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Crossover behaviors have always existed in the history of infectious pandemics due to a few distinct, erratic spread outlines. This research aims to investigate the crossover behavior of the proposed SVICR commensurate fractional model for the COVID‐19 delta variant, considering microbial coinfections. A mathematical model in terms of Atangana–Baleanu Caputo (ABC) category fractional integrals takes into account the co‐infection of mucormycosis in immunocompromised COVID‐19 patients caused by microbial infections. ABC operators preserve the intact history of the happenings under contemplation through its nonsingular kernel. It is observed that the framed five‐compartmental SVICR model is positively bounded on R5, the solution space. Two equilibrium points E0andEe$$ {E}_0\mathrm{and}\ {E}_e $$ representing the survival and annihilation of sickness respectively are contributed by the single population N(t), which is counted in five dependent compartments: S(t),V(t),I(t),C(t),andR(t).$$ \mathrm{S}\left(\mathrm{t}\right),\mathrm{V}\left(\mathrm{t}\right),\mathrm{I}\left(\mathrm{t}\right),\mathrm{C}\left(\mathrm{t}\right),\mathrm{and}\ \mathrm{R}\left(\mathrm{t}\right). $$ The bilinear growth rate of new additional infections from the contagious infectives over time 't' is viewed through the threshold metric R0.$$ {R}_0. $$ Lyapunov's stability function examines the parametric influences over the virulent spread globally. The significant focus is to investigate the Mucormycosis cases in COVID‐19 patients with underlying diabetic complications. Diabetes mellitus is the major concern for several coinfections among COVID‐19 recoveries. Aiming to minimalize the critical states, an Lagrangian–Hamiltonian optimum control structure is also performed for the SVICR model by introducing control variables in effect to tri‐control probes of minimized contact rates, persuasive vaccinations, and glycemic control of post recovered diabetic patients. The hike in the Severity of the ailment due to fungal pathogens is studied through numerical convergence of predictor–corrector scheme and simulations. Using estimated parametric values from the statistical data of mucormycosis and infections of COVID‐19 reported cases in India, the prominence of control effects are visualized graphically. To conclude, a complete qualitative analysis of the minimization problem is executed for different levels of control values. We avow that effective control intrusions would almost certainly decline the complexities associated with the viral pathogens. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: Tuberculosis is quite common in India. About 40% of all Indians are infected with mycobacterium tuberculosis, with 2.5 million active tuberculosis cases. Tuberculosis primarily affects the lungs, but it can affect any organ. Extra-pulmonary involvement occurs 15-20% of cases in immune-competent patients and in more than 50% in HIV patients. The most common extra-pulmonary sites are lymph nodes, pleura, abdomen, genitourinary tract, skin, joints and bones, or meninges. Case reports: In this pictorial review article we present 8 atypical cases of tuberculosis and describe their imaging features and histopathology. Conclusions: Extra-pulmonary tuberculosis can affect virtually any organ and can mimic various inflammatory and neoplastic disorders apart from other infective conditions. A strong index of suspicion is required particularly in those countries endemic to tuberculosis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In a broad sense the term land use pattern means the use of land resources under unusual ecological settings. The pattern of land use of a country at any particular time is determined by the physical, economic and institutional framework taken together. In other words, the existing land use pattern in different regions in India has been evolved as a result of the action and interaction of various factors, such as physical characteristic of land, the institutional framework, the structure of other resources (capital, labour, etc.) available. In addition, the geographical location of the region in relation to other aspects of economic development, viz., those relating to transport, industry, trade, etc. influence the land use pattern. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study reports for the first-time antioxidant activity and flavonoid composition of KP onion landrace which is useful for future breeding programs and to obtain geographical indication (GI) tag for the benefit of farmers. The present study was aimed to determine antioxidant capacity and flavonoid composition of bulbs of red onion (Allium cepa L.) landrace 'Krishnapuram' (KP) from India using high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC)-Electrospray Ionization (ESI)-multistage Ion Trap Mass Spectrometry (ITMS). The antioxidant activity was assayed by Ferric Reducing Antioxidant Power (FRAP) and hypochlorous acid (HClO)-induced oxidative damage in human erythrocytes. The total phenolic (TPC) contents in KP onion bulb extract (with 80% methanol) found to be 1.10 ± 0.2 mg GAE/g FW and 38.88 ± 1.0 µM QE/g. The FRAP activity measured for the bulb extract was 13.20 ± 0.1 µM QE/g. KP onion bulb extracts protected red blood cells (RBC) effectively (23%) against the oxidative damage induced by HClO. HPLC-ESI-ITMS analysis showed the presence of eight flavonols and five anthocyanins. Quercetin 3,4′-O-diglucoside (384.71 ± 0.49 mg/kg FW) and cyanidin 3-(6′′-malonylglucoside) (20.95 ± 0.60 mg/kg FW) were detected as major flavonol and anthocyanin, respectively. The study suggests that KP onion has a considerable antioxidant activity due to the presence of high TPC. Moreover, quercetin glucosides are found to be more abundant than quercetin. The differences in quercetin glycosides content among different red onions could be useful for breeding programmes in the future. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Geographical Information System (GIS) with the aid of CROPWAT 8.0 and SPAW programmes offers efficient way of modeling the crop water requirement and portraying spatially, yet to be tapped for agro-climatic studies. Viralimalai block, situated in the northwestern part of Pudukkottai District in Tamil Nadu is one the economically backward area and subject to drought often, where the crop water and irrigation requirement for each textural soil units have been assessed for groundnut (Arachis hypogaea), sorghum (Sorghum bicolor), and pearl millet (Pennisetum glaucum) which are the dominant dry crops of the block. The efficiency of rainfall is higher which favours groundnut and sorghum attributed by clay and clay loam structure of the soil. The rainfall efficiency is poor in loamy sand and sandy loam soil as for the groundnut and maize considered. Loamy sand areas are identified with excess irrigation requirement accounting with 260 mm for groundnut, 280 mm for sorghum and 116 mm for Pearl millet. The irrigation requirement is minimum and even not required over the areas under clay textured soil as for the crops under study. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The banking sector in India is making a concerted effort to increase the degree of financial inclusion in the system. Even the global trends have shown that in order to achieve inclusive development and growth, the expansion of financial services to all sections of society is of utmost importance. As a whole, financial inclusion in the rural as well as financially backward pockets of cities is a win-win opportunity for everybody involved - the banks/NBFC's intermediaries, and the left-out urban population. In India Pradhan Mantri Jan Dhan Yojana is one of the successful financial inclusion program by the Government of India which is providing social and financial security to the deprived section of the population. The paper attempts to study the financial inclusion program in Jharkhand with special reference to Pradhan Mantri Jan Dhan Yojana (PMJDY) highlighting its key areas and strategies beneficial for sustainable growth of financial position of people in Jharkhand. The study reveals that the success of PMJDY scheme depends on the effective regulatory system and regular monitoring of the successful implementation of the program. The study also highlights that it can do more for the poor than formal financial inclusion programs did in the past. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study was focussed on identifying a cost-effective method for delimitation, monitoring and evaluation in bancroftian filariasis. Finger prick blood samples were collected between 20.00 and 23.00 hours for the detection of microfilariae (mf) from the available population in a village which was endemic for lymphatic filariasis. Simultaneously, from each individual, four spots of 25-μl blood samples were collected on Whatman number 3 filter paper and air dried. Dried filter paper spots were pooled in quantities of 1, 5, 10, 15, 20 and 25 on unknown and simulated mf and antigen prevalence. Pooled samples were assayed for circulating filarial antigen (CFA) using TropBIO Og4C3 ELISA kits. The community mf and CFA rates were 3.4% and 25.9%, respectively. The pool sizes of 20 and 25 showed CFA positivity in all the above categories tested. The results of the pooled blood spot samples suggest that, in areas with mf and CFA prevalence rates between 1 and 10%, pools of 20 or 25 could be considered as the ideal pool size for the detection of filarial infection in the community. CFA prevalence at the level of 5-6% following desirable rounds of mass drug administration (MDA) indicates that the community mf prevalence is likely to be at the 1% level. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A nutrition survey carried out in India revealed that the diets of the rural population are inadequate and deficient in most of the nutrients especially protein. India being the 5th-largest producer of soybean, a protein-rich cereal, can redress protein-energy malnutrition through diversification of soybean uses by developing high-value and health-based food products. Tofu, a nonfermented soybean product rich in high-quality protein, B-vitamins, and isoflavones, could be an excellent substitute for meat in Indian recipes. Tofu being rich in protein has a very short shelf life. Hence an attempt was made to improve the shelf life using extracts of tulsi ( Ocimum sanctum) commonly available in rural areas. Tofu was prepared traditionally using MgCl2:CaSO4 as coagulating agents. Aqueous extract of Ocimum sanctum (tulsi) was added during the preparation and storage of tofu to prolong its shelf life. Water used in this study was free from microflora, plant extract used contained mesophilic count of 2.527 × 104 CFU/g, and no yeasts and molds were detected. Tofu with tulsi extract had 76.4% moisture and was softer than control. Not much difference in mesophilic count was observed between control and treated samples during storage; however, treated tofu was organoleptically good until the end of the study with less lipid-peroxidation and exhibited 50% (4.7 units) less protease activity than control (9.6 units) after 7 d. By using extracts of naturally available, easily cultivable tulsi, the shelf life was successfully extended to 7 to 8 d from 3 to 4 d of normal storage without refrigeration. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Over the millennia, mankind has recognized the inherent resistance of certain wood species against attack by fungi, insects and marine borers. Despite our advances in wood protection technology, people still rely on naturally durable timbers for construction of various structures. Of late, this property of several wood species, known for their high durability, has become unreliable due to changes in silvicultural and pre-harvesting practices, which reportedly interfere with their durability performance. This warrants a periodic assessment and rating of natural durability properties to select the right species for various end uses. Moreover, the drastic decline in the availability of naturally durable timber species towards the end of 20th century has resulted in the import/export of timber world-wide. The inherent durability of these species under different climatic conditions is unknown but must be determined to utilize them effectively. Studies on natural resistance of wood to biological damage are therefore of prime importance. Before initiating durability studies, background information on different factors that impart durability to a timber is vital. This paper aims to compile secondary data on such aspects and to provide a necessary check-list of durability ratings of Indian and exotic timbers that have been tested under Indian environmental conditions. Probable factors responsible for imparting a built-in resistance to wood against bio-deterioration have also been discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Human pegivirus-1 (HPgV-1) influences the pathogenesis and outcome of viral infections. We investigated the prevalence and impact of HPgV-1 due to the paucity of studies on Indian people living with HIV (PLHIV)., Methodology: Samples were collected from 347 treatment-naïve PLHIV; and 100 blood donors negative for HIV, HBV, and HCV. CD4+ T-cell and HIV-1 viral load were measured using flow-cytometry and quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR), respectively. HPgV-1 was quantified and genotyped by qPCR and Sanger sequencing, respectively., Results: HPgV-1 viremia in PLHIV and controls was 11% (38/347) and 1% (1/100), respectively. We found HPgV-1 genotype-2a in PLHIV and genotype-2b in controls. Male preponderance was seen in HIV-1 mono-infection and co-infection groups (166 vs. 143 and 33 vs. 5; p < 0.0001). The peak prevalence of HPgV-1 was at 31-50 years (p = 0.02). CD4+ T-cell count (245.5 vs. 240; p = 0.59) and HIV-1 log viral load (4.7 vs. 4.9; p = 0.50) were not significantly different between the HIV-1 mono-infected and coinfected individuals. However, a direct correlation existed between HpgV-1 viral load and CD4+ T-cell count (r = 0.27, p = 0.05) and an inverse correlation with HIV-1 viral load (r = -0.21, p = 0.10)., Conclusions: This is the first study in India to estimate the HPgV-1 prevalence in PLHIV with the predominance of genotype-2a. HPgV-1 viremia had a moderate impact on CD4+ T-cells and HIV-1 viral load, which requires a longitudinal study to identify the beneficial influence on HIV-1 disease progression and outcome., Competing Interests: No Conflict of Interest is declared, (Copyright (c) 2024 Diviya Alex, Runal J Steve, Veena V Ramalingam, John P Demosthenes, Gopinathan Vijayalakshmi, Ben C Ghale, Priscilla Rupali, George M Varghese, Dolly Daniel, Grace Rebekah, Gnanadurai J Fletcher, Priya Abraham, Rajesh Kannangai.)

