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The use of innovative methods in educational institutions is not just crucial, it is downright imperative. It has the potential to not just improve education system, but also to empower students, strengthen governance, and create retention value of all that has been taught. Gone are the days of archaic ideologies and methods of teaching. In modern perspective, in order to relate with children, teachers need to be updated with innovative ways of teaching. For example, being internet-savvy is not an additional trait on the resume--it is a bare necessity. This is the age of the Internet and interaction. And hence interactive teaching is a much faster and more productive learning tool; which can only be harnessed if a teacher is technologically driven. The axiom 'learning never stops' is far more relevant for teachers, for they must evolve with time and explore mediums to facilitate a conducive, nurturing, and effective learning environment. In this study, the researcher wanted to know that an educational App is equally effective to lecture method on knowledge, understanding, application and skill domain or not. For this purpose, the researcher has developed an Educational App and administered on grade six students. In this experimental study, researcher selected 30 students as experimental group and 30 as control group by the random sampling method. Both the groups have equal number of high, average, and low achiever boy and girl students. Researcher selected post test, experimental group, and control group design. Teaching through educational app was run to twenty one days. After completion, a self made Educational App Achievement Test (EAAT) was administered on selected sample, which included 40 questions of 40 marks with multiple choices. Each right answer students got one mark. Data was analysed by mean, S.D., and t-value. The major findings of the study was there were no significant difference between the mean scores of all students as well as high achieves students and low achiever students.

The escalating issue of microplastic (MP) pollution poses a significant threat to the marine environment due to increasing plastic production and improper waste management. The current investigation was aimed at quantifying the MP concentration on 25 beaches on the Maharashtra coast, India. Beach sediments (1 kg) were collected from each site, with five replicates to evaluate the extent of MPs. The samples were homogenized, and three 20 g replicas were prepared for subsequent analysis. Later, the samples were sieved, and MPs were extracted using previously published protocols. The abundance of MPs found as 1.56 ± 0.79 MPs/g, ranges from 0.43 ± 0.07 to 3 ± 0.37 MPs/g. Fibers were found as the most abundant shape of MPs. Size‐wise classification revealed dominance of <1 mm and 1–2 mm‐sized MPs. Blue‐ and black‐colored MPs were recorded dominantly. Polymer identification of MPs revealed polyurethane, polypropylene, polyvinyl chloride, acrylic or polymethyl methacrylate, and rubber. The findings revealed that MPs were found to be higher at highly impacted sites, followed by moderately impacted sites and low‐impacted sites, possibly due to a different degree of anthropogenic pressure. The study recommended the urgent need for effective policy to prevent plastics accumulation in the coastal environment of Maharashtra State, India. Practitioner Points: The study investigated the abundance and distribution of microplastics in the marine environment, specifically in sediments.The most common type of microplastic found was fibers, followed by fragments and films.Microplastics were found to pose a potential risk to the marine ecosystem, although further research is needed to fully understand their ecological impact.Future research should focus on expanding the sample size, assessing long‐term effects, exploring sources and pathways, and considering size and shape of microplastics.The findings recommended urgent action to mitigate plastic pollution in Maharashtra coast. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We aimed to evaluate the predictive accuracy of InsuTAG index against M value of the hyperinsulinaemic-Euglycaemic clamp (HEC) procedure and fasting surrogate indices of insulin sensitivity/resistance in young, normoglycaemic, Asian Indian males. HEC studies were done in young (mean age 19.7 ± 1 years), non-obese (mean BMI 19.2 ± 2.6 kg/m2), normoglycemic Asian Indian males (n = 110) and the M value was calculated. Surrogate indices namely InsuTAG index, HOMA-IR, FG-IR, QUICKI and McAuley index were calculated. Pearson's correlation and ROC-AUC at 95% CI were applied. Significant negative correlation was observed for InsuTAG index with the M value (r − 0.23, p = 0.01), McAuley index (r − 0.65, p < 0.01), QUICKI (r − 0.34, p < 0.01) and FGIR (r − 0.35, p < 0.01). Significant positive correlations of InsuTAG index were observed for BMI and waist circumference. The ROC-AUC was higher for InsuTAG index (0.75) than FGIR (0.30), QUICKI (0.31), and McAuley index (0.20). The InsuTAG cut-off value ≥ 19.13 showed 66.7% sensitivity and 69.2% specificity in this study group. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Robustness analysis can support the design and operation of large‐scale water infrastructure projects confronting deeply uncertain futures. However, diverse actors, contextual specificities, sectoral interests, and risk attitudes make it difficult to identify an appropriate robustness metric to rank decision alternatives under deep uncertainty. Here, we clarify how methodological choices affect robustness evaluation using the multi‐actor, multi‐sector Inchampalli‐Nagarjuna Sagar water transfer megaproject in Southern India. We compare a suite of water transfer strategies discovered using evolutionary multi‐objective direct policy search (EMODPS), a strategy proposed by regional authorities and the status quo of no water transfer. We stress‐test these strategies across scenarios that capture climatic and socioeconomic uncertainties and rank them using robustness metrics representing sectoral perspectives and priorities of different actors with varying risk attitudes. Results show a considerable impact of metric choices on robustness rankings of strategies, with compromise solution discovered via EMODPS as robust. The no‐transfer strategy results in the worst water supply robustness with an average volumetric deficit of 17% of total historical demands but emerges as a robust alternative for 6 out of 12 combinations of actor‐sectors with high risk aversion. Also, changes in the amplitude of the Indian Summer Monsoon is identified as the most important uncertain factor determining the failure of strategies. Our findings highlight that the selection of robust solutions should be guided by an understanding of how assumed risk attitudes shape stakeholders' perceptions of vulnerabilities. These findings are generalizable to large infrastructure projects with diverse stakeholders and multisectoral impacts. Plain Language Summary: Climate change and growing multi‐sectoral competition for water resources are motivating the design and evaluation of infrastructure‐based adaptation actions. Here, we explore the Inchampalli‐Nagarjuna Sagar (INS) mega water transfer project; a multi‐actor and a multi‐sector project that aims to transfer water from the Godavari basin to the Krishna basin in Southern India. The project will affect multiple sectors including agriculture, domestic water supply, and downstream aquatic ecology of both rivers and involves multiple actors—the donor, recipient basin and the combined system. It is critical to understand if the INS mega water transfer can robustly meet its intended benefits while limiting unintended consequences in the future. We formally explore different combinations of actors and sectors' objectives, their risk attitudes, and scenario sampling strategies providing a rich context for understanding conflicts and limiting the unintended consequences of myopic analyses. Results show emergent tradeoffs between the ecological requirements of the donor and the water supply needs of the recipient. Our analysis indicates that large‐scale water infrastructure projects need to employ broad exploratory robustness analyses that better engage with conflicting stakeholder objectives and that help to clarify how differences in risk aversion shape the vulnerabilities of preferred actions. Key Points: Multi actor and sector robustness trade‐offs are often not explored due to narrowly defined robustness metricsRobustness rankings for decision alternatives across robustness metrics shed light on trade‐offs across actors, sectors, and risk attitudesClarify donor‐recipient conflicts between ecological needs and socio‐economic development for a proposed water transfer mega‐project [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The cultural context of an organisation may significantly shape the nature of transgressions and consequent forgiveness relevant to understanding the workplace outcomes. This study explored the nature of transgressions and the dynamics of forgiveness in the workplace of a heterogeneous Indian sample which have not been well addressed in previous studies. Qualitative research design was employed. Using a purposive sampling method, 48 participants from the government (n = 30) and private organisations (n = 18) were selected to form the final sample. The transcriptions from semi-structured interviews were analyzed by the Thematic Analysis Method. Two themes related to the nature of transgressions emerged: multiplicity of the sources of workplace transgressions (such as anger, discrimination, and work overload) and communications of workplace transgressions (e.g., through criticism, altered relationships, warnings). Concerning the dynamics of forgiveness in the workplace, three broad themes emerged: facilitators of workplace forgiveness (such as positive treatment, direct communication, scolding), barriers to workplace forgiveness (like, the intention behind wrongdoing, repetition of wrongdoing, decreased trust), and benefits of workplace forgiveness (such as positive emotions, good relations, healthy work environment). Management should develop an in-depth understanding of the nature of transgressions and the dynamics of forgiveness embedded in a specific cultural context which may help enhance a variety of positive organisational outcomes. Workplace transgressions and concomitant forgiveness are interwoven with the nature of organisations, individual level factors and socio-cultural contexts. Findings also provide some support that the coexistence of individualistic and collectivistic cultural values among Indians may have shaped workplace transgressions and consequent forgiveness. