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Advancements in optical steganography for secure medical data transmission in telehealth systems
Secure medical data transfer technologies have advanced as a result of the brisk growth of telehealth services. This study provides a thorough review of the most up-to-date research on using optical steganography to conceal medical records from prying eyes. Data concealing capacity has been increased without sacrificing picture quality using new techniques that make it difficult for unauthorised parties to access hidden information. Using adaptive steganography methods, medical data may be encoded in images in a way that makes it impossible to detect or extract by prying eyes. By concealing information over many picture layers, multi-layer steganography adds an extra degree of protection from prying eyes. The development of steganographic techniques has been spurred on by the use of machine learning and artificial intelligence to enhance steganalysis and the use of quantum characteristics to offer an extra layer of security in quantum steganography. Combining this with cryptographic safeguards like encryption provides an additional layer of security. In order to successfully safeguard sensitive medical data during transmission, standardisation and compliance in optical steganography are becoming more important as telehealth systems become more widespread. 2023, The Author(s), under exclusive licence to Springer Science+Business Media, LLC, part of Springer Nature. -
Impact of Leverage on Valuation of Non-Financial Firms in India under Profitabilitys Moderating Effect: Evidence in Scenarios Applying Quantile Regression
The firms valuation (FV) is the key element for all stakeholders, particularly the investors, for their investment decisions. The main impetus of this research is to estimate the effects of the debt ratio (DR, i.e., leverage) on the FV (i.e., assets and market capitalisation) of the non-financial firms listed in India. The quantile panel data regression (QPDR) on the secondary data of 76 non-financial BSE-100 listed firms in India is employed. This study also checks the effect of the net profit margin (NPM) as profitability on the association between DR and FV. The QPDR estimates result in multiple quantiles and provide evidence in scenarios. The findings reveal a positive relationship of DR to assets only in higher quantiles, i.e., 90%ile), and a negative association of DR is found with a market capitalisation in all quantiles. Under the interaction effect, profitability (NPM) does not affect the association of DR with assets but negatively affects the association of debt ratio with market capitalisation in the middle (50%) quantile. The findings indicate that leverage (DR) affects a firms value. The studys outcomes are helpful to all stakeholders, particularly investors, to realise the leverage (DR) as a critical indicator of FV before making any investment decisions. Managers should also consider lower debt ratios for better firm value. The present analysis is original and holds novelty in the form of the moderating role of the net profit margin, i.e., the profitability of the firm between DR and FV in the non-financial firm in India. To the best of our knowledge, no such studies have been performed to look for the association of the debt ratio with a firms value under the effect of profitability in different quantiles using quantile regression. 2023 by the authors. -
An efficient load balancing in cloud computing using hybrid Harris hawks optimization and cuckoo search algorithm
Cloud computing has rapidly emerged as a burgeoning research field in recent times. However, despite this growth, a comprehensive examination of this domain reveals persistent issues in the application of cloud-based systems concerning workload distribution. The abundance of resources and virtual machines (VMs) within cloud computing underscores the importance of efficient task allocation as a critical process. Within the infrastructure as a service (IaaS) architecture, load balancing (LB) remains a pivotal but challenging task. The occurrence of overloaded or underloaded hosts/servers during cloud access is undesirable, as it leads to operational delays and system performance degradation. To address LB issues effectively, it is imperative to deploy a proficient access scheduling algorithm capable of distributing tasks across the available resources. A novel approach was introduced by combining the Harris hawks optimization and cuckoo search algorithm (HHO-CSA), with a specific focus on critical service level agreement (SLA) parameters, particularly deadlines, to uphold LB in a cloud environment. The primary objective of the hybrid HHO-CSA methodology is to provide task attributes, resource allocation, VMs prioritization, and quality of service (QoS) to clients within cloud computing applications. The outcome analysis reveals that the proposed hybrid HHO-CSA algorithm results in a resource utilization reduction of 52%, with an execution time of 529.84 ms and a makespan of 638.88 ms. These values outperform those of existing SLA-based LB algorithms. Effective task scheduling plays a pivotal role in ensuring the seamless execution of tasks within a cloud system, while LB significantly aligns with the SLAs available to users. Drawing insights from the existing literature, the suggested hybrid HHO-CSA method addresses the research gap by effectively mitigating the challenges. 2023, Accent Social and Welfare Society. All rights reserved. -
