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Autistic children and young people (CYP) experience mental health difficulties but face many barriers to accessing and benefiting from mental health care. There is a need to explore strategies in mental health care for autistic CYP to guide clinical practice and future research and support their mental health needs. Our aim was to identify strategies used to improve mental health care for autistic CYP and examine evidence on their acceptability, feasibility, and effectiveness. A systematic review and meta-analysis were carried out. All study designs reporting acceptability/feasibility outcomes and empirical quantitative studies reporting effectiveness outcomes for strategies tested within mental health care were eligible. We conducted a narrative synthesis and separate meta-analyses by informant (self, parent, and clinician). Fifty-seven papers were included, with most investigating cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT)-based interventions for anxiety and several exploring service-level strategies, such as autism screening tools, clinician training, and adaptations regarding organization of services. Most papers described caregiver involvement in therapy and reported adaptations to communication and intervention content; a few reported environmental adjustments. In the meta-analyses, parent- and clinician-reported outcomes, but not self-reported outcomes, showed with moderate certainty that CBT for anxiety was an effective treatment compared to any comparison condition in reducing anxiety symptoms in autistic individuals. The certainty of evidence for effectiveness, synthesized narratively, ranged from low to moderate. Evidence for feasibility and acceptability tended to be positive. Many identified strategies are simple, reasonable adjustments that can be implemented in services to enhance mental health care for autistic individuals. Notable research gaps persist, however. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Two-dimensional (2D) materials, known for their distinctive electronic, mechanical, and thermal properties, have attracted considerable attention. The precise atomic-scale synthesis of 2D materials opens up new frontiers in nanotechnology, presenting novel opportunities for material design and property control but remains challenging due to the high expense of single-crystal solid metal catalysts. Liquid metals, with their fluidity, ductility, dynamic surface, and isotropy, have significantly enhanced the catalytic processes crucial for synthesizing 2D materials, including decomposition, diffusion, and nucleation, thus presenting an unprecedented precise control over material structures and properties. Besides, the emergence of liquid alloy makes the creation of diverse heterostructures possible, offering a new dimension for atomic engineering. Significant achievements have been made in this field encompassing defect-free preparation, large-area self-aligned array, phase engineering, heterostructures, etc. This review systematically summarizes these contributions from the aspects of fundamental synthesis methods, liquid catalyst selection, resulting 2D materials, and atomic engineering. Moreover, the review sheds light on the outlook and challenges in this evolving field, providing a valuable resource for deeply understanding this field. The emergence of liquid metals has undoubtedly revolutionized the traditional nanotechnology for preparing 2D materials on solid metal catalysts, offering flexible possibilities for the advancement of next-generation electronics. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Mohale, H.P.; Jawahar, P.; Jayakumar, N.; Swapnil, N.; Kadam, R.V.; Prakash, P.; Oli, G.A., and Ravikumar, T., 2024. Fishery, biology, and dynamics of Parapenaeopsis maxillipedo (Alcock, 1905) off the SE coast of Tamil Nadu (India). Journal of Coastal Research, 40(4), 779–791. Charlotte (North Carolina), ISSN 0749-0208. The current study was carried out between September 2022 to September 2023 from SE coast of Tamil Nadu for Parapenaeopsis shrimp. This shrimp, estimated to rank third in shrimp production, landed as 2216, 2032, and 1704 kg from Thoothukudi, Mandapam, and Nagapattinam landing centers, respectively. The catch per unit effort was calculated to check the abundance of this species and ranged from 21.83 to 96.41 kg, averaging 46.33% in both years. The total length of males and females was observed in the range of 5.5 to 10.5 cm and 6.5 to 12.5 cm, respectively. Female shrimp attained first maturity at 6.5 cm, whereas male shrimp were 5.5 cm. The gonadosomatic index was calculated and found to be the highest (5.64–5.78) in March and September and the lowest in April and October for both years. The absolute fecundity for P. maxillipedo was recorded and ranged from 38,500 to 1,32,000 ova per female. The highest index of relative importance was observed in October and April for both male (57.04) and female (73.82) shrimp. To estimate von Bertalanffy's growth equation in P. maxillipedo, the asymptotic length and growth coefficient (K) growth parameters were combined for both sexes and analyzedas 13.55 cm and 1.5 y–1, respectively. The total mortality and natural mortality (M) were observed as 3.04 and 2.86 y–1, respectively. Hence, fishing mortality was 0.18 y–1, and the exploitation rate (E) was 0.06. The length at first catch per length (LC/L) and M/K values were calculated using the Y/R model as 0.52 and 1.2 for males and 0.48 and 1.3 for females, respectively. E was observed as 0.06, which was lower than the maximum E of 0.4, which showed that the P. maxillipedo fisheries along the SE coast of Tamil Nadu were at unexploited conditions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Cadmium (Cd) is a highly toxic heavy metal that poses a significant threat to food safety and agricultural production worldwide. Its solubility enables easy entry into plants, leading to reductions in seed germination, growth and crop yield. Thus, it is crucial to discover methods to alleviate the harmful impact of Cd on plant growth. Magnetopriming (MP) is a non-invasive and cost-effective technique that has been proposed to improve plant growth under abiotic stress conditions. The current study investigated the potential of MP to improve the seed germination, early seedling growth and biochemical responses of soybean under Cd toxicity. Soybean seeds were magnetoprimed with static magnetic field (SMF) strength of 200 mT for 1 hour before germination. The unprimed and magnetoprimed seeds were grown under different concentrations of cadmium chloride (0, 25, 50, 75, 100, 200 and 300 µM CdCl2) in Petri plates for five days in the dark at 25 + 1 °C. The results revealed that Cd toxicity significantly reduced the germination percentage and inhibited the seedling growth parameters and increased oxidative stress, as determined by malondialdehyde (MDA) content in soybean seedlings from unprimed seeds. The inhibitory effect was increased with increasing concentration of Cd. However, MP remarkably increased the germination percentage, seedling growth parameters, activities of total amylase and protease, and hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) content and decreased MDA and proline content in germinating soybean seedlings at all concentrations of Cd. These findings suggest that MP can alleviate the adverse effects of Cd stress in soybean seedlings and increase the tolerance index towards Cd toxicity by enhancing the activity of amylotic and proteolytic enzymes and reducing oxidative stress. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this study, we elucidate the synthesis and characterization of molybdenum (Mo) doped zinc oxide (ZnO) nanoflowers (Mo-ZnO@NF) fabricated via a hydrothermal approach, showcasing their potential application in hydrogen generation and dye degradation. The successful synthesis of these nanoflowers is achieved through the deliberate incorporation of Mo ions into the ZnO lattice, yielding a distinctive hierarchical flower-like morphology. Comprehensive structural, morphological, and optical analyses are conducted employing a suite of analytical techniques, encompassing XRD, Raman, FESEM, and UVVisible spectroscopy. XRD analysis confirms the retention of the hexagonal wurtzite crystal structure, accompanied by discernible peak shifts indicative of Mo ion integration. FESEM imaging further elucidates the flower-like architecture of Mo-ZnO, underscoring the intricate morphological features. Photocatalytic assessment reveals the remarkable efficacy of Mo-ZnO@NF, as evidenced by an unprecedented hydrogen evolution rate of 2024mmol/h/g and 97% Methylene Blue (MB) dye degradation within a mere 40-minute timeframe. Furthermore, a comparative investigation between pristine ZnO and varying Mo doping concentrations (ranging from 1% to 5%) underscores the optimal doping concentration of 1% Mo in ZnO. This concentration threshold is shown to engender superior photocatalytic performance, potentially attributed to enhanced charge carrier separation and increased surface area conducive to catalytic reactions. Overall, this study not only advances our understanding of Mo-ZnO@NF nanostructures but also elucidates key insights into optimizing their photocatalytic efficacy for diverse environmental remediation applications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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Due to the growing concerns surrounding microbial contamination and food safety, there has been a surge of interest in fabricating novel food packaging with highly efficient antibacterial activity. Herein, we describe novel photodynamic antibacterial konjac glucomannan (KGM)/polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP) nanofibers incorporated with lignin-zinc oxide composite nanoparticles (L-ZnONPs) and curcumin (Cur) via electrospinning technology. The resulting KGM/PVP/Cur/L-ZnONPs nanofibers exhibited favorable hydrophobic properties (water contact angle: 118.1°), thermal stability, and flexibility (elongation at break: 241.9%). Notably, the inclusion of L-ZnONPs and Cur endowed the nanofibers with remarkable antioxidant (ABTS radical scavenging activity: 98.1%) and photodynamic antimicrobial properties, demonstrating enhanced inhibitory effect against both Staphylococcus aureus (inhibition: 12.4 mm) and Escherichia coli (12.1 mm). As a proof-of-concept study, we evaluated the feasibility of applying nanofibers to fresh strawberries, and the findings demonstrated that our nanofibers could delay strawberry spoilage and inhibit microbial growth. This photodynamic antimicrobial approach holds promise for design of highly efficient antibacterial food packaging, thereby contributing to enhanced food safety and quality assurance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Virus-induced cell death is a key contributor to COVID-19 pathology. Cell death induced by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) is well studied in myeloid cells but less in its primary host cell type, angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2)–expressing human airway epithelia (HAE). SARS-CoV-2 induces apoptosis, necroptosis, and pyroptosis in HAE organotypic cultures. Single-cell and limiting-dilution analysis revealed that necroptosis is the primary cell death event in infected cells, whereas uninfected bystanders undergo apoptosis, and pyroptosis occurs later during infection. Mechanistically, necroptosis is induced by viral Z-RNA binding to Z-DNA–binding protein 1 (ZBP1) in HAE and lung tissues from patients with COVID-19. The Delta (B.1.617.2) variant, which causes more severe disease than Omicron (B1.1.529) in humans, is associated with orders of magnitude–greater Z-RNA/ZBP1 interactions, necroptosis, and disease severity in animal models. Thus, Delta induces robust ZBP1-mediated necroptosis and more disease severity. Editor's summary: SARS-CoV-2 infection triggers multiple cell death pathways that contribute to disease severity. Here, Liang et al. characterized cell death mechanisms in angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2)–expressing cells and primary human airway epithelial (HAE) cell cultures during SARS-CoV-2 infection and in autopsied lungs from patients with COVID-19. Necroptosis was the primary form of cell death and was induced by viral Z-RNA binding to Z-DNA binding protein-1 (ZBP-1). Infected and bystander cells underwent apoptosis, but limiting dilution analysis showed that apoptosis was a bystander effect. The Delta variant induced much greater Z-RNA/ZBP-1 interactions and necroptosis compared with Omicron, thus suggesting a mechanism associated with greater disease severity (see related Focus by Wong and Perlman). —Christiana N. Fogg [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Electrical discharge drilling (EDD), a non-contact manufacturing technology that brings the potential to fabricate microholes at low cost and relatively high efficiency, has aroused extensive attention at home and abroad. However, the surface/subsurface defects and forming accuracy inherited from the EDD process can significantly impede the mechanical properties and weaken the usage performance of as-micro holes parts and components, probably challenging this process's reliability and reproducibility. The advancement of simulated technique and characterization detection currently opens up a more a more intuitive and deeper research of micro holes machined by the EDD process. Given that, the paper systematically states the material removal mechanism, debris escaping path, surface/subsurface defects formation, mitigation strategies and improved measures of micro holes fabricated by the EDD process. Consequently, based on current limitations and challenges, hybrid process and theoretical breakthrough play a significant role in future research on the microhole fabricated by the EDD process. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Ceftazidime-avibactam (CAZ-AVI) is a combination of the third-generation cephalosporin ceftazidime and the novel, non-β-lactam β-lactamase inhibitor avibactam that is approved for the treatment of pediatric (≥ 3 months) and adult patients with complicated infections including hospital-acquired and ventilator-associated pneumonia (HAP/VAP), and bacteremia. This systematic literature review and meta-analysis (PROSPERO registration: CRD42022362856) aimed to provide a quantitative and qualitative synthesis to evaluate the effectiveness of CAZ-AVI in treating adult patients with bacteremia or nosocomial pneumonia caused by carbapenem-resistant Enterobacterales (non metallo-β-lactamase-producing strains) and multi-drug resistant (MDR) Pseudomonas aeruginosa infections. Methods: The databases included in the search, until November 7, 2022, were Embase and PubMed. A total of 24 studies (retrospective: 22, prospective: 2) with separate outcomes for patients with bacteremia or pneumonia were included. Results: The outcomes assessed were all-cause mortality, clinical cure, and microbiological cure. Qualitative (24 studies) and quantitative (8/24 studies) syntheses were performed. The quality of the studies was assessed using the MINORS checklist and the overall risk of bias was moderate to high. Conclusions: In studies included in the meta-analysis, lower all-cause mortality for patients with bacteremia (OR = 0.30, 95% CI 0.19–0.46) and improved rates of clinical cure for patients with bacteremia (OR = 4.90, 95% CI 2.60–9.23) and nosocomial pneumonia (OR = 3.20, 95% CI 1.55–6.60) was observed in the CAZ-AVI group compared with the comparator group. Data provided here may be considered while using CAZ-AVI for the treatment of patients with difficult-to-treat infections. Systematic Review Registration: PROSPERO CRD42022362856. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Two-dimensional (2D) materials have emerged as promising building blocks for next generation memristive devices, owing to their unique electronic, mechanical, and thermal properties, resulting in effective switching mechanisms for charge transport. Memristors are key components in a wide range of applications including neuromorphic computing, which is becoming increasingly important in artificial intelligence applications. Crossbar arrays are an important component in the development of hardware-based neural networks composed of 2D materials. In this paper, we summarize the current state of research on 2D material-based memristive devices utilizing different switching mechanisms, along with the application of these devices in neuromorphic crossbar arrays. Additionally, we discuss the challenges and future directions for the field. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The use of herbal medicines (HMs) for the treatment of hypertension (HTN) is increasing globally, but research on the potential adverse effects and safety of HMs in HTN patients is limited. Therefore, this systematic review and meta-analysis aim to determine the global prevalence of HMusage among HTN patients and assess the safety of identified herbs based on current scientific evidence. Methods: The PubMed/MEDLINE, EMBASE (Ovid), and Cumulated Index to Nursing and Allied Health Literature (CINAHL) databases were searched for cross-sectional studies on the use of HM among HTN patients. Our review includes studies published in English up to the year 2023. After extracting and appraising the data from the studies, a meta-analysis was conducted using the Stata version 16.0 to estimate the pooled prevalence of HM use in patients with HTN (PROSPERO: CRD42023405537). The safety classification of the identified HM was done based on the existing scientific literature. Results: This study analyzed 37 cross-sectional studies from 21 countries and found that 37.8% of HTN patients used HM to manage their health. The prevalence of HM use varied significantly based on publication year and geographical region. Among the 71 identified herbs, Allium sativum L., Hibiscus sabdariffa L., and Olea europaea L. were the most commonly used. However, four herbs were identified as contraindicated, 50 herbs required caution, and only 11 herbs were considered safe for use. Conclusion: The study highlights the potential risks of toxicities and adverse effects associated with HM use in the treatment of HTN. Ensuring patient safety involves using safe HMs in appropriate doses and avoiding contraindicated HMs. Future research should focus on identifying commonly used herbs, especially in resource-limited countries with poor HTN management, and additional clinical research is required to assess the toxicity and safety of commonly used HMs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The escalation of global urbanization and industrial expansion has resulted in an increase in the emission of harmful substances into the atmosphere. Evaluating the effectiveness of titanium dioxide (TiO2) in photocatalytic degradation through traditional methods is resource-intensive and complex due to the detailed photocatalyst structures and the wide range of contaminants. Therefore in this study, recent advancements in machine learning (ML) are used to offer data-driven approach using thirteen machine learning techniques namely XG Boost (XGB), decision tree (DT), lasso Regression (LR2), support vector regression (SVR), adaBoost (AB), voting Regressor (VR), CatBoost (CB), K-Nearest Neighbors (KNN), gradient boost (GB), random Forest (RF), artificial neural network (ANN), ridge regression (RR), linear regression (LR1) to address the problem of estimation of TiO2 photocatalytic degradation rate of air contaminants. The models are developed using literature data and different methodical tools are used to evaluate the developed ML models. XGB, DT and LR2 models have high R2 values of 0.93, 0.926 and 0.926 in training and 0.936, 0.924 and 0.924 in test phase. While ANN, RR and LR models have lowest R2 values of 0.70, 0.56 and 0.40 in training and 0.62, 0.63 and 0.31 in test phase respectively. XGB, DT and LR2 have low MAE and RMSE values of 0.450 min-1/cm2, 0.494 min-1/cm2 and 0.49 min-1/cm2 for RMSE and 0.263 min-1/cm2, 0.285 min-1/cm2 and 0.29 min-1/cm2 for MAE in test stage. XGB, DT, and LR2 have 93% percent errors within 20% error range in training phase. XGB has 92% and DT, and LR2 have 94% errors with 20% range in test phase. XGB, DT, LR2 models remained the highest performing models and XGB is the most robust and effective in predictions. Feature importances reveal the role of input parameters in prediction made by developed ML models. Dosage, humidity, UV light intensity remain important experimental factors. This study will impact positively in providing efficient models to estimate photocatalytic degradation rate of air contaminants using TiO2. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Intra-abdominal infections (IAIs) are common surgical emergencies and are an important cause of morbidity and mortality in hospital settings, particularly if poorly managed. The cornerstones of effective IAIs management include early diagnosis, adequate source control, appropriate antimicrobial therapy, and early physiologic stabilization using intravenous fluids and vasopressor agents in critically ill patients. Adequate empiric antimicrobial therapy in patients with IAIs is of paramount importance because inappropriate antimicrobial therapy is associated with poor outcomes. Optimizing antimicrobial prescriptions improves treatment effectiveness, increases patients' safety, and minimizes the risk of opportunistic infections (such as Clostridioides difficile) and antimicrobial resistance selection. The growing emergence of multi-drug resistant organisms has caused an impending crisis with alarming implications, especially regarding Gram-negative bacteria. The Multidisciplinary and Intersociety Italian Council for the Optimization of Antimicrobial Use promoted a consensus conference on the antimicrobial management of IAIs, including emergency medicine specialists, radiologists, surgeons, intensivists, infectious disease specialists, clinical pharmacologists, hospital pharmacists, microbiologists and public health specialists. Relevant clinical questions were constructed by the Organizational Committee in order to investigate the topic. The expert panel produced recommendation statements based on the best scientific evidence from PubMed and EMBASE Library and experts' opinions. The statements were planned and graded according to the Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development and Evaluation (GRADE) hierarchy of evidence. On November 10, 2023, the experts met in Mestre (Italy) to debate the statements. After the approval of the statements, the expert panel met via email and virtual meetings to prepare and revise the definitive document. This document represents the executive summary of the consensus conference and comprises three sections. The first section focuses on the general principles of diagnosis and treatment of IAIs. The second section provides twenty-three evidence-based recommendations for the antimicrobial therapy of IAIs. The third section presents eight clinical diagnostic-therapeutic pathways for the most common IAIs. The document has been endorsed by the Italian Society of Surgery. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The objective of this study was to assess the toxicity of two pesticides (Prosaro® XRT and Decis® EC 25) widely used in the agricultural region of El-Tarf located in northeastern Algeria, as well as their combinations on a variety of durum wheat “Triticum durum Desf”. The toxicity of these products was evaluated using physiological (chlorophyll) and biochemical parameters (proteins, glutathione, catalase activity and glutathione S-transferase, acetylcholine esterase, lipoxygenase). The recommended dose and its double were tested individually and in combination for this. It should be noted that the protocol used and the initial concentrations selected are the same as those used in the field. After D7 and D14 of exposure, all dosages were administered. The results obtained revealed a decrease in chlorophyll contents and Glutathione levels as well as an induction of total proteins and the differents enzymatic activity (catalase, glutathione S-transferase, lipooxygenase) and this for the two root and leaf compartments. Thus, it turns out that the concentrations used in open fields are not harmful to the plant but generate free radicals which are taken care of by the latter’s defense system, thus allowing it to tolerate these stress conditions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: This study intends to examine the relationships between external knowledge sourcing (EKS), organizational ambidexterity (OA), and manufacturing performance (MP) in the context of large manufacturing firms within a dynamic environment setting. The research framework and derived hypotheses are grounded in the knowledge-based view (KBV) and dynamic capability (DC) theories. Design/methodology/approach: A self-administered online survey was used in this study to gather data. Respondents were the operation leaders representing large manufacturing firms. The collected data were screened for invalid responses, and hypotheses were tested using structural equation modeling. Findings: The study reveals that OA and EKS play key roles in achieving a better MP. Likewise, OA also mediates the relationship between EKS and MP. Research limitations/implications: Cross-sectional data were collected from large manufacturing firms within five focus sectors in Malaysia. A similar study can be conducted with more sectors of different contexts to confirm the findings. Practical implications: Knowledge is critical for the firm to react to environmental dynamism, and the ability to manage it ambidextrously will enable the firm to enhance its performance. Originality/value: This study offers empirical insights from the perspective of the large manufacturing firms in Malaysia, which are undergoing an Industrial Revolution 4.0 (IR4.0) transformation. This study bridges the knowledge gap by revealing the value that EKS can facilitate MP, exploring OA as the prevalent factor and demonstrating how KBV and DC can be applied in this study. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Nowadays, advanced engineering materials are gradually becoming more attractive to the industries because of their high fatigue strength, hardness, thermal shock resistance, attractive strength to weight ratio, etc. Aluminium metal matrix composites (MMCs) have such properties and good electrical conductivity. Therefore, wire electrical discharge machining (WEDM) was found to be a suitable process for machining of such materials. The open gap voltage, pulse-on-time, pulse-off-time, peak current, wire feed rate and wire tension were considered as input process parameters, and experiments were carried out on fabricated hybrid Al/(SiC+ZrO2+ NiTi)-MMC. Taguchi method-based L18 (21x37) mixed orthogonal array was employed for planning of experiments. The process parameters were optimised for material removal rate (MRR) and surface roughness (SR) heights. Confirmation results reveals 61.88%, −28.75% and −20.25% improvement in MRR, Ra and Rt respectively, over initial setting. From analysis of variance (ANOVA), open gap voltage and pulse-on-time were found significant parameters for MRR and SR. The mathematical models for MRR and SR were developed and confirmation test reveals good agreement of it with experimental results. Scanning electron microscopy images reveal that the recast layer thickness was 8.569 µm at optimal MRR setting and 6.113 µm at optimal surface roughness (Ra) setting. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Radical trachelectomy allows for fertility preservation in patients with early cervical cancer not qualifying as "low-risk" as defined by ConCerv. This study reports on the 10-year surgical, oncological, and obstetrical experience of patients treated by radical abdominal trachelectomy at an Austrian tertiary care center. A retrospective chart analysis and telephone survey of all patients with FIGO stage IA2-IB2 (2018) cervical cancer treated by radical abdominal trachelectomy and pelvic lymphadenectomy between 2013 and 2022 were performed. Radical abdominal trachelectomy was attempted in 29 patients, of whom 3 patients underwent neoadjuvant chemotherapy. Three cases, including one after neoadjuvant therapy, required conversion to radical hysterectomy due to positive margins; four cases had positive lymph nodes following surgical staging and were referred to primary chemo-radiotherapy. Twenty-two (75.9%) successful abdominal radical trachelectomies preserving fertility were performed. According to final histopathology, 79.3% of tumors would not have met the "low-risk"-criteria. At a median follow-up of 64.5 (25.5–104.0) months, no recurrence was observed. Eight (36.4%) patients attempted to conceive, with a live birth rate of 62.5%. Radical abdominal trachelectomy appears oncologically safe in early-stage cervical cancers that do not fulfill the "low-risk"-criteria. Strict preoperative selection of patients who might qualify for more conservative surgical approaches is strongly recommended. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Bulk metallic glasses (BMGs) are growing in popularity prominently due to their potential in micro-electromechanical systems (MEMSs) and aerospace applications. BMGs have unique mechanical properties, i.e., high strength, hardness, modulus of elasticity, and wear resistance, due to their disordered atomic structure. Due to their unique mechanical properties and amorphous structures, machining of BMGs remains a challenge. This paper aims to carry out a detailed literature review on various aspects of the machining of bulk metallic glasses using both conventional and non-conventional processes, including experimental approaches, modeling, statistical findings, challenges, and guidelines for machining this difficult-to-machine material. Conventional machining processes were found to be challenging for machining bulk metallic glasses due to their high hardness, brittleness, and tendency to convert their amorphous structure into a crystalline structure, especially at the machined surface and sub-surface. Although their high electrical conductivity makes them suitable for machining by non-conventional processes, they impose new challenges such as heat-affected zones and crystallization. Therefore, the successful machining of BMGs requires more in-depth analysis of cutting forces, tool wear, burr formation, surface finish, recast layers or heat-affected zones, crystallization, and mechanical property changes among different varieties of BMGs. This review paper provides guidelines emerging from in-depth analysis of previous studies, as well as offering directions for future research in the machining of BMGs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The von Neumann bottleneck is a critical limitation in synaptic devices. Therefore, artificial synaptic devices resembling biological neuromorphic synapses have been developed to overcome the von Neumann bottleneck. However, synaptic devices require voltages, which results in considerable energy consumption. Here, photonic synaptic devices with the vertical structure of indium tin oxide (ITO)/SnO2/Al2O3/CsBi3I10/Au are fabricated, which can work in the self-powered mode owing to the photovoltaic effect endowed by a vertical multilayer structure. Several fundamental synaptic functions, such as excitatory postsynaptic current, paired-pulse facilitation, short-term plasticity (STP), long-term plasticity (LTP), pulse-frequency-dependent plasticity, transition of STP to LTP, and the learning experience are emulated. Moreover, Morse-coded external light information is decoded by self-powered photonic synaptic devices. The results indicate that self-powered photonic synaptic devices based on lead-free perovskites exhibit great potential for efficient neuromorphic computing and optical wireless communication. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: In a competitive environment where business competition has become a fundamental challenge for managers, various ways to maintain, survive, or grow the organization are conceivable. Among these, marketing experts believe that customer loyalty is one of the most effective tools in facing this challenge. To achieve customer loyalty, various and diverse strategies have been mentioned in the literature by researchers and experts, which organizations can use, depending on the conditions, one or a combination of them. In such circumstances, managers usually have several strategies and must choose the most appropriate one(s). The present study aims to provide a combined approach for prioritizing customer loyalty strategies. Methodology: This research uses a matrix-based approach to robustness analysis, which can deal with complexity and uncertainty. The proposed algorithm combines it with strategic planning tools (strategies derived from strategic objectives and SWOT analysis) for prioritizing and selecting strategies. The proposed approach was implemented in a case study on prioritizing customer loyalty strategies for a women's clothing boutique in Ramsar City. Available strategies, influential environmental variables, definitions of future scenarios, and the performance of strategies in different environmental conditions were determined based on the judgments of the problem owner. Findings: The results showed that considering influential environmental variables (national currency value, market access and raw materials, lifestyle changes, investment security, government-private sector relations, and the speed of technological change), supplier selection, contractor selection, and attracting a sponsor have the highest priority strategies. Afterwards, environmental advertising, collaborative production, and customer relationship management were placed in subsequent rankings. The outputs of the proposed approach indicate that considering the country's foreseeable future conditions, higher-priority strategies minimize environmental risks and their impact on the business. Originality/Value: The problem of choosing a customer loyalty strategy is a decision-making problem that can be addressed with the help of decision-making knowledge. However, the literature suggests that classical strategic planning approaches Quantitative Strategic Planning Matrix (QSPM) or multi-criteria Decision-Making Approaches (MCDM) are used in most cases of such decision-making. Despite their capabilities and features, these approaches face challenges in dealing with variable and evolving conditions (future uncertainty). An alternative approach, robustness analysis, can consider alternative futures but cannot define available strategies. Based on this, combining the matrix approach to robustness analysis with classical strategic planning approaches will be a response to the above problem. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The functionalization of conductive inks has been carried out through the decomposition of hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) onto the surface of silver nanoparticles (AgNPs). The ink prepared using this eco-friendly chemical reagent has been characterized structurally, chemically, and morphologically, showing the presence of stable AgNPs with suitable properties as well as the absence of residual contamination. The electrical conductivity of such a solution-processable ink is evidenced for patterns designed on flexible photographic paper substrates, using a refillable fountain pen that is implemented as a printing mechanism for the fabrication of simple printed circuit boards (PCBs). The functionality and durability of the tested systems are demonstrated under various mechanical constraints, aiming to basically reproduce the normal operation conditions of flexible electronic devices. The obtained results indicate that the implementation of these AgNP-based inks is relevant for direct applications in inkjet printing technology, thus paving the way for the use of greener chemicals in ink preparation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Naringenin (NRG) inhibits the fungal 17β-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase accountable for ergosterol synthesis in Candida albicans (C. albicans), a causative agent for cutaneous candidiasis. In present research, NRG was complexed with ZnO nanomaterial (NRG-Zn2+) to synthesize NRG-Zn2+ nanocomposites. The particle size and ζ-potential of NRG-Zn2+ nanocomposites were respectively estimated to be 180.33 ± 1.22-nm and − 3.92 ± 0.35-mV. In silico data predicted the greater affinity of NRG-Zn2+ nanocomposite for 14α-demethylase and ceramide in comparison to NRG alone. Later, NRG-Zn2+ nanocomposites solution was transformed in to naringenin-zinc oxide nanocomposites loaded chitosan gel (NRG-Zn-CS-Gel) with viscosity and firmness of 854806.7 ± 52386.43 cP and 698.27 ± 10.35 g, respectively. The ex-vivo skin permeation demonstrated 70.49 ± 5.22% skin retention, significantly greater (P < 0.05) than 44.48 ± 3.06% of naringenin loaded chitosan gel (NRG-CS-Gel) and 31.24 ± 3.28% of naringenin solution (NRG Solution). NRG-Zn-CS-Gel demonstrated 6.71 ± 0.84% permeation of NRG with a flux value of 0.046 ± 0.01-µg/cm2/h. The MIC50 of NRG-Zn-CS-Gel against C. albicans was estimated to be 0.156-µg/mL with FICI (fractional inhibitory concentration index) of 0.018 that consequently exhibited synergistic efficacy. Further, NRG-Zn-CS-Gel demonstrated superior antifungal efficacy in C. albicans induced cutaneous candidiasis infection in Balb/c mice. The fungal burden in NRG-Zn-CS-Gel treated group was 109 ± 25 CFU/mL, significantly lower (P < 0.05) than positive control (2260 ± 446 CFU/mL), naringenin loaded chitosan gel (NRG-CS-Gel; 928 ± 127 CFU/mL) and chitosan gel (CS-Gel; 2116 ± 186 CFU/mL) treated mice. Further, histopathology examination and cytokine profiling of TNF-α, IL-1β and IL-10 revealed the healing of skin and inflammation associated with cutaneous candidiasis infection. In conclusion, NRG-Zn-CS-Gel may be a potential candidate for translating in to a clinical viable topical nanotherapeutic. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A study was conducted on the design and the operational details of fishing gears and craft operated from 54 fishing villages bordering the Pulicat lagoon, one of the important lagoons of India (lat. 13.5593° N, long. 80.2098° E). Information was collected from 320 respondents covering a minimum of 5-7 fishermen from each fishing village. The investigation revealed the existence of 26 types of traditional fishing gear belonging to 15 categories. The pattern of operation of fishing gears used by fishermen was as follows: stake nets (33%), drift gillnets (24%), set gill nets (19%), drive-in nets (14%), and other gears (<10%). Among the 26 types of fishing gears analyzed, 7 gears, viz., hand-lift net, crab fishing gear, lighted crab scoop net, prawn fishing gear, wooden cover pot, cradle trap, and mono line with multiple hooks, were found to be ecofriendly. Further, the multi-stick drag net was found to be a detrimental fishing gear as its operation leads to indiscriminate fishing with a high contribution of juveniles fishes with higher growth potential. The study revealed that the fishing pattern with traditional gears being practiced in the Pulicat lagoon might be continued without further introducing detrimental fishing gear such as gill nets or mini trawl that are operated adjacent to this lagoon in the sea to sustain the fishery of this lagoon. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

One of the most popular standard benchmark photocatalysts in the water treatment and environmental applications fields is zinc oxide (ZnO). Nevertheless, the total photocatalytic efficacy is limited by ZnO's high band gap and the significant recombination of photogenerated charge carriers, particularly in its nano size. This can be further circumvented by hybridizing ZnO with a material that has a narrow band gap, such as metallic, non-metallic, carbon-based, or polymeric-based, to change its electronic band structure and other pertinent features. The use of ZnO-based photocatalyst in wastewater treatment shows a lot of potential as an effective and long-lasting oxidation technique. To increase photocatalytic efficiency, ZnO photocatalysts can be prepared in a variety of ways and modified via doping. In the present review, we assess recent studies on the creation of ZnO-based photocatalysts for the treatment of water using a variety of preparation methods based on electron–hole generation and recombination. The majority of development strategies and research on attaining the best possible photocatalysis performance in high-yield degradation with related factors are discussed, and the primary reasons for increased efficiency are explained. We consider areas where ZnO-based photocatalysts for water treatment could be improved. Finally, there is also a discussion of the prospects and challenges in this exciting field. Our evaluation aims to assist researchers in creating photocatalysts for water treatment that are both affordable and highly effective. Highlights: A variety of preparation techniques have been used to employ metallic and non-metallic doped zinc oxide (ZnO) based photocatalysts broadly in the field of water treatment. Total photocatalytic efficacy is limited by ZnO's high band gap and the significant recombination of photogenerated charge carriers, particularly in its nano size. Harmful organic and inorganic contamination in water can likely be resolved by adjusting the initial pollutant level, pH, and intensity of light. Hybridizing ZnO with a material that has a narrow band gap, such as metallic, non-metallic, carbon-based, or polymeric-based, to change its electronic band structure and other pertinent features. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In order to meet the rising demand for silver nanoparticles across a variety of industries, it is necessary to devise a technique of synthesis that is not only inexpensive but also economically viable and kind to the natural environment. We employed our previous study on the leaves of the Lantana camara plant to perform synthesis of AgNPs, which were then incorporated into a biofilm using sodium alginate and evaluated for their ability to inhibit the growth of bacterial and fungal biofilms. At concentrations of 1 mM and 5 mM silver nitrate, it was possible to successfully synthesize bioactive and biofilms of sodium alginate. These biofilms consisted of silver nanoparticles. It was discovered that the average thickness of the biofilm ranged from 1.03 to 1.1 mm when the silver nitrate concentration was between 1 and 5 mM. It has been shown that biofilms are resilient in both alkaline and acidic conditions. In addition, the biofilms all showed a low percentage of moisture retention. The water solubility of biofilms with a concentration of 1 mM silver nitrate was much lower than that of biofilms with a concentration of 5 mM silver nitrate. In addition, the gram-positive bacteria Staphylococcus epidermis and Staphylococcus hemolyticus were inhibited by the film. Both Staphylococcus epidermis and Staphylococcus hemolyticus have a potent biofilm effect against every kind of biofilm. Nevertheless, these biofilms can be further explored to identify their medical and other additional applications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Tunnels serve as vital arteries in the realm of transportation and infrastructure, facilitating the seamless flow of movement across challenging terrains. With the increasing demand experienced by the traffic network on the Tibetan Plateau, deep-buried, lengthy tunnels have become one of the extremely important types of roads for local residents to pass through. Geological disaster susceptibility mapping by hybrid models has been proven to be an effective means to reduce the losses caused by disasters in a large area. However, there has been relatively little research conducted in tunnel areas with significant human activity. To explore the feasibility of conducting geological disaster susceptibility assessment in tunnel areas, we chose the Atal Tunnel as a study project; as a strategic passageway, this exemplifies the significant geological hurdles encountered on the Tibetan Plateau. Employing multi-source remote sensing data, we meticulously mapped the distribution of geological disasters and identified nine environmental and geological variables pivotal for susceptibility evaluation. We harnessed interpretable ensemble learning models to assess this susceptibility, comparing the efficacy of four distinct models: the weight of evidence method (WoE), the frequency ratio (FR), logistic regression (LR) and the support vector machine (SVM). The precision of our findings was rigorously tested using metrics such as the percentage of disaster area encompassed within each risk level, the Area Under the Curve (AUC) value, and the Receiver Operating Characteristic (ROC) curve, and all results were highly accurate. Notably, the WoE-LR model achieved superior performance, boasting an impressive accuracy rate of 90.7%. Through model interpretation, we discerned that the alignment of the road line is the most critical determinant in the evaluation of tunnel geological disaster susceptibility, underscoring the high precision of our model. The extension and successful application of this research in plateau areas hold profound implications for sustainable development. Moreover, the practical application of these research findings will provide a practical reference for the design and construction of projects in similar plateau areas, with positive outcomes that extend well beyond the immediate geographical area of the projects. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This review article gathers the most recent recycling technologies for thermoset and thermoplastic polymers. Results about existing experimental procedures and their effectiveness are presented. For thermoset polymers, the review focuses mainly on fibre-reinforced polymer composites, with an emphasis on epoxy-based systems and carbon/glass fibres as reinforcement, due to the environmental concerns of their end-of-life management. Thermal processes (fluidised bed, pyrolysis) and chemical processes (different types of solvolysis) are discussed. The most recent combined processes (microwave, steam, and ultrasonic assisted techniques) and extraordinary recycling attempts (electrochemical, biological, and with ionic liquids) are analysed. Mechanical recycling that leads to the downgrading of materials is excluded. Insights are also given for the upcycling methodologies that have been implemented until now for the reuse of fibres. As for thermoplastic polymers, the most state-of-the-art recycling approach for the most common polymer matrices is presented, together with the appropriate additivation for matrix upcycling. Mechanical, chemical, and enzymatic recycling processes are described, among others. The use of fibre-reinforced thermoplastic composites is quite new, and thus, the most recent achievements are presented. With all of the above information, this extensive review can serve as a guide for educational purposes, targeting students and technicians in polymers recycling. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Feeding a diet containing 20% of sesame oil (SO) or coconut oil (CNO) along with 2% cholesterol to rats for two months showed differences in their serum and tissue lipid profile and certain enzyme activities. Hyperlipidemia and related oxidative effects were more pronounced in coconut oil fed rats than those fed sesame oil. Feeding a combination of the oils (10% CNO +10% SO) lowered significantly the hyperlipidemia and certain other deleterious effects of CNO. Feeding a polar fraction of garlic oil (PFGO) prepared in the same way as for ajoene and administered at a dosage of 100 mg/kg along with each of the above oil containing diets counteracted significantly the hyperlipidemic, oxidant and also most of the other deleterious effects of the oils like raised lipid levels in serum and tissues, raised serum levels of AST and tissue levels of HMGCoA reductase and the lowered serum and tissue levels of glutathione reductase. The results support the claims that ajoene, the major polar compound of garlic oil, has very good biological action, which warrants further study.

