Search

Introduction: Dental practices generate a huge amount of biomedical waste (BMW) and dental waste contaminated with body fluids and many toxic chemicals. Improper handling of these wastes affects the surroundings and health of all living beings of that area. It is, therefore, important for budding dentists to be well versed with the existing rules and regulations of BMW management and the harmful effects of these wastes. Materials and Methods: A cross-sectional questionnaire-based study was carried out among undergraduates, interns, and postgraduate students pursuing dentistry in a dental institute in Punjab. The responses of the student were recorded and analyzed statistically using Chi-square test and Student's t-test. Results: The mean knowledge score of the students about the segregation of BMW is significantly more than legislation (P = 0.003) and management (P = 0.03). The knowledge of preclinical students is found to be less than other students. More than 80% opined that and there should be a regular program on BMW management and it should be made a compulsory part of the college education. Conclusion: Although the knowledge of students attending patients is more than the preclinical students, their overall awareness is less than adequate. It is envisaged through this study that implementing BMW management to be a compulsory part of college education could help to fill the lacuna in the knowledge of the present scenario. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: In Punjab, million of tons of agricultural biomass are being generated every year, but it is spatially scattered. The spatial distribution of this resource and the associated costs on collection and transportation are the major bottleneck in the success of biomass energy-conversion facilities. This paper deals with the mathematical model for collection and transporting the biomass from fields to biomass based power plant. The unit transport cost was calculated by using this model. Four systems of transport were conceptualized for two transport modes (tractor with wagon and truck). Three types of agricultural biomass (loose, baled and briquetted) were considered for transport analysis. For all modes of transport, it was observed that unit cost of transport decreases with increase in distance. The transport cost was least for briquetted biomass as compared to loose and baled biomass. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]