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Although most of the livelihood programmes target women, those that involve women and men have been evaluated as though men and women were a single homogenous population, with a mere inclusion of gender as an explanatory variable. This study evaluated the impact of WORTH Yetu (an economic empowerment intervention to improve livelihood outcomes) on household hunger, and household socioeconomic status (SES) among caregivers (both women and men) of orphaned and vulnerable children (OVC) in Tanzania. The study hypothesized that women and men respond to livelihood interventions differently, hence a need for gender-disaggregated impact evaluation of such interventions. This is a secondary analysis of longitudinal data, involving caregivers' baseline (2016-2019) and follow-up (2019-2020) data from the USAID Kizazi Kipya project in 25 regions of Tanzania. Two dependent variables (ie, outcomes) were assessed; household hunger which was measured using the Household Hunger Scale (HHS), and Socioeconomic Status (SES) using the Principal Component Analysis (PCA). WORTH Yetu, a livelihood intervention implemented by the USAID Kizazi Kipya project was the main independent variable whose impact on the two outcomes was evaluated using multivariate analysis with a multilevel mixed-effects, ordinal logistic regression model with difference-in-differences (DiD) estimator for impact estimation. The analysis was based on 497,293 observations from 249,655 caregivers of OVC at baseline, and 247,638 of them at the follow-up survey. In both surveys, 70% were women and 30% were men. Their mean age was 49.3 (±14.5) years at baseline and 52.7 (±14.8) years at the follow-up survey. Caregivers' membership in WORTH Yetu was 10.1% at the follow-up. After adjusting for important confounders there was a significant decline in the severity of household hunger by 46.4% among WORTH Yetu members at the follow-up compared to the situation at the baseline (adjusted Odds Ratio (aOR) = 0.536, 95% Confidence Interval (CI) [0.521, 0.553]). The decline was 45.7% among women (aOR = 0.543 [0.524, 0.563]) and 47.5% among men (aOR = 0.525 [0.497, 0.556]). Regarding SES, WORTH Yetu members were 15.9% more likely to be in higher wealth quintiles at the follow-up compared to the situation at the baseline (aOR = 1.159 [1.128, 1.190]). This impact was 20.8% among women (aOR = 1.208 [1.170, 1.247]) and 4.6% among men (aOR = 1.046 [0.995, 1.101]). WORTH Yetu was associated with a significant reduction in household hunger, and a significant increase in household SES among OVC caregivers in Tanzania within an average follow-up period of 1.6 years. The estimated impacts differed significantly by gender, suggesting that women and men responded to the WORTH Yetu intervention differently. This implied that the design, delivery, and evaluation of such programmes should happen in a gender responsive manner, recognising that women and men are not the same with respect to the programmes.

Large and aberrant bone fractures require ossification and concomitant vascularization for proper healing. Evidence indicates that osteogenesis and vessel growth are coupled in bone fractures. Although the synergistic role of endothelial cells has been recognized, vascularizing large bone grafts remains a challenge and has apprehended the clinical translation of engineered bone constructs. Here, we describe a facile method to fabricate vascularized constructs using chitosan and gelatin-based microgels that promote osteogenesis of human mesenchymal stromal cells (MSC) while supporting endothelial sprouting and network formation. The microgels are enzymatically degradable and had a high hydration rate with a volume swelling ratio of ~ 493% and a polymer density of ~ 431 mg/cm 3 , which is comparable to that of native skeletal tissues. AFM indentation of the surface showed an average Young’s modulus of 189 kPa, falling in a range that is conducive to both osteogenesis and vasculogenesis. The osteogenic microgel containing chitosan, gelatin, and hydroxyapatite, mimicking the bone matrix, supported robust attachment, proliferation, and differentiation of MSC. On the other hand, the vasculogenic microgels containing only gelatin, enriched endothelial phenotype and enabled vascular networks formation when embedded in 3D matrices. Combining the two types of microgels created a hybrid construct that sustained the functions of both osteogenic and vasculogenic microgels and enhanced one another. Using a murine model, we also show that the osteogenic microgels regenerate bone in a critical-sized defect with > 95% defect closure by week 12. These multifunctional microgels can be administered minimally invasively and can conformally fill large bone defects. This work lays the foundation to establish principles of designing multiphasic scaffolds with tissue-specific biophysical and biochemical properties for regenerating vascularized and interfacial tissues.

