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Background: Hepatozoonosis has been reported in many species around the world. Few incidences have been reported in various species of wild felids. Tigers are endangered large cats and are protected under the Wildlife Protection Act, 1972 under Schedule I. The study was carried out to estimate the positivity rate of hepatozoonosis in tigers of the Vidarbha region of Maharashtra, India. Methods: Blood (n = 21) or tissue samples (n = 5) were collected from 26 wild captured / zoo-born or dead tigers during the quarantine period/post-mortem examination. Blood smear examination along with Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) studies were conducted for the detection of hepatozoonosis. All the amplicons from the positive samples were purified and sequenced, and the sequences were subjected to nBLAST analysis to detect the species of Hepatozoon. The sequences were deposited into public domain database of National Center for Biotechnology Information (NCBI) and accession numbers were allotted. A phylogenetic study was undertaken to understand the evolutionary lineage of the pathogen. Tissue distribution studies were carried out on tissue samples received during post mortem. A clinical case in a tiger cub was managed and sub-clinical cases were monitored for relapse. Age-wise, sex-wise, region-wise and captive time-wise positivity rate was estimated. The data was analyzed using statistical tools. Results: A total of 12 tigers were found positive for H. felis during the screening. A clinical case was diagnosed and successfully treated. The age group of 0–3 years reported a positivity rate of 66.66%, and all the cases found positive were reported between the age group of 0–7 years. Males reported a positivity rate of 58.33 per cent, while females reported 35.71%. Taboba and Andhari Tiger Reserve of the state had a positivity rate of 52.94 per cent. However, the statistical analysis for blood parameters and positivity rate by 't' test and Chi-squared test were found to be non-significant. Conclusions: An overall positivity rate of 46.15% indicates the wide distribution of hepatozoonosis among wild tigers of the Vidarbha region of Maharashtra, India, which is strategically important considering the gene flow and migration of tigers. Hepatozoonosis can progress to clinical outcomes in young animals and require veterinary intervention. Molecular tools and phylogenetic studies can supplement important data on circulating species of Hepatozoon in the field. Further studies on the clinical management and epidemiology of the infection in wild felids will comprehend the cause of wildlife conservation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Farmer producer companies (FPCs), modern farmer collectives registered under India’s Companies Act, play a crucial role in providing core services like input supply, marketing, technical, and financial support, as well as auxiliary services such as social capital and consultancy, which are linked to higher economic performance and innovation. The study analyzes the levels of social capital among members and non-members of FPCs and their relationship to the economic performance of their members. The data on social capital were collected from 20 FPCs (292 members and 77 non-members) from Maharashtra state of India. Unpaired student T-tests and Mann-Whitney tests were performed to compare the levels of social capital among the members and non-members. OLS regression was performed to understand the difference in social capital and its effect on economic performance. The results reveal that all the indicators of social capital were significantly higher for the members (Mean = 4.27) than for non-members (Mean = 3.14). The social capital indicators related to membership and participation in groups (p-value < 0.10) and the sharing of production and other information (p-value < 0.01) positively affected economic performance. Higher levels of education (p-value < 0.05) and frequent contact with members (p-value < 0.01) positively affected, whereas higher landholding (p-value < 0.10) and years of membership (p-value < 0.01) negatively affected the economic performance of members. As the Indian government plans to add 10,000 FPCs in the next three years, the strategy to increase the social capital of FPCs may enhance the overall resilience and sustainability of rural economies.

Abstract Technical progress has a tremendous potential to reduce carbon dioxide emissions by reducing energy consumption, a major concern across production units. However, the existing empirical literature concerning technical efficiency and carbon intensity is scanty. Thus, this paper examines the relationship between technical efficiency and carbon intensity for the organized manufacturing sector of two states, Maharashtra and Odisha, and the all-India level from 2001 to 2018. The paper uses data envelopment analysis to estimate technical efficiency scores. It applies the 2006 Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change Tier 1 methodology for estimating carbon intensity for each 3-digit manufacturing industry in all three sample cases. The study has used static panel regression and fractional logit regression techniques to examine the deterministic relationship between technical efficiency and carbon intensity. The result shows that technical efficiency is highly sensitive to carbon intensity in the Indian manufacturing industries. The findings also addressed that the size of the industries also reduces the technical performance of manufacturing units. This paper also confirmed that increased profit could boost the Indian manufacturing industries’ technical efficiency. Thus, this study addresses that carbon intensity as a proxy for the manufacturing sector’s potential to affect climate change plays a crucial role in explaining the technical efficiency variations across industries. Thus, it calls for better policies aimed at reducing the emissions of industries specifically to achieve sustainable growth for the Indian manufacturing sector.

