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India has been facing major challenges in many sectors, but the worst situation is in the education sector during COVID-19 pandemic. Class room learning was temporarily stopped as in other nations around the world to control/stop fast spread of the coronavirus mutants. Educational institutions have been suffering from the extension of the pandemic even after reopening. Hence, they are adopting smart solutions to overcome various challenges of the pandemic. It is not an exaggeration that COVID-19 has changed education forever. New trends have been adopted in the learning process of higher education to face the pandemic. Central and State Governments are also exploring online learning platforms to access educational resources. The present study focuses on the various online learning initiatives, Digital initiatives of the Department of Higher Education (MHRD) and the University Grants Commission (UGC), MOOC platforms, tools to create digital learning content and video collaboration tools that are being used to overcome the learning challenges in Higher education during the pandemic.

Purpose: In the study, we investigated whether speech-language pathologists (SLPs) in India use practice and feedback conditions of motor learning principles (MLPs), including biofeedback, in dysphagia therapy in adults using a problem--solution approach. Method: Based on a literature review and clinical experience, we developed and validated a hypothetical case involving an adult with dysphagia (representing the problem) and a purpose-built 22-item questionnaire (representing the solution). We distributed the questionnaire electronically by sending an e-mail to 2,069 SLPs and also published a flyer on the dysphagia special interest group of India. Results: A total of 107 SLPs anonymously submitted their responses. In practice conditions, most of the SLPs reported following massed over distributed, small over large, blocked over random, whole over part, variable over constant, and internal over external practice strategies. In feedback conditions, most of the participants reported using knowledge of results over performance, high over low, immediate over delayed, and self over therapist feedback strategies. Lastly, more than two thirds of SLPs did not use biofeedback devices for dysphagia therapy. Conclusion: The findings from our study indicate that SLPs in India do not adhere uniformly to the recommended practices of MLPs for dysphagia therapy in adults.

Purpose: The purpose of this paper is to examine the role of well-being in mediating the relationship between workplace spirituality and job satisfaction. It also studies the role of spiritual leadership in moderating the effect of workplace spirituality on well-being. Design/methodology/approach: The study proposes a hypothesized model tested among 515 teachers from Indian higher educational institutions, selected through random sampling. Mediation and moderation analysis are used to test the hypothesized relationships. Findings: Drawn on positive organizational studies, the results indicate that inner well-being, comprising of psychological, emotional, social, spiritual and intellectual dimensions, does not mediate the relationship between spiritual dimension of workplace spirituality and job satisfaction. Same effect is observed for mediation role of physical well-being. However, inner well-being and physical well-being both mediate the relationship between mindfulness and job satisfaction among teachers. Also, teachers experience higher levels of well-being in the presence of spiritual leadership at their workplaces. Research limitations/implications: The paper contributes to leadership and workplace spirituality literature by testing an integrated framework of mediating role of inner well-being and physical well-being. Practical implications: The study helps practitioners to integrate their practices and programs with workplace spirituality for improving well-being and attaining positive outcomes, which can further contribute to performance and productivity in institutions. Originality/value: The proposed framework highlights the impact of workplace spirituality dimensions and mindfulness on inner well-being and physical well-being of teachers which lead to positive outcomes such as job satisfaction. It also enriches the spiritual leadership literature.

Purpose: The study aims to validate a mobile learning readiness scale through the technology readiness and acceptance model (TRAM), thereby assessing students' readiness to adopt m-learning in teaching and learning, including its acceptance. Design/methodology/approach: A structured questionnaire was administered to open and distance learning (ODL) students in Odisha, India, to assess their readiness and acceptance of m-learning. 665 valid responses were collected, and collected data was analysed using statistical packages for social sciences (SPSS) and SmartPLS. Findings: The findings of the study reveal that optimism contributes positively to perceived ease of use (PEOU) and perceived usefulness (PU) of m-learning ([beta] = 7.921, p < 0.001; [beta] = 2.123, p < 0.05), whereas innovativeness positively contributes to PEOU of m-learning ([beta] = 2.227, p < 0.05), but not PU of m-learning. ODL student's optimism improves his/her PEOU and PU of m-learning, but innovativeness improves only his/her PEOU. Further, the impact of innovativeness is higher than that of optimism in the TRAM and innovativeness is the strong predictor to adopt m-learning. It also shows that the PU of m-learning positively influences behavioural intention to use m-learning ([beta] = 4.757, p < 0.001). Integrating technology readiness (TR) with technology acceptance model (TAM) to predict students' acceptance of m-learning is very useful. Practical implications: The paper will help decision-makers to adopt and use m-learning in higher educational institutions. Originality/value: This paper is the first to explore the readiness and acceptance of m-learning in higher education in India.

Information and Communication Technology (ICT) has infused in every walk of life effecting the technology fields, such as launching satellites, managing businesses across the globe, and also enabling social networking. The technological tools provide students in discovering, classifying, and enhancing the knowledge towards mathematical concepts and relationships. The purpose of this study is to enhance students' learning in mathematics through teaching multimedia instructional strategy. The study was performed over the 60 IX standard students selected randomly. 30 students constituted the experiment group and 30 students constituted the control group. Multimedia instructional strategy were applied to experiment group and traditional method of instruction were implemented on the control group. Before the treatment both group were diagnosed and pretested and taught through multimedia for experimental group and traditional method for control group. After the intervention both groups were assessed by post-test. After 20 days both groups were tested by retention and then analysed by t-test. The results show that, experimental group students have more retention in learning mathematics. So this is an evidence that technological devices must enhance the students learning mathematics.

This paper focuses on the teaching learning process by evaluating the Classroom management and Metacognition of high school teachers. Classroom management is one of the greatest concerns of teachers and administrators when addressing the safety and well-being of students (Taylor & Franklin, 2009). Effective classroom management should be the primary responsibility of the classroom teacher with the students accepting the responsibility of their inappropriate behavior. Metacognitive strategies like planning, monitoring and self evaluation may experience a lot of stress, strain and anxiety that results in restlessness in teaching competence. The uses of appropriate metacognitive strategies help the teachers to overcome the teaching learning problems. There is no doubt that the standard of Classroom management and Metacognition of teachers in the classrooms determine the standard of the school as well as quality education too. The research was a survey type, which consists of purposive sampling of 100 high school teachers in Dindigul district. The investigator has constructed and validated the Metacognition Scale and Classroom Management Scale by self under the guidance of his research guide. Personal data sheet was prepared by the investigator. The interpretation of data was done with statistical methods in percentage analysis, mean, standard deviation and 't'-test. The result showed that there is significant relationship between the Classroom management and Metacognition of high school teachers.

