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The Pakistan Flood of August 2022: Causes and Implications
No full textThe risk of floods has increased in South Asia due to high vulnerability and exposure. The August 2022 Pakistan flood shows a glimpse of the enormity and devastation that can further rise under the warming climate. The deluge caused by the floods in 2022, which badly hit the country’s southern provinces, is incomparable to any recent events in terms of the vast spatial and temporal scale. The flood event is ranked second in human mortality, while this was the top event that displaced about 33 million people in Pakistan. Using observations and climate projections, we examine the causes and implications of the 2022 flood in Pakistan. Multiday (∼15 days) extreme precipitation on wet antecedent soil moisture conditions was the primary driver of the flood in August 2022. The extreme precipitation in August was caused by two atmospheric rivers that passed over southern Pakistan. Streamflow simulations from the multiple hydrological models show that multiday extreme precipitation was the primary driver of floods. Several flood-affected stations experienced anomalously higher flow than the upstream stations. The 2022 Pakistan flood highlights the adaptation challenges South Asia is facing along with the substantial need for climate mitigation to reduce the risk of such event
Persistence of SARS-CoV-2 antibodies for a year following SARS-CoV-2 vaccinations (BBV152 and ChAdOx1 nCoV-19)
No full textThe first two vaccines administered in the COVID-19 vaccination campaign of India were Covaxin (BBV152) and Covishield (ChAdOx1-nCoV-19). In this study, we evaluate the longevity and sustainability of the humoral immune response after vaccination and various factors influencing it. An observational study was conducted in individuals who received both doses of Covaxin or Covishield vaccine, and their blood samples were analyzed for total-antiRBD-SARS-CoV-2 antibodies. Then, antibody titers were classified based on monthly time-intervals up to 360 days and their trend was analyzed. In addition, the correlation between antibody titers and factors such as previous SARS-CoV-2-infection status, vaccine type and presence of comorbidities was examined. Of the 2069 participants, most (1767;85.4%) had been vaccinated with Covaxin, but the higher antibody titers were induced by Covishield vaccine at all time points. However overall, antibodies persisted for at least 1 year, although a drop in antibody titers occurred in the 3rd and 6th months. In addition, 430 (20.8%) participants had prior SARS-CoV-2 infection (hybrid immunity) with a significantly higher humoral immune response compared with vaccine-induced immunity (naive immunity). No significant differences were observed in antibody titers related to age, sex and presence of comorbidities. We concluded that vaccine-mediated immunity lasts for at least one year. However, antibody titers decrease over time, which may be more pronounced in certain groups such as Covaxin vaccine, vaccine-induced-immunity, presence of comorbidities and > 60 years which should be considered when recommending booster vaccination, as these individuals may have a stronger and longer-lasting immune response to the virus
ABCL-190 primary cutaneous non-hodgkin lymphoma -leg type: long-term durable response with dose-adjusted EPOCH-R regimen
No full textContext:
Primary cutaneous diffuse large B-cell lymphoma, leg type (PCDLBL-LT) constitutes 1% of all cutaneous lymphomas and it has an aggressive behaviour with poor outcome. PCDLBL-LT is predominantly seen in elderly people, has a female preponderance, and 70% of lesions are present in the lower extremities.
Objective:
We present a case of PCDLBL-LT presenting to our clinic with facial skin lesion and B symptoms and highlight the good response of this disease to dose-adjusted EPOCH-R regimen (etoposide, prednisone, vincristine, cyclophosphamide, doxorubicin, and rituximab).
Design, Setting and Participant
This retrospective single case study was conducted at the Department of Medical Oncology, All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS), New Delhi.
Result:
The index case was a 50-year-old woman who presented with painless rapidly progressive annular plaque-like lesions over the forehead which she had had for 5 months, associated with fever, significant weight loss, and loss of appetite. Physical examination revealed palpable cervical and axillary lymphadenopathy with skin lesions over the left forehead. Laboratory evaluations showed anemia (Hb-9 gm/dl) and elevated LDH (840U/L- upper cut off: 240U/L). The rest of the observations were within normal limits. The punch biopsy from the skin lesion revealed diffuse infiltration by large atypical lymphoid cells with vesicular nuclei and pleomorphism in the dermis. These atypical cells are immunopositive for CD20, and MUM1 while negative for CD3, BCl6, EBV, and LMP. The ki67 proliferative index is 70%. Radiological evaluation by CECT scan revealed supra- and infra- diaphragmatic lymphadenopathy. She completed six cycles of chemotherapy with dose-adjusted EPOCH-R regimen. The maximum dose intensity of dose adjusted EPOCH-R regimen reached was level 3. Two episodes of febrile neutropenia were observed during her chemotherapy, which recovered with supportive care. After six cycles, she was in clinical and radiological remission and continues to be in remission after a follow-up of 3 years.
