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The Western Ghats of India is recognized as one of the world’s eight “hottest hotspots” of biological diversity. Trichoderma—a well-known biocontrol agent, was explored from this hotspot. A total of 260 Trichoderma spp. isolates were studied, with 9% exhibiting strong biocontrol potential and crop growth-promoting activity. Furthermore, this study identified three novel isolates—Trichoderma caribbaeum var. caribbaeum, Trichoderma lixii, and Trichoderma brevicompactum—which are reported for the first time from the Western Ghats making a significant contribution to the field. Based on internal transcribed spacer ribosomal RNA (ITS-rRNA) and translation elongation factor 1-α (tef-1α) gene sequence analysis, molecular characterization, identified major isolates as Trichoderma koningiopsis, Trichoderma asperellum, T. caribbaeum var. caribbaeum, T. lixii, T. brevicompactum, Trichoderma atroviride, and Trichoderma erinaceum. Seed biopriming with the effective Trichoderma strain TR11 reduced the maydis leaf blight (MLB) disease index to 32.92% and improved plant growth-promoting attributes in maize. Defensive enzyme activities were increased 2.5–4.2-fold in various treatments with the TR11 isolate, along with enhanced lignification postpathogen inoculation, indicating strengthened plant defense mechanisms. The promising strain T. brevicompactum-TR11 produces secondary metabolites; among them, 5% were found to have a role in biocontrol activity such as octadecanoic acid, palmitic acid-TMS, 5-(4-nitrophenoxymethyl), furane-2-carboxaldehyde, and stearic acid-TMS, phosphoric acid-3TMS, galactopyranose, 5TMS. This study explored Trichoderma diversity in the Western Ghats of India with phylogenetic relationship, metabolomics insights, and biocontrol efficacy against MLB disease.

The initiation of the first crack mainly determines the criteria for glass failure. However, the extended consequences of cracking, with the formation of multiple cracks merging, result in fallout conditions under varying thermal loads that become more critical. Point-supported glass arrangements are globally used in high-rise and energy-efficient buildings for architectural ingenuity aimed at a low budget. However, the formation of cracks due to thermal load resulting in glass breakage could infuriate the overall fire dynamics of the enclosed area. Therefore, experimental study and prediction of glass failure become very crucial. The present experimental study focuses on finding the most critical parameter that may quantify the cause of glass failure and further breakage in fallout conditions under varying thermal loads. 45 experiments were carried out on float glass of 300 × 300 mm2 with 4 mm, 6 mm, 8 mm, 10 mm, and 12 mm with continuous fuel supply arrangements. Critical parameters analysed were the time of crack initiation, glass temperature at the time of cracking, maximum temperature difference at glass failure, and thermal strain caused by the temperature difference on the glass surface. The range of minimum and maximum temperature difference recorded on the glass surface for the present study was between 30–35°C and 55–60°C at the breakage time for all the experiments. The Maximum temperature difference measured was 56.99°C on the 12 mm glass surface, and the corresponding maximum thermal strain found was 482 × 10−6 mm/mm. The maximum heat release rate was found to be approximately 200 kW. Maximum heat flux was found in the range of 10.33 kW/m2 to 21.14 kW/m2. A correlation was also developed using the least square method for all the thicknesses, which is well correlated with the glass thickness per unit length.

Introduction: The prevalence of interstitial lung disease (ILD) is increasing. High-resolution computerized tomography (HRCT), despite having limitations, remains the choice of method for diagnosis and assessment of severity of ILD. Objective: To determine the efficacy of 6-min walk test to assess the severity of the ILD compared to HRCT. Methodology: A cross-sectional study was done among 40 patients with ILD in a tertiary hospital in Hyderabad. The data included age, gender, smoking, HRCT, 6-min walk test, spirometry, diffusion lung capacity and medical history. Mann–Whitney U test, Kruskal–Wallis test, and ROC curve were used to determine the outcomes. Results: The mean age of participants was 57.18 + 13.01 years. 62.5% never smoked. Overall, 50% had severe ILD, and the rest had mild to moderate. The distance walked per 6-min, SpO2 before and SpO2 after, was significantly lower (p = 0.001; 0.002;

