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Multiferroic materials have sparked significant interest in the realm of materials science because of their potential impact on various device applications. This study focuses on the synthesis of nanocrystalline La1−xPrxFeO3 (LPFO) materials, where x can be either 0 or 0.5, using a solid-state technique. The aim is to gain insights into their structural, optical, dielectric, and magnetic properties. To confirm the chemical phase of the synthesized materials, X-ray diffractometer and Raman spectroscopy were employed. The outcome of the Rietveld analysis reveals that the LPFO crystallites exhibit orthorhombic symmetry with a Pbnm space group. The functional groups that were present in the LPFO samples were identified using FT-IR spectroscopic analysis. The morphological studies using scanning electron microscope and transmission electron microscope indicate that the synthesized samples exhibit excellent homogeneity with uniformly distributed grains. In order to investigate the dielectric constant (εʹ) and dielectric loss (tan δ) were examined as functions of temperature and frequency. Pr3+ dopants had a notable impact on the dielectric characteristics, particularly within the frequency span of 10 kHz–1 MHz and over the temperature variation of 40–160°C. The ambient temperature magnetic properties of the LPFO ferrite materials displayed antiferromagnetic behavior. Ultimately, this research reveals insightful information on the structural, optical, dielectric, and magnetic properties of the synthesized nanocrystalline LPFO materials, shedding light on their potential applications in the multifunctional devices.

Introduction:Mumps is a highly contagious viral infection affecting the salivary glands, primarily caused by the mumps virus, a member of the Paramyxoviridae family. Despite being a self-limiting disease, mumps can lead to severe complications such as meningitis, encephalitis, orchitis, oophoritis, and permanent hearing loss. The introduction of the MMR vaccine has significantly reduced the incidence of mumps globally, but outbreaks continue to occur, particularly in areas with low vaccination coverage. In India, mumps is not a notifiable disease, and the vaccine is not included in the Universal Immunization Program (UIP), leading to underreporting and insufficient control measures. This study aims to analyze the recent trends in mumps cases in a paediatric population in Vijiyapura town of Bangalore Rural district and emphasize the need for including the mumps vaccine in the national immunization schedule. Methodology:This study was conducted at the Community Health Center (CHC) of Vijiyapura town in Bangalore Rural district. Cases were collected on an Paediatric Outpatient department (OPD) basis from children presenting with symptoms of mumps between March and May 2024. The World Health Organization (WHO) clinical case definition was used to diagnose mumps. Data were collected from all children who visited the OPD and met the clinical case definition. Results:A total of 18 cases of mumps were identified between March and May 2024. The age distribution ranged from 3 to 14 years, with a mean age of 7.1 years and a median age of 7 years. The majority of cases (77.8%) were male. Clinical presentations included fever (100%), constitutional symptoms such as headache and myalgia (80%), swelling of salivary glands (100%), with (27%) having unilateral parotid swelling and (73%) having bilateral parotid swelling. Cough and cold were observed in (80%) of the cases. Conclusion: The study highlights the increasing incidence of mumps in the paediatric population of Vijiyapura town of Bangalore Rural district, emphasizing the need for the inclusion of the mumps vaccine in the UIP. Strengthening the surveillance system and healthcare infrastructure is crucial for better management and control of mumps outbreaks. Collaboration among government agencies, healthcare workers, parents, and the community is essential to implement sustainable solutions and prevent future outbreaks. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Enough evidence exists to attribute the occurrence of diarrheal disease outbreaks due to open defecation practice and unsafe sanitation methods. Open defecation enables pathogens such as virus, bacteria, and protozoa to infect humans by means of fecal–oral transmission methods through contaminated fluids, water, and fomites. To curb the malefic effects of open defecation, the Indian government had initiated pro sanitation program namely Swachh Bharat Mission (SBM) in 2014. SBM became the world's largest toilet-building initiative. More than 95 million toilets have been built across rural and urban India since the launch of this mission. This articulation summarizes the trend analysis of acute diarrheal disease (ADD) outbreaks over a 9-year period with emphasis on changes due to the building of toilets under the clean India campaign. Methods: Weekly ADD outbreaks data from national-level Integrated Disease Surveillance Program between 2010 and 2018 were used for trend analysis along with the number of toilets constructed in rural areas under SBM from the year 2014. Results: ADD outbreaks were analyzed from 2010 to 2018. The number of ADD outbreaks per year during the past 2 years (i.e., 2017 and 2018) of SBM regime was lesser than in any year during the investigation period. Seasonal variations during the months of May, June, July, and August account for 55%–60% of ADD outbreaks in any of the years; but for 2018, the total outbreaks were 46%, which is significantly lower than that of regular range of outbreaks in the peak season. Conclusion: The recent pattern of ADD outbreaks exhibits a declining rate.

