Ongoing Pursuit Research Articles

Design of Low Power Control Unit for RISC-V Processor Core

This research work focuses on the development of a low-power decode logic for a RISC-V processor core with specifications. The goal is to create a controller that performs all six groups of instruction formats outlined in the RV32I Base Integer Instruction Set. The control unit is designed to decode a total of 13 instruction sets, allowing for a comprehensive range of operations. A single instruction pipeline approach is implemented in the design to optimize performance. The synthesis of the design is carried out using the 32 nm standard library, resulting in a maximum operating frequency of 666.67 MHz. To further enhance power efficiency, clock gating techniques are employed, leading to a reduction in power consumption by 18.72 % from 112.15 µW to 91.45 µW. Additionally, the layout of the design is optimized, resulting in an area of 354.74 mm2. The successful development of this low-power decode logic demonstrates its potential for integration into larger RISC-V processor cores. Future enhancements can include expanding the instruction decoding capability to encompass the full range of 47 instructions in the RV32I Base Integer Instruction Set, as well as exploring additional pipeline stages to further improve performance. The results achieved in this project contribute to the ongoing pursuit of power-efficient and high-performance processor designs based on the RISC-V architecture.

Evaluating the Efficacy of a Polymerase Chain Reaction Assay for Pneumocystis carinii Detection in Respiratory Samples

Abstract Introduction: Accurately identifying patients with pneumocystis pneumonia (PCP) presents considerable challenges, primarily relying on clinical suspicion. The manifestations of PCP lack specificity, encompassing symptoms such as cough, dyspnoea, fever, hypoxaemia, malaise and weight loss. Therefore, this study assesses the efficacy of a polymerase chain reaction (PCR) assay intended for use in clinical microbiology laboratories for the identification of Pneumocystis carinii from respiratory specimens. Materials and Methods: In this retrospective study, the medical records of patients aged 18 years and above were examined, focusing on those assessed using pneumocystis PCR-based tests. The study spanned from 2019 to 2022 in our tertiary care centre at Max Hospital, Saket. In this study, sputum and bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) samples were proceeded for both staining and PCR for multi-copy mtLSU gene and single-copy dihydropteroate synthase polymorphisms (DHPS) fas gene of P. jirovecii. Results: In the analysis of 112 BAL specimens, 17 were identified as positive for P. carinii through both Grocott-Gomori’s Methenamine Silver Staining (GMS) staining and PCR. In addition, two BAL specimens were negative through GMS staining but showed positive results with PCR. On reviewing the clinical details of the patients associated with these two specimens, it was discovered that both individuals were under systemic steroid treatment, yet neither exhibited clinical signs of pneumocystis pneumonia (PCP). Consequently, these instances were classified as false positives by PCR. In comparison to GMS, the PCR assay demonstrated a sensitivity of 100% and specificity of 98% for detecting P. carinii in BAL specimens. Conclusions: The study underscores the necessity for individualised approaches, with each laboratory assessing the positive and negative predictive values based on their specific prevalence rates. In the ongoing pursuit of improving PCP diagnosis, PCR emerges as a promising screening tool that when used judiciously in conjunction with confirmatory measures, can enhance diagnostic precision in immunosuppressed populations.

In vitro maturation of bovine oocytes: the role of ROS, oxidative stress, and the impact of natural antioxidant supplementation

According to available data in the literature, Brazil has one of the largest cattle herds in the world and is one of the leading embryo producers, with a clear predominance of embryos produced in vitro. These data influence the ongoing pursuit of optimizing the results obtained in IVEP (in vitro embryo production). In this technique, in vitro maturation (IVM) is such a crucial stage that it justifies studies involving components that, when added to the media, can lead to improved cleavage rates and blastocyst development. It is well known that oocyte quality is influenced by oxidative stress, and in this context, the inclusion of antioxidants in the IVM medium may enhance these outcomes. Thus, the present study aimed to review oocyte maturation, the impact of oxidative stress, and the addition of antioxidants, such as Moringa oleifera, to the IVM media.

