Background: An outbreak of Nipah virus infection was confirmed in Kerala, India in May 2018. Five out of 23 cases including the first laboratory-confirmed case were treated at Baby Memorial Hospital ...(BMH), Kozhikode. The study describes the clinical characteristics and epidemiology of the Nipah virus outbreak at Kozhikode during May 2018. Objective: To study the clinical and epidemiological profile of Nipah virus epidemic that occurred in Kerala in May 2018. Methods: A collaborative team of physicians and epidemiologists from BMH, Medical College Hospital (MCH) Kozhikode and from the Indian Medical Association (IMA) conducted this study. The clinical and exposure history and the data on outbreak response were gathered from hospital medical records and through interviewing patient relatives and health workers using questionnaires. Results: It was identified that out of the 23 patients with Nipah virus infection, 21 (91.3%) expired. Out of the 21 patients, 18 tested positive for Nipah virus by Real Time polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). It has been found that only the index case was infected in the community from fruit bats. Rest of the cases were due to transmission of the virus at three public hospitals. Median age was 45 years. 65% of them were males. Median incubation period was 9.5 days. Fever (100%), altered sensorium (84.2%), tachycardia (63.1%), hypertension (36.8%), segmental myoclonus (15.7%), segmental sweating (15.7%) and shortness of breath (73.6%) were common features. Mean duration of illness was 6.4 days. Conclusion: The rapid spread of infection uncovered the miserable state of health care system in implementing infection control measures. The case fatality and the socio-economic burden warrant developing appropriate treatments, vaccines and diagnostics.
Low molecular weight dicarboxylic acids constituting a pivotal fraction of organic aerosols impact radiative forcing of Earth's atmosphere. However, a significant knowledge gap exists associated with ...their sources and formation pathways in the atmosphere. In this study, we report on water-soluble components such as dicarboxylic acids, oxoacids, and α-dicarbonyls as well as carbonaceous and ionic components in the continental outflow from the South Asian region to the Arabian Sea and the equatorial Indian Ocean during ICARB (Integrated Campaign for Aerosols, gases and Radiation Budget) 2018 experiment. Non-sea-salt sulfate (nss SO42−) was found to be the predominant component, followed by ammonium (NH4+) and organic carbon (OC) in fine-sized (<1.1 μm) aerosols. Total diacids carbon content accounted for 17% (on average) of total carbon (TC). Oxalic acid (C2) was the most abundant organic acid, contributing ~41% to total diacids, followed by terephthalic acid (tPh) and succinic acid (C4). Of these results, together with selected organic and inorganic mass ratios and linear relationships among the organic acids, we highlight the sources of organic acids over Indian Ocean. Over continental outflow regions in Indian Ocean, dicarboxylic acids are majorly derived from the emissions of biomass burning and combustion related sources, that underwent transformation in the atmosphere through photochemical reactions during the long range transport. However, over the deep oceanic environment of Indian Ocean, photo-oxidation of biogenic unsaturated fatty acids were found to be the important sources. The findings from this study will be helpful to improve further our understanding of the sources and formation processes of organic aerosols and their climate effects over the South Asian outflow regions.
•Diacids and related organic compounds in PM1.1 were carried out over the Indian Ocean as a part of ICARB-2018.•Oxalic acid (C2) was the most abundant organic acid contributing about 41% of total dicarboxylic acids.•On average, total diacid-C accounts for ~17% of total carbon concentration during the cruise period.•Continental transport of biomass burning and combustion-derived emissions are major sources of diacids in South-Asian outflow•The slope between the mass fraction of (WSOC+SO42-) and CCN was enhanced about 16% compared to SO42- mass fraction alone.
