Search

A field experiment was conducted during rainy (kharif) season of 2018 and 2019 at the research farm of Tamil Nadu Rice Research Institute, Aduthurai, Tamil Nadu to evaluate the impact of drip irrigation on rice (Oryza sativa L.) growth, productivity and water use efficiency. The experiments were laid out in a strip plot design with 4 varieties/hybrids in the horizontal strip and 6 irrigation regimes in the vertical strip with 3 replications. The findings reveal that drip irrigation at 125% Pan Evaporation (PE) resulted in superior growth, yield parameters and grain yield. KRH 2 with 125% PE recorded the maximum grain yield (4200 kg/ha), followed by ADT 45 (4140 kg/ha) with 125% PE. All yield attributes, except ill-filled grains/panicle, increased with increasing irrigation level from 50 to 125% PE. Rice yield attributes, viz. tillers/m2 (r=0.86), panicles/m2 (r=0.90) and grains/panicle (r=0.84) showed positive correlation with grain yield. Irrespective of the variety and irrigation levels the row closer to the drip line recorded higher grain yield at all the irrigation levels compared to rows farthest. Among the irrigation regime the highest total water use (671 mm) was recorded in 125% PE while the highest water use efficiency (6.5 kg/ha-mm) was recorded in 75% PE up to tillering stage, 100% PE during flowering phase and 75% PE during maturity phase. Among the variety, ADT 45 recorded the highest water use efficiency (7.15 kg/ha mm). The study recommends KRH 2 hybrid and ADT 45 variety for drip irrigation with 125% PE in areas with limited water availability, especially in well-irrigated areas.

Purpose: The aim of this study was to determine the seroprevalence of Lymes disease in a population at risk in south India. Methods: Prospective ongoing study and included screening of forest workers and staff of Nagarahole and Bandipur forest ranges in South India for Lymes disease. Screening included a detailed questionnaire for Lymes disease, complete ocular and systemic examination by an ophthalmologist and infectious disease specialist and blood collection. ELISA for IgM and IgG antibodies for Borrelia burgdorferi were performed on the collected sera samples. Western blot confirmation was done on the seropositive samples. Ticks were also collected from these forest areas for future studies to detect if they harbor B. burgdorferi. Results: Seroprevalence of 19.9% was noted by ELISA. Western blot confirmation was seen in 15.6% of the seropositive samples. There was significant correlation between seropositivity and exposure to tick bites (P = 0.023). Conclusion: There is a high seroprevalence of infection with B. burgdorferi in the forest areas of Nagarahole and Bandipur ranges in south India.

The giant cell granuloma is an identical reactive lesion which is mostly progressive in nature. The clinical behavior of these lesions varies from indolent to aggressive variant. The central form of giant cell granuloma involves the craniofacial bone, followed by long bones of hands and feet. These lesions are usually asymptomatic lesions and are discovered incidentally during routine radiographic examination. Radiograph features reveal multilocular jaw lesions, generally anterior to the first molar regions. Histologically, the lesion shows proliferating spindle-shaped stromal cells in a fibrovascular connective tissue stroma, which characteristically contains multiple multinucleated giant cells. Hemorrhage and hemosiderin pigmentations are often seen in tumor. Central giant cell granuloma is often confused with giant cell tumor of bone histologically. Here, we report a young male who was found to have large central giant cell granuloma in the anterior part of the mandible. The surgical treatment approach of central giant cell granuloma is discussed in this article.

A robust and dynamic supply chain can be developed using advanced digital technologies, enabling real-time information sharing. This study provides a conceptual framework for effective supply chain digitalization by considering the key decision-making factors and interrelationships. The key decision-making factors affecting the digitalization process are identified from the literature and consultation with industry and academia experts. A conceptual framework is developed using the integrated systems model approach and DIKW (Data, Information, Knowledge, and Wisdom) hierarchy. Further, an integrated decision support system is also developed for effective decision-making on digitalization. The factors identified were also classified under three major dimensions like organizational, technological, and innovative dimensions for effective management. The findings of the study were validated based on feedback from experts and a comparison with existing literature. The study contributes to the knowledge of supply chain digitalization by introducing a novel method and approach. The sequential methodology and the framework developed can support the decision-making process and development of appropriate design for digitalization.

