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Aims: The research paper aims to understand the trends in consumer beverage consumption, explicitly examining the shift towards healthier options such as juices and smoothies. The study seeks to understand the level of health consciousness among consumers and whether it impacts their choice of beverage. Study Design: A survey was conducted with a sample size of 313 respondents across different age groups and demographics. Research design was conclusive and non -probability convenience sampling was used to collect data from different states of India. Methodology: The descriptive study was conducted by interviewing 313 respondents from India, mainly from cities like - Pune, Mumbai, Dhule, Delhi, Surat, Nashik, Jaipur, and Indore. The method adopted for conducting this survey was a structured questionnaire. Nonprobability convenience sampling was used to gather information from respondents. Excel and SPSS was used to perform further analysis. Results: 66.9% of respondents belonged to the age category of 20-30 years. 21.5% were below 20 years, and the rest, 11.6% of respondents, were from 30-40 years. It was found that 33.7% of the respondents prefer carbonated drinks, while high majority of 80.4% prefer non-carbonated drinks. Few respondents enjoy both types of beverages. Conclusion: It was found that there is a huge shift towards health-consciousness among people these days, involving high preference for non-carbonated drinks such as juices and smoothies. Some significant factors that influence consumers' preference towards healthy beverages are home delivery, good packaging, and product customization.

INTRODUCTIONComputers and laptops have become an integral part of our daily life. We interact with computer screens for minutes to hours depending upon our need, for entertainment or official purposes. Using computers has become a 21st century necessity. The expansion of information technologies in recent decades has resulted in increased use of video display terminals (VDT) in the workplace. The American Optometric Association (AOA) defines Computer Vision Syndrome (CVS) as the complex of eye and vision problems related to near work, which are experienced during or related to computer use. CVS is characterised by visual symptoms resulting from interaction with a computer display or its environment. This study aimed to assess the prevalence of computer vision syndrome among medical and engineering students of Rupandehi, Nepal. MATERIAL AND METHODS A cross‑sectional study was conducted among final year medical and engineering college students of Universal College of medical sciences and Lumbini Engineering college, Rupandehi, Nepal. Sixty-three students were included in the study based on inclusion/exclusion criteria in one-month period (from 1st September 2020- 30th September 2020. The participants were surveyed using a validated structured questionnaire and the data were analysed using SPSS software version 20.0. RESULTS Out of total 63 respondents (32 medical students and 31 engineering students), more than half (60.32%) were male. Majority of the respondents (73.01%) had ocular symptoms of CVS among medical and engineering students. Among medical and engineering students the most common symptoms were redness, which was present in 51 (80.95%) of the students, followed by foreign body sensation present in 48(76.19%) and itching in 45(71.43%) of the students. CONCLUSION This study concludes that more than half of the students complained of any one of the symptoms of CVS. Although CVS has not been found to cause any permanent damage to the eyes, yet it’s painful symptoms can affect the performance.

Abstract: The perspective of the people of Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) toward both traditional and western healthcare systems varies. The goal of the current study is to examine the SSA's unique skin disease health care system. This study comprises numerous research that sought to examine how the general public feels about the SSA's current healthcare system. In this review, common skin conditions, such as atopic dermatitis, buruli ulcers, dermatophytosis, and scabies, are addressed. According to this report, government agencies must pay particular attention to skin illnesses in SSA and raise public awareness. Availability of medical care, socioeconomic factors, degree of education, and other factors influence patients’ attitudes toward traditional and western health care differently in different geographic areas. Facts suggest that self-medication is the preference of the majority of patients before seeking dermatological care. The present study concludes that the magnitude of skin diseases is neglected or underestimated in many regions of SSA. Also, western healthcare facilities of many regions of SSA are not up to the mark. The present study recommends that proper access to the health care system and awareness about skin diseases through various government programs can be helpful in the regulation of skin disorders among people of SSA.

