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The nuclear deterrence postures adopted by India and Pakistan are in a state of flux. The two countries' asymmetrical military and other elements of national power are creating a precarious situation for the weaker country, Pakistan. In a complicated security setting Pakistan has to craft a policy which enhances the effectiveness of its deterrence. India has adopted a 'Cold Start Doctrine' (CSD) to coerce a nuclear-armed Pakistan. While the strategy of Pakistan is apparently fluctuating from a step short of seek a 'Samson Solution' to institutionalization of a plan to harness all elements of national power, including integration of its conventional military forces, to persuade India against initiating a limited war. India's undefined strategy is a supposed scheme to coerce Pakistan and is a sure recipe for the destabilization of the South Asian region [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The paper argues that the existence of an ambiguous nuclear deterrence capability since the first half of the 1980s had emphasized the significance of nuclear weapons in South Asian geopolitics. However, lately, the geo-economic and geopolitical developments, and the growing military asymmetry have enhanced Pakistan's vulnerabilities against India. In such an environment, Pakistan is constrained to induct a host of measures, including induction of short-range nuclear delivery systems and the tactical nuclear weapons (TNWs) to counterbalance India's offensive strategy to enforce its primacy. The pragmatic approach for Pakistan is to move vertically from its posture of a minimum credible deterrence to robustly reinforced offensive-deterrence policy in order to effectively handle the multidimensional threats and challenges to its security. Pakistan's induction of TNWs would augment its defensive capabilities, thereby considerably reducing the prospects of employment of a proactive strategy by India. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In the Persian Gulf, Iran is the largest and potentially the most powerful country. Since the Islamic Revolution of 1979, Iran's foreign policy toward the US has been profoundly affected by ideological considerations. The Iranian government's ideology was essentially based upon the late Ayatollah Rouhollah Khomeini's interpretation of Islam as it applies to the whole structure of society in all spheres of life.1 According to Shireen Hunter, the Islamic Iran's vision of the world is polarised into two lines: power and ideology. She writes that Imam Khomeini had bifurcated the world into two opposite camps: those countries who are "arrogant" or "oppressors" (Mustakbarin- the then two superpowers, primarily the US), and the "down-trodden" or the oppressed (Muztasafin- Muslim and the Third World countries).2 Imam Khomeini believed in the universal validity of Islam and its export to the world. In his words, Islam "is not peculiar to a country.... even the Muslims. Islam comes for humanity.... Islam wishes to bring all humanity under the umbrella of justice".3Consequently, Imam Khomeini laid the principles of Iran's foreign policy on the basis of "neither East nor West", and termed the US as the "Great Satan". [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: To describe the clinical value of Anti-tTG (IgA, IgG) in the diagnostic work-up of celiac disease patients. Methodology: Children with clinical suspicion of celiac disease, presenting in Gastroenterology and Hepatology out patient department, Children’s Hospital & The Institute of Child Health, Multan were recruited. It was a descriptive case series, study was conducted from Jan 2007 to Jan 2009, blood samples for Anti-tTGs (IgG, IgA) & duodenal biopsies for histological analysis were taken. Data was analyzed for descriptive analysis. Results: Sixty patients with symptoms suggestive of celiac disease were submitted for Anti-tTGs (IgG, IgA) & duodenal biopsy, 46 patients had histological changes according to the Marsh criteria and 49 had raised Anti-tTGs. A total of 54 patients who had one or both the tests positive, were considered for final analysis. 41 patients showed histological changes of celiac disease on duodenal biopsy and raised Anti-tTGs, 5 patients with histological changes of celiac disease had Anti-tTGs levels within normal limits. Five patients with raised Anti-tTGs levels had nonspecific inflammatory changes (not consistent with celiac disease) and 3 patients with raised Anti-tTGs levels had normal histology of intestinal mucosa. Conclusion: Anti-tTGs (IgA, IgG) is very valuable screening marker in the diagnostic work-up of celiac disease, specially in selecting the patients for duodenal biopsies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The development of high-yielding heat-tolerant cotton cultivars harboring plastic phenotypes across warming climatic regions is prime objectives of today's cotton breeding programs. We evaluated eight parents and 15 F1 hybrids under normal and heat stress conditions. Agronomic and biochemical characters were analyzed using standard least square, correlation, principal component analysis (PCA), and hierarchical clustering. The results explained a significant reduction in all traits except hydrogen peroxide contents, catalase, and peroxidase activities with a prominent increase under heat stress. A significant positive correlation was observed among all agronomic and biochemical traits. POD was found to have a maximum positive correlation with CAT (0.947) and minimum with boll weight (0.050). PCA showed first two components accounting for 78.64% of the total variation, with 55.83% and 22.80% of the total variation, respectively. Based on multivariate analyses methods 23 genotypes have been placed in 3 groups: tolerant (cluster-3), moderately tolerant (cluster-2), and susceptible (cluster-1). In a general perspective hybrids have better performance across normal and heat stress supports the idea of hybrid adaptability across stress environments. In specific FH-458 × FH-313 cross performed best across both conditions for yield and physiological traits. Hence, the generated information from the present study would support breeders in developing heat-resilient cultivars to endure the prevailing extreme environmental conditions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Layered transition metal dichalcogenides are effective electrocatalysts for water splitting due to their unique properties such as high electrical conductivity, active site density, and catalytic properties. This study focused on the deposition of Ni-based dichalcogenides (NiX 2 , where X = S, Se, Te) onto a carbon cloth substrate using a simple one-step electrodeposition method at room temperature with different deposition times (10, 15, and 20 min). The optimized NiS 2 -15, NiSe 2 -15, and NiTe 2 -15 electrocatalysts showed excellent bifunctional electrocatalytic activity for both hydrogen evolution reaction and oxygen evolution reaction in alkaline media. The overpotential values for hydrogen evolution were ∼56 mV, ∼37 mV, and ∼75 mV for NiS 2 -15, NiSe 2 -15, and NiTe 2 -15, respectively, while the overpotential values for oxygen evolution were ∼220 mV, ∼170 mV, and ∼210 mV, respectively. The electrocatalysts maintained stability for 24 h during the evolution reactions. The density functional theory calculations suggested that NiSe 2 had a lower ΔGH* value due to its smaller bandgap and inherent metallic characteristics, which is consistent with the experimental results. These findings provide a new direction for designing NiX 2 (X = S, Se, Te) nanosheets for electrocatalysis applications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Diabetic cardiomyopathy (DCM) pathogenesis is multifarious, and there are insufficient therapeutic options to treat DCM. The present research explored the effects of Citrus grandis peel ethanolic extract (CGPE) in alloxan-induced DCM in rats. Diabetes was triggered by intraperitoneal (i.p.) injection of alloxan (150 mg/kg) in Wistar rats (200-250 g). CGPE (100, 200, and 400 mg/kg) or glibenclamide (Glib, 10 mg/kg) were administered orally for 2 weeks. After the treatment schedule, prooxidants (thiobarbituric acid reactive substances), antioxidants (glutathione, catalase, and superoxide dismutase), and inflammatory markers (tumor necrosis factor-α) were determined in cardiac tissues. Biomarkers of cell death, viz., lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), creatine kinase MB (CK-MB) activity, glucose levels, total cholesterol (TC), and high-density lipoproteins (HDL), were assessed in the blood. Rats administered with alloxan showed a consistent increase in blood glucose level (days 7 and 14) that was lowered considerably (p < 0.001) by CGPE or Glib. Alloxan-induced increase in LDH, CK-MB, TC, and decline in HDL was attenuated (p < 0.001) in rats that were treated with CGPE or Glib. Alloxan significantly (p < 0.001) elevated oxidative stress, inflammation, and reduced antioxidants in the cardiac tissue of rats, and these pathogenic abnormalities were ameliorated (p < 0.001) by CGPE. Histopathological studies showed a decrease in morphological disruptions by alloxan in CGPE-treated rats. CGPE (400 mg/kg) significantly ameliorated biochemical parameters in comparison to the lower doses against alloxan cardiotoxicity. Citrus grandis peel extract can be an alternative in the management of DCM. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

