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The Zero Trust safety architecture emerged as an intriguing approach for overcoming the shortcomings of standard network security solutions. This extensive survey study provides a meticulous explanation of the underlying principles of Zero Trust, as well as an assessment of the many strategies and possibilities for effective implementation. The survey begins by examining the role of authentication and access control within Zero Trust Architectures, and subsequently investigates innovative authentication, as well as access control solutions across different scenarios. It more deeply explores traditional techniques for encryption, micro-segmentation, and security automation, emphasizing their importance in achieving a secure Zero Trust environment. Zero Trust Architecture is explained in brief, along with the Taxonomy of Zero Trust Network Features. This review article provides useful insights into the Zero Trust paradigm, its approaches, problems, and future research objectives for scholars, practitioners, and policymakers. This survey contributes to the growth and implementation of secure network architectures in critical infrastructures by developing a deeper knowledge of Zero Trust.

3D printing technologies, also referred to as additive manufacturing or rapid prototyping have gained attention over the past few years for tissue engineering, the printing of artificial organs and the bioprinting of 3D hydrogels for wound dressings applications. 3D printing can transform the virtual 3D model created by computer-aided design into layer-by-layer physical 3D objects by using different 3D printing technologies. Wounds are a major health fear which affects the lives of people. So, delay in the treatment can lead to the development of chronic wounds which may even lead to mortality. Recently, 3D printing technology is an emerging platform in the development the smart wound dressings which can be loaded with a variety of materials (antibiotics, antibacterial drugs and nanoparticles) that can help accelerate the wound healing rate. Hydrogels have been widely used in wound healing, as they are biocompatible, non-toxic materials. This review mainly focuses on the hydrogel-based biomaterial used in 3D bioprinting and their potential use as a wound healing material. The materials for 3D printing of hydrogels, such as synthetic polymers and natural polymers used as wound dressings are mainly discussed. It covers various 3D bioprinting technologies which include laser printing, stereolithography, extrusion printing, fused disposition printing, and inkjet printing. It also provides a comprehensive overview of the physical, mechanical and biological properties of biomaterial, enabling them as an ideal biomaterial for 3D printing. An outlook on applications and future prospects of hydrogel-based 3D printing is presented. Graphical abstract

Environmental, social, and governance (ESG) reporting is a vital force behind the advancement of sustainable corporate practices and goes beyond simple compliance. In order to better understand the elements influencing this process, this study looks at the obstacles that prevent corporations from adopting ESG reporting. Using total interpretive structural modeling (TISM), an empirical model was created to show the hierarchical relationships between the main obstacles found by a literature research and expert survey. We identified barriers at the strategic level, such as resource shortages, unclear stakeholder demand, and structural limits; at the functional level, such as governance issues and cultural resistance; and at the efficiency level, which directly impacted adoption. Matrice d’Impacts Croisés Multiplication Appliquée à un Classement (MICMAC) analysis clarified the driving and dependence relationships among these barriers. The findings contribute to refining theoretical perspectives on ESG adoption and offer practical insights for corporate managers, policymakers, and organizations striving for effective sustainability practices. Recommendations aim to enhance sustainability policy formulation, operational practices, and governance frameworks, ultimately supporting organizations in their efforts to adopt ESG reporting sustainably and resiliently.

Cloud environment uses data center with a huge number of computational resources, and the probability of failing any of the resources increases with scale. Failures cause unavailability of services, which affects the reliability of the system. It is essential to consider the reliability issue for application deployment in the cloud, considering the failure of the resources. In this work, we address the reliability aware scheduling of tasks with hard deadlines in the cloud environment. We design, analyze and provide solutions for two special cases of the problem where (a) tasks have a common deadline on the machines with equal failure rate, and (b) tasks with equal execution time. For the general case of the problem, we propose two-phase heuristic approaches, one is the task ordering, and other is tasks mapping to machines. The performance of different task orderings and task mapping approaches is evaluated through simulation using synthetic and real traces. Based on the simulation result, the earliest due date ordering of tasks and mapping of the current task to the most reliable machine along with long task dropping performs better in general settings. We observe that task repetition and replication further improve the performance of the heuristics.

