Polarized Thermal Conductivity of Two-Dimensional Dusty Plasmas

The computation of thermalt properties of dusty plasmas is substantial task in the area of science and technology. The thermal conductivity (λ) has been computed by applying polarization effect through molecular dynamics (MD) simulations of two dimensional (2D) strongly coupled complex dusty plasmas (SCCDPs). The effects of polarization on thermal conductivity have been measured for a wide range of Coulomb coupling (Γ) and Debye screening (κ) parameters using homogeneous non-equilibrium molecular dynamics (HNEMD) method for suitable system sizes. The HNEMD simulation method is employed at constant external force field strength (F*) and varying polarization effects. The algorithm provides precise results with rapid convergence and minute dimension effects. The outcomes have been compared with earlier available simulation results of molecular dynamics, theoretical predictions and experimental results of complex dusty plasma liquids. The calculations show that the kinetic energy of SCCDPS depends upon the system temperature (≡ 1/Г) and it is independent of higher screening parameter. Furthermore, it has shown that the presented HNEMD method has more reliable results than those obtained through earlier known numerical methods

Psihološki utjecaj pandemije COVID-19 na dentalne zdravstvene radnike i njihovu spremnost za rad tijekom ove pandemije

This study was aimed to investigate the relationship between the psychological status of oral health care workers (OHCWs) and the willingness to treat a patient during the COVID-19 pandemic. This cross-sectional study was carried out on oral health care workers at ten different dental hospitals in Pakistan from March to July 2020. Information on the socio-demographic status, and willingness to report for duty and treat patients during the COVID-19 pandemic were assessed using a self-administered questionnaire. The psychological impact of the COVID-19 pandemic was assessed using the Urdu version of the Generalized Anxiety Disorder Scale and Impact of Events Scale. Simple and multiple linear regression tests were used for analysis. A total of 392 OHCWs participated in this study and 25% of them had moderate to severe anxiety levels and only 14% had post-traumatic stress disorder. About 26% of the OHCWs were willing to work and treat patients during the COVID-19 pandemic and they had lower anxiety and stress scores. Greater anxiety and stress were associated with participants who were older, female, single, married, living with family and friends. The adjusted coefficients of GAD and IES scores were greater in participants who were not willing and unsure to work compared to their colleagues who were willing. The OHCWs are anxious and stressed because of the COVID-19 outbreak and that affects the perception of whether they should work and treat patients during the pandemic.Cilj ove studije bio je istražiti vezu između psihološkog statusa dentalnih zdravstvenih radnika (DZR) i spremnosti za liječenje pacijenta tijekom pandemije COVID-19. Ovo presječno istraživanje provedeno je na radnicima dentalne zdravstvene zaštite u deset različitih stomatoloških bolnica u Pakistanu od ožujka do srpnja 2020. Podaci o socijalno-demografskom statusu i spremnosti za javljanje na dužnost i liječenje pacijenata tijekom pandemije COVID-19 procijenjivani su pomoću samoocjenskog upitnika. Psihološki utjecaj pandemije COVID-19 procijenjen je korištenjem urdske verzije skale generaliziranog anksioznog poremećaja (GAD) i skale utjecaja događaja (IES). Za analizu su korišteni jednostavni i višestruki linearni regresijski testovi. Ukupno su 392 DZR-a sudjelovala u ovoj studiji, a 25% ih je imalo umjerenu do ozbiljnu razinu anksioznosti, a samo 14% posttraumatski stresni poremećaj. Oko 26% DZR-a bilo je spremno raditi i liječiti pacijente tijekom pandemije COVID-19 i imali su niže rezultate anksioznosti i stresa. Veće razine anksioznosti i stresa bile su povezane sa sudionicima koji su stariji, ženskog spola, slobodni, oženjeni, koji su živjeli s obitelji i prijateljima. Prilagođeni koeficijenti GAD i IES rezultata bili su veći kod sudionika koji nisu bili voljni i sigurni raditi u odnosu na njihove kolege koji su to htjeli. DZR su zabrinuti i pod stresom zbog izbijanja COVID-19, a to utječe na percepciju trebaju li raditi i liječiti pacijente tijekom pandemije

Long non-coding RNAs regulated NF-κB signaling in cancer metastasis: Micromanaging by not so small non-coding RNAs

