Life cycle GHG emissions assessment of vanadium recovery from bitumen-derived petcoke fly ash.

Petcoke generated during bitumen upgrading is a potential source of vanadium for the global market. Recovering vanadium from the fly ash originating from the combustion of petcoke appears to be a suitable route for commercial implementation, given its high extraction rate. Although the technical feasibility of the recovery process has been proven, the environmental impact should be addressed. Information on the greenhouse (GHG) emissions from the process is scarce in the public domain. Therefore, a framework was developed for assessment of life cycle GHG emissions for extraction of vanadium from petcoke-based fly ash. This framework was used to perform a life cycle GHG emissions assessment of a water leaching and salt roasting process to extract vanadium from fly ash. For the upstream GHG emissions, we collected direct emissions data and energy consumption from the literature, and, for the process emissions, we developed a model to estimate energy and material balances based on process conditions. The emission factors for electricity production, fuel combustion, production of consumables, and gas treatment were used to obtain the life cycle GHG emissions. The results show that the life cycle GHG emission of vanadium recovery are 26.6-3.9+0.9 kg CO2eq/kg V2O5; 66% of these are direct GHG emissions. The process GHG emissions from fly ash decarbonization contribute the most to the life cycle GHG emissions. The air-to-fuel ratio for roasting and the GHG emission factors for petcoke combustion and the gas treatment operation are the inputs that most effect the model output. Compared with the production of V2O5 from vanadium titano-magnetite ore and bitumen upgrading spent catalyst, the petcoke fly ash pathway generates about twice the life cycle GHG emissions. This study's results can help determine areas of improvement in the upstream operations and the recovery process to reduce the life cycle GHG emissions to levels that can compete with primary and alternative routes to produce vanadium pentoxide. The results of this study can help in decision-making associated with vanadium extract from fly ash produced from combustion of petcoke.

Effect of Detector Orientation and Influence of Jaw Position in the Determination of Small-field Output Factor with Various Detectors for High-energy Photon Beams.

Background: Accurate dose measurements are difficult in small fields due to charge particle disequilibrium, partial source occlusion, steep dose gradient, and the finite size of the detector. Aim: The study aims to determine the output factor using various detectors oriented in parallel and perpendicular orientations for three different tertiary collimating systems using 15 MV photon beams. In addition, this study analyzes how the output factor could be affected by different configurations of X and Y jaws above the tertiary collimators. Materials and Methods: Small field output factor measurements were carried out with three detectors for different tertiary collimating systems such as BrainLab stereotactic cones, BrainLab mMLC and Millennium MLC namely. To analyze the effect of jaw position on output factor, measurements have been carried out by positioning the jaws at the edge, 0.25, 0.5, and 1.0 cm away from the tertiary collimated field. Results: The data acquired with 15 MV photon beams show significant differences in output factor obtained with different detectors for all collimating systems. For smaller fields when compared to microDiamond, the SRS diode underestimates the output by up to -1.7% ± 0.8% and -2.1% ± 0.3%, and the pinpoint ion chamber underestimates the output by up to -8.1% ± 1.4% and -11.9% ± 1.9% in their parallel and perpendicular orientation respectively. A large increase in output factor was observed in the small field when the jaw was moved 0.25 cm symmetrically away from the tertiary collimated field. Conclusion: The investigated data on the effect of jaw position inferred that the position of the X and Y jaw highly influences the output factors of the small field. It also confirms that the output factor highly depends on the configuration of X and Y jaw settings, the tertiary collimating system as well as the orientation of the detectors in small fields.

Improved tomato leaf disease classification through adaptive ensemble models with exponential moving average fusion and enhanced weighted gradient optimization.

