Browsing by Issue Date, starting with "2024"

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Gene variants polymorphisms and uterine leiomyoma: an updated review
(Frontiers Media SA, 2024) Sonal Upadhyay; Pawan K. Dubey
Uterine leiomyoma, commonly referred to as fibroids, is a benign tumor that develops in the muscular wall of the uterus. These growths are non-cancerous and can vary in size, ranging from tiny nodules to larger masses. Uterine leiomyomas often occur during a woman’s reproductive years and can lead to symptoms such as heavy menstrual bleeding, pelvic pain, and pressure on nearby organs. While the exact cause is not fully understood, hormonal factors, particularly estrogen and progesterone, are believed to play a role in their development. The exploration of connections between genetic variants and uterine leiomyoma has captivated scientific attention for numerous years. The results from investigations remain a subject of intrigue within the scientific community. To date, the findings regarding the relationships between single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) and uterine leiomyoma have exhibited some inconsistencies. However, amidst these inconsistencies, several promising outcomes have emerged that hold the potential to shape future research endeavors. These promising leads could pave the way for the development of innovative targeted therapies and novel prognostic biomarkers. This review specifically centers on accentuating the existing literature data concerning genetic variants that have been explored for their potential connections to uterine leiomyoma. Additionally, it underscores the prospects of employing genetic variations as diagnostic and prognostic biomarkers for individuals diagnosed with uterine leiomyoma. Copyright © 2024 Upadhyay and Dubey.
Self-assembled copper oxide nanoflakes for highly sensitive electrochemical xanthine detection in fish-freshness biosensors
(Elsevier B.V., 2024) G. Sriramulu; Rahul Verma; Kshitij RB Singh; Pooja Singh; Ch. Shilpa Chakra; Sadhucharan Mallick; Ravindra Pratap Singh; K. Sadhana; Jay Singh
Xanthine presence in meat indicates the freshness of the fish meat, whereas, in urine and serum, it indicates potentially lethal health issues for humans. The investigation's primary emphases are food safety and human health, both of which are significant in perspective of the recent, rapidly increasing industrialization. Fish is occasionally sold globally due to its high protein content and availability of omega-3 fatty acids. However, with today's anxious lifestyle, the consumption of packaged meals has increased dramatically, and evaluating how much fresh fish has an important impact on the food industry and consumers has substantial health concerns. Therefore, one of the most important areas of concern is the early identification of fish freshness. In addition to providing information on the freshness of the meat, measuring the amount of xanthine in serum or urine may help determine the cause and treatment of several physiological illnesses, including xanthinuria, hyperuricemia, and kidney problems. Therefore, this work employed a temperature-based synthesis in combination with microwave-hydrothermal techniques to synthesize CuO nanoflakes, thereby solving the problem of fish freshness. Further, numerous techniques, including structural and morphological studies of as-prepared nanomaterial. Additionally, the surface of CuO nanoflakes that have been electrophoretic deposited (EPD) on an ITO electrode surface and xanthine oxidase (XOx) immobilized by the drop cast method. A detailed analysis was conducted on the amperometric response of the XOx/CuO/ITO bioelectrode with many factors such as xanthine concentration, stability, reusability, operating pH, and scan rate analysis. It was discovered that the presence of the CuO matrix caused the charge transfer rate (Ks) between the electrode and immobilized XOx to be 1.472 s−1. The maximal current response (0.729 mA) was observed at 40 s, with sensitivity 8.6 × 10−3 mA/μMcm2 and a limit of detection (LOD) of 0.756 μM of the XOx/CuO/ITO bioelectrode. As a result, the assembled XOx/CuO/ITO bioelectrode shows great promise for accelerating the development of a biosensor for monitoring the xanthine concentration in the fish to be reliable for food and healthcare. © 2024 Elsevier B.V.
Separation and removal of oil from water/wastewater in the oil industry: a review
(Taylor and Francis Ltd., 2024) Hadi Erfani; Nithar Ranjan Madhu; Sajjad Khodayari; Mohammad Amir Qureshi; Swetanshu; Pratichi Singh; Sapana Jadoun
The management of oil-contaminated water and wastewater in the oil industry remains a critical challenge due to its environmental and economic implications. This manuscript provides a comprehensive review of separation and removal techniques for oil from water and wastewater. It gives an overview of the origins and compositions of oil in wastewater, including natural and anthropogenic sources, as well as variations in physical states such as free, emulsified, and dissolved oil. The review delves into various separation methods, ranging from traditional gravity-based techniques to advanced technologies like membranes and recent developments in wastewater treatment systems. Furthermore, it discusses the application of new technologies specifically designed for the unique challenges faced in Middle East oil fields. The manuscript explores factors influencing oil-water separation efficiency, including operating conditions, chemical additives, equipment design, and environmental considerations. Additionally, it highlights current aspects and future directions in oily wastewater treatment, emphasizing the need for sustainable and effective solutions in the oil industry. © 2024 Informa UK Limited, trading as Taylor & Francis Group.
