A Comprehensive Review of Auditory and Non-Auditory Effects of Noise on Human Health.

OBJECTIVE: Excessive noise is unpleasant and induces several physiological and psychological effects. Noise pollution is a potential threat to humans, particularly those continuously exposed for extended periods throughout the day over many years. This review aims to examine the various auditory and non-auditory outcomes associated with prolonged exposure to noise pollution. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The review utilized a combination of relevant keywords to search the electronic databases. After screening based on the applied selection criteria for title, abstract, and full text, 44 articles were finally selected for critical review. RESULTS: We identified and analyzed research findings related to noise-induced hearing loss, tinnitus, and sleep disturbances along with non-auditory issues such as annoyance, cognitive impairments, and mental stress associated with cardiovascular disorders. Furthermore, the existing studies were compared and collated to highlight the unique challenges and significance of noise pollution as a distinctive environmental concern and to explore the ongoing efforts in its research and prevention, including the early detection and potential reversal of noise-induced hearing loss. CONCLUSION: The fundamental health consequences of noise pollution underscore the need for extensive research encompassing emerging noise sources and technologies to establish a health management system tailored to address noise-related health concerns and reduce noise exposure risk among populations. Finally, further research is warranted to ensure improved measurement of noise exposure and related health outcomes, especially in the context of occupational noise.

Development of correlations between various engineering rockmass classification systems using railway tunnel data in Garhwal Himalaya, India.

Engineering rockmass classifications are an integral part of design, support and excavation procedures of tunnels, mines, and other underground structures. These classifications are directly linked to ground reaction and support requirements. Various classification systems are in practice and are still evolving. As different classifications serve different purposes, it is imperative to establish inter-correlatability between them. The rating systems and engineering judgements influence the assignment of ratings owing to cognition. To understand the existing correlation between different classification systems, the existing correlations were evaluated with the help of data of 34 locations along a 618-m-long railway tunnel in the Garhwal Himalaya of India and new correlations were developed between different rock classifications. The analysis indicates that certain correlations, such as RMR-Q, RMR-RMi, RMi-Q, and RSR-Q, are comparable to the previously established relationships, while others, such as RSR-RMR, RCR-Qn, and GSI-RMR, show weak correlations. These deviations in published correlations may be due to individual parameters of estimation or measurement errors. Further, incompatible classification systems exhibited low correlations. Thus, the study highlights a need to revisit existing correlations, particularly for rockmass conditions that are extremely complex, and the predictability of existing correlations exhibit high variations. In addition to augmenting the existing database, new correlations for metamorphic rocks in the Himalayan region have been developed and presented that can serve as a guide for future rock engineering projects in such formations and aid in developing appropriate excavation and rock support methodologies.

Entanglement and quantum coherence of two YIG spheres in a hybrid Laguerre-Gaussian cavity optomechanics.

We theoretically investigate continuous variable entanglement and macroscopic quantum coherence in the hybrid L-G rotational cavity optomechanical system containing two YIG spheres. In this system, a single L-G cavity mode and both magnon modes (which are due to the collective excitation of spins in two YIG spheres) are coupled through the magnetic dipole interaction whereas the L-G cavity mode can also exchange orbital angular momentum (OAM) with the rotating mirror (RM). We study in detail the effects of various physical parameters like cavity and both magnon detunings, environment temperature, optorotational and magnon coupling strengths on the bipartite entanglement and the macroscopic quantum coherence as well. We also explore parameter regimes to achieve maximum values for both of these quantum correlations. We also observed that the parameters regime for achieving maximum bipartite entanglement is completely different from macroscopic quantum coherence. So, our present study shall provide a method to control various nonclassical quantum correlations of macroscopic objects in the hybrid L-G rotational cavity optomechanical system and have potential applications in quantum sensing, quantum meteorology, and quantum information science.

Biological wastewater treatment: a comprehensive sustainability analysis using life cycle assessment.