Objective: This retrospective study aimed to assess the clinico-radiological outcome of intertrochanteric fractures treated with the proximal femoral nail (PFN) technique in elderly patients. Methods: A total of 30 elderly patients with intertrochanteric fractures were enrolled in the study. The patients underwent pre-operative, intra-operative, and post-operative assessments. Clinical outcomes were evaluated using the Harris hip score, while radiological outcomes were assessed using the RUSH SCORE. Descriptive statistics and relevant statistical tests were applied for data analysis. Results: The mean Harris hip scores showed a progressive improvement over time, with scores of 80.93 at 1 month, 88.80 at 3 months, and 91.93 at 6 months. The mean RUSH SCORE also demonstrated improvement, with scores of 7.53 at 1 month, 8.07 at 3 months, and 8.25 at 6 months. These results indicate favorable clinical and radiological outcomes following the PFN technique. While applying z test, we found significant increase in Harris Hip Score from first to third month. (P<0.0045). Similarly While applying z test, we found significant increase in RUSH Score from first to third month. (P<0.0032). Conclusion: The results suggest promising clinico-radiological outcomes in elderly patients with intertrochanteric fractures treated with the PFN technique. Further research with larger sample sizes and multicenter designs is warranted to validate these findings. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The economic costs and proportion of disease burden attributable to mental, emotional and behavioural disorders (MEBs) is enormous. This emphasizes on the need for treating the MEBs. Choosing the most cost effective intervention is the key aspect in planning mental health services. Objective: The aim of the present article is to review the studies on cost-effective interventions for MEBs. Methodology: A review of various studies on the above subject was done using Google Scholar and PubMed. Results: Most of these studies are from developed countries. Many of them are conducted by World Health Organization (WHO). There is paucity of data on cost-effectiveness of interventions in the developing world. There are cost-effective interventions available for most of the MEBs. Conclusions: There are cost-effective interventions for MEBs. The available cost-effective strategies need to be incorporated with necessary modifications to tailor to the local needs. Proper planning is crucial for successful approach to mental health. Prevention is the most cost-effective strategy.

Background: Mental health is not a priority area for policy makers even today. Objective: The objective of the present review is to sensitize policy makers regarding the importance of investing in mental health. Appraising the policy makers about the costs of mental illness and the negative economic consequences of poor investment in mental health on the society are the aims. Methodology: A review of various studies on the above subject was done using Google Scholar and PubMed. Results: Most of the studies are from World Health Organization (WHO). There is paucity of studies from the developing world. The costs of mental illnesses are high. The indirect costs are much higher than direct costs. Mental illnesses impact not only the individuals but also the family and society at large. Conclusions: The indirect costs of mental illnesses are much higher than the direct costs i.e. the negative economic consequences of not treating the mental illness is much higher than the costs of treatment as concluded by the World Economic Forum. Mental health and socio-economic development appear to go hand in hand. Investing in mental health is therefore investing for development.

