BACKGROUND:The current estimates of energy and protein to bridge nutrient gap in the beneficiaries of the Integrated Child Development Services (ICDS) supplementary nutrition program use sub-optimal methodology for deficit calculation.OBJECTIVE:To estimate the nutrient deficit and the risk of inadequate nutrient intake in beneficiaries of the ICDS, aged 6-36 months, using individual 24-hour diet recalls, from districts of Chitradurga and Davanagere in Karnataka.STUDY DESIGN:Cross-sectional design.PARTICIPANTS:Children (aged 6 to 36 months) registered as beneficiaries of the ICDS in these districts.METHODS:Data were collected on socio-demographic factors, child feeding patterns, perception and usage of take home ration (THR), between August to October, 2019. Three non-consecutive days' 24-hour diet recall data of children were obtained from mothers, and anthropometric measurements were taken. The proportion of children at risk of inadequate nutrient intakes was estimated using the probability approach. Assuming that 50% of a healthy population will be at risk of nutrient inadequacy such that intake and requirement distributions overlap, the proportion at actual risk of nutrient inadequacy (≥50%) was calculated.RESULTS:A combined district analysis showed a median energy deficit of 109 kcal and 161 kcal in children belonging to the age groups of 6-12 month and 13-36 month, respectively. The actual risk of inadequate intake for both age groups ranged between 12-47% for fat and other micronutrient (iron, calcium, zinc, folate, vitamin B12 and vitamin A), despite breastfeeding, complementary feeding and reported THR use.CONCLUSION:Children who receive supplementary nutrition as part of the national program fail to meet their nutrient requirements that are essential for growth and development. The study results may help in strengthening the IYCF counselling and in modification of the existing THR, with quality and cost implications.

Small unmanned aircraft systems can increase efficiency and reduce risk to humans during the inspection of truss-supported structures such as steel bridges. This paper describes a method to mathematically represent a truss and subsequently to plan an efficient collision-free inspection path. The algorithm checks user-defined perspectives for feasibility and redefines any infeasible perspectives. A deterministic roadmap is then generated as the complete graph over these perspectives, and some additional nodes are generated near the joints of the structure. A traveling salesman problem (TSP) is solved to find an efficient inspection path that tours all perspective points, and a local A* path planner then refines the inspection path to circumvent obstructions. The TSP is re-solved, with an updated cost based on local detours; and the process iterates until a feasible TSP solution is found. The "lazy" approach to global and local planning, for which paths are checked for feasibility after the fact and amended if necessary, ensures quick convergence to an efficient inspection path. Simulation results show the functionality of the algorithm. Comparison with a probabilistic roadmap method indicates the proposed algorithm's efficiency.

Lysine is the limiting amino acid in the predominantly cereal and legume based typical Indian diet and its supplementation has been shown to positively affect muscle strength in short term adult and animal models; but similar studies are lacking in children. This study looked at the effect of a 3-month lysine and iron intervention on muscle strength and growth parameters in prepubertal Indian girls. The study was a randomized controlled trial conducted in 40 normal Indian girls in the 9-10 yrs age group. The control group received only iron (6.25mg) supplementation, while the intervention group received both iron and lysine supplementation that increased the lysine intake to 50mg/kg/day. Muscle strength was estimated in both upper limbs with a hand dynamometer and muscle endurance was estimated in the non-dominant hand. Height and weight were recorded to assess growth. A significant difference was seen in the increase in the non-dominant hand grip strength between the groups (intervention: 1.4 vs control: 0.2 kg, p=0.042) at the end of the study. There was a trend of increased height gain (about 25%) and weight gain (about 50%) in the intervention group compared to control group. Lysine supplementation for 3 months increased non-dominant forearm muscle strength in Indian children.

Small unmanned aircraft systems (UAS) can increase efficiency and reduce risk to humans during the inspection of truss-supported structures such as steel bridges. This paper describes a method to mathematically represent a truss and subsequently to plan an efficient, collision-free path from a given starting position to a given goal. The algorithm generates a deterministic roadmap which connects nodes that are generated near the joints of the structure. This roadmap is then searched for the path using a lazy A* algorithm. Simulation results show the functionality of the algorithm. Comparison with a probabilistic roadmap method indicates the proposed algorithm’s efficiency.

Mirizzi syndrome is a complication of long standing cholelithiasis. In this, obstruction of the extrahepatic bile duct by stone/s in the Hartman’s pouch or cystic duct (Mirrizi type I) may erode in to the bile duct forming cholecystobiliary fistula (Mirrizi type II). Altered biliary tract anatomy and the associated pathology make cholecystectomy, open or laparoscopic, a formidable undertaking. Awareness of this entity and its preoperative diagnosis is of paramount importance to avoid injury to the bile duct at surgery. Improper surgical procedures may lead to long-term stricture formation. The present article reviews the available literature on various aspect of this syndrome including its pathogenesis, diagnosis and recommended management guidelines.