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The increasing demands for safe and quality packaged food have diverted all the intentions toward the enhancement of hazard detection and quantification techniques. The integration of smart functions with the novel biomaterials‐based packaging provides an effective approach to deal with the uplifting concerns of food safety and environmental pollution. In the current study, firstly the cellulose was extracted from coconut waste, then it was subjected to prepare biodegradable films and lastly the films were incorporated with curcumin or quercetin dihydrate. The films were characterized for their mechanical, barrier and smart properties. The incorporation of curcumin or quercetin dihydrate improved the physicochemical properties of the cellulose films, including strength, elongation at break (EAB), water vapor permeability (WVP), biodegradability, antioxidant and antimicrobial activity. However, the moisture content and water solubility decreased. The scanning electron microscopy (SEM) images depicted the rough surface of curcumin incorporated smart films which represents successful application of curcumin, while cracks and pits were observed for the films with the higher concentration of quercetin dihydrate. All the smart films showed effective responses against pH ranging from 2 to 14. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The ID10 beamline of the SESAME (Synchrotron‐light for Experimental Science and Applications in the Middle East) synchrotron light source in Jordan was inaugurated in June 2023 and is now open to scientific users. The beamline, which was designed and installed within the European Horizon 2020 project BEAmline for Tomography at SESAME (BEATS), provides full‐field X‐ray radiography and microtomography imaging with monochromatic or polychromatic X‐rays up to photon energies of 100 keV. The photon source generated by a 2.9 T wavelength shifter with variable gap, and a double‐multilayer monochromator system allow versatile application for experiments requiring either an X‐ray beam with high intensity and flux, and/or a partially spatial coherent beam for phase‐contrast applications. Sample manipulation and X‐ray detection systems are designed to allow scanning samples with different size, weight and material, providing image voxel sizes from 13 µm down to 0.33 µm. A state‐of‐the‐art computing infrastructure for data collection, three‐dimensional (3D) image reconstruction and data analysis allows the visualization and exploration of results online within a few seconds from the completion of a scan. Insights from 3D X‐ray imaging are key to the investigation of specimens from archaeology and cultural heritage, biology and health sciences, materials science and engineering, earth, environmental sciences and more. Microtomography scans and preliminary results obtained at the beamline demonstrate that the new beamline ID10‐BEATS expands significantly the range of scientific applications that can be targeted at SESAME. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

BACKGROUND: The brown planthopper (BPH), Nilaparvata lugens, is one of the most destructive pests of rice. Owing to the rapid adaptation of BPH to many pesticides and resistant varieties, identifying putative gene targets for developing RNA interference (RNAi)‐based pest management strategies has received much attention for this pest. The glucoprotein papilin is the most abundant component in the basement membranes of many organisms, and its function is closely linked to development. RESULTS: In this study, we identified a papilin homologous gene in BPH (NlPpn). Quantitative Real‐time PCR analysis showed that the transcript of NlPpn was highly accumulated in the egg stage. RNAi of NlPpn in newly emerged BPH females caused nonhatching phenotypes of their eggs, which may be a consequence of the maldevelopment of their embryos. Moreover, the transcriptomic analysis identified 583 differentially expressed genes between eggs from the dsGFP‐ and dsNlPpn‐treated insects. Among them, the 'structural constituent of cuticle' cluster ranked first among the top 15 enriched GO terms. Consistently, ultrastructural analysis unveiled that dsNlPpn‐treated eggs displayed a discrete and distorted serosal endocuticle lamellar structure. Furthermore, the hatchability of BPH eggs was also successfully reduced by the topical application of NlPpn‐dsRNA‐layered double hydroxide nanosheets onto the adults. CONCLUSION: Our findings demonstrate that NlPpn is essential to maintaining the regular structure of the serosal cuticle and the embryonic development in BPH, indicating NlPpn could be a potential target for pest control during the egg stage. © 2024 Society of Chemical Industry. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The current study was aimed to synthesize piperazine‐based bis‐Schiff base derivatives (1–15) and were also screened in vitro for their inhibition against urease enzyme under the positive control of thiourea drug (IC50 value of 36.40±2.35 μM). Among the tested analogs, the maximum potency was shown by analog 2 with the lowest IC50 value of 2.10±1.10 μM, whereas the minimum activity was demonstrated by the scaffold 5 having an IC50 value of 49.60±6.10 μM. The experimental results of urease activity prompted us to investigate and propose a possible mechanism of how actives analogs of piperazine derivatives will interacts with the catalytic sites of targeted urease enzymes. For this purpose, molecular docking with Auto Dock Vina gave us an insight into the binding interactions of the active compounds to different amino acid residues of the targeted urease enzyme. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Membrane wetting caused by substances in the feed solution with low surface tension has posed serious issues for membrane distillation (MD). Omniphobic membranes could be helpful when dealing with this problem because they strongly repel liquids with a wide range of surface tensions. We fabricated electrospun omniphobic membranes containing PVDF‐TEOS‐PFDTMS, PVDF‐HFP‐TMOS‐PFDTMS, and PVDF‐HFP‐TEOS‐PFDTMS. All electrospun membranes have shown contact angles >90°, but the electrospun membrane containing PVDF‐HFP‐TEOS‐PFDTMS has shown super repellence with a contact angle >150° and maintains stable salt rejection and water flux in direct contact MD processes in the presence of sodium dodecyl sulfate surfactant (up to 0.3 mM). Furthermore, the morphology and crystallinity of the electrospun membranes were studied by scanning electron microscopy and Fourier‐transform infrared spectroscopy, and the percentage composition of elements was analyzed by x‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy. liquid entry pressure, mechanical strength, and the porosity of the electrospun omniphobic membranes were also studied. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Precision agriculture (PA) has great potential to increase agricultural productivity and profitability while reducing input costs and environmental impacts. Within PA, site‐specific crop management (SSCM) is considered the main premise, in which tillage operations and precise crop inputs (such as seed, fertiliser, water, pesticide and agrochemical) are applied according to field variability. The main aim of this review was to highlight the methods and tools used for spatial crop monitoring, soil and weather data influencing crop productivity and to support the adoption of SSCM technology. To achieve this goal: we discussed the main five components of SSCM, methods for monitoring crop and soil data, delineating field management zones (FMZs) and variable rate technologies (VRT) such as precision planting and digital smart sensors used for SSCM application. The review summarised that recent advances in plant and soil sensing systems, artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning should be used in retrieving and analysing GIS big data for optimised crop inputs supply. Within VRT, light‐bar systems, automatic controllers and sensors are user‐friendly technologies that should be employed in SSCM solution. The authors highlight that adoption of PA can be increased through proper training and education of the farmers, and developing simple, affordable and efficient PA technologies. The review suggests five criteria that should be strictly adopted to get maximum benefits from SSCM: (i) all factors influencing crop yields can be identified; (ii) their effects on crop yields can be determined by using appropriate digital tools and crop modelling; (iii) variable rate crop inputs (VRCIs) should be calculated based on accurate information obtained from plant, soil and environment; (iv) targeted crop inputs should be exercised through global positioning system (GPS) enabled automatic controllers or wireless sensors network (WSN); and (v) right doses of crop inputs (e.g., nitrogen and irrigation) must be applied at the right time and place. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The current paper presents an innovative form of the cold‐formed U‐shape steel encasing concrete composite beam (CUCB). The suggested CUCB consists of a cold‐formed U‐shaped steel encasing plain concrete beam which are connected to each other using continuous transversal threaded stud bolts. The experimental program consisted of eight beam specimens tested in the four‐point bending set‐up. One of them was a normal reinforced concrete beam and considered as a reference specimen while the remaining specimens were CUCB specimens without ordinary flexural and shear reinforcement. Four parameters were studied in this paper: (i) the thickness of the U‐shaped steel, (ii) the spacing between the stud bolts, (iii) the arrangement of the bolts, and (iv) the number of the bolt's rows. Results indicated an overall improvement in the load‐carrying capacity and stiffness of most CUCB specimens in comparison with the reference specimen. It was found that the using of three rows of bolts can significantly improve the ductility and toughness of the CUCB specimen in comparison with two rows of bolts. On the contrary, an increase in the bolt spacing entails a decrease in the CUCB specimens' toughness. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Biodegradable polymers are pivotal in tissue engineering, facilitating long‐term tissue reintegration and reducing the necessity for surgery. However, collagen, a crucial component of the extracellular matrix, encountered challenges due to its limited mechanical strength and rapid in‐vivo degradation. This study addresses these issues through crosslinking and functionalizing collagen with synthetic 4‐arm amine‐terminated polyethylene glycol (PEG) in a semi‐interpenetrating network (IPN) hydrogel. The first goal is to enhance resistance to hydrolysis, thus extending the biodegradation rate. Then, to explore its electrical conductivity properties for certain applications like neural tissue regeneration. The hydrogels were fabricated using sequential IPN formation synthesis where their structural stability and type of degradation by‐products were confirmed using Fourier‐transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), Raman spectroscopy, scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR). Next, its mechanical and degradation properties investigations exhibit a 92% enhancement in hardness and a 90% retainment of its initial mass over time under physiological conditions. Additionally, the introduction of polypyrrole (PPy) via in‐situ polymerization increases its electrical conductivity, achieving a remarkable 104‐fold increase at a 0.75 M concentration, attributed to the interconnectivity of PPy chain networks within the three‐dimensional structure of IPN collagen/PEG hydrogel. The increased PPy concentration improves conductivity and reduces energy requirements for redox reactions, ensuring electrochemical stability as revealed by cyclic voltammetry analysis. The demonstrated structural and electrochemical stability of the semi‐IPN collagen/PEG/PPy hydrogel within a physiological environment through a facile sequential crosslinking method underscores its promising practical applications in enhancing clinical effectiveness. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Green products result from innovations aimed at designing products that cause less environmental harm, but they often come at a higher cost or are perceived as less effective. Therefore, there is a need to highlight the consumption values that trigger green product purchases. In our study, we conceptualize the consumer values, including social, conditional, and knowledge value, and investigate their effect on the green product purchase behavior among consumers in two developed countries. Our main contribution is that aside from looking at the direct impact of consumption values on purchasing behavior, we examine the mediating role of contextual factors that may strengthen or weaken this relationship. We consider the mediators such as environmental and health concerns, functional value, and social pressures. We compare how the mechanism underlying the interaction between consumption and green choices differs in masculine (USA) and feminine (Finland) countries. Our findings underscore the importance of integrating social and knowledge values into marketing strategies to foster green product adoption. Businesses should leverage advertising themes that resonate with customers' desire for social belonging and self‐improvement. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Interspecific competition is an important factor in the population dynamics and geographical distribution of insect populations. Fall armyworm (FAW), Spodoptera frugiperda, an invasive species, and the Asian corn borer (ACB), Ostrinia furnacalis, a native pest species are major pests on maize in China, posing a threat to maize yield and grain quality. A series of laboratory, greenhouse, and field experiments were conducted to elucidate the competitive interactions between FAW and ACB. In the laboratory experiments, FAW exhibited aggressive behaviors more frequently when compared with ACB, while the latter species exhibited defense behaviors more frequently. Higher intraspecific competition was recorded in the FAW conspecific rather than in ACB, particularly in the 6th larval stage. FAW had a higher interspecific competitive advantage through intraguild predation over ACB, resulting in partial or complete displacement ACB when initially the ratio of the 2 species was 1 : 1. The interspecific competition also had significantly influenced on the population parameters, defensive enzymes, and nutrient of these 2 species. Competitive interaction proved that the response of superoxide, catalase, and soluble protein in FAW were significantly increased, whereas the total sugar content in both species was substantially decreased. Survival rate, and the plant damage that co‐infested by both species varied significantly among the sequential combinations under greenhouse and field conditions. FAW consistently exhibited stronger intraspecific aggression than ACB under laboratory and field conditions when co‐existing on the same feeding guild. These findings contribute to efforts toward the improvement of integrated pest management programs for FAW, in decision making for invasive and native pests' management strategies to reduce the high risks of FAW and ACB outbreaks. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

2D materials and their heterostructures exhibit considerable potential in the development of avalanche photodetectors (APDs) with high gain, response, and signal‐to‐noise ratio. These materials hold promise in addressing inherent technical challenges associated with APDs, such as low light absorption coefficient, elevated noise current, and substantial power consumption due to high bias resulting in only moderate current gain. In this work, a macro‐assembled graphene nanofilm (nMAG)/epitaxial silicon (epi‐Si) vertical heterostructure photodetector with a responsivity of 0.38 A W−1 and a response time of 1.4 µs is reported. The photodetectors use high‐quality nMAG as the absorption layer and a lightly‐doped epi‐Si layer as the multiplication region under the avalanche mode to provide a high responsivity (2.51 mA W−1) and detectivity (2.67 × 109 Jones) at 1550 nm, which can achieve high‐resolution imaging. In addition, the APD displays a weak noise level and an avalanche gain of M = 1123. It can work with relatively low avalanche turn‐on voltages and achieve self‐quenching by switching from illumination to dark during avalanche multiplication, with a real‐time data transfer rate of 38 Mbps in near‐infrared light communication data links. The proposed structure enables the fabrication of high‐performance APDs in the infrared range using complementary‐metal‐oxide‐semiconductor (CMOS)‐compatible processes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Control charts are widely used in the manufacturing and service sectors to track, regulate, and enhance process output. A manufacturing industry desires to utilize a control chart that has an effective structure and is sensitive to detect infrequent variations in the process. Generally, control charts are developed with the presumption that the understudy quality variable is normally distributed. In actual application, many processes have skewed distributions. The purpose of this study is to use the moving average (MA) charts to track the dispersion of a log‐normal distribution. The design of the proposals is developed and the performance is assessed by run‐length properties. The cumulative distributions of run‐length under in‐control and out‐of‐control are provided to have a broad view of the performance. The simulation findings show that when the value of the log‐normal dispersion parameter is large, the proposed chart is more sensitive to the changes in the dispersion. Additionally, an industrial application is given to illustrate the suggested charts in this research. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Abortion in ewes causes high economic losses and represents a threat for human health due to abortive zoonotic pathogens. Objective: The present study aimed to assess the knowledge, attitudes and practices (KAP) among sheep owners in the northern Tunisia regarding ewes' abortions. Methods: Between February 2021 and May 2022, a structured questionnaire containing both close and open‐ended questions was applied to 120 sheep owners in northern Tunisia. The data collected were analysed by chi‐square test using Epi info 6 software. Results: The majority (75%) of participants reported a history of abortion in their sheep flocks. Sheep owners thought that the most frequent cause of abortion was physical factors, such as trauma, climate and stress (60% ± 5.5%; 48/80), followed by toxicity (15% ± 4%; 12/80), metabolic and nutritional conditions (12.5% ± 3.7%; 10/80), vaccination (5% ± 2.4%; 4/80) and infectious causes (7.5% ± 2.9%; 6/80) (p < 0.001). The majority of animal owners reported that abortions occurred mainly during autumn (39.6% ± 5%; 38/96), followed by summer (27% ± 4.5%; 26/96), winter (23% ± 4.3%; 22/96) and spring (10.4% ± 3.1%; 10/96) (p < 0.001). Approximately, half (45.8% ± 5%; 55/120) of interviewed farmers would not take any action if an abortion occurred. Half of the interviewed farmers (50.5% ± 5.1%; 48/95) did not apply any preventive measures when manipulating aborted ewes, and most of the sheep owners (77.3% ± 3.8%; 92/119) did not know that aborted ewes could transmit zoonotic pathogens. Conclusions: Our survey concluded that sheep owners in Northern Tunisia had poor knowledge and attitudes as well as applied limited actions concerning several health aspects related to abortion. Education programmes should be established in order to improve Tunisian sheep owners' KAP regarding abortion. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Alzheimer's disease is the fastest‐growing neurodegenerative disease that affects over six million Americans. The abnormal aggregation of amyloid β peptide and Tau protein is the expected molecular cause of the loss of neurons in brains of AD patients. A growing body of evidence indicates that lipids can alter the aggregation rate of amyloid β peptide and modify the toxicity of amyloid β aggregates. However, the role of lipids in Tau aggregation remains unclear. In this study, we utilized a set of biophysical methods to determine the extent to which phospatidylserine (PS) altered the aggregation properties of Tau isoforms with one (1N4R) and two (2N4R) N terminal inserts that enhance the binding of Tau to tubulin. We found that the length and saturation of fatty acids (FAs) in PS altered the aggregation rate of 2N4R isoform, while no changes in the aggregation rate of 1N4R were observed. These results indicate that N terminal inserts play an important role in protein–lipid interactions. We also found that PS could change the toxicity of 1N4R and 2N4R Tau fibrils, as well as alter molecular mechanisms by which these aggregates exert cytotoxicity to neurons. Finally, we found that although Tau fibrils formed in the presence and absence of PS endocytosed by cells, only fibril species that were formed in the presence of PS exert strong impairment of the cell mitochondria. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Foot problems are very common in rheumatoid arthritis (RA). Podiatric intervention through therapeutic education of RA patients on the different potential foot problems could improve patients' knowledge and management of their foot problems. This study aimed to evaluate the knowledge of RA patients on podiatric problems related to their illness and foot care practices. Methods: This was a cross‐sectional study including patients diagnosed with RA and aged older than 18 years. Sociodemographic data, disease characteristics, and therapeutic data were collected. RA foot problems knowledge and foot care practice were assessed using a questionnaire combining questions developed from the literature search and a pretested validated questionnaire. Results: Overall, 103 patients were included of whom 94 were female. The mean age was 56 years (±10 years) and the mean disease duration was 15 years (±10 years). Over 77% of patients reported never having received foot‐health‐related education. With regard to their knowledge about RA foot involvement, patients were aware that RA can affect the feet similarly to the hands (83%), lead to deformation of the foot (86%), lead to walking difficulties and falling (68%), and produce skin lesions of the foot (31%). Regarding participant's knowledge of appropriate footwear, 65% agreed that it would be beneficial to wear quality standard sports shoes. However, less than one‐third of patients know the podiatrist's skills. Conclusion: Our study showed an awareness of the repercussions of RA on feet but a lack of knowledge on proper foot care, thus identifying a need for foot health therapeutic education. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The current study was planned to provide nutrient dense carbonated beverage fortified with chamomile herbal extract that was rich in healthy nutrients and best to use. Infusion method was used to prepare chamomile herbal extract. After adding flavor and sugar syrup, carbonation was done. Different treatments were prepared (T0, T1, T2, T3, T4, and T5). The antioxidant potential, physiochemical properties, and sensory attributes of beverage were assessed. Results showed that addition of chamomile enhanced the antioxidant and physiochemical properties of beverage. The DPPH activity, total phenolic content, and total flavonoid content were observed as 49.23 ± 0.03 (%), 136.92 ± 0.06 (mg GAE/L), and 1989.47 ± 0.07 (mg QE/L), respectively, among T5 with 12% of chamomile extract. Moreover, the acidity increases from T0 to T5 (0.191 ± 0.01 to 0.220 ± 0.01). Furthermore, the overall acceptability of T4 was highest among sensory attributes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Rapid economic growth, intense competition, and rising environmental concerns are compelling businesses to attain sustainable performance and preserve long‐run interests. Considering the lack of EO in small and medium enterprises (SMEs) in the emerging context of Pakistan, the present study investigates the impact of entrepreneurial orientation (EO) on sustainable business performance (economic, environmental, and social) by drawing perspective from dynamic capabilities and resource‐based views. The mediating role of innovation capabilities between EO‐sustainable performance and the moderating effect of technology dynamism on the EO‐innovation capabilities link is also examined. Data from 408 Pakistani SMEs was analyzed using the structural equation modeling. The findings reveal a direct positive influence of EO on sustainable performance. Furthermore, innovation capabilities are found to mediate the EO‐sustainable performance relationship, while technology dynamism positively moderates the EO‐innovation capabilities link. These results emphasize the importance of aligning EO with innovation capabilities to adapt to technological changes in the industrial regime. The theoretical contributions emphasize the importance of promoting EO‐innovation capabilities. Practical contributions imply that entrepreneurs should create an enabling environment that fosters innovation capabilities within SMEs to enhance sustainable performance, especially in resource‐constrained emerging settings. The study also offers researchers a foundation for further investigations in this area. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper aims to investigate how external debt influences selected socio-economic variables in a sample of the five biggest emerging nations of the world, i.e., the BRICS block from 1996 to 2020. The data was found to have cross-sectional dependence, which was addressed by using second-generation unit root tests of CIPS and CADF. Cross-sectional dependence was further effectively addressed using the techniques of FMOLS. The study uses the ARDL models to achieve the desired objective. Dumitrescu Hurlin's (DH) panel causality analysis was adopted to analyze the variables' causality. The study found that, in the long run, External Debt has a positive impact on Unemployment and Life Expectancy while it has a negative impact on Net National Income. The results are also consistent in the short run, except in the case of unemployment, which has been shown to reduce with an increase in the external debt component of the country. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Diabetes mellitus (DM) is a collection of metabolic disorder that is characterized by chronic hyperglycemia. Recent studies have demonstrated the crucial involvement of oxidative stress (OS) and inflammatory reactions in the development of DM. Curcumin (CUR), a natural compound derived from turmeric, exerts beneficial effects on diabetes mellitus through its interaction with the nuclear factor kappa B (NF‐κB) pathway. Research indicates that CUR targets inflammatory mediators in diabetes, including tumor necrosis factor α (TNF‐α) and interleukin‐6 (IL‐6), by modulating the NF‐κB signaling pathway. By reducing the expression of these inflammatory factors, CUR demonstrates protective effects in DM by improving pancreatic β‐cells function, normalizing inflammatory cytokines, reducing OS and enhancing insulin sensitivity. The findings reveal that CUR administration effectively lowered blood glucose elevation, reinstated diminished serum insulin levels, and enhanced body weight in Streptozotocin ‐induced diabetic rats. CUR exerts its beneficial effects in management of diabetic complications through regulation of signaling pathways, such as calcium–calmodulin (CaM)‐dependent protein kinase II (CaMKII), peroxisome proliferator‐activated receptor gamma (PPAR‐γ), NF‐κB, and transforming growth factor β1 (TGFB1). Moreover, CUR reversed the heightened expression of inflammatory cytokines (TNF‐α, Interleukin‐1 beta (IL‐1β), IL‐6) and chemokines like MCP‐1 in diabetic specimens, vindicating its anti‐inflammatory potency in counteracting hyperglycemia‐induced alterations. CUR diminishes OS, avert structural kidney damage linked to diabetic nephropathy, and suppress NF‐κB activity. Furthermore, CUR exhibited a protective effect against diabetic cardiomyopathy, lung injury, and diabetic gastroparesis. Conclusively, the study posits that CUR could potentially offer therapeutic benefits in relieving diabetic complications through its influence on the NF‐κB pathway. Significance statement: This study explores the role of cellular and molecular elements, such as hyperglycemia‐induced oxidative stress, endothelial dysfunction, and the involvement of the NF‐κB pathway in inflammation and immune regulation in the onset of diabetes mellitus. It extensively investigates the potential therapeutic benefits of curcumin (CUR), a bioactive compound known for its antioxidant, anti‐inflammatory, and hypoglycemic properties, in addressing diabetic complications, predominantly via the modulation of the NF‐κB pathway. The study highlights the importance of the NF‐κB pathway as a molecular target for CUR in the treatment of diabetes mellitus, focusing on oxidative stress and inflammation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: This study investigates how congenital heart diseases (CHD) characteristics and interventions affect cognitive and verbal skills in Arab children, while also uncovering previously unexplored connections between these skills and the quality of life (QoL) scores as perceived by both children and parents. Methods: A cross‐sectional study was conducted in Jordan, involving 62 children with CHD aged 6–16. Data were collected through standardized intelligence tests (namely The Raven's Progressive Matrices Test and The Wechsler Intelligence Scale for Children) and QoL assessments. Results: Sex, disease severity, cyanosis, CHD defect status, conducted operations, and types of interventions did not significantly influence cognitive scores. However, a significant difference was observed in Wechsler's scores between cyanotic and non‐cyanotic children (p <.01) and between severe and moderate cases (p =.01). Further, a significant positive correlation was identified between Wechsler's Scores and QoL reported by parents (r = 0.33, p <.01). This correlation was particularly pronounced in the social and school functioning dimensions of QoL. Conclusions: This study highlights the need for personalized care approaches for children with CHDs based on their individual characteristics. While cognitive abilities did not directly correlate with children's QoL reports, a significant positive correlation between verbal skills and QoL reported by parents underscores the importance of effective communication in assessing a child's overall well‐being. Future research should further examine the cognitive development in this population, employing neurocognitive investigations and longitudinal studies to gain a deeper understanding of their cognitive profiles and trajectories. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Cyclization of substituted thiosemicarbazones with 3‐bromo‐1,1,1‐trifluoroacetone affords new 2‐(arylidenehydrazinyl)‐4‐trifluoromethylthiazoles (3 a–m, 13 examples, 71–89 %). These compounds were synthesized in two steps and characterized using 1H‐, 13C‐NMR, FTIR spectroscopy, and HRMS. All of these compounds show potent activity against both Escherichia coli (E. coli) and Klebsiella pneumonia (K. pneumonia) bacterial strains. The compounds 2‐(2‐(1‐(4‐fluorophenyl)ethylidene)hydrazinyl)‐4(trifluoromethyl)thiazole (3 b), 2‐(2‐(2‐hydroxy‐3‐methylbenzylidene)hydrazinyl)‐4‐(trifluoromethyl)thiazole (3 c), and 2‐(2‐(3‐fluorobenzylidene)hydrazinyl)‐4‐(trifluoromethyl)thiazole (3 k) show optimal minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) values of 16 μg/mL against E. coli and (32, 32, and 8 μg/ml) against K. pneumonia, respectively. Using a qRT‐PCR technique the gene expression of two different genes (FLU and mexB) was determined. Most of these compounds (3 a, d–j, l, m) exhibited downregulation of these genes for both types of bacteria, whereas the gene expressions were unaffected after treating 3 b, 3 c and 3 k. This means that although these compounds were able to inhibit bacterial growth, they did not target the FLU and mexB genes in both types of bacteria. These findings suggest further investigations for lead optimization could provide viable antibiotics due to their structural similarity with some commercially available antibiotics. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Environmental success can only become a reality when the financial goals of firms are not compromised. Based on this proposition, the study aimed to investigate four relationships, including the effect of corporate social responsibility (CSR) on financial performance, mediation of green dynamic capabilities (GDCs) between CSR and green innovation (GI), mediation of GI between CSR and financial performance, and moderation of perceived environmental volatility in GI and financial performance nexus. A sample of 655 manufacturing firms was collected from Pakistan to test the proposed hypotheses, and structural equation modeling was conducted. The results demonstrate a positive significant influence of CSR on financial performance. In addition, the mediation of GDCs and GI has also been confirmed. Furthermore, the results demonstrate that high environmental volatility weakens the GI and financial performance nexus. The study results offer unique contributions to the literature and interesting suggestions for practicing emerging economy managers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The focus of this study is on modeling and management of a Wind Energy Conversion System (WECS) based on a Hybrid Excitation Synchronous Generator (HESG). Using a wind simulator, two controllers, CRONE and H∞, are evaluated for Maximum Power Point Tracking (MPPT) and optimal rotation speed. The results show the CRONE controller's higher tracking capability, and robustness tests investigate the influence of parametric uncertainty. Space harmonic effects, commutation effects, and turbine shaft flexibility are all addressed in the sophisticated models. The introduction of Fractional Order Proportional‐Integral (FOPI) control for MPPT is a game changer. Although fractional calculus‐based accuracy and robustness are uncommon in WECS, they show promise for emissions reduction and increased energy efficiency. This work validates a dependable control approach inside an isolated HESG‐based WECS's power‐maximizing range. Extensive investigation of the parameters impacting FOPI control efficiency yields useful insights for effective MPPT control. A variable‐speed wind turbine (WT) is linked to a HESG through a multiplier, with a controller controlling generator coil excitation voltages and a rectifier connecting the WECS to a load. A thorough 3 kW HESG electrical model that includes generator space harmonics and converter commutation effects is among the contributions. For HESG‐based WECS stability, frequency analysis finds important resonant and anti‐resonant frequencies. These issues are addressed by a FOPI control technique, which ensures system stability and performance. The necessity of exact frequency analysis in HESG‐based WECS is highlighted by a step‐by‐step controller parameter tuning approach. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Balloon cell melanoma (BCM) is an exceptionally uncommon histological variant, making up <1% of all malignant melanomas. Diagnosing balloon cell melanoma on cytological specimens can be challenging due to its scarcity and its similarity to other medical conditions. A comprehensive clinical assessment and histological analysis, coupled with immunohistochemical staining, play a crucial role in distinguishing balloon cell melanoma from various benign and malignant skin conditions. The differential diagnoses encompass spitz nevus, balloon cell nevus, clear cell sarcoma of tendons and aponeuroses (melanoma of soft tissues), metastatic clear cell renal cell carcinoma, sebaceous carcinoma, and benign adnexal tumours like clear cell hidradenoma. Malignant melanoma encompasses a spectrum of histopathological subtypes, each with unique clinical and cytological characteristics. Notably, balloon‐cell melanoma (BCM) emerges as an exceptionally rare and diagnostically challenging variant. Marked by the presence of distinct balloon‐like, clear cytoplasmic vacuoles within melanoma cells, BCM stands apart from other melanoma subtypes. Despite its rarity, the distinctive cytological features of BCM make it a compelling subject of investigation, emphasizing the crucial role of Fine Needle Aspiration (FNA) cytology in ensuring accurate diagnosis and guiding subsequent management decisions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Cancer cells re-program normal lung endothelial cells (EC) into tumor-associated endothelial cells (TEC) that form leaky vessels supporting carcinogenesis. Transcriptional regulators that control the reprogramming of EC into TEC are poorly understood. We identified Forkhead box F1 (FOXF1) as a critical regulator of EC-to-TEC transition. FOXF1 was highly expressed in normal lung vasculature but was decreased in TEC within non-small cell lung cancers (NSCLC). Low FOXF1 correlated with poor overall survival of NSCLC patients. In mice, endothelial-specific deletion of FOXF1 decreased pericyte coverage, increased vessel permeability and hypoxia, and promoted lung tumor growth and metastasis. Endothelial-specific overexpression of FOXF1 normalized tumor vessels and inhibited the progression of lung cancer. FOXF1 deficiency decreased Wnt/β-catenin signaling in TECs through direct transcriptional activation of Fzd4. Restoring FZD4 expression in FOXF1-deficient TECs through endothelial-specific nanoparticle delivery of Fzd4 cDNA rescued Wnt/β-catenin signaling in TECs, normalized tumor vessels and inhibited the progression of lung cancer. Altogether, FOXF1 increases tumor vessel stability, and inhibits lung cancer progression by stimulating FZD4/Wnt/β-catenin signaling in TECs. Nanoparticle delivery of FZD4 cDNA has promise for future therapies in NSCLC. Synopsis: Angiogenesis supports tumor growth. Current antiangiogenic therapies have not significantly improved survival; there is a critical need for new approaches. Mechanisms that regulate transition from normal to tumor-associated endothelial cells and drive pathological angiogenesis are poorly understood. FOXF1 is decreased in tumor-associated endothelial cells of NSCLC patients and mouse model of lung cancer. Genetic deletion of FOXF1 gene from endothelial cells increases lung tumor growth and metastasis, whereas transgenic over-expression of FOXF1 decreases lung tumor growth and metastasis. FOXF1-deficient tumor-associated vasculature is structurally and functionally abnormal. Loss of FOXF1 decreases Wnt/β-catenin signaling in endothelial cells through direct transcriptional activation of Fzd4. Endothelial-specific nanoparticle delivery of FZD4 cDNA normalizes tumor vessels and inhibits lung cancer progression. Angiogenesis supports tumor growth. Current antiangiogenic therapies have not significantly improved survival; there is a critical need for new approaches. Mechanisms that regulate transition from normal to tumor-associated endothelial cells and drive pathological angiogenesis are poorly understood. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The highly contagious SARS‐CoV‐2 virus, which initiated the COVID‐19 pandemic, has resulted in a significant loss of life worldwide. While vaccines and therapeutics have helped mitigate the impact of SARS‐CoV‐2, worries still persist regarding the emergence of Variants of Concern (VOCs). Additionally, the immunosuppressive effects of SARS‐CoV‐2 and steroid treatments increase susceptibility to complex fungal co–infections (e. g., aspergillosis and candidiasis), complicating treatment and escalating mortality rates. These circumstances highlight the urgent need for novel therapeutics. Thus, this study explores gentisyl alcohol and its derivatives as inhibitors of SARS‐CoV‐2 and fungal pathogens (Aspergillus fumigatus and Candida auris) via in‐silico methodologies. Initial multi–targeted docking simulations revealed that Terrestrol A(10) exhibited highly promising results, displaying the most favourable MolDock‐scores against all targets of interest, particularly against PDB ID 4K90 and 7CR5. The subsequent assessment of Terrestrol A(10) for their druglikeness, ADME, toxicity profiling, bioactivity, and PASS prediction also yielded highly favourable results. Structural dynamics analysis revealed stable yet slightly unfolding complexes, affirming their integrity. DFT studies also demonstrated favourable reactivity of Terrestrol A(10). This investigation identifies Terrestrol A(10) as a highly promising inhibitor against SARS‐CoV‐2 and fungal pathogens, laying the groundwork for in vitro and in vivo validation of its efficacy and clinical utility. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To identify small‐to‐moderate shifts (also known as outliers and anomalies) in the process parameters (location and/or dispersion), the classical cumulative sum (CUSUM) and exponential weighted moving average (EWMA) control charts are famous. The traditional CUSUM control chart is less capable to detect out‐of‐control signals of ±$ \pm $1.0 standard deviation shifts. The advanced versions of the traditional CUSUM and EWMA control charts are ACUSUM (adaptive CUSUM) and AEWMA (adaptive EWMA) control charts, respectively. The aforementioned issue of the traditional CUSUM control chart can be addressed through the ACSUUM control chart. It also identifies various sizes of shifts in the process parameters. In order to efficiently identify and remove outliers and anomalies (i.e., shifts) from datasets, the score functions are typically used to establish ACUSUM control charts. The goal of the study is to propose a new ACUSUM control chart based on the Hampel (score) function and it is symbolized as ACUSUMHampel${\mathrm{ACUSU}}{{\mathrm{M}}_{{\mathrm{Hampel}}}}$ control chart. Different sizes of shift in the process location parameter can be distinguished using the ACUSUMHampel${\mathrm{ACUSU}}{{\mathrm{M}}_{{\mathrm{Hampel}}}}$ control chart. The primary novelty is the substitution of a proposed time‐varying parameter for the typical CUSUM control chart's prioritization of the process characteristic by appropriate weights. The proposed ACUSUMHampel${\mathrm{ACUSU}}{{\mathrm{M}}_{{\mathrm{Hampel}}}}$ control chart's run length feature is obtained through the Monte Carlo simulation technique for zero‐state and steady‐states. For evaluating a single shift, performance measures like average run length (ARL), standard deviation of run length (RL), and different percentiles of run length are preferred. However, for evaluating a range of shifts, extra quadratic loss, relative average run length, and performance comparison index are used. Comparison based on performance measures shows the superiority of the proposed ACUSUMHampel${\mathrm{ACUSU}}{{\mathrm{M}}_{{\mathrm{Hampel}}}}$ control chart against the classical CUSUM and EWMA, ACUSUM, AEWMA, mixed EWMA‐CUSUM, and mixed CUSUM‐EWMA control charts. Furthermore, the proposed ACUSUMHampel${\mathrm{ACUSU}}{{\mathrm{M}}_{{\mathrm{Hampel}}}}$ control chart is also implemented with real‐life data which is taken from cost of medical insurance to demonstrate its competency in statistical process control field for quality engineers, practitioners, experts, and researchers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper delves into the intricate world of whispering gallery mode (WGM) resonators within complex microsphere configurations, exploring their optical properties and behavior. Integrated with optical sensing and processing technology, WGM resonators offer compact size, high sensitivity, rapid response, and tunability. The study investigates the impact of configuration, size, excitation, polarization, and coupling effects on WGM properties. Notable findings include enhanced sensitivity in single microsphere resonators, influence of unequal sphere sizes and excitation locations on WGM modes, and higher quality factors (Q‐factors) in triangular three‐microsphere resonator configurations. Circular polarization was found to elevate Q‐factors, while the nine‐microsphere resonator configuration exhibited increased intensity of dominant WGM peaks with higher laser power, suppressing other peaks. These insights guide the design and optimization of microsphere resonator systems, positioning them for applications in sensing and optical information processing. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background and Aim: Though emergency medical services (EMS) respond to all types of emergency calls, they do not always result in the patient being transported to the hospital. This study aimed to explore the determinants influencing emergency call‐response‐based conveyance decisions in a Middle Eastern ambulance service. Methods: This retrospective quantitative analysis of 93,712 emergency calls to the Hamad Medical Corporation Ambulance Service (HMCAS) between January 1 and May 31, 2023, obtained from the HMCAS electronic system, was analyzed to determine pertinent variables. Sociodemographic, emergency dispatch‐related, clinical, and miscellaneous predictors were analyzed. Descriptive, bivariate, ridge logistic regression, and combination analyses were evaluated. Results: 23.95% (N = 21,194) and 76.05% (N = 67,285) resulted in patient nontransport and transportation, respectively. Sociodemographic analysis revealed that males predominantly activated EMS resources, and 60% of males (n = 12,687) were not transported, whilst 65% of females (n = 44,053) were transported. South Asians represented a significant proportion of the transported patients (36%, n = 24,007). "Home" emerged as the primary emergency location (56%, n = 37,725). Bivariate analysis revealed significant associations across several variables, though multicollinearity was identified as a challenge. Ridge regression analysis underscored the role of certain predictors, such as missing provisional diagnoses, in transportation decisions. The upset plot shows that hypertension and diabetes mellitus were the most common combinations in both groups. Conclusions: This study highlights the nuanced complexities governing conveyance decisions. By unveiling patterns such as male predominance, which reflects Qatar's expatriate population, and specific temporal EMS activity peaks, this study accentuates the importance of holistic patient assessment that transcends medical histories. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background and Aims: Perinatal grief have a significant influence on maternal mental health, hence appropriate tools for assessment are necessary. In this study, we translated and validated the Perinatal Grief Scale in Urdu (PGS‐Urdu) for use in Pakistan, therefore filling the gap in validated tools. Methods: Data was collected from 165 women using consecutive sampling. Initially, "forward/backward" translation was used. For validity, content validity index and confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) were used respectively, and "Cronbach's‐Alpha" for reliability. In the validity stage, items 8, 11, 23, and 32 of the original scale were eliminated based on feedback from the target groups and the expert panel. For data‐analysis, SPSS 26 and Amos 26 were used. Results: In analyzing the "Confirmatory factor analysis", the "all‐fitness indicators" validated the three‐factor structure of 29‐item main scale. Cronbach alpha value was 0.83 for the entire scale The CFA results showed that all fitness indicators, with the exception of four, had loadings greater than 0.20, supporting the main scale's three‐factor structure. With a Cronbach's Alpha value of 0.83 for overall reliability, and varied from 0.81 to 0.87 for the PGS‐U variables. the PGS‐U exhibits an acceptable level of internal consistency. Conclusion: The PGS‐U identifies women in perinatal grief for medical and social care. This research supports using the Urdu perinatal grief scale in obstetrics and bereavement counseling to reduce maternal mental health issues. Highlights: Perinatal grief is a major contributor to maternal mental health problems. This study translated and validated the Perinatal Grief Scale (PGS) into Urdu (PGS‐U) for use in Pakistani women with perinatal loss. The PGS‐U was found to be a reliable and valid tool for assessing perinatal grief in Pakistan. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To increase the effectiveness of both the cathodic hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) and the anodic oxygen evolution reaction (OER), significant efforts are made to produce bifunctional water‐splitting electrocatalysts. In this study, bismuth oxide/nickel oxide (Bi2O3/NiO)‐based composite is supported over the nickel foam (Bi2O3/NiO‐NF) and carbon nanotube fiber (Bi2O3/NiO‐CNTF) to develop two different electrode systems for water‐splitting studies. For OER, Bi2O3/NiO‐NF and Bi2O3/NiO‐CNTF require overpotential of 401 and 369 mV, respectively, to achieve the current density of 50 mA cm−2 in alkaline media, while the current density of 50 mA cm−2 is achieved at overpotential of 398 and 304 mV, respectively, in neutral media. For HER, Bi2O3/NiO‐NF and Bi2O3/NiO‐CNTF achieve the current density of 50 mA cm−2 at overpotential of 301 and 268 mV, respectively, in neutral media. For overall water splitting in neutral media, Bi2O3/NiO‐CNTF achieves the current density of 50 mA cm−2 at cell voltage of 1.654 V. The promising performance of synthesized electrocatalysts reveals that the mixed metal oxides (p‐block and d‐block elements)‐based electrocatalysts can be potential candidates for practical water splitting in basic (1 M KOH) as well as neutral media (1 M phosphate‐buffered saline). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This meta-analysis examines the impact of age on the efficacy and safety of chimeric antigen receptor (CAR)-T therapy in patients with relapsed or refractory B-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL). The study found that children had a higher complete remission or complete remission with incomplete hematological recovery (CR/CRi) rate compared to adults. Older patients also had lower CR/CRi rates, overall response rates, and 1-year overall survival and progression-free survival rates. The results suggest that CAR-T therapy is more beneficial for children with B-cell ALL, highlighting the need for age-adapted utilization of this therapy. [Extracted from the article]

Returned academics who have doctoral education abroad, a fast‐growing group in developing countries, are seen favorably in producing quality academic outcomes. However, academic performance and barriers are also important to learning mobility benefits and ensuring optimal outcomes motivated by the absence of research in the native context. The explanatory sequential embedded mixed‐methods study aimed to evaluate the teaching quality of returned doctorates compared with their local compatriots and explore teaching‐related challenges at public sector universities in Punjab, Pakistan. A multilevel sequential mixed‐methods sampling design was used to select 814 students and six academics from the six universities (three top and three medium‐ranked higher education institution) of central Punjab. The researchers developed two research instruments: (a) Student Evaluation of Teaching Quality Scale (SETQS) and (b) Semi‐Structured Interviews Protocol for Returnees (SSIP‐R). The psychometric properties of quantitative measure (SETQS) were ensured through factor analysis, while an expert panel review validated the qualitative measure (SSIP‐R). Inferential statistics were applied to quantitative data, while a thematic analysis technique was applied to qualitative data to find complementarity among results. The findings revealed that returnees and non‐returnees were similar in a few teaching aspects. However, returnees performed relatively better in interpersonal behavior, subject mastery, instruction, and learning resources. Teaching performance differed slightly by discipline and largely by university ranking. Further, returnees' capacity to perform was impacted by various academic challenges. Explored challenges and relevant solutions correspond to Bronfenbrenner system theory's microsystem, exosystem, and macrosystem levels. Higher education authorities and universities need to address academic challenges. In turn, this may lead to smooth, professional reintegration of the returnees into the local system, leading to enhanced teaching performance. Practitioner points: Returning academics with foreign doctoral education, a fast‐growing group in developing countries, can produce quality academic outcomes.Higher education authorities need to address the academic challenges returning foreign PhDs face.Implementing overseas mobility policies would only guarantee the intended benefits if addressing endogenous system challenges. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

SUMMARY: Plant NAC transcription factors play a crucial role in enhancing cold stress tolerance, yet the precise molecular mechanisms underlying cold stress remain elusive. In this study, we identified and characterized CaNAC035, an NAC transcription factor isolated from pepper (Capsicum annuum) leaves. We observed that the expression of the CaNAC035 gene is induced by both cold and abscisic acid (ABA) treatments, and we elucidated its positive regulatory role in cold stress tolerance. Overexpression of CaNAC035 resulted in enhanced cold stress tolerance, while knockdown of CaNAC035 significantly reduced resistance to cold stress. Additionally, we discovered that CaSnRK2.4, a SnRK2 protein, plays an essential role in cold tolerance. In this study, we demonstrated that CaSnRK2.4 physically interacts with and phosphorylates CaNAC035 both in vitro and in vivo. Moreover, the expression of two ABA biosynthesis‐related genes, CaAAO3 and CaNCED3, was significantly upregulated in the CaNAC035‐overexpressing transgenic pepper lines. Yeast one‐hybrid, Dual Luciferase, and electrophoretic mobility shift assays provided evidence that CaNAC035 binds to the promoter regions of both CaAAO3 and CaNCED3 in vivo and in vitro. Notably, treatment of transgenic pepper with 50 μm Fluridone (Flu) enhanced cold tolerance, while the exogenous application of ABA at a concentration of 10 μm noticeably reduced cold tolerance in the virus‐induced gene silencing line. Overall, our findings highlight the involvement of CaNAC035 in the cold response of pepper and provide valuable insights into the molecular mechanisms underlying cold tolerance. These results offer promising prospects for molecular breeding strategies aimed at improving cold tolerance in pepper and other crops. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

