HRM Practices in Insurance Companies: A Study of Indian and Multinational Companies

Competitive advantage of a company can be generated from human resources (HR) and company performance is influenced by a set of effective HRM practices. In this study, we intended to assess the HR practices in insurance companies. Primary data based on 218 respondents from four insurance companies (two multinational-7 branches and two Indian-7 branches) were analyzed to assess HR practices being practiced by insurance companies in India. Six factors from factor analysis were further analyzed. ‘Training and benefits’ was found highly in practice in the insurance companies. Further, ‘performance appraisal,’ ‘selection and socialization of employees,’ and ‘HR planning and recruitment’ were moderately practised in insurance companies. ‘Workforce diversity and contemporary HR practices’ and ‘competitive compensation’ were also practised to some extent. ANOVA results showed that Indian companies did not practise workforce diversity. Compensation practices were found more competitive or performance based in Multinational insurance companies than in Indian ones. The gender effect showed that only competitive compensation was perceived significantly differently by male and female employees/executives. Interactive effects were significant on workforce diversity and contemporary issues, training and benefits, and selection and socialization of employees.competitive compensation, multinational companies, performance appraisal, selection and socialization, training and benefits, workforce diversity

Synthesis of Al and Ag nanoparticles through ultra-sonic dissociation of thermal evaporation deposited thin films for promising clinical applications as polymer nanocomposite

Nanoparticles (NPs) having well-defined shape, size and clean surface serve as ideal model system to investigate surface/interfacial reactions. Ag and Al NPs are receiving great interest due to their wide applications in bio-medical field, aerospace and space technology as combustible additives in propellants and hydrogen generation. Hence, in this study, we have synthesized Ag and Al NPs using an innovative approach of ultra-sonic dissociation of thin films. Phase and particle size distributions of the Ag and Al NPs have been determined by X-ray diffraction (XRD) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). Thin film dissociation/dissolution mechanism, hence conversion into NPs has been characterized by SEM- scanning electron microscope. EDXA & ICPMS have been performed for chemical analysis of NPs. Optical properties have been characterized by UV-Vis and PL spectroscopy. These NPs have also been investigated for their anti-bacterial activity against Escherichia coli bacteria. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first time when NPs has been synthesized by ultra-sonic dissociation of thin films. As an application, these NPs were used further for synthesis of nanocomposite polymer membranes, which show excellent activity against bio film formation

ORIGINAL ARTICLE: Identification of Practical Pharmacology Skills Useful for Good Clinical Practice

Background: Awareness about animal ethics is increasing everywhere. This increased awareness coupled with strict regulations discouraging the use of animals for routine experiments have tied the hands of many pharmacologists. They are now forced to develop alternative experiments without using animals. At present, there is acute need to come out with more innovative and useful practical exercises for pharmacology practical sessions. In this background, the present study was undertaken to develop the much-needed alternative experiments. Aims and Objective: To identify new pharmacological practical skills useful for good clinical practice. Material and Methods: A pre-tested questionnaire was administered to 110 doctors of different categories like house surgeons, postgraduate students, assistant professors and professors who are working in a tertiary care hospital. They were asked to give their suggestions regarding new pharmacology practical skills useful for good clinical practice. Statistical analysis: Responses of the participants to the questions asked were tabulated and analyzed. Suggestions given by them were listed out and studied. Results: Use of emergency drugs, dosage calculation, drugs used in pregnancy, case discussions and prescription writing exercises received a lot of support from the participants. Research methodology, cost calculation, animal experiments and interpretation of data of animal experiments did not receive support from the participants. Suggestions given by the participants regarding useful pharmacological skills belonged to the areas like therapeutics, safe use of drugs, recent advances, analysis of information given by the medical representatives and analyzing articles in journals for knowing the efficacy of drugs. Conclusion: Exercises relevant to the clinical practice, as identified in this study, can be introduced as practical pharmacology exercises. Steps are to be taken to highlight the importance of research methodology and pharmaco-economics to the undergraduates

Loss of α-Synuclein Does Not Affect Mitochondrial Bioenergetics in Rodent Neurons.

