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Colorectal polyps are structural abnormalities of the gastrointestinal tract that can potentially become cancerous in some cases. The study introduces a novel framework for colorectal polyp segmentation named the Multi-Scale and Multi-Path Cascaded Convolution Network (MMCC-Net), aimed at addressing the limitations of existing models, such as inadequate spatial dependence representation and the absence of multi-level feature integration during the decoding stage by integrating multi-scale and multi-path cascaded convolutional techniques and enhances feature aggregation through dual attention modules, skip connections, and a feature enhancer. MMCC-Net achieves superior performance in identifying polyp areas at the pixel level. The Proposed MMCC-Net was tested across six public datasets and compared against eight SOTA models to demonstrate its efficiency in polyp segmentation. The MMCC-Net's performance shows Dice scores with confidence interval ranging between 77.43 ± 0.12, (77.08, 77.56) and 94.45 ± 0.12, (94.19, 94.71) and Mean Intersection over Union (MIoU) scores with confidence interval ranging from 72.71 ± 0.19, (72.20, 73.00) to 90.16 ± 0.16, (89.69, 90.53) on the six databases. These results highlight the model's potential as a powerful tool for accurate and efficient polyp segmentation, contributing to early detection and prevention strategies in colorectal cancer.

Abstract Neurofilament light chain (NfL) levels in circulation have been established as a sensitive biomarker of neuro-axonal damage across a range of neurodegenerative disorders. Elucidation of the genetic architecture of blood NfL levels could provide new insights into molecular mechanisms underlying neurodegenerative disorders. In this meta-analysis of genome-wide association studies (GWAS) of blood NfL levels from eleven cohorts of European ancestry, we identify two genome-wide significant loci at 16p12 (UMOD) and 17q24 (SLC39A11). We observe association of three loci at 1q43 (FMN2), 12q14, and 12q21 with blood NfL levels in the meta-analysis of African-American ancestry. In the trans-ethnic meta-analysis, we identify three additional genome-wide significant loci at 1p32 (FGGY), 6q14 (TBX18), and 4q21. In the post-GWAS analyses, we observe the association of higher NfL polygenic risk score with increased plasma levels of total-tau, Aβ-40, Aβ-42, and higher incidence of Alzheimer’s disease in the Rotterdam Study. Furthermore, Mendelian randomization analysis results suggest that a lower kidney function could cause higher blood NfL levels. This study uncovers multiple genetic loci of blood NfL levels, highlighting the genes related to molecular mechanism of neurodegeneration.

Background: Graves’ disease (GD) is an autoimmune disorder with genetic predisposition and CD40 plays a pathogenic role in various autoimmune diseases. A single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) at position –1 of the Kozak sequence of the 5 untranslated region of CD40 gene of exon 1 has been reported to be associated with the development of GD. Objective: The aim of the present study was to investigate whether CD40 gene polymorphism confers susceptibility to GD in Kumaon region. CD40 gene polymorphisms were studied in GD patients (n=50) and healthy control subjects without anti-thyroid autoantibodies or a family history of autoimmune disorders (n=50). Material and Method: CD40 gene polymorphisms were studied in fifty GD patients and fifty healthy control subjects. All samples collected from STG Hospital, Haldwani, Nainital. A C/T polymorphism at position –1 of the CD40 gene was measured using the polymerase chain reaction restriction fragment length polymorphism. Results: There was no significant difference in allele or genotype frequency of the CD40 SNP between GD and control subjects. There was a significant decrease in the TT genotype frequency in the GD patients, who developed GD after 40 years old, then those under 40 years of age. These data suggest that the SNP of CD40 gene is associated with susceptibility to later onset of GD. Conclusion : The CD40 gene was a new susceptibility gene for GD within certain families because it was both linked and associated with GD. Keywords: Autoimmune Diseases, Pathogenesis, Diagnosis, Therapy

Western Asia represents a mixing pot of diverse bat species with distributions spanning across other geographic regions. Yet, relative to other regions, there is a significant gap in coordinated bat research in Western Asia, thereby resulting in a relatively limited number of curated occurrence records.The Western Asia Bat Research Network (WAB-Net) project was created to strengthen research capacity and knowledge of the diversity and distribution of bat species in a little-studied region, as well as to collect data to characterise the diversity and prevalence of coronaviruses in diverse bat species. Over a four-year period (2018–2022), we documented 4,278 individual records for 41 bat species using a cross-sectional survey approach at 50 sites in seven Western Asian countries, specifically Armenia, Azerbaijan, Georgia, Jordan, Oman, Pakistan and Turkiye. At each site, we captured, on average, 90 individual bats (range: 9-131) over multiple consecutive nights and used standardised methods to collect demographic and morphological data from captured individuals. We additionally completed a systematic evaluation of environmental characterisation and human-bat interactions at all 50 sites. Here, we report individual occurrence records and site conditions from this multi-country, multi-year sampling effort.

The handling of the remnants of rice crops in the field is not an easy operation, and farmers prefer burning, which causes air pollution, smog, and disease. This research reports the development of a novel precision crop seeder by handling the remnants of previous crops through mechanization. The precision seeder performed multiple operations in a single path, viz, chop residues, incorporate into soil, make mini trenches, and sow wheat with fertilizer application. The precision seeder has a 2040 mm working width, and specially designed C-type blades are used to shred the crop residue. A multiple-speed gearbox with a gear ratio of 1:0.52 is installed, with a further set of spur gears with 16, 18, and 20 teeth that provide 225, 250, 310, and 350 RPMs to the main rotor. In the middle of the seeder, after the main rotor shaft, 11 V-shaped trencher plates are fixed on the trencher roller for the making of trenches. The trencher roller is powered by star wheels, which showed good results. A zero-tillage-type sharp tip edge novel seeder unit was developed for the precise placement of seed and fertilizer. Seed and fertilizer were placed into the mini trenches through 11 seeder units through a ground wheel calibration system. The field capacity of the precision seeder was 0.408 ha/h and the operational cost was calculated 40.68 USD/ha. The seeder showed good results, with the production of 5028 kg/ha compared to conventional methods. The precision seeder provides a mechanized solution for wheat sowing with minimal operational costs by enhancing organic matter in soil with 13% more yield.

Abstract Background Isoprostanes and prostaglandins are biomarkers for oxidative stress and inflammation. Their role in Alzheimer's disease (AD) pathophysiology is yet unknown. In the current study, we aim to identify the association of isoprostanes and prostaglandins with the Amyloid, Tau, Neurodegeneration (ATN) biomarkers (Aβ-42, p-tau, and t-tau) of AD pathophysiology in mild cognitive impairment (MCI) subjects. Methods Targeted metabolomics profiling was performed using liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (LCMS) in 147 paired plasma-CSF samples from the Ace Alzheimer Center Barcelona and 58 CSF samples of MCI patients from the Mannheim/Heidelberg cohort. Linear regression was used to evaluate the association of metabolites with CSF levels of ATN biomarkers in the overall sample and stratified by Aβ-42 pathology and APOE genotype. We further evaluated the role of metabolites in MCI to AD dementia progression. Results Increased CSF levels of PGF2α, 8,12-iso-iPF2α VI, and 5-iPF2α VI were significantly associated (False discovery rate (FDR)

Cold stress has an immediate impact on plant structure and function. A large number of free radicals cause oxidative stress in plants. Cold stress causes altered membrane permeability, lipid peroxidation, and DNA damage. It denatures enzymes and disrupts plant metabolism. Different methods are being investigated for acclimatizing plants subjected to cold stress. Nanobiotechnology and bacterial strains are growing agricultural strategies. Nanoparticles’ (NPs) unique qualities (small size, high mobility, biocompatibility, low cost, and increased reactivity) make them ideal candidates in agriculture. NP and bacterial applications maintain plastid structure and function, enhance antioxidant activities, secondary metabolites, and hormone expression, and reduce electrolyte leakage. They increase the number and content of proteins involved in oxidation–reduction reactions, hormone pathways, stress signaling, and reactive oxygen species detoxification under cold stress conditions. Chitosan, zinc oxide, and titanium dioxide NPs can help plants with cold stress. Meanwhile, bacterial strains in the genus Bacillus and Pseudomonas have been tested for cold tolerance. These strategies also upregulate antifreeze proteins, which are essential for the storage of plant products. Nano-bio-fertilizers should be prepared for the sustainable development of plants under low temperatures.