Current and future diagnostics urgently need imaging agents that are non-toxic and superior to clinically used small molecule dyes. Herein, we have developed luminescent green light-emitting carbon dots (GCDs) via a single-step hydrothermal reaction using a low-cost chemical precursor, p-toluenesulfonic acid. The GCDs exhibit excitation-independent fluorescence (FL) emission with the photoluminescence quantum yield of 70% and no FL quenching up to 1.25 mg/mL. The GCDs exhibit negligible cytotoxicity up to 250 µg/mL concentration in RAW 264.7 cells. Interestingly, GCDs exhibit an excitation-independent and concentration-dependent fluorescence emission behaviour. In vitro, the peak emission was obtained at 520 nm using the excitation at 430 nm. Whereas FL intensity increased with increasing concentration up to 1.25 mg/mL and a sharp decrease in FL intensity is observed upon further increasing the concentration of GCDs. Upon subcutaneously injecting the GCDs into a euthanized mouse, a similar concentration-dependent FL behaviour is evident. Background autofluorescence hinders the use of the GCDs at 420 nm excitation, however, a strong FL emission at 520 nm can be obtained by exciting subcutaneously injected GCDs at 465 nm—demonstrating excitation-independent emission characteristics. The above results indicate the potential of the non-toxic, low-cost carbon dots for diverse bioimaging applications. Graphical abstract Ultra-bright green-emitting carbon dots (GCDs) with photoluminescence quantum yield of 70% were synthesized using p-toluenesulfonic acid and ethylenediamine as precursors. The GCDs were subcutaneously injected into fresh mouse cadaver for fluorescence (FL)bioimaging, showing dose-dependent FL intensity behaviour.

Transition metal nitrides are a fascinating class of catalyst materials due to their superior catalytic activity, low electrical resistance, good corrosion resistance and earth abundance; however, their conventional synthesis relies on high-temperature nitridation processes in hazardous environments. Here, we report a direct synthesis of Ni3N/Ni enriched with N-vacancies using one-step magnetron sputtering. The surface state of Ni3N(001) with 75% N-vacancies is hydrogen-terminated and exhibits four inequivalent Ni3-hollow sites. This leads to stronger H* binding compared to Ni(111), and is affirmed as the most stable surface termination under the electrochemical working conditions (pH ≈ 13.8 and E = −0.1 V) from the Pourbaix diagram. The Ni3N/Ni catalyst shows low crystallinity and good wettability and exhibits a low overpotential of 89 mV vs. RHE at 10 mA cm−2 in 1.0 M KOH with excellent stability over 3 days. This performance closely matches that of the Pt catalyst synthesized under the same conditions and surpasses that of other reported earth-abundant catalysts on planar substrates. The application of Ni3N/Ni as a cocatalyst on Si photocathodes produces an excellent ABPE of 9.3% and over 50 h stability. Moreover, its feasibility for practical application was confirmed with excellent performance on porous substrates and robustness at high operating currents in zero-gap alkaline electrolysis cells. Our work demonstrates a general approach for the feasible synthesis of other transition metal nitride catalysts for electrochemical and photoelectrochemical energy conversion applications.

Si photocathode with industrially relevant charge selective passivation and physically deposited earth-abundant catalyst is developed with an efficiency above 10%. Solar-to-hydrogen efficiency of 17% is achieved by combining perovskite PV in tandem.

Post-transition metal-based liquid alloys are emerging as media for undertaking chemical reactions.

PurposeThe purpose of the present work is to improve the industry performance by identifying and quantifying the risks faced by the Indian pharmaceutical industry (IPI). The risk values for the prominent risks and overall industry are determined based on the four risk parameters, which would help determine the most contributive risks for mitigation.Design/methodology/approachAn extensive literature survey was done to identify the risks, which were also validated by industry experts. The finalized risks were then evaluated using the fuzzy synthetic evaluation (FSE) method, which is the most suitable approach for the risk assessment with parameters having a set of different risk levels.FindingsThe three most contributive sub-risks are counterfeit drugs, demand fluctuations and loss of customers due to partners' poor service performance, while the main risks obtained are demand, financial and logistics. Also, the overall risk value indicates that the industry faces medium to high risk.Practical implicationsThe study identifies the critical risks which need to be mitigated for an efficient industry. The industry is most vulnerable to the demand risk category. Therefore, the managers should minimize this risk by mitigating its sub-risks, like demand fluctuations, bullwhip effect, etc. Another critical sub-risk, the counterfeit risk, should be managed by adopting advanced technologies like blockchain, artificial intelligence, etc.Originality/valueThere is insufficient literature focusing on risk quantification. Therefore, this work addresses this gap and obtains the industry's most critical risks. It also discusses suitable mitigation strategies for better industry performance.

