Siksha O Anusandhan University

Macrophages play a major role in the immune system, both as antimicrobial effector cells and as immunoregulatory cells, which induce, suppress or modulate adaptive immune responses. These key aspects of macrophage biology are fundamentally driven by the phenotype of macrophage arginine metabolism that is prevalent in an evolving or ongoing immune response. M1 macrophages express the enzyme nitric oxide synthase, which metabolizes arginine to nitric oxide (NO) and citrulline. NO can be metabolized to further downstream reactive nitrogen species, while citrulline might be reused for efficient NO synthesis via the citrulline-NO cycle. M2 macrophages are characterized by expression of the enzyme arginase, which hydrolyzes arginine to ornithine and urea. The arginase pathway limits arginine availability for NO synthesis and ornithine itself can further feed into the important downstream pathways of polyamine and proline syntheses, which are important for cellular proliferation and tissue repair. M1 versus M2 polarization leads to opposing outcomes of inflammatory reactions, but depending on the context, M1 and M2 macrophages can be both pro- and anti-inflammatory. Notably, M1/M2 macrophage polarization can be driven by microbial infection or innate danger signals without any influence of adaptive immune cells, secondarily driving the T helper (Th)1/Th2 polarization of the evolving adaptive immune response. Since both arginine metabolic pathways cross-inhibit each other on the level of the respective arginine break-down products and Th1 and Th2 lymphocytes can drive or amplify macrophage M1/M2 dichotomy via cytokine activation, this forms the basis of a self-sustaining M1/M2 polarization of the whole immune response. Understanding the arginine metabolism of M1/M2 macrophage phenotypes is therefore central to find new possibilities to manipulate immune responses in infection, autoimmune diseases, chronic inflammatory conditions, and cancer.

The present review article evaluates the effectiveness and special features of LDH/modified LDH on photocatalytic activities.

Diabetes mellitus (DM) is a metabolic disorder that occurs in the body because of decreased insulin activity and/or insulin secretion. Pathological changes such as nephropathy, retinopathy, and cardiovascular complications inevitably occur in the body with the progression of the disease. DM is mainly categorized into 2 sub-types, type I DM and type II DM. While type I DM is generally treated through insulin replacement therapy, type II DM is treated with oral hypoglycaemics. The major drug therapy for type II DM comprises of insulin secretagogues, biguanides, insulin sensitizers, alpha glucosidase inhibitors, incretin mimetics, amylin antagonists and sodium-glucose co-transporter-2 (SGLT2) inhibitors. Dual drug therapies are often recommended in patients who are unable to achieve therapeutic goals with first line oral hypoglycaemic agents as monotherapy. Inspite of the appreciable therapeutic benefits, the conventional dosage forms depicts differential bioavailability and short half-life, mandating frequent dosage and causing greater side effects leading to therapy ineffectiveness and patient non-compliance. Given the pathological complexity of the said disease, nanotechnology-based approaches are more enticing as it comes with added advantage of site-specific drug delivery with higher bioavailability and reduced dosage regimen. In the present review article, we have made an attempt to explore the pathophysiology of type II DM, the conventional treatment approaches (mono and combination therapy) as well as the nano based drug delivery approaches for the treatment of type II DM.

Dispersion of exfoliated CN over the surface of exfoliated LDH composite materials, and its photocatalytic water splitting under visible-light irradiation.

Few-shot learning (FSL) has emerged as an effective learning method and shows great potential. Despite the recent creative works in tackling FSL tasks, learning valid information rapidly from just a few or even zero samples remains a serious challenge. In this context, we extensively investigated 200+ FSL papers published in top journals and conferences in the past three years, aiming to present a timely and comprehensive overview of the most recent advances in FSL with a fresh perspective and to provide an impartial comparison of the strengths and weaknesses of existing work. To avoid conceptual confusion, we first elaborate and contrast a set of relevant concepts including few-shot learning, transfer learning, and meta-learning. Then, we inventively extract prior knowledge related to few-shot learning in the form of a pyramid, which summarizes and classifies previous work in detail from the perspective of challenges. Furthermore, to enrich this survey, we present in-depth analysis and insightful discussions of recent advances in each subsection. What is more, taking computer vision as an example, we highlight the important application of FSL, covering various research hotspots. Finally, we conclude the survey with unique insights into technology trends and potential future research opportunities to guide FSL follow-up research.

