Search

Abstract Solitary wave solutions to the nonlinear evolution equations have recently attracted widespread interest in engineering and physical sciences. In this work, we investigate the fractional generalised nonlinear Pochhammer–Chree equation under the power-law of nonlinearity with order m. This equation is used to describe longitudinal deformation wave propagation in an elastic rod. In this study, we have secured a variety of exact solitary wave solutions by the assistance of the recently developed technique known as modified generalized exponential rational function method. Exact solutions of various categories, such as bright-dark, bright, mixed, singular, dark, complex, and combined solitons, are extracted. The applied approach is highly efficient and has a significant computational capability to efficiently tackle the solutions with a high degree of accuracy in nonlinear systems. To analyze the governing system, the equation under investigation is converted to an ordinary differential equation through the application of a suitable wave transformation with a $$\beta$$ -derivative. In addition to illustrate the behavior of the solution at various parameter values, we generate 2D and 3D graphs that incorporate pertinent parameters. Moreover, the Galilean transformation is employed to investigate the sensitivity analysis. This research’s results have the potential to enhance comprehension of the nonlinear dynamic characteristics displayed by the defined system and to verify the efficacy of the strategies that have been implemented. The results obtained are a substantial contribution to the comprehension of nonlinear science and nonlinear wave fields that are associated with higher dimensions.

Abstract This research work focuses on investigating the propagation of ultrasonic waves, which propagate mechanical vibrations of molecules or particles inside materials. Ultrasound imaging is extensively used and deeply rooted in the medical field. The key technologies that form the basis for many different uses in the area include transducers, contrast agents, pulse compression, beam shaping, tissue harmonic imaging, techniques for measuring blood flow and tissue motion, and three-dimensional imaging. The third-order non-linear $$\beta$$ β -fractional Westervelt model has been used as a governing model in the imaging process for securing the different wave structures. The exact solutions of different types, including mixed, dark, singular, bright-dark, bright, complex and combined solitons are extracted. These solutions are obtained by using two newly introduced techniques, namely modified generalized Riccati equation mapping method and modified generalized exponential rational function method. Moreover, breather, lump and other waves are extracted by the assistance of logarithmic transformation and different test functions. The used methodologies are extremely effective and possess substantial computing capacity to effectively address the different solutions with a high level of accuracy in these systems. The techniques used are well-known for being effective, simple, and flexible enough to integrate multiple soliton systems into a unified framework. In addition, we provide 2D and 3D graphs that explain the behavior of the solution at various parameter values, under the influence of $$\beta$$ β -fractional derivatives. The results offered in this study may improve the comprehension of the nonlinear dynamic behavior of the specific system and confirm the efficacy of the approaches used. We expect that our approaches will be beneficial for a wide range of nonlinear models and other problems in the related fields.

Abstract Background This research aimed to identify evidence-based protocols for the safe management of bladder infections and the prevention of UTIs in athletes who have spinal cord injuries (SCI), as they are constantly at high risk of developing UTIs again. Study design Scoping review Methodology Four databases were searched (PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science, and Science Direct) for pertinent literature. The non-randomized controlled studies (non-RCT) and randomized controlled trials (RCT) that described the application of any particular measure to properly manage bladder and avoid urinary tract infections (UTIs) in people with spinal cord injuries (SCIs) were chosen. Results Forty-nine articles were screened for the effectiveness of weekly oral cyclic antibiotics, bacterial interference, coated catheter types, and patient education in preventing UTIs in SCI were shown in 20 RCT and 29 non-RCT researches. Concerns were raised about cranberry supplements and low-dose antibiotic prophylaxis, which is unreliable and leads to the emergence of germs that are resistant to many drugs. Conclusion According to the scoping review, WOCA is the most effective antibiotic regimen. The proven methods for treating UTIs in SCI patients include coated catheters, bacterial interference, bladder irrigation, and patient education. Moreover, there is a great deal of variation in the research about the efficacy of cranberries. The best option for safe bladder management and preventing UTIs in SCIs is to use suprapubic and coated intermittent catheters (ICs). When a urine bag is full, it should be changed out for a fresh one, and patients should be told to employ spontaneous voiding if that's not an option.

Abstract Ionized Mg (iMg) may offer a more reliable indicator of Mg status during acute illness than total Mg (tMg) concentrations. This study aimed to determine the prevalence of dysmagnesemia and their relationship using iMg and tMg. The clinical and biochemical characteristics as well as health outcomes and their association with iMg and tMg were also assessed. A prospective study including all eligible adult patients (≥18 years) who were hospitalized in the General Internal Medicine unit at Sultan Qaboos University Hospital (SQUH) for 3.5 months in 2023. The iMg and tMg concentrations were collected on all at the admission. In total 500 patients were included (females 49.2%) with a median age of 64.5 years (IQR: 48-77). The prevalence of hypomagnesemia and hypermagnesemia by iMg concentrations was 3.4% and 26.6%, respectively, while by tMg concentrations 13.2% and 11.0%, respectively. The agreement between both measurements was strong (r=0.665, p

Abstract This study explores the fractional form of modified Korteweg-de Vries-Kadomtsev-Petviashvili equation. This equation offers the physical description of how waves propagate and explains how nonlinearity and dispersion may lead to complex and fascinating wave phenomena arising in the diversity of fields like optical fibers, fluid dynamics, plasma waves, and shallow water waves. A variety of solutions in different shapes like bright, dark, singular, and combo solitary wave solutions have been extracted. Two recently developed integration tools known as generalized Arnous method and enhanced modified extended tanh-expansion method have been applied to secure the wave structures. Moreover, the physical significance of obtained solutions is meticulously analyzed by presenting a variety of graphs that illustrate the behaviour of the solutions for specific parameter values and a comprehensive investigation into the influence of the nonlinear parameter on the propagation of the solitary wave have been observed. Further, the governing equation is discussed for the qualitative analysis by the assistance of the Galilean transformation. Chaotic behavior is investigated by introducing a perturbed term in the dynamical system and presenting various analyses, including Poincare maps, time series, 2-dimensional 3-dimensional phase portraits. Moreover, chaotic attractor and sensitivity analysis are also observed. Our findings affirm the reliability of the applied techniques and suggest its potential application in future endeavours to uncover diverse and novel soliton solutions for other nonlinear evolution equations encountered in the realms of mathematical physics and engineering.

Abstract Background Plantar fasciitis, a common musculoskeletal disorder, is characterized by inflammation of the plantar fascia, a thick band of tissue that connects the heel bone to the toes. The plantar fascia plays a crucial role in supporting the arch of the foot and absorbing shock during movement. Factors such as excessive physical activity, improper footwear, and biomechanical abnormalities are recognized contributors to the development of plantar fasciitis. However, the prevalence and underlying causes may vary across different demographic groups, necessitating targeted investigations. Objective This study aims to investigate the prevalence, causes and treatment of plantar fasciitis in young female students (18–30) of a medical college in Pakistan and explore potential associations with high-heel footwear. Methodology In this study, a cross-sectional survey was carried out, engaging 100 young females from a medical college. Employing a structured questionnaire, we assessed a spectrum of parameters, including heel pain symptoms, footwear habits, and available treatment options. The diagnostic precision of the Windlass test, specific to plantar fasciitis, was incorporated. Rigorous data analysis, utilizing SPSS, centered on discerning associations between the nuances of high-heel wear (considering types and duration) and the reported symptoms. This methodological framework ensures a comprehensive and precise exploration of the prevalence, causes, and treatment of plantar fasciitis in our targeted demographic. Results All the participants were female, and the total number was 100, of which 66% felt pain in the heel when they wore high heels. Out of this 66%, only 6% are diagnosed with plantar fasciitis. The rest of the 60% have pain in the heel due to different causes such as heel spurs, stress fractures, etc. 2% of people receive treatment with steroid injections, and 12% are treated with ice. Conclusion We conclude that the prevalence of plantar fasciitis is high in females wearing high heels. This study reveals that an increase in the total duration of wearing high heels with hard soles increases the symptoms of plantar fasciitis. Plantar fasciitis can be prevented by education and applying ergonomics and could be treated by steroids and the ice method, according to medical practitioners.

