Showing papers by "Jitendra Kumar published in 2023"

Alternative vehicular fuels for environmental decarbonization: A critical review of challenges in using electricity, hydrogen, and biofuels as a sustainable vehicular fuel

Abstract: Using vehicles powered by alternative fuels such as electricity, hydrogen, and biofuels have been envisioned as the ideal way to curb noxious vehicular emissions. However, the availability of resources for the sustainable use of these alternative fuels, the possible risks, and their fate at the end of their life are frequently questioned, necessitating a detailed assessment of factors influencing the use of all three alternative fuels for vehicular use. Though the vehicles powered by batteries and fuel cells are “locally” zero-emission vehicles (ZEVs), they have resource scarcity, infrastructure limitations and are relatively expensive, thus restricting their market penetration and consumer acceptance. Biofuels, though can be used in the existing vehicles, procuring the required amounts of feedstock, and mitigating food-versus-fuel issues is still a challenge. Overcoming these challenges is a crucial and critical step for the sustained use of these alternative fuels as primary vehicular fuels. To accomplish this, all these challenges need to be categorized and a comparative analysis among them is necessary to address them. This work can therefore serve as a ready reference for researchers and policy makers to take appropriate and informed decisions for long-term action to achieve the goals of the Paris agreement to reduce global temperature.

Identification of new oxospiro chromane quinoline-carboxylate antimalarials that arrest parasite growth at ring stage.

Abstract: Malaria still threatens half the globe population despite successful Artemisinin-based combination therapy. One of the reasons for our inability to eradicate malaria is the emergence of resistance to current antimalarials. Thus, there is a need to develop new antimalarials targeting Plasmodium proteins. The present study reported the design and synthesis of 4, 6 and 7-substituted quinoline-3-carboxylates 9(a-o) and carboxylic acids 10(a-b) for the inhibition of Plasmodium N-Myristoyltransferases (NMTs) using computational biology tools followed by chemical synthesis and functional analysis. The designed compounds exhibited a glide score of -9.241 to -6.960 kcal/mol for PvNMT and -7.538 kcal/mol for PfNMT model proteins. Development of the synthesized compounds was established via NMR, HRMS and single crystal X-ray diffraction study. The synthesized compounds were evaluated for their in vitro antimalarial efficacy against CQ-sensitive Pf3D7 and CQ-resistant PfINDO lines followed by cell toxicity evaluation. In silico results highlighted the compound ethyl 6-methyl-4-(naphthalen-2-yloxy)quinoline-3-carboxylate (9a) as a promising inhibitor with a glide score of -9.084 kcal/mol for PvNMT and -6.975 kcal/mol for PfNMT with IC50 values of 6.58 µM for Pf3D7 line. Furthermore, compounds 9n and 9o exhibited excellent anti-plasmodial activity (Pf3D7 IC50 = 3.96, 6.71 µM, and PfINDO IC50 = 6.38, 2.8 µM, respectively). The conformational stability of 9a with the active site of the target protein was analyzed through MD simulation and was found concordance with in vitro results. Thus, our study provides scaffolds for the development of potent antimalarials targeting both Plasmodium vivax and Plasmodium falciparum.Communicated by Ramaswamy H. Sarma.

Modeling charge transport mechanism in inorganic quantum dot light-emitting devices through transport layer modification strategies

Abstract: Quantum dot light-emitting devices (QLEDs) are potential candidates for lighting and display applications. The charge transport mechanism which plays an essential part in the performance of these devices, however, needs to be explored and analyzed for further improvement. The imbalance of the injection and transport of charge carriers within the device adversely affects the efficiency and stability of the device. Charge balance can be improved by better charge injection of holes while suppressing the excessive electrons. A simple and effective strategy to achieve this is using double transport layers or doped transport layers to modulate the band alignment and injection of charge carriers. Here, we propose a new structure and investigate the physical processes within a QLED with a double hole transport layer for improved charge injection of holes and a doped electron transport layer for controlled charge injection of electrons. We find that the process of charge injection, tunneling, and recombination is significantly improved within the quantum dot layer and a better charge balance is achieved in the emissive layer. Through the theoretical simulation model, useful results are obtained which pave the way for designing high-performing QLEDs.

