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Abstract Globally, the COVID-19 outbreak has had a devastating impact on both health and economy. In contrast, the reduction in anthropogenic emissions has resulted in a major improvement in air quality. In this study, US National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) satellite datasets and related reanalysis model data were used with validation using ground-based data to evaluate the effects of aviation-based emissions on aerosol optical depth (AOD) and black carbon (BC). The contributions from five airports in Bangladesh were assessed during the pre-lockdown (01 Jan to 22 March), lockdown (23 March to 30 May), and post-lockdown (31 May to 30 Aug) periods in 2019 and 2020. The study’s findings show that during the 2020 lockdown, AOD and BC concentrations significantly decreased at all five airports. The overall decline of AOD was ~ 18.5% (13.1% to 22.8%) and BC was ~ 18.1% (16.6% to 22.2%) in 2020 compared to 2019. The three international airports that were examined—Dhaka, Chattagram, and Sylhet—showed an average reduction of about ~ 9.7%, while Jashore and Barisal—two domestic airports—saw a minor increase in AOD of ~ 0.8% over the same period. However, the average BC concentration at both international and domestic airports dropped by ~ 9.8% and ~ 10.2%, respectively. This is the first study to use reanalysis datasets in Bangladesh to evaluate air pollution levels and aviation-based emissions. The results highlight the significant impact of reduced aviation activity on air quality and provide valuable insights for future air pollution management strategies. Graphical Abstract

Abstract This paper presents a comprehensive analysis of the spatial patterns and temporal dynamics of land use and land cover changes in South Kashmir from 2000 to 2022 leveraging remote sensing technologies revealing significant transformations in various land cover classes. The study used maximum likelihood classification, a supervised classification method, to analyze Landsat satellite imagery and identify ten major land use categories. The findings demonstrate notable increases in, barren land by 18.78 km2 (0.35%), built-up areas by 72.28 km2 (1.33%), forests by 274.76 km2 (5.05%), grasslands by 68.06 km2 (1.25%), scrubland by 307.82 km2 (5.66%). horticulture experienced a significant rise of 419.17 km2 (7.70%), Conversely, several land use classes reported decline, agriculture by 757.21 km2 (13.91%), exposed rockmass by 258.58 km2 (4.75%), glaciers and snow by 136.83 km2 (2.51%), and water bodies contracted by 8.23 km2 (0.15%). The primary drivers of land use change in the region are identified as climate change, population growth, and economic factors. Climate change has altered precipitation patterns affecting agricultural productivity and leading to the retreat of glaciers. Population growth and economic reasons, including the rise of horticulture and changes in land use policies, have also played a significant role in shaping the landscape dynamics of South Kashmir. These changes underscore the dynamic nature of land use in South Kashmir, with significant implications for regional planning and environmental management. The study underscores the cost-effectiveness and efficacy of geospatial technologies in conducting spatiotemporal analyses and formulating evidence-based policies for the sustainable management of natural resources.

Abstract Background Smart phone technology including different instant messaging applications like, WhatsApp, can be used for the development of radiological skills, reporting, and performance. To determine the utility, attitude, and outcome of WhatsApp for augmenting education in FCPS radiology residency program. To assess the opinion of radiology residents regarding WhatsApp as a tool to enhance postgraduate training. Methodology A mixed method (qualitative and quantitative) was conducted at Dow Institute of Radiology, Karachi, Pakistan. All FCPS Radiology residents were given a radiological case by principal investigator followed by residents’ response in 24 h. Key findings were shared by the mentor. Before and after the intervention of WhatsApp, all residents were evaluated with written and radiological imaging reporting exam. For quantitative analysis, a closed ended questionnaire was used containing information about total number of messages, images, webpage links shared, level of contribution (active/non-active), and utility (contribution in education related topic only). A feedback form with Likert scale was also got filled by all residents. For qualitative research, semi structured interviews (SSIs) were conducted. Results Median number of total images shared were 293 (IQR 1002 images), messages shared 110 (IQR), webpages shared were 54 webpages (61 webpages) and total contents shared by participants was 243 (544 contents). Active contributors showed better performance in utility, competency of contents and attitude towards using social media as a medium for learning. Comparison of written and OSCE results showed better performance after the intervention. Feedback form with Likert scale revealed that students responded positively regarding the shared learning content. Thematic analysis showed 52 codes and 16 themes. Conclusion In this research we have observed that WhatsApp is highly efficient and productive academic tool which can amplify postgraduate radiology education. Student’s narrative reflects that residents have found the missing link which can take them to radiological professional excellence through targeted high-profile learning outside lecture hall in time and place convenient motivational environment. Once it will be blended with existing teaching strategy, it can prove to be a game changer.

Abstract The purification of water is not only essential for human consumption but is becoming a necessity considering the limited freshwater reserves of the planet. Over the last few decades advancements in material sciences and technology have paved the way for the development of novel purification techniques. Amongst these techniques membrane-based filtration is considered as the least expensive and most effective. These membrane-based filtration techniques can be broadly categorized into reverse osmosis (RO), ultrafiltration, microfiltration and activated carbon filters (ACF). The mode of operation, research evolution and practical applications of each technique are compared in this holistic analysis. Although RO is the oldest and most established membrane-based filtration technique in the literature, it is ACF that is ranked as the most promising new technique with much simplicity and effectiveness.

Nickel-Titanium alloys or Nitinol shape memory alloys have applications in various fields like biomedical, agriculture, pharmaceutical, civil, and mechanical engineering. Ferrous-based shape memory alloys (Fe-SMAs) do not possess excellent properties like that of Nitinol. In recent times, Fe-SMAs have been under consideration in the research field to enhance their shape memory properties because of their cost-effectiveness, corrosion resistance, biocompatibility, and high mechanical strength. Fe-SMAs are limited in their applications in the human body due to high austenite start temperature () even though they are biocompatible and being considered for temporary biodegradable implant applications. Several factors affect the phase transformation temperature of Fe-SMA, like alloy composition and heat treatment conditions. Some of the techniques that are useful to reduce the are quenching, solid solution treatment, ternary element addition, alloying, and thermal-mechanical treatment. In this study, the quenching with brine solution is used to reduce of Fe-15Mn-10 Cr-8Ni-4Si (wt. %). The phase transformation is observed using Differential Scanning Calorimetry (DSC). The best result from experimentation of all the samples collected as reduced from 93oC to 39.02oC which is very close to the temperature of the human body. The results of this study exhibit significant potential for advancement in the application of Fe-SMAs in the biomedical field for permanent implants in cardiovascular and orthopaedic applications.

Nanomedicine is the application of nanomaterials and nanotechnology to the development of novel pharmaceuticals and drug delivery mechanisms. The present study synthesized a functionalized nanocomposite (NC) containing graphene oxide (GO), chitosan (Ch), manganese (Mn), folic acid (FA), and brucine. The anticancer properties of the synthesized GO/Mn/Ch/FA-Brucine NCs were evaluated against liver cancer cells. GO/Mn/Ch/FA-Brucine NCs were characterized using several characterization techniques. The growth of HepG2 and Hep3B cells was analyzed using the methylthiazolyldiphenyl-tetrazolium bromide assay. The cell apoptosis was examined through dual staining. The levels of inflammatory and oxidative stress biomarkers were measured using the corresponding assay kits. Various characterization assays revealed the formation of crystalline GO/Mn/Ch/FA-Brucine NCs with tetragonal and agglomerated morphologies, various stretching and bonding, and an average particle size of 136.20 nm. GO/Mn/Ch/FA-Brucine NCs have effectively inhibited the viabilities of HepG2 and Hep3B cells. The NCs increased thiobarbituric acid reactive substances and reduced antioxidants and inflammatory mediators, thereby promoting apoptotic cell death in HepG2 cells. Our findings indicate that GO/Mn/Ch/FA-Brucine NCs can inhibit viability and promote apoptosis in liver cancer HepG2 cells.

