Therapeutic implications of cancer stem cells in prostate cancer

Prostate cancer, one of the most frequently occurring cancers in men, is a heterogeneous disease involving multiple cell types within tumors. This tumor heterogeneity at least partly results from genomic instability leading to sub-clonal cellular differentiation. The differentiated cell populations originate from a small subset of cells with tumor-initiating and stem-like properties. These cells, termed prostate cancer stem cells(PCSCs), play crucial roles in disease progression, drug resistance, and relapse. This review discusses the origin, hierarchy, and plasticity of PCSCs;methods for isolation and enrichment of PCSCs;and various cellular and metabolic signaling pathways involved in PCSC induction and maintenance, as well as therapeutic targeting.

Recent Advances in Nano‑Enabled Seed Treatment Strategies for Sustainable Agriculture:Challenges,Risk Assessment,and Future Perspectives

Agro seeds are vulnerable to environmental stressors,adversely affecting seed vigor,crop growth,and crop productivity.Different agrochemical-based seed treatments enhance seed germination,but they can also cause damage to the environment;therefore,sustainable technologies such as nano-based agrochemicals are urgently needed.Nanoagrochemicals can reduce the dose-dependent toxicity of seed treatment,thereby improving seed viability and ensuring the controlled release of nanoagrochemical active ingredients However,the applications of nanoagrochemicals to plants in the field raise concerns about nanomaterial safety,exposure levels,and toxicological implications to the environment and human health.In the present comprehensive review,the development,scope,challenges,and risk assessments of nanoagrochemicals on seed treatment are discussed.Moreover,the implementation obstacles for nanoagrochemicals use in seed treatments,their commercialization potential,and the need for policy regulations to assess possible risks are also discussed.Based on our knowledge,this is the first time that we have presented legendary literature to readers in order to help them gain a deeper understanding of upcoming nanotechnologies that may enable the development of future generation seed treatment agrochemical formulations,their scope,and potential risks associated with seed treatment.

Modeling, Simulation and Experimental Studies of Refractometric Fiber Optic Sensor

Refractometric fiber optic sensors have a number of applications in industry due to advantages like remote sensing ability, compact size, easy to fit, etc. A refractometric sensor contains a pair of parallel fibers and a gap between the sensor probe and reflector, wherein the liquid whose refractive index is to be measured is filled. This paper describes the importance of mathematical modeling of this sensor. Ray tracing approach is used to model the sensor mathematically. This mathematical model is generalized for any scenario which is useful to avoid tedious trial and error techniques to design the sensor prototype. Mathematical modelling is a useful tool to optimize the gap distance for a detection of refractive index of liquid. The model is developed and analyzed rigorously considering adulteration of diesel by kerosene where refractive index varies from 1.44 to 1.46. Simulation experiments are carried out to optimize the gap distance which is found to be 6.8 mm using both models. Experiments are carried out where sensor probe is fabricated and results are analyzed. It is observed that for suggested gap distance sensor output varies almost linear over the entire range.

Pancreatic Cancer Data Classification with Quantum Machine Learning

Quantum computing is a promising new approach to tackle the complex real-world computational problems by harnessing the power of quantum mechanics principles.The inherent parallelism and exponential computational power of quantum systems hold the potential to outpace classical counterparts in solving complex optimization problems,which are pervasive in machine learning.Quantum Support Vector Machine(QSVM)is a quantum machine learning algorithm inspired by classical Support Vector Machine(SVM)that exploits quantum parallelism to efficiently classify data points in high-dimensional feature spaces.We provide a comprehensive overview of the underlying principles of QSVM,elucidating how different quantum feature maps and quantum kernels enable the manipulation of quantum states to perform classification tasks.Through a comparative analysis,we reveal the quantum advantage achieved by these algorithms in terms of speedup and solution quality.As a case study,we explored the potential of quantum paradigms in the context of a real-world problem:classifying pancreatic cancer biomarker data.The Support Vector Classifier(SVC)algorithm was employed for the classical approach while the QSVM algorithm was executed on a quantum simulator provided by the Qiskit quantum computing framework.The classical approach as well as the quantum-based techniques reported similar accuracy.This uniformity suggests that these methods effectively captured similar underlying patterns in the dataset.Remarkably,quantum implementations exhibited substantially reduced execution times demonstrating the potential of quantum approaches in enhancing classification efficiency.This affirms the growing significance of quantum computing as a transformative tool for augmenting machine learning paradigms and also underscores the potency of quantum execution for computational acceleration.

