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This article examines the critical role of life insurance in India's economic development, focusing on its growth, contributions, and challenges. The life insurance sector in India has experienced significant expansion due to government initiatives like the Pradhan Mantri Jan Dhan Yojana (PMJDY) and Pradhan Mantri Jeevan Jyoti Bima Yojana (PJJBY), which have improved market penetration and accessibility. Key findings include the importance of a robust regulatory framework, the impact of financial inclusion, and the necessity of enhancing public awareness and trust. The study also highlights future research directions, such as exploring technological innovations, evaluating government schemes, and understanding consumer behavior. The article concludes by emphasizing the sector's role in fostering financial stability and economic growth, while addressing ongoing challenges and identifying opportunities for further development. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background/objective: The complex interplay between adiposity, bone health and cardiometabolic risk (CMR) factors is unclear in Indian children. We aimed to investigate the mediating role of number of CMR factors on the relationship between fat % and bone mineral content (BMC) % in South Indian children aged 5–16 years. Subjects and methods: Healthy children (n = 317), from India, underwent anthropometric, blood biochemistry, blood pressure, along with body composition and BMC assessments using Dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry. Based on the number of CMR factors, children were categorised into three groups: 0, 1 and ≥ 2. Analysis of variance was used to compare the parameters between the CMR groups and mediation analysis was performed to examine if the number of CMR factors mediated the relationship between fat % and BMC %. Results: The prevalence of 0, 1 and ≥ 2 CMR factors was 42.3%, 33.9% and 23.9% respectively; mean BMC % was lowest in ≥ 2 CMR group. In the whole group, BMC % had significant negative correlation with fat % (r = −0.68, p < 0.0001) and positive correlation with lean % (r = 0.64, p < 0.0001). Adjusted for age and sex, results suggested significant mediating effect of number of CMR factors on the relationship between fat % and BMC % (Average Causal Mediation Effects =−0.002, bootstrapped 95% CI: −0.0039, −0.0001, p < 0.01), but losing significance when adjusted for co-variates. Conclusion: Number of CMR factors mediates the relationship between fat % and BMC % in Indian children. Further studies are needed to confirm these findings, understand mechanisms and plan appropriate strategies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background/Objectives: Two compartment (2 C) models of body composition, including Air Displacement Plethysmography (ADP) and Deuterium Dilution (DD), assume constant composition of fat-free mass (FFM), while 3-compartment (3 C) model overcomes some of these assumptions; studies are limited in infants. The objective of the present study is to compare 3 C estimates of body composition in 6-mo. old infants from Australia, India, and South Africa, including FFM density and hydration, compare with published literature and to evaluate agreement of body composition estimates from ADP and DD. Methods: Body volume and water were measured in 176 healthy infants using ADP and DD. 3C-model estimates of fat mass (FM), FFM and its composition were calculated, compared between countries (age and sex adjusted) and with published literature. Agreement between estimates from ADP and DD were compared by Bland–Altman and correlation analyses. Results: South African infants had significantly higher % FM (11.5%) and density of FFM compared to Australian infants. Australian infants had significantly higher % FFM (74.7 ± 4.4%) compared to South African infants (71.4 ± 5.0) and higher FFMI (12.7 ± 0.8 kg/m2) compared to South African (12.3 ± 1.2 kg/m2) and Indian infants (11.9 ± 1.0 kg/m2). FFM composition of present study differed significantly from literature. Pooled three country estimates of FM and FFM were comparable between ADP and DD; mean difference of −0.05 (95% CI: −0.64, +0.55) kg and +0.05 (95% CI: −0.55, +0.64) kg. Conclusions: 3C-model estimates of body composition in infants differed between countries; future studies are needed to confirm these findings and investigate causes for the differences. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The complete set of five Earth Orientation Parameters (EOP) can only be estimated accurately using geodetic Very Long Baseline Interferometry (VLBI). Their precision and accuracy depends on network geometry and station-dependent properties. Atmospheric turbulence poses one of the largest error sources for geodetic VLBI, impacting the precision of EOP. Thus, it becomes imperative to consider this factor while choosing the optimal locations for geodetic VLBI. The magnitude of tropospheric turbulence is approximated through the refractive index structure constant, C n 2 . In this study, we simulate the optimal locations for geodetic VLBI in India, considering individual tropospheric turbulence parameters per telescope location. The study identifies 14 potential VLBI stations, co-located with GPS stations and homogeneously distributed all over India, and computes the C n values from zenith wet delay variances over 24 h obtained from GPS data. These locations are simulated in addition to three different reference networks, which show the current and future VLBI Global Observing System (VGOS) networks. Multiple schedules have been generated and simulated for each configuration using VieSched++, and the precision of EOP is compared when constant and station-specific tropospheric turbulence parameters are used. The study shows that, for the investigated networks, southern stations are optimal for polar motion and celestial pole offsets estimation, whereas an eastern station is optimal for UT1−UTC estimation. Furthermore, the study highlights that for reference networks with fewer stations, utilizing station-specific C n values significantly influences the determination of optimal locations. It further demonstrates how station-specific C n values impact the positioning of VGOS telescopes in each network for each EOP differently. The findings show that higher C n values generally lead to a degradation in EOP precision. Geometrically, a station might be at a good location, but if the C n value is too high, that location is not favorable. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Hydrogeology Journal is the property of Springer Nature and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Copyright of Hydrogeology Journal is the property of Springer Nature and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Concerns about a sustainable environment are increasing and have attained significant attention among policy experts worldwide. Therefore, the current research investigated to what extent financial innovations, green energy, and economic growth impacted Indian transport-based carbon (TCO2) emissions from 1990 to 2018. This research applied quantile autoregressive distributed lag (QARDL) model and the Wald test for parameter consistency. The QARDL approach proves valuable as it illustrates the causal patterns across different quantiles of financial innovations, green energy, economic growth, and environmental degradation. It offers a more comprehensive understanding of the overall relationships among these variables, which conventional methods such as ARDL and OLS often overlook. The outcomes reveal that financial innovation and green energy negatively affect TCO2 emissions, suggesting that transportation sector emissions will likely decline because of a rise in green energy and financial innovation. In contrast, GDP positively affects TCO2 emissions which deteriorate the environment. Furthermore, the findings of GDP2 found significant and negative effects on TCO2 for all quantiles, affirming the inverse U-shaped curve for the Indian economy. Overall, the study suggests that Indian governments should promote the development of green financial innovation and focus their priorities on sustainable energy to attain carbon neutrality and sustainable development goals. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Plastic is valued for its flexibility to be utilized in different applications, yet it poses a significant threat to our environment because of mismanaged plastic waste. India's compound annual growth of plastic consumption has been around 7% for a decade. Despite this significant growth, there has not been a comprehensive study of Indian plastic flows since 2000. This work presents a 20-year update, detailing plastic production, consumption by all plastic types and sectors, and the overall material flow for 2018–19 to fill the gap in the data on post-consumer plastic flows. The analysis reveals a total plastic production of 19.3 Mt, 22% of which is Polyethylene as the most wildly used plastic. The total mass of plastic in products distributed in various applications is 23.9 Mt. Key sectors for plastic consumption are Packaging (30%), Textiles (17%), and Buildings and Construction (16%). Plastic waste generation is 15.5 Mt, primarily from packaging and textiles. Only 13% of this plastic gets recycled, 46% is mismanaged, and the rest incinerated or dumped. The study's unique nationwide, mass-balanced, transparent approach offers a rigorous reference point for decision-makers. Yet, the lack of reliable data is the main barrier to design, implement, and monitor of policy interventions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Cities suffering water scarcity are projected to increase in the following decades. However, the application of standardized indicator frameworks for assessing urban water resource management problems is on an early stage. India is expected to have the highest urban population facing water scarcity in the world by 2050. In this study, the authors assess how the Drivers-Pressures-States-Impacts-Responses framework, a causal framework adopted by the European Environment Agency, can contribute to evaluate water management challenges in cities and apply it to Chennai, India´s fourth-largest urban agglomeration. The framework proved to be a helpful tool for the evaluation of water management challenges in cities by disentangling relationships between environmental indicators and structuring dispersed data that allows a better understanding for policymakers. The main drivers identified in Chennai were population growth and economic development which generated impacts such as loss of aquatic ecosystems, low water table, low water quality, and reduction of biodiversity and human health. As a response, better urban planning, projects for new water infrastructure, and water bodies restoration have been implemented. Nevertheless, Chennai keeps facing difficulties to achieve proper water management. The severe hit of the COVID-19 pandemic on the Indian economy and its future management will be key for achievements related to water management. