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Electrospinning is a cost-effective but very intricate method of producing polymeric nanofibers at room temperature. Unfortunately however, it is extremely difficult to predict the diameter or other properties of the fibers produced via electrospinning a prior. In this paper, we present a new approach to simulate fiber formation during electrospinning. Our work builds on the mathematical framework that was originally developed by Reneker and Yarin in 2000. Our approach incorporates the 3D electrostatic field that surrounds the fiber in a Lagrangian discrete particle tracking algorithm that tracks the trajectory of the fiber in air and predicts its deposition velocity and diameter. We investigate the effects of electrostatic field spatial variation on fiber electrospinning and compare our results with those obtained using a constant electrostatic field, the traditional approach, and with experiments (conducted using polyurethane). We considered three different electrospinning configurations of single-needle-plate-collector, single-needle-drum-collector, and two-needles-drum-collector to investigate how different electrostatic fields impact fiber formation. The computational model developed in this work helps to advance the current state of the art in modeling the electrospinning process. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Chondroid hamartoma is the most common benign tumor of lung, which account 8% of pulmonary neoplasm. Most often they are seen peripherally in the lung parenchyma. But very rarely it can originate endo-bronchially and present as collapse of lung or lobe. To be precise less than 10% cases was reported to be found. Here we mention a case of endobronchial chondroid hamartoma in a 63 years old gentleman presented as right middle lobe collapse and was diagnosed after repeated attempts of bronchoscopic biopsy or trans-thoracic fine needle aspiration. The tumor was removed by bronchoscopic cryo-debulking of the mass almost completely instead of thoracotomy resection or APC laser ablation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The scientific development and economic advances have led to the identification of many pathogenic agents in hospital effluents. Hospital wastewaters are qualitatively similar to municipal wastewaters, with the difference that these wastewaters contain toxic and infectious substances and compounds that can be dangerous for the health of the environment, employees of these centers, and the entire community. Therefore, in the last few years, it has been emphasized that all hospitals and medical and health centers should have a treatment facility for their produced wastewater so that the health of the society and people is not threatened. An issue that is not paid attention to has become one of the environmental problems and concerns of the world today. The present study focused on the investigate hospital wastewater treatment methods and its impact on human health and the environment. In this narrative study, the first literature search was performed with four hundred and twenty-three articles were retrieved based on PubMed, Elsevier, Web of science, Spring, and Google Scholar databases. The results of this study showed that wastewater from hospitals and medical centers can play a significant impress in polluting soil and aquatic environments and spreading infectious diseases. According to the mentioned contents, collection and treatment of hospital wastewater is essential. In addition, if hospital wastewater enters the wastewater collection network without knowing its characteristics or with incomplete treatment and finally enters the municipal wastewater treatment plant. It causes many problems, including disturbing the balance of the biological system of the treatment plant. Purification and disposal of hospital wastewater is considered a vital action based on environmental standards. The results of this study also showed that the treatment methods of this type of hospital wastewater can play a significant role in reducing the spread of diseases caused by hospital wastewater treatment, including infectious diseases. The results of this study can be very useful for politicians, the managers of the Ministry of Energy and Health and the Environmental Organization in choosing the appropriate methods and process to reduce hospital wastewater and increase the efficiency of hospital wastewater treatment plants. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The present work evaluates pristine and amino acid-functionalised C4B32 borospherenes for drug delivery purposes based on density functional theory (DFT). C atoms were doped on $ \textrm{B}_{36}^{ - 4} $ B 36 − 4 clusters to develop C4B32 borospherenes, and C4B32 clusters in pristine and alanine-modified forms have shown significant drug delivery performance. This study sought to evaluate the interactions of both pristine and alanine-modified C4B32 with isoniazid drug (IS) based on DFT calculations. The amino acid modification expectedly enabled biodrug carrier functionality and enhanced the adsorption of IS onto C4B32. The UV-Visible (UV-Vis) analysis revealed a redshift upon the adsorption of IS. It was concluded that alanine-modified C4B32 clusters could serve as a promising drug carrier. