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Abstract Fuel cell-based electric vehicles (EVs) are gaining popularity in the automotive industry due to strict carbon emissions and fuel efficiency regulations. Fuel cells have inherently low voltage characteristics, making it challenging to interface with EV drive systems. This work proposes a unique topology implementing a non-isolated high step-up DC-DC converter to integrate the Proton Exchange Membrane Fuel (PEMF) cell with the EV motor drive. The converter combines a modified Single-Ended Primary Inductor Converter (m-SEPIC) with two winding-coupled inductors, enabling high voltage gain, minimizing conduction losses, and ensuring high efficiency. The output power of a fuel cell is highly dependent on cell temperature and membrane water content, making a maximum power point tracking controller essential for extracting optimal power from the fuel cell stack. The optimum power point of the PEMF cell is identified using a Neural Network (NN)-based Maximum Power Point Tracking (MPPT) technique, employing the Radial Basis Function Network (RBFN) approach compared to the Perturb & Observe (P&O) method. The performance of the RBFN MPPT method is validated under various temperature conditions of the fuel cell system. An extensive analysis and comparison with alternative converters validate the efficacy of the proposed system. The converter is designed for an input voltage of 24 V and boosts it to an output voltage of 240 V, with high static voltage gain, high power density, and minimized total losses. The system is tested and validated through both simulation and real-time implementation using the dSPACE 1104 real-time controller. A 200 W, 3000 rpm, 240 V VSI-based BLDC motor drive integrated with the proposed converter topology is developed as a real-time setup in the laboratory which would confirm the converter’s functionality. Both theoretical analysis and real-time outcomes affirm the suitability of the proposed converter topology for electric vehicle applications.

Abstract Background Pneumococcal disease caused by Streptococcus pneumoniae is an important cause of morbidity and mortality across all ages, particularly in younger children and older adults. Here, we describe pneumococcal disease hospitalizations at Ministry of Health (MoH) facilities in Malaysia between 2013 and 2015. Methods This was a retrospective databases analysis. Tabular data from the Malaysian Health Data Warehouse (MyHDW) were used to identify microbiologically confirmed, pneumococcal disease hospitalizations and deaths during hospitalization, using hospital-assigned ICD-10 codes (i.e., classified as meningitis, pneumonia, or non-meningitis non-pneumonia). Case counts, mortality counts, and case fatality rates were reported by patient age group and by Malaysian geographic region. Results A total of 683 pneumococcal disease hospitalizations were identified from the analysis: 53 pneumococcal meningitis hospitalizations (5 deaths and 48 discharges), 413 pneumococcal pneumonia hospitalizations (24 deaths and 389 discharges), and 205 non-meningitis non-pneumonia pneumococcal disease hospitalizations (58 deaths and 147 discharges). Most hospitalizations occurred in children aged

In recent times, energy storage has been a major concern in the renewable energy sector. Traditional batteries are becoming less effective and sustainable as the world is moving towards renewable energy. Gravity battery, also known as Gravitricity is a new energy storage technology that is gaining popularity in the renewable energy sector. Gravity battery uses excess energy to hoist heavy objects, and when needed, the objects are released, generating energy. This paper highlights the need for alternative energy storage systems and the potential of gravity batteries to address the limitations of traditional batteries. This paper provides an in-depth analysis of gravity battery technology including the need analysis, problem Statement, product producers, advantages, disadvantages, and how it can replace the present batteries in power systems. The paper concludes that gravity battery technology is a promising alternative to traditional batteries and requires further research and development to accelerate its adoption in the renewable energy sector.

