Explore the vast range of titles available.

This paper presents the extent of retractions in scientific publications of BRICS countries indexed in the SCOPUS database from 1989 to 2021. The scientific publication of BRICS countries has increased in recent years, which has given way to an increase in retraction. However, much money is being invested in research and development work resulting in more publications by BRICS than any other developing country. Out of 11,764 retracted publications, 72.67% of papers are written by two–five authors, in that 230 retracted articles are published by top 20 authors, it sums up to 1.99%. Retraction on conference proceedings share is 77.90% in that IEEE Computing Society retracts 99.04% of papers. Springer publisher retracts 29.69% journal articles. In the source of journal publication the Arabian Journal of Geosciences has 6.19% retractions. Out of 689 retraced citations, 40.64% are post-citations, and 59.36% are pre-citations. Three articles noticed self-citations in pre-retracted publications but no self-citations in the top 10 post-retracted articles. Unless the academic and research communities enforce severe action to address the growing problems of fabrication and plagiarism, research will be futile. More retraction would result in the degradation of the authors as well as the institution; both have to join hands and follow the publication ethics to stop or at least avoid retraction in the future.

We have studied the effect of relative composition of γ-Oryzanol (γ-Or) on the liquid expanded–liquid condensed phase coexistence region in the mixed Langmuir monolayer of γ-Or and 1,2-dipalmitoyl-sn-glycero-3-phosphocholine (DPPC) molecules at air–water interface. The surface manometry studies at a fixed temperature show that the mixture of γ-Or and DPPC forms a stable monolayer at air–water interface. As the relative composition of γ-Or increases the range of area per molecule over which the coexistence of liquid expanded (LE)–liquid condensed (LC) phases exists reduces. Although the LE–LC phase coexistence corresponds to the first-order phase transition, the slope of the surface pressure–area per molecule isotherm is non-zero. Earlier studies have attributed the non-zero slope in LE–LC phase coexistence region to the influence of the strain between the ordered LC phase and disordered LE phase. The effect of strain on the coexistence of LE–LC phases can be studied in terms of molecular density–strain coupling. Our analysis of the liquid condensed–liquid expanded coexistence region in the isotherms of mixed monolayers of DPPC and γ-Or shows that with the increase in the mole fraction of sterol in the mixed monolayer the molecular lateral density–strain coupling increases. However, at 0.6 mole fraction of γ-Or in the mixed monolayer the coupling decreases. This is corroborated by the observation of minimum Gibb’s free energy of the mixed monolayer at this relative composition of γ-Or indicating better packing of molecules.

Annealed austenitic stainless steel AISI 316L sheets of 1.6-mm and 2-mm thickness respectively was successfully joined by cold metal transfer (CMT) process at two different heat inputs of 0.125 to 0.236 kJ/mm. The process parameters such as welding current and welding speed were optimized to get defect free joints with full penetration depth. The geometry of the weld bead and microstructure of AISI 316L tailor welded blanks using ER308L filler wire are evaluated. Weld metal microstructure inspection by optical microscopy (OM) revealed that higher heat input used to melt the material led to equiaxed grains in the center of weld metal (WM). Due to the lower heat input, the microstructure at the heat-affected zone (HAZ) was similar to base metal (BM). Tailor welded blank’s (TWBs) were formed by designing L9 orthogonal array for 1.6 mm, 2 mm, and dissimilar thickness joint (1.6 mm and 2 mm) wherein the joints exhibited higher tensile strength and hardness as compared to base metal. The increase in tensile strength is corroborated to the increase in δ-ferrite and content of the alloying elements and the grain size in the WM. The microstructure refinement and the δ-ferrite presence contributed to the increase in hardness at the WM compared to HAZ and BM. Bend test revealed quality and soundness of the TWBs with no cracks or openings. The X-ray diffraction plots exhibited an increase in ferrite in WM and the ferrite number has been quantified at an average of 6.36 FN for TWBs and less than 0.5 FN for BM using Fischer Feritscope, which results in better mechanical properties. Fractography examinations indicated that samples failed as a result of the presence of dimples and microvoids resulting in ductile mode fracture at the welded joints.

In this study, bead on plate (BoP) trials are conducted on 2-mm thick commercially pure titanium (CP Ti) sheets by gas tungsten arc welding (GTAW) process. Welding current (75–105 A) and joining speed (250–300 mm/min) are taken as the variables. In the weld samples’ appearance of the surface, colorizations are noticed for understanding the role of shielding gas. BoP trials are subjected to metallographic examination to measure weld profiles. These measured values are fed as input for the Goldak double ellipsoidal model to performing the GTAW process. For BoP trials, temperature profile and Iso-surface contours along the moving heat source direction are taken at various time intervals. From the temperature history, shielding area and post flow time are identified. A shielding arrangement is fabricated and implemented based on these bead profile and temperature profile history. After the successful fabrication of shielding arrangement, experimental butt joints are made by GTAW process to verify the efficiency of shielding arrangement. Bead profile of experimentally fabricated 1.6-mm and 2-mm butt joints are compared and verified against the finite element model results. Moreover, cupping test is conducted to analyze the ductility of the joints. The maximum elongation of 96.10% is measured for 1.6-mm face out joints from cupping test.