ABSTRACT It is commonly accepted that dietary fibers are good for gut health. The effect of fibers on the diversity and metabolic activities of the cecal microflora, however, differ with the passage of time. Therefore, we investigated the time-series impacts of the pasture grazing system (a high dietary fiber source) on the cecal microbiome and short-chain fatty acids in Wanpu geese, comparing it to commercial feeding (a low dietary fiber source). The cecal microbiota composition and SCFA concentrations were evaluated by 16S rRNA gene sequencing and gas chromatography, respectively. We found that pasture produced a generally quick positive response to Bacteroidales, Lactobacillales, Gastranaerophilales (at 45 days), Lachnospirales, and Oscillospirales (at 60 days and 90 days) irrespective of Erysipelotrichales (at 45 days), Clostridia_UCG-014, RF39 (at 60 days), Christensenellales, and Peptostreptococcales-Tissierellales (at 90 days) in geese. Meanwhile, we found that Lactobacillales, Gastranaerophilales, Lachnospirales, and Oscillospirales were significantly correlated with short-chain fatty acids in pasture grazing geese. Indeed, the correlation of cecal microbiota with SCFAs led to altered microbial functions evinced by COG; KEGG pathway levels 1, 2, and 3; BugBase; and FAPROTAX databases. This study emphasizes the importance of dietary fiber sources in influencing beneficial impacts in regulating geese microbiota homeostasis and metabolic functions such as energy and lipid metabolism.IMPORTANCELow dietary fiber diet sources cause gut microbial and short-chain fatty acid alterations that lead to compromised animal health. The establishment of an artificial pasture grazing system at the expense of ryegrass is a good source of dietary fiber for geese. Our results described the importance of pasture in maintaining the gut microbiota, SCFAs, and potential microbial functions reported by COG; KEGG pathway levels 1, 2, and 3; BugBase; and FAPROTAX databases.

In this note, we investigate some new characterizations of the $p$-adic version of Lipschitz spaces via the boundedness of commutators of the $p$-adic maximal-type functions, including $p$-adic sharp maximal functions, $p$-adic fractional maximal functions, and $p$-adic fractional maximal commutators on $p$-adic Morrey spaces, when a symbol function $b$ belongs to the Lipschitz spaces.

Abstract Canola, a vital oilseed crop, is grown globally for food and biodiesel. With the enormous demand for growing various crops, the utilization of agriculturally marginal lands is emerging as an attractive alternative, including brackish-saline transitional lands. Salinity is a major abiotic stress limiting growth and productivity of most crops, and causing food insecurity. Salicylic acid (SA), a small-molecule phenolic compound, is an essential plant defense phytohormone that promotes immunity against pathogens. Recently, several studies have reported that SA was able to improve plant resilience to withstand high salinity. For this purpose, a pot experiment was carried out to ameliorate the negative effects of sodium chloride (NaCl) on canola plants through foliar application of SA. Two canola varieties Faisal (V1) and Super (V2) were assessed for their growth performance during exposure to high salinity i.e. 0 mM NaCl (control) and 200 mM NaCl. Three levels of SA (0, 10, and 20 mM) were applied through foliar spray. The experimental design used for this study was completely randomized design (CRD) with three replicates. The salt stress reduced the shoot and root fresh weights up to 50.3% and 47% respectively. In addition, foliar chlorophyll a and b contents decreased up to 61–65%. Meanwhile, SA treatment diminished the negative effects of salinity and enhanced the shoot fresh weight (49.5%), root dry weight (70%), chl. a (36%) and chl. b (67%). Plants treated with SA showed an increased levels of both enzymatic i.e. (superoxide dismutase (27%), peroxidase (16%) and catalase (34%)) and non-enzymatic antioxidants i.e. total soluble protein (20%), total soluble sugar (17%), total phenolic (22%) flavonoids (19%), anthocyanin (23%), and endogenous ascorbic acid (23%). Application of SA also increased the levels of osmolytes i.e. glycine betaine (31%) and total free proline (24%). Salinity increased the concentration of Na+ ions and concomitantly decreased the K+ and Ca2+ absorption in canola plants. Overall, the foliar treatments of SA were quite effective in reducing the negative effects of salinity. By comparing both varieties of canola, it was observed that variety V2 (Super) grew better than variety V1 (Faisal). Interestingly, 20 mM foliar application of SA proved to be effective in ameliorating the negative effects of high salinity in canola plants.

Abstract Intestinal parasitic infections (IPIs) can lead to significant morbidity and mortality in cancer patients. While they are unlikely to cause severe disease and are self-limiting in healthy individuals, cancer patients are especially susceptible to opportunistic parasitic infections. The gut microbiota plays a crucial role in various aspects of health, including immune regulation and metabolic processes. Parasites occupy the same environment as bacteria in the gut. Recent research suggests intestinal parasites can disrupt the normal balance of the gut microbiota. However, there is limited understanding of this co-infection dynamic among cancer patients in Malaysia. A study was conducted to determine the prevalence and relationship between intestinal parasites and gut microbiota composition in cancer patients. Stool samples from 134 cancer patients undergoing active treatment or newly diagnosed were collected and examined for the presence of intestinal parasites and gut microbiota composition. The study also involved 17 healthy individuals for comparison and control. Sequencing with 16S RNA at the V3–V4 region was used to determine the gut microbial composition between infected and non-infected cancer patients and healthy control subjects. The overall prevalence of IPIs among cancer patients was found to be 32.8%. Microsporidia spp. Accounted for the highest percentage at 20.1%, followed by Entamoeba spp. (3.7%), Cryptosporidium spp. (3.0%), Cyclospora spp. (2.2%), and Ascaris lumbricoides (0.8%). None of the health control subjects tested positive for intestinal parasites. The sequencing data analysis revealed that the gut microbiota diversity and composition were significantly different in cancer patients than in healthy controls (p

Abstract Pea (Pisum sativum L.), a globally cultivated leguminous crop valued for its nutritional and economic significance, faces a critical challenge of soil salinity, which significantly hampers crop growth and production worldwide. A pot experiment was carried out in the Botanical Garden, The Islamia University of Bahawalpur to alleviate the negative impacts of sodium chloride (NaCl) on pea through foliar application of ascorbic acid (AsA). Two pea varieties Meteor (V1) and Sarsabz (V2) were tested against salinity, i.e. 0 mM NaCl (Control) and 100 mM NaCl. Three levels of ascorbic acid 0 (Control), 5 and 10 mM were applied through foliar spray. The experimental design was completely randomized (CRD) with three replicates. Salt stress resulted in the suppression of growth, photosynthetic activity, and yield attributes in pea plants. However, the application of AsA treatments effectively alleviated these inhibitory effects. Under stress conditions, the application of AsA treatment led to a substantial increase in chlorophyll a (41.1%), chl. b (56.1%), total chl. contents (44.6%) and carotenoids (58.4%). Under salt stress, there was an increase in Na+ accumulation, lipid peroxidation, and the generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS). However, the application of AsA increased the contents of proline (26.9%), endogenous AsA (23.1%), total soluble sugars (17.1%), total phenolics (29.7%), and enzymatic antioxidants i.e. SOD (22.3%), POD (34.1%) and CAT (39%) in both varieties under stress. Salinity reduced the yield attributes while foliarly applied AsA increased the pod length (38.7%), number of pods per plant (40%) and 100 seed weight (45.2%). To sum up, the application of AsA alleviated salt-induced damage in pea plants by enhancing photosynthetic pigments, both enzymatic and non-enzymatic activities, maintaining ion homeostasis, and reducing excessive ROS accumulation through the limitation of lipid peroxidation. Overall, V2 (Sarsabz) performed better as compared to the V1 (Meteor).

