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Abstract Kagome materials are of topical interest for their diverse quantum properties linked with correlated magnetism and topology. Here, we report anomalous hydrostatic pressure (p) effect on ErMn6Sn6 through isobaric and isothermal-isobaric magnetization measurements. Magnetic field (H) suppresses antiferromagnetic T N while simultaneously enhancing the ferrimagnetic T C by exhibiting dual metamagnetic transitions, arising from the triple-spiral-nature of Er and Mn spins. Counter-intuitively, pressure enhances both T C and T N with a growth rate of 74.4 K GPa−1 and 14.4 K GPa−1 respectively. Pressure unifies the dual metamagnetic transitions as illustrated through p-H phase diagrams at 140 and 200 K. Temperature-field-pressure (T-H, T-p) phase diagrams illustrate distinct field- and pressure-induced critical points at (T cr = 246 K, H cr = 23.3 kOe) and (T cr = 435.8 K, p cr = 4.74 GPa) respectively. An unusual increase of magnetic entropy by pressure around T cr and a putative pressure-induced tricritical point pave a unique way of tuning the magnetic properties of kagome magnets through simultaneous application of H and p.

Background Most neonatal deaths in India occur due to a lack of timely and proper care just before and during delivery. Timely availability of an ambulance for institutional delivery has led to some decrease in this. However, the distance travelled and time taken may affect the outcome.Objective The objective of this retrospective observational study was to determine if the distance travelled and the call to hospital arrival time are associated with deaths in the early neonatal period (0–7 days postnatal age), in neonates born to mothers who used a centralised emergency medical services (EMS) agency transportation at term gestation.Design Retrospective observational study.Setting This was a secondary analysis of a de-identified patient dataset from a previous cohort study on EMS usage by pregnant women, in five Indian states in 2014.Participants Neonates born to mothers using EMS at ≥37–42 weeks gestation were included as participants. The groups of pregnant individuals with low distance (≤10 km) and time (≤60 min) to hospital arrival vs longer distance or time to hospital arrival were then compared for neonatal death in the first 7 days of life or early neonatal death (ENND), which was the primary outcome. χ2 test and logistic regression were carried out. Additional analysis was also planned to test the higher cut-offs of distance and time, if the above cut-offs were not found to have a statistically significant association with ENND.Results There were a total of 1180 neonates meeting the inclusion criteria. Of these, 272 (23%) were born to mothers who travelled ≤10 km (km) and took time ≤60 min to reach the hospital. There were a total of 57 (4.8%) ENNDs of which 14 occurred in the low distance and time group (≤10 km and ≤60 min). There was no statistically significant difference between the groups for ENND (p value=0.8). On additional univariate analysis for the different cut-offs of distance and time separately, it was found that there were lesser odds of ENND for a cut-off of distance ≤60 km (OR 0.28 (95% CI 0.08 to 0.98), p value=0.046) and for a cut-off time ≤120 min (OR 0.36 (95% CI 0.17 to 0.76), p value=0.007). When adjusted for other variables found to be significant on univariate analysis (caesarean section, 60 km or time taken >120 min. Further prospective observational studies are required to validate these cut-offs in a larger population.

Abstract Background Like other oviparous organisms, the gonotrophic cycle of mosquitoes is not complete until they have selected a suitable habitat to oviposit. In addition to the evolutionary constraints associated with selective oviposition behavior, the physiological demands relative to an organism’s oviposition status also influence their nutrient requirement from the environment. Yet, studies that measure transmission potential (vectorial capacity or competence) of mosquito-borne parasites rarely consider whether the rates of parasite replication and development could be influenced by these constraints resulting from whether mosquitoes have completed their gonotrophic cycle. Methods Anopheles stephensi mosquitoes were infected with Plasmodium berghei, the rodent analog of human malaria, and maintained on 1% or 10% dextrose and either provided oviposition sites (‘oviposited’ herein) to complete their gonotrophic cycle or forced to retain eggs (‘non-oviposited’). Transmission potential in the four groups was measured up to 27 days post-infection as the rates of (i) sporozoite appearance in the salivary glands (‘extrinsic incubation period' or EIP), (ii) vector survival and (iii) sporozoite densities. Results In the two groups of oviposited mosquitoes, rates of sporozoite appearance and densities in the salivary glands were clearly dependent on sugar availability, with shorter EIP and higher sporozoite densities in mosquitoes fed 10% dextrose. In contrast, rates of appearance and densities in the salivary glands were independent of sugar concentrations in non-oviposited mosquitoes, although both measures were slightly lower than in oviposited mosquitoes fed 10% dextrose. Vector survival was higher in non-oviposited mosquitoes. Conclusions Costs to parasite fitness and vector survival were buffered against changes in nutritional availability from the environment in non-oviposited but not oviposited mosquitoes. Taken together, these results suggest vectorial capacity for malaria parasites may be dependent on nutrient availability and oviposition/gonotrophic status and, as such, argue for more careful consideration of this interaction when estimating transmission potential. More broadly, the complex patterns resulting from physiological (nutrition) and evolutionary (egg-retention) trade-offs described here, combined with the ubiquity of selective oviposition behavior, implies the fitness of vector-borne pathogens could be shaped by selection for these traits, with implications for disease transmission and management. For instance, while reducing availability of oviposition sites and environmental sources of nutrition are key components of integrated vector management strategies, their abundance and distribution are under strong selection pressure from the patterns associated with climate change. Graphical Abstract

This paper presents the design, development and characterization of a leaky wave plasma antenna at 2.45 GHz which has potential application in military Wi-Fi, in areas where a continuous change in frequency is required. The design of the cylindrical plasma antenna is optimized by varying the plasma tube and ground cylinder dimensions to achieve better impedance matching (S11) of the antenna. Furthermore, the axial length of the plasma generated inside the tube is directly proportional to the input excitation power, which also determines the plasma resonant frequency, making it possible to fine-tune the resonant frequency. The novelty of our work lies in two key achievements that surpass previously reported results. First, our designed antenna achieves an enhanced directivity of 4.31 dBi, coupled with a broad bandwidth of 441 MHz at 2.45 GHz. This represents a substantial improvement over prior designs. Second, and most notably, the antenna attains a high radiation efficiency of 73.8%, a benchmark not reached in earlier studies. These advancements underscore significant contributions to the field of plasma antenna technology. The designed plasma antenna is fabricated and characterized experimentally to determine its resonant frequency and scattering parameters. A 10 KHz AC power supply is used for plasma generation inside the tube. The experimental results obtained are consistent with the simulation results.

