First Report of Rickettsia Asembonensis in Small Ruminants

Rickettsioses is an emerging infectious disease in Southeast Asia caused by different organisms in the Rickettsiae bacterial tribe, a gram-negative obligate intracellular bacterium. There is limited information regarding the vertebrate hosts of Rickettsia spp. This study aims to detect and identify Rickettsia agents present in wildlife and domesticated animals in Malaysia using Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) and sequencing approach with phylogenetic analysis. Rickettsia sp. was detected in 2 (0.67%) of 300 animal blood samples. The positive samples were derived from a goat (5.56% of 18) and a sheep (2.22% of 45). Based on the analysis of the Rickettsia citrate synthase gene (gltA), both sequences demonstrated 99.64% sequence similarity to Rickettsia asembonensis, a species that is known to infect humans and macaques. This study reported for the first time the detection of R. asembonensis in sheep and goats in Malaysian farms, suggesting this species may be adapting in a wider range of animals, specifically farm animals, therefore, poses a zoonotic threat to the local populace particularly to the farm workers or animal handlers. The low infection rate of this pathogen yet is of public health importance highlighted the needs of continuous surveillance of emerging and reemerging pathogens among animal reservoirs.

Trade Potential of Indigenous Ornamental Fishes of Arunachal Pradesh, India

Arunachal Pradesh is rich with networks of drainage systems with enormous wild fish diversity due to varied climatic and topographical features. Most of the streams harbour very alluring small indigenous minnows, loaches, catfishes and barbs that have hardly been exploited for the ornamental fish market. If these aquatic resources are sustainably utilised as a trade commodity, then the pattern of livelihood of the local populace may be uplifted economically. The present investigation was undertaken to establish the market potential of certain indigenous ornamental fishes of Arunachal Pradesh. The survey was conducted during 2019–2020 for 6 months (October–March) based on the feasibility of accessible collections. A total of 52 ornamental fish species under 6 orders and 15 families were documented and collected during the surveys in various streams and rivers. The collection showed that 4 species namely Balitora brucei Gray, 1830, Aborichthys kempi Chaudhuri, 1913, Schistura devdevi Hora, 1935, and Neolissochilus hexagonolepis (McClelland, 1839) were recorded under near threatened; Lepidocephalichthys arunachalensis (Datta & Barman, 1984) and Botia rostrata Günther, 1868, under endangered and vulnerable categories, respectively as per International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) status. The species documented exhibiting natural ornamental features herein considered an indigenous ornamental fish (IOF) for depicting their market demand showing the minimal price of each individual species towards the development of organised trade in Arunachal Pradesh.

Intensity and isoseismal map of 25th November 2007 Delhi earthquake

An earthquake of magnitude ML: 4.3 occurred on 25th November 2007 (2312 UTC) in Delhi with hypocenter at 28.56° N / 77.08° E and focal depth 33.1 km. The epicenter was at about 21 km SW of Delhi University. It was widely felt in and around Delhi and created panic among the local populace. A macroseismic survey was conducted in about ten days starting from 27th November, 2007 at 89 locations covering an area of about 1500 sq. km in Delhi and its neighborhood through a questionnaire. The results of the macroseismic survey allowed establishment of spatial distribution of the earthquake effects in the form of isoseismal map generated using geo-statistical analysis tool of ArcGIS 9.1. The isoseismal map shows that most parts of Delhi region experienced an intensity of V on MMI scale, except on northern most region of Delhi where intensity was found IV. The mean isoseismal radii for the zones V, IV, III and II are 29.13, 57.78, 83.63 and 100.75 km, respectively. The orientation of elongated epicentral track of intensity field shows that the stress release was pronounced along Delhi-Sargodha ridge and earthquake was attributed to activities of this ridge.

Extraction of Rhododendron arboreum Smith flowers from the forest for the livelihood and rural income in Garhwal Himalaya, India

