Sustainable design & construction Of long span bridges

With the growing awareness of environmental protection, one of the critical concerns while undertaking major infrastructure projects the world over is sustainability. Sustainability can be defined as the art of designing a project so that resources are available for generations to come, duly considering the environmental, ecological, economic and socio-cultural environments. Hence major bridge projects all over the world are now gearing up to meet the sustainability requirements besides techno-economical issues. Sustainability is the maxim of the 21st century. Business as usual energy and consumer practices are under scrutiny in the wake of depleting natural resources and food shortages In addition, with global warming becoming a real concern, energy conservation andcarbon reduction are major considerations in such projects during not only design and construction phase but also service. Integration of aesthetics poses another dimension to the challenge

Maternal serum levels of pregnancy—associated murine-l (PAMP—l) during pregnancy in the rabbit

An ELISA was developed to measure for the first time serum levels of Pregnancy—Associated Murine Protein- 1 (PAMP—l) throughout pregnancy in the rabbit. In rodents serum levels of PAMP-l are regulated by growth hormone Unlike the pregnancy-assoeiated rise in serum levels in pregnant mice and rats, PAMP-l did not increase significantly during pregnancy in the rabbit

Influence of dietary fats on plasma cholesterol and body weight in Indian desert gerbils (Meriones hurrianae Jerdon)

Two groups of Indian deseit gerbils (Mertones hurrianae; Jordon) were fed diets containing different fats of plant origin for a period of 10 weeks. The control gerbils had 5 % peanut oil (PNO) whereas the experimental groups were fed with 5% Rice bran 011 (R30). After feeding for 10 weeks, the growth of the female gerbils fed RBO was significantly lower (p < 0.01) than that of RNO fed female gerbils. The growth difference between the male and female gerbils with respect to PNO was not however significant. There was no significant difference between the male and female groups with respect to liver weight. The RRO fed gerbils seemed to have low cholesterol level in the serum with significantly different levels between the males and females (1) < 0.01). T hus, the present studies suggest that Indian desert gerbils are sensitive to a cholesterol lowering effect ofvegetable oils and that these animals could be used as an experimental animal model instead of rats for evaluating the effect ofvarious dietary fats

Zinc status and its association with the health of adolescents: a review of studies in India

Background: Zinc is important in adolescence because of its role in growth and sexual maturation. Adolescents from developing countries such as India may be at high risk of zinc deficiency because of unwholesome food habits and poor bioavailability of zinc from plant-based diets. Objectives: (1) to study zinc status and its association with profile of other micronutrients, (2) to construct a simple tool in the form of Adolescent Micronutrient Quality Index (AMQI) to assess quality of diets of the girls and (3) to examine the effect of zinc supplement on health of adolescent girls. Methods: Girls (10–16 years) from two secondary schools of Pune, Maharashtra state, in Western India were enrolled in a cross-sectional study (n = 630). Data were collected on dietary intake, cognitive performance, taste acuity, haemoglobin, erythrocyte zinc and plasma levels of zinc, vitamin C, β-carotene and retinol. AMQI was developed using age–sex-specific Indian dietary guidelines and healthy foods and habits described in the recent US dietary guidelines. Zinc-rich recipes were developed considering habitual diets of the girls and vegetarian sources of zinc. An intervention trial (n = 180) was conducted to assess the effect of zinc-rich dietary supplements and ayurvedic zinc (Jasad) supplementation. Results: Prevalence of micronutrient deficiencies was high in these girls. Poor cognitive performance was seen in half of the girls, and salt taste perception was affected in 45%. AMQI was correlated with nutrient intakes and blood micronutrient levels (p < 0.01), indicating the potential of AMQI to measure micronutrient quality of diets of adolescent girls. Results of the intervention trial indicated that supplementation of zinc-rich recipes vis-a-vis ayurvedic Jasad zinc has the potential to improve plasma zinc status, cognitive performance and taste acuity in adolescent girls. Conclusion: Review of the studies on Indian adolescent girls demonstrates the necessity of adopting zinc and micronutrient-rich diets for positive health building in adolescents

Utilization Of IEC By Middle Level Health Personnel In The Implementation Of National Nutrition Programmes

Research question: Extent of utilization of the information, Education and Communication (IEC) components in the implementation of national nutrition programmes by middle level health personnel. Objectives: (i) To assess the knowledge of paramedics with regard to nutrition concepts and programmes and also (ii) to find out the current level of utilization of IEC inputs in the delivery of nutrition programmes. Study design: Cross- sectional, questionnaire survey. Setting: Regional Training Centres for Male and Female Health Workers located in the State of Andha Pradesh, India. Sample size: A total of 211 in â€" service trainees. Participants: Multipurpose Health Assistants (Male an Female), Multipurpose Health Supervisor (Male and Female) and Multipurpose Health Extension Officers. Study Variables: Socio- economic, health enhancing lifestyles, nutrition knowledge, mass media and small media utilization. Statistical analysis : Percent frequencies and mean scores with standard deviation, correlations. Results: Middle level health personnel scored well in nutrition knowledge. But their utilization of IEC tools in programme implementation and community education was not satisfactory. Use of print and broadcast media to update their nutrition knowledge was poor. A significant correlation was observed among variables like nutrition knowledge, mass media and small media utilization

LEAF VENATION STUDIES IN INDIAN SIDA (MALVACEAE)

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