Prospective memory in early and established psychosis: An Indian perspective
Individuals affected by psychosis often have deficits in several neurocognitive functions. Prospective memory (PM), the ability to remember to do things, is crucial for activities of daily living, social and occupational functioning, but very few studies have attempted to examine this domain of functioning in people with psychosis, particularly in India. A total of 71 patients with psychosis, (both early and established psychosis), and 140 age, gender and education-matched healthy controls were assessed using the Positive and Negative Symptom Scale, Hospital Anxiety and Depression scale, and Addenbrooke's Cognitive Examination. PM was assessed using the Cambridge Prospective Memory Test and the Prospective and Retrospective Memory Questionnaire (PRMQ). Group differences were evaluated using MannWhitney U-tests. Significantly greater cognitive deficits, higher anxiety and depression were evident in the psychosis group compared with controls. The psychosis group performed significantly poorer on both time- and event-based tests in CAMPROMPT than controls. These differences remained when controlling for age, education, general cognitive functioning and mood. The subjective measure of PM (PRMQ) did not differentiate the two groups. The PM performance of early and established psychosis patients was similar. Comparisons with cross-cultural data (PRMQ UK norms and CAMPROMPT and PRMQ Chinese data) revealed important differences in PM performance. Individuals with psychosis have significant deficits in both time- and event-based PM. CAMPROMPT emerged as a more sensitive PM measure compared with PRMQ. Results from cross-cultural comparisons underscore the need for cultural contextualization of assessments. 2023 The British Psychological Society. -
Wound healing efficacy of curcumin-loaded sandalwood bark-derived carbon nanosphere/PVA nanofiber matrix
The present investigation deals with the evaluation of the wound healing efficacy of sandalwood bark-derived carbon nanospheres loaded with curcumin-embedded polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) nanofiber membranes (NF). Carbon nanospheres (CNS) were prepared by pyrolyzing sandal wood bark powder at 750 C. The morphology was confirmed by field emission scanning electron micrographs and a rich amount of carbon was confirmed by the energy dispersive X-ray technique. Curcumin, an active wound healing drug was loaded onto synthesized CNS and confirmed by ATR-IR studies. Drug-loaded CNS were anchored in a PVA matrix via electrospun nanofiber fabrication. The fabricated nanofiber membranes were characterized and evaluated for wound healing efficiency. The cytotoxicity assay proved the non-toxic nature of the prepared PVA/CNS-curcumin-loaded NF. Membranes with active CNS/drug showed better antimicrobial activity against S. aureus and E. coli, which was estimated using the zone of inhibition (ZOI) test. The in vitro scratch wound healing assay of prepared PVA/CNS-curcumin nanofibers was efficient enough and showed 92 to 98% wound closure, which was greater than the control (without drug) nanofiber membranes. The PVA nanofiber matrix with interconnected structure and carbon nanostructures together enhanced the wound healing efficacy of the considered wound healing membrane, which is a promising novel approach for future wound healing patches. 2023 The Royal Society of Chemistry. -
Study of multilayer flow of two immiscible nanofluids in a duct with viscous dissipation
Numerical simulations for the mixed convective multilayer flow of two different immiscible nanofluids in a duct with viscous heating effects were performed in this study. The left and right faces of the duct are maintained to be isothermal, while other side faces are insulated. The mathematical governing system for each layer consists of an incompressibility condition equation, the Navier-Stokes momentum equation, and the conservation of energy equation. At the interface of the immiscible layer, the continuity of velocity, shear stress, temperature, and heat flux are considered. The dimensionless equations governing each layer were numerically integrated using the finite difference method and the Southwell-over-relaxation method. A mesh independence test is conducted. Furthermore, a parametric study is performed to analyze how the different nanoparticle volume fractions and viscous heating affect the transport characteristics of engine oil-copper and mineral oil-silver nanofluids. The study also examined the effects of various types of nanoparticles and base fluids. The results demonstrated that heat transport could be efficiently controlled by considering the viscous heating aspect. Moreover, the effects of different nanoparticles on heat transport were found to be more significant than those of base fluids. Finally, a point-wise comparison of our numerical results demonstrates a good agreement with existing studies in the literature. 2023 Author(s). -
