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Multidimensional achievement tests are recently gaining more importance in educational and psychological measurements. For example, multidimensional diagnostic tests can help students to determine which particular domain of knowledge they need to improve for better performance. To estimate the characteristics of candidate items (calibration) for future multidimensional achievement tests, we use optimal design theory. We generalize a previously developed exchange algorithm for optimal design computation to the multidimensional setting. We also develop an asymptotic theorem saying which item should be calibrated by examinees with extreme abilities. For several examples, we compute the optimal design numerically with the exchange algorithm. We see clear structures in these results and explain them using the asymptotic theorem. Moreover, we investigate the performance of the optimal design in a simulation study.

Abstract The study of genotype × environment interaction is crucial for plant breeders to introduce new cultivar(s) with improved and stable yield performance. The productivity of chickpea crops is very low in Pakistan. It requires the selection of genotypes with optimal productivity for diverse environmental conditions. Fourteen different chickpea genotypes were assessed using the linear mixed model to evaluate genotypes across four diverse chickpea growing regions, including Attock (Punjab), Bhakkar (Punjab), Karak (Khyber Pakhtunkhwa), and Larkana during the year 2017–19. The environmental effect was pronounced and contributed significantly to variation (25.8%) in grain yield. Analysing genotype × environmental interactions at multiple locations facilitates ranking superior genotypes that excel in specific or diverse environments. Notably, the genotypes, viz., Fakhr-e-Thal and Bhakkar-2011, demonstrated superior performance in terms of overall grain yield. Utilising a multitrait stability index, Bittal-2016 and Thal-2006 exhibited the most stable genotypes across various environments and were observed suitable for diverse growing regions. While, for specific environmental conditions, genotypes, i.e., KK-1, Noor-2013 and Fakhr-e-thal, exhibited higher yields and stability. This showed their adaptability to the particular environment. The present study revealed that Larkana as the mega environment was conducive to higher yield, while Attock, Bhakkar, and Karak sites were less favorable for KK-3, DG-89, and Dasht. The BLUP outperformed the AMMI in our analysis of evaluating multi-location trials. The integration of WAASBY and MTSI indices proved useful in differentiating between high yielding genotypes and those with stable performance. These tools are essential for breeders aiming to select genotypes that will perform consistently across diverse environmental conditions.

Abstract Wheat is an important staple crop not only in Pakistan but all over the globe. Although the area dedicated to wheat cultivation expands annually, the quantity of wheat harvested is declining due to various biotic and abiotic factors. Global wheat production and output have suffered as a result of the drought, which is largely driven by a lack of water and environmental factors. Organic fertilizers have been shown to reduce the severity of drought. The current research was conducted in semi-arid climates to mitigate the negative effects of drought on wheat during its critical tillering (DTS), flowering (DFS), and grain filling (DGFS) stages through the application of three different abscisic acid treatments: ABA0 (0 mgL−1) control, ABA1 (100 mgL−1) and ABA2 (200 mgL−1). Wheat growth and yield characteristics were severely harmed by drought stress across all critical development stages, with the DGFS stage being particularly vulnerable and leading to a considerable loss in yield. Plant height was increased by 24.25%, the number of fertile tillers by 25.66%, spike length by 17.24%, the number of spikelets per spike by 16.68%, grain count per spike by 11.98%, thousand-grain weight by 14.34%, grain yield by 26.93% and biological yield by 14.55% when abscisic acid (ABA) was applied instead of the control treatment. Moreover, ABA2 increased the more physiological indices (water use efficiency (36.12%), stomatal conductance (44.23%), chlorophyll a (24.5%), chlorophyll b (29.8%), transpiration rate (23.03%), photosynthetic rate (24.84%), electrolyte leakage (− 38.76%) hydrogen peroxide (− 18.09%) superoxide dismutase (15.3%), catalase (20.8%), peroxidase (− 18.09%), and malondialdehyde (− 13.7%)) of drought-stressed wheat as compared to other treatments. In the case of N, P, and K contents in grain were maximally improved with the application of ABA2. Through the use of principal component analysis, we were able to correlate our results across scales and provide an explanation for the observed effects of ABA on wheat growth and production under arid conditions. Overall, ABA application at a rate of 200 mgL−1 is an effective technique to boost wheat grain output by mitigating the negative effects of drought stress.

