Gulf migration study : employment, wages and working conditions of Kerala emigrants in the United Arab Emirates

This is the fourth in a series of Working Papers published by the CDS on Kerala migration. Unlike the other three, this one is financed by the Kerala Government and the data were collected in UAE. The objectives of this Working Paper are to: - document changes in the labour demand for different categories of emigrant workers - enumerate the emigration policies - examine employment and working conditions, wage levels and related problems of the Kerala emigrants - understand the education and training requirements of future emigrants to UAE

A Study of Crop Yield Prediction Using Machine Learning Approaches

Agriculture plays a pivotal role in our society by providing food, fiber, and raw materials for various industries. The world's population is steadily growing, and there is increasing pressure on agriculture to meet the rising global food demand. In this context, the use of machine learning approaches to predict crop yields has gained significant importance. This paper aim is to study the significance of crop yield prediction through machine learning, its methods, applications, and its potential to revolutionize the agricultural sector

Trajectories of low back pain from midlife to retirement and functional ability at old age

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Effect of integrated nutrient management on growth and yield of radish

Integrated Nutrient Management (INM) is necessary to enhance sustainable yield in an eco-friendly way. A field experiment was conducted in the research field of Midwest Academy and Research Institute College of Live Sciences, Tulsipur, Dang from November 2018 to January 2019 to investigate the effect of integrated nutrient management on growth and yield of radish. Mino Early variety was used in the experiment. The experiment was laid out on Randomized Complete Block Design with four replications and 5 treatments. Nitrogen (N) was supplied through different sources. The treatment combinations were: control (T1), 100% recommended N through chemical fertilizer (T2), 50% recommended N through chemical fertilizer + 50% N through farmyard manure (FYM) (T3), 50% recommended N through chemical fertilizer + 50% N through poultry manure (T4) and 50% recommended N through chemical fertilizer + 50% vermicompost (T5). Significant effect was noted on leaf numbers, root length, root diameter and yield per ha but no significant effect was noted on the germination percentage and plant height. The highest germination percentage  (77.00 %), plant height (13.27 cm), root length (16.94 cm), root diameter (3.01 cm), and yield per ha (16.55 t/ha) was recorded at T4 (50% recommended N through chemical fertilizer + 50% N through poultry manure). T5 (50% recommended N through chemical fertilizer + 50% vermicompost) recorded the highest leaf numbers (10.40). In our experiment, T4 (50% recommended N through chemical fertilizer + 50% N through poultry manure) was found to be superior, so in inner terai places like Tulsipur, Dang it is suggested to apply 50% recommended N through chemical fertilizer + 50% N through poultry manure to obtain a high yield of radish

A Study of Crop Yield Prediction Using Machine Learning Approaches

Agriculture plays a pivotal role in our society by providing food, fiber, and raw materials for various industries. The world's population is steadily growing, and there is increasing pressure on agriculture to meet the rising global food demand. In this context, the use of machine learning approaches to predict crop yields has gained significant importance. This paper aim is to study the significance of crop yield prediction through machine learning, its methods, applications, and its potential to revolutionize the agricultural sector

Characterization of carbon derived from candle by flame-soot method for counter electrodes of dye-sensitized solar cells

Candle soot, carbon samples prepared by flame-soot method, was characterized and investigated for its catalytic ability for the reduction of tri-iodide ions aiming to substitute expensive platinum based electrode used in dye-sensitized solar cells (DSCs). The Energy Dispersive X-ray Spectroscopy of the candle soot samples revealed that the soot contains 96% carbon. Similarly, Scanning Electron Microscopy images show that the candle soot consists of interconnected carbon nanoparticles of size ∼50 nm. Furthermore, X-ray Diffraction and Raman spectroscopy showed that the candle soot consists of disordered and ordered graphitic carbons in a comparable proportion. The catalytic ability of the candle soot was compared with that of platinum by Electrochemical Impedance Spectroscopy of the symmetrical electrochemical cells. The charge transfer resistance (Rct) at the candle soot-electrolyte interface was observed to be ∼4.42 Ω cm2 compared to ∼ 5.04 Ω cm2 that of the platinum-electrolyte interface. The candle soot was prepared by a simple method using low-cost material; hence, it can be a low-cost and efficient counter electrode material alternate to the platinum used in counter electrodes of DSCs

Trajectories of low back pain from midlife to retirement and functional ability at old age