Cell Death in Photoautotrophs
(Springer Nature, 2024) Samujjal Bhattacharjee; Prashansa Singh; Alka Bhardwaj; Arun Kumar Mishra
Programmed cell death (PCD) is a genetically controlled mechanism regulating cellular demise. Though commonly associated with multicellular organisms, it has also been observed in unicellular organisms such as photoautotrophs, which are organisms proficient in generating their sustenance through photosynthesis. This chapter delves into the fundamental role of programmed cell death in photoautotrophs, elucidating its pivotal contributions to growth, development, and adaptive responses to environmental challenges. The exploration unveils the sophisticated mechanisms these organisms have evolved to ensure survival and reproductive success amid changing conditions. Through an in-depth analysis of distinct mechanisms and regulatory pathways governing PCD in photoautotrophs, this chapter provides valuable insights into the broader understanding of cell death processes. It accentuates unique features, specific pathways, molecular players, and regulatory elements that PCD in photoautotrophs apart from other systems, particularly animals. Key discoveries underscore the significance of PCD in sculpting the life cycle of photoautotrophs, resonating with implications for plant biology, ecological dynamics, and beyond. Comparative analyses with PCD in diverse organisms shed light on the evolutionary dimensions of cell death mechanisms. The presented findings not only propel our comprehension of PCD in photoautotrophs but also pave the way for future research, unraveling the intricate interplay between cellular life and death in these vital organisms. © The Editor(s) (if applicable) and The Author(s), under exclusive license to Springer Nature Singapore Pte Ltd. 2024.
Seal the deal: unleashing the magnitude of online reviews, website quality and trust for seamless hotel reservations
(Emerald Publishing, 2024) Peu Saha; Abhijeet Biswas
Purpose: The world today is heavily controlled by the content available on the internet, where a one-star rating gain may work wonders for a company and a one-star rating decline can cause huge damage. Online booking platforms provide more freedom, privacy and contact with experienced travelers than physical hotel booking. The study identifies the factors shaping travelers' online hotel booking intention (OHBI). Design/methodology/approach: We utilized structural equation modeling (SEM) to expand the horizons of the technology acceptance model (TAM) and stimulus-organism-response (SOR) framework in the hospitality sector. The results are based on the data collected from 705 travelers who made online hotel reservations. Findings: The findings demonstrate that online reviews, hotel website quality and hotel website convenience quotient favorably shape prospective tourists' perceived trust, magnifying their inclination to book a hotel online. Website convenience quotient and trust partially mediate the association between the constructs. In addition, the linkage between perceived trust and OHBI is strengthened by promotional offers but weakened by perceived risk. Research limitations/implications: Our findings provide several important implications for hotel managers, prospective travelers, hotel owners, website developers, policymakers, hotel employees, the local community and competitors to expedite the growth of the Indian hotel industry. Originality/value: The literature reveals that website convenience quotient, perceived trust and promotional offers have not received enough attention in the hospitality industry and warrant attention. Our study strives to broaden the scope of the TAM and SOR models to better understand these constructs in the backdrop of the Indian hospitality sector. The study also examines how promotional offers and perceived risk influence the linkages between the underlying constructs. © 2024, Emerald Publishing Limited.
Influence of La3+ doping on structural and optical properties of SrCeO3 perovskite
(Institute of Physics, 2024) Dharmendra Yadav; Pravin Kumar; Alok Kumar Tripathi; Ram Sagar Yadav; Gurudeo Nirala; Sushma Yadav; Ashish Kumar Yadav; Sandip Yadav
The SrCe1-xLaxO3 (x = 0.0, 0.02, 0.4, 0.6, and 0.10) perovskite materials have been successfully synthesized by auto-combustion method and calcined at 1100°C. The XRD patterns reveal a highly crystalline orthorhombic crystal structure with a Pnma space group in all samples. The TEM micrograph shows a spherical morphology of the 10 mol% La3+ doped SrCeO3 perovskite sample alongwith the SAED pattern confirming its highly crystalline nature. The incorporation of La3+ ion in the SrCeO3 perovskite has been confirmed by the Raman and Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) measurements. The UV-vis absorption spectra at room temperature show various bands, with a strong absorption band observed below 400 nm. The optical band gap of the undoped and La3+ doped samples have been calculated and it is smaller for the La3+ doped perovskite samples than that of the undoped perovskite sample. Therefore, the La3+ doped SrCeO3 perovskite may be applicable for optoelectronic applications. © 2024 IOP Publishing Ltd. All rights, including for text and data mining, AI training, and similar technologies, are reserved.