Laser Scribing Turns Plastic Waste into a Biosensor via the Restructuration of Nanocarbon Composites for Noninvasive Dopamine Detection
The development of affordable and compact noninvasive point-of-care (POC) dopamine biosensors for the next generation is currently a major and challenging problem. In this context, a highly sensitive, selective, and low-cost sensing probe is developed by a simple one-step laser-scribing process of plastic waste. A flexible POC device is developed as a prototype and shows a highly specific response to dopamine in the real sample (urine) as low as 100 pmol/L in a broad linear range of 10?1010?4 mol/L. The 3D topological feature, carrier kinetics, and surface chemistry are found to improve with the formation of high-density metal-embedded graphene-foam composite driven by laser irradiation on the plastic-waste surface. The development of various kinds of flexible and tunable biosensors by plastic waste is now possible thanks to the success of this simple, but effective, laser-scribing technique, which is capable of modifying the matrixs electronic and chemical composition. 2023 by the authors. -
Exploring the Potential of Bacillus velezensis, an Endophytic Bacteria Isolated from Alternanthera philoxeroides for Plant Growth Promotion and Bioremediation Properties
The current work was done to analyse the bioremediation and plant growth promotion (PGP) traits of endophytic bacteria isolated from Alternanthera philoxeroides from Bellandur Lake, Bangalore, India. Twenty-nine endophytic bacteria were isolated and tested for their PGP traits like indole acetic acid (IAA), ammonia, nitrogen fixation, 1-aminocyclopropane-1- carboxylate (ACC) deaminase production, phosphate solubilization etc. Endophytic bacterium, BEBAphL1 obtained from leaves of A. philoxeroides exhibited significant plant growth promotion properties and the isolate was identified as Bacillus velezensis OQ874364 using 16S rRNA sequencing. The bacterium showed potential IAA, ammonia production, nitrogen fixation, phosphate solubilization, and ACC deaminase production. The results indicate that this endophyte is promising as a growth-promoting inoculant, reducing the reliance on chemical inputs in conventional agricultural practices while enhancing nutrient uptake and stress resilience in plants. B. velezensis exhibited tolerance to high levels of chromium (500 mg/L) and NaCl (15%) and was also able to decolourize Congo red by 70% at 0.005% concentration of dye. Characterization of dye samples pre- and post-bacterial treatment was done using Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) and Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry (GC-MS) analysis. The findings of the study indicate that B. velezensis shows promise as a plant growth stimulator capable of withstanding heavy metal exposure and breaking down dyes. The Author(s) 2023. -
Carbon Disclosure and Organization Performance: A Literature Review
As a response to the threat of climate change, a growing number of businesses are voluntarily reporting carbon statistics. This article provides a comprehensive understanding of carbon disclosure, organization performance (OP), and cost of capital. This study aims to map the landscape of existing carbon disclosure and firm performance research completed over the past 10 years (2013-2022) utilizing bibliometric analysis. Sparked by the growing political, social, academic, and practical significance of controlling and reporting on climate-related concerns worldwide, this study analyzes the production and acquisition of information about significant regions and territories, institutions, publications, and channels for carbon disclosure and firm performance research using data from 878 publications retrieved from the Scopus database. To identify themes and subthemes in the research on carbon disclosure and firm performance, network analysis was utilized to reveal connections between the topics represented by keywords. Further, critical gaps have been highlighted in the literature, such as: the lack of carbon disclosure research across cross-sector settings, the lack of sectorial comparisons on the carbon disclosure practices, and the dearth of analyses of both pre-carbon disclosure and after-carbon disclosure practices and their impact on various financial and nonfinancial issues (for example, cost of capital and firm performance, sustainability, and climate change). Finally, this study makes specific recommendations for future carbon disclosure and firm performance research. 2023 Mary Ann Liebert, Inc., publishers. -
Design and Implementation of Smart Manufacturing Systems Through AR for Data-Driven Digital Twin System