BackgroundThis study aimed to identify trajectories of low back pain (LBP) over a 16-year follow-up from midlife to retirement and investigate their association with mobility limitations and disability in activities of daily living (ADL-disability) in later life.MethodsThe study population consisted of 6257 baseline (1981) respondents aged 44–58 years from Finnish Longitudinal study on Aging Municipal Employees. Repeated measurements of LBP were collected in 1985, 1992 and 1997. We studied persons who had data on LBP at baseline and in at least one of the follow-ups and had information on mobility limitations (n = 2305) and ADL-disability (n = 2359) at a 28-year follow-up in 2009. Latent class growth analysis was used to identify LBP trajectories. Odds ratios (ORs) with 95% confidence intervals (CIs) for the associations of LBP trajectory and later life mobility limitations and ADL-disability were estimated and adjusted for confounders.ResultsThree LBP trajectories with parallel shapes were identified: high-decreasing (19%), intermediate-stable (60%) and low (21%). After adjustment for confounders, high-decreasing trajectory had 3.2 times the odds (95% CI 2.1–4.9) of mobility limitations and 2.9 times the odds (95% CI 2.0–4.2) of ADL-disability as compared to low trajectory. The respective ORs for intermediate-stable trajectory were 1.6 (95% CI 1.2–2.1) and 1.7 (95% CI 1.3–2.3).ConclusionsAmong majority of respondents, LBP remained stable over the follow-up. The respondents belonging to intermediate-stable and high-decreasing trajectories of LBP had higher odds of mobility limitations and ADL-disability at old age. This highlights that LBP during midlife to retirement has far-reached consequences on functional ability at old age.</p

Evaluation of Lifelong Work Satisfaction among Former Postal Service Workers

While policymakers emphasize the need to delay retirement age, numerous traditional industries, among them postal services, emphasize the need for employee downsizings. These can be contradictory needs. Downsizings can reduce work life satisfaction (WLS) among workers, and reduced WLS can decrease willingness to delay retirement age. In this cross-sectional study, we explore WLS trajectories of former postal service workers by analyzing quantitative survey data (N = 201) and qualitative interview data (N = 40). In the data, workers aged 50–67 years evaluate their lifelong work satisfaction. The results of the quantitative and the qualitative study complement and mirror each other. Same trajectories of WLS were identified in both data. One-third of the survey respondents reported decreasing WLS, which according to the qualitative data relates to employee downsizings. The article highlights the importance of acknowledging contextual elements of work satisfaction measurement and the benefits of combining methodological traditions to understand the longer-term dynamics involve

Multisite musculoskeletal pain trajectories from midlife to old age : a 28-year follow-up of municipal employees

Objectives We studied the developmental trajectories of multisite musculoskeletal pain (MSP) to learn whether pain in midlife persists to old age, and whether pain trajectories associate with midlife work or lifestyle exposures or retirement from work. Methods Municipal employees aged 44–58 years were studied in 1981 (n=6257) with follow-ups in 1985, 1992, 1997 and 2009. Pain in the neck, low back, and upper and lower limbs was assessed in each survey. Trajectories of the number (0–4) of pain sites were defined using growth mixture modelling (n=3093). Workload, lifestyle and morbidity were elicited by questionnaire and retirement from registries. Associations of baseline factors with pain trajectories were assessed by multinomial logistic regression. Cumulative hazard curves for retirement by trajectory group were calculated. Results Three trajectories of pain over 28 years emerged: low (25%), moderate (52%) and high-decreasing (23%). In the latter, the number of pain sites first decreased sharply, stabilising to a moderate level after most subjects had retired. The disability pension rate was highest in this trajectory, which associated with high baseline morbidity, particularly musculoskeletal disorder (OR 8.06; 95% CI 5.97 to 10.87). Also high biomechanical exposure (2.86;95% CI 2.16 to 3.78), high job demands (1.79; 95% CI 1.39 to 2.30), high job control (OR 0.70; 95% CI 0.54 to 0.90), body mass index (BMI) ≥25.0 kg/m2 (1.40; 95% CI 1.09 to 1.80) and low leisure-time physical activity (LTPA) (1.39; 95% CI 1.09 to 1.78) at baseline were associated with this trajectory. However, high LTPA and BMI in repeated surveys also associated with the high-decreasing trajectory. Conclusion MSP in midlife often persists to old age. However, high widespreadness of pain may decrease with retirement from work.peerReviewe