Abstract A compact low-profile multi-band millimeter-wave (mm-wave) reflectarray metasurface design is presented for coverage enhancement in 5G and beyond cellular communication. The proposed single-layer metasurface exhibits a stable reflection response under oblique incidence angles of up to 60 $$^\circ$$ ∘ at 24 and 38 GHz, and transmission response at 30 GHz, effectively covering the desired 5G mm-wave frequency bands. The proposed reflectarray metasurface is polarization insensitive and performs equally well under TE and TM polarized incident waves due to the symmetric pattern. In addition, the low profile of the proposed metasurface makes it appropriate for conformal applications. In comparison to the state-of-the-art, the proposed reflectarray metasurface unit cell design is not only compact (3.3 $$\times$$ × 3.3 mm $$^2$$ 2 ) but also offers two reflections and one transmission band based on a single-layer structure. It is easy to reconfigure the proposed metasurface unit cell for any other frequency band by adjusting a few design parameters. To validate the concept of coverage enhancement, a 32 $$\times$$ × x32 unit-cell prototype of the proposed reflectarray metasurface is fabricated and measured under different scenarios. The experimental results demonstrate that a promising signal enhancement of 20–25 dB is obtained over the entire 5G mm-wave n258, n259, and n260 frequency bands. The proposed reflectarray metasurface has a high potential for application in mm-wave 5G networks to improve coverage in dead zones or to overcome obstacles that prevent direct communication linkages.

Abstract A semiparametric copula joint framework was proposed to model wind gust speed (WGS) and maximum temperature (MT) in Canada, using Gaussian kernel density estimation (GKDE) with parametric copulas. Their joint probability estimates allow for a better understanding of the risk of power blackouts and the demand for air conditioning in the community. The bivariate framework used two extreme sample groups to define extreme pairs at different time lags, i.e., 0 to ± 3 days, annual maximum WGS (AMWGS) and corresponding MT and annual highest MT (AHMT) and corresponding WGS. A thorough model performance comparison indicated that GKDE outperformed the parametric models in defining the marginal distribution of selected univariate series. Significant positive correlations were observed among extreme pairs, except for Calgary and Halifax stations, with inconsistent correlation variations based on selected cities and lag time. Various parametric 2-D copulas were selected to model the dependence structure of bivariate pairs at different time lags for selected stations. AMWGS or AHMT events, when considered independently, would be stressful for all stations due to high estimated quantiles with low univariate RPs. The bivariate events exhibited lower AND-joint RPs with moderate to high design quantiles, indicating a higher risk of power blackouts and heightened air-conditioning demands, which varied inconsistently with time lags across the station. The bivariate AMWGS and corresponding MT events would be stressful in Regina, Quebec City, Ottawa, and Edmonton, while AHMT and corresponding WGS events in Toronto, Regina, and Montreal. Conversely, Vancouver poses a lower risk of joint action of pairs AHMT and corresponding WGS events. These hazard statistics can help in better planning for community well-being during extreme weather.

Abstract To address the prevalent genistein (GST) metabolism and inadequate intestinal absorption, an oral long-acting and gastric in-situ gelling gel was designed to encapsulate and localize the intestinal release of the loaded genistein-ginseng (GST-GNS) solid dispersion. Because of the high breast perfusion of GST upon oral absorption, the GST-GNS solid dispersion was developed to enhance GST's dissolution and penetration while offering a synergistic impact against breast cancer (BC). Physiochemical analysis of the GST-GNS solid dispersion, release analysis, gel characterizations, storage stability, penetration, and in vitro cytotoxicity studies were carried out. GST-GNS solid dispersion showed improved dissolution and penetration as compared to raw GST. GST-GNS solid dispersion homogenous shape particles and hydrophilic contacts were revealed by scanning electron microscopy and Fourier Transform-Infrared analysis, respectively. GST-GNS solid dispersion’s diffractogram shows the amorphous character. A second modification involved creating a gastric in-situ gelling system loaded with GST-GNS solid dispersion. This system demonstrated improved GST penetration employing the solid dispersion, as well as the localizing of the GST release at the intestinal media and antitumor synergism against BC. For a better therapeutic approach for BC, the innovative oral GST long-acting gel encasing the GST-GNS solid dispersion would be recommended. Graphical Abstract

Abstract Background This study delves into the complex interplay among prostate-specific antigen, alkaline phosphatase, and the temporal dynamics of tumor shrinkage in prostate cancer. By investigating the longitudinal trajectories and time-to-prostate cancer tumor shrinkage, we aim to untangle the intricate patterns of these biomarkers. This understanding is pivotal for gaining profound insights into the multifaceted aspects of prostate cancer progression. The joint model approach serves as a comprehensive framework, facilitating the elucidation of intricate interactions among these pivotal elements within the context of prostate cancer . Methods A new joint model under a shared parameters strategy is proposed for mixed bivariate longitudinal biomarkers and event time data, for obtaining accurate estimates in the presence of missing covariate data. The primary innovation of our model resides in its effective management of covariates with missing observations. Built upon established frameworks, our joint model extends its capabilities by integrating mixed longitudinal responses and accounting for missingness in covariates, thus confronting this particular challenge. We posit that these enhancements bolster the model’s utility and dependability in real-world contexts characterized by prevalent missing data. The main objective of this research is to provide a model-based approach to get full information from prostate cancer data collected with patients’ baseline characteristics ( $$Age$$ Age , body mass index ( $$BMI$$ BMI ), $$Gleason Score$$ GleasonScore , $$Grade$$ Grade , and $$Drug$$ Drug ) and two longitudinal endogenous covariates ( $$Platelets$$ Platelets and $$Bilirubin$$ Bilirubin ). Results The results reveal a clear association between prostate-specific antigen and alkaline phosphatase biomarkers in the context of time-to-prostate cancer tumor shrinkage. This underscores the interconnected dynamics of these key indicators in gauging disease progression. Conclusions The analysis of the prostate cancer dataset, incorporating a joint evaluation of mixed longitudinal prostate-specific antigen and alkaline phosphatase biomarkers alongside tumor status, has provided valuable insights into disease progression. The results demonstrate the effectiveness of the proposed joint model, as evidenced by accurate estimates. The shared variables associated with both longitudinal biomarkers and event times consistently deviate from zero, highlighting the robustness and reliability of the model in capturing the complex dynamics of prostate cancer progression. This approach holds promise for enhancing our understanding and predictive capabilities in the clinical assessment of prostate cancer.

OBJECTIVE: To study the frequency and antifungal susceptibility of the Candida albicans and non-albican species in diabetic foot infections from samples collected in a tertiary care hospital of district Peshawar. METHODOLOGY: This cross-sectional study was conducted from March 2020 to February 2021 in Khyber Teaching Hospital and Hayatabad Medical Complex, Peshawar. Specimen for culture swabs or tissue from diabetic foot ulcers was taken using aseptic methods. If pus was absent in the wound, ulcer scraping was collected. One tissue sample was soaked in 10% KOH for microscopy, while the second sample was used for fungal culture and sensitivity using Sabouraud dextrose agar. RESULTS: Of the 600 samples, 200 patients had diabetic foot ulcers with positive fungal culture from Males 102(51%) and Females 98(49%). The age range was 40-78 years. The frequency of C. albicans, C. dubliniensis, C. famata, C. glabrata, C. parapsilosis, and C. lusitaniae was 23(11.5%), 27(13.5%), 19(9.5%), 19(9.5%), 88(44%) and 24(12%). C. albicans was the most common fungal species. Antifungal susceptibility testing was done, and resistance to drugs like Amphotericin, Caspofungin, Fluconazole, Flucytosine, Itraconazole, Micafungin, Voriconazole which was 6.5%, 16%, 25.5%, 5.5%, 3%, 22.5%, 21% respectively. Resistance to Fluconazole, Micafungin and Voriconazole was the highest among all commonly used antifungal drugs. CONCLUSION: Fungal infection in diabetic foot ulcers usually does not respond to antibiotics. Candia albicans and non-albicans spp are also associated with diabetic foot ulcer infection and inflammation, and these fungi have the highest resistance to commonly used antifungal agents.

