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Abstract One of the fastest-growing waste streams globally, e-waste is a severe environmental and public health threat. India generates about 1.45 million metric tons of e-waste annually, and the recycling rate is approximately 5%. Rapid improvements in information and communication technology are forecast to continue exacerbating global e-waste production’s growth, projected to increase by 4–5% annually into the foreseeable future. Poor end-of-life management of e-waste results in the release of hazardous organic mixtures and heavy metals like lead (Pb) into the air, soil, and water, and poses significant health risks such as respiratory problems and cardiovascular disease. By critically examining e-waste management strategies, this review shows that sustainable policies are vital in reducing the observed risks. This review focuses on sustainable practices and proper legislation that can improve the overall e-waste impacts and their implications on human health and its surrounding environment. In addition, the review recommends the implementation of innovative recycling technologies and public awareness campaigns to boost recycling rates and public perception of e-waste hazards. This review synthesizes the practices and impacts of e-waste generation and comprehensively provides actionable insights for policy and stakeholder responses to address this crucial problem.

Next Generation Ethernet Passive Optical Networks (NG-EPONs) have emerged as a leading choice for global network connectivity due to their cost-effectiveness, enhanced security, and energy efficiency. As data demands continue to surge with technological advancements, the need for efficient bandwidth management and wavelength selection in NG-EPONs becomes paramount. This paper presents two innovative algorithms—Tensile Wavelength and Dynamic Bandwidth Allocation (TW-DBA) and Premier Dynamic Bandwidth Allocation (PDBA)—designed to optimize bandwidth allocation and maintain Quality of Service (QoS) under varying network conditions. The TW-DBA algorithm achieves a remarkable throughput of 2.34 Gbps, driven by its dynamic wavelength selection mechanism that accounts for factors such as ONU-OLT distance, power availability, and bandwidth demand. Comparative analysis reveals that TW-DBA outperforms existing algorithms like Flexible Wavelength (FW), First-Fit, and Water Filled, both in computational efficiency and resource allocation. Furthermore, the PDBA algorithm demonstrates a minimum blockage probability of 0.0025 for limited ONU scenarios and 0.005 in unlimited scenarios, ensuring uniform bandwidth distribution. Simulation results confirm the superior performance and effectiveness of the proposed models, positioning them as robust solutions for the evolving demands of NG-EPONs.

Abstract Malassezia furfur is the primary etiological agent of dandruff (Pityriasis capitis). Although herbal shampoos are preferred for their natural, mild ingredients over synthetic counterparts, they are often perceived as less effective in managing flaky scalp conditions or furfuration causing dandruff. The study compares the antifungal efficacy of herbal and synthetic shampoos against M. furfur. Seven shampoos including herbal (HS_Adv, HS_M&P, HS_Aloe), synthetic (SYN_01, SYN_02, SYN_03) and an antifungal shampoo containing ketoconazole (KETO) were employed in the study. Experiments were designed to stimulate real-world conditions, utilizing disc-diffusion assay, 3-minute shampoo contact at mild dilutions (1% and 5%), recurrent 3-minute shampoo contact every 24 h with intermittent recovery. Both disc diffusion and 3-minute shampoo contact demonstrated that all shampoos were effectively inhibiting the viability of M. furfur. However, a single 3-minute shampoo contact followed by a prolonged recovery of 72 h revealed SYN_01 and KETO with maximal antifungal action. In contrast, herbal shampoos were as effective as synthetic options when M. furfur was subjected to 3-minute shampoo contact every 24 h with intermittent recovery. Comprehensive ingredient analysis revealed the robust antifungal activity in SYN_01 was probably because of the presence of various surfactants, allergens and a potent synthetic antifungal agent, Piroctone olamine. This study experimentally demonstrates that herbal shampoos are as effective as synthetic options in managing M. furfur-induced dandruff when applied consistently. The findings highlight the importance of regular scalp cleansing for dandruff management and provide valuable insights into the antifungal potential of both herbal and synthetic formulations.

The objective of this research is to examine the dynamic volatility spillover effects that occurred during two significant worldwide crises—the COVID-19 pandemic and the Russia-Ukraine war—between the Indian stock market and six growing global stock markets: Brazil, Argentina, Indonesia, South Africa, Saudi Arabia, and Taiwan. The data for each index has been taken for 10 years from 2014-2024 and has been divided into three parts: before COVID-19 and Russia-Ukraine war (Nov 2014-March 2020), during COVID-19 (Mar 2020-Dec 2021), and during Russia-Ukraine war (Feb 2022-Sep 2024). The Granger causality test and DCC-GARCH model are used to analyse the time-varying correlations. The results reveal significant spillover effects, with Brazil and South Africa consistently influencing India, particularly during periods of heightened uncertainty. Brazil's continuous volatility spillover highlights its crucial role in influencing India's market behaviour during crises, even though markets like Argentina and Taiwan showed weaker connections. The study provides valuable insights for portfolio managers and policymakers to optimize global diversification strategies amid emerging market volatility and crisis-driven spillovers.

The importance of using sentiment analysis in various aspects of study and research has been increasing significantly across the globe. By utilising the benefits of the same, an extensive study has been proposed on the diversity of sentiments of Indian users about ChatGPT through the data gathered from Twitter. The purpose of this study is to understand the perspectives of early users and identify the major topics of discussion regarding ChatGPT in India specifically. To achieve the same, 27,275 tweets has been segregated from pre-existing Kaggle dataset which encompasses several tweets containing the hashtag ‘ChatGPT’ by the twitter users across the world, covering from the launch date i.e. 30th November, 2022 till 24th February, 2023. In order to understand them, topic classification has been performed using Latent Dirichlet allocation (LDA). Sentiment analysis has been conducted using three techniques VADER, ROBERTA and TEXTBLOB, through which the dataset is labelled. Further, five different classifiers have been applied on the dataset named as: Logistic Regression, Support Vector Machine (SVM), K-Nearest Neighbors (KNN), XGBoost Classifier and Decision Tree, to get the performance parameters. According to the results, Logistic Regression classifier with GridSearchCV has the highest accuracy of 86.52% using Count Vectorization.

Trichoderma viride strains, which are filamentous fungi commonly found in soil, possess the ability to parasitize various fungi harmful to plants. In this study, ten strains of T. viride were isolated from different locations in Uttar Pradesh, India, and examined for their cultural, physiological, morphological, and antagonistic characteristics against soil-borne pathogens. The T. viride isolates were assessed at different pH levels for their growth, sporulation, and antagonistic efficacy under in vitro conditions using the dual culture technique against five major soil-borne pathogens that cause significant diseases in cereal and pulse crops. Among the ten isolates tested, the 49CP isolate from Sultanpur exhibited the maximum growth and sporulation at a pH of 6.5 as well as the highest inhibition percentages of mycelial growth in the pathogens: 63.23% against Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. ciceri, 65.85% against Sclerotium rolfsii, 53.33% against Sclerotinia sclerotiorum, 53.84% against Pythium sp., and 48.00% against Rhizoctonia bataticola. Trichoderma viride is also recognized for its effectiveness as a biocontrol agent against soil-borne pathogens, which are responsible for significant crop losses.

