ABSTRACT The importance of νmax (the frequency of maximum oscillation power) for asteroseismology has been demonstrated widely in the previous decade, especially for red giants. With the large amount ...of photometric data from CoRoT (Convection, Rotation, and planetary Transits), Kepler, and Transiting Exoplanet Survey Satellite, several automated algorithms to retrieve νmax values have been introduced. Most of these algorithms correct the granulation background in the power spectrum by fitting a model and subtracting it before measuring νmax. We have developed a method that does not require fitting to the granulation background. Instead, we simply divide the power spectrum by a function of the form $\rm \nu ^{-2}$, to remove the slope due to granulation background, and then smooth to measure νmax. This method is fast and simple and avoids degeneracies associated with fitting. The method is able to measure oscillations in 99.9 per cent of previously studied Kepler red giants, with a systematic offset of 1.5 per cent in νmax values that we are able to calibrate. On comparing the seismic radii from this work with Gaia, we see similar trends to those observed in previous studies. Additionally, our values of width of the power envelope can clearly identify the dipole mode suppressed stars as a distinct population, hence as a way to detect them. We also applied our method to stars with low νmax (0.19–18.35 µHz) and found that it works well to correctly identify the oscillations.
ABSTRACT
When low- and intermediate-mass stars evolve off the main sequence, they expand and cool into the red giant stages of evolution, which include those associated with shell H burning (the red ...giant branch), core He burning (the red clump), and shell He burning (the asymptotic giant branch). The majority of red giants have masses <2 M⊙, and red giants more massive than this are often excluded from major studies. Here, we present a study of the highest mass stars (M > 3.0 M⊙) in the Kepler sample of 16 000 red giants. We begin by re-estimating their global seismic properties with new light curves, highlighting the differences between using the simple aperture photometry and presearch data conditioning of simple aperture photometry light curves provided by Kepler. We use the re-estimated properties to derive new mass estimates for the stars, ending with a final sample of 48 confirmed high-mass stars. We explore their oscillation envelopes, confirming the trends found in recent works such as low mean mode amplitude and wide envelopes. We find, through probabilistic means, that our sample is likely all core He burning stars. We measure their dipole and quadrupole mode visibilities and confirm that the dipole mode visibility tends to decrease with mass.
Clouds are the largest source of uncertainty in climate science, and remain a weak link in modeling tropical circulation. A major challenge is to establish connections between particulate ...microphysics and macroscale turbulent dynamics in cumulus clouds. Here we address the issue from the latter standpoint. First we show how to create bench-scale flows that reproduce a variety of cumulus-cloud forms (including two genera and three species), and track complete cloud life cycles—e.g., from a "cauliflower" congestus to a dissipating fractus. The flow model used is a transient plume with volumetric diabatic heating scaled dynamically to simulate latent-heat release from phase changes in clouds. Laser-based diagnostics of steady plumes reveal Riehl–Malkus type protected cores. They also show that, unlike the constancy implied by early self-similar plume models, the diabatic heating raises the Taylor entrainment coefficient just above cloud base, depressing it at higher levels. This behavior is consistent with cloud-dilution rates found in recent numerical simulations of steady deep convection, and with aircraft-based observations of homogeneous mixing in clouds. In-cloud diabatic heating thus emerges as the key driver in cloud development, and could well provide a major link between microphysics and cloud-scale dynamics.
Summary
Background
Noncultured extracted hair follicle outer root sheath cell suspension (NC‐EHF‐ORS‐CS) is an upcoming surgical technique to treat stable vitiligo. Conventionally it employs trypsin ...to tap the hair follicle (HF) reservoir for autologous melanocytes and their precursors for transplantation. However, a perifollicular dermal sheath composed of type 1 collagen encases the target ‘bulge’ region of the HF. Adding collagenase type 1 would digest the ORS, facilitating better release of cells.
Aim
To compare the repigmentation achieved using trypsin and a combination of collagenase plus trypsin, respectively, with dermabrasion alone, and to compare cell counts, viability and composition of both suspensions.
Methods
This was a randomized, double‐blind, comparative, therapeutic trial, conducted as a pilot study on 22 patients with stable vitiligo. Three similar patches were randomized into three parallel treatment arms (A) trypsin plus collagenase, (B) trypsin alone and (C) dermabrasion with vehicle alone. Each patient’s HF sample was divided and digested by the two methods, and transplanted as suspensions onto dermabraded patches, while a third dermabraded patch received the vehicle only. Suspensions were sent for laboratory analysis. Repigmentation was assessed over a follow‐up of 6 months.
Results
There was a significant increase in cell yield and comparable viability when collagenase was added. Immunohistochemical and flow cytometry studies showed a nonsignificant increase in HMB45+ melanocytes and their precursor stem cells in group A. This trend was reflected clinically in the extent of repigmentation group A (33.22%) > B (24.31%) > C (16.59%); P = 0.13. Adding collagenase induced significantly higher repigmentation than dermabrasion alone (P < 0.05).
