Scientometric Portrait of Child Sexual Abuse Research in 21st Century India

Abstract: Sexual abuse during childhood can destroy the backbone of a society because children are the future citizens. Significant research in this area is desirable to increase awareness against this heinous crime. The present scientometric study has been conducted to present the growth of research in this subject domain in India. Data analysis reveals that among the total 300 articles published on this topic, the highest number of publications i.e. 42 was published in 2015 and year 2001 has published only 2 articles. Journal articles were the highest in number among different types of publication. According to chronological distribution of citation, the highest number of citation i.e. 5690 was published in 2012 and lowest number of citations i.e. 12 was published in 2018. Finally there is a positive relationship between time and growth of citation. Overall Degree of Collaboration (C) among the authors i.e. 0.87 indicates large number of collaborative works among the authors is observable. This article also represents source title wise publication where Indian Journal of Psychiatry has received maximum number of publications

Scientometric Portrait of Child Sexual Abuse Research in 21st Century India

The study is a scientometric analysis of the research on sexual abuse during childhood in India. Authors identified 300 articles published on this topic and the highest number of publications (i.e. 42) was the years 2015 and lowest in 2001. Journal articles were the highest in number among different types of publication. The highest number of citations is 5690 published in 2012 and the lowest i.e. 12 published in 2018. There is a positive relationship between time and growth of citation and the overall Degree of Collaboration (C) among the authors i.e. 0.87 indicates a large number of collaborative works among the authors observed. The analysis source title-wise publication showed that the Indian Journal of Psychiatry has received a maximum number of publications

Opowiadanie historii i wykorzystanie baśni ludowych do promowania zrównoważonych zachowań

Our Earth has been entangled in different adverse effects resulting from the excessive human interference into the territory of nature. The habit of extracting and consuming indiscriminately is moving them to a situation, where their own future generation would not be able receive benefits of the natural resources. It has also been recognized that human action is perhaps the most significant contributor to this. And therefore, a proper equilibrium, i.e., sustainable development, could only be achieved by bringing about a change in human behavior in general. We explore the possibility of using indigenous knowledge for encouraging sustainable behaviors. We propose a model for behavior change through storytelling by using folktales. We argue that folktales serve three functions – epistemic, motivational, and ethical – which make them potent tools for promoting sustainable behavior. We conclude by pointing out limitations and suggestion for future research

Mathematical modeling of viral infection dynamics and immune response in SARS-CoV-2: A computational framework for testing drug efficacy

SARS-CoV-2 has emerged to cause the outbreak of COVID-19, which has expanded into a worldwide human pandemic. Although detailed experimental data on animal experiments would provide insight into drug efficacy, the scientists involved in these experiments would be exposed to severe risks. In this context, we propose a computational framework for studying infection dynamics that can be used to capture the growth rate of viral replication and lung epithelial cell in presence of SARS-CoV-2. Specifically, we formulate the model consisting of a system of non-linear ODEs that can be used for visualizing the infection dynamics in a cell population considering the role of T cells and Macrophages. The major contribution of the proposed simulation method is to utilize the infection progression model in testing the efficacy of the drugs having various mechanisms and analyzing the effect of time of drug administration on virus clearance.Clinical Relevance - The proposed computational framework incorporates viral infection dynamics and role of immune response in Covid-19 that can be used to test the impact of drug efficacy and time of drug administration on infection mitigation. © 2021 IEEE

