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A study on the dairy management practices adopted by dairy farmers who had been affected by the floods of 2018 was carried out in selected districts of Kerala state. A cross sectional survey design was employed for the study in which data were collected using structured interview schedules. Analysis of data revealed that 76.70 per cent of the respondents had housed their animals in traditional kutcha sheds. Raised platforms were seen in 84 per cent of the animal sheds. It was observed that 84.70 per cent of sheds had floors of concrete. Regarding the roof, it was observed that 89.30 per cent were constructed with sloping roof. The predominant roofing material used was sheets of galvanized iron (62.70 Per cent). Analysis of the occupational status of the farmers indicated that dairying was their primary occupation that majority of them undertook for self-employment (42 per cent) and additional income (32.70 per cent). On the adoption of important management practices, it was evident from the study that all the respondents had adopted scientific management practices such as regular vaccinations and regular deworming of dairy animals. However, it was also notable that 33.30 per cent of them had not adopted the practice of scientific disposal of carcass. This is important from the public health point of view, especially in event of natural calamities such as the Kerala Floods, 2018.

The impacts of the lockdown period on water quality and ecosystem health in an artificial canal water system were investigated from the rapidly growing Kozhikode City in India. The ecosystem health is measured in terms of water quality indicators such as pH, electrical conductivity (EC), dissolved oxygen (DO), biological oxygen demand (BOD) and

The current coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic is showing no signs of abatement and result in significant morbidity and mortality in the infected patients. Many therapeutic agents ranging widely between antivirals and anti-inflammatory drugs have been used to mitigate the disease burden. In the deluge of the drugs being used for COVID-19 infection, glucocorticoids (GCs) stand out by reducing mortality amongst in-hospital severe-to-critically ill patients. Health-care practitioners have seen this as a glimmer of hope and started using these drugs more frequently than ever in clinical practice. The fear of mortality in the short term has overridden the concern of adverse long-term consequences with steroid use. The ease of availability, low cost, and apparent clinical improvement in the short term have led to the unscrupulous use of the steroids even in mild COVID-19 patients including self-medication with steroids. The use of GCs has led to the increasing incidence of hyperglycemia and consequent acute complications of diabetic ketoacidosis and mucormycosis in COVID-19 patients. There is an urgent need to dissipate information about optimum management of hyperglycemia during steroid use. In view of this, the Endocrine Society of India has formulated this position statement about the diagnosis and management of hyperglycemia due to the use of GCs in patients with COVID-19 infection.

In this study, we investigate in detail the catalytic efficiency of 1,4-bis-(ethylmethyleneammounium chloride)-2,5- dimethoxy benzene, BEMACDB (multi-site phase transfer catalyst) by observing the pseudo-first order kinetics of mono-alkylation of α-Tolunitrile (ATN). The formation of product was monitored by GC. The comparative study of catalytic efficiency of the new catalysts with single-site salts reveals higher catalytic activity for new catalysts under varying experimental conditions ([BEMACDB], [Base], [ATN], Stirring Speed and Temperature). By understanding the kinetics of mono-alkyaltion, we further establish the experimental parameters that influence reaction conditions. With the support of kinetic data we establish the suitable mechanism for monoalklation of ATN. The catalyst shows consistent catalytic activity in the C-alkylation of ATN in different experimental conditions.

Urban water governance (UWG) plays an important role to ensure safe and sufficient water availability in cities. In developing countries, citizen centric studies, which are important to understand the ground-level scenario and the existing UWG, are often not conducted due to the lack of manpower or infrastructure. Indian cities are rapidly growing, and there is a need to revisit the existing UWG scenario in its cities. Therefore, as a first step, this study evaluates the UWG challenges in Kozhikode, Kerala, based on citizen perception and drinking water quality. The present study reports the findings from face-to-face interviews conducted (using structured questionnaires) to evaluate the knowledge of citizens in the basic areas of water resources management and conservation (n = 180) and the analysis of water samples from household sources (n = 261). The Water Quality Index (WQI) was computed and analyzed using the geographic information system (GIS). The WQI map identified the vulnerable areas requiring focused intervention to improve water quality. A poor awareness among the respondents, especially regarding the local water resources, was identified from the interviews. However, on a positive note, the citizens are willing to bridge this knowledge gap. Thus, involving citizens and understanding the issues at the ground level will aid in improving the UWG in cities.

