Bioactive plant derived compounds are important for a wide range of therapeutic applications, and some display promising anticancer properties. Further evidence suggests that phytochemicals modulate ...autophagy and apoptosis, the two crucial cellular pathways involved in the underlying pathobiology of cancer development and regulation. Pharmacological targeting of autophagy and apoptosis signaling using phytochemicals therefore offers a promising strategy that is complementary to conventional cancer chemotherapy. In this review, we sought to highlight the molecular basis of the autophagic-apoptotic pathway to understand its implication in the pathobiology of cancer, and explore this fundamental cellular process as a druggable anticancer target. We also aimed to present recent advances and address the limitations faced in the therapeutic development of phytochemical-based anticancer drugs.
Lead (Pb) free metal halide perovskites by atomistic design are of strong interest to photovoltaics and optoelectronics industries because of the pressing need to resolve Pb-related toxicity and ...instability challenges. In this study, structural, mechanical, electronic, and optical properties of Pb-free RbSnX3 (X = Cl, Br, I) perovskites have been evaluated by using ab initio density functional theory (DFT) calculations. The computed elastic constants suggest that the Rb-based halide perovskites are mechanically stable and highly ductile, making them suitable as flexible thin films in optoelectronic devices. Besides, the investigated electronic band structures reveal that the RbSnX3 compounds are direct bandgap semiconductors, suitable for photovoltaic and optoelectronic applications. Furthermore, several optical parameters such as dielectric functions, reflectivity, photon absorptions, refractive index, optical conductivity, and loss functions have been investigated and the results predict the excellent optoelectronic efficiency of RbSnX3. Also, the computed mechanical and optical properties of RbSnX3 (X = Cl, Br, I) have been compared with the previously studied CsBX3 (B = Ge, Sn, Pb; X = Cl, Br, I) phases, revealing that the Rb-based perovskites are extremely ductile and possess excellent light absorption and optical conductivity compared to the Cs-based perovskites. Importantly, RbSnI3 shows superior ductility, absorption coefficient, and optical conductivity compared to the CsBX3 (B = Ge, Sn, Pb; X = Cl, Br, I) perovskites. Superior absorption at the ultraviolet region of RbSnI3 holds great promise of this perovskite to be used in next-generation ultraviolet photodetectors.
Bangladesh is one of the countries in the north-eastern part of South Asia, and it covers an area of about one hundred forty-eight thousand (1.48 × 10
5
) square kilometers. It is located in the ...subtropical monsoon climate regime and is one of the most climate-vulnerable countries in the world. Due to the high impact of climate change, climate information is highly demandable to the government and policymakers. The different four types of temperature data from thirty-four locations in Bangladesh are considered in this study to find the homogeneous region and the distributional patterns of the temperatures are revealed as negatively skewed. The non-hierarchical
k
-means clustering technique is one of the unsupervised machine learning techniques is applied to reveal homogeneous regions in Bangladesh based on different types of temperature (dew point temperature, minimum temperature, maximum temperature, and temperature) separately, and jointly in the present research study. The elbow algorithm is used to find the optimal number of clusters, and the optimal number of clusters is obtained as nine with the different cluster solutions for different temperatures in the present study. The clustering solution produces different clustering results for dew point temperature, minimum temperature, maximum temperature, and temperature. The − regions (Dinajpur, Rangpur, Saidpur) from the northern part of Bangladesh always are the members of a cluster for four types of temperatures. Also, similar results are found for the regions Chuadanga, Ishurdi, and Rajshahi. Besides, the area Mymensingh forms cluster with different members for different temperatures, which indicates that the unique solution is not found. To find a significant and homogeneous cluster solution before applying the non-hierarchical clustering method, the linear principal component analysis is applied to produce a score based on dew point temperature, minimum temperature, maximum temperature, and temperature for each location to find a similar region. The northern regions (Bogra, Dinajpur, Rangpur, and Saidpur) and west-middle regions (Chuadanga, Ishurdi, Jessore, and Rajshahi) construct unique clusters with nearest regions for principal component analysis (PCA) scores. Similarly, the southern area (Cox’s Bazar and Teknaf) constructs a cluster for PCA scores or linear combination of different temperatures in this study. The map for the clustering solution based on PCA scores shows that the nearest and similar regions like hill regions, coastal regions, and plain lands have formed significant nine clusters. Finally, the clustering results based on the first principal component scores based on temperatures for each location are the final clustering solution in the present research work. In addition, the Ward linkage clustering algorithm is brought into play to the clustering solutions of PCA scores and found very significant results. The seven regions from the northern part of Bangladesh (Bogra, Dinajpur, Mymensingh, Rangpur, Saidpur, Sylhet, Tangail) are found in a cluster, and the nearest locations from the middle-west regions (Chandpur, Chuadanga, Ishardi, Jessore, Khulna, Maijdi Court, Mongla, Rajshahi, Satkhira) have formed another cluster with second largest members.
