Ashok Kumar

It has become a routine for cops to take the dog from the Tirupur squad to attend emergencies ever since explosive expert ‘Bhavani', a Doberman breed in the Erode squad went on ‘sick leave', a month ago.

Abstract The dependability of nodes in an Industrial Wireless Sensor Network (IWSN) is vital for precise decision-making and the overall functioning of the network.

Red Cat Holdings Inc. (RCAT:NASDAQ) recently reported the expansion of its drone portfolio and recent financial results, according to a Think Equity research note.

Maruti workers protest for reinstatement after being discharged post labour unrest, seeking justice and equal pay.

Background As e-cigarettes gain popularity as potential tobacco cessation aids, concerns arise about their dual use with traditional cigarettes, especially among pregnant women, potentially subjecting both women and fetuses to heightened risks. This systematic review and meta-analysis aimed to determine the overall prevalence of dual use of tobacco smoking and e-cigarette use in pregnant women. Methods A literature search was conducted across databases including PubMed, Embase, Web of Science, and Cochrane on October 20, 2023. The included studies reported the number of pregnant women and the count of those who were dual users. Quality assessment was undertaken using the JBI tool. The pooled prevalence of dual use was determined via a random-effects model. All statistical analyses were executed using R software, version 4.3. PROSPERO: CRD42023486020. Results Eighteen studies were analyzed, encompassing 5,983,363 pregnant women. The meta-analysis indicated an overall prevalence of 4.6% (95% CI: 2.0-10.3) for dual users with significant heterogeneity (I2 = 100%). Subgroup analysis based on the country showed a prevalence of 4.9% (95% CI: 2.0 to 11.6) for USA and 8.1% (95% CI: 0.00 to 1.00) for UK. Meta-regression revealed reduction of prevalence of dual use from 2019 to 2023. A potential publication bias was indicated by the LFK index and the Doi plot. Conclusion The dual consumption of e-cigarettes and traditional tobacco in pregnant women is a significant health concern, with a notable prevalence. Given the established risks of tobacco smoking during pregnancy and the uncertainties surrounding e-cigarettes, more comprehensive research and public health interventions are urgently needed to address this issue.

Scientific Reports , Nov 2024 The dependability of nodes in an Industrial Wireless Sensor Network (IWSN) is vital for precise decision-making and the overall functioning of the network.

Abstract Groundwater poisoning by heavy metals has caused serious health hazards in the exposed population globally.

Background The COVID-19 pandemic has significantly impacted public health, with emerging evidence suggesting substantial effects on maternal and neonatal health. This systematic review and meta-analysis aimed to quantify the prevalence and risk of respiratory distress syndrome (RDS) in newborns born to mothers infected with SARS-CoV-2, the virus responsible for COVID-19. Methods We conducted a literature search in Embase, PubMed, and Web of Science up to April 20, without language or date restrictions. Observational studies reporting on the prevalence or risk of RDS among newborns from mothers with confirmed SARS-CoV-2 infection were included. Quality assessment was performed using the JBI tool. Statistical analysis was performed by using R software version 4.3. Results Twenty-two studies met the inclusion criteria. The pooled prevalence of RDS among newborns born to COVID-19-infected mothers was 11.5% (95% CI: 7.4–17.3%), with significant heterogeneity (I² = 93%). Newborns from infected mothers had a significantly higher risk of developing RDS, with a pooled risk ratio (RR) of 2.69 (95% CI: 1.77 to 4.17). Conclusion Newborns born to mothers with COVID-19 have a substantially increased risk of developing RDS. These findings emphasize the need for vigilant monitoring and appropriate management of pregnant women with COVID-19 to mitigate adverse neonatal outcomes.

The crop productivity in rainfed regions is driven by the quantum and distribution of rainfall during the crop growth period. The dry spell index (DSI) was used in the present investigation to quantify the cumulative impact of dry spells on major rainfed crops of the kharif season (June–September) in India's semi-arid regions of Andhra Pradesh. The effect of DSI on the yield of major rainfed crops, i.e., groundnut, pigeon pea, cotton, maize and pearl millet was estimated and compared with the widely used standard precipitation index (SPI). Our results revealed that among the various districts, a higher DSI (> 16.1) was noticed in Anantapur that experienced a DSI of 8.1–16.0 in 77% of the years during the study period (1998–2019), which indicated that the crop suffered stress conditions during the season affecting the crop yields. Moreover, a significant negative correlation was observed between the yields of various crops (groundnut, pigeon pea, maize and pearl millet) and DSI. On the other hand, SPI analysis showed that 74%–83% of the years experienced normal (−0.99 to 0.99) to moderately dry (−1.00 to −1.49) conditions, indicating normal rainfall status during the season. At the same time, no significant correlation was found between the SPI and crop yields. Therefore, the present study revealed that the DSI performed better in quantifying the dry spells and their impact on crop yields, especially under rainfed conditions in the semi-arid regions of south-east India.

Abstract Objective To evaluate the pain intensity in preterm infants during 48 h post retinopathy of prematurity (ROP) screening by binocular fundoscopy.