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Aim: We studied the usefulness of indocyanine green (ICG) fluorescence imaging in identifying bile flow from hilar microbile ducts during Kasai portoenterostomy (KPE). Materials and Methods: We reviewed the records of all the children who underwent KPE over 10 months and reviewed the operation notes of those who received ICG. ICG (0.1 mg/kg) was injected into a peripheral vein 12 h before the incision. We noted the surgeon's observation on bile flow after hilar dissection using ICG camera (KARL STORZ). The outcome of KPE (jaundice clearance with direct bilirubin of Results: Fifteen children underwent KPE during this period, out of which 11 children received ICG. After dissection of the hilar plate, good bile drainage was observed from the right and left corners of the portal plate in seven children. Six of these children with good bile flow have been observed to be clearing jaundice. One child despite having good bile flow did not clear jaundice. All four children who had poor bile flow failed to clear jaundice. In children who had received ICG, we were able to predict jaundice clearance with an accuracy of 91 (10 out of 11 children). Conclusion: ICG can be used effectively to identify bile flow during KPE and good bile flow observed during surgery correlates with jaundice clearance. Keywords: Biliary atresia, indocyanine green, Kasai portoenterostomy, native liver survival, near-infrared fluorescence imaging, Author(s): Muhammed Jaseel (corresponding author) [1]; Anu K. Vasudevan [2]; Abhinav Sihag [1]; Naresh Shanmugam [2]; Srinivas Sankaranarayanan [1]; Mohamed Rela [2]; Priya Ramachandran [1] INTRODUCTION Biliary atresia (BA) is [...]

Author(s): Nawazish Shaikh [1]; Vinod Kumar (corresponding author) [1]; Aiswarya Ramachandran [2]; Ramesh Venkatesh [3]; Uday Tekchandani [4]; Mudit Tyagi [2]; Chaitra Jayadev [3]; Mohit Dogra [4]; Rohan Chawla [1] [...], Microvascular complications of diabetic retinopathy (DR) may require surgical intervention in the form of vitrectomy. Since its inception, diabetic vitrectomy has evolved with introduction of better instruments, newer techniques, and smaller port sizes. Common indications for diabetic vitrectomy include nonresolving vitreous hemorrhage, tractional retinal detachment, epiretinal membrane, progression of fibrovascular membranes despite laser therapy, recalcitrant diabetic macular edema, and neovascular glaucoma. Preoperative systemic stabilization is essential prior to planning surgery. Surgical techniques commonly used in diabetic vitrectomy are segmentation, delamination, and rarely en-bloc dissection. Modification in surgical techniques such as chandelier-assisted bimanual dissection and pharmacological adjuvants improve surgical outcomes in these patients. Prognosis in these patients could be improved with early intervention. Studies evaluating the outcome of vitrectomy in patients with early proliferative DR are required to understand the appropriate time of intervention in patients. Treatment aimed at arresting the progression of DR and gene therapy are avenues that need further evaluation. The following review will focus on covering the epidemiology of DR, indications of vitrectomy, preoperative considerations, surgical procedures of diabetic vitrectomy, methods of membrane dissection, pharmacological adjuvants to vitrectomy, outcomes of diabetic vitrectomy, and future directions of diabetic vitrectomy. Keywords: Diabetic macular edema, diabetic retinopathy, diabetic vitrectomy, epiretinal membrane, neovascular glaucoma, proliferative diabetic retinopathy, vitreous hemorrhage

Ayesha Ramachandran is a literary critic and cultural historian of the early modern world. She is the author of The Worldmakers (2015) and is Professor of Comparative Literature at Yale [...]

Diabetic macular edema (DME) is an important cause of visual impairment in the working-age group. Deep learning methods have been developed to detect DME from two-dimensional retinal images and also from optical coherence tomography (OCT) images. The performances of these algorithms vary and often create doubt regarding their clinical utility. In resource-constrained health-care systems, these algorithms may play an important role in determining referral and treatment. The survey provides a diversified overview of macular edema detection methods, including cutting-edge research, with the objective of providing pertinent information to research groups, health-care professionals, and diabetic patients about the applications of deep learning in retinal image detection and classification process. Electronic databases such as PubMed, IEEE Explore, BioMed, and Google Scholar were searched from inception to March 31, 2022, and the reference lists of published papers were also searched. The study followed the preferred reporting items for systematic review and meta-analysis (PRISMA) reporting guidelines. Examination of various deep learning models and their exhibition regarding precision, epochs, their capacity to detect anomalies for less training data, concepts, and challenges that go deep into the applications were analyzed. A total of 53 studies were included that evaluated the performance of deep learning models in a total of 1,414,169°CT volumes, B-scans, patients, and 472,328 fundus images. The overall area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUROC) was 0.9727. The overall sensitivity for detecting DME using OCT images was 96 (95 confidence interval [CI]: 0.94-0.98). The overall sensitivity for detecting DME using fundus images was 94 (95 CI: 0.90-0.96). Keywords: Deep learning, diabetic macular edema, fundus images, meta-analysis, optical coherence tomography, Author(s): Suchetha Manikandan (corresponding author) [1]; Rajiv Raman [2]; Ramachandran Rajalakshmi [3]; S Tamilselvi [4]; R Janani Surya [5] Diabetes is one of the leading causes of blindness in the [...]