Diamond blackfan anaemia (DBA) is an inherited bone marrow failure syndrome characterised by severe anaemia resulting in depletion or absence of erthyroid progenitor cells and haemopoesis. The pathophysiology of DBA is still undescribed. It is usually manifested in infancy but is not restricted to paediatric patients. Sometimes it might predispose to malignancy. In this paper, we present a single case of DBA with clear oral findings. This case report describes the medical importance of this condition and its risk in dental management (tooth extraction under local anaesthesia).

Abstract This paper aims to find out if a score-based investment strategy could be developed using different scales. To achieve this objective several academic sources have been used and it is found that score-based investment not only outperforms the market but also protects the investors from the risks arising out of avoidable poor investments in the market. The project is a summary of bibliographic outcome of several scholars who have attempted to find out the impact of score-based investments in their respective markets. Score-based investments are typically dependent on accounting parameters and changes in these parameters signal that a firm’s performance is geared up for a change. The study has been done using a systematic literature review. Several research papers in peer-reviewed journals were referred starting from 1934 to 2021. Various equity-based scores like F-score, G score, L score and C score and debt-based scores like Z score, O score and M score are used for the construction of portfolios. It has been found that across geographies the use of score-based investing is known to give superior returns as compared to the market. Several pieces of literature provide the evidence. Developed countries like USA, UK, Australia, and Canada have a large concentration of literary sources that point to the evidence of score-based investing. At the same time, it is also pertinent to note that the performance of such techniques works relatively better in markets that are not efficient and where asymmetry in information flow is evident.

Abstract Background Mirror hand is a rare congenital anomaly. Most of these cases are sporadic and associated with defective sonic hedgehog during embryogenesis. In this report, we present the case of a child with this rare congenital anomaly and its management. Case presentation A 2.5-year-old Asian female child presented with left-sided Al Qattan type 1A ulnar dimelia with restriction of wrist and elbow range of motion. Radiological examination revealed duplication of ulna with polydactyly. Management of mirror hand is a great surgical challenge, so preoperative planning and staged management is essential for the functional outcome of this condition. We successfully achieved fine and gross motor skills of the hand with acceptable cosmetic results at 2 years of follow-up. Conclusion It is crucial to remember that early intervention, ideally between 18 and 24 months of age, is key for optimal functional outcomes. Meticulous preoperative planning and surgical technique are essential. Long-term follow-up and parental counseling about the need for supervised physical therapy are important for managing secondary deformities. Additionally, digital subtraction angiography should be performed to rule out any associated neurovascular malformations.

Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) have been considered as a potential source for cell-based therapies in arthritic diseases for both their chondrogenic and anti-inflammatory properties. Thus, we examined how MSC-based neocartilage responds to tumour necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α) compared to articular chondrocyte (AC)-based neocartilage. Since oxygen tension is altered in arthritic joints, we also examined how increased oxygen tension influences this process. Monolayer-expanded healthy human ACs and bone marrow MSCs were cultured in chondrogenic medium in three-dimensional culture under hypoxia. They were then exposed to TNF-α under hypoxic or increased oxygen tension. We found no inherent anti-inflammatory potential of MSC-derived neocartilage as it pertains to the enzymes studied here: more degradative enzymes were upregulated by TNF-α in MSCs than in ACs, regardless of the oxygen tension. MSCs were also more sensitive to reoxygenation during TNF-α exposure, as indicated by increased proteoglycan loss, increased aggrecanase-generated metabolites, and further upregulation of the major aggrecanases, ADAMTS4 and ADAMTS5. There was also evidence of matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)-mediated aggrecan interglobular domain cleavage and type II collagen loss in response to TNF-α in both MSCs and ACs, but more MMPs were further upregulated by reoxygenation in MSCs than in ACs. Our study provides further evidence that consideration of oxygen tension is essential for studying cartilage degradation; for example, neocartilage produced from MSCs may be more sensitive to the negative effects of repeated hypoxia/reoxygenation events than AC-derived neocartilage. Consideration of the differences in responses may be important for cell-based therapies and selection of adjunctive chondroprotective agents.

