Study Habits of Higher Secondary School Students of Working and Non-working Mothers

The present study aims at to find out whether the study habits of higher secondary school students of working mothers (WM) differ significantly from those of non-working mothers (NWM). The study further compared the study habits of higher secondary school students of working and non-working mothers on the basis of gender. The sample of the study consisted of 100 secondary school students (25 male students of working mothers, 25 female students of working mothers, 25 male students of non-working mothers & 25 female students of non-working mothers)of the age group 16 to 18 years  belonging to different localities selected randomly from different educational institutions of district Pulwama, Jammu & Kashmir. Study Habit Inventory constructed by Mukhopadhyaya, M & Sansanwal, D.N was administered to the selected sample to assess their study habits and Self constructed General Information Questionnaire was used to elicit information regarding the subjects age, sex, family type, single parent or both parent, mother whether working or non-working, kind of work, number of working hours, educated/uneducated etc. The data so collected was analyzed statistically by employing mean, SD and t-test. The study revealed there were insignificant differences between the adolescent students of WM and NWM on the measure of comprehension, study sets, interaction, drilling, recording and language dimensions of study habits but significant differences were found between the students of working and non-working mothers on the measures of concentration, task orientation and supports. Regarding the total study habits the higher secondary school students of working mothers had significantly better study habits than those having non-working mothers. Further the study revealed that female students of WM had significantly better study habits fallowed by male students of WM, female students of NWM and male students of NWM. Key Words: Study Habits, Working and Non-working mothers, Higher Secondary School Student

Ethnomedicinal and ecological status of plants in Garhwal Himalaya, India

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>The northern part of India harbours a great diversity of medicinal plants due to its distinct geography and ecological marginal conditions. The traditional medical systems of northern India are part of a time tested culture and honored still by people today. These traditional systems have been curing complex disease for more than 3,000 years. With rapidly growing demand for these medicinal plants, most of the plant populations have been depleted, indicating a lack of ecological knowledge among communities using the plants. Thus, an attempt was made in this study to focus on the ecological status of ethnomedicinal plants, to determine their availability in the growing sites, and to inform the communities about the sustainable exploitation of medicinal plants in the wild.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>The ecological information regarding ethnomedicinal plants was collected in three different climatic regions (tropical, sub-tropical and temperate) for species composition in different forest layers. The ecological information was assessed using the quadrate sampling method. A total of 25 quadrats, 10 × 10 m were laid out at random in order to sample trees and shrubs, and 40 quadrats of 1 × 1 m for herbaceous plants. In each climatic region, three vegetation sites were selected for ecological information; the mean values of density, basal cover, and the importance value index from all sites of each region were used to interpret the final data. Ethnomedicinal uses were collected from informants of adjacent villages. About 10% of inhabitants (older, experienced men and women) were interviewed about their use of medicinal plants. A consensus analysis of medicinal plant use between the different populations was conducted.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>Across the different climatic regions a total of 57 species of plants were reported: 14 tree species, 10 shrub species, and 33 herb species. In the tropical and sub-tropical regions, <it>Acacia catechu </it>was the dominant tree while <it>Ougeinia oojeinensis </it>in the tropical region and <it>Terminalia belerica </it>in the sub-tropical region were least dominant reported. In the temperate region, <it>Quercus leucotrichophora </it>was the dominant tree and <it>Pyrus pashia </it>the least dominant tree. A total of 10 shrubs were recorded in all three regions: <it>Adhatoda vasica </it>was common species in the tropical and sub-tropical regions however, <it>Rhus parviflora </it>was common species in the sub-tropical and temperate regions. Among the 33 herbs, <it>Sida cordifolia </it>was dominant in the tropical and sub-tropical regions, while <it>Barleria prionitis </it>the least dominant in tropical and <it>Phyllanthus amarus </it>in the sub-tropical region. In temperate region, <it>Vernonia anthelmintica </it>was dominant and <it>Imperata cylindrica </it>least dominant. The consensus survey indicated that the inhabitants have a high level of agreement regarding the usages of single plant. The index value was high (1.0) for warts, vomiting, carminative, pain, boils and antiseptic uses, and lowest index value (0.33) was found for bronchitis.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>The medicinal plants treated various ailments. These included diarrhea, dysentery, bronchitis, menstrual disorders, gonorrhea, pulmonary affections, migraines, leprosy. The ecological studies showed that the tree density and total basal cover increased from the tropical region to sub-tropical and temperate regions. The species composition changed with climatic conditions. Among the localities used for data collection in each climatic region, many had very poor vegetation cover. The herbaceous layer decreased with increasing altitude, which might be an indication that communities at higher elevations were harvesting more herbaceous medicinal plants, due to the lack of basic health care facilities. Therefore, special attention needs to be given to the conservation of medicinal plants in order to ensure their long-term availability to the local inhabitants. Data on the use of individual species of medicinal plants is needed to provide an in-depth assessment of the plants availability in order to design conservation strategies to protect individual species.</p

