Experimental Quantum Homomorphic Encryption Using a Quantum Photonic Chip.

A fully homomorphic encryption system enables computation on encrypted data without the necessity for prior decryption. This facilitates the seamless establishment of a secure quantum channel, bridging the server and client components, and thereby providing the client with secure access to the server's substantial computational capacity for executing quantum operations. However, traditional homomorphic encryption systems lack scalability, programmability, and stability. In this Letter, we experimentally demonstrate a proof-of-concept implementation of a homomorphic encryption scheme on a compact quantum chip, verifying the feasibility of using photonic chips for quantum homomorphic encryption. Our work not only provides a solution for circuit expansion, addressing the longstanding challenge of scalability while significantly reducing the size of quantum network infrastructure, but also lays the groundwork for the development of highly sophisticated quantum fully homomorphic encryption systems.

Localized Changes in Dentate Nucleus Shape and Magnetic Susceptibility in Friedreich Ataxia.

BACKGROUND: The dentate nuclei of the cerebellum are key sites of neuropathology in Friedreich ataxia (FRDA). Reduced dentate nucleus volume and increased mean magnetic susceptibility, a proxy of iron concentration, have been reported by magnetic resonance imaging studies in people with FRDA. Here, we investigate whether these changes are regionally heterogeneous. METHODS: Quantitative susceptibility mapping data were acquired from 49 people with FRDA and 46 healthy controls. The dentate nuclei were manually segmented and analyzed using three dimensional vertex-based shape modeling and voxel-based assessments to identify regional changes in morphometry and susceptibility, respectively. RESULTS: Individuals with FRDA, relative to healthy controls, showed significant bilateral surface contraction most strongly at the rostral and caudal boundaries of the dentate nuclei. The magnitude of this surface contraction correlated with disease duration, and to a lesser extent, ataxia severity. Significantly greater susceptibility was also evident in the FRDA cohort relative to controls, but was instead localized to bilateral dorsomedial areas, and also correlated with disease duration and ataxia severity. CONCLUSIONS: Changes in the structure of the dentate nuclei in FRDA are not spatially uniform. Atrophy is greatest in areas with high gray matter density, whereas increases in susceptibility-reflecting iron concentration, demyelination, and/or gliosis-predominate in the medial white matter. These findings converge with established histological reports and indicate that regional measures of dentate nucleus substructure are more sensitive measures of disease expression than full-structure averages. Biomarker development and therapeutic strategies that directly target the dentate nuclei, such as gene therapies, may be optimized by targeting these areas of maximal pathology. © 2024 The Authors. Movement Disorders published by Wiley Periodicals LLC on behalf of International Parkinson and Movement Disorder Society.

Instrument fracture in periodontal therapy: ethical disclosure and clinical management - a case report.

Periodontal instrument fractures are rare events in dentistry, with limited literature available on their occurrence and management. This case report highlights an incident involving the fracture of a periodontal sickle scaler blade during manual instrumentation for the removal of calculus. The fracture occurred during instrumentation on the mesial surface of the maxillary right second molar, and the separated blade was subsequently pushed into the sulcus. A radiographic assessment was performed to verify the precise location of the fractured segment. Following confirmation, the broken blade was subsequently retrieved using curved artery forceps. The case report highlights factors contributing to instrument fractures, emphasizing the importance of instrument maintenance, sterilization cycles, and operator technique. Ethical considerations regarding patient disclosure, informed consent, and instrument retrieval methods are well discussed. This case underscores the importance of truthful communication, the proper use of instruments, equipment maintenance in dentistry, and the significance of ongoing professional development to enhance treatment safety, proficiency, and ethical standards in dental care.

Phosphorus and Serendipita indica synergism augments arsenic stress tolerance in rice by regulating secondary metabolism related enzymatic activity and root metabolic patterns.