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives: To explore the magnitude of sex bias and determinants of treatment abandonment (TA) in childhood cancer in India. Methods: Individual data of children (0–19 y) registered between January 1, 2017 and July 31, 2022, was compiled. TA was defined as defaulting curative intent treatment ≥4 wk. Defaulting treatment irrespective of intent ≥4 wk was defined as Treatment Default (TD). The primary outcome was the proportion of male-to-female children with TA. Secondary outcomes included the proportion of male-to-female children with upfront TA, TA at relapse, TD, TD-p (TD only in the palliative setting). The impact of clinico-demographic factors on TA was analysed using multivariable regression and propensity score matching (PSM). Results: Three thousand two hundred eighty four patients were analysed. The overall male-to-female ratio (MFR) was 2.08 (95% CI 1.94–2.24). Of 2906 patients treated with curative intent, 415 (14·3%) abandoned treatment. TA was higher in females than males (16·4% vs. 13·3%; p = 0·022) with adjusted MFR of 0·81 (0·66–0·98). The adjusted MFR of TA for treatment-naïve and relapsed patients and TD were 0·73 (0·59–0·91), 1·13 (0·65–1·96) and 0·84 (0·71–1·00) respectively. Sex independently predicted TA on multivariable analysis. However, on PSM analysis including socio-economic variables, lower maternal education predicted higher TA in children with cancer (10·1% vs. 6%, p = 0·015). Conclusions: Child sex predicted TA in childhood cancer in India with more females abandoning treatment. Maternal education is a more crucial factor predicting TA over child sex, when socio-economic factors were considered. Hence, policies promoting female education and gender equality may mitigate sex-based gaps in childhood cancer care. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Usually non-pathogenic in immunocompetent individuals, mucormycosis is an aggressive, angio-invasive fungus. It is a rare, opportunistic infection belonging to the zygomycete family. The second wave of COVID-19 saw the emergence of a more dangerous and a potentially deadly invasive fungal sinusitis evolving in rhino-cerebral mucormycosis thus compounding and complicating the pandemic. Alarming and exponential rise in the number of cases of rhino-cerebral mucormycosis in India versus the rest of the world when the treatment protocols essentially remained the same needs to be probed scientifically along with its prompt management. Here an attempt has been made to explore this in the study of 50 cases of rhino-cerebral mucormycosis. This study aims to explore the cause and extension of the disease along with its treatment and outcome in 50 cases of post COVID rhino-cerebral mucormycosis. Results: This is a retrospective cohort study conducted on 50 patients with post COVID-19 invasive mucormycosis of the paranasal sinuses with extension to surrounding structure visiting Otorhinolaryngology department at Acharya Vinoba Bhave Rural Hospital, Wardha. Among 50 patients, 86% males in 4th to 7th decade with mean age of 51.08 years. Large majority had mild–moderate severity on high-resolution computed tomography thorax with 84% having uncontrolled diabetes and 18% newly diagnosed diabetic cases. Seventy-two percent had history of steroid intake for COVID-19 management. Maxillary sinus was most commonly involved sinus in 94% cases while 32% had commonest extra nasal spread hard palate. Seventy-eight percent of the post operated mucormycosis cases are alive with no recurrence, 8% are alive and had recurrence of the disease while 14% resulted in death. Conclusion: Effective management and control of the infection can be achieved with the use of strong antibiotics, oral or systemic antifungal drugs, extensive surgical excision of diseased tissue, and addressing underlying risk factors can effectively manage and control the infection. This approach results in positive outcomes and reduced morbidity compared to the time prior to the COVID-19 pandemic including cases with extensive disease. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: The specific objectives of this study were as follows: (1) to translate and adapt the English version of the International Outcome Inventory for Hearing Aids (IOI-HA) into Hindi, (2) to present data obtained from the hearing aid users, (3) and to investigate the effect of different factors on effective hearing aid use using the Hindi version of the IOI-HA. Method: The English version of IOI-HA was translated to Hindi by three native Hindi speakers who were proficient in both Hindi and English and had Hindi as their first language. The Hindi version of IOI-HA along with a demographic questionnaire was given to 100 experienced hearing aid users who were literate and more than 18 years of age. Results: The findings indicated 53% of individuals utilize their hearing aids for over 8 h daily, while 46% use them for 4 to 8 h a day. A greater number of participants experienced benefits from wearing their hearing aids, suggesting their overall effectiveness for users. Also, 64% of people said their HA was fulfilling their expectations. Sixty-seven percent of participants said life has become quite a lot better with HA usage. The results revealed that age, gender, and type of hearing loss showed no significant association with any test item. Conclusion: The Hindi version of the IOI-HA has proven to be a valuable self-assessment tool for hearing aid users. It aids clinicians and audiological practitioners in comprehending the challenges faced by users and can offer guidance for counseling and assessing the benefits derived from hearing aids. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: This research seeks to delve into the potential of solar power as a sustainable and renewable energy solution, specifically examining its effectiveness in addressing energy poverty within the complex framework of the Indian energy landscape. Methods: Employing a mixed-methods approach, the research conducts an extensive literature review to establish the current knowledge landscape, identifying gaps and contextualizing the global and Indian scenarios. Quantitative analysis utilizes statistical data from sources such as the International Energy Agency, governmental reports, and research organizations to track the historical evolution of India's energy supply and solar power capacity. Case studies from China, India, and Bangladesh are presented to draw insights from successful solar projects. Additionally, policy analysis evaluates the effectiveness of current and past energy policies in India in promoting solar adoption and mitigating energy poverty. Results: The study unveils trends, and the impact of policy interventions in India's energy landscape. Comparative analyses position India within the global solar PV market. Case studies illustrate successful solar projects' impact on alleviating energy poverty. Policy analysis provides insights into the strengths and weaknesses of existing energy policies. Conclusion: Solar power emerges as a promising solution to end energy poverty, demonstrating significant cost competitiveness and sustainable attributes. The research underscores the need for targeted policies, financial incentives, and technological innovations to overcome challenges. The findings contribute to the discourse on renewable energy's role in sustainable development, emphasizing the potential for solar power to address energy poverty in India and beyond. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

