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Abstract Background Dengue and leptospirosis are prominent vector-borne diseases in tropical and subtropical regions, sharing overlapping geographic distribution and clinical presentations, which complicates diagnosis and management. Co-infection of these pathogens places additional strain on healthcare resources in endemic areas. This study aims to systematically estimate the prevalence and mortality rates of dengue and leptospirosis co-infections and assess their clinical implications. Methods Adhering the PRISMA 2020 guidelines and registered in the PROSPERO database, we conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis using the PubMed, Embase, and Web of Science databases up to October 2024. Nested Knowledge was used for screening and data extraction. Studies reporting quantitative data on the prevalence or mortality of dengue and leptospirosis co-infections were included. Data extraction and quality assessment were performed independently by two reviewers using the Modified Newcastle-Ottawa Scale. Statistical analyses, including prevalence and mortality estimation, sensitivity analysis were conducted using R, with heterogeneity evaluated by the I² statistic. Results Out of 3,982 records, 14 studies met the eligibility criteria, yielding a pooled prevalence of dengue and leptospirosis co-infection at 2.33% (95% CI: 1.41–3.46%) across 16,638 participants, with significant heterogeneity (I² = 90%). The prediction interval for co-infection ranged from 0.05 to 7.27%. The pooled mortality rate among co-infected patients was 9.96% (95% CI: 0–53.49%), with moderate heterogeneity (I² = 71%). The prediction interval for mortality ranged from 0.00 to 100%. Publication bias was indicated by an LFK index of 2.52. Conclusion This meta-analysis revealed a moderate prevalence and a notable mortality rate for dengue and leptospirosis co-infections, with significant variability observed across different studies. Further research into the immunopathology and the implementation of integrated surveillance systems could enhance the effectiveness of diagnosis and treatment strategies in regions where these diseases are endemic.

Abstract In this work, a triple-junction tandem solar cell (TSC) has been designed in order to increase the photovoltaic (PV) performance through utilizing maximum light photons. To create three junctions in this work three subcells have been designed and optimized at its best PV performance. The optimization of all the three subcells have been done through the various variations in the absorber layer like thickness and bulk defect density (BDD). It has been seen that best PV parameters in the top middle and bottom cell are maximum at high thickness and low BDD. For the designing of triple junction tandem configuration, two filtered spectrums (FS1 and FS2) have been calculated for the proper current matching in the three subcells. The optimized triple-junction TSC demonstrates significantly enhanced PV parameters, including high open-circuit voltage (VOC- 2.750), short-circuit current density (JSC- 16.45 mA/cm2), fill factor (FF- 83.40%), and power conversion efficiency (PCE- 37.74%). The strategy of using filtered spectrums and exact design optimization provides a potential road to the next generation of high-efficiency tandem solar cells, furthering the field of renewable energy solutions.

Background: Carbonic anhydrase II (CA II) deficiency is a rare autosomal recessive genetic disorder presenting with the characteristic triad of osteopetrosis, renal tubular acidosis (RTA), and intracerebral calcifications. However, the spectrum of mutations and clinical features varies. Objectives: A systematic review of case reports was done to describe the clinical spectrum and genetic mutations of children reported with carbonic anhydrase deficiency. Methods: A comprehensive search was done in major databases, using defined search terms. The identified reports underwent screening by different authors as per inclusion and exclusion criteria. Results: Twenty-two children (median age: 5 years) with genetically proven CA II deficiency were included, mostly males, all having RTA, classic triad being present in 64%. Over half of them had global developmental delay and one-third had vision and hearing defect, each. The most common mutation was c. 232 + 1 G >T, followed by del 12/ins4 at codon 211, seen in 9 (41%) and 4 (18%) children, respectively. Conclusion: Not all children with CA II deficiency present with triad, though RTA is present universally, c. 232 + 1 G >T being the most common variant in CA2 gene.

Background: Maintaining optimal hearing health and preventing ear infections is crucial across all life stages, spanning from before birth and infancy to middle age and beyond. The primary aim of the research was to evaluate and compare the effectiveness of the telemedicine-enabled otoscope (TEO) in diagnosing ear diseases with that of the conventional otoscope. Materials and Methods: The databases PubMed, Cochrane, and Embase were thoroughly searched to find original studies on TEO at the community as well as hospital levels along with meta-analysis for comparison with standard diagnostic methods using traditional otoscopes. Results: The telemedicine-equipped otoscope displays a sensitivity of 82% (confidence interval 0.78–0.95) and a specificity of 95% (confidence interval 0.93–0.96). When employed by physicians, the combined sensitivity and specificity become 84% (confidence interval 0.79–0.88) and 91% (confidence interval 0.87–0.94), respectively. Community Health Workers (CHWs) using telemedicine-enabled otoscopes exhibit a collective sensitivity of 80% (confidence interval 0.72–0.87) and a collective specificity of 97% (confidence interval 0.95–0.98). Snapping multiple photographs and removal of cerumen where necessary in increasing the quality of the photographs for diagnosis. Conclusions: The TEO holds the promise of substantially enhancing the accessibility of audiology services, encompassing evaluation, public outreach, and fundamental care. Its implementation has the potential to fortify primary health care environments, contributing to the prevention of ear diseases and assisting in mitigating the shortage of skilled ear care professionals.

Abstract Background Heat stress is one of the abiotic stresses that make wheat crops vulnerable, which significantly impacts crop production around the world. An increase in temperature during the reproductive phase (anthesis) beyond the optimal range of 15–20 °C leads to decreased crop production, poor quality of the grain, and altered physiological and biochemical processes. To study the association between high temperature and physio-biochemical traits under normal and late sown, a set of fifteen genotypes was utilized. Results Relative water content under high temperatures had an overall decrease of 8.7%. However, grain protein and malondialdehyde content were higher in the stressed conditions than in the control, with increases of 20.2% and 38.9%, respectively. Marker Xgwm67, located on chromosome 5B, was found to be significantly associated with malondialdehyde content (R 2 = 21%) and Xgwm570, located on 6A, was closely linked to relative water content as well as grain protein content (R 2 = 16%) revealed by regression analysis. The correlation matrix displays a positive association between the control and stressed condition by R 2 = 0.92, 0.82, and 0.53 in malondialdehyde, relative water content, and grain protein, respectively. However, there was a negative correlation between water content–malondialdehyde and malondialdehyde–grain protein, though there was only a 4% correlation between grain protein content (control) and relative water content (stressed). Based on the tolerance matrix, WH730 and RAJ4079 were heat tolerant, and DBW173 and HD3086 were sensitive. Conclusions These findings indicate that to identify tolerant genotypes, physiological and biochemical traits can be utilized as an alternate criterion, and these closely associated markers can be applied for improved late-planted wheat production through MAS. The breeding scheme and genome editing by recognizing novel genes through physio-biochemical parameters, marker-assisted selection, and prospective screening of tolerant genotypes are proclaimed by the study.

