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Rare earth doped self-activated phosphors show multimodal behavior applicable in color tunability, spectral converters and security ink.

Fractal correlation dimension (Dc) and the b-value methods are being used in this study with the earthquakes (m l ≥ 4.0) for the period 2015/4/25 to 2016/10/7 in Dolakha district after Gorkha Earthquake, 2015. The entire data have been divided into 3 windows each with consecutive fifty events for observing temporal variation of Dc value and b value. Low b value of 0.87± 0.05 is found during the period between 2015/4/25 to 2015/5/14 (window 1), indicates the large earthquakes of the period. The large earthquake of magnitude (m l ) of 6.8 is seen to occur 2015/5/12 in the study region in window 1. High b value of 1.53± 0.14 is found during the period from 2015/6/22 to 2016/10/7. The Dc value varies from 1.10 to 1.17 indicating the clustering phenomena of the events during the period. Thus, this kind of clustering pattern study by using local station data for Dolakha can help in the preparedness and mitigation of earthquake hazard.

Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) is a business system through which the production and distribution of wealth are allocated for the betterment of its stakeholders. It includes the economic, legal, ethical, and philanthropic domains. It impacts society environmentally, socially, and economically. The paper aims to assess the practices of CSR in selected Nepalese companies and identify the disclosure of CSR activities. Nepal Telecom [NT], Ncell, Chaudhary Group [CG], and Standard Chartered Bank [SCB] are selected companies in this study. Data were collected through relevant documentary scrutiny and evidence such as annual reports and websites and review of previous research studies. The study is based on the qualitative method. Data analysis was used on a thematic basis. Convenience sampling was used. On the one hand, both NT and Ncell make their contribution on their communicating service; on the other hand, all of the sample companies focus their spending on education, health, environmental protection, natural calamities, and sports. Ncell has made a substantial contribution to protecting COVID-19. CG’s various CSR programs are not just for accomplishing the regulatory requirement, it aims to be part of the overall development and bring sustainable social reform. CG has livelihood as well as heritage and spiritual development programs which also should remain under CSR practices for the economic development of the country. The companies have disclosed relatively more philanthropic and ethical information and the least economic information. In this study, the economic domain of CSR is dominant. The economic domain of CSR includes the production of goods and services to earn profits. This is followed by a legal, philanthropic and ethical domain. This study helps the policymaker, business organizations, researchers, and learners to improve knowledge and ideas about CSR.

Graphene attracted to the researcher with huge attention due to their unique physicochemical properties including high specific surface area and high-speed electron mobility at room temperature. The graphene with several layers was synthesized through liquid phase exfoliation method using high shear force of the magnetic stirrer. This process was performed about 6 hour on the graphite powder and dimethyl-formamide solvent of 0.25 M, 0.5 M and 1 M concentration solution following the microwave treatment for 30 second and sonication for 2 hour at room temperature. The drop-casted exfoliated graphene into glass substrate had G peak and 2D peak. The graphene from 1M concentration had the better quality as compared to the graphene obtained from 0.25M and 0.5M concentration solution. The fabricated gas sensor device with two contact electrodes using exfoliated graphene as a channel material produced the different current (I)–voltage (V) characteristics. The current vs. voltage of bare graphene film without filling of waste harmful gases had the current shifted from 0 mA to 0.0652 mA when the maximum voltage was applied. The current increased nearly from 0.0652 mA to 0.2391 mA after harmful waste gases adjustment at maximum applied voltage. The current through few layers graphene channel after harmful gases filled was found 3.6 times higher than that of the current through the graphene channel without harmful waste gases. This result was due to the adsorption/absorption and interaction of more quantity of harmful waste gases by the exfoliated graphene. So, the device showing some current variation informed that the graphene gas sensor was sensitive to waste gases produced from home kitchen and its surrounding.

A brief review of the evolution and origins of Ultra-High Performance Concrete (UHPC) is covered in this article. UHPC is a unique concrete with unique features such as workability, mechanical properties, and durability that differs from regular concrete and high-performance concrete in terms of mix composition, needs, and manufacturing methods. In terms of the material ingredients of UHPC, Silica Fume (SF) plays a critical role in the production of UHPC due to its unique physical and chemical properties. Ground Granulated Blast Furnace Slag (GGBS), a highly reactive pozzolan similar to SF, is another viable contender among mineral admixtures. As a result, this article examines the effects of SF and GGBS in the UHPC combination. This paper also reviews the durability of UHPC in terms of water and chloride-ion permeability. A brief review of the importance of steel and polypropylene fibre (PPF) in UHPC blends, as well as their pull-out behaviour, is also reviewed.

