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Background: Breast cancer in males is a rare disease with an estimated incidence of 0.5-1% of all breast cancer cases. However recent data show that incidence is slowly rising but epidemiological data regarding Male Breast Cancer is little as compared to Female Breast Cancer due to the rarity of this disease. It is mostly seen in elderly men in the 6th or 7th decade of life. They usually present at an advanced stage with a poor prognosis as compared to FBC. This study is aimed to analyze the epidemiologic, and clinicopathological behavior of male breast cancer patients. Methods: This work is the prospective work of 11 male breast cancer patients who were presented in department of General Surgery Rims, Ranchi during a period of 1 year. Data regarding clinical history, examination findings, family history, stage of the disease, histopathological examination and hormonal status were evaluated. Results: Results showed that male breast cancer occurs later in life with median age being 58.5 years. The average diagnosis delay was 6.6 months. Out of eleven patients, eight of them had involvement of the left breast while the other three had involvement of right side of breast. Invasive ductal carcinoma was the histological type found in nine cases. Ten patients presented an advanced stage of T4 while one patient presented at T3. Hormone receptors were positive in 81.8% cases. Conclusion: To conclude male breast cancer is a rare disease with multiple and varied risk factors. It is similar in clinical, histological and prognostic characteristic to breast cancer in women but also has varied characteristics. We suggest that for early diagnosis and enhanced prognosis, teaching self-breast examination in males, screening mammography and testing for familial predisposition shall be helpful in high risk groups. Therefore, there is a requirement for more free awareness public programmes to educate males about breast cancer and promote its early detection. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Preventing and responding to gender-based violence (GBV) is both a human rights imperative and a multifaceted economic issue. GBV can also act as a barrier to economic empowerment. The aim of the study was to examine the association between women's empowerment (physical mobility, decision making and economic resources) and GBV among married youth in India. Methods: Community based cross-sectional study was conducted among married youth in the age group of 15–24 years, in two selected districts of Uttar Pradesh and Rajasthan, India. The data was collected from 578 youth. Pre-validated scales were used to assess women's empowerment indicators (physical mobility, decision making and economic resources). The outcomes assessed were scales on physical and sexual violence. Multivariate regression models examined associations between women's empowerment, spousal characteristics, socio-economic status and demographics. Results: The overall results of the study found that restricted physical mobility had a negative association with sexual violence [AOR: 0.49; CI 0.26–0.92]. Women with no decision-making power had higher odds of physical violence [AOR: 2.12; CI 0.01–4.43] and sexual violence [AOR: 1.96; CI 1.02–3.77]. Having no economic resources had a negative association with sexual violence [AOR: 0.19; CI 0.09–0.39]. Women going through spousal controlling behavior had a higher likelihood of physical [AOR: 3.79; CI 1.75–8.19] and sexual violence [AOR: 4.03; CI 2.09–7.79]. It was also found that married women from rural areas and other ethnic backgrounds had higher odds of physical violence. Conclusion: There is a crucial need to work towards women's empowerment, with progressive gender roles such as greater decision-making, physical mobility and economic resources to reduce GBV. An established method that has worked in various contexts is adopting gender transformative approaches that involve men. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article provides information on the 5th Annual Workshop on Luminescence Dating and its Applications organized by the Association for Luminescence Dating (ALD), India, from 20 to 23 February 2024. It states that the workshop included a pre-workshop training program and sessions chaired by prominent researchers such as A. Bharadwaj and S. Chopra.

This study investigates elevation change (dh) and geodetic mass budget of glaciers in the Jankar Chhu Watershed (JCW), Lahaul Himalaya, India, based on the difference in ASTER DEMs during 2002–2018. Glacier-wide spatially heterogeneous dh patterns were evaluated in the context of morphological and topographical settings. During 2002–2018, glaciers show a mean annual elevation change rate (dh/dt) of -0.38 ± 0.10 m a-1, resulting in a specific mass budget of -0.32 ± 0.09 m w.e.a-1, close to the previously reported estimates in western Himalaya. Nearly stagnant thick debris-covered tongue (>10% debris cover) characterized by melt hotspots exhibits maximum dh at up-glacier instead of the terminus. Debris-free glaciers (<10% debris cover) show maximum dh near the terminus. Spatially heterogeneous dh under varying debris cover is interpreted as an insulating effect of debris thickness as validated by field measurements. We suggest that elevation change of debris-covered glaciers cannot be generalized and glacier-wide spatially detailed mapping of dh is necessary to better understand the control of different surface morphology under warming climatic conditions in the western Himalayas. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

India's leather industry is an interesting case for a value chain (VC) that has unorganised and organised firms. To understand VC's upstream, we examine a recent database on unorganised enterprises in the leather industry. First, we assess the determinants of two outcomes: value added and surplus. Second, we gauge if technology impacts employment. We use a multi-database and multi-method approach. Our analysis is based on National Sample Survey's (NSS) 73rd Round on unincorporated non-agricultural enterprises. To understand the downstream of value-added value chain functions, capacity utilisation, last-mile delivery, product and process innovation, and orientation towards export, we use the World Bank Enterprise survey (2014). While confirming the stylised fact of the direct relationship between the firm's resources and performance, the study emphasises the pivotal role of human capital in a firm's performance, valid for both VC streams. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aims: L-asparaginase is an essential medicine for childhood ALL. The quality of generic L-asparaginase available in India is a matter of concern. We compared four commonly used generic formulations of L-asparaginase in India. Materials and methods: We conducted a prospective, open-label, randomised trial of four generic formulations of asparaginase for the treatment of patients with newly diagnosed intermediate-risk B-ALL. Patients were randomly assigned in a 1:1:1:1 ratio to receive generic asparaginase at a dose of at 10,000 IU/m 2 on days 9, 12, 15, and 18 of a 35-day cycle (Induction treatment). The primary end points were to determine the difference in the asparaginase activity and asparagine depletion. Historical patients who received L-asparaginase Medac (innovator) served as controls. Results: A total of 48 patients underwent randomization; 12 patients each in the four arms. Failure to achieve predefined activity threshold of 100 IU/L was observed in 9/40 samples of Generic A (22·5%), 23/40 of Generic B (57·5%), and 43/44 (98%) each of Generic C and D. All 27 samples from seven historical patients who were administered Medac had activity > 100 IU/L. The average activity was significantly higher for Genericm A, 154 (70·3, 285·4) IU/L followed by Generic B 84·5(44·2, 289·1) IU/L, Generic C 45(14·4, 58·4) IU/L, and Generic D 20·4(13, 35) IU/L. Only 6 patients had asparaginase activity > 100 IU/L on each of the four occasions (Generic A = 5; Generic B = 1), and none of them developed Anti-Asparaginase Antibodies (AAA). On the other hand, AAA was observed in 12/36 patients who had at least one level < 100 IU/L (P < 0·05): Generic A 3/5, Generic B = 3/9, Generic D (4/11), and Generic C (5/11). Conclusion: Generic A and B had better trough asparaginase activity compared to Generic D and C. Overall, generic formulations had lower asparaginase activity which raises serious clinical concerns regarding their quality. Until strict regulatory enforcement improves the quality of these generics, dose adaptive approaches coupled with therapeutic drug monitoring need to be considered. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Stones are common cause of obstructive uropathy which may lead to decrease in renal function. Though endourological procedure like Ureteroscopic Lithotripsy (URSL) is commonly done yet Medical Expulsive Therapy (MET) is often offered as a first line therapy for mid and distal ureteric stones of size less than one cm. Aim: To compare the effect of Tamsulosin and URSL on renal function and stone free rate for solitary mid and distal ureteric stone. Materials and Methods: This prospective interventional study was done in IPGME&R and SSKM Hospital, Kolkata, West Bengal, India, from May 2020 to October 2020, on the total study population of 50 patients with 26 patients in MET and 24 patients in URSL group. Parameters measured and compared were changes in Glomerular Filtration Rate (GFR) and stone free rate after six weeks of intervention. Numerical variables and categorical variables were compared between two groups using independent t-test and chi square test respectively. Results: The mean age of patients in MET (n=26) and URSL group (n=24) was 37.12 years and 33.63 years respectively. GFR was significantly increased after completion of treatment in individual groups (p-value=0.01) and in final study population but change in GFR was not significant when compared between the groups (p-value=0.372). Difference in stone clearance rate between two groups was also insignificant (p-value=0.902) whereas within the groups was significant (p-value<0.05). Conclusion: Tamsulosin for six weeks does not result in significant functional loss in the affected kidney and proved as effective as URSL for mid and distal solitary ureteric stone upto one cm in size with similar stone free rate. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The importance of water quality models has increased as their inputs are critical to the development of risk assessment framework for environmental management and monitoring of rivers. However, with the advent of a plethora of recent advances in ML algorithms better predictions are possible. This study proposes a causal and effect model by considering climatological such as temperature and precipitation along with geospatial information related to the agricultural land use factor (ALUF), the forest land use factor (FLUF), the grassland usage factor (GLUF), the shrub land use factor (SLUF), and the urban land use factor (ULUF). All these factors are included in the input data, whereas four Stream Water Quality parameters (SWQPs) such as Electrical Conductivity (EC), Biochemical Oxygen Demand (BOD), Nitrate, and Dissolved Oxygen (DO) from 2019 to 2021 are taken as outputs to predict the Godavari River Basin water quality. In the preliminary investigation, out of these four SWQPs, nitrate's coefficient of variation (CV) is high, revealing a close association with climate parameters and land use practices across the sampling stations. In the authors' earlier study, a model using a single-layer Feed-Forward Neural Network (FFNN) showed improved performance in predicting cause and effect factors linked to water quality metrics. To achieve better prediction, a stacked ANN meta-model and nine conventional machine learning (ML) models, including Extreme Gradient Boosting (XGB), Extra Trees (ET), Bagging (BG), Random Forest (RF), AdaBoost or Adaptive Boosting (ADB), Decision Tree (DT), Highest Gradient Boosting (HGB), Light Gradient Boosting Method (LGBM), and Gradient Boosting (GB), were compared in this study. According to the study's findings, Bagging and Boosting models outperformed stand-alone earlier FFNN for the same dataset and showed superior predictive capabilities in terms of accuracy in forecasting the variable of interest. For instance, during testing, the coefficient of determination (R2) of Biochemical Oxygen Demand (BOD) increased from 0.72 to 0.87. Furthermore, a stacked Artificial Neural Network (ANN) meta model that was reinforced using Extreme Gradient Boosting (XGB), Random Forest (RF), and Extra Trees (ET) as base models performed better than the individual ML models (from R2 = 0.87 to 0.91 for BOD in testing). By using this new framework, the effort for hyperparameter tuning can be minimized. • ANN-based stacking model for prediction of SWQP. • ML models in the prediction of water quality parameters. • Significance of land use land cover parameters in the estimation of SWQP. • Geospatial and ML-based stacked ANN model efficiency in predicting SWQP over traditional models. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Percutaneous peritoneal dialysis catheter (PDC) insertion for continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis (CAPD) entails a higher risk of complications such as bowel injury, vascular injury, and catheter migration compared to the surgical insertions. We conducted a comparative analysis of two techniques of peritoneal entry for PDC insertion by Seldinger technique. We performed a retrospective review of 426 percutaneously inserted PDCs in nonobese naïve abdomens for CAPD at two tertiary care teaching hospitals in India over 6 years. Comparison of various mechanical complications, and short‐term catheter survival was done between use of introducer needle (Group "I") and spring‐loaded pneumoperitoneum (Veress) needle (Group "V"). Group "I" to "V" patient ratio was 277:149. Group "I" had heavier patients (p = 0.03) whereas "V" group had a dominance of diabetes (p = 0.009) and prior hemodialysis patients (p = 0.03). At 3 months, the odds of mechanical complications (OR = 0.27, p = 0.004), PDC migration (OR = 0.18, p = 0.02), and omental wrapping (OR = 0.13, p = 0.04) were less in "V" group. No bowel injury occurred with Veress needle use. At 6 months, "V" group had higher odds of event‐free sustained PDC tip position (OR = 0.39, p = 0.003), and catheter survival (p = 0.03), and the cumulative events were lesser too (p = 0.002). Refractory peritonitis and deaths with functioning catheter were comparable between both the groups. In this first‐of‐its‐kind study, spring‐loaded Veress pneumoperitoneum needle use was safer, entrusted sustained PDC tip position in pelvis, and had a better catheter survival compared to use of introducer needle for peritoneal entry in percutaneously inserted PDCs. These findings should be confirmed by a randomized controlled study. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

COVID-19 has disrupted the Indian economy. Government-enforced lockdown to restrict the spread of infection has impacted the household economy in particular. We combine aggregates from national income accounts and estimates from the microdata of a labour force survey covering more than 0.1 million households and 0.4 million individuals. The aggregate daily loss to households is USD 2.42 billion. While loss to earnings accounts for 72% of the total, the rest 28% is wage loss. Service-based activities account for two thirds of wage loss, and natural resource-based activities are responsible for most of the earning loss. The dominance of informal job contracts and job switching in labour markets intensifies this, with the most vulnerable group consisting of 57.8 million in casual engagement, who have a high degree of transition from one stream of employment to another on a daily basis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

BACKGROUND The gram pod borer, Helicoverpa armigera (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) is an economically important pest of pigeonpea crop in India. Fixed plot surveys for H. armigera larvae were carried out at 28 pigeonpea fields located in the Southern Plateau and Hills agro‐climatic zone of India for three crop seasons (nine sampling weeks per season). The spatiotemporal dynamics of H. armigera larvae in the experimental area (=Hanamkonda) was analysed using geostatistics tools, namely a variogram and Voronoi diagram, and H. armigera larval distribution patterns were further characterized and mapped. RESULTS: A significant difference in H. armigera larval incidence was noticed between sampling weeks, with greater larval incidence observed between 26 November and 2 December. Pod formation phenophase (Meteorological Standard Week 44) of pigeonpea favoured the initial H. armigera larval incidence. Variogram analysis revealed moderate to strong larval aggregation (spatial dependence) of H. armigera in all nine sampling weeks. Based on the range value of the variogram, the average aggregation distance of H. armigera larvae in pigeonpea was estimated to be 2425.48 m. Voronoi diagrams illustrated the spatial heterogeneity of H. armigera larva between sampling weeks, which can be linked to availability of food sources. CONCLUSION: This study witnessed intrapopulation variability in H. armigera larvae associated with geographical space and temporal patterns. Based on our findings, a sampling distance of 2425.48 m may be used in larger pigeonpea fields (experimental area) to reduce scouting fatigue. The interpolated maps generated in this study may be of value in developing effective H. armigera larva monitoring and management tools in pigeonpea crop. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article focuses on the fourth annual workshop on luminescence dating and applications, bringing together scientists and students from various disciplines. Topics include methodological developments, Earth surface processes and paleoclimate studies, and geoarchaeology, with discussions on issues faced by the luminescence geochronology community in India.

