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This study discusses the feasibility of diversifying the scope of application of lead-free Sr3ZBr3 (Z = As, Sb) as promising materials for their enhanced electronic, mechanical, optical, thermodynamic, and thermoelectric properties using first-principles calculation based on Density Functional Theory (DFT). Both compounds have cubic crystal structures, and both materials' dynamic stability is validated by the lack of negative frequencies in their phonon dispersion spectra. Besides ground state physical characteristics, we also examined the impact of hydrostatic pressure (0–21 GPa) on electronic, mechanical, and optical properties. The lattice parameters exhibit a linear decrease from 6.27 to 5.61 Å for Sr3AsBr3 and 6.45 to 5.71 Å for Sr3SbBr3 under increasing pressure, attributed to bond length reduction, which alters their physical properties. Initially observed direct band gap (Γ-Γ) of Sr3AsBr3 and Sr3SbBr3 were 2.35 and 2.30 eV using modified Becke-Johnson (mBJ) functional which reduces to 1.15 and 0.82 eV as the compounds go from 0 to 21 GPa pressure. This study reveals enhanced optical properties under pressure, with broader spectral response, increased sensitivity, and improved dielectric constant. Optical absorption and conductivity also shift toward lower-energy photons. The investigation further shows that the compounds show brittle to ductile transition under high pressure. Their ductility and anisotropy nature are further enhanced with pressure along with other mechanical features. The thermodynamic properties indicate their ability to withstand and perform well at high temperatures and pressures. Lastly, the thermoelectric properties of Sr3ZBr3 (Z = As, Sb) were assessed through electrical and thermal conductivity, Seebeck coefficient, power factor (PF), and figure of merit (ZT) as a function of temperature. Both compounds exhibit high PF and near-unity ZT. These findings underscore their potential as strong candidates for optoelectronic and thermoelectric devices, owing to their direct bandgap and exceptional properties.

Here, first-principles calculations have been employed to make a comparative study on structural, mechanical, electronic, and optical properties of new Ca3MF3 (M = As and Sb) photovoltaic compounds under pressure. The findings disclose that these two systems possess a direct band gap, showcasing a large tunable range under pressure, effectively encompassing the visible light spectrum. Adjusting various levels of hydrostatic pressure has effectively tuned both the band alignment and the effective masses of electrons and holes. Both compounds were initially identified as brittle materials at 0 GPa pressure; however, as the pressure increases, they transform, becoming highly anisotropic and ductile. Due to the material's mechanical robustness and enhanced ductility, as evidenced by its stress-induced mechanical properties, the Ca3MF3 (M = As and Sb) material shows potential for use in solar energy applications. Furthermore, as the influence of external pressure increases, the absorption edge seems to move slightly towards lower energy region. Optical properties show that the materials studied might be used from several optoelectronic devices in the visible and ultraviolet range area. Our findings show that pressure considerably influences the physicochemical properties of Ca3MF3 (M = As and Sb) compounds, which is a promising feature that can be useful for optoelectronic and photonic applications, for instance, light-emitting diodes, photodetectors, and solar cells.

Abstract Epilepsy is a chronic neurological disease, characterized by spontaneous, unprovoked, recurrent seizures that may lead to long-term disability and premature death. Despite significant efforts made to improve epilepsy detection clinically and pre-clinically, the pervasive presence of noise in EEG signals continues to pose substantial challenges to their effective application. In addition, discriminant features for epilepsy detection have not been investigated yet. The objective of this study is to develop a hybrid model for epilepsy detection from noisy and fragmented EEG signals. We hypothesized that a hybrid model could surpass existing single models in epilepsy detection. Our approach involves manual noise rejection and a novel statistical channel selection technique to detect epilepsy even from noisy EEG signals. Our proposed Base-2-Meta stacking classifier achieved notable accuracy (0.98 ± 0.05), precision (0.98 ± 0.07), recall (0.98 ± 0.05), and F1 score (0.98 ± 0.04) even with noisy 5-s segmented EEG signals. Application of our approach to the specific problem like detection of epilepsy from noisy and fragmented EEG data reveals a performance that is not only superior to others, but also is translationally relevant, highlighting its potential application in a clinic setting, where EEG signals are often noisy or scanty. Our proposed metric DF-A (Discriminant feature-accuracy), for the first time, identified the most discriminant feature with models that give A accuracy or above (A = 95 used in this study). This groundbreaking approach allows for detecting discriminant features and can be used as potential electrographic biomarkers in epilepsy detection research. Moreover, our study introduces innovative insights into the understanding of these features, epilepsy detection, and cross-validation, markedly improving epilepsy detection in ways previously unavailable.