Abstract Due to its advantages, the asymmetrical dual three-phase induction motor drive is a strong choice in high-power applications. However, the common-mode voltage produced by the voltage source inverters affects the winding insulation and damages the bearings. Common-mode voltage is also responsible for electromagnetic interference and leakage currents. This paper, therefore, analyses the common-mode voltage produced by the inverter supplying a dual three-phase induction motor drive and proposes a novel modified space vector decomposition-based Space Vector Pulse Width Modulation (SVPWM) technique for common mode reduction. The vector space decomposition-based space vector modulation technique offers excellent flexibility as it reduces the common-mode voltage (CMV) by exploiting the additional degree of freedom in a dual three-phase system. The common-mode voltage (CMV) can be reduced to one-sixth of the DC link voltage compared to the highest CMV, i.e. half of the DC-link voltage produced in conventional space vector modulation. The proposed method is also validated experimentally to demonstrate the effectiveness of the proposed scheme in terms of the amplitude of CMV, pulsations, and total harmonic distortion(THD) in current.

The experiment was conducted during 2019 and 2020 at the Instructional-cum Research (ICR) Farm, Assam Agricultural University, Jorhat, Assam to study the impact of different combinations of organic nutrient sources on aromatic rice (Oryza sativa L.) (rainy-kharif) and their residual effect on linseed (Linum usitatissimum L.) (winter- rabi) crop for developing a double cropping sequence for rice growers of Assam with organic management. The experiment comprised three aromatic rice cultivars, viz. Kola joha, Keteki joha and Chakhao poireiton and five combinations of organic nutrient sources. Out of the organic nutrient sources, application of N @30 kg/ha through vermicompost along with pre-season green manuring of Sesbania bispinosa and root dip treatment of rice seedlings with Azospirillium and phosphorus solubilising bacteria @3.5 kg/ha each (N3) resulted the highest number of panicles/ m2 (216.72 in 2019 and 223.96 in 2020), highest yield of rice (30.26 q/ha in 2019, 32.58 q/ha in 2020 grain yield and 65.99 q/ha in 2019, 68.98 q/ha in 2020 straw yield). The highest seed yield (394.52 kg/ha in 2019, 416.97 kg/ha in 2020) and stover yield (890.09 kg/ha in 2019, 896.63 kg/ha in 2020) of succeeding relay sown linseed were recorded with the N3 treatment. The highest available N (250.10 kg/ha), P2O5 (20.40 kg/ha) and K2O (140.06 kg/ha), organic C (0.65%), soil organic carbon (SOC) stock (13.29 t/ha), soil microbial biomass carbon (SMBC) (183.43 µg/g of soil) in soil were recorded with the N3 treatment after harvest of linseed in 2020. The study affirmed the suitability of rice-linseed cropping sequence for efficient utilization and conservation of resources.

Lower-cost air pollution sensors can fill critical air quality data gaps in India, which experiences very high fine particulate matter (PM2.5) air pollution but has sparse regulatory air monitoring. Challenges for low-cost PM2.5 sensors in India include high-aerosol mass concentrations and pronounced regional and seasonal gradients in aerosol composition. Here, we report on a detailed long-time performance evaluation of a popular sensor, the Purple Air PA-II, at multiple sites in India. We established three distinct sites in India across land use categories and population density extremes (in urban Delhi and rural Hamirpur in north India and urban Bengaluru in south India), where we collocated the PA-II model with reference beta attenuation monitors. We evaluated the performance of uncalibrated sensor data, and then developed, optimized, and evaluated calibration models using a comprehensive feature selection process with a view to reproducibility in the Indian context. We assessed the seasonal and spatial transferability of sensor calibration schemes, which is especially important in India because of the paucity of reference instrumentation. Without calibration, the PA-II was moderately correlated with the reference signal (R2 = 0.55–0.74) but was inaccurate (NRMSE ≥ 40 %). Relative to uncalibrated data, parsimonious annual calibration models improved the PurpleAir (PA) model performance at all sites (cross-validated NRMSE 20 %–30 %; R2 = 0.82–0.95), and greatly reduced seasonal and diurnal biases. Because aerosol properties and meteorology vary regionally, the form of these long-term models differed among our sites, suggesting that local calibrations are desirable when possible. Using a moving-window calibration, we found that using seasonally specific information improves performance relative to a static annual calibration model, while a short-term calibration model generally does not transfer reliably to other seasons. Overall, we find that the PA-II model can provide reliable PM2.5 data with better than ±25 % precision and accuracy when paired with a rigorous calibration scheme that accounts for seasonality and local aerosol composition.

The study reports the influence of rare-earth ion doping on the structural, magnetic, and magnetocaloric properties of ferrimagnetic Gd3−xRExFe5O12 (RE = Y, Nd, Sm, and Dy, x = 0.0, 0.25, 0.50, and 0.75) garnet compound prepared via facile autocombustion method followed by annealing in air. X-Ray diffraction (XRD) data analysis confirmed the presence of a single-phase garnet. The compound’s lattice parameters and cell volume varied according to differences in ionic radii of the doped rare-earth ions. The RE3+ substitution changed the site-to-site bond lengths and bond angles, affecting the magnetic interaction between site ions. Magnetization measurements for all RE3+-doped samples demonstrated paramagnetic behavior at room temperature and soft-ferrimagnetic behavior at 5 K. The isothermal magnetic entropy changes (−ΔSM) were derived from the magnetic isotherm curves, M vs. T, in a field up to 3 T in the Gd3−xRExFe5O12 sample. The maximum magnetic entropy change (−∆SMmax) increased with Dy3+ and Sm3+substitution and decreased for Nd3+ and Y3+ substitution with x content. The Dy3+-doped Gd2.25Dy0.75Fe5O12 sample showed −∆SMmax~2.03 Jkg−1K−1, which is ~7% higher than that of Gd3Fe5O12 (1.91 Jkg−1K−1). A first-principal density function theory (DFT) technique was used to shed light on observed properties. The study shows that the magnetic moments of the doped rare-earths ions play a vital role in tuning the magnetocaloric properties of the garnet compound.

