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Widespread use of plastic bags contributes to elevated air pollution levels worldwide, prompting various regulatory measures such as bans and taxes aimed at reducing plastic pollution. The objective of this study was to analyze the impact of these plastic bag bans and taxes on PM2.5 air quality across 208 countries from 1960 to 2021, using Fixed Effects, Driscoll and Kraay, and GMM models. Results indicate that bans generally reduce the population's exposure to PM2.5 above WHO guidelines, but increase exposure above the Interim Target-1, while reducing it above Interim Target-3 in some models. Conversely, taxes on plastic bags significantly increase both mean annual PM2.5 exposure and the proportion of the population exposed to levels surpassing all WHO targets. The combined effect shows a decrease in exposure due to bans, except for an increase above Interim Target-3, while taxes increase exposure across all measures. These findings highlight complex interactions between plastic bag policies and air pollution, emphasizing the need for careful policy design. While plastic bag bans effectively reduce PM2.5 exposure, taxes on plastic bags unexpectedly increase it, emphasizing the need for carefully designed policies to prevent unintended increases in air pollution.

Although pitch-derived carbon foam (CF) is not new, but the progress for enhanced thermal, mechanical, and catalytic dye degradations need to be explored. Numerous works were performed to improve the structural morphology and properties of the CFs by dispersing various additives. But mostly it was noticed that such additives enhanced one aspect of the CFs at the cost of other ones. In this work, various additive loadings of the functionalized graphene oxide (FGO), and functionalized titanium dioxide (FTiO2) were synergistically dispersed into the CF matrix via facile pyrolysis for the preparation of CF/FGO and CF/FGO + FTiO2 hybrid composites to improve the structural morphology and properties of the CFs. Functionalization of the graphene oxide (GO) and titanium dioxide (TiO2) nanoparticles (NPs) was performed for the purpose to decrease the possible aggregations, and enhancing the compatibility and interaction between the additives and the CF matrix. A total of seven CF composites including pure CF were synthesized and explored for their structural, thermal, mechanical, and catalytic dye degradation performances. The microstructural investigations revealed that cellular morphology, pore size, shape, and porous homogeneity of the CF composites were significantly improved after the FGO and FTiO2 loadings. The thermal and mechanical behaviors revealed that as the additives loading of the FGO and FTiO2 are increased, the thermal and mechanical responses of the CF composites are significantly improved. The maximum thermal conductivity of 27.9 W/m K was revealed by 4wt.% CF/FGO + FTiO2 hybrid composite. Similarly, the optimum compressive strength of 15.7 MPa, specific compressive strength of 3.5 10 m3, excellent stress–strain, and improved Young's modulus of 42.2 MPa was shown by 4wt.% FGO + FTiO2 hybrid composite. The catalytic activity was evaluated by degrading orange II dye in an aqueous medium under ultraviolet (UV) light irradiation. The TiO2-containing composite was found to be active and the sample with 4wt.% CF/FGO + FTiO2 hybrid composite achieved a significant 78.9% degradation of the dye within just 80 min.

This study explores MAX-phase materials for self-lubricating performance in high-speed turbomachinery, especially for aircraft engines and diverse industries. Ti2AlC was effectively synthesized and sintered using spark plasma sintering (SPS) under vacuum conditions at 30 MPa and 1000 °C, followed by rigorous cyclic oxidation at 1200 °C. The microstructure, element distribution, and phase analysis of the sintered and worn surfaces were examined using scanning electron microscopy (SEM), energy dispersive spectroscopy (EDS), and X-ray diffraction (XRD). Mechanical properties were evaluated through Vickers hardness and nanoindentation tests, while tribological properties were examined using wear tests. The results indicated that TiO2 and Al2O3 had a self-lubricating or anti-wear effect, significantly decreasing the wear rate. Furthermore, a transition was observed in the wear rate, going from high to low. This change was attributed to the formation of TiC particles, which can deform plastically and further reduce the overall wear rate.

Based on the versatile nature and applications of Carbon foam (CF), up to now many attempts were performed to improve the structure and properties of CF by incorporating various additives in the CF matrix. But these additives improved one property on the cost of another ones. Herein, we have synergistically incorporated multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) and graphene oxide (GO) with varying loadings as additives in the CF matrix via direct pyrolysis to achieve all the desired properties. Seven different types of CF composites including pure CF were prepared and their effect on the structure, mechanical, thermal, electrical and catalytic characteristics has been reported. The results revealed that after the inclusion of MWCNTs and GO contents, the microstructural performance of CF samples was amazingly improved. Additionally, it was observed that mechanical, thermal, electrical and catalytic behaviors of the CF samples were significantly enhances by the increase of nanohybrids. The compressive strength and Young's modulus reveals their optimum limits up to 19.3 and 57.4 MPa respectively on 2 wt.% MWCNTs-GO additive loadings. Similarly, the greatest thermal and electrical conductivities of 30.92 W/m. K and 27.4 × 103 S/m were showed by CF samples having 2 wt. % MWCNTs-GO loadings. Whereas, the decolorization activity of the CF and their nanocomposites were tested against methyl orange dye and it was observed that the sample with enhanced MWCNTs and GO have good decolorization activity and much sustainable than other samples. The 4% CF/MWCNTs-GO decolorized about 76% MO dye under exposure to UV light within 60 min. The decolorization of MO dye increases with increasing nanocomposite dosage and decreasing initial dye concentration.