There has been an increasing focus on the interplay between physical frailty and cognitive impairment, as both conditions pose significant risks for life-threatening health complications and are receiving considerable attention in global geriatric health initiatives. A recent consensus introduces "cognitive frailty," denoting the co-existence of physical frailty and cognitive impairment without dementia. This study aims to ascertain the prevalence of cognitive frailty and investigate the factors contributing to gender differentials of cognitive frailty among older adults in India. This study has used the data from the nationally representative survey Longitudinal Ageing Study in India 2017–18. This study included a sample of 13,946 males and 14,989 females aged 60 and above. Descriptive and bivariate analyses were conducted. A proportion test was employed to assess gender disparities and determine the statistical significance of risk factors. Furthermore, multivariate decomposition analysis was performed to identify the extent to which various covariates contribute to explaining the gender differences observed in cognitive frailty. The overall prevalence of cognitive frailty was 4.4%. There was a significant gender difference in cognitive frailty among older adults in India (Difference: 4.3%; p-value < 0.001] with 2.1% (95% CI: 1.8–2.3) older males and 6.4% (95% CI: 6.0-6.8) older females suffering from cognitive frailty. The considerable gender gap in cognitive frailty would be reduced if women had similar levels of education (37% reduction) than men. Results highlight that increasing age, being a woman (AOR: 1.61; 95% CI: 1.33–1.95), out-of-wedlock, less education and non-working status (AOR:2.19; 95% CI: 1.71–2.80) were significantly associated with cognitive frailty. Poor nutritional status, and depression are also prone among the cognitively frail participants. Gender sensitive interventions improving education access for women are crucial. Developing countries like India urgently require a multidimensional approach to ensure appropriate and comprehensive healthcare for the elderly population. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper presents a comprehensive analysis of India's Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA) of 2019, focusing on its origins, objectives, and far-reaching consequences, particularly concerning its alignment with the constitutional principles of secularism and equality. The CAA facilitates the acquisition of Indian citizenship for persecuted religious minorities from Afghanistan, Bangladesh, and Pakistan, explicitly excluding Muslims. This has sparked national and international debate over its potential to undermine the secular fabric of the Indian Constitution, particularly concerning Article 14, which guarantees equality before the law. Through a legal and constitutional lens, the paper critically examines the broader implications of the CAA on religious minorities, its intersection with the National Register of Citizens (NRC), and concerns about statelessness. Drawing on scholarly critiques, it explores the Act's impact on India's inclusive identity, the potential marginalization of minority communities, and the socio-political challenges posed by its implementation. The paper advocates for re-evaluating citizenship laws to align with India's democratic principles, ensuring social cohesion and protection of human rights. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The COVID-19 pandemic has challenged the current paradigm of clinical and community-based disease detection. We present a multimodal wearable sensor system paired with a two-minute, movement-based activity sequence that successfully captures a snapshot of physiological data (including cardiac, respiratory, temperature, and percent oxygen saturation). We conducted a large, multi-site trial of this technology across India from June 2021 to April 2022 amidst the COVID-19 pandemic (Clinical trial registry name: International Validation of Wearable Sensor to Monitor COVID-19 Like Signs and Symptoms; NCT05334680; initial release: 04/15/2022). An Extreme Gradient Boosting algorithm was trained to discriminate between COVID-19 infected individuals (n = 295) and COVID-19 negative healthy controls (n = 172) and achieved an F1-Score of 0.80 (95% CI = [0.79, 0.81]). SHAP values were mapped to visualize feature importance and directionality, yielding engineered features from core temperature, cough, and lung sounds as highly important. The results demonstrated potential for data-driven wearable sensor technology for remote preliminary screening, highlighting a fundamental pivot from continuous to snapshot monitoring of cardiorespiratory illnesses. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Cashew cultivation has emerged as an important agricultural activity in promoting sustainable livelihoods for smallholder farmers. The present study investigates the impacts of cashew cultivation on sustainable livelihoods of smallholder farmers in the Southern region of India, addressing a significant research gap in the understanding of how this crop affects various aspects of farmers' lives. Using a mixed-methods approach, the study reveals that, cashew farming significantly increases farmers' income, leading to improvements in food security, education, social status, and standard of living. These findings contribute to new insights into the socio-economic and environmental dimensions of cashew cultivation, offering a holistic understanding of its role in rural development. Additionally, the study also emphasizes the need for government policies supporting smallholders in cashew farming, including training, access to quality seeds, and best agricultural practices. Social welfare initiatives and cooperatives can improve the overall well-being of cashew farming communities. Research and development should prioritize climate-resistant cashew varieties to address environmental challenges linked to cashew cultivation. The study's results also provide a foundation for future research and policy formulation aimed at enhancing the practice of cashew farming for sustainable livelihoods. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study explores culturally shared connotations of honor and dignity in North India and Germany. Both, honor and dignity refer to the worth of a person but have distinct psychological implications. Honor as both an independent and interdependent phenomenon varies greatly across cultural groups. Yet, a relatively large volume of research is focused on Middle Eastern, Muslim cultures. Moreover, though a rich body of literature shows that dignity can have different meanings across cultural contexts, its nuanced understanding, particularly in relation to honor, remains underexplored in cross-cultural settings. Given this, the current study expands both these concepts to India with its unique religious and structural characteristics and studies it along with the responses of participants in Germany, examining their cultural differences. Eleven focus group discussions were conducted in North India and Germany where participants discussed their personal associations of both honor and dignity. These discussions were transcribed and later thematically analyzed. The findings indicated unique themes for honor (duty, morality, status, sociability, and stoicism) and dignity (individuality, self-governance, resistance, and enrichment) with some dimensional similarities for both cultural groups, despite dissimilar language usage. Furthermore, the five themes for honor were seen to affect differently depending on its enhancement or loss and its eventual impact on the target of honor, self, or group. As for dignity, participants in both groups had difficulties distinguishing it from honor but had a clear understanding of its intrinsic nature, especially when seen in contradiction with honor. These findings have theoretical and practical implications, particularly while studying different cultural groups together. Moreover, they contribute to the literature on self-worth by refining the idea of dignity, while also expanding our multidimensional understanding of honor. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In India, tobacco (nicotine) addiction among youth has increased, leading to substantial socioeconomic burdens, mortality, and morbidity. While minimal short-term nicotine consumption may have antioxidant effects, chronic exposure results in various adverse health outcomes. This study examines the impact of chronic nicotine consumption on cellular oxidative stress and psychological stress, and their correlation with Homocysteine (Hcy) levels in unemployed tobacco consumers. This case-control study included 156 healthy, educated, unemployed male volunteers aged 20–40 years, divided into nicotine-addicted (n = 80) and non-addicted (n = 76) groups. Psychological stress was assessed using perceived stress scales (PSS) and coping self-efficacy (CSE) scales. Oxidative stress markers, including Malondialdehyde (MDA), Superoxide Dismutase (SOD), and Catalase, were measured. Hcy levels were quantified using high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). Nicotine-addicted participants exhibited significantly higher perceived stress (p = 0.0001) and lower coping self-efficacy (p = 0.0001) compared to non-addicted individuals. MDA levels in erythrocytes were significantly increased (p = 0.0006), while SOD (p = 0.0001) and Catalase (p = 0.02) activities were significantly decreased in the addicted group. Nicotine intake influenced Hcy concentrations, with 55% of addicted individuals falling into moderate, 27.5% into intermediate, and 7.5% into severe Hcy categories. Chronic nicotine intake also reflected the hematological parameters (WBCs, RBCs, HGB, and Platelets). Chronic tobacco consumption induces oxidative stress and perceived psychological stress, leading to elevated Hcy levels in nicotine consumers. The study highlights the detrimental effects of nicotine addiction on cellular defensive mechanisms, emphasizing the need for targeted interventions to address this growing health issue among unemployed Indian youth. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aim of this research is to discover the continuance and recommendation intention of higher education students who are using ChatGPT. Specifically, we proposed an extend technology continuance theory (TCT) by integrating the recommendation intention. A structured Google form is used to collect the data from the higher education students especially engineering college students in India. A sum of 307 responses gathered and employed for the purpose of data analysis. Structured equation model (SEM) was used to test the research hypothesis. The study found that perceived usefulness, attitude, and satisfaction were significant predictors of continuance intention, while satisfaction and continuance intention themselves predicted recommendation intention, indicating that students who perceive ChatGPT as useful, have a positive attitude towards it, and are satisfied with it are more likely to continue using it and recommend it to others. These results underscore the importance of user satisfaction and positive attitudes in fostering continued engagement and advocacy for AI-driven chat systems. The study's findings were evaluated in terms of their discussion, limitations and implications for future research. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Stroke survivors and their caregivers have numerous and diverse educational needs, many of which are unmet because of inadequate training from healthcare professionals. As stroke recovery and rehabilitation can continue for years post-stroke, it is critical that stroke survivors are provided with and have access to a range of support options and evidence-based information. Website-based education programs (WEP) have been adopted in recent years to manage health problems. The present pilot study aims to evaluate the effect of WEP on activities of daily living (ADLs) and the fear of falls among sub-acute stroke survivors. Methods: A total of 16 eligible post-stroke survivors were recruited from multiple study settings across Surat City of Gujarat state in western India and were randomly assigned using a lottery method to either the experimental group (n = 8) receiving WEP or the control group (n = 8) receiving conventional physiotherapy for 4 weeks. Outcome measures were the Indian Stroke Scale (ISS), Modified Barthel Index (MBI), and Falls Efficacy Scale-International (FES-I). Results: Both groups showed statistically significant improvements in all outcomes but the experimental group showed more significant improvements in ADLs and fear of falls among sub-acute stroke survivors (p < 0.05). Conclusion: WEP for sub-acute stroke survivors is an effective intervention. It improves the performance of ADLs for stroke survivors and helps in better fall management indicating that web-based education programs shall be implemented on a regular basis to improve patient care. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The circadian variation in stroke occurrence is a well-documented phenomenon. However, the circadian effect on stroke outcome, particularly on post-stroke cognition, has not yet been fully elucidated. We aim to evaluate the influence of diurnal variation of stroke onset upon post-stroke cognition and development of post-stroke depression. Based on 4-hourly time period of stroke occurrence, 249 recruited cohorts were categorized into 6 groups. Several clinical and cognitive parameters were compared among the groups. Then, the mRNA expression of core clock genes in Peripheral Blood Mononuclear Cells were quantified and correlated with post-stroke outcomes among 24 acute phase cases with day-time or night-time stroke occurrence. Furthermore, the genetic susceptibility towards a higher number of cases in the morning was examined by genotyping CLOCK (rs1801260T/C, rs4580704G/C) and CRY2 (rs2292912C/G) genes variants in cases and 292 controls. In our study, the peak for highest incidence although observed during the early morning from 4 to 8 am, the nocturnal-onset stroke cases showed more severity (12.2 ± 5.67) at the time of admission irrespective of arterial territory involved. The night onset cases were also found to be more susceptible to develop language impairment and post-stroke depression in due course of time. Upon transcript analysis, circadian genes (BMAL1 and CRY1) were found to be downregulated in night-time cases than day-time ones during the acute phase of onset. In addition, those mRNA levels also showed a correlation with raw scores for language and depression. However, the difference in incidence frequency along a day did not reveal any genetic correlation. Therefore, we suggest night-time stroke to be positively associated with higher immediate severity and poor cognitive outcome than day-time injury and propose downregulation of circadian genes during the acute phase could be the underlying molecular mechanism for this. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: While leeches as intranasal foreign bodies are not frequently encountered, they can be one of the causes of epistaxis. The aim of the study is to raise awareness among healthcare professionals about the possibility of patients from leech endemic regions presenting with epistaxis. Case presentation: We present a series of epistaxis cases due to intranasal leech infestation. In our series of 10 cases, there were 7 male and 3 female patients, aged between 2 and 53 years old. The duration of the complaint ranged from 1 to 5 weeks. All patients experienced with blood-stain nasal discharge or frank nasal bleeding at some point and most of them have a history of leech infestation from spring water as a local source. This article presents our approach to managing nasal leech infestation as epistaxis and outlines the precautionary measures taken for the retrieval of this living foreign body. Conclusion: Details of the history must be taken before concluding the diagnosis. Maintain a high index of suspicion of leech infestation as a hidden cause of epistaxis especially in patients coming from endemic areas. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A new species of the genus Thermobia (Zygentoma: Lepismatidae), Thermobia smithi sp. nov., found in a library and store rooms from Kerala, India, is described and diagnosed. This is the second species in the genus Thermobia reported from India. The report presents morphological, meristic and molecular details of the species and discusses its differences with related species of the genus. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The present study offers a comprehensive taxonomic revision of the genus Ophiorrhabda Diakonoff, 1966 with detailed redescriptions of four Indian species: O. cellifera (Meyrick, 1912), O. mormopa (Meyrick, 1906), O. harmonica (Meyrick, 1905) and O. philocompsa (Meyrick, 1921). Notably, O. harmonica and O. philocompsa represent new records for the Indian fauna. This work includes illustrative documentation of the Indian species of Ophiorrhabda, accompanied by identification keys. Furthermore, an updated checklist of fifteen globally recognized species within the genus Ophiorrhabda is provided, encompassing comprehensive information on type localities, synonyms, distribution, and host plants. This study significantly enhances the current understanding of Ophiorrhabda species diversity and distribution. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: Considering the dynamic influence of environmental, social, economic, and political factors in the emergence and growth of the BRICS countries (Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa) over the years and pre-existing differences, the adverse effects of air pollution on the health and well-being of the people have remained major areas of academic inquiry and policy interventions. The present study examines the global trend of deaths and Disability Adjusted Life Years (DALYs) attributable to air pollution with particular reference to the BRICS countries for the period 1990 to 2019. Methods: This study has used the global burden of disease estimates by using different rounds of the Global Burden of Disease (GBD) study report published by the Institute of Health Metrics Evaluation. This study has calculated the cause of death and DALYs due to environmental risk factors (i.e. Air pollution). Data analysis has been done by using the standard formula for the calculation of death (mortality) rate and DALYs rate. Similarly, we calculated the age and gender-wise death and DALYs rate by using the appropriate numerator and denominator. Results: The study discovered a significant shift in disease patterns over this period, as communicable diseases like respiratory infections and tuberculosis were replaced by non-communicable diseases such as ischemic heart disease (17.2 million), chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (14.59 million), and stroke (17.02 million) as the primary causes of air pollution-related deaths in 2019 at the global level. Additionally, the study identified a worrying increase in deaths linked to neonatal disorders and respiratory infections caused by ambient particulate matter pollution in South Africa, India, and Brazil. The impact of air pollution on public health is evident across different age groups and genders, with people aged 50-69 years, those aged 70 and above, and children under 5 years being more vulnerable. Furthermore, the male population is disproportionately affected by communicable and noncommunicable diseases caused by air pollution. Conclusion: The study highlights the need for policymakers to implement evidence-based interventions to tackle this global health problem. The interventions should aim to reduce the emerging crisis of non-communicable diseases related to air pollution, particularly among vulnerable age groups and the male population, ultimately improving public health outcomes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In the present study we have described four new species of Eucosmini (Tortricidae: Olethreutinae) namely Blastesthia umngotana sp. n., Rhopaltriplasia umiamensis sp. n., Zeiraphera mussoorieana sp. n. and Zeiraphera almoraensis sp. n. from India. The genera Blastesthia Obraztsov, 1960, Zeiraphera Treitschke, 1829 and Rhopaltriplasia Diakonoff 1973 are recorded for the first time from India. Descriptions and photographic illustrations of adult habitus, wing venation and genitalia are provided. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Age-related hearing loss is common among older individuals and is linked to cognitive impairment and a decrease in overall quality of life. Although hearing aids enhance auditory capabilities, their influence on cognitive performance in the Indian context has not been thoroughly investigated. This study investigates the cognitive benefits of hearing aids in elderly Indian patients with age-related hearing loss. A prospective cohort study was conducted at a tertiary care centre between January 2021 and December 2022. The study included 200 elderly patients who were fitted with behind-the-ear (BTE) or receiver-in-canal (RIC) hearing aids. The assessment of cognitive function was conducted using two standardised tests: the Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE) and the Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA). The assessment of quality of life was conducted using the WHOQOL-OLD questionnaire, while hearing acuity was examined by pure-tone audiometry and speech perception tests. Data were collected at baseline, 6 months, and 18 months. Multiple linear regression analysis identified predictors of cognitive outcomes. There were significant enhancements in MMSE, MoCA, HHIE, and WHOQOL-OLD scores across the 18-month duration (p < 0.001). The pure-tone audiometry thresholds and speech perception scores demonstrated significant improvement (p < 0.001). Regression analysis indicated that baseline cognitive function, hearing ability, and quality of life were significant predictors of cognitive outcomes at 18 months. No severe cognitive impairment or other confounding severe medical conditions were reported. This study revealed that the use of hearing aids has a substantial positive impact on cognitive function, quality of life, and hearing ability in the older Indian population suffering from age-related hearing loss. Timely intervention and the availability of hearing aids are essential for improving cognitive health and overall well-being in this demographic. Future study should look into the consequences and influence of various hearing aid models. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: The purpose of this study is to establish the correlation of clinically measured carrying angle with four radiological angles, i.e., Humerus–Elbow–Wrist angle (HEWA), Humero-ulnar angle, Metaphyseal–Diaphyseal angle, and Baumann's angle, and to find out which of the above-mentioned angles co-relates best with the clinically measured carrying angle. Methods: We studied 100 patients in the age group of 2–12 years after Ethics committee approval and informed consent from parents. Clinical angle was measured using goniometer and radiological angles marked on antero-posterior elbow X-ray using a standard method. Collected data were studied using statistical tests to find out correlation. Results: Pearson correlation coefficient for humerus–elbow–wrist angle found to be 0.674 followed by Humero-Ulnar angle (r = 0.417). Regression coefficient for humerus–elbow–wrist angle is 0.635 (p value < 0.001). Conclusion: Humerus–Elbow–Wrist angle correlates better compared to other radiological angles in assessment of varus–valgus angulations of elbow & will not only play a vital role in pre- operative planning of deformity corrections but also in the evaluation & comparison of the post-operative functional outcomes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Osteoporosis is a significant and growing global public health problem, projected to increase in the next decade. The Singh Index (SI) is a simple, semi-quantitative evaluation tool for diagnosing osteoporosis with plain hip radiographs based on the visibility of the trabecular pattern in the proximal femur. This work aims to develop an automated tool to diagnose osteoporosis using SI of hip radiograph images with the help of machine learning algorithms. Methods: We used 830 hip X-ray images collected from Indian men and women aged between 20 and 70 which were annotated and labeled for appropriate SI. We employed three state-of-the-art machine learning algorithms—Vision Transformer (ViT), MobileNet-V3, and a Stacked Convolutional Neural Network (CNN)—for image pre-processing, feature extraction, and automation. Each algorithm was evaluated and compared for accuracy, precision, recall, and generalization capabilities to diagnose osteoporosis. Results: The ViT model achieved an overall accuracy of 62.6% with macro-averages of 0.672, 0.597, and 0.622 for precision, recall, and F1 score, respectively. MobileNet-V3 presented a more encouraging accuracy of 69.6% with macro-averages for precision, recall, and F1 score of 0.845, 0.636, and 0.652, respectively. The stacked CNN model demonstrated the strongest performance, achieving an accuracy of 93.6% with well-balanced precision, recall, and F1-score metrics. Conclusion: The superior accuracy, precision-recall balance, and high F1-scores of the stacked CNN model make it the most reliable tool for screening radiographs and diagnosing osteoporosis using the SI. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction : Hip arthroplasty, including hemiarthroplasty and total hip arthroplasty is a common surgical procedure for patients suffering from hip joint disorders with an aim of complication free early return to activities of daily living. Various minimally invasive surgical approaches have been described to achieve this aim including a relatively new SPAIRE approach. This case series shows our technique of hip arthroplasty using the SPAIRE technique with the help of conventional instruments in an Indian Scenario at a tertiary care center in Eastern India along with our short-term functional outcomes till a follow up period of 6 months. Materials and method : This was the prospective observational study done between May 2022 to Oct 2023 in Tata Main hospital, Jamshedpur. Total 35 patients were operated by this technique. Data including age, gender, time to return orthotic assisted mobility, Harris hip score at 2 months & any complications till the follow up of 6 months were recorded for each patient who underwent Hemiarthroplasty or Total Hip arthroplasty using the SPAIRE technique with conventional instruments for hip arthroplasty (performed by single surgeon – the senior author) in our tertiary care center. Results : 35 patients were operated during this span by using the SPAIRE technique. There were 30 cases of hip hemiarthroplasty and 5 cases of total hip arthroplasty (1 bilateral). 5 patients were lost to follow up during the period of 6 months. Harris hip score was measured for each patient at 2 months and mean Harris hip score was 83.16. Out of 35 patients, 9 patients had excellent outcome, 14 patients had good outcome and 7 patients had fair outcome. No patient had complications such as infection, delayed wound healing, periprosthetic fractures or sciatic nerve injury. One patient reported dislocation at 3 months following a fall. Mean time to return to orthotic assisted ambulation was 1.5 days for all 35 patients. Conclusion : SPAIRE technique is one of the safe surgical approaches for primary hip arthroplasties. This minimally invasive tendon sparing approach which preserves quadricep coxa provides excellent hip stability, early return to preinjury activities. It also reduces postoperative complications such as dislocation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: We evaluated the feasibility, acceptability and preliminary efficacy of a standardized nurse delivered mobile phone intervention to improve adherence to antiretroviral treatment and clinical outcomes. Methods: Feasibility and acceptability of the phone intervention was assessed with rates of eligibility, completed visits, and attritions. Intervention fidelity was assessed by checking recorded calls and feedback. Efficacy was assessed using a randomized controlled trial in which 120 women living with HIV and psychosocial vulnerabilities, were randomized to Treatment as Usual (TAU = 60) or TAU plus the mobile phone intervention (N = 60). Trained basic nurses delivered the theory-guided, standardized mobile phone intervention for mental health issues and psychosocial risk factors to improve antiretroviral treatment (ART) adherence and retention in care and improve clinical outcomes. Blind raters performed the assessments at 6, 12 and 24 weeks post-randomization. Results: Adherence diminished over time in the TAU only group, while it was sustained in the TAU Plus group, only dropping at 24 weeks after the intervention had been discontinued. Among participants with depressive symptoms (CESD ≥ 16), the intervention had significant improvement in adherence rates (p < 0.01), psychological quality of life (p < 0.05) and illness perception (p < 0.05) compared to those in the TAU only group. Greater improvements of quality of life subscales were observed in the TAU Plus group among participants with less psychological vulnerability (PSV < 2). HIV RNA was not significantly different between the groups at week 24. Conclusions: The mobile-delivered counseling intervention was feasible and acceptable and shows promise among women living with HIV and psychosocial vulnerabilities in rural South India. Trial Registration: ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT02319330 [Registered on: December 18, 2014]. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Understanding how precipitation fluctuates geographically and temporally over a specific place due to climate change is critical. Generally, simulations of general circulation models (GCM) under different scenarios are downscaled to the local scale to study the impact of climate change on precipitation. However, selecting suitable GCMs for the given study area is one of the most hectic tasks, as the performance of GCMs may vary with respect to space and timescale. Therefore, the current study ranks twenty-seven CMIP 6 (Coupled Modelled Intercomparison Project Phase 6) GCMs in simulating precipitation over India for nine times series, including daily, monthly, yearly, and six extreme series extracted with annual maximum and peak over threshold methods. The gridded daily rainfall data provided by the India Meteorological Department (IMD) are used as the observed data. The GCMs' outputs are corrected for the systematic bias using the linear scaling method. The performance of a GCM is assessed with three statistical performance metrics, namely NSE, RMSE, and R2. The GCMs' ranks are determined using a multi-criterion decision-making technique named the modified technique of order preference by similarity to an ideal solution (mTOPSIS) for every grid point and nine timescales (i.e., daily, monthly, yearly, and six extreme series). From the results, for the entire India, the top ten recommended CMIP 6 GCMs are FGOALS-g3, HadGEM3-GC31-MM, EC-Earth3, BCC-CSM2-MR, CNRM-CM6-1-HR, CanESM5, AWI-ESM-1-1-LR, MPI-ESM-1-2-HR, IITM-ESM, and INM-CM5-0. The identified best-performing models provide insightful information for better regional climate projections and underscore the necessity of considering multiple model outputs for reliable climate change impact assessments and adaptation strategies in the region. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The present study explored district-wise monthly rainfall of two climatic regimes (1960–1990 and 1991–2020) of the West Bengal state of India, which receives an annual rainfall of about 1500 mm with huge seasonal rainfall variability. A simple time series analysis does not show any noticeable trend. However, decomposing rainfall parameters into several indicators may explore the change. From this perspective, the present paper intends to explore the nature, degree, and direction of rainfall alteration. The range of variability approach (RVA) considered 29 indicators was adopted for unveiling it. RVA explored that in the 1991–2017 phase, the rainfall failure rate above the upper threshold (75th percentile) is 33% which is 10% greater than in 1961–1990. Seasonal variation in failure rate was detected, but overall larger area of the state recorded failure rate (FR) above the threshold. This result leads to increasing wetness conditions. Very low to moderate (< 0.4) degree of impact of rainfall alteration (DIRA) was found in the recent period. The areal occupation of moderate DIRA was considerable in pre-monsoon, post-monsoon, and winter seasons. Time series rainfall data-based flow duration curves (FDCs) indicated the dominance of the eco-surplus rainfall state over greater parts of the state (72–84%) in all the seasons except winter (49%). Such surplus rainfall may be beneficial to the ecological and agricultural perspective of the state. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Shear slowness data are crucial data in rock physics analysis and seismic reservoir characterization. In petrophysical formation evaluation, the use of sonic data is limited, and hence, sonic data, especially shear sonic, are not considered as critical. In many deep-water wells to save the cost of operations, shear sonic data are not recorded. In these scenarios for rock physics analysis, it becomes necessary to predict shear sonic data from other available datasets. Conventional techniques for shear slowness predictions rely on empirical relations and rock physics modeling. However, these approaches require extensive information as input and additionally carry assumptions and multiple prerequisites. Presently with the advancement of computing power Machine learning (ML) emerges as a robust and optimized technique for predicting precise DTS in quick time and with fewer input datasets. In this study, wells located in the deep-waters of the East Coast of India and penetrated siliciclastic reservoirs of both compacted sand and soft high porosity sands were used as input to train the ML algorithm. Random Forest machine learning algorithm is best used for both classification and regression tasks, and this algorithm is used here for the data prediction. As a comparison, the convolutional LSTM method is also used for data prediction. To comply with the geological variability in the prediction and to enhance the prediction accuracy, rock physics understandings were used as a guide in feature engineering. The RF prediction shows a good match of ~ 93%, and the LSTM model prediction shows ~ 94% correlation at validation well. Both the model predicted data show good agreement with the rock physics modeling interpretations at the target well. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

India's 65% population resides in rural regions, making these places the heart and soul of the nation. These regions, along with their residents and houses, serve as a reflection of the nation. Previous researchers have described rural houses in social and humanities literature, but their observations have mostly been descriptive rather than analytical. Therefore, conducting a thorough analytical investigation is necessary to fully understand the mental image that people currently have of rural houses. This study aims to develop a theoretical framework for the typology of rural houses and identify the aspects that contribute to a thorough understanding of housing in rural India. The current state of rural houses must be examined as they are changing from traditional to modern architecture. The research study area was selected, Lakhan Village in the Indian state of Uttar Pradesh. In this village, fieldwork was carried out to determine the types and characteristics of long-established houses. A simple random sampling method was employed to collect the data, and the sample size was determined using the Cochrane formula. The authors' extensive professional first-hand experience in rural houses in Uttar Pradesh integrates with theoretical and analytical analysis in this research. The study sheds light on the development of rural houses in Lakhan Village and highlights several elements that have an impact on a house's overall imageability. It includes recommendations for future growth, gives an in-depth understanding of how rural housing has developed in India, and discusses the reasons that have influenced that development. The study's conclusion highlights the significance of utilizing a holistic strategy to address the challenges with rural housing. The findings of this study will be helpful to researchers, policymakers, and other officials involved in constructing rural houses. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study aims to analyse the determinants of sustainable consumption behaviour (SCB) of guests in luxury hotels by extending the Theory of Planned Behaviour (TPB). This study adopted a quantitative cross-sectional approach to analyse the determinants of guests' SCB. Data for the study were collected between November 2021 to January 2022 from 298 respondents using Google Forms. The result indicates that the SCB of guests at luxury hotels is predominantly influenced by the guest's attitude towards sustainability. Other significant factors that determine the sustainable consumption behaviour of guests at luxury hotels are perceived cost, perceived benefit, and perceived behavioural control. The study also demonstrates the applicability of TPB and the need for its extension to understand individuals' SCB from the perspective of perceived cost and benefit. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The sediments of 90 rivers from five states along the west coast of India were analysed for their chemistry. The major element ratios of sediments suggest lateritic soils in Kerala, lateritic soils admixed with particulates weathered from Fe–Mn ores in Karnataka and Goa and, non-lateritic, chemically weathered soils in Maharashtra and Gujarat. The sediments from the Archean-Proterozoic (A-P) terrain are strongly weathered, while those from Deccan Traps (DT) terrain are intermediate to strongly weathered. The mean total rare earth elements content (∑REE) of sediments from the rivers of Kerala is much higher than in other states. ∑REE shows strong positive correlation with oxides of Fe, Mn and P from A-P terrain and Al, Fe and Ti from DT terrain and, strong positive correlation with heavy metals (Zr, U, Hf and Th) from both terrains. The low Sm/Nd and Y/Ho ratios corresponding to high chemical index of alteration (CIA) and, high ratios corresponding to high and low CIA are typical. The Post-Archean average Australian shale (PAAS)-normalized REE shows LREE- and MREE-enriched patterns in the sediments of Kerala and MREE- and HREE-enriched patterns in other sediments. Distinct positive Ce anomaly occurs in the sediments of Karnataka, Goa and south Maharashtra and, weak positive to weak negative Ce anomaly in the sediments of other states. The Eu anomaly is negative in the silts of south Kerala and positive in all other sediments. The primary sources for REEs are adsorbed REEs onto secondary mineral phases and clay minerals and, heavy minerals. The change in REE patterns is primarily related to the source rock composition. Fractionation of REEs is related to the intensity of chemical weathering, supply of REE and transport processes. The average REE composition of river sediments from peninsular India is more mafic than in UCC and World Rivers Average Clay. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Iron supplementation during pregnancy is crucial for the health of the mother and the child. This study investigates the prevalence and determinants of zero consumption of Iron and Folic Acid (IFA) tablets among pregnant women in India. We use the National Family Health Survey (NFHS 2019–21) survey data to study the spatial patterns and further apply multilevel multivariate logistic regression to identify factors associated with zero IFA tablet consumption. We find that 15.7% women (15–49 years) did not consume any IFA tablet during her last pregnancy. The spatial analysis showed clusters of zero IFA consumption, with hotspot districts in northern, central, eastern, and north-eastern states of India. The factors significantly associated with zero consumption of IFA during pregnancy includes unintended pregnancies (OR = 1.21, 95% CI: 1.16, 1.28), not receiving nutritional supplementation from ICDS (OR = 1.50, 95% CI: 1.44, 1.55), no visits for ANC (OR = 2.97, 95% CI: 2.84, 3.11), no counselling on health and nutrition (OR = 1.34, 95% CI: 1.29, 1.39). Women with no media exposure, those from lower wealth quintiles and those belonging to the Other Backward Class (OBC), of the Muslim faith, and with lower education levels were also more likely to have zero IFA consumption. The analysis pinpoints areas where immediate intervention can enhance the uptake of IFA (Iron and Folic Acid) tablets during pregnancy. In conclusion, we suggest a need to focus on raising awareness through platforms such as antenatal care and family planning counselling, ICDS (Integrated Child Development Services), and community-wide actions on socio-cultural factors to improve IFA tablet consumption among pregnant women. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study investigates the existence of a calorie gap (CG) within gender, caste, and religion groups utilising an entitlement framework. We employed National Sample Survey data on consumer expenditure spanning from 2004–05 to 2011–12 and applied the Oaxaca-Blinder decomposition technique for our analysis. The results of the Oaxaca decomposition indicate that entitlement failure plays a significant role in expanding the CG amongst gender and caste groups in both rural and urban areas, while its impact is only seen within religious groups in urban areas. The failure of exchange entitlement intensifies the CG amongst caste and religious groups in rural areas. Moreover, our quantile-specific Oaxaca decomposition findings reveal that the contributions of entitlement and exchange entitlement gaps to the overall CG fluctuate across quantiles. We propose that increased social awareness and public exposure aimed at reducing caste and religion-based discrimination, alongside programmes and policies designed to enhance the resource base of female-headed households, minority castes, and religious minorities, may aid in the reduction of the CG. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The present study reports the complete genome of a novel monopartite begomovirus, named tentatively as "Citharexylum leaf curl virus" (CitLCuV), associated with leaf curl disease of Citharexylum spinosum in India. CitLCuV genome (2767 nucleotide) contained the typical genome organization of Old World begomoviruses and shared the maximum nucleotide sequence identity of 89.7% with a papaya leaf crumple virus (PaLCrV) isolate. In addition, two small non-canonical open reading frames (C5 and C6) were determined in the complementary strand of CitLCuV genome. Phylogenetic analysis revealed the relatedness of CitLCuV to PaLCrV and rose leaf curl virus. Recombination analysis detected a possible recombination event in CitLCuV genome. Based on begomovirus species demarcation criteria, CitLCuV can be regarded as a novel begomoviral species. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We hypothesized that consanguineous marriage will remain a risk factor for pregnancy outcome and offspring mortality, but the development in demographic, socioeconomic conditions and increased utilization of maternal and child health care services during postglobalization era would work as a buffer in the reduction of child mortality rates. Data fromNational Family Health Surveys 4(2015–2016) and 5(2019–2021) were pooled and used for the analysis. Binary logistic regression and Cox proportional hazard regression models were used to examine the effects of close (CC) and distant (DC) consanguinity on spontaneous abortion, stillbirth, neonatal mortality, post-neonatal, and child mortality respectively compared to non-consanguinity (NC). The final model showed that the risk of spontaneous abortion (both CC and DC, p < 0.001) and neonatal mortality (DC, p < 0.001) were significantly higher compared to NC. No significant association was found between consanguinity and child mortality. We conclude that the endogenous effect of consanguinity still pose a serious challenge to the survival of fetus and new born; but exogenous effect reduces the risk of child death. We propose to incorporate socially entrenched practice of consanguinity explicitly into Mosley and Chen's (1984) framework for the aid in understanding child survival in developing countries. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: One of the most common congenital conditions detected globally, congenital heart diseases, and CT techniques provide a high-quality and thorough presentation of heart anatomy, thoracic vasculature, and extracardiac structures, and hence, it is becoming a more popular non-invasive diagnostic imaging method for congenital heart disease. The drawbacks with CT imaging are the radiation exposure from repeated scans is also rising, especially in young patients. The present study is aimed to evaluate the radiation dose in gated and non-gated cardiac CT for preoperative diagnosis of pediatric patients with congenital heart diseases. Results: A total of 111 pediatric patients with mean age of 7.47 years were prospectively included in the study. The mean value of "Effective dose (E)" for gated CT at 100 kV p was found to be 4.71 mSv which is higher than mean "E" of 3.95 mSv observed for gated CT at 80 kV p . The average value of "E" for non-gated technique was observed less than that of gated technique at both 100 kV p and 80 kV p . The multiple regression analysis shows that "E" is significantly dependent on DLP mGy cm for both gated and non-gated techniques at 95% level of significance p < 0.05 . The Student's t-test verifies that the mean value of "E" for both the techniques at 100 kV p and 80 kV p are significantly different at 95% level of significance p < 0.05 . Conclusions: The effective dose received by pediatric patients is much higher when using ECG-gated acquisition with an average value of 4.71 mSv and 3.95 mSv at 100 kV p , and at 80 kV p respectively. Because low-voltage X-rays are more sensitive to high atomic number iodinated contrast media, the mean "E" for non-gated cardiac CT imaging at 80 kV p is 2.26 mSv , and results in significant reduction of effective dose. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Reflux symptom index(RSI) and reflux finding score (RFS) are widely used scoring systems used to diagnose laryngopharyngeal reflux disease(LPRD). However many patients do visit the outpatient department with minimal symptoms not sufficient to fit the criteria described by Belafsky et al. for diagnosing LPRD. Most of these patients are provisionally diagnosed and treated for LPRD. Reflux symptom index(RSI) and reflux finding score (RFS) are widely used scoring systems used to diagnose(LPRD) (Belafsky PC et al., J Voice 16(2):274–7, 2002, Belafsky PC et al, Laryngoscope 111(8):1313–7, 2001). RSI has nine questions that the patient must grade from 0 to 5. An abnormal score is greater than 13. Laryngopharyngeal reflux (LPR) may or may not be diagnosed using the RSI and RFS especially when patients present with minimum symptoms not sufficient to score more than 13 and 7 respectively. These patients may miss the diagnosis and have to be treated empirically. Pepsin's presence in the saliva is indicative of reflux as pepsin is a gastric enzyme (NICE advice on Peptest for diagnosing gastro-oesophageal reflux, 2015, Wood JM et al., J Laryngol Otol 125(12):1218–24, 2011). Patients with minimum symptoms may be missed if diagnosis relies only on RSI AND RFS. The present study aims to see the correlation of pepsin-proven LPRD and RSI and RFS. Methods: This is a prospective study, 49 patients with symptoms suggestive of LPRD who tested positive for the pepsin test were further analysed for RSI and RFS. A cut-off value of > 25 ng/mL was considered diagnostic of LPRD (Dhillon VK et al., Curr Gastroenterol Rep 18(8):44, 2016). Result: The average RSI and RFS were respectively 10 and 4. The mean age of the patients in the study was 39 years and the mean weight was 60 kg. The association between RSI and PEPSIN detection is considered to be not statistically significant. Chi-squared equals 0.086 with 1 degree of freedom. The two-tailed P value equals 0.7698. Chi-squared equals 0.233 with 1 degree of freedom. The two-tailed P value equals 0.6295. The association between RFS and PEPSIN detection is considered to be not statistically significant. In terms of correlation analysis, neither the RSI nor the RFS had Pearson's correlation coefficient that was statistically significant. Conclusion: Since salivary pepsin detection and the RSI do not have any significant correlation, the RSI is not a valid diagnostic method for LPR and should not be used exclusively. Level of evidence: 4. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The study explored the differences in audiological and non-audiological characteristics between congenital, early-onset, and late-onset auditory neuropathy spectrum disorder (ANSD). Ninety-five individuals diagnosed with ANSD were included in the study. They were divided into three groups congenital ANSD—children (30 individuals, 60 ears), adults with early-onset ANSD (30 individuals, 56 ears), and adults with late-onset ANSD (35 individuals, 62 ears). The non-audiological characteristics (gender, laterality, and risk factors) and audiological characteristics (behavioral and electrophysiological measures) were compared between the three groups. Results: Discriminant analyses showed that the pure tone average, audiogram configuration, and speech thresholds were the best auditory predictors of onset-based group differences in ANSD (congenital and early-onset versus late-onset ANSD). While the congenital and early-onset group showed poorer pure-tone and speech thresholds, along with flat configuration, the late-onset group demonstrated relatively better thresholds and other configurations (rising, tent-shaped, cookie-bite). In addition, long latency responses were delayed or absent in children with congenital ANSD, indicative of onset coding deficits at the cortical level. Conclusions: The study highlights the audiological differences between congenital, early-, and late-onset ANSD groups. These differences could be because of variations in etiology, pathophysiology, site of lesion, or genetic variability between the groups, which needs to be explored further. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: This study aimed to assess the factors influencing health-related quality of life (HRQoL) in patients experiencing adverse drug reactions (ADRs) at a tertiary care public sector hospital. A cross-sectional study was conducted over a period of 18 months, and included both male and female patients aged 18 years and above. Patients who visited the outpatient and inpatient departments with complaints associated with ADRs were included in this study. HRQoL data were collected using the EuroQol—5 Dimension—5 Level (EQ-5D-5L) questionnaire to assess five dimensions of health on a five-level scale. Descriptive statistics, t-tests, and analysis of variance were used to analyze the data. Multivariate regression analysis was performed to identify the potential determinants of HRQoL. Results: A total of 316 patients were included in the study among these participants, of which 54% were female, and 65% were from rural areas. The majority (68%) of the patients had moderately severe ADRs, and 63% of the participants had an income < 2.5 lakh Indian rupees (3009 USD). The mean EQ-5D-5L and EuroQoL Visual Analog Scale (EQ VAS) scores of the study participants were 0.714 and 69.73, respectively. The variables ADR severity, income, and age showed a significant difference (p < 0.05) in HRQoL. Conclusion: This study provides insights into HRQoL among patients with ADRs and identifies the determinants of HRQoL. The findings of this study will contribute to improving patient-centered care and optimizing patient outcomes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Circadian rhythms are crucial for physiological functioning, and they vary among people. There are three distinct chronotypes: morning, evening, and neither type. Morning types experience their highest level of activation during the early part of the day and tend to be more conscientious and focused on achieving their goals. Evening types, on the other hand, reach their peak performance during the latter portion of the day and exhibit a higher level of intelligence. University class schedules may occasionally clash with evening-type individuals' circadian preferences, potentially impacting their academic performance in comparison to their morning-type peers. Therefore, this study was done to investigate if morningness-eveningness can affect college students' academic performance as sleeping late or sleep deprivation can lead to disease in the young population. Materials and methods: A sample of 100 collegiate students aged 18–30 years were recruited via convenience sampling from Jamia Hamdard, Delhi, and informed consent was obtained from the subjects. The morningness-eveningness questionnaire (MEQ) was used to assess students' chronotype, and the mean of the last three academic years percentage was used to assess the academic performance of the students. Results: The total academic performance score was better in the morning category (75.53 ± 7.28) as compared to the evening (66.42 ± 10.08) and intermediate (73.72 ± 6.46) categories. There was a low degree of positive correlation between total academic performance and TMEQ (total morning-evening questionnaire) score (ρ = 0.204). Conclusion: The academic performance of morning chronotype students was better than that of evening chronotype students. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The difficulty in understanding speech becomes worse in the presence of background noise for individuals with sensorineural hearing loss. Speech-in-noise tests help to assess this difficulty. Previously, the Tulu sentence lists have been assessed for their equivalency to measure speech recognition threshold in noise among individuals with normal hearing. The present study aimed to determine the equivalence and test–retest reliability of Tulu sentence lists for measuring speech recognition threshold in noise among individuals with sensorineural hearing loss. Results: The SNR-50 was measured for 13 sentence lists in 20 Tulu-speaking individuals with mild to moderate sensorineural hearing loss. Retesting was done by administering all lists to eight participants after an average of 25.25 days (SD = 19.44). Friedman test was administered to check for the list equivalency. Intraclass correlation coefficient was measured to assess test–retest reliability. A regression analysis was performed to understand the influence of pure-tone average on SNR-50. A Kruskal–Wallis test was administered to check the statistical significance of the SNR-50 obtained across different configurations and degrees of hearing loss. Nine of the 13 Tulu sentence lists (lists 2, 4, 5, 6, 9, 10, 11, 12, and 13) were equivalent in individuals with sensorineural hearing loss. The mean SNR-50 for these nine lists was 1.13 dB (SD = 2.04 dB). The test–retest reliability was moderate (ICC = 0.727). The regression analysis showed that a pure-tone average accounted for 24.7% of the variance in SNR-50 data (p = 0.026). Individuals with mild to moderate hearing loss obtained the worst SNR-50, followed by mild and high-frequency hearing loss. Conclusion: Nine Tulu sentence lists are equivalent and reliable and can be used to measure speech recognition threshold in noise among individuals with sensorineural hearing loss who are Tulu speakers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The posterior ethmoid sinuses have a complex anatomy and a highly variable normal structure. The posterior ethmoid Onodi cell needs careful assessment because of its proximity to the optic nerve and the internal carotid artery canal. Recognising the distinctions is essential for optimal pre-op preparation. Sphenoid sinus surgery can now be performed without worrying about compromising vital structures like the internal carotid artery or optic nerve. Preoperative radiological assessment is a quick and easy way to check for ethmoid cell pneumatisation differences. Aim and objectives: To determine the pneumatisation patterns of Onodi cells among the North-East Indian population using 16-slice multidetector computed tomography (MDCT). Results: Nine-hundred MDCT paranasal sinuses were analysed over a period of 0–2 years, out of which 220 cases showed the presence of Onodi cell. Type I were 89 cases (40.45%, CI 32.00–48.90), Type II were 128 cases (58.18%, CI 49.72–66.63), and 3 cases with Type III cell (1.36%, CI 0.18–2.54). Conclusion: The most prevalent pneumatisation pattern is Type II. The pneumatisation patterns of Onodi cells can be best detected and evaluated by multiplanar MDCT imaging. Sinus surgeons need a firm grasp of pneumatisation patterns to avoid damaging the optic nerve and internal carotid artery canal during operations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction and background: The musculoskeletal pain (MSK) develops at an early age and pains in adolescence dispose to subsequent pain episodes in adulthood. High physical fitness levels in childhood and adolescence are linked to favorable health outcomes. This study has evaluated the prevalence of musculoskeletal pain among school students. Additionally, it examines the existing physical fitness of those children and explores potential associations between musculoskeletal pain and physical fitness. Methods: A cross sectional study was conducted in the Guwahati urban area, a capital city of North East India, in different schools. The mean and standard deviation of age was 9.49 ± 2.53. Prevalence of MSK pain was determined by the Faces Pain Scale–Revised and pediatric Gait Arm Leg Spine (pGALS) assessment, whereas physical fitness was assessed by Fitnessgram test battery. Statistical analysis: Paired "t" test and logistic regression analysis were used. The level of significance was set at 0.05 for all tests performed, and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were used in all cases. Results: The percentage of musculoskeletal pain is 38.28% where female school students have 40.33% and the male students have 36.52%. The odd ratio of 0.934 (CI = 0.916–0.972) was found between pain occurrence and aerobic capacity. The odd ratio of 0.72 (CI = 0.704–0.761) was found between the chances of pain onset and abdominal strength and endurance. The odd ratio of 0.859 (CI = 0.831–0.899) was found between pain occurrence and trunk extensor muscle strength and endurance. Conclusion: The prevalence of the musculoskeletal pain in school students is found to be 38.28%. The incidence of musculoskeletal pain and the physical fitness of a child has a significant relationship, with children who have poor physical fitness being more likely to develop musculoskeletal pain. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]