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People's subjective response to any thermal environment is commonly investigated by using rating scales describing the degree of thermal sensation, comfort, and acceptability. Subsequent analyses of results collected in this way rely on the assumption that specific distances between verbal anchors placed on the scale exist and that relationships between verbal anchors from different dimensions that are assessed (e.g. thermal sensation and comfort) do not change. Another inherent assumption is that such scales are independent of the context in which they are used (climate zone, season, etc.). Despite their use worldwide, there is indication that contextual differences influence the way the scales are perceived and therefore question the reliability of the scales’ interpretation. To address this issue, a large international collaborative questionnaire study was conducted in 26 countries, using 21 different languages, which led to a dataset of 8225 questionnaires. Results, analysed by means of robust statistical techniques, revealed that only a subset of the responses are in accordance with the mentioned assumptions. Significant differences appeared between groups of participants in their perception of the scales, both in relation to distances of the anchors and relationships between scales. It was also found that respondents’ interpretations of scales changed with contextual factors, such as climate, season, and language. These findings highlight the need to carefully consider context-dependent factors in interpreting and reporting results from thermal comfort studies or post-occupancy evaluations, as well as to revisit the use of rating scales and the analysis methods used in thermal comfort studies to improve their reliability.

Humans are consuming roughly 40 per cent of the biomass that the land and the coastal seas produce is an alarming phase. The rate at which the population is increasing and demand of food reserves to provide nutritional food from the conventional protein production sources i.e. livestock, poultry and fish unable to keep up the supply. A concept behind edible insect farming has its roots from some of character i.e. high feed conversion efficiency, much less water and land requirement and less proven to diseases and higher portion to be utilizable (lack of bones) make insects a suitable source. Rearing and harvesting of the insect is a low tech, low-capital investment option even to poorest section of society, such as women and landless workers. Insects farming provide proteins at lowest cost of 40-75 g per 100 g of dry weight of insects. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Small non‐coding RNAs called microRNAs (miRNAs) control the expression of genes post‐transcriptionally. Their correlation with commercial economic traits including milk, meat and egg production, as well as their effective role in animal productivity, fertility, embryo survival and disease resistance, make them significant in livestock research. The miRNAs exhibit distinct spatial and temporal expression patterns, offering insights into their functional roles within cells and tissues. Aberrant miRNA production can disrupt vital cellular processes and genetic networks, contributing to conditions like metabolic disorders and viral diseases. These short RNA molecules are present in extracellular fluids, displaying remarkable stability against RNA degradation enzymes and extreme environmental conditions. miRNAs preservation is facilitated through packaging in lipid vesicles or complex formation with RNA‐binding proteins. Numerous studies have illuminated the roles of miRNAs in diverse physiological processes, including embryonic stem cell differentiation, haematopoietic stem cell proliferation and differentiation and the coordinated development of organ systems. The integration of miRNA profiling, next‐generation sequencing and bioinformatics analysis paves the way for transformative advancements in livestock research and industry. The present review underscores the applications of miRNAs in livestock, showcasing their potential to improve breeding strategies, diagnose diseases and enhance our understanding of fundamental biological processes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Hand hygiene of the people working plays an important role in the infection prevention practices of any Institute. Objective: To study the efficacy of liquid soap in comparison to alcohol based hand sanitizer in reducing the bacterial count following the handwash among sanitation workers. Methodology: This Randomized Controlled Trial was carried out in various facilities of Kasturba Medical College, Mangalore, in 2017-18 The population comprised of sanitation workers attached to the college and study hospitals. They were divided equally across both the intervention arms. The method of EL Larson et al with minor modifications was used for the qualitative and quantitative analysis of microbial flora of the test subjects. Results: The baseline measurement of intervention 1 (liquid soap) was 2400 cfu and post post-intervention bacterial count for the same was 245cfu. The change score was 1825 cfu in the intervention- liquid soap. The baseline measurement of intervention arm 2 (hand sanitizer) was 1250 cfu and the post-intervention median bacterial count was 8.5 cfu. The change score was 1245 cfu in the intervention- hand sanitizer. The extent of decrease was higher in the hand sanitizer arm than hand washing arm however this difference was not high. Conclusion: The extent of decrease was higher in the hand sanitizer arm than hand washing arm however this difference was not significant and results nearly equal.

Efficacy of different novel insecticides as foliar application was studied against mustard aphid Lipaphis erysimi (Kalt) and their effect on the predator of aphids Coccinella septumpunctata was also recorded at Pilibhit during 2017-18 and 2018-19. The insecticides thiamethoxam 12.6 + lambda cyhalothrin 9.5 ZC (100 g/ha), acephate 75 SP (625 g/ha), acetamiprid 20 SP (125 g/ha), thiamethoxam 25 WDG (250 g/ha), clothianidin 50 WDG (40 g/ha), imidacloprid 17.8 SL (150 ml/ha), and dinotefuran 20 SG (150 g/ha) were sprayed at normal recommended doses and a control plot was also maintained for comparison. Efficacy was assessed by counting the aphids and predators population and mortality in rapeseed mustard field plots. All tested insecticides performed better against aphid as compared to untreated plots. Dinotefuran proved as the best with 100 percent aphid population reduction followed by clothianidin, thiamethoxam + lambda cyhalothrin, acetamiprid, acephate, thiamethoxam and Imidacloprid with 100, 100, 100, 97.41, 97.14 and 97.16 percent reduction, respectively. In terms of safety for the predator, Coccinella septempunctata, the thiamethoxam + lambda cyhalothrin was found best as the coccinelids were increased by 14.13 percent in treated plants. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Air quality parameters measured over Rishikesh city of Uttarakhand, where a large number of visitors and pilgrimage stay and pass by throughout the year are analyzed and studied. Such intensive human activities lead to the impacts and its manifestation on regional scale environment. Due to consistent infrastructure development and the increased vehicular emission due to transport, a large amount of particulate matters is added to the ambient environment and affects the air quality adversely. Here an attempt is made to understand the growth in level of ambient air pollutants through available measurement. In this study particulate matter (PM10), suspended particulate matters (SPMs) and the concentration of gaseous pollutants (SO2 and NO2) from 2011 to 2014 are measured and analyzed. It is observed that concentrations of the pollutants increase during pre-monsoon season as compared to the winter and monsoon seasons. In addition, PM10 and SPM concentrations are found about two times higher than the prescribed national standard. SO2 and NO2 levels are found within the limits as proposed by the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) New Delhi, India. A detailed statistical analysis is carried out on the basis of monthly mean values of the observed pollutants. The PM10 exhibits a significant positive correlation with SO2 and NO2 concentrations. In addition, back trajectories show partly long-term transport from North Africa, Saudi Arabia and central Asian region in contributing over the region with local emission that is considered to be the main and direct cause of increasing trend of the pollutants. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]