Silica nanoparticles are generally mesoporous that are predominant in the sand and rocks. Silica nanoparticles have a wide range of applications in various fields such as medicine, waste management, effluent treatment and electronics. The present work has explored the synthesis of silica nanoparticles through acid and alkaline leaching method from Pedalium murex which is a common weed that is found in southern parts of Tamil Nadu. Silica nanoparticles (SiNps) and its functional groups were confirmed by EDX and FTIR analysis with their respective energy dispersion levels and wavenumbers. Size, shape and morphological features of SiNps were analysed by PSA, TEM and SAED analysis. Synthesised and characterized nanosilica was crosslinked over nylon-66 and cellulose nitrate membranes and were confirmed by FTIR analysis for their crosslinking with SiNps. Water retention activity of the crosslinked and non crosslinked membranes was analysed by contact angle measurement to ensure the receptability of the membranes to remove contaminants by the adsorption. The decolourisation efficiency of the crosslinked nylon 66 membrane was found as a potential source for the treatment with 65.5% colour reduction when compared with other membranes. A slight reduction of solid profiles and COD ranges were achieved for crosslinked membranes than non crosslinked membranes., Competing Interests: Declaration of competing interest All the authors report no any conflicts of interest., (Copyright © 2021 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.)

Advocacy and training on "Home care" for filarial lymphoedma (FLE) patients are provided through morbidity management and disability prevention (MMDP) clinic commonly known as filariasis clinic and clinical improvement is assessed by follow-up visits. While the physicians aim at reducing the recurrent ADL (coined as ADLA in 1997) episodes, the patients expect reduction in LE volume. The objective of the present study was to know whether the MMDP clinic serves the primary expectation of the FLE patients. LE patients who attended the clinic for at least four follow-up consultations and had LE volume measurements at three points of time during the one year period of observation were considered for analysis. Clinical assessment was done for LE grading and LE volume was measured by water displacement volumetry. Sixty-three patients who fulfilled the follow up criteria were included. It was observed that the median LE volume was 914ml (IQR 269 - 1935) at first visit of the observation period which reduced to 645ml (IQR 215- 1666) and 752ml (IQR 215 - 1720) at first and second follow-up visits respectively. Over all, in short span of one year, 21 of the 63 patients (33.3%) who visited MMDP clinic at least four times in a year were benefitted through the MMDP advocacy and the National filariasis control programme need to emphasise on the importance of follow up visits to FLE patients.

Lymphoedema of extremities is a major clinical manifestation of lymphatic filariasis. Recurrent episodes of acute dermato-lymphangioadenitis (ADLA) in these patients lead to progression of the clinical condition. Studies have documented the effectiveness of regular limb hygiene in reduction in frequency and duration of ADLA. However, no data is available on the effectiveness of limb hygiene alone on reduction of lymphoedema volume and locomotor function of the affected extremities. A total of 93 consecutive patients visiting VCRC Filaria Clinic formed a cohort for the study. The limb hygiene kit was supplied monthly free of cost to the patients. Assessments of oedema volume, frequency and duration of ADLA and quantitative assessment of locomotor function were carried out at baseline and after 12 months of intervention. All the 93 patients completed the follow-up. A total of 82 (88%) patients practiced limb hygiene regularly. The practice was higher among patients with higher grades of lymphoedema. The mean frequency of ADLA reduced from pre-intervention level of 2.4 to 0.8 during 12-month period of intervention in grade I cases, from 3.4 to 1.2 in grade II and from 4.8 to 1.8 in grade III cases. The mean duration (in days) for each ADLA episode was reduced from 4 at the rpe-intervention level and 2.5 during the 12-months intervention period. Though 'limb hygiene' practiced in domiciliary settings is feasible. Regular practices resulted in reduction of frequency and duration of ADLA attacks. However, reduction in oedema volume or improvement the locomotor function was not observed during 12 month period.