Social support and help-seeking worldwide
(Springer, 2024) Erica Szkody; Anjolee Spence; Asil Özdoğru; Bhawna Tushir; Fennie Chang; Handan AKKAŞ; Ian Sotomayor; Iuliia Pavlova; Ivana Petrovic; Jill Norvilitis; Judith Pena-Shaff; Julia Maney; Kaitlyn Arrow; Laura Rodriguez; Mary Moussa-Rogers; Michael McTighe; Kalu T. U. Ogba; Stephanie Ka Wai Au Yeung; Tara Stoppa; Yuanyuan Yang; Courtney L. Gosnell; Gihane Jérémie-Brink; Joshua J. Van Nostrand; Patrícia Arriaga; Amy Martin; Ana Maksimovic; Andreea Ursu; Arzu Karakulak; Brianna Fitapelli; Brien K. Ashdown; Celia K. Naivar Sen; Chris Chartier; Christina Shane-Simpson; Christopher M. Redker; Cliff McKinney; Danisha Baro; Denisse Manrique-Millones; Eduardo Silva Reis; Eirini Adamopoulou; Eliz Volkan; Ergyul Tair; Ethan Trujillo; Halil Emre Kocalar; Heidi Blocker; Hinza Malik; İrem Metin Orta; Jay Claus Santos; Jon Grahe; Kelly Cuccolo; Liam Wignall; Malorie McLain; Marianna Kosic; Moet Aita; Monique Nash; Ogba Oluchi Miracle; Olivia Christiano; Radosveta Dimitrova; Rahul Varma; Rebecca Mann; Sandesh Dhakal; Sara Estrada-Villalta; Sara Haden; Sarah Hamilton; Selin Metin Camgöz; Shams Aljuberi; Stephanie Chin; Steven Kohn; Sunil K. Verma; Tifani Fletcher; Tushar Singh; Abigail Sanders; Adryana Collado; Akua Adusei; Alaa Itani; Amanda Kaser; Amber Wolfe; Amy Stout; Anahita Akhavan; Angelique Kirton; Ayşe Rezan Çeçen-Eroğul; Bilge Bilir; Camille Dupiton; Caroline Lovett; Chloe Orsini; Christney Kpodo; Christopher Aceto; Clare Redden; Danielle NyKanen; Deniz Yildiz; Emily Lutringer; Ender Sevinç; Erica Baranski; Fahd Khan; Fanli Jia; Gabriel Cramariuc; Guolin Zhang; Hakile Resulbegoviq; Haneen Maree; Harleen Kaur; Jessie Nelson; Jimena Santa Cruz Espinoza; JoAnna Hubbard; John Edlund; John Protzko; Jolie Hoang; Jordan Stork; Jordan Vasu; Jose Verdis Salazar; Karyssa Myhers; Kaylynn Hayward; Kevin Lu; Leisha Beardmore; Liliia Levkiv; Linda Katheryn Hernandez Godoy; Liseth Paulett; María Fernanda Bonilla Gonzalez; Maria Kalantzis; Mariana Rodrigues; Marinés Mejía Álvarez; Marissa Ott; Martha Zlokovich; Mary Kate Brosnan; Mateus Mazzaferro; Melis Yetkin; Mikayla Johnson; Milica Vukelic; Mitchell Clark; Mohammad AlMalik; Neda Fedavi; Noah Means-Simonsen; Onassis Cabrera; Panta Kovacevic; Qingyi Zhang; Rachel Rushing; Rafail Varakis; Randall Richardson; Sara Koch; Savannah Lewis; Scott Barrera; Sifan Zheng; Siyu Liu; Sophia Papka; Sreeja Das; Srijana Ghimire; Tanya Verma; Taylor Hillman; Ugur C. Ozkusen; Xinyi Zhang; Yiwen Gu; Bryce Redd; Cory J. Cascalheira
Social support has long been associated with positive physical, behavioral, and mental health outcomes. However, contextual factors such as subjective social status and an individual’s cultural values, heavily influence social support behaviors (e.g., perceive available social support, accept support, seek support, provide support). We sought to determine the current state of social support behaviors and the association between these behaviors, cultural values, and subjective social support across regions of the world. Data from 6,366 participants were collected by collaborators from over 50 worldwide sites (67.4% or n = 4292, assigned female at birth; average age of 30.76). Our results show that individuals cultural values and subjective social status varied across world regions and were differentially associated with social support behaviors. For example, individuals with higher subjective social status were more likely to indicate more perceived and received social support and help-seeking behaviors; they also indicated more provision of social support to others than individuals with lower subjective social status. Further, horizontal, and vertical collectivism were related to higher help-seeking behavior, perceived support, received support, and provision of support, whereas horizontal individualism was associated with less perceived support and less help-seeking and vertical individualism was associated with less perceived and received support, but more help-seeking behavior. However, these effects were not consistently moderated by region. These findings highlight and advance the understanding of how cross-cultural complexities and contextual distinctions influence an individual's perception, processing, and practice of social support embedded in the changing social landscape. © The Author(s), under exclusive licence to Springer Science+Business Media, LLC, part of Springer Nature 2024.
