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Unhealthy behaviors including smoking, drinking, and drug use often begin during adolescence and are closely related to morbidity and mortality. This study examines the prevalence and factors associated with substance use among adolescent boys in Bihar, India. Data from the Understanding the Lives of Adolescents and Young Adults (UDAYA), conducted in 2015–16 in two Indian states, was used for analysis (n = 2004 adolescent boys aged 14–19 years). A multivariate logistic regression model was applied to estimate the effect of various correlates on substance use. Prevalence of tobacco consumption (19%) is high, followed by consumption of alcohol (8%) and drug use (1.2%) among adolescent boys in Bihar. One-fifth have ever used at least one substance. Age, education, current schooling status, wealth quintile, household head's educational attainment, and mother's education level are found to be important factors influencing substance use. It is essential to adopt more pointed programs which can effectively reduce substance use among adolescents in this and similar states. Programs related to prevention of substances should be expanded effectively through health education programs, media messages at the grassroots level, especially in the socio-economically backward states in India. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aluminum 3003 alloy used in the gas turbine and aerospace applications possesses medium bearing capacity. This technical paper reports the fabrication of Al 3003 alloy/TiO2 composites using friction stir processing. The weight fraction of reinforced TiO2 particles is varied between 0% and 6% with the increment of 1.5% in sequence. The fabricated specimens have been characterized by optical microscopy (OM), Energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDAX), Field emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM), X-ray Diffraction analysis (XRD) and electron backscattered diagram (EBSD). Composite weld zone has witnessed the homogeneous distribution of TiO2 particles. The formation of such composite by reinforcement exhibits increase in the hardness and tensile strength of the weld. Corresponding strengthening mechanism is illustrated and correlated with the characterization studies. Fractography study shows brittle to ductile transformation with the addition of TiO2 particles. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The batch adsorptive fluoride removal from water by Zirconium ion impregnated coconut shell carbon (ZICSC) was investigated. ZICSC was found to have fluoride adsorption capacity, 25 to 30 times that of plain activated carbon. The effect of various parameters such as pH, agitation time, and adsorbent dosage on fluoride removal were studied. The fluoride adsorption by ZICSC was above 90% for the entire pH range of 2-9 and the adsorption rate was extremely rapid, with 91% of the adsorption being achieved within 10 min of ZICSC contact for an initial fluoride concentration of 10 mg/L. The experimental data have been analyzed by Langmuir, Freundlich, Redlich-Peterson, and Temkin sorption isotherm models and the adsorption data for fluoride onto ZICSC were better correlated to the Langmuir isotherm. The batch adsorption kinetics have been tested by first order, pseudo-first order, and pseudo-second order kinetic models with the subsequent determination of the rate constants of adsorption. The comparison of ZICSC with other adsorbents suggests that ZICSC provides a cost-effective working solution to the defluoridation problem in the developing countries by its great potential application in fluoride removal from water. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Comments on the issue of maintaining a balance between quantitative and qualitative researches. Increase in the number of fields where applications of qualitative research methods have become a common practice; Unsolved problems of validity and generalizability of the results of qualitative research.