Abstract Breast cancer (BC) significantly contributes to cancer-related mortality in women, underscoring the criticality of early detection for optimal patient outcomes. Mammography is a key tool for identifying and diagnosing breast abnormalities; however, accurately distinguishing malignant mass lesions remains challenging. To address this issue, we propose a novel deep learning approach for BC screening utilizing mammography images. Our proposed model comprises three distinct stages: data collection from established benchmark sources, image segmentation employing an Atrous Convolution-based Attentive and Adaptive Trans-Res-UNet (ACA-ATRUNet) architecture, and BC identification via an Atrous Convolution-based Attentive and Adaptive Multi-scale DenseNet (ACA-AMDN) model. The hyperparameters within the ACA-ATRUNet and ACA-AMDN models are optimized using the Modified Mussel Length-based Eurasian Oystercatcher Optimization (MML-EOO) algorithm. The performance is evaluated using a variety of metrics, and a comparative analysis against conventional methods is presented. Our experimental results reveal that the proposed BC detection framework attains superior precision rates in early disease detection, demonstrating its potential to enhance mammography-based screening methodologies.

Background: Dental caries is a dynamic process. By using therapeutic agents, early, noncavitated lesions and caries limited to the enamel can be stopped or even remineralized. For the remineralization of the initial carious lesion, many nonfluoridated remineralizing agents were investigated. Objectives: An observational study to assess the remineralizing efficacy of tricalcium phosphate (TCP), nano-hydroxyapatite (nHAp) and ozone remineralizing agents on the artificial carious lesion. Methodology: In this observational research, the artificial carious lesion was produced on extracted 40 premolar teeth. Later, remineralizing agents (Group A: nHAp, Group B: TCP, Group C: Ozone remineralizing agents, Group D: Control group (Deionized water) were used to remineralize demineralized teeth. Utilizing the Vickers Hardness Number, the level of demineralization and remineralization was assessed. Later these readings were statistically assessed using the Tukey’s HSD (honestly significant difference) and ANOVA tests in SPSS version 21.0. The P value was set at 0.05 or less. Results: After demineralization, there was a decrease in enamel microhardness values, with 32% in Group A, 26% in Group B, 22% in Group C, and 21% in Group D, respectively. From the baseline to demineralization, there was a statistically significant decrease in microhardness across all groups. After remineralization, Groups A, B, and C experienced an increase in microhardness while Group D experienced no changes. This showed that Group A had the highest remineralization percentage, followed by Group B and Group C. Conclusion: nHAp and TCP had the greater remineralizing ability, which can be used to manage initial carious lesions.

The mechanism of irrigation models combined with fertilizer utilization strategies under the biodegradable film mulching could greatly promote crop photosynthesis, vascular bundles structure; resource utilization and maize production are unclear in semi-arid areas. Unfortunately, this mechanism provides a scientific basis for improving irrigation and fertilizer utilization. A field study was carried out during 2021–2022 years. Seven treatments were established: two nitrogen levels: low-N (150 kg N ha−1) and high-N (300 kg N ha−1) combined with three different irrigation models: drip irrigation (DI), ridge irrigation (RI) and border irrigation (BI) under the biodegradable film mulching with (CK) treatment have no irrigation, fertilizer and mulching. Our results revealed that DIH treatment considerably increased soil water storage, enhanced photosynthesis rate (Pn) of maize by mainly to facilitate stomatal opening compared to the rest of all treatments. In addition, it also enhances the differentiation of the vascular bundle system and maintains its post silk function under better environmental conditions, greatly improving nitrogen storage in soil and plants, and enhancing maize productivity. DIH and RIH treatments significantly increased net photosynthesis rate (Pn), stomatal conductance (Gs), transpiration rate (Tr), maximum quantum yield of PSII photochemistry (Fv/Fm), and effective quantum yield of PSII photochemistry (ΦPSII), photochemical quenching (qP), non-photochemical quenching (NPQ), and yield were observed, but evapotranspiration (ET) decreased at different growth stages. The results showed that DIH treatment was an effective tillage strategy, which increased biomass yield by 32.6 %, grain yield by 46.0 %, water use efficiency (WUE) by 46.2 %, and nitrogen use efficiency (NUE) by 86.4 % compared to other treatments. Given these results, thus we recommend the drip irrigation combined with a high-N level under a biodegradable film mulching increase photo-fluorescence efficiency, maize production and resource utilization efficiency in semi-arid regions.

ABSTRACT The increasing clinical significance of Mycobacterium abscessus is owed to its innate high-level, broad-spectrum resistance to antibiotics and therefore rapidly evolves as an important human pathogen. This warrants the identification of novel targets for aiding the discovery of new drugs or drug combinations to treat M. abscessus infections. This study is inspired by the drug-hypersensitive profile of a mutant M. abscessus (U14) with transposon insertion in MAB_1915. We validated the role of MAB_1915 in intrinsic drug resistance in M. abscessus by constructing a selectable marker-free in-frame deletion in MAB_1915 and complementing the mutant with the same or extended version of the gene and then followed by drug susceptibility testing. Judging by the putative function of MAB_1915, cell envelope permeability was studied by ethidium bromide accumulation assay and susceptibility testing against dyes and detergents. In this study, we established genetic evidence of the role of MAB_1915 in intrinsic resistance to rifampicin, rifabutin, linezolid, clarithromycin, vancomycin, and bedaquiline. Disruption of MAB_1915 has also been observed to cause a significant increase in cell envelope permeability in M. abscessus. Restoration of resistance is observed to depend on at least 27 base pairs upstream of the coding DNA sequence of MAB_1915. MAB_1915 could therefore be associated with cell envelope permeability, and hence its role in intrinsic resistance to multiple drugs in M. abscessus, which presents it as a novel target for future development of effective antimicrobials to overcome intrinsic drug resistance in M. abscessus.IMPORTANCEThis study reports the role of a putative fadD (MAB_1915) in innate resistance to multiple drugs by M. abscessus, hence identifying MAB_1915 as a valuable target and providing a baseline for further mechanistic studies and development of effective antimicrobials to check the high level of intrinsic resistance in this pathogen.

Ecological footprints play a crucial role in assessing how human activities impact the environment, serving as key indicators. This study investigates the influence of urbanization and human development controlling for GDP and industrialization on ecological footprints, focusing on both OECD and non-OECD countries during the period from 1990 to 2018. The investigation employs an open-access solution framework and utilizes the Generalized Method of Moments approach for analysis. The findings highlight distinct patterns between OECD and non-OECD countries. In OECD countries, ecological footprints are increasing with urbanization and GDP growth while showcasing a negative impact of the Human Development Index (HDI) and industrialization on ecological footprint. Conversely, non-OECD countries demonstrate a positive impact of GDP and HDI on ecological footprints, while there is a negative impact of industrialization and urbanization on ecological footprints. These disparities underscore the need for tailored environmental strategies based on a country's economic and developmental status. The results underscore the importance of investing in the renewable energy sector and implementing stringent environmental policies to mitigate the environmental impact of human activities. This evidence reinforces the urgency for countries, irrespective of their OECD status, to take proactive measures to safeguard the planet from further environmental hazards.