Mapping of dwarfing gene Rht14 in durum wheat and its effect on seedling vigor, internode length and plant height

Short coleoptiles associated with GA-insensitive Rht-1 alleles in wheat reduces yield due to poor seedling establishment under dry, or stubble-retained conditions. Hence there is a need for alternative dwarfing genes for wheat improvement programs. GA-sensitive dwarfing gene Rht14 confers semidwarf stature in wheat while retaining longer coleoptiles and early seedling vigor. Two RIL populations were used to identify the map position of Rht14 and to estimate its effect on plant height, coleoptile length, seedling shoot length,spike length and internode length. Rht14 on chromosome 6 A was mapped in the genomic region 383–422 Mbp flanked by GA2oxA9 and wmc753 in a Bijaga Yellow/Castelporziano RIL population. Recombination events between Rht14 and GA2oxA9 in the RIL population indicated that Rht14 might not be allelic to GA2oxA9. The conserved DNA sequence of GA2oxA9 and its flanking region in Castelporziano also suggested that the point of mutation responsible for the Rht14 allele must be a few Mbp away from GA2oxA9. The dwarfing effects of Rht14 on plant height, internode length and seedling vigor were compared with those of Rht-B1 b in an HI 8498/Castelporziano RIL population. Both genes significantly reduced plant height and internode length. Rht-B1 b conferred a significant reduction in coleoptile length and seedling shoot length, whereas Rht14 reduced plant height, but not coleoptile and seedling shoot length. Therefore, Rht14 can be a used as an alternative to Rht-B1 b for development of cultivars suitable for deeper sowing in dry environments and in conditions of conservation agriculture where crop residues are retained.

Human islet amyloid polypeptide:A therapeutic target for the management of type 2 diabetes mellitus

Type 2 diabetes mellitus(T2DM)and other metabolic disorders are often silent and go unnoticed in patients because of the lack of suitable prognostic and diagnostic markers.The current therapeutic regimens available for managing T2DM do not reverse diabetes;instead,they delay the progression of diabetes.Their efficacy(in principle)may be significantly improved if implemented at earlier stages.The misfolding and aggregation of human islet amyloid polypeptide(hIAPP)or amylin has been associated with a gradual decrease in pancreatic b-cell function and mass in patients with T2DM.Hence,hIAPP has been recognized as a therapeutic target for managing T2DM.This review summarizes hIAPP's role in mediating dysfunction and apoptosis in pancreatic b-cells via induction of endoplasmic reticulum stress,oxidative stress,mitochondrial dysfunction,inflammatory cytokine secretion,autophagy blockade,etc.Furthermore,it explores the possibility of using intermediates of the hIAPP aggregation pathway as potential drug targets for T2DM management.Finally,the effects of common antidiabetic molecules and repurposed drugs;other hIAPP mimetics and peptides;small organic molecules and natural compounds;nanoparticles,nanobodies,and quantum dots;metals and metal complexes;and chaperones that have demonstrated potential to inhibit and/or reverse hIAPP aggregation and can,therefore,be further developed for managing T2DM have been discussed.

Prediction of coal ash fusion temperatures using computational intelligence based models

In the coal-based combustion and gasification processes, the mineral matter contained in the coal (predominantly oxides), is left as an incombustible residue, termed ash. Commonly, ash deposits are formed on the heat absorbing surfaces of the exposed equipment of the combustion/gasification processes. These deposits lead to the occurrence of slagging or fouling and. consequently, reduced process efficiency. The ash fusion temperatures (AFTs) signify the temperature range over which the ash deposits are formed on the heat absorbing surfaces of the process equipment. Thus, for designing and operating the coal-based processes, it is important to have mathematical models predicting accurately the four types of AFTs namely initial deformation temperature, softening temperature, hemispherical temperature, and flow temperature. Several linear/nonlinear models with varying prediction accuracies and complexities are available for the AFT prediction. Their principal drawback is their applicability to the coals originating from a limited number of geographical regions. Accordingly, this study presents computational intelligenee (CI) based nonlinear models to predict the four AFTs using the oxide composition of the coal ash as the model input. The CI methods used in the modeling are genetic programming (GP), artificial neural networks, and support vector regression. The no table features of this study are that the models with a better AFT prediction and generalization performanee, a wider application potential, and reduced complexity, have been developed. Among the Ci-based models, GP and MLP based models have yielded overall improved performanee in predicting all four AFTs.