Livestock markets perform major exchange function of animals in India. These markets play a considerable share in the economic gain of farmers and act as a social and cultural migration hub for the domestic and foreign tourists also. But they are largely unorganized and dominated by informal traders. The structural base of livestock markets determines the sales pattern and the major price value of animals is bagged by middlemen. These markets are functioning under the jurisdiction of the state governments and supervision is under the control of the local bodies. The different marketing strategies in the markets and pricing are affected by qualitative and quantitative factors of animals. The major constraints regarding the livestock markets are the lack of facilities and unawareness of knowledge among the sellers and buyers. The role of livestock markets in disease transmission is also a matter of concern. Details regarding animal movement will facilitate epidemiological studies to prevent contagious diseases from outside the country. In the present COVID-19 pandemic, conventional livestock markets are closed and virtual markets based on online platforms such as Facebook, WhatsApp and E-commerce sites are coming up and these transformations are absolutely inevitable. Keywords: Livestock markets, Marketing strategies, India

Background Women of reproductive age group have greater predilection to urinary tract infections (UTI). Various risk factors increase the prevalence in women. Emergence of multidrug resistant uropathogens make clinical management of UTI challenging. Here we assess holding of urine as risk factor of UTI in women and reasons for delayed voiding. We also investigate the relationship between frequency of UTIs and overall behavioural features, menstrual hygiene and attitude of women towards their own health issues. Methods A questionnaire based cross-sectional study was performed with 816 hostel residents with written consent. Self-reported data was statistically analysed using SPSS software. Urinalysis and urine culture were done for 50 women by random sampling to obtain the information on leading causative agents of UTI in the study population and their antimicrobial resistance profile. Results The prevalence of UTI among the participants without risk factors was found to be 27.5 (95% CI: 24.4–30.7). Attitude of women towards their own personal health issues and use of public toilets showed a correlation with prevalence of infection. Delay in urination on habitual basis was found to be associated with UTI. Uropathogens isolated by random sampling were resistant to multiple drugs that are generally used to treat UTI. Conclusions Holding urine for long time had proven to be an important risk factor and amongst different reasons of holding urine, holding due to poor sanitary condition of public toilets was the most common. Higher frequency of self-reported UTIs is related to holding of urine, behavioural features and attitude of women.

Currently, bimetallic nanoparticles, composed of two different metal elements, have drawn great interest in drinking water treatment among various types of nanoparticles. Bimetallic nanoparticles h...

— Various studies and reports expect that due to great potential and increased demand on consumer’s side, dairy market in Kerala will grow at a CAGR of 15.7 percent during 2021-2026. But the reality and projection are quite different. Due to the involvement of many factors like lack of infrastructure facilities, transportation, interference of intermediaries, less bargaining capacity and lack of knowledge about the marketing conditions Kerala’s milk marketing is facing a huge challenges and constraints. Recent studies found that more than 70 percent of milk is sold to dairy cooperative society which implies that a traditional marketing channel dominates in Kerala. In this study, Ernakulam district have chosen. Ernakulam, which has over 330 co-operative societies of Milma in the district, faces a shortage of 70,000 litres per day. This gap is met by importing milk from Tamil Nadu and Karnataka. It indicates that there is a huge scope for dairy market in Ernakulam due to the steady increase in demand on consumer’s side. But recent studies reveal that the existing marketing conditions are not favourable to farmers. Therefore, in this context, the marketing strategy adopted, various milk marketing channels, the reasons for choosing, price received and quantity of milk sold to these stakeholders/channels on the producer’s side to be studied in detail. All these aspects are covered under this study. Present study tries to help the government and concerned department in taking appropriate actions for boosting the milk market in Ernakulam district by giving equal importance to both production and marketing side.

