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Food fortification with micronutrients is one of the cost-effective and sustainable methods to prevent micronutrient deficiencies at community level. The rice fortified with iron, folic acid, and vitamin B12 is being supplied through various social welfare schemes in India in a phased manner and planned to cover the entire country by March 2024. We have conducted a situational analysis to assess the rollout of fortified rice supplied through the Public Distribution System (PDS) and to evaluate the accessibility, availability, acceptability, and utilization of fortified rice by the beneficiaries of the PDS. This was a mixed-method, sequential exploratory study conducted in six districts from six different states of India that had begun distribution of fortified rice through PDS in pilot mode during 2020-2021. In each district, the district supply officer of the PDS, Food Corporation of India (FCI) or State Food Corporation (SFC) warehouse supervisor, and four Fair Price Shop (FPS) dealers were interviewed. Under each FPS, a minimum of seven beneficiary households were randomly selected and interviewed using a structured questionnaire. The in-depth interviews were conducted with different stakeholders using theme guides. All the interviewed stakeholders were aware about their roles and responsibilities and purpose to distribute fortified rice. There was a continuous supply of fortified rice (across all visited districts) to beneficiaries through a well-established system. Acceptability and compliance to intake of fortified rice was good with no reported gastrointestinal adverse outcomes following fortified rice intake. There was an efficient roll-out of fortified rice though PDS with a good compliance to intake of fortified rice. It is feasible to design and conduct a study to assess the impact of fortified rice on anemia and iron storage at the community level.

Excess molar volume, excess isentropic compressibility, deviation in viscosity and excess Gibbs free energy for activation of viscous flow for binary mixtures of propargyl alcohol (J) with benzyl aldehyde (J1), benzylamine (J2) and benzyl alcohol (J3) components with selected compositions were determined from the measured values of densities (ρ), viscosities (η), and speeds of sound (u) of pure components and their mixtures from 303.15 K to 313.15 K. The effect of various functional groups on the excess properties has been discussed in terms of attractive forces between the components. The results of the Jouyban-Acree model are discussed in terms of the mean relative deviation and individual relative between the calculated and experimental densities, speed of sound, and viscosities as an accuracy criterion.FTIR studies have also been added to confirm the experimental findings of the investigated mixtures [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

(1) Information Technology (IT) Business Process Outsourcing (BPO), the largest employment sector of India, contributes to rapid economic growth. However, the work of IT employees is sedentary, and the food environments of their worksites expose them to an obesogenic environment. This study aimed to assess their metabolic and lifestyle risk factors. (2) Methods: To examine the health and nutrition status of IT employees, anthropometric, biochemical and clinical assessments were conducted among 183 employees from three IT organizations of varied operational sizes. Their health-, diet- and physical activity-related practices were assessed using a questionnaire. The prevalence of MetS was assessed. Selected biomarker levels were assessed and associated with their self-perceived stress levels. (3) Results: The median age of the employees was 30 years (26–35 years). While 44.02% of employees were overweight, 16.85% of employees were obese. About 3.89% of employees were found to be diabetic, and HDL-C levels were lower than recommended in 64.93% of employees. In all, 29.87% of the study population were considered to have metabolic syndrome since they had metabolic risk scores ≥ 3. Those with metabolic syndrome were significantly older (p = 0.000), and levels of MDA (p = 0.003), homocysteine (p = 0.001), IL-6 (p = 0.017) and IL-4 (p = 0.000) were significantly higher among them. Although the prevalence of MetS was significantly lower among those aged >30 years, the lifestyle risk factors were significantly higher among them. (4) Conclusions: The assessed parameters indicate a high risk of developing NCDs among employees in the IT industry in India. This shows the need for the modification of lifestyle and workplace food and physical activity environments.

The uncontrolled spread of (mis)information, news and propaganda related to COVID 19 created an ‘infodemic’ leading to panic and unscientific practices among the mass. With the largest number of internet users in the world, India has witnessed a steep rise in the number of people seeking information on social media related to COVID-19, which reached a staggering 22.3 million by March, 2020. This study aimed to evaluate the trend of COVID-19 associated food and nutrition news search by Indian internet users between 27th January 2020 to 30th June 2021 (time period between the first detected COVID-19 case and the end of the second wave in India) and its impact on their perceptions and practices. The association between the change in Relative Search Volume (RSV) on Google Trends (GT) of 34 popularly searched keywords classified by the researchers under 5 different categories—“Immunity”, “Eating behavior”, “Food safety”, “Food scares and concerns” and “Covid scare” showed a steep rise in search for immunity boosters, vitamin supplement brands “ayush kadha (ayurvedic decoction) during the first wave (April- August 2020). With a brief period of decline in the search trend, it again hiked correspondingly with the growing number of positive cases during the second wave in India. An online survey conducted on adult Indian internet users (n = 572) reported high (71.9%) consumption of Vitamin C rich fruits as well as Vitamin C (68.2%) and Zinc (61.4%) supplements to boost immunity. Traditional Indian spices like ginger and garlic were used by 62.9% and 50.9% respondents respectively. Most respondents reported to rely on social media for gathering COVID-19 associated tips for boosting immunity, however those with history of COVID-19 infection reported to rely more on doctors and health professionals for information. This study highlights the need of media and health literacy to advocate for the use of health information cautiously.

