Browse Articles

Orbital angular momentum light interacted with double quantum dot-metal nanoparticle hybrid structure under spontaneous coherence

Abstract This work studies the generation of the orbital angular momentum (OAM) beam in the double quantum dot-metal nanoparticle (DQD-MNP) system under the application of the OAM beam. First, an analytical model is derived to attain the relations of probe and generated fields as a distance function in the DQD-MNP system under OAM applied field and spontaneously generated coherence (SGC) components. The calculation here is of material property; it differs from others by calculating energy states of the DQDs and the computation of the transition momenta between quantum dot (QD)-QD and QD-wetting layer (WL) transitions. The orthogonalized plane wave (OPW) calculates QD-WL transitions and their momenta. The momentum calculation is essential to specify the Rabi frequency of the input field. Such characteristics are not used in earlier models. The results show that SGC is vital in increasing the generated field. The signal field generated in the DQD-MNP system doubles that from the DQD system alone. So, the DQD-MNP system is preferred to the DQD system. The generated field in the DQD-MNP for the strong coupling DQD-MNP system is higher than that for the weak coupling. Increasing the distance separating the DQD-MNP reduces the generated field. Higher OAM number reduce the generated field at a long distance in the device. The model is then extended to study the effect of incoherent pumping ( $$\:{R}_{inc}$$ ) and the relations are modified to cover this part. The results show that $$\:{R}_{inc}$$ reduces the generated field. While the results that compare the weak and strong coupling appear for the first, others compare well to the literature.

Measuring self-reliance and wellbeing among forcibly displaced women enrolled in a gender-focused economic empowerment program: A protocol for a pilot randomized controlled trial in Colombia

Colombia currently hosts nearly three million Venezuelan refugees and migrants and is home to seven million internally displaced Colombians. For forcibly displaced populations in Colombia, and especially for women, gender-based violence (GBV) poses a threat during transit and in their new homes where xenophobia, lack of accessible and adequate services, limited safe economic opportunities, and lack of information on access to services, further increase risk. The dearth of livelihood opportunities also affects forcibly displaced populations, especially women. This study will conduct a randomized-controlled trial (RCT) of HIAS’ Entrepreneurship School with Gender Lens (ESGL), a program that targets forcibly displaced GBV survivors and women at-risk to help them develop business ideas, access needed support for the prevention of and response to GBV, and improve overall self-reliance. The RCT will be conducted within three cities in Colombia; approximately 80 eligible participants will be enrolled in each city and randomized to a treatment or control arm. Survey questionnaires will be administered to participants at baseline, eight months following baseline (endline), and 3–4 months after endline. Outcomes of interest include household self-reliance, mental health, resilience, empowerment, utilization of GBV services, and social support.

Petrophysical assessment of the Hammam Faraun, Matulla and Nubia Reservoirs in the Ashrafi Oil Field, Gulf of Suez