The current study aims at modeling the solubility of anti-cancer agents in supercritical carbon dioxide (SC-CO2). An extensive databank, including 893 measured samples for 33 anti-cancer agents were collected from the literature, covering extensive ranges of operating conditions. Eight density-based empirical models were firstly employed to correlate the collected data. After adjusting their constant coefficients, four of them provided satisfactory estimations, with total average absolute relative errors (AAREs) below 10 %. A novel six-parameter empirical correlation was also proposed, with input factors optimized based on the Pearson coefficient analysis. This correlation produced satisfactory results for the analyzed drugs, achieving a total AARE of 7.71 %. Afterward, a generalized and unified model was built using the intelligent method of gaussian process regression (GPR). For the testing data, this model showed excellent results with AARE and R2 values of 2.90 % and 99.87 %, respectively. Furthermore, its estimations for all anti-cancer agents outperformed the empirical correlations significantly. Both empirical and intelligent models accurately described the physical behavior of anti-cancer agents’ solubility in SC-CO2 under various conditions. Subsequently, the most effective factors on the performances of the models were recognized through a sensitivity analysis.

The 1,2,4-oxadiazole motif is highly significant in biological studies. An efficient Suzuki-Miyaura coupling methodology has been developed, catalyzed by RuPhos Pd G4, for 1,2,4-oxadiazole substrates This method achieves high yields and clean reactions, featuring a broad substrate scope and straightforward gram-scale synthesis. The pathway offers new biologically useful moieties that can be further explored for their potential applications.

Objective To examine existing literature regarding health literacy levels and their association with multimorbidity and the potential underlying mechanisms behind the said association.Design Systematic review and meta-analysis.Data sources The databases MEDLINE, EMBASE, CINAHL and Science Direct were searched for articles published between 1 January 2000 and 31 October 2023 using a systematic search strategy.Eligibility criteria Included were all primary studies conducted in people over 18 years old with data on health literacy levels and the presence of multimorbidity. No language restrictions were used.Data extraction and synthesis Two authors independently extracted data and assessed the bias using the Joanna Briggs Institute critical appraisal tools.Results We included a total of 39 studies (36 quantitative, two qualitative and one mixed-method), representing 154 337 participants. We found a 32% proportion of limited health literacy among individuals with multimorbidity. Analysis of three articles using the Health Literacy Questionnaire tool (n=31 228) (Pooled OR 2.88 (95% CI 1.92 to 4.31)) and three articles using the Health Literacy Survey Questionnaire–European Union tool (n=35 358) (OR 1.16 (95% CI 1.07 to 1.25)) indicated that people with limited health literacy were likely to have multiple conditions. One of three articles studying underlying mechanisms reported that self-efficacy mediates the association between health literacy and multimorbidity. Additionally, substantial literature identified education and income as the most consistent determinants of health literacy among individuals with multimorbidity. Of the only two articles studying the effectiveness of health literacy-related interventions, both reported an improvement in clinical outcomes after the intervention.Conclusions Our review demonstrated a consistent association between health literacy and multimorbidity, indicating that people with lower health literacy levels are more likely to have multimorbidity. More evidence is needed regarding the effect of health literacy interventions on multimorbidity.PROSPERO registration number CRD42022301369.

Background: Hyperimmunoglobulin E (IgE) syndrome (HIES) is a rare primary immunodeficiency disease, with features of recurrent eczema-like rashes, skin and lung infections, and elevated serum IgE. Common genetic mutations involve STAT3 and DOCK8 in autosomal dominant and recessive types, respectively. Objectives: Here, we aimed to systematically review all previously published case reports/series describing the clinical features, laboratory findings, and genetic analyses of children with autosomal recessive HIES (AR-HIES) caused by DOCK8 immunodeficiency. Methods: A comprehensive search was done in PubMed and Google Scholar, using defined search terms encompassing case reports or case series on AR-HIES. The identified reports underwent screening by different authors for inclusion and exclusion criteria. Results: A review of 50 articles covering 203 patients with DOCK8 immunodeficiency syndrome was done. Most cases were reported in countries such as Turkey, the USA, and Iran, with no significant gender disparity (92 males: 111 females). Patients exhibited a broad age range and early disease onset, with consanguinity present in 82% of cases. The most common clinical features included eczema (99%), allergic manifestations (93%), and respiratory infections (91%), associated with high IgE levels and eosinophilia. Exonic deletions were the most common mutations. Conclusion: This is one of the largest reviews collating data on DOCK8 deficiency, leading to AR-HIES. Exonic deletions were the most common mutations, with eczema and allergy being the most consistent clinical features.

In the present work, superior, bio-based polymers derived by graft copolymerization and crosslinking of polyaniline (PANI) on psyllium husk (PSH) were reported. Optimum process conditions were evaluated to obtain high-yield polymers by employing a reaction scheme of one variable at a time. Physico-chemical analysis techniques such as High Resolution- Transmission Electron Microscopy, Scanning Emission Microscopy, Fourier Transmission Infrared Spectroscopy, Thermal Gravimetric Analysis, Energy Dispersive X-ray analysis, X-Ray Diffraction analysis, Zeta Potential and swelling studies were employed to understand all the structural, chemical, morphological, thermal changes in PSH after grafting with ANI and crosslinking. The conducting polymers were applied as protective coatings in response to acidic media to the mild steel and the corrosion prevention efficiency of up to 92.77 % in 1 M HCl was reported using the electrochemical impedance spectroscopic method.

