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In real life, situations may arise when the available data are insufficient to provide accurate estimates for the domain, the small area estimation (SAE) technique has been used to get accurate estimates for the variable under study. The problem of missing data is a serious problem that has an impact on sample surveys, but small area estimates are especially prone to it. This paper is a basic effort that suggests design based synthetic imputation methods for the domain mean estimation using simple random sampling in order to address the issue of missing data under SAE. The expression of the mean square error for the proposed imputation methods are obtained up to first order approximation. The efficiency conditions are determined and a thorough simulation study is carried out using artificially generated data sets. An application is included with real data that further supports this study. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article deals with some new imputation methods by extending the work of Bhushan and Pandey using multi-auxiliary information. The popularly used imputation like mean imputation, ratio method of imputation, regression method of imputation and power transformation method are special cases of the proposed methods apart from being less efficient than the proposed methods. The proposed imputation methods can be considered as an efficient extension to the work of Singh and Deo (Stat Pap 44:555–579, 2003), Singh (Stat A J Theor Appl Stat 43(5):499–511, 2009), Ahmed et al. (Stat Transit 7(6):1247–1264, 2006), Diana and Perri (Commun Stat Theory Methods 39:3245–3251, 2010) and Bhushan and Pandey (J Stat Manag Syst 19(6):755–769, 2016, Commun Stat Theory Methods 47(11):2576–2589, 2018). The theoretical results are derived and comparative study is conducted using real and simulated data and the results are found to be quite encouraging providing the improvement over the all discuss work. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

East Kolkata Wetlands (EKW) is an important site for fish culture in sewage-fed areas, which are major receivers of pollutants and wastages from Kolkata. EKW is internationally important as the Ramsar site was declared on Aug 2002 with an area of 125 km2. EKW is a natural water body where wastewater-fed natural aquaculture has been practiced for more than 70 years. It is ecologically vulnerable due to the discharge of toxic waste through sewage canals from cities. Assessing the EKW to understand the inflow and load of the toxic metal (s) in fish, water, and sediments samples is essential. The field (samples collection from 13 sites) and lab (determination of toxic level of metals) based research were carried out to assess metal toxicity and health risk assessment in EKW. The levels of eighteen metals (18), namely Chromium, Vanadium, Cobalt, Manganese, Copper, Nickel, Zinc, Silver, Molybdenum, Arsenic, Selenium, Tin, Gallium, Germanium, Strontium, Cadmium, Mercury, and Lead, were determined using Inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS) in five fish tissues viz. muscle, liver, kidney, gill and brain, along with the water samples and soil sediments in 13 sampling sites. The bioaccumulation and concentration of metals in fish tissues, soil sediments, and water samples were well within the safe level concerning the recommendation of different national and international agencies except for a few metals in a few sampling sites like Cd, As, and Pb. The geoaccumulation index (Igeo) was also determined in the soil sediments, indicating moderate arsenic, selenium, and mercury contamination in a few sites. The contamination index in water was also determined in 13 sampling sites. The estimated daily intake (EDI), reference dose (RfD), target hazard quotient (THQ), slope factor and cancer risk of Cr, Mn, Co, Ni, Cu, Zn, As, Se, Cd, Pb and Hg from fish muscle were determined. Based on the results of the present investigation, it is concluded that fish consumption in the East Kolkata Wetland (EKW) is safe. The effects of bioaccumulation of metals in muscle tissue were well within the safe level for consumption as recommended by WHO/FAO. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

As translation proceeds, the nascent polypeptide chain passes through a tunnel in the large ribosomal subunit. Although this ribosomal exit tunnel was once thought only to be a passive conduit for the growing nascent chain, accumulating evidence suggests that it may in fact play a more active role in regulating translation and initial protein folding events. Here we have determined single-particle cryo–electron microscopy reconstructions of eukaryotic 80S ribosomes containing nascent chains with high α-helical propensity located within the exit tunnel. The maps enable direct visualization of density for helices as well as allowing the sites of interaction with the tunnel wall components to be elucidated. In particular regions of the tunnel, the nascent chain adopts distinct conformations and establishes specific contacts with tunnel components, both ribosomal RNA and proteins, that have been previously implicated in nascent chain–ribosome interaction. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In the present work, the effect of α-Fe2O3-nanoparticles (IONPs) supplementation at varying doses (0, 10, 20 and, 30 mg L−1) at the intermittent stage (after 12th day of growth period) was studied on the growth and biogas production potential of Chlorella pyrenoidosa. Significant enhancements in microalgae growth were observed with all the tested IONPs doses, the highest (2.94 ± 0.01 g L−1) being at 20 mg L−1. Consequently, the composition of the biomass was also improved. Based on the precedent determinations, theoretical chemical oxygen demand (CODth) as well as theoretical and stoichiometric methane potential (TMP, and SMP) were also estimated. The CODth, TMP, SMP values indicated IONPs efficacy for improving biogas productivity. Further, the biochemical methane potential (BMP) test was done for IONPs supplemented biomass. The BMP test revealed up to a 25.14% rise in biogas yield (605 mL g–1 VSfed) with 22.4% enhanced methane content for 30 mg L−1 IONPs supplemented biomass over control. Overall, at 30 mg L−1 IONPs supplementation, the cumulative enhancements in biomass, biogas, and methane content proffered a net rise of 98.63% in biomethane potential (≈ 2.86 × 104 m3 ha−1 year−1) compared to control. These findings reveal the potential of IONPs in improving microalgal biogas production. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Indiscriminate collection of Arnebia benthamii roots from wild for extraction of red pigments by traders prompted to put this Himalayan plant species under critically endangered category. Concerning the development of sustainable phytoconstituents sources, the present study is aimed at understanding the factors crucial for the scalability of A. benthamii cell suspension cultures. Here, the effect of orbital shaking speed (60–80 rpm) and inoculum density (5–15%) on leaf-induced cell suspension cultures during sequential scale up in shake flask (0.25–5 L) was assessed. The suspension cultures were established on Murashige and Skoog medium supplemented with 10 μM 6-benzylaminopurine and 5 μM indole-3-butyric acid having a 20-days cultivation cycle. The data revealed a significantly (p ≤ 0.05) high biomass productivity (523.80 ± 5.95 g/L, fresh weight) in 0.25 L vessel with 10% inoculum at 70 rpm as compared to large (5.0 L) volume flask (310.80 ± 32.85 g/L). Interestingly, the optimum inoculum density was found to vary with the size of culture vessels. Furthermore, noticeable effects of sequential scaleup with shaking speed and inoculum density were also observed on hydrogen peroxide (stress indicator) production as well as enzymatic (catalase and phenylalanine ammonia-lyase activity) and non-enzymatic (phenolic compounds) antioxidant potential. A. benthamii cells cultivated with optimized conditions had a significant amount of red pigment, with 669.17 ± 26.71 mg dry weight/L yield of total shikonin derivatives. In conclusion, the results clearly demonstrated the likelihood of scalability using optimized process variables for the production of natural red pigments using A. benthamii cell suspension cultures. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The present study assessed the toxic effect of super-paramagnetic iron oxide nanoparticles (SPIONs) on haemato-immunological responses, antioxidant capacity, oxidative stress, and metabolic enzyme activities in Labeo rohita fingerlings, as well as the possible ameliorative effect of dietary vitamin E. The experiment was conducted for 30 days (15-day exposure and recovery each) under static bioassay. The LC50 concentration of SPIONs was estimated by 96-h exposure which was 3253.20 mg/L. The fishes were distributed in two groups and exposed to three levels 1/50th, 1/25th, and 1/10th of SPION-LC50 concentration. Group 1: fed with control diet and referred to as CS0, CS/50, CS/25, and CS/10, while group 2: fed vitamin E supplemented diet and referred to as ES0, ES/50, ES/25, and ES/10. Significant alterations were observed in haemato-immunological responses, malondialdehyde (MDA), and oxidative and metabolic enzymes activity even after supplementation of vitamin E. The exposure to SPIONs altered haemato-immunological parameters, MDA accumulation, and tissue enzyme activity, i.e., superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), glutathione s-transferases (GST), xanthine oxidase (XO), lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), and malate dehydrogenase (MDH) in a dose-dependent manner. However, they relapsed to the level of control in S/50 exposed group at the end of the recovery period. The dietary vitamin E shows significant toxicity mitigating effect during the recovery period. Thus, SPIONs can be used up to a concentration of 65.06 mg/L in the culture water of Labeo rohita and its toxicity at higher doses can be partially ameliorated by feeding of vitamin E (at 250 mg/kg feed) for 15 days during post exposure period. Highlights: • The toxicity of SPIONs increased with increasing concentration of nanoparticle. • The lethal concentration (LC50) of SPIONs was 3253.20 mg/L. • At the end of the recovery period, dietary supplementation of vitamin E ameliorate toxic effect of SPIONs. • The physiological change caused due to the toxic effect of 65.04 mg/L SPIONs can be completely recovered in 15 days by dietary supplementation of vitamin E at 250 mg/kg in L. rohita. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Chemical investigation of industrial apple pomace waste has led to the isolation of two water-soluble polysaccharides (AS-3 and AS-5). Both polysaccharides were identified as arabinans on the basis of GC-MS, IR, 1D, 2D NMR, and MALDI-TOF-MS studies. GC-MS analysis of alditol acetate derivatives of AS-3 suggested the presence of arabinose and glucose sugars in the ratio of 4:1, whereas AS-5 was composed of only arabinose. The structure of AS-3 was identified as circular with three arabinose and one glucose in the circle and one arabinose unit branched at the C-4 position of the arabinose. AS-5 consists of four arabinose units, out of which three were linked linearly through 1 → 5 and 1 → 3 linkage and one in the side chain linked through 1 → 2 linkage. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: There is an urgent need for an effective, oral therapy for COVID-19. Purified aqueous extract of Cocculus hirsutus (AQCH) has shown robust antiviral activity in in vitro studies. We aimed to evaluate the efficacy and safety of AQCH plus standard of care in hospitalized patients with moderate COVID-19.In an open-label, multicenter, randomized controlled trial conducted in India, eligible patients (aged 18–75 years) were randomized (1:1) to receive AQCH 400 mg orally three times a day plus standard of care (AQCH group) or standard of care alone (control group) for 10 days. Primary endpoint was the proportion of patients showing clinical improvement by day 14. Time to clinical improvement, time to viral clearance, and duration of hospitalization were secondary endpoints.A total of 210 patients were randomized. By day 14 most patients in both groups showed clinical improvement [difference − 0.01 (95% CI − 0.07 to 0.05); p = 1.0]. Median time to clinical improvement was 8 days (IQR 8–11) in the AQCH group versus 11 days (IQR 8–11) in the control group [HR 1.27 (95% CI 0.95–1.71); p = 0.032]. Time to viral clearance and duration of hospitalization were also significantly shorter in the AQCH group (p = 0.0002 and p = 0.016, respectively). AQCH was well tolerated, with no safety concerns identified.AQCH significantly reduced time to clinical improvement, time to viral clearance, and duration of hospitalization. In a pandemic, this has significant potential to decrease healthcare resource utilization and increase hospital bed availability. Further investigation of the therapeutic potential of AQCH in patients with COVID-19 is warranted.Clinical Trials Registry – India (CTRI/2020/05/025397).Methods: There is an urgent need for an effective, oral therapy for COVID-19. Purified aqueous extract of Cocculus hirsutus (AQCH) has shown robust antiviral activity in in vitro studies. We aimed to evaluate the efficacy and safety of AQCH plus standard of care in hospitalized patients with moderate COVID-19.In an open-label, multicenter, randomized controlled trial conducted in India, eligible patients (aged 18–75 years) were randomized (1:1) to receive AQCH 400 mg orally three times a day plus standard of care (AQCH group) or standard of care alone (control group) for 10 days. Primary endpoint was the proportion of patients showing clinical improvement by day 14. Time to clinical improvement, time to viral clearance, and duration of hospitalization were secondary endpoints.A total of 210 patients were randomized. By day 14 most patients in both groups showed clinical improvement [difference − 0.01 (95% CI − 0.07 to 0.05); p = 1.0]. Median time to clinical improvement was 8 days (IQR 8–11) in the AQCH group versus 11 days (IQR 8–11) in the control group [HR 1.27 (95% CI 0.95–1.71); p = 0.032]. Time to viral clearance and duration of hospitalization were also significantly shorter in the AQCH group (p = 0.0002 and p = 0.016, respectively). AQCH was well tolerated, with no safety concerns identified.AQCH significantly reduced time to clinical improvement, time to viral clearance, and duration of hospitalization. In a pandemic, this has significant potential to decrease healthcare resource utilization and increase hospital bed availability. Further investigation of the therapeutic potential of AQCH in patients with COVID-19 is warranted.Clinical Trials Registry – India (CTRI/2020/05/025397).Results: There is an urgent need for an effective, oral therapy for COVID-19. Purified aqueous extract of Cocculus hirsutus (AQCH) has shown robust antiviral activity in in vitro