Serologic evidence of human leptospirosis in and around Kolkata,India:A clinico-epidemiological study

Objective:To investigate the prevalence of leptospirosis among patients from within and outside Kolkata.India,attending the Calcutta School of Tropical Medicine,for treatment during August 2002 to August 2008.Methods:The leptospirosis cases were determined on the basis of clinical, epidemiological,and biochemical factors,and were tested for leptospiral antibodies using IgM ELISA.Serum samples with absorbance ratio≥1.21 were interpreted as reactive.Results:The commonest presentation involved fever,headache and jaundice.The male-female ratio was 61:46.A total of 65(64.20%) cases had abnormal liver and renal functions respectively,and 57.1% had both the abnormalities.The highest incidence(75.35.04%) was recorded in SeptemberOctober followed by July-August(53.24.77%).The reactive cases had absorbance ratios between 1.21 and 8.21.and 53 showed equivocal result,while IgM non reactivity were seen in 90 patients (absorbance ratios 0.10-0.90).The patients responded to treatment with parenteral antibiotics, penicillin,ceftriaxone and cefotaxime;follow up did not reveal case fatality.Conclusions:The cardinal signs of leptospirosis help in making clinical diagnosis,but in any hyper-endemic situation any patient reporting with acute lever and signs of pulmonary,hepatic or renal involvement should be suspected to have leptospirosis and investigated accordingly.Increased awareness,and early diagnosis and treatment,can reduce mortality due to leptospirosis.

Synthetic Detergents (Surfactants) and Organochlorine Pesticide Signatures in Surface Water and Groundwater of Greater Kolkata, India

An assessment on the concentration of surfactants and pesticides of chlorinated hydrocarbon group in surface and groundwater, is made from Greater Kolkata located in the Western Ganga Delta, one of the largest urban agglomerate in Asia. Concentration of both anionic synthetic detergents and organochlorine pesticide resi-dues analysed from 54 and 19 sampling stations covering groundwater and surface water sources respec-tively, are generally found to be within the tolerance limit for human consumption. The concentration of synthetic detergent ranges from 0.084 to 0.425mg/l. Residues of organochlorine pesticides are analysed from different sources like tanks, lakes, rivers and groundwater. Lindane (0.01-0.43μg/l) and DDT (0.03-0.65 μg/l) are the most widely detected pesticide residues. Howerer, the two have not exceeded the limits for drinking anywhere. High value of aldrin and dieldrin (0.9μg/l) is obtained in the river Hugli at Barakpur-Seoraphuli, 20 km north of Kolkata. Likewise high value of Heptachloreis detected in a canal water sample at Palta (0.05 μg/l), a suburban area. Seasonally, the pesticide concentration in surface water is maximum during winter due to their higher application and minimum during monsoon. In groundwater, however, this relationship is reverse due to higher infiltration of surface water during monsoon.

Clinical and hematological study of canine Ehrlichiosis with other hemoprotozoan parasites in Kolkata,West Bengal,India

Objective:To observe other hemoprotozoan diseases with canine ehrlichiosis und to evaluate the clinical and hematological aspects of dogs naturally infected with ehrlichiosis with other hemoprotozoun diseases.Methods:Blood was collected for hematological value and Giemsa stained blood smear was made for diagnosis of Ehrlichia sp.and other hemoprotozoan parasites from naturally infected dogs.Case history was taken from the owner and clinical signs and symptoms were noted.Results:A total of 47 cases of ehrlichiosis in dogs were reported with babesiosis(8.51%)and hepatozoonosis(6.38%)hemoprotozoan diseases.Ehrlichia cams,Ehrlichia ewingii,Brucella canis,Babesia gibsoni and Hepatozoon canis were observed under oil immersion lense of microscope in Giemsa stained peripheral blood smears.Marked anaemia and neutrophilic leukocytosis were observed.Conclusions:The results of this study stated that clinical and haeinatological changes occurred in canine ehrlichiosis with babesiosis and hepatozoonosis due to parasitemia.In mixed infection,the disease more severe,and also it depended on immunity of animals.Babesia gibsoni and Hepatozoon canis with Ehrlichia sp.were first reported from West Bengal state of India by this study.

