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Asthma is a chronic and multifaceted respiratory condition that affects over 300 million individuals across the globe. It is characterized by persistent inflammation of the airways, which leads to episodes of wheezing, breathlessness, chest tightness, and coughing. The most prevalent form of asthma is classified as Type 2 or T2-high asthma. In this variant, the immune response is heavily driven by eosinophils, mast cells, and T-helper 2 (Th2) cells. These components release a cascade of cytokines, including interleukin-4 (IL-4), interleukin-5 (IL-5), and interleukin-13 (IL-13). This release promotes several processes: the production of immunoglobulin E (IgE), which is integral to allergic responses; the recruitment of eosinophils—white blood cells that contribute to inflammation and tissue damage. Conversely, non-Type 2 or T2-low asthma is typically associated with a different inflammatory profile characterized by neutrophilic inflammation. This type of asthma is driven by T-helper 1 (Th1) and T-helper 17 (Th17) immune responses, which are often present in older adults, smokers, and those suffering from more severe manifestations of the disease. Among asthmatic patients, approximately 80–85% of cases are classified as T2-high asthma, while only 15–20% are T2-low asthma. Treatment of asthma focuses heavily on controlling inflammation. Inhaled corticosteroids remain the cornerstone therapy for managing T2-high asthma. For more severe or treatment-resistant cases, biologic therapies targeting specific inflammatory pathways, such as anti-IgE (omalizumab), anti-IL-5 (mepolizumab, benralizumab), and anti-IL-4/IL-13 (dupilumab), have shown great promise. For T2-low asthma, macrolide antibiotics like azithromycin and other novel therapies are being explored. This article reviews the safety, efficacy, and indications of the currently approved biologics and discusses potential novel biologics for asthma.

Achieving the full potential of magnesium-ion batteries (MIBs) is still a challenge due to the lack of adequate electrodes or electrolytes. Grignard-based electrolytes show excellent Mg plating/stripping, but their incompatibility with oxide cathodes restricts their use. Conventional electrolytes like bis(trifluoromethanesulfonyl)imide ((Mg(TFSI)2) solutions are incompatible with Mg metal, which hinders their application in high-energy Mg batteries. In this regard, alloys can be game changers. The insertion/extraction of Mg2+ in alloys is possible in conventional electrolytes, suggesting the absence of a passivation layer or the formation of a conductive surface layer. Yet, the role and influence of this layer on the alloys performance have been studied only scarcely. To evaluate the reactivity of alloys, we studied InSb as a model material. Ex situ X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy were used to investigate the surface behavior of InSb in both Grignard and conventional Mg(TFSI)2/DME electrolytes. For the Grignard electrolyte, we discovered an intrinsic instability of both solvent and salt against InSb. XPS showed the formation of a thick surface layer consisting of hydrocarbon species and degradation products from the solvent (THF) and salt (C2H5MgCl−(C2H5)2AlCl). On the contrary, this study highlighted the stability of InSb in Mg(TFSI)2 electrolyte.

This study examines the long-term impact of the faculty development programs on the multiple choice question (MCQ) items' quality leading to study its effect on the students' overall competency level during their yearly academic assessment. A series of longitudinal highly constructed faculty development workshops were conducted to improve the quality of the MCQs items writing skills. A total of 2207 MCQs were constructed by 58 participants for the assessment of 882 students' cognitive competency level during the academic years 2012-2015. The MCQs were analyzed for the difficulty index (P-value), discriminating index (DI), presence/absence of item writing flaws (IWFs), and non-functioning distractors (NFDs), Bloom's taxonomy cognitive levels, test reliability, and the rate of students' scoring. Significant improvement in the difficulty index and DI were noticed during each successive academic year. Easy and poor discriminating questions, NFDs and IWFs were decreased significantly, whereas distractor efficiency (DE) mean score and high cognitive level (K2) questions were increased substantially during the each successive academic year. Improved MCQs' quality leaded to increased competency level of the borderline students. Overall, the longitudinal faculty development workshops help in improving the quality of the MCQs items writing skills of the faculty that leads to students' high competency levels.