Distribution of inorganic and organic contaminants in the intertidal surface sediments along the Hugli River Estuary, eastern part of India

peer reviewedHooghly estuary and coastal environment in north east coast of India has been strongly affected by the rapid human settlements, intensive boating and tourist activities, deforestation and ongoing agricultural and aquacultural practices. The present work investigated trace elements (TEs, T-Hg, Al, V, Cr, Fe, Mn, Cu, Zn, Co, Ni, Ca, Sr, Li, Be, P, Mo, Ag, Cd, Sn, Sb, Ba, Pb, Bi, U, As, Se) and organohalogen compounds in surface sediment (top 0-10cm) considering 8 sampling sites along the Hugli River Estuary (HRE), India. The studied organic compounds include polychlorobiphenyls (PCBs), hexachlorocyclohexane isomers (HCHs), dichlorodiphenyltrichloroethane and metabolites (DDTs) and polybromodiphenyl ethers (PBDEs). Textural analyses of the sediment reveal an overall dominance of mud. All trace elements could be detected at variable concentrations in the following descending order: Al>Fe>Ca> P>Mn> Cu> Zn> Ba >V >Cr>Sr>Ni> Li >Co >Pb>As >Se >U >Be >Sn>Bi >Ag >Mo >Cd >Sb. A synchronous enrichment of majority of the elements were observed at the site Gangasagar (~100 km south megacity Calcutta), situated at the confluence of Hugli River and Bay of Bengal, which might be attributed to cumulative impact of the physicochemical processes and multiple anthropogenic sources. It is revealed that PCBs and DDTs were the dominant compounds among the organic pollutants accounting concentrations up to 23.5 ng.g-1 and 4.4 ng.g-1 respectively at the site Babughat, adjacent to the megacity Calcutta. The results have implications for pollution in complex estuarine environment in a meso-macrotidal setup where there is significant influx of sediments carrying huge load of inorganic and organic pollutants mainly due to rapid urbanization and industrialization

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Not AvailableThe study presents a spatio-seasonal distribution of 13 trace elements in the surface water (0–5 cm) along the north–south gradient of Hooghly River Estuary, India, and subsequently evaluates the human health risk by adopting USEPA standards. An overall homogeneous spatial distribution of elements was pronounced, whereas an irregular and inconsistent seasonal pattern were recorded for the majority of the elements. The concentration range (μg/l) of the elements and their relative variability were obtained as follows in the decreasing order: Al (55,458–104,955) > Fe (35,676–78,427) > Mn (651.76–975.78) > V (85.15–147.70) > Si (16.0–153.88) > Zn (26.94–105.32) > Cr (21.61–106.02) > Ni (19.64–66.72) > Cu (34.70–65.80) > Pb (26.40–37.48) > Co (11.16–23.01) > As (0.10–8.20) > Cd (1.19–5.53). Although Pb, Ni, Cr, Al, Fe, and Mn exceeded the WHO prescribed threshold limit for drinking water, Metal Pollution Index values (8.02–11.86) superseded the upper threshold limit endorsing adverse impact on biota. The studied elements were justified to have a non-carcinogenic risk as derived from hazard quotient and hazard index values. However, the trace elements As, Cd, Pb, and Cr exceeded the upper limit of cancer risk (10−4), thereby leading to carcinogenic risk concern for both children and adult population groups, where children are more susceptible than the adults. Hence, evaluation of bioavailable fractions of the elements is required for proper management of this stressed fluvial system.Not Availabl

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Characterization, source identification and risk associated with polyaromatic and chlorinated organic contaminants (PAHs, PCBs, PCBzs and OCPs) in the surface sediments of Hooghly estuary, India

