Search

Abstract Background The mechanisms enabling dynamic shifts between drug-resistant and drug-sensitive states in cancer cells are still underexplored. This study investigated the role of targeted autophagic protein degradation in regulating ovarian cancer stem cell (CSC) fate decisions and chemo-resistance. Methods Autophagy levels were compared between CSC-enriched side population (SP) and non-SP cells (NSP) in multiple ovarian cancer cell lines using immunoblotting, immunofluorescence, and transmission electron microscopy. The impact of autophagy modulation on CSC markers and differentiation was assessed by flow cytometry, immunoblotting and qRT-PCR. In silico modeling and co-immunoprecipitation identified ID1 interacting proteins. Pharmacological and genetic approaches along with Annexin-PI assay, ChIP assay, western blotting, qRT-PCR and ICP-MS were used to evaluate effects on cisplatin sensitivity, apoptosis, SLC31A1 expression, promoter binding, and intracellular platinum accumulation in ID1 depleted backdrop. Patient-derived tumor spheroids were analyzed for autophagy and SLC31A1 levels. Results Ovarian CSCs exhibited increased basal autophagy compared to non-CSCs. Further autophagy stimulation by serum-starvation and chemical modes triggered proteolysis of the stemness regulator ID1, driving the differentiation of chemo-resistant CSCs into chemo-sensitive non-CSCs. In silico modeling predicted TCF12 as a potent ID1 interactor, which was validated by co-immunoprecipitation. ID1 depletion freed TCF12 to transactivate the cisplatin influx transporter SLC31A1, increasing intracellular cisplatin levels and cytotoxicity. Patient-derived tumor spheroids exhibited a functional association between autophagy, ID1, SLC31A1, and platinum sensitivity. Conclusions This study reveals a novel autophagy-ID1-TCF12-SLC31A1 axis where targeted autophagic degradation of ID1 enables rapid remodeling of CSCs to reverse chemo-resistance. Modulating this pathway could counter drug resistance in ovarian cancer.

The purpose of the research is to address the underutilization of electric machine-based propulsion in transportation despite its numerous advantages over conventional internal combustion engines (ICE), such as reduced emissions, lower fuel costs, and improved control and operation. To achieve this goal, the study reviews state-of-the-art energy sources, storage devices, power converters, and control strategies used in electric vehicles (EVs). It particularly focuses on the implementation of the five-level charging scheme for Lithium-ion (Li-ion) batteries, which are considered a promising solution for electric vehicle power storage. The important results of this work include the advantages of a five-level charging scheme for a 1Ah, 3.7V Li-ion battery compared with conventional charging methods, i.e., superior efficiency (97.16%), lower temperature rise (1.5 degrees Celsius), faster charging times (around 40-43 minutes), and extended battery lifespan. The significance of these results lies in their potential to address key drawbacks hindering the widespread adoption of plug-in hybrid electric vehicles (PH EVs) by offering a practical solution for faster, more efficient, and safer battery charging. By isolating the battery during charging and optimizing the charging process, the proposed system not only enhances the performance of electric vehicles but also contributes to prolonging the battery life, thus promoting sustainability in transportation. Additionally, the experimental validation using MATLAB Simulink underscores the practical feasibility of the proposed charging system, providing a valuable contribution to the field of electric vehicle technology.

In recent years, additive manufacturing has increased in prominence as a primary method of manufacturing around the globe. Modern metal additive manufacturing presents an innovative approach to manufacturing complex structures for the aerospace, energy, and construction sectors, due to technological advancements. In the present study, the austenitic stainless steel 309L (SS-309L) thick wall component was manufactured employing pulsed current gas tungsten arc welding (PC-GTAW) WAAM technology. The metallurgical characteristics of the as-deposited SS-309L thick wall part were evaluated. The investigation of material characteristics in the manufactured areas encompasses a study of cross-sectional (CS) and transverse-sectional (TS) regional portions, specifically the upper, middle, and lower regions. The microstructures of the CS and TS planes showed austenite, columnar, and delta ferrite dendrites in the upper, middle, and lower regions, respectively. The CS sample reveals the greatest grain size at 159.4 μm, following the EBSD investigation. The average size of the grains across the TS is 127.09 μm. The thermal cycles in multi-layer production result in changes in grain size. The microhardness in the transverse sectional regions is higher than in the CS regions, measuring average values of 257 HV, 253 HV, and 251 HV for the upper, middle, and lower sections, respectively. The ultimate tensile strengths (UTS) in the cross-sectional parts are 656 MPa, whereas in the transverse regions it was 661 MPa for the topmost regions. This study investigates the correlation among the mechanical and metallurgical properties of wire arc additively fabricated SS-309L austenite steel material.

