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The main objective of the paper is to prove some unified common fixed point theorems for a family of mappings under a minimal set of sufficient conditions. Our results subsume and improve a host of common fixed point theorems for contractive type mappings available in the literature of the metric fixed point theory. Simultaneously, we provide some new answers in a general framework to the problem posed by Rhoades (Contemp Math 72, 233-245, 1988) regarding the existence of a contractive definition which is strong enough to generate a fixed point, but which does not force the mapping to be continuous at the fixed point. Concrete examples are also given to illustrate the applicability of our proved results.

In this paper we prove a theorem which ensures the existence of a unique fixed point and is applicable to contractive type mappings as well as mappings which do not satisfy any contractive type condition. Our theorem contains the well known fixed point theorems respectively due to Banach, Kannan, Chatterjea, Ciric and Suzuki as particular cases; and is independent of Caristi?s fixed point theorem. Moreover, our theorem provides new solutions to Rhoades problem on discontinuity at the fixed point as it admits contractive mappings which are discontinuous at the fixed point. It is also shown that the weaker form of continuity employed by us is a necessary and sufficient condition for the existence of the fixed point.

Agriculture plays a crucial role in Indian economy. Crop yield is main component of food security as human population is increasing in a drastic way. One of the most important problems of agriculture is crop yield prediction. Agriculture yield depends on the various factors such as weather situation (rain, humidity, temperature etc.), information about pesticides. Apart from these factors exact information about the crop yield history is an essential concept for making predictions and controlling agriculture risk. Earlier yield prediction was performed by considering the farmer's experience on a particular field and crop. In this study machine learning is used to predict four popular yields which are mostly cultivated all over India. Once the crop yield is site specifically predicted, the inputs such as fertilizers could be applied variably according to the expected crop and soil needs. In our study we use Machine Learning approaches to develop a trained model to identify the patterns among data and it is used for crop prediction. In this study the prediction of four most cultivated yields in India is considered by applying machine learning. These crops include: Maize, Potatoes, Rice (Paddy) and wheat.

Introduction: GeneXpert MTB/Rif assay is an automated, cartridge-based nucleic acid amplification test that can accurately detect both tuberculosis and Rifampicin resistance. Since its introduction, there has been a steady uptake of this technology by the National Tuberculosis Program of Nepal. Nevertheless, a large number of drug-resistant TB cases remains undiagnosed. This study aims to examine the challenges in diagnosis of drug-resistant tuberculosis by the GeneXpert MTB/Rif assay in Nepal and explore the possible solutions. Methods: This was a cross-sectional study consisting of two parts – a quantitative part assessing the individual details and a qualitative part assessing the challenges on the diagnosis of drug-resistant TB by GeneXpert MTB/Rif assay. Data were collected from the GeneXpert operators, clinicians and program managers from 16 centers across the country and analyzed by IBM SPSS for Windows v23 and QDA Miner 4 Lite. Descriptive statistics were used to summarize the sociodemographic and other characteristics of the study participants using mean, standard deviation and proportions as appropriate. Results: A total of 48 technical manpower participated in the study. The mean age was 39.95 years and a majority of them (77.3%) were male. The major challenges identified were inadequate training, frequent power failure, difficulty in maintaining appropriate steady temperature, module failure which is often not replaced in time, issues with calibration and timely availability of cartridges as well as appropriate ways to store the new cartridges and safe disposal of the used cartridges. Conclusion: A number of challenges limit the optimal utilization of GeneXpert MTB/Rif assay warranting action.

On 26th September 2018, Heads of States of different countries gathered at the United Nation General Assembly for the first-ever UN High-Level Meeting (HLM) on tuberculosis (TB) to accelerate efforts in ending TB. The theme of the meeting was “United to end tuberculosis: an urgent global response to a global epidemic”. This was a landmark opportunity to marshal the political will and resources to end TB. Together we can defeat TB and overcome antimicrobial resistance by closing the funding gap for TB research and product development through equitable approaches, securing universal access to new medicines and fostering global collaboration. TB is an infectious disease with high mortality, the most common form of antimicrobial resistance and leading cause of death in people living with HIV/AIDS. World Health Organization declared TB as global emergency. Still, TB is second leading cause of death worldwide. A good percentage of people in the developing countries continue to suffer from this menace because of poverty, gender inequality, vulnerability, discrimination and marginalization. Millions of people with TB do not have access to quality care, including affordable diagnostic test and treatment facility and is a precarious challenge to end TB globally, as well as in SAARC Region. It is estimated that one quarter of the world’s population is infected with TB bacteria. SAARC Region has 36% of the global TB burden with 3.7 million new TB cases and 0.5 million death. Moreover these morbidity and mortality occur mainly in the economically productive age groups of 15-49 years. In order to eliminate TB from the SAARC Region before the global target, the SAARC TB and HIV/AIDS (STAC) has revised “SAARC Regional Strategy on Elimination of Tuberculosis (2018-2023)”. This year the world TB day theme was “Its time”. So it is time to involve policy makers to advocate and take active participation in the TB control programmes. The affected and infected people with this disease can bring positive changes by combining their voices towards the elimination of the disease. Now it is time to intensify advocacy, social mobilization, partnership, research and inter-sectoral efforts to achieve the global target of ending the TB epidemic by 2030. Chief Editor Director, STAC

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Mn substituted Fe3O4 ferrite based ferrofluids were synthesized successfully and their structural and magnetic characteristics investigated. The two step method of synthesis was adopted wherein as the first step Mn substituted Fe3O4 ferrite nanoparticles having the chemical formula Fe1-xMnxFe2O4, where x = 0.0 to 0.5 in steps of 0.1 were synthesized by chemical co-precipitation method. The ferrite nanoparticles were characterized for their structural information using X-ray diffraction (XRD) technique. XRD pattern confirmed the formation of single phase spinel structure and the nanocrystalline nature of the samples. These ferrite nanoparticles were then dispersed in kerosene using oleic acid as the surfactant. FTIR spectroscopy was used to confirm the presence of Fe–O bonds and other chemical substance adsorbed on the surface of the particles. Magnetic measurements of the synthesized hydrocarbon based ferrofluids was carried out using Vibrating Sample Magnetometer (VSM) and Electron Paramagnetic Resonance (EPR) spectroscopy at room temperature. Magnetic parameters such as saturation magnetization, coercivity and remanence were evaluated from the M-H curve and the superparamagnetic behavior characteristic of magnetic nanoparticles was confirmed, which has also been observed from the EPR spectra recorded at room temperature.