Mouth breathing due to obstructive adenoids and tonsils has deleterious effects on craniofacial morphology especially on dentition and dental arches. Reports confirm that removal of nasal obstruction, adenoids and tonsils has not given beneficial development of circumoral musculature. Use of muscles to correct malocclusion was first recommended by Alfred Paul Rogers. This study highlights the imaging of circumoral musculature using ultrasound to evaluate the effectiveness of muscle exercises in adenotonsillectomized children. Definite changes in muscle thickness were noted in subjects, who were given muscle exercises.

The near infrared overtone absorption spectrum of liquid phase nitromethane in the spectral region deltaV = 2-5 is reported. The observed spectrum is analysed using local mode model. It is shown that the observed CH local mode overtones and local-local combinations are well predicted by a C(3V) coupled oscillator Hamiltonian.

Incontinentia pigmentii acromians (IPA) is a bizarre, irregularly shaped leukoderma of the trunk and extremities, characterized by marble cake-like whorls or streaks of hypopigmentation whose distribution can be unilateral or bilateral. Mode of inheritance is most consistent with an autosomal dominant type and in majority of the cases, one or more anomalies are present involving dermatological, dental and ocular disorders. A case of a female child, aged 2 1/2 yrs, referred from Pediatric neurology department, Medical College, Trivandrum with Incontinentia pigmentii acromians and seizure disorder is reported. Hamartomatous dental cusps and single maxillary central incisors have been associated with Incontinentia pigmentii acromians. A case of Incontinentia pigmentii acromians with hypoplastic teeth and tongue abnormalities is presented.

The development of neuromorphic computing is expected to enable the computer to realize the integration of storage and computation. The development of memristors provides hardware support possibilities for the development of neuromorphic computing. In this work, we have prepared a (La0.67, Sr0.33)MnO3/BaTiO3-based memristor with good forward and reverse memristor function and multilevel resistive tunability, including an increased resistance state at forward voltage and a decreased resistance state at reverse voltage. This is mainly due to the barriers of the ferroelectric dielectric layer and its ferroelectric polarization under the electric field, and the migration of oxygen vacancy under the electric field. The devices also successfully implement the synaptic simulations of short-term plasticity, long-term plasticity, excitatory postsynaptic current, paired-pulse facilitation, spike-rate-dependent plasticity, and spike-timing-dependent plasticity and reimplement these synaptic simulations by varying the amplitude and pulse width of the applied voltage. We have also achieved a classification accuracy of 96.7% for the given handwritten digit data by an artificial neural network with supervised learning. The high classification accuracy is attributed to the good nonlinearity of the device in terms of continuous conductance decreased (0.91) and increased (0.58). Our results are expected to provide a good reference value for neural devices. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The occurrence of sialolithiasis in children is uncommon, while parotid sialoliths are rare. A case of parotid sialolith in a 9 year old child is reported.

This Study was undertaken to determine the caries status of pre-school children in Ulloor Panchayat of Trivandrum, Kerala and to determine the relation if any, between their caries and socio-economic status and oral practices. 200 children each from the low, middle arid higher socio-economic group were visually examined for caries by the same examiner in natural daylight. Caries was recorded according to the WHO criteria. Information regarding the childrens' oral hygiene practices were obtained through structured questionnaires to the care takers of the children. Computer analysis of the data collected showed that 43% of the study sample were caries free. Socio-economic level was found to have a negative association with caries status. The mode of tooth brushing was found to be significantly related to caries severity while the frequency of tooth brushing was found to have no association with caries prevalence and severity.

The main objective of endodontic therapy is complete obturation of the root canal system after it has been adequately prepared and sterilised. A wide variety of root canal sealers are available for obturation of the root canal system. A number of different invitro methods have been used to evaluate the sealing ability of endodontic filling materials. By combining one or two tests it may be possible to obtain information about sealing ability of the test material. Therefore, the present invitro study compared the sealing ability of three different root canal sealers, namely Sealapex, AH-26 and ZnOE by two different methods, bacterial leakage and dye penetration. The results showed that AH-26 has the maximum sealing ability followed by Sealapex and ZnOE.

A three year old female child was brought to the Department of Pedodontics, Dental College, Thiruvananthapuram with a greyish white papillomatous lesion involving a large area on the buccal mucosa. VDRL was positive for the little girl as well as her father and was positive in low concentrations for her one-month-old sister as well as her mother.

Amalgam remains unchallenged as a posterior restorative material. But its inability to bond to the teeth leads to some amount of microleakage at the restoration-tooth interface with associated problems such as post operative sensitivity, pulpal complications etc. Also a broken amalgam restoration requires replacement which will further weaken the tooth structure. Recently, 4-META has been introduced which can graft amalgam and composite to enamel, dentin and old amalgam restorations. In this study, the bonding and marginal sealing abilities of 4-META was assessed both at the tooth-amalgam interface and old amalgam fresh amalgam interface.