Background
India has set a goal to eliminate measles and rubella/Congenital Rubella Syndrome (CRS) by 2023. Towards this goal, India conducted nationwide supplementary immunization activity (SIA) ...with measles-rubella containing vaccine (MRCV) targeting children aged between 9 months to <15 years and established a hospital-based sentinel surveillance for CRS. Reliable data about incidence of CRS is necessary to monitor progress towards the elimination goal.
Methods
We conducted serosurveys in 2019–20 among pregnant women attending antenatal clinics of 6 hospitals, which were also sentinel sites for CRS surveillance, to estimate the prevalence of IgG antibodies against rubella. We systematically sampled 1800 women attending antenatal clinics and tested their sera for IgG antibodies against rubella. We used rubella seroprevalence data from the current survey and the survey conducted in 2017 among antenatal women from another 6 CRS surveillance sites to construct a catalytic models to estimate the incidence and burden of CRS.
Result
The seroprevalence of rubella antibodies was 82.3% (95% CI: 80.4–84.0). Rubella seropositivity did not differ by age group and educational status. Based on the constant and age-dependent force of infection models, we estimated that the annual incidence of CRS in India was 225.58 per 100,000 live births (95% CI: 217.49–232.41) and 65.47 per 100,000 live births (95% CI: 41.60–104.16) respectively. This translated to an estimated 14,520 (95% CI: 9,225–23,100) and 50,028 (95% CI: 48,234–51,543) infants with CRS every year based on age-dependent and constant force of infection models respectively.
Conclusions
Our findings indicated that about one fifth of women in the reproductive age group in India were susceptible for rubella. The estimates of CRS incidence will serve as a baseline to monitor the impact of MRCV SIAs, as well progress towards the elimination goal of rubella/CRS.
Terrestrial ecosystems play a vital role in regulating the accumulation of carbon (C) in the atmosphere. Understanding the factors controlling land C uptake is critical for reducing uncertainties in ...projections of future climate. The relative importance of changing climate, rising atmospheric CO
, and other factors, however, remains unclear despite decades of research. Here, we use an ensemble of land models to show that models disagree on the primary driver of cumulative C uptake for 85% of vegetated land area. Disagreement is largest in model sensitivity to rising atmospheric CO
which shows almost twice the variability in cumulative land uptake since 1901 (1 s.d. of 212.8 PgC vs. 138.5 PgC, respectively). We find that variability in CO
and temperature sensitivity is attributable, in part, to their compensatory effects on C uptake, whereby comparable estimates of C uptake can arise by invoking different sensitivities to key environmental conditions. Conversely, divergent estimates of C uptake can occur despite being based on the same environmental sensitivities. Together, these findings imply an important limitation to the predictability of C cycling and climate under unprecedented environmental conditions. We suggest that the carbon modeling community prioritize a probabilistic multi-model approach to generate more robust C cycle projections.
Abstract
This work describes the use of a novel vesicular drug carrier system called transfersomes, which is composed of phospholipid, surfactant, and water for enhanced transdermal delivery. The ...transfersomal system was much more efficient at delivering a low and high molecular weight drug to the skin in terms of quantity and depth. In the present study transfersomes and liposomes were prepared by using dexamethasone as a model drug. The system was evaluated in vitro for vesicle shape and size, entrapment efficiency, degree of deformability, number of vesicles per cubic mm, and drug diffusion across the artificial membrane and rat skin. The effects of surfactant type, composition, charge, and concentration of surfactant were studied. The in vivo performance of selected formulation was evaluated by using a carrageenan-induced rat paw edema model. Fluorescence microscopy by using rhodamine-123 and 6-carboxyfluorescein as fluorescence probe was performed. The stability study was performed at 4°C and 37°C. An in vitro drug release study has shown a nearly zero order release of drug and no lag phase. The absence of lag phase in comparison to liposomes and ointment is attributed to the greater deformability, which may account for better skin permeability of transfersomes. In vivo studies of transfersomes showed better antiedema activity in comparison to liposomes and ointment, indicating better permeation through the penetration barrier of the skin. This was further confirmed through a fluorescence microscopy study. Finally, it may be concluded from the study that complex lipid molecules, transfersomes, can increase the transdermal flux, prolong the release, and improve the site specificity of bioactive molecules.
