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The selection of appropriate materials is crucial in mechanical and structural design processes. This research study focuses on the fabrication of epoxy-based composites reinforced with Kota stone dust using a manual hand layup process. To simplify the material selection process, various Multi-Criteria Decision Making (MCDM) approaches were utilized. In this research, hybrid MCDM approaches, such as the analytical hierarchy process (AHP) and multi-objective optimization based on ratio analysis (MOORA), were employed to rank the epoxy composites filled with Kota stone dust. The AHP method was utilized to determine the weightage of each criterion, while the MOORA technique was used to rank the composites. Manual hand layup method was used for fabrication of composites. The selection of criteria was based on the physical and mechanical properties of the fabricated composites. The results indicate that epoxy composites containing 20% Kota stone dust are the most efficient for structural applications.

The influence of plasma screening on the excitation energies and transition properties of He-like [Ni.sup.26+] ion under strongly coupled plasma background has been analyzed. To perform the analysis, the multi-configuration Dirac-Fock method has been adopted by incorporating the ion sphere model potential as a modified interaction potential between the electron and the nucleus. For comparison purposes, parallel calculations have been carried out using the modified relativistic configuration interaction method. It is found that the transition energies corresponding to principal quantum number conserving transitions ([delta]n = 0) are blue shifted, whereas they are redshifted for the transitions where the principal quantum number is not conserved ([delta]n [not equal to] 0). The variation of transition probabilities and weighted oscillator strengths with free electron densities has also been studied. The present results should be advantageous in the modeling and diagnostics of astrophysical and laboratory plasmas. Key words: strongly coupled plasma, ion sphere model, atomic structure, transition properties. Nous analysons l'influence de l'ecrantage de Debye sur les energies d'excitation et les proprietes de transition de l'ion [Ni.sup.26+] de type He sous fond de plasma fortement couple. Afin de completer cette etude, nous adoptons la methode de Dirac-Fock multi-configurations en incorporant le potentiel du modele de la sphere ionique (MSI/ISM) comme un potentiel d'interaction modifiee entre l'electron et le noyau. Pour fins de comparaison, des calculs sont faits en parallele en utilisant la methode modifiee d'interaction relativiste de configurations. Nous trouvons que les deplacements d'energie du plasma qui correspondent aux transitions conservant le nombre quantique principal ([delta]n = 0) se font vers le bleu, alors qu'elles vont vers le rouge si n n'est pas conserve ([delta]n [not equal to] 0). Nous etudions aussi la variation des probabilites de transition et des forces d'oscillateur ponderees selon la densite des electrons libres. Nos resultats devraient etre utiles a la modelisation et au diagnostic des plasmas en laboratoire et en astrophysique. [Traduit par la Redaction] Mots-cles : plasma fortement couple, modele de la sphere ionique, structure atomique, proprietes de transition., 1. Introduction Investigation of the structural properties of atomic systems in strongly coupled plasma environments has attracted a lot of attention during the past several years due to their practical [...]