On Finite groups whose power graphs are line graphs

Abstract: S. Bera (Line graph characterization of power graphs of finite nilpotent groups, \textit{Communication in Algebra}, 50(11), 4652-4668, 2022) characterized finite nilpotent groups whose power graphs and proper power graphs are line graphs. In this paper, we extend the results of above mentioned paper to arbitrary finite groups. Also, we correct the corresponding result of the proper power graphs of dihedral groups. Moreover, we classify all the finite groups whose enhanced power graphs are line graphs. We classify all the finite nilpotent groups (except non-abelian $2$-groups) whose proper enhanced power graphs are line graphs of some graphs. Finally, we determine all the finite groups whose power graphs, proper power graphs, enhanced power graphs and proper enhanced power graphs are the complement of line graphs, respectively.

Model for anisotropic compact stars via Chaplygin equation of state in Tolman space-time

Abstract: In this work, we construct a unique anisotropic solution for spherically symmetric spacetime by investigating the Chaplygin EOS for the anisotropic fluid distribution. For generating the solutions, we have used Tolman metric potential Tolman R C (1939 Phys. Rev., 55, 364–373) to solve the field equations. The anisotropic solution gives well behaved results and the energy conditions are fully satisfied. The TOV equation, Harrison-Zeldovik-Novikov criteria, and adiabatic index have been used to verify the stability of the model. Because this model meets all of these characteristics, it may be used to investigate realistic compact objects. We have also used this model to calculate the masses and radii of compact stars like Her X-1, 4U 1538-52, SAX J1808.4-3658, and LMC X-4, and found that these values were consistent with observational data which was derived using the provided solution.

Strong metric dimension of the prime ideal sum graph of a commutative ring

Abstract: Let $R$ be a commutative ring with unity. The prime ideal sum graph of the ring $R$ is the simple undirected graph whose vertex set is the set of all nonzero proper ideals of $R$ and two distinct vertices $I$ and $J$ are adjacent if and only if $I + J$ is a prime ideal of $R$. In this paper, we obtain the strong metric dimension of the prime ideal sum graph for various classes of Artinian non-local commutative rings.

Carbon cycle extremes accelerate weakening of the land carbon sink in the late 21st century

Abstract: Abstract. Increasing surface temperature could lead to enhanced evaporation, reduced soil moisture availability, and more frequent droughts and heat waves. The spatiotemporal co-occurrence of such effects further drives extreme anomalies in vegetation productivity and net land carbon storage. However, the impacts of climate change on extremes in net biospheric production (NBP) over longer time periods are unknown. Using the percentile threshold on the probability distribution curve of NBP anomalies, we computed negative and positive extremes in NBP. Here we show that due to climate warming, about 88 % of global regions will experience a larger magnitude of negative NBP extremes than positive NBP extremes toward the end of 2100, which accelerate the weakening of the land carbon sink. Our analysis indicates the frequency of negative extremes associated with declines in biospheric productivity was larger than positive extremes, especially in the tropics. While the overall impact of warming at high latitudes is expected to increase plant productivity and carbon uptake, high-temperature anomalies increasingly induce negative NBP extremes toward the end of the 21st century. Using regression analysis, we found soil moisture anomalies to be the most dominant individual driver of NBP extremes. The compound effect of hotness, dryness, and fire caused extremes at more than 50 % of the total grid cells. The larger proportion of negative NBP extremes raises a concern about whether the Earth is capable of increasing vegetation production with a growing human population and rising demand for plant material for food, fiber, fuel, and building materials. The increasing proportion of negative NBP extremes highlights the consequences not only of reduction in total carbon uptake capacity but also of conversion of land to a carbon source.

Eco-Oriented Formulation and Stabilization of Oil-Colloidal Biodelivery Systems Based on GC-MS/MS-Profiled Phytochemicals from Wild Tomato for Long-Term Retention and Penetration on Applied Surfaces for Effective Crop Protection.

