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In the third millennium, the growth of urbanization is rapid, especially the fast developing country like India move faster towards urbanization, which is lopsided with the expansion of slums. This scoping review aims to present the socio-economic, hygiene and nutritional status of the slums in India. The methodology of the study analyses the previous studies on the selected research problem in back-and-forth method. Through intense and diverse studies, this paper has arrived at the results that the socio-economic status of the Indian slums is very low. The hygiene and sanitation of those slums are in need of an immediate call. Above all, the nutritional status of the slum dwellers, especially the women and children is terrifically low. The authors also report the lack of studies on the selected topic in the southern part of India and also recommend such studies to be carried out in the future. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The permanent functionalization of synthetic fibers and especially of polyethylene fibers (PE fibers) is usually difficult, because the synthetic fiber surface does not contain many functional groups for fixation of finishing agents. For this, the aim of the now presented paper is to report of a functionalization process for PE fibers using the polyelectrolyte polyvinylamine (commercially also named as Lupamin™). The polyvinylamine is applied in a HT process (HT for high temperature process using process temperatures of 95 to 140 °C) and usable to work as anchor for further applied negatively charged functionalizing agents as demonstrated in the current study with acid dyes. Also demonstrated is excellent antibacterial activity againstE. coliandS. aureusby simple polyvinylamine application onto PE fibers. This reported method has a high potential for the functionalization of PE fibers and could lead in future to appropriate industrial applications using functionalized PE fibers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Tank systems are essential for the agricultural growth and the livelihood of rural populations in India. Comprehending the multiple benefits from these traditional systems, tank rehabilitation has been one of the policy significances at the state level. The study was undertaken with the objective of assessing the impact of tank rehabilitation on cropped area, cropping pattern change, cost returns and income of farmers in a selected study village of south Tamil Nadu. The study was conducted on the basis of primary data obtained from 102 sample farmers belonging to “Pelasur” village of Thiruvannamalai district in south Tamil Nadu using a stratified sampling method. There was a significant difference in the cropped area, cropping intensity and irrigation intensity among the farmers before and after tank rehabilitation. It is found that there is an increase of 41.02 ha cultivated area and an increase in the net amount of Rs. 7,99,945. Many farmers shifted from paddy to sugarcane (cash crops) cultivation due to the availability of excess surface water in the tank and improved water table in their wells. Cropping intensity has been increased to 26% in the post-rehabilitation period. Thus, investment in tank rehabilitation shows a positive implication on marginal farmers and landless labours. Using SPSS, a paired-sample t-test is applied for analysing data collected from respondents.

Non-islet cell tumor hypoglycemia (NICTH) is a relatively rare paraneoplastic syndrome associated with tumors of mesenchymal and epithelial cell origin. Hypoglycemia can be the presenting symptom of NICTH or can appear later in the disease course. The cause of NICTH is stated to be due to secretion of poorly processed insulin-like growth factor (IGF)-2 and in most previous reported cases, the diagnosis of NICTH is made based on the identification of this fraction of IGF-2 or an increased ratio between total IGF-2 and IGF-1. However, in clinical setting, especially in developing countries, such tests cannot be readily available and a diagnosis of NICTH should not be delayed in a patient with a combination of solid tumor, recurrent fasting hypoglycemia, and a low serum insulin and C-peptide level. We describe in our report an 87-year-old man with a history of a pleural tumor presenting with recurrent episode of hypoglycemia. Although surgical removal of the tumor is the ideal management, it is often not feasible as exemplified in our report. In such cases, treatment with glucocorticoid is effective in alleviating the symptoms of hypoglycemia.