Rhododendron arboreum locally known as ‘Burans', that bears magnificent flowers is one of the valuable non timber forest produces (NTFPs) in Garhwal Himalaya. These flowers are good source of income for local populace and help them to their subsistence up to some extent. R. arboreum flower can help local population to improve their livelihoods if potential harvesting is carried out sustainably. An attempt has been made to estimate the flower yield, examine extraction techniques, marketing trends and various uses of flowers. Stratified random sampling method was carried out in eight sites varying in altitudes and geographic locations. Flower yield kg/ha for each site was calculated as standard process. Questionnaire based survey was carried out in selected villages for flower extraction and marketing trends. Projections of potential (probable/-could generate) income were made and cost–benefit analysis was also estimated. Tree density of R. arboreum ranked first and Q. leucotrichophora had second rank while 16–25 cm cbh class tree density for R. arboreum was found highest across the sites. Flower yield was significantly (p < 0.001) higher at Khirsu site with 26–35 and 46–55 cm cbh class. There was positively significant correlation (n = 446, p < 0.001, r = 0.53) between flower yield and actual cbh. Flower yield has a direct relation with size of tree whereas yield has been less impacted by the sites. Average yield of flowers across the sites was about 25.3 ton/ha. On average 30% households are engaged in the extraction and trade activities with the extraction rate of 25–350 kg/household/year. A net household income of Rs. 6000–37,000 (89–545 USD) per year was computed from Rhododendron flower extraction and marketing business. The total monetary benefit was significantly higher than the inputs for all value added items on a per day basis. R. arboreum plays important role in ecological and economic sustainability of poor rural people and unemployed youths in Himalayan region. This can reduce unemployment through development of small cottage industry and entrepreneurship at village level by making different food products i.e. juice, squash, sauce and pickle etc.

COVID-19 Pandemic Worsening Gender Inequalities for Women and Girls in Sub-Saharan Africa

Pandemics such as COVID-19 have often resulted in international, national and sub-regional crises, with considerable inequities across many societies. With the already existing structural and socio-economic inequalities in sub-Saharan Africa, the stay-at-home orders, lockdowns, and shutdowns across the sub-regional states could worsen and have a tremendous impact on vulnerable groups. Numerous studies across a variety of contexts have well-documented gender, and cultures on varied health outcomes. However, these have not been contextualized in sub-Saharan Africa in the light of the COVID-19 pandemic. This mini review discusses the ways by which COVID-19 has impacted the lives of girls and women across sub-Saharan Africa and the strategies that can help mitigate these challenges. The mini review specifically shares light on a wide array of dimensions where the inequities exist. These include the disproportionate areas affected by COVID-19; household inequities; educational inequalities; work/employment inequalities; disparities related to healthcare, sexual and reproductive health as well as housing inequities. Conclusively, the review accentuates the need for sub-Saharan African countries to adopt low-cost preventive measures such as discouraging mass gatherings (e.g., local community gatherings), and face masking with non-medical cloth like masks for the local populace as these are crucial in managing the spread of the virus among disproportionate women population. For localities with limited access to handwashing facilities, alternative strategies like alcohol-based hand rub solutions could be deployed. The complex interrelated disparities require a broad set of policy actions to lessen the current burden faced by many women in sub-Saharan Africa.

The Abundance and Distribution of Mangrove Gastropods from Kuala Selangor Nature Park, Selangor

This study reports on the abundance and distribution of mangrove gastropods from Kuala Selangor Nature Park, Malaysia (KSNP). The line transect method with quadrats (5m x 5m) was employed to sample the gastropods. Gastropods were collected from the leaves, branches, stems and roots of trees and the mangrove floor. Nineteen gastropod taxa from seven families were recorded from the Bruguiera, mixed (Bruguiera, Avicennia and Rhizophora), Avicennia and Rhizophora zones. Avicennia sp. recorded the largest Girth at Breast Height (GBH) (mean±sd=37.3±18.2 cm) while Bruguiera sp. recorded the smallest GBH (mean=22.36±8 cm). The overall density of the gastropods at KSNP was 0.85 no/m2. The gastropod density was higher at the Avicennia & Rhizophora zone (150-200m (closer to the mudflats) (0.064±0.084 no/m2) followed by the mixed zone (50-150m) (0.046±0.30 no/m2) and lowest at the Bruguiera zone (0-50m) (0.08±0.080 no/m2) (closer to the coastal bund). Gastropod density between sampling zones did not vary significantly (p>0.05) but generally increased from the bund towards the mudflat edge. Further studies of the role of gastropods in the coastal food chain, as bio-indicators of habitat change and as potential food source for local populace are needed.

The transition from hunting–gathering to agriculture in Nubia: dental evidence for and against selection, population continuity and discontinuity

Some researchers posit population continuity between Late Palaeolithic hunter–gatherers of the late Pleistocene and Holocene agriculturalists from Lower (northern) Nubia, in northeast Africa. Substantial craniodental differences in these time-successive groups are suggested to result from in situ evolution. Specifically, these populations are considered a model example for subsistence-related selection worldwide in the transition to agriculture. Others question continuity, with findings indicating that the largely homogeneous Holocene populations differ significantly from late Pleistocene Lower Nubians. If the latter are representative of the local populace, post-Pleistocene discontinuity is implied. So who was ancestral to the Holocene agriculturalists? Dental morphological analyses of 18 samples (1075 individuals), including one dated to the 12th millennium BCE from Al Khiday, near the Upper Nubian border, may provide an answer. It is the first Late Palaeolithic sample ( n = 55) recovered within the region in approximately 50 years. Using the Arizona State University Dental Anthropology System to record traits and multivariate statistics to estimate biological affinities, Al Khiday is comparable to several Holocene samples, yet also highly divergent from contemporaneous Lower Nubians. Thus, population continuity is indicated after all, but with late Pleistocene Upper—rather than Lower Nubians as originally suggested—assuming dental traits are adequate proxies for ancient DNA.