A bioreactor system that consisted of Pseudomonas fluorescens cells immobilised in calcium-alginate beads was utilised to remediate endosulphan contaminated water and soil. A packed bed reactor system was designed for the bio-degradation of endosulphan in artificially spiked water samples (initial concentration of endosulphan: 350 µg/L). Reactor studies with cell-immobilised Ca-alginate beads were conducted after checking their efficiency through batch and column degradation studies. The results showed that the concentration of toxic isomers of endosulphan (endosulphan alpha and endosulphan beta) was below the limit in the bioreactor during the 7th day of the experiment. Experiments conducted with contaminated soil samples (initial concentration of endosulphan: 1,000 μg/kg) indicated that the toxic isomers of endosulphan degraded to below the detection limit within 10 days and monitoring of endosulphan residues on the 14th day revealed that almost complete degradation of metabolites of endosulphan had occurred. The bioreactor system designed can be scaled up for remediation of endosulphan in contaminated areas.

Background: The relation of water quality indicators and water borne diseases (WBD) is not properly studied in tropical countries like India. Most of the studies done were cross sectional which reported only point prevalence. This tends to under-estimate and is not adequate to explain the relation. In this context to assess the incidence of water born diseases in relation to household drinking water quality, a longitudinal prospective study was conducted.Methods: The study was conducted in a South Indian state, in a rural area among the members of 300 households by weekly data collection for one year. Water samples were collected and analysis was done thrice corresponding to the climate. Bacterial quality indicators - Total coliform count (TCC), Faecal coliform count (FCC) and E. coli were estimated. The data were processed and analyzed.Results: From 300 households, total 1459 persons were enrolled. During the 12 months period, 72 episodes of WBDs were recorded with incidence rate of 49/1000 person years. Proportional morbidity due to WBD was 11.9%. The WBD reported were ADD, dysentery and hepatitis A. Up to 30% water sources contained E. coli in summer and winter samples and more than 60% in rainy samples. Faecal coliform count was >10 MPN/100 ml in all the seasons in more than 60% water sourcesConclusions: Most of the main water source wells were contaminated. Contamination was more in rainy season. Incidence of WBD has no correlation with water quality indicators in all the seasons (p≥0.05).

The Atomic Energy Regulatory Board (AERB) is the regulatory body in India for ensuring that the use of ionizing radiation and nuclear energy does not cause undue risk to the health of workers, members of the public and to the environment. AERB is responsible for prescribing and enforcing of rules, regulations and requirements pertaining to safety of nuclear and radiation facilities and radiological safety. This paper describes the regulatory process followed by AERB for ensuring the safety of nuclear power plants (NPPs) during their construction as well as operation. The regulatory process for nuclear and radiation safety in the country had evolved organically, over a long period since the beginning of the nuclear program in the country, addressing the requirements and situations of the applications of the technology in the country. Some of the recent initiatives taken by AERB in this direction are brought out. In the coming days AERB is expected to face new challenges such as coping with the demands of a fast growing nuclear power program, simultaneous review of a large number of new projects of diverse designs and long term operation of the existing NPPs. The paper also gives some insights into how AERB is preparing itself to address these future challenges.

Though arbuscular mycorrhizal (AM) fungi are indigenous to agricultural soils, their beneficial effects to host plants could be further improved by inoculation with efficient species. The method of AM propagation described in the present study uses oil cake as a supporting medium for the simultaneous delivery of sesame seeds and AM inoculum to the field. Experiment was conducted in a farmer’s field located at Avoor, Kerala, India where sesame was cultivated as a winter crop in rice fallows. Oil cake entrapped with sesame seeds (var. Tilatara) and AM fungus (Funneliformis dimorphicus) inoculum was prepared by thoroughly mixing sterilized coconut cake and neem cake (5:1 v/v), surface sterilized sesame seeds and sterilized spore sieving of F. dimorphicus from a pot culture in a 10% solution of a polysaccharide gum obtained from the seeds of Strychnos potatorum L. Entire mix was moulded into 2.5 cm cubes (ca. 5g) containing approximately 25–30 seeds and 200–300 spores cube−1 and shade dried before application. The cubes were broadcast @ 600 kg ha−1 in inoculated treatments. In uninoculated treatments, the oil cake cubes devoid of the fungal component was used. Harvested root samples from the inoculated treatments showed a high frequency (%F) and intensity (%M) of colonization by AM fungi as well as frequency of vesicles (%V) and arbuscules (%A) compared to uninoculated control. The growth (root length, shoot length and leaf area) and yield characters (pod number, seed number, seed weight and oil content) of sesame plants were significantly (p=0.05) improved under the present method of AM propagation indicating its viability under field condition.