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The brown planthopper (BPH), Nilaparvata lugens (Stål.), poses a significant threat to rice cultivation, acting as a key pest. The emergence of resistance to various insecticide classes has emerged as a prominent challenge, significantly hindering the effective management of N. lugens. Triflumezopyrim, a novel mesoionic chemistry insecticide, has recently been introduced in India for controlling N. lugens. Establishing the baseline susceptibility and monitoring its effectiveness throughout the life cycle of the molecule are crucial aspects for a newly commercialized insecticide like triflumezopyrim. In this study, the baseline toxicity of triflumezopyrim against brown planthopper populations from nine hotspot locations in three southern states of India was evaluated using the rice seedling dip method. The LC50 values varied between 0.123 and 0.268 mg/L, showing a 2.18-fold variation. This information holds significance in monitoring potential changes in N. lugens susceptibility to triflumezopyrim in the future, thereby assisting in the formulation of effective management strategies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A thin film of Fe-CdZnS was fabricated using the Chemical Bath Deposition (CBD) procedure in an aqueous solution, which was then deposited onto a glass substrate. The resulting thin film was subjected to characterization using scanning electron microscopy (SEM), energy-dispersive Xray spectroscopy (EDX), Xray diffraction (XRD) for structural analysis, and UV–Visible spectrophotometry for optical investigations. The energy band gaps of the produced film were established by analyzing the UV–VIS absorption data, both in terms of direct and indirect transitions. According to XRD results, the film shows nano crystallinity with cubical structure. The presence of doping ions was confirmed by EDS results where ratio of Fe ions inside the CdZnS was equal to 0.3 from total elements. The (SEM) graphs of the Fe-CdZnS film exhibit a distinct leafy and fiber-like morphology when observed from a planar perspective. The direct and indirect bandgaps were calculated and found equal to 2.8 and 2.3 eV respectively. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this study, the photocatalytic degradation of RhB dye in an aqueous solution using ZnO nanoparticles (NPs), γ -Fe2O3, γ -Fe2O3–ZnO, Ag–ZnO, and γ -Fe2O3–Ag–ZnO nanomaterials generated using poinciana leaf extract is presented. The nanomaterials were prepared utilizing environmentally friendly methods and poinciana leaf extract. The properties of the originally generated nanomaterials, analyzed through techniques such as atomic force microscopy (AFM), UV–visible spectroscopy, X-ray, electron microscopy, and FE-SEM, have been described. The hexagonal structure of ZnO wurtzite was also discovered to align with the XRD findings. Additionally, EDX mapping was employed to analyze the composition of the γ -Fe2O3–Ag–ZnO nanocomposite. A topological investigation confirmed the roughness of the created nanostructures. Regarding the photocatalytic Rhodamine B (RhB) dye degradation studies, the γ -Fe2O3–Ag–ZnO nanocomposite demonstrated superior performance compared to pure ZnO in breaking down dye molecules under visible light exposure. Employing an ideal configuration of 1.0 g/L of photocatalyst, pH 10, and 10 ppm of RhB, an impressive photodegradation effectiveness of nearly 99% was achieved in just 45 min of light exposure. An analysis of reactive species was conducted to determine the photodegradation efficiency of γ -Fe2O3–Ag–ZnO. To investigate the impact of the microorganisms Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus on the γ -Fe2O3–Ag–ZnO nanocomposite, the results indicated that the γ -Fe2O3–Ag–ZnO nanocomposite achieved a high rate of success in neutralizing and eradicating these bacteria. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Women in the fisher communities in coastal regions of Bangladesh are engaged in a wide range of fishery activities. However, there is limited evidence available on the occupational hazards and risks experienced by them. Method: The study was conducted among fishing colonies in Cox's Bazar and Chattogram districts in Bangladesh. This was a cross-sectional study blending qualitative and quantitative approaches. The qualitative component comprised five focus group discussions to understand the occupational context, hazards, and risks faced by the fisherwomen, informing the questionnaire design for the subsequent survey. The quantitative survey involved a sample of 207 women from fisher communities, gathering socio-demographic information, occupational hazards, risks, and health and safety practices. Findings: The study found a high occurrence of occupational hazards, health risks and limited availability of preventive measures among the women in fisher communities. Occupational hazards include physical safety hazards such as slippery surfaces and fish cutting instruments, and physical hazards like prolonged sun exposure and noise. Chemical hazards like pesticides and saltwater, ergonomic hazards such as prolonged uncomfortable posture and heavy lifting, and biological hazards including inadequate sanitation facilities were prevalent. The study also identified the potential occupational risks, and the outcomes resulting from the hazards, including injuries (87.44%), musculoskeletal conditions (69.08%), skin diseases/conditions (56.52%), eye complaints (33.82%), severe respiratory distress (24.15%) and high incidence of self-reported communicable diseases. Most women (78.26%) did not use personal protective equipment, and the majority (93.72%) lacked a workplace first aid kit. Conclusion: The study revealed a high prevalence of occupational hazards and health risks, including injuries and diseases, among Bangladeshi women in fisher communities with insufficient safety measures. Collaboration among government, NGOs, development partners, fisheries stakeholders, and the community is imperative for targeted training, innovative procedures, ergonomic solutions, provision of protective equipment, and advocacy to enhance the well-being of these women. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The fields of biomedicine and catalysis have both shown a great deal of interest in copper oxide nanoparticles (CuONPs). Green synthesis methods are being frequently employed to develop highly active CuONPs. This research investigates the potential photocatalytic and antibacterial applications of two CuONPs that were synthesized utilizing extracts from Dillenia indica (D‐CuONPs) and Mikania micrantha (M‐CuONPs) leaves. Analysis using electron microscopy revealed that CuONPs are uniformly spherical and average size around 15 nm. The development of single‐phase CuONPs with a monoclinic structure is shown by X‐ray diffraction studies. The FTIR peaks at 695 cm−1 and 860 cm−1 represent a stretching of Cu−O, signifying the formation of CuO nanostructure. The EDX profiles stated that the CuONPs are correlated with compliantly intensified Cu and O signals. Under solar irradiation, around 90 % of congo red (CR) dye was degraded by both CuONPs in 120 min, with the rate constants of 0.0187 and 0.0174 min−1, respectively. Furthermore, CuONPs have excellent antibacterial activity against bacteria belonging to both Gram classes. Overall, CuONPs hold great potential for inhibiting the growth of pathogenic bacteria and for degrading organic dyes in the presence of sunlight. As such, they can be manufactured on a large scale using plant sources. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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Introduction: Blood parasites pose a significant threat to livestock production in southern Egypt, yet there is a scarcity of information regarding their circulation and epidemiology in sheep in this region. This study aimed to investigate the seroprevalence of blood parasite infections in sheep in Assiut governorate, Upper Egypt. Methods: A total of 400 blood samples were collected from sheep of varying ages and genders. The preliminary screening for the presence of piroplasms, mainly Babesia and Theileria spp., via microscopic examination, followed by investigation of the potential risk factors linked with the exposure to infection. Moreover, molecular identification of both parasites on some of positive samples was performed using PCR targeting Babesia 18S rRNA and Theileria annulata Tams1 gene. Results: The microscopic examination revealed that among the examined sheep, there was an overall prevalence of blood parasites at 44% (176 out of 400), with Babesia spp. observed in 14% (56 out of 400) and Theileria spp. in 30% (120 out of 400). Furthermore, the infection rate was non-significantly higher in young animals (50%) compared to adults (38.5%) (P = 0.246). Male sheep exhibited a significantly higher vulnerability to both parasites’ infection (63.3%) compared to females (35.7%) (P = 0.011). Interestingly, the prevalence of both blood parasites was significantly higher during the cold season (66.1%) compared to the hot season (15.9%) (P = <0.001). The molecular analysis identified the presence of Babesia ovis and Theileria annulata among a subsample of the positive sheep’s bloods films. The identified species were recorded in the GenBankTM databases and assigned specific accession numbers (OQ360720 and OQ360719 for B. ovis), and (OP991838 for T. annulata). Conclusions: Taken together, this study confirms a high prevalence of piroplasmosis and oers epidemiological and molecular insights into blood parasites in sheep from Upper Egypt, highlighting the importance of detecting these parasites in various hosts and their competent vectors (ticks) [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Krüppel-like factor 4 (KLF4), a zinc finger transcription factor, is found in different human tissues and shows diverse regulatory activities in a cell-dependent manner. In the brain, KLF4 controls various neurophysiological and neuropathological processes, and its contribution to various neurological diseases has been widely reported. Parkinson's disease (PD) is an age-related neurodegenerative disease that might have a connection with KLF4. In this review, we discussed the potential implication of KLF4 in fundamental molecular mechanisms of PD, including aberrant proteostasis, neuroinflammation, apoptosis, oxidative stress, and iron overload. The evidence collected herein sheds new light on KLF4-mediated pathways, which manipulation appears to be a promising therapeutic target for PD management. However, there is a gap in the knowledge on this topic, and extended research is required to understand the translational value of the KLF4-oriented therapeutical approach in PD. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Smallholder farmers in developing nations face multifaceted challenges as they strive to secure fair prices for their agricultural products. With a primary focus on bolstering sustainable agricultural value chains (SAVC), this conceptual paper investigates the transformative potential of Financial Technology (FinTech) solutions. The study synthesizes insights from prior research on SAVC, hurdles faced by smallholder farmers, conventional strategies, and the untapped prospects offered by FinTech solutions in the agricultural sector. Utilizing the PRISMA strategy for comprehensive documentation retrieval, the study underscores the significance of creating a robust SAVC to empower smallholder farmers within the broader value chain landscape. It is found that Agri‐FinTech solutions represent a pivotal avenue for advancing living standards and cultivating agricultural sustainability in developing nations. The integration of FinTech solutions for agri‐credit mechanisms and product market facilitation catalyzes enabling pre‐production financing and ensures fair prices for smallholder farmers in the post‐production phase while neutralizing the value chain's exploitation potential. The study advocates for the expeditious adoption of information technology in developing countries, spotlighting the transformative role of Mobile Financial Services (MFS), which fortifies the agriculture sector, ensuring its resilience and responsiveness to the evolving demands of a globalized market. Drawing upon an evaluation of existing literature on FinTech‐enhanced agricultural initiatives in developing nations, the study outlines directions for future research and creates a path for a more nuanced understanding of the strategic enhancements necessary to fortify the SAVC, fostering a sustainable and equitable ecosystem for smallholder farmers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

