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Duck plague (DP) is an acute, contagious and fatal disease, caused by duck enteritis virus (DEV), with worldwide distribution causing several outbreaks and posing severe economic losses. The present study was carried out with a goal of development of a live attenuated cell culture based DP vaccine using an Indian strain of DEV and evaluation of its safety, efficacy along with complete genome analysis. The live attenuated DP vaccine (DPvac/IVRI-19) was developed by serial propagation of a virulent isolate of DEV (DEV/India/IVRI-2016) in the chicken embryo fibroblast (CEF) primary cell culture. Adaptation of DEV in CEF cell culture was indicated by more rapid appearance of cytopathic effects (CPE) and gradual increase of virus titre, which reached up to 107.5 TCID50/mL after 41 passages. The safety, immunogenicity and efficacy of the vaccine were determined by immunization trials in ducklings. The DPvac/IVRI-19 was found to be avirulent and completely safe in the ducklings. Further, the vaccine induced both humoral and cell mediated immune responses and afforded 100% protection against the virulent DEV challenge. A comparison of the whole genome of DPvac/IVRI-19 (MZ911871) and DEV/India/IVRI-2016 (MZ824102) revealed significant number of mutations, which might be associated with viral attenuation. Phylogenetic tree of DEV/India/IVRI-2016 revealed its evolutionary relationship with other DEV isolates, but it formed a separate cluster with certain unique mutations. Thus, with the proven safety and 100% efficacy, the DPvac/IVRI-19 is suitable for large scale production with precisely pure form of vaccine and has potential utility at national and global levels.

This study examines land use transformations and their impact on groundwater quality fluctuations in Chengalpattu district, Tamil Nadu. Chengalpattu is a rapidly urbanizing coastal region in South India. Landsat 5 and 9 satellite imagery were utilized to create land use land cover (LULC) maps for 2011 and 2021, with overall accuracies of 82.20% and 85.71%, respectively. The analysis showed significant growth in built-up and fallow lands due to urbanization, which has altered LULC. Groundwater Quality Index (GQI) was generated using seven groundwater quality parameters, adhering to World Health Organization (WHO) standards. The mean GQI showed slight fluctuations during pre- and post-monsoon periods, with a declining trend in pre-monsoon seasons. The study area predominantly experiences moderate groundwater quality, with fewer areas of low and high quality. The findings indicate that land use transformation significantly impacts groundwater quality, emphasizing the need for sustainable urban planning and water resource management in the region.

Upper gastrointestinal bleeding is following gastrojejunostomy due to stromal ulceration, marginal ulcer bleeding from anastomotic site, remnant cancer. Gastrojejunostomy done for benign gastric outlet obstruction has many complications. Jejunogastric intussusceptions (JGI) is a rare complication of gastrojejunostomy surgery (

Introduction: Alleviating pain and anxiety of patients during procedures is an essential skill for an Emergency Physician (EP). Several sedatives and dissociative agents are used for PSA (Procedural Sedation and Analgesia). In this study, we aimed to compare two drugs that is, ketamine and fentanyl for procedural sedation in adults with isolated limb injuries in the Emergency Department (ED). Materials and methods: In this prospective, randomised controlled interventional trial, patients aged between 18 to 65 years with isolated extremity injury requiring PSA in the ED were recruited. A total of 200 subjects were included in the study and randomly allocated to either the fentanyl (n=100) or the ketamine (n=100) group. Patients were blinded to the intervention and subsequently premedicated with Midazolam. Following this, they received either ketamine or fentanyl based on the group they were allocated to. Vital signs, including but not limited to the level of sedation, were measured at predetermined time intervals. A Modified Aldrete Score of >8 was used as a criterion for disposition from the ED. Data were collected in a pre-designed proforma. We aimed to compare the effectiveness as well as ascertain the safety profile of the two drugs for PSA in the ED. Results: There was no significant difference between the two groups when age, gender, mechanism of injury and comorbidities were compared. We found that there was no statistically significant difference between the two groups when blood pressure, respiratory rate and depth of sedation were compared. In both groups, there was a significant decrease in pain on the Numerical Rating Scale (NRS) following drug administration from 8 to 3 (p