Groundwater is an essential and vital component of our life support system. The deterioration in the groundwater quality due to geogenic and anthropogenic activities has drawn great attention as it is the major alternate source of domestic and drinking water supply. Groundwater and surface water samples collected from various locations in Guruvayur were analysed for selected physico-chemical and bacteriological parameters by adopting APHA standard methods. The results of the analysis indicated the chemical and bacteriological contamination due to the disposal of solid, organic and septic wastes in the surface water samples of Chakkamkandam, Palayur and Edappally which are the various locations in Gurauvayur. Also the groundwater samples of Guruvayur were contaminated. The study revealed that, the water samples examined were found to be above the permissible limits of Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS). The sewage inlets that open directly to the water body are the major source of pollutants. The monitoring of various water bodies indicates the importance of taking appropriate measures to treat the water resources before either discharged to wetlands or consumed by human beings. It is also recommended to continue the monitoring periodically to assess the pollution status of the area.

Smart Water is an essential component of the smart environment since life, sustenance, growth and death of the environment depends on water. The concept of smart water is derived from the concept of smart cities having one to one relationship in their building blocks. Smart Water Management is a very high responsive, intelligent digital system operated by IOTs and ICTs, clouds, related computer-based models along with humans to identify water-related issues and even automatically using artificial intelligence solving it in real time without human interventions. The chapter presents an attempt to develop a Smart Water Management for Kozhikode Metropolitan area. Water in the study area is studied in conjunction with the spatial distribution of community in a watershed. The issues arising out of the present and potential usage pattern for households for community wellbeing and economic development is the basis of water resources management in Kozhikode Metropolitan Area (KMA). KMA enjoys substantial precipitation a year and is bound by two major rivers on both sides and are lined by many streams within its jurisdiction. However, KMA faces many water-related problems. A SWOT analysis was performed to identify and consolidate the capabilities of various watersheds and its communities in the study area. The issues faced by various communities were grouped into few categories and solutions were proposed for each community. Integrated Smart Water Management is proposed as a solution to the problems faced by the communities. It is footed on the principles of Water democracy, which is implemented through a system of ICT, IoT and decision support systems. The Integrated Smart Water Management System enables the community to be aware of the issues well in advance and find and implement solutions proactively. A spatial decision support system (SDSS) is proposed to help the community to take decisions related to water management. The SDSS takes many of the decisions as per the set procedure and alerts the community only cases where a systematic solution is not available. The integrated water management system implements the decisions taken by the SDSS, through its automatic sensors and actuators managing the water resources.

While nanoparticles (NPs) are known to exhibit antimicrobial properties, their effects on symbiotic arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) in plant roots has to be carefully examined as NPs particularly of titanium dioxide (TiO(2)) reach plant roots through varied sources such as fertilisers, plant protection products and other nanoproducts. The objective of the present study is to assess the effect of TiO(2) NPs on the symbiotic behaviour of AMF colonising rice (Oryza sativa L.) plants. Using sol–gel method, TiO(2) NPs with three different sizes were successfully synthesised employing doping. Characterisation of the prepared material was done by X‐ray powder diffraction and scanning electron microscopy. The synthesised materials were applied at 0, 25, 50 and 100 mg plant–1 to the rhizosphere of mycorrhizal rice plants maintained in pots. The study revealed that the prepared NPs had an inhibitory effect on arbuscular mycorrhizal symbiosis in plant roots. Development of AMF structures such as vesicles and arbuscules was significantly reduced in TiO(2) ‐doped NPs with a relatively more inhibition in 2% TiO(2) ‐doped NPs. Among the concentrations of TiO(2) NPs applied to different treatments, %F was significantly (P < 0.001) affected at medium to higher levels of application.

