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Abstract An energy material has been developed using a one-step chemical reduction method, incorporating silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) that encapsulate micro-sized silicon (mSi) flakes. SEM investigation revealed complete encapsulation of silicon flakes by AgNP’s dendritic structure, EDX confirmed the deposition of Ag on Si flakes. Raman spectroscopy confirmed the formation of silver and silicon oxides. In a three-cell configuration, the low equivalent series resistance and charge transfer resistance indicated that Ag served as the conductive channel for charge transfer. The CV curves displayed a 1.7 V voltage window attributed to amorphous SiO2, which offered a significant specific capacitance of 330.6 F g−1 at a scan rate of 5 mV s−1. The pseudocapacitive nature of the developed material, in comparison to other Ag-based composites and pseudocapacitive materials, achieved an energy density of 37.83 Wh kg−1 and a power density of 6374 W kg−1 at a current density of 7.5 A g−1 in a three-cell configuration. The nanostructured Ag combined with mSi is suitable as a renewable charge storage material.

Background: There is a lack of literature on the role of splenectomy in hemolytic anemias due to glucose-6-phosphate isomerase (GPI) deficiency. GPI deficiency is a rare red blood cell (RBC) enzymopathy of the glycolytic pathway. Most present with severe disease requiring frequent transfusions. In this study, we report the effect of splenectomy in the world's largest cohort of GPI deficiency patients. The study aimed to describe the clinical, mutational, and laboratory parameters of patients with GPI deficiency. A comparison of the transfusion requirement pre- and post-splenectomy is also included. Material and methods: The ambispective study was performed from 2017 to 2023. Patients with congenital non-spherocytic hemolytic anemia (CNSHA) were screened for GPI deficiency. Detailed history, including demographic, clinical data, and transfusion details, were noted. Hematological parameters and RBC enzyme activity were estimated using spectrophotometry. The genetic study was done using restriction fragment length polymorphism, and confirmation was obtained through Sanger's sequencing. Patients were followed up after splenectomy. Results: Eighteen patients were diagnosed with GPI deficiency. About 3/4th (14/18; 77.7 %) had significant hepatosplenomegaly. Median serum ferritin levels were 890 ng/ml. Seven patients were on oral iron chelation. The nutritional status assessed as per the Indian Academy of Pediatrics growth charts revealed significant growth retardation. All the patients had severe anemia (mean Hb: 6.4 g/dl) and macrocytosis (mean MCV: 129.2 fl). Laboratory features of hemolysis were evident with reticulocytosis, raised serum lactate dehydrogenase, and indirect bilirubin. The mean GPI enzyme activity was 28.75 IU/g Hb.Ten (55.5 %) patients underwent splenectomy at a median age of 7 years. Five remain transfusion-free post-splenectomy at a median follow-up of 54 months. Other 5 had a significant reduction in transfusion requirement post-splenectomy (p A(p.Arg347His) homozygous mutation. Conclusion: The study demonstrates the benefit of splenectomy in patients with GPI deficiency.

Introduction: Glass Ionomer Cement (GIC) is widely used as a restorative material, but it still exhibits some limitations that pose significant drawbacks in clinical use. The composition of Hydroxyapatite (HA) mimics the inorganic fraction of mineralised tissues such as bones and teeth. HA possesses osteoconductive and bioactive properties, making it favourable for orthopaedic and dental applications. Aim: The aim of this study was to evaluate and compare the setting time, compressive strength, microleakage and antibacterial properties of nano-HA incorporated GIC (NHa-GIC) at various concentrations with Type-II GIC. Materials and Methods: This in-vitro study was conducted in the Department of Paediatric and Preventive Dentistry at Sri Aurobindo College of Dentistry in Indore, Madhya Pradesh, India, for a duration of nine months, from May 2023 to January 2024. The study comprised five study groups as follows: Group-1-Type-II GIC (control), Group-2-NHA-GIC 4%, Group-3-NHA-GIC 8%, Group-4-NHA-GIC 10% and Group-5-NHA-GIC 15%. A total of 50 acrylic moulds containing the test material and Type-II GIC, with 10 in each group (n=10), were prepared to record the setting time, which was tested using a Gillmore needle. The compressive strength was checked using a Universal Testing Machine. Additionally, 50 primary molars were selected according to inclusion and exclusion criteria and randomly divided into five groups (n=10) to evaluate microleakage. Microleakage was assessed using the dye penetration method under a stereomicroscope. For antibacterial properties, 50 samples (n=10) were taken for each strain, i.e., Strain A: S. mutans and Strain B: L. fermentum and the disk diffusion method was employed. Thus, a total sample size of 250 was used. The preparation of GIC-NHAp was done by adding nano- HA to GIC at selected concentrations by weight/weight percentage (w/w%). The results were analysed using a one-way Analysis of Variance (ANOVA) test. Results: A statistically significant difference was observed (p

Introduction: The first rib is the shortest, most curved and atypical of all ribs. An angle is visible between the head and the tubercle at the inferior portion of the neck, which can indicate the sex of the individual when viewed in a non anatomical position. Aim: To determine the morphometric and morphological variations of the first rib in the population of Rajasthan. Materials and Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted in the Anatomy Department of SMS Medical College, Jaipur, Rajasthan, India, from January 2023 to April 2024. A total of 90 adult human dry first ribs (45 right and 45 left) of unknown age and sex were studied. Intact right and left ribs were included, while damaged first ribs were excluded. Data were collected using a Vernier calliper and thread to measure length, height, angle, external length, internal length, shortest external length and shortest internal length. Morphological variations, such as the scalene tubercle and vascular groove, were observed. Independent samples t-tests were used to compare means between the right and left-sides and correlation analysis assessed relationships between angular orientation and anatomical dimensions. The statistical analysis was performed using Microsoft Excel 2020 and IBM Statistical Package of Social Sciences (SPSS) version 23.0. Results: The descriptive statistics for the measured variables are as follows: the mean height and length on the right-side were 6.99±3.45 cm and 26.69±2.41 cm, respectively, while on the left-side they were 7.35±2.55 cm and 26.10±2.80 cm, respectively. The angle was greater on the left-side (16.59±6.18º). Statistical analysis indicated non significant differences between all the variables of the right and left-sides (p-value >0.05), except for strong positive correlations between angle and height (Right: r-value=0.986, p-value=0.001; Left: r-value= 0.952, p-value=0.001). Conclusion: The morphometric parameters of the first rib indicate non significant differences between the right and left-sides. The strong positive correlations between angle and height have clinical significance, as they can assist in forensic and anatomical studies related to intervertical dimensions and anatomical alignment based on the angular orientation of the first rib.

