Journal of Pre-College Engineering Education Research (J-PEER) Annual Report from January 1, 2021, to December 31, 2021

This annual report includes the Journal of Pre-College Engineering Education Research’s readership metrics and statistics, authorship metrics and trends, and our reflections on 2021. In the last year, the Journal of Pre-College Engineering Education Research started to publish special issues and the editorial team has been working to transform pre-college engineering education

QUANTIFICATION OF ASH AND SELECTED PRIMARY METABOLITES FROM NON-EDIBLE PARTS OF SEVERAL FRUITS

Objective: Fruit peel and seeds are generally considered as waste and it creates a trouble in waste management. Economic value and use of the plant partially dependent on the quantitative and qualitative aspects of their organic reserves like sugar, starch, protein etc. The purity of material is associated with the ash analysis. The present study was aimed to analyze selected fruit waste for their ash content and primary metabolites.Methods: Selected fruit waste was collected, cleaned, dried and powdered. This powdered material was used for analysis. Total ash value, water soluble ash value, and acid insoluble ash were analyzed. Methods proposed by Nelson for total and reducing sugar, Chinoy for starch and Bradford for protein were adopted for estimation of primary metabolites.Results: Highest content of total ash was recorded 12.73±0.1% in watermelon peel (WMP), acid insoluble ash 0.94±0.05% in cucumber peel (CC) and water soluble ash was highest in WMP i.e. 11.44±0.05%. Pomegranate peel (PGP) recorded the maximum amount of total and reducing sugar 44.35±0.20 mg/gdw and 45.68±0.04 mg/gdw respectively. Mango seeds were recorded for highest starch content i.e. 21.86±5.45 mg/gdw. Watermelon peel (WMP) showed the highest protein content i.e. 32.35±0.66 mg/gdw in comparison with other fruit waste materials.Conclusion: The outcome of this study might prove important in reducing waste and also in industries fruit waste can be utilized as raw materials having commercial importance. Secondary metabolites or bioactive compounds can be synthesized by using these primary metabolites. Obtained findings can lead to a great interest in fruit waste pharmaceuticals.Â

Review of experiences: recurrent pregnancy loss with reproductive outcome in pregnant women

Background: Recurrent pregnancy loss (RPL) is an important reproductive health issue, affecting 2%–5% of couples. Research into why miscarriage happens is the only way we can save lives and prevent future loss. In this study we estimate the percentage of babies who survived beyond the neonatal period in a RPL clinic and to identify associated factors.Methods: A retrospective cohort study including 128 women seen at a clinic for RPL in loss group between 2016 and 2018 and a control group including 180 pregnant women seen at a low-risk prenatal care unit. Reproductive success rate was defined as an alive-birth, independent of gestational age at birth and survival after the neonatal period. All the date was statically reviewed and analyzed.Results: Out of 115 who conceived, 105 (91.3%) had reproductive success rate. There were more full-term pregnancies in the control than in the loss group (155/180; 89.6% versus 67/115; 58.3%; p<0.01). The prenatal visits number was satisfactory for 97(84.3%) women in the loss group and 112(62.2%) in the control (p<0.01). In this, the beginning of prenatal care was earlier (13.5 ±4.3versus 18.3±6.1weeks). During pregnancy, the loss group women increased the weight more than those in the control group (57.4% versus 47.8% p=0.01). Although cervix cerclage was performed in 41/115 (35.7%) women in the loss group, the pregnancy duration mean was smaller (34.6±5.1 weeks versus 38.2±2.5 weeks; p<0.01) than in the control group. Due to gestational complications, cesarean delivery predominated in the loss group (71/115; 61.7%versus 69/180; 38.3%, p<0.01).Conclusions: A very good reproductive success rate can be attributed to greater availability of healthcare services to receive pregnant women, through prenatal visits scheduled or not, cervical cerclage performed on time and available hospital care for the mother and newborn

Morphometric analysis of the mandibular ramus and its clinical and medicolegal significance

