Potential of Moringa oleifera and Okra as Coagulants in Sustainable Treatment of Water and Wastewater

Chemical/synthetic coagulants are widely used to remove suspended solids and organic loads from water, but they pose several environmental and public health issues due to their chronic toxicity. The study evaluated the performance of these natural coagulants individually and in blended combinations with a synthetic coagulant, Alum, in terms of the percentage removal of turbidity, TSS, BOD, and COD after water treatment at optimum dosages. The blended use of all three coagulants in equal proportion showed the best performance (turbidity removal = 91.91%; TSS removal = 51.18%; BOD removal = 41.67%; and COD removal = 55.56%), but increased the pH of treated water from 7.10 to 7.95. The treatment cost analysis showed that Alum had the lowest treatment cost (Rs. 0.78 per 1,000 L); while the blended use of Moringa oleifera and Okra (Abelmoschus esculentus) at the optimum dosage of 120 mg/L had the lowest cost (Rs. 31.20 per 1,000 L) among the natural coagulants. Despite higher cost of treatment, the use of natural coagulants in water and wastewater treatment provide sustainable solutions while reducing the negative impact of synthetic coagulants on the environment and public health

A critical assessment on the effect of nano-titanium dioxide on the properties of concrete

Nedavni napredak nanotehnologije u raznim područjima izuzetno je obećavajuće za rješavanje širokog spektra problema. U istraživanjima i izumima se pokazalo da nanotehnologija poboljšava učinkovitost konvencionalnih građevnih materijala kao što je beton. Brojne vrste nanočestica, kao što je nano titanijev dioksid, koriste se za značajno poboljšanje učinkovitosti, dugotrajnosti i održivosti betona. Ovaj rad sažima prethodna istraživanja o učinku nanotitanijeva dioksida na različita svojstva, uključujući toplinu hidratacije, obradivost, vrijeme vezivanja, kemijsko skupljanje, mehaničku čvrstoću, otpornost na abraziju, vatrootpornost i otpornost na smrzavanje/odmrzavanje. Vrijednosti upijanje vode, penetracija klorida i propusnosti su male u konvencionalnim sustavima običnog ili mješovitog cementa. Osim toga, u ovom istraživanju matrica koja sadrži nanotitanijev dioksid uspoređuje se s matricom koja sadrži druge nanočestice. Građevinski inženjeri mogu koristiti ovaj opis kao izvor podataka.Recent advances in nanotechnology in various fields demonstrate tremendous promise for resolving a wide variety of problems. Nanotechnology has been shown to improve the efficiency of conventional building materials such as concrete. Numerous types of nanoparticles, such as nano-titanium dioxide, are being used to significantly improve the efficiency, longevity, and sustainability of concrete. This paper summarises prior research on the effect of nano-titanium dioxide on a variety of properties, including heat of hydration, workability, setting time, chemical shrinkage, mechanical strength, abrasion resistance, fire resistance, and freeze/thaw resistance. Water absorption, chloride penetration, and permeability are all low in conventional plain or blended cement systems. Additionally, the matrix containing nano-titanium dioxide is compared in this study to a matrix containing other nanoparticles. Civil engineers can use this paper as a quick reference

Evaluation of Challenges Encountered by Dental Students in The Study of Orthodontics

Orthodontic education plays a crucial role in preparing dental students for the specialized field of orthodontics. This study aimed to evaluate the challenges encountered by dental students during their orthodontic studies. A mixed-methods approach was employed, combining quantitative data collection through surveys and qualitative insights through interviews. A total of 321 dental students from various dental schools participated in the research, providing their experiences and perceptions of challenges in orthodontic education. The survey questionnaire comprised 15 close-ended questions, covering academic, clinical, technological, psychological, and motivational challenges. The results revealed diverse perceptions of the difficulty level of orthodontic theoretical concepts, with participants expressing varied opinions on the intensity of coursework. Challenges in applying different orthodontic techniques were frequently reported, highlighting the importance of practical training and clinical support. Participants expressed concerns regarding the sufficiency of academic resources provided by institutions to address challenges, indicating scope for improvements in teaching methodologies and learning materials. Stress levels due to the demands of orthodontic studies were evident, underscoring the need for support systems to promote students' emotional well-being. The study also explored participants' self-confidence and motivation in pursuing orthodontics as a career. While self-confidence in clinical decision-making was reported by a significant proportion, motivation levels varied among participants. Despite these challenges, dental students generally expressed satisfaction with their overall orthodontic education, reflecting the dedication and interest in the specialized field