The development of seedless cultivars is a primary goal in grapevine breeding. Since grapes are stenospermic and tend to abort their embryos before development, traditional breeding methods often yield seedless cultivars at a low frequency. Therefore, embryo rescue has emerged as a promising approach for creating seedless grape cultivars. This study aimed to optimize the ideal sampling time and protocol for efficient embryo rescue in grapes. Ovules from immature berries collected at various days after pollination (20DAP, 30DAP, 40DAP, and 50DAP) were cultured on Nitsch and Nitsch (NN) medium with different concentrations of Benzyl aminopurine (BAP) (0.1, 0.2, and 0.5 mg/L) and Activated Charcoal (AC) (1.5, 2, and 2.5 g/L). Several parameters were assessed, including maximum ovule growth, the percentage of enlarged ovules, percentage of collapsed ovules, callus formation percentage, and embryo germination percentage. The study’s results indicated that berries collected at 40 DAP yielded the best outcomes across all parameters. Regarding treatments, the most favorable results were achieved when ovules were cultured on NN medium supplemented with 0.5 mg/L BAP and 2 g/L AC. In conclusion, the study underscores the significance of choosing the right sampling time and treatments to ensure efficient embryo rescue in grapes. The protocol standardized from this research is recommended for effectively rescuing embryos and developing seedless hybrids.

Objective: The current study aimed to observe hypertension educational intervention's effect on general physicians (GPs) to improve blood pressure control and patient outcomes indirectly. Methods: This randomized control trial includes 42 GPs divided into 2 groups. GPs in group 1 receive face-to-face education with structured educational material on hypertension management strategies by a senior cardiologist. GPs in group 2 receive the print version of education material. The data was collected from six major cities in Pakistan. GPs with at least three years of experience in the broad primary care disciplines, with ages above 18 years, were included in the study. Results: A total of 42 physicians (21 from each group) completed questionnaires, while out of 420 hypertension patients, 105 newly diagnosed and already diagnosed patients enrolled under physicians of both groups. The educational material did just as well at informing clinicians as the face-to-face group intervention did and both the interventions had a significant effect on knowledge and BP control. Conclusion: After the 3-month follow-up, both interventions, including face-to-face and educational approaches, demonstrated significant effectiveness in improving knowledge and blood pressure control. Innovation: The study shows that hypertension educational intervention's effect on general physicians indirectly improves blood pressure control and patient outcomes. And emphasize for developing a hypertension educational program targeted at general physicians.

Abstract Chilli peppers are widely consumed for their pungency, as used in flavoring the food and has many pharmaceutical and medicinal properties. Based on these properties an experiment was held using 83 varieties of chilli (Hot pepper and sweet pepper) were grown in suitable environment using Augment Block design and evaluated for fruit pungency and phytochemical contents using high proficiency liquid chromatography. Analysis of variance (ANOVA) of traits showed highly significant for all traits except for fruit length and capsaicin contents. The value of Least significant increase (LSI)was ranged 0.27-1289.9 for all traits showed high variation among varieties. Highly significant correlation was found among fruit diameter to fruit weight 0.98, while moderate to high correlation was present among all traits. The most pungent genotype 24,634 was 4.8 g in weight, while the least pungent genotypes i.e. PPE-311 (32.8 g), green wonder (40.67) had higher in weight. The genotypes 24,627, 32,344, 32,368 and 1108 marked as higher number of seeds in their placental region. It was observed that chilli genotype 24,621 had maximum length with considerable high amount of pungency act as novel cultivar. Principal component analysis (PCA) showed the high variability of 46.97 for two PCs with the eigen value 2.6 and 1.63 was recorded. Biplot analysis showed a considerable variability for fruit pungency, while huge variability was found for all traits among given varieties. PPE-311, T5 and T3 are found as highly divergent for all traits. The findings of this study are instrumental for selecting parents to improve desirable traits in future chilli pepper breeding programs. It will help plant/vegetable breeders for development of highly nutrient and pungent varieties and attractive for the consumer of food sector.

