The Ownership and Industry Effects of Corporate Dividend Policy in India, 1961-2007

The cross-sectional trends in dividends are investigated at an aggregate level of ownership (i.e. closely/largely held and regulated firms), and at disaggregate level across 20 industries to examine how Indian Private Corporate Sector appropriated its profits over 1961-2007 periods. Alternatively it is examined whether internal funds are a significant source of finance and the dynamics of relation between dividends relative to earnings across type of companies and industries. Indian corporate sector pays relatively more equity dividends than preference dividends. Other things being equal, the probability of paying cash dividends decreases with share holder concentration and the regulated companies pay relatively larger dividends. Dividend payouts for all type of firms decline, and such tendency is more pronounced after liberalization periods indicating a greater choice of internal financing through retained earnings. The analysis of inter-corporate and inter-industry variations reveals that dividends interplays differently with exogenous factors.Dividend Policy, Indian Private Corporate Sector, Public and Private Limited Companies, Regulated Industry, Ownership Effect, Industry Cross-section

Infection Rates in Open Fractures of the Tibia: Is the 6-Hour Rule Fact or Fiction?

Aims. Emergency debridement has long been the standard of care for open fractures of the tibia as infection is an important complication. The timing of operative debridement can be debated. We review open fractures of the tibia and compare infection rates in those that were operated on within and after 6-hours. Method. 103 consecutive open fractures of the tibia were reviewed. The data was analysed retrospectively with regard to severity of fracture and incidence of infection. Infection rates over a three-month period were compared between the two groups. Results. 12 (11.6%) patients developed an infection within the first 3 months of injury. 7 of which were taken to theatre within 6-hours, and 5 after 6-hours. No significant differences were found between these two groups. Conclusion. There is no significant difference in timing of surgery. Initial basic interventions may play more of a role in limiting the risk of infection

Effect of Various Nutritional Supplements on Hyaluronic Acid Production

Effect of various nutritional supplementations on production of hyaluronic acid (HA) using Streptococcus equi subsp. zooepidemicus ATCC 39920 was evaluated at shake flask. Among the different carbon sources used, maltodextin showed HA of 0.9 g/L followed by 0.7 g/L for dextrose. L-arginine HCl at 2.0 g/L increased the yield of HA from 0.7 g/L to 0.85 g/L. L-arginine and L-glutamine showed the yield of HA of 0.7 g/L and 1.0 g/L, respectively at 2.0 g/L concentration. L-glutamine (2.0 g/L) and uridine (0.75 g/L) showed HA yield of 0.8 and 1.045 g/L, respectively. Addition of sodium glucuronate at 0.25 g/L concentration at 8 h, the yield of HA was increased from 0.7 g/L to 0.85 g/L. Pantothenic acid at concentration of 8.33 mg/L supplemented to the P10 medium, yield of 0.87 g/L of HA was obtained. Active dry yeast at 5.0 g/L increased yield of HA from 0.7 g/L to 0.85 g/L. Tween 80 at higher concentration reduced HA production. The addition of MgSO4.7H2O at 1.0 g/L improved the production of HA. Other metal ions like manganese, ferrous, copper, and zinc have no significant effect on HA production. Thus, it has been found that various nutritional supplements have effect on production of HA using S. equi subsp. zooepidemicus ATCC 39920

Effect of Various Physical Parameters and Statistical Medium Optimization on Production of Hyaluronic Acid Using S. Equi Subsp. Zooepidemicus ATCC 39920

It has been shown that initial conditions for bacterial cultivation are extremely important for the successful production of hyaluronic acid (HA) by fermentation. We investigated several physical parameters that affect productivity of HA under shake flask. i.e. transfer criteria of seed, agitation and aeration of fermentation flasks. Among the various physical parameters studied, inoculum age of 8-10 h, pH 6.4, optical density (600 nm) 2.0 and 3% level inoculum transfer found to be optimum. After inoculating with Streptococcus equi subsp. zooepidemicus ATCC 39920, the temperature 37 0C and 90 rpm found optimum during growth as well as for the HA production. The fractional factorial design of six factors with two levels showed yeast extract, potassium dihydrogen phosphate and sodium bicarbonate as significant model terms. The factor potassium dihydrogen phosphate was relatively more significant than yeast extract.

ANTIFUNGAL ACTIVITY OF LIPASE MODIFIED FLAVONOIDS FROM CITRUS LIMETTA

Objective: The aim of the present study is to bring about enzymatic modification of flavonoids from Citrus limetta in order to increase their antifungal activity. Methods: Methanolic extraction of flavonoids from citrus peels was carried out and their presence was confirmed by various tests. Crude extract of flavonoids was subjected to enzymatic modification by enzyme lipase in presence of acyl donor tributyrin in order to bring about esterification. Esterification was confirmed using IR spectroscopy and sodium hydroxide- phenolphthalein test. Antifungal activity of the treated sample and control sample were tested against Candida albicans and compared with fluconazole by Kirby Bauer disk diffusion method. Results: Methanolic extract showed the presence of flavonoids on carrying out various test. While testing enzymatic modification, IR spectra did not show a significant difference between treated and control; however, enhanced esterification was confirmed by sodium hydroxide-phenolphthalein test. On carrying out antifungal activity, treated samples showed a 56.52% increase in zone of inhibition against Canidida albicans as compared to the control and was also found to be more in comparison to fluconazole. Conclusion: The results signify that enzymatic modification increases the antifungal activity of flavonoids from Citrus limetta

Record catch of rock perch, Epinephelus fasciatus by bottom trawling off Ratnagiri