Cancer metastasis is a major reason for the cancer-associated deaths and a role of long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) in cancer metastasis is increasingly being realized. Among the many oncogenic pathways, NF-κB signalling’s involvement in cancer metastasis as a key inflammation-regulatory transcription factor has been a subject of interest for long time. Accumulating data from in vitro as well as in vivo studies along with analysis of clinical cancer tissues points to regulation of NF-κB signalling by lncRNAs with implications toward the onset of cancer metastasis. LncRNAs FOXD2-AS1, KRT19P3 and the NF-κB interacting lncRNA (NKILA) associate with lymph node metastasis and poor prognosis of individual cancers. The role of epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) in cancer metastasis is well known. EMT is regulated by NF-κB and regulation of NF-κB/EMT-induced metastasis by lncRNAs remains a hot topic of research with indications for such roles of lncRNAs MALAT1, SNHG15, CRNDE and AC007271.3. Among the many lncRNAs, NKILA stands out as the most investigated lncRNA for its regulation of NF-κB. This tumor suppressive lncRNA has been reported downregulated in clinical samples representing different human cancers. Mechanistically, NKILA has been consistently shown to inhibit NF-κB activation via inhibition of IκBα phosphorylation and the resulting suppression of EMT. NKILA is also a target of natural anticancer compounds. Given the importance of NF-κB as a master regulatory transcription factor, lncRNAs, as the modulators of NF-κB signaling, can provide alternate targets for metastatic cancers with constitutively active NF-κB.Open Access supported by the Qatar National Library

Navigating Debt Sustainability: An In-Depth Analysis of Debt Coverage and other Performance Drivers in Pakistani Textile Sector

Our research sought to ascertain the impact of capital structure, particularly debt financing, on firm liquidity using panel data of 91 Pakistani textile companies from 2017 to 2021. Data was collected from balance sheets of the interested firms which are available at web-site of State Bank of Pakistan (SBP). A well-known econometric technique known as 'Panel Corrected Standard Error (PCSE)' has been employed to acquire precise coefficient values of the interested variables. Findings of the current study demonstrate that Debt Coverage Ratio (DCR) has a significant association with Current Ratio, Return on Assets, Financial Leverage, and Business Growth. Though, Tobin’s Q, Firm age and Firm size have shown insignificant association with DCR. So, present study contributes to the understanding of capital structure choices and financial well-being within textile industry sector of Pakistan. Moreover, our study highlights the trade-off between leverage and financial stability; indicating the role of growth with debt management. These findings offer valuable insights for investors, lenders, and corporate decision-makers

ISOLATION AND STRUCTURAL CHARACTERIZATION OF NOVEL TERPENOIDS FROM DIFFERENT PLANT SPECIES: A REVIEW.

Terpenoids are the most essential compounds biosynthesized by plants as secondary metabolites. It is a diverse and vast class of naturally occurring organic compounds and are the derivatives of terpenes having simple and multi-cyclic rings in their structure. These are though found in small/trace amounts in plants, but they play an indispensable role in the survival of plants in the environment. These are used by the plants as a shield against internal and external stresses and for many of the basic functions in the development and growth and by humans as anti-bacterial agents, as anti-carcinogenic agents, as flavors, fragrances and drugs. This review paper will explain the extraction and isolation of terpenoids from different parts of plants i.e. leaves, stem, roots and other vegetal parts of plants. Further the review will focus on the structural characterization of terpenoids extracted from plants by different researchers and the methods they used for the separation and structural characterization of these compounds and their structures drawn with the help of NMR data. The extracted and characterized compounds were terpenoids, triterpenoids, nortriterpenoids, monoterpenes, sesquiterpenes and macro cyclic monoterpenes. These compounds were checked for their medicinal activity, cytotoxicity and their bioassay were also considered, where these compounds showed that they can be used as medicinal compounds as well as the bioassay confirmed their role as protective agents of the plants. Overall, eleven research articles have been considered in this review and the focus is on the novel terpenoids that have been extracted, isolated and characterized by different means. Apart from novel terpenoids the other known compounds have been studied and their activity has also been reported. Keywords: Terpenoids, Characterization, Extraction, NMR, Plant