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This study focused on the synthesis and purification of nano-sized titanium carbide (TiC) particles through vacuum carbothermal reduction under a hydrogen/argon atmosphere. The process involved the production of carbon-coated titanium precursors, followed by heating under vacuum conditions at 1500 °C for 2.5 h. The resulting products underwent additional treatment in either a hydrogen/argon (1:1) mixed gas or pure hydrogen gas. Experimental findings revealed that TiC powders exhibiting a single phase are obtained within a molar ratio of Ti to C ranging from 1:2 to 1:4. Adjusting the molar ratio of Ti/C in the precursors allowed for controlled variation in the particle size of the synthesized TiC powders, ranging from 50 to 80 nm. Treatment in hydrogen/argon mixed gas at 850 °C for 3 h resulted in TiC products with an impressive purity of 99.40%. The subsequent incorporation of 5% Nano-TiC-3 (Ti to C ranging from 1:3) as reinforcement into an aluminum alloy by Friction stir process technique demonstrated a remarkable 19.41% improvement in tensile strength, highlighting the efficacy of this specific reinforcement. The nano-TiC-3 reinforced composite exhibited uniform distribution without porosity. Additionally, a notable 50.81% improvement in hardness and the best wear resistance were observed for the 5% Nano-TiC-3 reinforced aluminum composite. This comprehensive study contributes valuable insights into the synthesis, purification, and application of nano-sized TiC particles, paving the way for the development of high-performance aluminum-based composites with enhanced mechanical and tribological properties.

Background Menstruation is considered a “women’s” topic in India because the majority of studies on the subject solely include girls and women. Adolescent boys are excluded from this discussion, which obscures the fact that menstruation is a social epidemiological phenomenon with ingrained gender disparities. In order to motivate boys to contribute significantly to women’s health, research on their knowledge, attitudes, and experiences linked to menstruation, including socioeconomic factors, must be done. Reducing gender differences in adolescent health requires addressing this. Objectives The study aims to explore the knowledge and attitudes of school-going adolescent boys in urban Jabalpur regarding menstruation, considering factors such as family structure and sociocultural practices. Materials and Methods Qualitative data using focus group discussions with 25 boys, age group 13-17 years from Jabalpur Urban area, Madhya Pradesh was conducted. Data was analysed by thematic analysis. Results There was a mixture of curiosity and embarrassment about menstruation. Many were misinformed and lacked correct knowledge. Most of the children gained information from either the parents or their peer group. Sex education is not given properly in most of the schools. Boys with either sisters or female friends has more knowledge and good attitude regarding menstruation. Conclusion Our study highlights the need of improving Indian boys’ understanding and beliefs about menstruation by addressing the social determinants that influence their menstruation-related experiences.

Abstract Contrast enhanced ultrasonography enables dynamic evaluation of the microvasculature down to the capillaries when using high resolution ultrasound probes. It’s application in the evaluation of axillary lymph nodes in breast cancer patients with clinically negative axilla has been studied in 42 patients. The results of pre operative CEUS evaluation was correlated with histopathology status of axillary nodes after the harvesting of nodes during modified radical mastectomy or sentinel node biopsy. Heterogeneous enhancement with micro bubbles of the axillary nodes was found to be the most distinguishing criteria for malignant nodes.

Abstract In QKD‐enabled optical networks (QKD‐enabled ONs), fragmentation is one of the serious issues which can be mitigated through appropriate management of network resources. Thus, efficient allocation of network resources during routing and resource assignment is important to minimise the impact of time slot fragmentation in the quantum signal channel (QSCh) of QKD‐enabled ONs. The authors address the fragmentation problem in the QSCh and propose a new fragmentation‐suppressed routing and resource assignment (FS‐RRA) approach. To evaluate the performance and to analyse the effect of time slot fragmentation in QSCh of QKD‐enabled ONs, the proposed FS‐RRA approach is compared with two existing resource assignment approaches, namely, the first‐fit (FF) and random‐fit (RF) for two different networks. Simulation results show that the proposed approach reduces fragmentation by 2.97% and 6.69% for NSFNET and 1.77% and 5.91% for UBN24 in terms of external fragmentation compared to FF and RF, respectively. Furthermore, the proposed approach reduces blocking by 4.03% and 14.28% for NSFNET and 2.61% and 13.44% for UBN24 and improves resource utilisation up to 3.44% and 5.96% for NSFNET and 3.08% and 7.64% for UBN24 compared to FF and RF, respectively.

Biosynthesized silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) are key nanomaterials with unique physio-chemical characteristics and diverse applications. Their strong absorption potential and antibacterial activity make them useful for agriculture, medicine and other industries. AgNPs boost plant growth and metabolism, especially under stress. However, the combined effects of AgNPs and UV-B exposure on plants are unknown. To elucidate the interactive effects of biosynthesized silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) and exposure of ultraviolet B (UV-B) on plant growth and metabolic processes, this study assessed the response of Artemisia annua under controlled in vitro conditions. In total, eight sets of plants were used with the alone/combined treatment of AgNPs and UV-B. For this purpose, spherical and averaged ∼ 31.8 nm in size AaAgNPs were synthesized. The photosynthetic pigments were calculated maximum with the alone treatment of 0.5 mg L−1 AaAgNPs and combined treatment of 0.5 mg L−1 AaAgNPs with 3 h UV-B, respectively. The results evidenced that the co-exposure of AaAgNPs and UV-B led to a significant balance in ROS production of A. annua; as well as improved antioxidative enzyme activity. Fluorescence and scanning electron microscopic (SEM) analysis indicated the enhancement of glandular trichomes (GT) area and density with the combined treatment of AaAgNPs and 3 h UV-B. In accordance with correlation between microscopic GT results, high concentration of artemisinin and up-regulation of related transcripts were found in A. annua plants treated with low concentrations of AaAgNPs and UV-B. Thus, it may be inferred that two distinct plant growth modulators, namely low-concentration biosynthesized AgNPs and short-term UV-B exposure, can enhance the physio-biochemical characteristics and production of secondary metabolites (specially artemisinin) in A. annua synergistically.

Abstract Deposition of high entropy alloy FeCoNiMnCu on SS-304 was carried out by microwave energy for application in “solid oxide fuel-cell (SOFC) interconnects”. The ball-milling has been performed by taking “Fe, Co, Ni, Mn, and Cu” in equal 20 wt. % of before deposited on SS-304 substrate. The deposited steel with 20% Fe 20% Co 20% Ni 20% Mn 20% Cu high entropy alloy (HEA) was exposed to thermal-exposure in the air for up to 10 weeks at 800 °C. The uniform cladding distribution of 20% Fe 20% Co 20% Ni 20% Mn 20% Cu HEA particles can be apparently observed on SS-304 substrate by utilizing Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM), and Optical microscopy analysis. Homogeneity in the interfacial layer was evident by employing Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM) characterization. Results have indicated that after the thermal exposure of deposited steel with 20% Fe 20% Co 20% Ni 20% Mn 20% Cu in the air for up to ten weeks at 800 °C, a “protective Cr2O3 layer”, and “high-entropy spinel coating” of (Fe, Co, Ni, Mn, Cu)3O4 have been formed. During microwave cladding, the emergence of harder-phases has contributed to the raised hardness. The wear behavior after coating of 20% Fe 20% Co 20% Ni 20% Mn 20% Cu HEA on SS-304 substrate has significantly enhanced due to the strengthened wear resistance and hardness of the coatings. Findings have exhibited that the formation of (Fe, Co, Ni, Mn, Cu)3O4 phase is a potential coating material for “SOFC interconnects” applications. Moreover, the cladding of SS304 with a composition of 20% Fe, 20% Co, 20% Ni, 20% Mn, and 20% Cu has demonstrated remarkable stability under thermal expansion studies. As the findings have revealed that the composite cladding has efficiently withstand significant variations in volume when subjected to elevated temperatures for a prolonged period of time, thus, exhibiting its superior thermal stability for SOFC-interconnect applications. Furthermore, the SEM images of the cladding surface, surface hardness, and tribocorrosion behavior of the coated material have been observed to identify the 20% Fe 20% Co 20% Ni 20% Mn 20% Cu HEA coating effect on SS-304 steel-substrate.

