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This research paper explores the evolution of voting systems, assessing vulnerabilities in traditional methods and investigating blockchain technology as a solution. Traditional voting systems encounter challenges concerning security, transparency, and accessibility, prompting a transition towards blockchain-based online voting. Blockchain, originating from cryptocurrencies, decentralizes control, thereby enhancing transparency, integrity, and security in elections. Real-world case studies from Estonia and West Virginia offer insights into implementation and successes. Ethical considerations, including privacy and consent, alongside societal impacts like inclusivity and democratization, are scrutinized. The proposed blockchain-based voting system prioritizes decentralization, tamper resistance, and interoperability. Security measures incorporate cryptographic techniques and multi-factor authentication. Transparency is assured through a publicly accessible blockchain ledger, facilitating an auditable voting process. The paper addresses challenges like voter accessibility and election anonymity, proposing mitigation strategies. Future directions entail integrating blockchain with AI and machine learning for interoperability and standardization. Collaboration among policymakers, technologists, and researchers is pivotal for advocating secure, transparent, and accessible blockchain-based voting systems, with the goal of fostering globally participatory elections. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Through social media platforms and the internet, the world is becoming more and more connected, and producing enormous amounts of data. Also, the texts are collected from social media, newspapers, user reviews of products, company press releases, etc. The correctness of the classification is mainly dependent on the kind of words utilised in the corpus and the features utilised for classification. Hence, due to the increasing growth of text data on the Internet, the accurate organisation and management of text data has become a great challenge. Hence, in this research, an effective Invasive Weed Tunicate Swarm Optimization-based Hierarchical Attention Network (IWTSO-based HAN) is implemented for achieving categorisation of text. Here, the features are mined from the text and thereby the optimal features are acquired to perform the classification strategy. The incorporation of parametric features of each optimisation ensures the proposed method to increase the convergence of global solutions by improving the categorisation effectiveness. The proposed method obtained better performance for text classification with measures, like accuracy, True Positive Rate (TRP), True Negative Rate (TNR), precision, and False Negative Rate (FNR) with values of 92.4%, 92.4%, 94.1%, 95.4%, and 0.0758. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Polysaccharide-based nanoparticles have garnered significant attention in recent years due to their unique properties and diverse applications in the biomedical field. These nanoparticles are fabricated from natural polysaccharides, such as chitosan, alginate, cellulose, starch, and hyaluronic acid, which offer inherent biocompatibility, biodegradability, and low toxicity, making them attractive candidates for drug delivery, imaging, and tissue engineering. This abstract provides a comprehensive overview of the synthesis, properties, and biomedical applications of polysaccharide-based nanoparticles. The synthesis methods encompass both chemical and physical approaches, including emulsification, nanoprecipitation, ionic gelation, and self-assembly techniques. These methods allow for precise control over nanoparticle size, shape, and surface characteristics, which directly impact their functionality and performance in various applications. Furthermore, polysaccharide-based nanoparticles find utility in medical imaging, providing contrast agents for enhanced diagnostic accuracy and disease monitoring. Additionally, they hold immense potential in tissue engineering, facilitating scaffold fabrication and promoting tissue regeneration through controlled release of growth factors and bioactive molecules. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Drought stress remains one of the most detrimental environmental constraints that hampers plant growth and development resulting in reduced yield and leading to economic losses. Studies have highlighted the beneficial role of carbon-based nanomaterials (NMs) such as multiwalled carbon nanotubes (MWNTs), single-walled carbon nanotubes (SWNTs), graphene, fullerene, and metal-based nanoparticles (NPs) (Ag, Au, Cu, Fe2O3, TiO2, and ZnO) in plants under unfavorable conditions such as drought. NPs help plants cope with drought by improving plant growth indices and enhancing biomass. It improves water and nutrient uptake and utilization. It helps retain water by altering the cell walls and regulating stomatal closure. The photosynthetic parameters in NP-treated plants reportedly improved with the increase in pigment content and rate of photosynthesis. Due to NP exposure, the activation of enzymatic and nonenzymatic antioxidants has reportedly improved. These antioxidants play a significant role in the defense system against stress. Studies have reported the accumulation of osmolytes and secondary metabolites. Osmolytes scavenge reactive oxygen species, which can cause oxidative stress in plants. Secondary