Acute or chronic pancreatitis as a trigger of Takotsubo cardiomyopathy (TCM) has been infrequently described in the literature. Misdiagnosis of this phenomenon can often occur due to overlap in symptomology, particularly in those outside of the usual. A 50-year-old man with a history of alcohol abuse presented with epigastric and chest pain. Electrocardiography showed ischemic changes, and laboratory workup revealed elevated lipase, amylase, and troponin. He was diagnosed with acute pancreatitis and managed presumptively as acute coronary syndrome, class 4 angina. Patient had no signs of chronic liver disease, his pulmomary system was stable. He was a known case of left upper limb thrombosis and had portal venous thrombosis and was on tablet Rivaraxoban 10 mg. Subsequent coronary angiography was negative for obstructive coronary artery disease, and left ventriculography demonstrated basal hyperkinesis and apical akinesis, characteristic of TCM. TCM is a rare complication of acute pancreatitis. Increased awareness of this phenomenon is required to prevent delays in diagnosis and avoid unnecessary interventions and complications.

Secure dominance is a significant proportion of dominance which plays vital role in communication networks. In this article, we present and analyze an idea of the secured neutrosophic dominance and totally neutrosophic dominance number of neutrosophic graphs primarily based on strong arcs and the properties of both notions are studied. The terms 2- neutrosophic dominance number, 2- secured neutrosophic dominance variety, 2- totally neutrosophic dominance, and 2- secured neutrosophic dominance number also are defined. Some of their theoretical properties are investigated.

The current research on 7-series aluminum alloys mainly focuses on solid solution and aging treatments, as well as the flow stress during the deformation process. There are limited researches on the influence of thermal deformation temperature on the microstructure and properties of the aluminum alloy during multi-pass hot rolling process. In this study, the as-cast 7A04 aluminum alloy was subjected to homogenization treatment, followed by multi-pass hot rolling. The effects of different deformation parameters on dislocation density were analyzed. Microstructural characterization of the deformed alloy was performed using optical microscopy (OM), scanning electron microscopy (SEM) with energy-dispersive spectroscopy (EDS), X-ray diffraction (XRD), and micro-hardness tester. The optimal microstructure of the deformed alloy was selected based on the size of recrystallization. Subsequently, the Deform–3D finite element simulation software was used to analyze the multi-pass hot rolling process. The influence of deformation parameters on the uniformity of equivalent strain distribution within the samples was investigated. The results showed that at the deformation temperature of 430 °C, a significant amount of recrystallized microstructure appeared in the alloy, resulting in the lowest dislocation density and a significant reduction in the quantity of coarse precipitates. Finite element numerical simulation revealed that the deformation temperature had a certain influence on the uniformity of strain distribution within the alloy. However, this influence was mostly eliminated when the deformation temperature exceeded 380 °C. Meanwhile, the distribution of strain within the alloy was found to be related to the temperature distribution.

In communication networks, strong connectivity between nodes is critical. The failure of strong connectivity between nodes may jeopardize the network’s stability. In fuzzy graphs, various dominating sets using strong edges are identified to avoid network stability. In this paper, the concept of bridge domination set and bridge domination number in fuzzy graphs is introduced. A few prominent properties of bridge domination numbers are chosen and analyzed using relevant examples. The bridge domination number of fuzzy trees, constant fuzzy cycles, and complete fuzzy and bipartite fuzzy graphs are identified. The use of bridge domination in a partial mesh topology to ensure network continuity is demonstrated in the event of a node failure.

We reported solvent-free and recoverable heterogeneous iron functionalised imidazolium-based ionic liquid for the reduction of nitroarene derivatives in the presence of formic acid under greener conditions. Additionally, the experimental result shows that the iron complex could be an extremely resourceful, high rate and reusable catalyst for a different nitroarene substrate.

Replacing cadmium ions in cadmium-containing solutions with aluminum powder is beneficial for cadmium resource recycling and environmental protection. However, the conventional aluminum powder replacement method requires harsh temperatures and prolonged conditions. In this study, the effect and mechanism of ultrasound on the replacement of cadmium with aluminum powder were investigated at low temperatures. Ultrasound has been proven to promote the etching of alumina films through the use of TEM and XPS, providing mechanistic support for the superiority of the new process. A degree of Cd replacement as high as 95.08 % is achieved at a low temperature (60 ℃) and in a short time (20 min) when using ultrasonicated aluminum powder replacement, which is 42.17 % higher than that of conventional aluminum powder. Compared with conventional aluminum powder replacement conditions with the same effect, the introduction of ultrasound can reduce the temperature by 30℃ and shorten the replacement time by 2/3, which has significant advantages in reaction efficiency and safety. The strengthening mechanism of ultrasound on the replacement effect of aluminum powder at low temperatures is revealed through detailed discussions on the corrosion of alumina films, agglomeration of aluminum powder, and adhesion of replacement products to the surface of aluminum powder, dissolved oxygen in the solution, and redissolution of cadmium. Therefore, a new approach for replacing aluminum powder in solutions with high Cd2+ concentrations at low temperatures is proposed in this work, which is expected to solve the existing harsh and dangerous problems of industrial aluminum powder replacement.