Author(s): Akash Mehta [1,2]; Margot Lehman [1]; Prabhakar Ramachandran (corresponding author) [1,2] INTRODUCTION Radiotherapy and treatment planning Radiation therapy is widely used to effectively treat patients suffering from the adverse [...], Aim: Current radiotherapy treatment techniques require a large amount of imaging data for treatment planning which demand significant clinician's time to segment target volume and organs at risk (OARs). In this study, we propose to use U-net-based architecture to segment OARs commonly encountered in lung cancer radiotherapy. Materials and Methods: Four U-Net OAR models were generated and trained on 20 lung cancer patients' computed tomography (CT) datasets, with each trained for 100 epochs. The model was tested for each OAR, including the right lung, left lung, heart, and spinal cord. Dice similarity coefficient (DSC) and Hausdorff distance (HD) were used to assess the agreement between the predicted contour and ground truth. Results: The highest of the average DSC among the test patients for the left lung and the right lung was 0.96 ± 0.03 and 0.94 ± 0.06, respectively, and 0.88 ± 0.04 for heart, and 0.76 ± 0.07 for the spinal cord. The HD for these corresponding DSCs was 3.51 ± 0.85, 4.06 ± 1.12, 4.09 ± 0.85, and 2.76 ± 0.52 mm for left lung, right lung, heart, and spinal cord, respectively. Conclusion: The autosegmented regions predicted by right and left lung models matched well with the manual contours. However, in a few cases, the heart model struggled to outline the boundary precisely. The spinal cord model had the lowest DSC, which may be due to its small size. This is an ongoing study aimed to assist radiation oncologists in segmenting the OARs with minimal effort. Keywords: Contours, deep learning, lung computed tomography datasets, U-net architecture

Study Design Prospective, randomized controlled double-blinded study.Objective To compare the relative efficacy of ultrasound-guided ESPB and CEB for postoperative analgesia after a single-level lumbar fusion surgery and compared it with conventional multimodal analgesia.Methods 81 patients requiring single-level lumbar fusion surgery were randomly allocated into 3 groups (ESPB group, CEB group, and the control group). Demographic and surgical data (blood loss, duration of surgery, perioperative total opioid consumption, muscle relaxants used) were assessed. Postoperatively, the surgical site pain, alertness scale, satisfaction score, time to mobilization, and complications were recorded.Results The total opioid consumption in the first 24 hours was significantly lower in both the block groups than in the control group (103.70 ± 13.34 vs 105 ± 16.01 vs 142.59 ± 40.91mcg; P< .001). The total muscle relaxant consumption was also significantly less in block groups compared to controls (50.93 ± 1.98 vs 52.04 ± 3.47 vs 55.00 ± 5.29 mg; P< .001). The intraoperative blood loss was significantly less in both the block group (327.78 ± 40.03 mL, 380.74 ± 77.80 mL) than the control group (498.89 ± 71.22 mL) (P< .001). Among the block groups, the immediate postoperative pain relief was better in the CEB group, however, the ESPB group had a longer duration of postoperative pain relief.Conclusion Both ESPB and CEB produce adequate postoperative analgesia after lumbar fusion however the duration of action was significantly longer in the ESPB group with relatively shorter surgical time and lesser blood loss compared to the CEB group.

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Interfacial fatigue degradation and crack formation of wire bonds are one of the serious issues related to packaging in power modules that affect the reliability of power electronics. This work presents a new approach based on a combination of phase field modeling and finite element analysis to study the electro-thermo-mechanical behavior, the interface degradation and crack propagation processes of wire bonded interconnects in insulated-gate bipolar transistor (IGBT) power modules. The strain energy density obtained from the macroscale electro-thermo-mechanical analysis is transferred to the meso-scale phase field modeling to study the interface fatigue and crack propagation, considering the effect of wire grain morphology. The temperature and stress distribution characteristics of a typical IGBT power module with Al wire bonds under power cycling are investigated. Stress concentration at the interconnect interface caused by thermal strains between wire and chip is examined. The crack length increases with increasing cycle number. The presence of Al grain boundaries is found to have a significant impact on crack propagation, due to grain boundary energy and weakening effects. The developed model could provide new insights for predicting the lifetime and crack growth of power modules, and offer a pathway for the reliability optimization of wire bonds.