Abstract The Hammam Faraun, Matulla, and Nubia formations in the Ashrafi oil field, in the southern Gulf of Suez, Egypt, are key hydrocarbon reservoirs with significant economic importance. These formations, characterized by their favorable reservoir properties and structural settings, play a crucial role in oil and gas accumulation. Their study provides valuable insights into regional petroleum systems and guides exploration and production activities. The Ashrafi Oil Field is one of the most complex and important areas due to its intricate geological framework, which closely resembles that of the Red Sea. Its proximity to the Red Sea further emphasizes its significance. Therefore, the findings from this study can serve as a valuable analogy for understanding the geology of the Red Sea. This study presents a comprehensive structural interpretation and petrophysical evaluation of the Hammam Faraun, Matulla, and Nubia formations by examining well log data and seismic lines, the research quantifies essential petrophysical parameters that characterize the reservoir properties and hydrocarbon potential of these formations. The Hammam Faraun Member exhibits effective porosity values ranging from 0.15 to 0.25 and water saturation levels between 0.23 and 0.67, indicating a significant capacity for hydrocarbon storage, especially in the northern region where net pay thickness can reach up to 60 ft. The Matulla Formation shows effective porosity values between 0.10 and 0.20, with water saturation levels ranging from 0.31 to 0.41 and net pay thickness varying from 51 to 269 ft, highlighting its substantial hydrocarbon reserves. In contrast, the Nubia Formation, characterized by its uniform sandstone composition, has an effective porosity of approximately 0.18 and a consistent water saturation level of about 0.24, with net pay thicknesses between 72 and 155 ft, marking it as an important target for hydrocarbon exploration. Also, the resulting structural interpretation reveals a series of normal faulted structures, including horsts, half-grabens, and step faults. These faults extend across the area, primarily trending northeast-southwest (clysmic trend), with minor northwest-southeast faults perpendicular to the major faults, creating a complex fault network. Integrating this structures with petrophysical parameters such as shale volume, effective porosity, and hydrocarbon saturation provides critical insights into reservoir quality, informing future exploration and production strategies. The study further underscores the lateral variations in water saturation and net pay thickness across the formations, which are closely linked to facies changes. This thorough analysis enhances our understanding of the geological framework and serves as a vital resource for optimizing hydrocarbon recovery and guiding exploration initiatives in the Ashrafi Oil Field. The findings underline the potential of these formations as significant contributors to the region’s hydrocarbon resources, emphasizing the necessity for ongoing exploration and development efforts. Additionally, the insights gained from this research can facilitate the implementation of advanced recovery techniques, ensuring the efficient utilization of hydrocarbon resources while addressing the challenges associated with reservoir management in the Gulf of Suez region and the Red sea.

The cellular response of lipopolysaccharide-induced inflammation in keratoconus human corneal fibroblasts to RB-PDT: Insights into cytokines, chemokines and related signaling pathways

Purpose Rose Bengal Photodynamic Therapy (RB-PDT) offers dual therapeutic benefits by enhancing corneal stiffness and providing antibacterial activity, presenting significant potential for patients with keratoconus complicated by keratitis. Our purpose was to assess the effect of rose bengal photodynamic therapy (RB-PDT) on the expression of pro-inflammatory cytokines and chemokines, as well as on extracellular matrix (ECM)-related molecules, in lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced inflammation of keratoconus human corneal fibroblasts (KC-HCFs). Additionally, the involvement of the mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) and nuclear factor kappa B (NF-κB) signaling pathways which are downstream of the Toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4) pathway were examined. Methods KC-HCFs were stimulated with varying concentrations of LPS (0–10 μg/ml), which was followed by RB-PDT. The expression levels of interleukin-1β (IL-1β), IL-6, IL-8, interferon alpha 2 (IFNA2), IFNB1, intercellular adhesion molecule 1 (ICAM-1), chemokine (C-C motif) ligand 4 (CCL-4), collagen I, collagen V, lysyl oxidase (LOX), transforming growth factor β 1(TGF-β1) were measured using qPCR, ELISA, or western blot. The activation of the NF-κB and MAPK pathways was assessed using qPCR and western blot. Results In LPS-induced inflammation of KC-HCFs, the expression of IL-6 was further amplified by the treatment with RB-PDT (p = 0.001). However, the activation of the MAPK and NF-κB pathways did not increase following RB-PDT. Additionally, RB-PDT reduced the transcription of collagen I and collagen V (p≤0.03), while the transcription of LOX and TGF-β1 secretion remained unchanged in KC-HCFs exposed to LPS. Conclusion In LPS-induced inflammation of KC-HCFs treated with RB-PDT, despite the increased expression of pro-inflammatory cytokines, the activation of the TLR4 signaling pathways is lacking. RB-PDT may have no adverse effects on corneal scar formation of keratoconus corneas in the short term.