Objective: This study was conducted to isolate and identify probiotic bacteria from wild stinging catfish (Heteropneustes fossilis), a very popular high-valued aquaculture species of Bangladesh. The isolates were identified through conventional culture-based and molecular techniques. Materials and Methods: Stinging catfish harvested from natural sources of three sampling sites under two districts (Kishoreganj and Netrakona) were collected, dissected for gut content, and cultured onto Lactobacillus MRS Agar plates. Out of 60 bacterial isolates obtained, 10 were cho¬sen for an in vitro evaluation of their probiotic potentials through pH and bile tolerance tests. The 16S rRNA gene sequences of the selected isolates were searched against the NCBI database using the Basic Local Alignment Search Tool for Nucleotides (BLASTNs). Results: The isolates were identified as Staphylococcus arlettae, Bacillus subtilis, Staphylococcus succinus, Bacillus velezensis, Kocuria subflava, Macrococcus caseolyticus, Lysinibacillus sphaeri¬cus, Glutamicibacter mysorens, Bacillus cereus, and Acinetobacter lwoffii. Among them, B. subtilis, S. succinus, B. velezensis, M. caseolyticus, G. mysorens, and B. cereus exhibited notable growth across all tested pH levels (pH 2, 3, and 4) and bile salt concentrations (0.3%, 0.5%, and 1.0%) sug¬gesting that they have strong potential as probiotic bacteria. In addition, S. arlettae also indicated promising growth except at pH 2. L. sphaericus and K. subflava exhibited limited growth at low pH but tolerated bile salt concentrations. A. lwoffii did not show any growth at pH tests but minimal growth at the lower concentrations of bile salts. Conclusion: According to the potentiality assessments and previous literature reviews, five iso¬lates such as B. subtilis, S. succinus, M. caseolyticus, G. mysorens, and B. cereus were identified as potential probiotic bacteria. As species-specific probiotics are considered to perform more effec¬tively and efficiently than unknown-sourced commercial probiotics, the findings of this study will be applicable in enhancing the aquaculture production of stinging catfish. [J Adv Vet Anim Res 2024; 11(3.000): 560-572]

It has been demonstrated that noncoding RNAs have significant physiological and pathological roles. Modulation of noncoding RNAs may offer therapeutic approaches as per recent findings. Small RNAs, mostly long noncoding RNAs, siRNA, and microRNAs make up noncoding RNAs. Inhibiting or promoting protein breakdown by binding to 3’ untranslated regions of target mRNA, microRNAs post-transcriptionally control the pattern of gene expression. Contrarily, long non-coding RNAs perform a wider range of tasks, including serving as molecular scaffolding, decoys, and epigenetic regulators. This article provides instances of long noncoding RNAs and microRNAs that may be a biomarker of CVD (cardiovascular disease). In this paper we highlight various RNA-based vaccine formulation strategies designed to target these biomarkers—that are either currently in the research pipeline or are in the global pharmaceutical market—along with the physiological hurdles that need to be overcome.

Background: This study investigates the relationship between male sexual dysfunction, such as erectile dysfunction, decreased libido, premature ejaculation, and alcohol dependence syndrome (ADS). Methods: This cross-sectional study evaluated sexual dysfunction in 260 married patients with an ADS diagnosis based on CONSORT standards. Participants were chosen from an outpatient psychiatry department. The Arizona Sexual Experience Scale and the Severity of Alcohol Dependence Questionnaire Scale were among the instruments utilized. Results: We found a strong link between sexual dysfunction and the severity of ADS. A smaller but statistically significant percentage (16.15%) of the subjects showed signs of severe alcohol dependence compared to half (50%) who showed mild dependence. Conclusions: The results highlight the connection between sexual dysfunction and the severity of alcohol dependence, indicating the necessity for focused therapies. Sexual dysfunction was more common as ADS severity grew, indicating the need for more treatment options and raising awareness.