India's Home Minister Amit Shah aims to eradicate Maoism in India by March 31, 2026, despite recent setbacks in counterinsurgency operations in Chhattisgarh's Bastar region. The ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has intensified anti-Maoist efforts, resulting in the neutralization of hundreds of Maoists and a decline in security personnel and civilian fatalities. However, concerns have been raised about civilian casualties and the potential for increased violence as the government pushes to meet its deadline, highlighting the need for a political solution to the Maoist conflict. [Extracted from the article]

Doped semiconductors are often used to improve photocatalytic efficiency and address the challenges of easy recombination of electron–hole pairs and poor photoluminescence. However, the reproducibility and complexity of experimental studies result in time-consuming and less cost-effective studies, and it is difficult to gain insights into the intrinsic properties of doped photocatalysts to control their performance. Introducing a machine learning approach, we constructed a photocatalytic model of transition-metal- and rare earth metal-ion-doped γ-Bi2MoO6. We selected 18 factors of preparation conditions and dopant ion properties, and constructed 806 data sets through literature collection for correlation analysis, paving the way for a more efficient and cost-effective research process. The results of our study are promising. The trained and improved XGboost model demonstrated high resistance to the variability caused by data segmentation, with a cross-validated model showing a coefficient of determination of 0.942. Through the combination of characteristic importance and Shapley additive explanation analysis, the importance and correlation trends of preparation conditions and dopant ion properties are obtained, especially the positive correlation trend of excitation time and preparation time and the negative correlation trend of atomic mass and bandwidth. Model prediction and experimental validation are used to demonstrate the effectiveness and behavioral prediction ability, and the Zn and Cd elements are successfully predicted for doping modification means. This study contributes to the modification and preparation of γ-Bi2MoO6materials and provides a solid foundation for the efficient design of photocatalysts.

ABSTRACTThe Canadian League Against Epilepsy initiated a virtual epilepsy education program, conducting 29 webinars from March 2021 to September 2023. We report our experience, with the goal to inspire other groups to develop inclusive, equitable, and free educational spaces with a worldwide reach. Monthly sessions drew a median attendance of 118 participants, predominantly Canadian but also international, including physicians (58.9%) and trainees (22.8%). Post-webinar surveys (average 40% response rate) noted high satisfaction, a strong inclination to recommend the sessions, and an interest in clinical case-based topics. We plan to consider integrating a self-assessment section evaluating knowledge gained after each seminar.

Background: Gefitinib (GFN) is an Epithelial Growth Factor Receptor (EGFR) inhibitor, and Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved medication to treat lung cancer. However, this investigation aimed to produce and characterize Gefitinib (GFN)-loaded chitosan and soy lecithin nanoparticles (NPs) modified with D-α-tocopheryl polyethylene glycol 1000 succinate mono ester (TPGS) and assess their therapeutic potential against HepG2 liver cell lines.Methods: Chitosan, a cationic polymer with biocompatible and biodegradable properties, was combined with soy lecithin to develop the NPs loaded with GFN using a self-organizing ionic interaction methodology.Results: The entrapment efficiency and drug loading were found to be 59.04±4.63 to 87.37±3.82% and 33.46±3.76 to 49.50±4.35%, respectively, and results indicated the encapsulation of GEN in NPs. The pH of the formulations was observed between 4.48-4.62. Additionally, all the prepared NPs showed the size and PDI range of 89.2±15.9 nm to 799.2±35.8 nm and 0.179±0.065 to 0.455±0.097, respectively. The FTIR bands in optimized formulation (GFN-NP1) indicated that the drug might be contained within the NP's core. The SEM photograph revealed the spherical shape of NPs. The kinetic release model demonstrated the combination of diffusion and erosion mechanisms. The IC50value of GFN and GFN-NP1 formulation against the HepG2 cell lines were determined and found to be 63.22±3.36 µg/ml and 45.80±2.53 µg/ml, respectively. DAPI and PI staining agents were used to detect nuclear morphology.Conclusion: It was observed that the optimized GFN-NP1 formulation successfully internalized and inhibited the growth of HepG2 cells. Hence, it can be concluded that the prepared NPs can be a new therapeutic option for treating liver cancer.

Heart failure (HF) is a major contributor to global morbidity and mortality. While distinct clinical subtypes, defined by etiology and left ventricular ejection fraction, are well recognized, their genetic determinants remain inadequately understood. In this study, we report a genome-wide association study of HF and its subtypes in a sample of 1.9 million individuals. A total of 153,174 individuals had HF, of whom 44,012 had a nonischemic etiology (ni-HF). A subset of patients with ni-HF were stratified based on left ventricular systolic function, where data were available, identifying 5,406 individuals with reduced ejection fraction and 3,841 with preserved ejection fraction. We identify 66 genetic loci associated with HF and its subtypes, 37 of which have not previously been reported. Using functionally informed gene prioritization methods, we predict effector genes for each identified locus, and map these to etiologic disease clusters through phenome-wide association analysis, network analysis and colocalization. Through heritability enrichment analysis, we highlight the role of extracardiac tissues in disease etiology. We then examine the differential associations of upstream risk factors with HF subtypes using Mendelian randomization. These findings extend our understanding of the mechanisms underlying HF etiology and may inform future approaches to prevention and treatment.