Artificial neural networks (ANNs) have brought a huge transformation to the machine learning regime by furnishing unparalleled abilities for modeling intricate phenomena and coping with a variety of challenges. In the oneiric field of ANNs, the essential approach for training ANNs is backpropagation. However, optimization is crucial when handling the complex fluid flow phenomenon through backpropagation. The current article implements the Levenberg Marquardt Technique with ANN backpropagation (LMT-BP-ANN) to investigate the radiative flow of a hybrid nanofluid (RHNF) addressing a Cattaneo-Christov flux system past a stretching sheet (SS). Fe2O3 with single-walled carbon nanotubes (SWCNT) and multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNT) hybrid nanofluid is considered. The base fluid is ethylene glycol. Physical parameters of nanofluidic system, including the magnetic parameter M, the solid volume fractions φ1 and φ2, the velocity slip parameter λ, the relaxation time parameter Ω, the Biot number ϒ, and the thermal radiation parameter Gr are evaluated through appropriate variations that effectively accomplish the dynamics of the fluid model. These are utilized to create the dataset for LMT-BP-ANNs using the renowned deterministic Adam's numerical technique in Mathematica software. In MATLAB software, 70 % of data is kept for preparing, 15 % for checking, and 15 % for validating the neural network. The performance plot, regression graphs, and error histograms are constructed to demonstrate the suggested LMT-BP neural network scheme's high efficiency, efficacy, and exactness. When ANN performs, a mean squared error (MSE) of order 10−11 is observed. The observed R squared value is 1. As the magnetic parameter estimate grows, the fluid velocity declines, although the thermal profile shows increasing behavior. As the velocity slip parameter increases, the velocity of the fluid drops. Key findings of this study are anticipated to have a noteworthy bearing on sectors that require local refrigeration and heating by contravention.

Oblique water waves are of significant importance in natural scenarios. We have offered a solution, for the scattering of oblique water waves at the interface of free water and finite submerged elastic surface of insignificant thickness, in this work. Implementing the mode matching technique with two different edge conditions – the pinned edge condition and the sliding edge condition – the answer is obtained. For a variety of physical parameters, including the submergence depth, angle of incidence, Poisson’s ratio, length, and stiffness of an elastic surface, the reflection coefficient at both edges is examined. Furthermore, an energy balance relation of the problem and convergence of the solution, which are satisfied, is presented.

Opportunities for magnetohydrodynamic mixed convection include modeling firefighting, combustion engineering, and cooling of electronic components. Nanotechnology has just provided a novel passive technique for improving heat transfer. Structured colloidal suspensions of magnetite nanoparticles in a base fluid are known as magneto nanofluids, and they are intended for use in thermal transfer uses, such as micro device cooling mechanisms. The current model is intended for examination of the nanofluid stagnation point flow using magnetohydrodynamics. A stretched sheet was exposed to magnetic strength and thermal radiation effects with outstanding results on heat transfer enhancements under mixed convection conditions. Furthermore, over the boundary effects of thermal slip and velocity are considered. The persuading system of partial differential equations of the governed fluid model is transformed into a scheme of coupled non-linear ordinary differential equations and expounded using a suitable numerical method. The fluid’s velocity, temperature, and concentration of nanoparticles are discussed graphically for a range of newly emerging parametric values. It has been noted that when there is a magnetic field, the fluid’s temperature increases, but its velocity decreases. After obtaining the numerical solution, parameters characterizing the flow, such as the local skin friction coefficient, local Sherwood number, and local Nusselt number, are thoroughly investigated.

