Evidence of a Hardening in the Cosmic Ray Proton Spectrum at around 166 TeV Observed by the GRAPES-3 Experiment.

We present the measurement of the cosmic ray proton spectrum from 50 TeV to 1.3 PeV using 7.81×10^{6} extensive air shower events recorded by the ground-based GRAPES-3 experiment between 1 January 2014 and 26 October 2015 with a live time of 460 day. Our measurements provide an overlap with direct observations by satellite and balloon-based experiments. The electromagnetic and muon components in the shower were measured by a dense array of plastic scintillator detectors and a tracking muon telescope, respectively. The relative composition of the proton primary from the air shower data containing all primary particles was extracted using the multiplicity distribution of muons which is a sensitive observable for mass composition. The observed proton spectrum suggests a spectral hardening at ∼166 TeV and disfavors a single power law description of the spectrum up to the Knee energy (∼3 PeV).

Development of a probabilistic early health warning system based on meteorological parameters.

Among the other diseases, malaria and diarrhoea have a large disease burden in India, especially among children. Changes in rainfall and temperature patterns likely play a major role in the increased incidence of these diseases across geographical locations. This study proposes a method for probabilistic forecasting of the disease incidences in extended range time scale (2-3 weeks in advance) over India based on an unsupervised pattern recognition technique that uses meteorological parameters as inputs and which can be applied to any geographical location over India. To verify the robustness of this newly developed early warning system, detailed analysis has been made in the incidence of malaria and diarrhoea over two districts of the State of Maharashtra. It is found that the increased probabilities of high (less) rainfall, high (low) minimum temperature and low (moderate) maximum temperature are more (less) conducive for both diseases over these locations, but have different thresholds. With the categorical probabilistic forecasts of disease incidences, this early health warning system is found to be a useful tool with reasonable skill to provide the climate-health outlook about possible disease incidence at least 2 weeks in advance for any location or grid over India.

Real time extended range prediction of heat waves over India.

Heat waves over India occur during the months of March-June. This study aims at the real-time monitoring and prediction of heat waves using a multi-model dynamical ensemble prediction system developed at Indian Institute of Tropical Meteorology, India. For this, a criterion has been proposed based on the observed daily gridded maximum temperature (Tmax) datasets, which can be used for real-time prediction as well. A heat wave day is identified when either (1) Tmax (a)≥ its climatological 95th percentile (calculated from daily values during March-June and for 1981-2010), (b) >36 °C, and (c) its departure from normal is >3.5 °C, Or, (2) when the Tmax >44 °C. Three heat wave prone regions, namely, northwest, southeast and northwest-southeast regions are recognized and heat wave spells of minimum consecutive six days are identified objectively for each region during 1981-2018. It is noticed that the prediction system has reasonable skill in predicting the heat waves over heat wave prone regions of India. Forecast verification of heat wave spells during 2003-2018 reveals that the prediction system has great potential in providing overall indication about the onset, duration and demise of the forthcoming heat wave spell with sufficient lead time albeit with some spatio-temporal error.

Impact of ambient air temperature on human health in India.

A systematic search was carried out in the databases of Pubmed, Indmed and Mausam for articles on the effect of ambient temperature on health. Relevant data were extracted using a standard data abstraction form by two authors independently. The overall effects of ambient air temperature are reported as odds ratio (OR) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) on mortality. Of 812 records identified, only seven were included in the final review as per pre-defined criteria. An increase in the all-cause mortality rate of 41% are reported during a heat wave in India. Risk ratios for all-cause mortality was in the range of 1.7-2.1. The dose-response relationship of ambient temperature and all-cause mortality and cardiovascular diseases are been reported. Current evidence on the effect of ambient temperature and health is sufficient to initiate an integrated response from policy makers, climate scientists and public health practitioners in India. Continued advocacy and generation of more robust evidence is needed.

Purification of alkaline protease from chicken intestine by aqueous two phase system of polyethylene glycol and sodium citrate.

An aqueous two phase system of polyethylene glycol (PEG) and salts was evaluated for separation and purification of alkaline proteases from chicken intestine. Among the different salts evaluated potassium phosphate and sodium citrate gave higher enzyme yield (73.5% and 69.7% respectively) and enzyme purification (5.3 and 7.4 fold) in PEG rich upper phase. Increase in concentration of sodium citrate in the system resulted in reduction in enzyme yield and enzyme purification factor, with 15% salt showing highest enzyme yield (59.8%) and purification (6.7 fold). Initial protein concentration in the system did not show any specific trend on the partition behavior of the enzyme. The temperature at which the system is incubated did not show any significant (p ≥ 0.05) effect on enzyme partition and purification. Increasing the PEG concentration in the system from 15 to 25% resulted in reduction in enzyme yield from 53.7 to 21.9% and enzyme purification from 5 fold to 1.4 fold in PEG rich upper phase. pH also had a significant (p < 0.05) effect on the partition of the enzyme to the upper phase with highest purification (3.4 fold) at pH 9.0 and higher enzyme yield (46.2%) at pH 10.