Climate-induced extreme events are increasingly affecting farmers’ livelihoods through weather-related losses such as flash floods, hailstorms, and rising temperatures. In response to these challenges, the Central Government has introduced the voluntary Restructured Weather Based Crop Insurance Scheme (RWBCIS) as an effective risk management strategy. Under this scheme, farmers are required to pay a premium of 5 percent of the total compensation to avail the benefits. Apple, a major commercial crop in the north-western Himalayas, contributes 70 percent of India’s total apple production, with a significant share attributed to the Jammu and Kashmir Union Territory. This study aims to explore whether apple growers are willing to pay for RWBCIS and to identify the drivers influencing their decision to purchase such insurance products. Data were collected from 900 apple growers in the purposively selected districts of Baramulla and Budgam in Jammu and Kashmir. The findings indicate that while all farmers were willing to adopt the weather-based crop insurance scheme, the majority were unwilling to pay the current premium. The estimated mean willingness to pay (WTP) was Rs. 37.22 per tree without covariates and Rs. 17 with covariates, compared to the prevailing Rs. 53 in the neighboring state of Himachal Pradesh. Factors contributing to the low WTP included a lack of knowledge about the scheme’s modalities, basis risk, and distrust in both government and private insurance companies. The government should consider innovative methods to provide existing subsidies to achieve the targeted coverage of 25 percent of farmers under the scheme.

Introduction: Falls are an important health problem among elderly, with various consequences. The objectives of this study were to estimate 1-year incidence of falls, distribution, and severity of fall-related injuries and to determine risk factors for fall risk among the elderly population aged ≥60 years. Methods: A total of 140 urban community-dwelling participants aged ≥60 years were studied using an investigator-administered questionnaire. Short physical performance battery, chair stand test, handgrip strength, and anthropometric measurements were done. The Chi-square test was done to compare fallers and nonfallers. Logistic regression was done for independently associated risk factors. Results: One-year incidence of falls was 14.3%; 17.6% among women and 9.1% among men. Sixty percent of participants had multiple falls. Seventy-five percent of the fallers were overweight or obese. Sprain was the most common reported fall-related injury (20%), whereas 45% had no injuries. Depression (60%), osteoporosis (80%), poor activities of daily living (90%), and polypharmacy (35%) were significantly associated with falls. Osteoporosis (odds ratio: 14.89; 95% confidence interval: 1.91–115.95) was independently associated with fall risk. Conclusions: The burden of falls among urban elderly was low. The majority of the population experienced multiple falls. Since chronic diseases including osteoporosis and poor mobility were directly associated with the risk of falls, further longitudinal studies may explore the health-related and socioenvironmental risks further.

Microbial inoculants may be called magical bullets because they are small in size but have a huge impact on plant life and humans. The screening of these beneficial microbes will give us an evergreen technology to manage harmful diseases of cross-kingdom crops. The production of these crops is reducing as a result of multiple biotic factors and among them the bacterial wilt disease triggered by Ralstonia solanacearum is the most important in solanaceous crops. The examination of the diversity of bioinoculants has shown that more microbial species have biocontrol activity against soil-borne pathogens. Reduced crop output, lower yields, and greater cost of cultivation are among the major issues caused by diseases in agriculture around the world. It is universally true that soil-borne disease epidemics pose a greater threat to crops. These necessitate the use of eco-friendly microbial bioinoculants. This review article provides an overview of plant growth-promoting microorganisms bioinoculants, their various characteristics, biochemical and molecular screening insights, and modes of action and interaction. The discussion is concluded with a brief overview of potential future possibilities for the sustainable development of agriculture. This review will be useful for students and researchers to obtain existing knowledge of microbial inoculants, their activities, and their mechanisms, which will facilitate the development of environmentally friendly management strategies for cross-kingdom plant diseases.