Background: During natural calamities entire skeleton of single person could not be found. In such case, determination of sex with fragments of the bone available required range of data with proven accuracy. Hence this study is aimed at to provide range of data for minimum number of parameters of the ramus of the mandible.Methods: Three hundred dry mandibles of known sexes and bearing all teeth or intact alveolar margin were included in the study. Vertical height; maximum and minimum breadths of the ramus of the mandible were measured. All the data were analyzed for significance of the occurrence in relation to sex and laterality by means of paired t-test.Results: On the basis of all the three parameters together, we got 95% accuracy in determination of sex. Statistically significant differences were found in all parameters between male and female mandibles. The laterality distributions for all the parameters were found to be insignificant.Conclusions: Accurate determination of sex from the available bone fragments such as the ramus of the mandible required wide number of data from the least parameters that could be utilized medicolegally

Prevalence of thyroid dysfunction and impact on maternal and fetal outcome in Central Indian pregnant women

Introduction: Thyroid dysfunctions have become common endocrine problems in pregnant women. It is now well established that not only overt, but subclinical thyroid dysfunction also has adverse effects on maternal and fetal outcome. There are very few data from India about the prevalence of thyroid dysfunction in pregnancy. In this study, we determined the prevalence of thyroid dysfunction in pregnancy and its impact on obstetrical outcome in Central Indian Indore Pregnant Women.Methods: Total 300 pregnant women between the 13 and 26 weeks of gestation were recruited for this study who is residing in Indore. In all patients routine obstetrical investigations, TSH tests were done. Anti-TPO antibody tests and Free T4 were done in patients with deranged TSH. The obstetrical and perinatal outcomes were recorded. Almost all the patients were followed up to delivery.Results: The prevalence of hypothyroidism and hyperthyroidism was 13 and 4%, respectively. Adverse maternal effects in overt hypothyroidism included preeclampsia (22.2 versus 11.6%) and placental abruption (22.2 versus 2.0%). Subclinical hypothyroidism was associated with preeclampsia (30.0 versus 11.6%) as compared to the euthyroid patients. Adverse fetal outcomes in overt hypothyroidism included spontaneous abortion (22.2 versus 6.6%), preterm birth (44.4 versus 30.0%), low birth weight (66.6 versus 30.0%), intrauterine growth retardation (33.3 versus 10.0%), and fetal death (22.2 versus 0%) as compared to the euthyroid women. Adverse fetal outcomes in subclinical hypothyroidism included spontaneous abortion (2.0 versus 6.6%), preterm delivery (5.2 versus 30.0%), low birth weight (11.2 versus 30.0%), and intrauterine growth retardation (4.4 versus 10 %) as compared to the euthyroid women.Conclusions: The prevalence of thyroid disorders was high in our study with associated adverse maternal and fetal outcomes. Routine screening of thyroid dysfunction is recommended to prevent adverse fetal and maternal outcome

Personal Hygiene and Self-Reported Handwashing Practices among Food Handlers of a Medical College in Delhi

Introduction: Food handlers play a major role in ensuring food safety as mishandling and disregard for personal hygiene on their part may result in food borne- illness outbreaks.Methodology: Cross sectional observational study involving about 44 food handlers presently working were included. With structured proforma, details of socio- demographic data and self reported personal hygiene and handwashing practices were carried out. Results: Majority of the study subjects had satisfactory or good personal hygiene. Significantly greater number of study subjects working as servers or helpers had a better status of hygiene as compared to the cooks. Personal income was significantly associated with the status of personal hygiene of the study subjects. Although majority of them were using soap for handwashing after defecation and micturition but only few were using it at the workplace. Although all of them were brushing/ cleaning their teeth, 50% were doing it only once in a day. Majority of them were taking bath in summers while 9% were not taking bath in winters. Majority of them were trimming their nails on a regular basis while 2.3% didn’t cut their nails at all. Majority of them used to take medicine during diarrhea while only 2.3% used to take leave from work during illness. Most of them reported using towel to wipe the sweat. Most of them either covered their mouth or turned their face away from food while coughing/ sneezing. While 56.8% reported that they chased the stray animal, 20.4% said that animals never entered the premises, 2.3% had the habit of offering food to them.Conclusion: There is a lot of scope for improving the standards of personal hygiene practices of food handlers. Important personal hygiene habits that help in prevention of contamination of food should be included in the content of health education sessions

