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Although the impacts of husband alcohol consumption and wife empowerment on intimate partner violence (IPV) have been researched independently, there is scanty evidence on the moderating role of empowerment in reducing IPV among wives whose husbands drink alcohol in India. Using the data from the fifth round of the National Family Health Survey (2019–2021), this study examines the intermediating role of wives' empowerment in the association between husbands' drunkenness and IPV among currently married women (n = 16,360). Multidimensional women empowerment indices were constructed, and logistic regression was used to show the association between husbands' drunkenness and the type of IPV among their wives with different empowerment levels. The IPV prevalence ranged from 12% for sexual assault to 47% for physical violence. The odds of physical violence (odds ratio (OR) = 3.83, 95% confidence interval (CI) [3.29–4.44]), sexual violence (OR = 3.88, 95% CI [ 2.98–5.05]), and emotional violence (OR = 4.94, 95% CI [4.02–6.05]) were higher among wives whose husbands were often drunk compared to those with never drunk husbands. However, with an increasing degree of husband drunkenness, the odds of emotional and sexual violence significantly reduced among wives with high empowerment indices. The results suggest the urgent need to curb alcohol consumption among men and the simultaneous socio-economic upliftment of women to reduce the prevalence of IPV. To further safeguard the welfare of women, it is also necessary to raise women's understanding of current laws and their stringent enforcement. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Many patients who require blood transfusion do not have timely access to safe blood and blood products. WHO states that at least 1% of the nation’s population should donate blood voluntarily to meet the basic requirements of blood. In India, there is a need for about 8 million units of blood every year. The need is predicted to increase by 5% every year. This study aimed to assess the knowledge, attitude and practices regarding blood donation among the general populace of a valley district in Manipur. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted among the general populace of a valley district in Manipur. Data was collected using a structured questionnaire through face-to-face interview and was summarized using descriptive statistics like mean, standard deviation and percentages. Association between variables of interest was analysed using chi square test. Conclusion: About one-fourth of the participants in this study had adequate knowledge (25.3%), favourable attitude (27.9%) and had donated blood at least once (27.6%). Males were more likely to have adequate knowledge regarding blood donation and to have donated blood compared to females. There was a significant association between educational qualification and religion with the level of knowledge, attitude and practice of blood donation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: According to Developmental Origins of Health and Disease (DOHaD) hypothesis the seeds of adult non communicable diseases like diabetes, hypertension and cancer are sown in foetal life. DERVAN cohort is a longitudinal study and was launched in the Kokan region of Western Indian state of Maharashtra. It recruited 1520 adolescents girls aged (16-18y) as well as their parents. At base line it measured various analytes in the blood, saliva and urine which together with additional data such as body composition, cognition, and socioeconomics will provide the baseline health status of adolescent girls. We plan to follow the subjects systematically for next 20 years where more biological samples are expected to be collected. Hence the development of bio-repository formed a critical component of our study. We measured biochemical, nutritional (micronutrients), hormones, trace elements in adolescent girls from longitudinal DERVAN cohort and setup bio-repository. Methods: At base line 36 ml of blood, urine and saliva in fasting state was collected from girls. We also collected blood (20 ml), urine, saliva in random state from both the parents. In addition some analytes were measured immediately and remaining samples (30 aliquots for girls, 12 aliquotes for each parent) were stored in -80°C freezers. All the samples were collected at the research centre to ensure quality and longevity. External as well as internal quality control protocols were followed. The Bio-repository is now in place for long term storage. Conclusion: The protocol adopted by us has been found to be working smoothly and can guide many researchers working in resource limited settings. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this study the systematic review of trials was carried out to evaluate the prevalence of oral cancer in India. The articles related to the prevalence of Oral Cancer in India were hand searched using electronic databases which includes Prospero, Grey literature, Science Direct, Lilacs, Wiley online library and PubMed. The most common site of Oral cancer in North, East, Central and West zone is Buccal mucosa while in North- east and south zone Tongue is the most affected part. Prevalence rate for Leukoplakia is 37.1%, Speckled leukoplakia is 21.7%, Oral Submucous Fibrosis is 21.1% and Lichen Planus is 19.8%. Highest prevalence can be seen in Males of East zone with 75.7%. The mean age group prevalence is 30- 50 years of age. The study observed a general increase in oral cancer incidence especially in the East Zone. This will pave the path for evidence- based interventions and policies that promote oral health and improve the overall well- being of the population. Indian Government should give importance for the prevention of Oral Cancer by implementing new schemes and providing awareness program to promote the healthy lifestyle and banning of tobacco products. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The year 2015 saw a series of mobilisations, primarily by young students in India, which sought to destigmatise and visibilise the menstruating body through online activism and university-based campaigns in Delhi, Kolkata and Kochi. These campaigns foregrounded sexual violence and harassment through the lens of menstruation, pointing towards the institutional apathy towards sexual violence, yet disgust towards menstrual blood. By defying menstrual taboos and the prescribed menstrual etiquettes in home, community and institutional spaces and dispelling the shame, silence and stigma that define the menstrual experience, the campaigns disrupted the notion of the 'normal' body as 'one that does not bleed from the vagina'. The article situates the destigmatising menstruation campaigns vis-à-vis other gender justice campaigns and protests that have taken place over the last decade in India, highlighting the cross-cutting similarities of themes as well as the distinctive dimensions of the campaigns that are the subject of this article. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