The monoclinic CuO has a natural tendency to grow into sheet-like structures from alkaline solutions without the need for any specialized reaction conditions or structural directing agents. We demonstrate this growth habit of CuO by heterogeneously nucleating it onto Ni foam substrate from just the ammonical solutions of Cu salts. The growth kinetics were found to be fast and, dense, interlaced thin films with an average sheet width of 20 nm can be grown by simply controlling the degree of supersaturation of the solution. Strongly adhered films with thicknesses up-to 5 μm were deposited from three different Cu salt solutions. Due to faster growth kinetics, growth time has little effect on both the film and nanosheet thickness. Detailed structural and compositional characterizations of the CuO nanosheets were made using FESEM, HRTEM, SAED, XRD and, XPS. The utility of the grown CuO nanosheets is demonstrated as a ready to use electrode for electrochemical supercapacitors. Specific capacitance in excess of 498 F/g was calculated from the Galvanostatic charge–discharge measurements collected at a current density of 0.5 A/g.

This study background highlights the increasing need for effective management of risks in tall buildings due to their complexity and potential hazards. BIM has been accepted as a potential solution for management of risks in tall buildings; however, its adaptation has been slow due to several obstacles. The purpose of this study is to identify and validate the impediments to the adaptation of BIM for management of risks. The study adopted a two-step methodology, consisting of exploratory factor analysis (EFA) and structural equation modelling (SEM). The data were collected through an online survey of professionals involved in design, construction, and management. Results of the study reveal six significant impediments: technical, integration, operational, creativity, privacy, and standardization. The findings provide theoretical contributions to the literature by identifying and validating the impediments to adaptation of BIM for risks in tall buildings. Practical implications suggest that organizations involved in design, construction, and management of tall buildings need to address the identified impediments to ensure successful adaptation of BIM for management of risks. This study contributes to the understanding of the obstacles to the adaptation of BIM for management of risks in tall buildings and provides insights for organizations to overcome these impediments.

Reinforced thermoplastic pipes (RTPs) are instantly being broadly scrutinized as a feasible surrogate for metallic pipes due to their superior corrosion resistance, low weight, and low maintenance worth, they have three primary layers inner, outer, and reinforcement. Process parameters for manufacturing reinforced layers are critically essential to enhancing the mechanical performance of RTPs. However, limited comparative research on the impact of braiding parameters on RTP’s mechanical characteristics appears to be publicly available. Therefore, this study examines how these variables affect the mechanical characteristics of braid RTP. This new class of braid RTP is constructed of an HDPE liner pipe, over-wrapped with a single braid layer of resin glass fiber. L9 Taguchi orthogonal array design for experiments was used to create specimens. Furthermore, specimens were subjected to tensile and compression to assess their mechanical properties. Epoxy and ±75 were the most promising parameters in achieving the highest number of tensile and compression properties among choices of thermoplastic polymer matrices and braid angles, respectively. ANOVA suggested that both parameters are significant and significantly impact the mechanical properties of the prototype braid RTP. Also, A1B3 is considered the best combination for producing braid RTP with higher mechanical performance; no notable interaction among factors was found.

Aerosols have a severe impact on the Earth's climate, human health, and ecosystem. To understand the impacts of aerosols on climate, human health, and the ecosystem we must need to understand the variability of aerosols and their optical properties. Therefore, we used Aqua-MODIS retrieved aerosol optical depth (AOD) (550 nm) and Angstrom exponent (AE) (440/870) data to analyze the Spatio-temporal seasonal variability of aerosols and their relationship with different meteorological parameters over Pakistan from 2002 to 2021. High (>0.5) AOD values were observed during the summer season and low (1) in the northern regions of Pakistan indicating the dominance of fine mode particles during the winter season. Moreover, AOD showed a positive correlation with Relative Humidity (RH), Evapotranspiration, Wind speed (WS), and Temperature. On the other hand, it showed a negative correlation with Soil moisture (SM), Normalized difference vegetation index (NDVI), and precipitation over Pakistan. Therefore, considering the outcomes of this study will help policymakers to understand the spatiotemporal variability of aerosols and their seasonal correlation with different meteorological parameters.

Nanodiamond (ND) is becoming the core center of interest for many researchers due to its immense utilization in different fields of science. The extraordinarily unique attributes provided by NDs include biocompatibility, easy production, chemical inertness, rich surface chemistry, small size, and fluorescence resistance. In biomedical sciences, all these characteristics uplift the standards of ND particles. Recent studies on the biomedical side have been found to strengthen its significance ever since ND tested positive for utilization in diagnostics and drug delivery. In addition, NDs have been proven beneficial in the manufacturing of biodegradable surgical instruments, scaffolds for tissue engineering, and drugs to eliminate resistant microbes and viruses. Genetic materials are also delivered to the center of the nucleus with the aid of ND particles. In this review, we have discussed in detail all the benefits of NDs, their applications in sensors, ND-blood interactions, blood-contacting, orthopedics, anti-cancer agents, antimicrobial agents, and drug/gene delivery. The importance and significance of the purification, synthesis, processing, and surface functionalization of NDs have been discussed. Recent advances in modern technologies in the field of biomedical and biological sciences also have been covered in this manuscript.

