Considerations for development of low-cost supplementary foods for lactating women in India – a review

2020 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Sandeep Kaur ◽  
Vikas Kumar ◽  
Satish Kumar ◽  
Sheenam Suri ◽  
Jaspreet Kaur
Keyword(s):  
Low Cost ◽  
Economic Status ◽  
Public Health Problem ◽  
Cost Effective ◽  
Food Products ◽  
Food Supplements ◽  
Lactating Women ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Fortified Food ◽  
Supplementary Foods

Purpose Malnutrition is a serious public health problem, which occurs because of an inadequate supply of nutrients and therefore affects many children and women (especially pregnant and lactating women of low economic class) worldwide. There is a great need to develop cost-effective fortified food supplements to overcome this problem. Therefore, this study aims to examine the factors that should be considered in the development of low-cost supplementary foods for breastfeeding women. Design/methodology/approach A wide variety of relevant publications were identified through search in electronic databases (ScienceDirect, PubMed, SciELO, Google Scholar, SpringerLink and ResearchGate) based on different keywords such as malnutrition, specific considerations, supplementary foods and breastfeeding women, which were published before 2020. After looking for adequate literature, 71 articles were examined, which provided an overview of these aspects. Findings Various food supplements and food products already available in the market are generally expensive and go beyond the purchasing power of lower- or middle-class families. Traditionally, efforts have been made to prepare such supplements at home, but the composition of these products varies based on the economic status of consumers. Therefore, the nutritional status is clearly compromised because of the low standard of living, which requires a great need to develop low-cost nutritious food products, accessible to all and that meet the appropriate nutritional, sensory and economic attributes without ignoring the regulatory guidelines. Originality/value This review is majorly focused on the specific considerations, alternative sources, ensuring nutritional and sensorial attributes and economic aspects for the development of supplementary low-cost food products for breastfeeding women with the goal of eliminating malnutrition.

scholarly journals Real-time structural health monitoring for concrete beams: a cost-effective ‘Industry 4.0’ solution using piezo sensors

2020 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Arka Ghosh ◽  
David John Edwards ◽  
M. Reza Hosseini ◽  
Riyadh Al-Ameri ◽  
Jemal Abawajy ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Structural Health Monitoring ◽  
Real Time ◽  
Health Monitoring ◽  
Industry 4.0 ◽  
Concrete Beams ◽  
Low Cost ◽  
Cost Effective ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Structural Health ◽  
Non Destructive

PurposeThis research paper adopts the fundamental tenets of advanced technologies in industry 4.0 to monitor the structural health of concrete beam members using cost-effective non-destructive technologies. In so doing, the work illustrates how a coalescence of low-cost digital technologies can seamlessly integrate to solve practical construction problems.Design/methodology/approachA mixed philosophies epistemological design is adopted to implement the empirical quantitative analysis of “real-time” data collected via sensor-based technologies streamed through a Raspberry Pi and uploaded onto a cloud-based system. Data was analysed using a hybrid approach that combined both vibration-characteristic-based method and linear variable differential transducers (LVDT).FindingsThe research utilises a novel digital research approach for accurately detecting and recording the localisation of structural cracks in concrete beams. This non-destructive low-cost approach was shown to perform with a high degree of accuracy and precision, as verified by the LVDT measurements. This research is testament to the fact that as technological advancements progress at an exponential rate, the cost of implementation continues to reduce to produce higher-accuracy “mass-market” solutions for industry practitioners.Originality/valueAccurate structural health monitoring of concrete structures necessitates expensive equipment, complex signal processing and skilled operator. The concrete industry is in dire need of a simple but reliable technique that can reduce the testing time, cost and complexity of maintenance of structures. This was the first experiment of its kind that seeks to develop an unconventional approach to solve the maintenance problem associated with concrete structures. This study merges industry 4.0 digital technologies with a novel low-cost and automated hybrid analysis for real-time structural health monitoring of concrete beams by fusing several multidisciplinary approaches into one integral technological configuration.