Background: Digital health interventions, such as mobile apps and wearable devices, have emerged as potential tools to help individuals manage glycemic control. By comparing the outcomes of participants using digital health tools with those following traditional methods of diabetes management. The study aimed to evaluate the impact of digital interventions on Managing Glycated Haemoglobin control. Methodology: A randomized, controlled trial was conducted at the Babylon Diabetes and Endocrinology Center/ Iraq. Participants were selected based on established inclusion and exclusion criteria and were assigned to either the intervention or control groups through randomization. The intervention group received a medication management app specifically designed for smartphones. Data were collected over six months through three tests and analyzed using SPSS-20. Results: The study found no significant difference in HbA1c levels between the intervention and control groups during the pre-test period. However, significant differences emerged at both post-test I (after 3 months) and post-test II (after 6 months), with the intervention group showing a significant decrease in HbA1c levels from pre-test to both post-test I and post-test II. Conclusions: The study underscores the need to use digital health interventions in diabetes management to improve the quality of patient care. Decision-makers can improve the quality of blood sugar control and overall health by keeping up with such smart applications.

Based on enhanced thermal performances of hybrid nanomaterials, various multidisciplinary applications of such hybrid nanofluids are presented in the cooling processes, HVAC systems, energy sectors, boosting the energy sources, automotive thermal systems etc. Owing to such motivated applications in mind, different mathematical models are developed. However, the thermal analysis for hybrid nanofluid with help of fractional models is not focused properly. Therefore, the objective of current research is to develop a mathematical model for enhancement of heat transfer by using the hybrid nanofluid. The decomposition of zinc oxide (ZnO) and ferric oxide (Fe3O4) with kerosene oil base fluid is used for identifying the thermal reflection of hybrid nanofluid. The motivations to improve the thermal prospective of kerosene oil is due to its importance in the energy sources as a fuel and industrial applications like solvent, degreaser and operation of air craft. The vertical moving surface is used to initiates the flow. The natural convective flow is further perturbed with applications of mixed convection effects. The evaluation for heat transfer is inspected by incorporating the external heat source. The mathematical modelling of problem is presented via fractional expressions. The Prabhakar scheme is used to develop the analytical expressions. The accuracy of implemented scheme is inspected by comparing the numerical data computed via Zakian, Stehfest and Tzou's algorithms. The significance of problem is visualized in view of involved parameters like fractional parameters, nanoparticles volume fraction, Grashof number and Prandtl number. The results claim that the enhancement in heat transfer due to decomposition of zinc oxide and ferric oxide nanoparticles is more exclusive as compared to simple nanofluid. The heat transfer enhanced due to nanoparticles volume fraction.

The aim of the present research work was to investigate the variation in nutritional potential, phenolic profile, antioxidant, and free radical scavenging activities of four wildly grown accessions of Cucumis melo var. Agrestis. The accessions of Cucumis melo var. Agrestis were collected from different areas of the district Faisalabad and Layyah of Punjab province (Pakistan). Mineral profile and amino acid analysis were examined using inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectroscopy (ICP-OES) and an amino acid analyzer. High-pressure liquid chromatography (HPLC) was used for the separation and quantification of polyphenols from chloroform and methanol fractions of Cucumis melo. ICP-OES was used for quantitative and qualitative evaluation of elements, and results showed that magnesium (533.6–663.2 ppm) and iron (308.1–590.8 ppm) were the most abundant minerals. Amino acids analyzer showed that valine (0.03–45.58 mmol/L) and taurine (0.03–2.34 mmol/L) were present in the highest concentration. The methanol extract yield of the accessions was in the range of 14.00–17.03 g/100 g of plant material. HPLC analysis showed the detection of eleven phenolic compounds, and the most abundant compound was chlorogenic acid (1120.53–1237.52 µg/g), followed by gallic acid (188.14–930.74 µg/g) and vanillic acid (6.35–298.81 µg/g). Chloroform and methanol fractions were analyzed for antioxidant activity, and results showed that all the fractions were rich in total phenolic content (TPC) (26.6–112.00 mg/100 g) and total flavonoid content (TFC) (20.5–77.9 mg/100 g). Methanol fraction of accession-1 showed the best free radical scavenging capacity (82.2 %) and % inhibition of linoleic acid peroxidation activity (84.4 %) than other fractions. Statistical analysis revealed significant variation among the nutritional potential and antioxidant activity of all the accessions.

Currently, the Jordanian economy needs more investment due to the growing financial deficit facing the Jordanian state. Therefore, this study came to increase investors' trust in financial reports issued by Jordanian companies to attract more investments. Based on that, this study will investigate the impact of audit committee dimensions on the efficiency of financial reports of limited partnership companies listed on the Amman Stock Exchange. The data were collected from financial reports issued by 52 limited partnership companies for the year 2021. The study used multiple regression to test the hypotheses. Based on the findings, audit committee dimensions explained the variation in financial reports' efficiency which reached 0.629. The audit committee members' size does not significantly affect the financial reports' efficiency. The significance reached 0.287. However, the knowledge of financial management has a significant positive effect on financial report efficiency; the significance reached 0.000 and the effect volume arrived at 0.699. Also, the findings showed that audit committee meetings have a greater effect on financial reporting efficiency than financial management knowledge. The impact was significantly positive, arriving at 0.790, while the significance reached 0.000. The main research conclusion is that limited partnership companies listed on the Amman Stock Exchange adopt corporate governance to achieve control effectiveness of audit committees to increase financial reporting efficiency to achieve more investments. AcknowledgmentThe publication of this research has been supported by the Deanship of Scientific Research and Graduate Studies at Philadelphia University – Jordan.

هدف البحث إلى تحديد طبيعة العلاقة ونوعها بين القيادة التكيفية لدى مدربي كرة القدم في أندية محافظة نينوى وبين رفاهية العلاقات داخل هذه الأندية، وذلك بعد قياس مستواهما من وجهة نظر اللاعبين، استخدم الباحث المنهج الوصفي بأسلوبي المسح والعلاقات الارتباطية، وقد حدد الباحث مجتمع البحث بلاعبي أندية محافظة نينوى بكرة القدم والمشاركة في الدوري الممتاز ودوري الدرجة الأولى التي ينظمها الاتحاد العراق المركزي بكرة القدم، والبالغ عددها (12) نادياً، في حين بلغ عدد أفراد المجتمع (300) لاعب، وتضمنت عينة البحث الرئيسة جميع أفراد مجتمع البحث، وتمّ تقسيمها إلى ثلاث فئات هي عينة الدراسة الاستطلاعية وعددها (5) لاعبين، وعينة التحليل الإحصائي وعددها (177) لاعباً، وعينة التطبيق النهائي وعددها (118) لاعباً، ولجمع البيانات قام الباحث بإعداد أداتي قياس، الأولى أداة قياس القيادة التكيفية لدى مدربي كرة القدم وعدد فقراتها (12)، والثانية أداة قياس رفاهية العلاقات داخل أندية كرة القدم وعدد فقراتها (12) فقرة، وبعد معالجة البيانات إحصائياً توصل الباحث إلى مجموعة استنتاجات منها: - تمتاز العلاقة بين القيادة التكيفية لمدربي أندية محافظة نينوى بكرة القدم وبين رفاهية العلاقات داخل هذه الأندية بالإيجابية والمعنوية.

