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Present study employes a picosecond laser (532 nm) for selective P1 laser scribing on the indium tin oxide (ITO) layer and subsequent fine‐tuning of P1 scribing conditions with machine learning (ML) techniques. Initially, the scribing is performed by varying different laser parameters and further evaluate them via an optical microscope and two probe resistivity measurements. The corresponding scribing width and sheet resistance data are used as input databases for ML analysis. The classification and regression tree (CART)‐based ML analysis revealed that median pulse energy 5.7 μJ, APL > 35%, LSO > 46%, and processing speed ≥1250 mm s−1 gives ≥16 μm of scribing width. Further, the decision tree (DT) analysis showed that pulse energy of ≥8.1 μJ, and LSO ≥ 37% are required for electrically isolated lines. The feature importance score suggests that laser fluence and pulse energy determined the scribing width, whereas electrical isolation strongly depends on LSO and processing speed. Finally, the ML achieved conditions experimentally validated and reassessed via scanning electron microscope, and atomic force microscopy aligns well with optical microscope measurements.

Background In endothelial cells (ECs), glycolysis, regulated by PFKFB3 (6‐phosphofructo‐2‐kinase/fructose‐2,6‐biphosphatase, isoform‐3), is the major metabolic pathway for ATP generation. In preclinical peripheral artery disease models, VEGF165a (vascular endothelial growth factor165a) and microRNA‐93 both promote angiogenesis. Methods and Results Mice following hind‐limb ischemia (HLI) and ECs with, and without, hypoxia and serum starvation were examined with, and without, microRNA‐93 and VEGF165a. Post‐HLI perfusion recovery was monitored. EC metabolism was studied using seahorse assay, and the expression and activity of major metabolism genes were assessed. Reactive oxygen species levels and EC permeability were evaluated. C57Bl/6J mice generated a robust angiogenic response to HLI, with ECs from ischemic versus nonischemic muscle demonstrating no increase in glycolysis. Balb/CJ mice generated a poor angiogenic response post‐HLI; ischemic versus nonischemic ECs demonstrated significant increase in glycolysis. MicroRNA‐93‐treated Balb/CJ mice post‐HLI showed better perfusion recovery, with ischemic versus nonischemic ECs showing no increase in glycolysis. VEGF165a‐treated Balb/CJ mice post‐HLI showed no improvement in perfusion recovery with ischemic versus nonischemic ECs showing significant increase in glycolysis. ECs under hypoxia and serum starvation upregulated PFKFB3. In ECs under hypoxia and serum starvation, VEGF165a versus control significantly upregulated PFKFB3 and glycolysis, whereas miR‐93 versus control demonstrated no increase in PFKFB3 or glycolysis. MicroRNA‐93 versus VEGF165a upregulated glucose‐6‐phosphate dehydrogenase expression and activity, activating the pentose phosphate pathway. MicroRNA‐93 versus control increased reduced nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate and virtually eliminated the increase in reactive oxygen species. In ECs under hypoxia and serum starvation, VEGF165a significantly increased and miR‐93 decreased EC permeability. Conclusions In peripheral artery disease, activation of the pentose phosphate pathway to promote angiogenesis may offer potential therapeutic advantages.