Autonomous Weapons and Reactive Attitudes

The discourse surrounding Autonomous Weapons Systems (AWS) should encourage deeper consideration of how perceptions and reactive attitudes toward AWS could evolve in such a way to no longer reflect their deterministic nature. As AWS become more sophisticated and demonstrate increased behavioral complexity, it may well become more difficult for soldiers and policymakers to continue to view these systems dispassionately. This chapter draws on P.F. Strawson’s work to demonstrate how humans may find it impossible to fully rid themselves of reactive attitudes toward AWS. This chapter goes on to consider the consequences of humans and AWS in a shared environment. Human beings, whether enemy combatants or civilians, may respond to AWS not as sophisticated but ultimately deterministic actors, but rather as free agents and thus targets for feelings of gratitude or resentment. The link between behavior interpretation, perceived agency, and emotional attitudes has important implications for the deployment of AWS. A common argument in favor of AWS is that they would reduce collateral damage in counterinsurgency operations. It is far from certain that even the detached, calculated, and objective decision-making of an AWS would reduce the reactive response of the local populace. This chapter concludes by noting that some resentment to the lethal use of force is inevitable among civilians and combatants and argues that the deployment of an AWS is an unreliable tool for reducing this response.

Development and Sustainability of Rural Economy of Pakistan through Local Community Support for CPEC

This paper investigates the local community support for the China Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) using the lens of social exchange theory. The study examines the direct effect of social, economic, cultural, and environmental factors on the local community support for CPEC projects, and the resultant impacts on the development and sustainability of the rural economy of Pakistan. The study also explores the moderation effect of media influence on shaping positive perceptions of CPEC among the local populace. The local communities at the CPEC route which are affected or can be affected by the project were targeted for data collection using a structured questionnaire. The collected valid data (N = 259) were thoroughly analyzed by obtaining reliability and validity statistics, a correlation matrix, multiple regression, moderation analysis, and hypotheses testing. Our results substantiate that the local community support for the CPEC project is heavily dependent on social, economic, cultural, and environmental factors and that there is a positive influence of media impact as an opinion-maker in the local community regarding the CPEC. The CPEC is expected to develop the rural economy, particularly through improvements in agriculture and allied activities, thereby providing livelihoods and income-generating opportunities to the rural masses. The article is important for regulators, the CPEC authority, government bodies, and the relevant community.

An Analytical Study on Associated Type-II Diabetic Mellitus with ABO Rhesus Blood Groups

Diabetes mellitus (DM) is a metabolic disorder categorized by hyperglycemia subsequent that faults of insulin emission and/or insulin cellular resistance and is the fore most reason for disease and mortality. The ABO blood collections frequently related by numerous illnesses through one blood group added repeatedly grown by the patients of a specific disease. The aim of this learning is to regulate the association among ABO & Rhesus blood groups and Type-2 diabetes mellitus in the local populace of Visakhapatnam. The present study is a hospital depended on the cross-sectional, case-control study, directed over a phase of six months in out-patient units of endocrinology department of a tertiary care hospital. An entire of 332 patients by Type-II DM and 200 age and sex harmonized healthy controls were included. In cases group, out of 332 patients 174(52.4%) were males (vs 113(56.5%) controls) and 158(47.5%) were females (vs 87(43.5%) controls) and about 289(87.04%) patients were found to be Rh+ve type (vs 178(89%) controls). About 91(27.4%) were found to be B-positive (vs 28(14%) controls), 87(26.2%) were O-positive (vs 69( 34.5%) controls ), and 73(22%) are A-positive (vs 62(31%) controls), 38(11.45%) are AB-positive (vs 19(9.5%) controls) , 14(4.2%) are O-negative(vs 3(1.5%) controls), 11(3.3%) are A-negative(vs 10(5%) controls),10(3.0%) are AB-negative(vs 3(1.5%) controls), 8(2.4%) are B-negative(vs 6(3%) controls). There is a suggestion among ABO antigens and Rhesus blood groups by Type-II DM. DM is more common in patients with B blood group and Rh-Positive.