studies. We aimed to evaluate the efficacy and safety of AQCH plus standard of care in hospitalized patients with moderate COVID-19.In an open-label, multicenter, randomized controlled trial conducted in India, eligible patients (aged 18–75 years) were randomized (1:1) to receive AQCH 400 mg orally three times a day plus standard of care (AQCH group) or standard of care alone (control group) for 10 days. Primary endpoint was the proportion of patients showing clinical improvement by day 14. Time to clinical improvement, time to viral clearance, and duration of hospitalization were secondary endpoints.A total of 210 patients were randomized. By day 14 most patients in both groups showed clinical improvement [difference − 0.01 (95% CI − 0.07 to 0.05); p = 1.0]. Median time to clinical improvement was 8 days (IQR 8–11) in the AQCH group versus 11 days (IQR 8–11) in the control group [HR 1.27 (95% CI 0.95–1.71); p = 0.032]. Time to viral clearance and duration of hospitalization were also significantly shorter in the AQCH group (p = 0.0002 and p = 0.016, respectively). AQCH was well tolerated, with no safety concerns identified.AQCH significantly reduced time to clinical improvement, time to viral clearance, and duration of hospitalization. In a pandemic, this has significant potential to decrease healthcare resource utilization and increase hospital bed availability. Further investigation of the therapeutic potential of AQCH in patients with COVID-19 is warranted.Clinical Trials Registry – India (CTRI/2020/05/025397).Conclusions: There is an urgent need for an effective, oral therapy for COVID-19. Purified aqueous extract of Cocculus hirsutus (AQCH) has shown robust antiviral activity in in vitro studies. We aimed to evaluate the efficacy and safety of AQCH plus standard of care in hospitalized patients with moderate COVID-19.In an open-label, multicenter, randomized controlled trial conducted in India, eligible patients (aged 18–75 years) were randomized (1:1) to receive AQCH 400 mg orally three times a day plus standard of care (AQCH group) or standard of care alone (control group) for 10 days. Primary endpoint was the proportion of patients showing clinical improvement by day 14. Time to clinical improvement, time to viral clearance, and duration of hospitalization were secondary endpoints.A total of 210 patients were randomized. By day 14 most patients in both groups showed clinical improvement [difference − 0.01 (95% CI − 0.07 to 0.05); p = 1.0]. Median time to clinical improvement was 8 days (IQR 8–11) in the AQCH group versus 11 days (IQR 8–11) in the control group [HR 1.27 (95% CI 0.95–1.71); p = 0.032]. Time to viral clearance and duration of hospitalization were also significantly shorter in the AQCH group (p = 0.0002 and p = 0.016, respectively). AQCH was well tolerated, with no safety concerns identified.AQCH significantly reduced time to clinical improvement, time to viral clearance, and duration of hospitalization. In a pandemic, this has significant potential to decrease healthcare resource utilization and increase hospital bed availability. Further investigation of the therapeutic potential of AQCH in patients with COVID-19 is warranted.Clinical Trials Registry – India (CTRI/2020/05/025397).Trial Registration: There is an urgent need for an effective, oral therapy for COVID-19. Purified aqueous extract of Cocculus hirsutus (AQCH) has shown robust antiviral activity in in vitro studies. We aimed to evaluate the efficacy and safety of AQCH plus standard of care in hospitalized patients with moderate COVID-19.In an open-label, multicenter, randomized controlled trial conducted in India, eligible patients (aged 18–75 years) were randomized (1:1) to receive AQCH 400 mg orally three times a day plus standard of care (AQCH group) or standard of care alone (control group) for 10 days. Primary endpoint was the proportion of patients showing clinical improvement by day 14. Time to clinical improvement, time to viral clearance, and duration of hospitalization were secondary endpoints.A total of 210 patients were randomized. By day 14 most patients in both groups showed clinical improvement [difference − 0.01 (95% CI − 0.07 to 0.05); p = 1.0]. Median time to clinical improvement was 8 days (IQR 8–11) in the AQCH group versus 11 days (IQR 8–11) in the control group [HR 1.27 (95% CI 0.95–1.71); p = 0.032]. Time to viral clearance and duration of hospitalization were also significantly shorter in the AQCH group (p = 0.0002 and p = 0.016, respectively). AQCH was well tolerated, with no safety concerns identified.AQCH significantly reduced time to clinical improvement, time to viral clearance, and duration of hospitalization. In a pandemic, this has significant potential to decrease healthcare resource utilization and increase hospital bed availability. Further investigation of the therapeutic potential of AQCH in patients with COVID-19 is warranted.Clinical Trials Registry – India (CTRI/2020/05/025397). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]