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This feature is intended to let ECS award-winning students and post-docs write primary author perspectives on their field, their work, and where they believe things are going. This month we highlight the work of Sanjay Choudhary, the 2023 winner of the Corrosion Division's Morris Cohen Graduate Student Award. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: A Medico-legal case [MLC] is defined as “any case of injury or hurt, which the attending medical officer after complete history taking and examination, considers investigation by the law enforcement agencies necessary, in order to fix responsibility regarding the related injury in accordance with the prevailing laws of the country.” The objective of medico-legal autopsy is to establish the identity of a body, when not known; to find out the cause of death, time since death, nature and manner of death, whether it was homicidal, suicidal or accidental. In addition, the question of live birth and viability assumes the importance in case of infant deaths. Material and Methods: The present study is a retrospective study of medicolegal autopsies performed at Mahatma Gandhi Medical College, Jaipur, India. from period of January 2021 to September 2023. The total no. of medico-legal autopsies performed During the study period were 538. Ethical clearance for this study was obtained by the Institutional Ethical Committee. The identities of the deceased persons whose data was obtained from the medical records has not been revealed in any of the documents related to the study. Results: The distribution of cases with respect to different age group. The most vulnerable study group with respect to all type cases is 21 to 30 years age group, especially the hanging, road traffic accident & railway accident having 69, 38 and 32 cases respectively, are highest in this age group, followed by 31 to 40 and 41 to 50 years age group. The overall most common cause being hanging (131 cases) road traffic accident (112 cases) & railway accident (77 cases). Least number of cases recorded in age group of less than 10 years, with road traffic accident having highest 6 cases. Conclusion: While Road Traffic Accidents seemingly associated with increased vehicular speed, rare use of helmets and seat belts, along with drunken driving, substance abuse, driving while having mental stress and divided lost attention etc. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A fundamental understanding of corrosion mechanisms is the key to developing suitable corrosion protection approaches, and for the prediction of service life of metallic structures. However, conventional corrosion testing methods such as mass loss and electrochemical testing do not guarantee estimation of "true" corrosion rate and often mask the underlying mechanisms, due to either low sensitivity or a lack of element‐resolved information. Relatively recent work in corrosion science has led to the development of a new class of corrosion testing approaches, namely atomic spectroelectrochemistry; whereby direct insight of dissolution and corrosion mechanisms can be obtained during electrochemical testing. Atomic spectroelectrochemistry provides real‐time and element resolved dissolution rate of material via coupling electrochemical flow cell with inductively coupled plasma – atomic spectroscopy. This concise review discusses the basic working principle of atomic spectroelectrochemistry and its recent applications in corrosion science to understand the true underlying corrosion mechanisms of a range of metallic materials. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aim of the first study was to determine the influence of the calf handling (restricted or full contact) and fenceline bull stimulation on performance of mothers and their calves. The aim of the second study was to determine the relative impact of calf–bull contact, comparing the result of restricted calf and no bull with that of fenceline calf contact and direct bull contact on the performance of mother buffaloes and their calves. In Experiment 1, 24 mother–calf dyads were allocated to three treatments: NCB (no calf–mother–bull contact), RC‐FBC (restricted calf and fenceline bull contact) and FC‐FBC (fenceline calf and fenceline bull contact). In Experiment 2, another 24 mother–calf dyads were allocated to two treatments: RC‐NB (restricted calf and no bull contact) and FC‐DBC (fenceline calf and direct bull contact). In Experiment 1, average daily gain (ADG) was greater in FC‐FBC than RC‐FBC and NCB calves (p <.05). Average dry matter intake (DMI) was greater in FC‐FBC than RC‐FBC and NCB calves. DMI of buffaloes was greater in FC‐FBC than RC‐FBC and NCB. Daily milk yield of buffaloes was more (p <.05) in FC‐FBC (10.2 ± 0.2 kg) than RC‐FBC (8.4 ± 0.2 kg) and RC‐FBC (7.8 ± 0.2 kg). There were no statistical differences observed in the interval from calving to first oestrus, first service, service period among three groups. In Experiment 2, ADG's and DMI were greater in FC‐FBC calves than RC‐FBC (p <.05). DMI of buffaloes was greater in FC‐DBC than RC‐NBC (p <.05). Daily milk yield of buffaloes was greater (p <.05) in FC‐DBC (11.6 ± 0.2 kg) than RC‐NBC (8.3 ± 0.2 kg). The first oestrus (51.5 ± 3.1 vs. 103.2 ± 7.2), days to first service (74.8 ± 3.5 vs.112.0 ± 7.6) and service period (78.8 ± 4.8 vs.118.9 ± 8.3 days) were lower (p <.05) in FC‐DBC than RC‐NBC buffaloes. The fenceline calf‐mother contact increased the growth rate, FCR, and feeding efficiency of buffalo calves; reduced some stress responses and improved the productive performance of buffalo mothers. Further, mother‐bull contact stimulated the post‐partum reproductive performance of buffaloes in fenceline calf contact. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection, the disease, whose mode of transmission is known and is largely preventable, but due to lack of knowledge and practices in general population causes its continuous spread. Aim and objectives: To assess the awareness level about HIV/AIDS among male and female of 15- 44 years age group residing in slum areas. Materials and methods: A cross sectional study was conducted at slum areas of Jodhpur city to assess the awareness and knowledge about HIV/AIDS among male and female of 15-44 years age group. Total 741 persons were selected by multi stage sampling method in 254 households from 66 slums and a predesigned and pretested questionnaire was used to record the information. The data was entered into Microsoft Excel spreadsheet and analyzed using "Chi square test" of significance. Results: Only 20.1% were aware about the word "HIV" and only 8.7% of these knew the meaning of HIV while 68.8% subjects aware about word "AIDS" and only 12% of them knew the meaning of the word AIDS. Age, sex, religion, caste, literacy and socio-economic status were significantly influenced the knowledge gained (p<0.01). Unsafe sex (heterosexual) was most frequently (52.5%) known route of transmission by the respondents. Conclusion: In spite of having large scale information, education and communication activities, at the national and state level, the knowledge of various aspects of HIV/AIDS was deficient and myths about modes of transmission were prevalent in studied slum population. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A terminal [NiII−OH] complex 1, supported by triflamide‐functionalized NHC ligands, showed divergent reactivity for the reaction of sulfone with alcohol, contingent on base concentration, temperature, and time. Julia‐type olefination of alcohols with sulfones was achieved using one equiv. of base, whereas lowering base loading to 0.5 equiv. afforded α‐alkylated sulfones. Besides excellent substrate scope and selectivity, biologically active stilbene derivatives DMU‐212, pinosylvin, resveratrol, and piceatannol were synthesized in high yield under Julia‐type olefination conditions. An extensive array of controlled experiments and DFT calculations provide valuable insight on the reaction pathway. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The study was conducted to determine effects of biostimulation of Sahiwal heifers through fenceline bull contact and fenceline combined with direct bull contact on oestrous behaviour when there was ovulation occurring in the absence of behavioural oestrus ("silent oestrus - SE) and overt behavioural oestrus (OBE). Prepubertal Sahiwal heifers were allotted to three treatments (T 0 , T 1 , T 2 , n = 8 heifers/treatment). In the T 0 group, there was no bull exposure; in T 1 , exposure to a bull through fenceline contact for 24 h and in T 2 , exposure to a bull as in T 1 along with direct bull contact with another bull for a 6 -h period daily. The oestrous behaviours were recorded on day (d) −3, −2 and −1 (prior to oestrus), d 0 (day of oestrus) and d +3, +2 and +1 (post-estrus). With both SE and OBE, the mean frequency of sniffing, micturition, chin resting and standing to be mounted differed (P < 0.05) from d −2 to d +1 among treatment groups. The mean times devoted to eating, ruminating and lying during SE and OBE were less (P < 0.05) on d-1 and d 0 in heifers of all three groups than the respective values on reference days in both T 1 and T 2 groups. Biostimulation of Sahiwal heifers with bull exposure, therefore, resulted in greater expression of oestrous behaviour than in non-exposed heifers during the periods around when there was SE and OBE. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Hypertension (HTN) is a modifiable risk factor for coronary artery disease, heart failure, cerebrovascular disease and chronic renal failure. HTN affects about 1 billion people globally; by 2025, up to 1.58 billion adults worldwide are likely to suffer from complications of HTN. This study was done to know the diet and physical activity patterns and HTN among the population of three districts of Western Rajasthan. Objectives: To study the dietary and physical activity patterns among the population of Western Rajasthan. and to compare key findings among three districts Pali, Jodhpur and Barmer so that lifestyle changes can be recommended. Methods: A case-control study was done among attendees of NCD clinics of tertiary-level centers in Pali, Barmer and Jodhpur. Hospital controls were matched to age (± 5 years) and gender considering the prevalence of HTN to be 20%*, the proportion of exposure in the general population as 0.2, odds ratio to be 2.2, power =80%, alpha=5% sample size is estimated to be 102 cases & 102 controls (from each district). Results: Overall 'being married' (OR= 3.3), having diabetes/Cardiac disease(OR= 2.6), excessive salt consumption (OR= 2.7), moderate physical exercise less than 30 minutes (OR=1.9), using oil other than vegetable oil(OR=1.8), Age > 60 years (OR = 1.4) were the key risk factors. It was found that high BMI (BMI>27), consumption of non-vegetable oils (12.7%) was highest in Jodhpur, lack of moderate exercise for at least 30 minutes (81%), lack of sports activity (92%) was highest in Pali, least number of days/week of fruits and vegetables consumption (~1.64 days) was seen in Barmer. Conclusions: Change in quantity of salt consumption and incorporation of moderate physical exercise for >30 minutes was most followed in control of HTN among the attendees of NCD Clinics from the multiple advise given. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study assessed the effect of heat stress mitigations on the physiological, behavioural, and hormonal responses of buffalo during the hot summer season. Twenty Murrah buffalo male calves were distributed randomly into controlled (C, n = 10) and treatment groups (T, n = 10). The buffalo calves in the C group were housed in the existing shed (10–12-ft height and 10-ft width). Buffalo calves of the T group were allocated in the modified shed: 15-ft height and 20-ft width along with time-controlled pressure mist with fans and rubber mats on the floor. Fans were running all days. The cool water was misted on calves at the rate of 1 min in 5 min, from 11:00 to 18:00 h. The water misting system was installed below the roof, but at 3.5 m above the floor. The calves' body weight, rectal temperature, infrared temperature of the eye, blood samples, respiration rate, and pulse rate were recorded fortnightly for two consecutive months. In one-way ANOVA, rectal temperature, eye temperature, cortisol level, and afternoon's respiration and pulse rate were higher in the calves of C group than that of T group (P < 0.05). Conversely, eating and resting time (min/day) and triiodothyronine were lower in the calves of C group than that of T group (P < 0.05). Therefore, an increase in shed's height and width, using rubber mats on the floor, and cool water misting to buffaloes during the hot summer seasons positively influence their physiological, hormonal, and behavioural responses. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Depression is a hidden pandemic among adolescents with multi-factorial causal risk and risk correlates. Objectives: To find the prevalence of depression and risk factors among school-going adolescents. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted among 838 adolescents enrolled in 6th–11th standards (age: 11–19 years) in 15 urban schools in Patna city by using the modified Patient Health Questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9); binary logistic regression was applied to find significant risk correlates. Results: Depression was noted among 51.2% adolescents of our study participants: mild 32.3%, moderate 14.3%, moderately severe 3.9%, severe depression 0.6%; among early adolescents (46.2%; boys-21.2%, girls-78.8%) and among late adolescents (55.3%, boys-34.7%, girls-65.3%). Adolescent depression was significantly associated in our study with female gender, late adolescence, higher classes (9th–11th), vegetarian diet, soft drink consumption, fast foods, screen time, domestic harassment, academic dissatisfaction, parental discord as well as mental illness. Girls had higher risk who were in higher classes, on a vegetarian diet, habitually on soft drink, more screen time (>3 h), face more family nuisance, parents brawling frequently, and suffering from known mental diseases. Conclusion: Depression was noted in more than half of the adolescents, with a higher prevalence in girls, scholastic failure, higher grades, vegetarian diet, more screen time, familial disease, and conflict. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The study was conducted to determine the health status of hariana cattle in different seasons in breeding tract of haryana cattle. Health status of hariana 240 cattle has been studied in field condition in terms of BCS, Physiological Parameters, Hematological Parameters, Helminthic And Tick Infestation in Relation with Season. The mean of body condition score was significantly lower (P<0.05) during summer and rainy season compared to winter. whereas, pulse rate, respiration rate and rectal temperature were significantly higher during summer and rainy seasons compared to winter. Haemoglobin (HB), White blood cells (WBC) and Red blood cells (RBC) Counts were significantly lower during rainy and winter season as compared to the summer season. wbc varied significantly amongst all the season. The percent (%) prevalence of tick infestation in hariana cattle in summer, winter and rainy seasons were 18.75, 16.25 and 27.50 Respectively. The samples were also found to be positive for prevalence of Strongyles, Paramphistomes, Faciola gigantica, Moniezia expansa and Buxtonella sulcata in hariana cattle in all seasons. The observations of the present study would provide a basis for evolving effective control strategy for management of health status of hariana cattle in its breeding tract. Higher during summer and rainy seasons compared to winter. HB, WBC AND RBC Counts were significantly lower during rainy and winter seasons as compared to the summer season, whereas it was the highest during summer. WBC varied significantly amongst all the seasons. The percent (%) prevalence of tick infestation in hariana cattle in summer, winter and rainy seasons were 18.75, 16.25 and 27.50, Respectively. The samples were also found to be positive for prevalence of Strongyles (Nematodes), Paramphistomes, Faciola gigantica, Moniezia expansa and buxtonella sulcata in hariana cattle in summer, winter and rainy seasons. The observations of the present study would provide a basis for evolving effective control strategy for the management of health status of hariana cattle in its breeding tract. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]