Upstream events dictate interfacial slip in geometrically converging nanopores.

Continuum computations of fluid flow in conduits approaching molecular scales are often executed with a certain level of abstractions via the imposition of a pre-defined slip condition at the wall. However, in reality, the interfacial slip may not be affixed a priori as a direct one-to-one mapping with the surface wettability and charge but is implicitly interconnected with the concomitant dynamical events that may be effectively captured only under flow conditions. The flow in nanofluidic channels with axially varying cross sections hallmarks such situations in which the effective slip at the wall gets dynamically modulated by upstream flow conditions and cannot be trivially stamped as guided by localized intermolecular interactions over interfacial scales alone. In an effort to capture such flows without resorting to full-domain molecular dynamics simulations, here we bring out advancements on hybrid molecular-continuum simulations and report predictions that closely capture molecular dynamics based predictions of water transport through converging nanopores. Our results turn out to be of significant implications toward designing of emerging nanoscale devices of multifarious applications ranging from miniaturized reactors to highly targeted drug delivery systems.

Measles outbreak among the Dukpa tribe of Buxa hills in West Bengal, India: epidemiology and vaccine efficacy.

Although measles is a vaccine preventable disease, its occurrence and outbreaks are common in India. Four remote and inaccessible hamlets, inhabited by the Dukpa tribe, at Buxa Hills under Kalchini Block of Jalpaiguri District, West Bengal experienced a measles outbreak during the months of April-June, 2011. The authors conducted an investigation to assess vaccine coverage, vaccine efficacy (VE) and to describe the patterns of measles outbreaks in this community. The over-all attack rate was 14.3%; that among males and females were 12.6% and 16.0% respectively (P = 0.189). Attack rate was highest (40%) in 0 to <5 years followed by that in the 5 to <15 years (36.5%). VE was 66.3% (95% of the confidence interval 46.9-78.6%). There is an urgent need to increase the vaccination coverage through special tactics for reaching the unreached.

Determinants of optimum exclusive breastfeeding duration in rural India: a mixed method approach using cohort and content analysis design.

BACKGROUND: Despite established benefits, exclusive breastfeeding (EBF) rate remains poor in India. This study measured the rate of early initiation of breastfeeding and EBF up to 42 days postpartum period and the reasons associated with early interruption of it. METHODS: In this study we followed a cohort 319 mother-newborn dyads, on a scheduled day of each week for six postpartum weeks (42 postpartum days), during May 2017 - March 2019. We used standard maternal 24 h recall method to collect data on newborn feeding practices. Additionally, using content the analysis method, we analysed the data captured through open ended question on current breastfeeding practice and reasons to identify the sociocultural facilitators/barriers of exclusive breastfeeding . RESULTS: Of the retained 306 newborns, early initiation of breastfeeding rate was 60% (184/306), whereas, EBF rate was 47% (143/306). Mothers' educational level did not emerge as a risk for unsuccessful breastfeeding practices, whereas, father being not the major earner of the family (Relative risk [RR] 2.4; 95% Confidence interval [CI] 1.7,3.3), mothers who did not believe that effect of breastfeeding is longstanding (RR 1.8; 95% CI 1.3, 2.1) emerged as a risk for unsuccessful EBF practices. Lack of self-conviction about EBF among mothers; significant family members' influence; cultural beliefs; emerged as major socio-environmental barriers of early interruption of exclusive breastfeeding. Repeated counselling by the healthcare provider particularly focusing on exclusive breastfeeding, supportive family environment in terms of the elders being aware of the positive health outcomes of it, and prior positive experience emerged as the socio-environmental facilitators for successful EBF until 42 postpartum days. CONCLUSIONS: We conclude that the socio-environmental causes need to be addressed through the present healthcare delivery system for ensuring better infant feeding outcome.