In recent years, passive motion paradigms (PMPs), derived from the equilibrium point hypothesis and impedance control, have been utilised as manipulation methods for humanoid robots and robotic manipulators. These paradigms are typically achieved by creating a kinematic chain that enables the manipulator to perform goal-directed actions without explicitly solving the inverse kinematics. This approach leverages a kinematic model constructed through the training of artificial neural networks, aligning well with principles of cybernetics and cognitive computation by enabling adaptive and flexible control. Specifically, these networks model the relationship between joint angles and end-effector positions, facilitating the computation of the Jacobian matrix. Although this method does not require an accurate robot model, traditional neural networks often suffer from drawbacks such as overfitting and inefficient training, which can compromise the accuracy of the final PMP model. In this paper, we implement the method using a deep neural network and investigate the impact of activation functions and network depth on the performance of the kinematic model. Additionally, we propose a transfer learning approach to fine-tune the pre-trained model, enabling it to be transferred to other manipulator arms with different kinematic properties. Finally, we implement and evaluate the deep neural network-based PMP on the Universal Robots, comparing it with traditional kinematic controllers and assessing its physical interaction capabilities and accuracy.

Objectives/Goals: Monensin is FDA approved for use in veterinary medicine. Recent studies pointed to its potent anticancer activity. Since de novo drug discovery process typically takes 10 to 15 years and requires an investment of approximately $1.3 to $3 billion, drug repositioning can bypass several steps in this process and increase the potential for success. Methods/Study Population: Cell viability assays were conducted on human MDA-MB-231, MDA-MB-468, and MCF10A breast cancer cell lines and mouse EO771 and 4T1 breast cancer cell lines. MDA-MB-231 cell line was used in all the studies unless specified otherwise. Time course levels of Bcl-2, Bak, p62, and LC3II were assessed via Western blotting with GAPDH as a loading control. Proteomics analysis was conducted by the IDEA National Resource for Quantitative Proteomics. Time course levels of major histocompatibility complex (MHC) I and II and calreticulin were evaluated using flow cytometry. At least three biological replicates have been conducted for each experiment. Results/Anticipated Results: Monensin and several of its novel analogs were potent toward human and mouse breast cancer cell lines. Furthermore, they induced apoptotic cell death as evidenced by Annexin V/PI assay, downregulation of Bcl-2, and upregulation of Bak in MDA-MB-231 cells. Proteomics analysis revealed that several molecular pathways related to MHC class I and II antigen presentation were significantly altered following treatment with these compounds. Additionally, monensin and its analogs significantly increased the expression of MHC class I and II. Our studies also showed that monensin and its analogs increase the surface calreticulin levels. Treatment of MDA-MB-231 cells with these compounds also resulted in an increase in p62 and LC3II expression, suggesting a disruption of the autophagic process. Discussion/Significance of Impact: These results suggest that monensin and its analogs not only exhibit anti-breast cancer cell activity but also modulate immune-related pathways. By disrupting autophagy and enhancing calreticulin levels, these compounds may potentiate antitumor immune responses, providing a promising avenue for drug repositioning in cancer therapy.

This work presents the design of a wide-band frequency-selective surface (FSS) with its analysis for the performance enhancement of a microstrip antenna. To demonstrate the concept, a dual-band microstrip antenna is also designed and combined with the proposed FSS to investigate its advantages and performance enhancement capabilities. The proposed FSS is designed for a frequency range of 3.5–6.5 GHz, whereas the designed antenna operates in dual frequency bands of 3.5 and 5 GHz. The combined effect of the antenna and FSS is investigated at 5 GHz for improving the gain of the antenna from 2.8 to 3.2 dBi. The outcome of the measured performance validates that the proposed surface has potential capability for enhancing the gain of an antenna for 5G, WLAN, and Wi-Fi communication.

The EU's non-financial reporting (NFR) regulations have significant impacts on Global South stakeholders, firms that must report, actors lower in the value chain, and organisations seeking investment from NFR-compliant firms or institutions. This paper sets forth six proposals to improve the global equity and sustainability implications of the EU's NFR from a Global South perspective. The proposals involve (1) developing regulation cooperatively with the Global South; (2) streamlining reporting to enable the regulations to have real effects and limit incorrect accounting; (3) digitalising reporting through accessible technologies for greater accountability and lower administrative burdens; (4) mandating scope 3 emissions accounting and incentivising related investment; (5) anchoring financial institutions' role in ethical investment and bridging Northern and Southern actors; and (6) strengthening citizen data and sustainability literacy to close the circle of incentives, implementation, and impact.