Purpose: Various studies show that the disparities in the posterior tibial slope can make native cruciate ligaments and the menisci susceptible to tears. This study is to determine the relationship between posterior tibial slope with the anterior cruciate ligament, posterior cruciate ligament and meniscal injuries. Methods: A total of 72 subjects between 18 and 60 years having a history of traumatic knee pain were included in the study. All subjects were clinically examined, radiologically investigated, and the posterior tibial slope of the patients was calculated. Incidences of cruciate ligaments and menisci injury were identified. Results: In our study, the mean medial compartment posterior tibial slope and lateral compartment posterior tibial slope in all the Anterior Cruciate Ligament injured patients are 7.82 ± 2.56 and 10.53 ± 3.46. But in controls, it is 5.91 ± 4.49 and 6.24 ± 5.15, respectively. The differences are statistically significant (p10). In cases with increased lateral Posterior Tibial Slope, more degeneration was seen in the lateral meniscus. Less Posterior Tibial Slope is associated with Posterior Cruciate Ligament tears. Conclusion: Anterior cruciate ligament is more prone to tears with a steeper posterior tibial slope. Lateral Meniscus tear is frequently associated with acute Anterior Cruciate Ligament injury and Medial Meniscus tear is predominantly associated with a chronic Anterior Cruciate Ligament injury. A decreased posterior tibial slope is more often associated with patients with a posterior cruciate ligament injury and is considered a risk factor for native Posterior Cruciate Ligament. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In the Kesterite family, the Cu2ZnSn(S,Se)4 (CZTSSe) thin-film solar cells (TFSCs) have demonstrated the highest device efficiency with non-stoichiometric cation composition ratios. These composition ratios have a strong influence on the structural, optical, and electrical properties of the CZTSSe absorber layer. So, in this work, a machine learning (ML) approach is employed to evaluate effect composition ratio on the device parameters of CZTSSe TFSCs. In particular, the bi-metallic ratios like Cu/Sn, Zn/Sn, Cu/Zn, and overall Cu/(Zn+Sn) cation composition ratio are investigated. To achieve this, different machine learning algorithms, such as decision trees (DTs) and classification and regression trees (CARTs), are used. In addition, the output performance parameters of CZTSSe TFSCs are predicted by both continuous and categorical approaches. Artificial neural networks (ANN) and XGBoost (XGB) algorithms are employed for the continuous approach. On the other hand, support vector machine and k-nearest neighbor’s algorithms are also used for the categorical approach. Through the analysis, it is observed that the DT and CART algorithms provided a critical composition range well suited for the fabrication of highly efficient CZTSSe TFSCs, while the XGB and ANN showed better prediction accuracy among the tested algorithms. The present work offers valuable guidance towards the integration of the ML approach with experimental studies in the field of TFSCs.

Byline: Siddanna. Palled, Bindu. Venugopal, D. Nihanthy, Hashmath. Khanum, C. Vijay, Lokesh. Viswanath, C. Ramachandra Background: Carcinoma cervix contributes to a major proportion of cancer treatment in tertiary oncology centers. [...]

AgBiS2 films have recently garnered considerable interest for photovoltaic applications because of their optimal bandgap and high absorption coefficient. Nevertheless, their fabrication has been confined to solution-based processes, which limits their scalability and makes the production of large-area devices challenging. This paper presents the successful fabrication of phase-pure AgBiS2 thin films using a thermal co-evaporation technique and their application in thin-film solar cells. The fabrication process utilized a compositional engineering approach that involved thermal co-evaporation of the precursor powders of Ag2S and Bi2S3. Initial optimization experiments were conducted to determine the optimal Ag/Bi composition and crystallinity. It was found that thin films with a 1 : 1 Ag : Bi ratio post-annealed at 200 °C for 10 minutes exhibited the most favorable microstructure with high crystallinity. Consequently, a notable power conversion efficiency of 1.52% and an open circuit voltage of 346 mV were achieved. These findings pave the way for the production of AgBiS2 thin-film solar cells using the thermal co-evaporation method for both research settings and commercial applications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A number of fungi have been shown to have negative effects on plant-parasitic nematodes. Most of these fungi have been isolated from soil, plant roots, or nematodes themselves. Fungi associated with crops can provide a diverse pool of candidates to test for antagonistic effects against plant parasites and other stressors. We used a hierarchical two-tiered approach to evaluate the efficacy and repeatability of 55 strains of fungi originally isolated as foliar facultative endophytes from upland cotton (Gossypium hirsutum) along with one commercial isolate of Beauveria bassiana for in planta antagonistic effects on root-knot nematodes (Meloidogyne incognita). All fungi were inoculated to cotton using a seed treatment. The number of root galls was quantified 3 weeks after egg inoculation of cotton seedlings. The majority of the fungi tested reduced the number of root galls relative to those on untreated control plants. To assess repeatability, 22 strains that exhibited the strongest reductions in gall numbers were further tested in replicate follow-up assays. Ninety-five percent (21/22) of these retested strains significantly reduced galling in the follow-up assay. Strains that reduced galling the most belonged to the genera Alternaria, Chaetomium, Cladosporium, Diaporthe, Epicoccum, Gibellulopsis, and Purpureocillium. On the contrary, three strains in the genera Alternaria and Curvularia significantly increased gall numbers. Our results indicate that a large proportion of the fungal strains originally isolated from cotton as naturally occurring foliar facultative endophytes are capable of reducing root-knot nematode infection when applied back to the plant as a seed treatment. These findings help establish a rich pool of candidate fungi for further evaluation as novel biological control tools against root-knot nematodes in cotton and other plants.

