Photometry of Outer-belt Objects

We present results from multi-wavelength observations of outer-belt asteroid 279 Thule and comet C12002 CE10 (LINEAR). The orbital elements of the second object, formerly classified as asteroid 2002 CE10, at first led to its identification with a group of asteroids called the Damocloids. The Damocloids\u27 orbits are similar to Halley family comets (HFCs), and there is suspicion that the Damocloids are inactive HFC nuclei. Following observations by the 8.2 m Japanese Subaru telescope in August 2003, which determined that 2002 CE IO had a characteristic tail (Takato et al; 2003), it was re-classified as comet C/2002 CE10 (LINEAR). We observed these and other objects with filters close to the Johnson-Kron-Cousins BVRl filters corresponding to the blue, visible, red, and near-IR wavelengths using the 0.9m SMARTS telescope at Cerro-Tololo Inter-American Observatory during October 2003. Using the image reduction routines (imred) of the Image Reduction and Analysis Facility (NOAO Xl IIIRAF), we removed the bias caused by dark currents, and flat fielded the data to improve the signal-to-noise ratio (SNR). Instrumental magnitudes for all objects were extracted using the aperture photometry package (apphot). Landolt standard stars were used to solve the transformation equations and extract extinction coefficients. Photometric calibration routines (photcaI) allowed us to use the extinction coefficients and instrumental magnitudes to determine magnitudes in the Landolt standard system. We computed absolute magnitudes for 279 Thule and C/2002 CE10 (LINEAR) in the VR bands by correcting for the changing geocentric distance, heliocentric distance, and solar phase of the object. 279 Thule was found to have a mean absolute visual magnitude of 8.66±0.OJ and a V-R color of 0.44±0.03, when corrected for solar phase using the standard IAU phase relation (Bowell et al; J989). We discuss the suitability of the standard phase relation for 279 Thule. We place constraints on the size of the objects. We determine the rotation period for 279 Thule to be 7.6±0.5 hrs, using an implementation of the phase dispersion minimization (PDM) algorithm first developed by Stellingwerf (1978). It is likely that observations of C12002 CE lU (LINEAR) have been contaminated by near nucleus coma

On the Red Supergiant Wind Kink. A Universal mass-loss concept for massive stars

Red supergiants (RSG) are key objects for the evolution of massive stars and their endpoints, but uncertainties in their underlying mass-loss mechanism have thus far prevented an appropriate framework for massive star evolution. We analyse an empirical mass loss"kink" feature uncovered by Yang et al., and we highlight its similarity to hot star radiation-driven wind models and observations at the optically thin/thick transition point. We motivate a new RSG mass-loss prescription that depends on the Eddington factor Gamma (including both a steep L dependence and an inverse steep M dependence). We subsequently implement this new RSG mass-loss prescription in the stellar evolution code MESA. We find that our physically motivated mass-loss behaviour naturally reproduces the Humphreys-Davidson limit without a need for any ad-hoc tweaks. It also resolves the RSG supernova "problem". We argue that a universal behaviour of radiation-driven winds across the HR diagram, independent of the exact source of opacity, is a key feature of the evolution of the most massive stars.Comment: Accepted Letter in Astronomy & Astrophysics (A&A). 4 pages. 3 figure

Where there’s ‘willingness’ there’s a way: barriers and facilitators to maternal, newborn and child health data sharing by the private health sector in Uttar Pradesh, India

In India and Uttar Pradesh (UP), the private health sector plays an important role in health care services, including institutional deliveries, but there is limited information on the availability of maternal, newborn and child health (MNCH) data that private facilities maintain and share with the public health information system. Sharing data could help the public sector plan their resources more efficiently. Aim of the study: To explore current practices of MNCH data availability and sharing/reporting by private health facilities and the barriers and facilitators to data sharing

Engaging the public & private sectors in data sharing to improve maternal and newborn health in Uttar Pradesh, India

Background The private for-profit health sector in India delivers around 80% of outpatient treatment and 60% of hospitalisations, and includes more than three quarters of human resources for health. The sector includes solo doctor clinics, small hospitals and big corporate hospital chains, as well as many informal providers. The formal private health sector has grown rapidly without regulatory frameworks and quality assurance. Quality of care is variable and there is lack of adherence to standard treatments, protocols or pricing. Limited information is shared with public health information systems. Aim To develop an engagement strategy with the private for-profit health sector in Uttar Pradesh, India. The broader underlying goal is to develop and pilot a district level Data Informed Platform for Health (DIPH) for improved local health decision-making in maternal and child health including both the public and private health sectors. Methods We reviewed literature, and examined national plans and programme documents to identify lessons from successful public-private engagements for maternal and child health and collate key policies related to the private health sector in India. We sought inputs from 27 national, state and district level stakeholders for developing a strategy to engage with the private sector for a DIPH. Findings In India, public-private partnerships for service delivery and financing represent a key area of engagement with the private sector, especially for maternal and child health. Examples include the Merrygold network, a clinical social franchise, and the Sambhav voucher scheme, in which poor households can exchange vouchers for health services in selected city hospitals in Uttar Pradesh. Engagements related to data recording and reporting from the private health sector have been less successful. There are gaps in reporting even notifiable diseases like Tuberculosis. There is limited data available on the private sector at the national level. Legal provisions can facilitate data exchange and synthesis: a binding legal framework may be available when the Clinical Establishments Act, passed by the Indian Parliament in 2010, is implemented. Proposed engagement strategies Stakeholder consultations suggested that before the Clinical Establishments Act is implemented, the private sector might best be engaged by: 1.Relationship building among key private and public sector stakeholders. 2.Sensitisation of private and public sector groups and individuals with the concept of a DIPH. 3.Inclusion of selected private sector players in the DIPH 4.User-friendly data collection and management. 5.Provision of both financial and non-financial incentives to encourag

CHARACTERIZATION AND ANTIMICROBIAL SPECTRUM OF A POTENT STREPTOMYCES SP. GOS2 ISOLATED FROM WESTERN GHATS OF KARNATAKA, INDIA

Objective: Western Ghats of Karnataka, India-a biodiversity hotspot is a rich source of microorganisms with undiscovered metabolic capabilities. The upsurge of antibiotic-resistant pathogens has created a greater demand for novel antibiotics. In context to the above a potent soil Streptomyces sp. GOS2 isolated from Agumbe regions of Western Ghats, and its metabolite was assessed and characterized for its antimicrobial spectrum.Methods: The isolation was carried out by soil serial dilution plating on Starch Casein Nitrate agar media (SCN). The obtained isolate was characterized by morphological and biochemical tests. The antimicrobial activity was assessed by well in agar methods against 28 test organisms. The partial characterization of the bioactive metabolite was carried out by thin layer chromatography (TLC) and UV–Visible spectroscopy studies.Results: The isolated GOS2 was observed as a raised powdery colony with grey colored aerial mycelium and media impregnated substrate mycelium. The spore chain was rectus with smooth spore surface. The isolate was gram positive, non-acid fast, positive for catalase, hydrogen sulphide production and starch hydrolysis, negative for casein and gelatin hydrolysis. The carbohydrate fermentation studies showed acid production in dextrose and alkali production in sucrose, lactose, maltose and starch. A prominent antibacterial activity was observed with a zone of inhibition measuring 21-27 mm. The TLC showed a purple spot and UV spectroscopy revealed λ max at 233.2 and 235 nm indicating macrolide group of antibiotics.Conclusion: Western Ghats actinomycetes are a potent source of novel antibiotic molecules