Adolescence is a transitional phase of development with the risk of adopting unhealthy behaviours, which is carried on to adulthood. Adolescent athletes tend to resort to unhealthy eating habits resulting in eating disorders and other clinical outcomes. Hence, it forms a crucial age to understand modifiable food habits and provide appropriate counselling. In India, coaches closely monitor the adolescent athletes, even concerning their eating habits due to the lack of multi-disciplinary support staff. Thus, our study aimed to understand the perceptions of coaches towards food, appetite and nutrition of adolescent athletes using In-depth interviews (IDI). Of all 14 coaches at the state-sponsored residential sports centre, 10 consented. The IDI were conducted in a standardized manner and were recorded and transcribed. They were coded manually, using the open and axial coding in the grounded theory approach to determine themes. They considered nutrition as key to performance and consumption of higher animal protein as important. Majority of them considered sprouts, dry fruits, fruits and vegetables as healthy foods, though were unable to define the quantities nor nutrients therein. Coaches considered protein as “important”, while fat as “unhealthy”. They also observed that athletes were avoiding fruits and vegetables, while consuming more rice. Meal timing, fluid and supplement intake were considered essential for international performance, albeit unaware of the specific requirements. Hygiene practices and peer isolation were considered to affect food intake. This lacunae in the nutrition knowledge and the modifiable nutrition practices explored can be targeted by developing a nutrition education and assessment tool for coaches and junior athletes. Further, a long-term engagement of a nutritionist with every sports academy in India is recommended.

Introduction. When the working point of the indirect vector control is constant, the conventional speed and current controllers operate effectively. The operating point, however, is always shifting. In a closed-system situation, the inverter measured reference voltages show higher harmonics. As a result, the provided pulse is uneven and contains more harmonics, which enables the inverter to create an output voltage that is higher. Aim. A space vector modulation (SVM) technique is presented in this paper for type-2 neuro fuzzy systems. The inverter’s performance is compared to that of a neuro fuzzy type-1 system, a neuro fuzzy type-2 system, and classical SVM using MATLAB simulation and experimental validation. Methodology. It trains the input-output data pattern using a hybrid-learning algorithm that combines back-propagation and least squares techniques. Input and output data for the proposed technique include information on the rotation angle and change of rotation angle as input and output of produced duty ratios. A neuro fuzzy-controlled induction motor drive’s dynamic and steady-state performance is compared to that of the conventional SVM when using neuro fuzzy type-2 SVM the induction motor, performance metrics for current, torque, and speed are compared to those of neuro fuzzy type-1 and conventional SVM. Practical value. The performance of an induction motor created by simulation results are examined using the experimental validation of a dSPACE DS-1104. For various switching frequencies, the total harmonic distortion of line-line voltage using neuro fuzzy type-2, neuro fuzzy type-1, and conventional based SVMs are provided. The 3 hp induction motor in the lab is taken into consideration in the experimental validations. References 22, tables 3, figures 15. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

BACKGROUND: In India, where agriculture is the prime occupation among the rural population, farmers are extensively using pesticides in crop production without taking adequate precautions. OBJECTIVE: The current study aimed to examine pesticide usage patterns, usage of personal protective equipment (PPE), knowledge on pesticide toxicity, and attitude towards occupational safety among farmers diagnosed with leukaemia (n = 60), lymphoma (n = 33), and breast cancer (n = 30) visiting a tertiary cancer care hospital in Hyderabad, India. METHODS: Face-to-face interviews were conducted using a pre-tested questionnaire and the data collected were analysed with statistical software SPSS 23. RESULTS: The survey revealed that the participants had an average of 19.6 years of farming experience and women were predominantly involved in the mixing of pesticides and other agricultural work apart from spraying. All of them were not using any PPE and the majority of them did not have any knowledge on the route of exposure, toxicity symbols, and safe handling of pesticides. Statistical analysis showed no significant association between educational status and knowledge, attitude and practices (p > 0.05). CONCLUSION: Even though the majority of the farmers were educated, their lack of adequate knowledge on pesticides had enabled them to adopt risky behaviours in handling and storage of pesticides. There is a need for continuous training programs for farmers to promote awareness and minimize the hazards of occupational exposure. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We present the second edition of the Sloan Digital Sky Survey (SDSS) Quasar Catalog. The catalog consists of the 16,713 objects in the SDSS First Data Release that have luminosities larger than Mi = -22 (in a cosmology with H0 = 70 km s-1 Mpc-1, ΩM= 0.3, and Ω∇ = 0.7), have at least one emission line with FWHM larger than 1000 km s-1, and have highly reliable redshifts. The area covered by the catalog is ≈ 1360 deg 2. The quasar redshifts range from 0.08 to 5.41, with a median value of 1.43. For each object, the catalog presents positions accurate to better than 0.′2 rms per coordinate, five-band (ugriz) CCD-based photometry with typical accuracy of 0.03 mag, and information on the morphology and selection method. The catalog also contains some radio, near-infrared, and X-ray emission properties of the quasars, when available, from other large-area surveys. Calibrated digital spectra of all objects in the catalog, covering the wavelength region 3800-9200 Å at a spectral resolution of 1800-2100, are available. This publication supersedes the first SDSS Quasar Catalog, which was based on material from the SDSS Early Data Release. A summary of corrections to current quasar databases is also provided. The majority of the objects were found in SDSS commissioning data using a multicolor selection technique. Since the quasar selection algorithm was undergoing testing during the entire observational period covered by this catalog, care must be taken when assembling samples from the catalog for use in statistical studies. A total of 15,786 objects (94%) in the catalog were discovered by the SDSS; 12,173 of the SDSS discoveries are reported here for the first time. Included in the new discoveries are five quasars brighter than i= 16.0 and 17 quasars with redshifts larger than 4.5.