This paper describes the effects of a magnetic field on unsteady free convection oscillatory systems. When temperature and species concentration fluctuate with time around a non-zero constant, “Couette flow” across a porous medium occurs. The system of non-linear ODEs that governs the flow is solved analytically using the perturbation approach because the amplitude of fluctuations is very tiny. Mean flow and transient velocity, transient concentration, transient temperature, heat transfer, mean skin friction and phase and amplitude of skin friction. All have approximate solutions. The influence of different parameters on flow characteristics has been specified and discussed.

Background: Oldest-old population is rapidly increasing in all countries, with many prescribed statin therapy. Statins are associated with multiple cardiovascular benefits at various ages. The benefits of statins above the age of 75 are being questioned. The objective of this study was to measure statins use among the oldest-old population, aged 80 years and above, and to study the effect of statins on cognitive function, depression, and quality of sleep. Materials and Methods: This cross-sectional study randomly enrolled 200 community-dwelling individuals aged >80 years. Data were collected upon home visits on sociodemographic, cognitive functions, depression, sleep, chronic diseases, functional limitations, and disabilities. Cognitive function (Mini Mental State Examination), depression (Geriatric Depression Scale), and quality of sleep (Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index) among individuals using statins versus not using statins were compared. Chi-square test and t-test were done; odds ratios (ORs) with 95% confidence interval (95% CI) were reported. Logistic regression was done to calculate adjusted OR with age, antidepressants, sedatives, antihistaminics, and sleep medicines. P < 0.05 was considered statistically significant. Results: Overall prevalence of statin use in our study population was 12%; 11.3% in women and 13.2% in men. Cognitive functions, depression, and quality of sleep improved among those using statins (P < 0.05): cognitive impairment – OR: 0.38; 95% CI: 0.16–0.91; depression – OR: 0.41; 95% CI: 0.17–1.02, and poor sleep quality – OR: 0.39; 95% CI: 0.16–0.96. On stratification by gender, men showed a significant association of improved cognitive function and quality of sleep with the use of statins, whereas women did not show any significant associations with cognitive function and quality of sleep but showed almost significant association with improvement in depression. Conclusions: The prevalence of the use of statins was low in our population. Statins had positive effects on cognitive functions, quality of sleep, and depression over 80 years of age in our population, although gender difference exists.

In the present paper, we have investigated partial and total electron ionization cross-sections for CFCl3 molecule from ionization threshold to 5 keV incident electron energy using a modified Jain-Khare semi-empirical approach. The present results of ionization cross-sections show good agreement with available data sets. We also have investigated the ionization rate coefficients for its partial and total ionization cross-sections. The first time we have investigated single differential cross-sections at constant incident energies and double differential cross-sections at different incident energies and different incident angles. No other data of differential cross-sections are available to date for comparison to our results.

Introduction: Neonatal sepsis is responsible for 30% to 50% of all neonatal deaths in developing countries in a year. Incidence of neonatal sepsis was reported to range between 30.7-35.9 per 1000 live births in low middle income African and Southeast Asian countries and 23% neonatal deaths occur due to neonatal sepsis. Aim: To identify the organisms isolated from various surfaces around the neonate, including body surfaces of neonate and mother, in a hospital and home environment and to estimate the incidence of Community Acquired Neonatal Sepsis (CANS) among hospital-born neonates. Materials and Methods: A cohort study was conducted in a rural area of Southern India, enrolling 100 healthy neonates, born in a rural tertiary care hospital. These neonates were then followed-up in community. Knowledge regarding antenatal and postnatal practices related to neonatal sepsis prevention was assessed. Swabs were collected from various surfaces, on the day of birth (day 1) in hospital, on day 3 and day 7 of life of the neonate, at household. The outcome measure was CANS. The data was collected by trained investigators and swabs were transported to the lab under aseptic conditions as per the standard protocol. Descriptive analysis by calculating frequencies and means were done and the data were presented as rates, proportions and mean±standard deviation. Results: Total 100 newborns were included for the analysis; 49% were males and 51% had low birth weight. Forty two neonates contracted infection in their household, of which 32 were hospitalised; none were culture confirmed sepsis. The CANS (culture negative) rate was 3.23 per 1000 live births (95% CI:0.00- 4.28; p=0.01). The common organisms isolated from different surfaces in hospital were coagulase negative Staphylococci and Klebsiella, while E.coli, Citrobacter, Acinetobacter, Pseudomonas and non-ferementers were additionally isolated from household surfaces. Caretaker’s hands showed the highest number of organisms, both in hospital (26%) and in community (12%). Conclusion: Institution born neonates followed in households showed a high prevalence (60.4%) of pathogenic organisms from various surface swabs both in institution (83%) and household (54.5%). Most common organisms isolated from different surfaces in hospital as well as home were coagulase negative Staphylococci, Klebsiella and E. coli. Staphylococcus aureus was highly prevalent in hospital compared to home.