The aim of this paper is to investigate the second order half-linear retarded difference equation Δ(μ(n)(Δη(n))α)+δ(n)ηα(σ(n))=0\Delta \left( {\mu \left( n \right){{\left( {\Delta \eta \left( n \right)} \right)}^\alpha }} \right) + \delta \left( n \right){\eta ^\alpha }\left( {\sigma \left( n \right)} \right) = 0 under the condition ∑n=n0∞μ−1α(n)

This paper introduces extensions H4,p and X8,p of Horn’s double hypergeometric function H4 and Exton’s triple hypergeometric function X8, taking into account recent extensions of Euler’s beta function, hypergeometric function, and confluent hypergeometric function. Among the numerous extended hypergeometric functions, the primary rationale for choosing H4 and X8 is their comparable extension type. Next, we present various integral representations of Euler and Laplace types, Mellin and inverse Mellin transforms, Laguerre polynomial representations, transformation formulae, and a recurrence relation for the extended functions. In particular, we provide a generating function for X8,p and several bounding inequalities for H4,p and X8,p. We explore the utilization of the H4,p function within a probability distribution. Most special functions, such as the generalized hypergeometric function, the Beta function, and the p-extended Beta integral, exhibit natural symmetry.

Efficiency of Intrusion detection systems-IDS are evaluated using parameters like completeness, performance and accuracy. The first important parameter is the completeness, which occurs when the detection of attack fails. This is the most difficult parameter to evaluate compared to the other two parameters. The second one is performance, which indicates the audit events process. When the IDS doesn’t work properly or works poorly, the real time detection becomes impossible. Legitimate actions are flagged as anomalous which is termed as inaccuracy. This part needs attention to address the inaccuracies. Optimal solutions must take the inaccuracies into consideration for accuracy, thereby efficiency of IDS. There are different trends in IDS. Some of them are discussed below. Behavior and knowledge-based IDS: Misuse detection, appearance-based detection, behavior detection and anomaly detection etc. There are numerous stability and security issues as a result of the Internet’s and computer networks’ rapid proliferation. The present study reports the case study of image processing in a fruit grading plant with data safety over cloud with Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM). How Artificial Neural Networks (ANN) architecture can help is discussed and recommendations are made for impending improvement.

Hypoxic adaptation mediated by HIF transcription factors requires mitochondria, which have been implicated in regulating HIF1α stability in hypoxia by distinct models that involve consuming oxygen or alternatively converting oxygen into the second messenger peroxide. Here, we use a ratiometric, peroxide reporter, HyPer to evaluate the role of peroxide in regulating HIF1α stability. We show that antioxidant enzymes are neither homeostatically induced nor are peroxide levels increased in hypoxia. Additionally, forced expression of diverse antioxidant enzymes, all of which diminish peroxide, had disparate effects on HIF1α protein stability. Moreover, decrease in lipid peroxides by glutathione peroxidase-4 or superoxide by mitochondrial SOD, failed to influence HIF1α protein stability. These data show that mitochondrial, cytosolic or lipid ROS were not necessary for HIF1α stability, and favor a model where mitochondria contribute to hypoxic adaptation as oxygen consumers.

The past decade has brought tremendous progress in diagnostic and therapeutic options for cerebrovascular diseases as exemplified by the advent of thrombectomy in ischemic stroke, benefitting a steeply increasing number of stroke patients and potentially paving the way for a renaissance of neuroprotectants. Progress in basic science has been equally impressive. Based on a deeper understanding of pathomechanisms underlying cerebrovascular diseases, new therapeutic targets have been identified and novel treatment strategies such as pre- and post-conditioning methods were developed. Moreover, translationally relevant aspects are increasingly recognized in basic science studies, which is believed to increase their predictive value and the relevance of obtained findings for clinical application.This review reports key results from some of the most remarkable and encouraging achievements in neurovascular research that have been reported at the 10th International Symposium on Neuroprotection and Neurorepair. Basic science topics discussed herein focus on aspects such as neuroinflammation, extracellular vesicles, and the role of sex and age on stroke recovery. Translational reports highlighted endovascular techniques and targeted delivery methods, neurorehabilitation, advanced functional testing approaches for experimental studies, pre-and post-conditioning approaches as well as novel imaging and treatment strategies. Beyond ischemic stroke, particular emphasis was given on activities in the fields of traumatic brain injury and cerebral hemorrhage in which promising preclinical and clinical results have been reported. Although the number of neutral outcomes in clinical trials is still remarkably high when targeting cerebrovascular diseases, we begin to evidence stepwise but continuous progress towards novel treatment options. Advances in preclinical and translational research as reported herein are believed to have formed a solid foundation for this progress.