Introduction: Cerebral malaria (CM) is the most lethal form of severe malaria with high case fatality rates. Overtime, there is an inherent risk in changing pattern of presentation of CM which, if the diagnosis is missed due to these changing factors, may portend a poor outcome. Variations in the pattern of clinic-laboratory presentations also make generalization difficult. This study was, therefore, set out to report the pattern of clinical and laboratory presentation of CM. Methods: This was a cross-sectional study among children aged 6 months to 14 years admitted with a diagnosis of CM as defined by the World Health Organization criteria. A pretested pro forma was filled, and detailed neurological examination and laboratory (biochemical, microbiology, and hematology) investigations were done. P

Decentralized cryptocurrencies have received much attention over the last few years. Bitcoin (BTC) has enabled straight online expenditures without the need for centralized financial institutions. Cryptocurrencies are used not only for online payments but are also increasingly used as financial assets. With the rise in the number of cryptocurrencies, including BTC, Ethereum (ETH), and Ripple (XRP), and the millions of daily trades through different exchange services, cryptocurrency trading is prone to challenges similar to those seen in the traditional financial industry, such as price and trend forecasting, volatility forecasting, portfolio building, and fraud detection. This study examines the use of Recurrent neural networks (RNNs) for predicting BTC, ETH, and XRP prices. Accurate price prediction is essential for investors and traders in this volatile market. Machine learning techniques, including RNNs, Long-Short-Term Memory (LSTM), and convolutional neural networks, have been employed to forecast cryptocurrency prices with varying degrees of success. The aim of this study is to evaluate the effectiveness of RNNs in predicting cryptocurrency prices and compare their performance with other established methods. The results indicate that RNNs, particularly LSTMs and Gated Recurrent Units, demonstrate excellent capabilities in accurately predicting currency prices and providing insights to investors and traders in the cryptocurrency market.

Drought stress is one of the major threats to food security in the climate change scenario. Reducing the deleterious impacts of drought stress on the productivity of cereal crops is crucial. Hence, limited information has been available about the effect of the combined use of plant growth regulators and mineral fertilisers on promoting drought tolerance in maize seedlings. In this study, a pot experiment was carried out to evaluate the potential of sole or combined application of silicon (Si) and putrescine (Put) to mitigate the detrimental effects of drought on maize. The experimental treatments were, i.e. control (CK), water spray, 4.0 mmol Si, 0.5 mmol Put, and 4.0 mmol Si + 0.5 mmol Put on maize crop grown at two different water-holding capacity levels (80% well-water condition and 40% drought stress). The experiment was arranged in a complete randomised design with factorial arrangements having three replications. Exposure of maize plants to drought stress at the reproductive phase (VT-tasseling) reduced the photosynthetic pigments, including chlorophyll a, chlorophyll b and chlorophyll a + b, relative water contents, leaf area, yield and yield attributes. However, foliar application of Si and Put individually and Si + Put dramatically reduced these negative effects by improving photosynthetic pigments, relative water contents, and activities of enzymatic antioxidant defence. Drought stress-induced lipid peroxidation in the form of more production of malondialdehyde content, hydrogen peroxide and electrolyte leakage significantly declined due to the combined application of Si and Put compared to the respective control. Drought stress boosted the activities of key enzymatic antioxidants (catalase, superoxide dismutase, peroxidase, and ascorbate peroxidase) irrespective of the treatment application. Moreover, it was noted that the accumulation of osmolytes (proline and soluble protein) contents was increased by the combined application of Si and Put. Under drought stress conditions, combined foliar application of Si and Put considerably improved 22.70% cob length, 12.77% number of grains per cob, and 18.30% 100-grain weight, which ultimately enhanced maize's 10.29% grain yield. From the current study's findings, it was concluded that a combined foliar spray of silicon and putrescine at the reproductive phase is an effective strategy to enhance the maize yield in drought-prone areas.

Climate change effects, including temperature extremes and water stress, cause abiotic stress in plants. These changes directly affect flowering and the flower reward system for pollinators, influencing plant–pollinator interactions and ultimately seed production in flowering plants. Here, we tested the effects of water deprivation on the behavior of various pollinator species, plant–pollinator interactions, and the seed yield of sunflower, Helianthus annuus L. (Asteraceae). Sunflower was sown during four different months (January–April) and subjected to two different water availability levels (well-watered and water-deprived). Pollinator abundance was recorded five times a day (8:00 am, 10:00 am, 12:00 pm, 2:00 pm, and 4:00 pm) from flower heads and the florets. In addition, foraging behavior was also recorded. We found that lowest abundance, visit duration, and visitation rate occurred in April-sown sunflower. The European honey bee Apis mellifera L. (Hymenoptera: Apidae) was the most abundant visitor to sunflower, the hover fly Eristalinus aeneus (Diptera: Syrphidae) exhibited the longest visit duration, while Xylocopa sp. (Hymenoptera: Apidae) exhibited the highest visitation rate. The visitation rate of bees was significantly affected by water stress, with more bee visits occurring under well-watered conditions. Additionally, plant parameters, including flower head diameter, head weight, seed number, and seed weight, were significantly lower in the water-deprived treatments in April-sown sunflower. Open flowers without the pollination exclusion cages showed a higher yield, indicating the pollination dependence of sunflower. In conclusion, the plant modifications induced by sowing months and water-deprived conditions may alter pollinator behavior and may ultimately affect sunflower yield.

The hypothesized role of stress-inducible heat shock proteins is to act as a buffer against environmental variations and affect fitness in suboptimal conditions. Our study examining the functions of heat shock protein 27 (Hsp27) in the eggs of the Mediterranean fruit fly (Ceratitis capitata). We utilized double-stranded RNA, specifically targeting the Hsp27 gene, to reduce its expression and assessed the consequent impact on egg viability. The investigation included the examination of early eggs (less than 6 hours post-laying) and late eggs (more than 42 hours post-laying), using varying concentrations (0.02, 0.1, and 0.2 µg/µL) of Hsp27 dsRNA. Control groups of eggs were dsRNA of ATPase, Cctra-2, or phosphate buffer solution (ph-B-S). Down-regulating Hsp27 dsRNA reduced the hatching rate of the eggs compared to the hatching rate in the control groups, especially in the ph-B-S group. The early eggs were more affected than the late eggs after soaking with Hsp27 dsRNA, where the Hsp27 dsRNA decreased the hatching rates to 12.91% early. The tested concentration of 0.2 µg/µL of Hsp27 dsRNA was achieved with the most significant reduction of 2.75 in egg viability. The sex ratio of insects hatched from treated eggs was investigated after hatching. After the down-regulation of Hsp27, there was no significant effect of the Hsp27 down-regulation on the sex ratio.

Better crop stand establishment, a function of rapid and uniform seedling emergence, depends on the activities of germination-related enzymes, which is problematic when there is insufficient soil moisture. Different ways are in practice for counteracting this problem, including seed priming with different chemicals, which are considered helpful in obtaining better crop stand establishment to some extent through improved seed germination and seedling emergence. In this growth room experiment, caffeine was used as a seed priming agent to improve germination under moisture scarcity. Polyethylene glycol-8000 (18%) was added to Hoagland’s nutrient solution to create drought stress (−0.65 MPa). The experiment was arranged in a completely randomized design (CRD), having four replications of each treatment. A newly developed wheat genotype SB-1 was used for the experimentation. Different doses of caffeine, i.e., 4 ppm, 8 ppm, 12 ppm, and 16 ppm, including no soaking and water soaking, were used as seed priming treatments. Water deficit caused oxidative stress and adversely affected the seed germination, seedling vigor, activities of germination enzymes, photosynthetic pigments, and antioxidative defense mechanism in roots and shoots of seedlings. Caffeine seed priming ameliorated the negative effects of water deficit on seed germination and seedling vigor, which was attributed to the reduction in lipid peroxidation and improvement in the activities of germination-related enzymes like glucosidase, amylase, and protease. Conclusively, seed priming with 12 ppm caffeine outperformed the other treatments and hence is recommended for better crop stand establishment under conditions of soil moisture deficit.