Self-cleaning of textile fabrics is defined as the ability that the pollutants particles can be removed from the fabric surface without any external source. The application of the technology is beneficial to the environment since it conserves water, energy and laundry costs. In the past, it is typically obtained by chemical coatings, which develop low surface energy and high roughness on the fabric surface, allowing the pollutant particles or droplets to float over the surface rather than adhesion. These chemical coating methods are effective for fabrics manufactured by traditional woven-based textile technology. However, the recent advancements in 3D printing technology have evolved the manufacturing of textile fabrics but with equal challenges in self-cleaning as previous chemical coating-based methods are not useful for printed fabrics. A recent study has successfully established a linear regression model to demonstrate the relationship between secondary 3D printing parameters and the self-cleaning properties of different polymeric fabrics. This paper is intended to analyse the impact of the primary printing parameters on the self-cleaning attributes, including infill rate (IR), flow rate (FR), printing temperature (PT), printing speed (PS), and printing acceleration (PA). The experimental results were used to construct a regression polynomial to quantify the self-cleaning behaviour of the selected thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU) fabric. The models were validated experimentally to highlight the critical values of considered primary parameters for optimal self-cleaning behaviour. The obtained results indicated that FR was the most significant parameter, and all parameters affected the fabric's wettability almost equally.

Summary: Background: Cauda equina syndrome (CES) results from nerve root compression in the lumbosacral spine, usually due to a prolapsed intervertebral disc. Evidence for management of CES is limited by its infrequent occurrence and lack of standardised clinical definitions and outcome measures. Methods: This is a prospective multi-centre observational cohort study of adults with CES in the UK. We assessed presentation, investigation, management, and all Core Outcome Set domains up to one year post-operatively using clinician and participant reporting. Univariable and multivariable associations with the Oswestry Disability Index (ODI) and urinary outcomes were investigated. Findings: In 621 participants with CES, catheterisation for urinary retention was required pre-operatively in 31% (191/615). At discharge, only 13% (78/616) required a catheter. Median time to surgery from symptom onset was 3 days (IQR:1–8) with 32% (175/545) undergoing surgery within 48 h. Earlier surgery was associated with catheterisation (OR:2.2, 95%CI:1.5–3.3) but not with admission ODI or radiological compression. In multivariable analyses catheter requirement at discharge was associated with pre-operative catheterisation (OR:10.6, 95%CI:5.8–20.4) and one-year ODI was associated with presentation ODI (r = 0.3, 95%CI:0.2–0.4), but neither outcome was associated with time to surgery or radiological compression. Additional healthcare services were required by 65% (320/490) during one year follow up. Interpretation: Post-operative functional improvement occurred even in those presenting with urinary retention. There was no association between outcomes and time to surgery in this observational study. Significant healthcare needs remained post-operatively. Funding: DCN Endowment Fund funded study administration. Castor EDC provided database use. No other study funding was received.

The pigment gland is a morphological characteristic of Gossypium and its related genera. Gossypium bickii (G1) is characterized by delayed pigment gland morphogenesis in the cotyledons. In this study, a reference-grade genome of G1 was generated, and comparative genomics analysis showed that G1 was closest to Gossypium australe (G2), followed by A- and D-genome species. Two large fragment translocations in chromosomes 5 and 13 were detected between the G genome and other Gossypium genomes and were unique to the G1 and G2 genomes. Compared with the G2 genome, two large fragment inversions in chromosomes 12 and 13 were detected in G1. According to the phylogeny, divergence time, and similarity analysis of nuclear and chloroplast genomes, G1 was formed by hybridization between Gossypium sturtianum (C1) and a common ancestor of G2 and Gossypium nelsonii (G3). The coordinated expression patterns of pigment gland formation (GoPGF) and gossypol biosynthesis genes in G1 were verified to be consistent with its phenotype, and nine genes that were related to the process of pigment gland formation were identified. A novel gene, GbiCYP76B6, regulated by GoPGF, was found to affect gossypol biosynthesis. These findings offer insights into the origin and evolution of G1 and its mechanism of pigment gland formation and gossypol biosynthesis.