Ethnomedicinal plants used by the Paroja tribe of Koraput.

This paper reports the ethno-medicinal uses of 30 plants by the Paroja tribes of Koraput, Odisha. All the plants were enumerated with botanical name, family name, local name, short description of the plant and information on ethnic use.

Lupus-like nephritis in an HIV-positive patient: report of a case and review of the literature.

The most common manifestation of HIV/AIDS in the kidney is the collapsing variant of focal segmental glomerular sclerosis, HIV-associated nephropathy (HIVAN). Other forms of renal disease in HIV-infected patients include mesangial proliferative glomerulonephritis (GN), membranoproliferative GN, IgA nephropathy, minimal change disease and proliferative immune-complex GN. We present the case of a 42-year-old Caucasian male with HIV infection, treatment associated peripheral neuropathy, nephrotic syndrome and progressive renal failure. The initial and subsequent kidney biopsies showed diffuse proliferative glomerulonephritis resembling diffuse proliferative (WHO class IV) lupus nephritis. There was no clinical or serological evidence of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). Proteinuria improved with ACE-inhibitors, and renal function remained relatively stable while receiving highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART). A precipitous decline in renal function to end-stage renal disease followed a brief period of withdrawal from potent antiretroviral therapy during which the viral load rebounded. Considering previously reported cases, it appears that lupus-like nephritis is a rare but well-defined pattern of immune-complex-induced renal injury seen in HIV-infected patients. It appears to be markedly responsive to HAART.

Knowledge and attitudes of rural adolescent girls regarding reproductive health issues.

BACKGROUND: Adolescent girls (10-19 years old) comprise about 22% of women in India. They are the mothers of tomorrow and the burden of planned reproduction rests on them. Yet very little is known about their knowledge and attitudes towards reproductive health issues--a crucial aspect if India is to achieve the net reproduction rate of 1 by AD 2016. This study aimed to gather information on areas required for the planning of family life education strategies. METHODS: This cross-sectional study was conducted in the government schools and anganwadi premises of three villages of the primary health centre, Chhainsa, under the Comprehensive Rural Health Services Project Area (CRHSP), Ballabgarh, Haryana. The participants were 254 girls aged 13 to 17 years, who had attained menarche. A pre-tested interview schedule was administered to each girl after taking permission from the principals and parents and with the consent of the participants. The knowledge and attitudes regarding age at marriage, concept of small family norm, family size and preference for a son were assessed. RESULTS: All the girls were aware that there is a law regarding legal age of marriage but only 165 (65%) of them knew the correct legal age. Early marriage was preferred by 19 (7.6%). Though 214 (84.3%) girls were aware of the small family norm, only 19 (8.8%) knew the exact norm. A preferred family size of two or less was reported by 151 (59.2%). Preference for a son was reported by 233 (91.7%). CONCLUSION: All the girls were aware of the small family norm, but few could correctly define it. Though most girls preferred a two-child family, almost all of them had a preference for at least one son. This preference for a son could dominate their future decision-making. As attitude development is a long-term process, there is indeed a long way to go.

Screening for chronic impairments using medical interns in rural Haryana, India.

BACKGROUND: With the increase in life expectancy, prevalence of impairments and disabilities are expected to increase in India. However, there have been very few studies to estimate the magnitude of the problem in rural India. This is essential, if appropriate rehabilitation services are to be planned in the country. METHODS: The study was done in the rural field practice area of the All India Institute of Medical Sciences at Ballabgarh, Haryana. The survey was conducted by successive batches of interns posted at Ballabgarh as a part of their compulsory rotating internship programme. The diagnostic criteria were based on history and simple clinical examination done at the domiciliary level. RESULTS: A total population of 25,509 in twelve villages were screened. The total impairment rate was 5.4% with no significant men/women difference. The prevalence of physical impairment was 4.7 per 1000 population. The prevalence of corneal opacity in children below 15 years of age was 4.7 per 1000. Prevalence of cataract was almost 35% in the population over 60 years of age and 15% in the population between 45 to 60 years. Auditory impairment was 19.6 per 1000 as ascertained by history. Three-fourths of this was conductive deafness and was found mainly in people above 60 years of age. CONCLUSION: Utilizing the rural field practice areas of medical colleges for collection of data on issues of national health importance would not only strengthen the health system in the country but also improve medical education. There is a need for a comprehensive preventive, promotive, curative and rehabilitative approach to disabilities in India.