The multifarious problems created by arsenic (As), for collective environment and human health, serve a cogent case for searching integrative agricultural approaches to attain food security. Rice (Oryza sativa L.) acts as a sponge for heavy metal(loid)s accretion, specifically As, due to anaerobic flooded growth conditions facilitating its uptake. Acclaimed for their positive impact on plant growth, development and phosphorus (P) nutrition, 'mycorrhizas' are able to promote stress tolerance. Albeit, the metabolic alterations underlying Serendipita indica (S. indica; S.i) symbiosis-mediated amelioration of As stress along with nutritional management of P are still understudied. By using biochemical, RT-qPCR and LC-MS/MS based untargeted metabolomics approach, rice roots of ZZY-1 and GD-6 colonized by S. indica, which were later treated with As (10 µM) and P (50 µM), were compared with non-colonized roots under the same treatments with a set of control plants. The responses of secondary metabolism related enzymes, especially polyphenol oxidase (PPO) activities in the foliage of ZZY-1 and GD-6 were enhanced 8.5 and 12-fold, respectively, compared to their respective control counterparts. The current study identified 360 cationic and 287 anionic metabolites in rice roots, and the commonly enriched pathway annotated by Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) analysis was biosynthesis of phenylalanine, tyrosine and tryptophan, which validated the results of biochemical and gene expression analyses associated with secondary metabolic enzymes. Particularly under As+S.i+P comparison, both genotypes exhibited an upregulation of key detoxification and defense related metabolites, including fumaric acid, L-malic acid, choline, 3,4-dihydroxybenzoic acid, to name a few. The results of this study provided the novel insights into the promising role of exogenous P and S. indica in alleviating As stress.

mmWave Zero Order Resonant Antenna with Patch-Like Radiation Fed by a Butler Matrix for Passive Beamforming.

A small zero-order resonant antenna based on the composite right-left-handed (CRLH) principle is designed and fabricated without metallic vias at 30 GHz to have patch-like radiation. The mirror images of two CRLH structures are connected to design the antenna without via holes. The equivalent circuit, parameter extraction, and dispersion diagram are studied to analyze the characteristics of the CRLH antenna. The antenna was fabricated and experimentally verified. The measured realized gain of the antenna is 5.35 dBi at 30 GHz. The designed antenna is free of spurious resonance over a band width of 10 GHz. A passive beamforming array is designed using the proposed CRLH antenna and the Butler matrix. A substrate integrated waveguide is used to implement the Butler matrix. The CRLH antennas are connected to four outputs of a 4×4 Butler matrix. The scanning angles are 12∘, -68∘, 64∘, and -11∘ for excitations from port 1 to port 4 of the 4×4 Butler matrix feeding the CRLH antenna.

Role Of CO2 Laser & Microdebrider In The Treatment Of Juvenile Onset Recurrent Respiratory Papillomatosi.

OBJECTIVE: To compare the efficacy of two main treatment modalities of microdebrider and carbon dioxide laser excision for juvenile onset recurrent respiratory papillomatosis. Methods: The retrospective study was conducted in May 2021 at the Combined Military Hospital, Kharian, Pakistan, and comprised data from July 1, 2007, to January 31, 2020, of patients of either gender aged 2-12 years who were treated for juvenile onset recurrent respiratory papillomatosis either with microdebrider excision in group A or carbon dioxide laser excision in group B. Extent and severity of disease was documented as per the Derkay-Coltrera grading system. Data was analysed using SPSS 20. RESULTS: Of the 39 patients, 23(59%) were girls and 16(41%) were boys. The overall mean age at the time of procedure was 6.62±2.06 years. Group A had 22(56.4%) subjects; 15(68.2%) girls and 7(31.8%) boys, while group B had 17(43.6%) cases; 8(47%) girls and 9(53%) boys. The mean operative time for group A was 40.91±11.50 minutes and for group B it was 60.59±19.51 minutes. Postoperative breathing and oedema status was better for group A (p<0.05), while there was no significant difference regarding postoperative pain, residual disease and repeat surgeries (p>0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Microdebrider was found to be superior to carbon dioxide laser excision in the treatment of juvenile onset recurrent respiratory papillomatosis.