Objective Artificial intelligence (AI) tools for histological diagnosis offer great potential to healthcare, yet failure to understand their clinical context is delaying adoption. IGUANA (Interpretable Gland-Graphs using a Neural Aggregator) is an AI algorithm that can effectively classify colonic biopsies into normal versus abnormal categories, designed to automatically report normal cases. We performed a retrospective pathological and clinical review of the errors made by IGUANA.Methods False negative (FN) errors were the primary focus due to the greatest propensity for harm. Pathological evaluation involved assessment of whole slide image (WSI) quality, precise diagnoses for each missed entity and identification of factors impeding diagnosis. Clinical evaluation scored the impact of each error on the patient and detailed the type of impact in terms of missed diagnosis, investigations or treatment.Results Across 5054 WSIs from 2080 UK National Health Service patients there were 220 FN errors across 164 cases (4.4% of WSI, 7.9% of cases). Diagnostic errors varied from cases of adenocarcinoma to mild inflammation. 88.4% of FN errors would have no impact on patient care, with only one error causing major patient harm. Factors that protected against harm included biopsies being low-risk polyps or diagnostic features were detected in other biopsies.Conclusion Most FN errors would not result in patient harm, suggesting that even with a 7.9% case-level error rate, this AI tool might be more suitable for adoption than statistics portray. Consideration of the clinical context of AI tool errors is essential to facilitate safe implementation.

IntroductionClimate change significantly impacts food production by influencing crop growth and soil processes. Rising atmospheric CO2 levels and temperatures may affect reactive nitrogen losses from cultivated soils. This study aimed to quantify the effects of nitrification and urease inhibitors on reactive nitrogen losses from wheat soils in the context of elevated CO2 and temperature interactions.MethodsAn experiment was conducted in open top chambers for two consecutive years to quantify the effect of nitrification and urease inhibitors on ammonia (NH3), and nitrous oxide (N2O) emissions in wheat under elevated carbon dioxide (EC), elevated temperature (ET) and their interaction (ECT). The carbon dioxide (CO2) concentration ranged from 552 to 568 ppm in the EC treatment, while the average temperature was 2.1–2.5°C higher in ET treatment than ambient (AMB).Results and discussionThe N2O–N emission increased under ECT than ambient. Use of neem oil coated urea (NOCU) reduced the N2O–N emission by 10.3%, whereas, Limus coated urea reduced N2O–N emission by 14% as compared to prilled urea treatment under ECT. NH3–N emission from wheat soil also increased under ECT treatment as compared to AMB. Application of N through Limus, reduced NH3–N emission from wheat by 35.7–36.8% when compared with NH3–N emission from prilled urea ECT condition. Elevated temperature reduced grain weight by 7.6%. The grain N content reduced by 10.9% with prilled urea under ECT. The application of NOCU and Limus increased grain N by 6 and 9%, respectively, as compared to urea under ECT interaction. The application of nitrification and urease inhibitors may reduce reactive nitrogen losses and enhance nitrogen use efficiency under future climatic conditions.

The important steps toward a low-carbon economy and sustainable energy future is switch to Electric Vehicles(EVs).The rapid development of EVs has brought a risk to reliability of the electrical system. However, the high electricity consumption of EVs will lead to the overload of power grid transformers. Strategies for scheduling charging and discharging that work are essential to reducing the negative grid effects of EVs. In order to reduce the overload of power grid transformers, this paper explores two strategies for intelligent charging and discharging scheduling. The first one is Long Short-Term Memory coupled with Integer Linear Programming(LSTM-ILP)and the second one is Q-learning. The LSTM-ILP aims to minimize the charging and discharging schedules delay. The Q-learning method makes use of reinforcement learning to ascertain the best course of action for EVs in relation to their state-of-charge and the demand on the grid. The outcomes of this research show that both strategies are successful in lowering the peak-to-average ratio of the grid and lessening the influence of EV charging demands. • This research aims to Couple Long Short-Term Memory with Integer Linear Programming • Applying Q-learning to minimize the peak to-average ratio of grid load through effective peak shaving and valley filling • Minimizing EV charging costs for users while respecting their mobility needs

Introduction: Retropharyngeal abscess (RPA) is deep neck space infection which requires prompt diagnosis and management due to its potential life-threatening nature. In paediatric group it is most common between 3-5 years of age with infants presenting it very rarely. We are reporting a case series of all the children who were diagnosed of RPA and managed successfully. Materials and methods: This is a single‑center, retrospective study conducted at the tertiary care hospital. Detailed data from the case files of patients who were diagnosed and managed for RPA from 2012 to 2022 were included. The demographic details, presenting complaints, site of involvement, CT findings, intra-operative findings, pus culture report and course of child during hospitalization was meticulously documented along with their follow up findings and analysed. Results: Total number of children who underwent treatment for RPA during the study period is 17. maximum number of cases were below 4 years of age accounting for 65%. 58.8 % had an episode of Upper respiratory tract infection before developing the RPA. 2 patients were diagnosed to have tuberculosis and had started on Anti tubercular treatment. One child had sustained injury to neck, and one had history of chicken bone ingestion. Five children showed the complications of which 60% of them were infant: Conclusion: The crucial step in infants with RPA is prompt diagnosis and aggressive management. Initial antibiotics should be a broad spectrum until the pus culture sensitivity reports are available. There is a recent trend is Methicillin resistant staphylococcus aureus especially in younger children. Paradoxical reaction of tubercular treatment is rare and should be borne in mind of its possibilities while treating.

Abstract Lead (Pb) contamination in water poses a significant threat to public health across the globe which requires effective remediation strategies. The main objective of this study is to achieve a removal efficiency of Pb(II) ions from aqueous media using activated Syzygium cumini (java plum) stem biochar. It was prepared by slow pyrolysis at 400 °C after treating the biomass with potassium hydroxide for activation. These biochars were characterized thoroughly (SEM, SEM–EDX, TEM, FTIR, XRD, elemental analyses, and SBET) to conduct a set of batch experiments. The effect of several parameters such as pH, temperature, contact time, adsorbent dosage, initial lead concentrations, and co-existing ions were explored. The decrease in starting lead concentrations from 50 to 10 mg L−1 resulted in improved removal efficiency. The removal effectiveness of activated biochar was 97%, but non-activated biochar was just 19%. Lead adsorption increased considerably as pH increased from 3 to 5. Further, the activated biochar was optimized through various isotherms models, kinetic equations, and thermodynamic analysis. It was observed that the pseudo-second-order kinetic model and Temkin isotherms were the best-fitted models that identify the mechanism of chemisorption and monolayer sorption. According to this study, activated biochar is a promising biosorbent for removing lead from an aqueous solution. Graphical Abstract

Abstract This study investigates the use of carbonized Himalayan Chir Pine Biomass, known as Chir Pine Activated Carbon (CPAC), as an eco-friendly and cost-effective adsorbent for efficient industrial dye removal, with a focus on environmental sustainability. By applying different additive treatments, four adsorbents (C1, C2, C3, and C4) were formulated. CPAC was synthesized through pyrolysis and characterized using various analytical techniques including FE-SEM, X-ray diffraction (XRD), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), and differential scanning calorimetry (DSC). The adsorption capacity of CPAC was evaluated using Malachite Green (MG) dye as a model contaminant. FE-SEM images revealed high porosity (~ 10 µm) and a high surface area (119.886 m2/g) as confirmed by BET testing. CPAC effectively removed MG dye within 30 min at a solution pH of 7. Langmuir and Freundlich isotherm models indicated both monolayer and multilayer adsorption, while kinetic models suggested chemisorption. The regeneration efficiency was assessed using 0.1 N HCl over five consecutive cycles, with C4 demonstrating a high regeneration tendency of 85% and only a 9% reduction in adsorption ability after the fifth cycle. The developed CPAC shows excellent potential for use in the textile, paper, and leather industries for industrial dye adsorption, contributing to the protection of aquatic ecosystems. Additionally, CPAC can be utilized in other water and air purification applications.