Challenging the boundaries of citizenship: Alevi citizens’ pursuit of equal citizenship in Turkey

ABSTRACT Marking Turkey’s 101st anniversary since the founding of the Republic in 1923, this article explores the enduring demand of Alevi citizens for recognition and equality. Addressing a gap in citizenship literature, this study scrutinizes the century-long struggle for equitable citizenship among Alevi citizens. Grounded in classical and critical perspectives, it delves into citizenship dynamics, specifically the quest for equal citizenship by Alevi citizens. Guided by the Alevi issue, the research examines the interplay between theoretical constructs, lived experiences, and the ongoing pursuit of equitable civic recognition. Drawing insights from in-depth interviews with five Alevi civil society organization representatives, this study provides first-hand perspectives on challenges to conventional citizenship definitions. Emphasizing historical grounding and geographical responsiveness, the article underscores the experiences of marginalized communities, challenging state-centric perspectives. This research contributes to the evolving understanding of citizenship, emphasizing the continued importance of equal citizenship in Turkey and beyond.

Enhancing eco-friendly coatings: Aqueous olive leaves extract fortifies macroalgae-based packaging materials

This study incorporated bioactive compounds extracted from olive leaves (Olea europaea L.) into biodegradable films designed for preserving perishable food items like fruits and vegetables. Olive leaves, sourced from Lesvos island in Greece, yielded three aqueous extracts - OL1, OL2, and OL3 – representing different cultivated species. The antioxidant potential and phenolic compound profile of these extracts were analyzed. Subsequently, these extracts were integrated into 2% sodium alginate solutions, and the resulting mixtures were cast into 90 mm Petri dishes to form solid biofilms. Our findings reveal that the olive leaf extracts offer protection against UV–VIS radiation. Particularly, OL1 showcased the highest antioxidant capacity among the extracts examined. For the solid biofilms, various physical characteristics such as weight, diameter, density, and thickness were measured, alongside evaluating humidity, solubility in water, and water vapor permeability. The rheological properties of these solutions, influenced by temperature and extract addition, affect the viscosity, flow behavior, and gelation capacity, crucial for coating applications. Our research not only explores the impact of olive leaf extracts and glycerol as a plasticizer on biofilm solutions but also sheds light on increased opacity, reduced light absorption, and altered rheological properties. This endeavor aligns with the ongoing pursuit of sustainable packaging alternatives, emphasizing the crucial role of bioactive compounds in enhancing the functionality and eco-friendliness of biodegradable films.

Environmental information disclosure and green transformation: Evidence from Chinese manufacturing enterprises

Green transformation (GT) is pivotal for global sustainability, with environmental information disclosure (EDI) playing a significant role, especially in the Chinese corporate landscape. This study, spanning 2009 to 2020 and leveraging a comprehensive dataset of listed companies, explores the intricate relationship between EDI and GT in Chinese manufacturing enterprises by constructing a fixed-effect model. Motivated by the imperative to address crucial issues in GT in China, this research utilizes empirical data to uncover the mechanisms through which EDI fosters GT. The study reveals how EDI reinforces environmental consciousness within manufacturing firms. Findings underscore the crucial role of EDI in enhancing GT in manufacturing enterprises, operating through two primary mechanisms. Firstly, EDI alleviates financing constraints towards GT within these firms. Secondly, it facilitates the adoption of enhanced internal governance practices, catalyzing the development of high-quality capital renewal projects. A battery of mechanism tests provides robust evidence that EDI enhances environmental awareness, mitigates financing constraints, and amplifies the motivation and capability of manufacturing enterprises for GT. This multifaceted approach ultimately fosters high-quality GT within companies. Further research reveals that the incentive effect of EDI on GT is more significant among private enterprises and heavily polluting industries. The study reveals the subtle interplay between EDI and GT, highlighting its relevance to policymaking and practical considerations. It provides valuable insights into the ongoing pursuit of sustainability and the integration of green practices into the corporate world.

The Legacy of Harrington's Rod and the Evolution of Long-Segment Constructs in Spine Surgery.