AF9 (MLLT3) and its paralog ENL(MLLT1) are members of the YEATS family of proteins with important role in transcriptional and epigenetic regulatory complexes. These proteins are two common MLL fusion partners in MLL‐rearranged leukemias. The oncofusion proteins MLL‐AF9/ENL recruit multiple binding partners, including the histone methyltransferase DOT1L, leading to aberrant transcriptional activation and enhancing the expression of a characteristic set of genes that drive leukemogenesis. The interaction between AF9 and DOT1L is mediated by an intrinsically disordered C‐terminal ANC1 homology domain (AHD) in AF9, which undergoes folding upon binding of DOT1L and other partner proteins. We have recently reported peptidomimetics that disrupt the recruitment of DOT1L by AF9 and ENL, providing a proof‐of‐concept for targeting AHD and assessing its druggability. Intrinsically disordered proteins, such as AF9 AHD, are difficult to study and characterize experimentally on a structural level. In this study, we present a successful protein engineering strategy to facilitate structural investigation of the intrinsically disordered AF9 AHD domain in complex with peptidomimetic inhibitors by using maltose binding protein (MBP) as a crystallization chaperone connected with linkers of varying flexibility and length. The strategic incorporation of disulfide bonds provided diffraction‐quality crystals of the two disulfide‐bridged MBP–AF9 AHD fusion proteins in complex with the peptidomimetics. These successfully determined first series of 2.1–2.6 Å crystal complex structures provide high‐resolution insights into the interactions between AHD and its inhibitors, shedding light on the role of AHD in recruiting various binding partner proteins. We show that the overall complex structures closely resemble the reported NMR structure of AF9 AHD/DOT1L with notable difference in the conformation of the β‐hairpin region, stabilized through conserved hydrogen bonds network. These first series of AF9 AHD/peptidomimetics complex structures are providing insights of the protein–inhibitor interactions and will facilitate further development of novel inhibitors targeting the AF9/ENL AHD domain. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Food packaging is a multidisciplinary field that includes food science, chemistry, engineering materials sciences and microbiology. Food packaging has sparked great interest in protecting the freshness and quality of foods and their raw materials from oxidation and microbial spoilage. Nanotechnology, especially electrospinning, has shown promising results in fabricating sophisticated food packaging materials. The current paper aims to review, highlight, discuss and challenge the latest electrospun food packaging studies. We will not only summarize the studies but also challenge the applied methods, materials and results. Moreover, we offer a more practical point of view regarding the industrial translation of electrospun food packaging. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article aims to explore, investigate, and determine the prerequisites that learners (students) should possess for participating in and being adequately benefitted from digital (robotics-enabled) K–12 STEM education offered through intuitive human–robot interaction. We selected 23 middle school mathematics and science teachers who received training on how to design, develop, and implement robotics-enabled lessons. The teachers then implemented robotics-enabled lessons in actual classroom settings, and separately responded to a survey based on their training, classroom experiences and observations, and self-brainstorming. We derived a set of prerequisite knowledge, skills, and abilities, including their relative importance for the students by analyzing the survey responses. The results showed that the students should not only possess prerequisite knowledge in the subject matter, but also possess behavioral, social, scientific, cognitive, and intellectual skills and abilities to participate in and receive benefits from robotics-enabled human–robot interactive digital STEM education. Out of the many prerequisites, the computational thinking ability of students was identified as one of the most required prerequisites to participate in robotics-enabled digital STEM education. To validate the derived prerequisites, teachers separately assessed the fulfillment of prerequisites by 38 participating students, and the results showed user acceptance, effectiveness, and suitability of the derived prerequisites set. We also identified a set of limitations of the studies and proposed action plans to enable students to meet the prerequisites. The results presented herein can help determine required instructional efforts and scaffolds before implementing robotics-enabled digital STEM lessons, and thus foster incorporating technology-enhanced (robotics-enabled) digital STEM education into K–12 curricula. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Many industrial production lines today are initially constructed and outfitted with machinery that, despite its inherent capabilities, struggles to satisfy increasing demand over time. The goal of this research is to find solutions to bottlenecks and improve the efficiency of the production line to satisfy rising productivity demands. The study primarily looks at an existing bottle production line in the edible oil industry, where the product is witnessing a boom in demand. Data on processing times at various workstations and their capacities were thoroughly collected and analyzed. Simulation emerged as the preferred tool for investigating and addressing the production line's intrinsic difficulties. Using Microsoft Excel for statistical analysis, an existing simulation model was created using Flexsim simulation, a process-oriented simulation software, to detect bottlenecks in the production line using the Processor block in the simulation. As a result, a modified model was offered to reduce waiting times by 12%, increase productivity by 6%, and increase overall profitability while efficiently dealing with rising demand across all seasons. As a result, this research represents a complete effort to identify operational challenges and present viable solutions that correspond with the industry's changing objectives. The study aims to contribute to optimizing production lines by utilizing contemporary simulation tools and statistical analysis, guaranteeing that they stay adaptive and responsive in the face of rising productivity demands. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