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Congenital myasthenic syndromes (CMS) are rare inherited heterogeneous disorders of neuromuscular transmission. Aims and methodology: This study aims to describe clinical and investigative characteristics including genetic aspects of patients with congenital myasthenic syndrome (CMS), in a cohort from western India. Retrospective analysis for the study period of 9 years (−January 2013 to December 2021) was performed. Patients were identified by predefined selection criteria using a combination of clinical, electrophysiological, and genetic studies. Results: Fifteen genetically evaluated CMS patients, 11 females, and 4 males were identified. Ten patients had a history of fatigable ptosis at an early age, whereas all patients had varying degrees of proximal weakness at the time of presentation. The mean age at onset was 16 years and the mean age at final diagnosis was 22 years, thereby representing a mean delay in diagnosis of 6 years. Among the total 13 different genetic mutations identified, 4 are not previously reported. The most common genetic mutations identified were CHRNE gene (in 7 patients) followed by DOK7 gene (in 6 patients), and the remaining 2 patients had mutation in MUSK gene. Roma founder mutation (c.1327delG, p.E443ter) was seen in 5 patients with CHRNE gene. Four patients responded to pyridostigmine alone, 7 patients to salbutamol, whereas 4 patients required a combination of pyridostigmine and salbutamol. Conclusion: This study, carried out in a small cohort of patients, highlights the frequent occurrence of Roma founder mutation in our population, and the predominance of CHRNE and DOK7 gene mutations, points of regional importance. Four novel variants were also identified in the genetic studies carried out. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Hepatitis B virus (HBV), hepatitis C virus (HCV), and Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infections are prevalent throughout the world. HIV infection increases the risk of HBV and HCV liver disease especially when HIV-associated immunodeficiency progresses. Aims and Objectives: This study was carried out with the objectives as follows: Estimation of the prevalence of HIV-Hepatitis co-infection, determine CD4+T lymphocyte count in co-infected patients, identify most common opportunistic infections in HIV - Hepatitis co-infection. Materials and Methods: A hospital-based, prospective, cross-sectional, and observational study was carried among people with confirmed HIV infection. HIV antibody, hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg), and HCV antibody tests were done in all patients visiting to integrated counseling and testing center. HIV, HBV, and HCV viral load were done in all serologically confirmed patients. In HBsAg positive patients various markers for hepatitis such as hepatitis B envelop antigen (HBeAg), anti-hepatitis B core antibody (HBcAb), and anti-hepatitis B envelop antibody were also done. Results: Out of 357 people living with HIV/AIDS (PLHA) patients 15/357 (4.20%) were co-infected with HBV, 03/357 (0.84%) were co-infected with HCV. The overall seroprevalence of Hepatitis virus (HBV+HCV) in PLHA patients was found to be 5.04% (18/357). CD4+T lymphocyte count <200 cells/µL was seen in 66/339 (19.4%), 04/15 (26.6%), and 03/03 (100%) patients of HIV mono-infected, HBV co-infected, and in HCV co-infected patients, respectively. HIV Viral load =1000 copies/mL was seen in 324 and 15 patients in HIV mono-infected and HIV-hepatitis co-infected patient, respectively. Among PLHA patients who were positive for HBsAg; 46.7% (n=7) patients had HBV viral load >2000 IU/mL. All hepatitis B co-infected patients were positive for HBcAb test; HBeAg was positive in 40% (n=06). All HBeAg positive were having viral load >2000 IU/mL. Conclusion: HIV-infected patients are more prone to hepatitis associated liver diseases and exposure to the HBV infection than the general population. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Demographics and Insurance are very much connected. However, their influence to each other is hardly palpable if analyzed in isolation. There are other key levers which must be calibrated in desired levels of convenience and amenability before we establish their relationships. If those factors are on positive side, insurance stands as an ally in apocalypse and a friend in fortuity. Both can then sing paean to each other. Else, insurance has a little role to play where unfathomable uncertainty and staggering snafu like a war steps in. The article, thus, discusses those nuances diligently. It has endeavored to buttress its points with facts and figures from various geographies and fields across the globe. However, a special attention has been showered to India where the world's almost 15% population live in with a diverse background. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

During a disease outbreak, it is well known that marginalized groups, such as women, are affected the most. This is no different for the COVID-19 pandemic. In India especially, women engage more in household and childcare responsibilities than men and working women are currently experiencing a greater burden as they are required to work from home and manage these different roles at once, leading to multiple role conflict (MRC). The purpose of this qualitative study was to explore the experience of multiple role conflicts among women working from home in joint and nuclear families during the COVID-19 pandemic in urban India. Semi-structured interviews were conducted on six women working from home in joint families and four from nuclear families. Thematic analysis was used and the themes were compared between both family structures. Participants from both family structures were found to share similar psychological consequences as a result of the role conflict. But, women from nuclear families reported a lack of moral support contrary to joint families. This study sheds light on the need for the provision of education, facilities and supports particularly by family development planners, therapists and organizations to aid women working from home in the pandemic. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Brucellosis is the most common zoonotic disease caused by Gram-negative coccobacillus belonging to genus Brucella. It is a recognized public health problem in developing countries including India. Aims and Objectives: The aims of these study were to determine the seroprevalance of brucellosis in population having occupation dealing with animals and thus are in close contact of animals. Materials and Methods: The study was conducted in semi-urban areas of central India. Blood samples were collected from personnel working in slaughter houses, meat shops, and veterinarians and their close contact and who are willing to participate in study. A total 102 samples collected randomly from butchers (n=20), veterinarians (n=29), and animal handlers (n=53) and were tested for Brucella abortus and Brucella melitensis by a commercial kit which allows the detection of both complete (IgG and IGM) and incomplete antibodies. Results: A total 102 subjects were included in the study and overall prevalence of brucellosis among high-risk group was found to be 2.9%. One veterinarian doctor was also found positive for both B. melitensis and B. abortus. Highest prevalence of brucellosis was found in veterinarians (6.8%) followed by animal handlers (1.8%), and none of the butcher was tested positive for any of the Brucella antibody. Conclusion: The present study screened all possible known high-risk groups for brucellosis and revealed that veterinarians have high chances of getting the infection. Occupation-related disease like brucellosis needs regular surveillance and integration into control and prevention program at a local and national level. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives: Hypoglycemia unawareness (HUA) in patients with FCPD is common with an unclear etiology. We evaluated the prevalence, characteristics of HUA, glycemic variability (GV), its possible association with pancreatic glucagon secretion & cardiac autonomic function in patients with FCPD. Methods: A two-week ambulatory glucose profile (AGP) and cardiac autonomic function test was done in patients with FCPD (n = 60), and categorized into UNAWARE (n = 44) and AWARE (n = 16) groups based on the Hypoglycemia Unawareness Index (HUI) score. Glycaemic variability was assessed from the AGP data using Easy GV 9.0.2 software. A subset of patients from both the groups (n = 11) underwent a mixed-meal challenge test and were compared with healthy individuals (controls; n = 11). Results: HUA was evidenced in 73% (44/60) of patients with FCPD. Significant hypoglycemia, nocturnal hypoglycemia, duration of hypoglycemia and poor cardiac autonomic functions (p = 0.01) were prominent in the UNAWARE group. The overall GV was greater in the UNAWARE group. In the UNAWARE group, significantly reduced fasting and post prandial glucagon levels negatively correlated with HUI (r = -0.74, p < 0.05) and GV-hypoglycemia indices (p < 0.05) In contrast, significantly higher post prandial glucagon levels in the AWARE group positively correlated with post prandial hyperglycemia (r = 0.61, p < 0.05). Conclusion: Heterogeneity in patterns of glucagon secretion were significantly associated with HUA and GV. Reduced glucagon levels contribute to greater risks of HUA, nocturnal hypoglycemia and greater GV, while hyperglucagonemia predisposes to postprandial hyperglycemia and hypoglycemia awareness in patients with FCPD. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Skipjack tuna (Katsuwonus pelamis) fish is highly priced fish species in many countries including India.However, its shelf life is limited in iced condition which indicates the necessity of an efficient preservation method to improve its shelf life. Hence, the study was undertaken to assessed the effect vacuum packaging on the quality of skipjack tuna fish chunks during chilled storage. The biochemical characteristics like TVB-N, TMA-N, PV and pH showed an increasing trend throughout the storage period, but this increase was less pronounced in vacuum packed sample compare to air pack sample. The microbiological characteristic such as TPC was higher in air pack compared to vacuum pack samples. So, on the basis of biochemical and microbiological parametersraw air packed fish chunk had shelf life up to12 days, whereas vacuum-packed fish chunks had shelf life of 16 days at chilled storage. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Insurance is a form of risk protection. In India, where insurance penetration remains low despite a large population, there is a need to raise insurance awareness among people in rural areas. It has been observed that the rural population has good wealth for a variety of reasons, including the fact that they do not have to pay high taxes, their standard of living is simple, and they have a habit of saving. In such a case, it is necessary to direct these savings toward high-yielding investments. Insurance can be a good source of future investment and can help relax in times of emergency. Insurance awareness is low in rural areas. If people are educated about the benefits of various insurance policies, they can invest in them. In order to raise insurance knowledge among the rural population, insurance issues must be taught in schools. In this study article, we try to figure out how much the rural population knows about insurance policies and their benefits. The study will use 200 labours as a sample size. These workers can come from a variety of backgrounds, such as construction workers or daily wage labourers. The study's focus is on Mumbai and the labours of the respondents. The goal of the research is to learn how these workers manage their risk and how much they know about insurance benefits. The paper makes an attempt to comprehend the level of awareness among the labour class and also to concentrate on ways to raise awareness among them. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Mucopolysaccharidosis IVA (Morquio syndrome A, MPS IVA) is an autosomal recessive lysosomal storage disorder caused due to biallelic variants in the N-acetylgalactoseamine-6-sulfate sulfatase (GALNS) gene. The mutation spectrum in this condition is determined amongst sub-populations belonging to the north, south and east India geography, however, sub-populations of west Indian origin, especially Gujarati-Indians, are yet to be studied. We aimed to analyse the variants present in the GLANS gene amongst the population of Gujarat by sequencing all exons and exon–intron boundaries of the GALNS gene in patients from 23 unrelated families. Results: We report 11 variants that include eight missense variants: (p.L36R, p.D39G, p.P77R, p.C79R, pP125L, p.P151L, p.G255A and p.L350P), one splice site variant: (c.121-7C > G), one small insertion: (c.1241_1242insA, p.I416HfsTer2) and one small deletion: (c.839_841delACA). Of these, three missense variants (p.D39G, p.G255A and p.L350P), one splice site and the two indels mentioned above are novel. Interestingly, we observed a higher than anticipated prevalence of p.P77R variant in our cohort (n = 14/25, 56%). Haplotype analysis in cases with p.P77R variant and 63 ethnicity matched healthy population controls suggested a 4 SNP haplotype block present in cases compared to controls (likelihood ratio test p-value = 1.16 × 10–13), thereby suggesting p.P77R variant as a founder variant in the Gujarati-Indian population. Furthermore, age of mutation analysis suggested the variant to have arisen approximately 450 years ago in the population. Conclusion: p.P77R variant in the GLANS gene is likely to be a founder variant in MPS IVA patients of Gujarati-Indian ancestry and appeared approximately 450 years ago in the population. To our knowledge, this is the first variant to be posited as a founder variant in the GLANS gene in patients with MPS IVA syndrome. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Dental anxiety is of prime concern for the paediatric dentist as it can prevent a child from seeking effective dental care by creating conditions that are challenging to the paediatric dentists and thereby not allowing to render the highest quality care. The dental application (apps) can be a useful tool in alleviating the anxiety in children, but these apps have not yet been evaluated for its use by paediatric dentists. Aim: To assess knowledge, attitude and practices about paediatric dental apps among paediatric dentists in India. Materials and Methods: This cross-sectional questionnairebased study was conducted among 450 paediatric dentists in India. The study was conducted over a span of one month. A 16-item validated questionnaire with Cronbach's alpha coefficient value of 0.82, containing professional demographic data, knowledge, attitude, and practices about dental apps were distributed among the participants. The collected data was subjected to descriptive analysis was done using IBM Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS) software (version 20.0 Chicago IL, USA). Results: The study included (N=370) out of which 159 (42.97%) were female respondents and 211 (57.03%) were male respondents. The mean age of the surveyed professionals was 34.14±9.11 years. The results showed that the correlation between knowledge and attitude was found to be highly statistically significant (p=0.0001) however, no statistically significant results were found when a comparison was made between knowledge and practices (p-value=0.7684) and also attitude and practices (p-value=0.0930). Conclusion: The study concludes that, there is a need for creating awareness about the use of dental apps as an adjunct with conventional behaviour modification techniques among paediatric dentists in our country. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Globally, interbasin water transfer (IBWT) projects worth $2.7 trillion seek to address existing and potential future water scarcity concerns. IBWTs present a challenging decision context with complex operational dynamics and conflicting objectives. Information-based coordination between donor and recipient basins is likely to play a role in the success of these large-scale projects, so it is important to explore its potential impact. We developed an IBWT design framework to quantify the multiobjective gains from information coordination between participating basins. For a large-scale IBWT in Southern India, we compared four design paradigms in which transfer decisions are based on (1) the storage states of both reservoirs (cooperative), (2) the storage state of the donor reservoir only (noncooperative), (3) the rule proposed by regional authorities, and (4) status quo (no transfer). The evolutionary multiobjective direct policy search (EMODPS) framework was used to discover the state-aware control strategies that compose the trade-offs between flood protection, demand satisfaction, and environmental flow maintenance. We found that cooperative strategies are substantially more efficient in balancing conflicting objectives, utilizing much lower annual transfers (6,460±2,600 Mm3) compared with noncooperative strategies (9,728±5,000 Mm3), and both outperform the proposed regional rule (16,400 Mm3). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The International Healthcare Community has considered the ideal rate for caesarean section (CS) to be between 10% and 15%. Since then, caesarean section have become increasingly common in both developed and developing countries. Objectives: 1) To analyse frequency and indications for CS at tertiary care hospital. 2) To classify population in Robson's ten group classification system and evaluate indications within the groups. 