Correction: Hybrid optimal-FOPID based UPQC for reducing harmonics and compensate load power in renewable energy sources grid connected system.

[This corrects the article DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0300145.].

Application of Sanitation Safety Planning in the Usage of Wastewater for Agriculture in Bangalore Urban District, India.

Context: Due to water scarcity, wastewater is used in agriculture in peri-urban areas. Aims and Settings: We aimed to assess the hazards associated with wastewater farming and develop an incremental improvement plan for the sanitation system of wastewater use for agriculture using Sanitation Safety Planning (SSP) in Bangalore urban district, India. Methods: Interviews and observations were conducted among 100 farmers in the Mugalur Gram Panchayat area. Results: Direct ingestion and ingestion after contact with wastewater due to inadequate hand hygiene are the routes of contact with wastewater. The control measures followed in the community are the cultivation of crops, which do not have direct contact with wastewater, furrow and drip irrigation, and restricted irrigation. Methods to mitigate the hazards are the provision of interval between final irrigation and consumption,washing of produce with freshwater before transportation to market, and hygienic cooking. Conclusion: Occupational hazards and risks associated with wastewater farming can be mitigated through the adoption of locally acceptable preventive measures.

Hybrid optimal-FOPID based UPQC for reducing harmonics and compensate load power in renewable energy sources grid connected system.

Integration of renewable energy sources (RES) to the grid in today's electrical system is being encouraged to meet the increase in demand of electrical power and also overcome the environmental related problems by reducing the usage of fossil fuels. Power Quality (PQ) is a critical problem that could have an effect on utilities and consumers. PQ issues in the modern electric power system were turned on by a linkage of RES, smart grid technologies and widespread usage of power electronics equipment. Unified Power Quality Conditioner (UPQC) is widely employed for solving issues with the distribution grid caused by anomalous voltage, current, or frequency. To enhance UPQC performance, Fractional Order Proportional Integral Derivative (FOPID) is developed; nevertheless, a number of tuning parameters restricts its performance. The best solution for the FOPID controller problem is found by using a Coati Optimization Algorithm (COA) and Osprey Optimization Algorithm (OOA) are combined to make a hybrid optimization CO-OA algorithm approach to mitigate these problems. This paper proposes an improved FOPID controller to reduce PQ problems while taking load power into account. In the suggested model, a RES is connected to the grid system to supply the necessary load demand during the PQ problems period. Through the use of an enhanced FOPID controller, both current and voltage PQ concerns are separately modified. The pulse signal of UPQC was done using the optimal controller, which analyzes the error value of reference value and actual value to generate pulses. The integrated design mitigates PQ issues in a system at non-linear load and linear load conditions. The proposed model provides THD of 12.15% and 0.82% at the sag period, 10.18% and 0.48% at the swell period, and 10.07% and 1.01% at the interruption period of non-linear load condition. A comparison between the FOPID controller and the traditional PI controller was additionally taken. The results showed that the recommended improved FOPID controller for UPQC has been successful in reducing the PQ challenges in the grid-connected RESs system.

Mobile Mental Health in Women's Community-Based Organizations: Protocol for a Pilot Randomized Controlled Trial.

BACKGROUND: Of every 10 women in rural India, 1 suffers from a common mental disorder such as depression, and untreated depression is associated with significant morbidity and mortality. Several factors lead to a large treatment gap, specifically for women in rural India, including stigma, lack of provider mental health workforce, and travel times. There is an urgent need to improve the rates of detection and treatment of depression among women in rural India without overburdening the scarce mental health resources. OBJECTIVE: We propose to develop, test, and deploy a mental health app, MITHRA (Multiuser Interactive Health Response Application), for depression screening and brief intervention, designed for use in women's self-help groups (SHGs) in rural India. METHODS: We will use focus groups with SHG members and community health workers to guide the initial development of the app, followed by iterative modification based on input from a participatory design group consisting of proposed end users of the app (SHG members). The final version of the app will then be deployed for testing in a pilot cluster randomized trial, with 3 SHGs randomized to receive the app and 3 to receive enhanced care as usual. RESULTS: This study was funded in June 2021. As of September 2022, we have completed both focus groups, 1 participatory design group, and app development. CONCLUSIONS: Delivering app-based depression screening and treatment in community settings such as SHGs can address stigma and transportation-related barriers to access to depression care and overcome cultural and contextual barriers to mobile health use. It can also address the mental health workforce shortage. If we find that the MITHRA approach is feasible, we will test the implementation and effectiveness of MITHRA in multiple SHGs across India in a larger randomized controlled trial. This approach of leveraging community-based organizations to improve the reach of depression screening and treatment is applicable in rural and underserved areas across the globe. INTERNATIONAL REGISTERED REPORT IDENTIFIER (IRRID): DERR1-10.2196/42919.

