The application of ethnographic methods to engineering for global development: the case of the Improvised Betel Nut Cutter

This technical brief is an attempt to report a case analysis of Engineering for Global Development (EGD) research from India. As a part of the engineering design and research project, two models of Improvised Betel Nut Cutter (IBNC) are designed, manufactured and field-tested. Engineering ethnography is adopted as a research tool during the design process of IBCN. It facilitated the participation of local stakeholders in the design process which is found to be effective for contextual understandings of the target community's needs, aspirations, constraints and socio-cultural norms and values. The technological intervention is expected to solve the problems like finger cuts, health drudgery (musculoskeletal pain, back pain, etc.) of the women involved in the supari business in Assam, India. It will also improve productivity and efficiency in the supari cutting practices of women. This case analysis depicts the effectiveness of trans-disciplinary effort in solving complex engineering problems at the bottom of the pyramid (BOP). Evidence gathered from this study is expected to be a useful resource for future endeavours in EGD research.

Potensi Vermisidal Infusa Biji Buah Merah (Pandanus conoideus), Rumput Kebar (Biophytum petersianum) dan Kulit Buah Pinang (Areca catechu) terhadap Ascaridia galli secara In Vitro

This study aimed to determine the vermicidal potency of the infusion of Buah Merah seeds, Rumput Kebar and betel nut peels against Ascaridia galli in chickens and body length of male and female A. galli. Dry test materials (5%, 10% and 15% for each concentration) were immersed in 100 ml of distilled water and incubated at 90 °C for 15 minutes. The solution was filtered using filter paper, and the filtrate was used in the treatment. Three active worms that obtained directly from chicken intestines were placed in 15 cm Petri dishes containing 25 ml of each treatment and control solution. Five replications were performed for each treatment. Observations were made 8 hours after treatment for paralysis and worm death. Measurements of the body length were made from the anterior end to the posterior end of the worm using a ruler. Observational data were processed using Anova, the significant difference was continued by the Tukey HSD test (P<0.05) with SPSS 16.0. Conclusion: all the materials used in this study have potential as anthelmintics against A. galli and the highest dose of rumput Kebar infusion is the best vermicidal. The body length of female A. galli is longer than of the male. Keywords: Betel nut peels; Buah merah seeds; Infusion; Rumput kebar; Vermicidal Abstrak Penelitian ini bertujuan untuk mengetahui potensi vermisidal infusa biji Buah Merah, Rumput Kebar dan kulit buah Pinang terhadap Ascaridia galli pada ayam dan ukuran panjang tubuh A. galli jantan dan betina. Bahan uji kering (5%, 10% dan 15% untuk masing-masing konsentrasi) direndam dalam 100 ml aquadestillata dan diinkubasi pada suhu 90 °C selama 15 menit. Larutan disaring menggunakan kertas saring, dan filtratnya digunakan dalam perlakuan. Tiga cacing yang aktif bergerak yang diperoleh langsung dari usus ayam, ditempatkan dalam cawan Petri berukuran 15 cm yang berisi 25 ml masing-masing larutan perlakuan dan kontrol. Dilakukan lima ulangan untuk setiap perlakuan. Pengamatan dilakukan 8 jam setelah perlakuan terhadap paralisis dan kematian cacing. Pengukuran dilakukan dari ujung anterior ke ujung posterior cacing menggunakan penggaris. Data hasil pengamatan diolah menggunakan Anova, perbedaan nyata dilanjutkan dengan uji Tukey HSD (P<0,05) dengan SPSS 16.0. Kesimpulan: seluruh bahan yang digunakan pada penelitian ini memiliki potensi sebagai anthelmintik terhadap A. galli dan dosis tertinggi infusa rumput Kebar merupakan vermisidal yang paling baik. Panjang tubuh A. galli betina lebih panjang dari pada jantan. Kata kunci: Biji buah merah; Infusa; Kulit buah pinang; Rumput kebar; Vermisidal

FOCUS ON HEALTH BENEFITS OF TAMBUL SEVAN VIDHI AS DINCHARYA UPAKRAMA - A LITERATURE REVIEW

In Ayurveda classics, there is a detailed explanation of what a person should practice from getting up early in the morning to sleeping at night under dincharya upakrama. Tambul Sevan (chewing betel leaf) is described as one of the dincharya upakram i.e., daily regimen. Tambul Sevan means chewing betel leaf mixed with betel nut and other aromatic herbs. Tambul Sevan is an important social component. In Indian tradition, Tambul or paan has been consumed from vedic era that is 5000 years ago. But nowadays the traditional betel leaf and betel nuts are replaced by tobacco and other masala paan. Therefore, the whole concept of Tambul Sevan and its usefulness has been changed. Now there is a need to understand what Tambul Sevan Vidhi is. Ayurveda says Tambul Sevan maintains good oral hygiene and good taste of mouth, it also prevents bad odour and other oral cavity diseases. Tambul Sevan maintains agni (digestive fire) at its samya avastha (normal condition), so it is said to be consumed at end of the meal i.e., bhojananate tambul sevan. Here, this review article highlights the traditional way of Tambul Sevan Vidhi and its health benefits briefly. Keywords: Tambul, Tambul Sevan Vidhi, betel leaf, dincharya, health benefits.