Epigenetic modulation of social cognition: exploring the impact of methylation in brain-derived neurotrophic factor and oxytocin receptor genes across sex

Impact of Chlorella vulgaris and probiotic supplementation on performance, immunity and intestinal microbiota of broiler chickens

Chlorella vulgaris has antioxidant, antimicrobial, and anti-inflammatory properties, as well as the probiotic that is important for keeping the intestinal microbiota balanced. The objective was to test the impact of supplementation with microalgae and/or probiotics on broiler chickens’ performance, immunity, and intestinal microbiota. The experimental design was in randomized blocks in a 4x2 factorial scheme, with four levels of inclusion of C. vulgaris (0; 0.25; 0.50 and 1%) associated or not with a commercial probiotic with five replications of 26 chickens per experimental unit. The results showed that probiotics improved feed conversion. Probiotics increased the productivity index only at 0.25% C. vulgaris supplementation. There was a reduction in spleen weight at 42 days of age in chickens fed with probiotics, but the different treatments did not alter serum antibodies. Sampling age had a significant impact on richness addressed by the number of observed genera and diversity addressed by the Shannon index. The most abundant phylum in the chicken intestinal tract was Firmicutes followed by Bacteroidetes and Proteobacteria. Bifidobacterium spp. was found in animals receiving 1% microalgae and probiotics on day 42, suggesting that this genus has benefited from microalgae supplementation. It is concluded that the probiotic and C. vulgaris have the potential to improve performance without causing major changes in the immunity and cecal microbiota.

A new method for assessing the health status of aerospace equipment based on a belief rule base with balanced accuracy and complexity

Political participation and voluntary associations : A hypergraph case study

Civic organizations, ranging from interest groups to voluntary associations, significantly influence policy formation in representative democracies. This work presents a local case study that examines the relationship between voluntary associations and local political institutions in a village with nearly two thousand residents. Traditionally, sociologists’ approaches have focused on individual characteristics such as age, gender, or socio-professional status. In this study, we analyze social interactions between members of organizations modeled through a hypergraph. Specifically, we model interactions as hyperedges that correspond to activities proposed by organizations and involve the individuals who participate in those activities. Our analysis reveals a community-based structure, where members of similar types of organizations tend to interact more frequently. To quantify ‘political participation,’ we introduce an interaction-based measure that extends degree centrality. We also introduce the ‘diversity coefficient’ as an extension of degree centrality to capture an individual’s ability to participate in activities composed of members from different communities. Among other centrality measures, we find that the diversity coefficient is the most significant factor in explaining political participation among members of associations.

The southern house mosquito Culex quinquefasciatus in Abu Dhabi, UAE, is developing resistance to deltamethrin insecticide

“Energetics of the outer retina II: Calculation of a spatio-temporal energy budget in retinal pigment epithelium and photoreceptor cells based on quantification of cellular processes”

The outer retina (OR) is highly energy demanding. Impaired energy metabolism combined with high demands are expected to cause energy insufficiencies that make the OR susceptible to complex blinding diseases such as age-related macular degeneration (AMD). Here, anatomical, physiological and quantitative molecular data were used to calculate the ATP expenditure of the main energy-consuming processes in three cell types of the OR for the night and two different periods during the day. The predicted energy demands in a rod dominated (perifovea) area are 1.69 x 10 13 ATP/s/mm 2 tissue in the night and 6.53 x 10 12 ATP/s/mm 2 tissue during the day with indoor light conditions. For a cone-dominated foveal area the predicted energy demands are 6.41 x 10 12 ATP/s/mm 2 tissue in the night and 6.75 x 10 12 ATP/s/mm 2 tissue with indoor light conditions during daytime. We propose the likely need for diurnal/circadian shifts in energy demands to efficiently stagger all energy consuming processes. Our data provide insights into vulnerabilities in the aging OR and suggest that diurnal constraints may be important when considering therapeutic interventions to optimize metabolism.