The medicinal plants are widely used by the traditional medicinal practitioners for curing various diseases in their day to day practice. In traditional system of medicine, different parts (leaves, stem, flower, root, seeds and even whole plant) of Ocimum sanctum Linn. have been recommended for the treatment of bronchitis, malaria, diarrhea, dysentery, skin disease, arthritis, eye diseases, insect bites and so on. The O. sanctum L. has also been suggested to possess anti-fertility, anticancer, antidiabetic, antifungal, antimicrobial, cardioprotective, analgesic, antispasmodic and adaptogenic actions. Eugenol (1-hydroxy-2-methoxy-4-allylbenzene), the active constituents present in O. sanctum L. have been found to be largely responsible for the therapeutic potentials. The pharmacological studies reported in the present review confirm the therapeutic value of O. sanctum L. The results of the above studies support the use of this plant for human and animal disease therapy and reinforce the importance of the ethno-botanical approach as a potential source of bioactive substances.

Hexavalent chromium (Cr(VI)) in water is a proven carcinogen to different internal and external organs of the living organisms. There are different human activities incorporated to the anthropogenic sources in the environment enriching Cr(VI) of high concentration in the water system above the regulatory level. The physical, chemical and biological properties of chromium favour the dissolution in the water environment. This concerns the environmental researcher to tackle and mitigate. Chemical or biological techniques or a combination of the two have been used to remove Cr(VI) from polluted waters. Biological techniques include integrated bioremediation, such as the primary processes of direct bioreduction and biosorption, and secondary processes of microbial fuel cell, biostimulation, surface modified dry biomass and biochar adsorption, and engineered biofilm and cell free reductase. These techniques are used by a wide range of living organisms including bacteria, fungi, plants, plant leaves, plant nuts and algae. This group of living organisms transform and remove Cr(VI) from water during the cellular metabolisms, extracellular activities, physical and chemical adsorptions on the cell surface, and photosynthesis. Variation of different physical, chemical and environmental parameters affecting the efficiency of the bioremediation process have impacted on the design of bioreactors. There has been a recent development of a microbial fuel cell which use the proximity of Cr(VI) reduction as a cathode half cell for the generation of renewable energy and simulation of its’ removal from water.

Designing of an efficient heterostructure photocatalyst for photocatalytic organic pollutant removal and H2 production has been a subject of rigorous research intended to solve the related environmental aggravation and enormous energy crises. Z-scheme-based charge-transfer dynamics in a p–n heterostructure could significantly replicate the inherent power of natural photosynthesis, which is the key point to affect the transportation of photoinduced exciton pairs. In this finding, a series of p-type MoS2 loaded with n-type NiFe-layered double hydroxide (LDH) forming a heterostructure MoS2/NiFe LDH were designed by electrostatic self-assembled chemistry and an in situ hydrothermal strategy for photocatalytic rhodamine B (RhB) dye degradation and H2 production. The creation of p–n heterojunctions of type-II and Z-scheme mode of charge transfer modified the optical and electronic property of the as-synthesized MSLDH3, thereafter promoting the generation, separation, and migration of photoinduced electron–hole pairs. The as-synthesized MSLDH3 showed superior photocatalytic activities in degradation of RhB with H2 evolution, which was enhanced by 3- and 4.5-fold and 10.9 and 19.2 times higher than that of NiFe LDH and MoS2, respectively. Last but not the least, heterostructure MSLDH3 possesses practical stability for its resultant enhanced photocatalytic activity with recyclability for everyday life.