Mesenchymal stromal cells (MSC) are sensors of inflammation, and they exert immunomodulatory properties through the secretion of cytokines and exosomes and direct cell-cell interactions. MSC are routinely used in clinical trials and effectively resolve inflammatory conditions. Nevertheless, inconsistent clinical outcomes necessitate the need for more robust therapeutic phenotypes. The immunomodulatory properties of MSC can be enhanced and protracted by priming (aka licensing) them with IFNγ and TNFα. Yet these enhanced properties rapidly diminish, and prolonged stimulation could tolerize their response. Hence a balanced approach is needed to enhance the therapeutic potential of the MSC for consistent clinical performance. Here, we investigated the concentration-dependent effects of IFNγ and TNFα and developed gelatin-based microgels to sustain a licensed MSC phenotype. We show that IFNγ treatment is more beneficial than TNFα in promoting an immunomodulatory MSC phenotype. We also show that the microgels possess integrin-binding sites to support adipose tissue-derived MSC (AD-MSC) attachment and a net positive charge to sequester the licensing cytokines electrostatically. Microgels are enzymatically degradable, and the rate is dependent on the enzyme concentration and matrix density. Our studies show that one milligram of microgels by dry mass can sequester up to 641 ± 81 ng of IFNγ. Upon enzymatic degradation, microgels exhibited a sustained release of IFNγ that linearly correlated with their degradation rate. The AD-MSC cultured on the IFNγ sequestered microgels displayed efficient licensing potential comparable to or exceeding the effects of bolus IFNγ treatment. When cultured with proinflammatory M1-like macrophages, the AD-MSC-seeded on licensing microgel showed an enhanced immunomodulatory potential compared to untreated AD-MSC and AD-MSC treated with bolus IFNγ treatment. Specifically, the AD-MSC seeded on licensing microgels significantly upregulated Arg1 , Mrc1 , and Igf1 , and downregulated Tnfα in M1-like macrophages compared to other treatment conditions. These licensing microgels are a potent immunomodulatory approach that shows substantial promise in elevating the efficacy of current MSC therapies and may find utility in treating chronic inflammatory conditions.

The effects of ignoring survey designs during the analysis of complex survey data may lead to biased estimates. This has been a common practice for most researchers. It is more critical for public health data which involve the clinical decisions that decide the fate of people’s lives. This analysis compares the estimates of factors of viral load suppression (VLS) with and without including survey designs using the Tanzania HIV Impact Survey (THIS). This survey reveals factors associated with VLS among Tanzanians living with HIV/AIDS. The correlates of VLS were examined using multivariable logistic regression models in both cases with and without including survey design. The study unveils significant correlates such as age, middle wealth quintile, CD4, adherence, and antiretroviral (ARV) detection status of a patient. Furthermore, the study emphasizes the essence of properly accounting for CSD. Failure to do so may result in biased parameter estimates and incorrect variances; hence, incorrect inferences. Thus, the study’s findings on VLS determinants have significant practical implications that allow government agencies and stakeholders to establish targeted and successful HIV/AIDS prevention and treatment initiatives. Consequently, this study suggests a complex design as an approach for obtaining unbiased estimates on the national representative surveys.