Gas sensors play a vital role in monitoring environmental pollution for human health, safety, and the detection of various gasses in the environment. Nanostructured metal oxide thin films have been widely used in sensor applications owing to their unique properties. In this study, pure and gold (Au) doped nanostructured tungsten trioxide (WO3) films were deposited on glass substrates by electron beam evaporation at room temperature. The microstructure of the WO3 films changed from nanoflakes to nanorods upon variation of the wt% of Au. The sensing properties of WO3 based nanostructure films were measured using a computer-controlled system. The gas sensing results showed that the Au-doped WO3 films exhibited a higher sensitivity than the undoped films. The 15 wt% Au-doped WO3 nanostructure films showed high sensitivity towards ethanol and the response (sensitivity) value was 89. The response and recovery times for 15 wt% Au-doped WO3 were 8 and 10 s, respectively.

Abstract The current investigation deals with the simple and ecological synthesis of CaO, MgO, CaTiO3, and MgTiO3 for the photocatalytic dilapidation of rhodamine B dye. CaO was procured from chicken eggshell waste by calcination process, while MgO was produced by solution combustion method using urea as a fuel source. Furthermore, CaTiO3 and MgTiO3 were synthesized through an easy and simple solid-state method by mixing thoroughly the synthesized CaO or MgO with TiO2 before calcination at 900 °C. XRD and EDX investigations confirmed the phase formation of the materials. Moreover, FTIR spectra revealed the existence of Ca–Ti–O, Mg–Ti–O, and Ti–O which resembles the chemical composition of the proposed materials. SEM micrographs revealed that the surface of CaTiO3 is rougher with relatively dispersed particles compared to MgTiO3, reflecting a higher surface area of CaTiO3. Diffuse reflectance spectroscopy investigations indicated that the synthesized materials can act as photocatalysts under UV illumination. Accordingly, CaO and CaTiO3 effectively degraded rhodamine B dye within 120 min with a photodegradation activity of 63% and 72%, respectively. In contrast, the photocatalytic degradation activity of MgO and MgTiO3 was much lower, since only 21.39 and 29.44% of the dye were degraded, respectively after 120 min of irradiation. Furtheremore, the photocatalytic activity of the mixture from both Ca and Mg titanates was 64.63%. These findings might be valuable for designing potential and affordable photocatalysts for wastewater purification.

Uncertain price movement in staple food commodities puts agrarian economies at risk if not monitored and managed consistently. Hence, an attempt has been made to analyze the price behavior and integration across major wholesale and retail markets for rice and wheat in India. Monthly data (July 2000 to June 2022) on prices viz. wholesale and retail were sourced from the Food and Agriculture Organization and analyzed using growth rate, instability index, seasonal price index, Bai-Perron’s test for structural breaks, Johansen’s test on cointegration, Granger causality test, and impulse response function. Findings indicated strong evidence of price dynamics in the selected markets in terms of spatial and temporal variation, clear-cut seasonality linking to production, and price divergence between wholesale and retail markets. Johansen’s test indicated a strong cointegration between wholesale and retail prices after accounting for structural breaks, exhibiting unidirectional-, bidirectional- and no causality. Impulse response analysis revealed that the selected wheat and rice markets are efficient in terms of ‘price discovery’ which takes place initially in the wholesale market, and is then transmitted to the retail market. The study advocates decision-making information to the producers, traders, and consumers who are interested in taking advantage of the price movement. It is concluded that strengthening the market intelligence and reducing the distortion in markets will improve the existing overall performance.

