Showing papers in "Journal of the Indian Institute of Science in 2022"
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TL;DR: In this paper , the authors provide a recollection of India's response and management of the HIV/AIDS epidemic, challenges, and successful model building, and future challenges that play important role in sustaining the epidemic at a lower level and plan for reducing the future transmissions.
Abstract: Indian HIV/AIDS numbers during the 2000s did not reach the high proportion of estimations provided by the WHO and UNAIDS. The number of HIV infections was high around 2.4 million in the 2020s, but given the country’s population of 1.38 billion, the general positivity rate remained very low compared with several countries. There were several reasons for a successful control of the epidemic in India, for example, setting-up of the National AIDS Control Programs, strategic priorities, surveillance and data management, mathematical modeling, and coordinating with the civil society and galvanizing public response. In this review article, we will provide a recollection of India’s response and management of the HIV/AIDS epidemic, challenges, and successful model building, and future challenges that play important role in sustaining the epidemic at a lower level and plan for reducing the future transmissions.
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TL;DR: In this article , the authors present a broad overview of the necessary technologies for a large-scale quantum internet, mainly from a photonics perspective, focusing on devices or components that may enable the quantum internet.
Abstract: In the century following its discovery, applications for quantum physics are opening a new world of technological possibilities. With the current decade witnessing quantum supremacy, quantum technologies are already starting to change the ways information is generated, transmitted, stored and processed. The next major milestone in quantum technology is already rapidly emerging—the quantum internet. Since light is the most logical candidate for quantum communication, quantum photonics is a critical enabling technology. This paper reviews the hardware aspects of the quantum internet, mainly from a photonics perspective. Though a plethora of quantum technologies and devices have emerged in recent years, we are more focused on devices or components that may enable the quantum internet. Our approach is primarily qualitative, providing a broad overview of the necessary technologies for a large-scale quantum internet.
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TL;DR: It is highly crucial to monitor and evaluate the biological burden of plasticizing phthalates in humans and understand the potential mechanisms of etiological link between pervasive exposure to phthalate and development of chronic diseases such as cancer through epigenetic and/or genetic alterations.
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TL;DR: A brief review about development, processing and characterisation of bioresorbable metallic scaffolds is presented and focus is placed on metals/alloys as material for scaffold preparation.
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TL;DR: The seriousness of the pandemic along with the zoonotic origin of the virus has been a red alert on the critical need for collaboration and cooperation among human and animal health professionals, as well as stakeholders from various other disciplines that study planetary health parameters and the well being of the biosphere as mentioned in this paper .
Abstract: Interface with animals has been responsible for the occurrence of a major proportion of human diseases for the past several decades. Recent outbreaks of respiratory, haemorrhagic, encephalitic, arthropod-borne and other viral diseases have underlined the role of animals in the transmission of pathogens to humans. The on-going coronavirus disease-2019 (COVID-19) pandemic is one among them and is thought to have originated from bats and jumped to humans through an intermediate animal host. Indeed, the aetiology, severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), can infect and cause disease in cats, ferrets and minks, as well as be transmitted from one animal to another. The seriousness of the pandemic along with the zoonotic origin of the virus has been a red alert on the critical need for collaboration and cooperation among human and animal health professionals, as well as stakeholders from various other disciplines that study planetary health parameters and the well-being of the biosphere. It is therefore imminent that One Health principles are applied across the board for human infectious diseases so that we can be better prepared for future zoonotic disease outbreaks and pandemics.
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TL;DR: As the world reeled under successive waves of the COVID-19 pandemic, Koop’s words strike a deep chord that without the public health systems currently in place, CO VID-19 could have been disastrous for us humans.
TL;DR: A survey of recent developments in the area of Galois representations and automorphic forms can be found in this article , with a particular focus on the author and Thorne's work on symmetric power functoriality for modular forms.
Abstract: Abstract This survey reports on some of the recent developments in the area of Galois representations and automorphic forms, with a particular focus on the author and Thorne’s work on symmetric power functoriality for modular forms.
TL;DR: The Indian biomedical landscape has been characterized by the existence of somewhat polarized institutional structures and professional growth as mentioned in this paper , which has led to silos of excellence and accomplishment with huge gaps in innovation and implementation.