Nitric oxide (NO) is the critical regulator of VEGFR2-induced angiogenesis. Neither VEGF-A over-expression nor L-Arginine (NO-precursor) supplementation has been effective in helping patients with Peripheral Artery Disease (PAD) in clinical trials. One incompletely studied reason may be due to the presence of the less characterized anti-angiogenic VEGF-A (VEGF165b) isoform. We have recently shown that VEGF165b inhibits ischemic angiogenesis by blocking VEGFR1, not VEGFR2 activation. Here we wanted to determine whether VEGF165b inhibition using a monoclonal isoform-specific antibody against VEGF165b vs. control, improved perfusion recovery in preclinical PAD models that have impaired VEGFR2-NO signaling, including (1) type-2 diabetic model, (2) endothelial Nitric oxide synthase-knock out mice, and (3) Myoglobin transgenic mice that have impaired NO bioavailability. In all PAD models, VEGF165b inhibition vs. control enhanced perfusion recovery, increased microvascular density in the ischemic limb, and activated VEGFR1-STAT3 signaling. In vitro, VEGF165b inhibition vs. control enhanced a VEGFR1-dependent endothelial survival/proliferation and angiogenic capacity. These data demonstrate that VEGF165b inhibition induces VEGFR1-STAT3 activation, which does not require increased NO to induce therapeutic angiogenesis in PAD. These results may have implications for advancing therapies for patients with PAD where the VEGFR2-eNOS-NO pathway is impaired.

Background: National Mental Health Program (NMHP) was launched by the government with an aim to improve mental health of the society through precise and focused interventions and policies. In order to provide reliable data and evidence for NMHP, there is a strong requirement of a comprehensive system for integrative collection, storage, and analysis of data generated by this program. Methods: Data collection tools, questionnaires, instruments, and scales provided by the National Coordinating Unit were digitized using the District Health Information Software 2 (DHIS2) framework (version 2.30). The rules for data validation and automated scoring were implemented as per the scales. The developed system ( i -MANN, ICMR-Mental Health Assessment National Network) is based on modular architecture with role-based access to data input forms and dashboards. Results: The data are stored on a centralized server at ICMR. i -MANN captures data on basic and advanced demographic details followed by category specific forms from 15 multicentric ICMR-funded projects. Data collection module is divided into 12 categories containing 93 scales/instruments with built-in validation rules, scoring patterns, and indicators. As of August 2020, the system contains 17,690 records. Conclusions: i -MANN is the first web-based, modular, robust, and extendable system for collection, integration, management, and analysis of data on mental health in India.

