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Developing a real-time monitoring system for evaluating the compressive strength of concrete on construction sites is essential. In this current study, an affordable and detachable automated system using the Internet of Things (IoT) is developed to assess the compressive strength of mortar and concrete in real-time. This system, composed of a digital sensor and Wi-Fi-enabled microcontroller, is coded with mathematical algorithms to help forecast the real-time compressive strength. The system uses a pre-programmed algorithm linked to a cloud platform using IoT, and a mobile application has been developed to view the predicted strength remotely. The methodology adopted in this study is the maturity method based on ASTM C1074. The precision of the sensor’s estimated strength is validated by comparing the predicted compressive strength with the experimental strength obtained through accelerated and normal water curing methods. The difference between the predicted strength results using the sensor and the actual laboratory results at 14 days is 0.76% and 1.12%, whereas at 28 days, it is observed to be 7.83% and 7.54%, respectively. The developed system accurately predicts the real-time compressive strength and offers remote access to the results through mobile applications.

Introduction: Many foetal and maternal complications, such as polyhydramnios, macrosomia, birth injuries, and operative interference, are linked with Gestational Diabetes Mellitus (GDM). Among these, macrosomia is particularly significant, as it increases the risk of shoulder dystocia, brachial plexus injury, birth asphyxia, and maternal complications, including emergency Lower Segment Caesarean Section (LSCS), Postpartum Haemorrhage (PPH), and perineal trauma. Therefore, one of the most essential perinatal goals in GDM is to predict macrosomia by estimating birth weight, thereby preventing adverse maternal and foetal outcomes. Aim: To evaluate whether there is a correlation between the cross-sectional area of the Umbilical Cord (UCA) and the Neonatal Birth Weight (NBW) in pregnant women with GDM. Materials and Methods: A prospective cohort study was conducted in the Departments of Radiology and Obstetrics Bangalore Medical College, Bengaluru, Karnataka, India. A total of 100 pregnant women (50 with GDM and 50 without GDM) were recruited from July 2021 to July 2022. Ultrasound examination (USG) was performed on pregnant women after 36 weeks of gestation. The UCA was measured in a free-floating loop, and the NBW was measured using a digital scale. The correlation coefficient was calculated to determine the degree of correlation between UCA and NBW. Results: The mean age of the subjects was 26.5±3.9 years. The frequency of macrosomia was higher in the GDM group (8%) compared to the control group (4%). A strong positive correlation was observed between UCA and NBW in both diabetics (r=0.819) and control groups (r=0.736). Conclusion: A strong positive correlation exists between UCA and NBW in women with GDM. Therefore, it should be estimated during routine antenatal USG for the prediction of birth weight in such women.

Secondary growth is the most dynamic developmental aspect during the terrestrialization of plants. The development of secondary xylem tissue composed of thick-walled cells with characteristic changes in its structure and chemistry facilitates the growth and development of woody plants. In the present study, the chemical composition of the secondary xylem of juvenile and mature wood from the branch and main trunk of Leucaena leucocephala, has been investigated and the differences established. The biochemical analysis of different cell wall components in the mature wood of the main trunk revealed high holocellulose and α-cellulose and less lignin content in the juvenile wood while its syringyl/guaiacyl (S/G) ratio was less than for the mature wood. As compared to the branch xylem, concentration of cell wall polysaccharides and lignin content was higher in both juvenile and mature wood collected from the main trunk. Thioacidolysis and GC-MS analysis of wood lignin from juvenile and mature wood showed that an increased concentration in lignin content in mature wood is associated with a corresponding increase in S/G ratio. The structural information of the acetylated lignin was investigated by 1H NMR spectroscopy. Our results indicate that the mature wood from the main trunk is superior in pulp yielding and lignin degradability as compared to the juvenile wood of the branch and trunk.

Itajahya galericulata (Phallales, Phallaceae) was previously reported from several countries in South America and Africa. Recently we found I. galericulata in the city of Vadodara, Gujarat State, India. To verify its identity we studied its morphology and performed molecular phylogenetic analyses using nuclear rDNA LSU and mitochondrial ATP6 loci. Here we also provide nuclear rDNA ITS sequences for the Indian collection, since up to now no sequences of this region have been available for I. galericulata in GenBank. This study furnishes the first evidence for the occurrence of I. galericulata in India and in Asia as a whole.

The genus Ophioglossum L. is revised for the Gujarat state and there were reported eight species viz. Ophioglossum costatum R. Br., O. gramineum Willd., O. gujaratense SM Patil, RN Kachhiyapatel, R Patel and KS Rajput, O. lusitanicum L., O. reticulatum L., O. parvifolium Grev. & Hook., O. nudicaule L. f. and O. thermale Kom., from different parts of the state. Amongst these, Ophioglossum thermale Kom. and O. lusitanicum L. were collected for the first time from Jambughoda Wildlife Sanctuary and this result is documented as a new distributional record for Gujarat state.