The present investigation aimed to find the most efficient and novel combined formulation of fungicides belonging to triazole and strobilurin groups for managing Alternaria blight (Alternaria alternata) of tomato under open field conditions. Efficacy of seven fungicides like propineb, hexaconazole, propiconazole, azoxystrobin, mancozeb, tebuconazole + trifloxystrobin and carbendazim + mancozeb was evaluated in vitro and in vivo. In vitro study was carried out through poisoned food technique, while field experiment was conducted for two consecutive years (2017 and 2018) at Jobner (Jaipur), India. Two foliar sprays were applied at 45 and 60 days after transplanting (DAT), and disease intensity was recorded at 75 DAT. Hexaconazole (@ 300 and 500 ppm) completely inhibited mycelial growth, followed by tebuconazole + trifloxystrobin (@ 500 ppm). In field conditions, two foliar sprays of hexaconazole (@ 0.2%) at 15 days intervals provided maximum disease reduction (79.74%) with increased fruit yield (88.51%) over control, followed by tebuconazole + trifloxystrobin (76.33% and 82.35%, respectively). Alternaria blight is one of the significant biotic stresses that limit crop productivity and grower's prosperity. Systemic fungicides, particularly triazoles, play a substantial role in preventing infection by Alternaria sp. Thus, two foliar sprays of hexaconazole (0.2%) at 15 days intervals reduced disease intensity effectively with increased fruit yield and profitability.

PurposeThis study aims to utilize DMAIC methodology along with value stream mapping and other Lean Six Sigma tools in a major automobile light manufacturing industry to reduce defect rates and increase production capacity in their manufacturing line. The study also proposes a modified framework based on lean principles and FlexSim to identify and reduce waste in the selected industry.Design/methodology/approachA Lean Six Sigma modified framework has been deployed with DMAIC to reduce the defect rate and increase the production rate. Various tools like value stream mapping, brainstorming, Pareto charts, 5S, kanban, etc. have been used at different phases of DMAIC targeting wastes and inventory in the production line. Also, a simulation model has been utilized for the automobile light manufacturing industry to improve the machine utilization time with varying batch sizes.FindingsThe results of the study indicated a 53% reduction in defect rates. Thus, there would be an expected improvement in sigma value from 3.78 to 3.89 and a reduction in defects per million opportunities (DPMO) from 11,244 to 8,493. Additionally, simulation model using FlexSim was developed, and the optimum ordering batch size of raw material was obtained. It was also analyzed that idle time for various stations could be reduced by up to 30%.Practical implicationsThe utilized framework helps identify defects for managers to increase production efficiency. The workers, operators and supervisors on the production line also need to be trained regularly for identifying the areas of improvement.Originality/valueThe modified Lean Six Sigma framework used in this study includes FlexSim simulation to make the framework robust, which has not been used with LSS tools in the literature studied. Also, the LSS finds very less application in the manufacturing domain, considering which this study tends to add value in existing literature taking a case of an automobile light manufacturing industry.

Purpose: Health care disparities exist for people from culturally and linguistically diverse (CALD) communities. Addressing the cultural competence of health care providers could limit these disparities. The aim of this study was to improve cultural knowledge of and humility regarding pain in a CALD community. Method: This interpretive description qualitative study used focus group discussions (FGDs) to generate ideas about how South Asian culture could influence how health care providers manage pain. A total of 14 people with pain and of South Asian background (6 women and 8 men, aged 28–70 y) participated. Two investigators independently analyzed the data. This process involved repeatedly reading the transcripts, then manually sorting the key messages into categories. The investigators compared their categorizations and resolved differences through discussion. Next, similar categories and concepts were grouped into ideas (potential themes). These ideas, along with supporting categories and verbatim quotes, were presented to the full research team for feedback. After compiling the feedback, the ideas formed the thematic representation of the data. Results: The data from the FGDs revealed how pain management could be culturally adapted. The FGDs generated four themes about South Asian cultural perspectives that could influence the pain management experience for people living with pain: (1) cultural and linguistic impediments to communication, (2) understanding of pain in terms of the extent to which it interferes with function and work, (3) nurturing or personal attention as a marker of good care, and (4) value attributed to traditional ideas of illness and treatment. Conclusion: This study demonstrates how engaging with CALD people living with pain can lead to improved cultural knowledge and humility that can form the basis for adapting pain management. Through this process, it is more likely that a meaningful and client-centred pain management plan can be developed.