Psychological outcomes and culturally relevant moderators associated with events of discrimination among Asian American adults.

OBJECTIVES: Incidents of discrimination against Asian Americans have increased in the United States during the COVID-19 pandemic. The aims of this study are to (a) examine the overall psychological impact of incidents of discrimination on Asian Americans adults, (b) identify whether East Asians experience worse psychological outcomes following experiences of discrimination compared to other Asian Americans, and (c) identify culturally relevant factors that moderate the relationship between incidents of discrimination and psychological outcomes. METHOD: Two hundred eighty-nine participants who identified racially as Asian American (Mage = 33.1 years, ±10.5 SD, 57.1% male, and 54.3% East Asian) completed an online survey including measures of demographics, psychological outcomes, culturally relevant factors (e.g., acculturative stress, collective self-esteem), and racial discrimination. RESULTS: We found that, overall, experiencing increased frequency of discrimination related to more depressive symptoms and alcohol use (ps < .05). When comparing Asian subgroups (East Asian vs. other Asian), there were no significantly different relationships between discrimination frequency and attribution to race on psychological outcomes (ps > .098). Collective self-esteem (p = .041) weakened, while acculturative stress strengthened (p < .001) the relationship between discrimination frequency and alcohol use; collective self-esteem weakened the relationship between attribution to race and social anxiety (p = .021); and internalized racism weakened the relationship between discrimination frequency and depression (p = .038). CONCLUSIONS: We identified moderators of the relationship between experiences of discrimination and psychological outcomes in Asian Americans. Because the moderators held for all Asian groups under study, they are strong candidates for points of intervention to mitigate the harmful effects of discrimination for Asian Americans. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2022 APA, all rights reserved).

mm-Wave Radar-Based Vital Signs Monitoring and Arrhythmia Detection Using Machine Learning.

A non-contact, non-invasive monitoring system to measure and estimate the heart and breathing rate of humans using a frequency-modulated continuous wave (FMCW) mm-wave radar at 77 GHz is presented. A novel diagnostic system is proposed which extracts heartbeat phase signals from the FMCW radar (reconstructed using Fourier series analysis) to test a three-layer artificial neural network model to predict the presence of arrhythmia in individuals. The effect of person orientation, distance of measurement and movement was analyzed with respect to a reference device based on statistical measures that include number of outliers, mean, mean squared error (MSE), mean absolute error (MAE), median absolute error (medAE), skewness, standard deviation (SD) and R-squared values. The individual oriented in front of the radar outperformed almost all other orientations for most distances with an expected d = 90 cm and d = 120 cm. Furthermore, it was found that the heart rate that was measured while walking and the breathing rate which was measured for a motionless individual generated results with the lowest SD and MSE. An artificial neural network (ANN) was trained using the MIT-BIH database with a training accuracy of 93.9 % and an R2 value = 0.876. The diagnostic tool was tested on 15 subjects and achieved a mean test accuracy of 75%.

Machine Learning Models for Enhanced Estimation of Soil Moisture Using Wideband Radar Sensor.

In this paper, machine learning models for an effective estimation of soil moisture content using a microwave short-range and wideband radar sensor are proposed. The soil moisture is measured as the volumetric water content using a short-range off-the-shelf radar sensor operating at 3-10 GHz. The radar captures the reflected signals that are post processed to determine the soil moisture which is mapped to the input features extracted from the reflected signals for the training of the machine learning models. In addition, the results are compared and analyzed with a contact-based Vernier soil sensor. Different machine learning models trained using neural network, support vector machine, linear regression and k-nearest neighbor are evaluated and presented in this work. The efficiency of the model is computed using root mean square error, co-efficient of determination and mean absolute error. The RMSE and MAE values of KNN, SVM and Linear Regression are 11.51 and 9.27, 15.20 and 12.74, 3.94 and 3.54, respectively. It is observed that the neural network gives the best results with an R2 value of 0.9894. This research work has been carried out with an intention to develop cost-effective solutions for common users such as agriculturists to monitor the soil moisture conditions with improved accuracy.