The transport of South Asian (SA) anthropogenic haze to the northern Indian Ocean (NIO) is often observed during winter, however, its chemical and molecular constituents are not well explored. To ...better address this problem, shipborne measurements of size‐resolved aerosol sampling were carried out over the northern and equatorial Indian Ocean (EIO) for the quantification of aerosol composition (organic and inorganic) and molecular markers during the winter of 2018. The most striking outcome was the dominance of anthropogenic aerosols derived from biomass‐burning and combustion‐related emissions over the NIO during the SA outflow. Low‐level concentrations were noticed over the EIO where oceanic air mass was dominated. Organic carbon (OC), sea‐salts (Na+ and Cl−), calcium (Ca2+), and nitrates (NO3−) were enriched in the coarse mode (>2.0 µm) while elemental carbon (EC), water‐soluble OC, sulfates (SO42−), and potassium (K+) were abundant in fine mode (<2.0 µm) aerosols. Water‐soluble nitrogen aerosols showed a bimodal size distribution with a significant peak in fine mode. The molecular composition of organic aerosols (OAs) in PM1.1 was characterized by high abundances of sugars and lignin/resin products followed by hydroxy/polyacids and plasticizers. These results underscore that biomass‐burning emissions (BBEs), plastic combustions, and secondary anthropogenic aerosols are the leading sources of OAs in the SA outflow as further corroborated by the linear‐regression analysis between organic and inorganic marker compounds. The mass absorption efficiency (MAE) of organic (brown carbon; BrC) aerosols (MAEOC‐BrC‐365nm) was two times higher in SA outflow and largely contributed from BBEs as confirmed by the positive relationship with levoglucosan.
Key Points
Shipborne measurements of size‐resolved chemical composition, molecular markers, and BrC were carried out over the Indian Ocean as a part of Integrated Campaign for Aerosols, gases and Radiation Budget (ICARB)‐2018
OC, Na+, Ca2+ and NO3− were enriched in the coarse mode (>2.0 µm) while elemental carbon, water‐soluble organic carbon (WSOC), water‐soluble total nitrogen, SO42−, and K+ were abundant in fine mode (<2.0 µm)
WSOC was higher in the South Asian outflow (NIO), whereas water‐insoluble organic carbon was enriched over equatorial Indian Ocean, where oceanic air masses are dominated A significant (p < 0.05) positive relation was observed between the babs‐OC‐BrC‐365 nm and levoglucosan during the campaign
Total suspended particulates were collected from the marine boundary layer of Bay of Bengal (BoB) as part of the Integrated Campaign for Aerosols gases & Radiation Budget (ICARB) conducted under the ...Geosphere Biosphere Programme of Indian Space Research Organisation during pre-monsoon period. These samples were analyzed to quantify various chemical species and to bring out a comprehensive and quantitative picture of the chemical composition of aerosols in the marine environment of Bay of Bengal. Almost all the species showed highest mass concentration over north/head BoB. On the other hand, their mass fractions were high over mid/south BoB which has implications on the radiative forcing in this region. The source characteristics of various species were identified using specific chemical components as tracers. Presence of significant amount of non-sea-salt aerosols (~7–8 times of sea-salt) and several trace species like Ni, Pb, Zn, etc were observed in this marine environment indicating significant continental/anthropogenic influence. An approximate estimate of the contributions of anthropogenic and natural aerosols to the total aerosol mass loading showed prominence of anthropogenic component over mid and south BoB also. Based on this study first-cut aerosol chemical models were evolved for BoB region.
•Spatial distribution of aerosol species over Bay of Bengal (BoB) during pre-monsoon.•Significant anthropogenic influence of Indo Gangetic Plains/north India over northern BoB.•While mass concentration of various species show high over north BoB, Mass fractions are high over mid/southeast BoB.•First cut model for aerosol chemical composition over BoB evolved.