scholarly journals Evaluation of Portability and Cost of a Fluorescent PCR Ribotyping Protocol for Clostridium difficile Epidemiology

2015 ◽  
Vol 53 (4) ◽  
pp. 1192-1197 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jonathan N. V. Martinson ◽  
Susan Broadaway ◽  
Egan Lohman ◽  
Christina Johnson ◽  
M. Jahangir Alam ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Clostridium Difficile ◽  
Low Cost ◽  
Cost Effective ◽  
Pcr Primers ◽  
The United States ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Fluorescent Pcr ◽  
Address Data ◽  
Pcr Ribotyping ◽  
Data Portability

Clostridium difficileis the most commonly identified pathogen among health care-associated infections in the United States. There is a need for accurate and low-cost typing tools that produce comparable data across studies (i.e., portable data) to help characterize isolates during epidemiologic investigations ofC. difficileoutbreaks and sporadic cases of disease. The most popularC. difficile-typing technique is PCR ribotyping, and we previously developed methods using fluorescent PCR primers and amplicon sizing on a Sanger-style sequencer to generate fluorescent PCR ribotyping data. This technique has been used to characterize tens of thousands ofC. difficileisolates from cases of disease. Here, we present validation of a protocol for the cost-effective generation of fluorescent PCR ribotyping data. A key component of this protocol is the ability to accurately identify PCR ribotypes against an online database (http://walklab.rcg.montana.edu) at no cost. We present results from a blinded multicenter study to address data portability across four different laboratories and three different sequencing centers. Our standardized protocol and centralized database for typing ofC. difficilepathogens will increase comparability between studies so that important epidemiologic linkages between cases of disease and patterns of emergence can be rapidly identified.

scholarly journals Immigrant women, nature and mental health

2020 ◽  
Vol 16 (4) ◽  
pp. 359-372
Author(s):  
Catherine Anne Nicole Lorentzen ◽  
Berit Viken
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Immigrant Women ◽  
Qualitative Content Analysis ◽  
Low Cost ◽  
Cost Effective ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Natural Environments ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Individual Interviews ◽  
Effective Strategies

Purpose There is a need for cost-effective strategies to counteract mental health challenges among immigrant women. This study aims to identify how nature might improve the mental health status of immigrant women residing in Norway. Design/methodology/approach Qualitative data were gathered through individual interviews with 14 immigrant women from Iran (2), Poland (2), Palestine, Afghanistan, Congo, Kenya, Thailand, Russia, Portugal, Latvia, Colombia and Bulgaria. Findings The qualitative content analysis revealed that interaction with nature positively influenced the immigrant women’s mental health. This occurred because of the following: exposure to nature itself, leading to mood enhancements; familiarization with the new country’s culture, nature, climate and language, facilitating feelings of mastery, attachment and belonging; social interactions, promoting immediate well-being and future social support; interacting with nature in familiar ways, reducing feelings of alienation/loss; and physical activity, improving mood and stress-related conditions. These mental health improvements were a result of interactions with various types of natural environments. Originality/value This study supports the promotion of interaction with nature among immigrant women as part of low-cost public health work. Practitioners should consider multiple arenas for potential nature-related mental health gains.

A cost-effective programmable SoC for network security using Xilinx Spartan 3AN FPGA

2014 ◽  
Vol 12 (2) ◽  
pp. 280-291
Author(s):  
Wael M. El-Medany
Keyword(s):  
Network Security ◽  
Hardware Implementation ◽  
Low Cost ◽  
Rapid Development ◽  
Main Idea ◽  
Logic Gates ◽  
Cost Effective ◽  
Low Complexity ◽  
Data Encryption ◽  
Content Type