A Single Injection of NTG-101 Reduces the Expression of Pain-Related Neurotrophins in a Canine Model of Degenerative Disc Disease.

BACKGROUND: Tissue sources of pain emanating from degenerative discs remains incompletely understood. Canine intervertebral discs (IVDs) were needle puncture injured, 4-weeks later injected with either phosphate-buffered saline (PBS) or NTG-101, harvested after an additional fourteen weeks and then histologically evaluated for the expression of NGFr, BDNF, TrkB and CALCRL proteins. Quantification was performed using the HALO automated cell-counting scoring platform. Immunohistochemical analysis was also performed on human IVD tissue samples obtained from spinal surgery. Immunohistochemical analysis and quantification of neurotrophins and neuropeptides was performed using an in vivo canine model of degenerative disc disease and human degenerative disc tissue sections. Discs injected with NTG-101 showed significantly lower levels of Nerve Growth Factor receptor (NGFr/TrkA, p = 0.0001), BDNF (p = 0.009), TrkB (p = 0.002) and CALCRL (p = 0.008) relative to PBS injections. Human IVD tissue obtained from spinal surgery due to painful DDD show robust expression of NGFr, BDNF, TrkB and CALCRL proteins. A single intradiscal injection of NTG-101 significantly inhibits the expression of NGFr, BDNF, TrkB and CALCRL proteins in degenerative canine IVDs. These results strongly suggest that NTG-101 inhibits the development of neurotrophins that are strongly associated with painful degenerative disc disease and may have profound effects upon the management of patients living with discogenic pain.

Isolation and identification of salt-tolerant plant-growth-promoting rhizobacteria and their application for rice cultivation under salt stress.

Growth and productivity of rice are negatively affected by soil salinity. However, some salt-tolerant rhizosphere-inhabiting bacteria can improve salt resistance of plants, thereby augmenting plant growth and production. Here, we isolated a total of 53 plant-growth-promoting rhizobacteria (PGPR) from saline and non-saline areas in Bangladesh where electrical conductivity was measured as >7.45 and <1.80 dS/m, respectively. Bacteria isolated from saline areas were able to grow in a salt concentration of up to 2.60 mol/L, contrary to the isolates collected from non-saline areas that did not survive beyond 854 mmol/L. Among the salt-tolerant isolates, Bacillus aryabhattai, Achromobacter denitrificans, and Ochrobactrum intermedium, identified by comparing respective sequences of 16S rRNA using the NCBI GenBank, exhibited a higher amount of atmospheric nitrogen fixation, phosphate solubilization, and indoleacetic acid production at 200 mmol/L salt stress. Salt-tolerant isolates exhibited greater resistance to heavy metals and antibiotics, which could be due to the production of an exopolysaccharide layer outside the cell surface. Oryza sativa L. fertilized with B. aryabhattai MS3 and grown under 200 mmol/L salt stress was found to be favoured by enhanced expression of a set of at least four salt-responsive plant genes: BZ8, SOS1, GIG, and NHX1. Fertilization of rice with osmoprotectant-producing PGPR, therefore, could be a climate-change-preparedness strategy for coastal agriculture.

Idiopathic intracranial hypertension and bariatric surgery: a literature review and a presentation of two cases.

OBJECTIVE: There is paucity of data concerning the impact of bariatric surgery on idiopathic intracranial hypertension (IIH). We therefore present the clinical course of two cases that were managed at our centre, which is a regional referral centre for bariatric surgery and present a literature review of patients with IIH who underwent bariatric surgery for the treatment of obesity. METHOD: Two patients were referred for bariatric surgery who were both morbidly obese and were diagnosed with IIH. One patient underwent bariatric surgery; the other patient's weight was managed conservatively. We followed up both patients for 2 years. PubMed was searched for published studies of patients with IIH undergoing bariatric surgery. RESULTS: The patient that underwent weight loss surgery achieved sustained weight loss from 108kg to 87kg and gross resolution of their symptoms. The patient whose weight was managed conservatively lost weight initially and then put the weight back on. Her IIH symptoms persisted despite CSF shunt therapy. The literature review identified 12 original studies, containing 51 patients. Weight loss after bariatric surgery was reported for 84% of patients and improvement or resolution of IIH symptoms was reported for 84% of patients. CONCLUSION: In light of the literature review and our experience, bariatric surgery appears to be a potential treatment option for IIH alongside the comorbidities associated with obesity. However, more robust studies are needed.

