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This paper delves into the rapidly progressing 15-Minute City concept, an innovative urban planning model that envisions a city where residents can access essential services and amenities within a 15-min walk or bike ride from their homes. Endorsed by UN-Habitat as a critical strategy for sustainable urban regeneration, this concept has gained considerable worldwide recognition since its introduction in 2016. The 15-Minute City framework aims to enhance accessibility, sustainability, and social cohesion by emphasizing mixed-use development, compact urban design, and efficient transportation systems. Nevertheless, the swift expansion of this concept has surpassed the production of academic literature on the topic, leading to a knowledge gap that calls for alternative research methodologies. To address this gap, our paper adopts a mixed-method approach, systematically analyzing the scholarly literature, gray literature, media articles, and policy documents to offer a holistic understanding of the 15-Minute City concept, its real-world application, and the primary principles embraced by policymakers. By investigating the various manifestations of the 15-Minute City model and its potential advantages, challenges, and implications for urban planning and policy, this paper contributes to the ongoing conversation on sustainable urban development and planning. Through this study, we aim to inform policymakers, urban planners, and researchers about the current state of the 15-Minute City movement and its possible future trajectory.

Abstract Background The management of mitral valve disease in young children is challenging. Mechanical mitral valves could provide long-term durability; however, the need for anticoagulation increases the risk profile of mechanical valves. We report our experience in mechanical mitral valve replacement (MVR) in children under 2 years of age and evaluate factors affecting the outcomes. The study included all patients younger than 2 years who underwent mechanical MVR between 2000 and 2023. The study outcomes were mitral valve reoperation, bleeding, valve-related thrombosis, and survival. Results Twenty-three patients were included, with a mean age of 10.2 ± 5.9 months. The mitral valve sizes ranged from 16 to 25 mm, and 6 (26%) were placed in the supra-annular position. Complete heart block occurred in seven patients (30%), and operative mortality occurred in three patients (13%). Postoperative warfarin was used in 17 patients (74%). After discharge, bleeding occurred in five patients (22%), four were managed conservatively, and one had intracranial hemorrhage treated with craniotomy. Nine patients (39%) had valve-related thrombosis; two underwent reoperation, while seven were treated with alteplase in 26 patients. Valve-related thrombosis was more common in patients with supra-annular valves (p

ABSTRACT: As the stress-inducible isoform of the heat-shock protein 90 (HSP90), the HSP90AA1 gene encodes HSP90α and plays an important role in heat stress (HS) response. Therefore, this study aimed to investigate the role of the HSP90AA1 gene in cellular responses during HS and to identify functional SNPs associated with thermotolerance in Holstein cattle. For the in vitro validation experiment of acute HS, cells from the Madin-Darby bovine kidney cell line were exposed to 42°C for 1 h, and various parameters were assessed, including cell apoptosis, cell autophagy, and the cellular functions of HSP90α by using its inhibitor 17-allylamino-17-demethoxygeldanamycin (17-AAG). Furthermore, the polymorphisms identified in the HSP90AA1 gene and their functions related to HS were validated in vitro. Acute HS exposure induced cell apoptosis, cell autophagy, and upregulated expression of the HSP90AA1 gene. Inhibition of HSP90α by 17-AAG treatment had a significant effect on the expression of the HSP90α protein and increased cell apoptosis. However, autophagy decreased in comparison to the control treatment when cells were exposed to 42°C for 1 h. Five SNPs identified in the HSP90AA1 gene were significantly associated with rectal temperature and respiration score in Holstein cows, in which the rs109256957 SNP is located in the 3′ untranslated region (3′ UTR). Furthermore, we demonstrated that the 3′ UTR of HSP90AA1 is a direct target of bta-miR-1224 by cell transfection with exogenous microRNA (miRNA) mimic and inhibitor. The luciferase assays revealed that the SNP rs109256957 affects the regulation of bta-miR-1224 binding activity and alters the expression of the HSP90AA1 gene. Heat stress–induced HSP90AA1 expression maintains cell survival by inhibiting cell apoptosis and increasing cell autophagy. The rs109256957 located in the 3′ UTR region is a functional variation and it affects the HSP90AA1 expression by altering its binding activity with bta-miR-1224, thereby associating with the physiological parameters of Holstein cows.

Abstract Diabetes is becoming a significant health concern in Asia, where the prevalence has reached alarming levels. An important contributing factor is the consumption of high‐carbohydrate foods, including rice, bread, etc. These high‐carbohydrate foods pose a major risk to public health due to their impact on postprandial hyperglycemia. This research aimed to formulate a chickpea pulao (cooked Indian–Pakistani rice dish) and to evaluate its effects on postprandial blood glucose levels in type 2 diabetic individuals. Antioxidant potential and total phenolic contents of herbs at different concentrations (1, 3, 5, 7, and 9%) were measured through DPPH and Folin Ciocalteu assays. The antidiabetic potential was tested by α‐amylase and α‐glucosidase inhibition assays. After sensory evaluation, the best‐chosen concentration was used to formulate the chickpea pulao. The study trial was advertised under “DP trial,” and 12 participants were recruited. A single‐blind randomized cross‐over trial was conducted for 3 weeks with a one‐week wash‐over time in between. Participants' preprandial and postprandial blood glucose levels were recorded for control and intervention recipes. Results indicated that both fenugreek seeds (FS) and Indian rennet (IR) showed good antioxidant and hypoglycemic activity (p = .000) in raw and boiled extracts. For DPPH, the IC50 values of unboiled and boiled combined (FS + IR) extracts were calculated as 7.4% and 8.02%, respectively. Similarly, for α‐amylase, the IC50 values of combined IR and FS unboiled and boiled extracts were 6.58% and 6.83%, and for α‐glucosidase inhibition assay, the values were measured as 14.98% and 16.24%. The single‐blind randomized cross‐over trial showed that consuming the intervention recipe significantly reduced postprandial hyperglycemia (p = .000) in type 2 diabetic participants. The intervention recipe decreased hyperglycemia by approximately 15% daily compared to the control recipe. Incorporation of hypoglycemic herbs into dietary patterns can work as an adjunct therapy for diabetes management, especially in populations with a high prevalence of this disease.

Cilia flow plays a crucial role in biological systems such as the movement of mucus in the respiratory tract, circulation of cerebrospinal fluid in the brain, and propulsion of sperm cells. Understanding the cilia flow of viscous fluids is essential for elucidating the biomechanics of these processes and their implications for health and disease. Motivated by such numerous biomedical applications, this article aims to exhibit the impact of variable thermal conductivity on the mixed convective cilia beating transport of viscous fluid in a curved channel in the presence of radial magnetic field. The energy equation is also modulated with heat source/sink and viscous dissipation impacts. The constitutive equations are simplified by the hypothesis of lubrication approximation theory and then solved numerically using the implicit finite difference method (FDM). The numerical results concerning the impacts of various physical parameters on the velocity, temperature, pumping phenomena, and streamlines are graphed and explained. The obtained results indicate that as the Hartman number upsurges, fluid velocity reduces, and the Brickman number shows stronger viscous dissipation effects, leading to an increase in the fluid temperature.