Friction stir spot welding (FSSW) is a prominent solid-state adhesion process. In the recent past, several investigations are performed for the property enhancement of FSSW welded joints especially on the mechanical and metallurgical characterization. In this work, an attempt has been made to analyze the effect of environmental conditions on the output quality characteristics of SiC reinforced Al6061-T6 welded joints, fabricated at optimal parametric setting. For this, welded joints are preserved at sub-zero temperature of −18 ± 2 °C for 90, 180, 270 and 360 days. Output quality characteristics in terms of tensile-shear and micro-hardness test in combination with microstructure analyses using SEM, EDS Mapping, and XRD analysis are emphasized. It is revealed that during sub-zero cooling, weld strength and micro-hardness of weldments increased over time. Additionally, a decrease in crystal size and increase in dislocation density are observed with increase in cooling period of weld joint, which eventually made suitable for extreme applications.

In this study, the mechanical properties of advanced composites fabricated by the hand lay-up process were investigated. The mechanical properties evaluated in this study included tensile strength, flexural strength, and impact strength. Tensile tests were performed to measure the resistance of the composites to pulling forces, while flexural tests assessed their resistance to bending. Impact tests, on the other hand, determine the material's ability to absorb sudden forces or shocks. Results showed that all the composite materials exhibited high tensile strength, with the Carbon fiber epoxy composite displaying the highest value due to the exceptional strength of carbon fibers. In terms of flexural strength, the Glass-Fiber Polymer Matrix composite demonstrated the highest resistance to bending, while the Kevlar-Epoxy composite exhibited the highest impact strength, owing to the unique properties of Kevlar fibers, which offer excellent energy absorption capabilities. In the hardness test, the Kevlar composite to epoxy matrix showed hardness from HRB 105 to HRB 125 an increase of 19.04 %, while fiberglass increased hardness by 14.2 % and carbon fiber by 16.3 %. The Impact test shows that the Kevlar composite to epoxy matrix showed hardness from HRB 105 to HRB 125 an increase of 19.04 %, while fiberglass increased hardness by 14.2 % and carbon fiber by 16.3 %. Kevlar reinforcing composite produced the highest flexural strength, compared to neat epoxy by 91.7 %. Carbon fibre composites were 52.5 % higher, whereas glass fibre composites were 15.6 % higher. SEM imaging results from the cross-sections show that the best bonding between the base material and the fibers was observed for Kevlar reinforced with epoxy. All mechanical test showed that Kevlar (Aramid fiber) provides excellent mechanical properties when compared to carbon fibre and glass fibre. Hence, Kevlar (aramid fiber) can be an option for preparing light weight helmets, automobiles, aeronautics, safety equipments etc.

Mycobacterium tuberculosis (M. tb) is the causative agent of Tuberculosis, one of the deadliest infectious diseases. According to the WHO Report 2023, in 2022, approximately 10.6 million people got infected with TB, and 1.6 million died. It has multiple antibiotics for treatment, but the major drawback of anti-tuberculosis therapy (ATT) is, its prolonged treatment duration. The major contributors to the lengthy treatment period are mycobacterial persistence and drug tolerance. Persistent M. tb is phenotypically drug tolerant and metabolically slow down which makes it difficult to be eliminated during ATT. These persisting bacteria are a huge reservoir of impending disease, waiting to get reactivated upon the onset of an immune compromising state. Directly Observed Treatment Short-course, although effective against replicating bacteria; fails to eliminate the drug-tolerant persisters making TB still the second-highest killer globally. There are different mechanisms for the development of drug-tolerant mycobacterial populations being investigated. Recently, the role of biofilms in the survival and host-evasion mechanism of persisters has come to light. Therefore, it is crucial to understand the mechanism of adaptation, survival and attainment of drug tolerance by persisting M. tb-populations, in order to design better immune responses and therapeutics for the effective elimination of these bacteria by reducing the duration of treatment and also circumvent the generation of drug-resistance to achieve the goal of global eradication of TB. This review summarizes the drug-tolerance mechanism and biofilms’ role in providing a niche to dormant-M.tb. We also discuss methods of targeting biofilms to achieve sterile eradication of the mycobacteria and prevent its reactivation by achieving adequate immune responses.

A long-standing direct inguinal hernia may manifest as an acute or subacute intestinal obstruction. An obstructed direct inguinal hernia with testis as content is extremely uncommon, and up to date, no such case has been reported. Direct inguinal hernias are much less common than indirect ones in terms of incarceration and even strangulation. Obstructed direct inguinal hernias requiring surgery are very rare. Such hernias are exceedingly challenging to diagnose clinically and are diagnosed intraoperatively. According to the literature, individuals with direct inguinal hernias on the left side are more likely to develop such sequelae. Herein, we report the case of a 26-year-old male who presented with an obstructed inguinal hernia of the left side with the testis as content, taking into consideration the rarity and possible consequences of such hernias.

Abstract The present investigation has employed recycled waste glass powder (WGP) and silicon nitride (Si3N4) as reinforcing-agents within AZ91D-matrix composites. The composites were fabricated by employing the vacuum stir casting technique to mitigate the effects of oxidation and to ensure homogeneity, uniformity, and superior wettability among the AZ91D-matrix and reinforcements. A microscopic study provided confirmation of a uniform dispersion of WGP and Si3N4 particles throughout the AZ91D-matrix. The tensile strength of the AZ91D/WGP/Si3N4 composites rise with the inclusion of WGP particulates by up to 1.5 percent in AZ91D/7.5% Si3N4. However, the tensile strength of the AZ91D/9%Si3N4 composite have showed maximum value as compared to other chosen formulations/combinations in the current investigation. The tensile strength of AZ91D/1.5% WGP/7.5% Si3N4 composites has strengthened up to 12.13 percent with the comparison of base alloy AZ91D-matrix. In A1 formulated composite, the amount of WGP particulate has enhanced the hardness of the AZ91D-alloy by up to 1.5 percent. Findings, nevertheless has exhibited that the A6 formulated composite had superior outcomes in terms of hardness. The incorporation of “reinforcing-constituent particulates” with 1.5%WGP + 7.5%Si3N4 combination within the AZ91D-matrix, has further increased fatigue-strength by around 57.84 percent. A weight-loss of 0.312 mg was being unveiled for the A1 formulated fabricated composite. The weight-loss for the A6 formulated fabricated composite, however, was reported to be 0.294 mg. At 5 N loads, 2 m/s sliding speed, and 1000 m of sliding distance, the developed 1.5%WGP/7.5%Si3N4/AZ91D composites was reported to have a rate of wear, and frictional coefficient of 0.0025 mm3/m and 0.315, respectively. The investigation employing scanning electron microscopy (SEM) identified the presence of corrosion pits on the surfaces that had undergone corrosion. These pits were found to be a result of localised surface assaults occurring in corrosive environments. Additionally, SEM pictures of the worn surfaces indicated the emergence of microcracks, which may be associated to the conditions of cyclic loading. Moreover, the tensile-fractography examination for the developed 1.5%WGP/7.5%Si3N4/AZ91D composites has exhibited the brittle fracture failure, including cracks and debonding phenomena. In addition, the EDS spectra-analysis have revealed an apparent existence of the observed Mg-peak, Si-peak, Al-peak, Ca-peak, and O-peak for the 1.5%WGP/7.5%Si3N4/AZ91D composites. Furthermore, the utilisation of X-ray diffraction analysis effectively determined the existence of hard phases inside the AZ91D-matrix, which significantly contributed to the reported enhancement in wear resistance. The development of harder-phases has included, α-Mg, Al12Mg17, SiO2, Si3N4, MgO, and CaO phases within the composite has been accountable for the enhancement of the tribomechanical, and wear-resistance characteristics of the AZ91D/WGP/Si3N4 composites. The Si3N4 has been discovered to have a substantial impact on enhancing mechanical performance and raising the resistance to wear.

