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A lead isotope study »On the Early copper of Mesopotamia« reports on copper-base artefacts ranging in age from the 4th millennium BC (Uruk period) to the Akkadian at the end of the 3rd millennium BC. Arguments are presented that. in the (tin)bronzes. the lead associated with the tin used for alloying did not contribute to the total in any detectable way. Hence. the lead isotopy traces the copper and cannot address the problem of the provenance of tin. The data suggest as possible source region of the copper a variety of ore occurrences in Anatolia, Iran, Oman, Palestine and, rather unexpectedly (by us), from India. During the earliest period the isotopic signature of ores from Central and North Anatolia is dominant: during the next millennium this region loses its importance and is hardly present any more at all. Instead. southeast Anatolia, central lran, Oman. Feinan-Timna in the rift valley between Dead Sea and Red Sea, and sources in the Caucasus are now potential suppliers of the copper. Generally, au unambiguous assignment of an artefact to any of the ores is not possible because the isotopic fingerprints of ore occurrences are not unique. In our suite of samples bronze objects become important during ED III (middle of the 3rd millennium BC) but they never make up more than 50% of the total. They are distinguished in their lead isotopy by very bigh 206Pb-normalized abundance ratios. As source of such copper we suggest Gujarat/ Southern Rajasthan which, on general grounds, has been proposed before to have been the most important supplier of copper in Ancient India. We propose this Indian copper to have been arsenic-poor and to be the urudu-luh-ha variety which is one of the two sorts of purified copper mentioned in contemporaneous written texts from Mesopotamia to have been in circulation there concurrently. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article offers information on clinical practice guidelines for assessing and managing cognitive impairment in schizophrenia. Topics include the cognitive domains affected by schizophrenia; the role of pharmacological and psychosocial interventions such as cognitive remediation and physical exercise; and the use of brain stimulation treatments like electroconvulsive treatment (ECT) and repetitive transcranial brain stimulation (rTMS).

Tea is a perennial monoculture crop that serves as a food source for many insect and mite pests as well as a stable and suitable microclimate for inhabiting. Tea plants are associated with 1034 arthropod species and 82 nematode species worldwide, and they are attacked by nearly 250 insect species. Among them, lepidopteran pests are the primary defoliators of tea. Insecticide sprays are currently primarily used to control insect infestations. However, the repeated use of these synthetic pesticides has resulted in pest outbreaks and resistance development, as well as the presence of pesticide residues in produced tea over the last few decades. As a result, pesticide use in the tea industry has become a major concern. To overcome this problem, the use of alternative control methods and the adoption of integrated pest management is becoming essential. Therefore, research into the ecology, biology, distribution and natural enemies of the lepidopteran pest is crucial for the development of a successful pest management strategy. Therefore considering the point of view, a review has been compiled covering the information on the biology, geographic distribution, and control of the lepidopteran pests of tea, and it is also noted that numerous natural enemies can be used to control Lepidopteran pests in the future, particularly in some states of India (e.g. Assam) where some biological agents like Nuclear polyhedrosis virus (NPV) and Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) are prohibited because of the silkworm industry. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Depression is the over-riding reason for disability and its global prevalence has been increasing in recent decades. Depression is a substantial contributor to the global disease burden and a crucial determinant of quality of life and survival. Aim: To determine the quality of life of patients with depression who received yoga intervention and compare it to patients who received conventional antidepressant medication (without yoga intervention) in terms of various domains. Materials and Methods: This randomised controlled trial was conducted in Department of Physiology with the collaboration of the Department of Psychiatry at Sawai Man Singh Medical College, Jaipur, Rajasthan, India, from November 2018 to February 2020. The study involved clinically diagnosed 60 patients with mild to moderate depression between the age groups of 18 to 45 years. The participants were split into two groups. The participants were split into two groups: interventional and control. The interventional group received a set of yoga exercises for three months in addition to conventional antidepressant treatment, while the control group received only conventional antidepressant treatment for the same duration. The World Health Organisation Quality of Life-BREF (WHOQOL-BREF) scale was used to assess the quality of life in both study groups at baseline, and after one month and three months. The unpaired Student’s t-test and repeated measures Analysis of Variance (ANOVA) were applied for two and more groups, respectively. A p-value <0.05 was considered as statistically significant. Results: The present study included 60 patients with depression; out of them 39 were male and 21 were females. A statistically significant difference was observed in WHOQOL-BREF scores between the interventional and control group in the physical (p-value <0.001) and psychological health (p-value <0.001) domain after three months of follow-up, but it was more improved among the interventional group. A significant difference was observed after one month in the interventional group in overall quality of life (p-value=0.004), physical (p-value <0.001), and psychological health domain (p-value=0.009) of quality of life. While in the control group, physical (p-value <0.001) and psychological health domain (p-value <0.001), as well as social relationships domain (p-value=0.015) significantly improved after three months of antidepressant treatment. Conclusion: Three month of yoga practice improved the overall quality of life and all domains of quality of life. Whereas, three months of conventional antidepressant treatment improved only physical, psychological health and social relationship. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: International Journal of Productivity and Performance Management (IJPPM) is one of the prominent journals publishing on general management with a particular focus on performance management and productive sciences. The objective of this study is to provide an academic structure overview of the journal between 2004 and 2018 using bibliometric tools. Design/methodology/approach: Data used for this study were extracted using the Scopus database. Bibliometric analysis using several bibliometric indicators are adopted to know the major trends and themes of the journal. Mapping of bibliographic data is carried using VOSviewer and Gephi software. Findings: Authors: Most of the IJPPM contributors are affiliated to the UK and India. Journal Performance: It is gaining pre-eminence in terms of total citations as well as CiteScores. Main themes: Major themes published in the journal are "performance management", "productivity", "six sigma", "lean" and "supply chain management". Originality/value: IJPPM's growing influence in the scientific community has generated the interest to analyse the journal's publication and growth pattern. Moreover, no such retrospective bibliometric study for IJPPM is conducted so far. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Visual impairment is an important public health concern worldwide that negatively affects quality of life (QOL). We aimed to assess the vision-related QOL and determine its sociodemographic correlates among individuals with visual impairments. Methods : We carried out a cross-sectional study during the years 2016–2017 among 201 individuals with visual impairments aged ≥ 40 years. After obtaining informed consent, we collected relevant information regarding sociodemographic characteristics using a pretested questionnaire and assessed vision-related QOL using the National Eye Institute Visual Function Questionnaire (VFQ-25). An ophthalmologist conducted comprehensive ophthalmic examinations of all the eligible study participants. Results: The mean VFQ-25 composite score was 52.91 + 7.61. The subscale score was highest for color vision (72.39 + 21.71) and worst in the dependency subscale (31.43 + 25.2). Multivariable ordinal regression revealed that variables such as gender, place of residence, household overcrowding, dietary habits, practicing exercise or yoga, and type of eye disorder were significantly (p <.05) associated with the QOL of individuals with visual impairments. Discussion: The QOL among individuals with visual impairments was poor in our study. Further research is needed to establish associations of various factors with the QOL. Implications for practitioners: Incorporating these determinants of vision-related QOL in the existing strategies could be useful for health care providers and social service providers in promoting the well-being of individuals with visual impairments. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: This paper aims to investigate the impact of the efficiency of working capital management (WCM) on the performance of a sample of Indian companies and explore how the nature of the firm's business influences the significance and direction of this impact. Design/methodology/approach: The data for this study were collected for the period of 2012–2018 for 414 non-financial firms listed on the Bombay Stock exchange. Fixed-effect regression models were run by taking Tobin's Q and return on equity (ROE) as dependent variables, and net trade cycle (NTC) and its components as explanatory variables in the presence of liquidity, leverage, size, age and growth as control variables. Sample firms were segregated into manufacturing, trading and service groups, and regression models were used for all the groups to understand the effect of the nature of a firm's business. Findings: WCM efficiency has a significant impact on the performance of the sample firms. Non-financial Indian firms deliver better financial performance by maintaining lower NTC. Like NTC, its components also impact firm value and profitability. The results report that the significance of the relationship varies depending upon the nature of the firm's business. Originality/value: The previous research studies had not used a sample of large number of Indian firms. Unlike previous studies, this study reports the influence of the nature of business on the relationship between WCM and firm performance. Further, this paper also examines how the individual components of working capital influence the performance of Indian firms. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose- TQM as a never-ending drive in pursuit of a delighted customer and needs to be assimilated into everything the business does. It comprises different aspects such as use, availability, efficiency, service and delivery for customer satisfaction. An insufficient understanding of TQM creates an environment for failure of implementation of TQM framework. Indian industries started realizing the TQM outcomes in early 1990s and a satisfying TQM culture has been rooted in Indian industrial sector. So an attempt has been with a case study analysis within an Indian automobile industry with the use of an effective questionnaire survey which was prepared after a prolonged literature survey, field visits and expert interviews. Research Methodology- After a detailed analysis of literature a questionnaire was prepared which was sent to different industries. A brief study of respondents was made where a Non-TQM Indian automobile industry was selected at random to implement TQM as well as to get optimum benefits after its implementation. Findings: Results concluded with seven core benefits to the industry which mainly comprises of corrected Layout and adequate scheduling, enhanced employee involvement and recognition, better supplier quality. The final results suggested a increase of Rs. 30,470 in revenue and new job distribution on seven machines were suggested to continue the same. Research Implications- The study is subject to the regular restrictions of survey investigations. The case study is implies only in an Indian automobile industry. To get better findings it can be applied to different type of industries simultaneously. Originality/Value- The study is supportive in portraying the benefits of TQM implementation in India which might be taken seriously by Non-TQM industries. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Working-capital management is an important decision in financial management, playing a key role in a firm's financial performance. For construction companies, working capital is all the more important due to the long project cycles they face. The present study examines the impact of working capital on profitability in the construction sector in Bangalore, India. The data for the study were collected from a sample of five major builders based in Bangalore, and pertains to a study period during 2006-11. The study contributes to the literature by using fixed-effects-panel-regression analysis rather than pooled regression, as the fixed-effects panel regression allows control for company-specific differences in profitability as well as for year-to-year differences in profitability for the industry as a whole. The results of the study suggest that construction companies should focus on two working-capital variables to maximize their profitability, viz. average collection period and accounts payable, both of which were found to have significant positive impact on profitability. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to explore the relationships between strategic interventions with firm’s performance using flexible strategy game-card (FSGC) approach in the context of one of the Indian telecom service providers. Design/methodology/approach – The paper adopts the case research methodology and follows the seven-step mechanism of implementing FSGC for designing performance management system (PMS) for case company. Findings – The paper adopts an evolving performance management framework for development of PMS in the context of Indian enterprise, where there is limited work done in this field. It showcases identification of strategic factors from enterprise perspective, and subscribers’ perspective; defining measures, targets, strategic directions; alignment of strategic actions with strategic directions; executing strategic actions; and review and feedback, thus, the process of PMS development covers the entire cycle of strategy formulation and implementation. Research limitations/implications – The findings of case analysis is limited to the context of the study, which cannot be generalized, but the mechanism of PMS development can be taken as an exemplary for development of FSGC in the context of any enterprise. Originality/value – The paper makes a contribution to the body of knowledge of performance measurement and management in terms showing its linkages with strategic interventions, and thus it leads to develop an effective PMS. The case illustration in context of the Indian enterprise makes a sectoral contribution. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A comprehensive and systematic study to understand various geochemical processes as well as process drivers controlling the water quality and patterns of the hydrochemical composition of river water in Muthirapuzha River Basin, MRB (a major tributary of Periyar, the longest river in Kerala, India), was carried out during various seasons, such as monsoon, post-monsoon and pre-monsoon of 2007-2008, based on the data collected at 15 monitoring stations (i.e., 15 × 3 = 45 samples). Ca and Mg dominate the cations, while Cl followed by HCO dominates the anions. In general, major ion chemistry of MRB is jointly controlled by weathering of silicate and carbonate rocks, which is confirmed by relatively larger Ca + Mg/Na+ K ratios as well as Ca/Na vs. Mg/Na and Ca/Na vs. HCO/Na scatter plots. The relationship between Cl and Na implies stronger contributions of anthropogenic activities modifying the hydrochemical composition, irrespective of seasons. The water types emerged from this study are transitional waters or waters that changed their chemical character by mixing with waters of geochemically different ionic signatures. However, various ionic ratios, hydrochemical plots and graphical diagrams suggest seasonality over the hydrochemical composition, which is solely controlled by the rainfall pattern. Relatively higher pCO indicates the disequilibrium existing in natural waterbodies vis-à-vis the atmosphere, which is an outcome of both the contribution of groundwater to stream discharge and anthropogenic activities. Hence, continuous monitoring of hydrochemical composition of mountain rivers is essential in the context of climate change, which has serious implications on tropical mountain fluvial-hydro systems. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Near-simultaneous measurements of OI 557.7 nm, O2 (0, 1) Atmospheric Band and OH (6, 2) Meinel Band nightglow were carried out at Kolhapur (17° N), India during February-March 2007. Atmospheric temperatures around 87 and 94 km were derived from the knowledge of intensity measurements of spectral features OH (6, 2) Meinel Band and O2 Atmospheric Band, respectively. An account of the behaviour of derived temperatures has been presented. The nocturnal behaviour of OH and O2 temperatures is governed by the waves of tidal origin, whereas the signatures of planetary wave-like oscillations is noted in the night-to-night variation of two temperatures. This is probably the first report of planetary waves observed in nightglow temperatures from the Indian subcontinent. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Seabuckthorn (Hippophae salicifolia) is one of the potential underutilized plant species having huge multipurpose benefits including economic and ecological. Comparative study of fruit morphology, architecture, and juice yield productivity revealed that fruit berries of Seabuckthorn in Mana valley was found superior and can provide higher economic return than the berries of other plant species. Moreover, awareness programmes related to nutritional worth and development and demonstration of value added product resulted in economy generation for local inhabitants. Several countries are commercially and ecologically harnessing the potential of Seabuckthorn for livelihood enhancement and environmental conservation. Correspondingly, in Indian Himalayan region, Seabuckthorn plant can also offer benefits of nutrition, food, medicine, cosmetic, etc., to the rural people for their socioeconomic development. Findings presented here have important connotations in light of upcoming organic food and nutraceutical industries in the country. The current study will also help in developing value chain of Seabuckthorn in Uttarakhand. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Pyridoxine-dependent epilepsy is a treatable cause of epilepsy, which is very well known. It is most commonly caused by mutations in ALDH7A1 and PNPO genes. A 5-month-old infant presented with refractory seizures. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) brain was normal. Clinical exome sequencing showed a novel mutation in PROSC gene. He responded very well to pyridoxine and has been seizure free since the beginning of the treatment. PROSC gene mutations have been recently described as a cause for pyridoxine-dependent epilepsy. Here, we describe a first case report of PROSC mutation from India with a rare genetic variant presenting as pyridoxine-dependent epilepsy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]