Abstract Background Many indigenous communities reside in biodiverse environments replete with natural food sources but show ​poor access and utilization. Methods To understand the links between indigenous food access, dietary intakes, and biomarkers, we conducted a cross-sectional study among women of the Santhal Community (n = 211) from 17 villages in the Godda district of Jharkhand, India. Survey methods included household surveys, dietary intake assessment (24 HDR) and micronutrient and inflammatory biomarkers' estimation. Results The diversity in access to foods from different natural sources expressed as Food access diversity index was low. This led to poor consumption and thus a low Minimum Dietary Diversity. The mean nutrient intake was less than the estimated average requirement for all nutrients. Women with higher dietary diversity scores had higher nutrient intakes. Thiamine and calcium intakes were significantly higher in women consuming indigenous foods than non-consumers. One-fourth of the women had elevated levels of inflammatory biomarkers. The prevalence of iron deficiency was approximately 70%. Vitamin A insufficiency (measured as retinol-binding protein) was observed in around 33.6% women, while 28.4% were deficient. Household access to natural food sources was associated with specific biomarkers. The access to kitchen garden (baari) was positively associated with retinol-binding protein levels and negatively with inflammatory biomarkers, while access to ponds was positively associated with ferritin levels. Conclusion The findings highlight the role of access to diverse natural foods resources, including indigenous foods, for improving nutrition security in indigenous communities. Nutrition and health programs promoting indigenous food sources should include the assessment of biomarkers for effective monitoring and surveillance.

Introduction: The manufacturing, service professions, and other occupations commonly require their employees to spend more than 2 hours of their workday in an upright position which can potentially cause temporary or permanent health effects. The objective of this study is to determine the effect of anti-fatigue mats on leg muscle discomfort and muscle activity due to prolonged standing. Material and Methods: A total of 100 workers were involved in the study. The control and experimental group stood for 2 hours in a controlled room with or without the anti-fatigue mat while sorting an assortment of mixed items. Borg’s scale questionnaire and EMG signals were used to monitor the muscle discomfort and activity of the respondents. Results: The discomfort ratings and muscle activity in the experimental group were always at lower levels compared to the control group, which meant there was a reduction in mean perceived exertion rating for the knees, calves, and feet, i.e., 1.8, 2.5 and 2.6, respectively. The results showed that there was a statistically significant (P < 0.001) difference in the Borg’s scale of discomfort ratings and leg muscle activity between both groups. Conclusion: The anti-fatigue mat can have a positive effect in preventing muscle discomfort and reduce muscle activity among the respondents during prolonged standing.

ABSTRACT: An immunization experiment was conducted in specific pathogen-free chickens with the inactivated Newcastle disease virus (NDV) vaccine encapsulated in the poly-(lactic-co-glycolic) acid (PLGA) nanoparticles (NP) to evaluate its immunogenicity and protective efficacy. The NDV vaccine was prepared by inactivating one virulent Indian strain of NDV belonging to Genotype VII by using beta-propiolactone. PLGA nanoparticles encapsulating inactivated NDV were prepared by the solvent evaporation method. Scanning electron microscopy and zeta sizer analysis revealed that the (PLGA+NDV) NP were spherical, with an average size of 300 nm, having a zeta potential of -6 mV. The encapsulation efficiency and loading efficiency were 72% and 2.4%, respectively. On immunization trial in chicken, the (PLGA+NDV) NP induced significantly (P < 0.0001) higher levels of HI and IgY antibodies with the peak HI titer of 28 and higher expression of IL-4 mRNA. The consistency of higher antibody levels suggests slow and pulsatile release of the antigens from the (PLGA+NDV) NP. The nano-NDV vaccine also induced cell mediated immunity with higher expression of IFN-γ indicating strong Th1 mediated immune responses in contrast to the commercial oil adjuvanted inactivated NDV vaccine. Further, the (PLGA+NDV) NP afforded 100% protection against the virulent NDV challenge. Our results suggested that PLGA NP have adjuvant potential on induction of humoral as well as Th1 biased cell mediated immune responses and also enhanced protective efficacy of the inactivated NDV vaccine. This study provides an insight for development of PLGA NP based inactivated NDV vaccine using the same genotype circulating in the field as well as for other avian diseases at exigencies.

The current study intended to determine recreational runners' knowledge, attitude, and practices toward CSE to prevent LBP. Materials and Methods: A cross-sectional study design was adopted. Two hundred fifty-seven recreational runners were chosen using a simple random sampling approach and administered with a semi-structured questionnaire to evaluate their KAP toward CSE. Data analysis was carried out using SPSS 28.0. Results: The correct response to the knowledge-related items in the questionnaire was from 65% to 91%. Precisely, 91.4% of study participants understood CSE. Furthermore, most participants showed a positive attitude toward CSE, considering that it is essential for running (79%), improving fitness (76%), reducing the risk of injuries (71%), and boosting their appearance (54%). Most participants (>85%) performed CSE for recommended frequency and duration to strengthen their core muscles and prevent LBP. The recreational runners had good practice toward CSE. Conclusion: Recreational runners possess adequate knowledge, a positive attitude, and good practice toward CSE. This study suggested that motivational strategies and awareness programs can be conducted to improve recreational runners' KAP toward CSE preventing LBP.