Nanoremediation technology holds enormous potential for the cleanup of hazardous pollutants. Here we report a study on the combined use of nano- and phytotechnology for the removal of chlorinated pesticides and heavy metals. The decomposition of endosulfan in the soil samples by nanophytoremediation was confirmed by gas chromatography followed by mass spectrometry. Of the different plants used in the presence of zero-valent iron nanoparticles (nZVI), A.calcarata was determined to have the best efficiency of removal and also found that the efficiency decreased in the order A. calcarata > O. sanctum > C. citratus. The nZVI endosulfan degradation mechanism appears to involve hydrogenolysis and sequential dehalogenation, which was confirmed by GC-MS analysis. Experiments were also conducted for the removal of Pb and Cd using Tradescantia spathacea (boat lily) and Alternanthera dentate. The analysis of heavy metals by ICP indicated that the plants with nZVI particles accumulated 73.7% Pb and 71.3% Cd.

The endosulfan-degrading bacterial strain Pseudomonas fluorescens was isolated, and degradation of endosulfan by freely suspended and calcium-alginate entrapped bacterial cells were investigated in batch as well as in packed bed column studies. Freely suspended Pseudomonas fluorescens cells with biomass maximum OD/OD0 value of 1.68 at 610 nm could degrade endosulfan with an initial concentration of 350.24 ± 0.83 μg/L efficiently within 12 days, thus utilising endosulfan as the sole carbon and energy source. Degradation of endosulfan occurred concomitantly with bacterial growth. The bacteria immobilised in Ca-alginate beads in batch shake flask system were tested for their ability to degrade endosulfan at different concentrations (350.24 ± 0.83, 450.39 ± 1.95 and 550.85 ± 1.84 μg/L). A total of 125 mL of Broth minimal medium of pH 7 was inoculated with 5 g of wet Ca-alginate beads (derived from a 3-mL cell suspension of 0.72 OD at 610 nm) for the study. Almost similar trends of degradation efficiencies were shown by the immobilised cells toward different concentrations of endosulfan. The complete removal of alpha and beta-isomers of endosulfan at different initial endosulfan concentrations was observed between 9 and 11 days of the experiment. Additionally, the degradation rate in batch reactors with Ca-alginate-immobilised cells also derived from a 3-mL cell suspension of 0.72 OD at 610 nm was tested and found to be marginally higher than that of free cells. Ca-alginate immobilised cells in packed bed reactors operated in a semi-continuous mode could degrade toxic alpha and beta-isomers of endosulfan (350.38 ± 1.18 μg/L) within 6 days. Thus, the method proved effective for biodegradation of endosulfan. The metabolites formed indicated that the degradation of the pesticide follows a hydrolytic pathway.

Assessment of water quality status of 7 sites of Kavvayi Wetland in northern Kerala (India) was carried out. The physico-chemical, bacteriological and biological parameters were monitored during pre-monsoon, monsoon and post-monsoon seasons. Canadian Council of Ministers of the Environment (CCME) water quality index of the Kavvayi Lake samples ranged from 43.99-44.77; indicating that water quality was threatened or impaired. The poor water quality status might be due to dumping of wastes from municipal and domestic sources and agricultural runoff. Biological water quality criteria (BWQC) determined for wetland revealed that stations such as mixing point of Kariangode River into Kavvayi Lake and Kottikkadavu was moderately polluted in pre-monsoon and post- monsoon seasons. Mixing point of Nileswar River into Kavvayi Lake was moderately polluted in pre-monsoon season. Both calculated indices suggest that quality of lake was found to be influenced by anthropogenic activities such as unscientific tourism and infrastructure development, land encroachment, sand mining, pollution etc. The study was carried out as part of a programme, which aimed to conserve Kavvayi wetland because of its unique ecological and environmental characteristics.

Regucalcin is a multifunctional protein having an important role in calcium homeostasis, L-ascorbic acid biosynthesis, anti-prolific, anti-apoptotic functions as well as detoxification of chemical warfare nerve agents. Recently, it has been localized to male reproductive tract of rat and human, and identified as an androgen-target gene. The literature suggests a possible role of regucalcin in male fertility. However, no detailed studies have been conducted on its role in male reproductive organs of domestic animals. As an initial step, we had cloned and expressed regucalcin in Pichia pastoris. The sequence analysis showed 100% homology with regucalcin of Bos tours both at nucleotide and amino acid level. The SDS-PAGE and Western blot studies of recombinant protein probed with anti-regucalcin monoclonal antibody showed a higher molecular weight (56 kDa) than the expected (35.5 kDa) that could be due to hyperglycosylation. The recombinant regucalcin and its antibodies can be used to study the detailed role of the protein in male reproduction.