Background Little is known about the burden and clinical characteristics of children with nutritional anemia in the population of westernUttar Pradesh. This research was conducted to assess the risk factors and clinical profile of nutritional anemia in children admitted at a tertiary care center in western Uttar Pradesh, India. Materials and methods This hospital based cross-sectional study involved 220 subjects aged 6 months to 12 year presenting with anemia (nutritional) as per WHO definition at our center. Structured questionnaires were used to collect socioeconomic and demographic characteristics of the family and child. Blood samples were collected for estimation of hemoglobin, serum iron, B12 and folate levels. Univariate and Multiple logistic regression was used to calculate adjusted odds ratios and the corresponding 95% confidence intervals. Results In our study, the majority of subjects were having moderate anemia (53.64%) followed by severe form (25.46%). Iron deficiency was found in 67.27% of the subjects. Pallor was found to be the commonest sign (71.36%) followed by tachycardia (27.27%). Majority of subjects reported microcytic hypochromic anemia (74.54%) followed by macrocytic anemia. On multiple regression: younger age, higher birth order, lower SES, poor nutritional status and lower serum iron, B12 and folate concentration were significantly associated with moderate to severe nutritional anemia. Conclusion: In northern India, nutritional anemia still poses a significant problem not only among younger children but also among older ones. Iron deficiency continues to be the primary cause of this condition, however, B12 and folate deficiencies also have substantial contributions.

We have synthesized thiadiazole-isatin hybrid analogues (1–20), characterized through different spectroscopic techniques such as 1HNMR, 13CNMR, HREI-MS, and evaluated against α-glucosidase and α-amylase enzymes. All analogues showed potent inhibitory potentials, having an IC50 values ranged from 22.08 ± 0.09 to 54.03 ± 0.07 μM (against α-amylase) and 19.03 ± 0.04 to 50.03 ± 0.02 μM (α-glucosidase) when compared with the standard drug acarbose (IC50 = 22.07 ± 0.02 μM for α-amylase and IC50 = 18.01 ± 0.06 μM for α-glucosidase respectively). Among the series, analogues 13 (IC50 = 19.03 ± 0.04 and 22.08 ± 0.09 μM), 12 (IC50 = 21.03 ± 0.07 and 24.03 ± 0.07 μM), and 5 (IC50 = 22.02 ± 0.03 and 26.02 ± 0.04 μM) were identified as the most active inhibitors. The structure–activity relationship was carried out, mainly associated with the nature, number, position, and electron-donating and electron-withdrawing effects of the substituent (s) on the phenyl ring. With the help of molecular docking, the binding interaction of the most active analogues within the active site of enzymes was confirmed. Almost twelve compounds were also screened for antibacterial potential, and few were found to be effective against Bacillus subtilis. All compounds were verified for cytotoxicity against the 3 T3 mouse fibroblast cell line and detected non-toxic.

Estimation of plant community composition, aboveground biomass and carbon stock is crucial for understanding forest ecology, strengthening environmental management, and developing effective tools and policies for forest restoration. This study was conducted in nine different forest reserves in Sri Lanka from 2012 to 2018 to examine the impact of community-based forest restoration (CBFR) on stand structural attributes, aboveground biomass, and carbon stock compared to state-managed forests. In total, 180 plots (90 plots in community-managed restoration blocks (CMRBs) and 90 plots assigned to state-managed restoration blocks (SMRBs)) were sampled at the study site. To conduct an inventory of standing trees, circular plots with a radius of 12.6 m (equivalent to an area of 500 square meters) were established. The Shannon diversity index, Allometric equations and Difference in Differences (DID) estimation were used to assess the data. Our study provides evidence of the positive impact of the CBFR program on enriching trees diversity. Considering stand structural attributes of both blocks showed higher trees density in the smaller diameter at breast height (DBH) category, indicating growth in both CMRBs and SMRBs. The results showed that tree biomass and carbon density were disproportionally distributed across the nine different forest reserves. On average, tree biomass and carbon density were higher in SMRBs (79.97 Mg ha−1, 37.58 Mg C ha−1) compared to CMRBs (33.51 Mg ha−1, 15.74 Mg C ha−1). However, CMRBs in Madigala reserve represent the highest biomass (56.53 and 59.92 Mg ha−1) and carbon density (26.57 and 28.16 Mg C ha−1). The results of biomass and carbon estimates were higher in all SMRBs in the nine different forest reserves compared to CMRBs. The findings suggest that future forest restoration programs in Sri Lanka should enhance participatory approaches to optimize tree species diversity, density and carbon storage, particularly in community-controlled forests. Our findings could assist developing tropical nations in understanding how CBFR impacts forest restoration objectives and improves the provision of ecological services within forests.

Detecting lung diseases in medical images can be quite challenging for radiologists. In some cases, even experienced experts may struggle with accurately diagnosing chest diseases, leading to potential inaccuracies due to complex or unseen biomarkers. This review paper delves into various datasets and machine learning techniques employed in recent research for lung disease classification, focusing on pneumonia analysis using chest X-ray images. We explore conventional machine learning methods, pretrained deep learning models, customized convolutional neural networks (CNNs), and ensemble methods. A comprehensive comparison of different classification approaches is presented, encompassing data acquisition, preprocessing, feature extraction, and classification using machine vision, machine and deep learning, and explainable-AI (XAI). Our analysis highlights the superior performance of transfer learning-based methods using CNNs and ensemble models/features for lung disease classification. In addition, our comprehensive review offers insights for researchers in other medical domains too who utilize radiological images. By providing a thorough overview of various techniques, our work enables the establishment of effective strategies and identification of suitable methods for a wide range of challenges. Currently, beyond traditional evaluation metrics, researchers emphasize the importance of XAI techniques in machine and deep learning models and their applications in classification tasks. This incorporation helps in gaining a deeper understanding of their decision-making processes, leading to improved trust, transparency, and overall clinical decision-making. Our comprehensive review serves as a valuable resource for researchers and practitioners seeking not only to advance the field of lung disease detection using machine learning and XAI but also from other diverse domains.

In the contemporary landscape, sustainable development became major challenge for the economy which is tackled if environmental issues are resolved. In this regard, this study investigate renewable energy, institutional quality, foreign direct investment (FDI), economic growth on environmental pollution in E−7 countries (Brazil, Russia, China, Indonesia, India, Mexico, and Turkey). Utilizing annual data from 2002 to 2023, selected the panel Nonlinear Autoregressive Distributed Lag (NARDL) after applying stationary process. The results depict that there is short and long run relationship among the selected variables, CO2 emissions exhibit an asymmetrical response to positive and negative shocks in exogenous variables. A one-percent change in FDI, GDP, IQ and EC reduce the carbon emission. Our research concludes with policy recommendation that prioritize priorities economic growth and environmental sustainability. To achieve a healthy environment and sustainable growth in the E7 countries, it is essential to strengthen institutional frameworks, encourage green investments, and foster technical innovation.

Objectives: This study sought to detect and characterize influenza A (IAV) and influenza D (IDV) viruses circulating among commercial birds and shop owners in Pakistan's live bird markets. Methods: Oropharyngeal swabs (n = 600; n = 300 pools) collected from poultry and nasopharyngeal swabs (n = 240) collected from poultry workers were studied for molecular evidence of IAV and IDV using real-time and conventional real-time reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction protocols. Results: Nineteen (6.3%) poultry pools were positive for IAV and 73.9% of these were positive for H9N2 subtypes. Two (0.83%) poultry workers had evidence of IAV, and both were also H9N2 subtypes. The poultry and human IAV-positive specimens all clustered phylogenetically by Sanger and next-generation sequencing with previously detected H9N2 poultry isolates. No field specimens were positive for IDV. Conclusion: H9N2 IAV is likely enzootic in Punjab Province Pakistan's live bird markets and may be colonizing the noses of workers and market visitors. Regular monitoring for avian influenza-associated human illness in Punjab seems to be a needed public measure.