metabolites are involved in the water retention process, thus improving plant coping strategies with stress. The deleterious effects of drought stress are alleviated by reducing malondialdehyde resulting from lipid peroxidation. Reactive oxygen species accumulation is also controlled with NP treatment. Furthermore, NPs have been reported to regulate the expression of drought-responsive genes and the biosynthesis of phytohormones such as abscisic acid, auxin, gibberellin, and cytokinin, which help plants defend against drought stress. This study reviewed 72 journal articles from 192 Google Scholar, ScienceDirect, and PubMed papers. In this review, we have discussed the impact of NP treatment on morphological, physio-biochemical, and molecular responses in monocot and dicot plants under drought conditions with an emphasis on NP uptake, transportation, and localization. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The use of Spinal Anaethesia in Pediatric patient is still practiced with apprehension at most of the centers. With increasing reservations of practicing general anaestheia with respect to later cognitive functions, spinal anaesthesia is definitely a better alternative. We share the management of two anticipated difficult airway cases using the neuraxial block. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: A good work life balance is essential for the employees of any organization because it emphasize on balancing the personal and professional life. However there is scarcity of studies focusing work-life balance of defense force employees in India. Aims & Objectives: The present study explores the Work-Life Balance and Occupational Stress of the Non-Gazetted Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) Jawans. The main objective behind conducting this study is to investigate the relationship between Work Life Balance and Occupational Stress among the Non-Gazetted CRPF Jawans. Methods: The present study is a quantitative cross-sectional study based on data collected from 354 non-gazetted officers of 148th battalion in Chandauli, Uttar Pradesh, India. Data was collected from after receiving written consent from the respondents. A semi-structured questionnaire was designed to collect the data which included questions related to socio-demographic characteristics, 13 self-developed questions related to work life balance and 46 items Occupational Stress scale developed by Srivastava & Singh. Result: Most of the CRPF Jawans had moderate occupational stress and high work-life balance. The study found moderate negative correlation between Work Life Balance score and Occupational Stress score among the non-gazetted CRPF Jawans. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Through social media platforms and the internet, the world is becoming more and more connected, and producing enormous amounts of data. Also, the texts are collected from social media, newspapers, user reviews of products, company press releases, etc. The correctness of the classification is mainly dependent on the kind of words utilised in the corpus and the features utilised for classification. Hence, due to the increasing growth of text data on the Internet, the accurate organisation and management of text data has become a great challenge. Hence, in this research, an effective Invasive Weed Tunicate Swarm Optimization-based Hierarchical Attention Network (IWTSO-based HAN) is implemented for achieving categorisation of text. Here, the features are mined from the text and thereby the optimal features are acquired to perform the classification strategy. The incorporation of parametric features of each optimisation ensures the proposed method to increase the convergence of global solutions by improving the categorisation effectiveness. The proposed method obtained better performance for text classification with measures, like accuracy, True Positive Rate (TRP), True Negative Rate (TNR), precision, and False Negative Rate (FNR) with values of 92.4%, 92.4%, 94.1%, 95.4%, and 0.0758. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

One of the effectual text classification approaches for learning extensive information is incremental learning. The big issue that occurs is enhancing the accuracy, as the text is comprised of a large number of terms. In order to address this issue, a new incremental text classification approach is designed using the proposed hybrid optimization algorithm named the Henry Fuzzy Competitive Multi-verse Optimizer (HFCVO)-based Deep Maxout Network (DMN). Here, the optimal features are selected using Invasive Weed Tunicate Swarm Optimization (IWTSO), which is devised by integrating Invasive Weed Optimization (IWO) and the Tunicate Swarm Algorithm (TSA), respectively. The incremental text classification is effectively performed using the DMN, where the classifier is trained utilizing the HFCVO. Nevertheless, the developed HFCVO is derived by incorporating the features of Henry Gas Solubility Optimization (HGSO) and the Competitive Multi-verse Optimizer (CMVO) with fuzzy theory. The proposed HFCVO-based DNM achieved a maximum TPR of 0.968, a maximum TNR of 0.941, a low FNR of 0.032, a high precision of 0.954, and a high accuracy of 0.955. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: In India, a national program for stroke (national programme for the control of cardiovascular diseases, diabetes, cancer, and stroke) and stroke management guidelines exist. Its successful implementation would need an organized system of stroke care in practice. However, many challenges exist including lack of awareness, prehospital notification systems, stroke ready hospitals, infrastructural weaknesses, and rehabilitation. We present here a protocol to investigate the feasibility and fidelity of implementing a uniform stroke care pathway in medical colleges of India. Methods and Analysis: This is a multicentric, prospective, multiphase, mixed-method, quasi-experimental implementation study intended to examine the changes in a select set of stroke care-related indicators over time within the sites exposed to the same implementation strategy. We shall conduct process evaluation of the implementation process as well as evaluate the effect of the implementation strategy using the interrupted time series design. During implementation phase, education and training about standard stroke care pathway will be provided to all stakeholders of implementing sites. Patient-level outcomes in the form of modified Rankin Scale score will be collected for all consecutive patients throughout the study. Process evaluation outcomes will be collected and reported in the form of various stroke care indicators. We will report level and trend changes in various indicators during the three study phases. Discussion: Acute stroke requires timely detection, management, and secondary prevention. Implementation of the uniform stroke care pathway is a unique opportunity to promote the requirements of homogenous stroke care in medical colleges of India. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The prior studies reflected that eWOM has significant positive impact on different marketing outcomes but study of impact of eWOM on online purchase intention is comparatively a less explored area. Prior research has demonstrated a strong influence of eWOM on consumers. However, it is not known whether individuals react differently to eWOM when it concerns branded products rather than unbranded products. This paper therefore examines the impact of branded and unbranded electronic products on consumers’ reaction towards positive and negative eWOM. The study is conducted to highlight the customer preference of branded and unbranded electronic products by reviewing eWOM patterns online in Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh region. The current study is limited to the sample size of 150 customers who purchased electronic products online. The study depicts that both the perception level as well as behavioural level show that eWOM has a stronger influence on purchase intention for unbranded electronic products as compared to branded electronic products. At a perception level negative messages are seen as more negative when concerning branded electronic products rather than unbranded electronic products. Thus, the role of eWOM in selecting branded and unbranded electronic products in online context is examined in the paper. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: Microbial synthesis of carotenoids has gained interest as an alternative to synthetic carotenoid production due to its easy extraction and high yield. The current study investigates the usability of fruit and vegetable waste- 'mandi' waste and agricultural waste as growth medium for carotenoid production by different isolated yeast strains. Methods: In this study, five isolated yeast strains were identified which were able to utilize C5 and C6 sugars. These yeast strains were compared for their carotenoid production and growth properties when cultivated in inexpensive growth media such as, vegetable 'mandi'-waste and paddy straw hydrolysate (agricultural waste). During the cultivation, optical density (600 nm), cell weight (wet biomass and dry biomass), total sugar and reducing sugar in selected culture media were determined at different time intervals. The microbial carotenoids were extracted in DMSO (Dimethyl sulfoxide) and were finally transferred to hexane for separation by liquid–liquid extraction. Results: Using 'mandi'-waste hydrolysate (waste extract), the strains gave best results with biomass ranging from 29 ± 0.18 to 54 ± 0.14 g/L and the maximum carotenoid produced ranged between 38 ± 0.8 and 62 ± 0.93 mg/L. Conclusion: Based on our results, 'Mandi' waste hydrolysate was found to be the most potent source for carotenoid production. This report provides a suitable bioprocess for the production of yeast-carotenoids, using vegetable 'mandi' waste (waste extract) and agricultural waste hydrolysates (paddy straw hydrolysate) via sustainable and cost-effective strategy that may be scaled up in future. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A very special type of pneumonic disease that generated the COVID‐19 pandemic was first identified in Wuhan, China in December 2019 and is spreading all over the world. The ongoing outbreak presents a challenge for data scientists to model COVID‐19, when the epidemiological characteristics of the COVID‐19 are yet to be fully explained. The uncertainty around the COVID‐19 with no vaccine and effective medicine available until today create additional pressure on the epidemiologists and policy makers. In such a crucial situation, it is very important to predict infected cases to support prevention of the disease and aid in the preparation of healthcare service. In this paper, we have tried to understand the spreading capability of COVID‐19 in India taking into account of the lockdown period. The numbers of confirmed cases are increased in India and states in the past few weeks. A differential equation based simple model has been used to understand the pattern of COVID‐19 in India and some states. Our findings suggest that the physical distancing and lockdown strategies implemented in India are successfully reducing the spread and that the tempo of pandemic growth has slowed in recent days. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The novel coronavirus (SARS-CoV-2) infection, more commonly referred to as COVID-19, has rapidly developed into a worldwide pandemic with a significant health burden. At the time of this research there are no approved pharmacological treatments or preventative therapeutic strategies in place to combat the infection. However, globally, hundreds of clinical studies that aim to discover effective COVID-19 treatments are ongoing. This article summarises the rationale behind several of these interventional trials, including evidence from in vitro studies, and early results to provide an insight into the global response. As patients are being enrolled in clinical trials across the UK, some of the safety and practical considerations for the investigational medicines that pharmacists are most likely to encounter in practice are discussed as part of this review. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Initiation of type 1 diabetes (T1D) is marked by the infiltration of plasmacytoid dendritic cells (pDCs) and monocytes in pancreatic islets. Dying beta cells release self-DNA, which forms complexes with antimicrobial peptide, LL37, and its delayed clearance can activate pDCs and monocytes. Here, we studied the phenotypic effects of DNA-LL37 complexes on pDCs and monocytes in 55 recently diagnosed T1D and 25 healthy control (HC) subjects. Following in vitro stimulation with DNA-LL37 complexes, T1D group demonstrated higher frequency and mean fluorescence intensity (MFI) of pDCs expressing IFN-α. Similarly, the monocytes in T1D group showed an increase in MFI of IFN-α. Post-stimulation, an increase in the antigen presentation and co-stimulatory ability of pDCs and monocytes was observed in T1D group, as indicated by higher expression of HLA-DR, CD80 and CD86. Upon co-culture, the stimulated monocytes and pDCs, particularly in the T1D group were able to further activate autologous CD4 + T cells, with increase in expression of CD69 and CD71. Finally, in a transwell assay, the stimulated pDCs and monocytes induced an increase in apoptosis of 1.1B4 beta cells. Additionally, we observed reduced expression of indoleamine 2,3-dioxygenase 1 (IDO1) in pDCs and monocytes of T1D subjects. Our results suggest that DNA-LL37 complexes activate pDCs and monocytes towards a proinflammatory phenotype during pathogenesis of T1D. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Millions of people in the world depend on traditional medicinal plants for treatment of many diseases. They have curative properties due to presence of various complex chemical substances of different composition, which are found as secondary plant metabolites in one or more parts of these plants. These plant metabolites according to their composition are grouped as flavonoids, tannins, alkaloids, saponins etc. Guiera senegalensis(Gs), which grows in abundance in semi-desert area of Western Africa such as Nigeria, has been used for treating specific diseases and wounds. The study is carried out to investigate the phytochemical analysis, toxicity, and the antifungal activity of Gs leaves extract. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

As a replacement to existing fossil fuels, biofuels, have proven their worth; however, their widespread use is limited due to inconsistent yields, higher costs and poor productivity. An oleaginous yeast, Rhodosporidium toruloides has been reported to accumulate substantial amounts of lipids (that can be converted to biofuels) and therefore, it was selected for study and optimization. Apart from lipids, R. toruloides is also reported to produce carotene that can be used as a therapeutic agent. In this study, the culture medium was statistically modeled and optimized for concomitant production of lipids and carotenoids and for improving and maximizing the productivity of lipids as well as carotenes. The two metabolites were expressed differentially in the growth cycle of the organism. Culture medium components were simultaneously varied at five different levels using statistical modeling employing response surface methodology (RSM). Osmotic stress was introduced in order to simulate saline conditions and optimize the carotenoid as well as lipid production process, to be used in conditions with high salt contents. We observed a 10% (w/v) increase in carotenoid production in initial experiments under osmotic stress due to high salt concentration, while the increase in lipid synthesis was not pronounced. In this study, we demonstrate 36.2% (w/v) lipid production and 27.2% (w/v) carotenoid production, under osmotic stress with high salt concentrations, for the first time. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The author discusses the state of mass media in China under the leadership of the country's President Xi Jinping of the Chinese Communist Party (CCP). It explores the control over media and its use for propaganda and spreading the government agenda and restricting public disclosure. Also discussed are the crackdown on the freedom of reporting under the leadership of President Xi, the Internet use policy, and adoption of anti-terror law.