Worldwide, arsenic contamination has become a matter of extreme importance owing to its potential toxic, carcinogenic and mutagenic impact on human health and the environment. The magnetite-loaded biochar has received increasing attention for the removal of arsenic (As) in contaminated water and soil. The present study reports a facile synthesis, characterization and adsorption characteristics of a novel magnetite impregnated nitrogen-doped hybrid biochar (N/Fe3O4@BC) for efficient arsenate, As(V) and arsenite, As(III) removal from aqueous environment. The as-synthesized material (N/Fe3O4@BC) characterization via XRD, BET, FTIR, SEM/EDS clearly revealed magnetite (Fe3O4) impregnation onto biochar matrix. Furthermore, the adsorbent (N/Fe3O4@BC) selectivity results showed that such a combination plays an important role in targeted molecule removal from aqueous environments and compensates for the reduced surface area. The maximum monolayer adsorption (Qmax) of developed adsorbent (N/Fe3O4@BC) (18.15 mg/g and 9.87 mg/g) was significantly higher than that of pristine biochar (BC) (9.89 & 8.12 mg/g) and magnetite nano-particles (MNPs) [7.38 & 8.56 mg/g] for both As(III) and As(V), respectively. Isotherm and kinetic data were well fitted by Langmuir (R2 = 0.993) and Pseudo first order model (R2 = 0.992) thereby indicating physico-chemical sorption as a rate-limiting step. The co-anions (PO43-) effect was more significant for both As(III) and As (V) removal owing to similar outer electronic structure. Mechanistic insights (pH and FTIR spectra) further demonstrated the remarkable contribution of surface groups (OH–, –NH2 and –COOH), electrostatic attraction (via H- bonds), surface complexation and ion exchange followed by external mass transfer diffusion and As(III) oxidation into As(V) by (N/Fe3O4@BC) reactive oxygen species. Moreover, successful desorption was achieved at varying rates up to 7th regeneration cycle thereby showing (N/Fe3O4@BC) potential practical application. Thus, this work provides a novel insight for the fabrication of novel magnetic biochar for As removal from contaminated water in natural, engineering and environmental settings.

The current study aimed to assess the effects of various selenium(Se) sources on the growth performance, blood biochemistry, and antioxidant status of intensively reared silver carp. For this, (N = 420) fingerlings with an average body weight of 13 ± 1.5 g were randomized into 21 aquariums (20 fish/100 L aquaria) and was subjected to one of the seven dietary treatments under completely randomized design. The dietary treatments were control(C), with 0.5 mg/kg sodium selenite(N-0.5), 1 mg/kg sodium selenite(N-1), 0.5 mg/kg Se methionine(M-0.5), 1 mg/kg Se methionine(M-1), 0.5 mg/kg Se yeast(Y-0.5), and 1 mg/kg Se yeast(Y-1). The experiment was of two-weeks of fish acclimatization to ponds followed by 12-weeks of feeding trial. The source of Se influenced the growth performance and the group M-0.5supplemented diet achieved the highest(P 0.05) in fish supplemented with M-0.5 and M-1. The dry matter, fat, ash and protein contents of the fish meat were similar (P > 0.05) in all. The WBCs, HGB, HCT, and MCHC were higher (P 0.05) by Se supplementation. Similarly, levels of superoxide dismutase, catalase, and peroxidase enzymes in the fish whole body, muscle, and liver were also remained unchanged (P > 0.05). From the findings, we can conclude that Se methionine is the best source, and 0.5 mg/kg dietary supplementation improved the growth performance, organs enrichment, and antioxidant status of silver carp.

Carbon fibres are one of the newer, emerging materials with multiple engineering applications, from automobiles to space vehicles. Carbon fibres have high mechanical strength, are lighter than metals with better chemical resistance.There have been reports on the use of polyethylene and pitch precursors for the production of carbon fibres, but there are few reports of how these blends could be used for carbon fibre preparation. Bearing in mind the myriad of benefits that using carbon fibres could bring, this paper reviews recent advances published in the literature on how mesophase pitch and polyethylene could be suitable precursors for carbon fibres. It also provides an introduction to the development of precursor blends that allow the properties of carbon fibres to be tailored to specific applications, including processing techniques, fibre parameters, fibre properties and fibre structure.

A patient was referred to the Oral and Maxillofacial Imaging Division and the attending dental specialist suspected a foreign object at the anterior region of the maxilla. The region was scanned using Kodak 9000 3D cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT) extraoral imaging system (Carestream Health, Inc.) to determine the type and morphometric characteristic of foreign object. The CBCT images failed to determine the identity and nature of the foreign object. CBCT images were then exported to the Materialise Interactive Medical Image Control System (Mimics) software to evaluate whether this software can help in enhancing the visualization of the foreign object in the maxillofacial region. The findings showed that there was an improved visualization of the foreign body and the type of the object could be determined with certainty. The object was identified as an endodontic file and was clearly visible when visualized as a reconstructed 3D model in Mimics software. Although the identification of abnormalities has been dramatically improved using 3D scans, the visualization can be further enhanced using image processing software like Mimics. Keywords: Mimics software, CBCT, Foreign object, Detection, Endodontic file

Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is characterized primarily by motor neuron but also frontotemporal lobar degeneration. Although the cerebellum is involved in both motor and cognitive functions, little is known of its role in ALS. We targeted the dentate nucleus (DN) in the cerebellum and the associated white matter fibers tracts connecting the DN to the rest of the brain using multimodal imaging techniques to examine the cerebellar structural and functional connectivity patterns in ALS patients and hypothesized that the DN is implicated in the pathophysiology of ALS. A cohort of 127 participants (56 healthy subjects (HS); 71 ALS patients) were recruited across Canada through the Canadian ALS Neuroimaging Consortium (CALSNIC). Resting state functional MRI, diffusion tensor imaging (DTI), and 3D weighted T1 structural images were acquired on a 3-tesla scanner. The DN in the cerebellum was used as a seed to evaluate the whole brain cerebral resting-state functional connectivity (rsFC). The superior cerebellar peduncle (SCP), middle cerebellar peduncle (MCP) and inferior cerebellar peduncle (ICP) were used as a region of interest in DTI to evaluate the structural integrity of the DN with the cortex and brain stem. Cerebellar volumetric analysis was done to examine the lobular and DN grey matter (GM) changes in ALS patients. Lastly, an association between DN rsFC and structural alterations were explored. DN rsFC was reduced with cerebrum (supplementary motor area, precentral gyrus, frontal, posterior parietal, temporal), lobule IV, and brain stem, and increased with parieto-occipital region. DN rsFC and white matter (WM) diffusivity alterations at SCP, MCP, and ICP were accompanied by correlations with ALSFRS-R. There were no DN volumetric changes. Notably, DN rsFC correlated with WM abnormalities at superior cerebellar peduncle. The DN plays a pathophysiological role in ALS. Impaired rsFC is likely due to the observed cerebellar peduncular WM damage given the lack of GM atrophy of the DN. This study demonstrates altered cerebellar rsFC connectivity with motor and extra-motor regions in ALS, and impaired rsFC is likely due to the observed cerebellar peduncular WM damage given the lack of GM atrophy of the DN. The correlation between the altered DN connectivity, and the behavioral data support the hypothesis that the DN plays a pathophysiological role in ALS.

Spontaneous pneumomediastinum (SPM) is an uncommon finding in young adults presenting usually without any comorbidities or an underlying pathology. It is most commonly due to alveolar rupture in the setting of an inciting event such an underlying asthma, barotrauma, valsalva maneuver, or esophageal rupture. Individuals can have varying presentations, from chest pain, dyspnea and dysphagia, to anxiety, weakness, or facial and neck swelling. The majority of patients have subcutaneous emphysema on examination and can have abnormal laboratory findings such as an elevated C-reactive proteins and leukocytosis. Diagnostic modalities used include chest x-ray, CT scan, ultrasound and barium swallow or esophagram. Majority of individuals and treated conservatively with rest, analgesia and oxygen administration. The prognosis of SPM is usually good with resolution within several days in most cases and the recurrence rate is very low. We report the case of a 22-year-old female presented with SPM diagnosed by chest x-ray and chest CT scan who was treated conservatively with subsequent spontaneous resolution.

Swyer-James-Macleod syndrome (SJMS) is a rare etiology of a unilateral hyperlucent hemithorax but an important one, which should be considered in any individual with such findings. Presentation usually occurs in adulthood with an asymptomatic history in many cases or with a history of childhood infections. Clinically, symptomatic patients may present with productive cough, dyspnea on exertion, hemoptysis, decreased exercise tolerance and recurrent pulmonary infections. Many individuals are asymptomatic only requiring conservative management. However, some patients may require surgical intervention. SJMS can be easily misdiagnosed and must be suspected for example, in any patient diagnosed with asthma who does not respond to therapy. We report a case of a 51-year-old African American male diagnosed with SJMS on the basis of his medical history, clinical presentation and x-rays and computed tomography chest scans findings.

Acquired thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura (TTP) usually presents as severe microangiopathic hemolytic anemia (MAHA) and thrombocytopenia in a previously healthy individual. It occurs in approximately three in one million adults and 1 in 10 million children annually. The incidence is increased in females and blacks. Diagnosing TTP and initiating therapy with plasma exchange is a must to avoid preventable complications. Acquired thromotic microangiopathy has been linked to collagen vascular diseases, use of certain medications, organ transplants, infections, pregnancy and cancer. We report a rare case of a 56-year-old African American male diagnosed with TTP who found to have an asymptomatic adenocarcinoma of the lung. Prompt cancer management resulted in completed remission of the thrombotic microangiopathy.

The glutathione peroxidase (GPX) family in plants contains various isoenzymes, each with distinct subcellular localizations, tissue-specific expression patterns, and responses to environmental stress. In current study, we conducted genome-wide bioinformatics analyses of the GPX gene family in Nymphaea colorata, identifying five putative NcGPX genes dispersed across five of the fourteen chromosomes. Examination of the protein sequences revealed that NcGPXs comprehend three conserved cysteine residues, with predicted in-silico subcellular localizations in chloroplast, extracellular, or cytoplasm. We reported that NcGPX genes protein lengths and molecular weight (MW) ranged from 171 to 248 amino acids (aa) and 18.798–27.076 kDa, respectively. A comparative neighbor-joining phylogenetic study revealed that GPX genes were clustered into four main groups (Group A– D) from water lily and two closely related plant species, alongside with Arabidopsis thaliana. The universal analysis showed that segmental duplications occurred within the NcGPX gene family. Investigation of gene structure and motifs suggested that most NcGPX genes have relatively conserved exon-intron structures and motif arrangements. Promoter region exploration of NcGPX genes revealed numerous cis-acting regulatory elements associated with development, stress, and hormone responses. The identified 3D protein structures showed that water lily GPXs form conserved dimeric protein signatures. Finally, gene expression and enzymes accumulation of NcGPXs in response to different abiotic stresses, in leaves of N. colorata were analysed using real-time RT-qPCR and spectrophotometry. The results indicate that different members of the GPX gene family are co-ordinately regulated under specific environmental stress conditions, establishing a foundation for studying their gene functions and improving abiotic stress tolerance in water lily genetic breeding.

