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The possibility of using stillage of rice beer as a source of carbon for the manufacture of bacterial nanocellulose (BNC) was investigated in this work. 16.434 g L−1 of BNC was produced by Komagataeibacter saccharivorans NUWB1 using the rice beer stillage along with the other media components of Hestrin-Schramm (HS) medium. Findings showed that obtained BNC possessed dense nano-fibrous network with a signature of cellulose I type, crystallinity index of 86.23%, and higher thermostability up to 380 °C could withstand tensile loads of 68.044 MPa, and exhibited a water holding capacity of 97.53 g g−1. N2 adsorption-desorption isotherm of the BNC was found to be of type IV, suggesting mesoporous type structure with a total pore volume and surface area of 3.294e-03cc g−1 and 21.065 m2 g−1. The effectiveness of the BNC in adsorbing the cationic methylene blue dye was investigated. The BNC showed remarkable adsorption capacity against the dye, and resultant data from adsorption studies fit well for the Langmuir isotherm (R2=0.99) and pseudo-second-order model. According to thermodynamic studies, the adsorption was found to be spontaneous and endothermic. The efficiency of the BNC was also examined in a number of sorption-desorption cycles, which demonstrated its recyclable nature. The present investigation evidently suggests the possibility of valorizing waste distillery stillage into an efficient green sustainable adsorbent material that could find its wide-scale environmental applications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Pulmonary alveolar proteinosis (PAP) is a rare, diffuse lung disease marked by the accumulation of PAS-positive proteinaceous material within distal airspaces. Diagnostic procedures include bronchoalveolar lavage, transbronchial lung biopsy (TBLB), and surgical lung biopsy (SLB). Recently, transbronchial lung cryobiopsy (TBLC) has emerged as a promising technique for diagnosing parenchymal lung diseases. This case series investigates the efficacy of TBLC in diagnosing PAP and compares it to traditional TBLB methods. Key messages: Transbronchial lung cryobiopsy potentially increases diagnostic accuracy compared to conventional techniques and carries acceptable risk of procedural complications. Performing transbronchial lung cryobiopsy to obtain specimens should be considered for PAP. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Diabetic retinopathy (DR), a prevalent microvascular complication of diabetes, is the fifth leading cause of blindness worldwide. Given the critical nature of the disease, it is paramount that individuals with diabetes undergo annual screening for early and timely detection of DR, facilitating prompt ophthalmic assessment and intervention. However, screening for DR, which involves assessing visual acuity and retinal examination through ophthalmoscopy or retinal photography, presents a significant global challenge due to the massive volume of individuals requiring annual reviews. To counter this challenge, there has been an increasing interest in the potential of artificial intelligence (AI) tools for automated diagnosis of DR. The AI tools primarily utilize deep learning (DL) techniques and are tailored to analyse extensive medical image data and provide diagnostic outputs, essentially streamline the DR screening process. However, the development of such AI tools requires access to a comprehensive retinal image database with a plethora of high-resolution fundus images from various cameras, covering all DR lesions. Additionally, the accurate training of these AI algorithms necessitates skilled professionals, such as optometrists or ophthalmologists, to provide reliable ground truths that ensure the precision of the diagnostic outputs. To address these prerequisites, we have initiated a study involving multiple institutions to establish a large-scale online 'Retinal Image Database' in India, aiming to contribute significantly to DR research. This paper delineates the methodology employed for this significant undertaking, detailing the steps taken to create the large retinal image database, as well as the framework for developing a cost-effective, robust AI-based DR diagnostic tool. Our work is expected to mark a significant stride in DR detection and management, promising a more efficient and scalable solution for tackling this global health challenge. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The current analysis focusses on the three-dimensional viscous flow caused by an expanding or contracting porous slider under the impact of heat source / sink, magnetic field and waste discharge concentration. The amount of fluid injected to levitate the slider is not constant; rather, it varies over time based on the slider's location at any given moment. The fluid flow between the ground and the slider is represented by the unsteady nonlinear equations of motion, which are converted into ordinary differential equations by employing the apt similarity transformations. These simplified equations are solved by applying the hybrid residual power series method (HRPSM). Using graphical representations, the physical behaviour of significant parameters is investigated. Tabular data are used to compare the hybrid residual power series method and the numerical scheme to check the convergence and accuracy of the hybrid residual power series method. A rise in the magnetic parameter results in a very modest rise in the fluid's longitudinal velocity in the regions closest to the upper or lower plates and a clear drop in the liquid's longitudinal velocity in the centre region. An increase in pollutant external-source parameter increases the amount of pollutants introduced into the fluid system. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Neurofibromatosis (NF) type I is a neuroectodermal and mesodermal dysplasia caused by a mutation of the neurofibromin tumor suppressor gene. Phenotypic features of NF1 vary, and patients develop benign peripheral nerve sheath tumors and malignant neoplasms, such as malignant peripheral nerve sheath tumor, malignant melanoma, and astrocytoma. Multiparametric whole-body MR imaging (WBMRI) plays a critical role in disease surveillance. Multiparametric MRI, typically used in prostate imaging, is a general term for a technique that includes multiple sequences, i.e. anatomic, diffusion, and Dixon-based pre- and post-contrast imaging. This article discusses the value of multiparametric WBMRI and illustrates the spectrum of whole-body lesions of NF1 in a single imaging setting. Examples of lesions include those in the skin (tumors and axillary freckling), soft tissues (benign and malignant peripheral nerve sheath tumors, visceral plexiform, and diffuse lesions), bone and joints (nutrient nerve lesions, non-ossifying fibromas, intra-articular neurofibroma, etc.), spine (acute-angled scoliosis, dural ectasia, intraspinal tumors, etc.), and brain/skull (optic nerve glioma, choroid plexus xanthogranuloma, sphenoid wing dysplasia, cerebral hamartomas, etc.). After reading this article, the reader will gain knowledge of the variety of lesions encountered with NF1 and their WBMRI appearances. Timely identification of such lesions can aid in accurate diagnosis and appropriate patient management. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a systemic, progressive illness marked by persistent synovitis that causes substantial functional disability. Treatment delays frequently affect health-related quality of life. Extra-articular features are prevalent findings in RA, which leads to significant morbidity and mortality. They are likely due to chronic inflammation and autoimmune nature of RA. Extra-articular manifestations also include interstitial lung disease (ILD). Anti-MDA5 antibodies, though typically associated with dermatomyositis, may also occur with RA, especially in patients with overlapping syndromes, and influence ILD severity. In this case-based review, we highlight the challenges in managing a case of seropositive RA complicated by the coexistence of anti-MDA5 antibody. This review additionally examines the pathophysiology, clinical presentation, diagnosis, therapy, and prognosis of RA-ILD along with that of anti-MDA-5ILD, as well as new studies and recommendations for disease management. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Sustainability evaluation involves a structured procedure to appraise the impacts of an undertaking on the environment, society, and economy. It aims to determine whether the actions or decisions are in line with sustainable development goals and can provide long-term benefits while minimizing negative consequences on the planet and society. In the current competitive market, the idea of sustainability is progressively gaining significance in modern manufacturing practices. This research employs a multi-criteria decision-making framework to assess sustainability, specifically focusing on enhancing the machining performance of Inconel 690 superalloy through the utilization of eco-friendly lubricating/cooling agents. The results demonstrated significant improvements, including an 80.64% reduction in Flank wear, a 43.08% reduction in Surface roughness, a 15.58% reduction in Machining cost, an 11.57% reduction in Carbon emissions, and a 25.91% reduction in Noise generation under the Cryo-MQL medium compared to dry machining conditions. The sustainability index (SI) for Taguchi-designed sixteen experimental runs is determined by the Analytic Hierarchy Process (AHP) coupled with the Complex Proportional Assessment (COPRAS) approach. The AHP-COPRAS approach was chosen due to its ability to systematically integrate conflicting criteria while minimizing subjective biases, offering a more robust and comprehensive sustainability evaluation framework compared to other MCDM methods. This claims that a cutting speed of 80 m/min, feed of 0.1 mm/tooth, depth of cut of 1 mm, and Cryo-MQL medium are the best parametric settings for improving the sustainability of Inconel 690 machining. Furthermore, a sensitivity analysis of the criteria weights for ranking the machining experiments demonstrates the robustness of the proposed sustainability evaluation method. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Macrophage plasticity is critical for maintaining immune function and developing solid tumors; however, the macrophage polarization mechanism remains incompletely understood. Our findings reveal that Mg2+ entry through distinct plasma membrane channels is critical to macrophage plasticity. Naïve macrophages displayed a previously unidentified Mg2+ dependent current, and TRPM7-like activity, which modulates its survival. Significantly, in M1 macrophages, Mg2+ entry is facilitated by a novel Mg²-dependent current that relies on extracellular Mg2+, which was crucial for activating iNOS/NFκB pathways and cellular bioenergetics, which drives pro-inflammatory cytokines. Conversely, in M2 macrophages, Mg2+ entry occurs primarily through TRPM7 channels, pivotal for IL-4 and IL-10-mediated anti-inflammatory cytokine secretion. Notably, the Mg2+ deficient diet or addition of TRPM7 agonist Naltriben suppresses the M1 phenotype while promoting angiogenic factors and fostering tumor growth. These findings suggest that Mg2+ flux via specific channels is indispensable for macrophage polarization, with its dysregulation playing a pivotal role in tumor progression. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Cardiovascular diseases (CVD) are a predominant health concern globally, emphasizing the need for advanced diagnostic techniques. In our research, we present an avant-garde methodology that synergistically integrates ECG readings and retinal fundus images to facilitate the early disease tagging as well as triaging of the CVDs in the order of disease priority. Recognizing the intricate vascular network of the retina as a reflection of the cardiovascular system, alongwith the dynamic cardiac insights from ECG, we sought to provide a holistic diagnostic perspective. Initially, a Fast Fourier Transform (FFT) was applied to both the ECG and fundus images, transforming the data into the frequency domain. Subsequently, the Earth Mover's Distance (EMD) was computed for the frequency-domain features of both modalities. These EMD values were then concatenated, forming a comprehensive feature set that was fed into a Neural Network classifier. This approach, leveraging the FFT's spectral insights and EMD's capability to capture nuanced data differences, offers a robust representation for CVD classification. Preliminary tests yielded a commendable accuracy of 84%, underscoring the potential of this combined diagnostic strategy. As we continue our research, we anticipate refining and validating the model further to enhance its clinical applicability in resource limited healthcare ecosystems prevalent across the Indian sub-continent and also the world at large. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The electronic and optoelectronic properties of molecules constituted by benzene as linker, phenoxaborin as acceptor coupled with different types of donor moieties are investigated using the density functional theoretical method. The energy gap between the first excited singlet and triplet states (ΔEST) of the designed molecules (1–9) is found to be less than 0.5 eV suggesting them as ideal candidates for thermally activated delayed fluorescence (TADF) emitters. The analysis of frontier molecular orbitals of the molecules revealed a minimum spatial overlap between highest occupied molecular orbital (HOMO) and lowest unoccupied molecular orbital (LUMO) in favor of the small values of ΔEST. Among the molecules studied, the one in which dihydrophenazine acts as the donor has the lowest value of ΔEST. All designed molecules are good electron transporters. The non-linear optical properties of the molecules are also examined. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: Low-dose computed tomography lung cancer screening is effective for reducing lung cancer mortality. It is critical to understand the lung cancer screening practices for screen-eligible individuals living in Alabama and Georgia where lung cancer is the leading cause of cancer death. High lung cancer incidence and mortality rates are attributed to high smoking rates among underserved, low income, and rural populations. Therefore, the purpose of this study is to define sociodemographic and clinical characteristics of patients who were screened for lung cancer at an Academic Medical Center (AMC) in Alabama and a Safety Net Hospital (SNH) in Georgia. Methods: A retrospective cohort study of screen-eligible patients was constructed using electronic health records between 2015 and 2020 seen at an Academic Medical Center (AMC) and a Safety Net Hospital (SNH) separately. Chi-square tests and Student t tests were used to compare screening uptake across patient demographic and clinical variables. Bivariate and multivariate logistic regressions determined significant predictors of lung cancer screening uptake. Results: At the AMC, 67,355 were identified as eligible for LCS and 1,129 were screened. In bivariate analyses, there were several differences between those who were screened and those who were not screened. Screening status in the site at Alabama—those with active tobacco use are significantly more likely to be screened than