ObjectivesAn excess of mesothelioma has been previously observed in iron ore miners in Northeastern Minnesota. This study explored the potential association between mesothelioma and elongate mineral particle (EMP) exposures in the Minnesota taconite mining industry, examining both regulated and non-regulated EMP dimensions.MethodsA nested case–control study design within the Mineral Resources Health Assessment Programme cohort analysed 104 mesothelioma cases and 410 controls. Cumulative EMP exposures were assessed across various dimensional definitions, including regulated (National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, NIOSH) and non-regulated EMPs. Conditional logistic regression models were applied to estimate mesothelioma risk linked to employment duration and cumulative EMP exposure while adjusting for potential confounding variables.ResultsConsistent with earlier assessments, mesothelioma was associated with the number of years employed in the taconite industry (rate ratio (RR) 1.02, 95% CI 1.00 to 1.05) and cumulative NIOSH EMP exposure ((EMP/cc)×years) in taconite mining and processing (RR 1.20, 95% CI 0.99 to 1.46). Positive associations were also observed with mesothelioma and cumulative exposure to non-regulated EMPs.ConclusionsThis study supported the main conclusions in the previous study that the data were consistent with an association between mesothelioma and employment duration and with NIOSH EMP exposure in taconite mining and processing. However, the 95% CI indicates the data are also compatible with a null effect. Given the limitations we cite in the manuscript, additional study is needed to clarify the effect. Additionally, this study found possible evidence of a positive association between mesothelioma and cumulative exposure to Chatfield EMP, Suzuki EMP and Cleavage Fragments in the Minnesota taconite worker population.

This paper highlighted the cut-off wavelength and dominant guided modes estimation into multimode step index core fibers at various spectral wavelength windows. The proposed fiber refractive index is designed against radial position for five fibers per cable with multimode step index fiber shape profile. The fiber core radius of 50 μm, eight core segements, and the fiber refractive index axis ranges from 1.42 to 1.48 is demonstrated. Effective refractive index, power in fiber core, cut-off fiber wavelength, effective fiber area and power coupled into guided modes are measured for dominant modes in multimode step index fiber at various spectral operating wavelengths. Near field light intensity/amplitude plot is demonstrated for the propagation of the launched light in the fiber core at various wavelength windows based on multimode step index fiber.

This study investigates the quantity and quality of groundwater in Chennai city, focusing on the hydro-geochemical parameters that determine its suitability for domestic purposes. The primary research question examines whether groundwater in the region meets the standards for potable and domestic use, with the hypothesis suggesting that variations in groundwater quality are influenced by both natural geochemical processes and anthropogenic activities. Groundwater quality was assessed through the analysis of 20 samples, revealing predominantly acidic pH values (below 6) and total dissolved solids (TDS) ranging from 383 to 2350 mg/L, with one sample exceeding the permissible limit of 2000 mg/L (BIS in Specification for drinking water IS 10500: 2012, New Delhi, India, 2012). Electrical conductivity (EC) values ranged from 764 to 4690 µS/cm, with the eastern region exhibiting the highest levels. The study identified sodium (Na⁺), calcium (Ca2⁺), potassium (K⁺), and magnesium (Mg2⁺) as the dominant cations, while bicarbonate (HCO₃⁻), chloride (Cl⁻), and sulfate (SO₄2⁻) were the major anions, generally within acceptable limits. Elevated EC values correlated with high TDS, indicating salinity issues. Ionic ratios, such as Na⁺/Cl⁻ and Mg2⁺/Ca2⁺, suggested influences from seawater intrusion to carbonate weathering in certain locations. Approximately 50% of the groundwater samples were classified as potable based on the Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS), while further analysis using USSL, Wilcox, and Gibb’s plots suggested moderate salt concentrations and predominantly alkaline water types. Although some locations were deemed suitable for domestic purposes, the findings indicate that much of the groundwater in Chennai is unsuitable for drinking due to poor physico-chemical quality. This study underscores the need for regular monitoring and sustainable management of groundwater resources to ensure long-term availability and usability.