Business 4.0 emphasizes mass personalization and customisation. Even though additive manufacturing (AM) technologies are capable of producing single items, they are not suitable for 3D printing in large quantities. They are at a disadvantage because they can’t finish the industrial process in big volumes. As a result, all activity utilizing additive manufacturing techniques in industrial manufacturing is cautious. Thus, that is the basis of this study. In order to increase the dependability of additive manufacturing procedures and large-scale 3D printing of smart products for global businesses, the research attempts to identify and take advantage of Industry 4.0 technologies. Our study focuses on the requirements of Industry 4.0 technology in data science and additive manufacturing applications. Technologies (ITs) are used in additive manufacturing. Business 4.0 emphasizes mass personalization and customisation. Even though additive manufacturing (AM) technologies are capable of producing single items, they are not suitable for 3D printing in large quantities. They are at a disadvantage because they can’t finish the industrial process in big volumes. As a result, all activity utilizing additive manufacturing techniques in industrial manufacturing is cautious. Thus, that is the basis of this study. In order to increase the dependability of additive manufacturing procedures and large-scale 3D printing of smart products for global businesses, the research attempts to identify and take advantage of Industry 4.0 technologies. Our study focuses on the requirements of Industry 4.0 technology in data science and additive manufacturing applications. Technologies (ITs) are used in additive manufacturing.

Background: Nontuberculous mycobacteria (NTM) are on the rise worldwide. The diagnosis and treatment of NTM disease create a dilemma for physicians as their clinical features often overlap with that of tuberculosis (TB). The present study aims to report a series of NTM infections presenting as suspected TB. Methods: It was a prospective observational study starting from December 2018 to January 2022. A total of 1850 suspected TB patients (pulmonary = 522 and extrapulmonary = 1328) were included in this study. Clinical features, radiological findings, microbiological diagnosis, treatment, and outcome were recorded. Clinical specimens were processed for Ziehl–Neelsen staining, GeneXpert MTB/Rif assay by cartridge-based nucleic acid amplification test, and culture. The culture-positive isolates were categorized as Mycobacterium tuberculosis complex or NTM depending on the detection of MPT64 antigen by immunochromatographic test. The NTM isolates were speciated by line probe assay using GenoType® Mycobacterium common mycobacteria kit. The criteria of the American Thoracic Society/Infectious Diseases Society of America were applied to confirm NTM disease. Results: Of 1850 suspected TB patients, NTM disease was diagnosed in 20 patients (pulmonary = 9, nonpulmonary = 11). Eight NTM cases presented as suspected drug-resistant-TB with a history of antitubercular therapy. Among pulmonary NTM cases, Mycobacterium scrofulaceum (n = 7) was the most common species followed by Mycobacterium kansasii (n = 1) and Mycobacterium intracellulare (n = 1). In nonpulmonary cases, Mycobacterium abscessus (n = 8) was involved in majority of cases followed by Mycobacterium fortuitum (n = 3). Cavitary lung disease and laparoscopic port site infections were most frequent pulmonary and non-pulmonary manifestations respectively. Conclusion: Hence, there is an urgent need for better diagnostic and drug susceptibility testing facility along with standardized treatment protocol for NTM disease.

The novel coronavirus (nCOV) is a new strain that needs to be hindered from spreading by taking effective preventive measures as swiftly as possible. Timely forecasting of COVID-19 cases can ultimately support in making significant decisions and planning for implementing preventive measures. In this study, three common machine learning (ML) approaches via linear regression (LR), sequential minimal optimization (SMO) regression, and M5P techniques have been discussed and implemented for forecasting novel coronavirus disease-2019 (COVID-19) pandemic scenarios. To demonstrate the forecast accuracy of the aforementioned ML approaches, a preliminary sample-study has been conducted on the first wave of the COVID-19 pandemic scenario for three different countries including the United States of America (USA), Italy, and Australia. Furthermore, the contributions of this study are extended by conducting an in-depth forecast study on COVID-19 pandemic scenarios for the first, second, and third waves in India. An accurate forecasting model has been proposed, which has been constructed on the basis of the results of the aforementioned forecasting models of COVID-19 pandemic scenarios. The findings of the research highlight that LR is a potential approach that outperforms all other forecasting models tested herein in the present COVID-19 pandemic scenario. Finally, the LR approach has been used to forecast the likely onset of the fourth wave of COVID-19 in India.

