A study of research publications of top NIRF ranked engineering institutions in Karnataka

44-50The study evaluates the research performance of top-six NIRF ranked engineering institutions in Karnataka. The study uses scientometrics indicators like publication and citation growth, AGR, RGR, DT, citation productivity of open access publications, and document types. The analysis revealed that publication productivity increased after the introduction of NIRF in 2016. The average citations of all the institutions increased, and MS Ramaiah Institute of Technology (MSRIT) recorded the highest 1.7 citations per paper, followed by Visvesvaraya Technological University (VTU) with 1.69 citations per paper. The decreasing trend of relative growth and increased doubling time reveal that the institutes are reaching their saturation point in their publication productivity. The open-access articles' average citations are higher than non-OA articles. The Rashtreeya Vidyalaya College of Engineering (RVCE) open access articles received the highest citations, 11.8 average citations—nearly four times higher than closed access articles, with 2.58 average citations

Heading towards the Safer Highways: an assessment of the Avahan prevention programme among long distance truck drivers in India

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Using data from two rounds of a cross-sectional, national-level survey of long-distance truck drivers, this paper examines the extent and trend of sexual risk behavior, prevalence of STI/HIV, and the linkage between exposure to HIV prevention programs and safe sex behavior.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>Following the time location cluster sampling approach, major transshipment locations covering the bulk of India’s transport volume along four routes, North-East (NE), North-South (NS), North-West (NW) and South-East (SE) were surveyed. First round of the survey was conducted in 2007 (sample size 2066) whereas the second round was undertaken in 2009-2010 (sample size 2085). Long distance truck drivers were interviewed about their sexual behaviors, condom use practices, exposure to different HIV prevention interventions, and tested for HIV, reactive syphilis serology, <it>Neiserria gonorrhoeae</it> and <it>Chlamydia trachomatis.</it> The key variable of this evaluation study - exposure to HIV prevention interventions was divided into three categories - no exposure, less intensive exposure and intensive exposure. Data were analyzed using multiple logistic regression methods to understand the relationship between risk behavior and exposure to intervention and between program exposure and condom use.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>The proportion of truckers exposed to HIV prevention interventions has increased over time with much significant increase in the intensive exposure across all the four routes (NE: from 14.9% to 28%, P < 0.01; NS: from 20.9% to 38.1%; NW: 11.5% to 39.5%, P < 0.01; SE: 4.7% to 9.7%, P <0.05). Overall, the consistent condom use in sex with non-regular female partners too has increased over the time (paid female partners: from 67.1% to 73.2%, P <0.05; non-paid female partners: from 17.9% to 37.1%, P <0.05). At the aggregate level, the proportion tested HIV positive has declined from 3.2% to 2.5% in (p<0.10) and proportion tested positive for Syphilis too has reduced from 3.2% to 1.7% (p<0.05). Truckers who had sex with paid female partners (men at risk) were significantly more likely to get exposed to intensive program (aOR: 2.6, 95%CI 1.9-3.4) as compared to those who did not have sex with paid partners. Truckers who had sex with paid partners and exposed to intervention program were more likely to use condoms consistently (aOR: 2.1, 95% CI 1.2-3.7). The consistent condom use among respondents who travel through states with targeted interventions towards female sex workers was higher than those who travel through states with less intensive program among FSWs.</p> <p>Conclusions</p> <p>These evaluation study results highlight the ability of intensive program to reach truckers who have sex outside marriage with HIV prevention interventions and promote safe sex behaviors among them. Truckers who practice safe sex behaviors with an exposure to intensive program are less likely to suffer from STIs and HIV, which has implications for HIV prevention program with truckers’ population in India and elsewhere. The simultaneous targeted interventions among female sex workers appeared to have contributed to safe sexual practices among truckers.</p

E-learning : a myth or reality

E-learning is a means of becoming literate, involving new mechanisms for communication, such as: computer networks, multimedia, content portals, search engines, electronic libraries, distance learning, and web-enabled classrooms. Different web based applications (e.g. email, real-time conference, WebCam) are being used as important tools in the process of e-learning. In India situation is far from reality but does not seem to be impossible to achieve the goal of elearning. In this paper, the examples are taken from the point of the view of Library and Information Science

