Measurement of biological particles (bioaerosols) in ambient air is of great importance as it is directly linked with the health issues. However, data on the bioaerosols characterization are scarce. Here we report on the concentration and characterization of bioaerosols (including bacterial and fungal aerosols) as well as determination of organic and elemental carbon (OC and EC) in total suspended particulate matter (TSPM) at a busy roadside restaurants-cluster site in New Delhi. In addition, 14 carbonyl volatile organic compounds (carbonyl VOCs) were also measured and their relationship with bioaerosols and OC/EC is assessed. The culturable airborne bacterial and fungal concentrations (CAB and CAF) at restaurant area varied significantly in different seasons ranging from 1.7 x 10(4)-9.8 x 10(4) (averaged 6.3 x 10(4) +/- 2.6 x 10(4) cfu m(-3)) and 3.5 x 10(2)-9.5 x 10(3) (3.9 x 10(3) +/- 3.1 x 10(3) cfu m(-3)) cfu m(-3), respectively. Major concentration peaks of TSPM, OC, EC as well as bacterial and fungal aerosols were found in winter and spring seasons. These peaks can be attributed to the low atmospheric boundary layer (ABL) height and favourable meteorological conditions for microbial growth in winter and spring seasons in New Delhi. Good correlations (R-2 > 0.5) were observed between CAB, CAF, TSPM and OC. On the other hand, CAB and CAF were not found to be correlated with carbonyl compounds (R2 < 0.2) indicative of their diverse sources. The bacterial identification was done by 16s rDNA sequencing and the identified strains were Bacillus sp., Bacillus firmus, Bacillus licheniformis, Bacillus cereus, Bacillus pumilus, Acinetobacter sp. and Acinetobactor radioresistens gene. Predominant fungal genera identified were Aspergillus, Cladosporium, Alternaria and Fusarium, which are known for adverse health effects causing numerous allergic and pathogenic inflammations.

A study was conducted on atmospheric carbonyl compounds for the first time over a Himalayan atmosphere in India. Samples were collected from a high altitude hill station, Darjeeling (27.01°N, 88.15°E, 2200 masl) during June 2012 to May 2013. Temporal variation, meteorological influence, source apportionment and ozone formation potential etc were studied for acetaldehyde, formaldehyde, acetone, butanaldehyde, propanaldehyde, benzaldehyde, crotonaldehyde, valeraldehyde, isovaleraldehyde, hexanaldehyde, p-tolualdehyde and o-tolualdehyde. High concentration of Acetone (81.6 ± 63.5 µg m−3) was observed which could be due to the higher photochemical production from its precursor volatile organic compounds emitted from tea plants and tea processing units. The concentration of acetaldehyde (20.7 ± 47.6 µg m−3) and formaldehyde (11.6 ± 16.3 µg m−3) were found to be comparable with metro cities of India and world. The average annual concentration of total carbonyl compounds was 174.2 ± 184.6 µg m−3 with maximum during postmonsoon (456.9 ± 199.5 µg m−3) and minimum during winter season (72.2 ± 42.9 µg m−3). Meteorological parameters like temperature and surface reaching solar radiative flux played the major roles for the seasonal variation of the carbonyl concentration over the hill station. The average ratio of formaldehyde to acetaldehyde over Darjeeling was found to be 1.64 ± 1.43 well representing a typical urban atmosphere at this part of Himalaya. Positive matrix factorization model showed that the biogenic emissions from tea plants and vehicular emissions were the major sources of carbonyl compounds over the hill station.

The purpose of this article is to use small area estimation (SAE) method to produce district level estimates for some of the important indicators such as living condition, poverty incidence and working population ratio. For this purpose, data from 68th round (2011-12) of National Sample Survey Office (NSSO) pertaining to Household Consumer Expenditure Survey (HCES) and Employment and Unemployment Survey (EUS) for Uttar Pradesh has been used along with the 2011 Population Census data. The empirical results, evaluated through set of internal and external diagnostics measures, show that the district-level estimates generated through SAE approach are precise than the direct estimates. Spatial maps showing district level inequality in distribution of living condition, poverty incidence and working population ratio in Uttar Pradesh are also produced. These maps and districts level estimates are important for target oriented effective policy planning, monitoring and decision-making. In this article we deliberately consider two types of estimates viz. averages and proportions and use two different survey data of NS SO for producing district level estimates. We then illustrate how the existing survey data can be linked with Census data to produce reliable, timely and cost-effective district-level estimates of averages and proportions. The SAE methodology, illustration and guidelines set out in this paper can be adopted in other existing surveys for generating the disaggregate level estimates.

