Characteristics of Fatal Cases of Pandemic Influenza A (H1N1) from September 2009 to January 2010 in Saurashtra Region, India

Background: India reported first case of 2009 pandemic influenza A (H1N1) virus infection in May, 2009 and Saurashtra region in August, 2009. We describe the characteristics of fatal cases of 2009 influenza A (H1N1) infection reported in Saurashtra region. Methods: From September, 2009 to January, 2010, we observed 71 fatal cases that were infected with 2009 influenza A (H1N1) virus and admitted in different hospitals in Rajkot city. Real-time reverse-transcriptase-polymerase-chain-reaction (RT-PCR) testing was used to confirm infection; the clinico-epidemiological features were observed and documented. Results: Median age of the deceased (71) was 29 years, and 57.7% were females. Median time observed was 5 days from onset of illness to diagnosis of influenza A (H1N1), and 57.7% were referred from general practitioner (OR=0.42, CI=0.24-0.74). Median hospital stay reported was 3 days. All admitted patients received oseltamivir, but only 16.9% received it within 2 days of onset of illness. The most common symptoms were cough (97.2%), fever (93%), sore throat and shortness of breath. Co-morbid conditions were present in almost half of the patients who ultimately died, the most common of which was pregnancy (OR=0.15, CI=0.04-0.52). Radiological pneumonia was reported in 98% patients. Conclusion: Residing in urban area, delayed referral from general practitioner, presence of co-existing condition, especially pregnancy was responsible for mortality among influenza A (H1N1) infected positive

Magnetocaloric effect and piezoresponse of engineered ferroelectric-ferromagnetic heterostructures

This study reports the magnetocaloric effect (MCE) and piezoresponse of integrated ferroelectric-ferromagnetic heterostructures of PbZr 0.52Ti 0.48O 3 (PZT) (5 nm)/Bi-Sr-Ca-Cu 2-O X (BSCCO) (5 nm)/La 0.67Sr 0.33MnO 3 (LSMO) (40 nm)/MgO (0 0 1). Magnetic and pizoresponse behavior of the heterostructures are found to be governed by magneto-electric coupling and induced lattice strains. In addition, a maximum MCE is studied using Maxwell equations from both Field Cooled (FC) and Zero Field Cooled (ZFC) magnetization data. Maximum MCE entropy change (|ΔS|) of 42.6 mJkg −1K −1 (at 258 K) and 41.7 mJkg −1K −1 (at 269 K) are found corresponding to FC and ZFC data, respectively. The variation in maximum entropy change and corresponding temperatures for FC and ZFC data revealed that the application of a magnetic field can significantly contribute towards tuning of the MCE. Interestingly, these multilayered structures are found to sustain MCE over a broad temperature range, which makes them attractive for improved solid-state energy conversion devices. </p

Correlation of Maxillary Sinus Mucosal Thickness with Alveolar Bone Loss Using Computed Tomography

Background: Because of close association of roots of maxillary premolars and molars with maxillary sinuses, effect of periodontal bone loss on sinuses needs to be evaluated. Objective: The current study aimed to analyze relationship between of maxillary sinus mucosal thickening and alveolar bone loss using computed tomography. Methodology: All erupted second premolars and first and second molars in the maxillary arch bilaterally, at 12 points in each patient (mesial and distal sides of each tooth) were assessed for periodontal bone loss (PBL) and at same locations mucosal thickening (MT) was assessed on maxillary sinus floor. Furthermore, probable effect of each tooth pulpoperiapical condition (PPAC) on sinus mucosal thickening was assessed. Results: The present study consisted of 110 individuals of which CT images of 220 maxillary sinuses and 639 teeth (total 1278 teeth surfaces) were studied. MT was observed in 71.83% of sinus locations showing thickening of 1-3mm in 64.38%, 3.1-6mm in 14.71%, 6.1-10mm in 11.33%, and \u3e10mm in 9.59% of cases. PBL was observed in 69.01% of teeth surface locations showing mild alveolar bone loss in 69.84%, moderate in 25.06%, and severe in 5.10% of cases. When statistically analyzed, sinus MT was significantly associated with PBL and PPAC but stronger effect of PBL was present. Conclusion: In our study, observed prevalence of sinus MT was 71.83% and prevalence of periodontitis was 69.01%. Sinus MT was associated significantly with PBL. Key Words: Maxillary sinus, alveolar bone loss, pulpoperiapical condition, sinus mucosal thickening, computed tomography

Jellyfish menace in shoreseines operated off Visakhapatnam, Andhra Pradesh

Jellyfish form seasonal swarms that mainly negatively impact fisheries, aquaculture and tourism sectors. In recent years, mass swarming of jellyfish has increased in world oceans and has become a topic of current scientific interest and research. Recent studies link their blooms to a combination of global climate events and several local anthropogenic stressors like overexploitation of finfish, eutrophication, and an increase in marine artificial structures which provide substrate for jellyfish attachment

Magnetocaloric effect and piezoresponse of engineered ferroelectric-ferromagnetic heterostructures