Abstract Background The gut-derived metabolite Trimethylamine N-oxide (TMAO) and its precursors - betaine, carnitine, choline, and deoxycarnitine – have been associated with an increased risk of cardiovascular disease, but their relation to cognition, neuroimaging markers, and dementia remains uncertain. Methods In the population-based Rotterdam Study, we used multivariable regression models to study the associations between plasma TMAO, its precursors, and cognition in 3,143 participants. Subsequently, we examined their link to structural brain MRI markers in 2,047 participants, with a partial validation in the Leiden Longevity Study (n = 318). Among 2,517 participants, we assessed the risk of incident dementia using multivariable Cox proportional hazard models. Following this, we stratified the longitudinal associations by medication use and sex, after which we conducted a sensitivity analysis for individuals with impaired renal function. Results Overall, plasma TMAO was not associated with cognition, neuroimaging markers or incident dementia. Instead, higher plasma choline was significantly associated with poor cognition (adjusted mean difference: -0.170 [95% confidence interval (CI) -0.297;-0.043]), brain atrophy and more markers of cerebral small vessel disease, such as white matter hyperintensity volume (0.237 [95% CI: 0.076;0.397]). By contrast, higher carnitine concurred with lower white matter hyperintensity volume (-0.177 [95% CI: -0.343;-0.010]). Only among individuals with impaired renal function, TMAO appeared to increase risk of dementia (hazard ratio (HR): 1.73 [95% CI: 1.16;2.60]). No notable differences were observed in stratified analyses. Conclusions Plasma choline, as opposed to TMAO, was found to be associated with cognitive decline, brain atrophy, and markers of cerebral small vessel disease. These findings illustrate the complexity of relationships between TMAO and its precursors, and emphasize the need for concurrent study to elucidate gut-brain mechanisms.

Abstract Long-term exposure to ambient air pollution raises the risk of deaths and morbidity worldwide. From 1990 to 2019, we observed the epidemiological trends and age-period-cohort effects on the cardiovascular diseases (CVD) burden attributable to ambient air pollution across Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa (BRICS). The number of CVD deaths related to ambient particulate matter (PM) pollution increased nearly fivefold in China [5.0% (95% CI 4.7, 5.2)] and India [5.7% (95% CI 5.1, 6.3)] during the study period. The age-standardized CVD deaths and disability-adjusted life years (DALYs) due to ambient PM pollution significantly increased in India and China but decreased in Brazil and Russia. Due to air pollution, the relative risk (RR) of premature CVD mortality (

Objective: Thyroid diseases are major health problems in our society, which are manifested by alteration in hormone secretion, enlargement of the thyroid gland. FNAC plays a significant role in the diagnosis of thyroid lesions due to its simplicity and low cost and with a diagnostic accuracy rate of 92%. This study was designed to cytomorphological profile of Graves’ disease and its co relation with anti TPO antibody. Materials and Methods: This is a prospective analytical study of fifty patients with clinically enlarged thyroid gland presenting at STG Hospital, Haldwani, Nainital during Oct 2019 to Oct 2022. FNAC smears of these patients were studied and correlated with cytomorphological findings of different types, grades of thyroiditis and hormone level of T4, T3 and T.S.H. Results: Females were mostly affected by thyroid diseases than males. Female patients were 39 (78%) and male patients were 11 (22%). In the present study, patients were in the age group of 13 to 74 years of age. High T3 levels were noted in 80% high T4 levels were found in 90%. Low TSH level was found in only 64%, normal TSH level found in 34% and 2% presented with high TSH level. 34 patients (68%) found high anti-thyroid peroxidase antibody titre >34 U/ml. Cytomorphology revealed moderate to high cellularity in 88% cases, mild to moderate nuclear atypia in 86% and presence of marginal vacuoles in 82%. Lymphocytic infiltrate found in 24% cases and epithelioid cell granuloma in 14% cases. Conclusion: Thyroid cytology proves to be a reliable, simple, and cost-effective first-line diagnostic procedure with high patient acceptance and with rare, usually easily treated and not life-threatening complications. We recommend further studies with a larger population to validate our study. Keywords: Thyroiditis, Graves' Disease, Malignancy Goiter, Histopathology

Copper nanoparticles are widely used in many sectors and research endeavors owing to their unique properties, including a large surface area, catalytic capabilities, and high thermal and electrical conductivity. The selection of the base fluid for copper nanoparticles should be contingent upon the anticipated application requirements since various fluids exhibit distinct characteristics that could potentially impact the mobility of the nanoparticles. The present investigation analyzes heat transfer phenomena occurring across a radially stretched surface. The research explores the effects of different states of Cu nanoparticles when combined with base fluids, such as water and silicone oil, on the heat transfer process. The momentum and energy equations are transformed into nonlinear ordinary differential equations by applying the similarity transformation. The boundary value problem-fourth-order (BVP4C) method numerically solves the governing ordinary differential equation for the modeled problem. In addition, the influence of various factors such as the slip parameter, solid volume fraction, Eckert number, Prandtl number, and unsteadiness parameter are examined. It has been discovered that blade-shaped nanoparticles transfer heat as quickly as possible via silicone oil and water. However, for platelet-shaped nanoparticles, a minimum heat transfer rate has been noted. The maximum skin friction coefficient is observed in platelet-shaped nanoparticles, while blade-shaped nanoparticles have the lowest skin friction coefficient.

During January and February 2022, a huge spike in the cases of COVID-19 was recorded in the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) province of Pakistan prompting the civil administration to institute new restrictions. To investigate the underlying causes of this surge, the regional Public Health Reference Lab (PHRL) launched a screening effort throughout the Province’s remote and urban areas. Herein, we present our survey results during the peak months of the pandemic. The data indicated the prevalence of highly transmissible delta- and Omicron-like virus variants, which may explain the rise in positive cases. Phylogenetic analysis revealed the genetic association between the sequences from this study and those found in Pakistan as well as from geographically distant countries, suggesting a complex evolutionary history. For screening, we deployed an easy-to-use single primer-based polymerase chain reaction (PCR) assay to identify the circulation of SARS-CoV-2. The assay was validated using clinical swabs of COVID-19 patients and obtained consistent results with Sanger sequencing. Our survey identified a patient simultaneously infected with two variants of concern, indicating the presence of the Deltacron variant, although we cannot discount the possibility of sequencing errors. We recommend that SARS-CoV-2 be continuously monitored to detect single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) that are causally linked to the emergence of new lineages. Our method provides a rapid and cost-effective detection assay for SARS-CoV-2 in a resource-constrained setting.

Introduction: Human brucellosis, caused by the bacteria Brucella, is a significant infectious disease globally, also known as Mediterranean fever or Malta fever. Methods: This meta-analysis and systematic review focuses on the prevalence rate, risk factors, and diagnostic methods of human brucellosis in Middle Eastern countries, where the disease remains a significant public health issue. The analysis included 92 studies conducted between 1993 and 2024, following specified inclusion and exclusion criteria among symptomatic patients across these countries. The prevalence rate was calculated by dividing positive samples by total samples. The I2 index and Chi-squared test assessed study heterogeneity. Significant heterogeneity occurred when I2 exceeded 50 %. Results: The highest prevalence rate was observed in Oman, Lebanon, and Kuwait countries, emphasizing a notable burden of Brucella infection in these regions. Risk factors associated with human brucellosis were identified, with unpasteurized dairy consumption and close animal contact being predominant. Various professions such as farmers, dairy factory workers, and agriculture workers showed higher prevalence rate. Gender analysis indicated a prevalence rate of 18.02 % (95 % CI: 11.55–25.51 %) in males and 13.61 % (95 % CI: 10.8–16.68 %) in females, with no significant difference in hospitalization rates. The prevalence rate of Brucella spp. was varied across detection methods, with immunocapture agglutination assay (Brucellacapt) showing the highest estimated prevalence rate of (44.04 %, 95 % CI: 27.71–61.04), followed by PCR (39.84 %, 95 % CI: 20.14–61.39) and culture (29.22 %, 95 % CI: 17.89–42.03). Among Brucella species, Brucella melitensis (B. melitensis) and Brucella abortus (B. abortus) were the highest prevalence rate. Although statistically insignificant, the meta-analysis also revealed an upward trend in prevalence rate from 1993 to 2024, (P value = 0.277). Discussion: This comprehensive review emphasizes the need for tailored strategies to control brucellosis in the Middle East, highlighting the importance of timely diagnosis, public awareness, and effective treatment protocols. These findings provide valuable insights for policymakers and healthcare professionals working to mitigate the impact of this disease in the region.

