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Background Objectives Methods Results Conclusions Wilson's disease (WD) results from pathogenic ATP7B gene variations, causing copper accumulation mainly in the liver, brain, and kidneys.In India, despite studies on ATP7B variants, WD often goes undiagnosed, with the prevalence, carrier rate, and mutation spectrum remaining unknown.A multicenter study examined genetic variations in WD among individuals of Indian origin via whole exome sequencing. The study used the InDelible structural variants calling pipeline and conducted molecular dynamic simulations on variants of uncertain significance (VUS) in ATP7B AlphaFold protein structures. Additionally, a high‐throughput gene screening panel for WD was developed.This study examined 128 clinically diagnosed cases of WD, revealing 74 genetically confirmed cases, 22 with ATP7B variants, and 32 without. Twenty‐two novel ATP7B gene variants were identified, including a 322 bp deletion classified as a structural variant. Molecular dynamics simulations highlighted the potential deleterious effects of 11 ATP7B VUS. Gene burden analysis suggested associations with ANO8, LGR4, and CDC7. ATP7B gene hotspots for pathogenic variants were identified. Prevalence and carrier rates were determined as one in 18,678 and one in 67, respectively. A multiplex sequencing panel showed promise for accurate WD diagnosis.This study offers crucial insights into WD's genetic variations and prevalence in India, addressing its underdiagnosis. It highlights the novel genetic variants in the ATP7B gene, the involvement of other genes, a scalable, cost‐effective multiplex sequencing panel for WD diagnosis and management and promising advancements in WD care. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Cotton root rot caused by Macrophomina phaseolina pose a significant threat to cotton production, leading to substantial yield and quality losses. Early and accurate diagnosis of this pathogen in soil is crucial for effective disease management. This study presents a pioneering investigation into the utilization of the nit gene encoding nitrilase for the development of a molecular diagnostic assay aimed at the rapid detection of M. phaseolina in field soils. The methodology involved the design and validation of primers targeting the Nit gene sequence, followed by the optimization of PCR conditions for efficient amplification. Leveraging state‐of‐the‐art molecular techniques, the assay offers a novel protocol to accurately identify the presence of M. phaseolina in soil with high sensitivity and specificity. The specificity of the designed primers was confirmed through PCR amplification using DNA from M. phaseolina and other related fungi. Sensitivity tests demonstrated that the PCR assay reliably detected M. phaseolina DNA at concentrations as low as 1 ng. Furthermore, the performance of the diagnostic assay was rigorously evaluated using field soil samples with a known status of M. phaseolina infection, demonstrating its reliability and efficacy in real‐world scenarios. This study introduces a novel molecular marker for the detection of M. phaseolina and offers a rapid and efficient means for screening M. phaseolina in large soil samples with minimal time and manpower. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Au partially embedded nanostructure (PEN) is synthesized by ion irradiation on an Au thin film deposited on a glass substrate using a 50 keV Ar ion. Scanning electron microscopy results show ion beam‐induced restructuring from irregularly shaped nanostructures (NSs) to spherical Au NSs, and further ion irradiation leads to the formation of well‐separated spherical nanoparticles. Higuchi's algorithm of surface analysis is utilized to find the evolution of surface morphology with ion irradiation in terms of the Hurst exponent and fractal dimension. The Au PEN is evidenced by Rutherford backscattering spectrometry and optical studies. Also, the depth of the mechanism behind synthesized PEN is explained on the basis of theoretical simulations, namely, a unified thermal spike and a Monte Carlo simulation consisting of dynamic compositional changes (TRIDYN). Another set of plasmonic NSs was formed on the surface by thermal annealing of the Au film on the substrate. Glucose sensing has been studied on the two types of plasmonic layers: nanoparticles on the surface and PEN. The results reveal the sensing responses of both types of plasmonic layers. However, PEN retains its plasmonic behavior as the NSs are still present after washing with water, which demonstrates the potential for reusability. Research Highlights: Synthesis of PENs by ion irradiationUtilization of Higuchi's algorithm to explore the surface morphology.Unified thermal spike and TRIDYN simulations being used to explain the results.Glucose is only used as a test case for reusability of substrate. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Bacterial keratitis (BK) is an infection that causes inflammation of the cornea and, if severe, can result in blindness. Topical fluoroquinolones combined with corticosteroids have been shown to be useful in the treatment of BK. A rapid, selective, and sensitive bioanalytical method for simultaneous quantification of Gatifloxacin (GAT) and Dexamethasone (DEX) has been developed and validated using tandem mass spectrometry (LC–MS/MS). Optimal separation was accomplished in under 5 min using an Agilent Zorbax C18 column (100 mm × 4.6 mm, 3.5 μm). The mobile phase was composed of a blend of 0.2% formic acid in triple distilled water and methanol with a flow rate of 0.65 mL/min in isocratic mode. GAT and DEX were detected in positive electrospray ionization multiple reaction monitoring mode (MRM), and the retention time was found to be at 1.64 and 2.93 min, respectively. The linearity of GAT and DEX was found to be in the range of 1.56–400 ng mL−1 with good precision and accuracy. The method was validated according to USFDA regulatory guidelines. The validated method was effectively utilized for preclinical pharmacokinetic analysis of GAT and DEX in rabbit tear fluid following the topical application of a commercial formulation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Irrigation & Drainage is the property of Wiley-Blackwell and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

The food supply chain (FSC) is becoming more sustainable as companies aim to meet demand with lower waste and emissions. Big data analytics (BDA) can help achieve sustainability goals by extracting meaningful information from past data to help create sustainable strategies. However, in the sustainability literature, BDA's role in enabling sustainable FSC innovations is not explored. Thus, this study investigates how data‐driven analytics might improve FSC innovation by adopting creative tactics in every triple bottom line (TBL) component – green, corporate social responsibility (CSR), and financial – to gain a competitive edge. A resource‐based view (RBV) perspective was used to evaluate the links between supply chain (SC) innovation capabilities and competitive advantage (CA) in FSC innovation and sustainability. Indian food processing enterprises were surveyed using a questionnaire to collect data from 200 respondents. Adopting a structural equation modelling (SEM) approach, six hypotheses were evaluated for significance on the surveyed data using AMOS V.20. Since both goodness and badness fit indices were above cut‐off values, the measurement model was robustly evaluated and found to fit the survey data well. Structural model findings supported all study hypotheses. The results indicate that BDA strongly impacts food supply chain TBL and FSC innovation. Data‐driven innovative TBL methods were shown to boost FSC competitiveness. With the growing demand for value‐added innovation in FSC sustainable development, this study uniquely contributes to the current literature by linking BDA and TBL practice innovation to FSC CA. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This research paper explores the performance of electrorheological fluids, widely known as smart fluids, which are popular because they experience immediate changes in their characteristics when applied to exterior magnetic or electric field. On application of high voltage, the ER fluid alters its form to semisolid from viscous liquid within a few milliseconds, which is reversible. The reversible nature of ER fluid was employed to absorb vibrations during hard machining. In this research, the consequence of the application of electric field to the ER characteristics of numerous non‐Newtonian fluids with an accumulation of TiO2 and Al2O3 nano elements are investigated. The purpose of this research is to discover the ER sample, which has the highest viscosity, highest breakdown voltage, but less sedimentation. So the selected sample can be used in ER dampers for the purpose of shock absorption. The ER fluid behaves as a mainspring with nonlinear vibration features that are managed by an arrangement of ER fluid, the structure of plunger, and the constraints of applied electric field. In this research, we have employed steel metallic specimens made from EN24T of 302BHN and the machining experiments are conducted to attain the shape parameters that can reduce the tool vibration and help improve the process of cutting at the time of machining with minimum application of fluid utilizing hard metal inserts. In this work, cutting tool parameters were analyzed like cutting force, tool wear, tool vibration amplitude, and surface roughness. It was observed that ER damper has shown its better performance at 5KV. At 5KV, cutting force was the least, tool wear was the least, tool vibration amplitude was the least, and surface roughness was the least. The use of an ER fluid damper decreases tool vibrations and successfully enhances machining performance. The machining industry will be benefited with commercialization of this technique. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Evapotranspiration (ET) plays a critical role in water and energy budgets at regional to global scales. ET is composed of direct evaporation (E) and plant transpiration (T) where the latter is regulated via stomatal conductance (gsc), which depends on a multitude of plant physiological processes and hydrometeorological forcings. In recent years, significant advances have been made toward estimating gsc using a variety of models, ranging from relatively simple empirical models to more complex and data‐intensive plant hydraulic models. Using machine learning (ML) and eddy covariance flux tower data of 642 site years across 84 sites distributed across 10 land covers globally, here we show that structural constraints inherent in current empirical and plant hydraulic models of gsc limit their effectiveness for predicting ET. These constraints also prevent the models from fully utilizing the available hydrometeorological data at eddy covariance sites. Even if these gsc models are calibrated locally, structural simplifications inherent in them limit their capability to accurately capture gsc dynamics. In contrast, a ML approach, wherein the model structure is learned from the data, outperforms traditional models, thus highlighting that there still is significant room for improvement in the structure of traditional models for predicting ET. These results underscore the need to prioritize improvements in gsc models for more accurate ET estimation. This, in turn, will help reduce uncertainties in the assessments of plants' role in regulating the Earth's climate. Key Points: Current stomatal conductance models underutilize the site‐specific hydrometeorological dataStructural constraints in empirical models are more restrictive compared to plant hydraulic modelsEnhancements are needed for the simplified depiction of the water potential gradient across the root‐xylem‐leaf continuum in plant hydraulic models [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Chronic spontaneous urticaria (CSU), atopic dermatitis (AD), psoriasis and rosacea are highly prevalent inflammatory skin conditions which impose a significant burden on patients' quality of life. Their pathophysiology is likely multifactorial, involving genetic, immune and environmental factors. Recent advancements in the field have demonstrated the key role of mast cells (MC) in the pathophysiology of these conditions. The Mas‐related G protein‐coupled receptor X2 (MRGPRX2) has emerged as a promising non‐IgE‐mediated MC activation receptor. MRGPRX2 is predominately expressed on MC and activated by endogenous and exogenous ligands, leading to MC degranulation and release of various pro‐inflammatory mediators. Mounting evidence on the presence of endogenous MRGPRX2 agonists (substance P, cortistatin‐14, LL37, PAMP‐12 and VIP) and its high expression among patients with CSU, AD, rosacea, psoriasis and chronic pruritus emphasizes the pathogenic role of MRGPRX2 in these conditions. Despite the currently available treatments, there remains a pressing need for novel drug targets and treatment options for these chronic inflammatory skin conditions. Here, we reviewed the pathogenic role of MRGPRX2 and its potential as a novel therapeutic target and provided an update on future research directions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Despite of multifarious dominance of sulfur‐based batteries, polysulfide‐shuttling and use of high‐cost organic electrolytes with flammability risks hinder their applicability as commercial devices. Herein a polysulfide‐free aqueous zinc‐sulfur (Zn─S) rechargeable battery is explored, which offers a low‐cost and environmentally friendly energy storage system being Zn and Sulfur (S) highly abundant with high theoretical capacity. However, the stability of Zn anode is quite challenging due to dendritic growth and corrosion leading to the capacity decay. This work showcases the utilization of ethylene glycol (EG) and iodine (I2) as an electrolyte additive in aqueous zinc acetate [Zn(OAc)2] electrolyte for stabilizing the Zn─S battery performance. EG as an additive is able to mitigate the corrosion rate of the Zn electrode by 15 times which is supported by molecular dynamics simulation. The assembled Zn─S battery delivered an outstanding capacity of 1210 mA h g−1 at 0.1 C with a 91% capacity retention even after 250 cycles, along with remarkable reversible prolonged cycling stability of 3000 cycles at 1 C, with 64.5% capacity retention. More importantly, in situ electrochemical Raman spectroscopy is utilized to monitor the real‐time formation of zinc sulfide (ZnS) as a single discharge product and simultaneously debunking the polysulfide shuttling in the system which is further supported by XPS, UV‐Vis and IR spectroscopy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Ocular drug delivery is constrained by anatomical and physiological barriers, necessitating innovative solutions for effective therapy. Natural polymers like hyaluronic acid, chitosan, and gelatin, alongside synthetic counterparts such as PLGA and PEG, have gained prominence for their biocompatibility and controlled release profiles. Recent strides in polymer conjugation strategies have enabled targeted delivery through ligand integration, facilitating tissue specificity and cellular uptake. This versatility accommodates combined drug delivery, addressing diverse anterior (e.g., glaucoma, dry eye) and posterior segment (e.g., macular degeneration, diabetic retinopathy) afflictions. The review encompasses an in‐depth exploration of each natural and synthetic polymer, detailing their individual advantages and disadvantages for ocular drug delivery. By transcending ocular barriers and refining therapeutic precision, these innovations promise to reshape the management of anterior and posterior segment eye diseases. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The propagation of nonlinear solitary and shallow water waves can be examined by nonlinear evolution equations. The dynamics of nonlinear behavior are described by exact solutions having parametric functions. The integrability of nonlinear equation discloses various characteristics of real phenomenon with continuous and fluctuating background. This work aims to generate symmetry reductions and exact solutions of KdV‐mKdV equation, which is a completely integrable system of nonlinear equations and describes combined solitary wave effects in inhomogeneous medium. The infinitesimal generators and their commutative relations are deduced under invariance property of Lie groups. The invariance property provides a symmetry reduction of governing system. Therefore, a continuous process of reductions transmutes the KdV‐mKdV equation to an equivalent system of ODEs. This system of ODEs leads to the exact solutions involving several arbitrary constants and functions. Such obtained results are generalized than earlier works and never reported in literature. Furthermore, adjoint equation and conserved quantities associated with Lagrangian formulation are constructed under Lie symmetries. To reveal the significance of governing phenomenon, the exact solutions are traced via numerical simulation and thus the graphical structures demonstrate line multisoliton, single soliton, lumps, parabolic and stationary wave profiles. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Summary: In an era of increasingly complex and globalised agri‐food supply chains (AFSC), the battle against food fraud has become a pressing concern for both consumers and industry stakeholders. Blockchain technology (BLCT) has emerged as a promising solution to address the challenges of traceability, transparency, and accountability within these supply chains. This paper investigates the enablers that drive the successful implementation of BLCT in combating food fraud. The study uses Interpretive Structural Modelling (ISM) for analysing the enablers. The enablers were identified using literature review and by consulting industry and academic experts. The study finds that the enablers – immutable ledger, data security, and safety – are important for combating food fraud. The research provides a comprehensive understanding of the identified factors and their interrelationships, offering solutions to policymakers and managers. As various industries and stakeholders collaborate to tackle these pressing issues, BLCT has the potential to reshape the AFSC industry by guaranteeing trustworthiness, transparency, and security for all parties involved. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Ascertainment of photonic stopband absolute topological character requires information regarding the Bloch eigenfunction spatial distribution. Consequently, the experimental investigations predominantly restrict themselves to the bulk‐boundary correspondence principle and the ensuing emergence of topological surface state. Although capable of establishing the equivalence/inequivalence of bandgaps, the determination of their absolute topological identity remains out of its purview. The alternate method of reflection phase‐based identification also provides only contentious improvements owing to the measurement complexities pertaining to the interferometric setups. To circumvent these limitations, the Kramers–Kronig amplitude‐phase causality considerations are resorted to and an experimentally conducive method is proposed for bandgap topological character determination directly from the parametric reflectance measurements. Particularly, it is demonstrated that in case of 1D photonic crystals, polarization‐resolved dispersion measurements suffice in qualitatively determining bandgaps' absolute topological identities. By invoking the translational invariance of the investigated samples, a parameter "differential effective mass" is also defined, that encapsulates bandgaps' topological identities and engenders an experimentally discernible bandgap classifier. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

2D transitional metal dichalcogenide (TMDC) materials have shown great potential in the optoelectronics and electronics field owing to their unique and favorable properties. However, developing high‐performance broadband photodetectors in bare TMDC material is impeded due to their limited absorption and poor charge‐carrier separation. The recent advancement in van der Waals heterostructure fabrication has exhibited a new path to improve the device performance. In the present work, a facile approach is presented to fabricate a large area of PtS2/MoS2 heterostructure, which demonstrates a broad spectral detection range from 400 to 1200 nm with high responsivity (30.2 A W−1) and detectivity (1.12 × 1013 Jones) even under near‐infrared (NIR) 900 nm light illumination at moderate bias. Moreover, the PtS2/MoS2 photodetector exhibits a much enhanced responsivity (97 times) and detectivity (33 times) compared with bare MoS2. A rise/fall time of 11 ms/10 ms for the PtS2/MoS2 device represents its fast response speed. The X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy measurements reveal the type‐I band alignment between the PtS2 and MoS2, which are further utilized to understand the charge carrier dynamics between the PtS2 and MoS2 interface. This work presents a simple strategy to synthesize scalable, high‐performance broadband photodetectors for future optoelectronics applications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Post‐synthetic modification using acid (HNO3) and base (NaOH) are utilised to synthesize hierarchical micro‐mesoporous zeolites with different pore structure. To investigate structural change in materials, X‐ray diffraction (XRD), Scanning electron microscope (SEM), Inductive coupled plasma‐optical emission spectrometry (ICP‐OES), 29Si and 27Al MAS NMR, and N2 adsorption‐desorption isotherms techniques were employed. Acid base titration, and ammonia‐temperature programmed desorption (NH3‐TPD) was performed to evaluate acidic characteristics of materials. As revealed by characterisation, the structure was well preserved after the modification. Hierarchical materials along with parent materials have been evaluated in the toluene alkylation with benzyl alcohol producing mono‐benzylated toluene. All zeolite samples were proved to be catalytically active by their result in the alkylation reaction. Acid treated samples were compared with base treated and parent samples. The results indicate that, base modification significantly increases the mesoporous pore volume in all zeolite as compared to acid modification. Moreover, the highest benzyl alcohol conversion was found to be 98 % in the base modified Beta, with the highest mono‐benzylated toluene selectivity (69 %). Reaction optimization was also studied by altering reaction duration, temperature, and catalyst amount. The reaction products were analysed using Gas Chromatography (GC) and confirmed using Gas chromatography mass spectrometry (GC‐MS). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Mesoscale‐to‐microscale coupling is an important tool for conducting turbulence‐resolving multiscale simulations of realistic atmospheric flows, which are crucial for applications ranging from wind energy to wildfire spread studies. Different techniques are used to facilitate the development of realistic turbulence in the large‐eddy simulation (LES) domain while minimizing computational cost. Here, we explore the impact of a simple and computationally efficient Stochastic Cell Perturbation method using momentum perturbation (SCPM‐M) to accelerate turbulence generation in boundary‐coupled LES simulations using the Weather Research and Forecasting model. We simulate a convective boundary layer (CBL) to characterize the production and dissipation of turbulent kinetic energy (TKE) and the variation of TKE budget terms. Furthermore, we evaluate the impact of applying momentum perturbations of three magnitudes below, up to, and above the CBL on the TKE budget terms. Momentum perturbations greatly reduce the fetch associated with turbulence generation. When applied to half the vertical extent of the boundary layer, momentum perturbations produce an adequate amount of turbulence. However, when applied above the CBL, additional structures are generated at the top of the CBL, near the inversion layer. The magnitudes of the TKE budgets produced by SCPM‐M when applied at varying heights and with different perturbation amplitudes are always higher near the surface and inversion layer than those produced by No‐SCPM, as are their contributions to the TKE. This study provides a better understanding of how SCPM‐M reduces computational costs and how different budget terms contribute to TKE in a boundary‐coupled LES simulation. Plain Language Summary: Grid nesting is a technique in atmospheric modeling where smaller model domains with finer resolutions are embedded in larger domains with coarser resolutions, allowing us to simulate processes for which a range of resolutions is important. When nesting a micro‐scale domain, which resolves atmospheric turbulence, within a mesoscale domain, where turbulence is parameterized instead, the micro‐scale domain needs to generate turbulence. This can take a long distance, reducing the area within the micro‐scale domain where turbulence is fully developed. Turbulence generation methods can speed up this process, leading to more efficient multi‐scale simulations. Here, we take a close look at one such turbulence generation method, which applies random perturbations to the momentum field along the boundaries of the micro‐scale domain. We test several different configurations of momentum perturbations and evaluate their impacts on the turbulent kinetic energy budget within the micro‐scale domain. Our results can be used as guidance on how to apply momentum perturbations most efficiently in grid‐nested simulations. Key Points: The fetch is reduced after applying momentum perturbation and the reduction is directly proportional to the amplitude of the perturbationsApplying momentum perturbation up to half the boundary layer height produces an adequate amount of turbulence without additional entrainmentMomentum perturbations result in turbulent kinetic energy budget terms of higher magnitude than simulations without perturbations [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper highlights the relevance of Marxian class analysis to understand the changing nature of agrarian classes under capital‐intensive agriculture. It is a methodological exercise that builds on Patnaik's labour exploitation index (E‐criterion) in three major respects to construct a new index, namely, the Modified Labour Exploitation Index (MEI), to differentiate peasant classes. First and most important, it incorporates the role of mechanisation, which, so far, has been ignored in the methodological attempts to differentiate within the peasantry. Second, it underscores the importance of non‐agricultural (and non‐rural) bases of simple reproduction in the countryside by incorporating hired‐out labour by agricultural households to the non‐agricultural sector into the classification criteria. Finally, it makes surplus labour exploited through land leasing empirically testable by using Marx's differential and absolute rent to differentiate between subsistence and commercial leasing. The new index is then empirically tested using primary data collected from rural Haryana, India. The paper argues that MEI is an effective criterion for understanding changing class dynamics, the shifting modes of the livelihood of the poor peasantry and the largely hidden accumulation processes in agrarian societies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

All‐solid‐state lithium‐sulfur batteries (ASSLSB), composed of sulfur cathode and lithium metal anode with high theoretical capacity, have a potentially higher energy density by weight than a typical lithium‐ion battery (LIB). However, due to insulating sulfur, a relatively large proportion of electronic (carbon) and ionic (solid electrolyte) conductors are mixed for cathode fabrication, leading to inferior practical capacity. Herein, we report a novel integrated cathode Li2S‐LiI‐MoS2 which has relatively high electronic and ionic conductivities (the order of 10−4 S cm−1) without any carbon and solid electrolyte. The ASSLSB with integrated Li2S‐LiI‐MoS2 cathode delivers a remarkably high energy density of 1020 Wh kg−1 at the cathode level at room temperature. By applying precise X‐ray diffraction, pair distribution function analysis and X‐ray computed tomography, it is found that the formation of an ionic conducting phase composed mainly of LiI during discharge is responsible for the high rate capability. Furthermore, X‐ray absorption fine structure (XAFS) has also revealed the charge compensation mechanism and ascertained the involvement of both Mo 3d and S 3p orbitals during the charging and discharging process. It is believed the strategy will pave the way for developing high practical energy density at room temperature for all‐solid‐state batteries. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Accurate assessment of changes in water availability with changing climate is vital for effective mitigation and adaptation. In this research, we employ a parsimonious Budyko curve method to evaluate changes in water availability under low‐ (SSP126) and high‐emission (SSP585) scenarios for 331 river basins in the contiguous United States. We also assess the relative role of changes in precipitation (∆P) and potential evapotranspiration (∆PET) with changing climate on the increase in water availability vulnerability. Results highlight that around 43% (28%) of basins are projected to experience increased vulnerability to changing climate in high‐emission (low‐emission) scenarios. Sub‐humid basins are most often impacted, while arid and semi‐arid basins exhibit lower sensitivity to changes. Intriguingly, ∆PET emerges as the dominant control on vulnerability, surpassing ∆P, particularly under SSP585 scenario. The analysis prompts water managers to focus on long‐term mitigation planning and scientists to further constraint climate and water budget forecasts in affected basins. Plain Language Summary: Assessment of changes in water availability because of the changing climate is useful for mitigation and adaptation planning. In this study, water availability change in river basins in the contiguous United States is assessed. Which basins will become more vulnerable in terms of reduced water availability in the future climate and how the vulnerability changes within different aridity zones is studied. The study presents a novel methodology to assess and quantify whether the changes in potential evapotranspiration or precipitation are the main driver of future water vulnerability. We find that vulnerability increase due to an increase in potential evapotranspiration to be large. From the different aridity zones, sub‐humid basins are projected to most often experience an increase in vulnerability. Key Points: Changes in water availability under climate change scenarios are evaluatedSub‐humid basins are most often impactedVulnerability increase is large due to increase in Potential Evapotranspiration [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this research endeavor, Casson fluid flow and melting heat transfer due to a curved nonlinearly stretching sheet are investigated. The sheet is naturally permeable and the flow is considered in a porous medium. For flow in a porous medium, a