Background According to World Health Organization (WHO), drug-resistant tuberculosis (DR-TB) is a major contributor to antimicrobial resistance globally and continues to be a public health threat. Annually, about half a million people fall ill with DR-TB globally. The gradual increase in resistance to fluoroquinolones (FQs) and second-line injectable drugs (SLIDs), poses a serious threat to effective TB control and adequate patient management. Therefore, WHO suggests the use of GenoType MTBDR sl v.2.0 assay for detection of multiple mutations associated with FQs and SLIDs. Hence, the study was conducted to determine the prevalence of resistance to FQs and SLIDs by comparing direct GenoType MTBDR sl v.2.0 assay with phenotypic drug susceptibility testing (DST). Methods The study was conducted on 1320 smear positive sputum samples from a total of 2536 RR-TB, confirmed by GeneXpert MTB/RIF. The smear positive specimens were decontaminated, and DNA extraction was performed. Furthermore, the extracted DNA was used for GenoType MTBDR sl v.2.0 assay. While 20% of the decontaminated specimens were inoculated in Mycobacterium growth indicator tube (MGIT) for drug susceptibility testing (DST). Results Out of 1320 smear positive sputum samples, 1178 were identified as Mycobacterium tuberculosis complex (MTBC) and remaining were negative by GenoType MTBDR sl v.2.0 assay. Of the 1178 MTBC positive, 26.6% were sensitive to both FQs and SLIDs, whereas 57.3% were only FQs resistant and 15.9% were resistant to both FQs and SLIDs. Further DST of 225 isolates by liquid culture showed that 17% were sensitive to both FQs and SLIDs, 61.3% were only FQs resistant and 21.3% were resistant to both. The specificity for FQs and SLIDs was 92.31% and 100% whereas sensitivity was 100% respectively by GenoType MTBDR sl v.2.0 assay in direct sputum samples. Conclusions Our study clearly suggests that GenoType MTBDR sl v.2.0 assay is a reliable test for the rapid detection of resistance to second-line drugs after confirmation by GeneXpert MTB/RIF assay for RR-TB. Though, high rate FQ (ofloxacin) resistance was seen in our setting, moxifloxacin could be used as treatment option owing to very low resistance.

On Wikipedia, sophisticated algorithmic tools are used to assess the quality of edits and take corrective actions. However, algorithms can fail to solve the problems they were designed for if they conflict with the values of communities who use them. In this study, we take a Value-Sensitive Algorithm Design approach to understanding a community-created and -maintained machine learning-based algorithm called the Objective Revision Evaluation System (ORES)---a quality prediction system used in numerous Wikipedia applications and contexts. Five major values converged across stakeholder groups that ORES (and its dependent applications) should: (1) reduce the effort of community maintenance, (2) maintain human judgement as the final authority, (3) support differing peoples' differing workflows, (4) encourage positive engagement with diverse editor groups, and (5) establish trustworthiness of people and algorithms within the community. We reveal tensions between these values and discuss implications for future research to improve algorithms like ORES.

Air pollution in Indian cities is a serious problem and a threat to human health. Kolkata Metropolitan City (KMC) is one of the Indian metro cities urgently requiring policy interventions to ensure breathable air in the near future. We developed a detailed emissions inventory of key air pollutants for 2015 in KMC, considering both particulate matter (PM10, PM2.5, BC, OC) and gaseous pollutants (SO2, NOx, CO, VOC and NH3). We estimated the emissions in a business-as-usual (BAU) scenario for the year 2030, while accounting for the impacts of current and planned policies. Our results reveal that current policies/measures are not sufficient to reduce PM2.5 emissions substantially in KMC by 2030. We thus explored three alternative policy scenarios considering various emission control strategies and non-technical city-specific control measures, along with associated cost implications. Our results indicate that significant emission reductions can be achieved (35% for PM2.5 and 45% for NOx) by spending €1.15 billion for advanced control measures across various sectors, compared with the business-as-usual scenario, are expected to cost €0.78 billion by 2030. Advanced control measures, coupled with the control of non-technical emission sources, may prove to be the most effective solution, yielding a significant reduction of key air pollutants (51% for PM2.5 and 54% for NOx) with a cost implication of €1.18 billion by 2030. Low carbon policies may also be able to substantially reduce key air pollutants with the additional co-benefit of reduced emissions of greenhouse gas, CO2 by 24% in 2030, with a running cost of €0.70 billion.