The relevance of education and outreach (E&O) activities about the Antarctic Treaty has been recognized at the Antarctic Treaty Consultative Meetings (ATCM) and at the Committee for Environmental Protection (CEP). This study examines the key topics and the target audiences detailed in papers submitted to the ATCM on E&O. Since the Antarctic Treaty entered into force in 1961, a total of 216 ATCM papers on E&O have been produced. The number of papers has increased substantially since the mid-1990s. ‘Science’ (76.9%) and ‘Wildlife/Biodiversity/Environment’ (75.5%) were the most addressed topics in these papers, while the ‘Public’ (81.0%) and those attending ‘Schools’ (69.0%) are the main target audiences. ‘Science’ in ATCM papers increased ~120-fold from 1961–1997 to 2015–2023, while ATCM papers discussing engagement with the ‘Public’ increased ~40-fold during the same period. ‘Climate change’ was first mentioned in 2006, and the number of papers per year increased fourfold by 2015–2023. This study shows the increasing interest in E&O through time, addressing key topics to relevant audiences related to the Antarctic region. From an educational perspective, attention should be paid to emerging topics (e.g. equity, diversity and inclusion), and the engagement of early-career professionals and educators should be made a priority.

Leishmaniasis, caused by obligate intracellular Leishmania parasites, poses a significant global health burden. The control of Leishmania infection relies on an effective T cell-dependent immune response; however, various factors impede the host’s ability to mount a successful defence. Alterations in the chemokine profile, responsible for cell trafficking to the infection site, can disrupt optimal immune responses and influence the outcome of pathogenesis by facilitating parasite persistence. This review aims to emphasize the significance of the chemokine system in T cell responses and to summarize the current knowledge on the dysregulation of chemokines and their receptors associated with different subsets of T lymphocytes during Leishmaniasis. A comprehensive understanding of the dynamic nature of the chemokine system during Leishmaniasis is crucial for the development of successful immunotherapeutic approaches.

The radio interferometric closure phases can be a valuable tool for studying cosmological HI from the early Universe. Closure phases have the advantage of being immune to element-based gains and associated calibration errors. Thus, calibration and errors therein, which are often sources of systematics limiting standard visibility-based approaches, can be avoided altogether in closure phase analysis. In this work, we present the first results of the closure phase power spectrum of HI 21-cm fluctuations using the Murchison Widefield Array (MWA), with $\sim12$ h of MWA phase II observations centred around redshift, $z\approx 6.79$, during the Epoch of Reionisation. On analysing three redundant classes of baselines – 14, 24, and 28 m equilateral triads, our estimates of the $2\sigma$ (95% confidence interval) 21-cm power spectra are $\lesssim(184)^2 pseudo\,\mathrm{mK}^2$ at ${k}_{||} = 0.36 pseudo\ h \mathrm{Mpc}^{-1}$ in the EoR1 field for the 14 m baseline triads, and $\lesssim(188)^2 pseudo\,\mathrm{mK}^2$ at $k_{||} = 0.18 \,pseudo\ h \mathrm{Mpc}^{-1}$ in the EoR0 field for the 24 m baseline triads. The ‘pseudo’ units denote that the length scale and brightness temperature should be interpreted as close approximations. Our best estimates are still 3-4 orders high compared to the fiducial 21-cm power spectrum; however, our approach provides promising estimates of the power spectra even with a small amount of data. These data-limited estimates can be further improved if more datasets are included into the analysis. The evidence for excess noise has a possible origin in baseline-dependent systematics in the MWA data that will require careful baseline-based strategies to mitigate, even in standard visibility-based approaches.

