Non-reactive scattering of N2 from the W(110) surface studied with different exchange–correlation functionals

8 páginas, 8 figuras, 1 tabla.-- El Pdf del artículo es la versión post-print.The non-reactive scattering of N2 from the W(110) surface is studied with six dimensional (6D) classical dynamics and two distinct potential energy surfaces (PES). Here, we use the PESs calculated with density functional theory and two different exchange–correlation functionals, the PW91 [J. E. Perdew et al., Phys. Rev. B, 1992, 46, 6671] and the RPBE [B. Hammer et al., Phys. Rev. B, 1999, 59, 7413]. By analyzing the final rotational state and angular distributions, we extract information on the characteristics of the two PESs in the 6D configurational space. Comparison of the theoretical results with the available experimental data provides detailed information on the validity of each functional. In general, the PW91 PES is more corrugated than the RPBE one in all the configurational space, meaning that there is a stronger dependence of the potential energy on the molecular orientation and position over the surface unit cell. Furthermore, we find that the larger corrugation and the less repulsive character exhibited by the PW91 PES seems to be realistic at distances above the chemisorption well. In contrast, the less corrugated RPBE PES performs better in the region below the chemisorption well.This work has been supported in part by the Basque Departamento de Educación, Universidades e Investigación, the University of the Basque Country UPV/EHU (Grant No. IT-366-07) and the Spanish Ministerio de Ciencia e Innovación (Grant No. FIS2010-19609-C02-02).Peer reviewe

A Comparison of Deep Learning Techniques for Glaucoma Diagnosis on Retinal Fundus Images

Glaucoma is one of the serious disorders which cause permanent vision loss if it left undetected. The primary cause of the disease is elevated intraocular pressure, impacting the optic nerve head (ONH) that originates from the optic disc. The variation in optic disc to optic cup ratio helps in early detection of the disease. Manual calculation of Cup to Disc Ratio (CDR) consumes more time and the prediction is also not accurate. Utilizing deep learning for the automatic detection of glaucoma facilitates precise and early identification, significantly enhancing the accuracy of glaucoma detection. The deep learning technique initiates the process by initially pre-processing the image to achieve data augmentation, followed by the segmentation of the optic disc and optic cup from the retinal fundus image. From the segmented Optic Disc (OD)and Optic Cup (OC) feature are selected and CDR calculated. Based on the CDR value the Glaucoma classification is performed. Various deep learning techniques like CNN, transfer learning, algorithm was proposed in early detection of glaucoma. From the comparative analysis glaucoma diagnosis, the proposed deep learning artifact Convolutional Neural Network outperform in early diagnosis of glaucoma providing accuracy of 99.3 8%

Pharmacokinetic interaction between alcohol and two of the commonly prescribed anti-hypertensive drugs-amlodipine and nebivolol

Background: Alcoholism is one of the leading causes of secondary hypertension. Many a times in clinical setting, many hypertensive patients also happen to be alcoholics, either social/moderate drinkers or suffer from alcohol dependence. For these patients, cessation of alcohol consumption is advocated and counselled as part of diet and lifestyle modifications. However, compliance rates have been found to be variable. Therefore, these patients consume alcohol and also take anti-hypertensive medications on a day-to-day basis. This study was initiated to explore influence of alcohol on the pharmacokinetics of anti-hypertensive drugs – Amlodipine and Nebivolol.Methods: 24 human volunteers were recruited for the study after obtaining informed consent. 12 volunteers each for Amlodipine, Nebivolol and alcohol’s effect on the drugs respectively were evaluated. Two standard drinks of alcohol were administered in respective period as per randomization. Clinical confinement and blood sampling was carried out as per ethics committee approved protocol in accordance with good clinical practice principles.Plasma samples were analyzed using validated LC-MS/MS bio-analytical method, for quantification of Nebivolol and Amlodipine in lines with good laboratory practice principles. Pharmacokinetic and statistical analysis of results was evaluated using WinNonlin Version 5.3.Results: The pharmacokinetic parameters were evaluated statistically and ANOVA results suggest that despite changes in individual parameters, the bioavailability was comparable, as both Cmax and AUC0-inf were well within the range of 80-125%.Conclusions: It is clearly observed that there are variations in all pharmacokinetic parameters when the drug is administered with alcohol. However, the same are well within acceptable limits and bioavailability of the drugs is comparable when administered with alcohol. Hence, two standard drinks of alcohol have limited effect on the pharmacokinetics of Amlodipine and Nebivolol. Further studies are required to evaluate influence of higher and frequent doses of alcohol on pharmacokinetics of Amlodipine and Nebivolol