The microstructure, homogeneity, and tribo-corrosion behavior of microwave-developed Nickel as well as titanium dioxide SS-304 cladding surfaces are the primary emphasis of this research. The study includes assessing the hardness enhancement from Ni and TiO2 particles in the cladding surface. The investigation additionally evaluates cladding surface wear rates, friction coefficients, and resistance to corrosion under tribological conditions. The microstructure, homogeneity, and tribo-corrosion behavior of SS-304 cladding surface with Ni and TiO2 developed by microwave cladding energy were investigated in this study. The microstructure was being examined to validate the uniformly homogeneous dispersion of Ni and TiO2 particles, and XRD was employed to determine cladding surface phases. The hardness of the cladding surface was evaluated, and a pin-on-disk tribometer has assessed the wear behavior. Tribo-corrosion was tested in 3.5-percent NaCl solution. To enhance cladding's efficiency, microwave hybrid heating (MHH) utilising charcoal as a susceptor has been employed. Findings exhibited that the microstructure analysis showed that the cladding surface had a uniform distribution of Ni and TiO2 particles and a compact and homogeneous microstructure. The hardness of the cladding surface was significantly improved by about 37.68% due to the incorporation of Ni and 10% TiO2 particles. The FeNi3, NiSi2, Ni3C, NiC, Ni2Si, FeNi, and TiO2 phases were seen by XRD on the cladding surface. The behavior of the cladding surface under tribological conditions was also evaluated using a pin-on-disk tribometer. The outcomes have exhibited that the Ni and 10% TiO2 cladding surface exhibited decreased wear rates and friction coefficients compared to the uncoated SS-304 substrate. Moreover, the tribo-corrosion behavior of the cladding surface was evaluated in a 3.5% NaCl solution. The wear rate and coefficient of friction of Ni and 10% TiO2 cladding surfaces were measured to be 0.00412 mm3/m and 0.297, respectively. The results indicated that the Ni and TiO2 cladding surface had enhanced corrosion resistance compared to the uncoated SS-304 substrate.

The main goal of this research is to meet the demanding need for developing lightweight materials with improved properties that are appropriate for several engineering applications. The investigators proceeded to considerable efforts to assess the mechanical, micro-structural, and tribological characteristics of Al-0.7Fe-0.6Si-0.375Cr-0.25Zn/10 wt%SiCP/3 wt%GrP-MMC, Al-0.7Fe-0.6Si-0.375Cr-0.25Zn/15 wt%SiCP/5 wt%GrP-MMC, and Al-0.7Fe-0.6Si-0.375Cr-0.25Zn/20 wt%SiCP/8 wt%GrP-MMC based hybrid metal-matrix nano-composites (HMMC's). These hybrid aluminum matrix nano-composites were fabricated using the liquid processing stir casting method for automobile, aviation, defense, and chemical handling sectors owing to their superior strength, and higher thermal conductive properties. The machinability of Al-0.7Fe-0.6Si-0.375Cr-0.25Zn/(SiCp + Grp) - MMC has received limited attention to date. Owing to its exceptional characteristics, this hybrid composite could take the role of cast iron or aluminum composites in a wide-variety multitude of engineering applications. The Mechanical properties of fabricated Hybrid-MMCs have been examined along with tribological properties & other factors, affecting the tensile strength of cast composites in this study. Additionally, the characterization has been performed through X-ray Diffraction (XRD), Energy Dispersive Spectrum (EDS), Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM), and Optical Microscopy. The fabricated samples of hybrid metal matrix nano-composites of Al-0.7Fe-0.6Si-0.375Cr-0.25Zn matrix have been tested for microstructure analysis, micro hardness test, density, tensile strength, and grain size. Microstructure study clears the claim of uniform distribution of SiC & Graphite particles in Al matrix alloy. An average tensile strength has been recorded as 258 MPa and a percent-elongation of 4.6 during the tensile test. Tensile-fractography findings have portrayed the intrinsic fractured-rupture microstructure of tensile-tested samples that seemed to have particle deformation breakage and pull-outs. The density of Al/(SiCp + Grp)-MMCs have been found to be 2.76 g/cm3 whereas the average hardness has been recorded at 120HV. An increase in graphite content in Al/SiC-MMC's provides a significant improvement in friction coefficient as well as a reduction in wear rate. Findings have observed that the wear rate is increased with increasing the sliding speed, however, it is almost constant between 300 and 600 rpm, and beyond this wear rate increases drastically. Likewise, the coefficient of friction also shows a considerable increase with the increase in sliding speed. As the composition of graphite in the material increases, a considerable decrease in the wear has been noted down because of the presence of tribo-layer formed between mating surfaces. A high value of applied load and high rotating speed imposed high deformation of the surface and increase in frictional force, as a result, an increase in wear rate. Wear rate increases with the increment in load during the wear test, while friction coefficient decreases. Hence, the development of HMMCs with better mechanical, microstructural, and tribological properties that can be utilized as cast iron or aluminum composites in a diverse spectra multitude of engineering applications involving the study's scientific insights and technological developments. Manufacturers in the myriads of industries, including aerospace, ground-transportation, thermal management, industrial, recreational, and infrastructure, could profit inventors/producers from the findings of the current study.

Air pollution is increasing daily, causing global warming and many environmental issues, and it is also the cause of many diseases. According to many reports, brick kilns play a major role in the emission of black carbon that causes air pollution. It is necessary to find another way to produce bricks. The trend these days is to increase applications of natural fibers and eco-friendly materials and to reuse waste materials to control pollution. Synthetic and chemical materials are also causes of pollution, diseases, and even the deaths of many people. In this direction, eco-friendly materials were used to produce bricks. Abaca fiber, Pinus-Roxburghi leaves, fiber, wood, wheat straw, animal dung, sand, cement, phenolic resin, and gypsum were used in various percentages to create novel brick. In the investigation, it was discovered that hybrid natural fiber-based bricks had strong physical-mechanical, mechanical-chemical, and thermal stability properties, were light in weight, and had good sound absorption capabilities. Significant improvement of has been identified, AB-4 Brick shows the maximum porosity with 42.5% improvement as compared to AB-1 brick.

The excessive use of single-use plastic products in modern life has caused severe environmental, social, economic, and health consequences globally. Mostly all plastics manufactured are one-time-use materials that end up in landfills or as unmanageable garbage. This situation has led to the production of around 400 million tonnes of plastic waste per year, and if this trend continues, global production will reach up to 1100 million tonnes by 2050. India alone produced over 34.7 lakh tonnes per annum (TPA) of plastic waste, with only half of it being recycled or co-processed. As such, there is an urgent need to develop ways to reduce plastic waste. One possible solution is the use of waste plastic biofuel in engines, which has been shown to have promising results. The study aimed to analyse waste plastic oil using (Gas Chromatography Mass Spectrometry) GC-MS and (Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy) FTIR analysis to identify its chemical composition. The findings of the study revealed the presence of various chemical compounds, such as alcohol, hydroperoxide, carbonyl acid groups, ester, carboxylic acid, ketones, aldehyde groups, and others. FTIR analysis confirmed the presence of alcohol, hydroperoxide, carbonyl acid groups, methyl and methylene groups, ester, carboxylic acid, ketones, aldehyde group, symmetric and asymmetric C-H bending, C-O stretch for ethers, carboxylic acids, and esters, and=C-H bending out for alkenes. The study further explains that primary plastic consumption and packaging lifetime have a significant impact on plastic waste generation. The research indicates the need to explore alternative ways to recycle and dispose of single-use plastics to mitigate its negative impact on the environment. Furthermore, this study analyses the statistical optimisation method to develop a model fit for engine behaviour using waste plastic biofuel on a single-cylinder (common rail direct injection engine) CRDi diesel engine using the (weighted aggregated sum product assessment) WASPAS approach. Additionally, the objective is to develop a model that can optimise the engine's performance while using waste plastic biofuel. The uncertainty analysis demonstrated that the experiment was carried out with a high degree of accuracy and the results were reliable. The study employed the WASPAS methodology to evaluate the performance of different (waste plastic oil) WPO samples, and the results showed that the optimal parametric setting to obtain the desired responses can be achieved with a fuel blend of 5%, load of 21 bar, and speed of 2000 RPM. However, the results demonstrate that the use of waste plastic biofuel can significantly improve engine performance, and the proposed optimisation model can accurately predict the engine's behaviour. The regression equation that was formulated showed a reasonable degree of agreement between the actual experimental results and the predicted values, thereby indicating the reliability of the experiment. Significant effects were observed from fuel blend, and speed, whereas load did not make a substantial contribution. The findings regarding the effect of parameters suggest that a reduction in fuel blend, and engine speed resulted in a decline in the performance index, while variations in load had little impact. The relationship between load and speed demonstrates that a rise in load and a reduction in speed contributed to enhanced combustion and a higher performance index. The interaction among fuel blend and speed, with a particular emphasis on the significance of reduced fuel blend and speed values in order to optimise the performance index. The findings of the analysis underlined the vitality of process parameters, specifically fuel blend and speed, wherein speed exhibited a significant impact on the outcomes. The study concludes that the use of waste plastic biofuel in engines can be an effective way to reduce plastic waste while improving engine performance. This study's findings can be applied to various engines to improve their performance while reducing plastic waste. All in all, the outcomes of the study make a substantial contribution to the advancement of scientific information regarding the properties of waste plastic oil as well as its combustion characteristics. This expands the potential for advanced breakthrough innovations in sustainable energy solutions and the conservation of the environment.