Factors influencing burnout in millennial medical students during the COVID-19 pandemic!

BACKGROUND: Burnout among millennial medical students is an important health issue with a possibility of potential professional dissatisfaction. The reason for burnout is multifactorial. The gender of the medical student may play a significant role when choosing a residency specialty and making a career choice. Gender may also influence while establishing the burnout seen in students. Here we tested the association between burnout in medical students based on gender and residency specialty choice during COVID-19. METHODS: A multicentric cross-sectional study, using a questionnaire-based survey on the items related to gender, educational interest, status, residency aspiration, changes to career aspiration based on gender, and COVID-19 and an indigenous burnout assessment tool that was administered to all the medical students in the study. Reliability and validity of the tool were assessed, and the burnout was calculated for emotional exhaustion, personal achievement, and depersonalization domain. RESULTS: A total of 487 medical students (42.5% males, 57.2% females) completed the survey. A higher number of female participants felt that COVID-19 affected their energy levels (68.9%), interest in education (53.2%), and developed reservations about residency specialty of choice (46%); emotional and physical exhaustion (2.88 ± 0.69 & 2.34 ± 0.76) was higher than the male participants (3.16 ± 0.67 & 2.75 ± 0.85). CONCLUSION: More female participants experienced emotional distress, depersonalization or professional disengagement, and psychological and physical stress and exhaustion due to the COVID-19 pandemic. An important association observed in the study was between residency choice and burnout.

Partial differential equations modeling of thermal transportation in Casson nanofluid flow with arrhenius activation energy and irreversibility processes.

The formation of entropy in a mixed convection Casson nanofluid model with Arhenius activation energy is examined in this paper using magnetohydrodynamics (MHD). The expanding sheet, whose function of sheet velocity is nonlinear, confines the Casson nanofluid. The final equations, which are obtained from the first mathematical formulations, are solved using the MATLAB built-in solver bvp4c. Utilizing similarity conversion, ODEs are converted in their ultimate form. A number of graphs and tabulations are also provided to show the effects of important flow parameters on the results distribution. Slip parameter was shown to increase fluid temperature and decrease entropy formation. On the production of entropy, the Brinkman number and concentration gradient have opposing effects. In the presence of nanoparticles, the Eckert number effect's augmentation of fluid temperature is more significant. Furthermore, a satisfactory agreement is reached when the findings of the current study are compared to those of studies that have been published in the past.

Effectiveness of Nonuniform Heat Generation (Sink) and Thermal Characterization of a Carreau Fluid Flowing across a Nonlinear Elongating Cylinder: A Numerical Study.