This paper delves into the historical evolution of spinal surgery, focusing on the pivotal role of the Harrington rod in treating spinal deformities. Introduced in 1955, the Harrington rod marked a significant breakthrough in neurosurgery, especially for scoliosis treatment, by offering a novel approach to spinal stabilization. Through a retrospective analysis, this study examines the development and impact of the Harrington rod, highlighting Dr. Paul Harrington's contributions to spinal surgery. His innovative technique revolutionized the management of spinal deformities, laying the groundwork for future advancements in spinal instrumentation. Despite initial skepticism, Harrington's methods gained acceptance, significantly influencing neurosurgical practices and patient outcomes. This study also explores subsequent advancements that built on Harrington's work, including the transition to long-segment spine constructs and the introduction of segmental pedicle screws, which allowed for more precise deformity correction. Reflecting on Harrington's legacy, this paper acknowledges the continuous evolution of spinal surgery, driven by the interplay between clinical challenges and technological innovations. Harrington's pioneering spirit exemplifies the ongoing pursuit of better surgical outcomes, underscoring the importance of innovation in the field of neurosurgery.

Enhancing Spin-Orbit Coupling in an Indolocarbazole Multiresonance Emitter by a Sulfur-Containing Peripheral Substituent for a Fast Reverse Intersystem Crossing.

A fast reverse intersystem crossing (RISC) remains an ongoing pursuit for multiresonance (MR) emitters but faces formidable challenges, particularly for indolocarbazole (ICz) derived ones. Here, heavy-atom effect is introduced first to construct ICz-MR emitter using a sulfur-containing substitute, simultaneously enhancing both spin-orbit and spin-vibronic coupling to afford a fast RISC with a rate of 1.2×105s-1, nearly one order of magnitude higher than previous maximum values. The emitter also exhibits an extremely narrow deep-blue emission peaking at 456nm with full-width at half-maxima of merely 12nm and a photoluminescence quantum yield of 92%. Benefiting from its efficient triplet upconversion capability, this emitter achieves not only a high maximum external quantum efficiency (EQE) of 31.1% in organic light-emitting diodes but also greatly alleviates efficiency roll-off, affording record-high EQEs of 29.9% at 1000cdm-2 and 18.7% at 5000cdm-2 among devices with ICz-MR emitters.

Clinical benefit and safety profile of cross-line therapy with CDK4/6 inhibitors: a retrospective study of HR+/HER2- advanced breast cancer.

CDK4/6 inhibitors (CDK4/6is) in combination with endocrine therapy have secured a central role in the treatment of hormone receptor (HR)-positive advanced breast cancer (ABC) and have transformed the therapeutic landscape. Cross-line CDK4/6i therapy in which another CDK4/6i is continued after progression on a prior CDK4/6i may still offer advantageous therapeutic effects. Cross-line CDK4/6i therapy is an area of active investigation in the ongoing pursuit to improve outcomes for patients with HR+/human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2)- ABC. This retrospective study enrolled 82 patients with HR+/HER2- ABC who were treated with cross-line CDK4/6is (abemaciclib, palbociclib, ribociclib, and dalpiciclib) after progression with another CDK4/6i. The primary endpoint was progression-free survival (PFS) according to version 1.1 of the Response Evaluation Criteria in Solid Tumors. Secondary endpoints included toxicity, objective response rate, disease control rate, and overall survival. Adverse events (AEs) were graded according to version 5.0 of the Common Terminology Criteria for Adverse Events, as promulgated by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. Eighty-two HR+/HER2- ABC patients who received cross-line CDK4/6i therapy from January 2022 to February 2024 were enrolled. The median age of the patients was 60 years. The median PFS of all patients was 7.6 months (95% CI, 5.9-9.2). Cox regression analysis identified lung metastasis and a switch to endocrine therapy following prior CDK4/6i therapy as independent predictive factors for PFS. Notably, patients who previously received abemaciclib and switched to palbociclib upon disease progression had a median PFS of 10.7 months. The strategy of transitioning to chemotherapy after progression on a prior CDK4/6i, then to a subsequent CDK4/6i merits further investigation. Hematologic toxicity was the most common grade ≥ 3 AEs. No instances of fatal safety events were observed. Cross-line CDK4/6i therapy is associated with significant clinical benefits and manageable safety profiles in patients with HR+/HER2- ABC, which underscores cross-line CDK4/6i therapy potential as an effective treatment strategy.

