Updating the Shared Socioeconomic Pathways (SSPs) Global Population and Human Capital Projections

The first set of population projections following the Shared Socioeconomic Pathways (SSPs) was developed in 2013. These projections have found widespread use within the environmental and climate change community, among others. In 2018, an SSPs update was generated but not integrated into the SSP database. In 2021, the SSP community requested an update of the human core of the SSPs, which is detailed in this report. This updated version is based on 2020 as the reference year, with adjustments to certain short-term assumptions extending to 2030. Consequently, the assumptions' trend component is grounded in recent observed changes. The modeling approaches for fertility, mortality, and educational attainment have been revised. Notably, there are updates to education-specific fertility rates with new estimates. Education-specific mortality has been made specific to countries and regions. Additionally, this version introduces explicit education-specific migration differentials. The paper presents a comparison between the methodology used for developing the global population and education projections under the five SSPs and the previous method. Furthermore, a brief analysis is conducted on the primary results regarding population size and composition, with comparisons made to earlier projections and other organizations, including the United Nations Population Division

Dynamic Patterns of Circulating Seasonal and Pandemic A(H1N1)pdm09 Influenza Viruses From 2007–2010 in and around Delhi, India

Influenza surveillance was carried out in a subset of patients with influenza-like illness (ILI) presenting at an Employee Health Clinic (EHS) at All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS), New Delhi (urban) and pediatric out patients department of civil hospital at Ballabhgarh (peri-urban), under the Comprehensive Rural Health Services Project (CRHSP) of AIIMS, in Delhi region from January 2007 to December 2010. Of the 3264 samples tested, 541 (17%) were positive for influenza viruses, of which 221 (41%) were pandemic Influenza A(H1N1)pdm09, 168 (31%) were seasonal influenza A, and 152 (28%) were influenza B. While the Influenza viruses were detected year-round, their types/subtypes varied remarkably. While there was an equal distribution of seasonal A(H1N1) and influenza B in 2007, predominance of influenza B was observed in 2008. At the beginning of 2009, circulation of influenza A(H3N2) viruses was observed, followed later by emergence of Influenza A(H1N1)pdm09 with co-circulation of influenza B viruses. Influenza B was dominant subtype in early 2010, with second wave of Influenza A(H1N1)pdm09 in August-September, 2010. With the exception of pandemic H1N1 emergence in 2009, the peaks of influenza activity coincided primarily with monsoon season, followed by minor peak in winter at both urban and rural sites. Age group analysis of influenza positivity revealed that the percent positivity of Influenza A(H1N1)pdm09 influenza virus was highest in >5–18 years age groups (OR 2.5; CI = 1.2–5.0; p = 0.009) when compared to seasonal influenza. Phylogenetic analysis of Influenza A(H1N1)pdm09 from urban and rural sites did not reveal any major divergence from other Indian strains or viruses circulating worldwide. Continued surveillance globally will help define regional differences in influenza seasonality, as well as, to determine optimal periods to implement influenza vaccination programs among priority populations

Characterization of acaricide resistance in tick isolates collected from Rajasthan, India

      Rhipicephalus (Boophilus) microplus and Hyalomma anatolicum are the most common tick species infesting milk and meat producing animals throughout the country. The present study was conducted to evaluate the acaricide resistance status of the tick species to deltamethrin, cypermethrin, diazinon collected from 10 districts of Rajasthan. Characterization of resistance was carried out by adult immersion test (AIT) and larval packet test (LPT). In case of (B.) microplus resistance to deltamethrin at level I (RF = 2.5 – 4.9) in 02 isolates, at level II in 03 isolates (RF = 5.4 – 11.5) and level IV in 02 isolates (RF = 48.1 – 95.7) was detected. The resistance to cypermethrin was detected in 08 isolates of which resistance at level I in 03 isolates (RF = 2.7 - 4.58) and at level II in 05 isolates (RF = 8.05 – 16.2). Diazinon resistance was detected at level II in 06 isolates (RF = 5.8 –22.8), at level III in 01 isolates (RF = 39.0) and level IV in 02 isolates (RF = 65.9 – 66.0). While in case of H. anatolicum, the resistance to deltamethrin at level I (RF = 1.79 –2.52) in 03 isolates, to cypermethrin in 03 isolates (RF= 2.0 - 3.95) and to diazinon at level I in 03 isolates (RF = 1.32 –2.18) out of eleven isolates was detected.         A significant correlation between esterase enzyme ratio and resistant factor of tick isolates was observed with correlation coefficient (r) in α- and ß-esterase activity. The coefficient of determination (R2) for α- and ß-esterase activity indicated that 55.9 and 50.5% data points of R.(B.) microplus isolates and 66.7 and 47.2% data points of H. anatolicum isolates were very close to the correlation lines.       Analysis of sequence data of 3 targeted positions of the sodium channel gene detected a cytosine (C) to adenine (A) nucleotide substitution (CTC to ATC) at position 190 in domain II S4–5 linker region of para-sodium channel gene in 3 isolates and in reference deltamethrin resistant IVRI-IV line.      The western dry region and central plateau hills region revealed higher density of resistant ticks where intensive crossbred cattle population are reared and synthetic pyrethroids and organophosphate compounds are commonly used. The data shows an urgent need of revisiting the tick control strategy implemented through concerned government/non-government agencies