Inconel 718 finds extensive applications in the aviation and aerospace industries, particularly in the manufacturing of jet engines and high-speed airframe components like fasteners, bolts, buckets, instrumentation parts, wheels, and spacers. It is also utilised in the production of cryogenic tankage and gas turbine blades. The present study focuses on investigating the machining performance of graphene nanosheets on Inconel 718. Various aspects of Inconel 718's machinability through electrical discharge machining (EDM) have been examined, including material removal rate (MRR), surface roughness, surface morphology, tool rear Rate (TWR), residual stresses on the machined surface, Vickers hardness, and recast layer thickness. The investigation reveals a significant impact of process parameters on these machining characteristics. The effects of graphene nanosheets have been observed using several analytical instruments such as field emission scanning electron microscopy (FE-SEM), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), particle size analyzer, and X-ray diffraction (XRD). Furthermore, optimization of the response data with respect to input parameters has been performed in this study. TEM analysis is used to determine the size of individual debris particles in deionised water and mixed graphene nanosheet dielectric mediums. To verify that the debris particles are the same as the parent material, energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDX) is used. To determine the compounds and crystal structures present in the base metal and machined surfaces, XRD analysis is used. A high-resolution X-ray diffractometer (HRXRD) is used to measure the residual stresses on the machined surface. EDX composition testing is used to analyze surface modification. Due to the rapid heating and quenching that takes place in the dielectric medium, the machined surface becomes harder. Deposited materials, microholes, and surface textures can all be observed through FESEM microstructure observation. Comparing conventional EDM to nanosheets mixed dielectric, the thickness of the recast layer is reduced. To recapitulate, the study explores how various machining parameters and dielectric mediums affect EDM processes. It examines debris particle size, compound formation, residual stresses, surface modification, hardness, microstructure, and recast layer thickness. The addition of graphene nanosheets to the dielectric medium produces promising results, reducing the thickness of the recast layer and improving surface quality. The results offer suggestions for improving Inconel 718 material surface properties and EDM machining effectiveness.

The microwave cladding technique for depositing Ni and 10 % B4C coatings on 304 stainless steel has yielded significant advancements in material properties and performance. The key findings of this study revealed remarkable improvements, including a 43.33% increase in material hardness, indicating enhanced wear resistance and mechanical properties. This improvement was attributed to the uniform distribution of B4C and Ni on the cladding surface, ensuring a consistent interfacial layer developed between SS 304 and the cladding surface without cracks and porosity. Microstructural analysis at 500× magnification unveiled an impressive 2233.35 grains per square inch, showcasing the refined grain structure achieved during the cladding process. Wear testing demonstrated a low wear rate of 0.00308 mm³/m and a favorable coefficient of friction of 0.1981, confirming the material's suitability for applications with demanding frictional conditions. Furthermore, the corrosion behavior of the coated 304 stainless steel was assessed, revealing a minimal corrosion weight loss of only 0.42 mg for the Ni and 10% B4C coated sample. The presence of various carbide phases, such as Cr2C, Cr23C6, Cr7BC4, Fe5C2, and Fe23B6, within the cladding further contributed to the material's enhanced mechanical and wear properties.

The rotavator blade, a part of an agricultural equipment rotavator, is used for the soil bed preparation. These blades have direct interaction with soil in agricultural land. Bad, rocky, gravel, sandy, and high rough-hard texture of soil are the main factor to damage the surface of the rotavator blade and a high wear rate is observed. This causes to decrease in the overall life of a rotavator blade. It also changes the geometry of the rotavator blade after a few operations, and that all effects the performance capability of this blade. Hence HVOF (High-velocity oxy-fuel) is used to modify the surface that improved wear resistance of the rotavator blade's surface. Feedstock powder used for the coating is WC–10%Co–4%Cr with Ni–20%Cr as a bond coat on 30MNCRB5 steel substrate (Rotavator blade's material). Six samples are prepared to test it on the Pin-On-Disc wear testing apparatus to determine the wear rate, weight loss, cumulative volume loss and linear wear rate, three bare 30MNCRB5 steel and three WC–10%Co–4%Cr coated samples are prepared with 8 mm diameter and 30 mm length in a cylindrical pin shape. Coated samples are characterized using the XRD (X-ray diffraction), SEM (Scanning electron microscope) with EDAX (Energy-dispersive spectroscopy), and X-ray mapping techniques. Worn out surfaces of bare 30MNCRB5 steel and WC–10%Co–4%Cr coated samples are investigated using the SEM (Scanning electron microscope) to study the microstructure of worn surface that helped out to identify the wear behavior. The HVOF (High-velocity oxy-fuel) spray coating drastically improved the surface to defend it from wear, and very less weight loss was seen in the WC–10%Co–4%Cr coated samples as compared to bare 30MNCRB5 steel material. Weight loss determined by the bare (30MNCRB5) material at 40N, 50N, 60N loads are 2.996 × 10−3 Kgm, 3.003 × 10−3 Kgm, 3.123 × 10−3 Kgm, and coated (WC–10%Co–4%Cr) sample at 40N, 50N, 60N loads are 0.006 × 10−3 Kgm, 0.030 × 10−3 Kgm, 0.038 × 10−3 Kgm respectively.

As advancements in sustainable material science continue, kenaf fiber and polylactic acid (KF/PLA) composites have emerged as promising eco-friendly alternatives. The current research article has focused on improving the physical strength of these KF/PLA composites. Methodologies like Taguchi's and Grey Relational Analysis (GRA) have been employed to identify the most effective ways to enhance the chemical treatment process. The composites were manufactured using an injection molding technique while essential variables were modified. These variables comprised the choice of chemical treatments (sodium hydroxide, potassium hydroxide, or sodium acetate), the concentration of these chemicals (1%, 2%, or 3% w/v), and the duration of treatment (2, 4, or 6 h). These modifications led to the production of diverse KF/PLA composite variants. The physical strength of these modified composites was evaluated using various methods, focusing on their tensile strength, tensile modulus, elongation under tension, flexural strength, flexural modulus, deformability under bending, and impact resistance. A Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM) was utilized to observe the treated and tested samples in detail. The optimal values identified through GRA and mean plots were same for the composite. Improved mechanical properties of KF/PLA were observed when the optimal conditions of A1-B2-C2 (NaOH, 2%, and 4 h) were applied. Although, the morphology of the PLA matrix-based bio composites reinforced with kenaf fiber with different surface-treatments was recorded using AFM analysis in order to further reveal the surface roughness of fibers upon surface modification and dispersion.

Abstract In quantum key distribution‐secured optical networks (QKD‐ONs), constrained network resources limit the success probability of QKD lightpath requests (QLRs). Thus, the selection of an appropriate route and the efficient utilisation of network resources for establishment of QLRs are the essential and challenging problems. This work addresses the routing and resource assignment (RRA) problem in the quantum signal channel of QKD‐ONs. The RRA problem of QKD‐ONs is a complex decision making problem, where appropriate solutions depend on understanding the networking environment. Motivated by the recent advances in deep reinforcement learning (DRL) for complex problems and also because of its capability to learn directly from experiences, DRL is exploited to solve the RRA problem and a DRL‐based RRA scheme is proposed. The proposed scheme learns the optimal policy to select an appropriate route and assigns suitable network resources for establishment of QLRs by using deep neural networks. The performance of the proposed scheme is compared with the deep‐Q network (DQN) method and two baseline schemes, namely, first‐fit (FF) and random‐fit (RF) for two different networks, namely The National Science Foundation Network (NSFNET) and UBN24. Simulation results indicate that the proposed scheme reduces blocking by 7.19%, 10.11%, and 33.50% for NSFNET and 2.47%, 3.20%, and 19.60% for UBN24 and improves resource utilisation up to 3.40%, 4.33%, and 7.18% for NSFNET and 1.34%, 1.96%, and 6.44% for UBN24 as compared with DQN, FF, and RF, respectively.

