Kalpavriksh

Chlorantraniliprole, a novel diamide insecticide, is widely used for controlling pod borers, particularly Helicoverpa armigera, in pigeonpea crops. The present study investigates the dissipation and residue persistence of chlorantraniliprole in pigeonpea pods under field conditions during therabi seasons of 2021–22 and 2022–23. Chlorantraniliprole was applied as a foliar spray at bud initiation and pod formation stages. Residue extraction was performed using the modified QuEChERS method, followed by analysis via High-Performance Liquid Chromatography (HPLC). The dissipation study revealed that chlorantraniliprole residues dissipated rapidly, with over 90% of the pesticide degraded by Day 5 and complete dissipation (below detectable levels) by Day 10. The pesticide followed first-order kinetics with a half-life of 1.21 days and the safe waiting period before harvest was determined to be 7.51 days, ensuring that residues were below the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) Maximum Residue Limit (MRL) of 0.03 mg/kg. The study confirms that chlorantraniliprole is a rapidly degrading pesticide and adherence to the recommended waiting period ensures its safe use in pigeonpea cultivation. These findings support the safe and effective use of chlorantraniliprole in pest management, particularly against pod borers in pigeonpea, while ensuring consumer safety through the reduction of pesticide residues in edible parts.

Understanding the determinants of smart village ICT behavior is essential for formulating effective policies and intervention strategies to improve the behavior. Unfortunately, research on smart villages from the perspective of ICT behavior remains limited. Thus, this research aims to develop and test a smart village ICT behavior model by examining the influence of external conditions, perceptions, and attitudes towards ICT use. The study was conducted in a smart village in Indonesia using a quantitative approach. Data were collected through a questionnaire-based survey, with a sample of 99 participants. The main variables—smart village ICT behavior, perception, attitude, and external conditions—were measured using multiple indicators. Data were analyzed using Partial Least Squares Structural Equation Modeling with SmartPLS software. The results show that external conditions significantly and positively influence smart village ICT behavior. However, perception and attitude toward ICT use do not have a significant direct effect on behavior. Perception and external conditions, on the other hand, significantly influence attitude. This study contributes theoretically by being the first to integrate perception, attitude, and external conditions into a smart village ICT behavior model. Practically, the findings can support government in designing effective policies and strategies for smart village development.

Pulmonary artery hypertension (PAH) is usually considered secondary to lung pathology in neonates, and is termed as Persistent pulmonary hypertension of newborn (PPHN). When the disease process does not respond to standard intensive care, optimization of lung recruitment, and when associated with severe cardiac dysfunction, the clinician must consider genetic/heritable/familial predilection. Several known genetic causes have been described in the literature, and gene panels are available for testing PAH. We report a preterm neonate who was initially considered to have PPHN due to maladaptation but followed an atypical course which led to a fatal outcome. We considered alternative etiologies and detected a SMAD6 missense variant. This gene variant was classified as of uncertain significance. However, biological plausibility in terms of the gene’s role in arteriovenous modeling and its role downstream of the Bone morphogenetic protein receptor gene could suggest that SMAD6 is pathogenic in PAH.

The current study assesses several water-based PVT system thermal absorber configurations. The thermal absorber in PVT system plays a vital role in efficiency evaluation as it lowers PV temperature and collects heat energy. The current study aims to discover and analyze advanced thermal absorber design by comparing well-received spiral circular absorbers and non-cooled PV with proposed semi-circular thermal absorbers with varying flow configurations. The proposed thermal absorber maintains surface contact with PV panels and improves heat transfer thereby yielding better thermal and electrical efficiency. Simulated PVT systems have a constant water flow rate and solar radiation. The CFD-FLUENT software was preferred to evaluate the PVT system in steady-state conditions for the investigation. Under constant ambient and inlet water temperatures of 299 K, the PV temperatures at the surface, water discharge temperature, and pressure drop were measured. It was discovered that a thermal absorber could effectively lower PV surface temperature by cooling. A zigzag thermal absorber was the most efficient since it produced the highest water outlet temperature and lowest PV surface temperature while also slightly raising the pressure drop. In comparison with a non-cooled PV system, a zigzag thermal absorber PVT system yields 11.97% more electrical efficiency, with an addition of 76.75% thermal efficiency. It was also noticed that a conventional spiral circular PVT system provides 13.5% electrical efficiency and 54.8% thermal efficiency while an electrical efficiency of 13.61% and thermal efficiency is 76.75% was obtained from a zigzag thermal absorber PVT system. The zigzag thermal absorber PVT system had a high initial investment of INR 38809.00. It showed a simple payback of 4.63 years, a 28% return on investment with a promising 2.1 Debt Service Coverage Ratio. It is advisable to consider incorporating zigzag semi-circular PVT in the prospective improvements of the PVT system.