Workshop on Information Resource Management 13 th -15 th E-learning: A Myth or Reality

Abstract E-learning is a means of becomin

A study of research publications of top NIRF ranked engineering institutions in Karnataka

The study evaluates the research performance of top-six NIRF ranked engineering institutions in Karnataka. The study uses scientometrics indicators like publication and citation growth, AGR, RGR, DT, citation productivity of open access publications, and document types. The analysis revealed that publication productivity increased after the introduction of NIRF in 2016. The average citations of all the institutions increased, and MS Ramaiah Institute of Technology (MSRIT) recorded the highest 1.7 citations per paper, followed by Visvesvaraya Technological University (VTU) with 1.69 citations per paper. The decreasing trend of relative growth and increased doubling time reveal that the institutes are reaching their saturation point in their publication productivity. The open-access articles' average citations are higher than non-OA articles. The Rashtreeya Vidyalaya College of Engineering (RVCE) open access articles received the highest citations, 11.8 average citations—nearly four times higher than closed access articles, with 2.58 average citations

Solvent modulated optical tuning for discrimination of Hg²⁺, Zn²⁺ and Cu²⁺ ions by a coumarin-functionalized azine receptor

167-182In this work, a coumarin functionalized azine receptor R has been synthesized and evaluated for its metal ion recognition capability via dual mode optical responses. The receptor exhibits a prominent colorimetric response in presence of Hg2+, Zn2+ and Cu2+ ions in acetonitrile solvent medium. While on modulating the working solvent system from acetonitrile to acetonitrile-water (9:1, v/v) medium, the receptor shows a highly selective colorimetric response only with Hg2+ ions. On the other hand, the receptor demonstrates a significant fluorogenic response through diagnostic fluorescence “turn-on” behaviour selectively with Cu2+ ions in both media. A comprehensive analysis of the binding characteristics and interference studies of receptor R with various metal ions have been carried out by colorimetric, UV-visible and fluorescence experiments. Further, 1H NMR titration studies of R with these metal ions indicate a good correlation with those of the spectroscopic experiments. The detection limit of R is found to be in the nanomolar range for Cu2+ ion while it detects Hg2+ and Zn2+ ions in micromolar range indicating a high level of sensitivity. Moreover, the analytical applications of the synthesized receptor R have been found to be excellent for optical discrimination of Hg2+, Zn2+ and Cu2+ ions via solvent modulation in real samples

Pol32, an accessory subunit of DNA polymerase delta, plays an essential role in genome stability and pathogenesis of Candida albicans

ABSTRACTCandida albicans is a pathobiont that inflicts serious bloodstream fungal infections in individuals with compromised immunity and gut dysbiosis. Genomic diversity in the form of copy number alteration, ploidy variation, and loss of heterozygosity as an adaptive mechanism to adverse environments is frequently observed in C. albicans. Such genomic variations also confer a varied degree of fungal virulence and drug resistance, yet the factors propelling these are not completely understood. DNA polymerase delta (Polδ) is an essential replicative DNA polymerase in the eukaryotic cell and is yet to be characterized in C. albicans. Therefore, this study was designed to gain insights into the role of Polδ, especially its non-essential subunit Pol32, in the genome plasticity and life cycle of C. albicans. PCNA, the DNA clamp, recruits Polδ to the replication fork for processive DNA replication. Unlike in Saccharomyces cerevisiae, the PCNA interaction protein (PIP) motif of CaPol32 is critical for Polδ’s activity during DNA replication. Our comparative genetic analyses and whole-genome sequencing of POL32 proficient and deficient C. albicans cells revealed a critical role of Pol32 in DNA replication, cell cycle progression, and genome stability as SNPs, indels, and repeat variations were largely accumulated in pol32 null strain. The loss of pol32 in C. albicans conferred cell wall deformity; Hsp90 mediated azoles resistance, biofilm development, and a complete attenuation of virulence in an animal model of systemic candidiasis. Thus, although Pol32 is dispensable for cell survival, its function is essential for C. albicans pathogenesis; and we discuss its translational implications in antifungal drugs and whole-cell vaccine development