Density based geospatial clustering: Methods, Applications and Future Directions

The emergence of the novel corona virus disease (COVID-19) since 2019 has been a cause of significant concern for people throughout the world. While tremendous effort has been put in to it by healthcare facilities, both public and private, it would not be a stretch to state that the resources allotted were not enough to handle the floods of covid and the non-covid patients at the same time. As the entire world was under lockdown, it was considerably tougher for people to move around. This meant getting check-ups for covid was fairly tough. Thus, building up many hospital camps around a city became important. In this article, the locations of different healthcare institutions and residential flats in and around the city of Bhubaneswar were analysed. Clusters were generated out of highly dense regions utilising a number of unsupervised learning density based clustering techniques and the best model was picked among them. Folium leaflet maps in Python were used to show the clusters created from the best performing clustering method. This would allow us to collect crucial information identifying areas in severe need of medical attention. Thus, resources can be divided evenly among the population with the information acquired. © 2022 ACM.

Waterlogging mitigation and safe water supply: lessons learnt from low-lying areas of Basirhat municipality, India

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to develop a replicable model that ensures Household Water Treatment and Safe Storage as well as water treatment facilities at the community level by providing total service coverage at community scale. An intervention was implemented in one of the low-lying areas of Basirhat Municipality (West Bengal, India) that included a number of action programs in order to address household- and community-level water-induced challenges. Design/methodology/approach A research study was undertaken to identify the root causes of the problems that are generally spawned from geomorphological, hydro-fluvial, climatic factors and processes and the situation becomes complicated when many other cumulative problem-contexts layovers the existing ones. A number of social and technological innovations were tested in the field and this paper critically examined the intervention processes and outcomes. It was implemented through participatory process by involving related stakeholders working at that scale so that necessary public acceptance is received for scaling up, at least, in the similar physical, social, economic and institutional contexts. Findings The problem conceptualization process, spatial assessment for contextualizing the problem, design of interventions for different scales, development of project deployment strategies from field-based learnings contributed in developing a total solution based on fusing of household-level technical solutions, social innovations and actions for community engagements towards sustainability. Mobilized community members in addressing local inundation and waterlogging crisis. Satellite image-based maps shown to make them understand the upper-lower connection of drainage. People also developed their own action plans and engaged themselves in resuscitation of an old canal, removed the garbage that resulted in improved drainage conditions in the area. Research limitations/implications Pandemic due to COVID 19 and its related prolonged lock down, West Bengal State Assembly Election, closure of municipal governance system due to the forthcoming municipal election, closure of educational institutions, closure of Anganwadi Centre in the field area were the limitations. Due to the lock down, it was difficult for the team to maintain the time frame as well as the budget. As per the Election's Code of Conduct gets released no public meeting was allowed without permission, people in the vicinity became suspicious, hence movement of the team members got restricted. Practical implications Due to the COVID protocols, the team could not organise mass training programs. It was difficult for the team members to commute in public/private transport, hence filed work got impacted. As the team could not access data from the health department, they developed a strategy of generation data on body mass index, mid-upper arm circumferences and waist-to-hip ratios to understand the status of health and nutrition of the community. It was difficult to access the Public Health Engineering Department's laboratory situated in the municipality for water sample test. Cost escalated due to extension of the project time. Social implications During the second phase (wave) when people lost access to health facilities they requested the team to stop field visit. Women's empowerment through acquiring knowledge and skill on treatment and safe storage of drinking water at home. Men appreciated and recognized this, which improved the status of women in the society. Children after expressing their willingness to learn the new technology of water purification were given handholding training by their mothers and knowledge transfer has taken place in the next generation. Mobilized community members in addressing local inundation and waterlogging crisis. Satellite image-based maps to understand the upper-lower connection of drainage helped them develop their own action plans and engaged themselves in resuscitation of an old canal, removed the garbage that resulted in improved drainage conditions in the area. Originality/value Household-level solutions include supply of low cost, easy operable, sustainable water purifiers, community-level solution focused on securing water-related challenges at social/public gathering places and wider catchment area level solutions include the engagement of local communities to drain out stagnant waters by clearing drains, creating/digging small canals through collective actions. Geo-spatial techniques (topographical mapping, spatial survey, water quality tests) along with social methods such as participatory appraisals for gathering information on human health, public awareness campaigns and partnership development with local government agencies were the major activities performed as part of the implementation of interventions. It is imperative to mention that water-related challenges in the low-lying settlement areas of Basirhat Municipality have effectively been addressed by relying on necessary theoretical underpinnings (Disaster risk reduction/humanitarian principles) transmitted through application of scientific techniques and mediated through local people and their agencies.

