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Background: Psychological reactions after any catastrophe can vary from person to person and from disaster to disaster depending upon the level of exposure, the extent of loss, coping mechanisms, and social support available at that time. Objective: The objective of this study was to examine mental health-related issues experienced by emerging adults as a result of flooding in various localities of Assam, which are considered to be as worst affected areas. Materials and Methods: It was a cross-sectional research study and was conducted among the emerging adults of flood-affected areas of Assam amid the issues of ongoing floods between June and July 2022. The convenience sampling method was used in the selection of emerging adults in the age group of 18–25 years, residing in Assam during flooding situations. To measure psychological distress, the Depression, Anxiety, and Stress Scale was used. Additionally, to measure an individual's perception of general health, environmental quality of life, and people's perception of the overall quality of life, the World Health Organization Quality of Life-BREF Scale was used. Results: The findings show that a significant difference was not found between emerging adults who had flood issues on their property and those who had not gone through in the domain of depression (Mann–Whitney U = 1644.0, p=.85), anxiety (Mann–Whitney U = 1657.0, p=.91), and stress (Mann–Whitney U = 1634.0, p=.81). Significant group difference was seen in the environmental quality of life (Mann–Whitney U = 945.5, p

Background: Risk and protective factors play crucial roles in shaping problem behavior, substance use, and mental health outcomes among adolescents. The study aims to examine the risk and protective factors and their association with emotional and behavioral problems among school-going tribal adolescents in Meghalaya, India. Methods: This study employed a cross-sectional design, utilizing a simple random sampling method to select schools from the Ri-Bhoi district (Nongpoh town) and East Khasi Hills district (Shillong cantonment area) of Meghalaya. A total of 450 students participated in the survey, out of which 300 students belonged to tribal ethnicity. The study focused on school-going adolescents with tribal ethnicity, aged 13–19 years, encompassing both genders (male and female). Participation in the study required both parental consent and the adolescent’s assent. The Communities That Care Youth Survey (CTC-YS) and the Strength and Difficulty Questionnaires (SDQ), scale were administered. Results: The findings highlighted significant risk factors including laws and norms favorable to drug use, community disorganization, poor family management, and low school commitment. Protective factors such as opportunities for prosocial involvement were evident across all domains. Family conflict, family history of antisocial behavior, and parental overcontrol were significant contributors (P < 0.05) to total difficulty scores. Among individual risk factors, “Interaction with anti-social peers” (P = 0.009) and “Intentions to use substance” (P = 0.021) had significant associations with higher difficulty scores. The overall prevalence of mental health problems, as indicated by the total difficulty score, was 31.3% among school-going tribal adolescents. Conclusion: The high prevalence of mental health problems, especially among tribal adolescents, underscores the urgent need for targeted interventions. By addressing these factors, policymakers and stakeholders can work toward fostering healthier outcomes for tribal adolescents in Meghalaya and similar communities.

Abstract In this work, intelligent numerical models for the prediction of debris flow susceptibility using slope stability failure factor of safety (FOS) machine learning predictions have been developed. These machine learning techniques were trained using novel metaheuristic methods. The application of these training mechanisms was necessitated by the need to enhance the robustness and performance of the three main machine learning methods. It was necessary to develop intelligent models for the prediction of the FOS of debris flow down a slope with measured geometry due to the sophisticated equipment required for regular field studies on slopes prone to debris flow and the associated high project budgets and contingencies. With the development of smart models, the design and monitoring of the behavior of the slopes can be achieved at a reduced cost and time. Furthermore, multiple performance evaluation indices were utilized to ensure the model’s accuracy was maintained. The adaptive neuro-fuzzy inference system, combined with the particle swarm optimization algorithm, outperformed other techniques. It achieved an FOS of debris flow down a slope performance of over 85%, consistently surpassing other methods.

Abstract It has been imperative to study and stabilize cohesive soils for use in the construction of pavement subgrade and compacted landfill liners considering their unconfined compressive strength (UCS). As long as natural cohesive soil falls below 200 kN/m2 in strength, there is a structural necessity to improve its mechanical property to be suitable for the intended structural purposes. Subgrades and landfills are important environmental geotechnics structures needing the attention of engineering services due to their role in protecting the environment from associated hazards. In this research project, a comparative study and suitability assessment of the best analysis has been conducted on the behavior of the unconfined compressive strength (UCS) of cohesive soil reconstituted with cement and lime and mechanically stabilized at optimal compaction using multiple ensemble-based machine learning classification and symbolic regression techniques. The ensemble-based ML classification techniques are the gradient boosting (GB), CN2, naïve bayes (NB), support vector machine (SVM), stochastic gradient descent (SGD), k-nearest neighbor (K-NN), decision tree (Tree) and random forest (RF) and the artificial neural network (ANN) and response surface methodology (RSM) to estimate the (UCS, MPa) of cohesive soil stabilized with cement and lime. The considered inputs were cement (C), lime (Li), liquid limit (LL), plasticity index (PI), optimum moisture content (OMC), and maximum dry density (MDD). A total of 190 mix entries were collected from experimental exercises and partitioned into 74–26% train-test dataset. At the end of the model exercises, it was found that both GB and K-NN models showed the same excellent accuracy of 95%, while CN2, SVM, and Tree models shared the same level of accuracy of about 90%. RF and SGD models showed fair accuracy level of about 65–80% and finally (NB) badly producing an unacceptable low accuracy of 13%. The ANN and the RSM also showed closely matched accuracy to the SVM and the Tree. Both of correlation matrix and sensitivity analysis indicated that UCS is greatly affected by MDD, then the consistency limits and cement content, and lime content comes in the third place while the impact of (OMC) is almost neglected. This outcome can be applied in the field to obtain optimal compacted for a lime reconstituted soil considering the almost negligible impact of compactive moisture.

Abstract The current study investigated the primary and secondary compressibility characteristics of organic clay with two biopolymers, Chitosan (D ch ) and Casein (D ca ) at dosages of 0.5%, 1%, 2%, and 4%. The primary compression index (C c ) values were reduced by 18% and 59% at dosage (D ch and D ca ) of 4% at a consolidation pressure of 800 kPa. The secondary compression indices of chitosan and casein-treated soils fell below the normal range specified for organic soils and lay in the range of 0.01–0.017. The biopolymers also accelerated the consolidation process at all dosages (D ch ) and 2% D ca . The hydraulic conductivity increased for all dosages of chitosan whereas it declined for all dosages of casein compared to untreated soil. The reliability analysis was conducted for biopolymer-treated soils and presented a rational approach toward the selection of a suitable liner. Chitosan failed to achieve a target reliability index of 3 whereas casein-amended samples attained values equal to and greater than 3 at all dosages and consolidation pressures at COV of K max = 20%. At all dosages, the casein-treated soils exhibited reliability index values greater than 3 up to COV of K max = 40% indicating the higher stability of casein mixes as a liner material.