Background: The disruption of the circadian clock is associated with inflammatory and immunological disorders. BMAL2, a critical circadian protein, forms a dimer with CLOCK, activating transcription. Extracellular cold-inducible RNA-binding protein (eCIRP), released during sepsis, can induce macrophage endotoxin tolerance. We hypothesized that eCIRP induces BMAL2 expression and promotes macrophage endotoxin tolerance through triggering receptor expressed on myeloid cells-1 (TREM-1). Methods: C57BL/6 wild-type (WT) male mice were subjected to sepsis by cecal ligation and puncture (CLP). Serum levels of eCIRP 20 h post-CLP were assessed by ELISA. Peritoneal macrophages (PerM) were treated with recombinant mouse (rm) CIRP (eCIRP) at various doses for 24 h. The cells were then stimulated with LPS for 5 h. The levels of TNF-α and IL-6 in the culture supernatants were assessed by ELISA. PerM were treated with eCIRP for 24 h, and the expression of PD-L1, IL-10, STAT3, TREM-1 and circadian genes such as BMAL2, CRY1, and PER2 was assessed by qPCR. Effect of TREM-1 on eCIRP-induced PerM endotoxin tolerance and PD-L1, IL-10, and STAT3 expression was determined by qPCR using PerM from TREM-1-/- mice. Circadian gene expression profiles in eCIRP-treated macrophages were determined by PCR array and confirmed by qPCR. Induction of BMAL2 activation in bone marrow-derived macrophages was performed by transfection of BMAL2 CRISPR activation plasmid. The interaction of BMAL2 in the PD-L1 promoter was determined by computational modeling and confirmed by the BIAcore assay. Results: Serum levels of eCIRP were increased in septic mice compared to sham mice. Macrophages pre-treated with eCIRP exhibited reduced TNFa and IL-6 release upon LPS challenge, indicating macrophage endotoxin tolerance. Additionally, eCIRP increased the expression of PD-L1, IL-10, and STAT3, markers of immune tolerance. Interestingly, TREM-1 deficiency reversed eCIRPinduced macrophage endotoxin tolerance and significantly decreased PD-L1, IL-10, and STAT3 expression. PCR array screening of circadian clock genes in peritoneal macrophages treated with eCIRP revealed the elevated expression of BMAL2, CRY1, and PER2. In eCIRP-treated macrophages, TREM-1 deficiency prevented the upregulation of these circadian genes. In macrophages, inducible BMAL2 expression correlated with increased PD-L1 expression. In septic human patients, blood monocytes exhibited increased expression of BMAL2 and PD-L1 in comparison to healthy subjects. Computational modeling and BIAcore assay identified a putative binding region of BMAL2 in the PD-L1 promoter, suggesting BMAL2 positively regulates PD-L1 expression in macrophages. Conclusion: eCIRP upregulates BMAL2 expression via TREM-1, leading to macrophage endotoxin tolerance in sepsis. Targeting eCIRP to maintain circadian rhythm may correct endotoxin tolerance and enhance host resistance to bacterial infection. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

An extended calculation of energy levels, radiative rates, and lifetimes are reported for sodium-like chromium. Extensive configuration interaction calculations have been performed using general-purpose relativistic atomic structure package (GRASP). The radiative rates, oscillator strengths, and line strengths are listed for all electric dipole (E1) transitions. However, for magnetic dipole (M1), electric quadrupole (E2), and magnetic quadrupole (M2) transitions, only radiative rates are listed. The importance of valence-valence (VV) and core-valence (CV) correlation effects in the calculation of energy levels have also been shown. To confirm the accuracy of the present results for energy levels by GRASP, independent calculations have been performed by using Flexible Atomic Code (FAC) and configuration interaction method (CIV3). The accuracy of the present levels, wavelengths, transition rates, and lifetimes are assessed by comparing them to available experimental and other theoretical results. We believe that our extensive results may be beneficial in fusion plasma research and astrophysical investigations and applications. Key words: energy levels, transitions wavelength, extreme ultraviolet, soft X-ray, lifetime. Nous presentons un calcul approfondi des niveaux d'energie, des taux radiatifs et des temps de vie pour le chrome de type sodium. Ces calculs d'interaction de configurations etendus sont faits en utilisant l'ensemble logiciel a usage general de structure atomique relativiste (GRASP). Nous faisons la liste des taux radiatifs, des forces d'oscillateur et des intensites de raie pour toutes les transitions dipolaires electriques (E1). Pour les transitions dipolaires magnetiques (M1), quadripolaires electriques (E2) et magnetiques (M2), seuls les taux radiatifs sont presentes. Nous illustrons egalement l'importance des correlations valence-valence (VV) et creur-valence (CV) dans le calcul des niveaux d'energie. Pour verifier les resultats obtenus, nous refaisons les calculs en utilisant le logiciel atomique flexible (FAC) et la methode d'interaction de configurations (CIV3). La precision de nos resultats est verifiee par comparaison avec d'autres resultats experimentaux et theoriques dans la litterature. Nous croyons que la vaste etendue de nos resultats les rend utiles pour la recherche sur les plasmas et la fusion et les investigations en astrophysique. [Traduit par la Redaction] Mots-cles: niveaux d'energie, longueur d'onde de transition, ultraviolet extreme, rayon X mou, temps de vie., 1. Introduction During the past few years, the spectra of multiply charged ions have become a subject of astrophysical interest as satellite-borne telescopes and instruments expand the range of detectable [...]

