Search

Abstract Maize cultivation is under the growing threat of charcoal rot (Macrophomina phaseolina). Chemical control of diseases imparts serious health hazards to humans and the ecosystem. Biochar as an alternative disease management approach has been under consideration of the researchers for some time now. The biochar utilized in this study was derived from maize stalks and cobs. Crystallographic structure, inorganic minerals content and size of maize biochar were analyzed by powder X-ray diffractometer, while scanning electron microscopy revealed rough, irregular, tubular structure of the biochar surface. EDX spectra revealed that the maize biochar composition was dominated by ‘C’ followed by ‘O’. The current study was designed to determine the synergistic effect of maize biochar (MB), and biocontrol agent (BCA) Trichoderma viride as soil amendments on the suppression of M. phaseolina. In vitro bioassays were conducted to check the efficiency of antagonistic effect of Trichoderma spp., in combination with maize biochar. On the basis of maximum mycelial growth inhibition T. viride was selected for a glasshouse experiment. Maize plants were grown in pots containing a mixture of soil with MB at application at the rate of 3 and 6% (v/v) separately, associated with or without T. viride. Treatments amended with 3% MB inoculated with M. phaseolina significantly reduced the percentage disease severity index by 40%. While in the presence of T. viride, 3% MB showed maximum disease suppression and a minimum percentage severity index i.e. 60 and 20%, respectively. Highest nitrogen contents were 18.4 g kg−1 observed in treatment 6% MB, while highest phosphorus and potassium contents were 3.11 and 15.2 g kg−1, respectively in the treatment with 3% MB. Conclusively, the effect of variable concentrations of maize biochar and T. viride as soil amendment was evident on the development of charcoal rot, growth and physiology of maize plants. According to the available literature, our report is the first on the implementation of biochar in synergism with T. viride to suppress the charcoal rot in maize.

Abstract The situation of global warming imparts negative impacts on crop growth and development. Cotton is the most important fiber crop around the globe. However, frequent drought episodes pose serious threats to cotton production worldwide. Due to the complex genetic structure of drought tolerance, the development of a tolerant cultivar is cumbersome via conventional breeding. Multiple omics techniques have appeared as successful tool for cotton improvement in drought tolerance. Advanced omics-based biotechniques have paved the way for generation of omics data like transcriptomics, genomics, metabolomics and proteomics, which greatly expand the knowledge of cotton response to drought stress. Omics methodologies and have provided ways for the identification of quantitative trait loci (QTLs), gene regulatory networks, and other regulatory pathways against drought stress in cotton. These resources could speed up the discovery and incorporation of drought tolerant traits in the elite genotypes. The genome wide association study (GWAS), gene-editing system CRISPER/Cas9, gene silencing through RNAi are efficient tools to explore the molecular mechanism of drought tolerance and facilitate the identification of mechanisms and candidate genes for the improvement of drought tolerance in cotton.

This article explores the dynamics of nanofluids consisting of copper (TiO2) nanoparticles suspended in water, as they interact with sensor surfaces between two parallel squeezing plates with porous characteristics. This research specifically targets applications involving enhanced heat transfer and magnetohydrodynamic (MHD) control in nanofluid systems. The primary aim is to analyze the effects of nanoparticle aggregation and non-aggregation on sensor surfaces, considering MHD formations and heat transfer in the energy and momentum equations. The research adopts a steady-state fluid condition and utilizes similarity transformations to convert partial differential equations into more manageable ordinary differential equations. The methodology involves shooting methods for solving these nonlinear ordinary differential equations and employs graphical analyses to study the impacts of various parameters such as permeability, magnetic influence, squeeze flow, and radiation on the temperature and velocity profiles of the nanofluid. The results reveal significant dependencies of temperature and velocity profiles on the studied parameters, illustrating varied behaviors in scenarios of both aggregation and non-aggregation of nanoparticles. The findings emphasize how each parameter distinctively influences the heat and flow characteristics of the nanofluid, offering insights into optimizing conditions for better performance and control in practical applications. Future research could focus on extending the model to include transient fluid states and exploring the effects of other nanoparticle materials and shapes. There is also potential to investigate the interactions under different environmental conditions and to incorporate more complex boundary conditions to simulate real-world applications more accurately. Further experimental validation of the theoretical predictions would be beneficial to enhance the reliability and applicability of the findings.

Abstract Background Atrial tachycardia poses challenges in patient management due to the associated risks of stroke and systemic embolism. While anticoagulation is recommended in atrial fibrillation (AF), its role in atrial tachycardia remains less defined. This prospective study aimed to evaluate the efficacy and safety of apixaban, a direct oral anticoagulant, in individuals diagnosed with left-sided atrial tachycardias. Methods Patients diagnosed with left-sided atrial tachycardia (n = 439) were observed over 3 years. Baseline characteristics, medication regimens, and clinical outcomes were assessed. Apixaban-treated individuals (n = 213) received standard or reduced dosages, while the control group (n = 226) received standard care. Primary outcomes included stroke, systemic embolism, bleeding, and mortality rates. Results Baseline characteristics were comparable between groups. The apixaban cohort showed a lower incidence of stroke (7.0% vs. 9.3%, p = 0.027) and decreased all-cause mortality (11.7% vs. 12.8%, p = 0.012) compared to controls. No significant differences were found in major bleeding or systemic embolization between groups. Conclusion Apixaban demonstrated a potential benefit in reducing stroke and mortality rates in patients with left-sided atrial tachycardia. While requiring further validation, these findings suggest a potential role for apixaban in anticoagulation strategies for atrial tachycardia management.

Abstract Non-syndromic orofacial clefts (NSOFCs) are common birth defects with a complex etiology. While over 60 common risk loci have been identified, they explain only a small proportion of the heritability for NSOFCs. Rare variants have been implicated in the missing heritability. Thus, our study aimed to identify genes enriched with nonsynonymous rare coding variants associated with NSOFCs. Our sample included 814 non-syndromic cleft lip with or without palate (NSCL/P), 205 non-syndromic cleft palate only (NSCPO), and 2150 unrelated control children from Nigeria, Ghana, and Ethiopia. We conducted a gene-based analysis separately for each phenotype using three rare-variants collapsing models: (1) protein-altering (PA), (2) missense variants only (MO); and (3) loss of function variants only (LOFO). Subsequently, we utilized relevant transcriptomics data to evaluate associated gene expression and examined their mutation constraint using the gnomeAD database. In total, 13 genes showed suggestive associations (p = E−04). Among them, eight genes (ABCB1, ALKBH8, CENPF, CSAD, EXPH5, PDZD8, SLC16A9, and TTC28) were consistently expressed in relevant mouse and human craniofacial tissues during the formation of the face, and three genes (ABCB1, TTC28, and PDZD8) showed statistically significant mutation constraint. These findings underscore the role of rare variants in identifying candidate genes for NSOFCs.