It is proposed to use Deep Convolution Neural Network (DCNN) which is a good classifier of natural images to learn speech spectrum images of sustained phonation to detect Parkinson’s Disease (PD) as an alternative to the existing feature-based machine learning method. It is shown that the proposed method yields very high accuracy without the need for separate feature computation stage. The speech spectrum representations proposed are Short Time Fourier Transform (STFT) spectrum of size Nx256 and Line Spectral Frequency (LSF) spectrum of size Nx16. LSF reflects the speech production mechanism and it is a novel idea to use LSF spectrum in DCNN to detect PD speech. The spectrum images look like random patterns and the performance is improved when using an additional deeper hidden layer of tampering pattern in the last stage of a fully connected layer. Using a standard PD-sustained phonation dataset the training accuracies achieved are 98.50% and 92.50% for STFT and LSF method, respectively. The validation accuracies achieved are 84.38% for STFT and 100% for LSF. The STFT method results in a sensitivity of 97.05%, a specificity of 88.63%, a precision of 86.84%, an F1-score of 91.66, a false positive rate (FPR) of 11.36%, and a false alarm rate of 12.82%. The LSF method results in a sensitivity 97.05%, a specificity of 95.45%, a precision of 94.28%, an F1-score of 95.65, an FPR of 4.50%, and a false alarm rate of 5.71%. The LSF based method performs better and the performance comparison with the state-of-the-art methods brings out the merits of the LSF spectrum image-based DCNN learning in PD detection using sustained phonation.

The increasing demand for sustainable coastal protection and renewable energy solutions has driven significant interest in developing multi-functional offshore structures. This review examines the motion responses of offshore structures, with a particular focus on hydrodynamic factors influencing the design and efficiency of floating structures and wave energy converters. By integrating these dual-purpose systems, coastal regions can benefit from enhanced shoreline protection and renewable energy generation. This comprehensive review critically examines the motion responses of offshore floating breakwaters and wave energy converters, focusing on key variables such as wave height, draft depth, and wave number. The interactions between these parameters and various factors, including wave regimes, bottom topography, and hydrodynamic conditions, are thoroughly analyzed. A study of theoretical, computational, and experimental modeling methods for offshore floating breakwaters and wave energy converters is then presented. The findings aim to guide future research and engineering practices towards more efficient and resilient offshore infrastructure, contributing to the sustainability and economic viability of coastal management strategies.

Nearly 3% to 4% of Black individuals in the United States carry the transthyretin V142I variant, which increases their risk of heart failure. However, the role of cardiovascular (CV) risk factors (RFs) in influencing the risk of clinical outcomes among V142I variant carriers is unknown.

The association between Tuberculosis (TB) and Diabetes Mellitus (DM) have always been an area of interest for decades. Many studies have reported the impact of DM on the development and prognosis of TB and vice versa. There is a major research gap in the area of drug-drug interactions between anti-TB drugs and anti-diabetic drugs. Hence, this study investigated the drug-drug interactions between first-line anti-TB and anti-diabetic drugs in patients with TB and DM.

Hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis (HLH) is an exaggerated but ineffective immune response secondary to infections, inflammatory conditions, or malignancies. HLH is characterized by macrophage and T-cell activation resulting in phagocytosis of erythrocytes, lymphocytes, and platelets and an exuberant cytokine response respectively leading to catastrophic systemic manifestations. The clinical and biochemical profile of HLH significantly overlaps with that of sepsis, which may lead to misdiagnosis. Tuberculosis (TB) is an important infectious cause of HLH with a reported mortality of more than 50%. HLH may be misdiagnosed in patients with tuberculosis as the reticuloendothelial system is extensively involved in both disseminated TB and HLH. We present a series of four cases of TB-HLH admitted to the respiratory intensive care unit in a tertiary care hospital.

Study Design Review article.Objectives A review of literature on the epidemiology, natural course, pathobiology and clinical implications of vertebral endplate changes.Methods A literature search was performed using the Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews, EMBASE, and PubMed. Studies published over the last 10 years were analysed. The searches were performed using Medical Subject Headings terms, and the subheadings used were “Vertebral endplate changes”, “Modic changes”, “Disc Endplate Bone Marrow complex”.Results The disc, endplate (EP), and bone marrow region of the spine constitute a unified morphological and functional unit, with isolated degeneration of any one structure being uncommon. Disc degeneration causes endplate defects, which result in direct communication and a constant cross-talk between the disc and the vertebral body. This may result in a persistent inflammatory state of the vertebral bone marrow, serving as a major pain generator. This review article focuses on vertebral endplate changes and how the current understanding has progressed from the Modic classification to the Disc Endplate Bone Marrow complex classification. It provides a clear portrayal of the natural course of these alterations and their clinical implications in low back pain.Conclusions In light of the heightened interest and current prominence of vertebral endplate changes within the spine community, we must progress beyond the Modic changes to achieve a comprehensive understanding. The DEBM complex classification will play a major part in disc degeneration research and clinical care, representing a considerable advancement in our understanding of the vertebral endplate changes over the classical Modic changes.

