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We present the first published account of a pseudoaneurysm of the Marginal artery of Drummond (MAoD) following an emergency open surgical repair of an inflammatory abdominal aortic aneurysm, in which the inferior mesenteric artery was ligated. This was hypothesized to be an iatrogenic injury secondary to retraction of the colonic mesentery during dissection of the aneurysm neck. The risk of pseudoaneurysm growth and rupture versus bowel ischaemia were evaluated in the post-operative phase. Ultimately, the patient underwent successful interventional embolization of the MAoD with no signs of bowel ischaemia post-intervention., Competing Interests: None declared., (Published by Oxford University Press and JSCR Publishing Ltd. © The Author(s) 2024.)

Oecophylla smaragdina F. , the Asian weaver ant, is one of the oil palm plantation's ( Elaeis guineensis ) potential predators, for the invasive bagworm species Metisa plana Walker, but this ant is a nuisance species that irritates plantation workers with their sharp bites. Here we assess the foraging activities (FA) of O. smaragdina's major workers, identify its inactive times and the existence of supervision, a novelty for social insects. Between 2018 and 2022, the pattern of trunk foraging activity was used as a mitigation measure. The relationship between trunk FA and air temperature (AT), relative humidity (RH), air pressure (AP), and rainfall interception (RI) was also investigated. Our results showed that, O. smaragdina is a strictly diurnal ant species, has little to no crepuscular activity, and stopped foraging during darkness. Moreover, veteran bigger workers systematically acted as supervisors by monitoring trails, intercepting, and bringing back to nests smaller individuals during heat peaks. In relation to population size relative abundance, all colonies displayed greater intensity during the warmest daily periods with higher mean forager density among the bigger colony, regardless of the dry-rainy intervals corresponded to minimal activity from late scotophase to early photophase and showed a bimodal pattern. Thus, forager activity peaked between 1100-1530 h and 1745-1845 h, and an average two-fold daily sudden decrease in intensity between 1620 and 1650 h as a partial cut-off period (first report). Furthermore, foraging activity, AT, AP showed a significant positive correlation while RH was negative. Finally, we found that from the base palm trunks, defensive territorial layers extended to 5 m on average with different spatial configurations indicating greater foraging density within the first 2 m. Our study shows O. smaragdina daily low activity periods, before 1000 h, being the most suitable to avoid forager attacks to facilitate pruning and harvesting tasks., Competing Interests: The authors declare that they have no known competing financial interests or personal relationships that could have appeared to influence the work reported in this paper., (© 2024 Published by Elsevier Ltd.)

Using green tomato extract, a green approach was used to synthesize manganese oxide nanoparticles (MnO 2 NPs). The synthesis of MnO 2 NPs was (20.93-36.85 nm) confirmed by energy-dispersive X-ray (EDX), scanning and transmission electron microscopy (SEM and TEM), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), and UV-visible spectroscopy (UV-vis) analyses. One hundred fifty-day-old Arbor Acres broiler chicks were randomly divided into five groups. The control group received a diet containing 60 mg Mn/kg (100% NRC broiler recommendation). The other four groups received different levels of Mn from both bulk MnO 2 and green synthesized MnO 2 NPs, ranging from 66 to 72 mg/kg (110% and 120% of the standard level). Each group comprised 30 birds, in three replicates of 10 birds each. Generally, the study's results indicate that incorporating MnO 2 NPs as a feed additive had no negative effects on broiler chick growth, antioxidant status, and overall physiological responses. The addition of MnO 2 NPs, whether at 66 or 72 mg/kg, led to enhanced superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity in both serum and liver tissues of the broiler chicks. Notably, the 72 mg MnO 2 NPs group displayed significantly higher SOD activity compared to the other groups. The study was further justified through docking. High throughput targeted docking was performed for proteins GHS, GST, and SOD with MnO 2 . SOD showed an effective binding affinity of -2.3 kcal/mol. This research sheds light on the potential of MnO 2 NPs as a safe and effective feed additive for broiler chicks. Further studies are required to explore the underlying mechanisms and long-term effects of incorporating MnO 2 NPs into broiler feed, to optimize broiler production and promote its welfare., Competing Interests: The authors declare no competing financial interest., (© 2024 The Authors. Published by American Chemical Society.)

This study revealed the design and preparation of new 3-(benzo[ d ]thiazol-2-yl)-2 H -chromen-2-one derivatives 9a-h . The structures of the synthesized products were elucidated by their spectroscopic data and X-ray crystallography for compounds 9a and 9d . The prepared new compounds were measured for their fluorescence, and a good result indicated that the emission efficiency was decreased by increasing the electron-withdrawing groups from the unsubstituted compound 9a to the highly substituted derivative 9h (2 Br heavy atoms). On the other hand, the B3LYP/6-311G** theoretical level of theory was used to optimize the quantum mechanical calculations of the geometrical characteristics and energy of the novel compounds 9a-h under study. The electronic transition was investigated using the TD-DFT/PCM B3LYP approach, which uses time-dependent density functional calculations. Moreover, the compounds exhibited nonlinear optical properties (NLO) and a small HOMO-LUMO energy gap, which makes them easy to polarize. Furthermore, the acquired infrared spectra were compared with the expected harmonic vibrations of the substances 9a-h . On the other hand, binding energy analyses of compounds 9a-h with human corona virus nucleocapsid protein Nl63 (PDB ID: 5epw) were predicted using molecular docking and virtual screening tools. The results showed a promising binding and how these potent compounds were inhibiting the COVID-19 virus. Compound 9h was the most active anti-COVID-19 agent among all the synthesized benzothiazolyl-coumarin derivatives, as it forms five bonds. The presence of the two bromine atoms in its structure was responsible for the potent activity., Competing Interests: The authors declare no competing financial interest., (© 2023 The Authors. Published by American Chemical Society.)

Controlling photophysical properties is critical for the continued development of electroluminescent devices and luminescent materials. The preparation and study of novel molecules suitable as luminescent for the development of optoelectrical devices have recently received a lot of attention. Even though the as-triazine unit is a good building block for organic active substances, it is rarely used in this context. We created here novel bis-triazine derivative dyes in the far UV-Vis range by alkylation of triazine-thione derivatives with appropriate dibromo compounds. At the B3LYP/6-311**G(d,p) basis set, their optimal molecular structures were obtained. DFT technique confirmed that the new triazine derivatives are in noncoplanar with one of the two phenyl rings and the triazine plane rotating out by 102.09. Also, depending on the energy gap difference between HOMO and LUMO, some important parameters including chemical potential (π), electronegativity (χ), and chemical hardness (η) were calculated. The compounds may be readily polarized and have significant NLO characteristics, as seen by the tiny HOMO-LUMO energy gap. The calculated values for the polarizability (α) of the two new triazine derivatives have the range 6.09-10.75 × 10 -24 (esu). The emission peaks seemed to move to the long-wavelength (redshift), with a rise in the fluorescence band, suggesting that the singlet excited state is more polar than the ground state. The influence of solvent polarity and the intermolecular charge transfer (ICT) processes are reflected in the photophysical properties of new fused triazine derivatives. These properties such as extinction coefficient, absorption and emission cross-sections, fluorescence quantum yield, fluorescence lifetime, oscillator strength, the dipole moment, radiative decay rate constant, the energy yield of fluorescence, and the attenuation length were assessed and discussed., (© 2022. The Author(s).)