The National Health Family Survey (NFHS) is one of the largest cross-sectional surveys in the world and plays a very important role in seeing the health sector’s growth in India. Its comprehensiveness in data points serves as a baseline for policymakers to amend or continue the health policy at the national and state levels. It is also imperative to look up the survey’s major findings and compare the same with the previous survey finding to obtain a trend (positive/negative) of the placed data indicators. In writing this information, we aim to provide a researched paper to undergraduates and postgraduates in medical education to identify the trends or gap pockets in NFHS-4 and NFHS-5. These findings might help them as an educational piece of work and further research evidence in their local community. Also, the present work is the compilation of demographic characteristics and major health indicators.

Abstract We present experimental results of the trace argon impurity puffing in the ohmic plasmas of Aditya-U tokamak performed to study the argon transport behaviour. Argon line emissions in visible and Vacuum Ultra Violet (VUV) spectral ranges arising from the plasma edge and core respectively are measured simultaneously. During the experiments, space resolved brightness profile of Ar1+ line emissions at 472.69 nm (3p44s 2P3/2–3p44p 2D3/2), 473.59 nm (3p44s 4P5/2–3p44p 4P3/2), 476.49 nm (3p44s 2P1/2–3p44p 2P3/2), 480.60 nm (3p44s 4P5/2–3p44p 4P5/2) are recorded using a high resolution visible spectrometer. Also, a VUV spectrometer has been used to simultaneously observe Ar13+ line emission at 18.79 nm (2s22p 2P3/2–2s2p2 2P3/2) and Ar14+ line emission at 22.11 nm (2s2 1S0–2s2p 1P1). The diffusivity and convective velocity of Ar are obtained by comparing the measured radial emissivity profile of Ar1+ emission and the line intensity ratio of Ar13+ and Ar14+ ions, with those simulated using the impurity transport code, STRAHL. Argon diffusivities ~ 12 m2/s and ~ 0.3 m2/s have been observed in the edge (ρ > 0.85) and core region of the Aditya-U, respectively. The diffusivity values both in the edge and core region are found to be higher than the neo-classical values suggesting that the argon impurity transport is mainly anomalous in the Aditya-U tokamak. Also, an inward pinch of ~ 10 m/s mainly driven by Ware pinch is required to match the measured and simulated data. The measured peaked profile of Ar density suggests impurity accumulation in these discharges.

Gene therapy strategies that effectively inhibit HIV-1 replication are needed to reduce the requirement for lifelong antiviral therapy and potentially achieve a functional cure. We previously designed self-activating lentiviral vectors that efficiently delivered and expressed a Vif-resistant mutant of APOBEC3G (A3G-D128K) to T cells, which potently inhibited HIV-1 replication and spread with no detectable virus. Here, we developed vectors that express A3G-D128K, membrane-associated fusion inhibitor peptide mC46, and O6-methylguanine-DNA-methyltransferase (MGMT) selectable marker for in vivo selection of transduced CD34+ hematopoietic stem and progenitor cells. MGMT-selected T cell lines MT4, CEM, and PM1 expressing A3G-D128K (with or without mC46) potently inhibited NL4-3 infection up to 45 days post infection with no detectable viral replication. Expression of mC46 was sufficient to block infection >80% in a single-cycle assay. Importantly, expression of mC46 provided a selective advantage to the A3G-D128K-modified T cells in the presence of replication competent virus. This combinational approach to first block HIV-1 entry with mC46, and then block any breakthrough infection with A3G-D128K, could provide an effective gene therapy treatment and a potential functional cure for HIV-1 infection.

Abstract Long-range magnetic ordering of two-dimensional crystals can be sensitive to interlayer coupling, enabling the effective control of interlayer magnetism towards voltage switching, spin filtering and transistor applications. With the discovery of two-dimensional atomically thin magnets, a good platform provides us to manipulate interlayer magnetism for the control of magnetic orders. However, a less-known family of two-dimensional magnets possesses a bottom-up assembled molecular lattice and metal-to-ligand intermolecular contacts, which lead to a combination of large magnetic anisotropy and spin-delocalization. Here, we report the pressure-controlled interlayer magnetic coupling of molecular layered compounds via chromium-pyrazine coordination. Room-temperature long-range magnetic ordering exhibits pressure tuning with a coercivity coefficient up to 4 kOe/GPa, while pressure-controlled interlayer magnetism also presents a strong dependence on alkali metal stoichiometry and composition. Two-dimensional molecular interlayers provide a pathway towards pressure-controlled peculiar magnetism through charge redistribution and structural transformation.

Aluminum-doped ErCr1-xAlxO3 orthochromites prepared via autocombustion technique were investigated for their magnetic and magnetocaloric properties. X-ray diffraction confirmed that samples were orthorhombic phases with the Pbnm space group without a trace of any impurity. As analyzed via Rietveld refinement of XRD data, structural parameters such as lattice parameters, volume, bond angle, and bond lengths were affected by doping nonmagnetic Al3+ in the compound. ErCrO3 possesses the long-range antiferromagnetic ordering with a weak display ferromagnetism at TN =133 K. Low-temperature high-field magnetic study shows a decrease in Neel temperature (TN ∼ 114 K for x = 0.5), suggesting magnetic ordering suppression due to Al3+ doping. The asymptotic paramagnetic Curie temperature Tcw = −25 K suggests the predominance of antiferromagnetic interactions in ErCrO3 orthochromites, which was observed to increase with Al3+ doping. Isothermal magnetization data show changes in magnetic entropy (−ΔSMmax) and relative cooling power (RCP). The magnetic entropy change, −ΔSMmax, for ErCrO3 estimated from magnetization measurements show 11.60 J kg−1 K−1 at 11 K and a relative cooling power (RCP) of 209.4 J kg−1 at 5 T applied field. While ErCr0.75Al0.25O3 show a maximum magnetic entropy of 11.52 J kg−1 K−1 at 11 K with a 5 T applied field and RCP of 186.66 J kg−1, whereas ErCr0.5Al0.5O3 displayed −ΔSMmax of 11.63 J kg−1 K−1 at 5 K with a 5 T applied field and RCP value of 160.78 J kg−1. The results show that nonmagnetic doping, such as Al3+, could maintain the compound’s magnetocaloric property to an extent.