The present study aimed at evaluating appropriate feeding strategies to obtain maximum fish production from farm ponds at low/minimum investment costs was carried out under the Tamil Nadu-Irrigated Agriculture Modernization Project financed by the World Bank. The study was carried out for 180 days at the Directorate of Sustainable Aquaculture, Thanjavur, in four, equal-sized, farm ponds with two treatments in duplicates by stocking 5 species (Catla catla, Labeo rohita, Cirrhinus mrigala, Ctenopharyngodon idella and Cyprinus carpio) in the ratio of 1:1:1:1:2. Treatment 1 (T1) involved the feeding strategy of pelleted feed with 20% CP (crude protein) broadcast twice a day whereas in Treatment 2 (T2), the same feed was provided four times a day as feed balls using feed trays. Among the five species, C. carpio (779±189.01 g) and C. mrigala (670±121.38 g) stocked in T2 attained the maximum weight. Production parameters such as gross production, net production, average daily growth rate were not significant between the treatments, however T2 showed comparatively better results than T1. Survival rate of fishes was recorded significantly higher in T1 (35.54±2.60%) than in T2 (29.6±2.36%). Nutrients such as total phosphorus, total nitrogen and total potassium were significant and highly discharged in T1 than in T2. Experiment revealed that feeding fishes in trays helped to monitor the weight gain and feed intake with reduced nutrient discharge, thereby proper feed management was obtained in T2 when compared to T1

Multiple studies have observed a relationship of bone mineral density (BMD) measured by Dual energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA) and mortality. However, areal BMD (aBMD) measured by DXA is an integrated measure of trabecular and cortical bone and does not measure the geometry of bone. Peripheral Quantitative Computed Tomography (pQCT) provides greater insights on bone structure, geometry and strength. To examine whether higher bone phenotypes and muscle density as measured by pQCT are associated with a lower all-cause mortality, we studied 245 men and 254 women (all age >60) recruited in the Mobility and Independent Living among Elders Study in rural south India. Cox proportional hazards models estimated hazard ratios (HR [95% Confidence Intervals]). After an average follow-up of 5.3 years, 73 men and 50 women died. Among men, trabecular volumetric bone mineral density (vBMD) of radius (HR per SD increase in parameter = 0.59 [0.43, 0.81]) and tibia (0.60[0.45, 0.81]), cortical vBMD of radius (0.61, [0.47, 0.79]) and tibia (0.62, [0.49, 0.79]), cortical thickness of radius (0.55, [0.42, 0.7]) and tibia (0.60, [0.47, 0.77]), polar strength strain index (SSIp) of tibia (0.73 [0.54, 0.98]), endosteal circumference of radius (1.63, [1.25, 2.12]) and tibia (1.54, [1.19, 1.98]) were associated with all-cause mortality. Muscle density (0.67, [0.51, 0.87]) was associated with lower mortality in men. Among women cortical vBMD of radius (0.64, [0.47, 0.87]) and tibia (0.60 [0.45, 0.79]), cortical thickness of radius (0.54, [0.37, 0.79]) and tibia (0.43, [0.30, 0.61]), SSIp of radius (0.70 [0.48,1.01]) and tibia (0.58 [0.37, 0.90]) and endosteal circumference of radius (1.33 [0.97, 1.82]) and tibia (1.83, [1.37, 2.45]) were associated with all-cause mortality. Among men, gait speed mediated the association of muscle density and mortality but there was no mediation for any bone parameters. Conclusion: pQCT bone measures and muscle density were independently associated with mortality among rural south Indian elders.