Abstract Tanacetum falconeri is a significant flowering plant that possesses cytotoxic, insecticidal, antibacterial, and phytotoxic properties. Its chemodiversity and bioactivities, however, have not been thoroughly investigated. In this work, several extracts from various parts of T. falconeri were assessed for their chemical profile, antioxidant activity, and potential for enzyme inhibition. The total phenolic contents of T. falconeri varied from 40.28 ± 0.47 mg GAE/g to 11.92 ± 0.22 mg GAE/g in various extracts, while flavonoid contents were found highest in TFFM (36.79 ± 0.36 mg QE/g extract) and lowest (11.08 ± 0.22 mg QE/g extract) in TFSC (chloroform extract of stem) in similar pattern as found in total phenolic contents. Highest DPPH inhibition was observed for TFFC (49.58 ± 0.11 mg TE/g extract) and TFSM (46.33 ± 0.10 mg TE/g extract), whereas, TFSM was also potentially active against (98.95 ± 0.57 mg TE/g) ABTS radical. In addition, TFSM was also most active in metal reducing assays: CUPRAC (151.76 ± 1.59 mg TE/g extract) and FRAP (101.30 ± 0.32 mg TE/g extract). In phosphomolybdenum assay, the highest activity was found for TFFE (1.71 ± 0.03 mg TE/g extract), TFSM (1.64 ± 0.035 mg TE/g extract), TFSH (1.60 ± 0.033 mg TE/g extract) and TFFH (1.58 ± 0.08 mg TE/g extract), while highest metal chelating activity was recorded for TFSH (25.93 ± 0.79 mg EDTAE/g extract), TFSE (22.90 ± 1.12 mg EDTAE/g extract) and TFSC (19.31 ± 0.50 mg EDTAE/g extract). In biological screening, all extracts had stronger inhibitory capacity against AChE while in case of BChE the chloroform extract of flower (TFFC) and stem (TFSC) showed the highest activities with inhibitory values of 2.57 ± 0.24 and 2.10 ± 0.18 respectively. Similarly, TFFC and TFSC had stronger inhibitory capacity (1.09 ± 0.015 and 1.08 ± 0.002 mmol ACAE/g extract) against α-Amylase and (0.50 ± 0.02 and 0.55 ± 0.02 mmol ACAE/g extract) α-Glucosidase. UHPLC-MS study of methanolic extract revealed the presence of 133 components including sterols, triterpenes, flavonoids, alkaloids, and coumarins. The total phenolic contents were substantially linked with all antioxidant assays in multivariate analysis. These findings were validated by docking investigations, which revealed that the selected compounds exhibited high binding free energy with the enzymes tested. Finally, it was found that T. falconeri is a viable industrial crop with potential use in the production of functional goods and nutraceuticals.

Two-layer calendering using non-Newtonian fluids is used frequently in different industries to improve the working and the quality of the products. In this article, two-layer calendering of incompressible non-Newtonian fluids, that is, couple stress fluid and viscoplastic fluid in the upper and lower layer respectively is investigated. For the simplified governing equations, Lubrication approximation theory is applied. By the use of no-slip condition and non-dimensional variables, the exact solution for pressure gradient, pressure, and velocity profiles for both layers of fluid is calculated. The parameters are important from an engineering point of view like roll separating force, power delivered by rollers, torque acting by each roller, and adiabatic temperature are also calculated analytically. Additionally, the results of a couple stress parameter, viscoplastic Casson parameter, and viscosity ratios on all the parameters are also discussed and investigated in detail. Moreover, all the effects investigated are also verified with the literature results of single-layer calendering of non-Newtonian fluids by using large numeric values for the couple stress parameter and viscoplastic Casson parameter.

Background: Curry leaf (Murraya koenigii) is a frequently used medicinal plant. The M. koenigii plant is a type of spice in the Rutaceae family. Curry leaf ethanol extract contains flavonoid compounds. Quercetin is a flavonol compound, a flavonoid derivative that has a 3-hydroxyflavone skeleton. There is a need to analyze the quercetin level in curry leaves utilizing high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). Methods: This research was conducted from August to October 2023. A total of 500 g of powdered curry leaves were placed in a maceration vessel. The liquid ethanol extract was mixed with the first re-maceration filtration product. Qualitative analysis was performed by comparing the retention time of the sample solution chromatogram with the reference standard solution of quercetin under identical HPLC conditions. Results: The quantity of curry leave ethanol extract was 52.613 g. Analysis of the curry leaf extract samples revealed that sample 1 had a quercetin level of 0.080 mg/g, while sample 2 had a quercetin level of 0.079 mg/g. The final analysis of the curry leaf ethanol extract samples showed an average quercetin level of 0.03%. Conclusion: These results indicate that the curry leave ethanol extract contains flavonoid compounds, especially quercetin.

Objective: To document the initial presentation of COVID-19 cases among different age groups of healthcare workers in a tertiary care rehabilitation hospital. Study Design: Cross-sectional study. Place and Duration of Study: COVID-19 Ward at AFRIM, Rawalpindi Pakistan, from Mar 2021 to Mar 2022. Methodology: Doctors and healthcare workers in the COVID-19 ward at a tertiary care rehabilitation hospital were included. Demographic data of all patients was noted. The primary data sources were patients' presenting complaints, history, examination, and medical records. Results: Out of 159 patients, 46(28.9%) were from age group 15-29 years, 103(64.8%) were from 30-45 years and 10(6.3%) from 46-60 years. General duty staff (including patient attendants, ward boys, and stretcher-bearers) was the most common (18.9%) to be affected among rehabilitation health care professionals. The most common symptoms were fever 112(70.4%), sore throat 86(54.1%), cough 74(46.5%) and fatigue 69(43.4%). Most HCWs were 30-45 years age group 103(64.8%). Most patients had duration of symptoms for 3-5 days 107(67.3%). Conclusion: Healthcare professionals working in rehabilitation medicine facilities were affected by the COVID-19 pandemic globally. Most of our general duty HCWs aged 30-45 years were infected with COVID-19. However, symptomology was similar to what has been reported in the literature.

Abstract The present study was designed to explore the potential of fenugreek and flaxseed polysaccharide‐based edible coatings to enhance the postharvest storage life of apple fruit. The experimental plan involved the preparation of five different coating formulations, which were subsequently applied to the fruit. The coated fruit was then stored at a temperature of 25 ± 2°C for a duration of 35 days. The effects of these coatings on physicochemical and biochemical attributes (weight loss, firmness, acidity, pH, sugar content, antioxidant activity, microbial growth, and sensory properties) of coated and uncoated samples were evaluated at regular intervals: 0, 7, 14, 21, 28, and 35 days of storage. The experimental results revealed a significant difference (p ≤ .05) in the physicochemical parameters of uncoated and coated apple at different storage times. The coated apple fruits showed significantly (p ≤ .05) lower weight loss, pH, total sugars, total soluble solids, and maximum retention of ascorbic acid, firmness, acidity, and antioxidant contents, leading to enhanced organoleptic properties. The application of edible coatings extended the shelf‐life of the apples by inhibiting microbiological spoilage without substantial impact on sensory and nutritional properties. Based on these results, it is concluded that the edible coating formulation labeled T1 (containing 2.5 g fenugreek polysaccharide and 1.5 g flax polysaccharide) effectively preserved the valuable physicochemical and organoleptic characteristics of the apple fruit throughout the storage period.

Abstract Epithelial ovarian cancer (EOC) is the gynaecological malignancy with highest mortality. Although adjuvant treatment with carboplatin and paclitaxel leads to an objective response in ~80% of these patients, a majority will relapse within two years. Better methods for assessing long-term treatment outcomes are needed. To address this, we established safe and efficacious doses of carboplatin and paclitaxel using IGROV-1 zebrafish-CDX models. Then fluorescently-labelled cell suspensions from 83 tumour biopsies collected at exploratory laparotomy of women with suspected EOC were generated and 37 (45%) were successfully implanted in zebrafish larvae. Among these 19 of 27 pathology-confirmed EOC samples (70%) engrafted. These zebrafish patient-derived tumour xenograft (ZTX) models were treated with carboplatin or paclitaxel and tumour growth/regression and metastatic dissemination were recorded. In a subgroup of nine patients, four ZTX models regressed during carboplatin treatment. All four corresponding patients had >24 months PFS. Furthermore, both ZTX models established from two patients having 24 months PFS. In eleven of fourteen patients, FIGO stage I + II or III tumours gave rise to ZTX models seeding 4 metastatic cells, respectively. In conclusion, ZTX models predicted patients having >24 or

The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic prompted tens of thousands of people worldwide to migrate from cities in its early stages, leading to an increased spread of the virus. Understanding the factors driving relocation during a pandemic is crucial for effective outbreak control. We investigated how the pandemic influenced people’s aspirations and preparations to move, both domestically and internationally, surveying individuals in Greece, India, Italy, Kenya, Nigeria, Portugal, Serbia, Spain, and the United States of America. Out of 4448 eligible responses, 765 participants (17.2%) had a strong aspiration to move due to COVID-19, and 155 (3.5%) had already prepared. Those considering relocation were statistically significantly more likely to perceive moving to an area with fewer COVID-19 cases as protective against the virus (OR = 1.3, p < 0.05) or to know others who intended to relocate because of COVID-19 (OR = 1.5, p < 0.05). Conversely, a strong sense of being ‘at home’ reduced statistically significantly the strength of mobility aspirations (OR = 0.7, p < 0.01). Social alienation, social imitation, and the perceived efficacy of mobility increased aspirations to move due to COVID-19. This study emphasizes the rapid population movements at pandemic onset and their potential contribution to disease transmission, urging future pandemic planning to take account of such mobility dynamics.

