The influence of organics on the crystallization of Al precipitates has been well documented. However, the effects of organics and ageing on the transformation and structural configuration of Al precipitates in relation to their surface and charge properties are not fully understood. This study investigated the structural, microporous and surface properties of Al precipitates formed under the influence of tannate and ageing. The Al precipitates were synthesized at an initial Al concentration of 7 × 10−3 M, an OH/Al molar ratio (MR) of 3.0, and initial tannate/Al MRs of 0, 0.001, 0.01 and 0.1, and aged for 1, 10 and 40 days. As indicated by a decrease in gibbsite and bayerite and an increase in the oxalate-extractable Al contents, the non-crystalline precipitates increased with the increase of the initial tannate/Al MR. This observation is in accord with the X-ray diffraction and Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) data. The impact of tannic acid on the nature of the Al precipitates is also reflected in the increase of the contents of the pyrophosphate-extractable Al, which is indicative of organically bound Al. This observation is in agreement with the increase in the intensity of characteristic FTIR absorption bands of tannate and the organic C and adsorbed water contents. The decrease in the crystallinity of Al precipitates with increase in the tannate/Al MR resulted in the development of microporosity, increase in BET specific surface area and decrease of the average pore diameter and point of zero salt effect (PZSE). The FTIR absorption bands characteristic of tannate of the Al precipitates became weaker with ageing, in accord with the ageing-induced decrease in the contents of organic C and pyrophosphate-extractable Al. Ageing drastically decreased the BET specific surface area of the Al precipitates formed in the absence of tannate but this effect was less conspicuous for the products formed at the tannate/Al molar ratio of 0.1. The ageing-induced change in the PZSE of the Al precipitates formed both in the absence and presence of tannate was not significant. The results accomplished in this study are of fundamental significance to our understanding of the combined effects of organics and ageing on structural configuration of hydrolytic precipitates of Al in relation to their microporosity, surface and charge properties in the environment.

The Square Kilometre Array (SKA) is a planned large radio interferometer designed to operate over a wide range of frequencies, and with an order of magnitude greater sensitivity and survey speed than any current radio telescope. The SKA will address many important topics in astronomy, ranging from planet formation to distant galaxies. However, in this work, we consider the perspective of the SKA as a facility for studying physics. We review four areas in which the SKA is expected to make major contributions to our understanding of fundamental physics: cosmic dawn and reionisation; gravity and gravitational radiation; cosmology and dark energy; and dark matter and astroparticle physics. These discussions demonstrate that the SKA will be a spectacular physics machine, which will provide many new breakthroughs and novel insights on matter, energy, and spacetime.

National Vector Borne Disease Control Programme (NVBDCP) data have shown that nearly half of all malaria deaths in India occur in tribal-dominated areas. The present study took a qualitative approach to understanding community perceptions and practices related to malarial infection and anti-malarial programmes. Twelve focus group discussions and 26 in-depth interviews of Accredited Social Health Activists (ASHAs) were conducted in nine villages in the district of Gadchiroli, Maharashtra state in India in June 2016. A total of 161 village residents (94 males and 67 females) participated in the focus group discussions and 26 health workers participated in the in-depth interviews. Data were analysed using the content analysis approach. The findings revealed widespread misconceptions about malaria among village residents, and low use of preventive measures and anti-malarial services. Ignorance and treatment by unqualified traditional healers delay effective treatment seeking. Furthermore, failure to maintain drug compliance adds to the gravity of the problem. The study identified the social and behavioural factors affecting treatment uptake and use of treatment facilities in the study area. These should help the development of the behavioural change communication arm of any control strategy for malaria through improving community participation, so improving preventive practices and optimizing utilization of anti-malarial services.

Agriculture in the Central Himalayan Region depends on the availability of suitable germplasm as well as natural conditions. Due to extreme weather conditions, food and nutrition security is a major issue for communities inhabiting these remote and inaccessible areas. Millets are common crops grown in these areas. Foxtail millet (Setaria italica (L.) P. Beauv) is an important crop and forms a considerable part of the diet in this region. The aim of the present study was to explore, collect, conserve and evaluate the untapped genetic diversity of foxtail millet at the molecular level and discover variability in their nutritional traits. A total of 30 accessions having unique traits of agronomic importance were collected and molecular profiling was performed. A total of 63 alleles were generated with an average of 2.52 alleles per locus and average expected heterozygosity of 0.37 ± 0.231. Significant genetic variability was revealed through the genetic differentiation (Fst) and gene flow (Nm) values. Structure-based analysis divided whole germplasm into three sub-groups. Rich variability was found in nutritional traits such as dietary fibre in husked grains, carbohydrate, protein, lysine and thiamine content. The collected germplasm may be useful for developing nutritionally rich and agronomically beneficial varieties of foxtail millet and also designing strategies for utilization of unexploited genetic diversity for food and nutrition security in this and other similar agro-ecological regions.

