invasive lipid profiling reveals that D4 100 is likely a non-ideal condition to obtain high-quality biodiesel-producing lipids. A comparative analysis of single-cell fluorescence microscopy of lipid droplets and Raman intensity of lipids shows the sensitivity of Raman intensity in deciphering the relative response of the cells to salt stress. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Motivated by the recent works [1, 23], we study the following extension of Calderón–Zygmund type singular integrals T β f (x) = p. v. ∫ R n Ω (y) | y | n - β f (x - y) d y , for 0 < β < n , and their commutators. We establish estimates of these singular integrals on Lipschitz spaces, Hardy spaces and Muckenhoupt A p -weighted L p -spaces. We also establish Lebesgue and Hardy space estimates of their commutators. Our estimates are uniform in small β , and therefore one can pass onto the limits as β → 0 to deduce analogous estimates for the classical Calderón–Zygmund type singular integrals and their commutators. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Diverse, traditional landraces of indica rice with varying pigmentations are grown at the foothills of Eastern Himalayas. Interaction between two rice genes Rc and Rd is the major determining factor for diverse pigmentations. Rd regulates the synthesis of anthocyanidin, whereas Rc encodes a transcription factor for the expression of proanthocyanidins in rice. This study involved 24 genotypes of rice with varying pigmentation, collected from the Himalayan region and Eastern India for appraisal of genetic variability, character association, diversity regarding yield and grain-quality traits, and detection of sequence variation concerning Rc and Rd loci. Results revealed substantial genetic variability with significant genotype × year interaction for most of the traits. The tested genotypes were grouped into nine clusters based on Euclidean distance. Analyses of coding DNA and amino acid sequences revealed non-functional Rc gene with 14-bp deletion without or with a single nucleotide addition in the sixth exon, which led to premature stop codon formation or frameshift mutation in most of the black and white rice on the contrary to red rice genotypes. Furthermore, only a single white rice genotype was detected with a premature stop codon formation in the analyzed region of Rd. That mutation might be the probable cause for obstruction in anthocyanin and proanthocyanidin biosynthesis. Further studies are needed to identify the point mutations and premature stop codon (if any) in the Rd locus of various indica rice genotypes from these regions to unveil the evolutionary relevance of the Rd allele for aberrated dihydroflavonol-4-reductase protein formation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Deep eutectic solvent is a mixture of two or more components, mixed in a certain molar ratio, such that the mixture melts at a temperature lower than individual substances. In this work, we have used a combination of ultrafast vibrational spectroscopy and molecular dynamics simulations to investigate the microscopic structure and dynamics of a deep eutectic solvent (1:2 choline chloride: ethylene glycol) at and around the eutectic composition. In particular, we have compared the spectral diffusion and orientational relaxation dynamics of these systems with varying compositions. Our results show that although the time-averaged solvent structures around a dissolved solute are comparable across compositions, both the solvent fluctuations and solute reorientation dynamics show distinct differences. We show that these subtle changes in solute and solvent dynamics with changing compositions arise from the variations in the fluctuations of the different intercomponent hydrogen bonds. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]