This work investigates the use of a fuzzy logic controller (FLC) for two-wheeled differential drive mobile robot trajectory tracking control. Due to the inherent complexity associated with tuning the membership functions of an FLC, this work employs a particle swarm optimization algorithm to optimize the parameters of these functions. In order to automate and reduce the number of rule bases, the genetic algorithm is also employed for this study. The effectiveness of the proposed approach is validated through MATLAB simulations involving diverse path tracking scenarios. The performance of the FLC is compared against established controllers, including minimum norm solution, closed-loop inverse kinematics, and Jacobian transpose-based controllers. The results demonstrate that the FLC offers accurate trajectory tracking with reduced root mean square error and controller effort. An experimental, hardware-based investigation is also performed for further verification of the proposed system. In addition, the simulation is conducted for various paths in the presence of noise in order to assess the proposed controller’s robustness. The proposed method is resilient against noise and disturbances, according to the simulation outcomes.

Cauliflower is an important vegetable crop grown worldwide. Development and characterization of suitable cytoplasmic male sterile (CMS) lines and male fertile inbreds is instrumental in developing heterotic hybrids. A study was undertaken to estimate heterosis and combining ability in snowball cauliflower lines through line × tester analysis involving five Ogura CMS lines and seven male fertile testers. The assessment of F1s along with their parental lines for different horticultural traits revealed a wide range of heterosis. Ogu-13-01 was the best general combiner for leaf length, leaf width and plant height, Ogu-13-85 for number of leaves/plant, Ogu-101 for days to 50% curd initiation, days to 50% curd maturity and net curd weight and Ogu-119 for harvest index. The lines with better general combining ability (GCA) were involved in majority of the heterotic hybrids. The tester Kt-18 was the best general combiner for leaf width, DB-1305 for number of leaves/plant and DB-187 for leaf length, plant height, gross plant weight and days to 50% curd initiation. However, GCA alone was not sufficient to determine and identify the potential parental lines. Hybrids Ogu-101 × DB-1305 and Ogu-119 × Suprimax Late were the best specific combinations for marketable curd weight, marketable curd yield, net curd weight and net curd yield. The hybrid Ogu-119 × Suprimax Late was the best heterotic combination for marketable curd weight, marketable curd yield, net curd weight and net curd yield, followed by Ogu-101 × DB-1305, Ogu-119 × Sel-26 and Ogu-101 × DB-187. Our findings will be instrumental to identify suitable parental lines and developing heterotic F1 hybrids in cauliflower.

Cognitive behaviour therapy (CBT) is an effective treatment for depression. However, culture can influence engagement and treatment efficacy of CBT. Several attempts have been made in Asian countries to develop a culturally adapted CBT for depression. However, research in the Indian context documenting the views on cultural influence of CBT is limited. The present study is an attempt to explore the views of patients and therapists in India by following an evidence-based approach that focuses on three areas for adaptation: (1) awareness of relevant cultural issues and preparation for therapy; (2) assessment and engagement; and (3) adjustments in therapy techniques. Semi-structured interviews with three consultant clinical psychologists/therapists, a focused group discussion with six clinical psychologists, and two patients undergoing CBT for depression were conducted. The data were analysed using a thematic framework analysis by identifying emerging themes and categories. The results highlight therapists’ experiences, problems faced, and recommendations in all three areas of adaptation. The findings highlight the need for adaptation with understanding and acknowledging the culture differences and clinical presentation. Culturally sensitive assessment and formulation with minor adaptation in clinical practice was recommended. Therapists emphasised the use of proverbs, local stories and simplified terminologies in therapy. The findings will aid in providing culturally sensitive treatment to patients with depression in India.

Treatment of Visceral Leishmaniasis (VL), a neglected tropical disease, is very challenging with few treatment options. Long duration of treatment and drug toxicity further limit the target of achieving VL elimination. Chemotherapy remains the treatment of choice. Single dose of liposomal amphotericin B (LAmB) and multidrug therapy (LAmB + miltefosine, LAmB + paromomycin (PM), or miltefosine + PM) are recommended treatment regimen for treatment of VL in Indian sub-continent. Combination therapy of pentavalent antimonials (Sbv) and PM in East Africa and LAmB in the Mediterranean region/South America remains the treatment of choice. Various drugs having anti-leishmania properties are in preclinical phase and need further development. An effective treatment and secondary prophylaxis of HIV-VL co-infection should be developed to decrease treatment failure and drug resistance.