AbstractIn recent years, urban flooding disasters have occurred frequently. Conducting research on flood susceptibility assessment is critical for urban flood prevention and urban renewal planning. However, determining how to effectively improve the accuracy of flood susceptibility assessment remains a challenging topic. Combining machine learning algorithms and SHapely Additive exPlanations (SHAP) method, this study proposes an effective technical framework for urban flood susceptibility assessment. Firstly, in terms of data selection, three types of data sources were considered comprehensively. Then, based on the above data sources, five different experimental scenarios were constructed and feature preferences were performed using SHAP. Finally, the performance differences of five commonly used advanced machine learning algorithms are compared. The results show that it is feasible to use the feature importance information provided by SHAP for feature optimization. Compared with the experimental scenario without feature optimization, feature optimization greatly improves the performance of the model. XGboost works best when paired with the optimal feature combination, and its AUC value reaches the maximum. The results indicate that in urban flood susceptibility assessment studies, the selection of the optimal machine learning algorithm and the best combination of features are important to improve the accuracy and reliability of the assessment.

Objective: To evaluate the diagnostic efficacy and safety of fine needle aspiration cytology performed under ultrasound guidance. Study Design: Comparative prospective study. Place and Duration of Study: Pulmonology Out-Patient Department, Gulab Devi Teaching Hospital, Lahore Pakistan, from Jun 2018 to Dec 2019. Methodology: One hundred and twenty-four patients of age 10-80 years, with pulmonary, mediastinal, pleural or chest wall lesions, fulfilling the minimal fitness criteria were included. Aspiration was done by a 23-gauge needle, smear made, and fixed slides were sent to the Cytology Department for evaluation. Complications were monitored. Findings were recorded on preformed proforma. Results: 121/124(97.6%) aspirates were adequate while 03 cases (2.4%) were reported not representing the lesion. Fifty cases (41.3%) showed malignant cytology, 71/121 aspirates (58.7%) were non-malignant. A specific cell type could be characterized in 84.5% non-malignant and 68.0% malignant aspirates. Complications were a few drops bleeding at needle aspiration site in 7.5 % and minor pain in 12.0 % patients. Conclusion: Fine needle aspiration cytology under ultrasound guidance is an effective and safe diagnostic tool in pulmonary medicine.

This paper investigates the critical intersection of urban climate policy and public health, emphasizing the pressing need for integrated strategies to address the intertwined challenges of climate change and health in urban settings. Despite cities being central to global emissions and energy consumption, a significant gap exists in the incorporation of health considerations into urban climate strategies, as evidenced by the analysis of urban content in Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs). The paper highlights the Coalition for High Ambition Multilevel Partnerships (CHAMP) initiative and the forthcoming Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) Special Report as pivotal moments for integrating climate and health agendas. However, it also points out the underwhelming response from cities in adopting comprehensive climate strategies, which undermines potential public health benefits. With substantial investments required to bridge the gap in health-focused climate resilience, the paper calls for a redefined approach to urban climate policy. This approach should prioritize health outcomes, leverage opportunities like the 15-Minute City concept, and foster the development of infrastructures that support both climate resilience and public health. The upcoming NDC revision cycle is identified as a critical opportunity for embedding health imperatives into urban climate strategies, emphasizing the need for a holistic perspective that views urban areas as ecosystems where climate and health are intricately connected. This comprehensive view aims to promote policies that are mutually reinforcing, thus contributing to healthier, more livable cities.

Objective: To measure the BMD in young adults with traumatic or non-traumatic lower limb amputation, using DEXA scan. Study Design: Comparative cross sectional study Place and Duration: Armed Forces Institute of Rehabilitation Medicine from July to December 2021. Methodology: Adults of age ≥18 years, admitted in amputee ward of AFIRM with lower limb amputation (traumatic or non-traumatic, unilateral or bilateral, new or follow up cases) were included in the study. All patients were undergoing DEXA scan for the first time since amputation. Patients were divided into 3 groups: transtibial amputation (TTA), transfemoral amputation (TFA) and ankle/foot amputation groups. Z-scores were documented for lumbar spine (L1-L4) and neck of femur (NOF). Z-scores at NOF were documented on amputated as well as non-amputated sides. Results: A total of 47 patients participated in the study. All were male. Mean age of patients was 30.8 ± 7.1 years (Range: 21-48 years). Majority of the patients (n=28, 59.6%) had left lower limb amputation. Out of 47 patients, TTA group comprised of 37 (78.7%) patients, TFA group comprised of 3 (6.4%) and ankle/foot group comprised of 5 (10.7 %) patients. Independent sample t-test was applied to determine the difference in Z-scores at NOF between amputated and non-amputated side in TTA group and result was statistically significant (p

Peristalsis has gained significant attention due to its numerous applications in the medical field, engineering, and manufacturing industries. Therefore, the current work intends to look into the effects of variable liquid properties on the magnetohydrodynamics of peristaltic flow exhibited by viscous fluid through a tapered channel. The viscosity of the liquid differs over the thickness of the channel, and temperature-dependent thermal conductivity is considered. The constitutive relation for energy is formulated with the addition of viscous dissipation and heat generation/absorption. The assumption of velocity slip along with the convective boundary condition energizes the thermal system as well as the flow phenomena. The mathematical formulation is established on the grounds of low Reynolds number and long wavelength approximations. Perturbation solution were obtained for the resulting non-linear differential equations of momentum and energy for small values of variable viscosity and variable thermal conductivity. The effects of various relevant parameters on flow properties were investigated through graphical analysis. The results show that the maximum velocity does not occur in the middle of the tapered channel, but moves toward the upper wall with the increase in the variable viscosity difference between the walls. The application of viscosity is essential in many engineering and industrial processes.

Human communities that inhabit the political borders live a transitional life, which is due to several socio-political and geo-climatic factors. The current cross-cultural ethnomedicinal study was conducted at the highly elevated Pakistan-India borders of the Western Himalayas in order to address the medicinal flora and folk knowledge of Balti and Shina communities. Ethnobotanical field surveys were conducted from May 2021 to September 2022. We used semi-structured interviews in order to collect the ethnomedicinal data. The collected data was analyzed using the relative frequency of the citations, use value, and Venn diagrams. A total of 140 interviews were conducted, which comprised of 90 (64.28%) Baltis and 50 (35.71%) Shinas. The interviews recorded 60 medicinal plant species that belong to 56 genera and 35 families. Asteraceae (5 spp.), Lamiaceae (5 spp.), and Apiaceae (4 spp.) were the families that were the most represented. These medicinally valued plants were being used for 55 health issues that are related to different body systems. Delphinium brunonianum, Thymus linearis, Hymenolaena candollei, Corydalis adiantifolia, and Seriphidium brevifolium were medicinal taxa with maximum RFCs and UV. The Baltis have comparatively more ethnomedicinal knowledge than the Shinas. The Baltis commonly used 22 (36.66%) species, which 34 (56.66%) were exclusive to the Baltis and 4 (6.66%) to the Shinas. Both ethnic groups collectively hold significant ethnobotanical knowledge that demands the preservation of risked folk knowledge, which is due to uncertain border situations, outmigration, and permeating allopathic drugs.