The research conducts a life cycle assessment (LCA) on wastewater treatment (WWT) methods-membrane bioreactor (MBR), soil biotechnology (SBT), and bio-electrochemical constructed wetlands (BCW)-in comparison with the conventional activated sludge process (ASP). Employing SimaPro v9.5 with a cradle-to-gate system boundary, the analysis utilizes the IMPACT 2002 + method, employing per cubic meter of treated wastewater as the functional unit. The analysis shows that SBT exhibits the lowest environmental impacts among the considered WWT methods. The global warming potential was 0.0996 kg CO2 eq. for SBT, 1.33 kg CO2 eq. for MBR, 0.131 kg CO2 eq. for BCW, and 0.544 kg CO2 eq. for ASP. BCW demonstrates a 75.91% decrease, while MBR exhibits a 144.48% increase compared to ASP. Notably, electricity consumption emerges as the primary contributor to environmental impact in MBR and ASP. The resource impact category varies with a 138.15% increase in MBR and an 83.41% decrease in SBT compared to ASP. Additionally, the research indicates that the high human health impact observed in MBR results mainly from increased carcinogens (0.00176 kg C2H3Cl eq.), non-carcinogens (0.01 kg C2H3Cl eq.), and ionizing radiation (3.34 Bq C-14 eq.). The findings underscore the importance of considering treatment efficiency and broader environmental implications in selecting WWT methods. As the world emphasizes sustainability, such LCA studies provide valuable insights for making informed decisions in wastewater management.

Signatures of Correlated Defects in an Ultraclean Wigner Crystal in the Extreme Quantum Limit.

Low-disorder two-dimensional electron systems in the presence of a strong, perpendicular magnetic field terminate at very small Landau level filling factors in a Wigner crystal (WC), where the electrons form an ordered array to minimize the Coulomb repulsion. The nature of this exotic, many-body, quantum phase is yet to be fully understood and experimentally revealed. Here we probe one of WC's most fundamental parameters, namely, the energy gap that determines its low-temperature conductivity, in record mobility, ultrahigh-purity, two-dimensional electrons confined to GaAs quantum wells. The WC domains in these samples contain ≃1000 electrons. The measured gaps are a factor of three larger than previously reported for lower quality samples, and agree remarkably well with values predicted for the lowest-energy, intrinsic, hypercorrelated bubble defects in a WC made of flux-electron composite fermions, rather than bare electrons. The agreement is particularly noteworthy, given that the calculations are done for disorder-free composite fermion WCs, and there are no adjustable parameters. The results reflect the exceptionally high quality of the samples, and suggest that composite fermion WCs are indeed more stable compared to their electron counterparts.

Enhancement of progesterone biosynthesis via kisspeptin stimulation: Upregulation of steroidogenic transcripts and phosphorylated extracellular signal-regulated kinase (p-ERK1/2) expression in the buffalo luteal cells.

The presence of Kisspeptin (Kp) and its receptors in the corpus luteum (CL) of buffalo has recently been demonstrated. In this study, we investigated the role of Kp in the modulation of progesterone (P4) synthesis in vitro. The primary culture of bubaline luteal cells (LCs) was treated with 10, 50, and 100 nM of Kp and Kp antagonist (KpA) alongside a vehicle control. The combined effect of Kp and KpA was assessed at 100 nM concentration. Intracellular response to Kp treatment in the LCs was assessed by examining transcript profiles (LHR, STAR, CYP11A1, HSD3B1, and ERK1/2) using quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR). In addition, the immunolocalization of ERK1/2 and phosphorylated ERK1/2 (p-ERK1/2) in the LCs was studied using immunocytochemistry. Accumulation of P4 from the culture supernatant was determined using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). The results indicated that LCs had a greater p-ERK1/2 expression in the Kp treatment groups. A significant increase in the P4 concentration was recorded at 50 nM and 100 nM Kp, while KpA did not affect the basal concentration of P4. However, the addition of KpA to the Kp-treated group at 100 nM concentration suppressed the Kp-induced P4 accumulation into a concentration similar to the control. There was significant upregulation of ERK1/2 and CYP11A1 expressions in the Kp-treated LCs at 100 nM (18.1 and 37fold, respectively, p < 0.01). However, the addition of KpA to Kp-treated LCs modulated ERK1/2, LHR, STAR, CYP11A1, and HSD3B1 at 100 nM concentration. It can be concluded that Kp at 100 nM stimulated P4 production, while the addition of KpA suppressed Kp-induced P4 production in the buffalo LCs culture. Furthermore, an increment in p-ERK1/2 expression in the LCs indicated activation of the Kp signaling pathway was associated with luteal steroidogenesis.