Background: The POCSO (Protection Of Children from Sexual Offences) Act was introduced in 2012 as a measure to safeguard and prevent interests of children affected by sexual crimes. Both medical and dental professionals are capable of identifying such cases. Aim: The aim of this study was to evaluate the knowledge and awareness of child sexual abuse related to POCSO Act among both medical and dental professionals in India. Materials and Methods: This cross-sectional questionnaire-based study was conducted on 100 medical and dental healthcare professionals employed in a single hospital for evaluation of knowledge and awareness on POCSO Act. The questionnaire containing multiple choice questions was randomly distributed among all the study participants as hard copy or via electronic generated forms. The questionnaire comprised questions related to demographics and those dealing with knowledge and attitude. Statistical Analysis: Categorical variables were represented in the form of percentages, and data analysis was done using SPSS software. Results: 67% study participants demonstrated full knowledge of POCSO, 23% had some knowledge, and 10% study subjects had absolutely no knowledge regarding this act. 7% professionals opined that the support for such affected children must come from Government Organizations, while 15% believed that Non-Governmental Organizations must support these children. 28% professionals believed that the child support and welfare committee should play a role in supporting these children. However, 50% study participants were of the opinion that the primary support must be community-based. On analyzing statistically, level of knowledge and awareness were found to be statistically significant (P = 0.05). Conclusion: There appears to be a good amount of knowledge and attitude among both medical and dental professionals regarding POCSO Act.

Background: Carpal Tunnel Syndrome (CTS) poses significant diagnostic challenges, especially in resource-limited settings. Reliable tools such as the 6-item Symptom Severity Index, Timed Phalen’s Test (TPT) and CTS-6 are promising but under investigated. Correlation between these tools and symptom severity remains underexplored. Aim: To correlate the 6-item Symptom Severity Index and CTS-6 diagnostic tool with TPT in clinically diagnosed CTS cases, evaluating their diagnostic performance. Methods: Prospective cross-sectional study, conducted in a tertiary care hospital in eastern India. 105 patients were enrolled after fulfilling inclusion criteria, assessing them with the 6-item Symptom Severity Index, CTS-6 diagnostic tool and TPT. Pearson’s and Spearman’s correlation coefficients were used, and statistical significance was set at P < 0.05. Results: Of 188 evaluated hands, TPT showed a significant negative correlation with CTS-6 scores (r = -0.59, P < 0.0001), indicating lower scores with higher TPT values. CTS-6 scores positively correlated with symptom severity (r = 0.34, P < 0.0001), indicating higher Symptom Severity Indices associated with increased diagnostic probability. Positive predictive value for TPT was 70.1%, with sensitivity of 83.7% and specificity of 61.1%. Symptom Severity Indexing demonstrated higher sensitivity (100%) but lower specificity (3.3%). Conclusions: This study highlights the utility of integrating subjective and objective assessment tools in CTS diagnosis. The findings underscore the importance of comprehensive evaluation and suggest the potential value of TPT as an adjunctive diagnostic tool. Further research is warranted to validate these findings and refine diagnostic algorithms for CTS management.

Abstract The potency of frontline antimalarial drug artemisinin (ART) derivatives is triggered by heme-induced cleavage of the endoperoxide bond to form reactive heme-ART alkoxy radicals and covalent heme-ART adducts, which are highly toxic to the parasite. ART-resistant (ART-R) parasites with mutations in the Plasmodium falciparum Kelch-containing protein Kelch13 (PfKekch13) exhibit impaired hemoglobin uptake, reduced yield of hemoglobin-derived heme, and thus decreased ART activation. However, any direct involvement of PfKelch13 in heme-mediated ART activation has not been reported. Here, we show that the purified recombinant PfKelch13 wild-type (WT) protein displays measurable binding affinity for iron and heme, the main effectors for ART activation. The heme-binding property is also exhibited by the native PfKelch13 protein from parasite culture. The two ART-R recombinant PfKelch13 mutants (C580Y and R539T) display weaker heme binding affinities compared to the ART-sensitive WT and A578S mutant proteins, which further translates into reduced yield of heme-ART derivatives when ART is incubated with the heme molecules bound to the mutant PfKelch13 proteins. In conclusion, this study provides the first evidence for ART activation via the heme-binding propensity of PfKelch13. This mechanism may contribute to the modulation of ART-R levels in malaria parasites through a novel function of PfKelch13.

Abstract The use of supramolecular assemblies in pharmaceuticals has garnered significant interest. Recent studies have shown that the activities of antibacterial agents can be enhanced through complexation with cyclic oligomers and metal ions. Notably, these complexes sometimes possess greater therapeutic properties than the parent drugs. To develop microbiologically potent supramolecular drugs, the complexation of macrocyclic hosts with fluoroquinolone (FQ) antibiotics was investigated. FQs are a successful family of antibiotics that target the bacterial enzymes DNA gyrase and DNA topoisomerase IV, leading to bacterial cell death through the inhibition of DNA synthesis. However, antibiotic resistance resulting from the repeated use of FQs over time has limited their effectiveness against resistant pathogens. To overcome this issue, the encapsulation of FQs in polyphenolic macrocycles was investigated. This study highlights resorcinarene, a polyphenolic host with antibacterial properties, and its ability to chemically interact with FQs. The inclusion complexation process was analyzed using NMR and FTIR techniques. The binding constants determined by 1H-NMR titration revealed that levofloxacin forms more stable complexes with resorcinarene than with β-cyclodextrin, which aligned with MD simulations. Assessment of the geometric characteristics of the inclusion complexes using 2D NMR analysis confirmed that different moieties of various FQs can fit into a single host cavity and improve activity against gram-negative bacteria. Overall, these findings suggest that encapsulation in polyphenolic macrocycles is a promising strategy for utilizing FQs against antibiotic-resistant bacteria.

Abstract Background Aside from the canonical role of PDL1 as a tumour surface-expressed immune checkpoint molecule, tumour-intrinsic PDL1 signals regulate non-canonical immunopathological pathways mediating treatment resistance whose significance, mechanisms, and therapeutic targeting remain incompletely understood. Recent reports implicate tumour-intrinsic PDL1 signals in the DNA damage response (DDR), including promoting homologous recombination DNA damage repair and mRNA stability of DDR proteins, but many mechanistic details remain undefined. Methods We genetically depleted PDL1 from transplantable mouse and human cancer cell lines to understand consequences of tumour-intrinsic PDL1 signals in the DNA damage response. We complemented this work with studies of primary human tumours and inducible mouse tumours. We developed novel approaches to show tumour-intrinsic PDL1 signals in specific subcellular locations. We pharmacologically depleted tumour PDL1 in vivo in mouse models with repurposed FDA-approved drugs for proof-of-concept clinical translation studies. Results We show that tumour-intrinsic PDL1 promotes the checkpoint kinase-2 (Chk2)-mediated DNA damage response. Intracellular but not surface-expressed PDL1 controlled Chk2 protein content post-translationally and independently of PD1 by antagonising PIRH2 E3 ligase-mediated Chk2 polyubiquitination and protein degradation. Genetic tumour PDL1 depletion specifically reduced tumour Chk2 content but not ATM, ATR, or Chk1 DDR proteins, enhanced Chk1 inhibitor (Chk1i) synthetic lethality in vitro in diverse human and murine tumour models, and improved Chk1i efficacy in vivo. Pharmacologic tumour PDL1 depletion with cefepime or ceftazidime replicated genetic tumour PDL1 depletion by reducing tumour Chk2, inducing Chk1i synthetic lethality in a tumour PDL1-dependent manner, and reducing in vivo tumour growth when combined with Chk1i. Conclusions Our data challenge the prevailing surface PDL1 paradigm, elucidate important and previously unappreciated roles for tumour-intrinsic PDL1 in regulating the ATM/Chk2 DNA damage response axis and E3 ligase-mediated protein degradation, suggest tumour PDL1 as a biomarker for Chk1i efficacy, and support the rapid clinical potential of pharmacologic tumour PDL1 depletion to treat selected cancers.

