South Asian Regional Study on Climate Change Impacts and Adaptation: Implications for Human Development

human development, climate change

Comparative Analysis of Wind, Solar and Landfill Gases as Alternative Sources of Energy for Electricity Generation

The document reviews the current and projected electricity demand until the year 2030 along with the fuel mix. Several projections based on different agencies were studied in order to understand the trend of fuel mix projected to be used. Clearly, the fuel mix being used or projected is unsustainable. Depletion of fossil fuels, increasing demand and environmental impacts are some of the factors that emphasize the use of Alternative Sources of Electricity. Three of the upcoming Alternative Sources - Solar, Wind and Landfill Gases - are discussed and compared in the document. Based on the comparison, Landfill Gas projects seem to be very favorable, despite the higher costs related with such projects, several advantages over the other two Alternative Sources are discussed in the document. The several advantages of Landfill Gas projects, such as emissions reduction, better power quality, reduction in transmission losses, and several others are discussed in the documen

Ivacaftor in cystic fibrosis: the first disease modifying agent

The exact magnitude of cystic fibrosis (CF) in India is not known, as it is often misrepresented and underdiagnosed. CF is caused by a mutation in the gene that encodes for the CF transmembrane conductance regulator (CFTR) protein whose dysfunction leads to multiorgan manifestations. Most CF mutations either reduce the number of CFTR channels at the cell surface or impair the channel function. Current treatments (mucolytics, antibiotics and anti-inflammatory agents) target the secondary effects of CFTR dysfunction and help to ameliorate the symptoms but do not address the basic defect of the disease. Ivacaftor is a first-in-class oral CFTR potentiator that increases the CFTR channel opening. In clinical trials, ivacaftor has shown improved pulmonary function, normalization of sweat chloride concentration, substantial weight gain as well as acceptable safety profile. The most frequent adverse effects associated with ivacaftor include headache, oropharyngeal pain, upper respiratory tract infection, nasal congestion, abdominal pain and nasopharyngitis. FDA has approved this agent for the treatment of CF in patients aged 6 years or older with at least one copy of the G551D mutation in the CFTR gene. Searches of medline, cochrane database, medscape, SCOPUS and clinicaltrials.org were made for terms like CFTR potentiator, cystic fibrosis, and ivacaftor. Relevant journal articles from last 5 years were chosen

Understanding Dewetting Transitions On Nanotextured Surfaces: Implications For Designing Surfaces With Improved Wettability

Despite the early promise of superhydrophobic surfaces, their widespread technological adoption has been dawdled by the ease with which water can penetrate the surface texture, resulting in a breakdown of superhydrophobicity. Furthermore, this breakdown is believed to be irreversible, because large adhesion barriers impede the dewetting of the surface texture and the concomitant recovery of superhydrophobicity. Using molecular dynamics simulations in conjunction with advanced sampling techniques, in this thesis, we challenge this conventional argument. We show that while large barriers do typically impede the recovery of superhydrophobicity, it can nevertheless be recovered spontaneously on nanotextured surfaces, wherein collective water density fluctuations lead to non-classical dewetting path- ways and reduced dewetting barriers. An understanding of the complex dewetting pathways further enables us to uncover principles for the design of novel surface textures on which dewetting barriers vanish and superhydrophobicity can be spontaneously recovered. Our results thus promise to pave the way for robust superhydrophobic surfaces with widespread applicability under the most challenging conditions from applications involving sustained underwater operation to enabling drop-wise condensation in heat exchangers. Along with recent advances in the synthesis of surfaces with nanoscale texture, work in this thesis promises to revitalize the field of superhydrophobicity and its class of problems, from its prevalent trial-and-error approach to the rational design of surface textures

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Use of iodised salt in cheese manufacturing to improve iodine status of population in the UK

