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The plants are attacked from various micro-organisms, bacterial illnesses, and pests. The signs are normally identified via leaves, stem, or fruit inspection. Illnesses that generally appeared on vegetation are from leaves and causes big harm if not managed in the early ranges. To stop this huge harm and manipulate the unfold of disorder this work implements a software system. This research work customs deep neural network to gain knowledge of probable illnesses on leaves within the early phases so it can be stopped early. Deep neural network (DNN) used for image classification. This work mainly focuses a neural network model of leaves ailment detection. The commonly available plant leaves dataset is undertaken with a dataset having special training of disease detection. In this work VGG16, ResNet50, Inception V3 and Inception ResNetV2 architectural techniques are implemented to generate and compare the results. Results are compared on the factors like precision, accuracy, recall and F1-Score. The results lead to the conclusion, that the convolution neural network (CNN) is more impactful technique to perceive and predict plant diseases. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The non-polymorphic HLA-E molecule offers opportunities for new universal immunotherapeutic approaches to chronic infectious diseases. Chronic Hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection is driven in part by T cell dysfunction due to elevated levels of the HBV envelope (Env) protein hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg). Here we report the characterization of three genotypic variants of an HLA-E-binding HBsAg peptide, Env371-379, identified through bioinformatic predictions and verified by biochemical and cellular assays. Using a soluble affinity-enhanced T cell receptor (TCR) (a09b08)-anti-CD3 bispecific molecule to probe HLA-E presentation of the Env371-379 peptides, we demonstrate that only the most stable Env371-379 variant, L6I, elicits functional responses to a09b08-anti-CD3-redirected polyclonal T cells co-cultured with targets expressing endogenous HBsAg. Furthermore, HLA-E-Env371-379 L6I-specific CD8+ T cells are detectable in HBV-naïve donors and people with chronic HBV after in vitro priming. In conclusion, we provide evidence for HLA-E-mediated HBV Env peptide presentation, and highlight the effect of viral mutations on the stability and targetability of pHLA-E molecules. Chronic Hepatitis B virus (HBV) is associated with elevated levels of hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg). Here the authors characterize the T cell responses to three variants of an HBsAg, Evn371-379, to find only the most stable L6I variant eliciting HBsAg responses, while T cells specific for L6I are detectable in both control and people with chronic HBV. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We report the first regioselective C2-C7 oxidative coupling of indoles using a palladium catalyst upon the strategic installation of N-pyri-dinyl and C3-carbonyl, which delivers 2,7-biindoles with a broad scope (25 examples; up to 93% yield). Isolation of the catalytic intermediate reveals the initial activation of the C(7)-H bond, followed by the C(2)-H bond in indoles, and the reaction proceeds via a Pd(II)/Pd(0) pathway. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study proposes a Generative Adversarial Network (GAN)-based method for virtual furniture replacement within indoor scenes. The proposed method addresses the challenge of accurately positioning new furniture in an indoor space by combining image reconstruction with geometric matching through combining spatial transformer networks and GANs. The system leverages deep learning architectures like Mask R-CNN for executing image segmentation and generating masks, and it employs DeepLabv3+, EdgeConnect algorithms, and ST-GAN networks for carrying out virtual furniture replacement. With the proposed system, furniture shoppers can obtain a virtual shopping experience, providing an easier way to understand the aesthetic effects of furniture rearrangement without putting in effort to physically move furniture. The proposed system has practical applications in the furnishing industry and interior design practices, providing a cost-effective and efficient alternative to physical furniture replacement. The results indicate that the proposed method achieves accurate positioning of new furniture in indoor scenes with minimal distortion or displacement. The proposed system is limited to 2D front-view images of furniture and indoor scenes. Future work would involve synthesizing 3D scenes and expanding the system to replace furniture images photographed from different angles. This would enhance the efficiency and practicality of the proposed system for virtual furniture replacement in indoor scenes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The study examines the potential of the European Union (EU)–India cooperation in health diplomacy and the exchange of lessons learned by both actors. Particularly, the growing discourse on achieving strategic autonomy in health has not been adequately analysed in the existing literature, which is surprising given that both actors share this interest. This paper begins by contextualising the discourse of strategic autonomy in the European and Indian political discourse with a specific focus on achieving autonomy in health and subsequently argues for a transition from strategic autonomy to a strategic partnership by recognising the strategic interdependencies. A qualitative content analysis was used to analyse all 16 EU–India summits to locate health diplomacy in their relations and present recommendations for future cooperation. The shift from strategic autonomy to strategic partnership also necessitates a strategic vision towards shaping the EU–India cooperation. With the upcoming EU–India Summit in 2025, research and development, strengthening supply chains, harmonisation of regulations, and financing of healthcare are key areas that can be deliberated on to enhance the cooperation between the two global actors in healthcare. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The development of chitosan-coated nanoliposomes has emerged as a promising strategy for enhancing the intranasal delivery of therapeutic agents targeting the central nervous system. In this study, optimized Levetiracetam-loaded nanoliposomes (Opt-LEV-NLs) were coated with 0.1% and 0.3% chitosan to improve nasal uptake and mucoadhesion. The formulations were evaluated for vesicle size, entrapment efficiency, invitro release, surface morphology, zeta potential, and pH to select the best formulation for brain targeting. Results demonstrated that 0.1% chitosan-coated nanoliposomes (Chit-NLs) retained an optimal particle size (151.72 ± 1.37 nm), suitable for nasal delivery, with a satisfactory entrapment efficiency (64.56 ± 1.03%) and effective drug release (82.51 ± 2.15%). In contrast, 0.3% Chit-NLs exhibited larger particle sizes (> 300 nm), lower release rates, and reduced suitability for intranasal delivery. TEM and zeta potential analyses confirmed the successful chitosan coating and improved mucoadhesive properties. Based on these findings, 0.1% Chit-NLs were selected as the optimized formulation for further studies. This research supports the potential of chitosan-coated nanoliposomes for enhancing the bioavailability of Levetiracetam via the intranasal route. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The capacitive energy storage mechanism offers quick charging, an extended life span, and, far, higher power density compared to batteries. This study presents a simple and efficient lithium (Li)-doping approach for enhancing electrochemical energy storage properties of perovskite-type bismuth ferrite (BiFeO3) i.e. Bi1−xLixFeO3 (BLFs), where x = 0, 0.05, 0.10, 0.15, and 0.20. An addition of the Li results in a significant decrease in the crystallite size of the BiFeO3 from 67 nm to 26 nm, and, in addition to the surface morphology, the Bi/Fe ratio is changed. Electrochemical tests, performed in 6.0 M KOH electrolyte solutions in a half-cell system, have confirmed a significant increase in the specific capacitance (SC) and specific capacity values. After Li-doping, at a current density of 5 A g−1, the SC of the pristine BLF electrode increases to 807.5 from 175.5 F g−1 (specific capacity (Q) = 21.4–100.94 mA h g−1) for the x = 0.10 Li-doped BLF electrode. The as-manufactured BLF-C//Bi2S3 asymmetric supercapacitor device, wherein Bi2S3 acts as a negative electrode and BLF-C as a positive electrode, in addition to an energy density of 48.65 W h kg−1 and a power density of 750 W kg−1, delivers an outstanding 155.6 F g−1 SC (Q = 64.8 mA h g−1) at a current density of 5 A g−1. The 'CNED' screen, consisting of nearly 42 bright LEDs, is ignited at full brightness by connecting a twin-cell (BLF-C//Bi2S3) assembly. Even after 5000 redox cycles, the as-designed BLF-C//Bi2S3 asymmetric supercapacitor demonstrates an exceptional 92.67% cycling stability, suggesting the importance of an adopted Li-doping strategy for obtaining an enhanced energy storage performance in energy storage devices. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: To examine the effectiveness of lasers in radiographic periapical healing in endodontic surgery and non-surgical treatment compared to standard or conventional or placebo therapy, a systematic review was designed. Methods: Clinical studies/trials including single or multiple visits endodontic surgical and non-surgical endodontic procedures that involved lasers for periapical healing in comparison with standard or conventional or placebo therapy having at least 6 months of radiographic post-operative follow-up. Participants were adults aged above 12 years, involving intervention in permanent tooth only. Types of study included were Randomized controlled trials only. A systematic review search was conducted in PubMed, EBSCOhost, LILACS, Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials (CENTRAL), and Google Scholar, using MeSH words, text words, and Boolean operators. Only Englishlanguage articles published from January 1, 1990 to November 30, 2023 were considered. Only randomized controlled trial was included. A RoB2 tool was utilized to evaluate the Risk of Bias in clinical trials. Results: Out of a total of 676 studies gathered from databases and registers, 7 were eventually included for qualitative analysis. The Risk of Bias 2 tool identifies six studies with an overall low risk and one study with some concerns. Four of the seven trials found no significant difference between the laser and control groups, whereas three showed a significant difference at the 6-month radiography follow-up. Conclusion: We are unable to reach a definite conclusion on whether lasers are effective for periapical healing in endodontic surgery and nonsurgical treatments. More clinical research on the use of lasers in endodontic surgery and non-surgical procedures has to be conducted in future. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: It is a well-known fact that assessment drives learning. One of the most important aspects of training a doctor is the acquisition of practical skills. The conventional practical examination (CPE) fails to guarantee the development of the skills expected from students by the end of the course. In addition, the scoring is affected based on the examiner's variability for different students. Objective structured practical examination (OSPE) has been used to evaluate those areas of performance by students. CPE also does not provide any feedback except stating pass or fail. To overcome this problem, an earlier innovation in this regard is the OSPE described in 1975 and greater detail in 1979 by Harden and his group. The OSPE is now an accepted tool in the assessment of practical skills in both pre- and para-clinical subjects. In view of this, we have implemented the system of OSPE for the assessment of practical physiology in the Department of Physiology at SMIMER College in Surat. Aims and Objectives: The study aims to introduce OSPE as a formative assessment method for 1st-year MBBS students within the physiology department. It involves conducting a comparative analysis between CPE and OSPE to evaluate the efficacy of these assessment methods. In addition, the study seeks to assess students' satisfaction with the implementation of OSPE for evaluating practical skills and to investigate faculty perceptions of OSPE as a formative assessment tool. Materials and Methods: The study was conducted in the physiology department of SMIMER on 138 students of 1st-year MBBS. The first CPE was conducted on 46 students each on 3 alternate days over a period of 1 week by six faculties. The students underwent a second evaluation of the same practical skills, next week through the OSPE method. Feedback from students and faculties was taken separately. CPE was compared with OSCE statistically to find the significance of the difference in means between the marks of these two methods. Results: The results indicate that while students achieved higher marks in the conventional method of practical assessment compared to OSPE, the difference between the two was not deemed statistically significant (P = 0.1). Interestingly, over 80% of students expressed a preference for integrating OSPE into future assessments. Notably, 60% of students perceived OSPE as potentially easier to navigate than traditional practical assessments, while over 80% acknowledged its broader coverage of topics. Furthermore, a significant majority, more than 70% of students, deemed OSPE as a fairer evaluation method compared to traditional while there may not be a statistically significant difference in marks obtained between traditional practical assessment methods and OSPE, there is a strong inclination among students and faculty toward incorporating OSPE into future assessments. Students appreciated the wider coverage of topics in this method. Faculty members recognize the objectivity, validity, and reliability of OSPE but are unsure about its feasibility. The consensus leans toward utilizing OSPE for formative assessment in the future. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Systemic Lupus Erythematosus (SLE) is an autoimmune disease having a variety of clinical symptoms because of multiple organs being affected at once or progressively over time. Cardiovascular system (CVS) involvement is the third most frequent cause of death in SLE, among other factors. The prognosis can be determined by looking at QT interval measurements, which have shown an elevated risk of mortality from cardiovascular causes. Methods: A case-control study was conducted on 80 patients (40 SLE patients and 40 controls) for a duration of 16 months. SLE patients and controls were identified from the general medicine and rheumatology outpatient department (OPD) based on the inclusion criteria. A thorough clinical examination was performed after obtaining a detailed clinical history. Baseline blood tests were then performed on the SLE patients and ECG was taken from both cases and controls. The serum uric acid level was measured using an automated analyzer, and the ESR was computed using Westergren's Method. The corrected QT interval (QTc) was estimated using Bazett's method. All the collected data were compared and analyzed using IBM SPSS Statistics version 23.0. Results: The majority of age distribution among SLE patients and controls was 21–25 years (37.5%) (Mean - 15.7 ± 14.9 years). Duration of SLE was predominantly reported between 1 and 12 months (62.5%). Very high (40%) and high (40%) lupus disease activity was recorded in the majority as per the SELENA-SLEDAI score. There was a significant difference between QTc values among SLE patients and controls (t- 8.117) (p -.0005). Upon correlating SLEDAI with the QTc, QTd, ESR, and Uric acid parameters among the SLE patients, ESR parameters were found to be moderately correlated (r-0.460) with the SLEDAI which was statistically significant (p -.003). Conclusion: QTc interval and ESR values can be a simple and potential method for early detection of cardiac involvement in SLE patients with active disease activity. This will not only facilitate early diagnosis of disease activity, but it will also provide an affordable and accessible avenue for low and middle-income countries to decrease the SLE burden. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Once-daily inhalers have been shown to improve adherence leading to lesser discontinuation compared to twice- or thrice-daily inhalers in management of asthma. Combination of Vilanterol and Fluticasone Furoate (VI/FF) is approved for management of asthma and COPD and is available as a dry powder inhaler. Pressurized-Metered Dose Inhalers (pMDIs) offer ease-of-use and therapy alternatives for patients with low inspiratory flow. This study assessed the efficacy and safety of a new once-daily pMDI containing VI/FF in individuals diagnosed with persistent asthma. Methods: This phase 3, double-blind, randomized controlled study assessed the non-inferiority of VI/FF (12.5 mcg/50 mcg & 12.5 mcg/100 mcg; 2 puffs once-daily) over Formoterol Fumarate and Fluticasone Propionate (FOR/FP, 6 mcg/125 mcg & 6 mcg/250 mcg; 2 puffs twice-daily) in patients with persistent asthma. Primary outcome was change from baseline in trough FEV1 at the end of study (12 weeks). Adverse events and number of exacerbations were used to evaluate safety. Results: A total of 330 patients were randomized into VI/FF (165) and FOR/FP (165). Trough FEV1 significantly improved in both the groups at week 12, with a mean difference (VI/FF minus FOR/FP) being 54.75 mL (95% CI, 8.42–101.08 mL, p = 0.02). The low dose VI/FF had similar efficacy to that of low dose FOR/FP and high dose VI/FF had similar efficacy to high dose FOR/FP. No serious adverse events were reported during the study. Conclusion: Once daily VI/FF pMDI was non-inferior to twice daily FOR/FP pMDI in patients with persistent asthma. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Mycobacterium marinum is a non‐tuberculous mycobacterium which can be found in naturally occurring, non‐chlorinated water sources and is a known pathogen that affects fish. In humans, M. marinum typically results in cutaneous lesions, it can occasionally lead to more invasive disorders. We discuss four cases of M. marinum‐related cutaneous infections examined in a tertiary care facility. We want to draw attention to the challenges of accurately diagnosing this infection, stress the significance of having a high level of clinical suspicion in order to identify it, and discuss the available treatment choices. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To study the Impact of Otoendoscopy at the end of apparent microscopic clearance of disease during primary Cholesteatoma surgery in detecting the residual cholesteatoma. A prospective, interventional, non randomized and non comparative study was conducted at the ESIC Medical College and PGIMSR. All patients of chronic otitis media of squamosal type undergoing modified radical mastoidectomy were included in the study. Otoendoscopy was performed after apparent clearance of cholesteatoma under microscope. If any residual cholesteatoma detected during otoendocsopy was recorded. Total of 63 cases were included in the study. Residual cholesteatoma was seen in 14% of the cases. Commonest site of residual cholesteatoma was sinus tympani. Otoendoscopy helps in visualizing the deep recesses of the middle ear cleft for residual cholesteatoma after apparent clearance under the operating microscope. It also helps in clearing the cholesteatoma from these deep recesses there by it helps in reducing the recurrence rate of cholesteatoma. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Alzheimer’s disease (AD) poses a longstanding health challenge, prompting a century-long exploration into its etiology and progression. Despite significant advancements in medical science, current AD treatments provide only symptomatic relief, urging a shift towards innovative paradigms. This study, departing from the amyloid hypothesis, integrates Systems Pharmacology, Molecular Docking and Molecular Dynamic Simulations to investigate a polyherbal phytoformulation (US 7,273,626 B2) rooted in Ayurveda for AD, consisting of Bacopa monnieri, Hippophae rhamnoides, and Dioscorea bulbifera (BHD). Diosgenin emerges as a crucial compound, aligning with previous studies, yet recognizing its limitations in explaining BHD’s mechanism, this research delves into the intricate network of interactions. Protein-Protein Interaction (PPI) network analysis identifies hub genes (ALOX5, GSK3B, ACHE, SRC, AKT1, EGFR, PIK3R1, ESR1 and APP), suggesting a systems-level modulation of AD. Enrichment analyses unveil 370 AD-associated genes and key terms like “Cellular Response to Chemical Stimulus” and “Regulation of Biological Quality.” KEGG pathway analysis underscores BHD’s potential in Alzheimer’s disease pathway (hsa05010), Endocrine resistance (hsa01522), and PI3K-Akt signaling (hsa04151). Molecular docking, carefully selecting compounds (Kaempferol, Quercetin, Myricetin, Isorhamnetin, Beta-Sitosterol, Stigmasterol, Emodin and Diosgenin) and top modulated targets, validates interactions with high dock scores, providing promising therapeutic avenues. Two core targets, Acetylcholinesterase (AChE) and Estrogen Receptor 1 (ESR1), were identified for further investigation due to their critical roles in Alzheimer’s disease. To validate the molecular docking results, Molecular Dynamics (MD) simulations were performed on the AChE complexes with Myricetin, Beta-Sitosterol, and Stigmasterol, as well as the ESR1 complexes with Emodin, Diosgenin, and Beta-Sitosterol. These simulations were then compared to the interactions observed with the marketed drugs Donepezil and Estradiol, which are commonly used in Alzheimer’s treatment. The MD simulations provided detailed insights into the stability and behavior of these complexes over time. The findings indicated that Myricetin and Emodin not only maintained stable interactions with AChE and ESR1 but also exhibited greater stability than Donepezil and Estradiol at specific time points and protein regions, as demonstrated by lower RMSD and RMSF values. These results suggest that natural compounds hold promise as potential therapeutic agents in the treatment of Alzheimer’s disease, offering new avenues for drug development, while the formulation BHD shows potential as an adjuvant in integrative medicine alongside standard Alzheimer’s treatments, effectively targeting related pathways and genes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Observations of gravitational waves from binary black hole (BBH) mergers have measured the redshift evolution of the BBH merger rate. The number density of galaxies in the Universe evolves differently with redshift based on their physical properties, such as their stellar masses and star formation rates. In this work we show that the measured population-level