Tomato is one of the most popular and most important food crops consumed globally. The quality and quantity of yield by tomato plants are affected by the impact made by various kinds of diseases. Therefore, it is essential to identify these diseases early so that it is possible to reduce the occurrences and effect of the diseases on tomato plants to improve the overall crop yield and to support the farmers. In the past, many research works have been carried out by applying the machine learning techniques to segment and classify the tomato leaf images. However, the existing machine learning-based classifiers are not able to detect the new types of diseases more accurately. On the other hand, deep learning-based classifiers with the support of swarm intelligence-based optimization techniques are able to enhance the classification accuracy, leading to the more effective and accurate detection of leaf diseases. This research paper proposes a new method for the accurate classification of tomato leaf diseases by harnessing the power of an ensemble model in a sample dataset of tomato plants, containing images pertaining to nine different types of leaf diseases. This research introduces an ensemble model with an exponential moving average function with temporal constraints and an enhanced weighted gradient optimizer that is integrated into fine-tuned Visual Geometry Group-16 (VGG-16) and Neural Architecture Search Network (NASNet) mobile training methods for providing improved learning and classification accuracy. The dataset used for the research consists of 10,000 tomato leaf images categorized into nine classes for training and validating the model and an additional 1,000 images reserved for testing the model. The results have been analyzed thoroughly and benchmarked with existing performance metrics, thus proving that the proposed approach gives better performance in terms of accuracy, loss, precision, recall, receiver operating characteristic curve, and F1-score with values of 98.7%, 4%, 97.9%, 98.6%, 99.97%, and 98.7%, respectively.

Association of CYP27B1 gene polymorphisms with pulmonary tuberculosis and vitamin D levels.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Genetic factors are reported to be connected with tuberculosis (TB) infection. Studies have shown that genetic variations in genes involved in the vitamin D pathway influence the levels of vitamin D found in the bloodstream (serum). Cyp27b1 (1α-hydroxylase) is an enzyme that activates the synthesis of bioactive vitamin D3 by hydroxylation of 25(OH)D3.The in vitro studies reported rare gene variants of Cyp27b1 such as rs118204011 and rs118204012, associated with loss of Cyp27b1 function and lower serum vitamin D levels. Globally, a critical gap exists in understanding the link between these gene variants with TB and vitamin D levels. Hence, the study objective is to comprehend the association of Cyp27b1 rs118204009 (G/A), rs118204011 (C/T), and rs118204012 (A/G) with tuberculosis susceptibility/protection and to assess the influence of gene variants on vitamin D levels in both healthy controls (HCs) and those with pulmonary tuberculosis (PTB) in South India. METHODS: Genomic DNA extraction was performed by salting-out procedure and subsequently genotyped through polymerase chain reaction and restriction fragment length polymorphism (PCR-RFLP) method. Vitamin D level was measured by Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay (ELISA). RESULTS: In rs118204012 (A/G), a substantial association was found with PTB susceptibility in allele 'A' [Odds Ratio (OR): 1.52 (1.02-2.26); p = 0.044] and 'AA' genotype [OR: 1.69 (1.02-2.81); p = 0.040] through the dominant model. Allele 'G' [OR: 0.66 (0.44-0.98); p = 0.044) was found to be associated with protection against TB. Males were associated with increased susceptibility towards TB compared to females in the rs118204011 "CC" [OR: 3.94 (1.94-7.98); p = 0.002] and rs118204012 'AA' [OR: 4.57 (2.13-9.79); p = 0.0001] genotypes. Vitamin D insufficiency (<30 ng/ml) was more prevalent in PTB patients (66.67 %) with the rs118201012 'AA' genotype compared with healthy controls (57.14 %). This genotype was associated with disease susceptible odds ratio of 1.5. CONCLUSION: Cyp27b1 rs118204012 'AA' genotype was found to have association with vitamin D insufficiency and TB susceptibility. In terms of gender, our findings suggest that male individuals are correlated with a higher TB risk. This suggest that the gene variants may be involved in the downstream processing of serum Vitamin D levels and its association with the disease.

Baryon Electric Charge Correlation as a Magnetometer of QCD.