Study of wave motion on the emergence of veering, locking, and coupling in periodic composite panels.

This research proposes the effect of micropolar-Cosserat (MC) parameters (length-scale parameters and Cosserat shear modulus) on the dispersion characteristics of propagating wave modes in periodic composite panels (PCPs). These inbuilt parameters are due to the assumption of the length-scale boundary conditions that allow for capturing the micro-rotational (MR) wave mode along with the flexural ones. A significant contribution of this study is the transformation of the two-dimensional (2-D) periodic composite problem into a series of one-dimensional (1-D) ones using the MC continuum theory. The analysis employs the transfer matrix method in the framework of the state-space approach to investigate periodic systems in the eigenvalue domain. Additionally, Bloch-Floquet's periodic boundary conditions (PBCs) are applied to the unit cell to ensure the periodicity of the system. The main innovation lies in observing veering, locking, and coupling phenomena, which occur due to alterations in lamina orientation and MC parameters. Moreover, the presence of inbuilt parameters renders the dispersion characteristics highly sensitive to even minor coefficient variations, with a mere 1% change significantly impacting eigenmode fluctuations. The sudden bandgap (BG) disappearing nature could be used to identify the accurate value of the coefficient for designing and analyzing PCPs.

Eco-safe composite edible coating of hydrocolloids with papaya leaf extract improves postharvest quality and shelf life of papaya fruit under ambient storage.

Papaya postharvest management using low-temperature storage is discouraged as it is a tropical fruit. Extensive research is going on to preserve papaya quality at ambient storage using edible coatings and its composites. The present investigation examined the effects of an eco-safe composite edible coating consisting of hydrocolloid carboxymethyl cellulose (CMC) (1%), guar gum (1.5%), xanthan gum (0.3%), and Gum Arabic (10%) combined with papaya leaf extract (PLE) (1:1 ratio by volume) applied as dip treatment on "Red Lady" papaya fruit at ambient storage condition. Among all the attempted treatments, "PLE incorporated with CMC (1%)" was found to be the best, as the treated fruit exhibited the highest levels of biochemicals, whereas the lowest levels of physiological and enzymatic activity, which positively affected the shelf life. The "CMC + PLE" treatment enhanced the fruit gloss score by 70.1%, phenolics by 6.1%, ascorbic acid by 22.3%, total carotenoid content by 7.4%, and fruit predilection score by 22.0% over the control fruit. However, it lowered (controlling) the physiological loss in weight by 51.0%, decay incidence by 66.6%, and polygalacturonase and pectin methylesterase activity by 24.92% and 35.29%, respectively, over control. Moreover, this treatment exhibited the highest fruit purchase predilection score and prolonged the storage life for >3 days on the physiological loss standard basis (≤10%). This study indicates that "CMC (1%) with PLE (1:1)" composite coating application on papaya under ambient conditions might be an effective, environmentally friendly, and health-friendly way to retain the quality and extend the storage life.

Clinical Profile and Outcome of Children Admitted with Multisystem Inflammatory Syndrome (MIS-C) in a Tertiary Hospital.