Despite phenomenal clinical success, the efficacy of platinum anticancer drugs is often compromised due to inherent and acquired drug resistant phenotypes in cancers. To circumvent this issue, we designed two heterobimetallic platinum (II)-ferrocene hybrids that display multi-pronged anticancer action. In cancer cells, our best compound, 2, platinates DNA, produces reactive oxygen species, and has nucleus, mitochondria, and endoplasmic reticulum as potential targets. The multi-modal mechanism of action of these hybrid agents lead to non-apoptotic cell death induction which enables circumventing apoptosis resistance and significant improvement in platinum cross resistance profile. Finally, in addition to describing detail mechanistic insights, we also assessed its stability in plasma and demonstrate anticancer efficacy in an in vivo A2780 xenograft model. Strikingly, compared to oxaliplatin, our compound displays better tolerability, safety profile and efficacy in vivo.

Background: An association between lichen planus and systemic disorders such as diabetes mellitus, dyslipidemia and metabolic syndrome has been reported. Aim: To assess the clinico-epidemiological profile of lichen planus, evaluate prevalence of underlying metabolic complications and compare the clinical profile of patients with and without metabolic syndrome. Material and methods: All the patients with lichen planus attending dermatology out patient department of a tertiary care centre in South Rajasthan over a period of one year were studied. Patients with lichenoid drug eruptions and those receiving systemic treatment for lichen planus were excluded from the study. Statistical analysis was done using the chi – square test. A p value < 0.05 was considered significant. Results: A total of 270 patients of lichen planus were enrolled. Male to female ratio was found to be 0.76: 1. Maximum (64; 23.7%) patients belonged to the age group of 31 – 40 years. Classical morphology was the most common (128; 47.4%) cutaneous pattern. Mucosal and nail involvement was seen in 80 (29.6%) and 87 (32.2%) patients respectively. Koebner phenomenon was present in 57 (21.1%) patients. The investigations were completed by 175 (64.8%) patients. Diabetes mellitus and hypertension were found in 12.6% (22/175) and 14.3% (25/175) patients respectively. The diagnostic criteria for dyslipidemia and metabolic syndrome were fulfilled by 39.4% (69/175) and 27.4% (48/175) patients respectively. Majority (81.2%) of the patients with metabolic syndrome belonged to age group 40 years and above, and oral and nail involvement was found to be more common in them. It is recommended that these patients should be screened for complications like diabetes, hypertension, dyslipidemia and metabolic syndrome. Conclusion: Significant numbers of lichen planus patients were found to have dyslipidemia and metabolic syndrome. Patients aged 40 years and above, with oral and nail involvement have higher propensity to be associated with metabolic syndrome and therefore such patients should be screened for metabolic complications. Timely screening and early intervention may reduce the risk of related morbidity and mortality. Limitations: Lack of control group is the drawback of our study. Age and sex matched comparative studies are required for confirmation of the results.

INTRODUCTION Cancer is defined as the uncontrollable growth of cells that invade and cause damage to surrounding tissue. Oral diseases and conditions share modifiable risk factors with the leading NCDs (Cardiovascular diseases, cancer, chronic respiratory diseases and diabetes). This study was carried out to assess the knowledge regarding prevention of oral cancer and to find out the effectiveness of video assisted teaching program among tobacco chewers. MATERIAL AND METHODS A pre-experimental one group pre-test post-test design study was conducted to find the effectiveness of video assisted teaching for prevention of oral cancer among tobacco chewers in Dhakdahi village of Rohini rural municipality of Rupandehi District, Nepal. The total duration of the study was three months 5/5/2019 to 26/8/2019. The study samples tobacco chewers were selected by non-probability convenient sampling. Self-administered structured questionnaire was used for socio-demographic variables and video in local language for prevention of oral cancer was used as a intervention for the study group and collected data was used analysed by using descriptive and inferential statistics with SPSS software version 20.0 RESULTS The findings of the study show that the mean score pre-test knowledge was 7.23 and standard deviation 1.801. After the intervention, the mean score of post-test knowledge was 9.96 and standard deviation 1.56. No significant association was found between socio -demographic variables and post-test knowledge level. CONCLUSION Based on the study findings the knowledge level on prevention of cancer is inadequate before intervention of video assisted teaching and after the video assisted teaching the knowledge on prevention was found to be improved. There was overall gain in the knowledge score teaching program following the video assisted teaching program.