Objective Previous work on temporally sparse multifocal methods suggests that the results are correlated with disability and progression in people with multiple sclerosis (PwMS). Here, we assess the diagnostic power of three cortically mediated sparse multifocal pupillographic objective perimetry (mfPOP) methods that quantified response-delay and light-sensitivity at up to 44 regions of both visual fields concurrently. Methods One high-spatial-resolution mfPOP method, P129, and two rapid medium-resolution methods, W12 and W20, were tested on 44 PwMS and controls. W12 and W20 took 82 s to test both visual fields concurrently, providing response delay and sensitivity at each field location, while P129 took 7 min. Diagnostic power was assessed using areas under the receiver operating characteristic (AUROC) curves and effect-size (Hedges’ g). Linear models examined significance. Concurrent testing of both eyes permitted assessment of between-eye asymmetries. Results Per-region response delays and asymmetries achieved AUROCs of 86.6% ± 4.72% (mean ± SE) in relapsing–remitting MS, and 96.5% ± 2.30% in progressive MS. Performance increased with increasing disability scores, with even moderate EDSS 2 to 4.5 PwMS producing AUROCs of 82.1 to 89.8%, Hedge’s g values up to 2.06, and p = 4.0e − 13. All tests performed well regardless of any history of optic neuritis. W12 and W20 performed as well or better than P129. Conclusion Overall, the 82-s tests (W12 and W20) performed better than P129. The results suggest that mfPOP assesses a correlate of disease severity rather than a history of inflammation, and that it may be useful in the clinical management of PwMS.

Ramgarh Shekhawati kown as “Ramgarh Sethan” is a town located in the Shekhawati region of Rajasthan, India. The town was settled by Poddars in medieval era. The town is known for its settlement pattern, havelis (mansions), chattries and frescoes. The town is characterized by its narrow streets, which are lined with havelis and other traditional buildings. The town's layout having grid pattern, with a central market area surrounded by residential neighbourhoods. The settlement study reveals about the evolution & planning of town of medieval town based on geographical, water management, security aspects, trading activities, environmental & socio-cultural aspects. As Ramgarh also lies in silk route in medieval era, this aspect has also played an important role in planning of the town. Overall, the settlement study of Ramgarh Shekhawati reveals a historic and culturally rich town, with a distinctive architectural style and a strong sense of community. Further the study illustrates the major zones at macro level along with the layout & functionality aspects of various urban elements. At macro level clusters are having their unique identity based on socio-cultural, urban fabric, functionality, street character & environmental aspects; based on these aspects clusters are planned with Grid iron pattern, chowk pattern & branch pattern. Town has four entry gateways which lead to the central chowk & ramgarh fort. All the basic basic emenities like dharmshala, temple, step well were constructed near to the entry gateways of town to avail the basic facilities to the traders & visitors.

Objectives: Serial C-reactive protein (CRP) monitoring helps to rule out and prognosticate sepsis. Small blood volumes in neonates make it difficult for repeated blood draws for serial CRP monitoring. Hence, the need of the hour is a non-invasive method such as CRP estimation in saliva. This study aims to correlate salivary CRP with serum CRP levels and establish the potential clinical utility of salivary CRP in diagnosing neonatal sepsis. Materials and Methods: Twenty-three consecutive neonates diagnosed with clinically suspected sepsis and admitted to the NICU were the study subjects. Demographics such as gestational age and weight at birth, sex and detailed clinical features, and comorbidities were noted. Blood samples for CRP estimation and blood culture were collected as soon as clinical suspicion of sepsis arose. Saliva samples were collected for CRP estimation within 1 h of blood sample collection. The saliva was collected in a 2 mL syringe using low suction. Salivary and serum CRP were estimated by the particle enhanced immunoturbidimetric assay. Results: In our study, the CRP levels in saliva correlated moderately well with CRP levels in serum (Spearman correlation coefficient r = 0.582, P = 0.004). The sensitivity and specificity of salivary CRP to predict a serum level of ≥10 mg/L were observed to be 0.75 and 0.93, respectively. Conclusion: Our study shows the promise of salivary CRP as a potential clinically meaningful biomarker of neonatal sepsis and warrants the need for larger studies to validate the utility of salivary CRP to serially monitor neonatal sepsis.