Bipolaris sorokiniana, a key pathogenic fungus in the wheat leaf blight complex, was the subject of research that resulted in the development of fifty-five polymorphic microsatellite markers. These markers were then used to examine genetic diversity and population structure in Indian geographical regions. The simple sequence repeat (SSR) like trinucleotides, dinucleotides, and tetranucleotides accounted for 43.37% (1256), 23.86% (691), and 16.54% (479) of the 2896 microsatellite repeats, respectively. There were 109 alleles produced by these loci overall, averaging 2.36 alleles per microsatellite marker. The average polymorphism information content value was 0.3451, with values ranging from 0.1319 to 0.5932. The loci’s Shannon diversity varied from 0.2712 to 1.2415. These 36 isolates were divided into two main groups using population structure analysis and unweighted neighbour joining. The groupings were not based on where the isolates came from geographically. Only 7% of the overall variation was found to be between populations, according to an analysis of molecular variance. The high amount of gene flow estimate (NM = 3.261 per generation) among populations demonstrated low genetic differentiation in the entire populations (FST = 0.071). The findings indicate that genetic diversity is often minimal. In order to examine the genetic diversity and population structure of the B. sorokiniana populations, the recently produced microsatellite markers will be helpful. This study’s findings may serve as a foundation for developing improved management plans for the leaf blight complex and spot blotch of wheat diseases in India.

Introduction: Lead is a toxic element used commonly in many products like lead-acid batteries, paints, toys etc. Young children are particularly vulnerable to lead poisoning because of higher absorption capacity in comparison of adults. Safe level of lead exposure has to be established yet. Literature suggests a threshold lead level of 20-40 µg/dL for a decrease in haemoglobin in children. Aim: To assess the correlation between Blood Lead Levels (BLL) and anaemia in children. Materials and Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted in a Paediatric Tertiary Care Hospital of Gwalior, Madhya Pradesh, India, during the period of May 2019 to September 2020. A 81 children between one to five years of age were included in study. Information was collected regarding general profile of the children and other parameters like socioeconomic status (Modified Kuppuswamy scale), history of pica, application of surma, type of toys used, scholastic performance and somatic symptoms. Routine blood investigations were done including Haemoglobin (Hb) and BLL through venous blood sampling. BLL were done at Defense Research and Development Establishment (DRDE) Gwalior. Data entry was done in Microsoft Office Excel 2010 and analysed using Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS) software version 21.0. Chi-square test with Yates correlation was applied and p-value

The present study was conducted to optimize the stocking density for pond fish culture. For this purpose, two different stoking densities, i.e. 18000 (T1) and 7600 per hectare (T2) were tested using earthen ponds of 0.25 ha size. Both ponds were stocked uniformly with 4 carp species, viz. Catla catla, Labeo rohita, Cirrhinus mrigala, and Cyprinus carpio in equal proportions and fed on commercial pellet feed (20% crude protein). The estimated gross production was found higher in pond T2 (4166 kg/ha) than that of T1 (4000 kg/ha). The T2 pond showed a net estimated additional yield of 187.76 kg/ha, which was 4.74% higher than that of T1 pond. A higher survival rate was observed in T2 (59.17%) than that of T1 (27.68%), which was statically significant. Further, the ADG (average daily growth) rate of fishes in T2 was 0.70 kg/ha/day higher than that of T1. The study revealed that there is an inverse relation between the stocking density of fishes and production rate. Considering the growth/production rate and survival in present study, a seed stocking density of 7600 per ha is recommended for farm pond aquaculture.