Iodine is an essential trace mineral. Iodine deficiency during pregnancy can lead to adverse postnatal consequences such as impaired mental development, reduced intelligence scores and impaired motor skills in the offspring of the deficient women (Khazan et al., 2013, Rayman et al, 2008). There is growing evidence in the UK of low dietary iodine intakes and potential iodine deficiency in vulnerable populations (pregnant women and women of child bearing age group) (Rayman and Bath, 2015, Vanderpump et al., 2011) and a paucity of information on the iodine content of food products. In developing countries where iodine deficiency is widespread, salt has successfully been used as a vehicle for iodine fortification, however iodised salt is not widely available in UK supermarkets and there are valid health concerns about promoting salt intake. Salt is an essential component of the cheese production process, and cheese is commonly consumed in the UK. The overall aim of the present study was to explore the use of iodised salt in cheese production to improve the iodine status in the UK. In order to accomplish this, 4 smaller interconnected aims were identified namely development of method and subsequent analysis of iodine content of cheese samples in the UK, examining these results in relation to the legislative policies regarding iodine fortification practised in the country of production of cheese, understanding about the knowledge, attitudes and practices of consumers regarding iodine nutrition and fortification through a survey and then finally manufacturing popularly consumed cheese varieties (soft cheese and cheddar – from the consumer survey) using iodised salt and comparing it with cheese made with non- fortified regular table salt in terms of iodine content and overall sensory acceptability. A cheese mapping exercise was conducted to gain an overview of cheese varieties available across three major supermarkets in the UK and their country of origin. Selected varieties of cheese were analysed for their iodine content which was subsequently mapped against legislation policies (mandatory or voluntary) for iodine fortification in their country of origin. A questionnaire was designed to explore the knowledge attitude and practices (KAP) of general consumers about the use of iodised salt in food products. After pilot testing and minor modifications, the questionnaire was used to obtain KAP data from general consumers (n=506). To explore the use of iodised salt in cheese production, a collaboration between UCLan and Food technology centre (Anglesey) was established. Two varieties of cheese (cheddar cheese and soft cheese) with two variations (with and without iodised salt) were developed. Sensory acceptability was assessed by both expert (at Cardiff Metropolitan University) and non-expert consumer (at UCLan) panels. The newly developed cheese samples were analysed for their iodine content to evaluate their potential as a novel vehicle of improving dietary iodine intake. The iodine content of cheese samples from countries with mandatory legislation ranged from 0.16mg/kg for creamy Danish blue cheese (from Denmark) to 0.76mg/kg for Canadian cheddar. From countries with voluntary legislation, the range in iodine content was much broader, from 0.08 mg/kg (Swiss Le Gruyere) to 0.92 mg/kg (Farmhouse Cheddar). Analysis of milk and salt samples revealed that the iodine content of all the selected salt samples produced in the UK was negligible. Consumer KAP survey results revealed a general lack of awareness about significance of iodine for optimal health with only 11% participants aware that it is ‘Extremely important’ for maintaining optimal levels of iodine in the body and a high percentage of participants (81%) were not aware of any illness associated with iodine deficiency. 11% of consumers reported seeing brands of iodised salt in supermarkets, indicating low availability in the UK and most (62%) expressed a preference for non-iodised salt. The survey also revealed that 61% of respondents reported consuming cheese more than once a week and that Cheddar cheese was the most popular variety. The iodine content of the soft and hard cheese made with iodised salt was higher (0.92 mg/kg and 0.77mg/kg respectively) than those made with regular salt (0.76mg/kg and 0.48mg/kg respectively). Sensory evaluation of this cheese by sensory experts and general consumers revealed the use of iodised salt in place of regular salt had no significant impact on the main attributes (colour, appearance, taste, texture, odour and overall quality) or specific characteristics (sweetness, bitterness, aftertaste, creamy odour, saltiness) of the cheese (Chi Square test p>0.05). In conclusion, this research has revealed that on a global scale, mandatory iodine fortification policy may result in more consistency in the iodine content of cheese. In a sample of the UK population, there was a lack of awareness of the importance of iodine for human health. The research demonstrated that replacing non-iodised salt with iodised salt in the production of both soft and hard cheese increased the iodine content of the cheese by 21% and 60% respectively and had no detectable impact on the sensory attributes, thus is potentially a useful vehicle for iodine fortification in the UK