This manuscript proposes a hybrid method for landing trajectory generation of unmanned lunar mission. The proposed hybrid control scheme is the joint execution of the human urbanization algorithm (HUA) and political optimizer (PO) with radial basis functional neural network (RBFNN); hence it is named as HUA-PORFNN method. The HUA is a metaheuristic method, and it is used to solve several optimization issues and several nature-inspired methods to enhance the convergence speed with quality. On the other hand, multiple-phased political processes inspire the PO. The work aims to guide the lander with minimal fuel consumption from the initial to the final stage, thus minimizing the lunar soft landing issues based on the given cost of operation. Here, the HUAPO method is implemented to overcome thrust discontinuities, checkpoint constraints are suggested for connecting multi-landing phases, angular attitude rate is modeled to obtain radical change rid, and safeguards are enforced to deflect collision along with obstacles. Moreover, first, the issues have been resolved according to the proposed HUAPO method. Here, energy trajectories with 3 terminal processes are deemed. Additionally, the proposed HUAPO method is executed on MATLAB/Simulink site, and the performance of the proposed method is compared with other methods., Competing Interests: The authors declare that they have no conflicts of interest., (Copyright © 2022 Shaikh Abdul Latif et al.)

Perfluorotetradecanoic acid (PFTeDA) is a novel perfluoroalkyl substance that ubiquitously exists in the environment. However, whether PFTeDA affects adrenal cortex function remains unclear. Male Sprague-Dawley rats (age of 60 days) were daily administered with PFTeDA (0, 1, 5, and 10 mg/kg body weight) through gavage for 28 days. PFTeDA did not change body and adrenal gland weights. PFTeDA markedly elevated serum corticosterone level at 10 mg/kg but lowering serum aldosterone level at this dosage without influencing serum adrenocorticotropic hormone level. PFTeDA thickened zona fasciculata without affecting zona glomerulosa. PFTeDA remarkably upregulated the expression of corticosterone biosynthetic genes (Mc2r, Scarb1, Star, Cyp21, Cyp11b1, and Hsd11b1) and their proteins, whereas downregulating aldosterone biosynthetic enzyme Cyp11b2 and its protein, thereby distinctly altering their serum levels. PFTeDA markedly downregulated the expression of antioxidant genes (Sod1 and Sod2) and their proteins at 10 mg/kg. PFTeDA significantly decreased SIRT1/PGC1α and AMPK signaling while stimulating AKT1/mTOR signaling. Corticosterone significantly inhibited testosterone production by adult Leydig cells at >0.1 μM in vitro; however aldosterone significantly stimulated testosterone production at 0.1 nM. In conclusion, exposure to PFTeDA at male rat adulthood causes corticosterone excess and aldosterone deficiency via SIRT1/PGC1α, AMPK, and AKT1/mTOR signals, which in turn additively leads to testosterone deficiency., (© 2024 Wiley Periodicals LLC.)

Green nanotechnology is an emerging field of research in recent decades with rapidly growing interest. This integrates green chemistry with green engineering to avoid using toxic chemicals in the synthesis of organic nanomaterials. Green nanotechnology would create a huge potential for the use of nanoparticles for more sustainable utilization in improving animal health. Nanoparticles can be synthesised by physical, chemical and biological processes. Traditional methods for physical and chemical synthesis of nanoparticles are toxic to humans, animals and environmental health, which limits their usefulness. Green synthesis of nanoparticles via biological processes and their application in animal health could maximize the benefits of nanotechnology in terms of enhancing food animal health and production as well as minimize the undesirable impacts on Planetary Health. Recent advances in nanotechnology have meant different nanomaterials, especially those from metal sources, are now available for use in nanomedicine. Metal nanoparticles are one of the most widely researched in green nanotechnology, and the number of articles on this subject in food animal production is growing. Therefore, research on metal nanoparticles using green technologies have utmost importance. In this review, we report the recent advancement of green synthesized metal nanoparticles in terms of their utilization in monogastric animal health, elucidate the research gap in this field and provide recommendations for future prospects. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Internet of Things (IoT) revolutionises modern technology, offering unprecedented opportunities for connectivity and automation. However, the increased adoption of IoT devices introduces substantial security vulnerabilities, necessitating effective anomaly detection frameworks. This Paper proposes a secure IoT anomaly detection framework by utilising four machine learning algorithms such as: Logistic Regression (LR), Linear Discriminant Analysis (LDA), Classification and Regression Trees (CART), and Gaussian Naive Bayes (GNB). By generating synthetic datasets with induced anomalies, the framework employs AWS IoT Core infrastructure and Python-based analysis to identify irregularities in device performance. The proposed framework achieved a high detection accuracy ranging from 91 to 98% across the tested algorithms, with CART showing the best performance. Key performance metrics, including precision, recall, and F1-score, confirmed the model's reliability in distinguishing between normal and anomalous IoT data. Experimental results demonstrate superior detection accuracy across all methods, validating the robustness of the proposed approach. This research offers a scalable solution for IoT security, paving the way for improved anomaly detection and mitigation strategies in connected environments. The integration of machine learning algorithms with IoT infrastructure allows for real-time monitoring and proactive anomaly detection in diverse IoT applications. The proposed framework enhances security measures and contributes to the overall reliability and efficiency of connected systems. Article Highlights: A secure IoT framework uses ML models (LR, LDA, CART, GNB) to detect anomalies in sensor data. IoT security solution outperforms existing methods with an anomaly detection accuracy of 91–98%. The CART algorithm showed superior performance in anomaly detection among tested models. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study aimed to evaluate the effect of in ovo injection and post-hatch supplementation of Citrus aurantiifolia seed on hatchability, growth performance, antioxidant capacity, immune organs weight, and intestinal morphology of Cobb 500 broilers chickens. On day 18 of incubation, 450 fertile eggs were randomly allocated into three sets: non-injected group, 0.5 µg/ml Citrus aurantiifolia seed extract (CASE) group and 0.75 µg/ml CASE group. After hatch, each set was allocated into two groups (5 replicates of 10 birds/replicate each) and was fed on a standard diet with or without Citrus aurantiifolia seed powder (CASP) supplementation (5 g/kg). The groups were divided as follows: IoCA0-C, IoCA0-CA, IoCA5-C, IoCA5-CA, IoCA75-C and IoCA75-CA where IoCA0-C was: non-injected group fed standard diet (negative control group), IoCA0-CA: non-injected and fed CASP supplemented diet (positive control group), IoCA5-C: 0.5 µg/ml of CASE-injected and fed standard diet, IoCA75-C: 0.75 µg/ml of CASE-injected and fed standard diet, IoCA5-CA: 0.5 µg/ml of CASE-injected and fed CASP supplemented diet and IoCA75-CA: 0.75 µg/ml of CASE-injected and fed CASP supplemented diet. The results revealed that the interaction between CASE in ovo injection at 0.5 µg/ml and dietary CASP supplementation at 5 g/kg in the diet increased body weight and weight gain (p < 0.001). The interaction between CASE in ovo injection and dietary CASP supplementation decreased the serum malondialdehyde concentration, the relative weight of the thymus and improved duodenum and ileum villus height (p < 0.05). In conclusion, in ovo injection and dietary supplementation of Citrus aurantiifolia seed powder can improve growth performance and the intestinal morphology of broiler chickens. HIGHLIGHTS: In ovo feeding of Citrus aurantiifolia seed extract improves chick weight at hatch. In ovo feeding and post-hatch supplementation of Citrus aurantiifolia seed improves feed utilisation. The supplementation of Citrus aurantiifolia seed in the diets of broilers enhances intestinal health. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study was conducted to assess the effect of Citrus aurantiifolia seed powder (CASP) on growth performance, ileal digestibility, blood profile, and antioxidant status of broiler chickens. A total of 600 (43.54 ± 0.85 g) day-old mixed-sex Cobb 500 broiler chicks were randomly allotted to 6 treatments with 5 replicates each and 20 birds per replicate using a completely randomized design for 42 days. The treatments comprised negative control, T – (standard diet), positive control, T + (standard diet + oxytetracycline 50%) and a standard diet supplemented with 0.25% (T0.25%), 0.5% (T0.5%), 0.75% (T0.75%) or 1% (T1%) of CASP respectively. The results showed that birds in the T0.5% treatment had a significantly lower feed conversion ratio (P < 0.01). The improvement in crude protein and phosphorus ileal digestibility were associated with increase in CASP. Beyond 0.5% of CASP, the serum glucose and protein decreased (P < 0.05). Cholesterol concentration decreased with CASP in the diet (P < 0.01). Supplementation of CASP improved (P < 0.01) total antioxidant capacity, and glutathione peroxidase activities levels with best values for the T0.5% and T0.75% group. It was concluded that CASP at 0.5% and 0.75% in the diets of broiler chickens can enhance feed utilization and overall performance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper critically examines model compression techniques within the machine learning (ML) domain, emphasizing their role in enhancing model efficiency for deployment in resource-constrained environments, such as mobile devices, edge computing, and Internet of Things (IoT) systems. By systematically exploring compression techniques and lightweight design architectures, it is provided a comprehensive understanding of their operational contexts and effectiveness. The synthesis of these strategies reveals a dynamic interplay between model performance and computational demand, highlighting the balance required for optimal application. As machine learning (ML) models grow increasingly complex and data-intensive, the demand for computational resources and memory has surged accordingly. This escalation presents significant challenges for the deployment of artificial intelligence (AI) systems in real-world applications, particularly where hardware capabilities are limited. Therefore, model compression techniques are not merely advantageous but essential for ensuring that these models can be utilized across various domains, maintaining high performance without prohibitive resource requirements. Furthermore, this review underscores the importance of model compression in sustainable artificial intelligence (AI) development. The introduction of hybrid methods, which combine multiple compression techniques, promises to deliver superior performance and efficiency. Additionally, the development of intelligent frameworks capable of selecting the most appropriate compression strategy based on specific application needs is crucial for advancing the field. The practical examples and engineering applications discussed demonstrate the real-world impact of these techniques. By optimizing the balance between model complexity and computational efficiency, model compression ensures that the advancements in AI technology remain sustainable and widely applicable. This comprehensive review thus contributes to the academic discourse and guides innovative solutions for efficient and responsible machine learning practices, paving the way for future advancements in the field. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study utilises a combination of density functional theory (DFT) approach, 6-31G (d, p) basis set, and Monte Carlo (MC) simulations. The goal is to understand the relationship between the structure and properties of heterocyclic inhibitors and how they interact with Fe (110) surfaces. Furan, pyrrole, thiophene, pyridine, pyridazine, pyrimidine, indole, benzofuran, carbazole, quinolone, isoquinoline, and imidazole are the chemicals that were looked at in this study. The DFT calculations provide important insights into various properties of the inhibitors, such as molecular structure, dipole moments, electrostatic potential maps, Reduced Density Gradient (RDG), UV spectroscopy, and thermal characteristics. Carbazole has the smallest energy difference (4.789 eV) and the highest softness (0.209 eV−1), It also has the most chemical activity, Furthermore, the Monte Carlo models demonstrate that these derivatives have favourable adsorption energies on the Fe (110) surface. Among them, carbazole shows significant inhibitory potential. The study confirms that the carbazole compound with the biggest negative adsorption energy (−95.495) actually has the smallest energy difference and fits with the MC simulation for adsorption on Fe (110) when it is not charged. Carbazole has much stronger adsorption than oxazole, showing how the structure of a molecule affects how well an inhibitor works. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The environmental impact of trace metal contamination is a concern for Lake Small Abaya, Ethiopia, because of nearby agricultural and industrial activities. This study assessed the levels of trace metals (Pb, Zn, Cd, Cu, Fe, Mn, and Cr) in water, sediment, and fish samples, as well as the physicochemical parameters of the water. Samples were collected from five sites and analyzed via graphite furnace atomic absorption spectrometry (GFAAS). The mean concentrations in the water were Zn: 0.6971 mg/l, Fe: 0.5628 mg/l, Cu: 0.1168 mg/l, Mn: 0.2129 mg/l, Pb: 0.0057 mg/l, Cr: 0.0021 mg/l, and Cd: 0.0014 mg/l. In the sediments, the mean concentrations were as follows: Fe, 33.066 mg/kg; Zn, 18.263 mg/kg; Mn, 22.777 mg/kg; Cu, 7.5663 mg/kg; Pb, 0.0751 mg/kg; Cr, 0.0233 mg/kg; and Cd, 0.0183 mg/kg. The fish samples presented mean concentrations of Fe: 21.855 mg/kg, Zn: 12.686 mg/kg, Cu: 0.3185 mg/kg, Mn: 0.9181 mg/kg, Pb: 0.0089 mg/kg, Cd: 0.0075 mg/kg, and Cr: 0.0015 mg/kg. All the metal concentrations were generally below the World Health Organization (WHO) regulatory limits. The physicochemical parameters indicated slightly alkaline to neutral conditions, with electrical conductivity and total dissolved solids within acceptable ranges. These findings suggest that current agricultural and industrial activities do not significantly contribute to trace metal pollution. However, continued monitoring and pollution control measures are recommended to ensure the long-term health and sustainability of the lake. This study highlights the importance of effective environmental management strategies to safeguard this crucial aquatic resource. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives: The study aims to do a comparative analysis of the spatial distribution of the primary healthcare centers and health manpower across Saudi Arabia. Study methods: This study deals with the analysis of the spatial distribution of the PHCCs and health manpower in Saudi Arabia regions during the period 2017– 2021 by applying the Shapiro–Wilk test. This study relied on a dataset issued by the Ministry of Health (MoH). The variance of the spatial distribution of the dataset was also analyzed using the T-student and Binomial tests. Results: This study found that PHCCs of 2020; the dentists of 2021; and Allied Health Personnel of 2017, 2020, and 2021 were normally distributed. However, the distribution of the population and all datasets of the other health indicators is a non-normal distribution. In addition, the correlation between the number of PHCCs and regions based on population is significant in all the regions. Moreover, The number of dentists showed a significant correlation with the population in most regions, except Riyadh, Makkah, and Jazan. However, the number of physicians, allied health personnel, nurses, and family medicine practitioners generally did not correlate significantly with the population, with exceptions for nurses in Tabuk and family medicine in the Northern Borders. Finally, the spatial distribution of the population shows the concentration in three major regions which are Riyadh, Makkah, and Eastern Province. Conclusion: Despite the expansion in the number of PHCCs and health workers and spread in all regions of Saudi Arabia, their spatial distribution still requires the establishment of more of them to provide the basic health services necessary to cover the actual needs of the population. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

High salinity presents a critical challenge in agriculture, leading to yearly crop losses. It affects crops by inducing both osmotic stresses, reducing water uptake, and ionic stress, causing harmful ion influx into the transpiration stream, leading to cellular damage. Salinity-induced stress results in the overproduction of reactive oxygen species (ROS), causing oxidative harm to cellular components and membranes and, in severe cases, plant and cell death. Plants defend against salt-induced oxidative damage by eliminating ROS and regulating ROS production through the antioxidant defense system. Recent studies have shown that various bioactive nanoparticles (NPs), with specific shapes, sizes, and concentrations, can effectively mitigate salt stress in various agricultural plants. These NPs also enhance growth parameters, seed germination, root morphology, productivity, and physio-biochemical composition. However, a significant knowledge gap exists regarding the molecular processes governing NP transport and plant absorption. To harness NPs for sustainable agriculture, gaining a comprehensive understanding of biological processes across multiple levels is essential. Furthermore, as the demand for detailed information on complex agricultural traits and crop responses to NP exposure increases, omics technologies have advanced in precision agriculture and nanotoxicity research. In this review article, we leverage significant advancements in multi-omics to introduce the "Nano-omics" approach for mitigating the effects of salt stress on plants and enhancing their productivity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Groundwater is an essential source of drinking as well as irrigation water. It has recently become a significant challenge to maintain good and safe drinking water for all living beings. The continuous supply of arsenic detected in groundwater poses a severe health problem and has adverse effects on humans and the ecosystem. Researchers also identified arsenic contamination globally across various regions. However, a few studies also identified that the groundwater of Patna, Saran, and Vaishali districts of Bihar is intoxicated by arsenic. To assess the toxic level of arsenic in groundwater, samples from various GPS-based pointed locations were collected from the study area using a GARMIN GPS device. The total concentration of arsenic in drinking water (mostly traces of arsenic, level of μg L−1 or less) can be detected only by sophisticated analytical techniques such as ICP-MS, GF-AAS, and HG-AAS. The standard procedures were followed to determine quality attributes in groundwater. Arsenic contamination persists in most areas and exceeds the permissible limits prescribed by the World Health Organization (WHO), negatively impacting the health of more than 10 million people in the state. The 90.47% and 85.71% groundwater samples of the study area exceeded the permissible limit of the WHO (0.01 mg L−1) and Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS (0.05 mg L−1), respectively. The analyzed data was obtained, and variability was noticed in total arsenic concentrations ranging from 0.002 to 7.801 mg L−1, with a mean value of 0.87 mg L−1. Similarly, the water quality attribute like total dissolved solids were identified in 14.28% of samples, which crossed 201 to 1026 mg L−1, with a mean value of 375.33 mg L−1. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Chronic kidney disease (CKD) is now an unquestionable progressive condition that affects more than 10% of the general population worldwide, and has emerged as one of the most important causes of global mortality. It is clear that the prevalence of CKD among the aging population is significantly elevated. It involves a broad range of complex and poorly understood concerns in older adults such as frailty, malnutrition, sarcopenia, and even cognitive and mental dysfunction. In kidneys, renal function such as glomerular filtration, urine concentration and dilution, and homeostasis of sodium and potassium, can be influenced by the aging process. In addition, it is worth noting that CKD and end-stage kidney disease patients often have accompanying activation of immune system and inflammation, involving both the innate and adaptive immune system. Based on this background, in this review article we attempt to summarize the epidemiological characteristics of CKD in the aging population, discuss the immunological mechanisms in aging-related CKD, and furnish the reader with processes for the therapy and management of elderly patients with CKD. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study explores the stiffness enhancement in textile composites using four different fiber types: carbon, Kevlar, Vectran, and high-tenacity polyester (HTP). Pretension levels of 0.2, 2, 5, and 10 N were applied. A setup was developed to measure fiber stiffness. Results indicate that carbon fiber consistently demonstrates the highest stiffness across all pretenstionlevels, attributable to its high tensile strength and modulus. Kevlar fiber, although initially less stiff than carbon, exhibits the most substantial increase in stiffness, particularly between 5 and 10 N of pretension, reaching a peak stiffness of 33.8 at 10 N. Vectran fiber shows a gradual increase in stiffness, surpassing HTP but slightly lagging behind carbon and Kevlar. The rates of yarn-specific bending stiffness increase were measured as 0.168 for HTP, 0.054 for carbon fiber, 0.173 for Kevlar fiber, and 0.191 for Vectran fiber. The study highlights the importance of understanding how yarn pretension affects the bending stiffness of yarn-polymer composites, which is crucial for advancements in textile engineering. It was found that variations in the bending stiffness of HTP and carbon fibers significantly impacted the composite bending stiffness more than Vectran and Kevlar fibers under pretension during composite formation. High-stiffness yarns were less influenced by increasing pretension during composite fabrication. The study suggests utilizing yarn pretension to control the stiffness of textile/polymer composites and proposes individually tensioning and pultruding fibers or yarns in the polymer matrix before composite formation. A specialized setup for achieving this during the protrusion process is recommended. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Breast cancer (BC) is still one of the major issues in world health, especially for women, which necessitates innovative therapeutic strategies. In this study, we investigated the efficacy of retinoic acid derivatives as inhibitors of 17beta‐hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase type 1 (17beta‐HSD1), which plays a crucial role in the biosynthesis and metabolism of oestrogen and thereby influences the progression of BC and, the main objective of this investigation is to identify the possible drug candidate against BC through computational drug design approach including PASS prediction, molecular docking, ADMET profiling, molecular dynamics simulations (MD) and density functional theory (DFT) calculations. The result has reported that total eight derivatives with high binding affinity and promising pharmacokinetic properties among 115 derivatives. In particular, ligands 04 and 07 exhibited a higher binding affinity with values of −9.9 kcal/mol and −9.1 kcal/mol, respectively, than the standard drug epirubicin hydrochloride, which had a binding affinity of −8.2 kcal/mol. The stability of the ligand‐protein complexes was further confirmed by MD simulations over a 100‐ns trajectory, which included assessments of hydrogen bonds, root mean square deviation (RMSD), root mean square Fluctuation (RMSF), dynamic cross‐correlation matric (DCCM) and principal component analysis. The study emphasizes the need for experimental validation to confirm the therapeutic utility of these compounds. This study enhances the computational search for new BC drugs and establishes a solid foundation for subsequent experimental and clinical research. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

For the production of bioethanol, bamboo is quickly becoming recognized as a promising feedstock among other bio-based sources with enormous promise. The age of the culm when it is harvested is the most important factor that determines whether or not bamboo may be used as a renewable supply. In this study, the responsive enhancements of Beema bamboo were investigated based on the age of the stem. Beema bamboo is a superior hybrid clone of Bambusa balcooa. For this investigation, the bamboo was harvested at various stages of its development and then subjected to a two-step pretreatment process (step 1 acid treatment and step 2 alkali treatment). The amount of sugar that can be recovered and the amount of ethanol that can be produced from the treatment have both been estimated using enzymatic hydrolysis of the pretreated bamboo. According to the findings of the study, different age groups of bamboo exhibited significantly different chemical compositions (p-value < 0.05). The two-step pretreatment and enzymatic hydrolysis of bamboo resulted in a 95% recovery of fermentable sugar and a theoretical maximum ethanol output of 92.2%. Two-year-old bamboo had the highest ethanol output (321L/Ton) across all age categories. Therefore, 2 years of age was the optimal harvesting age for maximizing sugar recovery for bioethanol production. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives: This review was conducted to assess and compare whether there is a difference in response to adjunctive systemic and locally delivered antibiotics along with nonsurgical periodontal therapy (NSPT) in the treatment of peri-implantitis (PI) and chronic periodontitis (CP). Materials and Methods: A systematic search of literature on the predefined criteria was conducted using PubMed, Embase, and Scopus. Probing pocket depth, bleeding on probing, clinical attachment level, and microbial load reduction were selected as primary outcomes, whereas plaque index and gingival index were evaluated as secondary outcomes. Standard Cochrane risk-of-bias tools were used for the quality assessment of the included studies, and a qualitative data synthesis was conducted owing to the observed heterogeneity of the extracted data. Results: Adjunctive systemic and local antibiotics with NSPT resulted in additional beneficial effects in cases of both CP and PI, with greater improvement observed in cases of CP as compared to PI. Even for treatment of PI, among local antibiotics, minocycline was the only antibiotic with some significant adjunctive benefits, when used with NSPT as documented. Conclusion: Within the limitations of the review, it is concluded that the adjunctive use of antibiotics with NSPT offers a beneficial effect in the management of both CP and PI; however, there is insufficient direct evidence regarding the comparative efficacy of the adjunctive antibiotic therapy along with NSPT for the treatment of PI and CP. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Soil salinity is a major nutritional challenge with poor agriculture production characterized by high sodium (Na+) ions in the soil. Zinc oxide nanoparticles (ZnO NPs) and biochar have received attention as a sustainable strategy to reduce biotic and abiotic stress. However, there is a lack of information regarding the incorporation of ZnO NPs with biochar to ameliorate the salinity stress (0, 50,100 mM). Therefore, the current study aimed to investigate the potentials of ZnO NPs application (priming and foliar) alone and with a combination of biochar on the growth and nutrient availability of spinach plants under salinity stress. Results demonstrated that salinity stress at a higher rate (100 mM) showed maximum growth retardation by inducing oxidative stress, resulted in reduced photosynthetic rate and nutrient availability. ZnO NPs (priming and foliar) alone enhanced growth, chlorophyll contents and gas exchange parameters by improving the antioxidant enzymes activity of spinach under salinity stress. While, a significant and more pronounced effect was observed at combined treatments of ZnO NPs with biochar amendment. More importantly, ZnO NPs foliar application with biochar significantly reduced the Na+ contents in root 57.69%, and leaves 61.27% of spinach as compared to the respective control. Furthermore, higher nutrient contents were also found at the combined treatment of ZnO NPs foliar application with biochar. Overall, ZnO NPs combined application with biochar proved to be an efficient and sustainable strategy to alleviate salinity stress and improve crop nutritional quality under salinity stress. We inferred that ZnO NPs foliar application with a combination of biochar is more effectual in improving crop nutritional status and salinity mitigation than priming treatments with a combination of biochar. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Schiff bases and their metal complexes, which play a role in various biological processes, are one of the most important classes of organic and inorganic compounds. Due to their high use in the field of health, it is important to introduce these compounds into the literature through synthesis and research studies. In this study a new Schiff base ligand was synthesized by the reaction of 4-diethylamino-2-hyrdoxybenzaldehyde with o-aminophenol. This ligand was used to prepare Co(II), Ni(II), Cu(II) and Zn(II) complexes. The structural characterization of the synthesized ligand and metal complexes was elucidated by various spectroscopic and thermal analysis methods such as FT-IR, 1H-NMR, 13C-NMR, UV-Vis., XRD, SEM and TGA. As a result of these characterization studies, it was determined that the synthesized Schiff base acted as an N2O2 type tetradentate ligand and that the metal ions were bound to the ligand via phenolic oxygen and azomethine nitrogen. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A total of 21 surface sediment samples collected from Arasalar River are subjected to sediment texture (sand-silt-clay ratio), trace elements, organic matter, and CaCO3 studies to understand the accumulation dynamics of sediments. To assess the impact of metal pollution in estuarine sediments, the essential parameters should be done by checking the sediment characteristics, spatial distribution of heavy metal sources, sediment dynamics, and geochemical analysis. To evaluate the contamination level of metal pollution, a basic standard reference is required to decipher the values ranging from natural to anthropogenic contribution. From this research analysis, it is observed that the study area predominantly comprises silty sand and sand silty nature. The calcium carbonate content in the sediment is found to be proportional to the presence of shell fragments, whereas the organic matter (OM) is derived from riverine and coastal input which acts as a primary source. The obtained results confessed the average contents (mg/g) for the following selected eight elements in the order of Fe (35249–49068) > Mn (286–519) > Ni (107–279) > Cu (78.30–155.70) > Cr (50–99) > Zn (38.70–91.90) > Pb (39.90–62.40), and Co (12.6–29.1) by using an atomic absorption spectrophotometer (AAS) are utilized for this analysis. Multivariate analysis of heavy metals affirms geogenic sources (weathering of parent rocks) for Fe, Mn, Cr, Co, and Zn, whereas Cu, Ni, and Pb originated from anthropogenic activities (urban and industrial activities). The pollution load index, sediment pollution index, Igeo index, and PERI are categorized as under polluted, low to moderate polluted, and low potential environmental risk variety. Constant inspection and guidance are needed to prevent effluences from various agriculture and industrial activities in the nearby regions. The findings from this research may support and help the government to follow the suitable remediation on the better management of river and coastal areas. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Phthalates may interfere with the biosynthesis of steroid hormones in the adrenal cortex. Bis (2-butoxyethyl) phthalate (BBOP) is a phthalate containing oxygen atoms in the alcohol moiety. In this study, 35-day-old male Sprague-Dawley rats were daily gavaged with BBOP (0, 10, 100, 250, and 500 mg/kg body weight) for 21 days. BBOP did not affect the weight of body and adrenal glands. BBOP significantly reduced serum corticosterone levels at 250 and 500 mg/kg, and lowered aldosterone level at 500 mg/kg without affecting adrenocorticotropic hormone. BBOP did not alter the thickness of the adrenal cortex. BBOP significantly down-regulated the expression of steroidogenesis-related genes (Scarb1, Star, Cyp11a1, Cyp21, Cyp11b1, Cyp11b2, Nr5a1, Nr4a1, and Nr4a2) and proteins, and antioxidant enzymes (Sod1, Sod2, Gpx1, and Cat) and their proteins, while up-regulating the expression of Mc2r and Agtr1a at various doses. BBOP reduced the phosphorylation of AKT1, AKT2, and ERK1/2, as well as the levels of SIRT1 and PGC1α without affecting the phosphorylation of AMPK. BBOP significantly induced the production of reactive oxygen species and apoptosis rate in H295R cells at 100 μM and higher after 24 h of treatment. In conclusion, male rats exposed to BBOP in puberty have significant reduction of steroid biosynthesis with a potential mechanism that is involved in the decrease in the phosphorylation of AKT1, AKT2, ERK1/2, as well as SIRT1 and PGC1α and increase in ROS., (© 2022 Wiley Periodicals LLC.)

Colorectal cancer is the second leading cause of cancer-related deaths. In 2018, there were an estimated 1.8 million cases, and this number is expected to increase to 2.2 million by 2030. Despite its prevalence, the current therapeutic option has a lot of side effects and limitations. Therefore, this study was designed to employ a computational approach for the identification of anticancer inhibitors against colorectal cancer using Resveratrol derivatives. Initially, the pass prediction spectrum of 50 derivatives was conducted and selected top seven compounds based on the maximum pass prediction score. After that, a comprehensive analysis, including Lipinski Rule, pharmacokinetics, ADMET profile study, molecular orbitals analysis, molecular docking, molecular dynamic simulations, and MM-PBSA binding free energy calculations. The reported binding affinity ranges of Resveratrol derivatives from molecular docking were -6.1 kcal/mol to -7.9 kcal/mol against the targeted receptor of human armadillo repeats domain of adenomatous polyposis coli (APC) (PDB ID: 3NMW). Specifically, our findings reported that two compounds [(03) Resveratrol 3-beta-mono-D-glucoside, and (29) Resveratrol 3-Glucoside] displayed the highest level of effectiveness compared to all other derivatives (-7.7 kcal/mol and -7.9 kcal/mol), and favorable drug-likeness, and exceptional safety profiles. Importantly, almost all the molecules were reported as free from toxic effects. Subsequently, molecular dynamic simulations conducted over 100ns confirmed the stability of the top two ligand-protein complexes. These findings suggest that Resveratrol derivatives may be effective drug candidate to manage the colorectal cancer. However, further experimental research, such as in vitro/in vivo studies, is essential to validate these computational findings and confirm their practical value. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is frequently linked with coexisting mental illnesses. Our previous study discovered that 32.1% of IBS patients had subthreshold depression (SD), placing them at higher risk of developing major depression. Gut microbiota modulation through psychobiotics was found to influence depression via the gut-brain axis. However, the efficacy of lessening depression among IBS patients remains ambiguous. The study’s aim was to investigate the roles of cultured milk drinks containing 109 cfu Lactobacillus acidophilus LA-5 and Lactobacillus paracasei L. CASEI-01 on depression and related variables among IBS participants with SD. A total of 110 IBS participants with normal mood (NM) and SD, were randomly assigned to one of four intervention groups: IBS-NM with placebo, IBS-NM with probiotic, IBS-SD with placebo, and IBS-SD with probiotic. Each participant was required to consume two bottles of cultured milk every day for a duration of 12 weeks. The following outcomes were assessed: depression risk, quality of life, the severity of IBS, and hormonal changes. The depression scores were significantly reduced in IBS-SD with probiotic and placebo from baseline (p < 0.001). Only IBS-SD with probiotic showed a significant rise in serotonin serum levels (p < 0.05). A significantly higher life quality measures were seen in IBS-SD with probiotic, IBS-SD with placebo, and IBS-NM with placebo (p < 0.05). All groups, both placebo and probiotic, reported significant improvement in IBS severity post-intervention with a higher prevalence of remission and mild IBS (p < 0.05). Dual strains lactobacillus-containing cultured milk drink via its regulation of relevant biomarkers, is a potential anti-depressive prophylactic agent for IBS patients at risk. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Traditional silk, known for its strength, flexibility, and comfort, shows promise as a lightweight, comfortable material for stab-resistant armor. This study explores enhancing silk's knife-stabbing resistance for soft body armor through surface treatments. This study aims to augment the knife-stabbing resistance of silk fabric for soft body armor. Designed a falling tower setup to investigate fabric responses under impact. Exploring the addition of layers with coatings like silicon dioxide deposition, rice ash deposition, and aluminum oxide particles, the investigation revealed significant enhancements. A solitary silk layer exclusively coated with resin exhibited improvements of approximately 37.07%, 29.21%, and 13.47% in stab resistance for rice ash, aluminum oxide, and silicon oxide particles, respectively. The specific knife penetration depth indicated that the coating is more effective in diminishing penetration depth. The research identified that 7 layers of pure silk and 3 layers coated with rice ash satisfy National Institute of Justice Standard–0115.00, S1 as 26 layers of silk fabric, demonstrating a reduction without compromising protective efficacy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The soybean seeds were subjected to priming treatments using varying concentration of silicon dioxide (SiO2) nanoparticles in conjunction with water. The study assessed the effects of SiO2 nanoparticles on seed germination, seedling vigour, biochemical parameters, and osmotic adjustments in seeds that were primed with SiO2 nanoparticles, hydroprimed, and control seeds. These evaluations were conducted under conditions of moisture stress generated by PEG 6000 at -4 and -5 bars, as well as under non-drought stress condition. The findings of the study indicate that lower concentrations of SiO2 nanoparticles (NPs) had a positive impact on seed physiological and biochemical parameters. Conversely, higher concentrations of SiO2 NPs during priming resulted in reduced seed germination and antioxidant activity, both in drought stress and non stress conditions. Soybean seeds that were treated with silicon dioxide nanoparticles (SiO2 NPs) at a concentration of 500 mg/liter exhibited the highest rate of germination, germination percentage, and seedling vigour in non drought stress and in drought stress at -4 and -5 bars. The application of silicon dioxide nanoparticles (SiO2 NPs) at a concentration of 500 mg/liter during seed priming resulted in an enhancement in antioxidant enzyme activities, including catalase, peroxidase, and superoxide dismutase. Additionally, the seedlings exhibited increased levels of proline and relative water content, while experiencing a reduction in electrolyte leakage from the leaves under conditions of moisture stress generated by polyethylene glycol (PEG). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Glucocorticoids play a physiologic role in the adult male reproductive functions, modulating gonadal steroid synthesis and spermatogenesis, through the glucocorticoid receptor (GR). The expression of GR has been described in several key testicular cell types, including somatic cells and early germ cell populations. Nothing is known on GR in human spermatozoa. Herein, we explored the GR expression and its possible role in normal and testicular varicocele semen samples from volunteer donors. After semen parameter evaluation by macro- and microscopic analysis, samples were centrifuged; then spermatozoa and culture media were recovered for further investigations. By western blotting and immunofluorescence analyses we evidenced for the first time in spermatozoa the presence of GR-D3 isoform which was reduced in sperm from varicocele patients. By treating sperm with the synthetic glucocorticoid dexamethasone (DEXA), we found that survival, motility, capacitation, and acrosome reaction were increased in both healthy and varicocele samples. GR involvement in mediating DEXA effects, was confirmed by using the GR inhibitor mifepristone (M2F). Worthy, we also discovered that sperm secretes different cortisol amounts depending on its physio-pathological status, suggesting a defence mechanism to escape the immune system attach in the female genital tract thus maintaining the immune-privilege as in the testis. Collectively, our data suggests a role for glucocorticoids in determining semen quality and function, as well as in participating on sperm immune defensive mechanisms. The novelty of this study may be beneficial and needs to take into account in artificial insemination/drug discovery aimed to enhancing sperm quality. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Drug retail outlets are mushrooming and when it comes, the need to stock up drugs for the society. Many drugstores are in a quandary as to how much they must stock up to meet the patients requirements. The study was conducted to determine which factors were found to responsible or most needed when it came to stocking up medicines. The factors selected were demand for the product, storage conditions, supplier reliability, storage capacity, capacity to pay the suppliers and expiries of drugs. Around 300 retailers and their staff from various drugstores around Goa were selected by a convenience sampling method. The results were as follows; demand for the product was ranked as number one, followed by capacity to pay the supplier, expiries of the drug, storage capacity, storage conditions and supplier reliability. Pearson's coefficient of correlation was also conducted wherein two above variables were checked for correlation. It was found that there was a high positive correlation between capacity to pay the supplier and demand for the product. Secondly there was a medium positive correlation between capacity to pay the supplier and storage capacity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this study, we investigated the reactivity of γ-graphyne (Gp) and its derivatives, Gp-CH3, Gp-COOH, Gp-CN, Gp-NO2, and Gp-SOH, for the removal of toxic heavy metal ions (Hg+ 2, Pb+ 2, and Cd+ 2) from wastewater. From the analysis of the optimized structures, it was observed that all the compounds exhibited planar geometry. The dihedral angles (C9-C2-C1-C6 and C9-C2-C1-C6) were approximately 180.00°, indicating planarity in all molecular arrangements. To understand the electronic properties of the compounds, the HOMO (EH) and LUMO (EL) energies were calculated, and their energy gaps (Eg) were determined. The EH and EL values ranged between − 6.502 and − 8.192 eV and − 1.864 and − 3.773 eV, respectively, for all the compounds. Comparing the EH values, Gp-NO2 exhibited the most stable HOMO, while Gp-CH3 had the least stable structure. In terms of EL values, Gp-NO2 had the most stable LUMO, while Gp-CH3 was the least stable. The Eg values followed the order: Gp-NO2 < Gp-COOH < Gp-CN < Gp-SOH < Gp-CH3 < Gp, with Gp-NO2 (4.41 eV) having the smallest energy gap. The density of states (DOS) analysis showed that the shape and functional group modifications affected the energy levels. Functionalization with electron-withdrawing (CN, NO2, COOH, SOH) or electron-donating (CH3) groups reduced the energy gap. To specifically target the removal of heavy metal ions, the Gp-NO2 ligand was selected for its high binding energy. Complexes of Gp-NO2-Cd, Gp-NO2-Hg, and Gp-NO2-Pb were optimized, and their properties were analyzed. The complexes were found to be planar, with metal-ligand bond distances within the range of 2.092→3.442 Å. The Gp-NO2-Pb complex exhibited the shortest bond length, indicating a stronger interaction due to the smaller size of Pb+ 2. The computed adsorption energy values (Eads) indicated the stability of the complexes, with values ranging from − 0.035 to -4.199 eV. Non-covalent interaction (NCI) analysis was employed to investigate intermolecular interactions in Gp-NO2 complexes. The analysis revealed distinct patterns of attractive and repulsive interactions, providing valuable insights into the binding preferences and steric effects of heavy metals. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia corporates performance improvement strategies in health sector to transform hospital operations and instituting a culture of quality through performance improvement initiatives. Quality of nursing care (QNC) is a concern for nursing professionals and administration. Donabedian's 'Quality-of-Care' framework plays a vital role in transforming nursing care and determining appropriate intervention development and implementation plans., Aim: To explore the nurses' perception for the QNC and find their perspectives in achievements and gaps by adopting the Donabedian model., Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted on a convenience sample of 639 nurses from a tertiary hospital in Saudi Arabia using Karen-personnel instrument for measuring QNC. The achievements and gaps in nursing care quality determined by redistributing Karen statements to the three dimensions of the Donabedian structure, process and outcome model., Findings: The nurses' overall perception of the QNC was positive. According to the Donabedian model, the nurses focussed on care procedures (i.e., process-oriented) and required resources (i.e., structure-oriented), although the transformation era requires nurses' performance to focus on the outcome dimension., Conclusion: To activate the vital roles of nurses in accomplishing health transformation initiatives, there should be collaborative efforts among nursing managers, educators and policy-makers to sustain quality of structure, process and outcome-oriented nursing care and be more outcome-oriented., (© 2022 John Wiley & Sons Ltd.)