Transformation and risk assessment of the East Kolkata Wetlands (India)using fuzzy MCDM method and geospatial technology

The East Kolkata Wetlands (EKW) is located on the eastern periphery of the city of Kolkata and extends up to theBidyadhari-Matla River confluence. It is a Ramsar Site and acts as an absorber basin for a large number of con-taminants drained from Kolkata. Agricultural lands, sewage-fed fisheries, garbage dumping fields, horticulture,and built-up areas are included in this protected area, that covers approximately 125 km2. It reveals that climatechange reduces the variety of wetland ecosystem services and increases socio-economic vulnerability and eco-nomic stress. The human encroachment, reclamation of land for agriculture, aquaculture, and urban expansion inand around Kolkata has recently adversely threatened the EKW. The remotely sensed data, socio-economic data,and responses of inhabitants have been used to analyse the EKW’s risk and vulnerability. We employed geospatialanalysis by using the Multi-Criteria Decision Making (MCDM) method using nine risk factors. An in-depth analysisof the EKW using geospatial techniques and the Fuzzy Analytic Hierarchy Process (FAHP) helped to understandthe EKW transformations through vulnerability and risk analysis. The results show that the transformation of thewetland to aquaculture, eutrophication and pollution, road proximity, waste dumping, population density, andgrowth are the main factors for the deteriorating health, quality, and environment of the EKW. It also reveals thatquantitative and qualitative evaluations of ecosystem services, wetland degradation, transformation, and cause-effect rapport should be periodically assessed using scientific methods like FAHP, RS, GIS to formulate resilient,integrated plans and strategy for the sustainable management of the EKW.

Studies on Interrelations among SO₂, NO₂and PM₁₀Concentrations and Their Predictions in Ambient Air in Kolkata

In this paper we have first of all studied the interrelations among the concentrations of SO2, NO2 and PM10 and then predicted their future level of concentrations in the ambient air of Kolkata. The data collected from West Bengal Pollution Control Board website have been used to construct second degree, third degree and four degree polynomial equations using MATLAB software. Since a curve in a small interval can be approximated by a line segment in that small interval, we have observed that better result can be achieved if we replace the curves piece meal wise in small intervals by line segments during January-April, May-August and September-December months. The multiple regression equations among the aforesaid three parameters have been established to predict the value of each parameter in terms of the remaining two. A further improvement in terms of reducing the number of dependent variables has been made using the results of correlation coefficients. Finally, we have predicted the value of each parameter in terms of only one dependent variable.

Butterfly Diversity in Relation to Human-Impact Gradient in Out-skirts of Kolkata,West Bengal,India

Anthropogenic activities may affect species diversity and community structure.Butterfly species diversity in relation to human-impact gradient was evaluated in the Baruipur subdivision,outskirts of Kolkata metropolis,West Bengal,India as a model geographic area.Four study sites situated in bird sanctuaries,rural,suburban and urban areas with different levels of anthropogenic disturbances were selected to assess the human impact on butterfly diversity.A total of 80 butterfly species were recorded during the entire study period with the sanctuary(with minimal anthropogenic disturbance)showing the highest species richness(73)followed by rural(62),suburban(54)and urban(36)study sites indicating a strong negative impact of anthropogenic disturbance on butterfly species diversity.Butterfly species diversity varied significantly among different habitats(p˂0.001).The relative abundance of butterflies also varied seasonally.It is apparent that the area under the present study is able to sustain diverse butterfly species provided natural habitats are protected from anthropogenic disturbances and steps are taken to increase urban greenery to support butterfly diversity and consequent ecosystem services.