ABSTRACT: Black soldier fly (BSF) larvae convert wastes into protein, playing a vital role in addressing the challenge of sustainable poultry production. These larvae accumulate toxic substances, posing a risk to feed and food safety. This study investigates the effects of substituting soybean meal with different levels of BSF larvae meal on laying performance, egg quality, serum analysis, and the deposition of various metals in eggs, meat, and excreta. A total of 1,008 Lohmann hens (age 48 wk) were randomly assigned to 4 treatments. The treatments consisted of corn-soybean meal (CK) diet replaced with 7% (BSF7), 14% (BSF14), and 21% (BSF21) BSF larvae meal. Each treatment consisted of 6 replicates with 42 hens each and the trial lasted for 8 wk. Dietary BSF larvae meal treatments increased (linear, P < 0.05) the laying rate (1.52 to 1.95%) and decreased (linear, P < 0.01) the feed intake (3.64–3.86 g) during the entire experiment. During 48 to 52 wk, egg weight was decreased (P < 0.001) 0.93 g for the BSF21 group compared to CK group, however, during 52-56 wk, no differences in egg weight were observed among treatments. The addition of BSF larvae meal enhanced the eggshell strength (linear, P < 0.05), with no effect on the albumen height and yolk weight (P > 0.05). Low transfer of arsenic, lead, and cadmium concentration was observed in the egg yolk and egg white across different treatments (P > 0.05). Conversely, the concentrations of these metals and iron showed an increase, while Zinc exhibited a decrease in excreta as the dietary intake of BSF larvae meal increased. The chromium and iron increased linearly (P < 0.001) in the egg white with the inclusion of BSF larvae meal. Egg white iron and chromium showed a strong positive correlation with the dietary zinc and copper. Taken together, BSF larvae can replace soybean meal completely in laying diet, however, careful attention requires to elevated metal levels in diet and excreta.

This study investigated the effect of incorporating black soldier fly (BSF) larvae meal and oil on laying hens' performance, egg quality, serum profile, intestinal structure, and gut health. A total of 378 Lohmann laying hens (age 48 wk) were randomly assigned to 6 treatments with 3 replicates of 21 hens each. Following 7 d acclimation, the trail was conducted for 8 weeks. The dietary groups include: basal corn-soybean meal diet (S) without BSF (BSO) oil (S+BSO 0), S with BSF oil (S+BSO 100), BSF meal (9 %) without BSF oil (BSF 9+BSO 0), BSF meal (9 %) with BSF oil (BSF 9+BSO 100), BSF meal (18 %) without BSF oil (BSF 18+BSO 0), and BSF meal (18 %) with BSF oil (BSF 18+BSO 100). The results showed that the BSF 18 + BSO 100 diet significantly reduced egg weight (P < 0.001) compared to other dietary treatments. The addition of BSF meal reduced feed intake (P < 0.001) and the Haugh units (P < 0.05) in hens fed 18 % BSF meal with and without BSO. The jejunum villus area, crypt depth, and intestinal wall thickness increased with the increase in the inclusion of BSF larvae meal (P < 0.001). The ileum villus height, crypt depth and intestinal wall thickness increased (P < 0.001) at 9 % BSF meal and then decreased at 18 % BSF meal with and without BSF oil. The bacteria genera Ruminococcus, Clostridiales, Bacteroidales, Ruminococcus torques, and Intestinimonas were positively associated with the dietary treatments, while Prevotellaceae UCG-001, Clostridium, and Faecalibacterium were negatively associated with the dietary treatments. The inclusion of BSF meal and oil enriched the functional network of several pathways, including ascorbate and aldarate metabolism, D-arginine and D-ornithine metabolism, and fatty acid metabolism, highlighting the positive effects of BSF larvae meal and oil on the chicken gut microbiota. In conclusion, BSF meal at 9 % with BSF oil and BSF meal at 18 % without BSF oil can be incorporated into the diet without impairing the performance and gut health of laying hens.

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effects of thyme powder (TP), garlic powder (GP), and their combination as natural alternatives to antibiotics on broiler growth performance, blood indices, and carcass characteristics. A completely randomized design was used, with four experimental groups consisting of 264 one-day-old Ross 308 broiler chicks (45.27±0.5 g). Each group received different levels of TP and GP in the diet as follows: a control group (basal diet with no additives), 2 g of GP/kg, 2 g of TP/kg, and a mixture treatment (1 g of GP/kg + 1 g of TP/kg). Each treatment included six replicates, with eleven unsexed chicks per replicate. The results showed that supplementation with TP, GP, and their combination significantly improved feed intake (FI), feed conversion ratio (FCR), and overall growth performance compared to the untreated group (UG). The different additives also significantly (P≤0.05) enhanced carcass characteristics, particularly carcass yield and heart weight, both in absolute and relative terms. Furthermore, the treatments significantly (P≤0.05) affected blood indices, leading to notable improvements in immune and antioxidant parameters, including increased levels of immunoglobulin Y (IgY), immunoglobulin M (IgM), and superoxide dismutase (SOD), as well as decreased levels of malondialdehyde (MDA), a marker of oxidative stress. These changes suggest that the supplemented groups had enhanced immunity and a better oxidative balance, contributing to improved overall health. Notably, the combined treatment of TP and GP (1% each) exhibited a synergistic effect, yielding benefits comparable to or even surpassing those of the individual TP or GP treatments. These findings support the potential of combining these natural additives to achieve a balanced improvement in growth, feed efficiency, and health status. In conclusion, supplementation with thyme powder, garlic powder, or a combination of both at appropriate levels (2% GP, 2% TP, or 1% each) can serve as an effective alternative to antibiotics, improving broiler growth performance, carcass quality, and health by enhancing immune responses and antioxidant status.