It is well documented that heat transfer is enhanced with addition of nanosized particles in fluid. But, in a mechanical system there are variety of factors influences the heat transfer. Some factors are significant while others are not. In this paper, authors will discuss sensitivity of different input parameters such as Le, Nt and Nb on output responses Nux and Shx. To achieve this goal, the problem is modeled using basic conservation laws. The formulated model is a set of PDEs, which are converted to set of non-linear ODEs by using similarity transformation. Then these ODEs are solved numerically by using MATLAB built in package bvp4c and compared the numerical results with existing work and found good results. Sensitivity analysis is performed by employing RSM to determine the relationship between the input parameters such that 0.1≤Le≤1, 0.1≤Nt≤1 and 0.1≤Nb≤1 and the output responses (Nux and Shx). ANOVA tables are generated by using RSM. By using the ANOVA tables the correlations between input parameters and output response are developed. To check the validity of correlated equations, the residuals are plotted graphically and show best correlations between input parameters and output responses. The high values of R2=98.65 and AdjR2=97.43 for Nux and R2=97.83 and AdjR2=95.88 for Shx demonstrates the high validity of ANOVA results to perform sensitivity analysis. Finally, we have conducted a sensitivity analysis of the responses and came to the important results that Nt and Nb is most sensitive to Nusselt number and Sherwood number respectively.

Recent evidence suggests that mulberry leaves have good antioxidant activity. However, what the antioxidant ingredient is and how the ingredient works are still not well understood. In this study, we enzymatically hydrolyze mulberry leaf proteins (MLPs) using neutral protease and find that the mulberry leaf protein hydrolysates (MLPHs) have stronger antioxidant activity compared to MLPs. We separate the core antioxidant components in MLPHs by ion-exchange columns and molecular sieves and identify 798 antioxidant peptides by LC-MS/MS. Through bioinformatics analysis and biochemical assays, we screen two previously unreported peptides, P6 and P7, with excellent antioxidant activities. P6 and P7 not only significantly reduce ROS in cells but also improve the activities of the antioxidant enzymes SOD and CAT. In addition, both peptides are found to exert protective effects against H2O2-induced chromatin damage and cell apoptosis. Collectively, these results provide support for the application of mulberry leaf peptides as antioxidants in the medical, food and livestock industries.

Background: The Risk of Paradoxical Embolism (RoPE) score was developed to identify stroke-related patent foramen ovale (PFO) in patients with cryptogenic stroke. Methods: We conducted a retrospective analysis of the 2016 to 2020 National Inpatient Sample to determine the performance of the modified RoPE score in identifying the presence of a PFO in patients with acute ischemic stroke (AIS). Results: A total of 3,338,805 hospital admissions for AIS were analysed and 3.0% had PFO. Patients with PFO were younger compared to those without a PFO (median 63 years vs. 71 years, p < 0.001) and fewer were female (46.1% vs. 49.7%, p < 0.001). The patients with PFO had greater mean modified RoPE scores (4.0 vs. 3.3, p < 0.001). The area under the curve for the RoPE score in predicting PFOs was 0.625 (95%CI 0.620–0.629). The best diagnostic power of the RoPE score was achieved with a cut-off point of ≥4 where the sensitivity was 55% and the specificity was 64.2%. A cut-off point of ≥5 increased the specificity (83.1%) at the expense of sensitivity (35.8%). The strongest predictor of PFOs was deep vein thrombosis (OR 3.97, 95%CI 3.76–4.20). Conclusions: The modified RoPE score had modest predictive value in identifying patients with PFO among patients admitted with AIS.

IntroductionIn Nigeria, because of increasing population, urbanization, industrialization, and auto-mobilization, petrol is the most everyday non-edible commodity, and it is the leading petroleum product traded at the proliferating Nigeria's petrol stations (NPSs). However, because of inadequate occupational health and safety (OHS) regulatory measures, working at NPSs exposes petrol station workers (PSWs) to a large amount of hazardous benzene, toluene, ethylbenzene, and xylene (BTEX) compounds.MethodsStudies on BTEX exposures among Nigerian PSWs are scarce. Thus, constraints in quantifying the health risks of BTEX limit stakeholders' ability to design practical risk assessment and risk control strategies. This paper reviews studies on the OHS of Nigerian PSWs at the NPSs.ResultsAlthough knowledge, attitude, and practices on OHS in NPSs vary from one Nigeria's study setting to another, generally, safety practices, awareness about hazards and personal protective equipment (PPE), and the use of PPE among PSWs fell below expectations. Additionally, air quality at NPSs was poor, with a high content of BTEX and levels of carbon monoxide, hydrogen sulfide, particulate matter, and formaldehyde higher than the World Health Organization guideline limits.DiscussionCurrently, regulatory bodies' effectiveness and accountability in safeguarding OHS at NPSs leave much to be desired. Understanding the OHS of NPSs would inform future initiatives, policies, and regulations that would promote the health and safety of workers at NPSs. However, further studies need to be conducted to describe the vulnerability of PSWs and other Nigerians who are occupationally exposed to BTEX pollution. More importantly, controlling air pollution from hazardous air pollutants like BTEX is an essential component of OHS and integral to attaining the Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) 3, 7, and 11.

Background: Kashmir Himalaya hosts the most diverse and rich flora in the world, which serves as grazing land for millions of small ruminants in the area. While most plant species are beneficial, some can be poisonous, causing economic losses and animal health issues for livestock. Consequently, this study is the first comprehensive report on the traditional phyto-toxicological knowledge in District Muzaffarabad and the assessment of its authenticity through experimental studies in rats.Methods: The data regarding traditional knowledge was gathered from 70 key respondents through semi-structured interviews, which was quantitatively analyzed and authenticated through plant extract testing on Wistar female rats and comparison with published resources.Results: A total of 46 poisonous plant species belonging to 23 families and 38 genera were reported to be poisonous in the study area. Results revealed that leaves were the most toxic plant parts (24 species, 52.1%), followed by the whole plant (18 species, 39.1%), stem (17 species, 36.9%), and seeds (10 species, 21.7%). At the organ level, liver as most susceptible affected by 13 species (28.2%), followed by the gastrointestinal tract (15 species, 32.6%), nervous system (13 species, 8.2%), dermis (8 species, 17.3%), renal (7 species, 15.2%), respiratory (4 species, 8.7%), cardiovascular system (3 species, 6.5%), and reproductive system (2 species, 4.3%). The poisonous plant species with high Relative frequency citation (RFC) and fidelity level (FL) were Nerium oleander (RFC, 0.6; FL, 100), Lantana camara (RFC, 0.6; FL, 100), and Ricinus communis (RFC, 0.6; FL, 100). Experimental assessment of acute toxicity assay in rats revealed that Nerium oleander was the most toxic plant with LD50 of (4,000 mg/kg), trailed by Ricinus communis (4,200 mg/kg), L. camara (4,500 mg/kg), and Datura stramonium (4,700 mg/kg); however, other plants showed moderate to mild toxicity. The major clinical observations were anorexia, piloerection, dyspnea, salivation, tachypnea, constipation, diarrhea, tremor, itchiness, and dullness.Conclusion: This study showed that numerous poisonous plants pose a significant risk to the livestock industry within Himalayan territory, leading to substantial economic losses. Consequently, it is of utmost importance to conduct further comprehensive studies on the phytotoxicity of plants.