Abstract: Vegetable oils as hydrophobic reserves in oil dispersions (OD) provide a practical approach to halt bioactive degradation for user and environment-efficient pest management. Using biodegradable soybean oil (57%), castor oil ethoxylate (5%), calcium dodecyl benzenesulfonates as nonionic and an-ionic surfactants, bentonite (2%), and fumed silica as rheology modifiers, we created an oil-colloidal biodelivery sytem (30%) of tomato extract with homogenization. The quality-influencing parameters, such as particle size (4.5 μm), dispersibility (97%), viscosity (61 cps), and thermal stability (2 years), have been optimized in accordance with specifications. Vegetable oil was chosen for its improved bioactive stability, high smoke point (257 °C), coformulant compatibility, and as a green build-in-adjuvant by improving spreadability (20-30%), retention and penetration (20-40%). In in vitro testing, it efficiently controlled aphids with 90.5% mortalities and 68.7-71.2% under field-conditions without producing phytotoxicity. Wild tomato-derived phytochemicals can be a safe and efficient alternative to chemical pesticides when combined wisely with vegetable oils.

Role of magnetic resonance imaging in urinary bladder carcinoma: A tertiary care experience

Abstract: Background: Bladder cancer is the most common malignancy of the urinary tract. Pre-operative tumour staging and grading play a significant role in treatment planning and prognosis estimation for bladder cancer. Aims and Objectives: This study aims to evaluate the utility of multiparametric-magnetic resonance imaging (mp-MRI) in detecting and staging bladder cancers and hence its role in final management. Materials and Methods: A total of 40 patients with documented urinary bladder mass undergoing mp-MRI before transurethral resection of bladder tumours for primary bladder cancer were identified and compared with post-operative histopathological reports. The data were collected and analysed using SPSS software. Results: The mean age in the study population was 53.68 ± 13.2 years, including 7 (17.5%) females and 33 (82.5%) males. Twenty-three (57.5%) of our patients had muscle invasion on the MRI pelvis. In muscle-invasive urothelial carcinoma, there were significantly more patients with Vesical Imaging-Reporting and Data System (VIRADS) 3, VIRADS 4 and VIRADS 5 than in non-muscle invasive urothelial carcinoma. The proportion of patients with VIRADS 1 and VIRADS 2 on MRI pelvis was significantly lower in muscle-invasive urothelial carcinoma than in non-muscle-invasive urothelial carcinoma (P = 0.0001). Histopathology and muscle invasion on the MRI pelvis agree well in the current study (κ = 0.742; P = 0.0001). There was an overall concordance rate of 87.5% and an overall discordance rate of 12.5% between histopathology and muscle invasion on the MRI pelvis. The sensitivity, specificity, area under the curve, positive predictive value, negative predictive value and diagnostic accuracy of the mp-MRI scan were 87.5%, 87.5%, 0.88, 91.3%, 82.35% and 87.50%, respectively. Conclusion: The mp-MRI and VIRADS scoring is an effective comprehensive tool with satisfactory sensitivity, specificity and diagnostic value for detecting muscle invasiveness of primary bladder cancer. We recommend VIRADS scoring for all bladder cancer patients for better pre-operative staging and overall management.

Response of upland taro (Colocasia esculenta) to varying water regimes under humid tropical conditions of India

Abstract: L. Schott) during 2017, 2018 and 2019 with three spells of irrigation (irrigation for 2 months and remaining period under stress, irrigation for 4 months and remaining period under stress, irrigation for 6 months) and four levels of drip irrigation,

Rhino- orbital-cerebral mucormycosis: clinical profile, potential diagnosis and recent treatment advances in covid-19 era