Conclusion:
Dose-adjusted EPOCH-R regimen is a well tolerated and effective regimen in PCDLBL-LT, where there is no standard of care. Early and accurate diagnosis is required of this condition so that early and appropriate treatment can be started due to the aggressive course of PCDLBL-LT
A<sup>1</sup>-Connectivity of Moduli of Vector Bundles on a Curve
No full textIn this note, we prove that the moduli stack of vector bundles on a curve with a fixed determinant is A1-connected. We obtain this result by classifying vector bundles on a curve up to A1-concordance. Consequently, we classify Pn-bundles on a curve up to A1-weak equivalence, extending a result in [3] of Asok-Morel. We also give an explicit example of a variety which is A1-h-cobordant to a projective bundle over P2 but does not have the structure of a projective bundle over P2, thus answering a question of Asok-Kebekus-Wendt
Irrigation in the Earth system
No full textIrrigation accounts for ~70% of global freshwater withdrawals and ~90% of consumptive water use, driving myriad Earth system impacts. In this Review, we summarize how irrigation currently impacts key components of the Earth system. Estimates suggest that more than 3.6 million km2 of currently irrigated land, with hot spots in the intensively cultivated US High Plains, California Central Valley, Indo-Gangetic Basin and northern China. Process-based models estimate that ~2,700 ± 540 km3 irrigation water is withdrawn globally each year, broadly consistent with country-reported values despite these estimates embedding substantial uncertainties. Expansive irrigation has modified surface energy balance and biogeochemical cycling. A shift from sensible to latent heat fluxes, and resulting land–atmosphere feedbacks, generally reduce regional growing season surface temperatures by ~1–3 °C. Irrigation can ameliorate temperature extremes in some regions, but conversely exacerbates moist heat stress. Modelled precipitation responses are more varied, with some intensive cropping regions exhibiting suppressed local precipitation but enhanced precipitation downstream owing to atmospheric circulation interactions. Additionally, irrigation could enhance cropland carbon uptake; however, it can also contribute to elevated methane fluxes in rice systems and mobilize nitrogen loading to groundwater. Cross-disciplinary, integrative research efforts can help advance understanding of these irrigation–Earth system interactions, and identify and reduce uncertainties, biases and limitations
Clinical Management of Burn in Stray Bull: A Case Report
No full textThe present case report shares successful management of burn injuries in a stray bull. Beside the proper wound care procedures, the bull was also treated for hypovolemia and prevention of secondary bacterial infection. The animal recovered uneventfully followings post-operative care with application of ointment and good nutritional supplement.Stray Bul
Climate change, water and agriculture linkages in the upper Indus basin: A field study from Gilgit-Baltistan and Leh-Ladakh
No full textThe Indus is one of three largest river systems emerging from the Hindu-Kush Himalaya (HKH). In the Upper Indus Basin (UIB), water resources, agriculture and livelihoods are highly vulnerable to climate change induced hazards and risks. Present study investigates impacts of climate change on water availability, agriculture and livelihoods based on perception data collected through focus group discussions and key informant interviews from selected study sites in Gilgit-Baltistan and Leh-Ladakh subregions of the UIB. Findings revealed that climate change is inducing both direct and indirect impacts on water availability, agriculture, and livelihoods. Local people reported that changes in precipitations patterns, temperature and timing of seasons, and increased incidence of crop pest attacks are resulting in the decline of crop and livestock productivity (direct impacts). Climate change is also impacting productivity indirectly through degradation of rangelands/pastures and water variability in traditional irrigation systems. Local people are taking diverse adaptation measures to cope with climate change impacts. These measures include revival of less water intensive traditional crops, start of enterprises and value chain developments in Gilgit-Baltistan, and improvement in water management practices and integration of traditional agricultural products with tourism in Leh-Ladakh. Some adaptation measures are likely to have negative impacts on sustainability of local agriculture. For instance, inorganic agricultural practices in Gilgit-Baltistan, and unplanned shift to water intensive crops and improved breeds of livestock in both Gilgit-Baltistan and Leh-Ladakh. Based on findings, this study suggests establishing a learning mechanism for local communities through collaboration of local institutions from both sides of border and people to people connections