Wind dispersed tree species have greater maximum height
(John Wiley and Sons Inc, 2024) Ferry Slik; Bruno X. Pinho; Daniel M. Griffith; Edward Webb; Akhilesh Singh Raghubanshi; Adriano C. Quaresma; Aida Cuni Sanchez; Aisha Sultana; Alexandre F. Souza; Andreas Ensslin; Andreas Hemp; Andrew Lowe; Andrew R. Marshall; Kamalakumari Anitha; Anne Mette Lykke; Armadyanto; Asyraf Mansor; Atsri K. Honam; Axel D. Poulsen; Ben Sparrow; Benjamin J. W. Buckley; Bernat Ripoll Capilla; Bianca Weiss Albuquerque; Christine B. Schmitt; Dharmalingam Mohandass; Diogo S. B. Rocha; Douglas Sheil; Eduardo A. Pérez-García; Eduardo Catharino; Eduardo van den Berg; Ervan Rutishauser; Fabian Brambach; Felipe Zamborlini Saiter; Feyera Senbeta; Florian Wittmann; Francesco Rovero; Francisco Mora Ardila; Frans Bongers; Gabriella M. Fredriksson; Gemma Rutten; Gerard Imani; Gerardo A. Aymard Corredor; Giselda Durigan; Gopal Shukla; Guadalupe Williams-Linera; Heike Culmsee; Hendrik Segah; Iñigo Granzow-de la Cerda; Jamuna S. Singh; James Grogan; Jan Reitsma; Jean-François Bastin; Jeremy Lindsell; Jerome Millet; Joao Roberto dos Santos; Jochen Schoengart; John H. Vandermeer; John Herbohn; Jon Lovett; Jorge A. Meave; José Roberto Rodrigues Pinto; Juan Carlos Montero; Kalle Ruokolainen; Khairil Bin Mahmud; Layon O. Demarchi; Lourens Poorter; Luis Bernacci; Manichanh Satdichanh; Marcio Seiji Suganuma; Maria T. F. Piedade; Mariarty A. Niun; Mark E. Harrison; Mark Schulze; Markus Fischer; Michael Kessler; Miguel Castillo; Mohammad Shah Hussain; Moses B. Libalah; Muhammad Ali Imron; Narayanaswamy Parthasarathy; Naret Seuaturien; Natalia Targhetta; Ni Putu Diana Mahayani; Nigel C. A. Pitman; Orlando Rangel; Pantaleo Munishi; Patricia Balvanera; Peter Ashton; Pia Parolin; Polyanna da Conceição Bispo; Priya Davidar; Rahayu Sukri; Rahmad Zakaria; Rama Chandra Prasad; Ravi K. Chaturvedi; Robert Steinmetz; Rodrigo Muñoz; Rozainah Mohamad Zakaria; Saara J. DeWalt; Hoang Van Sam; Samir Rolim; Sharif Ahmed Mukul; Siti Maimunah; Swapan Kumar Sarker; Terry Sunderland; Thomas Gillespie; Tinde van Andel; Tran Van Do; Wanlop Chutipong; Runguo Zang; Xiaobo Yang; Xinghui Lu; Yves Laumonier; Zhila Hemati
Aim: We test the hypothesis that wind dispersal is more common among emergent tree species given that being tall increases the likelihood of effective seed dispersal. Location: Americas, Africa and the Asia-Pacific. Time period: 1970–2020. Major taxa studied: Gymnosperms and Angiosperms. Methods: We used a dataset consisting of tree inventories from 2821 plots across three biogeographic regions (Americas, Africa and Asia-Pacific), including dry and wet forests, to determine the maximum height and dispersal strategy of 5314 tree species. A web search was used to determine whether species were wind-dispersed. We compared differences in tree species maximum height between biogeographic regions and examined the relationship between species maximum height and wind dispersal using logistic regression. We also tested whether emergent tree species, that is species with at least one individual taller than the 95% height percentile in one or more plots, were disproportionally wind-dispersed in dry and wet forests within each biogeographic region. Results: Our dataset provides maximum height values for 5314 tree species, of which more than half (2914) had no record of this trait in existing global databases. We found that, on average, tree species in the Americas have lower maximum heights compared to those in Africa and the Asia Pacific. The probability of wind dispersal increased significantly with tree species maximum height and was significantly higher among emergent than non-emergent tree species in both dry and wet forests in all three biogeographic regions. Main conclusion: Wind dispersal is more prevalent in tall, emergent tree species than in non-emergent species and may thus be an important factor in the evolution of tree species maximum height. By providing the most comprehensive dataset so far of tree species maximum height and wind dispersal strategies, this study paves the way for advancing our understanding of the eco-evolutionary drivers of tree size. © 2024 John Wiley & Sons Ltd.
