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Background The purpose of the study was to compare the effectiveness of yoga as a form of Vestibular Rehabilitation (VR) to standard VR for managing patients with symptoms such as dizziness, disequilibrium and gait instability. Methods 150 participants based on 18-point difference in the DHI score were randomly assigned to group 1- Yoga, group 2- VR and group 3- control group using block randomization. The intervention was provided for 12 weeks. The participants were assessed for Dizziness Handicap Inventory (DHI) at baseline, 4th, 8th and 12th week. Results The mean DHI for group 1(41.12±7.13) group 2 (42.96±10.54) group 3 (50.84±10.78), p

In this work, the influence of hybridizing jute and carbon fibers on the mechanical properties and water absorption behavior of polyester composites was evaluated. The composites were fabricated by using compression molding technique with discrete of overall fiber weight fraction, being pure jute or pure carbon fiber or hybrid. The outcomes of the study revealed that the jute fiber composites have lower mechanical properties and higher water absorption rate when compared with carbon fiber composites. While, the combined effect enhanced the mechanical property (tensile strength of 136.3 MPa, tensile modulus of 3403 MPa, flexural strength of 175.84 MPa, flexural modulus of 9350 MPa and impact strength of 47.43 kJ/m2) and reduced the moisture absorption rate and have good interfacial bonding with polyester which was confirmed in the morphological investigation using scanning electron microscopy. Furthermore, the mechanism of fracture in mechanical-tested samples was observed through scanning electron microscopic images. All the composites developed in the work was followed the Fickian behavior of water absorption.

Wetlands are dynamic ecosystems that provide feeding and nesting grounds for diverse species of waterbirds. The quality of wetland habitat may have an impact on the density, diversity, and species richness of waterbirds. Toxic metal contamination is one of the most significant threats to wetland habitats. Feathers are a key indicator of heavy metal contamination in avian communities as a non-invasive method. We examined the levels of Arsenic (As), Cadmium (Cd), Cobalt (Co), Chromium (Cr), Copper (Cu), Lead (Pb), Nickel (Ni), and Zinc (Zn) using ICP-AAS and standards of digestion procedure from the primary feathers of 10 distinct species of waterbirds. The study was conducted at four wetlands, viz., Point Calimere Wildlife Sanctuary (Ramsar site); Pallikaranai Marshland (Ramsar site); Perunthottam freshwater lake (unprotected wetland), Tamil Nadu and the Pulicat Lake, Andhra Pradesh, (Ramsar site), India. The Large crested tern had higher concentrations of As, Co, Cr, and Ni. Cu was greater in the Indian pond heron, and Zn was higher in the Grey heron. The accumulation of metals differed among the waterbirds (p < 0.05), and the inter-correlation of metals found positive influences between the tested metals, i.e., Co was positively associated with As, Cr had a positive correlation with As and Co, and Ni was positively correlated with As, Co, Cr, and Cu. In contrast, Pb had a positive association with Cu and Ni. The Zn was associated with Co, Cr and Cu. The level of metals in waterbirds was Zn > Cu > Cr > Ni > Pb > Co > Cd > As. The results showed that metal levels in the primary feathers of waterbirds were greater than the other species of waterbirds examined across the world. Thus, the study emphasizes that managing wetlands and controlling pollution is crucial to saving waterbirds; otherwise, the population and diversity of waterbirds will decline and become a significant threat to waterbird communities.