ObjectiveOral cancer is a widespread global health problem characterised by high mortality rates, wherein early detection is critical for better survival outcomes and quality of life. While visual examination is the primary method for detecting oral cancer, it may not be practical in remote areas. AI algorithms have shown some promise in detecting cancer from medical images, but their effectiveness in oral cancer detection remains Naïve. This systematic review aims to provide an extensive assessment of the existing evidence about the diagnostic accuracy of AI-driven approaches for detecting oral potentially malignant disorders (OPMDs) and oral cancer using medical diagnostic imaging.MethodsAdhering to PRISMA guidelines, the review scrutinised literature from PubMed, Scopus, and IEEE databases, with a specific focus on evaluating the performance of AI architectures across diverse imaging modalities for the detection of these conditions.ResultsThe performance of AI models, measured by sensitivity and specificity, was assessed using a hierarchical summary receiver operating characteristic (SROC) curve, with heterogeneity quantified through I2 statistic. To account for inter-study variability, a random effects model was utilized. We screened 296 articles, included 55 studies for qualitative synthesis, and selected 18 studies for meta-analysis. Studies evaluating the diagnostic efficacy of AI-based methods reveal a high sensitivity of 0.87 and specificity of 0.81. The diagnostic odds ratio (DOR) of 131.63 indicates a high likelihood of accurate diagnosis of oral cancer and OPMDs. The SROC curve (AUC) of 0.9758 indicates the exceptional diagnostic performance of such models. The research showed that deep learning (DL) architectures, especially CNNs (convolutional neural networks), were the best at finding OPMDs and oral cancer. Histopathological images exhibited the greatest sensitivity and specificity in these detections.ConclusionThese findings suggest that AI algorithms have the potential to function as reliable tools for the early diagnosis of OPMDs and oral cancer, offering significant advantages, particularly in resource-constrained settings.Systematic Review Registrationhttps://www.crd.york.ac.uk/, PROSPERO (CRD42023476706).

The complex and dynamic interactions between fungi and plants constitute a critical arena in ecological science. In this comprehensive review paper, we explore the multifaceted relationships at the fungi-plant interface, encompassing both mutualistic and antagonistic interactions, and the environmental factors influencing these associations. Mutualistic associations, notably mycorrhizal relationships, play a pivotal role in enhancing plant health and ecological balance. On the contrary, fungal diseases pose a significant threat to plant health, agriculture, and natural ecosystems, such as rusts, smuts, powdery mildews, downy mildews, and wilts, which can cause extensive damage and lead to substantial economic losses. Environmental constraints encompassing abiotic and biotic factors are elucidated to understand their role in shaping the fungi-plant interface. Temperature, moisture, and soil conditions, along with the presence of other microbes, herbivores, and competing plants, significantly influence the outcome of these interactions. The interplay between mutualism and antagonism is emphasised as a key determinant of ecosystem health and stability. The implications of these interactions extend to overall ecosystem productivity, agriculture, and conservation efforts. The potential applications of this knowledge in bioremediation, biotechnology, and biocontrol strategies emphasise the importance of adapting to climate change. However, challenges and future directions in this field include the impacts of climate change, emerging fungal pathogens, genomic insights, and the role of the fungi-plant interface in restoration ecology. Hence, this review paper provides a comprehensive overview of fungi-plant interactions, their environmental influences, and their applications in agriculture, conservation, and ecological restoration.

Abstract The Himalayas are highly susceptible to various natural disasters, such as the tectonically induced land deformation, earthquakes, landslides, and extreme climatic events. Recently, the Joshimath town witnessed a significantly large land subsidence activity. The phenomenon resulted in the development of large cracks in roads and in over 868 civil structures, posing a significant risk to inhabitants and infrastructure of the area. This study uses a time-series synthetic aperture radar (SAR) interferometry-based PSInSAR approach to monitor land deformation utilizing multi-temporal Sentinel-1 datasets. The line of sight (LOS) land deformation velocity for the Joshimath region, calculated for the year 2022–2023 using a PSInSAR-based approach, varies from − 89.326 to + 94.46 mm/year. The + ve sign indicates the LOS velocity/displacement away from the SAR sensor, whereas − ve sign signifies the earth's movement towards the SAR sensor in the direction of LOS. In addition, the study investigates feature tracking land displacement analysis using multi-temporal high-resolution Planet datasets. The result of this analysis is consistent with the PSInSAR results. The study also estimated the land deformation for the periods 2016–2017, 2018–2019, and 2020–2021 separately. Our results show that the Joshimath region experienced the highest land deformation during the year 2022–2023. During this period, the maximum land subsidence was observed in the north-western part of the town. The maximum LOS land deformation velocity + 60.45 mm/year to + 94.46 mm/year (2022–2023), occurred around Singhdwar, whereas the north and central region of the Joshimath town experienced moderate to high subsidence of the order of + 10.45 mm/year to + 60.45 mm/year (2022–2023), whereas the south-west part experienced an expansion of the order of 84.65 mm/year to − 13.13 mm/year (2022–2023). Towards the south-east, the town experienced rapid land subsidence, − 13.13 mm/year to − 5 mm/year (2022–2023). The study analyzes the causative factors of the observed land deformation in the region. Furthermore, this work assesses the ground conditions of the Joshimath region using UAV datasets acquired in the most critically affected areas such as Singhdhaar, Hotel Mountain View, Malhari Hotel, and Manoharbagh. Finally, the study provides recommendations and future prospects for the development policies that need to be adopted in the critical Himalayan regions susceptible to land deformation. The study suggests that land deformation in the region is primarily attributed to uncontrolled anthropogenic activities, infrastructural development, along with inadequate drainage systems.

Background: Alport syndrome comprises inherited heterogeneous disorders involving kidneys with varying combinations of ocular pathologies and hearing loss. Digenic Alport syndrome is a pathologic variant of Alport syndrome in which there is a mutation in two out of three mutations in type IV collagen (COL4A) genes, either COL4A5 with COL4A3/COL4A4, or pathogenic variants in COL4A3 with COL4A4. There are scarce data regarding the genotype–phenotype associations in children with digenic Alport syndrome. Objective: The present systematic review focuses on clinical presentations, genetic abnormalities, pharmacological management, and associated extrarenal manifestations in digenic Alport syndrome. Methods: A comprehensive search was done in major databases, such as PubMed and Google Scholar, using defined search terms encompassing case reports or case series on digenic Alport syndrome. The identified reports underwent screening by two different authors for inclusion and exclusion criteria. Results: Thirty-one cases were included, showing that the mean age at diagnosis was 6 years. Microhematuria was the most common kidney manifestation (80%), followed by nephrotic/nephritic range proteinuria (74%), while extrarenal features were a rare finding. The main diagnostic modality was genetic testing with specific findings on electron microscopy, such as thinning of the basement membrane (73.3%). Focal segmental glomerulosclerosis was the most common finding on light microscopy (50%). A missense mutation was the most common genetic mutation present in 64% of cases. The patients were primarily managed with medical management initially with no data regarding follow-up. Conclusion: The digenic phenotype of Alport syndrome presents with a mean age earlier than the other variants, with hematuria and proteinuria being the most common presentations, with rare extrarenal involvements. Furthermore, the most common genetic abnormality associated with the digenic variant of Alport syndrome is a missense mutation.