In 1999, India faced a crisis when Indian Airlines flight IC 814 was hijacked by Harkat-ul Mujahideen, demanding the release of top Islamist terrorists. India had to negotiate with the Taliban in Kandahar, Afghanistan, for the release of passengers and crew. Fast forward 25 years, the freed terrorists have been involved in terrorist activities, while the Taliban has returned to power in Kabul. India now engages with top Taliban officials, but the outcome of this relationship remains uncertain. [Extracted from the article]

The "Diplomat" article provides an overview of what to expect in the Asia-Pacific region in 2025. Key points include the return of Donald Trump to the U.S. presidency, political upheavals in South Korea and Japan, China's corruption crackdown, and tensions in the South China Sea. The article also discusses the U.S.'s focus on China, potential leadership changes in India and Japan, and the impact of the Taliban's rule in Afghanistan. Additionally, it highlights the political dynamics in Central Asia, Southeast Asia, and Oceania, including upcoming elections and geopolitical challenges. The article emphasizes the importance of regional cooperation, economic stability, and security in the Pacific region amidst shifting political landscapes. [Extracted from the article]

We demonstrate an approach to creating nanoscale potentials in van der Waals layers integrated with a buried programmable ferroelectric layer. Using ultra-low-voltage electron beam lithography (ULV-EBL), we can program the ferroelectric polarization in Al1–xBxN (AlBN) thin films, generating structures with sizes as small as 35 nm. We demonstrate the ferroelectric field effect with a graphene/vdW stack on AlBN by creating a p–n junction. This resist-free, high-resolution, contactless patterning method offers a new pathway to integrate ferroelectric films with a wide range of two-dimensional layers including transition-metal dichalcogenides (TMD), enabling arbitrary programming and top-down creation of multifunctional devices.

AbstractAlzheimer’s disease (AD) is the leading cause of dementia in older adults. Drug repositioning is a process of finding new therapeutic applications for existing drugs. One of the methods in drug repositioning is to use the side-effect profile of a drug to identify a new therapeutic indication. The drugs with similar side-effects may act on similar biological targets and could affect the same biochemical process. In this study, we explored the Food and Drug Administration-approved drugs using PROMISCUOUS database to find those that have adverse effects profile comparable with the ligands being studied or used to treat AD. Here, we found that the ropinirole, a dopamine receptor agonist, shared a maximum number of side-effects with the drugs proven beneficial for treating AD. Furthermore, molecular modelling demonstrated that ropinirole exhibited strong binding affinity (−9.313 kcal/mol) and best ligand efficiency (0.49) with sigma-1 receptor. Here, we observed that the quaternary amino group of ropinirole is essential for binding with sigma-1 receptor. Molecular dynamic simulation indicated that the movement of the carboxy-terminal helices (α4/α5) could play a major role in the receptor’s physiological functions. The neurotoxicity induced by Aβ25–35in SH-SY5Y cells was reduced by ropinirole at concentrations 10, 30, and 50 µM. The effect on spatial learning and memory was examined in mice with Aβ25–35induced memory deficit using the radial arm maze. Ropinirole (10 and 20 mg/kg) significantly improved the short and long-term memories in the radial arm maze test. Our results suggest that ropinirole has the potential to be repositioned for AD treatment.Communicated by Ramaswamy H. Sarma

India and sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) are home to 70% of the globe’s stunted children. We show that, one, the oft-explored paradox of higher stunting incidence in relatively richer India compared to the poorer countries of sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) masks the much larger gaps between major social groups (caste and tribe) in India. Two, when restricting the comparison to the non-stigmatized caste group children to the SSA children, the paradox disappears. Three, accounting for factors identified as explaining the India-SSA height gradient together can explain at most half of the differences among the caste groups in India. Our findings suggest that accounting for the role of caste or social identity is crucial in combating childhood stunting in India.

Counterfeit merchandise poses significant challenges for both consumers and retailers. When counterfeit goods infiltrate the market, they damage the trustworthiness and reputation of legitimate companies, leading to negative publicity. Furthermore, these imitations can be harmful, especially in critical sectors like food and pharmaceuticals. To address this issue, it is essential to identify and prevent counterfeit products from reaching consumers. Our proposed solution leverages blockchain technology to authenticate products. Blockchain’s decentralized database securely stores all transaction data, ensuring transparency and traceability. Additionally, we introduce a tool that records ownership and product details. By utilizing a Quick Response (QR) code, consumers can easily verify the authenticity of a product, thus accessing its manufacturing and ownership information. This approach not only safeguards consumer safety but also protects the reputation and financial performance of legitimate business.

Developing supercapacitor materials that are both efficient and durable, with high cycle life and specific energy, poses a significant challenge due to issues in electrodes such as volume expansion and electrode degradation that occur over time. This work reports a simple, novel, and cost-effective synthesis method to fabricate high surface area “Iron (Fe) doped TiO2materials” viathe metal-organic framework (MOF) route for supercapacitor application. Morphological analysis revealed a disc-like shaped pattern for pristine TiO2(PT), and a cuboid form for Fe-doped TiO2(FeT). The electrochemical investigation of MOF-derived PT and FeT electrode materials demonstrated the superior performance of FeT. Cyclic Voltammetry revealed enhanced electrochemical properties in FeT. Galvanostatic charge-discharge measurements confirmed FeT’s higher energy storage capacity, reaching a maximum specific capacitance of 925 Fg− 1. Long-term cycling tests exhibited excellent stability, with FeT retaining 67% of its initial capacitance after 6000 cycles and showing prolonged self-discharge. Overall, the results underscore the potential of Fe-doped TiO2for high-performance supercapacitors.