Plants evolve a strategy to survive the attacks of potential pathogens by inducing the microbial signal molecules. In this study, plant defence responses were induced in four different varieties of Arachis hypogaea (J-11, GG-20, TG-26 and TPG41) using the fungal components of Sclerotium rolfsii in the form of fungal culture filtrate (FCF) and mycelial cell wall (MCW), and the levels of defence-related signal molecule salicylic acid (SA), marker enzymes such as peroxidase (POX), phenylalanine ammonia lyase (PAL), β-1,3-glucanase and lignin were determined. There was a substantial fold increase in POX, PAL, SA, β-1,3-glucanase and lignin content in FCF- and MCW-treated plants of all varieties of groundnut when compared to that of control plants. The enzyme activities were much higher in FCF-treated plants than in MCW-treated plants. The increase in fold activity of enzymes and signal molecule varied between different varieties. These results indicate that the use of fungal components (FCF and MCW) had successfully induced systemic resistance in the four different varieties of groundnut plants against Sclerotium rolfsii. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Objective: To compare the efficacy and adverse effects of sublingual misoprostol, intravenous oxytocin, and intravenous methylergometrine in active management of the third stage of labor (AMTSL). Methods: A double-blind randomized trial of 300 women with a healthy singleton pregnancy allocated into 4 groups to receive either: 400 µg or 600 µg of sublingual misoprostol, 5 IU of intravenous oxytocin, or 200 µg of intravenous methylergometrine. The primary outcome measure was blood loss in the third and fourth stage of labor; secondary measures were duration of the third stage of labor, changes in hemoglobin levels, and adverse effects. Results: Patients who received 600 µg of misoprostol had the lowest blood loss (96.05±21.1 mL), followed by 400 µg of misoprostol (126.24±49.3 mL), oxytocin (154.7±45.7 mL), and methylergometrine (223.4±73.7 mL) (P <0.01). Shortest mean duration of the third stage of labor (5.74 minutes) was with 600 µg of misoprostol, while methylergometrine had the longest (6.83 minutes) (P <0.05). Pyrexia was observed in the misoprostol groups, and raised blood pressure in the methylergometrine group (P <0.001). The 24-hour postpartum hemoglobin level was similar among the groups (P >0.05). Conclusion: Administration of 600 µg of sublingual misoprostol was more effective than 400 µg of misoprostol, intravenous oxytocin, and intravenous methylergometrine for AMTSL. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

In this article author discusses the changed dynamics in the Taiwan-mainland China relations under the current Kuomintang (KMT) government of Taiwan led by Ma Ying-Jeou and the mainland's President Hu Jintao. He comments on the positive developments that led to the warm relations which include signing of several economic deals, and increased interaction between the two peoples across the Taiwan Strait. Also mentioned is the implication of such peaceful status quo situation on U.S.-Taiwan and India-Taiwan relations.

Premature ovarian failure (POF), that is, amenorrhea before 40 years of age can be attributed to a variety of etiologies. Approximately 1% of women before 30 years are diagnosed with POF. Spontaneous ovulation leading to pregnancy in POF is even a rarer entity. We report a case where congenital malformations were diagnosed in a fetus following spontaneous ovulation in a case of POF. A 33-year-old woman presented to our center with primary infertility. On complete work up, she was diagnosed with POF and conceived with hormone replacement therapy and donor oocyte program. She delivered a healthy female baby through caesarean section. The patient reviewed later with amenorrhea of 40 days and pregnancy was confirmed. However, during antenatal follow-up congenital anomalies in fetus were diagnosed sonographically. The decision for termination of pregnancy was taken. To conclude, we recommend large-scale retrospective analysis that would define medical guidelines in cases of pregnancy following spontaneous ovulation in POF. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Upon publication of this article [1], the authors realized that one of the coauthor name was accedentally deleted during the review process and not presented in the original version of the article. The coauthor Dr. Ram Prasad should be listed as fifth author. The corrected author group is published with this erratum. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Vegetable 'mandi' (road-side vegetable market) waste was converted to a suitable fermentation medium for cultivation of oleaginous yeast Rhodosporidium toruloides by steaming under pressure. This cultivation medium derived from waste was found to be a comparatively better source of nutrients than standard culture media because it provided more than one type of usable carbon source(s) to yeast. Results: HPLC results showed that the extract contained glucose, xylose and glycerol along with other carbon sources, allowing triauxic growth pattern with preferably usage of glucose, xylose and glycerol resulting in enhanced growth, lipid and carotenoid production. Presence of saturated and unsaturated fatty acid methyl esters (FAMEs) (C14-20) in the lipid profile showed that the lipid may be transesterified for biodiesel production. Conclusion: Upscaling these experiments to fermenter scale for the production of lipids and biodiesel and other industrially useful products would lead to waste management along with the production of value added commodities. The technique is thus environment friendly and gives good return upon investment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study investigated the potential of oleaginous yeast Rhodosporidium toruloides strain (ATCC20409) for the sustainable production of microbial lipids as biodiesel feedstock and other economically important fatty acids in comparison to algal or plant-based biodiesel. The strain exhibited high lipid content (76% of dry cell weight biomass) through consolidated bioprocessing which was transesterified to produce biodiesel. Physico-chemical properties of the biodiesel produced showed that they were in accordance with ASTM standards, although few parameters such as acid value, calorific value and free fatty acid value differed to some extent, as also reported in plant-based/microalgal biodiesel. Fatty acid methyl esters analysis of biodiesel showed 50.18% unsaturated fatty acid and 49.81% saturated fatty acid. Total content of (monounsaturated fatty acid) MUFA was higher than (polyunsaturated fatty acid) PUFA, being 44.36% and 2.69%, respectively. Considering the yield and cost, lipid extracted from R. toruloides may become a promising alternative feed in biodiesel production. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]