Here we present a simple, effective, energy efficient method for the production of single phasic strontium orthosilicate (Sr2SiO4) powders at (1000 °C) low phase formation temperature using sol–gel combustion method. Detailed phase evaluation is investigated. The influence of different fuels on the synthesis of strontium orthosilicate also discussed. The prepared strontium orthosilicate powders were characterized using powder X-ray diffraction (XRD), Fourier transform infrared (FT-IR), Fourier transform Raman (FT-RAMAN), scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and energy dispersive spectroscopy (EDS) techniques. The strontium orthosilicate-polymer (chitin/chitosan) scaffold were prepared by solid state mixing. The strontium orthosilicate and strontium orthosilicate-polymer scaffold were found to have the ability to biomineralize as a bone substitute. The apatite formation ability was demonstrated by XRD studies after incubation up to 30 days. These preliminary in-vitro apatite formation abilities and hemocompatibility results show that strontium orthosilicate might possess properties that can serve as new biomedical material.

ZrB2 particle-reinforced AA7475 is a potential material for high-performance aeronautical engine blades because of its exceptional characteristics. The machinability of ZrB2/AA7475 metal matrix composites (MMC) is still a challenge because of the influence of ZrB2 particles. The impact of ZrB2 particulates on the machined parameters of ZrB2/aluminum matrix composites was explored experimentally in order to meet the needs of industry. Additionally, the best machining circumstances for this type of material matrix composites were studied in this research. A surface roughness (Ra) and metal removal rate (MRR) multiobjective optimization model was built, and a set of ideal parameter combinations was produced, with the surface roughness of ZrB2/AA7475 material matrix composites being lower than that of the nonreinforced alloys at the same cutting speed.

Heavy metals (HM) toxicity is becoming a major threat to living organisms in recent years due to the increase in population and anthropogenic activities. Lead (Pb) shares about 10% of total pollution produced by heavy metals. The uptake of lead by the primary producers (plants) is found to affect their metabolic functions, growth, and photosynthetic activity. The accumulation of lead in excess can cause up to a 42% reduction in the growth of the roots. The current review addresses the global status of lead contamination in soil, potential lead sources, and the mechanism of lead uptake by the plants. This article also provides information about the lead concentration in plants in polluted and non-polluted areas. Humans are directly or indirectly dependent on plants to meet their daily requirements. So, it becomes necessary to review the problems associated with lead pollution in plants and its mode of action affecting the plant system. Factors like bioaccumulation, bioavailability, bioconcentration, transfer factor, and the role of Casparian strips as a natural physical barrier are discussed. Further, the updated literature survey about the various bioremediation strategies utilized for its elimination is also presented. The current study suggests that more attention needs to be focused on evaluating the effectiveness of bioremediation methods.

Abstract A fine-tuned combination of scaffolds, biomolecules, and mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) is used in tissue engineering to restore the function of injured bone tissue and overcome the complications associated with its regeneration. For two decades, biomaterials have attracted much interest in mimicking the native extracellular matrix of bone tissue. To this aim, several approaches based on biomaterials combined with MSCs have been amply investigated. Recently, hydroxyapatite (HA) nanoparticles have been incorporated with polycaprolactone (PCL) matrix as a suitable substitute for bone tissue engineering applications. This review article aims at providing a brief overview on PCL/HA composite scaffold fabrication techniques such as sol–gel, rapid prototyping, electro-spinning, particulate leaching, thermally induced phase separation, and freeze-drying, as suitable approaches for tailoring morphological, mechanical, and biodegradability properties of the scaffolds for bone tissues. Among these methods, the 3D plotting method shows improvements in pore architecture (pore size of ≥600 µm and porosity of 92%), mechanical properties (higher than 18.38 MPa), biodegradability, and good bioactivity in bone tissue regeneration.