Habitat selection by an avian top predator in the tropical megacity of Delhi: human activities and socio-religious practices as prey-facilitating tools

Research in urban ecology is growing rapidly in response to the exponential growth of the urban environment. However, few studies have focused on tropical megacities, and on the interplay between predators’ habitat selection and human socio-economic aspects, which may mediate their resilience and coexistence with humans. We examined mechanisms of breeding habitat selection by a synanthropic raptor, the Black Kite Milvus migrans, in Delhi (India) where kites mainly subsist on: (1) human refuse and its associated prey-fauna, and (2) ritualised feeding of kites, particularly practised by Muslims. We used mixed effects models to test the effect of urban habitat configuration and human practices on habitat selection, site occupancy and breeding success. Kite habitat decisions, territory occupancy and breeding success were tightly enmeshed with human activities: kites preferred areas with high human density, poor waste management and a road configuration that facilitated better access to resources provided by humans, in particular to Muslim colonies that provided ritual subsidies. Furthermore, kites bred at ‘clean’ sites with less human refuse only when close to Muslim colonies, suggesting that the proximity to ritual-feeding sites modulated the suitability of other habitats. Rather than a nuisance to avoid, as previously portrayed, humans were a keenly-targeted foraging resource, which tied a predator’s distribution to human activities, politics, history, socio-economics and urban planning at multiple spatio-temporal scales. Many synurbic species may exploit humans in more subtle and direct ways than was previously assumed, but uncovering them will require greater integration of human socio-cultural estimates in urban ecological research

Habitat selection by an avian top predator in the tropical megacity of Delhi: human activities and socio-religious practices as prey-facilitating tools

Research in urban ecology is growing rapidly in response to the exponential growth of the urban environment. However, few studies have focused on tropical megacities, and on the interplay between predators’ habitat selection and human socio-economic aspects, which may mediate their resilience and coexistence with humans. We examined mechanisms of breeding habitat selection by a synanthropic raptor, the Black Kite Milvus migrans, in Delhi (India) where kites mainly subsist on: (1) human refuse and its associated prey-fauna, and (2) ritualised feeding of kites, particularly practised by Muslims. We used mixed effects models to test the effect of urban habitat configuration and human practices on habitat selection, site occupancy and breeding success. Kite habitat decisions, territory occupancy and breeding success were tightly enmeshed with human activities: kites preferred areas with high human density, poor waste management and a road configuration that facilitated better access to resources provided by humans, in particular to Muslim colonies that provided ritual subsidies. Furthermore, kites bred at ‘clean’ sites with less human refuse only when close to Muslim colonies, suggesting that the proximity to ritual-feeding sites modulated the suitability of other habitats. Rather than a nuisance to avoid, as previously portrayed, humans were a keenly-targeted foraging resource, which tied a predator’s distribution to human activities, politics, history, socio-economics and urban planning at multiple spatio-temporal scales. Many synurbic species may exploit humans in more subtle and direct ways than was previously assumed, but uncovering them will require greater integration of human socio-cultural estimates in urban ecological researchPeer reviewe

SEASONAL VARIATION IN THE PHYTOPLANKTON BIODIVERSITY OF CHANDLODIA LAKE

Abstract: Extensive and rapid growth of planktonic algae, caused by an increased input of nutrients is a common problem in lakes. Eutrophication and excessive algal growth reduces water clarity, inhibits growth of aquatic plants, extensive oxygen depletion, accumulation of unsightly, decaying of organic matter, unpleasant odours, and killing of fishes. Chandlodia lake is also facing the similar problem. The study of phytoplankton biodiversity in Chandlodia lake was carried out seasonally during March 2012 to February 2013. The phytoplanktons were collected and were identified by using Sedgwick Rafter counting cell. In Chandlodia lake the phytoplankton&apos;s recorded with huge amount were Cylinderospermum sp. Microcystis sp., Phormidium sp., Oscillatoria sp., Chlorella sp., Pediastrum sp., Navicula sp., and Synedra sp. The presence of this phytoplankton in huge amount indicates that the water of Chandlodia lake is polluted, as they are good indicator of pollution. And it was also found that phytoplankton growths of cyanophyceae group were dominated over chlorophyceae, bacillariophyceae and euglenophyceae group