Resource management for apple scab and sanjose scale control of apple in Kashmir Valley of J&K State

The study on resource management for apple scab and sanjose scale of apple in Kashmir Valley of J&amp;K State was conducted purposively in Sopore and Patten tehsils of Baramulla district covering 4 villages with a sample size of 200 apple growers selected through random sampling method. The study revealed that all the apple growers (100%) from rainfed and irrigated areas were applying the resource management practices such as checking the expiry of chemical before purchase, undertake precautions while using chemicals and sprayers, purchaseeconomical and convenient packing’s of plant protection chemicals, check the working condition of the sprayers on regular basis, undertaking care and maintenance of sprayers regularly and were able to repair the minor defects of sprayers by self followed by (66%) apple growers who had decided to planed plant protection schedule in advance. The data further showed that hired labour for disease and pest management of apple were available easily and locally, and as per requirement (100%). As regards prevailing wage rates (88%) farmers from rainfed and (91%) from irrigated area reported that these were reasonable. Plant protection chemicals needed for control of disease and pest of apple were found adopted by cent per cent farmers. The plant protection chemicals were also available in suitable packings (97%) and before the expiry date (96%). The critical evaluation of the plant protection chemicals and equipments before their use with regard to their quality being taken care by all the apple growers would help in eradication of the disease from the region

Long term effectiveness of cognitive behavior therapy for treatment of postpartum depression: A systematic review and meta-analysis

Background: The existing trials on the long term effectiveness of cognitive behavior therapy (CBT) for the treatment of postpartum depression have conflicting results. Therefore, we performed a systematic review to summarize the current evidence.Methodology: Literature search was performed using electronic databases Medline, Cumulative Index to Nursing and Allied Health Literature (CINAHL), and PsychINFO were explored from January 2000 to March 2013.All peer-reviewed English-published randomized controlled trials were eligible if they assessed the long term (at least at 24 weeks post partum) effectiveness of CBT versus standard postpartum care for prevention of postpartum depression. Data from eligible studies were abstracted by using structured data extraction form and pooled for calculation of relative risk ratio.Results: Five randomized controlled trials fulfilled eligibility criteria. In the included studies, the total number of women was 1087 with age ranged from 17 years to 42 years. Assessment carried on the ‘Cochrane Risk of Bias Tool’ showed the trials included in this review had low risk of bias. Two trials had sample size less than 50. Two out of five trials reported beneficial effect of CBT whereas three trials found no difference. Meta-analysis [random effect model] revealed 30% reduction in the prevalence of depression in the intervention group as compared with the control group [RR: 0.70 (95% C.I: 0.55 to 0.90)]. However, these results showed effectiveness of intervention because of one large trial and excluding this trial, there was no significant difference.Conclusion: In this systematic review, we found a beneficial effect of CBT in the prevention of postpartum depression at 24 weeks of postpartum period. However, the evidence is limited by a small number of trials with results being dominated by a single large trial. Robust research with larger sample size is needed to determine the long-term effectiveness of CBT for treatment of postpartum depression

Analytical study of training needs of olive growers in various subject matter areas of olive cultivation in Uri Block of district Baramulla, J&K, India

The main purpose of this study was to know the training needs of olive growers in different subject matter areas of olive cultivation undertaken in Uri block of district Baramulla of Jammu and Kashmir State. A sample size of 150 respondents was randomly selected from 5 villages and from each village 30 farmers were selected randomly. It was observed during the study that majority of farmers require training and with emphasis on latest transfer of technology in establishing olive farm, procurement of root stocks of improved varieties, soil management,proper spacing and planting, manures and fertilizers, irrigation and drainage, insect-pests and diseases, harvesting and marketing, etc. The area of insect-pests and diseases require high training need followed by soil management, selection of varieties, manures and fertilizers, harvesting and marketing, irrigation and drainage, establishing olive farm and procurement of root-stocks of improved varieties. Therefore, the study has highlighted the need for restructuring the training programme to benefit the olive growers in the region. Such an approach would boost production and generate additional income for the orchardists