Background Maternal and child health among tribal populations in Odisha, India, is significantly influenced by socio-economic, cultural, and infrastructural factors. Cultural practices, reliance on traditional medicine, and limited awareness of modern healthcare benefits shape health-seeking behavior. This scoping review synthesises evidence on health-seeking behaviour, healthcare utilisation, awareness of healthcare services, government policies, and barriers in tribal communities in Odisha, India. Methods This scoping review was conducted following the Joanna Briggs Institute guidelines. We followed the Arksey and O’Malley methodological framework and applied the PAGER framework (Patterns, Advances, Gaps, Evidence for Practice, Research Recommendations) for quality of reporting. Studies were identified through systematic searches of international and Indian databases, Indian journal websites, organisational websites, repositories, and registries, focusing on health-seeking behaviour and healthcare utilisation among Odisha’s tribal communities. Only English-language articles published between January 2011 and July 2024 were included. The methodological quality of the selected studies was independently assessed by two reviewers using the JBI Quality Assessment Checklist. Results A total of 39 studies, encompassing 36,613 participants, were included in the review. The findings highlight significant barriers to healthcare access among tribal communities, including poverty, illiteracy, cultural practices, geographic isolation, distance to healthcare centres, transportation availability and mistrust of government services. While some tribes have shown progress in adopting modern healthcare services, many continue to rely on traditional medicine and indigenous practices. Socio-cultural factors, such as patriarchal norms and religious rituals, further influence healthcare-seeking behavior. Government initiatives like the National Rural Health Mission and the Integrated Child Development Services have had some success in improving healthcare utilisation among tribal populations. However, strengthening community support, conducting village-level awareness campaigns, and implementing targeted educational interventions can play a transformative role in enhancing healthcare access and overall well-being. Conclusion Improving maternal and child health in Odisha’s tribal populations requires culturally sensitive approaches integrated with modern healthcare strategies. Enhancing awareness, infrastructure, and community health workers’ roles can bridge access gaps while respecting tribal traditions.

A novel technique for evaluating roller expansion joint quality of ASTM A192 carbon steel tubes to SA 299 Gr.A tube sheet by correlation with its magnetic coercive force (MCF) has been presented. Roller expansion joint strength in respect of different percentages of apparent wall reduction (%WR) and temperature rise up to 600 °C was studied. The MCF, hardness values, pull-out strength, and microstructure of roller expanded joints were compared and analyzed concerning various %WR. It is observed that MCF and hardness values increase uniformly up to 12%WR with an increase in pull-out strength. A correlation between hardness and MCF was found. However, the development of severe plastic deformation at the inner tube surface above 12%WR gives a sharp rise in MCF values with decreased pull-out strength, which indicates over-expansion. Recovery and recrystallization of expansion joints during repair of neighboring tube reduce hardness, MCF, and pull-out strength with little change in microstructure. The MCF value after rolling has been critical to obtaining maximum strength. The study evaluated criteria for expansion joint quality using MCF within the recommended expansion range of 6-12%WR. It is inferred that MCF can effectively monitor expansion joint strength during initial rolling and after repair.

Functional electrical stimulation (FES) is a safe, effective, and general approach for treating various neurological disorders. However, in the case of FES usage for implantable applications, charge balancing is a significant challenge due to variations in the fabrication process and electrode tissue interface (ETI) impedance. In general, an active charge balancing approach is being used for this purpose, which has limitations of additional power consumption for residual voltage calibration and undesired neurological responses. To overcome these limitations, this paper presents a reconfigurable calibration circuit to address both ETI variations and charge balancing issues. This reconfigurable calibration circuit works in two modes: An impedance measurement mode (IMM) for treating ETI variations and a hybrid charge balancing mode (HCBM) for handling charge balance issues. The IMM predicts the desired stimulation currents by measuring the ETI. The HCBM is a hybrid combination of electrode shorting, offset regulation, and pulse modulation that takes the best features of each of these techniques and applies them in appropriate situations. From the results, it is proved that the proposed IMM configuration and HCBM configuration have an optimal power consumption of less than 44 μW with a power ratio ranging from 1.74 to 5.5 percent when compared to conventional approaches.

