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Genetic alterations help predict the clinical behavior of diffuse gliomas, but some variability remains uncorrelated. Here, we demonstrate that haploinsufficient deletions of chromatin-bound tumor suppressor NFKB inhibitor alpha (NFKBIA) display distinct patterns of occurrence in relation to other genetic markers and are disproportionately present at recurrence. NFKBIA haploinsufficiency is associated with unfavorable patient outcomes, independent of genetic and clinicopathologic predictors. NFKBIA deletions reshape the DNA and histone methylome antipodal to the IDH mutation and induce a transcriptome landscape partly reminiscent of H3K27M mutant pediatric gliomas. In IDH mutant gliomas, NFKBIA deletions are common in tumors with a clinical course similar to that of IDH wild-type tumors. An externally validated nomogram model for estimating individual patient survival in IDH mutant gliomas confirms that NFKBIA deletions predict comparatively brief survival. Thus, NFKBIA haploinsufficiency aligns with distinct epigenome changes, portends a poor prognosis, and should be incorporated into models predicting the disease fate of diffuse gliomas.

Teaching and learning practices need to be revisited to revitalize education. The mundane rote learning due to excessive standardization, pedagogical red tape and routinization often become surfeited and such experiences are discussed by students and teachers alike across the globe. The focus has to shift from content and transmission to problem, process and experience-based learning. This calls for dynamic learning which is challenging since creativity takes over control; reaction takes over responsiveness. Enhanced learning practices take over routine learning providing a rich learning experience for students. Difficult situations or problems prepare and prompt deep thinking and the solutions become learning experiences. Thus problems attract our attention and focus on digging deep into energizing thoughts to solve the same. This rationale and the associated dimensions become the fertile ground for problem based teaching and learning practices. This paper explores the revitalization of education through problem based learning practices. The study highlights the need for a shift from theory base to problem based learning. Redesigning conceptual representations to experience-based, problem based and enquiry based learning can promote relational understanding.

The escalating usage of paper cups and packaging materials with plastic coatings has evolved into a substantial environmental and health concern, evidenced by the report of microplastics in human blood. This research introduces an innovative laser-assisted thermal lens (TL) technique for the precise detection and measurement of microplastics, specifically those leaching from the inner plastic coatings of paper cups. Employing a multipronged approach encompassing scanning electron microscopy, optical microscopy, atomic force microscopy, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, UV–visible, and Raman spectroscopy, a comprehensive investigation is conducted into the leaching of microplastics into hot water from paper cups. The thermal diffusivity (D) of water samples containing microplastics is determined using the TL technique based on 120 observations for each temperature conducted using paper cups from three distinct manufacturers. The observation of a strong correlation between the number of microplastic particles (N) and D of the water sample enabled the setting of a linear empirical relation that can be used for computing the microplastics in water at a particular temperature. The study thus proposes a surrogate method for quantifying microplastics in water using the sensitive and non-destructive TL technique.

The study proposes a novel speckle interferometric method for detecting and quantifying microplastic leaching from paper cups, addressing concerns raised by the World Health Organization regarding human health risks. Hot water at varying temperatures is placed in 36 paper cups from different manufacturers, and the specklegrams of the paper cups’ interior surface are recorded. The quantity of microplastics leached into water is estimated by the Neubauer chamber method, which increases with rising water temperature. Surface morphology analysis through atomic force microscopic images reveals thermal-induced melting and smearing of microplastics, decreasing roughness parameters. Co-occurrence matrix analysis of specklegrams correlates image parameters—inertia moment, homogeneity, energy, contrast, and entropy—with the microplastics count, showing surface modifications and altered pixel intensity distribution with increasing water temperature. Regression equations based on image parameters establish a strong correlation with the microplastics count, that are validated against the Neubauer chamber method. The study indicates contrast as the potential sensitive specklegram feature for microplastics detection and quantification.

Thermal transport properties for the isotropic and anisotropic characterization of nanolayers have been a significant gap in the research over the last decade. Multiple studies have been close to determining the thermal conductivity, diffusivity, and boundary resistance between the layers. The methods detailed in this work involve non-contact frequency domain pump-probe thermoreflectance (FDTR) and photothermal radiometry (PTR) methods for the ultraprecise determination of in-plane and cross-plane thermal transport properties. The motivation of one of the works is the advantage of the use of amplitude (TR signal) as one of the input parameters along with the phase for the determination of thermal parameters. In this article, we present a unique strategy for measuring the thermal transport parameters of thin films, including cross-plane thermal diffusivity, in-plane thermal conductivity, and thermal boundary resistance as a comprehensively reviewed article. The results obtained for organic and inorganic thin films are presented. Precise ranges for the thermal conductivity can be across confidence intervals for material measurements between 0.5 and 60 W/m-K for multiple nanolayers. The presented strategy is based on frequency-resolved methods, which, in contrast to time-resolved methods, make it possible to measure volumetric-specific heat. It is worth adding that the presented strategy allows for accurate (the signal in both methods depends on cross-plane thermal conductivity and thermal boundary resistance) and precise measurement.