This work focuses on understanding the failure mechanisms of nylon-reinforced chopped carbon fiber (Onyx) composite and its reinforcement with carbon fiber printed using different infill patterns, i.e., solid fill, honeycomb, and triangular via fused filament fabrication (FFF) to enhance the sustainable manufacturing processes. The solid fill with carbon fiber reinforcement showcased a maximum tensile strength and flexural strength of ~ 300 MPa and ~ 22 MPa which were more than twice that of non-reinforced composites with fiber pull-out and layer debonding as predominant failure mechanisms. On the other hand, non-reinforced samples indicated matrix debonding as predominant failure behavior. The solid fill samples illustrated a lower failure mechanism owing to their higher bonding between each layer with limited voids whereas honeycomb and triangular samples failed faster due to the high number of voids limiting their bonding behavior. Furthermore, the load transfer capacity of honeycomb and triangular infill composites was limited due to reduced adhesion between the layers. Although the mechanical properties of onyx-based composites do not make them suitable for structural applications, the fused filament fabrication approach makes onyx a potential material for internal non-loading structures with complex geometries.

The article discusses the recent victory of the JVP-led NPP coalition in Sri Lanka's general election and its implications for Tamil political demands. Despite the NPP's success in Tamil areas, it is unlikely to address the Tamil national question due to its historical anti-Tamil stance and Sinhalese nationalist ideology. The NPP government may offer economic incentives to Tamils but is not expected to take bold steps towards meaningful devolution of power or addressing long-standing Tamil grievances. [Extracted from the article]

Abstract:This article explores the early roots of physical therapy as a professional field of expertise in British Columbia during the first decades of the twentieth century. It points to the importance of Pehr Henrik Ling’s earlier work at the Royal Central Institute of Gymnastics in Sweden and traces the movement of Ling trained female gymnasts and physiotherapists to Canada and their role in the development of rehabilitation services for wounded soldiers returning from WW1, first in Ontario and Quebec and later in British Columbia. We trace the efforts of a small group of female physiotherapists in British Columbia to engage with an emergent female-dominated profession of physiotherapy in Canada while aligning with and remaining firmly linked to the authority of the male dominated medical profession. In this sense, women were both winners and losers in their efforts to gain access to and control over early developments in Canadian physical therapy. Résumé:Le présent article explore les racines de la physiothérapie comme champ de compétence professionnelle en Colombie-Britannique pendant les premières décennies du vingtième siècle. Il souligne l’importance des premiers travaux de Pehr Henrik Ling à l’Institut central royal de gymnastique de Suède. Il suit les gymnastes et physiothérapeutes de sexe féminin formées par Ling qui se sont installées au Canada, de même que leur rôle dans l’apparition des services de réadaptation pour les soldats blessés qui revenaient de la Première Guerre mondiale, d’abord en Ontario et au Québec et, plus tard, en Colombie-Britannique. Les autrices examinent les efforts d’un petit groupe de physiothérapeutes de la Colombie-Britannique en vue de s’investir dans la profession émergente de la physiothérapie au Canada, dominée par des femmes, tout en se conformant et en demeurant fermement lié à l’autorité de la profession médicale dominée par des hommes. En ce sens, les femmes ont été à la fois gagnantes et perdantes dans leurs efforts pour accéder à l’évolution précoce et au contrôle de la physiothérapie au Canada.

GLI1-altered tumors form a diverse group occurring in various anatomic locations. In the alimentary tract, the most established are gastroblastoma, a biphasic epithelial-mesenchymal neoplasm of the stomach, and plexiform fibromyxoma, a pure spindle cell neoplasm. The spectrum of GLI1-rearranged gastrointestinal tumors has recently expanded with reports of cases in other parts of the GI tract, some exhibiting gastroblastoma-like features and others being pure mesenchymal neoplasms. These tumors often display a nonspecific immunophenotype, with only CD56 and cyclin D1 expression being common. Biphasic GLI1-altered tumors show diffuse keratin positivity in the epithelial component only, and GLI1-altered mesenchymal tumors typically lack or show only focal keratin expression. This study details 2 GLI1-rearranged gastrointestinal tract tumors with diffuse keratin and CD56 expression, composed entirely of epithelial cells with a nested growth pattern and finely stippled monotonous nuclei, leading to an initial suspicion of neuroendocrine tumor in both cases, despite lack of synaptophysin and chromogranin expression. Diffuse strong nuclear cyclin D1 expression was seen in both cases, and conversely, strong cyclin D1 staining was only seen in 5.4% (4/74) of well-differentiated neuroendocrine tumors tested. These 2 GI tract neoplasms highlight a widened spectrum of GLI1-rearranged tumors, now including monophasic epithelial neoplasms with diffuse keratin expression.