Background: Digestive issues are recognized as significant contributors to various chronic diseases, including obesity, diabetes, and cardiovascular disease. Barley, a traditional grain, offers considerable promise in addressing these health challenges due to unique nutritional and bioactive compounds. Objective: This review examines the therapeutic potential of various parts of barley, underutilized resource, for chronic disease prevention and management. Method: ology: A comprehensive literature search was conducted across multiple databases like Google Scholar, PubMed, and ISI Web of Science, to identify nutritional components and functional ingredients in barley that contribute to gut health and chronic disease mitigation. Results: The finding suggests that humans digest barley starch more slowly than wheat and rice, which benefits chronic disease management. Barley's high-molecular-weight β-glucan high content acts as a prebiotic, promotes gut health through microbiome modulation and short-chain fatty acid production, potentially preventing colon cancer and boosting immunity. Recent studies on exploring barley grass of high land showed functional ingredients such as flavonoids, saponarin lutonarin, superoxide dismutase, gamma-aminobutyric acid, polyphenols K, Ca, Se, tryptophan chlorophyll, and vitamins, suggesting potential for enhanced antioxidant activity and improved management of chronic conditions like diabetes, cholesterol, hypertension, cardiovascular health, liver protection, and even boosted immunity. Conclusion: This review underscores the therapeutic potential of barley and its components in chronic disease management, highlighting the need for well-designed clinical trials to translate these findings into effective interventions.

Background: Stigma relating to mental illness has mostly been studied in communities and families. Less research has been conducted in India to understand the current subjective experience of persons with mental illness in the tertiary care hospital setting in India. Aim and Objectives: This study aimed to assess the extent of internalized stigma among persons and to see the association between self-stigma, self-esteem, insight, and adherence. Methodology: The study used a cross-sectional design. The present study was conducted in the Outpatient Department of LGB Regional Institute of Mental Health, Tezpur, Assam. For the present study, 200 persons with schizophrenia were selected. Participants of this study were persons with a clinical diagnosis of schizophrenia according to the International Classification of Diseases-10 Diagnostic Criteria for Research. Sociodemographic and clinical data sheet, Brief Psychiatric Rating Scale, the Internalized Stigma of Mental Illness Scale, Morisky Adherence Scale, and Rosenberg Self-Esteem Scale were administered. The collected data were analyzed using descriptive and inferential statistics in Statistical Package for Social Science (SPSS) 21 version. Results: The findings show that 45% of the participants were having moderate internalized stigma and 21% of the participants were having severe internalized stigma. Self-Esteem Scale (B = −341, t = −2.940, P = 005), medication adherence (B = −701, t = −9.832, P = 000), and insight (B = −711, t = −6.496, P = 000) contributed significantly to the prediction of internalized stigma among persons with schizophrenia (F [3,63] =58.712, P = 000) accounting for 85.8% variance. Conclusion: The findings confirm that self-esteem, medication adherence, and insight contributed significantly to the prediction of internalized stigma among persons with schizophrenia.

Patients, families, healthcare providers and funders face multiple comparable treatment options without knowing which provides the best quality of care. As a step towards improving this, the REthinking Clinical Trials (REaCT) pragmatic trials program started in 2014 to break down many of the traditional barriers to performing clinical trials. However, until other innovative methodologies become widely used, the impact of this program will remain limited. These innovations include the incorporation of near equivalence analyses and the incorporation of artificial intelligence (AI) into clinical trial design. Near equivalence analyses allow for the comparison of different treatments (drug and non-drug) using quality of life, toxicity, cost-effectiveness, and pharmacokinetic/pharmacodynamic data. AI offers unique opportunities to maximize the information gleaned from clinical trials, reduces sample size estimates, and can potentially “rescue” poorly accruing trials. On 2 May 2023, the first REaCT international symposium took place to connect clinicians and scientists, set goals and identify future avenues for investigator-led clinical trials. Here, we summarize the topics presented at this meeting to promote sharing and support other similarly motivated groups to learn and share their experiences.

Introduction: The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has presented a challenge to maintaining good physical and mental health worldwide. Aim: The aim of this study was to find the relationship between mental health status and well-being among Northeast Indian people during the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic. Materials and Methods: The present study was an online cross-sectional survey carried out among the people of the Northeast India population. The questionnaire was converted into Google Forms and distributed via E-mail, WhatsApp, Messenger application, LinkedIn, and other social media platforms in contact with the investigators. Results: A total number of 565 responses were obtained including both male (n = 243) and female (n = 322) participants. In the study, mild stress was found in 30.1% of the participants, 5.3% had moderate stress, 1.2% had severe stress and 4.0% had extremely severe stress. Mild anxiety was found in 13.1%, 21.8% had a moderate level of anxiety, 5.7% had severe anxiety, and a least 3.5% had an extremely severe level of anxiety. Mild depression was reported by 17.7%, 16.3% had moderate depression, 3.5% had severe depression, and 2.7% had extremely severe depression. Person correlation shows that well-being has a significant negative correlation with stress (r = −0.482; P < 0.01), anxiety (r = −0.323; P < 0.01), and depression (r = −513; P < 0.01). The finding of the study shows that well-being has a significant negative correlation with stress, anxiety, and depression. Conclusion: The study concludes that the COVID-19 pandemic has had a profound impact on mental and physical health, and mental health responses need to be treated with psychosocial interventions to prevent mental health crises in the general population during a pandemic.

For early-stage hormone receptor (HR)-positive and HER2-negative breast cancer, tools to estimate treatment benefit include free and publicly available algorithms (e.g., PREDICT 2.1) and expensive molecular assays (e.g., Oncotype DX). There remains a need to identify patients who de-rive the most benefit from molecular assays and where this test may be of poor value. In this multicenter prospective cohort study, we evaluated whether use of PREDICT 2.1 would impact physician decision making. For the first 6 months of the study, data on physician use of both PREDICT 2.1 and Oncotype DX ordering were collected on all newly diagnosed patients eligible for molecular testing. After 6 months, an educational intervention was undertaken to see if providing physicians with PREDICT 2.1 results affects the frequency of Oncotype DX requests. A total of 602 patients across six cancer centers in Ontario, Canada were recruited between March 2020 and November 2021. Providing PREDICT 2.1 results and an educational intervention did not alter the ordering of an Oncotype DX. For patients with low clinical risk, either by clinico-pathologic features or by PREDICT 2.1, the probability of obtaining a high Oncotype DX recurrence score was substantially lower compared to patients with high-clinical-risk disease. The introduction of an educational intervention had no impact on molecular assay requests. However, routine ordering of molecular assays for patients with low-clinical-risk disease is of poor value.

This study investigates the effect of increasing urbanization on the demand for petroleum products, which are limited natural resources. The study evaluated the use of biodiesel and clove oil as additives in diesel fuel to reduce carbon deposition on engine parts and noise emissions. Three fuel samples were tested: B30 (30 % biodiesel and 70 % diesel), clove oil at 3000 parts per million (PPM), and D100 diesel fuel. Endurance tests were conducted at a constant load and revolution per minute (RPM) to analyze carbon deposition on engine parts as well as noise emission levels at constant and variable RPM. It was found that biodiesel blended fuel had higher carbon deposition formation compared to diesel fuel, with a deposition rate of 77.48 % for B30 and 71.84 % for D100. In contrast, when clove oil was added to biodiesel, engine part deposition was decreased compared to diesel fuel, with a deposition rate of 47.71 % for clove oil. Furthermore, the study analyzed noise emissions at four positions (left, right, back, and top) using the three fuel samples. Clove oil showed lower noise emissions compared to diesel, indicating that it can help reduce noise pollution.

