The Distribution, Nesting Habits and Status of Threatened Vulture Species in Protected Areas of Central India

Protected Area (PA) establishment is one of the commoner strategies for wildlife conservation, but the effectiveness of these developments is rarely evaluated in terms of species’ performance. This article assesses the effectiveness of PAs of Central India, using an assessment of threatened vulture species. These species may be considered as keystone species in this region. Relevant parameters considered for assessment comprised: (i) the presence and population density of vultures in PAs compared with those in unprotected forests and agricultural landscapes; (ii) counts of the breeding population, nesting preferences and environmental factors for such variables; and (iii) the impacts of policies designed to combat the effects of the deadly diclofenac drug on vulture populations. Quantitative (total counts of vultures and nests, transect surveys) and qualitative (semi-structured interviews, secondary data surveys) methodologies were used in data collection, to provide an adequate information base. White-rumped, Longbilled, Egyptian and Red-headed vultures (resident) and Cinereous Vulture, Eurasian Griffon and Himalayan Griffon (migratory) were recorded in PAs. The probability of vulture occupancy was significantly higher in PAs (44–51%), than in unprotected forest (17.6–17.8%) and agricultural areas (0.03%). The average vulture density in PAs (0.529 ±0.228 km-2 ) was also much higher than in unprotected forest (0.014±0.012 km-2 ) and agricultural areas. The presence of active, inactive and abandoned nests in PAs revealed favorable habitat conditions for breeding, potential breeding and floater vulture categories. Disturbance factors were insignificant. The statutory ban on diclofenac use had a significant impact on vulture populations within the PAs, but this factor was insignificant in surrounding areas. These findings indicate a positive role of PAs in conservation, with insignificant impacts of the diclofenac ban across different types of landcover. It is concluded that increased promotion of environmental education is important to ensure effective vulture conservation and the success of PAs

Pathway from nutrition intake to wage among elementary workers in India

Despite the consistent effort to reduce hunger and poverty, a sizeable proportion of the population in India is living below the poverty line (22% 2011-12) and 36% women and 34% men were underweight. Malnutrition and poverty form a vicious circle of poverty which needs to be removed through government intervention. In the context, using data from national representative “employment and unemployment” (and 61st round 2004-05 and 68th round 2011-12) of the National Sample Survey Organisation (NSSO) we have tried to establish the association between nutrition status and wage in India. In order to take into account the heterogeneous effect of the calorie intake across the income distribution and endogeneity of the calorie consumption, we have applied instrumental variable quantile regression. Regression result confirms the heterogeneous impact of per-capita calorie intake across household income distribution. Result shows that the marginal effect of per consumer unit calorie intake on wage decrease with the increase in wage. Calorie intake elasticity of wage gain increases from 0.76 at the lowest 10th quantile to the 1.11 at the highest 90th quantile of the wage distribution in 2004-05. In 2011-12 calorie-wage elasticity decreased to 0.42 and 0.79 respectively at the 10th and 90th quantile of the wage distribution. Study clearly shows the urgent need of public nutritional supplementation at the low of the wage distribution for the maximization of wage gain from the marginal public nutritional expenditure

PROSPECTIVE COHORT STUDY COMPARING PERITUMORAL INJECTION OF METHYLENE BLUE DYE WITH PERI-AREOLAR INJECTION AS A SINGLE APPROACH FOR THE IDENTIFICATION OF SENTINEL LYMPH NODES IN INDIVIDUALS WITH CLINICALLY NON-PALPABLE BREAST CANCER AT IGIMS, PATNA, INDIA