Myristica swamps are one of the world's unique freshwater ecosystems. In recent years there has been an increase in reports about their distribution along the Western Ghats. In this paper, we present a new distribution record for Myristica swamps in the northern part of the Western Ghats in Maharashtra. The Myristica swamp is located within the Bhalandeshwar Sacred Grove of Kumbral Bagwadi, Dodamarg Maharastra, India. This forms the second report from the state of Maharastra. Frequent field visits were made to study and document the floral assemblage and biodiversity in the swamp from November 2023 to January 2024. The swamp is dominated by Myristica magnifica Bedd. and is part of a sacred grove protected by villagers due to religious beliefs. The second discovery of a Myristica swamp with a gap of just six years points out to the potential existence of more swamps in the region. Therefore, systematic surveys are needed to document undocumented swamps in various areas. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study examined the pattern of resistance to widely applied synthetic pyrethroids, i.e., cypermethrin and deltamethrin, against larvae of Rhipicephalus microplus ticks sampled from Marathwada region in Maharashtra, India. The study also examined the role of α- and β-esterases and glutathione-S-transferase (GST) in resistance development. All eight R. microplus isolates tested were resistant to deltamethrin (RL IV), having RR50 values from 6.88 to 131.26. LPT analysis exhibited the resistance level II deltamethrin resistance in Beed and Hingoli, III in Dharashiv, and IV in Sambhajinagar, Parbhani, Latur, Jalna, and Nanded isolates. The LIT analysis showed that Dharashiv field isolates had the lowest LC50 value of 229.09 ppm against cypermethrin, while Sambhajinagar field isolates had the highest at 489.78 ppm. The RR50 ranged from 1145.45 to 2448.9. Seven isolates were level I resistant to cypermethrin while the Jalna isolate was level II resistant. In larvae treated with deltamethrin and cypermethrin, the activity of α- and β-esterase enzymes increased significantly compared to control groups. The enzyme ratios in treated larvae ranged from 0.7533 to 1.7023 for α-esterase and 0.7434 to 3.2054 for β-esterase. The Hingoli isolate treated with cypermethrin exhibited the highest α-esterase activity (903.261), whereas Sambhajinagar isolate had the highest GST enzyme ratio (2.8224) after deltamethrin exposure. When exposed to cypermethrin, the Hingoli isolate showed the highest GST enzyme ratio, 2.0832. The present study provides the current resistance status in tick populations from Marathwada region indicating deltamethrin and cypermethrin to be ineffective for tick control. The results also suggest that SP compounds should be regulated in this region and alternative control strategies should be introduced. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Technical progress has a tremendous potential to reduce carbon dioxide emissions by reducing energy consumption, a major concern across production units. However, the existing empirical literature concerning technical efficiency and carbon intensity is scanty. Thus, this paper examines the relationship between technical efficiency and carbon intensity for the organized manufacturing sector of two states, Maharashtra and Odisha, and the all-India level from 2001 to 2018. The paper uses data envelopment analysis to estimate technical efficiency scores. It applies the 2006 Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change Tier 1 methodology for estimating carbon intensity for each 3-digit manufacturing industry in all three sample cases. The study has used static panel regression and fractional logit regression techniques to examine the deterministic relationship between technical efficiency and carbon intensity. The result shows that technical efficiency is highly sensitive to carbon intensity in the Indian manufacturing industries. The findings also addressed that the size of the industries also reduces the technical performance of manufacturing units. This paper also confirmed that increased profit could boost the Indian manufacturing industries' technical efficiency. Thus, this study addresses that carbon intensity as a proxy for the manufacturing sector's potential to affect climate change plays a crucial role in explaining the technical efficiency variations across industries. Thus, it calls for better policies aimed at reducing the emissions of industries specifically to achieve sustainable growth for the Indian manufacturing sector. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The main purpose of this paper is to examine the emerging dynamics of formal and informal employment in the context of Maharashtra. Using the unit-level records from the recently published Employment and Unemployment Surveys (EUS) of the National Sample Survey Organisation (NSSO) in 2011–12 and various rounds of Periodical Labour Force Surveys (PLFSs), we examine the nature and patterns of formal and informal employment. Also, we investigate the role of personal, household, and labour market characteristics in shaping the dichotomy between formal and informal employment in Maharashtra. The findings of the paper suggest that the wage gap between formal and informal employment is greatly influenced by individual and employment characteristics such as gender, marital status, years of schooling, technical education, vocational training, work experience, and industry of work. In addition, the paper also finds evidence for the marginalisation of women from the labour market, the enormous size of women in unpaid domestic duties, the lack of adequate coverage of formal employment in the rural sector, wage disparity, and the burgeoning size of informal employment. From a policy perspective, the paper suggests fostering inclusive economic growth by facilitating greater participation of women in the labour market and increasing the coverage of formal employment, which is crucial for attaining a decent living standard. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Soil quality is crucial for the fulfilment of food requirement of huge population of developing countries like India. The goal of the current investigation was to assess the impact of crop harvesting on soil with special reference to paddy crop. To meet the study's goals, fifteen locations were chosen from Mul tehsil in Chandrapur District (M.S.), India. The study used a systematic sampling and samples were chosen grid-wise based on how the population cluster used the rice that was grown. During the study, numerous markers connected with soil quality were inspected, including pH, electrical conductivity (EC), nitrogen, potassium, phosphorus, water holding (WH), zinc (Zn), copper (Cu), iron, and natural carbon (OC). The results obtained indicate that the soil of the study area was saline at more than 75% of the sampling sites. Greater soil fertility is found at more than 81% of the sites as indicated by OC values. The soil was observed from acidic to alkaline in nature. The soil's suitability for paddy crops is also indicated by the levels of iron, zinc, copper, and nitrogen. Most of the physical characteristics and micronutrient content dropped after the harvesting of rice crop except copper. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Within the northern Western Ghats of Maharashtra, Nashik district stands out as the most ecologically diverse region. It is situated within the latitudes of 19° 59' 50.8344" N and 73° 47' 23.2908" E. Locally, several plant taxa remain unexplored. This study aims to investigate the floristic diversity and various taxonomic groups of angiosperms present in unreported taxonomic groups within the examined region. During the botanical study in the northern Western Ghats of Nashik locations, we examined the critically endangered morning glory (A rgyreia pilosa Wight & Arn.) flowering plant species, which was found in the concentrated region. This botanical investigation involved the collection of plant taxa from diverse regions and ecosystems, marking the first instance of similar collection. The scientific study conducted by the author uncovers novel data about A rgyreia pilosa Wight & Arn. in the Nashik district of the northern Western Ghats of Maharashtra. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Canine babesiosis is a tick-borne hemoprotozoan disease of canines. Two main infective agents of the disease are intra-erythrocytic i.e. Babesia vogeli and Babesia gibsoni. In the present study, a total of 145 numbers of dogs (90 male and 55 female) in and around Akola, Maharashtra were screened from January 2022 to September 2022 for Babesiosis and 18 animals (12.41%) were found clinically and cytologically positive. The incidence of babesiosis was higher in females (11/145, 7.58%) than in males (07/ 145, 4.83%). Out of 18 positive samples, 14 (9.65%) and 4 (2.75%) animals were found infected with small and large forms of Babesia spp., respectively. Further small form was confirmed as B. gibsoni and the large form was confirmed as B. vogeli by employing PCR assay. All the cases with babesiosis revealed moderate to severe regenerative anemia with occasional basophilic stippling and Howell jolly bodies with hemoglobin ranging from 7 to 11 g/dL. Characteristic clinical features were observed among 18 positive clinical cases. The present investigation reports the incidence of B. vogeli and B. gibsoni in canines in and around Akola of Maharashtra state of India.