Introduction: Distal Peripheral Neuropathy (DPN), which first affects the lower limbs and then the upper limbs, is one of the common complications of Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus (T2DM). In addition to DPN, diabetic patients have lower muscle quality than non diabetic patients, which is exacerbated by longer duration of diabetes and poor glycaemic control. Diabetic induced peripheral neuropathy and changes in the muscle strength may interfere with bimanual coordination, which refers to a wide range of situations in which the brain must control multiple movements at the same time such as performing a task with two hands. Aim: To assess and compare Efficiency Index (EI) of bimanual coordination in T2DM and controls. Materials and Methods: This case-control study was conducted conducted in the Department of Physiology at Shri RL Jalapa Hospital, Kolar, Karnataka, India, from August 2019 to September 2019. The study included 50 participants, 25 with T2DM and 25 age matched controls. The bimanual hand coordination test apparatus was used to assess the efficiency of bimanual hand coordination. The data obtained was analysed using Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) version 20.0. Results: The mean age of the study participants was 57.16±9.54 years and controls was 54.15±5.52 years and were age matched with p-value >0.426. Mean HbA1C of the cases was 8.36±1.88 mmol/mol. There was significant decrease in efficiency of bimanual coordination among type 2 diabetics as compared to non diabetics (p-value <0.001). Conclusion: The findings of the present study showed a decrease in bimanual coordination efficiency among diabetics, indicating the importance of performing hand function tests in T2DM alongside other routine examinations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Seismic excitation is among the many possible factors contributing to slope failures. Typical design of slopes and analyses of existing slopes are carried out assuming plane strain mechanisms of deformation, and replacing the seismic loading with a uniformly distributed static force. A three-dimensional (3D) analysis of slopes is described in this paper, based on the kinematic theorem of limit analysis. Critical acceleration is calculated for 3D slope failures, and an analysis of a rotating block is executed to develop a solution for displacements of slopes subjected to seismic shaking. The emphasis is more on applying the displacement analysis to a 3D collapse pattern, and less on the choice of ground motion records suitable for the 3D failure analysis of slopes. The analysis is applicable to slopes for which the geometry of the failure pattern is physically confined, as for instance, in the case of excavations. A 3D failure pattern is then expected, and the results of calculations are given for a reasonable range of the width-to-slope-height ratios. The method is illustrated with practical examples. Key words: slopes, stability, seismic analysis, critical acceleration, limit state analysis, three-dimensional (3D) analysis, failure. L'excitation sismique fait partie de plusieurs facteurs possible pouvant contribuer a la rupture de pentes. La conception typique des pentes et l'analyse des pentes existantes se fait en assumant des mecanismes de deformation en plan, et en remplacant les sollicitations sismiques par une force statique distribuee uniformement. Dans cet article, une analyse tridimensionnelle des pentes basee sur le theoreme cinetique de l'analyse limite est decrite. L'acceleration critique est calculee pour des ruptures de pentes en trois dimensions (3D), et une analyse d'un bloc rotatif est executee afin de developper une solution pour les deplacements de pentes sujettes a des secousses sismiques. Ll'emphase est plutot sur l'application de l'analyse des deplacements a un patron d'effondrement en 3D, et moins sur le choix de types de mouvements de sol appropries pour une analyse de rupture de pente en 3D. L'analyse est applicable aux pentes pour lesquelles la geometrie du patron de rupture est confinee physiquement, comme par exemple les excavations. Un patron de rupture en 3D estattendu, et les resultats des calculs sontdonnes pour une gamme raisonnable de ratios largeur/hauteur de la pente. Cette methode est illustree par des exemples pratiques. [Traduit par la Redaction] Mots-cles: pentes, stabilite, analyse sismique, acceleration critique, analyse de l'etat limite, analyse en trois dimensions (3D), rupture., Introduction Typical practical analyses of slope safety are two-dimensional, with seismic excitation taken into account as a uniformly distributed inertial force produced by horizontal acceleration, and the analysis involves static [...]