Summary: We investigated changes in microbiome composition and abundance of antimicrobial resistance (AMR) genes post-antibiotic treatment in severe trauma patients. Shotgun sequencing revealed beta diversity (Bray-Curtis) differences between 16 hospitalized multiple rib fractures patients and 10 age- and sex-matched controls (p = 0.043), and between antibiotic-treated and untreated patients (p = 0.015). Antibiotic-treated patients had lower alpha diversity (Shannon) at discharge (p = 0.003) and 12-week post-discharge (p = 0.007). At 12 weeks, they also exhibited a 5.50-fold (95% confidence interval [CI]: 2.86–8.15) increase in Escherichia coli (p = 0.0004) compared to controls. Differential analysis identified nine AMRs that increased in antibiotic-treated compared to untreated patients between hospital discharge and 6 and 12 weeks follow-up (false discovery rate [FDR]

The future electric loads in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA) are increasing significantly, particularly in the Eastern Province of the KSA. These high-rise loads are primarily driven by the operational needs of the Saudi Arabian oil company Aramco, including oil refineries, and the infrastructures of the Saudi Basic Industries Corporation (SABIC) factories. This study aims to construct a nuclear power plant in that area to supplement and support the baseload currently covered by conventional generation units powered by fossil fuels within the Saudi Electricity Company (SEC) operations. The objective function is to minimize the operational costs of the power systems to the greatest extent possible. This paper describes a case study conducted using the IBM CPLEX Optimizer software to compare the operational costs of KSA’s power systems for a 24-h period. Two scenarios were considered and addressed: the first scenario without the inclusion of a nuclear power plant (NPP) and the second scenario with the inclusion of the NPP. The unit commitment problem was modeled for both scenarios. The obtained results revealed that the second scenario, which involved the penetration of the NPP, offered an optimal economic solution for operating KSA’s power systems. By employing the CPLEX Optimizer software and analyzing the unit commitment problem, this study provides valuable insights into the economic advantages of integrating the NPP into the power systems of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. The NPP shows viability in terms of minimizing the operational costs to 32.10 $/MWh compared to the first scenario where the operational costs were 42.10 $/MWh and resulted in almost 24% reduction in operational costs. In addition, the NPP is deemed as an optimal technology to contribute to the net zero goal by 2060, where it can reduce the reliance on fossil fuel power plants and contribute to the reduction of CO2 emissions.

In this manuscript, we first initiate several types of effective arcs of intuitionistic fuzzy directed graphs, followed by discussions on different types of dominations in intuitionistic fuzzy directed graphs and their application in decision-making. The notion of dominations in fuzzy graphs, fuzzy directed graphs, intuitionistic fuzzy graphs and picture fuzzy graphs have been extensively discussed in the literature. Thus, the work presented in our study is two-fold: on one side, it extends the notion of domination in fuzzy directed graphs, while on the other side, it fills the gap existing in the literature. Initially, we introduce several types of effective arcs like semi-λ effective arc, semi-ν effective arcs in intuitionistic fuzzy directed graphs. Subsequently, we initiate the notions of dominations and domination numbers for several types of intuitionistic fuzzy directed graphs based on these effective arcs. We present numerous significant characterizations of dominations in intuitionistic fuzzy directed graphs by utilizing minimal dominating sets. Furthermore, we investigate the minimal dominating sets and domination numbers of intuitionistic fuzzy-dipaths and dicycles, and provide various fascinating results. Finally, by utilizing the concepts presented in this study, we provide the algorithm for the solution of the problem related to decision-making regarding the opening of restaurants in various areas of the different cities.

Abstract Background A fundamental ethical issue in African genomics research is how socio-cultural factors impact perspectives, acceptance, and utility of genomic information, especially in stigmatizing conditions like orofacial clefts (OFCs). Previous research has shown that gatekeepers (e.g., religious, political, family or community leaders) wield considerable influence on the decision-making capabilities of their members, including health issues. Thus, their perspectives can inform the design of engagement strategies and increase exposure to the benefits of genomics testing/research. This is especially important for Africans underrepresented in genomic research. Our study aims to investigate the perspectives of gatekeepers concerning genomic risk information (GRI) in the presence of OFCs in a sub-Saharan African cohort. Methods Twenty-five focus group discussions (FGDs) consisting of 214 gatekeepers (religious, community, ethnic leaders, and traditional birth attendants) in Lagos, Nigeria, explored the opinions of participants on genomic risk information (GRI), OFC experience, and the possibility of involvement in collaborative decision-making in Lagos, Nigeria. Transcripts generated from audio recordings were coded and analyzed in NVivo using thematic analysis. Results Three main themes—knowledge, beliefs, and willingness to act—emerged from exploring the perspective of gatekeepers about GRI in this group. We observed mixed opinions regarding the acceptance of GRI. Many participants believed their role is to guide and support members when they receive results; this is based on the level of trust their members have in them. However, participants felt they would need to be trained by medical experts to do this. Also, religious and cultural beliefs were crucial to determining participants’ understanding of OFCs and the acceptance and utilization of GRI. Conclusions Incorporating cultural sensitivity into public engagement could help develop appropriate strategies to manage conflicting ideologies surrounding genomic information in African communities. This will allow for more widespread access to the advances in genomics research in underrepresented populations. We also recommend a synergistic relationship between community health specialists/scientists, and community leaders, including spiritual providers to better understand and utilize GRI.

Many real-life problems present multiple options necessitating modern researchers to identify the most suitable choice or decision. In this context, fuzzy sets have proven to be valuable tools for addressing such problems. Picture fuzzy sets (PFSs), due to their increased flexibility and broader domain as compared to other extensions of fuzzy sets (FSs) have been extensively used in solving various decision-making problems. To achieve optimal decisions, various fuzzy graphs and fuzzy hypergraph structures are employed. Picture fuzzy directed hypergraphs (PFDHGs) offer greater utility in addressing problems with multiple options or uncertainties. In this study, we introduce novel concepts of PFDHGs, along with their applications in decision-making theory and hazardous chemicals management. Initially, we present the foundational concepts of PFDHGs, including essential terminologies such as hyper-edge and height. Subsequently, we explore various types of PFDHGs, such as simple PFDHGs and support simple PFDHGs. Additionally, we introduce the concept of $({\widetilde {\alpha }}, {\widetilde {\beta }}, {\widetilde {\gamma }})$ -level hyperarcs and elucidate the fundamental sequence in PFDHGs based on these arcs. The study further examines elementary PFDHGs, partial PFDHGs, and ordered PFDHGs, investigating the relationships among them. Structural properties of PFDHGs are analyzed through different types of homomorphisms of PFDHGs. We also define the order and size of PFDHGs. Finally, we present the applications of PFDHGs in decision-making and managing hazardous chemicals, emphasizing the innovative contributions and practical implications of our work.

Abstract Introduction and Objective There is a paucity of data on patients with myocardial infarction with nonobstructive coronary arteries (MINOCA) and a decompensated diabetic state, diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA). Therefore, we aimed to investigate the outcomes of patients with MINOCA presenting with or without DKA. Methods We conducted this retrospective propensity score-matched analysis from January 1, 2015, to December 4, 2022. The patients with a principal admission diagnosis of ST-Elevation MI (STEMI) and discharge labeled as MINOCA (ICD-10-CM code 121.9) with DKA were analyzed. We performed a comparative analysis for MINOCA with and without DKA before and after propensity score matching for primary and secondary endpoints. Results Three thousand five hundred sixty-three patients were analyzed, and 1150 (32.27%) presented with DKA, while 2413 (67.72%) presented as non-DKA. The DKA cohort had over two-fold mortality (5.56% vs. 1.19%; p = 0.024), reinfarction (5.82% vs. 1.45%; p = 0.021), stroke (4.43% vs. 1.36%; p = 0.035), heart failure (6.89% vs. 2.11%; p = 0.033), and cardiogenic shock (6.43% vs. 1.78%; p = 0.025) in a propensity score-matched analysis. There was an increased graded risk of MINOCA with DM (RR (95% CI): 0.50 (0.36–0.86; p = 0.023), DKA (RR (95% CI): 0.46 (0.24–0.67; p = 0.001), and other cardiovascular (CV) risk factors. Conclusion DKA complicates a portion of MINOCA and is associated with increased mortality and major adverse cardiovascular events (MACE).