Lignocellulosic substrates are considered to be crucial substrates for the production of biofuels. The main objective of the study is to attempt to produce bioethanol using bio-wastes such as mango peels, orange peels, and tapioca shells as renewable sources by employing three bacteria viz., Enterobacter cloacae (ICBP1), Pseudomonas aeruginosa (ICBP7), and Bacillus cereus (ICBP15), which were chosen to produce cellulase enzymes using the submerged fermentation method, which is a novel method for the production of bioethanol. The “zone of clearance” in bacterial growth on CMC agar plates determined the choice. The mixed culture infected units produced a more reduced sugar, i.e., the presence of aldehyde and ketones except sucrose. At 72 h, greater than 41.0 ± 0.48 mL and 0.83 ± 0.07% of ethanol was recovered. This contrasts with the reduced quantities at 24 and 48 h. SDS-PAGE examination showed that the three cellulose-producing bacterial strains (ICPB1, ICPB7, and ICPB15) had enzyme molecular weights of 80–100, 20–30, and 14–20 kDa, respectively, compared to the other 17 isolates. Fourier-transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy was used to estimate the bioethanol. The spectrum bands from 1700 to 1800 cm−1 showed bioethanol’s unique absorption characteristics, and GC-MS confirmed 31.38% ethanol. The findings of the research demonstrate that the utilization of fermentation technology, specifically employing microbes, to produce bioethanol from bio-wastes such as fruits and vegetables has the potential to address the worldwide fuel energy requirements.

Agricultural and medical insect pests are damaging edible crops, spreading diseases, and harming non-target fauna and flora. Prominent polyphagous insect pests harass farmers in the agronomy sector, causing uncountable revenue corrosion. Ecofriendly phytopesticides can avoid the consequences of the bulk usage of synthetic chemicals. In this study, the toxic effect on third-instar larvae of four different insect species (Spodoptera litura, Helicoverpa armigera, Aedes vittatus, and Anopheles subpictus) and the bio-toxicity on non-target fauna (NTF) (Stegodyphus sarasinorum and Gambusia affinis) were evaluated using Matricaria chamomilla (Mc) essential oil (EO) and its major phytoconstituents (Mc-MPCs). GC–MS analysis of the studied M. chamomilla EO gathered 39 constituents, with (E)-β-Farnesene (24.3%), Germacrene D (9.4%), and α-Bisabolol oxide A (10.2%) accounting for the major constituents. Remarkable larval death was seen in H. armigera and Ae. vittatus. In addition, (E)-β-Farnesene, Germacrene D, and α-Bisabolol oxide A exhibited a relevant maximum toxic effect on the target pest’s third-instar larvae. The bio-toxicity of M. chamomilla EO and Mc-MPCs was tested on terrestrial and aquatic NTF. The LC50 values for S. sarasinorum and G. affinis ranged from 922.65 to 1750.49 µg/mL. M. chamomilla EO and its MPCs evidenced prospective phytopesticidal efficiency on selected agricultural and medical insect pests.

Abstract The study is intended to deliver the incidence of heavy metals in the feathers of shorebirds from two important Central Asian Flyway (CAF) migratory shorebirds wintering sites such as the Point Calimere Wildlife Sanctuary (PWLS) and Pichavaram Mangrove Forest (PMF), India. Feathers of fifteen species of shorebirds and seven different metals viz., Cu, Cr, Co, Pb, Hg, Ni and Zn were analyzed. Zn was highest in Dunlin, Little-ringed Plover, Marsh Sandpiper, and Common sandpiper, Ni showed highest in Little ringed plover, and Common sandpiper, Co, Cr, and Cu were maximum in Little stint, Marsh sandpiper, and Dunlin, respectively. The Hg was higher in Black-winged stilt, Common redshank, Curlew Sandpiper, Eurasian curlew, Lesser Sand-plover, Temminck’s stint, Kentish plover, Spotted redshank, and Wood sandpiper, the Pb found highest in Kentish plover, Painted stork, Spotted redshank, Wood sandpiper, Eurasian Curlew, and Lesser sand-plover. The concentration of metals showed significant variations among the species of shorebirds studied (P Ni > Co > Cr > Cu > Pb > Hg. Nevertheless, the current study revealed that the level of metals in the shorebirds is alarming; since the PWLS and PMF are located along the CAF routes, it needs intensive studies on various pollutions to manage both the resident as well as migratory shorebirds.