印度Kolkata贫民区内霍乱所造成的经济负担:一项前瞻性社区研究情况

Aims: To conduct a prospective, community based study in an impoverished urban site in Kolkata (formerly Calcutta) in order to measure the burden of cholera, describe its epidemiology, and search for potential risk factors that could be addressed by public health strategies. Methods: The study population was enumerated at the beginning and end of the study period. Surveillance through five field outposts and two referral hospitals for acute, watery, non bloody diarrhoea was conducted from 1 May 2003 to 30 April 2004. Data and a stool sample for culture of Vibrio cholerae were collected from each patient. Treatment was provided in accordance with national guidelines. Results: From 62 329 individuals under surveillance, 3284 diarrhoea episodes were detected, of which 3276 (99% ) had a stool sample collected and 126 (4% ) were culture confirmed cholera. Nineteen (15% ) were children less than 2 years of age, 29 (23% ) had severe dehydration, and 48 (38% ) were hospitalised. Risk factors for cholera included a household member with cholera during the period of surveillance, young age, and lower educational level. Conclusions: There was a substantial burden of cholera in Kolkata with risk factors not easily amenable to intervention. Young children bear the brunt not only of diarrhoeal diseases in general, but of cholera as well. Mass vaccination could be a potentially useful tool to prevent and control seasonal cholera in this community.

文化认同的传承与创新：印度加尔各答华人的多元化宗教信仰研究

作为对印度加尔各答华人研究的一部分,本文基于田野调查获得的资料,从文化认同的理论视角,探讨了在南亚唯一唐人街及华人社区生活的加尔各答华人多元化宗教信仰。通过对其宗教信仰中"中国传承"和"住地创新"两方面内容的归纳分析,揭示出在印度加尔各答华人社区内,独特的中国及印度元素兼备的华人多元化身份特征及文化认同。

BTEX in Ambient Air of a Metropolitan City

The environmental fate, global warming effect and human health risk from mono aromatic VOCs are of major concerns among many consequences of their anthropogenic emission. In more than a yearlong study (November 2003 to February 2005) of the city air in Kolkata, India at different seasons in three different sites, the seasonal mean benzene and toluene concentrations varied between 13.8–72.0 μg/m3 and 21.0–83.2 μg/m3 respectively along all the sites. The environmental distribution and load of BTEX (Benzene, Toluene, Ethylbenzene and isomers of Xylene) in different environmental compartment was estimated using a multimedia mass balance model, TaPL3. The total environmental load of BTEX together was estimated to be 9.7 × 104 kg. Contribution of Kolkata metropolitan city towards global warming due to environmental emission of BTEX has been estimated as 1.9 × 105 tons of carbon dioxide equivalent per year which is about 1.1% of yearly direct CO2 emission the city. The consequence of BTEX emission towards human health has been estimated in terms of non-cancer and cancer risk in population due to their inhalation exposure. The cumulative lifetime cancer risk for benzene and ethylbenzene was found to be higher than the acceptable value and range between 3.0 × 105 and 8.9 × 106 in three sites, although the non-cancer health risk was found to be within acceptable limit.

加尔各答华人华侨的多元宗教信仰与身份认同

虽然印度加尔各答华人华侨人数不多,其影响力和成就也可能与其他地区的华人华侨无法相比,然而200余年以来,华人华侨在印度的生存智慧与生活经历不可忽视。宗教信仰方面,加尔各答的华人华侨除了保留自己的民间信仰外,还在不同时期信仰了佛教、基督教和印度教,宗教认同理论中有关身份的单一和叠合观点有助于我们认识华人华侨复杂的身份认同现象。一方面,中国民间信仰的跨国传播建构出印度华人的单一身份,另一方面,佛教、基督教、印度教等宗教跨族传播建构出印度华人的叠合身份。加尔各答华人单一身份的形成与其随时准备返回祖籍地有关,而他们的叠合身份则更有利于他们在印度生活下去。

加尔各答的华侨华人：移民模式与职业特性

从十九世纪的早期移民、二十世纪早期的中国难民、二战后到加尔各答的移民、职业特性等方面阐述了加尔各答华侨华人的移民模式、经济特性、努力奋斗成为当地居民的过程及其为当地经济发展所作的贡献。

