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The success of rolling out online courses depends on users adopting this technology and understanding the fundamental difficulties confronting the existing online education delivery system. This research delves into the causes and effects of how well students adjust to using an online learning environment. The study also investigates whether gender categories of respondents moderates the relationship between adaption of online classes and perceived learning outcome. Using Smart PLS and SEM the results of a survey taken of 531 Indian students show that students' adaptability to online classrooms has a major impact on the knowledge they gain from these courses, with a slight moderating effect of respondents' gender on the knowledge they gain. The majority of respondents have a positive outlook on taking classes online. However, they also recognize that the digital divide is a significant barrier to their education. The findings are expected to be helpful in increasing awareness and facilitating quicker, more informed decision making by those responsible for shaping educational policy, curriculum, and technology. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Stepping reaction time is affected in COPD population. • Stepping reaction time increases as the disease progresses. • Stepping reaction time increases as the age increases in COPD population. Reaction time is one of the components of functional balance and could contribute to balance impairment. Information regarding this relationship is scant among Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) participants. To compare stepping reaction time between participants with COPD and age; gender-matched healthy individuals to find out whether reaction time in COPD population is affected. This cross-sectional study included 41 COPD participants and 41 age and gender-matched healthy individuals. All the participants underwent measurements of stepping reaction time (SRT) and timed up and go test (TUG). SRT was significantly higher in COPD participants compared to healthy individuals [median of difference- 350 milliseconds (110, 830), p < 0.001]. TUG was significantly higher in COPD participants compared to healthy individuals [median of difference = 2.82 seconds (0.34 and 4.5), p < 0.001]. Participants with COPD exhibit marked increase in SRT and demonstrate a deficiency in functional balance compared to the healthy participants. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

As a good compromise between computational efficiency and accuracy, the weighted-sum-of-gray-gases model (WSGGM) is often used in computational fluid dynamics (CFD) modeling of combustion processes for evaluating gas radiative properties. However, the WSGGMs still have practical limitations (e.g., difficult to naturally accommodate different combustion environments or accurately address species variations in a flame or properly account for the impacts of participating species other than H 2 O and CO 2 ) fostering different WSGGMs. In this paper, a gas radiation model, computationally efficient and practically accurate and applicable to general combustion CFD, is presented, programmed and verified. The model is implemented in CFD simulation of a 0.8 MW oxy-fuel furnace, via which the applicability and usefulness of the model in combustion CFD is demonstrated. On the contrary, the usefulness of the WSGGMs in oxy-fuel combustion CFD is found to be compromised, mainly because that the important impacts of the high levels of CO under oxy-fuel combustion cannot be accounted for in the current framework of the WSGGMs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Despite rapid advancements in technology, handwritten characters still hold significant roles in various fields, including education, communication, biometric signature verification, and health care. These applications often require digitization of the handwritten characters and associated hand movements to facilitate effective analysis and interpretation of the underlying task. Offline and online handwriting recognition are crucial steps involving the digitization of handwritten characters. Most of these existing systems actively use image processing techniques that are highly sensitive to environmental lighting conditions. Surface Electromyography signals (sEMG), being invariant to lighting conditions, are used in online handwriting recognition to facilitate the automatic transcription of handwritten characters. In this article, we have leveraged deep representation learning to build an efficient and robust sEMG-based Handwritten Character Recognition (HCR) pipeline. A Stacked