The lncRNA and miRNA regulatory axis in HPV16-positive oropharyngeal cancers

The global rise of oropharyngeal cancers (OPC) associated with the human papillomavirus (HPV) type 16 necessitates a deeper understanding of their underlying molecular mechanisms. Our study utilised RNA-sequencing data from The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) to identify and analyse differentially expressed (DE) long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs), microRNAs (miRNAs), and messenger RNAs (mRNAs) in HPV16-positive OPC, and to elucidate the interplay within the lncRNA/miRNA/mRNA regulatory network. We revealed 1929 DE lncRNAs and identified a significant expression shift in 37 of these, suggesting a regulatory 'sponge' function for miRNAs that modulate cellular processes. Notably, the lncRNA Linc00911 exhibited decreased expression in HPV16-positive OPC, a change directly attributable to HPV oncogenes E6 and E7 as confirmed by RT-qPCR in cell lines and patient samples. Our comprehensive analysis presents an expansive landscape of ncRNA-mRNA interactions, offering a resource for the ongoing pursuit of elucidating the molecular underpinnings of HPV-driven OPC.

Confidence and barriers: Analysis of factors associated with timely routine childhood vaccination in Canada during the COVID-19 pandemic

Routine childhood vaccination is a crucial component of public health in Canada and worldwide. To facilitate catch-up from the global decline in routine vaccination caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, and toward the ongoing pursuit of coverage goals, vaccination programs must understand barriers to vaccine access imposed or exacerbated by the pandemic. We conducted a regionally representative online survey in January 2023 including 2036 Canadian parents with children under the age of 18. We used the COM-B model of behaviour to examine factors influencing vaccination timeliness during the pandemic. We assessed Capability with measures of vaccine understanding and decision difficulty, and Motivation with a measure of vaccine confidence. Opportunity was assessed through parents' self-reported experience with barriers to vaccination. Twenty-four percent of surveyed parents reported having missed or delayed one of their children's scheduled routine vaccinations since the beginning of the pandemic, though most parents reported having either caught up or the intention to catch up soon. In the absence of opportunity barriers, motivation was associated with timely vaccination for children aged 0–4 years (aOR = 1.81, 95 % CI: 1.14–2.84). However, experience with one or more opportunity barriers, particularly clinic closures and difficulties getting an appointment, eliminated this relationship, suggesting perennial and new pandemic-associated barriers are a critical challenge to vaccine coverage goals in Canada.

Materials Evolution in Dental Implantology: A Comprehensive Review

This comprehensive review navigates the dynamic landscape of dental implant materials, exploring historical milestones, mechanical intricacies, and emerging innovations. Tracing the evolution from early experimentation to the establishment of titanium as a benchmark, the review sheds light on the critical interplay of strength, elasticity, and fatigue resistance in materials' biomechanical performance. The diverse array of materials, including metals like titanium, ceramics such as zirconia, and polymers like polyetheretherketone (PEEK), is examined in depth, emphasizing their unique attributes and contributions to clinical needs. Surface modifications emerge as transformative elements, accentuating the role of precision engineering in optimizing implant performance. Challenges, encompassing biocompatibility, mechanical incongruity, and infection vulnerabilities, underscore the intricacies of material selection in implant dentistry. The ongoing pursuit of solutions to esthetic limitations and long-term stability constitutes a focal point for future research. Emphasizing the importance of ongoing research, the review highlights emerging materials, such as bioactive ceramics and advanced polymer composites, driven by nanotechnology and 3D printing. Smart implants, antimicrobial surfaces, and regenerative approaches signal a transformative era in precision dentistry. The journey towards refined materials transcends disciplines, uniting researchers, clinicians, and materials scientists in a collaborative pursuit. As the narrative of dental implant materials unfolds, the future beckons with promises of seamless integration with biological tissues, esthetic advancements, and redefined standards in oral rehabilitation. This review encapsulates a dynamic field in continual evolution, extending an invitation to collectively shape the future of dental implantology.

Benchmarking in pancreatic surgery: a systematic review of metric development and validation.