BACKGROUND: Seizure outcomes after lesionectomy have been proven to be equivalent to excision, which ablates the epileptogenic cortex with the lesion. Different forms of resection surgery, as well as temporal lobectomy, are being investigated as therapeutic options for people with focal epilepsy who have not responded to medication. Although seizure control is the primary goal of epilepsy surgery, lowering or quitting antiepileptic drugs (AEDs) following epilepsy surgery is also an essential goal for patients and epileptologists. CASE PRESENTATION: We described a thirteen-year-old female who had suffered from headaches and multiple bouts of complex partial seizures for three years before undergoing surgery for a well-circumscribed lesion occupying the medial portion of the left temporal lobe next to the pole, with modest compression of the ipsilateral crus of the midbrain. Following surgery, the patient was kept on levetiracetam and phenytoin, which was later converted to a single antiepileptic drug with complete seizure control. CONCLUSION: Patients on multiple antiepileptic drugs for control of temporal lobe lesional seizures can be kept on a single antiepileptic drug after resection of the lesion and slowly the dose can be reduced. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Various immune cell types play critical roles in sepsis with numerous distinct subsets exhibiting unique phenotypes even within the same cell population. Single-cell RNA sequencing (scRNA-seq) enables comprehensive transcriptome profiling and unbiased cell classification. In this study, we have unveiled the transcriptomic landscape of immune cells in sepsis through scRNA-seq analysis. Methods: We induced sepsis in mice by cecal ligation and puncture. 20 h after the surgery, the spleen and peritoneal lavage were collected. Single-cell suspensions were processed using a 10× Genomics pipeline and sequenced on an Illumina platform. Count matrices were generated using the Cell Ranger pipeline, which maps reads to the mouse reference transcriptome, GRCm38/mm10. Subsequent scRNA-seq analysis was performed using the R package Seurat. Results: After quality control, we subjected the entire data set to unsupervised classification. Four major clusters were identified as neutrophils, macrophages, B cells, and T cells according to their putative markers. Based on the differentially expressed genes, we identified activated pathways in sepsis for each cell type. In neutrophils, pathways related to inflammatory signaling, such as NF-kB and responses to pathogen-associated molecular patterns (PAMPs), cytokines, and hypoxia were activated. In macrophages, activated pathways were the ones related to cell aging, inflammatory signaling, and responses to PAMPs. In B cells, pathways related to endoplasmic reticulum stress were activated. In T cells, activated pathways were the ones related to inflammatory signaling, responses to PAMPs, and acute lung injury. Next, we further classified each cell type into subsets. Neutrophils consisted of four clusters. Some subsets were activated in inflammatory signaling or cell metabolism, whereas others possessed immunoregulatory or aging properties. Macrophages consisted of four clusters, namely, the ones with enhanced aging, lymphocyte activation, extracellular matrix organization, or cytokine activity. B cells consisted of four clusters, including the ones possessing the phenotype of cell maturation or aging. T cells consisted of six clusters, whose phenotypes include molecular translocation or cell activation. Conclusions: Transcriptomic analysis by scRNA-seq has unveiled a comprehensive spectrum of immune cell responses and distinct subsets in the context of sepsis. These findings are poised to enhance our understanding of sepsis pathophysiology, offering avenues for targeting novel molecules, cells, and pathways to combat infectious diseases. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The study of atomic spectroscopy and collision processes in a dense plasma environment has gained a considerable interest in the past few years due to its several applications in various branches of physics. The multiconfiguration Dirac-Fock (MCDF) method and relativistic configuration interaction (RCI) technique incorporating the uniform electron gas model (UEGM) and analytical plasma screening (APS) potentials have been employed for characterizing the interactions among the charged particles in plasma. The bound and continuum state wavefunctions are determined using the aforementioned potentials within a relativistic Dirac-Coulomb atomic structure framework. The present approach is applied for the calculation of electronic structures, radiative properties, electron impact excitation cross sections and photoionization cross sections of many electron systems confined in a plasma environment. The present study not only extends our knowledge of the plasma-screening effect but also opens the door for the modelling and diagnostics of astrophysical and laboratory plasmas. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Key Clinical Message: The pelvic and peritoneal hydatidosis occurs mostly after the traumatic rupture or surgical spillage of Echinococcus from liver or spleen. The treatment is surgical aiming to eradicate local disease, preventing complications, and reducing recurrences. We report a unique case of a 26‐year‐old male who presented with acute urinary retention and abdominal distention. Later, CT‐urography revealed peritoneal and pelvic hydatidosis behind this presentation, which was managed surgically. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper proposes an optimized mobile robot navigation strategy using a functional firefly algorithm (FFA) and choice function. This approach has two key advantages: first, the linear objective function performs efficiently with the single degree and finite-order polynomial time operation, and second, the cartesian constraint performs compactly with the chosen degree of freedom on the finite interval. This functional approach optimizes the size of operational parameters in context with key size, operation time, and a finite range of verification. The choice function achieves parameter order (size) reduction. The attraction characteristic of fireflies is represented by the choice function for optimizing the choice between low and high intensities of fireflies. In 2D and 3D environments, the proposed robot navigation performs well in an uncertain environment with static and dynamic obstacles. This efficiency includes the robot's speed as determined by the choice function's minimum path lengths. The collision-free path is achieved by the non-void family of non-void sets. The obtained results are optimal in terms of path length and navigational time. The proposed controller is also compared with the other existing controllers, and it is observed that the FFA gives the shortest path in less time for the same environmental condition. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Basal Ganglia calcification is now being diagnosed with increasing frequency with the widespread application of computed tomography (CT) scan in clinical practice. One of the rare causes of bilateral basal ganglia calcification is postirradiation sequelae. So far, there are a total of 11 reported cases of postradiotherapy basal ganglia calcification. Case report: Here, we report another case of bilateral basal ganglia calcification following radiotherapy for cerebral metastasis from Ca- ovary along with a review of the other reported cases. The exact pathogenesis of this condition is not clear. It appears, however, to be related to radiation vasculitis of the small vessels of the brain with resultant hyalinization and calcification. Conclusions: A long-term follow-up study would be necessary to evaluate the significance and implication of postirradiation calcification of the grey matter. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Chronic subdural hematoma (CSDH) is a common neurosurgical disease with incidence 3 in 100,000 in general population. Recorded or trivial head injury is the most common cause of CSDH with several predisposing factors like alcoholism, coagulopathy, seizure disorder, cerebrospinal fluid shunts, metastases and vascular malformations. Bilateral CSDH are common in infants and interhemispheric subdural hematomas are often associated with child abuse. Coagulopathy and intracranial tumors have been associated with spontaneous CSDH. 86 % were males with 47% of CSDH on left followed by 35% in right and 61 cases (18%) were bilateral. The most common age group was 61 to 80 years (45%) followed by the 41 to 60 year group. During admission headache was the most common symptom followed by neurological deficits that include, loss of speech (65%), mono or hemiparesis (20%), quadreparesis (5%), bowel and bladder dysfunction and loss of memory or altered sensorium. Statistical analysis did not show any significant p value between the Age group, Sex, Side of CSDH or chronic alcoholism as independent variables affecting outcome. GCS at admission was the only factor that had significant p value in terms of outcome prediction. Although there are multiple comorbidities associated with CSDH this study found that except GCS there was no relation to age, side, sex, alcoholism, hypertension or diabetes in the outcome after surgery. Meticulous care to remove all the CSDH followed by use of drain is the most efficient way to manage CSDH.

Investigation has been made to realize the effect of femtosecond Gaussian laser pulse interaction with atom embedded in Debye plasma. An ab-intio simulation has been performed using the accurate Crank-Nicholson technique for solving the time-dependent Schrodinger equation in space and time. The effect of femtosecond pulse is simulated by varying the field strength and Debye length, which results from single to Multiphoton processes. The complex behavior of ground, excited states, and ionization probabilities have been studied at different laser intensities. Both off-resonant and near-resonant cases of laser frequency with respect to the bound states of the system have been considered. A point worth mentioning is that the effect of plasma, at various temperature, on Above-Threshold-Ionization spectra due to the absorption of photons in the continuum is also shown. The present work will be useful in advancing the potential technology of imaging and steering of electronic dynamics, on the femtosecond time scale. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]