Purpose: This study aims to enhance the understanding of how TQM practices can be leveraged to improve healthcare services in Pakistan. Specifically, it seeks to explore the relationship between various TQM practices and the development of innovative capabilities in the healthcare sector, with collaboration and complexity acting as mediating and moderating factors, respectively. Design/Methodology/Approach: An integrated research approach was employed, combining structured surveys and statistical analysis of data collected from private hospitals in Pakistan. The study investigates the correlations between TQM practices, innovative capabilities, and the mediating/moderating effects of collaboration and complexity. Potential limitations such as response bias, generalizability issues, and the dynamic nature of the healthcare environment are acknowledged. Notably, financial feasibility is not examined within this study. Findings: The study reveals the challenges of fostering healthcare innovation in Pakistan, particularly in the context of cultural norms, resource constraints, and regulatory challenges. The findings underscore the importance of prioritizing TQM, promoting cross-functional collaboration, strategic quality planning, overcoming communication barriers, and addressing environmental complexities to enhance innovative capabilities in the healthcare sector. Implications/Originality/Value: This research contributes significantly to the global understanding of healthcare advancements in developing nations, particularly in the context of Pakistan. It highlights the necessity for context-sensitive approaches and tailored strategies to improve healthcare innovation. The study also identifies gaps in existing literature, urging future research to adopt more inclusive methodologies for a comprehensive understanding of innovation capability in Pakistani healthcare. Despite its limitations, this work provides valuable insights for policymakers and healthcare professionals aiming to advance healthcare services in resource-limited settings.

Aggressive periodontitis (AgP) is characterized by rapid and progressive destruction of the periodontal tissues and eventual tooth loss. Genetic risk contributions have been explored and rare mutations in NOD2 were reported. Sequencing analysis of the coding regions of NOD2 was conducted using individuals of African ancestry, to identify the pathogenic protein-altering variants in individuals with AgP using: 1) In Silico tools and clinical variant classification system; 2) IF staining to understand the expression pattern, and 3) In vitro cell based assay to understand the variant protein function. We discovered a novel nonsense NOD2 variant (c.835G>T; p.Glu279Ter) ; a truncating protein variant that is clinically pathogenic, and the gene-product lacks domains regulating inflammatory responses. Murine studies suggest that this gene contributes to tooth development. In vitro analysis suggests a dominant-negative effect of the variant. NOD2 gene is expressed in the immune cells and periodontal tissues and regulates the inflammatory response within this tissue. This truncating variant found in one African family, which results in a dominant-negative effect, could explain the exacerbated immune response to pathogens in the pathogenesis of this periodontal disease.

BackgroundHip fractures in frail patients result in excess mortality not accounted for by age or comorbidities. The mechanisms behind the high risk of mortality remain undetermined but are hypothesized to be related to the inflammatory status of frail patients.MethodsIn a prospective observational exploratory cohort study of hospitalized frail hip fracture patients, 92 inflammatory markers were tested in pre-operative serum samples and markers were tested against 6-month survival post-hip fracture surgery and incidence of acute kidney injury (AKI). After correcting for multiple testing, adjustments for comorbidities and demographics were performed on the statistically significant markers.ResultsOf the 92 markers tested, circulating levels of fibroblast growth factor 23 (FGF-23) and interleukin-15 receptor alpha (IL15RA), both involved in renal disease, were significantly correlated with 6-month mortality (27.5% overall) after correcting for multiple testing. The incidence of postoperative AKI (25.4%) was strongly associated with 6-month mortality, odds ratio = 10.57; 95% CI [2.76–40.51], and with both markers plus estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR)– cystatin C (CYSC) but not eGFR-CRE. The effect of these markers on mortality was significantly mediated by their effect on postoperative AKI.ConclusionHigh postoperative mortality in frail hip fracture patients is highly correlated with preoperative biomarkers of renal function in this pilot study. The effect of preoperative circulating levels of FGF-23, IL15RA, and eGFR-CYSC on 6-month mortality is in part mediated by their effect on postoperative AKI. Creatinine-derived preoperative renal function measures were very poorly correlated with postoperative outcomes in this group.

Abstract Major depression is the most common neuropsychiatric disorder among people living with HIV (PLWH) and is predictive of high morbidity and mortality among them. This study estimated the prevalence and explored factors associated with depression among PLWH in two rural secondary health facilities providing anti-retroviral therapy (ART) services in Southwestern Nigeria between September and December 2020. The Patient Health Questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9) was used to screen and identify PLWH aged 18 years or older with depression. Descriptive statistics, bivariate and multivariate analyses were performed with SPSS version 23. A total of 172 respondents were screened. The prevalence of depression was 16.3% (95% CI 11.1%, 22.7%). Mild, moderate, and moderately severe depression was identified in 17 (9.9%), 8(4.7%) and 3(1.7%) of the participants, respectively. One (0.6%) respondent had suicidal ideation. Of PLWH with any depression, 20/28(71.4%) were within the 40–59 years of age range. None of the participants was on antidepressants. The factor most associated with depression was hypertension, with adjusted odd ratios of 9.8(95% CI 3.5–27.3, p

Abstract Industrialization and extensive use of automobiles cause air pollution which indicates the inability of trees plants due to changes in their biochemical and physiological processes for absorbing the air pollutants. Air Pollution Tolerance Index (APTI) is an important indicator for determining the ability of trees plants for their efficient ability for controlling air pollution. To estimate it and its effects a comparitive study of the air pollution tolerance index was examined in 14 species of plants between residential areas (University of the Punjab) and roadside areas (orange train line). To calculate the APTI value, four physiological and biochemical parameters—ascorbic acid, relative water content (RWC), pH, and chlorophyll concentration of leaf samples—were integrated. Present study results reveal that the plant tolerance against pollution is site specific, and that integrating a number of biochemical parameters give more accurate results as compared to single. Results show that Alstonia scholaris show maximum and Magnifera indica show minimum APTI values in residential areas while Magnifera indica shows maximum and Bougainvillea glabra shows minimum APTI value in roadside areas. Present study results show that plants with higher APTI values are tolerant of pollution, whereas those with lower APTI values are susceptible to it. Thus Plants with more APTI values are tolerant and use as a sink to control pollution in urban and industrial sites.

The extensive use of plastics has led to a significant environmental threat due to the generation of waste plastic, which has shown significant challenges during recycling. The catalytic hydrocracking route, however, is viewed as a key strategy to manage this fossil-fuel-derived waste into plastic-derived fuels with lower carbon emissions. Despite numerous efforts to identify an effective bi-functional catalyst, especially metal-loaded zeolites, the high-performing zeolite for hydrocracking plastics has yet to be synthesized. This is due to the microporous nature of zeolite, which results in the diffusional limitations of bulkier polymer molecules entering the structure and reducing the overall cracking of plastic and catalyst cycle time. These constraints can be overcome by developing hierarchical zeolites that feature shorter diffusion paths and larger pore sizes, facilitating the movement of bulky polymer molecules. However, if the hierarchical modification process of zeolites is not controlled, it can lead to the synthesis of hierarchical zeolites with compromised functionality or structural integrity, resulting in reduced conversion for the hydrocracking of plastics. Therefore, we provide an overview of various methods for synthesizing hierarchical zeolites, emphasizing significant advancements over the past two decades in developing innovative strategies to introduce additional pore systems. However, the objective of this review is to study the various synthesis approaches based on their effectiveness while developing a clear link between the optimized preparation methods and the structure-activity relationship of the resulting hierarchical zeolites used for the hydrocracking of plastics.

Turmeric has attracted a significant amount of interest in recent years due to its strong antimicrobial properties. The tissue culture of turmeric is preferred to obtain disease-free, highest number of plantlets with good uniform chemistry. However, there is a need to increase the speed of the whole process to meet the growing demand for planting materials and to save time and resources. Iron oxide nanoparticles (Fe3O4 NPs) showed positive effects on callus initiation time, proliferation rate, percent root response, shoot length, percent rooting, and number of roots per explant. Highest callus induction, i.e., 80%, was recorded in cultures that were grown in the presence of 15 mg/L of Fe3O4 NPs. Callus initiated earlier in culture tubes that received green synthesized iron nanoparticles in a concentration between 10–15 mg/L. Biofabricated nanoparticles were characterized for their size, physiochemical, and optical properties through UV–Vis spectroscopy, FTIR, XRD, and SEM. Curcuminoids profiling was performed by implementing LC-Ms that revealed increased quantities in plantlets grown in nano-supplemented media when compared to the control.

