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The discovery of chirped pulse amplification has led to great improvements in laser technology, enabling energetic laser beams to be compressed to pulse durations of tens of femtoseconds and focused to a few micrometers. Protons with energies of tens of MeV can be accelerated using, for instance, target normal sheath acceleration and focused on secondary targets. Under such conditions, nuclear reactions can occur, with the production of radioisotopes suitable for medical application. The use of high-repetition lasers to produce such isotopes is competitive with conventional methods mostly based on accelerators. In this paper, we study the production of 67Cu, 63Zn, 18F, and 11C, which are currently used in positron emission tomography and other applications. At the same time, we study the reactions 10B(p,α)7Be and 70Zn(p,4n)67Ga to put further constraints on the proton distributions at different angles, as well as the reaction 11B(p,α)8Be relevant for energy production. The experiment was performed at the 1 PW laser facility at Vega III in Salamanca, Spain. Angular distributions of radioisotopes in the forward (with respect to the laser direction) and backward directions were measured using a high purity germanium detector. Our results are in reasonable agreement with numerical estimates obtained following the approach of Kimura and Bonasera [Nucl. Instrum. Methods Phys. Res., Sect. A 637, 164–170 (2011)].

A bright ( m _F150W,AB = 24 mag), z = 1.95 supernova (SN) candidate was discovered in JWST/NIRCam imaging acquired on 2023 November 17. The SN is quintuply imaged as a result of strong gravitational lensing by a foreground galaxy cluster, detected in three locations, and remarkably is the second lensed SN found in the same host galaxy. The previous lensed SN was called “Requiem,” and therefore the new SN is named “Encore.” This makes the MACS J0138.0−2155 cluster the first known system to produce more than one multiply imaged SN. Moreover, both SN Requiem and SN Encore are Type Ia SNe (SNe Ia), making this the most distant case of a galaxy hosting two SNe Ia. Using parametric host fitting, we determine the probability of detecting two SNe Ia in this host galaxy over a ∼10 yr window to be ≈3%. These observations have the potential to yield a Hubble constant ( H _0 ) measurement with ∼10% precision, only the third lensed SN capable of such a result, using the three visible images of the SN. Both SN Requiem and SN Encore have a fourth image that is expected to appear within a few years of ∼2030, providing an unprecedented baseline for time-delay cosmography.

In terms of predicting the flow parameters of a river system, such as discharge and flow depth, the continuity equation plays a vital role. In this research, static- and routing-type dynamic artificial neural networks (ANNs) were incorporated in the multiple sections of a river flow on the basis of a storage parameter. Storage characteristics were presented implicitly and explicitly for various sections in a river system satisfying the continuity norm and mass balance flow. Furthermore, the multiple-input multiple-output (MIMO) model form having two base architectures, namely, MIMO-1 and MIMO-2, was accounted for learning fractional storage and actual storage variations and characteristics in a given model form. The model architecture was also obtained by using a trial-and-error approach, while the network architecture was acquired by employing gamma memory along with use of the multi-layer perceptron model form. Moreover, this paper discusses the comparisons and differences between both models. The model performances were validated using various statistical criteria, such as the root-mean-square error (whose value is less than 10% from the observed mean), the coefficient of efficiency (whose value is more than 0.90), and various other statistical parameters. This paper suggests applicability of these models in real-time scenarios while following the continuity norm. HIGHLIGHTS Applicability of Continuity equation while forecasting using ANN.; Use of storage variable in river flow prediction.; Routing type dynamic ANN models implication.; Use of MIMO (multiple input and multiple output) and MISO (multiple input and single output) model forms for forecasting approach.; Model is applicable and useful in real time flood scenarios.;