Conclusions
Incorporating collagenase type I into the conventional NC‐EHF‐ORS‐CS technique resulted in enhanced retrieval of pigment‐forming cells and subsequently improved repigmentation in vitiligo.
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•Unwinding and reversal of vortex ring.•Large relaxation time, ~10 s for PAMH25 polymer solution.•Modified behaviour of vortex ring for solution with larger Deborah ...number.•Peeling-off and inhibition for roll-up of shear layer.
We experimentally study the propagation of vortex rings in aqueous solutions of polyethylene oxide (PEO400) and hydrolysed polyacrylamide (PAMH25). We study the canonical vortex ring as a caricature problem to the phenomenon of turbulent polymer drag reduction. PAMH25 has a similar infinite shear viscosity, ten times the zero shear viscosity and a thousand times the relaxation time of PEO400. We study the vortex rings generated by the trapezoidal motion of a piston-cylinder mechanism using PIV and PLIF at constant impulse. We see that PAMH25 drastically affects the propagation properties and the structure of the vortex ring, while PEO400 shows a behaviour similar to water. We conclude that PAMH25 retards the roll-up process of the ring, due to both the large range of plateau viscosities and large relaxation time. We surmise that the behaviour of the vortex ring observed might be used to unravel the mechanism of polymer drag reduction.
Diagnosis of TB in pediatric population poses several challenges. A novel initiative was implemented in several major cities of India aimed at providing upfront access to free-of-cost Xpert MTB/RIF ...to presumptive pediatric TB cases. This paper aims to describe the experience of implementing this large initiative and assess feasibility of the intervention in high TB burden settings.
Data were drawn from the pediatric TB project implemented in 10 major cities of India between April 2014 and March 2018. In each city, providers, both public and private, were engaged and linked with a high throughput Xpert MTB/RIF lab (established in that city) through rapid specimen transportation and electronic reporting system. Rates and proportions were estimated to describe the characteristics of this cohort.
Of the total 94,415 presumptive pediatric TB cases tested in the project, 6,270 were diagnosed positive for MTB (6.6%) on Xpert MTB/RIF (vs 2% on smear microscopy). Among MTB positives, 545 cases were rifampicin resistant (8.7%). The median duration between collection of specimens and reporting of results was 0 days (same day) and >89% cases were initiated on treatment. Approximately 50% of the specimens tested were non-sputum. The number of providers/facilities engaged under the project increased >10-fold (from 124 in Q2'14 to 1416 in Q1'18).
This project, which was one of the largest initiatives globally among pediatric population, demonstrated the feasibility of sustaining rapid and upfront access to free-of-cost Xpert MTB/RIF testing. The project underscores the efficiency of this rapid diagnostic assay in tackling several challenges in pediatric TB diagnosis, identifies opportunities for further interventions as well as brings to light scope for effective engagement with healthcare providers. The findings have facilitated a policy decision by National TB Programme mandating the use of Xpert MTB/RIF as a primary diagnostic tool for TB diagnosis in children, which is being scaled-up.
Diagnosis of TB in children is challenging, and is largely based on positive history of contact with a TB case, clinical and radiological findings, often without microbiological confirmation. ...Diagnostic efforts are also undermined by challenges in specimen collection and the limited availability of high sensitivity, rapid diagnostic tests that can be applied with a quick turnaround time. The current project was undertaken in four major cities of India to address TB diagnostic challenges in pediatric population, by offering free of cost Xpert testing to pediatric presumptive TB cases, thereby paving the way for better TB care.
A high throughput lab was established in each of the four project cities, and linked to various health care providers across the city through rapid specimen transportation and electronic reporting linkages. Free Xpert testing was offered to all pediatric (0-14 years) presumptive TB cases (both pulmonary and extra-pulmonary) seeking care at public and private health facilities.
The current project enrolled 42,238 pediatric presumptive TB cases from April, 2014 to June, 2016. A total of 3,340 (7.91%, CI 7.65-8.17) bacteriologically confirmed TB cases were detected, of which 295 (8.83%, CI 7.9-9.86) were rifampicin-resistant. The level of rifampicin resistance in the project cohort was high. Overall Xpert yielded a high proportion of valid results and TB detection rates were more than three-fold higher than smear microscopy. The project provided same-day testing and early availability of results led to rapid treatment initiation and success rates and very low rates of treatment failure and loss to follow-up.
The current project demonstrated the feasibility of rolling out rapid and upfront Xpert testing for pediatric presumptive TB cases through a single Xpert lab per city in an efficient manner. Rapid turnaround testing time facilitated prompt and appropriate treatment initiation. These results suggest that the upfront Xpert assay is a promising solution to address TB diagnosis in children. The high levels of rifampicin resistance detected in presumptive pediatric TB patients tested under the project are a major cause of concern from a public health perspective which underscores the need to further prioritize upfront Xpert access to this vulnerable population.
Summary
Vitamin D deficiency is a major public health problem, needing immediate attention. We studied the effect of vitamin D fortification of milk in school children. Our results show that ...fortification of milk is safe and effective strategy to deal with widespread vitamin D deficiency.
