Relationship Between Knowledge Level and Characteristics of Pulses Seed Growers

The study was undertaken to study the relationship between knowledge level and profile characteristics of pulses seed growers. A sample of 90 pulses seed growing farmers was selected from 3 blocks of Coimbatore district in Tamil Nadu. The blocks were Kinathukadavu, Thondamuthur and Karamadai. For the study 30 farmers from each of the three blocks, where the highest number of farmers cultivating pulses for seed production were selected by employing simple random sampling technique in each block. Collection of data was done with the help of semi structured interview schedule. The study revealed that experience in seed production, social participation, urban contact and information seeking behaviour would increase the knowledge level of seed growers. The variables experience in seed production was contributing more than 75 per cent of the variation inthe knowledge level.

The Role of Androgens in Life History Theories of Attachment

Life history theories (LHTs) of attachment address how attachments to caregivers in infancy/childhood and to romantic partners in adulthood are used to negotiate mating and reproductive choices. Greater insecure-avoidant attachment has been suggested to be associated with the adoption of a low-investment, short-term reproductive strategy. The role of sex hormones, including the androgen testosterone (T), in the development of attachment-related reproductive strategies has been speculated in some LHTs. This research tested an integrated-LHT model of early environment, attachment, and reproductive strategies in men, using structural equation modeling. Androgen-related effects were hypothesized to occur prenatally and/or in adulthood, consistent with various LHTs of attachment. A sample of 195 young men (M = 21.06 years) from the University of Western Ontario completed self-report paper-and-pencil questionnaires assessing their romantic attachment style, retrospective attachment to caregivers in childhood, sexual variables (e.g., sociosexuality, age at first intercourse), and personality variables such as aggression, impulsivity, and risk-taking. Testosterone was measured in saliva, while an indirect estimate of prenatal T was derived from the 2D:4D finger length ratio. Degree of androgen receptor (AR) sensitivity, as indexed by the CAG repeat polymorphism in the AR gene, was also obtained. Results showed that adult romantic attachment style (avoidant vs. anxious) mediated the relationship between childhood attachment insecurity and men’s sexual reproductive strategy. Greater avoidance predicted a more opportunistic sexual strategy and greater anxiety predicted lower levels of the same strategy. Degree of childhood attachment insecurity, as retrospectively reported, mediated the relationship between quality of early family structure and engagement in non-sexual evocative behaviours believed to be associated with a more opportunistic reproductive strategy (non-sexual reproductive strategy). Adult T was an independent positive predictor of avoidant attachment, and of the non-sexual reproductive strategy, while weaker AR responsivity predicted higher levels of romantic attachment anxiety. Furthermore, romantic attachment configurations were found to mediate the relationship between androgenic variables and sexual behaviour. These findings highlight the figural role of attachment in life history based models of mating strategies, and provide some of the first empirical support for the hypothesis that romantic attachment in men is, in part, sex-hormonally-based

Adoption Behaviour of Cashew Growers in Cuddalore District

India has a creditable record of attaining good amount of foreign exchange by way of export of cashew kernels. Among the Agri-Horticultural commodities getting exported fromIndia cashew ranks the 2nd position. The main objective of the study was to analyse the relationship of socio-personal and socio-psychological characteristics with their level ofadoption.The study was conducted in four village of Virudhachalam block of Cuddalore district. The sample size consisted of 120 cashew growers under NHM. Proportionaterandom sampling procedure was employed in selecting the respondents. The extent of adoption of different cultural practices taught in NHM training programmes was studiedthrough a teacher made test and that majority (65 %) of the respondents exhibited high level of adoption of technologies taught in NHM training programme

Antibiotic sensitivity pattern to urinary tract infections in a tertiary care hospital in South India