BACKGROUND: For more than three decades, the Global Burden of Diseases, Injuries, and Risk Factors Study (GBD) has provided a framework to quantify health loss due to diseases, injuries, and associated risk factors. This paper presents GBD 2023 findings on disease and injury burden and risk-attributable health loss, offering a global audit of the state of world health to inform public health priorities. This work captures the evolving landscape of health metrics across age groups, sexes, and locations, while reflecting on the remaining post-COVID-19 challenges to achieving our collective global health ambitions. METHODS: The GBD 2023 combined analysis estimated years lived with disability (YLDs), years of life lost (YLLs), and disability-adjusted life-years (DALYs) for 375 diseases and injuries, and risk-attributable burden associated with 88 modifiable risk factors. Of the more than 310 000 total data sources used for all GBD 2023 (about 30% of which were new to this estimation round), more than 120 000 sources were used for estimation of disease and injury burden and 59 000 for risk factor estimation, and included vital registration systems, surveys, disease registries, and published scientific literature. Data were analysed using previously established modelling approaches, such as disease modelling meta-regression version 2.1 (DisMod-MR 2.1) and comparative risk assessment methods. Diseases and injuries were categorised into four levels on the basis of the established GBD cause hierarchy, as were risk factors using the GBD risk hierarchy. Estimates stratified by age, sex, location, and year from 1990 to 2023 were focused on disease-specific time trends over the 2010-23 period and presented as counts (to three significant figures) and age-standardised rates per 100 000 person-years (to one decimal place). For each measure, 95% uncertainty intervals [UIs] were calculated with the 2·5th and 97·5th percentile ordered values from a 250-draw distribution. FINDINGS: Total numbers of global DALYs grew 6·1% (95% UI 4·0-8·1), from 2·64 billion (2·46-2·86) in 2010 to 2·80 billion (2·57-3·08) in 2023, but age-standardised DALY rates, which account for population growth and ageing, decreased by 12·6% (11·0-14·1), revealing large long-term health improvements. Non-communicable diseases (NCDs) contributed 1·45 billion (1·31-1·61) global DALYs in 2010, increasing to 1·80 billion (1·63-2·03) in 2023, alongside a concurrent 4·1% (1·9-6·3) reduction in age-standardised rates. Based on DALY counts, the leading level 3 NCDs in 2023 were ischaemic heart disease (193 million [176-209] DALYs), stroke (157 million [141-172]), and diabetes (90·2 million [75·2-107]), with the largest increases in age-standardised rates since 2010 occurring for anxiety disorders (62·8% [34·0-107·5]), depressive disorders (26·3% [11·6-42·9]), and diabetes (14·9% [7·5-25·6]). Remarkable health gains were made for communicable, maternal, neonatal, and nutritional (CMNN) diseases, with DALYs falling from 874 million (837-917) in 2010 to 681 million (642-736) in 2023, and a 25·8% (22·6-28·7) reduction in age-standardised DALY rates. During the COVID-19 pandemic, DALYs due to CMNN diseases rose but returned to pre-pandemic levels by 2023. From 2010 to 2023, decreases in age-standardised rates for CMNN diseases were led by rate decreases of 49·1% (32·7-61·0) for diarrhoeal diseases, 42·9% (38·0-48·0) for HIV/AIDS, and 42·2% (23·6-56·6) for tuberculosis. Neonatal disorders and lower respiratory infections remained the leading level 3 CMNN causes globally in 2023, although both showed notable rate decreases from 2010, declining by 16·5% (10·6-22·0) and 24·8% (7·4-36·7), respectively. Injury-related age-standardised DALY rates decreased by 15·6% (10·7-19·8) over the same period. Differences in burden due to NCDs, CMNN diseases, and injuries persisted across age, sex, time, and location. Based on our risk analysis, nearly 50% (1·27 billion [1·18-1·38]) of the roughly 2·80 billion total global DALYs in 2023 were attributable to the 88 risk factors analysed in GBD. Globally, the five level 3 risk factors contributing the highest proportion of risk-attributable DALYs were high systolic blood pressure (SBP), particulate matter pollution, high fasting plasma glucose (FPG), smoking, and low birthweight and short gestation-with high SBP accounting for 8·4% (6·9-10·0) of total DALYs. Of the three overarching level 1 GBD risk factor categories-behavioural, metabolic, and environmental and occupational-risk-attributable DALYs rose between 2010 and 2023 only for metabolic risks, increasing by 30·7% (24·8-37·3); however, age-standardised DALY rates attributable to metabolic risks decreased by 6·7% (2·0-11·0) over the same period. For all but three of the 25 leading level 3 risk factors, age-standardised rates dropped between 2010 and 2023-eg, declining by 54·4% (38·7-65·3) for unsafe sanitation, 50·5% (33·3-63·1) for unsafe water source, and 45·2% (25·6-72·0) for no access to handwashing facility, and by 44·9% (37·3-53·5) for child growth failure. The three leading level 3 risk factors for which age-standardised attributable DALY rates rose were high BMI (10·5% [0·1 to 20·9]), drug use (8·4% [2·6 to 15·3]), and high FPG (6·2% [-2·7 to 15·6]; non-significant). INTERPRETATION: Our findings underscore the complex and dynamic nature of global health challenges. Since 2010, there have been large decreases in burden due to CMNN diseases and many environmental and behavioural risk factors, juxtaposed with sizeable increases in DALYs attributable to metabolic risk factors and NCDs in growing and ageing populations. This long-observed consequence of the global epidemiological transition was only temporarily interrupted by the COVID-19 pandemic. The substantially decreasing CMNN disease burden, despite the 2008 global financial crisis and pandemic-related disruptions, is one of the greatest collective public health successes known. However, these achievements are at risk of being reversed due to major cuts to development assistance for health globally, the effects of which will hit low-income countries with high burden the hardest. Without sustained investment in evidence-based interventions and policies, progress could stall or reverse, leading to widespread human costs and geopolitical instability. Moreover, the rising NCD burden necessitates intensified efforts to mitigate exposure to leading risk factors-eg, air pollution, smoking, and metabolic risks, such as high SBP, BMI, and FPG-including policies that promote food security, healthier diets, physical activity, and equitable and expanded access to potential treatments, such as GLP-1 receptor agonists. Decisive, coordinated action is needed to address long-standing yet growing health challenges, including depressive and anxiety disorders. Yet this can be only part of the solution. Our response to the NCD syndemic-the complex interaction of multiple health risks, social determinants, and systemic challenges-will define the future landscape of global health. To ensure human wellbeing, economic stability, and social equity, global action to sustain and advance health gains must prioritise reducing disparities by addressing socioeconomic and demographic determinants, ensuring equitable health-care access, tackling malnutrition, strengthening health systems, and improving vaccination coverage. We live in times of great opportunity. FUNDING: Gates Foundation and Bloomberg Philanthropies.