Multi-criteria decision based geospatial mapping of flood susceptibility and temporal hydro-geomorphic changes in the Subarnarekha basin, India

The Subarnarekha River in east India experiences frequent high magnitude flooding in monsoon season.In this study,we present an in-depth analysis of flood hydrology and GIS-based flood susceptibility mapping of the entire catchment.About 40 years of annual peak discharge data,historical cross-sections of different gauging sites,and 12 flood conditioning factors were considered.Our flood susceptibility mapping followed an expert knowledge-based multi-parametric analytical hierarchy process(AHP)and optimized AHP-VIP methods.Peak hydrology data indicated more than 5 times higher discharge contrasted with the mean streamflow of the peak monsoon month in all hydro-monitoring stations that correspond to possible overbank flooding in the shallow semi-alluvial reaches of the Subarnarekha River.Widthdepth ratio revealed continuous changes on the channel cross-sections at decadal scale in all gauging sites.Predicted flood susceptibility map through optimized AHP-VIP method showed a great amount of areas(38%)have a high probability of flooding and demands earnest attention of administrative bodies.The AHP-VIP based flood susceptibility map was theoritically validated through AUC approach and it showed fairly high accuracy(AUC=0.93).Our study offers an exceptionally cost and time effective solution to the flooding issues in the Subarnarekha basin.

A critical review on Nepal Dock(Rumex nepalensis):A tropical herb with immense medicinal importance

Rumex nepalensis Spreng.(Polygonaceae) commonly known as Nepal Dock has wide-spectrum therapeutic potencies and is extensively used for centuries in traditional medicine systems. The leaves of this plant are edible and a rich source of natural antioxidants. They act as a possible food supplement and are largely used in pharmaceutical industry. Extracts and metabolites from this plant exhibits pharmacological activities including anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, antibacterial, antifungal, antiviral, insecticidal, purgative, analgesic, antipyretic, anti-algal, central nervous system depressant, genotoxic, wound healing and skeletal muscle relaxant activity. Due to its remarkable biological activities, it has the potential to act as a rich source of drug against life threatening diseases. However, more studies are needed to scientifically validate the traditional uses of this plant, beside isolating and identifying their active principles and characterizing the mechanisms of action. We present herein a critical account of its botany, ecology, traditional uses, phytoconstituent profile and major pharmacological activities reported in recent years and therefore will provide a source of information on this plant for further studies.

Supervision of Milling Tool Inserts Using Conventional and Artificial Intelligence Approach: A Review

Due to continuous cutting tool usage,tool supervision is essential for improving the metal cutting industry.In the metal removal process tool,supervision is carried out either by an operator or online tool supervision.Tool super-vision helps to understand tool condition,dimensional accuracy,and surface superiority.For downtime in the metal cutting industry,the main reasons are tool breakage and excessive wear,so it is necessary to supervise tool which gives better tool life and enhance productivity.This paper presents different conventional and artificial intelligence techniques for tool supervision in the processing procedures that have been depicted in writing.

Petrogenesis of the diamondiferous Pipe-8 ultramafic intrusion from the Wajrakarur kimberlite field of Southern India and its relation to the worldwide Mesoproterozoic(~1.1 Ga) magmatism of kimberlite and related rocks