Aluminum composite materials have gained immense popularity in the construction and aerospace industries as these materials are lightweight, durable, and exhibit a high strength-to-weight ratio. The present study aims to develop dissimilar AA2024 and AA2014-based composite materials using nano-TiO2 reinforcement particles via Friction Stir Processing (FSP) techniques. The FSP technique is a solid-state processing method that is used to modify the properties of metal alloys without altering their chemical composition. The samples were prepared by placing a nano-TiO2over AA2024 and AA2014 aluminum alloys sheet and subjected to FSP process parameters. The microstructure, hardness, and tensile properties of the composite samples were assessed using scanning electron microscopy (SEM), Vickers hardness tester, and tensile testing machine respectively. The results showed that the FSP technique led to the formation of a homogeneous and fine-grained microstructure in the composite samples. The nano-TiO2 reinforcement also provided additional strengthening to the AA2024 and AA2014 aluminum alloys matrix resulting in improved hardness and tensile properties of the composites. The resulting composites exhibited enhanced wear resistance properties. The FSP method presented in this study has implications for extending the properties of other metal alloys, opening up new avenues for research in the field of materials science.

Saltwater intrusion (SWI) is a critical concern affecting coastal groundwater sources due to natural and anthropogenic activities. The health of coastal aquifers is deteriorated by excessive SWI, mainly caused by the disturbance of the freshwater–saltwater equilibrium due to the escalating population, climate change, and the rising demand for freshwater resources for human activities. Therefore, gaining insight into the dynamics of SWI is crucial, particularly concerning the various factors that influence the intrusion mechanism. The present study focuses on the experimental simulation of saltwater in freshwater aquifers, considering boundary conditions and density-dependent effects. Two geological scenarios within coastal environments were investigated: First, a uniform, homogeneous case consisting of only sand, and second, a heterogeneous case in which layers of sand, clay, and sand mixed with pebbles are used. During the experiment, DC resistivity sounding data, as part of a widely recognized geophysical method, were collected and subsequently inverted to determine the depth of the freshwater–saltwater interface (FSWI). A finite element analysis was employed to generate numerical models based on experimental feedback. Further, for validation purposes, electrical resistivity tomography (ERT) data were collected from two distinct locations: near the seacoast and an aquaculture area. The ERT results show the presence of salinity intrusion in the study area, attributed mainly to groundwater overpumping and fish farming practices. The experimental findings indicate that the advancement of saltwater is affected by the geological properties of the media they traverse. The porosity (ϕ) and permeability (k) of the geological layer play a crucial role during the passage of saltwater flux into freshwater aquifers. The FSWI deviated along the clay boundary and hindered the easy passage of saltwater into surrounding layers. The alignment of experimental, numerical, and geophysical data suggests that this integrated approach could be valuable for studying SWI and can be applied in different geological settings, including tidal flats and alluvial plains.

In the present study, collagen powder in the form of Cr has been extracted from chrome-containing leather waste. Extracted collagen powder along with alumina has been used as reinforcement with AA6061 matrix material. The composite material was fabricated by the stir casting technique. Comparative behavior of composite material with and without heat treatment was observed. The microstructure image of the Al/5% Al2O3/5% collagen composite has shown the uniform distribution of reinforcement particles. Proper wettability between the collagen powder, alumina, and matrix material was observed after the solidification for Al/5% Al2O3/5% collagen composite material. Tensile strength, hardness, ductility, and impact strength of composite material were significantly improved after the heat treatment process. However, results showed that ball-milled reinforced composite has a higher Young's modulus as compared to heat-treated composite. The percent porosity of aluminum alloy was found to be 0.18%. However, the porosity of Al/5% Al2O3/5% collagen powder ball milled composite material was found to be 1%. The XRD of the heat-treated Al/5% Al2O3/5% collagen powder composite showed the presence of Al, Al2O3, Cr, and Cr2O3 phases. Thermal expansion and corrosion behavior of the composite were also observed to identify the heat treatment effect on Al/Al2O3/collagen powder composite material.

Study design: Prospective randomized clinical study. Purpose: To compare the effectiveness and safety of intra-articular platelet-rich plasma (PCP) and steroid along with radiofrequency ablation (RFA) in the treatment of chronic low back pain (LBP) due to facet joint arthropathy. Overview of literature: Facet joint pathology is an important cause of LBP—15–30% of all LBP cases. Lumbar intra-articular PRP is a relatively new method in the treatment of LBP. PRP stimulates the cells involved in regeneration. Hence, it seems a suitable option for the treatment of lumbar facet joint syndrome. Methods: We evaluated the efficacy and safety of facet joint injections in LBP secondary to facet joint arthropathy. Chronic LBP for ≥3 months (visual analogue scale (VAS) > 4), failed conservative treatment, no neurological deficit, unilateral facet joint pain, focal tenderness with hyperextension pain, and relief by diagnostic medial branch block were included. Patients were randomly allocated to Group S: Steroid (Triamcinolone) + RFA or Group P: PRP + RFA or Group R: 0.9% saline + RFA as control. Demographic, clinico-radiological, and outcome parameters were recorded till 6 months. Data were analyzed using SPSS and p

With recent advancements in the Internet of things, challenges to secure devices and data related to devices have increased. Adversaries using different threats manage to clone/hack/tamper devices by hacking credentials stored in centralised databases. In this work, a decentralised approach using blockchain is proposed to check the authenticity of the device/user trying to access the services of the service provider network. The proposed method uses public and private blockchain networks and Physical Unclonable Function (PUF) to authenticate the device/user and to store their credentials. The decentralised application runs on Hyperledger Fabric, an open-source platform for building blockchain networks. The proposed protocol is tested and implemented in the physical testbed containing Raspberry Pi and Arduino Mega's.

Background: Malaria is both a result and a cause of a lack of development. Dearth of information, education, and communication activities and awareness, knowledge regarding malaria is poor particularly in tribal population of Mandla. Aims and Objectives: The aim of the study was to assess the malaria knowledge and treatment-seeking behavior among the residents of the tribal dominated areas of Mandla district and to study their association with the sociodemographic characteristics. Materials and Methods: A total of eight villages were selected from which 25 households were randomly selected making a total sample size of 200 households, from these 200 households, 200 adult respondents were identified for administration of the study questionnaire. Results: The age of the respondents ranged from 18 to 80 years, with a mean age of 37 years (SD=14.7). Overall, 48.5% of respondents had correct knowledge about perceived cause of getting malaria. The treatment seeking behavior of the respondents were associated with sociodemographic profile of the participants the age of the participants, the association was found to be highly statistically significant (P=0.001). Conclusion: Malaria prevention campaigns should be tailored according to knowledge gaps, practices, environment, resources, and preferences in different areas of the Mandla District, using the health education/awareness most likely to outreach the far corners of the district where most residents were tribals.

Spin ice compounds are typically insulating and introducing carriers can destroy the spin ice state, making integration into electronic devices problematic. Here the authors report a transport response to an ice-rule-breaking transition in a heterostructure of a pyrochlore spin ice and a nonmagnetic metal.

The sweet oranges [C. sinensis (L.) Osbeck] produced in India are mainly consumed fresh as a table fruit and in the form of freshly extracted juice. Currently, a fraction of the fruit is processed into products like orange juice, concentrates, pulp, and other value-added products. Seedless varieties are preferred both by the consumers and by the processing industry; however, indigenously developed seedless sweet orange cultivars are not available. Citrus triploids are usually seedless due to their abnormal meiosis and embryo abortion. A research study was undertaken at CCRI Nagpur to develop triploid seedless plants of the local sweet orange cultivar Mosambi through endosperm culture in the shortest possible time by dovetailing various techniques. Various steps, viz., endosperm excision, standardization of media for callus initiation, somatic embryogenesis, shoot/root differentiation, mini-grafting, and validation of the triploid status through flow cytometry, chromosome counting, and other morphological parameters, were standardized, and seven confirmed triploid plants were finally produced. An evaluation of fruit quality parameters during the 2022 and 2023 fruiting seasons revealed that the fruits of the triploid sweet orange trees were commercially seedless. This is the first reported comprehensive study on the successful development of commercially seedless plants of the sweet orange cultivar Mosambi. The fruits of the triploid plants showed desirable fruit quality parameters in terms of their seed number (3 to 5.9/fruit), higher vitamin C content (34.4 to 42.66 mg), and lower limonene content (7.77 to 11.34 µg/mL). These triploid plants have the potential to gain recognition as a distinct variety.