We report on the magnetic behaviour of Nd5Ge3 by investigating through magnetization, neutron diffraction and muon spin relaxation measurements. Temperature dependent-magnetization, muon depolarization rate (λ), initial asymmetry (A0) and the stretched exponent (β) show a clear anomaly at the Néel temperature TN ∼ 54 K. However, the short-range correlated ferromagnetic interactions below TN are inferred from the diffuse scattering mechanism as revealed by zero-field neutron diffraction data. Narrow first order phase transition is due to the competing interaction of a high temperature weak-antiferromagnetic and low temperature glassy states. Magnetic field-induced reentrant spin glass state from a magnetic glass state is observed, before it transforms to a ferromagnetic state.

The first-order phase transition and associated magnetocaloric properties of Mn0.5Fe0.5Ni0.95Cr0.05Si0.95Al0.05 have been studied by x-ray diffraction and dc magnetization measurements. The diffraction data for the sample showed that both the orthorhombic and hexagonal crystalline phases coexisted at room temperature. The temperature dependence of magnetization was measured at a constant field of 0.2 T. The first-order phase transition was observed at 325 K during heating and at 306 K during cooling, showing a thermomagnetic hysteresis of 19 K. For magnetic field change of 5 T, the entropy changes evaluated from the isothermal magnetization data peaked at 322 K during warming and at 313 K during cooling, showing a thermomagnetic hysteresis of 9 K. This difference in the magnitude of the thermomagnetic hysteresis was attributed to the virgin effect due to stress and crack formation during the first cooling from hexagonal to orthorhombic phase. Peak entropy changes of −16 J kg−1 K−1 and −42 J kg−1 K−1 were observed on heating for field changes of 2 and 5 T, respectively. The related refrigeration capacities were 74 J/kg (2 T) and 194 J/kg (5 T).

Ingestion of an additional blood meal(s) by a hematophagic insect can accelerate development of several vector-borne parasites and pathogens. Most studies, however, offer blood from the same vertebrate host species as the original challenge (for e.g., human for primary and additional blood meals). Here, we show a second blood meal from bovine and canine hosts can also enhance sporozoite migration in Anopheles stephensi mosquitoes infected with the human- and rodent-restricted Plasmodium falciparum and P. berghei, respectively. The extrinsic incubation period (time to sporozoite appearance in salivary glands) showed more consistent reductions with blood from human and bovine donors than canine blood, although the latter's effect may be confounded by the toxicity, albeit non-specific, associated with the anticoagulant used to collect whole blood from donors. The complex patterns of enhancement highlight the limitations of a laboratory system but are nonetheless reminiscent of parasite host-specificity and mosquito adaptations, and the genetic predisposition of An. stephensi for bovine blood. We suggest that in natural settings, a blood meal from any vertebrate host could accentuate the risk of human infections by P. falciparum: targeting vectors that also feed on animals, via endectocides for instance, may reduce the number of malaria-infected mosquitoes and thus directly lower residual transmission. Since endectocides also benefit animal health, our results underscore the utility of the One Health framework, which postulates that human health and well-being is interconnected with that of animals. We posit this framework will be further validated if our observations also apply to other vector-borne diseases which together are responsible for some of the highest rates of morbidity and mortality in socio-economically disadvantaged populations.

Machining of titanium alloy grade V (Ti6Al4V) is very difficult by conventional metal cutting process due to low thermal conductivity, ability to retain strength at elevated temperature, tendency to work harden. This may result in high heat at the cutting zone and the generation of thermal stresses. Therefore, in the present research die-sinking electrical discharge machining is used to machine Ti6Al4v alloy. A non-dominated sorting genetic algorithm (NSGA II) coupled with rotary central composite design (RCCD) based on response surface methodology (RSM) is employed to optimize machining parameters in die-sinking electrical discharge (EDM) machining of Ti6Al4V. A quadratic mathematical model has been developed for material removal rate (MRR) and surface roughness (Ra) in terms of peak current (I), pulse on time (Ton) and pulse off time (Toff) as independent input parameters. Die-sinking EDM experiments are planned using RCCD based on response surface methodology. Results revealed that peak current is the most influencing EDM parameter on both MRR and Ra with PC of 35.86% and 57.10% respectively. MRR continuously increases with peak current. MRR firstly decreases and then increases with an increase in Ton. Ra continuously increases with peak current and starts decreasing after a coded value of 1.5. The Optimization result obtained by NSGA II is validated through confirmation experiments which are in good agreement with the experimental value with an absolute error of 6% and 4.8% in MRR and Ra respectively.

A feeding trial (60 days) was conducted to gauge the nutritional attributes of boiled potato (Solanum tuberosum) peel waste silage and to analyse its feeding effect on intake and utilization of nutrients in goats. Twelve local, non-descript, adult male goats were randomly divided into two groups. Each group was given ad lib. wheat straw, concentrate mixture @ 20 g/KgW0.75 and silage @ 75 g/KgW0.75 Based on variation in source of silage the groups were classified as maize silage (MS) or potato peel waste silage (PPS) groups. Despite the higher crude protein concentration PPS could be successfully ensiled with achievement of necessary pH fall, possibly due to effect of boiling on starch granules to render it readily fermentable and/or heat damaged CP. In both the groups live weight of the goats was maintained throughout the trial. The PPS formed about 20.2% of the total ration intake (on DM basis). Nutrient digestibility (%) was similar between dietary groups, except NFE and NDF digestibility, which was considerably higher in PPS group. It may be concluded that the ensiled boiled potato peel waste may be utilized as a constituent of adult goat ration without compromising nutrient intake, digestibility, plane of nutrition and nutrient balance.