Elemental photocatalysts are getting the attention of material scientists as a new class of visible light photocatalysts in recent years. Hence it is important to understand and evaluate their phtocatalytic activity for the rationale design and development of new catalysts at low cost. In this regard, we choose commercial red phosphorus as elemental photocatalyst and we evaluate its activity towards the disinfection of E. coli and reduction of Cr (VI) under natural sunlight. The measured bandgap of red phosphorus is 2.0 eV matches with theoretical value and indicates the suitability of the material as photocatalyst under direct sunlight. Moreover, red phosphorus also has optimum valence and conduction band levels for the successful photo-generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS). These photogenerated ROS could help to achieve the disinfection of E. coli in 50 min. In the case of photocatalytic reduction of Cr (VI), 98% of Cr (VI) reduction has been achieved is in 60 min at pH 2. The rate of Cr (VI) reduction decreases with an increase in pH value similar to the reports with other metal oxide photocatalysts.

During June 2015, the Government of Tamil Nadu implemented the “Kuruvai Season Special Assistance 2015 for Delta districts” programme to boost rice production. A study was conducted to assess the impact of machine transplanting, which was an important component of this special package. The comparative economics of conventional and machine planting revealed that yield increased by nearly 40.00 per cent; cost of cultivation decreased by 21.00 per cent; cost of production reduced by 43.00 per cent; and net returns increased by more than four times (448.00 %), over the manually planted fields. Farmers’ feedback on machine planting was very optimistic with all the beneficiaries expressing that they had opted for machine planting to overcome labour scarcity and to increase yields.

Field experiments were carried out on elephant foot yam [Amorphophallus paeoniifolius (Dennst.) Nicolson] during 2013-2014 and 2014-2015 to study the effect of different irrigation schedules in order to arrive at an optimum schedule for attaining maximum corm yield and water productivity. Two methods (Drip and Flood methods ) and two levels of irrigation (75% and 100% pan evaporation) were applied at different stages of growth as first 12 weeks, 13-24 weeks, 1-24 weeks, 75% during first 12 weeks and 100% during 13-24 weeks after planting and vice versa. Whole corm size of 500 g each of the variety 'Gajendra' was uniformly used as the planting material. Pooled analysis of the data showed superiority of drip irrigation over flood irrigation. Among the treatment combinations, drip irrigation at 100% pan evaporation during 13-24 weeks after planting resulted in the maximum corm yield (40.59 t/ha). However, this was at par with drip or flood irrigation given during the entire period of 1-24 weeks at 75% and 100% levels. Drip irrigation at 100% pan evaporation during 13-24 weeks resulted in maximum water productivity (4.57 kg/m3). Under flood irrigation, maximum water productivity recorded was 3.87 kg/m3. Irrigation during 13-24 weeks after planting coinciding with corm development stage was found to be more critical than irrigation given during the initial stages of planting. The study revealed that drip irrigation at 100% pan evaporation during 13-24 weeks after planting is the most ideal for attaining maximum corm yield and water productivity in elephant foot yam.

