DELIBERATE SELF-POISONING IN SOUTH ODISHA: STUDY OF ITS CLINICAL PROFILE AND OUTCOME

Objective: Deliberate self-poisoning is a serious global issue that contributes to significant morbidity and mortality all over the world. The present study was conducted with an objective to identify the common agents used for self-poisoning prevalent in South Odisha and to determine the common clinical features and outcome of such cases. Methods: This cross-sectional observational study was conducted on 200 patients with deliberate self-poisoning belonging to the age group of 15–70 years over a period of 2 years from August 2017 to September 2019 in Maharaja Krishna Chandra Gajapati Medical College and Hospital, Berhampur, Odisha, India. All the above-mentioned patients admitted to the hospital, were treated with specific antidotes according to the poison ingested. Results were analyzed using appropriate standard statistical methods such as mean, standard deviation, and percentage. Results: Out of 200 patients, majority were female (65%, n=130) and 35% (n=70) were male; mean age was 38.9 (±16.8) years. Organophosphates, aluminum phosphide, glyphosate, organochlorines, and carbamates were the most common pesticides used as poisoning agents (74.5%, n=149) followed by plant poisons (7%, n=14) which included yellow oleander seed. Overall mortality in our study was 12.5%. Conclusion: Pesticides and plant poisons were the common agents used in our study for deliberate self-poisoning. Young persons, illiterates, and housewives were commonly involved in suicide attempts. Organophosphate caused majority of deaths

Enhancement of Mechanical, Thermal and Morphological Properties of Eleusine Indica Grass Fiber Reinforced Epoxy Composites

This research focuses on developing a new material by reinforcing chemically treated Eleusine Indica (EI) fiber with epoxy resin as matrix. Composites using varying wt% of treated EI fibers were fabricated taking epoxy as matrix. The effect of chemical treatment and fiber loading on various mechanical properties, thermal, and morphology using a scanning electron microscope (SEM) was investigated. From the results obtained, it is obvious that the mechanical and thermal properties of composites reinforced with chemically treated fibers were enhanced due to fiber surface modification which helps in better bonding with matrix. Moreover, the composites with 20 wt% fiber concentration shows good tensile strength, Young’s modulus, impact strength and was found to be 79.31MPa, 3.84 GPa, 32.24 KJ/m2 respectively. At this fiber loading the composites were characterized by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), X-ray diffraction (XRD), and thermogravimetric (TGA) and compared with untreated fiber reinforced composites and neat epoxy. Finally, the failure analysis of fracture surface due to delimitation, pull-out of the fibers, percentage of voids, and composite fracture has been verified using scanning electron microscope. The findings provide manufacturers and engineers with a general concept of how to employ the composites to make low-weight automotive parts for improved fuel efficiency

CIFSRF final technical report : Scaling up small millet post-harvest and nutritious food products project (CIFSRF Phase 2)

This work was carried out with the aid of a grant from Canada’s International Development Research Centre (IDRC), and with financial support from the Government of Canada, provided through Global Affairs Canada (GAC)This report details the scaling up of two innovations: 1) appropriate scale small millet hulling and processing machines 2) development and production of appealing small millet foods. The project employed “on-site business incubation” of small and medium enterprises, and customised capacity building of cottage enterprises and Farmers Producer Organizations (FPOs). 26 cottage enterprises, two micro enterprises and 14 NGOs have begun production and marketing of small-millet-based food products. 173 processing units have been supplied for small millet processing in 54 districts in 10 States; 1015 tonnes of millet rice and grits have been produced, reaching 288,500 consumers

Framework for Adoption of Clean Energy Products in Urban Areas

Urban development and clean energy are two crucial components of sustainable development. Cities around the world are facing increasing pressure to reduce their carbon footprint and ensure that they are equipped to meet the energy needs of their growing populations. The use of clean energy for urban development has become an important topic of discussion as it presents a unique opportunity to address both of these challenges simultaneously. The present paper focuses on various aspects such as the benefits for transition to adopt clean energy, developing a framework for adoption of clean energy products for urban areas, possible clean energy products and to understand the satisfaction level of the consumers using the clean energy products in the urban areas of Bhubaneswar, Odisha

Empowering rural south Odisha: A clean energy entrepreneurship approach for sustainable development