Benchmarking in healthcare, particularly in the context of complex surgical procedures like pancreatic surgery, plays a pivotal role in comparing and evaluating the quality of care provided to patients. There is a growing body of evidence validating existent metrics and introducing new ones in the pursuit of safety and excellence in pancreatic surgery. A systematic review adhering to the PRISMA (Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses) guidelines was conducted on metric development and validation across multiple databases, including PUBMED Medline, Scopus, and Web of Science, until February 2024. The extracted data were categorized into three domains according to the Donabedian model: structure, process, and outcomes. Thirty-four studies were deemed eligible for inclusion in this review. Among these articles, 20 contributed to metric development, while 14 studies validated them. A total of 234 metrics were identified across the 34 studies, of which 185 were included in the analysis. Thirty-three of these metrics were relative to structure, 79 to processes, and 73 to outcomes. The distribution of metric domains across the included studies revealed that structure, process, and outcome domains were reported in 12, 26, and 26 studies, respectively. In conclusion, this systematic review underscores the heterogeneity in metric development methodologies and the varying degrees of consensus among different quality indicators, despite the growing interest in benchmarking in pancreatic surgery. This review aims to inform future research efforts and contribute to the ongoing pursuit of excellence in pancreatic surgical care.

Synthesis, Structural Characterization, and Computational Studies of Novel Co(II) and Zn(II) Fluoroquinoline Complexes for Antibacterial and Antioxidant Activities.

Research into heterocyclic ligands has increased in popularity due to their versatile applications in the biomedical field. Quinoline derivatives with their transition metal complexes are popular scaffolding molecules in the ongoing pursuit of newer and more effective bioactive molecules. Subsequently, this work reports on the synthesis and possible biological application of new Zn(II) and Co(II) complexes with a bidentate quinoline derivative ligand (H2 L), [(H2 L):(E)-2-(((6-fluoro-2-((2-hydroxyethyl)amino)quinolin-3-yl)methylene)amino)ethanol]. The ligand and its metal complexes were structurally characterized by spectroscopic methods (1H NMR, 13C NMR, Fourier transform infrared (FTIR), UV-vis, fluorescence, and mass spectroscopy), as well as by thermogravimetric and elemental analysis methods. The spectroscopic findings were further supported by density functional theory (DFT) and time-dependent (TD)-DFT calculations. The biological application was examined by investigating the inhibitory action of the complexes against bacterial strains using diffusion and agar dilution methods, and their profiles against two Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacterial strains were supported by molecular docking analysis. To rationalize the in vitro activity and establish the possible mechanism of action, the interactions and binding affinity of the ligand and complexes were investigated against three different bacterial enzymes (Escherichia coli DNA gyrase (PDB ID 6f86), E. coli dihydrofolate reductase B (PDB ID: 7r6g), and Staphylococcus aureus tyrosyl-tRNA synthetase (PDB ID: 1JIJ)) using AutoDock with the standard protocol. The MIC value of 0.20 μg/mL for zinc complex against E. coli and associated binding affinities -7.2 and -9.9 kcal/mol with DNA gyrase (PDB ID 6f86) and dihydrofolate reductase B (PDB ID: 7r6g), as well as the MIC value of 2.4 μg/mL for cobalt(II) complex against Staphylococcus aureus and the associated binding affinity of -10.5 kcal/mol with tyrosyl-tRNA synthetase (PDB ID: 1JIJ), revealed that the complexes' inhibitory actions were strong and comparable with those of the standard drug in the experiments. In addition, the ability of the new quinoline-based complexes to scavenge 1,1-diphenyl-picrylhydrazyl radicals was investigated; the findings suggested that the complexes exhibit potent antioxidant activities, which may be of therapeutic significance.

Advancements in Immunology and Microbiology Research: A Comprehensive Exploration of Key Areas.

Immunology and microbiology research has witnessed remarkable growth and innovation globally, playing a pivotal role in advancing our understanding of immune mechanisms, disease pathogenesis, and therapeutic interventions. This manuscript presents a comprehensive exploration of the key areas in immunology research, spanning from the utilisation of bacterial proteins as antibody reagents to the intricate realms of clinical immunology and disease management. The utilisation of bacterial immunoglobulin-binding proteins (IBPs), including protein A (SpA), protein G (SpG), and protein L (SpL), has revolutionised serological diagnostics, showing promise in early disease detection and precision medicine. Microbiological studies have shed light on antimicrobial resistance patterns, particularly the emergence of extended-spectrum beta-lactamases (ESBLs), guiding antimicrobial stewardship programmes and informing therapeutic strategies. Clinical immunology research has elucidated the molecular pathways underlying immune-mediated disorders, resulting in tailored management strategies for conditions such as severe combined immunodeficiency (SCID), neuropsychiatric systemic lupus erythematosus (NPSLE), etc. Additionally, significant efforts in vaccine development against tuberculosis and HIV are highlighted, underscoring the ongoing global pursuit of effective preventive measures against these infectious diseases. In summary, immunology and microbiology research have provided significant contributions to global healthcare, fostering collaboration, innovation, and improved patient outcomes.