Aims To study the pattern of physical growth and pubertal changes in adolescent girls with Systemic Lupus Erythematosus (SLE). Methods and Material Weight, height, BMI, waist and hip circumference among 50 adolescent SLE girls (aged 8–17 years) were cross-sectionally studied using standardized techniques and instruments. Breast development stage, presence or absence of pubic and axillary hair and age of attainment of menarche were also noted. Results With the advancement of age, weight and height of SLE girls increased but they were lighter and shorter compared to normal Indian peers. 18.4% of study girls were short-statured while only one participant was underweight. As per mid-parental height, 34.3% were predicted to have shorter final heights. BMI demonstrated an inconsistent trend with 12.3% and 9.2% being obese and overweight, respectively. Interestingly, 10.7% of SLE girls were at risk of metabolic syndrome (waist circumference >70th centile). About 50% of study girls had attained menarche (mean age: 13.04 ± 1.38 years). Appearance of pubic and axillary hair occurred around 1 year later than attainment of menarche. 33.80% of study subjects were in prepubertal stage of breast development and rest 66.20% were in advanced stages of breast development. SLE girls who had younger age at diagnosis and longer duration of therapy had significant delay in breast development and attainment of menarche. Conclusions SLE girls show delayed growth and pubertal attainments compared to their normal Indian and Western counterparts. The data presented will provide an understanding of the auxological dynamics and pattern of pubertal changes among adolescent girls with SLE living in north-western India.

Rare diseases affect a small percentage of an individual country’s population; however, with over 7,000 in total, rare diseases represent a significant disease burden impacting up to 10% of the world’s population. Despite this, there are no approved treatments for almost 95% of rare diseases, and the existing treatments are cost-intensive for the patients. More than 70% of rare diseases are genetic in nature, with patient-specific mutations. This calls for the need to have personalised and patient-specific preclinical models that can lead to effective, speedy, and affordable therapeutic options. Complex in vitro models (CIVMs), including those using induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs), organoids, and organs-on-chips are emerging as powerful human-based pre-clinical systems with the capacity to provide efficacy data enabling drugs to move into clinical trials. In this narrative review, we discuss how CIVMs are providing insights into biomedical research on rare diseases. We also discuss how these systems are being used in clinical trials to develop efficacy models for rare diseases. Finally, we propose recommendations on how human relevant CIVMs could be leveraged to increase translatability of basic, applied and nonclinical research outcomes in the field of rare disease therapeutics in developed as well as middle-and low-income countries.

BackgroundAsthma and obesity are both characterized by inflammation. However, the combined impact of these conditions on inflammatory mechanisms in children has not been studied extensively. To address this gap, we investigated the interaction effects of asthma and obesity on inflammation in children.MethodsThe multiplex and singleplex assays were used to measure the levels of circulating cytokines, including IL-2, IL-5, IL-10, IL-13, IL-17A, IL-22, IL-33, IFN-γ, TNF-α, and the adipokine leptin, in plasma. The study included 97 children with normal weight and asthma (NW-A), 100 children with overweight/obesity and asthma (OO-A), 100 with overweight/obesity and no asthma (OO), and 67 normal weight children and no asthma (NW). The independent effects of asthma, obesity, and their interaction effect on these inflammatory markers were assessed using multiple regression analysis.ResultsAsthma was associated with the increased expression of pro-inflammatory cytokines, including IL-2, IL-5, IL-13, IL-17A, IL-22, IL-33, and TNF-α, and reduced levels of anti-inflammatory cytokine, IL-10 and adipokine, leptin in the circulation. Overweight/obesity was also linked to increased plasma levels of IL-5, IL-17A, IL-22, IL-33, TNF-α, and leptin and decreased levels of IL-10. In addition, obesity and asthma showed a significant interaction effect on the plasma levels of IL-5, IL-10, IL-17A, IL-33, TNF-α, and leptin. However, the interaction did not result in a synergistic or additive impact on cytokines, indicating a moderating effect of obesity on inflammation in pediatric asthma.ConclusionBoth asthma and overweight/obesity were independently associated with increased expression of pro-inflammatory cytokines and decreased expression of anti-inflammatory cytokine in children. While the concurrent presence of asthma and obesity altered the inflammatory profile, it did not synergistically amplify the inflammation. These findings challenge the previous view that obesity enhances inflammation in individuals with asthma and highlight the importance of considering both conditions while treating obesity-associated asthma in children. Future studies are necessary to further explore the mechanisms that link obesity and asthma in the pediatric population.

Biofilm is an assemblage of microorganisms embedded within the extracellular matrix that provides mechanical stability, nutrient absorption, antimicrobial resistance, cell-cell interactions, and defence against host immune system. Various biomolecules such as lipids, carbohydrates, protein polymers (amyloid), and eDNA are present in the matrix playing significant role in determining the distinctive properties of biofilm. The formation of biofilms contributes to resistance against antimicrobial therapy in most of the human infections and exacerbates existing diseases. Therefore, this field requires several state-of-the-art techniques to fully understand the 3-D organization of biofilms, their cell behaviour and responses to pharmaceutical treatments. Here, we explore the assembly and regulation of biofilm biogenesis in the context of matrix components and highlight the significance of high-resolution imaging and analysing techniques for monitoring complex biofilm architecture. Our review also emphasizes the novelty and advancements in techniques to visualise biofilm structure and composition, providing valuable insights to understand biofilm-related infections.

BACKGROUND: Snake bites are frequent in a developing country like India, especially rural areas. Mostly they are minor and never reported but sometimes they may be serious and fatal. Occasionally, Viper bites induced hemorrhagic complications land the patient into hypovolemic shock, leading to Sheehan’s syndrome-like condition and causing panhypopituitarism. The onset of features of panhypopituitarism may be delayed by a few years. THE CASE: With this background, we are presenting a case of a 27-year-old male who presented to us in April 2022 with a history of reduced growth of facial hair, which was normal a few years back, along with associated symptoms of polyuria, polydipsia, polyphagia, and cold intolerance. Most importantly, he gave a history of a viper bite in 2017 for which he was hospitalized in a state of hypovolemic shock. At the time of presentation to us, his BP was 96/64 mm Hg, and pulse was 70/min. His investigations showed low T3, T4, TSH, low testosterone, reduced levels of Sr FSH, Sr LH, and Sr Prolactin. His 24-hour urine volume was 2.8 L, his testicular volume was low, and MRI Brain showed empty Sella. He was managed conservatively with oral hydrocortisone, levothyroxine tablets, and injectable testosterone. He has been under our follow-up for the last 2 years and has responded well to the treatment both symptomatically and in terms of blood parameters. CONCLUSION: Hypopituitarism is a rare complication of snake bite. Therefore, it is important to undergo relevant hormonal tests in persons who have a history of snake bite in the past.