Aim: The study was undertaken to isolate infectious bursal disease virus (IBDV) from clinical cases in broiler and cockerel flocks of Maharashtra state, India, and its molecular epidemiological investigation. Materials and Methods: The morbid bursal tissues were collected from flocks suspected for IBD. The samples were subjected for virus adaptation in primary chicken embryo fibroblast (CEF) cells followed by confirmation by reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) for partial VP2 sequence and phylogenetic analysis. Results: The isolation of IBDV from field samples took seven blind passages for adaptation in CEF. The cytopathic effects included rounding, aggregation, vacuolation, and detachment of the cells. The RT-PCR showed amplification of 627 bp amplicon specific to the primers for VP2 gene fragment which confirmed successful adaptation and isolation of IBDV using CEF. The nucleotide and deduced amino acids based on phylogeny clustered the current isolate in a distinct clade with classical virulent and antigenic variants. It showed divergence from very virulent (vv) and vaccine strains of Indian origin. The isolate showed unique amino acid substitution at A329V as compared to all other IBDVs. The variation in key amino acids was reported at A222, I242, Q249, Q253, A256, T270, N279, T284, I286, L294, N299, and V329. It shared conserved amino acids at position A222, I242, and Q253 as reported in vvIBDV isolates. However, the amino acids reported at position T270, N279, T284, L294, and N299 are conserved in classic, antigenic variant and attenuated strains of IBDV. The amino acids at positions N279 and T284 indicated that the isolate has key amino acids for cell culture replication. Conclusion: The IBDV field isolate does not reveal the full nucleotide sequence signature of vvIBDV as well as vaccine strains. Hence, we can conclude that it might not belong to vvIBDVs of Indian origin and the vaccine strain used in the region. This may be suggestive of the evolution of the IBDV in the field due to the coexistence of circulating field strains and live attenuated hot strains, resulting into morbidity and mortality, warranting the need for safer protective vaccines, and implementation of stringent biosecurity measures to minimize loss to farmers.

Introduction: The fear of pleural adhesions and densely stuck lymph nodes in India, a country where tuberculosis is endemic, is one major factor keeping our surgeons away from video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery (VATS) lobectomy. In this paper, we aim to report our experience with performing VATS lobectomy in 102 cases using a standardised three-port anterior approach. Materials and Methods: Between March 2012 and September 2016, we performed 102 VATS lobectomies. Sixty patients (58.8%) were males and 42 females (41.2%), with a mean age of 42.02 years. Diagnoses were as follows: benign disease (72), lung cancer (27) and pulmonary metastases (3). Among the cases with primary lung cancer, twenty out of 27 (74%) were adenocarcinoma and 7 cases of squamous carcinoma (25.92%). All patients underwent lobectomy by a standardised three-port anterior approach. Results: The overall conversion rate was 8.82% (n = 9). We observed no postoperative complications in 82 (80.4%) patients. The average blood loss was 211.37 ml. Mean operative time was 173 min. Median length of hospital stay was 5 with median chest tube duration of 4.9 days. There was no in hospital or 30-day mortality. The most common complication was prolonged air leak. Conclusion: From this first Indian series, it is clear that VATS lobectomy is feasible in both benign and malignant cases. It also shows that the fear of adhesions is unwarranted and properly selected benign cases can also undergo VATS lobectomy safely.

The interleukin-21 receptor (IL-21R) can be upregulated in endothelial cells (EC) from ischemic muscles in mice following hind-limb ischemia (HLI), an experimental peripheral arterial disease (PAD) model, blocking this ligand–receptor pathway-impaired STAT3 activation, angiogenesis, and perfusion recovery. We sought to identify mRNA and microRNA transcripts that were differentially regulated following HLI, based on the ischemic muscle having intact, or reduced, IL-21/IL21R signaling. In this comparison, 200 mRNAs were differentially expressed but only six microRNA (miR)/miR clusters (and among these only miR-30b) were upregulated in EC isolated from ischemic muscle. Next, myoglobin-overexpressing transgenic (MgTG) C57BL/6 mice examined following HLI and IL-21 overexpression displayed greater angiogenesis, better perfusion recovery, and less tissue necrosis, with increased miR-30b expression. In EC cultured under hypoxia serum starvation, knock-down of miR-30b reduced, while overexpression of miR-30b increased IL-21-mediated EC survival and angiogenesis. In Il21r−/− mice following HLI, miR-30b overexpression vs. control improved perfusion recovery, with a reduction of suppressor of cytokine signaling 3, a miR-30b target and negative regulator of STAT3. Together, miR-30b appears both necessary and sufficient for IL21/IL-21R-mediated angiogenesis and may present a new therapeutic option to treat PAD if the IL21R is not available for activation.