The present work delineates the tailoring of the thermal effusivity and diffusivity of the novel class of heat transfer fluids—ionanofluids—by the incorporation of nanocarbons like diesel soot (DS), camphor soot (CS), carbon nanotubes (CN), and graphene (GR). When the thermal diffusivity delivers information on the thermal energy propagation, the thermal effusivity concerns the energy exchange at the interface, enabling energy-efficient thermal system design. The nanocarbons are subjected to morphological characterisation by field emission scanning electron microscopy. Fourier-transform infrared and Raman spectroscopic analyses confirm functional groups and vibrational bands. The microcrystalline size and graphiticity are also understood from the Raman spectrum. Ionanofluids prepared by dispersing nanocarbons into an ionic liquid base 1-Butyl-3-methylimidazolium methyl sulfate (BMMS) are analysed by nondestructive photopyroelectric calorimetry (PPE). The PPE analysis of ionanofluids demonstrates that nanocarbons influence thermal parameters in the base fluid, with soot ionanofluids exhibiting increased thermal effusivity and diffusivity due to their various carbon allotropic composition. This study underscores the importance of selecting the appropriate carbon allotrope for tailoring ionanofluids’ thermal properties, providing insights into manipulating these properties for enhanced performance across various industrial applications.

The study proposes a novel speckle interferometric method for detecting and quantifying microplastic leaching from paper cups, addressing concerns raised by the World Health Organization regarding human health risks. Hot water at varying temperatures is placed in 36 paper cups from different manufacturers, and the specklegrams of the paper cups' interior surface are recorded. The quantity of microplastics leached into water is estimated by the Neubauer chamber method, which increases with rising water temperature. Surface morphology analysis through atomic force microscopic images reveals thermal-induced melting and smearing of microplastics, decreasing roughness parameters. Co-occurrence matrix analysis of specklegrams correlates image parameters—inertia moment, homogeneity, energy, contrast, and entropy—with the microplastics count, showing surface modifications and altered pixel intensity distribution with increasing water temperature. Regression equations based on image parameters establish a strong correlation with the microplastics count, that are validated against the Neubauer chamber method. The study indicates contrast as the potential sensitive specklegram feature for microplastics detection and quantification. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper delves into the development of biocomposite (BC) packaging material from tapioca starch (TS), flax seed gel (FS), and Siam weed (SW) extract, considering the increased demand for sustainable, eco-friendly packaging materials. The BCs—BC1 (40 mL), BC2 (80 mL), and BC3 (120 mL), prepared by varying the concentration of SW—were subjected to morphological, structure, thermal, and optical characterisations. The BC with a fragmented, agglomerated morphology shows cellulosic peaks in the X-ray diffraction pattern, indicating the C-type crystalline structure in TS. Thermogravimetric analysis confirmed the BC’s safe use up to 300 °C, with a minimal 40% weight loss. Differential scanning calorimetry plots identified heat absorption during gelatinisation, with an endothermic peak at 300 °C marking a phase transition. The Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) and UV–visible spectra revealed functional groups that attribute antibacterial potential to the BC. The optical analyses show greater absorption and fewer emissions, resulting in the increased enthalpy responsible for the microbial activities. Antibacterial studies demonstrated BC2’s efficacy against Staphylococcus aureus, while the stability against humidity and the minimal weight loss underscored the BC’s robust thermal stability. FTIR spectra of post-heating at 80 °C confirmed the structural integrity, positioning the BC as a promising material for eco-friendly packaging solutions.

The work reported in the paper addresses the thermal diffusivity (TD) tuning of the electronic sensor material polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF). The thermal properties of electronic material were found to influence the device characteristics significantly, demanding novel techniques for TD tuning. The TD value of the carbon sources—hydroxyethyl cellulose (HC), lignin (LG), and camphor soot (CS) and their composites—were measured by the sensitive nondestructive evaluation technique—photothermal beam deflection. When the HC and LG enhanced the TD of PVDF by 237.5% and 27.5%, respectively, CS was found to lower it by 11.25%. The spectroscopic analysis revealed the variation of hydroxyl groups in the samples and suggested its prominence in deciding the TD value. The Fourier transform infrared analysis and beam deflection measurements exhibited a positive correlation between hydroxyl groups and TD, except for the composite PVDF combined with soot. In this case, the amorphous carbon in soot reduced PVDF’s TD due to the heat trap mechanism of carbon allotropes. The induced variation of TD of PVDF via carbon source integration is attributed to the closure of pores in PVDF, revealed through the optical microscopic images, thereby suggesting a methodology for enhancing or reducing TD of PVDF.

Thermal transport properties for the isotropic and anisotropic characterization of nanolayers have been a significant gap in the research over the last decade. Multiple studies have been close to determining the thermal conductivity, diffusivity, and boundary resistance between the layers. The methods detailed in this work involve non-contact frequency domain pump-probe thermoreflectance (FDTR) and photothermal radiometry (PTR) methods for the ultraprecise determination of in-plane and cross-plane thermal transport properties. The motivation of one of the works is the advantage of the use of amplitude (TR signal) as one of the input parameters along with the phase for the determination of thermal parameters. In this article, we present a unique strategy for measuring the thermal transport parameters of thin films, including cross-plane thermal diffusivity, in-plane thermal conductivity, and thermal boundary resistance as a comprehensively reviewed article. The results obtained for organic and inorganic thin films are presented. Precise ranges for the thermal conductivity can be across confidence intervals for material measurements between 0.5 and 60 W/m-K for multiple nanolayers. The presented strategy is based on frequency-resolved methods, which, in contrast to time-resolved methods, make it possible to measure volumetric-specific heat. It is worth adding that the presented strategy allows for accurate (the signal in both methods depends on cross-plane thermal conductivity and thermal boundary resistance) and precise measurement. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]