Acacia gum (AG), a polysaccharide biopolymer, has been adopted to improve the strength of three cohesive soils by subjecting them to diverse environmental aging conditions. Being a polysaccharide and a potentially sustainable construction material, the AG yielded flexible film-like threads after 48 h upon hydration, and its pH value of 4.9 varied marginally with the aging of the stabilized soils. The soil samples for the geotechnical evaluation were subjected to wet mixing and were tested under their Optimum Moisture Content (OMC), as determined by the light compaction method. The addition of AG modified the consistency indices of the soils due to the presence of hydroxyl groups in AG, which also led to a rise in OMC and reduction in Maximum Dry Unit weight (MDU). The Unconfined Compressive Strength (UCS) and California Bearing Ratio (CBR) were determined under thermal curing at 333 K as well as on the same day of sample preparation. The least performing condition of the soil’s CBR was evaluated under submerged conditions after allowing the AG-stabilized specimens to air-cure for a period of 1 week. The UCS specimens tested after 7 days were subjected to the initial 7 days of thermal curing at 333 K. A dosage of 1.5% of AG yielded the UCS of 2530 kN/m2 and CBR of 98.3%, respectively, for the low compressible clay (LCC) after subjecting the sample to 333 K temperature for 1 week. The viscosity of the AG was found to be 214.7 cP at 2% dosage. Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM), Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR), and average particle size determination revealed the filling of pores by AG gel solution, adsorption, and hydrogen bonding, which led to improvements in macroproperties.

Background: Sexual dysfunction is one of the major problems associated with the chronic use of alcohol. Sexual dysfunction is also significantly associated with marital adjustment and quality of life. Aim and Objectives: To determine the prevalence of sexual dysfunction and its association with marital adjustment and quality of life among persons with alcohol dependence syndrome (ADS) and to compare with the healthy control group. Materials and Methods: The present study used a cross-sectional, comparative, and descriptive research design. A purposive sampling technique was used to select the sample of 128 (64 patients with ADS and 64 healthy control persons) between the ages of 21 and 50, from the Department of Addiction Medicine, LGB Regional Institute of Mental Health (LGBRIMH), Tezpur, Assam. Sociodemographic and clinical data sheet, the Arizona Sexual Experience Scale (ASEX), the Severity of Alcohol Dependence Questionnaire (SDAQ), the Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test (AUDIT), the International Index of Erectile Dysfunction (IIED), and The Drug Abuse Screening Test scales (DAST) were used. Results: The study revealed a higher prevalence of sexual dysfunction in the ADS group (64%) compared to the healthy control group (35.9%) (Chi-square = 46.916; p < .001). Marital satisfaction was significantly lower in the ADS group than in the healthy control group (Fisher’s exact test = 76.932; p < .001). Quality of life was also diminished in the ADS group, particularly in the physical ( t = −5.310; p

Single-point mutations in the Kirsten rat sarcoma (KRAS) viral proto-oncogene are the most common cause of human cancer. In humans, oncogenic KRAS mutations are responsible for about 30% of lung, pancreatic, and colon cancers. One of the predominant mutant KRAS G12D variants is responsible for pancreatic cancer and is an attractive drug target. At the time of writing, no Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved drugs are available for the KRAS G12D mutant. So, there is a need to develop an effective drug for KRAS G12D. The process of finding new drugs is expensive and time-consuming. On the other hand, in silico drug designing methodologies are cost-effective and less time-consuming. Herein, we employed machine learning algorithms such as K-nearest neighbor (KNN), support vector machine (SVM), and random forest (RF) for the identification of new inhibitors against the KRAS G12D mutant. A total of 82 hits were predicted as active against the KRAS G12D mutant. The active hits were docked into the active site of the KRAS G12D mutant. Furthermore, to evaluate the stability of the compounds with a good docking score, the top two complexes and the standard complex (MRTX-1133) were subjected to 200 ns MD simulation. The top two hits revealed high stability as compared to the standard compound. The binding energy of the top two hits was good as compared to the standard compound. Our identified hits have the potential to inhibit the KRAS G12D mutation and can help combat cancer. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first study in which machine-learning-based virtual screening, molecular docking, and molecular dynamics simulation were carried out for the identification of new promising inhibitors for the KRAS G12D mutant.

Enzyme-induced calcite precipitation (EICP) emerges as a highly effective and well-established technique within bio-cementation approaches, offering notable advantages over traditional methods. Conversely, lime, known for its accessibility, cost-effectiveness, and efficacy, serves as a valuable material in enhancing the engineering properties of problematic soils. This study explores the application of EICP and lime treatments separately on two distinct soils (low-plastic and high-plastic soil) exhibiting different mineralogical and plasticity characteristics to assess their impact on strength and swell characteristics. Various combinations of treatments, including jack bean (JICP), soya bean (SICP), and bio-enhancer (BICP), were employed for EICP treatment. Bio-enhancer, rich in natural urea and urease enzyme, was particularly remarkable due to its compatibility with urea supplementation. Similarly, jack bean and soya bean exhibited high efficacy in natural urease enzyme content. The study has revealed that the unconfined compression strength (UCS) of red soil increased significantly by six times at the end of 21 days of the curing period with JICP treatment, while lime treatment was more effective for the black soil. Specifically, the UCS of black cotton soil increased by 11 and 17 times when treated with Enzyme-Induced Calcite Precipitation (EICP) and lime, respectively. Moreover, EICP with J2 solution (jack bean solution with 1M urea and 4 g/L non-fat milk powder) reduced swell pressure by 60% and 67.5% in low-plastic and high-plastic soil, respectively. Lime treatment, on the other hand, led to a swell pressure reduction of 47% and 70% in low-plastic and high-plastic soil, respectively. As a result, EICP proved efficient in mitigating swell pressure for red soil, whereas lime treatment performed exceptionally well for black soil, highlighting the soil-specific effectiveness of each method. Furthermore, a life cycle assessment revealed substantial carbon footprint emission savings with EICP treatment strategy. In brief, this paper contributes to understanding the phenomena and significance of these two treatment techniques on distinct mineralogical soils.

One of the most concerning global environmental issues is the pollution of agricultural soils by heavy metals (HMs), especially cadmium, which not only affects human health through Cd-containing foods but also impacts the quality of rice. The soil’s nitrification and denitrification processes, coupled with the release of volatile organic compounds by plants, raise substantial concerns. In this review, we summarize the recent literature related to the deleterious effects of Cd on both soil processes related to the N cycle and rice quality, particularly aroma, in different water management practices. Under both continuous flooding (CF) and alternate wetting and drying (AWD) conditions, cadmium has been observed to reduce both the nitrification and denitrification processes. The adverse effects are more pronounced in alternate wetting and drying (AWD) as compared to continuous flooding (CF). Similarly, the alteration in rice aroma is more significant in AWD than in CF. The precise modulation of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) by Cd remains unclear based on the available literature. Nevertheless, HM accumulation is higher in AWD conditions compared to CF, leading to a detrimental impact on volatile organic compounds (VOCs). The literature concludes that AWD practices should be avoided in Cd-contaminated fields to decrease accumulation and maintain the quality of the rice. In the future, rhizospheric engineering and plant biotechnology can be used to decrease the transport of HMs from the soil to the plant’s edible parts.