Assessing The Role Of Education In Adult Women's Knowledge And Awareness Of Human Papillomavirus And Human Papillomavirus Vaccine.

BACKGROUND: Awareness and knowledge of Human Papillomavirus (HPV) and HPV vaccine among women are not satisfactory in developing countries. The aim of this study was to assess the role of education in adult women about knowledge and awareness of human papillomavirus (HPV) and HPV vaccine. METHODS: This cross-sectional study was carried out in women aged 19- 50 years attending the out-patient waiting area of a tertiary care hospital in Karachi from August 2014 to August 2015. Convenience sampling was applied. After their written consent, a selfadministered questionnaire was used to obtain information regarding role of education and awareness, knowledge of human papillomavirus (HPV) and HPV vaccine. A total of 600 women completed the questionnaire. RESULTS: Mean age of the study participants was 39±10.7 years. About 68% (n=405) had an education level intermediate or less, while 33% (n=195) had a bachelors or higher degree. A total of 56.3% (n=338) women were aged less than 40 years. CONCLUSIONS: Awareness among women varies with the level of education acquired. As shown by results, a lesser proportion of undergraduate women were aware about HPV and its related diseases as compared women at graduate level. Moreover, our study identifies significant gaps in knowledge about sexually transmitted infections, HPV, cervical cancer and its prevention. There is an urgent need to develop public awareness programs targeting the adolescent and young adult women of our country.

Burden Of Atherosclerosis Risk Among Different Ethinicity: A Hidden Health Challenge.

BACKGROUND: Atherosclerosis risk and incidence of developing chronic cardiovascular conditions vary greatly between ethnic groups in South Asian population. To evaluate different ethnic groups in Pakistan, population based study was conducted at Karachi, the largest metropolitan city of Pakistan; to assess ten years and lifetime estimated cardiovascular disease risks without preexisting cardiovascular disease in Pakistani subjects by using Pooled Cohort Risk equation (calculator) as per American College of Cardiology (ACC) and the American Heart Association (AHA) 2013 guidelines. METHODS: For the study, consecutive subjects (n=437) with multi-ethnic background, aged 20-79 years and having non-atherosclerotic disease were enrolled at site of National Institute of Cardio-Vascular Diseases (NICVD), Karachi, Pakistan. RESULTS: Within each ethnic group and overall, the risk of developing atherosclerosis was common in all ethnic groups especially Urdu speaking are mostly at the high with all the factors above the borderline values, followed by Punjabis and Pathans that may point toward associated higher risk for prevalence of cardiovascular disease. These ethnic groups showed increased prevalence of dyslipidemia, obesity, and much greater abnormalities asunique risk. Although there are differences in these altered factors but the changes in lifestyle, urbanization, genetic profile and physiological makeup are the main reasons that could be a trigger to increase cardiovascular events. CONCLUSIONS: The present study provides the first evidence and may serve as useful guidance to calculate the estimated risk both 10 years and lifetime in the non-atherosclerotic Pakistani population with different ethnic background.

Endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography in Ayrshire, Scotland: a comparison of two age cohorts.

