Tracking hidden crisis in India’s capital from space: implications of unsustainable groundwater use

National Capital Region (NCR, Delhi) in India is one of the fastest-growing metropolitan cities which is facing a severe water crisis due to increasing water demand. The over-extraction of groundwater, particularly from its unconsolidated alluvial deposits makes the region prone to subsidence. In this study, we investigated the effects of plummeting groundwater levels on land surface elevations in Delhi NCR using Sentinel-1 datasets acquired during the years 2014–2020. Our analysis reveals two distinct subsidence features in the study area with rates exceeding 11 cm/year in Kapashera—an urban village near IGI airport Delhi, and 3 cm/year in Faridabad throughout the study period. The subsidence in these two areas are accelerating and follows the depleting groundwater trend. The third region, Dwarka shows a shift from subsidence to uplift during the years which can be attributed to the strict government policies to regulate groundwater use and incentivizing rainwater harvesting. Further analysis using a classified risk map based on hazard risk and vulnerability approach highlights an approximate area of 100 square kilometers to be subjected to the highest risk level of ground movement, demanding urgent attention. The findings of this study are highly relevant for government agencies to formulate new policies against the over-exploitation of groundwater and to facilitate a sustainable and resilient groundwater management system in Delhi NCR.

Perspectives on the Barriers to and Needs of Teachers’ Professional Development in the Philippines during COVID-19

Due to COVID-19, remote or distance education has become the norm in the Philippines. Yet even in its second year, remote teaching and learning still face ongoing challenges, as does the need for teachers’ professional development. This paper describes a study that examined teachers’ perspectives on barriers and needs in professional development. The study involved 174 teachers who were teaching online courses in the National Capital Region. The participants completed a survey detailing their professional development frequency, perspectives, barriers, and needs, while eight teachers agreed to participate in a follow-up interview. Results from hierarchical multiple regression analysis have shown that teachers’ pedagogical and information technology skills requirements are influenced primarily by their prior professional development experiences and their need to apply active learning and innovative teaching ideas. Qualitative analyses indicate that teachers’ professional development needs are mostly focused on skills related to online teaching, information technology literacy, and conducting research. In addition, data indicated that barriers to professional development were primarily caused by financial and time constraints and a lack of teacher motivation and logistical support. In summary, for remote education to be sustainable, teachers need ongoing professional development as well as adequate logistical support.

Heavy Metals in Agricultural Soils of National Capital Region, Delhi: Levels and Ecological Risk

This study was conducted to assess heavy metals concentrations in agricultural soils in the National Capital Region, Delhi. A total of 84 soil samples were collected from selected agricultural areas located near industries, national highways, state highways, Yamuna floodplain, residential complexes, and wastewater irrigated soils. Heavy metal concentrations, pH, and organic carbon (%) were analyzed in the collected soil samples. The average value of pH, and organic carbon (%) in the soil samples were 7.79±0.49 and 0.53±0.17 percent respectively. Average concentrations of heavy metals (mg kg-1) in the agricultural soils were found in the order of Fe > Al > Mn > Zn > Ni > Cr > Cu > Pb > Co > Cd with value as 14916.92, 13538.87, 277.16, 74.53, 35.34, 33.68, 22.94, 18.45, 1.88, and 0.92 . The concentrations of Zn, Ni, and Mn reported in the present study were several times higher than their concentration in Indian natural background soils. A significant potential ecological risk has been noticed in nearly all the agricultural soil samples except for the samples collected nearby residential areas. The contamination factor has shown that most of the soil samples were moderately contaminated with Mn, Ni, Fe, and Cr and some soil samples were considerably to strongly contaminated with Zn, Pb, Cd, and Ni. Wastewater irrigated soils showed a moderate to a strong degree of accumulation of Zn, Cd, and Ni.

Association of Underlying Comorbidities and progression of COVID-19 Infection Among 2586 Patients Hospitalized in the National Capital Region of India: A Retrospective Cohort Study

Objectives This study is conducted to observe the association of diabetes (DM), hypertension (HTN), and chronic kidney disease on the prognosis and mortality of COVID-19 infection in hospital admitted patients.Methods This is a single centre, observational, retrospective study carried out at Sir Ganga Ram Hospital, Delhi, India. the burden of comorbidities on the prognosis and clinical outcome of COVID-19 patients admitted patients from April 8, 2020, to October 4, 2020. Chi-square and relative risk test were used to observe the association of comorbidities and disease prognosis.Results A total of 2586 patients were included in the study consisting of 69.6% of male patients. All the comorbidities were significantly associated with ICU admission and mortality. The relative risk showed that CKD is most prone to severity as well as mortality of the COVID-19 infection followed by HTN and DM. Further with the increase in comorbidity, the risk of ICU admission and mortality increases.Conclusion Diabetes, hypertension and CKD, all are associated with progression of COVID-19 disease to severity and higher mortality risk. The number of underlying comorbid condition is directly proportional to the progression of disease severity and mortality.