Characteristics of different lipid droplet-mitochondrial contacts patterns during lipid droplet metabolism in T2DM-induced MASLD

A frustratingly easy way of extracting political networks from text

This study demonstrates the use of GPT-4 and variants, advanced language models readily accessible to many social scientists, in extracting political networks from text. This approach showcases the novel integration of GPT-4’s capabilities in entity recognition, relation extraction, entity linking, and sentiment analysis into a single cohesive process. Based on a corpus of 1009 Chilean political news articles, the study validates the graph extraction method using ‘legislative agreement’, i.e., the proportion of times two politicians vote the same way. It finds that sentiments identified by GPT-4 align with how frequently parliamentarians vote together in roll calls. Comprising two parts, the first involves a linear regression analysis indicating that negative relationships predicted by GPT-4 correspond with reduced legislative agreement between two parliamentarians. The second part employs node embeddings to analyze the impact of network distance, considering both with and without sentiment, on legislative agreements. This analysis reveals a notably stronger predictive power when sentiments are included. The findings underscore GPT-4’s versatility in political network analysis.

Knowledge, attitude and practice towards multiple myeloma among medical staff in Enshi Region

Integrated in silico and in vitro exploration of the anti-VEGFR-2 activities of a semisynthetic xanthine alkaloid inhibiting breast cancer

This study presents T-1-NBAB, a new compound derived from the natural xanthine alkaloid theobromine, aimed at inhibiting VEGFR-2, a crucial protein in angiogenesis. T-1-NBAB’s potential to interacts with and inhibit the VEGFR-2 was indicated using in silico techniques like molecular docking, MD simulations, MM-GBSA, PLIP, essential dynamics, and bi-dimensional projection experiments. DFT experiments was utilized also to study the structural and electrostatic properties of T-1-NBAB. Computational analysis was performed to predict the ADME-Tox profiles of T-1-NBAB. After semisynthesis, the in vitro results showed that T-1-NBAB effectively inhibits VEGFR-2, with an IC50 of 0.115 μM, compared to sorafenib’s 0.0591 μM. In vitro tests also demonstrated significant activity of T-1-NBAB against breast cancer cell lines MCF7 and T47D, with IC50 values of 16.88 μM and 61.17 μM, respectively, and high selectivity. Importantly, T-1-NBAB induced early and late apoptosis in MCF7 cells, indicating its potential as a strong anticancer agent. Additionally, T-1-NBAB reduced the migration and healing abilities of MCF7 cells, suggesting it could be a promising anti-angiogenic agent. Overall, these findings suggest that T-1-NBAB is a promising lead compound for further research as a potential treatment for breast cancer.

Nano-biopesticide formulation comprising of silver nanoparticles anchored to Ocimum sanctum: a sustainable approach to pest control in jute farming

Spectrum and trends of cancer among HIV patients in Southwestern Uganda

Background Antiretroviral therapy (ART) restores cellular immunity, significantly reducing AIDS-related mortality and morbidity thus improving the quality of life among People living with HIV (PLHIV). Studies done in several countries show a decline in AIDS defining cancers (ADCs) with the introduction of ART however the increased longevity has led to the increase of Non-AIDS defining cancers (NADCs). The study was aimed at studying the changing spectrum and trends of cancer among Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) patients in southwestern Uganda. Methods The study was a retrospective chart review of records of HIV-positive patients attending/receiving care from the Oncology clinic and ISS clinic of Mbarara Regional Referral Hospital (MRRH) who were, diagnosed with cancer for the past 10 years (January 2012–2021). Data were statistically analyzed using STATA version 17 (Stata Corp, Texas, US) at P <  0.05. Results Males were more common at 64.5% while the median age was 37 years (IQR 29–47 years). ADCs were seen in 77.5% of the population while participants with NADCs were older (p < 0.001). The majority 73.3% (283/386) were in later stages (3 and 4). Having either ADCs or NADCs was different across HIV stages (p < 0.001). The median baseline CD4 count was 205 cells/μl (IQR: 90–400 cells/μl). The median duration on ART was 15 months (IQR 3–65 months). Participants with ADCs had been on ART for a shorter duration of time (p < 0.001). Only the outcome of patients with ADCs were available. The outcome varied with sex (p < 0.036), baseline CD4 (p < 0.048), and HIV stage (p < 0.002). Males were more likely to die (30/38 or 78.95%) and lost to follow-up (26/41 or 60.98%). Participants with baseline CD4 cell count > 200 cells/μl were more than twice likely to be active in care. The Commonest ADC was Kaposi Sarcoma (KS) while the commonest NADC was Squamous cell carcinoma, Not otherwise specified. Age above 50 years was associated with a significantly reduced risk of ADCs (OR: 0.11; 95% CI: 0.03–0.43; p value: 0.002). The risk of ADCs increased from stage 2 (OR: 0.46, p-value: 0.03; 95% CI: 0.23–0.91) to stage 3 (OR: 1.13; p-value: 0.66; 95% CI: 0.65–1.97) but this was not statistically significant. The risk of ADCs decreased with increasing ART duration (P value < 0.05). Conclusion ADCs are still a major health challenge in Southwestern Uganda despite the increasing the coverage and uptake of ART in region. These have mostly affected the young people, people who have been on HAART for a shorter period and those with lower CD4 cell count at initiation of ART.