Artificial diet: A novel technique for honey bee sustenance–a review

Colony maintenance during honey dearth period is a tricky and cumbersome task for bee keepers worldwide. The development of artificial diet has improved remarkably to confront the challenges of dearth period like reduced foraging activities, decreased brood development, susceptible to diseases due to lack of immunity and so on. The complexity of artificial diets grew over time as many studies demonstrated the vital significance of balanced nutritional profile of honey bees such as carbohydrates, proteins, vitamins, lipids, phytochemicals and phytosterols. Recent advancements have incorporated microbes such as cyanobacteria, yeast and other natural plant extracts to artificial diet to support colony growth, to enhance disease resistance and to maintain a healthy gut microbiome. Commercial diets are pre-formulated blends enriched with all nutrients including probiotics which can improve digestion, nutrient absorption and bolsters the bee’s immune systems and to overcome the difficulties faced by honey bees during dearth period. By combining a well-balanced diet with all essential nutrients, beekeepers can better support their colonies with enhanced resilience through which year-round productivity and overall well-being of honey bees can be maintained. This article gives an insight into artificial sources, microbe-based nutrition and their combination and commercial diet formulations that are required during off-season through which over all sustenance of honey bees can be achieved

Determinants of immunization status of children aged 1-5 years attending a tertiary health care facility: A cross-sectional study

Background: Childhood immunization is one of the key health interventions, which is useful in decreasing the under-five mortality. There has been a recent decline in immunization coverage rates in India as shown by the National Family Health Survey 4. Objective: This study was undertaken with the objective of determining the socio-economic and demographic risk factors associated with partial immunization of children aged 1-5 years attending a tertiary care center in South India. Materials and Methods: This cross-sectional study was done at the outpatient department of Institute of Child Health and Hospital for Children, Chennai, from May 2015 to October 2015. Children aged 1-5 years attending the outpatient department were included by convenient sampling. A sample size of 1100 was calculated based on a pilot study. After obtaining parental informed consent, data were collected on immunization and socio-demographic factors, namely, gender, place of residence, parental education and occupation, family income, number of children, birth order, place of delivery, and awareness of the type of vaccines to be given. The WHO definitions were used to classify immunization status as full, partial, and delayed immunization. Univariate and multivariate logistic regression analyses were performed to determine independent risk factors for partial immunization. Results: Totally, 1104 children were included in the study. 1056 (95.7% [95% confidence interval 94.5-96.9]) were fully immunized, whereas 41 (3.7% [2.59-4.81]) were partially immunized and 7 (0.6% [0.14-1.06]) had delayed immunization. None of the children were totally unimmunized. Univariate analysis identified rural residence, home delivery, having more than 2 children, birth order more than 2, lack of maternal and paternal education beyond primary school level, and lack of awareness on immunization as significant risk factors for partial immunization. After multivariate logistic regression, rural residence, having more than 2 children, and lack of awareness on immunization emerged as independent risk factors for partial immunization. Conclusion: Residing in rural areas, having more than 2 children, and lack of awareness on immunization are significant independent risk factors for a child not being fully immunized

Historical advancements in Indian monsoon forecasting: A review

The seasonal forecast is an important type of forecast in the agriculture sector particularly in India where the vast population relies on agriculture. Monsoon trade winds contribute to vast portion of Indian rainfall. Owing to its importance, the research activities on the prediction of the Indian monsoon started in ancient times and are carried over for the development of a perfect forecast system. India has bimodal rainfall with two major monsoons. The southwest monsoon contributes more with widespread rainfall over India and the northeast monsoon is the returning monsoon which brings dry wind to northern India and provides huge rain in southern India, particularly Tamil Nadu. Most of the work regarding monsoon has been con- centrated on southwest monsoon and less on northeast monsoon based on its importance. Over the years, several projects have been undertaken to enhance seasonal forecasting, with the Monsoon Mission being one of the most recent and significant initiatives aimed at improving prediction accuracy. Additionally, Agromet Advisory Services Bulletins have been developed using seasonal outlooks to provide tailored recommendations to farmers, helping them optimize agricultural practices based on forecasted conditions. This review highlights the advancements in seasonal forecasting, the regional focus on monsoons, and the role of these forecasts in supporting India’s agricultural sector

Physiological and biochemical adaptations of sesame (Sesamum indicum L.) to climate stress: A comprehensive review

Sesame (Sesamum indicum L.), often called the queen of oilseeds, plays a crucial role in nutrition, oil production and rural livelihoods. Despite its inherent resilience, sesame remains vulnerable to climate change, especially as it is largely cultivated on rainfed and marginal lands. Rising temperatures, erratic rainfall patterns and extreme weather events significantly affect its productivity. Critical developmental stages such as flowering and seed filling are particularly sensitive, experiencing yield losses up to 40-70 % under combined drought and heat stress. These abiotic stresses also reduce seed size and weight and alter oil quality by disrupting fatty acid composition. However, genotypic variability offers promising drought and heat-tolerant sesame lines with adaptive physiological and biochemical traits. Advances in molecular breeding, omics technologies and genome editing (e.g., CRISPR-Cas9) provide hope for climate-resilient sesame improvement. Agronomic interventions like mulching, biofertilizers and precision irrigation further enhance resilience. This review consolidates recent research on sesame\u27s physiological, biochemical and genetic responses to climate stress and explores integrated strategies for sustainable sesame cultivation under future climate scenarios

