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Objective: In the hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadotrophin axis, estrogen plays a key role in the regulation of bone maturation and growth plate closure. This study was designed to explore the link between single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in the estrogen receptor 1 (ESR1) gene with idiopathic short stature (ISS) susceptibility in a North Indian population. Methods: Four SNPs of ESR1 (rs543650, rs6557177, rs2234693 and rs9340799) were genotyped by Sanger sequencing in ISS patients and controls. Linkage disequilibrium (LD) and haplotyping were done by SNPStat and SHEsisPlus software. The extent of LD was determined by calculating D' and R2 values in SNP paired combinations. Results: Fifty-two ISS patients were compared with 68 controls. A significant positive association was found between rs6557177 and rs543650 genotype and ISS susceptibility. The frequencies of the rs6557177 CC genotype [p=0.030; odds ratio (OR)=0.13; 95% confidence interval (CI): 0.01-1.10] and rs543650 genotype TT (p=0.043; OR=0.29; 95% CI: 0.09-0.92) were increased in the ISS group compared with controls. However, no significant correlation was observed between clinical parameters of patients and these SNPs. rs543650 showed strong LD with rs2234693 and rs9340799, similarly rs2234693 and rs9340799. Conclusion: Our study showed that the CC genotype at rs6557177 and TT genotype at rs543650 of ESR1 constituted a risk factor for developing ISS in North Indian children. These findings may lead to a better understanding of the SNPs associated with ISS susceptibility. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To generate normative data and validate the recently developed, gender-neutral, External Genitalia Score (EGS) in Indian preterm and term neonates and children up to 2 years of age with normal and atypical genitalia. This observational study included 1,040 neonates born between 28 and 42 weeks of gestation and 152 children between 1 and 24 months of age. In addition, 50 children with disorders of sex development (DSD) were also enrolled in the study. The Prader stage/external masculinization score (EMS) (as applicable), anogenital ratio (AGR) and EGS were assessed for all neonates and children with typical and atypical genitalia. Median EGS values in newborn males with typical genitalia were 9.5 at 28–31 weeks, 10.5 at 32–33 weeks, 11 at 34 weeks and 11.5 in males at 35–42 weeks of gestation. For all females with typical genitalia, the EGS was 0. EMS and EGS showed a positive correlation in males with typical genitalia (r=0.421, p=0.000**) and all children with DSD (r=0.857, p=0.000**). Mean AGR in males and females with typical genitalia and those with DSD were 0.52±0.07, 0.31±0.05 and 0.47±0.13, respectively. EGS correlated with AGR in all males with typical genitalia (r=0.107, p=0.008**), and in all children with DSD (r=0.473, p=0.001**). The EGS enables accurate, gender-neutral and comprehensive assessment of external genitalia in Indian neonates and children with typical and atypical genitalia/DSD. Evaluation for DSD is recommended in any child with EGS greater than 0 and ≤10th percentile for gestation or age (10.5 in a term neonate). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Age and gender specific growth charts for Indian children with Down syndrome (DS) based on longitudinal data have not been published. To establish percentile growth charts for DS children inhabiting northwestern parts of India, body weight and length/height of 1125 (Male: 752, Female: 373) children with DS aged <1 month to 10 years, enrolled from the "Genetics Clinic" were measured at half yearly age intervals in the "Growth Clinic" of the Institute from August 1994 to November 2018. A total of 2089 observations were made on these children using standardized anthropometric techniques and instruments following a prospective mixed‐longitudinal growth research design. Using the LMS method, age and sex‐specific percentile growth charts (<1 month to 10 years) for weight, and length/ height were generated. Unpaired t‐test was used to compare mean growth attainments of study children with those of DS patients representing other population groups as well as their normal Multicentre Growth Reference Study (MGRS and Indian Academy of Pediatrics (IAP) counterparts. The 50th percentile growth curves for both weight and length/height of Indian children with DS demonstrated a regular increase. As compared to their normal MGRS and Indian (IAP) counterparts, the children with DS had lower weight and height attainments. The boys and girls with Down syndrome showed short stature (height < 3rd centile) from the age of 1 year till 10 years and also became underweight beyond 5 years. As compared to their normal counterparts, children with Down syndrome exhibited compromised auxological attainments. The use of growth charts presented herein may be used to compare and monitor growth and nutritional status of Indian children with Down syndrome. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives: To establish gestation-wise normative data of external genitalia measurements in North Indian term and preterm female newborns. Methods: In this cross-sectional descriptive study, institutionally-born female neonates between 28-42 wk gestation were consecutively enrolled between 24-72 h of life. Newborns with major congenital malformations, chromosomal anomalies, multifetal gestation and birth injuries were excluded. Data on various genital measurements were collected [Clitoral length (CL), clitoral width (CW), ano-clitoral distance (AGDAC), ano-fourchette distance (AGDAF) and anogenital ratio (AGR)]. Results: One hundred ninety-eight of 508 neonates (39%) were preterm and 310 (61%) were term. Mean (± SD) CL and CW were 4.6 ± 1.8 mm and 3.9 ± 1.6 mm, respectively. Mean (± SD) values for AGDAF, AGDAC and AGR were 9.3 ± 1.8 mm, 30.2 ± 3.9 mm, and 0.31 ± 0.05, respectively. According to these results, term female newborns with CL more than 7 mm and/or CW more than 6 mm (95th centile) warrant evaluation for clitoromegaly. An anogenital ratio greater than 0.45 should be considered as a sign of virilization in a female neonate. Gestation-wise percentile charts for CL, CW, AGDAF, AGDAC and AGR were generated. Conclusions: The percentile values defined in the study can serve as local normative data for accurate interpretation of genital measurements in North Indian female newborns and enable health care professionals for early identification of genital virilization. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives: To generate gestation-wise normative data of external genitalia measurements in North Indian term and preterm male newborns. Methods: This was a hospital-based cross-sectional observational study. Male neonates born between 28–42 wk of gestation (at 24–72 h of life) were consecutively recruited in the study. Newborns with major congenital malformations, chromosomal anomalies, multifetal gestation and birth injuries were excluded. Data on various genital measurements were collected [Stretched penile length (SPL), penile width (PW), upper anogenital distance (AGDu), lower anogenital distance (AGDl) and anogenital ratio (AGR)]. Results: Out of 532 newborns, 208 (39.1%) were preterm. Mean (± SD) SPL and PW were 27.9 ± 3.6 mm and 10.6 ± 1.3 mm respectively. The mean values for AGDl, AGDu and AGR were 20.13 ± 4.04 mm, 39.2 ± 5.59 mm, and 0.51 ± 0.07, respectively. SPL less than 21 mm in a term male newborn and 17.5 mm in preterm should be considered micropenis (<2.5 SD) in our population. Gestation-wise percentile charts for SPL, PW, AGDl, AGDu and AGR were generated. Conclusions: The reference values and percentile charts generated can serve as local normative data for accurate interpretation of genital measurements in North Indian newborns, assessment of ambiguous genitalia and avoiding diagnostic errors. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: Short stature homeobox (SHOX) haploinsufficiency underlies idiopathic short stature (ISS) and Leri-Weill dyschondrosteosis. The worldwide prevalence of SHOX variations in ISS varies from 2.5% to 15.0%. The aim of this study was to assess the implication of SHOX variation in ISS in North Indians and compare this with other cases of SHOX variations from Asian population. Methods: SHOX gene analysis was carried out by multiplex ligation-dependent probe amplification followed by Sanger sequencing in 54 patients with variable phenotypes. Comparison with other reports in a meta-analysis comprising the current study and 11 previous studies (n=979) was performed. Results: SHOX analysis resulted in 12.9% positivity (7.4% deletions and 5.5% duplications). SHOX association was seen significantly related to gender, with predominance in females (p=0.047). Short arms and forearms were the only significantly associated trait seen in 51.9% of children. The overall prevalence of SHOX variation was 15.2% in Asians with ISS. No significant difference was found in geographical region-specific analysis. Conclusion: This study summarises findings from the last decade and provides an updated picture of the prevalence of SHOX variations in Asians, emphasizing their potential as therapeutic targets in ISS patients. Further high quality, large investigations including functional validation is warranted to validate this association. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction Serum immunofixation electrophoresis (SIFE) and serum free light chain (SFLC) assay are imperative investigations in diagnosis and follow-up of multiple myeloma (MM). SFLC assays are reported to have higher sensitivity than SIFE. However, discrepancies have been reported between them. The current study was aimed at assessing concordance and discordance between SIFE and SFLC results in MM. Methods A total of 450 observations of both SIFE and SFLC were obtained from treatment-naive and follow-up MM patients. Results One hundred and twenty-nine (28.7%) values were observed as discordant, that is, positive SIFE with normal SFLC ratio or negative SIFE with abnormal SFLC ratio (p -value < 0.00001). Proportion of discordance was higher in SIFE positive-SFLC normal cases than SIFE negative-SFLC abnormal cases. Discordance was more frequent in follow-up cases. Conclusion Negative SFLC alone may not be reliable for MM follow-up. Algorithm may be based on SFLC measurements on each follow-up till attainment of normal SFLC ratio. Once SFLC normalizes, follow-up may be done with SIFE. If SIFE is positive, further follow-up with SIFE may be initiated. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The paper proposes a wearable multiband antenna applicable for ISM (Industrial, Scientific and Medical) band, bluetooth, WiMAX, upper WLAN, fifth-generation (5G) smartphone applications, INSAT and radio altimeter, X-band, point-to-point hi-speed wireless, satellite TV, and C-band applications. This antenna is designed to function at resonance frequencies of 2.45 GHz, 4.6 GHz, 6.6 GHz and 8.2 GHz. The proposed textile antenna design dimensions are 50x80x0.56mm3.The antenna presented 47% impedance bandwidth covering the ISM band. The simulated value of the gain provided by the proposed wearable textile antenna is 5.59 dBi, 3.67 dBi, 3.99 dBi, 4.42 dBi at 2.45 GHz, 4.6 GHz, 6.6 GHz and 8.2 GHz resonant frequencies respectively.Simulations are therefore carried out using the human tissue model to show the specific absorption rate (SAR) value of the proposed antenna at different resonant frequencies. The antenna is fabricated and the simulated reflection coefficient validation is done with the measured results. The Antenna in off space provides 45% (2.1-3.32 GHz) impedance bandwidth. The antenna measured on the back of the human body provides percentage impedance bandwidth of 145% covering 1.4 to 8.8 GHz frequency band applicable for ISM band and other wireless applications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The paper presents a wearable fractal textile antenna design for Wireless Body Area network. The antenna is designed by using hybrid Sierpinski-Minkowski fractal geometry on the microstrip patch antenna. The proposed textile wearable antenna based on fractal geometry acts as multiband antenna and is applicable for ISM band, WiFi, Bluetooth, WLAN and WIMAX, C-band and X-band applications. The multiband resonance is achieved by optimizing the antenna design geometry. The denim material is used as a substrate for the proposed textile antenna. The wearable antenna is fabricated and tested for the on-body and off-body conditions. The antenna on-body is tested at two positions of human body: thigh and wrist. The measured results of antenna tested on wrist provided high impedance bandwidth of 97% (2.08–6 GHz) at 4.04 GHz and 39.4% at 7.6 GHz frequencies. The antenna provides high gain of 4.76 dBi, 5.32 dBi, 5.13 dBi, 3.88 dBi and 4.01 dBi at 2.45 GHz, 3.6 GHz, 4.9 GHz, 7.4 GHz and 9.6 GHz resonant frequencies respectively. The antenna attains 86.13% efficiency at 2.45 GHz frequency. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Growth hormone deficiency (GHD) in adults is associated with an increased risk of cardiovascular morbidity and mortality. Although children with GHD are also believed to have a similar cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk beginning at an early age, the available data in children is scarce. We aimed to determine the various CVD risk parameters in children with isolated GHD (IGHD). A cross-sectional case-control study was conducted at a tertiary care centre in North India comparing various auxological, biochemical, and echocardiographic parameters between 20 IGHD children aged 5–15 years and their age and sex-matched healthy controls. The mean age of children with IGHD and controls was similar (10.5 ± 2.6 yr vs. 9.9 ± 2.7 yr, p=0.48). Children with IGHD had significantly higher waist-hip-ratio (p=0.01), total cholesterol (p=0.02), non-high-density lipoprotein–cholesterol (p=0.02), serum homocysteine (p<0.001), C-reactive protein (CRP) (p=0.01) and pro-brain natriuretic peptide (pro-BNP) (p=0.04) levels as compared to healthy controls. Left ventricular mass (LVM) and interventricular septal thickness were significantly lower (p=0.04; p=0.02) in IGHD children. Correlation analysis showed that pro-BNP and CRP levels had negative correlation (p<0.001, r=−0.70; and p=0.04, r=−0.44, respectively) and LVM had a positive correlation (p=0.02, r=0.53) with height SDS among IGHD children. Children with IGHD showed abnormalities in several biochemical and cardiac parameters that may be associated with an increased CVD risk in later life. More extensive studies, including younger children with IGHD, are needed to determine the lower ages at which the CVD risk is detectable. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The reviewed paper describes the importance and role of modern technology in farm sector in India. Technological changes are the crucial driving forces for increasing farm productivity and promoting farm development in all developing countries. In past the adoption of mechanization in farm was started due to the green revolution, then government want to fulfill the demand of food grains of population. But now the dimensions are changed from last few decades' policies for farm, research and development, trade, training and education has been strong impact on the adoption of technology, the level of farm production and agricultural practices. It is recognized fact that improved modern inputs and machinery are major determinants of farm output, yet it is important to interpret the relationship of mechanization with other social and economic factors. Study also concluded the crop wise adoption of mechanization, farm machinery, major driving forces in social change, participation of women in farm, agribusiness, cost and the labor employed in the farm sector. The paper also recommends suggestions, to ensure that the farm sector takes its rightful place in our economy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The reviewed paper explains about aggregate of the residue's genesis from different crops, usage in-field and outfield, reason of flaming and managing crop residue with conservation of agriculture and alternative strategies. This paper also discusses the available agriculture machinery to manage the several type of residues in-situ and ex-situ. Management of crop residue