The correlation between net baryon number and electric charge, χ_{11}^{BQ}, can serve as a magnetometer of QCD. This is demonstrated by lattice QCD computations using the highly improved staggered quarks with physical pion mass of M_{π}=135 MeV on N_{τ}=8 and 12 lattices. We find that χ_{11}^{BQ} along the transition line starts to increase rapidly with magnetic field strength eB≳2M_{π}^{2} and by a factor 2 at eB≃8M_{π}^{2}. Furthermore, the ratio of electric charge chemical potential to baryon chemical potential, µ_{Q}/µ_{B}, shows significant dependence on the magnetic field strength and varies from the ratio of electric charge to baryon number in the colliding nuclei in heavy ion collisions. These results can provide baselines for effective theory and model studies, and both χ_{11}^{BQ} and µ_{Q}/µ_{B} could be useful probes for the detection of magnetic fields in relativistic heavy ion collision experiments as compared with corresponding results from the hadron resonance gas model.

Peptide-Directed Synthesis of Aggregation-Induced Emission Enhancement-Active Gold Nanoclusters for Single- and Two-Photon Imaging of Lysosome and Expressed αvß3 Integrin Receptors.

This study explores the synthesis and characterization of aggregation-induced emission enhancement (AIEE)-active gold nanoclusters (AuNCs), focusing on their near-infrared luminescence properties and potential applications in biological imaging. These AIEE-active AuNCs were synthesized via the NaBH4-mediated reduction of HAuCl4 in the presence of peptides. We systematically investigated the influence of the peptide sequence on the optical features of the AuNCs, highlighting the role of glutamic acid in enhancing their quantum yield (QY). Among the synthesized peptide-stabilized AuNCs, EECEE-stabilized AuNCs exhibited the maximum QY and a pronounced AIEE effect at pH 5.0, making them suitable for the luminescence imaging of intracellular lysosomes. The AIEE characteristic of the EECEE-stabilized AuNCs was demonstrated through examinations using transmission electron microscopy, dynamic light scattering, zeta potential analysis, and single-particle imaging. The formation of the EECEE-stabilized AuNCs was confirmed by size-exclusion chromatography and mass spectrometry. Spectroscopic and electrochemical examinations uncover the formation process of EECEE-stabilized AuNCs, comprising EECEE-mediated reduction, NaBH4-induced nucleation, complex aggregation, and subsequent cluster growth. Furthermore, we demonstrated the utility of these AuNCs as luminescent probes for intracellular lysosomal imaging, leveraging their pH-responsive AIEE behavior. Additionally, cyclic arginylglycylaspartic acid (RGD)-modified AIEE dots, derived from cyclic RGD-linked peptide-induced aggregation of EECEE-stabilized AuNCs, were developed for single- and two-photon luminescence imaging of αvß3 integrin receptor-positive cancer cells.

Immunohistochemical evaluation of Glut1 in dentigerous cysts, odontogenic keratocysts, and ameloblastoma.

Context: Glucose uptake may be considered the rate-limiting step for the growth and metabolism of the cancer cell. Studies on GLUT1 have shown that GLUT1 is involved in cell survival and proliferation in both healthy and pathological circumstances. GLUT1 expression is regarded as one of the crucial elements in the development of local aggressiveness, tumour invasiveness, and metastasis, particularly in malignant tumours. The role of glut1 in odontogenic cysts and tumours has remained uncertain. Aim: The aim of the study is to assess the expression of Glut1 in dentigerous cysts, odontogenic keratocysts, and ameloblastoma. Settings and Design: The study was conducted in GSL Dental College. The study design was a resprospective immunohistochemical study. Methods and Material: Formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded blocks of histologically confirmed cases (n = 50), 10 cases of odontogenic keratocysts, dentigerous cysts, ameloblastomas solid, ameloblastomas unicystic, and dental follicles each. Brown colour staining was considered as positive staining for GLUT1. Quantitative analysis was performed by counting the number of labelled cells, and semi-quantitative analysis was conducted by assigning immunostaining intensity scores. Statistical Analysis: Chi-square test was used to compare differences between the groups. A P value of ≤0.05 was considered as statistically significant. Results: Odontogenic keratocysts and unicystic ameloblastoma showed ≥50% of label cells with strong intensity of staining. Odontogenic keratocysts and solid ameloblastoma showed sub-cellular localisation of staining in the cytoplasm and membrane. Dentigerous cysts exhibited combined nucleus, cytoplasm, and membrane sub-cellular localisation of staining. Conclusions: The development of ameloblastomas, odontogenic keratocysts, and dentigerous cysts appears to be influenced by GLUT-1. Variation in its expression may aid in explanation of some of the differences in biological activity of these lesions.