Both cell surface and soluble extracellular glycosaminoglycans have been shown to interfere with the exogenous nucleic acid delivery efficiency of non-viral gene delivery, including lipoplex and polyplex-mediated transfection. Most gene therapy viral vectors used commercially and in clinical trials are currently manufactured using transient transfection-based bioprocesses. The growing demand for viral vector products, coupled with a global shortage in production capability, requires improved transfection technologies and processes to maximise process efficiency and productivity. Soluble extracellular glycosaminoglycans were found to accumulate in the conditioned cell culture medium of suspension adapted HEK293T cell cultures, compromising transfection performance and lentiviral vector production. The enzymatic degradation of specific, chondroitin sulphate-based, glycosaminoglycans with chondroitinase ABC was found to significantly enhance transfection performance. Additionally, we report significant improvements in functional lentiviral vector titre when cultivating cells at higher cell densities than those utilised in a control lentiviral vector bioprocess; an improvement that was further enhanced when cultures were supplemented with chondroitinase ABC prior to transfection. A 71.2% increase in functional lentiviral vector titre was calculated when doubling the cell density prior to transfection compared to the existing process and treatment of the high-density cell cultures with 0.1 U/mL chondroitinase ABC resulted in a further 18.6% increase in titre, presenting a method that can effectively enhance transfection performance.

Shigella causes shigellosis that requires antibiotic treatment in severe cases. Sublethal antibiotic concentrations can promote resistance, but their effect on antibiotic-sensitive bacteria before resistance development is unclear. This study investigated the effects of sublethal norfloxacin (NOR) challenges on a NOR-sensitive strain, Shigella sonnei UKMCC1015. Firstly, the whole genome of S. sonnei UKMCC1015 was assembled, and 45 antimicrobial resistance (AMR) genes were identified. Interestingly, transcriptomic analysis showed that low NOR levels do not change either the expression of the AMR genes or NOR targets such as gyrA. Instead, multiple ribosomal protein genes were downregulated, which could be attributed to decreased ribosomal protein promoter activity, modulated by elevated guanosine pentaphosphate and tetraphosphate (ppGpp) levels. This alarmone is involved in the bacterial stringent response during environmental stress, and it is mainly produced from the ppGpp synthetase (relA). Additionally, we observed that a relA overexpression (prolonged period of elevated ppGpp levels) may negatively affect the NOR tolerance of the bacteria. In conclusion, this study revealed that a NOR-sensitive strain responds differently to sublethal NOR than commonly reported in resistant strains.

تعد رواية أميرات منسيات لكاتبها متيم جمال رواية تاريخية صدرت في طبعتها الأولى عام 2011 م ، تعرض فيها الكاتب إلى سيرة السيدة سكينة بنت الحسين (عليهما السلام) ، وعائشة بنت طلحة ، وقد افتقرت الرواية إلى المحتوى الصادق ، ولاسيّما فيما يتعلق بسيرة العقيلة السيدة سكينة بنت الحسين (عليهما السلام) ؛ إذ تفتقر الرواية إلى التوثيق من تلك المظان التي لم تلوث بكدر السياسة ، وأمراض الغل والحقد الدفين الذي عادة ما يأتي على صور مزوقة ، وبأساليب تستهوي النفوس الضعيفة والعقول التي لم تستنر بنور الإيمان والعلم ؛ وذلك شأن من ترسبت الجاهلية في نفوسهم منهجا وسلوكا ؛ وإن بعدت الشقة الزمنية بينهما ، وأخرى من البيئة التي ترى في التحلل من قيم السماء ، وتعاليم الإسلام سمة للمدح والثناء ، فضلا عن عوامل نفسية ترى نفسها في مواضع التهتك والانحلال ، ولا تجد ذواتها في مواطن النسك والتبتل ... وقد سعت الدراسة جاهدة إلى تفنيد تلك المقولات والمواقف والاسفاف الذي ضجت به الرواية ، وكان لها ما سعت إليه ...

Summary: West and South Asian populations profoundly influenced Eurasian genetic and cultural diversity. We investigate the genetic history of the Y chromosome haplogroup L1-M22, which, while prevalent in these regions, lacks in-depth study. Robust Bayesian analyses of 165 high-coverage Y chromosomes favor a West Asian origin for L1-M22 ∼20.6 thousand years ago (kya). Moreover, this haplogroup parallels the genome-wide genetic ancestry of hunter-gatherers from the Iranian Plateau and the Caucasus. We characterized two L1-M22 harboring population groups during the Early Holocene. One expanded with the West Asian Neolithic transition. The other moved to South Asia ∼8-6 kya but showed no expansion. This group likely participated in the spread of Dravidian languages. These South Asian L1-M22 lineages expanded ∼4-3 kya, coinciding with the Steppe ancestry introduction. Our findings advance the current understanding of Eurasian historical dynamics, emphasizing L1-M22’s West Asian origin, associated population movements, and possible linguistic impacts.

Quasi-perfusion culture was employed to intensify lentiviral vector (LV) manufacturing using a continuous stable producer cell line in an 8-day process. Initial studies aimed to identify a scalable seeding density, with 3, 4, and 5 × 104 cells cm−2 providing similar specific productivities of infectious LV. Seeding at 3 × 104 cells cm−2 was selected, and the quasi-perfusion was modulated to minimize inhibitory metabolite accumulation and vector exposure at 37°C. Similar specific productivities of infectious LV and physical LV were achieved at 1, 2, and 3 vessel volumes per day (VVD), with 1 VVD selected to minimize downstream processing volumes. The optimized process was scaled 50-fold to 1,264 cm2 flasks, achieving similar LV titers. However, scaling up beyond this to a 6,320 cm2 multilayer flask reduced titers, possibly from suboptimal gas exchange. Across three independent processes in 25 cm2 to 6,320 cm2 flasks, reproducibility was high with a coefficient of variation of 7.7% ± 2.9% and 11.9% ± 3.0% for infectious and physical LV titers, respectively. The optimized flask process was successfully transferred to the iCELLis Nano (Cytiva) fixed-bed bioreactor, with quasi-perfusion at 1 VVD yielding 1.62 × 108 TU.

Large-scale transient transfection has advanced significantly over the last 20 years, enabling the effective production of a diverse range of biopharmaceutical products, including viral vectors. However, a number of challenges specifically related to transfection reagent stability and transfection complex preparation times remain. New developments and improved transfection technologies are required to ensure that transient gene expression-based bioprocesses can meet the growing demand for viral vectors. In this paper, we demonstrate that the growth of cationic lipid-based liposomes, an essential step in many cationic lipid-based transfection processes, can be controlled through adoption of low pH (pH 6.40 to pH 6.75) and in low salt concentration (0.2× PBS) formulations, facilitating improved control over the nanoparticle growth kinetics and enhancing particle stability. Such complexes retain the ability to facilitate efficient transfection for prolonged periods compared with standard preparation methodologies. These findings have significant industrial applications for the large-scale manufacture of lentiviral vectors for two principal reasons. First, the alternative preparation strategy enables longer liposome incubation times to be used, facilitating effective control in a good manufacturing practices setting. Second, the improvement in particle stability facilitates the setting of wider process operating ranges, which will significantly improve process robustness and maximise batch-to-batch control and product consistency.

Despite development, the present and prospects of olive cultivation in Pakistan are progressive in every aspect; people use olive oil and olive-based products not only for their food and nutritional values but also for their religious importance. With an annual expenditure of approximately 4.5 billion dollars on edible oil imports, Pakistan initiated olive production ventures in collaboration with Italy, Spain, and China to curtail import costs and attain self-sufficiency. The olive farming potential of Pakistan has been recognized due to more than 8 million wild olive plants and suitable land and climate conditions in various regions of KPK, Balochistan, and Punjab. Along with grafting millions of wild olive trees, about 5 million new plants have grown in the past few years, and still, more than 10 million acres of suitable land are available. The establishment of new olive processing mills, the “50 Million Olive Tree Tsunami” project, and the “Promotion of Olive Cultivation for Economic Development and Poverty Alleviation' project have been instrumental in expanding olive cultivation, augmenting production capacity, generating employment opportunities, and addressing poverty. However, there is still a dire need to mitigate the challenges and needs within the olive sector, which include awareness and training among farmers, infrastructure improvement, adequate storage and packaging facilities, standardized quality testing, and competitive pricing. The lack of interest from local vendors and food processing companies, along with financial constraints faced by farmers, poses additional hurdles. Recommendations to address these challenges include prioritizing training programs, conducting surveys for data collection, increasing awareness of the health benefits of olive oil, and establishing loan schemes and private-sector investments. Encouraging the local production of olive oil extraction machinery and upgrading technology can help reduce reliance on imports. These measures collectively aim to propel Pakistan toward becoming a significant player in the global olive production landscape.

Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) is one of the greatest threats to global health (WHO)1 and has substantial economic implications particularly in low and middle-income countries (LMICs).2 It is estimated that in 2019, 4.95 million deaths globally were associated with bacterial AMR, with the greatest burden being borne by countries in western sub-Saharan region.3Healthcare professionals (HCPs) play an important role in addressing AMR. In 2015, the WHO implemented a Global Action Plan, noting that significant HCP knowledge gaps exist, and are hampering efforts to reduce AMR,4 with numerous studies showing these gaps in LMICs. Education on antimicrobial stewardship (AMS) is a key part of the WHO policy.4-7MethodsThis 6 month program used the MedShr (MEDSHR Ltd. UK) global clinical case discussion network to deliver education on AMR and AMS to HCPs in LMICs. MedShr is a professional network that connects over 2.5 million doctors and HCPs globally through clinical case discussion and peer to peer learning. The platform is free to use and available via native apps and on web, working in partnership with over 200 national and specialist medical societies, and is established as a secure and trusted platform in LMICs.Learning Objectives:1. Describe the impact of AMR on global public health, including increased morbidity, mortality, and healthcare costs.2. Identify factors contributing to the emergence and spread of AMR, including inappropriate antimicrobial use.3. Discuss the challenges posed by antimicrobial use in vulnerable populations and resource-limited settings.4. Outline the roles and responsibilities of HCPs in AMS and promoting responsible antimicrobial use.The program used the following educational content targeted at HCPs in LMICs with a focus on sub-Saharan Africa:1. 12 Featured Educational Cases, created by MedShr's clinical team with subject matter experts2. Two online Learning Modules using longer form content with multiple choice questions to engage learners3. AMR Education Group hosted and moderated on MedShr to cohort educational contentResultsThe program reached 244,520 HCPs in the target audience with 75,537 engagements with the educational content (Figure 1). The responses to poll questions by HCPs before and after the program showed improvement AMR knowledge including: the role of E Coli AMR (increased by 45%); identification of the characteristics of viral compared to bacterial infections (increased by 10%); and understanding of the role of overprescribing in AMR (increased by 13%) (Figure 2).ConclusionThis program demonstrates the effectiveness of a mobile first digital education program in improving HCP knowledge and understanding of AMR in LMICs. This program aligns with data from a prior study which showed that a short training program on AMR and AMS for HCPs in a LMIC can lead to a reduction in the prescribing of empirical and broad-spectrum antibiotics.8 Further work is in progress to extend the geographical reach of this program and to develop formal certification in AMS for HCPs in LMICs.

Context Exogenous use of potential organic compounds through different modes is a promising strategy for the induction of water stress tolerance in crop plants for better yield. Aims The present study aimed to explore the potential role of alpha-lipoic acid (ALA) in inducing water stress tolerance in mungbean lines when applied exogenously through various modes. Methods The experiment was conducted in a field with a split-plot arrangement, having three replicates for each treatment. Two irrigation regimes, including normal and reduced irrigation, were applied. The plants allocated to reduced irrigation were watered only at the reproductive stage. Three levels of ALA (0, 0.1, 0.15 mM) were applied through different modes (seed priming, foliar or priming+foliar). Key results ALA treatment through different modes manifested higher growth under reduced irrigation (water stress) and normal irrigation. Compared to the other two modes, the application of ALA as seed priming was found more effective in ameliorating the adverse impacts of water stress on growth and yield associated with their better content of leaf photosynthetic pigments, maintenance of plant water relations, levels of non-enzymatic antioxidants, improved activities of enzymatic antioxidants, and decreased lipid peroxidation and H2O2 levels. The maximum increase in shoot fresh weight (29% and 28%), shoot dry weight (27% and 24%), 100-grain weight (24% and 23%) and total grain yield (20% and 21%) in water-stressed mungbean plants of line 16003 and 16004, respectively, was recorded due to ALA seed priming than other modes of applications. Conclusions Conclusively, 0.1 and 0.15 mM levels of ALA as seed priming were found to reduce the adverse impact of water stress on mungbean yield that was associated with improved physio-biochemical mechanisms. Implications The findings of the study will be helpful for the agriculturalists working in arid and semi-arid regions to obtain a better yield of mungbean that will be helpful to fulfill the food demand in those areas to some extent.

Ex vivo genetically-modified cellular immunotherapies, such as chimeric antigen receptor T cell (CAR-T) therapies, have generated significant clinical and commercial outcomes due to their unparalleled response rates against relapsed and refractory blood cancers. However, the development and scalable manufacture of these novel therapies remains challenging and further process understanding and optimisation is required to improve product quality and yield. In this study, we employ a quality-by-design (QbD) approach to systematically investigate the impact of critical process parameters (CPPs) during the expansion step on the critical quality attributes (CQAs) of CAR-T cells. Utilising the design of experiments (DOE) methodology, we investigated the impact of multiple CPPs, such as number of activations, culture seeding density, seed train time, and IL-2 concentration, on CAR-T CQAs including, cell yield, viability, metabolism, immunophenotype, T cell differentiation, exhaustion and CAR expression. Initial studies undertaken in G-Rex® 24 multi-well plates demonstrated that the combination of a single activation step and a shorter, 3-day, seed train resulted in significant CAR-T yield and quality improvements, specifically a 3-fold increase in cell yield, a 30% reduction in exhaustion marker expression and more efficient metabolism when compared to a process involving 2 activation steps and a 7-day seed train. Similar findings were observed when the CPPs identified in the G-Rex® multi-well plates studies were translated to a larger-scale automated, controlled stirred-tank bioreactor (Ambr® 250 High Throughput) process. The single activation step and reduced seed train time resulted in a similar, significant improvement in CAR-T CQAs including cell yield, quality and metabolism in the Ambr® 250 High Throughput bioreactor, thereby validating the findings of the small-scale studies and resulting in significant process understanding and improvements. This study provides a methodology for the systematic investigation of CAR-T CPPs and the findings demonstrate the scope and impact of enhanced process understanding for improved CAR-T production.

Abstract Background The genomes of indigenous African cattle are composed of components with Middle Eastern (taurine) and South Asian (indicine) origins, providing a valuable model to study hybridization and to identify genetic barriers to gene flow. In this study, we analysed indigenous African cattle breeds as models of hybrid zones, considering taurine and indicine samples as ancestors. In a genomic cline analysis of whole-genome sequence data, we considered over 8 million variants from 144 animals, which allows for fine-mapping of potential genomic incompatibilities at high resolution across the genome. Results We identified several thousand variants that had significantly steep clines (‘SCV’) across the whole genome, indicating restricted introgression. Some of the SCV were clustered into extended regions, with the longest on chromosome 7, spanning 725 kb and including 27 genes. We found that variants with a high phenotypic impact (e.g. indels, intra-genic and missense variants) likely represent greater genetic barriers to gene flow. Furthermore, our findings provide evidence that a large proportion of breed differentiation in African cattle could be linked to genomic incompatibilities and reproductive isolation. Functional evaluation of genes with SCV suggest that mitonuclear incompatibilities and genes associated with fitness (e.g. resistance to paratuberculosis) could account for restricted gene flow in indigenous African cattle. Conclusions To our knowledge, this is the first time genomic cline analysis has been applied to identify restricted introgression in the genomes of indigenous African cattle and the results provide extended insights into mechanisms (e.g. genomic incompatibilities) contributing to hybrid differentiation. These results have important implications for our understanding of genetic incompatibilities and reproductive isolation and provide important insights into the impact of cross-breeding cattle with the aim of producing offspring that are both hardy and productive.