The spatial distribution, source identification and ecotoxicological impact of a group of persistent organic pollutants (POPs: dichlorodiphenyltrichloroethane (DDT), hexachlorocyclohexanes (HCHs), polychlorobiphenyls (PCBs), polychlorobenzenes (PCBzs)), and polyaromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) were investigated in surface sediment samples (0–5 cm, ∑6DDTs (0.14–18.6) > ∑7PCBs (0.28–7.7) > ∑2PCBzs (0.01–1.3) > ∑5HCH (0.10–0.6), with a dominance of p,p′-DDT and higher molecular weight PAHs. Selected diagnostic ratios indicated a mixture of both pyrolytic and petrogenic sources of PAHs, inputs of weathered DDT and their degradation in oxidizing environment, and a predominance of industrial input over the agricultural wastes. The cumulative impact of the pollutants (effective range medium quotient (ERMq): 0.01–0.16) reflected minimal to low ecotoxicological risk, with highest probability of toxic effects towards surrounding biota at Barrackpore (21%). ∑6DDTs exceeded the effect range low value resulting occasional adverse impact to the sediment dwelling organisms. Among the PAHs, the 4-ringed compounds accounted for 68% of the PAHs. Further, carcinogenic PAHs (BaA, Chry, BbF, BkF, BaP, DahP, Inp) possessed highest cancer risk (CR = 2.09 × 10−3) to the local population when exposed to the sediments from the studied area and ingestion was found to be the primary process of contamination. The study strongly recommends a systematic monitoring of POPs and PAHs, being the Hooghly River water used by local people for their livelihood

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Not AvailableSpatio-temporal and seasonal variation of the water quality characteristics of the Hooghly River Estuary, India were studied considering eight stations of diverse eco-hydrological characteristics. Wide variations in turbidity, total dissolved solids and fecal coliform exceeded the permissible BIS drinking water level limit. The estuary is observed to be relatively low-oxygenated, mesotropic and phosphate limiting. Spatial heterogeneity and impact of the southwest monsoon were remarkably pronounced in the distribution of the inorganic nutrients revealing the following values (expressed in μg atm l−1): nitrate+nitrite (2.42–37.19), phosphate (0.41–1.52) and silicate (38.5–187.75). Water Quality Index (WQI) values confirmed the prevailing ‘bad’condition, detrimental for sustenance of aquatic biota. Results of Principal Component Analysis identified the major factors liable for water quality deterioration while cluster analysis categorized the stations on the basis of similar water quality status. The authors recommend adopting preventive measures for water quality improvement linked to biodiversity conservation.Not Availabl

Passive air sampling of persistent organic pollutants (POPs) and emerging compounds in Kolkata megacity and rural mangrove wetland Sundarban in India: An approach to regional monitoring

Polyurethane foam (PUF) disk passive air samplers were deployed concurrently at five sites across Kolkata megacity and the rural mangrove wetland of Sundarban (UNESCO World Heritage Site) between January–March in 2014. Samples were analyzed for hexachlorocyclohexanes (HCHs), dichlorodiphenyltricholoroethanes (DDTs), polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) and, polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs) using gas chromatography and mass spectrometry (GC-MS). Derived air concentrations (pg/m3) for Kolkata ranged: for ∑α- and γ-HCH between 70 and 207 (114 ± 62), ∑6DDTs: 127–216 (161 ± 36), ∑7PCBs: 53–213 (141 ± 64), and ∑10PBDEs: 0.30–23 (11 ± 9). Low values for all the studied POPs were recorded in the remote area of the Sundarban site (with the exception of DDTs: o,p’-DDT and p,p’-DDT), where ∑4DDTs was 161 ± 36. In particular, the site of Ballygunge, located in the southern part of Kolkata, showed the highest level of all the metabolites/congeners of POPs, suggesting a potential hot spot of usage and emissions. From HCHs, α-/γ-HCH isomers ratio was low (0.67–1.96) indicating a possible sporadic source of lindane. γ-HCH dominated the HCH signal (at 3 sites) reflecting wide spread use of lindane both in Kolkata and the Sundarban region; however, isomeric composition in Kolkata also suggests potential technical HCHs use. Among DDT metabolites, both o,p’-DDT and p,p’-DDT shared the dominant percentages accounting for ∼26–46% of total DDTs followed by p,p’-DDE (∼12–19%). The PCB congener profile was dominated by tri- and tetra-Cl at the southern and eastern part of Kolkata. These results are one of the few contributions that reports air concentrations of POPs, concurrently, at urban and remote villages in India. These data are useful to assess atmospheric pollution levels and to motivate local and regional authorities to better understand the potential human exposure risk associated to urban areas in India