Rabies is a devastating zoonotic disease of mammals that causes encephalitis and death. It is endemic in India, with an estimated annual 20,000 human deaths (one-third of the global rabies burden). ...The magnitude of animal rabies incidence is unknown.
In four sub-districts of Punjab, India, we monitored canine and livestock populations from August 15, 2016 to August 14, 2017. Demographic, clinical and rabies diagnostic laboratory (RDL) data were collected from suspected cases of rabies. The annual incidence rate / 10,000 animal years at risk (95% CI) in each sub-district was estimated for each species.
During 2016-2017, a total of 41 suspected rabies cases were detected in the four selected sub-districts in Punjab. Laboratory confirmed rabies (LCR) incidence was 2.03/10,000 dog years (0.69, 5.96) and 2.71/10,000 dog years (1.14, 6.43) in stray and pet dogs, respectively. The LCR incidence in farmed buffalo and cattle was 0.19/10,000 buffalo years (0.07, 0.57) and 0.23/10,000 cattle years (0.06, 0.88), respectively. The LCR incidence amongst equine was 4.28/10,000 equine years (0.48, 38.10). Stray cattle rabies incidence in the selected sub-districts was 9.49/10,000 cattle years (3.51, 25.67). If similar enhanced surveillance for rabies was conducted state-wide, we estimate that 98 (34-294) buffalo, 18 (2-156) equine, 56 (15-214) farmed cattle, 96 (35-259) stray cattle, 128 (54-303) pet dogs and 62 (21-182) stray dogs would be expected to be confirmed with rabies in Punjab annually.
These results indicate that rabies incidence in animals, particularly in dogs and stray cattle, is much higher than previously suspected. We recommend that statewide enhanced disease surveillance should be conducted to obtain more accurate estimates of rabies incidence in Punjab to facilitate better control of this important disease.
Celotno besedilo
Dostopno za:
DOBA, IZUM, KILJ, NUK, PILJ, PNG, SAZU, SIK, UILJ, UKNU, UL, UM, UPUK
The solar still is potential to augment clean water supply in the rural and low-income settlements. However, the current efficiency of the device is low. In this study, we report the fabrication and ...experimental performance analysis of a high-efficiency multiple-mode solar still—tagged Desal-1.5. The solar still was investigated in passive mode, relying entirely on natural insolation. Both desalination and ordinary water purification experiments were conducted on the device using seawater and moderately polluted lake water, respectively, between 09:00 and 18:00 h of Malaysia's tropic weather. The optimum freshwater yield of the prototype within the interval was 5780.5 ml/m2, while the optimum solar-to-vapor conversion efficiency, evaluated using the transient latent heat of vaporization, was 161.4%. Furthermore, for the first time on a solar still geometry, condensate loss due to condensate collection channel slope has been estimated in this study for our Desal-1.5. The loss amounted to 18.5% of the actual condensate collection. Eventually, water quality assessments of distillates from the device showed good compliance with both WHO and Malaysian drinking water standards. Thus, the recommendation of the solar still to ameliorate freshwater scarcity and support sustainable clean water provision in the rural and low-income regions is strengthened.
Display omitted
•Comprehensive passive-mode experimental analysis.•High transient solar-to-vapor conversion efficiency.•High uniformized freshwater production rate.•Condensate loss analysis and estimation.•High contaminant removal efficiencies.
In recent times, the need for energy consumption is drastically increasing to fulfill the global requirements of commercial and domestic consumer demands. Energy generation using conventional methods ...such as oil and gas are not appreciated in the modern era since they are the major contributors for pollution and global warming. To tackle these issues, energy generation using hybrid renewable energy is being opted and studied universally. However, renewable energy sources have their fair share of drawbacks such as photovoltaic systems rely on the surrounding irradiance and temperature, wind system experiences irregular wind speed, and fuel cells are expensive and less efficient. Also, the energy extracted from renewable sources persist with stochastic behavior. To deal with these issues, researchers utilize different power electronic devices such as inverters, active power filters, voltage regulators, power quality conditioners, and DC-DC converters. Among these power electronic devices DC-DC converters are highly effective for DC voltage regulation and to improve the efficiency of renewable energy systems. Appropriate selection of the DC-DC converter is an important factor that has significant contribution in overall performance of the power systems. Besides, the selection of an efficient DC-DC converter topology, for its optimum operation integration of a suitable control technique is equally important. This paper highlights the characteristics of available and on-going trends of non-isolated converters that includes buck-boost, single ended primary inductor converter, cuk, z-source, zeta, and hybrid DC-DC converters based on the performance parameters that are analyzed using MATLAB Simulink. Control techniques that include proportional integral derivative (PID), slide mode control (SMC), model predictive control (MPC), state space modeling (SSM), and fuzzy logic control (FLC) are also discussed considering the parameters settling issue, response time and complexity while integrating with non-isolated DC-DC converters in power systems.