There is emerging evidence of microvascular thrombosis and thrombotic microangiopathy (TMA) induced by COVID-19, presumably from endothelial injury. Thrombomodulin (TM) is an endothelial glycoprotein that plays a dual role in maintaining healthy endothelium-as a natural anticoagulant by binding thrombin to activate protein C (APC) and a negative regulator of the alternate complement pathway (AP). TM is shed into the plasma as soluble TM (sTM) during endothelial injury.We hypothesize that SARS-CoV-2 spike proteins cause direct microvascular endothelial injury, leading to TM shedding, decreased activation of PC, and consequently, microvascular thrombosis in COVID-19. We conducted this study twofold: 1) in vivo, we assessed endothelial injury (by measuring sTM) and AP activation by quantifying Ba (cleavage product of AP component Factor B) in a cohort of critically ill COVID-19 pediatric patients and the implications on clinical outcomes; and 2)in vitro, we investigated endothelial injury (TM shedding) by SARS-COV-2 spike proteins and the subsequent functional consequence in activated PC (APC) levels and Ba levels.sTM and Ba in plasma samples from SARS-CoV-2 positive patients admitted to Texas Children's Hospital Pediatric Intensive Care Unit (n = 33) and from healthy controls (n = 38) were measured by ELISA. In vitro, confluent glomerular microvascular endothelial cells (GMVECs) were incubated for 48 h in the presence or absence (control) of purified SARS-CoV-2 spike proteins, S1 and S2. TM from the cell lysates while Ba and APC from the cell supernatants were measured by ELISA. sTM and Ba levels were significantly higher in the COVID-19 pediatric patients compared to healthy controls (p

ANN was used to create a storage-based concurrent flow forecasting model. River flow parameters in an unsteady flow must be modeled using a model formulation based on learning storage change variable and instantaneous storage rate change. Multiple input-multiple output (MIMO) and multiple input-single output (MISO models in three variants were used to anticipate flow rates in the Tar River Basin in the United States. Gamma memory neural networks, as well as MLP and TDNNs models, are used in this study. When issuing a forecast, storage variables for river flow must be considered, which is why this study includes them. While considering mass balance flow, the proposed model can provide real-time flow forecasting. Results obtained are validated using various statistical criteria such as RMS error and coefficient of correlation. For the models, a coefficient of correlation value of more than 0.96 indicates good results. While considering the mass balance flow, the results show flow fluctuations corresponding to expressly and implicitly provided storage variations.

The PolSAR calibration ensures that the relationship between the SAR observations and the target characteristics on the ground are consistent and resembles the theoretical estimation which in turn improves the overall data quality. Essentially, calibration prevents the propagation of uncertainty into further analysis to characterise the target. In this study, the UAVSAR L-Band data of Rosamond dry lake bed has been calibrated. The calibration of amplitude and phase are carried out with the help of the corner reflector array present in the Rosamond site. The dataset is further calibrated for the crosstalk and channel imbalance using the Quegan’s distortion model. Since the crosstalk distortion model requires an accurate estimation of the covariance matrix, the optimal kernel size for the its computation is selected based on the distortion model behaviour with varying window sizes. Furthermore, the effectiveness of the calibration process has been studied using polarimetric signatures and other statistical measures.

Supernovae (SNe) that have been multiply imaged by gravitational lensing are rare and powerful probes for cosmology. Each detection is an opportunity to develop the critical tools and methodologies needed as the sample of lensed SNe increases by orders of magnitude with the upcoming Vera C. Rubin Observatory and Nancy Grace Roman Space Telescope. The latest such discovery is of the quadruply imaged Type Ia SN 2022qmx (aka, “SN Zwicky”) at z = 0.3544. SN Zwicky was discovered by the Zwicky Transient Facility in spatially unresolved data. Here we present follow-up Hubble Space Telescope observations of SN Zwicky, the first from the multicycle “LensWatch ( http://www.lenswatch.org )” program. We measure photometry for each of the four images of SN Zwicky, which are resolved in three WFC3/UVIS filters (F475W, F625W, and F814W) but unresolved with WFC3/IR F160W, and present an analysis of the lensing system using a variety of independent lens modeling methods. We find consistency between lens-model-predicted time delays (≲1 day), and delays estimated with the single epoch of Hubble Space Telescope colors (≲3.5 days), including the uncertainty from chromatic microlensing (∼1–1.5 days). Our lens models converge to an Einstein radius of ${\theta }_{{\rm{E}}}=({0.168}_{-0.005}^{+0.009})^{\prime\prime} $ , the smallest yet seen in a lensed SN system. The “standard candle” nature of SN Zwicky provides magnification estimates independent of the lens modeling that are brighter than predicted by $\sim {1.7}_{-0.6}^{+0.8}$ mag and $\sim {0.9}_{-0.6}^{+0.8}$ mag for two of the four images, suggesting significant microlensing and/or additional substructure beyond the flexibility of our image-position mass models.