Abstract Changes in lipoprotein metabolism are among the main causes of hemodynamic impairment in renal function. COVID-19 is an multisystemic inflammatory disease, aggravating this situation. This cross-sectional study investigated the relationship of serum lipoprotein profile with inflammatory parameters and renal function in 95 COVID-19 outpatients in comparison with 173 with flu-like symptoms. Serum samples were collected for the determination of total cholesterol and fractions, apolipoproteins (Apo A-I and Apo B), urea (sUr) and creatinine (sCr). The glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) was calculated. Neutrophil/lymphocyte (NLR) and platelet/lymphocyte (PLR) ratios were calculated as inflammatory parameters derived from the blood tests. COVID-19 patients presented lower high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-c) (47.90 ± 1.543 vs. 51.40 ± 0.992) and higher PLR (190.9 ± 9.410 vs. 137.6 ± 5.534) and NLR (3.40 ± 0.22 vs. 2.80 ± 0.15). Both NLR and PLR correlated with each other (r = 0.639). Furthermore, the Apo B/Apo A-I ratio was correlated with PLR (r = 0.5818) and eGFR (r = -0.2630). COVID-19 patients classified as at high risk of developing acute myocardial infarction based on the Apo B/ Apo A-I ratio had higher values for sUr/sCr. Thus, serum apolipoproteins, PLR, and NLR could be related to renal dysfunction in COVID-19.

Bacterial brown stripe disease caused by Acidovorax oryzae is a major threat to crop yields, and the current reliance on pesticides for control is unsustainable due to environmental pollution and resistance. To address this, bacterial-based ligands have been explored as a potential treatment solution. In this study, we developed a protein–protein interaction (PPI) network for A. oryzae by utilizing shared differentially expressed genes (DEGs) and the STRING database. Using a maximal clique centrality (MCC) approach through CytoHubba and Network Analyzer, we identified hub genes within the PPI network. We then analyzed the genomic data of the top 10 proteins, and further narrowed them down to 2 proteins by utilizing betweenness, closeness, degree, and eigenvector studies. Finally, we used molecular docking to screen 100 compounds against the final two proteins (guaA and metG), and Enfumafungin was selected as a potential treatment for bacterial resistance caused by A. oryzae based on their binding affinity and interaction energy. Our approach demonstrates the potential of utilizing bioinformatics and molecular docking to identify novel drug candidates for precision treatment of bacterial brown stripe disease caused by A. oryzae, paving the way for more targeted and sustainable control strategies. The efficacy of Enfumafungin in inhibiting the growth of A. oryzae strain RS-1 was investigated through both computational and wet lab methods. The models of the protein were built using the Swiss model, and their accuracy was confirmed via a Ramachandran plot. Additionally, Enfumafungin demonstrated potent inhibitory action against the bacterial strain, with an MIC of 100 µg/mL, reducing OD600 values by up to 91%. The effectiveness of Enfumafungin was further evidenced through agar well diffusion assays, which exhibited the highest zone of inhibition at 1.42 cm when the concentration of Enfumafungin was at 100 µg/mL. Moreover, Enfumafungin was also able to effectively reduce the biofilm of A. oryzae RS-1 in a concentration-dependent manner. The swarming motility of A. oryzae RS-1 was also found to be significantly inhibited by Enfumafungin. Further validation through TEM observation revealed that bacterial cells exposed to Enfumafungin displayed mostly red fluorescence, indicating destruction of the bacterial cell membrane.

Understanding and monitoring the major influences on SARS-CoV-2 prevalence is essential to inform policy making and devise appropriate packages of non-pharmaceutical interventions. Through evaluating community level influences on the prevalence of SARS-CoV-2 infection and their spatio-temporal variations in England, this study aims to provide some insights into the most important risk parameters. We used spatial clusters developed in Jahanshahi and Jin (2021 Transportation 48, 1329–1359 (doi:10.1007/s11116-020-10098-9)) as geographical areas with distinct land use and travel patterns. We also segmented our data by time periods to control for changes in policies or development of the disease over the course of the pandemic. We then used multivariate linear regression to identify influences driving infections within the clusters and to compare the variations of those between the clusters. Our findings demonstrate the key roles that workplace and commuting modes have had on some of the sections of the working population after accounting for several interrelated influences including mobility and vaccination. We found communities of workers in care homes and warehouses and to a lesser extent textile and ready meal industries and those who rely more on public transport for commuting tend to carry a higher risk of infection across all residential area types and time periods.

Integrating nanotechnology in dielectric fluid significantly inhibits losses and boosts overall dielectric fluid performance. There has been research done on the effects of introducing various nanoparticles, such as titania, alumina, silica nanodiamonds, etc. In this paper, a novel nanoparticle, Ceria (CeO2), has been used, and its properties were examined using the FTIR (Fourier Transform Infrared) spectrum, the XRD (X-ray Diffraction) spectrum, the SEM (Scanning Electron Microscopy), and the TEM (Transmission Electron Microscopy). This paper illustrates an efficient dielectric fluid prepared by the successful dispersion of Cerium Oxide (CeO2) nanoparticles in various concentrations into four commercial oils, namely mineral oil, rapeseed oil, synthetic ester oil, and soybean oil, to enhance and improve their dielectric characteristics. The performance investigation emphasises breakdown strength enhancement and other dielectric properties of the colloidal solution comprising different nanoparticle (NP) concentrations. Various commercial oils are used as a base in nano-oil to diversify their applicability as dielectric fluids by measuring the correlation in dielectric parameters and statistically assessing their applicability with normal and Weibull distributions. The obtained experimental data sets were analyzed using the Statistics and Machine Learning Toolbox in MATLAB. The aging measurement has been done only on mineral oil, and results were matched using a predictive model of statistics and the Machine Learning Toolbox in MATLAB. Well-dispersed CeO2 NPs in the insulating oils lead to a significant increase in AC breakdown strength. The effect of ageing on the dielectric properties of nano oils yields better results than conventionally aged oil. It has been observed that the breakdown voltage is enhanced by up to 30% for mineral oil at an optimal concentration of 0.01 g/L, 9% for synthetic ester oil at 0.03 g/L, 18% for rapeseed oil at 0.02 g/L, and 19% for soybean oil at 0.03 g/L nanoparticle concentration. Following the dispersion of CeO2 nanoparticles, the dielectric constant of all insulating oils has also significantly improved.The overall experimental results are promising and show the potential of the CeO2 NPs-based nano oil as an efficient and highly performing dielectric oil for different power applications.

Background: Children of parents with a mental illness (COPMI) are at greater risk of psychological and physical ill-health, increased behavioral and developmental difficulties, educational underachievement and lower competency than their peers compared to children of healthy parents. The aim of this study was to find resilience, Social Connectedness, mental health status and quality of life (QoL) in COPMI. Materials and Methods: Cross sectional Analytical study was used in the present study. Thirty COPMI with age group of 11–18 years of age, either of the biological parents was diagnosed with severe mental illness (Schizophrenia and Bipolar affective disorder according to international classification of diseases-10) were selected. Socio-demographic data sheet, Connor-Davidson Resilience Scale, KIDSCREEN-27 (QoL), Social Connectedness Scale, Strength and Difficulties Questionnaire (SDQ) were administered. Results: The finding shows that 33.3% of COMPI had low level of resilience and a stronger sense of social connectedness (M = 78.63, standard deviation [SD] = 6.83). Psychological wellbeing (M = 20.77, SD = 2.68) was higher than other domains of QoL, followed by autonomy and parents (M = 18.46, SD = 3.43), school environment (M = 14.56, SD = 2.87), physical wellbeing (M = 14.43, SD = 1.88), and peer and social support (M = 10.87, SD = 2.08). The finding shows that in the total difficulty score (SDQ), 26.7% falls under normal category while 73.3% have abnormal scores. Total Difficulties score (SDQ) has a significant negative correlation with QoL [r=-0.520, P = 0.01] and Social Connectedness (r = ‒0.478, P = 0.01). Conclusion: The study highlighted the risk of developing emotional and behavioral problems among COPMI. Resilience based intervention is required at school and community level for mental health promotion among children.