BACKGROUND: Despite significant advancements in scientific research to reduce the risk of various illnesses and health conditions, the underutilization of preventive healthcare poses a significant barrier to enhancing public health outcomes.1 A 2020 study found that only 8% of Americans undergo routine preventive care screenings2; racial minorities such as Hispanic Americans are even less likely to receive preventive health services due to socioeconomic disparities.3 Individuals with higher educational attainment are more likely to receive routine health checkups4, and have higher vaccination rates.5 To illustrate these dynamics, this case focuses on Maywood and Bell, two adjacent cities with large patient populations from immigrant and refugee backgrounds. Educational attainment rates, which represent the percentage of residents with at least a bachelor’s degree level of education, are notably lower in Maywood and Bell (8.7% and 8.8%) compared to California as a whole (37.0%). The percentage of residents without health coverage in Maywood and Bell (18.0% and 13.9%, respectively) are higher than California’s average of 6.5%.6,7 THE CASE: This case was conducted by The International Healthcare Organization (IHO), a 501(c)-3 nonprofit composed of doctors, nurses, medical students, non-profit advisors, and healthcare administrators.8 IHO team members conducted a convenience sample of adult community members from Maywood and Bell during a mobile community health clinic event. 120 adult respondents were given a survey to complete anonymously. All participants provided informed consent. The survey contained questions pertaining to respondents’ educational attainment and whether they had received various medical examinations during the year. Respondents completed the survey by selecting one of the following options, depending on the question: yes/no; numerical response; age range; frequency range; 5-point Likert scale. Table 1 reveals substantial disparities across three main areas: vaccinations, routine medical examinations, and female-specific cancer screenings. Rates of vaccination uptake differed greatly between college-educated and non-college-educated groups: 68.8% of college-educated individuals receiving a COVID-19 vaccination, whereas only 56.8% of their non-college-educated counterparts indicated the same. Disparities were also evident in dental and blood examinations, participants with a college education were over 10% more likely to have had at least one blood or dental examination within the year. Finally, a sizable gap was observed in the category of female-specific screenings. Only 11.1% of college-educated women reported receiving both a pap smear and mammogram test, whereas none of the non-college-educated women respondents reported receiving either screening. CONCLUSION: The findings of the survey, as well as results from other literature, underscore how educational attainment not only influences preventative care usage but could also potentially be the driving factor behind it. Tertiary education teaches individuals the importance of preventive health practices, leading to higher health status and overall health awareness,9 but also leads to significantly higher risk perception in comparison to their less educated counterparts. Current literature and this study emphasize the need for targeted interventions to ensure equitable healthcare access and utilization. Education greatly enhances public health outcomes10, suggesting that future interventions should prioritize addressing educational disparities.

Cardiac strangulation is a rare phenomenon in children following epicardial pacemaker implantation, caused by compression of the heart and great vessels by the epicardial pacemaker wires. We report a rare case of cardiac strangulation presenting after 8 years of epicardial pacemaker implantation. On routine follow-up, computed tomography angiography showed significant extrinsic compression of the mid-left anterior descending (LAD) artery by the epicardial pacing wire. She was referred to our department for myocardial perfusion imaging (MPI), which showed significant inducible ischemia in the LAD territory. Following this, she underwent a successful pacemaker reimplantation. MPI can, thus, act as a good tool to assess the functional significance of the compression caused by strangulation of the heart by pacemaker leads in asymptomatic patients.

The present study is an attempt to determine the carbon stock and carbon sequestration potential of forest growing stocks around a thermal power plant near Bilaspur smart city in Chhattisgarh, Central India. The non-destructive sampling method is used to estimate above-ground biomass and below-ground biomass. The height and diameter at breast height (DBH) is measured for each individual tree. The allometric equation was made for estimation of carbon storage of tree species. 35 tree species were recorded around the national thermal power plant at a radius of 30 km in four different directions (east, west, north, and south). The results revealed that Ficus benghalensis was the species that found the maximum amount of carbon storage, followed by Ficus religiosa. According to the present study, the allometric models developed can further estimate carbon stocks in forest vegetation in and around National Thermal Power Corporation power plants, and other tropical deciduous forests.

Abstract This work examines how graphene-based nanoparticles can be integrated into membranes to improve the effectiveness of water treatment in osmotic desalination processes. This is important since sustainable practices can help address the world's water scarcity. Water treatment, desalination, and resource recovery are areas where osmotic desalination shows great potential. However, membrane performance constraints frequently impede its efficacy. High mechanical strength, superior hydrophilicity, and the ability to lessen internal concentration polarisation are just a few of the remarkable qualities that make graphene-based nanoparticles stand out. In order to increase the membranes' overall functionality, these nanoparticles were created and added to them. Comparing the study to conventional membranes, the main goals were to increase water flux rates and salt ion rejection capacities. It was shown by experimental results that the membranes strengthened with graphene-based nanoparticles performed better. They outperformed conventional membranes in terms of water flow growth and salt ion rejection rates improvement. In order to advance osmotic desalination technologies towards more effective and sustainable water treatment options, this study highlights the revolutionary potential of graphene-based nanoparticles. Graphene-based nanoparticles provide an attractive option for tackling major water issues worldwide by improving membrane characteristics that are essential for osmotic desalination, such as permeability and selectivity. Water management techniques that are environmentally sustainable are supported by their integration into membranes, which also enhances performance metrics. This study opens the door for creative approaches to resource recovery and water treatment by providing important insights into the creation of cutting-edge materials specifically designed for osmotic desalination applications.

The Internet of things (IoT) is a wireless network designed to perform specific tasks and plays a crucial role in various fields such as environmental monitoring, surveillance, and healthcare. To address the limitations imposed by inadequate resources, energy, and network scalability, this type of network relies heavily on data aggregation and clustering algorithms. Although various conventional studies have aimed to enhance the lifespan of a network through robust systems, they do not always provide optimal efficiency for real-time applications. This paper presents an approach based on state-of-the-art machine-learning methods. In this study, we employed a novel approach that combines an extended version of principal component analysis (PCA) and a reinforcement learning algorithm to achieve efficient clustering and data reduction. The primary objectives of this study are to enhance the service life of a network, reduce energy usage, and improve data aggregation efficiency. We evaluated the proposed methodology using data collected from sensors deployed in agricultural fields for crop monitoring. Our proposed approach (PQL) was compared to previous studies that utilized adaptive Q-learning (AQL) and regional energy-aware clustering (REAC). Our study outperformed in terms of both network longevity and energy consumption and established a fault-tolerant network.

Abstract Research into the anticancer activity of quantum-sized carbon dots (CDs) has emerged as a promising avenue in cancer research. This CDs delves into the opportunities and challenges associated with harnessing the potential of these nanostructures for combating cancer. Quantum-sized carbon dots, owing to their unique physicochemical properties, exhibit distinct advantages as potential therapeutic agents. Opportunities lie in their tunable size, surface functionalization capabilities, and biocompatibility, enabling targeted drug delivery and imaging in cancer cells. However, we include challenges, a comprehensive understanding of the underlying mechanisms, potential toxicity concerns, and the optimization of synthesis methods for enhanced therapeutic efficacy. A succinct summary of the state of the research in this area is given in this review, emphasizing the exciting possibilities and ongoing challenges in utilizing quantum-sized carbon dots as a novel strategy for cancer treatment.