Rhizoctonia solani , the causal agent of banded leaf and sheath blight (BL&SB), poses a significant threat to maize and various crops globally. The increasing concerns surrounding the environmental and health impacts of chemical fungicides have encouraged intensified concern in the development of biological control agents (BCAs) as eco-friendly alternatives. In this study, we explored the potential of 22 rhizobacteria strains (AS1–AS22) isolates, recovered from the grasslands of the Pithoragarh region in the Central Himalayas, as effective BCAs against BL&SB disease. Among these strains, two Pseudomonas isolates, AS19 and AS21, exhibited pronounced inhibition of fungal mycelium growth in vitro, with respective inhibition rates of 57.04% and 54.15% in cell cultures and 66.56% and 65.60% in cell-free culture filtrates. Additionally, both strains demonstrated effective suppression of sclerotium growth. The strains AS19 and AS21 were identified as Pseudomonas sp. by 16S rDNA phylogeny and deposited under accession numbers NAIMCC-B-02303 and NAIMCC-B-02304, respectively. Further investigations revealed the mechanisms of action of AS19 and AS21, demonstrating their ability to induce systemic resistance (ISR) and exhibit broad-spectrum antifungal activity against Alternaria triticina , Bipolaris sorokiniana , Rhizoctonia maydis , and Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. lentis . Pot trials demonstrated significant reductions in BL&SB disease incidence (DI) following foliar applications of AS19 and AS21, with reductions ranging from 25 to 38.33% compared to control treatments. Scanning electron microscopy revealed substantial degradation of fungal mycelium by the strains, accompanied by the production of hydrolytic enzymes. These findings suggest the potential of Pseudomonas strains AS19 and AS21 as promising BCAs against BL&SB and other fungal pathogens. However, further field trials are warranted to validate their efficacy under natural conditions and elucidate the specific bacterial metabolites responsible for inducing systemic resistance. This study contributes to the advancement of sustainable disease management strategies and emphasizes the potential of Pseudomonas strains AS19 and AS21 in combating BL&SB and other fungal diseases affecting agricultural crops.

Following spinal cord injury, neurogenic detrusor overactivity elevates detrusor leak point pressure, endangering renal function. This research examined oxybutynin's effects on detrusor leak point pressure and urodynamic parameters in 30 individuals with spinal cord injury and neurogenic detrusor overactivity, emphasizing variations across subgroups. Patients were given 5 mg of oxybutynin each day for a week, with urodynamic assessments conducted pre- and post-treatment. Decreases in detrusor leak point pressure were noted, especially among those with detrusor hyperreflexia combined with detrusor sphincter dyssynergia, cervical-level injuries, and injuries exceeding six months. Improvements in bladder compliance and capacity occurred universally, yet detrusor leak point pressure reductions differed by subgroup. Oxybutynin proves useful in reducing detrusor leak point pressure in vulnerable spinal cord injury patients, promoting its application in customized neurogenic detrusor overactivity care.

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to investigate the potential determinants of FDI, in developed and developing countries. Design/methodology/approach This paper investigates FDI determinants based on panel data analysis using static and dynamic modeling for 20 countries (11 developed and 9 developing), over the period 2004-2013. For static model estimations, Hausman (1978) test indicates the applicability of fixed effect/random effect, while generalized moments of methods (GMM) (dynamic model) is used to capture endogeneity and unobserved heterogeneity. Findings The outcome across different countries depicts diverse results. In developed countries, FDI seeks policy-related determinants (GDP growth, trade openness, and freedom index), and in developing country FDI showed positive association for economic determinants (gross fixed capital formulation (GFCF), trade openness, and efficiency variables). Research limitations/implications The destination of FDI is limited to 20 countries in the present paper. The indicator of the institutional environment, namely economic freedom index, used in this paper has received some criticism in calculations. Practical implications The paper enlists recommendations for future FDI policies and may assist government in providing a tactical framework for skill development, thereby increasing manufacturing growth rate. The paper also throws light on vertical and horizontal capital inflows considering resource, strategy, and market-seeking FDI. Social implications FDI may bring significant benefits by creating high-quality jobs, introducing modern production and management practices. It highlights how multinational corporations and government contribute to better working conditions in host countries. Originality/value The paper uncovers important features like macroeconomic variables, especially country-wise efficiency scores, policy variables, GFCF, and freedom index, for determining FDI inflows in 20 countries using panel data methods and provides a roadmap for developed and developing countries. The study highlights endogeneity and unobserved heteroscedasticity by applying GMM one- and two-step procedure.