Background: Neonatal intensive care units (NICU) outbreaks caused by methicillin-susceptible Staphylococcus aureus (MSSA) are less commonly reported than outbreaks caused by methicillin-resistant S. aureus. We report an unusual outbreak of MSSA skin and soft tissue infections (SSTIs) in a level IV NICU investigated by whole genome sequencing (WGS) and molecular typing. Methods: An investigation was initiated in a 56-single-bed NICU after four patients developed MSSA SSTIs in Week 1. Case-patients had positive MSSA cultures identified by clinical cultures or surveillance sampling (bilateral nares, axillae, umbilicus, and groin), and antibiotic susceptibility testing was performed. WGS and assessment of isolate relatedness through mutation event analysis and multi-locus sequence typing (MLST) was performed by the NYS DOH. Demographic and isolate characteristics were compared using Wilcoxon rank sum test, Fisher’s exact test and Pearson’s Chi-squared test, as appropriate. Results: From Week 2 to Week 32, 9 rounds of surveillance for MSSA colonization were conducted. In all, 30 case-patients had MSSA colonization and 16 infants developed infections including impetigo (n=7), pustules (n=5), staphylococcal scalded skin syndrome (SSSS, n=2), abscess (n=1), and bacteremia (n=1). All SSTI cases presented on infants’ faces, all of whom were on non-invasive respiratory support. MLST identified 4 distinct types including MLST 121 (n=12), MLST 398 (n=10), MLST 30 (n=6), and MLST 15 (n=6). Eight isolates were unrelated to other isolates. MLST 398 and MLST 30 included isolates not closely related (>9 mutation events). The 12 MLST 121 isolates were closely related (≤9 mutational events between all isolates), harbored the mupA gene, and were mupirocin-resistant (MIC>1024 ug/ml). Clinical infection and mupirocin resistance were associated with MLST 121 (Table 1). Multiple infection control measures were implemented, including increased availability of alcohol-based hand sanitizers, introducing bare-below-the-elbows practice for staff, contact precautions for case-patients, decolonization with mupirocin and chlorhexidine baths, environmental cleaning/disinfection, and removing excess equipment and supplies. No new cases of mupirocin-resistant or MLST 121 SSTIs occurred after Week 25. Conclusion: We report a MSSA outbreak associated with multiple MLST types and a predominant mupirocin-resistant strain. This report highlights the ability of molecular typing to characterize strains causing infections versus colonization and the potential loss of mupirocin as a control measure when outbreaks are caused by mupirocin-resistant strains. WGS analysis allows for increased discrimination of mutation events allowing for improved resolution of case relatedness compared to other typing methods. Successful control of this outbreak was achieved with a multitude of infection prevention and control.

We aimed to determine the efficacy of different post-milking teat dips in the prevention of intramammary infection and teat condition scores in common crossbred cows (Holstein Frisian × Tharparkar) found in Indian sub-tropical conditions. Eighty healthy crossbred cows were selected and randomly divided into four groups: untreated control, 1% w/v iodine, 5% v/v lactic acid and finally essential oil mix (eucalyptus, lavender, peppermint, and tea tree oils). Samples were collected quarter-wise (n = 308). Sampling as well as teat scoring was done simultaneously. 1st sample was collected before starting teat dipping, followed by 15th day in milk (DIM), 45th DIM and 90th DIM, respectively. The study found that post-milking teat dipping significantly reduced the mean California mastitis test score, somatic cell count and electrical conductivity of the milk in the treatment groups compared to the control group, and also improved milk yield in the treatment groups. There were no differences between the individual treatments. The study also found a significant reduction in teat end condition and teat skin condition after 90 d of post-milking teat dipping.

Twelve lacustrine sediment samples from a relict lake in the Kalla Glacier valley were co-dated using AMS radiocarbon (14C) and infrared stimulated luminescence (IRSL) dating methods. In general, the radiocarbon ages of bulk organic matter were older by a minimum of 1500 years compared to (age depth) modeled luminescence ages after fading corrections. This is observed for the first time in the lake sediments of High Himalayan Crystalline zone. A combination of lipid n-alkane data, Raman spectra and geochemical proxies suggested that this was due to ancient organic carbon (OCancient) that is a mixture of pre-aged (OCpre-aged) and petrogenic (OCpetro) organic carbon within older glacial moraine debris that served as sediment source to the lake. Raman spectra suggest the presence of moderate to highly graphitized OCpetro in all the profile samples. The OCpetro contributed 0.064 ± 0.032% to the sediment and the lake stored 2.5 ± 0.7 Gg OCpetro at variable rates during the last 16 kyr, with the mean burial flux 160 kg OCpetro yr−1. This study implies (1) employing another independent dating method in addition to radiocarbon method using bulk sediment organic matter, if the carbon content is low, to observe any discrepancy, and (2) a need to investigate on the fate of OCpetro as many such small lakes become relict in this region.