Supplemental Digital Content is Available in the Text.Mini-steamroll is an alternative positioning regimen after pneumatic retinopexy, offering a potential blend of advantages of direct-to-break positioning and the full steamroller maneuver.

Adolescents with functional abdominal pain (FAP) often experience pain and other gastrointestinal symptoms in the context of eating, which may place them at risk for eating disorders. This study compared disordered eating and its sequalae in adolescents with FAP to those with chronic headache. Participants in this retrospective chart review study were 270 adolescents and young adults (mean age 15.9; standard deviation [SD] = 1.63; 60% female) attending an intensive, interdisciplinary pain treatment program, including 135 youth with FAP and an age‐ and gender‐matched control group with a primary pain diagnosis of chronic headache. Information was extracted related to eating‐ and weight‐related symptoms. Independent t‐tests and χ2analyses found that compared with adolescents with chronic headache, patients with FAP showed significantly more eating pathology as reflected by scores on the Eating Attitudes Test—26 (EAT‐26) (p< 0.001), endorsement of pain‐related restrictive eating (p< 0.01), eating disorder history (p< 0.001), and avoidant restrictive food intake disorder (ARFID) diagnoses (p< 0.001). Compared to those with chronic headache, significantly more patients with FAP had lost 10 pounds or more (p< 0.01) and a higher proportion were underweight (p< 0.001). Among all participants, a history of exclusion diets used to manage symptoms significantly increased the risk for ARFID (p< 0.001). The results of this study highlight the increased risk of eating‐related concerns among youth with FAP, as well as the judicious use of exclusion diets to manage symptoms in these patients. Many adolescents with functional abdominal pain (FAP) alter their diet to manage symptoms which can place them at risk for eating disorders.One eating disorder that may be prevalent among patients with FAP is avoidant restrictive food intake disorder (ARFID). Many adolescents with functional abdominal pain (FAP) alter their diet to manage symptoms which can place them at risk for eating disorders. One eating disorder that may be prevalent among patients with FAP is avoidant restrictive food intake disorder (ARFID). Youth with chronic headache and those with FAP show high rates of eating‐related pathology and elevated risk for ARFID.The rates of eating disorders including ARFID in youth with FAP were significantly higher than those with chronic headache, as well as the general population.In both youth with FAP and those with chronic headache, a history of exclusion diets was significantly related to receiving an ARFID diagnosis. Youth with chronic headache and those with FAP show high rates of eating‐related pathology and elevated risk for ARFID. The rates of eating disorders including ARFID in youth with FAP were significantly higher than those with chronic headache, as well as the general population. In both youth with FAP and those with chronic headache, a history of exclusion diets was significantly related to receiving an ARFID diagnosis.

India has formally requested a "review and modification" of the Indus Waters Treaty signed with Pakistan in 1960, citing changes in circumstances such as demographic shifts, the need for clean hydropower, and concerns about cross-border terrorism. The treaty allocates the waters of the Indus River Basin between the two countries, with Pakistan receiving the majority share. Disputes over hydropower projects and the treaty's dispute resolution mechanism have led to tensions between the two nations, with India calling for renegotiation while Pakistan is hesitant to reopen the agreement. The changing realities of growing populations and climate change in South Asia highlight the need for both countries to address water management issues more realistically. [Extracted from the article]

In this study, dissimilar aluminium alloys, AA7050-T7651 and AA5083-H111, with 5 mm thickness were friction stir butt welded and the microstructural and mechanical properties of the joints are investigated. The experiments were carried out at tool rotational speeds of 800, 1000 and 1200 rpm while keeping the tool traverse speed, axial force and tool tilt angle, respectively, at constant values of 30 mm/min, 3.5 kN and 1.5°. A tool axis offset of 0.25 mm towards the 7xxx alloy side that fixed by a detailed preliminary study was used in all the trials. All the fabricated joints were externally defect-free and the fractured tensile specimens showed that the joints have fractured in the thermo-mechanically affected zone (TMAZ) at the AA5083-H111 alloy side. The highest ultimate tensile strength of 294 MPa (96% joint efficiency) was observed for the joint fabricated at tool rotation speed of 1000 rpm. The location of fracture together with the microstructure observation at the joint zone showed that the coarsening of grains and loss of cold work are the causes of fracture of the tensile specimen at the TMAZ of the 5083-alloy side. In addition, significant grain coarsening and dissolution of precipitates are observed at the heat-affected zone and TMAZ at the 7050-alloy side at tool rotational speeds of 1000 rpm and 1200 rpm. The study testified that the tool rotational speed has a significant influence on the microstructure and tensile properties of the dissimilar joints.