has emerged to be a big issue in northern states of India, subsequently farmers choose inflame the residues. Management of residue is important because it carry plant nutritious that enhance the topsoil fertility capacity. Flaming residue affect nature and also deficit of scrumptious number of plant exigent nutrients. The issue of on farm burning of stubbles is sharpen in recent years due to lack of labour, combine harvester and huge capital loss in removing the stubbles by traditional ways, The residues of sugarcane, rice, mustard, maize, cotton, groundnut, jute, and millet are normally inflamed on-farm by various provenience of the India. This hurdle is more vital in the northern and western states where the wheat-rice system is mechanized. It is necessary to create consciousness among cultivators and farm societies to know the value of management of residues for resilience & sustainability of Indian agriculture. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The rectangular Horn–shaped wearable microstrip patch antenna is designed to resonate in the ISM (Industrial, Scientific, and Medical) band and other commercial wireless applications.The proposed multiband antenna is a wearable textile antenna with jeans material used as a substrate having relative permittivity, εr of 1.6. The physical dimensions of the antenna is 50 × 80 × 0.56 mm3. To generate the desired antenna to be applicable in ISM band, the slots are etched in the form of horn in the patch and the slotted ground plane is incorporated. The antenna provides percentage bandwidth of 44.3% at 2.4 GHz and 18.35% at 4.6 GHz.The antenna gain values are 4.74 dB and 3.71 dB at 2.45 GHz and 5 GHz frequencies respectively and VSWR is 1.21 at 2.45 GHz. The proposed wearable textile antenna is experimentally validated to be applicable for ISM band (2.4–2.484 GHz), WiFi (2.45 GHz), WiMax (3.3–3.9 GHz) and C-band (6.57–6.8 GHz) applications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: This pilot study assessed the impact of a structured lifestyle intervention combined with mobile health application on chronic disease risk in a healthcare-based university. Methods: A total of 24 overweight/obese university employees participated in a 12-week intervention that included group nutrition education and exercise sessions, a structured low-calorie meal plan, meal replacements, and a mobile health application. Results: A pre- and post-intervention analysis showed that the participants had weight loss (p < 0.001), a reduction in blood triglyceride (p = 0.010), and a reduction in systolic blood pressure (p < 0.001). There was an increase in the proportion of participants who achieved their clinical targets for systolic blood pressure from 16.7% at baseline to 58.3% after the intervention (p = 0.004). A focus group discussion demonstrated good acceptability of the intervention that was driven by the use of practical nutrition knowledge gained from the group education sessions and structured meal plans, and timely feedback on eating behaviour from use of the mobile heath application. Conclusion: A structured lifestyle intervention combined with mobile health application supports significant clinical improvements including weight loss and reductions in blood triglyceride and blood pressure. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: The study seeks to examine the foreign portfolio investment in equity, debt, and derivatives, during the 21-year period, from January 2000 to December 2020, in order to ascertain whether an increase in the FPI flows into equity and debt leads to an increase in the stock market (the Nifty) realized volatility, and an increase in the FPI flows into derivatives leads to an increase in the stock market (the India VIX) implied volatility. Research Methodology: The dataset comprised the Nifty and the India VIX daily prices, the monthly net FPI flows into equity, debt, debt VRR, hybrid securities, and derivatives. The FPI net flow-Nifty realised volatility/India VIX relationship was examined through linear regression, first by using their contemporaneous monthly values, and then on the volatility scale by dividing the dataset into volatility percentile buckets. Findings: The study has revealed a strong negative relationship (R2 of 61.1%) between the FPI net flows into equity, debt and hybrid securities and the Nifty volatility. This suggests that higher FPI flows into equity, debt, debt VRR or hybrids actually lower the Nifty volatility and do not increase it as is popularly perceived. The negative relationship has been stronger in the case of equity (R2 of 63.3%) as compared to the debt (R2 of 48.7%). The relationship between the India VIX and the FPI monthly open interest is significant and negative (R2 of 15%) for all the derivative types, with the exception of stock futures, which has a positive slope (R2 of 18.5%). The inverse relationship has been the strongest in the case of index options (R2 of 65.7%), index futures (R2 of 63.6%) and interest rate futures (R2 of 61.4%). The stock options too have a negative linear relationship with the India VIX (R2 of 15.4%). Policy Implications: A strong negative relationship between the FPI net flows into equity, debt and derivatives, and market volatility means that higher foreign capital flows should not be perceived as destabilising. The government can continue to take steps to welcome foreign investors. The foreign portfolio investment is critical to the growth of the Indian capital market and the