Background Most children infected with SARS-CoV-2 infection, are asymptomatic or develops mild to moderate symptoms. Few weeks later, few children develops delayed hyper inflammatory syndrome known as Multisystem inflammatory syndrome in children (MIS-C). Objective To describe various demographic features of children with Multisystem inflammatory syndrome in children. To analyze common clinical presentation, clinical and laboratory markers of severity and outcome of children with Multisystem inflammatory syndrome. Method This study was prospective observational study conducted on children with Multisystem inflammatory syndrome in children. This was conducted in Department of Pediatrics of Nobel Medical College during 12 months period from July 2021 to June 2022. Basic demographic features, common clinical presentation in children with Multisystem inflammatory syndrome in children and its severity and outcome were analyzed. Independent sample t-test and chi square test was used for comparison of means and categorical variables. Logistic regression was done to assess the relationship between clinical variables and outcome. Result A total of 36 children were included in our study. Maximum number of cases were male (61.11%) and age group > 10 years (58.33%). Fever, gastrointestinal symptoms, shock and renal dysfunction were common clinical features. Children requiring mechanical ventilation had higher C-reactive protein (CRP), lower platelets, higher d-Dimer and lower ejection fraction. Vasoactive Inotropic score (VIS > 10) was associated with higher chances of mechanical ventilation and prolonged pediatric intensive care unit (PICU) stay. Mortality rate in our study was 5.55% and three children developed coronary aneurysm.

Role of Pro-BNP in predicting outcome in acute heart failure patient presenting to a medical emergency: An observational study from North India.

Background: Acute heart failure (AHF) is a clinical syndrome defined as the new onset or acutely decompensated heart failure (ADHF) leading to signs and symptoms of heart failure (HF). The critical cut-off values for these biomarkers that suggest high mortality are not clearly defined in previous studies. More studies are required to better understand the correlation of Pro- BNP and its association with HF. The primary objective is to study the role of Pro-BNP and critical factors in predicting outcomes in AHF patients presenting to a medical emergency. Materials and Methods: The data from the patients presented with symptoms of HF in the Department of Medical Emergency at our hospital were recorded and analysed. AHF is a clinical syndrome defined as the new onset or ADHF leading to signs and symptoms of HF, as based on the European Society of Cardiology. Results: The present study highlights the various risk factors of AHF in patients and their association with mortality. In the present study, mortality in patients with very high Pro-BNP levels ≥2000 pg/ml was significantly higher than in patients with moderately elevated Pro-BNP. The patients who survived after 5 days of hospitalization had Pro-BNP levels ≤2000 pg/ml, suggesting that very high Pro-BNP levels ≥2000 pg/ml are associated with fatal outcomes. Conclusion: To conclude, diabetes and sepsis are critical factors for the hospitalization and mortality of patients with AHF in northern India. Very high Pro-BNP levels ≥2000 pg/ml in patients with AHF requiring hospitalization and associated with fatal outcomes.

Fractional Quantum Hall State at Filling Factor ν=1/4 in Ultra-High-Quality GaAs Two-Dimensional Hole Systems.

Single-component fractional quantum Hall states (FQHSs) at even-denominator filling factors may host non-Abelian quasiparticles that are considered to be building blocks of topological quantum computers. Such states, however, are rarely observed in the lowest-energy Landau level, namely at filling factors ν<1. Here, we report evidence for an even-denominator FQHS at ν=1/4 in ultra-high-quality two-dimensional hole systems confined to modulation-doped GaAs quantum wells. We observe a deep minimum in the longitudinal resistance at ν=1/4, superimposed on a highly insulating background, suggesting a close competition between the ν=1/4 FQHS and the magnetic-field-induced, pinned Wigner solid states. Our experimental observations are consistent with the very recent theoretical calculations that predict that substantial Landau level mixing, caused by the large hole effective mass, can induce composite fermion pairing and lead to a non-Abelian FQHS at ν=1/4. Our results demonstrate that Landau level mixing can provide a very potent means for tuning the interaction between composite fermions and creating new non-Abelian FQHSs.