To address the urgent need for glucose level detection in the human body, several affordable, lightweight, and skin-mounted glucose sensors have been developed. Enzymatic sensors are frequently utilized, but they have challenges of enzyme degradation and indirect charge transfer through a redox mediator, which affect their reusability and shelf life. Here, enzyme-free nickel oxide thin film electrode in an alkaline medium is used to enable direct charge transfer with glucose. A chemical reaction between glucose and the electrode surface occurs, leading to an additional oxidation (Ni+2/Ni+3) of the electrode under external bias. Additionally, the colorimetric analysis further validated this reaction through the transformation of a dark-colored NiO (Ni+3) electrode into a bleached color state (reduced from Ni+3 to Ni+2) through the oxidation of glucose. As the glucose concentrations increase to 5 mM, the color of the electrode is no longer optically readable (ΔT% ∼ 66%). The corresponding amperometric response is determined with a detection limit of 2 μM and a 3579 μA mM−1 cm−2 sensitivity, and it also recognizes a passive response to other interfering species and facilitates its one-month shelf life. Additionally, a two-electrode electrochemical colorimetric liquid cell-type glucose sensor has been designed to pave the way for future applications.

Abstract Aims Heart failure patients with mid‐range ejection fraction (HFmrEF) have overlapping clinical features, compared with patients with reduced ejection fraction (HFrEF) and preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF). We aim to perform a meta‐analysis of studies reporting long‐term outcomes in HFmrEF compared with HFrEF and HFpEF. Methods and results Data from 18 eligible large‐scale studies including 126 239 patients were pooled. Patients with HFmrEF had a lower risk of all‐cause death than those with HFrEF [risk ratio (RR) = 0.92; 95% CI = 0.85–0.98; P 50% of males had higher risk of deaths with HFrEF (RR = 1.15; 95% CI = 1.04–1.26; P = 0.006). When compared with HFpEF, patients with HFmrEF had comparable risk of all‐cause death (RR = 1.02; 95% CI = 0.96–1.09; P = 0.53). Similarly, there were no differences in the 1, 2, and 3 year deaths; CV and non‐CV deaths were insignificant between HFmrEF and HFpEF. Conclusions The results of the study support that HFmrEF has better prognosis than HFrEF but similar prognosis when compared with HFpEF. Gender disparity between studies seems to influence the results between HFmrEF and HFrEF. Transition in left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF), which could not be addressed in the study, may play a decisive role in determining outcomes. PROSPERO review registration number CRD42021277107.

Abstract Background Sporozoites isolated from the salivary glands of Plasmodium-infected mosquitoes are a prerequisite for several basic and pre-clinical applications. Although salivary glands are pooled to maximize sporozoite recovery, insufficient yields pose logistical and analytical hurdles; thus, predicting yields prior to isolation would be valuable. Preceding oocyst densities in the midgut is an obvious candidate. However, it is unclear whether current understanding of its relationship with sporozoite densities can be used to maximize yields, or whether it can capture the potential density-dependence in rates of sporozoite invasion of the salivary glands. Methods This study presents a retrospective analysis of Anopheles stephensi mosquitoes infected with two strains of the rodent-specific Plasmodium berghei. Mean oocyst densities were estimated in the midguts earlier in the infection (11–15 days post-blood meal), with sporozoites pooled from the salivary glands later in the infection (17–29 days). Generalized linear mixed effects models were used to determine if (1) mean oocyst densities can predict sporozoite yields from pooled salivary glands, (2) whether these densities can capture differences in rates of sporozoite invasion of salivary glands, and (3), if the interaction between oocyst densities and time could be leveraged to boost overall yields. Results The non-linear effect of mean oocyst densities confirmed the role of density-dependent constraints in limiting yields beyond certain oocyst densities. Irrespective of oocyst densities however, the continued invasion of salivary glands by the sporozoites boosted recoveries over time (17–29 days post-blood meal) for either parasite strain. Conclusions Sporozoite invasion of the salivary glands over time can be leveraged to maximize yields for P. berghei. In general, however, invasion of the salivary glands over time is a critical fitness determinant for all Plasmodium species (extrinsic incubation period, EIP). Thus, delaying sporozoite collection could, in principle, substantially reduce dissection effort for any parasite within the genus, with the results also alluding to the potential for changes in sporozoites densities over time to modify infectivity for the next host.

This study aimed to investigate the correlation of IGFs, IGFBPs, and IGFBPRs of grower pigs with change in temperature humidity index (THI). THI was calculated to know the months of the year when pigs feel discomfort and samples of feed offered were analyzed to know the nutritional availability/deficit. The calculated average THI was above thermal comfort zone for seven months in a year. It was observed that crude protein (CP) and metabolizable energy (ME) availability to pigs were deficient. Gilts of two months age and similar body weight were randomly divided into two groups (n=6); viz. Con-fed animals (feed offered by the farmer) and For-fed animals (formulated feed supplement + Con-fed). The composition of formulated feed supplement was dried leaf of Moringa oleifera, soybean meal, rice mill waste, and mineral mixture. The plasma cortisol level increased in the experimental animals with accelerated THI as evidenced by the strong positive correlation of THI with HSP70 and HSP90. The level of leptin and ghrelin did not have significant relation with the expression level of HSPs in the present study, however, in the control animals, a low level of leptin was observed. The correlation between the growth factors and HSPs was not significant. During the season, where the THI was above the thermal comfort zone, the IGFBPR and IGFBP concentrations were non-significantly increased along with the increased THI.

Owing to the relative abundance of its constituent elements and large magnetocaloric properties observed near room temperature, the AlFe2B2 system has attracted much attention recently. Here, we have studied the magnetic and magnetocaloric properties of Al0.85+xSi0.15Fe2B2 (x = 0.2, 0.4) prepared by drop-casting followed by annealing and acid treatment. The second order ferromagnetic phase transitions were observed near room temperature (∼298–305 K) and peak magnetic entropy changes (−ΔSM) of more than −6 J kg−1 K−1 were observed for a field change of 5 T. The results are discussed in terms of the impurity phases formed in the compounds due to excess aluminum.