former smokers (OR: 3.208, p < 0.01). For every 10-unit increase in distance, the odds of screening decreased by about 15% (OR: 0.848, p < 0.01). For every 10-year increase in age, the odds of screening decrease by about 30% (OR: 0.704, p < 0.01). Each additional comorbidity increases the odds of screening by about 7.5% (OR: 1.075, p < 0.01). Those with both private and public insurance have much higher odds of screening compared to those with only private insurance (OR: 5.403, p < 0.01). However, those with only public insurance have lower odds of screening compared to those with private insurance (OR: 0.393, p < 0.01). At the SNH—each additional comorbidity increased the odds of screening by about 11.9% (OR: 1.119, p = 0.01). Notably, those with public insurance have significantly higher odds of being screened compared to those with private insurance (OR: 2.566, p < 0.01). Conclusion: The study provides evidence that LCS has not reached all subgroups and that additional targeted efforts are needed to increase lung cancer screening uptake. Furthermore, disparity was noticed between adults living closer to screening institutions and those who lived farther. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Imaging is a key component of diagnosis and treatment response evaluation of urinary tract tuberculosis (UT TB). Tuberculosis can have a long latency, but if found early, one may have the opportunity to prevent complications such as ureteral strictures, obstructive nephropathy, contracted (thimble) bladder, renal parenchymal destruction/calcification, and renal failure. Imaging can aid in diagnosis and differential diagnoses, evaluate the extent of disease and complications, and guide image-directed biopsy, surgical planning, and evaluation of treatment response. Imaging abnormalities in the renal parenchyma and urinary tract at different stages of the disease, lymphadenopathy, and extra-urinary tract organ involvement are suggestive of UT TB. Recent advances in imaging modalities aid in UT TB diagnosis, follow-up, and guiding treatment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aspiration pneumonia is a serious problem in the elderly due to weakened swallowing reflexes or underlying gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD). This can lead to acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS), which can become life-threatening, sometimes requiring extra corporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) support. Lung transplantation is a possible therapeutic option for patients with no signs of lung recovery despite prolonged ECMO support. However, this can be a particularly challenging situation in a geriatric population. We report the case of a 79-year-old male with aspiration pneumonia leading to severe ARDS who underwent successful bilateral lung transplantation after 60 days of ECMO support. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study investigates how fusion zone (FZ) chemical composition influences the formation of the halo ring, a transient softening region that can form along the fusion boundary (FB) of resistance spot welds in Q&P980. For this purpose, spot welds were made in both similar Q&P steel joints as well as joints sandwiching low carbon (LC) or high carbon (HC) steels with Q&P steels, which tailored the chemical composition of the FZ. Electron probe microanalysis (EPMA) was performed on a spot-welded sample to understand the effect of material chemical composition on the halo formation. Alloying elements such as C, Mn, and Si were significantly less in the FZ composition of the welds made with LC steel, as compared to 3-sheet Q&P weld, which resulted in associated 33 pct reduction in hardness of the LC steel FZ. On the contrary, the C and Mn were higher in the FZ of the weld made with HC steel compared to that of the 3-sheet Q&P weld. However, like the welds made with the LC steel the FZ of the welds with the HC steel had a lower Si content than the FZ of the 3-sheet Q&P steel. The increase in C and Mn contents in the welds made with the HC steel resulted in an 14 pct increase in FZ hardness compared to the FZ of the 3-sheet Q&P steel. The halo formation is more prominent in welds made with LC steel. It was wider in welds where the FZ had a lower alloy content than the Q&P steel as compared to the higher alloyed FZ of the weld made with the HC steel. In LC steel weld a high Mn and Si segregated region inside the FZ was also observed. It was shown that the transient softened zone can be affected by the difference in chemical composition between the FZ and heat-affected zone (HAZ). Therefore, any changes in mechanical properties associated with the halo are more likely to be more prominent in dissimilar welds where high and low alloy steels are combined. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: To compare the rate of re-detachment in patients with rhegmatogenous retinal detachment and Grade-C PVR following vitreoretinal surgery, with and without serial intravitreal injections of methotrexate. Methods: It was a randomized control trial. Patients aged more than 18 years undergoing pars plana vitrectomy for rhegmatogenous retinal detachment with PVR grade C or more were included in the study. Patients treated with intravitreal injection of methotrexate were grouped as cases and those not injected served as controls. The cases received 3 intravitreal injections of methotrexate at monthly intervals. Patients were evaluated on Day 1, 1st month, 2nd month, 3rd month and 6th month in terms of BCVA, rate of re-attachment and grade of PVR. Results: The case group had 23 patients and the control group had 20 patients. 2 patients in the case group were lost to follow-up after the first follow-up, so they were excluded. So 21 patients in case group and 20 patients in control group were followed up. Six months after surgery, 15 'cases' had completely attached retina whereas 6 patients had partial detachment with macula on. There was no patient amongst the cases with macula-off retinal re-detachment. Out of 20 patients in the control group, 9 had a complete retinal attachment, 4 had partial detachment with macula-on and 7 had partial detachment with macula-off. There was statistically significant difference in macula off retinal detachment rates (p-value- 0.003). Conclusion: Serial intravitreal methotrexate injections reduce the incidence of re-detachment in patients undergoing PPV for RRD with PVR-C. Further investigation into this promising therapeutic approach is warranted. Key messages: What is known Methotrexate is an anti-inflammatory agent which is safe for intravitreal use There are case series retrospective and prospective studies suggesting potential benefit of intravitreal methotrexate in preventing re-detachment due to PVR What is new First randomized control trial studying the efficacy of intravitreal methotrexate in preventing re-detachment due to PVR Our study showed statistically significant difference in macula off retinal detachment between the 2 groups at 6 months of follow up [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A unique PCF detector is suggested that contains octagonal cladding and hexagonal core which is used for kerosene adulteration detection. The sensor performance was numerically investigated between the frequencies of 1.0 and 2.8 THz. The central hole has been full with kerosene. The strut size is adjusted to investigate This research as well as the detector’s functionality be carried out at THz frequencies. At 2.2 THz, the photonic crystal fiber sensor has a relative sensitivity of roughly 94.25%, EML 0.01106, and a confinement loss of 1.77 × 10−13 of the order of 1014. This suggested detector can play a fine role in detecting kerosene admixture since it has high sensitivity and remarkable precision. This will be helpful for consumer to consume high-grade petroleum fuel without admixture of kerosene. Technologies related to extrude and 3D print might be utilized for the photonic crystal fiber detector. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Insulin resistance is major factor in the development of metabolic syndrome and type 2 diabetes (T2D). We extracted 430 genes from literature associated with both insulin resistance and inflammation. The highly significant pathways were Toll-like receptor signaling, PI3K-Akt signaling, cytokine-cytokine receptor interaction, pathways in cancer, TNF signaling, and NF-kappa B signaling. Among the 297 common genes in all datasets of various T2D patients' tissues including blood, muscle, liver, pancreas, and adipose tissues, 71% and 60% of these genes were differentially expressed in pancreas (GSE25724) and liver (GSE15653), respectively. A total of 169 genes contain highly conserved motifs for various transcription factors involved in immune response, thereby suggesting coordinated expression. Through co-expression analysis, we obtained three modules. The respective modules had 78, 158, and 55 genes, and TRAF2, HMGA1, and RGS5 as hub genes. Further, we used the BioNSi pathways simulation tool and identified the following five KEGG pathways perturbed in four or more tissues, namely Toll-like receptor signaling pathway, RIG-1-like receptor signaling pathway, pathways in cancer, NF-kappa B signaling pathway, and insulin resistance pathway. The genes NFKBIA and IKBKB are common to all these five pathways. In addition, using the NF-κB computational activation model, we identified that the reversal of NF-κB constitutive activation through overexpression of NFKB1 (P50 homodimer), PPARG, PIAS3 could reduce insulin resistance by almost half of its original value. To conclude, co-expression studies, gene expression network simulation, and NF-κB computational modeling substantiate the causal role of NF-κB pathway in insulin resistance. These results taken together with other published evidence suggests that the TNF-TRAF2-IKBKB-NF-κB axis could be explored as a potential target in combination with available metabolic targets in the management of insulin resistance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Chronic stress disrupts gut microbiota homeostasis, contributing to anxiety and depression. This study explored the effects of Limosilactobacillus reuteri fermented brown rice (FBR) on anxiety using an ICR mouse chronic mild stress (CMS) model. Anxiety was assessed through body weight, corticosterone levels, neurotransmitter profiles, and behavioral tests. A four-week FBR regimen reduced corticosterone, restored neurotransmitters like gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) and serotonin, and improved anxiety-related behaviors. Metagenomic (16S rRNA) and metabolomic analyses revealed enhanced amino acid metabolism, energy metabolism, and short-chain fatty acid (SCFA) production in FBR-treated mice. FBR-enriched beneficial gut bacteria, aligning the microbiota profile with that of non-stressed mice. FBR also modulated GABA receptor-related gene expression, promoting relaxation. Network pharmacology identified quercetin, GABA, glutamic acid, phenylalanine, and ferulic acid as bioactive compounds with neuroprotective potential. These findings highlight FBR's potential as a gut-brain axis-targeted therapeutic for anxiety and stress-related disorders. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study presents a detailed investigation into the synthesis and characterization of Europium (Eu)-doped Sr2FeTiO6 [Sr2−xEuxFeTiO6 (x = 0, 0.5)] double perovskite compounds, aimed at enhancing the understanding of their structural, optical, magnetic, and dielectric properties. Using high-temperature solid-state reactions, single-phase compounds were successfully synthesized, as confirmed by X-ray diffraction (XRD) and Rietveld refinement, revealing a stable cubic crystal structure. X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) verified the oxidation states of the constituent elements, while optical studies demonstrated a significant reduction in the energy band gap from 2.92 to 2.26 eV with Eu doping. Magnetically, the undoped Sr2FeTiO6 compound exhibited weak ferromagnetism with canted spins and pronounced magnetic anisotropy. In contrast, Eu doping induced a transition to antiferromagnetic-like behavior, with a notable decrease in magnetization, coercivity, and anisotropy. The dielectric properties were also enhanced with increasing Eu content, as evidenced by the progressive increase in dielectric constant. The novelty of this research lies in the comprehensive exploration of the Eu-doped Sr2FeTiO6 system, demonstrating the tunability of its magnetic and electronic properties through rare-earth doping. These findings highlight the potential of Sr2–xEuxFeTiO6 compounds for advanced applications in electronic, magneto-optical, and optoelectronic devices, contributing significantly to the field of functional perovskite materials. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: The endocannabinoid system (ECS) has been well-established to play a crucial role in the regulation of several physiological processes as well as many inflammatory disease conditions. However, its role in intervertebral disc degeneration has been least explored. We aim to investigate the immunomodulatory role of endocannabinoids in regulating IVD health. Methods: The study population included 20 healthy volunteers (controls) and 40 patients with disc degeneration (disease group) (20 Modic and 20 Non Modic). 16S metagenome sequencing of the V3-V4 region was performed for the DNA extracted from NP tissue samples of both control and disease groups. Sequencing was carried out using the Novaseq 6000 platform using 250 bp paired-end chemistry. A global metabolic profile was obtained using the uHPLC system coupled with Q Exactive Plus Hybrid Quadrupole-Orbitrap mass spectrometer. Results: Our study revealed a higher prevalence of gram-negative bacteria, particularly opportunistic pathogens like Pseudomonas, in diseased discs (71–81%) compared to healthy controls (54%). Further investigation using metabolomics identified significant changes in the lipid profiles of diseased discs. We found that the signalling molecules of the ECS, 2-arachidonylglycerol (2-AG) and N-arachidonoylethanolamine (AEA), were significantly lower in diseased discs compared to controls (Log2FC -2.62 for 2-AG and −3.15 for AEA). Conversely, pro-inflammatory metabolites like LTA4, HPETE, HETE, and Prostaglandin G2 were elevated in diseased discs, with a Log2 fold increase greater than 2.5. Conclusion: The study reveals that the endocannabinoid metabolites (2-AG and AEA) of the ECS could be a significant molecule influencing susceptibility to infection and inflammation within the intervertebral discs, which could be a potential target for improving disc health. Level of evidence: Diagnostic: individual cross-sectional studies with consistently applied reference standard and blinding. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Product design changes are implemented to remain competitive in the market. Product change propagates in design and manufacturing system. Completing product change prediction analysis well in advance is the key in successful engineering change management. Manufacturing companies are facing challenges to control changes in a process during implementation phase. Process parameters are required to be reset against product changes with multiple production trials. This delay in change implementation phase increases obsolescence cost along with high chances of product quality failures. Our research objective is to reduce overall time required to implement product design change in manufacturing system. It is proposed to extend the concept of design structure matrix from design phase to production environment through a machine learning tool. A case study is conducted on the riveting process parameters in an automotive company. Riveting process is decomposed with process parameters by use of design structure matrix. Machine learning tool is used to extract relationship between process parameter and part features with scientific method. Prediction results of the case study from machine learning tool are evaluated with actual design of experiments trials. Prediction results are found very close to results from DOE trials. The results from case study supports to research objective by early prediction of impact on process parameter. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper proposes a unique method for estimating three-diode photovoltaic (PV) model parameters that uses an enhanced Newton–Raphson (NR) method and the selective opposition-based grey wolf optimization (GWO) algorithm with variable weights. For PV systems to operate more effectively, it is essential that these characteristics be estimated accurately. The GWO algorithm and the NR method are used to their full potential in the suggested method to overcome the drawbacks of conventional approaches. The selective opposition mechanism improves the GWO algorithm's exploration and exploitation capabilities, making it possible to search the parameter space efficiently. Using variable weights modifies the impact of various search operators, enhancing convergence rate and solution quality. An enhanced NR (ENR) approach is added to the optimization process to increase accuracy further. The ENR technique is used to revise estimated parameter values from initial guesses iteratively. A real-world PV system dataset used in experiments shows that the suggested solution performs better than state-of-the-art methods. The outcomes demonstrate better robustness, convergence speed, and accuracy. The suggested method provides an effective and efficient method for extracting the unknown parameters of the three-diode photovoltaic model. The research findings can help with photovoltaic energy generation system design and optimization. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In recent years, renewable energy attracts the researchers interest due to its environment free nature and abundant availability. Solar photovoltaic (PV) is widely used to generation power from the sun light. Major issue in solar PV power generation is tracking of the peak power from the available multiple power peaks in the operating points. A proper MPPT algorithm is required to capture the maximum power point (MPP) from the characteristic curves of a solar PV under partial shaded conditions (PSC). An optimized maximum power point tracking (MPPT) and fault classification in solar PV systems are presented in this research work. To select the best optimization model for MPPT under PSC, the nature-inspired dragonfly algorithm (DA), moth flame optimization algorithm (MFOA), grasshopper optimization algorithm (GOA), and salp swarm optimization algorithm (SSOA) are used in this work to evaluate the tracking efficiency (TE) of the solar PV systems. From the simulation results, SSOA exhibits a supreme TE of 98.38%, which is better than the other algorithms like DA, GOA, and MFOA. To further classify the faults in solar PV systems, random forest (RF), artificial neural network (ANN), support vector machine (SVM), and convolutional neural network (CNN) models are employed. Among all, CNN provides a maximum accuracy of 94.11% in fault classification. Simulation analysis demonstrates the proof-of-concept for maximum TE and classification accuracy for all the methods. Thus, the optimized MPPT and fault classification models can be combined to enhance the overall performance of solar PV systems.Article highlights: This paper presents a nature inspired MPPT algorithms like DA, GOA, MFOA, and SSOA. SSOA based-MPPT algorithm provides a better tracking efficiency than other algorithms. This paper also presents a deep learning-based fault detection mechanism for solar PV systems. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper demonstrates the merits of nested Compressive Sensing (CS) approach for Electrocardiogram (ECG) signals using discrete wavelet transform (DWT) and discrete cosine transform (DCT) as sensing matrix and sparsifying matrix. The implementation of CS framework is done using Gradient Projection for Sparse Reconstruction (GPSR). It is tested on 9 ECG signals of different arrhythmia categories obtained from MITBIH and BIDMC dataset. It is analysed for 3 different combinations, case (1) DCT sensing and DWT sparsification, case (2) DWT sensing and DCT sparsification and case (3) DWT sensing and DWT sparsification. A novel hybrid nested CS approach is proposed as case (4) which is a combination of case (2) in higher level and case (1) in lower level. This nested method yields the best PRD of 1.39 for CR = 0.2 and performs better than all proposed cases. This proposed approach involves a fair method of discarding the measurements in all frequency band and performs better than the state of the art work when the sampling rate is reduced by 4 times for ECG signal 100.dat from MIT-BIH (Massachusetts Institute of Technology-Beth Israel Hospital) database for CR = 0.2. It is shown that the reconstruction time of the proposed nested CS approach is lesser than non-nested CS approach.Article Highlights: A compression method done in nested pattern works good for Electrocardiogram signals by reproducing good quality signals from a smaller number of measured values. The nested method performs better than non-nested method and tested good for Electrocardiogram signals of all types of heart abnormalities. The nested method performs faster than non-nested method. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This work proposes the PLA/CF-PLA laminate composite to overcome the brittle fracture of short carbon fiber-reinforced PLA. The mode-I and mode-II fracture toughness of the PLA/CF-PLA laminate composite was investigated using an FDM-printed single-edge notch bend (SENB) and compared with neat PLA and CF-PLA samples. The effect of infill patterns without void space (linear pattern) and with void space (honeycomb pattern) was also analyzed based on fracture behavior. PLA/CF-PLA laminate showed higher mode-I fracture toughness. The CF-PLA showed higher mode-II fracture toughness, 3.5 % higher than the PLA/CF-PLA laminate. The linear pattern showed better fracture toughness than the honeycomb pattern, irrespective of material. The CF-PLA samples showed a brittle fracture compared to PLA due to poor wetting of fibers to the PLA matrix. The PLA/CF-PLA laminate showed fracture toughness similar to that of neat PLA and eliminated the undesirable brittle failure of CF-PLA without compromising the fracture load. The crack propagation path was visually inspected, and the fractured surface was analyzed using scanning electron microscopy. This study provides a new pathway for printing structural components based on short-fiber reinforced polymer composites for various engineering applications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The present study aims to investigate the oral therapeutic and molecular role of carotenoid-rich Dunaliella salina powder (DSP) against 1,2-dimethylhydrazine (DMH)-triggered colon carcinogenesis. In this study, thirty six male Wistar rats were categorized into