During thermal radiation treatments, heat therapies, and examination procedures like scans and X-rays, the cylindrical blood vessels may get stretched; meanwhile, the blood flow through those blood vessels may get affected due to temperature variations around them. To overcome this issue, this work was framed to explore the impact of heat transmission in a Carreau fluid flow (CFF) through a stretching cylinder in terms of the nonlinear stretching rate and irregular heat source/sink. Temperature-dependent thermal conductivity and thermal radiation are taken into consideration in this study. To tranform complicated partial differential equations into ordinary differential equations, appropriate similarity variables are used. For a limited set of instances, the derived series solutions are compared to previously published results. For linear and nonlinear stretching rates, graphs and tables are used to examine the influence of an irregular heat source/sink on fluid movement and heat transfer. The research outcomes demonstrate that the heat source and nonlinear stretching rate cause a disruption in the temperature distribution in the fluid region, which can alter the blood flow through the vessels. In all conditions except for the heat in an internal heat sink, the nonlinear stretching situation improves the velocity and heat profile. Furthermore, with the increase in the values of the Weissenberg number, the temperature profile shows opposing features in a shear-thickening fluid and shear-thinning fluid. For the former n > 1, the blood fluidity gets affected, restricting the free movement of blood. For the latter, n < 1, the phenomenon is reversed. Other industrial applications of this work are wire coating, plastic coverings, paper fabrication, fiber whirling, etc. In all of those processes, the fluid flow is manipulated by thermal conditions.

Rheology of electromagnetohydrodynamic tangent hyperbolic nanofluid over a stretching riga surface featuring dufour effect and activation energy.

The present model deals with the consequence of Dufour, activation energy, and generation of heat on electromagnetohydrodynamic flow of hyperbolic tangent nanofluid via a stretching sheet. This offers a broad significance in several engineering fields. With adequate similarity variables, the regulating governing equations of PDEs are renovated into nonlinear ODEs. The numerical output of the produced ordinary differential equations is conducted with MATLAB bvp4c. The influence of increasing features on temperature, velocity, concentration patterns, drag force coefficient, Sherwood number and Nusselt number is depicted graphically and numerically. Hence, the resultant conclusions are confirmed utilising contrast with earlier output. Interestingly, the activation energy retards the nanofluid's tangential hyperbolic concentration distribution and the rise in temperature of the hyperbolic tangential nanofluid flow is traceable to an increase in the Dufour effect, However, the electromagnetohydrodynamic variable increases the velocity distribution, which influences the Power law index. Conclusively, the rate of heat transfer is inhibited when the thermophoresis parameter, heat source and the Weissenberg number are enhanced.

Numerical Case Study of Chemical Reaction Impact on MHD Micropolar Fluid Flow Past over a Vertical Riga Plate.

The purpose of this article is to investigate the mass and heat transport phenomena associated with micropolar fluid flow created by a vertically stretched Riga surface. This is constructed using an array of irregular electrodes and permanent magnets that are oriented spanwise. Additionally, we investigate the particles' micro rotational impacts. Furthermore, the flow behaviour of the modeled problem has been numerically calculated with bvp4c solver and the obtained results are presented graphically. Numerical data are used to illustrate physical parameters such as skin friction, Nusselt, and Sherwood numbers. For precise values of different flow parameters, the characteristics of fluid velocity, angular velocity, temperature, and concentration gradients are investigated graphically. The flowing parallel to the Riga plate in a positive x-path is aided by Lorentz forces introduced into the flowing simulation by the electro-magnetic poles of the Riga plate, which produces a rapidity greater than the inner speed. It is confirmed that the numerical calculations fit well with the results of earlier published investigations. Due to the participation of the Riga plate, the updated Hartmann number has a considerable effect on flow profiles.

Insertional versus non-insertional tendoachilles tears: a comparative analysis of various predisposing factors and outcome following a repair.