Geopolymer materials, alternatives to cement that are synthesized using industrial byproducts, have emerged as some of the leading champion materials due to their environmentally friendly attributes. They can significantly reduce pollution by utilizing a plethora of waste products and conserving natural resources that would otherwise be used in the production of conventional cement. Much work is being carried out to study geopolymers’ characteristics under different conditions. Here, a geopolymer derived from fly ash (FA) was synthesized using a combination of sodium silicate and potassium hydroxide (KOH) (2.5:1 ratio) as an alkali activator (AA) liquid. The FA/AA ratios were optimized, resulting in distinct geopolymer samples with ratios of 1.00, 1.25, 1.50, and 1.75. By adjusting the contribution of alkaline liquid, we investigated the impacts of subtle changes in the FA/AA ratio on the morphology and microstructure using X-ray diffraction (XRD) and field emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM) techniques. The FESEM analysis illustrated a mixed matrix and morphology, with the sample with a ratio of 1.00 displaying consistently fused and homogenous morphology. The XRD results revealed the prevalent amorphous nature of geopolymer with a few crystalline phases of quartz, sodalite, hematite, and mullite. An electrical study confirmed the insulating nature of the geopolymer samples. Insulating geopolymers can provide energy-efficient buildings and resistance to fire, hurricanes, and tornadoes. Additionally, using KOH as a part of the alkali activator introduced a less-explored aspect compared to conventional sodium hydroxide-based activators, highlighting the novelty in the synthesis process.

The field of nutrigenomics has produced numerous studies indicating the impact of vitamin D on various disease conditions. Trace elements of this vitamin in the body play a significant role in the regulation of body metabolism. This immunomodulatory vitamin plays a role in management of both communicable (viz. respiratory illness like COVID-19 and Respiratory tract infections) and non-communicable diseases e.g., cancer, osteomalacia, diabetes, and cardiovascular diseases. Deficient levels, i.e., vitamin D deficiency in body can lead to the onset of chronic non-communicable illnesses. Vitamin D plays a direct and sometimes indirect role in the progression (when deficient) and prevention (when sufficient) of non-communicable diseases. This essential nutrient may be obtained through dietary intake or supplements. However, the absorption of it relies on various factors, including the presence of complementary nutrients, chemical forms, and external stimuli such as UV-B and a healthy gastrointestinal tract. This review discusses vitamin D absorption and its role in non-communicable diseases with updates on methods for evaluating and fortifying this vitamin in varied diets. We also briefly highlight recommended dietary allowances by age group, absorption difficulties, and its significance in non-communicable disorders.

Targeting drug delivery in the intestine is still one of the biggest hurdles in pharmaceutical research because of reasons like low bioavailability, enzymatic degradation, rapid transit time, and absorption plight of conventional oral drugs. Intestinal scaffolds are now a new promising platform for localized, controlled, and sustained drug delivery. Scaffolds mimic the physiological environment of the intestine and are made from biodegradable polymers, hydrogel, and any nanomaterial-based composites. They allow very precise spatial and time-controlled drug release while improving mucosal adhesion and interaction with the epithelium. Current advances include bioengineered scaffolds, microfabrication, and smart responsive systems to increase and expand current use in gastrointestinal diseases such as inflammatory bowel disease, colorectal cancer, and malabsorption disorders. Functional modification has produced scaffolds that are pH-sensitive, enzyme-responsive, and microbiota-targeted scaffolds, which can enable personalized, disease-specific therapeutics. Further enhancement of scaffold stability, drug-loading capacity, and site-specific release mechanisms is achieved by adding nanoparticles, bioadhesive polymers, and bioactive molecules. We have carried out this review from an overview perspective on the latest developments in material design, fabrication techniques, or drug release strategies for the next-generation intestinal scaffolds. The focus now has shifted to comparing the advantages of these innovations over conventional oral drug delivery systems and discussing the accompanying risks of biocompatibility, scalability, regulatory approval, and clinical translation, future research directions to ultimately optimize scaffold-based drug delivery. Thus, from precision medicine and regenerative approaches, intestinal scaffolding may change oral drug administration, improving therapeutic outcomes in patients with gastrointestinal disorders while minimizing systemic side effects.