Purpose – With the rapid development in wired and wireless networks, the demand for network security system is rising rapidly due to more and more new applications introduced. The main factors that rate the encryption algorithms are its ability to secure and protect data against attacks, its speed and efficiency. In this paper, a reconfigurable network security design using multi-mode data encryption standard (DES) algorithm has been implemented with low complexity and low cost, which will also reduce the speed. The paper aims to discuss these issues. Design/methodology/approach – The design can be easily reconfigured to 3DES (triple DES) which is more secure and more powerful in encryption and decryption, as one of the trick in designing 3DES is to reuse three instances of DES. The design can be used for wired and wireless network applications, and it has been described using VHDL and implemented in a reconfigurable Programmable System-on-Chip (PSoC). The hardware implementation has targeted Xilinx Spartan XC3S700-AN FPGA device. Findings – The main idea of reducing the complexity for the hardware implementation is by optimizing the number of logic gates and LUTs of the design. The number of logic gates can be decreased by changing the way of writing the VHDL code and by optimizing the size of the chip. Originality/value – The design has been tested in simulation and hardware levels, and the simulation results and performance are discussed.

scholarly journals Prevalence of overweight/obesity among medical students at Suraram, India

2018 ◽  
Vol 5 (12) ◽  
pp. 5338
Author(s):  
Suguna Dumpala ◽  
Balakrishna Chadaram ◽  
Aditya Berad
Keyword(s):  
Medical Students ◽  
Waist Circumference ◽  
Nuclear Family ◽  
Economic Status ◽  
Public Health Problem ◽  
Cost Effective ◽  
Major Effect ◽  
Medical College ◽  
Chi Squared ◽  
Prevalence Of Obesity

Background: Overweight/obesity is a critical public health problem in both developed and developing nations, has nearly tripled since 1975. In 2016, more than 1.9 B were overweight and 650 M obese. Studies from different parts of India have reported a rise in prevalence of obesity (11 to 37.5%). To date, there are not many studies on the prevalence of obesity among medical students in India. Hence this study was conducted with an objective to assess the prevalence of overweight/obesity and its associated factors among young medical students.Methods: VI Semester MBBS students of the year 2013 batch of Malla Reddy Medical College for Women were interviewed in March and April 2016.Results: Out of 150 participants, 125 responded (83%). Overall prevalence of obesity/overweight was 45%. Mean age of the sample was 20 years (±0.75); more belonged to upper than lower strata (61.6% vs. 38.4%); 86.4% were from nuclear family, means better food and care. Chi-squared test revealed significant differences for age, higher socio-economic status, diet, physical inactivity and co-morbidities associated with obesity/overweight (p<0.05). There was significant positive correlation values between BMI and waist circumference at p<0.01 level. The correlation of BMI with waist circumference is (r=0.675).Conclusions: It is crucial to establish cost-effective strategies like promotion of healthy foods, introducing extra-curricular activities at institutional level, avoiding junk food are likely to have a major effect in reducing obesity among these young medicos. This would also enable them to maintain normal weights, avoid immediate and long-term complications associated with overweight/obesity.

BisGMA/EPDM/amine functionalised MWCNTs based nanocomposites

2015 ◽  
Vol 44 (5) ◽  
pp. 266-275 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ankita Pritam Praharaj ◽  
Dibakar Behera ◽  
Tapan Kumar Bastia ◽  
Arun Kumar Rout
Keyword(s):  
Water Absorption ◽  
Low Cost ◽  
Cost Effective ◽  
Point Of View ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Wide Range ◽  
Multi Walled Carbon Nanotubes ◽  
Thermal And Electrical Properties ◽  
Electrical Materials ◽  
Walled Carbon Nanotubes