Abstract Background The field of bioethics examines the moral and ethical dilemmas that arise in the biological sciences, healthcare, and medical practices. There has been a rise in medical negligence cases, complaints against healthcare workers, and public dissatisfaction with healthcare professionals, according to reports from the Indian Medical Council and other healthcare associations. We intend to assess the level of knowledge, attitude, and practice of bioethics among the registered healthcare professionals (HCPs) of Maharashtra, India. Methods A State-level online survey was conducted among the registered HCPs (n = 2143) casing all five regions of the Maharashtra state using a pre-tested self-administered questionnaire. The responses were expressed as mean, and proportions with their standard deviation and 95% CI respectively. Binary logistic regression and a multivariate logistic model were used to determine factors associated with knowledge, attitude, and practice of bioethics. Results Of the 2143 registered HCPs in Maharashtra included in this study, most of them (65.2%) had adequate knowledge of bioethics. Adequate knowledge was associated with lower age, profession (nurses and dentists), employment in the private sector, HCPS at Marathwada and Pune, and higher educational attainment. About 3 in 5 HCPs (59.4%) had a favorable attitude towards the ethical practice of bioethics, and was associated with profession, place of work, region of practice, and work experience. The distribution of unethical bioethics practices among 10 items was proportionally high, and only 34.4% reported good/fair practice. The common unethical practices in the state were allowing patients to be examined by interns, and not informing them about professional misconduct to the regulatory bodies. Conclusion Most HCPs had adequate knowledge of bioethics, which is encouraging and would favor the laying foundation for forming a good bioethics framework. Only 3/5 HCPs demonstrated a favorable attitude, and the observed unethical practice is alarmingly common. A serious consideration to evaluate the compliance level of bioethics practice periodically and measures to educate, sensitize, and train bioethics among HCPs in Maharashtra is warranted.

Canine babesiosis is a tick-borne hemoprotozoan disease of canines. Two main infective agents of the disease are intra-erythrocytic i.e. Babesia vogeli and Babesia gibsoni. In the present study, a total of 145 numbers of dogs (90 male and 55 female) in and around Akola, Maharashtra were screened from January 2022 to September 2022 for Babesiosis and 18 animals (12.41%) were found clinically and cytologically positive. The incidence of babesiosis was higher in females (11/145, 7.58%) than in males (07/145, 4.83%). Out of 18 positive samples, 14 (9.65%) and 4 (2.75%) animals were found infected with small and large forms of Babesia spp., respectively. Further small form was confirmed as B. gibsoni and the large form was confirmed as B. vogeli by employing PCR assay. All the cases with babesiosis revealed moderate to severe regenerative anemia with occasional basophilic stippling and Howell jolly bodies with hemoglobin ranging from 7 to 11 g/dL. Characteristic clinical features were observed among 18 positive clinical cases. The present investigation reports the incidence of B. vogeli and B. gibsoni in canines in and around Akola of Maharashtra state of India. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In the present study, two new records of non-gilled and jelly macrofungi Auricularia novozealandica and A. srilankensis have been described for the first time from the Maharashtra state of India. Genus of edible macrofungi Auricularia, which can be found as farmed or wild mushrooms. Certain species of Auricularia are used as nutrient-dense foods and medicines, with traditional Asian medicine giving them particular importance. Current study was conducted in 2022 and 2023 from the Madheghat and the adjoining area of Velha region of Maharashtra state. In this study, morphological analysis was carried out using visual observations and microscopic observations of the collected two specimens of the genus Auricularia. The specimens from macrofungal samples were identified based on molecular characters. The specimens were recognized based on morphological characters, the identification and validation were carried out through molecular testing. The DNA was extracted, where tissue was homogenized in liquid nitrogen for two minutes and then genomic DNA was recovered from lysis buffer. The nuclear ribosome's Internal Transcribed Spacer (ITS) region was amplified with reference to ITS1 and ITS4 primers using Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR). Phylogenetics, have shown to be significant aids in accurately recognizing these fungi and have revolutionized fungal reclassification Molecular approaches, including nucleotides sequences of ITS region were characterized and compared with already existed sequences in National Center for Biotechnology Information (NCBI). GenBank and relevant literature were consulted to choose reference sequences and an outgroup. The ITS nucleotide sequencing data was used in a phylogenetic analysis to determine the