Analysis of Environmental Factors in Rice Mill Workers of Uttar Pradesh, India

This study was carried out in the Barabanki District, of Uttar Pradesh. In this study a group of 50 healthy workers and another group of (100 exposed) labours working in rice mill workers were randomly selected with ages ranging from 20-35, 35-50, 50-65 years. The blood samples were taken from them and estimation of haemoglobin (Darkbins method), total Leukocyte counts were analysed. The result shows the% of haemoglobin of exposed labours from different age groups 20-35, 35-50, 50-65 are non-significant (P>0.05) Total leukocyte counts in labours of different age groups 20-35, 35-50, 50-65 are insignificant (P<0.05) Results were compared in a mean, and on the basis of period exposure. Considering the hazards of exposure to rice husk dust, this study incorporated the basic haematological parameters, erythrocyte sedimentation rate and the total leukocyte count. The idea was to identify a simple, readily available and cost effective screening test that could help in identifying the presence of disease, its severity, in rice mill workers potentially related to their workplace5. The findings of this study recognized the role of rice husk dust for a longer duration in decline of haematological parameters as per tests conducted among rice mills workers. The present work was undertaken to study the health problems related to the workplace environment of rice mill workers. Diseases of the respiratory system induced by occupational dusts are influenced by the duration of exposure The aim of the study is to investigate the impairment due to environmental factors in rice mill workers. In addition, the amount of dust particle at this station is greater than the standard value of allowance. All workers have restrictive lung conditions related to breathing filled with dust during the milling process every day

Hematological disorders in Rice mill workers of district Shahjahanpur, Uttar Pradesh, India

India is a second largest rice growing countries in the world. A large number of unskilled laborers are employed for paddy processing. In rice mills, most of the workers have shown adverse health effects associated with occupational exposure to rice husk dust (WHO, 1968). Present study was conducted to determine the hematological disorders in rice mill workers in rural/urban areas of Uttar Pradesh. Total numbers of 100 blood samples were collected from rural and urban area from rice mill workers of Shahjahanpur district. Majority of hematological test parameters showed reduced levels in rice mill workers. This study may helpful in preventing longstanding harmful effects of such exposures. It is also useful for preventing environmental risks. It is concluded that rice husk dust causes deterioration of hematological parameters in subjects working at rice mill. The findings of this study recognized the role of rice husk dust for a longer duration in decline of hematological parameters as per tests conducted among rice mills workers

Identification of suitable sites for artificial water tanks in Adigrat town through GIS and remote sensing technique

The Adigrat town sometimes faces a severe shortage of water; this is primarily due to maximum runoff of rain water and lack of water conservation practices. In this study, an attempt is made to identify suitable sites for artificial water tanks for water conservation and augmentation of groundwater through a combination of GPS surveying and GIS based hydro-geomorphic approach in Adigrat town. GPS survey was done to know the magnitude of the problem. Hydro-geomorphological characteristics of Adigrat drainage basin were studied using ASTER data. As a result fourteen sites were identified suitable for artificial water tanks in Adigrat town. These sites were identified on the basis of water accumulation, stream channels order, water need assessment, underground water, rock types. The study will helps in designing a suitable water management plan and flood control for Adigrat town

Active Vibration Control of a Smart Cantilever Beam on General Purpose Operating System

All mechanical systems suffer from undesirable vibrations during their operations. Their occurrence is uncontrollable as it depends on various factors. However, for efficient operation of the system, these vibrations have to be controlled within the specified limits. Light weight, rapid and multi-mode control of the vibrating structure is possible by the use of piezoelectric sensors and actuators and feedback control algorithms. In this paper, direct output feedback based active vibration control has been implemented on a cantilever beam using Lead Zirconate-Titanate (PZT) sensors and actuators. Three PZT patches were used, one as the sensor, one as the exciter providing the forced vibrations and the third acting as the actuator that provides an equal but opposite phase vibration/force signal to that of sensed so as to damp out the vibrations. The designed algorithm is implemented on Lab VIEW 2010 on Windows 7 Platform.Defence Science Journal, 2013, 63(4), pp.413-417, DOI:http://dx.doi.org/10.14429/dsj.63.486

Supervariable and BRST Approaches to a Toy Model of Reparameterization Invariant Theory

We apply the geometrical supervariable approach to derive the appropriate quantum Becchi-Rouet-Stora-Tyutin (BRST) and anti-BRST symmetries for the toy model of a free scalar relativistic particle by exploiting the classical reparameterization symmetry of this theory. The supervariable approach leads to the derivation of an (anti-)BRST invariant Curci-Ferrari (CF)-type restriction which is the hallmark of a quantum theory (discussed within the framework of BRST formalism). We derive the conserved and off-shell nilpotent (anti-)BRST charges and prove their absolute anticommutativity property by using the virtues of CF-type restriction of our present theory. We establish the sanctity of the existence of CF-type restriction (i) by considering the (anti-)BRST symmetries for the coupled (but equivalent) Lagrangians, and (ii) by proving the symmetry invariance of the Lagrangians within the framework of supervariable approach. We capture the off-shell nilpotency and absolute anticommutativity of the conserved (anti-)BRST charges within the framework of (anti-)chiral supervariable approach (ACSA) to BRST formalism. One of the novel observations of our present endeavor is the derivation of CF-type restriction by using the modified Bonora-Tonin (BT) supervariable approach (while deriving the (anti-)BRST symmetries for the target spacetime and/or momenta variables) and by symmetry considerations of the Lagrangians of the theory. The rest of the (anti-)BRST symmetries for the other variables of our theory are derived by using the ACSA to BRST formalismComment: LaTeX file, 26 pages, no figure

BHUx: A Patent Polyherbal Formulation to Prevent Atherosclerosis

Ayurvedic medicine is a time-tested system of medicine which has been in clinical use for centuries in India. Being a time-tested system, it has an edge over other existing systems of health management, especially for dealing with chronic disorders such as coronary artery disease, which is of a complex multi-etiological nature. Recently, we have shown that BHUx, a patented polyherbal formulation consisting of the aqueous fraction of five medicinal plants of the ayurvedic system, has significant anti-inflammatory properties through inhibition of cyclooxygenase-2 and lipoxygenase-15. Here we have investigated its effect on diet-induced atherosclerosis in albino rabbits. BHUx was given orally for 3 months to rabbits pre-treated with an atherogenic diet for 3 months. After 6 months, the dorsal aorta was processed for histological studies for calcium and collagen content. The results demonstrated a remarkable reduction in intimal thickening in the treated animals. In addition, there was less calcification at the intima–medial interface and increased intensity of collagen cap on the surface along with an increase in survival, compared with the sham control. We suggest that BHUx is a potent, multi-factorial formulation against atherosclerosis