Abstract Worldwide, salinity severely affects agricultural production of crops such as mung bean in arid and semi-arid regions. In saline conditions, various species of Rhizobium can be used to enhance nodulation and induce salinity tolerance in maize. The present study conducted a pot experiment to determine the efficiency of three rhizobial isolates under different salinity conditions, such as 1.41, 4 and 6 dS m−1, on mung bean growth parameters, antioxidant status and yield. Results revealed that salt stress imparted adverse effects on the growth, antioxidants, yield and nodulation of mung bean. Under high salt stress conditions, fresh weights were reduced for roots (78.24%), shoots (64.52%), pods (58.26%) and height (32.33%) as compared to un-inoculated control plants. However, an increase in proline content (46.14%) was observed in high salt stressed plants. Three Rhizobium isolates (Mg1, Mg2, and Mg3), on the other hand, mitigated the negative effects of salt stress after inoculation. However, effects of Mg3 inoculation were prominent at 6 dS m−1 and it enhanced the plant height (45.10%), fresh weight of shoot (58.68%), root (63.64%), pods fresh weight (34.10%), pods number per plant (92.04%), and grain nitrogen concentration (21%) than un-inoculated control. Rhizobium strains Mg1, and Mg2 expressed splendid results at 1.41 and 4 dS m−1 salinity stress. The growth promotion effects might be due to improvement in mineral uptake and ionic balance that minimized the inhibitory effects caused by salinity stress. Thus, inoculating with these strains may boost mung bean growth and yield under salinity stress.

This paper investigates the third Hankel determinant, denoted H3(1), for functions within the subclass RS∑*(λ) of bi-univalent functions associated with crescent-shaped regions φ⦅z=z+1+z2. The primary aim of this study is to establish upper bounds for H3(1). By analyzing functions within this specific geometric context, we derive precise constraints on the determinant, thereby enhancing our understanding of its behavior. Our results and examples provide valuable insights into the properties of bi-univalent functions in crescent-shaped domains and contribute to the broader theory of analytic functions.

This study presents a cost-effective IoT-based Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition system for the real-time monitoring and control of photovoltaic systems in a rural Pakistani community. The system utilizes the Blynk platform with Arduino Nano, GSM SIM800L, and ESP-32 microcontrollers. The key components include a ZMPT101B voltage sensor, ACS712 current sensors, and a Maximum Power Point Tracking module for optimizing power output. The system operates over both Global System for Mobile Communications and Wi-Fi networks, employing universal asynchronous receiver–transmitter serial communication and using the transmission control protocol/Internet protocol and hypertext transfer protocol for data exchange. Testing showed that the system consumes only 3.462 W of power, making it highly efficient. With an implementation cost of CAD 35.52, it offers an affordable solution for rural areas. The system achieved an average data transmission latency of less than 2 s over Wi-Fi and less than 5 s over GSM, ensuring timely data updates and control. The Blynk 2.0 app provides data retention capabilities, allowing users to access historical data for performance analysis and optimization. This open-source SCADA system demonstrates significant potential for improving efficiency and user engagement in renewable energy management, offering a scalable solution for global applications.

Objectives: This study aims to identify the burdens among wives of disabled people in the light of some independent variables. Methods: In this descriptive cross-sectional study, 197 domestic wives were surveyed using a standardized questionnaire to measure the burden among wives of disabled people. Data were collected using the independent variables and Zarit caregiver burden scale (ZCBS) for burden. The study was conducted using interview techniques and analyzed via SPSS software, version 20 using descriptive and inferential statistical methods. Results: The study results showed that the average age was 35 years old, 30-39 years old, 52.3% were secondary school graduates, 68.5% were families with 1-4 children, 43.1% had insufficient income, and 61.4% were employed. Significant differences were observed in wives’ burdens in terms of their age, education level, family size, income, occupation, disability types, reasons, and duration (P

The electrothermal method was used to treat soft clay soil under load in this study. The experiment model was adopted to study settlement behavior. The effect of heat on settlement and maximum stress, of soft clay soils, were studied. The variables studied are the distance between the heaters, the heating time, and the temperature of the source. A model was used with dimensions (60 * 40 * 60) cm, and heaters were used in each model, and the power of each heater was 925 watts, and the number of models used was 37 models. The first examination was without heat treatment, and settlement was measured in it directly. As for the rest of the tests, heat treatment was used in it, and the tests were divided into two phases. The first stage is the heat treatment stage, and the second stage is the stage of placing the mechanical load on the soil. The mechanical load is weights placed on the soil through the footing. The tests were divided according to the research structure into three cases and according to the distance between the two heaters (20,30,40) cm. In each case, the tests are conducted according to the heating time, where the heating time was used (4,8,12) consecutive hours, and each time 4 tests were used at different temperatures (200,300,400,500) degrees Celsius. An improvement value of 99.8% in the settlement was obtained when the source temperature was 500°C, with a heating time of 12 hours, and the distance between the heaters was 20 cm. An improvement in maximum stress of 425% was obtained when the source temperature was 500 °C, the heating time was 12 h, and the distance between the heaters was 20 cm. The conclusions of the study are that the settlement decreases with increasing temperature and the ultimate stress increases with increasing temperature.

ABSTRACTGarlic (Allium sativum) is an ingredient that is frequently utilized in food for its therapeutic properties. Even though garlic peel accounts for 25% of production overall, unfortunately, it is discarded by the industry. Garlic peel is a valuable source of phytochemicals and medicinal substances. Throughout history, various civilizations have recognized the potential benefits of using garlic peel for illness prevention and treatment. This review emphasizes that garlic peel contains a variety of chemicals that are believed to offer health benefits for high blood sugar levels, lower the risk of cardiovascular illnesses, and have anti-tumor, anti-viral, anti-inflammatory, and anti-microbial properties. Additionally, we discuss the main bioactive substances in garlic peel, namely total phenolics, total flavonoids, and their derivatives. We may infer from our understanding that garlic peel is a useful agricultural waste because it contains a range of biologically active components. As a result, it can be employed as an ingredient to control health, especially in the biomedical and pharmaceutical fields.

Lentiviral vectors (LVVs) play a critical role in gene delivery for ex vivo gene-modified cell therapies. However, the lack of scalable LVV production methods and the high cost associated with them may limit their use. In this work, we demonstrate the optimization and development of a scalable, chemically defined, animal component-free LVV production process using adherent human embryonic kidney 293T cells in a fixed-bed bioreactor. The initial studies focused on the optimization of the culture process in 2D static cultures. Process changes such as decreasing cell seeding density on day 0 from 2.5 × 104 to 5 × 103 cells/cm2, delaying the transient transfection from 24 to 120 h post-seeding, reducing plasmid DNA to 167 ng/cm2, and adding 5 mM sodium butyrate 6 h post-transfection improved functional LVV titers by 26.9-fold. The optimized animal component-free production process was then transferred to the iCELLis Nano bioreactor, a fixed-bed bioreactor, where titers of 1.2 × 106 TU/cm2 were achieved when it was operated in perfusion. In this work, comparable functional LVV titers were obtained with FreeStyle 293 Expression medium and the conventional Dulbecco’s modified Eagle’s medium supplemented with 10% fetal bovine serum both at small and large scale.

Abstract Acinetobacter species are widely known opportunistic pathogens causing severe community and healthcare-associated infections. One such emerging pathogen, Acinetobacter colistiniresistens, is known to exhibit intrinsic resistance to colistin. We investigated the molecular characteristics of A. colistiniresistens strain C-214, isolated from the fecal sample of a healthy community member, as part of a cohort study being conducted in Segamat, Malaysia. Comparison of the whole genome sequence of C-214 with other A. colistiniresistens sequences retrieved from the NCBI database showed 95% sequence identity or more with many of the genome sequences representing that species. Use of the Galleria mellonella killing assay showed that C-214 was pathogenic in this model infection system. The strain C-214 had a colistin and polymyxin B MIC of 32 and 16 mg/L, respectively. Besides, it was resistant to cefotaxime, amikacin, and tetracycline and showed moderate biofilm-producing ability. Different genes associated with virulence or resistance to major classes of antibiotics were detected. We observed mutations in lpxA/C/D in C-214 and other A. colistiniresistens strains as probable causes of colistin resistance, but the biological effects of these mutations require further investigation. This study provides genomic insights into A. colistiniresistens, a potentially pathogenic bacterium isolated from a community member and notes the public health threat it may pose.