Background: Schizophrenia has been described as the most disabling mental disorder, and patients with schizophrenia have been said to be disabled mostly in occupation, sexual relation, self-care, and social relationship domains. Aim: The present study aimed at assessing disability through self-, proxy-, and interviewer-rated versions of the World Health Organization Disability Assessment Schedule (WHODAS) 2.0 among persons with schizophrenia. Materials and Methods: The study was cross-sectional. Thirty samples of patients with schizophrenia as per the International Classification of Diseases-10 criteria were selected using a consecutive sampling technique. Patients above 18 years of age with a total duration of illness of at least more than 2 years were included in the study. The study was conducted at the Outpatient Department of Mental Health Institute and Department of Psychiatry, Government Medical College and Hospital Sector 32, Chandigarh, India. Results: The overall inter-rater reliability in schizophrenia was 0.599 (0.395–0.767), indicative of moderate reliability. Domains, namely, getting along with people (0.803) and life activities of household (0.854) had a good reliability, whereas domains such as cognition (0.681), mobility (0.616), self-care (0.636), life activities at school/work (0.664), and participation in the society (0.753) indicated a moderate reliability. Conclusion: There was no significant difference among the self, proxy, and interviewer assessments for most items. This study highlighted the fact that service users can also carry out an objective self-assessment of disability, thus upholding the principles of advanced directives as envisaged under the Mental Health Care Act, 2017.

Backgrounds: College years are characterized by transitioning from pre-adult to adulthood, a period of turmoil, adjusting to the new condition, separation from parental supervision, independence, and countering new things throughout everyday life. Depression and health-risk behaviors, including alcohol, tobacco, and illicit drug, are often found in college students, particularly during their first year. Aim: To study the prevalence and predictors of depression among college-going youth of Meghalaya, India. Materials and Methods: A cross-sectional community-based study has been undertaken to find the prevalence of depression, alcohol use, and drug use in college-going youth in Shillong, Meghalaya. A random sampling technique was used for the selection of colleges, and total enumeration was used for the selection of college-going students. A total of 358 respondents were selected for the present study. Permission from the college authority was obtained, and written informed consent was taken from the students. The participants have been explained the purpose of the study and the samples were selected voluntarily. The present study’s data were analyzed and interpreted using Statistical Package for Social Sciences version 20.0. Socio-demographic datasheet, Beck Depression Inventory-II, Hamilton Anxiety Rating Scale, Alcohol Use Disorder Identification Test, and drug abuse screening test were administered. Results: In the present study, 40.5% fall under the normal range of depression, while 38.3% had mild mood disturbance, 10.3% had borderline clinical depression, 9.7% had moderate depression, and severe depression was found in 1.1%. Alcohol use, drug use, and gender contribute significantly to the prediction of depression among college-going students (F[5,19.551] = 855.3, P = 0.000) accounting for 21.7% variance. Conclusion: Our findings highlight the need for a college mental health program for early identification and screening of substance use and depression in college students.

Textiles-fibres, yarns and fabrics are omnipresent in our daily lives, with unique mechanical properties that fit the design specifications for the tasks for which they are designed. The development of yarns and fabrics with negative Poisson’s ratio (NPR) is an area of current research interest due to their potential for use in high performance textiles (e.g., military, sports, etc.). The unique braiding technology of interlacement for preparation of braided helically wrapped yarns with NPR effect with later development of auxetic woven fabric made it possible to avoid the slippage of the wrapped component from the core. The applied geometrical configuration and NPR behaviour of the braided helical yarn structure with seven different angles comprising of monofilament elastomeric polyurethane (PU) core with two wrap materials that include multifilament ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene (UHMWPE) and polyethylene terephthalate (PET) fibres were investigated and analysed. The mechanically stable 2D woven textile auxetic fabrics (AF) with various weave patterns such as 2/2 matt and 3/1 twill were developed from the auxetic yarn with PU elastomer core having maximum NPR effect of −1.70 using lower wrapped angle of 9° to study and compare their mechanical responses. The auxetic yarn was used in weft direction and multifilament UHMWPE yarn in warp direction, using semi-automatic loom. Auxeticity of AF was analysed and its various mechanical properties such tensile strength, impact energy absorption, in-plane, and out-of-plane auxeticity, and puncture resistance were studied. Higher energy absorption of 84 Nm for matt fabric was seen compared to twill fabric having an energy of 65 Nm. The puncture resistance capability of matt fabric was better than twill fabric. While twill fabric exhibited better auxetic effect in both in-plane and out-of-plane mode compared to matt fabric. In short, both the twill and matt design AF’s showed unique characteristics which are beneficial in making various protective textiles such as protective helmets, bullet proof shields, cut resistance gloves, blast resistant curtains, and puncture tolerant elastomeric composites.

Abstract Acetazolamide is an old drug used as an antiepileptic agent, amongst other indications. The drug is seldom used, primarily due to perceived poor efficacy and adverse events. Acetazolamide acts as a noncompetitive inhibitor of carbonic anhydrase, of which there are several subtypes in humans. Acetazolamide causes an acidification of the intracellular and extracellular environments activating acid‐sensing ion channels, and these may account for the anti‐seizure effects of acetazolamide. Other potential mechanisms are modulation of neuroinflammation and attenuation of high‐frequency oscillations. The overall effect increases the seizure threshold in critical structures such as the hippocampus. The evidence for its clinical efficacy was from 12 observational studies of 941 patients. The 50% responder rate was 49%, 20% of patients were rendered seizure‐free, and 30% were noted to have had at least one adverse event. We conclude that the evidence from several observational studies may overestimate efficacy because they lack a comparator; hence, this drug would need further randomized placebo‐controlled trials to assess effectiveness and harm.

Kuttanad region in Kerala, India, is a place that predominantly consists of soft soil formations with low shear strength and low water resistance rendering them problematic for construction purposes. Pavements constructed on such soft deposits have been subjected to structural rutting and the high erodibility of the in-situ soil necessitates the need to use suitable ground improvement techniques. The present environmental scenario demands the implementation of sustainable techniques for ground rejuvenation and effective stabilizers for enhancing engineering properties. This study investigates the amelioration of Kuttanad soft soil using chitosan as a soil amendment to improve its durability and erodibility characteristics. The untreated and chitosan-treated samples were exposed to 5 h of wetting cycle followed by 43 h of drying cycles until their failure. The unconfined compressive strength (UCS) of samples prepared with different dosages (0.5, 2, 4%) and cured for 14, 28, 60, and 90 days was evaluated at the onset and after each drying cycle to measure their durability index. Kuttanad soil was amended with 2% and cured for 90 days withstood five cycles with a UCS of more than 1,000 kPa. The drip erosion tests were used to check the erodibility performance for the aforementioned different dosages and curing periods. The 2% and 4% chitosan amended samples resisted the entire test duration of 10 min indicating the highest water erosion resistance. The findings of the current study evaluated through durability and erosion tests reinforced the effectiveness of chitosan as an effective biopolymer for soft soils subjected to constant water attack and can be easily implemented in places with such vulnerability. A typical earthen canal lining amended with chitosan reduced the carbon emissions by 8.74 and 7.44 times compared to conventional amendments like lime and cement in Carbon Footprint Analysis.