Metals are major toxic elements and cause various diseases and damage shorebirds. The study envisaged the heavy metals content in the feathers of shorebirds, prey, water, and sediment from Pichavaram Mangrove Forest (PMF). Primary feathers of shorebirds species such as Curlew Sandpiper, Eurasian Curlew, and Painted Stork were collected and analyzed the following metals viz., Cd, Cu, Cr, Co, Pb, Hg, Ni, and Zn. The levels of Hg, Cr, Pb and Ni varied significantly among the metals studied (p Eurasian Curlew > Curlew sandpiper. However, in the habitat, Cd, Co, Pb, Hg, Ni and Zi varied significantly between water and sediment (p

Cytochrome c oxidase I (COI) is one of the mitochondrial genes, an excellent marker used for the DNA barcoding of various organisms. The COI was isolated from twelve different species of waterbirds using the Gene Elute DNA miniprep Kit. The relationship among the waterbirds was assessed by making a phylogenetic tree with the software MEGA-X. The phylogenetic tree's dendrogram showed two main branches in which seven species of water birds aligned one group with four subgroups and the remaining five species aligned with two subgroups based on their similar COI sequences. The Little egret showed 96% similarity with the Cattle egret, Purple heron and Oriental Darter produced 94% similarity with the Grey heron, pond heron shared 90% similarity with the Black-crowned night heron, Asian openbill shared 89% with Pheasant-tailed Jacana and the Common coot 94% similarity with White-breasted waterhen. The pond heron and the Black-crowned night heron showed zero % pairwise distance, but the Cattle egret, Little egret, Oriental Darter, Purple heron and Grey heron showed 12% of the pairwise distance. Twenty-one conserved haplotypes have been shown in their COI sequences based on the multiple sequences alignment. DNA barcoding identifies the species with their genetic property rather than based on their ecology and behvaviour.

Mangrove forest is one of the productive ecosystems that provide essential habitats for various fauna as breeding and feeding drives. However, heavy metal pollution in the mangrove forest has led to severe health problems for several aquatic species. Biomonitoring of metals using a nondestructive method is an emerging technique. Scats of the fishing cat (Prionailurus viverrinus) were collected from five locations in the Godavari estuary mangrove habitats, Coringa Wildlife Sanctuary, Andhra Pradesh, India, to determine the level of various metals. An opportunistic method was applied to collect scats in the mangrove forest. Six scat samples were collected from each of the sampling sites. The following prey species, such as crabs, fishes, birds, rodents, plants, plastics, and unidentifiable prey matters, were found in the scats. Select metals, such as chromium (Cr), copper (Cu), and lead (Pb) were analyzed from the scats of the fishing cat since they intensively influence the physiology and behavior of top predators. The concentration of Cu in fishing cat scats was higher than the other two metals assessed. Metals showed statistically substantial variation across locations (p < 0.05). According to the current study, heavy metals may significantly threaten the fishing cat in the Coringa Wildlife Sanctuary. The fishing cat is a vulnerable species in accordance with the ICUN categories. Due to pollution and other human pressures, the fishing cat may soon be categorized as a threatened or endangered species; the research advises that authorities should prioritize the protection of the vulnerable species of the fishing cat from the Coringa Wildlife Sanctuary, Andhra Pradesh, India.

Massive quantities of unadvisable synthetic pesticides are used in modern agricultural industries in order to increase productivity to convene food demands. Wild birds are an excellent bio-indicator of environmental contaminations as pesticides and heavy metals are intentionally highly hazardous pollutants. Considerably, raptorial birds (owls) attract consumers in the food chain and food web because they have wider forager and foraging grounds. In the current investigation, owl pellets were used as a viable tool and novel approach to detecting environmental contaminants. In total, 30 pellets comprising five species were collected from selected farmlands, and 11 metals (Cr, Mn, Co, Mo, Se, V, Cu, Ni, Pb, Zn, and Fe) were analyzed using inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS). Undeniably, the Brown Fish Owl showed more metal accumulation than the Barn Owl, Spotted Owl, Indian Eagle Owl, and Mottled Wood Owl. Among the species, the levels of metals such as Manganese (Mn), Molybdenum (Mo), Vanadium (V), Copper (Cu) and Zinc (Zn) varied significantly (p < 0.05). Nonetheless, the research revealed that the agroecosystem was contaminated with heavy metals. The present outcome highlights that the management of the environment, especially the agroecosystem, must be examined with a careful assessment of contaminants, and it is a vital resource for human and other related wildlife faunal communities.