The study investigates residents' behavior towards reducing the use of single-use plastic (SUP), specifically in the context of food packaging. The widespread view holds that pro-environmental behavior (PB) results from a person's moral and rational deliberations. In reducing single-use plastic (SUP) consumption and waste, the relative roles of rationality and morality models in validating PB among rural and urban residents are not yet clear. In this empirical study, we compared the relative efficacy of two models for explaining people's SUP reduction behavior: the theory of planned behavior (TPB; rationality) and the value belief norm (VBN; morality). We investigated Thailand's rural (Sichang Island) and metropolitan (Nonthaburi city) areas. As a result, we surveyed people living on Sichang Island (n = 255) and in Nonthaburi city (n = 310). We employed structural equation modeling (SEM) for data analysis in this study. Findings showed that while morality better justified all the study participants' SUP reduction behavior, rationality underpinned behaviors of rural residents, while morality better explained the actions of city residents. We discussed future theoretical development and a policy roadmap based on these findings. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

With the fast development of unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) and the user increasing demand of UAV video transmission, UAV video service is widely used in dynamic searching and reconnoitering applications. Video transmissions not only consider the complexity and instability of 3D UAV network topology but also ensure reliable quality of service (QoS) in flying ad hoc networks (FANETs). We propose hedge transfer learning routing (HTLR) for dynamic searching and reconnoitering applications to address this problem. Compared with the previous transfer learning framework, HTRL has the following innovations. First, hedge principle is introduced into transfer learning. Online model is continuously trained on the basis of offline model, and their weight factors are adjusted in real-time by transfer learning, so as to adapt to the complex 3D FANETs. Secondly, distributed multi-hop link state scheme is used to estimate multi-hop link states in the whole network, thus enhancing the stability of transmission links. Among them, we propose the multiplication rule of multi-hop link states, which is a new idea to evaluate link states. Finally, we use packet delivery rate (PDR) and energy efficiency rate (EER) as two main evaluation metrics. In the same NS3 experimental scenario, the PDR of HTLR is at least 5.11% higher and the EER is at least 1.17 lower than compared protocols. Besides, we use Wilcoxon test to compare HTLR with the simplified version of HTLR without hedge transfer learning (N-HTLR). The results show that HTRL is superior to N-HTRL, effectively ensuring QoS. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study focuses on the design of new 2D membranes from connected Clar's Goblet as a potential sensor for pharmaceutical pollutants, specifically the painkiller drugs aspirin, paracetamol, ibuprofen, and diclofenac. The electronic, optical, and interaction properties are investigated using density functional theory calculations. The Clar's Goblet membranes (CGMs) that were chosen are semiconductors with an energy gap of around 1.5 eV, according to energy gap calculations and density of states. Molecular electrostatic potential (ESP) analysis shows that CGMs have electrophilic and nucleophilic sites, suggesting their suitability for interacting with pharmaceutical pollutants. The adsorption energies confirm the chemical adsorption of pharmaceutical pollutants with diclofenac showing the strongest adsorption. The UV–Vis absorption spectra of CGMs-drug complexes are analyzed, revealing a redshift compared to the absorption spectrum of CGMs alone, confirming the adsorption of these drugs. Further analysis using hole/electron examinations indicates that the type of excitation is local excitation rather than charge transfer excitation. This study quantitatively characterized hole and electron distribution in excited states using various indices. The analysis revealed local excitation transitions and significant charge transfer between the CGMs molecule and pharmaceutical pollutants. Additionally, non-covalent interaction analysis indicates the presence of van der Waals interactions, highlighting the adsorption behavior of the drugs. These results demonstrate the potential of CGMs as a highly sensitive sensor for pharmaceutical pollutants. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The slashing mechanism is influenced by various properties that impact fabric slicing, contingent upon both fabric design and yarn-slicing characteristics. This study explores the slash resistance of soft armor, underscoring the essential need for enhancements in fabric design and fiber properties. Yarn-slicing qualities and the fabric's pattern play pivotal roles in the fabric-cutting mechanism. The fabric stabbing resistance force demonstrates strong positive correlations with multiple factors, encompassing values such as friction force between warp and weft, yarn cutting force, yarn pull-off force, fabric shear modulus, and fabric flexural stiffness. The investigation explores the relationship between slash resistance in high-performance fabrics, revealing a robust correlation with factors such as yarn cutting force, yarn pull-off force, fabric shear modulus, friction force between warp and weft, and fabric flexural rigidity. Fabrics constructed from Kevlar 129 or 29 showcase the highest slashing resistance force. Experimental results unveil that the Kevlar 129 plain weave exhibits the utmost resistance, recording a force of 100.37 N and a fabric-slashing energy of 3.65 J. In contrast, the Kevlar 29 plain weave structure withstands a slash resistance force of 67 N, while the Kevlar 29-carbon plain weave displays a slash resistance of 62.97 N. The correlation coefficients between various variables linked to fabric-slashing resistance force unveil a strong, positive, and highly interrelated association for the majority of factors investigated. These factors encompass yarn-cutting force, yarn pull-off force, fabric shear modulus, and fabric flexural rigidity. Additionally, there exists a positive correlation with the friction force between warp and weft. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The current research was aimed to examine the NLO properties of novel benzodithiophene-based donor–acceptor (D-A)-type compounds (BDTD1–BDTD8) via structural modulation of reference compound (BDTR). Optimization of the reference compound (BDTR) along with eight derivatives was accomplished at M06/6-311G(d,p) level. Subsequently, the optimized geometries were further employed to execute additional analyses: UV–Vis absorption, natural population analysis (NPA), NLO, frontier molecular orbitals (FMOs) and natural bond orbital (NBO) properties at the above-mentioned functional. All the tailored compounds (BDTD1–BDTD8) were reported with less energy difference in comparison with BDTR. The descending order of compounds accordant to Egap values was found to be as BDTR > BDTD1 > BDTD8 > BDTD4 > BDTD2 > BDTD5 > BDTD7 > BDTD6 > BDTD3. Furthermore, assisted by FMOs analysis, density of states (DOS) computations demonstrated significant charge mobility from HOMO towards LUMO in the derivatives. Global reactivity descriptors correspond to Egap values, BDTD3 with least energy difference accompanied with less hardness (1.028 eV) and highest softness (0.486 eV) among all the derivatives. BDTD3 exhibited the highest value of λmax (717.211 nm) in all the designed compounds relative to BDTR (576.161 nm). For all fabricated chromophores, the βtot values are presented in the decreasing order: BDTD3 > BDTD7 > BDTD6 > BDTD5 > BDTD2 > BDTD4 > BDTD1 > BDTD8 > BDTR. Interestingly, the highest values as 2.324 × 10–27 and 4.302 × 10–32 esu of βtot and γtot, respectively, were indicated by BDTD3 compound. Valuable NLO findings explored that our derivatives might be significant candidates for nonlinear optics. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Heavy metals (HMs) are among the most harmful environmental constraints, threatening a wide range of life-forms, including plants. HMs significantly impair plant metabolism by interfering with the function of critical cellular biomolecules and ultimately lead to reduced crop yields. Various strategies were used to overcome the HM toxicity; among this use of nanoparticles (NPs) is a relatively new, effective, and efficient approach than the other conventional techniques. NPs decrease the mobility and bioavailability of HMs in soil, enhancing the proficiency of the apoplastic barrier within plants to restrict HM movement. NPs protect the plants' antioxidant system by increasing the activities of enzymatic and non-enzymatic antioxidants, collectively enhancing their role as stress mitigators. The current article discusses the role and mechanism of NPs to alleviate HM stress in soil and plants. The various factors affecting the interaction of NPs with HMs and toxicity raised by these materials in environment are also discussed. This article also discusses the future recommendations for utilization of NPs in plants to alleviate HM stress. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