In vitro production of steroidal saponin, total phenols and antioxidant activity in callus suspension culture of Paris polyphylla Smith: an important Himalayan medicinal plant

Paris polyphylla Smith (Melanthiaceae) family, which is native to the Himalayan region, has received a lot of attention recently due to its extensive history of usage in traditional medicine. The production of steroidal saponin from callus suspension cultures of P. polyphylla was observed in the current study. The current study attempted to develop a P. polyphylla plant callus suspension culture through optimization of cultivation technique for callus suspension, quantification of total phenolic components and estimation of the extract’s antioxidant activity. A light-yellow callus was formed within six weeks of cultivating rhizomes on Murashige and Skoog (MS) media supplemented with Thidiazuron (TDZ). Furthermore, the effect of TDZ, Methyl Jasmonate (MeJA), and Yeast Extract (YE) on callus growth, steroidal saponin (dioscin and diosgenin), total phenolic content, total flavonoids, total tannin, and total antioxidant activity was also measured. The medium containing 0.5 μM TDZ depicted the maximum callus biomass (2.98 g fresh weight). Significantly high phenolic and tannin content was observed in the MS medium containing 50 μM MeJA, whereas, no significant increase was observed in total tannin production in any treatment. Three in vitro assays, DPPH (2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl), ABTS (2,2′-azino-bis (3-ethylbenzothiazoline- 6-sulfonic acid)) and FRAP (ferric ion reducing antioxidant potential) and FC (Folin-Ciocalteu), were used to assess antioxidant potential of callus. Maximum antioxidant analysis reported in 1.0 μM TDZ (6.89 mM AAE/100 g) containing medium followed by 50 μM MeJA (6.44 mM AAE/100 g). The HPLC analysis showed a high presence of dioscin and diosgenin (5.43% and 21.09%, respectively) compared to the wild sample (2.56% and 15.05%, respectively). According to the results, callus produced on media supplemented with 50 μM MeJA have significant phenolic contents and elevated antioxidant activity; nevertheless, callus growth was greater in the presence of 0.5 μM TDZ. The findings of the current study have commercial implications since greater biomass production will result in active phytochemicals that the pharmaceutical and nutraceutical sectors are in need desperately

Immunogenicity and Protective Efficacy of T-Cell Epitopes Derived From Potential Th1 Stimulatory Proteins of Leishmania (Leishmania) donovani

Development of a suitable vaccine against visceral leishmaniasis (VL), a fatal parasitic disease, is considered to be vital for maintaining the success of kala-azar control programs. The fact that Leishmania-infected individuals generate life-long immunity offers a viable proposition in this direction. Our prior studies demonstrated that T-helper1 (Th1) type of cellular response was generated by six potential recombinant proteins viz. elongation factor-2 (elF-2), enolase, aldolase, triose phosphate isomerase (TPI), protein disulfide isomerase (PDI) and p45, derived from a soluble antigenic fraction (89.9–97.1 kDa) of Leishmania (Leishmania) donovani promastigote, in treated Leishmania patients and golden hamsters and showed significant prophylactic potential against experimental VL. Moreover, since, it is well-known that our immune system, in general, triggers production of specific protective immunity in response to a small number of amino acids (peptide), this led to the identification of antigenic epitopes of the above-stated proteins utilizing immunoinformatics. Out of thirty-six, three peptides-P-10 (enolase), P-14, and P-15 (TPI) elicited common significant lymphoproliferative as well as Th1-biased cytokine responses both in golden hamsters and human subjects. Further, immunization with these peptides plus BCG offered 75% prophylactic efficacy with boosted cellular immune response in golden hamsters against Leishmania challenge which is indicative of their candidature as potential vaccine candidates

The Uli Dataset: An Exercise in Experience Led Annotation of oGBV

Online gender based violence has grown concomitantly with adoption of the internet and social media. Its effects are worse in the Global majority where many users use social media in languages other than English. The scale and volume of conversations on the internet has necessitated the need for automated detection of hate speech, and more specifically gendered abuse. There is, however, a lack of language specific and contextual data to build such automated tools. In this paper we present a dataset on gendered abuse in three languages- Hindi, Tamil and Indian English. The dataset comprises of tweets annotated along three questions pertaining to the experience of gender abuse, by experts who identify as women or a member of the LGBTQIA community in South Asia. Through this dataset we demonstrate a participatory approach to creating datasets that drive AI systems