In the present study, the dialdehyde carboxymethyl cellulose (DCMC) was cross-linked covalently to gelatin
via
the Schiff base reaction to form a three-dimensional hydrogel (DCMC-cl-G). The ...crosslinking degree of DCMC and gelatin was estimated to be 50.31 ± 2.65. The maximum swelling capacity of the hydrogel in aqueous medium was around 74 g/g at pH 10.0 and 37 °C with equilibrium swelling attained in three hours and the compressive strength of the hydrogel was found to be 55 ± 0.76 kPa at 60% strain. The biodegradation studies confirmed 82.67% degradation of the hydrogel sample within a period of twelve weeks. Further, the hydrogel was evaluated as a bio adsorbent for the removal of hazardous dyes, namely Rhodamine B (RhB) and Methyl Violet (MV) from water due to its decent swelling capacity and good mechanical strength. The maximum percentage of RhB and MV removed from the respective dye solutions using DCMC-cl-G hydrogel was 96.5% and 90% at pH 6.0, respectively. Both dyes followed Langmuir adsorption isotherm, which considers monolayer adsorption of adsorbate over adsorbent, with a pseudo-second-order kinetic model.
Graphic abstract
An environment friendly hybrid hydrogel of dialdehyde carboxymethyl cellulose was fabricated by crosslinking with gelatin. The use of gelatin improved the compressive strength and thermal characteristics of the hydrogel. It was utilized for the efficient removal of hazardous dyes such as Rhodamine B and Methyl violet. The biodegradation of the hydrogel was achieved up to 82.67% for a period of twelve weeks.
In the present study, quaternary (Se
80
Te
20
)
94−
x
Ge
6
Pb
x
(
x
= 0, 2, 4 and 6) glassy alloys were prepared using melt-quench technique. Investigation of dielectric properties, i.e. ...measurements of the real part of the dielectric constant, the imaginary part of the dielectric constant (dielectric loss) and alternating current (AC) conductivity measurements, were made in the frequency variation between 1 Hz and 1 MHz and at temperatures ranging from 300 K to 380 K. The dielectric constant, dielectric loss and AC conductivity show temperature and frequency dependence. AC conductivity was found to obey the power law (
ω
s
where
s
≤ 1). The obtained results are explained by using a correlated barrier-hopping model. The compositional dependence of the investigated parameters is discussed in detail to derive the best possible composition.
Brucellosis is endemic in the bovine population in India and causes a loss of US$ 3·4 billion to the livestock industry besides having a significant human health impact.
We developed a stochastic ...simulation model to estimate the impact of three alternative vaccination strategies on the prevalence of Brucella infection in the bovine populations in India for the next two decades: (a) annual mass vaccination only for the replacement calves and (b) vaccination of both the adult and young population at the beginning of the program followed by an annual vaccination of the replacement calves and, (c) annual mass vaccination of replacements for a decade followed by a decade of a test and slaughter strategy.
For all interventions, our results indicate that the prevalence of Brucella infection will drop below 2% in cattle and, below 3% in buffalo after 20 years of the implementation of a disease control program. For cattle, the Net Present Value (NPV) was found to be US $ 4·16 billion for intervention (a), US $ 8·31 billion for intervention (b) and, US $ 4·26 for intervention (c). For buffalo, the corresponding NPVs were US $ 8·77 billion, US $ 13·42 and, US $ 7·66, respectively. The benefit cost ratio (BCR) for the first, second and the third intervention for cattle were 7·98, 10·62 and, 3·16, respectively. Corresponding BCR estimates for buffalo were 17·81, 21·27 and, 3·79, respectively.
These results suggest that all interventions will be cost-effective with the intervention (b), i.e. the vaccination of replacements with mass vaccination at the beginning of the program, being the most cost-effective choice. Further, sensitivity analysis revealed that all interventions will be cost-effective even at the 50% of the current prevalence estimates. The results advocate for the implementation of a disease control program for brucellosis in India.
Celotno besedilo
Dostopno za:
DOBA, IZUM, KILJ, NUK, PILJ, PNG, SAZU, SIK, UILJ, UKNU, UL, UM, UPUK
We detected the simian malaria parasites Plasmodium knowlesi, P. cynomolgi, P. inui, P. coatneyi, P. inui–like, and P. simiovale among forest fringe–living indigenous communities from various ...locations in Malaysia. Our findings underscore the importance of using molecular tools to identify newly emergent malaria parasites in humans.
Celotno besedilo
Dostopno za:
DOBA, IZUM, KILJ, NUK, ODKLJ, PILJ, PNG, SAZU, SIK, UILJ, UKNU, UL, UM, UPUK
To assess the serial changes of de novo coronary lesions treated with paclitaxel-coated balloon (PCB) using intravascular ultrasound virtual histology (IVUS-VH) and fractional flow reserve (FFR).
