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This paper deals with the investigation of N identical compound parabolic concentrator evacuated tubular collector included single slope solar desalting unit (N‐CPC‐ETC‐SSU) by incorporating energy metrics for solving contemporary issue of water scarcity in the society. It will contribute to the sustainable development of society and recede the dependency on fossil fuels, too. The energy metrics investigation is important for energy system because it talks about the feasibility of the system. The methodology consists of getting fundamental equations from energy balance equations. All fundamental equations with relevant data are fed to the code developed in MATLAB followed by the computation of overall energy and exergy. All types of climatic situations have been considered for the analysis. Data required for the same are accessed from IMD, Pune, India. The energy payback period, energy production factor, and life cycle conversion efficiency for N‐CPC‐ETC‐SSU have been calculated at eight number of collectors, 0.012 mass flow rate and 0.14 m water depth. Results of N‐CPC‐ETC‐SSU have been compared with results of SSU included with ETCs. Concludingly, energy payback period is lower by 6.41%, energy production factor is higher by 6.25% and exergy‐based life cycle conversion efficiency is higher by 96.39% for N‐CPC‐ETC‐SSU than N‐ETC‐SSU. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

On-demand work applications (ODWAs), a type of digital platforms (DPs), are technology-enabled intermediaries for gig workers. In this paper, we study these platforms and their impact on women belonging to the low socio-economic section in a developing economy. These women act as primary unpaid workers while being expected to make an economic contribution. Hence, they suffer from time scarcity where they need to find mechanisms to generate economic success from the limited time they have, in a largely informal economy. We employed the theoretical lens of affordances to delineate the affordances that are provided by the various features of ODWAs and their impact on life satisfaction of women. We conducted a mixed method study using interviews of 20 female gig workers, supplemented by a survey of 927 workers on one of the largest ODWAs in India. Our analysis points to the sense of identity and individuality that these platforms provide as well as lowering the market boundaries for greater inclusion. Our research is significant from both, the information systems and inclusion research perspectives, as it contributes to the theoretical understanding of the impact of DPs on breaking societal structures and providing avenues to marginalised sections. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The COVID-19 pandemic brought forth many restrictions and changes in the lifestyle of people across the globe. There was a need for social distancing and contactless exchanges, which accelerated the uptake of services such as digital payment platforms (DPP). In this study, we examine how the adoption of these DPPs was accelerated during the pandemic. Our focus is subsistence entrepreneurs (SEs) who suffer double jeopardy of resource scarcity as well as institutional voids that hinder their technology adoption. We use the exploratory approach to delve into this under-studied area in IS research using constructivist grounded theory. Using data from the in-depth interviews of these subsistence entrepreneurs, we develop a framework of a process that entails not only adoption and persistent use but also the mechanisms for the spread of this technology amongst a section of society that is characterized by poverty, illiteracy, and socio-economic barriers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This work presents a sensitivity analysis of double slope solar still having N similar compound parabolic concentrator integrated evacuated tubular collectors in series connection (NCPCETC-DS) by incorporating heat transfer coefficient, exergy gain and exergy efficiency using one-at-a-time method. The sensitivity investigation for collector has also been done. All expressions of various parameters have been fed to computational code developed in MATLAB - 2015a for May month of New Delhi climatic situation. Heat transfer coefficients, exergy gain and exergy efficiency values have been estimated for different cases in which one input variable is varied keeping other input parameters as constant and the computation is continued till the completion of estimation for all input parameters. The exergy gain for collector, exergy gain for NCPCETC-DS and exergy efficiency for NCPCETC-DS have been estimated to be most sensitive with regard to concentration ratio having mean sensitivity figure values as 1.88, 1.97 and 1.94 in that order. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Individual clinical experience is combined with the best possible external clinical data from systematic research in the practice of evidencebased medicine. Data-based treatment is a complete approach to treating healthcare problems that allow the best available research evidence to be combined with clinical experience and patient choices. Evidence-based medicine's obligations to the medical industry and allied areas in terms of creating a platform for integrating research findings into healthcare delivery and raising awareness of the need to take individual patient preferences into account. In terms of culture and medical practice, South Asian countries are different. This region has little understanding of evidence-based medicine. Evidence-based medications have been adopted in some parts of South Asia, according to multiple survey data, while it is yet unknown in others. Treatments for mobile phones are fast expanding, and a preliminary study indicates that South Asian countries could benefit from this technology as well. People can benefit from digital healthcare initiatives in a variety of ways, including improved skill-training opportunities in real-world situations, continual assistance from medical practitioners, and better drug management. Evidence-based medications will become more accessible and successful as a result of the combination of Evidence-based medications with mobile technologies. It will also allow for a timelier deployment of Evidence-based medications [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

An appropriate balance between the controller's performance and its robustness is a complex design challenge. In order to enhance the control system performance, vigorous and rapid variations in controller output are often employed; however, this poses a critical challenge for practical implementations of the control schemes, as it may affect the actuator badly and may reduce its lifetime. To handle this issue, the current work presents an innovative control structure that aims to strike an apt balance between the control output variability while maintaining the desired control performance. The proposed control scheme exploits the abilities of fuzzy logic to cope with uncertainties in the system and along with the use of fractional calculus to enhance the control performance. Further, to evaluate the performance of the proposed improved fractional-order fuzzy controller (IFOFC), extensive simulation studies have been carried out on a multi-input–multi-output nonlinear system for a wide variety of test scenarios. An exhaustive comparative study with an inline state-of-art controller, i.e., fractional-order fuzzy PID (FOFPID) controller has also been carried out on two interesting performance measures. These performance measures include integral of time-weighted absolute error (ITAE) and another measure which corresponds to undesirable variations in the controller output, i.e., integral of the absolute change of torque (IACT). Based on the detailed simulation studies, it was found that the proposed control structure provides a fair balance between controller output aggression and control performance and also completely outperformed the FOFPID controller, even under large parametric variations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The interaction of three potent antifilarial compounds (4C, 4F, and 3F) with filarial proteins thioredoxin, glutathione s-transferase and cyclophilin were investigated using molecular docking and density functional theory (DFT) studies. Molecular docking was performed using YASARA tool, Hex 8.0.0 Cuda tool and PatchDock server and docked complex were visualized by Discovery Studio 3.0. The predicted binding energy of antifilarial compounds 4C (−247.6, −243.8, −256.8 kcal mol−1), 4F (−242.6, −246.4, −232.4 kcal mol−1) and 3F (−272.4, −248.5, −277.7 kcal mol−1) with filarial protein 4FYU, 5D73, and 1A33, respectively. Docking results were strongly supported by molecular dynamics data and molecular mechanics-generalized born surface area (MM-GBSA) calculations. The optimized geometries of all three compounds were used for calculating the energies of the frontier molecular orbitals highest occupied molecular orbital (HOMO) and the lowest unoccupied molecular orbital (LUMO). The lowest HOMO–LUMO energy gap in compound 3F suggested that it is the most bioactive molecule among all these three compounds, which is in accordance with the docking results of these compounds. The interaction energies between ligand and protein are mainly due to hydrogen bonds, hydrophobic interactions, and van der Waals interactions which give the stability to the complex. The structural information and docking studies of different filarial proteins with antifilarials obtained from this study could aid in screening and designing new antifilarial or selective inhibitors for chemotherapy against filariasis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Pyrimidine is an aromatic heterocyclic organic compound similar to pyridine. One of the three diazines (six-membered heterocyclics with two nitrogen atoms in the ring), it has the nitrogens at positions 1 and 3 in the ring. Pyrimidines are typically synthesized by the "Principal Synthesis" involving cyclization of beta-dicarbonyl compounds with N-C-N compounds. Reaction of the former with amidines to give 2- substituted pyrimidines, with urea to give 2-pyrimidiones, and guanidines to give 2-aminopyrimidines are typical. Pyrimidines can be prepared via the biginelli reaction. Many other methods rely on condensation of carbonyls with diamines for instance the synthesis of 2-Thio-6- methyluracil from thiouria and ethyl acetoacetate or the synthesis of 4-methylpyrimidine with 4, 4-dimethoxy-2-butanone and formamide. Pyrimidine derivatives show antimicrobial activity, anticancer