Molecular diagnosis and intraspecific genetic variability of root pathogens of arid legumes in Western Rajasthan, India / Diagnóstico molecular y la variabilidad genética intraespecífica de patógenos de raíces en leguminosas resistentes a sequías del oeste de Rajasthan, India

Abstract:The productivity of arid legumes, such as Clusterbean (Cyamopsis tetragonoloba), Cowpea (Vigna unguiculata), Moth bean (Vigna aconitifolia) and Horse gram (Macrotyloma uniflorum), may remain stagnant over decades because of their high susceptibility to root diseases. Besides, there is a limitation on the information about molecular diagnosis and intraspecific genetic variability of root pathogens in arid legumes. To contribute in this field, we assessed a total of 52 isolates from 88 root samples that were found infected with fungal pathogens in Jodhpur, Jaipur and Bikaner Districts of Rajasthan. Diseased roots samples were analyzed following standard microbiological methods for fungus extraction and purification, and for genetic studies. Irrespective of the geographical location from where the diseased samples were collected, all pathogen isolates were clustered in RAPD dendrograms as per their respective genera. Phylogram, based on multiple sequence alignment, revealed that different genera (i.e. Fusarium, Neocosmospora and Syncephalastrum), separated from each other, and species within the same genera, clustered together with their reference sequences with apreciable bootstrap values. Out of 20 representative isolates representing each cluster and all outgroups sequenced, eight were molecularly identified as Neocosmospora vasinfecta, five as Fusarium solani, two as Neocosmospora striata, two as Fusarium acutatum, one as Syncephalastrum monosporum, one as Fusarium oxysporum and one as Fusarium species. The root pathogens of the arid legumes were found neither restricted to a geographical location nor were host specific in nature. Fusarium solani wilt in cowpea and seedling rot in moth bean, F. oxysporum wilt in moth bean, F. acutatum damping off in cowpea and Clusterbean, Fusarium sp. seedling rot in Clusterbean, Neocosmospora striata root rot in cowpea and wilt in Clusterbean and Syncephalastrum monosporum root rot in Clusterbean were molecularly identified as new fungal records as pathogens causing root diseases in arid legumes. Rev. Biol. Trop. 64 (4): 1505-1518. Epub 2016 December 01.

Resumen:La producción de leguminosas resistentes a sequías como Cyamopsis tetragonoloba, Vigna unguiculata, Vigna aconitifolia y Macrotyloma uniflorum, puede permanecer inactiva durante décadas debido a su alta susceptibilidad a enfermedades en las raíces. Además, hay información limitada relacionada con el diagnóstico molecular y la variabilidad genética intraespecífica de patógenos de raíces en estas leguminosas resistentes a sequías. Para contribuir en esta área, evaluamos un total de 52 extractos de 88 raíces infectadas con patógenos fúngicos en los distritos de Jodhpur, Jaipur y Bikaner de Rajastán. Las muestras de raíces infectadas se analizaron siguiendo los métodos estándar de microbiología para extracción y purificación de hongos y para estudios genéticos. Independientemente del sitio donde se recolectaron las muestras contaminadas, todos los extractos patógenicos se agruparon en dendrogramas RAPD en cada uno de sus respectivos géneros. El filograma, basado en alineamiento de secuencias múltiples reveló que distintos géneros (Fusarium, Neocosmospora y Syncephalastrum) separados entre ellos y especies del mismo género se agrupan con sus secuencias de referencia con valores de bootstrap significativos. De cada 20 extractos representantes de cada agrupamiento y todos los grupos externos secuenciados, ocho fueron identificados molecularmente como Neocosmospora vasinfecta, dos como Fusarium acutatum, una como Syncephalastrum monosporum, una como Fusarium oxysporum y una como Fusarium. Los patógenos de estas leguminosas resistentes a sequías no están restringidos por la localidad ni por un hospedero específico. Fusarium solani que marchita el frijol de vaca y pudre la semilla de Vigna aconitifolia, F. oxysporum que marchita a Vigna aconitifolia, F. acutatum que marchita a Vigna unguiculata y Cyamopsis tetragonoloba, Fusarium sp. que pudre la semilla de Cyamopsis tetragonoloba, Neocosmospora striata que pudre la raíz de Vigna unguiculata y marchita a Cyamopsis tetragonoloba y, Syncephalastrum monosporum que pudre la raíz en Cyamopsis tetragonoloba, fueron identificados molecularmente como nuevos registros de patógenos fúngicos que causan daños en las raíces de leguminosas resistentes a sequías.