Flexible and environmentally safe electrodes are high in demand for modern energy storage devices. This study reports the fabrication of cerium oxide (CeO2) and cerium oxide-manganese oxide nanoparticles (Ce0.98 Mn0.02 O2 NPs) via co-precipitation synthesis technique and further development of bendable paper-based energy storage electrodes by employing lignocelluloses fibers as binder, extracted from self-growing plant, Monochoria Vaginalis. The structural and optical properties of the prepared products are carried out by X-ray diffraction (XRD) and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR). XRD study reveals that Mn ions are incorporated into the CeO2 lattice to synthesize the Ce0.98 Mn0.02 O2 nanoparticles. SEM/EDX and TEM/SAED are performed for surface morphological analysis and successful composite formation of CeO2/LC and Ce0.98 Mn0.02O2/LC sheets. Electrochemical measurements of CeO2/LC and Ce0.98 Mn0.02O2/LC composite sheets were performed where fabricated sheets were employed as freestanding working electrode in 2 M KOH electrolyte. CeO2/LC and Ce0.98 Mn0.02O2/LC composite sheets have shown specific capacitances of 401.5 and 544 F/g, respectively from three electrode cyclic voltammetry (CV) measurements. 2-electrodes galvanostatic charge–discharge (GCD) measurements were performed in symmetric cell which reveal the capacitance of 436 F/g and 560 F/g for CeO2/LC and Ce0.98 Mn0.02O2/LC composite paper sheets, respectively. The Ce0.98 Mn0.02O2/LC (1:1) composite paper sheet shows the capacitance retention stability up to 80% after 1000 cycles at applied current density of 3.3 A/g. It can conclude that the fabricated paper electrodes can employ as working electrodes in modern energy storage devices having dual advantages of flexible and environmentally safe characteristics in the absence of any synthetic substrate/binder.

The entropy generation phenomenon is important in thermodynamic systems, chemical engineering, industrial systems, reducing the energy consumptions and optimizing the resource utilization. Owing to such motivated applications, aim of current research is to present the applications entropy generation phenomenon in double diffusion flow Carreau-Yasuda nanofluid due to bidirectional stretched surface. The rheology of non-Newtonian fluid is observed by using the Carreau-Yasuda (CY) nonlinear model. The analysis is further supported with suspension of microorganisms with Carreau-Yasuda nanofluid. The formulated model is extended by entertaining the viscous dissipation, thermal radiation and activation energy consequences. The inertial effects are supported with Darcy Forchheimer approach. Additionally, non-Fourier and Fick theories are implanted to observe the thermal phenomenon. The equations resulted from the given model are analytically entertained via homotopy analysis scheme. The physical insight of thermal model is graphically presented. Moreover, the streamlines are plotted for flow model. An enhancing outcomes for entropy generation phenomenon are noted due to diffusion parameter and magnetic parameter. Moreover, the optimized phenomenon also increases due to Brinkman number.

OBJECTIVE: To determine the prevalence of hypertension and associated factors among age 15 years and above in federally administered tribal areas (FATA) of Pakistan. METHODS: This cross-sectional study was conducted from July 2016 till August 2017 among 729 individuals including both males and females of age 15 years and above were randomly selected from FATA. FATA was divided into 7 areas (Khyber, Mohmand, Bajaur, Orakzai, Kurram, North and south Waziristan). A pre-tested questionnaire in local language with informed consent was taken from 729 respondents who were selected for the study after sample size calculation. Fasting blood was analyzed for sugar, cholesterol. Blood pressure was recorded among both gender. RESULTS: Among 729 individual prevalence of hypertension (≥140/90 mm Hg) was 49.1% (n=358). The prevalence of blood cholesterol 200 mg/dl and above was 156(21.4%). Fasting blood glucose ≥126 mg/dl was 4.7% (n=134). Anxiety and depression was 50.3% (n=367). BMI ≥25 kg/m² was 47.7% (n=347). Current smoker were 19.8% (n=144). Snuff user were 180 (24.7%). Cannabis user were 4.8% (n=35). Family history of Hypertension, increase BMI and male or female age more than 40 years were significantly associated factors for hypertension. CONCLUSION: There was a high prevalence of elevated blood pressure in FATA above the age of 15 and above when compared with local data. Both male and female with age more than 40 years, increase BMI and family history of hypertension were significant associated with hypertension in FATA population.