Abstract Objective Dravet syndrome (DS) is an epileptic encephalopathy caused by haploinsufficiency of the SCN1A gene. SCN1A gene deficiency limits the firing rates of fast‐spiking inhibitory interneurons, which should reflect in abnormal aggregate network oscillatory electroencephalography (EEG) activity that can be measured by spectral power and phase‐amplitude coupling (PAC) analysis. In this retrospective pilot study, we tested whether spectral EEG frequency band power and PAC metrics distinguish children with DS from age‐matched controls, an early step toward establishing EEG markers of target engagement by gene or drug therapy. Methods EEG data were collected from patients with DS (N = 6) and age‐matched control pediatric participants (N = 11) and analyzed for cumulative spectral power and PAC and classification capacity of these metrics, by logistic regression analysis. For this initial spectral and PAC analysis, we focused on sleep EEG, where myogenic artifact is minimal and where δ–γ and θ–γ coupling is otherwise expected to be robust. Results Cumulative δ (1–

Tissue regeneration in many skin defects is progressing with new treatments in recent years. Tissue engineering with the use of scaffolds offers more versatile and faster solutions in treatment. Extracellular matrix (ECM) and its three-dimensional (3D) network structure as a biological bond by imitating the tissue microstructure has been used for tissue repair, which can answer many existing challenges. Vitamin A, which comes in several forms such as retinols, retinals, and retinoic acids, is a necessary vitamin that is crucial for wound healing. In this research, sheep kidney capsule tissue decellularized with sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS) containing different doses of vitamin A has been used as an ECM in skin tissue engineering. The above scaffold was evaluated in terms of properties such as biocompatibility, analysis of mechanical properties, attenuated total reflection Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (ATR-FTIR), hydrophilicity, antibacterial, and cell adhesion. The findings reported suitable properties for wound dressing, especially at a dose of 15,000 U/ml vitamin A for this scaffold. Then, the above scaffold was evaluated on the full-thickness wound model in rat, which showed good wound contraction, and increased VEGF factor. It showed a decrease in IL-1β level. Therefore, the use of the above-mentioned decellularized scaffold in combination with medicinal agents effective in wound healing can be introduced for further pre-clinical studies.

The exploration and management of abundant economic mineral resources of Pakistan, particularly the vast marble deposits in the northwestern region, hold immense potential for driving economic growth. The use of marble in the construction industry faces extensive challenges such as undeveloped mining processing methods, incomplete understanding of marble qualities, undefined selection criteria for suitable varieties, and the environmentally harmful consequences of excessive waste production. This research developed a laboratory investigation protocol to characterize distinct marble deposits in Buner, Pakistan, each offering unique compositions and petrographic features. Three marble varieties were identified including pure calcitic (over 90% calcite) with low silica content (0.1% to 2.5%); impure calcitic (non-carbonate minerals up to 20%) with 19.8% silica and 31% lime; and pure dolomite (over 20% dolomite) with 29% lime and 23% magnesium oxide. The distinctive petrographic features of the marble deposits, such as equigranular structures, subhedral to anhedral grains, granuloblastic textures, and schistosity in impure calcitic, as well as luster-displaying dolomite in pure dolomite, provide valuable insights into their geological characteristics. Furthermore, the physical properties of the marble types exhibit correlations with their compressive and tensile strengths. Notably, the low specific gravity, water absorption, and porosity of the investigated marble result in high strength values. The average compressive strength was found to be 31 MPa for pure calcitic, 35 MPa for impure calcitic, and 59 MPa for pure dolomite marble. Likewise, the tensile strengths measured 6 MPa, 7 MPa, and 9 MPa, respectively. While the investigated marble types prove to be excellent choices for dimension stone applications, it is crucial to note that they do not meet the standards required for cement production and paint manufacturing. This research contributes to the understanding of Pakistan's marble resources, refined processing methods, and sustainable construction practices.

Podophyllum hexandrum Royle (Berberidaceae) is reported from the Himalayan region and China. It is also known as the Himalayan Mayapple and is reported for the treatment of constipation, fever, jaundice, liver disorders, etc. Herein, the isolation of chemical constituents using high-speed counter-current chromatography (HSCCC) from the EtOH extract of the rhizomes of Himalayan Mayapple is reported. As a result, kaempferol 3-glucoside (1), quercetin-3-O-β-D-glucopyranoside (2), quercetin 3-O-β-D-glucopyranosyl-(1→6)-3-O-ethyl-β-D-glucopyranoside (3), kaempferol 3-O-β-D-glucopyranoside (4), α-peltatin(5), podophyllotoxin (6), 4'-demethylpodophyllotoxin (7), 4',5'-didemethylpodophyllotoxin (8), and kaempferol (9)were separated. Compounds 6-9 were separated by the normal HSCCC while 1-5 were obtained by the offline-recycling HSCCC using HEMWat (1:9:4:6, v/v) solvent system. The pure components were tested in lipopolysaccharides-induced mice macrophage cells. Compounds 6 and 7 showed significant inhibition. The nitric oxide production was inhibited by compounds 6 and 7, effectively, with IC50 values of 1.328 x 10-6 and 2.851 x 10-6 M, respectively. In this assay, kaempferol (9), a positive inhibitor expressively inhibited lipopolysaccharides-induced nitric oxide production.

Abstract Background Innovations in cancer treatment have contributed to the improved survival rate of cancer patients. The cancer survival rates have been growing and nearly two third of those survivors have been exposed to clinical radiation during their treatment. The study of long-term radiation effects, especially secondary cancer induction, has become increasingly important. An accurate assessment of out-of-field/peripheral dose (PDs) is necessary to estimate the risk of second cancer after radiotherapy and the damage to the organs at risk surrounding the planning target volume. This study was designed to measure the PDs as a function of dose, distances, and depths from Telecobalt-60 (Co-60) beam in water phantom using thermoluminescent dosimeter-100 (TLD-100). Methods The PDs were measured for Co-60 beam at specified depths of 0 cm (surface), 5 cm, 10 cm, and 15 cm outside the radiation beam at distances of 5, 10, and 13 cm away from the radiation field edge using TLD-100 (G1 cards) as detectors. These calibrated cards were placed on the acrylic disc in circular tracks. The radiation dose of 2000 mGy of Co-60 beam was applied inside 10 × 10 cm2 field size at constant source to surface distance (SSD) of 80 cm. Results The results showed maximum and minimum PDs at surface and 5 cm depth respectively at all distances from the radiation field edge. Dose distributions out of the field edge with respect to distance were isotropic. The decrease in PDs at 5 cm depth was due to dominant forward scattering of Co-60 gamma rays. The increase in PDs beyond 5 cm depth was due to increase in the irradiated volume, increase in penumbra, increase in source to axis distance (SAD), and increase in field size due to inverse square factor. Conclusion It is concluded that the PDs depends upon depth and distance from the radiation field edge. All the measurements show PDs in the homogenous medium (water); therefore, it estimates absorbed dose to the organ at risk (OAR) adjacent to cancer tissues/planning target volume (PTV). It is suggested that PDs can be minimized by using the SAD technique, as this technique controls sources of scattered radiation like inverse square factor and effect of penumbra up-to some extent.

Abstract The calcium calmodulin protein kinase II (CaMKII) is a multi-subunit ring assembly with a central hub formed by the association domains. There is evidence for hub polymorphism between and within CaMKII isoforms, but the link between polymorphism and subunit exchange has not been resolved. Here, we present near-atomic resolution cryogenic electron microscopy (cryo-EM) structures revealing that hubs from the α and β isoforms, either standalone or within an β holoenzyme, coexist as 12 and 14 subunit assemblies. Single-molecule fluorescence microscopy of Venus-tagged holoenzymes detects intermediate assemblies and progressive dimer loss due to intrinsic holoenzyme lability, and holoenzyme disassembly into dimers upon mutagenesis of a conserved inter-domain contact. Molecular dynamics (MD) simulations show the flexibility of 4-subunit precursors, extracted in-silico from the β hub polymorphs, encompassing the curvature of both polymorphs. The MD explains how an open hub structure also obtained from the β holoenzyme sample could be created by dimer loss and analysis of its cryo-EM dataset reveals how the gap could open further. An assembly model, considering dimer concentration dependence and strain differences between polymorphs, proposes a mechanism for intrinsic hub lability to fine-tune the stoichiometry of αβ heterooligomers for their dynamic localization within synapses in neurons.

