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TiB2/Al MMCs, which are composite materials consisting of TiB2 particles embedded in an aluminium matrix, exhibit unique properties that make them very favourable for manufacturing highperformance aircraft blades. Nevertheless, the machinability of TiB2/Al MMCs continues to be a hurdle owing to the impact of TiB2 particles, hence restricting the extensive use of these materials. This research effectively examined the influence of TiB2 particles on processing parameters for TiB2/Al MMCs in order to meet manufacturing requirements. In addition, the research sought to determine the most favourable processing settings for these metal matrix composites, taking into account many considerations. The end-process variables, namely surface roughness and material removal rate (MRR), were assessed after the determination of the most favourable cutting velocity, feed rate, and depth of cut. The findings demonstrate substantial deviations from the strengthening of Metal Matrix Composites (MMCs) using titanium diboride (TiB2) nanoparticles. These results provide vital insights for enhancing the machining process of this material.

This article discusses a study organized to develop academic writing skills in undergraduate students pursuing engineering courses. The target group consisted of 30 students pursuing a Bachelor of Technology in their third year. The classroom observations regarding teaching writing revealed that writing proficiency for most of the students was at a very low level. Followed by this, an intervention program was organized in one college, where the researcher taught academic writing to the students. Units comprising tasks that focused on raising awareness of the academic texts and involving the students in the cognitive processes of writing were designed. The study focused on raising student awareness regarding the nature and characteristics of academic texts in order to develop academic writing skills. The study also emphasized that involving the students in the cognitive processes of writing (e.g., defining the rhetorical problem, identifying the rhetorical situation, determining the audience, setting goals for writing, planning for the text by generating, and organizing ideas) is necessary. The study further suggests that discussions between students and teachers regarding the construction of a text and the way language works in various text types facilitates better writing.

Dengue is one among the acute viral infections with the probability of fatal complications. In 2017; NVBDCP reported 157220 positive dengue cases with 250 deaths in India; 17018 cases and 5 deaths in Karnataka. Most primary infections are uneventful. The critical illness like Dengue Haemorrhagic Fever and Dengue Shock Syndrome are generally attributed to serotype cross-reactivity. Identification of secondary dengue infection in the early onset of illness is beneficial. Therefore, methods to discrepate primary and secondary dengue infection are of significant prognostic value. The current study is a hospital based prospective analytical evaluation and was aimed to discriminate secondary from primary dengue virus infection in clinically suspected dengue cases presenting with fever and thrombocytopenia. Patients of all age groups attending Krishna Rajendra Hospital on outpatient and inpatient basis with clinically suspected dengue fever of less than 5 days associated with thrombocytopenia were included in the study. The samples were tested in the VRDL of the Microbiology Department for dengue NS1 antigen and IgM antibodies, positive for both were further subjected to IgG antibodies. IgM/IgG ratio was used to differentiate primary and secondary dengue infections. Dengue infection was categorized based on WHO guidelines. A total of 17,841 samples were tested from May 2017 to December 2023; out of 17841 samples tested 2111 (60.74%) were positive for dengue NS1 and IgM. Of the 2111 dengue NS1 and IgM positive cases, 1700 (80.5%) were having secondary dengue infection, whereas 411 (19.46%) were having primary infection. Early detection of secondary infection helps the clinician in anticipating dengue related complications with appropriate therapeutic intervention, thereby reducing further complications and mortality. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Since the quark–gluon plasma prediction and the discovery of nuclear matter properties, such as quarks, gluon, and nuclear matter density, which are crucial in comprehending a cardinal equation in nuclear and sub-nuclear physics, as a new phase of matter, the nucleus–nucleus (A–A) and Hadrian–nucleus (H–A) interactions have attracted more interest from physicists worldwide. A fascinating component of heavy-ion collisions is the alteration of the response characteristics with the collision shape. The collision of two nuclei with relativistic energy is well explained by the participant spectator (PS) model, according to which, two interacting nuclei can be divided into three distinct regions. The overlapping portion is called the participant region (PR), from which shower particles are released. The remaining portions of the projectile and target, which do not interact with one another, are called the projectile spectator region (pCR) and the target spectator region (TSR). The TSR is where the black and gray particles are spewing. Heavily ionized charged particles are the total of all the black and gray particles. In this article, we discuss the correlation between the shower and the highly ionized charge particles created when 84Kr interacted with an emulsion containing nucleons with 1 GeV per nucleon. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The present study was conducted to investigate the effect of selenium supplementation on the oxidative status of hepatic tissue during heat stress in broilers. The study was conducted in two phases, one during autumn and the other during summer with a total of 300 birds. During the first phase, 60 chicks were divided into six replicates with 10 birds in each and during the second phase, 240 chicks were divided into four groups with six replicates containing 10 birds in each. The experimental rations given to different groups were control (Basal ration), HS I (Basal ration), HS II (Basal ration + 0.3 ppm Se, HS III (Basal ration + 0.6 ppm Se) and HS IV (Basal ration + 0.9 ppm Se). Hepatic tissues collected at 21 and 42d were analyzed for oxidative status. HS-induced oxidative stress was revealed by the significant elevation in lipid hydroperoxides, MDA and protein carbonyl levels which in turn triggered the activities of anti-oxidant enzymes, i.e GPx, GST, SOD and G6PD in the hepatic cytosol. The total antioxidant capacity and glutathione concentration were significantly altered due to HS. Selenium at 0.3 ppm was effective in counteracting the oxidative stress at 21d while 0.6 ppm of Se was more effective at 42d. Se supplementation at 0.6 ppm improved the activities of antioxidant enzymes and G6PD. The total antioxidant capacity and GSH concentrations were better improved with 0.6 ppm of Se compared to other treatments.