New organic dyes (H1-H6) for their promising applications as dye sensitized solar cell (DSSCs) were theoretically designed from 6,6′-di(thiophen-2-yl)-4,4′-bipyrimidine (TB) moiety in acceptor (A), π-spacer, and donor (D) type architecture to create A-π-D-π-D-π-A framework. After their benchmarking study against various exchange correlation (XC) and long-range corrected (LC) functional, the CAM-B3LYP produced accurate results so as selected for further density functional theory (DFT) and time dependent DFT (TD-DFT) studies. The frontier molecular orbitals (FMOs) were analyzed for their electron transfer properties, and their energies of the highest occupied molecular orbital (EHOMO) and the lowest unoccupied molecular orbital (ELUMO) were used to assess various electronic properties. Their energy differences (EH-L) ranged between 1.69 and 2.03 eV indicating their good responsiveness to electron injection (Ginj) being the values greater than 0.2 eV. The maximum absorbance of the dyes was reported around the 388–406 nm while their starting material (TB) had this value to be 371 nm. This redshift was significant with an intensification of electron-withdrawing groups on the dye structures. The dyes were evaluated for their device related parameters like their light harvesting efficiency, open circuit voltage, exciton binding energies, and exciton life times which were found in their promising values. The dyes were analyzed for their linear (α), first (βtotal), and second (γtotal) order nonlinear responses and were found to have significantly higher responses, not only against their starting materials but also those reported in literature for standard molecules (urea and p-nitric acid). Among the dyes under study, dye H4 exhibits the highest molecular polarizability (α) and hyperpolarizability (β and γ) values thanks to two CN substituted units on each ends. These dyes are most likely to have possible optical and photonic uses. Also, according to the results of the current theoretical research, all of these dyes may function as effective photosensitizer for their DSSC application. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this work, we focused on the 3rd goal of the sustainable development plan: achieving good health and supporting well-being. Two redox-active hydrazo ligands namely, phenylcarbonohydrazonoyldicyanide (PCHD) and pyridin-4-ylcarbonohydrazonoyl-dicyanide (PyCHD), and their copper(I) complexes have been synthesized and characterized. The analytical data indicates the formation of copper(I) complexes despite starting with copper(II) perchlorate salt. The 1H-NMR and UV–visible spectral studies in DMSO revealed that PyCHD mainly exists in its azo-form, while PCHD exists in azo ↔ hydrazo equilibrium form, and confirmed the copper(I) oxidation state. XPS, spectral and electrochemistry data indicated the existence of copper(I) valence of both complexes. Cyclic voltammetry of PCHD and its copper(I) complex supported the reduction power of the ligand. The antimicrobial activity, cytotoxicity against the mammalian breast carcinoma cell line (MCF7), and DNA interaction of the compounds are investigated. All compounds showed high antimicrobial, and cytotoxic activities, relative to the standard drugs. Upon studying the wheat DNA binding, PCHD and PyCHD were found to bind through external contacts, while both [Cu(PCHD)2]ClO4.H2O and [Cu(PyCHD)2]ClO4.H2O were intercalated binding. In-silico molecular docking simulations against Estrogen Receptor Alpha Ligand Binding Domain (ID: 6CBZ) were performed on all produced compounds and confirmed the invitro experimentally best anticancer activity of [Cu(PyCHD)2]ClO4.H2O. The molecular docking tests against SARS-CoV-2 main protease (ID: 6 WTT) showed promising activity in the order of total binding energy values: [Cu(PCHD)2]ClO4.H2O > [Cu(PyCHD)2]ClO4.H2O > PCHD > PyCHD. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Internal exposure of public to radiation arising from ingestion of natural radionuclides in tuber crops of Ebonyi State origin was investigated in this study. Committed effective doses and lifetime cancer risk of 40K, 226Ra, and 232Th in cassava, cocoyam, water yam, and white yam were calculated. The average activity concentrations of 40K, 226Ra, and 232Th determined by gamma spectrometric Na (TI) detector were, respectively, 199.15 ± 23.51, 77.57 ± 7.98, and 118.20 ± 10.72 Bq/kg in cassava; 146.62 ± 40.69, 43.42 ± 7.63, and 75.61 ± 2.89 Bq/kg in cocoyam; 162.81 ± 20.43, 63.17 ± 11.36, and 81.50 ± 10.27 Bq/kg in water yam; and 184.50 ± 20.22, 80.23 ± 10.93, and 116.29 ± 5.93 Bq/kg in white yam. The total committed effective dose via ingestion aligned in this order of cassava (7.05 mSv/year) > white yam (4.38 mSv/year) > water yam (0.42 mSv/year) > cocoyam (0.21 mSv/year) with overall average dose of 3.12 mSv/year. The values of dose were higher than world average of 0.29 mSv/year given by United Nations Scientific Committee on the Effects of Atomic Radiation (UNSCEAR). The lifetime cancer risk values were above tolerance level of >10−4 prescribed by United States Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA), suggesting probable evolvement of radiogenic cancer morbidity. The data presented in this study contributes to baseline information on radiological characteristics of tuber crops in Ebonyi, which would be valuable to WHO/FAO food safety policy in Nigeria and rest of the world. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The traditional format for neuroanatomy lab practical exams involves stations with a time limit for each station and inability to revisit stations. Timed exams have been associated with anxiety, which can lead to poor performance. In alignment with the universal design for learning (UDL), Timed Image Question and Untimed Image Question exam formats were designed to determine which format supports student success, especially for those who performed poorly in the traditional format. Only the Untimed Image Question format allowed students to revisit questions. All three formats were administered in a randomized order within a course for three cohorts of medical students. When all students' scores were analyzed together, the type of format had no effect. However, when analyses were conducted only on students who performed poorly in the traditional format, the type of format had an effect. These students increased their score, on average, by at least one grade level in the Untimed Image Question format compared to the traditional format. Students who performed well in the traditional format maintained their A, on average, in the two new formats. More students indicated Untimed Image Question as their most preferred format after experiencing all three formats. Most students associated the inability to revisit questions with high levels of anxiety. A neuroanatomy lab exam format was therefore identified as consistent with the UDL framework such that all students, regardless of test anxiety levels, can equally demonstrate what they learned. This format allowed for unlimited time per question and ability to revisit questions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abiotic and biotic stresses hamper our agricultural productivity by reducing crop growth, leading to food crises all over the globe. At present, the main objective of environmentalists is to ensure food safety by improving crop production in stressful environment. To achieve this goal, nanotechnology is a promising tool to sustainably promote food production. Seed nano-priming has emerged as a successful method to activate not only seed germination and seedling establishment but also the growth of the plant. Here we are focusing on some important benefits of seed nano-priming, like rapid germination, better plant growth, and higher yield. Furthermore, an attempt has been made to explain seed priming technology, mechanism of seed germination along with molecular, biochemical, and physiological changes on nano-priming. The data presented in this review prove that nano-priming can mitigate abiotic and biotic stresses and provide an option to raise a resilient crop. This review has also highlighted the challenges and limitations in using seed nano-priming for sustainable agriculture. We have also discussed here future possibility of usage of endophytes due to their enormous benefits to host and non-host plants, as well in seed germination and in abiotic stress tolerance via seed priming, with different innovative seed coating techniques, which could be used as potential technology in advancing dynamic and sustainable agriculture. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]