Search

The prevalence of microplastics in soil has recently attracted substantial interest as they pose a major threat to the agricultural ecosystem. Microplastics (MPs), though widely found in marine habitats and explored in detail, their presence in agricultural soil remains relatively unexplored. Microplastics are entering the environment either directly through manufactured particles or those originating from the breakdown of larger macroplastics. In soil, microplastics can be transported both horizontally and vertically through the soil fauna. Hence, in order to understand the possible threats posed by microplastics in soil to the environment, this review aims in conducting a meta – analysis to integrate the recent studies in sources, fate and migration of microplastics into agriculture, impacts on soil health, trophic transfers to food chains and the associated adverse impact on soil biota. Results reveals that major sources of microplastics in soil includes sludge followed by wastewater and mulch film. Its effect on soil properties depends on the soil type, size, concentration and type of polymer. Though the occurrence of microplastics in soil has been reported in various countries, its presence in various other countries is still unexplored. Furthermore, several studies validates the effect of microplastics on soil biota at various trophic stages and even endanger human health by food chains. MPs exert both ecotoxicity and genotoxicity in plants. It delays germination by affecting both the vegetative and reproductive growth of plants. It also affects the ecosystem through the sorption of organic and inorganic pollutants. Nevertheless, detailed insights on the effect of microplastics on soil beneficial organisms and the trophic transfer onto humans requires further studies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: By 2023, COVID-19 had caused 6.8 million deaths in the United States. COVID-19 presents more severely in leukemia compared to solid tumors (OR 1.6, p<0.05). However, data on Acute Myeloid Leukemia (AML) and Myelodysplastic Syndrome (MDS) are limited. We investigated the mortality in AML and MDS patients with COVID-19. Methods: Data from the 2020-2021 National Inpatient Sample was used to conduct a cross-sectional analysis. We identified AML and MDS patients with COVID-19 hospitalizations through ICD-10 codes. Analysis was done by propensity matching and multivariate regression with a p-value of ≤0.05. Results: Of 28,028 AML admissions, 336 (1.2%) were admitted for COVID-19. AML-COVID-19 cohort had a lower hospitalization risk (aOR 0.3, p=0.000) and higher mortality (21.7% vs 8.7%; aOR 1.6, p=0.023) than AML patients admitted for other causes. AML patients post-HSCT (Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation) had a higher risk of COVID-19 (20.2% vs 9.8%; aOR 2.6, p=0.000) and increased mortality (19.1% vs 6.7%; aOR 4.1, p=0.000) compared to other causes. Similarly, of 28,148 MDS patients, 769 (2.7%) were admitted for COVID-19. The MDS-COVID-19 cohort had a lower hospitalization risk (aOR 0.59, p=0.000) and higher mortality (19.6% vs 6.6%; aOR 2.2, p=0.000) compared to other causes. In MDS, HSCT did not alter the risk of COVID-19 hospitalizations (3% vs 3.9%; aOR 0.9, p=0.662), but these patients had higher mortality (17.4% vs 5.1%; aOR 4.0, p=0.032). Conclusion: COVID-19 hospitalization was low in AML and MDS but carried a high mortality risk. Post-HSCT, the mortality is high, warranting research into understanding the underlying factors. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study investigated the impact of Candida tropicalis NITCSK13 on sugarcane bagasse (SCB) consolidated bioprocessing (CSB) using various parameters, such as pH, steam explosion (STEX) pretreatment, and temperature (at two different temperatures, cellulose hydrolysis and ethanol fermentation). The backpropagation neural network (BPNN) method simulated the optimal CSB conditions, achieving a maximum ethanol yield of 44 ± 0.32 g/L (0.443 g of ethanol/g of SCB) from STEX pretreated SCB within 48 h at 55 °C for cellulose hydrolysis and 33 °C for ethanol fermentation and pH 3.5. The simulated conditions were experimentally validated and showed an R2 value of 0.998 and absolute average deviation (AAD) of 1.23%. The strain NITCSK13 also exhibited a high ethanol tolerance of 16% (v/v). The interactions between the inhibitors, cellobiose, furfural, and thermocellulase were assessed through molecular docking. The results revealed a maximum inhibitory constant of 3.7 mM for furfural against the endoglucanase (EnG) of Humicola insolens (2ENG) at 50 °C. Acremonium chrysogenum endoglucanase (5M2D) exhibited a maximum of 88.7 µM for cellobiose at 50 °C. The SWISS homology model of EnG from Candida viswanathii exhibited inhibitory effects similar to those of EnG from Thermoascus and Thermotoga, indicating that the moderately thermophilic yeast Candida sp. cellulase may be capable of efficiently tolerating inhibitors and could be a promising candidate for consolidated bioprocessing of cellulosic ethanol. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In the building industry, concrete is widely utilised as a foundation. In the construction of superstructures, structural concrete, slab construction, stair construction, and architectural components are all utilised. The most frequent components of concrete are cement, fine aggregate, coarse aggregate made of shattered stones or gravels, chemical admixtures, and water. During the curing or hardening process, concrete will shrink slightly. This shrinkage generates strain in the freshly poured concrete, resulting in shrinkage fractures. To rule out this problem, bioconcrete was employed, which is made up of microorganisms that can precipitate calcium carbonate and aid in crack sealing, giving it a self-healing capacity. These are considered to be more cost-effective, eco-friendly, and require less maintenance. Due to the formation of the microcracks leads to the failure of the structure due to corrosion. The importance and efficiency of bioconcrete madding using four different microorganisms—Bacillus subtilis, Brevibacillus sp., Bacillus megaterium, and Microvirga sp. are discussed in this paper. It has been found that the bioconcrete made using Bacillus subtilis had higher compressive strength of 50.37 N/mm2 followed by Brevibacillus sp. with the compressive strength of 42.81 N/mm2 [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Hybrid ramie/flax natural fiber reinforcement along with epoxy resin is used as the matrix material in this research. Compression molding was adopted as the fabrication method. Ramie/flax at 40 wt. % and 1 cm fiber length showed a better tensile strength of 32.67 MPa than other combinations. Hybrid fiber combination from 30 to 40 wt. % created a strong compatibility between fiber/matrix phase and improved stress transfer behavior along with elastic deformation. Flexural strength results showed enhancement from 43.75 to 52.47 MPa with fiber addition and varying fiber length up to 40 wt. % and 0.5 cm. Impact strength of the hybrid combinations increased from 10.23 to 15.97 kJ/m2. A 5 % NaOH treatment had significant tensile properties varying from 28.42 to 32.67 MPa compared to untreated and 8 % surface treated fibers. Alkali treatment a revealed 49.83–52.47 MPa and 49.12–49.99 MPa flexural strength. Maximum tensile strength of 33.46 MPa was observed under a combination of 120 °C temperature, 12 MPa pressure, and 7 min duration. High pressure, high operating temperature and time, lead to a decline in the mechanical properties of the polymer composites. The SEM analysis showed that the combination with 40 wt. % natural fiber had good fiber distribution leading to better properties. Research works dealing with natural fiber addition, fabrication conditions, and surface treatments are rare. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Cement and concrete are the most crucial and dominating engineering materials in the construction sector. Cement serves as an excellent binder for concrete and when it is treated under unusual conditions either to satisfy accelerating or retarding requirements by the construction industries, admixtures role comes into the effect. The construction industry has been searching for retarding admixtures and the optimal dosage level, particularly for ready mix concrete applications. Generally the retarding admixtures such as organic retarders (lignosulphonates, hydroxycarboxylic acids and their salts, phosphonates, sugars) or inorganic retarders (phosphonates, borates) were generally used to reduce the speed of the reaction between cement and water by altering the growth of the hydration products and/or limiting the rate of water penetration to the cement particles. The research was still in its infancy stage in terms of determining not just the appropriate dosage amount, but also the ideal retarder materials for the aforementioned uses. In considering this industrial need, an attempt was made on utilizing the usage of sugar in the concrete to study the retarding effect without affecting the strength properties of cement. The sugars usage levels were at 5, 10, 15, and 20% of the usage of cement to investigate consistency, setting time, compressive strength and micro structure properties at the curing age of 7, 14 and 28 days on the mortar specimens. The conclusions of the study reported that setting time was extended with increase of the dosage levels of sugar. However in considering the strength property, less than 5% of sugar dosage level can be better for the application as retarding agent in the industry applications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Reifegerste and independently, Petersen and Tenner studied a statistic drops on permutations in S n . Two other studied statistics on S n are depth and exc . Using descents in canonical reduced words of elements in S n , we give an involution f A : S n ↦ S n that leads to a neat formula for the signed trivariate enumerator of drops , depth , exc in S n . This gives a simple formula for the signed univariate drops enumerator in S n . For the type-B Coxeter group B n , using similar techniques, we show analogous univariate results. For the type-D Coxeter group, we get analogous but inductive univariate results. Under the famous Foata-Zeilberger bijection ϕ FZ which takes permutations to restricted Laguerre histories, we show that permutations π and f A (π) map to the same Motzkin path, but have different history components. Using the Foata-Zeilberger bijection, we also get a continued fraction for the generating function enumerating the pair of statistics drops and MAD . Graham and Diaconis determined the mean and the variance of the Spearman metric of disarray D (π) when one samples π from S n at random. As an application of our results, we get the mean and variance of the statistic drops (π) when we sample π from A n at random. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This work presents an investigation on the quality of parts manufactured using fused deposition modeling (FDM), which is influenced by a large number of different elements. Some of which are based on the materials used in the production of the part, though others are rather pertinent to the process parameters. The manufacturing process and filament formulation has also a significant impact on the cost of the final product, as well as its physical, mechanical, and thermal properties. As the result, judicious combination of parameters can effectively act toward fine‐tuning FDM toward three‐dimensional printing (3DP) of pieces with quality fit‐for‐application. In this sense, the use of design of experiments (DOEs) is often needed for the purpose. Printing process parameters, including layer height, wall thickness, temperature, printing velocity, and tool path, have been discussed, in the understanding that 3DP time increases with decreasing layer thickness, and in turn increases production time and overall cost. A specific account is given on recent developments increasingly and more thoroughly focused on recognizing the impact of the process parameters and raw materials on the final product. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Therapeutic deep eutectic solvents (THEDES) are a type of deep eutectics that can be used as active pharmaceutical ingredients (APIs) by enhancing the drug bioavailability, by increasing the solubility of APIs in aqueous solutions or by increasing their permeability through biological barriers. In this study, we demonstrate the utility of designer THEDES, based on Quillaja Saponin (SAP), a triterpene natural product to unravel the antimicrobial potential of such THEDES. THEDES were prepared by gently mixing and heating five different α- hydroxy acids- malic, citric, tartaric, glycolic, lactic acids and SAP with water as a third component in the THEDES. The antimicrobial assays were performed with the as-prepared SAP-THEDES and among the panel of bacterial strains, saponin-malic acid THEDES [SMA-THEDES] displayed potent activity in disassembling PA biofilms, demonstrating that the SMA-THEDES can serve as therapeutic antibacterial biomaterials. To further optimize, a Box-Behnken- response surface methodology (RSM) experimental design was done and at the optimum conditions of SAP (1.014 m.mol), Malic acid (1.003 m.mol), Water (0.117 m.mol), SMA-THEDES exhibited maximum MIC of P. aeruginosa with the minimum absorbance at 590 nm of 0.105. The effectiveness of SMA-THEDES as antibiofilm agents on P. aeruginosa with the mechanism studies have been explored. The colony count from the in vivo infection zebrafish model in the treatment group showed a decline of > 2 fold for SMA-THEDES. Toxicity studies did not reveal any abnormality in liver and brain enzyme levels. Liver morphology images show no severe cytological alterations when treated with SMA-THEDES and were almost similar to the normal liver. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This research mainly focused on studying the influence of various curing media on the properties of lightweight geopolymer composites. Here, Ground Granulated Blast furnace Slag (GGBS), Paddy straws, and the combination of sodium silicate and sodium hydroxide at the ratio of 2.5:1 were used to produce geopolymer composites. For this experiment, two different parameters, i.e., variation of paddy straw (0, 5, 10, 15, and 20%) and variation of curing media (Intermittent, Heat, and Saline water), were chosen. The compressive strength of a 20% addition of paddy straw is dramatically reduced by 88.6%, while the density is reduced to 40.42%. Maximum flexure and tensile strength were noted as 65.11 and 45.5%, respectively, for the 15% addition of paddy straw. An interesting fact found from the samples cured under Saline water enhanced the overall compressive strength, tensile and flexural strength by 12.85, 45.5, and 21.2%, respectively, compared to the other two curing media. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this article, a 12 switch 31 L multi-level inverter (MLI) is proposed with the benefits of least switching devices for electric vehicle applications. In most electric vehicles (EV), conventional inverters are utilized so the lifetime of electric vehicle induction motors is reduced due to the high THD level and high voltage stress. To rectify this, a new inverter topology is proposed with minimum switching devices by increasing the level to 31, and also the THD should be maintained within IEEE standards. This inverter topology is constructed with variable DC sources (PV system) along with required capacitors and a polarity changer. The specific feature of this topology is that it can generate any level of voltage with minimum switching devices, less voltage stress, minimum THD, and less cost are tabulated in the comparison. This type of inverter can also applicable for high voltage (HV) applications and grid-connected systems. Furthermore, the proposed topology is simulated with MATLAB software and the downscale prototype model is developed using the DSPIC30f2010 controller. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study utilized Calamus tenuis fiber as reinforcement in fiber-reinforced polymer composites, focusing on the structural, crystalline, thermal, tensile, and morphological properties of Calamus tenuis fiber-reinforced epoxy composites (CTF/Epoxy composites). The composites were fabricated using the hand lay-up method, incorporating fiber weight fractions ranging from 0 wt% (neat epoxy) to 25 wt%, increasing in 5 wt% increments. FTIR spectroscopy identified the chemical compounds and functional groups, while XRD analysis confirmed that the crystalline structure of the composites remained unchanged with the addition of Calamus tenuis fibers. Thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) revealed that the 10 wt% CTF/Epoxy composite exhibited the highest thermal stability among the tested compositions. Differential Scanning Calorimetry (DSC) analysis indicated an increased glass transition temperature (Tg) in the 10 wt% CTF/Epoxy composite, further confirming improved thermal stability. Notably, the 10 wt% fiber content led to significant improvements in tensile properties, with tensile strength increasing from 17.5 ± 1.42 MPa to 21.08 ± 1.03 MPa, and Young's modulus rising from 2.53 ± 0.12 GPa to 2.84 ± 0.09 GPa. Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) demonstrated enhanced fiber-epoxy bonding, while Atomic Force Microscopy (AFM) indicated increased roughness with higher fiber loadings. Overall, the 10 wt% CTF/Epoxy composite shows substantial potential for structural and infrastructure applications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this article, the strong class of bi-close-to-convex functions of order α and β in n-fold symmetric bi-univalent functions, which is the subclass of σ , is introduced. The upper bound value for a n + 1 , a 2 n + 1 for functions in these classes are obtained. Moreover, the Fekete–Szegö relation for our classes of functions are established. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In the present work, the authors introduce a new linear differential operator associated with $ q $-calculus which uses the $ q $-derivative operator. For the new class involving the linear differential operator, interesting properties like coefficient inequality, growth, distortion, convolution and radii of starlikeness are established. Various connections of the present class with that of the earlier works are pointed out. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: By 2023, COVID-19 had caused 6.8 million deaths in the United States. COVID-19 presents more severely in leukemia compared to solid tumors (OR 1.6, p<0.05). However, data on Acute Myeloid Leukemia (AML) and Myelodysplastic Syndrome (MDS) are limited. We investigated the mortality in AML and MDS patients with COVID-19. Methods: Data from the 2020-2021 National Inpatient Sample was used to conduct a cross-sectional analysis. We identified AML and MDS patients with COVID-19 hospitalizations through ICD-10 codes. Analysis was done by propensity matching and multivariate regression with a p-value of =0.05. Results: Of 28,028 AML admissions, 336 (1.2%) were admitted for COVID-19. AML-COVID-19 cohort had a lower hospitalization risk (aOR 0.3, p=0.000) and higher mortality (21.7% vs 8.7%; aOR 1.6, p=0.023) than AML patients admitted for other causes. AML patients post-HSCT (Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation) had a higher risk of COVID-19 (20.2% vs 9.8%; aOR 2.6, p=0.000) and increased mortality (19.1% vs 6.7%; aOR 4.1, p=0.000) compared to other causes. Similarly, of 28,148 MDS patients, 769 (2.7%) were admitted for COVID-19. The MDS-COVID-19 cohort had a lower hospitalization risk (aOR 0.59, p=0.000) and higher mortality (19.6% vs 6.6%; aOR 2.2, p=0.000) compared to other causes. In MDS, HSCT did not alter the risk of COVID-19 hospitalizations (3% vs 3.9%; aOR 0.9, p=0.662), but these patients had higher mortality (17.4% vs 5.1%; aOR 4.0, p=0.032). Conclusion: COVID-19 hospitalization was low in AML and MDS but carried a high mortality risk. Post-HSCT, the mortality is high, warranting research into understanding the underlying factors. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this work we developed a hydrothermal method for synthesizing amorphous Ni−Co hydroxide (NC(OH)) and in the subsequent step crystalline NiCo2O4 (NCO) has been produced using water as the solvent. For nickel‐zinc batteries, NC(OH) was found to have superior performance to its NCO prepared by two‐step process. The thermal stability analysis exhibited the optimum temperature to obtain the NC(OH), and NCO electrode materials. The XRD pattern showed mixed phases containing both Ni and Co hydroxides (during the initial step) and in the subsequent step (calcined) the formation of cubic spinel structure was noticed. For NC(OH), aggregated particles with irregular morphology were observed while clustered nanorod‐like shapes were noticed for NCO samples. To be noted, that the nanorod morphology was obtained through a facile approach without employing any structure‐directing agent. Both NC(OH) and NCO were employed as cathodes for Ni−Zn battery studies against Zn foil anode with a polyamide‐based separator soaked in 6 M KOH saturated with ZnO additive was used as electrolyte. The Ni−Zn cell was fabricated in CR2032 coin cell configuration. The electrochemical studies such as cyclic voltammetry (CV) showed the characteristic redox peaks for NC(OH) sample exhibiting high peak current compared to its NCO counterpart. The NC(OH) had a capacity of 268 mAh g−1 against 120 mAh g−1 for NCO at a current density of 1 Ag−1. The cell was able to retain 85 % of the capacity at the end of 500 cycles and showed remarkable rate capability. The Ni−Zn battery presents energy and power densities of 428.8 Wh Kg−1 and 2.68 kW Kg−1, respectively surpassing the normal values reported for aqueous rechargeable batteries. Owing to the presence of Ni and Co in hydroxide form (reduced crystallinity) the NC(OH) sample showed improved electrochemical activity. This work provides a facile approach and effective strategy for developing bimetallic hydroxides for optimal energy storage performance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective Bisphenol A (BPA) is a ubiquitous pollutant worldwide and 4-Methyl-2,4-bis(4-hydroxyphenyl)pent-1-ene (MBP) is considered a major active metabolite of BPA with a wide range of potent toxicological properties. However, its adverse outcome pathway (AOP) on the