Abstract The increasing frequency of flood disasters around the globe highlights the need for creative approaches to improve disaster preparedness. This thorough analysis and assessment explore the topic of enhancing flood disaster resilience by utilising cutting-edge geo-computational techniques. By combining a variety of techniques, such as remote sensing, geographic information systems (GIS), LiDAR, unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), and cutting-edge technologies like machine learning and geospatial big data analytics, the study provides a complex framework for flood monitoring, risk assessment, and mitigation. By using remote sensing technology, flood occurrences can be tracked in real time and inundations may be precisely mapped, which makes proactive response plans possible. GIS facilitates effective evacuation planning by streamlining spatial analysis and decision-making procedures and providing critical insights into risky locations. High-resolution elevation data is provided by LiDAR technology, which is essential for precise flood modelling and simulation. Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs) may be quickly deployed to assist with situational awareness and damage assessment during a disaster. Furthermore, predictive skills are enhanced by the combination of machine learning and geographic big data analytics, opening the door to the creation of adaptive reaction plans and early warning systems. This investigation highlights how geo-computational tools may significantly improve community resilience and lessen the negative effects of flood disasters. After a thorough review of the literature and case studies, this study clarifies how these approaches might improve disaster response and preparation to a great extent.

Background: Tobacco use poses severe health risks globally, affecting both young people and adults. It is highly addictive and a major contributor to various diseases, including cancer. This research at Teerthanker Mahaveer Dental College and Research Centre (TMDC and RC), Moradabad, focused on participants aged 35–44, highlighting the urgent need to address tobacco-related issues for public health and economic well-being. Aim: This study assesses the occurrence of smokers and smokeless tobacco and analyzes its correlation with the oral health-related quality of life (OHRQoL) among participants. Materials and Methods: A prevalence study was substantiated at TMDC and RC, Moradabad, involving 640 participants aged between 35 and 44 years. Informed assent was obtained from all participants. Sociodemographic information was collected, and their oral mucous lesions were assessed using the World Health Organization form. In addition, participants completed a validated Hindi version of the Oral Health Impact Profile-14 questionnaire to evaluate their OHRQoL. Results: The study revealed a higher prevalence of tobacco usage among males compared to females. Furthermore, the prevalence of smoking was established to be greater than that of smokeless tobacco. Consequently, a statistically apparent association was recognized between smokers and their OHRQoL, as well as between users of smokeless tobacco and their OHRQoL. However, no association was established between smokers, smokeless tobacco users, and OHRQoL when considering the significance value. Conclusion: The study indicates that individuals aged 35–44 years who use either smoked or smokeless tobacco experience similar impacts on their OHRQoL. Encouraging regular dental examinations, facilitating access to tobacco cessation programs, and extending support for individuals to sustain tobacco-free lifestyles are indispensable strategies for amplifying oral health outcomes besides the overall quality of life among individuals aged 35–44.

Introduction: Non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) is the leading cause of mortality globally. Early imaging detection modalities are associated with high false-positive rates and radiation exposure. A non-invasive biomarker can serve as an improvised method for early detection. MicroRNAs can serve as a potential non-invasive biomarker as they are stable in circulation, tissue or biological process-specific, easy to detect, cost-effective, and not associated with radiation hazards. This study validates circulating microRNA in NSCLC of the Indian population and studies its correlation with clinicopathological parameters. Materials and Methods: Circulating microRNA (-miR-193b, miR-301a, miR-7, and miR-25) was evaluated in 101 cases of tissue-proven NSCLC and 28 controls in serum samples. Results: There were 67 male and 34 female patients (Male: Female = 1.97:1). The age range was 25 to 86 years with a median age of 60 years. There was a significant upregulation in the expression of miR-193b in the NSCLC group as compared to controls (P = 0.034). MiR-7 was also upregulated while miR-25 and miR-301a were downregulated in NSCLC as compared to controls; however, a level of significance was not achieved. ROC curve analysis for miR-193b showed an AUC of 0.636 (95% CI, 0.522-0.750; P-value = 0.036) between NSCLC cases and controls. Conclusion: The present study showed variable expression of the above-studied miRNAs. MiR-193b showed a significant upregulation in cancer patients; however, the other three miRNAs were not conclusive. This suggests that profiling of microRNA in each population is essential to search for a valid non-invasive biomarker in that population.

The 4th industrial revolution, or Industry 4.0 for short, has been ushered in by technological improvements over the past 30 years. As a result, the growing trend of digitalization has had a distinctly beneficial effect on economic growth, particularly in the banking and financial sector where it has increased productivity and efficiency due to reduced information asymmetry and by making financial services more widely available and reasonably priced for a wider range of people. Keeping in mind the notable benefits brought about by rising digital advancements and its impact on financial sector, this study aims to show the dynamic relationship between digitalization, financial inclusion and economic growth for G20 nations. We used the annual data for the time span of 2010 to 2020 for G20 countries and has used panel ARDL approach for the analysis. The panel ARDL technique reveals a positive correlation between digitalization and long-term economic growth. Conversely, the research findings indicate a negative relationship between them in the short run. Similarly, we spot an detrimental long-term association between financial inclusion, measured as the number of commercial bank branches, and economic growth. The study also comes to the conclusion that, in the short and long terms, respectively, population and gross-fixed capital formation have an impact on economic growth. Further, we have checked the robustness of our results by using internet usage as proxy for digitalization. The finding in this case proves the robustness of our study. Based on our study, we suggest that widespread digitalization and financial inclusion along with the introduction of FinTech might contribute to sustainable economic growth from a policy perspective.

Domestic violence has long been a major concern for women's organisations globally. Despite decades of progressive legislation in India since the 1980s, this paper underscores the persistent and structural nature of domestic violence, which afflicts lives across gender identities. The study draws on findings from a survey of 2193 aggrieved women and select case studies across 13 districts of West Bengal who have accessed the Protection of Women from Domestic Violence Act (PWDVA), a civil law enacted in 2005 to give protection to victim-survivors from domestic violence (as opposed to punishing the perpetrators). The paper argues that even ‘radical’ legislation such as the PWDVA helps survivors manage and endure violence rather than eliminate it from their lives. In doing so, the legislation offers a coping strategy to the aggrieved rather than a means through which deep-seated social structures of patriarchy that perpetuate domestic violence can be challenged to ensure gender justice. Our study indicates that there is a greater degree of precarity among women survivors with psycho-social disabilities and members of gender-sexual minorities. The majority of actors in the socio-legal ecosystem who should be upholding survivors’ right to live a life free from violence instead place them primarily in the heterosexual patriarchal family. The feminist vision behind the enactment of PWDVA, which valued the assertion of a survivor's rights as a citizen of a democratic country to lead a life free from violence, is eschewed in favour of preserving the institution of family and marriage over gender justice.