Body composition and physical performance of mountain bike athletes

xCT as a potential marker for neuroendocrine cells in high-risk prostate cancer and the relation to AL122023.1-miR-26a/30d/30e axis

Prostate cancer is the second most common type of cancer in male worldwide. Stromal-epithelial interaction is thought to have a major impact on cancer development and progression. Previous studies have shown that interaction via soluble factors lead to a reduction in the expression of xCT and AL122023.1 in the prostate carcinoma cell line LNCaP after seven days of co-culture with primary stromal p21 cells. In this study, we validated the repression of xCT and AL122023.1 at RNA level using quantitative real-time PCR and at protein level by Western Blotting. Furthermore, xCT is known to be a putative target for miRNAs miR-26a, miR-30d and miR-30e, which in turn potentially interact with AL122023.1. The lncRNA-miRNA-interaction was verified by luciferase reporter assays. However, miR-26a/-30d/-30e did not inhibit xCT expression at protein level. Nevertheless, indirect inhibitory effect of AL122023.1 on the xCT expression could be shown. Moreover, immunostaining revealed precise xCT expression in neuroendocrine cells, ranging from fetal, healthy juvenile, and adult prostate tissue to benign prostatic hyperplasia and finally advanced prostate cancer. This study explores the relevance and function of xCT and AL122023.1 in the prostate and exposes xCT as a potential marker or therapeutic target in high-risk prostate cancer.

Straightening trajectory of hooked fibers in the fiber transport channel of rotor spinning investigated by fluid solid coupled simulation

Association of P2X7 polymorphisms on Type 2 diabetes mellitus susceptibility and diabetic complications

Objectives This case-control study aims to clarify the impact of single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) within the P2X7 gene on susceptibility to type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) and to evaluate their association with diabetic complications. Methods This study is comprised with 200 T2DM cases and 200 healthy controls. Seven candidate SNP loci were screened, and TaqMan-MGB real-time PCR technology was used to determine the polymorphic variants of P2X7. Different genotype and allele frequencies were compared by Pearson’s χ2 tests and logistic regression analysis. Results Three P2X7 SNPs were found to be associated with T2DM risk. Specifically, rs7958311 GA (OR = 1.323, p = 0.002), rs7958311 AA (OR = 1.508, p = 0.038), rs208294 CC (OR = 1.854, p = 0.042) showed a higher susceptibility to T2DM, whilst rs11065464 CA (OR = 0.614, p = 0.022) was associated with a reduced risk. Logistic regression analysis indicated that rs7958311 was linked to an increased risk for nephropathy (OR = 1.833, p = 0.022), but with a decreased risk for peripheral artery disease (OR = 0.550, p = 0.042). Additionally, rs208294 was identified as a risk factor for peripheral neuropathy (OR = 2.101, p = 0.016). Conclusions We found that P2X7 polymorphisms are significantly associated with the risk of T2DM and its complications, suggesting that targeting P2X7 may offer a novel therapeutic strategy for the prevention and personal treatment of T2DM.