Detailed mineralogy,bulk rock major,trace and Sr-Nd isotope compositions,and ^(40)Ar/^(39)Ar dating of the Pipe-8 diamondiferous ultramafic intrusion in the Wajrakarur cluster of southern India,is reported.Based on the presence of Ti-rich phlogopite,high Na/K content in amphibole,Al-and Ti-rich diopside,a titanomagnetite trend in spinel and the presence of Ti-rich schorlomite garnet and carbonates in the groundmass,the Pipe-8 intrusion is here more precisely classified as an ultramafic lamprophyre(i.e.,aillikite).An aillikite affinity of the Pipe-8 intrusion is further supported by the bulk rock major and trace element and Sr-Nd isotope geochemistry.Sr-Nd isotope data are consistent with a common,moderately depleted upper mantle source region for both the Pipe-8 aillikite as well as the Wajrakarur kimberlites of southern India.A phlogopite-rich groundmass ^(40)Ar/^(39)Ar plateau age of 1115.8±7.9 Ma(2σ) for the Pipe-8 intrusion falls within a restricted 100 Ma time bracket as defined by the 1053-1155 Ma emplacement ages of kimberlites and related rocks in India.The presence of ultramafic lamprophyres,carbonatites,kimberlites,and olivine lamproites in the Wajrakarur kimberlite field requires low degrees of partial melting of contrasting metasomatic assemblages in a heterogeneous sub-continental lithospheric mantle.The widespread association of kimberlite and other mantle-derived magmatism during the Mesoproterozoic(ca.1.1 Ga) have been interpreted as being part of a single large igneous province comprising of the Kalahari,Australian,West Laurentian and Indian blocks of the Rodinia supercontinent that were in existence during its assembly.In India only kimberlite/lamproite/ultramafic lamprophyre magmatism occurred at this time without the associated large igneous provinces as seen in other parts of Rodinia.This may be because of the separated paleo-latitudinal position of India from Australia during the assembly of Rodinia.It is speculated that the presence of a large plume at or close to 1.1 Ga within the Rodinian supercontinent,with the Indian block located on its periphery,could be the reason for incipient melting of lithospheric mantle and the consequent emplacement of only kimberlites and other ultramafic,volatile rich rocks in India due to comparatively low thermal effects from the distant plume.

Plastic-Free Bioactive Paper Coatings, Way to Next-Generation Sustainable Paper Packaging Application: A Review

Hydrocarbon-derived polymers have been utilized in various packaging applications, such as pouches, films, foamed containers, rigid containers, and multiple components for medical, food, and other uses. However, mounting environmental considerations increased knowledge of the harmful consequences of greenhouse gas emissions, landfills, and disposal difficulties. Rising oil prices are forcing researchers and businesses to produce environmentally friendly packaging. These new sustainability requirements are particularly suited to biomass-based products, instead of petroleum sources;sourced from biomass entities. More functional and performance-oriented packaging is necessary despite the widespread usage of bio-based materials like paper. As a result, the transition to eco-friendly packaging will necessitate the improvement of existing bio-derived packaging and the development of new bio-derived materials like biopolymer paper coatings. The goal of this brief study was to give a synopsis of the present status of bio-derived packaging and an insight into ongoing and prospective developments in sustainable next-generation paper coatings for the packaging industry.

Geochemistry of eclogites of the Tso Morari complex, Ladakh, NW Himalayas:Insights into trace element behavior during subduction and exhumation

Whole rock major and trace element compositions of seven eclogites from the Tso Morari ultra-high pressure(UHP) complex, Ladakh were determined with the aim of constraining the protolith origins of the subducted crust. The eclogites have major element compositions corresponding to sub-alkaline basalts. Trace element characteristics of the samples show enrichment in LILE's over HFSEs(Rb, Th, K except Ba) with LREE enrichments((La/Lu)n = 1.28-5.96). Absence of Eu anomaly on the Primitive Mantle normalized diagram suggests the absence of plagioclase fractionation. Positive correlation between Mg# with Ni and Cr suggests olivine fractionation of mantle melts. Narrow range of(La/Yb)n(2.1-9.4) and Ce/Yb(6.2-16.2) along with Ti/Y(435-735) ratios calculated for the Tso Morari samples is consistent with generation of melts by partial melting of a garnet free mantle source within the spinel peridotite field. Ternary diagrams(viz. Ti-Zr-Y and Nb-Zr-Y) using immobile and incompatible elements show that the samples range from depleted to enriched and span from within plate basalts(WPB)to enriched MORB(E-MORB) indicating that the eclogite protoliths originated from basaltic magmas.Primitive Mantle normalized multi element plots showing significant Th and LREE enrichment marked by negative Nb anomalies are characteristic of continental flood basalts. Positive Pb, negative Nb, high Th/Ta, a narrow range of Nb/La and the observed wide variation for Ti/Y indicate that the Tso Morari samples have undergone some level of crustal contamination. Observed geochemical characteristics of the Tso Morari samples indicate tholeiitic compositions originated from enriched MORB(E-MORB) type magmas which underwent a limited magmatic evolution through the process of fractional crystallization and probably more by crustal contamination. Observed geochemical similarities(viz. Zr, Nb, La/Yb, La/Gd,La/Nb, Th/Ta ratios and REE) between Tso Morari eclogites and the Group I Panjal Traps make the trap basalt the most likely protoliths for the Tso Morari eclogites.