The efficacy of selenium (Se) to ameliorate salinity stress in Brassica rapa was elucidated using an in-vitro and in-silico hybrid approach. Selenium was applied as a seed priming agent on the seeds grown in salt-spiked soils. The priming treatment facilitated all the growth indicators and physiological parameters, including chlorophyll synthesis, sugar contents, gas exchange attributes, etc. The advantageous effects of Se were accredited to the alleviation of salinity stress through reducing the malondialdehyde (MDA), proline, electrolyte leakage, and hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) level. Similarly, modulations in the expression of genes encoding antioxidative enzymes enhanced reactive oxygen species (ROS) scavenging capacity along with a decrease in sodium (Na+) ions, reciprocally enhancing potassium (K+) ions and resulting in a higher K+/Na+ ratio. Additionally, based on in silico studies, a significant difference in the surface overlap of the stress-responsive proteins, including DREB, SOS3, and STXBP1 of B. rapa, was observed, indicating the involvement of Se in the foiling interaction of NaCl with the enzymes. In the case of the CAT macromolecule, ligands NaCl exhibited a -1.9-fold lower docking score as compared to sodium selenite -4.9-fold, indicating a more overlapped interactive surface than sodium chloride. The binding energies analysis recorded -3.3 kcal/mol of binding energy for the best pose of sodium selenite in the case of DREB, while it was -3.5 and -3.5 kcal.mol-1 for SOS3 and 1 STXBP1, respectively. Ligand analysis revealed a frequent existence of hydrogen bonds besides the hydrophobic interactions, salt bridges, and pi–pi interactions representing high structural and functional stability. Results of the current study unveiled an in-vitro and in-silico hybrid bioinformatics system to unveil the biochemical, physiological and molecular phenomenon behind selenium-driven salt resilience in B. rapa.

The transition from germinating seeds to emerging seedlings is one of the most vulnerable plant life cycle stages. Heteromorphic diaspores (seed and fruit dispersal units) are an adaptive bet-hedging strategy to cope with spatiotemporally variable environments. While the roles and mechanisms of seedling traits have been studied in monomorphic species, which produce one type of diaspore, very little is known about seedlings in heteromorphic species. Using the dimorphic diaspore model Aethionema arabicum (Brassicaceae), we identified contrasting mechanisms in the germination responses to different temperatures of the mucilaginous seeds (M+ seed morphs), the dispersed indehiscent fruits (IND fruit morphs), and the bare non-mucilaginous M− seeds obtained from IND fruits by pericarp (fruit coat) removal. What follows the completion of germination is the pre-emergence seedling growth phase, which we investigated by comparative growth assays of early seedlings derived from the M+ seeds, bare M− seeds, and IND fruits. The dimorphic seedlings derived from M+ and M− seeds did not differ in their responses to ambient temperature and water potential. The phenotype of seedlings derived from IND fruits differed in that they had bent hypocotyls and their shoot and root growth was slower, but the biomechanical hypocotyl properties of 15-day-old seedlings did not differ between seedlings derived from germinated M+ seeds, M− seeds, or IND fruits. Comparison of the transcriptomes of the natural dimorphic diaspores, M+ seeds and IND fruits, identified 2,682 differentially expressed genes (DEGs) during late germination. During the subsequent 3 days of seedling pre-emergence growth, the number of DEGs was reduced 10-fold to 277 root DEGs and 16-fold to 164 shoot DEGs. Among the DEGs in early seedlings were hormonal regulators, in particular for auxin, ethylene, and gibberellins. Furthermore, DEGs were identified for water and ion transporters, nitrate transporter and assimilation enzymes, and cell wall remodeling protein genes encoding enzymes targeting xyloglucan and pectin. We conclude that the transcriptomes of seedlings derived from the dimorphic diaspores, M+ seeds and IND fruits, undergo transcriptional resetting during the post-germination pre-emergence growth transition phase from germinated diaspores to growing seedlings.

Pesticides usage has tremendously increased to enhance crop production; however some pesticides are toxic and harmful to human health and the environment. This review discusses the eco-toxicological impacts of pesticides on the environment. This study extensively evaluates various sustainable remediation technologies such as advanced oxidation processes (AOPs), electrochemical processes, membrane separation, and adsorbent types (carbon nanotubes, carbon nanofiber, carbon aerogel, graphene oxide, carbon dot, biochar, biosorbents, polymers, metal-organic framework, and nanocomposite) that are used for removal of toxic pesticides from aqueous bodies. Further, various equilibrium isotherm and kinetic models that are used for understanding the mechanisms along with challenges in the techniques are discussed. From the studies, it is observed that the nanocomposites could degrade and remove pesticides efficiently due to their unique properties, making them promising adsorbents for water and wastewater remediation. This review will be an inclusive paper for readers to easily define research gaps and develop novel treatment methods for removing pesticide-contaminated waters.

The splendid technological inventions supersede many traditional agricultural monitoring systems. In the last decade, a variety of new techniques and tools are proposed to monitor storage areas, which provide more safe and secure storage for different crops. The term storage area monitoring is supposed to check and avoid fire hazards, whereas numerous other hazards also need attention. One such hazard to cotton storage is spontaneous combustion, a process by which an element having comparatively low ignition temperature (hay, straw, peat, etc.) starts to relieve heat. In the presence of spontaneous combustion and lack of oxygen, if cotton catches any sparks from bales or physicochemical heat to ignite, the combustion can convert in to smoldering, and it can last up to several days without being discovered. Consequently, the actual fire occurs, cotton silently smoldering which not only affects cotton quality but also became the reason of big fire event. Many researchers propose valuable tools and techniques based on laboratory methods and modern techniques as well for detection and prevention of security hazards in storages. However, there is no standalone efficient tool/technique to monitor the storage area for spontaneous combustion. In current research, we propose an efficient wireless sensor network (WSN) and machine learning- (ML-) based storage area monitoring system for early prediction of spontaneous combustion in the cotton storage area. The WSN is used to collect real-time values from storage field by different combinations of sensors and send this over the network, where data is processed to identify spontaneous combustion and distribute the prediction results to the end user. The real-time data collection and ML-based analysis make the system efficient and reliable. The efficiency of the current system is verified by presenting two groups of cotton stored with different conditions. The results showed that the proposed system is able to detect spontaneous combustion well in time with a 95% accuracy rate.

Abstract Chitinase-producing fungi have now engrossed attention as one of the potential agents for the control of insect pests. Entomopathogenic fungi are used in different regions of the world to control economically important insects. However, the role of fungal chitinases are not well studied in their infection mechanism to insects. In this study, Chitinase of entomopathogenic fungi Trichoderma longibrachiatum was evaluated to control Aphis gossypii. For this purpose, fungal chitinase (Chit1) gene from the genomic DNA of T. longibrachiatum were isolated, amplified and characterised. Genomic analysis of the amplified Chit1 showed that this gene has homology to family 18 of glycosyl hydrolyses. Further, Chit1 was expressed in the cotton plant for transient expression through the Geminivirus-mediated gene silencing vector derived from Cotton Leaf Crumple Virus (CLCrV). Transformed cotton plants showed greater chitinase activity than control, and they were resistant against nymphs and adults of A. gossypii. About 38.75% and 21.67% mortality of both nymphs and adults, respectively, were observed by using Chit1 of T. longibrachiatum. It is concluded that T. longibrachiatum showed promising results in controlling aphids by producing fungal chitinase in cotton plants and could be used as an effective method in the future.