A series of new and novel Chalcone derivatives designated as BA1 to BA8, was synthesized and investigated in order to explore their potential as pharmaceutical agents. Benzene-di-oxyacetophenone, benzaldehyde and other derivatives were used as reagents by deploying Claisen-Schmidt condensation reaction to synthesized the desired products. Structure elucidation of all the compounds BA1 to BA8 was done by using spectroscopic techniques, such as mass spectrometry, FTIR, 1HNMR, 13CNMR, and HPLC. The chemistry section meticulously outlines the synthesis procedure for a representative chalcone derivative, specifically (2Z)-1-(2H-1,3-benzodioxol-5-yl)-3-phenylprop-2-en-1-one (BA1), encompassing detailed spectral information and purification steps. In-silico investigations were utilized to investigate the drug-likeliness properties and ADMET characteristics of the developed compounds. the newly compounds exhibit the target-oriented protein interaction. The compounds were undergone antibacterial sensitivity and found that the compounds BA1, BA7 and BA8 showed the prominent results on respective species. The drug-likeness investigation involved an evaluation of various properties of the newly synthesized compounds, such as topological polar surface area, molecular weight of the compounds, logarithm of the distribution coefficient, and hydrogen bond acceptors and donors, for all synthesized compounds. These types of derivatives aid in the identification of promising candidates for further drug development. In essence, this all-encompassing study seamlessly integrates experimental synthesis, spectroscopic characterization, in silico predictions, and molecular docking to furnish a comprehensive evaluation of the potential of chalcone derivatives as ground breaking drug candidates. The discerned findings contribute valuable insights to the ongoing endeavors in developing novel compounds with diverse pharmacological activities and enhanced drug-like properties.

Background: Cervical cancer is a public health problem, and nursing personnel are crucial for successful implementation of low-cost cervical cancer screening approaches in low-resource settings. The following study assessed and compared the knowledge, attitude, and practices regarding cervical cancer and its screening among female nursing staff at different levels of health care facilities in western Rajasthan, India. Methodology: An anonymous pre-validated, structured questionnaire was used as the study tool among 233 female nursing personnel of primary, secondary, and tertiary care health facilities. Multiple logistic regression was performed to determine the association between level of knowledge with level of health care and other demographic variables. Results: The nursing staff of the tertiary care health facility demonstrated significantly higher knowledge compared to those working at primary and secondary levels [adjusted odds ratio (95% confidence interval) 11.01 (3.80–32.40)]. At tertiary care, the practices of the nursing professionals were not found significantly associated with any socio-demographic variable including age, marital status, or level of health care facility. Conclusion: The overall knowledge of cervical cancer was poor, especially among staff nurses at primary and secondary levels of health care. In order to implement a successful population-based screening program in India, it is important to update the nursing curriculum and start in-service trainings at primary and secondary levels of health care facilities.

Abstract In wheat (Triticum aestivum L.), the grain size varies according to position within the spike. Exposure to drought and high temperature stress during grain development in wheat reduces grain size, and this reduction also varies across the length of the spike. We developed the phenomics approach involving image-based tools to assess the intra-spike variation in grain size. The grains were arranged corresponding to the spikelet position and the camera of smart phone was used to acquire 333 images. The open-source software ImageJ was used to analyze features of each grain and the image-derived parameters were used to calculate intra-spike variation as standard deviation (ISVAD). The effect of genotype and environment were highly significant on the ISVAD of grain area. Sunstar and Raj 4079 contrasted in the ISVAD of grain area under late sown environment, and RNA sequencing of the spike was done at 25 days after anthesis. The genes for carbohydrate transport and stress response were upregulated in Sunstar as compared to Raj 4079, suggesting that these play a role in intra-spike assimilate distribution. The phenomics method developed may be useful for grain phenotyping and identifying germplasm with low intra-spike variation in grain size for their further validation as parental material in breeding.

Ranked set sampling (RSS) is a useful technique for improving the estimator of a population mean when the sampling units in a study can be more easily ranked than the actual measurement. RSS performs better than simple random sampling (SRS) when the mean of units corresponding to each rank is used. The performance of RSS can be increased further by assigning weights to the ranked observations. In this paper, we propose weighted RSS procedures to estimate the population mean of positively skewed distributions. It is shown that the gains in the relative precisions of the population mean for chosen distributions are uniformly higher than those based on RSS. The gains in relative precisions are substantially high. Further, the relative precisions of our estimator are slightly higher than the ones based on Neyman’s optimal allocation model for small sample sizes. Moreover, it is shown that the performance of the proposed estimator increases as the skewness increases by using the example of the lognormal family of distributions.

Pediatric critical care is highly sophisticated and precise and is possible only in specialized areas such as pediatric intensive care units (PICUs) or high dependency units equipped with round-the-clock monitoring facilities, skilled and trained staff, and treatment equipment. The need for critical care beds was sharply felt during the COVID-19 pandemic and the Government of India launched the COVID-19 emergency response and health system preparedness package: phase II (ECRP-II) with a hub and spoke model to strengthen pediatric critical care delivery at district level under the skilled supervision of state-level PICUs of the identified center of excellence (CoE). The CoEs will have well-equipped PICUs providing tele-ICU service, mentoring, and technical hand-holding to the district pediatric unit. This model was envisioned to be extended to critically ill children with nonCOVID illnesses after the pandemic abates. For achieving the proposed objectives under the ECRP-II scheme, this guideline aims to provide a practical framework for setting up comprehensive pediatric care units at district hospitals and medical colleges (spoke) well connected with a CoE (hub) for teleconsultation, knowledge exchange, referral, and back referral between hub and spokes.

This paper presents a method for increasing the operating frequency range of a sub-6 GHz transmitter to millimeter wave (mm-wave) using two cascaded frequency doublers. The usage of such a frequency up-conversion approach is constrained since applying the first frequency doubler’s generated harmonics to the second doubler for mm-wave signal creation results in severe distortions and bandwidth expansion of the transmitted signal, limiting the use of such frequency up-conversion method. We have proposed a combined gain and phase retarder and physically inspired cascaded feed-forward neural network (CFFNN) based digital predistortion to mitigate the bandwidth expansion and distortions. A comparative study of feed-forward neural networks (FFNN) and CFFNN has been carried out to establish CFFNN as a significant and less complex model for effective DPD of frequency quadrupler. For proof of concept, we have experimentally validated this method for Long-Term Evolution (LTE) 20 MHZ (64-QAM) signal at 24 GHz frequency band using commercially available frequency multipliers. The measurement results show the bandwidth expansion is reduced approximately 11–12 times, and the adjacent channel power ratio (ACPR) of around −45.1 dBc and error vector magnitude (EVM) of approximately 3.07% is achieved.