In recent decades, the demand for sustainable construction practices has increased, but raw materials such as reinforcing steel remain scarce. Therefore, steel fibres have emerged as a popular and sustainable choice in the construction industry, offering a cost-effective alternative to traditional steel bar reinforcement for both flatwork and elevated structures. The purpose of this study is therefore to compare the performance of fracture behaviour between steel fibre-reinforced concrete (SFRC) and steel bar-reinforced concrete (SBRC) beams subjected to three-point bending. The fracture process was monitored by using two non-invasive techniques: acoustic emission (AE) and digital image correlation (DIC). The damage level was identified by characterizing the parameter-based AE data such as hit rate, energy release, count, rise time, amplitude, and signal strength. DIC images were employed to visualise the crack propagation in parallel with the AE data. To further understand the fracture characteristics, the integration of 2D source localization of AE events (based on local AE fracture energies) with DIC results was investigated. The parameter-based AE results showed that SBRC beam experienced a high density of AE hits with large peak amplitude events that were accelerated during the pre-peak loading phase. The Ib-value analysis revealed that SBRC beam exhibited a higher degree of fracture magnitude during the primary crack development process than SFRC beam. Following the main cracking stage, SFRC beam demonstrated an improved post-cracking softening behavior and superior ability to arrest crack propagation compared to SBRC beam. The integration of local AE fracture energy and DIC results provided a novel approach for a better understanding of the fracture behaviour in both SFRC and SBRC beams. This study’s findings contribute to more precise monitoring of fracture evolution in SFRC and SBRC beams, ultimately improving the selection process for primary reinforcement in flatwork and elevated structures.

Objective: To compare the use of Titanium clips and Monopolar diathermy for laparoscopic appendectomy mesoappendix closure in terms of operative time and cost. Study Design: Quasi-experiment study. Place and Duration of Study: Department of Surgery, Combined Military Hospital, Nowshera Pakistan, from Jul 2021 to Jun 2022. Methodology: A total of 70 patients who were diagnosed with acute appendicitis and were admitted for laparoscopic appendectomy were randomly divided into two groups via the lottery method. In Group-A, the closure of the mesoappendix was done using Titanium clips, and in Group-B, the ligation of the mesoappendix was done using Monopolar diathermy. Patient outcomes in terms of operative time and procedure cost were assessed. Results: Out of 70 patients, 49(70.0%) were males and 21(30.0%) were females, aged 18 to 60 years, with a mean age of 37.57±7.71 years. The overall mean weight of the patients was 65.29±12.14 kg; height was 1.71±0.12 metres; and BMI was 24.96±5.23 kg/m2, respectively. Prolonged operative time was observed in 16(45.71%) patients in Group-A, compared to 7(20.0%) in Group-B (p-value 0.022). In Group-A, the total cost of the operation was Rs. 32,000, whereas in Group-B, it was Rs. 30,000 (p-value=0.001). Conclusion: This study concluded that Monopolar diathermy for the closure of the mesoappendix is better in terms of operating time and cost as compared to the use of Titanium clips.

Abstract Trimethylamine N‐oxide (TMAO) is a circulating microbiome‐derived metabolite implicated in the development of atherosclerosis and cardiovascular disease (CVD). We investigated whether plasma levels of TMAO, its precursors (betaine, carnitine, deoxycarnitine, choline), and TMAO‐to‐precursor ratios are associated with clinical outcomes, including CVD and mortality. This was followed by an in‐depth analysis of their genetic, gut microbial, and dietary determinants. The analyses were conducted in five Dutch prospective cohort studies including 7834 individuals. To further investigate association results, Mendelian Randomization (MR) was also explored. We found only plasma choline levels (hazard ratio [HR] 1.17, [95% CI 1.07; 1.28]) and not TMAO to be associated with CVD risk. Our association analyses uncovered 10 genome‐wide significant loci, including novel genomic regions for betaine (6p21.1, 6q25.3), choline (2q34, 5q31.1), and deoxycarnitine (10q21.2, 11p14.2) comprising several metabolic gene associations, for example, CPS1 or PEMT. Furthermore, our analyses uncovered 68 gut microbiota associations, mainly related to TMAO‐to‐precursors ratios and the Ruminococcaceae family, and 16 associations of food groups and metabolites including fish‐TMAO, meat‐carnitine, and plant‐based food‐betaine associations. No significant association was identified by the MR approach. Our analyses provide novel insights into the TMAO pathway, its determinants, and pathophysiological impact on the general population.

Hybrid molecules based on the 1,3,4-thiadiazole were always the choice of different researchers due to their significant application in medicinal as well as pharmaceutical application. In the present study, twenty analogs of 1,3,4-thiadiazole-bearing thiosemicarbazide moiety (1–20) were synthesized and screened for their anti-diabetic profile. The synthesized compounds were spectroscopically characterized through different spectroscopic techniques such as 1HNMR, 13CNMR, and HREI-MS. Comparing the whole set of afforded compounds to the standard glimepiride drugs (16.01 ± 0.02 μM), the inhibition profiles against α-amylase ranged from 21.02 ± 0.08 to 54.08 ± 0.04 μM. Comparing synthetic analogs to normal glimepiride (IC50 = 14.06 ± 0.05 μM), the range of α-glucosidase activity was likewise variable, ranging from 18.04 ± 0.07 μM to IC50 = 51.05 ± 0.03 μM (against α-glucosidase). Compound 19 demonstrated high potency among the produced analogs since it had both ortho-nitro substitution at the aryl ring. The pattern of substitutions around the aryl ring was used for all analogs to determine the structure–activity relationship. In addition, a molecular docking study was conducted on the potent analogs to examine the interactions between the active residues of the targeted enzymes with the synthesized compound. The synthesized molecule showed different types of interactions with amino acid. The outcome demonstrates that these compounds provide several essential interactions with the active sites of enzymes, hence strengthening their enzymatic activity for the future prediction as drug competitors.

This work aims to enhance the efficiency and properties of carboxymethyl cellulose (CMC) by introducing silver and zinc ions. CMC incorporated with a silver (CMC-Ag) and CMC incorporated with zinc (CMC-Zn) composites and films were prepared, characterized and evaluated for biological activities respectively. The CMC-Ag and CMC-Zn composites and composite films showed notable antibacterial and antioxidant activities based on increasing Ag and Zn concentrations. The CMC-Ag composite films displayed the highest wound contraction 89.79% followed by CMC-Zn composite films 89.24% on the 10th day with low levels of interleukin-6 (IL-6) and tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α). Histological images of wounds treated with these composite films exhibited healed epidermis and a clear view of collagen deposition. These findings demonstrate that our prepared composite films have auspicious features with eloquent antibacterial, antioxidant and wound-healing properties which could be used as biobased wound dressings.

Background: Acute febrile illness (AFI) is the most common presentation in the pediatric emergency room, and bedside risk assessment scores are very useful to identify those at risk. This study aimed to evaluate the predictive validity of quick Sequential Organ Failure Assessment (qSOFA), quick Pediatric Logistic Organ Dysfunction-2 (qPELOD-2), Liverpool qSOFA (LqSOFA), and Pediatric Early Warning Score (PEWS) to predict the outcome of patients with AFI admitted to the pediatric intensive care unit (PICU). Subjects and Methods: This prospective observational study included children under the age of 18 years admitted to PICU. A thorough history and examination was performed in the ER, and the qSOFA, the qPELOD-2, the LqSOFA, and the PEWS scores were calculated. The primary outcome was inhospital mortality. The capacity of the scores to predict outcome was evaluated for calibration (using Hosmer–Lemeshow adaptation of the Chi-square test) and discrimination (using receiver operating characteristic [ROC] curve). The scores were compared for any significant difference using z-statistics. Results: The study included 239 patients with the most common diagnosis of dengue fever. The overall mortality rate in the study was 8.4%. On the calibration of the models, all the scores showed a good fit to predict mortality. On discrimination by ROC curve, the LqSOFA score and PEWS had the best area under the curve for ROC curve (AUC-ROC) (0.913), followed by the qSOFA score (0.859). On comparing the AUC-ROC curve, no statistically significant difference was found between the scoring systems to predict mortality. Conclusions: Bedside risk stratification scores are a simple and convenient tool to identify patients at risk for mortality and assess prognosis. No single assessment tool was found superior to others.