taxonomic placement using BLASTn. After phylogenetic investigation, multiple fungal species were reclassified into other fungi. Accurate identification of the diverse species of fungi requires the use of molecular-based techniques. Thus, understanding macrofungi's biodiversity makes it possible to monitor changes caused by natural and human-caused processes and assess conservation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Art Deco is a visual arts, architecture, and product design style. It first emerged in Paris in the 1910s, shortly before World War I. This style reached its height in Europe and the United States in the 1920s and early 1930s. The early to mid-1930s saw the emergence of Art Deco architecture in India, which ended in the mid to late 1950s. Indian cities like Mumbai, Pune, Chennai, Jaipur, Jodhpur, and Patiala are home to Art Deco structures. In terms of architecture, the Art Deco movement represented a dramatic departure from the colonial Neo-Gothic/Victorian Gothic model. The pursuit of modernity, multiculturalism, and cosmopolitanism were all reflected in Art Deco architecture. UNESCO declared the Victorian Gothic and Art Deco ensembles of Mumbai (Maharashtra's capital) a UNESCO World Heritage Site in June 2018. Nevertheless, Pune City's Art Deco buildings are not recognized as heritage buildings or documented. The study involved photographic documentation of Art Deco buildings in Deccan, Swargate Prabhat Road, Bhandarkar Road area of Pune. This paper examines the various motifs and their underlying symbolism that can be seen in Pune's Art Deco buildings. The results of this study show that the Art Deco buildings in Pune are now on the verge of extinction due to the age of the building, structural deformities and lack of awareness of the conservation of this historical heritage. The art deco features on the elevations of many buildings have been hidden/erased by renovation and commercial hoardings. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The field of bioethics examines the moral and ethical dilemmas that arise in the biological sciences, healthcare, and medical practices. There has been a rise in medical negligence cases, complaints against healthcare workers, and public dissatisfaction with healthcare professionals, according to reports from the Indian Medical Council and other healthcare associations. We intend to assess the level of knowledge, attitude, and practice of bioethics among the registered healthcare professionals (HCPs) of Maharashtra, India. Methods: A State-level online survey was conducted among the registered HCPs (n = 2143) casing all five regions of the Maharashtra state using a pre-tested self-administered questionnaire. The responses were expressed as mean, and proportions with their standard deviation and 95% CI respectively. Binary logistic regression and a multivariate logistic model were used to determine factors associated with knowledge, attitude, and practice of bioethics. Results: Of the 2143 registered HCPs in Maharashtra included in this study, most of them (65.2%) had adequate knowledge of bioethics. Adequate knowledge was associated with lower age, profession (nurses and dentists), employment in the private sector, HCPS at Marathwada and Pune, and higher educational attainment. About 3 in 5 HCPs (59.4%) had a favorable attitude towards the ethical practice of bioethics, and was associated with profession, place of work, region of practice, and work experience. The distribution of unethical bioethics practices among 10 items was proportionally high, and only 34.4% reported good/fair practice. The common unethical practices in the state were allowing patients to be examined by interns, and not informing them about professional misconduct to the regulatory bodies. Conclusion: Most HCPs had adequate knowledge of bioethics, which is encouraging and would favor the laying foundation for forming a good bioethics framework. Only 3/5 HCPs demonstrated a favorable attitude, and the observed unethical practice is alarmingly common. A serious consideration to evaluate the compliance level of bioethics practice periodically and measures to educate, sensitize, and train bioethics among HCPs in Maharashtra is warranted. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Within the northern Western Ghats of Maharashtra, Nashik district stands out as the most ecologically diverse region. It is situated within the latitudes of 19° 59' 50.8344'' N and 73° 47' 23.2908'' E. Locally, several plant taxa remain unexplored. This study aims to investigate the floristic diversity and various taxonomic groups of angiosperms present in unreported taxonomic groups within the examined region. During the botanical study in the northern Western Ghats of Nashik locations, we examined the critically endangered morning glory (Argyreia pilosa Wight & Arn.) flowering plant species, which was found in the concentrated region. This botanical investigation involved the collection of plant taxa from diverse regions and ecosystems, marking the first instance of similar collection. The scientific study conducted by the author uncovers novel data about Argyreia pilosa Wight & Arn. in the Nashik district of the northern Western Ghats of Maharashtra.