3) To identify the measures to reduce CS rates by formulating the plans in each group. Materials and Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted at a tertiary care teaching hospital in Ahmedabad, India. All the women delivered from March 2018 to October 2018 in the labour ward were included and classified into 10 Robson's classes. Percentages were calculated for the overall CS rate, contribution made by each group to overall CS rate and percentage of CS in each group. Results: The total number of women delivered during study period were 4500, out of which CS deliveries were 2006. Overall, CS rate calculated was 44.5%. Conclusion: In the present study, repeat CS was the highest contributor to all caesarean sections performed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The study was conducted on a population of 203 women attending the IVF clinic, Ahmedabad, India, to explore the role of stimulation protocol and the number of oocytes retrieved on oxidative stress in follicular fluid and IVF outcome. Follicular fluid was collected during ovum pick-up to determine the oxidative stress markers: superoxide dismutase (SOD), malondialdehyde (MDA), glutathione (GSH), total thiols (TT), l-ascorbic acid (AA), total protein, glutathione S-transferase (GST) and glutathione reductase (GRD). The average number of oocytes retrieved was significantly higher in the women receiving a long GnRH agonist protocol compared to GnRH antagonist protocol while the percentage of women with positive IVF outcome was lower in the long agonist protocol. The level of total thiols was significantly lower in the group of women administered a short agonist protocol. The proportion of ETs carried out and positive IVF outcome were higher following retrieval of an intermediate number of oocytes (6–10 oocytes) compared to a lower (0–5 oocytes) and higher (>10 oocytes) number. Mean glutathione reductase (GRD) activity in follicular fluid was significantly elevated in the intermediate (6–10) and higher (>10) oocyte retrieval groups compared to the lower oocyte retrieval group. Positive IVF outcomes were highest when oocyte retrieval was in the range of 6–10 oocytes, and the level of MDA was lower (1.76 ± 0.13 nmol/ml) as compared to 0–5 and >10 oocytes retrieved groups. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Mango burl is an important disease affecting many mango plantations in India and causes great loss in yield and decrease of vigour. We carried out a diagnostic survey for burl disease (sometimes also referred to as crown gall) in different varieties of mango (Mangifera indica L., Anacardiaceae) throughout India during 2015 and 2016. More than 500 mango genotypes were screened for disease susceptibility and more than twenty-three mango genotypes in different parts of India were found susceptible to this disease. Burls initiate as small tumorous growths and become more pronounced as warty outgrowths with the increasing age of the individual tree. Samples of burl were collected from all popular varieties from different parts of the country and subjected to histological investigations. The present study confirms that mango burl disease is caused by Agrobacterium tumefaciens using evidence from the "carrot assay" and molecular identification of the presumed causal organism. The latter was isolated and inoculated on carrot disks to induce typical symptoms. The xylem of the burl tissue was deformed and showed no specific orientation of the wood cells. Dimensional details and morphology of xylem cells vary at different positions within the burl. In a 10 cm diameter burl, the marginal portion showed xylem cells in circular arrangement. Vessel elements and fibres were very short while rays were relatively low and biseriate rays were observed rarely. Orientation of the xylem tissue was lost and all three plains (i.e. transverse, tangential and radial view) were observed in the same section. Cells from the middle portion of the burl were isodiametric, oval to circular, thick-walled and lignified, in morphology not dissimilar from callus tissue. Tyloses were common in all the cell types viz. fibres, ray cells, tracheids, axial parenchyma cells, and vessel elements. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aims: Our study aimed to look at the prevalence and patterns of cardiac autonomic neuropathy related dysfunction in male patients of type 2 diabetes mellitus with chronic Charcot's foot. Methods: A total of 74 male patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus were included in this study. Three groups of patients were selected: Group 1 included patients with chronic Charcot's foot (n = 24), group 2 included patients with diabetic peripheral neuropathy without chronic Charcot's foot (n = 22) and group 3 included patients without peripheral neuropathy or chronic Charcot's foot (n = 28). The autonomic functions were tested using a personal computer-based cardiac autonomic neuropathy (CANS-504) analyser. Results: The combined sympathetic (SNS) and parasympathetic autonomic function (PNS) abnormalities were detected in about 70.8% in the chronic Charcot's group, 55.6% in the peripheral neuropathy group and 35.7% in the non-neuropathic group. In patients with chronic Charcot's foot (n = 24), 29.2% had normal, 20.8% had borderline and 50% had abnormal PNS functions, while 4.2% had normal, 16.7% had borderline and 79.2% had abnormal SNS functions. The Meary's angle (183.18 ± 73.83 vs 157.98 ± 14.11; p < 0.196) and Calcaneal pitch (7.07 ± 3.30 vs 8.5 ± 1.88; p < 0.219) were greater in the subjects with combined autonomic neuropathy, suggesting more structural deformity in them. Conclusion: Cardiac autonomic neuropathy-related dysfunction was found to be more common in type 2 diabetes patients with chronic Charcot's foot. This study has highlighted that patients with diabetic mellitus and chronic Charcot's foot should be screened comprehensively in order to prevent complications related to cardiac autonomic dysfunction. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Humans require minute amounts of trace metals to maintain body's normal growth and physiological functions; such elements may also play a vital role in pregnancy and pregnancy outcome. The present study was conducted to assess the role of two trace metals, zinc (Zn) and copper (Cu) in women with history of spontaneous abortion (SAb cases) in comparison to women without such history (controls). Materials and Methods: In this retrospective study, a total of 277 subjects were enrolled from the Obstetrics and Gynecology Department, Civil Hospital, Ahmedabad, India. Personal demographic information, medical history, reproductive history especially details of number of SAb, duration of last SAb, number of children, etc. were recorded using predesigned and pre-tested proforma. Serum Zn and Cu levels were measured by an atomic absorption spectrophotometer. Results: The data indicated that the serum level of Cu (P<0.01) and Zn was lower in SAb cases as compared to controls. Correlation between the number of SAbs and trace metals levels showed a significant negative correlation between Cu and Cu/Zn and the number of SAbs. Cu/Zn was higher in controls and women having at least one child as compared cases and women without child, respectively. Pregnant women had higher levels of trace elements as compared to non-pregnant women at the time of enrollment. Conclusion: The data revealed that trace metals such as Zn and Cu have a positive role in pregnancy outcome and optimum levels of Zn and Cu might be able to decline the chances of SAb occurrence in addition to other factors. The ratio of Cu/Zn has a positive role in reproductive outcomes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Water resources across the globe are projected to undergo significant changes as climate and socio-economic conditions change. A policy relevant question thus arises: whether climate change or population change exerts a greater control on future freshwater resources of a region? Understanding the relative importance of these factors in affecting water availability can help guide prioritization of policy level interventions. In this study, we quantify the changes in mean annual per capita water availability (PCWA) across India under 1.5 °C, 2.0 °C, and 3.0 °C levels of global warming. We utilize projections of future climate from several general circulation models (GCMs) under three different representative concentration pathways (RCPs) along with projections of future population from five socio-economic pathways (SSPs). Using the estimated PCWA from these GCM–RCP–SSP combinations, we perform a sensitivity analysis to ascertain the relative importance of climatic (precipitation and temperature change) and demographic (population) factors in affecting per capita freshwater availability in a region. Our analysis shows that PCWA over India will decrease across all warming scenarios. In addition, a transition from the 1.5 °C warmer world to the 2.0 °C warmer world leads to a reduction in PCWA for a majority (92.8%) of regions across India. The number of people likely to face severe water stress (PCWA < 500 m 3/ year / capita) under 1.5 °C, 2.0 °C, and 3.0 °C warming scenarios, are 354, 421, and 380 million, respectively. Sensitivity analysis indicated that changes in both population and mean annual precipitation are dominating factors controlling PCWA, depending upon the historical setting of the region. Regions with historically lower populations and lower aridity indices tend to be more sensitive to population changes. On the other hand, as historical population of a region increases, sensitivity to changing climate (mainly mean annual precipitation) increases. These results indicate the complex interactions between demographic and climatic changes that need to be accounted for in policies that aim to manage water scarcity by either controlling global warming or via socio-economic interventions. • We quantify the per capita water availability across India for 1.5 °C, 2.0 °C and 3.0 °C levels of global warming • Considerable reduction in per capita water availability is projected for a transition from 1.5 °C to 2.0 °C warming levels • We quantify the sensitivity of per capita water availability to changes in climate and population • Per capita water availability is most sensitive