Increased α-synuclein (αsyn) and mitochondrial dysfunction play central roles in the pathogenesis of Parkinson's disease (PD), and lowering αsyn is under intensive investigation as a therapeutic strategy for PD. Increased αsyn levels disrupt mitochondria and impair respiration, while reduced αsyn protects against mitochondrial toxins, suggesting that interactions between αsyn and mitochondria influences the pathologic and physiologic functions of αsyn. However, we do not know if αsyn affects normal mitochondrial function or if lowering αsyn levels impacts bioenergetic function, especially at the nerve terminal where αsyn is enriched. To determine if αsyn is required for normal mitochondrial function in neurons, we comprehensively evaluated how lowering αsyn affects mitochondrial function. We found that αsyn knockout (KO) does not affect the respiration of cultured hippocampal neurons or cortical and dopaminergic synaptosomes, and that neither loss of αsyn nor all three (α, β and γ) syn isoforms decreased mitochondria-derived ATP levels at the synapse. Similarly, neither αsyn KO nor knockdown altered the capacity of synaptic mitochondria to meet the energy requirements of synaptic vesicle cycling or influenced the localization of mitochondria to dopamine (DA) synapses in vivo. Finally, αsyn KO did not affect overall energy metabolism in mice assessed with a Comprehensive Lab Animal Monitoring System. These studies suggest either that αsyn has little or no significant physiological effect on mitochondrial bioenergetic function, or that any such functions are fully compensated for when lost. These results implicate that αsyn levels can be reduced in neurons without impairing (or improving) mitochondrial bioenergetics or distribution

Mitochondrial DNA (Cytochrome c oxidase I) sequencing of Indian marine mussels

Two species of marine mussels, the green mussel Perna viridis (Linnaeus, 1758) and the brown mussel Perna indica (Kuriakose and Nair, 1976) are found along the Indian coast. It had been suggested that P. indica, which occurs only along the Indian coast, is a synonym of the globally distributed Perna perna. Along the south-west coast of India, where both P. viridis and P. indica co-exist, a third type referred to as parrot mussel, which has shell shape of brown mussel and color of green mussel (suspected to be their hybrid/morphotype) also occurs. The present investigation is a preliminary attempt for resolving the taxonomic ambiguity among Indian marine mussel species using the mitochondrial cytochrome oxidase I (COI) gene. P. indica revealed 95% sequence similarity to P. perna. The sequence divergence between P. indica and parrot mussel was negligibly low (< 2%). Green mussel P. viridis showed 20.87% of sequence divergence with brown mussel P. indica as well as with the parrot mussel

Clindamycin-modified Triple Antibiotic Nanofibers: A Stain-free Antimicrobial Intracanal Drug Delivery System

INTRODUCTION: A biocompatible strategy to promote bacterial eradication within the root canal system after pulpal necrosis of immature permanent teeth is critical to the success of regenerative endodontic procedures. This study sought to synthesize clindamycin-modified triple antibiotic (metronidazole, ciprofloxacin, and clindamycin [CLIN]) polymer (polydioxanone [PDS]) nanofibers and determine in vitro their antimicrobial properties, cell compatibility, and dentin discoloration. METHODS: CLIN-only and triple antibiotic CLIN-modified (CLIN-m, minocycline-free) nanofibers were processed via electrospinning. Scanning electron microscopy, Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), and tensile testing were performed to investigate fiber morphology, antibiotic incorporation, and mechanical strength, respectively. Antimicrobial properties of CLIN-only and CLIN-m nanofibers were assessed against several bacterial species by direct nanofiber/bacteria contact and over time based on aliquot collection up to 21 days. Cytocompatibility was measured against human dental pulp stem cells. Dentin discoloration upon nanofiber exposure was qualitatively recorded over time. The data were statistically analyzed (P < .05). RESULTS: The mean fiber diameter of CLIN-containing nanofibers ranged between 352 ± 128 nm and 349 ± 128 nm and was significantly smaller than PDS fibers. FTIR analysis confirmed the presence of antibiotics in the nanofibers. Hydrated CLIN-m nanofibers showed similar tensile strength to antibiotic-free (PDS) nanofibers. All CLIN-containing nanofibers and aliquots demonstrated pronounced antimicrobial activity against all bacteria. Antibiotic-containing aliquots led to a slight reduction in dental pulp stem cell viability but were not considered toxic. No visible dentin discoloration upon CLIN-containing nanofiber exposure was observed. CONCLUSIONS: Collectively, based on the remarkable antimicrobial effects, cell-friendly, and stain-free properties, our data suggest that CLIN-m triple antibiotic nanofibers might be a viable alternative to minocycline-based antibiotic pastes