Objective: To estimate the burden of active infection and anti-SARS-CoV-2 IgG antibodies in Karnataka, India, and to assess variation across geographical regions and risk groups. Methods: A cross-sectional survey of 16,416 people covering three risk groups was conducted between 3–16 September 2020 using the state of Karnataka’s infrastructure of 290 healthcare facilities across all 30 districts. Participants were further classified into risk subgroups and sampled using stratified sampling. All participants were subjected to simultaneous detection of SARS-CoV-2 IgG using a commercial ELISA kit, SARS-CoV-2 antigen using a rapid antigen detection test (RAT) and reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) for RNA detection. Maximum-likelihood estimation was used for joint estimation of the adjusted IgG, active and total prevalence (either IgG or active or both), while multinomial regression identified predictors. Results: The overall adjusted total prevalence of COVID-19 in Karnataka was 27.7% (95% CI 26.1–29.3), IgG 16.8% (15.5–18.1) and active infection fraction 12.6% (11.5–13.8). The case-to-infection ratio was 1:40 and the infection fatality rate was 0.05%. Influenza-like symptoms or contact with a COVID-19-positive patient were good predictors of active infection. RAT kits had higher sensitivity (68%) in symptomatic people compared with 47% in asymptomatic people. Conclusion: This sentinel-based population survey was the first comprehensive survey in India to provide accurate estimates of the COVID-19 burden. The findings provide a reasonable approximation of the population immunity threshold levels. Using existing surveillance platforms coupled with a syndromic approach and sampling framework enabled this model to be replicable.

The field of pharmacology and drug discovery is dynamic and ever-evolving, with constant advancements driving innovation and progress. This comprehensive review provides an in-depth examination of the latest developments in pharmacological research and drug discovery, encompassing a wide range of topics from novel therapeutic targets to innovative drug delivery systems. Key areas of focus include the exploration of molecular mechanisms underlying disease pathogenesis, the identification of new drug candidates through high-throughput screening and computational modeling, and the development of precision medicine approaches tailored to individual patient profiles. Additionally, this review discusses emerging trends such as the application of artificial intelligence and machine learning in drug discovery, the role of microbiome-based therapeutics, and the integration of pharmacogenomics into clinical practice. By synthesizing recent findings and trends in the field, this review aims to provide valuable insights into the future direction of pharmacology and drug discovery, ultimately contributing to the advancement of patient care and public health. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Tuberculosis (TB) remains the number one cause of adult deaths by a curable infectious disease. Mycobacterium tuberculosis bacilli (MTB) is the most common causative organism isolated from mycobacterial lymphadenitis. Accurate and speedy diagnosis is required, especially in paucibacillary extrapulmonary TB. In this study, we compared the efficacy of CBNAAT with line probe assay and liquid culture in the evaluation of tubercular lymph node abscesses. Materials and Methods: This is a hospital‑based observational cross‑sectional study conducted at Gandhi Medical College and Hospital, Secunderabad, TS, in patients who presented with lymph node abscesses over a period of 18 months after obtaining clearance from the ethics committee and obtaining informed consent. Each sample was evaluated and analyzed in association with the clinical findings, AFB staining, CBNAAT, LPA, and AFB culture, and the results were compared. Results: Fifty patients with TB lymph node abscess diagnosed through FNAC were included in the present study. AFB smear was positive in 29 samples, CBNAAT was positive in 43 samples, LPA was positive in 44 samples, and liquid culture was positive in 39 samples. CBNAAT could detect TB in 16 smear‑negative cases, 10 liquid culture‑negative cases, and one LPA‑negative case. In our study, CBNAAT was more effective in diagnosing TB lymph node abscess than AFB smear. No significant results were obtained when comparing CBNAAT with LPA and liquid culture. Conclusion: This study demonstrates excellent diagnostic accuracy of the Xpert MTB/RIF test in patients with tuberculous lymphadenitis, with a sensitivity of 86%, specificity of 83.33%, negative predictive value of 95.56%, and positive predictive value of 58.82%. Thus, it can be a rule in testing for lymph node TB. These efforts will contribute to the attainment of the TB elimination goal. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]