A major thrust of our laboratory has been to identify how physiological stress is transduced into transcriptional responses that feed back to overcome the inciting stress or its consequences, thereby fostering survival and repair. To this end, we have adopted the use of an in vitro model of ferroptosis, a caspase-independent, but iron-dependent form of cell death (Dixon et al., 2012; Ratan, 2020). In this review, we highlight three distinct epigenetic targets that have evolved from our studies and which have been validated in vivo studies. In the first section, we discuss our studies of broad, pan-selective histone deacetylase (HDAC) inhibitors in ferroptosis and how these studies led to the validation of HDAC inhibitors as candidate therapeutics in a host of disease models. In the second section, we discuss our studies that revealed a role for transglutaminase as an epigenetic modulator of proferroptotic pathways and how these studies set the stage for recent elucidation of monoamines as post-translation modifiers of histone function. In the final section, we discuss our studies of iron-, 2-oxoglutarate-, and oxygen-dependent dioxygenases and the role of one family of these enzymes, the HIF prolyl hydroxylases, in mediating transcriptional events necessary for ferroptosis in vitro and for dysfunction in a host of neurological conditions. Overall, our studies highlight the importance of epigenetic proteins in mediating prodeath and prosurvival responses to ferroptosis. Pharmacological agents that target these epigenetic proteins are showing robust beneficial effects in diverse rodent models of stroke, Parkinson's disease, Huntington's disease, and Alzheimer's disease.

Traumatic spinal cord injury (SCI) is a devastating neurological condition that involves both primary and secondary tissue loss. Various cytotoxic events including hypoxia, hemorrhage and blood lysis, bioenergetic failure, oxidative stress, endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress, and neuroinflammation contribute to secondary injury. The HIF prolyl hydroxylase domain (PHD/EGLN) family of proteins are iron-dependent, oxygen-sensing enzymes that regulate the stability of hypoxia inducible factor-1α (HIF-1α) and also mediate oxidative stress caused by free iron liberated from the lysis of blood. PHD inhibition improves outcome after experimental intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH) by reducing activating transcription factor 4 (ATF4)-driven neuronal death. As the ATF4-CHOP (CCAAT-enhancer-binding protein homologous protein) pathway plays a role in the pathogenesis of contusive SCI, we examined the effects of PHD inhibition in a mouse model of moderate T9 contusive SCI in which white matter damage is the primary driver of locomotor dysfunction. Pharmacological inhibition of PHDs using adaptaquin (AQ) moderately lowers acute induction of Atf4 and Chop mRNAs and prevents the acute decline of oligodendrocyte (OL) lineage mRNAs, but does not improve long-term recovery of hindlimb locomotion or increase chronic white matter sparing. Conditional genetic ablation of all three PHD isoenzymes in OLs did not affect Atf4, Chop or OL mRNAs expression levels, locomotor recovery, and white matter sparing after SCI. Hence, PHDs may not be suitable targets to improve outcomes in traumatic CNS pathologies that involve acute white matter injury.

Identifying disease-causing pathways and drugs that target them in Parkinson's disease (PD) has remained challenging. We uncovered a PD-relevant pathway in which the stress-regulated heterodimeric transcription complex CHOP/ATF4 induces the neuron prodeath protein Trib3 that in turn depletes the neuronal survival protein Parkin. Here we sought to determine whether the drug adaptaquin, which inhibits ATF4-dependent transcription, could suppress Trib3 induction and neuronal death in cellular and animal models of PD. Neuronal PC12 cells and ventral midbrain dopaminergic neurons were assessed in vitro for survival, transcription factor levels and Trib3 or Parkin expression after exposure to 6-hydroxydopamine or 1-methyl-4-phenylpyridinium with or without adaptaquin co-treatment. 6-hydroxydopamine injection into the medial forebrain bundle was used to examine the effects of systemic adaptaquin on signaling, substantia nigra dopaminergic neuron survival and striatal projections as well as motor behavior. In both culture and animal models, adaptaquin suppressed elevation of ATF4 and/or CHOP and induction of Trib3 in response to 1-methyl-4-phenylpyridinium and/or 6-hydroxydopamine. In culture, adaptaquin preserved Parkin levels, provided neuroprotection and preserved morphology. In the mouse model, adaptaquin treatment enhanced survival of dopaminergic neurons and substantially protected their striatal projections. It also significantly enhanced retention of nigrostriatal function. These findings define a novel pharmacological approach involving the drug adaptaquin, a selective modulator of hypoxic adaptation, for suppressing Parkin loss and neurodegeneration in toxin models of PD. As adaptaquin possesses an oxyquinoline backbone with known safety in humans, these findings provide a firm rationale for advancing it towards clinical evaluation in PD.