Abstract This paper applies social network analysis (SNA) techniques to the input–output table in order to investigate the production network of Pakistan’s economy. Through different network measures, it identifies the sectors that exert significant direct and indirect impacts on other sectors. The findings reveal that, overall, sectors have weak forward linkages relative to backward linkages. The services sectors, particularly transportation and trade services, have the highest out-degree (a measure of forward linkages). In contrast, the manufacturing sectors demonstrate comparatively lower connectivity than the services sectors. The sectors of electricity, petroleum, and chemicals emerge as the most widely utilized inputs across various industries. Despite their relatively moderate immediate absorption in downstream industries, these sectors possess the potential to affect other industries indirectly. Considering the combined measures of network analysis, these sectors also emerge as the most crucial sectors in Pakistan’s production network. This suggests that enhancing efficiency in the energy, refining, and petrochemical industries will yield the highest economy-wide impact.

Abstract Pakistan is facing a high prevalence of malnutrition and Minimum Dietary Diversity (MDD) is one of the core indicators that remain below the recommended level. This study assesses MDD and its associated factors among children aged 6 to 23 months in Pakistan. The study uses a cross-sectional study using the dataset of the latest available Multiple Indicators Cluster Survey (MICS) for all provinces of Pakistan. Multistage sampling is used to select 18,699 children aged 6 to 23 months. The empirical method is the Logistic Regression Analysis and Chi-Square Test. The dataset is freely and publicly available with all identifier information removed, and no ethics approvals are required. About one-fifth (20%) of infants and young children aged 6 to 23 months had met MDD, this number varies from 17 to 29%, highest in Baluchistan and lowest in Punjab province of Pakistan. The age group (18–23) indicates a 2.45 times greater chance of having MDD. Age (

Effective drug combination prediction is crucial for the success of drug discovery, but it is a challenging task due to drug-drug interactions and potential adverse drug reactions. In this work, a novel technique to DDI prediction using knowledge graph-based approach called KGAT is proposed, which utilizes attention mechanisms with graph convolution layers to capture important features and correlations between drugs and other entities such as targets and genes. Our model employs attention mechanisms to prioritize significant interactions and aggregates information through sum, mean, and max operations to enhance prediction accuracy. This allows KGAT to effectively mine high-order structures and semantic relationships within the knowledge graph. We evaluate our model on the KEGG dataset and compare its performance with existing state-of-the-art methods. The results show that KGAT outperforms these methods. Additionally, our approach has several advantages, including simplicity, interpretability, and low-dimensional complexity, making it a promising tool for accelerating drug discovery and development. By identifying novel drug combinations with improved efficacy and safety profiles, our approach has the potential to improve patient outcomes and support safer drug development. Our study highlights the potential of attention mechanisms in knowledge graph-based drug combination prediction, and we believe that KGAT can serve as a valuable framework for future research in this field.

The increasing integration of Renewable Energy Sources (RESs) into power systems exhibits unique challenges due to their inherent variability and the complexity of grid integration. This paper presents a comprehensive review and proposes an detailed foundational blueprint for the seamless integration of RESs into modern power networks. The framework leverages advanced energy storage mechanisms, optimization algorithms and control strategies to enhance the stability, efficiency and scalability of power systems incorporating RESs. By applying state-of-the-art artificial intelligence and machine learning techniques, the proposed approach offers tailored solutions for diverse applications, ranging from residential smart homes to large-scale industrial systems and smart grids in urban environments. Extensive analysis of current research, implementation case studies and comparative assessments are provided to guide the development of resilient, cost-effective and sustainable energy systems. The paper also addresses critical open issues and outlines future research directions to further advance the integration of RESs. In this context, this work serves as a cornerstone for policymakers, engineers and researchers aiming to bridge the gap between theoretical advancements of technology-driven era and real-world energy solutions.

Polar codes have garnered substantial research attention due to their impressive performance characteristics and have found applications in recent technologies, including 5G New Radio (NR) systems, Internet of Things (IoT) communications, and cyber-physical systems that utilize sensor and actuator networks. However, the existing SC decoders suffer from lengthy processing latencies due to their sequential processing steps, thereby restricting the practical applicability of polar codes. To address this latency issue, this paper introduces a Compound Pipeline Processing Unit (CPPU) and its simplified counterpart, a crucial step in realizing tree-level compound pipelining. In contrast to sequential circuitry, the previously described combinational architecture lacks internal storage elements, with the clock period defined by the longest path delay. This strategy conserves hardware resources by avoiding memory usage, but it inevitably decelerates the decoder’s performance. Notably, implementation results underline the efficiency of the proposed CPPU-based SC polar decoder using a fully unrolled encoder and decoder on the targeted platform of a Virtex UltraScale - XCVU190 Field Programmable Gate Array (FPGA), using a parametric approach in the Very High-Speed Integrated Circuit Hardware Description Language (VHDL). The assessment of error-correction performance involves examining various combinations of integral and fractional bits in LLR quantized representations. This approach achieves a throughput of about 2672 Mbps, accompanied by a substantial reduction of 17% in Lookup Table (LUT) usage. Furthermore, the decoder’s speed is enhanced by approximately 17.34% for a code length of 128 bits and LLR quantization of 5 bits.

Ever-increasing dynamic surges in renewable-based electric power systems, notably wind and photovoltaic farms bring adverse impacts and challenges in terms of reliability and stability. The intermittency of renewable sources imposes significant deviations in frequency due to variations in demand. Wind power induces instability in the grid due to its vulnerable nature, and reduction in system inertia. To mitigate these dynamics issues, an optimal control technique based on flatness-based Active disturbance rejection control (FADRC) and utilizing an enhanced Beluga Whale optimization algorithm (EBWO) for a multi-area interconnected power system with photovoltaic generation. The proposed LFC model addresses the load perturbation and the deviation of tie-line power, with system uncertainties considered as lumped disturbances that are approximated by extended state observers. To achieve optimal performance, the Enhanced Beluga Whale optimization algorithm is adopted and integrated with the suggested controller to fine-tune the controller. To validate the formidable performance of the suggested scheme, different cases have been studied with the existing approaches. The simulation results reveal the supremacy and robustness of the dynamic response of the Flatness-based active disturbance rejection control as compared to other approaches under load variations and parameter uncertainty.

Abstract Recently, radar sensors have been extensively used for vital sign monitoring in dogs, owing to their noncontact and noninvasive nature. However, a public dataset on dog vital signs has yet to be proposed since capturing data from dogs requires special training and approval. This work presents the first ever ultra wideband radar-based dog vital sign (UWB-DVS) dataset, which was captured in two independent scenarios. In the first scenario, clinical reference sensors are attached to the fainted dogs, and data from UWB radar and reference sensors are captured synchronously. In the second scenario, the dogs can move freely, and video recordings are provided as a reference for movement detection and breathing extraction. For technical validation, a high correlation, above 0.9, is found between the radar and clinical reference sensors for both the heart rate and breathing rate measurements in scenario 1. In scenario 2, the vital signs and movement of the dogs are shown in the form of dashboards, demonstrating the long-term monitoring capability of the radar sensor.