BACKGROUND: The biocontrol potential of soil microbes can reduce the extensive use of hazardous synthetic fungicides. This study was designed to find a strain of rhizobacteria indigenous to Pakistan with potential biocontrol against early blight of tomato caused by Alternaria solani and to characterize its biocontrol mechanisms. RESULTS: Among 88 strains tested for antagonism against A. solani on agar media, S27, Dt10 and 423, identified by 16S rRNA sequencing as strains of Bacillus amyloliquefaciens, B. cereus and Stenotrophomonas rhizophila, respectively, were the most inhibitory. When applied to detached tomato leaflets in Petri dish assays, the strains reduced lesion development by over 30% compared to the control. In greenhouse pot trials, the bacterial strains reduced early blight severity by over 50%. In three field trials, all three strains applied to tomato foliage slowed early blight disease progress and reduced disease severity, with B. amyloliquefaciens S27 reducing the area under the disease progress curve by up to 70%. All three strains showed protease, catalase and oxidase activities in vitro, but none produced β‐1,3‐glucanase and only B. cereus Dt10 showed slight chitinase activity. In a greenhouse experiment in which the bacteria were applied to tomato foliage prior to pathogen inoculation, bacteria‐treated leaves had higher β‐1,3‐glucanase and chitinase levels than leaves inoculated only with the pathogen, indicating priming induction of response. CONCLUSION: Three rhizobacteria strains have the potential to control early blight of tomato under Pakistan's growing conditions, with B. amyloliquefaciens S27 being the most promising candidate for commercial development. Antagonism and induction of the priming response may be mechanisms of biocontrol by the bacterial strains. © 2023 Society of Chemical Industry. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A novel configuration is studied where a doubly fed induction generator provides power to a squirrel-cage induction motor, and the speed of the motor is controlled through the rotor-side converter of the generator. Such topology could have applications in hybrid-electric propulsion and would require fewer and smaller power electronic converters than a system with an intermediate DC bus. An integrated motor/generator set model is developed to reflect the tightly connected dynamics of the combined electric machine. To simplify the derivations, a representation in complex variables is used. However, the control algorithm is based on proven field-oriented control principles for induction motors. Feedforward and feedback control algorithms of the induction motor integrated with the doubly fed induction generator are proposed, together with two methods to limit the rotor currents of the generator. Experimental data show excellent tracking performance of speed references, demonstrating the validity of the control methods proposed. Concepts are also presented for the management of a small energy storage component. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Packaging serves as a pivotal component in addressing food losses by extending the shelf life and preserving the quality of both raw and processed food products. Nevertheless, conventional plastic packaging has substantial environmental drawbacks due to its non‐biodegradable nature and the inclusion of potentially harmful chemical components. As a result, there is a global shift toward biodegradable packaging obtained from natural sources as a more environmentally friendly and sustainable alternative. In this regard, biodegradable coatings made up of natural sources are very efficient for food packaging purposes because of various significant properties. Moreover, huge amounts of food waste are produced globally, leading to environmental pollution. Utilization of this waste is crucial, with one significant application being the extraction of essential oils (EOs). These oils are incorporated into different coatings materials to enhance their functional properties for better preservation of food products. So, this review covers the potential of EOs derived from food waste materials as bioactive compounds incorporated in biodegradable coatings for enhancing the storage quality and shelf life of food products. The biodegradable coatings enriched with these EOs thereby reduce microbial spoilage, stop moisture loss and act as a barrier against gases that ultimately enhance the product's shelf life. These coatings with EOs also reduce weight loss and stabilize other parameters such as pH, colour, acidity and firmness of food commodities. Different packaging systems using waste‐derived EOs have been developed to preserve both plant and animal‐origin foods such as fruits, meat, fish, shrimp, mushrooms and cheese. Developing biodegradable packaging from natural polymers along with the incorporation of EOs from food waste is an innovative way of food preservation and waste management. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A progressive aggregation of misfolded proteins is a hallmark of numerous pathologies including diabetes Type 2, Alzheimer's disease, and Parkinson's disease. As a result, highly toxic protein aggregates, which are known as amyloid fibrils, are formed. A growing body of evidence suggests that phospholipids can uniquely alter the secondary structure and toxicity of amyloid aggregates. However, the role of phosphatidic acid (PA), a unique lipid that is responsible for cell signaling and activation of lipid‐gated ion channels, in the aggregation of amyloidogenic proteins remains unclear. In this study, we investigate the role of the length and degree of unsaturation of fatty acids (FAs) in PA in the structure and toxicity of lysozyme fibrils formed in the presence of this lipid. We found that both the length and saturation of FAs in PA uniquely altered the secondary structure of lysozyme fibrils. However, these structural differences in PA caused very little if any changes in the morphology of lysozyme fibrils. We also utilized cell toxicity assays to determine the extent to which the length and degree of unsaturation of FAs in PA altered the toxicity of lysozyme fibrils. We found that amyloid fibrils formed in the presence of PA with C18:0 FAs exerted significantly higher cell toxicity compared to the aggregates formed in the presence of PA with C16:0 and C18:1 FAs. These results demonstrated that PA can be an important player in the onset and spread of amyloidogenic diseases. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aims: This scoping review aimed to conduct an assessment of the current literature on specific ecological changes in the oral microbiota of individuals living with cleft lip and/or palate. Methods: All studies that assess oral microbiota and ecological changes distinct of individuals living with cleft lip and/or palate were included. Ovid MEDLINE and EMBASE databases were used, using planned search keywords. Included articles were grouped into cohort, cross‐sectional, case‐control, and retrospective reviews. Results: A total of 164 eligible title articles were recognized. Of these, 32 full‐text studies were included in the present review. All the included articles were published between 1992 and 2022. These studies were two retrospective studies, two review studies, and the remaining (n = 28) were observational studies. Conclusion: The oral flora of cleft lip and/or palate patients has been shown in scientific studies to have an increased frequency of potentially pathogenic fungal and bacterial colonization, particularly Candida species, Staphylococcus aureus, Lactobacili and Streptococci mutans. This may influence oral diseases and post‐operative repair complications, potentially necessitating further surgical intervention. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Small animal models have shown improved cardiac function with DPP-4 inhibition, but many human studies have shown worse outcomes or no benefit. We seek to bridge the gap by studying the DPP-4 inhibitor sitagliptin in a swine model of chronic myocardial ischemia using proteomic analysis. Thirteen Yorkshire swine underwent the placement of an ameroid constrictor on the left coronary circumflex artery to model chronic myocardial ischemia. Two weeks post-op, swine received either sitagliptin 100 mg daily (SIT, n = 5) or no drug (CON, n = 8). After 5 weeks of treatment, swine underwent functional measurements and tissue harvest. In the SIT group compared to CON, there was a trend towards decreased cardiac index (p = 0.06). The non-ischemic and ischemic myocardium had 396 and 166 significantly decreased proteins, respectively, in the SIT group compared to CON (all p < 0.01). This included proteins involved in fatty acid oxidation (FAO), myocardial contraction, and oxidative phosphorylation (OXPHOS). Sitagliptin treatment resulted in a trend towards decreased cardiac index and decreased expression of proteins involved in OXPHOS, FAO, and myocardial contraction in both ischemic and non-ischemic swine myocardium. These metabolic and functional changes may provide some mechanistic evidence for outcomes seen in clinical studies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Seed priming with beneficial endophytic fungi is an emerging sustainable strategy for enhancing plant resistance against insect pests. This study examined the effects of Beauvaria bassiana Bb20091317 and Metarhizium rileyi MrCDTLJ1 fungal colonization on maize growth, defence signalling, benzoxazinoid levels and gene expression. The colonization did not adversely affect plant growth but reduced larval weights of Spodoptera frugiperda. Maize leaves treated with M. rileyi exhibited higher levels of jasmonic acid, jasmonoyl-Isoleucine, salicylic acid, and indole acetic acid compared to control. B. bassiana and M. rileyi accelerated phytohormone increase upon S. frugiperda herbivory. Gene expression analysis revealed modulation of benzoxazinoid biosynthesis genes. We further elucidated the immune regulatory role of the transcription factor zmWRKY36 using virus-induced gene silencing (VIGS) in maize. zmWRKY36 positively regulates maize immunity against S. frugiperda, likely by interacting with defense-related proteins. Transient overexpression of zmWRKY36 in tobacco-induced cell death, while silencing in maize reduced chitin-triggered reactive oxygen species burst, confirming its immune function. Overall, B. bassiana and M. rileyi successfully colonized maize, impacting larval growth, defense signalling, and zmWRKY36-mediated resistance. This sheds light on maize-endophyte-insect interactions for sustainable plant protection. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study was conducted to investigate weed infestations of cotton (Gossypium hirsutum) fields in the region of Tarim River. Forty‐nine species among 17 families were identified in these cotton fields, and 24 of them were annuals. The eight dominant weed species in the cotton fields of Tarim River basin included Chenopodium glaucum, Solanum nigrum, Chenopodium album, Chenopodium hybridum, Bolboschoenus planiculmis, Sonchus arvensis, Phragmites australis, and Mulgedium tataricum. The number of weed species in the Aksu River tributary area, Yeerqiang River tributary area, and the upper and lower reaches of the Tarim River reached 29, 36, 35, and 33, respectively. Twenty species were found widely distributed among each basin. The dominant weeds in the cotton fields in the Aksu River basin and upper reaches of the Tarim River were S. nigrum and C. glaucum, those in the cotton fields in the Yarkand River basin included C. album and C. hybridum, and those in the cotton fields in the lower reaches of the Tarim River were C. glaucum and C. album. Notably the 20 common surveyed species of C. glaucum, S. nigrum, C. album, C. hybridum, B. planiculmis, S. arvensis, P. australis, M. tataricum, and others, could pose a serious challenge to regional crop production if not adequately controlled. As such, each cotton field should adopt a suitable weeding scheme with strengthened weed monitoring according to the local conditions, especially the weed distribution area characteristics. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Eccrine spiradenoma (ES) is an uncommon and benign adnexal tumour originating from sweat glands. The cytological examination of ES poses a diagnostic challenge, as it can be mistaken for various benign and malignant basaloid skin neoplasms. The cytomorphologic features of ES are infrequently documented in existing literature. This study seeks to present a thorough exploration of the cytomorphologic traits associated with ES, accompanied by an analysis of ancillary testing that contribute to the accurate identification of this entity in cytological specimens. Eccrine spiradenoma is infrequently encountered in fine needle aspiration (FNA) cytopathology, and the available literature on its cytomorphologic features is limited. The challenge arises from its similarity to other benign and malignant dermal basaloid neoplasms, emphasizing the critical role of clinicopathologic correlation and immunohistochemical staining in achieving a precise diagnosis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Presacral myelolipoma is an uncommon benign tumor, and its diagnosis can be challenging oncytology specimens. This case emphasizes the importance of fine needle aspiration cytology as an initial and valuable diagnostic tool for evaluating presacral masses. The identification of a combination of mature adipose tissue and hematopoietic elements in varying proportions is a crucial feature in FNA cytology. This underscores the role of FNA cytology in providing an accurate diagnosis and guiding subsequent management decisions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Due to the continuous increase of expressways and toll stations, there is a high potential for energy harvesting for sideway electronic devices. This article proposes a novel road energy harvester (REH) based on a crank‐shaft mechanism using bidirectional to unidirectional phenomenon to be installed on expressway toll stations. The REH contains four main components: the oscillation input from the suspension, the transfer unit, the generator unit, and the energy storage unit. The REH uses a crank‐shaft with spur gears as a mechanical motion rectifier and one‐way bearings, which can convert the oscillatory vibration into unidirectional generator rotation. In the energy storage module, electrical energy is being stored in supercapacitors. This study covers the design, modeling, and simulation of a crank‐shaft‐based energy harvester for harvesting suspension vibration energy. The energy harvester's dynamic modeling is used to assess the damping features. Simulated tests are conducted to demonstrate the proposed energy harvester's efficacy. Experiments are conducted, and the highest output voltage of 6.9 V peak is recorded for 5 mm/s with an efficiency of 53.66% which is enough for self‐powered applications at expressway toll booths such as traffic lights, caution lights, LED displays, sensors, etc. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Electrochemical water splitting is one of the promising approaches for the production of molecular hydrogen as well as to meet the clean and sustainable energy demand of the modern world. However, the key task for the research communities is to design a cost‐effective and efficient electrocatalyst to contribute positively to recent world crises. This study presents a novel SiO2@TiN nanocomposite and utilize it for oxygen evolution reaction (OER) as an electrocatalysts. The different techniques use for the characterization of SiO2@TiN nanocomposite. The electrochemical investigations encompass linear sweep voltammetry (LSV), cyclic voltammetry (CV) and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) which collectively yield critical parameters for assessing electrocatalytic performance. At a current density of 10 mAcm−2 the SiO2@TiN nanocomposite has a substantially lower overpotential of 256 mV compared to pure SiO2 and TiN. The composite also shows smaller tafel slope of 40 mV dec−1 as well as lower overpotential. The SiO2@TiN nanocomposite also demonstrates the enhanced redox activity as a result of its synergistic effect. Consequently, the increased electrical conductivity of TiN facilitates the attachment of metal oxides and more active sites are exposed to improve the OER activity of the fabricated materials. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Liver transplantation (LT) has emerged as a lifesaving modality for many liver diseases in children. Pediatric LT is an established treatment in the Western world but is relatively a new procedure in resource‐limited countries like Pakistan. The study aims to highlight the outcomes and survival of pediatric recipients from the first pediatric liver transplant center in Pakistan. Method: A retrospective analysis of pediatric LT was done from 2012 to 2019. The study was conducted in the Hepatobiliary and liver transplant department of Shifa International Hospital (SIH), Islamabad. A detailed analysis for indications for pediatric LT, survival, and complications was done. Results: Forty‐five patients under 18 years of age underwent Living donor liver transplant (LDLT) in SIH. Median age was 9 years and M:F of 2:1. Cryptogenic liver disease followed by Wilson disease were the two most common indications of LT. The majority of patients had chronic liver disease 34 (75%) while 11 (24%) had acute liver failure. The right lobe graft was the most common type of graft 19 (42.2%). Thirty days, 1‐year, 3‐year, and 5‐year survival was 77.8%, 75.6%, 73.3%, and 60.6% respectively. Mortality was highest in patients with biliary atresia 4 (33%). Causes of death included pulmonary embolism, sepsis, surgical complications, and acute kidney injury. Mean survival was 88.850 months (±7.899) (CI 73.369–104.331). Conclusion: Pediatric LDLT has offered disease‐free survival for patients. Survival can improve further with nutritional rehabilitation and anticipation and management of post‐operative complications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]