Journal club (JC) is an integral part of postgraduate medical education. Although several innovations have been attempted to improve its effectiveness, the influence of the number of sessions remains unexplored. The current study investigated the effect of the number of sessions (one vs. four) of conduction of journal club on critical appraisal skills of postgraduate students at two institutions. A quasi-experimental study was conducted comparing the effectiveness of JC in a one- versus four-session JC format using two objective tests: Critical Appraisal Skills Test (CAST) and Population, Intervention, Comparison, Outcome (PICO) score. The degree of changes (pre-JC vs. post-JC session) after each format exposure, association of prescores to postscores, and correlation between the CAST and PICO scores were discerned. CAST score was higher in the four-session format (P = 0.03), whereas PICO score increased in the single-session format of JC (P = 0.03). Also, the change in CAST score was higher in the four-session versus single-session JC format (P = 0.04). We conclude that a four-session format of JC is more effective in augmenting critical appraisal skills of postgraduate students, whereas a single session is sufficient for improving factual knowledge.

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]

In this study the systematic review of trials was carried out to evaluate the prevalence of oral cancer in India. The articles related to the prevalence of Oral Cancer in India were hand searched using electronic databases which includes Prospero, Grey literature, Science Direct, Lilacs, Wiley online library and PubMed. The most common site of Oral cancer in North, East, Central and West zone is Buccal mucosa while in North- east and south zone Tongue is the most affected part. Prevalence rate for Leukoplakia is 37.1%, Speckled leukoplakia is 21.7%, Oral Submucous Fibrosis is 21.1% and Lichen Planus is 19.8%. Highest prevalence can be seen in Males of East zone with 75.7%. The mean age group prevalence is 30- 50 years of age. The study observed a general increase in oral cancer incidence especially in the East Zone. This will pave the path for evidence- based interventions and policies that promote oral health and improve the overall well- being of the population. Indian Government should give importance for the prevention of Oral Cancer by implementing new schemes and providing awareness program to promote the healthy lifestyle and banning of tobacco products. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Telemedicine-assisted buprenorphine (BNX) induction (TABI) has the potential to reduce the treatment gap for opioid use disorder. Aim: This study investigated the acceptability and feasibility of TABI in India. This was a retrospective study from a specialized addiction treatment center in a teaching hospital. Methods: TABI was introduced in November 2022; patients enrolled till May 2023 were included in the analysis. Feasibility was assessed by the proportion of patients who completed the TABI program, continued treatment for at least 3 months, and self-reported nonprescription opioid use during and after TABI. Acceptability was measured by patient satisfaction with TABI. Results: Sixty patients were enrolled: Fifty-three patients (88.3%) were retained during the TABI program, and 50 patients (83.3%) remained in treatment at the 3-month follow-up. Thirty-five patients (58.3%) reported using nonprescription opioids during TABI, and 28 patients (46.7%) reported such use after completing the program. Thirty-five (58.3%) were satisfied with the program, and 15 (25%) said they would recommend it to others. Patients who missed scheduled in-person appointments (P < .001) at 1 week, did not return unused BNX-naloxone (P < .001), and were not satisfied (P = .004) were more likely to report nonprescription opioid use. Those who attended the in-person follow-up at 1 week (P = .004) and were satisfied (P = .01) and did not use nonprescription opioids either during (P = .003) or after (P < .001) TABI were more likely to be retained in treatment at 3 months. Conclusion: The study shows TABI's acceptability and feasibility in a specialized addiction treatment setting; further research is needed for broader applicability. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this study the systematic review of trials was carried out to evaluate the prevalence of oral cancer in India. The articles related to the prevalence of Oral Cancer in India were hand searched using electronic databases which includes Prospero, Grey literature, Science Direct, Lilacs, Wiley online library and PubMed. The most common site of Oral cancer in North, East, Central and West zone is Buccal mucosa while in North- east and south zone Tongue is the most affected part. Prevalence rate for Leukoplakia is 37.1%, Speckled leukoplakia is 21.7%, Oral Submucous Fibrosis is 21.1% and Lichen Planus is 19.8%. Highest prevalence can be seen in Males of East zone with 75.7%. The mean age group prevalence is 30- 50 years of age. The study observed a general increase in oral cancer incidence especially in the East Zone. This will pave the path for evidence- based interventions and policies that promote oral health and improve the overall well- being of the population. Indian Government should give importance for the prevention of Oral Cancer by implementing new schemes and providing awareness program to promote the healthy lifestyle and banning of tobacco products. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Equitable access to healthcare for rural, tribal, and underprivileged people has been an emerging area of interest for researchers, academicians, and policymakers worldwide. Improving equitable access to healthcare requires innovative interventions. This calls for clarifying which operational model of a service innovation needs to be strengthened to achieve transformative change and bring sustainability to public health interventions. The current study aimed to identify the components of an operational model of mobile medical units (MMUs) as an innovative intervention to provide equitable access to healthcare. Methods: The study empirically examined the impact of scalability, affordability, replicability (SAR), and immunization performance on the sustainability of MMUs to develop a framework for primary healthcare in the future. Data were collected via a survey answered by 207 healthcare professionals from six states in India. Partial least squares structural equation modeling (PLS-SEM) was conducted to empirically determine the interrelationships among various constructs. Results: The standardized path coefficients revealed that three factors (SAR) significantly influenced immunization performance as independent variables. Comparing the three hypothesized relationships demonstrates that replicability has the most substantial impact, followed by scalability and affordability. Immunization performance was found to have a significant direct effect on sustainability. For evaluating sustainability, MMUs constitute an essential component and an enabler of a sustainable healthcare system and universal health coverage. Conclusion: This study equips policymakers and public health professionals with the critical components of the MMU operational model leading toward sustainability. The research framework provides reliable grounds for examining the impact of scalability, affordability, and replicability on immunization coverage as the primary public healthcare outcome. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: There is a lack of comprehensive data sources on various rating instruments that have been developed, translated, and adapted in Indian context. Aim: Accordinly, this review aimed to compile the available scales/questionnaires/instruments developed, adapted, and translated for use in India. Methods: For this, the search engines like PUBMED, Google Scholar, MedKnow, and Science Direct were searched for scales that have been developed, translated, and adapted in Indian context or an Indian language. Only articles reporting a scale/questionnaire development/interview schedules from India or in an Indian language were included. Results: Available data suggests that most of the instruments that have been translated in the Indian context have been done so in Hindi language. Very few instruments are available in other languages. The scales/instruments that are available in multiple languages include Mini International Neuropsychiatric Interview (MINI), General Health Questionnaire (GHQ), Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ), Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA), Geriatric Depression Scale (GDS), Edinburgh postnatal depression, Epworth sleepiness scale to evaluate daytime sleepiness, Columbia-Suicide Severity Rating Scale (C-SSRS), Recovery quality of life, World Health Organization Quality of Life-Bref version, Subjective happiness scale, Hospital Anxiety and Depression scale (HADS), Perceived Stress Scale (PSS), Multidimensional Scale of Perceived Social Support (MSPSS), Internalized Stigma of Mental Illness (ISMI), COVID-19 stigma scale, Dyadic adjustment scale, Broad Autism Phenotype Questionnaire (BAPQ), Strength and Difficulties Questionnaire (SDQ), and Rosenzweig picture frustration study (Children's form). Overall, very few instruments have been developed in India. Conclusion: To conclude, our review suggests that a limited number of scales have been developed in India and in terms of translation and adaptation, most of these have been done in Hindi only. Keeping these points in mind, there is a need to develop more psychometrically sound scales for research and routine clinical practice. Additionally, efforts must be made to translate and adapt scales available in different languages and subject the same to psychometric evaluations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: India is a vast and diverse country with existing variations in the frequency and distribution of cancers across its various parts. In regions lacking population-based cancer registries (PBCRs) in a vast country like India, hospital-based cancer registry (HBCR) data become an important source of information on the trends and patterns of a region. To determine the numerical trends of cases of the top ten cancer sites reporting to HBCR of a tertiary care cancer center in Bihar from 2014 to 2021. Materials and Methods: The details of all histopathologically confirmed cancer cases registered in the HBCR department of radiation oncology, State Cancer Institute, Indira Gandhi Institute of Medical Sciences, Patna, India between January 2014 and December 2021 were included in this retrospective observational study. All these cases were grouped site-wise and listed in descending order of the total number of cases reported in each group. Cross-tabulation with age and sex distribution was done. The frequency distribution of the top ten leading cancers for every consecutive calendar year was plotted in line diagrams for time trend analysis. Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (IBM SPSS Statistics for Windows, Version 20.0. Armonk, NY: IBM Corp.). was used for analysis. Annual percent change (APC) was determined for the number of cases of all ten cancer sites using joinpoint regression analysis (Joinpoint Regression Software, Version 4.0.4--May 2013; Statistical Methodology and Applications Branch, Surveillance Research Program of the US National Cancer Institute; Bethesda, MD, USA). Results: Out of 32,057 total cancer cases registered between Jan 2014 and Dec 2021, 21,848 patients (68.2%) cases constituted the top ten cancers. The top ten cancers among both sexes were cancer gallbladder (n = 4204, 13.1%), head and neck (n = 3395, 10.6%), breast (n = 3392, 10.6%), lung (n = 2069, 6.5%), cervix (n = 2039, 6.4%), hematolymphoid (n = 1930, 6.0%), liver (n = 1572, 4.9%), stomach (n = 1116, 3.5%), ovary (n = 1103, 3.4%), and colon-rectum (n = 1028, 3.2%). Except for cervical and hematolymphoid cancers, the rest all showed a rising trend over consecutive years. Conclusion: Cancer of the gallbladder continues to be among the most common cancers in the region. Focused research in all aspects of this deadly disease is needed. Strengthening of prevention and screening programs for common cancers and upliftment of the existing infrastructure for diagnosis and treatment of cancer in the region are necessitated. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Respiratory syncytial virus is a major causative agent of lower respiratory tract infection in children, especially infants with substantial morbidity and mortality implications. The virus undergoes continuous evolution documented by accumulation of mutations in the glycoprotein gene necessitating vigilant surveillance to provide essential data to epidemiologists and researchers involved in development of vaccines. This study was aimed to perform molecular characterization of respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) among children ≤ 5 years admitted in hospital. In the current study we observed RSV‐A (2019 (n = 95) and 2021 (n = 61) seasons) and RSV‐B (2022 season (n = 68)). Phylogenetic analysis revealed all RSV‐A strains (n = 47) to be GA.2.3.5 and RSV‐B (n = 22) were classified as GB.5.0.5a. Selection pressure analysis identified one positive (P274L/V) and one negative site (P230T) in RSV–A, while in RSV‐B there was only one negatively selected site (S295). This study spanning over three seasons contributes to RSV evolutionary dynamics in India emphasizing the importance of on‐going surveillance to inform effective public health strategies and vaccine development efforts. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To promote healthy aging and acknowledge the growing concern of population aging in India, it is essential to evaluate the health condition of elderly parents, especially considering the migration of their children. We systematically reviewed the literature using a multi-stage search and review method that followed the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) 2020 guidelines. At first, 691 studies were identified, but only 36 papers that satisfied the selection criteria were included in this review. The review examines the current body of literature on the health of elderly parents and the influence of children's migration on their well-being in India. It indicates that a growing proportion of the elderly are encountering a range of non-communicable diseases (NCDs), including mental health. Regardless of varying demographic and socioeconomic conditions, children's migration is identified as a crucial social determinant affecting health. This review consolidates a range of studies examining the health of elderly parents, enhancing both theoretical and empirical comprehension of the effects of adult children moving away on the health and overall welfare of the elderly. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Microplastics (MPs) are one of the major substantial pollutants in the environment and are stored in sediments worldwide, especially in marine environments. This study shed light on the abundance, distribution, sources and chemical composition of MPs present in the surface sediments collected from the shelf part of the southeast coast of India, Bay of Bengal. A total of twenty-seven surface sediment samples were collected to study MPs pollution. The abundance and morphological characteristics of MPs were determined by counting using an Olympus SXZ7 stereo microscope. Raman spectroscopy analysis was used to identify the polymer type of the MPs. The average abundance of MPs in the study area is 460±275 MPs/kg in dry sediment. Regarding colour, transparent particles were predominant (46.42%), followed by blue, green, brown, etc. With respect to particle shape and size, fibres and 500-µm sized MPs are abundant. Polypropylene (PP), polyethylene (PE), polyethylene terephthalate (PET), high-density polyethylene (HDPE), low-density polyethylene (LDPE) and polystyrene (PS) are the polymer types characterised in the study area. The higher abundance of MPs in the study area can be attenuated to human interruptions, viz., tourism, fishing and inappropriate sewage disposal in the marine environment. In addition to this, population density also plays an important role in providing MPs to the marine environment. This study provides the most valuable data to extrapolate the research for mitigating MP pollution in oceans. It also informs mankind about their disastrous activities on the marine environment, which is expected to recuperate quickly and negatively impact human health and the functionality of the marine system. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Most coal in India originates from the Korb basin (Chhattisgarh), where coal mines, thermal power, and aluminum plants operate. Groundwater in this region faces severe pollution due to land reclamation, leaching of coal‐related contaminants, waste disposal, and industrial effluent seepage. This work presents results from monitoring groundwater pollution in the Korba basin from 2012 to 2017. Fluoride, aluminum, manganese, and iron levels exceeded acceptable quality limits across all 28 studied locations, with excessive nitrate, magnesium, calcium, and lead levels in specific sites. Tracking seasonal and temporal fluctuations in the most polluted site, namely Kudurmal, revealed peak solute concentrations during the monsoon period and a sustained 18% increase during the study period. Factorial analysis suggests groundwater contamination arises from both human activities and natural sources. These findings underscore the urgent necessity of devising remediation strategies for the drinking water supply. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Pharmacological drugs and medications are being widely used for the control of non-communicable diseases like hypertension. Hill-Bone--Compliance to High Blood Pressure Therapy Scale (HB-HBP) is a newly developed specific questionnaire for assessing the anti-hypertensive medication adherence. Hence, this study was done to translate the HB-HBP in Tamil and to assess the construct validity and reliability of the Tamil version. Materials and Methods: Translation of HB-HBP to native language, Tamil was done by experts and piloted with subsample of hypertensive patients from rural Puducherry. Final Tamil-translated HB-HBP was administered among 328 Tamilspeaking hypertensive patients in the selected villages of rural Puducherry (union territory in South India). Construct validity was assessed by exploratory factor analysis (EFA) through the principal component method. Based on the minimum average partial and parallel analysis, three-factor model was distinguished. Confirmatory factor analysis was done to obtain the goodness-of-fit. Reliability of questionnaire was assessed through Cronbach's alpha coefficient. Results: Three factor structures were obtained with eigenvalues of 6.5045, 2.8165, and 1.2261, respectively, which accounted for 75.34% of variance. Three-factor model assessed by the confirmatory factor method found Chi-square value of 1055.048 (P value <0.001). Goodness of fit revealed acceptable comparative fit index (0.773), Tucker-Lewis index (0721), standardized root mean square residual (0.077), and root mean square error of approximation (0.201). The reliability coefficient (Cronbach's alpha) for the scale was 0.9020. Conclusion: Our study concludes that the HB-HBP questionnaire is internally valid and consistent with a good reliability coefficient for application in Tamil-speaking patients with hypertension. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Depression is a major global health concern, particularly in India, where it significantly impacts the population's well-being. The interplay of various factors, including education, employment status, and spiritual intelligence, contributes to the complex landscape of depressive symptoms among adults. Methodology: A community-based cross-sectional study was conducted in the rural service areas of a tertiary care medical institution in rural India from March 2021 to September 2022. The study employed structured questionnaires and validated scales to assess depressive symptoms, spiritual intelligence, educational status, and occupational status among participants. Structural equation modelling was used for mediation analysis to evaluate the effect of spiritual intelligence and employment status on the association between education and depressive symptoms. Results: The study included 381 participants, with a prevalence of depressive symptoms at 14.4%. Higher educational attainment was associated with lower odds of depressive symptoms (aOR = 0.34, 95% CI [0.17, 0.67]). Employment status mediated the relationship between education and depression, with employed individuals exhibiting lower odds of depressive symptoms (aOR = 0.42, 95% CI [0.22, 0.82]). While spiritual intelligence was higher among those with formal education, its direct impact on depression was not statistically significant. The mediation analysis revealed that a significant portion (77.5%) of the total effect of education on depression was mediated through employment status and spiritual intelligence. Conclusion: The study underscores the importance of education and employment opportunities in mitigating depressive symptoms among rural adults. It suggests targeted interventions that promote education and employment support to enhance mental health resilience. While spiritual intelligence may influence mental health outcomes, its exact role requires further investigation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The purpose of the study was to examine the effectiveness of three remedial techniques to improve the spelling ability of students with learning disability. The three techniques, namely, TAK/v, visual orthographic method and listen, speak, read and write (LSRW) method were administered to three experimental groups, each having 13 students with learning disability. The students in the three groups differed in the kind of errors they made in spelling. TAK/v, group, visual orthographic group and LSRW group comprised of dyseidetic spellers, dysphonetic spellers and spellers with mixed errors respectively. The students in the sample had at least average intelligence, manifested specified traits of learning disability, had significant deficits in spelling skills and had no sensorial problems. The results indicated that all the three remedial techniques were significantly effective in ameliorating spelling deficits among students.

Traditional e-learning systems lack the personalization feature to guide learners for selecting the most suitable courses needed. Choosing appropriate courses in the seminal years is important for a future learner who depends on such decisions, as selecting the wrong courses means a mismatch between learner's capability and personal interests. Therefore, a recommender system was developed to suggest and direct the students in selecting the appropriate courses. This study presents algorithms to personalize courses for scholars based on their interests to make learning effective and more productive. The hybrid methodology has been used to retrieve useful information and make accurate recommendations to help learners to increase their performance and improve their satisfaction level. The results suggest that a hybrid approach is better as it will enjoy all the advantages of the individual recommender systems and mitigate their limitations. A threshold-based nearest neighborhood approach will further strengthen the proposed system by finding a similar learner for targeted learners.

Due to the growing population and advancing economy, medical waste accumulation has come to the attention of all facets of society. Although the issue of medical waste management planning has been addressed in developed nations, it still exists in several developing nations. This paper examines the effects of barriers under the Organization action, work handling, and Human Resource Practices section on the healthcare waste management (HCWM) sector in a developing country India. In this study, three hypotheses were constructed and tested using Structural equation modeling. The questionnaire was distributed among 200 health professionals to collect their responses. Ninety-seven responses were received, and 15 barriers were identified affecting the healthcare waste management sector. The results show that all three barriers (i.e., Organizational, Waste handling, and Human resources) hinder the Healthcare waste management sector. Organizational Barriers are the most significant among other barriers. So, the hospitals have to take appropriate actions to overcome these barriers. This paper helps to complete the research gap by providing the different characteristics of barriers. The development of a model for the analysis of barriers influencing HCWM is the Author's original contribution. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A violet pigment (violacein) bacterial isolate AMA‐5 was isolated from soil samples collected from Achanakmar Biosphere Reserve, Mungeli district, Chhattisgarh, India. The yield of biocolor from this isolate was screened in minimal medium after 48 h of incubation at 37°C ± 2°C temperature. The violet pigment was extracted in ethanol. It was also observed that ammonium chloride (2.5 g/1000 mL) as a nitrogen source is the best to enhance AMA‐5 pigment production among other nitrogen sources (ammonium sulfate, tryptophan, ammonium iron sulfate, and peptone). The Sanger sequencing of 16S rDNA of strain AMA‐5 showed similarity with Chromobacterium piscinae. From the available literature and research articles, it was assumed that this violet color pigment is violacein. It was further verified by conducting high‐performance liquid chromatography (HPLC), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), and proton nuclear magnetic resonance (1H‐NMR) analysis. The violet biocolor that extracted was used in cotton and polyester fabric dyeing. After the fabrics treated with sodium chloride as a mordant were completely dried, it was identified that the color was solidifying. Overall study showed that C. piscinae AMA‐5 has good potential for production of violacein, which is the most important industrial natural dye used to add color to textile products. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In Batseri Village of Sangla Valley, a rockfall incident occurred during the monsoon season on July 21, 2021. To assess the kinematics of this rockfall event, a comprehensive study was conducted, involving detailed field investigations, video frame analysis, and numerical modelling. During the rockfall, a resident captured 10 m3 elliptical rockfall boulder motion using a mobile phone camera providing crucial data for tracking and analysing its trajectory. The video of the boulder showed rotational motion along its minor axis after impacting an embedded boulder. The field investigation revealed that the rock mass exhibits three prominent sets of tectonic joints. The weathering along these tectonic joints and topography formed denudation joints at the top of the escarpment, which led to the rock mass failure. Through numerical simulations, it was determined that the potential threat section of the Sangla–Chitkul road at Batseri village spanned approximately 400 m. For boulders passing this road section, the maximum velocity reached 46 m/s, whilst the maximum kinetic energy peaked at 5.9 × 104 kJ, and the highest jump height was measured at 9 m. The analysis of kinetic energy and jump height provides essential parameters for designing effective protective measures. Understanding the rockfall characteristics and potential reach is crucial in developing strategies to safeguard vulnerable areas and mitigate the impact of future rockfall events in Batseri village. The combination of field observations, video frame analysis, and numerical modelling enhances our understanding of rockfall behaviour and informs protective design efforts for infrastructure and communities in the Batseri Village. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Herein, we present a diverse record of dinoflagellate cysts from the lignite-associated sedimentary succession (belonging to the Akli Formation) at Sonari Lignite Mine, Barmer Basin, Rajasthan State, western India. The dinoflagellate cyst assemblage implies a Danian to Ypresian age for the investigated succession and argues that the deposition of lignitic sequences along India's western margin is not coeval. We also identify two vertebrate (dominantly fish-yielding) units within the studied Akli Formation succession. The Ypresian fish genera (mainly represented by dental remains) include Ginglymostoma, Jaekelotodus, Brachycarcharias, Pycnodus and Myliobatis while the Selandian-Thanetian fish dental remains include Dasyatis. A discontinuous distribution of fish fauna during the early Paleogene (based on the temporal and spatial data) within the lignite-associated sedimentary successions of western and north India allows us to infer the prevalence of separated realms with variably restricted palaeoenvironmental conditions. Overall, the faunal evidence is indicative of dominantly estuarine to shallow marine conditions with enhanced freshwater influence during the Thanetian as compared to the Danian. Our study also argues in favour of the earliest appearance of dinoflagellate cyst Apectodinium in the near-equatorial region of the Tethys Ocean during the early Paleocene. (within Danian). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The COVID-19 pandemic of 2020 was one of the rare events that shocked almost every world government simultaneously, thus creating an unusual opportunity to understand how political institutions shape policy decisions. There have been many analyses of what governments did. We focus instead on what they could do, focusing on the institutional politics of agency – how institutions empower rather than how they constrain, and how they affect public policy decisions. We examine public health measures in the first wave (March-September 2020) in Brazil, India, and the U.S. to understand how the interplay of institutions in a complex federal context shaped COVID-19 policy-responses. We find similar patterns of concentrated federal executive agency with limited constraints. In each case, when federal leadership failed public health policy responses, federated, subnational states were left to compensate for these inefficiencies without necessary resources. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The agricultural productivity and sustainability in Eastern Gangetic Plain Zones of India are threatened because of the inefficiency of current production practices, shortage of resources, and socioeconomic constraints. We hypothesized the potential impact of intensified cereal systems with mung bean as a third crop within the annual cropping cycle. We assessed economic, social, and environmental indicators for intensified and current cropping system management practiced by different farm types in the region using the FarmDESIGN model. Building on a farm typology constructed for the region in our past research, we used five types of farmers: part-time (PT), well-endowed (WE), small-scale (SS) crop and livestock mix, medium-scale (MS), and resource-poor farmers (RP) in this study. The performance indicators of the 229 original cropping systems cultivated within the 43 farms varied strongly in the eight performance indicators. This variability of cropping systems performance within the farm types resulted in the absence of significant differences between the types. Compared to the original cropping systems, the intensified cropping systems with mung bean not only performed high in dietary energy (DE) production and organic matter (OM) inputs into the soil but also had high application rates of biocides and minimized losses of nitrogen (N). The intervention systems were low in labor requirement and scored at an intermediate level for crop gross margin, water use, and greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. The ranges of areas of maize- and rice-based systems that could be replaced by intensified systems were largest for the WE and RP farm types. This was reflected in large ranges of change in the performance indicators, but no significant differences in response were found between the farm types. The intensification of maize- and rice-based systems with the proposed intervention cropping systems involving mung bean would result in increased profitability, higher DE yield, and lower requirements for labor and water as the proportion of the farms being converted increases. However, the use of biocides would increase, while the intervention cropping systems would have no significant effect on OM input, GHG emissions, and soil N losses. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The purpose of this study is to understand the impact of community mobilization initiatives on citizens' health-seeking behavior through the lens of COVID-19 vaccination in the state of Madhya Pradesh, India. This study follows a case study approach to understand community mobilization initiatives that led to increased COVID-19 vaccination uptake. The study delineates the process to increase community mobilization to improve the uptake of COVID-19 vaccination. It highlights the key components of community mobilization that were adopted: the involvement of local leadership (at district, block, and village level), support of vaccination/mobilizer team, the role of in-person communication, involvement of influential community heads and social workers, localized strategies and IEC materials, and support from the state administration. Additionally, the key communication themes that played a crucial role in increasing COVID-19 vaccination coverage are identified. The findings of this study will help the policymakers and practitioners in the domains of Health and Medical Humanities, Health Policy and Services, and Social Sciences to clarify the roles of community mobilization activities and initiatives in increasing vaccination coverage. Furthermore, the study provides evidence for the adaptation, integration, and enhancement of these activities based on the four case studies discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives: This is the first systematic review and meta-analysis of the prevalence of multimorbidity, its risk factors including socioeconomic factors, and the consequences of multimorbidity on health systems and broader society in India. Methods: A systematic review of both published and grey literature from five databases (Medline, Embase, EBSCO, Scopus, and ProQuest) was conducted including original studies documenting prevalence or patient outcomes associated with multimorbidity among adults in India. We excluded studies that did not explicitly mention multimorbidity. Three independent reviewers did primary screening based on titles and abstracts followed by full-text review for potential eligibility. The risk of bias was independently assessed by two reviewers following the Appraisal Tool for Cross-Sectional Studies. We presented both qualitative and quantitative (through meta-analysis) summaries of the evidence. The protocol for this study was prospectively registered with PROSPERO (CRD42021257281). Results: The review identified 5442 articles out of which 35 articles were finally included in this study. Twenty-three studies were based on the primary data while 12 used secondary data. Eleven studies were conducted in hospital/primary care setting while 24 were community-based. The pooled prevalence of multimorbidity based on (n=19) studies included for meta-analysis was 20% (95% CI: 19% to 20%). The most frequent outcomes were increased healthcare utilization, reduced health-related quality of life, physical and mental functioning. Conclusion: We identified a wide variance in the magnitude of multimorbidity across age groups and regions with most of the studies from eastern India. Nation-wide studies, studies on vulnerable populations and interventions are warranted. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study draws attention to the better comprehension of spatio-temporal analysis of climate changes based on precipitation extremes and projection of future streamflow for efficient management of water resources in the Krishna River Basin (KRB), India. The concept of symmetric uncertainty (SU) is employed to select the top five Global Climate Models (GCMs) from the Coupled Model Intercomparison Project Phase 6 (CMIP6) to project future precipitation extreme indices under different Shared Socio-economic Pathways (SSPs). Grid-wise trend analysis reveals that there is more number of decreasing trends in extreme precipitation indices than increasing trends. From the results, it is observed that the percentage contributions of maximum one-day (RX1day) and five-day (RX5day) precipitation indices to the annual total precipitation indices are more important. In future periods, the precipitation extremes are expected to increase, especially the heavy precipitation indices such as R95p, R99p, RX1day, and RX5day, which are increasing significantly along with R50. The projection of future streamflow in the KRB is done using a Support Vector Machine (SVM) and is expected to increase under different SSPs. These precipitation extremes may increase the chance of hydrological calamities across the basin in the future. Research highlights: Spatio-temporal analysis of extreme precipitation indices is carried out using CMIP6 climate model simulations over KRB. One of the most efficient algorithm, symmetric uncertainty is employed to select best-performing GCMs to reduce the uncertainty in GCM selection. The association between the extreme indices and discharge is carried out using Pearson correlation. A significant increase is observed in projected extreme indices, especially very extreme indices such as 95th and 99th percentiles, RX1day and RX5day. SVM regression is established between TOTPR and mean daily discharge to predict the future annual average streamflow under different SSP scenarios. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is a leading cause of morbidity and mortality worldwide. However, there is a lack of comprehensive data from low- and middle-income countries (LMICs) regarding factors influencing COPD outcomes, particularly in regions where biomass exposure is prevalent. Objective: The Factors Affecting Survival in Severe and Very Severe COPD Patients Admitted to Tertiary Centers of India (FAST) study aims to address this gap by evaluating factors impacting survival and exacerbation rates among COPD patients in LMICs like India, with a specific focus on biomass exposure, clinical phenotypes, and nutritional status in patients admitted to the Intensive Care Unit (ICU). Methods: The FAST study is an observational cohort study conducted in university teaching hospitals across India. The study aims to enroll 1000 COPD patients admitted to the ICU meeting specific inclusion criteria, with follow-up assessments conducted every 6 months over a 2-year period. Data collection includes demographic information, clinical manifestations, laboratory investigations, pulmonary function tests, medications, nutritional status, mental health, and health-related quality of life. Adjudication of exacerbations and mortality will also be undertaken. The FAST study seeks to provide crucial insights into COPD outcomes in LMICs, informing more precise management strategies and mitigating the burden of COPD in these settings. By evaluating factors such as biomass exposure, clinical phenotypes, and nutritional status, the study aims to address key knowledge gaps in COPD research. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Acute encephalitis syndrome (AES) outbreaks in children of Eastern Uttar Pradesh (E-UP) region of India have been a longstanding public health issue, with a significant case fatality rate of 20–25%. Since past decade, a rise in chikungunya (CHIK) cases has been occurring, which is a reported etiology of AES. However, the burden of chikungunya virus (CHIKV) among pediatric AES (pAES) is unknown from E-UP. We included 238 hospitalized pAES cases. The presence of IgM antibodies for CHIKV, and Dengue virus (DENV) was tested, and RT-PCR was performed for CHIKV and DENV in serologically confirmed CHIKV and DENV pAES cases. Positive samples were sequenced using Sangers sequencing. Further, to check for co-infection, IgM antibodies for other AES etiologies including Japanese encephalitis virus (JEV), Leptospira and Orientia tsutsugamushi (OT) in serum were also investigated. IgM ELISA demonstrated 5.04% (12) positivity for CHIKV. Among CHIKV IgM positive, 3 (25%, 3/12) pAES patients died. CHIKV genome was detected in 3 pAES specimens. Among which, 2 CHIKV cases were also positive for OT DNA. Partially sequenced CHIKV were genotyped as ECSA. The overall finding indicates evidence of CHIKV infection with high case fatality among pAES patients from E-UP. This study advocates constant serological and molecular surveillance of CHIKV in AES endemic regions of India. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Pancreatic Fluid Collections (PFCs) are accumulations of pancreatic fluid or debris contained within a granulation tissue wall. Unlike true cysts, they arise as complications of various conditions like acute pancreatitis, abdominal trauma, pancreatic surgery, or chronic pancreatic duct obstruction. While smaller PFCs (under 4 cm) often resolve on their own without intervention, larger collections exceeding 6 cm or those causing symptoms like infection or bile duct obstruction have significantly lower rates of spontaneous resolution. In such cases, drainage intervention is typically recommended. Aim: To assess the treatment effectiveness of Percutaneous Catheter Drainage (PCD) for PFCs using ultrasound guidance. Materials and Methods: A prospective interventional study was conducted in the Department of Radiodiagnosis, Government Stanley Medical College and Hospital, Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India, from September 2021 to August 2022. The study focused on patients (N=73) with PFC as a complication of acute pancreatitis necessitating ultrasound-guided PCD. The study outcomes were clinical effectiveness, reinterventions, and mortality rates. Additionally, authors investigated the impact of various drainage factors, such as indication, PFC type, location relative to the pancreas, PFC size, Modified Computed Tomography (CT) Severity Index (CTSI), duration between symptom onset and PCD initiation, total catheter dwell time, and duration between symptom onset and reintervention. Statistical analyses employed International Business Machine (IBM) Statistical Packages for Social Sciences (SPSS) Statistics. Descriptive statistics and independent samples t-test for continuous variables; Chi-square test for categorical data (p<0.05). Results: In present study, the mean age of the subjects was 47 years. PCD in terms of clinical success was 63% (n=46) and clinical failure was 37% (n=27). Open necrosectomy was performed on 15 patients (20.5%) and open cystogastrostomy was performed on 11 patients (15.1%). Conclusion: The utilisation of ultrasound-guided PCD for PFCs represents a technique associated with relatively low morbidity and mortality rates. This approach can serve as either definitive treatment or a transitional measure before resorting to open surgery. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper aims to extend the enhanced "unified theory of acceptance and use of technology (UTAUT)" model with pandemic precautionary measures (PPM) to examine the variables that influence the adoption of "cashless transactions (CLT)" during pandemic periods such as COVID-19. For this purpose, this research polled 363 people from 15 zones of Chennai City, India. Utilizing the responses, the relationship between components was explored using a PLS-SEM approach in two distinct research models to examine the influence of PPM in the enhanced UTAUT. The results indicate that the model with PPM (model 2) exhibited an improvement over the model without PPM (model 1) in the variance explained of behavioural intention from 77.3 to 82%. Further, in model 1, performance expectation is the most potent predictor of individuals' intentions to use CLT, and in model 2, performance expectations deteriorated slightly in its ability and PPM became the most potent predictor. Furthermore, these findings reveal that the PPM-included enhanced UTAUT has significantly strengthened its ability to explain behavioural intent to adopt CLT. Thus, this research model has the potential to be of great use in investigating the adoption of CLT in any epidemic period. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Viruses have proven to be Earth's most lethal micro-organisms. Following the COVID-19 blowout, thousands of people lost their lives or fell victim to critical illnesses which ultimately disturbed various aspects of healthcare. Mental health issues were one of the major concerns during this difficult time. Most of the studies focussed on the treatment aspect of COVID-19 while few studies focussed on psychological health. Hence, this study assessed major psychological disorders (depression, anxiety and stress) among adults during COVID-19 pandemic in Mehrauli, Delhi. Materials and methods: A community-based cross-sectional study was conducted from the month of January 2021 to June 2022 among adults (18-60 years) in Mehrauli, Delhi. A written informed consent was taken from the study subjects. A semi-structured, self-designed interview schedule was used to collect information from the study subjects. DASS-21 questionnaire was used to assess the subjects' psychological disorders. Results: Prevalence of depression, anxiety, and stress among the study participants were found to be 31.2%, 32.7% and 19.4%, respectively. A higher prevalence of moderate to extremely severe psychological disorders compared to mild ones was found among participants. Men exhibited a greater prevalence of psychological disorders, notably mild depression, with a clear gender association. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study investigates the incidence of heat wave and cold wave condition during 2000 – 2022 in the Bathinda district of South-Western region of Punjab. Notable spikes in heat wave (HW) activity were observed in 2002 and 2022 with 29 and 27 days respectively. Similarly, for severe heat waves (SHW), 2010 and 2022 witnessed the highest frequencies recording 16 and 18 days respectively. Conversely, cold wave (CW) events peaked in 2005 and 2008 with 10 and 11 days respectively. Notably, 2008 also observed the highest frequency of severe cold wave (SCW) days with 15 days. However, results revealed decline in cold wave days towards the latter years, while severe cold wave days also exhibited decreasing frequencies like 2015 and 2016 recorded zero CW and SCW days. One key finding highlights a substantial correlation between land surface temperature (LST) and maximum air temperature during heat wave periods (R² = 0.83), indicating LST’s efficacy as an indicator for monitoring temperature trends during heat wave events. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The present study aims to analyse the research domains, gender gap, and labour market perspectives of doctoral research in LIS in India. Sodhganga, a digital repository of Indian thesis and dissertations, was used for extracting doctoral thesis information and Jarvelin & Vakkari classification system was used for categorising the doctoral research topics. A total of 808 doctoral dissertations awarded between 2016 and 2020 were analysed using IBM SPSS and Tableau. The study's findings revealed that the growth of doctoral research in LIS is on rising trends with 150 PhD awarded in LIS every year. Information seeking (33.8%), library and information service activities (30.7%), and scientific & professional communication (16.5%) were found to be the preferred research themes among doctoral students during the study period. Furthermore, it is revealed that there is a gender gap in the number of PhDs conferred, with more men than women receiving these degrees. LIS professionals with a doctorate have the highest employment rate, at 96.2%, and most are in government jobs. Besides, only 40 percent of doctoral candidates reported receiving an incentive after the doctoral degree. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

India's mainstream political discourse is yet to grant genuine space to environmental issues or sustainable development; their priority being economic development. This is despite noteworthy environmental conservation movements and civil society organizations committed to the cause of the environment. Although the country has an array of competent environmental regulations, the environmental sustainability of the development programmes remains the least addressed. The case is not different for the Kerala state, despite its high literacy and human development matching many developed countries. The "Kerala Development Model" has been highly praised for its high-level social development. The apparently well-informed population of the state also outscores most states regarding environmental identity. In this context, this paper explores the Athirappilly hydroelectric Project pursued by the Kerala State Electricity Board Limited and other interest groups. It appears that the contemporary socio-economic-political scenario is urging the state's highly literate and politicized public to a post-nature or post-truth society increasingly engrossed in a consumerist lifestyle at the cost of the unique environmental setup. The present study also highlights how the Kerala population, once dominated by socialistic/liberal ideologies with egalitarian values, has been riding the neoliberal development wave giving little importance to nature and long-term ecological security. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The present study describes a 7-year-old male child who had attended the Pediatric Oncology Clinic of the Regional Cancer Centre, Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala, India, and was pathologically confirmed to have B-Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia (B-ALL). Conventional cytogenetics analysis at diagnosis showed the presence of a double Philadelphia chromosome and the karyotype of the case was 47, XY, t(9;22)(q34;q11.2), + der(22)t(9;22). FISH, done as a molecular confirmation of the translocation, t(9;22)(q34;q11.2), and this case showed an additional fusion signal that confirms the presence of double Ph. As far as we are aware, this represents the initial and only occurrence of an abnormality report regarding the double Philadelphia chromosome in pediatric B-ALL within India. The double Philadelphia chromosome in B-ALL has a very poor prognosis despite aggressive treatment with chemotherapy. This study reveals the importance of conventional and molecular cytogenetic analysis in risk stratification and prognosis prediction of pediatric B-ALL. The risk stratification based on the conventional and molecular cytogenetic analysis may be taken into consideration for deciding the treatment strategy for each patient. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The pulp and paper industry is critical to global industrial and economic development. Recently, India's pulp and paper industries have been facing severe competitive challenges. The challenges have impaired the environmental performance and resulted in the closure of several operations. Assessment and prediction of the performance of the Indian pulp and paper industry using various parameters is a critical task for researchers. This study proposes a framework for performance assessment and prediction based on Data Envelopment Analysis (DEA), Artificial Neural Networks, and Deep Learning (DL) to assist industry administration and decision-making. We presented a case study based on eight industries to demonstrate the methodology's applicability. This study analyses and predicts industry performance based on sample data observations over 30 years. The result suggests the DEA-DL-based efficiency prediction has an overall MSE of 0.08 compared with the actual efficiency. Furthermore, the efficiency rankings are compared between the three techniques. The results suggest that the integrated DEA-DL method is primarily accurate in most scenarios with the actual values. The findings of this study provide a comprehensive analysis of environmental performance for policymakers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Almost a third of the global load of oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) occurs in India and can be attributed to the widespread use of tobacco and tobacco-related products in this part of the sub-continent. Materials and Methods: Records of 274 patients of OSCC treated between January 2018 and December 2019 in our institute were analyzed for the study for history of tobacco abuse and distribution of associated demographic, clinical, and pathological factors. Results: The age of the patients in the study ranged from 31 to 82 years with a median age of 60 years. The ratio of oral cancer in males: females was 3:1. Exposure to tobacco was seen in the majority of patients (89%) who reported with oral carcinoma. Smokeless tobacco in the form of gutka was the most common abused tobacco, followed by bidi in our study. Tongue and buccal mucosa (38% and 36%, respectively) were the most common sites. Significant statistical correlation of tobacco use was seen with age, gender, clinical, and pathological tumor stages. Conclusion: With tobacco being the main cause of OSCC, further studies with a larger number of patients and preferably with a comparison arm of non-tobacco OSCC would help in elucidating the exact clinical and statistical correlation of tobacco with the clinicopathological factors. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Central nervous system ( CNS ) tumors are most dreaded form of cancer with high mortality and morbidity . (1)CNS tumors comprises of less then 2.1 % of all malignancies.[2]. In India,tumors of CNS constitute about 1.9 % of all tumor .[3].However, a rising global trend in these tumors has been observed over the years with newly identified potential risk factors like genetic mutation and ionizing radiation exposure etc. Despite of great advancement of ancillary studies,histopathological grading is a means of predicting the biological behaviour of neoplasm. That’s why histopathological examination is the corner ston upon which the treatment strategy depends. Tumor grade and associate genetic mutation with molecular marker influencing the choice of therapies and predict the response of therapy and outcome. Aim: The aim of present study is to know prevalence of different histological types and grades of primary brain tumors in a single tertiary care centre . Identify the age distribution, gender distribution,topography and different histological types along with WHO grading of CNS tumors . Study Design: One year Prospective study. Material and Method: It was a prospective study carried out in department of pathology,Dr S.N. Medical College Jodhpur from October 2021 to December2022. Total 94 cases of CNS tumors were included in this study. The tissues were processed and stained with routine haematoxylin and eosin and finally histopathological examination was done by light microscopy . CNS tumors were classified according to WHO 2016 Morphological classification and simultaneously WHO grading was done. The data was analyzed using excel and SPSS software. Results: 94 cases were analyzed during a study period of 1 years. Male preponderance was observed with 52 males and 42 females with M: F ratio is 1.23:1. A wide age group ranging from 4 to 85 years were affected. Overall mean age was 38.58 years. Maximum cases were recorded between 20- 40 years of age. Majority of lesions were presented as space occupying lesion ( 85 cases,90 % ). WHO Grade I tumors was predominant 40 cases,42.55 %). Glial tumors having maximum percentage ( 33 cases,35.10 %)followed by meningeal tumors ( 32 cases (34.04%). Meningothelial meningioma was most common histological type of all type of meningioma. Conclusion: The present study provides information regarding the burden of disease in our area. In developing countries like India due to lack of complete registration of newly diagnosed cases with local cancer registries,the exact tumor burden goes unnoticed. Hospital based prevalence data therefore estimating tumor burden and making appropriate infrastructure in management of these cancers with newer diagnostic as well as therapeutic treatment modalities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study is the first time to perform molecular characterization in indigenous chickens, Sakini, of Nepal for studying genetic diversity and its relationship with its assumed progenitors. The first 522 nucleotides of hypervariable I (HVI) segment of the D-loop from 33 individuals were PCR amplified and subsequently sequenced. Fourteen haplotypes out of 33 sequences were identified from 20 polymorphic sites. Haplotype (gene) diversity (Hd) is 0.813 with SD 0.065 and nucleotide diversity (Pi) is 0.00525 with SD 0.00091. The neighbour joining tree indicated that Red Jungle Fowl from India is the progenitor of the Nepalese Sakini chicken. NETWORK analysis revealed that it can be grouped into four distinct Haplogroups (A1, E1, E2, and E3) respectively. Seventeen individuals belonged to E1, eight to E3, seven to E2, and one to A1. The high mitochondrial Dloop diversity in Nepalese Sakini chicken with multiple maternal origins serves the scientific basis for the development of rational policies supporting conservation efforts and provides directions for future research for developing sustainable genetic improvement approaches. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The paper emphasis on the teaching learning process by evaluating the Emotional Maturity and Metacognition of high school teachers. Metacognitive strategies are essential for the teachers of 21st century. This may enable teachers to successfully cope with and handle new situations. For this they should be able to regulate their thinking. So, it is the main duty of a teacher to impart knowledge and also they should make the students to think and to think over their thinking and to act accordingly. The metacognitive knowledge is encompassed with all the information about a proposed task that is available to a teacher. The emotional maturity of teachers should find expression in all domains, whether it is teaching, talking, playing, or walking. Emotionally mature teachers are likely to produce emotionally balanced learners and this transfer of maturity enables a teacher to manage or control his class irrespective of the conditions it has. If the teachers are emotionally matured, they can manage the situations effectively. When the teachers think, plan, and be aware of their classroom activities, they would be emotionally balanced and stable. The research was a survey type, which consists of random sampling of 800 high school teachers in Dindigul and Madurai districts. The investigator has constructed and validated the Metacognition Scale and Emotional Maturity Scale by self under the guidance of his research guide. Personal data sheet was prepared by the investigator. The interpretation of data was done with statistical methods in percentage analysis, mean, standard deviation, and 't'-test and correlation. The result showed that there is significant relationship between the Emotional Maturity and Metacognition of high school teachers.

Coronary artery disease (CAD) imposes a significant economic burden in developing countries like India. Timely diagnosis and treatment should be prioritized to mitigate the disease. Current diagnostic tools being invasive and less specific raise the need to develop less invasive and more reliable molecular biomarkers. MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are an emerging class of molecules that can serve as a potential source of non-invasive biomarkers for CAD. The objective of this study was to determine the potential of circulatory miRNAs as diagnostic biomarkers in CAD. In this study, we have reported two microRNAs, miR-128-3p and miR-195-5p in the serum of CAD patients in Indian Population. A total of 124 subjects were recruited which included 89 angiographically proven CAD patients and 35 control subjects. Our results show a significant decrease in the levels of miR-128-3p in CAD patients while there were no significant changes in the levels of miR-195-5p. Further bioinformatics analysis revealed the potential role of miR-128-3p in cholesterol homeostasis. Altered homeostasis due to cholesterol accumulation in macrophages is the driving force behind formation of foam cells which in turn accelerates the progression of CAD. Here, we have shown that miR-128-3p increases cholesterol levels in macrophages by decreasing cholesterol efflux in-vitro. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]