This study reports the magnetocaloric effect (MCE) and piezoresponse of integrated ferroelectric-ferromagnetic heterostructures of PbZr0.52Ti0.48O3 (PZT) (5 nm)/Bi-Sr-Ca-Cu-2-O-x (BSCCO) (5 nm)/La0.67Sr0.33MnO3 (LSMO) (40 nm)/MgO (0 01). Magnetic and pizoresponse behavior of the heterostructures are found to be governed by magneto-electric coupling and induced lattice strains. In addition, a maximum MCE is studied using Maxwell equations from both Field Cooled (FC) and Zero Field Cooled (ZFC) magnetization data. Maximum MCE entropy change (vertical bar Delta s vertical bar) of 42.6 mJkg(-1)K(-1) (at 258 K) and 41.7 mJkg(-1)K(-1) (at 269 K) are found corresponding to FC and ZFC data, respectively. The variation in maximum entropy change and corresponding temperatures for FC and ZFC data revealed that the application of a magnetic field can significantly contribute towards tuning of the MCE. Interestingly, these multilayered structures are found to sustain MCE over a broad temperature range, which makes them attractive for improved solid-state energy conversion devices

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Not AvailableDevelopment of appropriate coping strategies to adapt to the adverse impacts of climate variability should be a part of research activity in dryland agriculture. Therefore, a field study was established in semi-arid Alfisols to study the effect of conservation tillage practices, which influences the soil - water - plant ecosystem, thereby affecting crop yield. Surface residue cover, soil moisture, bulk density and penetration resistance were measured at different depths in the study composed of three tillage practices in combination with in-situ residue recycling. Tillage methods in combination with residue management significantly influenced biomass and grain yield with maize stalk slashing and spreading + tillage twice with offset disc harrow giving highest average stover and grain yield of 3726 and 2402 kg ha-1 respectively. Reduced till or No till slightly recorded more soil moisture than that of conventional tillage. Differences in soil bulk density between tillage practices were temporally dependent and were largest at the depth of 0-100 mm immediately after tillage events. In crop stubbles + No till practice plots, bulk density mean yearly values were highest, 1.53 and 1.6 g cm-3 at 0-100 mm and 100-200 mm depths. The penetration resistance was higher in No-till practice than that under conventional tillage at 0 - 25 cm depth. It is concluded that, under semi-arid Alfisols, reduced tillage, even in combination with in-situ crop residue management, gives small yield benefits in the short run. Crop residue mulching helped significantly to conserve soil and water from off-season rainfall events. If adopted on long term basis, the practice could favourably improve other soil physical properties also. Therefore, reduced till and zero tillage practices in conjunction with biomass recycling could be of high significance in making the soil resilient towards climate variability.Not Availabl

Petrogenesis of Kerguelen mantle plume-linked early Cretaceous ultrapotassic intrusive rocks from the Gondwana sedimentary basins, Damodar Valley, Eastern India

Mineral chemistry, bulk-rock geochemistry and radiogenic isotope (Sr and Nd) data of surface and sub-surface samples of early-Cretaceous Kerguelen mantle plume linked ultrapotassic intrusive rocks from previously unstudied localities of Raniganj and Jharia Gondwana sedimentary basins, Damodar Valley, eastern India, are presented. Despite considerable textural diversity and variable mineralogy these rocks display broadly similar geochemistry highlighting their co-genetic nature. Their bulk-geochemical and petrographic characteristics are similar to those of ultramafic lamprophyres and liquidus mineral composition are closer to that of lamproites and are strikingly comparable to ultrapotassic rocks reported from the Denizli region (Western Anatolia, Turkey), Karinya Syncline and Mt. Bundey (Australia) and the Polayapalle, eastern Dharwar craton (southern India). Incompatible trace element concentrations (e.g., Sr, Zr, Nb, Ta etc.) and their ratios (Ce/Pb, Nb/U, Nb/Yb, Th/Yb) reveal limited influence of crustal contamination and involvement of a predominantly within-plate (plume) and minor subduction-derived components in their magmas. Initial Sr–Nd isotopic ratios of the Damodar Valley ultrapotassic intrusives suggest their derivation from source regions with long term incompatible element enrichment relative to that of Bulk Earth which are very different from those of (i) kimberlites and orangeites from India and southern Africa and (ii) primitive Kerguelen plume component but indistinguishable from those of the pristine Kerguelen mantle plume derived basalts. The depleted mantle (TDM) model ages (0.95–1.4 Ga) of the Damodar Valley ultrapotassic rocks are strikingly similar to (i) those of the Deccan-age orangeites from the Bastar craton, central India, and (ii) the emplacement ages (1.1–1.4 Ga) of kimberlites and lamproites from the eastern Dharwar craton, southern India. The Gondwana ultrapotassic rocks represent small degree-partial melts derived from a depleted harzburgitic source subsequently metasomatised by carbonate- and rutile-rich fluids/melts, presumably derived from Kerguelen plume, within the garnet stability field at lithospheric depths. A temporal difference of ~ 500 Ma in the source enrichment of Jharia and Raniganj ultrapotassic intrusives, coupled with their distinct incompatible element signatures, bring out involvement of a heterogeneous mantle in their genesis