PurposeOcular vascular diseases are common causes of visual impairment and blindness, for which intravitreal injection of anti-vascular endothelial growth factor (anti-VEGF) is the first-line therapy. Current study describes the profile of patients receiving intravitreal anti-VEGF injections in Bhutan. This is the first study of its kind to inform the national health policy.MethodsFor this retrospective study, we reviewed the surgical registers of the vitreoretinal unit across Bhutan over three years. Patient demography, clinical findings, diagnostic tests performed, and diagnoses or indications for intravitreal anti-VEGF injections were logged. A descriptive analysis was performed.ResultsA total of 381 patients received intravitreal anti-VEGF injections in the operating theatres as mandated by the national guidelines. The majority of patients were males (230, 60.4%). The mean age was 65.2 ± 13.5 years, ranging from 13 to 90 years, and a median of 69 years. Majority of the treated eyes (117, 30.7%) had BCVA ConclusionsBhutan faces both economic and geographic challenges, on top of limited human resources for managing vitreoretinal diseases. With an ever-increasing load of vitreoretinal diseases, and systemic diseases like diabetes and hypertension, there is a need to improve vitreoretinal services. Regular vitreoretinal services are provided only at the national referral hospital located in the north-west. For successful management, an effective community screening program, right referrals, and proper transport facilities must go hand-in-hand, and or extend regular vitreoretinal services to regional referral hospitals.

There are concerns about the occurrence of multidrug resistance (MDR) in patients with urine tract infections (UTI) in Nepal.To determine culture positivity, trends in MDR amongThis was a cross-sectional study using secondary laboratory data.Among 116,417 urine samples tested, 19,671 (16.9%) were culture-positive, with an increasing trend in the number of samples tested and culture positivity.Low culture positivity is worrying and requires further work into improving diagnostic protocols. Decreasing trends in MDR are a welcome sign. Information on seasonal changes that peak in July-August can help laboratories better prepare for this time with adequate buffer stocks to ensure culture and antibiotic susceptibility testing.La résistance à plusieurs médicaments (MDR) chez les patients atteints d’infections urinaires (UTI) au Népal est un sujet de préoccupations.Déterminer le taux de positivité des cultures, les tendances de MDR parmi les infections àIl s’agissait d’une étude transversale réalisée en utilisant des données de laboratoire secondaires.Parmi les 116 417 échantillons urinaires testés, 19 671 (16,9%) étaient positifs par culture, avec une tendance à la hausse du nombre d’échantillons testés et du taux de positivité par culture.Le faible taux de positivité par culture est préoccupant et d’autres études sont nécessaires pour améliorer les protocoles diagnostiques. Les tendances à la baisse en matière de MDR sont un signe encourageant. Les informations relatives aux variations saisonnières avec un pic en juillet-août peuvent aider les laboratoires à mieux se préparer en prévision de cette période, en renouvelant les stocks de solutions tampons afin de pouvoir réaliser les cultures et les tests de sensibilité aux médicaments.

Discoidin domain receptor 1 (DDR1) is one of the receptors that belong to a family of non-integrin collagen receptors. In common, DDR1 is predominantly found in epithelial and smooth muscle cells and its mainly involved in organogenesis during embryonic development. However, it's also overexpressed in several pathological conditions, including cancer and inflammation. The DDR1 is reported in numerous cancers, including breast, prostate, pancreatic, bladder, lung, liver, pituitary, colorectal, skin, gastric, glioblastoma, and inflammation. DDR1 activates through the collagen I, IV, IGF-1/IGF1R, and IGF2/IR, regulating downstream signaling molecules such as MAPKs, PI3K/Akt, and NF-kB in diseases. Despite its biomedical importance, there is a lack of consolidated network map of the DDR1 signaling pathway, which prompted us for curation of literature data pertaining to the DDR1 system following the NetPath criteria. We present here the compiled pathway map comprises 39 activation/inhibition events, 17 catalysis events, 22 molecular associations, 65 gene regulation events, 35 types of protein expression, and two protein translocation events. The detailed DDR1 signaling pathway map is made freely accessible through the WikiPathways Database ( https://www.wikipathways.org/index.php/ Pathway: https://www.wikipathways.org/index.php/Pathway:WP5288 ).