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: There is an increased trend in prevalence of pancreato-biliary disease in the elderly population. Consequently there is an increasing demand for endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP). The aims of this study were to compare ERCP outcomes in patients over 80 with those aged between 60 and 79 years and with the published literature. METHODS AND RESULTS: Data were collected from a prospectively maintained database. All patients over the age of 60 years who underwent ERCP from May 2010 to May 2012 were identified. Two cohorts were formed, group A: 60-79 years (n = 66) and group B: > 80 years old (n = 49). Data on indications for ERCP, outcome, complications and repeat procedures were collected. One hundred and fifteen patients between the age of 60 and 92 years were identified. Group A had a total of 89 ERCPs and group B 69. Cannulation, overall procedure success, complication and mortality rates were comparable between both groups. Group B contained two cases of perforation with one associated mortality (1.4%) which did not reach statistical significance. CONCLUSIONS: ERCP in octogenarians is safe and effective when compared to patients aged 60-79.

EARLY EXPERIENCE OF ENDOVASCULAR TREATMENT OF PERIPHERAL VASCULAR DISEASE.

BACKGROUND: Atherosclerotic peripheral arterial disease (PAD) is prevalent affecting up to 16% of the population aged 55 years or older. Endovascular intervention for the treatment of limb ischemia has become the first line therapy but in Pakistan it is in embryonic stage due to dearth of trained persons and dedicated centres. This study was conducted to evaluate procedural success and early outcome of endovascular treatment of peripheral vascular disease. METHODS: A prospective single arm multicentre study was conducted at the National Institute of Cardiovascular Disease and National Medical Centre, Karachi, Pakistan from January 2013 to June 2014. A total of 25 patients were enrolled in the study that underwent endovascular treatment. Out of 25 patients 23 (92%) had critical limb ischemia (CLI) as per TASC II classification (A to D) and 2 (8%) had carotid lesion with history of TIA. Patients of acute limb ischemia and stroke were excluded. Ankle brachial index (ABI) was classified as normal (0.9-1.3), mild (0.7-0.9), moderate (0.4-0.69), severe. (<0.4). Outcome was taken as immediate success and symptoms, amputation of limb among CLI patients and incidence of stroke in patients with carotid artery lesion at end of six months. RESULTS: Among aortoiliac, femoropopliteal and tibioperoneal lesions, tibioperoneal lesions at six months were found to be more symptomatic 6 (86%) and amputation 4 (57%). Two carotid lesions at follow up were asymptomatic without stroke. CONCLUSION: Endovascular treatment of peripheral vascular lesions, i.e., aortoiliac, femoropopliteal tibioperoneal and carotid lesions were satisfactory in immediate outcome. Tibioperoneal lesions were more symptomatic and limb amputation at six months.

Effect of temperature-controlled fermentation on physico-chemical properties and lactic acid bacterial count of durian (Durio zibethinus Murr.) pulp.

Effects of controlled-temperature fermentation on several physico-chemical properties, lactic acid bacteria (LAB) counts and aroma of durian pulp were examined by storing fresh durian pulp was mixed with 2 % (w/w) salt and stored at 15 °C, 27 °C and 40 °C for 10 days. Storage at 15 °C did not affect the properties of the pulp much. However, at 27 °C and 40 °C, pH and total soluble solids decreased up to 60 % and 52 %, respectively, with greater losses at 27 °C. Titratable acidity, which increased at 27 °C, was due to lactic and acetic acids formation. Loss of sucrose and increases in glucose were greater at 27 °C. LAB population increased up to Day 3 of storage, and then decreased slightly. Principal component analysis based on aroma examination using a zNose(TM) showed better retention of aroma profile at 27 °C. Overall, durian fermented at 27 °C was more acceptable than the one prepared at 40 °C, and it is ready to be consumed between Day 4 and 6.

The Elimination Status of Visceral Leishmaniasis in Southeast Asia Region.

