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This study aims to explore university students' perception regarding an e-assessment system in terms of preference, assessment management, and the quality assurance process. A cross-sectional online survey was employed among 384 students of Nepal Open University (NOU). Structural equation modeling (SEM) was used in the research. Findings indicate that the perception of students regarding preference, e-assessment management, and the quality assurance process was found to be significantly high. In particular, the perception of preference regarding digital assessment was higher than assessment management and the quality assurance process. Gender, ethnicity, and place for taking classes, have an effect on implementation. This study concludes that three attributions of preference for digital assessment, management, and quality assurance are affected by one another.

Correction to: Nature Materialshttps://doi.org/10.1038/s41563-024-01800-8, published online 2 February 2024. In the version of the article initially published, the x axes in Figs. 2b,d and 5a,b originally read “T−1 (K−1)” and have now been amended to “1000 T−1 (K−1)” in the HTML and PDF versions of the article.

Oxides with a face-centred cubic (fcc) anion sublattice are generally not considered as solid-state electrolytes as the structural framework is thought to be unfavourable for lithium (Li) superionic conduction. Here we demonstrate Li superionic conductivity in fcc-type oxides in which face-sharing Li configurations have been created through cation over-stoichiometry in rocksalt-type lattices via excess Li. We find that the face-sharing Li configurations create a novel spinel with unconventional stoichiometry and raise the energy of Li, thereby promoting fast Li-ion conduction. The over-stoichiometric Li-In-Sn-O compound exhibits a total Li superionic conductivity of 3.38 × 10-4 S cm-1 at room temperature with a low migration barrier of 255 meV. Our work unlocks the potential of designing Li superionic conductors in a prototypical structural framework with vast chemical flexibility, providing fertile ground for discovering new solid-state electrolytes.

Abstract Background Conduction disturbances are a frequent occurrence after tricuspid valve surgeries, and their management is challenging. Case presentation We present a case of 16-year-old male patient who presented with episodes of presyncope. At the age of 7 years, he underwent tricuspid valve replacement surgery with a biological prosthesis for infective endocarditis sourced from a gluteal abscess. Post-operatively, he had complete atrioventricular block and underwent epicardial pacing. Epicardial lead impedance increased at follow-up and led to failure of pacing. At the time of presentation he had prosthetic tricuspid valve dysfunction with increased gradients. We did tricuspid valve balloon valvotomy but the gradients did not improve and patient developed tricuspid regurgitation. In view of difficulty in placing the lead through degenerated tricuspid valve, we have decided to place the lead in coronary sinus. He underwent successful lead placement in posterolateral tributary of coronary sinus with acceptable parameters. He had an uneventful follow-up at 1 year. Conclusion TV surgeries create a unique problem for pacing. Coronary sinus pacing offers an effective alternative to conventional RV pacing in such cases.

The purpose of this study was to measure the effect of classroom practices of using communication tools, collaboration skills, digital skills, and software skills of teachers on the communication behaviors of students during mathematics instruction. A cross-sectional online survey was conducted among 466 mathematics teachers in Nepal. The primary statistical techniques applied in the data analysis were mean, standard deviation, one-sample t-test, and structural equation modeling (SEM). The results showed that the level of skill transformations of mathematics teachers in digital skills was found to be significantly low. Moreover, practices of using communication tools, collaborative skills of teachers, digital skills enhancement of teachers, and software skills enhancement of teachers were found to be significant predictors of the communication behavior of students. The results of this study suggested that teachers' technological empowerment is essential for developing digitally competent teachers who can transform the traditional mathematics classrooms into an online mode that is more constructive, collaborative, engaging, and supportive to the learners in a flexible and joyful learning environment. The study contributes to providing the knowledge of digital instructional skills of mathematics teachers to the communication behavior of the students. Moreover, the study gives an insight into using multi-group SEM in studying teachers' technological skills on students' learning of soft skills, such as communication behavior.