Organic farming: Present status, scope and prospects in northern India

Organic agriculture has emerged as an important priority area globally in view of the growing consciousness for safe and healthy food, long term sustainability and environmental concerns despite being contentious in history. Green revolution although paved way for developing countries in self-sufficiency of food but sustaining production against the limited natural resource base demands has shifted steadily from “resource degrading” chemical agriculture to “resource protective” organic agriculture. The essential concept remains the same, i.e., to go back to the arms of nature and take up organic farming to restore the loss. Organic farming emphasizes on rotating crops, managing pests, diversifying crops and livestock and improving the soil. The rainfed areas particularly north-eastern regions where least or no utilization of chemical inputs due to poor resources provides considerable opportunity for promotion of organic farming thereby reflecting its vast but unexplored scope. However, significant barriers like yield reduction, soil fertility enhancement, integration of livestock, marketing and policy etc., arise at both macroscopic and microscopic levels; making practically impossible the complete adoption of ‘pure organic farming’; rather some specific area can be diverted to organic farming and thus a blend of organic and other innovative farming systems is needed. Adoption of Integrated Green Revolution Farming can be possible to a large extent, where the basic trends of green revolution are retained with greater efficiency and closer compatibility to the environment. This review paper attempts to present the recent global and regional scenario of organic farming particularly highlighting the scope, prospects and constraints in the northern areas

Attitude of Undergraduate Students in Rural Colleges of Kashmir Valley towards Experiential Learning

Experiential learning, which is the process of learning through direct experience and reflection, is a core component of contemporary education system. The present study attempted to explore the attitude of undergraduate students in rural degree colleges of Kashmir valley in the state of Jammu & Kashmir, towards experiential learning. Altogether, 150 undergraduate students pursuing bachelor’s programme in various rural government degree colleges, were identified for the study through randomization. The 25 item- questionnaire was administered to measure the attitude towards experiential learning. Various statistical techniques and graphical representations such as mean, standard deviation, percentage, 2x2 factorial design were employed. The study established that attitude towards experiential learning differs significantly with respect to gender and academic stream among the undergraduate students

Attitude of Undergraduate Students in Rural Colleges of Kashmir Valley towards Experiential Learning

Experiential learning, which is the process of learning through direct experience and reflection, is a core component of contemporary education system. The present study attempted to explore the attitude of undergraduate students in rural degree colleges of Kashmir valley in the state of Jammu & Kashmir, towards experiential learning. Altogether, 150 undergraduate students pursuing bachelor’s programme in various rural government degree colleges, were identified for the study through randomization. The 25 item- questionnaire was administered to measure the attitude towards experiential learning. Various statistical techniques and graphical representations such as mean, standard deviation, percentage, 2x2 factorial design were employed. The study established that attitude towards experiential learning differs significantly with respect to gender and academic stream among the undergraduate students

Relationship between incidence of Leucinodes orbonalis (Guenee) and Chlorophyll content in leaves of Brinjal (Solanum melongena L.)

The present study on biochemical basis of resistance against Leucinodes orbonalis infestation was conducted during the year 2011-2012. The results revealed that highest chlorophyll-‘a’- content of 0.497 mg/gfw was recorded in the susceptible genotype SHB-1.The lowest amount of 0.319 and 0.381 mg/gfw was observed in the resistant genotypes Brinjal-85 and Local long respectively, which were significantly different from other evaluated genotypes. The chlorophyll ‘a’content was positively correlated with the brinjal shoot and fruit borer infestation. Thehighest chlorophyll -‘b’- content of 0.442 mg/gfw was recorded at 70 DAT (days after transplanting). The amount of chlorophyll -‘b’- varied significantly among the genotypes at different ages and decreased with the age of crop. The average highest amount of chlorophyll -‘b’- was estimated in the genotype SBH-1 which was significantly at par with hybrid SBH-2. The lowest chlorophyll -‘b’- content was recorded at 40 DAT in the genotype Brinjal-85 followed by Local Long. The lowest amount of total chlorophyll was estimated in the resistant variety as compared to susceptible therefore exhibiting lowest level of infestation