Evaluation of vitamin D levels in term pregnancy and its obstetric outcome in Indian women

Background: Vitamin D deficiency is currently a global pandemic affecting all age groups. Vitamin D is considered a fundamental hormone in calcium homeostasis and bone health. Risk of vitamin D deficiency increases during pregnancy due to increased maternal and fetal demands and altered vitamin D metabolism. Recently, maternal vitamin D deficiency has been linked to adverse pregnancy outcomes, including preeclampsia, gestational diabetes, fetal growth restriction and preterm birth. Adequate vitamin D status appears to be relevant to health at all ages, and even in prenatal life.Methods: This is a cross sectional, observational study conducted in the department of obstetrics and gynaecology at R. L. Jalappa Hospital. A total number of 160 subjects were included. 5 ml of venous blood was collected and was centrifuged at 3000 rpm and stored at - 80°C till analysis. Analysis of 25-hydroxy Vitamin D was done using ELISA.Results: Majority of the subjects were vitamin D deficient (81.87%) and 12.5% were vitamin D insufficient and only 5.63% were vitamin D sufficient. The prevalence of vitamin D deficiency was more among primigravidas (85.6%) and was associated with higher rates of caesarean section (92.4%). High prevalence of vitamin D deficiency was seen in lower middle socioeconomic class (62.5%). Maternal vitamin D deficiency was associated low birth weight of neonates (100%).Conclusions: In this study it was concluded that majority of subjects were vitamin D deficient and belonged to lower middle socioeconomic class. Majority of this subjects who underwent caesarean section were vitamin D deficient. Vitamin D deficiency was associated only with low birth weight of neonates and no other adverse obstetric outcome

Effect of Atomization Parameters on Size and Morphology of Al-17Si Alloy Powder Produced by Free Fall Atomizer

Abstract: In the present work the effect of process parameters on the characteristics of Al-17Si alloy powder produced by gas atomization using a free fall nozzle of different apex angles. The axial gas velocity away from the nozzle exit is measured for different operating pressures. The alloy was melted to a superheat temperature of 100, 150 and 200°C and atomized by varying the gas flow rate and melt flow rate. The powder produced during gas atomization process generally exhibits a wide size distribution. ASTM standard sieve with vibratory shaker is used for powder analysis. The characterization of powder particles was accomplished by the parameters such as mass median, average size of powder particles; standard deviation and morphology of powder were studied by scanning electron microscopy. It is observed that decrease of apex angle results in axial velocity decreases in entire applied gas pressures range. Increase in apex angle results in decrease of gas jet length to metal stream collision, the median particle diameter of the powder increases resulting in decrease in particle irregularity. The median particle diameter of the powder has been shown to decrease almost linearly with increase in gas to melt flow (G/M) ratio. The sauter mean diameter variation, however, decreases slowly with increase in G/M ratio. Median particle diameter is significantly reduced with increase in the melt superheat

Microstructures and Mechanical properties of Spray deposited and Heat-treated Al-25Mg2 Si-2Cu alloy

The microstructural characteristics and  mechanical properties of Al–25Mg2Si-2Cu alloy were investigated. The alloy produced by spray atomization and deposition techniques followed by hot compression(HC) and age hardening(AGH) at 180ºC for 2h and 2h  intervals after the solution heat treatment. The microstructure features of as cast, spray deposited (SD),hot compressed and heat-treated alloys were studied. the results show the microstructure of spray-deposited alloy mainly comprised of a uniform distribution of   intermettalics   ?-Mg2Si phase, ?- Al2Cu and Q phase in Al-matrix. Eliminating the porosity of deposit and fragmentation of the ? And Q phases is the main features during hot compression. After solution treating and age hardening, the microstructure found to be comprised of mainly Mg2Si phase in a fine spherical form. Large quantity of ?- Al2Cu phase and Q Phase less than 50 nm in size uniformly distributed in the Al- matrix during aging. These fine ? particles combined with the ? can significantly increase the tensile strength and hardness of the alloy. In the peak-aged condition is because of high concentration of Mg2Si and Al2Cu metastable phases. The microstructural features of alloys been investigated through Optical (OM) and Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and analyses of phases were carried out using Energy dispersive X-ray( EDS).The improvement in the tensile and hardness properties of studied alloys was investigated by tensile test and  micro- hardness.Keywords: Al-Mg2Si alloy, Spray deposition, Age hardening, Microstructure, Mechanical properties, Micro hardness

A commentary on the intellectual health of the nation

The record of high-quality research at South African universities is not as impressive as we may have thought, according to some international rankings. Whatever we might think of these assessments, we have to take them seriously. We suggest ways in which our universities and other institutions of higher learning might raise the level of their game

Finite element modelling and dynamic characteristic analysis of the human CTL-Spine