Background: Peripheral nerve blocks can be used alone as the sole ‘surgical’ anesthetic technique as the initial step in providing prolonged postoperative analgesia. There are studies, where accurate deposition of local anesthetic perineurally has the potential to improve the success rate and reduce the incidence of complications of the infraclavicular block. We hypothesized whether a combined block of the infraclavicular brachial plexus and distal median, radial, and ulnar nerves would accelerate upper extremity anesthesia compared with an infraclavicular block alone. Materials and Methods: This study was a prospective randomized control study conducted among 60 patients undergoing elective and emergency wrist and hand surgeries. A group of 30 patients received an infraclavicular block with 30 mL of a local anesthetic mixture containing 1% lignocaine with adrenaline and 0.25% bupivacaine from Group A. Group B received an infraclavicular block with 15 mL of local anesthetic mixture containing 1% lignocaine with adrenaline and 0.25% bupivacaine along with distal median, radial, and ulnar nerve blockade with 5 mL each of local anesthetic mixture containing 1% lignocaine with adrenaline and 0.25% bupivacaine. Pain score, assessment of sensory and motor functions, block performance time, and surgical anesthesia were observed. Results: The mean block performance time of Group A was 10.9 ± 1.1 min and Group B was 14.7 ± 0.5 min. The difference between the two groups’ block performance minutes was statistically significant (P < 0.001). The difference in the onset of the sensory block between the two groups was statistically significant (P < 0.001). The mean onset of motor blockade between the two groups was statistically very highly significant (P < 0.001). The mean of Group A was 5.0 ± 0.2 and Group B was 2.1 ± 0.4. Conclusion: From this study, we conclude that using an approximately equivalent dose of local anesthetics, combining ultrasound-guided infraclavicular block with distal median, radial, and ulnar nerve blockade shortens the onset time of sensory and motor block with improved block consistency compared to infraclavicular block alone.

Vascular injury of the lower limbs is considered one of the common vascular traumas in our locality. Management of vascular extremity trauma remains challenging and has no fixed algorithms of management. A young male presented to us with bull gore traumatic injury to the femoral vein. We repaired the injury with panel great saphenous vein (GSV) graft in the emergency setting. Ligation or repair (venorrhaphy/interposition) of venous injury in traumas has always been a controversy. Herein, we discuss briefly the available literature on venous injuries and why we preferred panel over spiral GSV graft repair.

Learner-centered instruction is very important concept in virtual and face-to-face classes for enhancing academic performance of students. This research aims to study the status of learner-centered instructions followed by the teachers in online classes during the pandemic and its effectiveness on the mathematics achievement of the learners. The cross-sectional survey design was used by taking 2273 students by convenient sampling from basic to university level of Nepal. The t-test, ANOVA, correlation, and regression techniques were used to analyze the data. The finding of the study indicates that the learning-centered role of teachers was found to be high in mathematics teaching during the pandemic situation in Nepal however teachers are not habituated to give extra time in learning difficulties whereas the problem solving and creative role of teachers were found better as compared to other. Types of the institutions, teaching level, access to the internet, and having tablet are the determinants for the learner-centered instruction in teaching whereas availability of laptop and computer, types of institutions, and access to the internet have significant roles to determine the mathematics achievement. The findings of this research suggest that practice of learner-centered instruction would be useful and beneficial for the learners in online classes.

Introduction: Diabetes mellitus (DM) and Alzheimer’s disease (AD) are two highly linked disorders due to their association with the aging population. Several studies have reported the beneficial effects of diosgenin and pterostilbene in treating neurodegenerative diseases. This study aimed to investigate the neuroprotective mechanisms of diosgenin and pterostilbene through molecular docking and dynamics studies and assess their pharmacokinetic parameters. Methods: To understand the link between diabetes and AD, molecular docking of the natural ligands diosgenin and pterostilbene against the specific targets of AD, including β-secretase, glycogen synthetase kinase beta (GSK-3β), gamma-secretase, tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-ɑ), and interleukin-6 (IL-6) was done to find out their binding affinities to explain the molecular mechanisms involved in their neuroprotection. Further molecular dynamics studies and binding energy calculations for the ligands with GSK-3β and β-secretase were carried out to confirm their docking activities. Additionally, pharmacokinetic analysis of these two phytoconstituents was performed by the SWISSADME server. Results: Molecular docking and dynamics studies revealed the good docking activity of diosgenin and pterostilbene with the selected targets. Further, the two phytoconstituents revealed suitable pharmacokinetic parameters along with blood-brain barrier permeability, confirming their druggable nature. Conclusion: This research identified multiple neuroprotective pathways of diosgenin and pterostilbene that might be significant for treating diabetes-associated Alzheimer’s disease.