Objective Non-communicable diseases (NCDs) remain the leading cause of mortality in India, imposing a significant healthcare and economic burden. This study evaluates the health-seeking behaviour, healthcare utilization, and financial impact of major NCDs hypertension, diabetes, ischemic heart disease, and chronic kidney disease (CKD). Methods A systematic search was conducted across global health databases, including PubMed, EMBASE, CINAHL, Scopus, Web of Science, ProQuest, and J-Gate. Simultaneously, searches were performed on Indian databases, journal websites, and Google Scholar for studies published between January 2014 and December 2024. A total of 1,462 studies were identified and exported to Rayyan software for screening. Two independent reviewers screened the studies based on predefined eligibility criteria. The quality of included studies was assessed using the Joanna Briggs Institute checklist, while data extraction was performed using Cochrane data collection forms. Meta-analysis was not conducted due to heterogeneity in the included studies. This review adheres to the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses guidelines. Results A total of 44 observational survey-based studies were included in this review. Financial constraints, geographical barriers, and awareness gaps influenced healthcare utilization for NCDs. While 60.5% relied on government services for affordability, 39.4% preferred private care for faster access. Out-of-pocket expenses, particularly for hemodialysis and cardiac interventions, posed a major financial burden. Treatment adherence varied by 70.1% among diabetic patients but only 32.4% among hypertensive women. Stockouts of essential medications in public hospitals and high costs of branded drugs in private facilities further restricted access. Emergency care utilisation was high for ischemic heart disease, while CKD patients faced long-term financial strain due to dialysis and frequent hospitalisations. Despite an increase in telemedicine use during COVID-19, accessibility challenges persisted. Systemic inefficiencies, cultural beliefs, and transportation issues further delayed timely care. Conclusion This review highlights critical gaps in NCD care in India, particularly in treatment adherence, financial accessibility, and healthcare infrastructure. Strengthening public healthcare services, expanding insurance coverage for long-term NCD management, and integrating community-based interventions are key policy directions. Additionally, targeted strategies to improve health literacy and promote early disease detection are essential to improving health outcomes and reducing inequities in NCD care in India. Trial registration PROSPERO registration number CRD42024576994.

Introduction Given the significant role of the gut microbiota in early immune and metabolic development, the impact of perinatal antibiotic administration on the neonatal gut microbiome remains a crucial area of investigation. This study examines how maternal and neonatal antibiotic exposure affects the composition of the gut microbiome in preterm infants. Methodology A prospective controlled cohort study was conducted in the neonatal intensive care unit of a tertiary care hospital from January 2021 to September 2023. The study enrolled neonates with a gestational age of less than 37 weeks. Preterm infants were categorized into four groups based on exposure to maternal or neonatal antibiotics: the NE group (no exposure), IE group (infant exposure only), ME group (maternal exposure only), and IME group (both infant and maternal exposure). In the NE group, “No exposure” refers to participants whose mothers did not receive intrapartum antibiotics or whose neonates were not administered postnatal antibiotics prior to sample collection. Data on antibiotic use and microbiota composition from stool samples were collected and analyzed via the convection culture method. Results This study included 182 preterm infants, yielding 364 stool samples. By day 4, the prevalence of Klebsiella pneumoniae increased significantly, reaching 70% in the IE group compared with 42.6% in the NE group ( p  < 0.001). Bifidobacterium spp . was more prevalent in the NE group than in the other groups on day 4 (57.4%, p  = 0.019). The antibiotic-exposed groups (IE, ME, and IME groups) presented greater abundances of potentially pathogenic bacteria, such as Klebsiella pneumoniae and Escherichia coli , whereas beneficial bacteria, such as Bifidobacterium spp., were more abundant in the NE group. Conclusion These findings suggest that perinatal antibiotic exposure is associated with significant changes in the neonatal gut microbiota, potentially increasing the pathogenic microbiota. Trial registration The study was registered with the Clinical Trials Registry-India (CTRI) under the number CTRI/2020/11/029375 | http://ctri.nic.in/ on November 19, 2020.

Urban lakes in developing economies face tremendous anthropogenic pressure which tends to modify their role in the regional carbon cycle. This makes it imperative to quantify their carbon budget and identify the underlying factors and processes. Present study aims to understand the seasonal carbon dioxide (CO2) dynamics of an urban lake in a semi-arid subtropical region and identify major controls operating on it. Systematic sampling of Bhalswa lake waters was undertaken in winter and summer of 2017–2018. The hydrochemical data generated were used to determine partial pressure and evasion flux of CO2 using pH and total alkalinity couple. The lake waters show CO2 supersaturation with respect to atmospheric equilibrium and act as a source of CO2 to the atmosphere in both seasons. The average partial pressure of carbon dioxide (pCO2) and CO2 evasion flux observed is 1033.73 ± 229.07 µatm and 6.33 ± 2.23 mmol m−2 d−1, and 1034.99 ± 187.37 µatm and 11.65 ± 3.42 mmol m−2 d−1 during winter and summer, respectively. Neither pCO2 nor CO2 evasion flux shows any significant seasonal difference. For yearly dynamics, dissolved organic carbon, dissolved inorganic carbon and dissolved oxygen act as strong controls on lake water pCO2. While for individual seasons, pH and water temperature act as significant controls. Among various pollution sources, untreated sewage and dairy waste, seepage of polluted groundwater and atmospheric dust impact the lake's carbon dynamics. The present study will help better understand the role of freshwater wetlands of ever-expanding urban areas in the regional carbon cycle of developing economies.