Purpose – As posited by the ecological model of health, improvements in the nutrition and physical activity environments of worksites may facilitate healthier dietary intakes and physical activity patterns of employees. This cross-sectional study describes current policies and practices targeting these environments in five large Texas-based hospitals employing approximately 40,000 adults. The paper aims to discuss these issues. Design/methodology/approach – The environmental assessment tool survey, an observation tool, was used to assess these policies and practices in August and September 2012. Findings – Results demonstrated major policy and practice deficiencies, including a lack of policies supporting on and offsite employee physical fitness, no healthy catering or healthy meeting policies, minimal subsidizing of healthy food and beverage options, few health-promoting vending services, and no performance objectives related to worksite health improvement. Hospitals having an active employee wellness staff consistently performed better on implementation of policies and practices supporting healthy eating and physical activity. Practical implications – This study supports practice recommendations including engaging executive leadership to prioritize worksite wellness and using policies to create an infrastructure that promotes healthy eating and encourages physical activity among employees. Originality/value – This study is the first to compare and contrast the nutrition and the physical activity environments of large hospitals, allowing for the identification of common environmental barriers and supports across multiple hospital and foodservice systems.

The effect of alkali treatments of common bean seeds with red seed coat on the stability of antinutritional factors such as tannins, phytates and trypsim inhibitors, vitamins such as niacin and riboflavin and on protein quality has been studied. The samples were processed by soaking and pressure cooking in alkalies such as sodium hydroxide, sodium carbonate and sodium bicarbonate. At low temperature sodium carbonate and at high temperature sodium bicarbonate were found to be most effective in the extraction of tannins. At both low and high temperatures sodium carbonate was found to be more efficient in destruction of phytates. In the case of trypsin inhibitors, extraction at both low and high temperatures with sodium bicarbonate was most effective. Sodium hydroxide treatment was found to be better as far as the retention of niacin and riboflavin was considered.

Aim: The present study was undertaken to assess IPM modules against Fall Armyworm in Maize through Frontline Demonstration and its economic impact. Place and Duration of Study: The present study was carried out in Ananthapuramu district of Andhra Pradesh during the period 2020-2023. Methodology: The main objective of frontline demos is to demonstrate recently available crop production and protection technology, as well as their management practices, in a farmer's field in a micro farming setting. The KVK, Reddipalle conducted front line demonstrations on maize throughout rabi seasons of 2020-21, 2021-22 and 2022–2023, as part of annual technical programme of Krishi Vigyan Kendra, Reddipalle, Ananthapuramu district organised 30 FLD locations in KVK operational area of adopted villages. Following a group discussion, a list of farmers was created, and those who were chosen received specialised training in various parts of suggested protection technologies. Results: According to the current results and subsequent analysis of the results, maize reported a higher total (91120 Rs ha-1) when compared to farmers practice (74309 Rs ha-1). The benefit cost ratio was significantly higher in the recommended approach (2.51) when compared to farmers practice (2.12). The higher grain output and better market pricing of the produce may be the causes of the maize demonstration's higher net returns and B: C ratio. Conclusion: The FLD intervention is highly effective among maize farmers with increased net returns of 13618 rupees per hectare. Hence, FLD plays a vital role in dissemination of technology on a community basis when compared to other approaches.

Chickpea, blackgram and greengram are important rabi pulse crops grown in Andhra Pradesh. Adoption gaps were identified in these crops indicating the need for the demonstration of the improved crop management practices. In chickpea the variety NBeG47, blackgram TBG 104, greengram variety WGG 42 were introduced in farmers fields in rabi season. Along with the varietal introduction the whole package of improved management practices were demonstrated. A total of 50 FLDs each in chickpea, blackgram and greengram were organized for two consecutive years 2016-17 and 2017-18 in Krishna district, Andhra Pradesh. Highest yield of 27.50 q/ha was recorded with NBeG-47 in the demo fields with an average yield of 25.50 q/ha. In blackgram a highest yield of 17.25 q/ha was recorded in the demo with an average yield of 14.59 q/ha as againstcheck with an average yield of 11.50 q/ha. In greengram a highest yield of 16.50 q/ha was recorded in the demo fields with an average yield of 15.12 q/ha as against check with an average yield of 10.00 q/ha. Paired t test of the economics of demo and check showed significant positive difference between improved practice and farmers practice.

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The study was carried out to standardize the optimal growth, sporulation and production of perfect stage of pathogen on different media. Among different media used such as Potato dextrose Agar (PDA), Oat meal Agar, Ragi flour agar, yeast extract + 2% soluble starch, Host extract + 2% soluble sucrose agar, Potato dextrose agar + Biotin + Thiamine and Rice flour agar, Oat meal agar and potato dextrose agar was found to be best media for radial growth and sporulation of M. grisea. Maximum conidia length (9.46μm) and breadth (7.36μm) was recorded in Oat meal agar followed by Potato dextrose agar and least conidia length (6.15 μm) and breadth (5.11 μm) was recorded in ragi flour media after 20 days of inoculation. Conidial size varied in leaf and neck blast isolates, the maximum mean colony diameter of 88.00mm and 89.16mm in neck and leaf blast was recorded in Oat meal agar respectively. The maximum sporulation mean index was observed in Oat Meal agar of 3.15 μm in leaf and 3.20 μm in neck blast was recorded. The best growth of the pathogen was recorded at optimum pH range from 6.0 - 7.0 and temperature of 27oC. Therefore oat meal agar media was found to be best among all the media used for growth, sporulation, conidial size and colony characters of M. grisea.

Background: Lymphatic filariasis has been a major public health problem in India. Government of India during 2004 initiated Mass Drug Administration (MDA) with annual single dose of DEC tablets to all the population living at the risk of filariasis. Nalgonda is endemic district where MDA programme is undertaken every year to eliminate lymphatic filariasis. The present study was undertaken to evaluate the coverage and compliance rates of the MDA programme conducted during January 2018.Methods: The guidelines of National Vector Borne Disease Control Programme (NVBDCP) were used to select a total of 129 households from four clusters (three rural and one urban). Each household was visited by a team and data was recorded on pre-structured questionnaire available in operational guidelines manual of NVBDCP. Data analyzed by SPSS version 22.Results: Total of 129 households were included in the study, Among the 523 study population, only 494 were eligible population to receive MDA. Current study shows that coverage rate was 79.84% and compliance rate was 84.6%. Fear of side effects was most common reason for noncompliance.Conclusions: Efforts should be made to improve coverage rates by involving more human resources, supervision and incentives. Though compliance rates were higher than required there is need to maintain these rates by IEC activities and community participation.