Background: Anxiety is a significant psychological challenge for patients newly diagnosed with cancer and scheduled for chemotherapy, potentially affecting their treatment adherence. This study aimed to evaluate the impact of watching the Tom and Jerry cartoon on reducing anxiety in individuals undergoing chemotherapy for the first time.Method: This pilot study employed a prospective, non-randomized, observational, two-arm, pre-and post-test design involving literate English-speaking patients (test group) and non-literate patients (control group) who were about to receive cytotoxic chemotherapy for their cancer. The test group viewed Tom and Jerry cartoons via video systems, whereas the control group was exposed to Kannada movies. An 11-point Likert scale featuring facial expressions assessed patients' anxiety levels three times: 20 minutes before, 30 minutes after, and following the chemotherapy session. Data analysis included frequency, percentage, chi-square tests for patient and treatment data, and repeated measures ANOVA with Bonferroni correction for anxiety scores at three-time intervals. A P-value of

This study explores the role of academic procrastination in shaping mathematics achievement in Nepali schools. Utilising a quantitative research design, a cross-sectional survey was conducted with 474 students selected through multi-stage cluster sampling from eight public secondary schools in Nepal. The data were analysed using t-tests, ANOVA, and multiple linear regressions. The findings reveal significantly higher levels of both academic achievement and procrastination. Moreover, a high level of academic procrastination was found to have a significant negative effect on mathematics achievement. Influential factors in this correlation include students’ ethnicity, study hours at home, family size, and parents’ educational background. Stakeholders, including parents, teachers, and policymakers, should collaborate synergistically to address the underlying causes of procrastination and provide robust support mechanisms to enhance students’ learning outcomes.

Background: When a cesarean section is performed, it is crucial to have access to good postoperative analgesia. To achieve this, adjuvants are added along with local anesthetics as it has a synergistic action to improve its duration and quality. Alpha-2 adrenoceptor agonists and opioids such as dexmedetomidine and fentanyl, respectively, are used for their sedative, analgesic, and perioperative sympatholytic and cardiovascular stabilizing effects with reduced anesthetic requirements. The purpose of this research is to evaluate the effects of intrathecal fentanyl versus dexmedetomidine combined with levobupivacaine on postoperative analgesia and hemodynamic changes. Materials and Methods: This is a prospective randomized control trial, among 50 patients undergoing elective cesarean section. Group 1 will receive 0.5% levobupivacaine 2 ml + fentanyl 25 mcg and Group 2 will receive 0.5% levobupivacaine + dexmedetomidine 5 mcg. Duration of analgesia and onset and duration of sensory-motor block, perioperative analgesic requirements, sedation, and hemodynamic stability were compared. The data were entered into Microsoft Excel and analyzed using SPSS 16. Results: The baseline characteristics such as age and gender, weight, height, and body mass index were not statistically significant in both the groups. Duration of analgesia was significantly longer in the dexmedetomidine group than the fentanyl group. The mean time of onset of motor block in the group, for which dexmedetomidine was 14.23 ± 1.85 min and it was found to be much earlier than the local anesthetic group. All the patients in the dexmedetomidine group had a Visual Analog Scale (VAS) score of 0 (no pain) at the end of 4 h. In contrast, only 21 patients in the fentanyl group had a VAS score of 0, and four patients had a VAS score of 2, indicating mild pain requiring no treatment. Conclusion: The study showed that both fentanyl and dexmedetomidine as an adjuvant to levobupivacaine in cesarean section showed a longer duration of analgesia with increased sedation score and lesser pain score. When comparing the both, dexmedetomidine to the levobupivacaine has a more effective effect on postoperative pain management than fentanyl.