sparse denoising autoencoder network is applied to obtain an effective deep feature representation. These rich low dimensional features obtained are further introduced into basic classifiers, producing state-of-the-art accuracy for the task. Additional experiments were performed to analyze the effect of the fusion of complementary sensing modules (Accelerometer and Gyroscope) on the performance of sEMG based HCR pipeline. Extensive evaluations were performed to ensure the validity of the obtained results. For the experimentation, new datasets consisting of sEMG, Accelerometer, and Gyroscope signals corresponding to 26 handwritten lower English alphabets were collected from 15 subjects. Our proposed pipeline can be used to build real-time Human–Computer Interaction(HCI) applications for smart classrooms facilitating digitization of handwritten notes and clinical applications involving handwriting analysis tasks. • We explored autoencoders for handwritten characters recognition using sEMG signals. • We recorded sEMG signals of 15 subjects while writing 26 lowercase English alphabets. • Deep stacked sparse denoising autoencoders were applied on this new dataset. • Further experimental analysis was done by coupling sEMG with IMU sensor module. • Our proposed approach achieved an accuracy of 98.72% even with baseline classifiers. • Our model can potentially be used in smart-classrooms and clinical applications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Radiation force balance approach is universally adopted and most widely used primary calibration method for total acoustic power radiated by an ultrasonic transducer. In this setup, the separation between the transducer and target (absorbing/reflecting) plays vital role in the overall measurement uncertainty of ultrasonic power due to attenuation of ultrasonic waves within the travel path. It becomes relatively more important at high frequencies as the ultrasonic attenuation is proportional to the square of frequency. Hence, the separation between the transducer and the target need to be measured with the best possible resolution and least uncertainty. In this article, two methods developed for transducer and target separation measurement have been described and compared. The first method uses displacement sensor in the feedback and controls stepper motor in micro stepping and adjust the separation with control program. It also uses the microbalance feedback approach to automatically detect the null (zero) distance. In the second approach, which does not use distance sensor in feedback and a triangle method is used to detect change in height. High torque stepper motor is used in micro-stepping mode to achieve best step resolution of one μm. Second method is free from error that cause due to electrical noise in sensor and has provision for backlash error correction. The article contains developmental details and functionalities of these methods. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We show that the hypergeometric groups associated to the pairs of the parameters (0 , 1 12 , 5 12 , 7 12 , 11 12) , (1 2 , 1 3 , 1 3 , 2 3 , 2 3) ; and (0 , 0 , 1 3 , 2 3) , (1 2 , 1 2 , 1 4 , 3 4) are arithmetic. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: We recently discovered that a propionyloxy derivative of 11-keto-β-boswellic acid (PKBA) showed better anticancer potential than other boswellic acids including AKBA, encompassing the importance of acyl group at the 3-α-hydroxy position of KBA. In continuation of our previous work, other higher derivatives (with increasing alkoxy chain length at 3-α-hydroxy position) including butyryloxy (BKBA) and hexanoyloxy (HKBA) derivatives of KBA were synthesized. The respective IC50 values of BKBA and HKBA in HL-60 cells were found to be 7.7 and 4.5μg/ml. IC50 value of HKBA was comparatively lower than that of BKBA, and further lower than that of the previously reported derivative (PKBA, IC50 8.7μg/ml). In order to compare the anticancer potential of HKBA with PKBA, detailed in vitro pro-apoptotic and in vivo anticancer studies were carried out. The induction of apoptosis by HKBA was measured using various parameters including fluorescence and scanning electron microscopy, DNA fragmentation and Annexin V-FITC binding. The extent of DNA damage was measured using neutral comet assay. HKBA was further evaluated for its effect on DNA cell cycle and mitochondria where it was found to arrest cells in G2/M phase and also induced loss of mitochondrial membrane potential. These events were associated with increased expression of cytosolic cytochrome c and cleavage of PARP. Target based studies showed that HKBA inhibited the enzymatic activity of topoisomerases I and II at low doses than that of PKBA. In vivo studies also revealed a low dose inhibitory effect of HKBA on ascitic and solid murine tumor models. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Boswellic acids have invariably been reported for their antiproliferative potential in various cell systems. In the present study the growth inhibitory effect of propionyloxy derivative of 11-keto-β-boswellic acid (PKBA; a semisynthetic analogue of 11-keto-β-boswellic acid) on HL-60 promyelocytic leukemia cells is being reported for the first time. In the preliminary studies, in vitro cytotoxicity of PKBA was investigated against eight human cancer cell lines viz., IMR-32, SF-295 (both neuroblastoma), PC-3 (prostate), Colo-205 (colon), MCF-7 (breast), OVCAR-5 (ovary), HL-60, Molt-4 (both leukemia) and their respective IC50 values were found to be 5.95, 7.11, 15.2, 14.5, 15, 15.9, 8.7 & 9.5μg/ml, respectively. For determining the mechanism of cell death in HL-60 cells, PKBA was subjected to different mechanistic studies. DNA relaxation assay of PKBA revealed inhibition of both topoisomerases I & II. The fragmentation analysis of DNA revealed typical ladders indicating the cytotoxic effect to be mediated by induction of apoptosis. The morphologic studies of PKBA showed the presence of true apoptotic bodies. Apoptosis was confirmed further by flow-cytometric detection of sub-G1 peaks and enhanced annexin-V-FITC binding of the cells. The activation of apoptotic cascade by PKBA in HL-60 cells was found to be associated with the loss of mitochondrial membrane potential, release of cytochrome c, activation of initiator and executioner caspases and cleavage of poly ADP ribose polymerase (PARP). In vivo studies of PKBA revealed anti-tumoral activity against both ascitic and solid murine tumor models. These studies thus demonstrate PKBA to induce apoptosis in HL-60 cells due to the inhibition of topoisomerases I and II. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Experimentally, X-ray production cross-sections are measured, but ionization cross-sections are calculated theoretically. The uncertainty of the measured L X-ray production cross-section is mainly statistics and detector-efficiency driven. But the experimental ionization cross-section involves many other factors because the relationship between the production and ionization cross section involves various atomic parameters and thus its uncertainty equation is complex. Consequently, determining the measurement uncertainty in L subshell ionization cross-section is always difficult. We have studied this issue in the simplest way, where the rule of weighted propagation of relative uncertainty is utilized. We notice that larger uncertainties are involved in atomic parameters relevant to L 1 (2s 1 / 2) subshell than those associated with the other two L 2 (2p 1 / 2) and L 3 (2p 3 / 2) subshells. Hence, comparison between theory and experiment would give higher emphasis on L 2 and L 3 subshell ionization cross sections. We believe this work makes us aware that the appropriate uncertainty evaluation is extremely important for providing the right judgement on the data. • Calculation of measurement uncertainty of a complex quantity is difficult. • L-shell ionization cross section by heavy ion impact is such an example. • Noticed that earlier measurements have given little attention on this. • Analysed the measurement uncertainty of L-shell ionization cross section. • Uncertainty analysis gives us correct idea on most precision experiments. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Polyalthia longifolia is a lofty evergreen tree found in India and Sri Lanka. We are reporting first time the anticancer potential of P. longifolia leaves extract (A001) and its chloroform fraction (F002). Both inhibited cell proliferation of various human cancer cell lines in which colon cancer cells SW-620 showed maximum inhibition with IC50 value 6.1μg/ml. Furthermore, F002 induce apoptosis in human leukemia HL-60 cells as measured by several biological end points. F002 induce apoptotic bodies formation, DNA ladder, enhanced annexin-V-FITC binding of the cells, increased sub-G0 DNA fraction, loss of mitochondrial membrane potential (ΔΨ mt), release of cytochrome c, activation of caspase-9, caspase-3, and cleavage of poly ADP ribose polymerase (PARP) in HL-60 cells. All the above parameters revealed that F002-induced apoptosis through the mitochondrial-dependent pathway in HL-60 cells. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF), a metastatic growth factor is known to be one of the promoting factors in the tumor induced angiogenesis. The antiangiogenic activity of acetyl 11-keto β-boswellic acid was screened against bFGF-induced angiogenesis using in-vivo Matrigel Plug Assay. Histological & colorimetric examination confirmed that numerous blood vessels were present in Matrigel+bFGF group in comparison to Matrigel alone treated mice. Acetyl 11-keto β-boswellic acids (10 mg/kg/d) inhibited the Matrigel+bFGF-induced angiogenesis significantly (P <0.01) in contrast to anti-inflammatory agent indomethacin (10 mg/kg/d) and alkylating agent cyclophosphamide (10 mg/kg/d). [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Community detection in social networks is an important field of research in data mining and has an abundant literature. Time varying social networks require algorithms that can comply with temporal changes and are also feasible with limited resources. The performance of static algorithms are not well suited for such perturbing networks. Continuously updating community structure, light computations, on-demand results etc. are few of the new challenges introduced on account of dynamic networks. The aforementioned challenges are addressed in the proposed work. The work proposes a tree-based community detection in dynamic social networks (TCD2) algorithm which exploits two important properties of social network, connectedness and influence, for finding communities in the network. TCD2 uses a tree-structure to maintain the information of dynamically changing community structures of the network. The experimental results on real-world social networks along with synthetic networks validate the performance of TCD2. The tests also confirmed its superiority over the state-of-the-art algorithms. The results showed that the proposed algorithm achieves a significant trade-off between quality and accuracy. • Detecting communities in a dynamically changing social network. • Tree-structure is used for maintaining community structure. • Six degree of separation and three degree theory are utilized. • Comprehensive analysis on results obtained from the proposed solution. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Conversion of bio-wastes to useful doped carbon materials for various energy applications is emerging as a cost-effective strategy. A novel activated carbon electrocatalyst derived from chicken feather rachis (RCF), a poultry industry bio-waste is explored for oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) catalysis. The rachis is the central stem from which the fibrous ramus is completely removed and it is more crystalline compared to feather ramus. Nitrogen doped activated carbon (CNAx) electrocatalyst is prepared by chemical activation coupled pyrolysis. The chemical activators used include potassium hydroxide (KOH), phosphoric acid (H 3 PO 4) and zinc chloride (ZnCl 2) followed by pyrolysis at 500, 700 and 900 °C. Electrochemical performance has been evaluated using cyclic voltammetry (CV) and linear sweep voltammetry (LSV) using a rotating disk electrode (RDE). KOH activated electrocatalyst exhibits remarkable improvement in surface area favouring improved onset potential (−0.02 V vs Ag/AgCl). This increased activity is due to increase in number of well-exposed ORR active sites on activation. The effect of chemical activators on the structure and morphology of the activated carbons are discussed using Raman spectroscopy, adsorption-desorption isotherm study, electron microscopic techniques, atomic force microscopy (AFM), and XPS studies. KOH activated CNAx-900 exhibits best combination of properties and confirms its feasibility to be a suitable electrocatalyst for PEMFC. Hence, RCF derived electrocatalysts are propitious alternates for ORR catalysis. Image 1 • Mesoporous activated nitrogen doped carbon (CNAx) is prepared from the central stem of chicken feather. • CNAx is explored for catalysis of oxygen reduction reaction in fuel cells. • KOH activation leads to considerable improvement in electrocatalytic performance in terms of onset potential. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aim: We proposed to investigate the combination effect of microRNA, nutraceuticals and drug (MND), in two pancreatic cancer cell lines to assess the therapeutic potential. Materials and methods: MIA PaCa-2 and PANC-1 cells transfected with miR-101 or miR-24-2 were treated with Betulinic acid or Thymoquinone and gemcitabine independently and in combination and assessed for the extent of synergism in both experimental and control conditions, considering significance at the p value of <0.05. Results: miR-101 or miR-24-2 over-expressing cells when treated with lower than IC 50 doses of the dietary compounds and drug showed a reduced (37–50%) viability in two cell lines with differential synergistic effect and the outcome for Pro-caspase3, Poly (ADP-ribose) polymerase (PARP) cleavage and PKM2 expression. Conclusion: Two independent microRNA backgrounds showed promise in therapeutic intervention of gemcitabine sensitive, MIA PaCa-2 and resistant, PANC-1 pancreatic cancer cells, in combination with dietary agents and drug. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