Actively switchable metasurfaces are extremely useful for achieving a multifunctional integrated platform. The proposed design enables functional switching through the temperature-induced phase transition features of vanadium dioxide (VO2). The hypothesized metasurface can be considered a broadband absorber when VO2 is in the metallic phase, with an absorption rate approaching 90% in the frequency spectrum of 1.41–2.69 THz, according to numerical simulations. When VO2 is in the insulating phase, the proposed metasurface acts as a half-wave plate with more than 80% polarization conversion rate (PCR) in the frequency range of 0.71–2.72 THz. Furthermore, the dynamic modulation of absorbance and PCR can be achieved when the VO2 conductivity varies within a specific range. Finally, by changing the opening angle of the gold split-ring resonator to introduce an abrupt phase at the interface, the composed metacell can perform arbitrary manipulation of reflected beams in the 1.0–2.2 THz broadband range; we also design 1D and 2D focusing metalenses. Both have good subwavelength focusing characteristics. Therefore, the proposed metasurface can be effectively applied in sixth-generation communication systems, terahertz imaging, and other technologies.

Abstract This work focuses on the non‐zero‐crossing and open‐loop current–voltage (I–V) characteristics of electronic memory devices that are studied and focused on primarily for non‐volatile memory storage applications. Gold nanoparticles‐based devices are fabricated to understand possible non‐crossing zero and open‐loop current–voltage behavior, where a non‐zero current and open loop I–V characteristics are observed at zero voltage. While other studies have attributed this behavior as a “battery effect”, this study presents an alternate perspective for non‐redox‐based charge storage memory devices. The electrical measurements clearly demonstrate that the non‐zero current and open‐loop characteristics are due to the charge trapping of the gold nanoparticles. The charge accumulation within the nanoparticle is observed to create a non‐zero potential within the device and thereby encouraging such behavior, even though the applied external voltage is zero. The longstanding mystery in deciphering if electrical measurements or the charge storage device contributes toward non‐zero property is unfurled in this article. A possible charge storage model is proposed and further verified using liquid crystals‐based two terminal devices. The presence of internal potential leads to an offset within the devices, a non‐zero current and open‐loop I–V even when the external applied voltage is zero.

The continuous development of the semiconductor industry to meet the increasing demand of modern electronic devices which can enhance computing capabilities is attributed to the exploration of efficient, simple, high-speed operation and multistate information storage capacity of electronic devices called memory devices. Nowadays, one of the main challenges the industry faces is limitations in manufacturing as the current fabrication pathway is complex and relies on the use of rigid substrates that do not match with the needs of industry for flexible, bendable electronics. 3D printing has a huge potential to address this challenge and to completely replace the current fabrication pathways and protocols. In this paper, the materials and the 3D printing technologies that have been explored to fabricate an emerging flexible, bendable memory device will be presented.

Mucormycosis (Zygomycosis) is an invasive fungal infection, often acute and extremely severe caused by opportunist and ubiquitous fungi belonging to the class Phygomycetes, subclass Zygomycetes, order Mucorales, family Mucoraceae. COVID-19 is an infection caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2). Since the first case was detected, in December 2019 in Wuhan, China. COVID-19 has been found to have many systemic manifestations. Of these, ocular presentations associated with COVID-19 have been identified. It is acquired by the implantation of the fungal spores in the oral, nasal, and conjunctival mucosa (rhino-orbito-cerebral), by inhalation (pulmonary), or by the ingestion of contaminated food (digestive). The field of neuro-ophthalmology has been affected, due to both neuro-ophthalmic manifestations of COVID-19, as well as adaptations in the delivery of health care and treatment of pre-existing conditions.

Background: Since the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic began, several studies were published on the possible prevention and treatment of the disease caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus (SARSCoV-2), and its complications. However, one aspect that was overlooked is the impact on the mental health of the caregivers of COVID-19 patients. The current study endeavors to investigate sleep quality disturbances in the caregivers of COVID-19 patients in different countries. Material and Methods: This cross-sectional multi-center study was performed between August 1, 2021, and August 30, 2022, across 11 countries. A total of 2411 responses meeting the inclusion criteria (being a family member or caregiver involved in patient care) were collected. The sleep quality was assessed using the self-reported Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI) 12. Total scores ranged from 0 to 21. A ≥5 indicated poor sleep quality with 89.6% sensitivity and 86.5% specificity. Results: A total of 2411 responses meeting the inclusion criteria showed that mean PSQI scores (P = 0.3604) were higher in caregivers of hospitalized patients than in patients isolated at home. Approximately 62.4% of caregivers reported sleep quality problems while caring for their patients. Conclusion: The results showed that the majority of caregivers of patients with COVID-19 reported disturbances in sleep quality and impaired sleep was more common among caregivers of hospitalized patients, perhaps because hospitalization is associated with a more severe course of the disease. There is a pressing need to take measures to improve the mental health of these caregivers. There should be treatment programs set up to reverse sleep disturbances in this population sufficiently.

Background: Assessment of sexual function in prolapse cases is important. Studies focusing on relationship between sexual function and pelvic organ prolapse (POP) are sparse. Aims and Objectives: The aim of the study was to evaluate sexual function in women with symptomatic POP. Materials and Methods: Women undergoing surgery for POP were interviewed. Results: Among the 60 cases of POP, 35% of women accepted that they used to find ways to avoid sexual intercourse due to their prolapsed organs. Difficulties faced during intercourse were – pain during intercourse (70%), bleeding/discharge (46.67%), burning sensation (20%), unable to achieve orgasm (30%), and urinary leakage in 10%. Almost 68 % of women felt that sexual frequency was decreased in their husband also. About 27% of women felt that due to their disturbed sexual life, their husband started being irritated and frustrated with some even leaving sex in between (8%). About 30% of cases, women said that their husband was really disturbed with her problems and had started avoiding sexual activities as they feared that this might further aggravate her condition. Conclusion: This study emphasizes need to assess sexual profile in women with POP with a message that there is a definite scope of improvement in this regard.

Since its sudden outbreak in December 2019 in Wuhan, A pandemic of SARS-CoV-2 has been announced. Vitamin C is a water-soluble vitamin with anti-oxidant and immunity-boosting properties. Vitamin C acts as a nutritional supplement profoundly impacting the immune response to the second or third wave of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19). Vitamin C efficacy as an adjuvant treatment for inflammation and symptoms associated with COVID-19 infection should be investigated further. This report sheds light on the available information on the current clinical trials and pharmacotherapy related to COVID-19. Information available on Pubmed, EMBASE, Scopus, Web of Science databases and EU clinical trials regarding the use of therapeutic agents in patients with COVID-19 was used to perform analysis. Data was taken from 18 clinical trials available in the U.S. National Library of Medicine. All trials that are active, completed, or in the process of recruiting are included in data. Because of majority of clinical trials are still ongoing, specific results and high-quality clinical evidence are lacking. Before being standardised for use, the protocol must undergo large randomised clinical studies using a variety of existing medications and potential therapies. The pivotal role played by vitamins C in maintaining our immune system, is quite apparent. This review is an attempt to summarize the available information regarding the use of vitamin C as an adjuvant therapy in COVID-19 patients.

Background: SARS CoV-2 has become a household name since early 2019 and till very recently has shown many mutations, some of which were predictable in behavior whereas some have been quite bizarre. With all these surreal mutants of the virus, the basic signs and symptoms of the infection also were diversified. A few studies compared the conjunctivitis features of the first and second wave of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) outbreak. Aims and Objectives: The purpose of this study was to compare the evidence of conjunctivitis between the first and second wave of COVID-19 patients. Materials and Methods: In this retrospective and observational research, clinical and laboratory characteristics of the patients with COVID-19 admitted to a tertiary care hospital in Western Maharashtra. We evaluated the patients including detailed history taken from the medical records and ocular evaluation was carried out by a trained ophthalmologist who was posted in the COVID-19 ward at that time. The patient’s symptoms were compared with the severity of COVID-19 disease classified as mild, moderate, and based on oxygen support given to the patient. Results: A total of 150 patients were evaluated in this study, of which 50 patients were from the first wave and 100 were from second wave of COVID-19. Among the total patients, about (80%) of patients with mild severity of COVID-19 disease were from in first wave v/s (61%) patients with mild severity of disease were from the second wave. Furthermore, it was observed that disease severity with moderate patients from the first wave was around (20%) v/s (39%) in the second wave. Among the total patients’ data, 66% of patients infected with conjunctivitis were in the first wave of COVID-19 and approximately 56% of patients infected with conjunctivitis were found in the second wave, respectively. About 18% of patients from the first wave and 39% of patients from the second wave with moderate severity required oxygen support. The fluorescein staining, as well as congestion, showed no significant difference in the number of patients between both waves. Conclusion: The present study concludes that both the waves only reported dryness and no clinical signs of conjunctivitis. The present study concludes that increased oxygenation support may act as one of the contributing factor for increased dryness and thereby may lead to various ocular infections.