Maxillonasal dysplasia, known as Binder’s syndrome, is a rare congenital deformity characterised by distinctive facial features, including a malformed midface and nose, as well as abnormal positions of the nasal bones. In addition, maxillary hypoplasia, or a shorter upper jaw, and nasal abnormalities may manifest as a flattened nose. Many cases of this condition are associated with other malocclusions, and those affected can be easily identified. Individuals with Binder’s syndrome typically present with an undeveloped upper jaw, a projecting lower jaw, a smaller nose, a flat nasal bridge, and midfacial hypoplasia. This is the first case report describing a physiotherapy method for maxillonasal dysplasia. Hereby, the authors present a case report of a six-month-old male child with Binder’s syndrome who exhibited delayed developmental milestones and physical anomalies. The child’s mother had a complicated pregnancy, culminating in an emergency caesarean section due to preterm premature rupture of membranes. The infant, born with Binder’s syndrome and a cleft palate, displayed poor head control, an inability to roll, and reluctance to engage in sensory interactions. Examination revealed bilateral cortical thumbs, hip joint abnormalities, and heightened sensitivity to touch. Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) findings indicated semilobar Holoprosencephaly (HPE) and dysgenesis of the corpus callosum. Physiotherapeutic interventions focused on parent education and home exercise programs targeting developmental milestones. Over the course of two months, the infant showed significant progress in head control and rolling. Furthermore, after four months of training, the child gained sitting control. The present case underscores the importance of early intervention and parental involvement in optimising outcomes for children with Binder’s syndrome.

Aim: The aim of this study was to evaluate the penetration depth of three different irrigant solutions incorporated with nanoparticles (NPs) using a confocal laser scanning microscope. Methods: Forty-two single-rooted teeth were used. Access cavities were prepared, and working length was determined. The samples were split into three groups at random (n = 14). Group 1 – chitosan NPs, Group 2 – zinc oxide NPs, and Group 3 – silica-doped titanium NPs. Each group was further divided into subgroup A with activation and subgroup B without activation. Each tooth received final irrigants for 1 min. Each sample is sectioned at 3 mm from the apex. A confocal laser scanning microscope was used to observe the irrigant penetration. Results: The results showed that there was a significant difference in the penetration depth in Group 2A and Group 3A. Conclusion: Activation with PATS Vario increases the penetration when compared to conventional syringe, and zinc oxide NP solution showed increased penetration when compared with other groups.

We describe three cases that were complicated by access site-related common femoral artery pseudoaneurysm following therapeutic endovascular procedures. In all the cases, presentation was with painful swelling in the right groin that was tender and pulsatile on palpation; further evaluation with color Doppler ultrasound revealed pseudoaneurysm at the access site in common femoral artery. Ultrasound-guided transaneurysmal access was obtained and ProStyle (Abbott Vascular, Redwood City, California, United States) suture-mediated device was used to treat the pseudoaneurysm safely and successfully.

Patient-centric access control in healthcare data management is paramount for ensuring privacy, confidentiality and security. In this paper, we propose a novel blockchain-powered patient-centric access control system integrated with MIDC AES-256 encryption to enhance healthcare data security. The proposed system prioritizes patient autonomy by granting patients control over access to their detailed health information, while hospitals are authorized to share relevant medical history. Using blockchain technology ensures decentralization, transparency and immutability of data, while smart contracts and consensus mechanisms enforce accountability and integrity. Additionally, the system employs MIDC AES-256 encryption, which combines multi-input data concatenation (MIDC) with AES-256 encryption, optimizing data integrity and security. The study involves a comparative analysis with existing methods including ABE, RSA and hybrid algorithm AES. The results demonstrate the superiority of our proposed system in terms of encryption speed, decryption time and memory usage. The proposed system achieves an encryption time of 3.8 seconds and a decryption time of 3.2 seconds, significantly outperforming ABE, RSA and hybrid algorithm AES. Moreover, the system exhibits lower memory usage (0.146 MB), highlighting its efficiency and scalability. The proposed system is implemented in Python, providing a versatile and accessible solution for healthcare data security enhancement. Through blockchain-powered patient-centric access control and MIDC AES-256 encryption, our system offers a robust framework for securing sensitive healthcare information while prioritizing patient privacy and control.