Abstract The researchers are continuously working on nanomaterials and exploring many multidisciplinary applications in thermal engineering, biomedical and industrial systems. In current problem, the analytical simulations for performed for thermos-migration flow of nanofluid subject to the thermal radiation and porous media. The moving wedge endorsed the flow pattern. The heat source effects are also utilized to improves the heat transfer rate. The applications of thermophoresis phenomenon are addressed. The formulated set of expressions are analytically treated with implementation of variational iteration method (VIM). The simulations are verified by making the comparison the numerical date with existing literature. The VIM analytical can effectively tackle the nonlinear coupled flow system effectively. The physical impact for flow regime due to different parameters is highlighted. Moreover, the numerical outcomes are listed for Nusselt number.

Under uncertainty, the analytical behavior of fractional differential equations is frequently puzzling and difficult to predict. As a result, it's necessary to develop a suitable, comprehensive, and highly effective theory to solve these challenges. The fuzzy fractional differential equation theory is a relatively recent concept that has applications in engineering, applied mathematics. The fractional differential transform method (FDTM) is utilized in this study to determine the analytical fuzzy solution of some fuzzy fractional differential equations in Caputo sense, which are used to analyze a range of physical models in many sciences and engineering disciplines. The developed FFDE solutions are more generalized and have a wider range of applications. A parametric characterization of the solutions is obtained by converting the fuzzy fractional differential equation to an equivalent crisp system of corresponding fractional differential equations. The numerical and graphical presentation shows the symmetry between lower and upper cut representations of the fuzzy solutions and may be useful in better understanding of automatic control models, artificial intelligence, image classification, computer science, medical science, quantum optics, measure theory, physics, biology, optimal control theory, mathematical economics, and other domains, and non-financial analysis.

This article aims to investigate the analytical nature and approximate solution of the radiated flow of electrically conductive viscous fluid into a porous medium with slip effects (RFECVF). In order to build acceptable accurate solutions for RFECVF, this study presented an efficient Levenberg-Marquardt technique of artificial neural networks (LMT-ANNs) approach. One of its fastest back-propagation algorithms for nonlinear lowest latency is the LMT. To turn a quasi-network of PDEs expressing RFECVF into a set of standards, the appropriate adjustments are required. During the flow, the boundary is assumed to be convective. The flow and heat transfer are governed by partial differential equations, and similarity transform is the main tool to convert it into a coupled nonlinear system of ODEs. The usefulness of the constructed LMT-ANNs for such a modelled issue is demonstrated by the best promising algebraic outputs in the E−03 to E−08 range, as well as error histogram and regression analysis measures. Mu is a controller that oversees the entire training procedure. The LMT-ANNs mainly focuses on the higher accuracy of nonlinear systems. Analytical results for the improved boundary layer ODEs are produced using the Variational Iteration Method, a tried-and-true method (VIM). The Lagrange Multiplier is a powerful tool in the suggested method for reducing the amount of computing required. Further, a tabular comparison is provided to demonstrate the usefulness of this study. The final results of the Variational Iteration Method (VIM) in MATLAB have accurately depicted the physical characteristics of a number of parameters, including Eckert, Prandtl, Magnetic, and Thermal radiation parameters.

In this paper, we study the well known Zakhrov equation (ZE) which states to the Langmuir waves propagation in the ionized plasma. The exact soliton solutions of ZE are extracted using new extended direct algebraic method (EDAM). The obtained solutions are given in the form of trigonometric, rational and hyperbolic functions. Moreover, some of the obtained solutions are illustrated graphically to establish the physical nature of the selected solutions. The existence of these exact solutions is guaranteed by the constraints on the used parameters. It is noted that the new EDAM is easy and efficient technique and it can be useful to many other non-linear partial differential equations (PDEs).