Abstract: Mucormycosis is a fungal infection which get worsens with time if not diagnosed and treated. The present COVID-19 pandemic has been associated with mucormycosis, an infection caused by fungi. Patients who possess impaired immune systems are easy targets for COVID-19 and mucormycosis. As COVID-19 infection results in a weakened immune system, COVID-19 patients have relatively high infection risk. Additionally, as we pointed out in case studies below, diabetes, corticosteroids, and a compromised immune system are the most common risk factors for this infection. Patients with COVID-19 who get steroids can experience adverse impacts on their health, and the condition frequently experiences diseases such mucormycosis.There are therapies, however they are less successful and not as optimistic. Therefore, the focus of study is to investigate potential treatments for mucormycosis. According to reports, mucormycosis has been successfully treated early on using liposomal amphotericin B (AmB), manogepix, echinocandinsisavuconazole, posaconazole, and other promising therapeutic agents. Due to their higher safety and efficacy, lipid formulations of AmB have replaced other treatments for mucormycosis as the norm. We included case reports involving mucormycosis infections in COVID-19 patients in the present study.For component of an immediate worldwide reaction to prevent and treat this deadly disease, particularly for individuals with documented risks, we also focused on anti-mucormycosis drugs including mechanisms of action of different therapeutics, including coverage of new antifungal medications under investigation.

Pattern of seed longevity during storage of lentil (Lens culinaris) cultivars

Abstract: In the present study, the viability of 36 high yielding lentil cultivars were tested at an interval of 0 (before storage), 1, 2, 3 and 4 years of storage. In all the tested varieties, themean viability was 85, 94, 94, 93 and 50% when stored for 0, 1, 2, 3 and 4 years, respectively. Lentil being an orthodox seed can be stored well up to three years maintaining viability above the minimum requirement (75%) as perIndian Minimum Seed Certification Standards (IMSCS). Therefore, it is recommended to store the seeds of these varieties up to three years, except for VL 507, under ambient conditions. Notably, the seeds of nine varieties namely IPL 406, PL 639, Asha, PL 77-12, Ranjan, NDL 1, VL 103, WBL 77 and KLS 218 could be stored for more than 4 years. These varieties are identified with better storage ability andcould be embraced as donors in lentil breeding program for developing cultivars with better storage efficiency.

Delineating Marker-trait Associations for Fusarium Wilt in Chickpea using Axiom® Cicer SNP Array.

Abstract: Fusarium wilt (FW) caused by the Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. ciceri is a devastating disease of chickpea (Cicer arietinum L.). To identify promising resistant genotypes and genomic loci for FW resistance, a core set of 179 genotypes of chickpea was tested for FW reactions at seedling and reproductive stages under field as well as controlled conditions in the greenhouse. Our results revealed that at seedling stage, most of the genotypes were found resistant whereas, at the reproductive stage majority of the genotypes were found susceptible. Genotyping using a 50K Axiom®Cicer SNP Array and trait data of FW together led to the identification of 26 significant (p≤E-05) marker-trait associations (MTAs) for FW resistance. Among 26 MTAs, 12 were identified using trait data recorded in the field (3 at seedling and 9 at reproductive stage) and 14 MTAs were identified using trait data recorded under controlled conditions in the greenhouse (6 at seedling and 8 at reproductive stage). The phenotypic variation explained by these MTAs varied from 11.75 to 15.86% with an average of 13.77%. Five MTAs were classified as major, explaining more than 15% phenotypic variation for FW and two MTAs were declared stable, being identified in either two environments or at two growth stages. One of the promising stable and major MTAs (Affx_123280060) detected in field conditions at reproductive stage was also detected in greenhouse conditions at seedling and reproductive stages. The stable and major (>15% PVE) MTAs can be used in chickpea breeding programmes.