Elevation-dependent precipitation in the Indian Himalayan Region
No full textThe linkage between elevation and precipitation in the mountainous regions across the world including the Indian Himalayan Region (IHR) is very complex. Various meteorological parameters, viz., albedo, shortwave and longwave radiations, humidity, and mass-energy balance, play a major role in the physical processes occurring in these places. The present study examines the changes in precipitation across the IHR. The precipitation patterns act differently from east to west, and north to south due to the varying elevation. The study employed high-resolution observational gridded precipitation analyses (CHELSA) for the period 1980–2018 and the GTOPO 30 DEM for the analyses. The two major precipitating seasons over the IHR such as the monsoon (JJAS) and winter (DJF) precipitation are considered. Characteristics of the precipitation with altitude over subregions of IHR such as Shivalik’s IHR (SH), Lesser IHR (LH) and Higher IHR (HH) are presented. In addition, longitudinal variations over western IHR (WH), central IHR (CH) and eastern IHR (EH) are presented. Further, a non-parametric Mann–Kendall method has been used for trend analysis of precipitation, while the Pettitt test is used for change point detection. A positive precipitation trend is observed over HH and the western part of SH whereas a negative trend is found over the eastern part of SH. In most of the regions in SH, change in mean precipitation is observed during the recent time (1999–2018). However, HH located in the east of CH and west of EH shows a change in mean precipitation quite early (1979–1998)
Climate change over Indonesia and its impact on nutmeg production: An analysis under high‐resolution <scp>CORDEX</scp>‐<scp>CORE</scp> regional simulation framework
No full textNutmeg is an important spice and contributes significantly to the gross domestic product of Indonesia. The study examines the impact of climate change on Indonesia and the production of nutmeg over Banda Neira Island. For this, the outputs from high-resolution regional climate models under different representative concentration pathways (RCP2.6, RCP4.5 and RCP8.5), within the framework of Coupled Model Intercomparison Project 5/Coordinated Regional Climate Down-scaling Experiment-Coordinated Output for Regional Evaluations (CMIP5/CORDEX-CORE) over southeast Asia domain are employed. The representation of the spatial structure of rainfall and temperature climatology is found to be much better in ensembles as compared to individual model experiments. The behaviour of simulated rainfall and temperature from the model experiments is examined to check whether the projected climate favours an increase in nutmeg production. The study found that projected changes in the number of wet days (ideal 100–160 wet days), heavy rainfall events, rising mean temperature above the optimum temperature range (25–26°C), increasing heatwave spells, and prolongation of the warm period led to an unfavourable climate for nutmeg production. Based on the analysis of dynamically produced (model simulated) climate variables, the study rejects the forecasted increase in nutmeg production using a statistical regression model due to the unfavourable climatic conditions that are likely to affect the growth, production and quality of nutmeg. The changing climate not only reduces regional agricultural production but also impacts the socio-economic condition of the people of Indonesia. Therefore, the study emphasizes implementing stringent climate laws and policies at global, regional and local levels to curb greenhouse gas emissions and reduce the negative impact of climate change
Efficient Data Transfer Mechanism for DLMS/COSEM Enabled Smart Energy Metering Platform
No full textWe report our implementation of DLMS/COSEM (Device Language Message Specification/Companion Specification for Energy Metering) enabled advanced smart metering data collection using our in-house developed data-driven multivariate data pruning technique. Aiming at near real-time smart metering data collection, a working model of a smart energy meter with a data pruning subsystem is developed and incorporated with the data pruning and communication module. The implementation of DLMS/COSEM service layer enables standard pull-based data collection from multiple meters that are connected with a commercial head-end system. Our implementation enables to fetch smart meter readings from multiple meters with significantly reduced data footprint. Our empirical results demonstrate that, dynamic data pruning capability reduces the number of samples by nearly 85%. The bandwidth saving increases with the increasing batch size, by accounting for all protocol overheads the endto- end communication bandwidth saving is up to 85%. The DLMS overhead is negligible for larger batch size