The present study was performed to investigate the negative impact of salinity on the growth of Chinese flowering cabbage (Brassica rapa ssp. chinensis var. parachinensis) and the ameliorative effects of quercetin dihydrate on the plant along with the elucidation of underlying mechanisms. The tolerable NaCl stress level was initially screened for the Chinese flowering cabbage plants during a preliminary pot trial by exposing the plants to salinity levels (0, 50, 100, 150, 200, 250, 300, 350, and 400 mM) and 250 mM was adopted for further experimentation based on the findings. The greenhouse experiment was performed by adopting a completely randomized design using three different doses of quercetin dihydrate (50, 100, 150 µM) applied as a foliar treatment. The findings showed that the exposure salinity significantly reduced shoot length (46.5%), root length (21.2%), and dry biomass (32.1%) of Chinese flowering cabbage plants. Whereas, quercetin dihydrate applied at concentrations of 100, and 150 µM significantly diminished the effect of salinity stress by increasing shoot length (36.8- and 71.3%), root length (36.57- and 56.19%), dry biomass production (51.4- and 78.6%), Chl a (69.8- and 95.7%), Chl b (35.2- and 87.2%), and carotenoid contents (21.4- and 40.3%), respectively, compared to the plants cultivated in salinized conditions. The data of physiological parameters showed a significant effect of quercetin dihydrate on the activities of peroxidase, superoxide dismutase, and catalase enzymes. Interestingly, quercetin dihydrate increased the production of medicinally important glucosinolate compounds in Chinese flowering cabbage plants. Molecular docking analysis showed a strong affinity of quercetin dihydrate with three different stress-related proteins of B. rapa plants. Based on the findings, it could be concluded that quercetin dihydrate can increase the growth of Chinese flowering cabbage under both salinity and normal conditions, along with an increase in the medicinal quality of the plants. Further investigations are recommended as future perspectives using other abiotic stresses to declare quercetin dihydrate as an effective remedy to rescue plant growth under prevailing stress conditions.

The research impact of catalysts on the hydrothermal carbonization (HTC) process remains an ongoing debate, especially regarding the quest to enhance biomass conversion into fuels and chemicals, which requires diverse catalysts to optimize bio-oil utilization. Comprehensive insights and standardized analytical methodologies are crucial for understanding HTC’s potential benefits in terms of biomass conversion stages. This review seeks to understand how catalysts enhance the HTC of biomass for liquid fuel and hydrochar production, drawing from the following key sections: (a) catalyst types applied in HTC processes; (b) biochar functionality as a potential catalyst; (c) catalysts increasing the success of HTC process; and (d) catalyst’s effect on the morphological and textural character of hydrochar. The performance of activated carbon would greatly increase via catalyst action, which would progress the degree of carbonization and surface modification, alongside key heteroatoms. As catalytic HTC technology advances, producing carbon materials for thermochemical activities will become more cost-effective, considering the ever-growing demands for high-performance thermochemical technologies.

Beneficial plant microbes can enhance the growth and quality of field crops. However, the benefits of microbes using cheap and efficient inoculation methods are still uncommon. Seed coating with biocontrol agents can reduce the amount of inocula along with having the potential for large-scale application. Hence, in this research work, the comparative potential of tomato seed coating and biopriming with Bacillus aryabhattai Z-48, harboring multiple plant-beneficial traits, to suppress Fusarium wilt disease along with its beneficial effect on seedling and plant growth promotion was analyzed. Among two bacterial strains, B. aryabhattai Z-48 was able to antagonize the mycelial growth of Fusarium oxysporum f.sp. lycopersici in vitro and its application as a seed coating superiorly benefited seedling traits like the germination percentage, vigor index, and seedling growth index along with a reduced germination time. The seed coating with B. aryabhattai Z-48 resulted in significant increases in the shoot length, root length, dry biomass, and total chlorophyll contents when compared with the bioprimed seeds with the same bacterial strain and non-inoculated control plants. The seed coating with B. aryabhattai Z-48 significantly reduced the disease index (>60%) compared with the pathogen control during pot trials. Additionally, the seed coating with B. aryabhattai Z-48 resulted in a significantly higher production of total phenolics, peroxidase, polyphenol oxidase, and phenylalanine ammonia lyase enzyme in tomato plants. The GC/MS-based non-targeted metabolic profiling indicated that the seed coating with B. aryabhattai Z-48 could cause large-scale metabolite perturbations in sugars, sugar alcohols, amino acids, and organic acids to increase the fitness of tomato plants against biotic stress. Our study indicates that a tomato seed coating with B. aryabhattai Z-48 can improve tomato growth and suppress Fusarium wilt disease effectively under conventional agricultural systems.

In the last few decades, studies of graph theory based on algebraic structures have been pursued. Many studies have inspected graphs via groups, rings, near-rings, and seminear-rings, and vice versa. In our study, first we introduce different type of υ-primary ideals (υ = 0, 1, 2, 3, c), which generalize υ-prime ideals (υ = 0, 1, 2, 3, c) in near-rings. Then, we provide some important characterizations of these newly initiated ideals. In addition, we explore some relationships among these ideals. Throughout, we furnish our results with appropriate examples. Finally, as an application, we provide characterizations of different graphs associated with these υ-primary ideals (υ = 0, 1, 2, 3, c) in near-rings.

Objectives Various techniques for dorsal hand vein (DHV) pattern extraction have been introduced using small datasets with poor and inconsistent segmentation. This work compared manual segmentation with our proposed hybrid automatic segmentation method (HHM) for this classification problem. Methods Manual segmentation involved selecting a region-of-interest (ROI) in images from the Bosphorus dataset to generate ground truth data. The HHM combined histogram equalization and morphological and thresholding-based algorithms to localize veins from hand images. The data were divided into training, validation, and testing sets with an 8:1:1 ratio before training AlexNet. We considered three image augmentation strategies to enlarge our training sets. The best training hyperparameters were found using the manually segmented dataset. Results We obtained a good test accuracy (91.5%) using the model trained with manually segmented images. The HHM method showed slightly inferior performance (76.5%). Considerable improvement was observed in the test accuracy of the model trained with the inclusion of automatically segmented and augmented images (84%), with low false acceptance and false rejection rates (0.00035% and 0.095%, respectively). A comparison with past studies further demonstrated the competitiveness of our technique. Conclusions Our technique can be feasible for extracting the ROI in DHV images. This strategy provides higher consistency and greater efficiency than the manual approach.

Corona virus disease (Covid-19) which has caused frustration in the human community remains the concern of the globe as every government struggles to defeat the pandemic. To deal with the situation, we have extensively studied a deadly Covid-19 model to provide a deep insight into the disease dynamics. A mathematical analysis of the model utilizing preventive measures is performed with the aim to reduce the disease burden. Some comprehensive mathematical techniques are employed to demonstrate several essential properties of solutions. To start with, we proved the existence and uniqueness of solutions. Equilibrium points are stated both in the absence and presence of the pandemic. Biologically important quantity known as threshold parameter is computed to handle the future disease dynamics and analyzed for its sensitivity. We proved the stability of the proposed model at equilibrium points by employing necessary conditions on threshold parameter. A reliable and competitive numerical analysis is conducted to observe the effectiveness of implemented strategies and to verify obtained analytical results. The most sensitive parameters are determined through sensitivity analysis. An important feature of this study is to employ Non-Standard Finite Difference (NSFD) numerical scheme to solve the system instead of other standard methods like Runge–Kutta method of order 4 (RK4). Finally, several numerical simulations are performed to validate our former theoretical analysis. Numerical results exhibiting dynamical behavior of Covid-19 system under the influence of involved parameters suggest that both the implemented strategies, especially quarantine of exposed individuals, are effective for the substantial reduction in the diseased population and to achieve the herd immunity.