Waterbirds may be a good indicator of harmful metal levels in aquatic environments. Waterbirds’ organs and tissues were tested for the presence of pollutants, such as metals. However, very few reports describe the use of bird feathers and their prey in metal analysis. In the present research, seven metals were measured in the tissue, kidney, liver, and feathers of the Indian pond heron, the black-crowned night heron, and their prey species, including crabs, prawns, molluscs, and fishes from a freshwater lake. Metals were examined using an ECIL-4141-double beam atomic absorption spectrophotometer (DB-AAS). Metal concentrations differed considerably in the tissue, kidney, liver, and feathers of the Indian pond heron and black-crowned night heron (p < 0.001). Indeed, this research discovered a good correlation between the metals of prey species and the tissues, kidneys, liver, and feathers of waterbirds that were tested. The regression model explained that the Cyprinus carpio influence the accumulation of metals about 98.2% in tissues, Macrobrachium rosenbergii and Cyprinus carpio around 86.3% in the kidney, the Labeo rohita almost 47.2% in the liver and Labeo rohita nearly 93.2% on the feathers of the Indian pond heron. On the other hand, the Mystus vittatus, Cyprinus carpio, Labeo rohita influence about 98.8% in tissue, the Claris batrachus and Tilapia mossambica around 93.3% in kidney, the Mystus vittatus, Cyprinus carpio, about 93.2% in liver and the freshwater crab (Travancoriana schirnerae), freshwater prawn (Macrobrachium rosenbergii) and a fish (Cyprinus carpio) nearly 93.2% in feathers in the black-crowned night heron. This research evaluated metals in the dead carcasses of waterbirds, a non-invasive biomonitoring technique for pollution. Overall, the investigation revealed that the lake is severely contaminated with metals. Therefore, the management and protection of aquatic habitats, particularly freshwater lakes, should be enhanced to rescue wild species that rely on aquatic ecosystems and to ensure that people have access to clean drinking water.

We tested wild Asian elephants (Elephas maximus) in southern India and confirmed infection in 3 animals with Mycobacterium tuberculosis, an obligate human pathogen, by PCR and genetic sequencing. Our results indicate that tuberculosis may be spilling over from humans (reverse zoonosis) and emerging in wild elephants.

Background The purpose of the study was to compare the effectiveness of yoga as a form of Vestibular Rehabilitation (VR) to standard VR for managing patients with symptoms such as dizziness, disequilibrium and gait instability. Methods 150 participants based on 18-point difference in the DHI score were randomly assigned to group 1- Yoga, group 2- VR and group 3- control group using block randomization. The intervention was provided for 12 weeks. The participants were assessed for Dizziness Handicap Inventory (DHI) at baseline, 4 th, 8 th and 12 th week. Results The mean DHI for group 1(41.12±7.13) group 2 (42.96±10.54) group 3 (50.84±10.78), p Conclusions In addition to VR, Yoga and medications administered concurrently can provide effective therapeutic effects. Yoga has an advantage over VR since it offers a customized cure for giddiness in addition to symptom relief. Yoga might be a great alternative to the conventional VR because along with enhancing overall body relaxation, it is affordable and is easy to learn.

With COVID-19 compelling some countries to close their schools, e-learning has now become the primary mode of learning. Researchers have renewed their interest in users' acceptance of e-learning via different platforms, given the possibility of different results relative to what was known pre-pandemic. However, e-learning still poses issues such as isolation, demotivation and learning attrition, which may be counterbalanced by peer-to-peer (P2P) learning. On this basis, this study surveyed 417 Indian students on their acceptance of P2P e-learning with the extended Technology Acceptance Model. The data analysis confirmed that perceived ease of use was positively associated with the perceived usefulness of and students' attitude towards P2P e-learning. Credibility was also found to be positively associated with perceived ease of use, perceived usefulness, and attitude towards P2P e-learning. However, the study could not confirm the association between perceived usefulness and attitude towards P2P e-learning. Additionally, self-efficacy displayed a weak, but significant association with perceived ease of use and perceived usefulness of P2P e-learning. Internet self-efficacy was found to have a positive association on the intention to use P2P e-learning, but not its perceived ease of use.