Exercise induces beneficial responses in the brain, which is accompanied by an increase in BDNF, a trophic factor associated with cognitive improvement and the alleviation of depression and anxiety. However, the exact mechanisms whereby physical exercise produces an induction in brain Bdnf gene expression are not well understood. While pharmacological doses of HDAC inhibitors exert positive effects on Bdnf gene transcription, the inhibitors represent small molecules that do not occur in vivo. Here, we report that an endogenous molecule released after exercise is capable of inducing key promoters of the Mus musculus Bdnf gene. The metabolite β-hydroxybutyrate, which increases after prolonged exercise, induces the activities of Bdnf promoters, particularly promoter I, which is activity-dependent. We have discovered that the action of β-hydroxybutyrate is specifically upon HDAC2 and HDAC3, which act upon selective Bdnf promoters. Moreover, the effects upon hippocampal Bdnf expression were observed after direct ventricular application of β-hydroxybutyrate. Electrophysiological measurements indicate that β-hydroxybutyrate causes an increase in neurotransmitter release, which is dependent upon the TrkB receptor. These results reveal an endogenous mechanism to explain how physical exercise leads to the induction of BDNF.

In the present work, an attempt was made to reduce the NOx emission of crude rice bran oil methyl ester without any considerable increase in smoke density, when used as a fuel in a stationary CI engine. Three factors namely, fuel injection timing, Exhaust Gas Recirculation (EGR) and fuel injection pressure were chosen and their combined effect in controlling the NOx emission of a stationary Diesel engine fuelled with crude rice bran oil methyl ester was investigated. Three levels were chosen in each factor and NOx emission, smoke density and brake thermal efficiency were taken as the response variables. Experiments were designed by employing design of experiments method and Taguchi’s L9 orthogonal array was used to conduct the engine tests with different levels of the chosen factors. Multi Response Signal-to-Noise ratio (MRSN) was calculated for the response variables and the optimum combination level of factors was obtained simultaneously using Taguchi’s parametric design. Confirmation experiment was conducted for the obtained optimum combination level of factors and the results were compared with normal operating conditions and significant improvement was observed in the response variables. Dans la présente étude, il a été tenté de réduire les émissions de NOx de l'ester méthylique d'huile de riz brut sans accroissement considérable de la densité de fumée lorsqu'il est utilisé comme carburant dans un moteur stationnaire à allumage par compression. Trois facteurs, à savoir le calage d'injection de carburant, le pourcentage de recirculation des gaz d'échappement (EGR ; Exhaust Gas Recirculation) et la pression d'injection de carburant ont été choisis, et leur effet combiné a été examiné en matière de maîtrise des émissions de NOx d'un moteur Diesel stationnaire alimenté avec de l'ester méthylique d'huile de riz brut. Trois niveaux ont été choisis pour chaque facteur et les émissions de NOx, la densité de fumée ainsi que le rendement thermique au frein ont été retenus en tant que variables de réponse. Les expériences ont été conçues en employant la méthode des plans d'expériences et la table orthogonale L9 de Taguchi a été utilisée pour conduire les essais moteurs selon différents niveaux des facteurs choisis. Le Rapport Signal-Bruit de Réponses Multiples (RSBRM) a été calculé pour les variables de réponse et le niveau de combinaison optimum des facteurs a été obtenu en utilisant simultanément la conception paramétrique de Taguchi. Une expérience de confirmation a été menée pour le niveau de combinaison optimum des facteurs, puis les résultats ont été comparés avec les conditions de fonctionnement normal et une amélioration significative des variables de réponse a été observée.