Diabetes and Hypertension Among Indian Women

This chapter examines the prevalence of hypertension and diabetes in different regions of India. The prevalence of hypertension is higher among males (16.2%) than females (10.7%). Some states and Union Territories have a higher prevalence, with Sikkim having the highest proportion of hypertension. Diabetes is less common, affecting 9.0% of men and 7.2% of women nationally, with higher rates in certain states. Corresponding maps illustrate the wide variations observed in the prevalence of both diseases across Indian districts. Overall, geographic patterns and sociodemographic characteristics play a distinct role in the prevalence of these diseases. In conclusion, the study emphasizes the need for research on risk factors and understanding socioeconomic, environmental, and genetic factors contributing to the growing burden of non-communicable diseases in India

Treatment and Outcomes of Early and Operable Recurrent Cervical Cancer: A Prospective Study

Objectives: The aim of this study was to evaluate outcomes, survival, patterns of recurrence, and morbidity in both early and recurrent operable cervical cancer patients following radical hysterectomy, pelvic lymph node dissection, and adjuvant radiotherapy. Materials and Methods: This was a prospective analysis of 55 patients of stage IA–IIA and recurrent operable cervical cancer treated with radical hysterectomy, pelvic lymphadenectomy, and adjuvant radiotherapy from 2014 to 2017. Overall survival (OS), disease-free survival (DFS), morbidity, and mortality rates were the end points of this study. Survival analysis was performed using the Kaplan–Meir method. Results: The median age of the study group was 45 years (range 18–68 years). The most common presentation was stage IB2 disease in 34.5% of patients. Fifty (90%) patients had squamous histology, whereas 5 (9.1%) had adenocarcinoma. Upfront radical hysterectomy was performed in 90.9% of patients, whereas 9.1% underwent surgery for recurrent cervical cancer. The most common indication for adjuvant radiotherapy was lymph node involvement, followed by parametrium involvement in 20% and 13% patients, respectively. Median follow-up period was 48 months (range 6–60 months). The OS and DFS rates were 85.0% and 81.8%, respectively. The most frequent complication encountered was paralytic ileus in 4 (7.2%) patients. Conclusion: Radical hysterectomy with pelvic lymphadenectomy for early cervical cancer has a favorable survival outcome with acceptable long-term morbidity

Low cost catalysts for regeneration of diesel particulate filters

A range of perovskites including the substituted and promoted perovskite type catalytic materials have been designed and synthesized using various techniques. In this work we have studied the catalytic activities of a praseodymium substituted La0.8Pr0.2MnO3 and La0.7K0.1Pr0.2MnO3 based perovskites synthesized by coprecipitation, which is further improved by incorporation of alkali metals like potassium (K). Potassium substituted La0.7K0.1Pr0.2MnO3 perovskite shows good catalytic activity for soot/carbon oxidation probably promotional effect of potassium. The La0.7K0.1Pr0.2MnO3 showing Tinitial at 300oC and Tfinal at 510oC, which is almost 110oC lower than the noncatalyzed reaction. The synergetic effects of Pr incorporation in perovskite and presence of a small amount of potassium appears to be responsible for the high soot oxidation activity of these perovskite type materials. The La0.7K0.1Pr0.2MnO3 type catalyst can also be synthesized directly on commercially available diesel particulate filters (DPF). Suitability of perovskite type catalysts for flow-through type DPF and their improved stability with low sulfur diesel add to their potential for their application in regeneration of DPF. These studies should actually pave the way towards practical application of this class of catalysts in the field of diesel exhaust emission contro

Catalytic properties of Ru-mordenite for NO reduction

The reduction of NO by CO over H and Na forms of Ru exchanged mordenite has been studied with ruthenium content of 0.2, 1 and 3 wt.%. The catalysts were characterized with respect to X-ray diffraction, BET surface area, temperature programmed oxidation, and temperature programmed desorption of ammonia. These catalysts have been evaluated for their activity for NO–CO reaction using a steady state gas laboratory evaluation assembly. The catalysts show high activity for NO reduction and almost 100% conversion of NO to N2 was observed below 400 ◦C. The activity was found to be a factor of ruthenium content, however, Ru-mordenite in Na form was observed to be relatively more active than Ru-mordenite in H form, probably due to the electron donation from sodium to ruthenium sites. New zeolite phases with improved hydrothermal stability, high surface area and reasonable cation exchange properties can be potential materials for catalytic reduction of NOx. Introduction of active metal ions through ion exchange insures their high dispersion in zeolite supports, which also offer tailoring possibilities for DeNOx catalysts

Thermally stable metal ruthenate based soot oxidation catalyst for diesel exhaust emission control

Lanthanum ruthenate materials with perovskite type structure can be easily synthesized with ruthenium in 4+ oxidation state. La3.5Ru4.0O13 type perovskite has been synthesized in unsupported and supported forms by using various methods. This perovskite type La3.5Ru4.0O13 phase shows high thermal stability and can therefore be used as a catalyst for high temperature applications, including those for auto-exhaust emission control. The material shows good catalytic activity for the carbon/soot oxidation in view of its possible application in diesel soot oxidation for regeneration of Diesel Particulate Filter

Co3O4-CeO2 Mixed Oxide based Catalytic Materials for Diesel Soot Oxidation

Co3O4–CeO2 type mixed oxide catalyst compositions have been prepared by using co-precipitation method and, their catalytic activity towards diesel particulate matter (PM)/carbon oxidation has been evaluated under both loose and tight contact conditions. These catalysts show excellent catalytic activity for PM/carbon oxidation, despite their low surface area. The activation energy observed for non-catalyzed and catalyzed reactions are 163 kJ/mol and 140 kJ/mol, respectively, which also confirm the catalytic activity of catalyst for carbon/soot oxidation. The promotional effects of an optimum amount of cobalt oxide incorporation in ceria and presence of a small amount of potassium appears to be responsible for the excellent soot oxidation activity of this mixed oxide type material. The catalytic materials show good thermal stability, while their low cost will also add to their potential for practical applications