Cluster containment strategy: addressing Zika virus outbreak in Rajasthan, India.

India is at risk of Zika virus transmission due to high prevalence of its vector Aedes aegypti. Rajasthan, a state in the north-west region of India, has also high prevalence of Aedes mosquito. First laboratory confirmed case of Zika virus disease in Rajasthan was reported on 21 September 2018 in Jaipur. The Government of Rajasthan quickly implemented a containment strategy to contain the outbreak and prevent further spread of this disease. Strategy included active human and mosquito surveillance, laboratory testing and sequencing of the virus, integrated vector control measures, intersectoral coordination, risk communication and social mobilisation, all in a predefined geographic area around the epicentre. Timely action with appropriate coordination at all levels with multiple stakeholders contained the outbreak successfully. In all, 159 confirmed cases were reported from in and around the 3 km containment zone in Shastri Nagar area of Jaipur City and routine surveillance. Following this, a specially developed laboratory-based surveillance strategy was put in place to ensure that the disease does not spread beyond the containment zone. No fresh case was reported subsequently within or beyond the containment zone.

Low temperature radioluminescence of LiF:Mg,Cu,P.

Low temperature radioluminescence spectra of LiF, variously co-doped with Mg, Cu and P, show highly unusual temperature dependencies which resemble thermoluminescence data. The signals include intense peaks and a relatively weak continuous background. One peak occurs below 30 K, together with a major peak near 125 K. The signals are highly sensitive to the dopants and slightly sensitive to X-ray dose rate. The role of donor acceptor pairs and the perturbations from intrinsic defects formed by ionisation can be used to describe all the observations. The 290 nm emission band is linked to H center annealing.

Time-resolved spectroscopy of LiF:Mg,Cu,P.

Time-resolved spectroscopy measurements of LiF:Mg,Cu,P luminescence are presented to obtain a better understanding of the emission characteristics of this material. The intensities and decay of the emission bands were studied as a function of annealing temperature and ionising radiation (gamma) dose. Two peaks in the emission were observed at 367 and 466 nm when excited by the 266 nm laser radiation. The luminescence spectrum under band-to-band X-ray excitation shows a dominant emission approximately 390-400 nm, which resembles the reported thermoluminescence emission and is clearly different from the spectrum obtained using the 266 nm pulsed laser excitation. Annealing of the material to 300 degrees C increases the intensity of the 367 and 466 nm emission bands by an order of magnitude as well as changes the relative intensity of the bands. Additional emission bands, which are not evident in the thermoluminescence emission spectra, are seen at longer wavelengths that also increase with dose. Possible explanations for the observed emission spectra are discussed in this paper.

Low temperature studies in LiF:Mg,Cu,P.

Despite extensive investigations carried out in LiF:Mg,Cu,P, the nature of the emission centre is not clearly understood. Results of X ray excited emission in this material at room temperature and at 16 K are presented to obtain more data that can throw light on the emission characteristics of this material. At room temperature only a single emission peak is seen around 390 nm but at 16 K the emission appears to consist of more than one emission band. The emission spectra could be fitted with three bands with peaks at 332, 385 and 447 nm. The X ray excited emission at 16 K after annealing at 573 K for 5 min suppresses the 332 nm emission but enhances 447 nm emission. Moreover, annealing at 573 K greatly reduces the emission intensity, which signifies that the luminescent centres are also destroyed in this process. Temperature-dependent X ray excited fluorescence below room temperature provides evidence of the existence of shallow traps, which give rise to a thermoluminescence peak around 130 K. On the basis of the present investigations it is proposed that the complex nature of the emission may be related to the formation of donor-acceptor pairs in this material. The possible nature of this donor-acceptor complex is discussed.

A dynamic interregional theory of migration and population growth.

PIP: The authors attempt to bring the theory of regional amenity value determination together with a theoretical framework on migration to form a cohesive theoretical model. They build on previous efforts to do this by introducing factors such as the housing market and determination of the equilibrium level of real full income. The implied geographical focus is on the United States.^ieng

A dynamic model of regional population growth and decline.

"This paper presents a two-sector dynamic model of regional population change. The model contains a migration equation, an earnings equation, and an amenity equation for each region. In the context of this model, migration is seen as a disequilibrium process through which the regional populations move towards equilibrium positions. Migration occurs when one region is perceived to be superior to the other on the basis of its earnings and amenity levels. Equilibrium is achieved when population movements between the regions eliminate any differences in their relative attractiveness. A comparative-static analysis of the model is presented to analyze the effects of policy changes and exogenous shocks on the distribution of population among the regions." The geographical focus is on the United States.

Comparison of methods for preservation of renal function during ischemic renal surgery.

Three methods of providing in situ protection to an ischemic kidney were compared in dogs. These were surface cooling using external coils, transvenous hypothermic perfusion and intravenous inosine. The dogs were divided into 3 groups with 20 dogs in each group. Group 1 had the artery occluded for 45 minutes, group 2 for 60 minutes and group 3 for 90 minutes. A further control group of 5 dogs underwent mobilization of the left kidney without ischemia. Contralateral nephrectomy was performed on all animals. The 20 dogs in each group were randomized; 5 undergoing surface cooling, 5 cooling by renal vein perfusion, 5 receiving intravenous inosine and 5 receiving no protection. Function of the solitary kidney was monitored by serum creatinine levels. All 3 methods provided significant protection. Protection provided by surface cooling and inosine was greater than by venous cooling. The protection provided by intravenous inosine was similar to surface cooling for up to 60 minutes but was less at 90 minutes.

Total cystectomy for bladder cancer.

Between 1967 and 1974, 58 consecutive patients underwent total cystectomy and urinary diversion for primary carcinoma of the bladder. Preoperative irradiation was not used. The postoperative mortality was 3.4 per cent. The over-all 5-year survival rate for patients with transitional cell carcinoma was 62 per cent. For patients with O, A and B1 tumors the 5-year survival rate was 80 per cent and for those with B2 and C tumors it was 50 per cent.