One of the most common diseases causing the destruction of enamel and remaining tooth structure is dental caries which further leads to pulpal and periapical inflammation if not treated. As tools for revealing important factors in identifying targets disease and pathophysiology for the evolution of prevention and treatment strategies, molecular and cellular biology plays a pivotal role. Finding an accurate diagnosis that will serve as the foundation for effective treatment continues to be one of the key issues in endodontics. Inflammatory biomarkers play a diverse and broad role in endodontics, with the potential to become a key factor in determining treatment plans by assisting in diagnosis and prognosis. Inflammatory biomarkers have the potential to become a key factor in determining treatment plans by assisting in diagnosis and prognosis. Endodontists are still divided on issues such as vital pulp therapy versus traditional root canal therapy and retreatment versus periapical surgery. Furthermore, clinical challenges such as determining the appropriate tissue fluid to analyse, establishing a precise inflammatory threshold, and delivering results at the chairside must be overcome. Endodontists may soon be able to use chairside genetic tests to make more informed treatment decisions for their patients.

Abdominal cocoon syndrome is a rare clinical presentation that has been associated with abdominal tuberculosis in rural India. It is also known as sclerosing encapsulating peritonitis, where the small bowel becomes encapsulated by a fibrous membrane due to unclear causes, leading to obstipation. Common symptoms include vomiting, nausea, and constipation. Due to these general clinical symptoms, it can be mistaken for other gastrointestinal disorders, resulting in delayed diagnosis, which may lead to adverse outcomes or even mortality. Surgery is often used to free the entrapped bowel and remove the fibrous tissue, while supportive care and problem management are crucial. The present case involves a 55-year-old male who presented with a distended abdomen and obstipation, leading to intestinal perforation and sclerosing encapsulating peritonitis, which was managed through resection and anastomosis of the small intestine. The patient was followed-up after three months with no new complaints. The present case helps in understanding the sequelae of acute intestinal perforation that can result in abdominal cocoon syndrome.

Abstract Background Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) is a pressing global health concern driven by inappropriate antibiotic use, which is in turn influenced by various social, systemic, and individual factors. This study, nested within FIND’s AMR Diagnostic Use Accelerator clinical trial in Nepal, aimed to (i) explore the perspectives of patients, caregivers, and healthcare workers (HCWs) on antibiotic prescription adherence and (ii) assess the impact of a training and communication (T&C) intervention on adherence to antibiotic prescriptions. Methods Using qualitative, semi-structured interviews, pre-intervention and Day 7 follow-up components, and the Behaviour Change Wheel process, we investigated the facilitators of and barriers to the use and misuse of antibiotic prescriptions. Results Results of the study revealed that adherence to antibiotic prescriptions is influenced by a complex interplay of factors, including knowledge and understanding, forgetfulness, effective communication, expectations, beliefs and habits, attitudes and behaviours, convenience of purchasing, trust in medical effectiveness, and issues of child preferences. The T&C package was also shown to play a role in addressing specific barriers to treatment adherence. Conclusions Overall, the results of this study provide a nuanced understanding of the challenges associated with antibiotic use and suggest that tailored interventions, informed by behaviour frameworks, can enhance prescription adherence, may be applicable in diverse settings and can contribute to the global effort to mitigate the rising threat of AMR.

In recent times, there have been notable advancements in comprehending the potential anti-cancer effects of chrysin (CH), a naturally occurring flavonoid compound found abundantly in various plant sources like honey, propolis, and certain fruits and vegetables. This active compound has garnered significant attention due to its promising therapeutic qualities and minimal toxicity. CH’s ability to combat cancer arises from its multifaceted mechanisms of action, including the initiation of apoptosis and the inhibition of proliferation, angiogenesis, metastasis, and cell cycle progression. CH also displays potent antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties, effectively counteracting the harmful molecules that contribute to DNA damage and the development of cancer. Furthermore, CH has exhibited the potential to sensitize cancer cells to traditional chemotherapy and radiotherapy, amplifying the effectiveness of these treatments while reducing their negative impact on healthy cells. Hence, in this current review, the composition, chemistry, mechanisms of action, safety concerns of CH, along with the feasibility of its nanoformulations. To conclude, the recent investigations into CH’s anti-cancer effects present a compelling glimpse into the potential of this natural compound as a complementary therapeutic element in the array of anti-cancer approaches, providing a safer and more comprehensive method of combating this devastating ailment.

Purpose: Pleuropulmonary blastoma (PPB) is a rare malignancy associated with mutations in the DICER1 gene. Early-stage disease (PPB type I) mimics cystic lung malformations and develops in infants

Introduction: Hemolysis is a known interference factor that has been found to show erroneous effect. Present study analyzes the impact of hemolysis on the concentrations of protein biomarkers of Alzheimer's disease (Aβ42, t-Tau, p-Tau181) along with novel proteins which are currently under investigation (SIRT1,SIRT2,SIRT6,FOXO3A, NFL, Aβ40, GFAP). Methods: Plasma samples were grouped into two categories: hemolyzed and non-hemolyzed groups. Degree of hemolysis (in percentage) was separately analyzed using Single molecule array (SIMOA) technology. Quantitative analysis for hemolyzed and non-hemolyzed samples were done using surface plasmon resonance (SPR) technology. Results: The SIMOA analysis indicated that at high levels of hemolysis (1000 mg/dL) there was an increase in NFL protein level up to approximately 30 % whereas p-Tau181 did not show much interference even at higher hemolysate concentration. Aβ40, Aβ42 and GFAP showed modest effect up to hemolysis of 250mg/dL-500 mg/dL. SPR analysis of total Tau (t-Tau), p-Tau181, SIRT1, SIRT6 showed the consistency in the result and there was no significant difference in hemolyzed plasma compared to non-hemolyzed samples. Aβ42 and FOXO3A showed decline in hemolyzed plasma compared to non-hemolyzed samples (4.34 ± 0.18ng/ul; 4.95 ± 0.19ng/ul) and (3.83 ± 0.34ng/ul; 5.12 ± 0.46ng/ul), respectively whereas, a significant increase in the concentration was observed for SIRT2; 2.4 ± 0.10ng/ul in hemolyzed compared to 1.30 ± 0.22ng/ul in non-hemolyzed group. Conclusions: High grade hemolysis leads to altered protein concentration associated with neurodegeneration. Present study emphasizes the need to have pre-analytical inspection for hemolysis detection especially in a multicentric biomarker study.