Modification of size, residual stress, and surface roughness have an enormous impact on a complex mechanical products final machining quality. Machine quality can be ensured using Digital Twin (DT) technology by checking the real-time machining process. The virtualreal separation display method is the most modern DT System (DTS). It results in the ineffective transmission of the necessary restricting the use of the DTS by processing data on-site technicians to support field processing. Augmented Reality (AR) monitoring the manufacturing process approach to solve this problem is proposed based on the DT. First, the dynamic multi-view for AR is built using data from multiple sources. Second, real-time monitoring of complex products intermediate processes incorporates AR to encourage communication between the users of the DT machining system. The outcome of the system can prevent errors that cannot be fixed. An application case for observing will be used to confirm the viability and the efficacy of the proposed method. 2023, The Author(s), under exclusive licence to Springer Nature Singapore Pte Ltd. -
One-Pot Synthesis of Silver Nanoparticles from Garcinia gummi-gutta: Characterisation, Antimicrobial, Antioxidant, Anti-Cancerous and Photocatalytic Applications
Background: Methods like the bio-synthesis of silver nanoparticles (Ag NPs) using plant extracts have become promising due to their eco-friendly approach. The study aimed to examine the utilization of Garcinia gummi-gutta fruit phytochemicals as agents in the biosynthesis of Ag NPs, evaluation of the antimicrobial, antioxidant, and anti-cancerous properties, as well as the photocatalytic ability of bio-synthesized Ag NPs against Crystal Violet (CV), a triphenylmethane dye. Methods: The characterization of the physical properties of the Ag NPs synthesized via the green route was done using UVVis spectrophotometry (UVVis), X-ray Diffraction (XRD), Fourier Transform Infrared Spectrophotometry (FTIR), Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM), Zeta potential analysis, and Transmission Electron Microscopy (TEM). The dye degradation efficiency of CV was determined using synthesized Ag NPs under UV light by analyzing the absorption maximum at 579 nm. The antimicrobial efficacy of Ag NPs against E. coli, S. aureus, Candida tropicalis, and Candida albicans was examined using the broth dilution method. The antioxidant and anti-cancer properties of the synthesized Ag NPs were assessed using the DPPH and MTT assays. Results: The UV analysis revealed that the peak of synthesized Ag NPs was 442 nm. Data from FTIR, XRD, Zeta potential, SEM, and TEM analysis confirmed the formation of nanoparticles. The SEM and TEM analysis identified the presence of spherical nanoparticles with an average size of 29.12 nm and 24.18 nm, respectively. Maximum dye degradation efficiency of CV was observed at 90.08% after 320 min without any silver leaching, confirming the photocatalytic activity of Ag NPs. The bio-efficiency of the treatment was assessed using the Allium cepa root growth inhibition test, toxicity analysis on Vigna radiata, and Brine shrimp lethality assay. Conclusions: The findings revealed the environmentally friendly nature of green Ag NPs over physical/chemically synthesized Ag NPs. The synthesized Ag NPs can effectively be used in biomedical and photocatalytic applications. Copyright: 2023 The Author(s). -
A chaos control strategy for the fractional 3D LotkaVolterra like attractor
In this paper, we have considered a three-dimensional LotkaVolterra attractor in the frame of the Caputo fractional derivative to examine its dynamics. The theoretical concepts like existence and uniqueness and boundedness of the solution are analyzed. To regulate the chaos in this fractional-order system, we have developed a sliding mode controller and conditions for global stability of the controlled system with and without uncertainties and outside disruptions are derived. The ability of the designed controller is examined in terms of both commensurate and non-commensurate fractional order derivatives for all the aspects. The Lyapunov exponent is the novelty of this paper which is used to illustrate the behavior of the chaos and demonstrate the dissipativeness of the considered chaotic system. We have examined the effect of fractional order derivatives in this system. With the help of numerical simulations, the theoretical claims regarding the impact of the controller on the system are established. 2023 International Association for Mathematics and Computers in Simulation (IMACS) -
Parental Psychological Distress of Missed Diagnosis of Down Syndrome at Antenatal Screening: A Rare, but Still Real Occurrence-A Case Report and Review of Literature