2D map of proteins from human renal stone matrix and evaluation of their effect on oxalate induced renal tubular epithelial cell injury

Purpose Proteins constitute a major portion of the organic matrix of human calcium oxalate (CaOx) renal stones and the matrix is considered to be important in stone formation and growth. The present study evaluates the effect of these proteins on oxalate injured renal epithelial cells accompanied by a 2D map of these proteins. Materials and Methods Proteins were isolated from the matrix of kidney stones containing CaOx as the major constituent using EGTA as a demineralizing agent. The effect of more than 3kDa proteins from matrix of human renal (calcium oxalate) CaOx stones was investigated on oxalate induced cell injury of MDCK renal tubular epithelial cells. A 2D map of >3kDa proteins was also generated followed by protein identification using MALDI-TOF MS. Results The >3kDa proteins enhanced the injury caused by oxalate on MDCK cells. Also, the 2D map of proteins having MW more than 3kDa suggested the abundance of proteins in the matrix of renal stone. Conclusion Studies indicate that the mixture of >3kDa proteins in the matrix of human renal stones acts as promoter of calcium oxalate crystal nucleation and growth as it augments the renal epithelial cell injury induced by oxalate. The effect of promoters masks the inhibitors in the protein mixture thereby leading to enhanced renal cell injury. 2D map throws light on the nature of proteins present in the kidney stones. .

Disseminated cryptococcosis in an AIDS patient with unusual clinical presentation

La criptococosis diseminada es una enfermedad poco común y, a menudo,fatal. Los autores presentan el caso de una mujer con esta enfermedad.El historial de la paciente incluía sangrado posmenopáusico, pérdida delconocimiento, alteración de la conciencia, ataques y febrícula. La punciónlumbar reveló presión alta del líquido cefalorraquídeo, pleocitosis linfocitaria,tasas elevadas de proteínas y bajos niveles de glucosa. Cryptococcusneoformans fue aislado en líquido cefalorraquídeo y sangre. Un análisisserológico reveló la presencia del virus de la inmunodeficiencia humana.La paciente fue tratada con agentes antimicóticos por vía intravenosa, sinobservarse mejoría, y falleció tras dos semanas de tratamiento. Este es elprimer caso de criptococosis diseminada en una paciente con sida y vaginitiscriptocócica(AU)

Disseminated cryptocococcosis is a rare and often fatal disease. Here in wereport an unusual fatal case of disseminated cryptococcosis. The patientpresented with a past history of postmenopausal bleeding with loss ofconsciousness, altered mental status, few seizures and a low grade fever.Lumbar puncture revealed elevated pressure, lymphocytic pleocytosis,elevated protein and markedly reduced glucose level. Cryptococcusneoformans was isolated from cerebrospinal fluid and blood. Serological assayrevealed the presence of human immunodeficiency virus. The patient wastreated with antifungal agents intravenously without any signs of improvementand the patient passed away after two weeks of therapy. This is the first casereport of disseminated cryptococcosis in an AIDS patient suffering fromcryptoccoccal vaginitis(AU)