Abstract: The Indian biomedical landscape has been characterized by the existence of somewhat polarized institutional structures and professional growth. While some scientific and public health challenges have been met with existing structures, there is still a large unmet scientific and public health need. Broadly, the physical separation of science, engineering, medical campuses and industry has led to silos of excellence and accomplishment with huge gaps in innovation and implementation. The lack of inter-disciplinary educational options has further reinforced the cultural underpinning of "guilds" that have found it difficult to collaborate. Strikingly, with almost a comparable number of institutions that train doctors in the allopathic or traditional disciplines such as Ayurveda, Unani etc., an "integrative medicine" framework has not emerged, apart from an over reliance on specialization at the expense of primary care. This paper is written by two physician-scientists, the first is located in a basic life science research center. The second, a practicing family physician, from the institutional anchor of a life sciences research institution. In this, we trace our experiences, primarily from a principal investigator's perspective, describing the scientific projects and try to explore the lessons learnt along the way. We will first describe the research in the lab's core area of human cervical cancer progression and our more recent effort with Dengue genomics and vaccine design. We then describe the lab's engagement with medical campuses and other agencies as well as review our various meetings and interactions so far with our colleagues from Africa to grasp what might be the "generalizable lessons" for the future. The Indian council of medical research initiated a program with Africa in health sciences. Building upon those interactions, we have taken some incremental steps in that direction and described our efforts.
TL;DR: The article has been organized along three general themes: health and the wider ecological systems, diet and finally, and crucially, the role of the physician, which introduces some critical concepts and evidence pertaining to planetary health.
TL;DR: In this article , a survey of connections between the representation theory of quantum affine algebras and the representation of current quantum algebra can be found, focusing mainly on the finite-dimensional representations of these algebraic structures.
Abstract: In this survey, we review some of the recent connections between the representation theory of (untwisted) quantum affine algebras and the representation theory of current algebras. We mainly focus on the finite-dimensional representations of these algebras. This connection arises via the notion of the graded and classical limit of finite-dimensional representations of quantum affine algebras. We explain how this study has led to interesting connections with Macdonald polynomials and discuss a BGG-type reciprocity result. We also discuss the role of Demazure modules in this theory and several recent results on the presentation, structure and combinatorics of Demazure modules.
TL;DR: In this article , the authors outline the importance of studying disease dynamics through environmental sampling from wildlife in India and how ecological parameters of both the virus and the host community may play a role in mediating cross-species spillovers.
Abstract: The current pandemic caused by the SARS CoV-2, tracing back its origin possibly to a coronavirus associated with bats, has ignited renewed interest in understanding zoonotic spillovers across the globe. While research is more directed towards solving the problem at hand by finding therapeutic strategies and novel vaccine techniques, it is important to address the environmental drivers of pathogen spillover and the complex biotic and abiotic drivers of zoonoses. The availability of cutting-edge genomic technologies has contributed enormously to preempt viral emergence from wildlife. However, there is still a dearth of studies from species-rich South Asian countries, especially from India. In this review, we outline the importance of studying disease dynamics through environmental sampling from wildlife in India and how ecological parameters of both the virus and the host community may play a role in mediating cross-species spillovers. Non-invasive sampling using feces, urine, shed hair, saliva, shed skin, and feathers has been instrumental in providing genetic information for both the host and their associated pathogens. Here, we discuss the advances made in environmental sampling protocols and strategies to generate genetic data from such samples towards the surveillance and characterization of potentially zoonotic pathogens. We primarily focus on bat-borne or small mammal-borne zoonoses and propose a conceptual framework for non-invasive strategies to tackle the threat of emerging zoonotic infections.
TL;DR: In this paper , a set of normative statements that should underpin the use of technology in health systems are presented. And five technology levers to enable those shifts are discussed, and the intersections and synergies between technology and the other pillars of health systems, namely, human resources, financing, governance and citizens' engagement are discussed.
Abstract: Just as the COVID-19 pandemic highlighted the inadequacies of our current health systems and rekindled the debate around universal health care, the Lancet Citizens’ Commission on Reimagining India’s Health System was launched in late 2020. As a part of the commission, we articulated how technology can enable universal health care. We begin by stating the foundational values—a set of normative statements—that should underpin the use of technology in our health systems. Then, after summarising the paradigm shifts necessary to achieve citizen-centred universal health care, we articulate five ‘technology levers’ to enable those shifts. Finally, we describe the intersections and synergies between technology and the other pillars of health systems, namely, human resources, financing, governance and citizens’ engagement.
TL;DR: In this paper , the authors introduce the basic ideas of QOC, discuss practical challenges, and then take an overview of the diverse QOC methods, including asymptotic methods, direct search, gradient methods, variational methods, machine learning methods, etc.