BACKGROUND: Association of tendon degeneration, pre-existing posterior heel pain, Haglund's bump, retrocalcaneal spur, and mode of injury varies for the insertional and non-insertional type of tendoachilles tears (TA). PURPOSE: The study compares the various predisposing factors that determine the distinct type of TA tear and the outcome following a repair. METHODS: This is a retrospective study of the patients who underwent tendoachilles repair during January 2012-June 2018. Patients above 18 years with a minimum follow-up of two years were included. Patients with calcaneal tuberosity avulsions, prior surgeries, and open injuries were excluded. Patients were divided into groups 1 (insertional tears (IT)) and 2 (non-insertional tears (NIT)), and further subdivided based on the tendon degeneration (as D-degenerative and N-normal sub types) from ultrasound findings. AOFAS score and predisposing factors like degeneration, posterior heel pain, Haglund's bump, spur, and mechanism of injury were compared between the groups. RESULTS: The study included N = 146 with a mean age of 51.6 years and mean follow-up of 38.6 (range 24 to 96) months. IT associated with degeneration (IT-D) had a trivial fall as the predominant mechanism (P < 0.001). All patients had significant postoperative improvement of scores with no significant difference between the groups (P = 0.59) and subgroups (P = 0.27).75.34% had degenerative tendon, of which 64.5% were in the IT group and the rest in the NIT group (P = 0.02). 51.4% patients had a Haglund bump in the IT group and n.s. (P = 0.9). Forty-seven percent of patients had pre-existing posterior heel pain, 68% in IT and 32% in NIT (P = 0.04). Subgroup analysis revealed 65% of patients were in the IT-D subgroup (P < 0.001). CONCLUSION: Predisposing factors like posterior heel pain, tendon degeneration, and trivial trauma have a strong propensity for insertional TA tear. In contrast, the prominence of Haglund's bump does not predispose to a distinct type of TA tears. The outcome following a surgical repair-yields good results with no difference between the two groups.

Performance Evaluation of Iodine Deficiency Disorder Control Program in Chikmagalur District: A Cross-Sectional Community-Based Survey.

Background: Routine evaluation of Iodine Deficiency Disorders (IDDs) is done through a national program called National Iodine Deficiency Disorder Control Program (NIDDCP). The aim of this study is to determine the goiter prevalence, to estimate salt Iodine and urinary Iodine levels. Materials and Methods: An institution-based cross-sectional study was conducted among 2700 school children across seven taluks of Chikmagalur. A total of 2700 children aged 6 to 12 years were selected from 30 clusters by multistage sampling method. The iodometric titration method and Sandell-Kolthoff method were used for the estimation of salt and urinary Iodine, respectively. Descriptive and Inferential statistics were used. Results: The prevalence of goiter was 13.0%. About 153 (28.3%) salt samples had inadequate iodine content (<15 ppm). Median Urinary Iodine Excretion was 126 µg/L. Conclusion: Chikmagalur district is still at risk of a significant public health problem which needs timely interventions and appropriate measures to prevent further consequences due to IDDs.

Dealers in Black Gold: Knowledge Attitude, and Practices Among Fecal Sludge Operators in Bengaluru, Southern Karnataka.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Fecal sludge management (FSM) is an unorganised sector, which is wrought with occupational health hazards for fecal sludge operators (FSOs). This study was conducted to identify the knowledge, attitude, and practices regarding FSM among FSOs. STUDY SETTING AND DESIGN: This cross-sectional study was conducted in a rural area of Anekal Taluk, Bengaluru Urban District, Karnataka and in Hosur, Krishnagiri District, Tamil Nadu. METHODS AND MATERIALS: Snowball method of sampling was employed and, 60 participants were interviewed using an interviewer administered semi-structured questionnaire. STATISTICAL ANALYSIS: The data has been described using measures of central tendency, frequencies, and percentages. RESULTS: All 60 participants were males with a mean age of 33.7 ± 7.9 years. Majority practised Hindu religion (98.3%) and 95.0% belonged to the scheduled castes; only 3.3% were illiterate. According to modified SLI, 45.0% belonged to high standard of living. The common occupational hazards reported were injuries, social stigma, and alcoholism. Although 91.7% felt that personal protective equipment (PPE) would protect against health hazards, 65.0% felt that it hampered work. Most (86.7%) felt that FSM was attached to social stigma. None reported the use of the full set of required PPE. All participants reported washing their hands and feet with only water at the end of each operation. CONCLUSION: The knowledge and practices followed by the FSOs were found to be inadequate in this study. Health awareness generation and provision of PPE must be employed to ensure sustained behaviour change.

Can Mobile Health Improve Depression Treatment Access and Adherence Among Rural Indian Women? A Qualitative Study.