Introduction: Prenatal screening programs are important components for pregnant women care and are often linked with grief and shock based on gestational age or the diagnosis. Lower/no sensitivity is also associated with these screening programs leading to providing false-negative outputs. Case Presentation: Present work shows a case of missed antenatal diagnosis of Down syndrome and its persistant medical and psychological impact on the family members. We have also discussed the relevant economic and medical-legal issues related to the context and aimed to maintain an adequate awareness among healthcare to discuss properly these investigations (difference between screening and diagnostic testing), their possible outcome (chances of false results) and enabled the pregnant women/couple to take informed decision on early pregnancy. Conclusion: These programs are considered as routine clinical practice in many countries from last few years and are necessary to assess the pros and cons of these programs. One of the prime cons involves the likeliness of obtaining a false-negative result due to lack of 100% sensitivity and specificity. 2023 S. Karger AG, Basel. -
Synthesis and characterization of chitosan nanofibers for wound healing and drug delivery application
Chitosan has emerged as a biodegradable, absorbable, non-toxic, biocompatible biopolymer for wound healing and drug delivery applications. Chitosan can be converted to nanofibers which have higher potential for wound healing and drug delivery applications as compared to chitosan nanoparticles and nanocomposites. Due to these properties chitosan nanofiber has emerged as a promising candidate for biomedical research. In the recent decades it has been observed that several studies reported about the production and medical applications of chitosan nanofibers. Although, preparation and application of chitosan nanofibers is easy. But there are several challenges and bottlenecks associated with its practical application and large-scale production. The presented review is a comprehensive discussion on the major challenges and bottlenecks associated with chitosan nanofibers synthesis and their practical applications in biomedical research. It discusses critically about the issues related to the chitosan nanofibers solubility, stability, mechanical strength, absorption and drug release properties, and its scale up hinderances. Moreover, the review presents an insight into the future recommendations on considering the parameters associated for development of an efficient, sustainable, and promising biopolymer. 2023 Elsevier B.V. -
Effect of a surface polarized layer on the optical properties of a nematic cell
The optical properties of a cell of nematic liquid crystal presenting a tilted surface polarization submitted to an electric field are theoretically investigated. The origin of the surface polarization is assumed to be related to the interaction of the nematic molecules with the substrate and to the polar order due to the cell filling procedure. The analysis shows that the coupling of the surface polarization with the external field has different effects on the two surfaces limiting the sample. On one of them, the coupling gives rise, in an unbounded sample, to a continuous variation of the easy angle, whereas on the other one it is responsible for a first-order like transition of the easy axis orientation. For a sample of finite thickness our analysis shows that in the presence of a coupling between the two surfaces, operated by the elastic properties of the liquid crystal, the abrupt variation of the easy axis on one of the surfaces induces also on the other surface a discontinuity on the nematic surface orientation. The optical transmission of the cell versus the amplitude of the applied voltage, for an impinging monochromatic linearly polarized light, presents a discontinuity for the critical voltage at which the first-order transition of the surface tilt angles appears. 2023 Elsevier B.V. -
Enzyme immobilized conducting polymer-based biosensor for the electrochemical determination of the eco-toxic pollutant p-nonylphenol
The unbridled release of harmful endocrine disruptors (EDs) into the environment is deteriorating human and animal health. A facile and efficacious biosensor was developed by immobilizing laccase over electropolymerized poly anthranilic acid on a carbon fiber paper (CFP) electrode, Lac/PAA/CFP for the detection of p-nonylphenol (PNP). PNP is a persistent phenolic endocrine disruptor and a harmful eco-toxic pollutant. Physico-chemical and electrochemical characterization of the fabricated electrode was carried out to study the modification of the Lac/PAA/CFP electrode. Cyclic voltammetric studies divulged that the prepared sensor has catalytic activity approximately twice greater than that of the bare CFP electrode. The influence of pH and scan rate was scrutinized for the modified electrode. Under optimized conditions differential pulse voltammetric studies were used for the quantification and the results revealed that the biosensor has a low limit of detection (LOD) and limit of quantification (LOQ) of 1.74 nM and 5 Nm, respectively with a broad linear dynamic range of 5250 nM. In the presence of interferants, the developed biosensor exhibited good selectivity toward the electrochemical detection of PNP. Molecular docking studies carried out revealed the hydrogen bonding interaction of the Asn264 residue of laccase Trametes versicolor. Further, the fabricated biosensor was accessed for its practicality in real samples collected from tap water and lake water. 2023 Elsevier Ltd -
Investigation of memory influences on bio-heat responses of skin tissue due to various thermal conditions