Investigating Loop Quantum Gravity Through Strong Gravitational Lensing Effects by Rotating Black Hole and EHT Observations

Abstract: We investigate gravitational lensing in the strong deflection regime by loop quantum gravity (LQG)-motivated rotating black hole (LMRBH) metrics with an additional parameter $l$ besides mass $M$ and rotation $a$. The LMRBH spacetimes are regular everywhere, asymptotically encompassing the Kerr black hole as a particular case and, depending on the parameters, describe black holes with one horizon only (BH-I), black holes with an event horizon and a Cauchy horizon (BH-II), black holes with three horizons (BH-III), or black holes with no horizons (NH) spacetime. It turns out that as the LQG parameter $l$ increases, the unstable photon orbit radius $x_{ps}$, the critical impact parameter $u_{ps}$, the deflection angle $\alpha_D(\theta)$ and angular position $\theta_{\infty}$ also increases. Meanwhile, the angular separation $s$ decreases, and relative magnitude $r_{mag}$ increases with increasing $l$ for prograde motion but they show opposite behaviour for the retrograde motion. For Sgr A*, the angular position $\theta_{\infty}$ is $\in$ (16.404, 39.8044) $\mu$as, while for M87* $\in$ (12.3246, 29.9057) $\mu$as. The angular separation $s$ is ranging $\in$ (0.008306-0.37573) $\mu$as for Sgr A* and $\in$ (0.00624-0.282295) $\mu$as for M87*. The relative magnitude $r_{mag}$ $\in$ (0.04724, 1.53831). We estimate the time delay between the first and second relativistic images using twenty supermassive galactic centre black holes as lenses. Our analysis concludes that, within the $1 \sigma$ region, a significant portion of the BH-I and BH-II and for a small portion of BH-III parameter space agrees with the EHT results of M87* and Sgr A* whereas NH is completely ruled out. We discover that the EHT results of Sgr A* place more stringent limits on the parameter space of LMRBH black holes than those established by the EHT results of M87*.

A review article in the role of liver function test in Annavahasrotas Vyadhi (Ajirna & Amlapitta)

Abstract: A person's diet and food patterns play a significant role in their overall health and well-being. Unhealthy food patterns can contribute to the development of various lifestyle disorders and chronic diseases. In current modern scenario we see a large proportion of population is affected by Gastric disorders. Unhealthy and incompatible foods, drinks, unhygienic lifestyle lead to disturbance in Agni and GI functions in human, and also harming the most powerful organ which is also seat of Agni i.e., Yakrit. Liver perform and govern majority of metabolic activities but when it get damages the Bhutagni Paak Kriya’s disturbance leads to disrupted state of Agni, then two main disorder related to Annavahasrotas Vyadhi mentioned i.e., Ajirna and Amlapitta occurs. Acharya Sushrut has stated Pitta and Agni are same as the Karma and features of Pitta and Agni are equivalent hence in Ajirna and Amlapitta disease we can see sign of hepatic damage in Liver Biomarkers (LFT).

On rings whose prime ideal sum graphs are line graphs

Abstract: Let $R$ be a commutative ring with unity. The prime ideal sum graph of the ring $R$ is the simple undirected graph whose vertex set is the set of all nonzero proper ideals of $R$ and two distinct vertices $I$, $J$ are adjacent if and only if $I + J$ is a prime ideal of $R$. In this paper, we characterize all commutative Artinian rings whose prime ideal sum graphs are line graphs. Finally, we give a description of all commutative Artinian rings whose prime ideal sum graph is the complement of a line graph.

Response of Contrasting Nutrient Management Regimes on Soil Aggregation, Aggregate-Associated Carbon and Macronutrients in a 43-Year Long-Term Experiment