[Display omitted] • The synergistic impact of Ar plasma and CrCoSb-B on electrocatalytic H 2 production activity. • The 2 min Ar plasma-treated sample exhibited soaring HER and OER activity. • CrCoSb-B catalyst outperformed the benchmark electrode under harsh industrial conditions. • CrCoSb-B (2 min)||CrCoSb-B (2 min) showed excellent performance towards UOR. Green hydrogen (H 2) is a promising fossil fuel alternative, valued for its high energy content and negligible greenhouse gas emissions. The growing demand for sustainable energy solutions necessitates cost-effective, highly efficient, and durable electrocatalysts to enable large-scale H 2 production. In our study an innovative approach by introducing a novel tri-metallic hybrid electrocatalyst, CrCoSb-B was surface treated with vacuum Ar plasma for the 1st time. This approach creates a highly efficient charge transfer within the electrocatalysts structure. Boron (B) atoms are added to expedite the water-splitting process by aiding electron transfer to the metal surfaces (Cr, Co, and Sb). On the other hand, Ar plasma treatment increases the number of active catalytic sites on the electrode surface, improving water-splitting efficiency. As a result, the CrCoSb-B electrode, subjected to 2 min Ar plasma treatment, exhibits significantly reduced overpotentials of 265 mV for hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) and 453 mV for oxygen evolution reaction (OER) at a high current density of 1000 mA/cm2 in a 1.0 M KOH electrolyte with the low Tafel values for HER and OER are 68 and 97 mV/dec, respectively. In bi-functional operation, the electrocatalyst achieves a low voltage of 2.01 V at 1000 mA/cm2 and demonstrates enhanced performance in the urea oxidation reaction (UOR) with a voltage of 1.81 V at 1000 mA/cm2. Furthermore, it maintains stability over a 24 hrs duration and nearly 100% Faradic efficiency in both H 2 and O 2 production. This research reveals a promising path for developing effective electrocatalysts, leveraging interfacial interactions and vacancies to enhance their performance in green hydrogen production. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A quest for a suitable method to fabricate thin films-based humidity sensor with superior sensitivity in their electric response, calls for a selection of an appropriate material and effective fabrication technique. In this paper, organic semiconductor metalloporphyrin (TDTBPPNi) has been utilized to fabricate highly sensitive humidity sensors by using a novel eco-benign microwave-assisted synthetic procedure. Metalloporphyrin (TDTBPPNi) has been later deposited through facile drop-casting technique on the gap (40 μm) between planar metallic aluminium (Al) electrodes to fabricate surface-type capacitive and resistive type relative humidity sensor (Al/TDTBPPNi/Al). The structural and morphological characterizations of humidity sensing layer have been investigated, which indicate amorphous structure and rough globular surface morphology of the thin film, respectively. The relative humidity sensing capacitive and resistive characteristics of the sensor have been monitored in 39–85% relative humidity (%RH) bandwidth. The fabricated sensor under biasing condition of 1 V of applied bias (Vrms) and 200 Hz AC test frequency, exhibits significantly higher sensitivity of ~102.61 pF/%RH and − 333.07 kΩ/%RH in capacitive and resistive mode of operation. The average values of response and reset time of resistive sensor have been estimated to be ~ 35 and ~ 57 s, respectively. The reasons for this achieved sensitivity and response level have also been discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Sugarcane mosaic virus (SCMV) (genus, Potyvirus; family, Potyviridae) is widespread, deleterious, and the most damaging pathogen of sugarcane (Saccharum officinarum L. and Saccharum spp.) that causes a substantial barrier to producing high sugarcane earnings. Sugarcane mosaic disease (SCMD) is caused by a single or compound infection of SCMV disseminated by several aphid vectors in a non-persistent manner. SCMV has flexuous filamentous particle of 700–750 nm long, which encapsidated in a positive-sense, single-stranded RNA molecule of 9575 nucleotides. RNA interference (RNAi)-mediated antiviral innate immunity is an evolutionarily conserved key biological process in eukaryotes and has evolved as an antiviral defense system to interfere with viral genomes for controlling infections in plants. The current study aims to analyze sugarcane (Saccharum officinarum L. and Saccharum spp.) locus-derived microRNAs (sof-miRNAs/ssp-miRNAs) with predicted potential for targeting the SCMV +ssRNA-encoded mRNAs, using a predictive approach that involves five algorithms. The ultimate goal of this research is to mobilize the in silico- predicted endogenous sof-miRNAs/ssp-miRNAs to experimentally trigger the catalytic RNAi pathway and generate sugarcane cultivars to evaluate the potential antiviral resistance surveillance ability and capacity for SCMV. Experimentally validated mature sugarcane (S. officinarum, 2n = 8X = 80) and (S. spp., 2n = 100–120) sof-miRNA/ssp-miRNA sequences (n = 28) were downloaded from the miRBase database and aligned with the SCMV genome (KY548506). Among the 28 targeted mature locus-derived sof-miRNAs/ssp-miRNAs evaluated, one sugarcane miRNA homolog, sof-miR159c, was identified to have a predicted miRNA binding site, at nucleotide position 3847 of the SCMV genome targeting CI ORF. To verify the accuracy of the target prediction accuracy and to determine whether the sugarcane sof-miRNA/ssp-miRNA could bind the predicted SCMV mRNA target(s), we constructed an integrated Circos plot. A genome-wide in silico-predicted miRNA-mediated target gene regulatory network was implicated to validate interactions necessary to warrant in vivo analysis. The current work provides valuable computational evidence for the generation of SCMV-resistant sugarcane cultivars.

