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BACKGROUND: Evidence about the impact of marital status before hematopoietic cell transplantation (hct) on outcomes after hct is conflicting. METHODS: We identified patients 40 years of age and older within the Center for International Blood and Marrow Transplant Research registry who underwent hct between January 2008 and December 2015. Marital status before hct was declared as one of: married or living with a partner, single (never married), separated or divorced, and widowed. We performed a multivariable analysis to determine the association of marital status with outcomes after hct. RESULTS: We identified 10,226 allogeneic and 5714 autologous hct cases with, respectively, a median follow-up of 37 months (range: 1-102 months) and 40 months (range: 1-106 months). No association between marital status and overall survival was observed in either the allogeneic (p = 0.58) or autologous (p = 0.17) setting. However, marital status was associated with grades 2-4 acute graft-versus-host disease (gvhd), p < 0.001, and chronic gvhd, p = 0.04. The risk of grades 2-4 acute gvhd was increased in separated compared with married patients [hazard ratio (hr): 1.13; 95% confidence interval (ci): 1.03 to 1.24], and single patients had a reduced risk of grades 2-4 acute gvhd (hr: 0.87; 95% ci: 0.77 to 0.98). The risk of chronic gvhd was lower in widowed compared with married patients (hr: 0.82; 95% ci: 0.67 to 0.99). CONCLUSIONS: Overall survival after hct is not influenced by marital status, but associations were evident between marital status and grades 2-4 acute and chronic gvhd. To better appreciate the effects of marital status and social support, future research should consider using validated scales to measure social support and patient and caregiver reports of caregiver commitment, and to assess health-related quality of life together with health care utilization.

Here we report the structural, magnetic, and dielectric properties of rare earths (Sm3+, Dy3+) substituted with MgFe2O4 ferrites. Structural analysis carried out using X-ray diffraction (XRD), indicates the presence of a minor secondary phase along with a prominent spinel phase. Samples of MgFe2O4 ferrite substituted with rare earths (Sm3+, Dy3+) exhibit anomalous saturation magnetization behavior. The magnitude of initial permeability of rare earth (Sm3+, Dy3+) substituted with MgFe2O4 ferrites was found to be quite stable in the low-frequency range and showed an increasing trend at higher frequencies. The composition Mg[(Sm)0.4(Dy)0.6]0.20Fe1.80O4 exhibits a low loss factor and enhanced initial permeability compared to other compositions. All substituted rare earth ions have lower dielectric constant and dielectric loss values than un-substituted rare earth ions. The dielectric constant of the magnesium ferrite does not vary significantly as the samarium-dysprosium content rises. Sm-Dy doping reduces the concentration of Fe3+ ions in the octahedral sites of composition. The reason is that Sm3+ and Dy3+ ions prefer the octahedral sites due to their large ionic radius. When (Sm3+, Dy3+) substituted with MgFe2O4 is compared to pure Mg ferrite it is found that the electrical resistivity of the substituted material increases because the tendency for Fe3+ and Fe2+ ion pairs to hop is reduced. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

TO assess the ambient air quality in the Nagothane industrial area in Raigarh district, Western India 12 sampling locations were identified within 7 km aerial distance of the industrial area. The ambient air quality monitoring was carried out in the winter season by continuous monitoring for Suspended Particulate Ma'er, Respirable Particulate Ma'er, Sulphur dioxide and Oxides of nitrogen by using High Volume Air Sampler and per the prevailing Central Pollution Control Board's guidelines. In addition, hydrocarbon and carbon monoxide were also measured. The particulate ma'er was analyzed by gravimetric method, whereas wet chemical analysis for sulphur dioxide and oxides of nitrogen. The micrometeorological data about wind speed, wind direction, ambient air temperature and atmospheric relative humidity was measured by employing mechanical weather monitoring the situation. The mixing height was measured by the minisonde system. The results revealed the average air pollutant concentrations were within the permissible limit of National Ambient Air Quality Standards except for Suspended Particulate Ma'er. The Air Quality Index in all the sampling locations was in 'good' status thus minimal or no health impacts on the inhabitants of the study area. It is concluded that the industrial contribution to ambient air pollution is minimal. However, the calm conditions during the night time, inversion and valley-like terrain in the area may pose a threat by forming an air pollution episode-like condition and accumulation of air pollutants over the industrial area from night till morning. Further industrial expansion should be carried out by assessing the carrying capacity of the industrial area. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Artificial intelligence (AI) has become an ever-increasing necessity in day-to-day life. Technology can be a powerful tool for human rights. As rightly quoted by John F. Kennedy, 'the rights of every man are diminished when the right of one man is threatened....'