In the nearshore zone of present study area, the movement of sand alongshore is due to the action of waves and currents. The sediment movement along the shoreline of study area is mainly governed by the forces associated with the incoming waves and the availability of sediments within the area. Thepresent investigation has beenmadeas an attempt to appreciate the sediment movement in relation to wave activity along the coast. The longshore sediment transport is higher in the northerly direction as compared to southerly direction. The normal condition is for and to be moved annually or more frequently in the shallows and on the beach. Waves and wave-driven currents cause longshore drift of sand along the beach and offshore. The net erosive nature of the study area (except Kanyakumari) from March to October is due to the prevalence of high waves from S and SE directions.

Context: In the current scenario of renal transplantation, the role of immunological methods in the detection of C4d has emerged as a useful adjunct in the recognition of acute humoral rejection (AHR). Few reports of this nature are available from the Indian context although there are several from the Western literature. Aims: To study the humoral component of renal allograft rejection in patients presenting clinically with graft dysfunction by histopathological detection of polymorphs in the peritubular capillaries and the expression of C4d using immunological techniques, as well as the response of patients to appropriate antirejection therapy. Settings and Design: This study from a tertiary care center reemphasizes the importance of recognition of AHR as a cause of renal allograft dysfunction. Materials and Methods: Percutaneous renal biopsies were obtained from 40 postrenal transplant patients and evaluated for C4d using immunofluorescence and immunohistochemical methods. Statistical a0 nalysis used: SPSS software. Results: Positive expression of C4d was seen in a total of 19/40 cases (44.4%) indicating immunological evidence of AHR. Diffusely positive cases were treated with IV immunoglobulin therapy, plasmapheresis and Rituximab following which graft function was restored. Patients with minimal to focal positive expression of C4d responded well to pulse steroids and change in immunosuppressive therapy. Conclusions: C4d staining is a useful adjunct to routine histopathological methods in evaluating the humoral component of acute renal allograft dysfunction and helps in planning appropriate antirejection therapy with the goal of achieving long-term graft survival.

Background: Fluorosis is one of the common but major emerging areas of research in the tropics. It is considered endemic in 17 states of India. However, the Cuddalore district of Tamil Nadu is categorised as a fluorosis non-endemic area. But clinical cases of dental fluorosis were reported in the field practice area of Department of Community Medicine, Rajah Muthiah Medical College, Annamalai University, Chidambaram. Since dental fluorosis has been described as a biomarker of exposure to fluoride, we assessed the prevalence and severity of dental fluorosis among primary school children in the service area. Materials and Methods: Children studying in six primary schools of six villages in the field practice area of Rural Health Centre of Faculty of Medicine, Annamalai University, Chidambaram, were surveyed. Every child was clinically examined at the school by calibrated examiners with Dean′s fluorosis index recommended by WHO (1997). Chi-square test, Chi-square trend test and Spearman′s rank correlation coefficient test were used for statistical analysis. Results: Five hundred and twenty-five 5- to 12-year-old school children (255 boys and 270 girls) were surveyed. The overall dental fluorosis prevalence was found to be 31.4% in our study sample. Dental fluorosis increased with age P < 0.001, whereas gender difference was not statistically significant. Aesthetically objectionable dental fluorosis was found in 2.1% of the sample. Villages Senjicherry, Keezhaperambai and Kanagarapattu revealed a community fluorosis index (CFI) score of 0.43, 0.54 and 0.54 with 5.6%, 4.8% and 1.4% of objectionable dental fluorosis, respectively. Correlation between water fluoride content and CFI values in four villages was noted to be positively significant. Conclusion: Three out of six villages studied were in ′borderline′ public health significance (CFI score 0.4-0.6). A well-designed epidemiological investigation can be undertaken to evaluate the risk factors associated with the condition in the study region.