The Proterozoic Sushina Hill Complex is the only agpaitic complex, reported from India and is characterized by a eudialyte-rinkite-bearing nepheline syenite. The complex is considered a ‘metamorphosed agpaitic complex'. This study describes the mineral assemblages formed during successive stages of evolution from magmatic to hydrothermal stages and low-temperature subsolidus re-equilibration assemblage. The primary-late magmatic assemblage is characterized by albite, orthoclase, unaltered nepheline, zoned diopside-hedenbergite, rinkite, late magmatic eudialyte and magnesio-arfvedsonite formed at ∼700°C with maximum a SiO2 of 0.60. In contrast, a deuteric assemblage (400-348°C) is represented by aegirine-jadeite-rich clinopyroxene, post-magmatic eudialyte, sodalite, analcime and the decomposition assemblages formed after eudialyte with decreasing a SiO2 (0.52-0.48). A further low-temperature subsolidus assemblage (≤250°C) represented by late-forming natrolite could be either related to regressive stages of metamorphism or a continuum of the subsolidus processes. Considering the P/T range of the greenschist - lower-amphibolite facies of metamorphism it is evident that the incorporation of a jadeite component within pyroxene is related to a subsolidus process between ∼400°C and 348°C in a silica deficient environment. We emphasize that the deuteric fluid itself acted as an agent of metamorphism and the decomposition assemblage formed after eudialyte is retained even after metamorphism due to the convergence of subsolidus and metamorphic domains. The formation of jadeite-rich aegirine is not considered to result from metamorphism. Overall it is near-impossible to discern any bona fide metamorphic textures or mineral assemblages in these syenites which appear to preserve a relict mineralogy regardless of their occurrence in country rocks which have experienced greenschist - amphibolite facies metamorphism. The Sushina complex is very similar in this respect to the Norra Kärr complex (Sweden).

Urinary tract infection (UTI) is common in children aged <5 years with diarrhoea, but little is known about risk factors, aetiology and outcome of such children. We aimed to evaluate these knowledge gaps of UTI in children aged <5 years with diarrhoea. We enrolled all children aged <5 years with diarrhoea admitted to Dhaka Hospital of the International Centre for Diarrhoeal Disease Research, Bangladesh, between May 2011 and April 2013, who had history of fever (⩾38 °C) and obtained a urine sample for culture. Diarrhoea with UTI (confirmed by culture) constituted cases (n = 26) and those without UTI constituted controls (n = 78). Threefold controls were randomly selected. The case-fatality rate was comparable in cases and controls (4% vs. 1%, P = 0·439). Escherichia coli (69%) and Klebsiella (15%) were the most commonly isolated pathogens. Persistent diarrhoea, pneumonia and prior antibiotics use were identified as risk factors for UTI in logistic regression analysis (P < 0·05 for all). Thus, children with diarrhoea presenting with persistent diarrhoea, pneumonia, and prior antibiotic use should be investigated for UTI for their prompt management that may reduce morbidity.

A comprehensive study based on U–Pb and Hf isotope analyses of zircons from gneisses has been conducted along the western part (Babina area) of the E–W-trending Bundelkhand Tectonic Zone in the central part of the Archaean Bundelkhand Craton. 207Pb–206Pb zircon ages and Hf isotopic data indicate the existence of a felsic crust at ~ 3.59 Ga, followed by a second tectonothermal event at ~ 3.44 Ga, leading to calc-alkaline magmatism and subsequent crustal growth. The study hence suggests that crust formation in the Bundelkhand Craton occurred in a similar time-frame to that recorded from the Singhbhum and Bastar cratons of the North Indian Shield.

Over a 2-year period, 25 families comprising of 181 individuals of all ages were longitudinally observed for the excretion of Campylobacter species. Faecal samples were taken from all persons with diarrhoea. Specimens were also taken from apparently healthy individuals and from domestic animals living within the confines of the study families at monthly intervals.