. The present article focuses on a brief history and also on various types of AI. The issue of whether AI is beneficial or detrimental for human rights has a direct relationship with the overall impact of AI on human beings. This article discusses the issue of AI and its lacunas and various challenges that will have adverse effects on human rights. The article also highlights the positive and negative aspects of this and its impact on society as well as on the perspective of human rights. The article further briefly discusses the implementation of AI in the judicial system. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The trimanganese tetraoxide (Mn3O4) nanostructured thin films doped with 2 mol% of nickel (Ni) and molybdenum (Mo) ions were deposited by a simple electrophoretic deposition technique. The structural, optical, and morphological studies of these doped thin films were compared with pure Mn3O4 thin films. X-ray diffraction (XRD) confirmed the tetragonal Hausmannite spinel structure. The Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) provided information about the molecular composition of the thin films and the presence of specific chemical bonds. The optical study and band gap energy values of all thin films were evaluated by the UV-visible spectroscopy technique. The scanning electron microscopy (SEM) illustrated the morphological modifications of the Mn3O4 thin films due to doping of the nickel and molybdenum ions. The Brunauer Emmett Teller (BET) method has confirmed the mesoporous nanostructure and nanopores of the thin films. The supercapacitive performance of the thin films was studied by cyclic voltammetry (CV), and galvanostatic charge discharge (GCD) techniques using the threeelectrode arrangement. An aqueous 1M Na2SO4 electrolyte was used for the electrochemical study. The 2 mol% Ni-doped Mn3O4 thin film has shown maximum specific capacitance than pure and Mo-doped Mn3O4 thin films. Hence, this study proved the validity of the strategy - metal ion doping of Mn3O4 thin films to develop it as a potential candidate for electrode material in futuristic energy storage and transportation devices. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We report the effect of nickel (Ni) ion doping on the structure, morphology, and supercapacitive performance of Mn3O4 thin film electrodes, deposited by a simple electrophoretic deposition technique. The structural and compositional studies of these thin films were conducted by x-ray diffraction and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy. The morphological and optical properties were investigated by scanning electron microscopy, transmission electron microscopy, and UV–visible spectroscopy. These studies confirmed the nanoflake-type surface morphology of nickel-doped thin films. X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy provided information about various valence states and surface composition of the thin films. Cyclic voltammetry study confirmed the surface redox pseudocapacitive behavior of all thin films. The 2 mol.% nickel ion-doped thin film electrode displayed the highest specific capacitance of 816 F g−1 and was evaluated from the galvanostatic charge/discharge curve. It also exhibited outstanding cyclic stability, with 93% capacitance retention after 2000 cycles. Electrochemical impedance spectroscopy revealed the improved supercapacitive performance of the nickel-doped Mn3O4 thin film electrodes, attributed to improved conductivity and charge transport for surface redox reactions. Thus, the present study suggests that the nickel-doped Mn3O4 thin film is a promising candidate as electrode material in supercapacitors. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Examining music therapy's influence on heart rate variability (HRV), measured by RMSSD, to elucidate its potential therapeutic effects. Objectives: This study explores the impact of music therapy on heart rate variability (HRV), specifically examining RMSSD as an indicator of autonomic nervous system activity. Methods: Initially, participants exhibited an average RMSSD of 49.80 milliseconds, serving as a baseline. Therapeutic interventions involved distinct musical genres, each with varying durations of exposure. Results: Exposure to calming music for an average of 30 minutes induced a significant increase in RMSSD, averaging 54.78 milliseconds (Tvalue = -3.13, P-value = 0.0020), suggesting its potential to enhance parasympathetic activity and promote relaxation. Conversely, stimulating music led to a modest decrease in RMSSD to 47.31 milliseconds after 20 minutes, although statistical insignificance (Tvalue = 1.69, P-value = 0.0934) highlighted individualized responses. Some participants, particularly those favoring stimulating music, reported improved mood, emphasizing the intricate interplay of emotional and physiological responses. Neutral music maintained an RMSSD akin to the baseline after 25 minutes, affirming its non-intrusive impact on HRV. Intriguingly, the control group, undergoing relaxation exercises without musical intervention, exhibited near-unchanged RMSSD at 49.73 milliseconds (T-value = 0.042, P-value = 0.9662), raising questions about the comparative efficacy of music therapy versus other techniques. Conclusion: This study reveals the multifaceted effects of music on HRV, with calming music enhancing parasympathetic activity, while responses to stimulating music vary. The contrast with neutral music underscores music's differential impact. The inclusion of a control group highlights potential avenues for therapeutic innovation and warrants further exploration. These findings have implications for tailoring music therapy interventions to individual preferences and optimizing their effectiveness. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Setting : Department of Respiratory Medicine, B.Y.L. Nair Hospital, Mumbai, India. Objective : To study pre-treatment sputum smear, culture and drug susceptibility testing for mycobacterium tuberculosis in fresh cases of pulmonary tuberculosis, the extent of laboratory related problems and correlation of the laboratory results with clinical outcome. Design : This study is a prospective analysis of 57 cases of pulmonary tuberculosis that denied previous treatment with anti tuberculosis drugs. Cases with associated human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection and diabetes mellitus (DM) were excluded. Pre-treatment smear, culture and drug susceptibility were performed by standard culture techniques. Patients were treated with short course chemotherapy (SCC) on the basis of World Health Organisation (WHO) category I. Laboratory results were correlated with initial clinical data and treatment outcomes. Results : Of the 57 cases selected, there were 34 males and 23females, age range 18-65 years, mean age 27.86 years. Clinical data was lacking in 16 patients who defaulted on treatment and hence were excluded from the analysis. Of the 41 cases with complete data, 37 patients were declared cured (91.25%) while 4 patients failed on therapy (9.75%), 17/41 (41.46%) had laboratory results consistent with clinical data and treatment results whereas 24/41 (58.53%) had poor correlation between laboratory results, clinical data and treatment outcomes. The major laboratory related problems were: 1) Smear positive / culture negative (S+/C-) in 16/41 (39%) cases at the start of treatment; 2) HR pattern of resistance in 4/41 (9.75%) and R resistance 3/41 (7.31%) on initial culture susceptibility tests but response to SCC suggesting incorrect susceptibility results. Conclusions : Discrepant reports between clinical findings, laboratory reports and treatment outcomes were found in 58.53% cases. Treatment should not be decided only on the basis of the initial culture susceptibility testing to avoid unnecessary and toxic second line therapy. Improvement in standardisation and new reliable diagnostic techniques are required for management of TB.

INTRODUCTION : Laparoscopic splenectomy (LS) is an accepted procedure for elective splenectomy. Advancement in technology has extended the possibility of LS in massive splenomegaly [Choy et al., J Laparoendosc Adv Surg Tech A 14(4), 197-200 (2004)], trauma [Ren et al., Surg Endosc 15(3), 324 (2001); Mostafa et al., Surg Laparosc Endosc Percutan Tech 12(4), 283-286 (2002)], and cirrhosis with portal hypertension [Hashizume et al., Hepatogastroenterology 49(45), 847-852 (2002)]. In a developing country, these advanced gadgets may not be always available. We performed LS using conventional and reusable instruments in a public teaching the hospital without the use of the advanced technology. The technique of LS and the outcome in these patients is reported. MATERIALS AND METHODS : Patients undergoing LS for various hematological disorders from 1998 to 2004 were included. Electrocoagulation, clips, and intracorporeal knotting were the techniques used for tackling short-gastric vessels and splenic pedicle. Specimen was delivered through a Pfannensteil incision. RESULTS : A total of 26 patients underwent LS. Twenty-two (85%) of patients had spleen size more than 500 g (average weight being 942.55 g). Mean operative time was 214 min (45-390 min). The conversion rate was 11.5% ( n = 3). Average duration of stay was 5.65 days (3-30 days). Accessory spleen was detected and successfully removed in two patients. One patient developed subphrenic abscess. There was no mortality. There was no recurrence of hematological disease. CONCLUSION : Laparoscopic splenectomy using conventional equipment and instruments is safe and effective. Advanced technology has a definite advantage but is not a deterrent to the practice of LS.

The study was carried out with objectives to ascertain the micrometeorology, mixing height, and air pollutants simulation in a Western Ghats valley of India. This valley area had number of industries and a gas based combined cycle power plant (CCPP) of 4080 MW capacity is also proposed. The wind speed and directions, ambient air temperature, and humidity were assessed with the help of a weather monitoring station. The mixing height was estimated with the help of minisonde system. The air pollutants simulation was assessed for complex terrain (valley) with baseline data collection and impact assessment by Gaussian Dispersion Model based Industrial Source Complex Version 3. During night time calm condition prevails (99%), whereas; during 24 hours wind from north direction was the prevailing one followed by north-west. Diurnal variation in mixing height was recorded with maximum (903 m) during afternoon (2.30 pm). In case of sulphur dioxide (SO2) release from the proposed CCPP the 24-hourly ground level concentration was 468 µg/m³ whereas, for oxides of nitrogen (NOX) it was 281 µg/m³. Due to the prevailing micrometeorological and mixing height conditions the pollutants from the proposed CCPP will get build up and may result into air pollution episodes and photochemical smog formation. To prevent the build-up of air pollutants increasing the stack height (>250 m) of CCPP and reducing the NOx concentration in flue gas to 25 ppm, limitation/restriction of total design capacity of proposed project, and optimize the different combinations of these options may be attempted. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]