Background: Selecting the optimal place for injecting the blue dye in breast cancer is one of the most hotly contested questions in the SLN detection procedure.  Objective: In contrast to combining peri-areolar and peritumoral injection techniques, the study's objective is to assess the SLN's detection rate utilizing the peri-areolar injection technique.   Methods:  This prospective cohort comparative study included 60 female patients with early-stage, non-palpable breast cancer confirmed by histopathology. After essential workups like blood tests, ECGs, and chest X-rays, patients consented and were randomly assigned to two groups for methylene blue dye injections for sentinel lymph node biopsy.  Results:  The study compared sentinel lymph node (SLN) detection using periareolar and combined periareolar-peritumoral methylene blue dye injections. SLN detection rates were 73.3% in Group A (periareolar only) and 80% in Group B (combined technique), with no significant difference between the groups (p = 1.00). This suggests that adding peritumoral injections does not improve SLN identification over periareolar injections alone. The study also found the upper quadrant as the most common tumor site, occurring in 46.67% of Group A and 60% of Group B, demonstrating the effectiveness of methylene blue dye across different breast tumor locations.  Conclusion:  The study confirmed that 1% Methylene Blue Dye (MBD) is effective for Sentinel Node Biopsy (SNB) in breast cancer, suitable even in limited access settings. It showed that tumor size and grade are key factors in SLNB, with negative lymph nodes leading to better patient outcomes by avoiding axillary clearance morbidity. Additionally, the SLN detection rates were similar between periareolar and peritumoral injection techniques using MBD.  Recommendation: For Sentinel Lymph Node Biopsy in early-stage breast cancer, it is advised to standardize the use of the periareolar injection technique with 1% Methylene Blue Dye.

Developmental Performance Ranking of SAARC Nations: An Application of TOPSIS Method of Multi-Criteria Decision Making

To be developed, nations are trying to cope up with the fast-changing economy and technology of the world. But the development of a nation does not depend only on these two factors rather several other indicators are essential to a country’s development. The present study deals with the progress of the SAARC (South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation) countries towards development through social, economic and environmental stability. This study aims at analyzing the comparative developmental performance of the SAARC nations in accordance with the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) and Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). In this study, we have prioritized the 8 SAARC nations based on 4 indicators (economic, demographic, health and environment indicators) and 20 variables using the multi-criteria decision-making method (MCDM). The result showed that Sri Lanka has prioritized 1st followed by Bhutan. India has been ranked 4th and Afghanistan was least prioritized

Pathway from nutrition intake to wage among elementary workers in India

Despite the consistent effort to reduce hunger and poverty, a sizeable proportion of the population in India is living below the poverty line (22% 2011-12) and 36% women and 34% men were underweight. Malnutrition and poverty form a vicious circle of poverty which needs to be removed through government intervention. In the context, using data from national representative “employment and unemployment” (and 61st round 2004-05 and 68th round 2011-12) of the National Sample Survey Organisation (NSSO) we have tried to establish the association between nutrition status and wage in India. In order to take into account the heterogeneous effect of the calorie intake across the income distribution and endogeneity of the calorie consumption, we have applied instrumental variable quantile regression. Regression result confirms the heterogeneous impact of per-capita calorie intake across household income distribution. Result shows that the marginal effect of per consumer unit calorie intake on wage decrease with the increase in wage. Calorie intake elasticity of wage gain increases from 0.76 at the lowest 10th quantile to the 1.11 at the highest 90th quantile of the wage distribution in 2004-05. In 2011-12 calorie-wage elasticity decreased to 0.42 and 0.79 respectively at the 10th and 90th quantile of the wage distribution. Study clearly shows the urgent need of public nutritional supplementation at the low of the wage distribution for the maximization of wage gain from the marginal public nutritional expenditure

Social Innovation and Entrepreneurship in Arunachal Pradesh: Opportunities and Challenges

Bio-geographically, Arunachal Pradesh is the wealthiest province of the entire Himalayas. The picturesque terra firma full of natural beauty and rich cultural opulence, in its entirety, falls under the eastern Himalayan landscape. This north eastern territory of the country was previously called “Terra Incognita” till the beginning of the 20th Century, and hitherto remains one of the least studied states in India today. The state’s socio-economic development is currently in a transitional phase with variations across different districts. Considering the quality of social capital available, there is a dire need to emphasise proper resource flow and foster an understanding of the importance of the existent social capital. It may be noted that entrepreneurs are powerful instruments of development and economic change. So, panacea in the long term is the promotion of social innovation and entrepreneurship, which will give momentum to the State’s developmental agenda and address the state’s social issues. Indeed requires a motivating ecosystem which prioritises essential skills and innovation and adopts a fresh, sustainable view of resources and technology. Therefore, the present paper explores the prospects of social innovation and entrepreneurship in the state with particular reference to contemporary social concerns adopting a practice-based approach. &nbsp

Developmental Performance Ranking of SAARC Nations: An Application of TOPSIS Method of Multi-Criteria Decision Making

