Developing a semi-automated technique of surface water quality analysis using GEE and machine learning: A case study for Sundarbans.

This study presents a semi-automated approach for assessing water quality in the Sundarbans, a critical and vulnerable ecosystem, using machine learning (ML) models integrated with field and remotely-sensed data. Key water quality parameters-Sea Surface Temperature (SST), Total Suspended Solids (TSS), Turbidity, Salinity, and pH-were predicted through ML algorithms and interpolated using the Empirical Bayesian Kriging (EBK) model in ArcGIS Pro. The predictive framework leverages Google Earth Engine (GEE) and AutoML, utilizing deep learning libraries to create dynamic, adaptive models that enhance prediction accuracy.

Multiclass Synthetic Accessibility Prediction.

Evaluating synthetic accessibility of molecules is an integral component of the drug discovery process. While the application of machine learning models to predict whether small molecules are easy or hard to synthesize has gained attention recently, predetermined thresholds and data set imbalances present challenges for these binary classification approaches. In this study, we introduce a novel multiclass fold-ensembled classification approach to predict the minimum number of steps needed to synthesize a small molecule.

Surfactant-Driven Dynamic Changes in Rheology of Activated Carbon Slurry Electrodes.

Carbon black slurry electrodes are an effective means to improve flow battery performance by increasing the active surface area necessary for electrochemical reactions with a cost-effective material. Current challenges with this specific flow battery chemistry include the stability and flowability of the carbon black suspensions, especially in response to formulation choices. Advancing the manufacturing, operation, and performance of these redox flow batteries requires a deeper understanding of how slurry formulation impacts its rheological profile and ultimately battery performance.

Discrete Mechanistic Target of Rapamycin Signaling Pathways, Stem Cells, and Therapeutic Targets.

The mechanistic target of rapamycin (mTOR) is a serine/threonine kinase that functions via its discrete binding partners to form two multiprotein complexes, mTOR complex 1 and 2 (mTORC1 and mTORC2). Rapamycin-sensitive mTORC1, which regulates protein synthesis and cell growth, is tightly controlled by PI3K/Akt and is nutrient-/growth factor-sensitive. In the brain, mTORC1 is also sensitive to neurotransmitter signaling.

NADES assisted integrated biorefinery concept for pectin recovery from kinnow (Citrus reticulate) peel and strategic conversion of residual biomass to L(+) lactic acid.

The present study aims to establish an integrated strategy for valorization of kinnow peel waste. A total of ten natural deep eutectic solvents (NADESs) were exploited for extraction of pectin. The highest yield of pectin enriched material was reported 35.

Interfacial Coupling of Graphene with Nickel Nanoparticles for Water Splitting and Urea Oxidation: A Spectroelectrochemical Investigation.

Nickel nanoparticle and graphene interfaces of various stoichiometries were created through electrodeposition techniques. The catalytic behavior of the electrodeposited films was investigated through spectro-electrochemical methodologies. UV-vis absorbance spectra of the electrodeposited films are significantly different in the air and alkaline medium.

Defining the role of mTOR pathway in the regulation of stem cells of glioblastoma.

The mechanistic target of rapamycin (mTOR), a serine/threonine kinase, functions by forming two multiprotein complexes termed mTORC1 and mTORC2. Glioblastoma (GBM) is a uniformly fatal brain tumor that remains incurable partly due to the existence of untreatable cancer stem cells (CSC). The pathogenesis of GBM is largely due to the loss of the tumor suppressor gene PTEN, which is implicated in the aberrant activation of the mTOR pathway.

Shear induced tuning and memory effects in colloidal gels of rods and spheres.

Shear history plays an important role in determining the linear and nonlinear rheological response of colloidal gels and can be used for tuning their structure and flow properties. Increasing the colloidal particle aspect ratio lowers the critical volume fraction for gelation due to an increase in the particle excluded volume. Using a combination of rheology and confocal microscopy, we investigate the effect of steady and oscillatory preshear history on the structure and rheology of colloidal gels formed by silica spheres and rods of length L and diameter D (L/D = 10) dispersed in 11 M CsCl solution.

Surfactant induced catastrophic collapse of carbon black suspensions used in flow battery application.

Hypothesis: Carbon black particles act as electronically conductive additives in the slurry electrodes used in electrochemical redox flow batteries. Modifying the carbon black slurry formulation with the addition of a nonionic surfactant could impart improved particle dispersion, gravitational stability, and flowability leading to better battery performance.

Experiments: Carbon black particles were dispersed in 1 M HSO with volume fractions Φ = 0.

Smart supramolecular photoresponsive gelator with long-alkyl chain azobenzene incorporated sugar derivatives for recycling aromatic solvents and sequestration of cationic dyes.

Phase-selective gelation of low molecular-weight photoresponsive organogelator possessing long aliphatic chain azobenzene sugar derivatives and its applications in the recycling of aromatic solvents and also the removal of cationic dyes is reported. Very low critical gelation concentration (CGC) in aromatic solvents implies that it acts as a very good gelator. The photoinduced gel-to-sol transition was attained by irradiation with UV light at 350 nm.

Sugar-Based Phase-Selective Supramolecular Self-Assembly System for Dye Removal and Selective Detection of Cu Ions.

Simple, effective, and eco-friendly sugar-based phase-selective gelators were synthesized at a low cost. They showed high gelling ability toward a wide range of solvents at lower concentrations (minimum gelation concentration ∼0.3%).

Increase of resistant starch content by hydrolysis of potato amylopectin and its microstructural studies by 2D and 3D imaging.