(1) Information Technology (IT) Business Process Outsourcing (BPO), the largest employment sector of India, contributes to rapid economic growth. However, the work of IT employees is sedentary, and the food environments of their worksites expose them to an obesogenic environment. This study aimed to assess their metabolic and lifestyle risk factors. (2) Methods: To examine the health and nutrition status of IT employees, anthropometric, biochemical and clinical assessments were conducted among 183 employees from three IT organizations of varied operational sizes. Their health-, diet- and physical activity-related practices were assessed using a questionnaire. The prevalence of MetS was assessed. Selected biomarker levels were assessed and associated with their self-perceived stress levels. (3) Results: The median age of the employees was 30 years (26–35 years). While 44.02% of employees were overweight, 16.85% of employees were obese. About 3.89% of employees were found to be diabetic, and HDL-C levels were lower than recommended in 64.93% of employees. In all, 29.87% of the study population were considered to have metabolic syndrome since they had metabolic risk scores ≥ 3. Those with metabolic syndrome were significantly older (p = 0.000), and levels of MDA (p = 0.003), homocysteine (p = 0.001), IL-6 (p = 0.017) and IL-4 (p = 0.000) were significantly higher among them. Although the prevalence of MetS was significantly lower among those aged >30 years, the lifestyle risk factors were significantly higher among them. (4) Conclusions: The assessed parameters indicate a high risk of developing NCDs among employees in the IT industry in India. This shows the need for the modification of lifestyle and workplace food and physical activity environments. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Advances in the medical field and healthcare sector during the last few decades have resulted in increased longevity. Increased lifespans have in turn led to a rapid global rise of the elderly population. However, ensuring the health and quality of life, especially in the context of chronic age-related ailments, among the growing geriatric population is a challenge. Ageing is associated with several changes in body composition including a decline in the lean body mass usually accompanied by an increase in body fat content which have a bearing on the nutrient requirements for the elderly. The nutrient requirements currently recommended for Indian adults are primarily computed using a factorial approach, that considers the cumulative loss of nutrients and is adjusted for optimal body weights and bioavailability. It is logical that physiological and metabolic changes associated with ageing influence several of these factors: body weight, lean mass, energy expenditure, nutrient retention and bioavailability and thus alter nutrient requirements compared to the adult population. Acknowledging these age-related changes, some international organizations have suggested nutrient requirements specific to the elderly. Given the contextual differences in physiology, caution needs to be exercised in adopting these guidelines for the Indian elderly. In addition, in the Indian context, there is sparse information on the diet and nutrient intakes vis-à-vis nutritional status and physiology of the elderly. This status paper highlights some of the pertinent issues related to nutritional requirements for the elderly that advocate a need for deriving nutritional requirements for the elderly in India. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

BACKGROUND: The work style of employees engaged in the Information Technology (IT) and Business Process Outsourcing (BPO) sectors in India is dominantly sedentary exposing them to detrimental obesogenic environments with unhealthy diets, increasing the risk of non-communicable diseases (NCDs). Workplace health interventions have been reported to have the potential of reducing NCDs and related risk factors among the employees and thus reduce cost of absenteeism and improve productivity. OBJECTIVE: This formative research study aims to explore the opportunities and barriers of the development and implementation of a Workplace Health Programme (WHP). METHODS: In this study, a mixed method including qualitative and quantitative approaches were used. Focus group discussions (FGDs) were conducted with employees and senior managers in employers of IT/BPO companies of different sizes in Hyderabad, India. The food and physical activity environment in the workplaces were explored using a checklist and ground truthing approach. A knowledge, attitudes and practices (KAP) questionnaire was developed to assess health, nutrition and physical activity of the employees. RESULTS: Through this formative research, the required areas for nutrition, physical activity and health education were identified. The scope of utilising existing facilities for physical activity and modifying the food environment was explored. We noted optimistic bias among the junior employees who did not consider themselves at risk of developing NCDs. CONCLUSIONS: The identified opportunities and barriers will help in developing strategic WHPs suitable to individual workplaces. The qualitative methods, ground truthing approach, checklist and KAP tools used here can assess the company environment and employee health and nutrition status. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]