Recently, sulfide-based electrolytes, including the argyrodite family (Li 6 PS 5 X, X = Cl, Br, I), are considered promising candidates for all-solid-state battery fabrication due to their high ionic conductivity. However, from the industrial point of view, other parameters such as the chemical and electrochemical stability toward current collectors are equally important, but often neglected. Although many efforts have been directed toward the investigation, optimization and testing of sulfide electrolytes into a press device (10 MPa) with a stainless-steel current collector, the investigation of the current collector’s behavior in contact with sulfide solid electrolytes in coin cell (0.2 MPa) or pouch cell (0.1-0.2 MPa) formats is still an open question. In this work, the systematic physicochemical and electrochemical analyses of copper, nickel, stainless steel, aluminum, and aluminum-carbon current collectors in contact with the Li 6 PS 5 Cl electrolyte in coin cell format configuration is reported, enabling the understanding of the reaction mechanisms. While SS, Ni, Al and Al/C show good chemical stability, Cu, Li, and Cu/Li have high corrosion susceptibility in sulfide electrolytes. Therefore, this study supports the selection of appropriate current collectors for fabricating sulfide-based components, especially via the wet chemistry process which is a promising approach for the industrialization of solid-state batteries with sulfide electrolyte. Sulfide-based electrolytes are promising candidates for all-solid-state batteries, but aspects regarding the chemical and electrochemically stability towards current collectors remain unexplored. Here, the authors study copper, nickel, stainless steel, aluminum, and aluminum-carbon current collectors in contact with a Li 6 PS 5 Cl electrolyte, providing insight into the reaction mechanisms that underpin chemical stability and corrosion susceptibility to guide industrial applications

Background In asthma, sex-steroids signaling is recognized as a critical regulator of disease pathophysiology. However, the paradoxical role of sex-steroids, especially estrogen, suggests that an upstream mechanism or even independent of estrogen plays an important role in regulating asthma pathophysiology. In this context, in our previous studies, we explored kisspeptin (Kp) and its receptor Kiss1R’s signaling in regulating human airway smooth muscle cell remodeling in vitro and airway hyperresponsiveness (AHR) in vivo in a mouse (wild-type, WT) model of asthma. In this study, we evaluated the effect of endogenous Kp in regulating AHR and remodeling using Kiss1R knockout (Kiss1R −/− ) mice. Methods C57BL/6J WT (Kiss1R +/+ ) and Kiss1R −/− mice, both male and female, were intranasally challenged with mixed-allergen (MA) and/or phosphate-buffered saline (PBS). We used flexiVent analysis to assess airway resistance (Rrs), elastance (Ers), and compliance (Crs). Following this, broncho-alveolar lavage (BAL) was performed for differential leukocyte count (DLC) and cytokine analysis. Histology staining was performed using hematoxylin and eosin (H&E) for morphological analysis and Masson’s Trichrome (MT) for collagen deposition. Additionally, lung sections were processed for immunofluorescence (IF) of Ki-67, α-smooth muscle actin (α-SMA), and tenascin-c. Results Interestingly, the loss of Kiss1R exacerbated lung function and airway contractility in mice challenged with MA, with more profound effects in Kiss1R −/− female mice. MA-challenged Kiss1R −/− mice showed a significant increase in immune cell infiltration and proinflammatory cytokine levels. Importantly, the loss of Kiss1R aggravated Th2/Th17 biased cytokines in MA-challenged mice. Furthermore, histology of lung sections from Kiss1R −/− mice showed increased collagen deposition on airway walls and mucin production in airway cells compared to Kiss1R +/+ mice. In addition, immunofluorescence analysis showed loss of Kiss1R significantly aggravated airway remodeling and subsequently AHR. Conclusions These findings demonstrate the importance of inherent Kiss1R signaling in regulating airway inflammation, AHR, and remodeling in the pathophysiology of asthma.

The suspension is one of the most essential parts of the vehicle whose main purpose is to absorb the energy transmitted by the bump to the vehicle. It also helps to maintain the surface contact of wheels with the road for better stability, ride and comfort. Carbon-epoxy composites are being extensively used in the automobile industry due to its high strength and specific stiffness. The main objective of this work is to identify the suitability of unidirectional carbon fiber for the design of composite suspension system by considering the effect of fiber-matrix volume fractions and fiber orientation. Double-wish bone type suspension system was considered for analysis. The control arms in the suspension system which are generally made up of Low Carbon Steel were replaced by Unidirectional carbon fiber. The strength of the composite material depends on the amount of fiber and matrix content which are indicated by fiber-matrix volume fractions. Fiber orientation also plays an important role in the design of composite materials since the direction of maximum strength depends on it. Various fiber-matrix volume fractions are considered and the material properties in each case are found by conducting tensile and compression testing on UTM. Thus from the experimental data the volume fractions with better mechanical properties are chosen. The suspension model was modelled in UG-NX and finite element analysis (FEA) was performed using ANSYS 18.1. The mechanical properties found experimentally were considered for analysis. For various fiber orientations, analysis was carried out and the orientation is found.