This study examined how secondary teachers used mobile devices for teaching and learning activities in under-resourced secondary schools in Nepal. Twelve secondary teachers from three schools in the suburbs of one Himalayan district in Nepal were interviewed using qualitative research methods. The information gathered through observation of their classes supplemented the information gathered through interviews. Findings show that using mobile devices is productive for developing digital content, getting access to internet resources, and delivering lessons in the classroom. The degree of teachers' technological, pedagogical, and content knowledge was reflected in how they used their mobile devices for information access, language games, dictionaries, and specific learning applications. In the absence of desktop computers and laptops, this study demonstrated how mobile devices improved teachers' teaching and learning activities. Teachers could exhibit a greater level of proficiency in using technology if they received training on its usage in teaching and learning, and administrative support.

Background This study evaluates the fracture resistance of apical plugs created from Biodentine and mineral trioxide aggregate (MTA) in thicknesses of 3 and 5 mm within simulated open apex tooth models. Methods Fifty human maxillary central incisors were obtained from a pool of freshly extracted teeth. In order to replicate open apices without cavity preparation, ten teeth in the control group received apical-to-coronal preparation with Peeso reamers. The remaining 40 teeth were randomly assigned to four experimental groups and received either 3 or 5 mm Biodentine or MTA apical plugs. Results The mean fracture loads observed in this study were as follows: control group, 431.48 N (±34.55); 3 mm MTA, 774.88 N (±62.74); 5 mm MTA, 752.65 N (±73.79); 3 mm Biodentine, 918.25 N (±59.09); and 5 mm Biodentine, 903.42 N (±24.48). Specifically, teeth in the Biodentine group demonstrated considerably stronger fracture resistance compared to those in the MTA group (p < 0.001). However, no significant differences were observed between the 3 and 5 mm thicknesses (MTA: p = 0.98, Biodentine: p = 0.99), suggesting that plug thickness did not affect fracture resistance within both groups. Conclusion Biodentine apical plugs provided the highest fracture resistance among the materials, regardless of thickness.

A 24-year-old male born out of a consanguineous marriage presented with a long-standing history of microcytic anaemia. He was treated elsewhere for the same with haematinics and packed red cell transfusions and had not shown improvement. Mild pallor and splenomegaly were noted on examination. After excluding other causes of microcytic anaemias bone marrow study was done. It revealed megaloblastoid erythropoiesis and ring sideroblasts. Genetic analysis showed a known homozygotic mutation in the solute carrier family 25 member 38 (SLC25A38) gene that causes autosomal recessive sideroblastic anaemia (SBA).

Objective The aim of this study is to evaluate the long-term functional outcomes in patients treated by Altemeier's procedure for complete rectal prolapse.

The main objective of this study was to develop sustainable, comfort and cost-effective durable cut-resistant gloves using recycled para-aramid and cotton. Recycled para-aramid fibres were blended with cotton in different blend proportions of 90/10, 30/70, 50/50, 70/30 and spun into yarn of 29.5 tex. A 100% cotton yarn of similar fineness was also spun for comparative purposes. All the developed yarns were then knitted into seamless gloves of 250 g/m2. The gloves were tested for their performance properties such as cut-resistance, abrasion, limited flame spread, and contact heat resistance as per applicable EN & ISO standards. The gloves made from 70/30 recycled para-aramid and cotton showed better performance properties with level C cut resistance, level 4 limited flame spread and level 1 contact heat resistance. The knitted gloves were also analysed for air permeability, q max (Peak heat flux), and the Moisture vapor transmission rate (MVTR). It is found that addition of cotton up to 30% in the gloves improved the q max and MVTR values without compromising the cut resistance properties. The longitudinal structural study of recycled para-aramid fibres using SEM showed flat and twisted structure with fibre breakage due to fibrillation and stress created during recycling compared cylindrical shape of virgin para-aramid fibre.