This paper introduces a novel computational strategy for addressing challenges in approximation theory. It focuses on the use of first-kind pseudo-Chebyshev wavelet approximations and the methodology and evaluation of the error for a specific function are outlined, along with practical instances to showcase the method’s effectiveness and efficiency. This approach is motivated by the need for highly efficient and precise methods for function representation and the error reduction in this domain. The paper also establishes the error of a function associated with the class of absolutely continuous functions using first-kind pseudo-Chebyshev wavelets via orthogonal projection operators, highlighting their precision and theoretical optimality within the domain of wavelet analysis. Additionally, the use of wavelet approximation to solve Abel’s integral equation is demonstrated by computing the approximate solution using first kind pseudo-Chebyshev wavelet.

Introduction: In India there are four distinct dengue viruses (DENVs) serotypes prevalent that can cause a full spectrum of disease from a subclinical infection to a mild self-limiting disease. The present study aimed to detect the dengue NS1 antigen by ELISA to screen the presence of dengue-specific IgM antibodies by IgM antibody capture ELISA (MAC-ELISA), and to detect dengue viral RNA in sero-positive samples and identify serotypes by one step multiplex real time reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). Methodology: A hospital based observational, descriptive study was carried out on a total of 260 blood samples of clinically suspected patients with complaints of fever, myalgia, rash, and/or arthralgia. Detection of dengue NS 1 antigen and IgM antibody were done and then dengue viral RNA detection and serotype identification in seropositive samples was done to look for prevalent strain in the study area. All these methodologies were followed as per manufacturer's kit. Results: Out of 260 blood samples, a total of 82 (31.5%) samples tested positive for both sero-markers of dengue infection. Among these 82, 53 (64.6%) samples tested positive for NS1 antigen, 8 (9.8%) for IgM antibody alone, and 21 (25.6%) for both NS1 antigen and IgM antibody. PCR testing was done for these 82 seropositive patients and out of these, 75 (91.5%) tested positive on PCR testing. Of these 75 samples, 84% tested positive for dengue serotype-2 and only 16% tested positive for dengue serotype-1. Conclusion: In the study area, DENV-2 is more prevalent followed by DENV-1. None of the samples tested positive for serotype-3 and serotype-4. There was no coinfection in any sample. The information of predominant serotypes can guide in forecasting dengue outbreaks and improving control measures of vectors and thus may be helpful in the prevention of outbreaks.

Objective: This research is meant to evaluate the effectiveness of different bonding agents in minimally invasive cavity preparations at a tertiary care center. Materials and Methods: A prospective research was conducted involving patients requiring minimally invasive cavity preparations. Patients were randomly assigned to groups based on the bonding agent used. Standardized cavity preparations were performed, and bonding agent application followed manufacturer instructions. Outcome measures included bond strength and marginal adaptation. Data were analyzed using appropriate statistical methods. Results: Bonding Agent A exhibited the highest mean bond strength (25.6 MPa) and superior marginal adaptation (mean score: 4.2) compared to Bonding Agents B and C. These differences were statistically significant (P < 0.001 for bond strength, P < 0.05 for marginal adaptation). Conclusion: Bonding Agent A demonstrated superior performance in achieving durable and esthetically pleasing restorations in minimally invasive cavity preparations. These findings underscore the importance of selecting appropriate bonding agents for conservative dental treatments to optimize treatment outcomes and patient satisfaction.

Background: Apical periodontitis and irreversible pulpitis are typical dental conditions treated with “Root Canal Treatment (RCT)”. Single-visit RCT has become a viable alternative to the multi-visit RCT method used in traditional RCT. Methods: A total of 100 RCT participants were randomised to either the single-visit or multiple-visit groups at random. A ”Visual Analogue Scale (VAS)” was used to measure post-operative discomfort at 24, 48, and 72 hours. At 6 and 12 months, peri-apical radiographs were used to assess the healing results. Results: At all time periods, there were no discernible variations in post-operative discomfort between the single-visit and multiple-visit groups. In contrast to the multiple-visit group, the single-visit group had greater rates of full healing at both 6 and 12 months. Conclusion: Compared to multiple-visit RCT, single-visit RCT provides similar post-operative pain alleviation and may result in better healing results. This suggests that single-visit RCT is a feasible and effective management option for patients who need root canal therapy.

Takayasu Arteritis (TA) is a chronic inflammatory disease affecting large blood vessels, particularly the aorta and its branches, making it a type of vasculitis. It is reported to be highly prevalent in Southeast Asian countries. Clinical presentations may vary, including headache, weight loss, malaise, fever, hypertension, visual disturbances, and musculoskeletal symptoms. Gangrene is a rare manifestation of TA, with relatively few cases reported globally. If gangrene is present, it is commonly noted in the lower limbs. Inflammation of the blood vessels caused by TA might lead to stenosis of the affected vessels. The underlying pathophysiology of gangrene development in TA is poorly understood but is mainly attributed to the occlusion of blood vessels. It is associated with inflammatory markers produced by lymphocytes and macrophages. Immunosuppressive drugs are recommended for symptomatic relief. Early diagnosis and intervention can be useful in managing TA, preventing adverse outcomes, and reducing its financial, social, and psychological consequences. This is a case report of a 32-year-old female, presented with gangrene and a history of rheumatoid arthritis. Further examination revealed a presentation of TA. The patient was managed by below-knee amputation for gangrene of the left leg and medical management for TA. Therefore, authors aim to draw attention to the diagnosis of TA and the rare associated morbidity, ‘gangrene,’ and the importance of timely intervention.

Environmental photocatalysis of wastewater is an important application of TiO2 nanoparticles (NPs). This paper reports the microwave-assisted green synthesis of TiO2 NPs using the isolated extract of Permelia perleta lichen. Development of TiO2 NPs was confirmed using Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction analysis, scanning electron microscopy, and ultraviolet–visible (UV–Vis) spectroscopy. The acquired TiO2 NPs were utilized as a nano photocatalyst in the degradation of acridine orange and phenol red dyes as model organic pollutants. The degradation efficiency of the developed TiO2 NPs was evaluated using a UV–Vis spectrophotometer. We found that the acquired TiO2 NPs had an average particle size of 30–40 nm, and the nanoparticles were somewhat agglomerated and are nonuniform in shape. The developed nano photocatalyst degraded the selected dyes efficiently, and the degradation efficiency was much better when the test sample was irradiated with UV light with a wavelength of 310 nm.

HIGHLIGHTS Mortality due to inadequate WASH facilities exceeded that of COVID-19 in the regions of South-East Asia and Africa.; The costs and benefits of wastewater-based surveillance are not known; however, the benefits of WASH interventions greatly exceed the costs.; The dedication of effort and resources to wastewater-based surveillance and WASH in low- and middle-income countries should reflect disease burdens and cost/benefit assessments.;

Existing literature has portrayed numerous challenges that healthcare workers (HCWs) faced during the COVID-19 pandemic, such as heightened risks of transmission against the scarcity of protective equipment, burgeoning workload, and emotional distress, to name a few. However, most studies explored HCWs' experiences at the individual level rather than examining the collective responses. Exploring these experiences could reveal the social-cultural locality of the pandemic while identifying the system constraints in public health emergencies. As part of a mixed-method study on COVID-19 pandemic impacts, we analysed qualitative interview data with 129 HCWs and health-related staff to explore their experiences during the pandemic between 2020 and 2021 in Vietnam, Indonesia, and Nepal. Using Bahers' sociological framework, Community of Fate, we describe five themes reflecting the formation of a community of HCWs and the social cohesion underlying their efforts to survive hardship. The first three themes characterise the HCW community of fate, including (1) Recognition of extreme work-related danger, (2) physical and figurative closures where HCWs restrict themselves from the outside world, (3) chronic ordeals with overwhelming workload and responsibilities, encompassing recurrent mental health challenges. Against such extreme hardship, cohesive bonding and social resilience are reflected through two additional themes: (4) a mutual sense of moral and professional duty to protect communities, (5) the vertical and horizontal convergence among HCWs across levels and among government departments. We discuss these HCWs’ challenges in relation to systemic vulnerabilities while advocating for increasing investment in public health and collaboration across government sectors to prepare for emergency situations.