The deregulation of electricity market has led to the development of the short-term electricity market. The power generators and consumers can sell and purchase the electricity in the day ahead terms. The market clearing electricity price varies throughout the day due to the increase in the consumers bidding for electricity. Forecasting of the electricity in the day ahead market is of significance for appropriate bidding. To predict the electricity price the modified method of Exponential Smoothing-CNN-LSTM is proposed based on the time series method of Exponential Smoothing and Deep Learning methods of Convolutional Neural Network (CNN) and Long Short-Term Memory (LSTM). The dataset used for assessment of the forecasting algorithms is collected from the day ahead electricity market at the Indian Energy Exchange (IEX). The forecasting results of the Exponential Smoothing-CNN-LSTM method evaluated in terms of Mean Absolute Error (MAE) as 0.11, Root Mean Squared Error (RMSE) as 0.17 and Mean Absolute Percentage Error (MAPE) as 1.53 % indicates improved performance. The proposed algorithm can be used to forecast the time series in other domains as finance, retail, healthcare, manufacturing. • The method of Exponential Smoothing-CNN-LSTM is proposed for forecasting the electricity price a day ahead for accurate bidding for the short-term electricity market participants. • The forecasting results indicate the better performance of the proposed method than the existing techniques of Exponential Smoothing, LSTM and CNN-LSTM due to the advantages of the Exponential Smoothing to extract the levels and seasonality and with the CNN-LSTM methods ability to model the complex spatial and temporal dependencies in the time series.

The current study attempts to assess the dipeptidyl peptidase – IV (DPP-IV) inhibitory potential of β-lactoglobulin (β-Lg) isolated from milk of Gir cow. Whey was separated from skim milk by precipitation of casein followed by ultrafiltration (UF) to remove lactose and salts as permeate. β-Lg was separated from the UF retentate using salting out technique. Its purity was confirmed by SDS-PAGE and RP-HPLC. Hydrolysates of β-Lg were prepared using three different enzymes viz., pepsin, trypsin and Flavourzyme at different enzyme to substrate (E:S) ratios (1:25, 1:50, 1:100) and treated for 2–12 h durations. Pepsin-treated hydrolysate showed maximum DPP-IV inhibition of 77.62 ± 0.98 % (IC50 = 3.78 mg/mL). Hydrolysate was passed serially through UF filters of 10 and 3 kDa. The permeate of 3 kDa, which exhibited 52.10 ± 0.72 % DPP-IV inhibition was fractionated through RP-HPLC and time based fractions were collected. All 41 fractions were again analysed for DPP-IV inhibition activity and 3 fractions which showed maximum DPP-IV inhibition activity were chosen for LC-MS/MS analysis. One novel peptide was identified through LC-MS/MS, which showed adequate DPP-IV inhibition (IC50 = 6.64 mmolL-1).

This forum proposes the use of concept of “shadows” in the analysis of internationalisation policies to make visible the decision-making processes and practices appearing at all levels of internationalisation policies. We focus on the problematic effects appeared at the intersect of internationalisation policies implemented by the countries perceived academic values differently on example of Finland as the EU member state and pre-war Russia. We consider these effects as preventing equal access to quality higher education and life-long learning for all (SDG4, target 4.3). The forum conceptualises the lessons of the EU/Finnish-Russian internationalisation for further usage the suggested theoretical lens in policy implementation in other countries developed their own internationalisation policy on different value basis. This study address to what happens when the internationalisation policies promoted European view on fundamental academic values, are implemented with such policies in the countries where these values are perceived in another way. We answer the question of how and why the shadows of internationalisation appear and have an impact at a macro-, meso-, and micro-level, and conceptualize them for future policy improvement. The forum discusses the implications of internationalisation policies from the practice perspective and what might be learnt by the stakeholders previously involved in these cooperation partnerships.

Environmental fluctuations, solar irradiance, and ambient temperature significantly affect photovoltaic (PV) system output. PV systems should be efficient at the Maximum Power Point in various weather climates to maximize their potential power output. The Maximum Power Point Tracking (MPPT) technique is employed to plan a specific location that yields the maximum amount of power. Operating dispersed alternative energy sources connected to the grid in this situation makes energy control an unavoidable task. This research article suggests designing a power electronics converter topology that links sustainable resources and electric vehicles to the power grid. There are four modes of operation for this proposed converter topology: grid-to-vehicle, vehicle-to-grid, renewable-to-vehicle, and renewable-to-grid discussed. The three power electronic converters and their uses are discussed, and their controllers are also designed to maintain the energy balance and stability in all cases. The battery characteristics indicate the operating mode. The work primarily focuses on the converter’s Triple Port Integrated Topology (TPIT) power flow and voltage control. Here, three power converters integrate the TPIT with three systems-the electric grid, renewable energy, and electric vehicles-into one system. The source battery and solar photovoltaic (PV) array cells are integrated using unidirectional and bidirectional DC-DC converters. The future scope of the work is to investigate the potential of adding additional ports for integrating other energy resources, such as hydrogen fuel cells or additional renewable sources, to create a more versatile and robust energy management system for EV charging stations.

Deltamethrin (DLM), in combination with the synergist piperonyl butoxide (PBO), is extensively used in pest control programs due to its potent pesticidal properties and appreciable safety margin. However, various research studies report their adverse effects on non-target organisms. In this study, we investigated the toxicity of DLM, PBO, and a DLM-PBO (3:1) combination on Labeo rohita (L. rohita) fish fingerlings. Fish behavior and mortality rates were recorded at different time intervals up to 96 h for concentrations of 0.003, 0.007, 0.015, 0.031, and 0.062 µg/mL, respectively. Biochemical, hematological, and histopathological studies were carried out. High-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) was used to detect and quantify residues in fish samples. The LC50 values after 48 h for DLM, PBO, and DLM-PBO exposed fish fingerlings were found to be 0.028, 0.066, and 0.007 µg/mL, respectively. At a concentration of 0.003 µg/mL of DLM, PBO, and DLM-PBO, the treated fish fingerlings exhibited similar behavior to the control group. Hematological parameters, such as red blood cell (RBC) and white blood cell (WBC) counts, were reduced in the treated groups compared to the control. Biochemical parameters showed increased levels of alanine aminotransferase (ALT) and aspartate aminotransferase (AST), while total serum protein levels decreased in DLM, PBO, and DLM-PBO treated fingerlings. Histopathological examination of liver, gill, and heart tissues revealed lesions with hydropic degeneration in the liver and fusions of gill lamellae in the treated tissues. Fish fingerlings exposed to the DLM-PBO combination appeared highly prone to toxicity compared to those treated with DLM and PBO separately.

Our research addresses the pressing need to assess biodiversity in the face of increasing habitat destruction and species extinctions. Several researchers have modelled conventional measures to assess biodiversity. Every measure evaluates biodiversity by considering different properties. Among them Simpson and Shannon indices are widely used, they primarily focus on species richness and abundance, overlooking the importance of rare or unique species. This limitation makes it challenging to identify which species drive changes in biodiversity and hampers conservation efforts. Moreover, these measures are sensitive to sample size and biased towards dominant species, leading to inaccurate estimations. To overcome these challenges, we propose a novel mathematical model that provides a comprehensive assessment of biodiversity. Our model accounts for species dominance, addresses sample size sensitivity, and highlights the significance of rare species within a community. By applying our measure to real-time scenarios and comparing it with traditional methods using the same dataset, proposed measure demonstrated its efficacy in capturing biodiversity dynamics over time.

