Gender differences in COVID-19 knowledge, risk perception, and public stigma among the general community: Findings from a nationwide cross-sectional study in India.

Introduction: Individual and community characteristics predictive of knowledge, perception, and attitude on COVID-19, specifically on gender, have not been adequately explored.

Objective: To examine the gender differences in COVID-19 knowledge, self-risk perception and public stigma among the general community and to understand other socio-demographic factors which were predictive of them.

Method: A nationally representative cross-sectional multi-centric survey was conducted among adult individuals(≥18 yrs) from the community member (N = 1978) from six states and one union territory of India between August 2020 to February 2021.

Challenges in Accessing and Delivering Maternal and Child Health Services during the COVID-19 Pandemic: A Cross-Sectional Rapid Survey from Six States of India.

Background/objectives: Globally, the COVID-19 pandemic and its prevention and control policies have impacted maternal and child health (MCH) services. This study documents the challenges faced by patients in accessing MCH services, and the experiences of health care providers in delivering those services during the COVID-19 outbreak, explicitly focusing on the lockdown period in India.

Methods: A cross-sectional study (rapid survey) was conducted in 18 districts from 6 states of India during March to June, 2020.

Determination of Optimum Machining Parameters for Face Milling Process of Ti6A14V Metal Matrix Composite.

This paper shows the novel approach of Taguchi-Based Grey Relational Analysis of Ti6Al4V Machining parameter. Ti6Al4V metal matrix composite has been fabricated using the powder metallurgy route. Here, all the components of TI6Al4V machining forces, including longitudinal force (F), radial force (F), tangential force (F), surface roughness and material removal rate (MRR) are measured during the facing operation.

Development & validation of scales to assess stigma related to COVID-19 in India.

Background & Objectives: COVID-19 pandemic has triggered social stigma towards individuals affected and their families. This study describes the process undertaken for the development and validation of scales to assess stigmatizing attitudes and experiences among COVID-19 and non-COVID-19 participants from the community.

Methods: COVID-19 Stigma Scale and Community COVID-19 Stigma Scale constituting 13 and six items, respectively, were developed based on review of literature and news reports, expert committee evaluation and participants' interviews through telephone for a multicentric study in India.

SARS-CoV-2 and its variants of concern including Omicron: A never ending pandemic.

The ongoing COVID-19 pandemic caused by SARS-CoV-2 is associated with high morbidity and mortality. This zoonotic virus has emerged in Wuhan of China in December 2019 from bats and pangolins probably and continuing the human-to-human transmission globally since last two years. As there is no efficient approved treatment, a number of vaccines were developed at an unprecedented speed to counter the pandemic.

Influence of β-phase stability in elemental blended Ti-Mo and Ti-Mo-Zr alloys.

This paper investigated the improvement of mechanical properties for one of the most used biomaterials, titanium-based alloy. To improve its mechanical properties, molybdenum was chosen to be added to Ti and Ti-Zr alloys through a mechanical blending process. After homogenization of Ti (12, 15) Mo and Ti (12, 15) Mo-6 Zr, the compaction pressure and sintering temperature were varied to create pellets.

Anti-bacterial activity of inorganic nanomaterials and their antimicrobial peptide conjugates against resistant and non-resistant pathogens.

This review details the antimicrobial applications of inorganic nanomaterials of mostly metallic form, and the augmentation of activity by surface conjugation of peptide ligands. The review is subdivided into three main sections, of which the first describes the antimicrobial activity of inorganic nanomaterials against gram-positive, gram-negative and multidrug-resistant bacterial strains. The second section highlights the range of antimicrobial peptides and the drug resistance strategies employed by bacterial species to counter lethality.

Development and characterization of ethylcellulose based microsphere for sustained release of nifedipine.

This article introduced the work of ethylcellulose based polymeric microsphere loaded with nifedipine for reduction in frequency of administration with low solubility in aqueous medium and high rate of absorption in the stomach. The non-aqueous polymeric suspension was put dropwise into an aqueous medium containing polyvinyl alcohol as a surfactant for the synthesis of microsphere by solvent evaporation. The microspheres were characterized by different techniques, namely, XRD, SEM, and NMR.