A powerful fault detection and diagnosis (FDD) system plays a pivotal role in achieving operational excellence by maximizing system performance, optimizing maintenance strategies, and ensuring the longevity and resilience of process plants. In the context of FDD for multivariate sensor data, this study presents an improved FDD approach using graph-based neural networks. This graph neural network uses an adjacency matrix developed by extracting the expert domain knowledge and topological information of the multi-sensor system. This additional graph representation of the system is incorporated along with multivariate sensor data to capture the spatial and temporal information in neural networks efficiently. In this regard, we propose and evaluate: 1) A Graph Auto Encoder (GAE) based fault detection strategy and 2) An Attention-based Spatial Temporal Graph Convolution Network (ASTGCN) based fault diagnosis methodology. By leveraging the additional knowledge in the form of graphs, the GAE captures the complex relationships and dependencies among sensors, enabling effective anomaly detection, which identifies abnormal patterns and deviations from normal behavior, thus indicating potential faults in the system. The ASTGCN incorporates attention mechanisms to selectively focus on relevant sensor nodes and capture their spatial and temporal dependencies for fault diagnosis. The effectiveness of the proposed FDD approach is demonstrated using the benchmark Tennessee Eastman Process (TEP) problem. The results show that the proposed approaches outperform traditional methods and highlight the importance of leveraging graph-based knowledge for FDD in complex systems.

Salmonella Paratyphi A, one of the major etiologic agents of enteric fever, has increased in prevalence in recent decades in certain endemic regions in comparison to S. Typhi, the most prevalent cause of enteric fever. Despite this increase, data on the prevalence and molecular epidemiology of S. Paratyphi A remain generally scarce. Here, we analysed the whole genome sequences of 216 S. Paratyphi A isolates originating from Kathmandu, Nepal between 2005 and 2014, of which 200 were from patients with acute enteric fever and 16 from the gallbladder of people with suspected chronic carriage. By exploiting the recently developed genotyping framework for S. Paratyphi A (Paratype), we identified several genotypes circulating in Kathmandu. Notably, we observed an unusual clonal expansion of genotype 2.4.3 over a four-year period that spread geographically and systematically replaced other genotypes. This rapid genotype replacement is hypothesised to have been driven by both reduced susceptibility to fluoroquinolones and genetic changes to virulence factors, such as functional and structural genes encoding the type 3 secretion systems. Finally, we show that person-to-person is likely the most common mode of transmission and chronic carriers seem to play a limited role in maintaining disease circulation.

Capping agents are widely employed to stabilize the synthesized nanoparticles. To address the problems associated with the chemical capping agents and agglomeration of nanoparticles in the chemical and physical methods, green synthesis methods based upon the usage of biodegradable, well-dispersed capping agents have widely been used. In this work, TiO2 was synthesized by simple sol–gel method and a green capping agent, potato starch has been used. Potato starch consist of two basic biopolymers i.e. amylose (∼20 %) and amylopectin (∼80 %), that binds through the functional groups viz. hydroxyl, carboxylic or amino groups with the metal cations to prevent agglomeration of the growing NPs. The structure and morphology of the synthesized TiO2 were characterized by FTIR and XRD, where the XRD patterns confirmed the anatase phase of TiO2. From the Tauc’s plot, the band-gap of un-capped and differently capped TiO2 was obtained. Potato starch-capped TiO2 coated with the Ru dye (N719) revealed photoelectric conversion efficiency of 2.58 % under illumination of 100 mW/cm2, that was much upgraded compared to the performance with the un-capped TiO2 (1.84 %). The EIS studies revealed the kinetic parameters. The illustrated results showed that potato starch-capped TiO2 have greater potential in enhancing the DSSC efficiency.

Dye-sensitized solar cells (DSSC) are considered as one of the most promising photovoltaic technologies, while exploring alternatives to traditional silicon-based solar cells. Dye sensitizer is a very important component of DSSC and the use of natural dyes in these cells is a promising development for this technology, as it has non-hazardous impact on the environment. This work reports the new natural dye extracted from Brassica Napus flower petals and used as sensitizer in TiO2 based DSSC. UV–Vis spectra showed the presence of carotenoid and flavonoid pigments along with broad absorption in dye loaded TiO2. FITR revealed functional groups in the Brassica Napus dye extract. Mass spectroscopy was used to find major constituents present in extract. With the natural Brassica Napus sensitizer and TiO2, photovoltaic performance results viz. conversion efficiency (ɳ%) 0.062, short circuit current density (Jsc) 0.45 mA/cm2, open circuit voltage (Voc) 0.260 V and fill factor (FF) 0.52 were observed. Further, HOMO-LUMO levels of constituents present in Brassica Napus have been measured via CV measurements and compared with relative energetic obtained by computational studies. The transport characteristics revealed from EIS studies were used to rationalize the observed photo-voltaic performance of the DSSC.

Background: cancer is one of the foremost life-threatening diseases and is managed by various strategies like surgery, radiotherapy, and chemotherapy. Among all, chemotherapy is the most preferential strategy for cancer management but faces certain limitations. Phytochemicals (PCs) have been considered potential chemotherapeutics and chemopreventive agents but their clinical application can be questionable because of their poor bioavailability and stability. Purpose: phytosomes are promising carriers to deliver anticancer PCs to the target site with improved bioavailability and stability owing to their unique properties. This comprehensive review discusses the recent advances in phytosomes loaded with anticancer PCs (covering the period of 2013-December 2023) to overcome the limitations of PCs. Study design and methodology: initially, this review covers the anticancer PCs that are under clinical trials along with the PCs that are FDA-approved (especially for cancer management). Here, we have excluded the PCs that are (a) under an experimental/preclinical or investigational stage; (b) possess activity other than the anticancer; (c) exhibit anticancer activity in combination with other anticancer drugs; and (d) FDA-approved PC-based drugs with activity other than the anticancer. Further, this article mainly emphasizes the clinical application of phytosomes loaded with anticancer PCs to overcome the limitations. Additionally, phytosomes under clinical trials for the management of cancer, their challenges, and future directions are also discussed. Results and conclusion: phytosomes are promising and versatile alternatives to boost the anticancer PCs’ therapeutic efficacy, bioavailability, and specific targeting owing to their distinctive structural composition, which is similar to the composition of cell membranes enabling them close to the physiological systems. Moreover, these vesicular systems can also increase the oral bioavailability of polar PCs, protect them from physical and chemical degradation, and facilitate the targeting efficiency of anticancer PCs through the stimuli-responsive and sustained release of PCs. Therefore, this review will help the researchers to develop a phytochemical-based drug delivery system for the successful management of cancer.