In this report, we have investigated optical constants and thickness of nanostructured ZnO films grown on a glass substrate by sol-gel spin coating technique using zinc acetate as precursor. Optical constants such as complex refractive index ñ and dielectric constant ϵ determined from the transmittance spectrum in the ultraviolet, visible, near infrared (UV-VIS, NIR) region by envelope method. The value of refractive index decreases from 2.34 to 1.86 and extinction coefficient increases from 0.28 to 0.64 with increasing wavelength. The decreasing behavior of refractive index is attributed due to the increase in transmission and decrease in absorption coefficient with increasing wavelength. The film exhibits reasonably high transmittance (>80%) in the visible region. Absorbance coefficient α and film thickness (d) were calculated from the interference of fringes of transmittance spectrum. The band gap and thickness of the film were found 3.02 eV and 275nm, respectively. The thickness of the film measured by envelope method is validated with cross-section micrograph of SEM images which is about 285 nm. The real part of the dielectric function of nanostructured ZnO decreases with increasing wavelength where as the imaginary part of dielectric constant increases with increasing wavelength. The observed high value of refractive index n and real part of dielectric constant ϵ at lower wavelength is due to band edge absorption of carriers. The dispersion relation shows the increase of complex refractive index and dielectric constant at the high frequency regime is due to the discharging of defect levels using optical excitation of carriers in the visible region.

Introduction While the gold standard for simulation training in hand surgery is cadaveric hands, ethical issues and cost limit their use. Chicken thighbones have been utilised to replicate human metacarpals but there is a lack of literature to validate such a model. The aim of this study was to determine whether chicken femurs are morphologically similar to human metacarpal bones. Methods Computed tomography imaging was obtained of hands undertaken at our institute between 1 January and 31 December 2015. A total of 114 chicken thighs were also scanned. Bones with previous trauma or incomplete imaging were excluded. Bone length, distance to isthmus, radius of curvature, medullary canal diameter and cortical thickness were compared between the groups. Statistical analysis was conducted using Student’s t-test or the Mann-Whitney U test, with statistical significance implied with a p-value of < 0.05. Results A total of 146 human CT scans were identified, of which 36 were included in the study, resulting in 158 human metacarpals in 5 female and 31 male patients, with an average age of 39.5 years (range: 16–77 years). Of 114 chickens scanned, 101 were suitable for analysis. Mean length, distance to isthmus, radius of curvature, medullary canal diameter and cortical thickness were 57.3mm (standard deviation [SD]: 8.7mm), 32.9mm (SD: 8.2mm), 68.8mm (SD: 19.5mm), 9.3mm (SD: 1.6mm) and 1.7mm (SD: 0.4mm) respectively in human metacarpals, compared with 66.7mm (SD: 5.1mm), 34.1mm (SD: 6.4mm), 89.1mm (SD: 15.1mm), 6.4mm (SD: 0.6mm) and 1.6mm (SD: 0.1mm) respectively in chicken femurs. There was no significant difference in bone geometry between the groups, with p-values of >0.05 for all parameters described. Conclusions The chicken thigh model provides an anatomically suitable and more cost effective alternative to human cadaveric metacarpals in simulation training for hand surgery.