Abstract: The present investigation evaluated the effect of continuous application (>43 years) of organic and inorganic fertilisers on soil aggregate stability, aggregate size distribution, aggregate-associated carbon and its fractions, and total macro-nutrient content under the soybean–wheat cropping system in vertisols of the semi-arid region. Seven contrasting treatments consisted of T1 (50% NPK), T2 (100% NPK), T3 (150% NPK), T4 (100% NP), T5 (100% N), T6 (100% NPK + FYM) and T7 Control (crop raised without addition of any nutrient). The highest and lowest percentage of large macroaggregates (11.3%) was found in T6 and T7 treatments. The NPK + FYM (T6) treatments substantially increased the proportion of the macroaggregate fractions (>2 mm and 2–0.25 mm) than other treatments. However, different manure and fertilisation treatments did not affect the proportion of silt + clay aggregates. Long-term application of 100% NPK + FYM increased mean weight diameter (MWD) and stable water aggregates (WSA) by 35.7 and 6.01% over control. The aggregate-associated SOC followed the trend of large macroaggregates > microaggregates > small macroaggregates > silt + clay fractions. Application of long-term manure plus inorganic fertiliser (T6) has also increased Walkley Black soil organic carbon (WBSC), permanganate oxidisable carbon (KMnO4-C), soil microbial biomass carbon (SMBC), carbon mineralisation (CM), total soil carbon (TSC), total soil N (TSN), total soil phosphorus (TSP) and total soil potassium (STK) by 82.1, 71.6, 182, 42.4, 23.9, 41.6, 117 and 18.4%, respectively, over control (T7). The lowest metabolic quotient (MetQ) value of 5.13 mg CO2–C mg−1 MBC h−1 was obtained in the control treatment (T7). The lowest MetQ was recorded in the integrated application of manure + inorganic fertiliser, i.e., 100% NPK + FYM (T6). Similarly, microbial quotient (MiQ) was also higher in treatment T6 (100% NPK + FYM) and lower in T7 (control). It is concluded that the application of inorganic fertiliser alone is insufficient to maintain soil health and sustainability so, combined application of manure plus inorganic fertilisation is the most important nutrient management practice for long-term soil sustainability because it maintains SOC levels in soils for long periods and ultimately ensures the soil health of soybean–wheat cropping systems in the vertisols of semi-arid regions.

Boomerang of bullet from the chest cavity—an autopsy case

Abstract: Abstract Background What if you fire a bullet and, like a boomerang, it comes back towards you after hitting the target, leaving no trace in the body. Case presentation A similar case was presented to us for an autopsy at the district mortuary, Aligarh, with a bullet unusually ricocheting within the thoracic cavity and taking almost path of incidence after grazing over the 3rd rib and coming out just closure to the entry wound towards the musketeer. The presence of stippling at both the entrance and exit wounds poses a challenge to interpreting the track of the injury. Conclusion Thorough and detailed examination at autopsy and crime-scene investigation revealed a strange ricochet event within the chest cavity.

Recent therapeutic advances & preclinical phases of retinitis pigmentosa

Abstract: Retinitis pigmentosa (RP) is a group of hereditary illnesses characterized by a slow loss of retinal photoreceptors, which impairs a long-term vision. It is among the most prevalent forms of hereditary retinal dystrophy and has a sizable cost impact on both the individuals affected and the community as a whole. The typical symptoms of this disorder include nyctalopia, loss of the concentric visual field, and finally loss of the bilateral central vision.The primary effect is a progressive loss of vision. One of the main causes of vision loss and blindness in persons under 60, it affects roughly 1.5 million people globally. There is presently no known cure for RP, and the only approved gene therapy, voretigeneneparvovec, is only given to a tiny subset of patients with known RPE65 mutations. Retinoids, vitamin A supplements, sun protection, visual aids, and medical and surgical treatments to treat ocular comorbidities are now the only available therapies, however these merely serve to halt the diseases progression. Given the limited therapeutic landscape, it is vital to develop fresh, personalized therapy modalities that focus on degeneration of the retina. Although the variety of the gene mutations involved makes it difficult to identify a target treatment for RP, new fundamental research indicates an improvement towards comprehending the causes of retinal degeneration. Discovering novel molecular treatments that can specifically target specific receptors or signaling pathways lays the foundation for more effective medication development. The most recent advancements in potential RP treatments are highlighted in this article, with an emphasis on preclinical stage foundational research on molecular targets, which will form the basis for subsequent drug development. We will discuss the alterations that take place to the molecular pathways connected to the growth of RP, with a focus on the ER stress and apoptotic pathways, redox balance maintenance, and genomic stability. Subsequently proceed over the treatment modalities being looked at, like gene and cell therapy, as well as the most recent studies that are discovering new potential drug targets for RP.