Abstract The thermal and convective evolution of terrestrial planets like Mars is governed by a number of initial conditions and parameters, which are poorly constrained. We use Mixture Density Networks (MDN) to invert various sets of synthetic present‐day observables and infer five parameters: reference viscosity, activation energy and activation volume of the diffusion creep rheology, an enrichment factor for radiogenic elements in the crust, and initial mantle temperature. The data set comes from 6,130 two‐dimensional simulations of the thermal evolution of Mars' interior. We quantify the possibility of constraining a parameter using the log‐likelihood value from the MDN. Reference viscosity can be constrained to within 32% of its entire range (1019 − 1022 Pa s), when all the observables are available: core‐mantle‐boundary heat flux, surface heat flux, radial contraction, melt produced, and duration of volcanism. Furthermore, crustal enrichment factor (1–50) can be constrained, at best, to within 15%, and the activation energy (105 − 5 × 105 J mol−1) to within 80%. Initial mantle temperature can be constrained to within 39% of its range (1,600–1,800 K). Using the full present‐day temperature profile or parts of it as an observable tightens the constraints further. The activation volume (4 × 10−6 − 10 × 10−6 m3 mol−1) cannot be constrained. We also tested different levels of uncertainty in the observables and found that constraints on different parameters loosen differently, with initial temperature being the most sensitive. Finally, we present how a joint probability model for all parameters can be obtained from the MDN.

Introduction: Renal primitive neuroectodermal tumor (PNET) is a rare and aggressive renal tumor with few reported cases in the literature. Observations: We report a case of a 23-year-old male patient who initially presented with features of an inflammatory renal space occupying lesion (SOL) on clinical evaluation and imaging. Guided fine-needle aspiration cytology from renal mass revealed poorly differentiated neoplasm. Left open radical nephrectomy was performed. Final histopathology examination, despite the absence of clinical, radiological and gross features was consistent with a diagnosis of renal PNET. Such uncommon presentation of renal PNET has been rarely reported in the literature. Our patient then received six cycles of adjuvant chemotherapy (vincristine 1.5 mg/m2 on day 1, doxorubicin 20 mg/m2 on days 1–3, etoposide 150 mg/m2 on days 1–3, and ifosfamide 3 g/m2 on days 1–3 with mesna every 21 days). The patient developed multiorgan metastasis and progressive disease after remaining disease-free for 14 months. Conclusion: Renal PNET should be kept in the differentials of a renal SOL presenting in adolescents and young adults. All diagnostic modalities concerning SOL of the kidney must be interpreted with caution in order for the appropriate management. Punctures for cytology can be indicated in select cases. Histopathology, immuno histochemistry supported by cytogenetic studies are required for the exact diagnosis of renal PNET. Multidisciplinary approach consisting of surgery, chemotherapy, and radiotherapy is recommended to manage this condition in view of its aggressive nature and poor prognosis. Keywords: Renal, PNET, Imaging

With growing concerns over the sustainability of petroleum-based polymers, poly(limonene carbonate) is offered as a renewable alternative. Here, Greiner and co-workers have managed to tune the properties of poly(limonene carbonate) by carrying out several different chemical modifications.

Hands are capable of a wide variety of functions like touching, grasping, feeling, holding, manipulating, caressing, and more. It is a vital and important part of a person's identity and well being. Loss of part of the hands can affect esthetics; functions are undermined depending upon the severity of loss and it causes a great psychological disturbance. The prosthetic rehabilitation of a partially amputated finger presents a challenge to the Prosthodontist. This case report illustrates the procedure of fabrication of finger prosthesis using room temperature vulcanizing (RTV) silicone and intrinsic staining with modern prosthetic design to improve the esthetics of a patient with partially amputated left index finger.

