Detecting fake news and disinformation using artificial intelligence and machine learning to avoid supply chain disruptions

Fake news and disinformation (FNaD) are increasingly being circulated through various online and social networking platforms, causing widespread disruptions and influencing decision-making perceptions. Despite the growing importance of detecting fake news in politics, relatively limited research efforts have been made to develop artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning (ML) oriented FNaD detection models suited to minimize supply chain disruptions (SCDs). Using a combination of AI and ML, and case studies based on data collected from Indonesia, Malaysia, and Pakistan, we developed a FNaD detection model aimed at preventing SCDs. This model based on multiple data sources has shown evidence of its effectiveness in managerial decision-making. Our study further contributes to the supply chain and AI-ML literature, provides practical insights, and points to future research directions

Compact RFID Enabled Moisture Sensor

This research proposes a novel, low-cost RFID tag sensor antenna implemented using commercially available Kodak photo-paper. The aim of this paper is to investigate the possibility of stable, RFID centric communication under varying moisture levels. Variation in the frequency response of the RFID tag in presence of moisture is used to detect different moisture levels. Combination of unique jaw shaped contours and T-matching network is used for impedance matching which results in compact size and minimal ink consumption. Proposed tag is 1.49.4 cm2 in size and shows optimum results for various moisture levels upto 45% in FCC band with a bore sight read range of 12.1 m

Isolation of Principal Constitiuents of Some Proven Folklore Medicinal Plants and Their Modification Using Microwave Assisted Organic Synthesis

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Enhancing the wheat growth through micronutrients enriched biochar under salt stress

Crop irrigation with brackish water having high Na+ is a common practice in developing countries like Pakistan; hence increasing the saline-sodic soils throughout the region. Therefore, two independent studies were conducted to evaluate the impact of minerals enriched contrasting biochars (MECBs) in mitigating Na+ toxicity on soil physicochemical properties, wheat growth, and physiology. In 1st trial, an incubation experiment was conducted having 32 treatments including simple biochar (SBc), manganese enriched biochar (MnBc), zinc enriched biochar (ZnBc), and iron enriched biochar (FeBc) applied at two rates (0.1% and 0.5%) with four different salinity levels such as 10, 20, 30, and 40 dSm−1. The soil was sampled after the 8th, 16th, and 24th day of incubation. Among the four sources of biochar, MnBc (0.1%) + 40 dSm−1 and FeBc (0.5%) + 40 dSm−1 showed efficient results to tolerate salinity stress in soil by efficiently reducing the availability of Na+ (60% and 30%) when compared to SBc (0.5%) + 40 dSm−1. Then, a pot study was conducted with 20 different treatments (control, SBc, MnBc, ZnBc, and FeBc) at four different salinity levels, i.e., 0, 5, 10, and 15 dSm−1. There were four replicates and the crop was harvested after 60 days of germination. The application of brackish water (control+15 dSm−1) significantly reduced the fresh weight of root (28%) and shoot (34%) of wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) as compared to FeBc+15 dSm−1. However, the soil Na+ toxicity was significantly decreased (23%) by the application of FeBc+15 dSm−1 as compared to control+15 dSm−1. Similarly, a significant increase was observed in leaf chl. a, b and photosynthetic rate (75%, 3 and 2-folds); however, a significant decrease was observed in transpiration rate (50%) in T. aestivum L. treated with FeBc+15 dSm−1 as compared to control+15 dSm−1. Interestingly, FeBc+15 dSm−1 also played a vital role to prevent oxidative damage by controlling the shoot CMP (63%) in T. aestivum L. by efficiently triggering the activities of shoot antioxidant enzymes such as APX (30%) and CAT (52%) when compared to control+15 dSm−1. In summary, it was evaluated that FeBc showed the highest adsorption capacity of Na+ ions to regulate salinity stress by improving soil health and crop physiology

Localization of Compact Circularly Polarized RFID Tag Using ToA Technique

A compact, flexible crossed-dipole circular polarized antenna using commercially available paper substrate is presented which caters North American frequency band. The crossed-dipoles have meandered lines for reduction of size as well as increased inductivity in the antenna. Dipoles have asymmetric T-shaped rectangular endings to provide the required compactness. Two semicircles are induced between the orthogonal dipoles and meandering matching structure to accomplish circular polarization excitation. Good impedance matching with the chip is achieved through a modified meander line matching structure. The proposed design dimensions are 32 × 32 × 0.4 mm3. Systematic analysis revealed the results comprising circular polarization 3dB-AR bandwidth of 11MHz (909–920 MHz) and power transmission coefficient bandwidth of 36MHz (900–936 MHz). Time delay between interrogating signal and backscattered signal is measured and relative distance is calculated. Linear Least Square (LLS) method is applied to approximate the position of tag in interrogation area. The proposed tag is placed at known locations and its position is measured to analyze accuracy of the method by simulating the positioning algorithm code in MATLAB. Six valid tag positions 0.5–2 m read range and 0°–150° angular resolution has been investigated