A new differential current-based fast fault detection and location scheme for multiple Photovoltaic-based dc microgrid is proposed in this paper. A multiterminal dc (MTDC) distribution network is an effective solution for present grid scenario, where local distribution is incorporated primarily by power electronics based dc loads. PV systems with auxiliary power sources and local loads are used for MTDC connection, especially when ac utility grid is integrated with it by voltage source converters. Pole to pole and pole to ground faults are basically considered as dc distribution network hazards. As PV is connected through dc cable, high resistive dc arc fault is also studied in present literature. The proposed PV system is considered with arc-fault circuit interrupters as backup protection and is used to detect arcing series fault. Fast acting dc switching is considered for proposed differential current-based unit protection. A discrete frame differential current solution is considered to classify the fault type by modified cumulative sum average approach. By calculating unknown dc cable resistance accurately by non-iterative Moore-Penrose pseudo inverse technique, the fault distance is calculated. TMS320C6713 DSP based test-bench is used for verification of the scheme.

The recent outbreak of CoVID-19 is declared as a global public health emergency of international concern by the World Health Organization (WHO). A fresh figure of 2268011 positive cases and 155185 death records (till April 18 th 2020) across the worldwide signify the severity of this viral infection. CoVID-19 infection is a pandemic, surface to surface communicable disease with a case fatality rate of 3.4% as estimated by WHO up to March 3 rd 2020. Unfortunately, the current unavailability of an effective antiviral drug and approved vaccine, worsen the situation more critical. Implementation of an effective preventive measure is the only option left to counteract CoVID-19. Further, a retrospective analysis provides evidence that contemplates the decisive role of preventive measures in controlling severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS) outbreak in 2003. A statistical surveillance report of WHO reflects, maintaining a coherent infection, prevention and control guideline resulted in a 30% reduction in healthcare-associated infections. The effectiveness of preventive measures completely relies on the strength of surface disinfectants, the composition of hand sanitizer, appropriate material for the manufacture of personal protective equipment (PPE). This review enlightens the various preventive measures such as a suitable selection of surface disinfectants, appropriate hand sanitization, and empowering the PPE that could be a potential intervention to fight against CoVID-19.