The design of masonry structures requires accurate estimation of compressive strength (CS) of hollow concrete masonry prisms. Generally, the CS of masonry prisms is determined by destructive laboratory testing which results in time and resource wastage. Thus, this study aims to provide machine learning-based predictive models for CS of hollow concrete masonry blocks using different algorithms including Multi Expression Programming (MEP), Random Forest Regression (RFR), and Extreme Gradient Boosting (XGB) etc. A dataset of 159 experimental results was collected from published literature for this purpose. The collected dataset consisted of four input parameters including strength of masonry units (fb), height-to-thickness ratio (h/t), strength of mortar (fm), and ratio of fm/fb and only one output parameter i.e., CS. Out of all the algorithms employed in current study, only MEP and GEP expressed their output in the form of an empirical equation. The accuracy of developed models was assessed using root mean squared error (RMSE), objective function (OF), and R2 etc. Among all algorithms assessed, XGB turned out to be the most accurate having R2 = 0.99 and least OF value of 0.0063 followed by AdaBoost, RFR, and other algorithms. The developed XGB model was also used to conduct different explainable artificial intelligence (XAI) analysis including sensitivity and shapley analysis and the results showed that strength of masonry unit (fb) is the most significant variable in predicting CS. Thus, the ML-based predictive models presented in this study can be utilized practically for determining CS of hollow concrete masonry prisms without requiring expensive and time-consuming laboratory testing.

A tandem structure efficiently boosts solar cell efficiency because it uses a larger spectrum of solar radiation and minimizes photon energy thermalization. High-performance tandem solar cells have historically been difficult to produce due to a shortage of high-performance, low-bandgap cells. The proposed design is based on the CH3NH3GeI3 (1.9 eV) as a wide band gap absorber layer and FAMASnGeI3 (1.4 eV) as a narrow band gap perovskite layer with CZTSe as HTL. This research investigates the effect of different ETLs, perovskite layer thicknesses and their doping concentration on the device's photovoltaic parameters. Furthermore, the effect of tunnel junction thickness and front contact work function on the solar cell performance has also been simulated. It has been noted that the PCBM presents a better efficiency device than the other ETLs. The Voc of different ETLs has been related to Vbi. Moreover, the optimized thicknesses of both perovskite absorber layers are 450 nm and 400 nm for MAGeI3 and FAMASnGeI3, respectively. The optimal doping density is found to be E14 cm−3. It has been observed that the tunnel junction's thickness and the front contact's work function also play an important role in optimized device efficiency. The tunnel junction thickness is 4 nm for lead-free mixed cation perovskite/CZTSe tandem solar cells. However, the work function of the front electrode of 4.4 eV is optimum for this structure. The proposed lead-free mixed cation perovskite/CZTSe tandem device shows significant performance parameters, i.e., Voc= 0.970 V, Jsc = 28.46 mAcm−2, FF = 84.43 % and PCE= 23.32 %

Nanotechnology has emerged as a promising solution for tackling antibiotic resistance in monogastric animals, providing innovative methods to enhance animal health and well-being. This review explores the novel use of nanotechnology-based nanomaterials as substitutes for antibiotics in monogastric animals. With growing global concerns about antibiotic resistance and the need for sustainable practices in animal husbandry, nanotechnology offers a compelling avenue to address these challenges. The objectives of this review are to find out the potential of nanomaterials in improving animal health while reducing reliance on conventional antibiotics. We examine various forms of nanomaterials and their roles in promoting gut health and also emphasize fresh perspectives brought by integrating nanotechnology into animal healthcare. Additionally, we delve into the mechanisms underlying the antibacterial properties of nanomaterials and their effectiveness in combating microbial resistance. By shedding light on the transformative role of nanotechnology in animal production systems. This review contributes to our understanding of how nanotechnology can provide safer and more sustainable alternatives to antibiotics.

Probability distributions are widely utilized in applied sciences, especially in the field of biomedical science. Biomedical data typically exhibit positive skewness, necessitating the use of flexible, skewed distributions to effectively model such phenomena. In this study, we introduce a novel approach to characterize new lifetime distributions, known as the New Flexible Exponent Power (NFEP) Family of distributions. This involves the addition of a new parameter to existing distributions. A specific sub-model within the proposed class, known as the New Flexible Exponent Power Weibull (NFEP-Wei), is derived to illustrate the concept of flexibility. We employ the well-established Maximum Likelihood Estimation (MLE) method to estimate the unknown parameters in this family of distributions. A simulation study is conducted to assess the behavior of the estimators in various scenarios. To gauge the flexibility and effectiveness of the NFEP-Wei distribution, we compare it with the AP-Wei (alpha power Weibull), MO-Wei (Marshal Olkin Weibull), classical Wei (Weibull), NEP-Wei (new exponent power Weibull), FRLog-Wei (flexible reduced logarithmic Weibull), and Kum-Wei (Kumaraswamy Weibull) distributions by analyzing four distinct biomedical datasets. The results demonstrate that the NFEP-Wei distribution outperforms the compared distributions.