Sustainable management of saline and sodic soils for growing vegetable crops - A review

Vegetables are essential that play a crucial role in human nutrition. Salinity is a major constraint affecting agricultural productivity globally. Salt affects soils comprise approximately 20 % of cultivated land and 33 % of irrigated land. Salt stress hampers plant growth, thereby reducing the yield and quality of various crops. Salinity and sodicity adversely affect the biological, physical and chemical properties of soil, leading to reduced productivity and land degradation, particularly in irrigated and rainfed agricultural systems. Salinity reduces protein, fatty acid and total carbohydrate content in crops, while often increasing the accumulation of amino acids. The presence of soluble salts and excess sodium ions (Na+) in soil adversely affects plant health, emphasizing the need for effective resource management and sustainable practices. High salinity leads to surface crusting, reduced water infiltration, sodium-induced soil dispersion and decreased hydraulic conductivity (HC), all of which negatively impact plant development. Sodicity refers to the presence of excessive exchangeable sodium in soil relative to calcium and magnesium, which disrupts soil structure and fertility. High sodicity inhibits plant growth due to salt toxicity, nutritional imbalances and reduced availability of essential minerals in the soil. This review discusses the impact of saline and sodic soils on various vegetable crops and explores sustainable management practices to mitigate their effects

Primary Adenosquamous Carcinoma of Ascending Colon – A Rare Entity

Colorectal cancers (CRC) are on the rise globally with increased incidence rate 5.7/100000 cases in developing countries like India. 1 Majority (90%) of CRC are adenocarcinoma. The primary adenosquamous carcinoma (ASC) of the colon is exceedingly rare variant of adenocarcinoma with incidence of 0.025% and accounts for 0.1% of colonic epithelial malignancies. 2 The squamous differentiation accounts for its aggressiveness and poor prognosis. Here we report a rare case of primary ASC in 80year old male who presented with large bowel obstruction and peritonitis. A 80-year-old male brought to causality with history of fever, vomiting, pain in abdomen, altered sensorium since three days. The clinical examination revealed intestinal obstruction and peritonitis. Patient was immediately subjected for radiological and hematology investigations which showed signs of bowel obstruction and perforation. On emergency exploratory laparotomy, colonic perforation was identified along with an ulcer proliferative mass in ascending colon. Gross examination of right hemicolectomy revealed 9x6x3cm ulcero proliferative mass in ascending colon. The microscopic examination showed an infiltrating tumor composed of adenocarcinoma component and areas of squamous differentiation (60%) noted. Tumor was invading through muscularis propria and serosa. Final diagnosis of primary ASC was made. Colonic ASC is rare and associated with poorer prognosis. The squamous cell differentiation has greater metastatic potential than adenocarcinoma. Compared to adenocarcinoma, ASC is more likely to manifest with advanced disease and complications. Keywords: Adenosquamous, Carcinoma, Colo

Comparative assessment of nutritional composition, mineral profiling and therapeutic potential of leaf extracts from different mango cultivars

The mango (Mangifera indica L.), an economically significant tropical fruit, is widely valued for its nutritional, flavor and health benefits. While mango fruit is consumed extensively, other parts of the mango tree, such as leaves, are rich in bioactive compounds and hold untapped therapeutic potential. This study conducts a comparative analysis of the bioactive properties in the leaf extracts of ten mango cultivars (Surangudi, Fatkiri, Kalepad, Banganappalli, Imampasand, Malgoa, Peter, Neelam, PKM - 1, Kottur sinnarasam) from Tamil Nadu, India, to evaluate their antioxidant and antidiabetic activities. Fresh leaves were collected and processed using cold maceration for crude extraction, with their morphological traits, nutrient profiles and bioactive compound concentrations examined. Key compounds, including polyphenols and flavonoids, were quantified using standard methods to assess their total phenolic content (TPC) and total flavonoid content (TFC), with Malgoa and Imampasand showing higher concentrations. The antioxidant activity of the leaf extracts was determined via DPPH and superoxide radical scavenging assays, where Malgoa exhibited superior radical scavenging properties. Additionally, the antidiabetic potential was assessed by measuring ?glucosidase enzyme inhibition, with Malgoa and Imampasand demonstrating potent inhibition, suggesting their utility in managing diabetes. These findings emphasize the potential of mango leaves as a source of functional ingredients with health-promoting properties, supporting sustainable use of agricultural byproducts and the valorization of underutilized mango cultivars for therapeutic applications. This study highlights the significant bioactive diversity among cultivars, with implications for breeding programs aimed at enhancing mango's health benefits