Fertilizer plant waste carbon slurry has been investigated after some processing as an adsorbent for the removal of dyes and phenols using columns. The results show that the carbonaceous adsorbent prepared from carbon slurry being porous and having appreciable surface area (380 m2/g) can remove dyes both cationic (meldola blue, methylene blue, chrysoidine G, crystal violet) as well as anionic (ethyl orange, metanil yellow, acid blue 113), and phenols (phenol, 2-chlorophenol, 4-chlorophenol and 2,4-dichlorophenol) fruitfully from water. The column type continuous flow operations were used to obtain the breakthrough curves. The breakthrough capacity, exhaustion capacity and degree of column utilization were evaluated from the plots. The results shows that the degree of column utilization for dyes lies in the range 60 to 76% while for phenols was in the range 53-58%. The exhaustion capacities were quite high as compared to the breakthrough capacities and were found to be 217, 211, 104, 126, 233, 248, 267 mg/g for meldola blue, crystal violet, chrysoidine G, methylene blue, ethyl orange, metanil yellow, acid blue 113, respectively and 25.6, 72.2, 82.2 and 197.3 mg/g for phenol, 2-chlorophenol, 4-chlorophenol and 2,4-dichlorophenol, respectively

The design of a novel compact dual band PIFA (Planar Inverted F-Antenna) as an embedded antenna is reported in this paper for mobile radio applications. The new shorted planar antenna is realized using copper sheet of thickness 1mm and air as the dielectric substrate. The radiating patch consists of a branch line slit to reduce the size of the antenna having a ground size of 36 x 80 mm2. It can be used in internal mobile antennas for applications in GSM band, GCV (1.85 - 1.99GHz), PCS - 1900, IMT-2000 and UMTS 2100 networks. The simulations are done using the Ansoft High Frequency Structure Simulator (HFSS) software tool. The two operating frequency ranges obtained have good matching and radiation characteristics. The simulated results are well supported by measured results of the prototype of the antenna fabricated.

To better understand the size-segregated chemical composition of aged organic aerosols in the western North Pacific rim, day- and night-time aerosol samples were collected in Sapporo, Japan during summer 2005 using an Andersen impactor sampler with 5 size bins: Dp7.0 μm. Samples were analyzed for the molecular composition of dicarboxylic acids, ketoacids, α-dicarbonyls, and sugars, together with water-soluble organic carbon (WSOC), organic carbon (OC), elemental carbon (EC) and inorganic ions. Based on the analyses of backward trajectories and chemical tracers, we found that during the campaign, air masses arrived from Siberia (a biomass burning source region) on 8–9 August, from China (an anthropogenic source region) on 9–10 August, and from the East China Sea/Sea of Japan (a mixed source receptor region) on 10–11 August. Most of the diacids, ketoacids, dicarbonyls, levoglucosan, WSOC, and inorganic ions (i.e., SO42−, NH4+ and K+) were enriched in fine particles (PM1.1) whereas Ca2+, Mg2+ and Cl− peaked in coarse sizes (>1.1 μm). Interestingly, OC, most sugar compounds and NO3− showed bimodal distributions in fine and coarse modes. In PM1.1, diacids in biomass burning-influenced aerosols transported from Siberia (mean: 252 ng m−3) were more abundant than those in the aerosols originating from China (209 ng m−3) and ocean (142 ng m−3), whereas SO42− concentrations were highest in the aerosols from China (mean: 3970 ng m−3) followed by marine- (2950 ng m−3) and biomass burning-influenced (1980 ng m−3) aerosols. Higher loadings of WSOC (2430 ng m−3) and OC (4360 ng m−3) were found in the fine mode, where biomass-burning products such as levoglucosan are abundant. This paper presents a case study of long-range transported aerosols illustrating that biomass burning episodes in the Siberian region have a significant influence on the chemical composition of carbonaceous aerosols in the western North Pacific rim.

Rett Syndrome (RTT), the second most common cause of mental retardation in girls, is associated with mutations of an X-linked gene encoding the transcriptional repressor protein MeCP2. Mecp21lox mutant mice express no functional MeCP2 protein and exhibit behavioral abnormalities similar to those seen in RTT patients. Here we monitor the development of both whole brain and regional volumes between 21 and 42 days of age in this model of RTT using MRI. We see decreases in whole brain volumes in both male and female mutant mice. Cerebellar and ventricular volumes are also decreased in RTT males. Previous work has suggested that perinatal choline supplementation alleviates some of the behavioral deficits in both male and female Mecp21lox mutant mice. Here we show that perinatal choline supplementation also positively affects whole brain volume in heterozygous females, and cerebellar volume in male RTT mice.

Vultures belong to the important scavenger group of birds. The population of which is fast declining. They have gained lot of attention of bird watchers during past few years. Present reporting in the first record of Cinereous Vulture Aegypius monachus from Ubeshwar, a pilgrim place near Udaipur City in south Rajasthan.