A proteogenomic view on antibiotic resistance in pathogenic Enterobacter species

Bacteria belonging to the family of Enterobacteriaceae are renowned for causing bloodstream infections, hospital- and healthcare-associated pneumonia, intra-abdominal infections, and urinary tract infections. These infections are usually effectively fought with antibiotics. However, certain Enterobacteriaceae produce enzymes that make them invulnerable, even to the so-called carbapenems, which are antibiotics with an exceptionally broad spectrum of bactericidal activity. Accordingly, carbapenems are considered as “last resort” antibiotics. Today, carbapenem resistant bacteria are a worldwide threat for healthcare settings, especially since infections caused by these highly antibiotic resistant pathogens are nearly untreatable and associated with high mortality rates. The present thesis describes studies on Enterobacteriaceae, belonging to the Enterobacter cloacae complex, which were remarkable either because they were highly carbapenem resistant, or because they were associated with unusual bone infections. The results show that carbapenem resistance in the investigated bacteria was acquired by horizontal transfer of carbapenemase genes, involving a thus far overlooked ancient mobile genomic element or a novel megaplasmid with many additional antibiotic resistance genes. Moreover, by applying integrated in-depth genomics and proteomics analyses, other factors were found to contribute to carbapenem resistance, including restricted cell envelope permeability, reduced metabolism, limited formation of reactive oxygen species, and increased antioxidant production. On the other hand, isolates associated with bone infections were sensitive to most antibiotics, but expressed a large array of virulence factors. Altogether, the present studies have greatly increased our understanding of antibiotic resistance mechanisms and virulence in Enterobacteriacea that belong to the E. cloacae complex

HYPERLEPTINEMIA, METABOLIC SYNDROME, AND MORTALITY IN OLDER ADULTS

Background: Abdominal adiposity and fat mass increase with aging, and as does insulin resistance which is frequently associated with hyperleptinemia and leptin resistance. Serum leptin may predict risk of metabolic syndrome and mortality among older adults. Objectives: The objectives of the present study were to evaluate the relationship of serum leptin with risk of metabolic syndrome and mortality and to examine these associations in relation to the measures of body adiposity and proinflammatory cytokines. The influence of leptin receptor (I/D) gene polymorphism on diabetes as a contributing cause of mortality was also examined. Gender specific serum leptin cut off values as a biomarker for the risk of metabolic syndrome were determined. Design: The Health, Aging and Body Composition (HABC) study is a prospective cohort of 3,075 older adults aged 70 to 79 years. Body composition, demographic information, biochemical variables including, markers of systemic inflammation, and genetic variation were assessed in detail. Results: Women in quintile 2, 3, 4 and 5 of serum leptin were at significantly lower risk for metabolic syndrome as compared to those in quintile 1 after controlling for confounders. Serum leptin was independently associated with risk of metabolic syndrome after sequentially adjusting for demographic variables (p<0.0001), fat depots (p=.0024), and proinflammatory cytokines (p=.0098) in women. Among men, the association between serum leptin and risk of metabolic syndrome was explained by body adiposity. Women in quartile 2 and 3 of serum leptin were at lower risk than women in quintile 1 for all-cause mortality and mortality from cardiovascular disease independent of body fat and proinflammatory cytokines. Additionally, elevated level of serum leptin was associated with increased risk for diabetes as a contributing cause of mortality for both genders after sequentially adjusting for potential confounders, body fat and proinflammatory cytokines. Significant interaction was found between leptin receptor genotype and total percent fat (p=0.008) in association with diabetes as a contributing cause of mortality among women. The cut off serum leptin level that suggests the possible risk of metabolic syndrome was determined to be 6.45 ng/ml with 60% sensitivity and 63% specificity among men and 18.25 ng/ml with 55% sensitivity and 62% specificity among women. Conclusion: Elevated levels of serum leptin may be associated with increased risk of metabolic syndrome and risk of diabetes as a contributing cause of mortality among older women. However, intermediary levels of serum leptin may lower the risk of all-cause mortality and mortality from CVD, suggesting a paradoxical association of serum leptin with cardiovascular risk factors and mortality from CVD among older wome