This paper reports the findings of the university teachers’ competencies on content, pedagogical, and technological knowledge based on TPACK model. Infomed by the cross-sectional research design, this research applied structural equation modeling and machine learning as the major statistical tools to analyse the data derived from self-administered survey and qualitative narratives of the 405 teachers involved in teacher education programs at 23 community and constituent campuses of Tribhuvan University, Nepal. Among the six types of knowledge viz. content, pedagogical, technological, content-pedagogical, technological-content, and technological-pedagogical knowledge observed, technology-related knowledge is found comparatively inadequate in the teachers. Since technological knowledge is the main predictor among these types of knowledge, it should be integrated in instructional planning, learning management system, and use of the digital devices.

The research attempts to report the characterization of eight underexploited seed fibers viz. Adenium, Albizia, Blackboard, Munja, Plume thistle, Poplar, Reed, and Wild sugarcane fiber collected from various trees and shrubs in order to investigate their potential industrial applications. The fibers underwent detailed analysis of their physical properties and chemical components. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), Thermal gravimetric analysis (TGA), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and X-ray diffraction (XRD) were employed to determine the chemical, thermal, morphological, and crystalline analysis, respectively. The quantitative estimation of seed fibers by chemical component analysis revealed that the selected seed fibers are rich in cellulose (51.4–67.23%) with 7–25% lignin content. The SEM images depicted that the Munja, Poplar, Plume, and Wild sugarcane fiber are extremely fine with a fiber diameter of less than 10 μm. DTG analysis revealed the correlation between cellulose content and maximum peak temperature of decomposition of the fibers. Except for Adenium and Poplar fibers, all the fibers showed a crystalline index of more than 50%. Comprehensively, the selected seed fibers are comparable to cotton in fineness, density, moisture, and wax content. Gleaming whiteness of poplar fiber is comparable to cotton.

This research explores the potential of coir fibre as a sustainable and effective reinforcement material to enhance the compressive strength (CS) of concrete. The influence of the fibre volume fraction (FVF) and fibre length (FL) on the CS of the coir fibre reinforced concrete was studied using the response surface method (RSM). The selected range for the FVF was from 4 % to 12 %, and the FL varied from 0.4 cm to 1.2 cm, as per the experimental design. The research determined that the coir fibre with an FVF of 4 % and an FL of 10 mm yielded the maximum CS for the reinforced concrete cubes, measuring 34 N/mm2. Furthermore, an increase in fibre content was observed to lead to a decrease in the workability of coir fibre-reinforced concrete. Furthermore, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) and X-ray diffraction (XRD) analyses of the control and coir fibres extracted from the concrete cubes after a period of 1 year indicated no significant changes in the functional properties, thermal properties and crystallinity of the fibres.

Online teaching became an alternative approach for the teacher to run the teachinglearning activities during the COVID-19 pandemic. In this context, this study aimed to identify the issues of mathematics teachers in teaching mathematics through online mode during the pandemic where issues represented the problems and challenges. Altogether 415 mathematics teachers from different levels participated in this crosssectional survey. A self-constructed tool consisting of six categories of problems as Skills and training related problems (STP), learner related problems (LRP), course management and evaluation related problems (CMERP), resource using skills and infrastructure related problems (RUSIP), teaching related problem (TRP), and support and collaboration related problem (SCP) was employed in the study. T-test, ANOVA, correlation, and multiple linear regression were the major statistical techniques used to analyze the data. The findings indicate that the technical skills and digital resources with the learners and teaching figures and curves were major challenges of mathematics teachers in online mode of instruction. Additionally, gender, number of available devices, institute types, teaching levels, ICT training, and types of job were explanatory factors to determine the challenges of mathematics teachers in online teaching during the pandemic.