A novel three component one pot methodology for rapid access to pyrido[1,2-c][1,3,5]thiadiazin-4-ones and thiazolo[3,2-c][1,3,5]thiadiazin-4-ones has been developed. A task specific ionic liquid [bmIm]SCN has been used as thiocyanating reagent. The reaction provides high yields of the product and proceeds at ambient reaction conditions in water. The use of water as the reaction medium and easy recyclability of the ionic liquid used as a reagent as well as promoter of the reaction endows the reaction with green aspects.

Urbanization, population and economic growth in Indian megacities like Delhi have resulted in an increase in energy and transportation demand leading to severe air pollution and related health impacts, as well as to the rapid growth in the greenhouse gas emissions. In this study, an integrated assessment of air quality and climate policies for Indian cities – with a particular focus on National Capital Territory of Delhi, has been carried out. We have developed emission inventory of air pollutants and greenhouse gases for the base year (2010) and evaluated the impact of current policies on emission projections by 2030 in the business-as-usual scenario. Emissions of coarse and fine particulate matter are projected to be 51% and 15% higher in 2030 as compared to present. As the current legislations do not indicate progress towards the achievement of the Indian National Ambient Air Quality Standards in Delhi, we explored the effectiveness of additional emission control strategies with either advanced end-of-pipe emission controls or low carbon policies. Relative to the baseline scenario, the set of alternative policy strategies would reduce emissions rapidly in 2030. The results revealed that air quality policies under various scenarios could also have co-benefits of reducing carbon emissions. At the same time, the results suggest that low carbon policies would be more efficient to cut emissions as compared to advanced end-of-pipe emission control policies. However, their implementation could be limited by the availability of clean fuels. In the climate policy scenario, carbon emission in 2030 is estimated to decrease by 19% relative to baseline. Additional controls combined with low carbon policies like controlling non-industrial emissions create an opportunity to further enhance the scope for co-benefits and to attain the air quality standards in Delhi.

BACKGROUND Malpresentation is defined as when the presenting part of foetus is other than normal vertex of foetal head. It includes breech, face, brow, shoulder, compound and cord presentations. In modern obstetrics, the incidence of malpresentation has fallen due to reducing parity. Among malpresentations, breech presentation is the most common. The aim of this study is to study the incidence, aetiological factors and foetomaternal outcome. MATERIALS AND METHODS A retrospective study of malpresentation was conducted in Obstetrics and Gynaecology Department for a period of 5 years from 1st January 2012 to 31st December 2016 at MGMMCH, Jamshedpur, Jharkhand. The incidence, aetiological factors and foetomaternal outcome were discussed. RESULTS There were 28,431 deliveries conducted with 1099 malpresentations with an incidence of 3.87%. Out of these, 1099 (3.87%) patients presented with malpresentation. Commonest malpresentation was breech (2.85%) followed by transverse lie (0.60%), face presentation (0.23%), compound presentation (0.08%), cord presentation (0.07%) and brow presentation (0.04%). Most of these are unbooked cases, 692 (62.97%). In the present study, 45.38% occurred in primigravidae. Breech was the most common malpresentation, 334 (41.18%) cases were delivered by vaginal route. In the present study, 34 (3.09%) cases with malpresentations delivered anomalous babies. Prematurity was the aetiological factor accounting to 7.92% of the cases, 25.93% accounted to multiparity, 2.47% presented with uterine anomalies and 4.64% contracted pelvis, 3.10% presented with disorders of amniotic fluid volume and 1.09% cases had placenta previa and 6.39% accounting to twins. 15.37% babies were still birth associated with malpresentation and neonatal death was seen in 7.10%. The commonest cause of still birth is prematurity, transverse lie with hand prolapse. CONCLUSION Malpresentation requires high vigilance and prompt management to reduce perinatal mortality and maternal morbidity.

To develop coarse particle (PM10-2.5, 2.5 to 10μm) chemical source profiles, real-world source sampling from four domestic cooking and seven industrial processing facilities were carried out in "Raipur-Bhilai" of Central India. Collected samples were analysed for 32 chemical species including 21 elements (Al, As, Ca, Cd, Co, Cr, Cu, Fe, Hg, K, Mg, Mn, Mo, Na, Ni, Pb, S, Sb, Se, V, and Zn) by atomic absorption spectrophotometry (AAS), 8 water-soluble ions (Na+, K+, Mg2+, Ca2+, Cl-, F-, NO3-, and SO42-) by ion chromatography, ammonium (NH4+) by spectrophotometry, and carbonaceous fractions (OC and EC) by thermal/optical transmittance. The carbonaceous fractions were most abundant fraction in household fuel and municipal solid waste combustion emissions while elemental species were more abundant in industrial emissions. Most of the elemental species were enriched in PM2.5 (<2.5μm) size fraction as compared to the PM10-2.5 fraction. Abundant Ca (13-28%) was found in steel-rolling mill (SRM) and cement production industry (CPI) emissions, with abundant Fe (14-32%) in ferro-manganese (FEMNI), steel production industry (SPI), and electric-arc welding emissions. High coefficients of divergence (COD) values (0.46 to 0.88) among the profiles indicate their differences. These region-specific source profiles are more relevant to source apportionment studies in India than profiles measured elsewhere.

