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BackgroundGenome-wide single marker and gene-based meta-analyses of long-term average (LTA) blood pressure (BP) phenotypes may reveal novel findings for BP.Methods and resultsWe conducted genome-wide analysis among 18 422 East Asian participants (stage 1) followed by replication study of ≤46 629 participants of European ancestry (stage 2). Significant single-nucleotide polymorphisms and genes were determined by a P

As a staple food crop, rice has gained mainstream attention in genome engineering for its genetic improvement. Genome engineering technologies such as transgenic and genome editing have enabled the significant improvement of target traits in relation to various biotic and abiotic aspects as well as nutrition, for which genetic diversity is lacking. In comparison to conventional breeding, genome engineering techniques are more precise and less time-consuming. However, one of the major issues with biotech rice commercialization is the utilization of selectable marker genes (SMGs) in the vector construct, which when incorporated into the genome are considered to pose risks to human health, the environment, and biodiversity, and thus become a matter of regulation. Various conventional strategies (co-transformation, transposon, recombinase systems, and MAT-vector) have been used in rice to avoid or remove the SMG from the developed events. However, the major limitations of these methods are; time-consuming, leftover cryptic sequences in the genome, and there is variable frequency. In contrast to these methods, CRISPR/Cas9-based marker excision, marker-free targeted gene insertion, programmed self-elimination, and RNP-based delivery enable us to generate marker-free engineered rice plants precisely and in less time. Although the CRISPR/Cas9-based SMG-free approaches are in their early stages, further research and their utilization in rice could help to break the regulatory barrier in its commercialization. In the current review, we have discussed the limitations of traditional methods followed by advanced techniques. We have also proposed a hypothesis, “DNA-free marker-less transformation” to overcome the regulatory barriers posed by SMGs.

Root-knot nematode (Meloidogyne graminicola) is one of the emerging threats to rice production worldwide that causes substantial yield reductions. There is a progressive shift of the cropping system from traditional transplanting to direct-seeded water-saving rice production that favored the development of M. graminicola. Scouting and deploying new resistance genes is an economical approach to managing the root-knot nematodes. Here, we report that the inheritance of root-knot nematode resistance in Oryza glaberrima acc. IRGC102206 is governed by a single dominant gene. Traditional mapping coupled with BSA-seq is used to map nematode resistance gene(s) using the BC1F1 population derived from a cross of O. sativa cv. PR121 (S) and O. glaberrima acc. IRGC102206 (R). One major novel genomic region spanning a 3.0-Mb interval on chromosome 6 and two minor QTLs on chromosomes 2 and 4 are the potential genomic regions associated with rice root-knot nematode resistance. Within the QTL regions, 19 putative candidate genes contain 81 non-synonymous variants. The detected major candidate region could be fine mapped to accelerate marker-assisted breeding for root-knot nematode resistance in rice.

A focussed ion beam can change the structural, morphological, and electrical properties of polymer composites. In this work mechanical mixing technique is used to develop CaCu3Ti4O12/CoFe2O4/epoxy composites with CCTO loading (50wt%, 35wt%, 25wt%, and 15wt%). These composites were irradiated with 120 MeV Au+ beam at a constant fluence of 6 × 1012 ions/cm2 and their dielectric, morphological properties were investigated. The comprehensive examination of results revealed significant changes in surface morphology (polymer degradation, and rifts). The dielectric constant and dielectric loss of prepared composites was found to be ~ 35 and ~ 1.2, respectively. The hardness of composites was observed ~ 99 after irradiation. Ion irradiation induced physiochemical changes due to solid-ion interaction, which improvise composites applicability in microelectronic devices, and electromagnetic shields. Moreover, the mechanism of solid-ion interaction is conferred in the text. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Although studies of the sacral corridor dimension have been reported in the European population, little attention has been paid to this issue in the Asian population. The purpose of the study is to estimate the safe dimension of the corridor to avoid neurovascular damage during the fixation of the sacral fracture. The study aimed to examine the cephalocaudal (vertical) and the anteroposterior diameter of the bony passage in the upper three sacral segments. The study further examines the effect of age and sex on corridor dimensions at different sacral levels. Three-dimensionally reconstructed sacra from computed tomography of normal subjects were included in the study. Cephalocaudal and anteroposterior diameters were measured in coronal and axial sections using Geomagic Freeform Plus software. Anteroposterior diameter of the sacral corridor at the first, second, and third sacral segments are significantly higher in males (P=0.013, 0.0011, and <0.0001, respectively). The length of the sacrum also revealed sexual dimorphism (P<0.00016). The anteroposterior diameter of the second sacral segment (ap-S2c) correlated moderately with the first sacral anteroposterior diameter (ap-S1c) (R=0.519, P<0.001). The ap-S2c exhibited a moderate correlation to the third sacral segment (ap-S3c) (R=0.677, P<0.001). The sacral corridor at the level of S1 has the largest cephalocaudal (18.25 mm) and anteroposterior diameter (17.11 mm). Placement of the screw in the first sacral corridor may avoid damage to the neurovascular bundle during the fixation of the sacral fracture. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study reports the synthesis of barium-ferrite (BaFe2O4) particles by co-precipitation method, which is employed to prepare BaFe2O4/multiwall carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs)/epoxy nanocomposites. Furthermore, the structural properties, ferroelectric and dielectric properties, and electromagnetic attenuation properties are studied. The role of varying concentrations of BaFe2O4, frequency, and temperature on dielectric behavior is studied. In the presence of applied field, dielectric constant enhances as a result of interfacial polarization with increasing BaFe2O4 concentration. The permittivity is highest at low frequency and decreased with increasing frequency. With temperature, initially, dielectric constant increases and then decreases as a result of charge accumulation at interfaces and leads to interfacial polarization as confirmed by ferroelectric behavior. Here, BaFe2O4/MWCNTs/epoxy composite (with 40 phr BFO, where phr denotes parts per hundred) exhibited the highest value of saturation polarization (PS) ~0.31 µC/cm2 and low value of remanent polarization (Pr), that is ~0.009 µC/cm2. Moreover, composites exhibited high electromagnetic interference (EMI) shielding effectiveness (SE) of nearly 19 dB for 40 phr BaFe2O4 concentration at 11.3 GHz. Here, the reflection-dominated SE is ~1.06 dB and absorption-dominated SE is about 18.67 dB, which dominates the total SE. The absorption-dominant behavior is depicted by the BaFe2O4/MWCNTs/epoxy nanocomposites in EMI shielding as further conferred in the text. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Ca9Y(VO4)7 phosphor activated with Er3+ ions have been developed by the urea-aided solution combustion technique. XRD profiles assisted with Rietveld refinement executed over-developed Er3+-activated Ca9Y(VO4)7 powder, revealed a trigonal phase with the R3c space group. The electron microscope techniques namely TEM and SEM characterize the size and surface-linked qualities of the developed nanopowder, respectively. The uniform distribution of various elements in the nanocrystalline sample is authenticated by an energy-dispersive spectroscopy (EDS) system. The Eg (band gap) value of 3.64 eV for Ca9Y0.9Er0.1(VO4)7 and 3.74 eV for Ca9Y(VO4)7 has been estimated. Upon 382 nm excitation, Er3+: Ca9Y(VO4)7 phosphor gives rise to the bright green emission owing to the 4S3/2 → 4I15/2 transition. The concentration quenching after 10 mol% composition of trivalent erbium ions is attributed to dipole-dipole interlinkages in accordance with Dexter's theory. The radiative lifetime (1.1083 ms), non-radiative rates (0.2079 ms− 1), quantum efficiency (79%), along with colorimetric parameters i.e. CIE x (= 0.2577), y (= 0.4566), and CCT quantities offer Ca9Y0.9Er0.1(VO4)7 as a proficient green radiating nanomaterial for RGB phosphors in solid-state applications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