Abstract Background India accounts for 20% of the global retinoblastoma (RB) burden. However, the existing data on RB1 gene germline mutations and its influence on clinical decisions is minimally explored. Methods Fifty children with RB underwent complete clinical examination and appropriate multidisciplinary management. Screening of germline RB1 gene mutations was performed through next-generation sequencing and Multiplex Ligation-dependent Probe Amplification (MLPA) analysis. The mutation and non-mutation groups were compared for clinical parameters especially severity, progression and recurrence. Results Twenty-nine patients had bilateral RB (BLRB) and 21 had unilateral RB (ULRB). The genetic analysis revealed 20 RB1 variations in 29 probands, inclusive of 3 novel mutations, known 16 mutations and heterozygous whole gene deletions. The mutation detection rate (MDR) was 86.2% in BLRB and 19% in ULRB. Associations of disease recurrence (p = 0.021), progression (p = 0.000) and higher percentage of optic nerve invasion, subretinal seeds and high-risk pathological factors were observed in the mutation group. Clinical management was influenced by the presence of germline mutations, particularly while deciding on enucleation, frequency of periodic follow up and radiotherapy. Conclusions We identified novel RB1 mutations, and our mutation detection rate was on par with the previous global studies. In our study, genetic results influenced clinical management and we suggest that it should be an essential and integral component of RB-care in India and elsewhere.

Herein, we report the synthesis of novel worm like structured SnO2 nanoparticles photocatalysts by chemical precipitation route from sodium stannate in the absence of a precipitating agent. The physico-chemical characteristics of the synthesized SnO2 were studied using powder X-ray diffraction (PXRD), Diffuse Reflectance Spectroscopy (DRS), Photoluminescence (PL), and High resolution transmission electron microscope (HRTEM) studies. PXRD and HRTEM analysis reveals the formation of amorphous SnO2 in the tetragonal crystal structure. XPS and PL characterization affirmed the presence of oxygen defects in SnO2, which could be due to Sn2+ present in the lattices. The optical band gap calculated using Kubelka-Munk method to be 3.8 eV. Photocatalytic studies of the prepared SnO2 catalyst showed 92% of Rhodamine-B (RhB) degradation in 120 min under UV irradiation. The enhanced dye degradation activity is attributed to oxygen defects in the SnO2 catalyst, which are responsible for the enhanced charge separation and inhibition of electron-hole pair recombination by trapping photogenerated electrons.

A cross-sectional observational study was conducted on the use of helmets and other safety equipment for child pillion riders while going to a school in Sri Serdang, Selangor, Malaysia. The objective of this study was to analyze and report the proportion of children wearing helmets and other safety equipment while riding pillion on a motorcycle. The prevalence of helmet use among the students as pillion riders was low (47.88%) compared to the adults (75.21%). This was unsatisfactory. There is a distinct lack of awareness of the benefits of helmets in helping to save lives and reducing injuries. Hence, there is a need for other safety equipment to provide additional safety protection for child pillion riders to counter the lack of safety equipment use while riding pillion. The Malaysian Ministry of Transport could benefit from this study with the information gained for safety equipment use among school students.

Real-time exposure air monitoring is essential to protect the respiratory health of the Malaysian traffic police. However, the data from monitoring stations have been inadequate to provide accurate information about their exposure. This report describes the conceptual design of a wireless exposure indicator system, and then evaluates the field performance of the system by collocation. The study tested the accuracy of particulate matter size 2.5 (PM2.5), carbon monoxide (CO), and nitrogen dioxide (NO2) by comparing the measurements from the prototype with the measurements from reference instruments. The field testing found that the data tested were significantly correlated with each other (PM2.5-rs = 0.207, p = 0.019; NO2-rs = 0.576, p = 0.02 and CO-rs = 0.545, p = 0.04). The prototype proved to be successful as it can compute and transmit real-time monitoring data on the level of exposure to harmful air.

This study aimed to reveal the perception of students about the service quality performance of a Saudi university using a modified CUL-HEdPERF scale and revealed the factors affecting students' overall satisfaction towards service quality performance. An exploratory study design was adopted, and all students belonging to selected public health programs (N = 3) at Imam Abdulrahman Bin Faisal University (IAU) were considered as the population for this study. All second, third, and fourth-year undergraduate students (N = 165) were administered with a modified CUL-HEdPERF scale using the paper-based method. The scale consisted of three sub-scales measuring factors related to (i) the Gulf culture area, (ii) professionalism in executing academic and non-academic activities, and (iii) the institutional level, and overall satisfaction. One hundred thirty-three completed questionnaires were received with the response rate of 80.6%. Overall, students' satisfaction towards service quality performance of IAU was acceptable (mean score 2.6–3.6). A multiple regression analysis indicated that all three sub-scales were significant factors influencing students' overall satisfaction (p

A hybrid feature selection (HFS) algorithm to obtain the optimal feature set to attain optimal forecast accuracy for short-term load forecasting (STLF) problems is proposed in this paper. The HFS employs an elitist genetic algorithm (EGA) and random forest method, which is embedded in the load forecasting algorithm for online feature selection (FS). Using selected features, the performance of the forecaster was tested to signify the utility of the proposed methodology. For this, a day-ahead STLF using the M5P forecaster (a comprehensive forecasting approach using the regression tree concept) was implemented with FS and without FS (WoFS). The performance of the proposed forecaster (with FS and WoFS) was compared with the forecasters based on J48 and Bagging. The simulation was carried out in MATLAB and WEKA software. Through analyzing short-term load forecasts for the Australian electricity markets, evaluation of the proposed approach indicates that the input feature selected by the HFS approach consistently outperforms forecasters with larger feature sets.