Despite immense efforts, vaccine against visceral leishmaniasis has yet not been developed. Earlier our proteomic study revealed a novel protein, cofactor-independent phoshoglycerate mutase (LdiPGAM), an important enzyme in glucose metabolism, in T helper cells type 1 (Th1) stimulatory region of soluble Leishmania donovani antigen. In this study, LdiPGAM was biochemically and molecularly characterized and evaluated for its immunogenicity and prophylactic efficacy against L. donovani. Immunogenicity of recombinant LdiPGAM (rLdiPGAM) was initially assessed in naïve hamsters immunized with it by analysing mRNA expression of inducible nitric oxide (NO) synthase (iNOS) and other Th1/T helper cells type 2 cytokines, which revealed an upregulation of Th1 cytokines along with iNOS. Immunogenicity of rLdiPGAM was further evaluated in lymphocytes of treated Leishmania-infected hamsters and peripheral blood mononuclear cells of Leishmania patients in clinical remission by various parameters, viz. lymphoproliferation assay and NO production (hamsters and patients) and levels of various cytokines (patients). rLdiPGAM induced remarkable Lymphoproliferative response and NO production in treated Leishmania-infected hamsters as well as in patients and increase in interferon gamma (IFN-γ), interleukin-12 (IL-12p40) responses in Leishmania patients in clinical remission. Vaccination with rLdiPGAM exerted considerable prophylactic efficacy (73%) supported by increase in mRNA expression of iNOS, IFN-γ and IL-12p40 with decrease in transforming growth factor beta and interleukin-10. Above results indicate the importance of rLdiPGAM protein as a potential vaccine candidate against visceral leishmaniasis.

In earlier studies, proteomic characterization of splenic amastigote fractions from clinical isolates of Leishmania donovani, exhibiting significant cellular responses in cured Leishmania subjects, led to the identification of cytosolic tryparedoxin peroxidase (LdcTryP) and chaperonin-TCP20 (LdTCP20) as Th1-stimulatory proteins. Both the proteins, particularly LdTCP20 for the first time, were successfully cloned, overexpressed, purified and were found to be localized in the cytosol of purified splenic amastigotes. When evaluated against lymphocytes of cured Leishmania-infected hamsters, the purified recombinant proteins (rLdcTryP and rLdTCP20) induced their proliferations as well as nitric oxide production. Similarly, these proteins also generated Th1-type cytokines (IFN-γ/IL-12) from stimulated PBMCs of cured/endemic Leishmania patients. Further, vaccination with rLdcTryP elicited noticeable delayed-type hypersensitivity response and offered considerably good prophylactic efficacy (~78% inhibition) against L. donovani challenge in hamsters, which was well supported by the increased mRNA expression of Th1 and Th2 cytokines. However, animals vaccinated with rLdTCP20 exhibited comparatively lesser prophylactic efficacy (~55%) with inferior immunological response. The results indicate the potentiality of rLdcTryP protein, between the two, as a suitable anti-leishmanial vaccine. Since, rLdTCP20 is also an important target, for optimization, further attempts towards determination of immunodominant regions for designing fusion peptides may be taken up.

Artemisinin, a sesquiterpene lactone derived from the sweet wormwood plant Artemisia annua, and its bioactive derivatives exhibit potent anticancer effects in a variety of human cancer cell model systems. The pleiotropic response in cancer cells includes growth inhibition by cell cycle arrest, apoptosis, inhibition of angiogenesis, disruption of cell migration, and modulation of nuclear receptor responsiveness. These effects of artemisinin and its derivatives result from perturbations of many cellular signalling pathways. This review provides a comprehensive discussion of these cellular responses, and considers the ramifications for the potential development of artemisinin-based compounds in anticancer therapeutic and preventative strategies.