The last 60 years has seen unprecedented groundwater extraction and overdraft as well as development of new technologies for water treatment that together drive the advance in intentional groundwater ...replenishment known as managed aquifer recharge (MAR). This paper is the first known attempt to quantify the volume of MAR at global scale, and to illustrate the advancement of all the major types of MAR and relate these to research and regulatory advancements. Faced with changing climate and rising intensity of climate extremes, MAR is an increasingly important water management strategy, alongside demand management, to maintain, enhance and secure stressed groundwater systems and to protect and improve water quality. During this time, scientific research—on hydraulic design of facilities, tracer studies, managing clogging, recovery efficiency and water quality changes in aquifers—has underpinned practical improvements in MAR and has had broader benefits in hydrogeology. Recharge wells have greatly accelerated recharge, particularly in urban areas and for mine water management. In recent years, research into governance, operating practices, reliability, economics, risk assessment and public acceptance of MAR has been undertaken. Since the 1960s, implementation of MAR has accelerated at a rate of 5%/year, but is not keeping pace with increasing groundwater extraction. Currently, MAR has reached an estimated 10 km
3
/year, ~2.4% of groundwater extraction in countries reporting MAR (or ~1.0% of global groundwater extraction). MAR is likely to exceed 10% of global extraction, based on experience where MAR is more advanced, to sustain quantity, reliability and quality of water supplies.
This study evaluates the health risks in megacities in terms of mortality and morbidity due to air pollution. A new spreadsheet model,
Risk of
Mortality/Morbidity due to
Air
Pollution (Ri-MAP), is ...used to estimate the excess numbers of deaths and illnesses. By adopting the World Health Organization (WHO) guideline concentrations for the air pollutants SO
2, NO
2 and total suspended particles (TSP), concentration-response relationships and a population attributable-risk proportion concept are employed. Results suggest that some megacities like Los Angeles, New York, Osaka Kobe, Sao Paulo and Tokyo have very low excess cases in total mortality from these pollutants. In contrast, the approximate numbers of cases is highest in Karachi (15,000/yr) characterized by a very high concentration of total TSP (∼670
μg
m
−3). Dhaka (7000/yr), Beijing (5500/yr), Karachi (5200/yr), Cairo (5000/yr) and Delhi (3500/yr) rank highest with cardiovascular mortality. The morbidity (hospital admissions) due to Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) follows the tendency of cardiovascular mortality. Dhaka and Karachi lead the rankings, having about 2100/yr excess cases, while Osaka-Kobe (∼20/yr) and Sao Paulo (∼50/yr) are at the low end of all megacities considered. Since air pollution is increasing in many megacities, and our database of measured pollutants is limited to the period up to 2000 and does not include all relevant components (e.g. O
3), these numbers should be interpreted as lower limits. South Asian megacities most urgently need improvement of air quality to prevent excess mortality and morbidity due to exceptionally high levels of air pollution. The risk estimates obtained from Ri-MAP present a realistic baseline evaluation for the consequences of ambient air pollution in comparison to simple air quality indices, and can be expanded and improved in parallel with the development of air pollution monitoring networks.
Background: Surveys such as the Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System (BRFSS) collect only self-reported data on height and weight to estimate obesity prevalence rates. Because of biased ...self-reporting of height and weight, obesity prevalence rates reported by these surveys are too low. Objective: To develop regression models that can predict corrected height, weight and obesity prevalence from self-reported data, as well as to compare obesity prevalence rates based on self-reported and modeled data and test for trends in obesity prevalence by gender, age and race/ethnicity. Design: Data from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) for the period 1999–2006 were used to develop regression models to predict corrected height, weight and obesity prevalence. Regression coefficients estimated from these models were used to predict corrected height, weight and obesity prevalence for BRFSS data for 1999–2007. Results: Self-reported weights for males were higher by 0.1–0.2 kg and lower by about 1.25 kg than corrected weights for females. Underreporting of weights was lowest for Hispanics when compared with other race/ethnicities. In addition, underreporting of weight increased with an increase in body mass index. Self-reported heights for males were higher than corrected heights by about 2 cm, and for females, by about 1 cm. Overreporting of height increased with an increase in age. Self-reported obesity prevalence was 4.5–5.8% lower than corrected rates for males and by 4.4–5.1% for females. Underreporting of obesity prevalence increased with an increase in age. Obesity prevalence rates increased over time for each gender, race/ethnicity and age group for BRFSS data. Conclusion: Obesity prevalence calculated from self-reported data is too low and should be used with caution for health-care planning purposes. When it is not possible to have measured data, corrected heights and weights may be predicted by using models such as those presented by us from a relatively large data set that has both measured and self-reported data.
Sorghum
Sorghum bicolor
(L.) Moench is a very important crop in the arid and semi-arid tropics of India and African subcontinent. In the process of release of new cultivars using multi-location data ...major emphasis is being given on the superiority of the new cultivars over the ruling cultivars, while very less importance is being given on the genotype × environment interaction (GEI). In the present study, performance of ten Indian hybrids over 12 locations across the rainy seasons of 2008 and 2009 was investigated using GGE biplot analysis. Location attributed higher proportion of the variation in the data (59.3–89.9%), while genotype contributed only 3.9–16.8% of total variation. Genotype × location interaction contributed 5.8–25.7% of total variation. We could identify superior hybrids for grain yield, fodder yield and for harvest index using biplot graphical approach effectively. Majority of the testing locations were highly correlated. ‘Which-won-where’ study partitioned the testing locations into three mega-environments: first with eight locations with SPH 1606/1609 as the winning genotypes; second mega-environment encompassed three locations with SPH 1596 as the winning genotype, and last mega-environment represented by only one location with SPH 1603 as the winning genotype. This clearly indicates that though the testing is being conducted in many locations, similar conclusions can be drawn from one or two representatives of each mega-environment. We did not observe any correlation of these mega-environments to their geographical locations. Existence of extensive crossover GEI clearly suggests that efforts are necessary to identify location-specific genotypes over multi-year and -location data for release of hybrids and varieties rather focusing on overall performance of the entries.