One of the crucial challenges in the present power distribution system is the conversion loss phenomenon. Modern microgrid integrates various converters for varieties of applications, such as distributed power generation interconnection, energy storage management system, grid integration, demand management, etc. The increased usages of power converters further worsen the existing situation. Any initiatives taken towards energy conservation go in vain due to the excessive conversion loss phenomenon in the present distribution schemes. In this regard, a novel microgrid energy management scheme is proposed and developed to reduce the conversion losses in the residential distribution system. It uses a new control algorithm that finds the strength of power available in the DC side before being transferred. The conversion process is invoked only if the power is adequate, and if found feeble, then the conversion process is withdrawn and stored in an auxiliary battery. Conversion of feeble power would result in high loss across the converters and transformers. In this scheme, the AC loads are supplied by the utility grid, and the DC loads are fed by a solar PV and an auxiliary battery bank. The power conversion is done only during unavoidable circumstances. A prototype hardware setup has been developed, and the objective of the proposed research task has been validated. Further, the proposed scheme would gain importance in reducing the cost of the electricity for a time-of-use tariff system by optimization. A genetic algorithm is proposed to optimize the energy management of the microgrid system.

Prolonged standing is one of the crucial occupational risk factors that contributes to discomfort, fatigue, and in the long-term can cause work-related musculoskeletal disorders (WMSDs) among workers. The objective of this article is to disseminate information about the effect of prolonged standing, which can cause muscle discomfort, fatigue, and WMSDs. Prolonged standing without sufficient rest can lead to muscle discomfort, and eventually to fatigue, especially in the back and lower extremities of a worker’s body. Prolonged standing without any form of intervention could lead to musculoskeletal disorders among workers. This review shows that the level of body comfort among workers in Malaysia is inadequate due to several factors of which prolonged standing is one. Therefore, ergonomic interventions are crucial to ensure the safety, welfare, and health of workers in the workplace.

Traffic police riders are exposed to prolonged static postures causing significant angular deviation of the musculoskeletal, including the lumbar angle (L1-L5). This postural alteration contributes to awkward posture, musculoskeletal disorders and spinal injury, especially in the lower back area, as it is one of the most severe modern diseases nowadays. Thus, the study aimed to evaluate the effect of lumbar support with a built-in massager system on spinal angle profiles among traffic police riders. A randomised controlled trial (pre-testpost-test control design) was used to assess spinal angle pattern while riding the high-powered motorcycle for 20 minutes. Twenty-four traffic police riders were randomly selected to participate and 12 riders were assigned to the control group and 12 riders to the experimental group. The pre-test and post-test were conducted at a one-week interval. Each participant was required to wear a TruPosture Smart Shirt (to monitor spinal posture). The TruPosture Apps recorded the spinal angle pattern. The data indicated that the police riders using motorcycle seat with lumbar support and built-in massager system showed a huge improvement in maintaining posture which only involves slight spinal angle deviation changes from the spinal reference angle throughout the 20 minutes ride. The data collected then were analysed using the Mann-Whitney test and Wilcoxon signed-ranked test to verify a statistically significant difference between and within the control and experimental groups. There were significant differences in all sensors between the control group and experimental groups (p

Prenatal Diagnosis (PND) forms an important part of primary preventive management for families having a child affected with primary immunodeficiency. Although individually sparse, collectively this group of genetic disorders represents a significant burden of disease. This paper discusses the prenatal services available for affected families at various centers across the country and the challenges and ethical considerations associated with genetic counseling. Mutation detection in the index case and analysis of chorionic villous sampling or amniocentesis remain the preferred procedures for PND and phenotypic analysis of cordocentesis sample is reserved for families with well-characterized index case seeking PND in the latter part of the second trimester of pregnancy. A total of 112 families were provided PND services in the last decade and the presence of an affected fetus was confirmed in 32 families. Post-test genetic counseling enabled the affected families to make an informed decision about the current pregnancy.