Background Medical services are still developing in Bhutan. There is no published national report on age-related macular degeneration (AMD). We therefore aim to determine the demographic characteristics and severity of AMD at first presentation among Bhutanese patients attending their recently inaugurated vitreoretinal (VR) clinics over a 3-year national survey, and to inform national health policy to develop suitable health program to prevent AMD-related blindness and visual impairment. Methods A retrospective cross-sectional consecutive case series study was conducted on all new AMD cases in Bhutan. If a patient presented with asymmetrical AMD, the eye with more severe AMD was considered. If both the eyes had the same severity one eye was chosen randomly. Collection of demographic data and clinical details including diagnostic testing (fundus photography, OCT and fluorescent angiography) and clinical staging were performed. Results Of 521 new AMD patients aged 71.9 ± 11.3 years, 306/521 (58.7%) were males (p = 0.005). At their first presentation, 234/521 patients (44.9%) already had late-stage AMD. Importantly, 69/234 patients (29.5%), that is half of total neovascular AMD (nAMD) patients, had disciform scars (DS) which were beyond treatment, and 7/234 patients (3.0%) had geographic atrophy (GA). Seven patients had retinal pigment epithelium tear at presentation. Fourteen of nineteen polypoidal choroidal vasculopathy (PCV) patients were younger than 50 years. Conclusions Half of nAMD cases presented as DS not amenable to the treatment. Many potentially treatable nAMD patients had already lost central vision and were legally blind. Young people with PCV losing vision early in life with longer morbidity-affected life and socio-economic burden was concerning. GA and DS cases need visual rehabilitation to improve their QoL. Incorporating a screening program for AMD with effective health education, and maintaining a national AMD Registry, would potentially lower AMD-related blindness and visual impairment.

Previous work on temporally sparse multifocal methods suggests that the results are correlated with disability and progression in people with multiple sclerosis (PwMS). Here, we assess the diagnostic power of three cortically mediated sparse multifocal pupillographic objective perimetry (mfPOP) methods that quantified response-delay and light-sensitivity at up to 44 regions of both visual fields concurrently.One high-spatial-resolution mfPOP method, P129, and two rapid medium-resolution methods, W12 and W20, were tested on 44 PwMS and controls. W12 and W20 took 82 s to test both visual fields concurrently, providing response delay and sensitivity at each field location, while P129 took 7 min. Diagnostic power was assessed using areas under the receiver operating characteristic (AUROC) curves and effect-size (Hedges' g). Linear models examined significance. Concurrent testing of both eyes permitted assessment of between-eye asymmetries.Per-region response delays and asymmetries achieved AUROCs of 86.6% ± 4.72% (mean ± SE) in relapsing-remitting MS, and 96.5% ± 2.30% in progressive MS. Performance increased with increasing disability scores, with even moderate EDSS 2 to 4.5 PwMS producing AUROCs of 82.1 to 89.8%, Hedge's g values up to 2.06, and p = 4.0e - 13. All tests performed well regardless of any history of optic neuritis. W12 and W20 performed as well or better than P129.Overall, the 82-s tests (W12 and W20) performed better than P129. The results suggest that mfPOP assesses a correlate of disease severity rather than a history of inflammation, and that it may be useful in the clinical management of PwMS.

The demand for exploring eco-friendly and advanced materials for sustainable development with exceptional physicochemical properties is increasing day by day. Recently, nanocellulose in its all form such as cellulose nanocrystal, cellulose nanofibers, and bacterial cellulose gain great attention in both research and industrial areas due to their appealing inherent properties such as excellent mechanical properties, high concentration of hydroxyl groups for modification, high surface area, lightweight, and biodegradability. However, the hydrophilic nature of nanocellulose restricted its utilization in various applications, but the presence of a functional group on its surface provides a platform for surface modification through various techniques. In this review, the source of nanocellulose, a brief description of the chemical structure of nanocellulose, its type, typical production methods, surface modification, and general application such as textile, biomedical fields, wastewater purification, food packaging are summarized. It is expected to provide broad knowledge about the usefulness of present and future perspectives of nanocellulose for the benefit of the environment and society.

