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Aluminum metal–matrix composites (AMMCs) were prepared by dispersing TiO2 dispersoids of different volume fractions into an AA6063 matrix via stir casting and subjected to process–structure correlation studies. Four different samples based on weight ratio were considered herein: 99Al-1TiO2, 97Al-3TiO2, 95Al-5TiO2, and the as-received AA6063. Their mechanical properties namely, microhardness, tensile strength, and tribological behavior, were determined. In addition, the microstructure of the samples was also analysed. It was observed that the addition of 5% TiO2 particles enabled the AA6063 matrix to accommodate a higher strain energy while providing the required driving force to generate dislocations and substructures. Therefore, considering the plastic deformation, the ultimate tensile strength σut increased gradually with the addition of TiO2 (in weight%). The flow curves of the 95Al-5TiO2 sample showed the highest value of σut, whereas the as-received AA6063 matrix exhibited the lowest value. For linear elastic deformation, AA6063 showed the lowest yield strength (σys) as compared to the AMMC samples for all TiO2 weight% values; however, the variation in σys among the AMMC samples was minimal. The microhardness of the samples increased gradually with the addition of TiO2, and the percentage reduction in area at the fracture was largest for 95Al-5TiO2. The Taguchi’s L9 array and variance analysis of the process parameters indicated that the material wear was largely affected by the normal load, followed by weight% of TiO2 and sliding speed. Wear surface characteristics, such as microvoids, delamination, microcracks, and wear debris, were qualitatively observed in all the AMMC samples. The overall strength improvement was attributable to the effects of addition of the dispersoids. During melt solidification, the TiO2 particles surpassed/pinned and hindered the grain growth, resulting in grain-size refinement.

Waste handling is one of the biggest problems across the globe. An additional challenge of mitigating climate change also arises during the burning of fossil fuel. The fossil fuel-based transportation system in India that gives rise to air pollution has a worse impact on people. To overcome these problems, a sustainability assessment framework is introduced in this study. Ethanol, a member of the biofuel family, is one of the cleanest and most sustainable forms of energy sources. The purpose of this research is to develop a sustainability assessment framework to investigate the environmental feasibility of a supply chain system that provides an end-to-end solution and how it would benefit the transportation sector. A second-generation (2G) ethanol-based supply chain is envisaged, and agro-waste such as corncobs and paddy straw are considered in this study. The assessment is carried out using a heuristic-based method, known as particle swarm optimization (PSO) technique, within the framework of circular economy. The results show that the biomass collection in the proposed area produces 2.5 tons of CO2 per hectare area on average, which is much lower in comparison to 996.6 tons of CO2 per hectare in the Middle East, the main source of fossil fuel. In the future, this research would benefit the enterprises and government organizations that establish 2G ethanol plants.

Introduction: Haematological malignancies contribute to a significant number (8.2%) among cancer patientsin India. Bursa-Acute Lymphoblastic Leukaemia (B-ALL), ThymusAcute Lymphoblastic Leukaemia (T-ALL) and Acute Myeloid Leukaemia (AML) are the three main types of leukaemias distinguished based on flow cytometry. Expression of Cluster of Differentiation (CD) markers of a lineage distinct to the blast population is termed as aberrant expression (expression of B/T cell markers in AML or myeloid markers in ALL). Role of aberrant marker expression in leukaemias remain an enigma till date. Aberrant expression of antigens may be associated with adverse outcomes. Aim: To study the expression of aberrant markers and their association with the remission status postinduction therapy in ALL and AML. Materials and Methods: A retrospective cross-sectional study done accessing the medical records of Acute Leukaemia patients admitted from 1st January 2019 to 31st December 2019 at Kidwai Memorial Institute of Oncology, Bengaluru. A total of 144 cases were included of which 86 cases were of AML and 58 cases were ALL. ALL was further divided into B-ALL and T-ALL with 40 and 18 cases respectively, 18 cases of T-ALL and 86 cases of AML were included. Demographic and clinicohaematological parameters were recorded. All quantitative variables were described as Mean {Standard deviation(SD)} and all qualitative variables were depicted as number (proportion). Statistical significance assessed by Chi-square and Fischer-Exact test using Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS) version 22.0. Results: Majority of patients belonged to 16-25 years age group with a male preponderance of 58.3%. Aberrant marker expression was associated with the remission status with a p-value of 0.23 and 0.185 in ALL and AML patients respectively and was statistically not significant. While the Chi-square test when applied to the total cases (both ALL and AML combined) the p-value was 0.03 and statistically significant. Conclusion: Aberrant marker expression might predict poor response to induction therapy in acute leukaemias. However, larger studies are needed to confirm these results