依旧是“客人”:印度加尔各答客家人认同的重塑

从奥兰多·帕特森的种族定义入手,探讨加尔各答客家人种族认同的构成,就加尔各答客家人而言,有三个因素对确立和维持其认同具有重要意义:即国家和民族政治、不同种族从事不同职业的分层制经济和东道国以"洁"与"不洁"之间的象征性对立为基础的宗教制度。种族、种姓、语言和宗教是维持种族认同的几个重要因素。种族认同会随着条件的变化而发生转变,由于职业、教育和政治环境迥然不同,客家人其认同轨道会截然不同。

印度加尔各答华人的生存困境及其原因探析--心理文化学的视角

论文从印度加尔各答华人社区的衰落与生存困境、印度文明传统环境下华人的生存适应与社会融入障碍、中国文化传统影响下印度华人心理文化调适的局限等方面,探讨了华人在印度社会中的心理调适过程及其心理社会均衡的实现情况。华人在印度社会遇到的是种姓制度、宗教认同和单惠型为主的交换模式,与华人的家族及宗族认同、信用借贷型为主的交往模式产生了较大冲突。这种冲突使华人与印度社会形成隔绝,并难以实现社会地位、安全、情感等方面的满足。印度华人根据生存环境调整生存策略,以符合华人基本人际状态的方式,实现心理与社会的内外交互平衡,却又加剧了其封闭性、保守性,使其未能成功利用印度社会的制度和文化谋求自我发展、实现自我革新,因而诉诸外部世界,通过再移民来寻求解决这些问题的途径和新的发展机会。这是造成印度华人社会持续衰落的内在根源。

印度加尔各答非政府组织对流动女性援助项目的介绍与分析

随着城市化的发展,越来越多的女性流动人口涌入城市,这带来一些问题。针对流动女性的特殊性,加尔各答的非政府组织采取了相关的项目援助,如贾巴拉行动研究组织为流动女性提供车站安保工作,杜巴委员会为松那加齐红灯区的性工作者提供医疗援助等。文中分析了这些项目的援助特点,即项目多从流动女性的实际需要考虑,扎根于流动女性居住点,项目服务性明显,运营周期长,影响范围广等。非政府组织对流动女性的援助让她们认识到了自己的价值,有助于她们更加积极地融入城市生活。这有利于消除城市化进程中的一些不稳定因素,促进城市的发展、社会的和谐,有利于国家与国际社会的和平与发展。

印度加尔各答市区外围一地的露尾甲物种组成、多度和季节性发生（英文）

【目的】印度大部分露尾甲在腐烂的水果和蔬菜上大量发生,其种群在一年中表现出明显的季节性波动。据推测,露尾甲种群很大程度上依赖于温度、湿度和降雨之类的环境因子。【方法】本研究调查了2013-2015年印度加尔各答市区外围一地Garia的露尾甲物种组成、季节性发生和种群结构,记录了其活跃时期、季节性多度和影响其发生的因素。【结果】调查期间在调查地共发现数目不等的6个物种。其中最常见露尾甲为Urophorus humeralis,它是个体数量最多的物种且在一年中几乎所有月份均有发生;其他常见物种为Epuraea ocularis和E.luteola。不同物种在食物发酵的连续阶段进入诱捕器中。最初12 h被捕获的是Epuraea属的种类,而在诱捕器中食物严重腐烂的后续阶段发现最多的是U.humeralis。在合适范围的气温(22~29℃)和相对湿度(82.5%~86%)下,物种丰富度最高,表明这些环境变量对露尾甲种群具有重要影响。【结论】加尔各答主要水果和蔬菜在季风后季节种植,在季风后季节取食这些作物的露尾甲发生量(物种丰富度和多度)最高。这一研究结果可能有助于制定针对这些甲虫的有效田间治理策略。

Exploring the factors affecting urban ecological risk:A case from an Indian mega metropolitan region