New-onset diabetic ketoacidosis with purpura fulminans in a child with COVID-19-related multisystem inflammatory syndrome.

BACKGROUND: Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID 19) usually causes a mild illness among children. However, in a minority of children, it may be associated with the life-threatening multisystem inflammatory syndrome (MIS-C), or thrombotic microangiopathy, or sequelae like type-1 diabetes mellitus (T1DM). We describe a previously healthy, 12-year-old boy with new-onset T1DM with diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA) in the setting of MIS-C, with a course complicated by thrombotic microangiopathy. CASE PRESENTATION: The patient presented with four days history of fever, non-bilious vomiting, polyuria and polydipsia. On evaluation, he was noted to have diabetic ketoacidosis. Although Diabetic ketoacidosis with insulin and intravenous fluids, his hospital course was notable for shock requiring vasopressor, purpura fulminans with eschar formation, neurological manifestations (left hemiparesis due to right middle cerebral artery territory infarct, mononeuritis multiplex) and thrombotic microangiopathy. MIS-C-like illness secondary to COVID-19 was suspected due to diabetic ketoacidosis, thrombotic microangiopathy, elevated inflammatory markers, history of contact with COVID-19-infected individual and detectable COVID-19 IgG antibodies. He improved following management with methylprednisolone, intravenous immunoglobulin, low-molecular-weight heparin and aspirin, and was discharged on hospital day 48. CONCLUSION: MIS-C-like illness should be considered in children and adolescents presenting with complex multisystem involvement in this era of COVID 19. Management with immunomodulatory agents can be lifesaving.

Language, communication, and the COVID-19 pandemic: criticality of multi-lingual education COMMENT

This paper aims at identifying and explaining the correlation between the Covid-19 and multi-lingualism through cross-country research, drawing on three datasets: WHO data on the expanse of the pandemic, UNESCO data on endangered languages, and the LDI (Linguistic Diversity Index). Results establishing a direct correlation between the pandemic and multi-lingualism vary across the countries, except the USA, India, and Brazil. The three countries experiencing the highest global pandemic caseload occupy the top positions in the number of endangered languages and are among the top ten linguistically diverse countries. Drawing from the research findings, the paper addresses the criticality of investing in multi-lingualism and calls for a shift of perspective among policymakers driven by neoliberal rationale towards greater recognition and higher funding for multi-lingual education.

COVID-19, oxidative stress, and male reproductive dysfunctions: Vitamin C as a potential remedy?

Few peculiarities have been observed in the aetiology of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), one such being its greater prevalence in men than women partly due to the higher expressions of angiotensin-converting enzyme-2 (ACE2) in the male reproductive tissues. Recent scientific reports are in line with some of the evidence-based hypotheses in the initial phase of the COVID-19 pandemic, regarding the involvement of oxidative stress (OS) and oxidant-sensitive pathways in severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection-mediated male reproductive disruptions. The seminal dissemination of SARS-CoV-2 or its components, testicular disruptions due to viral infection and oxidative damage in the testis have all been evidenced recently. High-dose of antioxidants, such as vitamin C, have been shown to be a useful treatment for COVID-19 patients, to alleviate systemic inflammation and OS. In addition, vitamin C is a major testicular antioxidant that neutralizes excess reactive oxygen species (ROS), prevents sperm agglutination, prevents lipid peroxidation, recycles vitamin E, and protects against DNA damage. Thus, the present review aims to discuss the mechanism of COVID-19-mediated male reproductive dysfunctions, based on the evidence available so far, and explore the possibility of using vitamin C in alleviating testicular OS and associated damage caused by COVID-19.

Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) and pregnancy

Women perhaps are more exposed to coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), caused by the novel coronavirus (CoV) called as the severe acute respiratory syndrome-CoV-2 (SARS-CoV-2), as compared to men, due to their greater contribution in healthcare and social services. Globally, around 70% of health and social service providers constitute of female. The pandemic is also poising serious threat to female sexual and reproductive health. Particularly, pregnant women are at risk and need special antenatal care besides routine health services. SARS-CoV-2 infection leads to the path of an exaggerated immune reaction in an infected individual. This leads to ‘cytokine storm’ causing massive tissue damage, systemic inflammation, increased body temperature, and in turn, these may lead to multiple organ failure. The gonads are also susceptible to damage and impairment in reproductive functions. Thus, it is vital to acquire information on the impact of this virus on gestational changes and pregnancy outcome. Given the limitation of data on COVID-19 mediated changes in pregnant women, this article also reviews the effects of two previous coronavirus infections - severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS) caused by SARS-CoV and the Middle East respiratory syndrome (MERS) caused by MERS-CoV to predict the possible impact of the novel SARS-CoV-2 on pregnancy outcomes. Analysis of available literature reveals that unlike coronavirus infections of pregnant women caused by SARS and MERS, COVID-19 seems less likely to cause maternal death. Importantly, alike SARS and MERS, there were no confirmed cases of intrauterine transmission of SARS-CoV-2 from mothers with COVID-19 to their fetuses. Further broad-spectrum research is necessary to reach a consensus regarding the vertical transmission of SARS-CoV-2 and whether it adopts any other mechanisms to affect pregnancy outcomes.