An in vitro evaluation of Icon resin infiltrant penetration into demineralized enamel lesions using an indirect staining technique with confocal laser scanning microscope analysis in dual fluorescence mode.

Context: White spot lesion is the first clinical sign of a caries lesion and represents mineral loss from the enamel subsurface. Aim: The aim of this study was to evaluate the penetration depth (PD) of Icon resin infiltrant into artificially demineralized enamel lesions using confocal laser scanning microscope (CLSM) analysis in dual fluorescence mode. Settings and Designs: The design of the study was an in vitro study. Materials and Methods: 22 extracted human permanent maxillary central incisor teeth were collected, and enamel sections were obtained from the coronal middle third. All enamel specimens were exposed to demineralization and remineralization solutions for 14 days. On positive confirmation of enamel demineralization by scanning electron microscope analysis, 20 specimens were then subjected to Icon resin infiltration following manufacturer instructions. Specimens were processed with indirect staining technique using rhodamine B and sodium fluorescein dyes and examined under CLSM at ×10 magnification in dual fluorescence mode using ImageJ software to evaluate PD of resin infiltrant into demineralized enamel lesions. Statistical Analysis Used: Obtained data were analyzed using an independent t-test. P ≤0.05 was considered statistically significant. Results: The maximum depth of demineralized enamel lesion was 590 µm, and the mean depth was 290.78 ± 14.80 µm. The maximum depth of resin infiltrant penetration was 580 µm, and the mean depth was 279.08 ± 13.88 µm; P = 0.006. The percentage penetration of resin infiltrant was 95.99%. Conclusion: Icon resin infiltrant was highly effective in its depth of penetration into demineralized enamel lesions. The use of indirect staining and CLSM analysis in dual fluorescence mode is more reliable and accurate technique to evaluate the PD of resin infiltrant.

Subtle membrane changes in cryopreserved bull spermatozoa when modified temperature drop rates are used during the first phase of freezing.

BACKGROUND: Cryopreservation of spermatozoa involves reduction of temperature to a subzero level, leading to increased longevity. However, temperature reduction has a significant effect on sperm membranes. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the impact of the rate of temperature drop during the first phase of freezing on subtle membrane changes in cryopreserved bull spermatozoa. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Thirty-two ejaculates from four bulls (eight ejaculates/bull) were collected using artificial vagina while keeping a 3 to 4 days gap between two collections. Diluted semen samples were equilibrated at 5 degree C for 4 hours. The samples were then placed in a pre-programmed semen freezer. The first phase of freezing, that is, 5 degree C till -10 degree C was subjected to three different temperature drop rates: accelerated (F1), moderate (F2), and slow (F3), at 20 degree C per min, 10 degree C per min and 5 degree C per min, respectively. After thawing, spermatozoa were assessed for percentage live, plasma, and acrosomal membrane integrity, along with the external appearance of phosphatidyl serine, indicating apoptosis. RESULTS: A significant difference (p < 0.05) in viability, plasma membrane integrity (HOS test), and acrosome membrane integrity (PSA test) was observed between F3 and the other groups. However, the parameters did not significantly differ between F1 and F2. The annexin V-PI assay (AN/PI) categorized four types of sperm populations: non-apoptotic and viable (AN-/PI-), apoptotic and viable (AN+/PI-), non-apoptotic and non-viable (AN-/PI+), and apoptotic and non-viable (AN+/PI+). The proportion of spermatozoa with (AN-/PI-) and (AN+/PI+) differed significantly (p < 0.05) between F3 and the other groups. The values for apoptotic and viable (AN+/PI-) and non-apoptotic and non-viable (AN-/PI+) sperm were not significantly different among all freezing categories. CONCLUSION: A slower temperature drop rate (freezing rate) during the first phase of freezing results in less damaging, subtle membrane changes. Doi.org/10.54680/fr24410110312.