Major Depressive Disorder (MDD) is associated with low rates of treatment and medication non-adherence, more so in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs). Mobile mental health (mHealth) interventions offer promise as a tool to address these problems. However, the feasibility and acceptability of mHealth interventions among rural women in LMICs is unknown. We examined barriers to accessing mental health treatment, reasons for non-adherence, and attitudes towards mHealth solutions among women with MDD in rural south India. Six focus groups were conducted among women with MDD (n = 69) who had been in treatment at a rural community health center. The discussion was transcribed and analyzed using a modified grounded-theory approach. Women perceived limited autonomy within their family structure, and experienced financial and systemic barriers as contributing to poor treatment access and non-adherence. Illiteracy, limited personal access to mobile phones, and preference for in-person clinical consultation were identified as barriers to use of mHealth. This is the first qualitative study, to our knowledge, that examines attitude towards mHealth among women with MDD in a rural setting in India. The study identified contextual barriers that will be important to address before implementing mHealth interventions.

Risk of Tuberculosis Infection among Healthcare Workers in a Tertiary Care Hospital in Bengaluru City.

INTRODUCTION: Tuberculosis (TB) is an airborne communicable disease caused by Mycobacterium tuberculosis. Infection is most likely to occur when an individual is exposed to someone with pulmonary TB on a day-to-day basis, such as by living or working in close quarters with someone who has an active disease. This study was undertaken using reliable screening and investigation tools for assessing the incident latent tuberculosis infection (LTBI) among healthcare workers (HCWs). METHODOLOGY: This descriptive longitudinal study was conducted among 600 HCWs at a tertiary care hospital in Bengaluru city for a period of 1 year 4 months (March 2016-June 2017). All HCWs were stratified according to their work profile as doctors, nurses, laboratory technicians, nursing aides, pharmacists, laundry workers (only those who come in contact with patients), dietary workers (only those who come in contact with patients), and workers from housekeeping department. Study subjects were enrolled in proportion to their population size. The data were collected by administering TB screening questionnaire and performing tuberculin skin test (TST). All the subjects who had negative TST reaction were followed up after 1 year from March 2017 to June 2017. RESULTS: The study subjects consisted of 600 HCWs with a mean age of 27.8 ± 7.1 years. Initially, 600 study subjects underwent TST, 2 of whom were not contactable between 48 and 72 h of test administration. Of the remaining 598 subjects, 120 (20.1%) had a positive TST reaction. After 1 year, of the 478 subjects who tested negative, 345 study subjects underwent the repeat TST and 67 (19.4%) of the study subjects had a positive TST reaction. CONCLUSION: The prevalence of LTBI was 20.1% and it was significantly associated with age, place of residence, education, work commute time, and mode of transport. The incidence of LTBI was 19.4% and it was significantly associated with gender, place of residence, education, work commute time, and marital status.

Screening for Mental Health Disorders among Pregnant Women Availing Antenatal Care at a Government Maternity Hospital in Bengaluru City.

INTRODUCTION: Antepartum anxiety and depression are two of the most common risk factors for the development of postpartum depression. Women are at a higher risk of developing depression and suffering from mental disorders during pregnancy and the postnatal period. Psychopathological symptoms during pregnancy have physiological consequences for the fetus, such as impaired blood flow leading to low birth weight, as well as cognitive delay and behavioral problems. OBJECTIVES: To screen antenatal women for common mental health disorders and to determine the factors associated with mental health disorders during pregnancy. METHODS: A cross-sectional study among 208 pregnant mothers in the third trimester attending the antenatal clinic at a Government Maternity Home in a low-income urban area of Bengaluru was conducted using clinical interview schedule-revised (CIS-R) questionnaire as a screening tool for detecting the presence of mental morbidity. Data collected were analyzed using SPSS version 16. RESULTS: In the study population, 12 (5.8%) screened positive for antepartum mental morbidities, of which depression was the most common. 3.8% of all women screened positive for depression, with 15.4% demonstrating depressive symptoms. Overall, 82 (39.4%) had the presence of one or more psychological symptoms, including fatigue, irritability, anxiety, and problems with sleep and concentration but scored less than the CIS-R cutoff score of 12. Factors associated with the presence of antepartum mental morbidities included poor relationships with their spouse, poor/satisfactory relationship with siblings or in-laws, as well as the desire to have a male child. CONCLUSION: In the study population, 12 (5.8%) screened positive for antepartum mental morbidities. Considering the effects on quality of life for these women as well as poor fetal outcomes associated with maternal mental morbidity, it is important to include screening and treatment of mental morbidity as a part of routine antenatal care.