Sugarcane mosaic virus (SCMV) (genus, Potyvirus; family, Potyviridae) is widespread, deleterious, and the most damaging pathogen of sugarcane (Saccharum officinarum L. and Saccharum spp.) that causes a substantial barrier to producing high sugarcane earnings. Sugarcane mosaic disease (SCMD) is caused by a single or compound infection of SCMV disseminated by several aphid vectors in a non-persistent manner. SCMV has flexuous filamentous particle of 700–750 nm long, which encapsidated in a positive-sense, single-stranded RNA molecule of 9575 nucleotides. RNA interference (RNAi)-mediated antiviral innate immunity is an evolutionarily conserved key biological process in eukaryotes and has evolved as an antiviral defense system to interfere with viral genomes for controlling infections in plants. The current study aims to analyze sugarcane (Saccharum officinarum L. and Saccharum spp.) locus-derived microRNAs (sof-miRNAs/ssp-miRNAs) with predicted potential for targeting the SCMV +ssRNA-encoded mRNAs, using a predictive approach that involves five algorithms. The ultimate goal of this research is to mobilize the in silico- predicted endogenous sof-miRNAs/ssp-miRNAs to experimentally trigger the catalytic RNAi pathway and generate sugarcane cultivars to evaluate the potential antiviral resistance surveillance ability and capacity for SCMV. Experimentally validated mature sugarcane (S. officinarum, 2n = 8X = 80) and (S. spp., 2n = 100–120) sof-miRNA/ssp-miRNA sequences (n = 28) were downloaded from the miRBase database and aligned with the SCMV genome (KY548506). Among the 28 targeted mature locus-derived sof-miRNAs/ssp-miRNAs evaluated, one sugarcane miRNA homolog, sof-miR159c, was identified to have a predicted miRNA binding site, at nucleotide position 3847 of the SCMV genome targeting CI ORF. To verify the accuracy of the target prediction accuracy and to determine whether the sugarcane sof-miRNA/ssp-miRNA could bind the predicted SCMV mRNA target(s), we constructed an integrated Circos plot. A genome-wide in silico-predicted miRNA-mediated target gene regulatory network was implicated to validate interactions necessary to warrant in vivo analysis. The current work provides valuable computational evidence for the generation of SCMV-resistant sugarcane cultivars. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The study on effect of probiotic supplementation on milk yield showed that the average daily milk yield was higher (P<0.05) in treatment group' (10.58±0.25 liter) compared to the control group (8.88±0.29 liter), but the composition of milk remained unaffected between the two groups with lactose (6.00±0.10 vs. 6.16±0.12 %), fat (6.65±0.10 vs. 6.82±0.15 %) and protein (3.92±0.06 vs. 3.88±0.08 %) content of milk between control vs. treatment groups. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article discusses a study which examined the bacterial drug resistance of wild animals in captivity. Organisms from the Enterobacteraceae family were isolated from fecal samples collected from wild animals in a zoo. Results of the study found that flouroquinolones were more effective against the bacteria. The bacterial isolates were found to be resistant to ampicillin, vancomycin and amoxyclav.

Lymphomas of gastrointestinal system are usually of non-Hodgkin's type. Primary Burkitt lymphoma involving the duodenum is very rare in paediatric population. It may present as protein losing enteropathy in adults which may lead to generalized edema, however in paediatric population these cases are associated with colicky or persistant abdominal pain, weight loss, fever, gut bleeding or obstruction. We report a case of a young male child with primary duodenal Burkitt Lymphoma presenting as protein losing enteropathy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this article, the authors discuss the conference, "Global Health Metrics and Evaluation: Controversies, Innovation, Accountability" which aims to provide an area to share ideas on health metrics and evaluation. The authors mention the results of the call for abstracts on health in 2010 by "The Lancet" journal, which represent a wide array of works in global health. Furthermore, the participants need to engage in the conference to successfully discuss the works needed for better science.