Objective: This study aims to determine the efficacy of the Acacia arabica (Lam.) Willd. and Cinnamomum camphora (L.) J. Presl. vaginal suppository in addressing heavy menstrual bleeding (HMB) and their impact on participants' health-related quality of life (HRQoL) analyzed using machine learning algorithms.Method: A total of 62 participants were enrolled in a double-dummy, single-center study. They were randomly assigned to either the suppository group (SG), receiving a formulation prepared with Acacia arabica gum (Gond Babul) and camphor from Cinnamomum camphora (Kafoor) through two vaginal suppositories (each weighing 3,500 mg) for 7 days at bedtime along with oral placebo capsules, or the tranexamic group (TG), receiving oral tranexamic acid (500 mg) twice a day for 5 days and two placebo vaginal suppositories during menstruation at bedtime for three consecutive menstrual cycles. The primary outcome was the pictorial blood loss assessment chart (PBLAC) for HMB, and secondary outcomes included hemoglobin level and SF-36 HRQoL questionnaire scores. Additionally, machine learning algorithms such as k-nearest neighbor (KNN), AdaBoost (AB), naive Bayes (NB), and random forest (RF) classifiers were employed for analysis.Results: In the SG and TG, the mean PBLAC score decreased from 635.322 ± 504.23 to 67.70 ± 22.37 and 512.93 ± 283.57 to 97.96 ± 39.25, respectively, at post-intervention (TF3), demonstrating a statistically significant difference (p < 0.001). A higher percentage of participants in the SG achieved normal menstrual blood loss compared to the TG (93.5% vs 74.2%). The SG showed a considerable improvement in total SF-36 scores (73.56%) compared to the TG (65.65%), with a statistically significant difference (p < 0.001). Additionally, no serious adverse events were reported in either group. Notably, machine learning algorithms, particularly AB and KNN, demonstrated the highest accuracy within cross-validation models for both primary and secondary outcomes.Conclusion: The A. arabica and C. camphora vaginal suppository is effective, cost-effective, and safe in controlling HMB. This botanical vaginal suppository provides a novel and innovative alternative to traditional interventions, demonstrating promise as an effective management approach for HMB.

Ustukhuddūs (Lavandula stoechas L.) has been extensively used orally and topically in treating various neurological disorders, including dementia. The optimum potential of traditional dosage forms of Ustukhuddūs is limited for various reasons. Transdermal drug delivery system (TDDS) is a novel means of drug delivery and is known to overcome the drawbacks associated with traditional dosage forms. The current study aimed at fabricating and evaluating Ustukhuddūs hydro-alcoholic extract (UHAE) and essential oil (UEO) loaded matrix-type transdermal patches having a combination of hydrophilic - hydroxyl propyl methyl cellulose (HPMC) and hydrophobic - ethyl cellulose (EC) polymers. ATR–FTIR, DSC, XRD, and SEM analysis were carried out to study drug–polymer interactions, confirming the formation of developed patches and drug compatibility with excipients. We assessed the fabricated patches to evaluate their physicochemical properties, in vitro drug release, and permeation characteristics via ex vivo experiments. The physicochemical characteristics of patches showcased the development of good and stable films with clarity, smoothness, homogeneity, optimum flexibility and free from causing skin irritancy or sensitization. In vitro drug release and ex vivo permeation profile of developed patches were evaluated employing Franz diffusion cells. UHAE and UEO patches exhibited a cumulative drug release of 81.61 and 85.24 %, respectively, in a sustained-release manner and followed non-Fickian release mechanisms. The ex vivo permeation data revealed 66.82 % and 76.41 % of drug permeated from UHAE and UEO patches, respectively. The current research suggests that the formulated patches are more suitable for TDDS and hold potential significance in the treatment of dementia, contributing to enhanced patient compliance, thereby highlighting the implication of Unani Medicine in Nisyan (Dementia) treatment.

In light of the COVID-19 pandemic, there has been a notable increase in global awareness among businesses and consumers regarding environmental preservation and health concerns. The degree to which individuals identify with an organization is influenced by the appeal of its organizational identity, which aids in fulfilling important self-definitional needs. Nevertheless, there remains a limited understanding regarding the underlying factors that contribute to the phenomenon of firm identity attraction (IA) within the framework of consumer-business interactions. This study presents a validated framework that examines the antecedents of identity attraction, with COVID-19 being considered as a moderator. The framework is developed based on established theories of social identity and organizational identification. The study in Pakistan's cities utilized a questionnaire survey as its primary research method, while the findings were evaluated through the application of structural equation modelling. The results of our study indicate that the impact of corporate social responsibility (CSR) on firm Identity Attraction (IA) is significantly more pronounced. Although the impact of COVID-19 on the intention to purchase remains unaffected, it does play a favorable role in moderating the influence of CSR on the attraction towards brand.

Nayyar Masud is one of the most influential fiction writers of modern Urdu Literature. Understanding his fiction has always been a challenge for critics.Urdu critics and some Western critics have tried their best to understand him. Some have compared him to Kafka, some to Borges.A great fiction writer has so many layers of meaning that it can be analyzed from many perspectives. In this article, Nayyar Masud is studied from the perspective of the narrator or protagonist. Solitude is the main problem of the narrator. When his family does not understand him, he creates his own world. He lives his life at every level parallel to the society and is satisfied. In this article we have discussed his different stories. Tried to analyze such characters. Tried to know the difference between loneliness and solitude.An attempt has been made to examine the reasons for the isolation of the characters in these stories and the changes that took place in their inner selves as a result.The story of Nayyer is not written on the basis of the main event but on the basis of how the narrator sees and experiences life. This is what we have tried to prove in this article.

ABSTRACTA study was conducted to assess the impact of different blanching methods and blanching time on the quality of dried pear slices. Pears are only available seasonally, making the production of high-quality dried slices a valuable commodity. The pears were prepared and sliced before being blanched using three different methods: traditional blanching with hot water, blanching with steam, and microwave blanching for varying lengths of time. After blanching, the slices were cooled and then placed on filter papers to dry. The dried slices were then evaluated for chemical properties, such as sugars, total soluble solids, titratable acidity, ascorbic acid, Brix/acid ratio, ash content, and moisture content. Sensory properties such as color, taste, texture, and overall acceptability were also evaluated using a 9-point hedonic scale. The data generated were analyzed using a two-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) to determine the significant differences between variables. The results showed that the blanching method used had a non-significant effect (p

ABSTRACTThe primary objective of this study was to optimize the production of exopolysaccharide (EPS) produced by L. kefiranofaciens ZW3 through the utilization of response surface methodology (RSM). Central Composite Design (CCD) was used along with three variables to study the response variable. The effects of lactose (0.16–1.84%), tryptophan (0.16–0.84%), and pH (5.06–7.24) on EPS production were studied. RSM analysis revealed that coefficient of determination (0.9907) was good for the second-order polynomial model. The optimum values of explanatory variables were 0.36% lactose, 0.23% tryptophan, and pH value of 5.19. Additional experiments were performed to confirm the adequacy of this model. The predicted value of EPS at optimized level was 1609 mg/L, while its experimental value at optimized level was 1602 ± 3 mg/L. This study could help to produce higher amount of EPS from L. kefiranofaciens ZW3, which has a lot of industrial applications.