Purpose – This paper aims to focus on the development and study properties of bisphenol-A glycidyldimethacrylate (BisGMA) and ethylene–propylene–diene monomer (EPDM) blend-based nanocomposites containing amine-functionalised multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNT-NH2) as a compatibiliser. Design/methodology/approach – First, BisGMA was synthesised from epoxy and methacrylic acid followed by the amine functionalisation of MWCNTs. A novel two-roll milling technique was then conducted to prepare nanocomposite specimens with MWCNT-NH2 as compatibiliser. Effect of MWCNT-NH2 content on the mechanical, thermal, electrical, corrosive and water absorption properties of the nanocomposites was investigated and results have been reported. Findings – The results of the present work reveal that MWCNT-NH2 acts as a potential compatibiliser and nanofiller in BisGMA/EPDM blend-based nanocomposites. The authors report here that the nanocomposites exhibit improved mechanical, thermal and electrical properties with increased addition of MWCNT-NH2. Moreover, desirable results are obtained at 5 phr of nanofiller loading beyond which the properties deteriorate due to particle agglomeration. The nanocomposites display negligible corrosion and water absorption characteristics. Thus, the above fabricated nanocomposites with optimum compatibiliser content can serve as low-cost structural, thermal and electrical materials which can also be utilised in corrosive and moist environments. Research limitations/implications – The present investigation has come up with the successful and cost-effective fabrication of BisGMA/EPDM blend-based nanocomposites with optimum nanofiller/compatibiliser (MWCNT-NH2) content that can be used for a wide range of structural, thermal and electrical projects, as it is corrosion and moisture resistant. It is also the most durable from the mechanical point of view. Originality/value – The above nanocomposites have never been designed before.

scholarly journals Local food sales and point of sale priming: evidence from a supermarket field experiment

2021 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Ružica Brečić ◽  
Dubravka Sinčić Ćorić ◽  
Andrea Lučić ◽  
Matthew Gorton ◽  
Jelena Filipović
Keyword(s):  
Field Experiment ◽  
Field Experiments ◽  
Low Cost ◽  
Cost Effective ◽  
Economic Incentives ◽  
Local Foods ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Point Of Sale ◽  
Effective Manner ◽  
Responsible Consumption

Purpose An intention-behavior gap often occurs for socially responsible consumption, where despite positive consumer attitudes, sales remain disappointing. This paper aims to test the ability of in-store priming to increase sales of local foods vis-à-vis imported, cheaper equivalents. Design/methodology/approach Laboratory and field experiments in three countries (Croatia, Slovenia and Serbia), working with an international grocery retailer, assess the ability of textual and pictorial-based point of sale (PoS) materials to increase the purchase of local foods. Field sales data, for the purchase of local apples and cherries and their imported equivalents, are complemented by an analysis of loyalty card transactions. Findings Field data indicate that both pictorial and textual PoS materials, significantly increase the likelihood of purchasing local foods, against cheaper imported equivalents. Pictorial PoS materials appear more effective than textual equivalents. Laboratory study data indicate that PoS materials increase the salience of goal consistent mechanisms in decision-making at the expense of mechanisms to achieve non-primed goals. Research limitations/implications The field experiment lasted for only two weeks and focused on seasonal produce. Practical implications PoS materials offer a low cost intervention for modifying consumer behavior in stores. Originality/value The paper develops a theory regarding how priming works and its application in a supermarket setting. This is investigated and validated in the context of local foods. The study offers encouragement for the usefulness of other in-store primes, such as relating to diet, to improve socially desirable outcomes without economic incentives or coercion and in a cost-effective manner.

ASSESSMENT OF THE PLATELET COUNT IN THE PREGNANT WOMEN IN IGIMS, PATNA, BIHAR

2020 ◽  
Vol 4 (2) ◽  
Author(s):  
Tanwi Singh ◽  
Anshuman Sinha
Keyword(s):  
Platelet Count ◽  
Pregnant Women ◽  
Screening Test ◽  
Low Cost ◽  
Medical Science ◽  
Cost Effective ◽  
Platelet Indices ◽  
Increased Risk ◽  
Low Platelet Count ◽  
Severity Of The Disease