Background: Hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection is one of the major causes of chronic liver disease, which progresses from chronic hepatitis B (CHB) to fibrosis, cirrhosis, and hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Early detection and laboratory-based screening of hepatocellular carcinoma are still major challenges. This study was undertaken to determine whether the cancer hallmark gene signatures that are released into circulation as circulating tumour DNA (ctDNA) can be used as a liquid biopsy marker for screening, early detection, and prognosis of HCC.Methods: A total of 130 subjects, including HBV-HCC (n = 80), HBV-cirrhotic and non-cirrhotic (n = 35), and healthy (n = 15) controls, were evaluated for TP53 and beta-catenin (CTNNB1) gene hotspot mutations in ctDNA by Sanger-based cycle sequencing and droplet digital PCR (ddPCR) assays. Mutation detection frequency, percentage mutant fractions, and their association with tumour stage, mortality, and smoking habits were determined.Results: Sanger-based cycle sequencing was carried out for 32 HCC patients. Predict SNP Tools analysis indicated several pathogenic driver mutations in the ctDNA sequence, which include p.D228N, p.C229R, p.H233R, p.Y234D, p.S240T, p.G245S, and p.R249M for TP53 gene exon 7 and p.S33T for CTNNB1 gene exon 3. The TP53 c.746G>T (p.R249M) mutation was detected predominately (25% cases) by sequencing, but there was no dominant mutation at position c.747G>T (p.R249S) that was reported for HBV-HCC patients. A dual-probe ddPCR assay was developed to determine mutant and wild-type copy numbers of TP53 (p.R249M and p.R249S) and CTNNB1 (p.S45P) and their percentage mutant fraction in all 130 subjects. The TP53 R249M and CTNNB1 S45P mutations were detected in 31.25% and 26.25% of HCC patients, respectively, with a high mutant-to-wild-type fraction percentage (1.81% and 1.73%), which is significant as compared to cirrhotic and non-cirrhotic patients. Poor survival was observed in HCC patients with combined TP53 and CTNNB1 gene driver mutations. The TP53 R249M mutation was also significantly (p < 0.0001) associated with smoking habits (OR, 11.77; 95% CI, 3.219–36.20), but not the same for the TP53 R249S mutation.Conclusion: Screening of ctDNA TP53 and CTNNB1 gene mutations by ddPCR may be helpful for early detection and identifying the risk of HCC progression.

The effects of N and P fertigation on productivity and quality of kinnow mandarin were investigated in southwestern part of Punjab at the Regional Research Station, Abohar of Punjab Agricultural University, Ludhiana, Punjab during 2018–2020. Different combinations of the recommended dose (RD) of N and P, viz. 100, 75, and 50% were applied in equal splits at 5 stages of kinnow trees (February–October) and compared with conventional flood irrigation plus soil fertilization. The results showed that fertigation resulted in higher nutrient uptake, total leaf chlorophyll content, and vital physiological processes as compared to conventional practices. Tree volume under fertigation was about 29% higher than conventional practices. The data also revealed a significantly higher fruit set (20.13%), fruit weight (168.6 g), and fruit size (7.68 cm) as compared to flood irrigation plus soil fertilization. Fruit yield was about 33% higher in fertigated trees over flood irrigation and soil fertilization. Further, fruit quality parameters especially in terms of per cent juice, TSS-acid ratio, and ascorbic acid concentration were also superior in fertigated trees. In addition, fertigation resulted in a higher proportion of economic fruit grades over conventional flood irrigation and soil fertilization. The results suggest that fertigation @75% of N and P of recommended dose exhibited higher growth and productivity of kinnow mandarin, saving 25% N and P usage with better grade and higher quality of kinnow.

The biocompatible hydroxylapatite (Ca10(PO4)6(OH)2) (HA) coating is usually depositing on the titanium substrate to enhance the healing process of implant and to isolate it from the harsh body environment. However, poor mechanical properties of HA restrict its usage for orthopedic applications like hip and knee joints which have to bear the load. The biocompatibility is provided by HA and mechanical strength by the addition of reinforce with HA. Thermal post treatments have been mostly utilized to enhance the morphological and physicomechanical characteristics of as-deposition coatings. In the present research, the emphasis has been laid to analyze the outcome of thermal-processing on phases of hydroxyapatite in coatings developed by plasma spraying process. The surface-morphology of as-sprayed and thermally-processed, HA coated samples was studied using Scanning electron microscope (S.E.M.), Elemental-mapping, X-ray diffraction analysis (X.R.D.), and Fourier-transform infrared (F.T.-I.R.) spectroscopy techniques. The outcomes achieved from the X.R.D. analysis of the hydroxylapatite-coated samples after thermal-treatment reveal the formation of crystalline structure at 750 °C with some traces of CaO. Moreover, when the heat treatment was further done at 950 °C, the unwanted CaO was totally eliminated and coating with crystalline structure was obtained. No substrate element is visible in the X-ray mapping of coatings. The presence of ultrafine particles was observed on both substrates after the heat treatment of coatings at specified temperatures for 2hr in air. These ultrafine particles have the capability to bond with the bone and also helps for bone in-growth on their surfaces.

Nagpur mandarin is a popular table fruit across India and is exported to various countries. Only 1% of the total production is processed into various products. The development of seedless cultivars will boost agricultural incomes by enhancing the potential for export and processing. At present, only a couple of commercially seedless varieties are available, but these have yet to become popular. A research study was undertaken to quickly develop a high-quality seedless variety of Nagpur mandarin by combining the available technologies, viz., endosperm rescue, somatic embryogenesis, and mini-grafting, at CCRI, Nagpur. Complete plantlets of C. reticulata Blanco cv. Nagpur mandarin was successfully regenerated from hybrid endosperm tissue via somatic embryogenesis after attempting various permutations and combinations of media at various stages of regeneration, right from the primary callus to complete plantlet production. Maximum response (93.33%) and survival (91.67%) for primary callus induction were obtained in Murashige and Tucker (MT) + Malt Extract (ME) + Casein Hydrolysate (CH) (500 mg/L) +2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid (2,4-D) (2 mg/L) medium. Maximum stimulation for embryogenesis and morphogenesis occurred in 2MT + CH (500 mg/L) + adenine sulfate (ad.s) (2 mg/L) + Benzyl Adenine (BA) (0.25 mg/L). The highest response (95.84%) for shoot differentiation occurred in MT + adenine sulphate (2 mg/L) + Gibberellic Acid (GA3) (1 mg/L) + BA (1 mg/L) (94.85%). The surviving plantlets were tested for ploidy status through flow Cytometry, chromosomal counting/cytogenetic technique, leaf morphology, stomatal characteristics, and the appearance of prominent thorns. In initial evaluation trials, the fruits of the triploid field-planted trees were found to be commercially seedless. These results demonstrated the recovery of stable triploids from the hybrid endosperm via somatic embryogenesis, which is the first of its kind in the field of Citrus triploid breeding in India.