•Preconceptual core designs for the Transformational Challenge Reactor are presented and assessed.•The impact of power level on core design, system design, and temperatures during a limiting events ...is assessed.•A final baseline core design and system power is selected for conceptual design activities.
In the nuclear industry, a manufacturing-informed design approach has the potential to yield the most benefit from advanced manufacturing. By leveraging advanced materials, data science, and rapid testing and deployment, manufacturing-informed design can drive down costs and development times, ultimately improving future commercial viability. This approach is being demonstrated in the US Department of Energy Office of Nuclear Energy (DOE-NE) Transformational Challenge Reactor (TCR) program. Preconceptual design activities for TCR have been focused on analyzing and maturing four reactor core design concepts: two fast-spectrum and two thermal-spectrum systems. The designs were iteratively modified and analyzed, and subcomponents were manufactured in parallel over weeks instead of months or years. To meet key program initiatives (e.g., timeline and material use), several constraints—including fissile material availability, component availability, materials compatibility, and additive manufacturing capabilities—were factored into the design effort, yielding small cores less than one cubic meter in volume with near-term viability.
The TCR program has made significant progress on development of advanced moderator materials such as yttrium hydride, advancing the feasibility of gas-cooled thermal spectrum systems using less than 250 kg of high-assay low enriched uranium (HALEU) and occupying less than 1 m3. Each of the two resulting thermal designs uses a different fuel form: traditional UO2 ceramic fuel and tristructural isotropic (advanced TRISO) fuel particles embedded inside a SiC matrix. Core neutronics and thermal performance for these systems were assessed and summarized. Evaluation of the performance metrics for these two moderated designs has yielded the downselected TCR design: a TRISO-fueled and yttrium hydride moderated gas-cooled reactor.
Hand-operated tools transmit a high magnitude of vibration exposure to the hand-arm system that causes occupational diseases. The health effects caused in various countries for the past years due to ...usage of hand tools are necessary to identify the occupational disorders. Researchers have conducted various studies on biological effects, hand-transmitted vibration exposure and biodynamic responses throughout the years. This article goes over each of these studies in detail, as well as identifying areas where more research is needed. The majority of studies deal with the following topics: general guidelines for hand-transmitted vibrations; assessment techniques of vibration exposure; hand-tool evaluation methods; influence of hand-tool design to overcome the biomechanical effects; and finite element modelling for quantifying vibration exposure. In response to this, understanding the biodynamic behaviour of the hand-arm system is useful for better ergonomic intervention in hand tools to reduce fatigue and increase comfort.
IntroductionDepression continues to be a leading cause of disability worldwide. Despite the availability of several classes of antidepressants, a third of patients do not recover from their ...depression. Deep brain stimulation (DBS) is an invasive treatment approach that was found to be effective in the treatment of Parkinson’s Disease and presents as an alternative to standard antidepressant therapy for people with treatment-resistent depression (TRD).ObjectivesWe aimed to compare the use of DBS to standard antidepressant therapy and decipher whether DBS can be used for TRD. In addition, electroconvulsive therapy (ECT), a current brain stimulation method administered for TRD, was contrasted with DBS.MethodsA narrative review of the current literature concerning DBS application and TRD was conducted to evaluate whether standard antidepressant therapy was as effective as psychosurgical intervention. Emphasis on TRD-associated DBS was noted.ResultsThe studies discussed found that DBS was an effective treatment option for TRD, however, the results were limited due to the studies being conducted in small sample sizes and using DBS in combination with antidepressant therapy. Nonetheless, the concomitant use of DBS and antidepressants demonstrated to be an effective treatment for TRD, highlighting the potential benefit of DBS in inducing remission in TRD. DBS has a wider range of complications compared to ECT as it involves a more invasive neurosurgical approach to implant the device. On comparing the cost of the devices between the 2 studies, DBS costs approximately three times more than ECT.ConclusionsThe spectrum of depressive disorders is known to affect multiple regions of the brain. A more cohesive approach would be a comprehensive study using DBS in multiple brain regions while incorporating blinded controls. In summary, DBS could be a viable treatment addition for TRD, but more thorough studies are needed to deduce its true efficacy. Future collaborative studies investigating the efficacy of DBS over ECT in TRD may assess further therapeutic potential.Disclosure of InterestNone Declared
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