Understanding the precursors leading to rock fracture is crucial for ensuring safety in mining and geotechnical engineering projects. To effectively discern these precursors, a collaborative monitoring approach that integrates multiple sources of information is imperative. This paper considered a rock multi-parameter monitoring loading system, incorporating infrared radiation and acoustic emission monitoring technologies to simultaneously track the rock fracture process. The study delves into the spatiotemporal evolution patterns of infrared radiation and acoustic emission in rock under loading. Utilizing stress, cumulative acoustic emission count, and average infrared radiation temperature (AIRT), the paper establishes a comprehensive evaluation model termed “acoustic-thermal-stress” fusion information, employing principal component analysis (PCA). The research reveals that the sensitivity to rock sample damage response follows the sequence of cumulative acoustic emission count, AIRT, and stress. Furthermore, a novel method for identifying rock fracture precursors is proposed, based on the first derivative of the comprehensive evaluation model. This method addresses the limitations of single physical field information, enhancing the robustness of monitoring data. It determines the average stress level of fracture precursors to be 0.77σmax. Subsequently, the study defines the probability function of rock damage during loading and fracture, enabling the realization of probability-based warnings for rock fracture. This approach introduces a new perspective on rock fracture prediction, significantly contributing to safety monitoring and warning systems in mine safety and geotechnical engineering. The findings of this research hold paramount engineering significance, offering valuable insights for enhancing safety measures in such projects.

Hybrid fibre-reinforced Self-compacting concrete (HFR-SCC) offers significant advantages over conventional concrete like increased ductility, crack resistance, and eliminating the need for compaction etc. However, it is very difficult to determine residual strength properties of HFR-SCC after a fire event since it requires rigorous experimental work and resources. Thus, this research presents innovative ways for reliable prediction of compressive strength (cs), flexural strength (fs), and tensile strength (ts) of HFR-SCC using different machine learning (ML) algorithms including gene expression programming (GEP), adaptive neuro-fuzzy inference system (ANFIS), extreme gradient boosting (XGB), AdaBoost, and random forest regression (RFR). The data to be used for this purpose was obtained from internationally published literature having nine inputs including cement, fly ash, temperature, fibre content etc. and three output parameters i.e., cs, ts, and fs. The collected dataset was split into two sets named training and testing sets to be used for training the algorithms and testing their accuracy respectively. The developed predictive models were validated by error metrices including coefficient of determination (R2), performance index (PI), and a20-index, etc. The comparison of the algorithms revealed that XGB surpassed its counterparts having testing R2 values equal to 0.998, 0.997, and 0.999 for cs, ts, and fs prediction respectively. Also, the PI values were the lowest for XGB-based predictive model in both phases of training and testing. Thus, Shapely Additive Analysis (SHAP) was performed on the XGB model which revealed that temperature, fibre content, and cement are some of the main contributors to predict the three outputs. The developed predictive models presented in this study can be utilized effectively by the professionals to estimate the residual strength of HFR-SCC.

Physician burnout is a global concern that can lead to exhaustion, ineffectiveness, and poor health outcomes. Burnout has been linked to a variety of societal and professional variables worldwide. This cross-sectional, multi-centered study was conducted by face-to-face interviews between April 2019 and December 2021 at sixty-two (62) tertiary level hospitals to identify potential risk factors for burnout among Bangladeshi physicians, which is essential for preventing adverse impact on their well-being, improving overall quality of life, and facilitating measures to manage stress and maintain a healthy work-life balance. A simple random sampling technique in conjunction with a structured questionnaire was used to collect a total of 1434 responses, assuming 20 % of the sample as non-responsive. Univariate, bivariate, and multinomial logistic regression statistical analyses were performed to determine the risk factors and associate the level of severity. The distribution of burnout status differs significantly at distinct covariate levels, such as working place, working hour, prevalence of potential interpersonal conflicts (subsequent increase of adjusted odds ratios i.e.; 6.52, 8.82, 11.41, and 37.07 is observed for physicians having interpersonal conflicts with both co-workers & family members), job dissatisfaction, annoyed feeling while dealing with patients (adjusted odds ratios are 529.68, 518.26,983.87 and 849.57 respectively) and some other significant factors of the physicians. This study also reveals that the female physicians, physicians with age 40–49, physicians with additional liabilities, physicians with job dissatisfaction, less salary compared to the workload, less flexibility and security at the job sector as well as obese physicians are at high risk of burnout. These results are statistically significant with a p value ≤ 0.05. To reduce burnout of Bangladeshi physicians, it is necessary to address the risk factors, create supportive workplaces, maintain a healthy work-life balance, provide opportunities for self-care, and promote mental health.