to either historical population or historical mean annual precipitation • The historical socio-economic and climatic settings of a region determine the dominance of factors [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Context: The worldwide prevalence of rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is about 1%, whereas in India, it is approximately 0.75%. The current therapy for RA includes nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs corticosteroids, disease-modifying anti-rheumatic drugs and some recently developed biologic agents, but all of these are associated with adverse effects. Some herbal drugs, such as Boswellia serrata, have been reported to possess anti-inflammatory activity. Aims: The aim of this study is to evaluate the anti-arthritic activity of Boswellia serrata extract (BSE) in complete Freund's adjuvant (CFA)-induced arthritis in rats. Materials and Methods: Thirty-six Wistar rats were divided into six equal groups. RA was induced by intradermal injection of 0.1 ml CFA in hind paw. Body weight, ankle diameter, paw volume, arthritic index, tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), and histopathological examination were assessed. The experimental data were statistically assessed by one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA). Statistical Analysis Used: The recorded data were analyzed using paired t-test and ANOVA test using SPSS. The data were analyzed and represented as mean difference. Value of P < 0.05 was considered statistically significant. Results: BSE at dose 180 mg/kg showed statistically significant improvement in body weight and decrease in ankle diameter and arthritic index (P < 0.05); however, there was insignificant change in paw volume (P = 0.056). This improvement was comparable with Indomethacin. The level of TNF-α did not show any statistically significant change (P = 0.076). Histopathological results also exhibited a reduction in inflammatory parameters. Conclusions: BSE might have usefulness as an adjunct to conventional therapy of RA. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Hearing loss, since birth, is an important public health issue round the globe with a prevalence ranging from 2-3/1000 live births. Neonates born by Caesarean Delivery (CD) refer for Oto-Acoustic Emissions (OAE) test more frequently compared to Vaginal Delivery (VD) soon after birth. During this study, the effects of the modes of delivery on the OAE test results were investigated. Aim: To study the effects of modes of delivery on the OAE test results. Materials and Methods: During this study 500 neonates, born beyond 37 weeks of gestation, at Dhiraj Hospital, Gujarat, India between January 2019-July 2019 without any associated risk factors were enrolled and divided on basis of their mode of delivery-vaginal or caesarean section. Before their discharge from hospital, OAE test was performed on the patients. Modes of delivery and OAE test results were collected and analysed. Results: Results reviled that there was a significant difference in OAE test failure rates between the two delivery mode groups. CD was significantly related to failed OAE. CD infants had a three-fold higher failure rate as compared to VD infants in OAE test (4.12% vs 1.3%). Conclusion: Neonates born by CD had significantly higher failure rates on first OAE as compared to VD. This shows that the mode of delivery contains a significant effect on the results of the hearing screening tests. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Fever as an indicator of disease has always been and remains a clinical symptom of great importance. It may be a manifestation of any inflammatory process of the thyroid and also may be presenting feature of thyroid storm. Melioidosis, is an infection caused by the gram negative bacterium Burkholderia pseudomallei and the commonest co-morbidity observed in India is diabetes mellitus. Here we present a case of Graves disease (hyperthyroidism) who was referred by primary care physician with history of prolonged fever of more than one month duration and later diagnosed to have melioidosis. It is important in primary care setting as family physicians need to be aware of this infection as it can affect many organs and early diagnosis and treatment will result in cure of this condition. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Diabetic myonecrosis or muscle infarction is an unusual complication of Type 2 Diabetes, usually associated with longstanding disease. It commonly presents as an acute non-traumatic palpable swelling of the affected muscle with predilection for the quadriceps and thigh muscles, often accompanied by retinopathy and nephropathy. Methodology: A retrospective review of the medical records of patients admitted with diabetic myonecrosis under the Department of Endocrinology, Christian Medical College Vellore over a period of ten years(2006-2015) was done. Data pertaining to clinical, biochemical and radiological characteristics were obtained and treatment modalities and outcomes were recorded. Results and Analysis: A total of n = 4 patients with diabetic myonecrosis and completed clinical data were included in the study. In our present series, the mean age at presentation was 45.5 years (±7.3 years), the mean duration of the diabetes was 9.0 years (±2.5 years)with an equal distribution of male and female subjects. The mean HbA1c (9.5 ± 0.6%) was suggestive of poor glycemic control at presentation with all (100%) the patients in our series having concomitant one or more microvascular complications. While laboratory parameters of elevated CPK or LDH were mostly normal, the findings of T1 hyperintense and T2 hypointense heterogenous lower limb lesions were present in all the subjects (n = 4). Conservative management with bed rest, analgesics and good glycemic control were effective in good clinical improvement over a period of 1-2 months. Conclusions: Our series of diabetic myonecrosis in Indian patients with Type 2 diabetes mellitus, elucidates the varied clinical presentations, with MRI findings rather than laboratory markers being the mainstay of diagnosis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Government of India has set an objective to include the excluded in the ambit of formal financial sector. For this, it has undertaken many of the policy proposals. The basic rationale behind undertaking these policy proposals was to safeguard the vulnerable groups from the vicious circle of informal credit, unbearable interest burden, financial frauds and exploitation. Initially Reserve Bank of India launched the concept of no frills accounts, and had relaxed KYC norms also. RBI also introduced Micro Finance, General Credit Cards, and Kisan Credit Cards. The concept of Self Help Groups was also introduced with the same vision. Thus, banking sector has played an important role to implement, promote and monitor the key objectives of the financial inclusion drive. And it has also helped, guided and encouraged the untapped group of households in formal financial sector. This paper aims to analyze the major factors affecting the implementation of Financial Inclusion initiatives by the Government & Reserve Bank of India. For this, the researcher has taken the opinions of the banking officials. They are the key people who play an important role in including the target group in the formal financial sector. They provide the first step of inclusion, the basic of banking services which is starting from opening a bank account. Then they give formal credit; provide access to services like ATM etc. This study is undertaken by studying the view points of banking officials. For this, a sample of 11 0 respondents is taken to analyze the major factors affecting the Financial Inclusion drive. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Kshara is derived from the word "Ksharana" that means as something that mobilizes and removes the deformed flesh, skin, tissue, etc., due to its corrosive nature (Ksharanata). Pratisarniya Kshara has been further classified into three types on the basis of its potency – Mridu (mild), Madhyama (moderate) and Tikshna (strong). This study aims at comparison between (Mridu and Tikshna) Apamarga Kshara on the basis of pharmacognostical and pharmaceutical evaluation. Materials and Methods: Apamarga Panchanga (whole plant of Achyranthes aspera Linn.) was collected, and authentication was done by the expert. Mridu Apamarga Kshara (MAK) andTikshna Apamarga Kshara (TAK) were prepared as proposed by Sushruta Samhita. Pharmacognostical and pharmaceutical analyses were carried out according to standard protocol. Observation and Results: Both the Kshara showed their own peculiar crystal system and analytical findings showed higher pH value (10.65) and calcium content (6.1%) in TAK as compared to MAK. Discussion: Quantitative micrometric microscopy showed more amount of crystals in TAK (13/mm2) than MAK (6/mm2), which may be due to Kapardika and Chitrakamoola (roots of Plumbago zeylenica Linn.). pH of MAK and TAK was 10.2 and 10.65, respectively. This result showed that TAK is more alkaline, which may be also due to Kapardika and Chitrakamoola. Conclusion: Sodium and potassium ion concentration was higher in MAK (Na+ = 26%, K+ = 45%) as compared to TAK (Na+ = 12.6%, K+ = 32.5%). Calcium ion estimation was lower (2.31%) in MAK and higher (6.1%) in TAK. These findings can be further used for the standardization purpose of Tikshna Kshara which may enrich the Ayurvedic Pharmacopoeia of India. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Wind power is an important renewable energy generation technology, but the location of wind potential and wind power plant installation are not in complete sync with each other. Many national, state and local variables other than wind potential play a role in site selection. The weights given to different local variables during wind power investment decisions are not known and are difficult to estimate in data paucity settings in India. Accordingly, this study proposes a framework to estimate the weights given to different local parameters in wind power investment decisions. We use the case study of select districts in Maharashtra, India to test the framework. The investment predictions based on priority of local factors estimated by the proposed approach are in agreement with the actual investment in the wind energy sector. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The initiation of metformin in early pregnancy in Gestational Diabetes mellitus (GDM) remains controversial. The aim of our study was to assess the influence of Metformin on maternal and fetal outcomes when initiated within the first trimester of pregnancy in GDM.Methods and Materials: A retrospective analysis of 540 women with diabetes complicating pregnancy (IADPSG criteria) over five years (January 2011 to May 2016) was done. The study population comprised of patients initiated on (a) metformin within the first trimester (Group A:n = 186), (b) metformin after the first trimester (Group B:n = 203) and (c) insulin at any time during their pregnancy (Group C:n = 151). The primary outcomes compared were prematurity, respiratory distress, birth trauma, 5-min APGAR score, neonatal hypoglycaemia and need for phototherapy, while secondary outcomes compared were neonatal anthropometric measurements, maternal glycemic control, maternal hypertensive complications, postpartum glucose tolerance.Results: Individual and composite primary or secondary outcomes in group A were similar to Groups B and C, though numerically higher premature births were seen in Group A. There was a 1.3% overall incidence of stillbirths/IUD, while 1.11% congenital anomalies were noted of which 2.15% were in group A and 1.32% were in Group C (p = .16).Conclusions: The initiation of metformin within the first trimester of pregnancy has no significant adverse maternal or fetal outcomes. However, vigilance for premature births is recommended in women exposed to metformin in early pregnancy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Telosma pallida (L.) Kurz., is one of the traditional medicinal plants from Asclepiadaceae family. It is abundantly available in Gujarat, India during monsoon. It is a slender and deciduous climber used traditionally in the treatment of various diseases such as cough, cold, skin diseases etc., Aims: To study the leaves of Telosma pallida (L.) Kurz. for detailed Pharmacognostic characters and Analytical Profile. Materials and Methods: In this work pharmacognostic, preliminary phytochemical screening, fluorescence analysis, and HPTLC profile of leaves were determined following standard procedures. Results: The leaves are simple, entire, opposite, cordate in shape, the upper surface is dark green and lower surface is light green in colour. The Transverse section of a leaf through petiole shows the presence of uniseriate multicellular warty trichomes and laticifer cells at the adjacent side of the phloem. Surface study shows paracytic and anomocytic type of stomata. Preliminary physicochemical analysis shows water soluble extractive value as 28.44 ± 2.89% w/w and alcohol soluble extractive value as 14.60 ± 0.79% w/w. Preliminary phytochemical analysis of extracts shows the presence of glycosides, alkaloids, carbohydrates, proteins, amino acids and flavonoids. Conclusion: The information obtained from this research work may be useful to establish the botanical as well as analytical standards for the leaves of T. pallida. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: Ketosis-prone diabetes (KPD), an atypical form of diabetes, has emerged as a heterogeneous syndrome in multiple ethnic groups. The objectives of this study were to look into the clinical characteristics of adult Asian Indian patients with recently diagnosed, antibody negative diabetes presenting with unprovoked ketoacidosis (A-β+ KPD) and to determine the natural course of recovery of beta-cell functions on serial follow-up over one year.Research Design and Methods: Newly diagnosed adult diabetes patients (n=11) with suspected KPD (A-β+) were prospectively studied over a period of 1-year with serial evaluations of clinical, biochemical and beta-cell secretion characteristics. These were compared with a control group (n=23) of KPD (A+β-) (classical Type 1A diabetes) with similar presentation. Beta-cell secretion was assessed by fasting and stimulated C-peptide values after a standard mixed meal challenge. Glycaemic control and treatment outcomes were also documented.Results: In comparison to the A+β- KPD controls, the A-β+ KPD patients had a significantly older age, higher BMI, stronger family history of type 2 diabetes, more severe ketoacidosis and higher fasting and stimulated C-peptide level at presentation. On serial follow-up, the patients with KPD achieved complete recovery of their beta-cell function with remission from insulin-dependence within 3-4months without further recurrences of DKA.Conclusions: This is the first reported series of A-β+ KPD from India. The phenotype of Indian A-β+ KPD patients differs from their Western counterparts in that they are relatively younger and leaner, though the male preponderance and natural history of recovery of beta-cell dysfunction bears similarity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Plaque psoriasis (PP) and pityriasis rosea (PR) are common inflammatory skin diseases. Their characteristic appearance allows a clinical diagnosis in a high proportion of patients. This present study was conducted with an objective to determine and compare the dermoscopic patterns associated with PP, and PR to explore the utility of dermoscopy in the examination and diagnosis of these diseases. Methodology: The present study was a descriptive study conducted in the Department of Skin & V.D. where all PP and PR patients were subjected to general physical examination, cutaneous examination including nail, hair, genitalia, mucosae and dermoscopic examination to note down associated diseases and HIV. Findings were documented in the proforma. Results: There was female preponderance (58%) while male patients constituted 42%. Dotted vessels in PP were most commonly arranged in a regular distribution (44/50; 88%) and PR (8/12; 66.7%). In PP (29/50; 58%) vessels were associated with dull red background whereas in PR dotted vessels were mostly associated with a yellowish background colour (13/20; 65%). Conclusion: Plaque psoriasis (PP) and Pityriasis Rosea (PR) reveal specific dermoscopic patterns that may aid the clinical diagnosis. Besides its diagnostic purposes, dermoscopy might provide a useful tool for the evaluation of treatment outcome in patients with PP such as early detection of treatment response. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A diabetic foot ulcer is the leading cause of nontraumatic amputation worldwide. The most important predisposing factor for diabetic foot ulcer is peripheral neuropathy. Rat bites are an uncommon but important cause of ulcer in patients with diabetes, especially in lower socioeconomic strata. A 56-year-old male from southern India, a known patient with type 2 diabetes for the past 15 years with severe peripheral neuropathy, presented to our center with multiple bite marks on bilateral feet and destroyed nails. He was initially managed with local measures and injection tetanus toxoid; however, he rapidly worsened over the next 5 days to develop bilateral cellulitis of the feet and right great toe osteomyelitis. His biochemistry showed uncontrolled diabetes (HbA1c: 9.9) and radiology confirmed right great toe osteomyelitis. He underwent transmetatarsal amputation of the right first toe along with intravenous antibiotics followed by oral antibiotics (amoxicillin with clavulanic acid) for a total duration of 6 weeks and optimization of glycemic control. He improved completely over the next 1 month. Rat bites are a rare but readily preventable cause of foot ulcer in diabetic patients. Primary care and family physician play a vital role in educating patients about preventive aspects such as avoidance of using vegetable oil as a moisturizer that may attract rodents and insects. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A variety of eruption disturbances arise during the transitional dentition period, which can be broadly classified as disturbances related to time and disturbances related to position. The occurrence of ectopic eruption is relatively common, but ectopically positioned tooth piercing the philtrum is a rare clinical presentation. This is a case report of a 70-year-old female who presented with the chief complaint of an abnormally positioned tooth piercing out from the upper lip to the Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Karnavati School of Dentistry, Uvarsad, Gandhinagar, Gujarat, India. As per the patient's history, labially erupted tooth was piercing the philtrum for 60 years and it was visible extraorally from the philtrum and was painful. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