hepatic and renal system has not yet been explored. Methods Hence, the current study evaluated its effect on cell survival, oxidative stress, and apoptosis. In addition, the influence of signalling pathways on cytotoxicity and ROS generating enzymes (NOX2 and XO) on oxidative stress was explored by siRNA knockdown experiments. Further, its molecular interaction with SOD, CAT, and HSA (molecular docking and dynamics) was evaluated and validated with spectroscopy (fluorescence and FTIR) based methods. Results The outcome indicates that MBP exposure dose dependently increased the cytotoxic response, oxidative stress, and apoptosis in both hepatocytes and kidney cells. Further, MAPK signalling pathways and oxidative stress influenced the overall cytotoxic response in both cells. In addition, the stimulatory (NOX2 and XO) and inhibitory (SOD and CAT) effects of MBP were observed, along with a robust interaction with HSA. Conclusions The overall observation illustrates that MBP exposure adversely impacts hepatic and renal cells through oxidative stress and relevant molecular pathways which may connect the missing links during risk assessment of BPA. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The antibacterial performance of biocomposite films prepared from lignocellulosic waste (hazelnut husk or hazelnut leafy green cover) modified with silver nanoparticles and polylactic acid (PLA) was determined. The amount of hazelnut husk in the PLA matrix ranged from 10 to 40% by weight in 10% increments. The composite pellets were produced using a twin-screw extruder. Biocomposite films of 0.6 mm x 40 mm x 200 mm were produced from the pellets in a laboratory hydraulic hot press. The surfaces of the modified hazelnut husk and biocomposite specimens were analyzed by scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectrometry (ICP-OES). The antibacterial activity of the biocomposite films against Staphylococcus aureus bacteria was determined using the ASTM E 2149 (2020) method. The antibacterial activity of the biocomposite films increased noticeably with the addition of hazelnut husk modified with the silver nanoparticles. Compared to the pure PLA film, the biocomposite films with 10 wt% modified husk flour showed the lowest antibacterial activity (31.3%) against S. aureus over 24-h while the films with 40 wt% showed the highest antibacterial activity (99.9%). The biocomposite films made of hazelnut husk flour with silver nanoparticles and PLA matrix could be considered for food packaging applications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This review highlights potential application areas for carbon-based molecular nanoparticles, such as carbon dots, carbon nanotubes, graphene quantum dots, and carbon quantum dots. The success of nanomanufacturing hinges on robust collaboration between academia and industry to advance applicable manufacturing techniques. Choosing the right approach is crucial, one that integrates the carbon base of nanomaterials with the required properties and impurities, as well as the scalability of the process. Molecular, in this context, refers to the nanoscale carbon structures that form the basis of these materials, including their arrangement, bonding, and properties at the molecular level. The article also explores the characterization of different types of molecular nanomaterials. Nanomaterials are increasingly used in almost every contemporary industry, including construction, textiles, manufacturing, and computing. This article reviews the most prominent sectors globally that employ nanomaterials. Biomasses containing lignin, cellulose, and hemicellulose have become some of the most extensively studied. Initially, rice waste was utilized for bulk materials, but lately, the production of multifunctional materials has surged in interest. Carbon nanostructures derived from rice waste offer a broad spectrum of applications and enhanced biocompatibility. Recent advancements, challenges, and trends in the development of multifunctional carbon-based nanomaterials from renewable rice waste resources are considered. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Fibers collected from the husk of areca nut trees were chopped to a length of 30 mm and were either used as such or subjected to alkaline treatment by immersion in a 5% sodium hydroxide (NaOH) solution. The untreated and treated fibers were investigated using thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) before the fabrication of composites using an epoxy matrix. Different amounts of fibers were introduced in the matrix, fabricating the composite by compression molding. The composites were subjected to tensile, flexural, and Charpy impact and Shore D hardness testing, which all demonstrated the considerable advantage obtained with the growing quantity of fibers, especially when employing treated fibers, except in the case of hardness, where limited advantages were encountered. Wear tests were carried out on treated fiber composites and the surface morphology of the worn-out samples was studied, which also demonstrated the improvement in fiber-matrix bonding obtained with the growing amount of fibers. The main limitation of the fibers was their low elongation even after treatment. The fibers hardly reached 4%, which might represent a quite normal value for this kind of fibers, possibly due to with tendency to fibrillation. This would somehow compare these composites with others with similar amounts and lengths of natural fibers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The current research aims to develop a hybrid surface engineering process combining electrodeposition and ultrasonic shot peening (USP) to enhance surface-mechanical properties and coating strength. A thin nickel coating was deposited on the copper substrate through an electrodeposition process and the coating contained few microcracks and pits. The obtained coating was ultrasonically shot peened with different peening times and the number of peening shots (balls). The microstructural evolution, phase analysis, surface hardness, and scratch resistance of nickel coatings and peened coatings were characterized and discussed. The impact of peening based on duration and quantity of shots (ball), which induced grain refinement and compressive residual stress on the surface of the coating has been investigated. The multi-impact shots at a high velocity strike the coated surface and reduce the thickness of the electrodeposited nickel, creating better adhesion. The peening treatment resulted in enhancing the microhardness of the coated nickel from 123 Hv to 328 Hv. The tensile residual stress of coated nickel has been converted into compressive nature. The plastic deformation developed on the coated surface by USP and other factors lowered the coefficient of friction and enhanced the scratch resistance of the coating. Based on the result, it was established that USP has a broad and effective strengthening approach for the nickel coating deposited on soft substrate to increase its compactness and strength. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this article, using the Sǎlǎgean operator, we introduced three new subclasses of bi-univalent functions associated with bounded boundary rotation in open unit disk E. For these new classes, we first obtain initial Taylor-Maclaurin's coefficient bounds. Furthermore, the famous Fekete-Szegö inequality was also derived for these new subclass functions. Some improved results, when compared with those available in the literature, are also stated. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The present work critically analyses the thermal characteristics of diverse molar (0.03, 0.06, and 0.09 M) Ag decorated GO hybrid nanofluids at constant 0.05 wt.%. The study broadly encompassed the synthesis, characterization, stability, thermophysical properties, reactivity, and contact angle measurements on copper substrates using varied molar Ag-GO hybrid nanofluids. The thermal impact of these hybrid nanofluids was evaluated across a temperature range of 293–333 K, encompassing thermal conductivity, specific heat, viscosity, surface tension, and density. The results illustrate that increasing the molarity of Ag over GO significantly influenced the thermal properties of the hybrid nanofluids. Notably, the most substantial improvements in thermal conductivity are observed at 333 K, reaching 30.12, 22.63, and 17.13% for 0.09, 0.06, and 0.03 M Ag-GO, respectively, compared to the base fluid. Furthermore, central composite design approach (CCD) was employed to establish correlations between the experimental and predicted thermal conductivity enhancement ratio (K-ratio) results. In conclusion, these studies underscore a promising insight that the optimizing of Ag molarity in GO hybrid nanofluids holds substantial potential for enhancing heat transfer performance across diverse heat transfer applications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aim. The present study sought to evaluate the cardiovascular morphology and associated anomalies in patients with interrupted aortic arch (IAA) on CT angiography. Materials and Methods. A retrospective review of our departmental database was conducted to identify patients diagnosed with IAA on CT angiography between January 2014 and September 2022. The demographic information, anatomic characteristics, and associated cardiovascular abnormalities in patients with IAA were assessed. The morphological types of IAA were described in accordance with Celoria–Patton classification. Results. IAA was seen in 49 patients (32 males and 17 females; mean age: 15.9 months). The most common type of IAA based on the site of interruption was type A seen in 27/49 (55.1%) patients, while type B was observed in 22/49 (44.9%) patients. No patient of type C IAA was encountered in the current series. The most commonly associated cardiovascular anomaly was patent ductus arteriosus (PDA) seen in 45/49 (91.8%) patients. Atrial septal defect was seen in 15/49 (30.6%) patients, while 39/49 (79.6%) patients had a ventricular septal defect (VSD). Common arterial trunk was the most common abnormal ventriculo‐arterial connection seen in 13/49 (26.5%) patients. Aorto‐pulmonary window was associated with 7/49 (14.3%) patients. Conclusion. IAA is a rare congenital heart defect associated with an array of cardiovascular anomalies, most common being PDA and VSD. CT angiography is useful not only in diagnosing and characterizing the IAA but also in identifying associated anomalies which may have a bearing on the clinical presentation, prognosis, and surgical management. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The MD-2-related lipid-recognition (ML/Md-2) domain is a lipid/sterol-binding domain that are involved in sterol transfer and innate immunity in eukaryotes. Here we report a genome-wide survey of this family, identifying 84 genes in 30 fungi including plant pathogens. All the studied species were found to have varied ML numbers, and expansion of the family was observed in Rhizophagus irregularis (RI) with 33 genes. The molecular docking studies of these proteins with cholesterol derivatives indicate lipid-binding functional conservation across the animal and fungi kingdom. The phylogenetic studies among eukaryotic ML proteins showed that Puccinia ML members are more closely associated with animal (insect) npc2 proteins than other fungal ML members. One of the candidates from leaf rust fungus Puccinia triticina, Pt5643 was PCR amplified and further characterized using various studies such as qRT-PCR, subcellular localization studies, yeast functional complementation, signal peptide validation, and expression studies. The Pt5643 exhibits the highest expression on the 5th day post-infection (dpi). The confocal microscopy of Pt5643 in onion epidermal cells and N. benthamiana shows its location in the cytoplasm and nucleus. The functional complementation studies of Pt5643 in npc2 mutant yeast showed its functional similarity to the eukaryotic/yeast npc2 gene. Furthermore, the overexpression of Pt5643 also suppressed the BAX, NEP1, and H₂O₂-induced program cell death in Nicotiana species and yeast. Altogether the present study reports the novel function of ML domain proteins in plant fungal pathogens and their possible role as effector molecules in host defense manipulation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Obesity has been associated with a chronic increase in sympathetic nerve activity, which can lead to hypertension and other cardiovascular diseases. Preliminary studies from our lab found that oxidative stress and neuroinflammation in the brainstem contribute to sympathetic overactivity in high-fat-diet-induced obese mice. However, with glial cells emerging as significant contributors to various physiological processes, their role in causing these changes in obesity remains unknown. In this study, we wanted to determine the role of palmitic acid, a major form of saturated fatty acid in the high-fat diet, in regulating sympathetic outflow. Human brainstem astrocytes (HBAs) were used as a cell culture model since astrocytes are the most abundant glial cells and are more closely associated with the regulation of neurons and, hence, sympathetic nerve activity. In the current study, we hypothesized that palmitic acid-mediated oxidative stress induces senescence and downregulates glutamate reuptake transporters in HBAs. HBAs were treated with palmitic acid (25 μM for 24 h) in three separate experiments. After the treatment period, the cells were collected for gene expression and protein analysis. Our results showed that palmitic acid treatment led to a significant increase in the mRNA expression of oxidative stress markers (NQO1, SOD2, and CAT), cellular senescence markers (p21 and p53), SASP factors (TNFα, IL-6, MCP-1, and CXCL10), and a downregulation in the expression of glutamate reuptake transporters (EAAT1 and EAAT2) in the HBAs. Protein levels of Gamma H2AX, p16, and p21 were also significantly upregulated in the treatment group compared to the control. Our results showed that palmitic acid increased oxidative stress, DNA damage, cellular senescence, and SASP factors, and downregulated the expression of glutamate reuptake transporters in HBAs. These findings suggest the possibility of excitotoxicity in the neurons of the brainstem, sympathoexcitation, and increased risk for cardiovascular diseases in obesity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Maintaining network security by preventing attacks is essential for a network intrusion detection system. Machine learning techniques heavily depend on artificial feature extraction and have high complexity. However, autoencoders have shown promising results in reconstructing the input from reduced latent layer features, which can help perform additional tasks such as threat classification. This work analyzes the performance of different autoencoder models. It introduces CAAE-DNN: a feature extraction and classification intrusion detection model based on a convolutional auto-encoder, an attention mechanism, and a deep neural network (DNN). It has also been coupled with correlation-based feature selection to aid feature extraction. Owing to different data distributions, the model's performance has been evaluated on two parts of the benchmark NSL-KDD dataset: on the data by doing a 90:10 train-test split and on the NSL-KDD Test+ data to check performance in a broader variety of attacks. After feature extraction, we noticed a smooth convergence of the epoch vs loss curve. Analysis with cost-sensitive learning has also been done because of the class imbalance in the dataset. They yield high classification metrics with an accuracy of 79.18% to build an efficient IDS. Finally, the ROC-AUC curves have also been plotted and analyzed to understand the performance with respect to each class of the model. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In the current article, the authors obtain Faber polynomial coefficient bounds for analytic bi-close-to-convex functions with bounded boundary rotation for two new subclasses. For these new classes, the authors estimate general coefficient bounds. Furthermore, the famous Fekete-Szegö inequality are also obtained for the newly defined subclasses of bi-univalent functions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This research focuses on hybrid woven fibre metal laminates (HWFMLs), specifically on the innovative hybridization of natural woven fibres (NWFs) with aluminium diamond microexpandable mesh (Al‐DMEM) in thin laminates. More specifically, it investigates the effect on the mechanical and water absorption properties of incorporating basalt (B), jute (J), banana (Bn) fibres, and Al‐DMEM as reinforcing materials in a traditional epoxy resin. Several stacking sequences were compared and discussed. The basalt‐banana‐aluminium‐banana‐basalt (BBnABnB) (five layers) laminate exhibited remarkable compressive strength (25.7 MPa), interlaminar shear strength (25.2 MPa), Izod impact strength (2.98 J), tensile strength (42.8 MPa), and tensile modulus (3.1 GPa). Other laminates, despite their limited tensile strain, still offered advantages in other loading modes. In particular, basalt‐jute‐aluminium‐jute‐basalt (BJAJB) (five layers) laminate showed notable performance with a compressive strength of 16.70 MPa and interlaminar shear strength of 20.85 MPa. In comparison, the basalt‐aluminium‐basalt (BAB) (three layers) demonstrated compressive strength equal to 6.87 MPa and interlaminar shear strength (ILSS) equal to 9.07 MPa. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this article, the authors use the Faber polynomial expansions to find the general coefficient estimates for a few new subclasses of bi-univalent functions with bounded boundary rotation and bounded radius rotation. Some of the results improve the existing coefficient bounds in the literature. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: HIV self‐testing (HIVST) has been shown to increase the uptake of HIV testing and help achieve the UNAIDS 95‐95‐95 targets. This study assessed the acceptability, usability (ease of use and result interpretation) and the willingness to pay for HIVST kits distributed through three distribution models, namely the community‐based, PLHIV network‐led and private practitioners models, in India. Methods: This cross‐sectional study was implemented across 14 states in India between September 2021 and June 2022. All participants could choose between blood‐based or oral‐fluid‐based test kits. Participants were shown a test‐kit usage demonstration video, and pre‐ and post‐test counselling was provided for all. Participants were followed‐up after testing, and if reported reactive, were further supported for linkage to confirmatory testing and antiretroviral therapy (ART) initiation. Results: Among the 90,605 participants found eligible, 88,080 (97%) accepted an HIVST kit. Among the 87,976 who reported using an HIVST kit, 45,207 (51%) preferred a blood‐based kit, and 42,120 (48%) reported testing for the first time. For future testing, 77,064 (88%) reported preferring HIVST over other HIV testing methods. Among those who used the kit, 83,308 (95%) found the kit easy to use, and 83,237 (95%) reported that the test results were easy to interpret. Among those who preferred HIVST for future use, 52,136 (69%) were willing to pay for the kit, with 35,854 (69%) of those willing to pay less than US$ 1.20. Only one instance of social harm was reported, with a participant reporting suicidal tendencies due to discord with their partner. Out of 328 participants (0.4%) who tested reactive with HIVST, 291 (89%) were linked to confirmatory testing; of these, 254 were confirmed HIV positive, and 216 (85%) successfully initiated ART. Conclusions: Overall, we report that nearly all participants were willing to accept HIVST, found the test kits easy to use and interpret, and about two‐thirds were willing to pay for HIVST. Given the high levels of acceptance and the ability to reach a large proportion of first‐time testers, HIVST in India could contribute to achieving the UNAIDS first 95 and ending the HIV epidemic. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study investigates the influence of fiber dimensions on the bridging performance of polyvinyl alcohol fiber-reinforced cementitious composite (PVA-FRCC) through an experimental and analytical program. Bending tests, bridging law calculations, and section analysis are conducted. Bending tests of notched specimens of PVA-FRCC with six different PVA fiber dimensions are performed to determine the load–deflection (LPD) and bending moment–crack mouth opening displacement (CMOD) relationships. The fiber volume fraction for all PVA-FRCCs is set to 2%. It is found that the load capacity of PVA-FRCC with a 27 μm diameter fiber is much higher than that of the other fibers, and the load capacity decreases as the fiber diameter increases. The study proposes parameters for the characteristic points of the tri-linear model for the single-fiber pullout model as functions of diameter, bond fracture energy, elastic modulus, cross-sectional area, and perimeter of the fiber. These findings provide valuable insights into the behavior of PVA-FRCC under different fiber dimensions. Bridging law calculations are conducted to obtain tensile stress–crack width relationships using the developed single-fiber pullout models. The Popovics model for the complete tensile stress–crack width relationship is adopted to obtain a better fit with the bridging law calculation, and then section analysis is conducted. The bridging law calculation results show that the maximum tensile stress decreases as the fiber diameter increases. It is also determined that most of the smaller-diameter fibers ruptured, whereas the larger fiber diameters pulled out from the matrix. The section analysis results show good agreement with the maximum bending moments obtained from the bending test. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