BACKGROUND Abortion pills were meant for medical abortion through which early unwanted pregnancy are terminated safely and effectively. But due to widespread availability and lack of proper diligence in the promotion and usage of abortion pills, self-administration of these drugs is rampant, thereby increase in unsupervised terminations and complications which may be life-threatening. MATERIALS AND METHODS This is a retrospective observational study done in MGM Medical College and Hospital, Jamshedpur from November 2016 to November 2017. RESULTS 164 patients were admitted during this period with history of self-medication of abortion pills. The most common complaint was bleeding, which was excessive (76.2%) or irregular (2.6%). The other complications being abdominal pain with or without bleeding, fever or non-expulsion of products of conception. The majority of population was young, below 30 years with low literacy. Incomplete abortion was seen in majority of cases (64.6%). Surgical treatment with blood transfusion was done in most of them (80.6%). CONCLUSION Medical abortion is an effective means of termination of early pregnancy, but only under medical supervision. Self-medication and over-the-counter selling of these pills should be restricted.

Reduced T3 and free T4, elevated thyroid stimulating hormone, and hyporesponsiveness to thyrotropin releasing hormone raise questions about the presence of hypothyroidism in chronic kidney disease (CKD) and raise the possibility of benefit from thyroxine supplementation. A prospective cohort study was conducted on 73 nondiabetic CKD cases. Hypothyroid patients were started on levothyroxine and were reviewed after 3 and 6 months. The mean age of study population was 42.3 ± 16.8 years. Of the total population, 32 (43.8%) cases had hypothyroidism, among whom 2 (2.7%) had overt hypothyroidism and 30 (41.1%) had subclinical hypothyroidism. Prevalence of hypothyroidism increased with increasing severity of CKD. There were 1 (3.1%) case with hypothyroidism in stage 3b, 8 (25%) cases in stage 4, and 23 (71.9%) cases in stage 5. The mean estimated glomerular filtration rate (ml/min/1.73 m2) at baseline was 13.7 ± 8.9 which increased to 17.5 ± 6.8 and 22.4 ± 9.3 after 3 and 6 months of thyroid hormone replacement therapy (THRT), respectively (P < 0.001). Hypothyroidism is commonly associated with nondiabetic CKD and its prevalence increases with declining renal function. THRT significantly improves renal function in nondiabetic CKD with hypothyroidism.

Megacities in Asia rank high in air pollution at the global scale. In many cities, ambient concentrations of fine particulate matter (PM2.5) have been exceeding both the WHO interim targets as well as respective national air quality standards. This paper presents a systems analytical perspective on management options that could efficiently improve air quality at the urban scale, having Delhi as a case study. We employ the newly developed GAINS-City policy analysis framework, consisting of a bottom up emission calculation combined with atmospheric chemistry-transport calculation, to derive innovative insights into the current sources of pollution and their impacts on ambient PM2.5, both from emissions of primary PM as well as precursors of secondary inorganic and organic aerosols. We outline the likely future development of these sources, quantify the related ambient PM2.5 concentrations and health impacts, and explore potential policy interventions that could effectively reduce environmental pollution and resulting health impacts in the coming years. The analysis demonstrates that effective improvement of Delhi's air quality requires collaboration with neighboring States and must involve sources that are less relevant in industrialized countries. At the same time, many of the policy interventions will have multiple co-benefits on development targets in Delhi and its neighboring States. Outcomes of this study, as well as the modelling tools used herein, are applicable to other urban areas and fast growing metropolitan zones in the emerging Asian regions.