Evaluation of different concentrations of Cue-lure for effective management of the melon fruit fly, Zeugodacus cucurbitae (Coquillett), in cucurbits ecosystem
(Triveni Enterprises, 2024) S. Sunda; V. Arya; S. Narayana; A. Venkateshaih; P. Divekar
Aim: To identify the effective concentration of Cue-lure (CL) for efficacious management of melon fruit fly (Zeugodacus cucurbitae), associated with the cucurbits. Methodology: Wooden blocks were soaked in different concentrations of Cue-lure (0%, 25%, 50%, 75% and 100%), installed in trap bottles along with commercially used McPhail traps baited with tablet lures, were tested for higher trap catches, in the bitter gourd field. The infested cucurbits were collected from the fields and placed in insect-rearing cages to check for the emergence of the adults. Results: The mean number of flies trapped/trap/week (FTW) was significantly highest in 25% Cue-lure compared with the remaining concentrations along with Tablet lures. On the basis of adults emerged from infested fruits, Z. cucurbitae proved to be the major fruit fly species infesting bitter gourd, with a sex ratio (♂:♀) of 1:1.3. However, in sponge gourd, a ♂:♀ of 1:1.9 was observed for Z. cucurbitae and 1:1.27 for Z. tau. Interpretation: Z. cucurbitae is the most damaging fruit fly species for cucurbits in Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh, India. 25% Cue-lure solution was found best for mass trapping of responsive fruit flies. © Triveni Enterprises, Lucknow (India)
Projected WIMP sensitivity of the CDEX-50 dark matter experiment
(Institute of Physics, 2024) X.P. Geng; L.T. Yang; Q. Yue; K.J. Kang; Y.J. Li; H.P. An; C. Greeshma; J.P. Chang; Y.H. Chen; J.P. Cheng; W.H. Dai; Z. Deng; C.H. Fang; H. Gong; Q.J. Guo; T. Guo; X.Y. Guo; L. He; S.M. He; J.W. Hu; H.X. Huang; T.C. Huang; L. Jiang; S. Karmakar; H.B. Li; H.Y. Li; J.M. Li; J. Li; Q.Y. Li; R.M.J. Li; X.Q. Li; Y.L. Li; Y.F. Liang; B. Liao; F.K. Lin; S.T. Lin; J.X. Liu; S.K. Liu; Y.D. Liu; Y. Liu; Y.Y. Liu; H. Ma; Y.C. Mao; Q.Y. Nie; J.H. Ning; H. Pan; N.C. Qi; J. Ren; X.C. Ruan; M.K. Singh; T.X. Sun; C.J. Tang; Y. Tian; G.F. Wang; J.Z. Wang; L. Wang; Q. Wang; Y.F. Wang; Y.X. Wang; H.T. Wong; S.Y. Wu; Y.C. Wu; H.Y. Xing; R. Xu; Y. Xu; T. Xue; Y.L. Yan; N. Yi; C.X. Yu; H.J. Yu; J.F. Yue; M. Zeng; Z. Zeng; B.T. Zhang; F.S. Zhang; L. Zhang; Z.H. Zhang; Z.Y. Zhang; J.Z. Zhao; K.K. Zhao; M.G. Zhao; J.F. Zhou; Z.Y. Zhou; J.J. Zhu
CDEX-50 is a next-generation project of the China Dark Matter Experiment (CDEX) that aims to search for dark matter using a 50-kg germanium detector array. This paper comprises a thorough summary of the CDEX-50 dark matter experiment, including an investigation of potential background sources and the development of a background model. Based on the baseline model, the projected sensitivity of weakly interacting massive particle (WIMP) is also presented. The expected background level within the energy region of interest, set to 2–2.5 keVee, is ∼0.01 counts keVee−1 kg−1 day−1. At 90% confidence level, the expected sensitivity to spin-independent WIMP-nucleon couplings is estimated to reach a cross-section of 5.1 × 10−45 cm2 for a WIMP mass of 5 GeV/c2 with an exposure objective of 150 kg·year and an analysis threshold of 160 eVee. This science goal will correspond to the most sensitive results for WIMPs with a mass of 2.2–8 GeV/c2,. © 2024 IOP Publishing Ltd and Sissa Medialab.