(Invited) Tackling Leakage, Drift, and Variation in Printed Carbon Nanotube-Based Electronic Biosensors

Semiconducting carbon nanotubes (CNTs) have been pursued for use in electronic biosensors for decades. Their all-surface molecular structure, sizeable semiconducting bandgap, and solution-phase compatibility make them highly sensitive and versatile options for transducing target bioelectrical signals. However, amid the thousands of reports on CNT-based electronic biosensors, very little attention has been given to identifying (let alone addressing) the impact of leakage current, signal drift, and device-to-device variation. This talk will present recent results focused on tackling these issues with specific emphasis on printed CNT-based biosensors. For instance, a variety of passivation strategies were studied to determine the role of leakage current for CNT transistor-based biosensors (i.e., bioFETs or ion-sensitive FETs), revealing that a bilayer epoxy/high-k dielectric stack was most effective at minimizing unwanted leakage current. The influence of signal drift will also be demonstrated, likely playing a significant role in many previous reports of CNT-based biosensors characterized by sequential concentration spikes. Finally, strategies for addressing device-to-device variation in these biosensors will be discussed, including the motivation for a printed thin-film device rather than a single-CNT configuration. Two things seem certain about this field: 1) the promise of CNT-based biosensors continues to suggest they are worth ongoing pursuit, and 2) there is much work remaining towards achieving a reproducible, reliable electronic biosensing technology from CNTs.

Transnational social fields of Italian Bangladeshis in Europe and beyond: Towards a new geography of ways of belonging

AbstractIn view of the growing onward migration and multisited transnationalism among naturalized EU citizens, this article seeks to advance the current understanding of transnational social fields, cataloguing the complex interplays of migrants' ways of being, belonging, and in‐betweenness across different places and spaces. Drawing on multisited qualitative research with Italian Bangladeshis in Italy and the United Kingdom, the paper presents how their ‘ways of being’ are expressed by maintaining transnational attachments to the country of origin and the wider Bangladeshi diaspora. In addition, they maintain transnational ‘ways of belonging’ by incorporating the Bengali language, culture, traditions, and values, and transmitting them to the next generation. Beyond these multiplicities of being and belonging, the findings put forward two important, yet contrasting, observations. On the one hand, there is an ongoing pursuit of onward migration to the UK among a section of the community—often influenced by social networks and transnational connections with the recognised Bangladeshi diaspora in the UK. Apart from being in the ‘community comfort zone’ and language advantage in the integration process, many migrants perceive living in the UK as having a higher ‘prestige’, ‘class’ or ‘status’ vis‐a‐vis Italy in terms of life quality, wealth, cultural, and religious freedom. On the other hand, another cohort is emotionally and culturally embedded in Italian societies and is in a dilemma of whether to migrate onward. In this process, they constantly blend, shift, and negotiate their ways of belonging. The findings unfold how a new geography of belonging takes shape, characterised by fluidities, multifaceted identities, and everyday life practices in a transnational space.

Self-supported bimetallic iron-nickel sulfide nanosheets for efficient alkaline electrocatalytic oxygen evolution

The ongoing pursuit of cost-effective approaches for synthesizing transition metal sulfide heterostructure oxygen evolution electrocatalysts, with the objective of optimizing active site exposure and stabilizing spatial framework, remains a significant challenge. In this study, self-supported bimetallic iron-nickel sulfide (Fe1-xS-NiS/NF) nanosheet heterostructures were successfully fabricated in situ on nickel foam through the direct sulfurization of bimetallic carbonate precursors. The effects of sulfurization temperature and Fe content on the oxygen evolution reaction (OER) performance of the catalyst are investigated, and the best conditions are found to be 350 °C and 2 mmol, respectively. As expected, the optimized catalyst demonstrates remarkable OER performance in an alkaline solution with low overpotentials of 235 mV and 333 mV at high current densities of 50 mA cm−2 and 100 mA cm−2, respectively. Furthermore, the catalyst shows long-term stability lasting for 35 h at 60 mA cm−2 with a negligible shift in the polarization curve observed even after 2000 cyclic voltammetry cycles, while also exhibiting good structural preservation. The current study has the potential to offer valuable insights into the fabrication of electrocatalysts based on metal sulfide heterostructures.