The effect of amylopullulanase treatment on recrystallization behaviour and the formation of resistant starch crystals have been investigated. Extracted potato starch (Solanum tuberosum) has been subjected to the enzymatic assisted bioprocessing without any physical or chemical treatment, where 120 min of incubation, 7 % (v/v) of enzyme and 8 mL/g of water content were found to be optimum to increase the resistant starch content by 41.88 %.

Colloidal Rod-Like Particles with Temperature-Driven Tunable Interactions.

Temperature-sensitive rod-like colloidal particles were synthesized by grafting a temperature-responsive polymer, poly(2-(dimethylamino)ethyl methacrylate) (PDMA), on the surface of high aspect ratio silica rods by surface-initiated atom transfer radical polymerization. The stability of the grafted polymer on the surface of the particles in aqueous solutions was found to deteriorate with time, leading to a gradual decrease of the polymer content of the hybrid colloids, which was attributed to the mechanically activated hydrolysis of the labile bonds at the polymer-silica interface. The polymer degrafting was significantly suppressed by first growing a hydrophobic poly(methyl methacrylate) block onto the particle surface to act as a barrier layer for the penetration of water molecules at the polymer-particle interface, followed by chain-extension with the hydrophilic PDMA chains.

Processing of semolina, a wonder resource for resistant starch production: In vitro digestibility and biochemical evaluation.

With the advent of modern technology, the utilization of residues obtained after food processing are being largely explored for commercialization. Semolina, a starch rich food ingredient is one of such byproducts of food processing that has not been yet vividly studied, although it is profusely used as an important ingredient in Indian cuisines. Rapid digestibility of most starch rich foods boosts up the blood glucose level.

Study of surface enhanced fluorescence of CdSeS/ZnS alloyed quantum dots using cytop layer as a dielectric spacer.

Recently, the surface enhanced fluorescence technique has been helpful for several biological applications. Some researchers have reported the SEF of fluorophores such as dye molecules and QDs using dielectric spacers formed by several approaches. Herein, for the first time, we report the SEF spectra of CdSeS/ZnS alloyed quantum dots (QDs) that have high photostability, less toxicity, and high biocompatibility.

Adjunctive Brivaracetam in Indian Patients with Uncontrolled Focal Epilepsy: Results from a Pooled Analysis of Two Double-Blind, Randomized, Placebo-Controlled Trials.

Background: Nearly one-third of patients don't achieve seizure control with existing antiepileptic drugs. Brivaracetam (BRV) is a new member of the racetam class of drug, designed to selectively target SV2A, with binding affinity 15- to 30-fold greater than that of levetiracetam.

Objective: This pooled analysis reports efficacy and tolerability data of adjunct BRV (50, 100, and 200 mg/day) compared with placebo in Indian patients with uncontrolled focal epilepsy.

Shear driven vorticity aligned flocs in a suspension of attractive rigid rods.

A combination of rheology, optical microscopy and computer simulations was used to investigate the microstructural changes of a semi-dilute suspension of attractive rigid rods in an imposed shear flow. The aim is to understand the relation of the microstructure with the viscoelastic response, and the yielding and flow behaviour in different shear regimes of gels built from rodlike colloids. A semi-dilute suspension of micron sized, rodlike silica particles suspended in 11 M CsCl salt solution was used as a model system for attractive rods' gel.

Enzyme mediated resistant starch production from Indian Fox Nut (Euryale ferox) and studies on digestibility and functional properties.

Starch rich foods are almost indispensable in mundane diet of people round the globe. Rapid digestibility of starch culminates into elevated blood glucose level which is an evident factor for many diseases. To curb this rapid digestibility and the elevated glycemic response, resistant starch content in highly nutritious but unexplored popped makhana (Euryale ferox) was increased by amylopullulanase treatment.

Insights into a novel class of azobenzenes incorporating 4,6--protected sugars as photo-responsive organogelators.

A novel class of 4,6--butylidene/ethylidene/benzylidene β-d-glucopyranose gelator functionalized with photo-responsive azobenzene moieties were designed and synthesized and also characterized using different spectral techniques. These azobenzene-based organogelators can gel even at lower concentrations (critical gelation concentration - 0.5% and 1%).

Sugar-benzohydrazide based phase selective gelators for marine oil spill recovery and removal of dye from polluted water.

The synthesis of 3,4,5-tri-O-benzohydrazide based N-glycosylamines were characterized using NMR (H and C) and mass spectral analysis. Gelation properties of the synthesized molecules in different solvents and oils were studied and gelation was observed with minimum Critical Gelator Concentration (CGC) of 0.8% (w/v) in benzene.

Food Biotechnology: A Step Towards Improving Nutritional Quality of Food for Asian Countries.

Background: Food-based technologies established itself as a vast, inter-disciplinary and multifaceted research area are at crossroads of scientific and technological advancements. The review of patents reveals that growing concerns over the source of nourishment for the burgeoning population, its quality, quantity and safety, along with associated human and environmental welfare has inspired global researchers to implement several new bio-based technologies.

Objective: Biotechnological interventions in food sector have been aimed at enhancing/modifying taste, aroma, shelf-life, texture and nutritional value of food products employing fermentation, enzyme technology, nanotechnology and molecular biology.

Acute Urinary Retention due to Primary Pelvic Hydatid Cyst: A Rare Case Report and Literature Review.

Causes of urinary retention in old men include benign prostatic hyperplasia, prostatitis, prostate cancer, Scarring of the urethra or bladder neck as a result of injury or surgery, use of certain medicines particularly NSAIDs and opioid analgesics, constipation and neurogenic bladder. When the above common causes are not quite obvious by clinical examination and relevant investigations, then it is necessary to think of other rare diseases. It is with the above in our mind that a case of bladder outflow obstruction due to a large primary retrovesical hydatid cyst is herein reported in a 58-year-old man.