Bipolaris species are known to be important plant pathogens that commonly cause leaf spot, root rot, and seedling blight in a wide range of hosts worldwide. In 2017, complex symptomatic cases of maydis leaf blight (caused by Bipolaris maydis) and maize leaf spot (caused by Curvularia lunata) have become increasingly significant in the main maize-growing regions of India. A total of 186 samples of maydis leaf blight and 129 maize leaf spot samples were collected, in 2017, from 20 sampling sites in the main maize-growing regions of India to explore the diversity and identity of this pathogenic causal agent. A total of 77 Bipolaris maydis isolates and 74 Curvularia lunata isolates were screened based on morphological and molecular characterization and phylogenetic analysis based on ribosomal markers—nuclear ribosomal DNA (rDNA) internal transcribed spacer (ITS) region, 28S nuclear ribosomal large subunit rRNA gene (LSU), D1/D2 domain of large-subunit (LSU) ribosomal DNA (rDNA), and protein-coding gene-glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate dehydrogenase (GAPDH). Due to a dearth of molecular data from ex-type cultures, the use of few gene regions for species resolution, and overlapping morphological features, species recognition in Bipolaris has proven difficult. The present study used the multi-gene phylogenetic approach for proper identification and diversity of geographically distributed B. maydis and C. lunata isolates in Indian settings and provides useful insight into and explanation of its quantitative findings.

This study investigates the problem of finite-time boundedness of a class of neural networks of Caputo fractional order with time delay and uncertain terms. New sufficient conditions are established by constructing suitable Lyapunov functionals to ensure that the addressed fractional-order uncertain neural networks are finite-time stable. Criteria for finite-time boundedness of the considered fractional-order uncertain models are also achieved. The obtained results are based on a newly developed property of Caputo fractional derivatives, properties of Mittag–Leffler functions and Laplace transforms. In addition, examples are developed to manifest the usefulness of our theoretical results.

In this paper, we have investigated partial and total integral ionization cross sections of C2H4 molecule by Jain-Khare semiempirical approach during the electron impact. They show good agreement with available data. Besides integral ionization cross sections, the first time we have evaluated its partial and total single and double differential cross sections. No other results are available for single differential cross sections and double differential cross sections to compare the present results calculated.

North-East (NE) India, the probable origin of rice has diverse genetic resources. Many rice landraces of NE India were not yet characterized for blast resistance. A set of 232 landraces of NE India, were screened for field resistance at two different hotspots of rice blast, viz., IIRR-UBN, Hyderabad and ICAR-NEH, Manipur in two consecutive seasons. The phenotypic evaluation as well as gene profiling for 12 major blast resistance genes (Pitp, Pi33, Pi54, Pib, Pi20, Pi38, Pita2, Pi1, Piz, Pi9, Pizt, and Pi40) with linked as well as gene-specific markers, identified 84 resistant landraces possessing different gene(s) either in singly or in combinations and also identified seven resistant landraces which do not have the tested genes, indicating the valuable genetic resources for blast resistance. To understand the molecular diversity existing in the population, distance and model based analysis were performed using 120 SSR markers. Results of both analyses are highly correlated by forming two distinct subgroups and the existence of high diversity (24.9% among the subgroups; 75.1% among individuals of each subgroup) was observed. To practically utilize the diversity in the breeding program, a robust core set having an efficiency index of 0.82 which consists of 33 landraces were identified through data of molecular, blast phenotyping, and important agro-morphological traits. The association of eight novel SSR markers for important agronomic traits which includes leaf and neck blast resistance was determined using genome-wide association analysis. The current study focuses on identifying novel resources having field resistance to blast as well as markers which can be explored in rice improvement programs. It also entails the development of a core set which can aid in representing the entire diversity for efficiently harnessing its properties to broaden the gene pool of rice.

Transient signal abnormality in the splenium of corpus callosum on magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is occasionally encountered in clinical practice. It has been reported in various clinical conditions apart from patients with epilepsy. We describe 4 patients with different etiologies presenting with signal changes in the splenium of corpus callosum. They were diagnosed as having progressive myoclonic epilepsy (case 1), localization-related epilepsy (case 2), hemicrania continua (case 3), and postinfectious parkinsonism (case 4). While three patients had complete involvement of the splenium on diffusion-weighted image ("boomerang sign"), the patient having hemicrania continua showed semilunar involvement ("mini-boomerang") on T2-weighted and FLAIR image. All the cases had noncontiguous involvement of the splenium. We herein, discuss these cases with transient splenial involvement and stress that such patients do not need aggressive diagnostic and therapeutic interventions. An attempt has been made to review the literature regarding the pathophysiology, etiology, and outcome of such lesions.