We have synthesized a series of Co-doped Mn0.5Fe0.5Ni1−xCoxSi0.94Al0.06 (0.025 ≤ x ≤ 0.05) alloys by arc melting followed by a rapidly quenched vacuum suction casting technique and studied the magnetic and magnetocaloric properties of the system. All measurements were performed on the as-cast and annealed samples. X-ray diffraction data indicated that the samples exhibited a hexagonal phase at room temperature. Magnetization data showed that the annealed samples exhibited significantly larger transition temperatures than the as-cast samples. All samples showed the first-order phase transition with a thermomagnetic hysteresis of more than 20 K. The phase transitions were accompanied by isothermal entropy changes of as large as −16.4 J kg−1 K−1 and −42.4 J kg−1 K−1 for field changes of 20 and 50 kOe, respectively. Large refrigeration capacities and temperature averaged entropy changes of up to 201 J/kg and 34.05 J kg−1 K−1, respectively, were observed for a field change of 50 kOe.

We report the effect of Fe by Co substitution on the structural and magnetic properties of the two-phase “composite” alloy LaFe2−xCoxSi as prepared by the suction casting technique. This alloy contains LaFe13−x−yCoxSiy (cubic NaZn13-type) and LaFe1−xCoxSi (tetragonal CeFeSi-type) as constituents, with a compositional ratio between the two phases of ≈40 wt. % NaZn13-type and ≈60 wt. % CeFeSi-type; this ratio remains relatively the same for all the compositions investigated despite the Co content. As expected, while the Co-doping in LaFe2−xCoxSi increases the Curie temperature from 199 K (at H = 20 kOe) and 215 K (at H = 50 kOe) for the pure LaFe2Si, to 274 K (at H = 20 kOe) and 277 K (at H = 50 kOe) for the Co substituted LaFe1.7Co0.3Si alloy, it has the opposite effect on the magnetocaloric effect, reported in terms of the magnetic entropy change (ΔSM), which decreases with increasing the Co content. The full width at the half-maximum value of magnetic entropy changes also increases significantly with Co doping going from 14 K (at H = 20 kOe) in the pure LaFe2Si alloy to 46 K (at H = 20 kOe) in the Co-doped LaFe2−xCoxSi. The magnetic and magnetocaloric properties of LaFe2−xCoxSi alloys for x = 0, 0.1, 0.2, and 0.3 are discussed in this article.

Low productivity and profitability are the major constraints of organic growers due to continuous rice (Oryza sativa L.) -fallow practice in Sikkim Himalayas. No-till garden pea (Pisum sativum L.) cultivation in rice-fallow may be an option for enhancing the productivity and profitability of the farmers in this region. Hence, to test the feasibility of no-till garden pea cultivation in the rice-fallow area, a frontline demonstration was carried out by the ICAR-Krishi Vigyan Kendra (KVK), East Sikkim during 2017–20 for increasing productivity, profitability and sustainability of the rice-fallow. Results indicated that rice yield was ranged from 20.8–22.6 q/ha during three years. The three-year mean of rice equivalent yield (REY) was recorded 107.23 q/ha and 21.6 q/ha under rice-garden pea and rice-fallow system, respectively. Higher production efficiency (39.87 kg/ha/day), economic efficiency (503.80 `/ha/day) and land-use efficiency (73.51%) were recorded in the rice-garden pea system compared to rice-fallow. Soil organic carbon (SOC) was 7.20% higher under the rice-garden pea system after 3 cropping cycles. The average net return and benefit-cost ratio was recorded `135091/ha, `19793/ha, and 2.83, 1.83 under rice-garden pea and rice-fallow, respectively. Higher output energy, net energy and energy productivity were recorded in rice-garden pea as compared to rice-fallow. Hence, it may be concluded that the inclusion of garden pea is an option for improving the productivity, profitability, and soil health and energy use efficiency under Sikkim Himalayas.

Co-infected hosts, individuals that carry more than one infectious agent at any one time, have been suggested to facilitate pathogen transmission, including the emergence of supershedding events. However, how the host immune response mediates the interactions between co-infecting pathogens and how these affect the dynamics of shedding remains largely unclear. We used laboratory experiments and a modeling approach to examine temporal changes in the shedding of the respiratory bacterium Bordetella bronchiseptica in rabbits with one or two gastrointestinal helminth species. Experimental data showed that rabbits co-infected with one or both helminths shed significantly more B. bronchiseptica, by direct contact with an agar petri dish, than rabbits with bacteria alone. Co-infected hosts generated supershedding events of higher intensity and more frequently than hosts with no helminths. To explain this variation in shedding an infection-immune model was developed and fitted to rabbits of each group. Simulations suggested that differences in the magnitude and duration of shedding could be explained by the effect of the two helminths on the relative contribution of neutrophils and specific IgA and IgG to B. bronchiseptica neutralization in the respiratory tract. However, the interactions between infection and immune response at the scale of analysis that we used could not capture the rapid variation in the intensity of shedding of every rabbit. We suggest that fast and local changes at the level of respiratory tissue probably played a more important role. This study indicates that co-infected hosts are important source of variation in shedding, and provides a quantitative explanation into the role of helminths to the dynamics of respiratory bacterial infections.

ABSTRACT Frequent recombination is a hallmark of retrovirus replication. In rare cases, recombination occurs between distantly related retroviruses, generating novel viruses that may significantly impact viral evolution and public health. These recombinants may initially have substantial replication defects due to impaired interactions between proteins and/or nucleic acids from the two parental viruses. However, given the high mutation rates of retroviruses, these recombinants may be able to evolve improved compatibility of these viral elements. To test this hypothesis, we examined the adaptation of chimeras between two distantly related human pathogens: HIV-1 and HIV-2. We constructed HIV-1-based chimeras containing the HIV-2 nucleocapsid (NC) domain of Gag or the two zinc fingers of HIV-2 NC, which are critical for specific recognition of viral RNA. These chimeras exhibited significant defects in RNA genome packaging and replication kinetics in T cells. However, in some experiments, the chimeric viruses replicated with faster kinetics when repassaged, indicating that viral adaptation had occurred. Sequence analysis revealed the acquisition of a single amino acid substitution, S18L, in the first zinc finger of HIV-2 NC. This substitution, which represents a switch from a conserved HIV-2 residue to a conserved HIV-1 residue at this position, partially rescued RNA packaging and replication kinetics. Further analysis revealed that the combination of two substitutions in HIV-2 NC, W10F and S18L, almost completely restored RNA packaging and replication kinetics. Our study demonstrates that chimeras of distantly related retroviruses can adapt and significantly enhance their replication by acquiring a single substitution. IMPORTANCE Novel retroviruses can emerge from recombination between distantly related retroviruses. Most notably, HIV-1 originated from zoonotic transmission of a novel recombinant (SIVcpz) into humans. Newly generated recombinants may initially have significant replication defects due to impaired interactions between viral proteins and/or nucleic acids, such as between cis- and trans-acting elements from the two parental viruses. However, provided that the recombinants retain some ability to replicate, they may be able to adapt and repair the defective interactions. Here, we used HIV-1 and HIV-2 Gag chimeras as a model system for studying the adaptation of recombinant viruses. We found that only two substitutions in the HIV-2 NC domain, W10F and S18L, were required to almost fully restore RNA genome packaging and replication kinetics. These results illustrate the extremely flexible nature of retroviruses and highlight the possible emergence of novel recombinants in the future that could pose a significant threat to public health.