Purpose – This research aimed to investigate the mediating role of social media engagement in the relationship between differentiation-oriented content and purchase intentions. Additionally, this research studies the moderating impact of entrepreneurial social media skills in the relationship between social media engagement and purchase intentions. Design/methodology/approach – The research proposes a positivist research philosophy, deductive research approach and survey research strategy. Data were collected from followers of social media pages of small and medium businesses operating in the fields of groceries, food items, apparel and supplies in Pakistan. Respondents were selected randomly. The descriptive statistics were calculated first, followed by reliability and validity analysis as part of the measurement model. Finally, mediation and moderation analyses were run by using structural equation modeling. Findings – Results of the study confirm that differentiation-oriented content has a positive relationship with purchase intentions and social media engagement mediates this relationship. Results further confirm that the social media skills of entrepreneurs moderate the relationship between social media engagement and purchase intentions. Practical implications – From a practical point of view, this study will potentially help entrepreneurs in Pakistan unveil the undiscovered potential of social media and understand the importance of social media marketing campaigns in crisis situations. It will unlock the importance of entrepreneurial training and development to better adapt to the dynamic and vibrant world of social media. Originality/value – This is the first study that investigates the relationship between differentiation-oriented content and purchase intentions. Additionally, the current study adds to existing knowledge by proposing entrepreneurial social media skills as moderators in the relationship of social media engagement with purchase intentions.

Abstract Background Childhood obesity and hypertension are growing concerns globally, especially in developing countries. This study investigated the association between overall and central obesity at baseline, and prehypertension or hypertension at follow-up among preadolescent school children in urban Karachi, Pakistan. Methods This is a sub study with cohort design embedded within a feasibility trial on School Health Education Program in Pakistan (SHEPP) in preadolescents aged 6–11 years, attending two private schools conducted from 2017 to 2019. Hypertension or prehypertension at follow-up were the outcomes and obesity or central obesity at baseline were the exposure variables. Hypertension was defined as systolic blood pressure and/or diastolic blood pressure ≥ 95th percentile for age, sex, and height. Obesity was defined as body mass index for-age and sex ≥ 95th percentile, whereas central obesity was determined by waist circumference measurements ≥ 85th percentile of age, sex, and height specific cut-offs. Logistic regression analysis was used to calculate odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) to identify risk factors for hypertension and prehypertension. Results Analysis was conducted for 908 participants, evenly distributed with 454 boys and 454 girls. Hypertension was observed in 19.8% of the preadolescents, with rates of 18.5% in boys and 21.0% in girls. Prehypertension was found in 16.8% of preadolescents, with 18% among boys and 16% among girls. Additionally, 12.8% of preadolescents were classified as obese and 29.8% had central obesity. Obesity at baseline was associated with hypertension at followup (OR 8.7, 95% CI 3.5, 20.4) in the final model after adjusting for age, gender, physical activity, sedentary behavior, fruits, vegetable intake and hypertension at baseline. Central obesity at baseline also yielded high odds, with prehypertension (OR 1.9, 95% CI 1.4, 2.8) and hypertension (OR 2.7, 95% CI 1.9, 3.9) at follow up in the final model. Conclusion This study highlights a concerning prevalence of hypertension and prehypertension among preadolescent school-going children. Obesity and central obesity at baseline emerged as significant predictive factors for hypertension or prehypertension at followup within this cohort. The findings emphasize the urgency of implementing comprehensive school health education programs aimed at early detection and effective management of hypertension during childhood and adolescence in school settings.

Abstract We consider recently constructed black holes in the Einstein SU(N)-non-linear sigma model and study the Joule–Thomson expansion and observable characteristics. We calculate Joule–Thomson coefficient, inversion curves and isenthalpic curves to investigate the heating and cooling phases in $$T-P$$ T - P plane of the considered model. Our findings reveal distinct behavior of these black holes different from those reported in existing studies. Notably, inversion curves vanish in the heating regions, resulting in the black holes consistently remaining in the cooling phase. Additionally, we investigate the impact of the flavor number N on the Joule–Thomson expansion of these black holes. We observe that employing higher values of enthalpy and flavor number N extends the ranges of isenthalpic and inversion curves but the black holes remain in cooling phase. We also study the shadow and visual characteristics of the these black hole focusing on its illumination by two theoretical models of static accretion. We analyze that higher flavor numbers have high peaks of observed intensities and it shifts to smaller impact parameter which leads to smaller images.

Abstract Background Several WRKY transcription factors (TFs), including CaWRKY6, CaWRKY22, CaWRKY27, and CaWRKY40 are known to govern the resistance of pepper (Capsicum annuum L.) plants to Ralstonia solanacearum infestation (RSI) and other abiotic stresses. However, the molecular mechanisms underlying these processes remain elusive. Methods This study functionally described CaWRKY3 for its role in pepper immunity against RSI. The roles of phytohormones in mediating the expression levels of CaWRKY3 were investigated by subjecting pepper plants to 1 mM salicylic acid (SA), 100 µM methyl jasmonate (MeJA), and 100 µM ethylene (ETH) at 4-leaf stage. A virus-induced gene silencing (VIGS) approach based on the Tobacco Rattle Virus (TRV) was used to silence CaWRKY3 in pepper, and transiently over-expressed to infer its role against RSI. Results Phytohormones and RSI increased CaWRKY3 transcription. The transcriptions of defense-associated marker genes, including CaNPR1, CaPR1, CaDEF1, and CaHIR1 were decreased in VIGS experiment, which made pepper less resistant to RSI. Significant hypersensitive (HR)-like cell death, H2O2 buildup, and transcriptional up-regulation of immunological marker genes were noticed in pepper when CaWRKY3 was transiently overexpressed. Transcriptional activity of CaWRKY3 was increased with overexpression of CaWRKY6, CaWRKY22, CaWRKY27, and CaWRKY40, and vice versa. In contrast, Pseudomonas syringae pv tomato DC3000 (Pst DC3000) was easily repelled by the innate immune system of transgenic Arabidopsis thaliana that overexpressed CaWRKY3. The transcriptions of defense-related marker genes like AtPR1, AtPR2, and AtNPR1 were increased in CaWRKY3-overexpressing transgenic A. thaliana plants. Conclusion It is concluded that CaWRKY3 favorably regulates phytohormone-mediated synergistic signaling, which controls cell death in plant and immunity of pepper plant against bacterial infections.

Abstract Cotton (Gossypium hirsutum) is an economically potent crop in many countries including Pakistan, India, and China. For the last three decades, cotton production is under the constant stress of cotton leaf curl disease (CLCuD) caused by begomoviruses/satellites complex that is transmitted through the insect pest, whitefly (Bemisia tabaci). In 2018, we identified a highly recombinant strain; Cotton leaf curl Multan virus-Rajasthan (CLCuMuV-Raj), associated with the Cotton leaf curl Multan betasatellite-Vehari (CLCuMuBVeh). This strain is dominant in cotton-growing hub areas of central Punjab, Pakistan, causing the third epidemic of CLCuD. In the present study, we have explored the CLCuD diversity from central to southern districts of Punjab (Faisalabad, Lodhran, Bahawalpur, Rahimyar Khan) and the major cotton-growing region of Sindh (Tandojam), Pakistan for 2 years (2020–2021). Interestingly, we found same virus (CLCuMuV-Raj) and associated betasatellite (CLCuMuBVeh) strain that was previously reported with the third epidemic in the central Punjab region. Furthermore, we found minor mutations in two genes of CLCuMuV-Raj C4 and C1 in 2020 and 2021 respectively as compared to its isolates in 2018, which exhibited virus evolution. Surprisingly, we did not find these mutations in CLCuMuV-Raj isolates identified from Sindh province. The findings of the current study represent the stability of CLCuMuV-Raj and its spread toward the Sindh province where previously Cotton leaf curl Kokhran virus (CLCuKoV) and Cotton leaf curl Shahdadpur virus (CLCuShV) have been reported. The findings of the current study demand future research on CLCuD complex to explore the possible reasons for prevalence in the field and how the virus-host-vector compatible interaction can be broken to develop resistant cultivars.