BRAF is a member of the RAF family of serine/threonine-specific protein kinases. Oncogenic BRAF, in particular, BRAF V600E, can disturb the normal protein folding machinery in the endoplasmic reticulum (ER) leading to accumulation of unfolded/misfolded proteins in the ER lumen, a condition known as endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress. To alleviate such conditions, ER-stressed cells have developed a highly robust and adaptable signaling network known as unfolded protein response (UPR). UPR is ordinarily a cytoprotective response and usually operates through the induction of autophagy, an intracellular lysosomal degradation pathway that directs damaged proteins, protein aggregates, and damaged organelles for bulk degradation and recycling. Both ER stress and autophagy are involved in the progression and chemoresistance of melanoma. Melanoma, which arises as a result of malignant transformation of melanocytes, exhibits exceptionally high therapeutic resistance. Many mechanisms of therapeutic resistance have been identified in individual melanoma patients and in preclinical BRAF-driven melanoma models. Recently, it has been recognized that oncogenic BRAF interacts with GRP78 and removes its inhibitory influence on the three fundamental ER stress sensors of UPR, PERK, IRE1α, and ATF6. Dissociation of GRP78 from these ER stress sensors prompts UPR that subsequently activates cytoprotective autophagy. Thus, pharmacological inhibition of BRAF-induced ER stress-mediated autophagy can potentially resensitize BRAF mutant melanoma tumors to apoptosis. However, the underlying molecular mechanism of how oncogenic BRAF elevates the basal level of ER stress-mediated autophagy in melanoma tumors is not well characterized. A better understanding of the crosstalk between oncogenic BRAF, ER stress and autophagy may provide a rationale for improving existing cancer therapies and identify novel targets for therapeutic intervention of melanoma. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

[Display omitted] Multi segmented work on sonochemical synthesis of supra decorated α-aminophosphonates as C P bonded representatives, from comprehensive crystal structure analysis to solid state properties and anticancer activity evaluation. Bench marked computational methodology for evaluation of quantum chemical descriptors for prediction of electronic structure and reactivity. Three component Kabachnik-Fields reaction under sonochemical conditions was utilized for synthesizing library of electronically diverse aryl substituted α-aminophosphonates as representative carbon phosphorus bonded systems. Single crystal X-ray structures of four novel α-aminophosphonate derivatives with comprehensive Hirshfeld surface analysis for highlighting influence of different functionalities over α-aminophosphonate motif on the crystal packing pattern and formation of molecular assemblies via supramolecular aggregation have been presented. Solid state absorption and photoluminescence studies corroborated electronic and crystal packing influences. The computational methodologies for evaluating quantum chemical descriptors of electronic properties of α-aminophosphonates were bench marked. The bioactivity potential of synthesized library of α- aminophosphonates was evaluated from their cytotoxic propensity towards human cancer lines in NCI-60 panel via SRB assay. The screened derivatives showed a range of cytotoxicity against cancer cell lines in NCI-60 panel. Compound 3 exhibited highest cell growth inhibition in prostate cancer cells with IC 50 value of 10.94 μM. For mechanistic insights apoptotic propensity was evaluated using caspase-3 enzyme assay in PC-3 cells. The onset of apoptosis via caspase-3 activation was evidenced as a major pathway from morphological changes under fluorescence microscope with and without DAPI staining. The triggering of apoptosis via caspase 3 activation by the lead compound 3 was also confirmed from western blot analysis of PARP-1 in PC-3 cancer cells. Furthermore, the anti-metastatic potential of compound 3 can be predicted from its efficacy in restricting the migration of PC-3 cancer cells under in vitro conditions observed from wound healing assay. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]