Cost of Severe Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease Exacerbations in a High Burden Region in North India

Background: Data on costs of acute exacerbations of COPD (AECOPD) in low-income countries are sparse. We conducted a prospective survey to assess direct and indirect costs of severe AECOPD in a tertiary care setting in a high prevalence area of North India. Methods: We conducted face-to-face surveys using a semi-structured questionnaire among a convenience sample of 129 consenting patients admitted with AECOPD. Data were collected on out-of-pocket costs of hospitalization, consultation, medications, diagnostics, transportation, lodging, and missed work days for self and their attendants. Out-of-pocket costs were supplemented with World Health Organization-CHOICE estimates. Missed work-days were valued on per capita national income (Indian Rupees [INR] 68,748, US$1,145.8). Median total cost per exacerbation episode was INR 44,390 (Inter-quartile range [IQR]: INR 33,354–63,642; US$739.8, IQR: 555.9–1060.7). Hospital costs constituted the largest component of the costs (71%) followed by other costs directly borne by the patient himself (29%), medicine costs (14%), transportation charges (2%) and diagnostic tests (3%). Indirect costs to caregivers (median INR 1,544, IQR: INR 0–17,370 INR; US$25.7, IQR: US$0–289.5), calculated as financial loss due to missed work days, accounted for 4% of the total cost. Expenses were covered by family members in all but 11 patients. Conclusions: AECOPD in India are associated with substantial costs and strategies to reduce the burden of disease such as smoking cessation, influenza and pneumococcal vaccination, etc should be aggressively pursued

Synthesis and Characterization of Silver-Coated Polymeric Scaffolds for Bone Tissue Engineering: Antibacterial and In Vitro Evaluation of Cytotoxicity and Biocompatibility

In bone tissue engineering, multifunctional composite materials are very challenging. Bone tissue engineering is an innovative technique to develop biocompatible scaffolds with suitable orthopedic applications with enhanced antibacterial and mechanical properties. This research introduces a polymeric nanocomposite scaffold based on arabinoxylan-co-acrylic acid, nano-hydroxyapatite (nHAp), nano-aluminum oxide (nAl₂O₃), and graphene oxide (GO) by free-radical polymerization for the development of porous scaffolds using the freeze-drying technique. These polymeric nanocomposite scaffolds were coated with silver (Ag) nanoparticles to improve antibacterial activities. Together, nHAp, nAl₂O₃, and GO enhance the multifunctional properties of materials, which regulate their physicochemical and biomechanical properties. Results revealed that the Ag-coated polymeric nanocomposite scaffolds had excellent antibacterial properties and better microstructural properties. Regulated morphological properties and maximal antibacterial inhibition zones were found in the porous scaffolds with the increasing amount of GO. Moreover, the nanosystem and the polymeric matrix have improved the compressive strength (18.89 MPa) and Young’s modulus (198.61 MPa) of scaffolds upon increasing the amount of GO. The biological activities of the scaffolds were investigated against the mouse preosteoblast cell lines (MC3T3-E1) and increasing the quantities of GO helps cell adherence and proliferation. Therefore, our findings showed that these silver-coated polymeric nanocomposite scaffolds have the potential for engineering bone tissue

Contamination of Fresh Produce with Antibiotic-Resistant Bacteria and Associated Risks to Human Health: A Scoping Review.

Fresh produce, when consumed raw, can be a source of exposure to antimicrobial residues, antimicrobial-resistant bacteria (ARB) and antimicrobial resistance genes (ARGs) of clinical importance. This review aims to determine: (1) the presence and abundance of antimicrobial residues, ARB and ARGs in fresh agricultural products sold in retail markets and consumed raw; (2) associated health risks in humans; and (3) pathways through which fresh produce becomes contaminated with ARB/ARGs. We searched the Ovid Medline, Web of Science and Hinari databases as well as grey literature, and identified 40 articles for inclusion. All studies investigated the occurrence of multidrug-resistant bacteria, and ten studies focused on ARGs in fresh produce, while none investigated antimicrobial residues. The most commonly observed ARB were E. coli (42.5%) followed by Klebsiella spp. (22.5%), and Salmonella spp. (20%), mainly detected on lettuce. Twenty-five articles mentioned health risks from consuming fresh produce but none quantified the risk. About half of the articles stated produce contamination occurred during pre- and post-harvest processes. Our review indicates that good agricultural and manufacturing practices, behavioural change communication and awareness-raising programs are required for all stakeholders along the food production and consumption supply chain to prevent ARB/ARG exposure through produce