Rising Incidence of Non-albicans Candida and Changing Susceptibility Pattern of Bloodstream Candida Isolates in Neonates

Introduction: Importance of Candida species in nursery and paediatric Intensive Care Units (ICUs) is increasingly being recognized and nowadays isolates resistant to antifungal therapy are on the rise. They account for 9-13% of all bloodstream infection isolates in neonatal intensive care units and also the spectrum of candidemia has changed with the emergence of Non-Albicans Candida (NAC) species, the incidence of which in neonates in different parts of India is not well known. Aim: To find out the incidence of Non albicans candida among bloodstream infections and to determine susceptibility pattern of Candida blood stream infections in neonates admitted to the NICU of a tertiary care center in a remote part of central India. Materials and Methods: This study presents prospective cross sectional data on species distribution and changing antifungal susceptibility profiles of 109 Candida bloodstream isolates by automated blood culture by Bact /Alert 3D (Biomerieux) and susceptibility determination by VITEK2 (Biomerieux) automed instrument from all 689 admitted clinically suspected cases of neonatal septicaemia in central India over a 3 year period. Results: Candida albicans was the Predominant species with 41(37.6%) isolates, followed by Candida parapsilosis 34 (31.1%), Candida tropicalis 18 (16.5%), Candida krusei 11 (10.1%) and Candida glabrata 5 (4.5%). Overall NAC accounted for 68 (62.4%) of all bloodstream Candida infections. The in vitro susceptibility by VITEK2 automated susceptibility testing showed that all C. albicans, C. tropicalis and C. glabrata isolates were susceptible to amphotericin B. Of 34 isolates of C. parapsilosis tested, only 3 (8.8%) and only 2 (18.1%) of C. krusei isolates exhibited an MIC for amphotericin B of >1 µg/ml. Resistance to fluconazole (MIC=32) was observed in all 11 (100%) isolates of C. krusei, 28 (68.3%) of C. albicans isolates, 2 (40%) of C. glabrata and 8 (23.5%) of C parapsilosis isolates. Resistance to 5-flucytosine (MIC =4 µg/ml) was observed in 6 (14.6%) C. albicans isolates, 6 (33.3%) C. tropicalis isolates, 5 (14.7%) C. parapsilosis isolates, 1 (20%) C. glabrata isolate and all 11 (100%) C. krusei isolates. All the isolates of C. albicans, C. tropicalis, C. parapsilosis, were sensitive to voriconazole except only 1 isolate of C. krusei which was also resistant to fluconazole. Conclusion: In the present study, it was also noted that Candida blood stream infections constitute a large percentage (15.8%) of all neonatal bloodstream infections; our isolation of Candida is higher than some of recent studies. Prevalence of NAC is on rise

STUDY OF EPIDEMIOLOGICAL CORRELATES OF TUBERCULOSIS.

Introduction: Tuberculosis is a disease of poverty affecting mostly young adults in their most productive years. WHO has suggested that the expected effect of improved diagnostic and treatment services may be negated by an increase in the prevalence of risk factors for the progression of latent TB to active disease in segments of the population. The risk factors broadly described may be biomedical, environmental or socioeconomic. The impact of these other determinants on TB epidemiology in India has yet to be fully understood . Methodology: Study was undertaken on all patients in the age group of 18 years and above with history of cough for more than 2 weeks attending DOTS Microscopy centre of HIMS with or without other symptoms suggestive of tuberculosis attending DOTS Microscopy centre for a period of six months i.e. from 1st July to 31st December 2010 were included in study group. Total patients attended the centre were 538. Results: Majority of participants were farmers 159(43.9%) belonging to lower socio-economic status . Out of 362 study subjects maximum i.e. 162 (44.8%) had past history of pulmonary tuberculosis and only 18 (5.0%) subjects had family history of tuberculosis . While majority (45%) had past history of tuberculosis of which 37.1% had sputum positivity. Smoking was found to be most common type of addiction among 207 (57.2%) followed by alcohol i.e. 129 (35.6%) . Conclusion: Epidemiological factors like literacy status, socioeconomic status, previous history of tuberculosis, smoking & BMI play important role in causation of Tuberculosis