Abstract: Quantum controls realize the unitary or nonunitary operations employed in quantum computers, quantum simulators, quantum communications, and other quantum information devices. They implement the desired quantum dynamics with the help of electric, magnetic, or electromagnetic control fields. Quantum optimal control (QOC) deals with designing an optimal control field modulation that most precisely implements a desired quantum operation with minimum energy consumption and maximum robustness against hardware imperfections as well as external noise. Over the last 2 decades, numerous QOC methods have been proposed. They include asymptotic methods, direct search, gradient methods, variational methods, machine learning methods, etc. In this review, we shall introduce the basic ideas of QOC, discuss practical challenges, and then take an overview of the diverse QOC methods.
TL;DR: In this paper , the authors explored the public health practices to understand the different practices to examine how both public health and translational research can cross-fertilise, and concluded with a short discussion on implications on policymakers.
Abstract: Public health is defined as the science of protecting the safety and improving the health of communities through education, policy-making and research for the prevention of disease (Gatseva and Argirova in J Public Health 19(3):205–6, 2011, 10.1007/s10389-011-0412-8; Winslow in Mod Med 2(1306):183–91, 1920. 10.1126/science.51.1306.23; What is public health. Centers for Disease Control Foundation. Centers for Disease Control, Atlanta, https://www.cdcfoundation.org/what-public-health ; What is the WHO definition of health? from the Preamble to the Constitution of WHO as adopted by the International Health Conference, New York, On 7 April 1948. The definition has not been amended since. 22 July 1946; signed by the representatives of 61 States (Official Records of WHO, no. 2, p. 100) and entered into force, 19 June;1948. https://web.archive.org/web/20190307113324/https:/www.who.int/about/who-we-are/frequently-asked-questions ). Translational research in healthcare is not only useful and satisfying for the researchers to bring their work to market but it would also support public health by bringing affordable, attainable and scalable solutions to the community at large. This is of high significance because instead of increasing the GDP spent in public health, we should focus on the increasing the translational research spending, as this would lead to improved solutions. Hence, the public health offering would reach a larger community at an improved cost. The COVID-19 pandemic and the huge number of lives it claimed exposes challenges in the public health. The pandemic has caused economic and social disruption to millions of people around the world, with many falling into extreme poverty. In early 2021, it was estimated nearly 690 million people are undernourished and by end of 2021 to increase further by 132 million (Joint statement by ILO, FAO, IFAD and WHO. Impact of COVID-19 on people's livelihoods, their health and our food systems https://www.who.int/news/item/13-10-2020-impact-of-covid-19-on-people's-livelihoods-their-health-and-our-food-systems ). The spending for public health has increased many folds during the pandemic and this is where translational research in healthcare can play a transformative role to reduce the burden on government healthcare budget (Covid-19 and its impact on Indian society. https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/readersblog/covid-19-and-its-impact-on-india/covid-19-and-its-impact-on-indian-society-27565/ ). Over the past decade, public health research has started playing a major role in Indian academic settings. COVID-19 pandemic has further highlighted the role of public health. However, the potential of using technological advancement has not been fully utilised. This is where translational research and public health can play a role to tap the full potential of technology. This review paper explores the public health practices to understand the different practices to examine how both public health and translational research can cross-fertilise. It concludes with a short discussion on implications on policymakers.
TL;DR: In this article , microstructural and chemical analysis of the metallic phase and its morphology revealed the presence of a layer of titanium metal that forms in the fast reduction reaction step in less than 5 h, after which the reaction rate slows down significantly before terminating in 16 h.
Abstract: Abstract In the FFC-Cambridge process, the cathodic dissociation of oxide and CO/CO 2 production on carbon anode is the basis for metal production in a CaCl 2 bath. Using an inert intermetallic anode, the CO 2 evolution can be eliminated altogether with acceleration in the electro-reduction kinetics. In the presence of a carbon anode, the cathodic dissociation of TiO 2 suffers from slow reduction kinetics of TiO 2 to Ti metal, which can be enhanced significantly by the incorporation of alkali species in the TiO 2 pellet at the cathode and in the CaCl 2 bath in the presence of an intermetallic inert anode. With inert anode and incorporation of K + -ion in the TiO 2 matrix and in the salt bath, nearly full metallization with greater than 99% of Ti metal containing 1500 ppm of oxygen was possible to achieve in less than 16 h of electro-reduction. The microstructural and chemical analysis of the metallic phase and its morphology revealed the presence of a layer of titanium metal that forms in the fast reduction reaction step in less than 5 h, after which the reaction rate slows down significantly before terminating in 16 h. The investigation showed that two different types of microstructures of metallic titanium were evident—a thin sheet-like material on the outer periphery of the reduced pellet and the dendritic core which was found to be under the peripheral sheet of the metallic layer. The mechanism of morphological and microstructural changes in the reduced form of titanium metal is explained.