[Display omitted] • Bi 2 Sr 2 Co 2 O 9 was successfully synthesized via sol–gel combustion method. • Prepared electrodes showed good electrochemical performance. • The maximum specific capacity of 166.6C × g−1 at 2 mVs−1 scan rate was attained for BSC-10 sample. • Bi 2 Sr 2 Co 2 O 9 has a capability to use as supercapacitor electrode material with its thermos-electric property. Recently, the development of multiple functional energy storage materials having high energy storage capacity, expanded stability, and cost-effectiveness with eco-friendly nature is primary choice. Bi 2 Sr 2 Co 2 O y (BSC-222) is misfit-layered oxide having significant thermoelectric (TE) capability with high temperature stability and eco-friendly characteristics. In present work, we successfully synthesized misfit layered BSC-222 oxide by using sol–gel method. X-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy, and atomic force microscopy are used to describe the structure and morphology of calcined BSC-222. Average thickness of prepared oxide sheets was found to be ∼30 to ∼40 nm. By using cyclic voltammetry (CV), galvanostatic charge–discharge (GCD), and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) in 3 M KOH, the electrochemical analysis of produced BSC-222 electrodes was carried out. The CV and GCD analysis showed that the BSC-222 oxide having high secondary cobaltite phases has better charge storage capacity (166.6C × g−1) at 2 mVs−1 and majorly charge is stored through diffusion-controlled charge storage mechanism. A chemical reactions schematic is proposed for the charge storage mechanism. Moreover, this calcined BSC-222 exhibits better cycling stability of 68.8 % up to 5000 GCD cycles at 1.5 Ag−1 current density. Hence, BSC-222 misfit layered oxide demonstrates that it has capability to store charge with its good TE ability. This present work provides the first step towards utilizing good TE misfit layered materials even after some doping or modulation in their structure to fabricate high energy density energy storage devices with multifunctional characteristics. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this work, MXene-assisted cobalt manganese phosphate (MXene-CMP) thin films with various Co/Mn compositions were prepared on a carbon cloth (CC) substrate via an easy and efficient low-cost electrodeposition route. MXene-CMP thin films were further used as polymer-free active materials for hybrid supercapacitors. The structural, compositional, and surface properties of the prepared MXene-CMP hybrid thin films were characterized using the latest analytical methods. The H-3 electrode exhibited enhanced specific capacitance (840 F·g-1 at 2 A·g-1) with exceptional robust performance. Additionally, a symmetric H-3 MXene-CMP supercapacitor device also demonstrated a high energy density of 48 Wh·kg-1 at 1.5 kW·kg-1 power density and holds better cyclability (93% of its initial value after 5000 cycles). Finally, this work explored the strong potential of MXene-attached bimetallic phosphates for solving the electrochemical shortcomings of energy storage devices. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article critically analyses the paradoxical flux situation in South Asia in view of both countries' possession of tactical nuclear weapons (TNWs), strategic arsenals, substantial conventional potentials, and divergent war plans in a heightened state of stability-instability equation. Conceptually, this sets the stage for an interesting debate on whether or not the arrival of TNWs is a destabilising or stabilising factor in the existence of present-day volatile regional security environment. The risk of nuclear escalation is perennial and essentially at the core of the stability-instability paradox as well. It is observed that a possibility of a limited military acceleration to a nuclear level cannot be ruled out. Moreover, the arrival and integration of TNWs has too become a reality, which makes it imperative for them to do some diplomatic footwork to resolve their bilateral issues. Therefore, instead of pretending to negate the existence of TNWs in parallel with the asymmetric nature of their strategic relationship, the rational course of approach would be not to destabilise the structure of nuclear deterrence stability with the crafting of aggressive and faulty strategies under fanciful labels to coerce each other. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The impact of polymer chain stiffness characterized by the bending modulus (kθ) on the glass transition temperature (Tg) of pure polymer systems, as well as polymer nanocomposites (PNCs), is investigated using molecular dynamics simulations. At small kθ values, the pure polymer system and respective PNCs are in an amorphous state, whereas at large kθ values, both systems are in a semicrystalline state with a glass transition at low temperature. For the pure polymer system, Tg initially increases with kθ and does not change obviously at large kθ. However, the Tg of PNCs shows interesting behaviors with the increasing volume fraction of nanoparticles (fNP) at different kθ values. Tg tends to increase with fNP at small kθ, whereas it becomes suppressed at large kθ. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Hydrothermal reaction engaged to formulate the WS 2 decorated MXene/GO composites. • A composite electrode offered the high capacitance of 1111F.g−1 with high cycling stability. • WS 2 @MXene/GO exposed the asymmetric capacitance of 420F g−1 and specific energy of 114 Wh.kg −1. • WS 2 @MXene/GO offered the noble metal like HER behavior under the acid and alkaline condition. MXene-related materials are auspicious electrodes for energy storage/conversion application due to their various features, including large surface area, high metallic conductivity, and fast redox activity; however, their surface aggregation and oxidation have significantly restricted their application in various industries. This study demonstrated the fabrication of porous WS 2 nanosheets-interconnected MXene/GO (WS 2 @MXene/GO) nanocomposites using a simple hydrothermal reaction for electrochemical supercapacitors and water splitting reactions. The assembled WS 2 @MXene/GO nanocomposites electrode produced a superior specific capacitance of ∼ 1111F g−1 at 2 A/g applied current. Further, the asymmetric device constructed using the nanocomposite delivered the high specific energy of ∼ 114 Wh kg−1 and asymmetric capacitance of 320F g−1 along with an exceptional cycling stability. The WS 2 @MXene/GO nanocomposites electrocatalyst exhibited low overpotentials of 42 and 45 mV and small Tafel slopes values of 43 and 58 mV.dec−1 for hydrogen evolution reaction in acidic and alkaline medium, respectively. In addition, density functional theory (DFT) approximations validated the observed experimental results using density of states, Gibbs free energy for H-adsorption, and quantum capacitance calculations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: To determine the frequency of jaundice at a cut off level of

This study examined the mediating role of core Executive Functions (EF: working memory and inhibitory control) and moderating role of Perceived Academic Intent to Entrepreneurship (PAIE) in relationship between Dark Personality Traits (SDT) and Entrepreneurial Intentions (EI) of university students. A sample of 539 university students enrolled in various undergraduate and postgraduate programs completed the Short Dark Triad-3 (SD3), Adult Executive Functioning Inventory (ADEXI), and measures for assessing Entrepreneurial Intent and Perceived Academic Intent to Entrepreneurship. The results showed that of SDT, only Machiavellianism was significantly associated with EI. Both of the core executive functions and PAIE were also positively correlated with EI. Moreover, findings showed that EF positively mediated the relationship between Machiavellian disposition and entrepreneurial intention, while perceived academic intent to entrepreneurship moderated the relationship between executive functions and EI. A significant moderated mediation index was also reported. Findings offer useful insight to the interplay among above mentioned variables and guide educational and organizational psychologists to employ core cognitive strategies for promoting entrepreneurial thoughts and channelizing the productive energies of students with malevolent tendencies through academic coaching.