Revisiting Database Indexing for Parallel and Accelerated Computing: A Comprehensive Study and Novel Approaches

While the importance of indexing strategies for optimizing query performance in database systems is widely acknowledged, the impact of rapidly evolving hardware architectures on indexing techniques has been an underexplored area. As modern computing systems increasingly leverage parallel processing capabilities, multi-core CPUs, and specialized hardware accelerators, traditional indexing approaches may not fully capitalize on these advancements. This comprehensive experimental study investigates the effects of hardware-conscious indexing strategies tailored for contemporary and emerging hardware platforms. Through rigorous experimentation on a real-world database environment using the industry-standard TPC-H benchmark, this research evaluates the performance implications of indexing techniques specifically designed to exploit parallelism, vectorization, and hardware-accelerated operations. By examining approaches such as cache-conscious B-Tree variants, SIMD-optimized hash indexes, and GPU-accelerated spatial indexing, the study provides valuable insights into the potential performance gains and trade-offs associated with these hardware-aware indexing methods. The findings reveal that hardware-conscious indexing strategies can significantly outperform their traditional counterparts, particularly in data-intensive workloads and large-scale database deployments. Our experiments show improvements ranging from 32.4% to 48.6% in query execution time, depending on the specific technique and hardware configuration. However, the study also highlights the complexity of implementing and tuning these techniques, as they often require intricate code optimizations and a deep understanding of the underlying hardware architecture. Additionally, this research explores the potential of machine learning-based indexing approaches, including reinforcement learning for index selection and neural network-based index advisors. While these techniques show promise, with performance improvements of up to 48.6% in certain scenarios, their effectiveness varies across different query types and data distributions. By offering a comprehensive analysis and practical recommendations, this research contributes to the ongoing pursuit of database performance optimization in the era of heterogeneous computing. The findings inform database administrators, developers, and system architects on effective indexing practices tailored for modern hardware, while also paving the way for future research into adaptive indexing techniques that can dynamically leverage hardware capabilities based on workload characteristics and resource availability.

Oligandrin from Croton oligandrus (Euphorbiaceae) exhibits anti-breast cancer activity through immune-boosting mechanisms: In vitro and in vivo study

AimRecent developments in cancer research indicate that cancer is a manifestation of immune system dysfunction. Many natural anticancer agents developed recently possess immune-modulatory properties. In our ongoing pursuit of anticancer alternatives, we evaluated the immune-modulatory potential of oligandrin, an ent-pimarane type diterpenoid from Croton oligatrus. Methodswe assessed on Breast cancer patients’ peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) were isolated to assess the effect of oligandrin (0.5, 1, 10, 100, 200 mg/mL) in vitro using the Ficoll-histopaque density centrifugation method. The parameters that were assessed included, PBMC viability and cytokine (IL-6, IL-12, IL-10, EGF, TNF-α, INF-γ) production. In vivo, we chemically induced breast cancer using DMBA (50 mg/kg BW) in Wistar rats, then treated them with oligandrin (1 mg/kg BW) or standards (tamoxifen 3.3 mg/kg; letrozole 1 mg/kg) for 20 weeks. The parameters that were evaluated included, tumor burden, volume, incidence, histopathology, antioxidant, and inflammatory status. ResultsOligandrin (1, 10, 100 and 200 μg/mL) significantly increased (p < 0.05) PBMC cell number 24 h after incubation. In vivo, it induced 62.5 % tumor incidence reduction compared to DMBA rats (100 %). Oligandrin significantly protected (p < 0.001) rats against increased tumor burden, mass and volume, which was accompanied by a significant antioxidant effect [increment of GSH (p < 0.01) and SOD (p < 0.001)]. Oligandrin prevented high-grade adenocarcinomas according to SBR stratification and significantly reduced pro-inflammatory cytokine levels (IL-6, IL-12) while increasing anti-inflammatory cytokine levels (INF-γ). ConclusionOligandrin is reported for the first time to protect against breast cancer onset and this effect seems to be at least in part attributable to its immune-boosting capacity.