Implementation of surface mechanomyography as a novel approach for objective evaluation of phasic muscle stretch reflexes in people with type 2 diabetes.

INTRODUCTION: Diabetic peripheral neuropathy is the most common complication of diabetes producing metabolic disruptions in the peripheral nervous system. Alteration in the predictable nature of tendon reflexes is the most common indicator suggesting the possibility of diabetic neuropathy. Evaluation of tendon reflexes is a part of various clinical scoring systems that assess neuropathy. The conventional reflex grading scales are subjective, lack temporal data, and have high inter-rater variability. Hence, an indigenous quantification tool was developed to evaluate the tendon reflexes in order to assess diabetic peripheral neuropathy. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A cross-sectional study was carried out in 140 healthy volunteers and 140 patients with type 2 diabetes. The mean age of controls and diabetics (49.1 ± 8.9, 50.7 ± 7.5) years, weight (66.9 ± 9.4, 69.8 ± 11.5) kilograms and BMI (24.5 ± 3.8, 26.1 ± 4.7), respectively. All of them are subjected to evaluation of tendon reflexes using the reflex quantification tool comprised of surface mechanomyography and electrogoniometry that can provide various static and dynamic variables of tendon reflex. RESULTS: The dynamic variables such as reflex amplitude, muscle velocity and angular velocity were significantly low in diabetic patients (p: <0.001) whereas latency and duration (p: <0.001) were prolonged. Furthermore, no significant difference was observed in the application of tendon striking force (p: 0.934) among the participants. CONCLUSION: The current study demonstrates that the proposed reflex quantification tool provides several dynamic variables of patellar tendon reflex, which are significantly affected and altered in diabetic patients suggesting the involvement of peripheral neurons.

A captivating approach to elevate the detection of Al3+ ions incorporates the utilization of a tripodal receptor intricately embellishing the surface of zinc oxide.

The FDA (Food and Drug Administration, (USA)) lists ZnO as a material that is widely acknowledged to be safe. ZnO NPs with a range of tiny particle sizes were made using the precipitation process. ZnO nanoparticles' surface is embellished with a tripodal sensor containing naphthol units. The assembly with the same receptor decorated on ZnO NPs is contrasted with the cation detection capabilities of the purified tripodal receptor. The UV-visible spectrophotometric analysis was conducted to study the state transitions of the receptor and the decorated ZnO receptor. A positive selectivity to Al3+ cations is determined by the fluorescence study under ideal circumstances. The particle size and surface morphologies are determined by DLS and SEM analysis for the same receptor - TP1 and embellished with a tripodal receptor TP2. Using a fluorescence switch-on Photoinduced Electron Transfer (PET) mechanism, the receptor coated on ZnO detects the presence of Al3+ ions with specificity. The binding constant value was determined using the B-H plot equation. Binding stoichiometry for [TP1-Al3+, TP2-Al3+] showed a 1:1 ratio. The fluorescence switches ON-OFF process of the ZnO surface adorned - TP2 with Tripodal receptor- TP1 was used to create molecular logic gates, which can function as a module for sensors and molecular switches. The addition of Na2EDTA in the solution of the [TP1; TP2 - Al3+] complex resulted in a noticeable reduction in the emission of fluorescence. This finding offers compelling support for the reversibility of the chemosensor. To enable the practical application of this sensor, we have developed a cassette containing receptors TP1 and TP2. Successfully, it can detect Al3+ metal ions. We performed a comprehensive assessment of the dependability and appropriateness of our approach in measuring the concentration of Al3+ ions in wastewater produced by important industrial procedures.

Reducing Salivary Toxicity with Adaptive Radiotherapy (ReSTART): A Randomized Controlled Trial Comparing Conventional IMRT to Adaptive IMRT in Head and Neck Squamous Cell Carcinomas.