One-dimensional pure and Ni-doped zinc oxide nanorods (NRs) were prepared by chemical bath technique. Some physical properties like optical, morphological and structural were examined for prepared NRs. The result of X-ray diffraction XRD was exposed that the crystal structure was hexagonal for both pure and Ni-doped NRs where there is no change in the crystal system but some small shifting in diffraction angle appeared. The chemical composition and the presence of Ni atoms in the ZnO were approved by EDX test. Additionally, morphology investigation of the scanning electron microscopy (SEM) is conducted and showed that the shape of prepared materials was NRs. A red shift in the absorption spectrum and band gap happened after doping with Ni where the energy gap dropped from 3.72 for ZnO to 3.5 eV for ZnO:Ni. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The present work covers the solar cell simulation of cadmium telluride (CdTe) by means of the SCAPS-1D simulation software. The impact of back contact type and operation temperature on operation parameters of solar cell was studied. For the present study, three different types of metals with different work functions have been used in simulation, i.e. silver (Ag), gold (Au) and platinum (Pt). The range of working temperature was 300–400 K. Simulation results confirmed that the back contact type and work functions and temperature strongly influence the parameters of solar cells, especially the PCE, wherein it has been found that the Pt gave a conversion efficiency of 5.7% and Au gave 2.01% efficiency and Ag with 0.04% and best temperature to work is 350 K. The influence of inserting cadmium sulphide (CdS) buffer coat had been studied, and the presence of CdS enhanced the solar cell work.aq [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this study, we report the structural, optical, and surface properties of copper oxide (CuO) nanostructures that were produced using the chemical co-precipitation process at various specified pH values ranging from 8 to 12. X-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy, and elemental analysis (EDX) were used to describe the structural properties of the produced nanostructures, while UV–visible spectroscopy was used to examine their optical properties. The study of X-ray diffractometer patterns indicates the pure phase formation of CuO and this purity loses when pH reach to 13 where the impurities presented in the CuO. scanning electron microscopy images show the structural changes from nanoparticles shape at (pH 8) to nanoflowers shape (pH 10). The absorption band of CuO nanoparticles shows a blue shift with increase of pH. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Lately, the significance of employing nanostructured materials for extracting organic solvents from various mediums has grown in different industries. This includes the development of innovative and versatile nano adsorbents. Computational methods, particularly those utilising dispersion corrected DFT approach, have proven to be powerful tools for investigating the nature of interactions and exploring molecular systems at the atomic level. In order to thoroughly investigate how Eriochrome Black T molecules cling to an o-B2N2 monolayer, we used the dispersion corrected DFT approach in this study. As part of our research, we looked at the fundamental causes of molecular scale experimental results. We used techniques including charge transfer, density of states, and molecular orbitals to investigate a variety of aspects, including energy and electrical elements. We also investigated the relationship between the sensor response (R) and the HOMO-LUMO energy gap. Particularly noteworthy were the o-B2N2 monolayer and EBT, both of which demonstrated significant chemisorption with an adsorption energy (Ead) of −1.11 eV. The conductivity of these devices significantly increased as EBT adsorption neared completion, demonstrating the potential of the o-B2N2 monolayer as a reliable electrical EBT sensor. Moreover, at 698 K, the projected recovery time for the sensor stands at 580 s. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In the classical insulin target tissues of liver, muscle, and adipose tissue, chronically elevated levels of free fatty acids (FFA) impair insulin signaling. Insulin signaling molecules are also present in β-cells where they play a role in β-cell function. Therefore, inhibition of the insulin/insulin-like growth factor 1 pathway may be involved in fat-induced β-cell dysfunction. To address the role of β-cell insulin resistance in FFA-induced β-cell dysfunction we co-infused bisperoxovanadate (BPV) with oleate or olive oil for 48 hours in rats. BPV, a tyrosine phosphatase inhibitor, acts as an insulin mimetic and is devoid of any antioxidant effect that could prevent β-cell dysfunction, unlike most insulin sensitizers. Following fat infusion, rats either underwent hyperglycemic clamps for assessment of β-cell function in vivo or islets were isolated for ex vivo assessment of glucose-stimulated insulin secretion (GSIS). We also incubated islets with oleate or palmitate and BPV for in vitro assessment of GSIS and Akt (protein kinase B) phosphorylation. Next, mice with β-cell specific deletion of PTEN (phosphatase and tensin homolog; negative regulator of insulin signaling) and littermate controls were infused with oleate for 48 hours, followed by hyperglycemic clamps or ex vivo evaluation of GSIS. In rat experiments, BPV protected against fat-induced impairment of β-cell function in vivo, ex vivo, and in vitro. In mice, β-cell specific deletion of PTEN protected against oleate-induced β-cell dysfunction in vivo and ex vivo. These data support the hypothesis that β-cell insulin resistance plays a causal role in FFA-induced β-cell dysfunction. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Currently available treatment options are mostly effective in achieving long-term cure in visceral leishmaniasis (VL) patients. However, there have been reports of recurrence of this illness in both immunosuppressed and immunocompetent patients. Case presentation: We report the first case of recurrent VL relapse in a 19-year-old immunocompetent female with functional hypopituitarism (hypogonadotropic hypogonadism with central hypothyroidism) from Bangladesh, who has been treated three times previously with optimal dosage and duration- liposomal amphotericin B (LAmB) alone and in combination with miltefosine. We treated the patient successfully with a modified treatment regimen of 10 mg/kg body weight LAmB for two consecutive days along with oral miltefosine for seven days as loading dose. For secondary prophylaxis, the patient received 3 mg/kg body weight LAmB along with oral miltefosine for seven days monthly for five doses followed by hormonal replacement. The patient remained relapse free after 12 months of her treatment completion. Conclusion: In the absence of protective vaccines against Leishmania species and standard treatment regimen, this modified treatment regimen could help the management of recurrent relapse cases. Author summary: Visceral leishmaniasis is a globally recognized neglected tropical disease, and Bangladesh is a major contributor of the global burden of this illness. In this article, we present a case on a 19-year-old immunocompetent female with pubertal delay, who has been diagnosed as a case of visceral leishmaniasis for 11 years and presented to us with recurrent relapses despite being treated with standard treatment regimens. The patient also developed functional hypopituitarism due to this chronic illness, which hindered her personal, familial, as well as social life. In scarcity of evidence of a standard treatment regimen for recurrent relapse cases, we treated her with high dose liposomal amphotericin B and miltefosine, along with secondary prophylaxis combining these two drugs with excellent result. Her pubertal delay was also addressed with utmost importance to re-establish her social confidence. This article could encourage physicians to outline an effective regimen to deal with these difficult-to-treat cases. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: We recently found that epiplakin 1 (EPPK1) alterations were present in 12% of lung adenocarcinoma (LUAD) cases and were associated with a poor prognosis in early-stage LUAD when combined with other molecular alterations. This study aimed to identify a probable crucial role for EPPK1 in cancer development. Methods: EPPK1 mRNA and protein expression was analyzed with clinical variables. Normal bronchial epithelial cell lines were exposed to cigarette smoke for 16 weeks to determine whether EPPK1 protein expression was altered after exposure. Further, we used CRISPR-Cas9 to knock out (KO) EPPK1 in LUAD cell lines and observed how the cancer cells were altered functionally and genetically. Results: EPPK1 protein expression was associated with smoking and poor prognosis in early-stage LUAD. Moreover, a consequential mesenchymal-to-epithelial transition was observed, subsequently resulting in diminished cell proliferation and invasion after EPPK1 KO. RNA sequencing revealed that EPPK1 KO induced downregulation of 11 oncogenes, 75 anti-apoptosis, and 22 angiogenesis genes while upregulating 8 tumor suppressors and 12 anti-cell growth genes. We also observed the downregulation of MYC and upregulation of p53 expression at both protein and RNA levels following EPPK1 KO. Gene ontology enrichment analysis of molecular functions highlighted the correlation of EPPK1 with the regulation of mesenchymal cell proliferation, mesenchymal differentiation, angiogenesis, and cell growth after EPPK1 KO. Conclusions: Our data suggest that EPPK1 is linked to smoking, epithelial to mesenchymal transition, and the regulation of cancer progression, indicating its potential as a therapeutic target for LUAD. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The establishment, development and abandonment and/or destruction of ancient civilizations were catalytically controlled by geomorphic features such as lakes and rivers and the climate. This paper examined the possible influence of tectonism and climate on six habitations of the ancient Vaigai River Basin civilization in South India, using multiple proxies such as grain size, geochronology and geochemistry of the sedimentary archives. The tectonic setting of the basin changed between the active margin and passive margin; the discriminant diagrams suggested varying provenance and changing climatic conditions over the mid‐ and‐late Holocene. Tectonic activism and quiescence, base‐level change in the channel morphology led to the burial/marooning of the first habitation surface. Overall, arid conditions were punctuated with catastrophic flooding and peak discharge (flood) destroyed the second, third and fourth habitation sites. These flooding events were characterized by moderate weathering (CIA) and high values of Al, Fe and Rb/Sr and low Ca/Mg in the sediment records. The abandonment/destruction of the fifth habitation also occurred during an arid interval (droughts), possibly caused by weak monsoon. Along with the interactions between tectono‐climatic and fluvial geomorphic factors, the new results provided avenues to (a) check and recognize the archives for 8.2 and 4.2 ka‐like events in this part of the world, and (b) the utility of integrated analyses to constrain on the civilizational histories of the mankind. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