The elimination of position sensors allows sensorless control to minimizing the size, cost, and additional layers of the permanent magnet synchronous motor (PMSM). In this work, a new flux estimator with an active disturbance rejection controller (ADRC) drift-elimination capability is developed in order to accomplish precise flux estimation. The ESO integrated into the ADRC is capable of detecting and compensating each of the inner model’s fluctuation along with external loads disturbances, enabling a control system with a more effective dynamic response and robust regulations. As a result, the drift issue is greatly mitigated, and the stator flux is accurately predicted throughout a broad range of speeds. The proposed flux observer is validated via sensorless speed vector control of a 15 kW IPMSM motor.

In this article, four new families named as Weibull extended exponentiated-X (WEE-X), Lomax extended exponentiated-X (LEE-X), Logistic extended exponentiated-X (LGCEE-X), and Burr III extended exponentiated-X (BIIIEE-X) with their quantile functions are proposed. The expressions for distribution function and density function of BIIIEE-X family are written in terms of linear combinations of the exponentiated densities based to parent model. New models, i.e., Weibul extended exponentiated Weibull (WEEW), Lomax extended exponentiated Weibull (LEEW), Logistic extended exponentiated Weibull (LGCEEW), and Burr III extended exponentiated-Weibull (BIIIEEW) distributions are derived, were plotted for functions of probability density and hazard rate at different levels of parameters. Some mathematical properties of the BIIIEEW model are disclosed. The maximum likelihood method for the BIIIEEW model are described. Numerical applications of the BIIIEEW model to disease of cancer datasets are provided.

The study discusses the climate of Balochistan with a special focus on the variation of weather condition taking into account the mean monthly precipitation, temperature, humidity, atmospheric circulation, air pressure, evapotranspiration and solar energy covering the time duration of 1931-2020 (normal data). The physical barriers that bring variations in the climate of Balochistan contain geographical location, ocean, geomorphology, land use, natural vegetation, and continental extent. Based on precipitation, the province has been divided into two main regions that are arid and semi-arid, while the temperature zones are hot, warm, mild and cool. The southern and eastern part of the province receives heavy rain in the summers (monsoon), whereas it is from the western depressions during the winter season. Balochistan experiences four rainy seasons in winter (cold), pre-monsoon season (warm), monsoon season (hot), and post-monsoon season (mild). Owing to tropical (coastal) and sub-tropical continental characteristics, the area familiarizes two foremost seasons namely winter and summer. The summers of the area long for 5 months in hilly areas while 7 months in continental plains and coastal regions; whereas, winters cover five months in the plains and seven months in the mountains. Based on the appropriationand fluctuation in climate constituents, Balochistan has been classified into two main, 6 meso, and 9 microclimate and weather zones. According to Global Climate Risk Index, 2021, Pakistan has been ranked at 8th in the list of top ten global climate high-risk countries, which are exposed to the ongoing climate change and requires attention to resolve the issue.

Background: One of the most frequently observed valvular heart lesions is Mitral stenosis (MS), characterized by left ventricular inflow tract obstruction at the mitral valve level caused by different etiologies. Early detection of symptomatic mitral stenosis with a thrombus in LAA, not responding to anticoagulation in due course of time are sent for Mitral valve replacement rather than undergoing PTMC. The current study aims to see the anticoagulation response in different types of left atrial appendages so that non-responders can be referred for surgery on the first TEE and Cardiac CT. Methodology: The current study will observe the frequency of left atrial appendage (LAA) thrombus resolution after three months of anticoagulation in patients with severe MS. It will assess the response rate in different morphologies of LAA so that non-responders can be referred for surgery on the very first TEE and Cardiac CT. Consecutive MS patients with thrombus in LAA detected via transesophageal echocardiography will be included in the study. According to the standard procedure, TEE followed by Cardiac CT will be performed after obtaining informed consent from the patients. Discussion: Detecting the anticoagulation response using follow-up TEE in different types of left atrial appendages might be helpful for the non-responders that can be referred for surgery after TEE and Cardiac CT on first examination and TEE only at the end of three months. Trial registration number: The trial was registered on ClinicalTrials.gov (NCT05186649).