Background: Distal renal tubular acidosis (dRTA) can be acquired or inherited. Hereditary types of dRTA are mostly seen in the pediatric population, whereas acquired forms predominate in adults. The diagnosis of hereditary dRTA can be confirmed by genetic testing. Five genes are known to cause the disease: ATP6V1B1, ATP6V0A4, FOXI1, SLC4A1, and WDR72. Most of the children with autosomal dominant forms carry mutations in the SLC4A1 gene, whereas the most common mutation in autosomal recessive type is ATP6V0A4 and ATP6V1B1 genes. Objective: In this systematic review of case reports, we discuss the clinical features and mutation variants of hereditary dRTA due to homozygous pathogenic variations in the WDR72 gene, which has been recently identified. Methods: The PubMed and Google Scholar databases were searched with defined search terms and eligibility criteria independently by different authors. Results: Of five full-text articles retrieved, four were finally included which provided data of 14 individuals, all of which had specific mutations in WDR72 gene. The majority of cases were attributed to individuals of Asian descent (71%) with equal distribution of males and females. The mean age of onset was 4.42 years. Amelogenesis imperfecta (AI) was described in 90% of patients, nephrocalcinosis in 62.5%, polyuria in 55.5%, proximal muscle weakness in 55.5%, and rickets in two patients. Conclusion: In patients exhibiting features such as metabolic acidosis, hypokalemia, AI, polyuria, nephrocalcinosis, and growth retardation, genetic analysis for WDR72 mutation should be considered.

Background: Tuberculosis (TB) is a common disease, especially in low-income countries, with a varied clinical spectrum involving multiple organs. Although liver abscess can be seen in 70% of patients with miliary tuberculosis, isolated tuberculous liver abscess (ILTA) is rare in immunocompetent children. Liver involvement, though seen in up to 70% of patients as a part of miliary TB, isolated tuberculous liver abscess (ITLA) is rare in 13 children. Objective: The present systematic review focuses on demographic parameters, clinical presentations, duration of antitubercular treatment, and the need for surgical intervention and recurrence in children with tuberculous liver abscess. Methods: A comprehensive search was done in major databases PubMed and Google Scholar using defined search terms encompassing case reports or case series on isolated tubercular liver abscess in children. The identified reports underwent screening by three different authors for inclusion and exclusion criteria. Results: The median (interquartile range [IQR]) age of presentation was 9.5 (6.5) years, with a slightly higher prevalence in females (59%). The most common presenting symptom was fever (95%), followed by abdominal pain (68%). Hepatomegaly was seen in 90% of cases and jaundice in 16%. The median (IQR) duration of antitubercular treatment was 6 (4) months and surgical intervention was required for 14 (63%) children. The resolution time of the ITLA varied across the children, with a median (IQR) time being 2 (7) months. Conclusion: Pediatric tubercular liver abscess requires a high index of suspicion, particularly in endemic countries like India. Children with liver abscess should be evaluated for TB, if response to initial management is poor. Early diagnosis and prompt treatment with systemic antitubercular treatment are associated with a favorable outcome.

Background: Echinococcosis is a zoonotic tapeworm infection caused by Echinococcus granulosus, occasionally affecting humans. The larval infection most commonly affects the liver and lungs and very rarely the kidneys. Objective: The present systematic review compiles data regarding clinical presentations, diagnostic modalities, management strategies and recurrences in children with isolated renal hydatid cysts. Methods: A comprehensive search was done in major databases PubMed and Google Scholar using defined search terms encompassing case reports or case series on isolated renal hydatid cysts in children. The identified reports underwent screening by three different authors for inclusion and exclusion criteria. Results: The median (range) age at presentation of isolated renal hydatid disease was 10 (6) years with female preponderance (52.7%). Most common presenting symptom and sign were abdominal pain (64.8%) and palpable abdominal mass (56.7%), respectively. Ultrasonography (94.5%) was most common diagnostic method. Patients were primarily managed with surgical interventions (95.5%) and only 2/37 were managed solely by medical management for a median duration of 3.5 weeks. Laparoscopic cystectomy was the most commonly used surgical procedure (45.9%). Recurrence was observed to be rare, seen in only 3 cases. Conclusion: Hydatid cysts need to be considered in the differential diagnosis of renal cysts. Radiological evaluation with pathological confirmation enables diagnosis. Surgery combined with adjuvant anti-parasitic chemotherapy is used to treat the condition.

The COVID-19 pandemic has varying effects on men, women, and the transgender population. However, there is a paucity of systematic evidence on how gender and other social determinants of health during COVID-19 are affected in resource constraint urban settings. This review describes the gender dimensions of health-related challenges among the urban poor during COVID-19 in LMICs. We searched 11 scholarly online repositories including PubMed, Embase, Web of Science, CINAHL using the domain “slums,” “COVID-19”, “LMICs” and “gender identities.” We used thematic framework analysis to synthesize qualitative data, and meta-analysis to determine the pooled prevalence. We registered in PROSPERO (CRD42020203783). We identified 6490 records, and 37 articles included. The studies reported stress among 74% women and 78% men, depression among 59% women and 62% men, and anxiety among 79% women and 63% men. Men had more stress than women during COVID-19; men are primarily responsible for household sustenance. Women had more anxiety than men, possibly because they are often the primary caregivers for children and the older population. While the severity varies according to gender identity, their vulnerability mostly related to their literacy and economy, highlighting the significance of including all social determinants in future primary studies.Systematic review registrationhttps://www.crd.york.ac.uk/prospero/#recordDetails.

Background: Pregnant women who request a caesarean section in the absence of obstetric indication are increasing in number. Objectives: The objective of this study is to analyse the responsible factor for maternal requests for a planned or elective caesarean section in western Rajasthan. Methods: A descriptive cross-sectional qualitative study was conducted with semi-structured proforma, in-depth interviews with women delivered by caesarean section. A total number of 100 patients who underwent caesarean section were taken, and 100 patients of vaginal delivery were included in the study for demographic comparison. Data were analysed with statistical software. Results: In our study, out of 100 patients who underwent caesarean delivery, 38% patients had a history of previous caesarean section, 18 % choose caesarean section due to past traumatic or negative experiences, 14 % due to safety issues of the child, 13 % choose caesarean section due to fear and pain of labour, 9 % due to religious belief, 5% due to family advice and peer pressor and 3% wanted a simultaneous tubectomy. Conclusion: Previous caesarean section with the refusal of vaginal birth after a caesarean section was the most common cause of elective caesarean section. There are various rationales and life experiences behind a maternal request for a caesarean section needing carefully targeted attention and health care. A previous traumatic birth experience and pain also prompted a caesarean to avoid a repetition of the trauma.