Objective: To obtain information on caries prevalence and treatment needs of children aged 5-10 years to plan appropriate dental care services in rural areas. Materials and Methods: Children studying in all the primary schools (six schools) in the field practice area of the Rural Health Centre of the Faculty of Medicine, Annamalai University, Chidambaram, were surveyed. Each child was clinically examined in the schools by calibrated examiners. Dental caries was assessed using diagnostic criteria recommended by WHO (1997). The chi-square test and two-way analysis of variance were used for statistical analysis. Results: Five hundred and eight 5-10 year-old school children (247 boys and 261 girls) were surveyed. Caries prevalence was 71.7 and 26.5% in primary and permanent dentition, respectively. The mean dmft and decayed missing filled tooth (DMFT) scores were 3.00 and 0.42 respectively. The mean dmft decreased with age ( P < 0.01) whereas the mean DMFT increased with age ( P < 0.001). Although the mean dmft scores were not statistically significant different for the two sexes, the mean DMFT score was found to be higher among girls than among boys ( P < 0.02). The entire dmft/DMFT value represented the ′decay′ component only. There was a strong need for single surface restorations (60.6%). In the WHO index age (5-6 years), the caries prevalence was 70.2% (29.8% caries-free) with a mean dmft value of 3.54 ± 3.71. Conclusion: Dental caries is a significant public health problem in this population. An extensive system to provide primary oral health care has to be developed in the rural areas of India.

Abnormalities in oxidative metabolism and reductions of thiamine-dependent enzymes accompany many age-related neurodegenerative diseases. Thiamine deficiency (TD) produces a cascade of events including mild impairment of oxidative metabolism, activation of microglia, astrocytes and endothelial cells that leads to neuronal loss in select brain regions. The earliest changes occur in a small, well-defined brain region, the submedial thalamic nucleus (SmTN). In the present study, a micropunch technique was used to evaluate quantitatively the selective regional changes in mRNA and protein levels. To test whether this method can distinguish between changes in vulnerable and non-vulnerable regions, markers for neuronal loss (NeuN) and endothelial cells (eNOS) and inflammation (IL-1β, IL-6 and TNF-α) in SmTN and cortex of control and TD mice were assessed. TD significantly reduced NeuN and increased CD11b, GFAP and ICAM-1 immunoreactivity in SmTN as revealed by immunocytochemistry. When assessed on samples obtained by the micropunch method, NeuN protein declined (−49%), while increased mRNA levels were observed for eNOS (3.7-fold), IL-1β (43-fold), IL-6 (44-fold) and TNF-α (64-fold) in SmTN with TD. The only TD-induced change that occurred in cortex with TD was an increase in TNF-α (22-fold) mRNA levels. Immunocytochemical analysis revealed that IL-1β, IL-6 and TNF-α protein levels increased in TD brains and colocalized with glial markers. The consistency of these quantitative results with immunocytochemical measurements validates the micropunch technique. The results demonstrate that TD induces quantitative, distinct inflammatory responses and oxidative stress in vulnerable and non-vulnerable regions that may underlie selective vulnerability.

The purpose of the study was to assess the pattern of prevalence of dental caries in the primary dentition among 5 year old children. The area of study was urban Pondicherry and the study population consisted of 1009 school children of both sexes (527 boys and 482 girls). A simple random sampling method was used to select the schools. Dental caries was assessed by the Dentition status and Treatment Need (WHO 1997). Statistical analysis was done using the Proportion test. The prevalence of caries was 44.4% among the study population, being higher in the boys (P < 0.05); In Mandibular arch in both the sexes (boys P < 0.05, girls P < 0.01); in posterior teeth (both sex wise & arch wise). Comparison of caries among anterior teeth (Boys vs Girls) [corrected] and posterior teeth (upper vs. lower) revealed higher caries prevalence in Maxillary anterior teeth (P < 0.001) and Mandibular posterior teeth (P < 0.001). In both the sexes and arches, primary second molars showed higher caries prevalence.