A middle-aged woman presented with history of fatigue, low mood, swelling of limbs, and facial puffiness. On detailed history taking, she also complained of salt craving, secondary amenorrhea, and loss of libido for almost a decade. Investigations revealed pan-hypopituitarism. She was started on appropriate hormonal therapy which saw a rapid resolution of symptoms within 2 weeks. Sheehan’s syndrome may have an acute presentation or chronic. The symptoms may be subtle like fatigue or overt like hypotension and syncope. A high degree of suspicion of Sheehan’s syndrome is essential for its timely management, and goes a long way in preserving the quality of life.

Tracheobronchial compression due to cardiovascular disease is a rare cause of respiratory distress in children, and common causes include vascular slings and rings, abnormal origin of major vessels, and left atrial enlargement. Intrathoracic airway compression due to pericardial effusion is a rare cause of respiratory distress in children. Here, we present a 6-month-old male child who presented with respiratory distress due to extraluminal compression of the left main bronchus by large pericardial effusion leading to left lung collapse, which improved after pericardiocentesis.

Abstract Background Skill and health-related components are required for the assessment of football players’ functional performance, and there is a lack of literature available to measure football players’ functional performance. The study mostly focuses on developing and validating the tool for football players between the ages of 18 and 25. Methods This study used a research methodology that focused on the development and verification of a scale. The research consisted of two distinct stages, namely tool development and validity testing. Firstly, the expert panel did a comprehensive analysis of the items and domains of the questionnaire. Subsequently, the Delphi approach was used to assess the content validity of the questionnaire. Later on, the evaluation tool was officially named the complete functional performance assessment battery (CFPA) for football players in India. Result The CFPA’s newly developed tool has excellent scale-level content validity, which was more than 0.78 for each item in the tool, i.e., 1 (indicated as extremely relevant), the content validity ratio was bigger than 0.49, and each item’s kappa value was found to be 1, which is excellent. Each item’s universal acceptance was found to be 1 for both the item’s quality and content and Aiken’s V index is also greater than 0.81. Conclusion The CFPA is a valid tool in India that can be used to check the functional performance of football players.

Abstract Rapid urban development and population outbursts in India have led to a tremendous increase in pollutant emissions and their transboundary dispersion. Hence, the increase in tropospheric ozone (O3) formation is further amplified depending on the meteorology of the area. This review attempts to compile the studies reporting tropospheric O3-induced loss of yield and biomass in the vegetation of the Indian sub-continent from 2012 to 2023, with a mechanistic approach. The response of vegetation (agricultural, horticultural, perennial, medicinal and grassland) to O3 have been collated and their order of sensitivity has been established. The vegetation displayed two significant strategies to cope with the O3 induced stress- stomatal flux regulation and shifting the photoassimilates towards either defense or reproduction (trade-off), which decides the plant's ability to respond towards O3. Considering the varying responses of plants, it was observed that plants that adopted both stomatal regulation and trade-off strategies to endure the stress were least sensitive to O3 than those focusing on one of them.

Abstract Background Case analysis is a dynamic and interactive teaching and learning strategy that improves critical thinking and problem-solving skills. However, there is limited evidence about its efficacy as an assessment strategy in nursing education. Objectives This study aimed to explore nursing students’ perceived efficacy of case analysis as an assessment method for clinical competencies in nursing education. Methods This study used a mixed methods design. Students filled out a 13-item study-advised questionnaire, and qualitative data from the four focus groups was collected. The setting of the study was the College of Nursing at Sultan Qaboos University, Oman. Descriptive and independent t-test analysis was used for the quantitative data, and the framework analysis method was used for the qualitative data. Results The descriptive analysis of 67 participants showed that the mean value of the perceived efficacy of case analysis as an assessment method was 3.20 (SD = 0.53), demonstrating an 80% agreement rate. Further analysis indicated that 78.5% of the students concurred with the acceptability of case analysis as an assessment method (mean = 3.14, SD = 0.58), and 80.3% assented its association with clinical competencies as reflected by knowledge and cognitive skills (m = 3.21, SD = 0.60). No significant difference in the perceived efficacy between students with lower and higher GPAs (t [61] = 0.05, p > 0.05) was identified Three qualitative findings were discerned: case analysis is a preferred assessment method for students when compared to MCQs, case analysis assesses students’ knowledge, and case analysis assesses students’ cognitive skills. Conclusions This study adds a potential for the case analysis to be acceptable and relevant to the clinical competencies when used as an assessment method. Future research is needed to validate the effectiveness of case analysis exams in other nursing clinical courses and examine their effects on academic and clinical performance.

Background: Chronic kidney disease (CKD) patients are at a high risk of tuberculosis (TB), with a relative risk of developing active TB of 10%–25%. Similarly, glomerular disease increases the risk of TB due to diminished glomerular filtration rate, proteinuria, and immunosuppression use. Further, the first-line anti-TB drugs are associated with acute kidney injury (AKI) even in patients with normal kidney functions. Methods: We retrospectively identified 10 patients hospitalized with unusual adverse effects of antituberculosis therapy (ATT) from 2013 to 2022. Results: We found three cases of AKI caused by rifampicin: acute interstitial nephritis, crescentic glomerulonephritis, and heme pigment-induced acute tubular necrosis. We observed rifampicin-induced accelerated hypertension and thrombocytopenia in two patients on maintenance hemodialysis. Isoniazid caused pancreatitis and cerebellitis in two CKD patients, respectively. In a CKD patient, we detected acute gout secondary to pyrazinamide-induced reduced uric acid excretion. We also observed cases of drug rash with eosinophilia and systemic symptoms and hypercalcemia due to immune reconstitution inflammatory syndrome in patients with glomerular disease on ATT. Immediate discontinuation of the offending drug, along with specific and supportive management, led to a recovery in all cases. Conclusion: The adverse effects of ATT may be unusually severe and varied in kidney patients due to decreased renal elimination. Early recognition of these adverse effects and timely discontinuation of the offending drug is essential to limit morbidity and mortality.

Context: Resistant vitiligo is challenging to treat and needs new therapeutic approaches such as combining fractional carbon dioxide (CO2) laser and narrow-band ultraviolet B (NB-UVB) therapy. Aims: The study aimed to determine the efficacy and safety of combining fractional CO2 laser and NB-UVB therapy to induce repigmentation in resistant localized vitiligo patches. Materials and Methods: In this open, prospective, split-lesional study, 40 stable resistant vitiligo patches in 30 patients were included and assessed. After an initial assessment, a few resistant patches of vitiligo were identified, and a symmetrical half of it was given two sessions of fractional CO2 laser 1 month apart, followed by NB-UVB sessions to both sides thrice weekly for 3 months. Photographs were taken at baseline and 12 weeks, and repigmentation responses were assessed by calculating the mean percentage of improvement and mean grade of pigmentation on the fractional CO2 laser with NB-UVB site (test) and the only NB-UVB site (control) and then compared using Wilcoxon signed-rank test, with significance determined by P value

In the era of machinery, Artificial Intelligence (AI) has become the new tool for managing patients in psychiatry. Nowadays, many psychiatric disorders are being diagnosed and treated with the help of AI. New technologies like Machine Learning (ML), robots, Deep Learning (DL), and sensor-based systems provide a different perspective on psychiatric disorders. The present narrative review article summarised the use of AI in diagnosing and treating psychiatric disorders. AI can assist a patients with a psychiatric diseases in prognosis, clinical diagnosis, management therapy, and addressing clinical and technological issues. It highlights various AI methods used in mental healthcare, with a focus on multiple ML perspectives. Additionally, AI has the potential to address several factors, including privacy, transparency, bias, and other social and ethical considerations. The aim of the present review was to redefine mental disorders more objectively, personalise treatments, facilitate early diagnosis, and provide patients with more choices in their care. Through the present article, author aimed to highlight the use of AI in the diagnosis of various psychiatric disorders such as depression, schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), and Alzheimer’s Disease (AD).