This collaborative statement from the Digital Health Committee of the Heart Rhythm Society provides everyday clinical scenarios in which wearables may be utilized by patients for cardiovascular health and arrhythmia management. We describe herein the spectrum of wearables that are commercially available for patients, and their benefits, shortcomings and areas for technological improvement. Although wearables for rhythm diagnosis and management have not been examined in large randomized clinical trials, undoubtedly the usage of wearables has quickly escalated in clinical practice. This document is the first of a planned series in which we will update information on wearables as they are revised and released to consumers.

Abstract A nanostructured film of NiCo2O4 has been prepared using a hydrothermal technique by simply using separate precursors to obtain nanoneedle‐like architecture for electrochromic applications. A homogeneous film consisting of packed nanoneedles with moderate density, appearing translucent white in colour, has been obtained and characterized using XRD and Raman spectroscopy techniques for confirming the composition and structure. Electrochemical analysis of the film reveals that the film shows good electrochromic properties under the anodic scan of potential with strong stability. The mechanism of the electrode under the transformation from natural white to opaque dark brown colour has been understood with the help of an in situ optical absorption spectroscopy technique. The electrode is found electrochromically active with a bias of up to 2 V and shows 50% optical contrast which makes it a good candidate for application in a solid state electrochromic device.

Abstract Background and Aim In Ayurveda, ashwagandha is a popular plant for promoting youthful energy, longevity, and overall well‐being. It is also an excellent aphrodisiac herb that aids in the improvement and maintenance of normal sexual health. The present study aims to evaluate the effect of ashwagandha root extract on improving sexual health in adult males. Methods In this 8‐week randomized, double‐blind, placebo‐controlled study, we investigated the aphrodisiac property of an ashwagandha root extract in adult males. Fifty participants with lower sexual desire were randomly allocated to take 300 mg of ashwagandha root extract or placebo capsules twice daily. Outcomes were measured using the derogatis interview for sexual functioning‐male (DISF‐M) questionnaire, serum testosterone, serum prolactin, and short‐form survey—36 quality of life questionnaire before and after the intervention. Results Compared to placebo, ashwagandha root extract supplementation was associated with a statistically significant increase in the total DISF‐M scores (mean difference −9.8; 95% confidence interval, −10.73 to −8.87; p 0.05). Conclusion These findings suggest that ashwagandha demonstrated a significant subjective perception of sexual well‐being and assisted in increasing serum testosterone levels in the participants.

Introduction: Home-based newborn care (HBNC) is a strategy adopted by government of India to overcome the burden of newborn deaths in the first week of life, it provides continuum of care for newborn and post-natal mothers. HBNC introduced since 2011 is centred around Accredited Social Health Activist (ASHA) and it is the main community-based approach to newborn health. Aims and Objectives: The objective of the present study was to assess the HBNC during HBNC visit in rural area of Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh (U.P.). Materials and Methods: The present cross-sectional study was carried out in the field practice area of Primary Health Centre Sarojini Nagar, Lucknow UP. A total of 200 mothers of newborn (age 03 days to 60 days) born in the catchment area of PHC Sarojini Nagar during 8 months period were included in cross-sectional study. Results: The result of study showed that majority of newborns got all the age appropriate home visit. None of the mothers had knowledge and awareness about the HBNC provision for home visits and the number of home visit by ASHA decreases as age of baby increases. All the ASHAs were aware about the schedule of home visit, the number of home visit in case of home delivery and institutional delivery. Conclusion and Recommendation: ASHA was found to be the major facilitator for HBNC programme. Knowledge and awareness of ASHA on importance of postnatal care needs to be enhanced via hands on training.

SARS CoV2 is an emerging infectious pandemic. The preemptive measures taken to curtail the spread has its effects far and wide across different sectors and all age groups. The most unspoken sufferers are adolescents. In this article, we have reflected on how adolescent issues addressed by the government's dynamism, have had collateral damage due to the COVID initiatives. Globally, around 89% are currently not in school because of COVID-19. They will pave a way to unforeseen collateral effects on the physical, social, psychological health, and future of the young minds. From an increase in school drop-outs, interrupted learning, worsening of the gender gap in education to technology dependence and addictions, this pandemic is going to unravel the uninvited social evils. The regular benefits of adolescents from the government have not been paid heed to. Supply of IFA tablets, sanitary napkins, provision of supplementary nutrition, health education, and implementation of immunization activities are a few of the services to mention which are being hampered. We have recommended a few strategies like establishing the peer educator system in disseminating COVID-related awareness, engaging them in a smooth public distribution system, and act as a potential linkage for the families in distress. We have proposed a few modus operandi like direct cash transfer or food supplements as take-home rations will be able to sustain the nutrition of the adolescents to keep the flow of uninterrupted amenities to adolescents in education, nutrition, mental health, personal hygiene, and other such sectors.