Objective: To find out the association of total ischemic time with no-reflow phenomenon, in terms of Thrombolysis in Myocardial Infarction (TIMI) flow grade, in patients presenting with ST-Elevation Myocardial Infarction and undergoing Primary Percutaneous Coronary Intervention(PPCI). Study Design: Analytical Cross-Sectional study. Place and Duration of Study: Armed Forces Institute of Cardiology/National Institute of Heart Diseases Rawalpindi Pakistan, from Nov, 2022 to Jan, 2023. Methodology: This analytical cross-sectional study was conducted on n=184 patients, recruited through consecutive sampling technique to collect data prospectively. Patients were divided into no-reflow and normal flow group. Patients’ total ischemic time was documented and pre & post-procedural TIMI flow was noted. SPSS version-24:00 was used to enter and analyze data. Chi-square, Fisher exact test and t-test were applied and p-value≤0.05 was taken as statistically significant. Results: Out of 184 study participants, 17(9.2%) were females as compared to 167(90.8%) males. The mean age was 60.23±10.28 years. No-reflow phenomenon was observed in 20(10.9%) patients. The mean age was higher in the no-reflow group than that of the normal flow group (62.65±11.61 vs 59.94±10.12 years). Total ischemic time, pre & post-procedural TIMI flow were found to be significantly associated with no-reflow phenomenon (p

Biological activities of chitooligosaccharides (COSs) are related to their purity and intrinsic structure. However, a wide range of size distribution and degree of polymerization (DP) of COS make it challenging for their meticulous biological research and applications. This research investigated the protonation behavior and the separation mechanism of individual COSs molecules at semi-pilot scale using an electrodialysis-ultrafiltration membrane. Results indicated that COSs were protonated to varying degrees in the pH ranges of 3.28 to 7.95 with a pKa value stand nearly at 6.44. A semi pilot scale investigation of operational parameters successfully separated a fraction with degree of polymerization (DP) ≤ 4 (>93% of total COS migrated) at flow velocity 6.79 cm/s and electric potential of 9 V/cm with highest DP 3 (>36% of the fraction) in 60 min. Additionally, few other fractions (DP ≤ 3 and DP ≤ 5) were efficiently separated from the industrial sample at different processing times. Moreover, the selective conditions also prevent the fouling of ultrafiltration membrane. Conclusively, the inadequate or too high applied electric potential and solution flow velocities have significant influence on migration of target molecules.

This review article evaluates and compares the efficiency of various sustainable adsorbents for the removal of noxious pollutants from water environments. This study discusses the various types of adsorbents concerning their performance and suitability. Adsorbent types include natural-based, carbon-based, waste-based, biomass-based, biopolymers-based, and nanocomposites-based adsorbents, as well as metallic organic frameworks, aerogels, networking crystalline solids, zeolite nanoparticles, and dendrimers were reviewed. Characterisation, modification, fabrication, adsorption capacities under different conditions, isotherm models, and kinetics of noxious pollutants were also reviewed. Adsorption capacities for different pH values, adsorbent doses, adsorbent concentrations, temperature, and the size of particles have been described. One of the basic needs in water and wastewater adsorbents is their formulation and optimisation, using columnar operations, and more importantly, they can be produced quickly and should be cost-effective. Various studies reported a broad range of values for the thermodynamic parameters for noxious pollutants, suggesting the adsorbent's nature as an essential factor affecting the thermodynamics of noxious pollutant sorption. The regeneration and reusability potential of other adsorbents have also been discussed, along with molecular modelling, simulation, knowledge gaps, and future perspectives of noxious pollutants from the water environments.

The Transmission Control Protocol usually involves incomplete and imperfect network states for which sophisticated analysis is needed. Fuzzy logic could be more helpful for the analysis of network state more accurately. The interval-valued picture fuzzy set being the most generalized form of fuzzy set has more capacity to analyze the network state more intelligently. In this manuscript, we present the concepts of interval-valued picture fuzzy graphs (IVPFGs) as an extension of interval-valued fuzzy graphs and picture fuzzy graphs. Since interval-valued picture fuzzy sets are the most advanced form of fuzzy sets, IVPFGs would be a more efficient tool for handling data containing uncertainties. First, basic concepts such as degree, order, and size are discussed, followed by operations such as union, intersection, Cartesian product, composition, and the ring sum of IVPFGs. Then, we provide a few relationships between the ring sum and edge deletion of IVPFGs. Special types of IVPFGs including complete IVPFGs, regular IVPFGs, complement IVPFGs, and strong IVPFGs are introduced. Concepts such as the strength of arcs, path sequence, strength of the path, and connectedness are explored in IVPFGs. Different types of strengths of connectedness are discussed based on specific types of arcs. We also provide a few structural properties of IVPFGs through these arcs. Finally, we give a clue about the potential implementation of IVPFGs, an extension of the fuzzy logic-based Transmission Control Protocol and toward social networking.

Rice constitutes a foundational cereal and plays a vital role in the culinary sector. However, the detriments of abiotic stress on rice quality and productivity are noteworthy. Carotenoid cleavage oxygenases (CCO) hold vital importance as they enable the particular breakdown of carotenoids and significantly contribute towards the growth and response to abiotic stress in rice. Due to the insufficient information regarding rice CCOs and their potential role in abiotic stress, their utilization in stress-resistant genetic breeding remains limited. The current research identified 16 CCO genes within the Oryza sativa japonica group. These OsCCO genes can be bifurcated into three categories based on their conserved sequences: NCEDs (9-Cis-epoxycarotenoid dioxygenases), CCDs (Carotenoid cleavage dioxygenases) and CCD-like (Carotenoid cleavage dioxygenases-like). Conserved motifs were found in the OsCCO gene sequence via MEME analysis and multiple sequence alignment. Stress-related cis-elements were detected in the promoter regions of OsCCOs genes, indicating their involvement in stress response. Additionally, the promoters of these genes had various components related to plant light, development, and hormone responsiveness, suggesting they may be responsive to plant hormones and involved in developmental processes. MicroRNAs play a pivotal role in the regulation of these 16 genes, underscoring their significance in rice gene regulation. Transcriptome data analysis suggests a tissue-specific expression pattern for rice CCOs. Only OsNCED6 and OsNCED10 significantly up-regulated during salt stress, as per RNA seq analyses. CCD7 and CCD8 levels were also higher in the CCD group during the inflorescence growth stage. This provides insight into the function of rice CCOs in abiotic stress response and identifies possible genes that could be beneficial for stress-resistant breeding.

Abstract Introduction The frequency and implications of secondary findings (SFs) from genomic testing data have been extensively researched. However, little is known about the frequency or reporting of SFs in Africans, who are underrepresented in large‐scale population genomic studies. The availability of data from the first whole‐genome sequencing for orofacial clefts in an African population motivated this investigation. Methods In total, 130 case‐parent trios were analyzed for SFs within the ACMG SFv.3.0 list genes. Additionally, we filtered for four more genes (HBB, HSD32B, G6PD and ACADM). Results We identified 246 unique variants in 55 genes; five variants in four genes were classified as pathogenic or likely pathogenic (P/LP). The P/LP variants were seen in 2.3% (9/390) of the subjects, a frequency higher than ~1% reported for diverse ethnicities. On the ACMG list, pathogenic variants were observed in PRKAG (p. Glu183Lys). Variants in the PALB2 (p. Glu159Ter), RYR1 (p. Arg2163Leu) and LDLR (p. Asn564Ser) genes were predicted to be LP. Conclusion This study provides information on the frequency and pathogenicity of SFs in an African cohort. Early risk detection will help reduce disease burden and contribute to efforts to increase knowledge of the distribution and impact of actionable genomic variants in diverse populations.

Plant growth-promoting bacteria (PGPRs) have the potential to act as biofertilizers and biopesticides. This study was planned to explore indigenously isolated PGPRs as a potential candidate to control charcoal rot that affects various crops including soybean. Among the four different tested species of PGPRs, Bradyrhizobium japonicum (FCBP-SB-406) showed significant potential to enhance growth and control soil borne pathogens such as Macrophomina phaseolina. Bacillus subtilis (FCBP-SB-324) followed next. Bradyrhizobium japonicum (FCBP-SB-406) reduced disease severity up to 81.25% in comparison to the control. The strain showed a strong fertilizing effect as a highly significant increase in biomass and other agronomic parameters was recorded in plants grown in its presence. The same was supported by the Pearson’s correlation and principal component analysis. A decrease in disease incidence and severity may be due to the induced resistance imparted by the bacterium. This resulted in significant increments in quantities of defense enzymes, including catalase, peroxidase (PO), polyphenol oxidase (PPO), phenylalanine ammonia lyase (PAL) and superoxide dismutase (SOD). A significant production of proteases, catalases and hydrogen cyanide by B. japonicum (FCBP-SB-406) can also be associated to mycoparasitism. The establishment of PGPRs in treated soils also showed positive effects on soil health. Total metabolite profiling of treated plants in comparison to the control showed the upregulation of many flavonoids, isoflavonoids and amino acids. Many of these compounds have been well reported with antimicrobial activities. Bradyrhizobium japonicum (FCBP-SB-406) can be employed for the production of a potential formulation to support sustainable agriculture by reducing the input of synthetic pesticides and fertilizers.