The overall diarrhoea attack rate was 19 episodes per 100 person-years with peak incidence in the 1- to 4-year-old age group (76/100 person-years). Eight (11·5%) of the total episodes were campylobacter-associated and the overall rate of campylobacter positive diarrhoeal episodes were 2·2 per 100 person-years. Of the 1002 stool samples from healthy individuals 32 (3·2/100 samples) were positive for campylobacter. The organism was most frequently isolated from children under 1 year of age both during diarrhoeal episodes (11·5 per 100 person-years) and non-diarrhoeal (11·1 per 100 samples). Multiple infections in a family were rare. In 19·4% of the occasions one or more animals were campylobacter positive. However, only in 7·7% of these occasions was a human infection recorded within 1 month after the animal was found to be positive.

The study showed that the epidemiology of campylobacteriosis in this community was distinct compared to that observed in developed countries.

The major carps such as Labeo rohita, Cirrhinus mrigala, Catla catla, and Labeo calbasu, which constitute important economic food-fishes in India, breed only in rivers, and consequently the spawn and fry of these fishes are collected from riverine resources for culture in ponds and tanks. The present paper describes our extensive survey of fish spawn-collection grounds in the River Ganges (from Barauni to Farakka, a stretch of about 256 km). In the course of these studies, active and major sites of spawning were located at Monghyr, Sultanganj, Akbarnagar, Sonbarsa, Bhagalpur, Colgong, Sahibganj, Rajmahal, Manikchak, and Farakka. Some of the environmental factors, such as water transparency, temperature, pH, dissolved oxygen, and meteorological conditions for spawning of fishes, were analysed.

Eleven patients with tardive dyskinesia were treated with lithium carbonate in a placebo-controlled double-blind crossover study. No significant effect of lithium on either tardive dyskinesia or blood prolactin concentrations was demonstrated, but 5 patients developed pseudo-Parkinsonian features.

The distribution and virulence of Vibrio cholerae serogroups other than O1 and O139 in India before, during and after the advent of O139 serogroup was investigated. A total of 68 strains belonging to 31 different ‘O’ serogroups were identified during the study period. With the exception of O53, there was no spatial or temporal clustering of any particular non-O1 non-O139 serogroup at any given place. Two of the 68 strains examined produced cholera toxin (CT) which could only be partially absorbed with anti-CT immunoglobulin G. Tissue culture assay revealed that some of the non-O1 non-O139 strains produced factors which evoked either a cell rounding or cell elongation response depending upon the medium used. This study indicates that serogroups other than O1 and O139 should also be continuously monitored.

During 19837 a clinical diagnosis of subacute sclerosing panencephalitis (SSPE) was confirmed by the detection of measles virus haemagglutination inhibiting antibody in the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) in 81 subjects resident in Tamilnadu. The antibody titre (reciprocol of the endpoint dilution) in the CSF ranged from 2 to 32 and in the sera from 8 to 2048. The CSF: serum ratios of titres were 1:41:64 in 80 cases and 1:128 in one case. The median age at onset of SSPE was 10 years and 97% of cases were diagnosed at stage 2 and beyond. Based on the geographic distribution of 72 cases in an estimated population of 84 million, the annual incidence of SSPE was calculated to be 214 per million population, or 43 cases per million children below 20 years. Assuming that only 10% of all cases would have reached the level of laboratory diagnosis, the incidence may be as high as 21 cases per million population.

An approximate analysis, based on the standard perturbation technique, is described in this paper to find the corrections, up to first order to the reflection and transmission coefficients for the scattering of water waves by a submerged slender barrier, of finite length, in deep water. Analytical expressions for these corrections for a submerged nearly vertical plate as well as for a submerged vertically symmetric slender barrier of finite length are also deduced, as special cases, and identified with the known results. It is verified, analytically, that there is no first order correction to the transmitted wave at any frequency for a submerged nearly vertical plate. Computations for the reflection and transmission coefficients up to O(ε), where ε is a small dimensionless quantity, are also performed and presented in the form of both graphs and tables.

Pulsed laser deposited cerium oxide (CeO2) nanoporous thin film on platinum (Pt) coated glass has been used for immobilization of glucose oxidase (GOx) by electrostatic interaction. Atomic force microscopy studies reveal the formation of nanoporous surface morphology of CeO2 thin film. Differential pulse voltammetric and optical measurements show that the GOx/CeO2/Pt bioelectrode is sensitive to the detection of glucose over the concentration upto 300 mg/dl. A low value of enzyme's kinetic parameter (Michaelis-Menten constant∼1.01 mM) indicates enhanced enzyme affinity of GOx to glucose.