An Investigative Study for Smart Home Security: Issues, Challenges and Countermeasures

Home security should be a top concern for everyone who owns or rents a home. Moreover, safe and secure residential space is the necessity of every individual as most of the family members are working. The home is left unattended for most of the day-time and home invasion crimes are at its peak as constantly monitoring of the home is difficult. Another reason for the need of home safety is specifically when the elderly person is alone or the kids are with baby-sitter and servant. Home security system i.e. HomeOS is thus applicable and desirable for resident’s safety and convenience. This will be achieved by turning your home into a smart home by intelligent remote monitoring. Smart home comes into picture for the purpose of controlling and monitoring the home. It will give you peace of mind, as you can have a close watch and stay connected anytime, anywhere. But, is common man really concerned about home security? An investigative study was done by conducting a survey to get the inputs from different people from diverse backgrounds. The main motivation behind this survey was to make people aware of advanced HomeOS and analyze their need for security. This paper also studied the necessity of HomeOS investigative study in current situation where the home burglaries are rising at an exponential rate. In order to arrive at findings and conclusions, data were analyzed. The graphical method was employed to identify the relative significance of home security. From this analysis, we can infer that the cases of having kids and aged person at home or location of home contribute significantly to the need of advanced home security system. At the end, the proposed system model with its flow and the challenges faced while implementing home security systems are also discussed.

Geodynamic evolution of the Tethyan lithosphere as recorded in the Spontang Ophiolite,South Ladakh ophiolites(NW Himalaya,India)

The Spontang Ophiolite complex represents the most complete ophiolite sequence amongst the South Ladakh ophiolites and comprises mantle rocks(depleted harzburgites,dunites and minor lherzolites)as well as crustal rocks(basalt,isotropic gabbros,layered gabbros etc.).In the present study,detailed geochemistry(whole rock as well as mineral chemistry)and Sr-Nd isotopic analyses of thirty-six ultramaficmafic samples have been attempted to constraint the evolution and petrogenetic history of the Tethyan oceanic crust.Major,trace-element and REE patterns of the peridotites and their minerals indicate that the lherzolites experienced lower degrees of partial melting resembling abyssal peridotites(at higher temperatures,TREE=$1216℃)than the harzburgites(6%–8%versus 15%–17%).Elevated eNd(t)and variable^(87) Sr/^(86) Sr(t)ratios along with REE patterns suggest that the Spontang mafic rocks display N-MORB affinity with negligible participation of oceanic sediments in their genesis are originated from a depleted upper mantle with little contribution from subduction-related fluids.MORB-type Neotethyan oceanic crust is associated with the earliest phase of subduction(of older Jurassic age)through which a younger intra-oceanic island arc(Spong arc)subsequently developed.Harzburgites REE display typical U-shaped patterns,suggesting that these rocks have been metasomatized by LREE-enriched fluids.On the other side,mafic rocks are characterized by heterogeneous(Nb/La)PMand(Hf/Sm)PMand relatively homogeneous eNd(t),indicating interaction of subduction-related melts with the upper mantle during the initiation of subduction,in Early Cretaceous times.