Swarna Bhasma Induces Antigen-Presenting Abilities of Macrophages and Helps Antigen Experienced CD4+ T Cells to Acquire Th1 Phenotypes Against Leishmania donovani Antigens
(Springer, 2024) Shashi Saini; Anshul Anand; Abhishek Singh; Baishakhi Mahapatra; Shruti Sirohi; Samer Singh; Rakesh K. Singh
In leishmaniasis, the protective immunity is largely mediated by proinflammatory cytokine producing abilities of T cells and an efficient parasite killing by phagocytic cells. Notwithstanding a substantial progress that has been made during last decades, the mechanisms or factors involved in establishing protective immunity against Leishmania are not identified. In ancient Indian literature, metallic “bhasma,” particularly that of “swarna” or gold (fine gold particles), is indicated as one of the most prominent metal-based therapeutic medicine, which is known to impart protective and curative properties in various health issues. In this work, we elucidated the potential of swarna bhasma (SB) on the effector properties of phagocytes and antigen-activated CD4+ T cells in augmenting the immunogenicity of L.donovani antigens. The characterization of SB revealing its shape, size, composition, and measurement of cytotoxicity established the physiochemical potential for its utilization as an immunomodulator. The activation of macrophages with SB enhanced their capacity to produce nitric oxide and proinflammatory cytokines, which eventually resulted in reduced uptake of parasites and their proliferation in infected cells. Further, in Leishmania-infected animals, SB administration reduced the generation of IL-10, an anti-inflammatory cytokine, and enhanced pro-inflammatory cytokine generation by antigen activated CD4+ T cells with increased frequency of double (IFNγ+/TNFα+) and triple (IFNγ+TNFα+IL-2+) positive cells and abrogated disease pathogeneses at the early days of infection. Our results also suggested that cow-ghee (A2) emulsified preparation of SB, either alone or with yashtimadhu, a known natural immune modulator which enhances the SB’s potential in enhancing the immunogenicity of parasitic antigens. These findings suggested a definite potential of SB in enhancing the effector functions of phagocytes and CD4+ T cells against L. donovani antigens. Therefore, more studies are needed to elucidate the mechanistic details of SB and its potential in enhancing vaccine-induced immunity. © 2023, The Author(s), under exclusive licence to Springer Science+Business Media, LLC, part of Springer Nature.
Agrientreprenuiral Feasibility of High-value Vegetable Crops for Small-holder Farmers for Supplementing Inorganic Fertilizer with Bioinoculants
(AESSRA, 2024) Roopa Patel; Amitava Rakshit
The study conducted at the Institute of Agricultural Sciences, Banaras Hindu University, Varanasi, during the Rabi season of 2022-2023, focuses on assessing the economic feasibility and sustainable productivity of seedling bio-priming coupled with reduced inorganic fertilizer doses for high-value vegetable crops. Utilizing Trichoderma harzianum (TH) and Bacillus subtilis (BS) in seedling bio-priming, the experiment examined three crops under varied mineral fertilizer conditions. Results indicate that employing microbial consortia in high-value vegetable cultivation is economically viable for smallholder farmers, with a high cost-benefit ratio. The combination of T. harzianum + B. subtilis along with 75% recommended dose of NPK fertilizer emerged as the most effective treatment for enhancing productivity. In conclusion, incorporating efficient microbes will reduce the dependence on chemical fertilizers, promoting sustainable production, and ensuring the technical and economic viability of high-value vegetable cultivation for smallholder farmers. © 2024 AESSRA. All rights reserved.
Domestic Tourism Growth in India, Post COVID-19: Perspectives of Tour Operators
(Institute for Tourism, 2024) P.J. Shyju; V.G. Girish; Kaustav Chatterjee; Priyanka Singh
Domestic tourism in India recorded impressive growth and supported the local economy significantly in the last phase of the COVID-19 pandemic. The extant research on this topic covers the impact of the pandemic and resilience strategies. Still, it leaves a gap in the discussion relating to the service providers' experience in the context of domestic tourism. The present study stems from the absence of empirical research on the trends associated with domestic tourism growth in India post-COVID-19. It examines the trends in domestic tourist behaviour from the tour operators’ perspective. It employs a qualitative research design to explore the experiences of tour operators in India. Phone interviews were conducted with 26 tour operators to collect data. A thematic-content analysis is performed to generate themes with the help of Atlas ti software. The findings present the trends, preferences, motivations, and patterns of domestic growth tourism in India. © 2024 The Author(s).