[Display omitted] • Framework quantifies the contribution of diverse water sources to reservoir releases. • Apply the concept of virtual storages for source tracking. • Analyze a water transfer project from Godavari to Krishna basins in Southern India. • Show possibility of increased transferred water to contribute to environmental flows during monsoon season. • Show that transferred water mainly satisfies demands from other reservoirs further downstream of the recipient. Reservoir water balance models are required to analyze the impact of alternative designs and operations on the performance of water infrastructure projects spanning multiple basins. However, the impact of such projects on instream ecology and water quality of participating basins remains relatively less explored quantitatively from a design perspective. This is due to the requirement of the complex systems model to simulate processes, which require additional data for parameterization while also increasing simulation time, which affects the performance of optimization algorithms. Here, we propose a conceptual framework to quantify the contribution of water from different basins to various reservoir-related fluxes in a multi-reservoir system. These include water released for demand satisfaction, maintaining minimum environmental flows, and preventing dam failure. For a given reservoir, we quantify the time-varying proportions of water supplied from other reservoirs and from the reservoir's inflows for each release. We apply this framework to a proposed water transfer project in southern India that caters to the diminishing water supply of the Nagarjuna Sagar (NS) reservoir in the Krishna river basin by transferring water from the Godavari river basin. Our results show that the transferred water majorly caters to the additional demands on the NS reservoir to transfer water further south. We also find that, in general, the transferred water has little to no contribution to satisfying environmental flows downstream of the recipient. However, we do note a very high (up to 50%) contribution of transferred water to environmental flows at the NS reservoir for a few selected realizations of inflows in the monsoon season. Based on prior literature, these releases are concerning given the substantial differences in the ecological composition of fish species in both basins and may lead to invasive species downstream of the NS reservoir. We show how the proposed framework can be used to attribute recipient reservoir releases to donor and recipient inflows and shed light on failure dynamics by identifying fluxes that contribute to failures. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper is an enquiry into the role of State policies in influencing wind installed capacity. The paper studies the impact of policies on deployment of wind potential across the States of India over two decades. Aggregate indices are computed for each of the seven wind resourceful States of India indicating attractiveness for installed capacity of wind energy. For computing the indices, four policies, Feed-in-Tariff, Renewable Purchase Obligation, Banking facility, and Wheeling charges are considered. Panel data techniques are then employed to investigate the impact of the policy differences on wind potential deployment over the 19 year period (1993–2012) after controlling for three State-specific factors. The controlling factors include per-capita income of the State, power deficit, and ratio of installed capacity of wind to geographic potential indicating unmet capacity. The results show that that policy index positively impacts wind deployment whether control variables are included or not. Moreover, the control factors like the per-capita income of the State and unmet capacity have positive influence over the investment in wind energy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Evaluate the impact of temporal resolution of objective on optimized decisions. • Use three formulations of a multi-objective inter-basin water transfer problem. • Decisions based on annual reliability outperforms seasonal/fortnightly reliability. • Temporal resolution of objective determines the preferred search operators of the BORG MOEA. Large scale water infrastructure serves multiple purposes including provisioning of freshwater, protection from floods, navigation, hydro-electricity, etc. Decision analysis for reservoir systems relies heavily on optimization techniques that identify optimal operational strategies using a dynamic systems model. Optimization requires the analyst to define performance indicators, or, objective functions, that aggregate performance across multiple time periods in a planning horizon. A question thus arises: does the temporal resolution at which objective functions are aggregated have a substantial impact on resultant optimal operational strategy? Here, we investigate this issue using three formulations of a multi-objective optimization problem for a proposed inter-basin water transfer in Southern India. The Borg multi-objective evolutionary algorithm (MOEA) is used to optimize five objectives: the reliability, resilience and vulnerability of demand satisfaction, reliability of maintaining minimum environmental flows, and reliability of preventing high flow exceedances downstream. We alter the temporal resolution at which the reliability of demand satisfaction is calculated by aggregating water deficits at fortnightly, seasonal and annual scale, resulting in three formulations of the decision problem. Pareto approximate strategies resulting from the fortnightly, seasonal, and annual reliability formulations result in annual demand deficits ranging from 82 to 172 Mm3, 79–152 Mm3, and 61–96 Mm3, respectively. This improvement in performance for annual reliability-based strategies exploits greater flexibility within the systems model to store water temporarily in secondary storage structures like lakes, ponds, check dams, in the command area serviced by the project. We also find that the choice of temporal resolution of objective function has a substantial influence on the combination operators preferred during the search phase of the Borg MOEA. Our results highlight the value of exploring objective functions at different temporal resolutions for reservoir optimization. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A gastrointestinal parasite survey of 411 stray and refuge dogs sampled from four geographical and climactically distinct locations in India revealed these animals to represent a significant source of environmental contamination for parasites that pose a zoonotic risk to the public. Hookworms were the most commonly identified parasite in dogs in Sikkim (71.3%), Mumbai (48.8%) and Delhi (39.1%). In Ladakh, which experiences harsh extremes in climate, a competitive advantage was observed for parasites such as Sarcocystis spp. (44.2%), Taenia hydatigena (30.3%) and Echinococcus granulosus (2.3%) that utilise intermediate hosts for the completion of their life cycle. PCR identified Ancylostoma ceylanicum and Ancylostoma caninum to occur sympatrically, either as single or mixed infections in Sikkim (Northeast) and Mumbai (West). In Delhi, A. caninum was the only species identified in dogs, probably owing to its ability to evade unfavourable climatic conditions by undergoing arrested development in host tissue. The expansion of the known distribution of A. ceylanicum to the west, as far as Mumbai, justifies the renewed interest in this emerging zoonosis and advocates for its surveillance in future human parasite surveys. Of interest was the absence of Trichuris vulpis in dogs, in support of previous canine surveys in India. This study advocates the continuation of birth control programmes in stray dogs that will undoubtedly have spill-over effects on reducing the levels of environmental contamination with parasite stages. In particular, owners of pet animals exposed to these environments must be extra vigilant in ensuring their animals are regularly dewormed and maintaining strict standards of household and personal hygiene. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Centre–state relations in India are a fascinating area of studies. The structure of the relationship has an effect on every single aspect of life as we know it in India. This paper is an attempt to study centre–state relations in the context of India's maritime counter-terrorism strategy. Although the Government of India has not publicly stated its counter-terrorism strategy on the sea, intelligence, information sharing, crisis response, finances for internal security and the nation's legislation for battling terrorism together comprise India's maritime-terrorism strategy. Through study of these areas, the paper argues that the centre–state divide has had systemic implications on India's maritime security and has largely done more harm than good to collective initiatives that aspire to prevent future risk of terrorism from the sea or on the sea. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