The impact of polymer chain stiffness characterized by the bending modulus (kθ) on the glass transition temperature (Tg) of pure polymer systems, as well as polymer nanocomposites (PNCs), is investigated using molecular dynamics simulations. At small kθ values, the pure polymer system and respective PNCs are in an amorphous state, whereas at large kθ values, both systems are in a semicrystalline state with a glass transition at low temperature. For the pure polymer system, Tg initially increases with kθ and does not change obviously at large kθ. However, the Tg of PNCs shows interesting behaviors with the increasing volume fraction of nanoparticles (fNP) at different kθ values. Tg tends to increase with fNP at small kθ, whereas it becomes suppressed at large kθ.

Background: Long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs) are now proven as essential regulatory elements, playing diverse roles in many biological processes including mammary gland development. However, little is known about their roles in the bovine lactation process. Results: To identify and characterize the roles of lncRNAs in bovine lactation, high throughput RNA sequencing data from Jersey (high milk yield producer), and Kashmiri cattle (low milk yield producer) were utilized. Transcriptome data from three Kashmiri and three Jersey cattle throughout their lactation stages were utilized for differential expression analysis. At each stage (early, mid and late) three samples were taken from each breed. A total of 45 differentially expressed lncRNAs were identified between the three stages of lactation. The differentially expressed lncRNAs were found co-expressed with genes involved in the milk synthesis processes such as GPAM, LPL, and ABCG2 indicating their potential regulatory effects on milk quality genes. KEGG pathways analysis of potential cis and trans target genes of differentially expressed lncRNAs indicated that 27 and 48 pathways were significantly enriched between the three stages of lactation in Kashmiri and Jersey respectively, including mTOR signaling, PI3K-Akt signaling, and RAP1 signaling pathways. These pathways are known to play key roles in lactation biology and mammary gland development. Conclusions: Expression profiles of lncRNAs across different lactation stages in Jersey and Kashmiri cattle provide a valuable resource for the study of the regulatory mechanisms involved in the lactation process as well as facilitate understanding of the role of lncRNAs in bovine lactation biology. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: To determine the recent antibiotic resistance patterns of Salmonella species in children in a tertiary care hospital. Materials and Methods: This descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted in the Department of Pediatrics of Akbar Niazi Teaching Hospital, Bhara Kahu, from 18th March 2020 to 31st January 2021. A total of one hundred and seventy-eight (n=178) patients of either gender having age between 1 month to 12 years who had signs and symptoms of enteric fever and positive blood culture report of Salmonella species were enrolled in this study through non-probability, consecutive sampling. The demographic characteristics of patients along with the antibiotic sensitivity pattern of the Salmonella species were recorded on the predesigned proforma and analyzed through SPSS version 25. Results: Out of the total of 178 patients, reports of blood cultures of 164(92.1%) patients showed Salmonella Typhi while those of 14(7.9%) patients showed Salmonella Paratyphi. Out of the total of 178 Salmonella cases, 11(6.2%) were extensively drug-resistant and 58(32.6%) were multidrug-resistant. All XDR cases were of Salmonella Typhi. Out of 14 Salmonella Paratyphi, 2(14%) were MDR but no XDR Salmonella Paratyphi was found. Nalidixic acid had the highest resistance (96.4%) followed by sulphamethoxazole (65.5%). Azithromycin had the least resistance (0%) followed by imipenem (1.8%), piperacillin-tazobatam (1.9%), and meropenem (2%). Resistance of ceftriaxone was 20.8% and that of ciprofloxacin was 28.2%. Conclusion: No resistance of Salmonella species against azithromycin was found in our study. The presence of XDR typhoid fever cases and the rising resistance of Salmonella species to ceftriaxone and carbapenems are very alarming. To prevent this resistance, we should reserve carbapenems for complicated cases of resistant typhoid fever only. Minocycline and pipercillin-tazobactam are two other good cost-effective drugs in resistance to typhoid fever.

Objective: To determine the recent antibiotic resistance patterns of Salmonella species in children in a tertiary care hospital. Materials and Methods: This descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted in the Department of Pediatrics of Akbar Niazi Teaching Hospital, Bhara Kahu, from 18th March 2020 to 31st January 2021. A total of one hundred and seventy-eight (n=178) patients of either gender having age between 1 month to 12 years who had signs and symptoms of enteric fever and positive blood culture report of Salmonella species were enrolled in this study through non-probability, consecutive sampling. The demographic characteristics of patients along with the antibiotic sensitivity pattern of the Salmonella species were recorded on the predesigned proforma and analyzed through SPSS version 25. Results: Out of the total of 178 patients, reports of blood cultures of 164(92.1%) patients showed Salmonella Typhi while those of 14(7.9%) patients showed Salmonella Paratyphi. Out of the total of 178 Salmonella cases, 11(6.2%) were extensively drugresistant and 58(32.6%) were multidrug-resistant. All XDR cases were of Salmonella Typhi. Out of 14 Salmonella Paratyphi, 2(14%) were MDR but no XDR Salmonella Paratyphi was found. Nalidixic acid had the highest resistance (96.4%) followed by sulphamethoxazole (65.5%). Azithromycin had the least resistance (0%) followed by imipenem (1.8%), piperacillintazobactam (1.9%), and meropenem (2%). Resistance of ceftriaxone was 20.8% and that of ciprofloxacin was 28.2%. Conclusion: No resistance of Salmonella species against azithromycin was found in our study. The presence of XDR typhoid fever cases and the rising resistance of Salmonella species to ceftriaxone and carbapenems are very alarming. To prevent this resistance, we should reserve carbapenems for complicated cases of resistant typhoid fever only. Minocycline and piperacillin-tazobactam are two other good cost-effective drugs in resistant typhoid fever. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: To determine the efficacy of chlorhexidine 4 % versus dry cord in neonatal cord care to prevent infections and reducing healing time in a hospital setting. Study Design: Randomized Controlled Trial. Place and Duration of Study: At Department of Paediatrics Cantonment general hospital, Rawalpindi from 1 December 2016 to 30 November 2017. Materials and Methods: Total 200 newborns were divided into two groups by randomization using lottery method; Group A comprising of 100 newborns were applied with chlorhexidine 4% on umbilical cord, once a day for a week and group B 100 newborns were advised conventional dry cord care. They were called for follow up visit after 1 week and later contacted telephonically till the separation of umbilical cord. Newborns with delayed healing or any signs of infection were called again for follow up examination. The day of separation of umbilical cord and signs of infection were recorded for each neonate. Results: The mean duration of separation and healing of umbilical cord in group A (chlorhexidine 4%) and group B (dry cord care) was 8.35±3.73 and 6.98±2.59 days respectively. The difference in healing and duration of separation of umbilical cord in two groups was statistically significant (p= 0.003). Signs of infection observed in group A and group B were 5% and 4% respectively. Hence statistically insignificant (p=0.73). Conclusion: The umbilical cord care with 4% chlorhexidine or conventional dry method has similar results in terms of frequency of infection in a hospital setting. However healing time in terms of mean duration of separation of umbilical cord is prolonged with the application of 4% chlorhexidine to the cord stump.