THE POPULATION surge in Egypt has led to the conversion of agricultural land into urban areas, necessitating urgent agricultural expansion into new areas, particularly in the interference zone between the Nile valley and desert regions. To address this issue, this research study aims at assess the temporal and spatial land cover changes in West Samlout area, El-Minia government, Egypt using remote sensing data and to evaluate land capability and suitability for some agricultural crops. The study area, located in the Western Desert of Egypt, was analyzed using multi-temporal Landsat imagery (2011, 2016 and 2021) and Digital Elevation Models. The Soil Adjusted Vegetation Index (SAVI) was utilized to determine the spatial distribution and temporal changes of vegetation. Soil samples were collected and analyzed to determine soil attributes like depth, salinity, pH, calcium carbonate, and texture. Results showed that the vegetation areas were increased with 18.96 % during the period from 2011 to 2021. The annual rate of vegetation change was increased by 910.42 ha year1 through the same period. Land capability evaluation results showed that the study area was grouped into three grades; Grade 3 (1105.96 ha), grade 4 (20682.83 ha) and grade 5 (967.38 ha) represented 4.61%, 86.14% and 4.03 % of the examined area, respectively. The results of land suitability analysis illustrated that mango, citrus, and olives were the most appropriate fruit crops for the investigated area, where 83.8 5 %, 74.7 %, and 71.8 % of the total area were moderately suitable (S2), respectively. Moreover, barley and wheat were found to be highly suitable field crops. The highly suitable (S1) for barley and wheat covered 77.6% and 55% of the total area were, respectively. While, onion was the most suitable vegetable crop in the study area occupied an area of 2768.4 ha (11.5 %) and 19987.7 ha (83.2 %) as highly suitable (S1) and moderately suitable (S2), respectively. With regarding to the oil crops, the finding conducted that sunflower was the highest suitable crop in investigated area occupied 1914.2 ha and 20842.0 ha as highly suitable (S1) and moderately suitable (S2), respectively. Finally, sorghum and millets, as feed crops, were the most suitable crops occupied 82.1 % and 9.2 % of the total area as high suitable (S1), respectively. Furthermore, results indicated that the soil salinity, slope, depth, and coarse texture were the most limiting criteria for suitability. Overall, this research study provides valuable information for land use planning, agricultural development, and sustainable resource management in the West Samlout area, Egypt. The results emphasize the importance of remote sensing and spatial analysis techniques in understanding land cover changes and making informed decisions for agricultural expansion and development projects. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Two-dimensional (2D) MXenes, having comparable transport properties like graphene and a wide spectrum application, are often limited to being used in optoelectronics due to metallic bandgap. Here, by employing density functional theory we report the bandgap engineering and tuning optoelectronic properties through modulating the anions of novel 2D spinel Hf3X2O2 (X = N, P and As) MXenes structures and show that the material class can be among the few semiconducting MXenes. Phonon spectra and cohesive energies confirm that these structures are dynamically stable and chemically exothermic. Modulating anions X = N, P, and As in Hf3X2O2, the electronic bandgaps are found ∼0.46 eV for N, metallic for P, and ∼48 meV for As atoms, suggesting the semiconducting, metallic, and semi-metallic MXenes. The biaxial strains are incorporated to tune the features: In the Hf3N2O2 structure, the bandgap is increased with both compressive and tensile strains, while for the Hf3As2O2 structure, the gap decreased at the GGA-PBE level. For Hf3P2O2 structures, the bandgaps are all metallic irrespective of pristine or biaxial strain. Spin–orbit coupling SOC+GGA reveals that Hf3N2O2 is highly spin responsive while Hf3As2O2 shows semi-metal-to-metallic bandgap transition for pristine as well as biaxial strained conditions. From optical properties analysis, optical absorptions are found located in the visible spectral regions that are also highly receptive to biaxial strains. These properties we have unleashed for the novel Hf3X2O2 (X = N, P, As) semiconducting MXene, thus, show the potentiality of the utilization of the material class in nanoelectronics and optoelectronics applications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The objective was to investigate the impacts of the robot's dynamic affective expressions in task-related scenarios on human–robot collaboration (HRC) and performance in human–robot collaborative assembly tasks in flexible manufacturing. A human–robot hybrid cell was developed to facilitate a human co-worker and a robot to collaborate to assemble a few parts into a final product. The collaborative robot was a humanoid manufacturing robot with the ability to display its affective states due to changes in task scenarios on its face. The assembly task was divided into several subtasks, and based on an optimization strategy, the subtasks were optimally allocated to the human and the robot. A computational model of the robot's affective states was derived inspired by that of humans following the biomimetic approach, and an affect-based motion planning strategy for the robot was proposed to enable the robot to adjust its motions and behaviors with task situations and communicate (inform) the situations to the human co-worker through affective expressions. The HRC and the assembly performance for the affect-based motion planning were experimentally evaluated based on a comprehensive evaluation scheme and were compared with two alternative conditions: (i) motion planning that did not display affective states, and (ii) motion planning that displayed text messages instead of displaying affective states to communicate the situations to the human co-worker. The results clearly showed that the dynamic affect-based motion planning produced significantly better HRC and assembly performance than that produced by motion planning associated with the display of no affective states or text messages. The results encouraged employing manufacturing robots with dynamic affective expressions to collaborate with humans in flexible