Abstract Pulmonary actinomycosis is a rare and challenging condition to diagnose, caused by anaerobic or microaerophilic bacteria, primarily from the genus Actinomyces. There is often a delayed diagnosis, or it may masquerade as tuberculosis, a lung abscess, or lung cancer. This masquerading, particularly as a malignancy, is distressing for the patient, who may undergo surgery for what is essentially a benign and curable disease. Here, we report a case of a 60-year-old male who presented with complaints of cough and minimal expectoration for three months, along with a non-resolving opacity on a chest X-ray. The diagnostic workup confirmed the diagnosis of pulmonary actinomycosis. This case highlights the diagnostic challenges posed by actinomycosis and illuminates the clinical, diagnostic, and therapeutic characteristics of the disease.

In Ladakh, a trans-Himalayan region of India, two drastically opposite visions of energy transition are colliding head-on. The first is a grassroots, indigenous approach that emphasises on low-impact and socioecologically just energy practices, meant primarily for local consumption. The other is a government and corporate driven, technocratic vision pushing for large-scale energy infrastructure and critical mineral mining, to supply energy to high-consumption areas outside Ladakh. At the heart of this conflict lies the issue of governance and democracy, decision-making regarding ‘development’ and the use of land and local resources. Since early 2023, drawing on a longer history of struggles, a movement for autonomy, constitutional safeguards and statehood for Ladakh has intensified. The top-down and large-scale energy projects planned for the region have been challenged in this movement. The hope is that autonomy would empower locals to control their lands and resources and steer their futures, including those related to energy. Analysing these protests, we argue that constitutional safeguards and autonomy are essential for protecting and promoting socioecologically just energy practices. The demand for autonomy challenges the extractive view of Ladakh as a peripheral sacrifice zone for modern energy needs. Instead, it could be the basis for promoting local pluriversal technologies, low-impact lifestyles and democratically run and managed energy systems. At the same time, Ladakhis have to deal with internal contestations regarding visions of ‘development’ and prosperity.

Abstract Background: Better understanding of the molecular pathways that drive malignancy led to the development of agents that target specific molecular pathways that target the malignant cells. Identification of specific driver mutation is the key to targeted therapy in advanced nonsmall-cell carcinomas. This study was done to assess the prevalence and patterns of driver oncogenic mutations in nonsmall cell lung cancer (NSCLC) among the patients subjected to molecular study in a tertiary care center. Materials and Methods: This is a cross-sectional study done in 1.5 years in a tertiary care center in 103 patients diagnosed with NSCLC. Patients with NSCLC were subjected to molecular study in the department of oncology as a part of management. The demographics, clinical details, laboratory parameters, and pathology were noted from the medical records. The molecular study was done from the biopsied specimen in an outside laboratory. The frequency of driver oncogenic mutation, along with other clinical parameters was studied. Results: Out of 103 patients subjected to the study, 46 (44.6%) subjects had driver oncogenic mutations. Among them, 38 (36.9%) subjects had epidermal growth factor receptor mutations, 7 (6.8%) had anaplastic lymphoma kinase mutations, and 1 (1%) had ROS mutation. Conclusion: The frequency of driver oncogenic mutations is higher in our population, compared to the Western population. From a clinical point of view, there is a dire need for advocacy and increased awareness for screening and early detection of thoracic malignancies, and advanced treatment options, including targeted therapy, so that disease-related morbidity and mortality can be reduced to an extent.