In this study the status of oxidant stress, vitamin A and angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) levels were evaluated in cases of laryngeal carcinoma patients from Northern India. In control subjects the levels of malondialdehyde (MDA), vitamin A and ACE were 0.23 ± 0.07 nmole/ml, 2515 ± 84 IU, and 1.4 ± 0.8 U/ml respectively. Thirty laryngeal cancer patients were divided into three groups according to the TNM classification (American Joint Committee on Cancers). In laryngeal cancer patients according to tumour size, MDA and ACE levels increased to 0.32 ± 0.04 nmole/ml and 4.7 ± 0.5 U/ml respectively and the effect was statistically significant (p<0.01). The correlation coefficient between different subgroups was also highly significant (r =0.96, p<0.01). However, serum vitamin A levels decreased to 621 ± 20 IU and the effect was statistically significant (p<0.01). In another two groups of laryngeal cancer patients, a similar pattern of various markers was obtained. Thirty patients with laryngeal carcinoma were divided into four different groups according to nodal involvement and it was observed that in laryngeal cancer patients with no nodal involvement, ACE levels were low 3.6 ± 1.4 U/ml while patients with maximum nodal involvement had the highest levels of ACE 7.1 ± 0.18 U/ml. The correlation coefficient between different groups is highly statistically significant (r = 0.95, p<0.01). In patients with laryngeal cancer the serum MDA and vitamin A levels correlation coefficient between different groups was not significant. It is thus concluded that serum ACE might be a specific test marker for laryngeal cancer disease burden. The use of this marker enzyme for therapeutics is being planned.

Thin films of BaZrO3 (BZ) were grown using a pulsed laser deposition technique on platinum coated silicon substrates. Films showed a polycrystalline perovskite structure upon different annealing procedures of in-situ and ex-situ crystallization. The composition analyses were done using Energy dispersive X-ray analysis (EDAX) and Secondary ion mass spectrometry (SIMS). The SIMS analysis revealed that the ZrO2 formation at the right interface of substrate and the film leads the degradation of the device on the electrical properties in the case of ex-situ crystallized films. But the in-situ films exhibited no interfacial formation. The dielectric properties have been studied for the different temperatures in the frequency regime of 40 Hz to 100kHz. The response of the film to external ac stimuli was studied at different temperatures, and it showed that ac conductivity values in the limiting case are correspond to oxygen vacancy motion. The electrical modulus is fitted to a stretched exponential function and the results clearly indicate the presence of the non-Debye type of dielectric relaxation in these materials.

The on-farm performance of more than 150 000 pre-basic potato (Solanum tuberosum) minitubers of 1–10 g was monitored over two years in contrasting environments in Nepal. Average minituber productivity (grams of basic seed produced per minituber planted) was 171 g in the southern plains and 116 g in the hills. Although the performance of minitubers varied between environments, minituber sizes and potato varieties, the overall results clearly indicated that minitubers can be successfully multiplied by small-scale farmers. This technology therefore allows for the highly decentralized production of basic seed which, in turn, will reduce farmers' dependence on an unreliable and costly supply of bulky conventional seed.

This study traces the evolutionary pathways of the apolipoprotein B gene in the low risk Chinese and high risk Asian Indians in relation to coronary artery disease (CAD). Haplotypes were constructed from six apoB polymorphisms sp24/27, Ag(c/g), Ag(a1/d), XbaI, Ag(h/i) and, Ag(t/z). These were genotyped from 474 Chinese (253 healthy, 221 CAD patients) and 248 Asian Indians (164 healthy, 84 CAD patients). The maximum parsimony method was used to construct a cladogram for each ethnic group. Three haplotypes in the Chinese and one in the Indians were found exclusively in CAD patients. These haplotypes were sp27ca1X-ht, sp24ga1X-iz and sp24ca1X+it in Chinese, and sp24cdX-it in Indians. Those in the Chinese all occurred as terminal haplotypes and represented the most recent mutations. Evolutionary pathways for both ethnic groups were similar for majority of the haplotypes except for the presence of an additional third branch in the Indians arising from the ancestral haplotype. However, this third branch does not appear to contribute to the susceptibility of the Indians to CAD.