The halberd fern genus Tectaria Cav., is terrestrial, medium to large size herb, growing along the cut edges of hills and hillocks or edges of river. It is characterized by the presence of erect, creeping or suberect rhizome with dimorphic, subdimorphic or monomorphic fronds and anastomosing to free veins. Generally, it occurs in different habitats of the tropical to subtropical region of the world. Different members are exploited for various purposes in traditional medicinal system by local tribes. However, the diversity, distribution, conservation status and state of the knowledge about Tectaria (Tectariaceae) is not uniform worldwide including India. Therefore, the present investigation aims to study the diversity, distribution and conservation status of this genus from Peninsula and Western Ghats of India. Out of 24 species reported from India, nearly nine species occur in Deccan Peninsula and Western Ghats. A detailed distribution and conservation status with the identification key to the species of Tectaria distributed in this region is provided herewith.

Occurrence of Isoetes coromandeliana L.f. in natural ponds of Harni, Savali and Tuwa (India) is known since 1956 by earlier workers. Equisetum debile Roxb. ex Voucher was also reported in 1962 growing as wild at Savali. Available literature indicates that I. coromandeliana falls under the category of ‘near threatened’ in Asian continents and as an ‘endangered species’ at national (India) level. In the current field work study, the authors could not locate the investigated species from the locations earlier documented by researchers. Few saplings of I. coromandeliana were observed at Talod and Vaktapur near Gandhinagar, a new location for the species. In contrast, E. debile appeared to be lost in wild from Gujarat. Their extinction from earlier reported locations is associated with anthropogenic pressure and thus legal action for their protection is needed. The present paper suggests further survey and habitat based studies and recommends conservation and management action plans based upon the ecology of the habitat.

The live and dead tissues, and trapped leaf litter by the epiphytic tree fern Drynaria quercifolia associated with riparian tree species of Konaje (west coast) and Sampaje (Western Ghat) streams of India during dry (summer) and wet (monsoon) seasons yielded 37 species of water-borne conidial fungi on bubble chamber incubation. Dead bracket leaves of fern possess the highest species as well as conidia in Konaje, while the trapped leaf litter in Sampaje. During summer, the diversity was highest in bracket leaves in both locations, while in monsoon season it was highest in rhizomes of Konaje and in trapped leaf litter in Sampaje. Even though the conidial output from tissues of Drynaria and trapped leaf litter were not equivalent to stream submerged leaf litter, the species richness ranged between 40% and 75% in Konaje and Sampaje streams. As stable epiphyte, Drynaria exposed to wet and dry regimes in tree canopies of west coast and Western Ghats likely to serve as host for perfect states of water-borne hyphomycetes.

Introduction: In India, every 2 seconds a person is bitten and every 30 minutes someone dies from rabies. Complete post-exposure prophylaxis is necessary among the animal bite victims for complete protection. Hence this study aims to determine the patient’s compliance for Intradermal Anti - Rabies Vaccination and also to determine the constraints for compliance. Methodology: A Retrospective record based review was conducted in the Anti - Rabies Clinic of Victoria Hospital, Bengaluru from the month of January to December 2015. The number of study subjects were 2815 after excluding category I cases, rat bite, human bite, re-exposure and pre-exposure cases. The major constraints were found out by interviewing the patient/guardian through the telephone. Results: The compliance rate for Intradermal Rabies Vaccination (IDRV) is 79.60%. The major constraints were distance from the hospital, forgotten the dates, went to their hometown. Conclusion: The compliance rate for rabies vaccination is considerably low for this highly fatal disease. Considering these major constraint factors, the animal bite victims should be motivated effectively through health education at the time of initiation of vaccination course to attain the goal of Rabies free India.

Objective : To evaluate the usefulness and cost effectiveness of bronchial washing in addition to endobronchial biopsies and/or bronchial brushing for the diagnosis of endoscopically visible lung cancer. Material and method : We retrospectively analyzed the medical records of all fi-beropticbronchoscopies at Himalayan institute of medical sciences from January 2002 to August 2005. All patients with endoscopically visible tumours in whom a definite cytological or histological diagnosis of pulmonary malignancy was made were included in the study. We analyzed usefulness and cost effectiveness of three potential specimen collection stragetgies. These stratgies were (1) Bronchoscopy with biopsy, brushing, and washing (2) Bronchoscopy with biopsy and washing; and (3) Bronchoscopy with biopsy and brushing. Results : 107 cases of endoscopically visible abnormality underwent forceps biopsy, brushing and washing. Ninety-nine of these 107 patients had atleast one of the three endoscopic procedures (bronchial washing, endobronchial biopsies and bronchial brushing) positive for lung cancer (92.52%). The sensitivity of endobronchial biop-sy, brushing and bronchial washing for diagnosing lung cancer was 83.17%, 69.15% and 47.66% respectively. Bronchial washing was the only diagnostic procedure in two patients (1.86%). Cost effectiveness analysis revealed that bronchial washing as an additional diagnostic tool to endobronchial biopsies/or bronchial washing for diagnosis of endoscopically visible lung cancer may not be cost effective. Conclusion : The best yields for diagnosis of lung cancer is obtained with endobronchial biopsy and brushing. The addition of bronchial washing to either endobronchial biopsy or bronchial brushing is beneficial, but it may not be cost effective.