Purpose: To assess the prevalence of DR and the need for screening and management of DR with medical management of diabetes in rural and tribal population in Maharashtra. Methods: The known diabetics of rural area and tribal area were screened at corresponding primary health centers, subcenters, and village level with the help of local healthcare workers using a portable non-mydriatic fundus camera. The prevalence of blindness among known diabetics in rural area was 1.29%, and 0.84% in tribal area. Results: In the rural area, the prevalence of diabetic retinopathy (DR) was 5.67% (n = 776), out of those 18.18% had sight threatening diabetic retinopathy (STDR). The prevalence of DR was 7.73% (n = 711) in tribal areas, out of those, 30.90% had STDR. Conclusions: The significant risk factors were identified to be the duration of diabetes and poor glycemic control. Implementation of targeted interventions for screening and management are required to reduce the risk of blindness among known diabetics in rural and tribal areas. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This research paper investigates the role of the State Government of Maharashtra, the Central Government of India, and Non-Government Organizations (NGOs) in the context of watershed management. Watershed management is crucial for addressing waterrelated challenges and ensuring sustainable development. The paper delves into the policies, initiatives, and institutional frameworks implemented by the State Government, highlighting successful projects and acknowledging the challenges faced in watershed management. The Central Government's contributions, including schemes, funding, and a national perspective, are examined, with a focus on the impact on Maharashtra. NGOs play a pivotal role in community mobilization, technical expertise, and innovation. Community participation, stakeholder engagement, and technological interventions, such as GIS and remote sensing, are explored. Environmental and socioeconomic impacts, including improved water quality and enhanced livelihoods, are assessed through case studies. Ongoing challenges, recommendations for improvement, and future directions for research and innovation are identified. The paper concludes by emphasizing the collaborative role of the State Government, Central Government, NGOs, and local communities in achieving sustainable watershed management in Maharashtra, calling for continued cooperation to address evolving challenges and foster resilient watersheds. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Inguinal hernia, a common surgical problem, requires treatment to prevent complications and improve patient outcomes. The debate continues as to whether laparoscopic or open repair techniques are superior. This study assesses the success rates of laparoscopic and open inguinal hernia repairs in Vidarbha, Maharashtra. Methods: The 100 Vidarbha, Maharashtra people who needed laparoscopic or open inguinal hernia repair were the subject of a retrospective study. Demographic information, recurrence rates, complications, postoperative pain scores, and duration of hospital stay were related between the two groups. Statistical study was used to determine the significance of the observed differences. Results: The laparoscopic (10%) and open (15%) repair groups had comparable recurrence rates. By comparing the two methods for hernia prevention yielded comparable less pain than open method results. The rate of complications in the laparoscopic group was 8%, while in the open repair group, it was 12% Laparoscopic procedures were associated with shorter hospital stays than open procedures. Statistical analysis demonstrated the importance of these results. Conclusion: This study demonstrates that both laparoscopic and open hernia repairs are equally effective at reducing the risk of recurrence and causing roughly the same level of postoperative discomfort. Laparoscopic surgery has the advantage of reducing the duration of hospital stays. Resources, surgeon experience, and patient characteristics should be considered when deciding between laparoscopic and open repair. It is suggested that additional research be conducted to substantiate and assess the long-term effects of these findings. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Short neck clam, Paphia malabarica, inhabits the ecologically diverse waters along the South Konkan coast of Maharashtra, serving as a vital resource for local communities. Concerns over the sustainability of clam populations necessitate a thorough investigation into the stock structure of P. malabarica to inform effective conservation and management strategies. This research employs geometric morphometrics to analyze shape variations in key morphological features of the clam, aiming to identify distinct morphotypes indicative of genetically differentiated stocks. The study area's diverse environmental conditions provide an intriguing context for understanding how local hydrodynamics, substrate composition and ecological interactions may influence phenotypic diversity within clam populations. Our findings aim to contribute valuable insights into the stock discrimination of P. malabarica, providing a foundation for informed conservation and fisheries management practices along the South Konkan coast of Maharashtra. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The oldest idea or original art of travel is pilgrimage tourism, which has a shorter history than modern tourism. Modern tourism was sparked by pilgrimages to sacred and holy locations. Hindu pilgrimages, known as tirtha yatras, appear to have originated and developed from a custom that predates even their civilization. There has been an incredible improvement in the expansion of pilgrimage tourism in Maharashtra. The fast increase in the influx of pilgrims significantly contributes to the regions sustainable development by producing socio-economic advantages including enhancing educational resources, fostering global awareness and national integration, opening up of new growth centres, creating jobs & raising domestic incomes healthcare facilities and effective demand of new infrastructure is a constant. Simultaneously, removal of regional disparities is crucial. The unrestrained & uncontrolled rapid expansion of pilgrimage tourism imposes significant costs on the environment and destruction of the environment, depletion of local resources, and other socio cultural and economic issues. The trust or the government should provide funding for such efforts of environmental conservation & protection. Boosting the natural areas economic significance, and encouraging locals & tourists in awareness of environmental values to protect these natural resources for future generations. The study came to conclusion that there is a favourable correlation between the rise in pilgrimage tourism and other forms of tourism, and that this expansion greatly aids in the host populations sustainable development. Taking Shirdi Sansthan Trust as a case study, a famous pilgrimage destination in Maharashtra, India. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Ujjani reservoir is an artificial inland wetland and a potential Ramsar site in Maharashtra, India. The present study investigates the changes in the surface water area over time using remote sensing imageries (LANDSAT, LISS-III, Sentinel 2 series) for four decades (1981 to 2021) and the normalized difference water index (NDWI). The study reveals that the overall mean amount and rate of decrease the surface water area are estimated at 20.50% (44.31 + 30.38 sq. km) and 0.75% year-1 (1.62 + sq. km year-1), respectively. Furthermore, multiple correlation matrix analysis shows a strong positive correlation between surface water area and rainfall while a weak negative correlation with mean annual temperature (TMAX). Thus, indicating rainfall as the principal factor in inducing changes to the surface water area of the Ujjani wetland. However, the study also finds that the impact of the dramatic in population growth and anthropogenic activities in the form of overexploitation of water and encroachments for agriculture are gradual but significant cursors to wetland degradation. Hence, study recommends periodic monitoring, management, and conservation of wetlands, by employing stringent policies and effective technological measures. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Floriculture has emerged as an important agribusiness, providing employment opportunities and entrepreneurship in both urban and rural areas. This study calculated the entrepreneurial attributes of floriculture farmers in Nashik, Maharashtra, India were calculated based on seven parameters viz., innovativeness, achievement motivation, economic motivation, decision making ability, leadership ability, risk orientation and management orientation. Majority of the flower growers belonged to medium entrepreneurial category. There was a highly significant and positive relationship of entrepreneurial attributes of respondents with Annual Income, Mass Media Exposure and Extension Agency Contact.

Since the first mass conversion of Dalits to Buddhism in 1956, followers of B. R. Ambedkar's vision have propagated Buddhism throughout India, creating various activist networks across, but not limited to, Maharashtra. Despite their aspirations for socio-political change and emancipation for marginalized communities experiencing caste discrimination, Ambedkarite Buddhists have faced challenges in mobilization and organization since the demise of Ambedkar. This article addresses the struggle of building a sense of collectivity within the Ambedkarite Buddhist population, offering insights from the perspective of young Ambedkarite Buddhists in Mumbai. The ethnographic study primarily focuses on interpreting the Ambedkarite Buddhist tradition and its position within the broader Buddhist framework and delves into the divergence in efforts to emplace Buddhism on the "religious-secular" spectrum among practitioners. The article aims to provide an interpretation of the challenges faced by the Ambedkarite Buddhists in pursuing a unified front for effecting social change in contemporary India.