Can ideas be deleted? Curriculum in perspective

The recent reduction in the secondary and higher secondary school curriculum by the Central Board of Secondary Education has resulted in relief among most students while drawing criticism from teachers, scholars and academics who see a method into the presumably random deletion of topics to reduce the workload of students. The CBSE clarified that these are one-time changes resultant of the extraordinary situation arising from COVID-19. This article raises the critical question whether removing important conceptual notions as secularism, federalism and citizenship can lead to deletion of these ideas from the political discourse and public memory. © 2021 Economic and Political Weekly. All rights reserved.

VIRAL PANDEMICS OF TWENTY-FIRST CENTURY

Pandemics are regarded as large-scale outbreaks of infectious disease that has the potential to significantly increase morbidity and mortality over a wide geographical area, which is accompanied by economic, social and political disruption. The likelihood of pandemic, especially caused by viral infectious diseases has increased over the past few years. The 21st century is just two decades old but it has already witnessed some of the deadliest viral pandemics having far-reaching consequences. These include Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus (SARS-CoV) (2002), Influenza A virus subtype H1N1 (H1N1) (2009), Middle East Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus (MERS-CoV) (2012) and Ebola virus (2013) and the Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2) (2019-present). The viruses may adopt various mechanisms to invade and hijack the cellular machinery of the host cell, followed by infection-mediated immunomodulation and progressive inflammation, which in turn, may affect the functioning of different organ systems of the body. Although effective commercial vaccines are unavailable for most of these viruses, those against SARS-CoV-2 are being developed at an unprecedented speed with few of the vaccines already being approved for commercial distribution. Significant policy attention is required to limit the outbreak of such pandemics and to expand and sustain investment to build preparedness and health capacity. © 2021. All Rights Reserved.

Does PCR Cycle Threshold for SARS-CoV-2 have Association with ABO Blood Group Types?

Introduction: Corona Virus Disease-19 (COVID-19) caused by the Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome-Corona Virus-2 (SARS-CoV-2) has led to a global pandemic. Currently, the standard method for the diagnosis of COVID-19 is the detection of SARS-CoV-2 by Reverse Transcriptase Quantitative Polymerase Chain Reaction (RT-qPCR). Lower Cycle threshold (Ct) value of PCR is found to be associated with increased probability of progression to severe disease and infectivity. Blood group A individuals have been found to be more susceptible to infection by SARS-CoV-2 while that of O blood group have lower risk of infection. There has been growing scientific interest to obtain data which may characterise the susceptibility to COVID-19 infection and determine the risk factors which may be associated with progression and severity of the disease. Aim: To study the association of RT-qPCR Ct values for SARS-CoV-2 with ABO blood group types. Materials and Methods: A prospective observational study was conducted at tertiary care centre in western Maharashtra, India where in a total of 116 symptomatic admitted patients between mid-July to mid August 2020 and was found to be positive for SARS-CoV-2 by RT-qPCR were enrolled in the study. Ct values for pan-Sarbecovirus E-gene and SARS-CoV-2 specific RdRP gene were recorded for each patient. In addition, all the patients were typed for ABO blood grouping. Distribution of different ABO blood group types in SARS-CoV-2 positive patients were analysed and was compared with blood groups in 882 non-COVID-19 blood donors comprising control group. Ct values for E and RdRP gene were also analysed in respect to different age group, gender and blood group types. Blood group records of voluntary healthy blood donors reporting at our centre between September to November 2019 were obtained. Results: Of the 116 patients, 33 (28.45%) comprised of type A, 34 (29.31%) of type B, 41 (35.34%) were of type O and remaining 8 (6.90%) had AB blood group type. Compared to the control group, no significant difference was noted in the distribution of ABO blood types in SARS-CoV-2 positive patients. Also, no statistical significance was found in the Ct values with respect to age, gender and different ABO blood group types. Conclusion: RT-qPCR Ct values for SARS-CoV-2 infection have no association with ABO blood group types.