In this work, the Eu

Field experiment was conducted in pumpkin (Cucurbita moschata Duch. ex Poir.) during summer seasons of 2018 and 2019 at Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh with a view to develop adaptable and rational pest management technology for the major insect pests of pumpkin. Among the three pest management modules, viz. biointensive module (M1), integrated module (M2) and chemical module (M3) synthesized and formulated against major insect pests of pumpkin including red pumpkin beetle (Raphidopalpa foveicollis), white fly (Bemisia tabaci) and mirid bugs (Nesidiocoris cruentatus), the integrated module (M2) comprising sprayings of DDVP 76% EC @0.75 ml/l at 20 and 30 days after sowing (DAS), Bacillus thuringiensis var. Kurstaki @ 2 g/l at 40 DAS, Imidacloprid 17.8 SL @ 0.33 ml/l at 50 DAS, Lecanicillium lecanii @5 g/l at 60 DAS and Azadirachtin 300 ppm @5 ml/l at 70 DAS was most effective in reducing the red pumpkin beetle (75 and 67.27% during 2018 and 2019, respectively), white fly (44.12 and 66.55) and mirid bug population on leaves (74.24 and 84.62) with maximum increase in the yield (291 q/ha) over chemical (287 q/ ha), biointensive modules (269 q/ha) and untreated control (208 q/ha). Considering economics of the treatments, integrated module (M2) recorded highest cost benefit ratio of 1:7.06 followed by biointensive module (1:3.41) and chemical module (1:2.77).

In India, frontline workers (FLWs) - public accredited social health activists (ASHAs) and private rural medical providers (RMPs) - are important for early detection and treatment of childhood diarrhoea and pneumonia. This cross-sectional study aims to measure knowledge and skills, and the gap between the two ('know-can' gap), regarding assessment of childhood diarrhoea with dehydration and pneumonia among FLWs, and to explore factors associated with them.We surveyed 473 ASHAs and 447 RMPs in six districts of Uttar Pradesh. We assessed knowledge and skills using face-to-face interviews and video vignettes, respectively, about key signs of both conditions. The 'know-can' gap corresponds to absent skills among FLWs with correct knowledge. We used logistic regression to identify the correlates of knowledge and skills.FLWs' correct knowledge ranged from 23% to 48% for dehydration signs and 27% to 37% for pneumonia signs. Their skills ranged from 3% to 42% for dehydration and 3% to 18% for pneumonia. There was a significant 'know-can' gap in all the signs, except 'sunken eyes'. Training and supervisory support was associated with better knowledge and skills for diarrhoea with dehydration, but only better knowledge for pneumonia.FLWs are crucial to the Indian health system, and high-quality FLW services are necessary for continued progress against under-five deaths. The gap between FLWs' knowledge and skills warrants immediate attention. In particular, our results suggest that knowledge-focused trainings are insufficient for FLWs to convert knowledge into appropriate assessment skills.En Inde, les travailleurs de première ligne (TPL) - activistes de la santé sociale accrédités par le public (ASSAP) et prestataires médicaux ruraux privés (PMRP) - sont importants pour la détection et le traitement précoces de la diarrhée et de la pneumonie infantiles. Cette étude transversale vise à mesurer les connaissances et les compétences, et l'écart entre les deux (écart ''savoir-pouvoir''), en ce qui concerne l'évaluation de la diarrhée infantile avec déshydratation et la pneumonie chez les TPL et à explorer les facteurs qui leur sont associés. MÉTHODES: Nous avons mené une enquête sur 473 ASSAP et 447 PMRP dans six districts de l'Uttar Pradesh. Nous avons évalué les connaissances et les compétences à l'aide d'entretiens de face à face et de vignettes vidéo, respectivement, sur les signes clés des deux conditions. L'écart «savoir-pouvoir» correspond à des compétences absentes parmi les TPL ayant des connaissances correctes. Nous avons utilisé la régression logistique pour identifier les corrélats des connaissances et des compétences. RÉSULTATS: Les connaissances correctes des TPL variaient de 23% à 48% pour les signes de déshydratation, 27% à 37% pour les signes de pneumonie. Leurs compétences variaient de 3% à 42% pour la déshydratation et de 3% à 18% pour la pneumonie. Il y avait un écart important dans le «savoir-pouvoir» pour tous les signes, à l'exception des «yeux enfoncés». La formation et le soutien à la supervision étaient associés à de meilleures connaissances et compétences pour la diarrhée avec déshydratation, mais seulement à de meilleures connaissances pour la pneumonie.Les TPL sont cruciaux pour le système de santé indien, et des services de TPL de haute qualité sont nécessaires pour continuer à lutter contre les décès d'enfants de moins de cinq ans. L'écart entre les connaissances et les compétences des TPL mérite une attention immédiate. En particulier, nos résultats suggèrent que les formations axées sur les connaissances sont insuffisantes pour que les TPL convertissent les connaissances en compétences d'évaluation appropriées.