six distinct groups (G1–G6): G1 group with no intervention, G2 group received only DSP (1000 mg/kg), G3 group received only DMH carcinogen (20 mg/kg), and G4–G6 group received both DMH and DSP at various phases (pre-initiation, post-initiation and entire phases) for 32 weeks. Body weight, tumor incidence, tumor volume, histopathological examination, antioxidants, and detoxification enzymes activities were analyzed in the experimental rats. In addition, the protein expression profile of components involved in the Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway was determined by western blot analysis. Matrix metalloproteinases (MMP-7 and MMP-9), proliferation marker (PCNA), and pro-apoptotic (Bcl-2 and Bax) proteins were analyzed using immunohistochemistry. Colorimetric assay was used to determine the levels of anti-inflammatory (iNOS and COX-2) and apoptotic proteins (Caspase-3 and Caspase-9). Results showed that concomitant administration of DSP with DMH significantly reduced tumor progression and prevented colon carcinogenesis in rats. However, treatment with DSP before or after DMH exposure did not significantly prevent colon carcinogenesis. DMH and DSP treatment group showed increased activities of antioxidant enzymes with significant reduction in the oxidative stress. Additionally, the detoxification enzymes and colonic histopathology of those rats were restored to that of control rats. The administration of DSP to rats exposed to DMH exhibited antitumor effects via inhibition of the Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway with induced apoptosis through the Bcl-2/Bax/caspases signaling cascades. Moreover, the same group also showed significant anti-inflammatory activity via regulating iNOS and COX-2 biomarkers. Our findings revealed molecular chemopreventive activity of carotenoid-rich DSP through regulating Wnt/beta-catenin and intrinsic apoptotic pathways. Thus, DSP is propound to function as a potent antioxidant, anti-proliferative, and anti-inflammatory therapeutic agent against colon carcinogenesis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In recent years, the researchers focused on making eco-friendly carbon cloth electrodes, which are more flexible, using ammonia complex without any surfactant templates for electrodeposition. Herein, palladium (Pd) electrodeposition was carried out on carbon cloth (CC) under galvanostatic conditions and their electrochemical sensing applications were explored. Further, cathode current efficiency and rate of palladium film growth were calculated using Faraday’s law of electrolysis. The quality of the Pd deposit was visually collated. The surface morphology, crystalline structure, topography, elemental composition, and oxidation state of elements were analyzed by respective characterization techniques, such as FESEM, XRD, AFM, and XPS. The XRD characterization studies revealed crystalline size ~ 7 nm of Pd deposits on carbon cloth. The electrochemical sensing performance toward acetaminophen (ACAP) in 0.1 M phosphate buffer solution at neutral pH (pH 7.0) was evaluated using cyclic voltammetry and differential pulse voltammetry. PdCC-modified electrode shows an enhanced electrocatalytic behavior for the oxidation of ACAP with a linear range of 5–2000 μ mol L−1, limit of detection of 3.14 μ mol L−1, and limit of quantification of 9.55 μ mol L−1. The PdCC-modified electrode has achieved good stability, reproducibility, reusability, and anti-interference ability toward the sensing of ACAP. The practical feasibility of the proposed sensor was successfully demonstrated using real-water samples. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The toxicity of 4-nitrophenol (4-NP) is one of the most common threats to the environment; therefore, developing a simple and sensitive analytical method to detect 4-NP is crucial. In this study, we prepared the Nd(OH)3/VSe2 nanocomposite using the simple hydrothermally assisted ultrasonication method and it was used to detect the 4-NP. Different characterization techniques were used to investigate the morphological and chemical compositions of Nd(OH)3/VSe2 nanocomposite. All of these investigations revealed that Nd(OH)3 nanoparticles were finely dispersed on the surface of the VSe2 nanosheet. The electrical conductivity of our prepared samples was evaluated by the electrochemical impedance spectroscopic technique. The CV and DPV methods were used to explore the electrochemical activity of 4-NP at the Nd(OH)3/VSe2/GCE sensor which exhibited a wide linear range (0.001 to 640 µM), low limit of detection (0.008 µM), and good sensitivity (0.41 µA µM−1 cm−2), respectively. Additionally, Nd(OH)3/VSe2/GCE sensor was tested in water samples for the detection of 4-NP, which exhibited good recovery results. The Nd(OH)3/VSe2 electrode material is a novel one for the electrochemical sensor field, and the obtained overall results also proved that our proposed material is an active material for sensor applications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Dysarthria, a speech disorder commonly associated with neurological conditions, poses challenges in early detection and accurate diagnosis. This study addresses these challenges by implementing preprocessing steps, such as noise reduction and normalization, to enhance the quality of raw speech signals and extract relevant features. Scalogram images generated through wavelet transform effectively capture the time-frequency characteristics of the speech signal, offering a visual representation of the spectral content over time and providing valuable insights into speech abnormalities related to dysarthria. Fine-tuned deep learning models, including pre-trained convolutional neural network (CNN) architectures like VGG19, DenseNet-121, Xception, and a modified InceptionV3, were optimized with specific hyperparameters using training and validation sets. Transfer learning enables these models to adapt features from general image classification tasks to classify dysarthric speech signals better. The study evaluates the models using two public datasets TORGO and UA-Speech and a third dataset collected by the authors and verified by medical practitioners. The results reveal that the CNN models achieve an accuracy (acc) range of 90% to 99%, an F1-score range of 0.95 to 0.99, and a recall range of 0.96 to 0.99, outperforming traditional methods in dysarthria detection. These findings highlight the effectiveness of the proposed approach, leveraging deep learning and scalogram images to advance early diagnosis and healthcare outcomes for individuals with dysarthria. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Plastic waste pollution is escalating globally at an unprecedented pace, with a significant measure of this waste remaining unrecycled. Hence, polyhydroxyalkanoates (PHAs), a biogenic polyester, as a potential alternative to synthetic plastics has been intensively studied over the years. PHAs are biodegradable and biocompatible polyester produced by various microorganisms through the bioprocessing of sustainable sources. Bacterial PHAs show potential as an eco-friendly, biodegradable, and biocompatible alternative to conventional plastics. Malaysian environment, anthropogenic and natural, harbors an enormous diversity of microorganisms as well as various bacteria that produce PHAs. Hence, the current submission highlights on four indigenous PHA producers, isolated from the local environments, namely Cupriavidus malaysiensis USMAA2-4, Cupriavidus malaysiensis USMAA10-20, Cupriavidus malaysiensis USMAHM13, and Pseudomonas putida BET001. The four strains have contributed significantly as a workhorse in advancing PHA research and innovation in Malaysia and globally. Their uniqueness and significance in the PHA investigation, which include biosynthesis, recovery strategies, metabolic pathways involved, characteristics and properties of extracted PHA, biodegradation, and its potential applications are discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The microwave propagation characteristics of the superconducting coplanar waveguide structure that incorporated a ferroelectric thin film were theoretically studied by utilizing the spectral domain method. Tunability of the transmission characteristics was introduced by the inclusion of the ferroelectric thin film, whose permittivity can be tuned by an external electric field. The dependence of tunability on the thickness of the layers, as well as the operating temperature, was explored within the K u band of the spectrum. The effect of spurious magnetic fields on the superconducting strip, and thereby on the propagation characteristics of the waveguide, was also investigated. The tunable propagation characteristics of microwave waveguides obtained suggest the potential for application in satellite communication, in radar systems, and in circuit quantum electrodynamics. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Interleukin 10 (IL-10) is uniquely positioned in the immune regulation of teleosts. Modifying the IL-10 pathway changes the teleost's disease susceptibility; however, there is no data on its post-transcriptional regulation. Trachinotus blochii is a high-value mariculture species. Methods: The full-length tbil-10 gene was generated through the Rapid Amplification of cDNA Ends-PCR. After the detailed sequence analysis, the identified features were compared with other IL-10 sequences. The gene expressions in healthy and challenged (Vibrio harveyi) fish were studied. Results: The sequence analysis showed an open reading frame of 564 bp and a 3′ UTR (untranslated region) of 217 bp. The phylogram revealed an evolutionary distinction between marine and freshwater teleost IL-10. The shorter 3′ UTR, additional conserved cysteines capable of forming stable disulphide bonds, and lesser mRNA instability moieties suggest the better structural stability of teleost IL-10 than tetrapods. Results identified 60 miRNA-mRNA duplexes that can regulate IL-10 3′ UTR. Nine identified miRNAs are involved in immune response and seven are expressed in macrophages. The gills showed the highest gene expression in healthy fish. The study discovered two IL-10 mRNA transcripts that differed in 5′ UTR lengths and thermodynamic ensemble's free energy. There was an increased expression of both tbil-10-mRNA transcripts from 2 to 48 h post-challenge which peaked at 24 h after the challenge, with higher expression of short mRNA transcript. Conclusions: The results gave insights into the structural, functional, post-transcriptional regulatory mechanisms, and expression characteristics of the IL-10 gene in T. blochii. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Semliki Forest virus (SFV) is a neuropathogenic alphavirus which is of interest both as a model neurotropic alphavirus and as an oncolytic virus with proven potency in preclinical cancer models. In laboratory mice, peripherally administered SFV infiltrates the central nervous system (CNS) and causes encephalitis of varying severity. The route of SFV CNS entrance is poorly understood but has been considered to occur through the blood-brain barrier. Here we show that neuroinvasion of intravenously administered SFV is strictly dependent on very-low-density-lipoprotein receptor (VLDLR) which acts as an entry receptor for SFV. Moreover, SFV primarily enters the CNS through the blood-cerebrospinal fluid (B-CSF) barrier via infecting choroid plexus epithelial cells which show distinctly high expression of VLDLR. This is the first indication of neurotropic alphavirus utilizing choroid plexus for CNS entry, and VLDLR playing a specific and crucial role for mediating SFV entry through this pathway. The authors present that encephalitic Semliki Forest virus uses choroid plexus epithelial cells as neuroinvasion pathway in mice and show that entry is specifically dependent on expression of very low-density-lipoprotein receptor in these cells. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Internet of Things (IoT) detects context through sensors capturing data from dynamic physical environments, in order to inform automation decisions within cyber physical systems (CPS). Diverse types of uncertainty in the IoT pipeline can propagate within and across nodes, involving complex interactions with security, privacy, and trust that remain largely unexplored. This paper conducts an in-depth analysis of the types of uncertainties in IoT and how they propagate within IoT nodes and networks. We consider adversarial uncertainty in the context of distributed IoT networks to capture perturbations due to malicious actors in the network that can influence IoT security, privacy and trust. We examine the propagation of adversarial uncertainty and well-known uncertainty types, namely aleatoric and epistemic uncertainty, within the five distinct stages of sensing, communication, storage, processing and decision-making in an IoT pipeline, across network layer boundaries, and across nodes within an IoT network. Using this mapping, we analyse the interactions between the uncertainty types and their propagation, and security, privacy, and trust in IoT. Based on this analysis, we discuss guidelines and considerations for mitigating uncertainty in IoT through a smart grid use case study. Article highlights: We map interactions between uncertainty types (aleatoric, epistemic, adversarial) and IoT security, privacy, and trust. We analyze uncertainty sources in IoT, focusing on adversarial impacts in distributed IoT networks. Guidelines are derived to mitigate IoT uncertainties using emerging solutions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The blood group system of human beings can impact the health and auditory system. There are correlations between various audiological test findings and blood groups. Studies have shown that persons with the O blood group have reduced resonance frequency of the middle ear and amplitude of otoacoustic emissions. Therefore, Otoacoustic emissions (OAE) results could be different across blood groups. The current study aimed to determine the difference in Distortion product otoacoustic emission input–output function in persons with varying groups of blood. A total of sixty college-going young female adults, aged between 18 and 25 years, participated in the current study. They were divided into four groups, each with 15 participants based on the blood group type (A, B. AB. O). The subjects underwent Distortion product otoacoustic emission (DPOAE) input–output function on the following frequencies: 703 Hz,1060 Hz,1416 Hz,2114 Hz,2827 Hz,4243 Hz, and 5645 Hz. The analysis showed no significant difference in the area and slope of the Distortion product otoacoustic emission input–output function at all frequencies. Thus, the study's result shows no effect of the blood group on Distortion product otoacoustic emission input- output function. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Here, we show how to make highly nitrogen-containing graphite carbon (g-C3N4)-coated rare earth metal oxide of CeO2 nanotubes (CeO2/g-C3N4), which is usable as a dual function of supercapacitor electrode and counter electrode for dye-sensitized solar cells (DSSCs). Transmission electron microscopy (TEM), field emission scanning electron spectroscopy (FESEM), and energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDX) techniques have all been used to examine the surface morphology and chemical data of the catalyst. The CeO2/g-C3N4-composited electrode exhibits high-specific capacitance of 614 Fg−1 at 2 Ag−1. Based on the Trassati method, the CeO2/g-C3N4 electrode exhibits 92% capacitive behavior at 100 mVs−1. The CeO2/g-C3N4 electrode exhibits 91.6% cyclic stability after 10,000 cycles. The DSSCs made with CeO2/g-C3N4 exhibited outstanding catalytic activity and a PCE of 8.13% compared to 8.02% for a standard electrode made of Pt. Due to the composite material's outstanding catalytic performance and good electrical conductivity, this has occurred. However, the electrical conductivity of the titanium mesh is high. And compared to an FTO substrate, it can enhance the region of contact between the electrode material and the substrate. It can enhance I−/I−3's capacity to speed up electron transmission by diffusion. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Drying is a crucial unit operation within the functional foods and biopharmaceutical industries, acting as a fundamental preservation technique and a mechanism to maintain these products' bioactive components and nutritional values. The heat-sensitive bioactive components, which carry critical quality attributes, necessitate a meticulous selection of drying methods and conditions backed by robust research. In this review, we investigate challenges associated with drying these heat-sensitive materials and examine the impact of various drying methods. Our thorough research extensively covers ten notable drying methods: heat pump drying, freeze-drying, spray drying, vacuum drying, fluidized bed drying, superheated steam drying, infrared drying, microwave drying, osmotic drying, vacuum drying, and supercritical fluid drying. Each method is tailored to address the requirements of specific functional foods and biopharmaceuticals and provides a comprehensive account of each technique's inherent advantages and potential limitations. Further, the review ventures into the exploration of combined hybrid drying techniques and smart drying technologies with industry 4.0 tools such as automation, AI, machine learning, IoT, and cyber-physical systems. These innovative methods are designed to enhance product performance and elevate the quality of the final product in the drying of functional foods and biopharmaceuticals. Through a thorough survey of the drying landscape, this review illuminates the intricacies of these operations and underscores their pivotal role in functional foods and biopharmaceutical production. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Flavonols effectively scavenge the reactive nitrogen species (RNS) and reactive oxygen species (ROS) and act as immune-enhancing, anti-inflammatory, anti-diabetic, and anti-carcinogenic agents. Here, we explored the comparative antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties of plant-originating flavonols, like quercetin, rutin, and troxerutin against acetylsalicylic acid. Quercetin and rutin showed a high ability to remove active ROS, but troxerutin and acetylsalicylic acid exhibited little such function. In RAW 264.7 cells, quercetin, rutin, and troxerutin did not exhibit cellular toxicity at low concentrations. In addition, quercetin, rutin, and troxerutin considerably (p < 0.05) lowered the protein expression of cyclooxygenase 2 (COX-2) as compared to acetylsalicylic acid in cells inflamed with lipopolysaccharides (LPS). Additionally, in inflamed cells, quercetin and rutin significantly down-regulated the nitrogen oxide (NO) level (p < 0.05) at higher concentrations, whereas Troxerutin did not reduce the NO level. In addition, Troxerutin down-regulated the pro-inflammatory protein markers, such as TNF-α, COX-2, NF-κB, and IL-1β better than quercetin, rutin, and acetylsalicylic acid. We observed that troxerutin exhibited a significantly greater anti-inflammatory effect than acetylsalicylic acid did. Acetylsalicylic acid did not significantly down-regulated the expression of COX-2 and TNF-α (p < 0.05) compared to troxerutin. Hence, it can be concluded that the down-regulation of NO levels and the expression of COX-2 and TNF-α proteins could be mechanisms of action for the natural compounds quercetin, rutin, and troxerutin in preventing inflammation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Bismuth tetratitanate Bi2Ti4O11 (BTeT) was drawn by sintering and investigated through several characterization techniques. An analysis utilizing powder X-ray diffraction (PXRD) found that BTeT exhibits a monoclinic crystal structure and falls in the C2/c space group with a crystalline size of 42 nm. The presence of Bi–O and O–Ti–O bonds in BTeT was confirmed by vibrational analysis. Further, the synthesised BTeT exhibited a bandgap of 2.78 eV, indicating that the material was semiconducting in nature. The Energy-dispersive X-ray analysis (EDAX) spectrum and morphological studies revealed that the BTeT consists of only Bi, Ti, and O elements. The first-principles calculation was executed using density functional theory (DFT) through by Quantum ESPRESSO (QE) software package and the geometrical properties of BTeT were estimated, resulting in a total energy of − 4589.62 Ry through self-consistent field (SCF) calculation. The binding energy of BTeT was estimated as − 0.52824 Ry, and its Fermi energy was found to be 10.4308 eV. Utilizing the methods of galvanostatic charge–discharge (GCD) and cyclic voltammetry (CV), the electrochemical behavior of an electrode material developed for BTeT at 900 °C was evaluated. In a 6 M KOH aqueous electrolyte, electrochemical studies revealed a specific capacitance of 4612 Fg−1 at a current density of 3 mAg−1 where it achieved an energy density of 160 Wh/kg and a power density of 249 W/kg. This electrochemical study showed outstanding performance, indicating that the synthesised BTeT on nickel foam (NF) effectively facilitates rapid electron/ion diffusion pathways. Therefore, BTeT was considered an excellent choice for energy storage applications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: The literature on factors predisposing to meniscal tears in the paediatric population focuses on concomitant injuries such as anterior cruciate ligament rupture (ACL) or abnormal meniscus morphology such as discoid menisci. Patella alta has been associated with ACL ruptures but its association with meniscal tears has not been described. The purpose of our study was to evaluate whether abnormal patella height is associated with isolated meniscus tears in skeletally immature patients Methods: We retrospectively analysed all patients under 16 years of age who had an isolated meniscal tear diagnosis confirmed on arthroscopic surgery. We examined data on demographics, meniscal morphology and patella height using the Insall-Salvati and Caton-Dechamp ratios. We compared the incidence of meniscal tears to a literature derived sex and age matched asymptomatic control group with normal patella heights. Results: A total of 39 patients with an isolated meniscal tear were identified (mean age 13.2years). Patella alta was present in 16 (41%). 21 had normal meniscus morphology, and 18 had a discoid meniscus. There was a significant association between patella alta and isolated meniscal tears compared to the control group (p = 0.001). Conclusions: Our analysis is the first to demonstrate an association between abnormal patella height and the incidence of isolated meniscal tears in skeletally immature patients. Further research of knee biomechanics is required to elicit the mechanism and quantify the risk which may be used to guide prevention strategies and management of patients who wish to participate in high-risk sporting activities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]