Aging is a normal human cycle and the most important risk factor for neurodegenerative diseases. Alternations in cells due to aging contribute to loss of the nutrient-sensing, cell function, ...increased oxidative stress, loss of the homeostasis cell, genomic instability, the build-up of malfunctioning proteins, weakened cellular defenses, and a telomere split. Disturbance of these essential cellular processes in neuronal cells can lead to life threats including Alzheimer's disease (AD), Huntington's disease (HD), Lewy's disease, etc. The most common cause of death in the elderly population is AD. Specific therapeutic molecules were created to alleviate AD's social, economic, and health burden. In clinical practice, almost every chemical compound was found to relieve symptoms only in palliative treatment. The reason behind these perfect medicines is that the current medicines are not effective in targeting the cause of this disease. In this paper, we explored the potential role of flavonoid and polyphenolic compounds, which could be the most effective preventative anti-Alzheimer's strategy.
Neurodegenerative diseases (NDDs) are the primary cause of disabilities in the elderly people. Growing evidence indicates that oxidative stress, mitochondrial dysfunction, neuroinflammation and ...apoptosis are associated with aging and the basis of most neurodegenerative disorders. Quercetin is a flavonoid with significant pharmacological effects and promising therapeutic potential. It is widely distributed among plants and typically found in daily diets mainly in fruits and vegetables. It shows a number of biological properties connected to its antioxidant activity. Neuroprotection by quercetin has been reported in many in vitro as well as in in vivo studies. However, the exact mechanism of action is still mystery and similarly there are a number of hypothesis exploring the mechanism of neuroprotection. Quercetin enhances neuronal longevity and neurogenesis by modulating and inhibiting wide number of pathways. This review assesses the food sources of quercetin, its pharmacokinetic profile, structure activity relationship and its pathophysiological role in various NDDs and it also provides a synopsis of the literature exploring the relationship between quercetin and various downstream signalling pathways modulated by quercetin for neuroprotection for eg. nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 (Nrf2), Paraoxonase-2 (PON2), c-Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK), Tumour Necrosis Factor alpha (TNF-α), Peroxisome Proliferator-Activated Receptor Gamma Coactivator 1-alpha (PGC-1α), Sirtuins, Mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPKs) signalling cascades, CREB (Cyclic AMP response element binding protein) and Phosphoinositide 3- kinase(PI3K/Akt). Therefore, the aim of the present review was to elaborate on the cellular and molecular mechanisms of the quercetin involved in the protection against NDDs.
The incorporation of waste materials generated in many industries has been actively advocated for in the construction industry, since they have the capacity to lessen the pollution on dumpsites, ...mitigate environmental resource consumption, and establish a sustainable environment. This research has been conducted to determine the influence of different rice husk ash (RHA) concentrations on the fresh and mechanical properties of high-strength concrete. RHA was employed to partially replace the cement at 5%, 10%, 15%, and 20% by weight. Fresh properties, such as slump, compacting factor, density, and surface absorption, were determined. In contrast, its mechanical properties, such as compressive strength, splitting tensile strength and flexural strength, were assessed after 7, 28, and 60 days. In addition, the microstructural evaluation, initial surface absorption test, = environmental impact, and cost-benefit analysis were evaluated. The results show that the incorporation of RHA reduces the workability of fresh mixes, while enhancing their compressive, splitting, and flexural strength up to 7.16%, 7.03%, and 3.82%, respectively. Moreover, incorporating 10% of RHA provides the highest compressive strength, splitting tensile, and flexural strength, with an improved initial surface absorption and microstructural evaluation and greater eco-strength efficiencies. Finally, a relatively lower CO
-eq (equivalent to kg CO
) per MPa for RHA concrete indicates the significant positive impact due to the reduced Global Warming Potential (GWP). Thus, the current findings demonstrated that RHA can be used in the concrete industry as a possible revenue source for developing sustainable concretes with high performance.