Abdominal cocoon is a rare condition. It presents as a thick whitish membrane which covers bowel loops. Because of this presentation, it is also called as sclerosing encapsulating peritonitis. It is usually diagnosed intra operatively. Treatment of this condition involves resection of the membrane and release of adhesions. Pre-operatively, patient is investigated for recurrent episodes of small bowel obstructions. However, preoperative diagnosis does not change the treatment and management. Investigations done preoperatively help in expediting the treatment with planned laparotomy.

In this paper, a nonlinear mathematical model is proposed and analyzed for the survival of biological species affected by a pollutant present in the environment. It is considered that the emission of the pollutant into the environment is dynamic in nature and depends on the environmental tax imposed on the emitters. It is also assumed that the environmental tax is imposed to control the emission of pollutants only when the concentration level of pollutants in the environment crosses a limit over which the pollutants starts causing harm to the population under consideration. Criteria for local stability, global stability and permanence are obtained using theory of ordinary differential equations. Numerical simulations are carried out to investigate the dynamics of the system using fourth order Runge–Kutta Method. It is found that, as the emission rate of pollutants in the environment increases, the density of biological species decreases. It may also be pointed out that the biological species may even become extinct if the rate of emission of pollutants increases continuously. However, if some environmental taxes are imposed to control the rate of emission of these pollutants into the environment, the density of biological species can be maintained at a desired level.

Temperature sensitivity of the adult plant resistance shown by 16 bread wheat lines against race 77-5 of Puccinia recondita (the most common and virulent) on the Indian sub-continent was studied. The infection types on these 16 lines were also compared with those of the known adult plant resistance genes Lr12, Lr13, Lr22a, Lr22b, Lr34 and Lr37. Frontana, CIM25 (a leaf-rust resistant breeding line), Pavon 76, Pari 73 and Flinders carried lowtemperature adult plant resistance (LTAP) which was expressed only at 14.5°C. The adult plant resistance of Chris, Arz, Mukta, WW15(R) and VL421 was best expressed at 30°C, and these 5 wheats carried high temperature adult plant resistance (HTAP). The adult plant resistance of WH291 was expressed equally at 14.5, 20 and 30°C. The infection pattern of Mentana, WL410, IWP72, HD2204 and Son-Kl-Rend was similar to that of Thatcher near-isogenic lines carrying the genes Lr22a and Lr37 and their adult plant resistance was expressed only at 20°C. The Thatcher near-isogenic lines carrying the genes Lr12, Lr13, Lr22b and Lr34, and WL711 having the gene Lr13 did not show resistance against race 77-5.

The design of a novel compact dual band PIFA (Planar Inverted F-Antenna) as an embedded antenna is reported in this paper for mobile radio applications. The new shorted planar antenna is realized using copper sheet of thickness 1mm and air as the dielectric substrate. The radiating patch consists of a branch line slit to reduce the size of the antenna having a ground size of 36 x 80 mm2. It can be used in internal mobile antennas for applications in GSM band, GCV (1.85 - 1.99GHz), PCS - 1900, IMT-2000 and UMTS 2100 networks. The simulations are done using the Ansoft High Frequency Structure Simulator (HFSS) software tool. The two operating frequency ranges obtained have good matching and radiation characteristics. The simulated results are well supported by measured results of the prototype of the antenna fabricated.

Context: The purpose of this article is to evaluate the minimal inhibitory concentration (MIC) and minimal bactericidal concentration (MBC) of Herbal Irrigants. Aim: The aim of the study was to evaluate MIC and MBC of herbal extracts of Azadirachta indica, Curcuma longa, and Green Tea Against Enterococcus faecalis. Methodology: The MIC and MBC of extracts of A. indica (neem), C. longa (turmeric), and Green Tea were evaluated to establish them as standard root canal irrigants against E. faecalis using agar well diffusion method. Statistical Analysis Used: The collected data were statistically analyzed using the Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS) software. Results: The present study found that green tea exhibited the most substantial antimicrobial activity among the tested herbal extracts, which was comparable to chlorhexidine. Although A. indica and C. longa required higher concentrations for effectiveness, their antimicrobial properties were also apparent. Conclusions: Within the constraints of this study, it can be concluded that green tea could be considered a promising alternative to chlorhexidine in treating endodontic infections due to its substantial antimicrobial activity against E. faecalis at lower concentrations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]