Abstract The return of rural migrant workers to employment is an endogenous force that drives the development of the rural economy and plays a vital role in rural revitalization. Using data from the China Migrants Dynamic Survey (CMDS) conducted in 2017, this study comprehensively examines the influence of social exclusion and the role of identity on migrant workers’ willingness to return home (MWRH). The findings indicate a significant impact of social exclusion on MWRH, and this relationship remains robust even after employing instrumental variables to address endogeneity concerns. Identity emerges as a crucial mediating factor through which social exclusion affects MWRH, demonstrating a partial mediating effect. Notably, the impact of social exclusion on MWRH is particularly prevalent among rural residents in the western and northeastern regions, the older generation, those with lower incomes, and those with limited intra-provincial mobility. Promoting a positive image of migrant workers and encouraging their pursuit of an improved quality of life can help alleviate social exclusion, strengthen their sense of identity, and foster deeper roots in cities. Furthermore, providing supportive platforms for returning migrant workers can enhance their active willingness to return home.

The developing countries rely heavily on imports of capital goods to spur economic growth. When the economy grows, energy consumption rises, adversely impacting climate change. The low levels of renewable energy share in total energy consumption, developing nations confront a difficult task in achieving the SDGs targets related to an increase in renewable energy share and access to affordable, reliable, and modern energy. Finding solutions to increase renewable energy usage is critical. International trade is an unavoidable part of development, prompting us to consider the impact of imports on renewable energy usage. This study explores the effects of imports of capital goods from China, EU and USA on renewable energy consumption in developing countries by using panel data from 20 countries spanning 2000–2018. It is found that capital goods imported from China in developing countries negatively impact renewable energy consumption while imports from EU have a positive impact on renewable energy consumption. However, in the case of US it is found negative but insignificant. The role of economic, social, and political globalization is explored, and it is found that three types of globalization are positively and significantly linked with renewable energy consumption. Thus, this study recommends that trade policies complement domestic efforts toward increasing renewable energy production and consumption in developing countries.

Uncrewed aerial vehicles (UAVs) for plant protection play a vital role in modern agricultural operations. In recent years, advancements in UAVs and pest control technologies have significantly enhanced operational efficiency. These innovations have addressed historical challenges in agricultural practices by improving automation and precision in managing insect pests, diseases, and weeds. UAVs offer high operational efficiency, wide adaptability to different terrain, and safe applications. The development and demand for these technologies have increased to boost agricultural production. In agricultural settings where conventional machinery struggles to carry out farming operations, UAVs have transformed farming practices by providing high operational efficiency and significant profitability. The integration of UAVs and other smart technologies has driven advancements. The UAV sector has received substantial attention as a convergence of production, service, and delivery, introducing synergy through the presence of several developing areas. The market for this technology is expected to grow in the future. In this comprehensive review, we analyzed an overview of historical research, diverse techniques, the transition from conventional to advanced application, development trends, and operational milestones across diverse cropping systems. We also discussed adoption and subsidy policies. In order to properly understand UAV operational efficiency, we also analyzed and discussed smart atomization systems, spray drift, droplet deposition detection technologies, and the capabilities of related technologies. Additionally, we reviewed the role of software programs, data-driven tools, biodegradable materials, payloads, batteries, sensing technologies, weather, and operational and spraying factors. Regulatory limitations, operating and farmer’s training, economic effects, and guidelines were also acknowledged in this review. This review highlights deficiencies and provides essential knowledge of the use of UAVs for agriculture tasks in different regions. Finally, we examine the urgency of UAV technology implementations in the agricultural sector. In conclusion, we summarize the integration of UAVs and their related technologies with applications and future research prospects, offering directions for follow-up research on the key technologies of UAVs and encouraging the enhancement of agricultural production management in terms of efficiency, accuracy, and sustainability.

Background: The incidence of breast cancer warrants special consideration and understanding of disease demography. The study aimed to determine the clinicopathological characteristics of molecularly classified groups of invasive ductal breast carcinoma in Pakistani women. Methods: Patients (n=83) undergoing modified radical mastectomy with primary microscopically proven invasive ductal carcinoma were recruited from two tertiary care hospitals, Lahore, Pakistan. Grossing, reporting and biomarker testing was performed as per the College of American Pathologists (CAP) protocols. Chi-square was applied to observe associations between variables. A p-value

Background: The morphology of megakaryocytes plays a major role in thrombopoiesis. Dysmegakaryocytopoiesis and thrombocytopenia can result from imperfection in any phase of megakaryocytopoiesis. The structure, morphology, and characteristics of megakaryocytes can differentiate and identify the etiology of underlying diseases such as leukaemia, mixed anaemia, idiopathic, aplasia, or infiltration. This research aimed to comprehend megakaryocyte attributions and their contribution to the diagnosis of thrombocytopenia. Methods: This was a cross-sectional analysis of all successive cases of thrombocytopenia bone marrow aspirates over 12 months (January 2019 to December 2019) at the Department of Pathology, Indus Medical College Hospital Tando Muhammad Khan. With a 100X lens, megakaryocyte morphology was studied. Data were analysed by SPSS and Chi-square was performed to find correlation at the 95% confidence interval. Results: Among the 91 subjects of thrombocytopenia, the commonest etiology of thrombocytopenia was idiopathic thrombocytopenia 34(37.36%). The common morphological changes in megakaryocytes were hypolobated megakaryocytes and bare megakaryocyte nuclei. Megakaryocyte numbers were increased for 31 (91.17%) patients among idiopathic thrombocytopenia, though the megakaryocyte numbers were decreased among 19 (90.47%) patients having acute leukaemia. A change to immature, young, less polyploid and bare nuclei forms was observed in immune thrombocytopenia. Immature types were seen in 15 cases, 14 cases of bare megakaryocytic nuclei, 15 cases of hypolobation and one case of micromegakaryocytes. Conclusion: Many similarities among various haematological diseases were observed in megakaryocytic morphology. However, in megakaryocytic thrombocytopenia, high megakaryocyte counts and evidence of bare nuclei of megakaryocytes (p=0.02) and hypolobic types (p=0.03) proved important and play a very essential role in diagnosis. Keywords: Megakaryocytes; Thrombocytopenia; Bone Marrow Aspirate; Diagnosis; Dysmegakaryopoiesis.

Autoencoders (AEs) are central to hyperspectral anomaly detection, given their impressive efficacy. However, the current methodologies often neglect the global pixel similarity of the hyperspectral image (HsI), thereby limiting reconstruction accuracy. This study introduces an innovative pixel-associated AE approach that leverages pixel associations to augment hyperspectral anomaly detection. First, a dictionary construction methodology was introduced based on superpixel distance estimation to construct distinct dictionaries for background and local anomalies. Second, to recognize pixel similarities, the similarity metric of each pixel from the original HsI to the background dictionary and to the local anomaly dictionary was employed as the AE network input in lieu of the original HsI. Third, a dual hidden-layer feature similarity constraint network was proposed to enhance the reconstruction error of background and anomaly targets. Finally, the reconstruction error was utilized to score the anomaly target. The proposed method was benchmarked against other state-of-the-art techniques using synthetic and real HsI datasets to assess its effectiveness. The experimental results demonstrated the superior performance of the proposed method, outperforming the alternatives.

In an islanded hybrid microgrid, frequency deviation is caused by the intermittent nature of renewable resources and load variations. Maintaining nominal frequency requires the secondary controller to send a signal to the controllable energy sources so that supply and demand are synchronized. Time delays in the system's communication channels, however, can reduce its efficiency. To compensate for the system uncertainties, modeling error and variant nature of renewable resources, an optimized flatness based active disturbance rejection controller have been proposed. Mitigating the effects of communication delay in the system and to synchronize the inputs to the extended state observer, a smith predictor based low pass filter is employed. Furthermore, an improved beluga whale optimization (IBWO) technique is employed to tune the proposed controller gains. The comparative analysis of the proposed IBWO is performed with existing algorithms. Moreover, the proposed controller superiority over the standard PID and LADRC approach has been investigated by perturbation in renewable resources, uncertainty in parameters, variation and mismatch in communication delay. Simulation results provide the testimony for the efficient performance of the designed controller. Lastly, the proposed controller is further evaluated in multi microgrid environment.