Rectus Sheath Haematoma (RSH) is the accumulation of blood in the sheath of the rectus abdominis, secondary to rupture of an epigastric vessel or muscle tear. It can occur spontaneously or after trauma. It is an uncommon cause of acute abdominal pain presenting to the Emergency Department and a rarer cause for acute urinary retention. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first report of RSH presenting as acute urinary retention. A 36-year-old Asian gentleman presented to the Emergency Department with complaints of acute onset urinary retention and left flank pain since one week. There was minor trauma to the abdomen two months ago, with no acute trauma. A history of prolonged bleeding from finger cut in childhood was also present. On examination there was left lower quadrant abdominal tenderness with a diffuse non-pulsatile mass in the same quadrant extending into the pelvis. Vitals were stable. Lab investigations revealed reduced haemoglobin and prolonged activated Partial Thromboplastin Time (aPTT). The prothrombin time was normal. The factor VIIIc level was markedly reduced. USG abdomen showed 280 mL of heteroechoic collection in the left anterior abdominal parietal wall, in the left rectus abdominis muscle extending to the pelvic region, compressing the urinary bladder. Computed Tomography (CT) of the abdomen and pelvis showed a RSH compressing the urinary bladder, bladder outlet and proximal urethra. Acute retention of urine was relieved immediately on catheterisation of the urinary bladder. Patient was managed conservatively with Foley’s catheter placement, and multiple transfusions of blood and factor VIII. Majority of patients with RSH can be managed conservatively. Failure to recognise RSH in patients with acute urinary retention could result in unwarranted surgical and urological interventions. In this report we emphasize the need to consider rectus sheath lesions in patients presenting with urinary retention and utility of imaging modalities such as USG or CT in quick diagnosis.

Background: In a resource-limited and high burden disease setting, satisfied human resource is an asset in terms of high productivity, efficiency and quality care. Aim: To assess job satisfaction among permanent employees working in a government hospital. Materials and Methods: A sample of 200 staff members was interviewed using 34-item, Likert response based, modified job satisfaction scale. Key factors for job satisfaction were identified after subjecting data to principal component analysis, varimax rotation and multivariate analysis using step-wise regression procedure. Results: The mean job satisfaction index was computed to be in a similar range, but was found to be highest for nurses (0.68), followed by doctors (0.66), support staff (0.63) and technicians (0.62). Nine uncorrelated and critical factors related to job satisfaction that explained 68.09% of the variability was identified, that is, communication, pay/salary, working conditions, organization supervision system, co-workers, workload, benefits, career aspects and rewards. A positive association was reported between job satisfaction score and factor scores (units) of communication (0.133), benefits (0.110), working condition (0.027) and co-workers (0.032) and a negative relation with organizational supervision system (0.118), workload (0.093), rewards (0.035), pay/salary (0.034) and career prospects (0.017) respectively for all categories of respondents. However in case of doctors, co-workers (0.023 units) showed a negative relation. Conclusion: There is scope for interventions to enhance job satisfaction and concomitant continuous monitoring can be useful in determining various service aspects that necessitate improvement. By enhancing job satisfaction, hospital administrator can improve not only the mental, psychological and social well-being of work-force, but also the financial health of an organization.

Urinary incontinence is a condition causing significant psychological trauma and affects the quality of life of the affected individual. Though common causes of urinary incontinence of non-traumatic aetiology in young adults include detrusor instability and congenital conditions like meningomyelocoele, an ectopic ureter is an important surgically correctable cause of urinary incontinence. The cause of incontinence in an ectopic ureter is insertion of the ureter distal to the internal urethral sphincter. The authors describe a case report of an ectopic ureter arising from a duplex moiety with poor renal function using multiple modalities. This highlights the utility of multiple modalities in arriving at an accurate diagnosis, with adequate clinically useful information. In this case, the formation of a pseudodiverticulum resulted in diagnostic confusion.

Elephant foot yam [Amorphophallus paeoniifolius (Dennst.) Nicolson] is an important tuber crop grown in many parts of India for its starchy corm and the average yield of this crop is far below the potential productivity of 100 tonnes/ha. One of the reasons attributed to the lower yield is the imbalanced application of essential plant nutrients. Site specific nutrient management (SSNM) is the application of plant nutrients based on the soil and crop need, yield target and developed with the aid of models such as QUEFTS. This paper gives the result of four year study conducted to calibrate and validate the QUEFTS model for elephant foot yam cultivation and the development of SSNM zonation maps and secondary and micronutrient fortified customised fertilizers for the crop in major growing environments of India. Data collected from different field experiments conducted in major elephant foot yam-production regions of India during 1968 to 2011 were used to calibrate the model. The derived parameters of minimum and maximum accumulation of N (130 and 460), P (900 and 2100) and K (100 and 170) are proposed as standard borderline values in the QUEFTS model for elephant foot yam. A linear increase in corm yield was suggested by the model with N, P and K uptakes of 3.97, 0.71, and 7.05 kg N, P and K/1 000 kg corm. The average NPK ratio in total plant dry matter was 5.56:1:9.88. Based on these results, the model was calibrated using historical data as well as by conducting field experiments. It can be observed that fertilizer best management practices by SSNM resulted in an average actual corm yield of 33.45 tonnes/ha, whereas, the model predicted a yield of 35 tonnes/ha. The results of the study showed good agreement between predicted and measured corm yields during the four years, which indicated that the calibrated model can be used to improve NPK fertilizer recommendations for elephant foot yam in India. Based on the results and using soil fertility maps and agro ecological unit maps, SSNM zonation maps and secondary and micronutrient fortified customised fertilizers were developed for major elephant foot yam growing environments of India.