Abstract Numerous policy and international frameworks consider that “destructive fishing” hampers efforts to reach sustainability goals. Though ubiquitous, “destructive fishing” is undefined and therefore currently immeasurable. Here we propose a definition developed through expert consultation: “Destructive fishing is any fishing practice that causes irrecoverable habitat degradation, or which causes significant adverse environmental impacts, results in long‐term declines in target or nontarget species beyond biologically safe limits and has negative livelihood impacts.” We show strong stakeholder support for a definition, consensus on many biological and ecological dimensions, and no clustering of respondents from different sectors. Our consensus definition is a significant step toward defining sustainable fisheries goals and will help interpret and implement global political commitments which utilize the term “destructive fishing.” Our definition and results will help reinforce the Food and Agricultural Organization's Code of Conduct and meaningfully support member countries to prohibit destructive fishing practices.

Introduction: One of a rare congenital anomaly seen in the development of nose is choanal atresia, whose occurrence is 1 in 5000-8000 live births. This study highlights our experiences in the management of choanal atresia. Materials and methods: It is a retrospective study, which includes the systematic analysis of case files of patients who underwent surgical treatment for choanal atresia from the year 2015 to 2022. Results: Total of 11 cases (15 operated sides) which has 9 female (53%) and 8 male (47%). Majority of them were bony atretic plate (10) followed by mixed variety (5) and none purely membranous. Age at 1st surgery in bilateral cases ranged from 6th day of life to 18th day of life. For unilateral cases the age at 1st surgery ranged from 26th day of life to as late as 10 years old. Conclusion: Management of choanal atresia involves multi-disciplinary approach and preventing restenosis is a challenge. Factors effecting the outcome of surgery are age and weight of the child, as bigger the child in size, wider the choanal arches can be opened with less post-operative scarring and restenosis. Usage of nasopharyngeal airway as a stent in primary repair during early post-operative period is essential to stabilize the nasal airway.

Leiomyomas are common benign tumours of smooth muscles, often occurring in the uterine muscle wall. These growths usually appear during a woman’s reproductive years and are not malignant. Leiomyomas are quite common and impact a large percentage of women worldwide. Occasionally, leiomyomas can be located in the extremities and cause pain due to compression effects. Typically, foot leiomyomas appear as a lump or mass in the soft tissue of the foot that grows slowly. They are normally painless, but pain or discomfort occurs when the growth affects or compresses the surrounding tissues or nerves. Although the precise cause of leiomyomas is unknown, it is thought that hormone changes, genetics, and other unidentified factors play a role in their incidence. Cutaneous leiomyomas are most often benign, and surgical removal can benefit patients in terms of pain management or symptom relief. Leiomyomas of the foot are uncommon. The present case report illustrates the clinical, radiographic, and pathological findings of a rare subcutaneous leiomyoma in the foot. The authors present the case of a 50-year-old woman who visited the Outpatient Department (OPD) complaining of swelling over the back of her left heel. Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) of the ankle depicted the characteristics of the swelling, which was confirmed as leiomyoma through Immunohistochemical (IHC) tumour markers {Haematoxylin and Eosin (H&E)}. The lesion was surgically excised, and histopathology of the excised sample revealed leiomyoma.

Background: Acute respiratory infection (ARI) is one of the leading causes of morbidity and eventually mortality in under-five children across the globe. Awareness regarding ARI among mothers of these children is very essential to detect danger signs early, prevent the delay in health-seeking and thereby limiting its progression to severe illness. The present study was undertaken to assess the awareness of mothers regarding ARI in their under-five children and their healthcare-seeking behavior for the same. Materials and Methods: The present cross-sectional study was carried out among 200 mothers of under-five children attending the outpatient department of a rural health center in Tamil Nadu. A predesigned questionnaire was used to assess their sociodemographic characteristics, awareness about ARIs, and healthcare-seeking behavior regarding ARIs in under-five children. Descriptive and inferential statistics were applied for data analysis. Results: The mean awareness score (±standard deviation) of mothers regarding ARI in their under-five children was 8.34 ± 1.49, and overall, 94.50% of mothers had fair awareness regarding ARI. The association between occupation and awareness level of mothers regarding ARI was found to be statistically significant, while that of other variables was not statistically significant. Most of the mothers (88.0%) preferred to consult a qualified allopathic doctor for their child’s ARI. Those who do not seek health-care services for their child’s illness believe that the disease is self-limiting, while others try traditional medicines at home before seeking health-care services. Conclusion: Majority of mothers had fair awareness regarding childhood ARI in this study. It is necessary to put more effort into educating these mothers about the importance of early detection and seeking appropriate health care for ARI in their children.

Abstract Colorectal cancer (CRC) treatment strategies encompass a triad of medical interventions: surgery, radiotherapy, and chemotherapy. Among these, the use of chemotherapy, specifically 5-fluorouracil (5-FU), has become a cornerstone in CRC management. However, it is imperative to explore novel approaches that harness the synergistic potential of chemotherapy agents alongside adjunctive compounds to mitigate the severe adverse effects that often accompany treatment. In light of this pressing need, this study focuses on evaluating Kaempferol (KMP) in combination with 5-FU in a DMH-induced CRC animal model, scrutinizing its impact on haematological indices, organ health, and gastrointestinal, hepatotoxic, and nephrotoxic effects. Remarkably, KMP demonstrated haemato-protective attributes and exerted an immunomodulatory influence, effectively counteracting 5-FU-induced damage. Furthermore, organ assessments affirm the safety profile of the combined treatments while suggesting KMP's potential role in preserving the structural integrity of the intestine, and spleen. Histopathological assessments unveiled KMP's capacity to ameliorate liver injury and mitigate CRC-induced renal impairment. These multifaceted findings underscore KMP's candidacy as a promising adjunctive therapeutic option for CRC, underlining the pivotal need for personalized therapeutic strategies that concurrently optimize treatment efficacy and safeguard organ health. KMP holds tremendous promise in elevating the paradigm of CRC management.