Background: Urinary tract infection (UTI) is one of the most common bacterial illnesses and hence one of the most important indications for antibiotic treatment. Current knowledge of the common organisms implicated in causing UTI in the local community and surveillance to monitor the changes in susceptibility of uropathogens are imperative to ensure appropriate therapy. The study objectives were to assess the proportion of UTI caused by each of the common urinary pathogens, to study the antibiotic drug sensitivity patterns by analyzing the culture and sensitivity reports and to identify the drugs which would be potentially favourable candidates for empirical therapy in the study locale.Methods: This hospital based cross sectional study was done by collecting the data from case records of patients who attended OPD or were admitted with diagnosis of UTI during the study period.Results: Escherichia coli was the single most important cause of UTI, accounting for 70% of the infection among the studied subjects, amongst which 55% was extended spectrum beta-lactamase producing organisms. A pattern of increased susceptibility to higher antibiotics like ertapenem, tigecycline and decreased sensitivity to fluroquinolones was evident. In addition, nitrofurantoin was found to be one of the antibiotics to which most of the organisms were susceptible (85%) favouring its use in empirical therapy of UTI.Conclusions: The pattern of accentuated susceptibility to higher antibiotics in the face of declining trend in the sensitivity to commonly used antibiotics necessitates promoting awareness on the need for rational prescribing of antibiotics among clinicians

Evaluation of colour stability of flexible denture base resin in four commonly used food substances

The objective of this study was to evaluate the colour stability of flexible denture base resin (Valplast) in two different resin thicknesses (1-1.5 mm and 2.0- 2.5 mm) in four commonly used food substance such as coffee, tea, turmeric and sunset yellow dye. Within the limitations of the study, the following conclusions were drawn, 1. The thickness of the sample, duration of immersion of the samples, the solution used, and their interactions were significant in producing colour change. 2. Though there was an initial increase in colour difference values, there was a gradual decrease after 30 hour duration. Δ E values of the 60 hours group were lower than 10 hours and 30 hours group suggesting a gradual increase in colour stability from 30 hours to 60 hours duration. 3. The turmeric solution produced greater colour change than the other solutions (Δ E >3.3) 4. According to the National Bureau of Standards units, samples of 1 mm thickness immersed in coffee, tea and sunset yellow for 10 hours, sunset yellow for 30 hours and in coffee and tea for 60 hours showed slight colour change values.(0.5- 1.5). The samples of 1 mm thickness immersed in coffee and tea for 30 hours, sunset yellow for 60 hours and the samples of 2 mm thickness immersed in coffee, tea and sunset yellow for 10 hours, coffee, tea and sunset yellow for 30 hours, coffee, tea and sunset yellow for 60 hours showed noticeable colour change values. (1.5 – 3.0). The samples of both 1mm and 2mm thicknesses immersed in turmeric solution for 10 hours, 30 hours and 60 hours exceeded the noticeable range.(>3.0) and considered to be clinically unacceptable. The present study is an invitro study where the interaction of saliva with the food colorants was not examined. Further research is required to evaluate the colour stability in invivo situation and in longer durations of clinical use

Formulation and Evaluation of Antimicrobial Mucoadhesive Dental Gel of Aerial Root of Ficus Benghalensis L to Enhance the Therapeutic activity using Clove Oil

Six batches of EEARFB dental gels were prepared by using two grades of Carbopol polymer (Carbopol 940 and Carbopol 974). Based on the physicochemical parameters such as appearance, spreadability, viscosity, drug content and In-vitro diffusion studies F2 and F5 were selected as best formulations. The FTIR graphs of drugs, excipients and formulation showed that there is no extra peak or broadening of peaks were observed and thus it indicates, there is no incompatibility between drugs and excipients. From the release kinetic results, the r2 value of F5 was found to be higher in zero order release kinetics. The kinetic data of F5 formulation was fitted to Korsemeyer Peppa’s model and the value of regression coefficient r = 0.9957 and n = 1.106 which follows non -fickian (Super case II) diffusion mechanism. The amount of drug released from optimized formulation F5 (96.10%) shows a good release when compared to F2 formulation. The formulation F5 was subjected to stability studies for 3 months. At the end of 3 months the formulation F5 showed no significant changes in appearance colour, at the room temperature and 40± 2◦C & RH 75±5%. The results of antimicrobial studies showed that gel formulations of EEARFB F5 showed a maximum zone of inhibition on Streptococcus mutans. As per the drug release and antimicrobial studies, it may conclude that dental gel of F5 formulation-0.6% (Carbopol 974) shows good release and antimicrobial effect. Since the formulation F5 shows good results against Streptococcus mutans in antimicrobial studies it may be subjected to further in-vivo studies and clinical trials