Assessment of ecological risk(ER)is a key approach to adapting and mitigating ecological deterioration in cities of developing countries.In developing countries,the ecological landscapes such as vegetation cover,water bodies,and wetlands are highly vulnerable due to rapid urban expansion.Therefore,urban ER(UER)assessment and its drivers are crucial to guide ecological protection as well as restoration.This study aims to explore the spatiotemporal pattern of UER and the impact of urban spatial form on UER in the Kolkata Megacity Region(KMR),India.This study developed a UER index and used spatial regression models across the urban centres.The ER has been assessed at city scale as well as grid-scale(2 km x 2 km and 5 km x 5 km)from 2000 to 2020.The results showed that ER has substantially increased over the last 20 years.The urban centres with very high and high ER substantially increased,i.e.from 21.95%in 2000 to 31.70%in 2020.Kolkata and its surrounding urban centres were mostly characterized by very high and high ER.ER was influenced by spatial variables(such as land use and landscapes pattern).However,remote sensing parameters were weakly related to ER.The spatial lag model(SLM)(R^(2)=0.8686)was found to be better fit model than spatial error model(SEM)(R^(2)=0.8661)and ordinary linear regression model(OLS)(R^(2)=0.8641).Thus,the findings of the study can improve research and a comprehensive framework for urban ecological resources and provide a scientific basis for urban ecosystem planning and restoration.In addition to this,it will guarantee the sustainable utilization of urban ecosystems.

Developing an integrated urban ecological efficiency framework for spatial ecological planning:A case on a tropical mega metropolitan area of the global south

Rapid urbanization has emerged as one of the most critical challenges to ecological sustainability in urban areas.In developing countries,the degradation of the ecosystem is more prominent due to the lack of urban planning.Thus,it has become urgent for researchers to identify the ecological efficiency(EE)changes imposed by urban expansion and promote sustainable land use planning.This study aims to develop a comprehensive urban ecological efficiency(UEE)framework in the Kolkata Metropolitan Area(KMA),India,from 2000 to 2020.Principal component analysis(PCA)was used to develop a remote sensing-based UEE index(UEEI)based on five effective ecological parameters(Greenness,Dryness,Heat,Wetness and vegetation health.A single sensitivity parameter was also calculated to determine the role of a single parameter based on which management strategies can be carried out.The findings showed that(i)there were substantial deteriorations of UEE in the last 20 years.In 2000 the areas with good EE were about 65.5%which declined to 53.72%in 2010 and 20.87%in 2020.The areas with good UEE decreased 68%and 61%from 2000 to 2020 and 2010 to 2020,respectively;(ii)the areas with good UEE were 52%in 2000,while 38%in 2010.Most urban centres(Bhadreshwar,Champdani,Srirampur,Bally,Howrah,Kamarhati,Baranagar,Dum Dum,South Dum Dum,Rajarhat,Bidhannagar)located around the Kolkata megacity are characterized by poor and very poor EE(ranges of 0.60-1.00).Thus,spatiotemporal pattern of UEE could assist to clarify the administrative responsibilities as well as obligations.In addition to this,the UEE framework can help for scientific guidance of urban ecosystem protection and restoration through comprehensive spatial landscape planning.

Modelling of urban growth boundary using geoinformatics

Urban growth boundary(UGB)is a regulatory measure of local government for delineating limits of urban growth over a period of time.Land within the UGB allows urban development,while the land outside of this boundary remains primarily non-urban.The increasing popularity of UGB demands an easy and effective method to design this boundary.This article introduces a new concept,Ideal Urban Radial Proximity(IURP),to designate a spatial UGB using geoinformatics in the digital environment.The Kolkata urban agglomeration was considered to demonstrate this model.Remotely sensed imageries of three temporal instants(years 1975,1990 and 2005)were considered to determine the information on urban extent and growth of the city.These data were then used as inputs to model the UGB for the years 2020 and 2035.The proposed model discourages scattered development and increase in urban growth rate.It preserves urban vegetation,water bodies and any other important non-urban areas within the inner city space.The IURP concept will also be useful to make the cities circular and polycentric urban blobs into a monocentric tract.Apart from the proposed model and derived results,this research also proves the potential of geoinformatics in modelling a UGB.