Tandemly organized rRNA genes are a typical example of a multigene family, where individual members evolve co-ordinately within—but independently between—species due to gene conversion and unequal crossing over. More frequently, in eukaryotic species with an interspecies hybrid origin, expression of unhomogenized rRNA genes from one progenitor is epigenetically silenced because of nucleolus dominance, and distinct rRNA genes may lose functionality and evolve faster. Interestingly, we obtained unusual ribosomal gene sequences from Oryza species that showed great diversity and did not appear in the present rice genomic sequence. The diversity of rDNA sequences indicated that the homogenization in rice is incomplete and explains the introgression of distinct rRNA gene families into ancestral rice genomes before speciation and continent separation. The divergent large subunit (LSU) ribosomal genes are expressed, some of them differentially, depending on the N fertilization of plants. Detection of differential transcripts of the rRNA genes suggested that rRNA gene families are not functionally equivalent. Phylogenetic analysis assigned Oryza species branching order to monocots, and monocot lineages probably have the same ecological origin by molecular clock calculation. Therefore, our results suggested that the geographical distances of continent-separation cause barriers to the gene flow and homogenization among Oryza species which requires further explanation.

We report the case of a 36-year-old male who was referred to us with a provisional diagnosis of ethanol-related acute on chronic liver failure with ascites, encephalopathy, and altered liver function tests (LFTs). The patient underwent a living donor liver transplant. Posttransplant, he had an uneventful recovery till postoperative day (POD) day 7 when he developed tachycardia and low-grade fever. The immunosuppression has to be withheld till POD 26. The patient later developed deranged LFT and an initial liver biopsy showed features of acute cellular rejection. He also had ongoing tachycardia; thus, immunosuppression was withheld. Subsequent to that patient developed rapid progression from progressive early to chronic rejection (CR) within 78 days posttransplant. The patient initially responded to antithymocyte globulin, but finally succumbed to fungal infection. CR usually occurs over 6 months posttransplant. The occurrence of CR was noted very early in the index patients. This case highlights the importance of a basic step-wise approach to a case post liver transplant. It also highlights the importance of specialized liver histopathology aiding in early diagnosis.

Background: Arginine Vasopressin (AVP) plays a significant role in the pathophysiology of Diabetes Mellitus (DM) and its related nephropathy. Timely detection of copeptin, a surrogate biomarker of AVP, would help in minimizing the osmoregulatory complications secondary to DM. The study aimed to correlate serum copeptin levels with serum osmolarity and electrolytes in subjects with progressive stages of DM. Methodology: A total of 120 patients were recruited as controls, pre-diabetes, DM without nephropathy, and nephropathy. Serum copeptin levels were measured by Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay. At the same time, routine biochemical tests for diabetes and renal function were done from the affiliated diagnostic laboratory. Results: The mean copeptin and osmolarity levels were 207.74 ± 192.08 pg/ml and 302.29 ± 18.13 mOsm/kg, respectively. Both, the copeptin and osmolarity levels raises progressively from controls to various stages of DM and share significant positive correlation (r=0.214, p=0.019). Osmolarity was also correlated significantly with RBS (r=0.262), BUN (r=0.844), Na+ (r=0.210) and K+ (r=0.461). Conclusion: The significant correlation of copeptin with osmolarity highlights the importance of the AVP system in regulating body fluid equilibrium in diabetic patients progressing towards nephropathy. Timely detection of copeptin can play an important role in the early management of the disease.

Resilience decrease the risk of psychological distress enhances self-esteem, it also helps in developing effective coping mechanisms when faced with stress and trauma. The study aimed to assess resilience, psychological distress, and self-esteem among the undergraduate students in Kollam district, Kerala. A cross-sectional study among undergraduate students from arts and commerce background was selected through a purposive sampling method. Total enumeration method was used for the selection of college students. A total of 411 students participated in the study, only 294 students were included in the analysis due in-complete perform. Regression model, self-esteem variables contributed significantly to the prediction of overall resilience of undergraduate students (F (4,289) = 6.942, pp

Introduction: Tracheostomy is commonly performed surgical procedure in ENT practice. Postoperative care is the most important aspect for achieving good patient outcomes. Unavailability of standard guidelines on tracheostomy management and inadequate training can make this basic practice complex. The nursing staff and doctors play a very important role in bedside management, both in the ward and in the intensive care unit (ICU) setup. Therefore, it is crucial that all healthcare providers directly involved in providing postoperative care to such patients can do this efficiently. Objectives: The objective of this study is to assess the knowledge regarding identification and management of tracheostomy-related emergencies and early complications among healthcare professionals so as to improve practice and further standardization. Methods: Cross-sectional observational study included two hundred and fifty-four doctors and nurses from four large tertiary care hospitals. The questions used were simple and straightforward regarding tracheostomy suctioning, cuff care, cuff management, tube blockage, and feeding management in patients with tracheostomy. Results: Based on evidence from our study, knowledge level regarding tracheostomy care ranges from 48% to 52% with knowledge scores above 50% being considered satisfactory. Significant gaps in knowledge exist in various aspects of tracheostomy care and management among healthcare professionals. Conclusion: Our findings demonstrated an adequate knowledge level among health care professionals ranging from 48% to 52% with knowledge scores above 50% being considered satisfactory and revealed that gaps in knowledge still exist in various aspects of tracheostomy care and management.

Verticillium dahliae is a soilborne fungal pathogen that causes vascular wilt diseases in a wide range of economically important crops, including eggplant. Trichoderma spp. are effective biological control agents that suppress a wide range of plant pathogens through a variety of mechanisms, including mycoparasitism. However, the molecular mechanisms of mycoparasitism of Trichoderma spp. in the degradation of microsclerotia of V. dahliae are not yet fully understood. In this study, the ability of 15 isolates of Trichoderma to degrade microsclerotia of V. dahliae was evaluated using a dual culture method. After 15 days, isolate HZA14 showed the greatest potential for microsclerotial degradation. The culture filtrate of isolate HZA14 also significantly inhibited the mycelial growth and conidia germination of V. dahliae at different dilutions. Moreover, this study showed that T. virens produced siderophores and indole-3-acetic acid (IAA). In disease control tests, T. virens HZA14 reduced disease severity in eggplant seedlings by up to 2.77%, resulting in a control efficacy of 96.59% at 30 days after inoculation. Additionally, inoculation with an HZA14 isolate increased stem and root length and fresh and dry weight, demonstrating plant growth promotion efficacy. To further investigate the mycoparasitism mechanism of T. virens HZA14, transcriptomics sequencing and real-time fluorescence quantitative PCR (RT-qPCR) were used to identify the differentially expressed genes (DEGs) of T. virens HZA14 at 3, 6, 9, 12, and 15 days of the interaction with microsclerotia of V. dahliae. In contrast to the control group, the mycoparasitic process of T. virens HZA14 exhibited differential gene expression, with 1197, 1758, 1936, and 1914 genes being up-regulated and 1191, 1963, 2050, and 2114 genes being down-regulated, respectively. Among these genes, enzymes associated with the degradation of microsclerotia, such as endochitinase A1, endochitinase 3, endo-1,3-beta-glucanase, alpha-N-acetylglucosaminidase, laccase-1, and peroxidase were predicted based on bioinformatics analysis. The RT-qPCR results confirmed the RNA-sequencing data, showing that the expression trend of the genes was consistent. These results provide important information for understanding molecular mechanisms of microsclerotial degradation and integrated management of Verticillium wilt in eggplant and other crops.