Abstract Accurate channel state information (CSI) is crucial for optimizing wireless communication systems. In scenarios with varying user-to-base station angles, the angle-dependent coherence time impacts conventional pilot strategies. Due to small angles, the coherence time of the user decreases dramatically because of doppler shift, which causes an increase in the number of pilots. We introduces an innovative sub-block design approach for systems with different user angles. This method harmonizes coherence time of high and low-angle users, while maintaining a constant pilot count. This not only improves spectral efficiency but also ensures accurate channel estimation. Through simulations, we demonstrate the effectiveness of our approach in enhancing both spectral efficiency upt to $$10 \%$$ 10 % and CSI precision. This breakthrough contributes to the advancement of channel estimation techniques in scenarios with angle-dependent coherence time, offering practical benefits to wireless communication systems.

Highlights A systematic overview of the latest advancements in M4X3 MXenes is dicussed. The detailed properties of MXene are summarized. M4X3 MXenes are explored as an electrode material.

Abstract Green products such as plant tints are becoming more and more well-known worldwide due to their superior biological and ayurvedic properties. In this work, colorant from Amba Haldi (Curcuma aromatica) was isolated using microwave (MW), and bio-mordants were added to produce colorfast shades. Response surface methodology was used to develop a central composite design (CCD), which maximizes coloring variables statistically. The findings from 32 series of experiments show that excellent color depth (K/S = 12.595) was established onto MW-treated silk fabric (RS = 4 min) by employing 65 mL of radiated aqueous extract (RE = 4 min) of 5 pH cutting-edge the existence of 1.5 g/100 mL used sodium chloride at 75 °C for 45 min. It was discovered that acacia (keekar) extract (1%), pomegranate extract (2%), and pistachio extract (1.5%) were present before coloring by the use of bio-mordants. On the other hand, upon dyeing, acacia extract (1.5%), pomegranate extract (1.5%), and pistachio extract (2%) have all shown extremely strong colorfast colors. Comparatively, before dyeing, salts of Al3+ (1.5%), Fe2+ (2%), and TA (1.5%) gave good results; after dyeing, salts of Al3+ (1%) and Fe2+ (1.5%) and TA (2%) gave good results. When applied to silk fabric, MW radiation has increased the production of dyes recovered from rhizomes. Additionally, the right amount of chemical and biological mordants have been added, resulting in color fastness ratings ranging from outstanding to good. Therefore, the natural color extracted from Amba Haldi can be a sustainable option for the dyeing of silk fabric in the textile dyeing and finishing industries.

Abstract Purpose Liver disease causes two million deaths annually, accounting for 4% of all deaths globally. Prediction or early detection of the disease via machine learning algorithms on large clinical data have become promising and potentially powerful, but such methods often have some limitations due to the complexity of the data. In this regard, ensemble learning has shown promising results. There is an urgent need to evaluate different algorithms and then suggest a robust ensemble algorithm in liver disease prediction. Method Three ensemble approaches with nine algorithms are evaluated on a large dataset of liver patients comprising 30,691 samples with 11 features. Various preprocessing procedures are utilized to feed the proposed model with better quality data, in addition to the appropriate tuning of hyperparameters and selection of features. Results The models’ performances with each algorithm are extensively evaluated with several positive and negative performance metrics along with runtime. Gradient boosting is found to have the overall best performance with 98.80% accuracy and 98.50% precision, recall and F1-score for each. Conclusions The proposed model with gradient boosting bettered in most metrics compared with several recent similar works, suggesting its efficacy in predicting liver disease. It can be further applied to predict other diseases with the commonality of predicate indicators.

Background: Agitation is frequently encountered in patients recovering from traumatic brain injury (TBI) in the intensive care unit (ICU). The etiopathology for agitation is multifactorial. Melatonin has been widely used to study the effects of delirium in ICU, however, its effect on agitation is not well studied. Aims and Objectives: The aim of this study was to assess the effect of melatonin administration on the prevalence of agitation and length of stay in patients with severe TBI, managed conservatively, or undergoing decompressive craniectomy. Materials and Methods: A retrospective observational study with 70 patients undergoing various decompressive craniotomy or managed conservatively, and admitted to neurosurgical ICU was included in the study. Thirty-six patients were recruited from the control group and 34 patients received melatonin during their stay in the ICU. In this study, records of 70 patients who had suffered isolated TBI with no associated injuries were analyzed. The patients had a Glasgow coma score of 3–14 on admission to ICU. The patients were managed as per the standard protocols, as per the existing guidelines, and based on TBI guidelines. Results: A non-significant decreasing trend of agitation and reduced duration of ICU stay was noted in patients who received melatonin compared with the control group. The prevalence of agitation observed on modified Ramsay scale (Mean±SD) in patients who received melatonin on Day 3, Day 4, Day 5, Day 6, Day 7, Day 8, and Day 9 were −1.67±3.01; −1.61±2.82; −1.2±2.55; −1.23±2.51; −1.23±2.11; −1.05±2.09; and 0.76±2.03, respectively. These scores were slightly lower than observed in the control group on Day 3, Day 4, Day 5, Day 6, Day 7, Day 8, and Day 9 as −1.58±3.16; −1.33±2.72; −1.08±2.46; −1.13±2.25; −0.94±1.87; −0.52±1.7; and 0.52±1.36, respectively. The mean±SD duration of stay in ICU of patients receiving melatonin (13.14±3.37) and not receiving melatonin (14.52±3.73) was comparable (P=0.1). Conclusion: Although there was a decreased prevalence of agitation and a decrease in the mean duration of the ICU stay in patients who received oral melatonin, these beneficial effects did not show any statistical significance once compared with the control group.

The spread of SARS-CoV-2 represented a global health crisis. On May 5, 2023, the chief of the World Health Organization (WHO) officially announced the end of COVID-19 as a global health emergency. Serological assays can identify previously infected SARS-CoV-2 individuals, even if they did not go for testing while acutely ill. The current study sought to detect antibodies directed against the nucleocapsid of SARS-CoV-2 (IgG against the SARS-CoV-2 N protein) in both vaccinated and unvaccinated COVID-19 individuals. Of the 100 participants, 53 and 47 were vaccinated and unvaccinated, respectively. The vaccination status of the cohort based on gender data indicates that 41 (41%) of all participants were vaccinated males, whereas 12 (12%) were vaccinated females. We found that 42 (42%) were unvaccinated males and 5 (5%) were unvaccinated females. Of 53 vaccinated subjects, 42 and 11 participants were positive and negative for IgG against the SARS-CoV-2 N protein, respectively. Of 47 unvaccinated participants, 28 and 19 were positive and negative for IgG against the SARS-CoV-2 N protein, respectively. The average of S/P “Sample/Positive control” percentages, which correlate to levels of IgG against SARS-CoV-2 N protein, were significantly higher among the vaccinated patients (73.8%) as compared to non-vaccinated patients (57.1%), with p = 0.02. There was a downward trend in levels of IgG against the SARS-CoV-2 N protein with increasing age, except for the 60–69 age group.

