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Abstract Forecasting floods encompasses significant complexity due to the nonlinear nature of hydrological systems, which involve intricate interactions among precipitation, landscapes, river systems, and hydrological networks. Recent efforts in hydrology have aimed at predicting water flow, floods, and quality, yet most methodologies overlook the influence of adjacent areas and lack advanced visualization for water level assessment. Our contribution is two-fold: firstly, we introduce a graph neural network model (LocalFLoodNet) equipped with a graph learning module to capture the interconnections of water systems and the connectivity between stations to predict future water levels. Secondly, we develop a simulation prototype offering visual insights for decision-making in disaster prevention and policy-making. This prototype visualizes predicted water levels and facilitates data analysis using decades of historical information. Focusing on the Greater Montreal Area (GMA), particularly Terrebonne, Quebec, Canada, we apply LocalFLoodNet and prototype to demonstrate a comprehensive method for assessing flood impacts. By utilizing a digital twin of Terrebonne, our simulation tool allows users to interactively modify the landscape and simulate various flood scenarios, thereby providing valuable insights into preventive strategies. This research aims to enhance water level prediction and evaluation of preventive measures, setting a benchmark for similar applications across different geographic areas.

Nature-inspired designs/organic designs exhibit a very close resemblance with nature especially in terms of form and structure. Form giving for organic design is a special class of design problem that involves the use of inspiration and analogies from nature for creative problem-solving. There is insufficient research in understanding this phenomenon that could help design practitioners and educators to develop new methods and tools. This study adopts an integrated approach of protocol analysis with grounded theory to examine the data of twelve design students. The study identifies various design factors responsible for the generation of product forms inspired by nature and their influence on the form generation process of design students. A theoretical model/framework is proposed on the form generation process based on these findings.

Signal processing helps monitor the condition of power equipment. Partial discharge (PD) signals used in condition-based maintenance give crucial information in the diagnosis of degradation of insulation. The acoustic emission technique (AET) is one of the most widely used techniques in PD signal analysis due to its inherent advantages. Analyzing acoustic emission partial discharge (AEPD) signals in the wavelet-domain provides critical insights into the location and type of the sources of PD. Selection of the most suitable mother wavelet in applying discrete wavelet transform (DWT) on AEPD signals is important as it will directly impact the outcome. For this selection, 36 wavelets belonging to the Daubechies, Symlets, Coiflets, and Bi-orthogonal families are investigated. For this purpose, five experimentally collected AEPD test signals are used. The selection is based on the “accuracy of wavelet decomposition results” in this work, probably for the first time. One mother wavelet from each family is individually shortlisted for all three performances, namely (a) reconstruction, (b) denoising, and (c) compression, by computing and comparing their commonly used metrics. Further, based on percentage energy criteria, the most suitable mother wavelets are identified as coif3, coif4, and coif5, respectively, for the three performances.

The high-intensity electric fields, which are in the vicinity of power transmission lines, have adverse effects on human and other living beings if they are not within the specified limits. The International Commission on Non-ionizing Radiation Protection (INCIRP) specifies guidelines for these E-fields from the perspective of public exposure at the ground level and sets it to 5 kV/m at 50 Hz. Thus, this study was aimed at analyzing and comparing the E-fields intensity of differently configured double-circuit 500 kV transmission lines at a height of 1 m above the ground plane. Charge Simulation Method (CSM) using MATLAB as a programming platform is used for this study. Among the tower configurations studied, a configuration that provided minimum E-fields with minimum ground clearance was identified. From the actual built transmission lines included in the study, vertical lines configuration produces a minimum E-fields intensity of 4.565 kV/m root mean square and fulfills the INCIRP requirement. However, triangular line configuration is the preferable configuration for 500 kV double circuit transmission lines giving the least E-fields at the ground with minimum ground clearance using optimized phase sequence arrangements irrespective of other comparative parameters. Additionally, an evaluation of these line configurations based on the distribution of the conductor surface E-fields was conducted. The study reveals that the E-fields on the surface of the transmission line conductors included in the study remains significantly below the intrinsic breakdown strength of atmospheric air. Therefore, it was anticipated that the designs will remain free from corona discharge under fair weather conditions.

Background: The design of majority of commercially available knee implants has their basis on data obtained from the European population. Anthropometric research has demonstrated a difference in the shape and size of proximal tibia and distal femur between the genders and ethnic groups. Underfit or overhang of prosthetic components can result in poor clinical and functional outcomes with need for revision. This study compares the dimensions of the knee in multiple racial groups to observe if significant racial and gender differences occur. Methodology: Morphometric parameters of the knee of adult patients (>18 years) in four population groups (Native Emirati, East Asian, Indian, and Caucasian) were measured using magnetic resonance imaging. Knee parameters were obtained from 368 patients (179 females and 189 males). Results: Males have larger femoral and tibial parameters compared to females (P < 0.01). For any specified anteroposterior length of knee, females demonstrate narrower mediolateral widths compared to males. Significant differences exist in knee parameters between the racial groups in both genders (P < 0.01). Conclusion: Adult knee parameters show significant variation between the genders and racial groups showing strong evidence for a race- and gender-specific knee arthroplasty system.