Electric vehicles are an important option for reducing emissions of greenhouse gases. Electric vehicles not only reduce the dependency on fossil fuel but also diminish the impact of ozone depleting substances and promote large scale renewable deployment. Despite comprehensive research on the attributes and characteristics of electric vehicles and the nature of their charging infrastructure, electric vehicle production and network modelling continues to evolve and be constrained. The paper provides an overview of the studies of Electric Vehicle, Hybrid Electric Vehicle, Plug-in-Hybrid Electric Vehicle and Battery Electric Vehicle penetration rate into the market and discusses their different modelling approach and optimisation techniques. The research on the essential barriers and insufficient charging facilities are addressed for a developing country like India that makes the study unique. The development of new concept of Vehicle-to-Grid has created an extra power source when renewable energy sources are not available. We conclude that taking into account, the special characteristics of electric vehicles are so important in their mobility.

BACKGROUND & OBJECTIVES: Presence of psychological morbidity in medical undergraduate students has been reported from various countries across the world. Indian studies to document this burden are very few. Therefore, the presence of depression, anxiety and stress among medical undergraduate students was assessed using a previously validated and standardized instrument, Depression Anxiety Stress Scale (DASS 42) and the associations with their socio-demographic and personal characteristics were identified. METHODS: In a cross-sectional survey, a self-administered, pre-designed, pre-tested anonymous questionnaire including DASS 42 was used to collect information on basic socio-demographic (age, gender, semester) and personal characteristics (alcohol and tobacco use, academic performance). All students present on the day of survey were contacted for participation after obtaining informed written consent. Scores for each of the respondents over each of the sub-scales (Depression, Anxiety and Stress) were calculated as per the severity-rating index. RESULTS: More than half of the respondents were affected by depression (51.3%), anxiety (66.9%) and stress (53%). Morbidity was found to be more in 5 th semester students rather than students of 2 nd semester. Females reported higher score as compared to their male counterparts. Perception of self assessment in academics was strongly associated with the higher score. CONCLUSIONS: A substantial proportion of medical undergraduate students was found to be depressed, anxious and stressed revealing a neglected area of the students' psychology requiring urgent attention. Student counselling services need to be made available and accessible to curb this morbidity.

Polycrystalline powder of (Na 0.5 Bi 0.5 )TiO 3 (NBT) was prepared by a high-temperature solid-state reaction route. Preliminary x-ray diffraction analysis carried out at room temperature showed the formation of a single phase compound with a rhombohedral crystal system. Scanning electron micrograph reveals the polycrystalline nature of the material with size anisotropy. Dielectric study showed an existence of diffuse phase transition around 300 °C. The ac conductivity spectrum obeyed the Jonscher power law. The temperature dependent pre-exponential factor ( A ) shows peak and frequency exponent ( n ) possesses a minimum at transition temperature. The bulk conductivity of the material indicates an Arrhenius type of thermally activated process with three different conduction mechanisms as different activation energies are observed. The hopping charge carriers dominate at low temperature, small polaron and oxygen vacancy dominates at intermediate temperature and ionic conduction at higher temperatures. Studies of impedance spectroscopy indicate that the dielectric relaxation is of non-Debye type. In situ high-temperature Raman spectroscopy shows discontinuous changes in the phonon frequencies across the rhombohedral–tetragonal transition. In addition, anomalous changes in the intensity and the linewidth of a lattice mode are found around 350 °C.

Nanostructured nickel phosphide-based catalysts having different sizes, phases, and morphology towards electrocatalytic, photocatalytic, and photoelectrocatalytic water splitting.

This study highlights the recent trends in the structural, textural and morphological variations of g-C₃N₄for visible-light-induced hydrogen evolution.