Leadership development is not considered as a core component in higher education policies specifically when we examine the higher education polices of developing countries. To fill this gap, an intervention is designed to evaluate the impact of a leadership development program in academic leaders. The prime objective of this intervention was to promote awareness among university deans and heads by adopting transformational leadership in their leadership practices. An experimental research design was adopted to map the effects of a 6-week intervention and to evaluate the variations in related six transformational leadership behaviors. Up to 37 academic deans and heads from public universities were involved in this research. Content analysis was carried out to analyze the collected data. Bloom’s taxonomy was adopted as a framework for the analysis. Three lower levels of Bloom’s taxonomy were used to identify the awareness indicators. An extensive increase in awareness levels was identified in relation to all six transformational leadership behaviors, and more specifically, a prominent progress was observed at the application level. In addition to implications and limitations, directions for future research were also discussed.

This correction notice addresses incorrect affiliations of authors in an article titled "Recent trends and economic significance of modified/functionalized biochars for remediation of environmental pollutants." The original article can be found online, and the correction provides the accurate affiliations for Usman Zulfiqar, Muhammad Rizwan, and Salman Mahmood. The correct affiliations are as follows: Usman Zulfiqar is affiliated with the Department of Agronomy, Faculty of Agriculture and Environment, The Islamia University of Bahawalpur, Bahawalpur, Pakistan; Muhammad Rizwan is affiliated with the School of Energy Science and Engineering, Central South University, Changsha, China; and Salman Mahmood is affiliated with the Faculty of Economics and Management, Southwest Forestry, Kunming, China. The original article has been corrected. [Extracted from the article]

[Display omitted] • A chemically treated perovskite NC doped with NdCl 3 for blue LEDs devices. • Cubic crystal phase is determined by Rietveld refinement. • DFT display a direct bandgap and supported by optical absorption spectra. • The doped NCs exhibited blue emission peak at a wavelength of 472 nm. • The NdCl 3 doped NCs shows a PLQY of 35%. In this study, we address a critical challenge in the field of lead-free double halide perovskites (DHP) for optoelectronic applications. The focus of our investigation centers on the regulation of charge carriers in lead-free DHP to improve their conversion efficiency. To achieve this, we introduce a chemically treated perovskite nanocrystal (NC) capable of generating efficient blue light-emitting devices (LEDs) via doping with trivalent lanthanide halide neodymium (III) chloride (NdCl 3). Characterization techniques including Rietveld refinement and Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM) imaging confirm the synthesized nanoparticles' cubic crystal phase and retained octahedral morphology post-NdCl 3 addition respectively. Density Functional Theory (DFT) calculations corroborate a direct bandgap, aligned with optical absorption spectra, revealing a reduction in the bandgap at an optimal Nd3+ incorporation. The NdCl 3 doped NCs exhibit light blue emission centered at 472 nm with a notable photoluminescence quantum yield (PLQY) of 35 %. Implicit in our findings is the intrinsic novelty of this study, where we not only address the longstanding problem of charge carrier recombination in lead-free DHP but also pioneer a solution that holds great promise for enhancing their overall efficiency. By shedding light on the dual Photoluminescence (PL) emission properties of NdCl 3 doping in Cs 2 SnCl 6. This work contributes significantly to the advancement of environmentally friendly and efficient optoelectronic materials, marking a paradigm shift in the field. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The development of high-yielding heat-tolerant cotton cultivars harboring plastic phenotypes across warming climatic regions is prime objectives of today’s cotton breeding programs. We evaluated eight parents and 15 F1 hybrids under normal and heat stress conditions. Agronomic and biochemical characters were analyzed using standard least square, correlation, principal component analysis (PCA), and hierarchical clustering. The results explained a significant reduction in all traits except hydrogen peroxide contents, catalase, and peroxidase activities with a prominent increase under heat stress. A significant positive correlation was observed among all agronomic and biochemical traits. POD was found to have a maximum positive correlation with CAT (0.947) and minimum with boll weight (0.050). PCA showed first two components accounting for 78.64% of the total variation, with 55.83% and 22.80% of the total variation, respectively. Based on multivariate analyses methods 23 genotypes have been placed in 3 groups: tolerant (cluster-3), moderately tolerant (cluster-2), and susceptible (cluster-1). In a general perspective hybrids have better performance across normal and heat stress supports the idea of hybrid adaptability across stress environments. In specific FH-458 × FH-313 cross performed best across both conditions for yield and physiological traits. Hence, the generated information from the present study would support breeders in developing heat-resilient cultivars to endure the prevailing extreme environmental conditions.

