Geotechnical Problems and Performance Studies - Chilla Power Scheme, Hardwar

Thin plastic clay seams existing in the upper Shivalik formations caused hazardous geotechnical problems during the construction of 144 MW capacity Chilla Power House Scheme, Hardwar, India by initiating several land slides. In addition, serious seepage problems occurred with the commissioning of the scheme. The paper describes in detail, the events of slides & seepage problems faced and the remedial measures adopted to counteract them. The data observed on the instruments installed to keep a vigil on the performance of the structure has also been analysed and discussed

A bacterially-expressed recombinant envelope protein from Usutu virus induces neutralizing antibodies in rabbits

Background: Recently, an emerging flavivirus, Usutu virus (USUV), has caused an epidemic among birds in Europe, resulting in a massive die-off in Eurasian blackbirds. Currently found only in Europe and Africa, it can be envisioned that Usutu virus will follow the path of other flaviviruses, like West Nile virus and Zika virus, and will spread via its mosquito vectors and bird hosts to other parts of the world. Several cases of human infections by Usutu virus have already been published. Anticipating this spread, development of an efficacious vaccine would be highly desirable. Method: This study describes the production in E. coli, purification, and refolding of a partial USUV envelope protein. Prior to immunization, the protein was characterized using size exclusion chromatography, transmission electron microscopy and dynamic light scattering, showing the limited presence of virus-like structures, indicating that the protein solution is probably a mixture of mono and multimeric envelope proteins. Results: Immunizations of two rabbits with the refolded E-protein fraction, mixed with a strong adjuvant, resulted in the generation of neutralizing antibodies, as evidenced in an in vitro assay. Discussion: The way forward towards a subunit vaccine against Usutu virus infection is discussed.Microscopic imaging and technolog

Multiferroic thin-film integration onto semiconductor devices

This review deals with thin films of single-phase materials which exhibit two primary ferroic properties, namely ferroelectricity and (anti) ferromagnetism, deposited directly or through buffer layers onto semiconductors. It is the electrical control of ferromagnetism and magnetic control of ferroelectricity at room temperature and resulting device functionality that served as the driving force for the recent widespread research activities in this field. Although Gilbert demonstrated in 1600 that electrostatics (amber) do not couple to magnetostatics (compass needles), charges in motion certainly couple to magnetism, as shown later by Oersted and epitomized by Maxwell's theoretical derivation of the properties of electromagnetic waves. We survey the important contributions of various eminent physicists, from Curie to Dzyaloshinskii and Astrov to Schmid, without whom this field of research might not have developed. Most of the known multiferroic materials are classified into different groups, primarily based on Khomskii's classification of oxide multiferroics. We follow this with a brief discussion on the device application of multiferroics with semiconductor integration.</p

Reaching the poor with adequately iodized salt through the Supplementary Nutrition Programme and Midday Meal Scheme in Madhya Pradesh, India

PROBLEM: In India, adequately iodized salt needs to be made accessible to the most marginalized. APPROACH: In an effort to provide adequately iodized salt to the most vulnerable, in 2009 Madhya Pradesh launched a state-wide initiative through two national flagship nutrition programmes: the Supplementary Nutrition Programme of the Integrated Child Development Services and the Midday Meal Scheme. Programme staff members were taught how to correctly store salt and monitor its iodine content. Field monitors assessed the iodine content of the salt in the common kitchens of participating schools and anganwadi centres monthly. LOCAL SETTING: Madhya Pradesh, a state in central India, is home to a substantial proportion of India’s poor. In 2009, household coverage of adequately iodized salt in the state was nearly 90% among the richest but only about 50% among the poorest. RELEVANT CHANGES: Two hot meals prepared with adequately iodized salt were served daily for more than 21 days per month to approximately 89% of the 12 113 584 children aged 3 to 6 years enrolled in anganwadi centres (June 2011 to March 2012). One meal on school days was served to 78% of 5 751 979 primary-school children and to 79% of 2 704 692 secondary-school children (April 2011 to March 2012). Most of the kitchens visited in 2010 (79%) and 2011 (83%) were consistently using adequately iodized salt to prepare hot meals. LESSONS LEARNT: India has large-scale social safety net programmes for the poorest. Both national and state policies should mainstream the use of adequately iodized salt in these programmes