Effective Treatment Strategies for the Removal of Antibiotic-Resistant Bacteria, Antibiotic-Resistance Genes, and Antibiotic Residues in the Effluent From Wastewater Treatment Plants Receiving Municipal, Hospital, and Domestic Wastewater: Protocol for a Systematic Review.

BACKGROUND: The widespread and unrestricted use of antibiotics has led to the emergence and spread of antibiotic-resistant bacteria (ARB), antibiotic-resistance genes (ARGs), and antibiotic residues in the environment. Conventional wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs) are not designed for effective and adequate removal of ARB, ARGs, and antibiotic residues, and therefore, they play an important role in the dissemination of antimicrobial resistance (AMR) in the natural environment. OBJECTIVE: We will conduct a systematic review to determine the most effective treatment strategies for the removal of ARB, ARGs, and antibiotic residues from the treated effluent disposed into the environment from WWTPs that receive municipal, hospital, and domestic discharge. METHODS: We will search the MEDLINE, EMBASE, Web of Science, World Health Organization Global Index Medicus, and ProQuest Environmental Science Collection databases for full-text peer-reviewed journal articles published between January 2001 and December 2020. We will select only articles published in the English language. We will include studies that measured (1) the presence, concentration, and removal rate of ARB/ARGs going from WWTP influent to effluent, (2) the presence, concentration, and types of antibiotics in the effluent, and (3) the possible selection of ARB in the effluent after undergoing treatment processes in WWTPs. At least two independent reviewers will extract data and perform risk of bias assessment. An acceptable or narrative synthesis method will be followed to synthesize the data and present descriptive characteristics of the included studies in a tabular form. The study has been approved by the Ethics Review Board at the International Centre for Diarrhoeal Disease Research, Bangladesh (protocol number: PR-20113). RESULTS: This protocol outlines our proposed methodology for conducting a systematic review. Our results will provide an update to the existing literature by searching additional databases. CONCLUSIONS: Findings from our systematic review will inform the planning of proper treatment methods that can effectively reduce the levels of ARB, ARGs, and residual antibiotics in effluent, thus lowering the risk of the environmental spread of AMR and its further transmission to humans and animals. INTERNATIONAL REGISTERED REPORT IDENTIFIER (IRRID): PRR1-10.2196/33365

HGF Mediates the Anti-inflammatory Effects of PRP on Injured Tendons

Platelet-rich plasma (PRP) containing hepatocyte growth factor (HGF) and other growth factors are widely used in orthopaedic/sports medicine to repair injured tendons. While PRP treatment is reported to decrease pain in patients with tendon injury, the mechanism of this effect is not clear. Tendon pain is often associated with tendon inflammation, and HGF is known to protect tissues from inflammatory damages. Therefore, we hypothesized that HGF in PRP causes the anti-inflammatory effects. To test this hypothesis, we performed in vitro experiments on rabbit tendon cells and in vivo experiments on a mouse Achilles tendon injury model. We found that addition of PRP or HGF decreased gene expression of COX-1, COX-2, and mPGES-1, induced by the treatment of tendon cells in vitro with IL-1β. Further, the treatment of tendon cell cultures with HGF antibodies reduced the suppressive effects of PRP or HGF on IL-1β-induced COX-1, COX-2, and mPGES-1 gene expressions. Treatment with PRP or HGF almost completely blocked the cellular production of PGE2 and the expression of COX proteins. Finally, injection of PRP or HGF into wounded mouse Achilles tendons in vivo decreased PGE2 production in the tendinous tissues. Injection of platelet-poor plasma (PPP) however, did not reduce PGE2 levels in the wounded tendons, but the injection of HGF antibody inhibited the effects of PRP and HGF. Further, injection of PRP or HGF also decreased COX-1 and COX-2 proteins. These results indicate that PRP exerts anti-inflammatory effects on injured tendons through HGF. This study provides basic scientific evidence to support the use of PRP to treat injured tendons because PRP can reduce inflammation and thereby reduce the associated pain caused by high levels of PGE2. © 2013 Zhang et al