Salmonella , one of the major infectious diseases in poultry, causes considerable economic losses in terms of mortality and morbidity, especially in countries that lack effective vaccination programs. Besides being resistant to diseases, indigenous chicken breeds are also a potential source of animal protein in developing countries. For understanding the disease resistance, an indigenous chicken line Kashmir faverolla , and commercial broiler were selected. RNA-seq was performed after challenging the chicken with Salmonella Typhimurium. Comparative differential expression results showed that following infection, a total of 3153 genes and 1787 genes were differentially expressed in the liver and spleen, respectively. The genes that were differentially expressed included interleukins, cytokines, NOS2, Avβ-defensins, toll-like receptors, and other immune-related gene families. Most of the genes and signaling pathways involved in the innate and adaptive immune responses against bacterial infection were significantly enriched in the Kashmir faverolla. Pathway analysis revealed that most of the enriched pathways were MAPK signaling pathway, NOD-like receptor signaling pathway, TLR signaling pathway, PPAR signaling pathway, endocytosis, etc. Surprisingly some immune-related genes like TLRs were upregulated in the susceptible chicken breed. On postmortem examination, the resistant birds showed small lesions in the liver compared to large necrotic lesions in susceptible birds. The pathological manifestations and RNA sequencing results suggest a balancing link between resistance and infection tolerance in Kashmir faverolla. Here we also developed an online Poultry Infection Database (https://skuastk.org/pif/index.html), the first publicly available gene expression resource for disease resistance in chickens. The available database not only shows the data for gene expression in chicken tissues but also provides quick search, visualization and download capacity. • The manuscript focused to understand the diseases resistance mechanism in indigenous poultry line Kashmir faverolla against salmonellosis. • Kashmir faverolla and commercial broiler were challenged with Salmonella typhimurium infection and RNA sequencing was carried out. • Novel genes and pathways were identified for Salmonella resistance in poultry. • In this study an open access Poultry Infection Database was developed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this study, we prepared a hybrid film incorporating the MnFeO 3 -decorated conducting two-dimensional (2D) MXene sheet-suspended [6,6]-phenyl-C61-butyric acid methyl ester (PCBM) electron transfer layer (ETL) for the perovskite solar cells (PSCs) and detectors. The incorporation of MXene-MnFeO 3 with the PCBM ETL could drive exceptional conducting features for the PSCs. Moreover, the presence of MXene-MnFeO 3 facilitated superior charge transfer pathways, thereby enhancing the electron extraction and collection processes. This enhancement was directed to improve the electron mobility within the device, resulting in high photocurrents. The designed interface engineering with the MXene-MnFeO 3 nanocomposite-tuned PCBM ETL has produced a remarkable power conversion efficiency of 17.79% ± 0.27. Moreover, X-ray detectors employing PCBM modulated with the MXene-MnFeO 3 ETL achieved notable performance metrics including 18.47 μA/cm 2 CCD-DCD, 5.53 mA/Gy·cm 2 sensitivity, 7.64 × 10 -4 cm 2 /V·s electron mobility, and 1.51 × 10 15 cm 2 /V·s trap density.

Hierarchical porous nanowire-like MoS 2 /CoNiO 2 nanohybrids were synthesized via the hydrothermal process. CoNiO 2 nanowires were selected due to the edge site, high surface/volume ratio, and superior electrochemical characteristics as the porous backbone for decoration of layered MoS 2 nanoflakes to construct innovative structure hierarchical three-dimensional (3D) porous NWs MoS 2 /CoNiO 2 hybrids with excellent charge accumulation and efficient ion transport capabilities. Physicochemical analyses were conducted on the developed hybrid composite, revealing conclusive evidence that the CoNiO 2 nanowires have been securely anchored onto the surface of the MoS 2 nanoflake array. The electrochemical results strongly proved the benefit of the hierarchical 3D porous MoS 2 /CoNiO 2 hybrid structure for the charge storage kinetics. The synergistic characteristics arising from the MoS 2 /CoNiO 2 composite yielded a notably high specific capacitance of 1340 F/g at a current density of 0.5 A/g. Furthermore, the material exhibited sustained cycling stability, retaining 95.6% of its initial capacitance after 10 000 long cycles. The asymmetric device comprising porous MoS 2 /CoNiO 2 //activated carbon encompassed outstanding energy density (93.02 Wh/kg at 0.85 kW/kg) and cycling stability (94.1% capacitance retention after 10 000 cycles). Additionally, the successful illumination of light-emitting diodes underscores the significant potential of the synthesized MoS 2 /CoNiO 2 (2D/1D) hybrid for practical high-energy storage applications.

Croup is a common respiratory illness in children, accounting for 15% of annual clinic and emergency department visits for pediatric respiratory tract infections. We aimed to compare single-dose oral prednisolone with single-dose oral dexamethasone in the treatment of croup in terms of mean change in the Westley Croup Score., Setting: Emergency Department of Children Hospital., Duration: Six months from December 2017 to June 2022., Design: Randomized-controlled trial., Subjects and Methods: A total of 226 children with Westley Croup Score 2 or more were included in this study. Patients were randomized into two groups, 113 patients received a single dose of 0.15 mg/kg of oral dexamethasone, while 113 patients received a single dose of 1 mg/kg of oral prednisolone. Croup score and other clinical observations were repeated at 4 h and recorded in the questionnaire., Results: The average age of the patients was 2.88±1.17 years. There were 129 (57.1%) males and 97 (42.9%) females. At 4 h, a significant reduction in mean Westley Croup Score was observed in group dexamethasone as compared with group prednisolone ( P =0.0005)., Conclusions: Our trial demonstrated that oral dexamethasone at a dose of 0.15 mg/kg is effective in reducing the total croup score but there were no statistical differences in respiratory rate, pulse rate, and oxygen saturation between groups. Future studies are required to determine if these treatments differ in efficacy for severe croup and whether there is a role for multiple-dose corticosteroid therapy in some patients., Competing Interests: The authors declare that they have no financial conflict of interest with regard to the content of this report., (Copyright © 2023 the Author(s). Published by Wolters Kluwer Health, Inc.)

With the current evolution in the artificial intelligence technology, more biomimetic functions are essential to execute increasingly complicated tasks and respond to challenging work environments. Therefore, an artificial nociceptor plays a significant role in the advancement of humanoid robots. Organic-inorganic halide perovskites (OHPs) have the potential to mimic the biological neurons due to their inherent ion migration. Herein, a versatile and reliable diffusive memristor built on an OHP is reported as an artificial nociceptor. This OHP diffusive memristor showed threshold switching properties with excellent uniformity, forming-free behavior, a high I ON / I OFF ratio (10 4 ), and bending endurance over >10 2 cycles. To emulate the biological nociceptor functionalities, four significant characteristics of the artificial nociceptor, such as threshold, no adaptation, relaxation, and sensitization, are demonstrated. Further, the feasibility of OHP nociceptors in artificial intelligence is being investigated by fabricating a thermoreceptor system. These findings suggest a prospective application of an OHP-based diffusive memristor in the future neuromorphic intelligence platform.