economy. India is yet to be accorded its rightful place (corresponding to its GDP size) in global investment barometers, like the MSCI Emerging Markets Index. The insights provided by the study will encourage the Indian policy-makers, the Central bank and the market regulator to further spur foreign portfolio investment without fear. Limitations: The study is comprehensive in terms of the time-period and the FPI investment types. It employs simple and intuitive empirical methods. Further studies can be done on the determinants, impact and lasting benefits of the FPI flows into India at the firm and the country levels. Originality/Value: The study spans almost the entire period of time since the FII/FPI flows became significant after the economic liberalisation measures of the 1990s. The potential impact of up-to-date policy changes has, therefore, been accounted for. The study includes the complete range of FPI investment product categories, viz., equity, debt, debt VRR, hybrids, futures, and options. While the relationship between the FPI investment in debt and equity and the market volatility has been examined by considering the monthly volatility of the Nifty returns, the relationship between investment in derivatives has been examined in relationship to the NSE India VIX implied volatility index. Such an approach is a more accurate reflection of the relationship of the FPI open interest in derivatives and the Nifty-implied volatility. In addition, these relationships have been examined both along the volatility scale as well as the usual time scale. This is important because the FPIs' investment decisions, especially related to equity and derivatives (since debt and debt VRR investment are not so 'liquid') are driven by their perception of risk rather than longevity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Clostridium difficile infection (CDI), the occurrence has been increasing in the community as well as hospital-care facilities, resulting in higher morbidity and mortality rate. C. difficile, anaerobic pathogen greatly associated with antibiotic resistance and majorly linked to the irrational antibiotic use, which accelerate the alarming situation causing endemic as well epidemic globally. It is the budding menace and one of the major sources of nosocomial infection, i.e., hospital-acquired infection. The prevailing risk to public health by the antibiotics and their resistance majorly has driven the urge for utilizing the traditional herbal medicine into a sophisticated approach as a Modern/Ayurvedic Medicinal System (AMS). The current study aims to find out the promising herbals to combat the threat caused by C. difficile by applying herbal informatics as a holistic approach. Total 44 plants were elucidated against the virulence factors of the bacterium using the systematic bioprospection approach, out of which 5 plants were optimized that may be futher validated at the preclinical level. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The present study attempts to understand the changing occupational and economic status of Ravidasias. It also tries to see the social mobility and change among them by the diversification in occupations and use of modern technology in traditional occupation to develop as small entrepreneurs. This study also analysed to what extent the development programmes and better economic opportunities offered by other occupations make them more autonomous and have reinforced the motivation of Ravidasias to achievehigher social status. With these considerations present paper is presented. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: The study examines the performance of the NSE India VIX (NVIX) in terms of its relationship with the Nifty realized volatility during the period of November 2019 to October 2020, a period of high volatility during which the COVID-19 pandemic unfolded. The study specifically examines if the NVIX contains a volatility premium over and above the Nifty realized volatility, and, whether a linear/near-linear relationship exists between the NVIX implied volatility and the Nifty realized volatility. Design/methodology/approach: The dataset comprises the Nifty and the NVIX daily prices. The NVIX Nifty realized volatility relationship is examined through linear regression, first by using their daily values and then, for a more nuanced insight, by dividing the volatility dataset into percentile buckets. Findings: The study finds that the NVIX generally contains a volatility premium, but not during the extremely high volatility, i.e., annualised volatility of more than 32%. Also, a strong linear relationship exists between the NVIX and the Nifty realized volatility. The NVIX performs well during high market volatility. Practical Implications: A strong linear relationship between the NVIX and the Nifty volatility, even during high volatility, indicates that the NVIX can potentially be used as a reliable predictor of the future market volatility under different volatility conditions. Such a possibility holds immense potential for investors and the stock exchange administrations alike. Limitations and Further Research: This study takes a look at a very specific phenomenon related to the performance of the NVIX during a high volatility regime. Further studies can examine the performance of the NVIX over a larger number of high volatility periods and generate deeper insights towards building of a general forecasting model for the NSE market volatility based on the NVIX implied volatility. Originality/Value: The study spans a very recent period (2019-2020) and utilizes a simple and intuitive methodology. The findings of the study indicate the possibility of building a general model for forecasting future Nifty volatility based on currently available inputs. Such a model holds immense value for the market participants in their investment decisions related to portfolio hedging based on the NVIX implied volatility. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The research mainly explores the effect of perceived ethical climate on deviant workplace behavior. The behavior of the employees always affects the climate of the organization. Due to the unethical behavior of the employees at the workplace, organizations are not able to maintain an ethical climate. Organizations are trying their level best to ensure that deviant workplace behavior improves through their performance. This study is conducted to show how organizational ethical climate impacts deviant workplace behavior. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The present investigation deals with the study of small amplitude nonlinear ion-acoustic dressed solitary structures in two component plasma model consisting of cold positive ions and electrons. The electrons are assumed as featuring hybrid q-nonextensive nonthermal distribution also known as Cairns-Tsallis velocity distribution. In the lowest order of potential, the basic set of fluid equations is reduced to the well known Korteweg-de Vries ( KdV) equation. By including the contribution of higher order potential, an inhomogeneous KdV-type nonliner equation results that contains fifth order dispersion. The numerical values of the parameters like nonthermal ( $$\alpha$$ ) and nonextensive ( q) are according to the range suggested by Williams et al. (Phys Rev E 88:023103, 2013). The finite value of nonthermal parameter results into the formation of rarefactive type solitary structures. A comparison of amplitudes of higher order correction, dressed and KdV solitons has been presented pictorially. The combined effect of nonextensive parameter q and nontermal parameter on the soliton dynamics has also been studied and the results are shown in the form of two and three dimensional profiles. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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Occupational stress is prevalent in every profession now and library profession is not an exception to it. The present study explores the occupational stress among library professionals working in Universities of Punjab and Chandigarh. Data was collected from 301 library professionals working in Central libraries of the 24 universities in Punjab and Chandigarh through a self-constructed questionnaire. The data collected was tabulated and transformed into SPSS spreadsheet and then analyzed as per the objectives of the study. The aim of this study was to compare occupational stress with respect to demographic variables; gender, marital status, professional qualification and type of university in which they are working. Results of the study revealed that no significant difference was found in the level of occupational stress among library professionals according to their gender and marital status. Library professionals working in Private and Deemed Universities were found to be more stressed than the library professionals working in State and Central Universities. The significant difference of mean scores of occupational stress among library professionals was found to be on the basis of their professional qualification. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: To compare the efficacy and safety profile of low dose vaginal misoprostol with dinoprostone gel for induction of labor in term pregnancies. Methods: The study was conducted at Lady Hardinge Medical College and Smt Sucheta Kriplani Hospital on 100 pregnant women with term pregnancy after application of inclusion and exclusion criteria. The women were randomized in 2 groups of 50 women each. Group I received misoprostol 25ug at every six hour vaginally for a maximum of five doses for induction of labor; while group II received dinoprostone gel 0.5 mg every six hourly for a maximum of three doses. Maternal outcomes such as mode of delivery and induction delivery interval; and fetal outcomes such as APGAR score and incidence of NICU admission were assessed in both the groups. Statistical analysis was done using student t-test and chi-square test. Results: There was no significant difference in the mean induction to delivery interval in both the groups (14.32±0.13 hours in Group I and 14.92±0.18 hours in Group II, p=0.75), mode of delivery, indication of cesarean section and perinatal outcome. However, significant difference was observed in requirement of oxytocin augmentation in both the groups (32% in Group I and 68% in Group II, p=0.005). Conclusion: Vaginal misoprostol in low doses is similar in efficacy and safety to dinoprostone gel for cervical ripening and labor induction in term pregnancy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Background: The tuberculosis and infections caused by nontuberculous mycobacterial (NTM) species are increasing in patients presented with respiratory illness, and it is crucial to document the epidemiology of these infections. Objectives: To study the mycobacterial species and in vitro drug susceptibility trends of Mycobacterium tuberculosis found in the respiratory specimens. Materials