assembly in manufacturing to improve HRC and assembly performance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The hypoxic environment is prominently witnessed in most solid tumors and is associated with the promotion of cell proliferation, epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT), angiogenesis, metabolic reprogramming, therapeutic resistance, and metastasis of tumor cells. All the effects are mediated by the expression of a transcription factor hypoxia-inducible factor-1α (HIF-1α). HIF-1α transcriptionally modulates the expression of genes responsible for all the aforementioned functions. The stability of HIF-1α is regulated by many proteins and non-coding RNAs (ncRNAs). In this article, we have critically discussed the crucial role of ncRNAs [such as microRNAs (miRNAs), long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs), circular RNAs (circRNAs), Piwi-interacting RNAs (piRNAs), and transfer RNA (tRNA)-derived small RNAs (tsRNAs)] in the regulation of stability and expression of HIF-1α. We have comprehensively discussed the molecular mechanisms and relationship of HIF-1α with each type of ncRNA in either promotion or repression of human cancers and therapeutic resistance. We have also elaborated on ncRNAs that are in clinical examination for the treatment of cancers. Overall, the majority of aspects concerning the relationship between HIF-1α and ncRNAs have been discussed in this article. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Anemia is a public health problem, especially in developing countries. All over the world iron deficiency is the main cause of anemia, especially during pregnancy. Pregnant women belong to the most vulnerable population group in Iraq. The objective: to determine the impact of pregnancy on hematological parameters and to compare the hematological indicators in different periods of gestation with the indicators of non-pregnant women. Materials and methods. The study was conducted over a three-month period at Baghdad hospitals and medical centers, including Baghdad Teaching Hospital, Al-Karam Hospital, and a health center in Al-Dorrah and Al-Shaab, Baghdad province, from September 1 to December 1, 2022. 60 pregnant women, 20 persons in each trimester, and 25 non-pregnant women (control) aged 18–35 years were included in the study. All participants were examined for hematological parameters: hemoglobin, erythrocytes, packed cell volume (PCV), mean corpuscular volume (MCV), mean corpuscular hemoglobin (MCH), measured of the concentration of hemoglobin in red blood cells (MCHC) and determined the level of iron in the blood (serum iron – SI, total iron binding capacity – TIBC, transferrin saturation – TS and serum ferritin – SF). Results. A significant decrease in the hematological indicators of pregnant women in the first trimester of pregnancy compared to non-pregnant women was established – hemoglobin, erythrocytes, PCV, MCH, MCHC. The dynamics of the decrease in the level of these parameters increases in the second trimester, and also progressively decreases in the third trimester, which leads to anemia. Starting from the first trimester and during the second and third trimesters, a decrease in the level of serum iron, transferrin saturation and serum ferritin was found in pregnant women compared to non-pregnant women, but the level of TIBC increased. During the second trimester, the need for iron begins to increase and continues to growth until the end of pregnancy. In addition, these research results indicate the importance of iron deficiency in the development of iron deficiency anemia. Conclusions. During pregnancy, anemia and a decrease in the level of some hematological parameters were determined, which progresses with increasing gestational age and is less compared to that in non-pregnant women. A decrease in the level of iron in the blood serum was established from the first to the third trimester of pregnancy. The severity of anemia is related to many factors, especially age, education level, low income, type of diet and parity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Citrus aurantium L. is grown in developed and developing countries as its fruit is edible, and it is rich in minerals, vitamins, antioxidants, and other nutrients. During the present study, a total of 18 genotypes of sour orange (Citrus aurantium L.) were selected from different locations of Dir Lower, KPK Pakistan for the estimation of genetic diversity through morphological and phytochemical characterization using GC-MS. For morphological characterization, a total of 19 parameters (12 qualitative and 07 quantitative) were recorded. A significant variation was found for most of the qualitative and quantitative traits. A significant level of coefficient of variance was observed for leaf lamina length and fruit volume (20%), leaf lamina width (16%), and the number of segments (14%), while a low level of coefficient of variance was recorded in fruit diameter (6.5%), fruit length (6.8%). Based on correlation analysis, a significant amount of correlation was found for leaf lamina width with leaf lamina length (0.598**), fruit length with fruit diameter (0.942**), fruit weight with fruit diameter (0.958**), and fruit length (0.883**), similarly fruit volume was found to have correlated with fruit diameter (0.998**), fruit length (0.945**) and fruit weight (0.960**). Principal component analysis with an Eigenvalue of (0.760) was found to account for 98.469% of the overall variation reported among the 18 Citrus aurantium L. genotypes. Through GC-MS analysis a total of 105 phytochemical compounds were identified, in the essential oil (Eos) of four Citrus genotypes, these genotypes were selected based on contrasting morphological traits, and the maximum number of compounds (28) were found in the EOs of sample 5 and sample 6. While the minimum (23) was found in sample 7. For antioxidant activities, the highest scavenging potential (43.63%) was observed in sample 8 and the lowest was recorded in sample 6 (21.48%). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]