Crop yields remain significantly low in underdeveloped countries, such as Pakistan, primarily due to the prevalent use of traditional farming methods by most farmers. Resource-saving strategies, like ridge and raised flat bed systems, could boost water use efficiency and production per acre. However, further research is needed to investigate the effectiveness of these methods, along with different levels of soil moisture depletion (SMD), on wheat development in the climatic conditions of Sindh Province. Thus, field trials were undertaken at Sindh Agriculture University’s Tandojam for two years (2022 and 2023) during the wheat growing seasons. The experiment included six treatments, viz., T1 (raised flat bed method under 40% depletion), T2 (ridge method under 40% depletion), T3 (raised flat bed method under 50% depletion), T4 (ridge method under 50% depletion), T5 (raised flat bed method under 60% depletion), and T6 (ridge method under 60% depletion). The bed planter was employed to make raised flat beds, and the ridges were prepared using a ridge planter. Wheat variety (TJ-83) was sown. Under all treatments, the plant population, plant height, and seed index were statistically significant (p < 0.05), although spike length, grain spikes−1, and grain weight spikes−1 were non-significant at different SMD levels. To compute water saving through the ridge and raised flat methods, the recommended delta value for wheat crops under the traditional method was used as a benchmark. Both irrigation technologies conserve water compared to traditional irrigation methods. The T5 treatment conserved the most water, followed by T6. Under a 60% depletion level, the ridge approach produced the highest yield of 2175 kg ha−1, compared to 601 kg ha−1 with the raised flat bed method. The best crop water productivity (CWP) of 1.34 kg m−3 was achieved under T6, whereas raised flat beds attained the lowest CWP of 0.27 kg m−3 under T1. In terms of wheat grain production and CWP, the ridge furrow method outperformed the raised flat bed furrow method. Based on the results, it is recommended that farmers should use the ridge furrow method and allow a 60% depletion of soil moisture to obtain a high yield of wheat crops.

Mulberry is a rapidly growing plant that thrives in diverse climatic, topographical, and soil types, spanning temperature and temperate countries. Mulberry plants are valued as functional foods for their abundant chemical composition, serving as a significant reservoir of bioactive compounds like proteins, polysaccharides, phenolics, and flavonoids. Moreover, these compounds displayed potent antioxidant activity by scavenging free radicals, inhibiting reactive oxygen species generation, and restoring elevated nitric oxide production induced by LPS stimulation through the downregulation of inducible NO synthase expression. Active components like oxyresveratrol found in Morus demonstrated anti-inflammatory effects by inhibiting leukocyte migration through the MEK/ERK signaling pathway. Gallic and chlorogenic acids in mulberry leaves (ML) powder-modulated TNF, IL-6, and IRS1 proteins, improving various inflammatory conditions by immune system modulation. As we delve deeper into understanding its anti-inflammatory potential and how it works therapeutically, it is crucial to refine the extraction process to enhance the effectiveness of its bioactive elements. Recent advancements in extraction techniques, such as solid–liquid extraction, pressurized liquid extraction, superficial fluid extraction, microwave-assisted extraction, and ultrasonic-assisted extraction, are being explored. Among the extraction methods tested, including Soxhlet extraction, maceration, and ultrasound-assisted extraction (UAE), UAE demonstrated superior efficiency in extracting bioactive compounds from mulberry leaves. Overall, this comprehensive review sheds light on the potential of mulberry as a natural immunomodulatory agent and provides insights into its mechanisms of action for future research and therapeutic applications.

This study was conducted to investigate the effects of different strains and wheat bran on the fermentation quality, antioxidant activity, and bacterial community of mulberry leaf silage. Mulberry leaves were ensiled with Pediococcus acidilactici and Pediococcus pentosaceus (A), Bacillus subtilis and Bacillus licheniformi (DK), and Pediococcus acidilactici, Pediococcus pentosaceus, Bacillus subtilis, and Bacillus licheniformi (AK). Each treatment was supplemented with 10% wheat bran (fresh matter basis), and the strains were added in equal proportions for 7 days. The results indicated that the DK and AK groups exhibited higher dry matter (DM) content compared to the A group (p < 0.05). The A group (37.25 mg/g DM) and AK group (34.47 mg/g DM) demonstrated higher lactic acid content and lower pH (p < 0.05). Additionally, both the A and AK groups exhibited lower levels of ammonia-N content than the DK group (p < 0.05). The number of yeasts, molds, and coliform bacteria were low in mulberry leaf silage. Moreover, the antioxidant activity in the fermentation groups increased, with higher relative abundance of beneficial bacteria, Lactococcus and Lactobacillus, in the AK group. In summary, the AK group was observed to enhance fermentation quality and antioxidant capacity, leading to the establishment of a favorable microbial community composition.

This study explores the dynamic co-movement of Islamic asset classes and cryptocurrencies for the period 01 March, 2017 to 15 June, 2022 by employing Wavelet methodology. The Islamic investment classes are represented by Islamic equities, Islamic Socially responsible investments, Real estate investment trusts and Sukuk. The results reveal that in normal times, there is negligible co-movement of both the asset classes. By contrast, both the investment classes exhibit significant spillover effect during the health crisis period. An important implication from these findings is that both the asset classes offer diversification opportunity during normal times but not during extreme times.

The shrinkage of concrete is crucial under aggressive environmental conditions to avoid short and long-term deterioration. ACI committee for hot weather concreting specifies 35 °C as the maximum limit of fresh concrete to mitigate problems associated with that. This paper aims to investigate the plastic and drying shrinkage characteristics and compressive strength development of ordinary Portland cement (OPC) by varying w/c (0.3–0.45), casting temperatures (25–45 °C), and curing methods. The results demonstrated that the characteristics of concrete are significantly influenced by w/c, as well as the conditions at which they are cast and cured. In general, the plastic/drying shrinkage strains were observed to be minimum, while compressive strength was maximum when mixtures were cast at an ambient temperature of 32 °C. An increase in the w/c results in a corresponding rise in plastic/drying shrinkage strain, coupled with a decrease in the compressive strength of the mixtures. In addition, application of curing compound was found most effective in the field for enhancing the shrinkage characteristics whilst wet burlap practice was found beneficial in long-term compressive strength gain. These findings will enhance the optimization of mix designs for harsh conditions, improve construction efficiency, and support long-term concrete structure performance and sustainability.

The extensive utilization of pharmaceuticals in developing nations, notably antibiotics, has resulted in the occurrence of these substances in water and wastewater, widely accepted as emerging pollutants. The focus of this study was to devise a strategy that can efficiently and concurrently eliminate multiple antibiotics from an aqueous medium. A silicone-based polymer–polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) adsorbent was prepared to remove antibiotics from aqueous solution. Characterization of PDMS was carried out using different techniques, and the adsorption capacity of the adsorbent was determined in batch experiments. Kinetics and Isotherms fittings were employed to better understand the mechanism for the removal of antibiotics. The PDMS was prepared without the addition of any chemicals. The experiments were performed in batch mode for two weeks and the operating parameters include pH 7 and temperature 25 °C. The antibiotics analysis was performed on HPLC-DAD at 280 nm. The adsorbent (PDMS) showed maximum removal efficiency of 99.71% for ofloxacin followed by oxytetracycline, ciprofloxacin, and sulfamethoxazole i.e., 99.58%, 96.01%, and 93.90%, respectively. The adsorption capacity had a similar trend with the maximum value for ofloxacin (8.79 mg/g), followed by oxytetracycline (8.76 mg/g), ciprofloxacin (8.41 mg/g), and sulfamethoxazole (8.27 mg/g). The fitting of data into isotherm models confirmed that the Langmuir model was the governing mechanism for ofloxacin and sulfamethoxazole having R2 = 0.9663 and 0.9681, respectively. Whereas, for oxytetracycline and ciprofloxacin, the Freundlich model was the best fitted (R2 = 0.9970 and 0.9328, respectively). Adsorption studies showed that all four antibiotics followed the pseudo-second-order kinetics with R2 values 0.9549, 0.9893, 0.9692, and 0.9994 for ciprofloxacin, ofloxacin, sulfamethoxazole, and oxytetracycline, respectively. The encouraging results of regeneration studies further confirmed the potential of PDMS as a promising adsorbent showing ≥74% removal efficiencies for all the antibiotics in the fourth cycle. In general, it can be concluded from the results that PDMS has great potential to serve as an effective and efficient adsorbent for the removal of antibiotics without using chemicals and thus not adding further to environmental contamination.

Coronary physiological measurements have transformed the treatment of coronary artery disease (CAD), with increasing evidence supporting the use of pressure wire guided revascularisation. Advances in microvascular assessment have enabled clinicians to discern angina aetiology even in patients without obstructive epicardial coronary artery disease, paving the way for more effective tailored therapy. In this article, the authors will examine pressure wire indices, their role in influencing clinical outcomes and future directions.