A short-term study was conducted with a view to assess the ambient air quality in the surroundings area of compost plant at Okhla, Delhi. Three selected locations viz., CRRI Campus, Hazi Colony, and Gaffar Manzil were selected during the month of November 2008. The study revealed that 24 hourly average concentration of respirable suspended particulate matter (RSPM) at all selected locations were alarmingly high as compared to National Ambient Air Quality Standards (NAAQS) specified by Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) 2009, during the study period. The 24 hourly average concentrations of sulphur dioxide (SO2) and ammonia (NH3) were within the permissible limits prescribed by the NAAQS. Nitrogen dioxide (NO2) concentration was found to exceed the permissible limits at all the three locations with percent exceedence ranging between 67%-75%. High concentrations of NO2 could be due to auto-exhaust emissions on Delhi- Mathura road, burning of LPG gas for domestic use, incinerator stack gases and diesel run electric generator. The concentrations of H2S were low, which could be due to aerobic nature of waste processing composting plant. The 8 hourly average concentration of CO was quite high at all the three monitoring stations. Percent exceedence of CO levels ranged between 83% - 86%. The localized domestic and automobile emissions in surrounding areas could be the major contributor of CO. The overall assessment of the air quality during the study period at selected locations indicated that the maximum contribution of pollutant responsible for critical Air Quality Index (AQI) values was the respirable particulate matter (RSPM) which fell under the category of severe on majority of the days. Keywords: Compost Plant, Air Pollutants, Air Quality Index (AQI)

An efficient, three-component strategy for synthesis of 1,3-thiazines with high atom economy in one-pot mediated by room temperature basic ionic liquid is described here. The strategy involves basic ionic liquid, [bmim]OH-catalyzed Knoevenagel condensation between ethyl cyanoacetate and aromatic aldehyde and subsequent thia-Michael addition with substituted thioureas. The reaction sequence is smooth and quantitative under ambient temperature. [bmim]OH was recovered and reused four times without any appreciable decrease in its reactivity and product yield.

A green, regioselective protocol for the synthesis of thiopyrano[2,3‐d]thiazole‐2‐thiones catalyzed by basic ionic liquid [bmIm]OH has been developed. The reaction proceeds smoothly under microwave irradiation, and high yields of the products are obtained in very short reaction times (5–11 min). The ionic liquid plays a dual solvent‐catalyst role.

To investigate the aetiology of the 2015 A(H1N1)pdm09 influenza outbreak in India, 1,083 nasopharyngeal swabs from suspect patients were screened for influenza A(H1N1)pdm09 in the state of Madhya Pradesh. Of 412 positive specimens, six were further characterised by phylogenetic analysis of haemagglutinin (HA) sequences revealing that they belonged to genogroup 6B. A new mutation (E164G) was observed in HA2 of two sequences. Neuraminidase genes in two of 12 isolates from fatal cases on prior oseltamivir treatment harboured the H275Y mutation.

Size-segregated aerosol samplings were carried out during 2013-14 at Okhla landfills, Delhi, which is a municipal solid waste dumping station. Aerosol samples were collected on quartz filters using an Andersen impactor sampler having 9-stages with cut-off diameter >9.0, 9.0-5.8, 5.8-4.7, 4.7-3.3, 3.3-2.1, 2.1-1.1, 1.1-0.65, 0.65-0.43, <0.43μm at flow rate 28.3 lpm. Additionally, a low-volume handy sampler was also used to measure total culturable microbial concentrations operates at flow rate of 2 lpm. The culturable total bacterial and fungal concentrations across the seasons ranged from 8.3×105-1.8×107 cfu/m3 and 1.2×103-2.5×105 cfu/m3, respectively and also varied across the impactor stages. Major concentration peaks found during winter could be associated with high particulate matter concentration and favourable meteorological conditions in Delhi. On the other hand, comparatively lower concentrations were observed in summer. This is possibly because of microbial lethal effects of adverse meteorological conditions (high temperature and solar radiation) which are more prominent than that of release of microbial flux due to solar ground heating effect in summer. Size distribution analysis shows that bacteria were mostly abundant in fine particle sizes, i.e. <0.43-2.1μm, but few peaks were also observed in size ranges between 5.8->9.0μm. Fungal spores mostly peaked in coarse sizes (2.1-5.8μm) and showed unimodal size distribution. Predominant identified bacterial strains were mostly belonged to Bacillus, Staphylococcus, Streptococcus, Klebseilla and Escherichia genera. Most of the identified fungal spores are known for adverse health effects causing numerous allergic and pathogenic inflammations. These results suggest that the open-solid waste dumping sites are a major source of bioaerosols, and residents living in the nearby areas of landfills are at high health risks.

A brief overview of developments in sample survey theory and its applications is presented in its historical perspective. The establishment of random sampling as a dependable tool for data collection and analysis; the discussions relating to foundational and inferential aspects of survey sampling; development of analytical tools for survey data analysis, adoption of improvements in information and communication technology for data collection and analysis are some of the themes discussed in the paper.