BACKGROUND: The utility of Adaptive Radiotherapy (ART) in Head and Neck Squamous Cell Carcinoma (HNSCC) remains to be ascertained. While multiple retrospective and single-arm prospective studies have demonstrated its efficacy in decreasing parotid doses and reducing xerostomia, adequate randomized evidence is lacking. METHODS AND ANALYSIS: ReSTART (Reducing Salivary Toxicity with Adaptive Radiotherapy) is an ongoing phase III randomized trial of patients with previously untreated, locally advanced HNSCC of the oropharynx, larynx, and hypopharynx. Patients are randomized in a 1:1 ratio to the standard Intensity Modulated Radiotherapy (IMRT) arm {Planning Target Volume (PTV) margin 5 mm} vs. Adaptive Radiotherapy arm (standard IMRT with a PTV margin 3 mm, two planned adaptive planning at 10th and 20th fractions). The stratification factors include the primary site and nodal stage. The RT dose prescribed is 66Gy in 30 fractions for high-risk PTV and 54Gy in 30 fractions for low-risk PTV over six weeks, along with concurrent chemotherapy. The primary endpoint is to compare salivary toxicity between arms using salivary scintigraphy 12 months' post-radiation. To detect a 25% improvement in the primary endpoint at 12 months in the ART arm with a two-sided 5% alpha value and a power of 80% (and 10% attrition ratio), a sample size of 130 patients is required (65 patients in each arm). The secondary endpoints include acute and late toxicities, locoregional control, disease-free survival, overall survival, quality of life, and xerostomia scores between the two arms. DISCUSSION: The ReSTART trial aims to answer an important question in Radiation Therapy for HNSCC, particularly in a resource-limited setting. The uniqueness of this trial, compared to other ongoing randomized trials, includes the PTV margins and the xerostomia assessment by scintigraphy at 12 months as the primary endpoint.

Synthesis of rhenium disulfide nanodots exhibiting pH-dependent fluorescence and phosphorescence for anticounterfeiting and hazardous gas detection.

The synthesis and characterization of ReS2 nanodots (NDs) are detailed, by highlighting their structure, morphological, and optical properties. ReS2 NDs were synthesized using NH4ReO4 as a rhenium source, thiourea as a sulfur source, and N-acetyl cysteine as a capping agent. The synthesis involved the hydrothermal reaction of these precursors, leading to the nucleation and growth of ReS2 NDs. Characterization techniques including transmission electron microscopy, energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy, Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction, Raman spectroscopy, and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy confirmed the formation of ReS2 NDs with a spherical morphology, crystalline structure, and rich sulfur sites. The fluorescence behavior of ReS2 NDs was found to be influenced by the solution pH, with fluorescence intensity increasing with rising pH values. This pH-dependent fluorescence response was attributed to the dissociation of functional groups and the subsequent impact on the excited-state proton transfer process. The fluorescence intensity of ReS2 NDs showed a correlation with solution pH, enabling pH detection from 3.0 to 12.5 with an interval of 0.5 pH unit. Additionally, the incorporation of ReS2 NDs into a polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) matrix resulted in pH-sensitive phosphorescence, offering a new avenue for pH sensing. The strong interaction between PVA and ReS2 NDs was proposed to enhance phosphorescence intensity and trigger a blue shift in the phosphorescent peak at high pH. The ReS2 NDs/PVA-deposited filter paper exhibited pH-sensitive fluorescence and phosphorescence, which could be utilized as unique identifiers or authentication markers. Moreover, the ReS2 NDs/PVA-deposited filter paper showed potential for discriminating between hydrogen chloride and ammonia, based on their distinct fluorescence and phosphorescence responses.

Associations between neighbourhood safety, social cohesion, sleep quality and sleep duration among older adults in India: Findings from the Study on Global Aging and Adult Health (WHO-SAGE), 2015.