Mn-redox-based oxides and oxyfluorides are considered the most promising earth-abundant high-energy cathode materials for next-generation lithium-ion batteries. While high capacities are obtained in high-Mn content cathodes such as Li- and Mn-rich layered and spinel-type materials, local structure changes and structural distortions (often lead to voltage fade, capacity decay, and impedance rise, resulting in unacceptable electrochemical performance upon cycling. In the present study, structural transformations that exploit the high capacity of Mn-rich oxyfluorides while enabling stable cycling, in stark contrast to commonly observed structural changes that result in rapid performance degradation, are reported. It is shown that upon cycling of a cation-disordered rocksalt (DRX) cathode (Li1.1Mn0.8Ti0.1O1.9F0.1, an ultrahigh capacity of ≈320 mAh g−1 (energy density of ≈900 Wh kg−1) can be obtained through dynamic structural rearrangements upon cycling, along with a unique voltage profile evolution and capacity rise. At high voltage, the presence of Mn4+ and Li+ vacancies promotes local cation ordering, leading to the formation of domains of a “δ phase” within the disordered framework. On deep discharge, Mn4+ reduction, along with Li+ insertion transform the structure to a partially ordered DRX phase with a β′-LiFeO2-type arrangement. At the nanoscale, domains of the in situ formed phases are randomly oriented, allowing highly reversible structural changes and stable electrochemical cycling. These new insights not only help explain the superior electrochemical performance of high-Mn DRXbut also provide guidance for the future development of Mn-based, high-energy density oxide, and oxyfluoride cathode materials.

The recently developed Li-excess cation-disordered rock salts (DRXs) exhibit an excellent chemical diversity for the development of alternative Co/Ni-free high-energy cathodes. Herein, the synthesis of a highly fluorinated DRX cathode, Li1.2Mn0.6Ti0.2O1.8F0.2, based on cost-effective and earth-abundant transition metals, via a solid-state reaction, is reported. The fluorinated DRX cathode using ammonium fluoride precursor exhibits more uniform particle size and delivers a specific discharge capacity of 233 mAh g−1 and specific energy of 754 Wh kg−1, with 206 mAh g−1 retained after 200 cycles. The combined synchrotron X-ray absorption spectroscopy and resonant inelastic X-ray scattering spectroscopy analysis reveals that the remarkable cycling performance is attributed to the high fluorination and thus enhanced Mn content, enabling the utilization of more Mn redox than the oxide analog. This study demonstrates a great promise to develop next-generation cost-effective DRX cathodes with enhanced capacity retention for high-energy Li-ion batteries.

Abstract Pharmacokinetic (PK) studies can provide essential information on abuse liability of nicotine and tobacco products but are intrusive and must be conducted in a clinical environment. The objective of the study was to explore whether changes in plasma nicotine levels following use of an e-cigarette can be predicted from real time monitoring of physiological parameters and mouth level exposure (MLE) to nicotine before, during, and after e-cigarette vaping, using wearable devices. Such an approach would allow an -effective pre-screening process, reducing the number of clinical studies, reducing the number of products to be tested and the number of blood draws required in a clinical PK study Establishing such a prediction model might facilitate the longitudinal collection of data on product use and nicotine expression among consumers using nicotine products in their normal environments, thereby reducing the need for intrusive clinical studies while generating PK data related to product use in the real world. An exploratory machine learning model was developed to predict changes in plasma nicotine levels following the use of an e-cigarette; from real time monitoring of physiological parameters and MLE to nicotine before, during, and after e-cigarette vaping. This preliminary study identified key parameters, such as heart rate (HR), heart rate variability (HRV), and physiological stress (PS) that may act as predictors for an individual’s plasma nicotine response (PK curve). Relative to baseline measurements (per participant), HR showed a significant increase for nicotine containing e-liquids and was consistent across sessions (intra-participant). Imputing missing values and training the model on all data resulted in 57% improvement from the original’learning’ data and achieved a median validation R2 of 0.70. The study is in its exploratory phase, with limitations including a small and non-diverse sample size and reliance on data from a single e-cigarette product. These findings necessitate further research for validation and to enhance the model's generalisability and applicability in real-world settings. This study serves as a foundational step towards developing non-intrusive PK models for nicotine product use.