activity, anti-inflammatory activity, antidiabetic, and analgesic activity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Low temperature is the key to maintain the high quality for chilled food. The single jet air curtain is used for doorways opening insulation in the current circumstances is an idealization of the single jet air curtain used in the supermarket open refrigerated display cabinets. Open refrigerated display cabinets are going through some of the changes in their thermal behavior and of its overall performance due to variations in air conditions like air curtain temperature, velocity, height/width ratio, deflection module, specific cooling load, stability and thermal efficiency. A detailed experimental and comprehensive Artificial Neural Network Analysis of air conditions and energy transfer in an open refrigerated display cabinet is performed in this study. Numerical ANN predictions are 99.77% accurate and can be used to enable quick calculations and parametric analyses for the designing purposes of open refrigeration equipment that reduce the thermal infiltration of the Open Refrigerated Display Cabinet and increase the food safety. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The interaction of four benzothiazole tethered triazole analogues (MS43, MS70, MS71, and MS78) with human serum albumin (HSA) was investigated using various spectroscopic techniques (ultraviolet–visible (UV–vis) light absorption, fluorescence, circular dichroism (CD), molecular docking and density functional theory (DFT) studies). Fluorescence quenching constants (~1012) revealed a static mode of quenching and binding constants (Kb ~104) indicating the strong affinity of these analogues for HSA. Further alteration in the secondary structure of HSA in the presence of these analogues was also confirmed by far UV–CD spectroscopy. The intensity loss in CD studied at 222 nm indicated an increase in random coil/β‐sheet conformations in the protein. Binding energy values (MS71 (−9.3 kcal mol−1), MS78 (−8.02 kcal mol−1), MS70 (−7.16 kcal mol−1) and MS43 (−6.81 kcal mol−1)) obtained from molecular docking revealed binding of these analogues with HSA. Molecular docking and DFT studies validated the experimental results, as these four analogues bind with HSA at site II through hydrogen bonding and hydrophobic interactions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: To study the psycho-social factors associated with nocturnal enuresis in 6-10 years old children & factors affecting the outcome of behaviour therapy. Method: Prospective interventional study. Fifty cases (6-10 years old) of either primary or secondary nocturnal enuresis were enrolled between April 2014 to March 2014 from OPD of Santosh Medical College and Hospital, Ghaziabad, U.P. A detailed history was elicited Urine examination and USG abdomen were done. Behaviour therapy was given as per the protocol. Primary and secondary nocturnal enuresis patients were compared with reference to psychosocial characteristics. Effect of various characteristics on treatment outcome was analysed. Result: Male: female ratio was 1.27:1. Common associated symptoms were daytime enuresis (64%), infrequent voiding (54%) and urgency (48%). 12(24%) out of 50 children had a positive family history in either parent. Bruxism and nail biting were most commonly (13.15% each). associated with primary NE, while nail biting was most commonly associated with secondary NE (33.33%). 30% of children were having poor scholastic performance. 14(28%) out of 50 children had history of marital discord in their parents. USG abnormalities in urinary bladder were significantly higher in secondary NE (66.7%) as compared to Primary NE (15.7%). USG abnormalities of bladder were also associated with significantly lower response rate (50% with USG abnormalities vs 77.76% with normal USG). Conclusion: Various psychological factors affect outcome of behavior therapy in PNE and SNE. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Adequate nutrition is critical to child health and development. The current status of feeding practices in India as cited by National Family Health Survey-3 (2005-2006) is rather dismal. Objectives: To study the prevalence of IYCF practices and its socio-demographic determinants among children under two years of age in Vivekvihar and Nandnagri To compare IYCF practices between the two study areas Materials and Method: A cross-sectional study was done in children between 0 - 23 months of age in September, 2010 using pretested semi-structured interview schedule in two colonies with different socioeconomic settings. Convenience sampling was done to include a total of 725 children in the study. Results: Breastfeeding was initiated within 1 hour of birth for 38% of newborns, 18.75% received prelacteal feeds while 93% received colostrum. 57% of infants had received exclusive breast feeding for 6 months. Practice of pre-lacteal feed was seen to be significantly more in infants of Nandnagri as compared to Vivekvihar (p value 0.029). However, infants of Vivekvihar were more likely to be exclusively breastfed as compared to Nandnagri (p value <0.001) and also more likely to receive Colostrum (p value <0.001). Conclusion: Overall the prevalence of IYCF practices were falling short of national goals set for the year 2007. Socio-demographic factors like place of residence, place of delivery, mother's occupation do have a significant impact on IYCF practices. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In an attempt to design and synthesize effective antimicrobial agents using click chemistry, mono- and di-alkyne-substituted monoboc protected o-phenylenediamines were reacted with different substituted aryl azides which yielded 18 new compounds ( 4a- 4k and 5a- 5f, 5l). Structures of all newly synthesized compounds were established by H and C NMR analysis. The intermediate compound 1 was also confirmed by X-ray crystallography. The title compounds were screened for their antibacterial activity against Gram +ve bacteria ( Staphylococcus aureus and Enterococcus faecalis), Gram −ve bacteria ( Escherichia coli, Klebsiella pneumoniae, and Pseudomonas aeruginosa), and their antifungal profile were tested on ( Candida tropicalis, Candida albicans, Candida krusei, and Cryptococcus neoformans) as well as on molds such as ( Aspergillus niger, Aspergillus fumigatus). The compounds 4k and 5f both showed maximum potency against S. aureus (ATCC 25323) strain with MIC value of 6.25 µg/ml, which is comparable with standard drug ciprofloxacin (MIC 6.25 µg/ml) while remaining compounds showed moderate to weak activity. Further, all compounds showed average antifungal activity in the range of 100-200 µg/ml. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The (4-acetylphenyl)amino 2,2-dimethylpropanoate ( 1) and (E)-1-(4-aminophenyl)-3-[4-(dimethylamino)phenyl]prop-2-en-1-one ( 2), were synthesized and characterized by elemental analysis, FT-IR, H NMR, CNMR and single crystal X-ray diffraction techniques. Both compounds 1 and 2 crystallized in orthorhombic crystal system with Pbca and P212121 space group respectively, having the unit cell parameters: a = 11.7220(12) Å, b = 14.4580(13) Å, c = 15.7853(12) Å, β = 90°, Volume = 2675.2(4) Å, Z = 8 for 1 and a = 6.1146(5) Å, b = 9.0567(8) Å, c = 26.079(3) Å, β = 90°, Volume = 1444.2(2) Å, Z = 4 for compound 2. The crystal structures of both compounds ( 1 and 2) are stabilized by N-H···O strong intermolecular hydrogen bonding forming C( 8) motifs. In compound 1, the molecules are linked by three C-H···O intramolecular H-bond forming S( 6) motifs. In compound 2, the molecules are linked by C-H···N intermolecular H-bond exhibiting C( 12) motif and C-H···O intramolecular H-bond leading to S( 5) motif. Crystallographic and vibrational data are compared with the results of density functional theory (DFT) method at the B3LYP/6-31G(d,p) level. The electronic (UV-vis) spectra was calculated by using the TD-DFT method and correlated with experimental spectra. Graphical Abstract: The crystal structure of compound 1, formed four motifs which are giving first-level graph set N: C( 8) S( 6) S( 6) S( 6) while compound 2, formed three motifs, giving first-level graph set N: C( 8) C( 12) S( 5) and second-level graph set N( a, b): C( 14). Crystallographic and vibrational (IR) data were compared with the results of density functional theory (DFT) method at the B3LYP/6-31G(d,p) level and electronic (UV-vis) spectra was calculated by using the TD-DFT method.[Figure not available: see fulltext.] [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives: This study was conducted to find out knowledge, attitude and practice (KAP) of epilepsy among 12th-class students in Uttarakhand state. Secondly data of Uttarakhand was compared with KAP study from other parts of the country. Materials and Methods: All 12th- class students studying in six schools of randomly selected 36 villages in Chakrata block of Dehradun district of Uttarakhand state were provided a printed questionnaire having answer as "yes or no". This questionnaire used was used previously by various authors and validated for KAP analysis. These filled questionnaires were collected by village health workers and medical officer. Results: This study conducted on 219, 12th-class students revealed that epilepsy was heard by 98%, 74.9% thought epilepsy a mental disease and 4.8% believed that it is contagious. Negative attitude showed as nearly 2/3rd students stated that epilepsy is hindrance in marriage and occupation. Nearly 41% would use onion or shoe for terminating seizure attack. Ayurvedic treatment was preferred over allopathic drugs. Conclusions: Study on 12th-class students of Uttarakhand revealed poor knowledge, attitude and practice for epilepsy and needs special education program to dispel these misconceptions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The filarial nematodes, Wuchereria bancrofti, Brugia malayi, and Brugia timori are the causative agents of lymphatic filariasis. 