India, a highly pronatalist country, places motherhood as a core element in defining women. Therefore, it is in this context that the choice of more and more women to be childfree needs to be analysed. This study attempted to explore the stigma and social exclusion faced by childfree women at home and in social settings. The qualitative methodology involving narrative enquiry was used to conduct in-depth interviews of 10 childfree women in India. It was found that stigma ranges from a very subtle manner of questioning to exclusion from certain domains, which often leads to self-regulated exclusion. Studies on the childfree community in India are only just emerging and are limited to the reasons behind childfree choices, while the current study extends to reveal the consequences of the childfree choice. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In the present study, we have estimated the coda Q (QC) and the geometrical spreading factor (gamma) for the Saurashtra region that is located in the western part of the Deccan Volcanic Province, Gujarat, India. The waveform data from the seismic network operated by the Institute of Seismological Research, Gandhinagar, are used for the analysis. We have used records of a total of 221 local earthquakes with epicentral distances less than 70 km from the seismic stations. The moment magnitude range of the earthquakes is 2.5-5.3, and the depth range is 1-22 km. The QC has been estimated at five central frequencies (1.5, 3, 6, 12, and 20 Hz) using 20, 30, and 40 s window lengths for vertical, north-south, and east-west components, respectively. The obtained QC values show that the attenuation in the region has a strong dependence on frequency and points toward a heterogeneous medium. The geometrical spreading factors are also estimated for two cases, that is, with and without Q at the same central frequencies and window lengths. The average geometrical spreading factors with Q are 1.37, 1.48, 1.40, 1.08, and 1.04, at central frequencies 1.5, 3, 6, 12, and 20 Hz, respectively, whereas it is 1.59, 1.53, 1.47, 1.19, and 1.14, respectively, in the absence of Q. The estimated values also indicate that the medium is heterogeneous in the Saurashtra region. The estimated region-specific coda Q and the geometrical spreading factor may help in the modeling of strong ground motions and assessment of the seismic hazard for the Saurashtra region. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Nature-based tourism is rising in popularity in developing countries. This presents a challenge for protected area (PA) managers forcing them to revisit management strategies to balance revenue generation while maintaining ecological integrity. Identifying tourists' preference for nature-viewing can aid in improved tourism management while simultaneously enhancing visitor experiences. We conducted semi-structured surveys with 516 tourists visiting three popular Indian PAs to understand their nature-viewing preferences. We identified the factors influencing viewing preferences for seven biodiversity categories using recursive partitioning classification trees. We found the biodiversity categories such as charismatic megafauna and landscape to be major tourist-attractants. Despite this, we also found that prior engagement in conservation activities, age, and gender can influence preference for viewing low-profile categories such as herpetofauna and flora. Providing opportunities for people to engage in conservation at different levels of governance and especially for tourists when visiting a PA could increase appreciation for all species and funding available for their conservation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Contaduría y Administración is the property of Facultad de Contaduria y Administracion-Universidad Nacional Autonoma de Mexico and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Background: One of the most common congenital conditions detected globally, congenital heart diseases, and CT techniques provide a high-quality and thorough presentation of heart anatomy, thoracic vasculature, and extracardiac structures, and hence, it is becoming a more popular non-invasive diagnostic imaging method for congenital heart disease. The drawbacks with CT imaging are the radiation exposure from repeated scans is also rising, especially in young patients. The present study is aimed to evaluate the radiation dose in gated and non-gated cardiac CT for preoperative diagnosis of pediatric patients with congenital heart diseases. Results: A total of 111 pediatric patients with mean age of 7.47 years were prospectively included in the study. The mean value of "Effective dose (E)" for gated CT at 100 kV p was found to be 4.71 mSv which is higher than mean "E" of 3.95 mSv observed for gated CT at 80 kV p . The average value of "E" for non-gated technique was observed less than that of gated technique at both 100 kV p and 80 kV p . The multiple regression analysis shows that "E" is significantly dependent on DLP mGy cm for both gated and non-gated techniques at 95% level of significance p < 0.05 . The Student's t-test verifies that the mean value of "E" for both the techniques at 100 kV p and 80 kV p are significantly different at 95% level of significance p < 0.05 . Conclusions: The effective dose received by pediatric patients is much higher when using ECG-gated acquisition with an average value of 4.71 mSv and 3.95 mSv at 100 kV p , and at 80 kV p respectively. Because low-voltage X-rays are more sensitive to high atomic number iodinated contrast media, the mean "E" for non-gated cardiac CT imaging at 80 kV p is 2.26 mSv , and results in significant reduction of effective dose. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To assess the placental biometry, placental biomarkers and uterine artery Doppler in each trimester of pregnancy for prediction of early-onset fetal growth restriction (EO FGR). In this prospective cohort study placental biometry; biomarkers PAPP-A, sFLT-1, and PlGF along with the uterine artery blood flow evaluation was done serially at 11–14, 20–24 and 28–32 weeks of gestation. The above parameters were compared between women with early onset FGR and controls. Out of 1008 fully followed cases, the small for gestational age fetuses were 227/1008 (22.5 %), and EO FGR were 84/1008(8.3 %).The placental length, volume, and PlGF levels were significantly lower, whereas the uterine artery PI(Ut PI) was significantly higher at all time points among cases. The sFLT-1 level showed a significant increase among cases, whereas it decreased among controls from the first to the second trimester. The detection rate using PV/UtA PI was 60 % in the first trimester and 66.7 % in the second trimester at 30 % FPR. The PV/Ut PI in first and the second trimester was a good marker for the prediction of pregnancies at increased risk of developing EO FGR. • There was lag in placental and fetal growth parameters from early pregnancy. • Placental biometric parameters length and volume were useful in predicting EO FGR. • Uterine Doppler indices showed significantly high values from the first trimester. • Biophysical model using placental volume/uterine artery PI was a good marker. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Over the centuries, communities have developed a close and unique connection with the lands and environments in which they live. They have established distinct systems of knowledge, innovations and practices relating to the uses and management of biological diversity on these lands and environment. Much of this knowledge forms an important contribution to research and development, particularly in the areas such as pharmaceuticals, agricultural and cosmetic products. This increasing economic importance of biological resources and related knowledge to these resources has made the allocation of property rights as one of the most contentious issues in the discussions concerning biodiversity management. But this new allocation does not recognize any property rights of holders over their knowledge. As far India is concerned one of the mega biodiversity countries of the world and also concentrated with indigenous people too. But existing legal framework does not confer positive protection, to the rights of traditional knowledge holders in the protection of traditional knowledge. In this context, the paper is going to look into the potential challenges faced by the State in the formulation of a law for protection of TK in India. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Journal of Raptor Research is the property of Raptor Research Foundation and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Utricularia australis R. Br. (Lentibulariaceae), a carnivorous aquatic plant species is reported as new to Gujarat from India. Details of its identification, description, distribution, and a detailed photo plate of the plant is provided. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: There is complete absence of sexual maturity data on patients afflicted with juvenile dermatomyositis (JDMS) from the Indian subcontinent. Hence, this study aimed to unfold the effect of this disease on the sexual development of JDMS children. Methods: In the Growth Laboratory/Clinic of the Department of Pediatrics, 60 (25 male and 35 female) sexual maturity-related observations were made on 35 JDMS patients, aged 10–17 years, enrolled from the Pediatric Rheumatology Clinic. Breast development stage and age of onset of menarche were recorded among female patients. In male patients, besides, determining the genitalia development stage, measurement of stretched penile length and testicular volume was done. Appearance of pubic and axillary hair among JDMS patients of both sexes was recorded. Results: Most girls with JDMS (34.28%) were in breast development stage-B2 (mean age 10.91 ± 1.08 years) and 22.86% had attained menarche. However, breast stage B5 was attained at 14.62 ± 1.06 years. JDMS girls reached stage B2 at the same age as their normal healthy counterparts. Onset of menarche was delayed by almost a year in JDMS girls. Age of attainment of genitalia stage G2 in JDMS boys (12 years) was delayed by 6 months as compared to well-off Chandigarh boys (11.5 years), whereas it was advanced by 1.5 years when contrasted with affluent Indian counterparts (13.3 years). Conclusion: Comparable pubertal attainments in JDMS males and somewhat delayed start of menarche in female JDMS patients as compared to their normal counterparts show that disease activity has a smaller effect on the sexual development of JDMS patients from north-western India. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Climate change has added new dimensions of uncertainty associated with India's rice production. Previous research has explored the impact of climate variation on production and noted the interdependence among neighbouring regions. Using district-level data, we investigate two categories of spatial dynamics associated with the climate sensitivity of rice yield. First, we find evidence that supports previous research that yield is significantly influenced by the direct effects of monsoon maximum temperature and rainfall. The second category, capturing indirect effects, is novel because it provides additional insights into formal and informal networks that underpin the information flow on climate adaptation. Empirical evidence of spatial interdependence arising from information spillovers provides insights into the development of spatially targeted policies that offer the potential for knowledge transfer that contributes to sustaining and increasing rice yields. Policy objectives should therefore focus on advancing technology and promoting social networks that enhance information flow across regions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of French Journal of British Studies / Revue Française de Civilisation Britannique is the property of Centre de Recherches et d'Etudes en Civilisation Britannique and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Background: A novel COVID-19 has spread worldwide and created a big threat for the public and their daily life. Due to its rapid transmission and the mortality rate, governments across the world had created many restrictions such as social isolation which leads to economic crisis that also leads to the source of fear, stress, anxiety, and mood conditions and negatively affects people's mental health (Praveen et al., 2021). Although the initiatives were prepared, the coronavirus may also cause mental defects. These defects also affected the medical students, since they were the backbone and the future of public health, hence the study would describe the quality of well-being by different domains. Materials and Methods: The study was designed by the questionnaire based on the World Health Organization Quality of life-BREL, Subjective Well-Being Inventory (SWBI), and Beck Anxiety Inventory (BAI) research tool. A total of 288 students were participated in the study. Results: A total of 288 medical students were participated in the study, according Cronbach Alpha method, all three domains had obtained a value of above 0.7, and the descriptive analysis showed the highest score of about 67.12 with physical activity. According to the BAI, 84% of medical students with low anxiety, the study also investigates the quality of well-being and compared with gender, with religion, with family type, place of living, religions, and among family's monthly income. The results of the study were statistically defined, and it has a significant relationship with environment and SWBI. Conclusion: The quality of well-being was assessed on medical students and the study revealed that there is no impact with gender, religion, year of study, and family's monthly income. Although the study also revealed that the mean score of social well-being is high with physical activity and considerably low with psychological and environmental activity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aims and Objectives: This study aims to comprehensively analyze the applications and impact of smart hospital technologies in addressing challenges within India's health-care system, focusing on patient-centric care, reduced errors, and operational efficiency. Materials and Methods: A detailed examination of smart hospital technologies, including electronic health records, internet of things, artificial intelligence, and telemedicine, was conducted. The study includes a case study of Apollo Hospitals to showcase real-world implementation and outcomes. Results: Smart hospitals leverage advanced technologies to enhance patient experiences and care quality. Verified market research predicts substantial growth in global demand for smart hospital technology, reflecting their transformative potential. Apollo Hospitals' integration of smart tech positively influenced patient satisfaction, diagnostics, workflows, and data analytics, leading to improved clinical decision-making and coordination of care. Conclusion: The study underscores the compelling need for smart hospitals as a response to India's health-care challenges. These technologies offer patient-centric care, decreased errors, and optimized workflows. Apollo Hospitals' case study demonstrates the positive impact of technology integration on patient welfare and operational efficiency. Embracing smart hospitals facilitates innovation, improved outcomes, and enhanced patient experiences, laying the foundation for a brighter and healthier future across socioeconomic spectrums. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background and Aims: Highly cited papers (HCPs) can influence both research and clinical practice. They help to identify core literature and important advances in a field. This study aimed to assess the current status and prospects of South Asia COVID-19 research from the HCPs using bibliometric indicators. Methodology: COVID-19 literature from South Asia published between December 2019 and 29 November 2023 in the Scopus database was analysed. The top HCPs, having more than 200 citations, were evaluated. Information about citation counts, authors and organisations and their affiliations, year of publication, source journal, geographical origin, subject, article type, funding details, etc. were retrieved and analysed. Data and visualisation analysis was undertaken using Microsoft Excel and other bibliometric software. Results: The 298 South Asia HCPs were published from 2020 to 2023 and were cited 200–3,596 times, with a mean average of 413.9 citations per paper (CPP). Around 24.5% and 51.3% of HCPs received external funding support and were involved in international collaboration, respectively. The most productive organisations were the Postgraduate Institute of Medical Education and Research, Chandigarh, and the Indian Institute of Technology, New Delhi, while the most impactful organisations were Bai Jerbai Wadia Hospital for Children, Mumbai, and Kokilaben Dhirubhai Ambani Hospital & Medical Research Institute, Mumbai. The most productive journals were Diabetes and Metabolic Syndrome: Clinical Research & Reviews. Conclusions: This study has identified core and significant authors, organisations, journals, subject fields and significant keywords, collaborators and funding agencies involved in South Asia's COVID-19 research. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Maternal height has been for long a contributory anthropometric factor that can determine the obstetric outcome. There is always a need of a consistent, reliable, and simple risk indicator which is easy to use for preventing unnecessary complications in a country like India where often antenatal care is provided by dais in rural areas. The background of this research aims to ascertain the relationship between maternal height and mode of delivery based on other intrapartum factors which influence labor and consequent maternal and neonatal outcome. Materials and Methods: All primigravidae at term gestation (>37 weeks) with cephalic presentation on admission to labor suite with no other comorbidities were recruited in the study. Their mode of delivery, maternal outcome, along with neonatal outcome was documented. Results: Out of the 680 patients, 104 patients are considered for the short-stature group (15.29%) who were <150 cm in height. Other group comprised patients who were >150 cm in height, a total of 576 (84.71%). There was a higher incidence of induced labor in the study group (66.35%) and emergency lower-segment cesarean section done due to cephalopelvic disproportion (CPD) (60%) was also higher among the short-stature group. The incidence of normal labor (32.99%) was higher in the tall-stature group. Conclusion: Short height (<150 cm) is an independent risk factor for cesarean delivery due to CPD. Statistical correlation was found between mothers of short stature and babies being born with low birth weight. As labor is influenced by multiple factors, it is fair enough to give a trial of labor for short primigravidae except in uncommon circumstances. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Preeclampsia is a life-threatening multisystem disorder of pregnancy which has been observed in 2%–10% of pregnancies. The prevalence of Vitamin D deficiency ranges from 15% to 80%. Deficiency of Vitamin D is associated with the development of preeclampsia. This study was done to find out the prevalence of Vitamin D deficiency among preeclamptic/eclamptic and normal pregnant females, to establish Vitamin D deficiency as a causal factor of preeclampsia, and to elucidate the relation between 25 (OH) Vitamin D status and the severe preeclampsia. Materials and Methods: Blood samples were collected from 50 normotensives (controls) and 50 hypertensive pregnant females with preeclampsia/eclampsia (cases), and 25 (OH) Vitamin D level was measured by chemiluminescence Immunoassay. Results: Among the preeclamptic/eclamptic group, 32 (64%) were noted with Vitamin D deficiency and 18 (36%) with Vitamin D insufficiency. In the control group, 30 (60%) pregnant women showed Vitamin D deficiency, 19 (38%) with Vitamin D insufficiency, and a sufficient level of Vitamin D was observed in one woman (2%). Conclusion: Although it is difficult to demonstrate the correlation between Vitamin D levels and preeclampsia, there is a widespread global prevalence of Vitamin D deficiency during pregnancy. Hence, Vitamin D supplementation can be included routinely in the antenatal care program in India. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: One of the primary reasons for fatalities and impairments on a global scale is cardiovascular disease (CVD), encompassing a cluster of illnesses impacting the heart and blood vessels. A CVD risk assessment is a screening tool that measures an individual's risk of developing CVD. Objective: The objective of this study was to compare and evaluate cardiovascular risk using internationally recognized CVD risk scoring systems. Methodology: A prospective, cross-sectional study was carried out for 2 months after the approval of the ethics committee. Naive myocardial infarction (MI) patients presenting to the cardiology department and conforming to the inclusion criteria were enrolled in the study. Patients who are taking statins or any lipid-lowering drugs, as well as patients who are on low-dose aspirin and antidiabetic medications. Using the aforementioned gathered data, the cardiovascular risk scores were computed employing the American College of Cardiology/American Heart Association (ACC/AHA), Framingham risk scores (FRS), European Society of Cardiology (ESC) – CVD risk calculator, and QRISK→3-2018, and subsequently categorized as low risk, intermediate, or high risk based on the individual risk scores. Results: We enrolled 42 patients, with a mean age of 60 years with male dominance. The mean body mass index was 25.5. With a cholesterol/high-density lipoprotein (HDL) ratio of 4.9, the mean systolic blood pressure/diastolic blood pressure was 126/77 mm of Hg. The mean ACC/AHA cardiovascular risk score for 10-year atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD) risk was 11.34%, FRS mean score was 12%, ESC CVD risk calculator mean score was 15.45%, and QRISK3-2018 risk calculator mean score was 20.87% in patients presenting with first time with MI. Conclusion: QRISK3-2018 risk calculator is the most effective out of all the risk calculators with a maximum detection rate of MI in first time presented patients with Naïve MI patients. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: In India, 25%–65% of neonatal deaths are due to sepsis. Since it produces nonspecific symptoms, it is difficult to diagnose and manage. The present study assessed the value of brain natriuretic peptide (BNP) and C-reactive protein (CRP) to predict sepsis along with blood culture. Materials and Methods: Samples were collected from 90 neonates with suspected sepsis, submitted for blood culture, CRP by latex agglutination kit, and BNP by ELISA. Results: Of the 90 cases, blood culture was positive in 25 (28%) cases, BNP in 45 (50%) cases, and CRP in 36 (40%) cases. BNP was positive among 25 (100%) blood culture-positive cases. CRP, BNP, and blood culture were positive in 16 (18%) cases. Conclusion: Although BNP is an equally good marker in predicting sepsis, it is not widely available. Hence, screening by serial CRP along with blood culture alone reinforces the diagnosis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Limited data exist on interphase fluorescent in situ hybridization (iFISH)-based survival outcomes in newly diagnosed multiple myeloma (NDMM) from India. Objectives: To study the demographics and iFISH-based survival outcomes in NDMM patients treated with proteasome inhibitors from a community-based cancer setup. Materials and Methods: We reviewed the records of 25 patients treated with proteasome inhibitors between June 2017 and April 2023 using five high-risk (HR) iFISH markers based on mSMART 3.0. Results: The median age was 60 years (range 34–87). HR iFISH was detected in 12 (48%) patients. With a median follow-up of 27 months, the overall response at the last follow-up was 80% (very good partial response - 52%, complete remission - 20%, and partial response - 8%), with 8 (32%) relapses. Twenty (80%) patients remain alive, with five deaths in HR (sepsis [ n = 3]). The 2.5-year overall survival in HR and standard risk was 55.6% ± 15.2% and 100% (P = 0.01), and event-free survival was 32.4% ± 16.5% and 77.8% ± 13.8% (P = 0.02), respectively. Conclusions: Using limited iFISH HR markers helps in the early and effective stratification of NDMM in the real world. Sepsis remains an important cause of mortality in an Indian setup. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: The objective of our study was to examine the clinical characteristics and underlying risk factors of acute ischemic stroke in patients aged 18–45. Materials and Methods: We prospectively studied etiology of patients aged 18–45 with acute ischemic stroke presenting to our hospital from September to December of the following year. We aimed for 80% statistical power at a 5% significance level with a precision of 0.15, which led us to a calculated sample size of 39. Results: Fifty patients were observed. The main risk factors identified were alcohol use (36%), smoking (30%), and hypertension (22%). Prothrombotic states were found to be a significant risk factor in cases where the stroke's origin was undetermined. The most common stroke subtype was large-artery atherosclerosis, which was followed by strokes with other underlying causes. There was a statistically significant association between hypertension and ischemic stroke subtypes (P = 0.01). Hypertension was associated with small-vessel disease (92.3%) and strokes with undetermined causes (56.5%), with P = 0.023 and P <0.001, respectively. Conclusions: Hypertension was associated with multiple stroke subtypes in young individuals. Therefore, it is essential to strictly control hypertension through antihypertensive therapy and lifestyle changes. As alcohol use and smoking are becoming more prevalent among young individuals, early implementation of awareness programs targeting primary stroke prevention is highly desirable. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

China's relationship with Russia has been on an upward trajectory since the late Soviet period, with the strategic partnership growing steadily since the end of the Cold War. Built on political-economic-strategic convergences, the two sides benefit from their cordial engagement, both at the bilateral and multilateral level, without the obligations associated with an alliance relationship. This alignment has ensured that despite the asymmetric nature of this relationship characterised by China's rise, the partnership has gone from strength-to-strength. This has particular implications for Indian foreign policy, which has been dealing with an increasingly aggressive China that is now considered a leading security challenge. The development of the Asian supercomplex has accelerated India's already growing engagement within a regional security complex that is critical for its own security and its future positioning in the international system. Due to implications for India-China ties under conditions of Asian supercomplex, as the Sino-Russian partnership continues to gain strength, its ramifications will reverberate across the whole spectrum of Indo-Russian ties. The article will track the development of Sino-Russian relationship and how it reflects in the emergent regional security complex, before examining the challenges and choices for Indian policymaking in the context of its 'special and privileged strategic partnership' with Russia. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article investigates the covariates of out-of-pocket expenditure (OOPE) on health care, with a special focus on the Empowered Action Group (EAG) states of India. These states are economically weaker and vulnerable. For analysis, the study uses a nationally representative database—the India Human Development Survey (IHDS I, 2004–2005 and IHDS II, 2011–2012)—by applying the log-linear regression method. Four regression models have been specified in the article. The pooled regression method is applied to check the robustness of the models. Results identify that factors such as the location of the respondent, education, waiting time in hospitals, household expenditure per capita and the location of the hospital play a significant role in determining the OOPE on health care in India. Among other factors, waiting time in the hospital and the distant treatment location result in higher opportunity costs for better treatment facilities, hence increasing the burden on OOPE. The study concludes with suggestions based on these covariates, especially for the EAG states. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Electric scooters are increasingly gaining popularity in India owing to rising global crude oil prices and rising levels of vehicular pollution. Most of them are currently powered by expensive in-wheel (IW) permanent magnet (PM) brushless DC motors. Owing to their simplicity, and ruggedness while being cost-effective (since they do not employ PMs), switched reluctance motors (SRMs) are a viable alternative. Despite these benefits, SRMs possess drawbacks such as low torque density and inferior efficiency. Recently, a multi-teeth (MT) SRM with an improved performance was reported. However, the design of MTSRM topologies and their electromagnetic performance have not been explored sufficiently. In this paper, a design formula governing the selection of the number of MT and rotor poles for MTSRMs has been proposed. Using this, a novel four-phase 8/18 IW-MTSRM is derived and proposed for an E-scooter. The characteristics of the proposed SRM are numerically compared with a conventional 8/10 SRM based on magnetic characteristics, efficiencies and steady-state operation for the complete torque-speed range. Results indicate that the proposed 8/18 MTSRM has a higher peak torque capacity, torque density, superior drive cycle efficiency and reduced torque ripple. Further, the FEA model is validated experimentally on a downsized 8/18 MTSRM prototype. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: There is ongoing debate around rate versus rhythm control strategies for managing atrial fibrillation (AF), however, much of the data comes from Western cohorts. Kerala‐AF represents the largest prospective AF cohort study from the Indian subcontinent. Objectives: To compare 12‐month outcomes between rate and rhythm control strategies. Methods: Patients aged ≥18 years with non‐transient AF were recruited from 53 hospitals across Kerala. Patients were stratified by rate or rhythm control. The primary outcome was a composite of all‐cause mortality, arterial thromboembolism, acute coronary syndrome or hospitalization due to heart failure or arrhythmia at 12 months. Secondary outcomes included bleeding events and individual components of the primary. Predictors of the composite outcome were analysed by logistic regression. Results: A total of 2901 patients (mean age 64.6 years, 51% female) were included (2464 rate control, 437 rhythm control). Rates of the primary composite outcome did not differ between groups (29.7% vs 30.0%; p =.955), nor did any component of the primary. Bleeding outcomes were also similar (1.6% vs 1.9%; p =.848). Independent predictors of the primary composite outcome were older age (aOR 1.01; p =.013), BMI <18 (aOR 1.51; p =.025), permanent AF (aOR 0.78; p =.010), HFpEF (aOR 1.40; p =.023), HFrEF (aOR 1.39; p =.004), chronic kidney disease (aOR 1.36; p <.001), and prior thromboembolism (aOR 1.31; p =.014). Conclusion: In the Kerala‐AF registry, 12‐month outcomes did not differ between rate and rhythm control cohorts. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Some of the most crucial debates surrounding Islamic legitimacy and cinema rotate around the question of the permissible (ḥalāl) and prohibited (ḥarām) in Islamic law and how these function for Muslim theology and politics. Emerging from these debates, halal cinema has been one of the recent critical interventions in the field of Indian and Islamic cinema. Rather than making cinema Islamic from an ideological position, the new halal experiments with the visual language of cinema without compromising the popular dimensions of its viewership. This article looks at the politics of halal cinema within the context of the state of Kerala in South India and argues that the space of halal cinema shows the aspirations and negotiations of the Muslim community in Kerala. Halal cinema thus becomes an immanent critique of Islamic cinema by destabilizing the dominant practice that connects the relationship between Islam and cinema. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Some of the most crucial debates surrounding Islamic legitimacy and cinema rotate around the question of the permissible (ḥalāl) and prohibited (ḥarām) in Islamic law and how these function for Muslim theology and politics. Emerging from these debates, halal cinema has been one of the recent critical interventions in the field of Indian and Islamic cinema. Rather than making cinema Islamic from an ideological position, the new halal experiments with the visual language of cinema without compromising the popular dimensions of its viewership. This article looks at the politics of halal cinema within the context of the state of Kerala in South India and argues that the space of halal cinema shows the aspirations and negotiations of the Muslim community in Kerala. Halal cinema thus becomes an immanent critique of Islamic cinema by destabilizing the dominant practice that connects the relationship between Islam and cinema. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The study explores the potential of next-generation satellite hyperspectral imaging systems for screening and predicting surface-soil contamination and degradation by exploiting various spectral indices and signature-matching techniques at a heavily industrialized area in India. The soil moisture content, desertification and salinity status, clay or fine material content, heavy metal content, vegetation health status, and stress levels were assessed from continuum-removed spectral reflectance values. Results indicated the presence of water in two tailings ponds, high salinity, and desertification values in most of the tailings ponds and dump sites, clay boundary liner along four ponds, high heavy metal indices along three ponds and all dump sites, highly stressed vegetation near all tailings ponds and coal dump sites, and pollutants in nearby water channels. The results suggest a strategy for the initial identification of priority areas for ground-based investigations and an alternative rapid methodology to monitor large industrial hubs in India. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Support groups and meetings are self-help gatherings that provide a unique sense of community, unconditional acceptance, and information on cancer and its treatment. This cross-sectional study examined 12 outpatient meetings within the Kerala model of palliative care, a community-based service provided to patients irrespective of disease, stage, or prognosis starting from the time of diagnosis. The study focused on the pivotal role of community nurses in facilitating these meetings, with participants including cancer patients and survivors. Using in-depth interviews (n = 52) and participant observations, this research used a qualitative approach and explored the dynamics and outcomes of outpatient meetings. Findings highlight the indispensable contributions of these community nurses serving as linchpins in providing support, guiding discussions, and offering crucial education. Outpatient meetings effectively addressed psychosocial concerns, combatted stigmas associated with cancer, and promoted informed decision making in cancer care. The study emphasizes the need for recognizing the role played by community nurses in improving psychosocial support and diminishing stigma, and ultimately the quality of life of patients and survivors through the palliative cancer care within the Kerala model. We also underscore the need for policy initiatives, resource allocation, and training programs tailored to support these frontline health care providers effectively. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The present study reports 21 species of tunicates belonging to six families from the intertidal zone of Okha coast, Gujarat, India. Tunicates were distributed in small to moderate sized colonies up to 10 cm in various microhabitats and niches like underneath rocks, co-exist with sponges and algal studded rock surfaces of the intertidal zone. Single solitary species Herdmania momus were reported underneath boulders and within algal beds. The studied intertidal zone is located at the southern fringe of the Gulf of Kutch which is known for its diverse intertidal coral reefs and possibly this is reason for rich diversity of tunicates in this area than any other coast of Gujarat. This study is the first to document the occurrence of the ascidian species from this coast and provides a baseline of tunicates fauna of Gujarat coast. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The novella Rayanna, the patriot (2015) by Basavaraj Naikar deals with patriotic rebellion of Rayanna, the hero of Kittur kingdom of South India in the second decade of the nineteenth century. With the defeat of the Kittur kingdom, the heroic Rani Chennamma and her confidants were imprisoned. Young Rayanna's father and many other soldiers were slaughtered. Rayanna wanted to reinstate the Rani to the throne of Kittur by fighting against the Company Sarkar. Rayanna started organizing his own army. He joined hands with other rebel patriots. In his effort to make rebellion, he killed some betrayers and looters who used the name of Rani Chennamma and Raja Mallasarja. Rayanna's party started their rebellion with the looting of Government treasuries in Bidi village and Sangolli. They invested the money in recruiting soldiers and strengthening their army. While Rayanna was planning for a great rebellion against the Company Sarkar some treacherous soldiers in his army were bribed by the Company Sarkar. So he was trapped easily by his bodyguards. On 16 December 1830 Rayanna was hanged by the British authority. Some of his confidants were also hanged. The rebellion ended in smoke, but the patriotic spirit and zeal of Rayanna and his soldiers is still preserved in the history of India and given due honour by the Indians. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Bhutan sits across a geopolitical fault line in South Asia. To its south lies its traditional partner—India. To its north lies China: a country whose economic power could significantly benefit Bhutan but whose regional orientation is strategically opposed to that of India. This article explores how Bhutan manages its growing relationship with China and seeks to chart where the relationship might go in the future. It shows how increasing economic and commercial ties with China are exerting growing pressure on Bhutan, a country with few developmental opportunities. These ties—in parallel to increasing political engagements—are moving Bhutan closer to diplomatic recognition of China; a decision that will impact on the regional balance of power well beyond the country's borders. How and when this policy shift will occur is unclear, as Bhutan has been able to successfully prioritize its own interests over Chinese agendas. In doing so, Bhutan has managed to exert a higher degree of agency than other small states in the region. This outcome challenges traditional notions of small state agency in international relations. This study finds that this has been possible due to both material power considerations and the perceptional value accorded to the relationship. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Ashok Pankaj, Inclusive Development Through Guaranteed Employment. India's MGNREGA Experiences (Singapore: Springer, 2023), xxx + 313 pp. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article showcases that studies on Hindi and Urdu literature are also being conducted outside South Asia and that elsewhere, too, such literary studies and socio-political analyses are being combined in quite specific ways. Boycott of foreign goods was one of the most important parts of colonial India's freedom struggle and many intellectuals from the literary and art worlds expressed their views on it. In his Hindi and Urdu stories, Munshi Premchand used his unique narrative technique, critical perspective on social events, and deep understanding of Indian society also to comment on the boycott of foreign goods. The article examines how such reflections of India's struggle for independence manifest in two of Premchand's lesser-known stories in which he argued for boycotting foreign goods. Our analysis portrays Premchand as an activist writer, who chose common people's language to present gendered social documents, in a form akin to oral history, as his specific contribution to India's freedom from foreign rule. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Existing studies, highlighting that dining out forms an important part of public cultures in India, have focused on the growing influence of consumer cultures on India's middle classes and their identity formation. However, insufficient scholarly attention has been paid to the distinctly different ways in which middle-class experiences with modernity and cosmopolitanism unfold across different cities in India and in the worldwide South Asian diaspora. This article argues that in the major Gujarati city of Ahmedabad, middle-class engagement with new and global culinary practices is couched within dominant, regionally coloured vegetarian cultures, redefining vegetarianism as integral to the project of modern middle-class identity among certain upwardly mobile social groups. This ethnographic study of popular pizzerias sheds light on the transformative capacity and significance of vegetarian food. From being a symbol of exclusionary bourgeois hegemonic cultures, it has turned into a consumer item regarded as accessible and desirable for supporting middle-class aspirations to experience 'global' forms of consumption. The concluding analysis suggests that, since there are many diverse, cosmopolitan urban spaces like Ahmedabad, more research is needed especially on how global Gujarati food culture has been developing. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article provides an account of an independent filmmaker's work in documenting some of the stories from the global Indian diaspora. Based in Aotearoa New Zealand, with ancestral connections to Fiji, East Africa, UK, US and India, and using documentary making with both its journalistic and artistic purposes, the author firstly refers to the literatures that identifies documentary-making as journalism, diaspora, and the caste system. She then situates herself within the South Pacific Indian diaspora, before describing her experience in the making of the documentary entitled Hidden Apartheid: A Report on Caste Discrimination. The article concludes by reflecting on her role and the role of documenting hidden discrimination where it exists throughout Indian communities of the diaspora. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study explores relevant cultural motives amongst foreign tourists visiting India for cultural tourism and explains their role in the formation of destination satisfaction using the S-O-R theory. The conceptual model is empirically tested through a survey using 378 samples using Exploratory Factor Analysis followed by Structural Equation Modelling. Our research found that motives, namely learning local culture, seeking spiritual experiences, experiencing novelty, engaging in social consumption, and experiencing relaxation, are the five principal drivers determining cultural tourist destination selection. This study identifies that tourism motives influence destination satisfaction and positively contribute to WOM intentions. Our research suggests that administrators must create thematic recreation/entertainment options that underscore the local flavour to improve destination satisfaction amongst foreign cultural tourists. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Domestic tourism in India recorded impressive growth and supported the local economy significantly in the last phase of the COVID-19 pandemic. The extant research on this topic covers the impact of the pandemic and resilience strategies. Still, it leaves a gap in the discussion relating to the service providers' experience in the context of domestic tourism. The present study stems from the absence of empirical research on the trends associated with domestic tourism growth in India post-COVID-19. It examines the trends in domestic tourist behaviour from the tour operators' perspective. It employs a qualitative research design to explore the experiences of tour operators in India. Phone interviews were conducted with 26 tour operators to collect data. A thematic-content analysis is performed to generate themes with the help of Atlas ti software. The findings present the trends, preferences, motivations, and patterns of domestic growth tourism in India. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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Global public health has emerged as a formidable challenge in modern times. India's patent opposition model shows how this legitimate safeguard can be used to alleviatesome of the burden on global health systems by improving access to affordable health technologies. India smartly linked its patentability threshold provisions, Sections 3(d) and 2(ja) of The Patents Act, 1970 (amended in 2005), with its procedural safeguard of patent opposition. This paper presents empirical data on the use of patent opposition procedures in India. The three-step method is adopted to statistically evaluate the practical use of India's patent opposition proceedings. Statistical data is collected on 249 patent opposition cases from IP India's official websiteto answer and analyse around 150 questions designed to highlight overall trends in the use of the Indian patent opposition mechanism. This paper summarizes the important findings of the statistical data. The main finding of this study is that India's well-thought-out patent opposition model has remained under-utilised, especially by non-corporate entities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The inclusion of people living with spinal cord injury (SCI) in research has allowed for an informed understanding of priorities of recovery of which bowel dysfunction and bladder dysfunction have been continuously identified. Research has also demonstrated the global disparities in SCI outcomes particularly when comparing high- and low-income countries. Currently, there is a lack of direct comparison between countries when assessing SCI outcomes. This is an exploratory study to better understand bowel and bladder dysfunction amongst individuals with SCI in India and Canada. Data from 33 participants were analyzed. Participants completed an online questionnaire assessing demographic information and the Neurogenic Bowel Dysfunction (NBD) score, Wexner score, Neurogenic Bladder Symptom Score (NBSS), and the Incontinence Quality of Life Instrument (I-QOL). Continuous data were compared using t tests. For not normally distributed data, the independent Mann-Whitney U test was used. Categorical variables were evaluated for association using Fisher's exact or chi-square test, depending on the sample size. Independent Mann-Whitney U test demonstrated that the Canadian participants had poorer bowel function with higher total NBD scores (p =.007) and less frequent bowel movements (p =.036), and they were more likely to experience uneasiness, headaches, and perspiration during bowel movements (p <.001). NBSS results indicated a small but significantly higher proportion of the Indian participants were unsatisfied or unhappy with their bladder function (p =.049). The distribution of Wexner and I-QOL scores were the same across countries. Potential explanations for differences include lifestyle, management, financial resources, patient and caregiver education, and societal pressures, which are all heavily influenced by cultural, geographical, and economic circumstances. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To explore themes regarding work-related barriers to access to health care, we conducted 32 interviews, 16 with third gender people and 16 with cisgender women, all of whom were all living with HIV in Hyderabad, India. Most respondents were members of Dalit castes and had been living with HIV for several years at the time of the interview. Using thematic content analysis, interviews were coded by two researchers using a social determinants of health conceptual framework. Themes highlighted in this study include the burden of taking time off from work, the loss of pay associated with missing work, and the interruption of gendered care work responsibilities that respondents faced when seeking treatment. Findings from this study support the claim that equitable work policies and practices for marginalized laborers can increase access to medical care for people living with HIV. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study examines the health care utilization pattern, associated financial catastrophes, and inequality across Indian states to understand the subnational variations and aid the policy makers in this regard. Data from recent National Sample Survey (2017–2018), titled, "Household Social Consumption: Health," covering 113,823 households, was employed in the study. Descriptive statistics, Erreygers concentration index (CI), and recentered influence function decomposition were applied in the study. We found that, in India, 7 percent of households experienced catastrophic health expenditure (CHE) and 1.9 percent of households were pushed below poverty line due to out-of-pocket expenditure on hospitalization. Notably, outpatient care was more burdensome (CHE: 12.1%; impoverishment: 4%). Substantial interstate variations were observed, with high financial burden in poorer states. Utilization of health care services from private health care providers was pro-rich (hospitalization CI 0.31; outpatient CI 0.10), while the occurrence of CHE incidence was pro-poor (hospitalization CI −0.10; outpatient CI −0.14). Education level, economic status, health insurance, and area of residence contributed significantly to inequalities in utilization of health care services from private providers and financial burden. The high financial burden of seeking health care necessitates the need to increase public health spending and strengthen public health infrastructure. Also, concerted efforts directed towards increasing awareness about health insurance and introducing comprehensive health insurance products (covering both inpatient and outpatient services) are imperative to augment financial risk protection in India. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]