Influence of land cover features on avian community and potential conservation priority areas for biodiversity at a Ramsar site in India

Background:Wetlands provide diverse ecological services to sustain rich biodiversity,but they are recklessly exploited around the globe.East Kolkata Wetlands(EKW;Ramsar site No.1208,~125 km^(2))was once very rich in faunal diversity that declined over the years due to various anthropogenic pressures.In such scenarios,effective management plans need to contemplate local and landscape level initiatives and prioritize areas for conservation.Studying the foraging guild structure and spatial patterns of relationship between bird and its environment provides important insight of ecological processes of avifauna.Thus,we carried out extensive surveys in 142 point count stations to explore the diversity and foraging guild structure of birds in EKW.We addressed two important questions that how bird diversity varied from the outer periphery of the city towards the wetlands and how bird diversity is influenced by land cover features at local and landscape level in wetland complex.The goal of this study was to prepare a spatial map of avian diversity and to find the conservation priority areas for birds in this internationally recognized wetland complex.Results:We recorded 94 species of birds and the Shannon diversity index values ranged between 1.249 and 3.189.We found that the avian diversity increased with increasing distance from city periphery.Omnivores and insectivores were the dominant foraging guilds,followed by carnivores,granivores,frugivores and piscivores.Generalized Linear Models revealed that bird communities were positively influenced by areas of wetlands,dikes and banks,agricultural field and emergent vegetation,and negatively influenced by built-up area.In the projected spatial map of species diversity,74.15 km^(2)area has high diversity.Finally,we identified 12.82 km^(2) of top 10%conservation priority areas.Conclusions:Low bird diversity near city periphery is related to habitat degradation due to anthropogenic pressure.Dominance of omnivores and insectivores indicates a possible impact of urbanization in EKW.We suggest that a mix of agricultural field,wetland areas and emergent vegetation helps to sustain a greater avian community.Besides,protection of conservation priority areas,restoration of the degraded habitats and reduction of threats(particularly in the north-eastern parts of EKW near the city periphery)will ensure the conservation of avifauna,and also the overall biodiversity of EKW.

加尔各答市地表温度与不透水面比例季相相关性研究

城市化的显著特征是自然地表不断被热容量大的不透水面取代,进而造成城市热岛效应和严重的城市生态问题。孟中印缅经济走廊是古代南方丝绸之路的重要路段和"一带一路"建设的重要战略通道,加尔各答市是孟中印缅经济走廊印度境内的重要节点城市,战略地位重要,对其城市化进程及与地表温度相关性研究对孟中印缅经济走廊印度段建设具有重要的借鉴意义。传统地表温度与不透水面的相关性研究主要以年为时间尺度,较少关注城市不同季相地表温度与不透水面的相关性及其差异。以热带季风气候的季相区分为依据,基于旱季、雨季和凉季3个季相的Landsat 8影像反演了加尔各答市地表温度和不透水面比例,定量研究两者的关系,探讨了地表温度与不透水面比例的季相相关性。结果表明:(1)研究区内,低温和高温空间分布相对比较集中,高温区域集中在建成区,而低温主要分布在茂密植被覆盖区和水体区域;(2)加尔各答市从旱季到雨季再到凉季热岛效应程度总体呈下降趋势,旱季时城市热岛效应最强,凉季时城市热岛效应最弱;(3)每个季相,地表温度与不透水面比例都呈正相关,地表温度随着不透水面比例增加均呈现先快速上升,后缓慢增加,最后急剧增加的趋势,其中旱季时地表温度增长最快,雨季时地表温度增长次之,凉季时地表温度增长最慢。加尔各答市热环境研究将对孟中印缅经济走廊印度段城市热环境背景及生态效应认知等方面产生积极意义。