modified Darcy's resistance term for Casson fluid is considered in the momentum equation. In the energy equation, heat transport characteristics, including viscous dissipation, are taken into account. Mass transport is also studied together with the impact of chemical reaction of higher order. The governing nonlinear partial differential equations of flow, heat, and mass transport are reduced to nondimensional ordinary differential equations using adequate similarity transformations and then solved numerically employing the bvp4c technique and Runge–Kutta fourth‐order method on MATLAB. The impacts of numerous occurring parameters on relevant fields (velocity field, temperature field, and concentration field) are depicted and discussed by plotting graphs. We concluded the curvature parameter, K $K$ reduces the pace of the flow. The impacts of the stretching index, m $m$ and melting parameter, Me $Me$ are also found to reduce flow and temperature field. Furthermore, we noted that the reaction parameter, Kn ${K}_{n}$ and its order, n $n$ exhibit opposite impacts on the concentration field. Moreover, the numerical values of skin‐friction coefficient and Nusselt number calculated employing bvp4c and Runge–Kutta fourth‐order technique are expressed in tabular mode, and these are found in an excellent match. For validation of the results, skin‐friction coefficient values were computed using the Runge–Kutta fourth‐order technique and bvp4c solver, compared with the existing results, and a good agreement was found. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Perovskite solar cells (PSCs) have made great strides in recent years, operating inside the theoretical Scholkely–Quisser efficiency limit with a certified power conversion efficiency (PCE) of 26.1%. However, lead toxicity from Pb‐based PSCs can harm the environment. As a result, the search for nontoxic and environmentally friendly substances to replace Pb in perovskites is the need of the hour. Tin has emerged as the most viable choice to replace Pb, due to its favorable electronic properties and smaller bandgaps of Sn‐based perovskites between 1.1 and 1.4 eV, strong charge carrier mobility, and high theoretical efficiency of 32%. Sn vacancies and point defects, on the other hand, are easily produced in Sn perovskites, leading to nonradiative recombination. Furthermore, interfacial flaws and traps impede further performance improvement. In this research, to produce high‐quality Pb‐free perovskites for high‐performance PSCs, a Lewis‐base thioacetamide (TAA) is added to the simple FASnI3 perovskite solution. FASnI3 and TAA additive‐based films effectively control perovskite film crystallinity and grain size via Lewis acid–base reaction. The champion FASnI3 + TAA‐based PSC achieves a maximum PCE of 10.67% while paving a facile way for other compositional perovskite analogues to be integrated into highly efficient and operationally stable PSCs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A novel, quick and precise RP‐UHPLC analytical method for the simultaneous determination of moxifloxacin (MFX), voriconazole (VCZ) and pirfenidone (PIR) was developed and validated according to the International Conference on Harmonization guidelines using a QbD‐driven response surface Box–Behnken design. The developed method was validated considering the selectivity, sensitivity, linearity, accuracy‐precision, robustness, stability, limit of detection and limit of quantification, respectively. Resolution between MFX, VCZ and PIR was achieved using a gradient elution protocol against a Waters Symmetry Shield C18 column (150 × 4.6 mm2, 5 μm) using an Agilent 1290, Infinity II series LC system. The method was applied to quantitatively estimate proprietary and in‐house prepared pharmaceutical topical ophthalmic formulations containing MFX, VCZ and PIR at wavelength (λmax) of 296, 260 and 316 nm. The method is sensitive enough to detect up to 0.1 ppm of analytes in the formulation. The method was further exploited to study and identify the possible degradation products of the analytes. The proposed chromatographic method is simple, economical, reliable and reproducible. In conclusion, the developed method could be applicable for routine quality control analysis of single or combined MFX, VCZ and PIR‐containing units or bulk dosage forms in pharmaceutical industries and research organizations working on drug discovery and development. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Irrigation & Drainage is the property of Wiley-Blackwell and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Fenugreek seeds are used in numerous marketed herbal formulations with therapeutic benefits. Some of its bioactive components such as 4‐hydroxyisoleucine, trigonelline, raffinose, and pinitol are reported to possess potential therapeutic activities, such as antibacterial, antidiabetic, stomach stimulant, and anti‐invasive, against hyperandrogenism and other allied diseases, including polycystic ovary syndrome. A fully validated, selective, and sensitive bioanalytical method for the simultaneous rapid quantification of the aforementioned bioactive components has been developed using hyphenated liquid chromatography electrospray tandem mass spectrometry. The analytes were separated within 5 min using gradient elution in a C18 column at a flow rate of 0.5 ml/min. Plasma protein precipitation technique was employed to isolate the analytes from the samples. Oral pharmacokinetic profile of the four bioactive components in Sprague–Dawley rats was further evaluated using noncompartmental analysis using Phoenix WinNonlin software. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Food loss and waste are major issues in the food industry, and they affect all stages of the food supply chain (FSC). Food loss and waste are linked to environmental deterioration, economic loss, and an increase in hunger. Therefore, the food industry requires sustainable consumption and production (SCP) to reduce losses and waste. The circular economy (CE) concept has become a popular strategy for reducing food waste and boosting sustainability. Therefore, with efficient reverse logistics in the FSC, food producers can help achieve sustainable development goals (SDGs) like SCP and zero hunger. In literature, minimal research has been available in identifying the CE adoption challenges in FSC. This research identifies 15 critical challenges from the literature and discussion with the panel of experts. The relationship between the challenges has been established through an interpretive structural modeling (ISM) technique. The challenges were characterized in cause–effect according to their relational intensity obtained using the grey decision‐making trial and evaluation laboratory (DEMATEL) technique. Grey's relational theory is applied in DEMATEL to minimize uncertainty and vagueness of the expert judgment. The findings of this study suggest that creating policy from the government, providing incentives, and strictly enforcing environmental regulations are the most critical challenge. Hence, by focusing on the above, the effective adoption of the CE principle is achieved. This result also suggests that by addressing the challenges of CE, corporate social responsibility (CSR) can be performed. This study provides some recommendations for the practitioners to adopt CE towards sustainable development targets. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Revegetation after farmland abandonment not only changes the aboveground biodiversity but also soil physicochemical properties and soil microbial biomass. However, how the revegetation after farmland abandonment influences soil properties and herb‐layer biodiversity remains unclear. In the present study, we examined the variation in soil chemical and biological properties (soil microbial biomass, stock, and stoichiometry), herb‐layer diversity indices, and aboveground biomass, their relationships in a chronosequence of 2, 5, 7, 11, 16, and 35 years following revegetation of abandoned farmland in the central Himalaya, India. Results revealed that the diversity indices, biomass, and soil properties significantly changed over successional stages. The species in the plant community shifted from the forbs in earlier stages to grasses and sedges in later stages. Our results indicated that the soil microbial carbon (C) and nitrogen (N) contents and stocks increased along the chronosequence and were highest at the 35‐year‐old fallow. However, soil microbial phosphorus (P) contents and stock generally decreased with time. The soil nutrient and microbial biomass were significantly correlated, which indicate close coupling between soil and microbial C, N, and P contents. Soil, microbial C/P, and N/P ratios were the lowest in 7‐ and 11‐year‐old fallows, indicating that middle‐aged fallows were more P‐limited. Our results suggest that revegetation changes the soil and microbial stoichiometry, potentially changing the vegetation composition and nutrient cycling of the abandoned farmland ecosystems. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Considering clean energy production, the development of efficient, cheap, and steady water splitting electrocatalysts for oxygen evolution reaction (OER) is imperative. A cost‐efficient approach for MgO extraction from seawater and development of a nanocomposite (MgO/Co3O4) via hydrothermal technique for electrochemical water splitting is reported. Various compositions labeled as C‐1, C‐2, and C‐3 were selected for designing the MgO/Co3O4 nanocomposite. Among these nanocomposites, C‐2 has been found as best candidate for OER with small overpotential values and low Tafel slope values. Additionally, the MgO/Co3O4 (C‐2) composite exhibited stability for thirty hours across the chronoamperometry experiment at 20 mA cm−2. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Chebulinic acid (CA), a polyphenolic compound extracted from the fruits of Terminalia chebula, has been recently reported as a novel neuraminidase inhibitor against the influenza A virus and also for various biological activities that require pharmacokinetic estimation. We report a proposed fragmentation pathway for the formation and selection of sodium and ammonium adducts using molecular thermodynamics. The chebulinic acid ammonium adduct was reproducible and stable compared to the earlier reported sodium adduct to quantify chebulinic acid by liquid chromatography‐tandem mass spectrometry. Chebulinic acid was extracted from plasma by protein precipitation followed by single‐step liquid‐liquid extraction by removing interfering metal adducts such as sodium. chebulinic acid resolution was achieved from the C18 column with mobile phase acetonitrile: methanol mixture and ammonium acetate buffer at a flow rate of 0.5 ml/min. The linear calibration curve (r2 ≥ 0.995) range was 3.52–1800 ng/ml. Finally, we report the oral pharmacokinetic profile of chebulinic acid in male Swiss albino mice plasma using the developed method. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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Summary: Aegilops tauschii is the diploid progenitor of the wheat D subgenome and a valuable resource for wheat breeding, yet, genetic analysis of resistance against Fusarium head blight (FHB) and the major Fusarium mycotoxin deoxynivalenol (DON) is lacking. We treated a panel of 147 Ae. tauschii accessions with either Fusarium graminearum spores or DON solution and recorded the associated disease spread or toxin‐induced bleaching. A k‐mer‐based association mapping pipeline dissected the genetic basis of resistance and identified candidate genes. After DON infiltration nine accessions revealed severe bleaching symptoms concomitant with lower conversion rates of DON into the non‐toxic DON‐3‐O‐glucoside. We identified the gene AET5Gv20385300 on chromosome 5D encoding a uridine diphosphate (UDP)‐glucosyltransferase (UGT) as the causal variant and the mutant allele resulting in a truncated protein was only found in the nine susceptible accessions. This UGT is also polymorphic in hexaploid wheat and when expressed in Saccharomyces cerevisiae only the full‐length gene conferred resistance against DON. Analysing the D subgenome helped to elucidate the genetic control of FHB resistance and identified a UGT involved in DON detoxification in Ae. tauschii and hexaploid wheat. This resistance mechanism is highly conserved since the UGT is orthologous to the barley UGT HvUGT13248 indicating descent from a common ancestor of wheat and barley. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Past studies reported a drastic growth in the wildland–urban interface (WUI), the location where man‐made structures meet or overlap wildland vegetation. Fighting fire is difficult in the WUI due to the combination of wildland and structural fuels, and therefore, WUI areas are characterized by frequent damage and loss of structures from wildfires. Recent wildland fire policy has targeted fire prevention, evacuation planning, fuel treatment, and home hardening in WUI areas. Therefore, it is important to understand the occurrence of wildfire events relative to the location of the WUI. In this work, we have reported the occurrences of wildfires with respect to the WUI and quantified how much of the WUI is on complex topography in California, which intensifies fire behavior and complicates fire suppression. We have additionally analyzed the relative importance of WUI‐related parameters, such as housing density, vegetation density, and distance to wildfires, as well as topographic factors, such as slope, elevation, aspect, and surface roughness, on the occurrence of large and small wildfires and the burned area of large wildfires near the WUI. We found that a very small percentage of wildfire ignition points and large wildfire‐burned areas (>400 ha or 1000 acres) were located in the WUI areas. A small percentage of large wildfires were encountered in WUI (3%), and the WUI area accounted for only 4% of the area burned, which increased to 5% and 56%, respectively, outside WUI (5‐km buffer from WUI). Similarly, 66% of fires ignited outside WUI, whereas only 3.6% ignited within WUI. Results from this study have implications for fuel management and infrastructure hardening, as well as for fire suppression and community response. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This report describes the synthesis of two ruthenium(II) ENE pincer complexes (E = S, C1 and E = Se, C2) by the reaction of bis(2‐(phenylchalcogenyl)ethyl)amine (L1, L2) with RuCl2(PPh3)3. The complexes were characterized with the help of 1H and 13C{1H} NMR, FTIR, HRMS, cyclic voltammetry and elemental analysis techniques. The structure and bonding mode of ligand with ruthenium in C2 was established with the help of single crystal X‐ray diffraction. The complex showed distorted octahedral geometry with two chlorine atoms trans to each other. The Ru−Se bond distances (Å) are 2.4564(3)‐2.4630(3), Ru−N distance is 2.181(2), Ru−P distance is 2.2999(6), and Ru−Cl distances are 2.4078(6)‐2.4314(6). The complexes showed good to excellent catalytic activity for the N‐alkylation of o‐phenylenediamine with benzyl alcohol derivatives to synthesize 1,2‐disubstituted benzimidazole derivatives. The complexes were also found to be efficient for aerobic oxidation of benzyl alcohols to corresponding aldehydes which are precursors to the bisimines generated in situ during the synthesis of 1,2‐disubstituted benzimidazole derivatives. Complex C2 where selenium is coordinated with ruthenium was found to be more efficient as compared to sulfur coordinated ruthenium complex C1. Since ruthenium complexes are getting increasing attention for developing new anticancer agents, the preliminary