Ostéogenèse imparfaite type III de découverte tardive: à propos d’un cas

Patient âgé de 52 ans, était admis dans notre établissement pour des polyarthralgies chroniques, plutôt mécaniques, touchant spécialement lesarticulations du membre inférieur. L’interrogatoire retrouvait l’antécédent de fractures répétées depuis l’enfance, pour des traumatismes minimes,suite à des chutes par glissement. Les signes cliniques et radiologiques, notamment, les fractures récurrentes, sclérotiques bleues, hyperlaxitéligamentaire, dentinogenèse imparfaite, syndrome dysmorphique, ostéoporose densitométrique importante, plaidaient tous en faveur d’uneostéogénèse imparfaite type III. Le patient a initié le traitement, par prise régulière du calcium (1g/jour), supplémentation en vitamine D et il estprogrammé pour perfusion de Bisphosphonate (Pamidronate 60mg). Ce cas illustre une forme rare de découverte tardive d’ostéogénèse imparfaitetype III.Key words: Ostéogenèse imparfaite, fractures, pathologie hétérogène, bisphosphonates, ostéodensitométrie

Endometriosis and ART outcome: a retrospective analysis

Background: Endometriosis affects up to 30-40% of women seeking fertility treatment and is known to reduce fecundity. There remains a debate on the effect of endometriosis on the IVF outcome, with live birth not reported in most studies. This study looks at the impact of endometriosis on live birth rates after IVF and compares the chances of success with those without endometriosis.Methods: Retrospective analysis of women who underwent IVF at our institution for 2 years were included. Multiple factor infertility, ovulation disorders and donor program were excluded. The outcomes were compared for 4 cohorts - women with endometriosis, male factor infertility, tubal factor infertility and unexplained infertility. The primary outcome was live birth rate. Other outcome measures were total dose of gonadotropins used, mean number of oocytes collected, M2 oocyte rate, fertilization rate, implantation rate, and clinical pregnancy rate.Results: Patients diagnosed with endometriosis had lower mean number of oocytes collected (6.86 vs 7.69, 7.94, 7.45) and lower mean number of M2 oocytes (5.31 vs 6.21, 6.44, 5.91) but was not statistically significant. Endometriosis patients required significantly higher dose of gonadotropins when compared to controls (5365.79 IU;  p-0.001). The per ET implantation rate (10.4% vs 17.8%, 22.5%, 19.2%), clinical pregnancy rate (8% vs 15%, 20%, 17%), live birth rate (7.92% vs 16.6%, 15.14%, 12%) and the cumulative live birth rate (27.9% vs 46.5%, 60%, 46.7%) were significantly less in women with endometriosis (p-0.039, p-0.021, p-0.001, p-0.039 respectively) and the effect is more pronounced with increasing disease severity.Conclusions: Endometriosis affects all aspects of IVF outcomes including folliculogenesis, embryo development and implantation. Though ovarian factor can be overruled by increasing the stimulation doses as in our study, methods to improve the implantation rates should be thought about in future.

SENTIMENT ANALYSIS USING STRING TOKEN CLASSIFICATION ALGORITHM

Sentiment analysis is a type of data mining which involves computation of opinions, sentiments and to determine if an information or a piece of text conveys positive, negative or neutral opinion. Public opinion regarding various aspects can be found using sentiment analysis. Clustering and classification are the key techniques in sentiment analysis. Consensus clustering is better than existing clustering algorithms as it provides a stable and efficient final result. However, it has its own drawbacks. Instead of performing consensus clustering and selecting classifiers from the consolidated result, we try to develop a new classification algorithm in our wor