The current paper focuses on the process of developing clean energy entrepreneurs to facilitate the abundant adoption of clean energy products in rural areas of South Odisha, India. Southern part of the state of Odisha, is characterized by its rich cultural and ecological diversity significance, and it faces the challenges of energy access which subsequently leads to slowing down the socio-economic development of the region. Background: The present study focuses on developing a framework on the role of clean energy entrepreneurs in adoption of clean energy technology or the clean energy products and also further it also focuses on design and development of a solar operated Agri-pesticide sprayer. Method: A case study method is used to, identify the major barriers to clean energy adoption in the rural regions of South Odisha and also explore the different entrepreneurial steps undertaken to overcome the challenges. Moreover, the paper also focuses on the collaborating efforts between the local entrepreneurs, government agencies, and various non-profit organizations so as to create a supportive ecosystem for achieving sustainable development. Results: The findings of the study aims to inform policy makers, Government, etc. that there is a need to collaborate in order to adopt clean energy products so that it will help in paving a way for achieving sustainable development

Use of Clean Energy Product - A Path Towards Attainment of Quality of Life

Improving the economy and safeguarding sustainability are major challenges of the present day. Clean energy offers the solution to both. Adoption of clean energy is important for human development, economic progress of the region, societal growth and improved quality of life. Adoption of clean energy has no negative externalities. Sun, wind, hydro, tidal, etc. are some of the examples of clean energy sources. This paper consists of two sections. First section focuses on design and development of a hybrid type of solar dryer by using a solar flat plate collector and the second section emphasises on a case related to adoption of solar operated lights in rural areas of Odisha followed by status of adoption of solar operated lights both in rural and urban context in the state of Odisha, Eastern India

Effect of Foliar Feeding with Nutrients and Bioregulators on Yield and Quality Attributes of Litchi cv. Bombai

Litchi (Litchi chinensis Sonn.) is considered one of the most important sub-tropical fruits of the world. In the western part of Odisha, India, litchi growers are facing problems of unstable and lower marketable yield and inferior quality due to a higher incidence of fruit cracking, fruit drop, low sugar content, and higher fruit acidity. Keeping in mind the positive effects of nutrients and bioregulators, the current study was conducted to elucidate their impact on fruit yield and quality in the farmers’ field of Jamankira block in Sambalpur district of Odisha, which is under the care of Odisha University of Agriculture and Technology, India. For this study, eight-year-old litchi trees were selected. With 12 treatments, the experiment was set up in a Randomized Block Design replicated thrice, as follows: T1: spray treatment with Borax—0.5%; T2: spray treatment with Borax—0.3%; T3: spray treatment with ZnSO4—0.75%; T4: spray treatment with ZnSO4—0.5%; T5: spray treatment with CaCl2—0.5%; T6: spray treatment with CaCl2—0.1%; T7: spray treatment with humic acid—1.5%; T8: spray treatment with humic acid—1%; T9: spray treatment with seaweed extract—0.5%; T10: spray treatment with seaweed extract—0.1%; T11: foliar spray with NAA—20 ppm; and T12: control (Water Spray). The current study compared foliar feeding treatments comprising different nutrient and bioregulators, which were applied during the first week of December, just after the completed formation of new leaves and the untreated control. The highest total number of fruits per plant was recorded in plants sprayed with 0.5% ZnSO4 (T4) followed by those treated with 1% humic acid (T8). The highest total fruit yield was recorded in plants subjected to foliar feeding with 0.3% Borax (T2) which was found to be statistically similar to plants treated with 0.1% seaweed extract (T10) and 0.5% seaweed extract (T9). Among the treatments, a better response, i.e., a higher number of marketable fruits and marketable yield, was recorded in litchi plants treated with 0.3% Borax (T2) followed by 0.5% zinc sulphate (T4), 1% humic acid (T8), and 0.1% CaCl2 (T6). The application of 1% humic acid (T8) followed by 1.5% humic acid (T9) enhanced fruit setting (%) and fruit retention rates (%) and reduced the fruit drop rate (%). The enhanced fruit size (fruit length and fruit width) and higher fruit weight was obtained in litchi plants treated with 0.3% Borax. The foliar application of 0.3% Borax (T2) also resulted in a higher TSS, total sugars, reducing sugar content, lower acidity, the highest aril weight, and lower seed weight in litchi cv. Bombai. In this research, among the five principal components, only PC1 demonstrated approximately 45.14% variability within the influential axes. PC1 contributed the highest proportion (48.9%) to the overall variability, followed by PC2 with 29.1%, PC3 with 11.9%, PC4 with 0.59%, and PC5 with 0.20%. Consequently, the outcomes of the principal component analysis indicate the presence of extensive variability among treatments