BACKGROUND: Most studies on later-life health in India focus on families, with far less attention given to the health repercussions of neighbourhood conditions among older Indians. We address this limitation in existing research by examining the associations between perceptions of neighbourhood safety and social cohesion and sleep duration and sleep quality among older adults in India. METHODS: Data come from the Study on Global Aging and Adult Health (WHO-SAGE), India 2015 wave 2, with a sample of 7118 adults aged 50 years and above. Sleep quality and duration were assessed using subjective responses. Multivariable logistic and linear regression analyses were employed to test the research hypotheses. RESULTS: Prevalence of poor sleep quality was higher among older adults living in unsafe neighbourhoods (4.46%) than peers residing in safe neighbourhoods (3.52%), and it was also higher among those living in neighbourhoods with poor social cohesion (5.31%) than counterparts who lived in socially cohesive communities (3.10%). Older adults in neighbourhoods with poor social cohesion had higher odds of reporting compromised sleep quality (adjusted odds ratio 1.75, CI: 1.22-2.51) than those living in socially cohesive neighbourhoods. Moreover, compared to those who perceived they were living in safe neighbourhoods, their peers who perceived their neighbourhoods as unsafe reported shorter sleep duration, with a negative beta coefficient of -0.27 (CI: -0.45 to -0.085). CONCLUSION: That perceived unsafety and poor social cohesion within one's neighbourhood are associated with compromised sleep reflects the significance of making neighbourhoods safer and more integrated for later-life sleep health. In addition to micro-level strategies (e.g., balanced nutrition and physical activity), efforts to improve sleep health should optimise macro-level opportunities, such as rehabilitating and revitalising neighbourhoods, which may alleviate sleep disturbances and improve sleep outcomes among older adults.

Temporal evolution of electron cloud in a cylindrical Penning trap at room temperature.

The temporal evolution of the electron cloud at room temperature has been recorded through a resonance circuit by observing the axial oscillation frequency of its center of mass. The electron cloud undergoes radial expansion by interacting with the residual gas molecules, and it is finally lost upon hitting the Penning trap electrodes. It has been confirmed through detailed experimental investigations that the unique temporal pattern of frequency variation is a consequence of the cloud's radial expansion. Consequently, this approach offers a non-destructive means for single-shot detection, enabling continuous monitoring of the electron cloud's radial expansion during the confinement time. This technique offers a significant advantage over its destructive alternatives.

COVID-19 complicating pregnancy: A retrospective study of nine intensive care unit patients.

Background: With the emergence of the coronavirus 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, it was essential to determine the impact of this disease on pregnant women and neonatal outcomes. In this study, we present a series of nine cases of pregnant women with COVID-19 disease requiring intensive care unit (ICU) admission. Methods: We retrospectively collected clinical data of pregnant women with COVID-19 disease admitted to ICU between September 2020 and September 2021. Results: Most common presenting symptom was cough. Two patients had no respiratory symptoms at presentation. Five of the nine patients required invasive mechanical ventilation. Seven patients required caesarean section, four of whom delivered preterm. There were no maternal or neonatal deaths. Conclusions: Although maternal and neonatal outcomes reported in our study are encouraging, it is imperative to emphasize the importance of an individualized, multidisciplinary approach, and good healthcare infrastructure for optimal management of this group of patients.

Association between Parvovirus B19 and thyroid/celiac autoantibodies among T1DM pediatric patients.

OBJECTIVE: In recent years, an overwhelming association between Pediatric Type 1 Diabetes Mellitus (T1DM) and autoimmune diseases has been largely reported. The current study was designed to determine a possible association between autoimmune thyroiditis (AIT), celiac disease (CD) - associated autoantibodies, and Parvovirus B19 infection among pediatric T1DM cases in the southwestern region of Saudi Arabia. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Blood samples from age groups 1-18 years attending the Diabetic Clinic were collected over a period of 12 months. Serum anti-thyroid peroxidase (TPO), anti-thyroglobulin (TG), anti-tissue transglutaminase immunoglobulin A (TG-IgA), endomysial IgA (EMA-IgA), Parvovirus B19-IgG and IgM antibodies were detected by standard methods. RESULTS: The results showed the prevalence of autoantibodies against thyroid and CD among pediatric T1DM patients to be 44 (25%) and 25 (14.4%), respectively. The prevalence of antibodies against B19 was 70 (40%). Further determination of the prevalence of Parvovirus B19-IgG antibodies and thyroid antibodies among T1DM pediatric patients revealed that there was a significant association between them with a p<0.0491. CONCLUSIONS: The prevalence of autoantibodies against the thyroid was higher among the seropositive Parvovirus B19 children with T1DM. A positive association between the prevalence of autoantibodies against thyroid disease and the increase in the duration of diabetes was also noted. Hence, periodic screening of T1DM patients for B19 antibodies and autoantibodies for thyroid is crucial.