Selection of Optimal Processing Condition during Removal of Methylene Blue Dye Using Treated Betel Nut Fibre Implementing Desirability Based RSM Approach

Adsorption of Methylene Blue onto chemically (Na2CO3) treated ripe betel nut fibre (TRBNF) was studied using batch adsorption process for different concentrations of dye solutions (50, 100, 150 and 200 mg/L). Experiments were carried out as a function of contact time, initial solution pH (3 to11), adsorbent dose (10 gm/L – 18 gm/L) and temperature (293, 303 and 313 K). The adsorption was favoured at neutral pH and lower temperatures. Adsorption data were well described by the Langmuir isotherm and subsequently optimised using a second-order regression model by implementing face-centred CCD of Response Surface Methodology (RSM). The adsorption process followed the pseudo-second-order kinetic model. The maximum sorption capacity (qmax) was found to be 31.25 mg/g. Thermodynamic parameters suggest that the adsorption is a typical physical process, spontaneous, enthalpy driven and exothermic in nature. The maximum adsorption occurred at pH 7.0. The effect of adsorption was studied and optimum adsorption was obtained at a TRBNF dose of15 gm/L.

Pendampingan Pembuatan E-Marketplace dan Laporan Keuangan pada UP2K "Mulan" Khususnya Dasa Wisma "Mawar"

Program Pengabdian Kepada Masyarakat in partner with Usaha Peningkatan Pendapatan Keluarga (UP2K) “Mulan” which consists of Dasa Wisma “Mawar” in the Kelayan Dalam, Banjarmasin city. Mitra is a Dasa Wisma community that has members from women who have micro businesses. The home-based businesses that are carried out by the Dasa Wisma women are in the form of dry and wet food products, including Sago Tempe Chips, Rengginang, Banana Chips, Betel Nut, Porridge Bingka, Rolls, Cakes, Resoles And Pies. Product sales are still carried out conventionally, namely deposited at a souvenir center shop, sold directly in traditional markets or receiving orders from certain parties, there are no records or bookkeeping, the production process still uses simple tools. Based on the analysis of the situation, the problems faced by partners are the partner marketing aspect regarding the e-marketplace, the financial aspect related to financial reports, and the production aspect is still being done with household appliances.Thus, the solution offered to solve partner problems is to conduct e-commerce socialization & training along with the preparation of financial reports. The activity method begins with the preparation stage, then the implementation stage, and finally the mentoring and reporting stage which is planned to be completed within a period of 8 months. The results after implementing the program have been achieved, namely, business actors have increased understanding of the importance of e-commerce, especially online marketing and understanding finances. In addition, partners who previously did not have a Shopee and Tokopedia account after the training already have an account registered with Shopee and can be used in business activities. Next partners are given a cash book so they can record costs and sales.

Betel Nut Chewing Decreased Calcaneus Ultrasound T-Score in a Large Taiwanese Population Follow-Up Study

Chewing betel nut is common in Taiwan. Although previous studies have shown that chewing betel nuts is associated with adverse health effects, findings about the impact on bone density have been inconsistent. Therefore, the aim of this study was to investigate the correlation between betel nut chewing and calcaneus ultrasound T-score in a longitudinal study of 118,856 participants from the Taiwan Biobank. Of these participants, 27,002 were followed up with for a median of 4 years. The T-score of the calcaneus was measured in the non-dominant foot using ultrasound. Multivariable analysis showed that a history of chewing betel nut (coefficient β = −0.232; p < 0.001) was significantly associated with low baseline T-score in all participants (n = 118,856). In addition, a long duration of betel nut chewing (per 1 year; coefficient β = −0.003; p = 0.022) was significantly associated with a low baseline T-score in the participants with a history of chewing betel nut (n = 7210). Further, a long duration of betel nut chewing (per 1 year; coefficient β = −0.004; p = 0.039) was significantly associated with a low ΔT-score in the participants with a history of chewing betel nut (n = 1778) after 4 years of follow-up. In conclusion, our results showed that betel nut chewing was associated with a decrease in calcaneus ultrasound T-score, and thus, it is important to stop chewing betel nut to help prevent an increased risk of osteoporosis in the Taiwanese population.