redshift distribution of BBHs sheds light on the properties of their probable host galaxies. We first assume that the hosts of BBHs can be described by a mixture model of galaxies weighted by stellar mass or star formation rate, and find that we can place upper limits on the fraction of mergers coming from a stellar-mass-weighted sample of galaxies. We then constrain the parameters of a physically motivated power-law delay-time distribution using GWTC-3 data, and self-consistently track galaxies in the UniverseMachine simulations with this delay-time model to infer the probable host galaxies of BBHs over a range of redshifts. We find that the inferred host galaxy distribution at redshift z = 0.21 has a median star formation rate ∼ 0.9 M ⊙ yr−1 and a median stellar mass of ∼1.9 × 1010 M ⊙. We also provide distributions for the mean stellar age, halo mass, halo radius, peculiar velocity, and large-scale bias associated with the host galaxies, as well as their absolute magnitudes in the B and Ks bands. Our results can be used to design optimal electromagnetic follow-up strategies for BBHs, and also to aid the measurement of cosmological parameters using the statistical dark-siren method. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The magnetohydrodynamic (MHD) movement of fluids through a porous material has a variety of uses such as distillation towers, heat exchangers, catalytic processes, magnetic field‐based wound treatments, cancer therapy and hyperthermia. This paper explores the complex dynamics of a three‐phase flow utilizing MHD Jeffrey fluid, which sits in between nano and hybrid (molybdenum disulphide [MoS2] and multi‐walled carbon nanotubes [MWCNTs]) nanofluids. The governing differential equations are derived for the physical flow model. The equations are reduced to dimensionless equations by using dimensionless parameters. The resultant equations are solved by using the regular perturbation technique. The results are analysed for various physical pertinent parameters through 2D/3D graphs. The heat transfer rate and volume flow rate are calculated for the left and right plates. This analysis also considers how the system's overall behaviour would be affected by radiation and dissipation effects. The results indicate that the magnetic parameter, electric parameter, quadratic convective parameter, Brinkman number and Grashof number significantly affect heat transfer enhancement. Fluid velocity can be reduced using radiation parameters, porosity, electric and magnetic parameters and velocity declines by Jeffrey parameters. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The urgent need for efficient oxygen evolution reaction (OER) catalysts has led to the development and publication of many heterostructured catalysts. The application of such catalysts with multiple phases tremendously increases the material design dimensions, and numerous interface‐related effects can tune the OER performance. In this regard, multiple of these heterostructured electrodes show remarkable OER activities. However, it is not clear if these carefully designed interfaces remain under prolonged OER conditions. Herein, a molecular approach is used to synthesize four different nickel‐iron phosphide (heterostructured) materials and deposit them on fluorine‐doped tin oxide and nickel foam electrodes. The OER performance of the eight electrodes and the reconstruction of the four materials is investigated by in‐situ spectroscopy after one day of operation, enabled by a freeze‐quench approach. The most active electrode is also applied under industrial OER conditions and for the value‐added oxidation of alcohols to ketones. Before catalysis, this electrode comprises crystalline 4 nm nickel phosphide particles on an amorphous iron phosphide matrix. However, after 24 h, a homogenous nickel‐iron oxyhydroxide phase has formed. This work questions to which extent the design of heterostructures is a suitable strategy for non‐noble metal OER catalysis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Generalized anxiety disorder (GAD) affects up to 6% of the population, which if not detected early and adequately treated will continue as a hidden impairment resulting in disability. Aim: The primary objective of the study is to assess the hair cortisol levels (HairF) in persons with GAD with and without alcohol dependence syndrome (ADS), and the secondary objective is to assess whether HairF can be used as a biomarker for assessment of GAD. Materials and Methods: This comparative study was done on 94 subjects (68 persons with GAD with or without ADS and 26 healthy controls) who were divided into three groups. Hamilton Anxiety Rating Scale (HAM-A) and Patient Health Questionnaire-4 (PHQ4) were also used to assess severity of anxiety symptoms. These scores were compared with HairF. Diagnostic accuracy of the HairF analysis test was done. Statistical analysis was done using SPSS version 20. Results: The study found higher levels of HairF in persons with GAD (mean 189.4 ± 33.1) and GAD with ADS (164.2 ± 47.6) compared to healthy controls (mean 45.34 ± 40.7), which were statistically significant. Correlation of HAM-A and PHQ4 scores and HairF also showed positive correlation. The receiver operating characteristic curve suggested the best cutoff point at 88.4 pg/mg with a sensitivity of 98.5% and a specificity of 92.5%, clearly differentiating GAD from healthy controls. Conclusion: HairF were found to be higher in patients with GAD irrespective of ADS as comorbidity. The study supports the possibility of the HairF as a possible biomarker to detect GAD and play a complementary role in a multidimensional approach for management of chronic stress and anxiety. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article discusses the importance of language in psychiatry and the challenges posed by linguistic diversity in medical education, particularly in India. It highlights the need for language training programs to ensure effective communication and quality care for patients. The article introduces the Clinical Linguistic Proficiency Program (CLPP), a novel approach implemented in a tertiary care institute in Karnataka, India, to train psychiatric residents in Kannada and Hindi. The CLPP follows an adult learning model, emphasizes peer learning, and focuses on speaking skills first. It includes classroom training, role-playing exercises, and simulated practice to enhance residents' communication skills and cultural competence. The article concludes by discussing the strengths and limitations of the CLPP and suggesting future directions for its improvement and expansion. [Extracted from the article]