PAEDIATRIC SYMPTOMATIC SEIZURES IN INDIA: UNRAVELLING VARIED ETIOLOGIES AND NEUROIMAGING PATTERNS - A MULTICENTRIC STUDY.

Pediatric neuroimaging presents a unique set of challenges, primarily stemming from the intricacies of normal myelination processes occurring within the initial two years of life. This complexity is particularly pronounced in the context of pediatric epilepsy, where a substantial proportion of neuroimaging cases appears normal, especially in instances of idiopathic or provoked seizures. Nevertheless, abnormalities in neuroimaging tend to manifest in cases of acute or remote symptomatic seizures. Notably, the etiological landscape of seizures in children diverges significantly from that observed in adults, with neurodevelopmental, neurometabolic, and neuro-infectious factors emerging as predominant contributors. This multicentric study, conducted between November 2021 and November 2023, spanned diverse hospitals across various states in India. Encompassing children from birth to 12 years of age experiencing acute and remote symptomatic seizures, the study meticulously documented clinical and demographic profiles. Exclusion criteria were applied, excluding typical febrile seizures and idiopathic epilepsy syndromes to ensure a focused analysis. The study encompassed a total of 109 cases, revealing a spectrum of neuroimaging findings. Noteworthy among these were cortical malformations, including focal cortical dysplasia (12 cases), tuberous sclerosis (6 cases), polymicrogyria (3 cases), hemimegalencephaly (1 case), lissencephaly (1 case), schizencephaly (2 cases), heterotopias (3 cases), cavernous hemangioma (1 case), and AV malformation (1 case). Additionally, neoplastic lesions (6 cases), neurocysticercosis (5 cases), tuberculoma (4 cases), hippocampal sclerosis (3 cases), post-hypoxic and cerebrovascular accident gliosis (3 cases), leukodystrophies (2 cases), and non-lesional cases (58 cases) were documented. Pediatric neuroimaging in symptomatic seizures may present with normal findings, influenced by interpreter bias and the non-uniform availability of 3T MRI across different medical centers. The diverse causative factors for symptomatic seizures underscore the impact of demographic features, including the endemicity of specific infections and birth injuries, on the observed variability across medical centers. These findings underscore the imperative for a comprehensive understanding and standardization in pediatric neuroimaging practices.

Knowledge, attitude, and practice of breast self-examination is associated with general self-care and cultural factors: a study from Tamil Nadu, India.

AIM: Breast cancer is the most prevalent type of cancer among women. One form of care related to early detection of breast cancer is breast self-examination (BSE). However, evidence on knowledge, attitude, and practice (KAP) of BSE and its determining factors are minuscule in an Indian context. Therefore, the present study primarily examined the prevalence of KAP of BSE. Further, its association with general self-care and cultural factors was determined. METHODS: This cross-sectional study obtained data from 412 women (Mn age = 26.63) from two rural localities of Vellore district, Tamil Nadu, India. Self-reported questionnaires of KAP of BSE, self-care, and cultural factors were applied. Statistical analyses include independent sample t-test and binomial logistic regression. RESULTS: The majority of the sample had inadequate knowledge (58%), unfavourable attitudes (73.8%), and poor practice (89.6%) of BSE. The general self-care among the sample was moderate. Self-care was found to be a significant predictor of knowledge (b = 0.07, p < .05) and attitude (b = 0.092, p < .05) toward BSE. Shyness was identified as a negative predictor of KAP. Discouraged breast health discussions predicted inadequate knowledge, and not being educated by family/friends had a negative impact on knowledge and practice. A preference for same-gender physicians led to an unfavourable attitude toward BSE. CONCLUSION: The observed negative trends in KAP of BSE are concerning. The results imply that girls and women should be educated and encouraged to practice BSE and promote self-care behaviours. At the same time, efforts to reduce cultural barriers may be helpful to promote the KAP of BSE.