The Global Health Sector Strategy on viral hepatitis (2016–2021) endorsed by the World Health Assembly in 2016, called for the elimination of viral hepatitis as a public health threat by 2030. Odisha, an eastern state of India, has the third-highest percentage of tribal population in the country and limited information is available regarding the prevalence of HBsAg among them. The present study was undertaken to estimate the seroprevalence of hepatitis B surface antigen as well as HBV DNA almost after 12 years of the first prevalence study of HBsAg among the tribal community of Odisha. The present study attempted to estimate the prevalence of HBsAg among the 35 Scheduled tribal (ST) communities and 5 Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Group (PVTG) using the 2,737 number of sera collected as part of a statewide COVID-19 serosurvey, among the tribal populations of Odisha (residing in 7 districts) aged 6–75 years. HBsAg positivity ranged between 1.79 and 2.94% across various age groups. 42.9% of HBsAg positive individuals showed the presence of HBV DNA and the high viral load was 0.10 × 102–6.84 × 108 IU/mL, indicating a high potential to transmit the virus. The HBsAg positivity was 14.18 and 6.06% among the PVTGs, Kutia Khond and Paudi Bhuyan, who were first time surveyed for HBsAg prevalence. The present study documents the prevalence of HBsAg among the major tribal population residing in the eastern state of the country and highlights the need for a statewide survey of Hepatitis B infection and risk factors, coverage and impact of the Hepatitis B vaccination program introduced in 2010–2011 in Odisha among the ST and PVTG population of the state.

As the size of data is increasing exponentially, its security is a major concern. Emerging technology like blockchain is used to provide security to systems. Since the inception of blockchain, it has been adopted by researchers and industry both, however, it gained enormous attention after cryptocurrency. It can be defined as a means of storing information in such a way that modification and hacking the system is difficult or impossible. A blockchain is a decentralized ledger that is digital and public, consisting of records of transactions called blocks. A consensus technology assures that all nodes agree on a unique sequence for appending blocks. A comprehensive examination of these algorithms will aid in understanding how and why each blockchain operates in the manner that it does. In this study, we addressed extensively used consensus techniques in the blockchain and the importance of consensus protocol in blockchain technology. The underlying consensus algorithm is a critical component of every blockchain-based system which determine the performance and security of the system. Ensuring the correctness of consensus protocols is uttermost important to create trust in the blockchain-based systems and formal methods are the way to create that trust and develop correct and verified systems. Formal modeling is a method of writing a system mathematically and examining the correctness and verifying the developed system. This study analyzed the importance of consensus mechanisms and how formal methods are helping to develop a correct blockchain-based system. The current scenario of the application of formal methods in the consensus mechanism of blockchain for their verification is presented.

This study explores the dynamics of the Satopanth (SPG) and Bhagirathi-Kharak (BKG) glaciers of the Mana basin in the Central Himalayan region of India under the scenario of climate change. The spatio-temporal changes in the glacier area, volume, and shift in snout positions during the period from 1968 to 2017 were assessed based on the CORONA photograph and satellite data. The study also intended to identify the common drifts in glacier areas for observing temporal and seasonal (during the winter-spring-summer transition) changes in the glacial landscapes and ably evaluate glacier velocity and ice-marginal lake stage. The ice velocity was found to vary from 0.117 md−1 to 0.165 md−1 for January to October months. It was found to have increased during the winter-spring-summer transition periods used to estimate the ice flow intensity and its phase information regular basis. Besides this, the linear trends of the MOD11A2 Land Surface Temperature (LST) product were obtained and temperature variability has been analyzed from 2001 to 2020. The results show significant warming over the basin along with a significant negative trend in snow cover area during different seasons. The derived information is quite useful in analyzing the climate change footprints such as snowline movement, snow volume changes, and glacier mass balance-related studies.

The abysmal health of the urban poor or slum dwellers was attributed to structural inequities such as inadequate housing, water, and sanitation. This review aimed to assess housing-related opportunities and challenges during the COVID-19 pandemic among urban poor in low-and middle-income countries. For study identification, a comprehensive search was performed in 11 databases that yielded 22 potential studies. The inadequate housing infrastructure makes the lives of the urban poor more precarious during COVID-19. Typically, the houses lacked lighting, ventilation, and overcrowding. This review reflected that it is crucial to reimagine housing policy for the urban poor with an emphasis on pandemic/epidemic guidelines.

Abstract The noise is an inherent part of a transceiver system, which becomes more severe on low‐cost systems. The power amplifier (PA) further enhances this noise and the signal to be propagated to the receiver. The conventional approach of digital predistortion (DPD) assumes an ideal transceiver system while extracting data for the predistortion function generation. As a result, performance limitation arises due to residual signal–noise interaction. This study presents the accuracy and implementation issues of DPD on a low‐cost transceiver having lower bit resolution in the presence of transceiver noise. Different model architectures, as well as processing algorithms, are compared in terms of numerical stability of the solution (condition number of observation matrix), efficient field‐programmable gate array (FPGA) implementation (dispersion of coefficients, in‐band model performance (normalised mean square error), and out‐of‐band model performance (adjacent channel power ratio). The simulation results are tested on FPGA and direct conversion transceiver‐based platform using PA. A long‐term evolution signal with 64 quadrature amplitude modulation is used for performance evaluation. The suitability of the various polynomial models for fixed‐point implementation and the required memory size for implementing the DPD model is further established.

Abstract This was a population based cross-sectional study carried out to estimate and compare the seroprevalence, hidden prevalence and determine the demographic risk factors associated with SARS-CoV-2 infection among adults in the three largest cities of Odisha, India, and ascertain the association with the progression of the epidemic. The survey carried out in August 2020 in the three largest cities of the state of Odisha, India. Blood samples were collected from the residents using random sampling methods and tested for anti- SARS CoV-2 antibodies using an automated CLIA platform. A total of 4146 participants from the 3 cities of Bhubaneswar (BBS), Berhampur (BAM) and Rourkela (RKL) participated. The female to male participation ratio was 5.9:10 across the three cities. The gender weighted seroprevalence across the three cities was 20.78% (95% CI 19.56–22.05%). While females reported a higher seroprevalence (22.8%) as compared to males (18.8%), there was no significant difference in seroprevalence across age groups. A majority of the seropositive participants were asymptomatic (90.49%). The case to infection ratio on the date of serosurvey was 1:6.6 in BBS, 1:61 in BAM and 1:29.8 in RKL. The study found a high seroprevalence against COVID-19 in urban Odisha as well as high numbers of asymptomatic infections. The epidemic curves had a correlation with the seroprevalence.