Introduction: Tobacco use is one of the most significant public health concerns globally as it is a risk factor for chronic illnesses. GATS-2 concluded that 28.6% of all adults currently use Tobacco in India and 17.8% in Delhi. It is important to conduct such surveys in local areas to make specific and effective action plans. Materials and Methods: Community-based cross-sectional study conducted between January 2020–June 2021 in Aliganj, an urbanized village in South Delhi. Four hundred ninety participants were enrolled using simple random sampling. The first author conducted the interview using GATS and Fagerstrom nicotine dependence test. Data was analyzed using SPSS-21. Results: Median age-35 (26.75–75.00), range-15–84 years. Of the 490 participants, 20.0% were current tobacco users (10.6% smokeless, 7.3% smoked, and 2.2% both). Among current smokers, 78.3% had low, 17.4% moderate, and 4.3% had high dependence on nicotine dependence. Among current smokeless tobacco users, 52.4% had, low, 36.5% moderate, and 11.1% had high dependence. Males had significantly higher odds [6.6 (2.9-15.1)] of tobacco use than females. Higher education [0.3 (0.2-0.8)] compared to no formal education had significantly lower odds of using tobacco. Students [0.1 (0.04-0.4)] and homemakers [0.1 (0.01-0.5)] had significantly lower odds of using tobacco as compared to those employed. Conclusions: One in every five adults is a tobacco user in Aliganj. Manufactured cigarettes, bidi, and water pipes were the most common products among smokers. Among smokeless tobacco users, the most common products were chewing tobacco gutka, and khaini. A larger proportion of smokeless tobacco users had high nicotine dependence than smoked tobacco users.

Abstract The interaction of tyramine neurotransmitter with silver nano-particle (Ag6) cluster is explored in terms of the molecular structure, electronic properties and NBO analysis of tyramine-AgNPs bio-molecular conjugate. The adsorption mechanism of tyramine onto the Ag6 cluster has been investigated through computing of the electronic and geometrical properties in addition to the adsorption energies in various possible configurations. The magnitude of adsorption energy corresponding to the most favorable tyramine-Ag6 bio-molecular conjugate has been computed to be − 14.36 kcal/mol in the gas phase, which infers a good adsorption of tyramine with AgNPs cluster suggesting the practical applications of tyramine-AgNPs bio-molecular conjugates in bio-sensing, drug delivery, bio-imaging and other applications. Different electronic properties such as the energy gap of HOMO–LUMO, Fermi level and work function have been investigated in detail. Moreover, the effect of aqueous media on adsorption energy and electronic properties of the most favorable tyramine-AgNPs bio-molecular conjugate is investigated in order to understand the impact of the real biological situation.

Mucocele of the appendix is a rare condition caused by mucus accumulation due to a blocked appendix resulting from inflammation, infection, or faecal matter blockage. It presents as lower abdominal pain, vomiting, nausea, abdominal mass, and distension. It is more common in individuals over 50 years old and is more prevalent in the elderly. Mucocele can be differentiated into mucinous cystadenocarcinoma, mucosal hyperplasia, and mucinous cystadenoma. It is often diagnosed incidentally during radiological, laparoscopic, or surgical interventions. Ultrasound and computed tomography imaging techniques are useful in screening and diagnosing appendiceal mucocele, as they can detect a cystic mass or soft tissue mass and differentiate between a mucocele and other neoplasms. Most cases are reported in older individuals, with few in young adults. In the present case report, the authors present a case of a 34-year-old female with a history of occasional abdominal pain. On investigation, it was found to be an inflamed appendix with a mass in the right iliac fossa for which the patient underwent appendectomy. Due to the involvement of the right adnexa with tubo-ovarian complex and omentum, the present case presents a unique manifestation of an appendix mucocele.

Visceral artery pseudoaneurysms is a known vascular complication of pancreatitis that can lead to life-threatening hemorrhages with a high mortality rate if left untreated. We present a case of ruptured gastroduodenal artery pseudoaneurysm in a 68-year-old male with acute pancreatitis presenting with fatal gastrointestinal and retroperitoneal bleeding that was successfully managed with endovascular coil embolization of the involved vasculature. Patients with hemorrhagic pancreatitis or those presenting with unexplained retroperitoneal or gastrointestinal bleeding in the setting of pancreatitis with an unexplained drop in hematocrit or sudden expansion of pancreatic fluid collection should be screened in a timely manner for pseudoaneurysm using CT angiogram of the abdomen, which is the gold standard imaging modality to identify pseudoaneurysms. Once pseudoaneurysm is diagnosed, it should be treated immediately. Endovascular treatment options are now favored over surgical options in most cases.

Abstract Hippocampal theta oscillations orchestrate faster beta-to-gamma oscillations facilitating the segmentation of neural representations during navigation and episodic memory. Supra-theta rhythms of hippocampal CA1 are coordinated by local interactions as well as inputs from the entorhinal cortex (EC) and CA3 inputs. However, theta-nested gamma-band activity in the medial septum (MS) suggests that the MS may control supra-theta CA1 oscillations. To address this, we performed multi-electrode recordings of MS and CA1 activity in rodents and found that MS neuron firing showed strong phase-coupling to theta-nested supra-theta episodes and predicted changes in CA1 beta-to-gamma oscillations on a cycle-by-cycle basis. Unique coupling patterns of anatomically defined MS cell types suggested that indirect MS-to-CA1 pathways via the EC and CA3 mediate distinct CA1 gamma-band oscillations. Optogenetic activation of MS parvalbumin-expressing neurons elicited theta-nested beta-to-gamma oscillations in CA1. Thus, the MS orchestrates hippocampal network activity at multiple temporal scales to mediate memory encoding and retrieval.

An acute renal insult during pregnancy increases the chances of acquiring chronic kidney disease in future by many folds; thus, the management of renal disease in pregnancy becomes increasingly important to the nephrologist. In depth understanding of normal physiological changes during pregnancy is crucial in diagnostic evaluation and management. Acute insult to kidney can happen any time during pregnancy and even in the postpartum period. The incidence of acute kidney injury during pregnancy has decreased over time due to improvement in health sector and various policies promoting woman health. Women with pre-existing renal disorders face various challenges in pregnancy including increased risk of disease progression, the potential teratogenicity of medications and various fetal implications like preterm delivery or intra-uterine death. Pre-existing autoimmune disease or diabetes mellitus requires interdisciplinary team management for favorable maternal and fetal outcome. This review highlights the physiologic changes in pregnancy, different spectrum of kidney diseases related to pregnancy and their management.

Abstract RNAseq data can be used to infer genetic variants, yet its use for estimating genetic population structure remains underexplored. Here, we construct a freely available computational tool (RGStraP) to estimate RNAseq-based genetic principal components (RG-PCs) and assess whether RG-PCs can be used to control for population structure in gene expression analyses. Using whole blood samples from understudied Nepalese populations and the Geuvadis study, we show that RG-PCs had comparable results to paired array-based genotypes, with high genotype concordance and high correlations of genetic principal components, capturing subpopulations within the dataset. In differential gene expression analysis, we found that inclusion of RG-PCs as covariates reduced test statistic inflation. Our paper demonstrates that genetic population structure can be directly inferred and controlled for using RNAseq data, thus facilitating improved retrospective and future analyses of transcriptomic data.