...This prospective observational study enrolled 27 patients with coronary artery disease treated with PCB who underwent coronary angiography, IVUS-VH and FFR before, immediately after intervention and at 9 months. 28 de novo lesions were successfully treated with PCB. Angiographic late luminal loss was 0.02 ± 0.27 mm. Mean vessel and lumen areas showed increase at 9 months (12.0 ± 3.5 mm(2) to 13.2 ± 3.9 mm(2), p <0.001; and 5.4 ± 1.2 mm(2) to 6.5 ± 1.8 mm(2), p <0.001, respectively). Although mean plaque area was unchanged (6.6 ± 2.6 mm2 to 6.6 ± 2.4 mm(2), p = 0.269), percent atheroma volume decreased significantly (53.4 ± 7.9% to 49.5 ± 6.4%, p = 0.002). The proportion of plaque compositions including fibrous, fibrofatty, dense calcium and necrotic core by IVUS-VH was unchanged at 9 months. The FFR of the treated lesion was 0.71 ± 0.13 pre-procedure, 0.87 ± 0.06 post-procedure and 0.84 ± 0.06 at follow-up.
De novo coronary lesions treated with PCB showed persistent anatomical and physiological patency with plaque redistribution and vessel remodeling without chronic elastic recoil or plaque compositional change during follow-up.
Celotno besedilo
Dostopno za:
DOBA, IZUM, KILJ, NUK, PILJ, PNG, SAZU, SIK, UILJ, UKNU, UL, UM, UPUK
The global water crisis demands innovative solutions, and solar desalination is a promising avenue. However, traditional systems often suffer from low yields. This study centres on the development, ...assessment, and economic feasibility of the Enhanced Hybrid Solar Still (EHSS), a pioneering approach to sustainable clean water production. Integrating photovoltaic technology, the EHSS targets a minimum daily output of 15 L/m2. Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) simulations guide the design optimisation, identifying an optimal configuration of 4 mm basin thickness, a 2 mm glass cover thickness, and a 56° slope. The EHSS is a single component that comprises of passive operation and advanced components integration, including monocrystalline solar panels, a hybrid MPPT inverter, a deep cycle battery, and a custom water heater, to enhance the yield. The EHSS undergoes a comprehensive assessment encompassing distillate quality, efficiency, and economic viability. In passive mode operation (solely using solar radiation), clean water yields range from 4.7111 L/m2·day to 2.1309 L/m2·day. Transitioning to active mode operation (employing photovoltaics and additional components) significantly enhances yields to a range of 19.7 L/m2·day. Impressively, the EHSS consistently delivers an average daily water yield of 16.85 L/m2, and also its purity meets World Health Organization standards for drinking water. The PV systems exhibit a charge rate of 14.28 % per hour on clear days and 9 to 11 % per hour on semi-cloudy days, with the battery depleting at 16.66 % per hour at 70 °C operational temperature. Comparative analysis against traditional systems showcases an efficiency increase from 25.61 % to an outstanding 64.01 % for the optimised EHSS (PV system and appurtenances). A strong correlation (coefficient of 0.9701) between experimental and simulation results indicates robust relationships. Over a 20-year lifespan, cost analysis reveals a per-litre cost of 0.0892 US dollars for the EHSS, compared to 0.0374 US dollars for traditional systems. Extended lifespans further underscore the economic feasibility of the EHSS, emphasizing its role in providing sustainable clean water solutions.
•Global water crisis necessitates innovative approaches for clean water supply.•Hybrid solar stills offer an efficient and reliable solution for improving distillate quality and quantity.•Supplementary heat sources and advanced design principles enhance the performance of hybrid solar stills.•Experimental results demonstrate the superior performance of hybrid solar stills compared to conventional solar stills.•Modelling and Optimization results indicate powerful upscale
This paper deals with the synthesis of a biodegradable interpenetrating polymer network (IPN) from the natural polysaccharide aloe vera (Av), acrylamide (AAm) and acrylic acid (AA), and its ...evaluation as a dye removal device. In the synthesis of Av-cl-poly(AA-ipn-AAm), ammonium persulfate (APS) was used as an initiator,
N
,
N
′-methylene bisacrylamide (MBA) as a cross-linker, AA and AAm as primary and secondary monomers, respectively. Soil burial and composting methods were used to study the biodegradability of the synthesized IPN and the results showed 94% degradation within 70 days using the composting method and 86% degradation within 77 days using the soil burial method. Biodegradation was confirmed by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) techniques. The synthesized IPN was used as a device for the removal of malachite green (MG) dye from aqueous solution. The maximum MG removal capacity of the synthesized IPN was found to be 97.3% under the optimal conditions (
i.e.
time = 180 min., pH = 4.5, adsorbent dose = 5 g L
−1
). The adsorption kinetics of malachite green molecules onto synthesized IPN was studied and compared using pseudo-first-order and pseudo-second-order models and we found that the adsorption process is better represented by the pseudo-second-order model. The different adsorption isotherm models like Langmuir, Freundlich, Dubinin-Radushkevich, Temkin, Redlich-Peterson and Sips isotherms were studied. The best-fitting isotherm model for the present experiment is the Langmuir model.
This paper deals with the synthesis of a biodegradable interpenetrating polymer network (IPN) from the natural polysaccharide aloe vera (Av), acrylamide (AAm) and acrylic acid (AA), and its evaluation as a dye removal device.