The major risk associated with low platelet count in pregnancy is the increased risk of bleeding during the childbirth or post that. There is an increased blood supply to the uterus during pregnancy and the surgical procedure requires cutting of major blood vessels. Women with thrombocytopenia are at increased risk of losing excessive blood. The risk is more in case of caesarean delivery as compared to vaginal delivery. Hence based on above findings the present study was planned for Assessment of the Platelet Count in the Pregnant Women in IGIMS, Patna, Bihar. The present study was planned in Department of Pathology, Indira Gandhi Institute of Medical Science, Patna, Bihar, India. The present study was planned from duration of January 2019 to June 2019. In the present study 200 pregnant females samples received for the platelet estimation were enrolled in the present study. Clinically platelet indices can be a useful screening test for early identification of preeclampsia and eclampsia. Also platelet indices can assess the prognosis of this disease in pregnant women and can be used as an effective prognostic marker because it correlates with severity of the disease. Platelet count is a simple, low cost, and rapid routine screening test. Hence the data generated from the present study concludes that platelet count can be used as a simple and cost effective tool to monitor the progression of preeclampsia, thereby preventing complications to develop during the gestational period. Keywords: Platelet Count, Pregnant Women, IGIMS, Patna, Bihar, etc.

Janus – A New Approach to Air Combat Pilot Training

2019 ◽  
Vol 2019 (4) ◽  
pp. 7-22
Author(s):  
Georges Bridel ◽  
Zdobyslaw Goraj ◽  
Lukasz Kiszkowiak ◽  
Jean-Georges Brévot ◽  
Jean-Pierre Devaux ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Low Cost ◽  
Cost Effective ◽  
High Energy ◽  
Training System ◽  
Embedded Sensors ◽  
Pilot Training ◽  
New Approach ◽  
Combat Aircraft ◽  
Air Combat ◽  
The Cost

Abstract Advanced jet training still relies on old concepts and solutions that are no longer efficient when considering the current and forthcoming changes in air combat. The cost of those old solutions to develop and maintain combat pilot skills are important, adding even more constraints to the training limitations. The requirement of having a trainer aircraft able to perform also light combat aircraft operational mission is adding unnecessary complexity and cost without any real operational advantages to air combat mission training. Thanks to emerging technologies, the JANUS project will study the feasibility of a brand-new concept of agile manoeuvrable training aircraft and an integrated training system, able to provide a live, virtual and constructive environment. The JANUS concept is based on a lightweight, low-cost, high energy aircraft associated to a ground based Integrated Training System providing simulated and emulated signals, simulated and real opponents, combined with real-time feedback on pilot’s physiological characteristics: traditionally embedded sensors are replaced with emulated signals, simulated opponents are proposed to the pilot, enabling out of sight engagement. JANUS is also providing new cost effective and more realistic solutions for “Red air aircraft” missions, organised in so-called “Aggressor Squadrons”.

Motivating Compliance: Firm Response to Mandatory Disclosure Policies

2018 ◽  
Vol 32 (2) ◽  
pp. 103-119
Author(s):  
Colleen M. Boland ◽  
Chris E. Hogan ◽  
Marilyn F. Johnson
Keyword(s):  
Conflict Of Interest ◽  
Low Cost ◽  
Cost Effective ◽  
Data Availability ◽  
Policy Adoption ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Regulated Firms ◽  
Firm Response ◽  
Disclosure Rules ◽  
The Impact

SYNOPSIS Mandatory existence disclosure rules require an organization to disclose a policy's existence, but not its content. We examine policy adoption frequencies in the year immediately after the IRS required mandatory existence disclosure by nonprofits of various governance policies. We also examine adoption frequencies in the year of the subsequent change from mandatory existence disclosure to a disclose-and-explain regime that required supplemental disclosures about the content and implementation of conflict of interest policies. Our results suggest that in areas where there is unclear regulatory authority, mandatory existence disclosure is an effective and low cost regulatory device for encouraging the adoption of policies desired by regulators, provided those policies are cost-effective for regulated firms to implement. In addition, we find that disclose-and-explain regulatory regimes provide stronger incentives for policy adoption than do mandatory existence disclosure regimes and also discourage “check the box” behavior. Future research should examine the impact of mandatory existence disclosure rules in the year that the regulation is implemented. Data Availability: Data are available from sources cited in the text.

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