Is Irrigation Water only Used for Irrigation? An Enquiry into the Alternative Uses and an Attempt on Valuation

Irrigation sector investments in Kerala have been mounting since Independence, but the financial performance of these investments has been far from satisfactory. In an era of growing divergence in water supply and demand, the emergence of water markets is imminent. This calls for a realistic pricing strategy for water use, whether in agriculture or other sectors. The canal water though targeted at the agriculture sector, is often put to non-irrigation uses. This paper has discussed a method to quantify the non-irrigation uses of canal water and has assessed the value of the same, based on a sample study in Peechi Irrigation Command Area in Thrissur district of Kerala, India . The value has been assessed for the water used directly for irrigation from the canal system, water used through the recharge facility from the canal and non-irrigation uses (domestic).Agricultural and Food Policy,

Quality Assurance in Education through Quality Circles – Global and Indian Context

Since Independence, the education, particularly the higher education in India has undergone a unique transformation from elitist to egalitarian group. There has been the expansion of higher education facilities in India since independence. We can see the expansion of higher education with increasing speed day by day in the context of globalization, liberalization and privatization. But a big question in front of us is whether the quality is ensured or not. It is saddening to note that 128 universities who got themselves accredited by the NAAC only 32 per cent could get ‘A’ or above level of rating while another 52 per cent of them could manage with ‘B’ or above grade. The remaining 16 per cent fall in grade ‘C’ or above. NAAC assessment further indicates that 68% of colleges are rated as ‘B’ while another 23% colleges is rated as ‘C’ grade; and only the remaining 9% are ‘A’ grade. Thus the quality assurance in higher education is the need of the hour

Work motivation of teachers : relationship with transformational and transactional leadership behavior of college principals

The strength of an educational system largely depends upon the quality of its teachers. It is a teacher who helps to transform an individual into a person of imagination, wisdom, human love and enlightenment, and institutions into lampposts of posterity, and the country into a learning society. The National Policy on Education (1986) has rightly remarked “The status of the teacher reflects the sociocultural ethos of a society; It is in this context that today a teacher occupies a unique and significant place in any society

Strategies of Knowledge Sharing Among the Postgraduate Students of University of Science and Technology, Meghalaya: A Study

With the emergence of knowledge based society and knowledge based economy, it has become very important for the knowledge seekers to manage and utilize knowledge to achieve their goals. This research paper highlights the knowledge sharing strategies adopted by the postgraduate students of University of Science and Technology Meghalaya (USTM). It also discusses the problems faced by the students while sharing knowledge. Survey method of research was carried out to collect the data from the post graduate students of USTM using a self-constructed questionnaire to investigate different aspect of Information Communication Technology and their effectiveness in knowledge sharing practices. Findings reveals that the post graduate students of USTM prefers web 2.0 tools such as wikis, social media, and blogs to facilitate effective knowledge sharing

INFLUENCE OF GENDER AND OBESITY ON ANALGESIC MODULATION OF TRAMADOL IN RATS

Objective: The objective of this study was to investigate the influence of gender and obesity on analgesic modulation of tramadol in Wistar rats.Methods: This study was carried out in two sets of experiments. In Set I experiment - 48 rats (body weight ≤150 g), 24 each male and female rats were randomly divided into two groups (n=6/group) (Group I - Control; 0.9% NaCl; 1 ml/kg/day i.p. and Group II - Tramadol 10 mg/kg/day i.p.) for each nociception model - plantar test and acetic acid-induced writhing test. The treatment duration was of 5 days. On the last day of treatment (i.e., on the 5th day), paw withdrawal latency (PWL) was assessed using plantar test, and writhing movements were observed following administration of 0.8% acetic acid; 10 ml/kg i.p. Set II experiment was repeated like Set I experiment among rest 48 high-fat diet-fed rats (body weight ≥300 g).Results: For both males and females, PWL was significantly decreased (p<0.05) in obese control groups compared to lean control groups. A number of writhing movements were significantly increased (p<0.01 for males and p<0.001 for females) in obese control groups compared to lean control groups. In tramadol-treated obese rats, PWL was significantly decreased (p<0.01 for males and p<0.05 for females), and number of writhing movements were significantly increased (p<0.01 for both males and females) in comparison with the tramadol-treated lean rats.Conclusion: The present study revealed that obese female rats experience more pain sensation to noxious stimuli compared to lean male rats and also the analgesic effect of tramadol is more pronounced in lean male rats compared to obese female rats