To be developed, nations are trying to cope up with the fast-changing economy and technology of the world. But the development of a nation does not depend only on these two factors rather several other indicators are essential to a country’s development. The present study deals with the progress of the SAARC (South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation) countries towards development through social, economic and environmental stability. This study aims at analyzing the comparative developmental performance of the SAARC nations in accordance with the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) and Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). In this study, we have prioritized the 8 SAARC nations based on 4 indicators (economic, demographic, health and environment indicators) and 20 variables using the multi-criteria decision-making method (MCDM). The result showed that Sri Lanka has prioritized 1st followed by Bhutan. India has been ranked 4th and Afghanistan was least prioritized

THE PREVALENCE OF HYPOCALCAEMIA AMONG PATIENTS UNDERGOING THYROIDECTOMY AT A SOUTH INDIAN TERTIARY HOSPITAL: A PROSPECTIVE STUDY.

Background After total thyroidectomy, calcium levels drop temporarily and permanently. Parathyroid glands adjacent to the thyroid glands are important for calcium metabolism. An accidental parathyroid gland injury damages calcium metabolism. Surgery-related hypocalcemia may be observed 24-48 hours later. This research also attempts to uncover the biochemical and clinical causes of hypocalcemia. This research evaluates neuromuscular stability using Chvostek and Trousseau signs.  Method An observational study was conducted prospectively at JSS Hospital from Mysuru, Department of General Surgery. The patients undergoing total thyroidectomy were included in the study. the patients were thoroughly examined for their calcium levels after the surgery. Follow up were taken for 6 months if the calcium levels were less than 8 mg then it was classified as permanent hypocalcemia. The data for 100 patients was collected and then statistically analyzed for the occurrence of hypocalcemia.  Results It was found that the operating time (p = 0.03), indication (p = 0.001), and level of thyroid hormone (p = 0.03) can be correlated with the occurrence of hypocalcemia. Other factors, such as gender and age of the patient, could not be correlated to the occurrence of hypocalcemia as the p-value was not statistically significant. Conclusion After total thyroidectomy, the operating time, indication, and level of thyroid hormone can be correlated with the occurrence of hypocalcemia. Checking the calcium levels after 6 hours and 24 hours of the surgery and regular follow-up can prevent the worsening of hypocalcemia.  Recommendations This research highlights the importance of monitoring calcium levels following total thyroidectomy and identifies key factors, including operating time, indication, and thyroid hormone levels, that can contribute to hypocalcemia. To mitigate the risk of hypocalcemia, it is recommended to check calcium levels at specific post-operative intervals and establish a regular follow-up protocol for patients undergoing total thyroidectomy

Microwave assisted synthesis of 5-methyl-1,3,4-thiadiazol-2-ylthio/tetrazol-1-yl substituted pyrazoles, 2-azetidinones, 4-thiazolidinones, benzopyran-2-ones and 1,3,4-oxadiazoles

175-17

A micro bacteriological culture assessment of the histopathological alterations in liver and bile in gallstone disease

Background: The present investigation aims to evaluate both the intensity and occurrence of hepatic impairment in patients afflicted with gallstone disease, examining the involvement of bacteria in the progression of these alterations. Methods: This prospective observational investigation was carried out on 189 patients scheduled for open or laparoscopic cholecystectomy at IGIMS in Patna, Bihar, India. In all the patients, laboratory and radiological investigations were performed. A healthy section of the liver border near the gallbladder fossa was chosen and grasped with non-traumatic forceps. Approximately 1 cm of the liver edge was excised using scissors and forwarded for histopathological analysis. Results: An examination of 189 liver biopsy specimens revealed that 87 (46%) patients showed no abnormalities, while 102 patients (54%) exhibited one or more changes. Upon analysing the liver biopsy samples from the control cohort (41 patients) during autopsy, 37% of the cases were identified to display hepatic lipidosis, while 48% of the cases showed lymphocytic invasion. Importantly, no cases of acute inflammatory changes were detected in the control cohort. Microbiological analysis was conducted on 96 patients, of which 33 (34%) showed positive cultures, with one or more microorganisms isolated from either the biliary tract or liver. Among these, 74% (24 cases) originated from the bile or gallbladder, while 26% (9 cases) were isolated from the liver. Conclusions: Gallstone disease induces significant liver histological changes, notably more prevalent in patients with prolonged symptoms. The present study clearly identifies this and underscores the importance of timely diagnosis and intervention for the effective management of this disease