Traditional soil stabilization techniques, such as cement and lime, are known for their menacing effect on the environment through heavy carbon emissions. Sustainable soil stabilization methods are grabbing attention, and the utilization of biopolymers is surely one among them. Recent studies proved the efficiency of biopolymers in enhancing the geotechnical properties to meet the requirements of the construction industry. The suitability of biopolymer application in different soils is still unexplored, and the carbon footprint analysis (CFA) of biopolymers is crucial in promoting the biopolymers as a promising sustainable soil stabilization method. This study attempts to investigate the out-turn of cross-linked biopolymer on soils exhibiting different plasticity characteristics (Medium & High compressibility) and to determine the Embodied carbon factor (ECF) for the selected biopolymers. Guar (G) and Xanthan (X) biopolymers were cross-linked at different proportions to enhance the geotechnical properties of soils. Atterberg’s limits, Compaction characteristics, and Unconfined Compressive Strength were chosen as performance indicators, and their values were analyzed at different combinations of biopolymers before and after cross-linking. The test results have shown that Atterberg’s limits of the soils increased with the addition of biopolymers, and it is attributed to the formation of hydrogels in the soil matrix. Compaction test results reveal that the Optimum Moisture Content (OMC) of biopolymer-modified soil increased, and Maximum Dry Density (MDD) reduced due to the resistance offered by hydrogel against compaction effort. Soils amended with biopolymers and cured for 14, 28, and 60 days have shown an appreciable improvement in Unconfined Compressive Strength (UCS) results. Microlevel analysis was carried out using SEM (Scanning Electron Microscopy) and FTIR (Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy) to formulate the mechanism responsible for the alteration in targeted performance indicators due to the cross-linking of biopolymers in the soil. The embodied energy in the production of both Guar and Xanthan biopolymers was calculated, and the obtained ECF values were 0.087 and 1.67, respectively.

The environmental impact of industrial development has been well-documented. The use of physical and chemical methods in industrial development has negative consequences for the environment, raising concerns about the sustainability of this approach. There is a growing need for advanced technologies that are compatible with preserving the environment. The use of fungi products for nanoparticle (NP) synthesis is a promising approach that has the potential to meet this need. The genus Trichoderma is a non-pathogenic filamentous fungus with a high degree of genetic diversity. Different strains of this genus have a variety of important environmental, agricultural, and industrial applications. Species of Trichoderma can be used to synthesize metallic NPs using a biological method that is environmentally friendly, low cost, energy saving, and non-toxic. In this review, we provide an overview of the role of Trichoderma metabolism in the synthesis of metallic NPs. We discuss the different metabolic pathways involved in NP synthesis, as well as the role of metabolic metabolites in stabilizing NPs and promoting their synergistic effects. In addition, the future perspective of NPs synthesized by extracts of Trichoderma is discussed, as well as their potential applications in biomedicine, agriculture, and environmental health.

The prime purpose of placing a capacitor bank in a power system is to provide reactive power, reduce power losses, and enhances voltage profile. The main challenge is to determine the optimum capacitor position and size that reduces both system power losses and the overall cost of the system with rigid constraints. For this purpose, different optimization techniques are used, for example Particle Swarm Optimization (PSO) which converges the complex non-linear problem in a systematic and methodological way to find the best optimal solution. In this paper, the standard IEEE 33-bus and 69-bus systems are used to find the optimum location and size of the capacitors bank. These power networks are simulated in Siemens PSS®E software. For the optimum solution of capacitor banks, the PSO algorithm is used. The PSO fitness function is modelled in such a way which contains the high average bus voltage, the small size of capacitor banks, and low power losses. The fitness function used is a weighted type to reduce the computation time and multi-objective function complexity.

Background: Body image refers to how an individual perceives and it affects individual feelings about his or her body weight and shape. Usually, in general, populations have a notion that the gym users were more concerned about their physical appearance and dissatisfied with their weight, and also it is associated with self-esteem. Aims: The present study aimed to find out the difference in body image satisfaction and self-esteem among adult gym users and nongym users. Methodology: This was a cross-sectional study. The sample consisted of 30 adult gym users and 30 adult nongym users. Adult gym users were selected purposively from the Center for Rehabilitation Sciences (wellness center), LGBRIMH, and the nongym users were from the LGBRIMH campus. A semi-structured questionnaire was used to collect the sociodemographic profile of the respondent, the Body Shape Questionnaire (BSQ) was used to measure the concerns related to one's body image and a Self-Esteem Scale was used to assess the self-esteem. Results: BSQ score was higher for the nongym users, indicating a higher level of dissatisfaction with body image (M = 68.80, standard deviation [SD] = 33.94) as compared to gym users (M = 59.133, SD = 25.477), self-esteem was high among gym users (M = 0.21.333, SD = 5.254) as compared to nonusers (M = 16.90, SD = 5.695). Statistically no significant difference was found between the groups in BSQ and self-esteem. Conclusion: This study's findings revealed that the nongym users were scored higher in BSQ which indicated a higher level of dissatisfaction with body image and low self-esteem, whereas the gym user's score indicated a higher level of satisfaction with body image and a higher level of self-esteem. Although statistically no significant difference was found between the groups in BSQ and self-esteem. Appropriate psychosocial intervention can be provided to address body image dissatisfaction and other factors associated with it among the general population.

The current study investigates the influence of financial resources on environmental and financial performance with the mediating role of green practices (innovation) in manufacturing firms of the emerging economy, Pakistan. The research model and its proposed hypothesis was using 294 manufacturing firms' samples, for fruitful insights, the hypothesis was tested through a structured equation model using Smart PLS 3. Our results exhibited a positive and significant impact of financial resources on financial performance but not on environmental performance. However, green innovation fully mediates the relationship between financial resources and financial performance, while partially mediate the relationship between financial resources and environmental performance. Considering our insight, we suggest to the government that financially support the SMEs sector because they have a lack of tangible and intangible resources due to small size, and to easily adapt the green practices.

Background: Body image is conceptualized as a subjective perception of an individual one's own body and on how he/she is seen by others, and its distortion can lead to poor self-esteem and affect psychological adjustment among the youth. The objectives of the study were to assess body image and to see the association with depression, anxiety, and self-esteem among students. Materials and Methods: A cross-sectional correlational study was conducted among undergraduate students in Shillong, Meghalaya. The researcher used random sampling as for the selection of college. The Krejcie and Morgan (1970) sampling method was used to determine the sample size by a table using the sample size formula for the finite population. A total of 384 respondents were selected for the study, out of which 358 were included for the final analysis. Sociodemographic datasheet, Multidimensional Body-Self Relations Questionnaire–Appearance Scales, Rosenberg Self-Esteem Scale, Beck Depression Inventory-II, and Hamilton Anxiety Rating Scale were administered. Results: Regression analysis showed self-esteem and anxiety contribute significantly to the prediction of body image satisfaction among students (F[4353] = 3.816, P = 0.001), accounting for a 15.1% variance. Conclusion: Significant proportion of students were dissatisfied with their body image. Furthermore, a study reported that body image influences psychological well-being. There is a need for preventive measures and making these young people aware of the importance of both physical and mental health.

