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Al 2014 is a high‐strength aluminum alloy widely used in the aerospace and automotive industries for its mechanical strength. This research examines the effects of three heat treatment processes—retrogression and re‐aging (RRA), T6 standard aging, and a modified RRA with high‐temperature pre‐aging—on the hardness and corrosion resistance of Al 2014. Polarization studies using potentiodynamic electrochemical methods in a 3.5 wt% sodium chloride solution were conducted to evaluate the corrosion resistance. The results showed that heat treatment, which causes precipitation hardening, shifted the corrosion potential (E) toward a more noble direction. The formation of Al2Cu precipitates is associated with improved corrosion resistance. Additionally, samples treated with the T6 process exhibited a higher corrosion current density compared to untreated Al 2014 alloy samples, indicating superior corrosion resistance. Analysis of corroded surfaces using scanning electron microscopy (SEM) with energy‐dispersive X‐ray spectroscopy (EDS) showed evidence of general and pitting corrosion, with distinct patterns among the three heat treatment processes. A comparison of the results revealed that the T6 standard aging process provided the best combination of hardness and corrosion resistance. This was likely due to the formation of stable precipitates during aging. The results also indicated that the RRA process showed good performance, suggesting it is a viable alternative when a balance between hardness and toughness is required. The modified RRA with high‐temperature pre‐aging resulted in lower performance, likely due to overaging, which reduced hardness and corrosion resistance. These findings highlight the significance of heat treatment in improving the corrosion resistance of Al 2014 alloy. This suggests that particular processes can enhance the alloy's durability in corrosive environments, potentially leading to a longer lifespan and reduced maintenance costs. The T6 standard aging process offers the best balance of enhanced hardness and corrosion resistance for Al 2014 alloy, making it ideal for extending lifespan and reducing maintenance costs in corrosive environments. Careful selection of heat treatment is crucial based on specific alloy performance requirements. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study investigates the magnetoelectric coupling effect in dual‐phase multiferroic composites prepared using a solid‐state reaction method. The composites were fabricated with the formula (1−x)Ba₀.₇₇Ca₀.₂₃TiO₃(BCT) + xNi₀.₆Zn₀.₂₅La₀.₁₅Fe₂O₄(NZLFO), where x varied from 0% to 100% in 10% increments. Ca‐doped BaTiO₃ served as the ferroelectric phase, while La‐doped Ni–Zn ferrite acted as the ferromagnetic phase. The effects of varying ferrite content (x) on structural, optical, ferroelectric, electrical, and magnetoelectric properties were comprehensively analyzed. X‐ray diffraction (XRD) with Rietveld refinement revealed a spinel cubic structure for the ferrite phases and a tetragonal structure for the perovskite phases. The study observed a moderate influence of ferrite concentration on the lattice parameters of BCT and an opposing effect on the lattice parameters of NZLFO. Optical measurements indicated higher light absorption in the visible range compared to the UV region and wide optical bandgap. Magnetic properties, characterized by saturation magnetization, exhibited a dependence on temperature, with a Curie temperature (Tc) of 700 K. Electrical resistivity displayed a maximum at x = 50% and remained constant at high frequencies. The study also confirmed the presence of electric polarization induced by a magnetic field, with the highest magnetoelectric coefficient observed at x = 10%. These findings demonstrate the successful fabrication of dual‐phase multiferroic composites with tunable properties through controlled ferrite content. The observed magnetoelectric coupling suggests potential applications in multifunctional devices. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper introduces EmoBone, a comprehensive audio‐only emotional bone‐conducted speech dataset featuring speakers from various countries. The dataset comprises speeches from 28 individuals representing 10 different nations, with each participant delivering 10 sentences designed to evoke distinct emotions. In addition to an air‐conducted microphone, the recordings utilized bone conduction technology, transmitting sound directly to the speakers' inner ears, ensuring high‐quality emotional speech recordings. To assess the validity of the dataset, 80 university students from Bangladesh listened to the recordings and successfully identified the expressed emotions with an accuracy exceeding 76%. Statistical methods were also employed to evaluate the reliability of the dataset, revealing a high level of agreement among raters. EmoBone, with a cumulative duration surpassing 19 h and 15 680 unique utterances, stands as the most extensive emotional speech dataset available. This makes it a valuable tool for studying how emotional speech varies across cultures. Furthermore, due to its utilization of bone conduction technology, EmoBone facilitates the study of acoustic features in emotional speech from diverse dimensions. The data that supports the findings of this study is available upon reasonable request. © 2024 Institute of Electrical Engineers of Japan and Wiley Periodicals LLC. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The increasing demand for electric vehicles necessitates the development of cost‐effective, mass‐producible, long‐lasting, and highly conductive batteries. Making this kind of battery is exceedingly tricky. This study introduces an innovative fabrication technique utilizing a laser‐induced graphene (LIG) approach on commercial Kapton film to create hexagonal pores. These pores form vertical conduction paths for electron and ion transportation during lithiation and delithiation, significantly enhancing conductivity. The nongraphitized portion of the Kapton film makes it a binder‐less, free‐standing electrode, providing mechanical stability. Various analytical techniques, including scanning electron microscopy (SEM), energy dispersive spectroscopy (EDS), Raman spectroscopy, and atomic force microscopy (AFM) are utilized to confirm the transformation of a 3D porous graphene sheet from a commercial Kapton film. Cross‐sectional SEM images verify the vertical connections. The specific capacity of 581 mAh g−1 is maintained until the end, with 99% coulombic efficiency at 0.1C. This simple manufacturing method paves the pathway for future LIG‐based, cost‐effective, lightweight, mass‐producible, long‐lasting, vertically conductive electrodes for lithium‐ion batteries. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study addresses the pervasive challenges of low hepatitis B (HBV) and hepatitis C (HCV) testing rates coupled with the stigma associated with these diseases in low‐ and middle‐income countries (LMICs) with a special focus on Bangladesh. This study aims to introduce an innovative crowdsourcing intervention that involves medical students, a crucial cohort with the potential to shape healthcare attitudes. Through a structured crowdsourcing approach, the study designs and implements a digital intervention to counter stigma and promote testing among medical students in Dhaka, Bangladesh. Participants submitted brief videos or texts aiming to encourage hepatitis testing and reduce stigma. The call, advertised through meetings, emails, and social media, welcomed entries in English or Bengali over 3 weeks. A panel of six judges evaluated each entry based on clarity, impact potential, innovation, feasibility, and sustainability, awarding prizes to students behind the highest‐rated submissions. Seventeen videos and four text messages received an average score of 5.5 among 440 surveyed medical students, predominantly 22 years old (16%) and in their fourth year (21%). After viewing, 360 students underwent screening, identifying two previously undiagnosed HBV cases referred for care; no HCV infections were found. Notably, 41% expressed concerns about individuals with HBV working in hospitals or having a doctor living with HBV. In conclusion, this pilot showcases the power of medical students in spearheading campaigns to counter hepatitis stigma and encourage testing. By utilizing crowdsourcing, the study introduces an innovative approach to a persistent issue in LMICs specially in Bangladesh, offering a model that could potentially be adapted by other regions grappling with similar challenges. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Transmission lines, the core part of the transmission and distribution system in the smart grid, require effective, efficient, and reliable protective measures against faults to avoid severe damage to physical infrastructure and financial losses. Due to their growing popularity, machine learning models are used in fault detection and classification, whose performances can be severely affected by cyber‐attacks due to their data dependency, posing a critical concern. Hence, this paper introduces false data injection attacks to address the vulnerability of machine learning‐based fault detectors and classifiers. A comparative study of 9 detection models and 6 classification models under normal conditions and during a combination of two models of false data injection attacks is presented to evaluate the severity of cyber‐attacks. Experimental results show that highly accurate models in normal conditions are more susceptible to cyber‐attacks, with up to 69% and 28% degradations in accuracy for fault detectors and classifiers, respectively. Furthermore, the detection models are found to be more vulnerable to cyber‐attacks than the classification models. With no robust detectors and classifiers being found, this work addresses the importance of developing attack‐resilient fault detection and classification schemes considering their academic and industrial significance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Binary liquid systems serve as valuable prototypes for comprehending biologically and chemically relevant properties of hydrogen bonds, revealing both noteworthy patterns and anomalies in their behaviour. Aniline, acetone and their binary mixtures with other liquids are used in various industrial processes, drug design, and as cleaning agents. This study is a molecular dynamics exploration of aniline and acetone binary mixture, over a concentration range of 9 : 1–1 : 9 for each component. The investigation includes employing techniques such as radial distribution function (RDF), coordination number calculation, hydrogen bond statistics, and graph theoretical analysis (GTA) through the NetworkX module in python, cluster analysis, Voronoi entropy calculation, interaction energy calculation and FTIR spectroscopy for all concentrations studied. The results uncover a compelling trend: a decrease in the number of hydrogen bonds as the concentration of acetone increases. Additionally, increased acetone concentration correlates positively with the breakdown of larger and more complex hydrogen‐bonded structures, indicating the formation of small hydrogen‐bond structures. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A major concern for nuclear research reactors under normal operating conditions is that they may release radioactive elements into the atmosphere, endangering public health and the environment. The present study concentrated on the detailed radiological dose assessment resulting from the atmospheric release of 41Ar activity from the TRIGA Mark‐II research reactor in Bangladesh during its normal operational condition at full power of 3 MW. The total effective dose equivalent (TEDE), ground deposition activity, organ‐committed dose, and pathways dose values have been evaluated under different weather conditions using the HotSpot 3.1.2 code. The weather data have been gathered from the Bangladesh Meteorological Department (BMD), Dhaka. Two significant seasons with various weather stability effects have been considered for dose analysis. Atmospheric dispersion of 41Ar was evaluated using the Gaussian plume model. From the obtained results, the maximum TEDE of 4.06 × 10−9 Sv at 0.19 km distance from the reactor site for stability class B during the summer season is found to be well below the annual effective dose limit of 1 mSv recommended by the ICRP. During the rainy season, the maximum TEDE of 1.76 × 10−9 Sv at 0.92 km distance for stability class E is also found to be negligible compared to the dose limit. From the organ‐committed dose analysis, skin is investigated as the highest dose absorber compared to other organs. The pathways dose analysis concludes that the submersion and ground shine doses are observed to be maximum at 0.20 km and 1.0 km distances for the summer and rainy seasons, respectively. Based on the identified results, dose values have been found to be within the limiting values, ensuring environmental and human health safety. Such comprehensive dose analysis due to the atmospheric release of 41Ar activity is very significant from the perspective of ensuring the radiological and environmental safety of research‐type nuclear reactors under normal operational conditions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Nucleophilic substitution of α‐bromocarboxamide with amines have been demonstrated to synthesize sterically congested C−N bonds. Electrochemical reductive coupling is an efficient route to access hindered amino acid derivatives possessing a quaternary carbon center with excellent yields under mild reaction conditions. Cyclic voltammetry analyses indicated the cathodic reduction of α‐bromocarboxamides in the presence of amines as nucleophiles. The control experiment using the N‐methyl derivative of α‐bromocarboxamide suggested that the aziridinone is the most probable intermediate in this method. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Combinations of organic conducting polymers and inorganic electromagnetic materials have drawn much attention in various fields like energy storage materials, biosensors, biomedical applications, catalysis and removal of heavy metals from water. In this investigation an attempt is made to decorate polypyrrole (PPy), a semiconducting electroactive polymer, with Ni nanoparticles on a functional silica (SiO2) support. First, amine‐functionalized mesoporous NH2‐SiO2 seed particles are prepared by the sol–gel method using hexamethylenediamine as a surface‐functionalizing agent and cetyltrimethylammonium bromide as a template. Second, NH2‐SiO2/PPy composite particles are prepared via in situ seeded chemical oxidative polymerization of pyrrole. The surface of the NH2‐SiO2/PPy composite particles is finally immobilized/doped with Ni nanoparticles via in situ chemical reduction of Ni(II) salt. The surface morphology, structure modification, size distribution and magnetic properties of the prepared NH2‐SiO2/PPy/Ni nanocomposite particles are confirmed using various spectroscopic techniques, electron microscopy, Brunauer–Emmett–Teller measurements, X‐ray diffraction and vibrating sample magnetometry. The NH2‐SiO2/PPy/Ni nanocomposite particles possess good paramagnetic properties. A comparative study of electrochemical properties revealed improvement in specific capacitance of NH2‐SiO2/PPy composite compared to PPy but further decoration with Ni nanoparticles under alkaline condition reduces the capacitance value. © 2022 Society of Industrial Chemistry. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Online education has become an essential part of the modern education system, but keeping the integrity of the online examination remains a challenge. A significant increase in cheating in online examinations (from 29.9% before COVID-19 to 54.7% during COVID-19, as per a recent survey) points out the necessity of online exam proctoring systems. Traditionally, educational institutes utilize different questions in onsite exams: multiple-choice questions (MCQs), analytical questions, descriptive questions, etc. For online exams, form-based exams using MCQs are popular though in disciplines like math, engineering, architecture, art, or other courses, paper and pen tests are typical for proper assessment. In form-based exams, students' attention is toward display devices, and cheating behavior is identified as the deviation of head and eye gaze direction from the display device. In paper- and pen-based exams, students' main attention is on the answer script not on the device. Identifying cheating behavior in such exams is not a trivial task since complex body movements need to be observed to identify cheating. Previous research works focused on the deviation of the head and eyes from the screen which is more suited for form-based exams. Most of them are very resource-intensive; along with a webcam, they require additional hardware such as sensors, microphones, and security cameras. In this work, we propose an automated proctoring solution for paper- and pen-based online exams considering specific requirements of pen-and-paper exams. Our approach tracks head and eye orientations and lip movements in each frame and defines the movement as the change of orientation. We relate cheating with frequent coordinated movements of the head, eyes, and lips. We calculate a cheating score indicative of the frequency of movements. A case is marked as a cheating case if the cheating score is higher than the proctor-defined threshold (which may vary depending on the specific requirement of the discipline). The proposed system has five major parts: (1) identification and coordinate extraction of selected facial landmarks using MediaPipe; (2) orientation classification of the head, eye, and lips with K-NN classifier, based on the landmarks; (3) identification of abnormal movements; (4) calculation of a cheating score based on abnormal movement patterns; and (5) a visual representation of students' behavior to support the proctor for early intervention. Our system is robust since it observes the pattern of movement over a sequence of frames and considers the coordinated movement pattern of the head, eye, and lips rather than considering a single deviation as a cheating behavior which will minimize the false positive cases. Visualization of the student behavior is another strength of our system that enables the human proctor to take preventive measures rather than punishing the student for the final cheating score. We collected video data with the help of 16 student volunteers from the authors' university who participated in the two well-instructed mock exams: one with cheating and another without cheating. We achieved 100% accuracy in detecting noncheating cases and 87.5% accuracy for cheating cases when the threshold was set to 40. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background and Aims: The study aimed to evaluate the pharmacological properties of methanolic extracts of leaves and barks of Woodfordia fruticosa (L.) Kurz (family: Lythraceae) focusing on antioxidant, thrombolytic, anti‐inflammatory, antibacterial, analgesic, and antidiarrheal effects. Methods: 1,1‐Diphenyl‐2‐picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) free radical scavenging assay, clot lysis, disc diffusion, and membrane stabilizing methods were employed to assess in vitro antioxidant, thrombolytic, antibacterial, and anti‐inflammatory properties of the leaf and bark methanolic extracts (ME) of W. fruticosa and different organic solvents, that is, petroleum ether (PE), dichloromethane (DCM), chloroform (CL), and aqueous (AQ) fractions. In addition, in vivo central and peripheral analgesic and antidiarrheal activities of both crude extracts were evaluated at two doses (200 and 400 mg/kg of body weight [bw]). Results: All the extracts and fractions showed promising antioxidant properties by scavenging DDPH free radicals with IC50 of 6.11–20.79 μg/mL. AQ fraction (41.24%) of leaves and ME (44.90%) of bark exerted notable in vitro thrombolytic activity. The CL fraction of leaves and AQ fraction of the bark showed 43.16% and 45.37% inhibition of RBC hemolysis, respectively, compared to the inhibition of RBC hemolysis by aspirin in a hypotonic‐induced membrane stabilizing assay. Besides, both extracts were observed to provide significant (p < 0.001) central and peripheral analgesic responses at both doses of 200 and 400 mg/kg bw. Furthermore, both doses of bark extract (p < 0.001) and the 400 mg/kg bw of leaf extract (p < 0.05) were observed to possess statistically significant antidiarrheal activity. Additionally, in an in vivo acute toxicity investigation, both extracts had a median lethal dose (LD50) greater than 5000 mg/kg bw, indicating their safety level. Conclusion: The current study proves the ethnomedicinal uses of W. fruticosa; however, further studies are required for phytochemical screening to isolate the responsible bioactive compounds and discover the lead molecules from the plant species. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article reports on the first occurrence of Pantoea dispersa causing grain rot disease in rice in Bangladesh. The disease was observed in rice panicles in experimental fields, resulting in discolored, rotted, and malformed grains. Twelve bacterial isolates were obtained from the infected grains, and two representative isolates were found to be pathogenic through a series of tests. The isolates were identified as Pantoea dispersa based on physiological, biochemical, and molecular tests. This is the first documented case of P. dispersa causing rot in rice panicles and grain in Bangladesh. [Extracted from the article]