Advancement of new technologies such as laser, focused ultrasound, microwave and radio frequency for thermal therapy of skin tissue has increased numerous challenging situations in medical treatment. In this article, a new meticulous bio-heat transfer model based on memory-dependent derivative with dual-phase-lag has been developed under different thermal conditions such as thermal shock and harmonic-type heating. Laplace transform method is acquired to perceive the analytical consequences. Quantitative results are evaluated for displacement, strain and temperature along with stress distributions in time domain by adopting the technique of inverse Laplace transform. Impacts of the constituents of memory-dependent derivativeskernel functions along with time-delay parameter are analysed on the studied fields (temperature, displacement, strain and stress) for both thermal conditions separately using computational results. It has been found that the insertion of the memory effect proves itself a unified model, and therefore, this model can better predict temperature field data for thermal treatment processes. 2023, The Author(s), under exclusive licence to Springer-Verlag GmbH Germany, part of Springer Nature. -
Mulberry Leaves (Morus Rubra)-Derived Blue-Emissive Carbon Dots Fed to Silkworms to Produce Augmented Silk Applicable for the Ratiometric Detection of Dopamine
Silk fibers (SF) reeled from silkworms are constituted by natural proteins, and their characteristic structural features render them applicable as materials for textiles and packaging. Modification of SF with functional materials can facilitate their applications in additional areas. In this work, the preparation of functional SF embedded with carbon dots (CD) is reported through the direct feeding of a CD-modified diet to silkworms. Fluorescent and mechanically robust SFare obtained from silkworms (Bombyx mori) that are fed on CDs synthesized from the Morus rubra variant of mulberry leaves (MB-CDs). MB-CDs are introduced to silkworms from the third instar by spraying them on the silkworm feed, the mulberry leaves. MB-CDs are synthesized hydrothermally without adding surface passivating agents and are observed to have a quantum yield of 22%. With sizes of ?4nm, MB-CDs exhibited blue fluorescence, and they can be used as efficient fluorophores to detect Dopamine (DA) up to the limit of 4.39nM. The nanostructures and physical characteristics of SF weren't altered when the SF are infused with MB-CDs. Also, a novel DA sensing application based on fluorescence with the MB-CD incorporated SF is demonstrated. 2023 Wiley-VCH GmbH. -
Energy harvesting using two-dimensional magnesiochromite (MgCr2O4)
Two-dimensional (2D) materials with high surface activity can be utilized for harvesting energy from small mechanical sources using flexoelectricity. In the present work, we have synthesized an atomically thin 2D spinel MgCr2O4 by a liquid-phase exfoliation process, and characterization shows the preferential exfoliation along the (111) plane with low formation energy. The fabricated flexoelectric device produces an electrical response up to ?3 V (peak-to-peak voltage) upon pressing and releasing the cell with ?0.98 N force. Furthermore, the energy harvesting properties of 2D MgCr2O4 are explored by combining bending with other sources of external energy, with applied varying magnetic flux (Vmax = ?2.6 V) and temperature with 0.9 N force (Vmax = ?18 V). Our calculations determine that 2D MgCr2O4 has a flexoelectric coefficient of approximately ?XZXZ = 0.005 nC/m. Overall, the results indicate that 2D MgCr2O4 is a very promising material for the next generation of self-powered wearable electronics and energy harvesting. 2023 Elsevier Ltd -
Design and structural characteristics of conducting polymer-metal organic framework composites for energy storage devices
The popularity of portable gadgets has increased the supply for energy storage systems with significant power and energy densities Redox-active conducting polymers (CPs) have mechanical qualities similar to polymers and electrical conductivity properties similar to metals. Unfortunately, the volume changes that occur throughout the charge and discharge procedures cause them to function poorly. An efficient method to attain high performance is to combine CPs with metal-organic frameworks (MOF) to create composites. Despite MOFs' extraordinary interior surface areas and adaptable pore structures, they have poor stability, polymers can improve MOF stability and improve other crucial characteristics like electrical conductivity. The combination of these two different components can result in a variety of desired features that are not always attained by these components individually. The recent research on conducting polymer-based metal-organic framework (CP/MOF) composites for energy storage applications is thoroughly surveyed in this review paper. This review focuses on various CP/MOF-based fuel cells, batteries and supercapacitors, pertinent fabrication techniques, and important design principles. 2023 Elsevier B.V.