Solar energy is a promising renewable energy source, but its intermittent and variable nature poses significant challenges for accurate forecasting. Over the recent years, there has been a remarkable surge in research dedicated to improving the precision of solar energy forecasting models. This review article delves into the state-of-the-art in solar energy forecasting. Beginning with an exploration of the hurdles faced in forecasting solar radiation, we proceed to provide an extensive survey of various forecasting models that have been developed to tackle this complex problem. Factors influencing the accuracy of solar energy forecasts are discussed, and an insight into the future trends in solar energy forecasting is provided. Key areas of focus include machine learning techniques, artificial neural networks (ANNs), and support vector regression.

The wear behavior of squeeze cast Al5456alloy with TiC/Flyash nanoparticles is examined. L27 orthogonal array design is preferred to perform the wear experiments to study the influence of various applied loads, sliding distances and sliding speed. ANOVA is carried out to detect the significant and non-significant factors. The maximum and minimum amount of wear is attained as 0.012957mm3 /Nm and 0.002387mm3 /Nm in the 21th and 5th experiments respectively and The optimal factors are recognized to be a sliding distance of 700 m, load of 70 N, and sliding speed of 9 m/s. A model of the regression with three operational factors and three levels was developed for this study. The equations for WR were created by decreasing the sum of the square residuals using the conventional least square method. The regression output and experimental results are compared to estimate the predicted error.

Abrasive Water Jet Machining is a distinctive manufacturing process that effectively removes material from a workpiece by employing a high-pressure stream of water combined with abrasive particles. The final quality of the machined surface is directly influenced by various process parameters, such as the traverse speed, hydraulic pressure, stand-off distance, abrasive flow rate, and the specific type of abrasive used. In recent times, extensive research has been undertaken to enhance the performance of AWJM, with a specific focus on critical performance measures like surface roughness. This paper presents the latest advancements in AWJM research, with particular attention given to enhancing performance measures, implementing process monitoring and control, and optimizing process variables for applications involving high-carbon steel.

In this paper, the effect of wear parameters on the wear rate of AA5086 alloy reinforced with Alumina (Al2O3) and Titanium boride (TiB2) is investigated. The Al2O3 content is fixed at 5wt%, while the variation in TiB2 content is considered as one of the parameters. The preparation of AA5086/Al2O3/TiB2 hybrid nano composite is carried out using the stir casting technique. To formulate the experimental design, response surface methodology (RSM) is employed, and four factors at three levels are selected using the Box Behnken design. The chosen process parameters include reinforcement wt% (5%, 7.5%, 10%), load (30N, 40N, 50N), sliding speed (500rpm, 600rpm, 700rpm), and sliding distance (400m, 450m, 500m).The results indicate that the highest wear rate of 0.09876 mm3/Nm is observed when using a load of 50N, sliding speed of 500 rpm, sliding distance of 400m, and a reinforcement content of 5%.An analysis of variance (ANOVA) is performed to determine the significance of each factor on the wear rate. According to the ANOVA results, it is found that load is the most critical factor contributing to the increase in wear rate, followed by sliding distance, sliding speed, and reinforcement content.

