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Socio economic development in the country along with various indicators of knowledge as gained through various systems of education have played a very significant role in each socio-economic group. The society has gained knowledge through various systems of education prevailing in various fields of specialization, i.e., education, technological, scientific, agricultural and many more. In the recent past it is being observed that in the field of education especially in the educational institutions there is an exponential growth in the habit of absenteeism amongst various groups of pupil teachers. The literature on the absenteeism characteristics and socio-economic indicators of the pupil teacher is very scanty. In order to meet the gap in knowledge, the researcher has tried to establish relationship between the socio-economic status and absenteeism amongst a group of pupil teachers studying in various colleges of education in Haryana. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

An abstract of the doctoral dissertation "Information Efficiency of Indian Stock Markets" by Renuka Sharma is presented.

Introduction: The QTc interval is affected by heart rate, autonomic nervous system and diseases like diabetes. However, the affect of exercise which alters autonomic nervous system activity, on QTc is not clear. On the other hand, the incidence of sudden cardiac death increases many fold post exercise. These events may be better explained by studying the effect of exercise on QTc. Aim: This study was designed with an aim to record the QTc interval changes in response to isometric exercise in a group of normal individuals with or without parental history of diabetes mellitus. Also the QTc duration was correlated with the LF-HF ratio. Materials and Methods: Twenty nine, healthy medical students were subjected to isometric hand grip test for 5min. ECG was recorded pre-exercise and at various time intervals post-exercise. Statistical Analysis: All data are expressed in mean ± SD. Intra group comparison was done using paired t-test and unpaired t-test was used for comparison among group I and group II subjects, and among males and females. Result: The difference in the pre and post exercise QTc values both within and between groups was statistically significant with group I subjects recording lower values. The post exercise LF: HF values were significantly increased when compared to pre exercise values in both the groups. There was no correlation between LF: HF and QTc. Conclusion: A longer than normal QTc interval predisposes to arrhythmia. Exercise brings about detectable changes in the QTc interval after a period of isometric exercise in normal individuals which in high risk individuals may predispose to sudden cardiac death. In addition women may be more susceptible to post-exercise arrhythmia owing to a longer QTc even at rest. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The main objective of the present study is to examine the consistency in the performance of various portfolios constructed on the basis of three fundamental factors (E/P, B/M and Size). It has examined whether the investment strategies based on three major fundamentals, i.e., Earnings- to- Price Ratio, Book-to-Market Price Ratio and Size of the firms result into extra ordinary returns to the investors in the short run or not. The short-term analysis based on yearly performance of various portfolios has not given any sound base to believe on these parameters as short-term stock selection criteria. But out of three fundamental factors considered in the present study, the highest inconsistency was found in the performance of portfolios based on market cap of the firm rather than portfolios based on E/P ratio or Book to market price ratio. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The present study was carried out to exploit the feasibility of using polymeric nanosponges as an alternative carrier for targeting econazole nitrate (EN) to the skin through topical hydrogel formulation. Nanosponges prepared by emulsion solvent diffusion method were evaluated for various physicochemical parameters and in vitro drug release. The nanosponges of EN were discrete free flowing nanosized particles with perforated orange peel like morphology as visualized by SEM. The nanosponge formulated using PVA:EC (3:2) displayed highest in vitro release after 12 h in phosphate buffer (pH 6.8) that fitted matrix model. Selected nanosponge was formulated as Carbopol 934 NF hydrogel using varying concentrations of permeation enhancers propylene glycol and N-methyl-2-pyrrolidone. The EN nanosponge-loaded hydrogels (F0--F7) were evaluated for pharmacotechnical properties and irritation studies on rat skin. On the basis of various evaluation parameters F7 with an equilibrium swelling of 0.944 g/g after 4 h, low firmness and high adhesiveness, a flux rate of 1540.2 (µµg/cm2.h) and that exhibited a controlled release of EN for 12 h was selected as best hydrogel. The DRS and DSC spectra of F7 confirmed stability of drug in the delivery system and absence of drug polymer interaction in nanosponges. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Weak form efficiency hypothesis (EMH) stipulates that asset prices fully reflect information contained in past stock prices. The present study documents extensive evidence on price behavior in the Indian stock markets. One of the striking features of the results is that runs analysis too exuberate weak form efficiency further and the instances of return drift noted earlier have disappeared. On the whole, the results signify that trading strategies based on historic prices cannot be relied for abnormal gains consistently, except when these coincide with underlying drifts in the stock price movements. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aim of the present investigation was to develop oral films of valdecoxib using Eudragit EPO and hydroxypropylmethylcellulose. Films of Eudragit EPO, hydroxypropylmethylcellulose and Eudragit EPO combined with hydroxypropylmethylcellulose were prepared by film casting method. Glycerol, menthol and aspartame were incorporated in the drug containing films as plasticizer, cooling agent and sweetener, respectively. The drug loading was 10 mg valdecoxib per 4 cm² of the film. The films were evaluated for hydration study, folding endurance and in vitro drug dissolution in the distilled water. The films containing both Eudragit EPO and hydroxypropylmethylcellulose films showed neutral surface pH when prepared using 0.1 N HCl as a solvent. Glycerol played a critical role in imparting flexibility to the film and improving the drug release from film. The bitter taste of the drug was masked by using aspartame and menthol accompanied by the synergistic effect of Eudragit and glycerol. Water uptake by films was found to be dependant both on the amount of Eudragit EPO and glycerol. The films containing the higher proportion of glycerol showed higher water uptake and faster drug release at all the sampling time in the in vitro dissolution test. Optimum plasticity was obtained using the required concentration of hydroxypropylmethylcellulose and glycerol. The study revealed that taste masked valdecoxib films can be developed by the selection of appropriate film former and by the use of auxiliary excipients. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Ganga river, one of the largest and most culturally significant rivers in India, supports millions of people living along its banks. However, extensive use and untreated wastewater discharge have led to significant contamination. This study utilizes land use and land cover (LULC) analysis, along with regular water sampling from 2021 to 2222, to assess variations in physical, chemical, and biological characteristics and evaluate health risks posed by heavy metals across eight monitoring sites in the Ganga and Yamuna rivers, Prayagraj, India. Results were compared with drinking water standards established by the Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) and the World Health Organization (WHO). The Water Quality Index (WQI) indicated substantial water quality degradation at sites S2 (Ganga) and S8 (Yamuna). Although heavy metal levels (Cu, Fe, Cd, Pb, Mn, Cr) fluctuated across sites, Pb and Cd frequently exceeded permissible limits. Health Risk Assessment (HRI) findings pointed to potential health risks at sites S4 (Ganga) and S8 (Yamuna) due to elevated Pb and Cd levels. The Heavy Metal Contamination Index (HMCI) ranged from 733.78 to 981.33, classifying all samples as highly polluted, with Heavy Metal Quality Index (HMQI) values also indicating high risk, especially at sites S4 and S8. Further analysis using principal component analysis (PCA) and cluster analysis highlighted correlations among water quality parameters, while Pearson's correlation matrix and heat maps indicated positive relationships for DO, pH, alkalinity, and SO 4 , with most heavy metals (except Zn and Mg) showing strong inter-correlations. These findings underline the urgent need for pollution control measures to safeguard public health in the region., Competing Interests: There are no conflicts to declare., (This journal is © The Royal Society of Chemistry.)

Introduction: College students, who are in a phase of transition from adolescence to adulthood, face numerous challenges. Due to stress overload, students easily fall prey to mood disturbances like stress, anxiety and depression compromising their quality of life., Aim: Present study was undertaken to see the effect of choice of professional course on quality of life and mood of the first year students of medical, engineering and arts students., Materials and Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted amongst 150 students, 50 participants from each stream. Enrolled subjects were administered questionnaires pertaining to their quality of life (WHOQOL-BREF), mood disorders (DASS-42) and sleepiness (ESS)., Results: Medical students showed significantly higher levels of stress (p-value=0.0001), depression (p-value=0.002) and anxiety (p-value=0.002), 30% of medicos labelled their quality of life as very good compared to 48% and 50% of engineering and arts students. A 38% of medical student's reported daytime sleepiness compared to 12% engineering and 6% arts students., Conclusion: Present study shows that medical students are maximally vulnerable to mood disorders and have a poor quality life. As the student community forms the backbone of any nation, we as, educators should try to strengthen each individual by promoting not only physical and mental development but also aiming for overall holistic development.