CORRELATION OF GENDER AND LEPTIN WITH ANALGESIC EFFECT OF TRAMADOL IN RATS

 Objective: The objective of the study was to investigate the correlation of gender and serum leptin level with analgesic modulation of tramadol in Wistar rats.Methods: A total of 48 Wistar rats (body weight 100–150 g), 24 each male and female Wistar rats were randomly divided into two groups (n=6/group) (Group I - Control- 0.9% NaCl; 1 ml/kg/day i.p. and Group II - Tramadol 10 mg/kg/day i.p.) for each nociception model - plantar test and acetic acid induced writhing test. The treatment duration was of 5 days. Paw withdrawal latency (PWL) was assessed using plantar test and writhing movements were observed following administration of 0.8% acetic acid; 10 ml/kg i.p.Results: PWL was significantly decreased (p<0.001) and both number of writhing movements and serum leptin concentrations were significantly increased (p<0.001) in female control group compared to male control group. In tramadol treated female rats, PWL was significantly decreased (p=0.005) and both number of writhing movements and serum leptin concentrations were significantly increased (p<0.001) in comparison with the tramadol treated male rats. PWL was negatively correlated with serum leptin concentration (Pearson correlation coefficient= −0.826, two-tailed significance= 0.000), and writhing movements were positively correlated with serum leptin concentration (Pearson correlation coefficient= 0.505, two-tailed significance= 0.012).Conclusions: The present study revealed that female rats have more serum leptin concentration than male rats which could be one of the possible reasons for having more pain sensitivity to noxious stimuli in female rats compared to male rats. Tramadol treatment at the dose of 10 mg/kg for 5 days has decreased serum leptin level in rats which might be one of the additional mechanisms of tramadol to reduce pain

Evaluation and Comparison of Plasma miRNA-31 in Oral Squamous Cell Carcinoma

Background/Purpose: Oral Squamous cell carcinoma is sixth most common cancer with considerable morbidity and mortality. The microRNAs (miRNAs) are set of short RNAs involved in regulating the expression of protein coding genes. They are up or down-regulated in carcinogenesis and in oral cancer. The miRNA-31 (miR-31) is increased in oral cancer. Objective: To evaluate and compare the expression of miRNA-31 in plasma of Oral squamous cell carcinoma and control subjects. Materials and Methods: Case control study was carried out in 25 cases of oral squamous cell carcinoma subjects and 25 normal control subjects. The level of miRNA-31 in blood plasma was evaluated by miRNA easy kit (quagen) and miRNA-based qRT-PCR. The fold change was observed and compared between OSCC and controls. Results: The plasma level of miRNA-31 was significantly increased in OSCC patients compared to controls (p<0.001). The patients with moderately differentiated, grade 4 OSCC patients showed significant increase in fold change compared to control, well differentiated and grade 3 OSCC (p<0.001). Conclusion: Our results indicate that plasma miR-31 may be used as an adjuvant biomarker the detection of OSCC patient

“Vaai Ganam” - a screening program for early detection of oral potentially malignant disorders and oral cancer among truck drivers in Chennai – a cross-sectional survey

Introduction: Truck drivers, though forming an integral part of a vital trade link for the Indian population, lack basic life insurance and health care benefits offered by other organized sectors in Indian Industries. This paper aims to present the initial findings of the “VaaiGanam” program which proposes to identify tobacco use and the prevalence of Oral potentially malignant disorders (OPMDs) among truck drivers who are stationed or passing via Chennai and provide cessation services by behavioral therapy. Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted by a dental screening team who were involved in data collection and screening of the 747 truck drivers who fulfilled the inclusion and exclusion criteria between Jan to Oct 2022. After data collection, oral examinations were done and suspicious lesions were sought for expert opinion. A standard punch biopsy was taken from those lesions requiring confirmation. Results: Among the 747 subjects who participated in this program, 704 (94.2%) were current users of various tobacco products, with 235 (31.4%) preferring smoking and the rest 469(62.8%) using smokeless tobacco products. Oral mucosal lesions were recorded in 49 (6.5%) of the study population, mostly among tobacco users. Punch/incisional biopsies were taken among 17 of the 49 subjects and oral dysplasia was histopathologically confirmed in 9 (mild epithelial dysplasia = 5; moderate epithelial dysplasia = 4) subjects.  Conclusion: Truck drivers with tobacco and substance abuse are at high risk of developing oral cancer and hence this study emphasizes the importance of periodic oral cancer screening programs for this vulnerable population to identify potentially malignant oral lesions at an early stage