Biomarkers of exposure to harmful tobacco constituents are key tools for identifying individuals at risk and developing interventions and tobacco control measures. However, tobacco biomarker studies are scarce in many parts of the world with high prevalence of tobacco use. Our goal was to establish a robust method for simultaneous analysis of urinary total 4-(methylnitrosamino)-1-(3-pyridyl)-1-butanol (NNAL), N′-nitrosonornicotine (NNN), and cotinine at the Advanced Centre for Treatment, Research and Education in Cancer (ACTREC) in Mumbai, India. These biomarkers are validated measures of exposure to the carcinogenic tobacco nitrosamines 4-(methylnitrosamino)-1-(3-pyridyl)-1-butanone (NNK) and NNN and the addictive alkaloid nicotine, respectively. The established method is characterized by excellent accuracy, linearity, and precision, and was successfully applied to the analysis of 15 smokeless tobacco (SLT) users and 15 non-users of tobacco recruited in Mumbai. This is the first report of establishment of such procedure in a laboratory in India, which offers the first in-country capacity for research on tobacco carcinogenesis in Indian SLT users. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Disposal of used lubricant oil in an ecosystem is a serious environmental threat. In this context, recycling waste lubricant oil into a valuable product has an immense commercial and environmental significance and is a challenging area of research. In this article, we have demonstrated the use of waste lubricant oil as a partial replacement of diesel oil of ammonium nitrate fuel oil (ANFO) explosives. Moreover, the effect on detonation properties and rock fragmentation patterns by the use of lubricant oil based ANFO in blasting operation has also been studied. The field trial experiments were carried out with lubricant oil based ANFO explosive to demonstrate the real applicability of the prepared explosive composition at Nimbeti Limestone open‐pit mine of Shree Cement Limited, India. These explosive compositions revealed effective detonation performance. Importantly, air quality was analyzed during blasting operations to indicate that the emitted toxic fumes such as CO, NOx, and fine dust particles (PM2.5 & PM10) were found within the permissible limit at the mining area by the use of lubricant oil based explosives. Further, rock fragmentation analysis indicated that ANFO explosive compositions with 20 %, 30 %, and 40 % (w/w) lubricant oil in diesel oil revealed good rock fragmentation as compared with normal ANFO in the conducted experimental blast. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Aerospace Sector Is Very Different From Other Sectors As It Needs High Capital Investment, Continuous Technology Advancement Along With The Drawbacks Of Low-Profit Margin And High Gestation Period. Indian Aerospace Industry Is Growing Fast Due To High Demand In Civil And Military Aviation. The Structure Of The Industry Is Changing Fast, And Opening Up For The Start-Ups At Tier 3 And Tier 2 Levels. It Provides Scope For Innovation And Creativity. Engineers And Scientists Can Use Their Expertise And Become Entrepreneurs. This Paper Emphasizes That There Are Huge Opportunities For Startups In The Aerospace Industry In India Due To The Higher Rate Of Growth Supported By The Government, Availability Of Human Resources, And Investment By Big Original Equipment Manufacturers. This Paper Has Analyzed The Growth Of The Aerospace Industry And Its Changing Shape Resulting In Scope For Entrepreneurship, High- Tech Entrepreneurship, And The Motivation-Behavior Factors For The Entrepreneurship Identified By The Researchers, The Entrepreneurs And The Industry Experts. The Motivating Factors Identified By Them Include Role Models, Education In The Field, Work Experience In An Aerospace Company, Patriotism, Childhood Dream, Opportunities In The Sector, Freedom To Become An Entrepreneur, To Be Own Boss, Push Beyond Status Quo, Research Orientation, Ability To Work On Cutting Edge Technologies, Support From Original Equipment Manufacturers And The Government, And Availability Of Required Human Resources At A Low-Cost. A Conceptual Framework Has Been Developed In The Paper Which Can Be Used For Further Research In The Field. As No Specific Research Is Found In This Field, This Paper Opens Up A New Avenue For Research In This Field. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Despite the importance of tropical ecosystems for climate regulation, biodiversity, water and nutrient cycles, only a few Critical Zone Observatories (CZOs) are located in the tropics. Among these, most are in humid climates, while very few data exist for semi‐arid and sub‐humid climates, due to the difficulty of estimating hydro‐geochemical balances in catchments with ephemeral streams. We contribute to fill this gap by presenting a meteorological and hydro‐geochemical dataset acquired at the Mule Hole catchment (4.1 km2), a pristine dry deciduous forest located in a biosphere reserve in south India. The dataset consists of time series of variables related to (i) meteorology, including rainfall, air temperature, relative humidity, wind speed and direction, and global radiation, (ii) hydrology, including water level and discharge at the catchment outlet, (iii) hydrogeology, including manual (monthly) and/or automated (from 15 min to hourly) groundwater levels in nine piezometers and (iv) geochemistry, including suspended sediment content in the stream and chemical composition of rainfall (event based), groundwater (monthly sampling) and stream water (storm events, 15 min to hourly frequency with an automatic sampler). The time series extend from 2003 to 2019. Measurement errors are minimized by frequent calibration of sensors and quality checks, both in the field and in the laboratory. Despite these precautions, several data gaps exist, due to occasional access restriction to the site and instrument destruction by wildlife. Results show that large seasonal and interannual variations of climatic conditions were reflected in the large variations of stream flow and groundwater recharge, as well as in water chemical composition. Notably, they reveal a long‐term evolution of groundwater storage, suggesting hydrogeological cycles on a decadal scale. This dataset, alone or in combination with other data, has already allowed to better understand water and element cycling in tropical dry forests, and the role of forest diversity on biogeochemical cycles. As tropical ecosystems are underrepresented by Critical Zone Observatories, we expect this data note to be valuable for the global scientific community. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Paclitaxel is dosed according to body surface area (BSA) but there is scant information on actual drug exposure in overweight and obese patients. Methods: Early breast cancer patients receiving paclitaxel at 175 mg/m2 every 3 weeks, in two BMI groups (normal, 18–24.9 kg/m2 and overweight/obese, ≥25 kg/m2, respectively), matched for age, serum albumin and bilirubin levels using minimization technique, were included. Sparse pharmacokinetic (PK) sampling was performed at 7 time points from 0 h until 24 h of starting paclitaxel in cycle 1. Paclitaxel concentration was measured using a validated LCMS/MS method. Covariate effect on paclitaxel PK was evaluated by population PK analysis using NONMEM software. Results: Eighteen female patients each were enrolled in normal and overweight groups with mean BMI of 21.62 ± 2.06 and 28.16 ± 2.31 kg/m2, mean BSA of 1.44 ± 0.11 and 1.69 ± 0.14 m2 and mean paclitaxel dose of 250 ± 18 and 293 ± 21 mg, respectively. Model predicted AUC and dose normalized AUC (mean ±SD) in the normal BMI versus overweight obese groups were 23 ± 11.0 µmol*h/L versus 25.7 ± 13.7 µmol*h/L (two‐sample t‐test p > 0.05) and 0.08 ± 0.04 (µmol*h/L)/ µmol versus 0.08 ± 0.04 (µmol*h/L)/ µmol (2‐sample t‐test p > 0.05), respectively. No significant correlation was observed between BMI and standardized dose normalized AUC (Pearson's correlation coefficient, −0.009; p > 0.05). Conclusion: When dosed according to BSA calculated using actual body weight there is no significant difference in paclitaxel exposure between normal and overweight women. Using alternative descriptors of weight to calculate BSA could lead to under‐dosing of this drug. Trial registration: This study is registered in the Clinical Trials Registry of India CTRI/2015/09/006193. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: The aim of this study was to report the ocular findings in renal allograft recipients in India.Methods: A cross-sectional, comprehensive ophthalmic evaluation was performed, at least three months postrenal transplant, in 152 renal allograft recipients for the ocular findings. In addition, ocular findings were assessed for an association with the clinical variables like major etiologies of end-stage renal disease, pre-transplant dialysis duration, post-transplant duration, and dosage of immunosuppressive drugs.Results: 72.36% of the recipients (mean age, 38.16 ± 10.04 years) had at least one ocular finding at 3 ± 2.6 years (range, 0.3-14 years), postrenal transplant. Hypertensive retinopathy was the commonest ocular finding followed by posterior subcapsular cataract (20.4%), nuclear sclerosis (19.7%), diabetic retinopathy (15.1%), dry eye (11.2%), allergic conjunctivitis (9.9%), pterygium (6.6%), open-angle glaucoma (3.3%), meibomitis (3.3%), pinguicula (2.6%), chalazion (1.3%), subconjunctival haemorrhage (1.7%), central serous chorioretinopathy (1.7%), healed ocular toxoplasmosis (1.7%), papilledema (1.7%), and dry ARMD (1.7%). In addition, a significant association existed between some of the ocular findings with major aetiologies of ESRD, post-transplant duration, and dosage of immunosuppressive drugs. However, no association existed between the ocular findings and pre-transplant dialysis duration.Conclusion: Ocular findings are seen in 72.36% of the renal transplant recipients with hypertensive retinopathy being the commonest one. Hence, a mandatory regular ophthalmic screening of the recipients is recommended for an early detection and timely intervention to improve the quality of life. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Using primary data from respondents in Sikkim, in the north-eastern region of India, this study investigates the relationship between the sociodemographic characteristics of consumers and their preference for cashless payment instruments. The results show that debit/credit cards, online banking and payment apps are the preferred instruments for making cashless payments, irrespective of sociodemographic category, while the least preferred instrument is the e-wallet. Study subjects reported that being motivated to adopt cashless payment for a number of reasons, including convenience, financial incentives and promotional offers, reluctance to adopt cashless payment instruments was informed by security concerns, poor internet coverage, low acceptance levels among merchants, transaction costs and lack of technical know-how. The results also suggest that while people's preferences towards cashless payment systems are significantly associated with gender, age, education, occupation and income, reluctance to adopt is significantly associated with occupation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Self-adaptive cuckoo search algorithm is used to optimize the design of water distribution system problems. It is proposed to dynamically adjust the two sensitive parameters of the algorithm, (i) step size control parameter 'α' and (ii) discovering probability parameter 'Pa' which largely govern the exploration and exploitation search strategies of the algorithm. These parameters are essential for enhancing the performance of the algorithm and normally the values of these parameters needs careful selection according to the type of problem. Single objective self-adaptive cuckoo search algorithm (SACSA) and multi-objective self-adaptive cuckoo search algorithm (SAMOSCA) are proposed in this study. Robustness and efficiency of these algorithms in single (minimization of cost) and multi-objective scenarios (minimization of cost and maximization of resilience) is validated using standard water distribution benchmark problems i.e. Two loop and Hanoi network. These are later applied to solve a medium size real-life water distribution system located at Pamapur, Telangana, India. A simulation-optimization based program combining the water distribution network simulation software EPANET 2.2 and MATLAB is used for computation. The proposed methodology has provided better results in terms of computational efficiency as well as found better solutions when compared to the previously reported results in both single and multi-objective scenarios. In the case of multi-objective problems, it has been observed that SAMOCSA has been able to find new points in pareto front when compared to the best-known pareto front reported in the literature. Self-adaptive cuckoo search algorithm has been found to be an attractive alternative in both exploration and exploitation of larger search spaces for finding better optimal solutions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Comprehensive Abortion Care (CAC) implies that women must be able to access high-quality, affordable abortion care in the communities where they live and work. Objectives: To assess the knowledge and attitude regarding CAC among married women of reproductive age group in selected rural community, West Bengal India. Materials and Methods: A descriptive type of observational study, cross sectional in design was conducted among 400 married women of reproductive age group in selected villages of Gazole and Bamongla Block of Malda District using a pre designed pre tested structured schedule from 9/2017 to 9/2018, a period of 1 year. Data were tabulated in Microsoft Office Excel 2010 and analysis was done using Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS) Version 20.0.Results: About 61.5% belonged to age group of 25-35 years, 78.5% followed Hinduism, 35% completed Secondary education, 59.5% came from nuclear family, 75.5% were home makers, 43% had one child, 64% not opted for abortion, 66% had adequate knowledge, 78% had positive attitude ,55.5% knew meaning of abortion, 78.5% knew place for termination of pregnancy, 76.5% told best method to prevent unwanted pregnancy, 87.5% told why Comprehensive Abortion Care is important. Conclusion: Awareness programme on Comprehensive Abortion Care through mass media and interpersonal communication should be initiated at programmatic level. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

OBJECTIVES: Cytochrome P450 2D6 (CYP2D6) enzyme metabolizes a quarter of prescription drugs. Polymorphisms of CYP2D6 gene and resultant phenotypic variations in metabolic activity have been described in various populations. We assessed the prevalence of CYP2D6 activity phenotypes, employing dextromethorphan (DXM) as probe drug in subjects with at least two parental generations residing in eastern India. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Unrelated healthy subjects took 60 mg DXM after fasting overnight. Blood samples were collected 3 h after dosing and plasma separated. DXM and its primary metabolite dextrorphan (DXT) were measured by liquid chromatography with tandem mass spectrometry. The DXM-to-DXT metabolic ratio (MR) was obtained for each subject. Histogram of MR values suggested bimodal distribution. A polynomial regression equation derived through probit analysis was solved to identify the antimode of the MR values. Subjects with log(MR) < antimode were extensive metabolizers (EMs). Log(MR) = antimode indicated poor metabolizers (PMs). RESULTS: We evaluated the results from 97 participants. The median MR was 0.209 (interquartile range: 0.090-0.609), while the antimode for MR was 3.055. From these, it was inferred that three subjects were PMs, while the rest were EMs. CYP2D6 polymorphism prevalence is low (3.09%; 95% confidence interval: 0.35%-6.54%) in the population of eastern India and matches the prevalence in other zones of the country. CONCLUSIONS: Differences in CYP2D6 activity has treatment implications and may lead to adverse events or therapeutic failure. Phenotyping of subjects receiving CYP2D6 metabolized drugs may help clinicians personalize treatment and avert adverse drug-drug interactions. However, the frequency of the PM phenotype is low in India, and routinely phenotyping for CYP2D6 activity will not be cost-effective. We cannot recommend it at this stage. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Age-related Macular Degeneration (AMD) is the leading cause of legal blindness and central vision loss in the 50 above age group among both developed and developing countries. In India, the prevalence of early late ARMD is similar to that observed in Western populations in the age group of 60–79 years. The standard practice for the diagnosis of AMD is by Amsler test conducted by an eye professional. It is a simple procedure but suffers from poor recall and requires trained clinician to interpret. Current digital solutions are inadequate to provide a unified visual functional deficiency report for the grading and monitoring of the disease. The proposed work presents a novel functional vision screening algorithm ideal for the detection and grading of AMD and other macular diseases with the help of severity scoring, which is integral part of our developed software called Manipal E-Amsler (ME Amsler). The software is validated through clinical trials conducted on 134 subjects out of which 72 subjects are affected by AMD. A sensitivity of 90.2% and specificity of 84.4% and area under receiver operating characteristics curve (AUC) of about 92% are obtained. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The study reports new progress in the glacial chronology from new sites of the Chandrabhaga basin (CBB), in the transition between the monsoon-dominated Pir-Panjal and westerly-dominated Trans-Himalaya, in Lahaul Himalaya, northern India. In Lahaul, asynchronous timing and extent of late Quaternary glaciation have been reported (Owen et al., 1996, 1997, 2001; Eugster et al., 2016). The established oldest and most extensive Chandra glacial stage remains undated and speculative. We reconstrain the late Quaternary glacial history of the CBB using geomorphological mapping, Infrared Stimulated Luminescence (IRSL), and 10Be Terrestrial Cosmogenic Nuclide (TCN) surface exposure dating. Four local glacial stages, the Chandra, Batal, Dali, and Mayar, are dated to 152 ± 37 ka, 43 ± 3 ka, 21 ± 2 ka, and Little Ice Age (LIA), respectively. The Chandra glacial stage occurred during the late Marine Isotope Stage 6 (MIS 6; 186 ± 30 – 113 ± 10 ka), characterized by thick lacustrine deposits, rock benches, and ice-polished bedrock along the trunk valleys. We provide the first account of the numerical dating for the much-awaited timing of the oldest Chandra glacial stage (Local Last Glacial Maxima; LLGM) in the region (Owen et al., 1996, 1997, 2001). The LLGM in the CBB is much older than previously thought, consistent with some north-western Himalayan glacial records (Owen et al., 2006; Dortch et al., 2010; Hedrick et al., 2011; Orr et al., 2017, 2018). The Batal glacial stage occurred during the early MIS 3 and is dated from 47 ± 2 to 41 ± 2 ka, represented by the thick lacustrine deposits and impressive terraces. The Dali glacial stage occurred during the Global Last Glacial Maxima (GLGM), characterized by a series of latero-frontal recession moraines, and is dated from 33 ± 3 to 13 ± 1 ka. The Mayar advance is characterized by confined tributary valley glaciers, possibly linked to the LIA advance reported in the Kulti valley (Saha et al., 2019). The equilibrium line altitude (ELA) rose by ∼486 m from the Chandra stage to the present day. Reconstructed ELA altitudes and glacial landforms demonstrate that the glaciations have become progressively less extensive through time for this part of the western Himalayas. The change of glaciation pattern during the later part of the Quaternary is like other regions of the orogen, such pattern of glaciation reflects regional climatic forcing. • We present novel 31 k-feldspar IRSL and 12 cosmogenic 10Be ages for Chandrabhaga basin, Lahaul Himalaya, northern India. • We reconstrain the chronology for previously reported glacial stages of Owen et al. (1996, 1997, 2001). • We assign previously reported but undated oldest Chandra glacial stage with absolute dates. • Findings suggest that the Local Last Glacial Maxima in this region is much older than previously thought. • Our findings strongly question the previously reported extensions and rate of deglaciation during Global Last Glacial Maxima by Eugster et al. (2016). • Each glaciation becomes progressively less extensive in the Chandrabhaga basin over time. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: India contributes high broaden of maternal and child death globally. Over the past decade, there has been considerably improvement in maternal and child health indicator in India with intervention of national health mission. However, inequalities in basic health outcomes, lack of access and poor quality of medical care still exists. Marginalized, poor, and rural populations have noticeable low health indicators. Aim: The aim of this study isto describe the design, implementation, and baseline findings of “family centric safe motherhood approach among marginalized young married couples in rural India. Settings and Design: To establish a baseline, we completed 1347 interviews in 100 villages from two rural blocks (Balotra and Siwana) of Rajasthan, India. Methods: The progress of health outcomes is to be measured by set of indicators. Based on results, intervention package was developed. Statistical Analysis Used: The data were entered in SPSS 22 version. Bivariate analysis was performed. Results: Around two-fifth of couples (42.9%) used any temporary contraceptive method. Although the percentage of antenatal care (ANC) in the first trimester (77%) was high, but only 10% of them received three or more ANC check-up. Institutional delivery was reported to be 64.5%. Less than 10% of the women reported that they received quality of ANC (7.1%) and 32.7% was tetanus vaccination coverage in the study area. Aware of any contraceptive method was above 92.7% and 64.3% of respondents have an intention to use any family planning method in the next 12 months. Conclusions: These data provide a baseline of crucial information for evidence-based action on maternal and child health at rural inaccessible villages. Our baseline estimates will facilitate the evaluation of interventions and feasibility of scaling up of intervention. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Improving maternal health outcomes remains a priority in Low and Middle Income Countries. With the rapid proliferation of mobile health technologies, there is an increased interest in understanding how these technologies can effectively improve maternal health outcomes particularly maternal health seeking knowledge and behaviors. However, few studies present clear explanations of the program developers’ rationale (theory of change) and contextual factors that could influence program outcomes. This mixed-methods study assesses Mobile for Mothers, a community health workers (CHW) utilized maternal mHealth intervention. We present the program developers’ rationale and utilize it as a framework to guide our study that aimed to identify intervention-related and contextual factors, which influence the observed outcomes of a CHW, utilized mHealth intervention. Materials and methods: Quantitative methods (a questionnaire with 740 women who received the intervention and survey of 57 CHWs who utilized the intervention) and qualitative methods (12 interviews and 4 group discussions with CHWs and 20 interviews and 5 group discussions with pregnant and lactating women and 15 interviews and 2 group discussions with men) were conducted. These were used to understand how the mHealth intervention was implemented and to gain insight into contextual factors that potentially influenced the observed intervention outcomes. Results: Results were grouped following three categories: (1) perceptions and experiences of CHWs utilizing the mHealth technology; (2) CHW-related outcomes; and (3) contextual factors that influence maternal health-seeking behavior. The overall response of CHWs and community members to the intervention was positive. However, contextual factors like the relationship between the CHWs and their respective communities, the pregnant women’s decision-making power and lack of access due to financial influenced the observed outcomes. Conclusion: Mobile health applications are promising interventions for improving the performance of CHWs and health-seeking behavior of pregnant women. However, the contextual factors play a crucial role in intervention outcomes and need to be explicated by program developers during intervention design and implementation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The present prospective study was done at Lady Hardinge Medical College, New Delhi. In this study the incidences of the bony and cartilaginous injuries in 100 cases of deaths due to hanging were analysed with the gender, age, socio economic status, place of hanging, the type of suspension, the location of the knot, type of the knot, the type of hanging. 76(76%) of cases were males and the majority of the cases were from 21-30 age group, 94(94%) of the victims belonged to the low socioeconomic status, 97(97%) of the cases hanged themselves indoor, 2(2%) had committed suicide by hanging at their workplace, 81(81%) cases had complete type of hanging and 64(64%) had atypical type of hanging. In our study there were 42 (42%) cases had some injuries in their bony and cartilaginous neck structures. Hyoid bone fractures were found in 6(6%) cases, thyroid cartilage injury was seen in 39(39%) cases among which 3 cases had both hyoid and thyroid cartilage fracture in combination. All the above injuries occurred only in cases with complete type of hanging. The incidence of such injuries was more frequent in males who had typical and complete type of hanging. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: New methods for controlling sand fly are highly desired by the Visceral Leishmaniasis (VL) elimination program of Bangladesh, India and Nepal for its consolidation and maintenance phases. To support the program we investigated safety, efficacy and cost of Durable Wall Lining to control sand fly. Methods: This multicentre randomized controlled study in Bangladesh, India and Nepal included randomized two intervention clusters and one control cluster. Each cluster had 50 households except full wall surface coverage (DWL-FWSC) cluster in Nepal which had 46 households. Ten of 50 households were randomly selected for entomological activities except India where it was 6 households. Interventions were DWL-FWSC and reduced wall surface coverage (DWL-RWSC) with DWL which covers 1.8 m and 1.5 m height from floor respectively. Efficacy was measured by reduction in sand fly density by intervention and sand fly mortality assessment by the WHO cone bioassay test at 1 month after intervention. Trained field research assistants interviewed household heads for socio-demographic information, knowledge and practice about VL, vector control, and for their experience following the intervention. Cost data was collected using cost data collection tool which was designed for this study. Statistical analysis included difference-in-differences estimate, bivariate analysis, Poisson regression model and incremental cost-efficacy ratio calculation. Results: Mean sand fly density reduction by DWL-FWSC and DWL-RWSC was respectively −4.96 (95 % CI, −4.54, −5.38) and −5.38 (95 % CI, −4.89, −5.88). The sand fly density reduction attributed by both the interventions were statistically significant after adjusting for covariates (IRR = 0.277, p < 0.001 for DWL-RWSC and IRR = 0.371, p < 0.001 for DWL-FWSC). The efficacy of DWL-RWSC and DWL-FWSC on sand fly density reduction was statistically comparable (p = 0.214). The acceptability of both interventions was high. Transient burning sensations, flash on face and itching were most common adverse events and were observed mostly in Indian site. There was no serious adverse event. DWL-RWSC is cost-saving compared to DWL-FWSC. The incremental cost-efficacy ratio was −6.36, where DWL-RWSC dominates DWL-FWSC. Conclusions: DWL-RWSC intervention is safe, efficacious, cost-saving and cost-effective in reducing indoor sand fly density. The VL elimination program in the Indian sub-continent may consider DWL-RWSC for sand fly control for its consolidation and maintenance phases. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