Discrimination in the workplace, reported by people with major depressive disorder: a cross-sectional study in 35 countries.

OBJECTIVE: Whereas employment has been shown to be beneficial for people with Major Depressive Disorder (MDD) across different cultures, employers' attitudes have been shown to be negative towards workers with MDD. This may form an important barrier to work participation. Today, little is known about how stigma and discrimination affect work participation of workers with MDD, especially from their own perspective. We aimed to assess, in a working age population including respondents with MDD from 35 countries: (1) if people with MDD anticipate and experience discrimination when trying to find or keep paid employment; (2) if participants in high, middle and lower developed countries differ in these respects; and (3) if discrimination experiences are related to actual employment status (ie, having a paid job or not). METHOD: Participants in this cross-sectional study (N=834) had a diagnosis of MDD in the previous 12 months. They were interviewed using the Discrimination and Stigma Scale (DISC-12). Analysis of variance and generalised linear mixed models were used to analyse the data. RESULTS: Overall, 62.5% had anticipated and/or experienced discrimination in the work setting. In very high developed countries, almost 60% of respondents had stopped themselves from applying for work, education or training because of anticipated discrimination. Having experienced workplace discrimination was independently related to unemployment. CONCLUSIONS: Across different countries and cultures, people with MDD very frequently reported discrimination in the work setting. Effective interventions are needed to enhance work participation in people with MDD, focusing simultaneously on decreasing stigma in the work environment and on decreasing self-discrimination by empowering workers with MDD.

Electronic health records and information portability: a pilot study in a rural primary healthcare center in India.

Clinical documentation and health information portability pose unique challenges in urban and rural areas of India. This article presents findings of a pilot study conducted in a primary health center in rural India. In this article, we focus on primary care in rural India and how a portable health record system could facilitate the availability of medical information at the point of care. We followed a geriatric cohort and a maternal cohort of 308 participants over a nine-month period. Physician encounters were entered into a web-based electronic health record. This information was made available to all study participants through a short messaging service (SMS). Additionally, 135 randomly selected participants from the cohort were issued a USB-based memory card that contained their detailed health records and could be viewed on most computers. The dual portability model implemented in the pilot study demonstrates the utility of the concept.

A study of occupational health and safety measures in the Laundry Department of a private tertiary care teaching hospital, Bengaluru.

INTRODUCTION: The Laundry Department plays an important role in preventing the spread of infection and continuously supplying clean linen to various departments in any hospital. OBJECTIVES OF THE STUDY: To identify existing practices and occupational safety and health (OSH) measures in the Laundry Department and to assess the use of personal protective equipments (PPEs) among health care workers. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A cross-sectional study was carried out in a private tertiary care teaching hospital. An observation checklist was developed, which was partially based on occupational hazard checklist of OSHA for Laundry Department. This was field tested and validated for applicability for this study. RESULTS: The potential biological hazards are infections through exposure to aerosols, spills and splashes during various activities, fungal infection due to wet clothes and environment and infections through fomites. The potential physical hazards are injuries due to slips and falls, exposure to heat, humidity, dust, noise, and vibration. The potential chemical hazards are contact dermatitis and allergic asthma due to exposure to detergents, phenyl solution, bleaching powder, and soap oil solution. The potential ergonomic hazards are musculoskeletal diseases and repetitive stress injuries at the shoulder, elbow, and small joints of the hands. PPEs were not used consistently in most areas of the department.