Acceptability of reclaimed municipal wastewater in cities: evidence from India's National Capital Region

Willingness to reuse reclaimed municipal wastewater was ascertained through a questionnaire completed by 424 respondents, opinions of 17 experts, and interviews with 15 farmers. Information was collected to assess their knowledge of water scarcity and to determine the influence of demographics, correlation to perceived risk, willingness, challenges, and barriers related to the acceptance of reclaimed water. Most respondents were receptive to the idea of using it for purposes other than drinking, and ‘water conservative’ individuals were inclined towards using it even for drinking. Farmers were concerned about its quality and implications for the health of using it for irrigation. Effective communication between authorities and end-users can promote the idea of reusing greywater and reclaimed water for domestic use, and, eventually, for drinking. These findings will be useful in developing an integrated, practical, and strategic framework for treating wastewater for reuse in other cities not only in India but also in other developing countries.

Prevalence of MRSA and Antimicrobial Susceptibility Staphylococcus aureus in Clinical Samples in National Capital Region, India

Background: Infections caused by Staphylococci are frequently linked to indwelling medical equipment. These are extremely difficult to treat with antibiotics. In India, the prevalence of Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) varies from 30 to 70%, resulting in high mortality, increased economic burden, and high treatment failure in tertiary care hospitals. Rapid and reliable identification of MRSA is critical for infection management and avoiding the needless use of antibiotics. Materials and Methods: This prospective study was carried out in the Department of Microbiology, Santosh Medical College, Ghaziabad, from the 1st of August 2020 to the 31st of January 2021. MRSA isolates were screened and confirmed using standard methods recommended by the Clinical and Laboratory Standards Institute (CLSI). Methicillin resistance, in Staphylococcus aureus strains, was evaluated using oxacillin/cefoxitin. The Kirby-Bauer disc diffusion technique was used to assess the antibiotic susceptibility pattern of all MRSA strains. Results: In this investigation, MRSA was identified in 29.4% of the 384 Staphylococcus aureus strains. When compared to females, men outnumbered females. Cefoxitin detects a greater amount of MRSA than oxacillin. In this investigation, the majority of MRSA was found in pus samples. Conclusion: MRSA prevalence is known to vary depending on geographical region, hospital type, investigated population, and technique of detection used. Given the clinical implications of MRSA infection and its fast transmission capability, MRSA strains must be monitored on a regular basis.

Exploring Frontiers in Electronic Evidence: The Philippine Experience

This paper is the first formal empirical study on electronic evidence (EE) since the promulgation of Rules on Electronic Evidence (REE) by the Philippine Supreme Court in 2001. A basic qualitative research design was employed in the study. A total of 29 litigation lawyers and 13 trial judges from the Province of Cavite and the National Capital Region were the participants in the study. A qualitative survey questionnaire was used to gather data from the participants through Google Docs. Results showed that EE was more commonly presented in criminal cases, a few in civil cases, and none in quasi-judicial and administrative cases. Text messages were found to be the most frequently presented EE at trial. Results further revealed three major themes such as (1) admissibility of EE, (2) authentication of EE, and (3) suggestions on the implementation of REE. The vagueness of REE provisions on the admissibility of electronic evidence results in varying interpretations of judges, which ultimately affect their appreciation of the evidence presented at a trial. The present empirical study would indeed contribute to the scholarly discourse of electronic evidence showcasing the Philippine experience.

Genotype Effects on β-Carotene Conversion to Vitamin A: Implications on Reducing Vitamin A Deficiency in the Philippines

Background: The study aimed to identify two beta-carotene 15,15′-monooxygenase (BCMO1) mutations, namely R267S and A379V, and determine their association with vitamin A status among Filipinos 6 to 19 years old respondents of the 2013 Philippine National Nutrition Survey living in the National Capital Region. Materials and Methods: This study followed cross-sectional design. Whole blood specimen was collected in the morning and was used as source of genomic DNA and serum for retinol concentration determination. Fisher exact test was performed to determine whether genotype frequencies were associated to retinol concentrations/vitamin A deficiency status. A level of P < .05 was identified as significant. Results: A total of 693 Filipino children and adolescents were included. Of the 693, there were at least 7.6% who bears the combined mutations for R267S + A379V. Association analysis showed that an inverse relationship exists between the A379V TT variant and vitamin A status. Although the exact role of these identified polymorphisms on retinol/carotenoid metabolism need to be confirmed in dedicated functional studies. Conclusion: This study has identified for the first time the presence of 2 nonsynonymous genetic variants/mutations in the coding region of BCMO1 gene. Interestingly, one of these two variants, the A379V T, was found to be associated with vitamin A status. It is, therefore, warranted to investigate the role of BCMO1 variants for the success of supplementation programs and fortification efforts among vulnerable populations in this region. Genetic variability should be considered for future provitamin A supplementation recommendations among children and adolescents in the Philippines.