ABSTRACT The present study investigated the relationship between the El Niño Southern Oscillation ( ENSO) and heat wave characteristics, such as duration, annual number of heat wave days and maximum temperature of heat wave events, in India. El Niño is associated with an eastward shift in the Walker circulation and breakdown of circulation patterns, resulting in delay in the onset of the Indian Summer Monsoon ( ISM). Because most heat waves in India occur during the pre-monsoon season, the present study showed that heat waves during El Niño years were longer and hotter, and it is argued that this is related to a delay in the onset of the ISM. Further, it was found that the shift in the circulation pattern due to El Niño resulted in (1) the weakening of southwesterlies in the Arabian Sea, and (2) the occurrence of a large number of clear sky days over India. These explain the occurrence of warmer and longer duration heat waves during El Niño years. These results imply that, if El Niño activity increases in the future, heat waves in India are likely to intensify. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background HBV is spread by contact with blood or body fluids of an infected person. HBV is said to be 50 to 100 times more infectious than HIV. Most of the unclaimed dead bodies brought for medico-legal autopsies at Lady Hardinge Medical College, New Delhi are beggars and destitute who remain indulged in drug addiction and unsafe sex, thus more prone to HBV infection than general population. Aims To evaluate whether unclaimed dead bodies pose more risk of transmitting HBV infection than claimed dead bodies. Methods As out of all the markers for HBV, detection of HBsAg reveals present infectious status of the individual, present study was conducted on 100 claimed and 100 unclaimed dead bodies using HBsAg marker. Results Out of total 200 cases, 30(15%) cases were positive for HBsAg and hence HBV infected. On comparison, in claimed dead bodies, 7% cases were found positive for HBsAg whereas in unclaimed dead bodies, 23% cases were positive for HBsAg. Conclusion Unclaimed dead bodies brought for medico-legal autopsy should be screened for HBsAg prior to autopsy so that all the precautions can be taken to avoid contracting HBV infection. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Airborne particulate chemistry mostly governed by associated sources and apportionment of specific sources is extremely essential to delineate explicit control strategies. The present submission initially deals with the publications (1980s–2010s) of Indian origin which report regional heterogeneities of particulate concentrations with reference to associated species. Such meta-analyses clearly indicate the presence of reservoir of both primary and secondary aerosols in different geographical regions. Further, identification of specific signatory molecules for individual source category was also evaluated in terms of their scientific merit and repeatability. Source signatures mostly resemble international profile while, in selected cases lack appropriateness. In India, source apportionment (SA) of airborne particulates was initiated way back in 1985 through factor analysis, however, principal component analysis (PCA) shares a major proportion of applications (34%) followed by enrichment factor (EF, 27%), chemical mass balance (CMB, 15%) and positive matrix factorization (PMF, 9%). Mainstream SA analyses identify earth crust and road dust resuspensions (traced by Al, Ca, Fe, Na and Mg) as a principal source (6–73%) followed by vehicular emissions (traced by Fe, Cu, Pb, Cr, Ni, Mn, Ba and Zn; 5–65%), industrial emissions (traced by Co, Cr, Zn, V, Ni, Mn, Cd; 0–60%), fuel combustion (traced by K, NH 4 + , SO 4 − , As, Te, S, Mn; 4–42%), marine aerosols (traced by Na, Mg, K; 0–15%) and biomass/refuse burning (traced by Cd, V, K, Cr, As, TC, Na, K, NH 4 + , NO 3 − , OC; 1–42%). In most of the cases, temporal variations of individual source contribution for a specific geographic region exhibit radical heterogeneity possibly due to unscientific orientation of individual tracers for specific source and well exaggerated by methodological weakness, inappropriate sample size, implications of secondary aerosols and inadequate emission inventories. Conclusively, a number of challenging issues and specific recommendations have been included which need to be considered for a scientific apportionment of particulate sources in different geographical regions of India. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background We assessed the feasibility and results of active case detection (ACD) of visceral leishmaniasis (VL), post kala-azar dermal leishmaniasis (PKDL) and other febrile diseases as well as of bednet impregnation for vector control. Methods Fever camps were organized and analyzed in twelve VL endemic villages in Bangladesh, India, and Nepal. VL, PKDL, tuberculosis, malaria and leprosy were screened among the febrile patients attending the camps, and existing bednets were impregnated with a slow release insecticide. Results Among the camp attendees one new VL case and two PKDL cases were detected in Bangladesh and one VL case in Nepal. Among suspected tuberculosis cases two were positive in India but none in the other countries. In India, two leprosy cases were found. No malaria cases were detected. Bednet impregnation coverage during fever camps was more than 80% in the three countries. Bednet impregnation led to a reduction of sandfly densities after 2 weeks by 86% and 32%, and after 4 weeks by 95% and 12% in India and Nepal respectively. The additional costs for the control programmes seem to be reasonable. Conclusion It is feasible to combine ACD camps for VL and PKDL along with other febrile diseases, and vector control with bednet impregnation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Heat waves are expected to intensify around the globe in the future, with potential increase in heat stress and heat-induced mortality in the absence of adaptation measures. India has a high current exposure to heat waves, and with limited adaptive capacity, impacts of increased heat waves might be quite severe. This paper presents the first projections of future heat waves in India based on multiple climate models and scenarios for CMIP5 data. We find that heat waves are projected to be more intense, have longer durations and occur at a higher frequency and earlier in the year. Southern India, currently not influenced by heat waves, is expected to be severely affected by the end of the twenty-first century. Projections indicate that a sizable part of India will experience heat stress conditions in the future. In northern India, the average number of days with extreme heat stress condition during pre-monsoon hot season will reach 30. The intensification of heat waves might lead to severe heat stress and increased mortality. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Acanthocephalans are fish parasites of worldwide distribution, penetrate their thorny proboscis into the intestinal wall of host and absorb nutrients. No diagnostic tool is available except postmortem investigations and identification by parasitologists. The aim of present study was to explore and assign taxonomical status to Pallisentis species prevalent in food fishes of river Gomti, Lucknow, India. Methods: A survey of fishes of river Gomti was carried out during the year 2011-2013. Acanthocephalans recovered from the intestine of Channa punctatus were kept in refrigerator for eversion of proboscis, fixed in A.F.A. fixative (50% alcohol, formalin and acetic acid in ratio of 100: 6: 2.5) for 24 hours further preserved in 70% ethanol. Camera Lucida diagrams of acetoalum carmine stained permanent mounts were made for morphometric studies. Results: Two new species of genus Pallisentis were identified and named as P. channai n. sp. and P. vinodai n. sp., their taxonomical status is based on major characters of proboscis hooks, spines of collar and trunk region, cement gland nuclei. On average 9 fishes were found infected with Pallisentis spp. out of 60 fishes examined randomly. Conclusion: Pallisentis spp. are important parasitic infection in Channidae fishes with the prevalence rate of 15%. Two new species of Pallisentis recognized from Channa punctatus of river Gomti, Lucknow, India and diagnostic features of genus are given. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