This paper aims to inspect the mixed convective ciliary transport of ternary hybrid nanofluid through a curved channel having ciliated walls. Titanium oxide, Alumina oxide, and Silicon dioxide nanoparticles are taken for the current problem with blood as a base fluid. Due to the complexity of the flow regime, curvilinear coordinates are utilized to modulate resultant equations for two-dimensional flow under the consideration of heat source/sink effects. The attributes of ciliary structures are revealed by the dominance of viscous impacts over inertial impacts utilizing the long-wavelength approximation. The impacts of several interesting parameters on the flow fields are scrutinized via graphs. It can be examined that liquid velocity is enhanced by enhancing the cilia length parameter. The considered nanomaterials have remarkable applications in maintaining the heat transfer rate in blood flow through arteries.

ABSTRACT This study reports development and optimization of a new method for the assessment and verification of the inactivation of peste des petits ruminants virus (PPRV) by chemical agents, including Triton X-100 and commercially available viral lysis buffers. Virus inactivation was confirmed by virus isolation (VI) on Vero cells following capture of the potential residual viruses from treated samples using Nanotrap magnetic virus particles (NMVPs). Since chemical agents are cytotoxic, treated PPRV samples could not be used directly for VI on Vero cell monolayers; instead, they were diluted in Eagle’s Minimum Essential Medium (EMEM) to neutralize cytotoxicity and then subjected to virus capture using NMVPs. The NMVPs and the captured viruses were then clarified on a magnetic stand, reconstituted in EMEM, and inoculated onto Vero cells that were examined for cytopathic effect (CPE). No CPE was observed on cells inoculated with treated viruses captured by NMVPs; but CPE was observed on cells inoculated with untreated viruses, including those captured by NMVPs. For further verification, the supernatants of the VI cultures (treated or untreated) were subjected to RNA extraction and PPRV-specific real-time RT-PCR (RT-qPCR). The cycle threshold values were undetectable for the supernatants of VI cultures inoculated with NMVPs reconstituted from treated PPRV but detectable for the supernatants of VI cultures inoculated with untreated PPRV or the NMVPs reconstituted from untreated PPRV, indicating complete inactivation of PPRV. This new method of verification of virus inactivation using NMVPs can be applied to other high impact viruses of agricultural or public health importance. IMPORTANCE Research including diagnosis on highly contagious viruses at the molecular level such as PCR and next-generation sequencing requires complete inactivation of the virus to ensure biosafety and biosecurity so that any accidental release of the virus does not compromise the safety of the susceptible population and the environment. In this work, peste des petits ruminants virus (PPRV) was inactivated with chemical agents, and the virus inactivation was confirmed by virus isolation (VI) using Vero cells. Since the chemical agents are cytotoxic, inactivated virus (PPRV) was diluted 1:100 to neutralize cytotoxicity, and the residual viruses (if any) were captured using Nanotrap magnetic virus particles (NMVPs). The NMVPs and the captured viruses were subjected to VI. No CPE was observed, indicating complete inactivation, and the results were further supported by real-time RT-PCR. This new protocol to verify virus inactivation can be applicable to other viruses.

Titanium dioxide (TiO 2 ) nanomaterial has numerous applications in the fields of cosmetics, medicines, coatings, inks, plastics, food, and textiles. Therefore, the problem of heat and mass transport on Bödewadt flow of TiO 2 /water nanofluid over a rotating disk subjected to wall suction is studied. The impact of chemical reaction with partial slip and temperature jump conditions are also considered. For the numerical solution to the problem, the similarity variables are added to transform the three-dimensional flow equations into a favorable set of ordinary differential equations. The impacts of shear stresses, rates of heat and mass transport, and cooling efficiency of nanofluid on the flow are investigated by employing a bvp4c routine in Matlab software. Additionally, the plots for two-dimensional streamlines are presented to visualize the impact of slip velocity and rotation. Through asymptotic analysis, it is found that the presence of similarity solutions for nanofluid over the disk can occur only if the disk is driven to a significant amount of suction. The skin friction factor grows by enhancing the nanoparticle volume fraction ϕ with a slight reduction in heat and mass transport rates. The fluid temperature is reduced by augmenting ϕ providing the cooling efficiency of TiO 2 . The fluid concentration falls significantly when a chemical reaction occurs at a faster rate.

The recent theoretical investigation has advocated the Al2O3 monolayer as a stable atomic configuration. This work deals with the interaction of NH3 and PH3 towards this monolayer configuration. Structural and electronic investigation suggests a strong affinity of the monolayer towards the NH3 and PH3 molecules. PDOS analysis reveals hybridization between the molecular orbital of NH3/PH3 and Al2O3-monolayer. The electronic energy bandgap of the Al2O3 monolayer gets reduced by 0.26eV and 0.21eV respectively, on NH3 and PH3 adsorption. In the bandstructure analysis of the Al2O3-monolayer, the energy band dispersion got flattened after the toxic molecular gas (NH3/PH3) adsorption, suggesting strong sensitivity towards the toxicants. Mulliken population analysis witnessed a robust amount of charge transferred from the toxic molecules to the Al2O3-nanosheet. A competency in electrical conductivity and energy-band gap flattening of the NH3/PH3-Al2O3 configurations is an interesting outcome of the present work. All these findings suggest strong sensitivity of the 2D-monolayer for NH3/PH3.

Reasons for the failed endodontic teeth which had an extensive restoration can be attributed to the multiple materials that were used in it. Various post–core materials that are commonly used are compared for fracture resistance in the current study. Fourty maxillary incisors that needed root canal therapy were allocated into four groups of 10 each. Using adhesive resin cement, teeth were repaired in three experimental groups with ceramic fiber post, glass post, and stainless steel post. All these posts with composite post and core. Samples that still had their coronal structure were considered as controls that were without any post–cores. Every sample was ready for the best abutment preparation. Using the universal testing machine, all the specimens were examined for the compressive strength at 130° until fracture was experienced. The data for the force levels at which the fracture occurred were noted and compared for significance using analysis of variance (ANOVA), keeping P < 0.05 as significant. The fracture resistance values were significantly variable among all the groups, with P < 0.05. The stainless steel post exhibited the highest strength before it succumbed to the fracture. The glass posts showed better restorability and were esthetically acceptable. The least fracture resistance was demonstrated by teeth that had no post–core, highlighting the necessity of strengthening the tooth. Among all the experimental groups, the one that demonstrated the highest fracture resistance was composite core and steel posts.

Due to the long reach of the next-generation passive optical network (PON), the idea of sharing infrastructure between multiple PON operators has emerged to reduce capital and operational expenditures. However, the standard transmission convergence layer requires an independent virtual bandwidth management process for each operator. Each operator uses a virtual dynamic bandwidth assignment (vDBA) for upstream bandwidth control. An additional bandwidth scheduler is required to create a single physical bandwidth map (phyBW-map) with non-overlapping time slots for each optical network terminal (ONT) or optical network unit (ONU) in the upstream frame. However, the existing slicing-based scheduler (SBS) using dynamic bandwidth assignment schemes does not perform well with the cyclic sleep process (CSP) for energy conservation in PON due to inefficient utilization of the residual bandwidth of the asleep ONUs of an operator. This work introduces an energy-efficient sleep-aware slicing-based scheduler (SA-SBS) for the multi-operator scenario of ten gigabit-capable symmetric PONs (XGS-PONs). Our approach (SA-SBS) achieves 7-10% better energy savings than the existing slicing-based scheduler (SBS) without compromising upstream delays and delay variance. Moreover, we demonstrate that our scheme outperforms the original SBS, resulting in an average delay(s) reduction of up to 28.5% for operators 1, 2, 3, and 4, respectively. Our findings can significantly improve the energy efficiency and latency performance of virtual PONs in multi-operator scenarios, paving the way for a sustainable and reliable communication infrastructure.

