Innovative Approach of Learning Physiology through National Level Quiz

Quiz has been considered an innovative practice of teaching. Self-directed learning is promoted by the quiz and this would help in better retention and help in clearing the concept of the students. The study aimed to assess the perception of the National level quiz conducted by the Physiology Department at AIIMS, Bhopal amongst participants from all over India through the questionnaire-based survey. This cross-sectional study was done based on questionnaire-based feedback from the students (29 number) participating in National Physiology Quiz. A pre-designed, structured, pre-validated questionnaire that includes close-ended questions based on the Likert scale and open-ended questions was distributed to participants and their responses were recorded. The Mean ±SD scores and median scores of 20 feedback questionnaires were evaluated using Microsoft excel software. The majority of the students (Mean more than 6) agreed that attempting/ attending the majority of the rounds was a good learning experience. The further quiz developed an interest in innovatively reading Physiology, it developed novel ideas and develop an interest in research activities and it helped us to improve communication and would help in clinical practice. Participants suggested conducting a screening round online (86.0%) and an audio-visual round (41.0%) was liked most, followed by a rapid-fire round (31.0%). National level quiz is an enjoyable activity for students and it promotes active learning in the students.

Improving biofortification success rates and productivity through zinc nanocomposites in rice (Oryza sativa L.)

Rice (Oryza sativa L.) is a staple food crop; most of it is consumed in nations where malnutrition is a serious problem, and its enrichment through biofortification can be used to efficiently combat hidden hunger. Here, we studied the effect of two zinc forms, i.e., zinc oxide nanoparticles (ZnO NPs) and sulfate salt (ZnSO₄), at four different concentrations during the grain development period (after anthesis and continued once a week for up to 5 weeks) of the rice plant. During the rice growing season 2021-2022, all the experiments were conducted in a greenhouse (temperature: day 30 °C; night 20 °C; relative humidity: 70%; light period: 16 h/8 h, day/night). The main aim was to identify the effects of ZnO NPs on physical growth, biochemical parameters, nutrient acquisition, and crop yield. We have also highlighted the effects of NPs on zinc biofortification, and the end results illustrated that both zinc forms are capable of increasing grain yield. However, we found that even at low concentrations, ZnO NPs showed a significant increase in growth yield, whereas bulk did not show eminent results even at higher concentrations. Spikelet number per panicle was more than 50% and 38% in the case of ZnO NPs and ZnSO₄, respectively. Similarly, stimulation in plant height was 25% with NPs treatment and only 3% with bulk treatment. The increase in grain per spike was 19% with ZnO NPs as compared to the control. Total chlorophyll, soluble sugar, amylose, and soluble protein contents were enhanced under ZnO NP treatment, which plays an excellent role in the regulation of various transcriptional pathways related to biofortification. We identified that foliar application at the flowering stage is more effective in comparison to the basal and tillering stages of the rice life cycle. ZnO NPs increased zinc content in rice grain by 55% as compared to traditional fertilization (~ 35%), with no adverse effects on human health. This study highlights that ZnO NPs could be used to increase zinc efficiency and as a safe fertilizer in the rice harvesting ecosystem.

Diffuse coronary artery dilatation in a neonate: a case report

In this case, we describe a newborn that presented on the first day of life with diffuse, bilateral coronary artery dilatation, in the absence of intrauterine hypoxia or other identifiable causes of coronary artery ectasia. The infant's symptoms followed an acute course before spontaneously recovering. Kawasaki disease, though relatively rare in neonates, may present in this population in the absence of classical criteria. If untreated, the cardiac sequelae of this disease can be serious. Through this case, where spontaneously remitting coronary dilatation is the paramount finding, we entertain the possibility that this may represent the earliest known presentation of Kawasaki disease.

Finite-size Lyapunov exponent for Levy processes

The finite-size Lyapunov exponent (FSLE) is the exponential rate at which two particles separate from a distance of r to a x r (a>1) and provides a measure of dispersive mixing in chaotic systems. It is shown analytically that for particle trajectories governed by symmetric alpha -stable Levy motion, the FSLE is proportional to the diffusion coefficient and inversely proportional to r(alpha). This power law provides an easy method to determine the parameters for Levy processes and hence has applications to superdiffusion in the atmospheric, oceanic, and terrestrial sciences.