IntroductionVaccines are available worldwide to combat coronavirus disease-19 (COVID-19). However, the long-term kinetics of the vaccine-induced antibodies against severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2) have not been sufficiently evaluated. This study was performed to investigate the persistence and dynamicity of BBV-152 (Covaxin)- and AZD1222 (Covishield)-induced immunoglobulin-G (IgG) antibodies over the year and neutralizing antibodies’ status after 1-month of booster dose.Materials and methodsThis 52-week longitudinal cohort study documented antibody persistence and neutralizing antibodies status among 304 healthcare workers (HCWs) from six hospitals and research facilities in Odisha, enrolled during January 2021 and continued till March 2022. IgG antibodies against spike receptor-binding domain (RBD) of SARS-CoV-2 were quantified in an automated chemiluminescence immune assay-based (CLIA) platform and a surrogate virus neutralization test (sVNT) was performed by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA).ResultsAmong these 304 HCWs vaccinated with double doses, 154 HCWs (50.66%) were Covaxin recipients and the remaining 150 (49.34%) were Covishield recipients. During the follow-ups for seven times, a total of 114 participants were identified as vaccine breakthrough cases. In 190 non-infected HCWs, the median antibody titer was significantly waned from DD2 to DD10, both for Covaxin (231.8 vs. 42.7 AU/ml) and Covishield (1,884.6 vs. 369.2 AU/ml). No statistically significant differences in antibody titers were observed based on age, gender, comorbidities, and blood groups. The median inhibition activity of sVNT increased from 23.8 to 91.3% for Covaxin booster recipients and from 41.2 to 96.0% for Covishield booster recipients. Among 146 booster dose recipients, 48 were breakthrough cases after booster and all were contracted by the omicron variant.ConclusionThis year-long follow-up study found a 7- and 5-fold antibody waning in Covaxin and Covishield recipients, respectively, without any breakthrough infection history. However, individuals with booster breakthrough had mild symptoms and did not require hospital admission. The data also indicate the possible escape of omicron variants despite the presence of vaccine-induced neutralizing antibodies.

Objectives: Dengue continues to remain a public health problem in many regions of the world. This study focuses on addressing the community level barriers and opportunities using a health education intervention model to aid in dengue control. Methods: In-depth interviews of frontline workers were conducted to understand potential barriers during surveillance. A house-to-house cross-sectional survey was conducted in November 2018 among the crowded urban Pratapnagar area followed by intervention in the form of health education using pamphlets and counselling. Results: The entomological indices were found to be above the critical levels in the hotspot area. 90% of the population had heard about dengue but only 51.4% had knowledge about fever as one of the symptoms of dengue. Overall knowledge among the community was good. But attitudes and practices were low and probably required more sustained health education intervention over prolonged period. The potential barriers for surveillance which were recognised during In-depth interviews were safety issues, lack of manpower and availability of dedicated vehicles, dearth of community participation and lack of inter and intra departmental coordination. Conclusion: The health administration needs to adopt robust surveillance and monitoring activities with inter-departmental coordination ensuring greater community participation focusing on behaviour change.

Purpose – The estimation of market value of intangible benefits of afforestation has always been a challenging task, and the contingent valuation method is a popular method used in environmental assessment. The NTPC set up a coal-based power plant in Korba, India and planted 1.6 million trees on 19% of the project area. Design/methodology/approach – The individual's mean and median willingness to pay (WTP) for four intangible benefits, namely, pollution control (PC), improvement in underground water level (IUGWL), soil conservation and remediation (SCR) in addition to total WTP from the afforestation program of NTPC were estimated using a customized procedure for logit model based upon respondent's age, education, occupation, income and bid amount asked to pay. Stratified multistage random sampling has been used to select the respondents. Findings – The procedure increases the number of respondents who are willing to pay as compared to conventional CVM. The finding of the study shows that the highest WTP was observed for PC (Rs. 462.84 per month per household) followed by SCR and IUGWL, whereas for total WTP it was Rs. 972.60. Originality/value – The proposed customized procedure and the results thereof would be useful in improving the WTP estimates for other similar studies in order to conserve the environment.

The ongoing hunt for novel antimicrobials is necessitated by antibiotic resistance. In the literature, many compounds having a benzothiazole scaffold have been described. They appear effective against Gram(+ve) and Gram(−ve) bacteria, also Mycobacterium tuberculosis. The antimicrobial activity of the benzothiazole analogues employed in this investigation was discovered against various bacterial and fungal species. As a result, the current study tried to characterise the essential structural properties of benzothiazole analogues utilizing theoretically based molecular descriptors by QSAR. QSAR model is developed based on a multiple linear regression (MLR) approach using the first 21 analogues out of 40 analogues. Such validated QSAR model with important descriptors is captured by allowable parameters responsible for producing inhibition of bacterial species. This validated QSAR model was used to predict -log(MIC) by using the next 19 benzothiazole analogues out of 40 analogues. After that, these 19 analogues were utilized to explore maximum inhibitory interactions. The docking predicted that compounds 23, 26, 28, 31, 32, 33, 35, 36, and 40 represent interactions with crucial amino acids, like VAL28, VAL613, ARG32, ARG885, PRO43, ASP612 and ARG47 having binding energies −6.77269, −6.99922, −9.72827, −7.00734, −7.54004, −7.38046, −7.0953 and −6.31578 respectively. The compounds 22, 24, 25, 34, 37 and 39 show interactions with less common amino acids, such as ALA25, TYR149, LYS740, HIS617, HIS80, PRO79, and SER3115 with binding energies −7.9874, −6.22435, −6.51044, −5.83977, −8.97108 and −7.38662 respectively towards the target protein. Thus, compounds 23, 26, 28, 31, 32, 33, 35, 36, and 40 show maximum inhibitory interactions. Thus, it is an attempt to Control bacterial infections caused by E. coli. Thus, it is an attempt to Control bacterial infections caused by E. coli. As a consequence, these seven compounds may be used to combat Escherichia coli (Gram(−ve)) Deoxyribonucleic acid gyrase in the future.