and methods: A prospective descriptive study from July 2009 to December 2012. The BACTEC MGIT system tubes with growth were used in the study. GenoType Mycobacterium (Hain Diagnostika, Nehren, Germany) assays were used to identify the mycobacteria. The drug susceptibility testing was performed by the MGIT 960 system. Results: A total of 1745 MGIT 960 system positive tubes were included. M. tuberculosis complex (MTC) constituted 67.45% of the yield isolated, 30.83% were nontuberculous mycobacterial species, 0.17% were Mycobacterium bovis BCG and 1.55% were not interpretable to species levels. Mycobacterium fortuitum (45.71%), Mycobacterium abscessus (26.21%) and Mycobacterium intracellulare (10.41%) were major NTM identified. The drug susceptibility study showed that 6.88% (81/1177) of MTC were drug-resistant TB, 56 isolates were resistant to one of the first-line anti-TB drugs, 25 isolates were found to be resistant to 2 or more first-line anti-TB drugs, of which 19 (20.46%) were MDR-TB and one of the isolates in the year 2011 was confirmed XDR-TB. Conclusion: M. tuberculosis, M. fortuitum, M. abscessus and M. intracellulare were major mycobacterial species detected in the respiratory samples. The drug susceptibility testing showed that the majority of MTC were sensitive to first-line anti-TB drugs. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Context: Adolescents comprise 22.5% of the population, which forms a significant part of the entire population. It is only recently that we have acknowledged the need for a separate specialty to handle adolescent problems and ailments. Aims: The aim of the present study is to study the health profile of the adolescents girls presenting to the tertiary care hospital situated in New Delhi, India. Materials and methods: The study was conducted on 316 adolescent girls who presented to the adolescent clinic at Smt Sucheta Kriplani Hospital, New Delhi. Apart from recording the various health problems to which they presented, a detailed HEADSS assessment was done for each case. Results: Majority of the adolescents (60.74%) presented with menstrual problems, 78.48% discussed their problems with their parents, and 91.77% agreed on common things with them. About 69.62% were attending school or college, while 30.37% had either left or never attended school. Majority of the adolescents (77.84%) had only a few friends, 62.96% watched TV in their free time, and only 7.27% performed regular exercise. In addition, 0.94% adolescents in the study group were married. Among the 313 unmarried adolescents, 3.83% were dating and 4.47% were sexually active. There was a low incidence of teenage pregnancy (0.94%) reported in the unmarried study population. History of contraceptive use was present in only 1.26% cases, and only 5.06% of the adolescents had knowledge of HIV. Conclusions: Adolescent health must be viewed with a comprehensive approach comprising of social, mental, physical and emotional aspects. The active involvement of the entire society, including parents and teachers, must also be encouraged towards the healthy development of adolescents. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background This qualitative investigation was conducted to determine the socio-epidemiological factors related to the plague outbreak (2002) in Himachal Pradesh (HP), India. Methods The data for socio-epidemiological factors related to the plague outbreak (2002) in HP was obtained from residents through 150 in-depth Interviews (IDI) and 30 Focus Group Discussions (FGD) during six visits (from May 2011 to April 2012) by the research team. Natives, health officials and the nomadic population were interviewed. According to their opinion and viewpoints data was collected and their lifestyle and hunting practices were studied in detail. Tape recorders were used during various FGDs and IDIs. The interviews and FGDs were later transcribed and coded. In-depth analysis of the recorded data was done using an inductive thematic analysis approach. Results The study reports that the outbreak in 2002 in a few villages of Himachal Pradesh was that of plague and it occurred by the contact of an index case with wild animals after hunting and deskinning. The first wave of plague transmission which took 16 lives of residents was followed by a second wave of transmission in a ward of a tertiary care hospital where one visitor acquired it from relatives of the index case and succumbed. The life-style practices of residents (hunting behavior, long stay in caves and jungles, overcrowding in houses, poor hygiene and sanitation, belief in 'God' and faith healers for cure of diseases) was optimal for the occurrence and rapid spread of such a communicable disease. The man-rodent contact is intensified due to the practice of hunting in such a rodent-ridden environment. The residents harbor a strong belief that plague occurs due to the wrath of gods. Various un-reported outbreaks of plague were also observed by officials, residents and old folk. The persistence of plague in HP is favoured by its hilly terrain, inaccessible areas, inclement weather (snow) in winters, unhygienic lifestyle, hunting practices of residents, and treatment practices through faith healers. Conclusions This study suggests that the lifestyle of the natives of HP and other socio-epidemiological factors played a role in the outbreak of plague in that area. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Plants with capacity to accumulate high levels of selenium (Se) are desired for phytoremediation and biofortification. Plants of genus Astragalus accumulate and tolerate high levels of Se, but their slow growth, low biomass and non-edible properties limit their direct utilization. Genetic engineering may be an alternative way to produce edible or high biomass Se-accumulating plants. The first step towards this goal is to isolate genes that are responsible for Se accumulation and tolerance. Later, these genes can be introduced into other edible and high biomass plants. In the present study, we applied fluorescent differential display to analyze the transcript profile of Se-hyperaccumulator A. racemosus treated with 20 μM selenate (KSeO) for 2 weeks. Among 125 identified Se-responsive candidate genes, the expression levels of nine were induced or suppressed more than twofold by selenate treatment in two independent experiments while 14 showed such changes when treated with selenite (KSeO). Six of them were found to respond to both selenate and selenite treatments. A novel gene CEJ367 was found to be highly induced by both selenate (1,920-fold) and selenite (579-fold). Root- or shoot-preferential expression of nine genes was further investigated. These identified genes may allow us to create Se-enriched transgenic plants. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

By using the standard reductive perturbation technique, a nonlinear Schrödinger equation is derived to study the stability of finite amplitude ion-acoustic waves in an unmagnetized plasma consisting of warm positive and negative ions and non-thermal electrons. The effect of relative temperature of positive and negative ions, their charge and mass ratios, density ratios and non-thermally distributed electrons on modulational instability of fast and slow ion-acoustic mode is investigated. It is found that these parameters significantly change the domain of modulation instability. Both, envelope and dark solitons appear in different regions of parameter space. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

The analysis presented here is to study the effect of thermal gradient on the vibration of visco-elastic rectangular plate (having clamped boundary condition on all the four edges) of variable thickness whose thickness varies parabolically in both directions. The effect of linear temperature variation has been considered. A frequency equation of plate has been obtained by Rayleigh-Ritz technique with two terms of deflection function. The assumption of small deflection and linear visco-elastic properties of 'Kelvin' type are taken. Deflection and time period corresponding to the first two modes of vibrations for clamped plate have been computed for various combinations of aspect ratio, thermal constants, and taper constants. Numerical computations have been performed for an alloy 'Duralium' and the results obtained are depicted graphically. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The nonlinear wave structure of small amplitude ion-acoustic solitary waves (IASs) is investigated in a two-fluid plasma consisting of weakly relativistic streaming ions and electrons. Using the reductive perturbation theory, the basic set of governing equations is reduced to the Korteweg–de Vries (KdV) equation for the lowest order perturbation. This analysis is further extended using the renormalization technique for the inclusion of higher order nonlinear and dispersive effects for better accuracy. The effect of higher order correction and various parameters on the soliton characteristics is investigated and also discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Postoperative visual loss following spinal surgery is a rare complication. Although a number of intraoperative and postoperative factors have been implicated exact etiology still may remain unclear. We report a case of unilateral postoperative visual loss in a patient who had undergone prolonged spine surgery in a prone position. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article discusses the author's experience at the 2005 International Association of Law Libraries annual conference held in Florence, Italy. He points out that he is delighted to be given the chance to attend the convention since he gained more knowledge related to law librarianship and met legal information speakers. In addition, he posts various topics undertaken including the topic on constitutional development in European Union by Giuliano Amato.

In this research paper, the authors study the propagation of ion-acoustic solitons in a plasma consisting of warm positive and negative ions with different concentration of masses, charged states, and nonisothermal electrons. To account for the full nonlinearity of plasma equations, a quasipotential method is used here. The potential so obtained is characterized for solitons as a function of Mach number, positive and negative ions temperature, nonisothermal electrons, different concentration of negative and positive ions over a wide range of parameter space. Corresponding to isothermal case with β=1, coexistence of compressive and rarefactive solitons is obtained. For non-negative β≠1, only compressive solitons are observed. The prediction, that with introduction of negative ions there exists a critical ion concentration below which compressive solitons exist and above which rarefactive solitons exist, is ruled out for nonisothermal electrons. © 2003 American Institute of Physics. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]