Introduction
Vitamin D deficiency among school children and adolescents is a well-documented major public health problem, needing immediate attention. To assess the effect of vitamin D fortified milk on serum 25 hydroxy vitamin D S.25(OH)D levels, we carried out a prospective double-blind randomized control trial in apparently healthy school children, aged 10–14 years.
Methods
Of 776 subjects recruited out of 796 who consented, 713 (boys-300; girls-413) completed the study. Subjects were randomized into three groups. Group A (
n
= 237) received 200 ml of unfortified milk per day while group B (
n
= 243) and group C (
n
= 233) received 200 ml of milk fortified with 600 IU (15 μg) and 1,000 IU (25 μg) of vitamin D per day for 12 weeks. Serum calcium, phosphate, alkaline phosphatase, S.25(OH)D, and urinary calcium/creatinine ratio were estimated at baseline and after supplementation.
Results
Hypovitaminosis D 25(OH)D < 20 ng/ml was observed in 92.3 % subjects with mean S.25(OH)D level of 11.69 ± 5.36 ng/ml. There was no significant difference in S.25(OH)D levels among the three groups at baseline. The mean percentage change in S.25(OH)D level in groups B (137.97 %) and C (177.29 %.) were significantly greater than group A (−5.25 %). The percentage of subjects having S.25(OH)D levels >20 ng/ml following supplementation were 5.9 % in group A, 69.95 % in group B, and 81.11 % in group C in comparison to 6.32 %, 4.9 % and 12 %, respectively, at baseline.
Conclusion
Fortification of milk with vitamin D is an effective and safe strategy in improving S.25(OH)D levels in children aged 10–14 years.
MONSOON MISSION Rao, Suryachandra A.; Goswami, B. N.; Sahai, A. K. ...
Bulletin of the American Meteorological Society,
12/2019, Volume:
100, Issue:
12
Journal Article
Peer reviewed
Open access
In spite of the summer monsoon’s importance in determining the life and economy of an agriculture-dependent country like India, committed efforts toward improving its prediction and simulation have ...been limited. Hence, a focused mission mode program Monsoon Mission (MM) was founded in 2012 to spur progress in this direction. This article explains the efforts made by the Earth System Science Organization (ESSO), Ministry of Earth Sciences (MoES), Government of India, in implementing MM to develop a dynamical prediction framework to improve monsoon prediction. Climate Forecast System, version 2 (CFSv2), and the Met Office Unified Model (UM) were chosen as the base models. The efforts in this program have resulted in 1) unparalleled skill of 0.63 for seasonal prediction of the Indian monsoon (for the period 1981–2010) in a high-resolution (~38 km) seasonal prediction system, relative to present-generation seasonal prediction models; 2) extended-range predictions by a CFS-based grand multimodel ensemble (MME) prediction system; and 3) a gain of 2-day lead time from very high-resolution (12.5 km) Global Forecast System (GFS)-based short-range predictions up to 10 days. These prediction skills are on par with other global leading weather and climate centers, and are better in some areas. Several developmental activities like coupled data assimilation, changes in convective parameterization, cloud microphysics schemes, and parameterization of land surface processes (including snow and sea ice) led to the improvements such as reducing the strong model biases in the Indian summer monsoon simulation and elsewhere in the tropics.
India accounts for one-fifth of the global TB incidence. While the exact burden of childhood TB is not known, TB remains one of the leading causes of childhood mortality in India. Bacteriological ...confirmation of TB in children is challenging due to difficulty in obtaining quality specimens, in the absence of which diagnosis is largely based on clinical judgement. While testing multiple specimens can potentially contribute to higher proportion of laboratory confirmed paediatric TB cases, lack of high sensitivity tests adds to the diagnostic challenge. We describe here our experiences in piloting upfront Xpert MTB/RIF testing, for diagnosis of TB in paediatric population in respiratory and extra pulmonary specimens, as recently recommended by WHO.
Xpert MTB/RIF testing was offered to all paediatric (0-14 years) presumptive TB cases (both pulmonary and extra-pulmonary) seeking care at public and private health facilities in the project areas covering 4 cities of India.
Under this pilot project, 8,370 paediatric presumptive TB & presumptive DR-TB cases were tested between April and-November 2014. Overall, 9,149 specimens were tested, of which 4,445 (48.6%) were non-sputum specimens. Xpert MTB/RIF gave 9,083 (99.2%, CI 99.0-99.4) valid results. Of the 8,143 presumptive TB cases enrolled, 517 (6.3%, CI 5.8-6.9) were bacteriologically confirmed. TB detection rates were two fold higher with Xpert MTB/RIF as compared to smear microscopy. Further, a total of 60 rifampicin resistant TB cases were detected, of which 38 were detected among 512 presumptive TB cases while 22 were detected amongst 227 presumptive DR-TB cases tested under the project.
Xpert MTB/RIF with advantages of quick turnaround testing-time, high proportion of interpretable results and feasibility of rapid rollout, substantially improved the diagnosis of bacteriologically confirmed TB in children, while simultaneously detecting rifampicin resistance.
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