OBJECTIVE: To develop a simple tool for assessing the severity of disability resulting from Japanese encephalitis and whether, as a result, a child is likely to be dependent. METHODS: A new outcome score based on a 15-item questionnaire was developed after a literature review, examination of current assessment tools, discussion with experts and a pilot study. The score was used to evaluate 100 children in Malaysia (56 Japanese encephalitis patients, 2 patients with encephalitis of unknown etiology and 42 controls) and 95 in India (36 Japanese encephalitis patients, 41 patients with encephalitis of unknown etiology and 18 controls). Inter- and intra-observer variability in the outcome score was determined and the score was compared with full clinical assessment. FINDINGS: There was good inter-observer agreement on using the new score to identify likely dependency (K = 0.942 for Malaysian children; K = 0.786 for Indian children) and good intra-observer agreement (K = 1.000 and 0.902, respectively). In addition, agreement between the new score and clinical assessment was also good (K = 0.906 and 0.762, respectively). The sensitivity and specificity of the new score for identifying children likely to be dependent were 100% and 98.4% in Malaysia and 100% and 93.8% in India. Positive and negative predictive values were 84.2% and 100% in Malaysia and 65.6% and 100% in India. CONCLUSION: The new tool for assessing disability in children after Japanese encephalitis was simple to use and scores correlated well with clinical assessment.

Purpose: This research aims to combine and extend the literature on the self-monitoring approach used by faculty members in online teaching during the COVID-19 pandemic using the Technology Acceptance Model (TAM) model. The study also highlights the challenges faced by faculty members in online teaching. Design/methodology/approach: Based on a mixed methodology approach, the primary data was obtained from the faculty members of the post-graduate business schools. This data enabled the measurement of self-monitoring adopted by the faculty members and the relationship of the factors by using the TAM model. Multivariate regression was adopted to study the relationships between the elements in the TAM model and faculty members' self-monitoring. Secondly, a few exploratory questions were asked to the respondents about the challenges faced by them during online teaching. Findings: The quantitative analysis conducted using multiple regression directed that the faculty's contentment with any digital platform influenced their engagement, attention and participation while taking an online class as a part of the self-monitoring process. The perception of the technology platforms used for online teaching affected the faculty members' self-monitoring dimensions: attention, participation and engagement. Based on the qualitative approach, the thematic analysis pointed out five major challenges for faculty members in conducting online classes: I.T. support, hesitation, interaction with peers and students, proficiency with an online platform and evaluation challenges. Research limitations/implications: This study was conducted during the complete lockdown of the COVID-19 pandemic; many faculty members were initially trained to get familiarized with the online teaching platforms and educate students. Hence, this study enriches the literature on online teaching during pandemic times. Practical implications: To ensure that the faculty impacts quality online education and the students obtain the knowledge and skills required, faculty need to alter their pedagogy based on the technology they use to focus on their students' teaching, learning and needs. Originality/value: This study measures self-monitoring and its dimensions for faculty members, which is unique in nature. This was the first time the faculty members were imposed with the responsibility of online teaching and ensuring that the learning-teaching process was fruitful. This study has both theoretical and practical implications as the paper focuses on various insights which can make online teaching-learning more effective.