Abstract External perturbations, such as multispecies infections or anthelmintic treatments, can alter host–parasite interactions with consequences on the dynamics of infection. While the overall profile of infection might appear fundamentally conserved at the host population level, perturbations can disproportionately affect components of parasite demography or host responses, and ultimately impact parasite fitness and long‐term persistence. We took an immuno‐epidemiological approach to this reasoning and examined a rabbit–helminth system where animals were trickle‐dosed with either one or two helminth species, treated halfway through the experiment with an anthelmintic and reinfected one month later following the same initial regime. Parasite traits (body length and fecundity) and host immune responses (cytokines, transcription factors, antibodies) were quantified at fixed time points and compared before and after drug treatment, and between single and dual infections. Findings indicated a resistant host phenotype to Trichostrongylus retortaeformis where abundance, body length, and fecundity were regulated by a protective immune response. In contrast, Graphidium strigosum accumulated in the host and, while it stimulated a clear immune reaction, many genes were downregulated both following reinfection and in dual infection, suggestive of a low host resistance. External perturbations affected parasite fecundity, including body length and number of eggs in utero, more significantly than abundance; however, there was no consistency in the parasite‐immune relationships. Disentangling the processes affecting parasite life history, and how they relate to host responses, can provide a better understanding of how external disturbances impact disease severity and transmission, and how parasites strategies adjust to secure persistence at the host and the population level.

Traditionally, defluffing (separation of nucleus seeds from fluffy seed) of dinanath grass seeds (Pennisetum pedicellatum) is cumbersome and time consuming. Hence, a defluffing machine consisting of feeding chute, feed rollers, serrated cylinder assembly, grading unit and power transmission unit was developed considering the physical properties of the dinanath seed and evaluated its performance at ICAR-Indian Grassland and Fodder Research Institute, Jhansi (2019). The mean values of seed dimensions (length × width × thickness) for fluffy seed and nucleus seed were computed as 6.20×2.77×1.83 mm3 and 2.44×0.82×0.58 mm3 respectively. The average bulk densities of fluffy and nucleus seeds were 7.65 kg/m3 and 613.63 kg/m3 respectively. The optimum machine performance like defluffing capacity (4.9 kg/h), defluffing efficiency (92.1%) and nucleus seed recovery (22.82%) were found at 7 % moisture content and 545 rpm of serrated cylinder speed about 76 % processing cost saving using the machine could be done as compared to traditional manual defluffing. Drastic reduction (99.7%) in volume of fluffy seed was achieved after defluffing.

The study reports the synthesis and characterization of the magnetic and magnetocaloric effects of metal-oxide (MO) modified La0.7Ca0.3MnO3 perovskites manganite. The powder composite samples, with a nominal composition of (1 − x)La0.7Ca0.3MnO3-xMO (Wt.% x = 0.0, 2.5, 5.0), were prepared using the facile autocombustion method, followed by an annealing process. The phase purity and structure were confirmed by X-ray diffraction. Temperature and field-dependent magnetization measurements and Arrott analysis revealed mixed first- and second-order phase transition (ferromagnetic to paramagnetic) in composite samples. The phase transition temperature shifted to lower temperatures with the addition of MO in the composite. A large magnetic entropy change (4.75 JKg−1K−1 at 1T and 8.77 JKg−1K−1 at 5T) was observed in the La0.7Ca0.3MnO3 (LCMO) sample and was suppressed, due to the presence of the MO phase in the composite samples. On the other hand, the addition of MO as a secondary phase in the LCMO samples enhanced their relative cooling power (RCP). The RCP of all composite samples increased with respect to the pristine LCMO, except for LCMO–5%NiO. The highest RCP value of 267 JKg−1 was observed in LCMO–5%CuO samples, which was 23.4% higher than the 213 JKg−1 observed for the pure LCMO at a magnetic field of 5T. The enhanced RCP of these composites makes them attractive for potential refrigeration applications.

Recent advances have allowed the monitoring of several volatile organic compounds (VOCs) in human exhaled breath, and many of them are being utilized as a biomarker to diagnose several diseases, including diabetes. Among several VOCs, isopropanol (IPA) has been reported as a common volatile compound in the exhaled breath of patients with type 1 and type 2 diabetes. In this article, an experimental approach is discussed to develop a highly selective and sensitive IPA vapor sensor system. The fabricated sensor is comprised of a small and portable glass slide coated with molecularly imprinted polymer containing specific binding sites compatible with IPA molecules. The developed sensor is based on the wavelength interrogation technique. The fabricated device is analyzed for the detection of IPA vapor with different concentrations varying from 50% to 100%. The sensor exhibits maximum sensitivities of 0.37, 0.30, and 0.62 nm/%IPA, respectively, for 30, 60, and 90 min, respectively, and an excellent sensitivity of 0.63 nm/%IPA for 120 min exposure along with good selectivity among a similar class of VOCs. The major features of the sensor i.e., small size, portability, cost-effectiveness, high sensitivity, and good selectivity, make it a potential candidate for diabetes monitoring. The promising results of the sensor illustrate its potential in diabetes monitoring applications.

The macrodomain of nsP3 (nsP3MD) is highly conserved among the alphaviruses and ADP-ribosylhydrolase activity of Chikungunya Virus (CHIKV) nsP3MD is critical for CHIKV viral replication and virulence. No small molecule drugs targeting CHIKV nsP3 have been identified to date. Here we report small fragments that bind to nsP3MD which were discovered by virtually screening a fragment library and X-ray crystallography. These identified fragments share a similar scaffold, 2-pyrimidone-4-carboxylic acid, and are specifically bound to the ADP-ribose binding site of nsP3MD. Among the fragments, 2-oxo-5,6-benzopyrimidine-4-carboxylic acid showed anti-CHIKV activity with an IC50 of 23 μM. Our fragment-based drug discovery approach provides valuable information to further develop a specific and potent nsP3 inhibitor of CHIKV viral replication based on the 2-pyrimidone-4-carboxylic acid scaffold. In silico studies suggest this pyrimidone scaffold could also bind to the macrodomains of other alphaviruses and coronaviruses and thus, have potential pan-antiviral activity.

Edge theoretic extended contractions are introduced and coincidence point theorems and common fixed-point theorems are proved for such contraction mappings in a metric space endowed with a graph. As further applications, we have proved the existence of a solution of a nonlinear integral equation of Volterra type and given a suitable example in support of our result.