Date pits are agricultural waste byproducts and are available in tons yearly. Milk MUFAs are lipids beneficial for health and sorted out for food product development. This work is aimed at researching the effect of supplementing dairy goats with date pit powder (DPP) as a source of fatty acids (FA), an alternative to enhancing the unsaturated FA in milk and analysed via chemometrics in a 3-month supplementation-based study. Saanen-Boer crossed dairy goats were divided into six groups comprising of control, 10 g and 20 g both for Ajwa DPP (high-quality dates) and Mariami DPP (agricultural waste byproduct), and another 30 g for Mariami DPP only. The supplementation exercise was done daily on each dairy goat. The DPP and milk samples were analysed for its FA profile applying GC-FID and followed by chemometric techniques, namely, PCA and PLS. Results indicated that the n-6/n-3 ratio was the highest for the unsupplemented group compared to the DPP-treated goats with lower n-6/n-3 ratios. The M30 group showcased the most promising health-related class of FAs viewed by 3D PCA and PLS model clustering patterns, in particular monounsaturated FA (MUFA) (C18:1n9c or oleic acid). These results suggest that Mariami DPP supplementation at higher doses and time to lactating Saanen-Boer cross goats can be a means to milk FA quantity and quality enhancement and that chemometrics via pattern recognition can be useful statistical tools when dealing with overwhelming data. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Although the Rome IV criteria are the most recent criteria to diagnose irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), their sensitivity has been shown to be low in Chinese and Western populations. There are scanty data comparing the Rome III and Rome IV criteria in diagnosis of IBS in the Indian and Bangladeshi populations where abdominal pain, an essential component of diagnosis of IBS by the Rome IV criteria, is less in frequency and of lower severity. Methods: We analyzed the Indian and Bangladeshi data from the Rome Global Epidemiology Study to compare diagnostic sensitivity of the Rome III and Rome IV criteria for IBS, internal shifts in diagnostic categories of disorders of gut–brain interaction (DGBI), the severity of IBS diagnosed by the Rome III and Rome IV criteria, and consultation patterns in these populations. Key Results: The Rome IV criteria were less sensitive than the Rome III criteria to diagnose IBS in these populations, and the subjects with Rome III IBS shifted internally to other DGBI when the Rome IV criteria were applied. Moreover, Rome IV IBS subjects had greater symptom severity than the Rome III IBS. A third of people fulfilling diagnostic criteria for IBS consulted doctors, and those diagnosed using Rome IV criteria, those with higher anxiety and depression symptom score, lower global physical health score, and greater IBS symptom severity score had greater correlation coefficients with doctors' consultation. Conclusions and Inferences: The Rome IV diagnostic criteria for IBS are less sensitive than the Rome III criteria in Indian and Bangladesh communities. Application of the Rome IV criteria to people who meet the Rome III IBS criteria selects a subgroup of people with greater severity of symptoms, and hence, Rome IV IBS is more strongly associated with physician consultation. These findings may have important bearing in future iterations of the Rome criteria for a broader global applicability. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Populations of different South Asian nations including Bangladesh reportedly have a high risk of developing diabetes in recent years. This study aimed to investigate the differences in the gut microbiome of COVID‐19‐positive participants with or without type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) compared with healthy control subjects. Microbiome data of 30 participants with T2DM were compared with 22 age‐, sex‐, and body mass index (BMI)‐matched individuals. Clinical features were recorded while fecal samples were collected aseptically from the participants. Amplicon‐based (16S rRNA) metagenome analyses were employed to explore the dysbiosis of gut microbiota and its correlation with genomic and functional features in COVID‐19 patients with or without T2DM. Comparing the detected bacterial genera across the sample groups, 98 unique genera were identified, of which 9 genera had unique association with COVID‐19 T2DM patients. Among different bacterial groups, Shigella (25%), Bacteroides (23.45%), and Megamonas (15.90%) had higher mean relative abundances in COVID‐19 patients with T2DM. An elevated gut microbiota dysbiosis in T2DM patients with COVID‐19 was observed while some metabolic functional changes correlated with bidirectional microbiome dysbiosis between diabetes and non‐diabetes humans gut were also found. These results further highlight the possible association of COVID‐19 infection that might be linked with alteration of gut microbiome among T2DM patients. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background and Aims: Since the beginning of the SARS‐CoV‐2 pandemic, multiple new variants have emerged posing an increased risk to global public health. This study aimed to investigate SARS‐CoV‐2 variants, their temporal dynamics, infection rate (IFR) and case fatality rate (CFR) in Bangladesh by analyzing the published genomes. Methods: We retrieved 6610 complete whole genome sequences of the SARS‐CoV‐2 from the GISAID (Global Initiative on Sharing all Influenza Data) platform from March 2020 to October 2022, and performed different in‐silico bioinformatics analyses. The clade and Pango lineages were assigned by using Nextclade v2.8.1. SARS‐CoV‐2 infections and fatality data were collected from the Institute of Epidemiology Disease Control and Research (IEDCR), Bangladesh. The average IFR was calculated from the monthly COVID‐19 cases and population size while average CFR was calculated from the number of monthly deaths and number of confirmed COVID‐19 cases. Results: SARS‐CoV‐2 first emerged in Bangladesh on March 3, 2020 and created three pandemic waves so far. The phylogenetic analysis revealed multiple introductions of SARS‐CoV‐2 variant(s) into Bangladesh with at least 22 Nextstrain clades and 107 Pangolin lineages with respect to the SARS‐CoV‐2 reference genome of Wuhan/Hu‐1/2019. The Delta variant was detected as the most predominant (48.06%) variant followed by Omicron (27.88%), Beta (7.65%), Alpha (1.56%), Eta (0.33%) and Gamma (0.03%) variant. The overall IFR and CFR from circulating variants were 13.59% and 1.45%, respectively. A time‐dependent monthly analysis showed significant variations in the IFR (p = 0.012, Kruskal–Wallis test) and CFR (p = 0.032, Kruskal–Wallis test) throughout the study period. We found the highest IFR (14.35%) in 2020 while Delta (20A) and Beta (20H) variants were circulating in Bangladesh. Remarkably, the highest CFR (1.91%) from SARS‐CoV‐2 variants was recorded in 2021. Conclusion: Our findings highlight the importance of genomic surveillance for careful monitoring of variants of concern emergence to interpret correctly their relative IFR and CFR, and thus, for implementation of strengthened public health and social measures to control the spread of the virus. Furthermore, the results of the present study may provide important context for sequence‐based inference in SARS‐CoV‐2 variant(s) evolution and clinical epidemiology beyond Bangladesh. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Groundwater is a vital natural resource that affects human life and the environment. Groundwater supplies drinking water, supports irrigation for food production, and helps to sustain flow of water in streams and wetlands during dry periods. Therefore, it is important to assess the variability of groundwater resources and consider it in freshwater management. Numerical modelling is widely used for understanding the variability of groundwater table. However, there is still a lack of large‐scale groundwater flow models. For instance, in the United Kingdom, groundwater modelling efforts so far have focused on aquifer to regional scales. A national scale model would aid the quantification of the available groundwater storage and the assessment of the impacts of climate change and anthropogenic activities on this crucial resource. In this study, we evaluate a numerical groundwater flow modelling approach for entire England and Wales. This model operates at 1 km spatial and 1 day temporal resolution. We force the model with precipitation and potential evapotranspiration, parameterise the subsurface using our estimation of transmissivity and specific yield based on available information, and simulate steady‐state groundwater heads over England and Wales. The results demonstrate that the model can reproduce spatial variability of groundwater table in the region. Because of a two‐dimensional numerical representation of groundwater flow, the computational demand of this model is low, facilitating multiple simulations required for calibration, sensitivity analysis, and quantification of the impacts of environmental changes on groundwater resources. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The charges acquired by polyethylene and glass particles fluidized by argon, nitrogen, and air at different humidity levels in acrylic and steel columns have been measured. Increased bed expansion at higher fluidization gas velocities lowered the space charge effect, allowing the particles to acquire more charges. The low dielectric strength of argon limits the extent of charging when the particles are fluidized in argon. The effect of the humidity of the air on particle charge differed appreciably between the two columns. The charge densities acquired by the particles in several experiments appear to have been limited by the dielectric strength of the fluidization gas. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copper and its alloys are extensively used in marine applications due to high corrosion resistant behavior. But the corrosion immunity of copper varies with the environmental factors especially the sea water ingredients. Many researchers investigated corrosion level of copper materials in different oceans/seas. Unfortunately, such study is missing in the Bay of Bengal water. Moreover, inclusion of alloying elements can have influence on the corrosion behavior of copper, especially the addition of SnPb-solder for repair works and environmental effects due to ageing. In fact, the urge of using old copper to manufacture new components for marine applications necessitates the characterization of various properties. In this context, present paper is an attempt to investigate the corrosion behavior of copper and solder affected copper to enhance the reuse potential of SnPb-solder affected old/waste copper in contact of the bay water along with comparison with commercial copper alloys. Here, the result shows that overall leaching is increased for the addition of Sn and/or Pb in Cu over the whole immersion period in the stagnant water of the Bay of Bengal. The highest loss is found to be of Cu-Pb alloy which is followed by SnPb-solder affected copper, then Cu-Sn alloy and the lowest loss is of pure copper. The cold-rolled work-hardening has reduced the corrosion rate for all copper alloys. It also reveals that the solder affected copper is more corrosion resistant than commercial copper alloys such as brass and bronze. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Neogene sandstones offer hydrocarbon reservoirs in the offshore area of the Bay of Bengal (Bangladesh), but their reservoir quality is not well known. Understanding the impact of depositional and diagenetic controls on reservoir quality is crucial to hydrocarbon exploration and production in reservoir sandstones. This study aims to investigate the depositional and diagenetic controls on reservoir quality of the Neogene Surma Group from the Sangu Gas Field (the only offshore gas field), in the Bay of Bengal, Bangladesh using a combination of petrographical, petrophysical, X‐ray diffraction, scanning electron microscope fitted with energy dispersive spectra and core analysis data. Diagenetic modifications to the sandstones include mechanical and ductile grain compaction followed by clay cementation (dominantly chlorite, illite–smectite and minor kaolinite), poikilotopic calcite cement and subordinate amounts of quartz cement, as well as partial dissolution of feldspars and lithic fragments. Sandstones with primary porosities ≥20% have average intergranular volume value of 33%, although permeability in most sections of the reservoir falls below 8–10 mD. There has also been localized creation of secondary porosity due to dissolution. The average intergranular porosity lost by compaction is 14% (ranges from 3% to 37%), and the average porosity lost by cementation is 10% (ranges from 3% to 37%). This study shows that the reservoir quality is predominantly controlled by depositional environment (ductile grain supply, clay content), a diagenetic processes (compaction followed by clay cement and early to intermediate poikilotopic calcite cement) and will provide insights into the reservoir quality evaluation in the offshore areas of the Bengal Basin. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Novel Schiff base was synthesized from the condensation reaction of metformin with [4‐(Diethylamino) benzaldehyde (NBM). Different metal complexes were prepared using Pd (II), Pt (II), Cu (II), and V (IV) metal ions. All complexes showed the nonelectrolytic behavior. So, the expected molecular formulas for complexes were [Pd (NBM)Cl2], [Pt (NBM)Cl2], [Cu (NBM)2Cl2] and [VO (NBM)2]. The cytotoxicity of (NBM) Schiff base and its metal complexes on human cancer cell line, MCF‐7, was investigated. V (IV) and Cu (II) complexes showed potential blood glucose lowering effect higher than the commercial metformin drug. VO (II) complex has superior antioxidant activity more than the other synthesized compounds and the standard ascorbic acid. Molecular docking investigation proved the presence of interesting interactions between all synthesized compounds with the active site amino acids of EGFR tyrosine kinase (anticancer activity). The molecular docking of metal complexes has observed effective inhibition for the specific mTOR protein that is expected to aid the growth of the COVID‐19 virus. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Bangladesh is experiencing a second wave of COVID‐19 since March 2021, despite the nationwide vaccination drive with ChAdOx1 (Oxford−AstraZeneca) vaccine from early February 2021. Here, we characterized 19 nasopharyngeal swab (NPS) samples from COVID‐19 suspect patients using genomic and metagenomic approaches. Screening for SARS‐CoV‐2 by reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction and metagenomic sequencing revealed 17 samples of COVID‐19 positive (vaccinated = 10, nonvaccinated = 7) and 2 samples of COVID‐19 negative. We did not find any significant correlation between associated factors including vaccination status, age or sex of the patients, diversity or abundance of the coinfected organisms/pathogens, and the abundance of SARS‐CoV‐2. Though the first wave of the pandemic was dominated by clade 20B, Beta, V2 (South African variant) dominated the second wave (January 2021 to May 2021), while the third wave (May 2021 to September 2021) was responsible for Delta variants of the epidemic in Bangladesh including both vaccinated and unvaccinated infections. Noteworthily, the receptor binding domain (RBD) region of S protein of all the isolates harbored similar substitutions including K417N, E484K, and N501Y that signify the Beta, while D614G, D215G, D80A, A67V, L18F, and A701V substitutions were commonly found in the non‐RBD region of Spike proteins. ORF7b and ORF3a genes underwent a positive selection (dN/dS ratio 1.77 and 1.24, respectively), while the overall S protein of the Bangladeshi SARS‐CoV‐2 isolates underwent negative selection pressure (dN/dS = 0.621). Furthermore, we found different bacterial coinfections like Streptococcus agalactiae, Neisseria meningitidis, Elizabethkingia anophelis, Stenotrophomonas maltophilia, Klebsiella pneumoniae, and Pseudomonas plecoglossicida, expressing a number of antibiotic resistance genes such as tetA and tetM. Overall, this approach provides valuable insights on the SARS‐CoV‐2 genomes and microbiome composition from both vaccinated and nonvaccinated patients in Bangladesh. Highlights: The first wave was dominated by clade 20B, the second wave was dominated by Beta, V2 variant, and the third wave was responsible for Delta variants in Bangladesh.The first dose of the Oxford−AstraZeneca vaccine could not protect from the Beta, V2 variant in Bangladesh.Different bacterial coinfections like Streptococcus agalactiae, Neisseria meningitidis, Elizabethkingia anophelis, Stenotrophomonas maltophilia, Klebsiella pneumoniae, and Pseudomonas plecoglossicida, expressing a number of antibiotic resistance genes such as tetA and tetM. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background and Aim: Because acute infectious gastroenteritis may cause post‐infection irritable bowel syndrome and functional dyspepsia and the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus‐2 affects gastrointestinal (GI) tract, coronavirus disease‐19 (COVID‐19) may cause post‐infection‐functional GI disorders (FGIDs). We prospectively studied the frequency and spectrum of post‐infection‐FGIDs among COVID‐19 and historical healthy controls and the risk factors for its development. Methods: Two hundred eighty patients with COVID‐19 and 264 historical healthy controls were followed up at 1 and 3 months using translated validated Rome Questionnaires for the development of chronic bowel dysfunction (CBD), dyspeptic symptoms, and their overlap and at 6‐month for IBS, uninvestigated dyspepsia (UD) and their overlap. Psychological comorbidity was studied using Rome III Psychosocial Alarm Questionnaire. Results: At 1 and 3 months, 16 (5.7%), 16 (5.7%), 11 (3.9%), and 24 (8.6%), 6 (2.1%), 9 (3.2%) of COVID‐19 patients developed CBD, dyspeptic symptoms, and their overlap, respectively; among healthy controls, none developed dyspeptic symptoms and one developed CBD at 3 months (P < 0.05). At 6 months, 15 (5.3%), 6 (2.1%), and 5 (1.8%) of the 280 COVID‐19 patients developed IBS, UD, and IBS‐UD overlap, respectively, and one healthy control developed IBS at 6 months (P < 0.05 for all except IBS‐UD overlap). The risk factors for post‐COVID‐19 FGIDs at 6 months included symptoms (particularly GI), anosmia, ageusia, and presence of CBD, dyspeptic symptoms, or their overlap at 1 and 3 months and the psychological comorbidity. Conclusions: This is the first study showing COVID‐19 led to post‐COVID‐19 FGIDs. Post‐COVID‐19 FGIDs may pose a significant economic, social, and healthcare burden to the world. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Self‐powered arbitrary wave monitoring is a hot research topic which aims to remove of the trouble associated with managing conventional power for continuous and real‐time acquisition of wave information from the marine environment. Herein, an effective approach is presented that simultaneously generates power from arbitrary motion waves and can sense and wirelessly transmit the wave information without requiring an external supply. The hybridized ellipsoidal device inspired from an elliptical trajectory of objects over shallow water waves, consists of six planar spiral coils arranged to cover the arbitrary direction of waves for power generation. Four magnetic force‐actuated triboelectric nanogenerators (TENGs) pairs along four sides as the arbitrary direction self‐powered wave motion sensors are integrated. Furthermore, all the required circuitry for signal processing and wireless transmission are integrally powered by the generated electricity to realize a self‐sustained wireless marine environment monitoring system. The generator can deliver peak power of 106 and 44.8 mW (at 3Hz) along with major and minor axis motion directions. The self‐powered sensors have excellent motion sensitivity thus the signals obtained from these sensors are utilized to acquire useful information related to the water waves which are very crucial parameters for real‐time monitoring of the marine environment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Triboelectric nanogenerators (TENGs), which operate in contactless mode and avoid physical contact, are highly attractive for self‐powered sensor systems aiming to achieve long‐term reliable operation and reduce rubbing friction. Herein, an ultra‐flexible and high‐performance contactless double‐layer TENG (CDL‐TENG) is first designed and fabricated using a metal–organic framework‐based cobalt nanoporous carbon (Co‐NPC)/Ecoflex with MXene/Ecoflex nanocomposite layer for self‐powered sensor applications. The porous structure of the Co‐NPC provides a high‐surface‐area of the nanocomposite and the charge storage layer of the MXene/Ecoflex nanocomposite accumulates more negative charge to improve the functionality of the CDL‐TENG two and three times, respectively. Compared with Ecoflex film‐based TENGs, the fabricated CDL‐TENG exhibits an eight‐fold slower decay rate owing to charge trapping characteristics, which were confirmed by surface potential measurements. The CDL‐TENG shows excellent humidity and acceleration sensitivity of about 0.3 V/% and 2.06 Vs2 m−1. The CDL‐TENG also offers non‐contact position detection performance in the 20 cm range. Furthermore, the CDL‐TENG is successfully integrated with mobile‐vehicles and an intelligent robot to perform obstacle and human‐motion detection. Finally, a contactless door‐lock password authentication system was demonstrated. These multifunctional benefits make it useful for numerous applications, including artificial intelligence, human‐machine interfaces, and self‐powered sensors. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Burmese grape (Baccaurea ramiflora Lour.) is a minor fruit plant grown in subtropical countries and is rich in different vitamins and minerals. In this study, fruit traits diversity of 23 Burmese grape accessions were assessed through multivariate analysis and application of covariance matrix in locating promising parents for an auspicious crossing program. Among the four clusters, assemblages III and VI dominated maximum number of fruit traits constitutions. Surrounded by the fruit traits constitution, the first principal axis largely affords 46.14% of the variation. Intergenotypic gap was observed highest (30.42) between the fruit traits constitution BS004 and BS019, followed by genetic constitution BS003 and BS004 (29.40). The maximum intracluster distance was noticed (40.50) for cluster IV, whereas cluster I showed the lowest intracluster distance (35.32). In between assemblages I and V, the highest interassemblage distance (835.77) was computed. On the other hand, the lowest distance (105.75) was computed between assemblages II and assemblage V. Observation indicated that higher intercluster differences were noticed than intracluster differences, and this recommended ample fruit traits variation among the fruit traits constitution of different clusters. With respect to both quantitative parameters' assemblage, CL004, CL010 from cluster I was quite diverse compared with all other assemblages, which is pertinent for a productive crossing program. Core Ideas: Genetic diversity of 23 Burmese grape genotypes were assessed by multivariate analysis.Cluster I (BS004 and BS010) was quite diverse compared with all other assemblages.Bulky fruit weight (20.4 g) and fruit yield per plant (60.7 kg) was highest in cluster I.The genotypes BS004 and BS010 were pertinent for a successful breeding program. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Cyberattack is one of the severe threats in the digital world as it encompasses everything related to personal information, health, finances, intellectual properties, and even national security. Password‐based authentication is the most practiced authentication system, however, is vulnerable to several attacks such as dictionary attack, shoulder surfing attack, and guessing attack. Here, a new keystroke dynamics‐based hybrid nanogenerator for biometric authentication and identification integrated with artificial intelligence (AI) is reported. Keystroke dynamics offer behavioral and contextual information that can distinguish and authorize the individuals based on their typing rhythms. The hybrid electromagnetic‐triboelectric nanogenerators/sensors efficiently convert the keystroke mechanical energy into electrical signals, which are fed into an artificial neural network based AI system. The self‐powered hybrid sensors‐based biometric authentication system integrated with a neural network achieves an accuracy of 99% and offers a promising hybrid security layer against password vulnerability. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background and Aim: Gastrointestinal manifestations of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID‐19) pandemic may mimic irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), and social distancing measures may affect IBS patients negatively. We aimed to study the impact of COVID‐19 on respondents with self‐reported IBS. Methods: We conducted an anonymized survey from May to June 2020 in 33 countries. Knowledge, attitudes, and practices on personal hygiene and social distancing as well as psychological impact of COVID‐19 were assessed. Statistical analysis was performed to determine differences in well‐being and compliance to social distancing measures between respondents with and without self‐reported IBS. Factors associated with improvement or worsening of IBS symptoms were evaluated. Results: Out of 2704 respondents, 2024 (74.9%) did not have IBS, 305 (11.3%) had self‐reported IBS, and 374 (13.8%) did not know what IBS was. Self‐reported IBS respondents reported significantly worse emotional, social, and psychological well‐being compared with non‐IBS respondents and were less compliant to social distancing measures (28.2% vs 35.3%, P = 0.029); 61.6% reported no change, 26.6% reported improvement, and 11.8% reported worsening IBS symptoms. Higher proportion of respondents with no change in IBS symptoms were willing to practice social distancing indefinitely versus those who deteriorated (74.9% vs 51.4%, P = 0.016). In multivariate analysis, willingness to continue social distancing for another 2–3 weeks (vs longer period) was significantly associated with higher odds of worsening IBS. Conclusion: Our study showed that self‐reported IBS respondents had worse well‐being and compliance to social distancing measures than non‐IBS respondents. Future research will focus on occupational stress and dietary changes during COVID‐19 that may influence IBS. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: ZAP‐70W163C BALB/c (SKG) mice develop reactive arthritis (ReA) following infection with Chlamydia muridarum. Since intracellular pathogens enhance their replicative fitness in stressed host cells, we examined how myeloid cells infected with C muridarum drive arthritis. Methods: SKG, Il17a‐deficient SKG, and BALB/c female mice were infected with C muridarum or C muridarum luciferase in the genitals. C muridarum dissemination was assessed by in vivo imaging or genomic DNA amplification. Macrophages were depleted using clodronate liposomes. Anti–tumor necrosis factor (anti‐TNF) and anti–interleukin‐23p19 (anti–IL‐23p19) were administered after infection or arthritis onset. Gene expression of Hspa5, Tgtp1, Il23a, Il17a, Il12b, and Tnf was compared in SKG mice and BALB/c mice. Results: One week following infection with C muridarum, macrophages and neutrophils were observed to have infiltrated the uteri of mice and were also shown to have carried C muridarum DNA to the spleen. C muridarum load was higher in SKG mice than in BALB/c mice. Macrophage depletion was shown to reduce C muridarum load and prevent development of arthritis. Compared with BALB/c mice, expression of Il23a and Il17a was increased in the uterine and splenic neutrophils of SKG mice. The presence of anti–IL‐23p19 during infection or Il17a deficiency suppressed arthritis. Tnf was overexpressed in the joints of SKG mice within 1 week postinfection, and persisted beyond the first week. TNF inhibition during infection or at arthritis onset suppressed the development of arthritis. Levels of endoplasmic reticulum stress were constitutively increased in the joints of SKG mice but were induced, in conjunction with immunity‐related GTPase, by C muridarum infection in the uterus. Conclusion: C muridarum load is higher in SKG mice than in BALB/c mice. Whereas proinflammatory IL‐23 produced by neutrophils contributes to the initiation of C muridarum–mediated ReA, macrophage depletion reduces C muridarum dissemination to other tissues, tissue burden, and the development of arthritis. TNF inhibition was also shown to suppress arthritis development. Our data suggest that enhanced bacterial dissemination in macrophages of SKG mice drives the TNF production needed for persistent arthritis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: We undertook this study to evaluate the activation and functional relevance of inflammasome pathways in ankylosing spondylitis (AS) patients and rodent models and their relationship to dysbiosis. Methods: An inflammasome pathway was evaluated in the gut and peripheral blood from 40 AS patients using quantitative reverse transcriptase–polymerase chain reaction (qRT‐PCR), immunohistochemistry (IHC), flow cytometry, and confocal microscopy, and was compared to that of 20 healthy controls and 10 patients with Crohn's disease. Bacteria was visualized using silver stain in human samples, and