Aquilaria malaccensis Lam. (Agar), a Critically Endangered tree species native to the tropical rain forests of South and South East Asia, is known for eaglewood and its oil of medicinal and aromatic value. In order to develop stem volume prediction models for agar tree, an exercise was carried out with 441 trees selected in North East India, by non-destructive sampling. The required variables, such as, diameter at breast height (D), tree height (H) and fraction diameters at 1 m interval were physically measured for estimating the volume of each fraction using Smalian formula, and summing up the volumes of fractions to yield the volume of the tree. A comparison of different stem volume models showed that the power function V=aDb and the polynomial of degree-3 V=a+bDH+cD2H+dDH2were the best fitting models for single independent variable D and two independent variables D & H, respectively. The regression models shall be useful for farmers to optimize their income while selling the agar wood. These agar specific regression models will also be helpful to fix the quota for agar wood harvest and trade in the country, while implementing the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Fauna and Flora (CITES).

Purpose: We investigated the persistence of the vaccine-induced immunoglobulin G (IgG) antibodies against severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) among healthcare workers (HCWs) in Odisha who received a complete dose of either Covaxin or Covishield vaccine.Methods: This 24-week longitudinal cohort study was conducted from January to July 2021 with participants from 6 healthcare and research facilities of Odisha to understand the dynamicity of the vaccine-induced IgG antibodies against SARS-CoV-2 after the complete dose of vaccines.Results: Serum samples were collected from 614 participants during each follow-up and were tested in two chemiluminescent microparticle immunoassay (CLIA)-based platforms to detect SARS-CoV-2 antibodies both qualitatively and quantitatively. Among these participants, 308 (50.2%) participants were Covishield recipients and the rest 306 (49.8%) participants took Covaxin. A total of 81 breakthrough cases were recorded and the rest 533 HCWs without any history of postvaccination infection showed significant antibody waning either from T3 (Covaxin recipient) or T4 (Covishield recipient). The production of vaccine-induced IgG antibodies is significantly higher (p < 0.001) in Covishield compared with Covaxin. Covishield recipients produced higher median anti-S IgG titer than Covaxin. No statistically significant differences in antibody titers were observed based on age, gender, comorbidities, and blood groups.Conclusion: This 6-month follow-up study documents a 2-fold and 4-fold decrease in spike antibody titer among Covishield and Covaxin recipients, respectively. The clinical implications of antibody waning after vaccination are not well understood. It also highlights the need for further data to understand the long-term persistence of vaccine-induced antibody and threshold antibody titer required for protection against reinfection.

In the present paper, an attempt has been made to trace out the major terraces and analyse their characteristics in the Upper Pindar valley of the Uttarakhand state. The study is based on digital elevation model (DEM), satellite data-based terrain characterisation with field and ground truth investigations. The results are derived from the data, which shows the preservation of river terraces along the trunk and tributary streams of the Pindar River. The terraces are formed because of the combined effect of local structural, geological, lithological, and tectonic control along with the climatic influence on landform development. Among the eight surveyed terraces, seven are cut and fill type and influenced by climate, tributaries, formed by both glacial and fluvio-glacial processes, whereas the rest terrace is developed because of tectonic uplift and creates a strath type. The terrace of Upthar and T3 of Langari has gone through the past tectonic events operated within this region. The analysis through cross-section profiles also exhibits the fact that the Upper Pindar basin has experienced a maximum of three stages of terrace development during different phases of the Holocene period and Late Pleistocene period. The alternative river aggradation, degradation, local landsliding, and a sudden increase in sediment flux caused by the monsoonal surge, tectonic uplift, and rapid incision in three separate times are the prime factors that are responsible for the generation of maximum three-tiered terrace landform in the study area. The sequence of terrace development reveals that the trunk of the Pindar River creates the highest number of terraces followed by the tributary rivers, which are generated in the later phase. The three phases of river aggradation in 33.5 ka, 17.5–13 ka, and 8–3.6 ka separated by a deep incision of different timescale are remarkable in this area, mainly around Langri and Khati, which creates the ordering of a maximum of three levels of terrace development. The results concluded that the dominance of local processes plays a vital role in the formation and characterization of river terraces in the Upper Pindar valley. The present study gives a detailed idea of the valley development and the result can also be used as an identification of suitable areas for human interactions with the environment.

We present the temporal changes of Machoi glacier, Zanskar region of the north-western Himalaya, India using multi-temporal Landsat satellite data from 1973 to 2018. The results suggest that the Machoi glacier has retreated consistently from last 45 years with an uneven retreat rate. The temporal fluctuations since 1973 AD reveal that the glacier snout has retreated ∼563 m at an average of ∼12.51 m yr−1. However, the snout has retreated at variable rates during different time intervals e.g., 80 m (average of ∼11.43 m yr−1) from 1973 to 1980 AD, 120 m (average of ∼12.0 m yr−1) from 1980 to 1990 AD, 123 m (average of ∼12.3 m yr−1) from 1990 to 2000 AD, 128 m (average of ∼12.8 m yr−1) from 2000 to 2010 AD and 112 m (average of ∼14 m yr−1) from 2010 to 2018AD. The highest rate of snout (∼14 m yr−1) retreat during 2010–2018 AD is linked to the changing climate in the region as observed from the meteorological data. The analysis of meteorological data suggests that during this period temperature as well as the liquid precipitation have increased due to global warming whereas the extent of solid precipitation has decreased which might be the possible causes of higher retreat of Machoi glacier.

We retrospectively analysed the swab samples tested for COVID-19 from 7 March 2020 to 17 August 2021 at the Indian Council of Medical Research-Regional Medical Research Centre, Bhubaneswar, Odisha. 553 763 nasopharyngeal swabs were collected from individuals suspected with COVID-19 in Odisha state. 75 190 (13.6%) samples were positive by reverse transcription-PCR. There were 5988 (8%) cases in children and young people under 18 years old. Odisha reported 996 153 COVID-19 cases which resulted in 6985 deaths in adults and 36 in children and young people under 18 years old.

Land surface temperature (LST) is an important parameter for the biosphere, cryosphere, and climate change studies. In this study, we estimate LST, NDMI, and NDWI over the Ravi basin, India, and parts of Pakistan, using Landsat-8 Operational Land Imager (OLI) and Thermal Infrared Sensor (TIRS) data. The study develops an ERDAS IMAGINE image processing method by using the LANDSAT 8 band 3(Green), band 4(Red), band 5(NIR), band 6(SWIR 1), and band 10 (TIR) data for determining the various spectral indices. The LST results show that most of the areas experienced extreme anomalies ranging from −350Cand 36 ​°C. The normalized difference moisture index (NDMI) value ranges from 0.685 to - 0.154. The normalized difference water index (NDWI) value ranges from 0.146 to - 0.444. Further, the LST result validated with in situ temperature observations at six locations in the study area, providing excellent correlation.