Inflammation is a vital immune response, tightly orchestrated through both biochemical and biophysical cues. Dysregulated inflammation contributes to chronic diseases, highlighting the need for novel therapies that modulate immune responses with minimal side effects. While several biochemical pathways of inflammation are well understood, the influence of physical properties such as substrate curvature on immune cell behavior remains underexplored. This study investigates how substrate curvature impacts macrophage cytoskeletal dynamics, gene expression, and immunophenotype through mechanosensitive pathways. Gelatin-based microgels with tunable surface curvatures were fabricated via water-in-oil emulsification and crosslinked with genipin. Microgels were sorted into three size ranges, yielding high (40-50 µm), intermediate (150-250 µm), and low (350-400 µm) curvature profiles. Macrophages were seeded onto these microgels, and cytoskeletal dynamics were examined using confocal microscopy, SEM, and actin-specific staining. Gene expression of pro- and anti-inflammatory markers was quantified using qPCR. The role of actin polymerization was assessed using Latrunculin-A (Lat-A) treatment. Macrophages adhered effectively to both high- and low-curvature microgels, displaying curvature-dependent morphological changes. Confocal imaging revealed that macrophages on low-curvature microgels exhibited significantly higher F-actin density than those on high-curvature microgels. Correspondingly, qPCR analysis showed upregulation of pro-inflammatory markers (e.g., Tnf, Nos2) in high-curvature conditions, while anti-inflammatory markers (e.g., Arg1) were elevated in low-curvature conditions. Lat-A treatment reduced F-actin density and modulated gene expression patterns, confirming the cytoskeletal regulation of macrophage phenotype. These findings demonstrate that substrate curvature influences macrophage behavior by modulating cytoskeletal dynamics and associated immunophenotypic markers through actin-mediated transcriptional pathways. By controlling curvature, therapeutic biomaterials may direct immune responses, offering a new avenue for treating inflammatory diseases. This mechanobiological approach presents a promising strategy for precision immunomodulation in regenerative medicine.

The research article addresses the effect of multi-wall carbon nanotube (MWCNT) and nano-boron nitride (NBN) hybrid composite powders on thermal properties of the paraffin wax for thermal storage applications. Five different phase change material (PCM) samples were prepared with 100 paraffin wax, 99.5 paraffin wax + 0.5 MWCNT, 99.5 paraffin wax + 0.5 BN, 99 paraffin wax + 0.5 MWCT + 0.5 BN and 98 paraffin wax + 1 MWCNT + 1 BN mass percentage compositions. The size of the secondary particles MWCNT and NBN was assessed using transmission electron microscope (TEM). After PCM preparation, the morphology and distribution of the secondary particles were evaluated using field emission scanning electron microscope (FE-SEM). The phase change of MWCNT and NBN was evaluated using X-ray diffraction (XRD) technique. Differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) and thermal conductivity tests were carried out on the PCMs to assess physical and thermal properties. The results revealed that hybrid nano-composite powders with paraffin wax provide better thermal conductivity of paraffin wax which increased from 0.18 to 0.31 W m −1 K −1 . However, the distribution of MWCNT and NBN extended the thermal degradation of paraffin wax and solidification temperature. Increasing the mass % of MWCNT and NBN reduced the melting point of paraffin wax from 64.70 to 62.52 °C. Further, the solidification temperature of paraffin wax increased while increasing the mass % of MWCNT and NBN from 56.01 to 60.13 °C. This research revealed that thermal properties of paraffin wax were significantly increased with the increment of mass % of composite powders (MWCNT and NBN) addition.

Microwave sintering (MS) technology is used to fabricate UNS R56320 (Ti-3Al-2.5V)-xWC composite at 1200 °C. In the matrix, tungsten carbide (WC) is reinforced with various weight percentages of 0.5, 1.0, 1.5, and 2.0. A field emission scanning electron microscope is used to characterize the composites (FE-SEM). X-ray diffraction was used to analyze the composites’ phase analysis (XRD). Microstructure, wear at high temperatures, and corrosion behavior are evaluated. For the composites at different temperatures of 30 °C, 50 °C, 100 °C, 150 °C, and 200 °C, the high-temperature wear is examined. The outcomes show improvements in the behaviors of corrosion and wear at high temperatures. TAFEL polarization is used to evaluate the corrosion behavior of the composites in a neutral chloride solution (3.5% NaCl). The composite material UNS R56320-2WC has a maximum wear rate of 0.49 × 10 −3 mm 3 /m and a coefficient of friction of 0.50. A higher level of corrosion resistance than other composites is also possessed by UNS R56320-2WC composite.