antibiotics were administered to HLA–B27–transgenic rats. The NLRP3 inhibitor MCC950 was administered to SKG mice, and ileal and joint tissues were assessed by IHC analysis and real‐time qRT‐PCR. The role of inflammasome in modulating the interleukin‐23 (IL‐23)/IL‐17 axis was studied ex vivo. Results: Expression levels of Nlrp3, Nlrc4, and Aim2 were increased in the gut of HLA–B27–transgenic rats and reduced by antibiotic treatment (P < 0.05). In curdlan‐treated SKG mice, NLRP3 blockade prevented ileitis and delayed arthritis onset (P < 0.05). Compared to healthy controls, AS patients demonstrated overexpression of NLRP3 (fold induction 2.33 versus 22.2; P < 0.001), NLRC4 (fold induction 1.90 versus 6.47; P < 0.001), AIM2 (fold induction 2.40 versus 20.8; P < 0.001), CASP1 (fold induction 2.53 versus 24.8; P < 0.001), IL1B (fold induction 1.07 versus 10.93; P < 0.001), and IL18 (fold induction 2.56 versus 15.67; P < 0.001) in the ileum, and caspase 1 activity was increased (P < 0.01). The score of adherent and invasive mucosa‐associated bacteria was higher in AS (P < 0.01) and correlated with the expression of inflammasome components in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (P < 0.001). NLRP3 expression was associated with disease activity (the Ankylosing Spondylitis Disease Activity Score using the C‐reactive protein level) (r2 = 0.28, P < 0.01) and with IL23A expression (r2 = 0.34, P < 0.001). In vitro, inflammasome activation in AS monocytes was paralleled by increased serum levels of IL‐1β and IL‐18. Induction of IL23A, IL17A, and IL22 was IL‐1β–dependent. Conclusion: Inflammasome activation occurs in rodent models of AS and in AS patients, is associated with dysbiosis, and is involved in triggering ileitis in SKG mice. Inflammasomes drive type III cytokine production with an IL‐1β–dependent mechanism in AS patients. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Firms increasingly put financial pressure on their suppliers, also called squeezing. Suppliers react and adapt to financial squeeze as autonomous agents, causing complex ripple effects across the extended supply chain network. To capture intertwined and highly interactive effects among suppliers, we use agent‐based models. We explore the impact of financial squeeze on supply chain network structure and operational outcomes. Results suggest that financial squeeze affects the stability of the supply chain network and the effect varies depending on the location of the suppliers. Firms located at the bottom of the supply chain network suffer most from financial squeeze, and the magnitude of the effect increases as one goes further upstream. In addition, as existing suppliers exit the network and new suppliers enter, three network archetypes (Empty Nest, TransitUp, and StableDown) emerge. We identify the condition and operational consequences associated with these three archetypes. Our findings are informative to managers at buyer firms about the impacts of squeezing strategy on their extended supply chain partners, who often times are out of their immediate purview. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Magnetic nanoparticles (MNPs) offer tremendous potentialities in biomedical applications for a long while. Since these materials' interactions in biological media largely rely on their crystal structures, sizes, and shapes, detailed studies on their synthesis mechanism for medicinal aspects are crucial. Despite many review reports that have already been published on MNPs, they mainly have focused either on their perspective in biomedical applications or their synthesis and characterization along with functionalization mechanisms as individual entities. For this reason, this review uncovers a comprehensive insight into the ongoing improvement of fabrication processes, surface functionalization of MNPs for biomedical applications together. Besides, various magnetic nanocomposite (MNCs) for smart drug delivery, recent hyperthermia treatment, lab‐on‐a‐chip, and magnetic bio‐separation, and some of the recent emerging imaging techniques using MNPs are discussed. A detailed analysis of toxicity, challenges, and recent progress of clinical trials of MNPs is sketched out to open numerous entryways for advanced research on MNPs for biomedical applications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The earliest record of Himalayan detritus in the Himalayan foreland and the erosion sequence of different lithotectonic units of the Himalaya are critical for reconstructing collision and crustal deformation of the orogenic belt. In this study, bulk‐rock major, trace and rare earth elements of 19 fine‐grained clastic sedimentary rock samples from Eocene to Pliocene strata of the Bengal Basin were examined to study their provenance and erosion of the Himalaya. Combining with previous detrital zircon age data from the Bengal Basin, Nepal foreland basin, and South Tibet, we suggest that detritus from the uplifted Tethyan Himalayan Sequences and the Gangdese Arc had not been carried into the Himalayan foreland at least before Late Miocene, and that the Bengal Basin was in a passive continental margin setting from Eocene to Early Miocene, receiving detritus from a felsic sedimentary rock source. The earliest Himalayan detritus recorded in the Eocene strata of Bengal Basin were probably derived from the antecedent sedimentary cover of the Greater Himalayan crystalline rocks. We assume that the lack of Cretaceous Gangdese detritus in the Himalayan foreland from Eocene to Middle Miocene is due to a geomorphic barrier between the Tethyan Himalaya and the Himalayan foreland. Detritus from the Greater Himalayan crystalline rocks were first recorded in the Middle–Late Miocene Boka Bil Formation of the Bengal Basin, which is consistent with the uplift and exhumation time of the Greater Himalayan Sequences. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The emerged novel coronavirus severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS‐CoV‐2) has created a global health crisis that warrants an accurate and detailed characterization of the rapidly evolving viral genome for understanding its epidemiology, pathogenesis, and containment. Here, we explored 61,485 sequences of the nucleocapsid (N) protein, a potent diagnostic and prophylactic target, for identifying the mutations to review their roles in real‐time polymerase chain reaction based diagnosis and observe consequent impacts. Compared to the Wuhan reference strain, a total of 1034 unique nucleotide mutations were identified in the mutant strains (49.15%, n = 30,221) globally. Of these mutations, 367 occupy primer binding sites including the 3′‐end mismatch to the primer‐pair of 11 well‐characterized primer sets. Noteworthily, CDC (USA) recommended the N2 primer set contained a lower mismatch than the other primer sets. Moreover, 684 amino acid (aa) substitutions were located across 317 (75.66% of total aa) unique positions including 82, 21, and 83 of those in the RNA binding N‐terminal domain (NTD), SR‐rich region, and C‐terminal dimerization domain, respectively. Moreover, 11 in‐frame deletions, mostly (n = 10) within the highly flexible linker region, were revealed, and the rest was within the NTD region. Furthermore, we predicted the possible consequence of high‐frequency mutations (≥20) and deletions on the tertiary structure of the N protein. Remarkably, we observed that a high frequency (67.94% of mutated sequences) co‐occuring mutations (R203K and G204R) destabilized and decreased overall structural flexibility. The N protein of SARS‐CoV‐2 comprises an average of 1.2 mutations per strain compared to 4.4 and 0.4 in Middle East respiratory syndrome‐related coronavirus and SARS‐CoV, respectively. Despite being proposed as the alternative target to spike protein for vaccine and therapeutics, the ongoing evolution of the N protein may challenge these endeavors, thus needing further immunoinformatics analyses. Therefore, continuous monitoring is required for tracing the ongoing evolution of the SARS‐CoV‐2 N protein in prophylactic and diagnostic interventions. Highlights: Analyzing 61,485 sequences of the nucleocapsid (N) protein, 1034 unique nucleotide mutations were identified in the mutant strains (49.15%, n=30,221) globally.Of these mutations, 367 occupy primer binding sites including the 3'‐end mismatch to the primer‐pair of 11 well‐characterized primer sets.In total, 684 amino acid (aa) substitutions in 317 unique positions including 82, 21, and 83 in RNA binding N‐terminal domain (NTD), SR‐rich region, and C‐terminal dimerization domain (CTD), respectively were detected.Eleven in‐frame deletions found, mostly (n = 10) within the highly flexible linker region of the SARS‐CoV‐2 N protein.The N protein of SARS‐CoV‐2 comprises an average of 1.2 mutations per strain compared to 4.4 and 0.4 in MERS‐CoV and SARS‐CoV, respectively. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Foot‐and‐mouth disease virus (FMDV) serotype A exhibits a higher degree of genetic and antigenic diversity resulting in frequent vaccine failure due to serological mismatch between the vaccine and heterologous strains. Currently, knowledge on the molecular basis of antigenic relationships among the FMDVs is limited; nevertheless, intratype antigenic variation due to mutation(s) is widely considered as the main hurdle to appropriate FMD vaccine development. Here, we studied genetic and antigenic variations of four FMDV serotype A isolates, BAN/GA/Sa‐197/2013 (BAN‐197), BAN/CH/Sa‐304/2016 (BAN‐304), BAN/DH/Sa‐307/2016 (BAN‐307) and BAN/DH/Sa‐310/2017 (BAN‐310) circulating in Bangladesh during 2013–2017. Initially, antigenic relationships (r1‐values) of the field isolates were evaluated by the two‐dimensional microneutralization test (2D‐MNT) using the hyperimmune antisera raised in cattle against the vaccine strain, BAN‐304. Interesingly, the results showed protective serological cross‐reactivity (r1‐values > 0.4) between the vaccine strain and the field isolates, BAN‐307 and BAN‐310, except BAN‐197 that substantially mismatched (r1 = 0.129 ± 0.043) with the BAN‐304. Although VP1‐based phylogeny grouped all the isolates within the same sublineage C (a subgroup of VP3Δ59 variant) under the lineage A/ASIA/G‐VII, strikingly, computational analyses of the viral capsid proteins demonstrated significant deviation at the VP1 G‐H loop of BAN‐197 from the vaccine strain, while VP(2–4) of both isolates were structurally conserved. To bridge the gap of how the distortion of the G‐H loop and consequent antigenic hetergeneity occurred in BAN‐197, we performed in silico combinatorial substitutions of the VP1 mutant amino acids (aa) of BAN‐197 with the respective residues in BAN‐304. Remarkably, our analyses revealed that two substitutions of distantly located aa at B‐C (T48I:threonine → isoleucine) and G‐H (A143V:alanine → valine) loops, in combination, distorted the VP1 G‐H loop. Overall, this work contributes to understanding the molecular basis of antigenic relationships operating in serotype A FMDVs and the selection of suitable vaccine strain(s) for effective prophylaxis of FMD based on VP1‐based analyses. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The web‐based IceBear software is a versatile tool to monitor the results of crystallization experiments and is designed to facilitate supervisor and student communications. It also records and tracks all relevant information from crystallization setup to PDB deposition in protein crystallography projects. Fully automated data collection is now possible at several synchrotrons, which means that the number of samples tested at the synchrotron is currently increasing rapidly. Therefore, the protein crystallography research communities at the University of Oulu, Weizmann Institute of Science and Diamond Light Source have joined forces to automate the uploading of sample metadata to the synchrotron. In IceBear, each crystal selected for data collection is given a unique sample name and a crystal page is generated. Subsequently, the metadata required for data collection are uploaded directly to the ISPyB synchrotron database by a shipment module, and for each sample a link to the relevant ISPyB page is stored. IceBear allows notes to be made for each sample during cryocooling treatment and during data collection, as well as in later steps of the structure determination. Protocols are also available to aid the recycling of pins, pucks and dewars when the dewar returns from the synchrotron. The IceBear database is organized around projects, and project members can easily access the crystallization and diffraction metadata for each sample, as well as any additional information that has been provided via the notes. The crystal page for each sample connects the crystallization, diffraction and structural information by providing links to the IceBear drop‐viewer page and to the ISPyB data‐collection page, as well as to the structure deposited in the Protein Data Bank. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Conventional pulping processes, such as soda, soda‐Antraquinone (AQ), and kraft, are currently used for non‐wood pulping. The main challenges of non‐wood pulping in conventional pulping processes are (1) large amounts of silica cause silica‐related operational difficulties in the process; (2) large amounts of fines/parenchyma cells decrease the drainage; and (3) the bulky nature of raw materials increases the collection/transportation cost, hampering large‐scale commercial operations. Alternative pulping processes are therefore being developed. This paper reviews the current status of alternative non‐wood pulping processes and their integration with the biorefinery concept. Several promising methods have been investigated at the laboratory or pilot scale. Organic acid and potassium hydroxide pulping processes are attractive alternatives for non‐wood pulping. Dissolved lignin and hemicelluloses in spent liquor can lead to the production of valuable co‐products, fitting well with the integrated biorefinery concept. Non‐wood biomass can be important raw material for pulping in forest‐deficient countries. © 2020 Society of Chemical Industry and John Wiley & Sons, Ltd [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background and Aim: As the interrelationship between Helicobacter pylori, metabolic syndrome (MetS), and non‐alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is controversial, we undertook a community‐based study with the aim to find the seroprevalence of H. pylori and its relationship with MetS and NAFLD. Methods: This door‐to‐door survey was conducted among the adult subjects (≥18 years) of two villages (Charcharia of Dhaka district and Kharrah of Munshiganj district) of Bangladesh. Interviews using a structured questionnaire, clinical examination, anthropometric measurements, ultrasonogram of the liver, and biochemical tests were performed. Results: Of 1021 subjects, 781 responded (76.49%), and 767 were included in the final analysis (mean age 40.35 ± 15.56 years; female 63.5%). Anti‐H. pylori antibodies were found in 418 of 767 (54.5%). There were no H. pylori serostatus association with MetS and diabetes mellitus (DM) in univariate or multivariate analysis (all P > 0.05). However, H. pylori seropositive subjects had lower systolic blood pressure (odds ratio [OR] = −2.95 [−5.58, −0.32]) and low density lipoprotein ‐cholesterol (OR −7.79 [−15, −0.57]) compared to seronegative subjects in the linear regression model. Seronegativity of H. pylori was associated with NALFD in univariate (P = 0.007) but not multivariate analysis (P = 0.086). There were no differences in the frequency of H. pylori seropositivity among the participants with nonobese compared to obese NAFLD (19/42 [45%] vs 43/99 [43.4%], P = 0.844). Conclusion: In a rural community of Bangladesh, about 55% of the population were H. pylori seropositive, which was more common among the underweight than normal or obese subjects. However, there was no relationship observed between H. pylori seroprevalence and MetS, DM, or NAFLD. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The novel coronavirus, SARS‐CoV‐2, has caused the most unfathomable pandemic in the history of humankind. Bangladesh is also a victim of this critical situation. To investigate the genomic features of the pathogen from Bangladesh, the first complete genome of the virus has very recently been published. Therefore, long‐awaited questions regarding the possible origin and typing of the strain(s) can now be answered. Here, we endeavor to mainly discuss the published reports or online‐accessed data (results) regarding those issues and present a comprehensive picture of the typing of the virus alongside the probable origin of the subclade containing the Bangladeshi strain. Our observation suggested that this strain might have originated from the United Kingdom or the other European countries epidemiologically linked to the United Kingdom. According to different genotyping classification schemes, this strain belongs to the A2a clade under the G major clade, is of B and/or L type, and is a SARS‐CoV‐2a substrain. In the future, randomized genomic data will certainly increase in Bangladesh, however because of globalization and immigrant movement, we urgently need a mass regional sequencing approach targeting the partial or complete genome that can link the epidemiological data and may help in further clinical intervention. Highlights: This commentary has comprehensively explained the genotyping and possible origin of first Bangladeshi SARS‐CoV‐2 strain, which will also help in identifying the similar strains sequenced in future. Moreover, we stress onto the importance of a broad scale, rationale and nation‐wide genomic data analysis correlated with the clinical data. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background and Aim: As there is a scarcity of data on overall prevalence, risk factors, and health‐care utilization of esophageal symptoms using the Rome criteria in the rural population in Asia, we undertook a study with the aims to evaluate: (i) the prevalence of heartburn, chest pain, globus, and dysphagia of presumed esophageal origin; (ii) the prevalence of functional esophageal disorders by Rome III criteria; (iii) the risk factors for esophageal symptoms; and (iv) the health‐care utilization. Methods: This door‐to‐door survey was conducted in three villages (Charcharia, Churain of Dhaka district, and Kharrah of Munshiganj district of Bangladesh) among the adult population (≥18 years) using the translated and validated Enhanced Asian Rome III questionnaire. Results: Of 3559 individuals, 3351 (94.15%) responded (mean age 40.41 ± 16.04 years, female, 1924 [57.4%]). Heartburn was the most common symptom, 863 (25.8%), followed by chest pain, 367 (11%); globus, 285 (8.5%); and dysphagia, 146 (4.4%). At least one symptom was present in 1108 (33.1%) respondents. Based on Rome III criteria, 428 (12.8%), 41 (1.2%), 49 (1.5%), 26 (0.8%), and 524 (15.6%) had heartburn, chest pain, globus, dysphagia, and at least one functional esophageal disorder, respectively. Female gender, lower family income, presence of functional dyspepsia‐irritable bowel syndrome (FD‐IBS) overlap, FD only, and psychological distress were found to be risk factors for esophageal symptoms on multivariate analysis. Among the subjects with any esophageal disorders, 156 (14.1%) consulted any health‐care provider, and 517 (46.6%) took antisecretory medications. Conclusion: Esophageal symptoms are common in the rural community of Bangladesh and are associated with substantial health resource utilization. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The only produced offshore gas field in Bangladesh, known as the Sangu field, is located in the Hatiya Trough in the east of the Bay of Bengal, and has estimated total reserves of about 1055 BCF GIIP. The early shut‐down of the field in October 2013 may have resulted in significant volumes of recoverable gas being left in the subsurface over a depth range of 1893 m to 3640 m. In this paper, seismic and well log data were analyzed and interpreted in order to investigate the structure and stratigraphy of the Sangu field, together with the lithology, extent and petrophysical properties of the reservoir. The general lithostratigraphy at Sangu has some similarity to that of the Surma Basin of the Bengal Foredeep. Reservoir rocks consist of Miocene and Pliocene deltaic sandstones and deep‐water clastics. The source rock is the Miocene Bhuban Shale which is mature for gas generation in the Hatiya Trough. Three Neogene seismic stratigraphic megasequences were recognised at Sangu and are interpreted to have been deposited respectively in fluvial, delta front and shelf slope or marginal marine settings. Based on an analysis of wireline logs from wells Sangu‐1 and Sangu‐5 and on seismic‐to‐well ties, a series of reservoir units referred to (from the base up) as the T1 (E, D, C, A&B), Supra‐T1, T2 and T3 have been identified. Petrophysical analyses showed that the average total porosity of these reservoir units is >13%, the permeability is in general less than10 mD, and the gas saturation ranges from 24% to 80%. Mapping of the reservoirs shows that the structure at Sangu is an asymmetric anticline with a NNW‐SSE axial trend. Amplitude data have allowed the delineation of two other potential reservoir zones in the field at depths of 2900‐3000 m and 3550‐3750 m. The study will contribute to future offshore gas exploration and development in the Bay of Bengal region based on the geological and geophysical characteristics of the reservoirs delineated. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Self‐powered arbitrary motion sensors are in high demand in the field of autonomous controlled systems. In this work, a magnetic repulsion‐assisted self‐powered motion sensor is integrated with a hybrid nanogenerator (MRSMS–HNG) as a battery‐less arbitrary motion sensing system. The proposed device can efficiently detect the motion parameters of a moving object along any arbitrary direction and simultaneously convert low frequency (<5 Hz) vibrations into useful electricity. The MRSMS–HNG consists of a central magnet for the electromagnetic (EMG)–triboelectric (TENG) nanogenerator and four side magnets for motion sensors. Because all the magnets are aligned in the same magnetization direction, the repulsive force owing to the movement of the central magnet actuates the side magnets to achieve self‐powered arbitrary motion sensing. These self‐powered motion sensors exhibit a high sensitivity of 981.33 mV g−1 under linear motion excitation and have a tilting angle sensitivity of 9.83 mV deg−1. The proposed device can deliver peak powers of 27 mW and 56 µW from the EMG and TENG, respectively. By integrating the self‐powered motion sensors and hybrid nanogenerator on a single device, real‐time wireless transmission of motion sensor data to a smartphone is successfully demonstrated, thus realizing a battery‐less arbitrary motion‐sensing system for future autonomous control applications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: Immunoglobulin M antibodies against phosphorylcholine (anti‐PCs) may be protective in atherosclerosis, cardiovascular disease (CVD), and systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). We study immunoglobulin G1 (IgG1) and immunoglobulin G2 (IgG2) anti‐PCs, with a focus on atherosclerosis and SLE. Methods: We determined anti‐PCs by using the enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay in 116 patients with SLE and 110 age‐ and sex‐matched controls. For functional studies, we used three in‐house–generated, fully human monoclonal IgG1 anti‐PCs (A01, D05, and E01). Apoptosis was induced in Jurkat T cells and preincubated with A01, D05, E01, or IgG1 isotype control, and effects on efferocytosis by human macrophages were studied. Anti‐PC peptide/protein characterization was determined using a proteomics de novo sequencing approach. Results: IgG1, but not IgG2, anti‐PC levels were higher among patients with SLE (P = 0.02). IgG1 anti‐PCs were negatively associated with Systemic Lupus International Collaborating Clinics (SLICC) damage index and Systemic Lupus Erythematosus Disease Activity Index (SLEDAI) scores (odds ratio [OR]: 2.978 [confidence interval (CI): 0.876‐10.098] and OR: 5.108 [CI 1.3‐20.067], respectively) and negatively associated with CVD, atherosclerotic plaques, and echolucent plaques (potentially vulnerable plaques), but the association for the two former was not significant after controlling for confounders. D05 had a maximum effect on macrophage efferocytosis efficiency, followed by A01 and E01. The monoclonal antibodies showed differential binding specificity to PC and PC‐associated neoepitopes. A peptide analysis showed a difference in the complementarity‐determining region 3 of the three IgG1 anti‐PC clones that are crucial for recognition of PC on apoptotic cell surfaces and other neoepitopes. Conclusion: IgG1 anti‐PCs are negatively associated with disease activity and disease damage in SLE, but the negative association with CVD is also dependent on confounding risk factors. One potential underlying mechanism could be increased clearance of dead cells. What is already known about this subject? •Low levels of immunoglobulin M antibodies against phosphorylcholine (anti‐PCs) is more common in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) compared with controls and is associated with increased prevalence of vulnerable plaque among patients with SLE. What does this study add? Immunoglobulin G1 (IgG1) anti‐PCs are negatively associated with disease activity, disease damage, cardiovascular disease, and measures of atherosclerosis in SLE.We have produced in‐house, fully human monoclonal antibodies of the IgG1 isotype that increase apoptotic cell uptake efficiently and reduce inflammation induced by lipopolysaccharide. Effects varied depending on the clone used.A peptide analysis showed a difference in the complementarity‐determining region 3 of the three IgG1 anti‐PC clones that are crucial for the recognition of phosphorylcholine (PC) on apoptotic cell surfaces and other neoepitopes. How might this impact clinical practice or future developments? Measurement of IgG1 anti‐PCs, along with other autoantibodies, could improve prevention in patients with SLE with vascular implications.Anti‐PCs could be developed as a novel treatment in SLE, either as monoclonal antibodies or as a vaccine with PC. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

There are compelling evidences that oxidative stress plays important role in age‐related neurodegenerative diseases and natural food‐derived dietary antioxidants appear to be the first line of defence to take care of the oxidative stress. The analysis results of this study showed that Cili Burung of the hot pepper landraces contained the highest amount of TPC (1.00 mg/g DW), TFC (0.17 mg/g DW), capsaicinoids (0.05 mg/g), and the highest FRAP activity (439 mg/g DW). However, DPPH assay revealed the highest DPPH scavenging activity (IC50 = 250 μg/ml) in Halia Bara rhizome. Rhizomes of both landraces of ginger showed a significant amount of capsaicinoids. Hot pepper Cili Ungu (5.50 g/kg) and sweet pepper Cili Kulai had the highest P contents (~5.5 g/kg). Halia Bentong ginger rhizome had the highest content of K (33.84 g/kg); however, Halia Bentong ginger roots had remarkably greater contents of Ca (10.96 g/kg). Ginger rhizomes and roots had greater contents of micro minerals compared to hot and sweet chili peppers. Ginger roots contained good amounts of bioactive compounds and mineral nutrients indicating its commercial value. Practical applications: The findings of the research are truly very informative and potential for a greater health benefits of all types of health conscious generation of all ages. Depending on the greater contents of the measured bioactive compounds (total phenolics, flavonoids, capsaicinoids, and mineral nutrients) in Chili Burung from among the hot peppers and Cili Solok from among the sweet peppers and both ginger landraces may thus be suitable for commercial production and can serve as potential parents in breeding programs for enhanced phytonutrients constituents, or for use in related research. The presence of high phenolic and flavonoid contents in Chili Burung and gingers indicated their potentiality in pharmaceutical and ethnomedicinal uses. A good amount of bioactive compounds in ginger roots indicated its commercial value. And this is the first research reported on capsaicin in ginger; however, our findings do not preclude chemo‐profiling of capsaicinoids in ginger rhizomes for its inevitability. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background. Acute poisoning is a common scenario in the emergency department of any general hospital globally, but its pattern may vary in different parts of the world and even may be a different regional variation in the same country. Objective. Our recent study aims to assess the demographic characteristics, psychological aspect, pattern, and treatment outcome in different acute poisoning. Method. The present cross-sectional study was conducted in the medicine department of Jashore Medical College and Hospital from 1st January to 30th June 2018, which recruited 487 eligible cases of admitted acute poisoning patients. Results. The study reveals that the total incidence of acute poisoning in Jashore, Bangladesh, is 17.1 per 100,000 populations over a 6-month period. The mean age of our study population was 27 ± 11 (SD) years with having significant female preponderance in acute poisoning (female: 253/52% and male: 234/48%; p = 0.002). Female subjects were significantly younger than male (p < 0.001). Moreover, the total suicidal intension of acute poisoning in our study was 97.3%, whereas the female subjects were more committed to suicidal attempts (p = 0.027). Organophosphorus compounds (OPCs) were the significant leading agents (66.1%, p = 0.029) of acute poisoning, and even, it had been significantly used as suicidal intention of poisoning substance (65.1%, p < 0.001) in our observation. Muslim (97.5%, p = 0.005), 10–29 year age group (68.0%, p = 0.002), rural (99.2%), unmarried (51.3%), middle class (50.1%), students (48.9%), and secondary educational background population (76.4%) were more victimized of acute poisoning. Among different factors, familial disharmony constituted of 56.1% cases of suicidal attempt in acute poisoning. Finally, we had observed that the death incidence by acute poisoning in Jashore, Bangladesh, was 1.9 per 100,000 population over a 6-month period. Conclusion. The recent study reveals that there is high incidence of acute poisoning in Jashore, Bangladesh, with a significant amount of death toll. Organophosphorus compound is the most common agent of deliberating self-poisoning in our study due to its easy availability in our agriculture-based community. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]