Objectives: To determine whether single fibre electromyography and motor unit number index can distinguish between axonal and myelin lesions in polyneuropathies. Method: This case-control study was conducted at the Department of Medical Physiology, School of Medicine, University of Duhok, Iraq, and the Neurophysiology Department, Hawler Teaching Hospital, Erbil, Iraq, from January 2021 to March 2022. Group A had patients diagnosed with polyneuropathy regardless of the aetiology, while group B had age-matched healthy controls. Both groups were subjected to single fibre electromyography and motor unit number index as well as conventional nerve conduction study and concentric needle electromyography. Data was analysed using SPSS 26. Results: Of the 140 subjects, 60(43%) were patients in group A; 40(67%) males and 20(33%) females with mean age 55.3±7.2 years. There were 80(57%) controls in group B; 43(54%) females and 37(46%) males with mean age 53.81±7.15. Group A had significantly higher single fibre electromyography jitter, and mean consecutive difference (MCD) values than group B (p

Engineers have recently become attracted to electrically conducting nanofluids (NFs) due to various applications in several applied science and engineering disciplines. They have been employed in magnetic refrigeration, cancer treatment (hyperthermia), medicine, and magnetic resonance imaging, among other things. Considering the importance of electrically conducting NFs, in this article, we have proposed a fractionalized MHD (Magnetohydrodynamics) and thermal transmission of a Brinkman-type tri-hybrid nanofluid over an infinite plate saturated through a porous medium with generalized velocity and ramped conditions. For the solution of the governed fractional model, we have utilized a recent definition of fractional derivatives, known as Atangana-Baleanu (AB) fractional derivative and Laplace transformation. The computational results are exhibited for tri-hybrid (TiO2-Al2O3-CuO/H2O) NF and described through graphical diagrams and tables to discover the physics of numerous relevant flow parameters on temperature and velocity profiles. It is detected that both thermal transmission and momentum profile for tri-hybrid NF is a better technique as compared to hybrid NF and NF for both graphical and numerical comparisons.

Continuous manufacturing of lentiviral vectors (LVs) using stable producer cell lines could extend production periods, improve batch-to-batch reproducibility, and eliminate costly plasmid DNA and transfection reagents. A continuous process was established by expanding cells constitutively expressing third-generation LVs in the iCELLis Nano fixed-bed bioreactor. Fixed-bed bioreactors provide scalable expansion of adherent cells and enable a straightforward transition from traditional surface-based culture vessels. At 0.5 vessel volume per day (VVD), the short half-life of LVs resulted in a low total infectious titer at 1.36 × 104 TU cm−2. Higher perfusion rates increased titers, peaking at 7.87 × 104 TU cm−2 at 1.5 VVD. The supernatant at 0.5 VVD had a physical-to-infectious particle ratio of 659, whereas this was 166 ± 15 at 1, 1.5, and 2 VVD. Reducing the pH from 7.20 to 6.85 at 1.5 VVD improved the total infectious yield to 9.10 × 104 TU cm−2. Three independent runs at 1.5 VVD and a culture pH of 6.85 showed low batch-to-batch variability, with a coefficient of variation of 6.4% and 10.0% for total infectious and physical LV yield, respectively. This study demonstrated the manufacture of high-quality LV supernatant using a stable producer cell line that does not require induction.

Soil pollution due to heavy metal (HM) contamination has emerged as a global issue worldwide owing to their adverse impacts on plant growth. Bioremediation approaches employing living organisms for HM alleviation have gained considerable attention among scientific community. Biological agents such as plant growth-promoting rhizobacteria (PGPR) offer a sustainable way to restore soil health, and their combination with different organic amendments such as press mud (PM) can serve as potential approach for immobilizing HMs in soil. We performed a pot experiment to evaluate the role of individual and combined application of press mud and PGPR strain ‘FQ6’ (identified as Pseudomonas fluorescens) in the phytoremediation of different HMs (Pb, Ni and Cd) and growth promotion of aloe vera. Combined application of FQ6 strain and PM yielded more significant outcomes in terms of all the growth and yield attributes such as leaf length (123 %), plant height (57 %), number of leaves (115 %), fresh and dry weights of gel (246 and 280 %), gel contents (96 %), root length (164 %), root diameter (220 %), no. of root tips (138 %) and root area (315 %), as compared to control. Combined application of FQ6 and PM also led to a significant improvement in different antioxidant activities i.e., CAT (129 %), SOD (48 %), APX (17 %) and POD (83 %) as compared to control. Contrastingly, mobility of these HMs was reduced under combined application of Pseudomonas strain ‘FQ6’ and PM, as there existed a considerable difference between HMs concentrations in soil and plant body. We concluded that joint application of HM-tolerant Pseudomonas FQ6 strain and PM could be an ideal option to alleviate the HM induced adverse impacts on aloe vera by immobilizing them in soil, and subsequently, improving plant growth.

In recent years, scientific data on cancer has expanded, providing potential for a better understanding of malignancies and improved tailored care. Advances in Artificial Intelligence (AI) processing power and algorithmic development position Machine Learning (ML) and Deep Learning (DL) as crucial players in predicting Leukemia, a blood cancer, using integrated multi-omics technology. However, realizing these goals demands novel approaches to harness this data deluge. This study introduces a novel Leukemia diagnosis approach, analyzing multi-omics data for accuracy using ML and DL algorithms. ML techniques, including Random Forest (RF), Naive Bayes (NB), Decision Tree (DT), Logistic Regression (LR), Gradient Boosting (GB), and DL methods such as Recurrent Neural Networks (RNN) and Feedforward Neural Networks (FNN) are compared. GB achieved 97 % accuracy in ML, while RNN outperformed by achieving 98 % accuracy in DL. This approach filters unclassified data effectively, demonstrating the significance of DL for leukemia prediction. The testing validation was based on 17 different features such as patient age, sex, mutation type, treatment methods, chromosomes, and others. Our study compares ML and DL techniques and chooses the best technique that gives optimum results. The study emphasizes the implications of high-throughput technology in healthcare, offering improved patient care.

Conclusions: 3D-GRE sequences provide superior image quality and efficiency for evaluating articular joints, particularly in shoulder imaging. The TRUEFISP technique offers the best contrast and signal quality, making it a valuable tool in clinical practice.

The engine oil signifies key importance in the automobile industry. The thermal capataince of engine oil is quite necessary to retained the peak performances. The aim of current research is to enhance the thermal mechanism of engine oil base fluid with applications of hybrid-nanofluid. The graphene oxide and molybdenum disulfide nanoparticles are used to justify the thermal mechanism of hybrid nanofluid. The contribution of magnetic force and buoyancy forces are consdeired. The equations of velocity and temperature are transformed into non-dimensional forms with dimensionless parameters. The problem is transformed to fractional form by employing the Atangana-Baleanu fractional approach and generalized Fourier’s law. These equations are solved with the Laplace transform. Disparities in momentum and energy are exposed to several fractional and material parameters. It has been observed that temperature profile increases due to nanoparticles volume fraction and fractional parameter. The increasing impact of Grashof number is observed on velocity field.

In this modest study, we dealt with an recent topic in which one the pre-contract stage, focused on the law applicable to international contract negotiations, and say old because it's existence was contemporary to the emergency of the first decade, and I say recently because the interst of researchers, and modren jurisprudence in general, and in Arab jurisprudence in particular, and that the briefing on this complex subject and give a clear picture of all the details, is impossible in this amount of pages, and we have tried in this study, Monitioring the various elements that fall witin the scope of this subject, and although the limited volume of research necessitated addressing some of these elements in short and interest in terest in the principles,