Rare-earth-based metal-organic frameworks (ReMOFs) have emerged as an interesting family of compounds, for which new properties are increasingly being found. Based on the potential of ReMOFs, resulting from their optical properties, large numbers of investigations have been carried out during the last decade. Among these investigations, ReMOFs as optical sensors, using their luminescence properties, are increasingly becoming an attractive and useful topic of research. In this study, we have provided the basics of the luminescence behaviour of ReMOFs, various possible sensing mechanisms, and a summary of the uses of ReMOFs for the sensing of nitro explosives, cations, anions, small molecules, pH, and temperature.

Herein, we report a novel single-step hydrothermal synthesis of a photocatalytically stable and magnetically separable g-Fe3O4/RGO nanocomposite in the presence of Averrhoa carambola leaf extract as a natural surfactant for multipurpose water purification application. The Averrhoa carambola leaf extract played a major role in the modification of structural, optical, and electronic properties of the Fe3O4 nanoparticle. At room temperature, the g-Fe3O4/2RGO nanocomposite showed 97% and 76% of Cr(VI) reduction and phenol degradation, respectively. The higher activity of g-Fe3O4/2RGO was attributed to the in situ loading of RGO, and the synergism developed between RGO and the super magnetic Fe3O4 nanoparticle results in better separation of photoexcited charge carriers (e–/h+) which was concluded from photoluminescence and photocurrent measurements. Further, the g-Fe3O4/2RGO nanocomposite showed better antimicrobial activity against three bacterial pathogens such as Staphylococcus aureous (MTCC-737), Bacillus subtilis (MTCC-736), and Escherichia coli (MTCC-443) compared to GO with respect to a standard antibiotic (30 μg).

Abstract A series of heterostructure NiFe LDH/N-rGO/g-C 3 N 4 nanocomposite were fabricated by combining calcinations-electrostatic self-assembly and hydrothermal steps. In this method, negatively charged N-rGO was electrostaticaly bonded to the self-assembled interface of n-n type g-C 3 N 4 /NiFe LDH hybrid. XRD and AFM results revealed successful formation of heterostructure nanocomposite due to the coupling effect of exfoliated NiFe LDH nanosheets with N-rGO and g-C 3 N 4 . Among the as synthesized heterostructure, CNNG3LDH performed superior photocatalytic activities towards 95 and 72% mineralization of RhB and phenol. Furthermore, CNNG3LDH could achieve the highest photocatalytic H 2 evolution rate of 2508 μmolg −1 2h −1 and O 2 evolution rate of 1280 μmolg −1 2h −1 under visible light irradiation. The CNNG3LDH possess lowest PL intensity, reduced arc of the Nyquist plot (43.8 Ώ) and highest photocurrent density (−0.97 mA cm −2 ) which revealed effective charge separation for superior photocatalytic activities. TRPL spectral results reveal the synergistic effect of layered component in CNNG3LDH for achievable higher life time of excitons of ~16.52 ns. In addition, N-rGO mediator based Z-scheme charge transfer mechanisms in CNNG3LDH were verified by the ESR and TA-PL studies. Enriched oxygen vacancy type defects in NiFe LDH and N-rGO mediated Z-scheme charge transfer mechanistic path strongly manifest the superior photocatalytic activities of the heterostructure materials.

The profound growth and development of industrial segments discharge enormous quantities of phenolic pollutants into the aquatic environment. Phenolic compounds are priority pollutants and their presence in the water system causes severe hazards to human health and many other living creatures. Thus, the removal of such toxic pollutants has gained a lot of attention in the past few decades. Biodegradation is a sustainable and efficient method for the removal of phenolic pollutants from the aquatic environment. Though microbial degradation of phenolic pollutants is well documented, enzymatic metabolic pathways, co-metabolic biodegradation, the use of sequential bioreactors, and the treatment of real-world industrial wastewater have yet to be adequately addressed. Therefore, the present review focuses on the assessment of biological removal of phenolic pollutants from the contaminated environment along with the various associated problems. In particular, the mechanism of ecotoxicity of phenolic pollutants on the living system, the functional enzymes and metabolic pathways involved in microbial degradation, including co-metabolic and co-culture degradation of phenolic pollutants, were elaborately reviewed. The use of aerobic granular sludge (AGS) in the treatment of recalcitrant wastewater has been addressed. The performances of various bioreactor systems are also compared. The prospects for resource recovery by photosynthetic bacteria that degrade phenolics are also discussed.