Abstract Approximately 30% of early-stage lung adenocarcinoma patients present with disease progression after successful surgical resection. Despite efforts of mapping the genetic landscape, there has been limited success in discovering predictive biomarkers of disease outcomes. Here we performed a systematic multi-omic assessment of 143 tumors and matched tumor-adjacent, histologically-normal lung tissue with long-term patient follow-up. Through histologic, mutational, and transcriptomic profiling of tumor and adjacent-normal tissue, we identified an inflammatory gene signature in tumor-adjacent tissue as the strongest clinical predictor of disease progression. Single-cell transcriptomic analysis demonstrated the progression-associated inflammatory signature was expressed in both immune and non-immune cells, and cell type-specific profiling in monocytes further improved outcome predictions. Additional analyses of tumor-adjacent transcriptomic data from The Cancer Genome Atlas validated the association of the inflammatory signature with worse outcomes across cancers. Collectively, our study suggests that molecular profiling of tumor-adjacent tissue can identify patients at high risk for disease progression.

We identify the Plasmodium falciparum acetyl-coenzyme A synthetase (PfAcAS) as a druggable target, using genetic and chemical validation. In vitro evolution of resistance with two antiplasmodial drug-like compounds (MMV019721 and MMV084978) selects for mutations in PfAcAS. Metabolic profiling of compound-treated parasites reveals changes in acetyl-CoA levels for both compounds. Genome editing confirms that mutations in PfAcAS are sufficient to confer resistance. Knockdown studies demonstrate that PfAcAS is essential for asexual growth, and partial knockdown induces hypersensitivity to both compounds. In vitro biochemical assays using recombinantly expressed PfAcAS validates that MMV019721 and MMV084978 directly inhibit the enzyme by preventing CoA and acetate binding, respectively. Immunolocalization studies reveal that PfAcAS is primarily localized to the nucleus. Functional studies demonstrate inhibition of histone acetylation in compound-treated wild-type, but not in resistant parasites. Our findings identify and validate PfAcAS as an essential, druggable target involved in the epigenetic regulation of gene expression.

The Kaas lake is one of the unique sedimentary basins in the Northern region of the Western Ghats escarpment of India and preserves paleoclimate signals of the Holocene in its cover sequence over the lateritic basement. The signatures preserved in the lacustrine deposits, such as pollen, non-pollen palynomorphs, diatoms, and geochemistry of the sediments, were decoded and used to reconstruct the Holocene environmental changes of the Kaas Plateau in the Western Ghats. The main stages in the lake's evolution indicate the following: (1) low nutrient level and strongly changeable water levels in the early Holocene, (2) persistence of the oligotrophic state of the lake up to the last 2000 yr, and (3) strong cultural eutrophication of the lake in the recent period (c. 1000 years). The localized depression or a seasonal-lake favoured freshwater accumulation since 8.0 kyr BP and was probably dried sometimes after 2.0 kyr BP. A late Holocene peak of planktonic diatom and high organic recovery at the top level in the recent past (c. 1000 years) represents an event of eutrophication, possibly due to human impact. Being a seasonal lake, the plateau surface allowed clay accumulation with an extremely slow rate of 2.5 cm/10 kyr. Diatoms, pollen, and non-pollen palynomorphs together showed periodic fluctuations in lake hydrology, which was probably in response to climate-controlled vegetation on the Kaas Plateau. The diatom and sediment anomalies point to an ecological shift towards the mid–Holocene, supporting the hypothesis of increased Southwest Monsoons during the early Holocene around 8.0 kyr BP and the relative weakening of Northeast Monsoon after 2.5 kyr BP.

Background and aimsLarge clades of angiosperms are often characterized by diverse interactions with pollinators, but how these pollination systems are structured phylogenetically and biogeographically is still uncertain for most families. Apocynaceae is a clade of >5300 species with a worldwide distribution. A database representing >10 % of species in the family was used to explore the diversity of pollinators and evolutionary shifts in pollination systems across major clades and regions.MethodsThe database was compiled from published and unpublished reports. Plants were categorized into broad pollination systems and then subdivided to include bimodal systems. These were mapped against the five major divisions of the family, and against the smaller clades. Finally, pollination systems were mapped onto a phylogenetic reconstruction that included those species for which sequence data are available, and transition rates between pollination systems were calculated.Key resultsMost Apocynaceae are insect pollinated with few records of bird pollination. Almost three-quarters of species are pollinated by a single higher taxon (e.g. flies or moths); 7 % have bimodal pollination systems, whilst the remaining approx. 20 % are insect generalists. The less phenotypically specialized flowers of the Rauvolfioids are pollinated by a more restricted set of pollinators than are more complex flowers within the Apocynoids + Periplocoideae + Secamonoideae + Asclepiadoideae (APSA) clade. Certain combinations of bimodal pollination systems are more common than others. Some pollination systems are missing from particular regions, whilst others are over-represented.ConclusionsWithin Apocynaceae, interactions with pollinators are highly structured both phylogenetically and biogeographically. Variation in transition rates between pollination systems suggest constraints on their evolution, whereas regional differences point to environmental effects such as filtering of certain pollinators from habitats. This is the most extensive analysis of its type so far attempted and gives important insights into the diversity and evolution of pollination systems in large clades.