Magnetoelectric coupling and switching charge density in multiferroics have gained the attention of researchers around the world for energy storage, energy harvesting, and their potential applications for pulsating devices. In multiferroics, the absence of inversion symmetry and the presence of antiferromagnetic symmetry give rise to intriguing magnetoelectric coupling. In this paper, bi-phase composites, (1–x)Bi0·9La0·1FeO3 + xSrCoO3 for x = 0.1, 0.2, 0.3 are made by a facile and time-saving sol–gel auto-combustion technique. For this, we employed lanthanum-doped BiFeO3 to avoid the volatilization of bismuth ions. The composition 0.8Bi0·9La0·1FeO3 + 0.2SrCoO3 (x = 0.2) showed the maximum polarization (Pmax = 2.45 × 10−3 μC/cm2) and effective interfacial interactions depicting symmetrical magnetoelectric coupling response with least distortion along with significant switching charge density (i.e., Qsw = – 2.124 × 10−5 μC/cm2). Whereas reduction in leakage current density is observed with the inclusion of SrCoO3 contents into pure BLFO during polarization phenomena, confirming its insulating properties. Switching charge density from the positive-up- negative-down sequence not only ensured the suitability of switching applications in pulsating devices but also displayed its reliability and long-term stability. The symmetric magnetoelectric coupling showed its potential use in piezoelectric actuators and energy harvester applications. Magnetic attributes and multidomain structures were confirmed by the vibrating sample magnetometer. The maximum value of the squareness ratio appears to be 0.1035 confirming the existence of a multidomain structure for all samples. These outcomes suggest that this particular composition seems extremely viable in developing ultra-sensitive pulsating devices attributed with significant switching charge density.

Abstract Molybdenum Trioxide (MoO3) is a promising candidate as an anode material for lithium‐ion batteries (LIB), with a theoretical capacity of 1 117 mAhg−1. Nevertheless, MoO3 has inherent lower electronic conductivity and suffers from significant volume expansion during the charge–discharge cycle, which hinders its ability to attain a substantial capacity and cyclability for practical applications. In this study, a novel material design strategy is reported for LIB anodes containing MoO3 and hard carbon (HC) architecture fabricated using a Physical Vapor Deposition (PVD) technique. MoO3/HC as anode materials are evaluated for LIBs, which demonstrate an exceptional performance with a capacity of 953 mAhg−1 at a discharging rate of 0.2 C. Additionally, MoO3/HC anode demonstrated exceptional rate capability during fast charging at 5 C and achieved a capacity of 342 mAhg−1. The MoO3/HC anode demonstrates remarkable cycle life, retaining over > 99% Coulombic efficiency after 3 000 cycles at a rate of 0.2 C. The exceptional performance of MoO3/HC anode can be attributed to the novel material design strategy based on a multi‐layered structure where HC provides a barrier against the possible volumetric expansion of LIB anode.

In this study, we explore the dynamic nature of metallocene catalysts during ethylene/isoprene E/IP) copolymerization, with a focus on the influence of various reaction parameters. Challenges, why do olefinic catalysts show lower activity and molecular weight (Mw) at higher temperatures and low activity with higher diene content? Firstly, we investigate the observed phenomena of decreased catalyst activity and Mw at elevated temperatures using 1.25 μmole of the metallocene. Notably, a substantial increase in active sites from 30 °C to 40 °C, reaching a peak of 89 %. Surprisingly, further temperature increments lead to a noticeable decline in active sites. At 30 °C, the active site primarily engages in the insertion of IP through 3,4 connections, with no detectable cis-1,4 or trans-1,4 connections, which suggests a lack of stereoselectivity at this temperature. At 40–50°C, cis/trans-1,4 connections and active sites are approaching a higher level. This implies a reduction in chain transfer reactions, making catalytic active sites more favorable to cis/trans-1,4 connections. Secondly, we observe a remarkable impact of IP concentration in the E/IP copolymers, active centers, and activity show stability when the amount of IP was 0.116–0.48 mol/L and then started to decline when the amount of IP 0.96 mol/L, indicating a threshold beyond which deactivation occurs. Increasing IP concentration not only reduces activity and active sites but also fails to reactivate dormant polyethylene sites. The Mw and active centers of copolymers progressively decrease with elevated IP concentration, suggesting a faster chain transfer reaction with IP compared to E.

In this study, Brevibacterium sp. strain CS2 was used to evaluate the mechanisms of arsenic interaction with the bacterium and its enzymatic and protein profiling under arsenic stress. The bacterium was capable to resist the arsenate 280 mM and arsenite 40 mM as per MIC. The whole genome, available on NCBI, was analyzed for genes associated with arsenic, which confirmed the genes for both arsenic oxidation (aioB) and arsenic reduction arsR, arsC, ACR3, and arsB. The sharpening and shifting of FTIR spectra in the ranges of 3278–2851 cm−1 are due to hydroxyl and amide stretching. SEM analysis showed no significant changes in morphology in arsenic stress while EDX analysis proved the arsenite interaction by showing arsenic peaks in the graph. Both glutathione and non-protein thiol showed different responses in the absence and presence of arsenic stress. Protein bands such as 25, 30, 32, 37, 42, 48, and 100 kDa were expressed more in arsenic-treated samples as compared to the control one. The presence of arsenic oxidizing genes, the ability to resist arsenic, and the varied response of enzymes and proteins in arsenic stress make the bacterium a suitable agent for arsenic eradication from contaminated sites.

Chorea-acanthocytosis (ChAc) is a rare inherited disease of the nervous system. In this disease the neurological manifestations are associated with acanthocytosis of the red blood cells. The clinical features appear in the third to fourth decades of life. Generalized weakness, choreiform movement disorder, decline in cognition, and psychiatric symptoms are the characteristic features of the disease. The differential diagnosis between Huntington's disease and ChAc is difficult because both the diseases share similar neurological features. Herein, we recruited a large family with multiple individuals initially diagnosed as having Huntington's disease. Analysis of the DNA samples of affected individuals by exome sequencing detected a synonymous variant (NM_001018037.2; c.5040C > T) in the VPS13A. Multiple splice site detection tools were used to predict the potential pathogenicity of the novel synonymous variant. The variant, identified in this study, was predicted to be a cryptic splice donor site that may lead to aberrant pre-mRNA splicing. Reverse transcriptase PCR analyses of patient blood-derived RNA showed activation of a cryptic mid‐exon splice donor, leading to frameshift. The variant was confirmed in all other affected and unaffected individuals using Sanger sequencing.This is the first report of synonymous variants of VPS13A as an underlying cause of ChAc. Our results provide the first direct evidence of the involvement of a synonymous variant of VPS13A in ChAc. Additionally, this study emphasized the importance of considering VPS13A gene mutations in the screening of Huntington's patients.

Background: Lack of vitamin D and Graves' disease are linked to the decrement in quality of life (QoL) and weakening of the muscle groups. The goal of study report was to discover at the possible advantages of vitamin D supplementation for the improvement of thyroid-related QoL and muscle function in GD patients. Method: A single-blinded randomized controlled trial was conducted at King Abdullah Hospital in Mansehra Hospital in Abbottabad. The trial was carried out from January 1, 2021, to January 1, 2022. This study was carried out on 48 participants recruited via the envelop method of simple random sampling technique who had been diagnosed with Graves' disease. The participants were divided into two groups n=24 in each group. In summation to standard ATD, Groups received either a placebo or received 70 μg (2800 IU) of vitamin D daily. We measured muscular function and isometric strength at baseline, at three, and nine months, whereas QoL was measured at baseline and 9 months. Data was analyzed using SPSS. Paired sample t-test was run for within-group analysis whereas an independent sample t-test was applied for between-group comparison. Statistics were deemed significant when P

Background: Lumbar puncture (LP) is an important procedure utilized in diagnosing and treating central nervous system (CNS) infections in individuals of all ages. This study was done to determine the causes of parental refusal for LP in children and adolescents. Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted at the Department of Pediatrics, Sheikh Khalifa Bin Zayed Al Nahyan Hospital, Rawalakot, Azad Kashmir, Pakistan, from July 2022 to December 2022. A total of 289 children, aged between 1 month to 12 years, and planned to undergo diagnostic LP were analyzed. Data about the parents included gender, residence, education level, and socio-economic status. Chi-square and logistic regression analyzed the impact on LP refusal taking p

This paper presents results from a comprehensive study of source apportionment of particulate matter (PM) of size PM2.5 and PM10 near a busy highway in Sharjah, United Arab Emirates. Source apportionment was carried out using US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Positive Matrix Factorization model. Furthermore, backward trajectory analysis and Potential Source Contribution Function were used to assess air mass transport pathways and identify potential source regions, respectively. The results revealed six major sources for PM2.5, including traffic, sea salt, fugitive dust, secondary aerosols, heavy oil combustion and mineral dust. For PM10, four major sources were identified, including secondary aerosols, traffic, sea salt and mineral dust. Traffic emissions were found to be significant contributors to both PM2.5 and PM10 pollution, along with natural sources like sea salt and mineral dust. Backward trajectory analysis indicated the influence of different wind regimes on air mass transport, with contributions from regions like Arabian Gulf, Arabian Sea, Oman and Iran. The Conditional Bivariate Probability Function analysis further explained the impact of local traffic emissions and other sources on PM pollution under varying wind conditions.