Academic misconduct/dishonesty has become widespread behavior among many university students across the globe, and medical education is not an exception. Until recently, few efforts have been made to study the dishonest behavior in Middle-Eastern universities. This study examined the prevalence and predisposing factors of cheating among medical students in Saudi Arabia and suggests suitable preventive measures. A cross-sectional survey-based study was conducted at a government medical college during the 2014-2015 academic year. The response rate was 58.5% (421/720). The overall cheating behavior practiced by the participants was 29%, predominantly by male students. High GPA scoring students were the least likely to cheat. The participants living with their families were more likely to cheat compared to those who were living apart from their families. The reasons participants gave to justify their cheating behavior included getting better grades, passing the course, and lacking preparation while still recognizing that cheating is a 'mistake.' Overall, significant academic misconduct concerning cheating was found among the Saudi medical students; this misconduct is alarming in a reputable government institution. The implementation of strict punishments, requiring ethical courses and creating ethical awareness by exploiting the potential of Islamic religious belief might help to control this problem.

This study explores the microbial-assisted synthesis of nanoparticles from chalcopyrite ore and its tailings, emphasizing their potential applications in sustainable agriculture. Addressing the gap between research and practical field applications, the study employs microbial diversity to recover valuable elements as nanoparticles through green methods. Organic acids and metabolites produced by microorganisms facilitated the breakdown of mineral ores into nanoparticles. Optimal conditions (28 °C, pH 3.8) yielded nanoparticles (15–200 nm) after 72 h, as analysed by Dynamic Light Scattering and Scanning Electron Microscopy. Glycine encapsulation was confirmed via UV spectroscopy. In vitro experiments on Cicer arietinum (L.) demonstrated enhanced plant growth, including increased seed germination, branching, and early flowering, highlighting the potential of these nanoparticles in agricultural enhancement.

SnS2 (tin disulfide) is a promising anode active material for lithium‐ion batteries (LIBs) due to its high theoretical capacity and low material cost. Conventional synthesis methods, such as solvothermal, hydrothermal, and solid‐state, require long synthesis times, the use of solvents and surfactants, and several separation steps. However, the preparation of coated SnS2 composites using liquid media is even more complex, requiring suitable precursors, compatible solvents, and potentially several steps. In the present work, a one‐step solid‐state method is developed to synthesize SnS2 particles sandwiched in a porous polyacrylonitrile (PAN)‐based matrix phase (C–SnS2) for use as anode active materials for LIBs. The as‐synthesized materials exhibit a reversible capacity of 720 mAh g−1 after 100 cycles when tested versus Li/Li+. The performance of this SnS2‐based anode active material is compared to that prepared by the solid‐state heat treatment of SnS2, both with and without PAN. The structure, morphology, chemistry, and electrochemical properties of these compounds are established and comprehensively compared to each other. The observed superior cycling stability and rate capability of the sandwich‐like C–SnS2 are attributed to its phase purity and its incorporation in a porous, conductive, carbonized PAN matrix. A one‐step solid‐state method is developed to synthesize SnS2 particles, which are embedded in sandwich‐like, porous polyacrylonitrile (PAN)‐based matrix phase (C–SnS2) for use as anode active materials for rechargeable lithium‐ion batteries. The performance of this SnS2‐based anode active material is compared to that of materials prepared by solid‐state heat treatment of hydrothermally synthesized SnS2, both with and without PAN.

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to identify the factors determining students’ attitude toward using newly emerged artificial intelligence (AI) tool, Chat Generative Pre-Trained Transformer (ChatGPT), for educational and learning purpose based on technology acceptance model.Design/methodology/approachThe recommended model was empirically tested with partial least squares structural equation modeling using 375 student survey responses.FindingsThe study revealed that students have a favorable view of the instructional use of ChatGPT. Usefulness, social presence and legitimacy of the tool, as well as enjoyment and motivation, contribute to a favorable attitude toward using this tool in a learning environment. However, perceived ease of use was not found to be a significant determinant in the adoption and utilization of ChatGPT by the students.Practical implicationsThis research is intended to benefit enterprises, academic institutions and the global community by offering light on how students perceive the ChatGPT service in an educational setting. Furthermore, the application enhances confidence and interest among learners, leading to improved literacy and general awareness. Eventually, the outcome of this research will help AI developers to improve their product and service delivery, as well as benefit regulators in regulating the usage of AI-based bots.Originality/valueDue to its novelty, the current research on AI-based ChatGPT usage in the education sector is rather restricted. This study provides the adoption aspects of ChatGPT, a new AI-based technology for students, thereby contributing significantly to the existing research on the adoption of advanced education technologies. In addition, the literature lacks research on the adoption of ChatGPT by students for educational purposes; this study addresses this gap by identifying adoption determinants of ChatGPT in education.