Persistent exposure to whole body vibrations is the fundamental cause for lower back pain and disc degeneration. With an increasing amount of population exposed to whole body vibrations, a significant number of people experience fatal spine diseases. Substantial research is carried out to reduce the risk of spinal injuries. The dynamic characteristics of the cervical, thoracic and lumbar (CTL) region are studied extensively as individual sections of the spine. Few studies have focused on the CTL spine as an assembly of the three segments. In the present work, an authentic three dimensional geometrical model of the cervical, thoracic and lumbar spine is developed in mimics considering its natural curvature and the intervertebral discs are modeled in Design modeler. The natural frequency and mode shapes of the CTL spine are extracted using free vibration modal analysis considering 4.5 kg point mass on C1 vertebra and distributed mass of 40 kg on the CTL spine in Ansys Workbench. Six natural frequencies and their corresponding vibration modes are obtained from the finite element model. The results of this study aims to provide a reliable model for further biomechanical analysis and ergonomics

Securing the Skies: Cybersecurity Strategies for Smart City Cloud using Various Algorithams

As smart cities continue to evolve, their reliance on cloud computing technologies becomes increasingly apparent, enabling the seamless integration of data-driven services and urban functionalities. However, this transformation also raises concerns about the security of the vast and interconnected cloud infrastructures that underpin these cities' operations. This paper explores the critical intersection of cloud computing and cybersecurity within the context of smart cities. This research is dealing with challenges posed by the rapid expansion of smart city initiatives and their reliance on cloud-based solutions. It investigates the vulnerabilities that emerge from this technological convergence, emphasizing the potential risks to data privacy, urban services, and citizen well-being. The abstract presents a comprehensive overview of the evolving threat landscape that smart cities face in the realm of cloud computing. To address these challenges, the abstract highlights the importance of proactive cybersecurity strategies tailored specifically to the unique needs of smart cities. It underscores the significance of adopting a multi-layered approach that encompasses robust encryption protocols, intrusion detection systems, threat intelligence sharing, and collaborative efforts among stakeholders. Drawing insights from existing research and real-world case studies, the abstract showcases innovative solutions that leverage advanced technologies like artificial intelligence and blockchain to fortify the security posture of smart city cloud infrastructures. It explores the role of data governance, user authentication, and anomaly detection in creating a resilient cybersecurity framework that safeguards critical urban systems

Seperation, identification and analysis of pigment (melanin) production in Streptomyces

Nine strains among 180 Streptomyces isolates produce a diffusible dark brown pigment on both peptone-yeast extract agar and synthetic tyrosine-agar. They also show the positive reaction to Ltyrosine or L-dopa substrates. The pigment has been referred to be as merely as dark brown watersolublepigment, as melanoid or melanin. The different carbon and nitrogen sources which influence the pigment production in the Streptomyces isolates were also investigated, and the carotenoid content in the pigment was analyzed. The melanin formation in the Streptomyces species is the key feature for the classification of the Stretomyces grou

Professor Gopal Kanji\u27s Retirement as Editor of Journal of Applied Statistics

(First paragraph) This. issue of Journal of Applied Statistics marks the first in its history which does not fall under the editorship of its founder Professor Gopal Kanji. Following his retirement from the role we would like to use this editorial to outline the history and development of the Journal and pay tribute to the many achievements of Gopal’s career

Belladamadugu Village at a Glance

The Village Dynamics in South Asia (VDSA) Project of the International Crops Research Institute for the Semi- Arid Tropics (ICRISAT) supported by the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation (BMGF) has chosen 42 villages as part of the project. These villages – 18 in the semi-arid tropics (SAT) of peninsular India, 12 in the Humid Tropics of East India and 12 in Bangladesh – were selected based on certain relevant characteristics to track rural poverty in household and village economies in the region, to provide the most efficient way to understand the farming systems in rural areas, and to identify the socioeconomic constraints faced by the farming community. In the SAT region, 18 villages spread across 9 districts in 5 states were identified for the study. Of these, 6 were chosen way back in 1975 under the erstwhile Village Level Studies (VLS) project of the Economics Program of ICRISAT, while 12 new villages were included in the expanded VDSA project during 2009. Belladamadugu is one of these 12 new villages

Crystal structure of the feruloyl esterase from Lentilactobacillus buchneri reveals a novel homodimeric state

Ferulic acid is a common constituent of the plant cell-wall matrix where it decorates and can crosslink mainly arabinoxylans to provide structural reinforcement. Microbial feruloyl esterases (FAEs) specialize in catalyzing hydrolysis of the ester bonds between phenolic acids and sugar residues in plant cell-wall polysaccharides such as arabinoxylan to release cinnamoyl compounds. Feruloyl esterases from lactic acid bacteria (LAB) have been highlighted as interesting enzymes for their potential applications in the food and pharmaceutical industries; however, there are few studies on the activity and structure of FAEs of LAB origin. Here, we report the crystal structure and biochemical characterization of a feruloyl esterase (LbFAE) from Lentilactobacillus buchneri, a LAB strain that has been used as a silage additive. The LbFAE structure was determined in the absence and presence of product (FA) and reveals a new type of homodimer association not previously observed for fungal or bacterial FAEs. The two subunits associate to restrict access to the active site such that only single FA chains attached to arabinoxylan can be accommodated, an arrangement that excludes access to FA cross-links between arabinoxylan chains. This narrow specificity is further corroborated by the observation that no FA dimers are produced, only FA, when feruloylated arabinoxylan is used as substrate. Docking of arabinofuranosyl-ferulate in the LbFAE structure highlights the restricted active site and lends further support to our hypothesis that LbFAE is specific for single FA side chains in arabinoxylan