ObjectivesDiabetes mellitus is a metabolic condition with hyperglycemia. Literature has shown a correlation between poor sleep quality and duration with an increased incidence of insomnia in diabetic individuals. The goal of this study was to determine the magnesium and potassium supplementation effect among diabetic individuals with insomnia.MethodsA randomized controlled trial (single blind) was conducted on 320 patients with diabetes; after 2 months of follow-up, 290 patients completed the trial. The Insomnia Severity Index (ISI) was used to assess the severity and duration of insomnia, before and after the trial. Tablets containing supplements were prepared: placebo (T1), magnesium (Mg, T2), potassium (K, T3), and a combination of Mg and K (T4). Melatonin and cortisol (sleep hormones) were measured from blood (serum) using an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), before and after the trial.ResultsThe study included 93 (32.1%) male and 197 (67.9%) female participants. According to the analysis, there was a significant association between the treatment groups and ISI after the trial (post-trial), p = 0.0001. Analysis showed that there was significant association between pre- and post-serum cortisol levels in treatment groups 2, 3, and 4 (T2, T3, and T4) as p-values are 0.001, 0.001, and 0.001 respectively. Similar findings were observed for serum melatonin.ConclusionsThe study revealed that magnesium, potassium, and magnesium and potassium combined had a significant effect on serum cortisol and melatonin levels (sleep hormones). In addition, supplementation significantly decreased the severity of insomnia among patients with diabetes by improving sleep duration.

BackgroundThe COVID-19 comorbid population is at higher risk of developing severe health issues like acute respiratory distress syndrome, coagulation syndrome, metabolic acidosis, and septic shock, potentially leading to patient death. Patients’ knowledge, attitudes, and practices (KAP) significantly influence their response to the pandemic and aid in enhancing health policy implementation.ObjectiveTo identify and evaluate the pattern and associated factors to COVID-19 knowledge, attitude, and practice among individuals with comorbidities.MethodologyThe systematic review followed the PRISMA guidelines. Relevant studies assessing the KAP of comorbid patients were retrieved by carefully searching the PubMed and Google Scholar databases. The appraisal tool for cross-sectional studies was used to determine the quality of the included studies and the risk of biases.ResultsEighteen studies met the inclusion criteria and were included in the review. The pooled sample size of the included studies was 9,104. Different comorbidities reported in the studies include hypertension, diabetes, psychological disorders, and cancer. Pooled analysis showed that 65% of patients showed good knowledge, 57% of patients showed a positive attitude and 51% of patients followed good practices to manage the COVID-19 in presence of their comorbid condition. Significant factors impacting knowledge, attitude and practice in COVID-19 comorbid patients were ethnicity OR 1.78 [95% CI 1.35–2.32]; educational status 3.2 [2.79–3.58]; urban residence 2.43 [1.65–3.02]; employment Status 1.67[1.34–2.12]; financial Status 4.02[3.66–4.38]; occupation 3.65[3.31–4.25]; information Source 2.64[2.19–3.26]; comorbidity 3.28[2.78–3.61]; and duration of chronic illness 1.59[1.31–2.04].ConclusionComorbid COVID-19 patients showed good knowledge, positive attitude and good practice towards the management of the disease.

Abstract Anodal transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) promotes neuromodulation and neuroplasticity in the brain. The aim of this study was to determine the long‐term effects of the anodal tDCS on postural and trunk stability, physical performance, anticipatory postural adjustment and quality of life in sub‐acute stroke patients. Thirty‐six participants with sub‐acute stroke were divided into experimental and control groups using sealed envelope randomization. Outcome measures comprised the Postural Assessment Scale for Stroke, Trunk Impairment Scale, Time Up and Go Test, Functional Reach Test, and Stroke‐Specific Quality of Life Scale. Assessments were conducted at 0, 3, 6, 9, and 12 weeks. Within‐group analysis revealed significant improvement in both the experimental (p‐value

Recent advances allow the deployment of cluster regularly interspaced short palindromic repeats (CRISPR)-associated endonucleases (Cas) system for the targeted mutagenesis in the genome with accuracy and precision for trait improvement in crops. CRISPR-Cas systems have been extensively utilized to induce knockout or frameshift mutations in the targeted sequence of mostly negative regulating genes for wheat improvement. However, most of the reported work has been done in non-commercial varieties of wheat and introgression of edited alleles into breeding population comes with the penalty of unwanted linkage-drag. Wheat yield is controlled by various genes such as positive and negative regulators. The TaD27 gene is described as a negative regulator of shoot branching or tillering and involved in the biosynthesis of strigolactones. In this study, we developed Tad27 knockout mutant lines of an elite wheat cultivar that showed a twofold increase in the number of tillers and 1.8-fold increase in the number of grains per plant. Subsequently, enhancing the grain yield without any morphological penalty in the architecture of the plants. The co-transformation of regeneration enhancing growth regulator, Growth Regulating Factor 4 (GRF4) and its cofactor GRF-Interacting Factor 1 (GIF1), under single T-DNA cassette improved the regeneration efficiency up to 6% of transgenic events from mature embryos of wheat. Our results indicate that the CRISPR-mediated targeted mutagenesis confers the potential to knockout yield-related negative regulators in elite cultivars of wheat that can substantially enhance grain yield per plant and this strategy can be harnessed for the improvement of future wheat.

Mental illness is a common disease that at its extremes leads to personal and societal suffering. A complicated multi-factorial disease, mental illness is influenced by a number of socioeconomic and clinical factors, including individual risk factors. Traditionally, approaches relying on personal interviews and filling out questionnaires have been employed to diagnose mental illness; however, these manual procedures have been found to be frequently prone to errors and unable to reliably identify individuals with mental illness. Fortunately, people with mental illnesses frequently express their ailments on social media, making it possible to more precisely identify mental disease by harvesting their social media posts. This study offers a thorough analysis of how to identify mental illnesses (more specifically, depression) from users’ social media data. Along with the explanation of data acquisition, preprocessing, feature extraction, and classification techniques, the most recent published literature is presented to give the readers a thorough understanding of the subject. Since, in the recent past, the majority of the relevant scientific community has focused on using machine learning (ML) and deep learning (DL) models to identify mental illness, so the review also focuses on these techniques and along with their detail, their critical analysis is presented. More than 100 DL, ML, and natural language processing (NLP) based models developed for mental illness in the recent past have been reviewed, and their technical contributions and strengths are discussed. There exist multiple review studies, however, discussing extensive recent literature along with the complete road map on how to design a mental illness detection system using social media data and ML and DL classification methods is limited. The review also includes detail on how a dataset may be acquired from social media platforms, how it is preprocessed, and features are extracted from it to employ for mental illness detection. Hence, we anticipate that this review will help readers learn more and give them a comprehensive road map for identifying mental illnesses using users’ social media data.