By a consideration of geography and environment, this essay raises questions about migration, settlement, and state formation in the Ganga plain from the first millennium BCE to the early second millennium CE. It asks why Indo-Aryan speakers continued to migrate from north-western parts of South Asia towards the Ganga plain during the first millennium BCE and precisely what route they followed. To understand better these largely misunderstood historical problems related to migration and settlement, the essay casts doubt on the utility of geographers' tripartite division of the Ganga plain, proposing instead a division based on aridity and rainfall. Such a division helps explain why the transitional zone between the drier and the more humid areas of the Ganga plain became the linchpin of migratory movements, state formation, and urban development since at least the middle of the first millennium BCE. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Two types of modeled rockfill materials were collected from Renuka dam site, Himachal Pradesh, India and Salma dam site, Afghanistan. The rockfill material collected from Renuka dam site is rounded to sub-rounded in shape and the rockfill material collected from Salma dam site is angular to sub-angular in shape. The prototype gradation rockfill material consists maximum particle size larger than 1,000 mm. Therefore, for carrying out laboratory testing and modeling the bahaviour, the prototype rockfill material is scaled down to the maximum particle size (d) of 25, 50 and 80 mm for both projects material using parallel gradation technique. Triaxial compression and Index properties tests were conducted on both project rockfill materials and are presented. From the triaxial behaviour, it is observed that the stress-strain behaviour is non-linear, inelastic and stress dependent for both the materials. The material compresses during the initial shearing and shows dilation effect with further shearing. It is observed that the ϕ-value for alluvial rockfill material increases with increase in d and reverse trend is observed for blasted quarried rockfill material which shows the importance of the type of material. The stress-strain-volume change behaviour of both projects modeled rockfill material was predicted by using hierarchical single surface (HISS) model based on elasto plasticity and compared with the laboratory test results. From the comparison, it is observed that both results match closely. It is, therefore, suggested that the behaviour of both types of rockfill materials can be characterized successfully using HISS model. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

It is an established fact that the ground vibrations generated due to detonation of commercial explosives would mainly depend on explosive weight per delay, delay intervals, geology of the transmitting media, rock formation, direction of initiation and blast design parameters. A study was planned to assess the effect of total explosive fired in the blasting round on the magnitude of blast vibrations at four big coal opencast mines of India while keeping all other parameters constant. Specially designed blasts were conducted at dragline and shovel benches of the mines. The analysis of data revealed that the magnitude of blast vibrations was influenced by the total amount of explosive used in a blasting round at shorter scaled distances nevertheless whatever may be the maximum explosive weight per delay. Uncertainty in vibration analysis from blast can be attributed to the problem of not considering the effect of total amount of explosives detonated at shovel and dragline benches on blast induced ground vibration prediction models. The paper describes the result of a systematic field study carried out to investigate these effects at four open-pit mines in India. The study involved detonation of 58 blasts with varying blast designs and 416 vibration data were recorded. Six to ten tri-axial vibration sensors were located on the ground surface along an array from 25 to 5900 m from the blast. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose – The main aim of carrying out this study was to measure the attitude of employees towards the adoption of information technology (IT)-based banking services among private sector banks of India. Design/methodology/approach – Descriptive research methodology is used to accomplish the study using convenience sampling technique. The study is conducted in four private sector banks of India from Bikaner and Jaipur regions of Rajasthan. A questionnaire was developed based on five parameters, i.e. relative advantage, complexity, potential risk, strategic advantage in decision-making process and innovation and development to ascertain the attitude of the employees. The data are collected from 180 bank employees (executive, manager, officer) through structured questionnaire method out of which 129 employees replied to the questionnaire. Frequency percentage and ANOVA test is adopted as the statistical measure. Findings – The study revealed that IT has led to increased customer satisfaction, improved operational efficiency, reduced transaction time, and gives the bank a competitive edge in reducing the running cost by quick responses in delivery of services. Research limitations/implications – A sample of only four private sector banks is taken into consideration. Practical implications – The study is useful for the banking policy makers in terms of application of IT for spreading the reach of banking services to the mass. Originality/value – This paper explores the use of IT-based banking services for research purposes on private banking. It will be of great value for researchers and professionals involved in IT-based banking services. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this paper, an attempt is made to determine the insolvency risk for 80 Indian banks (public, private and foreign sector) using a popular risk-measuring index available in banking and financial literature, i.e., Z-Index along with the probabilistic interpretation of their book value bankruptcy over a period of five years. Further, the researcher has carried out a relative comparison among public, private and foreign sector banks in India. The results obtained in the study show that the probability of book value bankruptcy of Indian banks has reduced over years, and the probability of book value bankruptcy is lower in the case of public sector banks, compared to private and foreign sector banks. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: The Holocene and late Pleistocene environmental history of the teri (‘sandy waste’ in local parlance) red sands in the southeast coastal Tamil Nadu was examined using remote sensing, stratigraphy, and optically stimulated luminescence (OSL) dating. Geomorphological surveys enabled the classification of the teri red sands as, 1) inland fluvial teri, 2) coastal teri and, 3) near-coastal teri dunes. The inland teri sediments have higher clay and silty-sand component than the coastal and near-coastal teri, suggesting that these sediments were deposited by the fluvial process during a stronger winter monsoon around >15ka. The coastal teri dunes were deposited prior to 11.4±0.9ka, and the near-coastal dunes aggraded at around 5.6±0.4ka. We interpret that the coastal dunes were formed during a period of lower relative sea level and the near-coastal dunes formed during a period of higher sea level. Dune reddening is post deposition occurred after 11.4±0.9ka for the coastal teri dunes and after 5.6±0.4ka for the near-coastal teri dunes. Presence of microlithic sites associated with the coastal dunes suggest that the cultures existed in the region during 11.4±0.9ka and 5.6±0.4ka. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Summary: The World Health Organization (WHO) recommends several brands of long lasting insecticidal net (LN) for protection against insect vectors but also advises national programmes to monitor and evaluate performance under local conditions to help them select the most suitable LN for their setting. During the course of a community randomised trial of LNs against visceral leishmaniasis in northern India and Nepal, opportunity arose to assess the efficacy of PermaNet 2.0 (Vestergaard-Frandsen, Denmark) after two years of use against sandfly vectors. Between 63% (India) and 78% (Nepal) of LNs became holed over the course of two years, deltamethrin residues fell from 55mg/m2 to an average of 11.6mg/m2 (India) and 27.9mg/m2 (Nepal), but on the basis of bioassay criteria all LNs tested still met the WHO Pesticide Evaluation Scheme standard for LN effectiveness. Nets had on average only been washed 2.5 times (India) and 0.6 times (Nepal) by householders over the course of two years. The loss of insecticide was attributed to factors which had little or nothing to do with washing, such as handling, friction and torsion during daily use. Under conditions pertaining in this region of south Asia, and for two years at least, this brand of net continues to meet the criteria established by WHO for LNs. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Written history's limitation becomes apparent when attempting to document the predecessors of extreme coastal events in the Indian Ocean, from 550-700 years in Thailand and 1000 years in Indonesia. Detailed ground-penetrating radar (GPR) surveys in Mahabalipuram, southeast India, complemented with sedimentological analyses, magnetic susceptibility measurements, and optical dating provide strong evidence of extreme wave events during the past 3700 years. The diagnostic event signatures include the extent and elevation of the deposits, as well as morphologic similarity of buried erosional scarps to those reported in northern Sumatra region. Optical ages immediately overlying the imaged discontinuities that coincides with high concentration of heavy minerals date the erosional events to 340 ± 35, 350 ± 20, 490 ± 30, 880 ± 40, 1080 ± 60, 1175 ± 188, 2193 ± 266, 2235 ± 881, 2489 ± 293, 2450 ± 130, 2585 ± 609, 3710 ± 200 years ago. These evidences are crucial in reconstructing paleo extreme wave events and will pave the way for regional correlation of erosional horizons along the northern margin of Indian Ocean. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Distance education radio programmes on poultry farming with registered participants were organized using the local language in an effort to link researchers to rural poultry farmers through radio broadcasts. This study, based on data from 74 participants and 60 non-participants, assesses the impact of the radio farm school on participants using Bennett's hierarchy. Information gathered from the participants included the inputs used, the production activities carried out, the outputs obtained and the reactions of the participants with respect to listening behaviour, opinions, knowledge, attitudes, adoption changes and SWOT parameters. Overall, the evaluation found that the farm school on radio with registered participants had a major impact on developing awareness, knowledge and changes in attitude and in involving end-users in outreach activities. The related implications for scaling up and harnessing the medium of radio to disseminate outreach information are discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives: To investigate the DDT and deltamethrin susceptibility of Phlebotomus argentipes, the vector of Leishmania donovani, responsible for visceral leishmaniasis (VL), in two countries (India and Nepal) with different histories of insecticide exposure. Methods: Standard WHO testing procedures were applied using 4% DDT and 0.05% deltamethrin impregnated papers. The effect of the physiological status (fed and unfed) of females on the outcome of the bioassays was assessed and the optimal time of exposure for deltamethrin was evaluated on a colony population. Field populations from both countries were tested. Results: Fed and unfed females responded in a similar way. For exposure time on field samples 60 min was adopted for both DDT and deltamethrin. In Bihar, knockdown and mortality with DDT was respectively 20 and 43%. In Nepal almost all sand flies were killed, except at the border with Bihar (mortality 62%). With 0.05% deltamethrin, between 96 and 100% of the sand flies were killed in both regions. Conclusions: Based on literature and present data 4% DDT and 0.05% deltamethrin seem to be acceptable discriminating concentrations to separate resistant from susceptible populations. Resistance to DDT was confirmed in Bihar and in a border village of Nepal, but the sand flies were still susceptible in villages more inside Nepal where only synthetic pyrethroids are used for indoor spraying. The low effectiveness of indoor spraying with DDT in Bihar to control VL can be partially explained by this resistance hence other classes of insecticides should be tested. In both countries P. argentipes sand flies were susceptible to deltamethrin. Author Summary: Visceral leishmaniasis (VL), also know as kala azar, is one of the major public health concerns India, Nepal and Bangladesh. In the Indian subcontinent, VL is caused by Leishmania donovani which is transmitted by Phlebotomus argentipes. To date, Indoor Residual Spraying (IRS) campaigns have been unable to control the disease. Vector resistance to the insecticides used has been postulated as one of the possible reasons explaining this failure. A number of studies in the region have shown a variable degree of resistance to DDT in areas where this insecticide has been widely used for IRS (mainly India). However there is no coordinated and standardized program to monitor resistance to insecticides in the region. In this study we tested P. argentipes susceptibility to DDT and deltamethrin in VL endemic villages in India and Nepal. The results confirmed the DDT resistance in India and in a border village of Nepal. P. argentipes from both countries were in general susceptible to deltamethrin, an insecticide used in some long lasting insecticidal nets. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Summary: Accurate estimations of water balance are needed in semi-arid and sub-humid tropical regions, where water resources are scarce compared to water demand. Evapotranspiration plays a major role in this context, and the difficulty to quantify it precisely leads to major uncertainties in the groundwater recharge assessment, especially in forested catchments. In this paper, we propose to assess the importance of deep unsaturated regolith and water uptake by deep tree roots on the groundwater recharge process by using a lumped conceptual model (COMFORT). The model is calibrated using a 5year hydrological monitoring of an experimental watershed under dry deciduous forest in South India (Mule Hole watershed). The model was able to simulate the stream discharge as well as the contrasted behaviour of groundwater table along the hillslope. Water balance simulated for a 32year climatic time series displayed a large year-to-year variability, with alternance of dry and wet phases with a time period of approximately 14years. On an average, input by the rainfall was 1090mmyear−1 and the evapotranspiration was about 900mmyear−1 out of which 100mmyear−1 was uptake from the deep saprolite horizons. The stream flow was 100mmyear−1 while the groundwater underflow was 80mmyear−1. The simulation results suggest that (i) deciduous trees can uptake a significant amount of water from the deep regolith, (ii) this uptake, combined with the spatial variability of regolith depth, can account for the variable lag time between drainage events and groundwater rise observed for the different piezometers and (iii) water table response to recharge is buffered due to the long vertical travel time through the deep vadose zone, which constitutes a major water reservoir. This study stresses the importance of long term observations for the understanding of hydrological processes in tropical forested ecosystems. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Background: Visceral leishmaniasis (VL) control in the Indian subcontinent is currently based on case detection and treatment, and on vector control using indoor residual spraying (IRS). The use of long-lasting insecticidal nets (LN) has been postulated as an alternative or complement to IRS. Here we tested the impact of comprehensive distribution of LN on the density of Phlebotomus argentipes in VL-endemic villages. Methods: A cluster-randomized controlled trial with household P. argentipes density as outcome was designed. Twelve clusters from an ongoing LN clinical trial—three intervention and three control clusters in both India and Nepal—were selected on the basis of accessibility and VL incidence. Ten houses per cluster selected on the basis of high pre-intervention P. argentipes density were monitored monthly for 12 months after distribution of LN using CDC light traps (LT) and mouth aspiration methods. Ten cattle sheds per cluster were also monitored by aspiration. Findings: A random effect linear regression model showed that the cluster-wide distribution of LNs significantly reduced the P. argentipes density/house by 24.9% (95% CI 1.80%-42.5%) as measured by means of LTs. Interpretation: The ongoing clinical trial, designed to measure the impact of LNs on VL incidence, will confirm whether LNs should be adopted as a control strategy in the regional VL elimination programs. The entomological evidence described here provides some evidence that LNs could be usefully deployed as part of the VL control program. Trial registration: ClinicalTrials.gov CT-2005-015374 [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Summary: It is commonly accepted that forest plays role to modify the water cycle at the watershed scale. However, the impact of forest on aquifer recharge is still discussed: some studies indicate that infiltration is facilitated under forest while other studies suggest a decrease of recharge. This paper presents an estimate of recharge rates to groundwater in a humid forested watershed of India. Recharge estimates are based on the joint use of several methods: chloride mass balance, water table fluctuation, geophysics, groundwater chemistry and flow analysis. Two components of the recharge (direct and indirect) are estimated over 3 years of monitoring (2003–2006). The direct and localized recharges resulting from rainfall over the entire watershed surface area is estimated to 45mm/yr while the indirect recharge occurring from the stream during flood events is estimated to 30mm/yr for a 2km-long stream. Calculated recharge rates, rainfall and runoff measurements are then combined in a water budget to estimate yearly evapotranspiration which ranges from 80% to 90% of the rainfall, i.e. 1050mm/y as an average. This unexpected high value for a deciduous forest is nevertheless in agreement with the forest worldwide relationship between rainfall and evapotranspiration. The large evapotranspiration from the forest cover contributes to decrease the recharge rate which leads to a lowering of the water table. This is the reason why the stream is highly ephemeral. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]