Nursing is the most valued public service leaning profession. The quality of nursing education and future of nurse remains a growing concern with international standards in Nepal. The perspective of nursing educationists reveals the scholastic, academic and practical sight to understanding of advancement in the nursing education. Nepal has been running nursing education in the Government as well as in private sectors throughout the country. Nursing education focused with changes as center of attention at the certificate level to highlight prospective functions in the public health and at the bachelor level to focus on advancement of leadership skills. There are many problems in the existing nursing education which need to be addressed by the concerned authority for quality nursing education in the country. Nepal Nursing Council Act has made a mandatory provision that prior to granting approval to establish and operate a nursing educational institution; the concerned body shall consult the council for establishing and operating any nursing educational institution. The continuous and routine supervision and monitoring is needed to be made from the university as well as from the Nepal Nursing Council, Ministry of Education.

An ideal catalytic interface for photoelectrodes that enables high efficiency and long-term stability remains one of the keys to unlocking high-performance solar water splitting. Here, fully decoupled catalytic interfaces realized using surface-structured cocatalyst foils are demonstrated, allowing optimized photoabsorbers to be combined with high-performance earth-abundant cocatalysts. Since many earth-abundant cocatalysts are deposited via solution-based methods, deposition on chemical-sensitive photoabsorbers is a significant challenge. By synthesizing cocatalyst foils prior to device fabrication, photoabsorbers are completely isolated from corrosive chemical environments and are provided with outstanding protection during operation. Si and GaAs photoelectrodes prepared using Ni-based cocatalyst foils achieve excellent half-cell efficiencies and generate stable photocurrents for over 5 days. Furthermore, a GaAs artificial leaf achieves a solar-to-hydrogen efficiency of 13.6% and maintains an efficiency of over 10% for longer than nine days, an accomplishment that has not been previously reported for an immersed solar water splitting system. These results, together with theoretical calculations of other photoelectrode systems, demonstrate that cocatalyst foils offer a very attractive method for fabricating high-performance solar water splitting systems.

This paper investigates the nexus of renewable energy, non-renewable energy, GDP and CO2 emissions in a 1990–2017 sample of BRICS countries to analyse the need for better policy framework and future action needed to tackle climate change. Panel Unit Root tests, Panel co-integration tests and long-run estimates that there exists a long-run relationship between CO2 emissions, GDP, renewable energy and non-renewable energy for the BRICS countries. It was then seen in the panel OLS results that increased renewable energy consumption can significantly reduce CO2 emissions, whereas the panel FMOLS and panel DOLS results do not show any significant relationship between these two variables. All the three estimation results show that increase in non-renewable fuel consumption would result in CO2 emission, thus confirming the positive relationship between non-renewable energy consumption and CO2 emissions. The analysis also suggests that increased presence of renewable energy in the BRICS nations have avoided emissions, but the extent has not been significantly large. Thus, BRICS countries’ policymakers should encourage more consumption of renewable energy for better results.

The usage of Information, Communication and Technology (ICT) in health sector has a great potential in improving the health of individuals and communities, disease detection, prevention and overall strengthening the healthcare systems, vital for development and poverty reduction. Large ICT establishments offer a variety of Artificial Intelligence (AI) based solutions; and their tenacities are inclusive of wearable therapeutic devices, healthcare management arrangements, extrapolative healthcare diagnostics, ailment prevention systems, detection and screening of diseases and automated tactics. In the field of healthcare related instrumentation, AI plays a prevalent role with the amalgamation of several technological progressions. This enables machines to sense, comprehend, act and learn to perform organisational and clinical healthcare functions as well as serves the research and training purposes. Additionally, it enables to accomplish the anticipated directorial and medicinal benefits. The major causes of life threats reported in literature are; heart and brain diseases. In this paper, an extensive review is presented exploring the evolving ICT technologies in machine learning and AI to help ICT enthusiasts to be able to catch up with the emerging trends in healthcare., Comment: 5 pages, 3 figures, 3 tables

Understanding and predicting weather behavior is vital for informing pilots about changing flight conditions. This paper presents a new approach towards forecasting one component of weather information, wind speed, from data captured by airplanes in flight. We compare two datasets for prediction suitability, and a collinearity analysis between these datasets reveals a better model performance with smaller test error with one of them. We then apply machine learning and a genetic algorithm to process this data further and arrive at a competitive error rate. Finally, we create an offline software for wind prediction using the best performing classifier.