Background: With the growing incidence of liver cirrhosis among Asians, the use of a biomarker such as prolactin indicates the severity of the disease, its complications, and serves as a tool for the early intervention. Aims and Objectives: The aims of this study were to assess the correlation of serum prolactin level to the Child-Pugh Scoring System in liver cirrhosis patients and to find out its prognostic importance in liver cirrhosis. Materials and Methods: This is a cross-sectional study including 60 patients of liver cirrhosis. Complete history taking, physical examination, and relevant investigations were done. Frequency and percentage were calculated and Chi-square test was applied for significance. Correlation was assessed using Spearman’s correlation coefficient. Results: Mean age was 44±12.8 years. Cirrhosis was alcohol induced in 55%, hepatitis B related in 18.3%, and other causes related in 7.8%. Mean prolactin levels were 18.1±11.3 μg/l. Strong positive correlation was found between prolactin level and bilirubin level (rs=0.372, P=0.003) and prolactin level and prothrombin time (rs=0.490, P=0.003). Statistically significant association was found between Child-Pugh score and prolactin level (x2=12.2, P=0.003). We found no significant association of prolactin level with age, albumin, creatinine, ascites, esophageal varices, etiology of cirrhosis, and hepatic encephalopathy. Conclusion: We observed that there was a strong correlation between Child-Pugh score and serum prolactin level. Although, Child-Pugh scoring system is a predictor of morbidity in liver cirrhosis patients, serum prolactin level can also be used as an indicator for predicting patients at high risk of developing complications and mortality due to liver cirrhosis.

The chikungunya virus (CHIKV) is an alphavirus transmitted by Aedes mosquitoes. There are no licenced antivirals or vaccines for treatment or prevention. Drug repurposing approach has emerged as a novel concept to find alternative uses of therapeutics to battle pathogens. In the present study, anti CHIKV activity of fourteen FDA-approved drugs was investigated by in vitro and in silico approaches. Focus-forming unit assay, immunofluorescence test, and quantitative RT-PCR assay were used to assess the in vitro inhibitory effect of these drugs against CHIKV in Vero CCL-81 cells. The findings showed that nine compounds, viz., temsirolimus, 2-fluoroadenine, doxorubicin, felbinac, emetine, lomibuvir, enalaprilat, metyrapone and resveratrol exhibit anti chikungunya activity. Furthermore, in silico molecular docking studies performed by targeting CHIKV structural and non-structural proteins revealed that these drugs can bind to structural protein targets such as envelope protein, and capsid, and non-structural proteins NSP2, NSP3 and NSP4 (RdRp). Findings from in vitro and in silico studies reveal that these drugs can suppress the infection and replication of CHIKV and further in vivo studies followed by clinical trials are warranted.

Ureteral strictures constitute one of the most common sequelae of impacted ureteral stones. Uretero-ileal substitution is an established treatment for long benign ureteral strictures, measuring more than 2 cm, which are incurable by other less invasive treatment options. One of the common drawbacks of this procedure is its extensive nature and the urine reflux into the newly constructed ileal segment, resulting in urine stagnation and precipitation of urinary tract infections.We report a case of a minimally invasive laparoscopic uretero-ileal substitution for a long mid ureteral stricture, utilizing the natural anti-reflux mechanism.

Banyan aerial root (BAR) powder was prepared from the aerial roots of a Banyan tree to modify epoxy resin using a magnetic stirrer. The modification was performed at different proportions of BAR powder, namely, 2%, 4%, 6%, and 8%, by weight. Composites were fabricated with modified and unmodified resins using a combination of hand lay-up and compression molding processes to evaluate the influence of BAR powders on their mechanical properties. The test results showed that BAR powder incorporation had a positive influence on the mechanical properties of the composites, as an increase in tensile, flexural, and impact strengths was observed, with the highest tensile and flexural properties of 407.81 MPa and 339 MPa, respectively, seen in composites with 4% BAR and the highest impact strength 194.02 kJ/m2 observed in the specimen with 6% BAR powder. Though the properties saw a dipping trend at higher weight proportions of the particulate, they were still significantly higher than the properties of laminates prepared with unmodified resin. Gravimetric analysis and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) on BAR powders confirmed cellulose to be the major constituent, followed by lignin and hemicellulose. A scanning electron microscope was used for studying the failure mechanisms of the laminates.