A productive fishing ground for rock perch (Epinephelus fasciatus) was located off Ratnagiri between 17 degree 00' to 17 degree 10' N latitude and 72 degree 20' to 72 degree 30' E longitude, around a depth of 96m during November, 1983. An average catch of 2 ton/hr. was recorded. Length frequency studies of E. fasciatus indicate the probability of a nursery ground consisting of three brood stocks. Hydrographic studies of the ground revealed that the bottom water was oxygen deficient below a strong thermocline extending from 15-75 m depth with the recorded bottom temperature amounting to 20.5 degree C

PhnJ – A novel radical SAM enzyme from the C–P lyase complex

AbstractPhnJ from the C–P lyase complex catalyzes the cleavage of the carbon–phosphorus bond in ribose-1-phosphonate-5-phosphate (PRPn) to produce methane and ribose-1,2-cyclic-phosphate-5-phosphate (PRcP). This protein is a novel radical SAM enzyme that uses glycyl and thiyl radicals as reactive intermediates in the proposed reaction mechanism. The overall reaction is initiated with the reductive cleavage of S-adenosylmethionine (SAM) by a reduced [4Fe–4S]1+-cluster to form an Ado-CH2∙ radical intermediate. This intermediate abstracts the proR hydrogen from Gly-32 of PhnJ to form Ado-CH3 and a glycyl radical. In the next step, there is hydrogen atom transfer from Cys-272 to the Gly-32 radical to generate a thiyl radical. The thiyl radical attacks the phosphorus center of the substrate, PRPn, to form a transient thiophosphonate radical intermediate. This intermediate collapses via homolytic C–P bond cleavage and hydrogen atom transfer from the proS hydrogen of Gly-32 to produce a thiophosphate intermediate, methane, and a radical intermediate at Gly-32. The final product, PRcP, is formed by nucleophilic attack of the C2-hydroxyl on the transient thiophosphate intermediate. This reaction regenerates the free thiol group of Cys-272. After hydrogen atom transfer from Cys-272 to the Gly-32 radical, the entire process is repeated with another substrate molecule without the use of another molecule of SAM or involvement from the [4Fe–4S]-cluster again

Rupture uterus: a prospective observational study of 25 consecutive cases in a tertiary referral centre in South India

Background: Uterine rupture in pregnancy is a rare though catastrophic complication with a high incidence of foetal and maternal morbidity. It appeared to be on the decline in recent times, prompting us to analyse the clinical picture now. The objective of the study was to study the risk factors, clinical profile and consequences of uterine rupture on maternal and perinatal outcome.Methods: A prospective observational study of 25 consecutive cases of uterine rupture was carried out between July 2013 and October 2015. All the cases of rupture uterus either referred or diagnosed after admission were included. Detailed demographic data, past and present obstetric events, time taken to reach the referral centre, the reasons for any delay, mode of presentation, type of rupture, management and maternal and foetal outcomes were analysed.Results: The incidence of rupture was 1 in 915 deliveries. Seventy-two per cent of them were referred cases. Average time to reach from referral centre was 4.3 hours, the common reasons for delay being patient factors (33%), transport problems (38%) and delayed referrals (22%). Previous caesarean section was the most common predisposing factor (56%). Sixty-four per cent of the ruptures were diagnosed clinically. Eighty-four per cent of the ruptures were complete. Sub-total hysterectomy was carried out in 14 (56%) patients. Internal iliac artery ligation (20%) and bladder repair (8%) were sometimes required. All women required blood transfusion.  Perinatal mortality was seen in 76%. There was no maternal mortality.Conclusions: Uterine rupture is a cause of severe acute maternal morbidity and very high perinatal mortality.  Delay in referral and diagnosis can lead to significant maternal morbidity and hysterectomy

Study of Behaviour of Square and Rectangular Footings Resting on Cohesive Soils Based on Model Tests

The estimation of a reliable value of bearing Capacity of soil is the most important step in the foundation design work. Number of theoretical approaches and in-situ tests for the estimation of bearing capacity of footing are available. The reliability of any theory can be demonstrated by comparing the experimental test results on field footings with theoretical predictions. One of the reliable methods is the load test on full sized footing. However, this test as covered under IS 1888-1982 is too expensive and time consuming. Model tests can be conducted on footings of various sizes. The surface characteristics for different loading conditions can provide information on qualitative and quantitative contribution of such parameters on bearing of footings in absence of field test results. It is revealed that research work (Sawant et al (2000), Rajgopal et al (2000), Sawaf et al (2005), Mohmoud et al (1989), Harikrishna et al(2000), Sahu et al (1970) etc.)has been carried out for load tests on model footings resting on sand as foundation medium. However no work has been reported so far on c – Φ soil. In this present study a laboratory model with loading frame has been developed in Geotechnical Engineering Laboratory of College of Engineering, Pune to conduct small scale load tests, to determine Bearing capacity characteristics of footings resting on c-Φ soil. Load tests were conducted on two square, two circular and five rectangular footings resting on c – Φ soil in the laboratory model. The bearing capacity, time – settlement relationship, pressure settlement relationship of footing resting on c – Φ soil and effect of various parameters such as L/B ratio, shape and size of footing on bearing capacity of footing were studied. Comparison is made between bearing capacity of footings estimated by the conventional methods such as Vesic’s, Tezaghi’s method and that estimated by Model Test Results. The model tests provide qualitative information on parameters influencing bearing capacity of footings. These tests can be used to check the bearing capacity estimated by analytical method