[Display omitted] • Quantify trends in cooling degree days (CDDs) across India for 1951–2019. • A hazard-exposure-vulnerability based risk framework quantifies cooling risks. • Show implications of multiple vulnerability metrics on risk of cooling demands. Global warming poses a challenge to India's energy policy as rising temperatures coincide with population growth and lifestyle changes to substantial increase cooling energy requirements. The concept of cooling degree-days (CDD) is often used to assess probable changes in cooling demands but, to date, no study has considered CDD changes within a risk framework to consider exposure and underlying vulnerabilities of a population. Here, we quantify the trends in observed CDD data across administrative divisions of India for 1951–2019. Using temperature data from five climate models under three representative concentration pathways (RCPs), we then estimate the relative changes in average annual CDD across India under 1.5 °C, 2 °C and 3 °C levels of global warming. We further quantify the risk associated with increased cooling requirements for most urbanized regions of India using CDD as hazard, population as exposure, and two alternative vulnerability metrics that account for economic conditions (per capita Gross Domestic Product, GDP) and energy source (proportion of renewable energy to total energy). For 62% of administrative units, the Pettitt's test identified a statistically significant change point in annual CDD values, with 1993 as the median year of change. Climate model projections suggest a likely increase of 5–14%, 13–80% and 22–160% in average annual CDD values for a majority (>90%) of administrative units under the 1.5 °C, 2 °C and 3 °C levels of global warming, respectively. The risk assessment showed that population exposure was the primary factor governing risk scores when per capita GDP was used as a proxy for vulnerability. Risk scores differed substantially when the vulnerability index was based on contribution of non-renewables to electricity requirements. Our analysis emphasizes that prevailing socio-economic conditions and energy policies are likely to play a strong role in mitigating climate change impacts related to cooling energy requirements in urbanized Indian regions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The origin, evolution and speciation of the lion, has been subject of interest, debate and study. The present surviving lions of the genus Panthera comprise of eight sub-species inclusive of Asiatic lion Panthera leo persica of India's Gir forest. Except for the Asiatic lion, the other seven subspecies are found in different parts of Africa. There have been different opinions regarding the phylogenetic status of Panthera leo, as well as classifying lions of different geographic regions into subspecies and races. In the present study, mitogenome sequence of P. leo persica deduced, using Ion Torrent PGM to assess phylogeny and evolution which may play an increasingly important role in conservation biology. Results: The mtDNA sequence of P. leo persica is 17,057 bp in length with 40.8% GC content. Annotation of mitogenome revealed total 37 genes, including 13 protein coding, 2 rRNA and 22 tRNA. Phylogenetic analysis based on whole mitogenome, suggests Panthera pardus as a neighbouring species to P. leo with species divergence at ~2.96 mya. Conclusion: This work presents first report on complete mitogenome of Panthera leo persica. It sheds light on the phylogenetic and evolutionary status within and across Felidae members. The result compared and evaluated with earlier reports of Felidae shows alteration of phylogenetic status and species evolution. This study may provide information on genetic diversity and population stability [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose – The purpose of this study is to investigate the association between the marriage among blood relatives and resulting adverse pregnancy outcomes. Design/methodology/approach – This study uses data from India Human Development Survey in 2005. The methods of analyses include bivariate, trivariate estimates and Cox proportional hazard regression model. Findings – The results reveal that the occurrence of consanguineous marriages is more predominant in southern India and among socioeconomically disadvantageous groups. Moreover, women in consanguineous unions are more likely to have adverse pregnancy outcomes including stillbirths (RR=1.59, p-value<0.01), abortions (RR=3.03, p-value<0.01), miscarriages (RR=1.94, p-value<0.01) and spontaneous miscarriages (RR=1.70, p-value<0.01). Consanguineous marriages continue to be a critical predictor of adverse pregnancy outcomes in India. Practical implications – In order to avoid loss of pregnancy and related reproductive health problems in India, it is imperative to create awareness regarding the adverse effects of consanguineous marriages, focusing on the regions with high prevalence. Originality/value – This unique study comprehensively examines the occurrence of consanguineous marriages and their association with adverse pregnancy outcomes by using advanced statistical analyses and nationally representative data. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background/Objective: Children and women comprise vulnerable populations in terms of health and are gravely affected by the impact of economic inequalities through multi-dimensional channels. Urban areas are believed to have better socioeconomic and maternal and child health indicators than rural areas. This perception leads to the implementation of health policies ignorant of intra-urban health inequalities. Therefore, the objective of this study is to explain the pathways of economic inequalities in maternal and child health indicators among the urban population of India. Methods: Using data from the third wave of the National Family Health Survey (NFHS, 2005–06), this study calculated relative contribution of socioeconomic factors to inequalities in key maternal and child health indicators such as antenatal check-ups (ANCs), institutional deliveries, proportion of children with complete immunization, proportion of underweight children, and Infant Mortality Rate (IMR). Along with regular CI estimates, this study applied widely used regression-based Inequality Decomposition model proposed by Wagstaff and colleagues. Results: The CI estimates show considerable economic inequalities in women with less than 3 ANCs (CI  = −0.3501), institutional delivery (CI  = −0.3214), children without fully immunization (CI  = −0.18340), underweight children (CI  = −0.19420), and infant deaths (CI  = −0.15596). Results of the decomposition model reveal that illiteracy among women and her partner, poor economic status, and mass media exposure are the critical factors contributing to economic inequalities in maternal and child health indicators. The residuals in all the decomposition models are very less; this implies that the above mentioned factors explained maximum inequalities in maternal and child health of urban population in India. Conclusion: Findings suggest that illiteracy among women and her partner, poor economic status, and mass media exposure are the critical pathways through which economic factors operate on inequalities in maternal and child health outcomes in urban India. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The author discusses the prospects of the International Tribunal for the Law of the Sea (ITLOS) verdict in an ongoing maritime boundary dispute between Bangladesh and Myanmar with India. He mentions that the verdict was delivered on March 14, 2012 which ended the dispute that was a matter of debate since 1974. He notes that the verdict is first of its kind in delimiting the continental shelf boundary beyond 200 miles.

Limnological parameter and plankton diversity are an important criterion for determining the suitability of water for irrigation and drinking purpose. Lake Pichhola has greatest importance for humankind. The specific status of limnological characteristic and diversity of plankton in lake Pichhola have been studied through seasonal surveys in two annual cycles (2005-06 and 2006-07) and annual survey of fishes in two annual cycles (2005-06 and 2006-07). The water remained moderately alkaline (pH 7.5) while electrical conductance (0.3958 mS/cm), TDS (237.5mg/l), chloride (176mg/l), hardness (174.33mg/l) and alkalinity (207.16mg/l) showed low mean values. Average dissolved oxygen levels were at 5.75mg/l while average nitrate and phosphate levels were 3.70mg/l and 2.79mg/l respectively. On the basis of water quality parameters in general, lake Pichhola was found to be eutrophic. A high rate of primary production (302.085mgc/m²/hr), diversity of phytoplankton (58 forms), zooplankton (104 forms) and fish (15 species) were also observed during the study period. Therefore, lake Pichhola has rich number of species and biodiversity of aquatic animals. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Given that the communities which are most vulnerable to HIV often have little control over their own lives and their health-related behaviour, HIV prevention policies increasingly recommend that HIV prevention projects work to build relationships with powerful external groups (i.e., build “bridging social capital”). To aid conceptualisation ofhowcommunity organisations may build such social capital, this paper outlines a typology of strategies for influencing local stakeholders. We present a study of two successful Indian sex workers' organisations, VAMP and DMSC, focusing on how the organisations have influenced three groups of stakeholders, namely police, politicians and local social organisations. Interviews with project employees (45), with representatives of the three groups of stakeholders (12) and fieldwork diaries recording 6 months of observation in each site provide the data. Three approaches emerged. “Persuading” refers to the practice of holding information-giving meetings with stakeholders and requesting their support. It appears to build “weak social ties”. “Protesting” entails a collective confrontation with stakeholders, and appears to be useful when the stakeholder has a public image to protect that would be tarnished by protest, and when the protestors can stake a legitimate claim that their rights are being denied. In “exchanging favours”, the sex workers' organisations find creative ways to position themselves as offering valued resources to their stakeholders (such as useful information on criminal activities for the police, a stage and audience for politicians or a celebration for local social organisations) as incentives for their support. In conclusion, we discuss the strengths and weaknesses of each approach, the implications for social capital theorising and implications for community HIV prevention. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]