Background: With i ncrease in elderly population, osteoarthritis has become major concern nowadays. Knee joint is most commonly affected joint. A number of methods have been developed in the last few years which help in treating the osteoarthritis knee, which includes non pharmacological, pharmacological and surgical methods. Among the most promising techniques with renewed interest for osteoarthritis knee with deformity is the use of high tibial osteotomy. Unicompartmental osteoarthritis knee with deformity especially in relatively younger age group (less than 60 years) constitutes the main indication. Aim: The aim of present study was to evaluate management of osteoarthritis knee by graduated open wedge high tibial osteotomy in 40-60 years age group using limb reconstruction system. Materials and Methods: Medial Opening Wedge High Tibial Osteotomy leaving the lateral cortex intact which acts as a hinge, was done in 30 patients and stabilized by Limb Reconstruction System. Distraction was started at 7th day at the rate of 1 mm/day and continued till proper alignment was achieved. Results: Medial Opening Wedge High Tibial Osteotomy stabilized by unilateral external fixator is a good method for unicompartmental osteoarthritis knee with deformity as it gives precise control over final limb alignment and its ability to perform a residual correction. Deformity correction can be quantified at the time of correction as it is not acute correction. Gradual deformity correction can be done over time by distraction histogenesis with the help of unilateral external fixator. It is also a good method in young patients requiring large correction. Conclusion: Medial Opening Wedge High Tibial Osteotomy is having many benefits over closed wedge osteotomy and stabilization by unilateral external fixator also has its added benefits. It is less invasive, no internal hardware present and safer in terms of neurovascular complications.

This report details the successful prosthetic rehabilitation of a 25-year-old male patient with Papillon Lefèvre Syndrome (PLS) using an implant-supported hybrid prosthesis. Six implants were placed in the maxilla, and four were placed in the mandibular arch. All implants were inserted axially (non-tilted) and were planned to be loaded after a healing period of 6 months. One implant failed due to graft loss during the healing phase, which was removed and the remaining implants were restored with a hybrid prosthesis after 6 months, using the delayed loading protocol. The patient was followed-up for four years and all the remaining implants successfully integrated and remained fully functional during this period. The prosthesis significantly improved the functional, aesthetic, and psychological well-being of the patient. This case report is the first of its kind to use only four axially placed implants for rehabilitation of a PLS patient with a successful four-year follow-up. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Graph theory is one of the most essential parts in mathematics, where many practical problems are represented as different graphs and solved by graph-based algorithms. Among various techniques in graph theory, graph coloring is a widely used technique for solving real-world problems such as scheduling, security, waste management, image segmentation, register allocation, and puzzle-related problems. In this article, a novel fuzzy graph theory-based approach is proposed on image segmentation. Our proposed approach includes an improved optimal balanced histogram thresholding (IOBHT) method for gray-scale to binary image conversion, image representation based on fuzzy graph theory (FGT), and image segmentation using Widgerson's coloring algorithm (WCA). This efficient image segmentation methodology is implemented in MATLAB and the experimental results from simulation shows that the proposed approach can minimize the computational time and improve the accuracy of image segmentation. Comparative analysis demonstrates that the proposed algorithm outperforms other existing algorithms. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The problem of three dimensional unsteady convection flow through a porous medium, with effect of mass transfer bounded by an infinite vertical porous plate is discussed, when the suction at the plate is transverse sinusoidal and the plate temperature oscillates in time about a constant mean. Assuming the free stream velocity to be uniform, approximate solutions are obtained for the flow field, the temperature field, the skin-friction and the rate of heat transfer. The dependence of solution on Pr (Prandtl number), Gr (Grashof number based on temperature), Gc (modified Grashof number based on concentration difference), Sc (Schimdt number), the frequency and the permeability parameter is also investigated. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]