Pharmacognostical Study and Analytical Standardization of Bhringaraja Taila: An Ayurvedic Oleaginous Medicine
(Informatics Publishing Limited, 2024) Pranav Kumar; Saurabh Singh; Bimlesh Kumar; Kalvatala Sudhakar; Narendra Kumar Pandey; Anand Kumar Choudhary; Rupa Mazumder; Saumya Das; Pramod Pokhrel; Dileep Singh Baghel
Background: Bhringaraja Taila is an Ayurvedic classical formulation. The formulation is indicated as keshaya. The present study is structured around validating the fact of preparing the formulation with and without the addition of mineral (Gairika). Aim: The objectives of this study were to prepare and analyze Bhringaraja Taila. Method: After performing the murchanna samsakara, a specified amount of Drava, Kalka and Sneha dravyas were taken and subjected to moderate heating till the watery portion evaporated Bhringraja Taila prepared with and without Gairika. Results: The refractive index of Bhringraja Taila with and without the addition of Gairika was found to be decreased in both samples. The specific gravity and saponification values of both samples were found to be within the limit but slightly increased in the sample prepared with the addition of Gairika. The iodine value of both samples was found to be less than the limit. A decreased iodine value signifies less tendency toward rancidity. The acid value of both samples was found to be within the limit but more in the sample prepared with the addition of Gairika. The peroxide value of the sample prepared with the addition of Gairika was higher than the sample prepared without Gairika. Higher peroxide value indication of rancidity. The pH of the sample prepared with the addition of Gairika was found to be acidic and the sample prepared without the addition of Gairika was found to be basic. Conclusion: Thus considering the above fact it can be concluded that the formulation was prepared without mineral (Gairika) can be more stable but the therapeutic efficacy between the two formulation cannot be confirmed until and unless there is clinical validation. © 2024, Informatics Publishing Limited. All rights reserved.
Biomedical Applications of Aerogels: Therapeutic Potential, Safety, and Future Research Directions
(John Wiley and Sons Ltd, 2024) Sheetal Jaiswal; Paramjeet Yadav; Rajesh Kumar
Aerogels are garnering considerable attention in biomedical fields due to their unique physicochemical properties. These materials are noted for their low density, high porosity, and customizable pore structures, making them highly suitable for applications such as drug delivery, regenerative medicine, and wound healing. They provide excellent platforms for loading drugs and active biomolecules. Consequently, research into the therapeutic potential of aerogels has surged, both in vitro and in vivo, reflecting an increased acknowledgment of their biomedical promise. Despite this growing body of research, detailed data on the in vivo performance and safety of aerogels remain sparse. While polymer-based, silica-based, and hybrid aerogels are generally deemed safe, there is still a lack of comprehensive understanding regarding their acute, subacute, and chronic toxicity. This review presents a thorough examination of the biomedical applications of aerogels, exploring both conventional uses and innovative applications like decontamination. We assess the biological impacts of aerogels on cells and organisms, focusing on their therapeutic effectiveness and safety. Through this detailed review, we aim to highlight the current state of aerogel research in the biomedical field and pinpoint key areas where further investigation is needed to ensure their safe and effective use in medical applications. © 2024 John Wiley & Sons Ltd.
Monetary Policy Efficacy Pre- and Post-COVID-19 Pandemic: Evidence from India
(Sage Publications India Pvt. Ltd, 2024) Sujit Kumar; Anoop S. Kumar
Inflation has run higher than the targets of central banks across the globe post the COVID-19 pandemic. India is no exception. The central banks have responded through synchronous interest rate increases. The efficacy of policy measures has been mixed though, underscoring country-specific differences in sources of inflation and monetary transmission across channels. Employing a time-varying vector autoregression framework, we analyse the interaction with output, interest rate and inflation in India. We employ quarterly data on real GDP growth, Wholesale Price Index (WPI) growth, Consumer Price Index (CPI)-Industrial workers (CPI-IW) growth and 1 year-treasury bill rate, from 2005–2006 Q1 to 2021–2022 Q4. We use two measures of inflation to get the dynamics of retail and wholesale inflation. We contrast the interactions of aforesaid variables through time-varying impulse response functions (IRFs) during two big macroeconomic events, namely, the subprime crisis of 2008 and COVID-19 pandemic in 2020. During the subprime crisis in 2008, we saw negligible response in the short, medium and long run. During the COVID-19 period, we find all time-varying IRFs are synchronized. The response of CPI-IW to the interest rate shock is very different from that of WPI, underscoring differences in the composition of these price measures. A shock from the interest rate keeps the CPI-IW stable at best; we do not see any reduction in CPI-IW across the short, medium and long run. The reaction of GDP growth to interest rate shock is rather flat during both the subprime crisis and COVID-19 in the short, medium and long run, pointing towards potential monetary policy ineffectiveness in stimulating the growth. © 2024 MDI.