The establishment of an efficient surface water quality monitoring (WQM) network is a critical component in the assessment, restoration and protection of river water quality. A periodic evaluation of monitoring network is mandatory to ensure effective data collection and possible redesigning of existing network in a river catchment. In this study, the efficacy and appropriateness of existing water quality monitoring network in the Kabbini River basin of Kerala, India is presented. Significant multivariate statistical techniques like principal component analysis (PCA) and principal factor analysis (PFA) have been employed to evaluate the efficiency of the surface water quality monitoring network with monitoring stations as the evaluated variables for the interpretation of complex data matrix of the river basin. The main objective is to identify significant monitoring stations that must essentially be included in assessing annual and seasonal variations of river water quality. Moreover, the significance of seasonal redesign of the monitoring network was also investigated to capture valuable information on water quality from the network. Results identified few monitoring stations as insignificant in explaining the annual variance of the dataset. Moreover, the seasonal redesign of the monitoring network through a multivariate statistical framework was found to capture valuable information from the system, thus making the network more efficient. Cluster analysis (CA) classified the sampling sites into different groups based on similarity in water quality characteristics. The PCA/PFA identified significant latent factors standing for different pollution sources such as organic pollution, industrial pollution, diffuse pollution and faecal contamination. Thus, the present study illustrates that various multivariate statistical techniques can be effectively employed in sustainable management of water resources. Highlights • The effectiveness of existing river water quality monitoring network is assessed • Significance of seasonal redesign of the monitoring network is demonstrated • Rationalization of water quality parameters is performed in a statistical framework

Nanotechnology is an emerging technology which has wide applications in many fields. The major objective of the study is to synthesise copper nanoparticles and its composites and to determine their antibacterial activity. A filter based on the developed material was fabricated. Copper nanoparticles were synthesised by chemical reduction method and were encapsulated in a biopolymer, alginate and fabricated anti bacterial water filter using copper nanoparticle-coated polyurethane foams. The synthesised copper nanoparticle, copper nanoparticle encapsulated in alginate beads and copper nanoparticle coated PU foam were characterized by several techniques including SEM and EDS analysis. Finally antimicrobial efficiency was determined against E.coli. Well diffusion method was used for testing the antibacterial effect of synthesised nanoparticls. The time and dose dependant study of copper alginate beads showed that the effectiveness of particle increase with increasing particle dose and contact time. The results obtained from the effect of bacterial load indicated that there was a decrease in antibacterial activity as the bacterial concentration increased. Flow test was conducted for the antibacterial filter by passing contaminated water through the filter and no bacteria were detected. The antimicrobial activity of metal nanoparticles is due to the large surface area which ensures a broad range of reactions with bio-organics present on the cell surface. Our research suggests that copper-coated polyurethane foams can be used as excellent antibacterial water filter.Read Complete Article at ijSciences: V5201602957 AND DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.18483/ijSci.957

This paper propose to RTM-LUT algorithm (Real Time Multitasking using Look up Table) to create real time multitasking instead of using external RTOS in Arduino resulting in resources allocation optimization. Multitasking is a process of creating an environment where multiple independent operations/tasks take place in concurrent time.

The influence of 1-O-Tolyl-3,3 diethyl thiourea (TDETU) on corrosion of mild steel in marine water (5% NaCl) has been studied using weight loss measurements and various electrochemical techniques. The compound inhibited the steel corrosion in salt water. Potentiodynamic polarization studies clearly indicated that TDETU behaved as a cathodic inhibitor. Electrochemical impedance spectroscopy was used to investigate the mechanism of corrosion inhibition. A chemdraw 3D simulation technique used to run the quantum mechanical analysis and established correlation’s between different types of descriptors and measured corrosion inhibition efficiency for the compound. The use of this method substantiates the inhibition efficiencies of the compounds determined by electrochemical methods. AFM studies confirmed that the adsorption of the inhibitor reduces surface roughness on mild steel.