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Technology has developed immensely and its role in the aspects of learning a language has grown bigger and bigger. Among the university level students, WhatsApp at present is getting into the frontline as one of the most widespread online social networking platforms concerning to language learning. The research work undertaken tries to understand if university level students consider WhatsApp as a significant learning platform that can develop and support their language learning skills. Moreover, , the research work focuses on the routine practices or use of WhatsApp by students. The outcome of the survey data reveals that students consider that WhatsApp may be utilized as a teaching cum learning online platform to assist them in the process of language learning. They also highlighted the necessity of imitating language courses associated with WhatsApp, integration of technology through WhatsApp for the access of class materials with a set of objectives and outcomes explicitly focused on learning language to create meaningful experiences for students. Pedagogically, the study concludes by emphasizing the efficacy and prospective role of WhatsApp in improving the capability of students with regard to learning a language at university level.

Objectives: The objective of the study is to evaluate plasma homocysteine level and its relation with serum estrogen in pre and postmenopausal women as a risk factor in coronary artery disease (CAD). Materials and Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted among premenopausal (n = 50) and postmenopausal women (n = 50) with an estimation of plasma homocysteine (Hcy) and serum estradiol (E2). Postmenopausal women based on their angiographic status were sub-grouped into A (with normal coronaries) and B (with CAD). Results: The levels of Hcy, 21.98 (20.89-24.05) μmol/L, increased significantly (P < 0.0001) and that of E2, 3.05 (2.32-3.6) pg/mL, decreased significantly (P = 0.0001) in the postmenopausal group when compared to Hcy, 6.11 (4.94-8.27) μmol/L and E2, 26.37 (25.3-29) pg/mL in premenopausal group. The levels of Hcy were elevated (24.7 ± 3.92 μmol/L) in postmenopausal Group B in comparison with postmenopausal Group A (21.37 ± 3.31 μmol/L), P = 0.002. Logistic regression analysis showed Hcy and body mass index to be independent predictors of CAD. Plasma Hcy showed an area under curve (AUC) of 1.00 with sensitivity and specificity of 100% at cutoff >12.6 μmol/L between pre and postmenopausal groups and AUC of 0.722 with 60% sensitivity and 84% specificity at cutoff >23.7 μmol/L between postmenopausal Groups A and B. Conclusion: We observed low E2 and high Hcy levels in postmenopausal women in comparison with premenopausal women. Among postmenopausal women, those with CAD had higher Hcy levels. Assessing Hcy levels routinely in postmenopausal women will help in better risk prediction of CAD and may also help in conjunction with other risk factors to decide the initiation of hormone replacement therapy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Iron acts as a cofactor in Thyroid Peroxidase (TPO) activity, and low iron levels can impact thyroid hormone metabolism. The function of ferritin and iron has been extensively documented in various studies in patients with Overt Hypothyroidism (OH), but their role in Subclinical Hypothyroidism (SH) remains largely unexplored. Aim: To evaluate the serum ferritin and iron levels in patients who have SH. Materials and Methods: A retrospective observational study was conducted between March 2018 and October 2018 at the Biochemistry Department of Nizam's Institute of Medical Sciences, Hyderabad, Telangana, India. For the study, a total of 100 cases of SH were enrolled, and these patients were matched in terms of age and sex with 50 healthy controls. A fasting sample was obtained and analysed for serum ferritin, Total Iron Binding Capacity (TIBC), TT3, TT4, and Thyroid Stimulating Hormone (TSH). MedCalc software was used to perform statistical analysis. Results: In the SH group, there were 32 males (32%) and 68 females (68%); in the control group, there were 21 males (42%) and 29 females (58%). The median values of TT3 (nmol/L), TT4 (µg/dL), and TSH (µIU/mL) were 1.55 (1.4-1.95), 7.8 (5.9-9.75), and 3 (1.9-3.75) for controls, and 1.4 (1.1-1.75), 6.85 (5.5-8.15), and 6.2 (4.8-8.05), respectively, for cases. In comparison to controls, the TSH level was significantly higher (p<0.0001) in cases. The median iron (µg/dL), ferritin (ng/mL), TIBC (µg/dL), and % saturation in cases were 56.5 (41.5-82), 110 (31.5-194.5), 329 (258-390), and 19 (11.25-26.75), respectively, while in controls they were 84 (68.5-96.5), 195 (121.5-338.5), 233 (188.5-294), and 25 (18-37.5). There was a significant decrease in iron level (p<0.00001), % saturation (<0.00001), and ferritin level (p<0.00001), and a significant increase in TIBC (p<0.0001) in cases when compared to controls. Conclusion: In conclusion, the present study showed a significant negative correlation between SH and iron deficiency. Patients with this condition should be evaluated for ferritin and iron levels and treated appropriately to prevent hypothyroidism. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The purpose of this paper is to find out whether there is any change in the attitude of students towards English Language Learning (ELL) when they come for college education after completing the school education. The transformation in the attitude of students from school to college was examined in terms of marks, interest towards English language, self- motivation to learn the language, participation in the class, understanding the importance of English in securing a job and learner-centred language teaching methods that ensure more freedom to the learners. About 52 first year Mechanical Engineering students from Tamil medium stream took part in this research. To examine their shift in attitude towards ELL, an attitude questionnaire was administered and a semi-structured interview was conducted. The findings of the study indicated that there was a significant shift in their attitude towards ELL at their college level.

The present work addresses the physical and mechanical properties of banana and palmyra fiber reinforced epoxy composites with the aim of study on the effect of weight ratio and fiber percentage. The banana and palmyra fibers were arranged with different weight ratios (1:1, 1:3, and 3:1) and then mixed with the epoxy matrix by hand lay-up technique to prepare the hybrid composites with various fiber percentages (10%, 20%, 30% and 40%). The properties are measured by testing its density, water absorption, tensile strength, impact strength, hardness and flexural strength and compared. From the results, it was indicated that addition of banana and palmyra fiber in to the matrix material up to 30% by fiber percentage results in increasing the mechanical properties and slightly variation with weight ratios. Interfacial analysis of the hybrid composites were also observed by using scanning electron microscope (SEM) to study the internal failures and micro structure of the tested specimen.