Background: The use of poly(adenosine diphosphate-ribose) polymerase (PARP) inhibitors for breast cancer (BC) therapy is the subject of debate, and there is an urgent need to understand much the expression and prognostic role of the PARP1 protein. In this study, we have compared the expression of PARP between BC and benign breast disease (BBD) patients and also analyzed the association of PARP expression with clinicopathological parameters in BC. Methods: The study consists of 30 patients with newly diagnosed operable BC who were planned for surgery without neoadjuvant chemotherapy and 15 patients of BBD as a control between 2019 and 2021. Immunohistochemical analyses were performed prospectively on tissue samples. Anti-human PARP1 rabbit polyclonal antibody gives strong nuclear positivity. Internal control was the adipose tissue and the BBD acted as the external control. PARP1 expression was evaluated using the multiplicative quickscore method. Results: The mean age for BC patients was 51.30 ± 10.694 years (range: 25–75 years) while BBD was below 30 years. Overexpression of PARP was present in 25 (83.3%) and weak expression in 5 (16.7%) of BC patients compared to BBD, only 2 (13.3%) patients demonstrated an overexpression of PARP, and 13 (86.6%) patients showed weak expression which showed significant association (P < 0.001). In BC, nuclear PARP (nPARP) overexpression was seen in 22 (73.3%) patients and weak expression of nPARP in 8 (26.7%), whereas 5 (16.7%) patients showed cytoplasmic overexpression. On comparing expression of PARP with clinicopathological parameters, PARP overexpression was significantly associated with older population (age >50 years) (P = 0.002), postmenopausal women (P = 0.029), higher TNM stage (Stage II and III) (P = 0.014), higher histological grade (grade 2) (P = 0.043), and presence of lymphovascular invasion (P = 0.015). Enhanced PARP1 expression is closely correlated with positive estrogen receptor status (P = 0.001) and PR status (P = 0.001). Overall PARP and nPARP overexpression was significantly associated with ER- (P = 0.006 and P = 0.008) and PR-positive (P = 0.006 and P = 0.008) patients. The PARP and nPARP overexpression was significantly associated with nontriple-negative BC patients (P = 0.001 and P = 0.001). Conclusion: We have not come across any study in the literature to compare PARP expression in BC and BBD patients. On the basis of our observations, we concluded that PARP overexpression is a poor prognostic marker in BC.

Introduction: Failure of ossification in the vertical direction between the two halves of the frontal bone is called a metopic suture; this suture is present in between the superciliary arch and tubers of the frontal bone so it is also called a median frontal suture. At birth, the frontal bone present is two half, in the 1st year they contact each other, and within the 7th to 8th year, they fused together. Sometimes, bones may not be fused completely and it becomes metopic fontanelle. Materials and Methods: The goal of the current study was to determine the prevalence of metopic suture in adult human skulls in Uttar Pradesh. One hundred and fifty macerated skulls of undetermined age and sex were used for this. The anatomical departments of Teerthankar Mahaveer Medical College and Research Center (Moradabad), King George Medical College (Lucknow), SRMS Institute of Medical Science (Bareilly), Govt. Medical College Kannauj, and Govt. Medical College Saharanpur provided these skulls. Results: This study has found the incidence of metopic sutures of about 12.90%. The two types of metopic sutures were found in this study, namely complete metopic suture 4.52% and incomplete metopic suture 8.38% in which found 0.64% "V" shape metopic suture. Conclusion: The morphological study of metopic sutures on adult crania is useful for anatomists, experts in forensic medicine, and neurologists for performing surgical procedures in this area.

Background: Negative pressure wound therapy (NPWT) is the treatment of choice for diabetic foot ulcers (DFUs), and the role of NPWT in the management of DFU is limited. The aim of the study was to compare the effects of NPWT versus conventional dressing (CD) on wound healing in DFU. Materials and Methods: A total of 55 patients were included and divided into two groups: 23 patients were treated with NPWT and 32 patients with CD. The NPWT dressings were changed every 7 days, while the CDs were changed daily. Wound culture sensitivity, wound size, granulation tissue, and pain evaluation (assessed by Visual Analog Scale) were all measured at the start and 3 weeks or until the ulcer was healed. The wound margin temperature was measured at four random sites for thermometric evaluation, and normal limb temperature was also measured for comparison. Patients' satisfaction and treatment costs were also compared. Results: On days 14 and 21, the wound size was reduced significantly in the NPWT group (P < 0.001 and P < 0.001, respectively). The percentage reduction in wound size from baseline to days 7, 14, and 21 was significantly higher in the NPWT group (P = 0.013, P = 0.001, and P = 0.029, respectively). On days 7, 14, and 21, the granulation tissue score was significantly higher in the NPWT group (P = 0.001, P = 0.001, and P < 0.001, respectively). On days 14 and 21, the mean VAS score was significantly low in the NPWT group (P < 0.001 and P < 0.001, respectively). The majority of wounds in the NPWT group were sterile on day 21 compared to those in the CD group (P = 0.008). The majority of patients in the NPWT group had excellent patient satisfaction (P < 0.001). The average material cost was significantly higher in the NPWT group (P = 0.001). The mean wound temperature of the affected limb was significantly higher compared to that of the unaffected limb (P < 0.001). Conclusion: In terms of early formation of granulation tissue, faster wound size reduction, less discomfort, and patient satisfaction, the study indicated that NPWT appeared to be superior. An initial rise in temperature in a DFU may indicate the presence of a pre-ulcerative lesion.

Abstract Graphene: zinc oxide nanocomposite (GN:ZnO NC) platform was tried for the sensitive determination of para-nitrophenol (p-NP) through the electrochemical method. ZnO nanoparticles (NPs) were synthesized by the modified wet-chemical method where in potassium hydroxide and zinc nitrate were used as precursors and starch as a stabilizing agent. A green and facile approach was applied to synthesize GN:ZnO NC in which glucose was employed as a reductant to reduce graphene-oxide to graphene in the presence of ZnO NPs. The synthesized NC was characterized using scanning and high-resolution transmission electron microscopy, energy dispersive x-ray analysis, X-ray diffraction and Raman spectroscopic techniques to examine the crystal phase, crystallinity, morphology, chemical composition and phase structure. GN:ZnO NC layer deposited over the glassy carbon electrode (GCE) was initially probed for its electrochemical performance using the standard 1 mM K3[Fe(CN)6] model complex. GN:ZnO NC modified GCE was monitored based on p-NP concentration. An enhanced current response was observed in 0.1 M phosphate buffer of pH 6.8 for the determination of p-NP in a linear working range of 0.09 × 10–6 to 21.80 × 10–6 M with a lower detection limit of 8.8 × 10–9 M employing square wave adsorptive stripping voltammetric technique at a deposition-potential and deposition-time of − 1.0 V and 300 s, respectively. This electrochemical sensor displayed very high specificity for p-NP with no observed interference from some other possible interfering substances such as 2, 4-di-NP, ortho-NP, and meta-NP. The developed strategy was useful for sensitive detection of p-NP quantity in canals/rivers and ground H2O samples with good recoveries.

The effective utilization of tribological characteristics of the mating parts is an important concern in the automobile industry. The primary intent of this work is to evaluate & enhance the tribology of a CrN coated disc (piston ring) as well as a cylindrical lining pin utilizing Al2O3 additives. The study mainly sought to significantly raise tribological characteristics by blending nano-particles with lubricating oils. In this work, the deposition of CrN coating takes place on the grey cast iron as a substrate with the help of ion plating which undeniably exhibits a strong adhesion of the layer to the substrate with improved structure and appearance. The wear behavior has been analyzed with the help of Pin on disc test wear tester at various operating conditions like speed load and lubrication. The friction and wear behavior has been analyzed with the nano additives Al2O3 along with Castrol 15W40 as lubricating oil. One of the novel optimization technique Response Surface Methodology (RSM) has been implemented for the analysis of various response parameters. The optimized value of wear rate is 0.01480 mm3/Nm at least sliding speed of 1.0 m/s and load of 80N for the nano additives lubrication. The recorded friction coefficient is 0.01140 at a load of 80N and speed 2 m/s under the influence of nano-particles in overall optimization. The wear mechanism of the CrN coating analyzed with the help of FE-SEM and EDS reveals the three body abrasion followed by erosion and particle pull-out. The increasing utilisation of Aluminum oxide (Al2O3) nano-particles as nano-additives have come to the realization that they could still aid prolong the lifespan performance of automotive parts.

Background: Metastasis of the lymph node is one of the most significant prognostic factors for breast cancer (BC). Aim: To predict positivity of the lymph node in BC patients with help of USG and USG-guided FNAC and thus to prevent unnecessary morbidity. Methods: 50 patients of incisional/true cut biopsy-proven BC patients were included. All were subjected to mammography, USG and FNAC of the lump breast. USG-guided FNAC of the axillary lymph node was done in 25 of these patients. These findings were assessed by histological examination following dissection of the axillary lymph node. Results: Axillary lymph node (ALN) metastasis was present in 42 patients on histopathology; 21 patients suspicious of malignancy on preoperative USG were confirmed by HPE. Out of 88 confirmed lymph nodes evaluated on ultrasonography, 4 were benign, 18 were indeterminate and 66 were suspicious. The most promising features were tumour length/depth ratio of