High strength low alloy steels which are having excellent corrosion-resistant properties are called corten steels. In the present investigation, 3 mm thick ASTM A242 Corten steel sheets were welded together using the cold metal transfer (CMT) method based on two welding controllable parameters like welding current and welding speed. The controllable input parameters like welding current and welding speed have been altered to produce joints that have no flaws and a complete depth of weld penetration. The evaluation of the microstructure and weld geometry was performed for the cold metal transfer welded ASTM A242 sheets using ER70S6 filler wire. The experimental design of welding parameters was developed using an orthogonal array of full factorial design. The dominance of acicular ferrite microstructure is visible in the fusion zone. Results from Energy Dispersive x-Ray Analysis (EDAX) show that manganese content is higher and nickel concentration is lower in the weld fusion region. The fusion zone of the CMT welded specimen has the greatest hardness, which was measured at 270.2 HV. Due to the formation of acicular and bainite microstructure in the welding seam, the tensile properties at room temperature (RT) were found to be 589.79 and 405.63 MPa, accordingly. Bend tests additionally confirmed the satisfactory ductility of the welded joint.

As a joint research collaboration between the National Atmospheric Research Laboratory (NARL), and the University of Kashmir (KU), NARL installed an all-sky airglow CCD imager (with centre wavelengths of 630 nm, 557.7 nm [2 nm band widths] and 840 nm [150 nm wide band with blocking notch at 866 nm to avoid the contamination of molecular oxygen emissions]) in the University campus in Srinagar (75°E, 34°N, geographic), Jammu and Kashmir, India (western Himalayan region). To understand the upper atmospheric dynamics and ionospheric electrodynamics and their associated physical coupling mechanisms, the imager observes airglow emissions of OH molecules (~ 85 km height; 840 nm) and atomic oxygen occurring at the heights of ~ 97 km (557.7 nm) and ~ 250 km (630 nm). Airglow observations in Kashmir commenced in the night of August 11, 2017 and the present work reports on the characteristics of first-time observation of Medium Scale Travelling Ionospheric Disturbances (MSTIDs with horizontal wavelengths of ~ 100–300 km) over Kashmir region during 20:30—22:30 IST (Indian standard time) on August 15, 2017 (India independence day). Initially, the phase front of MSTIDs was aligned along the north-west and south-east direction and moved at ~ 57 m/s towards the south-west direction and finally the westward direction by aligning along the meridian before they disappeared. Along with SAMI-3 ionospheric model simulations, simultaneous multiwavelength airglow observations indicate that secondary gravity waves generated due to dissipation of upward propagating mesospheric gravity waves in the heights of ~ 85–95 km would have contributed to the generation of MSTIDs in the F region ionospheric plasma through electrodynamical coupling between the E and F region (Perkins instability) ionosphere.

The study investigated end milling of Inconel 825 with varying spindle speed (N), feed rate (f) and axial depth of cut (da) with Minimum Quality Lubricant (MQL) and flooded lubrication. Molybdenum disulfide (MoS2) with the average particle size of 10 µm was used as lubricating agent. Work considered, center line average of roughness profile as a measure of surface roughness which was measured with a surface roughness tester. Material Removal Rate (MRR) was also measured experimentally using weight difference. The influence of spindle speed (N), feed rate (f) and axial depth of cut (da) during end milling of Inconel 825 on surface roughness and MRR were studied. Prediction of surface roughness by ANOVA linear model for MQL condition was found functionally adequate with R2 = 89.25% which fits with the experimental values. Also, the prediction and optimization of surface roughness using Response Surface Methodology (RSM) was proposed. It was found that, RSM model for MQL condition produced good agreement with the measurement of the given range of input cutting conditions with the prediction capability of 91.66%. Further, the machined surfaces and tool wear were analyzed using Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM) to understand the mechanisms of wear.