This paper reports an investigation of the mechanical and microscopic properties of partially replaced banana leaf ash (BLA) concrete. In this research, the cement was partially replaced by BLA in ...two phases: Phase A (0%, 5%, 10%, 15%, 20%, 25% and 30%) and Phase B (0%, 10%, 20% and 30%). The consequence of partially replacing cement with BLA in concrete was investigated by the application of a range of tests, namely X-ray fluorescence (XRF), compressive strength, splitting tensile strength, flexure strength, ultrasonic pulse velocity and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) analysis. The properties were then correlated with the properties of a standard 100% Portland cement concrete of similar strength. The XRF result of the BLA identified a composition with 48.93% SiO
and 3.48% Al
O
which indicates that the material potentially possesses pozzolanic properties. The mechanical properties of the partially replaced BLA concrete noted minor strength loss, approximately 5% with 20% partial replacement. The nondestructive testing data showed enhanced performance up to 20% partial replacement, with ultrasonic pulse values above 3500 m/s. The scanning electron microscopy analysis illustrated that the morphology of BLA specimens contained increased microcracks compared with the control. The decrease in strength observed is attributed to the fibrous composition of the BLA. The mechanical, nondestructive testing and microscopic results highlight the potential to utilize BLA as a partial replacement for cement as a pozzolanic material in concrete at up to 20% by weight of cement.
This research explores the causes and intensity of demand fluctuation and supply shortage of a supply chain (SC) occurred specially at the festival times. Management offers sales incentives & product ...discounts at festival times that sometimes create a complex situation to supply the demands properly. This complexity restricts SC performance and market possession. Hence, this research aimed to explore the responsible causes behind this complexity & bullwhip occurrence and claimed sales force incentives, number of echelons, price variation, quantity discount, & machine breakdown as the most responsible causes. Intensity of bullwhip effect (BWE) was measured by Fuzzy Inference System (FIS) of MATLAB
TM
to visualize their severity on SC performance. Few strategies have been proposed to minimize thier severity on SC excellence. Finally, this article proposed some managerial applications and guidelines to release the management from the frequently arising problems of distorted demands that will result in proper production & inventory management.
Natural products derived from plants, as well as their bioactive compounds, have been extensively studied in recent years for their therapeutic potential in a variety of neurodegenerative diseases ...(NDs), including Alzheimer's (AD), Huntington's (HD), and Parkinson's (PD) disease. These diseases are characterized by progressive dysfunction and loss of neuronal structure and function. There has been little progress in designing efficient treatments, despite impressive breakthroughs in our understanding of NDs. In the prevention and therapy of NDs, the use of natural products may provide great potential opportunities; however, many clinical issues have emerged regarding their use, primarily based on the lack of scientific support or proof of their effectiveness and patient safety. Since neurodegeneration is associated with a myriad of pathological processes, targeting multi-mechanisms of action and neuroprotection approaches that include preventing cell death and restoring the function of damaged neurons should be employed. In the treatment of NDs, including AD and PD, natural products have emerged as potential neuroprotective agents. This current review will highlight the therapeutic potential of numerous natural products and their bioactive compounds thatexert neuroprotective effects on the pathologies of NDs.
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•Molecular dynamics is used to study the mechanical characterization of Gr/WSe2 vertical heterostructures.•Mechanical properties and fracture mechanisms of the Gr/WSe2 are strongly ...direction-dependent.•Fracture initiates from the graphene and WSe2 layers for armchair and zigzag loading, respectively.•The WSe2 sheet undergoes a phase transformation from h-WSe2 to t-WSe2 during zigzag loading.
Assembling layered materials in the form of vertically stacked heterostructures has emerged as a facile way to leverage the properties of each component and fabricate novel highly-tailored architectures with advanced functionalities. In this study, we employ molecular dynamics (MD) simulations to characterize the temperature-dependent tensile mechanical properties of graphene/WSe2 vertical heterostructure along both the armchair and the zigzag directions utilizing a hybrid scheme of various interatomic potentials. It is found that the tensile strength of the WSe2 monolayer can be significantly improved when supported by graphene benefiting from the synergistic effects of their individual strengths. The comparisons of the predicted tensile properties of the heterostructure with that of the mixing rule exhibit excellent conformity. We found that while the bare WSe2 is more resilient to fracture along the armchair direction, the graphene supported WSe2 layer endures larger tensile stress and strain for zigzag loading. This study further reveals fascinating chirality in mechanical properties and failure mechanism of the heterostructure. Fracture initiates from the graphene layer for armchair loading, whereas the WSe2 sheet becomes more prone to fracture under zigzag loading. Crack propagates along the zigzag direction and results in the complete tearing of the specimen for armchair loading, while the crack propagation is confined in a random small region for the zigzag loading. The WSe2 nanosheet experiences major atomic rearrangements and undergoes a phase transformation from trigonal (h-WSe2) to the distorted octahedral phase (t-WSe2) during zigzag loading. Increasing temperature is found to play a crucial role in deteriorating the mechanical properties of the heterostructure. This study offers a comprehensive characterization of the tensile properties of Gr/WSe2 vertical heterostructure and discloses important deformation mechanisms that will enable the efficient utilization of this material.
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