Introduction: The lungs are divided into lobes by oblique and horizontal fissures. Knowledge of extent of completeness of fissures is important for surgical planning. This study highlights the variation in Pulmonary fissures including accessory and azygos fissure and their clinical relevance. Materials and Methods: The sample consists of fifty (50) lung specimens (25 right and 25 left), collected from formalin fixed cadavers, which were dissected during undergraduate teaching. The lungs were observed for complete, incomplete, and absent fissures. Additional fissures including accessory and azygos fissures were also observed and findings compared with previous studies. Results: Accessory fissure was found in 35% right and 40% left lungs. Horizontal fissure was found to be absent in 30% right lungs. Oblique fissure was found absent in 5% right and left lungs. Four right lungs had azygous fissure. Inferior accessory fissures were found in 15% right lungs. 20% left lungs had both inferior accessory and left minor fissures. Conclusion: It is important to assess the incompleteness or absence of fissures, when planning any surgical procedure. Lung fissure variations are frequently encountered during surgical procedures and knowledge of pattern of these fissures is important to avoid and reduce associated mortality and morbidity.

Global agriculture practices rely heavily on the application of fungicides, pesticides and synthetic fertilizers. Several bacterial strains were isolated from root nodules and screened for plant growth-promoting (PGP) activities. The selected isolates were characterized biochemically and identified by 16S rRNA sequencing. The ability of bacterial isolates to produce siderophores, phosphate solubilization, production of indole acetic acid (IAA) and other characteristics of plant growth promoting (PGP)activities were evaluated from the root nodules of a wild leguminous plant, Tephrosia purpurea (L.) Pers. Based on the results, the isolates were determined as Bacillus altitudinis and Pseudomonas azotoformans. The bacterial consortium consisting of B. altitudinis + P. azotoformans exhibited a substantial enhancement in both root length (35.55%), and shoot length (43.2%) when compared to the control. This study concludes that utilization of the beneficial traits of these non-rhizobial nodule endophytes bacteria improve nodulation biomass accumulation and plant vegetative growth parameters in T. purpurea. The present research has the potential to advance the adoption of eco-friendly agricultural practices and provide an alternative substitute for traditional chemical fertilizers.

Mucoceles are the most common minor salivary gland disorder and represent the second most frequent benign soft tissue tumors of the oral cavity, following irritative fibroma. Various treatment modalities have been suggested for mucocele among which different types of lasers being the most recent and advanced. In the present case reports, diode laser was used for the excision of mucocele on the lower lip, and the advantages of it over the conventional scalpel method were minimal discomfort, bleeding, recurrence, and better compliance among patients.

Abstract Superalkalis (SAs) are exotic clusters having lower ionization energy than alkali atoms, which makes them strong reducing agents. In the quest for the reduction of diatomic molecules (X2) such as N2, O2, and H2 using Møller‐Plesset perturbation theory (MP2), we have studied their interaction with typical superalkalis such as FLi2, OLi3, and NLi4 and calculated various parameters of the resulting SA−X2 complexes. We noticed that the SA−O2 complex and its isomers possess strong ionic interaction, which leads to the reduction of O2 to O2− anion. On the contrary, there are both ionic and covalent interactions in SA−N2 complexes such that the lowest energy isomers are covalently bonded with no charge transfer from SA. Further, the interaction between SA and H2 leads to weakly bound complexes, which results in the adsorption of H2 molecules. The nature of interaction is found to be closely related to the electron affinity of diatomic molecules. These findings might be useful in the study of the activation, reduction, and adsorption of small molecules, which can be further explored for their possible applications.

Variously substituted methylene bis(3-hydroxy-5,5-dimethyl-2-cyclohexene-1-one) derivatives were synthesized in 83–96% yield by the reaction of substituted benzaldehyde with 5, 5-dimethyl-1, 3-cyclohexanedione in the presence of CuO nanoparticles (NPs). Tandem grinding involves Knoevenagel condensation followed by the Michael addition in sequence for the formation of 2, 2’-arylmethylenebis (3-hydroxy-5, 5-dimethyl-2-cyclohexene-1-one) derivatives. Copper oxide NPs were synthesized by sol-gel method. The characterization of CuO NPs was done on the basis of PXRD, FTIR, SEM and TEM techniques. The synthesized derivatives were characterized on the basis of spectral analyses and corresponding melting points reported in the literature.

Abstract Timely detection of Barrett’s esophagus, the pre-malignant condition of esophageal adenocarcinoma, can improve patient survival rates. The Cytosponge-TFF3 test, a non-endoscopic minimally invasive procedure, has been used for diagnosing intestinal metaplasia in Barrett’s. However, it depends on pathologist’s assessment of two slides stained with H&E and the immunohistochemical biomarker TFF3. This resource-intensive clinical workflow limits large-scale screening in the at-risk population. To improve screening capacity, we propose a deep learning approach for detecting Barrett’s from routinely stained H&E slides. The approach solely relies on diagnostic labels, eliminating the need for expensive localized expert annotations. We train and independently validate our approach on two clinical trial datasets, totaling 1866 patients. We achieve 91.4% and 87.3% AUROCs on discovery and external test datasets for the H&E model, comparable to the TFF3 model. Our proposed semi-automated clinical workflow can reduce pathologists’ workload to 48% without sacrificing diagnostic performance, enabling pathologists to prioritize high risk cases.

Introduction: Preservation of the Nipple-areola Complex (NAC) is currently being attempted for a better aesthetic and functional outcome, necessitating precise knowledge of its vascular supply to minimise postoperative necrosis. Aim: To determine the source, branches, and pattern of arterial supply to breast parenchyma and the NAC using Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) and cadaver. Materials and Methods: The present retrospective observational study was conducted in the Department of Anatomy, AIIMS, New Delhi, India, from March 2015 to October 2016. Total of 50 MRI scan images of female patients who underwent breast MRI as part of their preoperative assessment were collected and retrospectively reviewed. Cadaveric dissection was performed on 11 breasts (5 left and 6 right) obtained from 10 female cadavers with no breast pathology. Radiographic and cadaveric data pertaining to the source, branches, and pattern of arterial supply to breast parenchyma and the NAC were collected. Data was studied using statistical tests like Dunn test followed by Bonferroni correction and Signed-rank test. Results: The MRI scans revealed that most vessels bilaterally supplying the medial half of the breast originate from the Internal Mammary Artery (IMA), while those supplying the lateral half arise from the Lateral Thoracic Artery (LTA), and the branches of IMA were found to be consistently supplying the NAC. Cadaveric dissection confirmed, in all cases except one, that the principal parenchymal and NAC supply on either side arises from the IMA. Conclusion: IMA perforators supply the NAC most consistently and the major part of the breast parenchyma, as well. MRI breast is the most precise modality currently available for the preoperative evaluation of breast vascularity during conservative mastectomies.