2-Substituted propanol, cyclohexanol, and cyclooctanol compounds were evaluated for microfilaricidal and macrofilaricidal activity in vivo against Acanthocheilonema viteae and Litomosoides carinii in rodents. In the cyclohexanol series, 2-(piperidin-1-yl) cyclohexanol ( 2b) showed 88.9% macrofilaricidal activity against A. viteae in vivo, while cyclooctanol series, 2-(4-benzyl piperdin-1-yl) cyclooctanol ( 2f) showed 100% macrofilaricidal activity against A. viteae. Further, compounds 1-(furan-2-ylamino) ethanol ( 4a) and 1-(4-benzylpiperidin-1-yl)-ethyl acetate ( 5b) showed 81.3% and 83.4% macrofilaricidal activity, respectively, against the same parasite. Interestingly, compounds 2f and 4a showed significant sterilization of female worms in A. viteae. However, these compounds were found inactive against L. carinii. Therefore, the new class of compounds appeared to have promising antifilarial activity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Community-based studies of epilepsy in India have reported variable prevalence rates, 5-10/1000 population. Reasons for this wide variation in the prevalence rates are uncertain. Most of the earlier studies had not done appropriate investigations to establish the possible etiology. Aim: To study the prevalence and etiological profile of active epilepsy in the rural population of Uttarakhand. Material and Methods: In this rural community-based study in the state of Uttarakhand, a door-to-door survey was conducted using validated questionnaire. All the suspected cases of epilepsy were examined by a neurologist to confirm the diagnosis of epilepsy and all the confirmed cases underwent contrast computed tomography (CT) scan and electroencephalography (EEG). Epilepsy and epilepsy syndromes were classified using the classifications proposed by the International League Against Epilepsy. Results: Of the 14,086 population studied, 141 cases of active epilepsy were detected giving a crude prevalence rate of 1%. After clinical evaluation and scanning, 35 (24.8%) were found to have seizure disorder active neurocysticercosis (NCC) and 14 (9.9%) had remote symptomatic seizures related to calcified granuloma. After excluding acute and remote symptomatic cases related to NCC, prevalence rate of epilepsy was 6.5/1000. Conclusion: The study suggests that the region-specific prevalence rates of epilepsy in India are partly dependent on the prevalence of NCC in the given community. To some extent, this may be responsible for variable rates of epilepsy prevalence reported from different regions of the country. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To evaluate the response and safety of 'quick course' neoadjuvant chemotherapy, 30 patients with advanced squamous cell carcinoma of cervix were given cisplatin, bleomycin, and vincristine weekly for 3 courses. The response was evaluated by subjective parameters and by standard response criteria. In addition to the marked improvement in symptoms, the overall objective response was 60% with a complete pathological response of 6.6%. Tumor volume decreased significantly (p = 0.002) after chemotherapy. Patients with stage IB and 27% (3 of 11) of patients with stage II disease who became technically stage IB (stage reduction) after chemotherapy underwent surgery. Radiotherapy was given to the remaining patients. All patients tolerated the chemotherapy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Brahmi Ghrita was processed as per the process of Snehapaka procedure described in classics. It contained Brahmi (Bacopa monneri), Vacha (Acorus calamus), Kushtha (Sassurea lappa), Shankhapushpi (Convolvulos pluricalis), and Purana Ghrita. In the preparation of Brahmi Ghrita, Brahmi Swarasa, Kalka Dravya of Brahmi, Vacha, Kushtha, and Shankhapushpi were mixed in Purana Ghrita and heated for three hours at 110°C every day for three days. On the third day Ghrita was filtered to obtain the finished product. In this manner, three samples of Brahmi Ghrita were prepared. To understand the changes that occurred during the preparation, Brahmi Ghrita and Purana Ghrita were analyzed by using modern parameters such as Acid value, Saponification value, and so on. After the analysis, it was found that the Acid values of Sample A, B, and C of Brahmi Ghrita were 4.26, 4.03, and 4.03; the Saponification values of Samples A, B, and C of Brahmi Ghrita were 227.2, 230.01, and 230.01, and the Iodine values of Samples A, B, and C were 34.75, 35.88, and 35.88, respectively, and the Acid value, Saponification value, and Iodine value of Purana Ghrita were 1.57, 199.15, and 31.04, respectively. The present study revealed that, there was no significant variation in the analytical values among all three samples of Brahmi Ghrita. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Peptides are distinctive biomacromolecules that demonstrate potential cytotoxicity and diversified bioactivities against a variety of microorganisms including bacteria, mycobacteria, and fungi via their unique mechanisms of action. Among broad-ranging pharmacologically active peptides, natural marine-originated thiazole-based oligopeptides possess peculiar structural features along with a wide spectrum of exceptional and potent bioproperties. Because of their complex nature and size divergence, thiazole-based peptides (TBPs) bestow a pivotal chemical platform in drug discovery processes to generate competent scaffolds for regulating allosteric binding sites and peptide–peptide interactions. The present study dissertates on the natural reservoirs and exclusive structural components of marine-originated TBPs, with a special focus on their most pertinent pharmacological profiles, which may impart vital resources for the development of novel peptide-based therapeutic agents. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A letter to the editor is presented which reports a study that determines the prevalence and profile of seizures disorders in Chakrata block of Dehradun district in Uttarakhand state in India.