Plant growth regulators are synthetic compounds that have become a significant and technical guarantee for agricultural productivity. In China, ''Jindeli'', which contains active elements of ethephon and cycocel (EC), has been proven to prevent maize stem elongation, improve maize stem thickness, stem morphology and mechanical strength, root growth, lodging resistance, and yield under various cultivation models. Diethyl aminoethyl hexanoate (DA-6) can promote cell division and growth. From 2020–2021, four growth regulators sprays were used to conduct a field experiment; G1: water spraying; G2: EC spraying; G3: DA-6 spraying; G4: EC+DA-6 spraying under two cultivation models; R: ridge covered with plastic film mulching and T: traditional flat planting without plastic mulching. The results indicated that RG4 treatment considerably decreased plant height, internode length, ear height, lodging rate, and center of gravity height, while improved the internode bending strength, cross-sectional area, cortical thickness, and stem vascular bundles as compared with rest of all other treatments. RG4 treatment considerably improved internode diameter, stem mechanical strength, filling degree, root growth, mean tilt angle, and lignin content, while significantly reducing LAI. In addition, RG4 considerably enhanced the quality of corn stems, such as increasing mechanical properties and enhancing the compressive strength of corn stalks that content of hemicellulose, cellulose, and lignin has been increased. Furthermore, RG4 treatment significantly improved grain yield by optimizing leaf layer structure and increasing bleeding saps levels, increasing the grains per row and ear. Thus, under the RG4 treatment maize lodging rate was decreased 72.1%, and increased WUE (52.8%), and grain yield (46.6%). In conclusion, the results clearly demonstrate that in the semi-arid regions risk of lodging can be avoided by spraying EC+DA-6 with ridge covered plastic film mulching to the enriched stalk quality, shaping plant morphological characteristics, and proving a stable cultivation model to improving maize productivity.

Straw mulching incorporation has a wide range of environmental benefits that make it an effective practice for sustainable agro-ecosystem in the semi-arid regions. There is an urgent need to improve the 13C-photosynthates distribution, water use efficiency (WUE) and maize canopy characteristics under the diverse tillage practices with straw mulched management strategies for sustainable intensification of maize production. The field study consists of three diverse tillage systems (RT: rotary tillage; CT, conventional tillage; MT, minimum tillage) with three straws mulching (NS: no straw mulch; SS: straw mulch on the soil surface; SI: straw incorporated into the soil) were assessed under the ridge-furrow rainfall harvesting system. Our results showed that the rotary tillage with straw incorporated into the soil significantly reduces the ET rate (11 %), and leaf rolling index; as a result considerably improves LAI, LEI, 13C-photosynthates distribution, N accumulation, and above ground biomass under various growth stages. The RTSI treatment significantly improved soil water storage, soil organic carbon (52 %, SOC), soil C storage (39 %, SCS), and NPK nutrients uptake (70 %, 62 %, and 69 %) of maize than observed for the rest of all other treatments, respectively. The RTSI treatment improves soil water balance, grain yield (53 %), biomass yield (37 %), WUEg (51 %), WUEb (35 %), nutrients uptake, and mitigating soil water depletion than the MTNS treatment. Although RTSS can achieve optimal soil water storage in the short term, RTSI has a great potential in improving soil carbon stability, canopy characteristics, soil water storage, and WUE, contributing to sustainable and intensive corn production in agricultural ecosystems in semi-arid regions.

BackgroundHuman brucellosis is a neglected disease transmitted to humans from animals such as cattle, goats, dogs, and swine. The causative agents are bacteria of the genus Brucella, intracellular pathogens usually confined to the reproductive organs of their animal hosts causing sterility and abortions. The objective of the study was to determine the seroprevalence of brucellosis among women with spontaneous abortions (SAW) and compare this seroprevalence with that of healthy pregnant women (HPW).MethodsThe case–control study was designed to determine the seroprevalence and molecular detection of brucellosis in women who suffered from spontaneous abortion and healthy pregnant women of the Haripur District of Pakistan. A total of 770 blood samples (n = 385 for each group) were collected from 9 public and 11 private hospitals in Haripur District from December 2021–March 2023. Data on demographic features, epidemiological variables, and risk factors were collected from each participant by structured questionnaires. Initial screening for brucellosis was performed by Rose Bengal Plate Test followed by qRT-PCR for molecular detection of the genus-specific BCSP-31 gene of Brucella.ResultsThe study showed that anti-Brucella antibodies were more found in SAW 23.63% (91/385) than in HPW 1.29% (5/385). Brucella specific DNA was amplified in 89.01% (81/91) seropositive samples of SAW. Demographic features and risk factors such as age, urbanicity, socioeconomic status, education, occupation, and animal contact were found significantly associated with brucellosis (p ≤ 0.05). Consumption of unpasteurized raw milk (OR = 18.28, 95%CI: 8.16–40.94) was found highly concomitant with seroprevalence.ConclusionThis study reports the first evidence of involvement of brucellosis in spontaneous abortions in women of Pakistan. The study can be used to develop strategies for risk management during pregnancy, to raise awareness for brucellosis, and develop control programs.

A topological index (TI) is a real number that determined the structure of a graph. Topological indices (TIs) serves mathematical descriptors that aid in predicting and understanding the physicochemical properties and structure-activity relationships of chemical compounds, thus facilitating drug design and discovery processes. TIs utilizes to forecast the effectiveness of cancer treatment by providing details on the molecules of the medications and their associated properties. In order to create safe and effective treatments, it is crucial to employ TIs to accurately predict the toxicity and side effects of medications. In this paper, we have considered the physical and biological properties of some blood cancer treatment medications through degree based Banhatti topological indices from the M-polynomial by using derivations. The drugs are Palbociclib, Ivosidenib, Glasdegib, Gilteritinib, and Daunorubicin and the TI's are given in Table 1. Subsequently, a linear regression technique is employed to establish a quantitative structure-property relationship (QSPR) model for predicting various parameters such as molecular weight, complexity, molar volume, boiling point (BP), and flash point (FP). Results indicate that topological indices have potential as a drug discovery and development tool in the fight against cancer.

Abstract Background Considering the high maternal mortality rate, the government of Pakistan has deployed Community Midwives (CMWs) in rural areas of Pakistan. This relatively new cadre of community-based skilled birth attendants has previously reported to experience several challenges in providing maternal and child healthcare. However, what barriers they experience in providing basic emergency obstetric and newborn care needs to be further studied. Methods This was a cross-sectional study conducted in twelve districts in Sindh province, Pakistan, with poor maternal and child health indicators. A total of 258 CMWs participated in this study and completed the questionnaire on a pretested, validated tool in their community-based stations. The trained data collectors completed the questionnaires from the respondents. The problems identified were categorized into three major issues: financial, and transport and security related; and were analyzed accordingly. Ethical approval was obtained from the institutional review board (IRB) of Health Services Academy (HSA) Islamabad, Pakistan. Results The majority (90%) of 258 CMWs had formal training in maternal and neonatal care from the recognized institutions. Financial difficulties faced by CMWs were identified as the most frequent barriers and others were transport, security, and other issues. In univariate analysis, 38.1% and 61.9% of the community midwives who faced financial difficulties had completed a graduation or intermediate level of education, respectively (p = 0.006). Round-the-clock availability for emergencies was inversely associated with having financial difficulties, i.e., 71.4%, in contrast to 28.4% who had financial difficulties were available round-the-clock for emergency calls in their community clinics (p = 0.008). Formal training (p = 0.001), work experience (p = 0.015), longer duration of work (p = 0.003), and liaison with health workers and posting district (p = 0.001) had statistically significantly higher transport related issues. Security difficulties faced by CMWs and a set of correlates such as formal training (p = 0.019), working experience (p = 0.001), longer duration of work (p = 0.023), 24 h of availability on call (p = 0.004), liaison with traditional birth attendants (TBAs) in the community (p = 0.002), and district of posting (p = 0.001) were statistically significantly different. Other issues like working experience (p =