Nanobioengineered Al2O3 Core-Shell Nanoparticle Preparation Using Bauhinia Variegate Plant Extract for Efficient Photocatalysis and Electrochemical Sensing
(American Chemical Society, 2024) Kshitij RB Singh; Pooja Singh; Jay Singh; Shyam S. Pandey
Core-shell-based nanomaterials have garnered considerable attention in the recent past not only in catalytic applications but also in their potentiality in selective and efficient sensing. Present research reports the first and successful biosynthesis of the core (c-Al2O3)-shell nanoparticles (NPs) using Bauhinia variegate blossom extract as reducing and capping agents. The synthesized c-Al2O3 NPs were characterized and utilized to fabricate nanobioengineered electrodes on indium tin oxide (ITO) substrates via electrophoretic deposition. Electrochemical analysis, including cyclic voltammetry and differential pulse voltammetry, revealed quasi-reversible processes with high electron-transfer rates (Ks = 0.66 s-1) and a diffusion coefficient (D = 5.84 × 10-2 cm2 s-1). The electrode exhibited a very high sensitivity (23.44 μA μM-1 cm-2) and a low detection limit (0.463 μM) for sodium azide (NaN3) over two linear ranges of 1-6 and 8-20 μM. Additionally, c-Al2O3 NPs demonstrated the effective photocatalytic degradation of crystal violet dye under visible light, following pseudo-first-order kinetics. The fabricated electrode showed excellent selectivity, stability, and reproducibility, highlighting its potential for environmental monitoring and clinical diagnostics. © 2024 The Authors. Published by American Chemical Society.
ECHOES OF THE DRUM BEAT OF LIFE: An Exploration into Hindi Literature on Epidemics
(Taylor and Francis, 2024) Binda D. Paranjape
Literature across the world has mirrored the concerns of human societies regarding the sustenance of human values during the times of epidemics. The constant engagement of individuals with their inner self on the one hand and with the society on the other creates a rhythm bringing the human actions to a predictable pattern. It is often guided by the civilisational values created, transmitted and modified by generations. This process gets severely hampered due to situations like epidemics or war. More by epidemics, because war has a traceable origin and a negotiable end but epidemics are shrouded in mystery. The more mysterious the phenomenon, the more chance of speculation and undecipherable articulation. Literature primarily resides in these realms. Pandemics and epidemics bring all the impressions on human mind regarding the interface between the nature and humans at the gross and subtle levels, at the centre stage. Literary minds start deliberating upon this human–nature interface centrality and create spaces of negotiations between individual and society with their art. Taking Hindi literature as a case study, this chapter tries to present the socio-psychological search for the credibility of human values against the backdrop of epidemics experienced in India during the colonial period. © 2025 selection and editorial matter, Kamlesh Mohan and Saurav Kumar Rai; individual chapters, the contributors. All rights reserved.
Shear horizontal wave dispersion in two phase magneto-electro-elastic material loaded with viscoelastic fluid layer
(Institute of Physics, 2024) Ravindra Singh; Surendra Prasad
In the present work, an exact analytical approach has been used to study the dispersive behavior of the shear horizontal (SH) wave in magneto-electro-elastic (MEE) material loaded with a viscoelastic fluid. Complex dispersion equations are derived in the cases of electric short magnetic short (ESMS), electric short magnetic open (ESMO), electric open magnetic short (EOMS), and electric open magnetic open (EOMO) boundary conditions by solving the equilibrium equations of MEE material and the Stokes equation of viscoelastic fluid. To validate the present outcomes, the MEE material is changed into piezoelectric and piezomagnetic materials by taking some theoretical assumptions and the outcomes are matched with preexisting results. Effect of volume fraction, wave frequency, substrate thickness and thickness of the fluid layer on phase velocity and attenuation of SH wave have studied. This study may find its applications in better understanding of the surface acoustic wave devices incorporated with viscoelastic fluid layer. © 2024 IOP Publishing Ltd.
Correction to: Behavioural approach-avoidance tendencies among individuals with elevated blood pressure (Current Psychology, (2024), 43, 1, (698-706), 10.1007/s12144-023-04337-2)
(Springer, 2024) Meenakshi Shukla; Jennifer Y. F. Lau; Rakesh Pandey
In this article the Ethical statement was incorrectly given as “The ethics committee of the [blinded for review] approved the study (Ref No.: I.Sc./ECM IX/2016–17/02)” but should have been “The study was approved by an Ethics Committee based at King’s College London (Ref: HR-16/17-3826)”. © The Author(s), under exclusive licence to Springer Science+Business Media, LLC, part of Springer Nature 2023.