Background and purposePosterior circulation strokes, accounting for 20% of acute ischemic strokes, significantly contribute to morbidity and mortality. Fibrinolysis by rtPA improves outcomes in stroke but the risk of intracranial hemorrhage limits benefit. Arterial recanalization of basilar artery occlusion by thrombolysis or endovascular thrombectomy improves outcomes in posterior circulation strokes. This study investigates a VWF-targeting RNA aptamer as a safer and more effective alternative to rtPA in a canine model.Materials and methodsAutologous clots were placed into the basilar artery to induce stroke in 24 beagles. To compare reperfusion, 0.9 mg/kg rtPA, 0.5 mg/kg BB-031, or vehicle were administered 60 min after the initiation of occlusion. Digital subtraction angiography, laser speckle imaging and magnetic resonance imaging were used to assess recanalization, reperfusion and infarct volume, respectively.ResultsTreatment with BB-031 resulted in recanalization of the posterior circulation on digital subtraction angiography with no evidence of microembolism assessed at sacrifice. 66.5% of animals treated with BB-031 resulted in reperfusion with a TICI score of ≥1 whereas vehicle remained at TICI score 0 as did all but one rtPA animal at sacrifice. Improved perfusion was seen in the basilar artery and surrounding blood vessels visualized through the cranial window with laser speckle imaging to ~47% of its original baseline in BB-031 group compared to rtPA at 37% and vehicle at 22%. Finally, BB-031-treatment resulted in an approximate 32% mean infarct volume, significantly smaller on magnetic resonance imaging compared to 56% in vehicle treated and 48% with rtPA treatment.ConclusionTargeted inhibition of VWF by BB-031 increased recanalization and reperfusion, and reduced infarct volume in a canine model of BAO stroke. It represents a promising target based on preliminary results for treating acute ischemic stroke.

This paper introduces a framework to yield an electricity rate for vehicle-to-grid (V2G) charging station (CS) to minimize installation capacity of a charging station considering electric vehicle (EV) arrival/departure time distribution. Two different layers are designed to avoid an obstacle encountered when formulating the problem as a convex optimization and to represent an EV aggregator and an electricity rate decision maker – a regulator. The EV aggregator layer focuses on increasing the profit and the regulator minimizes the peak load of the V2G CS. Linear programming was formulated for the former layer, and a modified particle swarm optimization (PSO) method was developed for the latter. Modification of the PSO approach allowed for easier escape of local minima, resulting in a new electricity rate for the V2G CS based on the EV arrival/departure time distribution data. The algorithm employs new matrices devised in this paper to accommodate EV information in the optimization process. In a simulation study, two distinct CSs with V2G operations were evaluated, each with a different EV arrival/departure time distribution. The simulation revealed that the peak load and the profit of the aggregator vary dramatically depending on the arrival/departure time distributions.

In the Haber-Bosch process (HBp), which uses elevated pressure and temperature to produce more concentration of nitrogen and hydrogen gases, 90% of the 175 million metric tons of NH3 generated worldwide in 2016 were manufactured in this process. According to the road plan for sustainable ammonia production sustainably, using water as a reducing agent is the most effective way to fix nitrogen in close-quarters ambiance. A complete explanation of theoretical and practical work on electrocatalytic nitrogen reduction is provided in this article, with special attention paid to the low selectivity of nitrogen reduction to ammonia in comparison to protons to hydrogen. Since they are essential for accurately achieving high nitrogen production and Faradaic efficiency (FE), their information outlines electrocatalysts, electrolyte selection criteria, and managed experiment design. Under diverse conditions, the evolution of theory and experiment is examined. Finally, feedback is given on this field’s present issues and prospects.

Biodiversity loss is a pressing global issue, with protected areas and Other Effective Area-Based Conservation Measures (OECMs) identified as crucial strategies for conservation. This study investigates the contribution of wilderness networks beyond existing protected areas to biodiversity conservation in Central Asia, proposing a comprehensive framework for wilderness network assessment and identifying potential OECM areas. Using Boolean overlay and weighted linear combination approach, the research delineated core wilderness patches and assessed their spatial relationship with existing protected area. The study employed multi-scenario assessment framework to reconstruct twelve landscape ecological networks, results exposed the potential of wilderness networks as supplementary areas to existing protected area networks. The study also identified 241 critical pinch points essential for maintaining regional wildlife habitat connectivity and species migration. The research advocates for the integration of wilderness networks with OECMs to achieve the 30×30 conservation goal. The study's findings underscore need for additional conservation measures beyond existing protected areas and importance of considering human activity disturbances, maintaining landscape connectivity, as well as evaluating cost-effective conservation strategies. It also highlights the necessity for cross-border collaboration in regional-scale wilderness research. This study contributes to the planning and development of policies for wilderness conservation and provides a replicable framework for similar global assessments.

Purpose: This study explores the relationship between instructor personality, grapevine communication, and organizational commitment in the public and private education sectors of Pakistan. Specifically, it investigates how faculty personalities influence informal communication (grapevine) and their organizational commitment levels. Design/Methodology/Approach: A Structural Equation Model (SEM) employed to analyze the effects of teacher personalities on grapevine communication and organizational commitment. Data collected through a comprehensive survey from university faculty members, focusing on demographics such as age, gender, experience, salary, and qualifications. The collected data then used to build and validate the SEM model, offering a robust analytical framework for evaluating the relationships between the variables. Findings: The study reveals that faculty loyalty and commitment significantly influenced by academic communication routes, particularly informal grapevine communication, which is moderated by individual personality traits. Implications/Originality/Value: This study contributes to the literature on organizational behavior, communication, and management in higher education, offering strategies to enhance job satisfaction, collaboration, and commitment among university faculty.

Purpose: This systematic review examines extant literature to understand the relationship between e-governance initiatives and citizen participation. Design/Methodology/Approach: We conducted a systematic review of 72 articles published in interdisciplinary journals indexed in the Web of Science database between 1900 and 2024. This review examined various forms of e-governance, including digital platforms, official websites, mobile apps, social media, and open data portals Findings: This review revealed the evolution of e-governance from basic online services to sophisticated digital governance utilizing AI and data science. While e-governance initiatives hold promise for increased citizen participation, transparency, and accountability in policymaking, several factors influence their success, including technological infrastructure, digital literacy, trust in government, and legal frameworks. This study identified gaps in the current knowledge base, particularly regarding the long-term sustainability and impact of these initiatives. Implications/Originality/Value: These findings highlight the need for interdisciplinary research to better understand and evaluate the effectiveness of citizen-empowering e-governance initiatives. This study provides a structured overview of existing knowledge, pinpoints open research questions, and suggests a unified model for future research in this area.

Ticks are important blood feeding ectoparasites that transmit pathogens to wildlife, domestic animals, and humans. Hard ticks can feed for several days to weeks, nevertheless they often go undetected. This phenomenon can be explained by a tick’s ability to release analgesics, immunosuppressives, anticoagulants, and vasodilators within their saliva. Several studies have identified extracellular vesicles (EVs) as carriers of some of these effector molecules. Further, EVs, and their contents, enhance pathogen transmission, modulate immune responses, and delay wound healing. EVs are double lipid-membrane vesicles that transport intracellular cargo, including microRNAs (miRNAs) to recipient cells. miRNAs are involved in regulating gene expression post-transcriptionally. Interestingly, tick-derived miRNAs have been shown to enhance pathogen transmission and affect vital biological processes such as oviposition, blood digestion, and molting. miRNAs have been found within tick salivary EVs. This review focuses on current knowledge of miRNA loading into EVs and homologies reported in ticks. We also describe findings in tick miRNA profiles, including miRNAs packed within tick salivary EVs. Although no functional studies have been done to investigate the role of EV-derived miRNAs in tick feeding, we discuss the functional characterization of miRNAs in tick biology and pathogen transmission. Lastly, we propose the possible uses of tick miRNAs to develop management tools for tick control and to prevent pathogen transmission. The identification and functional characterization of conserved and tick-specific salivary miRNAs targeting important molecular and immunological pathways within the host could lead to the discovery of new therapeutics for the treatment of tick-borne and non-tick-borne human diseases.