Abstract Objective Emerging variants and sublineages of SARS‐CoV‐2 have differing disease severity, transmissibility, and immune evasion. The neurological conditions associated with the original strain of SARS‐CoV‐2 are well established. Our study assessed the neurological presentations specific to hospitalized patients during the B.1.1.529 (Omicron) variant surge in New York City. Methods A total of 178 cases with positive RT‐PCR result within 6 weeks before admission, and subsequent development of select neurological conditions during the SARS‐CoV‐2 B.1.1.529 (Omicron) surge between December 1, 2021 and February 28, 2022, were included from 12,800 SARS‐CoV‐2‐positive hospital admissions. Clinical data from acute hospitalizations were compared to findings of inpatient neurological cases with COVID‐19 infections from the initial surge in NYC in the same hospital system. Results Compared to SARS‐CoV‐2 infections of the original strain, COVID‐19 cases hospitalized during the Omicron surge (B.1.1.529) were associated with incidental and/or asymptomatic COVID‐19 cases (96, 53.9%) and an increased incidence of pre‐existing neurological and immunocompromising conditions. Encephalopathy, seizures, and stroke remained the most prevalent neurological conditions identified in hospitalized COVID‐19 cases during the study period, reflecting a similar distribution of neurological presentations associated with the original strain. Interpretation In our cohort of 178 admitted SARS‐CoV‐2‐positive patients with select neurological conditions during the Omicron B.1.1.529 surge, 54% of COVID‐19 cases were considered incidental and/or asymptomatic, and the identified neurological conditions resembled those associated with the original SARS‐CoV‐2 strain. Further studies characterizing neurological presentation in Omicron sublineages and other variants are warranted in an ongoing COVID‐19 pandemic.

Introduction: Some specific personality factors in patients of bipolar disorder are potential risk factors for developing comorbid substance use disorder. Comorbid substance use disorder is one of the most common factors associated with non-adherence to treatment in bipolar disorder patients leading to poor quality of life. We compared all three variables in bipolar disorder-1patients with or without substance use disorder. Methods: It is a cross-sectional study done on 90 patients of Bipolar disorder-1 diagnosed as per DSM-5, 45 without and 45 with comorbid substance use disorder. Personality factors, non-adherence to medication and quality of life were assessed and compared between both the groups using standardized tools and appropriate statistical analysis methods. Results: There was a significant difference between the groups in terms of distribution of socio-economic status (Bias Corrected Cramer'sV = 0.31 moderate association), gender (Bias Corrected Cramer'sV = 0.37 moderate association), distribution of 16 personality factor B (Cramer's V = 0.28) and factor G (χ2 = 6.222, p = 0.045) (Cramer's V = 0.26). Limitations: Small sample size and a cross-sectional study design. Conclusion: SUD and NSUD group differed on 16 PF factor B and G which are factors for reasoning and Rule-Consciousness respectively although on regression analysis this difference was not significant for factor G. In binary logistic regression multivariable model, an average score (as compared to low score) of personality factor B was found to significantly increase the ODDS of substance use. SUD group had more severity and greater number of episodes, had lower level of education, belonged to low socio-economic status.

This paper presents two approximations of the solution functions of Abel’s integral equations belong ing to classes Hα[0,1), Hϕ[0,1) by (λk+1 −1,M)th partial sums of their second kind Chebyshev wavelet expansion in the interval [0,1), for λ > 1. These approximations are E(1) λk+1−1,M (f), E(2) λk+1−1,M (f). Chebyshev wavelets of the second kind were used to solve Abel’s integral equations. The Chebyshev wavelet of the second kind leads to a solution that is almost identical to their exact solution. This research paper’s accomplishment in wavelet analysis is noteworthy.

To fully leverage “smart” transportation infrastructure data-stream investments, the creation of applications that provide real-time meaningful and actionable corridor-performance metrics is needed. However, the presence of gaps in data streams can lead to significant application implementation challenges. To demonstrate and help address these challenges, a digital twin smart-corridor application case study is presented with two primary research objectives: (1) explore the characteristics of volume data gaps on the case study corridor, and (2) investigate the feasibility of prioritizing data streams for data imputation to drive the real-time application. For the first objective, a K-means clustering analysis is used to identify similarities and differences among data gap patterns. The clustering analysis successfully identifies eight different data loss patterns. Patterns vary in both continuity and density of data gap occurrences, as well as time-dependent losses in several clusters. For the second objective, a temporal-neighboring interpolation approach for volume data imputation is explored. When investigating the use of temporal-neighboring interpolation imputations on the digital twin application, performance is, in part, dependent on the combination of intersection approaches experiencing data loss, demand relative to capacity at individual locations, and the location of the loss along the corridor. The results indicate that these insights could be used to prioritize intersection approaches suitable for data imputation and to identify locations that require a more sensitive imputation methodology or improved maintenance and monitoring.

This study investigates the utilization of snow persistence (SP) as a metric to assess snow cover patterns in the Upper Indus-Ganga-Brahmaputra (UIGB) river basins, an area notably susceptible to climate change. The objectives of the study are to establish seasonal snow persistence, calculate seasonal snow lines, and quantify the temporal trend of snow lines. It also underscores the importance of accounting for climate zones, elevation, and seasonal variations when investigating snow persistence. Furthermore, the study estimates the snow line elevation using the Regional Snow Line Elevation (RSLE) approach with remote sensing data. Over a span of 19 years (2003–2021), the analysis of SP% in UIGB basins indicates a notable reduction in the mean annual permanent snow zone area, decreasing by -2.61 %, -2.37 %, and -4.18 % from winter (DJF) to summer (JJA). The results uncover considerable fluctuations in snow cover across various climate zones and seasons. The impact of warming is clearly visible on snow cover, instigating a transition from permanent and seasonal snow zones towards intermittent and minimal or no snow zones. The seasonal analysis of the snow line from 2003 to 2021 illustrates fluctuation in the snow line for UIGB basins, from 2349 ± 117 m to 4802 ± 51.7 m, 3003 ± 286 m to 4871 ± 64.4 m, and 3238 ± 127 m to 5047 ± 73 m between winter and summer seasons, with the most significant fluctuation occurring in the Brahmaputra basin. A substantial increase in Snow Line Elevation (SLE) is observed for Ganga (6.67 m yr−1), and Brahmaputra (7.26 m yr−1) at the conclusion of the melting season. These findings offer invaluable insights for formulating targeted mitigation strategies in the snow accumulation regions of each river basin. They equip us with the ability to respond effectively to the spatiotemporal variability of snow cover caused by climate change.

Effective water resource management is essential in large metropolitan cities. Digital Twins (DT), supported by IIoT and machine learning technologies, provide opportunities for real-time prediction and optimization for effective decision-making in water distribution systems. A framework for the digital twin of the Water Distribution Network (WDN) is developed in this paper to achieve higher operational efficiency using ‘WNTR’, the Python-based library of EPANET. All computational experiments and methods were validated on the benchmark hydraulic C-TOWN network (Ostfeld et al., 2011). The hydraulic parameters and quality parameters of the DT model for the water network were calibrated using the Differential Evolution (DE) algorithm. The calibrated DT served as a real-time proxy to generate simulation data, which is used for two different applications in large-scale water networks: (i) Disinfectant dosage regulation task using booster stations and (ii) pipe leakage localization task. The calibrated DT was utilized to estimate the optimal disinfectant dosing rates, ensuring water quality control within an acceptable range using optimization. The results highlight the effectiveness of the neural network and real-time optimization strategy to achieve the optimal dosing rate. For the leakage localization task, the Graph Convolution Networks (GCN) based neural network trained on the DT was found to predict leakage location very accurately.