This article suggests a nine‐level (9L) seven‐switch (7S) transformer‐less (TL) common‐ground (CG) switched capacitor (SC) inverter with double boosting capability. The proposed 9L7S‐CGSC‐TL inverter comprises only seven switches (7S), two diodes, three self‐balanced capacitors, and one DC source. The suggested inverter has a CG connection which eliminates ground leakage currents. Additionally, the suggested topology necessitates fewer conducting devices, thereby reducing conduction losses. The voltage across every capacitor is automatically balanced within each fundamental cycle. The proposed topology has been evaluated based on parameters such as component count, total harmonic distortion, cost, and efficiency. The proposed configuration switching sequence is governed by employing the level‐shifted pulse width modulation technique. A power loss study was conducted to determine the efficiency of the proposed switched capacitor multilevel inverter (SCMLI) under different load conditions in PLECS. The results shows that the proposed SCMLI achieves a peak efficiency of 98.17%. Further, the lifespan of the proposed SCMLI is assessed through a reliability assessment. The simulation and experimental results at different conditions are presented and elucidated. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: This study was conducted to isolate and identify probiotic bacteria from wild stinging catfish (Heteropneustes fossilis), a very popular high-valued aquaculture species of Bangladesh. The isolates were identified through conventional culture-based and molecular techniques. Materials and Methods: Stinging catfish harvested from natural sources of three sampling sites under two districts (Kishoreganj and Netrakona) were collected, dissected for gut content, and cultured onto Lactobacillus MRS Agar plates. Out of 60 bacterial isolates obtained, 10 were chosen for an in vitro evaluation of their probiotic potentials through pH and bile tolerance tests. The 16S rRNA gene sequences of the selected isolates were searched against the NCBI database using the Basic Local Alignment Search Tool for Nucleotides (BLASTNs). Results: The isolates were identified as Staphylococcus arlettae, Bacillus subtilis, Staphylococcus succinus, Bacillus velezensis, Kocuria subflava, Macrococcus caseolyticus, Lysinibacillus sphaericus, Glutamicibacter mysorens, Bacillus cereus, and Acinetobacter lwoffii. Among them, B. subtilis, S. succinus, B. velezensis, M. caseolyticus, G. mysorens, and B. cereus exhibited notable growth across all tested pH levels (pH 2, 3, and 4) and bile salt concentrations (0.3%, 0.5%, and 1.0%) suggesting that they have strong potential as probiotic bacteria. In addition, S. arlettae also indicated promising growth except at pH 2. L. sphaericus and K. subflava exhibited limited growth at low pH but tolerated bile salt concentrations. A. lwoffii did not show any growth at pH tests but minimal growth at the lower concentrations of bile salts. Conclusion: According to the potentiality assessments and previous literature reviews, five isolates such as B. subtilis, S. succinus, M. caseolyticus, G. mysorens, and B. cereus were identified as potential probiotic bacteria. As species-specific probiotics are considered to perform more effectively and efficiently than unknown-sourced commercial probiotics, the findings of this study will be applicable in enhancing the aquaculture production of stinging catfish. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study investigates the influence of hydrostatic pressure on structural, electronic, mechanical and optical properties of Sr3PX3 (X = Cl and Br) compounds, by using the first-principles density functional theory (DFT) within the pressure range of 0–30 GPa with a span of 10 GPa. For Sr₃PCl₃ and Sr3PBr3, the dynamical stability is confirmed by the fact that the phonon dispersion curves do not contain imaginary modes. Pressure-induced band gap alterations in Sr3PCl3 and Sr3PBr3 reveal semiconducting behavior: GGA measurements show a decrease from 1.70 eV and 1.55 eV at ambient pressure to 0.22 eV and 0.21 eV at 30 GPa; TB-mBJ results show a decrease from 2.73 eV and 2.40 to 1.07 eV and 0.92 eV. This supports their inverse relationship with pressure. The values of Debye and melting temperatures support their high-temperature applications. Effective mass also shows an inverse relationship with induced pressure. The bond length, lattice parameters, and cell volume reduces with pressure. They exhibit ductility, which is further enhanced by the applied pressure. These materials emerge as promising candidates for flexible optoelectronic devices. Optical properties like absorption coefficients, reflectivity, and dielectric functions were observed and found to be significantly influenced by applied pressure. The absorption spectra exhibit a significant redshift with increasing pressure, indicating enhanced potential for optoelectronic applications. Our detailed investigation sheds light on the tunability of Sr3PX3 (X = Cl and Br) properties under pressure, showcasing their potential for cutting-edge applications in optoelectronics and photovoltaics. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]