X-ray diffraction (XRD) characterization of Si powder was carried out using synchrotron and laboratory sources. Microstructural (size-strain) analyses of XRD patterns were carried out using the Rietveld refinement method. Experimentally observed super-Lorentzian shapes of the XRD peaks of Si powder were examined using multimodal profile fitting and bimodal model was found to be adequate. The two components obtained using a bimodal approach are referred as narrow and broad profiles based on their estimated relative peak widths. Peak shapes of crystallite size-dependent parts of narrow and broad profiles were found to be almost Gaussian and Lorentzian in nature, respectively. The simultaneous presence of such peak shapes corresponding to a bimodal microstructure is uncommon in literature. Therefore, in order to explore the role of different natures of XRD peak shapes (size dependent) of the bimodal profiles of Si, detailed microstructural analysis was carried out using the complementary method of whole powder pattern modeling (WPPM) and found to be related to the variance of crystallites' size distribution. Additionally, the effect of instrument resolution (laboratory and synchrotron sources) on the microstructural parameters was also studied. Scanning and transmission electron microscopy were used to characterize the morphology of Si powder and correlate with the microstructural findings of XRD methods.

The true characterization of elite germplasm is of utmost importance for accelerating the crop breeding programme. The Indian dolichos bean [Lablab purpureus (L.) var. typicus Prain] has the potential to improve nutritional and food security. In the present investigation, a total of 21 genotypes of dolichos bean, comprising local collections mainly, along with one standard check (Kashi Sheetal) were evaluated in a complete randomized block design with three replications for two consecutive years, 2021–22 to 2022–23 for the perusal of the genetic variability. Analysis of variance revealed significant differences among all the genotypes for all the characters. PCV and GCV estimates revealed very little influence of environment on the expression of traits under study. High heritability (>90%) estimates coupled with high genetic advance as a percent of the mean were observed for flower attributes, pod length, average weight of 10 pods, pod yield and protein content. The principal component analysis revealed that the first two components cumulatively accounted for more than 50% of total variability. The present investigation revealed that the genotypes, RLBDL-S-8, RLBDL-S-14 and RLBDL-S-4-5 were stable across the years and genotype RLBDL-S-8 exhibited the highest yield potential, which can be used effectively in the development of high yielding varieties of dolichos bean in the Bundelkhand region. The study also revealed the presence of wide genetic variability in the studied local accessions which is a prerequisite for the genetic improvement of crop plants. High heritability and genetic advancement indicated the scope of selection in the crop improvement.

Study of the behavior of landfill lining materials (clays) in organic solvents is important because, in waste management, lining prevents groundwater contamination by the adsorption of various pollutants such as chemicals and organic solvents. Although scaling behavior and the self-association property of clays in water-alcohol binary solvents have been studied by many researchers, the anomalous behavior of Laponite XLG in binary solvents requires investigation as suggested by previous studies. In the present study, Laponite® RD, which is structurally similar to Laponite XLG, was used to gain further insight into the reasons for the anomalous viscosity, aggregation, and non-ergodic behavior of clay in a water–methanol binary solvent. Dynamic light scattering (DLS) revealed the emergence of the non-ergodic phase of 3% w/v Laponite® RD in the water–methanol binary solvent, which increased in the presence of a large methanol content as well as with aging time in the binary solvent. Viscosity measurements further indicated that aggregation was responsible for the non-ergodic behavior, and small-angle X-ray scattering (SAXS) revealed that a large methanol content enhanced the aggregation. Moreover, SAXS data also revealed that the surface charge was responsible for anomalous viscosity fluctuations in the binary solvent due to interparticle repulsion within aggregates. Rheological studies showed that the large methanol content in the binary solvent led to frequency-independent behavior of the storage modulus of Laponite® RD.