Authorship verification is a crucial process employed to determine the authorship of a given text by analyzing distinct aspects of the writer’s style, such as vocabulary, syntax, and punctuation. This process has gained significant research attention in various domains, including intellectual property rights, plagiarism detection, cybercrime investigations, copyright infringement, and forensics. While extensive studies have been conducted on multiple languages worldwide, encompassing Western European languages like Italian and Spanish, as well as Asian languages such as Bengali and Chinese, the investigation of authorship verification in Urdu has been comparatively limited, despite its status as a prominent South Asian language. This limitation can be attributed to the intricate and distinctive morphology of Urdu, which necessitates specific methodologies that cannot be directly applied in the same manner as other languages. To bridge this gap, we propose an innovative approach for authorship verification in Urdu, leveraging Convolutional Neural Networks (CNNs) with three distinct hyper-tuned parameters: ADAM, SGD, and RMSProp. To facilitate the development of this approach, we have curated a new corpus called UAVC-22, specifically tailored for Urdu authorship verification. This corpus offers enhanced robustness in terms of authors’ classes and unique words. We have developed 9 authorship verification models, utilizing three different text embedding techniques, namely Word2Vec, GloVe, and FastText, we have performed a comparative analysis with traditional machine learning models such as Support Vector Machines (SVM) and Random Forest to assess the superiority and efficacy of the CNN-based approach. The optimized CNN-ADAM model with FastText achieved the highest accuracy of 98% for the Urdu dataset UAVC-22.

Various natural products used for water treatment are becoming more popular due to their general safety, eco-friendly sludge production, ease of degradation, cost-effectiveness, and local availability. This research assessed the efficiency of powdered neem (Azadirachta indica) seeds in removing turbidity from the water. Batch experiments determined the optimum coagulant dose, pH level, mixing time, and mixing speed to reduce turbidity from kaolin-based synthetic turbid water. Powdered neem seeds with a pore size of about 0.45 mm were prepared and used in water treatment under optimum conditions. Results showed that a coagulant dose of 3 g of neem seeds/L, 13.2 pH level, 60 mins mixing time at 80 rpm mixing speed could reduce turbidity levels to 35 NTU from 250 NTU (86% removal). Findings suggest that powdered neem seeds can be a potential substitute for conventional chemical coagulants for drinking water treatment.

In this manuscript, we introduce a few new types of dominations in intuitionistic fuzzy directed graphs (IFDGs) based on different types of strong arcs (SAs). Our work is not only a direct extension of domination in directed fuzzy graphs (DFGs) but also fills the gap that exists in the literature regarding the dominations in different extended forms of fuzzy graphs (FGs). In the beginning, we introduce several types of strong arcs in IFDGs, like semi-β strong arcs, semi-δ strong arcs, etc. Then, we introduce the concepts of domination in IFDGs based on these strong arcs and discuss its various useful characteristics. Moreover, the dominating set (DS), minimal dominating set (MDS), etc., are described with some fascinating results. We also introduce the concept of an independent set in IFDGs and investigate its relations with the DS, minimal independent set (MIS) and MDS. We also provide numerous important characterizations of domination in IFDGs based on minimal and maximal dominating sets. In this context, we discuss the lower and upper dominations of some IFDGs. In addition, we introduce the terms status and structurally equivalent and examine a few relationships with the dominations in IFDGs. Finally, we investigate the most expert (influential) person in the organization by utilizing the concepts of domination in IFGs.

Pyrolysis and related thermal conversion processes have shown increased research momentum in recent decades. Understanding the underlying thermal conversion process principles alongside the associated/exhibited operational challenges that are specific to biomass types is crucial for beginners in this research area. From an extensive literature search, the authors are convinced that a tutorial review that guides beginners particularly towards pyrolysis implementation, from different biomasses to the thermal conversion process and conditions, is scarce. An effective understanding of pre-to-main pyrolysis stages, alongside corresponding standard methodologies, would help beginners discuss anticipated results. To support the existing information, therefore, this review sought to seek how to navigate pyrolysis implementation, specifically considering factors and thermochemical operating methods for biomass conversion, drawing the ideas from: (a) the evolving nature of the thermal conversion process; (b) the potential inter-relatedness between individual components affecting pyrolysis-based research; (c) pre- to post-pyrolysis’ engagement strategies; (d) potential feedstock employed in the thermal conversion processes; (e) the major pre-treatment strategies applied to feedstocks; (f) system performance considerations between pyrolysis reactors; and (g) differentiating between the reactor and operation parameters involved in the thermal conversion processes. Moreover, pre-pyrolysis activity tackles biomass selection/analytical measurements, whereas the main pyrolysis activity tackles treatment methods, reactor types, operating processes, and the eventual product output. Other areas that need beginners’ attention include high-pressure process reactor design strategies and material types that have a greater potential for biomass.

Metallic nanoparticles (NPs) are used in various biomedical applications due to their widespread utility. This study compares the reproductive toxicity of chemically synthesized CuO NPs (ChemSyn CuO NPs) and green synthesized CuO NPs (GrSyn CuO NPs) in rats and their offspring during mating, pregnancy, and lactation phases. CuO NPs were synthesized using Rhus punjabensis extract and their physio-morphological characteristics were illustrated. Both approaches showed pure and spherical NPs with an average size of 14.94 ± 0.6 and 19.02 ± 0.9 nm. Orally administered NPs at a dose of 100 mg kg ^−1 body weight of ChemSyn NPs reduced peroxidase activity by 38% and glutathione levels by 36%. In female rats treated with ChemSyn NPs, TBARS were increased by 11%, and total protein increased by 54%. The offspring did not show notable differences in their antioxidant status, but reactive substances in female offspring increased by 32%, and total protein content decreased by 57%. Genotoxicity of 2.72% and 1.9% tail DNA was observed in male and female pups, respectively. Testosterone levels were reduced in male parents, and progesterone concentration increased in female parents in a dose-dependent manner. In contrast, GrSyn NPs were more biocompatible, and thyroid hormones in the parents showed less variation. No obvious alterations were observed in the histological patterns of the gonads. These findings indicate that GrSyn NPs can be explored as drug carriers and contrast agents in vivo .

To meet food security, commercial fertilizers are available to boost wheat yield, but there are serious ill effects associated with these fertilizers. Amongst various organic alternatives, inoculating crop fields with mycorrhizal species is the most promising option. Although, mycorrhizae are known to enhance wheat yield, but how the mycorrhizae influence different yield and quality parameters of wheat, is not clear. Therefore, this study was undertaken to investigate the influence of indigenous mycorrhizal species on the growth of wheat, its nutritional status and soil properties, in repeated set of field experiments. In total 11 species of mycorrhizae were isolated from the experimental sites with Claroideoglomus, being the most dominant one. Five different treatments were employed during the present study, keeping plot size for each replicate as 6 × 2 m. Introduction of consortia of mycorrhizae displayed a significant increase in number of tillers/plant (49.5%), dry biomass (17.4%), grain yield (21.2%) and hay weight (16.7%). However, there was non-significant effect of mycorrhizal inoculation on 1,000 grains weight. Moreover, protein contents were increased to 24.2%. Zinc, iron, phosphorus and potassium concentrations were also increased to 24%, 21%, 30.9% and 14.8%, respectively, in wheat grains. Enhancement effects were also noted on soil fertility such as soil organic carbon % age, available phosphorus and potassium were increased up to 64.7%, 35.8% and 23.9%, respectively. Herein, we concluded that mycorrhizal introduction in wheat fields significantly increased tillering in wheat and this increased tillering resulted in overall increase in wheat biomass/yield. Mycorrhizae also enhanced nutritional attributes of wheat grains as well as soil fertility. The use of mycorrhizae will help to reduce our dependance on synthetic fertilizers in sustainable agriculture.