Present study was conducted to develop a stable chia oil emulsion using an ultrasound emulsification technique. Whey protein concentrate, gum Arabic, and xanthan gum stabilized layer by layer chia ...oil emulsion was developed using an electrostatic deposition. Single-layer and multilayer emulsion of chia oil was developed and their stability is compared. Developed emulsions were characterized by viscosity, stability, surface charge, and droplet size. Layer-by-layer emulsion showed the highest stability (98%) among all the formulations developed. Formulated single-layer and double-layer emulsions were spray dried and the respective powders were characterized for bulk density, tapped density, Hausner ratio, Carr’s index, moisture content, color values, encapsulation efficiency, peroxide value, XRD, and SEM. Multilayer emulsion-based powder showed better flowability properties. The encapsulation efficiency of multilayer microparticles was found to be 93% with the lowest peroxide value of 1.08 mEq O
2
/kg fat. XRD diffractogram of the developed microparticles revealed amorphous nature. The developed ultrasound layer-by-layer emulsification technique is an efficient technique for developing chia oil-loaded microparticles.
Extrusion cooking is a high temperature short time process where food materials are cooked in a barrel with a combination of pressure, moisture and temperature. In this study a finger millet based ...snack product fortified with banana powder is extruded with a combination of rice flour, corn flour and cheese and its properties are studied. In addition to that the parameter for extrusion cooking of the snack product is also optimized. Response surface methodology was used to optimize the process parameters like barrel temperature (118–122 °C), extruder rpm (345–355) and banana powder concentration (1–4 g) on physical and functional properties of extruded snack food based on finger millet. Central composite design with three levels, three factors is used for optimization. Analysis of variance was used to study the effects of process parameters. Regression analysis is also done for variability and it is fitted to a second order quadratic model with coded value for each response. Based on Analysis of Variance model confirmed the fitness for dependent variables.
Current research aims to evaluate the effect of high shear extrusion on quinoa, finger millet, and red rice composite flour-based breakfast cereal using response surface methodology with extruder ...barrel temperature (120–130 °C), screw speed (320–350 rpm) and feed moisture content (10–20 g/100 g) as independent variables. Product responses were fitted on to mathematical model using second-order polynomial equations. Multiple regression analysis of data revealed the high statistical significance of respective mathematical models. Numeric optimization based on acceptable product characteristics revealed optimized processing conditions (barrel temperature 130 °C, screw speed 350 RPM, and feed moisture content 20 g/100 g) with a desirability of 0.9373. Extrudates developed using selected processing conditions along with optimized ones and control were characterized for their nutrient profile and crystallinity. Breakfast cereal developed using optimized processing conditions showed a better nutritional profile and reduction in crystallinity of product after high shear extrusion processing represented starch gelatinization.
Surface ozone (O3) measurements were carried out in the marine environment of the Arabian Sea (AS) during the premonsoon months, April–May 2006, as part of the Integrated Campaign for Aerosols, gases ...and Radiation Budget. The O3 mixing ratio over the AS varied in the range ∼3–22 ppb with a mean of 13.5 ± 2 ppb. Comparatively high mixing ratios were observed over the southern AS and close to the coast. The spatial pattern did not show any evidence of transport from nearby landmass or in situ photochemistry. Longitudinally separated narrow regions of low and high O3 were seen over the southern AS. The role of aerosols in modifying the O3 concentration was examined based on the co-located measurement of aerosol mass loading, number density, size distribution and optical depth. The O3 mixing ratio showed positive correlation with aerosol loading. Over high O3 regions, large particle concentration showed significant enhancement. The role of chloride ion in depleting O3 was also investigated. The observed spatial features were compared with those measured during the earlier cruises conducted in different seasons and over various oceanic regions. A comparison has been made with the measurements over the Bay of Bengal during the same cruise.
•Low surface O3 concentration over Arabian Sea in the premonsoon season.•Association of surface O3 with aerosols.•Surface O3 depletion due to chlorine chemistry.
The aim of this review article is to present various ceramic materials currently utilized in the field of CAD/CAM. Due to high aesthetic and functional demands of indirect restorations research on ...dental materials is increasing. Comparing the materials will take into account their mechanical properties, their clinical usage, their advantages and disadvantages.
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