Nanostructured materials incorporating transition metal sulfides have demonstrated considerable potential across various applications, particularly in the realms of energy production and storage. Sulfide-based material preparation is a challenging and costly procedure that requires a high temperature and reducing atmosphere. This work reports that manganese cobalt sulfide (MCS) and reduced graphene oxide composite manganese cobalt sulfide (rMCS) were successfully prepared through a hydrothermal method. Various characterization techniques were employed to analyze the prepared materials, including X-ray diffraction, field emission scanning electron microscopy, transmission electron microscopy, Brunauer-Emmett-Teller analysis, and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy. In a three-electrode system, MCS and rMCS electrodes exhibit an excellent specific capacitance of 1695 and 1925 F g−1 at 1 A g−1 current density respectively. MCS delivers the capacitance retention of 99% and rMCS exhibits the capacitance retention of 100% capacitance retention over 5000 consecutive cycles. The constructed asymmetric supercapacitor electrode (rMCS//rGO) exhibits the energy and power density of 64 Wh kg−1 at 799 W kg−1, respectively with outstanding cyclic stability of 97.4% even after 10,000 cycles. The exceptional electrochemical properties of MCS with rGO composite electrode indicate that they would make an outstanding electrode material for cutting-edge energy storage devices. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Foliar fertilization has great potential to give higher yields under intensive cropping system and in enhancing the crop tolerance to drought conditions. Different responses of yield to foliar fertilization are probably associated with incorrect timing of application, use of inappropriate fertilizer and lack of concern of soil available nutrients and environmental conditions. Though soil application of nutrients cannot be replaced totally with foliar fertilization, but under various situations like rainfed condition, foliar nutrition can play very important role in enhancing crop yield and nutrient use efficiency. Focusing on this, a field experiment was conducted in the Agricultural Research Station, Kovilpatti, under rainfed situation from 2017 to '20 to evaluate the response of foliar application of plant nutrients sprayed during moisture stress condition and to improve the growth and yield of sorghum under rainfed condition. This experiment was laid out in split plot design with replicated thrice and the treatments consisted of main plots: M1 – foliar spray during dry spell, M2 – foliar spray after relieving of stress/dry spell (with favorable soil moisture) and subplots: S1 – urea@1%, S2 – urea@2%, S3 – water soluble complex fertilizer (19:19:19)@0.5%, S4 – water soluble complex fertilizer (19:19:19)@0.5% + recommended dose of micronutrient for foliar spray (to be decided based on soil test: zinc, boron, iron, manganese, etc.), S5 – ZnSO4@0.5%, S6 – water spray, S7 – control (no spray of any material/water) under rainfed vertisols of semiarid region. The obtained results showed that the application of water soluble complex fertilizer (19:19:19)@0.5% sprayed during the dry spell significantly increased the plant height, earhead length and grain test weight. This attributes resulted in higher grain yield (1448 kg ha−1), stover yield (2288 kg ha−1), net returns (Rs. 8748 ha−1), B:C (1.16) and rainwater use efficiency (3.85 kg ha−1-mm) when compared to other practices in rainfed sorghum. There is a gradual increase in total major plant nutrient uptake, viz. nitrogen (22.3 kg ha−1), phosphorus (4.56 kg ha−1) and potassium uptake (26.0 kg ha−1) with the foliar application of water soluble complex fertilizer (19:19:19)@0.5% applied during the dry spell condition (S3) during drought stress condition (M1). Foliar application of nutrients along with soil application has several advantages in supplementing the nutritional requirements of crops such as rapid and efficient response by the plants, less product needed and independence of soil conditions. Foliar nutrition designed to eliminate the problems like fixation and immobilization of nutrients. Hence, foliar nutrition is recognized as an important method of fertilization during the dry spell under rainfed condition in modern agriculture. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Carbon-free nickel alloy maraging steel has high demand in manufacturing aerospace vehicles and hypersonic missiles. Due to the absence of carbon and the strengthening of intermetallic precipitates, maraging steel can attain high strength and toughness with ductility. This material has enormous weldability in both annealed and post-weld heat-treated (PWHT) conditions. During high-thickness sections, the heat flow rate and the number of passes were found to be redundant. The existence of reverted austenite (RA) has been identified because prolonged aging also has an impact on the mechanical characteristics of the weldment. The present research demonstrates the characterization of plasma arc welded (PAW) maraging steel MDN 250 in welded and PWHT conditions. The weldments were subjected to three types of heat treatment, namely, (i) Subsequent Aging (TA), (ii) Solution treating + Subsequent Aging (STA), and (iii) Homogenizing + Solution treating + Subsequent Aging (HTA). This study also emphasizes the importance of precipitates and RA in affecting the strength and toughness of welded joints. The HTA treatment solely helps to eliminate the RA from the weldment. The microstructural study depicts the formation of reverted austenite in the TA condition. The reverted austenite has not been found in the microstructure under HTA conditions. The EBSD (Electron backscatter diffraction) analysis has resulted that the RA has been eliminated. The EDS (Electron Dispersive Spectroscopy) analysis shows that segregation of the enriched alloys has been effectively lowered in HTA condition. Compared to the other weldments' mechanical characterization, the HTA condition gives supremacy results. The average ultimate tensile strength of 1830 MPa has been achieved in HTA condition, with a yield strength of 1809 MPa. The average fracture toughness results of 88.3 MPa√ m was obtained in HTA condition. The work display of PAW (Plasma Arc Welding) is capable of meeting all of the requirements for welding maraging steel in high-thickness sections. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this research, dissimilar welding of the nickel-based superalloy Inconel 59 and austenitic stainless steel AISI 904L steel was successfully done with double-pulsed gas metal arc welding (DP-GMAW) using the filler ERNiCrMo-13. Macroscopic analysis showed a defect-free weld with an aspect ratio of 2.4, attributed to the efficient heat delivery (0.642 kJ/mm) in DP-GMAW. The microstructure of the weld joint was examined through both optical microscopy and scanning electron microscopy. Examination of the microstructure of the weld interface exposed grain coarsening near the heat-affected zone on the AISI 904L side. In contrast, the weld fusion zone contained fine equiaxed dendrites. Microsegregation and alloying element migration across the entire weld area were assessed through energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy point analysis and line mapping, revealing controlled microsegregation across the region. X-ray diffraction (XRD) analysis was used to ascertain the average grain size (38.41 nm) and secondary phase composition. The XRD-cosα method was used to assess the residual stress of the weld joint, revealing tensile residual stress in the weld zone and compressive residual stress in other regions. Tensile, Charpy impact, and Vickers hardness tests were conducted in the study to evaluate the strength, toughness, and hardness of a dissimilar weld. The impact of two cryogenic treatments, namely shallow and deep, on tensile and toughness characteristics was investigated in this study. The cryogenic treatments significantly enhanced the mechanical properties of weld samples compared to their as-welded condition, leading to an 11.5% increase in tensile strength and a 10% improvement in toughness. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]