Aim: Assessment of occlusion changes during laboratory phase of relining is essential to evaluate the occlusal discrepancies that could get incorporated in the denture with the use of different relining materials. Since the long term stability and functional success of the denture is heavily influenced by occlusion, an In-vitro study to assess these changes after relining is warranted. The aim of the study is to evaluate the changes in occlusion during laboratory phase of relining procedure. Settings and Design: This is an in vitro study with a total of 30 specimen. Materials and Methodology: A total of 30 maxillary standardized dentures were fabricated after mounting on a semi adjustable articulator. These samples will be divided into three groups based on the relining material used (Autopolymerizing resin, Heat-cure resin, Tissue conditioner). The vertical dimension, Centric contact points and eccentric contact points were measured before and after relining. Statistical Analysis Used: The variables were tested to see if they had a normal distribution using the Shapiro-Wilk test. Parametric distribution was seen for ECP leading to further comparison using one way analysis of variance (ANOVA). Non-parametric distribution was found while testing the VD, CCP leading to adoption of Kruskal-wallis test for comparison of groups. Dunn Bonferroni test was done for VD since results were significant. Results: The results of this in-vitro study showed statistically significant difference with respect to change in vertical dimension in all groups pre and post relining (P = 0.005). The centric contact points showed lesser variation in position when comparing the pre to the post relining phase with the use of autopolymerising resins, whereas heat cure resins and tissue conditioners showed statistically significant difference in the centric point contacts post relining. No statistically significant changes were seen in eccentric occlusion post relining in all groups. Tissue conditioners showed minimum mean changes in eccentric contacts. Conclusion: Within the limitations of this study, the use of autopolymerising resins depicted the most stable results with respect to occlusion, for relining of dentures.

Abstract The level of phosphorus must be carefully monitored for proper and effective utilization of coal and coal ash. The phosphorus content needs to be assessed to optimize combustion efficiency and maintenance costs of power plants, ensure quality, and minimize the environmental impact of coal and coal ash. The detection of low levels of phosphorus in coal and coal ash is a significant challenge due to its complex chemical composition and low concentration levels. Effective monitoring requires accurate and sensitive equipment for the detection of phosphorus in coal and coal ash. X-ray fluorescence (XRF) is a commonly used analytical technique for the determination of phosphorus content in coal and coal ash samples but proves challenging due to their comparatively weak fluorescence intensity. Fourier Transform Infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) emerges as a promising alternative that is simple, rapid, and cost-effective. However, research in this area has been limited. Until now, only a limited number of research studies have outlined the estimation of major elements in coal, predominantly relying on FTIR spectroscopy. In this article, we explore the potential of FTIR spectroscopy combined with machine learning models (piecewise linear regression—PLR, partial least square regression—PLSR, random forest—RF, and support vector regression—SVR) for quantifying the phosphorus content in coal and coal ash. For model development, the methodology employs the mid-infrared absorption peak intensity levels of phosphorus-specific functional groups and anionic groups of phosphate minerals at various working concentration ranges of coal and coal ash. This paper proposes a multi-model estimation (using PLR, PLSR, and RF) approach based on FTIR spectral data to detect and rapidly estimate low levels of phosphorus in coal and its ash (R $$^2$$ 2 of 0.836, RMSE of 0.735 ppm, RMSE (%) of 34.801, MBE of − 0.077 ppm, MBE (%) of 5.499, and MAE of 0.528 ppm in coal samples and R $$^2$$ 2 of 0.803, RMSE of 0.676 ppm, RMSE (%) of 38.050, MBE of − 0.118 ppm, MBE (%) of 4.501, and MAE of 0.474 ppm in coal ash samples). Our findings suggest that FTIR combined with the multi-model approach combining PLR, PLSR, and RF regression models is a reliable tool for rapid and near-real-time measurement of phosphorus in coal and coal ash and can be suitably modified to model phosphorus content in other natural samples such as soil, shale, etc.