Kuttanad is a region that lies in the southwest part of Kerala, India, and possesses soft soil, which imposes constraints on many civil engineering applications owing to low shear strength and high compressibility. Chemical stabilizers such as cement and lime have been extensively utilized in the past to address compressibility issues. However, future civilizations will be extremely dependent on the development of sustainable materials and practices such as the use of bio-enzymes, calcite precipitation methods, and biological materials as a result of escalating environmental concerns due to carbon emissions of conventional stabilizers. One such alternative is the utilization of biopolymers. The current study investigates the effect of chitosan (biopolymer extracted from shrimp shells) in improving the consolidation and shrinkage characteristics of these soft soils. The dosages adopted are 0.5%, 1%, 2%, and 4%. One-dimensional fixed ring consolidation tests indicate that consolidation characteristics are improved upon the addition of chitosan up to an optimum dosage of 2%. The coefficient of consolidation increases up to seven times that of untreated soil, indicating the acceleration of the consolidation process by incorporating chitosan. The shrinkage potential is reduced by 11% after amendment with 4% chitosan and all the treated samples exhibit zero signs of curling. Based on the findings from consolidation and shrinkage data, carbon emission assessments are carried out for a typical landfill liner amended with an optimum dosage of chitosan. In comparison to conventional stabilizers like cement and lime, the results indicate that chitosan minimized carbon emissions by 7.325 times and 8.754 times, respectively.

Some endophyte bacteria can improve plant growth and suppress plant diseases. However, little is known about the potential of endophytes bacteria to promote wheat growth and suppress the Fusarium seedling blight pathogen Fusarium graminearum. This study was conducted to isolate and identify endophytic bacteria and evaluate their efficacy for the plant growth promotion and disease suppression of Fusarium seedling blight (FSB) in wheat. The Pseudomonas poae strain CO showed strong antifungal activity in vitro and under greenhouse conditions against F. graminearum strain PH-1. The cell-free supernatants (CFSs) of P. poae strain CO were able to inhibit the mycelium growth, the number of colonies forming, spore germination, germ tube length, and the mycotoxin production of FSB with an inhibition rate of 87.00, 62.25, 51.33, 69.29, and 71.08%, respectively, with the highest concentration of CFSs. The results indicated that P. poae exhibited multifarious antifungal properties, such as the production of hydrolytic enzymes, siderophores, and lipopeptides. In addition, compared to untreated seeds, wheat plants treated with the strain showed significant growth rates, where root and shoot length increased by about 33% and the weight of fresh roots, fresh shoots, dry roots, and dry shoots by 50%. In addition, the strain produced high levels of indole-3-acetic acid, phosphate solubilization, and nitrogen fixation. Finally, the strain demonstrated strong antagonistic properties as well as a variety of plant growth-promoting properties. Thus, this result suggest that this strain could be used as an alternate to synthetic chemicals, which can serve as an effective method of protecting wheat from fungal infection.

In the title compound, C15H12N2O2, the benzimidazole ring system is inclined to the benzene ring by 78.04 (10)°. The crystal structure features O—H...N and C—H...O hydrogen bonding and C—H...π and π–π interactions, which were investigated using Hirshfeld surface analysis.

Objectives: To assess the diagnostic accuracy and efficacy of taking history, conducting physical examination, and assessing the radiological characteristics of children suspected of having aspirated foreign bodies (FBs), vis-à-vis tracheobronchoscopy, the gold standard diagnostic tool. An additional objective was to analyze the types and locations of aspirated FBs. Methods: This single-center retrospective cohort study used the archived medical data of consecutive pediatric patients who had presented with suspected tracheobronchial FB aspiration (TFBA) from January 2011 to May 2021. Data regarding clinical presentation, radiological impressions, and intraoperative findings were retrieved from electronic medical records. Results: The subjects comprised 44 children (22 male) with a mean age of 25.4 months (median = 17.5 months). The majority (27; 61.4%) had TFBA. Among the clinical symptoms, choking and coughing had a sensitivity of 93.9% and specificity of 30.0% and 50.0%, respectively in confirming the presence of a FB. Positive physical examination results had a sensitivity of 95.8% and specificity of 63.2%. Radiological results had a sensitivity of 60.0% and specificity of 78.9%. Organic substances constituted 47.7% of the aspirated FBs. Conclusions: Proper clinical assessment with history, physical examination, and imaging can highly predict the presence of TFBAs in children, and help the clinician decide whether bronchoscopy is necessary.

The title compound, [ZnCl2(C13H11N3)]·C3H7NO, crystallized in the monoclinic crystal system in space group P21/n. The asymmetric unit contains one neutral complex molecule, which consists of a zinc ion, a bidentate ligand, and two chlorido ligands with dimethylformamide monosolvate. The ligand has two moieties, a benzimidazole and an aniline group. The benzimidazole and aniline planes are not coplanar, subtending a dihedral angle of 18.24 (8)°. The Zn(II) ion shows distorted tetrahedral geometry, being coordinated by an imidazole N atom, the aniline N atom, and two chlorido ligands. The packing features N—H...O, N—H...Cl, C—H...Cl hydrogen bonding.

The utilization of industrial by-products as stabilizers is gaining attention from the sustainability perspective. Along these lines, granite sand (GS) and calcium lignosulfonate (CLS) are used as alternatives to traditional stabilizers for cohesive soil (clay). The unsoaked California Bearing Ratio (CBR) was taken as a performance indicator (as a subgrade material for low-volume roads). A series of tests were performed by varying the dosages of GS (30%, 40%, and 50%) and CLS (0.5%, 1%, 1.5%, and 2%) for different curing periods (0, 7, and 28 days). This study revealed that the optimal dosages of granite sand (GS) are 35%, 34%, 33%, and 32% for dosages of calcium lignosulfonate (CLS) of 0.5%, 1.0%, 1.5%, and 2.0%, respectively. These values are needed to maintain a reliability index greater than or equal to 3.0 when the coefficient of variation (COV) of the minimum specified value of the CBR is 20% for a 28-day curing period. The proposed RBDO (reliability-based design optimization) presents an optimal design methodology for designing low-volume roads when GS and CLS are blended for clay soils. The optimal mix, i.e., 70% clay blended with 30% GS and 0.5% CLS (exhibiting the highest CBR value) is considered an appropriate dosage for the pavement subgrade material. Carbon footprint analysis (CFA) was performed on a typical pavement section according to Indian Road Congress recommendations. It is observed that the use of GS and CLS as stabilizers of clay reduces the carbon energy by 97.52% and 98.53% over the traditional stabilizers lime and cement at 6% and 4% dosages, respectively.

The trademark plays an important role in economic life, as it is a way for the merchant to distinguish his products from those produced by others. It also helps consumers to identify the products they want. Therefore, the countries of the world have agreed to conduct agreements to protect it, on top of which is the Agreement on Trade-Related Aspects of Intellectual Property Rights (TRIPS). When the State of Indonesia agreed to sign this agreement, it had to provide legal cover in the field of the trademark. The research aims to demonstrate trademark protection in Indonesian law and Islamic jurisprudence. This research falls within the library search, and its description is an analytical and critical description. After careful consideration, the research concludes that Indonesian law and Islamic jurisprudence are in agreement of considering the trademark as property and right. So, they agree on the necessity of trademark protection and imposing the punishment for the aggressor. Meanwhile, they differ in the imprisonment; the law considers it as a basic punishment while Islamic jurisprudence considers it as a secondary punishment