Abstract Background Our study hypothesized that an intelligent gradient boosting machine (GBM) model can predict cerebrovascular events and all‐cause mortality in mitral stenosis (MS) with atrial flutter (AFL) by recognizing comorbidities, electrocardiographic and echocardiographic parameters. Methods The machine learning model was used as a statistical analyzer in recognizing the key risk factors and high‐risk features with either outcome of cerebrovascular events or mortality. Results A total of 2184 patients with their chart data and imaging studies were included and the GBM analysis demonstrated mitral valve area (MVA), right ventricular systolic pressure, pulmonary artery pressure (PAP), left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF), New York Heart Association (NYHA) class, and surgery as the most significant predictors of transient ischemic attack (TIA/stroke). MVA, PAP, LVEF, creatinine, hemoglobin, and diastolic blood pressure were predictors for all‐cause mortality. Conclusion The GBM model assimilates clinical data from all diagnostic modalities and significantly improves risk prediction performance and identification of key variables for the outcome of MS with AFL.

Deciphering the transcriptional activities of pathogenicity genes is critical to understand pathogenesis mechanisms of Phytophthora melonis, a devastating pathogen of cucurbits. In this study, we have performed comparative proteomics among P. melonis mutants to evaluate the interacting pathogenicity proteins. Structural characterization of all detected proteins discovered the physicochemical factors behind their pathogenic behavior. Results revealed that gamma radiations have an extreme potential to mutate P. melonis spores, and can be a safe alternative of chemical mutagens. P. melonis is accomplished with seventy-three differentially expressed proteins among which, seven proteins were ranked as strong pathogenicity factors, i.e. Q9AT01 (Elicitin), D0MX11 (Oligopeptidase A, putative), D0NB60 (Secreted RXLR effector peptide protein, putative), D0NIK4 (IpiB3-like protein), D0NIZ1 (Carboxypeptidase), H3GZF4 and H3GZF6. The Ramachandran plot determined the positions of secondary structures (α helix and β sheets) in the 3D structures of pathogenicity proteins. Furthermore, the glycine residues analysis highlighted that six out of seven proteins were functionally and structurally more stable than D0NIK4 protein. The study concluded that the pathogenic proteins must have negative ϕ angles greater than 63°, and ψ angles ≥80° for their proper functioning. This study establishes functional connections between pathogenicity genes and the process of disease establishment.

Waning of neutralizing titres along with decline of protection efficacy after the second dose of COVID-19 vaccines was observed, including China-made inactivated vaccines. Efficacy of a heterologous boosting using one dose of a recombinant SARS-CoV-2 fusion protein vaccine (V-01) in inactivated vaccine-primed population was studied, aimed to restore the immunity. A randomized, double-blind and placebo-controlled phase III trial was conducted in healthy people aged 18 years or older in Pakistan and Malaysia. Each eligible participant received one dose of the V-01 vaccine developed by Livzon Mabpharm Inc. or placebo within the 3-6 months after the two-dose primary regimen, and was monitored for safety and efficacy. The primary endpoint was protection against confirmed symptomatic SARS-CoV-2 infection. A total of 10,218 participants were randomly assigned to receive a vaccine or placebo. Virus-neutralizing antibodies were assessed in 419 participants. A dramatic increase (11.3-fold; 128.3–1452.8) of neutralizing titres was measured in the V-01 group at 14 days after the booster. Over two months of surveillance, vaccine efficacy was 47.8% (95%CI: 22.6–64.7) according to the intention-to-treat principle. The most common adverse events were transient, mild-to-moderate pain at the injection site, fever, headache, and fatigue. Serious adverse events occurred almost equally in V-01 (0.12%) and placebo (0.16%) groups. The heterologous boosting with the V-01 vaccine was safe and efficacious, which could elicit robust humoral immunity under the epidemic of the Omicron variant.Trial registration: ClinicalTrials.gov identifier: NCT05096832.

Background: Eleusine coracana, a grain crop that may reach a height of 170 cm, is frequently referred to as a cereal food. It is a member of the Poaceae genus of plants. Due to its extreme toxicity at very low quantities, lead (Pb) is one of the most significant trace heavy metals to be examined.Aim: The main objective of this study was to determine the prevalence of lead in finger millet in the capital city of the Niger State.Methods: The lead metal was determined by flame atomic absorption spectrometry (FAAS) following a pressurized microwave-assisted wet digestion and the use of muffle furnace on the processed/certified finger millet samples with a combination of nitric acid, sulfuric acid, and perchloric acid (4:1:2). Based on calibration with a fortified analytical solution, the measurements were made (lead chloride).Results: With the exception of Suleja millet, which recorded a range of 0.01-1.55 mg/L, the concentration of lead in finger millet samples evaluated in all Local Governments was found to be over the WHO recommended level of acceptable lead in cereals (0.01-0.05 mg/L). The LG (0.170.08 mg/L at range of 0.09-0.32 mg/L) and Kontagora Local Government (1.570.24 mg/L at range of 1.19-1.93 mg/L) had the highest and lowest amounts, respectively. Average lead values in different types of finger millet collected from diverse LGs were statistically different from one another (p

The notions of both the bipolar fuzzy sets and picture fuzzy sets have been studied by many authors, the bipolar picture fuzzy set is the nice combination of these two notions. Basically, the concepts we present in our study are the direct extensions of both the bipolar fuzzy sets and picture fuzzy sets. In this study, we add few more operations and results in the theory of the bipolar picture fuzzy sets. We also initiate the notion of bipolar picture fuzzy relations along with their applications. We present numerous basic operations along with the algebraic sums, bounded sums, algebraic product, bounded difference on bipolar picture fuzzy sets. Different types of distances between two bipolar picture fuzzy sets are also addressed. We provide the application of bipolar picture fuzzy sets towards decision making theory along with its algorithm. Afterward, we introduce different types of bipolar picture fuzzy relations like bipolar picture fuzzy reflexive, symmetric and transitive relations. Subsequently, we introduce the concepts of the bipolar picture fuzzy equivalence relation and partition. We also produce numerous interesting results based on these relations. Finally, we establish the criteria for the detection of covid-19 at the base of bipolar picture fuzzy relations.

Abstract Background The two biological control methods, inherited sterility technique (IST) and Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt), are considered as the two promising methods for lepidopteran pest management. Simultaneous treatment with both techniques was assessed against the cotton leaf worm, Spodoptera littoralis (Boisd.) (Noctuidae: Lepidoptera) compared to individual treatment for developing the lepidopteran management program. Results Pupation and adult emergence were significantly lower in simultaneous treatment than irradiated insects individually. Larval mortality test estimated a LC50 of 1.6 × 104 IU/mg (Bt), in which decreased to 1.5 × 104 IU/mg (Bt and 75 Gy), and 7.7 × 103 IU/mg (Bt and 125 Gy). Insect survival was prolonged for both individual and simultaneous treatments. The ratio of males was 3.5-fold to females in 1.5 × 104 IU/mg and 75 Gy, while threefold of males to females was recorded in the treatments of 3.75 × 103 IU/mg and 75 Gy, 7.5 × 103 IU/mg and 75 Gy, 7.5 × 103 IU/mg and 125 Gy and 1.5 × 104 IU/mg and 125 Gy. Results of fecundity, fertility and sperm transfer of F1 males were significantly lowered in irradiated insect combined with Bt than individual treatment. Conclusion Gamma irradiation treatment combined with Bt concentrations achieved a high reduction of S. littoralis, and the toxicity effect of Bt increased as compared with individual treatments taking advantage as compatible control tactics. Simultaneous treatment of IST and Bt could be considered as a competent approach for S. littoralis population suppression.