Background: Neuroendocrine carcinoma (NEC) is a rare tumor arising from the diffuse neuroendocrine system. Most of these present in the advanced stage and palliative chemotherapy remains the only option. The prognosis remains poor with the standard chemotherapy regimen of platinum and etoposide (EP) providing modest survival benefit. Methods: The study was done for 3 years at a tertiary cancer center in South India. Patients with a diagnosis of metastatic NEC were analyzed for clinical and pathological characteristics. The treatment outcomes and prognostic factors were evaluated using appropriate statistical test. Results: A total of 114 patients of metastatic NEC satisfied the inclusion criteria and were analyzed. Gastrointestinal including hepatobiliary tract (33%) was the most common site of primary disease followed by lung (26%), genitourinary (15%), head and neck (14%), and unknown primary (9%). On analysis of pattern of metastasis, liver (65%) was the most common site followed by bone (54%) and lung (42%). The median overall survival was 11 months with a statistically significant difference between pulmonary and extrapulmonary disease (8 vs. 13 months; P = 0.003). Ki67% value was strongly associated with prognosis (hazard ratio 0.517, 95% confidence interval; 0.318–0.840, P = 0.008) whereas age, sex, and lactate dehydrogenase level did not show any relation with survival. Conclusion: The outcome of advanced NEC with standard chemotherapy remains poor. Larger studies with other therapeutic and novel agents are warranted to improve the treatment outcomes.

Background: T-cell prolymphocytic leukemia (T-PLL) is a rare lymphoid malignancy with dismal prognosis. Most patients have increased lymphocyte count (>1,00,000/dL) and widespread disease at presentation. Despite high response rate seen with alemtuzumab, the disease relapse is inevitable. Materials and Methods: This was a retrospective observational study done at a tertiary cancer center in South India. All patients diagnosed with T-PLL from August 2010 to July 2015 were studied for the clinical characteristics, pathological findings and treatment outcomes. Results: Seven patients were diagnosed as T-PLL over a period of 5 years. The median age at diagnosis was 51 years. In the present series, 6 patients (86%) had splenomegaly and 3 had hepatomegaly (43%). Generalized lymphadenopathy was seen in 4 (57%) patients at presentation. Skin lesions were seen in 5 (71%) patients, whereas pleural effusion was seen in only one patient (14%). All had elevated total leukocyte count, with more than 1, 00,000/dL in 4 patients. The median survival was 5 months with different chemotherapy (CT) regimens (5 patients treated with CT and 2 received best supportive care). Conclusion:T-PLL is a rare disease with no definite treatment guidelines. At present, the best outcomes are achieved if treatment with alemtuzumab is followed by stem cell transplant, but the disease invariably relapses. Countries where affordability remains a big challenge, the best approach needs to be defined beyond the monoclonal antibodies and transplant.

Background: Endosulfan is a highly toxic agrichemical used in the cashew plantations. The Stockholm Convention held in April 2011 recommended a global ban on the manufacture and use of endosulfan because of its adverse effects on human health and the environment. Its impact on the quality of food, water, and beverages; and its ability to cause neurobehavioral disorders, congenital malformations in female subjects, and abnormalities related to the male reproductive system are studied, but however information regarding the oral health of endosulfan victims is scant. Objectives: To assess the oral health status of the endosulfan victim in rehabilitation center. Method and Methodology: A cross sectional study on 18 subjects of 4-50 years of age were interviewed and examined using modified WHO oral health assessment proforma (1997) in Endosulfan Relief and Remediation Cell in Kokkada, Belthangady Taluk, Dakshina Kannada district, Karnataka, India. Results: Among the subjects, 10 (>50%) were found to be in age group