studies like binding behavior of both the complexes towards CT‐DNA were studied by competitive binding with ethidium bromide (EthBr) using emission spectroscopy. In addition, the interactions of C1−C2 were also studied with bovine serum albumin (BSA) using steady state fluorescence quenching and synchronous fluorescence studies. A good stability of Ru(II) state was observed by cyclic voltammetric studies of C1−C2. Overall these molecules are good examples of bio‐organometallic systems for catalytic and biological applications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A simple, fast, and responsive liquid chromatography‐tandem mass spectrometry method was established and fully validated according to the United States Food and Drug Administration guidelines for the simultaneous quantitation of ofloxacin and dexamethasone in tear fluid and partially in aqueous humor and cornea. Samples were cleaned‐ up by single‐step precipitation using methanol as an anti‐solvent. Agilent SB C18 column with 4.5 min total run time was used for chromatographic separation utilizing isocratic mode. Mass spectrometry detection was carried out by a triple quadrupole tandem mass spectrometer in the multiple reaction monitoring modes utilizing a positive electrospray ionization. The developed method showed a wide analytical range (ofloxacin: 0.7812–200 ng/ml and dexamethasone: 1.875–240 ng/ml) with good linearity (r2 > 0.99) and acceptable accuracy and precision. It also showed excellent recoveries (>85% for analytes) and a negligible matrix effect. Finally, this method was successfully applied to determine the pharmacokinetic profile of clinically used eye drop solution of ofloxacin and dexamethasone in preclinical rabbit tear fluid, suggesting its suitability for therapeutic drug monitoring in clinical practices. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Psychiatric disorders and associated cardiac comorbidities have increased the risk of mortality worldwide. Researchers reported that depression increases the possibility of future cardiac abnormalities by approximately 30%. Therefore, there is an unmet need to develop therapeutic interventions to treat depression and associated cardiac abnormalities. The present study was conducted to evaluate the prophylactic effect of rosmarinic acid (RA) against chronic unpredictable stress (CUS)‐induced depression associated cardiac abnormalities in Wistar rats. The CUS paradigm, which comprised several stressors, was employed for 40 days to induce depressive‐like behavior and associated cardiac abnormalities in rats. Along with CUS, RA at a dose of 25 and 50 mg/kg was administered orally to two groups of animals for 40 days. Behavioral tests (forced swim test and sucrose consumption test) and molecular biomarkers (corticosterone and serotonin) were performed. Electrocardiography was performed before CUS (Day 0), Day 20, and Day 40 to study electrocardiogram parameters. Furthermore, changes in body weight, organ weight, tissue lipid peroxidation, glutathione, catalase, cTn‐I, MMP‐2, and proinflammatory cytokines (TNF‐α and IL‐6) were estimated. Our results showed that RA treatment caused a reduction in immobility period, adrenal hyperplasia, corticosterone level, tissue lipid peroxidation, cTn‐I, MMP‐2, proinflammatory cytokines, and QRS complex duration, while an increase in sucrose consumption, brain serotonin level, T‐wave width, glutathione, and catalase activity as compared with the CUS‐control group. The results of our study proved that RA administration ameliorates CUS‐induced depression‐associated cardiac abnormalities in rats via serotonergic, oxidative, and inflammatory pathways. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Groundwater recharge moves downward from the land surface and reaches the groundwater to replenish aquifers. Despite its importance, methods to directly measure recharge remain cost and time‐intensive. Recharge is usually estimated using indirect methods, such as the widely used water‐table fluctuation (WTF) method, which is based on the premise that rises in groundwater levels are due to recharge. In the WTF method, recharge is calculated as the difference between the observed groundwater hydrograph and the hydrograph obtained in the absence of water input. The hydrograph in the absence of rise‐producing input is estimated based on a characteristic master recession curve (MRC), which describes an average behavior for a declining water‐table. Previous studies derive MRC using recession data from all seasons. We hypothesize that for sites where groundwater table is shallow, using recession data from periods with high groundwater‐influenced evapotranspiration (ET) rates versus all periods will yield significantly different MRC, and consequently different estimates of recharge. We test this hypothesis and show that groundwater recession rates are significantly greater in warm months when the groundwater‐influenced ET rates are higher. Since obtaining seasonal recession rates is challenging for locations with a limited amount of data and is prohibitive if it is to be obtained for any given season of a particular year, we propose two novel parsimonious methods to obtain recession time constants for distinct seasons. The proposed methods show the potential to significantly improve the estimates of seasonal recession time constants and provide a better understanding of seasonal variations in recharge estimates. Key Points: Seasonal variations in evapotranspiration (ET) bias groundwater level recession rates in shallow aquifersSeasonal recharge estimates from Water Table Fluctuation method can be markedly different depending on whether seasonal variations in recession rates are accounted or notTwo novel methods to quantify ET's influence on groundwater recession, and consequently on seasonal recharge, are presented [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Despite phenomenal clinical success, the efficacy of platinum anticancer drugs is often compromised due to inherent and acquired drug resistant phenotypes in cancers. To circumvent this issue, we designed two heterobimetallic platinum (II)‐ferrocene hybrids that display multi‐pronged anticancer action. In cancer cells, our best compound, 2, platinates DNA, produces reactive oxygen species, and has nucleus, mitochondria, and endoplasmic reticulum as potential targets. The multi‐modal mechanism of action of these hybrid agents lead to non‐apoptotic cell death induction which enables circumventing apoptosis resistance and significant improvement in platinum cross resistance profile. Finally, in addition to describing detail mechanistic insights, we also assessed its stability in plasma and demonstrate anticancer efficacy in an in vivo A2780 xenograft model. Strikingly, compared to oxaliplatin, our compound displays better tolerability, safety profile and efficacy in vivo. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The accelerating growth in the utilization of industrial waste to prepare sustainable material is gaining interest of researchers globally owing to their synergistic effect with enhanced performance and cost‐effective approach. This study mainly discussed the development of hybrid polymer composites by partial replacement of steel fiber in place of synthetic glass fiber to investigate the slurry erosion performance in an erosive environment. Initially, fabrication of hybrid glass/steel fiber reinforced polymer composites with different weight percentages (38, 37, 36, 35 wt%) glass fiber and (11, 12, 13, 14 wt%) steel fiber are fabricated through vacuum assisted resin transfer modeling (VARTM) technique. After that, steady‐state slurry erosion performance analysis is carried out by varying impact velocity (10–40 m/s), fiber loading (4:1 to 10:4), impingement angle (30°–90°), and slurry concentration (160–265 g/min) respectively in the slurry erosive environment. The observation indicates that at steady‐state conditions the maximum erosion rate lies within the range of 45°–75° by varying the impingement angle whereas the other factors remain constant. The experimental results are validated with different theoretical models as well as a numerical simulation model using computational fluid dynamics approach. Finally, Taguchi's design of experimental analysis (L16 orthogonal array design) is studied by varying all the four factors at‐a‐time to get the erosion rate of the hybrid composites. At the end, the simulated results depicted a clear picture of erodent particle trajectories, eroded surface, and streamlines, and all are in good agreement with the experimental results. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Partitioning evapotranspiration (ET) into its primary components, that is, evaporation (E) and plant transpiration (T), is needed in a range of hydrometeorological applications. Using vegetation index (VI) to obtain spatially resolved T:ET ratio over large areas has emerged as a promising approach in this regard. Here, we assess the effectiveness of this approach in differently managed wheat systems. Results show a weak relation between T:ET and VI in disturbed (i.e., grazed) systems. Furthermore, flux partition based on a canonical T:ET versus VI relation or the relation derived in a neighboring undisturbed wheat system introduce large errors in disturbed systems, thus underscoring the limits on the transferability of the VI‐based ET partitioning approach. The effectiveness of the VI‐based approach is found to be related to the strength of correlation between VI and vapor pressure deficit and/or radiation. This correlation metric can help identify settings where the approach is likely to be effective. Plain Language Summary: Evapotranspiration (ET) plays a significant role in water and climate cycles by affecting the energy and water balance over the land surface which in turn mediates the land‐atmosphere interactions. ET is composed of two primary components that is, direct evaporation (E) and plant transpiration (T). Partitioning total ET into its individual components (E and T) is of significant importance for better assessment of both regional and global water budgets. One of the primary approaches to partition ET over large areas is by using vegetation indices (VI), which indirectly capture plants' biophysical state. This approach has been used to partition ET in different landscapes, but its efficacy has not been tested in disturbed ecosystems, which cover a large fraction of Earth's vegetated area. Here, we assess the effectiveness of this VI‐based ET partitioning approach in disturbed (i.e., grazed) ecosystems. We find that the VI‐based ET partitioning introduces large errors in disturbed systems. Further investigation identifies conditions that can be used to filter‐out regions where the VI‐based partition is likely to be more (or less) effective. Key Points: Three Evapotranspiration (ET) partitioning methods were used to partition ET in differently managed wheat systemsGrazing altered the relation between T:ET and enhanced vegetation indexET partitioning errors were higher in disturbed (i.e., grazed) systems [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The greatest challenge for further improving the efficiency of Cu2ZnSnS4 (CZTS) solar cells is the high open‐circuit voltage (VOC) loss owing to nonradiation interface recombination. Controlling interfacial defect states and hence eliminating interface‐dominated recombination are imperative for device performance to achieve better charge extraction and collection. In this aspect, interface passivation is an effective way to resolve this issue. An ultrawide‐bandgap Ga2O3 film is inserted between CZTS absorber and TiO2 electron transport layer to passivate the electrically active interface trap states. The induced field‐effect passivation due to the existence of an additional field of Ga2O3 interlayer widens the depletion region width and cures the interfacial defect density. The significant photoluminescence quenching observed after inserting Ga2O3 at the CZTS/TiO2 heterojunction implies the effective injection of charge carriers from the CZTS absorber to TiO2 layer owing to reduced interface defect density. Meanwhile, the substantial decrement in dark current and response time of device with passivated interface further advocates the findings. Herein, a route to understand the variation in interfacial electrical properties after inserting a thin dielectric layer at the interface is provided, which can be beneficial for the further study of CZTS‐based optoelectronic device applications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The awareness of eco‐friendly materials has increased the demand for natural fibers. Natural fibers have many advantages over other materials like short growing time, easy availability, cheap, and eco‐friendly with good mechanical properties. WHO has announced that trending materials have many side effects on the environment and on human beings. Asbestos has been already a proven cause of many cancers. In this research Coconut fiber, a natural fiber has been used in the brake pad as a brake friction material. The different percentage of Coconut fiber 2‐8 wt% was used to develop new brake pad samples and that compared to standard brake pad material (Kevlar with 2%–4%). The results of physic‐mechanical properties reveal that tensile modulus, ultimate compressive strength, impact energy, and flexural strength were showing good performance at 2% polymer composites matrix, and ultimate tensile strength, shear strength, and proof showing good performance at 6% fibers contents in brake pad composites. Thermal stability for Coconut fiber fibers composites increases with increases the fiber contents. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Groundwater modules are critically important to the simulation of low flows in physically based land surface models (LSMs) and conceptual rainfall‐runoff models (HBV). Here, we develop a Groundwater for Ungauged Basins (GrUB) module that uses only physically based properties for which data are widely available, thus allowing its application without the need for calibration. GrUB is designed to be computationally simple and readily adaptable to a wide variety of LSMs and rainfall‐runoff models. We assess the performance of GrUB in 84 United States watersheds by incorporating it into HBV, a popular rainfall‐runoff model. We compare predictions of low flows by the native (calibrated) HBV groundwater module with those by the (uncalibrated) GrUB module and find that GrUB generates error metrics that are equivalent or superior to those generated by the (calibrated) HBV groundwater module. To assess whether predictions by GrUB are robust to changes in the structure and parameterization of the overlying hydrologic model, we run tests for two artificial scenarios: Slow Recharge with rates of percolation below 0.1 mm/day, and Fast Recharge with rates of percolation of up to 1,000 mm/day. GrUB proves to be robust to these extreme changes, with mean absolute error (MAE) of predictions of low flows only increasing by an average of up to 17%, while average MAE increases by up to 158% when the same tests are performed on HBV without the GrUB module. We suggest GrUB as a potential tool for improving predictions of low flows in LSMs, as well as rainfall‐runoff models when calibration data are sparse. Key Points: Develop a calibration‐free groundwater/low flow module that is compatible with land surface models and rainfall‐runoff modelsWithout calibration, the module's performance compares favorably with an existing, fully calibrated alternativeModule predictions of low flows are robust to drastic changes in the overlying hydrologic model [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]