Multiyear Observations of Deposition-Mode Ice Nucleating Particles at Two High-Altitude Stations in India

Ice nucleating particle(INP) measurements were made at two high-altitude stations in India. Aerosols collected on filter paper at Girawali Observatory, Inter University Center for Astronomy & Astrophysics(IGO), and at the Radio Astronomy Center, Ooty(RAC), were activated in deposition mode using a thermal gradient diffusion chamber to determine the INP concentrations. The measurement campaigns at IGO were conducted during 2011, 2013 and 2014, and at RAC during 2013 and 2014. When the aerosol samples were exposed to an ice supersaturation of between 5% and 23% in the temperature range-17.6?C to-22?C, the maximum INP number concentration at IGO and RAC was 1.0 L-1and 1.6 L-1, respectively.A maximum correlation coefficient of 0.76 was observed between the INP number concentration and ice supersaturation. The airmass trajectories analyzed for the measurement campaigns showed that the Arabian Desert and arid regions were the main INP contributors. Elemental analysis of particles showed the presence of Na, Cl, Si, Al, Fe, Cu, Co, Cd, S, Mn and K, as well as some rare-Earth elements like Mo, Ru, La, Ce, V and Zr. When aerosols in the size range 0.5–20 μm were considered, the fraction that acted as INPs was 1 : 104to 1 : 106at IGO, and 1 : 103to 1 : 104at RAC. The higher ratio of INPs to aerosols at RAC than IGO may be attributable to the presence of rare-Earth elements observed in the aerosol samples at RAC, which were absent at IGO.

Tyre Pressure Supervision of Two Wheeler Using Machine Learning

The regulation of tyre pressure is treated as a significant aspect of‘tyre maintenance’in the domain of autotronics.The manual supervision of a tyre pressure is typically an ignored task by most of the users.The existing instru-mental scheme incorporates stand-alone monitoring with pressure and/or temperature sensors and requires reg-ular manual conduct.Hence these schemes turn to be incompatible for on-board supervision and automated prediction of tyre condition.In this perspective,the Machine Learning(ML)approach acts appropriate as it exhi-bits comparison of specific performance in the past with present,intended for predicting the same in near future.The current investigation experimentally assesses the suitability of ML scheme for vibration based on-board supervision of tyre pressure of two wheeled vehicle.In order to examine the vibration response of a wheel hub,the in-house design&development of DAQ(Data Acquisition System)is described.Micro Electro-Mechanical Scheme(MEMS)built accelerometer is incorporated with open source hardware and software to collect and store the data.This framework is easy to develop,monitor and can be retrofitted in two wheeled vehicle.For various pressure conditions,the change in response of wheel hub vibration with respect to time is collected.The statistical parameters describing these vibration signals are determined and the decision tree is applied to select distinguishing parameters between extracted parameters.The classification of different conditions of tyre pressure is carried out using ML classifiers.

Diet and habitat affinities in six raptor species in India

Background: Sympatric species adapt to, and temporally or geographically segregate access to similar limiting factors.Methods: We compared nesting habitat and diet affinities of six raptor species in central India between the years 20062015.Results: A large composition of reptiles in the diet was characteristic for Circaetus gallicus, Spilornis cheela and Elanus caeruleus, while Aquila fasciata, Falco chicquera and Nisaetus cirrhatus show a higher proportion of birds. Species with greatest similarity of diet were C. gallicus and S. cheela. Considering the environmental characterization of areas where raptors built the nest, some species were ecologically closer than others. N. cirrhatus and S. cheela were related to the presence of water bodies, dry deciduous forest and evergreen forests, while E. caeruleus and C. gallicus preferred more open habitats. A. fasciata bred either on cliffs or trees, F. chicquera on trees or mobile towers, and the other four species built their nests exclusively in trees.Conclusions: We conclude that although there was overlap in diet and nesting ecology for a number of species, the geographical separation likely limits competition for resources.

Silane Terminated Prepolymers: An Alternative to Silicones and Polyurethanes

Silane terminated prepolymers for adhesives, sealants and coatings are of great industrial importance. They are very important because of their low toxicity over polyurethanes, silicones, and solvent-based products. Hence, many pieces of literature which deal with the synthesis, properties and applications of this Silane terminated polymers hybrid system exist. Silylated polyether (MS polymers) and Silylated Polyurethane Polymers (SPUR) are the bases for numerous sealants, adhesives and coatings used worldwide. A hybrid system mixed with organic-polyurethane proportion and inorganic-alkoxysilane proportion combines the benefits of conventional polyurethane and silicone-based products. This article reviews the chemistry of MS polymers and SPUR and their advantages and disadvantages in silyl terminated prepolymer-based adhesives, sealants and coatings as well as provides information on different end applications.