By using the Mittag–Leffler function associated with functions of bounded boundary rotation, the authors introduce a few new subclasses of bi-univalent functions involving the Mittag–Leffler function with bounded boundary rotation in the open unit disk D. For these new classes, the authors establish initial coefficient bounds of | a 2 | and | a 3 | . Furthermore, the famous Fekete–Szegö coefficient inequality is also obtained for these new classes of functions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The application of AI and ML in drug discovery has significantly transformed the pharmaceutical sector. This integration has resulted in increased effectiveness, lower costs, and higher success rates across several stages of drug development. This research explores the current use of AI and ML, with a focus on their prospective applications in target identification, drug design acceleration, medication repurposing, clinical trial improvement, and personalized medicine development. In the study, which thoroughly investigates both quantitative and qualitative data, time to market (60-66% less time for total timeframes, for example) and cost (40-80% less for different R&D phases) are both dramatically decreased. Furthermore, AI can increase clinical trial success rates by up to 25%, which emphasizes how important it is for enabling the quick approval of novel treatments. Pharmaceutical companies may be better equipped to negotiate the intricacies of drug discovery and lay the groundwork for the production of tailored and targeted treatments that cater to the specific needs of individual patients by utilizing cutting-edge AI technologies and big data analytics. Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Machine Learning (ML) hold significant promise for the future of pharmaceutical research, as these technologies have the ability to revolutionize the pharmaceutical industry's drug manufacture and marketing. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Employee recognition programs have become an important tool in modern workforce management, aimed at improving employee engagement and retention. This research paper examines the relationship between employee recognition programs and their impact on engagement and retention. By reviewing existing literature, analyzing case studies, and examining real-world examples, this paper highlights how recognition programs foster a positive work environment, leading to increased job satisfaction, productivity, and loyalty. The findings suggest that well-designed recognition programs can significantly improve employee morale, reduce turnover, and impact the overall success of the organization. However, the effectiveness of these programs depends on various factors, including the company culture, the type of recognition, and the extent to which the program meets employee expectations. This paper also discusses potential challenges and provides recommendations for designing and implementing effective recognition programs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

SUMMARY: Brassica carinata (BBCC) commonly referred to as Ethiopian mustard is a natural allotetraploid containing the genomes of Brassica nigra (BB) and Brassica oleracea (CC). It is an oilseed crop endemic to the northeastern regions of Africa. Although it is under limited cultivation, B. carinata is valuable as it is resistant/highly tolerant to most of the pathogens affecting widely cultivated Brassica species of the U's triangle. We report a chromosome‐scale genome assembly of B. carinata accession HC20 using long‐read Oxford Nanopore sequencing and Bionano optical maps. The assembly has a scaffold N50 of ~39.8 Mb and covers ~1.11 Gb of the genome. We compared the long‐read genome assemblies of the U's triangle species and found extensive gene collinearity between the diploids and allopolyploids with no evidence of major gene losses. Therefore, B. juncea (AABB), B. napus (AACC), and B. carinata can be regarded as strict allopolyploids. We cataloged the nucleotide‐binding and leucine‐rich repeat immune receptor (NLR) repertoire of B. carinata and, identified 465 NLRs, and compared these with the NLRs in the other Brassica species. We investigated the extent and nature of early‐generation genomic interactions between the constituent genomes of B. carinata and B. juncea in interspecific crosses between the two species. Besides the expected recombination between the constituent B genomes, extensive homoeologous exchanges were observed between the A and C genomes. Interspecific crosses, therefore, can be used for transferring disease resistance from B. carinata to B. juncea and broadening the genetic base of the two allotetraploid species. Significance Statement: We report a highly contiguous genome assembly of allotetraploid mustard Brassica carinata HC20 (BBCC) which contains resistance to many diseases affecting the other extensively cultivated Brassica species of the U's triangle. Comparative analyses of the long‐read assemblies of the six Brassica species revealed high gene collinearity between the three diploid and their allotetraploid species. We tracked the early‐generation genomic interactions between the subgenomes of B. carinata (BBCC) and B. juncea (AABB) in their interspecific crosses using molecular karyotyping and proposed strategies to utilize this information for genomic introgressions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Traditional food markets in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) are pivotal urban spaces, especially for vulnerable populations. These markets are vibrant hubs for commerce, cultural exchange, and social interaction, yet they face challenges such as food safety issues, inadequate infrastructure, and regulation that is a complex mix of informal mechanisms in need of a balanced degree of formalization. Rapid urbanization in SSA and the vulnerabilities of informal settlements underline their enduring importance. The COVID-19 pandemic further highlighted their crucial role in promoting food access, supporting local economies, and preserving social connections during crises. However, a comprehensive understanding of their multifaceted impact on urban life remains limited. This study provides a systematic narrative literature review with the aims of mapping the existing literature and evaluating their complex impact on vulnerable communities. The review employed a systematic search strategy, encompassing research studies and gray literature. It highlights the geographic distribution of studies across SSA, with a concentration in East and Southern Africa. Nutrition is the most explored theme, followed by governance, with economics and social aspects relatively under examined. Traditional food markets are vital sources of affordable food for the urban poor and serve as pillars of economic mobility, providing livelihoods and employment opportunities, especially for women, and act as hubs for diverse groups to interact. Market governance is complex, often marked by policy misalignments due to insuficient collaboration among stakeholders. Policy initiatives to support traditional foodmarkets in SSA should focus on formalization and context-aware regulations to enhance effciency and vendor security, investment in market- related infrastructure, and nutrition-focused policies and economic support for vendors. Further research is needed to bridge thematic and regional gaps, and to inform evidence-based policy measures to support these vital urban institutions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Traditional food markets in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) are pivotal urban spaces, especially for vulnerable populations. These markets are vibrant hubs for commerce, cultural exchange, and social interaction, yet they face challenges such as food safety issues, inadequate infrastructure, and regulation that is a complex mix of informal mechanisms in need of a balanced degree of formalization. Rapid urbanization in SSA and the vulnerabilities of informal settlements underline their enduring importance. The COVID-19 pandemic further