This study examined the mediating role of core Executive Functions (EF: working memory and inhibitory control) and moderating role of Perceived Academic Intent to Entrepreneurship (PAIE) in relationship between Dark Personality Traits (SDT) and Entrepreneurial Intentions (EI) of university students. A sample of 539 university students enrolled in various undergraduate and postgraduate programs completed the Short Dark Triad-3 (SD3), Adult Executive Functioning Inventory (ADEXI), and measures for assessing Entrepreneurial Intent and Perceived Academic Intent to Entrepreneurship. The results showed that of SDT, only Machiavellianism was significantly associated with EI. Both of the core executive functions and PAIE were also positively correlated with EI. Moreover, findings showed that EF positively mediated the relationship between Machiavellian disposition and entrepreneurial intention, while perceived academic intent to entrepreneurship moderated the relationship between executive functions and EI. A significant moderated mediation index was also reported. Findings offer useful insight to the interplay among above mentioned variables and guide educational and organizational psychologists to employ core cognitive strategies for promoting entrepreneurial thoughts and channelizing the productive energies of students with malevolent tendencies through academic coaching., Competing Interests: The authors declare that the research was conducted in the absence of any commercial or financial relationships that could be construed as a potential conflict of interest., (Copyright © 2022 Khawar, Amin, Zulfqar, Hussain, Hussain and Muqaddas.)

Noncommunicable diseases such as cardiovascular disease, obesity, diabetes, and cancer now outnumber all other health ailments in humans globally due to abrupt changes in lifestyle following the industrial revolution. The industrial revolution has also intensified livestock farming, resulting in an increased demand for productivity and stressed animals. The livestock industry faces significant challenges from a projected sharp increase in global food and high animal protein demand. Nutrition genomics holds great promise for the future as its advances have opened up a whole new world of disease understanding and prevention. Nutrigenomics is the study of the interactions between genes and diet. It investigates molecular relationships between nutrients and genes to identify how even minor modifications could potentially alter animal and human health/performance by using techniques like proteomics, transcriptomics, metabolomics, and lipidomics. Dietary modifications mostly studied in livestock focus mainly on health and production traits through protein, fat, mineral, and vitamin supplementation changes. Nutrigenomics meticulously selects nutrients for fine-tuning the expression of genes that match animal/human genotypes for better health, productivity, and the environment. As a step forward, nutrigenomics integrates nutrition, molecular biology, genomics, bioinformatics, molecular medicine, and epidemiology to better understand the role of food as an epigenetic factor in the occurrence of these diseases. This review aims to provide a comprehensive overview of the fundamental concepts, latest advances, and studies in the field of nutrigenomics, emphasizing the interaction of diet with gene expression, and how it relates to human and animal health along with its human-animal interphase., Competing Interests: The authors declare that they have no known competing financial interests or personal relationships that could have appeared to influence the work reported in this paper., (© 2022 The Authors.)

Cobalt-doped TiO 2 -based diluted magnetic semiconductors were successfully synthesized using a co-precipitation method. The X-ray diffraction study of all the samples showed good crystallinity, matching the standard tetragonal anatase phase. The X-ray diffraction peaks of the cobalt-doped sample slightly shifted towards a lower angle showing the decrease in particle size and distortion in the unit cell due to cobalt incorporation in the lattice of TiO 2 . Transmission electron microscopy showed the spherical morphology of the TiO 2 nanoparticles, which decreased with Co-doping. The optical characteristics and band gap investigation revealed that defects and oxygen vacancies resulted in lower band gap energy and maximum absorption in the visible region. Dielectric measurements showed enhancement in the dielectric constant and AC conductivity, while the dielectric loss decreased. The enhancement in the dielectric properties was attributed to interfacial polarization and charge carrier hopping between Co and Ti ions. The magnetic properties displayed that pure TiO 2 was diamagnetic, while Co-doped TiO 2 showed a ferromagnetic response at 300 K. The visible light-driven photocatalytic activity showed an improvement for Co-doped TiO 2 . Our results demonstrate that Co-doping can be used to tune the physical properties and photocatalytic activity of TiO 2 for possible spin-based electronics, optoelectronics, and photo-degradation applications., Competing Interests: The authors declare that they have no known competing financial interests or personal relationships that could have influenced the work reported in this paper., (This journal is © The Royal Society of Chemistry.)

Aims: Schizophrenia (SZ) is recognized as a neuropsychiatric disorder in humans with accelerated mortality and profound morbidity followed with impairments in social as well as vocational functioning. Though various antipsychotics are being considered as approved treatment therapy for the psychotic symptoms of SZ but they also exert adverse effects and also lack efficacy in treating full spectrum of the disorder. Spirulina platensis (blue-green algae), a nutritional supplement, constitutes a variety of multi-nutrients and possesses a large number of neuroprotective activities. Therefore, present experimental work was designed to evaluate the neuroprotective effects of spirulina in ameliorating the psychosis-like symptoms in dizocilpine-induced rat model of SZ., Materials and Methods: The spirulina was tested as preventive and therapeutic regimen at the dose of 180 mg/kg. After pre- and post-treatment with spirulina, rats were subjected to behavioral assessments followed by biochemical and neurochemical estimations. Biomarkers including APO-E, RTN-4, TNF-α, and IL-6 were also estimated using ELISA., Key Findings: Present results showed that administration of spirulina not only improved behavioral deficits induced by dizocilpine but it also regulates neurotransmission, oligodendrocyte dysfunction and APO-E over expression. Moreover, it also restores the immune response dysfunction by reducing inflammatory cytokines., Significance: Thus, from present findings it may be suggested that spirulina aids in ameliorating the psychosis-like symptoms induced by dizocilpine in animal model possibly via regulation of neurotransmission and other biomarkers that are extensively used to uncover the etiopathology of SZ. Hence, blue-green algae can be used as an effective therapy for preventive or therapeutic measures in SZ., (Copyright © 2021 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)