Abstract Dealing with erroneous, unexpected, susceptible, flawed, vulnerable, and intricate information is simplified with the use of a single-valued neutrosophic set (svns). This is because of the fact that these types of information are more sensitive to error. This is due to the fact that these particular kinds of information are more prone to error. The ideas of fuzzy sets and intuitionistic fuzzy sets have both undergone further development as a direct result of the development of this new theory. In svns, indeterminacy is quantified in a way that is both obvious and unambiguous, and truth membership, indeterminacy membership, and falsity membership are all completely independent of one another. In algebraic analysis, certain binary operations can be thought of as interacting with algebraic modules. These modules are intricate and ubiquitous structures. There are many different applications for modules to be used in. Modules find use in an extremely wide variety of different kinds of businesses and market segments. We investigate the idea of $$(\mu ,\nu ,\omega )$$ ( μ , ν , ω ) -svns and relate it to $$(\mu ,\nu ,\omega )$$ ( μ , ν , ω ) -single-valued neutrosophic module and $$(\mu ,\nu ,\omega )$$ ( μ , ν , ω ) -single-valued neutrosophic submodule, respectively. The goals of this research are to comprehend the algebraic structures of a $$(\mu ,\nu ,\omega )$$ ( μ , ν , ω ) -single-valued neutrosophic submodule of a classical module and enhance the legitimacy of this technique by discussing numerous essential aspects. Both of these goals will be accomplished through the course of this study. The strategies that we have developed in this manuscript are more generalizable than those that have been utilized in the past. These strategies include fuzzy sets, intuitionistic fuzzy sets, and neutrosophic sets.

The present study explored machine learning methods to predict the catalytic activities of a dataset of 165 α-diimino nickel complexes in ethylene polymerization. Using 25 descriptors as the inputs, the XGBoost model presented the optimal performance among six different algorithms (R2 = 0.999, Rt2 = 0.921, Q2 = 0.561). The results of the analysis indicate that high activity is related to the presence of polarizable atoms and less bulky substituents within the N-aryl group. This approach offers valuable insights on the variation principle of catalytic activity as a function of complex structure, helping to effectively design and optimize α-diimino Ni catalysts with desirable performance.

Multiple abiotic stresses such as drought, salinity, heat, and cold stress prevailing in natural habitats affect plant growth and development. Different species modify their structural and functional traits to combat these abiotic stresses while growing in stressful environments. Cenchrus species, i.e., Cenchrus pennisetiformis, C. setiger, and C. prieurii are widely distributed grasses found growing all over the world. Samples from natural populations were collected from different ecological regions in the Punjab and Khyber Pakhtoonkhwa that were exposed to aridity, salinity, and cold, while one site was designated as normal control. In the present study, structural and functional modifications of three Cenchrus species under abiotic stresses were evaluated. It was expected that each Cenchrus species may evolve different strategies to cope with multiple abiotic stresses. All Cenchrus species responded differently whether growing in normal environment or stressful conditions. The most remarkable feature for survival in C. pennisetiformis under cold stress was increased inflorescence and increased stem and root lignification. C. prieurii showed better tolerance to saline and cold environments. C. setiger showed better development of leaf sheath anatomical traits. The structural and functional modifications in Cenchrus species such as development of mechanical tissues provided structural support, while dermal and parenchymatous tissues increased water storage capacity and minimized water loss. An increase in the concentration of organic osmolytes and ionic content aids turgor pressure maintenance and ionic content crucial for plant growth and development. It was concluded that structural and functional alterations in all Cenchrus species were very specific and critical for survival under different environmental stresses. The ecological fitness of these species relied on maintenance of growth and biomass production, and the development of mechanical, vascular, dermal and parenchyma tissues under stressful environmental conditions. Moreover, accumulation of beneficial ions (K+ and Ca2+) and organic osmolytes were critical in turgor maintenance, hence survival of Cenchrus spp.

The wind energy conversion systems (WECS) suffer from an intermittent nature of source (wind) and the resulting disparity between power generation and electricity demand. Thus, WECS are required to be operated at maximum power point (MPP). This research paper addresses a sophisticated MPP tracking (MPPT) strategy to ensure optimum (maximum) power out of the WECS despite environmental (wind) variations. This study considers a WECS (fixed pitch, 3KW, variable speed) coupled with a permanent magnet synchronous generator (PMSG) and proposes three sliding mode control (SMC) based MPPT schemes, a conventional first order SMC (FOSMC), an integral back-stepping-based SMC (IBSMC) and a super-twisting reachability-based SMC, for maximizing the power output. However, the efficacy of MPPT/control schemes rely on availability of system parameters especially, uncertain/nonlinear dynamics and aerodynamic terms, which are not commonly accessible in practice. As a remedy, an off-line artificial function-fitting neural network (ANN) based on Levenberg-Marquardt algorithm is employed to enhance the performance and robustness of MPPT/control scheme by effectively imitating the uncertain/nonlinear drift terms in the control input pathways. Furthermore, the speed and missing derivative of a generator shaft are determined using a high-gain observer (HGO). Finally, a comparison is made among the stated strategies subjected to stochastic and deterministic wind speed profiles. Extensive MATLAB/Simulink simulations assess the effectiveness of the suggested approaches.

BackgroundPostbiotics are an emerging research interest in recent years and are fairly advanced compared to prebiotics and probiotics. The composition and function of postbiotics are closely related to fermentation conditions.MethodsIn this study, we developed a solid-state fermentation preparation method for postbiotics with antimicrobial, antioxidant, and anti-inflammatory activities. The antibacterial activity was improved 3.62 times compared to initial fermentation conditions by using optimization techniques such as single factor experiments, Plackett–Burman design (PBD), steepest ascent method (SAM), and central composite design (CCD) methods. The optimized conditions were carried out with an initial water content of 50% for 8 days at 37°C and fermentation strains of Bacillus amyloliquefaciens J and Lactiplantibacillus plantarum SN4 at a ratio of 1:1 with a total inoculum size of 8%. The optimized SSF medium content ratios of peptide powder, wheat bran, corn flour, and soybean meal were 4, 37.4, 30, and 28.6%, respectively.ResultsUnder these optimized conditions, postbiotics with a concentration of 25 mg/mL showed significant broad-spectrum antibacterial capabilities against Escherichia coli, Salmonella, and Staphylococcus aureus and strong antioxidant activity against ABTS, DPPH, and OH radicals. Moreover, the optimized postbiotics exhibited good anti-inflammatory ability for reducing nitric oxide (NO) secretion in RAW 264.7 macrophage cells in response to LPS-induced inflammation. Furthermore, the postbiotics significantly improved intestinal epithelial wound healing capabilities after mechanical injury, such as cell scratches in IPEC-J2 cells (p < 0.05).ConclusionIn brief, we developed postbiotics through optimized solid-state fermentation with potential benefits for gut health. Therefore, our findings suggested that the novel postbiotics could be used as potential functional food products for improving body health.

This paper aims to inspect the mixed convective peristaltic transport of ternary hybrid nanofluids between two sinusoidally deforming lubricated curved concentric tubes. Titanium, Alumina, and copper nanoparticles are taken for the current problem with blood as a base fluid. The heat equation is also modeled in the presence of heat generation/absorption. The curved shape structure of flow geometry from the external side with a flexible complex nature of the peristaltic endoscope present inside that is similar to the endoscopy of a living organ. The governing expressions of the proposed model are followed under the long wavelength and small Reynolds number hypothesis. The exact solutions for flow fields that is, velocity, temperature, pumping phenomenon, and streamlines are attained by utilizing the separation of variable technique. Furthermore, graphs are used to examine and discuss different parameters outcomes. The outcomes reveal that liquid velocity enhances near the outer wall of the sinusoidal curved tube but it declines with the peristaltic endoscope for enhancing curvature parameter. The fluid temperature is reduced by enhancing the values of curvature parameter.