highlighted their crucial role in promoting food access, supporting local economies, and preserving social connections during crises. However, a comprehensive understanding of their multifaceted impact on urban life remains limited. This study provides a systematic narrative literature review with the aims of mapping the existing literature and evaluating their complex impact on vulnerable communities. The review employed a systematic search strategy, encompassing research studies and gray literature. It highlights the geographic distribution of studies across SSA, with a concentration in East and Southern Africa. Nutrition is the most explored theme, followed by governance, with economics and social aspects relatively under examined. Traditional food markets are vital sources of affordable food for the urban poor and serve as pillars of economic mobility, providing livelihoods and employment opportunities, especially for women, and act as hubs for diverse groups to interact. Market governance is complex, often marked by policy misalignments due to insuficient collaboration among stakeholders. Policy initiatives to support traditional foodmarkets in SSA should focus on formalization and context-aware regulations to enhance effciency and vendor security, investment in market- related infrastructure, and nutrition-focused policies and economic support for vendors. Further research is needed to bridge thematic and regional gaps, and to inform evidence-based policy measures to support these vital urban institutions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Herein, the performance of asymmetric supercapacitors (ASC) fabricated using ZnCo2O4 (ZCO) nano‐hexagons and orange peel‐derived activated carbon (OPAC) as electrodes was studied. ZCO was prepared by a double hydroxide method and OPAC was prepared from orange peel followed by KOH activation. For ZCO, the calcination temperature was determined using TGA analysis. The XRD showed the presence of a cubic spinel structure. The chemical structure was analyzed using XPS, FTIR, and Raman spectroscopy respectively. For OPAC, the presence of an amorphous nature was inferred; FTIR and Raman studies indicate the presence of functional groups and defect structure in the material. The presence of ZCO nano‐hexagons was observed from SEM and TEM respectively. For OPAC, an interconnected pore structure was observed from the SEM image. The specific capacitance for ZCO and OPAC was found to be 194 F.g−1 and 159 F.g−1 at a current density of 0.25 A.g−1. Further, an ASC was fabricated using ZCO as a positive and OPAC as a negative electrode in 2M KOH‐soaked separator. A cell voltage of 1.2 V was achieved and the specific capacitance was calculated to be 64 F.g−1 at 0.25 A.g−1. Further, the cyclic stability and the changes at the electrode/electrolyte interface were studied. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Transcatheter pulmonary valve implantation (TPVI) is the standard of care in patients with repaired tetralogy of Fallot (rTOF) presenting with right ventricular outflow tract (RVOT) dysfunction. However, the feasibility of TPVI is limited by the high cost and nonavailability of larger-sized valves for dilated native RVOT of rTOF patients. We report the first successful TPVI with a custom-made 35 mm balloon-expandable valve (Myval™) in a 30-year-old rTOF patient with severe pulmonary regurgitation and RV dysfunction. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

India, owing to its population structure, faces an enormous burden of children born with congenital heart disease (CHD). Systematic challenges such as limited public health infrastructure, a shortage of trained specialists, and high out-of-pocket expenditures hinder uniform access to comprehensive CHD care. Despite these limitations, Indian pediatric cardiologists have delivered innovative and often cost-effective solutions to challenging clinical problems. Indigenous devices such as the MyVal transcatheter heart valve, Konar-MF (multifunction) occluder, and Zephyr large-diameter stents are significant achievements in their respective fields. Static balloon dilatation of interatrial septum and balloon-assisted atrial septal defect (ASD) device implantation are prime examples of many innovations that were established by Indians and followed across the world. India also helped consolidate significant interventions in children, such as percutaneous transvenous mitral commissurotomy and interventions for aortoarteritis. Notably, Indian centers have published some of the largest series on transcatheter closure of sinus venosus ASD and ruptured sinus of Valsalva aneurysm. Close collaboration with adult coronary interventionalists has facilitated innovations borrowed from coronary chronic total occlusion hardware and techniques to recanalize ductus arteriosus or membranous-type pulmonary atresia. This manuscript discusses some of India's innovative contributions to the field of pediatric cardiac interventions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study investigated the mechanical performance of hybrid tubes made via roll-wrapping and enhanced with an aluminum mesh and epoxy matrix (AL-DMEM). The specimens included Basalt + Jute (BJAJB), Basalt + Bamboo (BBmABmB), Basalt + Banana (BBaABaB), Basalt + Hemp (BHAHB), and Basalt (BAB). The BBmABmB specimen showed the best mechanical properties with the highest peak crushing force, specific energy absorption, mean crushing force, and total energy absorption. The AL-DMEM integration improved load-bearing capacity and energy absorption, reducing matrix cracking and fiber breakage. Scanning electron microscopy and energy-dispersive X-ray analysis highlighted BBmABmB's robust reinforcement. Its superior structural integrity and aluminum content make it suitable for applications requiring high structural integrity, such as micromobility vehicles, highlighting the potential of ALDMEM-reinforced composites in advanced engineering applications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This research explores natural fiber composites (NFCs) as alternatives to traditional materials such as fiberglass. By examining fibers like abaca, bamboo, banana, coir, flax, hemp, jute, kenaf, pineapple leaf (PALF), sisal, and others, we emphasize their lower weight, cost-effectiveness, competitive mechanical properties, commendable specific strength, and potential for biodegradability. NFCs offer practical and eco-friendly substitutes for conventional composite fibers in industries like construction, automotive, and packaging. The article provides a brief overview of NFCs, covering their chemical, physical, and mechanical characteristics, and highlights diverse applications. The comparative analysis underscores the potential of natural fibers as sustainable choices in various industries. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In the present investigation, we introduce a new subclass of univalent functions F (u , λ) and a subclass of bi-univalent function F o , Σ (u , λ) with bounded boundary and bounded radius rotation. Some examples of the functions belonging to the classes F (u , λ) are also derived. For these new classes, the authors derive many interesting relations between these classes and the existing familiar subclasses in the literature. Furthermore, the authors establish new coefficient estimates for these classes. Apart from the above, the first two initial coefficient bounds for the class F o , Σ (u , λ) are established. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]