PURPOSE: Visceral leishmaniasis (VL) is caused by an intracellular parasite that is transmitted to humans by sandfly bites. It is prevalent throughout Asia, Africa, the Americas, and the Mediterranean area, where 147 million people are at risk of contracting the illness. The manifestation of heterotrophic illness relies on both Leishmania implicated and the host's immunological response, ranging from asymptomatic to severe leishmaniasis with potentially lethal effects. METHOD: We reviewed the literature (published till 31st December 2023) on the worldwide situation of leishmaniasis, standard and novel detection techniques, and traditional and modern treatment strategies and endeavors to eliminate VL. Moreover, epidemiological data was collected from the World Health Organization's publicly available databases. GraphPad Prism Version 8 was used to analyze and produce figures based on the epidemiological data. RESULTS: Diagnosis of parasites in tissues or serology is commonly employed. Diagnosis by identifying parasite DNA using molecular techniques is becoming more popular. Despite recent findings of L. donovani resistance to pentavalent antimoniate medications, it continues to be the cornerstone in the medical management of VL. Amphotericin B and its lipid formulations, injectable paromomycin, and oral miltefosine are among the new therapy options being researched. The number of reported VL cases has reduced remarkably over the last decade due to human interventions made to eliminate VL. Particularly countries from the South East Asian region have experienced momentous progress in reducing VL cases and eliminating this disease from this region. Owing to the robust elimination programs, countries such as Bangladesh has eliminated VL as a public health concern. India and Nepal are on the verge of its elimination. CONCLUSION: Rapid diagnosis, effective and inexpensive treatment, simple access to newly discovered medications, appropriate vector control, and a well-designed vaccine are all required for the elimination of this disease burden in impoverished areas of the globe.

Elucidating the performance of hexamethylene tetra-amine interlinked bimetallic NiCo-MOF for efficient electrochemical hydrogen and oxygen evolution.

Bimetallic metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) play a significant role in the electrocatalysis of water due to their large surface area and availability of increased numbers of pores. For the inaugural time, we examine the effectiveness of a hexamethylene tetra-amine (HMT)-induced 3D NiCo-MOF-based nanostructure as a potent bifunctional electrocatalyst with superior performance for overall water splitting in alkaline environments. The structural, morphological, and electrochemical properties of the as-synthesized bifunctional catalyst were examined thoroughly before analyzing its behavior towards electrochemical water splitting. The HMT-based NiCo-MOF demonstrated small overpotential values of 274 mV and 330 mV in reaching a maximum current density of 30 mA cm-2 for hydrogen and oxygen evolution mechanisms, respectively. The Tafel parameter also showed favorable HER/OER reaction kinetics, with slopes of 78 mV dec-1 and 86 mV dec-1 determined during the electrochemical evaluation. Remarkably, the NiCo-HMT electrode exhibited a double-layer capacitance of 4 mF cm-2 for hydrogen evolution and 23 mF cm-2 for oxygen evolution, while maintaining remarkable stability even after continuous operation for 20 hours. This research offers a valuable blueprint for implementing a cost-effective and durable MOF-based bifunctional catalytic system that has proven to be effective for complete water splitting. Decomposition of water under higher current densities is crucial for effective long-term generation and commercial consumption of hydrogen.

Impact of Image Enhancement on the Radiomics Stability of Diffusion-Weighted MRI Images of Cervical Cancer.

The diffusion-weighted imaging (DWI) technique is known for its capability to differentiate the diffusion of water molecules between cancerous and non-cancerous cervix tissues, which enhances the accuracy of detection. Despite the potential of DWI-MRI, its accuracy is limited by technical factors influencing in vivo data acquisition, thus impacting the quantification of radiomics features. This study aimed to measure the radiomics stability of manual and semi-automated segmentation on contrast limited adaptive histogram equalization (CLAHE)-enhanced DWI-MRI cervical images. Eighty diffusion-weighted MRI images were obtained from patients diagnosed with cervical cancer, and an active contour model was used to analyze the data. Radiomics analysis was conducted to extract the first statistical order, shape, and textural features with intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC) measurement. The results of the CLAHE segmentation approach showed a marked improvement when compared to the manual and semi-automated segmentation methods, with an ICC value of 0.990 ± 0.005 (p<0.05), compared to 0.864 ± 0.033 (p<0.05) and 0.554 ± 0.185 (p>0.05), respectively. The CLAHE segmentation displayed a higher level of robustness than the manual groups in terms of the features present in both categories. Thus, CLAHE segmentation is owing to its potential to generate radiomics features that are more durable and consistent.