By tailoring and optimizing the structure of core or shell material, complete alteration of properties of the material can be obtained. Herein, we have reported synthesis of CaCu3Ti4O12@CoFe2O4 particles through the chemical co-precipitation route. CaCu3Ti4O12@CoFe2O4 particles consist of CaCu3Ti4O12 (~ 200 nm) as a core and CoFe2O4 as a shell of 2.5 nm. The prepared composites are characterized with appropriate characterization tools. The morphological results confirm the proper formation of core shell structure where CaCu3Ti4O12 and CoFe2O4 act as a core and shell, respectively. The greater CCTO content composites exhibited promising relative permittivity of 8.2 × 103 at 700 °C sintering temperature (8 h) at frequency 40 to 8 MHz. When CaCu3Ti4O12@CoFe2O4 undergoes heat treatment, it leads to the removal of oxalic acid. However, a weight loss of 8.3% is obtained for CCTO-coated composites that is quite low as compared to ~ 11% weight loss obtained in pristine CFO. The removal of organic groups significantly contributed to the increase in dielectric properties. These results imply that the development of CaCu3Ti4O12@CoFe2O4 core shell structure paves the wave for high-performance devices. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this study, PPF dependent fixed point theorems are proved for a nonlinear operator, where the domain space C[[a,b], E] is distinct from the range space, E, which is a Strong Partial b-metric space (SPbMS). We obtain existence and uniqueness of PPF dependent fixed point results for the defined mappings under SPbMS. Our results are the extension of fixed point results in SPbMS. Examples are provided in the support of results. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Diversely substituted methoxy derivatives of arylpiperazinyl–alkyl benzothiazolone has been evaluated as specific probe for 5HT7. To determine the best methoxy derivative for 5HT7 receptor affinity, we synthesised a number of 2-benzothiazolone arylalkyl piperazine derivatives. In-vitro/vivo studies with C-2 substituted [11C]ABT showed 5HT7 specific binding. The radiochemical purity of [11C]ABT was found to be more than 99% with radiochemical stability persistence for more than 1.5 hr at 25 °C. The interaction of BSA and ABT has been analysed by photophysical studies for better understanding of properties such as adsortion, distribution, metabolism and elemination (ADME). The interaction between ABT and BSA was analyzed by using the UV-vis and fluorescence spectra. UV-vis spectra analyzed the changes in primary structure of BSA on its interaction with ABT. ABT showed quenched fluorescence emission intensity of tryptophan residues in BSA via static quenching mechanism. This study might help to understand how ABT binds to serum protein or subsequently to know the ADME of this drug candidate. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Ferrite/carbon (NiFe2O4/C) nanocomposite derived from metal–organic frameworks (MOF) has been evaluated as electrode material for supercapacitors. The ferrite/carbon hybrid has synthesized via one-step solvothermal method followed by heat treatment. The thermal treatment of the MOF has been conducted under different environments (N2 and air) at various temperatures, resulting in the formation of a porous diamond-shaped ferrite/carbon nanocomposite. Notably, the material subjected to pyrolysis at 500 °C in an N2 environment exhibits remarkable enhancements in its properties, showcasing the highest specific capacitance of 85.5 F g−1 at a current density of 0.25 A g−1. This excellent specific capacitance is attributed to surface redox reactions that take place due to the material's large active surface area. Asymmetric supercapacitor composed of NF500 and activated carbon has shown a high energy density of 69.2 Wh kg−1 at a power density of 180.07 W kg−1. These outstanding electrochemical properties make the synthesized hybrid material a highly promising candidate for various energy storage applications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]