Quality of Occupational Therapy Research in India - A Descriptive Review

Background: Occupational therapy (OT) enhances functional independence in the daily activities of people with disabilities and subsequently their quality of life. Research in OT generates evidence to provide safe and effective services to the disabled. However, OT research in India has been shown to have various methodological limitations. These methodological limitations are expected to impact the quality of OT research as well as the evidence derived from this research to inform decision‑making in rehabilitation. The majority of the OT research is disseminated and promoted through the All India Occupational Therapists’ Association’s (AIOTA) annual national conference (ANC). Analyzing the abstracts, selected for the presentation at the ANC could help understand and strategically improve the quality of OT research in India. Objectives: To explore and describe the quality of OT research in India. Study Design: Descriptive analysis. Methods: Descriptive, nonsystematic review and analysis of the key methodological aspects of the conference abstracts submitted for the AIOTA ANC published in the Indian Journal of OT (IJOT) from 2017 to 2021 was carried out. Information related to the methodological aspects of the research abstracts was extracted using a data extraction form and the data were synthesized and reported descriptively. Results: About 218 abstracts had been selected for either poster or oral presentations in the AIOTA ANC. All the abstracts were included for the review. A total of 8055 participants were recruited for the studies conducted from 2017 to 2021. About 5757 (72) of the participants were recruited for cross‑sectional studies. Nearly 72 (33) of the abstracts presented were related to cross‑sectional studies, 52 (24) were case studies and 66 (30) were experimental studies. However, research designs implying highest level of evidence such as systematic reviews were only 4 (2) and randomized controlled trials were only 9 (4) with 297 participants. Notably, 203 (98) of the all the studies evaluating effectiveness of interventions or aiming to investigate associations reported positive results with statistically significant improvements and associations. Conclusion: The review provides invaluable information relatedto the quality of OT research in India. It implies the need to improve the scientific rigor of the evidence generated in relation to OT research in India. This review also implies the need for a radical change and strengthening of OT research within OT education and professional practice in India. National and global OT associations need to prioritize good quality OT research by enhancing the research skills and competencies of OTs in India. This could help promote evidence‑based OT science and develop the OT profession in the world’s second‑most populous country. In addition, it is also expected to encourage those OT researchers who have been striving to build OT research standards in India

Calf massager: intervention for body muscle discomfort during prolonged standing

Many occupations require workers to stand for long periods of time without proper interventions, which causes discomfort in the back and lower limbs. Therefore, this study aims to assess the effectiveness in alleviating body muscle discomfort during prolonged standing through the use of a calf massager. This study was conducted among male workers at a manufacturer with production line workers and the list was obtained from the HR Department and simple random sampling was done by number categorization. A total of 100 respondents (50 respondents for both the control and the experimental groups) participated in this study. The experiment took place in a room with a similar setup for the production line. Each respondent was requested to perform the simulated task for 2 hr. For the experimental group, the calf massager was turned on every 15 min. At every 15‐min interval after turning on the calf massager, respondents from both groups were required to evaluate their discomfort level on a Borg's scale CR‐10 questionnaire. The results showed that the level of body discomfort among respondents in the experimental group reduced (20–30%)compared with that of the control group. Multivariate analysis results revealed that the discomfort rating for the lower back, knees, thighs, calves, and feet was significantly lower (p < .05) among the experimental group compared with the control group. For lower body parts, the lower back region was statistically significant(p < .05) at the 90th, 105th, and 120th min; the thigh region was statistically significant (p < .05) at the 120th min; the knee region was statistically significant(p < .05) at the 105th and 120th min; the calf region was statistically significant(p < .05) at all minute intervals except the 15th and 45th min, while the feet region, was statistically significant at the 105th and 120th min. Therefore, this study indicates that calf massage treatment is capable of reducing body muscle discomfort during prolonged standing and highlights the significance of calf massage