DRDO and Expectations of Stakeholders

DRDO is India’s major credible research and development organization that enables self-reliance and indigenisation of defence technologies and weapon systems to empower India in the emerging geo-political balance. The Organisation has its genesis in a technical inspection agency which over the years have transformed into a highly professional R&D organization with strong design and technology capabilities and skilled entrepreneurship to undertake development of state-of-the-art defence systems. DRDO driven R&D efforts have catalysed the growth of domestic defence and civilian industries in the country as well. The overarching endeavours of DRDO encompassing academia, private industry and Defence PSUs have helped in establishing a self-reliant defence industrial eco-system and collectively all have contributed in the Hon’ble Prime Minister’s vision of “skill development” and “Make-in-India”. Yet, DRDO’s struggle at the national level continues since Armed Forces continue to depend on imports for major acquisitions. Indigenous options have not always established themselves as the preferred options even when they are available. The acceptability of DRDO developed products remains at a low ebb. The question is what more DRDO should do to ensure the acceptability of the users? This study examines the evolution of the DRDO and whether over the years DRDO has done enough or should do more to increase its visibility, acceptability, credibility and respectability? And how DRDO should reposition itself beyond MoD/Armed Forces in the national and international context to fulfill the ambitions of the country to play global roles? This paper also discusses how building the brand “DRDO” may possibly help DRDO.&nbsp

Study of seed-borne microflora of previously stored Sorghum vulgare seeds in Rajasthan, India

An experiment was conducted at Rajasthan to determine the type of seed borne fungal pathogens associated with farmer-saved sorghum seeds. The sorghum seeds were obtained from sorghum farmers in five districts (Ajmer, Alwar, Jaipur, Jodhpur and Nagaur) of Rajasthan State. Isolation and identification of stored seed microflora by using blotter and agar plate method. Seven fungal species associated with five genera and two bacterial genera were isolated from the seed samples. Higher percent incidence of fungi was of Aspergillus niger followed by A. flavus, Curvularia lunata, A. fumigatus, Penicillium chrysogenum, Fusarium oxysporum, Helminthosporium pennisetii and bacteria E. coli, Pseudomonas aeruginosa.  The most frequently isolated fungal species from seed samples each from blotter as well as agar plate method were Aspergillus niger followed by A. flavus, A. fumigatus, Curvularia lunata, Penicillium chrysogenum, Helminthosporium pennisetii and Fusarium oxysporum.  It is clear from the survey that the yields of Sorghum vulgare are declining in the arid and semi-arid regions of the state. This is because, the naturally occurring seeds are not healthy (with reduced viability) and generally either infected with disease causing pathogen or such microflora which damage the seeds resulting into biodeterioration under storage conditions

“Erp and its Effective Application in Infrastructure Construction Industry”

Enterprise resource planning (ERP) was initiated in the manufacturing industry. It provides a general working environment for an enterprise to incorporate its major business management functions with one single common database so that information can be shared and efficient communications can be achieved between management functions. Based on the requirements of running a construction scenario, ERP shows its potential for the infrastructure construction industry. Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) is now being greeted as a base for the integration of organization-wide information systems. ERP systems link with entire organization’s procedure such as accounting, finance, human resources, store, quality control, manufacturing and distribution, etc. There are only some studies conducted about the effective implementation of ERP systems in the infrastructure construction industry, particularly for the construction contractors. The emphasis so far has been on client firms, engineering and design firms. Now the aim is to investigate the appropriateness and the effective application status of ERP systems in infrastructure contractor firms

Correlation between Retinal Nerve Fiber Layer Thickness Measured with Spectral Domain Optical Coherence Tomography and Visual Field in Patients of Primary Open Angle Glaucoma

Aim: To study the correlation between retinal nerve fiber layer (RNFL) thickness measured with spectral domain optical coherence tomography (SD-OCT) and visual field (VF) in patients of primary open angle glaucoma (POAG).Materials and Methods: A total of 60 patients of POAG and 60 controls were studied for a period of one year from July, 2011 to June, 2012 in the Department of Ophthalmology, Institute of Medical Sciences, BHU. All the patients and controls underwent visual field analysis by standard automated perimetry using SITA standard 30-2 program and optic disc imaging by Cirrus SD-OCT. The relationship between RNFL thickness and VF sensitivity, expressed as mean deviation (MD) and pattern standard deviation (PSD) were evaluated. The association between RNFL/VF was described by Spearman’s rho correlation coefficients.Results: The correlation of RNFL and the VF parameters MD and PSD in normal eyes was not significant. In POAG eyes, RNFL and both MD (R=0.925) and PSD (R=-0.879) correlated significantly.Conclusion: The study demonstrated that the correlation between RNFL and visual field parameters MD and PSD in normal eyes was not significant. In POAG eyes, RNFL and both MD and PSD correlated significantly with P <0.001

Management of post-operative wound in dental surgeries using proteolytic enzyme-flavonoid combination of trypsin, bromelain and rutoside: a single-centre experience

Background: Appropriate surgical wound management is required to prevent post-operative complications, including delayed wound-healing which may result in increased hospital stay. The present study aimed to evaluate the efficacy and safety of oral administration of a fixed dose combination of trypsin-bromelain-rutoside in the post-operative management after dental surgeries.Methods: The study was a prospective, observational data collection exercise. Hundred subjects undergoing dental surgeries, who were administered trypsin-bromelain-rutoside combination, were observed over a period of 8 days post-surgery. Verbal rating scales were used for grading the pain intensity and extent of swelling, while a 5-point Likert scale was used to evaluate patient- and investigator-reported global assessment of improvement in pain and swelling. Scores at day 3 and day 8 were analysed using paired t test.Results: At day 3 and day 8, the mean scores of pain and swelling were significantly reduced from baseline (all p<0.0001). By day 8, 100% of the patients achieved complete resolution of pain, while mild swelling was reported in only 2 patients. At day 3, 95% patients reported good/ very good global improvement in pain and swelling; while at day 8, 100% reported good/ very good improvement. No adverse event was reported in any of the patients.Conclusions: The study results demonstrate that treatment with trypsin-bromelain-rutoside combination led to significant improvement in the post-operative pain and swelling. The use of this combination is useful for wound recovery and reducing the need for other analgesic and anti-inflammatory drugs