The use of nanoparticles (NPs) has emerged as a potential tool for safe and effective drug delivery. In the present study, we developed small molecule P7C3-based NPs and tested its efficacy and toxicity along with the tissue specific aptamer-modified P7C3 NPs. The P7C3 NPs were prepared using poly (D, L-lactic-co-glycolic acid) carboxylic acid (PLGA-COOH) polymer, were conjugated with skeletal muscle-specific RNA aptamer (A01B P7C3 NPs) and characterized for its cytotoxicity, cellular uptake, and wound healing in vitro. The A01B P7C3 NPs demonstrated an encapsulation efficiency of 30.2 ± 2.6%, with the particle size 255.9 ± 4.3 nm, polydispersity index of 0.335 ± 0.05 and zeta potential of + 10.4 ± 1.8mV. The FTIR spectrum of P7C3 NPs displayed complete encapsulation of the drug in the NPs. The P7C3 NPs and A01B P7C3 NPs displayed sustained drug release in vitro for up to 6 days and qPCR analysis confirmed A01B aptamer binding to P7C3 NPs. The C2C12 cells viability assay displayed no cytotoxic effects of all 3 formulations at 48 and 72 h. In addition, the cellular uptake of A01B P7C3 NPs in C2C12 myoblasts demonstrated higher uptake. In vitro assay mimicking wound healing showed improved wound closure with P7C3 NPs. In addition, P7C3 NPs significantly decreased TNF-α induced NF-κB activity in the C2C12/NF-κB reporter cells after 24-hour treatment. The P7C3 NPs showed 3-4-fold higher efficacy compared to P7C3 solutions in both wound-closure and inflammation assays in C2C12 cells. Furthermore, the P7C3 NPs showed 3-4-fold higher efficacy in reducing the infarct size and protected mouse hearts from ex vivo ischemia-reperfusion injury. Overall, this study demonstrates the safe and effective delivery of P7C3 NPs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aquasome (AQ) is one of the most recently developed self-assembled novel nanocarrier systems that is predominantly effective due to its property of maintaining the structural integrity of proteins, peptides, and delicate bioactive molecules. The objective of the present study was to investigate the feasibility of AQ as a carrier for dry powder inhalers (DPI) to achieve enhanced aerosol performance for lysozyme (LYS). The water-in-water emulsification method was explored to prepare AQ by using gelatin and cellobiose. The lyophilized LYS-loaded AQ-based dry powder inhaler (DPI) (AQ/LYS-DPI) was evaluated and compared with commercial form of DPI (C-DPI) for its physicochemical properties, in vitro lung deposition, circular dichroism (CD), hemolysis assay, and toxicity study. The developed AQ/LYS-DPI had a particle size of 104.3 ± 3.8 µm, drug loading of 88.70 ± 2.4, and zeta potential of − 8.4 mV with sustained release up to 18 h. The mass median aerodynamic diameter (MMAD) and fine particle fraction (FPF) of AQ/LYS-DPI were found to be 2.43 ± 0.27 µm and 61.52 ± 0.38%, respectively, reflecting enhanced lung deposition. The CD, hemolytic activity, and toxicity study revealed better structural integrity and biocompatibility with no signs of inflammation or toxicity in the formulation. It was observed that the developed AQ/LYS-DPI effectively controls the structural integrity of lysozyme and can be explored as a novel carrier for pulmonary administration of bioactive molecules. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this technical paper, we present a comprehensive study on the performance of the Multiverse Optimization (MVO) algorithm combined with various machine learning models, including Decision Trees, Artificial Neural Networks, Random Forest, and XGBoost. Our primary goal is to investigate the efficacy of the MVO algorithm in enhancing the performance of these models when applied to a specific dataset and problem context. Performance metrics, such as mean squared error (MSE), mean absolute error (MAE), and R-squared value, are employed to evaluate and compare the effectiveness of each MVO-enhanced model. Our results demonstrate that the MVO-Decision Tree combination outperforms the other MVO-enhanced models, exhibiting lower MSE and MAE values and a higher R-squared value. We attribute this superior performance to several factors, including problem suitability, the metaheuristic optimization capabilities of the MVO algorithm, the simplicity and interpretability of Decision Trees, and effective model selection and hyperparameter tuning. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: Significant evidence links epigenetic processes governing the dynamics of DNA methylation and demethylation to an increased risk of syndromic and nonsyndromic cleft lip and/or cleft palate (CL/P). Previously, we characterized mesenchymal stem/stromal cells (MSCs) at different stages of osteogenic differentiation in the mouse incisor dental pulp. The main objective of this research was to characterize the transcriptional landscape of regulatory genes associated with DNA methylation and demethylation at a single-cell resolution. Design: We used single-cell RNA sequencing (scRNA-seq) data to characterize transcriptome in individual subpopulations of MSCs in the mouse incisor dental pulp. Settings: The biomedical research institution. Patients/Participants: This study did not include patients. Interventions: This study collected and analyzed data on the single-cell RNA expssion in the mouse incisor dental pulp. Main outcome measure(s): Molecular regulators of DNA methylation/demethylation exhibit differential transcriptional landscape in different subpopulations of osteogenic progenitor cells. Results: scRNA-seq analysis revealed that genes encoding DNA methylation and demethylation enzymes (DNA methyltransferases and members of the ten-eleven translocation family of methylcytosine dioxygenases), methyl-DNA binding domain proteins, as well as transcription factors and chromatin remodeling proteins that cooperate with DNA methylation machinery are differentially expressed within distinct subpopulations of MSCs that undergo different stages of osteogenic differentiation. Conclusions: These findings suggest some mechanistic insights into a potential link between epigenetic alterations and multifactorial causes of CL/P phenotypes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Templates modeling just the dominant mode of gravitational radiation are generally sufficient for the unbiased parameter inference of near-equal-mass compact binary mergers. However, neglecting the subdominant modes can bias the inference if the binary is significantly asymmetric, very massive, or has misaligned spins. In this work, we explore if neglecting these subdominant modes in the parameter estimation of nonspinning binary black hole mergers can bias the inference of their population-level properties such as mass and merger redshift distributions. Assuming the design sensitivity of the advanced LIGO-Virgo detector network, we find that neglecting subdominant modes will not cause a significant bias in the population inference, although including them will provide more precise estimates. This is primarily because asymmetric binaries are expected to be rarer in our detected sample, due to their intrinsic rareness and the observational selection effects. The increased precision in the measurement of the maximum black hole mass can help in better constraining the upper mass gap in the mass spectrum. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In the present investigation, the phenomenon of heat conduction in rectangular shaped porous fin wetted with nanofluid (a mixture of carbon nanotube [CNT] with water as base liquid) is examined using the local thermal non‐equilibrium (LTNE) paradigm. The heat transport mechanism involving the nanofluid and solid phases is represented by the dimensional thermal governing ordinary differential equations (TGODEs). These equations are transformed into nonlinear ordinary differential equations (ODEs) using relevant non‐dimensional variables. To solve the resultant dimensionless TGODEs, probabilists collocation method with Hermite polynomials (PCMHPs) is utilized. This study of temperature analysis has examined the characteristics of internal and exterior radiation, convection, and thermal conductivity to determine the attributes affecting heat transfer. For both the nanofluid and solid phase aspects, temperature distribution characteristics are revealed in tables and graphs. Subsequently, it is determined that as surface‐ambient radiation parameter levels decreased, the temperature profile of both solid and nanofluid phase augmented. The temperature variance among the solid and nanofluid phases decreased with an escalation in the wet porous parameter. The numerical outcomes illustrate that the presented PCMHP approach is not only convenient to execute but also provides accurate results. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Competency-based undergraduate curriculum has been introduced by MCI and it has been applicable since the 2019 batch of Indian medical graduates (IMG). There has been prototype move in learning from teacher centered to student centered. Aims and Objectives: The study intended to determine the attitude and feedback of Phase-II medical students regarding competency-based medical education (CBME). Materials and Methods: This research was a cross-sectional descriptive study conducted online. Phase II medical students were required to complete an online survey through a Google form. The questions requested of the participants were to be answered on a Likert scale. The survey includes information regarding students' perceptions of the foundation course's framework, innovations in assessment methods, additional components of medical education based on competency, and overall study population attitude scores for diverse CBME components. Results: This study involved a total of 151 medical students. Regarding the perceptions of the framework of the foundation course, where 86.7% of participants supported basic life support training, 96% of participants supported field/health center visits, 83.4% of students were happy with their time management, and 92% of participants informed early clinical exposure was beneficial. The perception about innovations in assessment methods, where 83.4% were able to understand the assessment and feedback schemes, 58% supported questions with multiple choices in the curriculum, 75.5% stated that Objective Structured Practical Examination and Objective Structured Clinical Examination practical sessions were fruitful, 77.5% felt that medical college's first phase is demanding intellectually, and 74.9% were accepted that vertical and horizontal integration lectures are helpful. Conclusion: The majority of students showed positive attitudes and feedback toward CBME but there are certain challenges such as difficulty with theory examination time management, having to maintain separate log books for each department, and expressing relevance about sports activities during weekdays. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this research, we conducted the synthesis of derivatives (2a-c) derived from 4-fluoro-3- methylacetophenone (FMAP) (1) using aldol condensation with substituteddibromobenzaldehydes (a-c). The condensation process occurred in ethanol with the presence of a base, leading to the creation of chalcone derivatives (2a-c). These chalcones serve as crucial intermediates for the production of a diverse array of heterocyclic products. Upon reaction with hydrazine, pyrazol derivatives (3a-c) were obtained, while the use of hydroxylamine hydrochloride resulted in the formation of isoxazole (4a-c). Additionally, the reaction with urea produced oxazine derivatives (5a-c). We characterized all these compounds using spectral techniques, monitoring their reactions through TLC and measuring melting points. Subsequently, we assessed the biological activity of these compounds against two distinct bacterial strains. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives: The goal of this investigation was to determine the efficiency of a postanesthetic cold test for the detection of pulpal anesthesia to improve diagnostic accuracy. Materials and Methods: Fifty-two participants who showed symptomatic irreversible pulpitis on the mandibular first molar, aged from 18 to 65 years, were given inferior alveolar nerve block (IANB), and subjective anesthetic symptoms were seen after 15 min and were finally assigned for studies. To determine the effectiveness of a postanesthetic cold test for the detection of pulpal anesthesia, the target tooth was separated and Endo-Frost was utilized to conduct a postanesthetic cold sensibility test and was compared to the gold standard test, painful or painless sensation during actual root canal therapy. Of 52 participants, 9 had a positive response to the postanesthetic cold test and 43 had a negative response; 10 responded positively to the gold standard test, whereas 42 gave negative results. Results: The postanesthetic cold sensibility test can diagnose the effectiveness of pulp anesthesia showing a sensitivity of 80%, specificity of 97.62%, positive likelihood ratio of 33.6, negative likelihood ratio of 0.2, positive predictive value of 88.89%, negative predictive value of 95.35%, accuracy of 94.23%, and Youden's index of 0.78. Conclusions: The postanesthetic cold sensibility test can be used as a tool for the efficiency of IANB before starting root canal therapy to minimize pain and anxiety in patients. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study presents a rapid and eco-friendly method for synthesizing carbon dots (CDs) using Cleome viscosa (CV) seeds powder via microwave carbonization. The synthesized CDs exhibit bright blue fluorescence under UV light, with a relative fluorescence quantum yield of 9.3%. Transmission electron microscopy (TEM) analysis revealed that the CDs possess an average diameter of 4.9 ± 1.2 nm and a spherical morphology and X-ray diffraction (XRD) patterns indicating their amorphous nature. Moreover, the CDs demonstrate robust fluorescence emission stability under diverse conditions including exposure to salt, continuous UV irradiation, pH variations, and prolonged storage. Furthermore, catalytic studies employing NaBH4-assisted reduction showcased the remarkable catalytic activity of the CDs towards the degradation of methylene blue (MB) and rhodamine B (RhB) dyes. The kinetics of the catalytic process followed pseudo first-order kinetics, yielding rate constants of 0.118 ± 0.002 min−1 and 0.161 ± 0.007 min−1 for MB and RhB, respectively. These findings underscore the potential of CV seed-derived CDs as efficient and versatile catalysts for wastewater treatment applications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Indacaterol, glycopyrronium, and mometasone furoate triple combination inhalable fixed-dose medicines are effectively used to treat asthma and various chronic pulmonary disorders. The study aimed to develop and validate a simple single-run RP-HPLC impurity quantitation method. The chromatographic separation was accomplished using gradient elution mode of mobile phase A (potassium dihydrogen phosphate buffer pH 2.2) and mobile phase B (mixture of acetonitrile and methanol), with a flow rate of 0.8 mL/min using YMC Triart, C18 (250 × 4.6 mm, 5 µm) HPLC column at 45 °C and the detection wavelength of 210 nm (for indacaterol, glycopyrronium and their impurities) and 248 nm (for mometasone furoate and its impurities). Water and methanol (20:80) were used as a diluent. Quantitation of 10 known and several unknown impurities was successfully performed with the determination of relative response factors for all the known impurities. The developed method was validated as per the ICH Q2(R1) guidelines. The stability indicating the nature of the method was proved by performing stress study on the sample and placebo. The linearity and range of the method were proved by calculating the r2 values (> 0.998). The overall precision was found to be within 1.82 − 7.76% RSD. The recovery for all the actives and known impurities were within 90 − 115% with 0.4 − 12% RSD. The sample solution was stable for 2 days at room temperature. The developed method can be successfully used for the impurity analysis of routine, stability, and commercial samples in a quality control laboratory of the pharmaceutical industry. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Using a cutting-edge net-shape manufacturing technique called Additive Layer Manufacturing (ALM), highly complex components that are not achievable with conventional wrought and cast methods can be produced. As a result, the aerospace sector is paying closer attention to using this technology to fabricate superalloys based on nickel to develop the holistic gas turbine. Because of this, there is an increasing need for the mechanical characterisation of such material. Conventional mechanical testing is hampered by the limited availability of material that has been processed, especially given the large number of process factors that need to be assessed. Thus, the present study focuses on manufacturing CM247LC Ni-based superalloy with exceptional mechanical characteristics by laser powder bed fusion (L-PBF). This study evaluates the effect of input process variables such as laser power, scan speed, hatch distance and volumetric energy density on the mechanical performance of the LPBF CM247LC superalloy. The maximum value of as-built tensile strength obtained in the study is 997.81 MPa. Plotting Pearson's heatmap and the Feature importance (F-test) was used in the data analysis to examine the impact of input parameters on tensile strength. The accuracy of the tensile strength data classification by machine learning algorithms, such as k-nearest neighbours, Naïve Baiyes, Support vector machine, XGBoost, AdaBoost, Decision tree, Random forest, and logistic regression algorithms, was 92.5%, 83.75%, 83%, 85%, 87.5%, 90%, 91.25%, and 77.5%, respectively. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Even though quantitative studies have described barriers to anti-retroviral therapy (ART), a more exploratory approach will provide in-depth information on these issues, and potential suggestions to address these issues at individual as well as structural level. We designed this qualitative study to examine the barriers and facilitators for antiretroviral therapy adherence in key population (KP) in Mumbai, India. We also wanted to understand the strategies adopted by these groups and get suggestions to improve adherence to ART. Methods: This is a qualitative analysis of seven focus group discussions (FGDs) conducted with four KP subgroups in Mumbai. We conducted two FGDs each with female sex workers (FSW), men who have sex with men (MSM), male-to-female transgendered people/Hijras (TGH) each, and one FGD with people who inject drugs (IDU). We transcribed the audio-recorded electronic records of these FGDs. We also added the notes of the observers on the group dynamics to the transcribed data. We used the Framework Approach to analyse these data. Results: Some experiences–such as side effects to ART medicines–were common across groups. However, incarceration as a reason for stopping ART was reported by FSWs but not by other KPs. Friends and family (including Guru) are important support systems for HIV infected individuals and adherence to ART. Stigma and discrimination by community members and general community prevent regular access of ART centres and other health care facilities. Additional factors which led to missed doses were mental health issues, alcohol use, and misplacing the ART tablets during police raids or during robbery attempts at the cruising sites. Since a common source of discrimination among peers and the community was the presence of 'Green book' (or their treatment book); the key population wanted the AIDS program to change it to digital cards so that labelling one as 'HIV positive' for being seen with the book can be avoided. Conclusions: The qualitative study helped us explore the barriers to ART among key population and the community provided specific suggestions to address them. In addition to Key Population centric enhanced adherence counselling, some administrative guidelines and procedures may need to be altered to improve adherence to ART in these populations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: In modern era of medical science, patients' post-anaesthesia recovery has improved mainly because of better monitoring, measures taken intra-operatively to avoid post-operative complications, and better immediate post-anaesthesia care. The present study aimed to know the incidence of postoperative nausea and vomiting, hypothermia and worst pain score in post-surgical patients in recovery room. Materials and Methods: This study was carried out after approval from institutional review board. This is a prospective observational study, conducted on the post-operative patients in the post anaesthesia recovery room in Tata Memorial Hospital, Mumbai for a period of two months. Data was collected from 1,007 patients out of 1,191 elective surgical procedures carried out. Incidence of postoperative nausea and vomiting (PONV), postoperative pain and hypothermia were assessed in the postoperative recovery room. Result: With the cut off value of 35°C, the incidence of hypothermia at ICU admission was 31.4%. There was significant correlation between duration of anaesthesia and hypothermia (p=0.04). Incidence of hypothermia in surface surgeries i.e. breast, head and neck, bone and soft tissue services was 26.3% (162/617) and in cavity surgeries i.e. gastrointestinal, genitourinary, gynaecology and thoracic surgeries was 39.5% (154/390) and in children <12 years was 35.5% (11/31). 6.6% of patients (66/1007) had nausea and 2% (20/1007) had vomiting on ICU admission. There is also no correlation between severe nausea and vomiting with the use of intraoperative antiemetic, duration of anaesthesia. 9.8% (99/1007) had moderate to severe pain on admission to ICU, 12.1% (122/1007) after one hour of admission and 2% had severe pain during ICU stay. There was no significant correlation between intra- operative analgesia and post-operative pain score. The study didn't find any correlation with hypothermia, PONV and worst pain increasing the duration of ICU or hospital stay or affecting the outcome as the p value was >0.05. Conclusion: Incidence of hypothermia in ours study is similar as compared to previous studies. The incidence of severe pain is similar in cancer patients but lower than the patients undergoing general surgical procedures. Rate of re-admission and PONV in a post-surgical patient is very low in our ICU compared to other studies. We need to take further steps in improving the temperature monitoring, to control severe postoperative pain and PONV. Despite of pharmacological advances and known risk factors the incidences of postoperative complications is still higher. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The use of artificial intelligence (AI) systems is significantly increased in the past few years. AI system is expected to provide accurate predictions and it is also crucial that the decisions made by the AI systems are humanly interpretable i.e. anyone must be able to understand and comprehend the results produced by the AI system. AI systems are being implemented even for simple decision support and are easily accessible to the common man on the tip of their fingers. The increase in usage of AI has come with its own limitation, i.e. its interpretability. This work contributes towards the use of explainability methods such as local interpretable model-agnostic explanations (LIME) to interpret the results of various black box models. The conclusion is that, the bidirectional long short-term memory (LSTM) model is superior for sentiment analysis. The operations of a random forest classifier, a black box model, using explainable artificial intelligence (XAI) techniques like LIME is used in this work. The features used by the random forest model for classification are not entirely correct. The use of LIME made this possible. The proposed model can be used to enhance performance, which raises the trustworthiness and legitimacy of AI systems. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: This study aimed to determine patterns of screen viewing time (SVT) in preschool children with developmental, behavioural or emotional (DBE) issues, and to identify its relationship with social- emotional development. Method: This cross-sectional study involved children aged 0-5 years who were referred to a developmental paediatric clinic for DBE issues. Parents completed a screen time questionnaire, and the Devereux Early Childhood Assessment-Clinical (DECA-C) questionnaire which assessed the social-emotional competence of the children. Data were analysed using logistic regression, correlational analyses and tests of comparison. Results: Among 225 children (mean age: 32.4 months), mean daily SVT was 138 minutes. More than half (51.1%) of the children had clinical features of language delay, while 26.6% had features suggestive of autism spectrum disorder. Screen time was first introduced at a mean age of 13.8 months, with 32.4% of children previously experiencing higher SVT. Compared to SVT introduction after 1 year of age, SVT in the first 12 months was primarily to facilitate feeding (P<0.05). Children with higher past SVT had poorer attention, more aggression, and increased behavioural concerns. Children with DBE issues have significantly more screen time than same-aged peers. Conclusion: Children with DBE issues are exposed to SVT at a very young age and have significantly more screen time than their peers. It is crucial to guide parents to reduce SVT in early childhood, particularly around mealtimes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Personal Audio Devices (PAD) are almost essential to access smartphones and tablets anywhere. Regular and prolonged noise exposure can cause gradual, irreversible damage to the sensory cells and other structures, leading to a permanent threshold shift (permanent hearing loss). The present study was conducted to estimate the prevalence and pattern of using Personal Audio Devices (PAD) and health problems related to them among medical undergraduates of a medical college in Maharashtra. Methodology: The present cross-sectional study was conducted amongst 413 respondents from June to July 2022. Data was collected using a pre-structured self-administered questionnaire presented in the format of Google Form (Online). Results: Most of the participants i.e. 176 (42.5%) were using Bluetooth devices for listening. The majority of the participants 148 (35.9%) had been using audio devices for the last 2-4 years. We found that 228 (55.3%) never used AD while driving. The study revealed that 132 (32%) students had started to have some difficulty in hearing, while 36 (8.7%) had pain, 34 (8.3%) had an itchy ear and 21 (5.1%) had mild deafness. Conclusion: Most of the participants were unaware of the safe use of audio devices and Students had already started experiencing ear-related problems. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A photosynthetic antenna‐reaction center model, BBA‐PFCor comprised of N,N'‐bis(biphenyl‐4‐yl)aniline (BBA) covalently functionalized to bis(pentafluoro)corrole moiety has been prepared and the contribution of the BBA as the photoinduced energy transfer antenna was investigated. UV–visible studies have shown that integrating the electron‐rich BBA chromophore into the corrole core has broadened the soret band of the corrole moiety with the absorption spanning from 300 to 700 nm. Electrochemical studies, in corroboration with the computational calculations, revealed that, BBA moiety can act as an electron reservoir and, in the excited state, it would transfer the excited energy to the corrole moiety in the dyad. Steady‐state fluorescence studies have demonstrated that, upon photoexcitation of the BBA moiety of BBA‐PFCor at 310 nm in solvents of varied polarity, the BBA emission centered at 400 nm was observed to be quenched, with the concomitant appearance of the corrole emission from 500 to 700 nm, indicating the happening of photoinduced energy transfer (PEnT) from 1BBA* to corrole moiety. Parallel control experiments involving the excitation of the corrole moiety at 410 nm did not result in the diminishing of the corrole emission, suggesting that the quenching of the BBA emission in BBA‐PFCor is majorly due to intramolecular PEnT from 1BBA* to corrole moiety leading to the formation of singlet excited corrole, that is, 1BBA*‐PFCor ➔ BBA‐1PFCor*. The free energy changes of PEnT, ΔGEnT, were found to be thermodynamically feasible in all the solvents used for the study. Parallel time‐resolved fluorescence studies were congruent with the steady‐state fluorescence results and provided further evidence for the occurrence of ultrafast PEnT from 1BBA*➔corrole in the dyad with the rates of energy transfer (kEnT) of ~108 s−1. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A negatively charged oxide-nitride-oxide stack for field-effect passivation of crystalline silicon solar cells is discussed. The negative charge was injected into the stack by a plasma charge injection technology. Charge stability was studied by exposing samples to AM1.5 simulation visible light and full-spectrum light at temperatures ranging from 55 to 78 °C for up to 300 h. Charge injection and loss were quantified based on shifts in the flatband voltage of capacitance–voltage curves measured with a mercury probe. The most probable mechanism of charge loss was found to be diffusion of negative charged hydrogen atoms through nitride and bottom oxide. The optimum recipe for each layer of the stack was investigated to minimize the loss of injected charge. The flatband voltage decay of the optimized stack was found to fit a power-law trend, suggesting the dispersive transport of hydrogen atoms with a dispersion parameter of ∼0.06–0.07. The optimized stack is projected to maintain a negative charge density of about 3.6 × 1012 cm−2 or more after 25 years of field operation in an environment such as Arizona, which would be sufficient for field-effect passivation under one-sun illumination. The high stability of the negative injected charge makes the plasma charging technology a safer and lower cost alternative to Al2O3-passivation technology commonly used to passivate p-type surfaces. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In latest events, water pollution has posed an immense threat, and its sustainable treatment is a topic of concern. Among myriad of water treatment, research community has lensed towards sustainable heterogeneous photocatalysis especially, inorganic semiconductors. Bismuth tungstate a pristine Aurivillius compound with unique crystal structure, exceptional photochemical stability, and strong redox abilities but minimum visible light absorption and quick carrier recombination are its caveats, these caveats are circumvented by synthesizing BiOX (X=F, Cl, Br and I) composites with surface modifiers, doping with hetero atoms (metals and non‐metals), construction of the heterojunction and amalgamation of carbon materials. The heart of this review is strategic engineering of flower‐like morphology photocatalyst synthesis and optical properties, it also discusses the charge transfer kinetics, photocatalytic performance, and durability. The flower‐like morphology highlighted in this review is due to its ability to harvest light, providing larger specific surface area which introduces more active sites and efficient excitons generation. The comprehensive tabulated data in this review will help the actively engaged research community in Bismuth heterogenous photocatalysis. It also sheds light on the future view of environmental remediation via photocatalytic developments. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]