The study aims to determine the impact of awareness, knowledge, and attitude toward plagiarism on the plagiarism activity of college teachers in Maharashtra State, India. Two hundred seventy-two college teachers within Maharashtra State, India, participated in the survey. The study used purposive and snowball sampling techniques. The college teachers have a reasonable awareness and moderate knowledge of plagiarism. The college teachers bore a positive attitude toward plagiarism. The results of multiple regression analysis showed a significant influence of all three independent variables on the plagiarism activities of college teachers. Attitude towards plagiarism was forecasted as the highest predictor of plagiarism activities of college teachers, followed by knowledge of plagiarism. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aquatic beetles are potential indicators of freshwater ecosystem and play an important role in food web and nutrient cycling. Parameters like pH, temperature, conductivity, total dissolved solids, salinity, and dissolved oxygen, are important water quality parameters. The present study is focused on the diversity of aquatic beetles and assessing water quality parameters of the sacred Indrayani River from various sites namely Valvan, Kamshet, Warangwadi, Begadewadi, Moshigaon, Alandi, Dhanore, and Tulapur. A total of 94 examples of aquatic beetles belonging to 31 species under 19 genera and four families from Indrayani River were recorded along with water quality parameters. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Context: Recent systematic review and meta-analysis of public attitudes have shown that despite improvements in mental health literacy, public attitudes and desire for social distance with mental illnesses have remained stable over time. Aims: To assess the awareness and attitude of the rural community towards mental disorders using the CAMI scale. Materials and Methods: This mixed method study was conducted under the ICMR-STS grant scheme after IEC approval. It included administration of a pre-tested questionnaire adapted from CAMI scale on 196 adults aged 18-60 years from an adopted village in the field practice area of medical college along with 8 in-depth interviews of key people in the same community. Thematic analysis was done for the qualitative part whereas for the quantitative part, Pearson's correlation coefficient, independent t-test, ANOVA and Kruskall-wallis test were used. Results: Age was positively correlated with the attitude of authoritarianism, social restrictiveness, CMHI and showed a negative correlation with attitude of benevolence. Females showed higher scores for authoritarianism and social restrictiveness. There was a statistically significant difference between APL and BPL groups for authoritarianism attitude towards the mentally ill (P value = 0.02) and CMHI (P value = 0.033). It was observed that with increase in the education levels there was a rise in the mean score of the values for the attitude of benevolence but the difference wasn't statistically significant (P > 0.05). Thematic analysis of the key informant interviews suggested various perceptions of the community regarding mental illness, available options for management, current practices of the community and what can be done further to improve facilities for mental health. Conclusions: People in the community have a varied perspective to mental illnesses which has changed for the better over time but community still approaches quacks first which warrants the need for more awareness. For this, feasibility and effectiveness of increasing involvement of females from the community in health-related decisions can be explored further. We recommend further awareness generation in the younger generation with community-based research on perceptions of the community about mental health. This will provide more practical and feasible solutions to complement the national mental health program. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Dengue is an important mosquito-borne viral disease worldwide with increasing emergence in India. It has varied epidemiological factors and presentations; hence, laboratory diagnosis and analysis is extremely essential. This study aims to analyze the alteration of hematological and biochemical parameters in adult patients diagnosed with dengue at a tertiary care hospital. Materials and Methods: A cross-sectional study was done on 729 diagnosed adult cases of dengue over a period of 1 year. Patients with secondary infections and preexisting diseases were excluded from the study. Laboratory data of serological parameters and hematological and biochemical profiles were recorded and analyzed using Epi Info 7.2.5.0 and MedCalc Statistical Software. Results: The study was done from January 2022 to December 2022, consisting of 446 males (61.1%) and 283 females (38.8%). The infection was most prevalent in the 2nd–3rd decades of life. Serological parameters showed 31.4% NS1 positive and 29.4% IgM positive. The peak annual incidence was seen in July–August. Thrombocytopenia was the most commonly deranged parameter seen in 56% of patients and leukopenia was seen in 20.8% of cases. 34.8% of cases had hemoglobin <12 g/dl. Aspartate aminotransferase (AST) and alanine transaminase levels were elevated in 58.5% and 44.3%, respectively. Serum creatinine was raised in 17% of cases. Serum proteins levels were reduced in 34.5%. Activated partial thromboplastin clotting time was elevated in 58.7% cases. Conclusion: This study elucidates the altered laboratory findings in dengue viral infection that could facilitate appropriate management and monitor disease progression to prevent advancement to fatal forms. The following core competencies are addressed in this article: Medical knowledge, Practice-based learning and improvement. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]